Uncommon Ground

Chapters

2 - Assessing the Situation
3 - Story 1, Beach Party
4 - Story 2, Frozen North
5 - Turn Back
6 - Status Quo
7 - Protecting My People
8 - A Meeting of Leaders
9 - Later
10 - What Is It Good For?
11 - Escalation
12 - Contact
14 - Research Initiated
15 - Counterstrike
16 - Defending Equestria
17 - Coming in Peace
18 - The Need to Know
19 - Communication
20 - Prisoners of War
22 - Hostages
23 - Interrogations
24 - Prisoner Exchange
26 - Breaking of the Dawn
27 - Accusations
28 - Domestic Situations
29 - Praise the Sun
30 - Understanding
31 - Rising Entropy
32 - Chain of Command
33 - She Came Gently
34 - Hail to the Chief
35 - Celestial Convergance
36 - When Moon and Sun Join
37 - Big and Small
38 - A Sharing of Hurt
39 - Major Morning
40 - Take Flight
42 - In Session
43 - Monopoly
44 - Mandatory Order
45 - Clever Humans
46 - Linguistic Drift
47 - Rising Sun
48 - Like a Good Neighbor, Ponies Are There
49 - Meeting of Minds
50 - Not Alone
51 - Now, I am become Death, the destroyer of worlds
52 - Assumptions
53 - In Your Dreams
54 - Unrest
55 - Doing Good
56 - Inauguration
58 - Consequences
59 - To Remember
60 - Justice
61 - You Are a Pirate
62 - Censureship
63 - Silence on the Stage
64 - Ready Player One
65 - A Piece Falls
66 - We Are Friends
67 - Movement
68 - Promotion
69 - War Approaches
70 - Equestrian Muster
71 - Clever Bulls
73 - Hooah
74 - Those We Saved, Those We Didn't.
75 - Drawing Lines
76 - Field Promotion
77 - Phagocytosis
78 - Air Strike Incoming
79 - Stay With Me
80 - Old and New Friends
81 - A Will of Iron
82 - With Friends Like These
83 - Reading is FUNdamental
84 - To Learn is Dangerous
85 - Research Material
86 - Finding Love
88 - A Warring Country
89 - It is Not Over
90 - Finding Fillydelphia
91 - Can You Repeat That?
94 - Disintegration
95 - We Welcome Our Equine Overlords
96 - Let's Talk Peace!
97 - Comfortable Couches
98 - So Many Questions
99 - New York Trials
100 - Just Following Orders
101 - Take a Look, It's In a Book
102 - Meanwhile
103 - One Shot, One Kill
104 - Picking Up the Pieces
105 - System Abuse
106 - Harmony
107 - Where the Timberwolves Howl
108 - Agent of Harmony
57 - Slow and Steady
72 - Rockets' Red Glare
87 - Black Friday
92 - Daybreak
93 - Great Meetings, Dim Fires
1 - Property Values
13 - The Ultimate Price
21 - Venture Capitalism
25 - Elsewhere
41 - Migration

2 - Assessing the Situation

A pegasus flew high in the sky, looking down and around for things of interest. That tour was usually boring and uneventful, but she had to do it. Water, water, a dolphin, some more water, not water? She tilted her head, coming to a sudden halt in the air. "We're in the middle of the ocean!" Her words were for no one but herself, trying to reconcile why she saw a landmass up ahead.

She banked towards the ship she had come from, but the sharp turn brought another thing into view, making her almost falter in the air. It was another ship in the distance, but it didn't match any other ship she had seen before. She couldn't be sure, since it was so far away, but it felt... big, and not made of wood at all. "What is going on around here?!" She half-fell towards her ship in a soaring dive bomb to deliver the news.

The president sat at a table with his cabinet gathered around. "What do we know?" he demanded. "Tell me all the news, good or bad."

"The house and congress are in session," reported one woman.

"We've received word from Alaska." Everyone looked towards the man who had spoken. "Came in via radio. The hardlines of the Internet were severed, as we expected. Satellite communication is inoperable."

"How long until we launch new ones," grunted a third man. "Just, fwoosh, problem solved, right?"

The president pointed to the man that had mentioned Alaska. "I want to hear the rest of that. What's the situation?"

"Dire." He tapped the edge of his many papers against the table. "And mildly perplexing. They're reporting..."

The president raised a brow, but another cabinet member barked before he did, "Out with it!"

The reporting member coughed into a fist. "Very well. They're reporting a severe drop in temperature, even by their standards. They're also reporting unusual wildlife, extremely hostile. Fortunately for them, Alaska is heavily armed--"

"Not funny."

He coughed softly. "It only gets stranger from there."

The president tapped the ends of his fingers together. "How 'unusual' are we talking about? Are the Alaskans battling wooly mammoths? I'm almost ready to accept that possibility." The room chuckled softly at the idea.

The reporting member did not. "The reports are scattered, but it seems whenever this 'event' occured, while here in the mainland we remained contiguous and undisturbed, there were severe topographical shifts in Alaska, as well as the appearance of what can only be described as buildings and structures."

A fist came down on the table. "Do they belong to whoever attacked us like this?!"

The female from before raised her hands. "I doubt we know that."

The man nodded in agreement. "That's about all I know, Mr. President. Limited skirmishes. State police and stationed military are mobilizing."

The president took a slow breath. "Alright... Can we get some pictures over the radio? Make it happen. We need to know what we're dealing with. On that note, Do we know where they are? I'm going out on a limb and saying the globe over there isn't entirely accurate right about now."

"That dovetails nicely," spoke a second woman. "There will be no launches. The conditions for it are off the charts. The world is not the same size. The weather patterns are adjusting across the continent to match wherever we are. The radio remains deathly quiet besides our own. Whatever happened, we are here, and the rest of the known world is not."

It was a sunny day, warm and bright. People slathered on sunscreen and enjoyed the soft sands beneath them. It was an odd thing, the way it seemed just warm enough to make the sun nice to the touch, but no hotter than that. Even those who had forgotten to cover up didn't find their flesh turning angry red as they played and cavorted.

For whatever other problems there were in the world, it was a good day to play at the beach, and the Spring Break students had no intention of surrendering the opportunity to enjoy it. Sun, surf, and a liberal dose of alcohol to keep the fun flowing. Of course, the latter there was word of a potential rationing on, which gave all the more reason to enjoy it before the 'responsible adults' did something stupid like that.

An equine face barely peeked above the surface of the water some distance away. "That wasn't there..." she noted with a faint tilt of her head. Her swimming had been rudely cut off by an island. She wasn't used to having something so huge just, poof, out of nowhere. "They look like they're having fun though..." She wasn't sure what they were, but they were playing fun-looking games and laughing and running around.

Surely they had room for one little hippocampus?

"Now, class." He tapped at the green board with his chalk. "I know there is a lot of talk about a lot of things, but we still need to get through this. Whatever's going on outside this room doesn't change what's on the test."

One of the students in the back loudly snorted.

"Something on your mind, Williams?"

Tod Williams leaned forward on his desk. "Man, you're teaching geography."

"That I am, and if you'll turn to--"

"Dad says we're not in your geography no more."

"Any more," corrected another student, looking self-satisfied.

The teacher huffed a little sigh. "Be that as it may, this situation will surely pass. Now, as we were..."

Twilight came to a skidding halt with her friends before Luna and Celestia's thrones. No matter how many times she had been asked not to, she bowed before her princess, her own wings unfolding a moment. "We came as quickly as we could."

Applejack tipped her hat. "What's the problem, Yer Majesties."

Luna thrust a wing out towards the west. "I felt it in the moon, a faint tug to start it all, or perhaps because of it."

Celestia shook her head. "Let us start with what is before us. An alien species has invaded the north." She leaned a little towards Twilight, looming over her. "I believe you are familiar with them, though they are not as colorful as reported."

Twilight blinked at that. "I am? I need a little more to work with than how colorful they may or may not be?"

Luna raised her forehooves, tracing in the air. "Bipedal, with only a mane for fur. They dress themselves to make up for it, as I imagine is required, living so far north. They are armed."

Fluttershy gasped loudly. "Armed?! Are they... mean?"

Rarity's eyes rolled. "I don't think we'd be here if they were simply 'mean', dear."

Celestia brought down a hoof with a loud clop. "There have been deaths already." She shivered from top to bottom. "Even Tirek was not so swift to... We are dealing with a dreadfully violent invader. I was hesitant to call you, to put you in the line of such..." She took a slow breath, marshalling herself. "As mentioned, they are armed, and prefer ranged combat, making things more awkward. I dare not send the guards; least not the spear-to-spear specialists."

Twilight crashed to her haunches, and she was not alone in doing so. "Are Cadance and Shining alright?"

Luna smiled thinly. "They are well, but it was the crystal ponies who were struck first. When not threatened by these hairless invaders, it seems they are attacking the local fauna as well, forcing them to flee, often to the detriment of the Crystal Empire. They are beset at two sides and are urgently calling for help, which we are beholden to provide."

Applejack threw her hat to the ground with an angry snort. "That ain't right!"

Rainbow Dash lifted a few feet into the air. "Let me at'em! I'll zoom in and hit them so fast they won't even know what happened!"

Twilight held up a hoof. "Let's not be rash." She imagined her friend being so... hurt... "Let's approach this rationally. Have we tried contacting them?"

Celestia shook her head softly. "The first attempt went poorly, and resulted in some of the fatalities I already mentioned."

The ponies present shared unsure looks. Rarity stood up. "If they wear clothes, they must at least understand fashion. There must be some shred we can bond over there."

Rainbow Dash's brows fell. "Seriously?"

Applejack shrugged lightly. "Sounds about right by her line ah thinkin'."

Fluttershy nodded towards Rarity. "That would be nice..."

"As nice as that would be--" Twilight paced back and forth before the thrones. "--we can't assume it. We need a plan that doesn't get more ponies hurt, or worse."

With a deafening crash, several guards that had been standing by the door were sent flying, hooves flailing. The doors had been thrown wide to permit a large yak, the leader of them, to stride forward with several attendants behind him. "This where talk war?"

Celestia winced at the word. "I would prefer we didn't."

He thrust a hoof at her angrily. "Sign deal, friends. We attacked, you attack back. You attack, we attack back. This is deal. Pony not keep word?" Prince Rutherford snorted explosively, still stomping forward. "Is easy say friend in peace, now prove mean it!"

Pinkie appeared before the large prince, throwing a leg over his massive withers. "Ruthie! Good to see you, but why didn't you reach out to me before, you know, storming in here? I'm your official ambassador, you know. I'd take care of this."

He tossed his head, easily dislodging Pinkie in a sprawl. "Fine. We expect reinforcements soon." He pointed a hoof down at Pinkie. "Better happen, or we know ponies not real friends when count. Come, we go." He stomped once and his retinue turned in place. "Not leave home undefended." They all grunted in agreement and they began to march off in determined solidarity.

Celestia sank miserably in her throne. Luna was not so passive. "It seems our hooves are being forced. If we do not act, the world will know that we cannot be counted on in times of proper emergency." She sat up tall. "There is little choice. We will prepare the guards with the most experience in ranged combat and mobilize them."

The sun princess hissed softly as she sat up. "I will... call in the students."

Twilight tilted her head. "Students?"

"There is a clause..." She was quiet a moment. "Your parents signed it, if you did not. Accepting a place in my school for talented unicorns included a request to come to Equestria's aid if it was required." She sighed softly. "The need for talented magicians is quite pressing."

Twilight stood up stiff and saluted. "Reporting for duty."

Rainbow burst into laughter, but her expression was supportive. "Dang, look at you, Twi. From egghead to jughead, just like that? Aren't you already a princess, of friendship and all that?"

Twilight nodded stiffly. "And I will look for... peaceful ways, but I signed that agreement myself. I insisted." She smiled awkwardly. "I can't even blame that one on my dad. He'll sign anything if you give him a reason to." She coughed into a hoof. "Besides, this isn't the first time I, nor any of you, have moved to defend Equestria. I'm actually pretty used to it."

Applejack nodded at that. "Ya got a point there. Reckon ah won't be much help if'n yer lookin' fer distance fighters. I'm not suited fer that."

Rarity set a hoof on Twilight's shoulder. "I may not have put in as many years of practice as you, dear, but I'll be at your side, if you'll have me." She cracked a little smile. "I do know a few spells."

Twilight hugged Rarity tightly. "Are you sure? I mean, this won't be comfortable, or easy, or clean."

"Exactly why you need me." She turned up her nose. "Someone with a nose for what ponies need in these trying times should be present to see to them. I can only imagine the ugly and uncomfortable uniforms they'll try to put on everypony."

Author's Note

Ah, Rarity, keeping an eye out for what's really important.

Also, finally, ponies! So many colorful ponies, yay!

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3 - Story 1, Beach Party

There were very funny looking. They wore clothes, except where they didn't? Some of them had covering everywhere, some had their tops open, and others covered their tops and bottoms and left their little wriggly feetsies and hands available. It was all very odd and without rhyme nor reason that she could tell.

But they were having fun, and she wanted a piece of that. She decided she didn't need, or feel like, going up on land yet. There were plenty of them out in the water. She looked from one to the next among her potential pool of people to say hello to.

She picked one that seemed about in the middle of the spectrum. Was it a boy or girl whatever it was? She had no idea, but did it matter all that much? Nah. She cut through the water with a happy giggle, darting over to the person as they swam so slowly. They were obviously land creatures, just enjoying a taste of the sea.

She couldn't blame them for wanting to try it. The water was so fun! She brushed up against the creature before poking her head free a little just beside it. "Hello! Nice to meet you. I'm Mobile. Mobile Corral."

The person jerked in surprise at the contact and squeaked in surprise when she came up into view. It said something, but she didn't understand it. It was a boy though, she decided. A boy-whatever.

"Don't be scared. I just want to play with you and all those other creatures." She tilted her head a little. How to communicate a desire for fun... Oh! She rolled over, displaying her belly and patting it with her fin-hooves. "I don't bite, promise."

The male slowed in his panic, staring at the curious creature that was floating before him, speaking strangely in all defiance of what he knew.

"" called out another person who was braver for not being so close, a female. ""

"" He didn't feel brave enough to try giving the alien a belly rub. One does not assume aliens want their bellies rubbed! "" He did try waving.

She squeaked with joy. He was waving. She returned the gesture eagerly. "Yes, yes! Like that. Hello!" She waved at the other person that seemed to be paying attention. "Hello to you too!"

The college-aged woman laughed at the man. ""

"" Still, he didn't want to be outdone. The musically trilling thing seemed to want to be in their presence, and he was no coward! He took a step towards it.

Mobile tensed. Part of her wanted to just close the distance. There was play to be had! But she reasoned, perhaps correctly, that rushing the thing might startle it, so she waited for him as he came closer slowly. "See?" she spoke gently. "I won't hurt you. I just want to have fun. You talk funny though, all deep and rough. Are you rough? I hope not."

"" he spoke in his own hopes to keep the thing he was approaching calm. It had the face of... some sort of fantastical blend of a horse and a fish, like a literal sea horse. The rest of it matched that start, with hooves in the front and a big powerful fin in the back. "" he decided. If it didn't eat him, he was impressed with her bright shimmering colors.

He was within touching distance, so she reached, slowly. She gently ran a hoof-fin down one of his arms, slowly. "Can we be friends? Can you be friend with things you can't talk to? What am I saying? Of course you can. That's how pets happen, but you're not a pet, no. You talk funny, but you talk, so we can be friends, yes?"

"" called the female that watched the interaction.

"" He wasn't sure having her as backup would help him much. "" He couldn't place if its strange and complicated noises were boy or girl sounds. He took a brave step, returning her touching, feeling her arms first. She didn't resist, or even flinch. Soon he was up beside her, gently petting down her form, and that only seemed to make her happier. ""

"See, we're friends now." She pointed at herself. "I'm Mobile Coral. Mobile. Coral." She pointed at him. "You?"

"" He looked over at her at that. She was quietly recording the two of them on a phone in thick plastic, clearly waterproofing it for sea-borne fun.

He rolled his eyes at that and looked back to the wonder before him as she made noises pointing at herself, then pointed at him and a lone utterance. "" He rolled pointed at it, hoping that would somehow work.

"Mobile. Coral," she dutifully repeated, assuming he was asking since he was pointing at her.

"" His body regained its tension, the gravity of the situation descending on him.

"Mobile Coral " The female, a short distance away, remained braver. She waved at the curious creature. " Mobile Coral. " She pointed at herself. "<--is Sandra. Sandra.>"

Mobile perked her ears, new joy brimming in her. "Hello ! What a funny name. It's nice to meet you." She waved towards the female eagerly. "Now we can play?"

The male felt he needed to catch up, so he pointed both thumbs at himself. ""

"Hello to you too, ." She sank into the waters and popped up beside Sandra. "Can we play? Ooo, let me get a ball." She sank again out of sight.

Sandra blinked at the spot that once held a hippocampus. ""

He took a few slow steps towards her. ""

She gave him a shove, almost knocking him over. ""

With a splash, she reappears, surfacing with her hooves holding a ball she found nearby. "Ta da!"

Hank burst out into laughter, his worry's defused like a popped balloon. ""

So they did just that, passing it back and forth, sometimes arcing through the air, other times skidding across the water, but their playtime would not go unnoticed. Other humans noticed the strange third player they had in the water. The braver of them approached to join, expanding the game. Soon a net was set up and water volleyball commenced. As it turned out, the alien knew how to play, to the surprise of everyone involved, even Coral, who was dumbfounded that the crazy aliens that didn't know how to speak her language knew that game.

It was all the more reason to have fun though, and she laughed and played eagerly. The game had started timidly at first, the humans unsure how to proceed, but when she emerged from the water, breaching it like a dolphin to power-spike the ball with a swat of her tail, it became clear that she was not only knowledgeable in the sport, but pretty decent at it.

Play became serious.

But all good things had to come to an end. The humans eventually got tired, as was the nature of their forms in the waves. One by one, they started to wander back towards the sands. "What, are we done already?" She watched them go, many giving friendly little waves at her that she eagerly returned. "Oh, are you just tired of being in the water? We can fix that." She darted for the land and hit the edge of the water just right, skidding up onto the sand as her body transitioned, landing perfectly on all fours. "Ta da!"

Mobile Coral's forehooves split and stretched out into proper talons, while her back limbs terminated in the hooves her forehooves once were. She was a hippogriff, dripping with water that was running from her, glistening in the sun. "We can still play!"

The humans were of mixed feelings. Amazement and surprise running through those that had seen the strange creature just casually shapeshift. "" declared one of them, breaking the tension. "" He offered up a can of soda towards the strange creature.

"For me?" She ambled up to him and reached out, accepting what seemed to be being offered. "Ooo, cold." She held it against her face, enjoying the chill.

"" He was laughing at her mistake, looking far more amused than annoyed. He reached for the can and she let him take it. With a deft motion and a pop and hiss, the can was opened. He made a slow demonstration of taking a sip from it, then offered it again.

"Ohhhh!" She took the can back and peered into the hole a moment before trying a sip. "Ooooo, sweet!" It was sweeter than almost anything else she had tried. Which meant she wanted more of it. "This means we're friends, right?"

Red and blue lights began to strobe from up in the parking lot of the beach with the sound of a siren played for a hot moment.

Hank suddenly grabbed Mobile's shoulder. "Mobile Coral, " He pointed out into the water.

She got confused. She hadn't even finished her drink. "What's wrong?" More of the funny bipeds were rushing in, and other bipeds were shying out of their path. They were all fully dressed and looked serious. "Are they bullies?" She didn't feel equipped to get involved in the social structure of her new friends. "Uh, I'll come back, promise! , take care." She put the can right in his hand. No reason he couldn't finish it. "Bye!"

A loud bang made her ears fold back, ringing. Sand near her exploded upwards. What was going on?! She fled into the water, vanishing in a color streak into the waves.

"Mr. President, we have a confirmed sighting of an alien lifeform off a beach in California, near Santa Cruz. There was civilian contact."

The president looked up from the clipboard he had been reading. "Was anyone hurt? Any casualties?"

Technically one of those would give the answer for the other, but the agent didn't correct the president on that one. "No casualties. The civilians were interviewed. It was a peaceful contact."

The president brightened a little at that. "Well, that's good news. Was it the same creatures as the ones Alaska's dealing with?"

The agent pulled free a piece of paper from a folder he was holding. "Speaking of that, we have pictures, of both." He presented the two.

The president accepted them. The image of the one on the beach was quite clear. It had the front of a bird, and the back of a horse. It was brightly colored like a sea and, despite having a beak, had a very obvious smile. It was surrounded by people who didn't seem upset to have it there.

The other was a great shaggy beast with enormous horns. A yak, but it wore clothing, or armor depending on how you looked at it. It was also dead, collapsed on the ground in the snow where that picture had been taken and sent. The picture was fuzzy and low resolution, denying him any fine details. "We have to get communication back..."

It was very clear that the two creatures were not the same. "We're dealing with multiple forces, but they're not all hostile. I'll take that as a positive sign. Interrogate the civilians that had contact with it. We need to know everything they know." He held up a hand. "Don't break any laws doing it."

"Of course, Sir." He bowed a little before slipping quietly from the room.

Author's Note

In this chapter, we spend more time with one story instead of hop-hopping constantly. Like it? Prefer the bigger-picture hopping around? Was this a typo?!

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4 - Story 2, Frozen North

He had to go outside. It was nicer inside, warm, dry, no murderous animals. He grabbed his rifle off its rack and checked it briefly for problems. He was wearing his warm clothes to ward away the chill of the deep north. It had only grown worse in the last few weeks. A lot of things had grown worse.

He couldn't even check his email. The entire Internet, down. At least his power was on. Small blessings. Not as if he'd want to try living without heat and lights. He grabbed the door's handle firmly in his right hand, gun held awkwardly but readily in his left.

He remembered when they only worried about a possible moose or a hungry polar bear snooping around. Those were the days, in retrospect.

With the firm click of metal on metal, he pulled the door open to reveal the wintery landscape that was his home. Even that had changed. The hills weren't in the right places, to start. His neighbors, distant as they were, they hadn't moved. The town used to be on a little hill. Then it was in a little valley.

He felt like he was being watched. He pulled the door shut with a firm slap, knowing it was locked. He held his gun in both hands, turning to look around carefully. With a thump, he bumped the roof of his patio with the end of the gun, hopefully to startle any wild animals up there.

Besides a bird or two that flew away, that wasn't it.

A faint noise, like a whimper, had him spinning in place to face it. Nothing.

With a soft grunt, he moved for his truck. "The whole world's gone crazy..."

He tossed his gun into the back and pulled open the front door. His truck wasn't empty.

A bundle of fur and horns peered at him from the passenger seat. It wore a poncho, brightly colored. It jumped at him with a sudden cry that he echoed in a shout. He lunged for his dropped gun, bemoaning his poor choice in setting it down.

The thing made strange sounds, waving its hooves at him.

"One of you killed Steve." He got his hands on his gun. "He was a good man."

It jumped in place, scowling at him in a manner animals did not often do.

"What, you mad?" He leveled the gun at the thing. "Mad you didn't get me?"

It shrank back a half-step, only to reverse course, making a defiant sound.

"Brave, ain'tcha, just as brave as a polar, but a shot or two usually convinces even those there are easier lunches." He cocked the gun, not technically required, but the sound was comforting. "Go on, shoo!" Would loud noises work? It sometimes did with animals.

It raised a cloven hoof, waving at him again before reaching forward and making a stamp in the snow, clean and even. It raised the hoof and made another stamp in the snow, just as neat and clear.

"The hell?" Was it trying to communicate with him? Most animals did not pay much mind to the prints they made, if they even noticed they were leaving tracks to start with. "What even are you?" It just made more strange sounds. Were they words?

Was that little thing, about the size of a small dog, trying to talk to him?

He was going crazy. Still, it hadn't charged him, or really done much besides jump out of his truck, which any right thinking man would do if he didn't invite them in there. "What do you want?"

"(Me)" The yak put a little hoof to her small chest. "(Yana. You?)" She pointed at the big bipedal thing her people were fighting with. Sure, her parents had warned her away from them, from even being in the area, but she had disobeyed. Yaks were best at disobeying.

"Ain't got a clue what yer sayin', if yer even sayin' anythin' to start wit'." He felt a bit silly pointing a gun at something so small and non-threatening once he had a look at it. It was like the ones that attacked them, but so small... "Hey wait, are you one of their youngins?"

Where there were young, there were parents. He raised his gun back up and began to turn just to catch a horn through his ribs. He slammed back against the truck as if he had been run into by a bus, or a grown yak. He bounced off bonelessly, crumpling to the ground with a bloody wheeze.

The larger yak that had done it glared at Yana, blood running down one of his horns. "(You not supposed be here. Go home, Yana. You in big trouble!)"

Yana squealed in shock at the abrupt violence. That was somehow so much worse than when they stomped on things. That strange thing had been... alive... It was on the ground, in pain, hurt... "(Uncle! I try talk! What...)"

"(No talk, go home.)" He thrust a hoof back towards their home. "(Not place for foals.)"

"(But...)"

He stomped up to her and put a clean horn right under her, flipping her up onto his back. He began to stampede back towards their home. "(Father kill me something happens to you. Bad Yana, Bad.)"

The injured man clutched weakly at his side, trying to keep his blood from getting out so readily. "God... damn it..." He had dropped his guard for a moment, but sometimes, a moment was all it took. He struggled against the pain and vertigo that threatened to pull him back to the ground as he weakly scrambled half-upright, crawling towards the truck. With bloody hands, he got the door open and dragged himself inside.

He was getting blood on everything. Everything... His vision was dark. That wasn't good, he was pretty sure. He grabbed the radio receiver and clicked the thing on. "Damn... it all to hell, someone, help..."

"'sthat you, Rob?" asked a female voice. "Where you at?"

"At the house, damn it... Fuck..." He let go of the receiver, not by choice. His hand fell open. The world was spinning. He crashed down on the chair. His last thought was that at least the inside of the truck was just a tiny bit warmer than outside.

Shame he hadn't been able to close the door.

It was a short time later that another car arrived, red and blue lights spinning, but no siren going. Sirens were not as often required when there was no traffic to encourage out of the way. It pulled up beside the house and disgorged a tall man that half-hopped free. "Rob? You here?"

He saw the truck, and a leg hanging free of it. "Shit." He hurried over to find the rest of Rob attached. That was a cool comfort as he got to seeing if the man was alive.

A quick press of fingers to several key points all confirmed, there was no pulse. He was cold. He had died long ago. "God damnit..." He grabbed at the radio attached to himself. "We have a 10-54. Can you send some--" He paused, looking away from the mic to take a breath, trying to calm himself. "Send a coroner. Rob deserves more than this."

"10-4. I'm on it," came the dispatch's quick reply. "What happened to him? Shit, I was gonna play him later today."

The police officer looked around with a frown. "Ain't no investigator. Damn, blood everywhere." He began to pat Robert down, looking for clues to the real source of things. There was one place that the blood ran most freely. "Ah shit. He's got a hole in him, right in the ribs. That's enough for me. If the investigators want a peek, they can have it."

"Roger that. Go wash off. Pretty sure he wouldn't mind."

"Roger." He heaved a sigh. Robert wouldn't have minded. They had been friends. He kicked the tire of the truck. Robert shouldn't have died! "He was supposed to outlive me, call me a damn moron for being a cop, laughing on my grave." They had joked about it so many times. It was gallows' humor at its finest, but it was still humor, and Rob was a fine drinking and card buddy.

"Ain't right..." On a hunch, he aborted the plan to wash himself. There was more he could do. Before it snowed and obscured things, he looked around in the snow. There were Rob's prints, and a track.. "Did he drag himself?" He could see where he had smashed into the truck hard enough to leave a dent. "Fucking hell..."

There were hoof prints. Big cloven prints. He took a picture of them. "The boys back at base may make something of this." At least it wouldn't be snowed over. He was helping, but that didn't bring Rob back.

He circled carefully, finding more prints. They were also cloven, but so much smaller. They led up to the truck, them came back out of the truck before vanishing. He took pictures of the whole thing, where the blood touched down near some of the prints, all of it he could find.

He could imagine the big one crashed into Rob, murdered him flat out. He wasn't sure what the small one was doing. Was it watching and cheering the big one on? Who knew. He shook it off. They were animals. He was just casually deciding they could laugh at something's misery.

Those big... things... They were more dangerous than any of the other beasts they'd had to wrangle in the past.

"Hey, dispatch." He was holding his radio again. "Just thought I'd mention there's good sign it was one of those big things with the horns. Took pictures for the detectives."

"10-4 on that. 10-22c. There isn't more you can do, alright?"

"Copy that." He let go of the button but grunted. There should have been more he could do. He stormed back to his own vehicle, climbing inside. He was a damn police officer. Protecting his friends? One of the things he should have been able to do.

With the sound of snow-tracked tires grabbing into the stuff, he got the car moving back towards town proper. He had other people to watch over. He wouldn't let anyone else get it. "Stupid things..."

In a sterile room, a smiling woman nodded towards Sandra. "What is your overall impression of the thing you met?"

"I think it was a 'she', not an 'it', to start. She was very nice, and curious, and playful as hell." She crossed her arms under her chest, eyeing the... was it a psychologist? She wasn't sure. "I think she played some catch, then some volleyball, and we would have had a bar-b-que with her if the cops hadn't busted up that plan."

"Could you communicate with her?" asked the smiling but professional woman.

"She was speaking some crazy language, but I'm pretty sure it was a language. It was like she was singing, but she was trying. She even told me her name."

"What was her name?" She was writing notes down on a clipboard she was holding. "Precisely, if you can, not translated."

"I don't know what the translation would be," confessed Sandra with a shrug. "But it went something like . Isn't that a pretty name?"

"Sandra's not a bad name either," assured the interrogator. "I'm Isabelle."

"That ain't bad either," admitted the college student with a half-smirk. "She was real nice... I hope she wasn't shot, and doesn't hate us forever."

"I wasn't told she was harmed." Isabelle made notes casually. "What would you say most clearly made it apparent that she meant you no harm?"

Sandra hiked a brow. "The part when she grabbed a ball and gave it a gentle toss at us? The part where she made a wicked spike and cheered at the point she had scored? Did I mention she knew how to play volleyball?"

Author's Note

Things grow more tense. Yaks are best at... killing a dude?

This is an extra update to catch us up. The patron starts this later in the month, so I felt I owed an extra, and here it is! Yay!

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5 - Turn Back

The same ship that had set sail the very day, they very instant things changed, had cut through the waters, headed for a shore that didn't exist in the way they thought it should have.

"SS. Maribeth," spoke a radio in a faint staticy burst into the listener's headpiece.

The radio operator grabbed for the piece. "Talking. What's the good word?"

"Return to port immediately." They gave the right code and callsign for being a proper authority.

He hiked a brow. That promised no profit, and only misery. "One moment..." He set down that radio and reached for the ship one. "Captain, need your presence in the radio room." He didn't blurt it out. It was an open channel to everyone that worked on the ship. Depending on what the captain wanted to do, keeping some subtlety felt appropriate.

The captain arrived not long after, arms crossing just after he pushed open the heavy door. "We get word of what's going on?" The fact that the GPS was completely out wasn't a secret at that point.

The radio man hiked a thumb at the equipment behind him. "We have a request to return to port. Appears to be a legit source over radio, actual radio, not a satellite link."

"Bloody hell, did they all fall from the sky?" The captain slapped a hand down on a counter, frowning with his frustration. "Can you ask them why? We turn back, that's putting a severe dent on things."

The radio man reached for the speaking part. "I can try. Hey, why are we turning around?"

"All ships are ordered to remain docked," came the quick reply. "Your safety cannot be assured, and you're almost definitely not sailing where you think you are. Reverse course."

That seemed, unfortunately, to be quite clear. The captain grabbed for the receiver. "We're coming back. Is someone going to help pay for the wasted wages we put in on this?"

"I'll see what can be done," came the not-convincing voice.

With heavy hearts, the ship began to turn back around. They would not be getting any bonuses on that trip.

A pegasus stepped forward, dipping her head towards Celestia and Luna. "I know what I saw, Your Highnesses. It was a boat, and not of pony make, or griffon, or anything else I ever saw before. It was huge!" She threw her wings out wide. "And metal, all metal... It had no sails at all! Not a single stitch... I didn't know what to make of it. My captain just avoided it, but I felt I should come here and say something."

Luna raised a hoof. "We do not doubt your veracity, citizen. Did you see what crew operated this vessel, or perhaps what they were carrying?"

Celestia nodded softly. "We have our suspicions, but if you could confirm, that would be of great use."

The pegasus bobbed her head. "After the captain said to just ignore it like it wasn't there... I mighta broke an order or two. I hope you can forgive me or that."

"Forgiven," barked out Luna without hesitation. "What did you see?"

She reared up, gesturing with her forehooves. "Two legs, hands, barely any fur. They were working on their boat and not paying much attention to the sky. They didn't see me, I don't think."

Luna scowled softly. "Mmm..."

"You were very brave." Celestia tipped her head towards the pegasus. "Thank you, for bringing us this information."

As soon as the pegasus left, Luna turned on her sister. "Already they come to attack in boats clad in steel to resist our defenses. And where did they come from?!" She extended a wing westward. "That is not the direction of the frozen north, where we thought they dwelled, and yet, there they are."

Celestia shook her head. "Calm yourself. No mention was made of weapons or any active ill-intent. A boat is not, itself, a sign of war."

Luna hiked a brow. "And you trust the word of a random pegasus? She has not experienced their weapons. They could have been brimming with them and she would be none-the-wiser for it. The time for assuming they are benign has long since passed, Dear Sister."

Celestia gestured for a globe that floated towards them, wreathed in her magic. "West..." She turned the globe, but there was little known to be that far west... "Have we updates from the conflict in the north?"

Luna sighed softly. "Your champions are on their way, along with a regiment of guards to display proper solidarity with the efforts already underway there. Casualties on both sides are confirmed." She leaned in softly. "Ponies are dying, right now, Sister. We should treat that with the proper gravity."

Celestia's expression hardened as she took a slow breath. "I am aware."

Mobile peered from the waters, watching the strange bipeds having their fun. She wanted to rejoin them! They clearly knew how to have a good time, and she was good at having a good time. They were meant to be together! And those bullies... "I'll save them!" She dipped beneath the surface and swam for the shores out of sight until she reached the first of the humans.

So far she knew, the ones that splashed and played were the good ones, so she reached out and gently tapped one of them with a hoof. "" she sang beneath the water, not at all bothered by it.

The human she had touched jumped with surprise, but that didn't carry him very far being as far out as he was. His eyes were as wide as saucers, but he didn't run away. "Holy hell, it's back!"

"Really?"

"Holy crap, don't scare it!"

The attention of the beach turned towards the cry in a ripple that spread quickly. "What'd they find?"

"The sea horse!"

"" noted one person that had heard the name said.

She popped up from beneath the waves, expecting one surprised human, but instead found an entire beach peering at her. ""

The human held up its hands. "Everyone's happy to see you."

She had no idea what he said, but he sounded happy to say it, so she smiled. "" She had no idea how close she had been to responding, had either side known what the other was saying. "" She saw other humans approaching and flitted towards them, grabbing a ball along the way. ""

A man on the beach reached up to his neckline to depress a button. "Subject has returned. Peaceful contact established with the locals."

"Wait until it's on land, then approach. Do not scare it away."

"That's a copy." He let go of the button and went back to looking like he was casually enjoying the sun and warmth, his straw hat covering most of his face.

Mobile turned quickly in place to find the source. "Sandra! " She swam over to her new friend with a big smile.

"You..." She hesitated. She knew they were watching the beach. They had asked her to be there, to increase the odds of the creature returning. She hated it... "You should go." She pointed out to sea.

Mobile shook her head quickly. "" She hugged Sandra firmly with a happy sound. "" With a little nuzzle to seal the deal, she swam past to join in the games starting up.

They played and cavorted and she couldn't have been more pleased with her decision to give the beach another try. When they invited her up onto the beach, she had little reason to deny them, though she did look towards the hill the lights had come from before.

Mobile promised herself she wouldn't be caught off-guard by the bullies again. Not when the sugary drink was on the line. It was even tastier the second time she got to try it. Their cooking wasn't bad either, even if it was also kind of sugary. They liked their sugar. What kind of race that loved sweet things so much could be possibly bad?!

"" Her words were alien to her new friends, but she said them anyway as she spread her wings and took flight to have a look at the beach and its surroundings. Flying was almost as good as swimming, letting go of the shackles of the two dimensional movement of the ground. She could see the hill the bullies had come from led to a big black surface with lots of strange things on it.

She wanted to go take a look! But she resisted for a moment. "" She came down among them, smiling. There was a new friend there. They stood out for being more dressed than most of the rest of them.

"" He said in a practiced rendition, then waved for her to go with him.

She tilted her head with some confusion, but had little reason to refuse. She ambled after him, equine tail twitching. "" She pointed a talon at him, walking on the other three adeptly.

He didn't lead her far, but the others did not follow, which she found odd. The humans seemed to like being near her, even if they weren't talking to her directly. ""

Maybe he heard the worry in her voice, because he made a placating motion that seemed clear despite the differences in their languages. He pulled out a book and set it in the sand and opened it. There was a picture of a big red apple. He pointed at it and looked at her questioningly.

She blinked softly before her face erupted into a huge grin. "" She reached out and tapped the picture with a talon. ""

"Apple," he repeated in English.

Elsewhere, there was cheering. The creature had engaged in translation with barely any prompting and no resistance. They were recording the entire exchange, voice and video. "With this," declared a man, thrusting a finger at the monitor that showed what they were doing. "With this, we'll be finally getting somewhere."

Back on the beach, they went through many many pictures. She sat down, then flopped into the sand on her belly. There were so many! "" She nodded towards the picture of a chair. "" She rolled over and pointed at the happy crowd, all having so much fun she wasn't getting to have.

"The subject is restless," came a voice over his subtle ear-piece. "Let her rejoin the others for a while.

He nodded towards her, and she sprang up to talons and hooves and was off in a flash.

Elsewhere, the scientists nodded at one another in kind. "The body language seems nearly identical. A nodding or shaking of the head means the same thing."

"I saw her shrug," noted a female scientist. "Yawning with boredom, and trying to meet eye contact when she was paying more attention."

"The fact that she can feel boredom in what appears to be a human fashion is telling."

Another rolled a hand. "Are you still unsure if it has human intelligence? Even the smartest dolphins don't casually sit down and exchange words with us. They also don't typically learn names instantly."

The first frowned a little. "That wasn't the argument. It's a conceit to assume that all intelligent life thinks the way we do."

The lady hiked a thumb at the camera that showed the hippogriff playing a rousing game of being buried, grinning all the while. "It may be a conceit, but I'd guess she's both harmless, and just wants to do what everyone does at the beach; have a little fun."

Author's Note

Everyone is gathering intelligence, though the humans and the sea ponies are reaching out hooves and hands in what could be friendship.

Oh yeah, do you live in America? Vote! Vote darn you! I don't care who you vote for, just do it!

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6 - Status Quo

For a time, nothing dramatic happened. While the people of America were kept on alert, no new great thing rushed to join the fact the pile of other concerns. Mobile Coral came every few days to play and learn. She preferred the former, but seemed willing to put up with the latter.

The linguistics challenges started expanding from nouns to verbs, then nouns performing verbs. It was with great fortune, to the suspicion of some of those studying it, that the languages seemed to share a basic similarity in structure. As the words either had to use expanded, they could be strung together in an intuitive way.

"" asked a human one day, much to Mobile's surprise.

"Yes!" she eagerly replied in English, bobbing her head as she did so. ""

They had not, but conversational phrases were starting to be passed out, growing with effort. The motivation worked wonders. The idea of actually speaking to her new friends was exciting, and she redoubled her work to make that a reality.

At least until she stopped showing up.

The train came to a halt, snow battering against it. They had arrived in the far north, at the Crystal Empire train station. "Alright, everypony, let's go." Twilight pointed the way and led her friends and soldiers out in a great pouring of pony flesh.

The locals clip-clopped their hooves, cheering for the arrival of heroes and soldiers to put things to right. Princess Cadance was there with a tired smile. On her back was Flurry Heart, and at her side was an empty space. Shining Armor was not with her. "Twilight, good to see you." She approached at a sedate walk.

Twilight grinned at her former babysitter, a grin that Cadance knew too well. The smile was returned a little more tiredly, and the ritual began. They praised the ladybugs and gave a little shake, confirming one another with a little laugh.

Cadance shook her head. "I needed that, I think... Good to see you." She gently hugged Twilight a moment. "Soldiers!" She waved at them, then pointed to the palace. "Forward march! Shining Armor is your new commander and will give orders while you're here. Thank you all for coming."

There was a unified sound of many ponies smartly saluting as one, and they began an organized march down the street towards their new duty.

Rarity held up a hoof to keep the blowing snow free of her eyes. "Delighted to be here in a time of need, but I can barely imagine we'll get much done out here."

"It's a reprieve." Cadance let out a little sigh. "The invaders have slowed due to the snow as surely as our own forces. An armistice, enforced by inclement weather. It'll let up, and the conflicts will resume. Let's be thankful for it."

Twilight looked over the city carefully as they began to head towards the palace themselves. "The city appears to be unharmed. They haven't directly attacked, I assume?"

"Thankfully not." Cadance raised a hoof towards the city as a whole. "The city is a safe place, for now. Their weapons are terrible and swift. I could not assure their safety if they did attack here."

Twilight hastened to Cadance's side. "Tell me about them."

Rarity smiled a little. "I should imagine she's already scheming. You'd best inform her."

Rainbow Dash looked uncertain. "Should I be with the soldiers, or hanging out with you three?" She flapped along just over Rarity, matching her pace easily.

Rarity reached up to poke Rainbow gently. "You're our personal guard, dear. It's a distinguished duty."

Rainbow stuck out her tongue at that. "If I didn't know you'd get into real trouble, I'd take offense to being on guard duty. Knowing Twilight, it's a matter of when, not if."

Twilight fixed Rainbow with a glare, which turned into a smile again as she looked to Cadance. "Ignore her, so... details?"

Cadance sat a moment to spread her hooves. "They come in different sizes, from some barely larger than a hoof to others that look like spears, without the sharpened end. Whatever their size and appearance, they all perform the same function. They are small cannons, that fire even smaller cannon balls."

Rainbow raised a brow at that, floating over Cadance. "Oh no, tiny cannon balls. I'm sooo scared." She dipped to the snow and scooped up a tiny bit of snow, working it into a little snowball. "Like this?" She chucked it at Twilight and it bounced off harmlessly.

Twilight rolled her eyes. "I will safely assume they don't just bounce off."

"They do not," sadly agreed Cadance. "They come so fast they punch right into a pony. It's like being stabbed with a dagger that can press right through somecreature, regardless of the armor they wear."

All three of the visiting ponies shared a look of awkward disgust, imagining being run through by the tiniest snowball. Rainbow lifted back up over their heads. "Alright, so, alright... How do we not lose the ultimate snowball fight?"

Twilight huffed softly. "I should imagine that's what we're here to figure out. So they use small hand cannons that are unreasonably effective. How quickly can they be fired?"

Cadance gestured ever northwards. "The yaks report they can fire many times in rapid succession, should they desire."

Twilight crashed to her haunches, looking dazed. "That's..."

Rarity shook her head, jostling her mane. "Not very sporting, no. But don't lose hope. We're here to turn this around, and we will."

Twilight gathered herself back to her hooves. "Yeah... Did you manage to get one of these hand cannons? We need to have one and figure it out. As soon as we discern its weakness, we can act against it."

They had arrived just before the palace. Soldiers drilled and practiced despite the snow, endeavoring to be in a ready state. There were many crystal ponies and many that were not, freshly brought from Equestria proper to join the struggle.

"Twily!" Shining Armor waved from where he had been barking orders a moment before. He left them to continue their drills and hurried to her. "Hey, Sis, Rarity, Rainbow." He nodded towards each. "Welcome to the battlefront. I... would rather none of you were here, but... I'm also glad you came." He put a hoof behind his head. "It's an awkward feeling."

Rainbow snorted at that. "You'd have to use at least half these guards to keep me away from this excitement."

Rarity lifted her shoulders softly. "I will get to work on proper winter attire for the soldiers. Something comfortable, but I should imagine not too ostentatious. We don't want our good ponies being spotted too easily."

Rainbow blinked at that. "Wait, you can do subtle clothes? Isn't that, like, the opposite of Rarity?"

Rarity ran a hoof through her own mane, fluffing it. "It's not my normal way of doing things, but these are not normal times. I will not fail in this task. Fashion is about matching the current mood, and this fashion show does not call for striking designs. I don't want a single of these fine ponies being snowballed to death."

Shining tilted his head with mounting confusion. "Snowballed?"

"I'll explain later." Cadance set a hoof on his shoulder before turning to the palace, Flurry Heart giggling on her back. "I'll get them settled in for now."

The translation room was a mess of papers. The walls were marked with notes and diagrams written by those who had begun to live there. "Where is she?!" barked one of the male scientists. "We're making real progress, and she just vanishes?!"

A female shrugged softly. "We have no idea where she goes when she vanishes into the ocean. Attempting to follow her could have scared her away."

Another man threw up a hand. "I told you, if you had someone in a scuba suit just ask to swim with her, she would have been delighted, not scared."

"You don't know that."

Another slapped a desk. "There's no point arguing what we could have done. She left us more than enough data to go over. She was a walking Rosetta Stone, and it's up to us to drag a working translation from it. Now, back to work, we have several things in our favor." He slapped the whiteboard just as vigorously as he had the desk. "The grammar, the hardest part of untangling a language, is--"

"--Impossibly similar," finished the female. "What are the odds of that?"

"About as likely as finding living on ," said the first man with a smirk. "But asking what are the odds of something that already happened won't get us anywhere. There isn't a lot we can do. Let's focus on what we have and surprise her with a more eloquent party when she does return."

"If."

"Do you have any idea what you have done?" Bubbles streamed from the mouth of the pony the words had come from. She was a sea pony, floating before Mobile Coral with a severe frown. "You are not a diplomat, and here you are, making first contact with a new species."

"They just liked having fun..." Mobile Coral gently tapped her forehooves together. "And I was having fun with them. Is that so bad?"

"It could be!" barked the pony. "You don't even know what you're saying to them."

"They don't look angry..."

"You don't know that!" He threw his hooves up. "When the queen has time, she'll put this to rights. Until then, you're under house arrest. Do not try to leave. Do not! Or you'll be in even worse trouble than you already are."

Mobile sank several inches in the water, sagging with defeat. "They just want to have fun... with me. Look, why don't we go, together? I'll introduce you and we'll have a good time."

He raised a brow at Mobile. "I thought they didn't speak proper Ponish?"

"They're learning." She clapped her hooves. "They're very smart. Every time I go, they say more words. Would you like a drink? Have some meat! Volleyball time!" She burst into giggles, imagining the fun times that could be being had. "Come on!"

"The Queen will decide." He turned away in a sharp 180, twirling in the water. "Stay." He swam away, leaving her to consider what she had done.

The president reached for a folder. "The friendly contact has faded?"

"That's the report." His advisor gestured at the folder. "It's been almost a week with no contact."

"Unfortunate..." That had been the first and only friendly contact they'd had... "Be sure they keep an eye and monitor the wider area for sightings. Sitrep on Alaska?"

"The situation is fairly stable. Inclement weather is keeping people indoors, and it seems to be working on the wildlife equally well." He flipped a notepad forward. "Contact was made with Hawaii."

The president looked up. "Why didn't we start there?" He sat up. "Tell me more."

"Not much more to say. They apparently... appeared much like we did in the water. They have had no contact with wildlife negative or positive." He tapped at his pad lightly. "They could use more fuel, but are otherwise doing fine. I meant to ask about the shipping embargo."

"If the ships are sailing from a US port to another US port and there doesn't appear to be anything in the way..."

"I was hoping you'd agree." He made a quick mark with a pen. "We'll get supplies moving and trade lines re-opened. There are some barks from Congress about the conflict in Alaska qualifying as a war and requiring their approval, but that hasn't gone anywhere yet, with the enemy being what they are."

The president furrowed his brows at the idea. "They want approval over every time a ratcatcher goes out to wage war on the local vermin? Tell them to focus on what's actually important. Either we've been thrown off Earth, or everyone else has. Neither situation is good."

Author's Note

Things actually calm down for a moment. Maybe things will get better! Maybe the typo nation will cease their aggressions.

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7 - Protecting My People

Queen Novo reached out a hoof, tilting up the quivering jawline of Mobile Coral. "You understand why you are here, do you not?"

"Because I made some friends when I shouldn't have?" She ventured a timid smile, hoping she had guessed right.

"Heaven forfend I forbid that." Novo folded a finned hoof against her chest. "I am more upset that you met a new people and told no one of the fact. If something happened to you, we would be ignorant entirely and not find out until long after the fact if ever at all."

Mobile's ears perked up at that. "Oh, so I can go back?"

"You can, and you should... with company."

Mobile tilted her head at that. "Who wants to go up onto land? I thought most of those who stayed, you know, down here, weren't big on jumping back up."

Novo booped her on the nose. "Me, for a start. I would take a measure of our guests."

"I object!" cried the very pony that had detained Mobile and reported her as was their duty. "Our queen being our first official entreaty? That's too far in the other direction! What if they're up to no good?"

Novo rolled a hoof at Mobile. "Tell me what they did. Tell me everything."

"Well... We play all kinds of games. They know how to play volleyball! They do it both wet and dry and it's just as fun either way!" Mobile clopped her wet hooves eagerly. "They like sweet food and sweet drinks and they like sharing both with new friends, like me. They also speak their own funny language, and they're trying really hard to learn our language. I learned some of theirs. It kinda goes both ways."

Novo raised a brow subtly. "That is information I would have more of. Have they ever acted aggressively towards you?"

"Just the first time." Mobile lifted her shoulders softly. "I musta surprised them, since the big bullies that chased me away never came back after that first time. They've been nothing but super nice."

Queen Novo frowned softly, thinking through that without Mobile's eternal cheerfulness. "They are a cautious people. Those were likely guards, fearing a strange creature, as my own would do, were the situations reversed. Perhaps we do have things in common..." But Mobile had proven to be harmless and they warmed to her greatly. "Before I emerge, I need you to introduce me, so they are not startled."

"My queen!"

She held up a hoof to quiet the distraught sea pony. "You will also teach me some basic words of their language so I may greet them properly. I will not approach with silence if I have any other option. Do this and all will be forgiven."

Mobile giggled joyfully and got right into it, starting a lesson on some common words for common things found on the beach, as well as 'Hello' and 'Goodbye'.

A pony appeared with a soft haze of sparkles, concealed in the driving snow. Twilight frowned as she focused on the invisibility spell. Keeping it up and teleporting was difficult, but she was soon concealed from sight. Before her was one of their homes, one of the last places reported to have a struggle.

The Yaks had succeeded in a strike there, but had taken no momentos for it. If she was lucky...

She approached carefully and found a vehicle parked in front of the snowed in building. There was light in the building, suggesting someone lived there, perhaps. The truck was a mess. There were stains all across its still open left door and the seats. Any signs of what had happened outside of that were long lost to the piling snow.

She felt around with her magic anyway, hoping something may be buried.

An idea hit her. Metal. The truck was metal, as were good chunks of the domicile she was next to. What if they liked putting metal in things? She felt for metal in a soft pulse, there! She took a few steps and reached into the snow, pulling out a hunting rifle that had been abandoned by dead fingers. "Perfect." She froze as soon as she said it. Her spell did not make her silent.

She pulled the gun into her invisibility and tucked it under a wing to carry along, only to hesitate. She had no idea how it worked. What if it... exploded, or fired, right into her? She pulled it back out in her magic, holding it gingerly from all sides at once, fearful of putting any specific pressure on it. Slowly spinning it about, she found the tube with the hole in the end.

That had to be where the cannon fired. It would make little sense for it to be anywhere else. She gently tucked it away, making sure that opening was not directed at herself.

She considered her options, fleeing with her find, or searching onwards. She peered at the house, silent, but lit. Was there one of the humans in there? Why were they so ready to fight? The humans she had met on the other side of the mirror were so nice... But these were not them. Their proportions were wrong by all reports. Their colors were different. They had not even the imitation of cutie marks.

They were not echos of Equestria. They were its enemies instead. With a soft sigh, she vanished, magic sparkling despite her invisibility, but that was fading away, and she was gone in a pop.

"Sitrep." The advisor offered a folder towards the president. "Local forces are ready to perform an active sweep to increase the security of the Alaskans. They are calling for people to retreat towards urban centers, but there's a lot of resistance. People don't want to move."

"Figures." He flipped open the folder and flipped through the data available. "We've hunted animals to extinction before. We say we learned from our past about that. Let's not repeat it. If one is on our land, shoot it, but don't go hunting for them." He set the folder down carefully. "They'll learn that humans are to be avoided, just like normal animals. Any signs of change in the weather?"

"The lack of weather satellites makes that troubling to predict."

He raised a finger. "About that. When do we start launching new ones?"

"Soon, we hope. The conditions of... wherever we are... made the engineers shy about sending anything into orbit. On the positive side, all signs show that it should be easier on some fronts."

"Easier? Finally, some good news. Why?"

"The sky is clear of debris." He lifted his shoulders in a soft shrug. "Not a speck of signs of attempted space travel. Wherever we are, it's not a place that has reached for the stars."

"Well, that makes sense." They'd met an aquatic sapient race that likes to play games, and angry land-bound animals that attacked with natural weapons. Which of them would be engaged in the complexities of a space race? None of them. "Good. Get some presence up there. Communication, weather, observation. Our situation will become much brighter the sooner we have eyes in the sky."

"Of course, Sir." He retreated to other business, leaving the president to his duties.

Mobile poked her head free of the water. There was the beach. There were the humans, a word she had learned. They were less of them than before, much less actually. She tilted her head, then swam closer, head still in view. "Hello!"

That got their attention. "" replied several of them, hands raising to wave. It was funny that they had both greeted one another in the other's language, but she was only amused by it. They seemed older on average than the first group, she guessed.

"Where... young human?" She wanted to keep practicing her human.

A female crossed her arms. "They went to school."

"Last word?" She hadn't learned what a school was. "What word?"

A male shrugged softly. "They were school kids. They had to go back to school, to learn."

"Oh, Learn..." One of the more abstract words she had learned in turn. They were kids, and were learning things. That made sense! She gestured at herself. "I am not a kid. Will you play?" Some adults were less prone to fits of playing games, especially in other species.

After swimming up to her, a woman gently pet Mobile, an act she had never dissuaded. "We'd love to."

"Oh wait!" She gestured out into the ocean. "I come with friend!"

"What?"

The room fell to sudden uneasy quiet. They had all heard what Mobile had said. A female scientist smiled brilliantly. "This is fantastic! Relying on one subject was too risky to start with. If there's more than one and they're just as agreeable..."

A male rolled a hand, looking less certain. "Or she's bringing someone less willing, maybe a parent even if she claims she isn't a child. It wouldn't be that odd. How many kids do you know hate admitting they're kids?"

All eyes were on the camera with the best viewing angle of the action.

"I mean, whether her friend is a parent or a peer, shouldn't we be happy she's back at all?"

Novo rose from the depths at the signal of a tailswish from Mobile. "Hello," she spoke carefully. "I am . Good meet you."

There was surprise, and a bit of fear, as she expected. She was larger than Mobile Coral, and more imposing. Still, they did not flee. One of them even dared to approach her timidly, a male she guessed. The females were rounder. "" he greeted in Ponish.

She smiled gently at him. ""

"What is it saying?"

"Pretty certain that is female, unless they don't vary in pitches like humans do."

"Which is possible! Now what is it saying?!"

A scientist slapped the button to speak to their agent on the beach. "Get her on land and start deciphering. We need to know what words she just used. She wants to talk." She had used the word 'words'. They knew that one. We, words. I Speak.

These were not hostile words, or so they all hoped.

Mobile fled to join in the games the grown humans were willing to play, leaving Novo to approach the human that had been waving for her to come closer. He tipped the hat he wore towards her, then gestured out onto land. He wanted her to follow her further.

With a soft sigh, she rolled her eyes. With a soft glow, she gained all four limbs and emerged from the water. ""

"" He took her a small distance away from the waves and pulled out a book filled with images. Many of them had words under them in an odd language. Their language? It seemed safe. "" He was working off of what they asked him to ask about, the word coming out slow and carefully.

She tilted her head at him. "" She gestured at herself. ""

I (unknown thing)? I (some other unknown word)? The mystery only deepened. He offered the book towards her. "."

She accepted the book and began to work through it quickly, flipping forward until she found a picture of a crown, dazzling and fancy. She thumped the picture with a finger. "" She had not brought her own finery, not wanting to scare them more than they already had been.

"She's asking to see our leader?!"

"Right out of sci fi..."

A third threw out a hand, cutting them off. "You're missing the biggest part. She is a leader. We're looking at not a parent, but a leader of their people. How many of these things are there? She could have all the answers we ever wanted!"

Author's Note

Quick update is quick, done before I have to scurry to work. Mission success, woo!
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8 - A Meeting of Leaders

The president sat in a comfortable chair. The person he was there to see, rushed across the country to see, was not seated in a chair. They were seated more like an animal, using their haunches, a trick most humans had lost. It had been a whirlwind of activity that carried him from DC to California with almost no prep time except what could be hurried along the way.

And he hadn't argued it. It was too important. " I speak English. I hope you can forgive me." Books on their strange language had not been written yet, let alone circulated.

"Hello. Yes, speak." Queen Novo smiled gently at the human in front of her. A male, she figured, older than the first that had exchanged words with her with his book. Her wings rustled lightly, the tension in the air quite noticeable. It was a meeting of the two leaders of their peoples, and they did not have the history that she had with, say, Princess Celestia. "We--" She wagged a talon between him and her and spread both out to gesture more vaguely. "have... much to talk."

The language barrier would be a real issue if they were going to discuss matters of policies. What could be a 'harmless misunderstanding' stops being that when it came to rules, laws, and regulations. The president brought his fingers together. "We are trying to learn your language. Can you send someone? A teacher?"

Novo perked at the word 'teacher'. "Teach language?"

"Yes, exactly." He nodded at her, smiling. Perhaps things would work out.

She considered her people and their educated. "Yes." There was a seapony she knew that would fit the bill more than Mobile Coral had. "Now, talk. You rule humans?"

What a question! "It's more... complex. No one rules humans. Laws rule humans. Humans make laws. Humans enforce laws. I am the last step in making laws. I enforce the laws."

She nodded softly along with his statements, waiting for him to finish before raising a talon. "What law?" That was not a word she knew.

He smiled faintly in the awkward nature of the moment. "If you have a crown, and I take it, would you be happy?"

"No!" She crossed her arms, balancing on her hind legs easily. "That would be at the least."

"So you say no one should take other people's crowns. That is a law."

There seemed to be understanding. She nodded with clarity, and the conversation continued. The two were reaching out, and nothing was going wrong.

The guards around them watched the exchange, ignoring the fact that there were human guards in the form of the secret service as well as hippogriff ones all crammed into the same room. They didn't speak to one another. Words were for their leaders to share. They were there to make sure that was all they traded.

Twilight gestured at the small pedestal that held it. "This is one of their mini-cannons." She ran her hoof left to right over the length of the tool without touching it. "It is precisely machined, created with obviously advanced fabrication techniques. Examining it, I struggle to imagine anycreature was actually responsible for its creation."

She slapped a pointer that was held in her magic against a blackboard. "By that I mean it was created in a factory. Which also means this is just one of many. What I have taken is of little value to them, but could end dozens of good lives before we stopped the wielder."

She put a hoof to her chest. "I would normally not... jump to that conclusion so swiftly, but all the reports we've gotten already point to this. Many of them wield these things, or things like them." She brought the pointer over to tap at the rifle itself. "This is just one model of many, and that is... just a little terrifying."

Rainbow waved a hoof excitedly, the only militant pony present that wasn't wearing the proper army attire. "So, how do we smash them?"

Twilight rolled her eyes softly. "They're primarily constructed of a steel alloy. The specific blend is new, but the idea isn't. This matches up with the idea of an advanced industrial base. So, how do you smash them?" She tapped the side of the rifle with the pointer. "The same way you would any other metal object. Attacking the weapons directly may not be a prudent course of action. By the time you closed distance, there would be a worrying chance of being injured or worse."

Rarity stood up suddenly. She was dressed as about half the others were, in an off-white army attire that was fluffy around the neck and around the fetlocks. "In my new fashion, our soldiers should be toasty warm and a little harder to spot against snowy backdrops or an overcast sky."

Shining Armor nodded from his position at the front of the soldiers in attendance. "All very good. Do you have a means of... getting around this?"

"No." Twilight nodded softly. "There is no simple means of negating this advantage. What we can do... is counter it." She tapped at the rifle, pointing at each part in turn without naming those parts. "The basic design is new, but it uses precious few principles we never thought of before. We just hadn't put them all together so well and for such a specific purpose. Don't get me wrong, this is a marvel of technology that we wouldn't be inventing on our own for decades, centuries, or even longer."

She slowly smiled. "But... We don't have to. We have one. We have one and I suggest we can have more than one, quickly. In fact, I've already called in two manufacturing experts to make this conflict far more even-hoofed." She gestured towards an empty hallway.

The prompt was spotted and two unicorns stepped into view, wearing Rarity's new army attire. One of them waved forward dramatically. "Did you hear that, Brother. They need ponies that can get something built."

"Wherever will they find such ponies that can get things done quickly--"

"--Cheaply--"

"--And effectively!" They brought their hooves together in a loud hoofbump.

Rainbow tilted her head a little. "Really? Flim and Flam?"

Twilight coughed into a hoof. "I know they can do this. While they have been... involved in some interesting dealings, they understand how to manufacture things." She didn't mention the vision she had had when dealing with Starlight. Those brothers could oversee an industrial base, she felt certain.

Shining Armor stood up. "While this is interesting, those weapons couldn't possibly be used by any pony but a unicorn."

Flam was suddenly beside the rifle, sliding into position and running a hoof over its smooth finish. "As it is, this is true."

"Regrettable," agreed Flim. "Or it would be!"

"If you didn't have us." Flim and Flam both grinned widely as Flam continued, "we'll have a pony-adapted model ready shortly. In the meanwhile, we'll get to reproducing this little pretty for use by unicorns, dragons, griffons, and anycreature else with fingers that wishes to assist."

Rainbow pumped a hoof in victory. "I wanna be the first one to try it out, so let me know, guys."

Work began on all sides. While the United Equestrian Front mobilized for war with an enemy that required new tactics, America grew closer to a new ally in a strange land. The scholarly hippogriff brought from the waves was very uncomfortable on land, but the promise of such mysteries was enough to entice him forward.

He was allowed to visit the scientists in their den, his eyes wandering over their board full of theoretical linguistic notes. "Very close, but off." He grabbed a bit of chalk laying there and began doodling corrections. "You have many words for Leader, . This is understandable. We do as well... Is one placed in the charge of a fan club, a community leader, or trusted with the well-being of a nation? There is a word for each of these."

The female scientist raised a finger. "We have more than a few words for the leader of a nation."

"As do we." He smiled a little. "We have much in common. Let's explore it. I will not speak your language alone. This is an exchange. apple."

With his help, both sides made stronger strides towards understanding. A pamphlet started to materialize for both sides to be able to hold basic conversations, and with it, contact began to expand.

Further contact required laws.

The president mandated that such aquatic visitors would be considered non-residents of the USA, but were also not to be harassed, so long as they did not remain on American soil for longer than a month without proper immigration and VISA, just like any human.

What would it take for a hippogriff to get a proper VISA? That remained unknown.

The courtesies went both ways, with Queen Nova promising that humans could visit Seaquestria if they wished and were willing to become aquatic to survive the trip. She set a similar one month limit, barring official request to join her nation.

"Will you visit?" She was with the president. She visited often, trying to get their confusing situation under control. "It is not often an entire nation appears from nowhere. It would be an honor to host its leader in my palace, if you wished to attend." She was dressed in all her fineries. There was no need to be humble, and she was a queen.

A queen had to look impressive. Novo was not one to pass that up if the option was there. "You would look cute with a tail."

The president politely chuckled, though didn't seem in any hurry to become a mer-man. "I'm afraid my hands are quite filled with the matters of the state. You know how it is."

"I do." She nodded softly, a wry smile on her face. "If this wasn't one of those matters, I would not be here. Your country... is right in the middle of one of our ancient routes. I'd ask you to move it... but I should imagine that would be slightly impractical."

"Is that how Miss Coral arrived on our shores?" He imagined the young hippogriff crashing into the beach.

"She had intended to visit some distant friends." Queen Novo wove her talons together. "Daft little guppy forgot to tell her friends she had found something far more interesting. They've been informed now."

"Tell me, what do you export?"

"Export?" Novo arched a brow. "Ah, trade. We can procure whatever is in the ocean. Fish, shells, certain rocks and sands unique to the bottom of the sea..." She considered with a little frown. "Art, of course. Clothing, of the wet variety, jewelry and the like." She raised a talon. "Before you ask, we don't import anything. Seaquestria is capable of total isolation."

The president sat forward, head moving to where his hands met. "There are some that would be envious of that ability. We've been suddenly forced into isolation, and the shocks of that are rippling through society. We could ease that and offer new commodities to your people."

Novo smirked softly at the thought. "What do we stand to gain from such an exchange? As I have already said, we are quite capable of living without any imports, and only export when we wish to, not as a matter of requirement."

He reached and pulled a pen from his desk and gently rolled it towards her, thump-a-thumping as it came to a halt a few inches from the edge. "That is a pen. It works underwater and is entirely waterproof."

Novo approached it curiously, eyeing it with all due caution. "Powered by magic?"

"Technology." He shrugged softly. "But the difference between the two is only comprehension, they say. It requires no power, besides what was used in its manufacture. That pen could work in the void of space."

She took it in her right hand and tested the heft of it, giving a thoughtful murmur. Maybe there were things the humans had that could be worth a little trade or two...

Author's Note

America has no idea Equestria is preparing to enter this 'war' (that is only a war on the Equestrian side so far they know, so far).

Seaquestria warms to their naked little biped friends.

The only winners are the typos, my friend.

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9 - Later

Time passed, as it had to. America grew closer to its new aquatic ally. Trade began. The very ship that had sailed out just shy of remaining on Earth was the first to be assigned to make a trip to Seaquestria.

"How does that work, exactly?" The navigator arched a brow at the captain. "I mean, sure, you gave me a spot to sail to, but do they have a dock? Don't they... literally live in the water, not on top of it?"

The captain shrugged softly. "We're to sail there, then they will meet us and we unload. They'll have things for us to take back. Just treat it like a dock with super heavy union influence and we just stay right where we are and let them handle it."

"Fish Longshoreman?" The navigator snorted as they checked their charts, still-forming as they were. "Why not? Wouldn't be the craziest thing about this new world. This is a new world, right? I mean, there ain't no way Earth just... this."

They shared a nervous little laugh. It was a strange situation, but they were finally working. "Good to be out on the waters again..."

The navigator gave an emphatic thumbs up. "No arguments there, Boss."

The English-Ponish dictionary grew a little each day, posted to a public government website for all to peruse at their leisure. In the sea, watery leaflets were scribed over and over again, revising about once a week or two as the mutual understanding grew with effort and exposure.

Though the president had turned down the invitation, there were other humans willing to make the trip. There were other brave Seaquestrians like Mobile willing to go the other way, and tourism in either direction flourished.

Seaquestrians had no dollars to their names, and came to land laden with sea-borne trinkets and treasures to trade for what they wanted. Not all merchants were willing to part with their goods for such things, but some were, and large signs declaring the fact drew the Seaquestrians like beacons.

Similarly, dollars were of limited use in Seaquestria, at first. It quickly became apparent that they could trade for those dollars, and then turn them around to spend in America for various human goods. Their luxury items were especially... luxurious, and the American Dollar swiftly gained in value in Seaquestria. Even if a sea pony had no intention of ever going on land, they could trade a dollar easily, since it was potential wonders when it did make its way back to human hands.

In the frozen north, Flim and Flam labored with the assistance of a good fifth of the standing army. They had a factory assembled in the dizzying speed of a war-funded industry. When the first gun came off the line, there was a loud cheer from the gathered workers.

It only got louder when the second came, then a third spilled out.

Twilight raised a hoof quickly. "Stop! Let's... test them before we make dozens of them..."

Flim nodded lightly as his glowing horn pulled the lever that brought it all to a stop. "Very well."

"Not that there's really any doubt." Flam grabbed the first gun in his magic and brought it close. "We just insert one of these..." He casually inserted a bullet into its proper chamber, locking the rifle in a ready position. "And we're ready to test!"

Rainbow Dash waved a hoof excitedly. "You said you'd let me try the first one!"

"We certainly did not," disagreed Flim with a shake of his head.

"Besides, these are not adjusted to hoofed use." Flam pointed to a target that had long ago been set up. "I'll take the first shot, if there are no further objections?"

"Please proceed." Twilight smiled nervously as she raised her hooves to cover her ears. Other soldiers took her cue and did much the same thing, soon much of the crowd was covering their ears.

With a loud bang, the target was entirely untouched. Flam frowned softly and turned the rifle around in his magic. "What could have... ah!"

Flim slid in beside him. "Ah indeed. A minor hiccup."

"Barely noticable."

They turned to the crowd as one and bowed. "A new test will occur in one hour's time," they promised together.

The rifle was just... dropped and they went off to do whatever needed to be done.

Twilight lowered her hoof and raised her ears. What had happened? She trotted over and picked up the gun to see strange burns all along the inside of the barrel. It looked like a complete mess in her eyes, but they had apparently figured out what went wrong? "Please be careful. I don't want ponies getting hurt just getting ready."

After they got the diameter of the rifle's barrel more closely matching that of their ammunition and a few other technicalities, the guns began to fire.

Unicorn guards were ready to begin practicing. They were not alone. A hoof-full of dragons and griffons, willing to join as mercenaries, were eager to play with the new toys. A field of targets, normally used for archery, were entirely overrun by fledgling markscreatures, gaining mastery with firearms one loud snap of gunpowder at a time.

Cadance sat next to Twilight. "This is the saddest thing I've seen in some time."

"Sad?" She perked an ear. "We're more ready now than we had been before by quite some measure. Isn't this good?"

"We're ready... to kill, Twilight. Ponies will die. Whatever they are, they'll die too. However you look at it, this will lead to death, and it..." She sighed softly. "It's terrible. I only hope it ends quickly." She rose to her hooves. "I look forward to the day we throw all of those... things into the closest fire."

Once the guns could be reliably reproduced came the 'fun' part. The brothers began eagerly tinkering with the design. The first such contrivance, as was ordered of them, was the adjustment to be usable by a pony. Trapped to their side with a mouth-held trigger, any pony could operate such a rifle.

Rainbow finally got her chance, and she took to it with zeal. She learned to make sweeping dives, to clench her teeth just at the right time to pop off a shot on the field below and soar away without pause, laughing all the while.

She landed beside Rarity with a cocky grin. "Did you see that? Nailed it right in the middle of a super tight turn."

"Positively fantastic," agreed Rarity, nodding lightly. "I do hope you'll be careful... If you're close enough to use that on any of them, they can do the same in return, Dear. I would hate for anything to happen to you."

Rainbow slapped Rarity's shoulder. "Don't even worry about it. I'm not fighting like a bunch of them at the same time. Come in fast and leave just as quickly. Thanks to your disguise, they won't even see me until I take the shot." She laughed softly, imagining her wicked moves.

"I did my best, Darling, but you are... somewhat prismatic." She wobbled a hoof over Rainbow's still visible tail. Her mane was concealed by a big winter hat.

Rainbow peeked back at her multi-colored tail. "Yeah... don't support you can make a tail cozy? It gets cold up there anyway."

Rarity clopped her mitted hoofs with a muffled thump. "What a fantastic idea! Why didn't I think of that before? I'll have something for our good soldier's poor tails." She hopped up to her hooves and trotted away, mumbling something about fabrics and stitchings.

Shining Armor was beside Twilight, both watching the soldiers practicing. They held a gun each themselves, floating in their magic. The guns were directed up, not at any targets. He nodded towards her. "They're growing better by the day. I wonder what refinements the brothers will come up with."

Twilight's eyes lifted to the sky. "The winter months are almost behind us. It's... strange, knowing weather is truly untamed this far north. What do the yaks think of this?"

He smirked a little at that. "They came to complain about the noise, and left with enough harnesses to supply a division. The idea of 'smashing from a distance' was not the most romantic, in their minds, but they didn't argue its effectiveness."

Twilight nodded softly. "I'm... hoping once we've demonstrated we're capable of defending ourselves, we can attempt negotiations. This conflict has been worryingly one-sided whenever the element of surprise wasn't sufficiently on our side."

He placed a leg around her, drawing her closer. "Please don't go rushing in. Even if you come with the best of intentions, they may not realize that... and the thought of my little sister getting hurt... Please..."

Twilight smiled a little. "You always were my BBBFF, Shiny, but someone has to be brave to make this move forward." She dipped her head slightly. "Eventually risks will have to be taken."

"They don't have to be taken by you. Besides being my sister, you are a princess. You being hurt will be a major blow to everypony else, besides you, you know... being hurt." He ran his tongue over his lips softly. "Just... you know... be careful, Twily."

A man sighed softly in the well-lit room. He wore protection, a mask and gloves and clean clothing. One had to, when they were going elbow deep in the dead. He cut the body open with a frown. Another day, another cadaver, but he didn't get into forensics for the glory of it.

"Here we are. I found the bullet." He reached in with tweezers and carefully pulled free the slug. "Hmm." He set it aside in a little tray. "There's only one, but it went in the right way, or is that the wrong way?" He smirked a little at his gallows humor. Sure, only his recorder would hear his joke, but so it was.

"Not seeing other signs of injury; safe to assume the bullet did the job." He set his tools down and picked up the tray, walking with it. "Let's have a look..."

"Time to fingerprint you..." He examined the bullet casually, not really expecting much. He didn't have a database of bullet fingerprints to work with. Still, looking was seeing, and seeing sometimes led to things being noticed.

He put the bullet under a magnifying glass and peered carefully, only to grunt. "The hell...?" Bullet fingerprints liked to sway to the left, or the right, but these did neither. They were... strange. "Who made this gun?" He pressed a button in the viewing device he was using, capturing images of the bloody prints left on the bullet. "The guys down in munitions will have a field day trying to figure this out."

Thankfully, it had ceased to be his job.

He put the bullet in a little baggy where it, and the blood on it, could be retrieved for later.

Slapping an intercom button, he spoke, "Hey, got something for munitions here. Crazy fingerprint on the gun."

"We talking foreign? Someone go crazy with a Russian or Chinese piece?"

"Doesn't look like it." He shook the baggy lightly. "They'll have to figure it out. Our guy bit it from this thing, so we should figure it out."

"I'll send down Harold."

"You do that." He pulled his hand away from the button. He knew Harold. "You'll figure it out." He usually did.

Everything goes crazy, then a person gets killed with a gun. They said it was a matter of time before people started getting too antsy, being told to just stay inside. Weather or wild animals, people go crazy after a while.

"It was a matter of time..." Not like homicides never happened in Alaska. They were people. People sometimes did unfortunate things. "And it falls on me to help find the naughty boys and girls."

"With a little help." Harold was there with a serious look on his face. "Let's see what you have."

Author's Note

Let's do the time warp again! It's just a trade to the left, then a few guns to the right!

Put your hoof on your hips, and put your knees in war!

Okay, that was bad. I blame the typos.

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10 - What Is It Good For?

They had little in the way of police. When you had a bit over a hundred people, did you need them? The small native american population simply lived, or tried. Their day was interrupted on that relatively warm morning by a strange sight.

The strange animals that their distant neighbors had complained about had arrived. They were marching in force. They had guns and dour expressions. The people were scared they were the target of that anger, but the ponies, yaks, and other things just marched past the village, ignoring it entirely.

There was no easy or natural way to explain why such creatures in all their varied colors and armaments should exist. But that was less important than that they would be spared whatever supernatural wrath was coming.

Arctic Village did not lose people that day.

Fort Yukon had long ago lost most of what could call it a proper fort. It had once had an airforce radar base, vital during the cold war. It had been demolished and even remediated to return it to a natural state. It was still larger than Arctic Village. It was larger and there were people to receive the march.

It wasn't that much larger, with a population of about five hundred. It was large enough for at least one person to try their luck. When the colorful army began to march in sight, the locals reacted by phoning the police. The police, in turn, reacted.

When the first car arrived, its lights strobing, the strange army immediately reacted in turn. They scattered and partially vanished, fading into the snowy reaches as if they had been a colorful illusion. The policeman stepped out of his car, adjusting his hat. He grabbed out his gun as he pressed the radio at his chest. "Definitely saw... something, a lot of something, but they panicked when they heard or saw my car. Hardly surprising."

"Roger that. Come on back."

A shot rang out, striking his car just beside where he had been resting his hand. "Shots fired!" He abandoned his radio. There was no time for that. He didn't have time for much more. As he finished turning, other Equestrian soldiers had been prompted by the first shot. He hit the ground perforated and bleeding from far too many wounds.

"I'm on the way," came the voice over the radio, unaware of the demise of the policeman that held it. "Hang tight."

In what would be called the massacre of Yukon, All two officers and any brave civilian that took up arms against the invading force was killed. The town was not taken. The homes were not burned. Nothing was looted or pillaged, save for the weapons of those who dared to fight them.

Not every person in the town had tried to engage them. The story was brought home, and radioed out. The animals were armed, and angry. Winter was over, but the icy grip of fear had come to the people of Alaska.

Shining Armor patted the shoulder of a soldier as they marched past him. "Good job."

"Yes, Sir!"

Rainbow Dash landed next to Shining. "Yeah! We kicked every tail there, which wasn't that hard, seeing as they don't have any. You know what I mean."

"Rainbow, good to see you're in one piece. Did you see if there were any injuries?" Shining cast his gaze out over the returning columns of soldiers.

"Pfft, as if. They had no idea what they were walking into." She rusted her wing lightly. "It wasn't even a fight. They know we're serious now."

Shining frowned at that. "I'm not certain that was the goal..."

A soldier rushed up to Shining. "Hello, Sir! Reporting. 5 injuries, one severe. They've been taken to the infirmary. Quartermaster has supply information. Operation: Successful, Sir."

"Thank you, Soldier." He saluted, which was returned sharply with a wing. "Rejoin the others and relax. You've done good."

The soldier faded back into the line of others.

Rainbow shrugged softly. "Eh, I wasn't paying much attention to that, I'll admit. You shoulda seen it! We had total command of the field."

Shining hiked a brow. "How many were there?"

"Oh, hmmm..." She tapped at her chin thoughtfully. "Maybe a dozen? Two of 'em were dressed like guards, the rest weren't. The not-guards were just as eager to fight though, except one."

Shining leaned forward a little. "Except one?"

"Yup, human was just running away the moment they saw it was on. I didn't even have the heart to go after him, looked so scared." She snorted out a half-laugh. "So he got away."

She flew off with a triumphant cry, only to be replaced by Twilight. "Was that Rainbow? You can barely tell with the full-body outfit she has going on."

"Yeah..." He shook his head slowly, eyes on his soldiers as they marched past. "You should talk to her. I think she's a little too into this."

"That's at least partially a historic cultural artifact." When Shining looked confused, Twilight gladly continued, "The pegasi were a militaristic culture for quite some time. She's even a member of a quasi-military fighting unit, the Wonder Bolts. I should note, they aren't even upset at her absence. The moment she explained she was doing this, they understood and wished her well."

"Still, keep an eye on her... No soldier should be quite... that happy about the field of battle."

They shared a soft nod and went off to their different duties.

For Twilight, that meant checking in with the brothers. "I hear they brought back more weapons?"

"Oh, yes."

"Indeed."

"Fascinating." A smaller gun was lifted into the air in their magic. "How they managed such miniaturization, we're eager to find out!"

"We've already tested, it's less damaging than the larger ones and accuracy is lower, but it can hurt someone just about as easily."

"Wicked." The two shared a nod in agreement. "Still, not ideal for our purposes."

"No," agreed the other. "A curiosity at best. Of more interest is this." A shotgun raised into view. "Its ammunition is different. Instead of propelling a single cannon ball--"

"--It fires a great collection of small shards."

"Enough to rip someone apart. It caused the one real injury we received."

"Terrible." He took off his hat to hold it over his chest. "I hear the human snuck up on our lines and got off a shot. This weapon does not have the range of the first model, or the petite size of the second, but it makes up for both with being simply terrifically damaging."

The other brother winced. "I wouldn't want to be on the receiving end of this."

"No way."

Twilight looked between the two guns, teeth set. "Why do they have so many ways to hurt people?!" She put a hoof to her face. "I agree with you. It sounds like the small one is fairly useless for us. I'm not sure why anycreature ever would need it. As if hurting someone needed to come in a 'bite sized' serving size."

One of them pointed at the larger of the two. "We should reverse engineer this one, of course."

"Of course," agreed the other, nodding. "For defensive purposes."

"Indeed."

"I'm not sure I follow." Twilight raised a brow at them. "These aren't... defensive."

"You're not thinking--"

"--of an army." He gestured out at the soldiers dispersing from the battle. "If an enemy gets too close, you will want to get them away quickly. A small number of soldiers equipped with these--"

"--would be quite effective at keeping the line clear--"

"--and safe." They shared a nod of understanding.

Twilight shook her head slowly. "Well, you do that... I'll keep the one I have." She shook her head a little harder. "Not that I want to use it." She stuck out her tongue in distaste as she took to the air. "I have to go. Keep me informed." She made as if to fly away, but vanished instead of going into the air, sparkles left behind.

"Mr. President."

The president looked up from the bill he had been reviewing. The man looking at him had a serious expression, more than just 'I am talking to the president' serious. "What's wrong?"

"Communication from Alaska. The animals are back, and it gets worse."

It had been growing warmer. They had predicted the trouble would resume. "There's more of them?"

"And they're armed."

The president let his pen drop to the table. "Armed? They picked up rocks or they have knives attached to their feet?"

"No, Sir." He presented a folder of intel for the president. "Reports indicate long guns."

He snatched the folder up and unfolded it to reveal the terrible news. Several towns had been hit, their defensive forces, such as they were, dashed and scattered. As if tiny police forces had a chance against organized mobs of armed animals.

Alaska was under siege by a people with four legs. Were they people? Animals did not use guns. Animals did not march in file. Animals did not... do any of this. "Get Queen Novo on the line. We have things to discuss, now." She had four legs, and was a native. If anyone would know what was going on, it would be her. "Mobilize the army. I don't need a congressional action to defend our country!"

"It will take quite some time for any armed forces in the mainland to reach Alaska, Sir."

He waved that away. "Mobilize what we have in Alaska. We have bases there, use them. It's time they start earning their paychecks and stop people from being killed by invaders in their own backyard." As the man saluted and marched off, the president put a hand to his head, rubbing where a forming headache was developing against his will. "She better have answers..."

It was a matter of when, not if, the general public became aware of what was going on over there. The communication channels they were using were far from secure, and people had time and resources. They'd find out, and things would just get more complicated.

He picked up the phone on the oval office desk and hammered a few buttons.

"Mr. President?"

"Matt, tell me our new guests have been trouble free."

"As trouble free as any other tourists can be. They've broken a few misdemeanors, as often due to misunderstanding as anything else. A stern talking to or a night in a cell is more than enough to set them straight, and they usually tell their friends when it happens, so we don't often get repeat infractions."

He let out a slow sigh of relief. "Good, good... Tell me, have any of them been armed?"

"Armed, Sir?" There was a sound of rustling paper. "The only thing I have close to that is one coming ashore with a spear. They were questioned about it. It was for fishing."

A fishing spear? Let that be the worst that their aquatic friends would ever bring on American soil. "Alright. Thank you."

"A pleasure."

They both hung up.

He picked the receiver right back up again, dialing a new number. "General."

"Mr. President."

"I need the numbers for our soldiers in Alaska, yesterday. We're under attack."

"Sir? You're... You're serious." He could hear a hand slapping a desk. "Who is it? Did some other nation come to this world with us? Give me numbers and--"

"--Calm down, General. I'll let you do what you're good at. The enemy is not human."

"Not human, Sir? What are they?"

"Horses, mostly."

"Horses, sir?" he asked with shock in his tone.

"Small ones, with long guns. They should be taken as seriously as any other foreign invader. They've already wiped out several police forces. Now, these were small forces, sometimes just a person or two, but there are other casualties to go with them. They are deadly and armed."

"If this was anyone else--"

"--I'd call them crazy too." The president smiled a little into the receiver. "But this is serious. Defend our country."

Author's Note

The war is on, though can you call it a war when neither nation knows the other side actually exists?

Jump to top

11 - Escalation

"You don't have to do this." Shining Armor had a hoof on Twilight's shoulder. "It's dangerous."

"That's exactly why I do." She brushed the hoof away. "We've shown we can defend ourselves. We need to show we can be reasoned with too, or this will only grow worse."

"What are you going to do, exactly?" Shining sat down in the snow with a crunch of condensed powder. "I need specifics."

"You're my brother, Shining, not my commander." She shook her head. "I don't have to say, and it won't change much... I'll reach out a hoof towards them and hopefully we can start on the road past this... unfortunate... period."

Shining regarded his sister, wanting her to stay safe, but also considering if looking more royal, or less, was the better tactic... "We don't even know who their leader is, if they have one. There have been no reports of any humans dressed as royalty."

"Humans don't do that, I think..." Twilight had not witnessed any royal humans in Canterlot High. "But I feel confident you will find the human in charge where there are more humans. Attacking their fringes will not reveal them. Now, please, don't attack while I'm making my attempt at diplomacy."

Shining suddenly saluted. "You have a week. If we don't see you by then, we..." He couldn't finish the words. He just turned away and trotted off before his composure could deteriorate.

Twilight shook her head slowly. "I'll be fine." She hoped. She lifted into the air before vanishing in a puff of sparkles.

Queen Novo sat on the chair across from the human president. She was wearing her finest with a serious expression. "The letter you sent implied this was a matter of great urgency."

"I'm glad you could come." The president set a hand on his desk. "We are under attack, and we hope you can shed some light on the situation."

Novo leaned in, her attention grabbed. "Attack? I hope my people have not been foolish. I will personally discipline them if this is the case."

"No, no." He shook a hand in the air. "Your people have been, by and large, polite guests. This is happening far to the northeast. My people, citizens of the United States, are being attacked and killed by four-legged people with guns."

"Guns? I don't recognize that word." She hopped down from her chair to fetch a book, setting it up in front of the president. "Can you point it out?"

There were no guns in the big book of lexicon. They hadn't seen the need to swap that word. The president quietly wished that could remain true. He took out his phone and quickly did an internet search for guns. He had a screen full of different guns.

He showed them to her. "These are guns."

Novo squinted at the dizzying variety of them. "What do they do?" She saw a few of them had humans in the picture, giving some reference for size. "The come in many sizes..."

"They kill." He let out a slow breath. "You point them at what you want to not live anymore, pull the trigger, there's a loud sound, and it dies."

Novo jerked her head back. No ally of hers had such a terrible weapon! "How utterly dreadful! And they are using them?"

"They have killed guards--" They had no word for 'police', guards was the closest right word. "--and others that tried to defend their homes."

Novo struggled to think of what force she knew of that could be so ruthless. "How... Such brutality..." She raised a taloned hand to her chest. "Thank you."

The president seemed surprised at that. "Hm?"

"For the trust." She dipped her head. "I am certain these are unsure times. You decided to trust us, and I will not forget that. We are allies. Now... I know of no people that would act this way. Can you describe them? Do you recognize what species they are?"

There was only so much military intelligence he could offer without things looking awkward in review. She was not cleared for much of anything, but these were unusual times. "The primary attack force was horses, small ones."

"Horses?"

Horses were in the book, and he pointed it out. "Small ones."

Ponies? Novo frowned at the thought of it. Ponies were killing people? "It must... be a criminal unit. I will draft a letter to (Princess Celestia); she should know of this."

"Now you've turned the table. (Princess)? (Celestia)?" Both were words that Novo hadn't learned the English of, leaving the president in the dark.

"Ruler, female, and that was a specific name," Novo defined with a soft nodding motion.

"Queen?"

Novo shook her head quickly. "No no. I am a queen, she does not like that title. What is one step below a queen?"

He held up a hand. "While fascinating, let's focus. The horses have a leader then?"

"Yes, but I cannot imagine these follow her, or they would not be killing anyone." The very notion of a deadly Equestrian division was alien in her mind. They were too soft by several measures to engage in a serious campaign like that. "They should be speaking the same language I do."

The president was suddenly on his feet, his chair falling backwards in the force. "You don't have different languages?"

"There are accents," allowed Novo, eyeing the fallen furniture. "Have I said something to alarm?"

"This is very important. If this entire world shares a language, we need to get the dictionary we've been drafting into their hands." He grabbed for his phone. "Excuse me, I have a few calls to make."

Anchorage was a large city, especially by Alaskan standards. It was the largest they had, with productive ports. They used to be productive. They weren't even on the beach anymore. All the boats that had been in them or near them were on land, laying there uselessly. All sea-based business had ground to a complete halt with a total lack of a sea to do it in.

When they had arrived in... wherever they had arrived in, they had become landlocked and baffled. People tried to make do with what they had, but for many, it meant simply suffering. The Internet was basically down, only functioning within the state itself, and few significant sites were hosted entirely in Alaska.

On the bright side, it meant government sites were still available; posting up to date news and suggestions to keep people safe. Things like 'Watch out for dangerous animals; be armed' were posted long ago before winter had fallen.

With the thaw, new messages began to spring up. 'Beware horses. Armed, dangerous, and organized. This is not a joke. Do not confront, call the police and withdraw; preferably the latter coming first.'

"Can you believe it?" asked a man, standing on the curbside with his friends. "Beware horses! Armed? With what, hooves with extra sharp shoes?"

His friends laughed at the very notion. "If I saw a damn horse coming at me, I'd just shoot it," noted another with a shrug. "Ain't rocket science or nothin', come on!"

Another threw up a hand. "Hey man, it sounds stupid as anything, but I hear they killed police out in the boonies."

"Killed them or did the cops out there forget which way to hold their guns?" He put a finger to his head, the rest of his hand taking on the crude shape of a gun. With a pull of the 'trigger' he jerked his head to the side and stuck out his tongue.

That got a raucous fit of laughter from the others. The idea seemed less incredible than armed and deadly horses.

Twilight appeared with a shower of sparkles. She was on top of a roof, towering over most of the city. She could see it spread out before her. "Now we're talking." Surely a city so large had to have some human of importance in it, not the little villages the armed forces were running into.

Such a large city could also be a serious challenge for them. That was just as well. "The goal is to stop the violence." She spread her wings. "And I'm going to do that." With a glowing horn, she willed herself invisible and took flight. Sure, doing both at once was tiring, but better than being a potentially frightening thing soaring through the air

Rainbow crept along, peering at the largest human settlement they'd approached yet. There had to be thousands of humans in there! How many would come out and fight them? That she couldn't guess. It was at least ten times as big, so at least ten times the fighters? Seemed rational enough to her.

The curious part about the place was that it seemed to have a lot of boats. Little boats for a river, and there was no river. Why? She had not even the start of a clue. "Weird..."

Alien words made her ears perk up in their covering cap. They were soft and quiet. She turned to see a human. It was a little human, an ungainly human foal. Male, female? She couldn't be sure, but it was waddling towards her with a big smile.

Rainbow blinked and sat up, peering at the little human. They had foals, that made enough sense... She wasn't going to shoot some human kid! "Hey there, Kid. What's up?"

The kid replied in more words that had no meaning. They reached for Rainbow and Rainbow ducked away. "Hey, chill it. I'm on an assignment." The child would not be refused, and Rainbow didn't want to hurt it.

This ended in a hug, the child squeezing the deadly horse happily. "This is... adorably awkward. C'mon! I'm a soldier! He--" Her words were cut off as fingers went in her mouth. The kid was inspecting her teeth and lips casually, apparently deciding to act out its curiosity without inhibition.

Rainbow folded in her wings around and pushed the child away with a huff, scowling at him. "Where are your parents?!" She turned away and started to trot, only for a chill breeze to suddenly run across her tail. She looked over her shoulder to see the kid had gotten a hold of her tail cozy and Rainbow had pulled it right off with her movement. "You're breaking my back, Kid."

She looped back around and reached for the cozy with a wing. "Give that back. It's mine, not yours."

The child made some reply she couldn't understand and yanked the cozy out of reach.

"Not cool!" Rainbow jumped for the kid, but they jumped just as easily. A game started of cat and mouse began, with Rainbow getting within inches of her clothing before the child spirited it away, only for it to repeat. The kid was having quite a bit of fun, laughing and cheering.

Emerging from the snow suddenly, two crystal earth ponies tackled the kid to the ground, pinning them. "Got 'em, Ma'am!"

Rainbow trotted forward with a cocky grin. "I told you I was a soldier, and soldiers have buds." She casually took her cozy back from the kid's pinned hand and got it onto her tail. "Now, as fun as this has been, you need to go." She made a soft shooing motion.

The earth ponies withdrew from the kid, letting them stand up once more.

The child frowned a bit, perhaps disappointed that they had lost the game. They called Rainbow a cheater, not that Rainbow had any idea what was being said.

"Yeah yeah, don't look so upset." She pointed into the town. "Go home. It's not safe out here anyway." Certainly not with them around. She planned on doing her duty proudly, which left little room for kids. "You're a nice kid, I don't want you getting mixed up in all of this."

The human foal finally returned to the city it had come from. Rainbow nodded with satisfaction. "Alright, now let's focus on the not-so-small ones with the mini cannons."

Author's Note

Which of you would resist the chance to hug a Rainbow Dash, if the opportunity were present?

Jump to top

12 - Contact

A scroll fell from the air. It hadn't been there a moment before. Rainbow blinked at it before another soldier grabbed it up. "Orders, from Shining Armor." He unfurled it, eyes scanning over it quickly. "Abort the mission."

Rainbow's wings sagged. "Really?"

The soldier flipped the scroll so Rainbow could see it. There it was, clear as day. Abort the mission, withdraw to the capital and take no further action.

Rainbow threw a hoof at the settlement. "But we're right here!"

The soldier shrugged. "Orders are orders, Ma'am." The others muttered agreement. Orders were orders, and Shining Armor was their commander, not Rainbow Dash.

The entire attack force began to withdraw as word spread rapidly from one to the next. The mission was called off and it was time to go home.

Rainbow huffed softly. "Fine..." Even she wasn't willing to launch the attack on her own. Her bravado did have limits.

The sounds of a human car made them all duck at about the same time. It was coming closer. There was the car, zooming towards them. Behind the wheel, a highway patrolman that had decided to fight.

The man had spotted the many ponies, even camouflaged. He had read the reports and accepted them. There was an entirely unreasonable number of deadly animals far too close to a real city, not the boonies where they had been. People would die, period.

Or he could act. He had radioed in, but waiting was the command that came back.

He had not followed it. Just imagining allowing them to roam into the suburbs, hurting or killing people at their leisure until the response came, and knowing he could have done something, but hadn't? He couldn't live with it.

He had his rifle clutched in one hand, and his steering wheel in the other. His front window become a maze of cracks. They had shot him. It hadn't been a lie. They had guns. He was likely going to die. He could take them down with him.

The ponies scattered. The pegasi took flight away from the city like a bunch of startled pigeons, safe from the incoming vehicle. The unicorns and earth ponies did not have the same luxury. One soldier took the shot. The front window didn't break, it just shattered in place. It was still coming, and accelerating, not slowing.

The forces met. Pony flesh did not fare well against steel. Gunshots rang out, filling the vehicle with new holes. The attack was so short, the vehicle skidding and swerving wildly as it began to slow at last, coming to a deceptively peaceful stop, its driver no longer pressing on the gas.

The pony force was not as camouflaged as it once had been. Several soldiers had been run down by the thing before it had been stopped and crimson stained the white snow to accompany pained groans when the pony that had been hit was capable of the sound. It had only managed to strike one pony head on, the rest being clips. Not that being clipped by a car couldn't shatter bones.

Rainbow came back around and landed with the other pegasi. "What the hey? Is everything a cannon with these humans?"

"We have injured," barked out the pony who actually was the local commander. "Get them stable and get them up. We are moving out, now. No delays. You. You. Get to work getting the stretchers ready. We are not waiting!"

Rainbow softly sighed. That had been far from how she imagined things would go. She trotted towards the stopped car with a scowl. "Who's this jerk?" The car had rolled a considerable distance, with only the impacts on good soldiers to slow it down before friction had to facilitate the rest of its slowing.

Fortunately, this was Rainbow Danger Dash, and she closed the distance in a streak of rainbow speed. "Alright, Pal, you have--" She pulled the door open to find the entire world went still.

She was facing a mini cannon. It was pointed at her face. The gravely injured human wielding it barely held onto it, but it was there, pointed at her. His finger was already on the trigger. She twisted in place, trying to swerve away. Why was everything moving so slowly?!

There was a roar of gunfire. Pain exploded through Rainbow. Her planned graceful turn became an awkward flop as she crashed into the snowy ground, still spinning in place, which became an artless roll.

The gun fell to the snow from fingers that couldn't hold onto it. The patrolman had done all he could do. He would be remembered well, he hoped. It as all he could ask for as he expired.

Rainbow tried to stand, but her stupid legs refused to do what she told them to. Everything was kind of dark, but it didn't hurt. Why couldn't she stand up? She managed a weak kick, but she seemed stuck for reasons she couldn't entirely understand. It didn't hurt, so it missed, right?

"G-guys?" She managed to raise a hoof into view and her pupils contracted tight. Her hoof had been blood-covered. Not like a bucket of paint, more like someone had taken a cup and splashed it towards her without good aim. She had been hit. "W... what?" This wasn't how it was supposed to go, not at all.

"Stay down!" barked a pony rushing towards her. "We have you!"

The medical ponies had arrived. That was good... Rainbow suddenly flopped, going limp. Sleep seemed like the best idea right then. But she had been hit. She should have been panicking. But sleep... She weakly thrashed, but the struggle was fruitless.

Twilight skipped from building to building, trying to survey the city from the skyline. "What looks like an important place..." They all did, in their different ways...

She had grown tired of flying invisibly. Teleporting from roof to roof was less draining. With a burst of sparkles, she appeared on the next one.

"(Oh god!)" A human scrambled back from where they had been standing far too close to the edge.

Twilight perked an ear at the human. Male, she quickly determined by fat distribution. Was he in charge? Unlikely... still... "Hello," she spoke gently. "Could you help me?"

"(What was I thinking?)" He put a hand to his head. His eyes were haunted and he was breathing hard. "(I...)"

Twilight wasn't sure what he was saying, but he looked distressed, and not at her. He was barely looking at her. He had barely seemed to register she was here. "Are you alright? Can I help?" She inclined her head a little and dared a little smile. She was harmless and friendly! Or so she hoped she gave the impression of.

"(Hello, magic horse... I'm talking to magic horses.)" He gave a distressed little laugh, sinking down to his butt in a crash, snow displaced. "(Hey, why not end it all? Nope! Magic horses won't let you be that stupid. God damn... what was I thinking?)"

Twilight dared a timid step forward. "You... look like you might be in trouble..."

"(Yeah, I'm pretty messed up,)" confessed the human without either understanding the other. "(Come here, magic horse.)" He gestured for her to come closer, patting the snow. "(I don't see any weapons.)" He had heard the news, most had. Still, the magic horse in front of him sure didn't look armed, or dangerous, outside of being a magic horse.

Twilight smiled a little more hopefully. She approached as she was bidden, the human's body language quite clear to her. "I'm Twilight Sparkle." She pointed to herself, then she pointed at him. "What's your name?"

"Kopa Tremor?" he tried, mangling her name beyond all recognition. "(Hello), Kopa."

"Twilight," she repeated, pointing at herself.

"Twilight," he managed. When she was close enough, he reached for her, gently patting her head. "(At least magic horses are soft. So...)"

"What's your name?" she dared, pointing at him. She didn't dissuade his patting. If it made him relaxed, it was a small price to pay. She pointed at herself again. "Twilight Sparkle."

"(Chris.)" He pointed at himself. "Twilight Trelis." He was mangling her last name as he pointed at her.

"Sparkle, but that's not important. It's nice to meet you." She nodded at him gently. "Can you direct me towards your leader?"

"(I don't speak magic horse.)" He rubbed behind his head, looking at her curiously. "(Are you hungry?)" He dug out a chocolate bar. He unwrapped it with shaking hands and offered the exposed portion of it towards Twilight. "(Oh, shit. Can horses eat chocolate? Eh, it's just a little...)"

Twilight eyed the candy. She had seen the foil that wrapped candy in Equestria high. They liked putting foil on everything. It was a human thing. The human was offering her a gift! How exciting! "Thank you, that's very kind." She reached with her magic, gently taking the entire candy, foil and all, from the human's numb fingers.

He was gawking at the floating magic bar with its soft purple glow. It was one thing to say 'magic', and another to watch the magic horse casually perform the act. "(Dear god...)"

Twilight dropped it. "I'm sorry! I wasn't trying to startle you."

He saw her react and put up his hands quickly. "(No no, good magic horse. You keep on... being magic.)" It was a real magic horse. Really magic!!

Twilight eyed him, but he was looking at her expectantly, smiling even. She gently picked up the dropped bar in her magic, brushing away the snow. Suddenly she felt fingers on her horn. The human was inspecting her glowing horn. "O-oh, hello?" She looked up as best she could to see what he was doing. He wasn't hurting her, but that was still her horn.

Now, horns did not have a great abundance of nerves along the outside, it was bone! That didn't stop unicorns from reacting very strongly to things touching or harming it. That was only natural, considering how important a horn was to a unicorn. Twilight had to fight the urge to get away or push the human. She was an ambassador. This was... just part of the job. "Yes, that is my horn. I need that." She dared a little laugh.

"(Magic horses can laugh like people do,)" he noted out loud. He drew his fingers away and sat back down. "(You are the best thing that's happened today.)"

Twilight smiled at his tone of voice. He sounded happy. "Found what you were looking for? I'm afraid humans don't get to have horns. That would look funny on you anyway." She dared to raise a hoof and slowly tap the human on the forehead where a horn would be.

"(No horn if you're looking for one. I left it at home. Say, do you have a spare?)"

Twilight heard a question in there, but has no hope of discerning what the question was. Ah ha! She reached with her magic into a pocket and pulled out her tiara. She pointed at it meaningfully. "Where is your leader?"

He gazed at the tiara. "(Are you a magic horse... queen?)"

Twilight pointed at the tiara, then pointed down into the rest of the city, then pointed back at the tiara. "Where is someone who could wear something like this? Where is your leader?"

"(We don't have any queens...)" He glanced down at the city. "(Closest we have is the governor.)" He pointed to the city hall. "(And he doesn't even live here. We humans managed to put our capital in the middle of nowhere, just because. Silly humans, right?)"

Twilight hopped up to her hooves, tucking her tiara away. The human had pointed out a building. That had to be the target! "Thank you!" She floated the bar back towards him.

He pushed it back towards her. "(That's for you.)"

She tilted her head at the bar before taking a big bite out of it. Sweet! But tasty. She tucked the rest away. "Thank you again. Have a good day." She vanished, only sparkles left behind.

He didn't really want to go stepping off the roof, he decided.

Jump to top

14 - Research Initiated

Strong Breeze stood, watching the sleeping subject through the one way mirror. His name badge revealed that wasn't his name by far. "Why is she wearing a mask? Was she injured?"

A technician shook his head firmly. "Perfectly healthy. That has the sedatives. The stuff they used was fast acting, but wears off about as fast. We had to get it flowing into her at a steady and controlled rate to keep her down."

He gestured with a flat hand at the unconscious horse. "Do we know enough about their biology to keep her down like that without killing her?"

The tech shrugged softly. "We're doing what we can and monitoring her vitals constantly. Shouldn't we be giving her over to the military at this point? The speech the president gave sounded like a declaration of war."

The speech had come with a delay, it had to coming over radio. It had been posted to the state site for everyone to see when it arrived, allowing everyone to watch it if they wanted. The internal Alaskan network was working just fine. The man sighed at that. "I haven't been ordered to."

He turned back to gaze at the sleeping horse. "Did you see her transcripts? We have it finished."

"No, Sir," admitted the technician, looking uncomfortable.

"Right, keep an eye on her."

It was a dismissal, and one the technician took, departing gratefully and leaving the one with authority behind.

"I come in peace," he sighed out, putting a few fingers on the glass. No matter how deplorable her country... horses were, she had done nothing wrong.

Near invisible to radar they didn't have, the ponies did hear it coming. With a loud roar, something strange flew over their heads, coming and going with such speed that they almost had no choice but to look up towards it. They had never seen a jet before, and they scarcely did at that moment with it moving so quickly.

As strange as it was, it had done nothing, and was already gone. The citizens of the Crystal Empire resumed their daily chores, gossiping a little about it, but what else was there to do?

Other planes would pass by, some so high, they weren't even noticed. With the leave to move, the Alaskan forces had begun gathering information with the speed of a mobilized military, which they had become. With their flights, maps were updated. Alaska, as a landmass, was gone. They were parked on some strange new continent that extended a great distance in all directions.

The local major general frowned at those updated maps. Not at the natural formations, curious as those were. There were enemy cities not that far from the more remote American towns. America had never had a hostile land neighbor before, but things had changed.

They weren't even human. They also clearly weren't animals. Animals did not establish cities. Animals did not build mind bogglingly huge structures. Well, they were nothing compared to, say, the Empire State Building, but still far larger than any animal had a right to erect. They were sapient, and hostile.

They were also woefully unprepared. Not a single sign of anti-air defenses. Not a single real reaction to the planes that had flown close to the ground. They had images of their ground forces. There were no air forces worth mentioning.

Air ships, really? They had spied a few, even caught one mid-air, soaring at what could be called a slow drift in comparison to military jets. Was that the best they had?

They would regret their tactical decisions...

"Time to strike back." He brought down a finger firmly at where their ground forces were gathered. "They didn't sign a Geneva Convention, but let's show them we don't target civilians. I want a precise shot. Fly in hot, but I want aim to be the number one priority."

The crack of gunfire mixed with the shouts and calls of other soldiers engaged in more melee training. It was a sunny day and the Crystal Heart kept the interior of the city warm and pleasant. It was a fine day for training, since no new orders for deployment had arrived.

Shining Armor frowned deeply as he watched his soldiers work. "We can't keep waiting," he sighed out. "She... needs us to save her."

Cadance gently wrapped a wing over him. "Please don't abandon faith in your little sister... She's done so much."

"Luck runs dry eventually," he bitterly noted. "She's been gone far too long without anything. We can't just assume it's all alright forever!"

Cadance heaved a slow sigh. "And attacking them again will help her?"

"It's better than nothing," he shrank a little before standing up. "We have to act."

A jet was coming. They could all hear it and the practice slowed to look towards the sound. It was easier to see them if you looked before they were past.

These looked different. None of the ponies could determine what it meant.

At least, until the bombs fell. There was a short whistle, a rising crescendo that barely lasted a moment, then the world broke. Ponies, griffons, dragons, and yaks were thrown around with little regard for what species they were, and those were the lucky ones. Others simply ceased to be, reduced to parts or less as the ground seemed to detonate all around them.

It was over as quickly as it had begun. The entire training field was a ruined hellscape of burning craters. Cadance was staring with haunted eyes as the cries of the injured began to work through the ringing produced by the explosions. She was in a bubble of magic, Shining Armor's horn glowing fiercely, protecting himself and his beloved.

The bubble faded and Shining collapsed to the ground, losing consciousness immediately. They were in one of those craters; not in the center exactly. His act of defiance had pushed him far beyond any reasonable limit of his magic.

"What have we... done?" Her question would not be answered, not by her unconcious husband or the killed soldiers. She could only rise to her hooves and see to those that still drew breath. "You, you." She pointed to two ponies that looked relatively unharmed. "Get to triage, tell them what happened and get them over here; then join the efforts. We can't leave them here."

"Mr. President." The man speaking thrust forward a folder. "Update from the front."

It was a war, a defensive war, certainly, but a war. There was a front. The president accepted the folder with a grave nod. "I thought, when I was elected, I'd be focusing on medical care. Instead, a damned war; and not even one of the ones we knew about." Those had been cancelled... All men involved in them, simply gone. Was it continuing without them? They couldn't know.

The Middle East would have to sort itself out without the United States' involvement. They were a world away.

He opened the folder. They had launched an airstrike, successfully. There were pictures, showing the area with a circle around the 'target' with before and after comparisons. "Good aim..." Only one bomb had exploded too close to the edge of the circle, causing some damage beyond it. A+ for precision. The jet that had caused the damage couldn't get very good pictures of the aftermath through the smoke of the bombs, alas.

US Casualties: 0, the report read. He couldn't help but imagine that was a proud thing to tack on there.
Enemy Casualties: Unknown. Estimate: 2,000+

2000? In that small area? He doubted the validity of that estimate. "Not that the specific number matters." They had no complete grasp of any of the numbers. 2000 out of what? Still, a telling blow, he decided. Maybe there were 2000 injured, considering it was a training base.

"Should we announce it?" asked one of his assistants, on the PR team.

"Hold off on that." He shook his head. "If congress gets word of airstrikes, the pressure from them will only increase. This remains a defensive action. Our enemy is weak." He threw the folder down on his desk. "Hopefully they've gotten a taste of just how poor of a fight they picked."

Ideally, they'd come groveling and begging to surrender. In the real world, that was a rare occurrence, especially after one strike.

His phone rang and he snatched it up. "Talk to me."

"Sir, we have an anonymous report from within Anchorage's city hall that they captured an enemy combatant."

The president frowned. "Why am I hearing this through anonymous sources? Why haven't they been turned over to the military?"

"I couldn't say, Sir."

Twilight tried to lift her head. Everything hurt in a distant way. Her insides refused to obey what she told them to in a precise way. "Mmm."

"You're awake."

She looked up to see a human. "Strong Breeze." She recognized him and barely whispered his name, trying to sit up and failing.

"I am very sorry," he spoke slowly, regarding a dictionary as he did so. "Medicine for sleep not... made for... pony." Despite his words, he looked... happy? Relieved? He had much reason to be. If she felt groggy, that was far less than the worse that could have happened with trying to keep an alien down with drugs.

Twilight pushed at the bed, trying to get herself sitting up, but her legs didn't feel like listening. "Why?" She couldn't use her magic, not in her addled state.

"We saw you." He pointed upwards with a lone finger. "You there, then not there." He spoke slow and measured Ponish, working through the words carefully. "You float paper pen."

Twilight swerved her ears, they had decided to listen to her. She only just realized that she was speaking to a human! How exciting! "You can speak Ponish?!" Despite her bleariness, her words managed to come out approaching excitement. It was too much.

He flipped through his book, frowning softly. "Little." He held up two fingers close together. He was looking up words as they came, a slow and laborious process. "Please talk..." He had to flip to the right page. "Slow."

"Yes. Yes... right." Twilight managed to push herself up a few inches, feeling unduly proud of her accomplishment. "I am Twilight Sparkle." She spoke each word slowly. She pointed at herself, which resulted in her flopping right back onto the bed with a grunt. "Twilight. Sparkle."

"Nice. Meet. You." He nodded at her. "Tuna Lollipop."

Twilight tried to laugh, it didn't work very well. "Twilight. Sparkle."

"Twilight Sparkle," he repeated, far closer to the mark. "I am (George Smith)."

"(Geagh Smit). Nice to meet you." She nodded, unaware of her own name mangling.

"George," he repeated for her, smiling gently. The two of them seemed bouyed by the contact. "Are you... comfortable?"

"No." She slowly sat up. "Thank you for asking. I appreciate... I thank you." She aborted her statement, trying to keep it simple. "Medicine not good." Her senses were returning, but so slowly. "Are you king?" She was fairly sure he sounded and looked like a male human.

He laughed at that. "No, no. I..." He flipped through the book wildly, looking for the right word. "This town hall. I work there."

Twilight's ears perked. This was no castle, it was a town hall?! "O-oh... Who is leader?"

Where was the leader... George sighed softly. The president felt a world away, and they felt like that even when they were on Earth, which they were not. "Long... story. Why watch us?"

Twilight smiled a little. "I want to learn," she said, trying her best to keep the words simple. "You learn fast. How learn Ponish?"

The creature before him sounded like a scientist, not a spy, or a combatant... "What did you learn?" he returned the query, he had to know more.

She barely managed to keep upright with one hoof, pointing weakly. "Not a... lot. If watch me, and know Ponish, you know."

He did. But that she could figure that out without prompting spoke well for her intelligence. "We have lot talk."

There was so much to discuss...

Author's Note

The great beast has been stirred, and its claws are made of planes, the tips explosive bombs.

I did a naughty, by the way. Tranqs do NOT work that way, as a rule. most things that can put you down that fast need to be inserted just so, and will only keep you down for a very tiny period of time. I made up for it by having them get Twilight under gas ASAP.

Still, naughty. Bad movie logic is bad! Forgive this author! I do try to ground this in reality (with magic horses, shut up!). Feel free to call me out.

Also, happy new years!

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15 - Counterstrike

A letter appeared with a pop of magic. More of a scroll, it hovered there patiently before Celestia took it in her magic. Not many could send her letters so directly. "Twilight?" she mused, though it had not arrived via dragon's breath, at least so far she had seen. It was possible it had and she hadn't noticed it.

Was Spike even with her? There was one sure way to dispel the mystery. She unfurled the scroll and began to read.

The scroll dropped from numb magic, only to be grabbed quickly a moment later to resume reading. "That many..." It was a report from the north. Rather than show any amount of hesitance on being counter attacked, they had struck again, harder... so much harder.

She could scarcely believe the report. So many injured, so many just... gone. Some of them weren't even Equestrians, but so many... were... Her little ponies, gone, forever. It was not even some pithy battle someone could claim to be romantic. A great beast had come with a terrible roar and unrivaled speed.

Like a dragon of purest death, it had destroyed all it past, and left so many... so many... Celestia had to put a wing over her face and take a moment, trying to absorb what she had been told.

"Sister?" Luna approached her distraught sister. "Whatever is the matter?"

Celestia folded her wing back, trying to look composed. This did little for the stains on her face, growing worse as she worked through what those cold numbers really meant.

"Sister..." Her magic pulled at the scroll. "What news is this that weighs on you so heavily?" Taking it without much resistance, Luna began to read the letter in swift sweeps of her eyes. "Is... this an error in writing?" She slapped the number of injured with a wing. "That is basically the entire division we sent to the north!"

Celestia took a slow and shuddering breath. "This has grown. We thought we could intimidate them; show them we can use force, but also show we could use it judiciously. This is their response... From a people who wield such deathly power individually, this... We have no choice." She turned away. "They are a crisis, a calamity. They should be treated as Tirek, a changeling invasion, or..." She hesitated, glancing back at Luna.

Luna rolled her eyes. "Or as Nightmare Moon, we can practically hear you thinking it. Throw in a dash of King Sombra while you're in there. Most of those weren't casually murdering ponies." She threw the scroll aside for it to clatter and roll. "Twilight is already there, and reported missing."

Celestia choked a sob, trying to hold it back.

"So what is the second plan?"

Celestia retreated, but it was towards another scroll. "I received this."

Luna snatched it just a moment before Celestia did, yanking it over in her magic and unfurling it. "From the hippogriffs..." Their queen, Novo, specifically. "They report to have met... The same species. Friendly? Agreeable?" Luna rolled her eyes. "They may be the same species, but clearly they are different peoples."

She casually tossed the scroll back where it had come from. "She can't believe we're actually fighting. It seems clear to me that we're not fighting hard enough. Besides, her nation is nowhere near the north. Whatever humans she has met simply can't be the same humans as the ones that did... that." She thrust a hoof at the fallen scroll of the war tolls.

Celestia gathered herself, standing tall. "We must mobilize. Even without Twilight, the other girls were endowed with powers directly from the Tree of Harmony. The Wonderbolts have been training for this day. The warlocks..."

Luna smirked at the hesitation. "They are technically my ponies, so I will oversee them. They will save Equestria when more gentle techniques fail and deliver us from this nightmare."

"Yes, right." Celestia shook her head. "We must win, quickly. This is not an enemy we can afford to assume will play nicely." She thrust a hoof at the discarded scroll. "That many?! This is beyond reason..."

Twilight walked through the halls, bumping lightly against a corner with a soft oof. "Easy," counseled George. "We're almost there."

She was covered, concealed. She was little more than a walking sheet. She was also on two legs, at his request. There was some logic to that, she decided. Walking bipedally, and under a sheet, she would much more likely be confused for a concealed human rather than a concealed pony.

Cold wind pressed through the sheets and the sounds changed. She could hear people moving around them. They were outside, she felt certain. He had been true to his word and taken her out. She heard something open and his hands guide her to sit awkwardly inside something.

There was movement, then the sheet finally drew back. She was seated in one of their automated carriages. He was operating it. "Thank you." What a silly way of escape... "Where are we going?"

"I want to show you something. We have... ranches."

Ranches? "You have ponies doing tricks?"

"Not ponies." At least, he was pretty sure it wouldn't qualify as a pony that Twilight would know of. "I want you to see."

He drove her to the east side of the city, where the ranches were hiding. Out of the city depths, the buildings began to thin out. An equine whinny was the first real hint that they were approaching a ranch.

Twilight's ears perked up and she looked around with confused eyes. "What was that?" Then she saw it. She began to gape at the horses. There were four of them in a field, frolicking and enjoying simple equine lives.

"Do you know what those are?" asked George as he pulled up close to the fence and came to a smooth halt.

"Not exactly..." She willed the door open with a thought, working the handle easily. "Applejack, the human one, mentioned them, but... seeing them... Wow..."

The human one? George climbed out quickly to join her. "These are horses. They have similar structure."

"Similar, but very different." Twilight examined them with critical eyes. "Their arms are clearly limited in motion. Their faces are limited in expression. Their size... I've met a pony or two that could compete, but they are all giants..." She ambled up towards the fence, eyes locked on them. "No cutie marks, the coloration is... limited. I think limited may be the key word here."

A horse trotted over curiously, eyeing George and the little equine friend. The mare leaned in and sniffed at Twilight through the fence with little twitches of her great nostrils.

"Nice to meet you too... Is this how Fluttershy feels at times? I can... almost guess what she is thinking..."

She was using many words he didn't know, but many words he did know too. He struggled to keep up. "So there are no horses where you come from then?"

Twilight pointed at herself. "There are larger varieties of me. None of them are this." She turned the hoof to the horse.

The horse responded by leaning over the fence easily and nipping at Twilight right on her mane, grooming her suddenly in an equine attempt to welcome Twilight into their social circle.

Twilight squeaked softly but it turned into soft laughter. "It's nice to meet you," she repeated with a soft smile, accepting the grooming as it was given. "I should point out that mutual grooming is not an inherent habit of ponies. Most ponies tend to their own grooming. Do humans practice mutual grooming?"

George had to smile. Watching the big horse lip at Twilight was kind of adorable... "Only really close people work with each other like that. Maybe a parent will work on their kids. Married people? About it usually."

"Exactly the same." Twilight looked pleased at that. "You don't have a ranch without ranchers. Where is the owner?"

George looked up and across the field, to where a few humans were watching them. "Pretty sure one of them is the one we're looking for..." They hadn't started shouting, so that was good...

He decided to be the start of things, raising a hand to wave. "(Hey!)"

"(Howdy,)" called back one of them. "(Why's your pony all painted?)

With permission given, apparently, the group of three men started to circle the fence towards George and his small horse.

Twilight looked up at them curiously. Her new horse friend broke away and approached them with a soft happy noise.

"(We don't have any treats for you today.)" The human pat the horse gently along the neck. "(Maybe next time.)" One of the others knelt down to be closer to Twilight's level. "(I can't place the breed... Nice grooming.)" Getting manes to hang like that was no easy task, though it was not the first time he'd seen such care put in to get a horse's hair looking fancy.

George gestured at Twilight. "(I need you to not freak out, but this is one of those 'armed' horses they've been talking about.)"

The man beside Twilight fell back in surprise. "(She dosn't look armed!)" he noted, eyeing her with suspicion.

"Hello." Twilight nodded at them gently. "I am Twilight Sparkle."

"(God in heaven...)" The first man, who had pet the horse, approached slowly. "(Is she... talking?)"

"(She is, and she says hello, and her name is) Twilight Sparkle." George reached for Twilight, patting her right on the head. He had no permission to do so, but he wanted to show Twilight was not a dangerous creature. Thankfully, Twilight did not react poorly to the attention.

"(If it was anyone other than you, Smith...)" The first man laughed, slapping a knee. "(You get your hands on an alien horse and you bring it to me?! Of course you would. Will she get antsy if I inspect her?)"

One way to find out... "Twilight, he wants to inspect you. I trust him, ridden his horses before, and he is a good person. May he?"

Twilight's ears twitched softly. "Who am I to stand in the way of scientific progress? Hey may proceed." She turned to the side, presenting more of herself with a light smile.

"(Never had a horse give me permission, or smile like that.)" He crouched down and began patting her down, inspecting curiously different muscles and joints. "(Huh...)"

"(You know that ain't true,)" argued one of the others. "(Horse that ain't give permission can make an inspection a real nightmare.)"

"(Gotta point there...)"

A new noise suddenly rang out from George's pockets. He dug out his phone quickly. "(George speaking.)"

"(George, where are you? Where's the alien? They're looking for both of you.)"

"(Who?)" He turned away from Twilight, trusting his ranching friend to not make a fool of himself. "(She's fine, and with me. I'm also just fine.)"

"(They're with the military,)" hissed the voice on the line. "(And they're really not happy you're both missing.)"

George winced. His choices suddenly narrowed dangerously. Either he went right back to the office and turned Twilight over, or his entire life would be effectively ended. He'd be a criminal. "(Christ...)"

Twilight tried to be patient as fingers pulled her lips back and he peered right into her mouth. Human scientists sure were thorough...

"(If it wasn't in a horse's mouth, you could swear they were human...)" Uncannily straight and brilliantly white. There was a gap where a bit could fit, though he doubted the small horse would want to have one placed there. "(Say, can you have her do some stretches?)"

Stretches? George covered his phone with a hand. "Twilight, they're asking if you could stretch a little." He turned back to his phone. "(Tell them I'm not running off anywhere.)"

"(I'll do my best... Please don't, you know, actually run off anywhere? Alright?)"

"(I'll do my best,)" he echoed with a faint smile. "(I'm not a criminal and I don't want to become one.)"

Twilight began to reach one hoof out at a time, moving each limb in ways that a horse would need to be shattered to imitate. The way the humans reacted only encouraged her curiosity, making her see exactly what made their reactions grow stronger.

When she stood up and put her forehooves behind her head, that seemed to be a breaking point.

Author's Note

The celestial sisters touch bases as Twilight gets to see a small sliver of the human world in far better conditions than the first time.

Surely rainbows are around the corner? Wait, are these friendly rainbows?

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16 - Defending Equestria

Fluttershy squeaked as the train rolled over a bump in the tracks.

Applejack raised a brow at that. "You gonna do that with every little bump? We've gone and rode tons ah trains before."

"Well, yes, but not to a war before..." Fluttershy shrank in place. "Not like this..."

Pinkie shrugged softly. "The mood is a little... off."

Spike hiked a brow at Pinkie. "Really, the mood is off. That's the way you'd describe being crammed into a car with countless other ponies to wage war?" He glanced towards the other rows, each filled to overflowing with as many ponies as could fit. There wasn't even room in the aisles, with ponies sitting or standing in just about every available space there was.

Applejack pulled down her hat lightly over her eyes. "Ain't nothin' for it but to wait."

With a soft grunt, she opened her eyes. "Where am I?" She sat up and looked around, seeing so many other ponies also sprawled out in various shades of injured. Some of them weren't even ponies. "What the..." There was no nurse attending her, or anyone really paying attention to her.

With so many hurt ponies, perhaps that made sense. "Hello?" Rainbow rose to her hooves, legs shaking a little. She remembered, it was coming back to her. That human had a gun... But it hadn't put her down, ha! She was still kicking! She took to the air lightly. "Where are the doctors?"

She flew away, not fast enough to produce her usual rainbow stream. She was fast enough to find a table with food on it. "I am starving!" She landed beside it and started filling her face eagerly. As she ate, she noticed another soldier standing next to her eating more sedately. "Hey, do you know where Rarity or Twilight is?"

He pointed out of the great tent they were in.

"Figures." No longer feeling quite so hungry, she took off with a slightly wobbly trot to go find her friends. As she went, a section partitioned off only with cloth dividers came into view, with one of its sides open towards her as she went past. Inside were some of the missing doctors, working on a pony that... "That... isn't right..." Her eyes kept darting from one limb to the next.

But no matter how many times she counted, there just weren't enough legs on that pony. She stared a moment before pushing onwards, shaking her head.

"Rainbow!" Rarity tackled her recovering friend the moment she emerged from the tent. "Rainbow Danger Dash, you had me worried half to death. Darling, please never do that again."

Rainbow gently hugged Rarity back with a little smile. "Hey, I'm alright... What's going on?" She pointed back where she had come from. "There are more ponies laid up then I even remember being ready to fight. What the actual hay?"

"Things have not improved while you were recovering, dear." Rarity turned in place and tossed her head. "They attacked."

"They did? Did we shoot them?" She grinned a cocky smile before looking towards where Rarity was pointing with her horn. "What? That's... a lot of holes."

"That was the training yard..."

"But... how?"

"I wasn't there personally, and, if we're being perfectly honest, I'm very glad I wasn't... They say there was the roar of one of their... things overhead, then whistles, then this." She waved a hoof at it. "Each hole is where it exploded, tearing... tearing ponies apart..." She shook her head quickly. "It was horrible!"

"Whistles?" Rainbow hiked a brow skeptically. "Why would someone whistle before they explode? What's the purpose of that?"

"Darling... really... that's the part that worries you?" Rarity let out a soft huff. "Sometimes I wonder about you."

Rainbow waved it away. "Anyway, sorry for being out. How long was I snoozing for?"

"Too long." Rarity stood tall. "I'm just glad you're better. Are you... recovered? You just woke up after such a terrible injury."

"I'm ready to go!" She threw out her wings, but her left wing sagged a bit. "Uh, alright, maybe only 80%. I'll work on that. So how are we doing? I mean, we're gonna take out their, whatever it was that did that, right?" She nodded towards the destroyed field. "We take that out, and no problems."

Rarity blinked softly. "That would be a lovely idea, but they haven't told me anything of the sort. I do hear there are reinforcements on the way." She turned to point at the train tracks that led to the city.

"Mr. President." A new folder was offered with the confidential information.

"Thank you." He flipped it open to reveal an update. Hostile motions had slowed to a crawl. Had their attack punched the fight right out of them? One could hope. He folded it shut and considered a moment. "Send word to the general to keep ears and eyes open for attempts to surrender. We don't want this dragging on any longer than it has to."

With dark implosions of magical force, six ponies appeared in the snowy wastes of the north. One of them, a larger female, pointed off into the distance. "That is the direction they saw the beast approach from."

"Then that is where we are needed." A smaller male nodded softly. "For Equestria."

"For Equestria," echoed the others, vanishing with a fresh series of dark sparkles.

The warlocks were required.

Finding the origin of the thing was a simple matter. It had flown straight and true, which left little to the imagination in tracing it back to its origin.

It lived in a complex full of humans and other things. "It is watched, with living eyes and others," spoke the eldest male. "If we approach any closer, we will be seen."

"They are well equipped for war," hissed another, a frown on her face. "If we approach directly, we ask to meet our end."

"Our mortal forms are weaknesses. We must shed them," spoke the large female. "As shadows we will ride."

They all nodded in agreement as they began to fade away, until they were little more than patches of darkness with eyes. "For the night."

"For Equestria."

The humans did spot them coming. The military base was bristling with surveillance. They were seen, but what was being detected was confusing at best. They only appeared on the night-vision camera, but it was during the day. The alarms sounded and the entire base began to move.

"(Freeze!)" ordered a soldier, gun already in the ready position with others at his side in either direction. "(Any movement will be considered a hostile action.)"

The shadowy warlock took a step forward, but covered the distance in the one simple stride. Suddenly he was standing just in front of the soldier. "Sleep." The soldier sagged and crumpled before the being, and the gunfire began. Bullets penetrated the incorporeal form of the infiltrator, without any visible effect. "We have come for the death dragon." He took another step and was far past them.

A female danced with the soldiers, laughing wildly as they tried to fill her shadowy form with bullets. "Come, come, try your best," she taunted despite their strange language. "Face me!" She lashed out a hoof into the face of a soldier. Despite being made of shadow, her hoof solidified the instant before impact, sending the soldier sprawling backwards with a broken nose. "Next."

She had been rigorously trained in hoof to hoof combat, and she waded into the enemies with wild laughter, only solid for as long as it took to deliver bone-shattering strikes with her steel-hard hooves. She was making little progress towards the death dragons, but that wasn't her job.

"(Grenade out!)"

She looked up towards the shout just in time for something to land next to her. What was-- Her thoughts were interrupted by an explosion. She hissed in fury, her vision obscured by dust, but her immaterial form unharmed by the detonation. "Rude, rude little soldiers. I'll teach you a lesson in manners."

It was her job to keep their eyes on her, and she was doing a good job, if she had to review herself.

Elsewhere, the eldest took a soft ethereal breath. There was not just one death dragon... There was an entire field of them. There were... and they had sent just... one? The magnitude of it was staggering.

"Why are you not moving?" Another warlock had joined him. "She is buying us time, but she cannot remain wraithly for long while fighting that vigorously, you know that. We must move."

"You are correct. We will have to work together to wipe them all clear." He waved a shadowy hoof at the collection of bombers that could strike again.

"Together." A third pony had joined them, then a fourth.

Without prompting, their heads lowered, horns touching as power gathered between them, weaving a great and terrible spell.

It would fall on the base commander to explain how millions on millions of dollars of bombers were lost that day, falling into the ground suddenly where they had bent, crumpled, and snapped in half.

The distraction backed up a few steps, ears twitching at the sound of bending metal and crashing airplanes. "Sounds like they did what must be done. Time to go." A bullet ripped through her shoulder. She was not as wraithly as she should have been. "Too long... goodbye." She willed herself away, vanishing in a dark burst of magic, leaving only what blood had spilled behind.

The base was left with far fewer planes, sudden new injuries, and not a single enemy combatant to show for it.

George stuffed his phone away to see his ranching friends were staring at Twilight, who seemed to be posing... "(Are you captivated by a horse that's only missing a pole?)"

That shook their leader free with a laugh. "(Hey, we don't swing that way. The missus would skin me alive. Still, come on, horses don't do that.)" He shook his head with a smile. "(Crazy... so... what was the call about, you looked put out.)"

"(Work...) Twilight, we need to talk."

"Of course." She fell back to all fours and followed him back towards his car. "What's wrong?"

"People came to the town hall." Flip flip flip. "Guards."

"Oh." Her ears perked. "The ones that... put the bad medicine in me?"

"Not the same ones," he quickly assured. "But they want to see you, and me."

"Well... we should do that? I need to talk to your leader. Can they take me to her?"

Her? "Our leader is male, and they could, in theory. Not sure that's what they plan to do... probably not."

"Then we'll have to convince them." She smiled brightly at him. "Onwards."

"You are very..." He had to flip through his directionary again. "Trusting."

"Friendship starts with trust." She willed the door open and climbed into her seat, ready to be taken back to where she had started the day. "Thank you, for taking me here. I learned a lot."

"You did?" He sat down on the driver's side, making sure both of them were buckled in before he started off, leaving his ranching friends with something to talk about. "What did you learn?"

Twilight frowned. "I need bigger words." And she was sure he didn't have them, so expressing the thought would be difficult at best. Still... He had shown her something vital. Those horses were what humans first associated with ponies, and how could they not, having the horses first.

The horses were clearly pets, perhaps servants. Like a dog or a cat, really...

Then came the ponies, wearing the general appearance of such a tamed creature, but ready to fight. It must have been horrifying on some levels. No wonder they were behaving so irrationally... What would ponies do if wild cats suddenly lunged at them with swords and magic, shouting strange warcries in languages ponies did not understand.

How sympathetic would ponies be, or would they just run or fight?

Twilight had to fix it.

Author's Note

The warlocks have arrived.

Twilight does not give up easily!

Rainbow's awake, yay!

Jump to top

17 - Coming in Peace

Luna pranced in place with a grin. "A complete success."

Other ponies skittered out of the way, not expecting a princess to abruptly appear, and holding so much, or wearing a strange set of robes.

Luna arched a brow. "Ah, yes." She willed the robes off with a dramatic pull and tossed them aside for the moment. "We have things of great import. Where is the local expert with weaponry?"

Floating over her head was a small cloud of human weapons, guns, grenades, bullets, and the like. "We have things they must begin examining at once."

Flim and Flam were summoned, both trotting over to the scene with an opposing brow raised each. "What's this?"

"It appears to be a princess, Brother."

"And she's brought quite a haul."

"Impressive."

"Fantastic."

Their horns glowed, taking bits from her collected cloud of... stuff... Flim rotated the firearm he held in his magic. "Can you tell us what makes these different from the ones we already have?"

Luna gestured with a wing. "They are automated cannons. The humans could fire many times in a short period of time." Uselessly, she quietly added. "Can you replicate the design?"

"Can we?!"

"Can we?!"

Flam leaned over to Flim. "Can we?" he asked more quietly.

"Of course we can!" Flim turned towards the factory. "Let's get to work!"

Flam grabbed for more goodies, but they stopped coming free of Luna's cloud of magically held items.

"I will accompany you." Luna advanced with them, taking her cloud with her. "I must go as soon as these are safely put away."

The train arrived with a soft whistle announcing its presence. Many ponies disembarked, arguably far too many for the train to have carried. Most were soldiers and guards of various sorts, filing off to replenish the fighting force.

A few were national heroes. Applejack glanced around the snowy scape. "Always forget it's cold until you get into the Crystal Empire proper. C'mon!"

Fluttershy gladly hopped off the train, but remained close to her friends.

Spike glanced around as he came, covered in a thick trench coat and fedora. "Any fans around? We'd better get going before they notice."

Pinkie laughed, pronking out after Spike. "You know you like the attention."

"I mean, yeah." He shrugged. "But we have things to do, so we'd better, you know, wait on that."

"I had thought," spoke an elderly male that followed. "--that such trials were behind Equestria." Star Swirl shook his head slowly. "But I cannot allow such a threat to not be challenged. Time has not removed all sense of patriotism."

Applejack tipped her head. "An honor to have ya with us, Star. Let's get settled in and find out where we're needed."

He slapped the desk with the flat of a hand. "They what?"

"Fresh communication, Sir." A manilla envelope was offered towards the president.

He had it open in a flash. There it was. Billions. They had lost billions of dollars of military machines. There wasn't even the capability of making half the things specified, with all the foreign points of fabrication taken offline, though that would be fixed, eventually.

Casualties: 17

That was... very low.

Confirmed Deaths: 0

That was... impossible? He began reading more thoroughly. Men had been battered, and an enemy combatant had been struck, once, status unknown. Not a single person was in a state that could be considered critical.

A localized earthquake had struck just as they were being attacked, causing rifts to consume the valuable equipment. There were estimates of how much could be salvaged. Some of the planes could be repaired. Some of them even were already in the process.

The moment the earthquake had occurred, the attacked had fled. All attempts at intelligence failed, no traces or tracks to follow.

The most impossible part came from testimonies of those involved in the fight leading up to the earthquake. Hundreds of rounds were expended, with only one hit. Soldiers did not have that poor of an aim.

"Bloody hell," fumed the president, thumping the top of the same desk. How? Shadows? "We don't know what we're facing," he had to admit. The attack had come during daylight hours, seeing shadows as the attackers?

Perhaps of lesser import, many munitions had gone missing. A motley assortment of guns, grenades, ammo, and other misc. gear as if they had simply fallen into the same rifts the planes had and vanished.

Was the earthquake poorly timed, or something their alien attackers had created? Both ideas were fairly wild...

He had to stick to the facts. The base had been attacked, and many things were stolen, but there were no fatalities. "If I wasn't fighting them, I'd hire them." As covert ops went, amazingly done...

As for the planes... He couldn't say how they were lost with confidence. Coincidence or natural phenomenon with bad timing? 'Bad Luck' was a dirty term in the military, but sometimes it really was just that. He had to know more... He reached for the phone. "Get me Queen Novo."

Deep under the waves, in the safety of Sequestria, Novo saw to the needs of her faithful subjects. At least, until a device began trembling and beeping urgently. She had accepted the device the last time she had visited the topworld. Its ringing meant they wanted to talk to her. She had no idea what the words were to the song it played, though it made the humans that could hear it look amused.

She held up a hoof, then sinuously swam to where it lay. "Hello?" she asked after she found the button to start talking.

"Novo," spoke the president. "Good to hear the phone's working properly."

"It's like you're inside this curious little thing." Novo peered a moment at the device she was speaking into. "I'm in the middle of court, you know how these things are. Can you do this again in about an hour?"

It took quite some ingenuity and work to get cellular service to reach down from the ocean's surface to their court, and then other rigging to get it ferried safely back to the mainland. It was also bulky and likely not durable. More permanent solutions were pending construction efforts.

But it would wait an hour...

He pulled up into the parking garage space and turned off the engine. "There is no use hide you on the way. They all know you missing."

Twilight perked an ear. "I presume you were not... supposed to take me anywhere."

He had to pause to try desperately and find those words. "No," was his simple reply. He exited the car and circled around to find her already standing on the pavement. After making sure his car was locked, he led the way.

"(Mr. Smith,)" greeted one of his contemporaries, spotting him, then his companion. "(What in the...)"

Twilight dipped her head towards the human that was dressed much like George was. "Nice to meet you."

"(Uh.) Good Morning." It was one of the only phrases that came to his head.

Twilight smiled radiantly at the response. "Good morning to you too." She looked up at George. "I thought they couldn't speak Ponish."

"We're learning. (I should go, they're expecting both of us.)"

"(You're a brave man.)" The other politically minded male made himself scarce rather than hang around potentially dangerous equines.

They stepped onto the elevator that would take them up to the street level. The floor moved beneath them lightly in a moment of peace. With a little chime, the doors slid open revealing far too many hostile ends of firearms pointed at them.

Both of them froze, eyes wide.

"(Mister Smith, please step forward, slowly,)" ordered one of the men facing them. "(You're safe.)"

"(Please put those away. She's a...)" He needed to pull on legalities... "(Refugee.)"

Guns lowered with quizzical looks passing from one person to the next.

Twilight softly cleared her throat. "Pardon me, but I assume you are guards?" They looked at her oddly, she wasn't sure if she was being understood. "Can you take me to your leader? Please?"

George dared to take a step forward. "(We're heading inside.)" He gestured to the town hall. "(I have calls to make. The biggest crime she's guilty of is a civil matter concerning a lack of documentation.)"

One of the men clapped a hand down on George's shoulder as he tried to pass. "(We have direct orders; that horse is to come with us.)"

"(That horse is a person. She has the right to due process.)"

"(She's an enemy combatant,)" argued the soldier. "(It's up to the brass what due process she does or does not get.)"

"(Probably unlawful too,)" Added another soldier.

"(Not up to us to decide. You speak their language?)"

George deflated with a sigh. "(Yes, can I serve as her translator?) They're taking you."

"Taking me where?" Twilight's eyes drifted from one person to the next. "Your leader?"

They were led away, ferried with all due haste. They did not attempt to handcuff Twilight, with her lack of hands. Ideas of simply handcuffing her forelegs and hindlegs and then attaching the two cuffs together was entertained briefly, it would surely limit her mobility, though she still had wings, and those had no cuffable contact points.

They trusted her to keep being a good pony, as she had been so far.

"Hello? Is this the human president?"

"Queen Novo, good to hear you. Is court complete?"

"Oh yes, all over for now. Your people seem quite enamoured with watching it, curiously. Are they smitten with me? I'm flattered, but not looking." She smiled into the phone as she spoke. "Now how can I help you?"

"I need to know some things. You mentioned you know the people we're having trouble with, the ponies?"

"Oh, yes. Did Celestia take care of those brigands? Really, ponies attacking people? I'm sure she's beside herself."

"No such luck." Not that he had received a single word of a 'Celestia' outside of Queen Novo. "I need to know what ponies can and cannot do."

"That depends on the pony," she admitted. "They have marks on their bottoms. They call them 'cutie marks', pictures of their 'purpose', and they're usually good at whatever that is, especially good."

"Could... they have a mark that would let them make earthquakes?" asked the president, doubt dripping in his voice.

"Not usually," quickly admitted Novo. "But if a unicorn... Oh! Do you know about unicorns?"

"I know what a unicorn is." He imagined the mythological creature with cloven hooves and a tufted tail, symbol of purity. "What about them?"

"Unicorn ponies have magic. The ones that practice it hard--"

"Magic?"

"Magic. You know, like the thing we use to turn humans into mer people?"

"That is a very specific effect with a clearly defined cause and effect. That's unexplained technology."

Novo rolled her eyes softly. "Well, then this is 'unexplained technology' if you prefer, lodged in the forehead of every unicorn. Some of them are really good at it and can do many things. Many of them are lucky if they can pick up a few things at the same time."

This was only growing more and more distressing. "Pick up a few things?"

"They have two basic tricks that basically all grown unicorns can do. Make their horns glow, and move things as if they had their hooves on it, without their hooves actually touching it." Novo huffed out a few bubbles. "I keep forgetting how little you know about the world."

Magic...

They had magic... "So... could a unicorn, in theory, create an earthquake?"

"One unicorn? That's a stretch. But, maybe, if a bunch of them worked together? Why would they want to do that?" Novo shook her head softly. "Are those brigands creating earthquakes?! Poor things, you should be being welcomed, not attacked like this!"

She scowled softly. "Keep an eye out for an alicorn--"

"--alicorn?"

"Wings and horn. Look for a pony with wings and a horn, kinda purple colored, star on her bottom. She's the one Celestia usually sends to settle things. If she's there, point her at the brigands. Don't trust her around interesting 'unexplained technologies' though, she has sticky hooves."

Author's Note

Let's ask the important questions, what song was Novo's phone playing?

My bet:

Meanwhile, she drops a hint to look for Twilight. She did not forget being stolen from.

Jump to top

18 - The Need to Know

"(She's purple. Yeah, wings.... horn.)" The man speaking on a headpiece was looking over Twilight as he spoke to some other person. "(I'll check.) You."

Twilight perked up at the recognizable word, and the person was pointing at her. "Yes?"

"Pr-in-cess Ce-le-s-ti-a." He said each syllable separately, clearly echoing a word he didn't know.

Twilight sat up, expression brightening. "You know her?"

George glanced between the two, crammed between two other men in the vehicle. "Who her?"

"Only the nicest, wisest, most fantastic pony ever," gushed Twilight with a complete lack of bias. "Did she make contact? I feel silly now."

The man on the headpiece nodded lightly. "(She recognized it, looks happy. Uh-huh... Alright.)" He lowered his hand from his ear and looked to George. "(Tell her we want to talk about that, when we arrive.)"

George did as he was bade. "They want to talk about her, after we arrive."

"Gladly." Twilight nodded, relaxing into her seat much more easily than she had been.

With strikes off the table for the moment, scouting had resumed. That put him in the seat of a lovely plane as it soared over the frozen lands. He had a specific mission, and it involved the winding rails beneath him. They made lazy curves, avoiding hills where possible, though occasionally going right through them instead. It wasn't hard to keep them in view, being one of the only things around to see that wasn't snow and ice.

They began to rise as he was approaching mountains. Where did that hostile little city get its supplies. He was curious, and so was the brass, hence his mission. Cities could not sustain themselves, and it lacked the suburbs to even entertain it came locally. That railway had to be a lifeline.

He could have attacked it, struck what would certainly be a telling blow, in the long term. But that was not his orders. He just had to follow it, see where it led, and report back. Simple.

The tall and jagged peaks of the mountain range he knew not the name of rose higher and higher, but he was flying higher still, soaring above the cloud line.

A knocking was not what he expected.

He glanced to the source of the noise to see a horse. The horse was lined with frost and shivering, but was keeping up, barely, with the plane, their wings flapping wildly. It knocked again.

What was he supposed to do? Was it an enemy combatant? If it was, evasive maneuvers? None of his training involved something flying that close that wasn't a bird smashing into him. Opening the cockpit felt like an incredibly daft idea. Sure, he was wearing a pressurized suit, still, that could be inviting a hostile to come give him a what for.

It knocked. Its mouth was moving, maybe shouting something? He couldn't tell; not like sound worked very well when one was casually soaring at the speeds he was. It had to compete with the wind roaring past the plane.

The horse grabbed the wing of his plane, hanging there as if that was easier than flying. His controls went crazy with the sudden change in airflow, forcing him to adjust for his sudden passenger. "(Bloody hell... Got a bogey hanging on my wing.)"

"(Could you clarify that?)" came the radio response.

"(One of the horses flew up, somehow, knocked a few times, now hanging from a wing.)"

"(Abort mission, return to base.)"

"(Roger.)"

That horse remained affixed for the entire flight back. When he landed and came to a stop, only then did the horse slip free, flopping to the ground with a pained noise. Soldiers were already there, warned of the situation.

Derpy had not expected such a difficult delivery. "I brought... you a letter." she chattered, shivering with cold. She coiled on herself slowly. The guns were trained on her, ready to blast her apart, but she was ignorant of that threat. The tension ebbed when her snout came out with an equally frosted envelope.

"(For us?)" questioned the ranking soldier there, but Derpy did not know English and just held the letter out. "(Thanks...?)" He gestured towards the mailmare. "(Get that.)"

"(Right.)" The pilot whose plane she had hijacked moved first, snatching the envelope away. "(Never touch a man's plane without asking first.)"

Derpy tilted her head a little, eyes looking off in different directions as they were prone to doing. "You sound angry. I just had to deliver a letter." She stood up and began shaking, sending snow and ice scattering across the area. "I'm cold! Do you have some coffee for a mailmare before she gets back to work?"

Sadly, they didn't really speak Ponish either.

The superior hiked a thumb. "(Get that to intel. Get the horse to a holding cell.)"

Derpy would get no coffee.

The shipping captain had become quite familiar with the route, ferrying things and people to and from Seaquestria fairly constantly. They were just over it, and locals were helping unload. "So," he struck up conversation with one. "What is that, exactly?" He hiked a thumb at the mountain that wasn't very far away. "I see your people flying to and from it sometimes."

The male hippogriff looked up at it. "That's Mount Aris, we live there too."

"Why aren't we delivering to that?"

He shrugged softly. "Wouldn't be any easier; not like we have a dock big enough for you. This ship is huge!" He threw his talons wide for emphasis. "Easier to just toss it all overboard and swim it to where it needs to go. Some of it goes down, some of it goes up."

The captain rubbed at his stubbled chin. "If it works for you, but you have train tracks." He wove a finger along the sight of it. "I thought you didn't 'do' visitors from other people."

"We don't." He shrugged softly. "Might be a train through once a week at most. We only got that going fairly recently at that. You can blame the ponies for that."

The same ponies that were killing people? "Ponies forced you to run the trains?"

"Well, I mean, forced is a strong word. They're nice creatures, like humans I guess." He looked over the captain. "I mean, it's like us."

"Us? Oh." Humans had lived quite happily alone in the universe, than the seaponies happened, and that didn't work out too badly... "So you get along with them, but you're not rushing to say hello to the neighborhood."

"Exactly." The hippogriff hefted up a small box and got to attaching it to a harness he had been wearing. "Feel free to visit, by the way. You could always stop in there if you don't want to try being a mer human." He inclined his head towards Mount Aris, then casually stepped off the ship, hitting the water in the form of a seapony and darting away.

"Sir?"

He looked over at another hippogriff, though they were a special one. That one worked for him, had a green card and everything as an alien worker, emphasis on alien. "What's going on?"

"We're about done offloading. Men report a delay in having the cabins ready for the passengers, about half ready on that front." He directed talons towards the problems. "Should we start loading them?"

"What's the delay?" He huffed and walked off with his curious shipmate. They had cargo to move, living or not.

"I'm very proud of all of you," spoke the teacher at the front of the class. "We will be speaking only Ponish in this class. To assist with us, we have a very special guest." He waved to the door that opened, permitting a hippogriff to step in, wearing a school uniform that draped awkwardly but functionally over her form.

"Hello." She dipped her head towards the class. "I am Head Stream, and it's nice to meet you all. I'm still learning (English), but I get to practice that in all the other classes, so just one where I can speak Ponish is nice."

"Please sit at that desk." He pointed the way. "She will be paying attention and taking the same tests as you, simply reversed. Outside of this classroom, I ask that you assist her, and approach her for assistance. Let's help each other come together and understand."

"Hello Head Stream," the class echoed together, curious eyes on her alien lines, filled with unspoken questions on what made their new classmate tick.

"We need better metal."

"Much better." Flam frowned at the results, their poor mangled gun. "How do they manufacture this so precisely..." To say nothing of the exotic blends of metals they could only loosely approximate.

Flim shrugged softly. "Still, we have learned."

"Undoubtedly."

They both picked up the one working model they had. Flim gestured at it. "At least we can say we've pioneered an automated cannon fit for pony use."

"A proud event, surely!" Flam nodded softly. "But it's nowhere near as rapid as the model it was adapted from. The stress is too much."

"Far too much." Flim huffed softly with frustration.

That letter was carefully defrosted, opened with all the care one might save for a bomb, and then deciphered. Would it be an attempt at surrendering? A call to peace negotiations? Death threats? No one could be certain until it was properly translated, one word at a time, into English.

The envelope was translated first, by merit of having far fewer words to figure out.

To: The Scary Aliens

From: Bright Morning

It was stamped and postmarked, though they didn't know the pony way of tracking dates and time, so that was not helpful.

Hello,

I did not use your name because I do not know it. Sorry. I am Bright Morning, hello! Please stop hurting ponies and yaks. I know yaks are hard to get along with, but they should not be hurt. Can't we be friends? I live at (an address) in the Crystal Empire. If you promise not to hurt anyone, maybe we can have tea?

Thanks,
Bright Morning

The entire letter was crudely fashioned, not typed clearly. Even if one assumed handwriting (They didn't have hands...), it was sloppy.

The man reading over the translation shook his head, glancing to the original in its child-like scrawl. "Some... kid just wrote a letter to us, and they delivered it?"

A woman nearby shrugged. "That makes our prisoner a courier. Should we let her go?"

Attempts at interrogating Derpy had gone... poorly. Even with a dictionary in hand, the horse seemed to have not even the faintest clue what was actually going on. She was not a spy, or the greatest spy ever, one or the other. The letter pointed at her being some kind of postal worker that put way too much effort into her job than could ever be considered healthy. "Let her go, with a reply."

He got a piece of paper and got to writing. His writing of Ponish was not that much better than hers, if only due to a complete and utter lack of practice. He had to look up basically each word as he went.

Hello Bright Morning,

We got your letter. Hurting people is not a good thing. Why are ponies and yaks hurting us? Do your parents know you are writing these? They should be proud of you.

He had to smile as he wrote that. He'd be damn proud of his own kid...

Can you get a pony or yak that is in charge to send us a letter? Maybe we could stop hurting each other.

With Hope,
Major

His name didn't have a translation. He was sure it had a meaning, which could be translated, but he never learned what that meaning was, besides being his name. His rank would have to do. He folded it neatly, stuffed it in an envelope, and addressed it back to the little child that had sent it to him. "Give this to her and send her on her way."

Author's Note

Derpy, this story was missing you...

Jump to top

19 - Communication

"Mister Crane."

The president looked up from his work. "Yes?"

"Sir, updates."

He took the folder. He had gotten used to receiving them... "Hopefully good news."

Twilight was in a sterile room, bright white light shining down on them. Beside her was George, and across from her were two other humans.

"Are you here to fight?" asked one of the other two, his words slow and halting, having to look up each word.

"For peace," replied Twilight with a soft nod.

"(For Peace)," echoed George, smiling a bit. "(She's an ambassador and a scientist, not a soldier.)"

The other of the two leaned forward, a hand on his knee. "What are you? What is your..." He had to pause to find the right word. "job?"

Twilight pointed at herself. "I am a princess." They only looked confused and she frowned a little. Even George didn't know that word. "Leader? I am leader of friendship. I feel very silly speaking this way, but that is just how things go, for now."

George did his best to keep up, mouthing words a little as he processed it. "(She is a ruler, of friendship?)"

"(Is friendship a place?)" asked the first one, trying to make sense of it.

George looked to Twilight. "Is friendship a town or city or country?"

Twilight blinked softly, looking baffled. "Friendship is a thing I hope we now have." She gestured at herself, then George. "Friends. We have much to learn, but we have started, I hope?"

George looked to the other two humans. "(She presides over friendship, as a concept, as far as I can tell. She's happy to report she considers us friends.)" He waggled a finger between her and himself. "(I'm happy to keep that true.)"

"(Let's just assume she's their lead ambassador, that makes sense.)" Both humans nodded, happy with that logic. "Nice to meet you." He offered a hand towards Twilight. "I am not allowed speak for my kingdom. Can... pass... words and talk."

The word 'country', as it turned out, was not easily found in Ponish. Their countries were all kingdoms of one sort or another. It would take time for subtler words to be teased out.

Twilight reached out a hoof to meet the hand, pressing the frog of her hoof into the waiting palm. "Nice to meet you," she echoed. "(Hello.)" She looked so proud of her human word, one of the only ones she'd picked up. "Very well; let us begin. We are ready to forgive your senseless agressions on the yaks and ponies, provided--"

"--Slow, please." George held up his hands with a slightly confused frown. "You are using large words." He had to consult his own dictionary, making him feel a bit less like an interpreter. He was the best they had, for better or worse.

Once her statement was worked through and translated, one of the two there had a brow raised as high as it could go. "We did not start this."

"Yaks were attacked and killed. Ponies were later attacked, and killed. That was the start." Twilight shook her head. "It was only after these things that we reacted. Their attackers did not wear uniforms, but were armed with your small cannons."

The conversation was slow with the translator, George, working dutifully to get the meaning back and forth.

"If they weren't dressed in uniforms, they were not soldiers, or police. They were just random people."

"Random people that killed our people!" Twilight's wings flared a moment. "But... that is beside the point... We are willing to forgive this, if we can move forward. We have shown that we can defend ourselves."

The other soldier present threw up a hand. "You attacked random towns that had nothing to do with it and murdered the guards and some of the people. That's not defending yourself."

Twilight took a slow breath. "We only attacked those ready to attack us. Nothing was taken, and only armed humans were injured. Are we going to argue who's more at fault or can we talk about peace?"

President Crane finished reading, setting the folder down. It would have been laughable, if not for the fatalities. One bit he held outside the envelope. It was the scrawlings of a pony child, translation just below it. There were, clearly, portions of the enemy that had no desire to continue the conflict. One of them was the one he was advised to look for.

Were they brigands at all? He was starting to doubt that...

They never had acted as brigands. They didn't steal things, outside of weapons. They seemed to enjoy stealing weapons.

Speaking of that... He tapped a finger on the desk softly before reaching for the phone and quickly dialing a number. "I want to know where they make their guns."

"We already have that intel, Sir."

He cocked a brow at that. "I didn't get a report about that."

"We were going to send that after it was demolished, Sir."

"I'd rather have some say on if any action is taken. Keep an eye on it."

"We have been. We'll have a report sent immediately."

"Thank you." He hung up with a sigh. One hand not talking to the other? Never a good sign. Not that every commander on the field had to report directly to him before taking action, still...

A ship sailed directly for New York. It was spotted long before it got there. Even with sattelites still being in a sorry state, humans were fairly good at seeing things approaching what they considered precious, and the harbor of New York still qualified.

Ships disembarked to meet the incoming ship, because it was not a human ship. It wasn't a hippogriff ship, which would have been permitted with curiosity.

It was a pony ship. They looked nervous as the steel weapons of the human ships pulled alongside their relatively delicate wooden one, but they didn't attack. They escorted. One came in close enough for a gangplank to come down and a man to cross. "Where is the captain of this ship?"

"That's me!" A pegasus flew down from above and landed in front of the human. "Hello! It's nice to finally meet one of you." She thrust a hoof towards him. "Put 'er there."

The human met the hoof with a hand, shaking the hoof and the end of the arm it was attached to. "Nice to meet you, now you need to turn this boat around."

The pegasus mare frowned at him. "Why? You don't like trading? We brought good things." She gestured with a wing towards the stairs leading to the holding bays. "Everypony else is busy hiding, but I won't be that scared. I'll be the first trader." One could almost see the dollar signs in her eyes, or were those bit coins. "Do I need a permit?"

The man whistled softly. "A permit? You have... a lot more ahead of you than one permit. If you planned to just set up shop on the docks, you'd need paperwork for anyone stepping off the boat to be there. You'd need someone legally permitted to sell your goods and then somewhere to sell them. Your goods would have to be inspected for safety where applicable--"

The mare rose a hoof to the side of her head. "Celestia preserve us all! I just want to trade. You like trading, right? What kind of people with boats like those doesn't like to trade? Boats were practically made for trading!"

"If you consent to an inspection, we can see if there are any goods that could be sold without as much trouble." He gestured to those same stairs. "Or if you have a manifest?"

"Manifest!" She produced a clipboard, holding it at the end of a wing in a feat that confused the human. "Complete list of everything we have. Feast your eyes and then open your coin purses."

The soldier crept in cover of darkness. Despite the words of his superiors, he was moving to act. Those words had not reached him, and he was ignorant. He quietly pressed open the door. The fact that they didn't lock it was beyond his understanding. How did someone not lock a door to a firearms factory?!

It would just make his job easier. He kept low and moving on quiet feet. He had enough explosives to level the building, but he planned to do it right. It would be as controlled a demolition as possible; strike real fear into their little fuzzy hearts. Humans could do precision strikes against military infrastructure too.

A soft gasp broke the silence. A mare had spotted him, backing away fearfully, eyes wide. "W-what?!"

Well, crud. There went that plan. He drew out his knife and approached the backpedaling mare; only to come to a halt. How had he never noticed how... lovely they were? Even scared to death, the mare's eyes were so... pretty. He just... He knelt down to be on her level and reached. She squeaked softly, but he gently pet through her mane. "Everything's alright."

Cadance smiled gently from where she watched, her horn still glowing as she worked her magic. That human would never leave the same as he had walked in. Still, what had he been doing there? She planned to know, once the two forced lovebirds had grown familiar with one another enough to allow her to approach without ruining the effect.

She perked an ear at the sound of a kiss, her magic was starting to work on the mare with his aggression clearly abated. Cadance nodded softly. Of course, the love she had forced may not endure for long; but it had derailed things for the moment, and that was good enough.

Mobile Coral lay across a medical bed, her ears down and back. "Maybe I shouldn't have partied... that hard?" She spoke English, having become quite good at it.

The doctor, a female human, gently pat Mobile's shoulder. "We can't change what's already happened. You already refused an abortion when that was an option."

Mobile's ears went up. "What? No! I mean... sure, I was stupid and all, but, sheesh... I'll be a mom, that's just how that works..."

"Do you have work?"

Mobile lifted her shoulders. "I'm the official translator."

"Well, if you can provide for yourself, I suppose that's alright. Do you... have any idea who the father is?"

Mobile sagged at that, horse tail giving a lash. "Not really... I was really having fun." She put a talon behind her head. "That was dumb... I thought... I mean, you're not hippogriffs, or ponies, or griffons, or anything like that! Who knew?!"

The doctor couldn't argue with that. They didn't even have exactly chromosomes, exactly... It was hard to explain, but it working with human genetics? How... "You are going to become very famous."

Mobile sagged her head down onto her talons. "I was already that. Bring it!"

"On the bright side; everything appears to be in good working order. Are you seeing doctors... of your own kind?"

"Yeah duh!" Mobile stuck out her tongue at that. "I'm seeing three doctors." She pointed at the doctor. "You, a hippogriff, and a seapony. I want to be ultra super sure that everything's going right. "A human said you had a test that could figure out who the dad was. Can you do that?"

The doctor laughed a little wryly. "There are several problems with that. One, you're not human. Two, neither is your child. Three, we don't keep track of everyone's genes to compare to. I'm scared to death of taking a blood sample from your child. Amniotic samples though don't have the markers I'd use. Whatever your child is, it is not human."

"It... isn't seapony either. It's something new." Mobile reached a claw to rub over her belly. "Something special..."

The doctor had the sense to not bring up the high probability, from her viewpoint, of the child never finishing its development, or dying early, or being horribly malformed. There were a thousand things that could go wrong... "They are already special," she gently agreed, sparing her patient such troubling things.

Author's Note

Things happen everywhere! Twilight is finally getting a chance to do some diplomacy, yay!

Jump to top

20 - Prisoners of War

In the end, the soldiers were not authorized, nor trained, to serve as literal diplomats to a hostile body. "Look, let's stick to the immediate concerns."

Twilight perked at that, ears up. "Alright. What will it take to stop people from being hurt?"

The soldier lifted a hand. "I can't argue that one way or the other. I can take a statement. I can also ask ask that you send word to your people for them to stop. Can you do that?"

Twilight smiled gently at that. "I would be delighted to do that. They must be worried about me. May I have a piece of paper?" A quill floated up from her pocket, much to their surprise and alarm.

Interrogation targets were not supposed to have random objects on them! The fact that it floated was just another layer of the distressing situation. A quick peek was enough to know the object wasn't metal, so how it had not triggered any detectors made sense enough.

Still... "Is that a feather?" There it was, a hug fluffy feather, floating in glowing magic.

George held up a hand. "It is, and she will write with it. Let's not get too upset about her doing what you asked her to do."

But it wasn't one of her feathers. She was purple, it was bright white. Despite this, a paper was brought in and placed in front of her. The feather began to dance and bob, scribbling her Ponish thoughts. "Why do they look so alarmed?" she asked towards George. "Haven't they seen a quill before?"

She casually folded the letter. A beam of purple magic evaporated it with a look of extreme concentration from Twilight. "That is so much easier with Spike around... Not that it was going to Celestia anyway."

They would have to reconsider how to interrogate magic ponies.

The mare cracked open an eye. The pain she had expected hadn't come, instead the strange and horribly dangerous alien had... kissed her leg? Right where she had skid it in her backpedaling. That was... nice... "Thank you." She felt a blush in her cheeks. He wasn't... that horrible, right?

He said something she didn't grasp, but then something she did. "Are you good?"

She rose up to her hooves, shaking. "Please put that away." She pointed at his dagger, still clutched in on of his hands too firmly. "Please."

He looked conflicted, parts of his mind working at odds. He shouldn't be defenseless when detected, clearly, but the pony was also kind of cute and the way she asked was nice, but, no, focus! He rose to his own shaking legs, both of them reeling from the interference of a pink princess.

"That is quite enough," spoke Cadance as she stepped into view, seeing trusting her magic to make everyone happy would certainly not suffice. "Can you understand me? I heard a word or two."

He wheeled his dagger to face the larger pink menace. The little crown on her head, while comedic on some levels, made it fairly clear what he was dealing with. If he could... He measured the distance between him and her, considering.

"Can you understand me?" she repeated in soft tones. The mare, detecting the chance and with the magic of love fading, took the opportunity to flee in slow backsteps.

What exactly was the correct answer? Pretending to not understand her gave him the option of silence, which could be better, but left him unable to negotiate either. This plan had not gone well... Priority 1, get away. She was not exactly between him and the exit, so he bolted for it.

A beam of magic power scorched the ground just in front of his retreating feet, sending him tumbling forward with a twist to avoid it. He was rolling back to his feet, but smashed into a glowing pink box. "No," she said firmly with a frown. "No. Stay." It was a funny thing. The word 'no' sounded the same in so many languages. Even in Ponish, there were hints of 'No' in 'No'.

The sounds of hooves announced the arrival of the guards, both crystal and not, flooding around the soldier with scowls and raised spears. The box faded away with a soft little noise. "Sit." She pointed to the ground firmly. "Sit."

His odds were only deteriorating. He had his one chance and that hadn't worked out...

A new bubble appeared around him, shimmering and bright. "I have this." Shining Armor stepped forward, his shield far more effective. "You are under arrest. What were you trying to do?" He shook his head. "Nevermind. This isn't the place." He hefted up the soldier in his bubble with a soft grunt. "To jail with you first."

A sudden kick made Cadance stumble forward. The mare from before had snuck up on the princess and lashed out, catching a knee. "Warn a mare before you do that, with some strange... thing." The mare's ears were pinned back, scowling at Cadance. "I wanted to hug... that!" She thrust a hoof at the floating prisoner that was being carried away.

The other guards looked ready to intercede, but Cadance raised a hoof. "I will accept that, but it was to keep you safe. I would rather an awkward hug than to have to treat injuries... or worse." She inclined her head towards the peeved mare. "Are you alright?"

"Yeah... Um... sorry." She glanced away. "For kicking you..."

"I will forgive if you do. You may tell your friends you kicked a princess and survived the trip." She smiled gently, not at all angry at her subject. "Truly, are you alright? When I saw him coming towards you... I did what I could in that instant."

"I was... so scared..." The mare sank to her haunches. "What are you going to do with that... whatever...?"

Cadance reached to gently stroke the top of her subject. "I was scared as well... I've lost too many good ponies, and I would not lose another." She glanced where Shining Armor had gone with the prisoner. "I hope he understands us, even if he now is quiet. We have too many questions."

The mare pointed where he had been. "They like their... death machines. You'd better make sure he doesn't have any."

Cadance blinked softly. "That is an excellent point. I'll go make sure of that, you're free to go, but if you need anything at all, you come directly to the palace and let me know." She trotted away hurriedly towards the jails.

Shining Armor set his sullenly quiet prisoner in his cell. "This would go far more smoothly if you could talk." He shut the bars of the cell before perking an ear, spotting one of the smaller hand cannons. "We don't need that." He yanked it out of its sheath and held it floating in the air beside himself.

"Keep an eye on him. If he talks, call me."

The guard closest by raised a hoof in a sharp salute. "Sir!"

The soldier was left alone in the cell. But he was not unarmed. Without his dagger and sidearm, sure, but he still had the explosives he had planned to use in the backpack they hadn't taken for reasons that entirely eluded him. They may have had magic, but they had no common sense.

The trick, of course, was that setting off explosives would be an instant ticket to the great beyond. On the other hand, it meant he could never be tortured for information. He would not compromise his position...

But that was not what... they told him to do, not that he was doing a good job of it. He was a prisoner. Escape, he failed that. Remember your surroundings: He had done that. He was fairly sure if he was on the other side of the bars, he could run out of the palace he had been brought to.

Resist: He was doing that, by pretending to not understand them. If they never actually asked him questions past that, he had won that step entirely.

Keep the Faith. He took a slow breath. That was always a tricky one... He had to believe, in himself, in his comrades, in anything, that he would make it through. He'd get home...

Come Home With Honor. Exploding himself, while a brilliant act of resistance, would end that option. Suicide was not what they asked you to do. No.

No.

He took off his backpack and threw it in the corner out of immediate sight. He'd hold onto the option, but... No... His country did not want him to die for it. He should make other people die.

"I'm sorry." The pink one with the crown was back, speaking in her gentle tones. "I need to be sure you're not hiding anything." Her magic wrapped around him and she began stripping him down. "I don't know what is or is not a weapon, so it all has to go." Despite the fact that he wasn't speaking, she seemed to feel the urge to keep talking.

He had no desire to be stripped nude, but what could he do? She was on the other side of the bars, her horn glowing as she casually pulled his clothes away. When she saw him nude, she arched a brow, as if fascinated. "Huh... I never saw one of you without all the clothing on." She folded up his clothes in the air, floating beside her. "I will keep this safe. I am not planning to steal it from you forever."

On the bright side, it was not chilly, at least, not too chilly. It was still colder than he would have liked.

She noticed a shiver and hesitated. "You wear clothes for a reason..." A blanket floated up and into the cell. "Please, warm yourself."

That surprised him. Was his clothes being snatched really...? Clearly she wasn't trying to just embarrass him if she was giving a blanket right away. He had so many questions, but talking meant answering her questions. He took the blanket and sank onto the cot that was in there, watching her in his warming cloth cocoon. It was soft, and warm, and didn't even itch. Horses made quality blankets, who knew?

"You must... be so angry with us." She glanced towards the guard and back at the prisoner. "I'm angry at you too... But I would rather stop this." She reached a metal-clad hoof, resting it on the bars. "I hate this. I hate every moment of this war. My people are suffering and dying. Your people... This isn't right."

She turned away. "You will be held securely, but safely. If you are hungry, just let us know. We will feed and water you regularly, regardless. You may be our prisoner, but we don't... hate... you. I don't want to hate anyone." She walked away with a soft sigh.

A scroll appeared with a soft pop and fell to the table between Twilight and her interrogators. One of the soldiers snatched it up. "Is this a real-assed scroll? It's all... Jesus." He unfurled it, amazed at the old-timeyness of it. It was covered in Ponish writing, of course. "Can you read Ponish?"

George nervously chuckled. "Not... really?"

Twilight swiveled an ear between them. "If you let me see that, I'll read it."

That would not do. The scroll was taken away to be deciphered. For the day, Twilight was sent back to her room. It would take time to translate the scroll.

Dearest Twilight,

It is a great relief to hear from you! You had me so worried I was beside myself. I'm sending word to Cadance immediately to stop all activity. I'm delighted to hear you've made contact. Are you speaking to their leader(s)? Please, be safe, my wayward once student.

Hoping For The Best,
Princess Celestia

It had been dutifully translated, copied, and sent on towards the mainland and the president.

It was up to him if they even showed it to Twilight.

Author's Note

Both sides have a prisoner, though one is considerably more valuable than the other.

One could also far more easily escape than the other. Good thing Twilight wants to be there.

Jump to top

22 - Hostages

She pointed off towards where the Crystal Empire was. "Take us there."

But neither of the pilots spoke Ponish. She sighed softly, sliding down to the ground. Her magic easily grabbed one of the discarded cannons, wielding it in their direction. "There," she repeated, pointing firmly. "Now."

Given the choice between being shot, and the plane crashing, or deviating from their course, they slowly began to bank the plane.

The eldest leaned to the side. Everything seemed to be leaning. "Are we turning?"

"We shouldn't be." The president frowned. "But let's focus on the matter at hand." He flexed a few fingers as he said that, in case 'hand' made the expression confusing. "This is not an attack (airplane). If you had known that, would you be here?"

"I would not," admitted the pony with a scowl. "But we are here now. Is there no way to even see what is beyond this room?" He could teleport free, if he knew what direction to go.

"You are stuck, and likely under arrest, but that depends on how our conversation goes."

"I am a wizard of considerable talent. I doubt you could capture me."

"Technically, I believe we already have." He wasn't as confident as he was speaking. He hoped the pony didn't become angry and lash out at him. "What is your name?"

The martial pony crept towards the open archway leading to other parts of the plane, their guard subdued.

She didn't expect something to crash into her side. One of the humans had tackled her. They were dressed as a chef, and had no cannon, but that hadn't stopped them from suddenly jumping at her and bringing both to the ground in an ungainly heap.

She lashed out at him with a loud cry, but another human joined in, grabbing for that flailing hoof and pressing down at her. She felt a hind-hoof hit something soft. There was a grunt of pain, but another set of hands grabbed the leg. All the cooks had turned against her. How could they all be combatants?! They should have been cowering before her might! Pony chefs would have been huddled in a corner, possibly crying.

These chefs were not doing that. They were working together. The bravery of the first was enough to set the others in motion, and she was being pinned by so many hands working in concert. They were saying things in that funny language of theirs.

"(Hold it down! Keep it still. We have this!)"

"(Good job!)"

"(Do we get extra for this?)"

"(Shut up, Hank.)"

"Sir." A pony bowed his head towards Shining Armor. "Scouts report an incoming metal dragon." They didn't really have a better name for the things. "It's... very large."

Shining Armor could not hold back the cringe. "How large are we talking?"

"Distressingly large, Sir... It's does not appear to be directly aimed for the city, but close enough for concern." The soldier pointed. "It is visible by telescope. It is quite some distance away, but you know how fast they travel."

"I do..." He sighed softly. "Thank you for the report."

"Sir." He dipped his head once more and fled to other duties.

Shining Armor went for the stairs, ascending to the very top of the castle.

"Dear?" Cadance had spotted her. "Where are you going?"

"Starting a city-wide shield. This time they won't catch me by surprise." He hesitated a moment before moving to give Cadance's cheek a soft kiss. "We'll make it."

"Shining, no..." Cadance started to follow after him as he resumed his climbing of the stairs. "You barely stood up to a fraction of its attack. Trying to shield the entire city at once?"

"I was surprised," he huffed. "A properly constructed shield will be far stronger. I've kept entire hoards at bay, I can stop one metal dragon."

"Or get yourself hurt." She hurried to keep at his side. "They've only..."

"Killed countless ponies," he finished for her with a scowl.

"Soldiers," she revised. "That one we found was in the factory, that makes weapons. They are attacking what we fight with. That guard could have been at the castle, trying to attack that, but was he? That metal dragon could have leveled anything it wanted, and we would have been powerless, but it attacked there. Was that an accident?"

Shining Armor hesitated, his steps slowing a moment before resuming with purpose. "I have to try to defend our people. Go back downstairs. This is my job."

"Too bad, I plan to use the telescope anyway." She stuck out her tongue at him. "And Flurry Heart wants some fresh air, don't you?" The foal made some agreeable babbling noises, safely secured to Cadance's side.

The conversation died. The couple advanced up the many stairs, arriving on the roof soon enough. While Shining Armor went off to start his shield, Cadance approached the telescope there and turned it towards the incoming menace. "Now let's see..." She peered through it, glad it wasn't near the sun.

It took some time panning around, but she found it. "Oh..." It didn't look like the other metal dragons. She was certain it was metal, but... "What... is that...?"

Flash glanced to the side where the prisoner was. He was on guard duty, for an alien. "So..." He wasn't as good as some other guards at just standing there silently. "What are you in for?" It was a terrible line. He knew what the alien was in there for, but...

There was no reply, but the alien was looking at him. That was something, right?

"It'll be lunch time soon... Want me to put in any special orders?"

It was watching him, but didn't reply.

"The cooks are pretty good at their job. Just have to ask them for anything." Flash Sentry saw something, a little something. Was it listening? "Hey, look, I'm sure you were... doing whatever your job is. I get that. We all have jobs." He put a hoof at his chest. "I'm a guard. I guard things. Right now, I'm guarding you, maybe from boredom? Boredom's a terrible foe and one I face on a daily basis, so don't worry, I have experience."

It smiled, just a little bit. Flash returned the gesture, hope lifting. "So, seriously, we'll get whatever you want for lunch. You have to be criminally bored with the default slop. I would hate for you to think that's all we know how to make." He looked over the crystal walls of the jail block, but there was only one prisoner at the moment, the biped that hid under the blanket. "Say, you want some clothes?"

There was some reaction. "I'll bring by a seamstress and get you measured. If we make them, there won't be weapons, so what's the harm?"

"(Confirmed 3 down,)" came in over the radio.

"(Not seeing others.)"

"(President secure?)"

"(Door is locked and unchallenged,)" came a new voice. There were many serviceman on high alert.

"(We have several injured men.)"

"(ETA to landing? What was that course correction?)"

"(Radio the pilots.)"

So they did.

In the cockpit, the mare kept the gun levelled, a second joining it so she could threaten both pilots at once.

"(Status report? Condition appears stable back here, you can unlock the doors,)" came spilling out of one of the radios.

One of the pilots glanced back at their hijacker. "(They want an answer.)"

She had no idea what either of them was saying. "Go." She pointed firmly. She would steal the entire metal dragon. Wouldn't that be an achievement?

The pilot dared to go for it. What were the odds their hijacker had any idea what button did what? He casually reached over, flicking switches that wouldn't hurt anything as he did so, all part of flying a plane. He rested his finger on the radio. He was live, but he didn't talk right away.

"Keep going," she huffed out. "I thought this thing was fast."

"(I can't understand you,)" replied the pilot, hoping the conversation would carry more than enough meaning for the others on the aircraft.

Uneasy quiet settled over the cabin with the low roar of the engines there to interrupt the silence.

The door burst open, but the men didn't charge. They pointed their guns, sure, but they didn't fire either. The risk was too high. "(Freeze!)"

The mare vanished. One of the two men that had arrived entered. "(Are you both alright?)"

"(We're fi--)"

A shot fired. The mare had appeared just behind them and the shot drew a grunt from the serviceman that was clutching his side where he had been caught. "(Damn it...)"

"(Last mistake.)" He could fire without risking hitting aircraft equipment and sending the plane into an uncontrolled crash. He began to fire at her as quickly as the gun allowed. She vanished to appear just a bit to the left, then a bit to the right, dodging the bullets with a growing smile, until she got the timing wrong and staggered. Blood trickled down the back of her hind left leg where she had managed to teleport into a bullet and it ripped its way free of her.

"(Freeze!)" More of them were arriving, guns drawn and pointed at the slumping pony. She closed her eyes with a sigh, her guns falling to the ground, released from her magic. She was ready for the finishing blow to come.

Cadance's ears went up. "It's turning away."

"What?" Shining Armor's horn stopped its fierce glow. He raced over to join Cadance and peek through the telescope. Sure enough, the metal dragon was making a wide turn away from the empire. "Huh... we... win?"

Cadance's smile was less genuine than her husband. "We didn't lose, dear... I don't think we've ever... won. Still, I am glad. Let's go back downstairs."

"Luna definitely won," he countered as they started walking together. "She broke a bunch of their metal dragons, remember? And stole their weapons."

Cadance pointed where the huge dragon was flying away. "They have more of them. She made them angry. This war will be the end of us, and I mean that as literally as possible."

"Don't be that way." He gently pressed against her, kissing Flurry Heart. "We have to have faith at least, in ourselves, and our friends. We'll make it through this."

"I can only hope."

The eldest felt the ground move again beneath them. "Very well... I am Star Swirl, the Bearded." He raised a hoof to run along his defining beard. "And I am not your prisoner. You are mine. You seem a reasonable sort, for a not pony. Can we do this without ugly violence?"

"I would prefer that, but I would prefer we not continue down that line."

"Not for me to determine, unfortunately. This will not hurt." He wrapped his magic around the president, and both vanished.

The door would open soon after. The airplane had been verified clear of active combatants. "(Mister Pres...)" There was no president there to allow out. There was nothing. They had won the battle for the plane and lost the one thing they were supposed to keep safe. He reached for his earpiece. "(President is vacant! I repeat, he's gone!)"

"(Gone? He was in a room that can't be unlocked, and you were standing in front of the door.)"

"(This one here kept jumping around. I think they can teleport.)"

"(How do you secure against that?)"

"(I don't think you do.)"

"(Shit.)"

The man lowered his hand to fall limply at his side. He had failed... He raised the shaking hand to his ear. "(Tell me we have prisoners to question.)"

"(Several. Gentlemen, we fucked up, but we're not giving up.)"

Noises of agreement filtered in as other men voiced their support.

They would have to start interrogations the moment they were on the ground and somewhere a touch more secure than the plane that had already been violated once before.

Author's Note

That could have gone both better and worse, I think.

Jump to top

23 - Interrogations

Star appeared in a safer place, for him. "Do you have weapons?"

"No." Some presidents had concealed guns, he wasn't one of them. He actually preferred swordplay, but... "Where are we?"

Star gestured across the large and dark tent they were in. "You are now in the Crystal Empire. When Princess Luna arrives, she will determine what next to do with you. For now, get comfortable." He directed a hoof at a pillow.

Crane could hear noises from outside, motion, activity, and muffled ponish words. He really was with the ponies. He took the seat, seeing little advantage in antagonizing his, so far, agreeable kidnapper. "You realize, holding me will not stop us."

Star hiked a brow. "Is this when you give a grand speech about the unshakability of your soldiers?"

"Worse." He threw up a hand. "The moment it's confirmed I can't act as the leader, the second in command becomes the leader. Nothing will stop for longer than it takes to draft a single letter. They will know who took me, and the pressure will be on the next person to react to that. Getting me back will be a desired outcome, but far from the priority."

"You are quite well-spoken, for an alien." He hiked a brow. "All the others knew not one word of Ponish, how are you so versed?"

The plane touched down in Alaska, its trip completed. Their prisoners were led out, bandaged, blindfolded, gagged, and shackled by all four legs. Some were unconscious, others were not.

The largest of them staggered, but moved under her own power. She said something, but it was garbled by the gag in her mouth, to say nothing of speaking Ponish. Her horn glowed, but that was cut off with a sharp slap of a hand across the offending organ, disrupting the spell.

There were soldiers beside every horned pony, ready and watching. No magic would be permitted.

Word traveled quickly. The president was taken, prisoners were in custody.

Twilight looked up at the sound of approaching feet. "Hello? Did you finish reading that scroll?" How long did it take to read a letter?!

A new man stepped into view. She had never seen him before. "Good morning."

Twilight's ears perked up. "You speak Ponish, excellent. Have you read the letter yet?"

"We have. Our leader was coming to speak with you."

"That's great." Wait... "Was?" She inclined her head softly. "Did he change his mind?"

"You changed his mind. Your people, I should say. He was taken in a violent exchange."

Twilight showed far more emotions than the stoic man, her ears going up and her eyes widening. "That's terrible! Was he hurt? Is he alright?"

The man took note of her responses silently. "We can't verify either of those things. In either event, the meeting is cancelled."

"I'll come back later. You must be beside yourselves. Poor person... We were so close to peace." With a soft sigh, she casually vanished. Her horn barely had time to glow before it happened, far more expedient than most other ponies.

It made it clear that she could have left at anytime.

Time had passed, too much time. Star scowled as he tapped a hoof. "Where are they...?" He knew at least two of them were capable of a long ranged jump. Why had neither of them returned? He looked to President Crane, considering. "I will have to defer to the next in line. Come along." He started for the entrance flap of the tent.

He expected cold when he followed the pony. They were in Alaska! Instead, it was gently temperate. There was no snow on the ground. Ponies moved around him determinedly, most with armor. They noticed him quickly, gazing with suspicious curiosity, but the one that led him didn't even glance at them, striding purposefully.

As long as he stayed in the wake created by his captor, it seemed he would not be challenged.

"Who's this?" Until she arrived. Rainbow Dash crashed in front of Star Swirl. "Why are you leading one of them around? Did you catch him up to something?"

"Official business," gruffly replied Star Swirl, hiking a brow at her. "You do not have a standing rank, meaning I will move past you."

"Hey, dude, don't be like that. We're buds. Hay, I helped save you and the rest of Equestria!"

"I appreciate that." He nodded softly. "But that has no bearing on what I am doing. We are going to the palace."

"Yep, we." She moved to the side and started walking beside him, though her eyes were over her shoulder, towards the president. "So... who is he?"

"I am President Crane, though for how long is uncertain," he introduced himself.

"Like the leader of a business?" It was the only president they had. "What d'ya sell?"

"I am, or was, the leader of my people."

Rainbow's wings shot out wide. "Woah woah woah, back up a second!" She leaned in towards Star Swirl. "You have their leader?!"

Star placed a hoof on her lips, still walking forward. "You have drawn attention to us. If you wish to be helpful, get him to the palace, yesterday."

"Palace, now, got it." She lifted into the air easily, zipping towards Crane. "Hold on." But it wasn't his job to hold on, it was hers. She hugged him and took off with barely a pause, flying through the air with uncanny speed. The wind howled across his ears at the speeds she traveled.

Perhaps the strangest part was that Star Swirl was already there, at the palace stairs, when they arrived.

Rainbow hiked a brow as she set the mildly stunned human down. "If you were going to pop over here, why'd you have me bring him?"

"It gave you something to do." He gestured towards the stairs. "Let's go."

Rainbow rolled her eyes with a little equine snort, but did follow along.

The satellite images had not done justice! The palace was large and made of crystals, like many of the buildings he could see as he looked around. How did they... The numbers were impressive, and he was no architect. In the distance, he could see snowy landscape beyond the city. Was... the entire city air conditioned? The numbers only got more incredible.

"Shouldn't he be, like, tied up or something?" Rainbow was peering down at the gawking human.

"He has given me no reason to assume such is required." Star waved once more. "Come along. Princess Cadance will want to see you."

A princess? Maybe he could talk some sense into things... "Coming." He hurried up the steps. "Our understanding of that word is... less than what I would like it to be. It is less than a queen. Will the queen be attending?"

Star raised a brow. "Among ponies, princess is the highest title. She is the leader of these people, just as you are of yours."

Ah, lovely. They only had contact with two cultures and already differences. Figured. "I see. Cadance then. How does she prefer being addressed?" No reason to be an awful diplomat, even in such unfavorable conditions.

Star glanced at Rainbow with a cocky little smile before answering. "Cadance will suffice, but if you wish to be formal, Princess Mi Amore Cadenza is her full name."

The meanings of her name was lost. They were not Ponish, specifically. Still, a name was a name, and he tried to devote it to long term memory. "My Amore Cadenza," he repeated under his breath.

"Yeah..." Rainbow shook her head. "Maybe you have a point. He's more like Twilight than that guy we captured."

Captured?! "What was that?"

"Nothing!" Rainbow looked away from him.

"You have a prisoner?"

"We have you," noted Star as they entered the palace itself. "Summon Cadance. This is a matter of grave importance!"

Rarity looked up from her sewing machine, a bright flash distracting her. "Twilight!" She abandoned her work, rushing to tackle her missing friend. "Oh, darling, we were all so worried! You had us scared half to death!"

Twilight gently hugged Rarity in return with a happy little noise. "It's good to see you too. Where's everyone else?"

Rarity cocked a brow. "I'm actually rather surprised you came here first, dear. What possessed you to do that?"

Twilight waved a hoof. "You keep things organized. I was certain this spot would be clear." She pointed to where she landed. "The palace? No such assurances. The training area, even less so. Your fastidiousness saved me a lot of time."

"A pleasure to be of service." She bowed her head with a smile. "Now we need to tell everypony that you're back! They'll all be so relieved. Tell me it worked out? No more fighting?"

"Not... exactly..." She sighed gently. "I did manage to speak to them, and I think it was making progress, but something happened to their leader. I gave them time to handle that. I know where to go to try talking again."

Rarity blinked softly. "What happened to them? I mean, I can't honestly say I'm terribly sad. Those brutes have... done so much."

Twilight tilted her head. "I feel like I missed a few things. They said someone from our side took him. Can you imagine?! If he's being held by us, we have to give him back, now. This is not how one makes friends!"

Rarity shook her head slowly. "I know nothing on the matter, I'm afraid." She pointed to the palace. "But I can guess where you could get some answers."

"Right." She spread her wings and launched out the closest window that barely had time to open with her magic pushing it. She was gone, off to try and fix some mistakes.

"Applejack!"

A muffled voice in the back replied.

"Darling, Twlight's back. I'm taking the rest of the day off and I say you should too."

A man pulled his cellphone free. "Hello?"

"You will likely become the president within the day. Are you prepared for that."

"Start with what happened." He turned away from the window he had been looking out. "That's a hell of a way to start a call."

"He's been kidnapped by enemy forces en route."

"En route... While he was in a car?"

"In the air. Does it matter?"

He put his free hand to the side of his head. "A little, yes... I don't think we've had many people kidnapped in the air before, let alone the president of the goddamned United States."

"Are you ready?"

"Yes, yes. Of course. One moment." He switched over to a bluetooth headpiece, stuffing the phone away. "Are they looking for him?"

"All due diligence will be taken, but there must be a president, and you're next in line."

"Right." He had hoped to run some day. This wasn't exactly how he envisioned becoming the president. "I'll be ready."

"Expect more official communication, Mr. President."

The line went cold.

With a squeal of a delighted little foal, Cadance landed before Star, Rainbow, and their guest. Her eyes were on the human, watching him curiously. "You... called for me? Tell me this one can speak."

"I can," easily admitted Crane with a little smile. A pink princess with some yellows and purples and reds. She was pretty, as far as horses went. "Nice to meet you, Princess Mi Amore Cadanza."

Her mouth twitched in a brief smirk. He hadn't said her name perfectly, but she did not seem irritated by it. "And to meet you, mister...?"

"(Crane). Crane in Ponish."

"It is... a great relief to meet a human that is willing to speak." She let out a soft sigh. "Does this mean there can be peace?"

"I am afraid that is very unlikely."

Star and Rainbow frowned at him. Cadance's expression was more of alarmed shock.

He held up a hand. "You have taken the leader of another nation. Do your people not have protocols about that?"

Cadance took a half-step back, cringing. "Who brought him here?!"

Rainbow pointed at Star Swirl instantly.

Author's Note

Ponies get to start asking questions first, due to a criminal lack of security. Humans are doing things more methodically.

Twilight casually escapes 'capture'. She never even knew she was under arrest really.

Jump to top

24 - Prisoner Exchange

Star Swirl nodded. "I did. There were few options available, and this is the one I took."

"Put it back!" she yelped, backing another step before stopping, trying to compose herself. "Sir, while I disagree with the violence of your people very strongly, kidnapping is not typically how we go about our business." Flurry gave a single distressed cry, detecting that her mother was upset.

The doors burst open, admitting Twilight. "I'm ba-- What?" She did not expect a human there. "Oh? Have peace talks advanced without me? I'm almost disappointed, but I'll take it."

"Twi!" Rainbow took off with a rainbow streak, tackling Twilight in a flying tackle.

This only got a laugh from Twilight, wrapping an arm around the clinging pegasus. "That seems to be the response I encourage in all my friends today. Good to see you too."

Cadance's frazzled edges toned down a little. "Twilight, is that? It is, oh thank Harmony... Where have you been?"

Twilight? That was a name he knew. She had wings, and a horn.... Crane pointed at her directly. "Are you Princess Celestia's agent?"

Twilight perked right up. "Wha huh? I mean, yes, often." She nodded towards the human. "And you are...?"

Cadance let out an exasperated sigh. "Twilight, meet the leader of the humans, Crane."

Twilight's eyes widened. "They were right... we did take him..."

"We did."

"I did," corrected Star with a soft snort. "Good of you to join us, Twilight."

"This will not do!" Twilight advanced forward, leaving Rainbow to trail behind. "Crane was it? Nice to meet you. I know where your people are, shall we get back to them?"

Was it really that easy? "I would be delighted."

"Twilie!" rapid clip-clops announced the arrival of her brother, headed towards her at a full gallop, tears flowing freely from his relieved eyes. "You're here!"

Luna was underground, she was fairly certain. She was in a small room, bare except for a single light that hung suspended over her, shedding bright white light in a harsh glow. This was not a friendly place. She was not alone.

There were two humans with her. One was standing next to her, the other was standing in front of her. Neither looked friendly.

"Where is leader?" asked the one in front of her in slow and unpracticed Ponish.

Luna inclined her head. Well, that was Ponish, an improvement. Now if only she could stop hurting, and maybe go home... "Here." She pointed to herself as best she could, her hooves still shackled firmly. She felt certain she could magic them away, given a chance, but that was what the other human was there for, to make sure she never had that opportunity.

"Where our leader?" rephrased the human with a frown.

In another room, the exchange was monitored by several others. A female tapped at the screen with a pen. "(Did she just say she was a leader?)"

"(A leader of terrorists,)" noted a male with crossed arms.

"(We should find out,)" argued the female, reaching for her headset. "(Ask her what she's the leader of.)"

In the interrogation room, the one across from Luna took a step forward. "What you lead?"

Luna inclined an ear, that left two questions. "I don't know, and my people, the ponies. I'm tired and sore, permit me to rest."

The one standing beside Luna scoffed. "You hurt us." It was hard being bitterly scathing with such rudimentary grip of the language, but he certainly tried.

The other raised a hand. "No mind." "(We're here for answers)," he reminded his associate in English. One did not typically do interrogations with dictionaries at hand, but there was no translator at hand for Ponish. So he checked his, trusting his friend to keep attentive of any attempts of magic. "Rest... later. Answers now."

Luna let out a soft sigh. She should not have been so easily captured...

Twilight accepted the third tackle-hug of the day, laughing as it happened. "I wasn't expecting, nevermind, good to see you too, but I have to go again."

"What? No!"

"Yes." She put a hoof on his lips. "Crane here needs to be returned to his people, now. If he would indulge me in a nice chat afterwards, that would be lovely, but he owes me nothing. He owes you all nothing." She waved her other fore hoof a bit wildly. "What has been going on since I left? Nevermind, no time for that."

Rainbow inclined her head. "Yeah, no. You're at least taking me with you this time. I am not letting you go off into the middle of their clutches alone again."

"They were perfectly reasonable," she huffed. "Let's return the favor. Mister Crane, are you ready?" Her horn began to glow softly.

That was when he remembered, they had Twilight Sparkle in captivity, and yet there she was. They clearly did not have her nearly as securely as they had thought... "The sooner, the better."

"I couldn't agree more." With a bright flash, she was gone, as was Crane.

Cadance looked around. "Where did Rainbow Dash go?"

It seemed they had a passenger.

Derpy landed lightly on the runway, coming to a skidding halt as if she were the smallest, possibly cutest, little jet to make use of the base's strip. "I brought you a letter!" she proudly announced, looking around.

Soldiers were already on the way towards her. It wasn't as if a pony couldn't be seen via radar. They did not have guns pointed at her, however. She had visited that particular base before, and they knew her.

"Hello," greeted one of them. "A letter?"

"Yep!" She coiled and pulled out a fresh envelope, not so frost-tinged without the extended harsh trip on the wing of a jet being involved. "Here you go. Do you want me to wait for a reply again?"

There was a pause as the men worked together to quickly slap-dash a translation of her spoken words. Some few shouting matches broke out until they got her to repeat a few of the words. They worked it out though. "Yes, please. You can stay in a nicer place this time."

"That's good." She followed them off to a lounge instead of a cell, where she would finally get her coffee.

Hello Major,

That's a nice name. You must do something big. Major... Do you have a last name? I hope it isn't trouble! Just a joke.. How are things? I was super excited when your letter came back! Mom says I can't go bothering the princess right now, because of this stupid fighting. Can we just stop that? You sound like a nice pony. I want to meet you. The invitation is still open.

Your New Friend,
Bright Morning

With a shower of sparkles, Twilight appeared on top of the building she had been camping on for so long. "Here we are. This is their town ha--Rainbow! I thought I felt a drag."

Rainbow was singed, bits of smoke rising from her. "That was rougher than usual."

Twilight prodded her in the chest. "That was stupider than usual. Dash.... You could have been seriously hurt! Teleporting is no laughing matter and jumping in without me knowing? You could have been seriously hurt!"

President Crane let them handle their spat. He went to the edge of the roof to get a look at the city he was suddenly in. There he was, in Anchorage. "(Jesus Christ...) Where's the door?" He looked around, there it was, not hidden. "Let's go." He marched for it directly.

Inside the building, in the security office, a man spat up his coffee. The pony was back, with a friend, and... the president of the United States. He squeezed his radio. "(We have a president on the roof! This is not a joke.)"

"(Didn't they literally just say he got taken?)"

"(I'm looking at him. He's trying to get in on the roof access door.)"

"(I'll let him in?)" came the confused reply. "(He alone?)"

"(Two horses are with him, one of them's the purple one.)"

"(Purple? Oh right.)" The Purple Horse had gained some local infamy. That horse that just kinda... wandered into town and tried to make friends. The prisoner that smiled. The one that had the army visiting their town hall.

Cadance left the others. She had something she needed to see. Descending the stairs, she saw Flash standing beside the jail cell. Inside was the human.

The human was not hiding under the blanket. He was dressed in bright colored clothes. Not his. Not the original at least. "Where did he get those?" she asked as she approached, a brow raised. "Everything alright?"

Flash snapped to attention, saluting sharply. "Heya! He's alright. I just got him some local clothes."

She inclined her head faintly. "I know of no store that casually sells their clothing in the area... where did it come from?"

"I asked Rarity to do it custom."

"And she..." Cadance rolled a hoof. "Just did it by eye? She did an amazing job..." The suit certainly looked like it fit perfectly.

"No, she had to measure him." He thrust up his hooves. "Don't worry, she didn't have to go inside. She just floated her measuring tape inside. Unicorn tricks."

"Unicorn tricks..." She turned her eyes to their prisoner. "Hello. I just spoke with your leader, Mister Crane. (Crane)."

That got a jump out of him.

She smiled gently. "It is my sincere hope that, with his return, we can put this behind ourselves." Her gaze returned to Flash. "See to his comfort, as it seems you're already doing. He may be a prisoner, but we do not hate him."

"Nah, he's an alright guy." Flash shrugged. "A little short on words, but he's alright. Ain't that right?"

The prisoner did not reply.

"I will trust you to it then." She departed, confident that the human was being treated well.

"We must assume she is lost."

Shining perked an ear at Star Swirl. "Who is lost? Twilight? She just left!"

He shook his head, stroking his beard. "Luna. There are few good reasons for her to be this delayed. She is either captured, or dead. Considering their fondness for lethal responses, the more likely result seems clear."

Surprised gasps rippled from ponies within earshot. Shining raised a hoof. "Let's not rush to conclusions."

"I have far from rushed. It's been hours, she is capable of teleporting, and she knows where she would be teleporting towards. There is simply no reason for her delay. Captured or dead, those are the only two viable options."

The mood of the others was degrading rapidly, panic setting in with some of the guard. Shining drove down a hoof with a loud clop. "She would not want us to assume. Twilight is returning our captive. Perhaps we can make an exchange of leaders?"

"I doubt that will work well." He stroked his beard softly, looking thoughtful. "The way he spoke, their pride would not allow it, and they are sooner to declare him lost than to make such an exchange. They have a second leader already prepared to take his place, he is of no special value to them."

"Best princess!" wailed a random guard, only to get a rough ribbing by another standing next to them.

"Hey, this is Cadance's castle!" the other hissed.

"She's nice, but she isn't Luna..."

Shining rolled his eyes, not rising to a competition of princesses. "Captured or dead, we must continue. She would not want us, in either condition, to lose control of ourselves."

"Princess Celestia deserves to be informed." A parchment lifted from his robes with a quill, and he began drafting a letter.

Hello Celly,

How long has it been since last I wrote to you? I wish it could have been under better circumstances. Earlier today I took part in a military activity to intercept an enemy attack. We were dreadfully underprepared, and uninformed. I was the only warlock to escape the fiasco. Luna's status is unknown. Likely, she is either captured, or dead, and this goes for the other warlocks equally. As her sister, I thought you should be informed. I will continue the fight.

Yours,
Star Swirl, the Bearded

Author's Note

Derpy, like war, never changes. Unlike war, we kinda hope she stays exactly the same.

Luna and the rest of the warlock's absence is noticed.

Twilight rushes to attempt peace. It's a race to the finish line, with the fate of the world dangling all too dangerously in the process.

Jump to top

26 - Breaking of the Dawn

Celestia perked an ear as magic gathered before her and took on the shape of a scroll. Something from Twilight?! Dare she dream? Her horn glowed as she unfurled the scroll quickly, eyes scanning over Star Swirl's words, her moment of cheer cracking and shattering almost instantly. "Oh..."

It felt so... insufficient. Her sister could have just died. Was 'oh' all that she could say.

"Oh..." There it was again. She couldn't see. The words of the scroll were lost. A loud sound startled her. Oh, that was just a teardrop, a quiet thing, but it felt as loud as thunder. Luna was gone, maybe dead, maybe... Maybe not?

Maybe she was being held by the invaders cruelly perhaps...

Luna had tried so hard to be a defender of the realm, while Celestia just sat there... Just... sat there.

She drove a hoof down with the force to splinter the stone beneath her. She was huffing for breath despite having spent most of the hour not moving.

"Your Highness?" A guard was peeking in from the door of the sitting room. "Is everything..." He saw her tears and fell silent.

Celestia clenched her teeth, trying to control herself as she slowly stood up. "There is... vital business calling me away."

"But, um... You have a guest com--"

"--Send them away!" shrieked Celestia, losing her composure a moment. "I... I apologize. You did not deserve that." She raised the same hoof that had struck the floor to her chest, measuring her breaths by the thundering of her heart. "I must be off. There are other, more... pressing issues that require my personal touch. Inform Raven that I will not be available for the foreseeable future."

She spread her wings wide and began moving for the balcony. "Do not prepare dinner for me."

"Your highness!" But she was already gone, leaving the guard thrusting a hoof at an empty room. "This is not good..." He went to go find Raven Inkwell, her secretary.

The secret service arrived as quickly as cars could travel, meeting the president as he walked from the elevators towards the front door. "Good to see you again, gentlemen."

"Sorry for the trouble..." The leader of them looked slightly awkward. "I'm afraid, at the moment, you are not the president."

"Come again? I haven't been gone that long."

"No, Sir, but the decision to have you evaluated has not been challenged. Your VP is acting president until you are given a fresh clearance for security purposes."

"I never had it to begin with," snapped Crane with a scowl. "Presidents don't get cleared."

"Presidents are not typically kidnapped, and certainly not by enemy agents that can do... whatever they want, pending investigation. This isn't my decision, Mr. Crane. I hope it passes quickly, but I do have to follow orders."

He let out a loud sigh of irritation. "Well, alright. What are you here for, if I'm not the president?"

"To see you to clearing, of course. We do presume you want to be president, correct?"

"I never thought I'd stop it until the people voted me out, eight years finished, or I died, and none of those things have happened yet." He crossed his arms, gesturing ahead with one hand. "Lead the way. Let's get this circus over with."

He was stuffed into the back seat of the luxury car, a serviceman at either side. It was as secure as it usually was, but he was a high-profile politician, not the president, for the moment.

Twilight landed, Rainbow touching down next to her. She smiled at her following friend, but her focus went forward as she hurried into the castle. "He's returned."

Cadance was there, speaking with some guards. The moment Twilight came into view, she sent them off and hurried towards her. "He's back? Good. Did he seem... angry?"

"Not at all, thankfully. I really think we're making progress." She shook her head. "Can you ca--"

Cadance put a hoof to Twilight's lips. "I need this right now..." She brought her hoof back and hunkered down a little. "Sunshine Sunshine?"

Twilight blinked, baffled a moment before it clicked. "Ladybugs awake!"

The ritual started, they did their little dance for one another, the tension of the moment disrupted with relieved smiles on both of their faces.

Rainbow snorted out a laugh at the sight. "You two are super cute sometimes. So, anyway, mind if I give her some details?"

"Go ahead. I'll speak after you." Cadance gestured for Rainbow to continue, sitting on her haunches

Rainbow gestured grandly towards the west. "So you went off doing whatever you were doing, and I was helping out with project 'Show them we can fight', and we were kicking all the rumps!" She clopped her hooves together smartly. "At least until Shining called us back to sit around doing nothing. That was lame. By the time we got back, you were gone."

"I did ask him to wait while I made my attempt at diplomacy. I'm glad he listened. Speaking of that, what have the yaks been going? Are they also pausing their counter-attacks?" Twilight looked to Cadance for answers.

Cadance shook her head. "The yaks can be difficult to communicate with at the best of times. I don't entirely know their condition..."

"That isn't good..." Twilight scowled at the thought. "They could be making trouble and ruining these peace efforts while we speak."

Rainbow cleared her throat loudly. "I wasn't finished, Twi. So anyway! When I woke up--"

"--Woke up?" Twilight hiked a brow high. "Was this in the morning?"

"I was a little banged up, alright." Twilight huffed softly. "Nothing Rainbow "Danger" Dash couldn't handle. Anyway! Sheesh, you keep interrupting me! So I woke up in a tent full of injured ponies and dragons and griffons and maybe a few yaks? I wasn't counting."

Cadance raised a hoof. "I feel I should explain this part. You were not awake during it."

"Huh? Oh, yeah, guess that's true. Have at, Kay Kay."

"I will, but never use that name again." Cadance smiled gently at Twilight, but it was a haunted expression. "I was with Shining Armor. The guards were training with their weapons, new and old. It was a perfectly fine day, until we heard it. It was one of their metal dragons, soaring in quickly."

She looked off in the direction it had come from. "We paused. Most of the guards paused. It was loud, and coming in fast. We'd seen such things fly overhead before. Just another one, another flyby, and then back to work. No big deal... We were so wrong... We heard whistling." She made a whistle, an up-scaling octave in a sharp short noise. "Then the world ended. Everything was reduced to fire and holes. The entire training field was just.... gone... Shining protected me, most others didn't have that benefit... So many died. So many were terribly hurt..."

Twilight reached out an unsure hoof, resting it on Cadance's shoulder. "I'm so... sorry."

Cadance twisted her lost expression to a bitter little smile. "I thought Sombra would be the greatest fear I would ever face... I learned a horrible lesson that day. True monsters do not always make themselves known until it is far too late to even think... Twilight, please tell me we will never face something like that again."

Twilight shook her head. "I can't really do that, but I'm trying."

"I know you are." Cadance looked to Rainbow. "You may continue."

"Huh? Right! So anyway, we did get 'em back! Luna and her warlocks marched over there and wrecked their metal dragons, bam!" She clopped her hooves for emphasis. "Took a bunch of their weapons too."

Cadance shook her head. "I was not made aware of this until after they had already returned, or I would have tried to stop them, as you asked me, Twilight."

Rainbow scoffed. "Well, whatever, they didn't send any other metal dragons this way, so I think it worked."

Twilight looked pensive a moment. "Wait, is Luna here then? Where is she?" Everyone in the room looked suddenly more sullen. "Was that... a bad question?"

Cadance let out the breath in her in a slow deflation. "Entirely reasonable, but we don't know... Apparently she and her warlocks attempted another mission and it did not go nearly as well."

"Remember Star Swirl? He's in it. We should ask him what's up."

Cadance's expression hardened. "He has spoken enough that I wish to hear in one day. They attacked the largest metal dragon we ever saw, became separated, and only he returned, with their leader. He has no idea where Luna or any of his peers are at this point... He did send a letter to Celestia, informing her."

Twilight went tense. "Oh..."

Rainbow squinted at the mental image. "There is no way Celestia's gonna be happy hearing her sister's in trouble. Think she'll send more reinforcements?"

Cadance shook her head in an uneven fashion, her head shaking along its tracks. "I... don't know. It has been... so many moons since Equestria knew a proper war, and this has... taken its toll much like one." She suddenly smiled a little. "Though it has had precious little property damage, comparatively. No sacked cities. No looted and burned libraries... No mass enslavement that I have been made aware of. This is a new sort of war, just as horrible."

Twilight wrinkled her nose. "Their leader seemed to agree that the... miscommunications that led up to this must be stopped. Neither of our people want this war, so we shouldn't have it, period. I tried to make it clear that I'm entirely ready to keep talking, but he had to get things under control. Having your leader go missing like that isn't good."

Rainbow scowled at that. "Yeah, but when Luna goes missing, we should just... forget that?"

"I didn't say that!" Twilight's wings shot out in either direction.

"I didn't hear any bold plans to see what happened to her and save her."

"Bold plans are what got her in this situation to start." Twilight turned away towards the doors that lead out of the castle. "Let's take some calm and measured steps instead. It is quite possible that, if we wait, their leader will contact me, we can finish making peace, and then any prisoners each side has can be returned with an apology cake to take home with them." Her voice got more strained towards the end of her little speech, left huffing a bit.

Cadance smiled thinly. "We do have a prisoner. We caught him sneaking around the weapon's factory... He hasn--"

The ground beneath them lurched with a muffled explosion. "What was that?"

Twilight sucked in a sharp breath. "I'll go find out."

"With me!" Rainbow advanced quickly. "We go together."

"Fine, now." They promptly vanished.

They appeared in a smoky room. The jails were filled with debris and the air was choked with dust. Twilight heard a soft groan in the fog and pushed through to find Flash slumped against a wall, a great length of metal gone right through him, skewering him from cutie mark to cutie mark. He seemed to notice her presence, faintly, looking towards her with eyes that didn't see, lost in the agony of his existence.

"Don't move!" hissed Twilight, not that Flash had much chance of moving in his condition. "We're here! We'll help. Just... stay calm."

"What the..." Rainbow saw the scene, eyes darting from one gorey bit to the next. Flash was impaled on one solid metal pipe going through both hind legs and his torso. "That... oh... man..."

He wasn't dead yet. Twilight's horn glowed brightly, whisking him and her away suddenly, teleporting away without a thought, or Rainbow Dash.

"Huh... fine, be... that way." She couldn't fully muster the will to be angry in the situation. "What happened?" She began prodding at the debris, looking around with wide eyes, even if they stung in the smoke. "What could do this?"

Author's Note

Someone makes a mess in the jails. I bet you can guess who that was.

What is Celestia planning?

Jump to top

27 - Accusations

Rainbow heard something. Falling rubble? She whipped her head around to look, but there was so much smoke in the way. "Is anypony else out there? Are you hurt?" She took slow steps towards where she heard the sound. "Is the roof about to collapse on me? That'd suck..."

She heard something again lost in the smoke. It wasn't stone hitting stone. It was more... like... "Footsteps?"

Whatever it was, it heard her perhaps, since it accelerated. "Wait!" She lifted from the ground in a streak, trying to fly towards it, but the smoke was so thick, and her lungs did not appreciate her efforts. She had to stop almost as quickly as she started to land and cough savagely, her wings twitching with the violent attempt of her body to rid itself of the bad air.

Even Rainbow had to admit that maybe she wanted to be somewhere else, rather than chasing whatevers through the smoke. She fled along the walls, soaring up the stairs the moment she found them.

Shining stepped into the room carefully. It was a medical office, banging doors would not do. "Twilie?" he harshly whispered, looking around. "There you are." He trotted towards his despondent looking sister. "They said you came in here with a severely injured guard."

"Severely injured... That sounds, somehow... too clean." Twilight pointed down the hall. "Flash Sentry is in there... skewered. I... think I got him here in time, they're doing their best. What did you have in the cells that could even theoretically cause such an explosion?!"

"Flash?" He glanced in the direction Twilight had pointed. "He's a good pony... He'll pull through this."

"You sound as if you're convincing yourself."

"Maybe I am, just a little." He sat next to her. "We only had one prisoner, but he was a doozy... being one of the things we're warring with."

Twilight flinched. "I was... afraid of that. Did another come to free them? How did they cause so much damage?"

Shining shook his head. "I have ponies cleaning up the mess right now. No one reported any unusual activities before this. They may have metal dragons and terrible cannons, but they can't turn invisible, as far as I know?"

"I don't think so," agreed Twilight with a little smile. "We still have that advantage. If others did not help your prisoner, than he... somehow did it himself. Did you--"

"--Cadance took what he had, she told me herself, and left him naked."

Twilight's cheeks darkened. "Poor thing! But... then how? They aren't magic. They can't just... make things happen. That's a unicorn and Pinkie Pie trick."

"Sir, Ma'am?" A crystal nurse was looking at them with a nervous expression. "He... wishes to speak with you."

Both rose to their hooves, ready to see the injured pony. Shining crooked a half-smile. "If he wants to talk, he isn't that bad, right?"

Twilight did not comment.

"I do." He had not just married. Cameras flashed as he raised his hand from the bible and instead shook the hand of the judge that had overseen the oath. He was president. President Marshall... He turned to the media that had swarmed the event, as well they should have if they were doing their jobs.

"I will put this to rest. We did not ask to come to this world, but we will not be bullied upon it. We remain the strongest military on it by all measures." Applause came from beyond the media. Some of the voters liked that idea. "May God have mercy on them, for America has run out."

The cheer amplified, drowning out everything else.

Just like that, he made getting approval to finish matters simple. Who would throw themselves on PR spikes trying to stop him from settling things as quickly as possible? Who would want to be remembered that way?

Ember landed with a crunch of stone beneath her fist. "What did you just say?!"

The larger, but subordinate, dragon softly chuffed some smoke. "I said we lost a dozen dragons, just like that. They got me too, but I got better." He smiled cruelly. "They'll regret missing their chance."

Ember slapped the shoulder of the larger dragon. "Good spirit. What happened to the ponies?"

"Hundreds, thousands?" The brownish dragon shrugged at Ember. "They aren't dragons, they just died. Pity, I like their toys. Oh!" He pulled out a rifle to display. "Look at it!"

"Shiny... but what is it?" Ember peered at the curious thing.

"A weapon." He turned and rose up to his hind legs. "See that bird?" He pointed a talon before holding his gun properly. "Bye bye." A sharp snap of the firing gun was the last anyone saw of the living bird before it crashed into the ground, life extinguished. "Ta da."

Ember's scaly brows rose together. "Impressive... It didn't stop those 'metal dragons' as the ponies call them. What a stupid name, but... I kinda get it. Dragons are the scariest thing around, so whatever." She shrugged lightly. "Ponies can't handle this. Time to get involved. Once those things finish chewing up the ponies, we'll be next on the menu. Besides, we owe them a good taste of revenge."

The male's grin became all the more predatory. "Now you're speaking entirely my language. Lead us, Ember, and we will bring ruin to them."

"The ponies will owe us big time, as a side benefit." Ember snatched the gun away from the larger dragon. "Where do you get these?"

A lone griffon hobbled into town, crutches barely keeping him up. Most of the others ignored him, as was the way of griffons.

One did not. "Hey, looking pretty rough there." Gilda hiked a brow at the limping griffon. "Weren't you off to the pony lands? What would they do that would send you back like this?"

"It wasn't the ponies," grunted the male griffon. "The things they're fighting... They can just... It was horrible!"

"Yeah, see, I still ain't got a clue what happened." She set a taloned hand on the wounded griffon's shoulder. "How about I treat you to lunch if you give me the scoop in clear Ponish this time?"

"Fine..."

She led him off for some food and rest, and to learn what exactly happened.

"I'm telling you." She drove a fist against the countertop beside her, peering at the other seedy folk in the equally questionable tavern. "They have weapons beyond imagining. They could wipe this whole city off the map with barely a thought."

The diamond dog shrugged softly at the words of the Abyssinian cat. "If tell truth, why we want be anywhere near?"

She pulled free a pistol from a holster at her side. She leveled it at the dog without hesitation. "Any last words?"

The dog peered at her with mounting confusion. "You are stupid ca--" He collapsed to the ground as a sharp bang drew everyone's eyes and ears at once. He howled in agony, clutching his shot leg as he rolled in place, desperately trying to calm the agony.

"They have little fun things like this," the Abyssinian continued as if nothing had happened, casually holstering her pistol. "Imagine if we took it for ourselves? Who could tell us what we can or can't do, ever?"

As some moved to help the dog, mostly his packmates, others began to take an interest in the cat's stories. Maybe there was opportunity to be had in the enemies of the ponies...

Like a flaming meteor, Celestia came in for a landing, but it was not a strafing run on some human town or city. She landed before the steps of the Crystal Empire's palace. "Inform Cadance I am here," she ordered a guard as she walked past him, ignoring his stunned expression. "Now."

Soon the two leaders of their people would be in the same room, as had been needed for perhaps too long.

Flash was held in several dangling casts that kept his torso and hind legs in a specific position. The bar had been removed, and whatever wound it left was covered in bandages, leaving him looking almost whole if one ignored the obvious. "Hey..."

Twilight smiled gently. "Hello, Flash. You've... had quite the experience... Are you feeling... alright?"

"For some definitions of alright." He smiled awkwardly, eyes moving to Shining. "Hello, Sir. I'll, uh... have to call in sick. That alright?"

Shining patted the bed beside Flash. "Shut up, Flash. Rest... If you're up for it, tell us, what happened?"

Flash nodded softly. "Yeah, I wanted to, I mean, that's why I called." He reached with a forehoof, his arms seemingly unharmed, as savage as the strike to his backside had been. "The prisoner, he had a bag. I... assumed he was left with it on purpose, it was there before I got there."

Twilight raised an ear. "I'm not a security expert, but..."

"Yeah, hindsight and all that." Flash chuckled softly in self-deprecation. "He took some things out of it, even showed it to me. It was nothing! It... didn't seem like anything. He put it on the bars one day, nothing happened, didn't think much of it, until it exploded yesterday."

Shining Armor winced, taking half a step back. "You should have told us the moment he started doing something unusual."

"I'd be calling you every day, Sir... He's unusual. Sorry... I was just trying to offer a kind hoof. I really thought it was working... He never said anything, but I could tell he was listening and watching... He started eating a little more, I'd share my lunch. We... Look, just... Everything south of the equator is in pain right now, but I really just want to know what he was thinking..."

Twilight's horn glowed as Flash's pillow was fluffed by her magic. "I'm very proud of you. Though it turned out to be... painful, you did the right thing. This is a very... uncertain time, for everycreature, even the one that hurt you."

"Twilight." Shining put a hoof in front of her chest. "Are you excusing the one that almost killed him and likely would have if not for a bit of good luck?"

"Someone has to." Twilight turned to face Shining with a frown. "Enough is enough. There is no happy ending waiting for us if we try to fight our way through this."

Shining held up a hoof to Flash. "Thank you, for your report. For now, just rest and get better, that's an order."

"Sir, yes, Sir!" He saluted as well as he could with his back end held up as it was. "I will now engage in military-grade sleep, Sir."

Shining rolled his eyes with a little smile, moving to leave the room with Twilight. "I think he's alright. I don't like it... If that human is out, and has more of those explosives, he could cause more damage than a wrecked prison hall. Explosives you can just... spread on something? How would that even work?"

"I have no idea." Twilight let out a little sigh. "Oh! I have something very important." Out came the dictionary. "I need this mass produced, yesterday. It's a dictionary of their language, already cross-indexed with Ponish! We can learn their language. That barrier can finally come down!"

Derpy looked up as someone came in. A lot of people came and left while she was there, sipping coffee and nibbled on the biscuits they had available. Most of them were just relaxing. Some of them came over and tried to talk to her, and she did her best to be a polite guest. "(Hello!)" she greeted in eager English, waving at the stern man that entered.

The man held an envelope. Perhaps for her? She hoped! "(Letter?)"

"(Yes,)" he agreed as he came closer, his smart boots clapping on the floor. "(Two.)" He held up two fingers, which was good, since she didn't know that word. "(One to) Morning," he said the filly's name in proper Ponish, bringing a smile to Derpy. "(But there is another)." He reached into the larger envelope and drew out two smaller ones. "(Can you do it?)"

"The mail must go through!" She reached with her hooves for the letters. "Morning." She held up the first, the address very clear. The other she tilted her head. That was clearly Cadance's name, though the way it was written was as if a filly was referring to her rather than with any amount of honorifics. Still, it seemed clear who it was for. "Princess Cadance." She hopped to her hooves, ready to do her job as a mailmare.

Author's Note

I am thinking to abandon the () 'this is English' text notes unless there is both English and Ponish being spoken together in a scene. Thoughts?

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28 - Domestic Situations

He drummed his fingers against his desk. He should have been working. He had been working, then everything went upside down, and his work just evaporated almost overnight. He had applied on every job search site he could find, but so was... an uncomfortably large amount of America.

It was a mess.

Manufacturing jobs were making a comeback, that was nice, but not what he had studied for. His interest in standing on an assembly line was minimal.

Still, while that was gearing up, so many other things were starved of everything they'd get overseas.

He could have become customer support. No India, Americans had to do that. That too felt far beneath him. He did not complete college to ask people if they turned it off and turned it back on again.

On the positive, he had unemployment... for a little longer.

The folks in DC finally did something good for him, extending how long that could last due to these 'special circumstances', but even that was running out... He'd have to do something or become homeless and destitute, and that was hard to recover from.

He snatched up his phone and made a quick call.

All eyes were on the television, where a rocket stood on its platform, various supports drawing away in preparation. Great plumes of smoke shot out from beneath it as it began to lift into the air, propelled towards space with a great roar of a cheer through the room.

Bars did not usually tune in for a rocket broadcast, but this one was special. It would carry the first satellites to orbit their new world. It would help restore some of the order that had been lost. The screen showed Mr. Musk chatting animatedly about things. It was his rocket, so he had plenty to say about it, but the people in the bar weren't very focused on him.

Having GPS that worked again. Having Internet that could reach further, on flight, in the boonies, ships, and across the ocean. Weather reports and warnings. Satellites brought a lot of good things to a lot of people.

Above and beyond that, it was a sign that they were overcoming and adapting. Their world was returning to them, one step at a time.

Alcohol-filled mugs crashed in celebration of that.

"Queen Novo, a pleasure to meet you."

"Who is this?" Novo squinted at the floating phone and the strange voice issuing from it. "Does President Crane know you are using this?"

"President Crane is unavailable at this time. I'm President Marshall until that's resolved," explained the male voice.

"What happened to him?" She scowled at the phone. Mr. Crane was better at Ponish than this new person. "And did you call me to tell me that?"

"In part. The ponies took him when he went to discuss peace with them. We've since recovered him."

She moved a fin over her mouth a moment. "Have they taken leave of every sense they have?! Is he alright?"

"That is what we are checking. Until then, I am the president, and I thought I should reach out to our allies in these troubling times."

"Yes, yes, well, no ponies have shown up in my kingdom starting trouble." She huffed loudly, bubbles escaping her. "Foalnapping... How low."

"They injured several guards during the attack, but we repelled them, if not for their prize of a president. In fact, we have a few prisoners."

Novo perked at that. "Do you now? Now you have my interest. Did you get any names?"

"The largest that seems to be in charge is named 'Luna'."

Novo blinked slowly.

"Novo?"

"Yes, yes, I'm here... I... am just surprised... Luna is not a random brigand. Can you describe her to me? Maybe they just share a name."

"Large, dark blue, constantly flowing mane and tail?"

"That's her... You've captured one of the two rulers of Equestria, who should not be involved in random foalnapping attempts! Her name is not just for show. She controls the moon, though Celestia can do it if she has to."

"I see... Can you define 'controls'?"

Novo raised a brow. "Once in a while you humans really remind me that you are new to this world. She raises it and she lowers it. Celestia does the same for the sun. Without them, things would be... bad, especially for people who live on land."

"I see," he repeated, conviction not in his tone. "I'll see what can be done. You've been quite useful. This reminds, (satellites) are going up."

"What?"

"Things that orbit the world. With them, we'll be changing how you're connecting to us. It'll be far harder to interfere with."

"Sounds lovely." She rolled a fin through the water. "Oh, while I have you, Mobile Coral, do you remember her?"

"First contact."

"That's her. She's picked a father for her child, and they are being wed. What must I do to see that she and her child are welcome in your borders? I would prefer the child have the freedom to pick either of our countries to be in, as they are, in the end, a child of both our people."

"I haven't been in that loop. Is she progressing well?"

"She's looking fatter every day, but pregnancy does that to a mother, human, seapony, or much anything else." Novo leaned towards the phone. "Will the child be accepted as an (American)?"

"The simplest way to avoid paperwork would be if she gave birth on American soil. Barring that--"

"--Does it have to be on the ground? What if she was in a pool within your borders?"

"That would be fine." His voice carried some of the amused smirk he likely wore. "Do you... prefer to do that in the water?"

"Do you not?" Novo asked with a raised brow. "Regardless, yes. I'll arrange that then. Thank you."

"Thank you." The call ended.

The mare stepped off her boat with a huge smile. "Come one, come all! Who has (American) goods? Me, and only me." She gestured with a wing back at her boat. "In just a few minutes, we'll be ready to start selling things beyond your imagination, including some opportunities, so don't go away!"

She had unloaded her food, lumber, metal, and gems. They had taken her arts and crafts even. In return, she was given money, and with that, she was able to return laden with all manner of American consumer goods, and contacts. Delicious contacts. It turned out American businesses were also eager to reach Equestria and beyond.

Sure, all the trading happened out at sea, with stuff being passed from boat to boat, but it was still a trade, and she still made it.

Her future was looking bright. "First up, behold!" She drew out a deceptively tiny thing. "It's an entire arcade, in your pocket. The fidelity of the graphics and sounds? Better than the movies! It comes with one of three games." With a flip of a wing, she displayed three small cartridges. "But we have more for sale. Once you try one, you'll wonder how you ever put up with Equestrian games."

She had a great many wonders of human technology to offer. It would be a busy day. "A thousand bits!"

Celestia held a dictionary aloft in her power. She had been reading it. Everypony had been. "This has gone on for too long."

"I won't argue that." Cadance tilted her head a little. "But... should you... be here?"

"My sister is in their hands. I will not sit idly by." She had not entertained ideas of Luna not being alive since she arrived. "This is now a matter that affects us all, across Equestria. We underestimated the invaders--"

"--I don't think they're--" Twilight's interjection was cut off.

"--Yes, yes, thank you, Twilight. Whatever term fits better, they are incredibly dangerous. This conflict must end." Her head turned to Shining. "Any sign of the captive you once held?"

"None, Your Highness. We're guessing he must have fled. If it wasn't for the injured guard, I'd almost think that was all he was trying to do."

"We may never know. Put that aside."

A guard came galloping in. "Princess Cadance, a letter has arrived for you."

Cadance hiked a brow. "In the middle of this meeting? It couldn't have waited?"

"It's from the humans, Your Highness."

All objections died instantly. He pulled out a letter with his magic and presented it. Cadance reached with a wing, but hesitated. "Twilight, can this letter explode? They're good at making things explode. A specialty of theirs, I think."

Twilight's magic wrapped around the letter, drawing it closer. "It's already come this far..." Her magic swept over it in a pulse. "Just paper, ink, though I can't identify the ink used. That's not surprising. Very high quality paper... Humans love manufacturing things, I doubt paper gets an exception. I would say this is almost certainly safe.."

Cadance took the letter in her own magic, ripping the top bit off in a clean line with her power. "Then let's see what they want to tell us." She drew the letter inside the envelope out and unfolded it. "It's in Ponish," she declared, eyes darting left and right to read it.

Hello Cadance,

I am a guard leader of the two leg people. You have a young person in your city that has written to me about peace. She is a special person. While I enjoy our letters, They are not helping peace, so I am trying to reach someone who can do something more material.

Cadance smiled as she read it. "This is... lovely."

The paper suddenly left her magic, snatched by Celestia, her own eyes sweeping over it before she grunted, passing it back.

Cadance raised a brow. "There are a lot of them, Auntie... Not all of them are involved with... Luna."

She continued reading.

We know of the failed motion by the president. I am not told to do this, but I will try. I want to invite one of you to come speak. No persons will be taken. Come peacefully to us and we can talk. It may not change anything, or maybe it will. I owe Bright Morning at least an attempt.
Hoping,
Major

Cadance finished reading the letter for everyone's benefit, smiling gently. "This is... good news. But how do we reach this Major?"

"Ma'am." They looked over at the guard that was still there. "The mailmare that delivered the letter is still here, Ma'am. She said she was ready for any replies."

Twilight blinked softly. "Wait... A mailmare is casually delivering the mail to a human and back?! That's... amazing." She laughed as she stood up. "I have to meet this mare and shake her hoof. She's a hero!"

Shining nodded softly. "I agree, but who are we sending with her to speak with them?"

"Me, obviously." Twilight pointed at herself. "I've been devouring the dictionary. I can almost dream in (English). Besides, who better to act as a diplomat but the princess of friendship?"

Celestia extended a wing, blocking the line of sight between Twilight and the guard. "I am afraid I must veto that motion..." She rose to her tall legs. "I will go."

"Cel..." Her objection died in her throat, swallowed hard. Arguing with Celestia was difficult on good days, and this was far from a good time.

Cadance inclined her head towards the floating dictionary next to Celestia's head. "Have you learned their language well enough to... do this? Auntie, Twilight really is quali--"

"--I am perfectly aware of her qualifications, and that she has risked her well-being quite enough. I will not ask a single other pony to do so until I have done my share... It is time they learned how poor of an idea this war is."

Twilight jumped up. "You can't antago--" She swallowed again as Celestia fixed her with a hard look. "I just... mean... this is a diplomatic mission. Please... approach gently?"

Author's Note

America is adapting painfully to a new world, but it is flexing, not breaking.

Wheels are turning in wheels! That major is risking a lot with this move. Is this foolishness on his part?

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29 - Praise the Sun

Derpy flew high in the sky, a content smile on her face. That day was special. She did not normally have wingmates as she delivered things. She also did not normally deliver ponies. Those were related, she was certain, but the how of it was beyond her caring. She was going to deliver Princess Celestia to the nice humans and they would talk.

"Have you tried their cookies?" She asked as they went. "They're pretty good and really sweet! Their coffee's nice too, has a real kick to it."

"Have the humans been kind to you?" Celestia was flying right at her side, eyes forward, scanning the ground ahead of them.

"The first time they were scared of me. That was silly. As if I would hurt a fly... on purpose." She laughed nervously, perfectly aware of her clumsiness. "But the second time they were super nice. I feel like we're friends now." She gestured towards Celestia with a dangling hoof. "I'll introduce you to them so you can skip the whole scared part."

"You only need inform them of my name. I will do the rest." She hiked a brow softly. "Can you speak their language?"

"Only a tiny little bit..."

"Remind me after this is done." Celestia fell quiet, her attention fully on their flight.

"Reporting in, Sir." The soldier saluted sharply. Two other soldiers stood next to him, one at either side.

His commanding officer looked him over critically. "You went missing ages ago, Stevenson. We thought you were KIA, and here you are, wearing... what is that?" He reached to pluck at the shoulder's top. "Feels not quite like anything I can... identify. Was your mission a success?"

"Negative, Sir." Stevenson's teeth set faintly. "I was captured, but resisted all interrogation. I never admitted to even knowing their language, Sir."

"Is that so?" The commander tapped a finger against his own thigh. "Did you know the president was captured?"

"What?! We--"

"Relax, he's back, but they aren't letting him be president right now. Do you know why?"

"I do not, Sir. Was he injured?"

"Might have been." He gestured in the vague direction of Anchorage. "They're testing him for brainwashing, however you go about that. The enemy is--"

"--magic, Sir."

"Ah, I suppose you were in a situation to be aware of this fact. So, tell me, why should you get more faith than the Commander in Chief."

"Because he didn't make it through boot camp, Sir. Ready for duty, Sir." He saluted sharply, meeting the gaze of his challenging officer.

The officer patted him on the shoulder. "An excellent point. Tell me what you saw."

The base was on alert. Two blips were coming in fast. Visual confirmation was easy to get that they were both ponies. One of them, they all knew. The mailpony was welcome. The other was far larger, with great wings that carried her easily. She had a horn, which meant magic. The briefing had been very clear about that.

Still, no guns were directed at them when they touched down on the strip. Derpy skid and slid with a soft 'whee'. Celestia landed with a little clip-clop, coming to a far more refined stop.

The major emerged to meet them, though he was far from alone. Many of the soldiers posted at the base had their attention focused on their guests, watching and ready to react.

"Hello," he greeted as he came into range to speak without shouting. "Thank you for prompt response."

"I promised," assure Derpy with a smile.

Celestia nodded to Derpy. "You may go." Her head turned back to the human that approached. "(Major?)"

"(You speak English?)" His surprise was not hidden. "(Yes. I am the commanding officer here. Major Abbott, and you are?)"

She inclined her head faintly forward. "(Princess Celestia, ruler of Equestria. Let us talk.)"

He had expected Princess Cadance, but got a different princess. Equestria was the name of the pony nation and princess was as high as their ranks went, which put Celestia at the top of the pony hierarchy. He couldn't have gotten a more important pony. "(That is why we're here,)" he agreed, trying to sound calm and welcoming. "(This way.)"

"(Wait. I must show you something first.)" Her voice was even and calm.

He did not like it. "(What would that be?)"

She pointed up at the sun. "(You are a people of mechanisms and concrete things, are you not? You make things. You make things that unmake things. I feel this must be displayed to be appreciated.)"

He glanced at the burning ball in the sky. He was not liking where this was going. "(We're here for a peaceful talk. Let's not ruin that.)"

"(No harm will befall anyone today, should that attitude persist.)" She smiled faintly. Her hoof moved a little to the left and the sun casually followed it, her horn glowing brightly. She moved the hoof back and it casually resumed its location. "(My name is not in vain. I keep our sun in motion. I am also no fool. You have the means to hurt or kill a great number of my subjects. We are frighteningly aware of this fact.)"

Where was she... headed? She did just move the entire damn sun, that much he knew. That was frightening on levels he didn't quite have words for. "(Are you... threatening us?)"

"(A promise. This must stop, or I am certain as surely as the sun is warm that both sides will be damaged far beyond any easy repair, if there is anything left afterwards.)"

The alien was preaching mutually assured destruction. It had been a fact of life on Earth for some time. For just a brief moment, they had escaped that ghost. There were no nuclear weapons to be used against them, except, apparently... one.

And it was a hell of a nuke. The sun was nothing but a constant fusion reactor, the biggest nuclear reaction within sight of half the world at any given time. Even moving it wrongly could cause untold destruction. "(Allow me to speak theoretically.)"

"(Granted,)" she allowed, rolling a hoof without the sun following its motions.

"(Why would killing you not solve this issue?)"

She raised a brow. "(The sun would set once more, never to rise. The world would be plunged into darkness everlasting. The rituals to revive it by means of a circle of unicorns has been long neglected, and you are busy killing those as well. Humans may not rule this world alone.)" Her stance relaxed a little. "(But they don't have to. Can we stop this?)"

He wasn't sure how much he believed that... But that was a hell of a risk. There was one way to test it... "(Would you be willing to not raise the sun? If we saw you performing no magic when sunrise should happen, that would confirm your words.)"

"(A brief delay shouldn't harm things.)" She examined him intently. "(But that is not for some time. We should speak of other things. You have my sister. I would like to secure her return.)"

"(She isn't here, but I am not permitted to say where, if I even know.)" He hiked a brow at her. "(Forcing it out of me would be a good way to show bad faith, however.)"

She smiled gently. "(Allow me to apologize. My display was not one of hostility, not directly. I want this to stop. I will not use magic to force you or any other person. That is not my way.)"

No, her way involved moving the sun. That was... better? He saw her backside was decorated with a big cheery sun to make her station clear. "(Yes, well, once we have that confirmed, we can report it to other people who can make a decision. I only command the people who work here.)" He gestured vaguely across the base. "(While you are the leader of your people; I don't share that high of a title.)"

"(Thank you.)" He looked mildly confused by her sudden kind words. "(For not harming her.)" She looked in the direction Derpy had flown off in. "(She has not one mean bone in her body, but I am certain there was a temptation...)"

"(The mail pony? She's practically a mascot.)"

"(Mascot? I don't know that word.)"

"(A symbol for something.)" He walked past her, a display of trust, towards one of the planes. "(Let me show you.)" Celestia followed after him to see what he meant. He gestured at a painted decal on the side of a jet of Derpy racing alongside it. "(This is the plane she caught up with, how we first met her. Can all flying ponies fly that fast?)"

It wasn't a lifelike drawing, crude and cartoonish, with an almost childlike simplicity, but who it was seemed quite clear, along with its meaning. Celestia smiled at it. Perhaps humans and ponies could get past their differences, with care and time... "(Only a few. I would not have thought she was one of them, but she can become quite determined at times. She is a special pony.)"

Abbott indicated one of the buildings. "(Let's go inside. No reason for us to wait here in the cold.)"

They retired to the officer's lounge, where they could speak further on what made humans and ponies different and alike.

"That's it." She inclined her head towards the pony's factory, her fingers tightening around the pistol she wielded. "We get in there, we get out. Focus on the weapons."

"Is there a reason you're going over this again?" complained a short bipedal pig that wielded an equally short, if sharp, dagger. "Let's do this!"

"Yeah!" echoed the others of their small group. They advanced on the factory with a focus. The guards were armed with spears and wearing gleaming armor.

It was a shame pony armor left their necks so vulnerable. They did what the human never managed, spilling pony blood across the tiles and stomping over the fallen bodies.

"Stop right there!" squeaked a stallion, barely a wisp of one, surely no guard, but he held a pistol in his jaws, shaking as it was. "Not one step closer."

"You should have already shot," chastised the cat, taking a quick shot. The pony fired as well, but the shot was wide by quite some margin in his frightened quivering.

The pony slumped to the ground, his pistol slipping from his numb jaw. He whimpered and cried, holding his shot shoulder.

"Aw, I missed..." She gestured with her gun forward. "Keep moving." And so they did, but not before she could put a bullet in the pony's head on the way past. "No need for witnesses."

They took everything they saw that looked like it could cause more pain, and plenty of ammunition to work it all, chortling and laughing as they did so.

Running across a locked door, the feline scowled. "Big guy, make this door vanish."

"My favorite magic trick." The hulking bear slapped his paws together before rushing the door, throwing his entire bulk against it without a hint of hesitation. The door caved inwards, smashed to pieces under the terrific impact.

Two loud pops came from the same room, almost lost with the sound of the failing door.

The bear roared in pain, rushing at one of the two ponies that had shot him. He brought down sharp claws on one of them, but before he could close the distance, another shot rang off his thick skull. It didn't penetrate, but it didn't have to. He hissed like a broken rattle, collapsing to the ground, dizzy.

Flim and Flam were not going down without a fight.

"Excellent shot, brother dear."

"Focus, brother mine. They're still here." Flim ducked under a desk, his gun still ready to fire around it at a moment's notice. "Go away, or we'll keep firing."

Flam took cover as well, hiding behind another desk. "We have other weapons. Come to think of it..." He grabbed one of their prototype grenades. "Let's test it, shall we?"

"Lovely idea! You may have the honor."

Author's Note

Celestia and human diplomacy begins!

The formerly-captured soldier reports in. What will his debriefing reveal to his superiors?

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30 - Understanding

"Excuse me." Fleur inclined her head at the pegasus. "Are these empowered by magic? They do not have the tell tale signs of it."

"Nope," proudly reported the pegasus, shaking her head. "Humans looove electricity. Love love, like they can't get away from it. There's electricity in here." She tapped the display model with a hoof. "In most of it. That's what makes it work."

Fleur raised an ear, rearing back a little. "I would not have thought electricity was capable of such things."

"I wouldn't have guessed it either, but here we are. Now you can see that I'm actually offering this all at a very reasonable amount. So what's caught your eyes?"

In a nearby building, a human engineer carefully inserted a probe into the wall. Ponies had electricity, but was it compatible?

225 volts. Reasonable, but not American compatible directly with many apparatuses. 60 hertz. Perfect.

"Tell her the things with chargers should be fine plugging directly into the wall." The fact that it was an American style socket was the most amazing part, in his lonely opinion. "Squint at it for the part with the V." He made a symbol to show what an English V looks like. "Actually, one moment." He got out a pen and drew out the V and the numbers to look for. "If you have this, it's good. If not, advise anyone buying to NOT plug it in, or fires will result."

The earth pony that was with him saluted sharply and trotted out to inform his boss.

Celestia was inside. The chairs they had were all far too small for her, but a bench served reasonably enough to support her bulk. Across from her was the major. "This is very brave of you," she noted with a little smile. "You are but a leader of guards. If your ruler finds your actions unappealing, surely consequences will come."

He rolled a hand to palm-side up. "(It may, but I'd rather go down in history as a man put over the coals for trying peace than as one of many that 'just followed orders'. The way I see it, Congress has not authorized a war on your nation, so speaking to you isn't breaking any rules.)" The two were speaking their own language, the conversation flowing slowly as either side worked through what the other had said.

"That is still brave." She gestured to a window. "(We will not wait long.)"

"Hm?"

"With my sister taken, there is no other to move the moon. It will not rise tonight until you give me leave to do so. That may prove sufficient proof of my words, I hope?"

He slapped his hands down on the table between them. "How? (A moon will circle a planet because of gravity. If it's moving, it will keep moving. That's just physics. If the sun or moon isn't visible, it's because it's visible from the other side of the world." He swirled his hands in an approximation of two things orbiting one another. "(What moves will keep moving.)"

Celestia raised a brow. With a hoof she casually tipped an empty cup over. "(It stopped.)"

He let out a faintly-laughing sigh. "(There are a lot of things that stopped it. It hit the table. Friction and gravity all conspire to stop it. In space, there are less of all of these things.)"

"Less is not nothing. The moon and sun slow and stop." She lifted her shoulders. "It is a marvel to me that whatever sun and moon you knew did not do this. Still, time will show it." She turned her eyes to the sky. "The sun is setting. The moon should be rising, but it will not."

His eyes went in the same direction, looking to the window. "If you do have this... (power), why do ponies not rule the world?"

"We don't want it." She smiled gently. "They do not want us. All I want is happiness for my little ponies. Is that not all a ruler should desire?"

That did not fit with human history very well... "You could have... money. Bits. All the bits there ever was. A field of jewelry and all the workers you ever wanted."

Celestia raised a hoof to the large necklace. "I feel I have more than enough ornaments, Major Abbott. I wear these because it is expected of me. To see me in less unnerves and confuses my people, and so appearances must be upheld." She inclined her head. "Even for you, it is more of a status. It is not difficult to think me royalty, with this crown perched on my head, yes?"

A crown on a horse's head was a curious thing, but there it was, the high ruler of horse-kind. "You really don't want anything?"

"I would like this war to end. I would like not one more death that I can prevent."

The bear-like person was dragged away, thoroughly tied up as several guards worked together to remove the bulky form.

Shining Armor was there, looking over the damage left by the fight. "Are you two alright?"

Flim gestured at Flam. "We're just fine."

"Better than ever," agreed Flam. "The bomb worked perfectly, but this is troubling."

"Worrying." Flim shook his head with a frown. "We need better security. This is twice this factory has come under siege!"

"And we only caught one of them. The others fled as soon as the explosions began" Flam gestured widely at the damage caused by the hurled grenades.

"Still, at least we have the one..." Shining huffed softly. "We have our hooves full with the humans. Now is not the time for opportunists. Please do a full inventory and determine what was lost, damaged, or destroyed. You two performed well tonight. Thank you."

"A pleasure."

"An honor." Both bowed at once.

"(Sir.)" It was the same man, with a similar envelope, but a new president sat behind the desk.

"(Thank you.)" President Marshall flipped it open. He was on his feet a moment later. "The hell?!" They had the leader of the enemy nation at an airforce base?! He calmed himself, reading quickly over the words.

The people there had not gone rogue. They were the ones that had sent the information up the chain, as was proper. What was not proper was having the meeting in the first place. It was a president's job to negotiate with foreign powers, not a random airforce officer.

He thrust the paper down on the desk with a scowl. "(I want Major Abbott's file on my desk, now.)"

Who was this man with balls bigger than the state he served?

The room was quiet. There were many men and women. They all had the same numbers. The same, impossible, numbers. "Can we even prove we still exist in the same universe?" asked one man, breaking the silence.

Another raised a finger. "There is the fact that we haven't instantly exploded in small nuclear-bomb strength blasts as our atoms came into contact with that of another reality operating under different universal constants."

A woman snorted at that. "That proves nothing. That just proves we didn't do that, great. We knew that before we had... this!" She waved a hand at the findings. "We are living in a geocentric sol... what do you even call that? Solar system implies the solar body is the one at the center."

"But this planet is not the most massive thing around!" hissed a man with a scowl. "These orbits don't even start to make sense, and we've only started formally tracking them."

Another woman rose to her feet. "Astrophysics as we know it has to be re-written. The fact that the satellites we sent up haven't come crashing back down? A small blessing we should be thanking whatever god you favor for."

Soft rumbles of talk rippled through the room. With how strange everything was behaving outside the world, it belied rationality that their rocket launch and its precious cargo had managed to get where it needed to be.

"On the bright side," noted one man with a faint smile. "We'll be in work for the foreseeable future. Let's get to it."

There were seaponies, so many seaponies. They swam alongside a huge platform, holding it with their hooves.

"Adjust to the south," came over their headsets and they began to swim together, propelling it smoothly across the top of the water. The thing they were moving was gargantuan. Even their ships would have struggled to move it easily, but with so many seaponies working together from all angles, they got it moving swiftly and gracefully.

They were playing a game. It was catch. Their target, an enormous rocket that would land on the platform, if they got it to just the right place.

"East."

The swarm of ponies moved to get it in the new direction, following the cues of the humans that watched from a distance, coordinated with other humans far elsewhere.

Queen Novo was there. She wasn't pushing, that wasn't a queen's job, but she was making sure none of her people were harmed in the activity. "You're doing great," she called out to them. "When I give the word, dive down and away." She could see the rocket in the air, approaching so quickly. "Be ready."

"Dive!" she shouted as it came too close for comfort.

All the seaponies were gone, some responding directly to her shout, others following those beside them, soon all vacating the platform. The great thing crashed into the platform, water splashing greatly on all sides, but it was still floating, minus a divot that they had told her was planned. It had been caught.

"Excellent job," came over the earpieces.

Novo reached up to touch hers. "I told you my people could do this. Is everyone safe?"

"All safe," came another voice.

"Excellent. We await payment. You have my information."

"Pleasure working with you, Queen Novo."

She swam to the earth boat and threw her headpiece aboard before diving into the depths, her job of the day done. They could call her on her phone if they required anything else.

Long minutes had passed. By all recorded times they had, the moon was becoming overdue. The stars were also playing coy. The sky was a murky twilight that had not properly settled into night at all. It was unsettling. It was unnatural.

Celestia's horn did not glow. She had stopped so much as using it to grab things, instead using her hooves and mouth, to make it perfectly clear that she was not responsible.

Even if she was doing it, the ability to shroud the stars and moon would be almost as terrifying.

Major Abbot clasped his hands together. "What would the effects be, if you simply left it like this?"

"Harmony would be lost. The world would suffer. In time, perhaps... another way forward could be found, but not before there was countless suffering. May... I?"

She hadn't said what she was asking, but he knew. "Go ahead. I... want to see this."

She rose to her hooves. "Then follow me, please." She led the way free of the building and directed her horn at the horizon. "It is time to awaken," she bid the celestial object, her horn glowing brightly. She lifted into the air slowly and with it, the moon emerged as if following her, ascending into the sky with her until she gave a little toss of her head. "It is done."

She landed lightly in front of the Major. "The night will progress normally." The stars had also returned, shining brilliantly in the night sky. "Sister has a better touch with the stars... She paints such wondrous nights. I can see how she mourned there being so few eyes to enjoy them."

"(Pardon me.)" He held up a lone finger. "(That was... enlightening, disconcerting, and only raises a dozen more questions.)"

"(If we are answering them,)" she replied in English. "(We are not fighting. Please, ask.)"

Author's Note

The backer of this story has... gone mad. Mad with power! They have taken both horse prophet tiers, bumping the update speed to EVERY DAY OF THE WEEK, minus Saturday.

Enjoy the writing? Help me stay afloat and show your support by joining the atreon!

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31 - Rising Entropy

Eyes were on papers and screens, watching a playback of about an hour of activity. "I don't even start to understand this," complained one of the men with a scowl behind his glasses.

"The ionosphere became dense," reported another. "More worryingly, the moon slowed to a near halt."

A woman threw up a hand, the other slapping other papers. "It wasn't just that, as freaky as that is. The sun's slowing. Not as bad as the moon, yet, but it is."

The first man thrust a finger at the screen where the moon was brightly displayed. "Tell me how it accelerated that hard without being torn apart? How are we not being showered with bits of lunar debris?"

"It emitted some form of radiance," noted the female, adjusting her glasses as she tapped a foot. "It's far from proven, but it certainly appeared to come from all sides of the moon at once. What if whatever force is behind this grabbed every portion of the moon at the very same time, negating most of the stress?"

One of the men's frown only grew deeper. "A force that could grab an entire moon from the surface to its core, at once, without variation, or at least with so little variation that it could propel it without it falling apart?"

She shrugged softly. "We're not being pelted by bits of broken moon. We can't argue if it can happen, only how it already happened."

"She has a point there." He gathered the papers in front of himself. "I'm not feeling ready to say much, other than the moon appears to be fine and all readings have returned to something approaching normal. If you can count being on a planet with a moon that slows and hastens by unknown forces with a hilariously small sun that warms it and yet gives off the same yellow light we're used to."

Another smirked softly. "You forgot to mention the more massive planets in this system that seem to be orbiting this, smaller, world."

"Maybe it's more dense?" proferred another. "If this planet was dense enough..."

"We'd be crushed by gravity," spat back another. "We've measured the diameter of the world. If it were massive enough to do that, we would all be dead."

"Maybe they're less dense," countered the first. "We can't prove that isn't a possibility."

"Enough, enough. We could throw around theories all day. Let's gather data and start learning instead of guessing."

A school of seaponies swam through warm tropical waters. Dangling from their ears were earbuds, purchased from the humans with a portion of the money they had earned as a people, and the bounty that had been shared. Music filled their ears as they wove in formation through the waves, happy with how life had gone for them.

Until they struck something that wrapped around them. They had swum right into a net specifically colored as to be nearly invisible to their eyes. Whatever it was, it closed around them quickly, starting to lift upwards.

"Hey," complained one of the seapony mares. "What is this!?" She pushed at the netting, but that did little.

The great net rose from the waves, water pouring free, but the sea ponies were not so flexible, still caught firmly and deposited at the bottom of the trap. With flashes of magic, they became hippogriffs. One of them pointed down and to the side, where a sneering fox person was looking up at them, their hand on a lever. "Hey, you! We're not tuna. Put us down!"

"Afraid I can't do that." The fox tipped his head in false apologies. "We have some questions you need to answer, and after that, maybe... We'll see."

Celestia walked alongside Major Abbott, the two walking back towards the lounge they had started in. "I hope you understand, I do not display this as a threat. It is my deepest wish that all hostility end. You can hurt us. You have hurt us. Please do not think this need be further demonstrated. That hurt will flow in both directions, damaging both our people. Let us not go further down this path."

"I have a question that needs answers. A central question, the root of all of this." He pointed vaguely northward. "Why did your people kill (civilians)?"

"I'm sorry. (Civilians)? I know not that word."

That word was not in the dictionary. It was not a word that had developed in Ponish.

That was an answer, of a sort... "A... (soldier) is a person that agrees to fight wars." He hiked a thumb at himself. "I am one, Basically anyone you see around here is one. The ones you killed were guards, and normal people."

Celestia tilted her head left and right, trying to work through it. "If they fought our people, are they not agreeing to fight a war? Regardless, I would like all this fighting to end. None should be killed, on either side."

"The guards -- (Police) -- are there to protect the others, usually from crime. Not hostile (soldiers). They are not (soldiers). The people who weren't even (police) were even less prepared." The major held open the door for Celestia, permitting her to slip past into the building.

"I have been informed that they fought only those who wielded hand cannons."

"(Guns)," provided Abbott. "That muddles things..." There were laws about that. The people involved were... "I see... You understand, even if we take that at face value, your nation attacked ours."

"Only after our people were killed by yours." She hiked a brow softly. "I do not wish to play a game of faults."

"This is still important." He walked with her through the hallways. "Even if everyone agrees to call it off, knowing what happened is vital, and shapes what we do moving forward. What happened, from your point of view, that incited this?"

Celestia paused there and turned to face him, though the motion was crowded in the limited expanse of the hallway. "Our allies, the yaks, were slain by your people. Guards, not-guards, I could not say. We knew little of you, less even than now, and I can proclaim no great knowledge... Our people attempted to approach peacefully, but hand cannons were used, and they joined the... soon to grow tally of the mistakes of this conflict. Tell me, Major (Abbot), is it legal in your kingdom to kill diplomats?"

Both sides had killed civilians, and humans had been the first. "Thank you."

Celestia reared back a little. "Why are you thanking me?"

"For having a little trust. I can't ... (change the past, but maybe the future?)" He shook his head. "(I can't make any agreements, other than ensuring your safety in this visit. I have all the information I can think to get.)"

Celestia inclined an ear at him. "(Will you release my sister?)"

"(Hey, if I could make that kind of call, maybe, but I can't. All I can do is share along our conversation. Maybe we can save a lot of lives.)"

She lowered her head in a slow nod. "(That would be good... Thank you, Major Abbott. You are a good person.) Maybe we can talk under better circumstances." She spread her wings despite the limited space. "I will go then. Send word by mail if you have need of me, or news."

He was going to ask her how she planned to fly out of a closed hallway, but she vanished in a dazzling burst of golden light. He didn't see it, but she appeared just over the building they were in. Held aloft on great wings, she set off into the night sky towards the Crystal Empire.

Her attempt at diplomacy, a cautiously optimistic success, she decided.

Luna awoke to the sound of the door opening. She tried to shed light without thought, for a small jolt to run through her horn in reprimand. They had placed a band of some sort around it. It jolted her whenever she performed any magic of any kind.

The lights came on, forcing her eyes to contract against the blinding presence. There was a human there, wearing a suit similar to all the others. "You're being moved."

Moved? She perked an ear as she sat up. "Are you releasing me? What of the others?" She had seen them being escorted off the plane they had failed to attack. "Are they well? Are they coming with me?"

"That is privileged information. You are coming with me. " He unlocked a shackle, but only one that attached her to the wall. He took the length of chain in his hand instead, guiding her out of the room. The hallways were narrow. The floors were cement or tile, never soft, always clean and barren.

All the other people she could see were wearing similar uniforms. They all belonged to the same force, against her. If only she had just a touch of magic...

"May I ask where we are going?"

"No. Remain still." He had a bag, and he put that right over her head, blocking what little she could see from view.

She was made to walk, guided by a hand at her shoulder. She sat in something that moved, walked again, than sat. She could hear them fastening her shackles to something. Were they taking her somewhere to kill her?

Movement, fast movement. Faster and faster... They were rising into the air. She could feel her ears begin to fill and the roar of engines. She was in one of their airships! "Where are we going?" There was no reply. "I have answered many questions for you, could you at least answer this one thing."

There was still no reply. She could hear some movement around her. "There is nothing I could see that would change things at this point..."

She was being foalnapped, brought to some place far away. Would she ever see her sister and their home again? She couldn't be certain. She couldn't even visit the dreams of her ponies, not with the painful band around her horn.

Things progressed in sullen silence, leaving her to stew in her thoughts. Soft English conversation occurred over her.

A hand touched her at the chest, making her jump a little. That hand drew the bag up to reveal the face of a smiling young male human. "(Drink?)"

She did not know what he said, alas... "What?" There was an older human to the left of her, watching her and him intently.

"Drink," he repeated in Ponish. "Do. you. want. a. drink?" He said each word slowly and purposefully.

Luna's ears perked up. Was she being offered a comfort, small as it was? "Yes."

"What drink?"

She had a choice?! Surely things were looking up. The fact that such a small thing was a positive made her sag a little on the realization of it. "Something fruity, please. Thank you."

He nodded and went down the aisle, away from them. She looked around, the bag not returned. There were other uniformed humans. Most of them were tense. They knew how dangerous she could be... if she had her magic. If she were permitted to do anything. They were her jailors, but they did not assume she was harmless.

The young one returned with a little cup of purple'sh fluid that he set on a tray that he pulled down from the seat in front of her. "Berry. (Cranberry.)" He gestured at it. "Enjoy." He offered a different cup across her to the man sitting next to her. It smelled faintly of alcohol, but she couldn't place what sort. Did it matter?

A thought did occur to her. "Are you permitted to drink that as you watch me?"

"Drink," he grunted. "You shouldn't either, so be quiet."

They were both breaking a rule. She decided to not press her fortune. She reached for the cup with her magic only to jump lightly in place, a painful jolt running through her horn. Right... She dipped her head and sipped from the cup directly.

Author's Note

Things are developing... are they good things? Major Abbot did his part, and will be filing a full report (including recordings, trust you me). Will he change the course of things?

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32 - Chain of Command

"Mr. Goldfein, Sir." Abbott saluted crisply. He was facing the highest rank person within his branch of the military there was. Only the president could have approached him and wielded more direct authority.

"At ease. We've received your report." The older man's eyes swept over the base. "I usually work from DC, you know that?"

"Sir, yes, Sir." Before this man, he was very little. "Come to assist with the conflict, Sir?"

"Exactly so." He walked in a slow circle around the major. "Imagine my surprise. Hostile invaders, already on American soil? The very thought of it, beyond belief, but orders are orders, are they not? Even for me."

"Of course... Sir." What was that four star general doing there?! Was he about to be brought in for a tribunal right then and there?

"The president tried to meet with these people... That did not end well. I presume you are aware of this?" He slapped down a hand on Abbott's shoulder, grip firm.

"Sir, yes, Sir!" Abbott was stiff as a board, standing ramrod straight.

"And despite this, you extend an invitation to them to come here? Run me through your logic, Major." He came around to be in front of Abbott. "How was that decision reached?"

The man before him has a chest full of decorations. His breath frosted in the cold air, but his eyes did not waver. Abbot nodded, trying to copy some of that coolness. "With pleasure, Sir. With the communication we have already had, the princess mentioned was looked on with genuine warmth by the child writing to us, not in fear or grudging respect. Inviting exactly one to come peacefully gave us room to react, if things went poorly, but I thought it was worth the risk for the intelligence that we could gather."

"But you didn't get the princess you were hoping for." He stepped in, seeming to tower over Abbott, though much of that was a matter of rank, not physical stature. "Another answered your little invitation."

"That is right, Sir... We got their leader, their highest commander."

"Wish I could have seen the look on your face when you realized that." A faint smile glimmered into being before being buried in a somber look. "And you had a conversation in two languages. They're still translating that mess." He slapped the side of Abbot. "You could have taken the time to translate it yourself. You knew what the words were."

"I felt transmitting the full recordings and transcripts as we had them as quickly as possible was more important, Sir."

He pivoted in place, circling on his heels. "That was probably the smartest thing you did the entire day. Boy, Son... You have no idea how hard people are sniffing. If there's a single t you left uncrossed, one lonely I you didn't dot, you'll be facing much much worse than my little visit." He inclined his head towards the planes. "I see she didn't leave as much of a mess as the last time they visited an air base."

"She was polite, as the recordings will verify. Permission to speak freely?"

"Denied." He turned away from Abbott, surveying the base. "Anything you say to me, anything is official. There is no such thing as 'speaking freely' to me. So if you have something official you want to disclose, you may proceed, but we are not friends. We are not off-duty." He ran his hands down the front of his jacket, subtly drawing the two ends closer together.

There was cheering in the streets. Ponies roared in happiness, clopping the ground, brohoofing one another and some even dancing in place. There was plenty of reason to do so, as far as they were concerned. Celestia was coming back, whole and unharmed.

When she touched down in the center of town, there were ponies waiting for her. Twilight bowed far lower than a princess had need to. Cadance was smiling with tense hope. Shining had dipped his head, but not as far as his sister had.

"Good to see you all," greeted Celestia. "The meeting was productive." She could not speak further if she wanted, barring her using a royal amplifying spell. The crowd around them was too busy hurting their ears with wild cheering. Celestia raised a hoof and waved it gently as she did a slow circle, bidding them to quiet, which they did, eventually. "Peace has not yet arrived. We have taken the first timid step, and I hope it will be the first towards a full gallop, but to assume peace is here, now, is foolish."

She turned to the others that were closer to her title. "The one I spoke to has limited sway, though does have some rank. You could consider him as a captain of the guard, before you married, Shining."

"Ah." He nodded, instantly placing the human in a ranking that made sense to him. "So he can't make treaties or agreements for his people, but his word does have weight."

"Precisely so." She nodded lightly to him. Her wings were still out and on display. It was just a part of being a princess in public at times. She had to be large and composed. Her people needed that right at that time. "The guards you did battle with, apparently they were local peacekeepers, not charged with doing battle for their people or country when other countries are involved. Their injury and death is seen as a foul thing. Not that any death is ever... not a foul thing, but especially so."

Rainbow waved wildly as she advanced forward, moving to Twilight's side. "They were fighting us! They would have been plenty fine doing the same to us. What's up with that?!"

Celestia directed a wing at Rainbow Dash. "In their eyes, we were strange bandits, to be subdued, not foreign invaders, to be avoided. If they saw our force as invaders, the response would..." She drew a slow breath. "You would not be here, Rainbow Dash."

Rainbow Dash scowled at that. "I could have taken them," she grumbled to herself, but she didn't raise her voice higher than her sulking grunt.

"Princess Cadance," she spoke with sudden authority.

"Yes, Princess Celestia." Cadance had her eyes fixed on her superior.

"I order that all agressions be terminated. All standing forces not normally stationed here are to return home. This campaign is complete." She drove down a hoof with the decree, ringing sharply with metal on stone. "Where are the yaks? I would speak with them."

Cadance nodded stiffly. "Y-yes, Princess Celestia..." She inclined her head towards the palace. "Let's... go over the specifics."

Celestia could read the desire to speak in there. "Let's." They began to move, and the crowd parted for them, allowing the royalty past to discuss the heavy matters of government.

Cheers and cries followed them the entire way, only becoming quiet once the great doors of the Crystal Palace were closed behind them, allowing some merciful quiet.

Cadance turned to Celestia instantly, her wings firing out in either direction. "Auntie! I appreciate, deeply appreciate, the idea of peace, but what if they attack again?! You're stripping away what little protections we have."

"If you had every pony in the nation, wearing armor and ready to fight, it would make little difference." She turned to Cadance slowly, her wings folding in as she did so. "My eyes were open when I visited, and I saw much. They could reduce us to a hooved dream, if that was their wish. The only reason they have not is because we have not yet given them enough reason to. We have acted as little more than... violent bandits, requiring minimal reaction. They are aware now that we are a nation."

"That was minimal?!" squeaked Cadance. "Never have we suffered a greater military loss in so little time in all recorded history!"

"Minimal reaction," echoed Shining, crashing to his haunches. "All of that, just the barest flick of the paw of a beast so vast we thought we could win a fight against one of its toes alone..."

Celestia turned to Rainbow. "There will be a matter of justice."

Rainbow blinked softly. "Say what now?"

"Justice," she repeated with a frown. "They favor law and order. To a crime, there is punishment. If they can find those that murdered our innocents, they will punish them. They will, I feel certain, request the same of us. A stern talking to will likely not suffice."

Twilight reached behind her head with a nervous little laugh. "That does match what I saw... While the average human seemed free enough, the higher up you go, the more orderly they seem to be. They will want to see guilty parties are punished."

Cadance shook her head. "I won't allow it. The guards were acting at my behest. They had no idea they were performing a crime, nor could they have known. If anypony should... suffer for this, I will accept responsibility."

"No!" Shining was suddenly between Cadance and Celestia. "I am the captain of the guard. I gave the orders."

She reached around him from behind, cupping his cheeks. "And I ordered you. Dear, I love you, but this is my burden to bear."

"No!" He wheeled around to face her. "No no! Flurry Heart needs her mother. The Crystal Empire needs its princess. I'll go."

Celestia raised a hoof. "This is premature. They have not made demands, but it will come, I feel certain. Consider and debate among yourselves." She took a slow breath. "It may be for naught... They have my sister. She may be who they decide to punish... She has caused them damage, and they know it."

Things went quiet for a moment, thoughts going to the captive Luna.

"Wait here," gruffly ordered a man.

Not that she had much choice. She was literally shackled to a desk that appeared to be bolted to a cement floor. She had arrived in some strange new land, but had seen little of it outside of a brief glance at a parking lot and some buildings before she was hurried inside.

Luna shuffled in place, her chains clinking in the motion. "What have you in mind for me?"

The man did not answer, and was soon gone.

She was left in the empty room, desk not counting. A lonely light shed harsh light over the room. An interrogation room? She had been in one of those before. That meant questions. Did they have to move her to ask questions? She could think of no question she was better able to address after being moved.

The door swung open. Two men that looked like the ones she had fought on the plane. The third man to enter was not dressed in uniform, just smartly. "Hello, and welcome to (America)," greeted the third man, moving to stand behind that desk, putting it between himself and her. "(This may be the first time in history we've had a terrorist that wasn't a human.)"

She quicked an ear at him. "I do not know what you are saying."

He spoke slowly, "I am the (President) ruler of the people you hurt."

Luna's eyes widened. She was face to face with their king?!

"My name is (Adam Marshall). You will answer questions." He ran a finger across the top of the desk slowly. "Truth."

There were many things she wanted to do, but she could not. She could feel that accursed band on her horn, waiting for the chance to shock her. "What do you want?"

"I ask questions. What is your title?" He leaned forward over the desk, the flat of his hands on it for support.

Luna tilted her head. "Princess Luna, Princess of the Night, Guardian of Dreams, Diarch of Equestria." She saw little reason to keep that a secret. "What do you want?" she repeated, her teeth set. She would not be broken, she assured herself. She was a princess. She would prevail.

Author's Note

Celestia casually calls the war off. That's it, we're done. Go home.

Can it be that simple?

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33 - She Came Gently

"Sir." An envelope was slid onto his desk for review.

President Marshall reached for it, popping it open. There was more than one thing in there. The first, a medical and psychological exam of the former president. By every measure, he was still devoted to the country of his birth. Minus the negative point for recent contact with foreign powers, which he had admitted fully, they were ready to give him formal security clearance.

Marshall himself didn't have that. Most politicians didn't. You were voted in, and it just became assumed. The logistics of running them all through the process would be overwhelming, and many of them would fail.

His time as president was coming to a close, and he had a few choices. He could try to hold onto power, and go down in history poorly for it, or he could do it magnanimously, and be known as a faithful steward during trying times. One way led to a political future, the other...

He had to finish something before it became too late to do so...

Marshall looked to see what else was in the envelope. A transcript, translated. It was the entire meeting between the princess and the air force major. It included their actions, a full blow by blow of what exactly they did when.

There was one specific thing on it that was clear. The major had broken no policy. He had made no attempt to hide from being recorded, and had acted dutifully. Even in the unusual circumstance, he had procured credible intel while providing basically nothing to a potential enemy.

Part of him wanted to hurry off and finish Luna's interrogation, but he read the report fully. Knowing it could influence what he asked, he had determined, so he began to read thoroughly and carefully.

"We have all that the ponies will give." The she-cat turned, hand at her chin, a far-off look in her eyes, scowling at something in the distance. "We know what to look for. It's time to take things to the things that can fight back." She threw one hand out, only to bring it together with her other in a smart slap. "It was easy up to now, as if the ponies know how to fight. They don't even understand what it means."

An avian male clacked his beak. "What would you have us do then, oh high commander?"

"Don't bother calling me that unless you mean it, and I know you don't." She drew a pointer from a pocket and slapped it against a map. "Here is the rough map of their homeland. They defend their skies with a religious zeal. Marching on land? Prepare to be hurt."

A diamond dog grunted softly. "So how we attack?"

"Glad you asked, specifically." She grinned ferally at the dog, collapsing the pointer between her hands. "They don't tunnel, at least in any way that isn't slow. If we come from beneath them, we will have the element of surprise. If we can get in, strike hard, and get out without ever seeing the sun or moon, even better."

She slammed her right hand against the map. "This is where their airship came from. We hit it, take everything we can, get away. But we can't make it too obvious. Don't worry, I have a plan..."

"Novo!" A seapony swam towards her with a frantic look in her eyes. "Queen!"

Novo pivoted in place with a twist of her fins to face the incoming subject. "What is wrong? You look..."

"It's awful!" The pony came within a foot, her hoof-fins pressed together. "They caught us!"

"Slow down. Who caught who?" She raised a brow, looking over the frightened form of the sea mare. "Start from the start and work forward."

"We, um, we were just swimming." She swam in place a moment. "It was a nice day and everything, but suddenly, pow!" She slapped her fins together, bubbles streaming from her mouth. "We were in a big net!"

Novo grunted softly, her feathery ornaments seeming to stand taller. "Who put my people in nets?! You escaped, I see?"

"I was the only one," she whimpered. "The others are still caught. It was a vulpin and some dogs. Please, save them!" She made a pleading motion with her hooves, tears floating away from her eyes into the water, salt lost in salt.

"We became too complacent..." The arrival of the humans had lulled them into thinking they were safe. "None are to come near the surface!" she bellowed out in a shockwave of volume. "Save guards acting at my behest, or within a stone's throw of human lands."

The mare shrank back, cowed by the outburst. Novo set a fin gently on her subject. "Be at ease. We will rescue them."

A hopeful smile spread on her face. "Thank you, Queen Novo." She bowed so low she was basically bent in half. "Please... thank you..."

Twilight appeared with a shimmer of light. The rooftop was quite familiar to her. "Hello? (Hello?)" She turned about slowly, unsure how the humans saw her there, but knowing they did. "(I have news. It's very important.)"

The security guard that was posted by the cameras could see her, but not hear her. Having all the cameras broadcasting their audio at once would have been a confused jumble of nothing. "(The purple one returns.)" He reached to press the button to summon the audio on that camera.

"(--is vitally important. Can I speak to someone in charge, or who can get a message to someone who is? Please.)" She was looking around a little frantically, though what for wasn't immediately obvious. "(This door is locked, and I don't want to send the wrong message bypassing it.)"

She had not been so talkative last time, especially not with words they knew. He moved a finger to a new button. "(Hey.)"

Twilight smiled brightly, turning to face the speaker and rushing towards it at an eager trot. "(Hello! I am Twilight Sparkle, do you remember me?)"

"(It would be hard to forget you. You're really not supposed to come in from the roof. Can you come in through the front door?)"

Twilight wandered away from the speaker to peek over the side of the building. "(May I? I have no objection to doing that, but I was hoping to avoid... issues?)"

"(Technically, you're not allowed up there.)"

Her wings popped out to either side. "(I didn't know!)" She took flight almost instantly, as if the ground were made of lava. "(Please don't see that as an attack.)"

"(Our laws are terribly behind on regulating people that can fly under their own power. I suppose you're technically allowed to fly just over the roof.)" He was smiling as he considered how that legal case would go. "(Anyway, I'm not saying you should be arrested, just that you should come down and walk in the front door.)"

"(If that won't cause an issue...)" She vanished from the camera, diving over the edge.

He watched as she passed from camera to camera, rapidly descending to the front door. People reacted with shock, but she was saying... something. He switched which audio he was hearing.

"(--in peace, I promise.)" She smiled in that uncannily human way. "(I will now go inside and talk to people.)" She landed gently on the sidewalk and started to trot for the door. "(Have a nice day.)"

She strode inside, the door opening with the glow of her magic as she approached it, but the glow faded away, the door seeming to open itself suddenly, swinging under its own power. "Curious..." She went past it and reached the security check.

People were in line, putting their things in a curious device before walking under another curious device. She moved to join them, figuring that was the proper way to do things. She peered at the bins that people filled with... things... unsure what was supposed to be a thing she put in a bin.

The guards noticed her. They would have had to be blind to not notice her. Everyone noticed the horse alien that was acting like it was normal for her to casually join the line. "(Please... put all metal objects in a bin,)" instructed one of them, pointing to the small plastic bins.

Oh! "(Alright.)" With a glowing horn, she began to empty her pockets of all things metal, filling a tray with a few baubles. "(Like that?)"

"(Perfect...)" The guard nudged the bin towards the X-ray machine. "(When it is your turn, walk through there slowly, then you can have your things back.)"

With a smile, she did just that, starting forward, but his hand cut her off. "Hmm?"

He pointed at her crown.

"Oh!" She magiced the crown off and set it in the bin. "(I forgot.)" With a little nervous giggle she made it through the metal detector. She had vital news to deliver.

Marshall set the paper down, drumming his fingers on the table beside it. "(Like a furry saint.)" She had requested nothing but peace. She hadn't even pressed about her sister. She was a walking natural disaster waiting to happen, and all she wanted was the end of the conflict.

And she was their leader.

His phone rang and he snatched it up. "(Hello?)"

"(Mr. President, an agent of the Equestrians has arrived at Anchorage's town hall,)" explained a male voice.

"(What are they doing?)" That was the important part, in his mind. "(Is everyone alright?)"

"(She's told everyone that looks like they're in charge that Equestria has formally ended the war. All soldiers are being demobilized and returned to their homes.)"

Just... like that? "(We need confirmation. Get me that, yesterday.)" He wasn't sure how to feel. Technically, that was great news. Their attacker had given up, and without conditions. Well, that went both ways. They had offered nothing, and requested nothing.

"(A sudden movement of soldiers should be easy to monitor.)"

"(On it, Sir. Anything else, Sir? Should we do anything about their agent?)"

"(If she is there to deliver a message, she isn't to be stopped... Keep eyes on her at all times. See if you can't get her to fill out a few papers. Diplomats have rules, and knowing who we're talking to would be good.)" He set a hand down on his desk, leaning on it with the phone crooked to his ear. "(If she refuses, let her go. We can insist on that later.)"

"(Yes, Sir.)"

Luna looked up as footsteps approached her cell. "Your people," called the president just before he came into view. "--have given up. The fight is over, they claim."

Luna's ears pricked up as she sat up. Was she abandoned? "Is it?"

"We are checking that." He tapped at one of the bars. "Would they lie about that?"

"It would be... difficult to imagine it... Will you be releasing me?"

"You are still a (criminal) ... person who did bad." He faced her directly, examining her as he spoke. "In modern (law), you would normally be (immune) to such things, but modern ... rules... also presume that heads of state do not... actually... lead their forces in (terrorist) attacks. You were not there to talk. Do you deny that?"

Luna rose to her hooves, chains rattling. "I was defending my people from an overwhelming menace. I will not admit 'guilt' to doing the right thing by my people."

"You were personally present when great damage was inflicted on us. Do you remember it? You saw it, right?"

"I did," she did not deny. "We put to death your metal dragons."

"Your people will pay."

Luna suddenly darted forward, chains going taught as she crashed into their most extended, growling at the man. "You threaten them, to my face?!"

"Not a threat, fact. Your people caused the damage, they will pay it back. We have caused almost no material damage in this conflict. This is... fair." He turned back the way he had come. "There are... consequences to your actions."

"You killed ten of ours for every one of yours we claimed," she howled, chains rattling as she thrashed and struggled. "Where is the justice in this?!"

Author's Note

Peace is here... maybe? Looks like the original Pres is on the way back.

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34 - Hail to the Chief

He was facing the exit, but still in clear view of Luna. "Unfair? So you'd rather avoid this?"

"Are you daft?!" she screeched. "My people did nothing worth being punished for in any way that they haven't already suffered."

"Maybe we have an... incorrect view of things. Would you help?"

She blinked softly at the metaphorical holder of her chains, slumping against her actual chains. "What do you need to know?"

TimFox: They're walking talking ponies, like half of the seaponies when they're on land. I want to meet one!

Skull838: And do horrible things.

TimFox: Hey shut up!

Tammie21: Let's not get into the furry debate. Last Warning.

TimFox: Thank you. Really though, why are we fighting talking ponies, with magic?! I wonder what they can do with it...

BobDudeBro: Hey, check out this video! http://somestuff.com/Watch?289djk2

The link he offered led to an unlisted video of a large white pony, or more of a horse. She was speaking to someone in an air force jacket. Subtitles translated the parts of her conversation that were in Ponish.

Skull838: Ha, bet you think she's pretty.

TimFox: She is! Oh my god!

Tammie21: Where'd you get that video? Was that for real?

BobDudeBro: Darkweb, yo. 100% legit!

Someone had leaked the videos. It exploded across the media in a firestorm of attention. Was the military making clandestine deals with the ponies? Were these the same things that the acting president had promised revenge on?

Protests began. The war was suddenly not just a cursory swat at unknown terrorists. Few understood what Celestia was, really, but she had given good impressions to most that had seen her.

"(Joining me is a renowned psychologist to give us potential insight into what's going on in this scene.)" The host gestured to her left before joining in the applause of the audience.

A studious man walked up onto the stage, waving at the crowd, then extending a hand to shake with his hostess. "(Happy to be here.)"

"(Glad you could make it. Now, can you tell us what's going on here?)" She turned her attention and eyes to the large screen that showed Celestia and the still-unnamed Air Force soldier having a conversation.

He pivoted his chair to join her in watching the scene. "(I should preface this by noting that we are witnessing a true alien. Their body language is not our own, though there seems to be quite a number of similarities. As we witnessed with the Seaquestrians, their faces are capable of a diverse range of expressions, many of which are a match. You can see when she is smiling, or frowning, and they seem to mean the same thing it would when a human had the same expression. However--)"

He raised a small remote control, pausing the playback and soon had a red circle drawn around her left ear, caught mid-flick. "(Most humans do not have mobile ears, and even the ones that do don't use it as a form of communication. Seaquestrians do, when they are in their aquatic form. From what I've seen of this video, the ponies do as well. Their tail is another signaller. Thankfully, it doesn't modify their language. If their words incorporated either of these elements, it would be very impractical for a human to hold a conversation.)"

The crowd chuckled softly at the thought of a language based on the wagging of an ear or a tail.

"(You laugh, but it's far from impossible. We, as a species, settled on sound for our primary mode of conversation, and there are advantages to it, but it's hardly the only option. When we speak with someone, we do watch them closely and their words are modified by emotional implications and emphasis given with body language." He rolled his hands over one another in his own attempt to emphasize. "We've grown used to this lack, in this age of voice chat and phone calls, but even now, we know there's a different level of communication when you're face to face.)"

"(Fascinating,)" agreed the hostess with a soft nod. "(Do you believe the pony there, Celestia I'm informed she's called, is telling the truth?)"

"(To answer that, I'd have to make a lot of assumptions.)" He began drawing new circles and squiggles. "(If you watch the position of--)"

"(Good to have you back, Sir.)" The secret serviceman shook hands with the reinstated president.

"(Glad to be back.)" He finished the shake and proceeded towards his desk. Standing next to it was his vice president. "(Marshall, thank you for keeping the seat warm. What's going on? That couldn't have been more poorly timed.)"

Marshall gestured at a paper he had left behind. "(We have a prisoner of theirs, Princess Luna. This is the information I got out of her.)"

Crane's teeth set. "(When did it become legal to hold people with immunity?)"

"(When they launch a terrorist attack from the front. She led the attack that saw you kidnapped and could have killed you and dozens of others.)"

Crane thumped the table with a closed fist. "(They're ignorant, not terrorists. Where is she being held?)"

"(Before you rush off, you really should brief yourself.)" He broadly gestured at the envelopes and papers on the desk. "(I'll leave you to it.)"

A brow raised. "(What the hell?)" The readings were downright bizarre. They didn't match traffic, gunfire, walking, or digging, but it was loud.

A quick check showed that no earthquake was busy shaking the city. That was good, but made the mystery only deeper. "(The hell...)" he repeated with a scowl, eyes locked on the wobbles of the seismograph readings.

The sensors had plotted where it seemed to be coming from, and it was moving. He grabbed a phone. "(Hey, go check south of the west entrance. Got some crazy readings. See if it's something weird or just the sensors acting up.)"

"(Yeah sure,)" replied the female guard. She hopped into her golfcart and sped across the secure grounds towards the disturbance. "(Coming up on it. I'm not seeing anything strange.)"

"(Must be a bug in the system, or maybe a sensor's broke. Check around just in case.)"

"(Got it, Mikey. I'll have a look around.)" She stepped out of her cart and took the keys with her. "(Probably nothing.)" She still had her bluetooth in her ear and connected as she wandered semi-randomly, looking for trouble.

Try as she might, there was nothing for her to see, but she could hear something, or more rather feel it. The ground under her rumbled in a curious way. It wasn't a sharp jolt like an earthquake, more like someone left their music too loud. "(Something's shaking under me, I can feel that. They doing something in the lower levels?)"

"(That must be it. Shit, they really should warn a guy, considering part of this works off of vibrations. Anyway, thanks.)"

"(Just part of the job.)" She returned to her cart to resume her watch over the facility. She would continue watching with sharp eyes, ignorant of problems until far too late.

"(Marshall)?" asked the queen into the phone that had been ringing moments ago.

"Crane," replied Crane, using the ponish word for the bird.

"Crane! I've missed you. Don't tell that other one, but you're a better ruler than he is, from my limited experience. I get a feeling for these things, trust me." She did a little loop in the water, pleased to be speaking to the superior human ruler. "Is everything alright? I heard you were foalnapped!"

"It was a comedy of errors," he sighed softly. "But it ended amicably. Novo, I have a scroll in my hand that should send a message to Twilight, the one you mentioned."

"How useful." She tilted her head a little. "But you wouldn't be bringing it up if you didn't have a question."

"I have too many. To start, we have Princess Luna captive."

Novo hissed, bubbles escaping her. "That can't have Celestia happy..."

"I want to return her, but I can't just call everything off. There has to be a balancing of the sheets, preferably on both sides."

"You already did that, in part." Novo curled around her phone. "You've held Luna for some time now, from what I gathered. If you release her now, and claim her jail time was on behalf of her people and their mistakes..."

"That leaves the other side of the scales. We are setting a precedent. If we start with this, it may never balance out."

"No, we're setting a president," she taunted gently.

It was physically painful that the pun worked in Ponish. "I've been informed that a trading boat of Equestrian origin performed a trade with New York, a state of ours. If the ponies enjoy our consumer goods, a gift of that nature may help smooth things over."

"My people are in love with your toys," grunted Novo with a little frown. "Rare is the face I see these days that are not adorned with some listening device or another; as if swimming was not busywork enough. I fear for the livelihood of actual performers with such simulations."

"But more on point, a memorial."

"A memorial?" Novo tilted her head a little, the phone spinning in place in the water with its near neutral buoyancy. "Of what?"

"Of the people that died in this, human and pony and whatever else got caught."

"That... sounds genuinely nice." Novo smiled gently into the phone, nodding at the thought. "Yes, forget the other thing. The ponies don't need toys, show them you care. They love sappy things like that. Oh, while I have you, there are some foalnappers around. Maybe they were inspired by your little trip. Not ponies, another race entirely, but I'm handling it. Just passing a friendly warning to keep your people safe. I don't want any of their smooth skins coming into harm's way."

"Is that a common issue? We really have to go over what species exist and where they live. Speaking of that, we will soon have a map of the world that I imagine you would like."

"... Tell me more."

Luna opened a single eye. She heard someone approaching, but it was not mealtime. "Have you come to taunt me?"

"I have not," came smooth Ponish words. A pony?! Luna rose to her hooves, hope shining in her eyes. But it was a human that entered her field of view, causing her to sag down to her haunches. "I am sorry. After your people treated me so hospitably, to see this is our reply."

Luna blinked softly at that. "Who are you?"

"I am the one you foalnapped, the ruler (president) of this country." He gestured down the hallway he had come. "These are my guards." Two other men stepped into view, nodding but not speaking. "You did something very wrong, but you also had no idea what it was until you had already done it. I want to make sure that never happens again."

Luna's teeth set. "Do you plan to kill me to prevent that?"

"No! No... I want to set a few laws. My laws won't help if your country doesn't abide them. I am going to free you now, whether you agree or not. (Go ahead.)" He gestured at the cell and one of the serviceman advanced with a key. "There will be no teleportation onto or off of a moving airship (plane), with the only exception being to escape a crashing aircraft. Does that sound unreasonable?"

The serviceman undid the chain that held her to the wall and Luna rose, daring to try walking away. She was not stopped, though her movements were hobbled by the chains that remained. "That is... reasonable, provided it is not an act of war. No... normal, not guard, should consider such a thing." She hiked a brow. "Do you think we can all manage such feats? I told the other that claimed your station. Most do not."

"That doesn't make the law a bad one. Stay still so he can get the other chains."

Luna looked back as she was approached. He undid each chain, letting it fall heavily to the floor. She was being released, truly.

She did not wish it, but she could feel her eyes betraying her, tears starting to well up, clouding her vision. "Can I go home?" she asked in a voice that was far too small and shaking. She had meant to sound certain, but she just couldn't manage it. "Am I free?"

"All I ask is that this 'incident' never be repeated. Let's get you home."

The tears came more strongly. They would have to wait before moving her anywhere. She had emotions to feel.

Author's Note

The moon will emerge from the darkness!

The people learn more about what's going on. They have opinions...

Something else is brewing...

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35 - Celestial Convergance

"I'm fine," insisted Luna, standing tall and rigid, her control back. "If I am free to go, take this off." She pointed up at the band on her horn. "And I'll just be on my way."

One of the serviceman looked to the president, who didn't immediately rush to do that. "They told me that stops you from doing magic. What does it do, in your eyes?"

Luna's teeth set. "It is a perfectly efficient machine."

"That hurt you."

"Every day." Luna stepped towards him. "Remove it."

On one hand, no prisoner should legally be treated that way. On the other, how was magic inhibited safely? "Please don't leave yet." He reached for her horn. Luna was a larger pony, making reaching her horn easy. There was a catch, but it was easy to manipulate with clever human fingers that ponies lacked and a pony without magic was unlikely to circumvent. "Here we are."

She let out breath she hadn't realized she was holding, eyes locked on the accursed device lifting up and away in the human's hands. "I need to go." She had meant to teleport instantly, but she was still there. Her long period with that thing had beaten some hesitation in her to glow at all and she scowled at her own weakness.

"May I ask, for the future, how should a unicorn be held in a safe and reasonable way that isn't cruel to the unicorn or unsafe for those around them?"

Luna's ears pricked up. "In all my time here, none asked that question. There are devices of our creation that can inhibit the magic of a unicorn without harming them." A little cheeky smile appeared on her face. "You are not the only creature to have invented something."

"We would like to purchase some of those, just in case, so no unicorn has to wear what you did." He gestured back the way he had come in. "We don't have to talk here in a cell. It's been a while since you've seen the sky. Let's fix that."

"You collapsed the tunnels?" she asked, upper lip peeling back a little to expose a sharp fang.

"Yes, all tunnels gone," insisted a diamond dog with a bobbing head. "Look what we found!" He waved eagerly at their massive pile of stuff that other dogs were practically dancing around. "Without us, you get nowhere. Owe us big time. We get first dibs."

A vulpine figure stepped up next to the cat. "How do you plan to take this to... the next level? We're dealing with a force that we fear even meeting." He waggled a few fingers at the pile of loot. "This won't make us suddenly good enough."

"In a direct fight? No." She licked her lips lightly. "But it's more than enough to strike with more... subtlety. They are packed so very tightly into such small places." She brought up a hand, two claws practically touching. "A few explosions will rock them so much more easily than other races."

"What for?" challenged the fox man. "We could hurt them, certainly, but what do we get out of that?" He gestured at the weapons. "Why don't we just take these and use it on anything that isn't the new people? We could rule the rest of the world pretty easily."

"And not ponies," chimed in the diamond dog. "Ponies have boom booms. Ponies also loud, I hear. No, leave ponies alone."

She frowned softly, but did not argue with the two. They would relish in their small victory for the time.

Distant flashes marked the presence of the media at the gate, trying to capture images of Luna and the president emerging from the facility. They were not permitted on the grounds itself, however.

Crane was walking next to her. "There are other prisoners. When you are safely returned, we will need to negotiate a proper method for deportation."

Luna kept an ear trained on him solidly. "You speak almost as well as a native. Considering there were so many who don't understand Ponish at all, or who speak like unknowing foals, how is this the case?"

"I was part of the first wave of people to learn the language, and it seemed critical to my job. Do you know a Queen Novo?"

Luna perked up at that. "What of her?"

"She is an ally of ours, and I gather an ally of yours?"

"We... How did we come to blows with a friend of a friend? If you--" She inclined her head, squinting a little. "--made friends with them, why were ponies met with cannons?"

"What I was doing, what America was doing, was cut off from Alaska."

"Alaska?" She hiked a brow before they fell in a crunched frown. "What is that?" She glanced behind herself, seeing the servicemen casually shadowing them. "You have guards as loyal as Celestia's own.

A balloon touched down gently in the snow. Pinkie hopped free. "I'm here!" She wore her proper yak's horn and rushed for the gate of Yakyakistan. "Anyone home?!" She knocked, with her head, headbutting the door with her mighty horned helmet.

"Who there?" asked a voice from the other wise.

"Pinkie!" she chimed, bouncing in place. "Open up already!"

The doors opened just a crack, one eye becoming visible before other eyes came into view, stacking high to peer at the pink ambassador.

Pinkie tilted her head left and right at the mighty stack of eyes. "Is something wrong in there?"

"No!" came the chorus of yak voices.

"Everything fine," claimed the voice of Rutherford.

Pinkie nodded. "Good, because I have so much news! I'm coming in!" She pronked forward towards the pile of eyes, but they vanished. The door closed and she slapped up against it. "Ow, hey! C'mon! It's good news!"

The gate creaked open just a hair. "Good news?" asked an unknown yak.

"Yepperooni! The war's over!"

The gate opened a little more. "War over?"

"Yep, all done." She wiped her forehooves against one another as if dusting them free. "No more fighting."

The gate suddenly burst open, yaks spilling out to surround Pinkie with a loud cheer. She was lifted up and away from the snow and tossed up into the air in a wave of jubilant yak flesh.

"Whee! Wait, I thought you guys were still fighting?"

Rutherford, following along with the crowd, snorted softly. "What? Of course. Yaks always win. But fight is over. We win! Yes, we happy."

"We win!" echoed the crowd in a great roar of happy shaggy citizens, throwing Pinkie about.

"So--" Pinkie had to talk between her bounces. "You... were... ready... to... call... it... quits?" She suddenly slapped to the ground, snow flumping from the impact spot. "Ow."

"We not quit!" insisted the prince of the yaks.

"Oh, um, of course not." Pinkie nodded quickly. "But that fighting was getting pretty boring, right?"

"Yes, boring. Glad over. Now do more fun things." He nodded sagely, agreeing with the excuse handed to him. "Little ponies alright?"

"We're also happy that boring fighting is all over. Phew! Let's do more fun things now."

"Yes, more fun!" He brohoofed her quite without warning, sending her tumbling. "Oops. We have party. Pink pony is invited!"

"Yay!" cried Pinkie from beneath the snow pile she had been buried in.

The mare let out a happy sigh. She had sold most everything she could sell, that wouldn't catch on fire. "So you're saying that stuff isn't worthless, eventually?"

"No," insisted the human engineer. "We'll have to get adapters, but they exist and aren't even that expensive. How did you do?"

The mare flopped over to the side, landing on a large bag of jingling bits. "I'm a happy mare... I'm going to have to give most of this away back to the people who lent me money, but. But! I won't have to borrow so much the next time I go. This was a success!" She hugged her bit sack tightly. "Call all the boys in, we have a party to throw. Oh, you're invited."

The human seemed surprised at that. "I'm not one of your employees."

"So?" She sat up, perching on the bag. "You helped us get this far. And... maybe you want to join us? There's room for you. Either way, you earned a bit of celebration. Go tell everyone to finish locking up the ship and we'll get this party rolling!"

She suddenly giggled. "My ship! Mmmm, all mine, all paid... I'm a captain now..." She let out her breath in a happy sigh, sinking down onto the bag of her wealth. "We have so much more to do..."

There were bills to pay and loans to settle out, but she owned the ship, the most expensive part of the whole journey. She had done it.

"(We need to launch another probe.)"

"(We haven't launched a single probe,)" countered another scientist with a shrug. "(We have weather and communication satellites, sure, but all they're getting are atmospheric conditions of the planet, not much more.)"

"(Which is why,)" insisted the first. "(--we need to launch more. Is space even space? We can't say for sure. With how bizarrely things behave, we can't even be certain the universal constants are the same. All the rules we thought were ironclad? We can't trust them anymore.)"

"(I hear,)" noted a female. "(--that the return portion of the rocket was far off course. If they had been using a boat to catch it, Musk would have missed the catch, again, but by even wider of a margin than usual.)"

"(That was smart thinking on his part, enlisting the Seaquestrians.)"

A man thrust up a lone finger. "(Am I the only man here that's a little disappointed he didn't opt for biology at a time that we're surrounded by new sapient and advanced species?)"

The woman waved his complaint away. "(We won't be alive long enough to study all the new things. We have plenty on our plate, let's focus on that. Astrophysics. What is astro at this point? Do we know? We really don't. The proper height to get something into an orbit seems to be largely unchanged, thank God.)"

A man nodded softly, tapping at a chart posted to a wall. "(The moon and the sun act as if they're under constant drag. They're always slowing down, unless they are being directly sped up again. And this, by at least one report, is done by a single person. Can I emphasize how... insane that seems at a glance?)"

"(What? You can't imagine a person producing enough force to shove a moon around?)" The man who said that was laughing as it came out. "(No, it's pretty crazy, but it's also what's happening, so far as we can tell.)"

The woman rolled a hand. "(Are you ignoring the other part? We can assume alien creatures work in alien ways that allow this, fine, but if she's shoving the moon, why isn't the world being shoved in return? Why isn't she being shoved in return? Where is the preservation of momentum!?)"

"(We need to see her.)" He hiked a thumb at the picture of Celestia which was placed at the center of the mockup of their new geo-system. "(Biologists or not doesn't matter. We need to see what forces she produces. What kind of energy does she radiate? We need eyes on the moon and sun when she does it to see exactly how quickly it happens.)"

The woman lifted her shoulders as she wandered towards a window. "(And how, exactly, do you plan to get her to come over and be examined?)"

"(We could... ask?)" proposed one man with a wry smile. "(Couldn't hurt, right?)"

Author's Note

The yaks actually figured out this was going poorly when the bombs fell. Who knew they'd be ahead of the curve for a change. Pity they didn't tell anyone else about it.

Scientists are postulating wildly. But will answers come?

Business Mare is happy!

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36 - When Moon and Sun Join

First, a letter. Twilight received it. The writing was quite curious, clearly not hoof-written. Had someone fed it through a typewriter? The letters were in English, which made sense enough.

They had Luna, and she was safe, and they were ready to return her. They just needed to have permission to fly her home.

I am aware that you can visit the Anchorage city hall. You may submit a reply there. There are a number of other things I wish to discuss, but the return of your citizens takes a priority. With your approval, we will bring them all home.

Twilight rushed to share the news with Celestia.

Luna was looking out a window. She was perched on a seat in the Oval Office itself, a privileged place to be, though that context was largely lost on her. She understood that it was important to the people there. They kept looking at her oddly. She did not belong there, but the one who had mastery over that place had insisted she could remain.

"Excuse me." A younger female was approaching her. Not young enough to be a child, but younger than the others, Luna felt certain. "May I ask you a question?"

Luna twitched an ear at the strange human. She was speaking decently at least. "How can I help you?"

"I... probably shouldn't be bothering you, but I have a thousand questions." The woman smiled gently. "I'm (Samantha), and you are Princess Luna, right?"

"A pleasure."

Samantha paused a moment, perhaps surprised at the curt reply. "You've been through a lot... I'm sorry. We're not all... that way."

"I am aware." She turned to regard the female, considering her. "Your ruler... Do you have two of them? I have met two that claim the title. I find I prefer the one named after the bird."

"President Crane is the president," assured the woman with an uneasy smile. "His vice president was in charge for a little while, but that's over."

"Ah." She was quiet, her eyes on the woman. "Tell me, why did you come here? Are you hoping to learn more about my people?"

"Yes."

Luna perked, blinking. "That is almost refreshingly honest, but I will not be used any longer as an information source. I am tired of being interrogated."

"Oh, no! Not like that. I'm not with the..." There remained no real good words for that. "Guards? I'm not with them. I'm just curious, and you looked bored, and lonely."

Luna nodded softly. "I am perhaps both of these things, but I desire the company of another pony. Surely, if you were feeling lonely, my presence would hardly suffice."

"Why not?" She offered a hand. "You have a story I would like to hear. Also, you have a wonderful voice."

Luna looked to that hand and the face it belonged to. She had a nice voice? That was... a compliment, surely. She reached for the hand, her hoof shaking a little. She noticed the quiver and frowned, fighting it away to thrust her hoof against the hand firmly.

Her hoof slapped against the knuckles of the woman, making her wrench the hand away with a pained expression. "(Ah Jesus,)" she swore softly, shaking the struck hand. "Easy..." She did not flee immediately, instead reaching for the already extended hoof, her fingers curling around the narrow flesh beyond the hard hoof and shaking Luna's leg carefully.

Luna had made a friend, though she was unsure how she felt about them just yet.

The response came. The ponies had sent their armies home, with only those local to the Crystal Empire remaining. Still, they were promised an untroubled visit.

With permission obtained, the captives were loaded up onto a plane to transport from Alaska-proper to the Crystal Empire. Luna had to be flown back to where the others were being held to then transfer forward.

Her second flight was far less trying, with no bindings being employed on her and being treated as a guest aboard the plane that served as Air Force One that day. She was given anything she desired, but she desired little but the destination that she was promised.

When the others were collected and brought onto the third plane, Luna was on her hooves in an instant. "Take those off of them!" she ordered, scowling at the horn-bands that her fellow Warlocks were wearing.

The president held up a lone hand. "This is the first time I'm seeing this. More importantly, there are no good bilinguals in Alaska, yet. We're working on that."

Luna turned on him with an angry snort. "Now you are here, and you can see those!" She shoved a hoof towards the accursed things. "Have them removed!"

"If you would speak with them first. I want them removed, but not if doing so puts the crew of this airship in danger."

One of the warlocks smiled viciously. "If they take off these chains, that's enough. I won't be caught like that twice." The hoof-to-hoof expert was ready for a scrap.

"Luna, good to see you're intact," noted the teleportation expert. "That one speaks... uh, pretty well... so... can you say whatever he's asking you to say? I want this thing off!"

Luna could see a reflection. The teleporter's eyes were a little too wide, her body shaking softly. There was a mare that felt the same deep pains the princess did. She wanted to rush to the teleporter and embrace them and perhaps never let go, but it wasn't time for that. "This is Crane, their leader. He was not in charge when we were first captured. He has removed my band and is the one insisting we be returned to Equestria. If he removes your bands, do you promise to not harm him or anyone else on this airship?"

The hoof-to-hoof expert took a firm step forward despite her chains. "Quiet Movement is dead. Maybe Star Swirl too. I haven't seen him, but Quiet's... gone."

Crane let out a soft sigh. He had hoped they had all been captured intact... "Star Swirl is alive. He captured me during that, and is why I wasn't in charge at the time."

The brawler shied back half a step. "Oh, that's good... still." She fixed her eyes on Luna. "They killed one of us. We're just allowing that?"

"Shut up and let them take this off of me!" wailed the teleporter, sudden tears flowing from her. "Shut up shut up shut up! I promise. I promise anything! Just take this off! I promise!" She collapsed, burying her face in her hooves. "Please..."

Luna's teeth set, her heart breaking at the sight. She knew how that felt too keenly. "Set her free. She has agreed and is harmless at this moment."

Crane subtly gestured with his head towards the collapsed unicorn. "(Go ahead.)" A serviceman advanced to remove the device and started unshackling her. Crane looked towards the most defiant of the lot. "You are angry, and you have every right to be, but you will win nothing by attacking us now. The conflict between our people is over, and the wrongs need to be addressed, but not through more blood."

Luna felt some of her tension easing as the sobbing mare was set free of the many things that held her down, both physically and otherwise. "This particular person has done us no harm and is seeing us safely home. Let's be polite guests, for now."

"Fine," spat out the brawler.

The other Warlocks murmured their agreements, some encouraged by the freedom the teleporter was getting.

Soon they were all liberated, chains removed and set aside. Their bands were lifted free of horns. Two horns began to glow immediately. The teleporter, like Luna, did not glow. She was still crying and curled up in a miserable ball.

The brawler nudged her sobbing friend. "Hey, they took it off. Stop that."

"Leave her be," spat Luna, feeling defensive. "She has been through much..." She turned to Crane. "Now we're going home?"

"If everyone would please sit down and buckle up?" He sat in his own chair, showing how it was done.

Surprisingly, the idea of buckles was not an alien one to the ponies. They were soon seated and secured of their own power, minus the crying wreck that was the teleporter.

The brawler grunted as her horn glowed all the brighter, hefting up the teleporter and setting her in an available seat. When she tried to strap her peer in, the sobbing became a piercing wail.

"No! No no noooo! You will not chain me again!" She pawed frantically at the glowing buckle, preventing herself from being secured.

"Oh for the love of..." The brawler scowled at the other mare. "I thought you were stronger than this. C'mon!"

The moment the brawler stopped trying to strap her in, the wail died down to sobbing once more and the teleporter sagged bonelessly on her seat, laying across three seats worth of cushions and burying her face into those cushions.

Luna willed her buckle free and stepped forward. "Stop it... I will remain with her and make sure she is safe. You may launch when ready." She sat down in front of the emotionally wrecked pony and gently held her in her magic, rocking them gently. "It's alright," she whispered. "You are with friends, and we are going home. It's over... It's over..."

With the sign given by the president, the plane began to move. Luna was true to her word, keeping herself and the teleporter safely in place the entire way. She never left the spot, and never stopped speaking gentle comforts to the ruined pony.

On the positive, she decided silently, her own hurts seemed so much smaller in comparison. She had thought herself a complete failure, crying as much as she had, but she had only shed tears. She had not... collapsed and broken down in such a way.

All the more reason she would not abandon that Warlock in desperate need of a sympathetic hoof.

Celestia watched the skyline. How could she not? She pressed her eye to the viewfinder of the telescope, scanning the horizon slowly. Her breath drew in a sudden gasp. There it was! One of their airships was approaching them.

She wanted to just teleport to it, but that could... end poorly. She danced in place with a silly grin. Her sister was coming home. "Twilight!" She ran off to find her former-student. "Lulu is coming!"

Twilight leaned out of the library she had been studying in. "Who?"

"Lulu! Wait, no. Luna! Luna's coming!" Celestia pointed up in the direction she had seen the human's airship. "Where will they land?" Human airships went forward at great speeds... could they go straight up and down?

Twilight tilted her head. "I have no idea... I trust they've thought of that, or they wouldn't be there. They seem to enjoy having a plan before they rush into things, usually..."

Soon all three princesses had gathered in front of the castle, Shining Armor next to Cadance. All eyes were on the plane. All of them. Every pony in the city was watching it come closer. All had heard of the destruction one of them could bring, and none could bring themselves entirely to feel safe as one sped towards them.

"(We are coming in,)" spoke the pilot. "(There is no runway, so expect a bumpy ride.)" There was plenty of flat enough space, and this wasn't the standard plane used to ferry the president around.

That would have been silly, with no runway to land on or take off in. With great mechanical thumps, the plane prepared itself as it slowed in the air and began the descend, coming straight down on the largest available plot of land they could see, the coliseum. They scorched the grass there, but didn't harm any of the structure as they thumped into position, coming to a halt, the engines slowly winding down.

"(Welcome to sunny horse town. It's... 65 degrees outside and sunny. Thank you for flying Marine One.)"

Author's Note

An entire chapter with one cohesive plot thread? I must not be feeling well... How'd I do?!

Enjoy the writing? Help me stay afloat and show your support by joining the atreon!

Join my discord to chat!

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37 - Big and Small

Ponies rushed to see the great airship that had landed. It was, unlike many of the others, actually much more similar to their own. It had huge rotors that span, clearly producing lift to enable its movements. Without being told a thing, it seemed so much less alien than the others. While faster and made entirely of metal, it was still a thing that could exist with what they knew.

Why had the humans brought that one?

"Maybe it's a symbol," mused Twilight as she hurried alongside the others. "They're showing they're not as different as they seemed at first."

A ramp lowered from an opening on the back of the thing, rotating around until it touched the ground. A few sharply-dressed humans descended first, but they did not progress far beyond that, instead waiting for something.

"Home!" suddenly came a cry from inside. A harried unicorn mare galloped free of the metal airship, her footing far from certain as she fled the thing and went off like unleashed lightning.

Luna appeared in front of the fleeing unicorn, her wings spread wide. "You are safe," she spoke more gently. "Feel the ground beneath your hooves."

"Safe... yes... I'm sorry." She sank to her belly. "I'm so sorry. You must... hate this. I'm being so weak..." She wriggled on the ground, a little smile forming as she looked around. "We're really home..."

Celestia appeared in a shower of golden sparkles. "Lulu!" She did not hesitate as she grabbed her sister and hugged her close, nuzzling into her neck. "Tell me everything! Are you alright?"

Luna went stiff as a board for a moment before the surprise faded and she melted into the embrace. She was really in her sister's loving embrace. She was as safe as she was trying to impress on the more injured pony. "I am alright." She had teleported, she only then just realized. She would recover.

Unnoticed by any of them, their actions were being recorded. An emotional reunion of ponies and an addressing of wrongs; ripe for capture and later display.

The president emerged with the other former-captives. The brawler nudged the other warlock and they both veered off, looking ready to just depart.

Crane had no such intention, moving towards Celestia and that knot of ponies directly.

"Crane!" called out Twilight, smiling at him brightly. "Good to see you again under much better circumstances."

Ponies were filling the seats of the arena, filing in without much prompting to witness what was going on.

Shining Armor advanced on the humans directly. "Welcome to the Crystal Empire; in peace, I hope?"

"In peace," agreed Crane. "For future reference, American presidents do not typically visit what they think are active battle sites. I'm sorry, let's focus on introductions to start. I am President Crane."

"Shining Armor." He gestured to the pink alicorn that was closing up beside him. "Princess Cadance. I hear you've met Twilight, and the largest princess is Celestia." He pointed to each as he called them. "Wasn't there a... one more Warlock?"

Celestia separated from Luna quietly and rose up to her full height, approaching Crane. "You are their ruler, correct?"

"That word has meanings that don't properly explain things. I am the highest single person, but my word does not make laws. I am here to apologize for our side, for the damages caused, and to propose a start to better things."

Celestia took his measure quietly. She felt some tension ebb away when Luna stepped up to join her on one side, and Twilight on the other.

Twilight's eyes were on the airship. "This one doesn't share the basic shape of most of your other ones. I mean, the chassis has obvious similarities, but its propulsion systems are something else entirely! Can you tell me more about it?"

"My specialty lies more in governing and less in mechanics, I admit." Crane smiled a little at Twilight's excitement. "Let's focus on the matter at... hoof." He offered a hand towards them all. "And bury this unfortunate period of our history."

Cadance raised a hoof. "Do not think I don't welcome peace. I do... but there is a question that needs an answer. When you struck at us, you... killed so many... So... very many. Please tell me why."

"In truth, it was a combination of different wartime doctrines." Crane returned his hand to his side. "We would rarely have so many (soldiers) guards packed into such a small area. For the battle tactics you use, it's perfectly reasonable. If we sent them out so close together, we would be risking their lives against technology equal to ours, and we did have such opponents, in the past."

Cadance looked past him to the airship they had arrived in. "You had meant to destroy and kill, but did not expect so many to fall to your attack... We..." She took half a step back. "I'm sorry, this is unproductive. Both sides made mistakes. It is more important that it end."

Celestia waved back the way they came from. "If you'd like, we can discuss things further in the comfort of the palace. There is no need to stand here, as much as the ponies are enjoying the show."

There were countless eyes on them, watching and discussing it with all the eagerness of a sporting event, as if the rulers could be judged by their mannerisms, any words easily lost to the distance involved.

"I would be honored. My guards will accompany; I presume that's alright?" He waved them forward and soon they were underway. There were many things to discuss.

"You mentioned fighting other people with similar technology," asked Twilight as they went. "--what other people? I haven't seen technology like this out of human hands."

Following the group into the castle was the teleporter. She was walking on her own hooves, holding her head upright and her eyes forward. Her composure was back, at least she could force it back for a time and she seemed quite ready to do just that.

Celestia had an ear turned to Crane, but her eyes were forward. "You are all not from this world," she echoed a previous sentiment. "That explains a great deal... I had wondered how such a powerful force could exist without being noticed." She glanced side at him. "You realize, you could be a force of terrible disorder, without that much effort. Your people could claim ownership of this, new to you, world and it would be the start of a troubled time."

Twilight was trotting along with a smile, seemingly untroubled by the political issues being lobbied around. "But why would they do that? Misunderstandings aside, they seem like nice people."

"Ideally, our military is for defensive uses. One of our staunchest allies was once the country that 'owned' us and we warred with for freedom. People prefer peace, and being a democracy, that will influence upwards."

Celestia raised a fine brow. "You have a true democracy, with so many people? How is that remotely feasible?"

Cadance shook her head at that. "Just imagining consulting every pony in this one city before taking any action makes me shudder at the idea."

"Wrong word. It is not that, but close? You decide who will argue for you."

"Oh," breathed out Celestia, her confusion fading. "You have a parliament, decided by your people? How lovely."

"Close enough." It did not feel like the time to get into an educational explanation of the differences between a congress or a house of representatives and a parliament. "Are you..." Absolute dictators would be a terrible way to phrase that. "True monarchs?"

Luna tossed her head towards Celestia. "Diarch."

"Like you," spoke Celestia gently as they walked. "--I am the highest voice, but for many, the laws they follow come not from me. Local governments handle local problems that I am too distant and removed to resolve. Many run entirely independently, but do follow the laws that bind us. They trust me to look at the larger picture, such as diplomacy as we are doing now."

Cadance gestured to herself. "I am the leader of the people of this city and region. They come to me for guidance and follow the laws that I set and obey the orders I give; but I would never give an order that..." She looked him over. "You are judging us, but we are not power hungry despots. I manage my people with love and care, not a want for power."

Shining pressed against her side. "She's the literal princess of love."

Crane's movements faltered a moment. "Does that... have more meaning than I initially imagine?"

Cadance huffed a little sigh. "Celestia is a princess of the sun. She raises and lowers it. Luna is the princess of the night, doing the same with the moon and watches over the dreams of ponies."

"And you, the princess of love?" Things were promising to be interesting, and awkward.

"I do not manage the love lives of my people," she squeaked. "But I can feel it, and influence it, to a degree. A degree I typically keep very gentle... Reaffirming frayed bonds or playing a little matchmaking if the opportunity arises... I should apologize; there was a human guard here that we held captive. Before we captured them, I used my magic to still his murderous intent."

An american soldier had been captured?! How had he not been informed?! "Where is this guard now?"

"He escaped."

Shining Armor shook his head. "In an explosive display. We never saw him again and assumed he fled home."

Cadance softly nodded as she spoke, "We treated him gently and well. We did not expect that at all... Luna, did they return the favor?"

"No!" squeaked out the teleporter, still following. "I mean, no... no they did not."

All eyes turned on her, but she did not shrink from them. "They made me wear a torture ring on my horn. They kept all of my hooves bound together so I could barely walk, and I was secured to the wall as if that wasn't insulting enough! And... I'd rather not talk about the rest." She huffed and looked away with a scowl.

Luna inclined her head. "What she says is truth. I was treated in the same way. What she does not mention is that it was also solitary. Even the guards would not speak to me."

Celestia's carefully managed expression showed cracks, fury rising within her dangerously. "Why did you treat them so cruelly? Are your people not social animals? Ponies cannot live in isolation!"

Crane turned to them, stopping the walking entirely. "I have extended apologies for the actions taken, but I was not in power at that time. The moment I became aware of things, I began to undo this... mistake. Speaking of that, we would like to secure some of the devices I'm told you have that can more (humanely) stop the magic of a unicorn without hurting them."

"We will speak of such things at a later time." Celestia did not turn towards him. She took a step, bidding the progression continue. "For now, should a unicorn misbehave in your borders, I would have you return them to us with a full accounting, that they can be disciplined by others of their kind."

Crane decided that pressing the matter with Celestia at that specific moment would be unwise. He let it drop for later. "I want to build something to remember this whole ugly affair by, as a promise from both sides to never see it repeated."

Luna's ears perked. "A statue? Now you are speaking mine sister's language." She had a wry smile on her equine face.

Celestia rolled her eyes. "Statues are not my favorite thing, but I do enjoy them, and a solemn piece for so much lost... I can see the appeal in that. Let us build this, together."

The successful mare flopped over onto her human engineer, her drunken eyes half-closed. "Well, hello there, handshum," she slurred out. "Do you have all the things in the right places?"

The human was tipsy, but not nearly as sloshed as his employer. "Uh... yes, but there are a few problems with what you're doing."

"Huh?" She slid up against him, her belly pressed to his, her tail wagging above her. "Yer kinda cute in a freaky alien way. Letsh have some fun!"

"One: You are literally my boss." He held up a lone finger.

"You want me to order you?" She tilted her head. "We're not even on the boat, sheesh. C'mon!"

"Two: You're drunk. Really drunk." A second finger extended.

"Drunk sex is the best sex," argued the mare with a snort.

"Captain, goodnight."

"Goodnight." She suddenly slumped on top of him, out like a light and the argument forgotten.

He gently stroked her mane and back. She was pretty in his eyes, but in an entirely different way. She was a precious innocent little creature, even if she had just propositioned him. He felt protective of his equine boss, and wanted her safe and happy.

For that night, he would make sure she didn't choke on her own vomit. Could ponies do that? Horses couldn't, to his dim recalling. Either way, he decided to keep her safe until her senses returned.

"Sea? Captain Sea Flower?" A soft knocking came from the door, a hoof striking wood.

And there he was, pinned under said captain. "She's sleeping," he harshly whispered.

"What?" came a muffled male voice. "Ohhh. Uh, congratulations." Hoofsteps withdrew away, a pony having formed the wrong assumption.

"My little human," she mumbled in her sleep, cuddling her captive human engineer.

"They have so many feelings." She ran her sharp feline claws along the armrest of the chair she was perched in. "Each one bleeding into the next. They can love what brings them pain. They can adore what they hate in the same breath. They wield the power of gods... but think little of it. They imagine they are safe..." Her brows came down in a sinister sneer. "But are they?"

"No," hissed a figure in the dark. "My queen, are we done with the others?"

"Mostly." She licked over her lips. "They are boring, and unproductive. We have what we need to begin." Green flames rushed over the she-cat, revealing a great insectoid figure that laughed as she reverted to her true form. "I will make the new creatures worship me as their rightful god, and our people will never go hungry again."

"Mistress, you're making me drool with the future you envision. How can I help you achieve it?"

She advanced on the darkness, bringing up a holed hoof under the chin of her faithful. "You were wise to remain at my side. Hmmph, becoming so garishly colorful and pathetically weak... They will know nothing of the feast that quickly approaches us. They need the ponies to protect them. The ponies will not save them from us when we are done."

"My queen, I have been practicing!"

That caught her attention. "Show me."

With a rush of flames, her loyal stepped forward wearing the form of a senator. "They're all so similar in color, but it makes the specific shade all the more important."

"This is true," agreed Chrysalis, queen of the changelings. "Mmmm." Her horn glowed, grabbing a portrait of the same human from the wall to float beside the imitation. "Very good... But just a hair too light. We need perfection."

"Yes, your highness!" With a rush of flames, they became a male scientist. "With the right voice and face, we can go anywhere." His voice was different in the form he wore. "They will be helpless as we take what we want and do what we want."

Chrysalis gave a fanged grin. "Have the others progressed as well as you have?"

"We are all working. I ensure it! Simulacra has even managed to secure a love source that dotes on her every word. She is well fed and has sent precious supplies from the extra. I recommend she be... rewarded."

"Has she?" Chrysalis raised a brow. "How delightful... yes, the next time she can be away from her stupid love source, bring her to me." She drove a hoof to the ground. "Excellent! Nothing stands between us and our goals. We will rule this world, starting with the most powerful things on it."

That had once been the ponies, even if none of the other species seemed to fully grasp how much power the ponies wielded. The humans were clearly superior in Chrysalis' eyes. She had seen their bombs, and almost fell victim to them, and that was but a token effort on their part.

"With their power behind our hooves, none will even dare to consider acting against us..." She rubbed her fore hooves together with a manic grin on her face, imagining the world under changeling control. With a fresh wave of flames, she resumed her feline form. "For now, those saps still have lingering use to us. Ensure the drones continue training. Our day of victory comes closer, and swiftly. Don't mess it up."

"Of course not, Your Highness." He bowed in a human way, gesturing to the door with a hand. "I will see that your will is obeyed."

There was so much work to be done.

Author's Note

This extra long episode was brought to us (the extra bit at least) by Kiki, a loyal patron who wanted EVEN MORE!

Enjoy the writing? Help me stay afloat and show your support by joining the atreon!

Join my discord to chat!

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38 - A Sharing of Hurt

Luna sat in a room. There were soft and large cushions arranged about and she was perched on the largest, smiling at the mare that took up the other. "Transmit?"

The other mare focused on her, ears perked. "Pardon my asking, Princess Luna, but... why are we here?"

"You experienced a great injury, one of the mind, and one I hope to help with." Luna smiled gently. "Would you tell me... of that time?"

"You already know the details." She shrank a bit at the thought of it. "I said it, in front of their ruler."

"You told me the superficial details. I would know what you experienced, directly. If you wish, I will go first."

She sat up at that. "You're not... weak, Princess, there's nothing for you to say. You weren't... this..." She waved a hoof at herself. "You aren't useless!"

"I was hurt, badly... A pony helped me. Do you know which one?" She leaned in a little, a small smile on her face. "She is a very special pony."

Transmit looked at Luna with some confusion. "Did Princess Celestia help? She is your sis--"

"--no," cut off Luna. "It was you. Seeing you in such pain, I could put mine own aside. I was reminded of my purpose and my strength returned to me. You told me, without words, that I am a princess, and ponies needed me. Thank you, Transmit. My light had gone out too, and I knew that deep pit of despair. I wondered if ever I would dare to lift a cookie to my mouth, let alone more than that."

Transmit wriggled uncomfortably in place. "I'm... not sure how to feel about that. I don't want to be such a pathetic pony I'm literally a cautionary tale." Something bumped right into her snoot. Luna had brought over a cookie from a small silver tray of them and was gently nudging at her in the cool glow of Luna's magic.

"You are not that. Now, please, tell me. I know it will hurt, but you will be better for sharing it. Tell me of that painful time."

Transmit accepted the cookie, lifting her hooves to hold it, her horn still dark. She nibbled at the edge lightly, staring at Luna silently for a time. Luna allowed this, patiently waiting. The silence grew between them, just her soft nibbles to break it. "They chained me, as they had you. At first, we were together, all of us. I was worried, but we were together. We'd... think of something, I was sure. Something... They would strike me when I tried to do magic, but it wasn't... that hard. More annoying... than anything, I suppose."

She sat back and up, lifting a little from her hunched state. "Then they brought us apart. At first we could hear each other. We wondered where you were. They put you somewhere seperate. Soon they put us all apart, so we couldn't even talk, but... that was... just one part of it... That... That thing." She raised a hoof, the cookie tumbling to her cushion. She was pointing where the ring had been placed. "There are a few things you... need to know."

Transmit took a slow breath. "Teleporting is... me. It is my... was my... everything. My freedom, my self, my..." Fresh tears began to well up. "I knew that thing shocked you, so I tried to not do anything. I did! But... When I sleep... I used to have lovely dreams of far away places, and sometimes I'd wake up there. I'm a sleep-teleporter, Luna."

Luna's eyes widened. "No..."

"Yes! I couldn't even sleep and wait. Sometimes I'd be half-asleep, trying so hard to avoid anything, but I'd think of nicer places. Wouldn't it be nice to be in Manehattan instead of that terribly clean little room? Wouldn't that be great!?" She drove a hoof down right into the cookie, shattering it. "I'd try to go there without even thinking about it, and then the pain would jolt me awake. I... barely slept..."

A choked sob bubbled up from within Transmit. "I used to be so happy about... that... It would always take me somewhere safe and wonderful. Even if I was knocked out." She smiled with a wry expression. "Sure Hoof slapped me right across the face so hard once I went out like a light. I woke up on a sunny beach, safe and sound. But... now..." The tears flow thickly from her streaked face. "Now..."

Luna set a wing over Transmit gently. "That is truly... awful. I can imagine it, and I can see now why you were injured so. You are not a weak pony for feeling this way. It is not a measure of strength. You are among friends now."

"I'm not!" spat Transmit. "The other Warlocks scowl at me. They know I'm weak and they've written me off as dead. Perhaps worse than dead. The dead that walks... refusing to quietly vanish." She suddenly hopped up to her hooves. "But I'm not dead! I... hate this. I hate it so much. I don't want to crawl away and be useless. I don't want to hate what I spent my entire life loving. Being!" She grit her teeth tightly. "I hate them! They're being nice now, but I hate them!"

Luna raised an ear as she stroked Transmit's sides with her wing. "Who do you hate? The warlocks?"

"No... not them." She sagged back onto the crumb-scattered cushion. "They make me sad. They... just remind me that I've lost so much and it... hurts that they are so ready to walk away from me, the cripple, but can I blame them?"

"We will speak of that, later. Who is it you hate then?" she gently pried, petting and holding the hurt unicorn.

"The humans," she hissed out. "They did this! They took my everything! One side claims it was just following orders, and the other side lamented it wasn't able to give orders? They can all burn in the fires of Tartarus! They are a force of chaos so pervasive, Discord must be green with envy. Where is he anyway? You'd figure he'd have his mismatching hands all over something like this."

"Of this I will not even attempt a guess." Luna lifted Transmit in her magic, bringing the mare close. "But know this. You are neither dead nor useless. I would attempt to mend the injuries within you, if you trust me completely."

Transmit tilted her head, ears going askew at different angles. "Will you make me forget that entire horrible thing?"

"To forget is to not learn." Luna sucked air through her teeth in a soft hissing click. "Nay, I would mend things. Together, we will face the divisions in your mind, and emerge, stronger. Do you trust me?"

"You... honor me." She dipped her head low, almost flipping over in her floating state. "You have so many troubled ponies to care for, why do I get special treatment?"

"I am not a Warlock... I founded the order, long ago, but many moons passed since then. It was pride that saw me rejoin the order, thinking I was ready. In part due to that ambition, we failed, and you were hurt. Your pains are my fault."

"No!" She barked, teeth clenching. "You didn't do this to me."

"I put you in that situation." She booped Transmit on her nose. "Now allow me to work through mine own hurts while mending yours. Do you trust me?"

Things grew quiet. Transmit met Luna's eyes, only to keep sliding away, but she kept returning, trying to lock gazes. After slipping off several times, she finally grunted, forcing herself. "I trusted you when we began that mission... I still trust you, Princess. Fix me."

"I will do the best I can. For now, sleep."

Transmit was ready to object to being tired, but faded away under Luna's powerful magic, soon curled up in a ball in her magic. Luna set the sleeping ball of unicorn on a clean cushion. "And now my work begins."

"I brought a gift."

At the president's cue, one of the special agents approached with a package. Placed gently on the long table they were gathered in, he backed away.

Crane pulled off the bag it was in. "This may not appear to be much."

"It's a box," noted Shining Armor, squinting. "Are those buttons?"

"They are. This is a communication device. Communication, the cause of most of the conflict." He gestured at it in a wave of a hand. "With this, we will be able to exchange messages instantly."

Twilight approached it with perked ears. "How fascinating! Is it radio based?"

Crane was momentarily surprised, forgetting how advanced, if still primitive, ponies were. "Yes, distantly. It's more powerful and can reach further as a result. This one is designed to send signals up." He brought a finger up towards the ceiling.

Twilight peeked upwards then back at him. "But what if who you want to talk to isn't over your head?"

Crane had to smile at that. "We have other devices in the sky. Only a few right now, but that number will grow with time. They relay the message towards where it needs to be. Then I, at home, receive your message."

Celestia raised a brow. "You have placed things in the sky? How have we not seen them? What if one should fall? Could it not hurt people wherever it crashed?"

Before correcting her, Crane decided to know a little more. "You have long tubes you can look through and see far things as if they were closer?"

"Telescopes," corrected Twilight, also providing the word. "Yes. I quite enjoy gazing through mine. Why?"

Celestia seemed to get the hint first. "They are too small and far for us to see, but perhaps with a telescope we could."

"Exactly," agreed Crane with a patting of the device. "I've been informed that your electricity is, mostly, compatible. Enough to make this work. Where is the closest plug?"

Twilight looked to Cadance, who extended a wing towards a crystal wall where a small single outlet rested, unused.

"It really is..." he amazed as he approached it with the power brick for the satellite modem in hand. The plug was a perfect little American plug, even if it had different voltages involved. He plugged the brick into it, and it didn't explode. A little green light began to glow, proving it was receiving power. "And now..." He brought the power barrel over to the modem and plugged it in.

The box lit up, different lights dancing and flickering as it began its warmup cycle. "You will want to place this somewhere safe and secure. It will put out a smaller signal for other devices to access."

One of the Secret Service agents slipped in, whispering something to the president.

He was being silly. "Yes, right, of course... You'll need a satellite dish."

Twilight perked an ear. "Which is...?"

"An antenna, for the thing far over our head." It was partially luck that a picture of an ant had been translated. He hoped the word was used the same way, as it was in English.

"Ohhh." Twilight sat to clap her hooves. "This is incredibly exciting! Did you bring it with you?"

Celestia raised a hoof. "While this is indeed very interesting, I feel we are being distracted by it. President Crane, I would like it officially stated that we are two nations at peace. I am willing to commit Equestria's side of things."

"Hold that thought." He pulled out his phone and handed it to the Secret Service agent. "Record this."

Soon there was a phone directed at them, recording the moment.

"I, President Crane, on behalf of the United States of America, do formally declare peace between us and the nation of Equestria." He was not facing the phone, but Celestia instead.

Celestia had a serious, but not unkind, expression on her own face. "I, Princess Celestia, on behalf of Equestria, do formally declare peace between us and the nation of..." She faltered a moment, realizing the president had said something that was not just 'America'. "The United States of America," she recovered. "Shall we repeat in English?"

"Please."

They did so, formally ending the war without concessions on either side.

Author's Note

Hizzah, peace! Now ponies can get hugs instead of bullets. Some ponies need more than hugs to set things straight.

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39 - Major Morning

A firm but brief series of knocks caused pony ears to perk towards the door. "I'll get it," called the mother, trotting towards the door. "Who is it?"

She grabbed the door's handle in her mouth and pulled to reveal not a mailpony or a friend, but a strange bare-skinned alien. "O-oh!" The curious thing had a uniform of some kind with all too many pins and decorations. "I... Hello?"

"Hello," he returned with a soft nod, reaching up to his hat to tip it at the mare. "I am looking for Bright Morning." His words were slow, not being nearly as experienced as Crane in the new language. "I am Major."

The mare took half a step back. "Is she... you aren't here to hurt her, are you?" She took a step forward, strength returning to her. "I won't let you!"

"Did someone say Major?!" came a shrill excited cry from within the house. On small galloping hooves, a filly rushed into view with sparkling eyes. "Wowwwww! Hello! Oh wow! Mom! It's Major!"

Mom blinked slowly. "Wait, you were the one she was writing those letters to?!"

"Yes." He would have liked to add 'ma'am', but didn't know that Ponish word. "She invited me here. I want to tell her good news."

"Yes!" repeated Bright Morning far more excitedly than her mother. "Come in, come in! I'll get the tea going!" She hurried away in a cloud of youthful excitement, a squeal trailing along after her.

Mother stepped back and aside slowly. "She's... very excited to see you, clearly. I'm sorry for being... cautious."

"I would be too if we swapped place." He smiled as he entered their crystal home. "I am not sure what you told already."

"Major!" She came rushing back and circled around him, gazing up. "You're so tall! You have minotaur hands." She suddenly pressed her cute little nose against one of his hands, nuzzling him. "But you have no fur. It's so smooth! Wow..."

Major gently pet over her head. She had no horn, which made him wonder how she had written what she had. She just giggled and bounced in place, seemingly entirely alright with the gesture. "You are a brave child. What made you write the letters?"

The little crystal filly pointed a hoof. "The tea should be ready! Oh, um. I just wanted the fighting to stop, and mom always told me that if you want to stop fighting, you have to talk, and listen. So I tried that..." She began to lead the way, her crystal form bouncing with every step in defiance of any amount of weight one would assume being somewhat crystalline would have. Her softness was also not diminished by it.

Mother closed the door with a press of her snout. "Have... a nice visit. If you need anything, I will be right here." Worrying to death, silently added Major, imagining how awkward it would be if the situation were reversed.

"Why don't you join us for tea?" he offered, hoping to ease the worries of the mother.

Her nervous expression brightened a little. "I would be delighted. Bright, you heard Major, set another place for your mother."

"Yes, Mom!" came her call as things shuffled in the next room.

They both, the major and the mother, proceeded to her room to share news of the war's end.

Ember landed with several other dragons landing on either side. "Hey, you!" she barked at the human she could see, standing guard over one of those 'metal dragons' that sure didn't look very draconic in her eyes. "Are you invading the ponies?"

The human peered at her in an odd way that she didn't like. "No."

"Then why are you here?" she demanded, hands on her hips.

"Peace talks." He pointed to the palace.

"What? The ponies made friends?! They're always making friends!" She lifted into the air. "Wait here, I'll be right back." She took off towards the palace, grumbling the entire way.

One of the other dragons was peering at the Osprey. "Looks more like an airship..."

Ember landed at the base of the stairs to the palace and stormed up them. "Spike! You here? Your ponies are being lame!"

Spike hadn't been there, but that was quickly addressed, the small dragon hurrying towards the entrance of the palace. "Oh, hey, Ember. Always nice to see you."

"Yeah yeah, now tell me what the invaders that hurt ponies and dragons are doing here!"

Spike hiked a thumb into the depths of the palace. "We just declared peace. The war's over. Isn't that great?!"

"No. No it is not." She reached out and poked Spike right on the nose. "We haven't even had a chance for revenge yet! You don't just kill a few dragons and go 'oops my bad' and that's that. C'mon, Spike, be real."

"Uh..." Spike hiked a brow. "I mean, it's... over, what do you want to do?"

"Ugh, Spike, sometimes..." She pushed him aside and flew inside. "Hey, human lord, where are you?!"

All the rulers present turned their attention to the shouting approaching them. "Ember?" asked Twilight curiously, taking half a step towards the open archway before Ember flew in through it.

"There you all are," Ember angrilly huffed. "Is that the human lord?" She pointed at one of the Secret Service agents.

Celestia shook her head softly. "That is one of his guards. President Crane, this is Ember, Dragon Lord. Ember, President Crane." She inclined her head towards Crane. "It would be lovely if--"

"Yeah yeah yeah. Hello bird." She landed beside Crane to the wariness of his guards. "I got a problem that you have the answer to."

Crane examined Ember. She was the smallest ruler so far, but she had a scepter in a feudal sort of symbol of leadership. "What problem might that be?" The horses were... cute, mammalian, soft, and colorful. The dragon seemed irritable, reptilian, and not at all very soft.

"You killed some dragons, and we demand satisfaction." She thrust up a finger at him. "I'm calling you out! We want our chance for revenge. None of this 'oh we're done fighting' thing. One fair fight. Your side, our side! No surprise attacks! Send your best, and we'll do the same."

Twilight hurried between them, her wings extended towards either national leader. "Please! We don't have to--"

Ember brushed the wing away. "Hey, mind your business. This is between me and him." She thrust a thumb at the mention of him. "What do you say, human lord? You up for the challenge or do you admit your nation can only win when it can attack when nocreature's looking?"

Crane considered the angry, and yet somehow not entirely unreasonable, dragon. "May I set some rules?"

She hiked a scaled brow at that. "Like?"

"If you wish to have a military game, we can arrange that, but we've had enough fatalities on all sides." The princesses all nodded in agreement with that sentiment. "If a person is hurt, or gives up, they're out."

Ember hiked the other brow, both raised. "Huh, that's just a handicap against you. Dragons don't get hurt easily, and you look all kinds of soft and delicate. Also, this isn't a game. It's a matter of honor! Now do you accept or not?"

That only had him more curious. "We will use painted bullets that will sting but are typically harmless. Do you have that?"

Ember squinted at that. "Come again?"

"Will your dragons be using hand cannons?" He turned to a Secret Service Agent. "Show her your gun."

He drew his pistol free in a safe fashion, the barrel pointed at no living target.

Her confusion vanished. "Oh yeah, those. We got some of those. We don't need 'em. We got fine weapons right here." She wriggled her claws. "Some dragons like those though. So painted bullets?"

"The cannon balls that go inside them," he explained. "If you don't have them, we can help you get them, otherwise I would have to insist you don't use hand cannons. They would be too dangerous."

Ember snorted, smoke escaping her snout. "Really? Unless you aim 'em just right, they just hurt. My dad says he can't even feel them, but we aren't all that awesome." She shrugged softly. "Fine, whatever. We don't need 'em! We'll teach you who's better with our bare claws." She wriggled her sharp claws, looking ready.

Celestia cleared her throat softly. "If you would both permit, we would be happy to help mediate this... rematch? We would prefer both sides avoid any further misunderstandings."

"Whatever! Are we on?" Ember's vision was locked on Crane.

"I will begin the arrangements. I trust you can be contacted through Equestria?" He gestured lightly to Cadance. "We're opening communication lines right now."

"Yeah sure, sounds great." She shrugged lightly. "Fine, so give the word, then we'll settle this properly." She flew off, seemingly content with the arrangement that had been made. Dragons would get their chance to prove their superiority.

"Queen Novo," asked a mer-human. They didn't bow properly. Americans rarely bowed at all, Novo had noticed. They nodded, sure. They tipped their hats sometimes. They deferred when required. They did not, usually, bow. "We would like permission for two things." He held up two fingers before moving the same hand to gesture at a collection of about twenty other mer-humans. "We want to immigrate permanently. How do we get citizenship in Seaquestria?"

Novo's ears lifted curiously. She swam to the human, her tail carrying her smoothly in a moment. "Are you willing to accept me as your queen?" She reached with her finned hooves, cupping the male human's cheeks. "Know that I do not have shards for you, if you were hoping they would come with it."

"We would ask someone else to get legs," he assured, though he was tense at her touch. Humans did not do casual physical contact. Another human trait. "You would be our queen, of course."

"You would have to do as I say... I know humans do not like that idea. It is a matter of trust. My people love me, not because I command it, though I do." She smiled at what was, to her, fine humor. "But because I lead them well, and my orders keep us safe and happy." She pulled his face closer as hers came in, their foreheads touching with a soft swish of bubbles. "Do you all accept that?"

The mer-human was trying to shy away from her, clearly uncomfortable, but he didn't back down. "You have... a fine country, and you haven't asked anyone to do anything that awful. Please, Queen, some space?"

"Since you asked." She released him and drifted back with soft undulations of her fins. "I was testing you. Now, you mentioned a second thing. I feel it may impact my first decision, so I would hear it before answering either?"

"We want to build a town, of us, you know, humans."

"Denied," she stated flatly.

Shocked noises echoed through the gathering of petitioning humans. The one chosen to be their spokesperson extended hands with crooked fingers. "Why? We'll follow all the rules."

"While I feel reasonably certain you would, that is not the issue." She leveled a hoof at the human. "If you wish to join us, join us. There is no need for a human-only town, or district. If you are a Seaquestrian, all of the kingdom is yours. Live where it pleases you and it should not matter if your neighbor had ears that move, or ears that do not." She wagged one of her ears for emphasis. "We are all Seaquestrians."

The man clenched a hand, the fist trembling a moment. "But... what about our families?"

"What about them?" asked the queen with an impassive face. "Any family would, I imagine, share a home. It would not matter what neighbors they had, provided they were kind and good neighbors, and if they are not that, then we have a different issue to address."

She twirled in place, hooves going wide. "I will not split my kingdom in twain. There will not be human hospitals and Seaquestrian hospitals. That denies that you are Seaquestrians, which is what you are asking to become." She lifted her body, going horizontally flat. "If you wish to become one of us, then you will do it fully, or you can return to where there are human neighborhoods and human schools and human everything else."

Author's Note

Bright Morning is excited to finally meet her penpal.
Ember declares a revenge match!
And Novo deals with supplicants. All interesting things, I think.

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40 - Take Flight

Hippogriffs were gathered, a family of them. There was a mother, a father, and three children looking about curiously at each human that passed by. They were in a government building, with plenty of other people trying to get things done to stare at.

"(Miss Stream?)" came a call. The family rose as almost one, moving towards the counter. "(Hello. Does Seaquestria really have no identification of any kind?)" The bureaucrat tapped at the form lightly. "(Surely you have something?)"

The mother tilted her head, ear tufts going up. "(We are hippogriffs. You don't need much more proof than that to be a Seaquestrian.)" She raised a hand to the dangling jewel at her neck. "(We have shards too. Only those chosen by the Queen, or by right of inheritance, would have these.)"

The woman examined the dangling jewel. "(That lets you become a fish, right?)"

The father shimmered as he became a beached seapony. "(Not a fish!)"

"(Yes, I see... Do you have a photo of yourselves, with a name? I do require that at the least.)"

The father had his legs back and stuffed his talons in a pocket, pulling out a small book. Opening it revealed many pictures, but he flipped to a specific page. "Here."

It was their wedding, the photo taken under the water, with so many other smiling sea ponies. Queen Novo was present, smiling gently at them from a position of authority as befit a queen. A banner hung over them, declaring who the wedding was for, and they were certainly dressed for the part. "(I see... Can I borrow this?)" She took the picture out and laid it on a photocopier, getting a quick copy before giving it back. "(First time I had a wedding picture submitted as identification.)"

She clucked her teeth. "(I should warning you, if you are permitted to migrate, you will be required to carry identification.)" Her eyes moved from the mother, to the father, then down at the distracted children. "(Everyone does. One will be provided to you, should you be accepted.)"

Stream, the mother, nodded quickly. "(We'll hold onto them carefully, we promise. What else is needed?)"

"(There is a matter of payment.)"

Stream began spewing numbers.

The human worker blinked in surprise. "(What are you doing?)"

"(Reciting the number.)"

"(Yes, I see that, but what number is that?)"

"(The number to the Seaquestrian wealth. Queen Novo said we could use it for this.)"

She twirled a pen lightly in place. "(Is that a bank routing number?)" Stream looked baffled. "(Credit card number?)" Her husband looked just as confused. "(Alright, let me write this down as you say it. Speak it to me clearly, but quietly.)"

She soon had a number sketched out, a long rambling series of digits, with four separate. It became clear. "(Credit card. You should be careful with how you share this number. Anyone with this information could use it and take your money.)"

Stream and her husband both gasped with shock. The husband pushed forward, a panicked look in his eyes. "Did we hurt the Queen?"

Stream gently pulled him back. "(She is warning us. We will be more careful. Thank you. Will that handle the payment?)"

There was a moment of quiet, only the sounds of typing coming from the woman as she entered in the various bits of information into the system. "(And...)" She watched things on her monitor the hopeful hippogriffs couldn't see. "(Approved.)"

Stream's face lit up with joy. "(We are Americans now?!)"

"(Oh, no, not that.)" She held up a hand wardingly. "(I meant the payment. The fees are handled. You can't apply for citizenship until you've been here for at least five years, but you're moving towards that.)" She typed determinedly, going quiet again as she worked. "(What source of income do you have, if any? What professions do you and your husband practice?)"

Stream gestured a talon at the back of the monitor. "(Queen Novo said we were permitted to use the wealth until we settled in. Does that help?)"

"(Considerably.)" She made a note in the file. "(It is... not good to allow people to migrate without support. But you have financial aid, which is good, and improves your odds.)" She looked over Stream and her husband. "(Your professions?)"

Stream's husband perked up. "(I'm an artist. I draw. Would you like to see?)"

She looked to Stream.

"(I am a... I don't know the English word. I study living things.)"

"(A biologist!)" She made some quick notes.

"(I suppose that is the word... my husband made most of the money, but my passion is the workings of life.)" She leaned over against her husband, the two looking happy with their arrangement.

"(Here, a biologist would easily make more than an artist.)" The desk worker was still busily typing. "(What accreditation do you have?)"

"(What?)"

"(If you had to prove you were good at what you do, how would you? He has drawings he could show me. What do you have?)"

Stream smiled and nodded, understanding. "(Ah, yes. I discovered two new fish.)" She held up two talons. "(And I found one that we thought was gone. Oh! I figured out how the red-spotted tuna reproduces. Really, can you imagine a fish laying eggs in oysters? That was amazing!)"

Stream's husband looked a little concerned. "(Wait, are artists not liked here? I make nice drawings.)" He pulled out a small drawing to defend his honor as a breadwinner. "(See?!)"

The lady at the computer glanced up at the drawing. "(That's... actually pretty nice, but no, most artists make less than most biologists. Now, I presume if we inquire, confirmation of your discoveries is available?)"

"(Oh, yes, certainly.)" Stream bobbed her head quickly. "(This is so exciting! They respect answer finders here.)" She hugged her husband tightly.

He didn't look nearly as happy. "But..."

"Dear, snap out of it." She kissed his cheek with a loud smack. "We will win through this, together, as a team, as we've always done." He began to soften under her affectionate hugs and nuzzles, perhaps also comforted by the language he was raised with.

"Of course, dear..." His eyes moved to the human woman. "(What else do we need?)"

"(For now, remain in the area that Seaquestrians are permitted. You are not a legal resident yet. It will take time for research to be done and a decision reached. Do you have a phone?)"

The husband lifted a phone into view, looking proud. "(I purchased one before we left.)"

"(Give me its number and we can call you when you need to come back.)"

All the information that could be swapped was swapped, and they went to their temporary home to await good news.

"(Are you sure?)" The human that had accepted responsibility for her was holding her talon. "(You like the water.)"

Mobile stuck out her tongue with a ripe raspberry. "(It's not like we're moving to a desert. We'll stay right here, next to the water. I can jump in whenever I want." She rose up onto two legs and pressed her beak to his nose. "(But I will not drag you into the water. I'll live here. Besides, I have to for a bit anyway.)"

He lowered his hand from her talon to the rounded swell of her belly, where the result of their indiscretions grew. "(Yeah... How do you feel?)"

"(I'm married to a stallion that loves me very very much, in a crazy alien city. Sounds fun to me.)" She licked his cheek before falling to all fours. "(When do we go house shopping? We need some place with enough space for a growing family.)"

He froze at that, looking unsure.

"(Tim?)" She reached to poke him in the belly. "(Tim! What's gotten into you?)"

Tim shook his head quickly. "(Growing?)

She blinked softly. "(Assuming our child isn't some crazy monster, we're going to keep doing... things couples do. That makes more kids. Kinda how that works.)" She wriggled her tail with a lash. "(Or are you done with that?)"

"(I... figured now that you knew what could happen, you'd take birth control pills?)" He looked over the sleek form of his alien wife, equine back end and avian front end. "(Right?)"

"(They have pills to control birth?! Why am I not taking those right now?! That sounds amazing!)" She clapped her talons as she reared back onto her hind legs. "(Does it make it nice and fast and painless? That's basically cheating!)"

Tim laughed at that, some of his shock broken. "(No, no, it's for not getting pregnant. So you can... do the fun stuff without the kid part.)"

It was Mobile's turn to look downright baffled. "(You do the things, kids happen. That's... how that works. You changed that? I mean, wow... You must... do the thing constantly. How do you get anything done?!)" She hopped up onto a seat and curled on it, facing Tim. "(I was just thinking we'd just... do it, when we felt like it, and kids would happen.)"

"(If that's how that works...)" Tim gently stroked along one of her ears. "(Why were you having sex at all?)"

She spread her wings suddenly. "(Hello?! You're an alien! I didn't think anything would happen. Surprise, it did.)" She folded her wings as she reached down to her belly. "(I hope they're pretty... Do you think they'll be a boy or a girl?)"

"(They'll be pretty either way.)" Tim kissed her between the eyes and she giggled joyfully at the affection. "(I figured, after your queen said I was a Seaquestrian, you'd want to move me back there.)"

"(That would be rude. I was already rude. You weren't planning any of this, and bam, suddenly you're married? That's so rude... I'm going to do the right thing with this one part at least.)" She walked her talons across a counter near her. "(Besides, I'm fine with having wings too. I was like 60% happy with water, 40% air. Just enough to side with water, but not enough to be all mad to swap.)"

"(You have to be kidding me,)" grumbled the uniformed man as he worked over some maps and figures. "(A military game with unknown nationals? I'm sure nothing could possibly go wrong.)"

"(Better than an actual military action,)" countered another military man, working on other figures with a frown. "(Besides, it will give us invaluable intelligence on how these 'dragons' operate and what we could expect if it ever did come to a military action.)"

"(Can they breathe fire? We know they can fly, and they have claws and teeth and don't appear shy about using them.)" He pulled out a pen just to twirl it agitatedly. "(The odds of some poor bastard getting hurt in this little stunt is basically 100%.)"

"(Let's focus on getting that down to 80% then, Sir.)" The other man set his papers aside and stood up. "(It's what we're here for.)"

"(Right.)"

"(Holy shit,)" exclaimed a man in a black shirt and slacks. "(Jackie, did you see this?)"

A female was lounging in a wide-bottomed chair, lazing almost, but she was also tapping busily at a tablet. "(See what?)"

"(There's a call going out for a company willing to sponsor a Seaquestrian biologist.)"

The chair toppled over, which was quite the feat with its low center of gravity. "(You're shitting me!)" Jackie picked herself up from the floor and was soon standing beside him. "(Let me see that.)" She casually snatched his tablet. There it was, with a picture included, though the picture was a whole mess of seaponies, with a circle drawn around one female. "(We have to put in a bid. A seapony willing to migrate onto land, and a biologist?)"

"(I was working on that until someone--)" He snatched his tablet back. "(--took my tablet. Let's go fishing for some talent.)" He got to typing with rapid finger presses, submitting his company's willingness to accept the sea-borne sea biologist.

Author's Note

I present a chapter with about 80% english dialogue. So strange...

With the immediate threat of war toning down, we can turn focus to people adjusting to the new order of things.

Surely nothing will get in the way of this!

Enjoy the writing? Help me stay afloat and show your support by joining the atreon!

Join my discord to chat!

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42 - In Session

The bill was laughably small.

A person is any organic being capable of arguing being a person. This extends to any children or relatives of anything else already found to be a person.

Sure, technically it paved a way for a housepet to be considered a person, if one ever managed to argue its persondom, but that was unlikely, even in the magic world they found themselves.

It did immediately clear dragons, ponies, and seaponies into persondom.

This did nothing to help the griffon that was tapping her foot impatiently. "Look, buddy, what's the hold up?"

The TSA agent held up his hands. "You do not have a passport." Having agents that could speak Ponish was a requirement. Not all of them, of course, but there was one around for such emergencies. "You do not belong to a country with other arrangements." The griffon surely was not a seapony, nor were they in the small area seaponies were allowed to come freely.

"I don't know what that is, but I also don't care." She reached out a finger to prod the guard in the chest, but he grabbed her incoming wrist. Suddenly she was face down on the ground. She could hear people gasping and hurrying away from the scene, but she was more focused on the intense pain in her arm, shoved up behind her back. "Get off me!"

"Claws are considered lethal weapons," advised the guard on top of her. "You should never threaten anyone with one."

"Right fine, now lemme up!" He stood up and she scrambled to her feet with a scowl. "Damn it all. Someone hurt a friend of mine and I have a bone to pick with them. Help me find them and stop being a jerk."

The man did not seem overly sympathetic with the plight of the naked undocumented person in front of him. "First, a question. What are you?"

"A griffon? Duh?" She waved a talon over her body. "Bird top, cat bottom? Kinda obvious. Does that change anything?"

The fact that it could NOT change anything wasn't missed. The world outside America was an interesting one... "Are you a person?" A curious new question added to the list of questions to ask.

"Am I person?! My name is Gilda. Gilda the griffon. I am a person and you're kind of a pain in my back end. Now I paid to come here, so I'm going to go past you now." She moved to weave around the human, but he sidestepped into her way easily. "Ugh, what do you want?!"

"(Is there a problem here?)" Another suited TSA agent approached the scene. "(Is that a griffon?)"

"(Sure is,)" agreed the bilingual agent. "(She wants in. No passport, no nothing. Name's) Gilda."

"Are you talking about me, behind my back, to my face? Man that is so rude. And people complain about griffons!" She threw up her talons in frustration. "Don't you have other people to harass? Let me go already."

"(Does she need to be sent back?)"

It was tempting, but... "(Let me try a little more.) Look, Gilda, we're not your enemy."

She almost thrust a finger at him, but curled the clawed finger away at the last moment. "You could have fooled me. Look, I'm just trying to do right by my friend. I don't have a lot of those, and he got hurt real bad."

That was more information than he had asked for. "I see... and what are you hoping to find here?"

"Answers," she gruffly half-shouted. "I want to know why he was hurt and make sure it never happens again."

"My queen." The drone bowed low before the smirking she-cat. "We have secured a precious target." He waved to a tied up human that four other drones carried in, still attached to a chair. "We have an agent replacing him. They will feign disinterest and become distant as quickly as possible. No one will be searching for this one."

Chrysalis smiled triumphantly, looking over her prize. Green flames announced her return to her usual form. "Marvelous... You've all done well. You--" She was looking at their captive directly. "--have so many answers we have questions to... be good and we may return the favor..."

They would learn all the ways humans recognized one another. They would slip past them all.

"And here is the office." Jackie was giving a tour, but she was far more interested in their new employee than what she was showing that new employee. "We... (will speak English here. I only know a little Ponish, enough to get this far.)"

"(Thank you for trying,)" spoke the female hippogriff, Stream. "(That was kind of you, but I know English. What life are we studying?)"

"(Ready to get right to work? Wonderful!)" She clapped her hands before reaching into a long labcoat pocket and drawing out a tablet. "(First, a gift. This is for you, for as long as you work with us.)"

Stream took it with wide eyes. "(I've heard of these, but most are not... good underwater, where I lived.)" She began poking at it like an eager child, exploring its function with a silly smile. "(One advantage of not being in the water.)"

"(Ah, but that one is waterproof. See how thick the rubber is?)" She reached for it, tracing her fingers along the tough rubber edges that would keep water from gaining access to the device. "(Just be sure all the hatches are closed when you go in the water. Do you know how to use one of these?)"

"(It's very similar to my husband's phone.)" Both used an Android operating system, allowing her to navigate around without too much trouble. "(This is fantastic! What have I done to earn such a reward on my first day?)"

"(You are a scientist with certain... shall we say 'unique' abilities that will let us look at life that would normally be quite taxing and expensive to do. The price of that tablet? Basically nothing compared to what you'll save with just one trip.)" Her hands went behind her back, rocking up and down on the balls of her feet. "(You have no idea how excited we are! For a per--human to go deep underwater is quite the chore, only to still be separated from what they're studying. We have to. A human would just die that far down, but you? How far down can you go?)"

Stream inclined her head as if the question felt absurd. "(Our home was at the bottom.)" She pointed down with a talon.

"(Right, but what about further? Like trenches? I mean, even if you can only go so far, that's still valuably further than a human could go, without any loud motors disrupting things.)"

Stream hiked a brow. "(While I am interested in learning and seeing... it's sounding like you just want a truth-seeker with a good swimming tail. Why not simply ask Queen Novo to give one of your scientists that? I have other qualities I hope will be put to use besides my swimming.)"

Jackie quickly put up her hands. "(Oh no no no no! I'm being so rude, please forgive me. I was just saying that we are so excited to have you. There are so many reasons, that was just the first one I was going over." She clasped her hands together in an almost begging way. "(Why don't you tell me more about your usual day? I hear you've made some big discoveries.)"

"(Did you get her her employee badge?)" asked her husband, closing in on quick shoed feet. "(I'd like her to meet her coworkers.)"

"(Here we are.)" Jackie gently draped the lanyard over Stream's head. "(Just like mine. We all have one, and it should be worn at all times in the lab here.)"

Stream picked up the ID to look at it upside down. "(Humans love their identification...)" She had been given several so far, after most of her life not needing any at all. "(There are a lot of you. I suppose keeping track must be a constant chore.)"

Jackie's Husband was wearing one too, proclaiming him to be CEO, whatever that was. He shared a last name with Jackie, unsurprisingly. His first name was Steve. "(We only ask that you get to know the people you'll be working with. They'll have badges too to help learn their names. This way.)" He turned in place and began leading the way at a fast stride. "(Your badge will let you get into places normal people couldn't. Like this.)" He touched his ID to a panel and a door's light went from red to green, permitting him past. It turned back rapidly the moment he was through.

Stream curiously reached for the door, but she could only rattle it. "(What a curious magic...)" She lifted her card to the panel as she had seen him do. A soft click informed her of the magic, as well as the light turning green again. "(And through.)" She quickly slipped past the door, lest it decide to go red again.

Jackie came in last. "(Now, I feel we should have asked this before perhaps, but what is it you wanted to study, precisely? We assumed you were a marine biologist.)"

Stream walked along, between the two humans that had employed her. "(I am a biologist, I have learned that. Learning how living things work is my passion and calling." She let out a little sigh, eyes going skywards, then getting stuck there. "(That is amazing.)"

Above them, the ceiling was alive with a simulated ocean scene, fish swimming past, bright corals, and other things.

Jackie waved up at it. "(That was my idea, to get into the proper mindframe for thinking about the sea.)"

"(I love it.)" Stream clapped her hands. "(Now, as to your question; I love the sea, but I also want to see what lies beyond it. I want to find all the truths I can, and they lie in wait both in and out of the sea. Your people are full of mysteries I would want to explore. Your... society, yes, society, is one enormous question to which so many answers are waiting to be found.)" She fell to all fours, tail lashing. "(You are as curious to me as I am to you. Can we be curious together?)"

Steve burst into good-natured laughter. "(I never thought first contact would go quite like this, but it's pretty much the best case scenario. Stream, I'd be honored to learn and teach at once. Let's learn all we can about each other, and our worlds.)"

Stream bounced up to her hind legs. "(Yes! I mean...)" She blushed at her outburst, worrying her fingers together. "(Yes, please. I look forward to that... If I can help you explore the waves, I will, but I would want your help exploring the rocks you call home.)"

"(Is that the new girl?)" asked a new male voice. A face peeked around the corner, the rest of his rounded form following, his feet propelling a comfy chair he was sitting in. "(Hey! Wow, look at you.)" He was examining her rather intently.

Jackie stepped between them. "(Coworkers are not subjects, especially not without asking first.)"

Steve stroked his chin softly. "(The usual rules about harassment go double for this situation. Let's, on both sides, try to be extra sure we're being mindful. I feel certain we're going to do something interestingly rude we didn't see coming.)"

Stream smiled a bit lopsidedly. "(That goes for me too. If I do something dumb, just say so. Um, nice to meet you... mister? You are a mister, I think?)" She was genuinely uncertain. That human had a male voice, but he had... mammaries? How did that work?! "(I think I'm already starting to be rude)" She covered her face with both hands, going bright red.

The new man went red too. "(Uh, yeah, a mister.)" In his defense, if not for her voice, she could have easily been either at a glance. She did not have curves that spoke of femininity. "(Nice to meet you.)"

Author's Note

Things are happening! Good things, bad things, mysterious things! Which thing are you most interested in?

Enjoy the writing? Help me stay afloat and show your support by joining the atreon!

Join my discord to chat!

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43 - Monopoly

While American regulations were struggling to catch up, most Americans were stuck at home, or visiting the country of Seaquestria. No real channel existed to do much with the rest of the world with concerned politicians hand wringing about 'potential hazards' that few were buying.

The immigration channels worked more easily. Each given person had to prove who they were, which was sometimes a challenge, but then they were visitors, provided they passed an examination for any hints of illness. No one was entirely sure what pathogens a local could pass to a human, and less wanted to find out.

There was lingering concern that something their immune systems handled easily could turn into a deadly plague when exposed to humans, but it hadn't happened so far. For whatever reason, human diseases seemed more eager to make the jump the other way, giving visitors sniffles and sneezes they had not arrived to America with.

This was all told to Gilda as she was forced to submit fingerprints and be photographed from basically every angle. "Is this really necessary?"

"You are a lucky griffon," advised the same agent that had dealt with her so far. "Most people would have kicked you back to where you came from a long time ago. From your story, I was able to reach out to the right people, and they want to meet you, which means you're allowed past."

"Great!" She sat on her haunches, one hand turned palm-side up in the air. "So why are we still doing all of this?"

"One thing you will learn about us, we love our forms as we complain about them. We love our identification cards, though we sometimes lose them. You are being given such a card, but I suggest you not lose it. It will tell anyone that looks at it that you belong here for up to two (years)."

"(Years)?" She cocked a brow.

Equestrians, strangely, had no such time unit. It was the damndest thing... "A pretty long time," he settled with. "Do you have a phone?" The baffled look implied not. "Do you have any money?"

"Yeah sure." She dug out a bag from a pouch. Apparently griffons had subdermal pouches just like ponies. "Hey wait! You're not robbin' me!"

"I'm not," he agreed as he thrust out a finger, arm stiff. "I want you to go there and buy a phone. I can help you pick one?"

"Since I have no idea what kind of phone I'd buy that I would carry around would be..." Natives seemed to know what a phone was, in theory, just not portable ones. "Yeah sure, show me these, uh, phones."

So they went together, TSA agent and literal alien, to get her a basic pre-paid cellular phone. Fortunately, a currency exchanger existed in the airport to turn some of her golden bits into American currency.

Twilight led her students like a mother duck striding proudly, her wards following in a line. Each had a card dangling over their chests, their identification clearly visible. "Are you ready for some advanced friendship?" she called back to them, pausing as they hit a corner and she waited for the walk light to return.

"Ooo ooo Yona is best at advanced friendship!" called out the young yak, bouncing in place.

Silverstream was looking around with wide eyes. "Did you know it was my people that met them first? And we were totally friends right from the start!" She clapped her hands. "I hear the first Seaquestrian to meet them even got married! Do you think I'll find a boyfriend here?"

Smolder smirked softly, her arms folded as she walked along. "Yeah, I'm not even sure you know what a boyfriend really is, so I wouldn't count on it."

Gallus was suddenly at Silver's side. "Why would you even want to be with one of... these?" He looked from human to human, there were so many to choose from.

"(Why don't you speak American in America!)" came a sudden new loud voice, an angry-looking white male emerging from the crowd. "(Bunch of fucking rude pieces of shit coming in here and--)"

Twilight held up a hoof towards the tirade source. "(Apologies, good sir, but my students have not yet completed their English lessons. It was my hope that this trip would help with that.)"

Occelus hid behind Sandbar. "They sound really angry..."

Sandbar shrugged softly. "Hey, Professor Twilight's got it under control."

The enraged human did not seem mollified by Twilight's seeming mastery of the language, only incensed by it. "(So you can talk English just fine, you just don't! Fucking great. Why don't you just get out of here and go back to whatever shit hole you crawled out of?)"

Twilight blinked softly. Being the target of such a powerfully offensive verbal attack was not a threat she usually faced. "(I'm sorry, Sir. Have we done something to offend you?)"

The humans around them were moving a bit faster, as if they just didn't want to be involved. She was surrounded by people, but she may as well have been alone. She spread her wings defensively, trying to create a physical barrier between the human and her students.

The human didn't draw one of the many weapons Twilight imagined a human could have, instead giving her a sudden shove. "(Get out of my face and out of my city!)"

Twilight skidded back slightly, but her hooves were fairly well planted, preventing her from stumbling. If she used her magic, she could do any number of things to the human, but it was also very against all the rules for her to do that. "(I'm sorry you feel that way.)" With a bright flash, she reached back over her precious students, and they all vanished from his sight.

They appeared in front of the museum she had been trying to reach. "Apologies for the sudden and unwarned teleport, students." She turned to examine them. "Is everycreature alright?"

Smolder reached over and snuffed a tiny flame on Sandbar's mane. "Mental note, teleporting with a whole classroom, maybe not the best plan."

Twilight smiled nervously. Besides the one little flame, they appeared to be in one piece. "Let's put that out of our heads and focus on seeing amazing things! This way..."

Smolder moved up alongside Silverstream. "Hey, my people won a fight with them."

Silver blinked rapidly. "Congratulations! I mean, is that a good thing?" She looked uncertain.

"Of course it's a good thing." Smolder rolled her eyes at the excitable hippogriff's hesitation. "The ponies went running, but we went back for seconds, and won."

Sandbar leaned in, poking his head under one of Smolder's arms. "That's not how I heard it."

"Class." Twilight had turned to face them. "We are here to learn, and experience. There are other creatures here to see what we're seeing. (Speak English, even if it's slow.)" She nodded properly and advanced on the ticket window. "(We have a reservation...)"

As Twilight worked on getting their tickets properly secured, Yona was bouncing up and down. "(Hi! Hi! Hi!)" she repeated the world with every bounce, practicing it.

Ocellus tilted her head a little, watching Yona bounce. "(Their language isn't that complicated.)"

Gallus' brow shot up. "Wait, you're joking with me. You, a changeling that managed to mess up the idea of 'passing gifts', picked up a whole language?!"

Ocellus took a half-step back. "(It came naturally,)" she lamely defended. "(You just have to learn new words. I made sure to learn ten new words a day.)"

"That is (Amazing!)" squealed Silverstream. "(I) mean, (I) tried (to) learn some (new) words too, but (I) only got (some)." She offered a balled talon towards Ocellus, met with a hoof in a proper bump.

"(You should focus on every day words,)" counseled Ocellus. "(I, Me, You. Bathroom. Food. Which way?)"

Sandbar shook his head slowly as he turned in place. "Wow..." Even in the entryway, he could see human art pieces lining the wall. "It's, uh, art, but... so different."

Yona looked where he was looking. "(Hi!)"

Gallus smirked towards Yona. "Tell me you know another English word?"

"(Hello!)" she chimed, looking just as happy.

Smolder lifted her shoulders. "Whatever, are we going in?"

"(Here we are.)" Twilight returned to them with a cluster of something in her magic. "(Everycreature put out an arm.)"

Ocellus was the first to do it, but others soon joined, more following her lead rather than actually knowing the English involved. Soon they all had a visitor's pass strapped to their arms, marking them as paid customers. It was time to explore.

Gilda was perched on a chair. It was a human chair, sure, but she fit in it reasonably, and the bottom was soft, covered in leather with nice cushioning. She was in some kind of office. There was a human there, a male one, watching her as she watched him. "So..."

"Gilda, is it alright if I work with that name?"

"Yeah, sure, why not?" She shrugged softly. "Are we going to get some answers?"

"We are." He set down a folder on his desk, watching her. "But first we need to understand the situation. Your friend, another griffon, was injured in an attack, right?"

"Yeah, said that. Everything exploded. He was lucky he was taking a break in the little griffon's room if you know what I mean. That was at the edge of where all Tartarus broke loose." She threw her paws wide. "He's lucky he just broke a few bones."

"Where was he at that time?"

"With the ponies, uh... that way?" She pointed in basically a random direction. "Wherever north is. They hired him to fight with them."

"And the ponies didn't treat him?" The man raised a brow. "The ponies, at that time, were waging a war. Coming to the people they were, at that time, warring with is a curious decision to see to his medical needs."

Gilda blinked softly. "They put him together, mostly, but I don't want that happening again." She rose to all fours, hackles rising. "Is that so hard to understand?!"

"Gilda, please sit." He gestured to the seat she was standing on. "Tell me, what are you, in your people's eyes? Do you have a position of authority?"

Gilda tilted her head at a sharp angle that only a bird would find comfortable. "What? Oh, you mean like am I a king or queen or something? No. We don't have one of those anyway." She waved it off. "Just a griffon, so?"

Both brows went up. "You're a (democracy)?"

"What?"

"Everyone decides together what to do," he explained as he opened the folder. "If you aren't an authority figure, you can't possibly negotiate with us. But if there aren't authority figures, that makes it complicated. Tell me about your country."

"It's a kingdom." She saw his expression and heaved a sigh. "Yeah yeah, without a king. We used to have one, alright!? Anyway, yeah, so kingdom..." She began to explain her home, the Griffon Kingdom, and how it operated, or sometimes failed to do so.

Twilight extended a wing towards a door. "(Behind this door, an extra special treat!)"

Ocellus and Silverstream both looked excited, the others only catching on by watching them.

"(I present, the President of the United States!)" She willed the door open, which was Crane's cue to step out, agents just behind him.

"Hello, children," he greeted in Ponish. "It's a pleasure to take some time and meet all of you."

"(You speak excellent Ponish,)" complimented Ocellus.

"And you..." He crouched down to be closer to the level of the gathering of interesting youth. "You speak very good English. I must ask, and don't take this the wrong way, but what are you?"

Twilight gestured with a hoof. "(This is Ocellus, a changeling. That is Yona, a yak.)"

"(Hello!)" she squealed, bouncing in place.

"(Gallus, a griffon)"

Gallus nodded at his name being called, it not changing between languages.

"(Smolder, a dragon. Sandbar, a pony, like myself, and Silverstream, a hippogriff.)"

Author's Note

In this chapter, the Young Six get to visit America on a field trip!

Gilda tries to set things right. She's trying, really.

Enjoy the writing? Help me stay afloat and show your support by joining the atreon!

Join my discord to chat!

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44 - Mandatory Order

"(If you want, I can show you.)" Ocellus had her head tilted a little. "(You really never met a) changeling (before?)"

"(Changeling,)" provided Twilight again. "(I found the word in another book.)"

Gallus leaned towards Smolder. "Any clue what they're saying?" he whispered.

"Not a clue." She shrugged softly. "(Hi.)" She knew that word thanks to a certain Yak.

Crane had expected a simple photo op and good-will event, but... "(If it wouldn't inconvenience you, go ahead.)"

Suddenly there were two Cranes, one appearing in a rush of green flames. The second Crane adjusted his tie lightly. "I can speak Ponish. (And also English,)" they spoke, trying a bit hard to sound officious as they did so. "(Nice to meet you.)" The not-Crane offered a hand towards the original.

The original looked uncertain as any human might when faced with their copy. "(That is... uncanny. You should stop that though, thank you.)" He could see his agents were becoming nervous, at best.

Ocellus was back, returned to her four-legged stance as if nothing had happened. "(What's it like, being in charge of everything? There are a lot of humans to be in charge of; it must be very hard.)"

With that, it slid back towards questions and answers that more fit a meeting between the president and random students.

After about five minutes of pleasant chat, one of his agents leaned in, whispering something to Crane. He nodded in reply and looked to Twilight. "(The rude person that assaulted you has been taken into custody. My apologies for the trouble.)"

Twilight blinked softly. "(I had... I mean...)" She was not used to local law enforcement being so effective. "(Thank you, but what are you going to do with him? Time for a lesson?)"

Crane glanced at the children, raising a hand. "I'm going to talk with your teacher a moment. Feel free to explore the museum, but don't leave." He led her away from their curious ears, going right back into the small office he had been waiting in when she had arrived.

"When he touched you, it escalated from a misdemeanor for intimidating you to a felony. He's looking at years of jail time," he explained to Twilight even as he closed the door behind her. "Attacking foreign dignitaries is a serious crime."

"(To make it worse, it was captured, live, and streamed.)" He didn't even try to translate that bit. "People across the country are watching the scene."

Twilight's dazzled look did not diminish. "How? It only just happened... maybe half an hour ago?"

Crane dug out his phone and with a brief but intense moment of tapping at it, he pulled up a slightly shaky camera feed of someone who had been in that crowd, watching what was going on. He turned the phone so Twilight could see herself defending her students and the angry person shouting at her.

The shove happened, right there on the camera, her parting words, and a bright flash. She heard gasps of amazement and shock from the crowd. Some people, apparently, thought she had perhaps exploded from the situation. Others had skipped the 'why' and gotten right to yelling at the pusher.

Officers arrived basically instantly after that, grabbing the man that had pushed her. Shouting, a lot of it. Some people in support of the arrested man. The man himself was not going quietly. Others were booing and jeering the man as he was carted off.

The president dismissed the video and stuffed his phone away. "(News travels fast in the states. That was a public and crowded sidewalk. It was basically impossible for it to not be recorded. Now, you don't need to do anything. We will punish him.)"

"I.... appreciate that, I do, but... I can't imagine throwing him in jail will address the problem." She sank to her haunches. "He looked so... scared."

"Scared?" Crane crouched a bit to be level with Twilight. "What makes you use that word? He seemed angry, belligerent, and violent."

"Because he was scared," reasoned Twilight. "However different we are, here--" She pointed at her eyes, then Crane's. "--we are the same. I scared him. Why?"

Twilight Sparkle, Equestria's diplomat. Crane had to remind himself of that. "There has been a lot of change for America... Almost nothing but change, even now, almost a year after the fact. Many people are still scrambling to find their footing, and even if that wasn't an issue, some people get... protective. He might have gone off on you without any other reason, feeling English is the only language worth speaking in America."

"Well... He should be educated." She nodded softly. "That's all he needs, a friend and some good advice."

She fixed Crane with an even look. "Besides, the pony that not only touched you but foalnapped you wasn't put in jail forever. We just told him that was a bad thing to do and got you home as quickly as possible. I would rather he not... That. No matter how angry and scared he was, I wasn't hurt."

"So... it's already over?" Gilda put a taloned hand over her face. "This was a huge waste of time?"

"Not entirely," gently assured the human behind the desk. "You've given us valuable information, and you'll carry back the good news. I would also like to give you a little reward, for going so far out of your way for this." He reached into a drawer in his desk, pulling something out. "It will also give you a chance to meet us, as a people."

A reward? Gilda was not immune to a little greed. "Yeah?" She leaned forward, all four paws and talons on the cushion of her seat. Her tail was wagging like a curious cat, a fact the human noted without comment.

He set down a few crisp bills. "I presume you have arrangements for getting home?"

"Huh? Yeah. There's a pony ship that goes back and forth. They said I could come back with them."

"Fantastic. While you wait for them--" He nudged the bills forward. "--use those. Enjoy yourself."

"Huh..." Gilda snatched them off the desk. Whatever they were, they were her's. That much at least was clear. "What are they?"

"Money. Enough, I hope, to enjoy your time while you wait for the boat."

"Now you're... Wait, you're not buying me, are you? I mean..." She looked uncertain. Was she beyond a price? Well, not really... "How much is this again?"

"About five hundred bits worth."

Gilda sat up straight. "Thank you for your kind assistance." She hopped to the floor, stuffing the money away. "Nice country you have here. Keep up the good work."

With a satisfied look, the griffon departed to find things to go home with.

"It's not right," argued a man in a suit, gesturing at his host. "They just wander the streets with all their various... everything... hanging out in view. They should wear some damn pants!"

The crowd cheered and applauded the idea.

The host nodded softly, looking to his other side. "And your opinion?"

"They come from a radically different culture."

"A culture that should wear pants," interrupted the first guest to the wild cheering of the crowd.

"They have no nudity taboo, nor do they suffer from the extreme sexualization of everything," continued the second. "In addition, they display less than your average domesticated animal."

The host turned to a display that showed a hippogriff walking down a sidewalk. "He has a point there. They don't have breasts. You can't even see anything between their legs, no matter their gender."

The first thrust up a finger at the display. "Except their ass any time their tail's not in the way. Is a pair of pants just that much to ask?"

It had happened almost without noticing. People woke up and started their day. For the average person, there wasn't even a clue of what had happened.

They were all speaking Ponish. Only those who had already learned Ponish ahead of time remained bilingual (or more in some cases). And even they defaulted to Ponish as if English had been the new language.

Untranslated words just had translations, as if they had been speaking Ponish the entire time. Their keyboards had Ponish characters on it. Road signs were written in Ponish. Nothing escaped this wave of translation that had arrived in their sleep. The pervasive magic of the world had taken time to build up for the effect, then washed over them with such completeness that it would have been difficult to prove that they had ever spoken another language.

This made a traveling group's job easier. Crystal ponies and yaks traveled across the snow expanses of Alaska with respectful little suits on. They visited each town that the 'grand' pony army had marched into. They carried no weapons but their smiles and contritions.

They approached each community in turn, heads bowed, expressing their apologies on behalf of their people.

They weren't shot.

They weren't especially welcome in many places.

The Native American town that they had once marched through without violence had welcomed them warmly. "We knew the spirits were troubled that day, and we waited, and it blew past, as storms do," explained one of them. "We are glad this is past us. Come and join us."

Would that all communities were as willing to forget the troubled past.

"That doesn't bring back the dead," spat out a person from another small town. "He was just trying to do his job keeping the rest of us safe! He was a good man... and he isn't coming back no matter how many sorries you say."

They bowed their heads far enough to bury their faces in the snow, but forgiveness was scant in coming. Still, they were determined to complete their trip, and they did, visiting each site of previous clashes to say their part and leave, accepting the anger that was to be given to them without complaint.

They expected little more.

They were surprised.

A group of human vehicles trundled up to the Crystal Empire, disgorging about forty of them. They did as the ponies and yaks had done, expressing apologies for the many that were lost.

"What you did was wrong," noted one of them. "But you already paid that price. Neither of us asked to be neighbors, but here we are. Let's be good ones?"

"That was a mess," summed up a large man, shaking his head. "Glad it's over and done with." He took a soft breath before he spoke melodically, "when the drums of war bang, it causes heads to hang."

A pony jumped in to the cue without hesitation, "When your princess asks you to fight--"

Another human joined, "When you try to put things to right."

A musical number thus began, words passing back and forth between ponies and humans without either having practiced the lines ahead of time. The most confusing part, according to the humans afterwards, was the physical stunts they managed while under the sway of the magic of music.

Flips and swirls that they would never again reproduce outside of its effects.

In the end they understood. Everyone there agreed that the past was horrible, but the future was bright, and they met as friends.

The humans were unsure how they felt about the entire process. At least the party afterwards was nice.

Author's Note

I notice no one commented on the revisionist history already being spun a chapter back.

This feels like a good break point, so breaking it there. Everyone speaks Ponish!

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45 - Clever Humans

"Welcome to 'Between the Lines!'" A quick introductory segment began, returning to the person facing the camera. "Here's something for you. Ever notice how everything just started... talking our language? I remember when they didn't. How did that change? Why can they read our signs? More importantly..."

He pointed down as an arrow appeared, ponting at the video controls. "Go ahead, click it. Go to language. Notice all the other ones? Go ahead, enjoy me in Spanish or French. Ha! Psyche. I checked with a friend that knew Spanish, and he forgot it. What is up with that?! I'll tell you." He slammed his hands down on the desk, his camera shaking from the impact. "We're being mind controlled!"

"The only question in my mind is this: Are they talking our language, or are we talking theirs? Whichever way you slice it, it's scary as ten fucks and if you aren't worried, you really should be!"

The man scowled out of the bars he had been placed in. Twilight was standing there, just outside, free. "Here to rub it in?"

"No." Twilight dipped her head, ears going out in either direction. "This is not the person who pushed me."

The man looked baffled, as did the guard that was with her. "No, this is definitely not him," she assured. "You must be confused." She took a step towards the bar. "This is a person who does not deserve to be in jail."

"What are you playing at?" demanded the man, rising to his feet with an angry expression. "You can't buy me."

"Go home." Twilight pointed off. "Go to your family. I don't want you here, rotting. Please."

"You're just trying to look good. You're not fooling anyone."

"Miss Sparkle, we have video evidence, not to mention the testimony of the agents that were at the scene at the time. They're as sure as you can be that this is the guy."

Twilight pointed at the man. "If I'm called to testify, I will tell them this is not the man. He never touched me, and I never met him before today. He's just someone who needs to go home."

"We have his confession," noted the guard. "Miss Sparkle, this is the one that assaulted you."

"I don't care," she barked, face going red. "How long will you have him in there?" A thought suddenly occurred to her and her face cleared, becoming a serene smile. "Besides, when I teleported, there was a flash. It was easy for anyone to lose track of who was who. Even if you had your eyes on the scene."

The guard gestured for the exit. "I'll pass on your message, but it's not my call to make. I think this visit's over for now though."

The two departed the man, leaving him in his cell.

"Sounds like you could get out," noted the person in the next cell. "Sweet deal for you, eh cracker?"

"Shut the fuck up." He sat down with a scowl. "She has an angle, I'm sure of it."

"Let me lay down some 'black wisdom'. If the person holdin' the whip offers to not beat you with it, maybe take them up on the option."

Ocellus arrived at class to find an envelope dropped on her desk. She reached for the envelope and tore it open to find a passport, a visa, and a letter.

Hello Ocellus,

It was nice meeting you. I would like to learn more about you and your people. I understand that you are both a minor and attending school, so if you could, give the other two items to another changeling you trust. We would very much like to meet them and will pay for their time. If you get a school break before you can find someone and want to spend some time with us, we'd be glad to have you back again. We will send you home with rewards and before school resumes.

Thanks,
President Crane

Ocellus tilted her head left and right. The writing was not in English, which she still remembered. They took the time to write it in Ponish, how kind of them! "Professor?" She looked up to Rarity, who was teaching the first class that day. "I have a few questions."

Stream had a lot to learn. She knew how to search, document, and learn, but for humans, that was barely the first step and far even from the last. She had to learn their ways. Fortunately, they started giving her books in Ponish in an act of mercy she could have weeped for, and did, in private. She never stopped applying herself, learning the strange human science words.

They were speaking Ponish at work, despite the words she remembered from the co-owner, which she did not object too either. She started to gain speed and was soon working alongside her new peers.

They still wanted her in the water whenever she consented, but when she insisted on exploring the land, they allowed that, provided she did it right. Notes had to be taken properly and sent regularly. She had to write up her findings and submit them to journals for so many unseen other scientists to see and review her thoughts.

It was all intimidating, but also exciting.

The first time she had a paper approved by a major journal, they threw a party for her and she was all smiles for a week afterwards. She was officially a human-class scientist.

"I'm home!" she sang.

"Mom!" One of her children came scampering in and she hugged them eagerly. "Dad's acting weird."

Stream blinked at that. "I'll check on him." She left her child to find her mate. "Where are you, my mighty sea anemone?"

"Useless and still... how appropriate," came his dejected reply. She entered the room to see him slumped over on the couch as if trying to hide from the world. "Did you win more awards? Good going..."

"I haven't won any awards..." she approached a step, uncertainty in her eyes. "Honey, what's wrong?"

"They can get all the art they need from... anyone but me." He flopped over, almost falling off the couch. "I'm useless!"

"You are not useless," she hissed, clacking her beak as she closed the distance. "You are my loving husband, father of two bright young children that look up to you."

He smiled briefly, but the expression faded. "But I... I was the one that made the money, so you could do what you love. I was... very proud of that. I was a good husband."

"You still are one of those." She poked his beak with a talon. "And you care for the children when work calls me away overnight. You are still my liberator, allowing me to chase my dreams, even if they've become better paying."

He rolled upright, lifting an ear at her. "But is that all I'm good for? I mean... Sure... the chicks deserve to have a parent around, but I don't... do anything besides that."

"Why don't you join me?"

He squinted softly. "I draw things."

"So draw things. You think knowledge seekers do not need things drawn?" She huffed as she hopped up next to him. "They hire people to draw for them, none of them as good as you. If you cannot draw for beauty alone, draw for knowledge."

He hadn't even considered that angle. Perhaps...

Mobile breathed in slow deep gasps, broken by moments of intense spasms that made her thick tail dance. She was in a large fresh-water pool, as was the best for such situations, though salt-water would have worked almost as well. "Nnng." She had read that human mothers could have a really hard time.

Pony mothers also rushed to the hospital, but she was neither of those things. She squeezed Tim's hand firmly. "Everything's alright."

He smiled at that, holding her taloned hand in return. "That's my line."

"Is it? You don't know if things are alright; I dooOooo" A contraction distracted her speech and she bore down, huffing. "Almost... Almost..." A little blood swirled in the water, but not too much for what she was doing. Everything was going just fine.

The time for speech suddenly passed by. Her child was ready to be born. She knew it, and she began to struggle and push. She could feel herself stretching, her very soul, her self, stretching to make room for the new life she had played a part in making.

With a squealing neigh of a sound from her aquatically equine snout, she arched her back, slowly but without pause pushing her baby free into the water. A wave of fatigue rolled over her and she sagged, only to feel something bump into her.

She forced her eyes open to behold her child, that little pony-eared mermaid. "Aw... you're... perfect."

Tim reached for his daughter and the infant, though less than a minute old, swam towards him, bright eyes focused on him. He gently cradled her and lifted her from the water. With a soft shimmer, her legs split, becoming furry instead of a smooth-scaled tail. She sprouted a little horse's tail as her ears became more like a feathery tuft.

He was holding an infant hippogriff-person. His daughter... "She... seems healthy." The little miracle was breathing out of the water, just as she had in the water. She was fully functional, so far as he could tell. "What does she... eat?" Were sea ponies even mammals? He felt sure hippogriffs were, but his daughter was both.

"Milk, duh. Go get the bottles!" She swam up to the edge and reached out with her hooves, soon taking the infant into her caring arms. "Quickly, she has to be hungry."

With some work, and provided a bottle, she filled one beneath the surface of the water and had it ready for the child, who drank it loudly and eagerly, filling her little belly with her first meal. "There you go, drink up and become strong."

"Are you going to tell me how you got milk in that bottle?" He struggled to imagine how that had worked.

Celestia willed a quill across a scroll, writing an important letter.

Good day President Crane,

My ponies have had kind words about your people and your country. It has become something of a fad vacation destination, and your goods are quite popular in our markets. I am not writing you about that, but I thought I should mention it. It is a great relief to have you as an ally and friend instead of the terrible misunderstandings we started with.

Exciting news; a council is coming up soon. The leaders of all the nations of significance meet to discuss matters that impact us all, as well as to negotiate treaties between us. I forwarded a nomination for your invitation, and Queen Novo seconded my motion, meaning that this letter is your invitation.

I have included a map to this year's meeting. I can't imagine you would even dream of missing it. Your people will surely be discussed there, whether or not you attend. It is my hope that, through this, you can meet the other nations in a far better fashion than you had originally met ours.

Let Us Walk With Friendship,
Princess Celestia

She folded the letter sharply in three and stuffed it in an envelope. "I need a mailmare pegasus with familiarity with the humans."

Derpy was soon brought before her, smiling brightly.

"Ah, hello, Muffins."

"Reporting for duty!" Derpy saluted sharply. "What mail do you have for me, Princess?"

"You were always diligent in your duties," complimented Celestia as the envelope floated forward in her magic. "I have a letter that must reach their ruler, President Crane. Can you get it into his hands?"

"The mail never fails," assured Derpy, reaching a wing to snatch the envelope and stuff it in her saddlebag. "Should I wait for a reply?"

"If you would, that would be lovely." Knowing that he was coming, with certainty, would be one less thing to worry about.

Author's Note

Population = Population + 1;
Stream tries to be a good wife, is she making a smart move?
And some people squint at this linguistic shift, hmm...
Time to meet the neighbors!

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46 - Linguistic Drift

President Crane sat in a dark room. There were lights above them, but it didn't fight off the gloom of the sequestered area. It was a secret meeting of some very bright and highly-secured people.

One of them took a slow breath. "We have been attacked. There were no casualties. There was no material damage, but this is possibly the most all-encompassing attack that America has ever faced in its history."

Crane nodded slowly, but did not look entirely convinced. "I'm not the media, let's keep the flowery imagery out of this. Lay it straight."

A different man set his hands smoothly on the desk, not a slap, just laying them there. "Mister President, Sirs; we have experienced a linguistic shift. Not the subtle use of new words by the next generation, but an all-encompassing exchange. All existing writing. All existing digital storage. Even recorded voices were swapped in an act of electronic vandalism I would not have thought possible. We are speaking an alien language, right now."

"Which one? (Not this one.)"

Another person thrust a finger forward. "There it is. That is our language, or was."

The room went quiet, the group trying to absorb what had been claimed. The feat they were proposing was beyond all reckoning.

President Crane turned one hand around, palm-side up. "What do we do about it? If everything, everything has been forced to a new language, even our own thoughts, what do we do about it?"

"I feel," spoke a man with a thick moustache. "--that we need to know how we were attacked and how to prevent it. Even if we were to assume this particular moment caused no immediate harm, the fact that it can be done should be terrifying. If that same force was applied in a different fashion, we could lose our country and never miss it."

"Magic," spoke the first man. "I detest the word, but our people haven't come up with a better name for it yet. Different species on this world have access to it in different ways. We can't be certain it's even the same force. Magic is a terrible word that only means mysterious. Putting that aside, there were a few notable cases of 'mysterious'."

The second looked across the table, eyes moving from one face to the next as he reached for a pen to fiddle with. "The first being the unicorns. Even among the local species, unicorns are considered the most magic. They are literally born with it."

The first raised a finger, his elbow on the table. "The language is called 'Ponish', as in pony. A coincidence? I'm not entirely willing to blindly accept that."

"I received a letter from them," noted Crane. With a near-silent click, a projector came live, showing Celestia's letter across one of the walls. Crane hadn't asked for it to be there.

The moustached man nodded towards it. "We reviewed it before it was allowed to hit your desk."

"Yes, well, she gives the impression of a friendly peer. A quick call to Queen Novo confirmed that it was Princess Celestia that forwarded the motion to get us invited. The instant I informed them, before, that what they were doing was wrong, they hurried me home with apologies. They don't come across as power hungry plotters."

The second walked his fingers across the table. "They come across as charming primitives with unknown powers that could have caused this, and could do it again. Then there's Queen Novo and the Seaquestrians. They have limited shapeshifting, but that hardly seems fitting the crime."

The moustached one pressed a remote he was subtly holding, conjuring an image of a yak. "They have no 'magic' aside of strength and durability. Primitive even by Equestrian standards, the likelihood of their involvement is negligible." With another click, a picture of a griffon appeared. Gilda, seated in an office and being interviewed. "Griffon. No magic, no government. Unless you count their ability to fly, which I'm told is improbable on its own. Likelihood: negligible."

Unicorns were becoming the most likely by far... "Let's focus instead on countering this. We need to be able to detect 'Magic'," argued Crane. "We need to know when it's happening, and how to counter it. Without that, we're helpless."

The first drove a finger against the table in a series of firm taps. "That I agree with. We need to catalog and analyze 'magic', and we can't just assume 'magic' is 'magic'. Whatever lets a Seaquestrian change may be entirely different forces than what a unicorn uses."

The second smiled a knowing smile. "I took the liberty of green-lighting a few applications for 'magic' would-be citizens that would have otherwise failed to pass muster. They are now living in America with little means... Open to being approached with a new position."

His meaning came across swiftly. Crane nodded quickly. "Make the offer. If we can get unicorns using magic in a controlled environment, we can figure this out."

The moustached one set the remote on the table. "Do you intend to attend that summit?"

"We either go--" Crane sat back in his chair. "--or we remain ignorant of how most of this world operates. That is a non-choice. I will be attending."

"You are a weather pony?" asked the man with a raised brow.

The pegasus mare bobbed her head. "One of the best, and I hear you don't have a single one. You need some! So lemme in."

The man shook his head. "Do you mean you predict the weather?"

"Predicting implies you aren't making it," argued the pegasus, spreading her wings. "I move clouds so it's sunny when we need sun, rainy when we need rain, and bad storms are chased away."

"I see..." He didn't entirely see. "And who paid you for this work?"

She tilted her head to the left then the right. "Oh, bits! I get some from the town I'm working for, usually. Ponies appreciate their weather being right." She raised a hoof to her cheek. "The ones that work in the weather factory get paid by them, but you don't have one of those, so that's out. Just point me to the town you want to get good weather and I'll be all over it."

Towns did not have budgets set aside for weather control, alas... "We have gotten used to just taking whatever weather happens our way."

"What, seriously? Why?!" She bounced on her hooves. "Oh right, because you had no weather ponies. Well, stop spending money dealing with bad weather and just stop the bad weather in the first place. I'll be saving you loads of bits."

"Dollars," corrected the man as he typed something on his computer. "I'll put out the feelers, but it's out of my job scope to petition cities and towns for this."

"So let me in so I can go ask them myself," she argued. "If it doesn't work out, I still have these." She spread her wings. "I can fly back to Equestria if I have to. It's kinda far, but I know how to glide pretty good over the water."

Mobile Coral sat in the sun on a bench, enjoying the warm rays and the sound of the lapping waves not far away, across the sand. She wasn't swimming at that moment, just relaxing. Her child was held by her legs, and her talons were folded on the bench as she lazily enjoyed the day.

"Oh god," muttered a passing person, hurrying along.

But another just kind of stared at her. Mobile didn't get it. She had become less fat, but other than that, she was a perfectly standard hippogriff. "Is something wrong?" she asked the man staring at her. "Bad mane day?"

"You... uh..." He seemed to be struggling to put it into words. "What even is that, and what is it doing?"

She looked where he was indicating. There was her child, nursing at her belly. As infant activities went, fairly standard, she quickly decided. "That is my sweet little baby girl. Her name is Swift Swim."

"Oh, uh..." He wandered away, looking slightly less confused, but still baffled.

Tim returned with two big cones of ice cream. He spotted his wife casually feeding their child. "Hey! I thought you used bottles?"

Mobile sat up, her eyes on the cones. She transferred the infant up to her talons, cradling Swift carefully. "I read that nursing helps a child and their mother bond, so I didn't want to mess that up. Did they have rocky road?"

"Here you go." He passed her the desired flavor. "Still, uh... maybe don't do that in public? Some people get weird about it. You can make a bottle whenever you want, right?"

"So long as I have a bottle, sure." She shrugged. "Welcome to motherhood, when milk's always on the house." She shifted her grip on Swift so she could get at the ice cream, making happy noises. "But not ice cream, perfect..."

Sea Flower, proud mare that she was, stood on the deck of her ship as it sailed towards America. She had passengers to drop off and pick up. She had goods to swap hooves. She had bits to make! Business had been good to her.

What was that other ship? She drew out a spyglass and put it up to an eye, peering out far over the waters at another ship sailing in the other direction. It was made of metal. A human boat. She could vaguely pick out humans on it, which made sense.

The humans were sailing, that was nice.

Wait, no. "Dangit!" The humans were sailing. She would be competed with, by humans, with their fancy ships. "No!" She threw down her spyglass and it bounced away. "No No no noooo!"

A pegasus stallion landed next to her. "What's wrong, Captain? Did I miss something?"

Sea pointed out at the tiny ship in the distance. "That! The humans are moving. They're going to start sailing with those big powered boats of theirs. They'll blow us out of the water."

His wings spread rapidly. "I thought we were friends!"

"Not literally." She smirked softly at that misunderstanding. "I mean, you know, money wise. They'll be faster and better than this." She tapped the wooden deck they were sailing on. "I couldn't even dream of buying a human boat. They're way more expensive..."

"Is something wrong?" Her human crew member had arrived, her little engineer. "I heard you shouting."

Sea smiled at seeing him. He usually made her relax, and he was a smart cookie. "I have a problem that I want you to apply cold hard logic to and present possible solutions."

"You got it." He sat down on a coil of rope, facing her. "What are the parameters?"

"One, human ships are moving again."

"Uh huh."

"Two, they're faster and bigger than my boat."

"Uh huh."

"Three, they're going to run us over in the shipping and transportation businesses in no time flat!" Sea's wings popped out, frustration forcing them into motion as she huffed in place.

"Uh huh..." He tapped a foot on the deck as he seemed to consider it. "Getting this boat to match their speed is not practical. You can't offer that as a product anymore, so forget it."

"Forget it? Giving up is not the answer I'm looking for!" She leaned towards him, a snarl in her throat.

"I didn't say give up, just pivot." He gestured to the sails, then the wooden rail. "You can't offer speed, but you can offer relaxed. Pony ships are, by nature, more relaxed places than human ships. Even the ponies working have that atmosphere. I'm saying scrap moving cargo and people by speed, instead by comfort. Become a destination and people will see this same ship as charmingly novel and antiquated, instead of inefficient. If people are allowed to leave the mainland more easily, a luxury trip aboard an actual pony ship to tour the pony lands? It sells itself."

She tapped her hooves, working through all four hooves slowly. "You... are a damn genius monkey. When we unload, I want you to work with the others to start retrofitting. We sail back filled with smiling faces and a lot less cargo." She lifted into the air and touched her nose to his cheek for only the briefest moment before she darted away on skilled wings.

Author's Note

Sea Flower reconsiders how to make her bits in an evolving market.

Crane and SHADOWY OFFICIALS deal with the theft of English.

And, most importantly, Mobile Coral enjoys some ice cream, yum!

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47 - Rising Sun

Sunburst walked up to an unassuming door. It was perfectly standard. He willed a perfectly standard keycard into the perfectly standard lock and with a soft click, he was allowed inside. From the outside, the perfectly standard building was just one office building among many.

He had arrived in America some time ago, a pony of no particular importance, looking for new opportunities, or so he had told them with a nervous smile and stuttering English.

But that hadn't been entirely the truth, much like the building he was in. He inserted his card into a slot beside the elevator, calling it to the lobby. A guard was watching him quietly, but did not object to his presence.

Stepping into the small room, he had to put the card in, again, and finally press his destination. Instead of rising up into the building, he went down, his stomach lifting with the acceleration until the speed evened out. There was no elevator music, just the sound of the human machinery working quietly in the background to ferry him down into the belly of the beast.

With a soft chime, the doors slid open and he was allowed to walk out into what had become his workplace some time ago. The humans were curious about magic. He was curious about humans. It was a fair trade, considering it also paid for his rent, food, and more.

"Morning, Burst." A guard nodded towards the equine visitor as if he was just a bland part of the day.

And he was, being employed there. "Morning, Ralph." He dipped his head on the way past. "Anything interesting today?"

"I work in a magic research facility, what's not interesting?" countered the guard with a bit of a smirk. "Oh yeah, they're waiting for you in #3."

"#3, got it." He turned down a hallway, heading towards the named room. While he went, he adjusted his glasses and smoothed out his mane, or tried. He was not a fastidious pony by any means, but the humans that worked there seemed to have higher standards that made him self-conscious at times.

"Good to see you." A scientist, dressed for the part, nodded at him as he entered. "We can finally start. We think we have it ready." He gestured into the big open room. "When you're ready, we want you to wander the room in the usual pattern, using minimal magic at random times. Press this when you do, but don't say anything." He held out a remote with one big button.

Sunburst could have taken it with his magic, but that would mean he was already doing more than 'minimal' magic, and constantly. That would defeat the test. He reached for it with his mouth, taking it carefully. "You got it. Think you can detect magic now?"

"We don't want to say yes until it's proven. Go ahead." He gestured towards the clean white room. "I'll be watching the monitors."

Sunburst strode into the room, following the usual pattern he had long ago learned. With concentration, he could conjure just the faintest bit of magic, not even enough to start glowing visibly. He squeezed the remote each time, going down the path as he did so.

The scientist watched the monitors. He could see the theorized levels that several sensors were detecting, wobbling faintly with background activity. He could see the button's status. That one was binary. It went green when pressed, red when not.

It went green, and the sensors did react just faintly. The ones closer to him had slightly more reaction. "Fantastic." The software was already doing the math, showing where it predicted Sunburst was standing, or, more accurately, where it thought the magic was coming from. The image of the room with little bits of static, most of the background noise filtered out, would show a faint blip where his horn was for about the same duration as the button presses.

"Alright," spoke the scientist through a microphone that connected to a loudspeaker in the room. "Enough of that. Go ahead and lift the ball."

Sunburst tucked the remote away and hurried to a small pedestal that had a simple rubber ball on it. He grabbed it in his magic and lifted it into the air. Not quickly, or very forcefully, but he had only been asked to lift it. "To the left." He followed the voice's prompting, moving the ball around faithfully. It wasn't terribly interesting work, but it had interesting results. That was the nature of research. Sunburst understood that.

"Alright, come on back."

Sunburst set the ball back where it had come from and trotted free from the room. There were three people looking at the monitors where he had left one. High-fives were being passed about. He smiled at that. High five, brohoofs, they were a universal sign of good news and solidarity. "Got it working?"

"It's perfect," explained the original scientist. "A bit oversized, but that can be fixed. It followed your movements within a millimeter of accuracy. There's plenty of refinements left to be done—"

"When isn't there?" cut in another scientist.

"But it's a result. Concrete progress." He offered a balled fist towards Sunburst.

Sunburst met it with a hoof, joining the round of celebratory gestures. "It is still amazing to me how you do so much with just electricity... You act so startled at magic, but you have one just as powerful. More powerful in a lot of ways." He ran his hoof over his beard. "Speaking of that, thanks for the help. I got in."

"Oh, congratulations." It was enough to set off a new wave of congratulatory bumps of the ends of arms, hooves in one case, hands in the others. "Was it the one you wanted?"

"Online learning with MIT," reported Sunburst with a proud puffing of his chest. "Considering their distance from here, and the awkwardness of attending, uh, physical classes with... you know... It seemed best."

"Hey, don't let it get you down." A hand came down, casually petting him. Were ponies just that pettable? Humans seemed to just love the excuse to give him a pet. "You'll be the top of your class, I bet. If you need any help, just ask. We'd love to see you with an official degree."

"Yeah," chimed in another. "Let us know if anything comes up. You're not just a subject, you're a friend."

"Exactly," agreed the third. "Besides, you're not a 'subject', god. That's so impersonal. My subjects do not usually have polite conversations."

The first raised a finger. "This is why we can't measure these things ourselves. Thank god for computers; blessedly impartial computers. Now, Sunburst, there's a new project bubbling up that I think you would be perfect for, if you're feeling it?"

Sunburst's ears perked with curiosity. He was involved in several projects already, and his upcoming classes... "What kind of project?" Curiosity demanded he at least find out.

"They're trying to decipher magic." The scientist hiked a thumb. "What makes one thing lift an object, and another change its properties, and another transport material, that sort of thing."

Sunburst winced faintly. "That is extremely fascinating and I'd love to participate... but I'd only really be able to do so on the research side of things. My ability to actually perform advanced magics is... limited." He suddenly smiled. "But, I can think of several qualified ponies you may want to extend invitations to for it."

"You are the best, Sunburst."

"Mobile."

"Stream, right?" Mobile was smiling, but the other hippogriff was not. "Is something wrong?"

Stream shook her head. "It's nothing... Welcome." She gestured at the building behind her. "Thank you for volunteering to be studied, you and your child." Her eyes moved to the bundle attached to Mobile's side. "She represents a very important facet of how our species will see one another."

Mobile blinked as she walked towards the entrance, Stream moving with her. "How so? I mean, humans seem pretty nice to me, but a bit weird sometimes, but hey who isn't strange sometimes?"

Stream took a slow breath. "Fortunately, we can occupy different niches. First, let me tell you something." She looked aside at Mobile as she walked. "Humans, they can live anywhere there is land. Cold, warm, hot, freezing, they adapt. They will live in miserable places, and learn to love it. As species go, they are frightening. There is nowhere on Equestria they could not colonize, and they will, I feel certain."

"O... kay?" Mobile perked an ear tuft. "What does that have to do with us?"

Stream put a taloned hand over her face. "It means, eventually, they will compete with most other species, including hippogriffs. Seaquestrians are safe, for now, but not forever, I feel certain." She circled in front of Mobile, cutting her off. "But if we are compatible and make viable offspring that can repeat the act, then we will spread with them instead of being eventually, some long time from now, outpaced, outcompeted, and driven extinct."

Mobile cringed back a step. "Why are you so gloomy?!" she blurted, face reddening a little. "They've been nothing but friendly. The ponies like them too. Why would you even think like that?"

"Because I am an answer seeker." Stream turned back for the building, equine tail giving an agitated twitch. "I'm looking ahead, far ahead. We'll both be gone by the time it became a thing, but that doesn't make it not a thing. Still, for today, welcome! The people who work here are very nice, and super excited to meet you both." She smiled over her shoulder as if the doom saying had never happened. "Let's go meet them!"

That was how Mobile came to become a part of that scientific community. She had been approached and joined days after Swift Swim had entered the world. They monitored the infant as she grew and developed while providing everything a young parent could want, except privacy at times. Mobile Coral was a subject of curiosity as well, her body inspected for any signs of undue stress due to the hybrid incubation and birthing, but she seemed healthy and as peppy as the day she had emerged from the water to greet people.

"In other news, the president will be leaving the country." A date came on the screen as the anchorwoman repeated it. "To attend a summit of world powers. Is that like the local equivalent of the United Nations?"

"Speaking of the United Nations," cut in a male figure. "At this point, all members of the former UN have been relocated to permanent residencies within the US. With contact with Earth seemingly impossible, there weren't a lot of other options. Other travelers who were visiting the US at the time of the move are also being given automatic asylum status upon request."

"What else would they do, deport them?" laughed the female. "Speaking of that, however, a new wave of immigrants has begun, with native species eager to join the ranks of humanity in America. A small town in Florida has become home to the first weather control facility, housing half a dozen pegasi to manage the weather over and around the town. State officials claim to be watching intently. If it goes well, the state may be the first to open a state-wide weather control initiative and department."

"What a time to be alive." The male clapped a stack of papers against his desk, eyes on the camera directly. "I wonder how much it is to get one of those pegasi to keep the rain off my car."

"Probably more than we make," laughed the female, the laughter soon joined by the male.

"In other news." The male turned to a screen that showed a gathering of people. "Protests continue in Alaska where the job market remains 'uncertain' at best. The total upheaval of the local topography leaves many with no future. Though government initiatives has some back to work, some say it's too little."

Author's Note

Science! This chapter has so much science going on.

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48 - Like a Good Neighbor, Ponies Are There

Cadance sat at a long table. The table was not made of crystal, but she was in the north, which was an unusual combination. Across the table of wood, arranged on either side of it, were humans, many of them. They wore polite smiles. The kind of smiles that politicians and princesses had to wear often. She had one herself. She knew it did not mean anyone at that table was actually relaxed.

"Princess Cadance," spoke a man seated not far from her. "Is it alright if we call you Cadance?"

"Certainly." She dipped her head. "I understand we are here to discuss grave things, but let's keep our eyes on our peoples' needs, not petty titles."

A female human lifted a hand to hold the rim of her glasses. "I'm glad to hear you say that. Our people are, to put it bluntly, in a bit of a bind. In what is essentially the blink of an eye, they've been plunged into more inhospitable climates. They've been cut off from the waters they relied on for their livelihood, and--"

"--It's a mess," finished a male human across from her. "We can repel any would-be invader, but that doesn't solve economical problems. While the mainland is rebounding into a new age of industrial output, we are withering on the vine, so to speak."

Cadance nodded softly. "The humans who have visited our kingdom have spoken of such troubles. It was in part due to their tales that I hurried here. It is not in anycreature's benefit to have a neighbor that is suffering."

A brow went up on a male. "That's awfully altruistic."

"It's simple practicality," countered Cadance with a confident smile. "If I were to ignore the problem and it grew worse, it would eventually turn up at my doorstep. Desperate humans would flee when pressed, and I would, instead of taking helpful action now, be forced to deal with it later at a disadvantage."

The first woman removed her glasses and set them on the table in front of herself. "You've been reading up on us."

Cadance's eyes darted a moment before she sagged faintly. "Guilty as charged. I had hoped showing a little edge would help." She pressed her forehooves together. "I am genuine in my desire to assist your people, and I can see how it will eventually wash over us, but even if it never did, seeing my neighbors suffer is not... ideal."

The man at the opposing end of the long table pointed across to Cadance. "Do you have a proposal in mind, or are you here to hear what we have?"

"I would hope 'both' is an acceptable answer." Cadance smiled as she sat up straight. "You understand your situation better than I could, as an outsider. As well-meaning as I may be, I am not you. Please, fill me in."

The woman reached for a remote and with it dimmed the lights and called up a projector, showing a map of Alaska. "This is what our map used to look like. As you can see--" She pointed with a red dot towards several named cities. "--our larger cities tended to be by the water. And now--"

The map shifted, showing the same body of alaska with a dotted border around it. There was land stretching out in all directions. "We have miles of land in all directions." She flicked the pointer to the west. "There's the closest water. First problem, that land is not American. The president has shown nothing but support for the natives since the... incident, meaning he is unlikely to approve for annexing land."

Cadance frowned at the map, studying it. "No species currently has a use for that land. It is not within the land that the Crystal Empire holds say over. The Yaks live far north." Her horn glowed, gently pulling at the remote. When it was released, she began pointing, drawing a line where the Crystal Empire considered its property, then where the Yaks called their own. "It's simply empty."

The man at the end of the table stood up, approaching the map and slapping the wall where the empty land was shown. "You mean we can take this without repercussion?"

"I would be delighted to even lend a helping hoof, if it means stability for your people." Cadance waved a hoof, and the laser pointer, going between Alaska and the ocean it so desired. "There are wild beasts to contend with; monsters your people will not want to deal with, but I imagine with a little teamwork, the transition can be made easier. The weather will also act against you, but--"

"--Are you about to offer weather pegasi?" cut in another man.

"I was, yes." Cadance blinked at the interruptor. "I... understand your people often make do with what weather there is, but taking the worst parts off their backs as they settle in would be ideal, would it not?"

The woman made a gun-like symbol with her fingers. "I doubt any monsters are going to stop us."

"We were more concerned about international incidents," addended a male. "A state declaring war by expanding its borders isn't something America's seen since we hit the west coast of our old continent."

Cadance smiled gently. "Then it would seem history will repeat itself. I bid you, go west. Claim what will make you happy."

The female took the floating remote back. "There is another thing." With a click she pulled up a new overlay on the map, showing strange blob-like structures.

Cadance tried to guess what they were, but nothing came to mind. "What are those?"

"Known oil deposits. The oil we were aware of seems to have come with us, Thank God, but... There may be more, even some in your land."

Cadance blinked softly. "I would know if oil was on my land. It's hard to miss."

The standing man pointed to each shown deposit. "None of these are on the surface. Unless you know how to look for them, and drill for them, you'll never see them. Tell me, do ponies use oil?"

"In lanterns?" offered Cadance lamely. "Sometimes as lubricant? It's not a very valuable commodity, why?"

"We have other uses for it..." The standing man returned to his seat. "And we don't want to give up what we have."

Cadance could but shrug at the idea. "I don't know who would steal... oil? You have my word that ponies will not disturb your drills, or they will be met with full and proper legal repercussions for it."

Another man pointed at Cadance. "Instead of those weather ponies, do you have any unicorns that could detect that oil? Lend a few of those and things would progress much more smoothly."

The woman perked. "We could have our people off the street and back to work in months instead of years."

"The ones not working to build new roads and towns," noted another male.

The one seated at the end of the table nodded. "Is this possible?"

"Hmm... I can think of a few ponies that I would imagine are talented enough for the job. How far down are we speaking? A day's worth of work with a shovel?"

"Thousands of feet," flatly corrected the woman. "You would not even try to do this with a shovel."

"Oh... That narrows the list of possible ponies considerably... I'll send word to Princess Celestia, she would know better what resources Equestria has to put towards this. Now... while we wish to be good neighbors, such ponies would want to be compensated for their efforts."

One of the men threw up a hand. "Here we go."

Cadance looked across the table at the one that seemed in charge.

He nodded. "Cadance has shown willingness to be a good political neighbor, but that doesn't mean she, or her people, have to work for free. We are not that desperate that we, of all people, need a handout. She wants to be paid for good work. Good. Americans don't need charity. If your unicorns can find the wells accurately, they'll be paid. They'll earn six figure incomes as long as they remain employed."

Cadance was not entirely sure what that was, but the way he said it certainly sounded positive. "Fantastic. I'll send word, and get back to you with what the response is. Now, for today, is there anything else we can do?"

"No." He stood up and offered a hand across the table, though they were far too far apart to hope to reach one another. "I want to thank you for coming out here. We have planning to do, and cities to engineer. No matter how quickly we want this to begin, we have to make sure it gets done right."

Cadance stepped down from her chair and moved around the table, passing the other speakers to get to the leader. She offered a hoof to him. "A pleasure." They shook, with his fingers firmly holding her hoof as they did so.

"One thing," asked the woman as she put her glasses back on. "It's the question everyone has but is too afraid to ask a pony that might know. How in all the bloody hells did you steal our language?"

Cadance blinked dumbly a moment. "I... thought you were speaking Ponish to be polite. I was just about to compliment you all on your astounding skill. You all sound like natives."

The woman fixed her gaze on the male human that had interrupted before. "I told you she wasn't involved."

"Of course she'd say that," he grunted, looking unconvinced.

The one in charge released Cadance's hoof. "Another topic for another day. For now, we'll focus on getting our economy turned around. Have a safe trip, Princess Cadance."

"I wish the best for your people." She dipped her head, ears going wide a moment before perking back up. "Do call if anything comes up. We have a phone number now." She lifted a business card from a pocket and offered it to the one in charge. "By the way, are you their ruler? I thought that was President Crane."

"Crane's the big man on top of America." The man hiked a thumb at himself. "I'm the governor of Alaska. Just like Celestia rules all of the ponies, but when it comes to the Crystal Empire, you are the one that calls the shots."

Cadance's eyes widened with understanding. "Ah! I see! Lovely. A pleasure to meet another local leader then. We both have big shadows to live in, and I imagine we both want our people to do well. We really must meet and exchange notes, as two rulers of this region. Have you met the yaks yet?"

"That I have not," he easily confessed. "They don't seem eager to open communications."

"That sounds unfortunately far too much like them." She smiled wistfully. "I'll try to have our ambassador visit them and coax them in this direction for a talk. We are three peoples united by geography, we should all get along."

With one final round of hoof and hand shakes between Cadance and the other local government leaders, the meeting took a recess. Cadance was sent home, but the humans had plenty to go over.

They had land to annex. It had been quite some time since the last time a state was able to do that... "How do we make sure the feds don't lay claim to the whole thing?"

Another man frowned. "How do we make sure they don't just call the new land another state entirely?"

There were many challenges ahead, if they wanted to do things just the way they wanted to.

Nobody promised politics was easy.

Author's Note

This chapter? Alaska. One big Alaskan scene from start to finish. I felt this was very important, however. We need all the political figures properly set on the board before we begin to push them around, hmm?

PS: If I tripped over any logical loopholes, I do read EVERY comment, so drop a line! I feed on comments, yum yum yum. Even the not-nice ones.

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49 - Meeting of Minds

The helicopter landed on the pad. It landing on a pad was fairly standard. What was more unusual was that a place outside America had one specifically for the purpose. It was a great big surface for flying vehicles of all varieties, they had been told, and it supported their helicopter without complaint.

President Crane hopped down with a serviceman right there just in case. "Here we are." 'Here' was not Equestria. That summit was being held in neutral territory that was held by no country. Such places were frightfully rare on Earth, which all of the planet being claimed by humans, and barely a scrap of dry land free of being in the bounds of one country or another.

A pony approached, her wings unfurled and her horn held high. "President Crane," spoke Celestia. "Good of you to make it. Come, this way." Despite the roar of the helicopter's engine as it slowed, she spoke over it without difficulty.

Luna was with her, but did not speak at that moment, simply watching from her sister's side.

Crane, two guards, and his pony escorts made their way off the landing pad and into a building. The floors were made of marble. The walls were embossed with gold and silver. The air was fresh and scented with some floral hint. It was an opulent place for important people to meet. Celestia extended a wing, separating the president from his guards. "From this point forward, they must remain behind. My own guards can not move past this point."

Luna tossed her head towards an offshoot passage. "Guards may remain there. Only the leaders may progress, and by ancient oath, none may cause harm on another during such a meeting."

Crane held up the flat of a hand. "I'll be fine." It helped that he was wired and could call for them if needed. He knew that. They knew that. They went down the appointed hall without raising a fuss.

Luna advanced to be opposite of Celestia on Crane's side. "I would have your unvarnished opinion, finally free of all other human listeners."

The president knew that wasn't entirely true. "About?"

Luna raised a fine brow. "What is your true opinion of how the ponies your nation held captive were treated? I will not repeat what words you speak, and I would ask mine sister agree."

"My lips are sealed," echoed Celestia, making a zipping motion across her lips with a hoof.

"I think it was regrettable... but partially required. I do think they were overcautious in keeping them entirely separate and not trying to break their solitary confinement. That is inhumane." There was a word suddenly given a ponish counterpart, but that didn't mean the two ponies understood it. "Cruel," he explained. "For any prisoner, especially for as long as they remained in it."

Celestia inclined her head. "Which reminds, we need to arrange for the sale and movement of the magic suppressors, so that this is never again a required path. I would prefer to never be told a pony was treated in such a way."

The topic was done, apparently satisfied. They traveled as one group into a grand circular hall with an equally well-appointed table that was just as round as the room it rested in. Around the table were seats of all kinds. In some places, cushions, in others, more human chairs. Different resting places for different anatomies, and there were many such anatomies already resting on them.

Celestia pointed a hoof to the right. "I believe I see your seat there." She and Luna went off to the left, seated next to one another, as was proper, on cushions they could perch on in pony fashion.

Many eyes were on Crane. Slit feline eyes, canine eyes, avian and others all stared at the newest leader to attend such a meeting. A sudden motion caught his eye. Right beside his seat was Queen Novo in her hippogriff form, resplendent with finery and clearly done up to tasteful perfection. She patted the chair that had been set for him.

He was not alone, even politically. America had allies. It was good to be reminded. He closed the distance in confident strides but did not immediately sit, instead offering a hand to Novo. "A pleasure to see you."

"And I you, dear." She took his hand in her own, but did not shake it.

He got the unspoken hint, raising her talons to kiss the back of them. She smiled gently, clearly approving. "Now sit yourself. I was sure to have us side-by-side, for we are partners on this stage." She sank on her haunches on her cushion, facing the table.

Crane sank beside her on the chair, elevated from ber by merit of it, but such was the way of things. He was not the only one using a chair, he noted. There were almost as many bipeds present as quadrupeds.

"The president has just joined the international summit. We are covering this live, but can't provide video from the interior." A picture was provided, showing the outside of the building it was in. It was a live feed, but still the outside. Other humans and aliens milled around, taking care of their various flying crafts.

"This does not take place in the states, and freedom of the press is not considered reason enough to allow any station inside. With me are several other eager reporters." The camera panned to show the person speaking as well as half a dozen others that all waved together. "We'd all love to get inside and show you all, but this is as close as we can get."

"You can be sure CNN will be here until it's over!" shouted one female at the camera.

"MSNBC isn't leaving," agreed a male.

"The people deserve a fair and balanced viewpoint," added the Fox respondent.

"We'll all be here, delivering the news as it surfaces. Back to you, John."

Celestia rose with spread wings and the sun shone directly down on the center of the table, casting brilliant reflections across the room. "I humbly call this meeting to order. Since we have a new member, I will explain that it is standard for the owner of the kingdom in which the summit takes place to initiate the meeting. When it is here, it falls to me to call exactly when the sun reaches overhead. This does not give me any additional speaking power." She sank down, wings folding. "Speaker."

A parrot lady rose from her chair. "Yes. Greetings, one and all." She bowed most formally, one arm going far to the side. "It is an honor to be chosen to speak for this summit. The first matter on the docket." She raised a clipboard before herself, held in her hands. "With the Storm King's demise, his kingdom was allowed to decide its own fate, but this has gone poorly since the last summit."

Novo leaned towards Crane, whispering, "The Storm King deserved his end."

A canine paw slapped the table. "It was at Celestia's hand, er, hoof that this was set in motion. Why isn't she handling this?!"

Celestia raised one of those hooves, speaking with a moment of quiet to not interrupt, "it was agreed on in the last summit that no action would be taken. Are you suggesting I defy the concord we all made together?"

Eyes turned to the dog that was growing low in his throat. "No... Of course not..." He sank to his seat, abandoning the argument.

A hand went up, covered in fur, but clearly a hand, as many of the bipeds seemed to have. "Let them rot." The speaker of those words had great horns atop his head and a scowl on his face. He had a large bovine nose and a ring that dangled from his nostrils. "We have far more pressing concerns than the petty instability of an increasingly irrelevant nation."

"Chairman of the minotaurs," helpfully whispered Novo.

A hoof raised, pink. Cadance nodded to those presence. "Thank you. I believe that this is an opportunity We should help lift these distraught people, to help cement the ties that hold us together. We should all know that the rest will come to their aid."

"Pretty words," spoke a much more animal-like parrot, fluffing himself, eyes set on Cadance. "But they never belonged to this circle. The Storm King sought to have us destroyed, subjugated, and his people were never one of ours."

The table began to argue, different opinions rising and shouted across at one another. Some agreed with Cadance; others with the minotaur.

Crane stood up. All eyes were suddenly attached to him. It went silent. He hadn't expected to command such full attention, but he had little choice in his eyes but to continue. "The actions of a deposed leader can not, and should not, be shared by their people. If this 'Storm King' was as troublesome as he sounds, he didn't leave much option for his people to argue with him. We should at least offer aid to those caught in the instability."

Some clapped, striking their hands, hooves, or paws together, or even tapping at the ground.

The minotaur did not, slamming the table as he stood up, his chair forced back with a loud squeal in its rough slide. "Are you volunteering then? Will it be your kingdom's coffers that are drained for such petty ends?"

Noises of assent rose from others who were just as displeased at the idea of contributing to the relief project. "My people have their own needs, and they come before fixing the messes of megalomaniacal morons that saw their military brought low by ponies."

Soft chuckles spread through the room, as if the idea of the ponies being a military force were quite laughable indeed.

Did Crane want to be left holding that ball?

Queen Novo was standing suddenly beside him. "The Seaquestrians pledge to assist."

Celestia raised a hoof. "Equestria pledges to assist."

A few other countries called out support. He would either take that step, or be branded a coward and a hypocrite. "Thank you. We'll arrange how to move forward and deliver aid." He moved to sit down.

"Not so fast," interrupted the minotaur. "You're next on the docket. Speaker?"

"Oh! Hm, yes, yes, here it is." She tapped at the clipboard with a taloned finger. "A new nation has been founded, and waged war within its first year of conception, and would like to join this august body." Her eyes moved to Crane. "Their name is 'The United States of America'. Is this a federation? Oh, sorry." She suddenly sat. It was not her job, as speaker, to hurl questions.

The minotaur chuckled deeply as he stood up straight. "The newest boy on the block, already eager to make a name for himself. First in battle... against the ponies. To their benefit, they didn't fail in that as the Storm King had laughably managed..."

The guffaws and soft laughter returned, the idea of pony military a running joke it seemed.

The dog pointed at the standing Crane. "Tell us. Tell us who you are and what you stand for. What sort of nation are you?"

"They can fight," came a new voice. There was Ember, leaning on the table with a snarl. Her small stature meant that the rest of her was dangling. If not for her flapping wings, she would have looked quite undignified. "And they respect honor, so they get a thumbs up from me. I can think of worse neighbors."

There was quite the loaded question. What was America, condensed into a few sentences... "America began its life in the hands of people who wanted their destiny in their own hands. It has never abandoned those roots. We have a fierce love for independence and self-determination. Are we perfect? I would have to lie to claim that, and I imagine that goes equally as well for anyone else gathered around this table, but we have come here in good faith to join this global community."

Author's Note

And lo the summit does begin. Did you think it would be a little thing, over and done in one chapter? Ha... no. This is a big deal for all of the world. Would you have spoken differently, if you had Crane's position?

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50 - Not Alone

"Anarchists." The bullish figure crossed his arms, his eyes moving from one face to the next around the table. "Your people like to do what they want? This is charmingly quaint when the ponies do it, but your people have already proven to be slightly more... troubling."

Ember leaned over the table, snarling at the minotaur. "Yeah so what?! Dragons like being free too and I'm here, so who cares?"

A female cat thrust a finger towards Ember. "You are an interesting distraction, but little more, on the global stage. Your people are free, yes, but also wildly disorganized. They pose no real threat, and when they do, it is more akin to an ill-timed storm than a military strike." She purred softly in satisfaction with her own words, eyes half-closed.

The dog from earlier pointed outside. "Did you see the craft they arrived in? It rivals minotaurish design in complexity, and noise... and smell."

Crane did not like the sound of that. That minotaur could represent something he needed to know more about. As mild arguments circled the table, he set his hands on the table. "Are we not gathered here to discuss matters of importance?" Eyes turned towards him. "Would you have us here, where we can talk, or surrender that opportunity? My people are here, whether they are admitted into this circle or not."

Novo suddenly clapped her hands together. "He speaks the truth. When I and my people withdrew, we were still present, and eventually acted, toppling the Storm King. Actors who are not part of the circle are only... more unpredictable. If you fear that, why would you even consider not having him here?"

The speaker's nodded towards Novo. "Thank you, but I feel we've argued all sides. I call to vote. All in favor of admitting the country of The United States of America to the circle?"

His known allies had their arms raised; Celestia, Luna, and Novo. Ember had joined them, though he hadn't originally penned dragons down as a proper ally. Despite that, Ember was grinning towards him like she was standing in solidarity with an old chum. Dragons were curious creatures.

Other hands raised without the smiles to go with them. "Eleven for," announced the speaker. "Against?" The raised hands went down and new hands went up.

The minotaur did not have a hand raised. He had taken his seat, eyes locked on Crane. He had not voted in support either.

It seemed most had not voted for or against.

"Five against. Motion carries. Welcome, President Crane." She dipped her head in his direction. "Next on the docket..."

Holding a microphone close to the otterish face of the person they were interviewing, the reporter nodded. "And what do you think is being discussed today?"

The otter pointed at the reporter. "Well, to start, you creatures. Ain't never seen something like you before. Ain't you cold?" He leaned in towards the reporter, nose dancing in little sniffs. "So little fur, no scales..."

The reporter nodded softly. "If it helps, you're just as curious looking to us. Do you believe our appearance will dominate the discussions?"

"Nah." He waved that idea off before glancing away at some others of his kind that were working on a flying ship. "They got tons of things to argue about. You're just one of 'em."

Another reporter suddenly approached. "What do you think the number one topic will be, besides America?"

The otter's eyes jerked back from the flying ship to the two humans facing him and the cameras behind them. "Hey woah, uh, nice to meet you both but I should... get goin'." He scurried away, dropping to all fours and scampering as an otter might, just to bounce right back up to two legs when he was with his friends.

The first reporter scowled at the second. "Stick to your own interviews."

The topic shifted to a trade disagreement between two nations Crane had never heard of before. While it was fascinating watching two aliens argue passionately about the rights of their people, it only revealed that much of the world was of a lower technology level than America by what they were arguing about.

"Next on the docket," announced the speaker. "--The appearance of a new landmass has disrupted trade lanes." Her eyes went to Crane. "At the time of drafting, the United States of America -- Is there a shorter name for that? -- were not a part of the circle, but that's been fixed."

Crane raised a hand towards the speaker. "United States or America will do." Not like there were any other countries to have even slight umbrage at the use of the term America while residing on America. The continent was gone, shredded down to the US. "We haven't had any trade vessels attempt to get past us, though we have had increasingly more trade activity at our docks, primarily of pony origin."

The minotaur snorted in a way only a bull could. "We have enough sense to know when the lanes have been severed." He leaned forward, eyes still locked in that unwavering way. "A lot of trade has been lost on account of your sudden... invasion." Murmurs spread through the crowd. "Don't try to act coy." Crane had looked surprised. "An armed nation appeared overnight and we are expected to assume it was an accident? No, something caused it, and my first assumption would place it at the feet of the people involved."

Celestia brought down a hoof with a clop. "That is a great accusation. Do you have any proof other than conjectures?"

A fully-automatic gun slid across the table, spinning in a slow rotation once it left the bull's hand to come to a rest near the center. "That is one of their weapons. It speaks of an advanced engineering people."

New murmurs rose. The bull gestured at it. "Do you deny this is yours?"

Crane was no expert on random firearms, but it seemed clear the M4 Carbine laying there on the table was likely to be an American object. "Likely so, where did you--"

"--Of no consequence. They are extremely ready for invasion. They have a standing army not in the hundreds." He looked to the dogs. "Or the thousands." He looked to Celestia. "Or even in the tens of thousands." His gaze wandered over the table. "These are a people that have nearly a million ready to march. A million. Can you even envision so many soldiers?"

The table become bedlam. The speaker squawked and began striking a wooden disc with a gavel-like hammer, trying to usher in order, and failing.

"They would make the Storm King appear to be but a mewling infant in comparison, with ships that are a magnitude faster, filled with several orders more fighters wielding advanced weapons." He rested his hands on the table by the fingertips. "I propose!" His sharp call caused the furor to die down a little. "I propose," he repeated a little quieter. "--a defensive pact. America's presence threatens the stability of the entire world, and any that do not see that is a fool, soon to be relegated to history. Those who desire the protection of the minotaurs, and will fight alongside us, raise your hand."

A worryingly large number of hands rose. Ember was one of them. She noticed Crane's surprised look. "What? I thought you guys like fighting. It'll be great!"

Novo snarled softly, her pretty face disfigured with the momentary lack of control. "Preposterous! The humans have been nothing but kind. They have been a tremendous boon to my people. You once all called me a coward, for not facing the Storm King, and now here you are, running before a foe before he even bares his teeth? Pathetic simpering fools, the lot of you!"

Cadance, close to Ember, floated a letter over to the dragon. Ember blinked as the paper slapped against her face. "Huh, what?" She peeled it away and read it quickly. "Oh, uh... Nevermind." She lowered her hand.

The speaker cleared her throat. "I must insist we return to the matter on the docket. America's landmass is obstructing existing trade routes. Can it be moved? That is the question."

Crane lifted his hands in a shrug. "That is beyond our abilities. We are not even sure how we arrived here, let alone able to move the country out of the way. We do have a robust internal infrastructure and welcome trade on either end of our country, and there is a sea on both the north and south side, allowing ships to move around us if they desire."

The chairman of the minotaurs huffed. "How passive he tries to sound. What if we want to fly over your inconvenient country?"

"We have regulations and laws about that, to prevent collisions in the air." He didn't know them all, but he knew they existed. "Any aircraft flying over America would need a recognizable transponder, schedule its flight, and remain contactable for the duration."

"And if they do not?" pressed the minotaur. "What would you do then?"

He was being pressed into a corner. "They would then be breaking our law, and we would react appropriately."

The minotaur gestured grandly at the weapon at the center of the table, a path of knocked over glasses and statues between it and himself. "They will show you their hospitality, as they are equipped to do. Know this, President; I am not intimidated." He slammed a balled fist on the table. "I am not scared." His other hand came down, thumping beside the first. "You have only seen what meager force the ponies have, but we have weapons just as efficient."

Murmurs rose, none of them claiming the minotaur was lying about their people's abilities. Crane sat down gently. "It would seem that there is a warlike aggressor at this table, angrily beating his chest and making lofty claims of his military abilities."

The tension suddenly twisted, laughter and guffaws circled around the table. The minotaur snorted powerfully, nostrils going wide a moment. "Know this, President, your agressions will not win you any friends. You may have cowed the ponies into submission, but we will stand strong." Others called out in support and he nodded once with confidence. "I declare the formation of the Trans-Species Defense Initiative, or TSDI."

"Recorded," noted the speaker. "May I have a show of who is a member?" She dutifully scribbled on her paper, making an official tracking of what the TSDI was comprised of. "Thank you. Are there other questions regarding the trade route obstruction?"

The she-cat raised a paw. "If we wish to cross your country legally, are there fees?"

"They are modest." He didn't know the specifics. "They cover keeping the air safe for all travellers and avoiding collisions as I noted before. We make extensive use of air transportation, keeping that organized and safe is the #1 priority and why the fee exists."

She nodded softly. "You take a far more active, mmm, role than most nations. I admit, it does sound... safer, yes. We will try it. If we do not have this device you mentioned, how do we proceed?"

"That can be done, but I'm not equipped to give you the specifics."

The speaker cleared her throat. "I recommend you two discuss privately how to proceed. Does America have paperwork it would like to submit for the circle?"

Crane did not bring the laws concerning airspace with him... "Where would we send such things for everyone to be aware of?"

"We'll be in touch," assured the speaker. "Next on the docket..."

A bright-eyed young minotaur calf was smiling up at the reporter. "Is that magic?" she asked, pointing at the camera behind the reporter.

"Of a sorts," agreed the reporter. "It's recording what we say and sharing it with the rest of the country back home. Say hello to all the people."

"Hi!" She waved excitedly at the camera. "Are you here for the meeting too? Dad said he was going to say super important things in there."

Author's Note

The summit, it continues! It's surprisingly hard to interview important people at the summit, since they are inside the summit. The reporters are trying though! The chairman seems to have strong opinions.

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51 - Now, I am become Death, the destroyer of worlds

There were no breaks. Besides moments of squabble that didn't involve a particular person, there were no real pauses. A glance at his watch revealed that some time had gone by, but he had overestimated how much time. It only felt like hours.

"Next on the docket." The speaker's eyes drifted towards Crane. "Your people are popular today. An announcement that the human people and the sea ponies have been found to be of one root."

Soft applause rippled over the table.

"She means we can make children," whispered Novo in explanation. "Premature, I feel. Just once, and the child has not yet proven fertile."

Crane had been getting updates about that once in a while, but recalled nothing significant other than the child being happy and healthy, and changing without the need for a pendant, though still with the same two forms that its mother had used. Compared to changelings, a cute parlor trick.

He raised a hand, meeting the speaker's eyes.

"America has a statement?"

"A question, if I may?"

She flipped to the next page and back on her clipboard. "America has the floor."

Crane stood up, nodding to the many world leaders gathered. "While some of you have your suspicions and doubts, we would welcome any information on what local force does have the power to move my country. Similarly, something or someone has altered the native speaking language of my people, and identifying that presence is a high priority." As was neutralizing it, but they were working on that.

Soft murmurs spread across the table. The she-cat laughed softly. "You once spoke a foreign tongue? How fascinating... If I did not know better, I would say the pony superstitions have come true."

The ponies present seemed to not want to look towards him at that moment. Had the ponies been involved after all?

Celestia raised a hoof. "If I may?"

"Equestria has the floor," assented the speaker.

Crane sat as Celestia rose, a tall figure as she was, even on all fours. "I cannot speak with certainty, but the lack of communication between our species caused terrible disharmony and... loss, for both sides. I could only thank harmony itself for taking action, though why it held its hoof until after it was mostly settled is a mystery, as are many of harmony's ways."

The dog huffed softly. "It's that kind of thinking that has you calling the language we all speak Ponish."

New idle banter began to spread before the speaker struck with her hammer. "Order, kindly. America, does that answer your question satisfactorily?"

Well, no, but he was fairly sure he wasn't getting better at that moment. "Thank you, speaker."

A new voice spoke in his ear. Wearing a subtle ear-piece, this wasn't that shocking. "Mr. President, apologies for interrupting, but we wanted to check with you beforehand. Should we pass on what's been said?"

"No," he whispered, a hand over an ear. "There's no treaty to approve yet, just a vague promise. We'll get the congress on board for the specifics. Is the media behaving itself out there?"

A new voice replied, "They're giddy anytime they can find something to interview, but nothing notable going on out here, Sir."

"Keep an eye on it." Crane sat up straight, returning his attention to the table.

With American books translated, and their existence not only not top secret, but even impossible to hide with a random casual conversation with a citizen, he had to face it. He allowed several other matters to come and go before raising his hand.

"Do you have a statement?" asked the speaker, clacking her beak.

He stood up, taking center stage once more. "The world we came from was one that knew well the price, means, and measures of war. We reached an age of uneasy peace, with the world becoming increasingly entangled in trade that meant any war threatened to cause more loss than gain. America assumed the role of guard, policing the world."

The minotaur chairman slammed the table. "They admit it!" The table devolved with angry shouts going in all directions. "We will not be policed by a new war-like species as if they understand any of us," boomed the minotaur, easily shouting over the general furor.

Cadance stood up suddenly. "This aligns with what I saw. When we attacked them, and we did... We assaulted them and they struck back, but not at our city, as they could have easily. They struck our warriors directly and with overwhelming force. My... army, though I now laugh to call it that in comparison, was laid low in an instant, and while that is worrying, certainly." Her voice had to keep raising in volume, others trying to shout her down. "They did what was needed to end the conflict, and accepted a bid for peace, without a single request for reparations."

Keeping from requesting things felt like a wiser thing in that moment, as other countries seemed at least mildly mollified.

An otterish female hopped to her feet. "Excuse me!" She was looking at Crane directly, her whiskers lifted. "Excuse me!"

"Yes?" He returned her look, though he had no idea who she was. She had been quiet up until that point.

"Hello, President Crane. I am Queen Ruddertail. I wanted to know, if someone you were fighting did not give up, what would you do?"

"That is a very open question. Can you narrow it a little?"

"Ah, yes, Hm." She slapped the floor behind her with her thick tail that was her namesake. "Yes. We have heard of the great explosions." She spread her furry hands wide in imitation of a big kaboom. "You love your cannons and bombs. What is the most terrible of them that you would use if you felt you must?"

"I was actually working towards that. Thank you, Queen Ruddertail."

"You are very welcome." She clapped her hands and looked genuinely delighted.

"With a history of national wars, our world had more than enough reason to continue to pioneer ways to do it better. Our grandest weapon is one so terrible we make promises to never use it. Mutually Assured Destruction, are you aware of that saying?"

Celestia blinked softly. "That is what I... admit to bringing up, though I prefer not to."

"We feel--"

"--Tell us!" barked the minotaur. "What is this assured destruction?"

"Speaker, may I invite a few workers here, and is electricity available or not?"

The speaker blinked softly, shaking her head. "It is not. Is that required? This is a place of discussion; electricity never felt required."

"We can work without it." They had batteries for that. "Permission to proceed?"

The speaker looked around the table. "Votes in favor of allowing this?" Arms rose. "Votes against." Other arms rose. "16 to 3, motion passes. Please proceed expediently."

"It's... full of air..." The scientist slumped in his chair, dizzy.

"Full of air," sighed out a female, sharing the dazed expression. "How... is... that even remotely possible?"

A third male threw a hand out wide. "In our universe, it wouldn't be. It just wouldn't be. If there was that much air, it would collect into a gas giant. It would not casually permeate the universe. The rules are different. The constants are different. The entire universe is different."

They had discovered that the atmosphere simply did not end. It got colder, sure, but never cold enough to freeze the air. In theory, a person could stand on the moon and, weightlessness aside, behave as if they were standing on earth. The universe was full of air in about the same mixture as the air they were breathing.

"Bloody hell," lamented the woman. "How has the sun, weird little ball that it is, not ignited the entire universe?"

One of the men twirled a finger even as he kicked away, sending his chair rolling along. "We have no proof the entire universe is full of air, but we have no reason to assume it suddenly stops at some point either."

There was science to be done, if they could just figure out the basics again.

A projector was set up, pointed at the least decorated wall. With the help of the slowly expanding satellite network, they could even access the Internet. A video was found quickly.

"I don't show this to intimidate, but it will. This is a weapon that should never be used."

There it was, an empty field, a few buildings and vehicles in sight. It was quiet.

Suddenly a flash. Paint awas stripped clean of the vehicles and shingles flew off the buildings. A mushroom cloud began to form, the wave of force arrived, smashing the vehicles and sending them flying, leveling the building as if it wasn't there to start. Trees were torn from their roots, combusting into flames as they were scattered. It was a test of the bomb, but also served as an example of it. "We have only used this weapon in war once, and two cities were destroyed by it."

Gasps and soft cries echoed through the room at the display. Celestia rose a hoof sharply. "President Crane, why would you show that?! Why would you have that?! Such a thing should never be allowed to exist."

The otter queen crashed back onto her chair, blinking numbly.

"I show it because it is common knowledge among my people that it exists, and you would find out on your own if I didn't, without the chance for me to explain it. None of you are in danger of that." He waved a hand at the blank light the projector was spilling out. "It is a deterrence, meant to dissuade other nations that had the same weapon. If both sides could destroy the other completely, then it isn't ever the right course of action to use it."

Cadance nodded with a shaking head, her entire body shuddering softly. "Well nocreature at this table, besides yourself, has it. Can you... put them away? Destroy them, please. Please..."

"Even their allies balk at their gross displays of power," noted the chairman, frowning at Crane. "Is it any wonder that the TSDI is not only prudent, but required?"

His statement prompted a few more scared voices to call out their joining of the new organization.

Ruddertail bowed her head, ears flat. "I would rather be friends with a people I hear enjoy swimming and playing, but this frightens me as I have never been so frightened. You ask us to forgive so much."

"Why not get rid of them?" asked Novo in a whisper. "If their purpose was deterrence of more of themselves, and there are no more of themselves, this seems like a fine time to be rid of them, dear. You know I adore your people, but this is... troubling."

She didn't sound nearly as shocked as he might have expected her to be. Had she already heard of it? She may even have seen a video, considering how connected Seaquestria was. "I can't promise anything about that. I can propose disarming, but that's been a long and slow process over many presidencies."

"A question." The chairman set his hands together, fingertips touching without the palms. "How many of these ultimate weapons do you have? 1? 5? 50? 500?"

"Thousands." Lying would only cause troubles later. "None of them can be launched--"

"--launched?" squeaked out the she-cat. "You launch them?!"

The tension was stiflingly thick, panic and fear spreading. It was still better than what would have come had it just casually leak out, he decided. "As I was saying, none of them can be launched by any one person. We have never had to launch one before and, God willing, never will."

"No wonder they get along with the ponies." The chairman was smiling a bit oddly. "They both can end the world, and they both pray to higher powers as they do it. If the world burns, it wasn't their fault. Their invisible friend told them it had to be that way."

Author's Note

That could have gone better.

That could have gone worse.

Anyone want to visit the moon? I hear it's nice this time of year.

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52 - Assumptions

"We had just assumed..." The scientist tapped at a picture of the world they resided on. "We... thought we had worked that out, but that's not how science works."

"But not rotating?" asked another scientist, looking bedazzled.

"You've seen the same figures I have. This world is basically stationary. Our satellites, launched at what we thought to be geostationary are geostationary because they are not moving. They're floating there."

A woman took a big pull of coffee. "I think I need something stronger than this. Alright, so... they're floating, and our numbers for launch and re-entry need a complete revision. Answer me this, how did the rockets that got the satellites up there not burn into a crisp?"

"Why aren't they just falling if they don't have rotation to keep them up in the air?" challenged the second man, applying one hand to the side of his face. "The more we know, the less we know."

"Welcome to science!" cried the first. "I want to find out. Don't you?"

"Planes have been increasingly inefficient since the transition," complained a sharply dressed man, tapping a graph that showed a sharp sudden spike.

"But it's not trending upwards," noted another man. "It increased with the transition, then went stable. Maybe the atmosphere is thicker?"

"Whatever it is, we have to use more gas, and the price of gas is increasing steadily. We have to adjust ticket prices to compensate. I imagine all the airlines will have to."

"You're leaving out a silver lining."

"Hm?"

The second man placed a new chart in front of the first. "The power requirements of the cabin pressure systems have dramatically decreased, often at about zero for the entire flight."

With the atmosphere being only mildy chilly instead of life-threateningly cold and perfectly breathable, the automated systems often just never engaged. The cabin never fell below the critical line that the pressurization would begin.

"That's a mild benefit at least..." They had ticket prices to adjust.

The Saddle Arabians rose to their hooves. "Speaker."

The speaker looked over to them. Though allies of Equestria, they were not considered part of Equestria. Nor had they spoken in support of America. "Yes?"

"I propose this meeting be concluded. We have all been given much to consider, and further discussion is pointless with it all in the air, as it were." He looked to Crane. "Strange new peers that call for peace with one hand and wield death untold in the other." He looked to the minotaur chairman. "Others crying for peace through strength. This is not a conducive air to settle other matters."

The speaker clacked her beak. "We have two major points and five minor points on the docket." Her eyes danced up and down along the clipboard in her hands. "Mmm. I propose setting aside the minor points. Votes in favor? Against? 14, 7, motion passes. Next major point."

The Saddle Arabian stallion settled down as the next to last topic was raised. "The floor recognizes the migrant people of the lunar pegasi."

A new pony stood up. She had slit eyes like a cat. Her ears had tufts at the end and the wings on her back were leathery with furry bits, not at all like the feathery wings of all the other pegasi the president had seen before. "Thank you, Speaker, honored circle. I understand we are not a... proper member, and normally not afforded a vote in matters, but this is an issue that concerns us directly, and you as well."

She reached out one of her alien wings. "With the curse of Hollow Shades removed, my people wish to re-inhabit the area. We have no interest in joining Equestria, however. We would do it as our own nation. It is with the blessing of the circle that we would prefer to proceed."

Celestia raised a hoof.

"The floor recognizes Equestria."

"Thank you. Night Flight, know that I wish you and your people well, even if you do not join us."

"How little your platitudes serve," hissed the lunar pegasus with an angry hiss before composing herself. "My apologies, Speaker."

"The land requested..." The speaker flipped through her notes. "Ah, here we are... Equestria would be the nation most directly impacted. Does Equestria object?"

Celestia shook her head. "Equestria does not."

Crane watched the exchange with interest. An outcast tribe casually cutting a slice out of a nation and calling it their own, without a civil war to go with it? That would not have flown back on Earth...

"Does any other representative raise objection to the creation of this new kingdom?"

After a moment of quiet, the speaker nodded. "The circle recognizes the formation of..."

"Hollow Shades," offered Night Flight. "We will keep that name."

"Hollow Shades. Please provide the number of residents you have when that's available. Next on the docket: Piracy has been on the rise. The open waters have become more dangerous."

On one hand, Crane imagined most wooden pirate vessels wouldn't stand a ghost of a chance compared to even a modest American war vessel. On the other, committing to that without congressional input after what he'd already stepped into felt like political suicide. He raised a hand.

"The floor recognizes America."

"The waters around America will be kept clean of illegal activity, of which piracy is certainly included." That was an easy promise to make, since that was the default. Pirates in American waters? Unacceptable at any time.

The minotaur chairman raised a hand. "Pirates know better than to sail where we can see them!"

Despite being a major item, no real proposals came. Some nations, like America and the minotaurs, promised to keep their own waters free of brigands, many nations could not, or would not. Of course, land locked nations could but shrug. No attempts were being formed.

Crane suddenly smiled, looking across to the chairman. "You have a new organization. This may be just the thing for it."

"Hmm?" He raised a thick shaggy brow. "What are you implying?"

"If you have an organized military of multiple nations, you stand in a solid position to act globally against piracy." And America wouldn't have to foot that bill. Bonus. That would also be that much fighting force not directed at American interests.

"We just formed today," he grunted. "This does not happen overnight. Bring it up next summit and we can consider it."

Soft murmurs spread, people considering the idea, seemingly in a positive light. He had planted the seed. All he could ask for at that time.

If America couldn't play the part of NATO and was instead the local equivalent of the USSR, large and intimidating to be defended against, at least it could also skip on the costs involved with playing the global good guy. There were always good and bad sides to things...

The parrot set her clipboard down on the table. "With that, I surrender my position of speaker. It has been a deep honor playing the part today, and I hope you all travel home safely, until next we meet."

The various rulers and delegates began to rise from their seats. Some moved quickly for the exit, others moved to speak with others, and some loitered around.

Novo rose in a feline stretch. "Mmm, the best part of the summit, I think. I confess, missing the summits was one of the better parts of being sequestered."

"Excuse me."

Crane looked to the side to see Queen Ruddertail, her furry hands clasped and working nervously. "Pardon, um, sir? President, yes, you are that. I am Queen Ruddertail," she introduced herself again with a genuine, if a little scared, smile. "Nice to meet you, again, that is, hello!"

Crane felt the overwhelming urge to tell that little adorable creature that everything would be alright, but he resisted the urge to baby a queen. "Hello, Queen Ruddertail. I am President Crane." If she had introduced herself again, it seemed fitting. "How can I help?"

"Yes, Crane, hello." She offered one of her hands towards him as she bent over. "My people, they watch with wide eyes. Your people are... scary, sir, so very scary, but fascinating, so fascinating... I'm saying this poorly..."

He took her hand and suddenly she grabbed him firmly, shaking his hand up and down with strength that belied her five foot stature.

"Do your people like to play, or fight?"

Novo suddenly slid in, idly stepping between the two, her wings pushing the two apart a little. "Ruddertail, nice to see you again."

"Novo!" The otter squealed with joy and hopped forward. The two touched noses, or nose and beak, rubbing gently. "Always nice to see you. Aren't you looking pretty today!"

Novo smiled easily, enjoying the compliment. "And you are as bouncy as usual. Ruddertail, this is Crane. He leads the humans, a fascinating people."

"And scary!" squeaked Ruddertail. "What do you think of them?"

Despite standing right there, the two had seemingly started to speak about him and his country. He wasn't sure how to approach that, but Novo appeared to be known to Ruddertail, so he decided letting it go was the wise course.

Novo shook her head softly. "They have so many interesting toys. Beyond number. Their people love to play, but they are also serious. They can be serious about playing, and serious about serious things. Complicated, I think is a good word for it."

"Very complicated," agreed Ruddertail, slapping the ground with her tail. "Should I let my people say hello to his people? Will they get hurt?!"

"They may, but probably not." She leaned forward, smiling at her otterish friend. "They are like a dolphin."

"Oh! Yes, dolphins, yes. Smooth, like dolphins, yes. Yes! It all makes sense now." She put a hand to the side of her head. "It makes so much sense now. I feel silly. Like dolphins... Be careful with dolphins, but fun. Careful fun." Her eyes lifted from Novo to Crane. "Is it alright to visit? You said not good fly. Is alright to walk a little? What about swim?"

Tourists. Otter tourists. Possibly otter immigrants. "There are rules to follow. Do you talk with Novo often?"

"Queen Novo is good friend. Not visit enough. Need fix, visit more."

"You should," encouraged Novo, reaching to pat the shoulder of the excited otter matriarch.

"Novo can explain where and how to visit." If they kept all the swimming Equestrians to a specific port of entry, that felt like the most reasonable course of action instead of having them coming in from all angles and ruining any attempt at managing it. "Pardon me for asking, but are you a sea otter or a river otter?"

"We are lutrai," explained Ruddertail with a bright smile. "We like rivers and seas and ponds and oceans! Even a pool is nice." She pointed up. "They have a nice pool here. Would you like to swim? I would like to see how you swim. Do you swim like a dolphin?"

Novo softly laughed at that. "Crane here is a dear, but he isn't very 'playful'. He's a serious serious."

"Serious serious," sighed out Ruddertail. "Should try to have more fun." Still, she let the invitation to swim drop. "Novo, swim?" They went off together with the promise of the supposedly excellent pool that awaited them.

Crane felt attention and an approaching presence. He turned in time to see the bullish minotaur chairman approaching him with a bit of a frown.

"Hello."

A voice whispered in his ear, "everything alright?"

"Yes... hello." The minotaur thrust a hand forward, large and beefy. "I am Chairman Krowa, chairman of the minotaur's republic."

Crane took the hand and was almost not surprised to find that Krowa was fast to begin squeezing too strongly by far.

"Hey, wow, what a handshake," Crane called out loudly enough to turn eyes. "You must practice that grip a lot."

Soft chuckles spread and the painful squeezing came to an abrupt stop.

That did not promise to be a good meeting...

Author's Note

So ends the summit, with a record breaking, for this story, amount of verbs devoted to one scene. How'd it go? What do you think?!

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53 - In Your Dreams

The little girl ran, or she tried to. No matter how fast she pumped her legs, heaving for breath, the woods never really seemed to move very fast past her. The wolves were catching up with her.

She would be torn apart. She had to run faster, but she couldn't. She was going to be caught.

With a burst of silvery light, the forest was illuminated suddenly. The baying of the dogs faded away. A horse of all things descended, dark purple with a gentle smile. The little girl returned the smile, confused, but happy. "Are you a fairy?"

Luna inclined her head faintly. "I do not believe I am, but I am here to help. What troubles harry you that you simply cannot escape?" She touched the ground weightlessly before her mass seemed to return as she sank down to be at level with the small human. "You may speak freely with me."

The girl glanced back at where the dogs had been, but it was quiet, even sunny suddenly when it had been gloomy and overcast. "Oh... um... I..."

"You are nervous, and that is alright. I am Princess Luna, guardian of dreams. You are within Equestria, and your nightmare drew me to your side. I will not judge your words against you. Speaking your problems can make them smaller, and give you new perspectives. Would you care to speak to me?"

Without asking, the girl suddenly approached and placed her little hands on Luna's snout, feeling the fur and exploring the princess with a shy but increasingly bold smile. "You are so pretty, and soft, and warm." She was but a small child, that had found a great and wonderful thing to explore.

Luna allowed it. Pony foals did that at times, simply taken to awed glee for a time when they first saw her. Like them, it did pass, with the human child on her back as if to ride her. "Dad wants to move, to your kingdom. Mom doesn't. They're fighting a lot, and I don't like it."

With that, Luna knew exactly what was wrong... but how could she fix that? At the least, she could calm the child before she continued her rounds. There was so little the girl could do herself to improve the situation, other than being a good girl.

Krowa did a slow pan with a meaty hand. "Welcome to The Summit. There aren't any larger gatherings of power."

"A privilege," agreed Crane, glancing across at the room being gestured at, still full of leaders. "We had an institution much like this on our own world; where leaders from countless countries gathered to debate, argue, and make rules."

"I will hazard a guess that it was your country that hosted it, regularly."

Constantly would have been a better word. "I did mention we often saw ourselves as the policing force for the world."

"Well you are not here." He thrust a finger at Crane, but didn't touch him. "I'm not a fool. Even if you agreed to tear apart all your world-enders, how could we know? How could we ever know that such a threat has ever truly passed? The answer is simple; let neutral agents have full access to destroy them, all of them. Let not a speck of this technology persist."

That was sure an idea he couldn't agree to. "An interesting proposal."

"One other thing... Your airships are decidedly more of a threat than most other nations." He raised a brow, eyeing Crane. "You understand that if we see one, we will react. If you have the right to 'police' your air, then you should have little objection to us doing the same."

The fact that he seemed confident he could defend against it was the most interesting part. "I see. They are quite fast, even the commercial varieties."

"Are you suggesting you would defy our sovereignty?!"

"No, no, of course not." He gently waved the accusation away. "But it's not easy to police what you can't target. Then again, one pegasus did manage to catch up to one, once. The details are still hazy on how that was accomplished. Can your people fly so quickly?"

"Our capabilities are something I imagine you'll be just as eager to share." He dusted his vest lightly. "I have a coalition to oversee. Good day."

"He takes being a bore to a new level. So many creatures to bedevil."

Crane jumped, caught by surprise by the new voice just behind him. There was a pair of zebra, watching him with calm gazes. They wore golden hoops around their necks and dangling from long fuzzy ears. The male of the two nodded his head. "A pleasure to meet you."

The female continued, "Even if you cause trouble to brew."

"We are the speakers of our nation."

"We can understand their frustration." The female inclined her head towards the others, her rings clinking in the motion. "You are a mystery most deep."

"But to war we will not leap," finished the male with a soft nod. "Tell us true and tell us plain--"

"--what is it your people most wish to attain?" Both of their eyes were trained on him. Neither had angry looks, more curious; almost as curious as their rhyming speech.

"Nice to meet you both. Thank you for taking a level approach to things." They were silently waiting. "As for what America 'wants', that has changed considerably since our arrival on your world. Right now, stability. My people are struggling to achieve a new status quo."

"To greet tomorrow as today."

"A calm and comforting pathway." The two nodded together in agreement.

The male pointed. "But that is impossible."

"Not while new species remain responsible," the female finished. "How many were in your old home?"

"How many races did you know before you had to roam?" finished the male, the two seeming in casual sync without conferring one another.

Well... "There were many varieties of human to--"

"Only yourselves, and still you saw differences?" cut in the male.

"That does not paint the most flattering of images." finished the female before she suddenly thumped the male, producing a jingle from both of their worn metal bands. "That was a difficult one."

"Easy ones are no fun," argued the male with a gentle smile. "I was confident in your ability."

"Let us focus on our civility." Her eyes returned their focus on Crane. "Are your people pleased or terrified."

"To know there are others they are now allied."

"Or perhaps to wage war--"

"--if violence gives a roar."

"I hope to avoid that." Crane gestured at himself. "You have me at a disadvantage. You know my name."

"President--"

"--Crane" spoke the two in their unnerving completion. The male pointed to himself. "I am Dham."

"I am Abaaboo." The female perked an ear, making a gold ring dance. "Your name is curious."

"To assume you fly is spurious," finished Dham, their rhyming returning without any visible cue.

"Just the name my parents picked. Tell me, and I don't mean any offense, but you both have an interesting way of speaking. Your words have a thick accent. Do you... have another language?"

The two glanced at one another, then looked back at Crane. "We confess," started Abaaboo. "This is part of why we are here."

"Not simply for new friends to endear," concluded Dham.

"We had a language, this much is true."

"But it is lost, just as yours was to you." Dham sighed softly. "A crime most foul, but we worked around."

"The rhyming verse our chosen curse, to remember what our words sounded like." Abaaboo dipped her head. "You have our sympathies."

"To lose a language leaves a culture with injuries," concurred Dham with pity in his eyes.

"If you can, we would like to hear--"

"Whisper if you must, lip to ear." Both of their ears were erect towards him.

What did they want to hear? Oh, it hit him. They wanted to hear their lost language. His dutifulness in learning Ponish before that attack meant he knew a great deal of English after it had swept past. "(Hello. It's nice to meet you. I am President Crane and I am speaking English.)"

Both of their eyes went wide. Dham put a hoof over his mouth. "You are a sacred keeper!"

"You...--" Abaadoo trailed off, struck wordless a moment. "We lost... so much. Pray forgive me, brother mine. I must speak plainly." A tear spilled from her eyes. "You hold it. You... must pass it on. Never let it go. Do not lose what we lost."

"To learn the local language, at a terrible cost," finished Dham, continuing the rhyme despite Abaadoo's abandonment. "You cannot write it."

"No! No... you can't... We tried that... It will become the local tongue in time. Only lip to ear."

"Lip to ear," agreed Dham. "Hold it close."

"Hold it dear," urged Abaadoo. "Let it not fade to shadows."

That raised a... thought, even as the zebra's impassioned plea shook him. "Are you from another world, like we are?"

They glanced at one another before they moved in closer. Dham spoke quietly, barely a whisper, "we are from afar."

"Come to this land bizarre," finished Abaadoo. "Zebrica greets its brother in pain."

"Zebrica dips its head towards this uniting chain." Dham reached up, placing a hoof on Crane's front. "We see and we know."

"We have felt the sting of this terrible blow." Abaadoo raised a hoof to join her brother's on his front.

He hadn't heard a Zebrica rushing to join the new coalition during either of the rushes of names of countries being called out. He hadn't heard Zebrica voting for anything, save for in favor of their being admitted to the summit in the first place.

"I would like to hear more about your country and your people," offered Crane with a light smile. He reached for their hooves and they seemed alright with him giving both a little shake. "We have several things in common, it seems. I appreciate you not taking a knee-jerk reaction to a credible danger."

Dham drew his hoof back, sitting on his haunches to allow his forehooves to gesture softly. "Yours is one danger among many."

Abaadoo reflected his actions, gesturing her hooves in the air. "In this magic world the hazards are many."

Dham rolled his eyes suddenly. "Using the same word?"

"My eyes are still blurred," defended Abaadoo from the accusation of poor-quality rhyming, wiping her eyes with a fetlock.

Outside, national leaders were exiting, which meant a feeding frenzy for the press. Cadance reared back as a camera was shoved towards her. "Missus Cadenza," greeted a reporter. "How did the meeting go?"

A shield popped up around her as Shining Armor stepped free from the guard's hall. "Thank you for your interest, but she is tired from a full day of debate, I imagine."

Another reporter tried their luck with the she-cat. "Excuse me, Miss? Can I have your word on how today went?"

The cat paused, considering a moment with a low purr. "Mmm, what bold creatures you humans are... Any such person in my kingdom would approach like scared kittens." Her claws sprang free. "It's refreshing in its forthrightness. Mmm, what do you wish to know?"

The reporter smiled as if they had won a million dollars. In a way, perhaps they had. "We don't mean to bother, but our viewers are very interested in this summit. You are...?"

The cat reached forward, casually plucking the microphone from the human. "This is what I speak to?" When the human nodded, she held it up as if it just came naturally. "Hello, people of America." She was facing the camera with a predatory smile. "You were quite the stage hogs today, commanding a great deal of our time. You should be proud."

"Too much time," grunted the Saddle Arabian representative, hurrying past.

"Ignore him," bade the feline. "I am the rightful ruler of Abyssinia, Queen Birman." Her coloration was true to her name, with a dark center of her face and lighter ring. "A pleasure to meet you all."

Author's Note

Finally, some interviews! The zebras have a deep sympathy for humanity.

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54 - Unrest

Chrysalis strode into the halls of the vast hallway. If they wanted, they could have killed her. They knew that, and she knew that. It was their confidence in that fact that allowed her to walk calmly to the podium, and not even alone. Several drones were just behind her, struggling to carry a clearly heavy object with them with little grunts and heaves.

She smiled gently to the assembled crowd. "Members of the TSDI." She licked over her lips, taking in the view of the many races gathered in many rows to watch her. "I present to you, what you have so desperately wanted."

Krowa stood up. "Enough posturing. You said you had something big. That hardly looks terribly large."

Heavy, sure, but it fit between the four changelings that were hauling it in.

"Don't let its size deceive you..." She threw a hoof wide, her horn glowing as she ripped free the cloth that covered it. "Behold, the secret weapon the humans think they can use to lord over you all." She stepped towards it with a little grin. "Can you imagine, so much, from such a small thing."

What they had was one nuclear bomb, misplaced and reported as casually missing, as others had before it. "This is but a taste, a tease, of what we can do for you, if you allow us."

Astonished gasps and murmurs spread through the crowd, gaping down at the five changelings and the terrible weapon they claimed to have. Krowa snorted softly. "An easy claim. Surely anything that would--"

Chrysalis span around, a flash drive floating beside her head. "Get with the times. Miniaturization is everthing in their eyes. Smaller, better, stronger, faster. Mmm, the humans love their toys, even their deadly ones, and the more they can fit in their hand at once, the better of a toy it is."

One of the drones bowed his head low before meeting eyes with Krowa. "Permission to begin the demonstration?"

Krowa sat as if mollified with the drone asking him instead of its queen. "Go ahead."

"I was hoping you'd agree." Chrysalis turned away, spreading her hooves as a glowing image of the world appeared before them. With a twist of her hooves, she turned it on America. "This was a long time in the making, one broken human, then another... We had to work deep and hard to put on a little show for you. Let us bring the humans down a notch." She could feel their adoration. Their desperate hope. They were so scared that she, offerer of hope, became the center point of so much delicious emotion.

The drones around her began to buzz softly, supping on the runoff. She would share... some... later... For that moment, she luxuriated and glutted herself. "Let the humans know true fear."

President Crane returned from the summit and had to give an address almost immediately. Between the media coverage and the public's nervousness about... basically everything... he had to say something. "Good morning, America. I visited a gathering of global leaders and I am pleased to report that they wanted a peaceful world as much as we do."

He clasped the edges of his podium. "Have you ever heard 'they're more scared of you than you are of them?' Never has this been more true. The people of this world are scared, but, many are ready to offer a hand towards us in brotherhood. In fact, I will be pushing for a new people to be admitted as the Seaquestrians are, vetted by them. They will have to follow the same procedures as any other individual seeking to find employment or live within our borders, of course."

"I understand that Americans are still working hard to adjust to this unexpected and dramatic upheaval. I am proud to report that unemployment numbers are on the decline. More jobs are appearing every week and they are being filled by deserving Americans looking for work. The transition has not been an easy one, but I am proud of you all, of America, for being strong through this."

A sudden shout emerged from the gathered crowd, "when do we get home?!"

Others rose with it, the crowd easily turned towards such thoughts of escaping the strange new world and a return to normalcy. The president made lowering motions with his hands. "We are exploring every avenue. At this time, I have nothing new to report concerning the condition, or how likely we could, or could not, return to the world we once knew. For the time being, we should assume that the world we live in is the one we're stuck with. Just like always. Let's make the best of it, together."

"This is going to be rough," noted an assistant, crashed near where Crane was sitting. "Your numbers are low, really low."

"I knew that." As if he didn't know where his approval numbers were... With the election coming up relatively soon... "Nothing to do about it." It wasn't as if he could suddenly fix all the problems, just keep trying to minimize them and maybe squeeze in a brighter future. That'd be nice... "Any word on the aid package?"

"They've gotten the briefing." He threw a folder up onto the president's desk. "They're working over the numbers to propose something."

"Good thinking." A new man entered the oval office. "If you had come back with a finished treaty, the senate would have thrown it out on the spot." He gestured for the first man to leave and was obeyed instantly, soon taking the vacated position. "You've given them the leeway to put their own marks on it, get them behind it. Good."

Crane nodded to his Secretary of State. "I wanted you to get your hands on it along the way. If they had allowed me to bring you along, I would have."

"I know that." He put up a placating hand. "I'm not here to yell at you taking my thunder away. So, alright, before we arrived... here... this 'Storm King', what a name, showed up and left his country in a shambles by the time he was taken out, like most crazed dictators are eventually."

He extended a pointer and tapped it with two fingers from the other hand. "First point, his people aren't armed with improvised explosives." He extended another finger for a fresh tap. "Second point, they don't immediately hate Americans on sight, a positive for sure." A third finger joined the party. "Third, we have considerable assurances for assistance. For once, we're basically the transportation. Equestria will be providing most of the food. It falls on us to provide medicine, but nothing that much more glamorous than painkillers and other such sundries."

"That's a fair summary." Crane hiked a brow. "Now why did you repeat all that? We both know that. Do you have something new on your mind?"

"I am proposing we keep the military out of this." He clasped both hands together and leaned forward, his chin resting on the ball of his fingers. "Not a single military vessel. Not a single military arm. Keep this civilian, all the way down."

"You sound quite convinced. Walk me through your thoughts."

"Gladly." He separated his hands and stood up. "Every gun -- every weapon --" He threw a hand aside with the word. "--we allow to leave the country is another chance for foreign interests to see, study, and learn from. We are in a unique position. Our technological advantage is more than we could have ever dreamed of before, but we could lose that quickly if we don't play our cards very carefully."

"I don't like how paranoid that sounds."

"It's not paranoia when they actually are out to get you, Crane. We have the TSDI forming up ranks as we speak. Now, we have allies, sure, don't get me wrong. What's not to like about having a magic pony princess on your side, especially when she happens to have control over what we call a sun."

"Have they figured out what it actually is yet?"

"I expect to die in a world that still has not a clue how its sun works anymore." He turned towards the window, walking towards it. "But forget that. We have allies and enemies, nothing new there. The goal is to keep the enemies in the dark while assisting our allies. If the people we're helping are basically unarmed, we don't need to send in the military. Let civilians handle the aid efforts."

"That would keep the costs down..."

"We have people chomping at the bit. It'll give people something to do that's good. Maybe they'll stop focusing on... everything else." He pivoted to the president. "I have your approval?"

"Just so long as we're ready in case something does require our boys to keep our people safe." He offered a hand, and the secretary met it. A deal had been struck.

"Tag!" The young hippogriff pounced at the toddler and touched her with both taloned hands, giggling wildly.

The toddler was no human, and no hippogriff. She was a little of both, and she ambled after the young hippogriff on equine legs, doing her young best to play the game, as awkward as she was.

Watching them were their parents. Stream sat besides Mobile. "Your kid has it easy."

Mobile perked an ear towards Stream. "Why's that?"

"They're human, mostly."

Mobile blinked softly. "You're crazy."

Stream sat up at that. "What do you mean? She's at least... 65% human from the way I look at it."

Mobile shook her head. "She could be 90% human and that'd actually be worse. I've been reading." She put a hand on her chest, looking mighty proud of that fact. "When humans look at you or me, they see a not-human. That's easy for them. Hippogriff, flighty friendly thing. We all fit in a little bin. We're great at parties but don't expect much out of them when it comes to serious stuff."

Stream groaned loudly at the summary. "Oh wow, you're describing my everything right there... I had to fight uphill to get past that. They kept assuming I just wanted to play... I mean, I like playing, sure, sure, but I'm here to learn." She slapped her talons together with a clack of her beak. "They're getting better, at least my coworkers."

A sharp squeal distracted them. Swift Swim had failed in the act of running, as expected of many toddlers, and flopped artlessly to the ground. The others were helping her up, and they were all laughing about it. There didn't seem to be any hard feelings about the tumble, and the play resumed.

"Aren't you worried about your kids?" asked a sudden human presence. A woman was looking between the children at play and their parents, a considerable distance away.

Stream inclined her head at that. "Sorry? I can see them all from here."

"Me too," confirmed Mobile. "Aren't they the cutest things?"

"What if they get hurt?" The woman waved across the distance between the two parties. "You're so far. Someone could snatch them."

Mobile blinked with rising confusion. "Why would someone do that?"

"Besides, children need some space to develop as people. If they need me, I'm right here, and they know it. They can--" She was cut off by a sudden incoming hippogriff chick. She was being hugged tightly by one of her children and she kissed the available cheek. "As I was saying, they know I'm here and where to go if they want some love, but they can also be away and learn themselves."

"Who you talkin' to, Mom?" asked the chick, its big eyes on the human. "Hello!"

The human woman looked mildly confused, but at least she didn't fight the scene of the mother and child's display of love. "I was just concerned. You have fun, little one."

"I will!" cried the bird-colt, hopping away from his mom. "I'm getting hungry, hope lunch is ready soon." He fled back towards his siblings and friend to resume play.

Author's Note

In this chapter, we shift around a bit. This is not a A then B then C progression. Can you guess the order these scenes take place in? If you were here, an American, or a foreign born stuck here by the transition, what would your thoughts/actions be?

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55 - Doing Good

Human ships were becoming increasingly common sights around the world. Some ferried hopeful humans and ponies to the land once ruled by the Storm King. They were met by a dubious population.

"You... just want to help?" asked one of the natives, scratching at his tussled fur. The people of the sprawling former empire of the Storm King were predominantly animal-folk of a many varieties. "What's in it for you?"

The human calmly gestured at the forming line. "For me, personally? I get paid to be here, and it's a nice thing to do, so two wins right there. For you, we have dinner waiting, but you should get in line. Do you have fleas?" That wasn't a random question. The citizen sheepishly accepted some shampoo to help treat their problem and scurried off to join the food line.

An elderly female with a steel hoop through a drooped ear approached, her snouted face wrinkled, but eyes mildly curious. "Are you here to rule us, once we are less in a shambles?"

"You have to rule yourself. Do you have fleas?"

"I take my regular baths," she proudly reported. "Kids these days... These are hard times. The ponies, I've heard stories; fables really... Are they as magical as they say?"

The human smiled a little as he gestured to the line behind the elder. "Some of them are pretty magic. I'm sorry, but I have to keep passing out the shampoo."

"Oh!" She scooted out of the way for the next person in line. "Perhaps later..."

"Mama." Mobile and Tim both looked up in time to see their child walking towards them as quickly as she was able. "Mama, Dada. Look look." She was holding something between two closed hands, cupping whatever it is out of sight.

Tim reached for Swift's clutched hands. "What have you got there?"

"Look look!" she opened her hands a little and Tim yelped in surprise, falling back.

Mobile raised a brow at her brave mate and moved in to see what her daughter held. There in the young one's cupped hands was a mouse. It did not appear to be living. "Oh..."

"Pet!"

Stream's family had a pet, a happy dog. The dead mouse would not serve that purpose... "Not a pet." Mobile reached carefully for the deceased animal. "Good find. You are such a good searcher."

"Pet pet!" She looked upset, eyes locked on where the mouse was leaving her.

Tim raised a lone finger. "One, we're getting this place checked for other... visitors... Two, we could get an actual pet mouse?"

"They have those?" Mobile sniffed the mouse lightly. It was freshly dead. "I'm going to let this one go. You heard daddy, we'll get a real pet, just for you."

"Pet!" She smiled brightly, clapping her hands and looking joyful indeed.

Mobile left during the distraction, casually chomping the mouse as soon as she was out of sight, bones and all.

Their family would expand by one little member.

"The numbers are coming in. Georgia shows support for John Rason, with a 20% lead."

With the click of a remote, Crane banished the show. He wasn't even on the polls. His own party had left him for dead.

"It was a decent run." His wife sat down beside him, resting a hand on his bouncing knee. "You did a lot of good."

"Will it be remembered that way?" Crane asked, slumping back against the couch he was seated on. "This is such a delicate time... We should have used that to sway them."

"They should have," she agreed. "But they didn't. And you, my dear husband, took it like the respectable president you are and always will be." She gently patted his shoulder. "You gave literal years of your life for the good of the country. Besides, didn't you have plans?"

"I did..." It was becoming vogue for presidents to start things after they stopped being president. "But the world I planned on it being in has changed, and... new information has come to light. That just doesn't seem as important anymore."

"Then tell me what does seem important." She nestled against him. "You aren't alone. I agreed to stand by you, and I wasn't joking, Mister President. What do you want to do?"

"This is going to sound a bit crazy, because it is, but I want to be a teacher."

She reared back a little, doubt on her face. "Teacher? Of what?"

"Language, oddly enough."

"Everyone speaks the same language." She shrugged softly. "Even the the illegals started speaking English, right? I remember you mentioning that."

"They aren't speaking English." He let out a slow breath. "(This is English, the language we lost.)"

"What was that?"

Sea Flower stood on a significantly larger boat. It was still wood, in appearance. She could feel the metal beneath her. "How's the onboarding going?" she asked as her human friend rushed by.

"We're doing good. Company called in, said to expect a full load on the way back too."

She had to smile. Signing up with a human cruise company had signed away some of her freedom, but she was still a captain, with larger boats. "Fantastic, say, can we talk?"

He hesitated, but turned fully towards her instead of what he had been planning to do. "What's up, Sea?"

"This way." She led him out the sun's reach, where she could speak privately. "Look, I've been... sending signals, but it isn't working so I'm just going to lay it out even like." She bat the door behind him closed with a wing. "I'm in love with High Flight and he doesn't even look at me!"

The engineer blinked softly. He had thought the captain had been chasing him forever, since before she had made her drunken pass on him over a year earlier. Some part of him felt defeated, as if he had failed at being attractive, despite never wanting to reciprocate those feelings. "Oh, uh..."

"You're a stallion, kinda. Close enough. How do I get through that thick skull of his?! You help me solve problems. Solve this, please." She bowed her head low. "I'm begging!"

He crouched down closer to her and felt a smile returning. His little pony needed some dating advice... alright. That was far less uncomfortable than being the target of her dating wishes. "High Flight sees you as a captain first." He extended a finger. "He thinks you have a thing for me." A second finger went out.

"For you?!" Sea blinked rapidly. "I mean, you're alright, don't get me wrong. I love you, a lot! But, you know... as a brother." She flapped once, raising into the air. "I mean that. You've been there, helping me every step of the way. I owe you a life debt. I just... Oh Celestia! Have you been? I'm so dumb!" She crashed to the ground. "I just crushed your feelings without even thinking about it. I'm the worst captain ever."

She had, but not the way she was imagining. "Captain, Sea... I look at you like a little sister I want to see be happy and successful."

Oh the light. Her face became a bright smile, her wings going wide. "Aw! Aw! Oh wow, aw! That is... Aw!" She suddenly jumped forward and squeezed him, arms around his neck and pulling tight. "Big brother! I can accept that, sure. Next time we're off-duty in Equestria, I'm introducing you to the folks."

"So, about High Flight?"

"Oh yeah!" She hopped back a step. "So how do I get to him?"

"You're still his boss, which makes things awkward... Did you actually read the guidebook the company sent?"

"No," she flatly admitted. "Most of it was a bunch of stupid rambling."

Was it time to explain to magic horses what workplace sexual harassment was? "You've known High Flight for a long time, right?"

"We used to work together for another captain." She bobbed her head, looking thoughtful. "I remember the days... I was a scout back then. Anyway, yeah. Does that help?"

"It does... Let's approach this logically."

"That is exactly what I hoped you'd say." She looked at him with such innocently hopeful eyes, confident that he'd use his clever human mind to find an answer.

Seaponies swam at the bottom of the marshy water. Humans would have been warded away, by violence if need be. There wasn't that much attention being paid to the random local wildlife that moved about, of which the seaponies could simply be, if they didn't come up for air, which they did not.

They slowly worked away at the muck, moving semi-randomly as they did so, putting on a show of not really being interested in anything there.

Of course, they were. What they were not, on the other hoof, were seaponies. The drones worked busily and steadily, slowly unearthing what the humans had given up for lost, confident in knowing where it was, and that nothing else would disturb it.

It would have been true, on their old world. On this new one, the rules were different. They had learned its location, and they would claim it as their own.

With slow but steady effort, they drew the heavy weight of the bomb free from its tomb, spiriting it away without ever breaking the surface of the water, at least until they were well out of the eyes of curious humans. They would continue guarding a bomb that wasn't there anymore.

"Pressurization, not a concern." He tapped at a chart of such examples. "Temperature, a mild concern, at least internally." He tapped again. "External temperature? Also not much of a concern. Can someone tell me how that works?"

"Not even the start of a clue," admitted a female scientist. "There are people trying to figure that out, but the friction is lower. Air seems eager to get out of the way. The faster you go, the faster the air rushes out of the way, keeping up even with supersonic crafts. It does explain how ponies can break that limit without hurting themselves in the process."

They had seen it. When the Wonder Bolts agreed to perform where they could be watched, it had left many scientists gaping. The crowning finale was still being written about frantically. Rainbow Dash performing her namesake, the Sonic Rainboom. She had broken several mach speeds, creating some kind of strange new reaction in the atmosphere, proving that there was still such a thing as air friction and the possibility of a sonic boom, but that bar had been raised quite high.

"It did explain some things..."

The rocket they had fired had created unusual cascades of colors along the way, but they had figured it was some new chemical they hadn't noticed, burning off in new interesting reactions in an alien atmosphere. As it turned out, it was the atmosphere itself, taking up the whole of the universe, that was the culprit, not its contents, specifically.

"We need to know how to get satellites up reliably. Getting lucky once? Not acceptable. Let's get to work."

They had a lot of math and practical experiments to conduct.

He might have become a lame duck, but he did not want to simply wait. His successor would be coming soon to take the White House away from him. That was the American way. No man was king... He tapped a contact on his phone.

"Crane?" asked a familiar female voice. "Always nice to hear from you, dear. Something come up?"

"Queen Novo, always a pleasure. I'm afraid I'll be stepping down soon."

"What?!" He couldn't see the bubbles that appeared with her surprised thrash. "Are you alright?! What happened?!"

"Nothing dramatic, just how things work." He looked out over the lawn, the sun shining brightly. "The vote's already done, and I wasn't the winner." He wasn't even in the race, but he didn't bother to mention that. "I'll stop being president soon, but I wanted to let you know it's been an honor."

"You're talking as if you're about to die." A soft aquatic snort came over the line. "You are welcome here, if you ever need a home. Do humans mistreat their retired kings? How awful."

"No! No... I'm fine, really." He made gentle placating motions at the phone as if it could see it. "But there will be a new president, and I hope you work with them as well as you have with me. Is it alright if I keep your number?"

"Why wouldn't that be alright? Dear dear dear, we are friends. Even if you became a pauper on the street, we'd still be that. I only hope your successor is at least half as pleasant to deal with. You keep that number. You keep it and you call. I might not always answer, queen duties, but you keep that number."

Author's Note

President Crane served a difficult period of American history. I think he deserves a hat tip. Say hello to the new president! The world, it continues, even if it doesn't spin... freakin' weird world...

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56 - Inauguration

John Rason adjusted his tie in the mirror. "Are you still fussing in there?" called a female voice. Its owner came in on high heels. "You look fine. You're going to knock them dead."

"You think so?" He turned towards her with an extended arm, catching her as she came close and planting a quick peck on her cheek. "I wasn't sure I could get this nomination."

"You worked hard for this." She hugged him in a brief squeeze before she moved around him, grabbing something from the medicine cabinet. "Not every president has a huge political career behind them, and you have enough."

His phone started ringing, but it was silent, just buzzing in his pocket. He pulled it just free enough to peek at who it was, but didn't answer it. He stuffed it back in his pocket and fussed with his hair until she had left, only to fish it back out quickly.

"Yes?"

"Is that how you greet your queen?"

"When I want to do my job, usually."

"Hmmph. You need to be elected, or rather, John Rason needs to be elected. Do this and you will be rewarded as no changeling ever has been. You will stand in the pages of history. Fail, on the other hoof..."

"I know, I know." He set the phone down and set in an earpiece so he could talk without holding the phone. "Going to a rally today, and I've been nominated. Step 1, down." He stuffed the phone into a pocket and grabbed his jacket. "Things are going smoothly."

"Getting you into that role was not easy," reminded his queen in dark tones. "Humans do not accept random new humans. Every single one is meticulously tracked."

"I know that." Of course he knew that. He was one of the changelings that had caught the original John Rason so he could wear his smooth Italian face. "I won't let this opportunity pass us by." Everything had to be exactingly perfect. His fingerprints were spot on. They had drawn so many seemingly-petty details from the man they had replaced. Passwords, habits, where he typically shopped and if he went standing up or sitting down. Nothing was deemed irrelevant.

And he had to learn it, be it. He was John Rason. He was also a changeling. He could be both, right?

John thrust a finger at the crowd. "Crane's too soft." The crowd roared with approval. "As president, I'll make sure America stands at the top of this crazy new world! We have all the cards. They're nothing, and it's time they started acting like it." The cheers only got louder. "With all of you behind me, I know we can drag America back onto its feet. This has been a rough year, but it can get better, if we start acting like we want it to!"

His message of economic salvation and mild xenophobia worked well with a great portion of the population, scared and struggling. With promises to create new jobs and a pleasing call to 'the good old days' that people could still remember, before the transition, he rapidly became a real contender for the position.

His greatest challenge was overeating. After each rally he was a bit dizzy and sick, bloated with desperate love. He could feel something... not quite right. Was he getting fat? It was possible for a changeling to do so, but also so astoundingly rare normally as to be relegated to a myth. Thankfully it didn't seem to bleed into his disguise, and the rallies went on.

John Rason strode confidently on four holed legs. He felt... great. He felt powerful. It had been months of rallies and political activity, aimed at securing the presidency with the support of the human political party that had shown its faith in him. He wasn't getting sick anymore. He just felt great.

"There you are." Chrysalis stepped into view with a razor-sharp smile. "My lovely little subject. You have served me well so far."

"With honor, my queen." He dipped his head low towards her.

"There's... something off about you." She raised a hard brow at him, considering him. "Have you grown?"

"My molting days are long behind me, Queen." He dipped his head once more before backing away. With a flash of green, he became his human self. He was still John Rason, of course. John Rason just happened to be a changeling. "My wife suspects nothing. She has complimented me on my vigor. We blame it on the excitement of the campaign."

Chrysalis stuck out her tongue with a bleh. "I don't need to hear about your tawdry human dalliances. Still, good... If she suspects nothing, you must be doing something right. Good... Keep it up."

"For the hive."

John slumped in his chair. Why did human social gatherings involve so much... excess? He had drunk perhaps a bit too much. He thought he had been careful, but the way the room heaved did not support that. He had to hold it together. He had to. A mistake there would cost so much...

"Hey, Johnny!" A hand slapped his shoulder. "You look a little green."

Oh no! Was he actually turning green?! No, no... calm... That was a turn of phrase. "I think I went a little overboard."

"Happens to the best of us." A new glass was pressed into his limp hand. "Drink up. It'll help save you from pain tomorrow."

John looked down to see a glass of clear fluid. A sniff revealed it to have no real scent. Water?

"You look doubtful." The man speaking to him shook his head slowly. "Trust me. Drink like it's going out of style."

He wasn't sure of the veracity of that, but nursing the water helped in the moment at least. "Not a single other glass," he promised as he sat up."

"Braver men than you have made that promise." The unnamed man slapped down on John's shoulder before wandering into the party.

His opponent stood across from him. "I will revive the manufacturing sector and put Americans to work making American goods."

John drew himself tall. "It's not enough to put a man behind an assembly line. We have to have pride in what we do. We used to say 'We are #1', but this is true. This is true without even a shadow of a doubt. We will make things that everyone else on this strange world will want and will pay us for. We'll take their money and know that we are #1. America, the best. Let's act like it."

The crowd began clapping and cheering, even as the organizers tried to calm them down so the debate could continue.

"Now is not the time to start building walls," argued his opponent. "We have staunch allies that are already working alongside us. America has always been greater than the sum of its parts, and that includes our allies, both internal and external."

John smiled so confidently. "I'm glad you brought that up. I'm not forgetting our friends, oh no. The Seaquestrians, Equestrians, and even those little fuzzy Lutrai; love 'em, I do. Great people. But they are not Americans." The crowd began clapping and cheering.

"Ugh, they're all the same," sighed out a young man, leaning against a counter. "Whatever you vote for, you get the same talking heads that are in the pockets of the same big money."

The other young man snatched up a handful of fries. "Yeah, but one of them's a new guy. He's not a politician."

"How do you not be a politician if you're running for president?" He sipped from his soda. "And how the hell did we start talking about this?"

"It's important," complained his friend, chomping on the fries. "The only position he ever held was a little local position in his city, once."

"So he's probably rich, and a lawyer." He sank his teeth into his burger. "That's how it works."

"Nope, neither of those. The way I see it, I want him in just to show a nobody can do it. Besides, he sounds like he's serious."

"Yeah whatever..."

"John Rason, the name on everyone's lips." The newscaster turned to her left. "Coming from seemingly nowhere, he's swept up the hearts and imaginations of the country. After a turbulent nomination cycle, he hit the ground running. With us, award winning writer of 'It's Just Politics'. Welcome, welcome."

"Good to be here." The guest nodded in his own window on the screen. "It's been quite a show of a campaign."

"Do you think it was a mistake for the opposing party to not support their incumbent? They may be regretting it now, with the polls going the way they are."

"No doubt." The author nodded gravely. "Their replacement tried to walk the middle of the aisle and he's getting flattened by the simple but direct message of the opposition. You can't fight that with half-hearted assurances."

"The race isn't over yet. With the vote still a month away, the polls have shown some wobble. Do you think the incumbent party has an ace hidden up their sleeve?"

"They better, or they'll lose. And you know what they say, it's just politics."

They shared a laugh at the tepid pun. "Thank you for coming on."

"A pleasure."

"In other news." She expanded to take up the whole of the screen. "Beastiality, or true love? The church weighs in."

Crane sat across the desk from the one that would replace him. "You ran a good race."

"Thank you. You've left large shoes for me to fill." John offered a hand across the desk.

Crane accepted it with a firm shake. "Thank you for that. Now, we need to go over a few things."

Like how to contact the world leaders he had made contact with. What projects were in process at that very moment. And what the cooks actually got right. All the little things presidents needed to know. "You're taking over during a very delicate period of our history. I hope you understand that, and are ready to face it."

"I know. Trust me, I know." John tapped at his phone, adding a few numbers that were just given to him. "This is going to be a presidency that no one forgets, one way or the other. Hopefully in a good way, right?"

"That is the hope." Crane nodded a bit stiffly, still unsure of how his own term would go down in history. "(Do you know English?)"

"Pardon?"

"Nothing, nothing." Crane waved it away, a little disappointed that his successor wouldn't know the language. "Just an old saying from home."

"Something good, I hope." He laughed lightly and swatted Crane on the shoulder. "Thank you, for your service. I'll take care of it from here."

"I hope that you do." He reached for one more shake and got it, a firm clean shake. "America needs a good president right about now."

With louds cheers and a filled plaza, John Rason was sworn in. He hadn't broken any records for attendance, but it wasn't the smallest either. He approached the stadium with a smile, waving at the people present. "As your president, my work begins today to pull us all up by our bootstraps. We have work to do. You didn't elect me for flowery speeches. I don't have time for anything but results, and I plan to get started on that right now. Thank you, all of you. Each and every vote you cast was a measure of faith."

He felt the nausea he thought had passed during the campaigning. Too many people? Possibly too many people, hoping in him, loving him. He grit his teeth and fought the urge to sway in place. "Your faith will help fuel our progress. America, #1. Now and always!"

The crowd roared with approval and bubbling patriotic cries. He waved as he stepped to the side, moving to leave the stand and assume his office.

Author's Note

Today is all about President Rason and how he got into the position. All him. He gets a full chapter. How'd I do?

I felt just glossing over that was a gross injustice. We really need to know who he is and how he got there. Your thoughts?

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58 - Consequences

"Is this operating?" The crowned canine frowned at the camera. A new device. The humans had brought so many new devices.

"I can see you," replied President Rason, his own face displayed on another screen. He was a bit hazy, the angle poor between the one satellite they had, but it was all they had. "You wanted to talk to me?"

"Yes! Yes, I did." He brought down his royal staff with a bang. "Your soldiers spilled blood in my country! How can we see this as anything but a naked attack? You killed people, and even took prisoners."

John leaned forward towards his own camera. "Your people held allies of ours, Sequestrians, hostage for over a year. You should have better policed your country."

He barked, literally devolving into a moment of senseless barks at the camera. "You have ignored our sovereignty! You will return the prisoners, now!"

"The prisoners have already been turned over to the Seaquestrians to face punishment for their crimes against them. You're asking the wrong person." He pointed at the camera and through it, at the dog. "You seem quite unbothered by such crimes taking place under your watch."

"I am very bothered right now." He grabbed the camera as if he was somehow grabbing Rason through it. "You will not get away with this!" He threw the thing at the ground, terminating the feed from himself.

"Have a good day." John Rason more calmly ended his side of the call.

Flash woke up with a perked ear. Someone was knocking on his door. He stumbled from bed, sleepily calling, "be right there." He half-tripped down the stairs and got a wing on the handle, pulling it open to reveal a human, a specific human. He was suddenly very awake. "Ah! You? I mean..."

It was the human soldier he had watched over. The same that had escaped explosively. "Hey... I'm not here to fight, promise."

"Oh, you learned Ponish." Flash perked an ear. "But I think you always... maybe knew it?"

The soldier frowned faintly. "You're speaking English."

"Ponish. Does it matter? Uh... so... what's up?" He ran one hoof up and down the other foreleg, examining the human. He was dressed in the pony clothes they had given him so long ago. "I figured you'd be back to your guard clothes."

"I'm not on duty... Can I come in?" When a nod was given, he stepped inside carefully and closed the door. "Look, wars are weird, and I was doing my job, but I heard you... You never did me wrong, but I had to run. I'm glad you're alright."

"I'm alright," he echoed, glancing back at where a chunk of metal had skewered him. "Barely feel it anymore... So... uh, you didn't plan that?"

"No." He sat down on the chair he could find, even if it was lower and wider than normal. "I specialize in making things explode and not exploding at me. Everyone else I usually tell to get away. That wasn't... much of an option right then, and, sorry, again. I know that isn't much."

"No, no, I mean... hay, thanks for comin' all this way just to apologize." He smiled a little as he walked over towards the soldier. "I see you made it safely. That's good, we were worried you'd be caught out in the snow and get hurt."

The soldier looked baffled a moment. "I had just finished breaking out of your jail and hurt you, and you were still worried about me?"

Flash shrugged lightly. "I thought we were getting along pretty good... Wars are stupid, why let that get between people?" He offered a hoof up towards the soldier. "I'm Flash Sentry, which you know by now. What's your name?"

He took that hoof in his fingers, shaking it rather than bumping it. A thing humans did sometimes. "Nice to meet you, Flash. I'm Don."

The tension was ebbing away. Flash went to get some drinks, so they could talk over things over some cold beers.

Novo had a spear in her mouth. She did not normally wield such weapons, but it felt quite right to brandish it at the prisoners that floated limply in the water, bubbles over their heads to keep them breathing. "You have dared to hold my subjects against their will!"

"I'm sorry!" squealed one of them, a trembling fox. "I was just following orders."

Suddenly his neck was caught between two tines of Novo's spear. "Tell me whose orders and we may find some shred of mercy for you."

"It was an Abyssinian," stammered out the fox, trembling fitfully, his eyes darting between the two sharp points that were on either side of his precious throat. "Please don't kill me!"

Novo drew the two-pronged spear back with an angry snort of bubbles. "We see... And does this cat have a name?"

"She spoke with money, and ideas..." He tapped his claws together, though his paws were secured behind his back. "I can give you my name?"

"Get a full description out of him." She turned with a swish towards her guards. "Throw him up onto the beach when you've gotten that."

"Thank you!" he called even as he was carted away. "I'm sorry!"

Novo regarded the other prisoners; all larger and less cowardly in appearance. "He took the easy way out. Anycreature else wish to buy their freedom?" She twirled the spear slowly with only her mouth holding it, showing some skill with it. "No?" Her eyes moved from one to the next, but they were being stoically quiet. "Last chance..."

"Bring her in," barked Novo, spitting out the spear and grabbing it with the crook of a foreleg.

The seapony that had escaped and had been petitioning for the release of her friends swam in angrily, bubbles agitated from the air with her manic fin flaps. Without a word she grabbed the spear right from Novo in her own mouth and wheeled on the prisoners. "I can start?"

"You see... This is a friend of the others, the ones you hurt. She has seen the lost look in their eyes, and she is not pleased... Mmmm, that is underselling it. I am not pleased. Her fury is only in check by my presence. With barely the flick of a hoof, if I give even a hint that I would not punish her, she would stain the waters a distasteful red in her fury."

"I can start?" asked the sea mare, growling with peeled back lips.

The humans had been brutally efficient, but also mercifully swift. Those they killed were living one moment, and meat the next. The livid seapony promised no such comfort. Trembling with fury, any death at her hooves and spear promised to be an agonizing one.

One bear grunted softly before words emerged, "I know where to meet them, to get new orders."

"Take him away." Novo pointed and guards swam in to escort the bear away, leaving only three more to potentially meet an undesirable end. "What does that cat pay you, to make you think this is worth it? Just help us find her, and you can avoid so much... discomfort..."

The half-crazed mare looked between the prisoners. "Where's the fox? I wanted to get my spear into him..."

Novo set a hoof gently on her subject's shoulder. "He has given information."

With an angry hiss, the sea mare turned to her queen, only to realize she was pointing a spear at Novo. "Eep!" She suddenly dropped the spear, letting it drift to the floor. "That bastard was there! He was there when they first caught us!"

Novo's features hardened into a scowl. "Is that so...? It would seem we have more questions for him... Take them all away, we will resume this later."

"In other news, President Rason has come out swinging, signing a major economic stimulus package into law while vetoing a bill that would have declared space occupied by struggling Alaskans to not be a state." The anchorwoman tapped the edge of her papers against her desk. "Alaskans are reporting support, claiming they'd sooner drop off some of their eastern territories than give up their newly acquired western reaches."

A new window appeared, showing an Alaskan representative. "Our people are working, together. These are Alaskans working to make Alaska. We are a maritime state and telling us we can't have the ocean? That isn't going to fly. Thank you, President Rason, for pulling the brakes on this legislature."

"In other news, up and coming mobile app is gaining traction. 'Fur and Flesh' is taking app stores by storm. With us, a social psychologist."

"Good to be here." The window popped into being, showing a man in glasses. "It's easy to see what's happening. Our culture is rife with taboos and limitations. Our neighbors have relatively few, but also assume kindness more often than not. A date with a native can advance to physical intimacy easily. Where two humans have erected many walls between themselves."

"Fascinating." She hiked a brow. "What about critics that say this is just a scam to get foreigners into the US with easy green cards?"

"I'd say they never actually spoke to one of them before. Their work ethic is as strong as our social taboos. Without gainful employment, even the ones they would call 'lazy' become depressed and miserable."

"I've met some people like that." They shared a laugh.

Spring Zephyr, Stream's husband, brought a hand away with a smile, admiring his picture. "Perfect." He hit the save button, having been working on a tablet, not a traditional medium, but he had learned, just as Stream had learned. "Hey, picture's up!" he called out.

"Checking it out," came a male reply. "Oh nice!" A moment later the CEO was at his door. "That'll be what I give to the media team. Thanks for the quick turnaround."

"Always a pleasure." Spring dipped his head and spread his ear tufts. "It's been... exciting, yes, exciting working here. You have such fascinating things that need drawing." He waggled his stylus at his boss. "What's next?"

"A theoretical." The CEO closed the distance across the room. "Something we believe is there but haven't gotten secure proof of yet."

"I'm on it."

"You are not going out like that." sternly commanded the cross-armed mother, glaring at her daughter that wore way too little.

"Ugh, mom. He likes it." She rolled her eyes dramatically, clearly seeing nothing wrong.

"He likes it too much!" She suddenly snatched her daughter's phone. "You'll get this back when you're dressed decently. I don't care how much your fuzzy friend likes you half naked."

"Mom!"

Chrysalis was grinning. "How perfect..." Her agent was already winning popular support. She watched the news with a smirk. The humans were as starved for love as she had predicted... Feeding herself and her brood would be a simple matter so long as they had humans to feed from. "And they make so many of themselves..."

It was an unending food source. Even gorging herself on them, she couldn't envision snapping them all up before yet more replaced them. She reached a hoof for a phone but hesitated. Calling him was basically impossible. Any communication, any, to the president was monitored. They'd know who called him, where they were, and what was said. They'd know everything. If she called him, she would be announcing to the world everything she said, as if she were shouting from the highest rooftop.

"Damn them." For all their good parts, humans paid far too much attention at times. She would have to have some measure of... faith... in her agent; for approaching him would be tantamount to suicide.

"He'd better be preparing that reveal..." She had plans, wonderful plans... Her minions had secured some of the humans' weapons. It was only a matter of revealing it to the right people in the right way. It only needed a good and proper demonstration...

That day would be perfect.

Author's Note

We jumped around a lot today. Allow me to ask, is there a bit you want focused on? I know my loyal patron would like me to get to the action, so his vote is already cast, but what of the rest of you? Curious, lemme know!

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59 - To Remember

It was cold. Placed about halfway between the ponies and the humans they had clashed with, the monument didn't have the benefit of artifacts to keep the chill at bay.

Despite that, media was present, as was Celestia and Crane and President Rason. Celestia had approached Crane on sighting him. "A pleasure to see you again, even if this is a most... somber occasion."

Crane looked over the monument they had come to see the completion of, a great stone slab with the names of those that fell in the conflict, with a statue of a human and a pony meeting in a brohoof of solidarity. "I couldn't miss this, but the president is just over there." He indicated Rason. "Have you met him personally yet?"

"I have not... Are you well? Did you retire for some... unhappy thing?"

She sounded concerned, but what could she do? It was nice having friends at least, and he had a few. "I'm fine, just the end of my term. American presidents don't get to stay presidents for that long. No man is king, just a temporary steward."

"I see..." She inclined her head faintly. "You seemed able enough, thank you. Do you have other work in mind, or are you retiring completely?"

"Princess Celestia." Rason had found them. "Thank you for coming. Crane, you too. They started working on this during your term, of course. It's only proper you be here." He turned to the statue, one hand on his hip. "Tragic... but with a happy ending, at least."

Celestia nodded softly. "Communication was the problem, as is often the case. Once we began to speak, we understood that we were friends, not enemies."

Crane looked past Celestia. "Your sister isn't here?"

"Neigh. She... would prefer to not think of her darker hours. She recovered well, I am pleased to report. Ah, this reminds." She lifted a hoof with a glowing horn.

Rason's jacket began to beep softly, distracting her. "What was that?"

The president pulled out a small device. "Magic detector. Any magic within five feet of me, it beeps."

"Ah." She lit her horn once more, resuming the beeping as drew over a little archway, like a metal detector sized for ponies. "As promised. Simply turn it on... here." She showed the lever that was large enough for even a pony hoof to easily throw it. "And any unicorn that walks through it will be magically suppressed for hours without harm."

"Is everyone getting along?" Cadance landed lightly, wings folding and her foalish passenger letting out a squeal of delight.

"Human!" Flurry announced, looking at them, just old enough to start spewing random one word thoughts.

Cadance gently released Flurry to the ground. "Yes, humans, friendly humans. You can say hello if you behave."

"Human!" Flurry lifted into the air and immediately went to harass one of them.

Rason nodded to Cadance. "I'm told we have you to thank for assisting Alaska get its feet back under it. On behalf of my people, thank you."

"A pleasure." She dipped her head. "The unicorns are enjoying the position."

He stroked his beard softly. "So you want me to find liquid underground. Like water?"

"Not water." The human in a hard hat shook a hand at the elderly unicorn. "Oil."

"Oil, yes, apologies. Do you have a sample?"

The man considered that a moment. "I only have refined oil, not raw petrol. Is that good enough?"

Star Swirl inclined his head. "It will have to suffice." He hadn't volunteered for the post. Penance for snatching the leader of the humans, they had told him. As if making a decisive, and successful, strike was something to punish. Times sure had changed...

When they brought him a small bottle of the stuff, he lifted it into his magic, eyeing it a moment. "Mmm, mmm, yes... I'll look for anything else with a similar aetheric signature." He closed his eyes and went perfectly still.

His handler watched him, wondering if something had gone wrong. How did one turn off and turn a unicorn back on? Was there a reset button? On the bright side, possibly literally, his horn was glowing. That was good, right?

"It is present," he announced, eyes still closed. "Dispersed, but there is much of it, being squeezed."

The man's smile was instant. "Yes, exactly, yes. Where?!"

Star pointed to the northwest. "About an hour's trot that way. There is some here, but it grows in density as you proceed." His eyes had opened as he said it. "It is quite deep in the ground. How do you plan to reach it?"

"Don't you worry yourself about that. Just get us to to the center and we'll take it from there." If that unicorn was being accurate, months, possibly years, of fruitless surveying had just been shaved off the time to get a new well up and going. "If this works out, I owe you a drink."

"I am informed you will owe considerably more than that." Sure, he wouldn't be the one keeping it, but... "Let us proceed."

Rason stood in front of the monument. Media cameras were directed at him, recording everything he did. "I stand here today before the Crystal Alaskan Monument. It was built by human hands and pony hooves to remember our troubling first contact, and as a promise to never repeat it. I did not commission this. With us, Former-President Crane, if you please?"

Crane stepped up to join him, nodding towards the cameras. "Hello and welcome. It is not with pride that I remember the dead of this war and the part I played in making them, but the future is bright, and we must all look towards it with the wisdom that the past has given us. The brave police officers that stood in defense of their town against what they could not have known was, at the time, hostile military combatants."

"Despite this, they served their people faithfully, and some paid the ultimate price for it. They were good men and women, working hard to keep their communities safe. Some were just ordinary people with extraordinary bravery, taking a stand to protect what they knew. We respect them with this monument, and swear that it was not in vain. Peace has been found, and prosperity is following it."

Rason shook Crane's hand, thanking him even as he took his place once more. "I would also like to give proper time to the other side of this tragedy. Princess Cadance, if you would?"

"Of course." She stepped up, head held high. "Hello, all of you." Her eyes darted from one camera to the next, unsure where she should be facing. "My people's names... It saddens me... To think so many are reduced to being nothing but a name, engraved on cold stone." She half-turned to the monument. "I was there, when they were alive, with dreams and hopes... It all ended with clean finality for so many of them... others fading away in pain and misery... We thought we were waging a war."

A pained single laugh escaped from her. "We were prodding a sleeping giant, and its drowsy hand came down on us, swatting us flat with barely a thought..." She suddenly shook her head. "It was all a grave misunderstanding, and I know that now... I only wish I had known it from the start, to spare this..." She gestured at the stone. "This is a monument to a grave failing on my part... Twilight had wanted to approach with peace from the start; and I had foolishly allowed myself to think we were beyond that point."

"I'm being dour." She wiped her eyes with a fetlock. "I am, of course, delighted that this is behind us, that humanity, Americans, and Equestria, are united in friendship. Let this never repeat itself. Let it stand as a reminder that war is a terrible thing."

Soft applause rippled through the gathered crowd, perhaps sympathetic to Cadance's obvious emotions, or moved by the speeches given.

"Sea Flower?" Rob rapped on a door with the knuckles of his right hand. "You in there?"

Sea popped open the door with a smile, but it wilted almost immediately. Her little engineer was not smiling with good news. "What did he say?"

"Can I come in?"

She backed away to let him enter, growing tenser by the moment. "That bad, huh... Can't even tell me where anyone else might see?"

He closed the door gently. "Turns out he actually isn't into mares."

Sea blinked softly, crashing to her haunches. "You're joking."

"Wish I were... He even made a move on me."

Sea somehow managed to go more rigid. "And...?"

"I'm not into that," assured Rob with a quirked smile. "I prefer lady company for that kind of thing."

"Oh, oh... alright..." Sea raised a hoof behind her head. "Oh... I... actually thought you were the stallion chaser. When you turned me down, that last time... I figured you just... Gah, I was stupid." She flopped against a cabinet beside herself. "I don't understand anyone, it seems. So he likes stallions, and you like mares."

He hadn't said that... "I prefer females, yes," he tried to gently correct.

"And now you're going to think I'm rebounding when I say I'd rather have you. Then you're going to give me a speech on boss/worker relationships, and then you're going to try to put me off as gentle as you can, because you don't want anyone hurt, but you also have such big damn morals." She sank a little, wings drooping to either side. "Or maybe you'd just rather a girl with two legs and some big things here."

Sea reared up onto two legs, her forehooves over her chest, not that she, as a pony, had much there to emphasize or hide. "How do they move with those things sloshing around?"

"It's a challenge for some of them." He reached for her head, raised as it was with her standing up. He gently pet over her scalp and along an ear. "But we have good clothing for that too."

"You have clothes for everything!" she whined, but she didn't leave his hand, accepting the petting with a pitiable look. "Can't we... give it a try?"

"Give what a try?" It occurred to him what was being asked even as he asked the question. "That's not something you normally 'try' like a test drive of a car."

"That's a lie and you know it." She stuck out her tongue and flopped back to all fours. "Lots of people do." She coiled back on herself and pulled out her phone. Quickly she had the dating app for humans and inhumans that wanted to meet up on display. She tossed the phone casually at his feet. "I got it to see what the fuss is about, but I never used it... I don't just want 'a' human. I have a special one right here." She waved a hoof at him softly. "I thought he... wasn't into that, so... I tried to respect that and find someone else to bother, surprise! They were the stallion chaser."

"Go figure that..." He hadn't much expected it either. Instead he had a vulnerable and wanting mare that was also his boss. He was fairly certain he could have sued her into oblivion at that point. But he didn't really want that.

Scampering on all fours under things and getting past water obstacles were the portions of the obstacle course he gained time in. That was good, because climbing over things and feats of strength slowed him down. Despite all of this, the nation's first otter armed forces recruit made a decent showing. He had passed the test by one of his long whiskers.

Army. That is what the test had said he was fit for, and he had advanced to bootcamp. They yelled at him, and drilled him, but he kept at it. They told him, repeatedly, that he could give up and go home, that he should give up and go home, but he didn't.

He even submitted himself to being shaved like any other service person. The barber had looked at him quite oddly, but ultimately his job was his job and he ran the buzzing clippers over his furry head exactly the same as he would any other soldier.

He had to flip his ears the other way around to get the fur they had been concealing. The top of his head was bare in a ghastly display, but still, he didn't give up.

Author's Note

We remember the dead. We consider the living. We fight for the future.

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60 - Justice

A man and a woman casually strolled down the streets of the city. It was all charmingly quaint, as cities outside America tended to be. Despite the quaintness, it was also very clean and mostly filled with friendly people. It wasn't a pony town. Most of the residents of that nation were big cuddly bears.

That only made the vacation more fun. It was like a strange little dream, being waited on by a panda bear before a black bear with a top hat guided them around town.

It was charming.

Sure, they had to carry cash with them. Most native nations had no infrastructure to accept plastic. It had to be local funny coins to pay local funny fees. That was the life of a traveler.

That was barely an issue in the end.

A silky furry hand clasped firmly around the mouth of the woman as something sharp jabbed into the male's back. An unkind voice growled, "if you make a single noise, we will end you both."

Despite his threat, the female squeaked into the hand that held her and the man made a similar grunt. It was, apparently, quiet enough as they were shoved along off the small street they had been on.

Rason had taken the stand once more. "Thank you, both of you. One unsung victim of this were the first, brave, ponies that had tried to approach alongside the yaks they saw as attacked allies. The lack of communication, and the tense nerves of the isolated people who lived there, saw to their end, quickly, and without ceremony. It is never acceptable to kill another person, but to lay the peacemakers down? It was a low point for us, and I extend apologies for it." He dipped his head towards Celestia and Cadance.

Soft applause rippled through the crowd. "Another reason to be glad that these communication troubles have moved past, allowing us to come together, as allies."

"You're welcome." Discord sipped softly from the gentle tea Fluttershy had prepared.

Fluttershy was looking around nervously in her home. "You... We... We thought that was harmony?!"

"Harmony? That's just insulting... Really..." He polished a few claws against his chest. "Why would you think that?"

Fluttershy rolled a hoof softly. "Well, it did make things a lot more... harmonious?"

"Alright, fine." He rolled his eyes hard enough that they tumbled to the ground. "I cheated." He extended a hand and a helpful squirrel put his eyes into it, allowing him to slap them back into place.

"How did you... cheat? Discord..."

"Don't look at me like that! So there's this little... ugh... harmonic tag, just waiting to happen. Normally it's all slow and subtle; but who has time for that?! Not us, that's who. So I just... sped it along." He walked two fingers across the air. "Hurried it up, and things happened. Poof, like that, problem solved."

"But won't they be... mad?" She reached for a cube of sugar and dropped it in her tea, swirling it with a spoon held in her mouth.

"They don't even know it happened, best part really. They just walk around talking Ponish, thinking they're talking the same language they always did." He snorted softly with a half-smile. "It's like a prank I played on them that they don't and never will know. Like someone walking around with a 'kick me' sign, forever. Delightful, really, and it let you come home. That nasty war was interrupting our tea times."

Fluttershy took a deep drink of her sugary tea before letting out a slow sigh. "Yes, well... That..." Was it 'not nice'? She wasn't sure how to place that deed in the grand scheme of things. "It is nice being able to talk to them."

"See?" He looked quite vindicated in his nefarious act. "It would have happened either way, dear Fluttershy, this just made it happen before you had any wrinkles to worry about."

"Wrinkles?"

He shook a paw. "Something I hope we can avoid, dear."

"That wouldn't be very chaotic." She smiled gently. "Chaos demands it."

"I... Well, maybe, but for every rule there is an exception, and that is also a delightfully chaotic thing, don't you think?" He set his teacup and saucer down. "Enough of such dull things. Tell me how things have been around here."

"It isn't genetics." Stream tapped a talon on the table, the others, her peers, nodding with her. "Genetics, as you know it, isn't even involved."

It was strange, and yet hard to argue. The CEO leaned back on his ball-like chair. "Alright, not genetics, toss that out. It seems to still work when two creatures with it get together, and casually go out the window in other cases."

"Like Mobile Coral," added Stream. "But she isn't the only one..."

Other cases had begun to spring up, and not even just Seaquestrians.

The CEO's wife lifted a hand. "Why was it considered a big deal when we hybrided with your people if we can apparently hybrid with other things. For that matter, why can't, say, a pony and a griffon hybrid?"

A younger man raised a hand. "Maybe they could, but just don't. Maybe the species of the world are species more due to a lack of desire to breed outside their lines than any actual force preventing them from doing so."

Stream nodded softly. "I could see that being the case. Many species have very distinct homes, and they are seperated from one another. Ponies live with ponies. Griffons live with griffons. Seaquestrians... We're all isolated, even if we trade openly. It's only recently that this has started to change in any major way. Silverstream, for instance."

"Who?"

"Young hippogriff currently enrolled in school in Ponyville," offered Stream. "Hon!"

"What is it?" came the distant call of her mate.

"Get a picture of Silverstream, class picture preferably."

Spring Zephyr came hurrying in with the clip-clop of his hind legs, his forelegs clack-clacking with talons against the ground. "Here you are." He dropped a print out onto the table.

There was a picture of the attending body of Twilight's school of friendship. A circle had been drawn over the hippogriff. Stream gestured at it. "To be blunt, this world is pretty, as you'd call it, racist."

With his return from the monument's grand display, he had gotten right back to work. He grabbed for the next bit of papers, only to find his inbox was empty. Had he... finished his duties?

"Sir?"

"Just in time." He smiled at the aide. "I was about to declare an emergency. A president shouldn't ever be idle."

The aide smiled back, but it was an uncertain one. "Er, yes, sir. Urgent letter." He hurried up and put the envelope on the desk before retreating as if it would explode at any moment.

Rason hiked a brow but his attention was more on the letter than the aide who had delivered it. He had it open quickly.

It was a ransom letter. It had plenty of intelligence briefings attached, of course, but there was the letter, demanding America, as a whole, bend to certain demands or some tourists, American citizens, would meet extremely poor ends. It listed off times that certain actions had to be performed by, and some of them were technically feasible, while others were impossible.

Not that he would be doing any of them. America did not negotiate with terrorists. Kidnapping tourists to send political messages? That was pretty cut and dry.

As if they could 'go away'. As if they could undo the cultural changes they had prompted with their presence. As if they would consider doing any of those things by threat of violence. Rason slammed the paper down and began reviewing the intelligence reports far more diligently.

They were still struggling to learn who had been taken, or even what country it was in, or if it was all a lie, it seemed. There were many possible candidates listed as potentials.

Chrysalis was on the list. She wouldn't do that... This did not play into her plans, nor won her fame or accolades. No, it wasn't a changeling action, he felt certain. If changelings had kidnapped anyone... there would be no note, and the person would re-emerge at some point, as if nothing had happened.

He was John Rason, president, and also changeling.

He reached for the intercom. "Time for the CIA to earn its checks." They needed so much more information before acting, but action seemed impossible to avoid. Even if it was all a ruse, someone had to be taught a lesson in even trying such a stunt.

"We need the launch codes," hissed one bug towards Chrysalis. "Without them, nothing will happen; unless we wish to build our own... Theoretically possible."

Chrysalis hiked a brow. "Is it now? Tell me more..."

"We have the most difficult parts, My Queen." He dipped his entire front low before her. "The magic stones they use to create the explosion. The rest of the bomb is not so difficult."

"Mmm... Investigate that, yes... I would prefer not to. It would be better if it were a human bomb that did it. The less that points back to us, the better. See it is done!" She pointed away, dismissing the drone who scampered away as quickly as he could.

Tempest strode towards the relief camp. With half-open eyes she cast her shrewd gaze over the gathering, quickly finding who seemed to be in charge. They were a biped, as most of them were, with barely any fur at all, save for the top of her? His? No, her, from the way she was speaking. The top of her head.

Tempest approached with her head held high. "I am informed that you have been assisting the people of this region."

The woman looked down at the serious-looking unicorn mare with a broken horn. "We're doing our best," she assured. "Nice to meet you, miss...?"

"Shadow. Tempest Shadow," she introduced with a hoof raised over her chest and a light dip of the head. "I once served the ruler of this land before he was defeated, and have been dedicating myself to helping them and spread the word of his defeat."

"Then we have the same ideas in mind." She turned as someone else tried to get past her. "That way." She directed the needy person back towards the right line. "Nice to meet you, really, but we're a little swamped. There are a lot of people who need a lot of little things."

"Is it not customary to give a name when one is offered?"

The woman folded the clipboard in front of herself. "Yes, right. My apologies. I'm Sally, or Director Reggis by most people here. Tempest, do you want to help?"

Tempest's ears went up. "Help how?"

"You look like a pony that is good at getting people into lines." She pointed to the rough line that wove and winded. "Get them to keep organized, and no cutting, and you'll have my thanks, and we can get through them faster."

Tempest seemed to consider it for a moment, hoof at her chin. "This is... a thing I can do. Very well. Peons!" She shouted as she approached them. "These people are trying to assist you! Show the minimum of care by getting in a straight line and not making noise!" Her horn flashed and sparked dangerously, magic flaring in uneven ways. "The Storm King is gone, rejoice... quietly."

The disorganized crowd began forming up into rigid lines, cowed by the presence of one of the Storm King's right-hand ponies. Attempts to fight and cut in line dropped quite abruptly. Under her caring glare, things started to go much more smoothly.

"Excuse me." A little colt was standing there, looking at Tempest with huge eyes. "Are you gonna hurt people?"

"What? No! Why would I do that?" She huffed softly. "The very idea."

"You look really angry..."

"This is how I usually look..." She reached back for a mirror and held it up to view herself. "I look composed and purposeful..."

Author's Note

Hey look, it's a Discord. Also a kidnapping and some Tempest to round things out.

I will be flying to Texas tomorrow, whoosh.

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61 - You Are a Pirate

The small boat zipped speedily through the waters. One man watched sonar, while another looked around slowly with binoculars, looking for anything that shouldn't be there.

The boat was sized for about six to ten or so people at most, but was large enough for what it was doing. It was not a battleship by any stretch, but to spot trouble required willing men more than grand vessels. The coast guard was on duty.

On Earth, they had to fight smugglers most often. Human smugglers, drug smugglers, and other sorts of illicit goods tried to make its way through the waters to arrive in America to make illegal men wealthy.

Not if they had a say in it.

A ship was spotted, by sonar and sight. It was a large boat, a cargo one by the look of it, and it belonged there. Some of the people on it waved at them on their slow way past, and the servicemen had the politeness to return the gesture, but they were far more interested in what was not supposed to be there.

They didn't see anything out of place.

Those who approached had the sense to not come to them directly.

"Incoming pirate vessel," came in over the radio. "We are speeding up to dissuade pursuit but they're coming in fast and hot. They're already taking shots." The noises of the gunfire could be heard over the radio.

The coast guard's boat banked under the control of its pilot, turning rapidly towards the sieged ship. "Pirate attack in progress," radioed another man, passing the message on to other ships and the shore. "We are intercepting." Coordinates were given. It never paid to go rushing in without letting others know where you were.

"Merchant vessel, do not engage pirates. If they board or are about to board, retreat to the safest room you have. Do not argue or fight the pirates." There was no reason to risk civilian sailors trying to do what the coast guard was trained to do.

The ships came into view. The rogue ship was tiny and low in the water, but all the speedier for it. An engine ran wildly in the back. It was easy to forget that natives did have engines when they cared to have them. The rest of the boat was so old fashioned, made of wood as it sluiced through the water.

The pirates were a collection of birds and lizards, each wielding a weapon. The largest, a frilled lizard person, had a gun in either hand that each looked to be the size of a shotgun.

Despite being birds, they had no wings to speak of, and did not take flight, instead scaling right up the side of the ship the moment they were in range.

"Pirates are on board merchant vessel. We are on the scene and moving to engage."

The lizard spotted them and hissed with a curled and forked tongue. They leveled their large guns at their ship and fired wildly, spraying the front of their speeding ship with buckshot and forcing the soldiers to duck. The glass at the front became a spider's web of tiny cracks, broken by the shot.

"Returning fire." A man grabbed for a mounted gun at the fore-side of the ship and swiveled it towards the small pirate vessel. With a great roar of discharging munitions, holes began to appear all across the enemy ship, punching right through the wood as if it wasn't there. The lizard staggered back, red appearing across its front, clearly struck.

But it didn't drop. The lizard roared so loud it could be heard over engines and the distance, firing wildly towards them. Most of the servicemen kept their heads down and low, but the gunner homed in with his aim, turning it back on the lizard directly.

The would-be pirate was thrown back against the ship he head meant to board, ripped apart by the heavy machine gun. For just one moment it looked like he might try for a final shot, but the gun he had meant to use fell from a numb hand. He collapsed into the perforated bottom of his ship, the entire craft threatening to sink with the damage it had taken.

"Fucking hell," grunted out one of the defenders of the water, clutching his shoulder where a bullet had found purchase. The pirates were firing at them from the deck of the ship they had scaled. The angle was poor for taking cover.

The gunner swept his weapon up at the deck. "Tell me the crew's not up there." He didn't have much time to wait for a definitive answer for that, laying down a carpet of covering fire that drove the pirates away from the edge, allowing them to pull up beside the larger ship, but also cutting off his angle to use that gun any more.

"They're breaking in," came the distressed radio call. There was no time to wait.

They got to scaling the ship, storming it. Even as their boots slammed into the metal, fighting for grip as they climbed, one of the pirates leaned over the side. Exposed, too exposed. A sharp snap, then a splash. One of them fell into the waters, shot by the handgun of their quarry.

Other shots fired in response, wild bullets more than enough to scare the pirate back for just a moment, long enough for several men to get up on the ship.

"Freeze," bellowed a man, an automated weapon held in both hands now that he was standing even with them. "Drop your weapons on the ground."

There were two pirates there on the deck. One of them trembled and backed away, their gun hanging limply from hands that didn't want to cooperate entirely.

The other had more of a backbone, raising their g-- A line of bullets ripped across their front, sending them into a spiral before slamming down on the deck. The automated gun was brandished by its wielder towards the other pirate. "Get down, now!"

The bird squawked as they flopped artlessly next to their injured, maybe dead, friend. "Don't kill me!"

Other boots stampeded, the other soldiers rushing to get below decks. There were more pirates, they knew, and crew that could be being hurt if they idled even a moment.

The door leading to the interior was locked. One of the men threw himself against it, only to fall back in the next moment, staggering and clutching their belly. Holes in the door revealed what happened. Someone inside had waited for them and opened fire the moment they detected the coast guard.

"Jesus Christ." The other dropped to a knee and opened fire through the closed door, trying to return the favor. Had they struck true, or not? It was impossible to tell, and time was being wasted. The man had to advance, and he did. "Stay calm, we're here." He directed that at his fallen friend, still conscious, and shot. "We just have to take out the trash. We'll get you patched up."

With a savage kick, the door gave way, revealing an empty hallway. "Didn't shoot him good enough." A dead or dying body would have been far preferred to the emptiness. "Going in."

"How could anyone even envision challenging them?" asked a refined fish person, sipping tea across from a dog. "It's not even remotely fair... They have numbers... They have weapons..."

"All the more reason we have to stick together." The dog thudded his chest lightly. "Together, we have a shadow of a chance. It's that or, what, roll over and beg for mercy? No. We will protect each other, and fight, together."

"Even together, what are the odds? Can a school of guppies ever menace a whale?" The fish person let out a weary sigh. "Still... Still... I do hear you. To just... give up, who would desire that? Who..."

"Exactly!" The dog reached across and pat his friend on the shoulder. "They are scary, it's true. I won't argue that, because we both know it. But that is exactly why we must all stand side by side, as allies."

"I have a question."

"Mm?"

"Have they treated their allies poorly?" The fish person folded his hands and leaned onto them. "They went to fight for their allies without hesitation... with great brutality... The Seaquestrians seem to enjoy their friendship greatly. Their prominence in our... circles... has increased. Who dares speak against them with such friends?"

"Bargains with devils brings good things... at first." The dog reached for his cup, swirling its fruity contents. "I doubt any will forget how they boast and maneuver, hm... Do you like it?"

"Of course I do not!"

"Remember that then, then ask yourself if you want others to think of you in the same light. The Defense Initiative is the winning option. You'll win good will with others, and have some defense against them. The minotaurs... have you seen it?"

"Seen what?" The fish man lowered his hands to the table. "Have I missed something?"

"They are mobilized, and it is a thing to behold. With the first real competitors to what was considered 'their' territory, they are scrambling. They are pushing new innovations at a breakneck speed, and claim to be fully ready to meet the humans on their terms, and best them on the open field of battle. All they lack, they say, are loyal allies, like the Defense Initiative. With powerful tools and noble friends, we will win a fight if it comes to it. Don't count us out so easily."

"Mmm..." The fish didn't seem entirely convinced, but neither was he as ready to give up on the idea of the Defense Initiative.

"I'm curious." A human recruit was trying to relax in the evening. It was one of the few times they could. "Why the army?"

"Why not the army?" asked his furry peer. "I wanted to be a warrior, so here I am."

"I get that, but you're literally an otter."

"Lutrai."

"Fancy talk for otter," grunted the recruit. "Why aren't you in the navy?"

The otter blinked softly a moment. "Is the navy not part of the army? We are all warriors."

"Uh... no?" He rolled over, looking at the otter. "Dude, really... They are not the same. You're in the army. We don't get on boats unless they're taking us somewhere."

"Oh... Oh."

"Yeah... You had no idea, huh?"

"No." He clasped his hands over his belly in the traditional 'I am floating in water' otter way despite not being in water. "I will be a good warrior. You want to be a warrior too, right?"

"Hell yeah... Basic Training is the pits, but it gets better, promise." He offered a hand towards the otter, and it was met with a furry but balled hand, thumping together.

"My aim is improving."

"Mine too... I couldn't hit much at first."

"Me too." The otter's whiskers lifted a little. "I am Hoku. Let us grow, together. We will become mighty warriors, to protect our people."

"Paul." He smiled gently, flopping over onto his back. "That sounds good. You'll have to show me how you get such good times in the water, but I bet half of that would need me to get webbed fingers."

"That would help," admitted Hoku with a silly smile. "Other tricks. Glad to show, when they let us. It's nice when they let us swim."

For most recruits, being in the water meant being forced to do laps, and was exhausting. For Hoku, it was a time for play. He could do all the requested laps, and then some. They had tried, once, to tire him out, to make him do laps until they told him to stop, but he just kept going around and around and around. He never asked to stop.

Sure, he was very sore that evening, but he hadn't asked to stop. Some said it was likely fortunate the drill sergeant responsible erred on the side of caution with a literal alien recruit.

Author's Note

The Coast Guard, unsung heroes really, take care of some business. Others discuss options quietly, and Hoku, our otter friend, does his best.

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62 - Censureship

Celestia came to a halt, a microphone blocking her way forward. Human reporters had cut her off. "Pardon."

"If we could have a moment of your time?" asked the hopeful reporter. He held the microphone a bit under her mouth, waiting to catch her words as if they would fall into it. "I've heard that you aren't entirely pleased with the actions of the American military."

Her horn glowed, gently pushing the microphone back. "I'm sorry, are you an immigrant? If so, welcome to Equestria."

"No, no." He waved his free hand. "Just a visitor, with questions. Do you have any opinions?"

"It is not my place to muse over the actions of my allies with random people I don't know, Mister...?" She examined the eager human. "I really should be going."

"Just a moment of your time, if I could."

Guards moved forward, brushing the human back and away. Barring Celestia's way was not an acceptable thing.

"What would you say is your #1 weakness?" The middle-aged man raised his eyes to the applicant, examining them intensely.

That applicant had a glossy fur coat. "#1 weakness, yes, yes, hmm. I get serious serious when people are in trouble. Some are good at being happy serious, but I am very serious serious until the trouble is gone." The otter scratched at his neck. "Good at swimming, rescue. Get job?"

Hiring an otter as a lifesaver promised some advantages, but... "Not quite yet. Do you understand this is a full time position?"

"Forty hours." The hopeful otter bobbed his head. "Every seven days."

"Per week."

"Yes, that. I can do that."

He had a lot of hopeful applicants to sift through, though at least he was down to interviews. He was close to finishing that chore. "Are there days of the week you'd prefer or cannot work?"

Rason leaned forward as another man whispered softly to him. They had ascertained who had been taken and where, but finding them was a whole other trick. While the interior of America had plenty of chances for observation and recording, foreign points of interest were very lacking. There was a report of a native they were supposed to see, that they had not showed up for.

They had a several hour gap where they had vanished in, and about half a city in which it could have happened. It wasn't terribly promising. All the force in the world meant nothing if you didn't know where to direct it.

The bears of the state and community were all contrite and properly upset that something had happened to one of their guests, but offered no clues that led them closer to getting their people back or punishing the people that took them.

It was unfortunate. It was a tragedy. It was also something he really had nothing to do with until the kidnappers did something to tip their hand and give them a hint to work off of.

"Is it any wonder violent crime is on the rise?" The bird clacked her beak, looking across the well-appointed chair at a lizard, a bear, and a pony. "The humans deal with everything with their cannons, so anyone else that thinks they might cross them has to be ready, and then others want to be ready to deal with those, and it ripples on." She fluttered her finger in a wavy motion.

The pony's ears twitched up briefly. "My friend was mugged by someone using them. They were never so frightened for their life. Remember when the worst you had to face was an angry thug with a sword or a dagger? Now we all live one mistake away from our last..."

The lizard tasted the air with a soft hiss. "I prefer to not be accosted at all, but it has become more dangerous than ever to be so. They seem empowered by the weapons, as if they think they can do anything... And the Americans shoot them without hesitation. How do they have any crime?"

"I don't understand that." The bear rubbed behind her head with a large hand. "If they shoot anything they don't like, you'd think they'd run out of things to not like pretty fast, so they'd be peaceful, but I hear they have plenty of crime. Are they not scared of their own weapons? They should know better than anyone else how deadly they are."

"That's the problem." The pony nodded softly. "You can't reform with a hand cannon. Princess Twilight did so much without one. Imagine if she ran around with hand cannons instead? Our history would have played out pretty differently."

The bird suddenly musically trilled. "That would be an interesting, and sad, revision. Old ruler back from the moon? Shoot her until she stops being a problem."

"Luna!" squeaked the pony as if that possible past was about to come to being.

"We did it." All eyes were on a small little bulb. It glowed an off-purple light. It looked like a little LED, but it was not one of those. "Behold!"

Sunburst tilted his head at the light, considering it. "That... is amazing!" And why wasn't it? It was a magic glow, created by electricity. "Human magic." He clopped his hooves softly in approval. "Can you change the color?"

The purple shifted to a red, then an orange and off to yellow, transitioning from one to the next in smooth gradients. "It produces no heat, fairly equivalent to LED lighting, with greater scaling. Imagine if we made a monitor with these..." Appreciative noises came from around the room as folks considered how that would work.

"Did you get the control hardware small enough for that?" asked Sunburst. The display model there didn't show the controls behind it.

"Well, no," admitted the first man with a shrug. "But we will, given time. Still, that's not our problem, exactly. We want magic, that's what we'll keep working on. Next step, levitation. If we can get that going before the end of the year, we'll go down in history."

"Pretty sure that happens even if we don't get it by the end of the year," argued one of their coworkers. "Not that I'm against getting it done today, but I doubt that."

The chairman stepped calmly onto the podium. "Good people, thank you for coming today." He looked over the many representatives gathered. It was almost as large as the summit that had created the coalition he led. The humans were not invited, or their allies. "I am pleased to display some of the things we have been promising."

Eyes were locked on him, when they weren't trying to see past the minotaur. Behind him was a great curtain that promised to hold secrets. Secrets that would soon stop being that.

"As you are all aware, we have led the way in technological innovation, and this hasn't changed. But you don't get to do that without the ability to see a good thing when you encounter one." He gestured to the right where an image of New York city appeared. "America is full of new ideas and ways of thinking, and we have been dutifully incorporating their works, improving them."

He leaned forward, hands gripping the rail of his podium. "While sometimes made with a mad sort of genius, they are all curiously off-kilter. They were not made for this world. It fell on us to fix that. I present, the Paladin!" With a sudden drawing of the curtains to the left and right, a curious craft was revealed. It had three great engines in a triangle with short wings.

It was made of gleaming metal, with bright bold red and purple lines. It was sleek and sculpted to look like it wanted to cut through the air. "At top speed, it can produce a brilliant wash, but it can also not to increase stealth abilities." Polite applause began. While some ponies could go that fast, and some human crafts go fast enough to trigger the prismatic display, the thought of a local craft that could do it? The people looked impressed.

"It produces minimal heat, and its shape creates barely a shadow when looked for automatically." He reached out a hand and the prototype was pushed forward until it bumped gently into his hand. "Fast, subtle, and, best of all, fast to make. But that's before I get to the weapons."

He had their complete attention, just the way it should be. "One fully independent turret." A small pod circled around in a full 360 degrees at the bottom of the craft. "Also equipped with cameras and a suite of sensors, making it capable of intelligence gathering." Their applause was music to his ears. He waited for it to quiet before he pushed on.

"One missile pod, capable of launching prismatic-speed munitions."

With a sharp whistle, the pod near the top of the craft fired on the crowd. The crowd became a mess of panic before it exploded, making a picture of a flexing minotaur over everyone. "Have no fear, we wouldn't harm our honored guests. This is a shared innovation. As members of the initiative, this is our defense."

Uneasy applause began, people recovering from the shock of being fired on, even if it was a harmless pyrotechnical display.

"And that's only the first thing we have to show. Now, I feel I should note, they are not idle." He leaned towards them all, his hands tight. "They are refining their tools for destruction, and if they attack, it will not create whimsical images in the air, I promise. You've all heard how they've treated anyone who they don't agree with."

Every time the humans had rushed into a situation with hostiles, dead bodies had been the result. A lot of dead bodies. Some of them human, most of them not. "And they still outnumber us. It's time to tilt the scales back in our favor. I present personal protection." The prototype plane was pulled back and the curtains closed, only to open a moment later with a long rack of clothing.

"Soft, warm, and stylish; nocreature says you can't look good while staying safe." He suddenly thrust a finger at another minotaur. "Shoot me!"

"Yes, Sir!" He saluted sharply before raising a hand cannon at the chairman and shooting him dead center in the chest.

The chairman staggered back, ears pinning back across the room at the loud bang. "I'm fine, fine... Behold!" He gestured at his chest that was not gushing blood. With a firm shake, a bullet fell free to the ground. "With impact dispersing technology, we take their tiny cannons and make it as if you were hit with a big fast pillow instead."

He held up a finger. "Warning, separate head gear is recommended in dangerous situations. The face of the average creature is too.... intricate for this to work in exactly the same way."

The applause returned, far more heartfelt that time. Defense against the human cannons was almost too good to be true.

Surely their minotaur allies had come through for them.

Perhaps they had a chance, if push came to shove.

"Sir." Rason looked up at who was talking to him. "A foreign agent just called in about the minotaur tech demo."

Rason held out a hand and an envelope was placed in it. "Thank you. Let's see what the cows are mooing about." Minotaurs did not enjoy being called cows. That was their problem. He undid the seal on the envelope and began reading eagerly, but that smile faded a bit.

They had managed that much, so quickly? Still, even if a given defense member could take a few more shots without being incapacitated, there were few scenarios that came to his mind immediately that would make them not have an advantage, still...

If they could get that armor...

Bullet proofed soldiers that were also not weighed down by heavy kevlar plating? Who would complain about that? Certainly not the soldiers.

Author's Note

Plenty of foreign shenanigans going on in this chapter. Also hello from Texas!

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63 - Silence on the Stage

"It just can't work." The mare turned away from the griffon, the lighting casting long shadows across her face, highlighting a visible tear. "We're from different worlds."

"Don't say that!" The griffon threw his hands wide. "Damn the rest of them. Let them talk, why should we care?!"

"I can't live like that!" The mare frowned over her shoulder. "And I don't think you can either..."

"Sweet... I made a promise." The griffon fell to a knee in front of her, just at the right distance to gently cup her equine cheeks in his talons. "I don't plan to break it, ever. We can make this work... together."

"Cut!" came a sudden call. "The lighting on that last line, I hate it. Let's take it from the top."

Human media was becoming world media. Equestria was the first to welcome the upgrades to one of their own theaters. Ponies came from all around to gawp and amaze at the first converted theaters in Manehattan. Though they had seen moving pictures before, they surely had not heard of such innovations as three dimensional viewing, surround sound, and high quality digital soundtracks that were prepared to blow them out of their chairs.

It wasn't that the Seaquestrians would have been against the idea, but water was not air, and getting that equipment down to them and getting them to work underwater was a significantly greater challenge. Their mountain home, while dry, was underdeveloped and rural in comparison. It was only natural that Manehattan get the first theater in the end.

At first existing human movies were shipped over, playing old classics and testing the crowd. What did ponies like to watch?

As it turned out, ponies. They enjoyed the sight of themselves, though the novelty of humans doing strange things drew them in at first. Violent bloodbaths turned more of them off than those it fascinated. Complex dramas left some in the dark, while comedies seemed to work well... to a point.

The more the comedies drew on 'adult' and 'mature' elements, the less likely it was to resonate with ponies, and they weren't very likely to laugh at a random swear word.

As it turned out, they loved Charlie Chaplin in every form he came in. Physical slapstick was immediately accessible and drew cheers and laughs from the equine crowd without any translation of culture required. Excited gossip about the Stooges and their performances swept across Equestria.

Then the romance. Ponies liked a good romance, at least a good portion of them. Human romances fascinated them for its strange alien qualities. But, again, ponies liked watching ponies, so they tried bringing ponies into perform, and soon they had some equine Hollywood actors.

The issue was that there were only a few pony actors in Hollywood in those timid early days, so the ponies would perform alongside human actors, which meant often pairing them up. This provoked reactions from both human and pony audiences, with gasps of scandal and titters of excitement coming from both sides. While some ringed their hands or worried their hooves about the moral fiber of their altered world, others were glued to the media and demanded more of it.

The mere concept of looking for companionship across species lines just wasn't a thing most people, pony or not, had spent much time considering, but watching it happen on the big screen, with big dramatic reveals, twists, and drama, had folks willing to pay for tickets.

One thing Hollywood thoroughly enjoyed was a basic reset in economy. Equestria did not have a blue-ray player in every room. Ponies did not have a computer on average with which to stream movies. When they wanted to watch a movie, they had to actually go to the movies, and that just wasn't that odd to them.

Then there were action flicks. The basic issue was that ponies did not get excited at the sight of blood. It usually turned them right off and enough would send them back to the front to demand their bits back. Amusingly, if a movie was very explicit that it was about the blood, say a horror movie, then only ponies who were interested in being scared showed up, and enjoyed themselves.

But add blood to a movie not about being scared? It just didn't work for ponies.

Actors dodging explosions, performing high-flying swings from collapsing platforms, and even pitched brawls with bad people for the fate of the world were all things ponies seemed to like, until the actions led to either party becoming a bloody mess. Anything more than a single cut or perhaps two to show how dangerous the action had been was too much. Bruises were fine, curiously. An actor could look battered and broken, but broken skin was just a taboo ponies would not abide.

Then came the adaptations. Looking for ideas that would become a huge movement, Hollywood sent its wily tendrils through pony media and found it. Daring Do, pony adventuress of considerable fame. She already had conventions dedicated to just her, a specific figure. She was action packed. She was Hollywood-Approved.

They just had to secure the movie rights. Throw some money at the author, and that would be that, right?

A human softly knocked on the door on the small house that seemed to be in the middle of nowhere. "Miss Yearling?"

There was no answer, so he tried once more. "Anyone home?" He glanced aside at the pony that had led him there, and the stallion just shrugged.

The door cracked open a precious inch, a chain clearly holding it shut. "Who is it?"

The human perked up. "Ah, yes. I represent a movie studio that would like to secure the rights to make movies based on your book series. Have you--"

"You're a human," noted the mostly-hidden Yearling. Her gaze swept past him to the pony that shied back. "Thanks..."

"He paid good bits and he doesn't seem like a bad person," shamefully defended the stallion, a hoof behind his head.

Yearling rolled her visible eye. "Yes, well, adaptation you say?"

The human looked surprised. "Yes, actually. Has this happened before?" He had expected the author to be more wowed at the idea, and to perhaps need some of it explained.

"There is a play based on the second book and a video game based on the first," recounted Yearling. "I'm not new to the idea of people wanting to make versions of my books." The door closed, but the sound of metal on metal was heard, then it opened back up a little wider. "Show me what you have," invited the wide-glassed author. "What silly thing do you have in mind?"

"Not silly at all," he assured. "We want to respect your character, Daring Do. She's quite a cultural phenomenon, and we understand that. We want to show off her best qualities." He ducked down into the building with his folder of teaser photos in his briefcase to share with her. "It'll also give us a chance to bring her to new audiences. American viewers--"

"--viewers? What will this be, a play, game?" She shoved some clutter off a table, clearing it with a hoof-sweep and moving to get some tea going.

"Movie. Have you seen American movies before?"

"Can't say I have." She returned and set the tea kettle down and put two cups next to it. "I've seen pony ones, cute, not as good as a real play."

He had seen pony movies as well, charmingly antiquated. "Daring Do deserves better than that." He set down the first photo, a dramatically shadowed outline of Daring Do. "We are ready to make one of her adventures come to life. Using a combination of computer-assisted animation and traditional effects, we can bring her to the screen in a way that will leave your fans squealing with joy."

AK Yearling peered at the photo, faint promise that it was of something that could be interesting, or not... "You'll need a pony to play her, I imagine?"

"Of course, we have a few actresses in mind." Not that there were that many Hollywood pony actresses available, yet.

"I have one you should look into." She lifted an ear. "I also trust her to see that you don't take too many liberties with my work. What do I get?"

"$5,000 for a year option. If green-lit, which I predict will happen shortly, 2%, capped at $300,000." He rattled off the numbers without pause, as if he had them ready long beforehand.

She cocked a brow. "I'm sorry, in bits?"

He repeated the figures in a scale she understood.

Yearling was quiet a moment, tapping a hoof lightly on the ground. "Interesting... But I wasn't born yesterday. I want points."

"Net?"

"Gross," spoke AK with an acidic tone. "I'm not as isolated as I appear. I know how this works. I go net, and suddenly there will never be a net profit. I want points on the profit. You want this, you pay." She tossed down a card with a flip of her head. "And look her up."

The agent accepted the card, advertising it to be for the 'Rainbow Dash Fan Club'. "Is this who you wanted to play the part?"

"If you can't use her for that, keep her as a consultant. As I said, I trust her word for keeping the feel of things on track. You make a movie that wows her and you'll be on the right track." She pointed back at the door the human had come through. "If that's all?"

"It Was a Matter of Time," reported one Internet article. The first native celebrity to succumb to the trying life of living in the lime light had surfaced. The mare that had won the hearts of movie-goers was found face down in a pile of sugar. But it wasn't sugar.

Trying to keep up with the fast paced world of humanity had been trying for her and she turned to drugs to smooth things out, tempted by a co-star on one stressful night. She dipped a timid hoof in, only to fall right into the hole, never to emerge. She almost immediately began to degrade, acting out and becoming useless on takes, getting fired, and eventually found there, in her large and well-appointed home, dead.

She had left a letter, penned before she took her final dose.

To any other ponies,

Ever wonder why humans only live about 70-80 years long? They burn so hot. They burn so fast. Every day is an oncoming train of stresses and hurry. Hurry up and do this. Hurry up and do that. Now hurry up and wait. They rush from birth to death, impatient even for that at times, and I guess I am too now.

When you find this, I'll probably be dead. It'll be the first time in so long I can stop hurrying. I'll just... relax, and get some sleep, some real sleep. That sounds really nice right now.

Please Don't Follow Me,

Her passing did not stop others from coming to replace her. She was followed in full defiance of her final wishes, though other native actors were more shy about human recreational drugs. The only sugar they wanted was the kind that made a chocolate brownie better.

A sternly written letter from Celestia urged that her people, living in America or not, should be given time to decompress, but she had no authority over Hollywood, and though well-intentioned, that letter changed very little.

On her bones, Hollywood continued to grow and evolve. It was a new world, and they had new audiences to amaze and wow. They were already looking at the other species of the world, each a unique puzzle to break open and get the money to fall out of, and they meant to do it.

At least she was given an opulent funeral. Fully televised and attended by far too many of her fans. Her rest would have to wait a few more days.

Author's Note

I was asked how the media's doing, so this chapter is that. Hollywood man, what an animal it is.

AK Yearling ain't being scammed though. She knows her stuff.

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64 - Ready Player One

Luna crept through the underbrush, her target somewhere ahead and to the left. An indicator pointed towards it and she knew which way to go, vaguely. She couldn't see the target itself, and worked to creep through what cover she could find. 100 feet, right around the corner.

A sudden rapid tempo of gunfire made her jump in place. She span around and tried to fire wildly, but it was far too little and far too late. Her soldier crumpled to the ground, murdered in cold blood. "Sister!" she howled, slapping the top of the desk with a hoof, huffing in frustration. "How are you so good at this?"

Celestia wore a little satisfied smile as she moved towards her next victim. "You have to learn to see the larger picture, sister dearest. You were close, maybe next time..."

While movies had to enter through the theaters, video games had no such restriction. From the first eager offerings of Sea Flower at the dockside, the idea of portable entertainment was quite appealing to many ponies. The graphic fidelity and rich sound of human games versus their pony counterparts put the pony makers out of business almost overnight. They just couldn't compete, crushing that fledgling industry flat.

Like the movies, games with blood for the sake of blood did not fare as well unless they were specifically advertised as bloody, daring the brave to approach them. It was far easier to simply remove them as videogames had done in the past to sell in more sensitive countries.

Despite the lack of blood, a pony seemed perfectly capable of approaching horrifically violent games, provided nothing came apart.

Simulations were a powerful hit in pony society. They were a strange and captivating window into human thoughts and society. Being able to control the actions of them and see the effects of it was fascinating. Copies of city, person, and even farming simulations flew off shelves and into waiting hooves and talons.

Puzzle games were an easy hit. Match three, Tetris-clones, and object finders found eager players across the world. More complex puzzles often started to rely on cultural clues that could be missed by someone entirely alien to the human ways of thought at times, making them chancy propositions.

"Fascinating," grunted the chairman as he ordered his units about. "Such numbers..." He was playing a war simulator. With it, he could see the entire world that the humans came from. It had a complete globe, and showed, basically, the powers at play as he practiced the art of modern warfare.

America was one of the largest forces on that world. Though China had quite a considerable force to its name, as did Russia.

He ordered a unit into enemy territory and the screen transitioned to show the battle take place. Tanks and planes battled with infantry and explosives on all sides. What terrible enemies they faced, already so used to such battles. So used to it, in fact, they considered it a game to pretend to be at war with millions of deaths, and called that a fun time.

"Harmless," he grunted in a half-laugh. Deranged lunatics was a better description of what he was seeing. The graphics were pretty impressive, he had to admit, watching the little simulated people perish at his command.

Button Mash pressed forward on the joystick, commanding his little human on the screen to march forward. "Onwards, to adventure," he muttered under his breath. He couldn't even grasp how much better human games were, in appearance, sounds, and even gameplay. They gave so much to track. Levels, equipment, class choices?!

The old games just had you moving around zones, sometimes picking stuff up most of the time and trying to avoid being touched.

Not human games! The screen swirled as a random battle begun. "Aw yeah." He pressed down to Magic. "Ooo, fire..." He selected it and set the enemy ablaze in a fwoosh of magic. "I will rescue the princess!"

"What are you doing?"

He looked up to see Sweetie Belle paused in walking past him. He was seated in front of Sugarcube Corner, with his portable console parked in front of himself. "Oh, hey Sweetie."

"Hiya," she chimed happily. "Whatcha doing? Is that one of those new games?" She pointed at the source of music, playing its battle ballad eagerly.

"Uh huh." He sat up with a big cocky grin. "Wanna see?"

She moved to sit next to him, eyes on the screen. "Is that one you?" She pointed at a monster that was chomping on his character.

"Nope. That's someone I need to teach a lesson to." He selected attack and casually bopped the monster to death. "Yeah, like that."

Sweetie tilted her head left and right, considering it. "Neat, but it looks like only you can play."

Button blinked at that, then put a hoof to his face. "Oh yeah, sec." He saved his game and switched over to a different game with far more cheerful music. "Challenge ya!"

Sweetie's face lit up at the sight of the rhythm game. Now there was a game a pony could get into. "You're on!"

Novo slapped a guard as she swam past, her tail catching him right across the snout. "Save your toys for when you're off duty," she spat on the way, rolling her eyes. Her people were enamored with human toys. She did not entirely approve of their effect on her kingdom.

They did not encourage movement by and large, nor interpersonal engagement. As much as Seaquestrians may have hidden from others, they were open with one another. She didn't want to lose that. But how to react? An outright ban on imports would certainly accomplish it, but also create a backlash against her. No... No. She would fight fire with fire.

She drew out one more human toy, though this one had far more pressing uses.

Human influences were the problem. Human influences would be the cure. They knew how to get into somecreature's head and change how they thought. It was a frightening ability, that she would employ. After some research she eventually got someone on the phone. "Yes, hello. I wish to find someone ready and willing to run an advertising campaign in my kingdom."

"Queen Novo, was it? We'd be honored. What are you advertising?"

"Not a product, I assure... A public message."

"We can do that too," assured the male on the phone. "What's the message?"

"I want people to focus on media less, and their neighbors more. I want to emphasize the joys to be found when you're not distracted by human toys."

A soft hiss came through the phone. "Ah, hmm. We're ready to help, but I should warn that that's a hard sale."

Novo scowled in place, bobbing lightly with soft undulations of her fins. "Is this a matter of money?"

"Competing with the marketing of the entire entertainment industry is a big task," explained the man. "Not to mention people's inclinations."

"I am the Queen," casually reminded Novo. "There are no advertisements for these things in my kingdom and I will not allow any. Does that make this simpler?"

"Sure, sure. Let me hook you up with a personal case manager to work through this with you and get it rolling. Sound good?"

Novo's expression softened into a pleased smile. "That sounds delightful. Let's make things better."

"So..." The man looked up over the resume in his hands. "You have no programming experience."

"Not in any... applicable method."

"You've programmed before then?"

He gestured vaguely to the east. "Pony games were not made the same way, Sir, but I understand how logical statements work."

"Alright..." He had a dozen more skilled and hungry human applicants, but he had given this pony an interview. "Tell me, have you played human games?"

"They're fascinating," gushed the pony with a smile. "So different and strange."

"What if I told you we brought you here to not make a single human game."

The pony's bright expression fell, his ears with it. "W-what?"

"We have humans to make human games." He pointed a pen at the interviewee. "What about a pony making pony games?"

"B-but, I mean... I can't go back to that. Nocreature wants a pony video game now. Compared to what you can do, it's nothing, less than nothing!"

"You're misunderstanding me." He set the resume down on the desk lightly. "What you make with us will have quality graphics, smooth sounds, and a great soundtrack. We wouldn't let a game release with our name that lacked these things. Now put that aside. That isn't what makes a human game a human game."

"It isn't?" The pony's left ear raised, curiosity rising to combat his befuddlement.

"If we gave ponies enough time, they'd have these things. That doesn't make it 'human' or 'pony'. Ponies like ponies, this is a fact, and it's alright. Humans like humans. We want a pony game. What would a game made by ponies, for ponies, using what we have, look like?"

The pony's eyes began to widen as the idea of it sank into him. "I would love to find out," he barely whispered out, as if just overwhelmed at the notion. "Will you let me find out?"

"It won't be easy," advised the interviewer. "Your experience in programming will be useful, but you won't be programming. What we want is a designer. A game designer. You'll dream up the systems, the setting, the characters. You'll be inventing genres, learning what works, and what does not."

"I am ready!" suddenly blurted out the pony, throwing himself right across the interviewer's desk. "I'll give it my everything!"

The news of the one other pony that had given it her 'everything' was still fresh and he gently pushed the pony back. "Give it your 'most' and we'll probably call it even. This is an experiment. We love doing experiments, and we think this one could work out well for all involved." He offered a hand.

The pony met it quickly, slapping the side of his hoof into the palm of the human.

"Welcome to Google."

Vinyl took a slow breath, her horn glowing as she made sure the pad was even and ready.

"Are you about to get loud?" asked Octavia, watching her from the other half of their divided home.

"Oh you know it, girl." Vinyl brought her fore hooves together slowly. "I'm just getting in the proper mindset for it."

Octavia rolled her eyes. "If you're not going to give me tranquility..." She hopped off her bed and thrust her head beneath the bed, coming back with another rolled up bit of plastic. She soon had it unrolled a short distance from Vinyl and plugged it into the same game console. "You'll just have to have your flank properly kicked."

Vinyl let out a joyous whoop as she willed the game over to two player mode. "Classic vs Electronic, let's do it!" She ran through the selection of songs wildly before opting to let the game decide which they'd play. "Keep it fair."

The music started and they began dancing, shuffling their hooves from point to point. Vinyl slammed her hooves down with an energetic purpose, throwing her head and strumming an invisible guitar as she went.

Octavia seemed to dance smoothly from one position to the next, her little hops gentle and fluid as if she were performing some waltz to the tune of the music that filled their house.

Though they were both beholden to the same beats, their motions were quite different, reflecting their approaches to music and life, but both putting up a respectable showing as the points racked up on the screen that they barely looked at.

The music was where their thoughts were, moving and swaying to it, surrendering to its magic willingly and being carried away on the tides of the game until it came to a gentle stop, cheering coming from the speakers as the last of their score was tabulated.

SSS they had both earned, either mare smiling.

Octavia pointed. "I win." She had, by a bare pittance of points, but a victory was a victory.

"Ugh, fine... Nice game though." She moved to turn off the system and give Octavia her peace.

Author's Note

So about them vidjagames?! We could go on about media's impact on the world, but I imagine you want to press forward. Lemme know how I did, and how you want it. I love comments.

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65 - A Piece Falls

Celestia descended towards court with a concerned expression on her face. It was a thoughtful musing that was normally absent until she heard something worth heavy consideration. It defied her usual pattern enough that her guards considered it as they walked.

It was not their job to ask, they reminded themselves. It was their job to guard.

"Morning, Sister." Luna was walking sleepily, looking ready to retire.

"Luna, wait..." Celestia glanced down a hallway before turning to her sister. "Have you a moment?"

Luna felt the urge to give a bitter remark about being tired, it played over her face as her mind swam through what she could see. That tone of voice... "What is bothering you?"

"I played another of their games."

Luna rolled her eyes. "That is hardly worthy of concern."

"I disagree, it is one meant to simulate the rise and fall of entire civilizations, modeled after their own." She moved in closed to Luna, leaning in to speak into her little sister's ears. "The humans are winning without war, good on them, but we are doing it wrong, all wrong."

Luna blinked softly at that, recoiling slightly. Some of the fatigue in her features lifted with concern as sharpness returned to her eyes. "What is it we're doing that's 'wrong'? We've made it this far."

"We have, and we may, but we've done little to hedge our bets. If a nation were to declare it were displeased with our people, what could we do, besides bid for peace and hope that was enough?"

"We would gladly fight for you, and Equestria, Your Highness," an especially bold guard spoke proudly, also revealing he was not a pony-shaped bit of furniture.

Celestia smiled gently at that. "And I would rather you didn't have to." She did not vocalize her concern that her guards, loved as they were by her, couldn't really do much in the wars that could come. "I propose we cement our friendships."

"Hmm?" Luna lifted an ear before it seemed to come to her, eyes widening a little. "You mean to enter a defensive pact, as the Yaks had called upon us."

"Exactly that. In this case, I should imagine the humans will do far more defending than we could hope to do. It is in our favor that they see us in a good light. We are 'cute' in their eyes."

Luna rolled her eyes softly. "Tell that to the human I sniped that one time. He said most unkind things..."

"Luna, focus."

"Yes, yes." She held up a hoof lightly. "You mentioned the humans are 'winning' the war. What war?"

"I said they are winning without a war. Their culture is spreading. You are proof of that. Tell me, how many games did you play, of any kind, before being exposed to theirs?"

Luna opened her mouth, just to close it again. A frown began to form as she realized the truth of it. "You play their games too," she spat back defensively.

"All the more proof of my claims. They are pressing a cultural victory; though I admit, as victories go, it is a very harmonious one, and I don't think I would be that upset to be defeated that way. It speaks well of them that they are pursuing it instead of one of the other options."

Luna shook her head. "You will need to inform me, later, after sleep, what these victories are. For now, you have my blessing, Sister. If the humans would lend their military to chase away any other nation, and they don't ask too much for it, then that sounds good."

Rason rose smoothly and strode across his office with a hand out. "Welcome. It's a pleasure to meet you."

The pony set her hoof into the offered hand, accepting the human style of shake. "An honor to meet you and be here. I am Twilight Sparkle, and I will be acting as ambassador for Equestria today."

"Miss Sparkle, your reputation precedes you," Rason said in complimenting tones. "It was through your action that many lives were saved, and resources besides. You were a key player in bringing a fruitless war to an end." He gestured towards his work desk. "Come, have a seat. Drink?"

"No, but thanks for offering." She hopped up onto an offered seat and perched on her haunches, watching him. "It is fascinating, your government. I've read about it. I would think the constant changing of leadership would create chaos, but you've basically always had a smooth transition of power. That speaks well of your people."

Rason took his seat as he gestured towards the bay windows. "America is very proud of its democracy--"

"--Republic," corrected Twilight, looking quite proud.

"Technically true, but we are also a democracy, just not a direct one," Rason allowed with a wry smile. "But I imagine you didn't come to argue that."

"Oh, no! No no. I assure not." The president began to beep as a collection of papers appeared beside Twilight's head. "I wanted to propose a treaty, on behalf of Equestria."

Rason extended a hand and the papers landed on them lightly, assuming their real weight the moment he drew them back to browse over. "For the sake of conversation, what's the summary of this?"

"We would like to solidify our friendships." She brought together her fore hooves gently. "America, Equestria, Seaquestria, Yakyakistan, and the Dragons all share friendly and formal relationships. While we appreciate being simply 'friends', things are evolving, and being formal and precise in definitions is important."

"Is this a formal declaration that we see each other in a positive fashion?" Twilight coming to visit to do just that felt a bit unlikely. "Or...?"

"It starts there." She reached to tap the edge of the papers. "But does not end there. It formalizes some things we've learned are common practices, where you're from, such as extradition policies, copyright enforcement and compliance, and agreement to follow the Geneva conventions." She suddenly leaned in, putting a hoof up to her face with a conspiratorial whisper, "You have no idea how much the dragons were confused at the very notion that someone would make rules about fighting a war. But we got them to sign on."

"You organized this, that quickly?" He hadn't heard a single peep from any intelligence branch about the countries meeting and discussing it. Though the web of intelligence across the new world was still forming, it still felt like a great oversight.

Twilight put a hoof to her chest. "As soon as Princess Celestia asked me, I went directly to work. Don't get me wrong, the hum--American government system you have works well for you, there are advantages to short command chains at times. What Celestia decides is the start and end of things, and we trust that she will lead us well, and she has. I'm getting distracted." She tapped her chin softly. "Right, yes, this was done fairly quickly."

"Is that all? Not to imply that what you've said so far is a small thing." He was already considering the effects of what they had promised. Extradition agreements were an important thing, though he imagined it went both ways. Copyright agreements meant local creators could make and sell things in their agreeing countries with far less fear of copies emerging, especially as the rest of the world rushed to catch up with American technology, and they would, he felt certain.

"There are a few other things." She lifted her shoulders as if being asked a petty little thing. "I doubt it'll ever come up, but there is a formal defense clause, in the event that any party of the friendship is attacked." She lowered her voice to a whisper. "The dragons were quite insistent they didn't need defending, but signed on, saying they'd pound whoever was bothering their buds." She chuckled softly, smiling as if it were nothing. "Can you imagine? Either way, all standard formal friendship things. You know I'd be trying to defuse any trouble that came up, so I really doubt we'll ever really need need that."

Rason knew better. "This will have to go in front of congress. Even as president, I am not authorized to simply sign this and send you on your way. Once I sign it, it is law, and laws are enforced by the president. Creating them involves the House and the Senate. I will have a copy sent to them and read it myself. You are, of course, welcome to stay while we deliberate." He reached for the intercom. "See that Ambassador Sparkle is situated comfortably and get her some proper identification."

"On it, Sir," came the reply the moment he released the button.

Twilight reached a wing into a pocket and drew out a card. "But I have ID?"

"It doesn't say you are an ambassador," corrected Rason. "Does your treaty include consulates?"

"I knew I was forgetting something," squeaked Twilight. "Page 12."

Rason flipped to it, and there it was, an agreement for each party to set aside some land for all other parties to have a formal embassy established, with provisions for smaller consulates when countries are large and spread enough to warrant it. It also went over the sending of ambassadors, and how one might be ejected from their hosting country, and the acknowledgement of diplomatic immunities.

"You've been studying us." He set the papers down for the moment.

"Pardon me for saying it, but you make it hard at times to not study you." Twilight sat up tall. "I assume you see nothing immediately out of place?"

"Nothing yet, but I, and others, need to read it thoroughly."

With soft polite words, the meeting was over. America had to decide if it would enter the new coalition.

"The economy is recovering." A box appeared beside the reporter, showing a sharply rising line. "Unemployment is dropping fast." Another box appeared below the first with an almost mirror line, dropping hard. "America is officially in a boom and people are getting back to work. Moods are high and approval ratings of the President and congress are rising swiftly."

But he couldn't keep viewers with nothing but good news. "In a violent conflict far off the shore of Florida, two coast guard were killed securing a boat from international pirates. The surviving pirates were caught and imprisoned, and there were no casualties among the crew of the attacked ship, allowing it to continue to its destination." He tapped his papers on his desk. "Calls to increase the budget of the coast guard are clashing with others to use the navy for the task, with no foreign seas to patrol."

"Alaska has formally absorbed the land granted to it by the neighboring countries of Yakyakistan and Equestria."

A new box appeared, showing the governer of Alaska standing beside Cadance and Prince Rutherford. "We appreciate the brotherly commitment you've both shown."

"We not brothers, but good enough." Prince Rutherford nodded with 'sage' agreement.

Cadance dipped her head lightly. "A pleasure. I hope that your people can find happiness."

The video stopped. "With the veto of the president unchallenged, new legislation formally acknowledging the new size of Alaska has been signed into law, making Alaska's #1 crown for the largest state even more unlikely to ever be challenged."

"In other news, satellites; we have more of them. With greater understanding of how little things like 'gravity' and what space actually is, successive trips have begun to populate the skies. In related news, the Internet is expanding. With permission and agreement from Equestria, lines are being created beneath the ocean. Seaquestrian workers and human engineers willing to work in 'mermaid' mode are accelerating the work considerably, but it is still predicted that the sheer length of the work to take time."

"Technology giant, Google, has stepped into the gaming industry."

A new window appeared, showing a man speaking into a microphone. "The way we see it, we lost a lot of talent in that sphere when we were casually thrown off of Earth. That's a real shame. People need games, good games. We hope to help fill in that hole."

"Microsoft released a statement assuring that it was wholly prepared to continue producing games, to say nothing of the American studios of other companies, including but not limited to Nintendo, Sony, and others."

Author's Note

Let us return to the turning of the wheels. The action resumes.

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66 - We Are Friends

Congress argued about the potential treaty quite viciously, tossing around the positives and negatives.

"The way I see it," spoke one congressman. "We're already in it. We are trading with them. We have had criminals show up on foreign soil. This treaty largely formalizes what is already happening and gives all sides direly needed protections."

A congresswoman was on her feet a moment later. "That's all well and good, but the economic previsions are hardly the only thing listed in this treaty." She thrust a finger down at the collection of papers in front of her. "As we are all aware, if an armed conflict were to arise, it would be American soldiers that would face the heat."

"Peaceful and cooperative nations are looking to America for protection," argued another. "Isn't it our job? The America I was raised to love wouldn't turn away a polite neighbor. Besides, they're admitting they know we're stronger."

"This isn't a contest of strength," argued another. "It's a matter of cost and benefit. We've only recently shed the mantle of the world's police. Are we that eager to take up the role again?"

News of the treaty's proposal spread rapidly through America, causing opinions to surface whether asked for or not. The path seemed clear, for some. "Make sure this passes," spoke an executive to a lobbyist on the hill. "We need the locals to respect our copyrights."

Twilight's ploy to bury the defense agreement in among so many other obviously beneficial things was working to her benefit. Even those against the idea of the defense pact had to admit that, by all measures, most of the countries involved simply didn't have violent conflicts all that often; certainly few that would require American intercession. Even the dragons were unlikely to call on it, being too proud to not handle their own business if at all possible.

"Rason," greeted Novo through the phone that floated in the water. "I trust you've received Twilight's little Friendship Treaty, hmm?"

"It's sitting in front of me." There it was, demanding an answer from him and the American people. "I gather you approve of it?"

"My signature wouldn't be on it if I didn't." She swirled in the water, the phone pushed to the left with the motion of the fluid. "The way I see it, America and Seaquestria are already in this relationship. You've helped rescue my people, and trade is booming. I don't see any downsides to formalizing it."

"Correct me if I'm wrong."

"I will." Novo smiled at the phone and the human she imagined on the other end of it.

"Right, but you have no real relations with Yakyakistan or the dragons." He tapped lightly at his desk. "So how did they get involved?"

"It isn't obvious?" She twisted about and threw herself down on a couch, the phone floating down onto her chest. "This was put forward by the Equestrians. They love friendship. I'm honestly a little surprised it doesn't include the griffons, but good luck finding one griffon that could sign it on behalf of the rest."

"There is one thing that sticks in a few craws."

"Mm?" She raised a brow curiously. "What is that?"

"All the nations involved in this are monarchies."

"... And?" Novo rolled a hoof through the water in soft swishing sounds. "What does that matter?"

"It doesn't, on some levels, but on others... democracy and democratic values are a classically American value--"

"--I'm cutting you off there. What works for your people is fantastic, don't get me wrong dear, but our system works for us. The average Seaquestrian... The average pony? They have no interest in what us queens and princes and princesses worry about. They may dream about the power, but the responsibility? No thanks." She huffed a puff of air into the water. "Besides, maybe your way is the only way to do it with literal millions of subjects, but we're not there."

"I'm just saying it does turn away a few people that would otherwise be supporters. We have a history. You can't ignore it, much as you may want to." He put a hand over his brow, rubbing lightly. "I'm not suggesting you suddenly have a revolution."

"I would certainly hope not!" The term revolution had a very specific meaning to a queen. "You know my people are happy, and I am not some petty tyrant. Even some of your people have come to live here, and I feel certain they'd have complained back to home if I was treating them poorly, or anyone else they could see me misbehaving around."

"I've taken a misstep. Can we forget I brought that up?"

"Gladly." She smiled gently. "So, how is being king of America treating you, dear? Is it working out?"

"I'm not king," he corrected with a smirk. "But so far so good. Things are going well, very well. I want to keep that going." The love he could feel being a boom-time president was certainly a heady thing. He just had to keep that going... "Did you call just about the treaty?"

"I understand your people love to argue and debate. Are they still squabbling about it?"

"Called it in one." He stood up and began to circle the room slowly. "Not much I can do about that until they vote on it, then I can act on that."

"You really aren't the king," agreed Novo with a little shrug. "What is Crane up to?"

Crane sighed dejectedly. There was his classroom. There he was. He had a lesson plan all ready to go! Pity there wasn't a single student.

When he had announced he was going to do it, it was met with confusion by some, and outright hostility by others. Even some of his old contacts with frighteningly high clearances had reached out to him to discourage what he was doing. "Crane," had spoken a severely dressed man. "Most of America is quite happily living with its new language. We are taking steps, you know that, to keep this from happening again, but you're just causing trouble. We don't need a riot."

The entire English language was being suppressed out of political expedience. It was a literal conspiracy playing out in front of him, but there was no grand high society casting judgments behind ornamental masks. There were no secret handshakes and strange magic nor obscene amounts of money.

It was so banally simpler and smaller than that. It was just easier to move on past a little thing like a language, when everyone was, from their own point of view, communicating just fine. Nobody had to do anything extreme to fail his mission. It was more what they didn't do. What a president did with their life was normally a news item, but nobody seemed to care about his feeble attempt to teach a language few people remembered.

His phone began to play a jingle and he dug it out quickly. "Roland speaking."

"(Hello.)"

Crane tensed, moving quickly to a window to peek out through the slits of the blinds. "(Who is this?)"

"(I remember. I know.) Sir... I'm a concerned citizen." It sounded male, perhaps a little heavyset?

"(You know English?)"

"(English) Yeah. Look... wow... you really do know it. Do you know all of it?"

"Who's asking?"

"Before this, you could have called me a conspiracy theorist, but I (know) this one. There's no doubt. It happened... Sir, do you know all of it?"

Did he want to talk to a conspiracy nut? Part of him wanted to hang up.

The other part looked across his empty classroom. This was the first person in a while to show even some interest that wasn't his own wife... "I know a lot of it. English. I wanted to share it with the world, but the world isn't very interested."

"Sir, Roland? Can I call you Roland? I'm Jake, nice to meet you. Look, uh... I have an online community that's been chatting about this... we'd really love to have you there..."

And his life took a new direction.

Twilight appeared with a shower of sparkles in front of the castle. "Is Princess Celestia available?" she asked one of the two guards standing there.

"She's in court." He pointed the way, but did not move.

Twilight knew the way, and he knew she knew. She nodded in thanks and trotted right on past into the castle proper. With a bright smile she wove through the castle, light on her hooves.

"Someone has good news," came a male voice. Blueblood strolled into view, eyes on her. "I can tell."

"Blueblood." She canted her head faintly. "I do have good news, for Princess Celestia."

"Then I'd like to come along." He fell in with her, trotting through the hallways. "Does it involve your little friendship school?"

"That is going quite well," agreed Twilight. "But no, nothing to do with that."

"Mmm, does it involve the humans then?"

She twitched an ear at him, which was answer enough. "I had a feeling. Do be careful with them, Sparkle. They're quite dangerous."

"They are our friends, officially now." A properly notarized treaty appeared with a puff of sparkles. "We have nothing to fear from them but a perhaps overabundant supply of consumer goods."

"Those are threats of a different sort," murmured Blueblood. "Don't be entirely blind to it." He diverged from her path and wandered off to whatever it was that Blueblood did outside of Twilight's sight.

She shook her head lightly, coming up on the court doors. With a mental nudge, she opened them easily and strode inside. Inside, Celestia appeared to be in animated conversation with a Saddle Arabian and the duke of Maretonia. How fortunate, she quietly decided to herself.

"You've both met Princess Twilight Sparkle," introduced Celestia on seeing her, gesturing to her. "She looks like she may have good news for us all."

"Good news? We can always use that," agreed the duke with a soft stroking of his stiff beard. "What news do you bring?"

Twilight made the treaty appear with a grand gesture towards it. "I present the finalized treaty of friendship! With this, Equestria, Seaquestria, Yakyakistan, the dragon lands, and America have formed the Equestrian Friendship Coalition, or EFC for short." She floated the papers towards Celestia. "Your signature is actually the last one needed."

Celestia's expression brightened. "What delightful news this is indeed." Her eyes began to sweep over the paper, reading it quickly. "Mmm. Hm. I see... You wrote up quite a great deal." She flipped on to the next page. "Fascinating... Oh?" She had skipped ahead and pointed at page 12. "We are to surrender prisoners if requested?"

"That is an extradition policy," explained Twilight with a smile. "If a criminal in America were to flee here to escape justice and we caught them, we would return them to America to face justice there, since that is where they broke the law and are wanted. As a friend, it's the least we can do. No criminal should look at Equestria as a safe place to hide from being a bad person."

The duchess of Maretonia leaned in just under Celestia to get a peek. "It works both ways, this is good. I was about to raise a serious concern."

Celestia nodded softly. "They have already shown they will oblige these requests. That is how we... retrieved the warlocks after they had assaulted their ruler." She flipped back through. "Copyrights? What are those?"

"Copyrights are the idea that if you invent something, be it a mechanical device or an artistic expression or something else, you should be protected from having it copied by somecreature else and sold as their own. This simply means that we all agree to honor one another's copyrights. If a pony makes something here in Equestria and registers it here, and someone in, say, Yakyakistan were to copy it, that would be against the law of both countries."

Celestia hiked a brow. "What if the person in Yakyakistan did not know of the original?"

Twilight lifted her shoulders. "Then they would find out and would have to stop, or deal with the original copyright owner. We can set the terms and specifics of Equestria's copyrights. This just means we'll honor the others' too, since if you can make a copy just by going to another country, then it isn't much of a protection."

"I see..." There was much for her to learn.

The Saddle Arabian representative raised a hoof. "I would like to see a copy of this."

"Us as well," chimed the duke of Maretonia.

The EFC might have two new members before it was even finished being signed.

Author's Note

Treaties! That means peace is ahead of us, right? Poor Crane, he's just trying to do what seems right.

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67 - Movement

"Chairman." The minotaur raised a brow. "Chairman Force?"

Force lifted an ear, looking up from his maps. "What is it?"

"There is a call for a counsel. The rest of the council has concerns. Forming the TSDI was supposed to isolate the Americans, but they've formed the--"

"EFC," grunted Chairman Force, clenching a fist. "I'm aware of it."

"Yes, of course, sir. The council has requested a meeting to discuss it." He bowed, hand going wide. "What should I tell them?"

"Tell them we'll handle this... The EFC will learn that America will make for a poor shield." He put his elbows on his desk, bringing his hands together. "They'll soon realize how terrible of a choice they've made."

Crane: (Hello everyone.)

Tim22: Woah. (He knows it.)

J22D: (I) told you.

MeowMeow: Hiya! Do you really know it all? All of it?!

Crane: Last I was told, it can only be taught personally.

MeowMeow: That isn't true. I didn't know (Hi), but I learned that.

Tim22: He's talking about the Illuminati Effect.

J22D: Yeah, written stuff goes back to not English after a while, super weird.

Crane did not entirely understand it. Written English became Ponish, but people could learn it? How had it wiped everyone's memory in the first place? Had it been a one time only event? Dare he dream? He tapped at the keyboard, taking part in the discussion about things.

It seemed clear many of the participants, though eager to learn more, were also a bit detached from things. Many had crazy theories. It only hurt that he didn't have a better proposal to replace it with. He was still pretty sure it didn't involve any shadowy cabals or lizard people...

It wasn't dragons, at least. He felt sure of that.

Still, they wanted to learn, so he asked, typing, "Do you want to learn (English)?"

Four yesses, a maybe, and two nahs. His class size had already grown infinitely larger overnight. "Let's learn."

The EFC grew. With it, international copyright and patent (The difference of the two having to be explained to the non-American parties) laws became standard between them, though only America had such lengthy periods that copyright would persist. Most of the others thought twenty to thirty years (approximately 200 moons) was more than enough time for a creative person to get their chance at profit before it became public domain.

Still, they all agreed to abide and honor one another's laws, which meant that creatives that wanted longer copyright terms could register it in America if they had the means and wherewithal to do so before releasing the work elsewhere.

The concept of documentation began to spread, with countries issuing their own version of a passport to identify their citizens when abroad. Rules for all members of the EFC to carry such a thing when visiting abroad started to become commonplace through all the nations involved.

The world, so vast and mysterious, had become just a little smaller. Trips to other countries were picking up, as they became less of a strange and far away place. They followed the same basic laws and belonged to the same over-organization, which lent comfort to the natives that were used to only trusting their own.

"Happy happy to be here," assured the Lutrai Queen, Ruddertail, to Rason in the Oval Office. "You are not king I talked to before, but you are just as nice. Very happy." She offered a furry hand towards him. "Do you swim more than he did? He did not wish to."

"Perhaps another time." He accepted the hand, shaking firmly with Ruddertail. "Tell me, do you know the population of your country? It seems censuses are not a popular thing in this world."

Ruddertail folded her arms and tapped a hoof with a clicking of her claws on the ground. "Mmm. We count, yes, of course. How do we collect taxes without count? No taxes, not much done. Serious serious, but needed." Her whiskers raised in a smile. "You think we not good at serious. We speak funny to you. Is alright, you speak funny to us. Understand, yes?"

Rason did not hide his surprise. "Equestrians don't have good numbers. Do they not collect taxes?" He had wondered if perhaps they just didn't.

"Ponies worse at serious than we are, yes? Sometimes... Each city different, is strange. Some count, some do not count. Collect taxes differently, all different. Strange, not serious serious." She raised a lone finger. "Prefer not serious serious, but serious is needed sometimes."

He had learned something new, still... "So what is the population of your country, if you don't mind sharing?"

"You show, then I show?" she proposed with a silly grin.

"Last I checked, Three hundred and twenty seven--"

"Thousand? Tens, hundreds of thousands?"

Rason had to smile at that. "Million."

Ruddertail's eyes widened at the staggering number of people. "You make me feel small." She held up two pudgy hands close together. "No wonder you track everyone. You must, or people would get lost all the time. How do you even remember yourself with so many others?"

"Practice." It was more literally true for him than others. He had to learn himself to become Rason, who was also a changeling. "Your turn."

"Oh, yes, yes yes! I did promise." She raised three fingers. "Only this many millions. Not exact, close."

"Still more than I would have guessed." The Equestrians had fielded thousands and thought it was a mighty military force. It had not left an impression of any great population densities. Then again... "How spread out are these three million?"

Ruddertail shook her head and paws. "Enough of that. You want talk numbers, talk with number keeper. I am queen. I make laws. I talk to other rulers, like you. That is my job. I sign treaty, join EFC with ponies and humans and yaks."

"No offense intended, I assure, but you understand all that it entails?" It was so easy to assume Ruddertail was a cute but influential otter that Rason didn't feel entirely confident.

"Serious serious," she scowled at him as she hissed the words. "Time for play, time for work. Read whole thing, back and forth and back again. We help."

Rason's left brow raised at the claim. "Help?"

"Yes help." She bobbed her head. "Clear, if attacked, help. We help, ready."

Wait... "You have a standing army?" Was it like the ponies, perhaps, or the yaks? Imagining a bunch of fuzzy semi-aquatic warriors did not inspire confidence.

She held up all eight fingers. "More than this many thousands," she proudly declared. "Will help, keep promise. Storm King not attack us, because he is not, was not, stupid. Maybe little stupid, but not stupid enough to come for us." She brought one of her hands to her face, stroking at her chin and whiskers. "How lose to ponies, still not sure. Good for them."

Doing quick math in his head, fingers flexing a little in the process, he came to a startling realization. Though the Lutrai were smaller, they were about as equally militarized, in density, as America. Queen Ruddertail was the proud leader of, at least locally speaking, mighty warrior people. "We'll rest easier, knowing we have your support."

"And real warriors, not guard warriors," she pointed out. "Guard warrior not same."

Hoku raised his rifle, its butt squarely planted against his shoulder. Despite the protection he wore, he could hear each shot with a sharp crack, then holes appeared in the target down the field. He didn't have time to go check it, yet. He fired at the same target, then switched his aim towards another target further down the field, pouring two bullets into it, then a third. Into each, two bullets.

"Alright." A hand came down on his shoulder. Hoku lowered his rifle down and away. "Let's see how you did. Put that down and check."

Hoku hung up his rifle carefully and scurried out across the field to grab the target papers, not even looking at them yet. He'd already gotten in trouble once for loitering on the firing field, and would not repeat that mistake. He looped back around and dashed for the firing booth he started in, leaping athletically up onto the window that separated it from the firing range and coming down on the safe side. "Here."

The drill sergeant accepted the sheets. "Use the door next time." His words didn't have the caustic acid that meant he was well and truly angry. He held up each sheet, examining the imaginary wounds the otter soldier would have inflicted on someone, had it been an actual person. "Mmm. I've seen worse." He tossed the papers aside. "Looks like you're not white anymore."

Hoku's face lit up, whiskers lifting. "I pass?"

"You pass. Prepare for advanced individual training. You'll get to use more serious machinery that can tear a man apart, or yourself if you don't pay attention." He pointed off towards the barracks. "You'll also start heavy teamwork and survival training. Be prepared. For now, dismissed."

Hoku clapped his hands with a cheering woop before he composed himself enough to properly salute, then dash off in an excited tizzy. He was entering the blue phase, the last phase before he became a real soldier, a warrior of America.

Strolling in her feline form, the she-cat that was also a changeling approached the desk. "I have vital intelligence for your people," she smoothly purred. "It concerns the EFC."

The minotaur behind the desk looked up from his work at the cat. "Hm? If you want to inform us, feel free to submit it in writing." He pushed forward a blank paper with a bored expression. "I'll advance it to where it needs to be."

"This is far too important for that." She leaned against the desk, resting her hip on it with a sultry smile on her face. "Besides, I'd like a little compensation for the danger I went through to get it, so if you'd kindly get someone here to listen to what I have to say, or..." She could see him getting annoyed. "You can be the one to explain how the EFC got the drop on your coalition with what could have been avoided, if some secretary had done their job. Your decision."

The bull snorted powerfully. "Let me see if anyone is available." He picked up a phone and circled the pad, calling someone with a few swishes of the dialing pad. "Hello, Sir. I have someone here that claims to have military intel. Ah huh. Abyssinian. Uh huh. Of course, Sir. Right away." He set the phone down. "Go upstairs, door #3 on the right. Wait there."

The cat pushed off the desk with a smirk of a smile. "That wasn't too hard. I'll let you get back to your important work." She strolled triumphantly into the minotaur compound, confident that she would get what she came for.

She had to wait, possibly the worst part. Minutes passed by with the slowness of inching ice.

She heard someone grabbing the handle of the door and her eyes were on it instantly. It opened inwards to reveal a sharply dressed bull. Not the chairman, they wouldn't send him to hear a random intel report. "Good afternoon. I'm told you have something worth hearing?"

"You should close that." And he did, the door clicking behind him. "They're planning an attack, but I know where from, and if you catch them with their pants down, you can take a real bite out of their forces before they're close to mustered."

His right hand clenched powerfully, but that was the only hint of his agitation. "Where is your proof?"

"I was hoping you'd ask." She casually pulled a few photos from her chest and spread them out on a small table that adorned the mostly blank room. "Here they are, preparing."

They were photos of the average military camp, but military camps of America looked frightfully busy at any time of the year about. By themselves, the proved nothing, but with the proper context... "They seem to be readying the bombs they can throw a long way. I was almost shot just getting close enough to get these... I will be compensated, I trust?"

Author's Note

To remind, that scene with the exposed Chrysalis is in the future. We have not arrived at that timeline yet. Something to look forward to!

Heading to TFF, a furry con I am dealing/vending at. I hope to keep the words flowing.

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68 - Promotion

Hoku and his squad came trundling down the hill, haggard but intact. Survival training had been rough, but they had gotten their missions accomplished with only what was in their backpack and avoided getting lost or misplacing anything.

They were all wearing smiles as they came back into the base, the sight of it chasing away the fatigue of the adventure. It hadn't been the first outing by far, each seemingly longer and more complex than the last. Hoku had learned to use all manner of Army toys to get things done, and how to use it responsibly.

But it wasn't about him. He was a small part of the force that he was increasingly proud of. "Hey, Roks." They liked to use that name sometimes. "I think that may be the last, or second to last, trip we get."

Hoku blinked at that, turning his head while walking forward. "Did we do something wrong? Why last?"

"Because we're about ready to graduate!" explained his fellow soldier, Paul. "We're doing it, Man. They'll ship us out and we'll get our postings soon I bet."

"Recruits," barked one of their drill sergeant, marching towards them with a determined look in his eyes. "You're back, and in one piece it looks like. Tell me you got me something on the way."

Paul saluted sharply as did the others, going still. "Sir, No, Sir. We were unsure of what soda you preferred."

"Smart-ass." He slapped Paul's shoulder and hiked a thumb at the barracks. "Once we get debriefing out of the way, you can relax. Were all objectives hit?"

"All hit," assured Hoku, still saluting as they had not been told to stop doing that. "Sir, I have question."

"And you'll keep having it," dismissed the drill sergeant. "You made good time, excellent, excellent. We will be confirming you got everything done, so if anyone wants to admit anything, now's the time." None of the soldiers responded to that. "Alright then. Dismissed."

The squad started for the barracks. Paul edged closed to Hoku. "What was it you were trying to ask?"

"Do they make everyone dive that far? If I wasn't there, how would you do that?" One of the objectives had them retrieve something from the bottom of a lake that Hoku was reasonably certain would be a dangerous task for most humans. For a Lutrai, it wasn't that out of place. He swam down there, grabbed it, and was out without too much fanfare, but humans did not swim like Lutrai, or hold their breath as well.

Paul shook his head. "They know you're with us. Of course they'll make you use what you have. Part of me imagines they're also kinda curious what it is you can do, and how well. Not like they had a lot of otter Joes to watch work."

"Hm." It wasn't as if he minded a chance to swim. He and the others dropped off what they had retrieved and were soon in their barracks. Perched on his bed was a slip of paper. Grabbing it up, it gave the location of a new base. They were his assignment papers, effective on his graduation.

A date was listed.

Rason leaned forward. He had a hand just beside the bedroom mirror, breathing roughly as he watched his reflection. He had felt out of balance all day. His skin crawled, but he didn't feel... tired per se. No, he felt full of energy, as if so full of it he was struck dizzy with it, heaving softly as he gazed at his reflection.

"Hon?" His wife knocked once on the door, then casually entered. They did not have strong boundaries there. "Everything alright? You've been in, oh..."

Oh? "What's wrong?"

"You look terrible." She raised her fingers to his cheeks, turning him towards herself. "You're sweating buckets and you're hot." She could feel unnatural heat radiating from him. "You go to your bed and have a lay down. I'll call someone."

"No! No." He gently swatted her hand away. "Thank you, but no. We don't need the president shuffling off to the hospital, or being sick. That never goes over well. I'm fine, just a little flush."

"You can pretend with the people of America... but I'm your wife, tell me the truth." She advanced on him, hands moving for his sides. "I won't tell a soul if you don't want me to."

He smiled gently at that human woman that was his wife. She cared about him deeply, but he was a lie. He was lying to her and the American people just as readily. She had supported and cared for him on the campaign trail, and in the office. She was a fantastic First Lady, and a person in general.

He did love her... It was... unfair that it was doomed from the start. The moment... The moment she knew what he really was, she would run away. He had played a part in removing the man that actually deserved her love. He deserved every little scrap of hate she would likely one day have for him.

Rason reached past her and closed the door, sealing them in the bathroom. The Secret Service would not follow them inside the room, though the door had to remain unlocked. "I promise, I'm fine."

"I know that isn't true." She kissed him on each cheek softly. "But I'm proud of you anyway. Just... take it easy, alright? You can keep this a secret, but that doesn't mean you have to go full speed."

He loved the country he was placed in charge of. He wanted it to grow and be full of happy people. They were happy, and it was at least partially his fault. He just had to keep it going, keep them happy, and do what was right by them.

"John?"

He barely heard her, his balance going out suddenly. He started to go over to the side, toppling over. She grabbed him suddenly, stopping him from crashing. She guided him to the ground as he felt alternating waves of heat and cold, waves of needles pricking at his disguised flesh. "Maybe... a day or two off would be a good idea."

She softly slapped a cheek with a palm. "Maybe," she agreed with a wry smile. "Should I tell them to help you into bed?"

"No! No, I'm... alright." He slowly pushed back up and awkwardly resumed standing, not quite all there. "Go on to bed. I'll be there in just a moment, promise."

"Promise?"

"Swear."

She left then, returning him to solitude. There he was, in one of the few private places a president had, his own bathroom. He reached a hand up to his magic detector and clasped a hand firmly over its speaker. He wasn't entirely sure if it would beep, but why take chances?

With a rush of flames, he ceased to be a human.

But he wasn't a changeling either. As if unlocked by his change, he could feel things almost violently shifting inside of him. He grit his teeth, biting back any noise he might have made as strange new power surged through his oddly-colorful carapace. His one proud horn became two with jagged ends, power bulging uncomfortably as his body adjusted to accommodate it.

He grew larger, as large as his queen, perhaps more? She wasn't there to compare himself with. He was... not a changeling.

Chrysalis had been quite clear. All those of Thorax's brood were traitors and not even changelings at all anymore. They were sick and weak. They were pathetic. He had become something she hated. He had nowhere left to go.

"Oh god," he sighed out. When he stopped being president, it would all come crashing down. Possibly before then.

He concentrated on his human form. He thanked the very god he had blasphemed as the rush of change overtook him and he became John Rason once more, who used to be a changeling. He was one of those... not-changelings. He was powered by loving, instead of being loved, but that hadn't been entirely true. He had been loved, intensely. He felt sure that was a part of things.

Maybe he was something new?

He didn't know, nor could he know... He started the water and splashed his face, cleaning himself up a bit and toweling off. He didn't feel dizzy anymore. He could resume his duties as president. He could, and he would.

He was John Rason, even if he didn't know what else he might be.

It was the early hours of the day. The sun was nowhere to be seen and the sky was a gloomy shade, clouds heavy in the sky. It was a perfect time for what was about to happen.

New sleek aircraft cut across the sky, casting minimal shadows on radar as they came in frightfully quickly. It wasn't the first time Pearl Harbor would see enemy aircraft in the early hours of the day, though many had hoped the last time would be the truly last.

Bright flares that could only be made with a combination of chemical and magical ingenuity tore at buildings and ships. Planes were torched on the ground and people were sent screaming. Each dropped bomb was a colorful burst of destruction. They may have been whimsical if not for the very real pain and damage they inflicted on what they landed on.

America would not be quietly punched in the face twice. Anti air platforms came to life as spotlights cut into the darkness. Though the faint radar signals had allowed them to approach, the operators knew what they were looking at. That element was gone. The guns opened fire. Missiles began to streak into the sky. There was not one missile for every enemy vessel. There were dozens.

It was as if Independence day had come early, and perhaps it had, for America would not tolerate being nakedly attacked again. It would defend itself under the rocket's red glare, bombs bursting in air.

Roughly a quarter of the enemy attackers were destroyed in that first instant, exploding in brilliant displays of shredded metal and slain enemies. Others veered and bobbed wildly, trying to avoid meeting the same fate.

Another quarter was lost just seconds later, the missiles horrifyingly good at homing in on their targets, but many were lost all the same. The attackers were not entirely helpless to the missiles, even if they had vastly underestimated how many would be coming towards them.

Flares added new lights to the sky, confusing the missiles and leading them astray just long enough for the bombers to turn away and jet across the sky, away from America.

The attack was over, but the event was far from it. Though the bombers had been fought off quickly, that had done nothing to stop their actual attack. The bombs had been dropped, and there were killed and injured to see to, to speak of the millions of dollars of damage inflicted to buildings both military and civilian.

On that terrible day, Americans had easily outdone the ponies for how many they could lose on a single bombing run; though their opponents had actually been trying to inflict as much damage as possible.

"Yesterday--" John Rason faced the cameras. He had felt the strange spike almost as soon as it happened. The love that bathed him had changed. It became soured as time went on, as people learned what had happened. "we were attacked. We will not accept this. This was not the almost childish antics of what has become our pony allies."

"In the early morning, they made a telling blow, but also one that sent a clear message. The TSDI attacked Pearl Harbor. They declared to the world that they are willing to war with us, and they did it in a carefully precise way, to strike fear into the hearts of Americans. But we won't accept it. It didn't work for Japan, it won't work for them. Congress, I urge you, it's time to fight, and protect America. They've already declared war on us, let's return the favor."

He could feel love swelling. His people were ready to fight.

Author's Note

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69 - War Approaches

A mare stood with a microphone floating in her magic in front of her, just under her mouth. "Good evening, Equestria!" Equestria had gained its own television. It, along with the Internet, was spreading at a breakneck rate, transforming the lives of many ponies in a great wave of progress.

"Breaking news! America was attacked." She raised a hoof as a box appeared, though the box covered her hoof at first, slowly raising as some still-learning pony adjusted it as quickly as they could to rest in the right place. "In the early morning, a devastating strike hit their scenic islands of Hawaii. Humans, ponies, and other creatures, be they guards or not, were hurt or killed in a devastating strike."

The box showed the smoking remains of torn apart buildings and rushing medical teams trying to attend those caught in the many blasts.

"Experts are already debating when, not if, America retaliates. Being a part of the EFC, this will invariably draw Equestria into the conflict, along with Yakyakistan, Lutrai, Seaquestria, Saddle Arabia--" She paused to pant a little. "Those are a lot of countries. I've never been to half of them, have you?" She looked off the screen.

Someone off camera responded, "nope."

"Maybe some day. Oh right! In other news..."

The TSDI's version of events was quite different. They had succeeded at preventing an attack that would have involved the terrible bombs that the Americans had already admitted to having. They crooned at how effective their new fighters had been, and how few people they had lost compared to the numbers the Americans were so eager to surrender.

Exacting battle lines were provided to their public, showing what the Americans had intended to do, before their brave and witty leaders had cut off the strike at the head before they could come close to hurting innocent TSDI lives. The humans were ready to fight, but the TSDI had struck hard and fast, proving it could mount a defense against what had seemed to be overwhelmingly superior foes.

Assurances were delivered that they had plenty more bombers where the first had come from. "And more are on the way," spoke Chairman Force in front of a crowd of people wanting answers. "Every day we create new tools to keep our countries safe. We will not roll over and let these aliens casually rip away our way of living. Even without attacking, the Americans are stealing Equestrian culture. Already their streets are becoming more bare as they become hypnotized, lost in the fantasy worlds that the humans make for them. We will not accept this!" He thumped a fist down on his podium. "And neither should you!"

It was a classic appeal for conservatism, and it resonated with the people, alarmed at how swiftly Americans were reshaping the world around themselves. They were doing overnight what felt like should have taken countless moons. They were under attack. Either America would take their way of life and murder it in its bed, or they would come with weapons and do the job more personally.

There would be no peace.

The people cheered their saviors.

It took two days to declare war, and that only because it had happened during a recess. Rushing back into the Senate and House, the papers were filled and motions forwarded with barely an opposition. To oppose that would have been political suicide. There were a few dissenting voices, but they were drowned out in a tide of yeah votes.

The paper arrived on Rason's desk, and he signed the declaration with only the briefest of scans. He didn't like signing things he hadn't at least casually read over. His people were trusting in him to do it right, and he planned to, even if he wasn't who they thought he was.

With the scrawl of a pen, it was official. America was at war. He took a soft breath, deep and long before he reached for the phone. People would die, Americans. That was unavoidable. It was his job to keep that number as low as possible while protecting the rest.

He would surely be found out, eventually, and be hated forever, but he would do his job while he had it. They deserved that, and he deserved the consequences. That was life. "It's time to plan a war," he spoke into the phone, switching mental gears. It wasn't time for self-pity. He had a job to do.

Hoku heard the news. Everyone on the base had at about the same time. They had graduated just in time for a war. What luck! Good or bad was an undecided thing through the fresh graduates. He slapped Paul on the back. "We will be warriors, and our people need us. Serious serious time."

Paul smirked, a half-laugh dying in his throat. "Yeah, of course. Shoot..."

"Why sad?" Hoku examined the face of his bare-skinned friend. Their faces were similar at least.

"Hey, nothing. I signed up for this... Just... Nothing." He went to get his things, but Hoku trailed after him.

"Not nothing. I'm not dumb, even if you think I am."

"Hey, you cut that out." He turned on his soldier-friend. "You're not dumb."

Hoku smiled at that. "Thank you, I not use many words to say things. Many words. Why use 5 words, 3 good enough? Not understand, Do understand you are friend." He hopped up onto a bed just next to where Paul began gathering his things. "What wrong?"

Paul glanced at him as he stuffed his duffel full of things. "Look... when I first enlisted, I was hoping to go to college."

"School, yes? Go to school. What stop you?"

"It's not free, or even cheap." He zipped up the bag and slung it over his shoulders. "I serve in the army, I get into college. That's how it works, and I did it, you know? I'm in, have to do it."

"Not want to be a warrior?" He leaned forward as he asked, confusion on his furry face.

"Not want to die," corrected Paul as he moved for the exit. "Hey, I'm not running. We're soldiers. We march."

"We march," he quickly agreed, bouncing down to the floor and dashing after his friend. "We fight, we protect, we win. You go school."

"Yeah, sounds like a plan to me." He threw open the door to the outside world. "Let's make some bastards die for their country."

With a whoop of solidarity, Hoku emerged with Paul, ready to wade into war.

His people, the Lutrai, were not as swift as the ponies in incorporating little comforts like the Internet and phone service in their nation. That didn't stop Queen Ruddertail from having one of the few phones around, a big and bulky thing that would hold a charge for the long time it needed to between its infrequent charges.

She jerked upright in the water she had been floating peacefully in. The phone was ringing like a bell over on the shore. Her attendants were shying away from it nervously as if it might explode. She rolled her eyes at their cowardice and swam smoothly through the water, cutting across the pond towards the device. "Give it." She had a hand out as she emerged, water running free of her waterproofed pelt.

As scared as they may have been, an order from Ruddertail was not to be questioned, and a servant rushed in to grab it and thrust it into her outstretched hand. She pressed the big green button. "Hello."

"Hello? Is this Queen Ruddertail?"

She nodded in a quick bobbing despite the phone not watching her. "Is her. Is Americans?"

"Yes. Have you heard the news?"

"What news?" Without the Internet, word propagated slowly. "Something happen?"

"We've been attacked. America has declared war on the Council of Minotaurs and with it, the TSDI."

Her face lost its cheer immediately. "Serious serious," she breathed into the phone. "Stupid bulls... Promise is promise. Where need warriors?"

The American representative did not expect cooperation quite that quickly, but was wise enough to not question it. "We're assembling numbers and plans now. How many do you have available?"

They began to go over numbers and the varieties of warriors the Lutrai would lend to the war effort.

Celestia sat up as a sharply-dressed human strode into her throne room. She knew that human. "Ambassador Kale, a pleasure as always." He was America's voice in her castle. "To what do I owe this pleasure?"

"The TSDI attacked America, and war has been declared in response," he said without preamble. "We understand Equestria does not have proper 'soldiers', but your spell-casters could be of assistance. Are you willing to lend some to the effort in accordance to the EFC agreement?"

"Straight to the point," she sighed out. She had seen the news. She had a feeling this request would come, though... "You don't want any guards?"

"Thank you, but I was not asked to request any of those." The guards in the room shuffled softly. He had said nothing directly, but the meaning was clear. The EFC did not see value in Equestrian guards. "A small force of trained magic users would be ideal."

Celestia let out a slow breath, considering. "My most able spell-casters are not beholden to move as I command them without fail. I will request their aid." She smiled thinly, thinking back on it. "One them used to be my tutor, and that may or may not work in our favor. He loves this country, and if this is in service of it, he will likely respond to the call." Another, she knew, would surely respond, but would not wish to fight... "Is it too late to try friendship? I know... it feels that way, but we felt the same way when Twilight reached out a hoof to you. Perhaps giving her a chance to repeat the act? She is a talented diplomat."

"All EFC species that lived in TSDI countries are being forcefully ejected when not being imprisoned." He rose to his full height. "Rescuing them is another task we have to take charge of. Attempting to approach in diplomacy is likely to result in a dead or captured diplomat, if they can even gain access to TSDI territories."

"If I did not request she be given the chance, she would not forgive me." Celestia smiled, a haunted little smile. "She would never say a word, but in her heart of hearts, she would never forgive me... Please, allow her this opportunity."

"I will forward the request, but I'm only the speaker, not the decision maker here. Thank you, Princess Celestia. Call for me when they respond. I'll do the same if they give me an answer on Princess Sparkle's attempt."

Chrysalis admired her insectoid glory in a mirror. "Oh, this is going so well..." All the pieces were moving just the way she wanted... Soon she would stroll in there. She would saunter even, all eyes on her. They would be desperate and so very wanting, and she would have the answer. She would have all their answers, and they would worship her as a god.

"I will own this entire world..." She smiled at her reflection, licking her lips. "Mmm, I wonder if they'll be involved..."

If Starlight was on the frontlines, that would be wonderful... Perhaps she could help that meddlesome pony meet a properly horrible end. "This is just... mmm... so lovely."

It was all working according to plan.

A scientist sat in a chair. It was a perfectly normal chair in a cluttered room. The scientist wasn't an odd example of humanity. He was just a human in a chair. It was made of wood and was comfy on his bottom. Its armrests were equally soft and nice to hold onto, which he did.

He had good reason to, since the chair was floating about a foot in the air over the pad beneath it. The chair didn't have nearly enough metal for magnets to be involved, but there he was, glowing and floating.

They had telekinesis working.

Author's Note

Let loose the hounds of war, but first count them. America gathers its forces and reaches out to its allies. Protection deals work both ways, thanks.

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70 - Equestrian Muster

Star Swirl looked over those that had arrived. The warlocks had gathered, ready to do battle, he nominally included. He wasn't a warlock, officially, but he had served with them, and they had no objection to his being there again.

Luna was there, but only to see them off. She would not repeat her mistake.

The transporter was there, despite all advice to the contrary. "I'm ready for this," she muttered to herself, shuffling from hoof to hoof in an anxious display.

Star turned towards her. "You are not obligated to accompany us. Neigh, you are even advised to go home. You have served your country well."

"Don't say that!" She thrust a hoof at him. "Stop talking about me like I'm already dead. I made a mistake, and... it was bad... but it's over, and I'm ready! I won't get caught again."

The martial artist rolled her eyes grandly. "Until you do, and then you'll be a big pile of tears and lost dreams."

"Shut up!"

"Make. Me." She took a step forward, chest puffed out. "I'd love to see you try."

Luna put a hoof between them. "I can verify that she is whole. If she wishes to respond to this call to arms, she should be welcomed. Now, please, turn your attention to the matter at hoof."

With soft grumbling, they all turned towards the front, where a human was preparing to speak.

Elsewhere in the crowd, Starlight sat next to Twilight. "Why are you here?" asked the first, peering at Twilight. "I didn't figure you'd ever want to get involved, you know, as a soldier as the humans call them."

"I could ask the same question."

"Fine, I'll guess then." Starlight held up a hoof with a cocky smirk. "You plan to get in close, then poof, you'll be gone, off to try to make friends and stop this war even if they never give you official permission to try."

"That would be consistent with her behavior," agreed Moon Dancer on the other side of Twilight. "I would ask that you not go alone. The situation is different from last time."

Twilight turned to her other friend. "And why are you here? I mean... This is so beyond your comfort zone."

Moon Dancer shrugged softly. "I imagined you'd be here, so I... thought I'd come... Your other friends won't be here."

That much was true. The call didn't leave much room for most of her other friends. They wanted unicorns that were trained in magic. That crossed out all of her inner circle, save Starlight. Rarity's talents were not what they were seeking, as lovely as they were.

"Me too!" sang out Minuette, seated just past Moon Dancer with a big grin. "I always have time for a good friend."

Starlight hiked a brow at the grinning mare. "You know this is about as opposite of fun as it could be, right?"

"With great ponies like you all here? How can it be not fun?!"

Twilight leaned over. "With her surprisingly intense control of time magic, she may be quite valuable," she whispered to Starlight. "I just hope she isn't hurt."

"I can hear you," sang out Minuette, giggling to herself before putting her hooves on Moon Dancer, half-flopped against her. "This is too exciting!"

"Thank you all for coming so quickly," spoke the human in the front. "This will be the first and true test of the power of our unity. As members of the EFC, we must protect ourselves from aggressors. You will be travelling with American units to support them. Each of you--" He saw a hoof suddenly shoot up. "Yes, Missus..."

"Moon Dancer," offered the mare with a proper nod. "I imagine you are eager to spread us among your forces, but may I suggest we not be seperated to less than two to a given place? Redundancy is critical, to speak nothing of the negative emotional effects of isolation. Many of us are familiar with others here, and placing us in pairs, rather than alone, will increase our effectiveness."

Minuette suddenly threw an arm over Moon Dancer. "Dibs!"

Moon Dancer clenched her teeth, her plan to personally protect Twilight ruined before it had truly begun.

Sunburst nodded softly with a growing smile. "You really did it, fantastic. This has been a hallmark week for us all."

"Got a good grade?"

With a glowing horn, he pulled out his report card, showing his good grades for all the other scientists to see. "I'm really getting a hang on this engineering thing. It's not that different from magic, in a way. It's a different... way of going, but the end is the same, logical structures to accomplish an effect."

A round of polite clapping filled the room, but most of the attention was on the platform that had a chair resting on it, the working lifter. "Just think," sighed out a scientist with a hopeful smile. "We could do so much with this. Without needing unwieldy amounts of power and infrastructure you could have, say, gurneys that float perfectly evenly across all surfaces, able to float up and down to get where you want them."

"Gurneys?" challenged another. "That was really your first thought? We'll never need a crane again. Take all that power and put it into a thaumaturgic grappler and you can move tremendous objects without also needing to be far above them in expensive machines. Construction will never be the same."

"Search and rescue," noted a third, finger raised. "If you can literally reach into a collapsed building, support it all, and start lifting it all out of the way in one smooth motion? Imagine the saved lives. Avalanche fatalities will become a bitter memory too."

Sunburst raised a hoof. "We've floated a chair, and don't get me wrong, this is quite the accomplishment, but it won't be doing any of the things you're describing just yet."

"Space travel!" blurted the first. "Dear God in heaven! We don't need propellant, just power, and the grappler could keep pushing any spaceship we wanted along."

Excited babble resumed, undeterred by Sunburst's call for moderation. It was an exciting time for them all.

A submarine wove through the waters. It was not as hidden as once it was. It was not as alert as once it was. These two things had the same cause. Their aquatic allies could see it without much difficulty. Sometimes they'd even wave as it went past. The same allies would not appreciate high-powered sonar bursting their ears and driving them away. On the positive, those allies were friends by and large. None of the sea-borne species had signed with the TSDI, even if some of them had remained neutral between them and the EFC.

America had finally stopped blasting the ocean with noise. It only took a sapient water-dwelling creature that could formally complain about the ruckus.

The diminished submarine continued despite these limitations, approaching its destination.

Extending a thin periscope to the surface, these were not their grandfather's periscopes, barely an inch across as it peered across the water. There it was, an enemy battleship, moving purposefully through the water. The submarine turned to intercept, its torpedo bays opening.

A single sonar ping sounded out. It was a warning to their friends, the only they'd get.

With a rush of agitated water, the torpedos sped out from the hidden submarine, the periscope already drawing back beneath the waves.

The ship had no idea anything was happening until an explosion brightly flared, but the ship was not ripped to shreds. A brilliant shield flared where one of the torpedos had struck, fractures displayed, but the ship unharmed. "Bad hit, bad hit," called out one navy man. "Negative effect."

The battleship was turning towards them, its many guns turning to the submarine. With a great and low thump they could feel beneath the waves, they opened fire. Shells began to rain down on the water around them, glancing blows bouncing off the shell of the submarine, but with no direct hits. "They're firing blind."

"Send me in!" roared an inhuman sailor. "I'll tear that thing to pieces!"

The captain eyed his reptilian serviceman. "And how exactly do you plan to get to them in the middle of this?"

The Garble thumped his chest. "I got this. Just launch me out like the torpedo things."

"We're not that desperate yet. Sit down." Not that they couldn't push him out of a torpedo bay if they really wanted to, pushing him with an air gust normally reserved for broken torpedos, but he was not ready to fire his own men, even a dragon man, at the enemy. "Evasive hard turn, get us out of their firing arc and we'll take another strafe."

The submarine started ahead and sharply to the right, cutting through the water. With a violent lurch, anyone still standing was thrown to the metal floor. A lucky shell had impacted their side, alarms were sounding and red lights strobing. Men began scrambling to keep the sub moving and intact.

"This was supposed to be a duck shoot," grumbled the captain. That their missiles could be deflected, even once, had not been part of the battle plan. "Get on the radio, let them know back home what's going on. If we go down, this information has to be in their hands yesterday!"

It was a breach of procedure, and opened them to further attack if the enemy was monitoring for radio broadcasts, but the intel was valuable enough, determined the captain.

The ship rocked violently, another shot coming far too close for it to be entirely chance. The area that was being peppered with cannon fire was becoming smaller. "Damn it all. Keep moving, load the bays. We're firing now before we're sent to the bottom!"

He needn't have told them to load the shots, they had done that as soon as the first two had fired, and had two more bays already ready at that very instant. The torpedos were already in position, rammed into place. Wires were connected and the bays were locked up tight. They had four shots ready to go.

"Ready," came the word over the local ship-wide comm channel.

"Fire when ready." He thrust a finger forward, not that any of them cared where he was pointing.

Four torpedoes swam out of the submarine, accelerating rapidly through the water towards the source of enemy fire. A muffled explosion washed over them, one of the speedy missiles hit in the hail of fire from above, but the other three were on target.

Despite their evasive moving, the shots were still coming. "Major damage in the aft port. Flooding reported. Fires contained," droned out one man reading out the bad news.

"Impact impact. Two tags, damage unconfirmed!"

They couldn't see it, but the torpedoes struck home, ripping the shields into tattered shreds in a gaping hole, but there were no torpedoes following them.

That didn't mean nothing was following them. Suddenly a new combatant entered the naval battle. Dozens of equine-snouted warriors flooded through the compromised shield. Unasked for and unexpected, the Seaquestrians had arrived. With a great aquatic cry that could be heard on the sonar, they began tearing at the ship from below with tridents and spears worked into the water-tight gaps between the metal plates.

The ship began to list to the side, water flooding into it more and more quickly with every eagerly torn hole the sea ponies inflicted on it. The shots peppering the submarine fell off, the angle wrong for the guns to strike them.

"Get us out of here." They couldn't fire with the Seaquestrians in there, continuing the fight. "Damn and bless them at the same time, but get us out of here!" The captain barked orders, getting the submarine to withdraw from the fight and trusting in their aquatic allies to finish the fight they had started.

Garble crossed his arms with a huff. "We softened them up first. They're just finishing it up..."

"Stop musing and get on damage control!"

Author's Note

Equestria reports for duty. Seaquestria does not report, but gets in there anyway.

What would you do with unicorn lifting magic turned into technology?

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71 - Clever Bulls

An airship flying the colors of the minotaur council and the TSDI side by side cut through the air, propelled by massive propellers and a jet of thaumic power that pushed against it at speeds that would have been considered quite reckless just a few years prior, before the humans arrived and changed the paradigms.

The entire vessel vibrated softly, but there was a steady envelope around the craft, keeping most of the brutal wind from pushing on it and those that worked on the deck. They were making good time across the waters, several watchers peering out across the endless blue with binoculars. "South-Southwest!"

Other glasses turned to confirm and shouts came up to agree. The sides of the airship flipped open as great bulbous pods were shoved into position. A moment later each was glowing dangerously, power leaping from one bulge to the next like electrified tips.

The EFC jets came in hot, their machine guns testing the airship's shields and finding them sufficient. The captain scowled at the glowing spots where the munitions had struck. "Fire!" he roared, pointing at the rapidly moving planes. Even made faster, human jets were still faster than a proper airship could hope to be.

They had the advantage of size and stability. It meant they could field heavier offenses, and heavier defenses. Even if humans had the means to create such shields, the power to do so would likely tax a jet terribly, and be half as effective.

The entire starboard side of the ship lit up, power rushing from one post to the next in fitful sparks a moment before it became a unified mass. In a wave of pulsing colors, the energy was disgorged in the angriest, and last, rainbow the jet pilot would ever see. His plane was reduced to parts, raining down on the ocean.

"Horseapples," cursed an equine airman. "They can fight back!" She didn't wear a helmet. She had no need. The air was thick enough even at great heights, and pegasi could handle great amounts of Gs naturally. With a sharp turn that might have blacked out a human, she pulled away from the next blast, causing it to miss by mere inches. "I am under fire, under fire! I have lock..."

Her wings were dancing over controls. She had no fingers, but her wings were quite dextrous, as if she had countless fingers that could spread over the cabin, working to keep her plane away from enemy fire. "Who's with me?"

"Still here," came a human reply. "Let's see how they like a little fire." With a rapid series of rushing missiles, he unloaded on the relatively slow airship. "Take that you sons of bitches."

Rocking the enemy vessel, great blossoms of fire erupted along their shields, forcing fine cracks along the energetic bubble that protected them. It was clear they couldn't ignore the attacks if they wanted to avoid the fate they had pushed on the first jet. "Fire!" roared the captain, pointing to the side of the ship that was charged and ready. "Knock them out of the sky!"

The pegasus had pushed forward on her stick with a suddenness they had warned against in training. She could feel her everything rising sharply inside of her. Even her pegasus-hardened gravity resistance was tested, her vision narrowing frightfully as it tinted an angry red, but the deadly rainbow seared the air just over her craft instead of disintegrating her.

"Target the other one," fumed the captain, stamping a foot on the deck. "It's not moving like a drunken fly in the wind."

"Charging, sir!" Their systems were deadly, when they hit. Hitting was supposed to be a simple thing, with the technology involved, but a pegasus pilot made it harder than it should have been.

Rason slammed a fist down on his desk. The fighting was not going how anyone had planned. Outnumbered, outgunned, and outmatched in basically every way, the focus was on ending the conflict with minimal casualties, but that had failed. Clashes were not being won decisively.

It wasn't that America was losing, heaven forfend. They were still the superior side, easily, but each victory was coming at a cost. The minotaurs were actually standing their own, digging in their heels, or whatever that was called on a hoof, and were not folding like a set of dominoes as was expected.

The ponies had had the fight beat out of them in a single bombing run. The minotaurs promised a long and costly battle for both sides. Worse...

Rason threw a hand over the papers in front of them. They were not on the defensive. TSDI attacks were peppering any ship or plane in open water. Where the ponies had not even the faint hint of air defenses, TSDI countries had begun immediately bringing down anything in their airspace the moment war was declared. TSDI boats opened on any ship not sailing TSDI flags.

While American war vessels could defend themselves, civilian efforts were becoming a tattered mess, and they didn't have nearly enough to protect them all and wage a war. They had not even a shred of hesitation on opening fire on civilian targets.

The Coast Guard suddenly had a lot to do, protecting ships inside American waters, but the trouble didn't even really start there. Tradelines between America and its allies were being hampered everywhere.

"Sir." An aide knocked once from the door. "News."

"Good?"

"Unfortunately not." The aide hurried in and added more paper to the collection.

Rason sighed softly as he took it and quickly had his eyes on it. They were attacking. A real attack. A prodigiously enormous force of ships, sea and air, were moving to strike at Hawaii again, as if the first time hadn't been enough.

If he assumed they were roughly equal with American ships, it would have been a great fight with Hawaii's forces... who weren't there. They had set sail in large part to make a decisive strike of their own. "Damn it all..." They had hoped to pound some hesitation into the bulls, to hit hard and fast and leave them reeling.

Most of the enemies they had fought since World War 2 had not been such a... fair fight in terms of naval and air control.

Did he order the navy to withdraw back to Hawaii to defend it, or have hope in the local forces there? Eyeing the satellite images, he had doubts Hawaii could repel them. Since the world did not move, each satellite could only see so much from where it was put, and TSDI countries did not allow casual launches of satellites over their heads. That was how they had missed this approach until then...

"Let's make them regret they came to poke at this tiger." He reached for his phone to make a quick call. The missile defenses of Hawaii would welcome the bulls warmly in a wash of death long before they could even spot Hawaii over the horizon. Hawaii was home to a great many missiles, built, tested, and ready for emergencies.

That emergency had never arrived while they were on Earth. That day had arrived.

A sharply dressed man stood in the cluttered place of science. "A great deal of funding could ride on your answer. Can you do this?"

He was facing a scientist, but Sunburst was also there, frowning a bit. "They're a far way off from anything rem--"

The scientist raised a hand, cutting off Sunburst. "We can try."

"American lives are on the line." He drew a single sheaf of paper clear of his suitcase. "We want all efforts diverted to this task. You could make a real and immediate difference."

Signatures were applied. The lab was conscripted for military use. Magic was needed for military applications, yesterday preferably. The amount offered in funding was too large to turn down, with the complexities of the equipment involved growing and their desire to push ahead leaping ahead with it. They wanted magic, and that required money. Money the government was willing to foot.

Sunburst willed his phone out and dialed a number. "Hello?"

"Sunburst," greeted Starlight through the device. "How's America? You getting all fat and disgusting?"

"Still the same scrawny stallion I ever was," laughed Sunburst with a faint smile. "I have a report."

"Oh, uh, shoot, one second." He could hear the phone being dropped and some other things shuffling about. "Now where..." Her voice sounded distant as if she were not close to the phone. "Here we go." Her voice picked up again. "Here's Celestia's number. I'm with a bunch of American soldiers, so I'm the wrong pony for that."

Sunburst blinked dumbly. "What?"

"Long story. Don't worry, I got this under control. Here's the number." She began reciting the number to reach Princess Celestia. "Wish me luck!"

He opened his mouth to ask a thousand questions, but the line was already dead. Starlight was fighting? He sagged with a miserable sigh and started dialing Celestia's number. "Hello?"

"Hello," responded Celestia in her calm tone. "I'm afraid I don't know who this is."

"This is Sunburst, uh, ma'am."

"Sunburst! Little Flurry's crystaller, a pleasure. How may I help you today?" She sounded gentle and warm, like a welcoming mother more than a reigning princess.

Sunburst smiled gently in response, remembering the classes he had with her. "I've been watching them, uh, you know, and helping with their studies, and learning. Remember?"

"I do remember that. Did you call to tell me how it goes? Did you learn anything interesting?"

"Countless things," he sighed out. "But one in specific I thought I'd mention. We've been conscripted into the war effort. They'll be studying war magic, and they have barely gotten telekinesis grasped."

"They have telekinesis?"

"Has Starlight not been relaying my letters?" He rolled his eyes even as he adjusted his glasses. "Basic and rudimentary, but it works. I'll be working with them on... war applications. I thought somepony should know... and maybe advise?"

"You're asking if you should run."

"I... am..." Sunburst peeked over his shoulder nervously. "Should I?"

"If you do, they will continue without you, and we simply won't know what's going on. Sunburst, thank you. I understand your fear, and it is well grounded, but having you there is quite valuable." There was a noise of the phone moving or something moving near the phone. "Now that I have your direct number, and you have mine, you should inform me directly as things happen."

"Of course, um, Your Highness." He bowed, not that the phone was watching him. "I... think I would like to return to Equestria, when this is over..."

"We would be delighted to have you back among us," assured Celestia's gentle tones, so warm and protective. "Listen, learn, and grow, my little pony. Help them learn while you are there, but you are a pony, and I will not forget that. Thank you."

"Thank you," he got out without a stutter. He felt better, smiling a little. "Thank you," he repeated. "I'll text you as things come up, alright?"

"I will eagerly await your every word."

He pressed the red button, ending the call. He had a job to do.

Hoku threw himself off the transport, bullets already striking where he had been standing before. With a great cry, he charged down the road, veering from cover to cover, his rifle up and ready. Movement, he fired. There, another flash, he fired. Was he hitting? He didn't know. He couldn't know. All he did know was that he had to make it down that road.

"For America!" He screamed as if the power of his voice could somehow decide the battle. Rough cries echoed his own, for he was not alone. He was one soldier among many, all pushing against fierce resistance. He was a cog in the machine, and he would be a well-oiled sprocket that would turn, helping propel it against its enemies in a tidal wave of flesh.

They would regret fighting with his country.

Author's Note

The war is happening, yo. Neither side is willing to give up easily. The casualties are already rising, both soldier and civilian. It makes the 'war' with Equestria seem so very petty.

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73 - Hooah

Hoku wasn't holding his gun, his furry hands were too busy being wrapped around the neck of an enemy, his claws biting into the flesh, blood running out as he tore. He didn't have the pure finger strength to choke a person, that was a human trick, but sharp claws were about as equally miserable to have invading one's tender flesh.

The lithe weasel-like person beneath him writhed and choked, desperately trying to get the lutrai off of him, but no quarter was given. Hoku went in for a final kiss, sinking his teeth into his opponent's throat and tearing it free with the crunching of sinew. Blood sprayed in an unwholesome display even as a door opened behind him. He wheeled around, grabbing his gun and raising it before he realized it was another soldier, a brother. "Hooah," he spat out with some blood.

"Hooah," echoed the soldier, looking less certain. There was Hoku, his face and chest literally slathered in blood. It was hard to reconcile the cute and playful otter with the... war beast in front of him. "All clear in here?"

"All clear." Hoku pat his stained hands across his front, only making the mess worse really. "All clear out there?"

"Beachhead is secure." The soldier gave a thumbs up. "Hope they'll remember this like Normandy."

They had fought their way up off the beach against terrifying enemy resistance, losing men along the way, but the site had been taken. Hoku would not have accepted less than that, or died trying. He smiled, fatigue starting to overwhelm in. "We win." He slumped against a wall, breathing raggedly. "We win..."

Wakefulness suddenly returned to him, starting up. "Where Paul?"

"Paul?"

Hoku thumped himself in the chest. "Paul." He suddenly darted out, even as his limbs cried out in tired agony. No matter how fast he wanted to go, he could only manage a painful scamper, emerging into the smoky battlefield. "Paul!" he called, looking around. He saw other soldiers, but they weren't Paul.

He had to find Paul, make sure he was alright. Paul had school to get to.

The camp to deliver succor to the people of the nation that had once belonged to the Storm King was making steady progress. The region was stabilizing with care programs to help local entrepreneurs get on their feet and start running, returning things to some semblance of normalcy.

Donations were plentiful from various, almost entirely EFC, sources. Ponies and humans were the most eager to help. Commercials speaking about the abandoned people in the focus of a passing natural disaster had people ready to reach for a wallet and contribute to the cause. With the funds, the people on the ground were able to start initiatives that helped local people help themselves by getting them past the hardest first steps.

Tempest Shadow descended a small hill towards the beach, where the food lines still were, even if others had cropped up further inland, appearing in marketplaces that were starting to revive. They were doing good, and she was a part of it. She smiled with a soft triumph at the weight and scope of her deeds. She was making a difference, and because she wanted to, not at the behest of some crazed lunatic.

She crested the final bump to descend and immediately slid to the side. Peeking around the corner of the building, she could see a variety of creatures, not humans, and not ponies. They were holding hand cannons and though she couldn't hear them, she could still see they were shouting something.

The humans had their hands up. The ponies were cowering, heads covered under hooves.

They were being attacked. Tempest had considered getting a handcannon for herself, but her horn couldn't hold it steady.

That didn't stop her from getting a mouth-operated version. She coiled on herself and wriggled into the harness, holding the gun firmly in place and biting down on the controls, ready to aim and fire on demand. It was time to fight, and she had no intention of backing down. She slipped out the other side of the building and began galloping down the hill, skidding and hopping from cover to cover.

"Get back on your ships and get out of here," barked one huge bruiser of a creature, threatening with his automated rifle. "This isn't your nation anymore."

"This... isn't anyone's nation," argued one man, his hands still in the air. "We're helping its people get to the point they can decide for themselves what they want."

"Yeah--" He slammed the butt of his gun against the man's exposed belly, causing him to double over, coughing violently. "--right. EFC's done taking over the world."

A pony moved to assist the struck man, but stopped as a bullet struck the sand near one of her hooves, the sand jumping up at the impact sight. "You, get on your boat," roared another creature, looking just as ready to visit harm on them.

She shied away from the creature, tail low and limp, a little sniffle on her lips, but that gave away to wide eyes and a slack jaw. The creature that had been threatening her suddenly slumped forward, crashing into the sand as it bowled over from behind.

Tempest was on a rooftop facing the back of the back of the incapacitated combatant. "You picked the wrong beach and the wrong day." She squeezed, prompting the rifle that took up most of her side to fire with a painful bang, her ears folding flat against it. Another assailant went down, howling in pain.

A serpent-creature wrapped around one of the other humans there, holding a gun to their head, eyes locked on Tempest. "Stop shooting or they get it." Guns raised as one, each assailant aiming at a defenseless aide worker.

Tempest's jaw set, but she dared not bite down. She worked out her odds of taking out the snake before it shot the person, but even if she shot perfectly, others could end up injured or worse as a result.

With nary a noise, a human suddenly brought down a pot that had once held grains for distribution. The snake hissed with agony, but that human wasn't the only one. Suddenly it was bedlam. The aide workers were fighting for their lives. Shots were fired. It was too late to reconsider. The die had been cast. Tempest turned her sights and began to snipe as well as she could.

People would die, and possible already had died, but she would minimize it. She would kill as many of them as quickly as she could, if it could save even one of her compatriots down there. "Damn it all..."

The door behind her slammed open. There was a literal bear of a creature, rifle under an arm. Tempest leaped to the side just as the shots began. With a hail of sparks and lightning, she rained magic down on her attacker, causing him to back a step, but he kept on firing. Pain exploded through her side as she hit the ground, then collapsed. The bear was coming for her. There was no time. She rolled over and clenched her teeth.

As consciousness fled her, the last thing she saw was the bear slumping much as she had. She would have to settle for a pyrrhic victory.

Rason grabbed his chiming phone. "President Rason speaking."

"Mister President." He didn't recognize the voice. "I'm moving into position. I'll be going dark. Did you want me to call this number?"

Rason quickly grabbed for a rolodex, flipping rapidly. "Call this number." He gave a number to the CIA. As much as he wanted to know everything, that was officially not what he should be doing. Getting in trouble for ignoring the proper chains of command would not assist him. "I'll let them know to expect you."

"Not from this number." The line went dead.

Rason set his phone down gently. He had to give the not-changelings some credit... they were taking it seriously. That didn't make his job less important. He quickly picked up the phone in the office. He had people to alert what was going on, so they could react appropriately.

"After a hard-earned victory, EFC forces are proud to report having a beachhead on council lands." She gestured to the right where a window appeared, showing a rough line of soldiers, weakly celebrating their victory.

"On a small scale assault meant to bypass coastal defenses, our brave soldiers neutralized the small docks there and the ground-based defenses. Experts are already rushing to get a look at how the TSDI defends itself." The window changed to show a still shot of one of the great minotaur defensive cannons that had put so many terrible holes in the American Navy not that long before. "Casualties are yet to be determined, but spirits are high and plans are already underway to advance inland and see that this war ends."

They had not let the ponies join the initial rush. They were far too precious. Spellcasters were to be kept away from the actual fighting, as far away as possible at all times, just close enough to do their jobs.

Twilight stepped off the plank of her ship into the water, waves splashing at her legs as she quickly ran up to the dry sand. There they were, on the land of the minotaurs. Where Iron Will had come from, some time ago, perhaps? She wondered if the troublemaking bull was alright in all the chaos. As much trouble as he had caused, she didn't want to think he was actually hurt... or worse.

"You look thoughtful." Starlight stepped up beside her, eyes on the horizon. "Whew, enemy territory. We're going to have stories to tell everyone back home after this is done."

Twilight held up a hoof. "About how we stopped this. This has gone on far longer than it should have. They are not some dark force that needs some Elements to the face. These are a people, that we could be friends with. That we should be friends with." She took another step up and started to walk. "Let's end this."

Starlight scowled at Twilight's back end. "Someone has to keep you from getting yourself killed." She strolled after Twilight, ready to offer more pragmatic defense should the need arise.

"Paul!" Hoku rushed up to a collection of body bags. He didn't want to entertain that Paul could be in one of them, but if he didn't look... He reached for the first and a soldier nearby was eyeing him. He drew his furry hand back. "I just want to check if it's a friend... please?"

"Yeah, go ahead." The soldier threw a cigarette aside. "If you identify them, let me know, we could use any help you can give."

Hoku nodded stiffly. "You... can't tell?" He reached for his dogtags, dangling around his neck. That was what they were for, he thought.

"Both sides aren't shy about things that explode, or tear a fighter apart," calmly explained the cadaver watcher. "Go on and get your peek. I know you got somewhere to be."

Hoku glanced away as he stepped forward cautiously. It was a grim task, unfolding each face for a look. Many were mostly intact, allowing him to look quickly before zipping them back up. Not Paul. Not Paul. Not Paul. Oh... That wasn't Paul either, but they had been caught in some terrible... thing. They were barely bipedal in their meat-shape. When Lutrai learned about battle as kits, it was a thing of valor and bravery. Two proud warriors would clash, and one would cut the other down, but there was always a body to bury, to respect. "Oh..." This was not the war he had been raised to revere.

With a heavy swallow, he reached for the next bag. The least he could do was check them all. He had to know if Paul was alright.

Stupid human had school to get to.

Author's Note

Ugh, that last scene. It hit me in the feels. Am I being a pansy?

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74 - Those We Saved, Those We Didn't.

"Hey." A hand came down on Hoku's shoulder, shaking him out of his exhausted fugue. "What are you doing here?"

Hoku looked over his shoulder and smiled. His fatigue refused to lift again, he was stretched to breaking, but that smile couldn't be stopped. "Paul..."

"Yeah, me." Suddenly Hoku was picked up under the arms, lifted to his feet, but the otter flopped right over again. "God-damn. Someone mentioned you were looking for me and I came to find you. I'm where you should have been, getting something to eat and relaxing after that shit show." Paul picked him up once more, dropping to a knee for a better angle and hefting him up by the back and legs. "What am I going to do with you?"

Hoku's smile wouldn't fade. He thought he was protecting Paul, and there he was, carrying Hoku somewhere to rest. How silly life could be at times... "I thought..."

"I ain't givin' up yet. I have school to go to, remember?" There would be some reprimand for Hoku not being where he should have been, but that battle had been successful. They would press on.

"Mister President." An aide offered a folder towards him.

"Thank you." He flipped it open and almost immediately hissed. It was a report from the aide projects in the Storm King's former country. The TSDI had decided the EFC's efforts there had been a way to indoctrinate the forming country, to bolster its numbers.

Violence had broken out, leaving over forty dead on the beach, some of them aide workers, some of them TSDI sympathizers of various sorts. A special note was made about a pony that wasn't even on the aide team. She wasn't being paid a single bit, but she showed up every day to help.

She was also the reason lethal violence had started. She was also the reason the aide workers were still there. Without her intervention, they would have been forced to flee out of the country. The reports from the workers themselves called her a martyr.

And she was, since she did not survive her interference, another casualty of the war.

Those remaining had reported a redoubled conviction to see the work completed. The aide movement would continue without their protector. Rason sighed softly drumming his fingers softly on the desk. "The ponies won't like this..." He was sure news would spread, and they would know one of their own had fought and died like that.

On the other hand, he couldn't just let it go...

"Even ponies understand the gravity of this war," spoke a serious but energized voice as a stylized Tempest stepped up onto a roof-lip with a scowl, a cape she never wore fluttering in the wind. "While you rest at home, they're making the greatest sacrifice to safeguard a free world."

The commercial continued with the fake-Tempest engaging in over-the-top martial-arts to take down random creatures, firing her gun with amazing accuracy. "If she can give it all, so can you. Be part of the proud."

A creature was just about to shoot the Tempest when the scene transitioned quite suddenly, showing one of the aide workers on the beach. "We work very hard each day to get supplies where they need to be. If it wasn't for her... we would have been sent home. We'll never forget her. She was always there, ready to work. A true example to us all."

A pony nodded beside the first human. "It's a shame... what happened... I'll always hold that pony in my heart."

The scene flipped to just showing the aide lines doing their thing. "The TSDI attacked this relief camp, proving their true colors. Real American Heroes will have to rise to protect it. Are you ready to answer the call and be the hero these people need?"

"Power." An officiously dressed bull snorted powerfully. "This has gone on long enough. Your strategy is failing."

Power turned to him. "Are you rescinding your support of our soldiers in the field?"

"What? N--" He staggered back, clutching his chest where blood spread. He collapsed to the ground, coughing weakly and grasping with futility at the air.

"And you weren't even wearing a proper vest." Power turned away from him. "Clear out the council."

The soldiers sharply saluted. The council was a fine governing body... for civilians. They served the chairman. The council would be removed at his order. Part of it was desperation. They really were losing, they needed strength and unity to have a chance, or so the average soldier told themselves.

"I will take on the title of Commander Force until this little... conflict is resolved. Is Chrysalis still here?"

Chrysalis stood before the gathered collection of officials. There weren't as many bulls as there should have been, but she hadn't bothered to learn how their government works. She didn't care either. "Let the humans know true fear."

She slammed a hoof down on a button.

She was gone before she even knew it. It was light, light and heat. Such intense light and heat that she never was aware of it, she was simply gone, as was the entirety of the room. Of course, that wasn't Chrysalis, nor was that stand-in informed of what would actually happen when the button was pressed.

The explosion ripped outwards in an angry wave, tearing a hole in the city the meeting hall was in, ending countless creatures in an instant, and so many more as less instant but just as deadly waves of pressure and heat spread from the blast zone. They could see the blast from half a world away, raising in a mushroom cloud made of wildly prismatic colors that pierced into 'space' itself.

"People of the EFC." Commander Force hadn't been there. He had sent Krowa to accept that... little gift. "You have breached a rule you yourself had set. Your naked aggression is now exposed to the world." He stepped out of the way of the camera he was speaking to, allowing it to see the wreckage of what had once been a proud minotaur's city. "Let this image be burned into the minds of everyone across the world, that they can know the true colors of the EFC. They are not defenders, they are scum, and if you have any sense of self-preservation in you, you will rise against them."

Force stood with his arms behind his back in an at-ease stance. "We will continue this fight, to the last if we must, and we must, because this is not how our world will be lost to us. We ask, no... we beg you. It is time to fight. This kind of power cannot be permitted."

He sank his head solemnly.

"Clear," announced the camera-bull.

Force raised his head with a smile. "See that every nation with a military worth a damn has a copy of that in their hands." Combined with the cloud that basically everyone saw, he had no doubt that his words would be believed. The TSDI would find its reinforcements.

Derpy saluted the royal sisters. "Mail!" She produced a brown cardboard box, held on her wings. "Here you go."

"Thank you." The box floated away from Derpy, both of their eyes fixed on it curiously.

Celestia tore open the wrapping to reveal another smaller box. Inside that was a DVD of some sort. Maybe a Blue-manta-ray? She couldn't tell the difference. Either way... "Do you think it's a game?"

Luna pointed to a closet even as her magic opened it, pulling out a television and entertainment system. "One way to find out. Let us put it in and see. Oh, a note." She pulled a scrap of paper out from inside the first box. "You need to see this," she read, eyes traveling over the paper. "--yesterday."

With mounting curiosity, they slid the disc in, and it began to play. It was no game. Their wings went limp at the sight of the destroyed minotaur city, torn apart with an obvious force that no creature on the planet could have conceived of until the humans had shown what was capable of such blasts.

There was only one real source of such of thing.

Luna scowled at the minotaur giving his pleas. "He's causing the problem!"

"That does not excuse the use of such... travesties," breathed out Celestia, tense and shaking a little. "They really did it... Luna... how do we stand with them, if they are willing to do... this?"

Luna hiked a brow at her sister. "They are willing to win against unreasonable forces. I scarcely see the issue, Sister."

"Luna, surely you do not mean that."

"And whyever shouldn't I?" She hopped up onto her throne. "If the bulls had listened to reason in the first place, this all could have been avoided. We could be enjoying that harmony you love so much."

Celestia's wings spread wide. "And you do not?!"

"I didn't mean it that way..." Luna softly sighed, resting against the back of her chair. "I'm just saying a lot of very brave creatures, ponies included, are being hurt and killed because of the TSDI. You think that's more harmonious than... that? They're both pretty terrible things. If one ends it faster, good."

"But did it end?" She waved a hoof emphatically at the dark television. "The bulls look more ready to fight than ever, and they will rally others to their side, fearful that they could be the next one struck by such a thing. It was one thing when it was a thing the humans swore they would never use... But... They lied. They lied about... We must talk to them. This could destroy the EFC."

Luna clucked her tongue in her snout. "Now this I agree with. If others react even half as strongly as you, this could cause no end of trouble..."

The news had spread like wildfire. Visible from parts of America, the great mushroom cloud that dominated the skyline for a small time had been recorded many times over and played on every news station with experts arguing what it could mean. As far as anyone knew, humans were the only ones that had nuclear weapons, but not a single person that saw the blast could doubt what it was.

The reaction was swift and immediate, with people taking to the streets to protest the use of such a weapon. Angry letters flooded various representatives, even if many of them were form letters more lazy constituents had clicked on a web site. The message was quite clear despite it, the American People were condemning the government for the use of that bomb.

Rason could feel it, or the lack of it. The love had faded so suddenly. But he hadn't done it. He sure hadn't signed any papers allowing it to happen. "Tell me what that bomb was," he shouted into a phone, face red with frustration. "And you can't blame the Russians!" They weren't there. No other nuclear power was there!

"The people need the truth and so do I." He threw the phone down so hard, it shattered into many pieces on impact with the floor.

The door to the office opened, a secret serviceman poking his head in. "Everything alright, Mister President?"

Rason slumped back into his chair. "I'm fine... I'll need a new phone."

The serviceman crossed the floor quickly and quietly, fetching the SIM card from the destroyed phone. "I'll have another within the hour, Sir."

He had done everything right, so far he knew... Where had that bomb come from, and who set it off? "Damn it all..." He pushed to his feet, shoving off the desk. "Let me know. I think I have an address to give."

The office phone suddenly began to ring. With an angry snatch, he grabbed the receiver. "Hello?"

"President Rason?" asked a gentle female voice.

"Princess Celestia." He forced a smile he really wasn't feeling. "Always good to hear from you."

Author's Note

The situation, it just escalated. Will humanity be painted as the real bad guys? Will Force get what's coming to him or will he rally the world against America? Even the council was ready to stop this madness, their will to fight fading, but...

Tempest, nooooo!

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75 - Drawing Lines

"What happened?" Celestia's question was soft, but to the point. "I must know. We all must know."

"I have every silo, every cache, being inventoried right now. No launch authorization was given. No launch is recorded. All radar histories show no missiles moving in that direction." Rason sank in his chair miserably. "We didn't do it."

Celestia tensed. That was the first time she heard an American president simply sound... lost. Scared... Compared to how they, and their country, had behaved up to that point, in the best and worst of times... "Swear this is true."

"To launch a missile required several layers of authorization." Rason sat up, leaning instead on his desk instead of his chair. "No one lone actor can decide to send the missiles into the air. Even if I ordered it, there's a process. My order would hurry it along, but there's still a process, and it's all recorded. The computers don't care who's doing it, they record it all."

He took a slow breath. "I know this is hard to imagine, but if a nuclear missile were launched, I'd know about it while it was still in the air, not from foreign news outlets. We are many things, and paranoid happens to be on that list. We would know if we launched a missile. I have things being double and triple checked right now, but unless something... beyond comprehension comes up, we didn't launch that missile."

Celestia took a soft breath of her own, looking across to Luna who was watching her conversation. "I am inclined to believe your words, but others will not be. You have a recording of all things that passed through your air, would you considered surrendering that, so others can see with their own eyes?"

Luna rolled her eyes with a little snort. "Human recordings verifying human actions? I doubt that will change the tunes of many, Sister. Don't be so ideal. Now if we had the recordings of somecreature not involved..."

But there was no such creature that could so furnish that... Randal clenched his jaw. "This is a nightmare. Tell me the EFC is still united."

"I can't make such a claim." Celestia stood up, the phone floating beside her. "I think it's time we had an emergency EFC meeting. We must all be on the same parchment."

"Paper," corrected Rason. "But yes. Let's get everyone together."

Queen Ruddertail squinted up into the air. Something was being dropped on her, a parachute slowing its descent. It was a box. "Get that," she ordered as she started for the shore of her pond. "Bring here."

Soon it was plucked free of the water it landed in and set before her. With a sharp claw, she broke its seal and pulled it open. Inside were a number of things that were all the same thing. Recordings of a variety of types, as if whoever sent the package wanted it viewed, no matter what magic or technology the receiver had.

Ruddertail waved at her servants. "Get me the viewer!" The other otters scurried away and soon had it set up for her. She shoved the viewing crystal into it and pressed the play button.

Soon she saw the minotaur city reduced to rubble.

She laughed. While the ponies might have flinched at the sight of such destruction, to the warrior queen, even one as playful as she, it seemed like a fitting end to her enemies. "What deserve!" she cried, jabbing a finger at the floating image of the bull making his plea. "Beg for help, all good for. Stupid bull."

The Lutrai would not be shaken in their resolve.

The beachhead's forces could only gape with slack jaws. The explosion was more than visible from where they were. It dominated the sky in a fierce display that had many humans scrambling to get away. If one could even see a mushroom cloud that clearly, they knew, than death was but moments behind it.

Attempts to restore order were entirely hopeless in those first desperate moments. Paul was ready to join the others in fleeing, but a rested Hoku did not allow it, affixed to his leg and dragging on the ground. "We have to get out of here," hissed Paul. "We're going to be dead in a few minutes at best."

"No run," barked Hoku, trying to dig his heels in with limited success. "Not ordered." He was a soldier. If he was to make a brave stand, that was exactly what he'd do. "Why scared of colors in the sky?"

"God damn it, Hoku." He looked up at the cloud that grew and grew. How large it was... there was nowhere to run fast enough to hope to get away. "Damn it..." He dropped to a squat in front of his furry friend. "We're going to die. At least I'll do it with a friend."

Hoku turned to face the colors, leaning against his friend. "We live together, die together. No die, have school."

"Yeah... have school."

As it turned out, the wave of heat and death did not rush across them. The bomb was actually very very far away. It was only the strange properties of the atmosphere that allowed it to grow so large to seem far closer than it was. When the cloud began to fade, and no one was dying, the panic faded with it.

Soldiers were gathered and brought back into line. Angry words were shouted at those that had deserted, but there were so many that even entertaining the idea of punishing basically everyone was not even brought up.

Instead, those who had stayed had positive marks on their record. Soldiers that could be trusted to remain cool under extreme conditions. Paul lucked out, having been forced to stay by his furry compatriot.

Whatever the explosion had been, their mission had not changed. "We have a country to invade and psychos to stop. Get some sleep, we move out at 0600!" The camp returned to order, even if new equipment was spread out. There was the possibility they would be marching towards radiation hazards, and it paid to prepare for that manner of thing before it became an issue.

Geiger counters came online to be sure and safety gear was added to the gear of everyone marching to be able to keep themselves rad free.

There was a war to fight, and the plans did not change.

Twilight and Starlight sat there. Human soldiers were rushing all around them, but they were stuck in spot, watching the great explosion reach higher and higher.

They were still there when people had begun to calm down. Starlight glanced sidelong towards Twilight. "So... we're in a real war this time. This is what humans call war." She thrust a hoof at the fading cloud. "And we're in it. You sure you want to rush in ahead of our friends here?"

Twilight rose on uncertain legs. "Do we have a choice? This must end." She turned away and down. "It has to."

"And it will." Starlight circled her quickly to keep their eyes on each other. "And I'm going to make sure you're there to celebrate it when it happens."

"You two!" A soldier was moving towards them purposefully. "You're not to be outside without protective gear. Come with me."

Twilight turned to the soldier with a quizzical expression. "Protective gear? You mean like these." She tapped at her protective vest.

"Not even close." He began shepherding magic ponies, silently wondering what world he now lived in. "A blast like that throws up radioactive dust, and we don't want that touching any exposed skin. Everyone's going to be suited by tomorrow, and that starts with you two, now."

Starlight rolled her eyes as she followed along. "Right right. We don't want to get a radio station suck in our ears."

Twilight thumped against Starlight. "That is not what radioactive means."

Starlight hiked a brow. "It doesn't mean radio... active? I mean that's what the words mean, right?"

Twilight pointed at the faded cloud even as they walked. "Nuclear energy and weapons produce radioactivity. The radio they speak of is energy, and a lot of it. Radioactive materials are to be avoided at all costs."

"Glad one of you has the right idea." He held open the flap of the tent for them to head inside. "Your suits were originally designed for canines, but they should get the job done."

Starlight frowned at the idea. "Because ponies and dogs are close to the same thing. Whatever, we have four feet, so do they, close enough."

The soldier that had led them did not come in with them, another, a female, approached. "We want to keep everyone safe, two legs or four. Now if you could raise your left forehoof?" When both mares did so, she smiled. "I've never had the pleasure of working on patients that really understood what I said. Now let's get you dressed." Soon they had plastic coating them from the front to the back, with a glass-like plastic mask over their faces, a gas mask attached on the front. It was not built for a horse, but then it was never form fitting for a dog either. Straps kept the plastic ends attached near their hooves and their tails went down into a tube in the back. They were enclosed and as safe as they could be in the risk of fallout.

"I know it isn't completely comfortable. We won't be either, I assure, and we will be wearing protection too." She was putting away her equipment. "If you're not actively in a tent, don't remove any of that. Ideally, you shouldn't take it off unless you're being decontaminated and swapping to a new suit. You're not dogs, so I can just tell you that this is for your own good."

Starlight stuck out her tongue in an impotent display. "Tell me yours fits just as badly."

"They do," she flatly replied, locking a drawer. "No one looks good when they're trying to not be dead, or worse."

That was how it went for everyone at that camp. The next day everyone woke up, showered, and got to get uncomfortable in a chemical suit. It couldn't hope to keep radiation entirely at bay, but it meant if dust came down on them, they could wash it off instead of getting it on direct skin. Every bit mattered.

Their precautions were proven worth it not long after they started moving. The curious atmosphere of the world had let the cloud rise so high up that it had taken all night and through the morning for the dust to come down, but it did in a faint, almost invisible dusting. Who knew how far and wide it had been spread in the cataclysmic blast, but they were experiencing it as they marched.

Progress was forced to a fresh stop, soldiers rushing to clean themselves and suits hurried to decontamination to be replaced with fresh ones. They were behind schedule, badly, but it was that or have people march forward with a developing green glow.

The call was made. Progress slowed to a crawl, but they would not turn back.

Twilight took a slow breath as the chemical-laden water splashed over her, trying to clean every bit of dust away. "Starlight? What... if they need our help?"

"Hmm?"

"The humans know how to handle this, and even they're scared..." Twilight's magic worked the stuff through her hair, her gaze distant. "War or not... There are people being... covered with this, who aren't humans. Who have no protection... Who will help them?" She turned to Starlight. "People could be dying, right now... Or not dying, just... Ugh... It's terrible." She had read up on how radiation worked. She knew what it could do.

"Are you proposing we abandon our stations, abandon trying to make peace even, and stop here, just helping random people instead of attacking the actual problem? That explosion already happened, Twilight. We can stop it from happening again." She moved to step from the shower. "See you when you're done."

Author's Note

Fallout, it's not a joke. Twilight is a sad pony right now.

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76 - Field Promotion

"That was a mess." The tent had several men of power. The one speaking was frowning at the others. "But we're back on track. Training is supposed to suppress that kind of reaction."

Another waved it off. "They're also trained in how close is too close to a nuclear weapon. We're officially too close, and it looked like an immediately terminal situation at first. It's only normal that some chaos would result."

The first threw down a small stack of papers on a field table. "Four fights broke out. They can try to evacuate, but attacking their fellow soldier? We can't let that go without discipline. You can get me to look past the rest, but that?"

Several soldiers had tried to get use of a jeep. In the panic, they fought over the controls instead of one driving the others to safety. It had been a shameful display for all involved.

"Actions detrimental to good order and discipline in time of war," grunted the commanding officer, fury clear on his face. "If we had the facilities, they'd already be confined."

The second rose to his feet with a nod. "Yes, yes, we will have to deal with that, but let us turn our attention to the positives." He reached for the same stack and threw up half of it, flipping it open. "Those who stayed calm and ready. Interviews with them had some insights."

"Hm? Like what?"

He flipped a few pages further. "Private Second Class Paul Smith, reported ready. When interviewed, confessed he had only stayed at the urging of another private. Swayed by their leadership and determination, they decided to stand in honor, rather than scrambling for safety."

This caught the first's attention. "What class?"

"Second."

It was the lowest rank a private could be, a fresh face. But they had shown leadership, and qualities above others of greater rank at that moment. "Hm... you've captured my attention. What is their name?"

"Hoku." There was quiet. They both knew who Hoku was. They wouldn't be doing their jobs if they didn't know about the alien army member. He wasn't the only alien member in the armed forces, but they remained rare enough to not be overlooked easily. "I only worry," continued the man with a trailing finger over the paper. "--what will other soldiers think being led by something that isn't human."

"PFC isn't an officer rank," grunted the first. "but he's respected among his class. He served his duty well during the original assault, did he not? I read that report." There had been a list of top performers, those who had shown positive qualities during that trying time. "That doesn't earn him a sudden promotion, but it paints a nice picture."

"Exactly what I was thinking." He suddenly flipped the mass of papers closed. “Look, we have a bunch of privates and not enough people to lead them right now. Hoku showed that he could. Field-promote him to PFC and give him a team for now.”

Moon Dancer had hoped to be with Twilight, but that hadn't quite worked out.

"This is exciting," bubbled Minuette, grinning and bouncing a little in place, more than the movements of the vehicle they were in would imply. "Do you think we'll get there soon?"

Moon set a hoof over her face. "I doubt it. We're not even on the front... where Twilight is..." And where she should be, she silently added. "They want us to help, not fight. It will probably be very boring."

"Don't say that." Minuette stuck out her tongue before looking across to a soldier just sitting there. "Hey."

The soldier returned her look curiously. "Need something?"

"Where are we going again?"

Moon threw up a hoof. "They told you that a dozen times, Minuette."

"You remember then?" She was looking at Moon with big hopeful eyes.

Moon rolled her eyes even as she began to repeat it, "We were assigned to satellite deployment. They want us to get satellites up above the sky and move them to where they need to be. With a unicorn that can look out the window of an airship instead of having to worry about grappling hooks and similar devices, we can get it done right away."

"How does that help fight a war?" asked Minuette with a befuddled look.

"Are you doing this on purpose?" She set a hoof on Minuette's shoulder. "I know you're not stupid. Is it boredom? If you're that bored, why don't you get us there faster? You can do that, can't you?"

Minuette's nose wrinkled. "I thought I told you about that. If it's more than me, then not so much. I could get there in a hurry, but where would that leave all of you? Then I'd have to wait for all of you anyway." She reached up and tapped her horn. "It's not that big of a deal. Why do ponies act like it's a big thing?"

Moon went quiet for a moment, just the noises of the bumping van they were riding. "Say... What if you slowed yourself down?"

"Huh?"

"Slow down, then it'll feel like it took less time to get there." Moon nodded softly. "Go on, try it."

Things became quiet once more. Minuette was barely moving, even her blinks becoming strangely slow as her personal version of time came to nearly a halt. It would seem like an instant between when she started and arrived.

Moon smiled softly, feeling accomplished. "Peace..."

Queen Novo emerged from the water with a graceful lack of a splash, becoming a hippogriff and soaring away without pause. She had a meeting of the EFC to attend, and so many questions in need of dire answers. Guards flew out just behind her, a silent note of her lack of faith, or perhaps her worry that others might act against her.

"All officials disavow knowledge of any nuclear launch." A window appeared, showing President Rason assuring a crowd that he would not have permitted such a thing.

"Despite these words, public outcry continues to mount. Perhaps more worrying than if the government didn't launch the bomb is the question of who else could have, and how that is being handled. Environmentalists are demanding immediate efforts to contain and clean the results of the explosion, but the ongoing conflict is making that a difficult proposal at best."

The speaker gestured to a map that appeared of the minotaur lands, drawn as it was without satellite images. "Some estimates have as much as a quarter of the population of the country, largely concentrated in their capital city, within high radiation areas that could cause immediate sickness leading to death if not treated. It is not known if the minotaurs have the medical facilities or expertise to handle this."

"The properties of the local atmosphere have made the attack worse than it would have been. Creating an envelope for itself and expanding into the air with barely resistance, both heat and radioactive material were spread far wider than a similar bomb detonated on earth could have accomplished. It is unknown whether it was a ground blast or an air blast, but there is no doubt that this attack outclasses Hiroshima and Nagasaki by at least a magnitude."

Theoretical color rings appeared on the map, showing their best guess as to where each damage radius would have appeared in a big ugly black eye on the bull's country. "Despite this damage, the TSDI has announced a resolution to fight on, calling humanity and America extremists."

They shuffled their papers lightly, looking towards the camera. "In other news..."

It was morning. They were getting dressed for a day of marching. Food was in their belly, and plastic offered modest protection from radiation. A lieutenant walked in with a determined pace. Motion slowed as the privates that filled that tent rushed to salute the incoming officer.

He ignored most of them, save to chastise one whose bed was in a terrible state for the time of day. He had other business though. He marched up to the saluting Hoku. Hoku's bedding was packed and put away and the otter was sharply dressed and clean. He was ready.

"Private Hoku," barked the lieutenant. "Are you ready to serve?"

"Sir, Yes, Sir!" eagerly responded Hoku, stiff and upright.

"Congratulations, private Hoku. You’re a PFC now." He produced a badge and offered it towards the shorter Hoku. "Here’s your new insignia, take--" He pointed out several other privates, Paul included. "--out and you're on advanced patrol. A hostile approaches, we want to know about it. See something interesting, we want to know about it. Bullets fire, yours better be responding, and we want to know about it."

"Sir, yes, Sir!" Hoku could scarcely hide the smile on his furry face. He was a commander, of a few people. He had come up in the world!

The lieutenant swatted Hoku on the shoulder. "Like the books. React to Contact if need be. Do us proud."

He couldn't help it, his tail slapped the ground behind himself in a sharp noise. "With pleasure, Sir!" He didn't take his eyes away from the lieutenant until he was gone.

Hoku looked down at his slightly shaking hand, holding his badge, which was less a badge and more of a velcro patch and a pin.

"Congrats." Other privates whistled and cheered for his good fortune. Some left without a word.

Paul was there, reaching for his badge. "Let me help with that." He affixed the velcro patch on the front of Hoku's suit, and put the pin through his hat. "Private First Class. Guess I have to call you 'Sir', now."

Hoku shoved him with a laugh. "Not officer. We get in trouble. Not do." One didn't go calling non-commissioned folks sir. "Hoku." He hiked a thumb at himself. "Paul." He called out the names of each person in his sudden squad. "We go."

Hoku marched out of the tent and wheeled just in time to avoid crashing into someone else just as furry as he was. "Pony?" He hadn't expected to run into one.

Starlight hiked a brow. "Huh, hey there. You... aren't a human." Her eyes lifted to his cap and down to the rank on his chest, not that she knew what they meant. "But you're in the army?"

"What do here? Dangerous. Serious serious." He made a soft shooing motion. "Much dangers for ponies."

"Yeah thanks." She held up a hoof in front of his face. "But we were asked to come here and we plan to see it through."

Hoku lifted an ear at her. "You sure?"

"Deadly."

Hoku smiled a bit. He could understand that. "Good pony. What name? Private First Class Hoku." He hiked a thumb at himself, specifically aimed at his new badge.

"Starlight, no title." She lowered her hoof. "Look, I shouldn't be here without my suit, so I'm going to go take care of that. See you later, alright?"

"Yes, get suit. I need suit too." The two dashed past one another to get prepared for the day. Neither would be comfortable, but would be protected, at least in part, from the fallout that they were travelling towards.

Once the camp was packed, movement began, pushing ahead into enemy territory. It was perhaps the silence that was the most concerning. No guns came live at them. No enemy infantry. No enemy armored vehicles. It was as if they were marching into a country that was already dead.

Had the bomb they saw taken out their enemy's will to fight entirely?

Would they simply arrive in time to accept surrenders?

It was nice to entertain, but they couldn't assume that, and no such intel had been given to them, so they had to press on, ready and methodically, prepared for the attack that just didn't seem to be coming.

They ran into civilians, acting as if nothing had happened. Isolated from the capital city, news had not reached them. They had no idea who the humans were, thinking it was some kind of strange parade.

It was a parade, of sorts. The people, the army knew, would likely develop cancer far earlier than normal, their lives shortening with every day they lived in the fallout, but what could they do?

Author's Note

Promotions! Hoku is a good soldier, I say.

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77 - Phagocytosis

As proud and ready as that army infantry force that advanced was, it was but a single force. Though reinforcements were scheduled, others theoretically hitting other beachheads or even landing just behind them, they weren't there yet.

The snap of fire from behind was their first clue that their enemy had noticed their vulnerability. The silence was broken, and noise rushed in to fill that vacuum. Vehicles rumbled free of hidden trenches, heavy turrets swiveling onto the infantrymen.

Quite suddenly they were surrounded, which meant the fighting could begin in earnest.

"They caused more damage than Tirek, and that was just one of their bombs. Just one!" The feline leaned forward towards her aquatic tea-partner. "The time to be passively neutral is long over."

"You think we are not aware of these things." The fish raised his teacup, sipping gently. "We are aware. We are moving. Most of the EFC is harmless, dangling baubles from the tree. The humans are the threat."

"That's more like it." She raised her glass towards the fish. "Bloody aliens think they can just walk all over us."

Rason snatched up his ringing phone. "Hello?" That wasn't how he should have answered, but it was an unidentified number, and hope had lurched up within him.

"I called the other number," spoke a familiar voice. "Decided to call you afterwards."

Rason let out a little breath, glad the proper people had been informed, still... "What did you learn?"

"Minotaur government is dust, literally. You're their king, why did you--"

"--I didn't," he cut off with some anger. "We've sc..." He trailed off, realizing he was edging towards potentially classified information. "We didn't launch any nuclear missiles." That was a safe statement.

"Someone did. Their capital is shredded, but I saw some suspicious things. All those burnt buildings, no ruined military. Not a single torn up vehicle their military would use. Speaking of that, their head bull's crowned himself commander and is the only one in charge now. Coincidence?" His report was interrupted by a sudden bout of heavy coughing. "Excuse me... I've been feeling a little off."

Rason realized then with a chill what was happening to his spy. That poor, brave, bastard was being dosed with potentially lethal radiation. "Where is their leader now?"

"Not here..." There was noise, something moving past, then quiet for an uneasy moment. "Look, I should go."

"Wait, please, get away from there." As valuable as that spy's intel was, consigning a man to misery, a fellow 'ling, warped or not... "I doubt there's much more to say about their capital right now anyway."

"I'm trying to track down their boss. He shouldn't be too hard to find. Speak to you later." The phone went dead.

There was no safe space. They had been trying to keep their precious spellcasting cargo well away from any conflict, only to have the very first shot catch Twilight in the shoulder with a howl of pain. They had missed their intended target. That first sharp crack was but the first drop before a storm as shouts from both sides raised and gunfire became the normal where silence had once dwelled.

Her plastic chemical suit had done nothing to stop the angry munition from piercing into her, not that it was ever intended to hold up to anything but undesirable particulate in the air. Starlight was already diving for her, knocking her to the ground as bullets flew over their crashed heads, piercing the space they had occupied moments before. "Are you alright?!"

Twilight knew she had been shot, but it didn't hurt all that bad. "I'm fine. I'm alright." She looked around with wide eyes as chaos unfolded in all directions. "We have to help."

"Help? We have to get out of here! We are not soldiers, Twilight, and you're bleeding!"

Was she? Twilight looked where Starlight was pointing. Oh... she was. That was... a lot of blood. Why didn't it hurt? "Let's go." She and Starlight vanished in a shower of Twilight's magic, popping out of being.

Angry belches of colorful bands of light were whimsical, until they tore men and equipment apart. "Armor contact," shouted one man as if it wasn't quite clear.

Hoku had been out in front, as he had been assigned with his squad. That was the least occupied part of the battle. They had come rushing in from the sides and back, with only a token force in front of them. The battle had already started, and his squad had their weapons raised and ready by the time the first enemies appeared within their sights.

Bulls and cats and other creatures charged with a unified roar, to find Hoku's team had dropped behind cover. The gunfire began in both directions. "Focus," shouted Hoku to his mates, leveling his gun at a specific combatant, a bull that wore just a little too much metal on his chest.

The bulls were so confident in their annihilation of the human forces that their command had moved up with the infantry. It was not a mistake Hoku would allow to pass without comment. It wasn't him that landed the shot, another squaddy landing the vital hit that sent the enemy leader down with a collective "Hooah!" from the squad, invigorated by their small victory.

That victory was short lived as an explosion ripped their cover to pieces, a thrown grenade removing that advantage from them. They scrambled for new places, Hoku diving behind the corner of a building, another squaddie slapping into place beside him.

Paul was just behind them, boots thundering against the ground in a manic scramble. Hoku unleashed a spray of bullets, not even trying to hit anything, just to suppress the enemy, hopefully keep them from firing on Paul while he was exposed.

He dived for cover, but it was in the wrong direction, and he hadn't dived. A thin beam of rainbow, trailed by a supersonic round, hit him in the side of his head and he was sent in an ungainly spin to crash to the ground, unmoving, blood pooling beneath his pierced skull.

"School..." Hoku's teeth clenched, fury and sorrow rising violently within him, but he was not a warrior, not anymore. He was a leader of warriors. He had other squadmates to see through things. "Inside." He slammed the end of his rifle against a window, shattering it inwards. "Take position."

They scrambled through the window and took up positions beside others facing their enemy. The abandoned home became a makeshift bunker they could fire from with some faint modicum of protection. There were only three of them left, but they were steeled to take many more of the enemy than that.

The door exploded inwards beneath the glowing axe of a bull. "Monsters," bellowed the enemy soldier, charging them with that axe raised high in preparation for a deadly swing.

Hoku riddled the bull with shots, causing them to stagger backwards, charge stopped, but they were still standing. Bull armor had proven effective.

"No helmet," noted one of his peers, the same that had downed the general. With an eerily calm instant of moving his gun around, the bull crashed to the ground, a hole through his eye. Hoku made a quiet note to commend his capable warrior. Perhaps becoming a sniper was in their future. Good leaders spotted and encouraged good warriors, or so he reminded himself.

"Outside!" Hoku pointed right back at the window they had climbed through to start. With the door smashed and more likely on the way, the building was poor cover, their timid bunker busted. They were just getting through the window as the front of the house began to allow the light in, bullets ripping it to shreds and promising to do the same to any of their number still inside.

Elsewhere, armored divisions came into contact with one another. Angry great shells warred with swirling beams of energy. The two were reasonably evenly matched, with the shells of either disliking the touch of the other's weapons. The thick metal of the human tanks could take several energy blasts that did not come close to the sea-facing turrets, but the shields on the enemy tanks could take several tank blasts to penetrate, creating a slow stalemate of a battle that promised to be long and gruelling.

Until one American tank suddenly lurched upwards, thrown up and to the side with frightful intensity. A mine? Worse. Diamond Dogs were moving beneath the battle, getting explosives in place to take out tanks as they rolled over them, attacking their weakest points with great blasts across their underside and backs even as they struggled to keep their fronts facing their armored enemy.

There were infantrymen with the tanks, as was appropriate, but they were largely occupied fighting the infantry of the enemy and neither they nor other AFVs were equipped to attack the burrowing enemies. It was a moment of bitter satisfaction when one tank suddenly sank. The sappers had dug too close to the surface and it all gave in on them, crushing them beneath the tremendous bulk of the tank.

The death of a few diamond dogs did not mean the rest were safe. There were answers, there always were. Artillery began to rain down on the field of battle, weakening shields and digging out dangerous craters in the ground. Some specifically missed enemy tanks, blowing holes in the surface and threatening any foolish enough to dig beneath it.

With a strange screech, a strange mechanism of crystal and metal rose up from over the horizon, each about eighteen feet in height, marching towards them with crystalline fingers extended.

Though the danger of doing so was considerable, an airstrike was ordered.

Celestia sat gently on her seat, her sister beside her. They were facing a round human table. The other members of the EFC were there, but not the Saddle Arabians, she quietly noted. A poor sign.

Novo was smiling, but it was a false smile, hiding whatever she was truly feeling, but all felt sure it wasn't happiness. She had guards around her, all surveying the room with suspicion.

Ruddertail was there, also smiling, though hers was far more genuine. "Why frown? So many unhappy faces." She slapped the table firmly. "We win. We win, they lose. What else want?"

Rason cleared his throat softly. "Thank you all for convening here. I feel certain most of you have seen my announcements, and they are the truth. America did not use nuclear weapons. To start with the most blunt of reasons, insufficient reason has come up for us to require them, or even consider them. We are on the winning side, why wou--"

Luna raised a hoof sharply. "Your people have a love for historical media. The last time you used such weapons it was against an enemy that was already losing. Such claims do little to settle that matter." She smirked faintly, looking satisfied with her cleverness. "A telling blow to end the battle."

Ruddertail hopped up onto her feet, tail lashing behind her. "Yes, is good. Less good warriors die. How bad?"

Cadance inclined her head towards Ruddertail. "If I may answer that?" Rason nodded and she smiled faintly. "Such weapons do not simply destroy warriors or factories. They poison a land and its people, even those not involved in the fighting. Innocent people are now dying and suffering. Even... when we first met, and I tasted the fury of their bombs... it destroyed much... but it was a focused thing, stealing my fight from me, a fight I never should have had. This... cannot do the same. It... is too terrible to consider."

Rason raised his hands together, flat towards the table. "I swear that we did not use nuclear weapons. We could not say where the explosive came from, but we didn't do it. We have other worrying information that puts this in a dangerous new light." He brought his hands down to rest on the table. "The government of the minotaurs is gone, replaced with a lone bull that managed to be not in the blast radius. None of their weapons were caught in the explosion, not a single one. With confidence, I believe the people of 'the council' have been taken over in a forceful coup."

Author's Note

Things are suddenly very real. The fatality counter is ratcheting upwards. This war is on.

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78 - Air Strike Incoming

Great vessels floated well off the shore of the minotaur lands and their deadly magic beams. They were there, awaiting the word, and when it arrived, they came alive, disgorging plane after plane at a prodigious rate. America prided itself on its air mastery, and it was time to demonstrate it.

The planes took off facing away from the minotaur lands, having to turn back around and approach, each from a different angle, lest they give away the position of the great floating platforms they were coming from. From the eye of the defending bulls, it was as if the jets were arriving side by side from across the ocean.

They reacted with prismatic beams that struck so quickly, most of the jets were powerless to evade. Evasive moves were taken, making them a harder target to aim at. Better pilots could manage tighter turns, challenging the defense, and also making their slower brothers more tempting targets.

The mare that had flown against those weapons once before had been brought back, her wings flared out towards all the controls at once she could reach. "Never fly straight for longer than you have to, but don't black yourself out." She knew humans couldn't quite stomach the same Gs she could, even if that last fight had left her dizzy and sick for a while. "You're no good if you crash, and sleeping pilots are going down."

"Copy that, moving on target." The wing, jittering as it was, approached the very source of their torment. There was more than one turret spitting death at them, but they all had to go to give proper support to forces further inland. Missiles streaked, crashing against the bright shields of their enemy in a carpet of concussive fury.

"BUL out." A guided munition streaked out at the unmoving target. Its payload was surprisingly un-explosive. It was heavy. That was its job, to be heavy and massive and propelled at a terrific speed. It struck the shield with the clarion call of a massive bell being struck, the shield ringing with the force as it dissolved, smoke escaping the turret where its shield generator gave way under the crippling impact. The munition fell the rest of the way, crashing against the roof of the turret in a spray of cement from the sudden crater it made.

They were not alone. The air was suddenly occupied by enemy aircraft, flying in to intercept and protect their turrets. The mare jinked and bobbed, straining her body and her jet as she fought as hard as she could. A lance of colors soared just inches from her right wing and she wrenched the stick to the side.

It was too much, the wing tore free of her abused jet, right along the line of the grazing hit and she began to spin wildly. "Horse apples!" She tried to do... something, anything, but her entire world was spinning. Even her pegasus given resistance was not nearly enough to withstand it, and the world faded from her.

Her jet smashed into the ground, an explosion marking her grave site.

The battle raged on without her, jet against bull craft. Turrets firing on the jets. The jets bombed the turrets. Many brave pilots on either side ending the lives of those on the other side, but the humans had more jets, and more pilots. They had made their gambit, and were not backing away. That airspace would fall under American control, it was a matter of time.

The bulls were determined to make that as long of a time as possible.

Thorax was also at that table, fidgeting nervously. "That doesn't sound very... good."

Rason fixed Thorax with a steely gaze. There he was, the prime traitor. The one that took so much from his queen... The one that seemed so very weak... "Did you bring your broodmate?"

Thorax's ears perked right up, blinking at Rason with confusion. "Oh, wow. I'm used to creatures calling us brothers, which we are kinda..."

Rason internally swore at his slip. A human would not call them a broodmate. "Your brother, yes. I was trying to be polite."

"I really appreciate it." Thorax was all smiles, as if the choice of words had just made his day. "He's waiting outside, why?"

Celestia arched a brow. "Are they privy to some information that we need be aware of?"

Novo gestured her head towards the guards that stood around her. "You could have just brought him in with you. This isn't one of those meetings."

"I wanted to be polite." Thorax hopped to his hooves and trotted off.

Luna was watching Rason intently. "Have you had prior dealings with him?"

"Only once." Truthful there. "But we have an ongoing project I need to update him on."

All eyes turned to the door, where answers were likely to come. Thorax entered with Pharynx at his side. The less-colorful changeling walked with confidence, nodding towards the world leaders. "Greetings. Ah, are you their king?" He was looking at Rason intently. "I trust things have gone according to plan?"

Rason quietly appreciated the attempt at subtlety, but he was also the one to blow it. "I hired a changeling spy. That is the source of our intelligence. This same spy is, at this moment, in a high danger area. It is very likely they will return gravely ill and it will not be easily treated."

Eyes widened around the table. Pharynx, on the other hoof, was scowling. "What did you do to him?!" He stormed up to the table, looking fit to tear something, or someone, in half. "He's my best 'ling!"

Rason raised a lone hand. "We did nothing, and it wasn't a factor when we first spoke. The nuclear device that destroyed their capital spread fallout all across the area that he is traveling without protection. The odds of him being given a dangerous dose of radiation is 100% with rounding. I told him to get away, but even when I last spoke to him, he was already feeling its effects. When he returns, if he returns, he will likely be extremely sick."

Pharynx reared up just to slam his hooves down on the table, denting it in his fury. "He's my friend," he roared, wings spread wide. "He's.... one of the few changelings that... gets me. Damn it all..."

Thorax's eyes were brimming with tears. "Oh no... What can we do?! What do you do when this happens?"

"We have some treatments that can hasten the healing process, but some of its damage is... permanent." Rason reached up to pinch the bridge of his nose. "I'm telling you this so that you can advise him, if he contacts you, to leave. He is already acting on borrowed time. The sooner we can get him back, decontaminate him, and begin the healing process, the better."

Cadance dipped her head towards the two changeling leaders. "Thank you, for your sacrifice. What they have learned is... of grave importance. I only hope it does not cost them too dearly. I will confess... I had some measure of doubt, President Rason. It is easy for you to say, in your position... But this.... changes things."

Novo nodded in soft agreement. "Pharynx, tell us true. Did your agent share with you what they told America?"

Pharynx looked away a moment with a grumbling. "Maybe..." Not that the changeling should have, in theory. Acting for two intelligence bodies at once was touchy at best.

"Then tell us, with your own words, what they said." She held up a taloned hand towards Rason. "Free of your input. I would hear it from him. He gains nothing by lying for your benefit." Even better, Pharynx had not been there to know what lie would serve the Americans.

Hoku hurled a grenade forward, smoke erupting from it moments later, giving them some measure of cover. They were fighting hard, but it was a retreat under fire, and there was only so far they could go before they ran into the rest of their friends, already fighting bitterly. They were, to put it bluntly, losing.

To his mild pride, he still had his two squad mates standing. If Paul had been there... He shook out that thought. It wouldn't help him or the soldiers entrusted to his leadership.

"Black on Ammo."

Hoku didn't hesitate to surrender his last remaining magazine. That soldier had the eyes of an eagle and sure hands to go with it. Surely he could make better use of their dwindling resources. "Status?" He was looking at the other squaddie. They hadn't distinguished themselves, other than not dying, which counted for quite a bit.

"Black," the other grunted. "We're going to die... Hey, Hoku... Permission to do something stupid?"

"Denied!" hissed their otter command. "What are you even thinking?"

"Paul has a lot of ammo that's not being used." He looked across the battlefield to the torn body of their former friend. "If I can get to it and back..."

"Dead before halfway." Hoku slapped his tail against the ground, body shaking. They were all about as good as dead. "Grenades. Lay smoke. Keep low, keep fast. Faster than ever before. Faster than you thought you could go. Fast."

"Yeah, fast, got it." He put his hands on the lip of the little trench they were hunkered in. "Get me all the cover you can."

Smoke erupted from their last such grenades. Their supplies were all running out, desperate to even hold what little position they had. "Hoku, no regrets." He slapped the back of his commanding co-private and scrambled over the edge, running as if the devil was right behind him, but it wasn't a devil. They were lancing bolts of prismatic hues, striking all around him, firing blind through the smoke. The ground kicked up dirt at him and his feet slipped and twisted across the cratered ground, but he was still running.

A shape emerged from the smoke, a small combatant wielding two angrily glowing melee weapons. The weasel with a full-body armor, including his head, hissed and charged at him, weapons going off in two directions in preparation for a cross slash.

He slammed into the ground, several bullets from a burst catching him in the head, but he wasn't dead, just knocked silly. The strange helmet he wore spread out the impact, causing him to be bowled over instead of outright killed. The rushing soldier grabbed one of the dropped little swords, but raced past the weasel.

Partially disarmed, the weasel sprang back up to his feet, only to be forced back, a fresh burst catching him in the chest. He spat up blood, the bludgeoning power of it clearly injuring him, even if his armor kept any one bullet from being a finishing blow. He rushed ahead and dove behind the building they had once used for cover, removing himself from the would-be sniper's sights.

Their last hope came down in a sliding tackle, knocking Paul's corpse into a slight divot in the ground and falling over with them. He was out of sight for a moment. Hoku let out a breath he had been holding. That was the halfway mark, he was already wrong. He made a silent promise to buy his squaddie a drink the next time he could, if ever there came such a time.

"If it moves, shoot it." Not that he needed to tell his sharpshooting squadmate that, but there was little more for him to do but watch and wait. He let his empty gun hang and drew his dagger. He could imagine combat coming down to that, though he had trouble imagining it would remain at that for very long.

Twilight and Starlight appeared with a pop, only to plunge immediately into salty water. Starlight squawked, but quickly swam back to the surface, but Twilight wasn't there. With an inventive curse, a bubble of magic sprang around her head and she dived into the darkness after where Twilight likely sank. "You're not allowed to die yet, stupid mare."

Author's Note

These are tense times. Heroes are being made, and lost, sometimes within moments of each other.

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79 - Stay With Me

"He wasted time describing their capital." Pharynx frowned as he sat beside the table that held all those world leaders. "It's a mess. Their people are..." He cringed softly. "It... Is that what is happening to him?!" He drove a hoof against the floor. "It's empty, especially of the important people. 'Commander Force', that's the name everyone talks about being in charge. The council's gone, right at the center of the blast."

Thorax tilted his head. "Is that what they usually call their kings?"

Novo shook her head. "They have a council, ruled by a chairman that is both voted by and voted off by that council." She took a slow breath, letting it out slowly. "There just aren't council meetings without the chairman. If he wasn't there when it was destroyed... That's very unusual."

Celestia was looking at Novo with naked surprise.

"What? I have been putting more effort into knowing what the rest of the world is doing." She fixed her eyes on Rason. "I blame you and your people. The world is becoming smaller, and I can't afford to ignore everyone else anymore. They're all my neighbors, like it or not."

Cadance softly nodded. "This I can agree with. Even the yaks are... relatively... less reclusive."

Luna looked across to Ruddertail. "It would seem you were wrong, but so were we. All signs point now firmly to America not being behind this attack."

Ruddertail crossed her arms with a soft huff. "Good, we focus on winning then? My warriors storming their beaches. Brave warriors, good fighting." She smiled with a chuckle emerging from deep within her. "Stupid bulls. Thank you for good weapons."

Ruddertail's forces counted in the thousands, compared to the hundreds of the same that America could field. They were, on the other hand, completely amphibious. They emerged from the waters, transitioning from swimming to a full run with scarcely a pause between the two. The guns were still pivoting towards them when they were halfway up the beach.

A great lance of energy reduced a handful to slurry, but there were others, approaching in a wide semi-circle towards the turret.

A jet soared overhead. The timing hadn't been planned, exactly, but it worked out quite well, bombs dropping on the turret that attempted to defend itself from ground invaders. The shield was reduced to ash and the shell of the turret was bashed, cement dust filling the air.

It began to turn towards the jet, realizing the greater danger, but it was far too late. The otters had arrived. Held firmly in their hands were American weapons, given for the task. Automated fire opened as they began peppering the structure with fire. One rushed forward and slammed down a load just beside the access door before manically fleeing. An instant later an explosion rocked the entire area, the door knocked clear off its hinges.

With a roar of victory, they charged inside to butcher any enemy combatant they could find inside the turret.

Starlight paddled madly through the water, looking for Twilight. It struck her and she groaned as magic sped her forward, cursing herself silently for not thinking of it sooner. There! A slowly descending form was just ahead of her. She stretched her head forward as if streamlining could make all the difference, willing herself faster.

It worked a bit too well, crashing into Twilight with a grunt. She wrapped her arms and legs around her unconscious friend. With a rush of magic, they both vanished, just to appear in the air above the ocean, Twilight's limp form in Starlight's firm grip. Starlight was heaving for air with her effort, but Twilight was silent. "Dang it..." She looked around for land from where they were floating, but not a single scrap was in sight. "Dang it..."

She twirled once in the air before picking a direction half at random, sailing in that direction as she worked Twilight around to be on top of her instead of being clutched in her hooves. "You're not allowed to die, you hear me? You die and you failed the test, and I know you don't like failing tests, so no dying out of you, young mare."

"Black." They were both out of ammo. They were two soldiers with daggers.

Hoku let out his breath in a silent motion, his eyes glancing towards where their squadmate had run off towards. "Stay low. Be quiet."

They were useless as they were. Attempting to charge the enemy would just add two more corpses to the field. They hunkered low and went silent. They could hear the enemy advancing, steps on the abused ground. The smoke was clearing, the conflict on that side over.

Only about a half a dozen enemies emerged from the smoke. They had expected more of them. Had they wounded or killed so many, or had there just been so few of them to start?

Another rushed to join them, the weasel from before hurrying up to their line, waving his one remaining sword and looking like he was complaining.

Another creature, a fox, waved off the weasel and pointed forward towards where the fighting still raged behind Hoku. They were going to attack a vulnerable flank. Hoku's grip on his dagger tightened, reconsidering making a mad dash, as futile as it would be.

He swung around, a brush against his shoulders causing him to react without thought. He had his dagger up against his missing squaddie, blinking rapidly. "Where come from?" he harshly whispered, lowering the dagger.

"You're welcome." He tossed a magazine towards the sharpshooter and offered another to Hoku. "Got all there is to get, took the long way around to minimize the chance of playing catch with death rays or bullets."

"Good work." Hoku got his gun loaded and primed. "We have stop." He tossed his head towards the advancing seven. "Out open, maybe best." Their pause in firing was perhaps the best thing that could have happened. "Line shot, make count." He raised his gun into position, secured against the ground as he took his best aim.

"Defend your country," the poster had said. "Be a hero!" The young bull nodded as he jogged towards the recruitment office. He wasn't an especially talented calf. He wasn't sure what he'd do with his life, but if he could get into the army, he'd be doing good, for all his people, and being paid to do it.

Win win, right? He'd heard of the humans, making strange waves far across the ocean. They were recruiting all the more heavily. He'd get in, he hoped. He wasn't the strongest bull around, or the cleverest... But he could protect people and follow directions.

They gave him a physical that he passed, barely. "Good thing they just lowered these," the physician had laughed, sending him on his way. He'd get better, he assured himself. He had to. They'd run him around and he'd improve and get fit and everyone would be amazed at his condition.

He signed the papers declaring his intent. Four years. He could manage four years, then he'd be free to do whatever he wanted, in a far better position than when he'd started. He'd be able to start his life off right.

"Trainee Trial!" barked his commander and drill sergeant. "We need 30 seconds off your lap time. Get back out there and do it again until you get it right!"

Trial went right back to running, determined to succeed.

The news of the Americans was getting louder, even in training. They were the possible end of the world, and they, the trainees, were becoming the force that could stop them. The Storm King? A laughable distraction in comparison. The bulls would have to take off the blinders, they said. They would have to step out onto the world stage and save everyone else.

They were the last line of defense for an ignorant world. Other nations were grinning stupidly and letting the far superior forces of the new nation run them over, trampling their trade, trampling their culture, and threatening with weapons of staggeringly horrifying magnitude, only getting smiles from the others.

How could the other nations be so stupid? Trial didn't get it, but he would be a proud member of the bulwark against it. He would protect their nation, and the entire world. It had worked well for them, even with little bumps like the Storm King. Heck, the ponies had taken care of that, of all the nations that could have.

Theirs was a good world, with good people. They did not need these new aliens rushing in and destroying all they had worked for countless moons to have.

Speaking of the Storm King... "Did you hear?" One of his other trainees had asked him. "They're in the Storm King's lands, taking it over."

"What? No!"

"Yes!" The other bull slammed his hands together loudly. "As if they couldn't be more nakedly obvious in their aggression, there they are, forcing people to stand in lines to be fed, where they have to pledge allegiance just to get a day's food."

"Horrible..." They weren't bulls, but even they deserved more dignity than that. "Are they threatening them?"

"No weapons, that's the worst part."

"How's that worse?"

"They operate under threats of starvation and disease." The other trainee scowled. "If they don't behave as they want them to, they promise to take it all away. They have nothing, what do they say? Of course they play along!"

How insidious...

When the word came down looking for a volunteer to help liberate the people of the Storm King's nation, Trial was one of the first to raise a hand. They congratulated him on his bravery and willingness to serve. They shipped him out the next day, where he met up with other creatures of the TSDI along the way.

"Terrible," hissed a snake of a person, checking the ammunition of his firearm. "Our job is simple at least."

Trial nodded softly. "Yes. We go in, we scare off their overseers. We liberate the Storm King's people, and they'll call us heroes." Because they would be heroes, of course. "Poor people... They deserve better than this. They've been through so much."

"They were foolish to be taken by that king," grunted a bear. "It's still unfair that the humans are taking more advantage of them."

Hands went out in solidarity, fist against fist against fist, the unit of one mind to free the people and drive off the Americans that were enslaving them.

They landed just off the beach and stormed down the ramp. It would be a fine day to do good.

It would also be Trial's last day breathing, sniped from behind by a pony he never knew was there. He was dimly aware of the world as it faded, somehow holding onto fleeting edges of life. He could hear shouting, gunfire, and steps in the sands around him. He couldn't move. It didn't hurt, he couldn't feel anything. He could just hear, and even that was fading, becoming quieter and quieter.

At least he had tried his best.

Back home, his face was used much as the one that killed him. They both became martyrs to the cause. A brave young calf of a bull tried so hard to make the world a better place and died trying. That was the dedication that would be required if the minotaur council was to survive the next year.

More bulls replaced him, each imagining they would have done something different, that they wouldn't have died in Trial's position and would have won through the day. They would succeed where he failed and return as heroes, living heroes.

When word came that their very country was being invaded, emotions flared. The EFC had shown its true intent. They were not playing defensively, they were attacking. They would be met with resolution and would crash against the hard stones of minotaur will.

For their way of life, they would fight.

Author's Note

Since someone had asked, we see a slice of the enemy's PoV. From their angle, they are doing good things. Such is the way of war, and propaganda.

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80 - Old and New Friends

Starlight wove her hooves through the air, following patterns she only half-remembered. "C'mon..." Her horn flared even brighter than it had already been with the effort of carrying Twilight and herself aloft, a pulse of magic seeping out in all directions in a geat magic ping.

Pong. She felt an echo. A faint little return signal. "Yes, please!" She rushed desperately, her horn and the rest of her head aching from the constant effort. "We're almost there. Twilight, just a little longer." There it was, a little dot in the endless water, a ship.

It was a great metal ship. Human-made? It didn't really matter. She swooped down at it as quickly as she could. "Injured pony! Injured pony!" she screamed as she came in. She planned for a gentle landing, but struck the deck hard enough for her vision to swim, sliding to a halt. Twilight limply rolled off of her.

Starlight could hear people rushing around, talking about her, about Twilight, but she was too tired to make much sense of it. She needed a nap, and her body refused her request to postpone it.

The weasel had his helmet off, his ears ringing, blood in his mouth. Everything hurt and he was happy to share his annoyance with the others, though they were ignoring him. "It keeps you alive, but you'll wish it hadn't," he groaned, but was clearly well enough to walk with them. "Were any of you hit?"

The fox hiked a thumb back in the direction they had come from. "A few others had, before they were finished off, hurts I hear. Try not to get shot. You should put your he--"

He didn't get to finish. The weasel collapsed, a new hole decorating his uncovered head.

"Get down!" yelped the vulpine, already diving. His motion carried him free of the bullet that had been destined for him, but others were not as fortunate.

A goat caught one across the chin and his head turned with the impact. The armor kept it from piercing, but like a terrific punch, he half-twirled in place. It would have been better if he had continued spinning, as his head bent too far. Something snapped, and he collapsed to the ground.

A bear caught several shots across the great target of his chest, but he roared rather than falling, turning to face the target. He was raising his rifle into position, ignoring the incoming fire.

He did not ignore the grenade that detonated just a few feet away from him. Great shreds of shrapnel tore at the suit, too large and jagged for the suit to handle. Painful gashes opened in his skin and he fell to a knee, stunned by the blast.

It was all they had left, but Hoku and his friends were putting all they had into that last push, forcing even the bear down under a final hail mary of munitions. Naked and without cover, they won through sheer brute force.

It was almost silent compared to just moments before. Nothing was moving.

A small white flag waved from around the corner, the fox's hand holding one end of it just barely in sight. "Please don't shoot! I give up!"

Part of Hoku wanted to take off that Fox's hand. One really good shot would do it... But... There were rules to being a soldier. "Throw down weapons. Far away, where we see!" he shouted across the distance. "Do now!"

A minotaur rifle flew out, bouncing against the torn terrain. A smaller pistol rolled out with it just a moment later. "I have a dagger, here!" A dagger flew out, roughly bouncing away from cover. "Promise you won't shoot me!"

Hawkeye, as Hoku had started thinking of him as, sat up, his gun slung over his front. "What's your call, we taking him?"

"Ain't have a choice. He gave up," argued the other, standing up. "No Geneva anymore, but we didn't change the rules."

Hoku nodded firmly. "If switch, we want them take surrender." He scrambled out of the ditch. "Not hurt! Step out. Is over."

"It's over..." The fox timidly stepped forward, shaking. His eyes widened at the sight of the three of them. "There were only three of you!?" He sank to his knees, tears fresh in his eyes. "They weren't joking... Americans are monsters."

Hoku glanced towards the main portion of his infantry, where the battle seemed far from over. Could he meaningfully assist there, with a handful of bullets left between the lot of them... "You prisoner. Prisoner have rights. Be good, we be good." He rushed up and kicked the enemy weapons away lest the fox be tempted.

Hawkeye kept a gun directed at the fox, patiently waiting. That left the other to help the fox up to his feet. "We don't eat fox, if that helps."

The fox laughed at that, a bark of a sound. "Oh, good, good good, sure..." He swallowed heavily, his adam's apple jumping. "So... come here often?"

Hoku snorted at that. "Not usually. We wait. We survive." He directed his small unit of three plus one prisoner back to cover to await the next opportunity. The fox was tied up with light nylon rope around the wrists, pinning his arms behind his back. At Hoku's urgings, his fingers were bound a bit curiously, but it kept his fingers from applying sharp claws to the rope and possibly making a break for it.

Otters had sharp claws of their own that could get through rope, given time. He knew.

They waited, and they survived for the time.

A bull watched a building across the road through binoculars, sweeping his gaze from window to window. A shadow... yes...

He had to pause to cough, blood escaping him, but he shook it off. He had a job to do, and he'd do it right! He quickly found the window once more and zoomed in on it with a twist of the knob.

There he was, the chairman, the commander. There he was...

The spy frowned at what he saw. The commander didn't look on the top of his game. He looked about as crappy as the spy felt.

... Good. Maybe it was a local sickness they had both caught?

The spy grunted, maybe he had caught it by being in a bull disguise for so long? Whatever it was, he'd fight it off... He had a job to do.

He turned the binoculars back at the window, but the commander was gone. "Damn--"

Something with a small narrow end poked him in the back. "--it."

"Hello, 'friend'," snarled another bull. "Birdwatching?"

"Oh yes, the yellow-breasted makeet is--"

The bull guard shoved the spy forward. "Don't give me that! Why are you spying on a government building?!"

The spy raised his hands and slowly turned to face his interrogator. "I was scared."

"Scared?"

"Who wouldn't be?" The spy shrugged softly. "I thought if I could see him, I'd feel better."

The guard's anger seemed to abate a little. "Yes... well... He's fine, and he's busy leading the forces. We'll have this war over with soon."

"Are you sure? That would be wonderful!" gushed the spy with false relief. "Thank you, for all your hard work."

The guard hiked a thumb away from where the commander was. "Yes, yes. We're on the case, now get out of here! I should arrest you on the spot, you know that right?"

"Oh dear, I didn't! I didn't mean to cause tr--" He had to pause, coughing violently, the world spinning a moment. Why was everything so... hot? "Pardon me, all this worry is driving me ill."

The guard took a step back, perhaps not wanting to catch whatever the spy had. "Go home and get some rest. And don't come back! You can see the commander when he gives an address."

"I'll be sure to do that." The spy dipped his head and hurried away while the chance was there.

A hand came down on his shoulder before he got far. "Wait," ordered the guard. "When did you catch that cough you have there?"

Ah dang it... The truth would suffice, he figured. "A few days ago..."

"Where were you?" He was staring at the spy with sharp eyes.

"Where those damn EFC brutes destroyed our capital!" wailed the spy as if personally affronted. "All those buildings, all those people... Please tell me you're punishing them."

"We're working on it." He warded away the spy's desperate clutches, repelled by it, as the spy had hoped. "Get out of here."

"Of course, Sir..." He scurried off, having delivered a faint hint to the enemy without realizing. There was something about the bomb that created sickness, even to those who hadn't been there at the time of the explosion.

He dialed a number with wavering magic. The entire world was becoming numb and confusing. "Press 1." Oh no, he'd already lost track of what number to press to get through. He hung up and dialed the president instead. "White House," answered a cheerful secretary. "How can I direct your call?"

"President, please..." The changeling let the phone fall, it was taking too much effort. "Urgent..."

"Does he know you?"

"Pharynx's agent..."

The line went cold, but hadn't hung up. He reached a shaking colorful hoof for the glass of water, but only knocked it over, getting none of it in his mouth. "Damn..."

"President Rason," came a sudden stern voice.

"President," he croaked out. "I... don't feel good. Good news, neither does Commander Force."

"Thank you for telling me that, but abort your mission. Abort it, damn it."

"I can't..."

"Come home. Pharynx is very worried about you."

He forced a little smile at the phone. "Is he? Softie..." He laughed a phlegmy laugh, blood splattering on his chitinous lips. "I can barely move... all my insides keep coming out both ends... I'm... going to die, Sir... Tell Pharynx he's a good guy, okay?"

"Belay that," boomed Rason into his phone. "Get back here! Crawl if you must, we can help you. Tell me where you are if nothing else. I will try to extract you."

"That's sweet... but I'm just a drone, one drone... The hive is more important... You win this war... Win it..."

Rason knew at that moment what Pharynx had meant. Colorful or not, they still held the precious values, beneath all the loud proclamations and stupid speeches Chrysalis had given. They were just drones, working to make the hive better. "Damn it, I'm not accepting that! You are not just a drone, you hear me?!"

"Don't waste--"

"Don't tell me what to spend my resources on. If you're a drone, act it. Now give me your location, now."

The spy peered at the phone with surprise, his wings giving a little buzz. It was like being yelled at by Chrysalis... but there was caring there. With a tired sigh, he slumped, mumbling his address as best he could.

"Wait there. Drink plenty of water. If they offer seaweed, milk, fish or prunes, eat up. Don't even dream of your mission right now. We're on the way." The line went dead.

He wasn't sure why the leader of the humans cared so much about him.

It was kind of nice... He rolled up slowly even as his muscles kept insisting laying down was a much easier thing to do. "Water..." He would try to stay alive long enough to thank them for caring.

Author's Note

That scene ended with less than 100 words to go, starting another felt... off, so here we are.

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81 - A Will of Iron

"Iron Will has a friend staying here." He slammed a meaty hand on the counter. "And he isn't taking no for an answer!"

The innkeeper/bartender hiked a furry brow at his fellow bull. "Does he have a name?"

"You'd know him if you saw him. Coughing up a storm?"

"That describes a few people." The innkeeper shrugged softly. "Whatever, they're taking up my rooms. Are you here to take them away?"

"Iron Will will take him off your hands." He slammed his hands together with a great thud. "Can't believe he'd be so rude. Iron Will won't accept this! Where to?"

With a grunt of annoyance, the innkeeper pointed down the hallway before slapping down a key. "Third on the left."

Iron will went to retrieve a spy.

Starlight groaned as she reached out a hoof, but it was impeded by something. A blanket, she realized. She was in a bed, tucked in nice and warm. It was in the way of her movement and she grumbled irritably. She cracked open an eye and immediately closed it again. The light seemed so bright!

"Turn it off," she mumbled as she started to sit up, but only got a few inches before she fell back on her pillow, her head throbbing in agony. "Ugh..." Maybe she had used a bit too much magic...

"Are you awake?" A man strode into the room, the door closing gently behind him. "I admit, unicorns are not my specialty."

Starlight dared to crack open an eye. There was a human dressed as one might expect a doctor. She cracked a little smile. "Tell me you took care of Twilight," she got out slowly, not daring to sit up again.

"The pony with you? Yes... She lost a lot of blood... I hope you will forgive me."

Starlight was suddenly sitting up despite the agony her entire body reported from the act. "She's not!"

He set a hand gently behind her back with one hand, another softly pushing her back down. "She's fine. You're the one I must apologize to. Ponies don't have blood types, I checked. At least no averse reaction from one to the next. You were the only pony here, and we had no time, and we were out of options. What I did was entirely unreasonably, and if you press it, I would have little defense, but--"

"--Please stop... Just say what you did." Starlight sank back onto her pillow, eyes closing. "Tell me she's alright."

"She's resting, and alive. I borrowed a good portion of your blood."

Starlight quirked an ear. "Is that part of why I feel as bad as I do?"

"Likely."

Starlight slowly exhaled, chest deflating. "If it helped keep Twilight around, then you're forgiven, Doc."

"You're very lucky." He pulled a chair up beside her bed. "In humans, doing that would be basically assuring the receiver would have a thousand complications. Our immune systems are very particular and would reject the alien blood immediately."

"Yeah?" She lifted an ear, but that was the only part of her she felt like moving at that moment. "But not with ponies, I gather."

"I've been keeping an eye on her, but she's recovering. I cleaned her wound, removed the bullet, and it's just a matter of time. She should awaken when she's ready."

"Bring her." Starlight managed a little smile. "I'd rather suffer with company. I mean... when it's safe."

"Which isn't now," he easily agreed, standing up. "For now, here." He set a remote just beside her. "You're welcome to watch something, and I'll let them know to start bringing you food during meal times."

And there Starlight was left to rest and recover.

"You hear that?" Lucky, the codename Hoku had thought up, was looking around. "Tell me that's what I think it is."

Hawkeye nodded, looking far more directly southwards. "Planes."

All three of them squinted through the gloom, but they could hear it. Jets, coming in hot and fast. The beach defenses had been reduced to rubble, and with it, the way was clear for backup from the air to arrive.

Spotlights came to life as a great rotored vehicle got into position over the conflict, making the battle easier to see. With the sharp report of automated fire, the beleaguered American infantry was finally given a reprieve.

While his squaddies cheered on the sudden attack on their enemies, Hoku was scowling. While enemy positions were being scattered, there were too few American movements on the ground. How badly had they been pounded? He pulled up and out of the ditch they were hiding in. "Time clean up." The others emerged with him, the fox trailing behind.

There was far too little movement of the infantry to harry or chase after the withdrawing enemy forces. Hoku led his unit in at a slow pace, eyes darting for signs of trouble.

"Private Hoku!" There, an officer, looking directly at Hoku and his allies. "You're still breathing!"

"They try stop that." Hoku saluted sharply. "We defend front."

"You did..." He looked off in the direction Hoku had come from, scowling. "We were inching that way, expecting to hit more combatants the entire time.

Hawkeye stood at stiff attention. "Pardon the language, but we fought like god-damned devils, Sir."

Lucky laughed. "More like we fought as if the devils were comin' for us, and they were!"

The captain nodded to each of them, but his vision was sliding past them, to the fox that was trying really hard to be small. "Who or what is that?"

Hoku gestured to the fox. "Prisoner. Surrender. Smart."

"Y-yes, Sir," piped the Fox. "Um, that's me... rather alive and captured... Um... I hope? You aren't going to do horrible things to me, right?"

"That depends a little on how cooperative you are." The captain turned his full attention on Hoku. "I have to help gather who's still standing. You do the same. Anyone too hurt to walk, get them to medical yourself."

The fox raised a hand as best he could, having to raise both behind his back. "I'll help?" The captain gave him a withering look. "I'd... rather be helpful to the people what could do mean things to me, Sir."

With the sound of slowing rotors, the great helicopter-like craft landed nearby, disgorging new souls to help with the effort, but they didn't move very far from the craft except one that hurried down the hill towards the rest of them. "Get your sickest, especially bleeders, on board. We're pulling out."

The captain and Hoku looked to the new man with equal surprise. "Orders from the top. A ground war's too bloody expensive. With the beach defenses down, we can isolate them. Don't ask me for specifics, I'm not the brass." He hiked a thumb for the great chopper. "More's inbound to get the rest of you, but prioritize the wounded for now."

"Are you going to America?" Eyes turned to the fox. "I was... kind of curious about it... Do they really have, I mean... Um... so... not monsters, maybe, or are monsters, and I'm just digging my grave with every word?" He laughed nervously, tail twitching with obvious agitation.

Lucky elbowed the fox lightly. "I expect we'll be last, seeing as we have all our parts in order."

The captain nodded as he turned away. "Right. Help those who need help evac as quickly as possible. Seems this deployment is ending sooner than expected."

In the seas, the flurry of aquatic attacks seemed to be slowing. With the TSDI forces forced to attempt to defend the minotaur's homeland, civilian ships were left to a modicum of peace, sailing the waters without military boats threatening or firing on them.

At least until the fish folk, the pisces, joined the frey. Incensed at the sudden use of such terrible weapons, they threw themselves from the waves, turning what seemed like still waters into effective attacks on boats ill-equipped to deal with them.

On the bright side, they seemed perfectly content to stop a ship and relieve it of cargo. The ship and its crew were left intact, making them more of a pirate menace than a full-on military strike as had been happening. They were stopping commerce and slowing things down, which they felt was good enough to lend a helping hand to the TSDI that they had begun to see as the underdogs in the exchange.

The president addressed the nation. While it was televised, of course, it was also written down and printed and distributed far and wide. His message had to reach everyone, and much of the world would not be watching him live.

"This war must end," Rason declared firmly. "We began it, thinking we were fighting the TSDI, but it has become clear that it is not the TSDI that we should be facing." He gestured behind himself at the image of Commander Power. "This man has seized control of his nation, stolen it from his people. He has toppled one of the few democracies we shared this world with and replaced it with a bloody dictatorship. Not with the love and attention of our allied monarchs, but as a ruthless military commander that will stop at nothing to expand his sphere of influence."

"I do not propose we lay down our arms, but I am willing to do so. If the Minotaur Council approaches me, sending their President of Foreign Affairs, I will offer them terms for our surrender, but this will not happen. The minotaurs are victims, just as we were, and we will save them from a bull mad enough to detonate a nuclear bomb on his own soil. For the sake of democracy itself, we will liberate our fellow people and return to them a government made by them and for them." He gestured emphatically as he spoke, sweeping over the crowd that stood before him.

"We will not abide the rise of a new Russia. There will be no cold war. We know the one responsible, and we will remove him from power. Members of the TSDI, if you see this, if you get the printed version of this, know that our hand is still out. Join us in freeing the minotaurs, the founding nation of your collective. Do as you promised to do and help them. It is time we turned our attention on the real threat here."

The crowd cheered. It was lovely having one specific person to focus their hate on. It was so rare to have one specific person to blame for all of their trouble, but there he was, all trussed up and ready for the frustration of the crowd. The American people wanted steak for dinner, and they knew just what bull needed to visit the slaughterhouse to make that happen.

Chrysalis scowled at the image. "You weren't supposed to figure it out that quickly..." She threw her remote, clutched in her magic. Propelled in green force, it destroyed the helpless television, sparks dancing in its death throes.

"At least..." She still had her hidden ace. "Poor fools have no idea they're already under my control..." It was time to activate her sleeper agent. "Time to do what I put you there to do." She rose to her hooves and strode for the exit with a sly smile on her snout. "'President Rason', you will deliver to my deserving hooves America on a silver platter, and the rest of the world will tremble before me."

Sure, the war was not yet over, not by far. The way she had ratcheted things, many TSDI forces would fight to the last, trying to keep America free. Their pleas would just sound like the ravings of a bloodthirsty conqueror making light of their enemies. They would fight, and America would win, not as weakened as she had hoped. That was alright...

She wouldn't crush it. She would simply take it for herself. The land of the free. "It is to laugh."

Author's Note

Chrysalis' plans are crumbling, but she has backups, yo! Hold my beer, gonna take over this world.

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82 - With Friends Like These

A vulpine hand slapped down a paper. "It's all here, in black and white." He looked across the table to the other leaders of the TSDI. "I say we call them on their bluff."

A weasel bobbed his head. "Yes yes, show the world they are liars! Then their friends will turn on them. Let them dig their own grave."

"I doubt," added a bear with a crown. "That they are doing much more than fishing for allies against us."

Force tapped his fist on the table, a finger extending in the motion to point out over the others. "Exactly why I don't intend to even recognize this as anything more than the desperate ramblings of the losing side."

A few shared glances. How much America was 'losing' was... debatable...

"I can see your doubt." He smiled softly. "But their invasion is coming. Within the week, they will be scrambling to keep TSDI forces outside of the heart of their land. Their citizens will know the horror of war, and maybe they will beg for peace."

The fox waved a hand, the elbow of the same arm on the table. "They're already offering peace. Why not send the council member they asked for? You'd lose nothing in trying, and look like the bigger creature."

The bear huffed, form inflating a moment before shrinking again. "Because the council is dead." He raised a great ursine finger at Commander Force. "Why aren't you?"

"Because I wasn't there, obviously." Force scowled at the bear king. "Are you imply--" He had to pause, wrenching out a cloth to deposit phlegm and blood in a display of illness. "Excuse me. As I was saying, what are you getting at?"

The weasel waved a smaller hand quite energetically. "Get a new one! Time for a new council. You can do that can't you?"

It was, in fact, quite within his power to begin the process of assembling a new council. It was... his duty to do just that, as it would be any councilmember who was witness to an insufficient number of other council members. "You are correct. Do you want me to be doing that instead of managing this war?"

The fox put out both hands. "It's not an either/or situation. You can get those wheels moving while you focus on the battles. It'll be less of a bad look than... I dunno... crowning yourself Commander."

It had been a project over a year in the making. Countless diamond dogs had made a lifetime supply of gems in the process, but they had burrowed deep and far. They had expanded tunnels and reinforced them. They had died and bled and worked within the bowels of the earth, but their project would soon be done.

The forces of the TSDI would have their chance at sweet revenge. No american doctrine was truly prepared for an enemy to attack from below.

President Rason slowly exhaled. Things were calming down... The minotaurs were in a corner, being pummeled, hopefully into submission. The war, as terrible was it was, was winding down.

He could breathe.

His phone rang and he snatched it up.

"Mister President," came the female voice. "Someone claiming to be your mother is on the line. She said to mention a 'momma C'? Should I send her away?"

There went his blood pressure. "Put her through..."

The phone went dead a moment before he heard a click of the line switching over. "Is this who I think it is?"

"Of course," came Chrysalis' agitated tone. "It's time."

"Yes, it is time to--"

"What are the codes?"

"Excuse me?" He hiked a brow at the phone.

"The codes, you know them. What are they?"

"Whatever codes you have in mind change constantly, and I don't know them because they change constantly. That's the point. Look, I have a country to--"

"--Insolence!" the irate former-queen of changelings shouted into the phone. "We have limited time. It's time to take over, make it happen."

"No."

Unseen, Chrysalis peered at her floating phone. "What do you mean no? Is this thing not working?!"

"I will not help you do that."

"You do it or I just reveal what you really are and we'll see how long it takes for the humans to tear you apart."

The line went dead. Rason had hung up.

He cupped his face in his hands. He had done all he could do... His secret would come out, and he would be loathed, and he deserved it. He deserved every scrap of it... But America deserved better. Pharynx deserved better. If he was outed as a changeling, they would suffer terribly.

What could he do?

He sat up, his hands going to his desk. There was only one right thing to do. There was exactly one course of action that would see justice done, America served best, and innocents spared.

He reached for his phone and called up his vice president.

The doctor entered the room and dropped the clipboard he had been holding. There was no nurse to call, so he had to do it himself. His patient was swollen around the face and throat in what appeared to be a severe allergic reaction. Ponies weren't supposed to have reactions to blood, and yet there Twilight was, possibly not getting air.

He grabbed a needle and filled it with a relief drug that he could only pray worked on ponies as well as it worked on humans. He fired it into her without a moment of delay, for good or bad. He was already getting out steroids to help with things, muttering foul curses as he went. She had been peacefully recovering!

Delayed reactions were the worst, allowing one to have a false sense of security. "C'mon." He knew she was royalty. He did not want a literal princess dying on his watch. Not that he wanted anyone dying on his watch.

His world suddenly tumbled as he was thrown away violently. "Stop!" came Starlight's firm voice despite her still being weak. "Stop..." She sagged against the door, heaving. "Twilight, I know you can hear me. Celestia-damn it... Snap out of it!"

Twilight's horn suddenly flared, her magic lashing around the room in angry jolts of power. Her eyes opened and she drew a loud ragged gasp, but there were no pupils. Her eyes were filled with light, magic pouring out of her like a fountain as adrenaline pumped through her body.

"Twilight! Oh--" She was struck by a lance of purple magic and knocked clear of the room, crashing against the guard rail just outside. Already weak, Starlight slid to the floor, unconscious.

The doctor scrambled away from the magically melting down unicorn, barely managing to slam the metal door shut as a wave of power crashed into it, knocking it right back open and throwing him back to trip over Starlight, the both of them in a tangled pile a moment later.

Twilight sat up, a hoof to her head. "Oof, what happened? Why is my tongue so thick?" She could barely breathe, it felt like, and she had to focus on each uneven gasp for air, but she was awake, and alive.

Healing could properly begin.

The vice president sat across from President Rason. "You wanted to see me?"

"I did... I will be retiring; resigning. You will be the next president. I have a request... a large request."

The vp was quiet, watching Rason.

"I will resign, you will become president, and you will immediately pardon John Rason." He held up a hand. "But I am... not John Rason. I will leave as people know me, and hopefully remember fondly. I will step out of the limelight and immediately into captivity. I will be tried in a dark courtroom for the crimes I have committed and what is done with me, is up to other people. I will not resist."

"You're going to have to explain that a little--"

John Rason revealed his true form, becoming the changeling he always had been. "I'm sorry."

The VP's right hand clutched the arm of his chair powerfully. He had expected many things, but not that. "For how long?"

"Since before I even announced I would run for president..." He resumed being John Rason. "But this was not the work of Thorax, I swear. He and his changelings are innocent... I was following the orders of a rogue, and I will disclose all the details, but first we need John Rason to stop being president... and then I will turn myself in, and we can finish this war without... this over our heads. She has already threatened to go public with this. If I'm not here, that threat goes away. For America, I must do this."

"This is a huge thing you're throwing in my lap..."

"I know... I know and I can't say how sorry I am, and I even know it'll never be sorry enough. I am ready to pay for my crimes, but America shouldn't pay for my crimes. Help me help America, then you can throw every book you have at me. I will not run. I will not resist." His voice was both determined and haunted. He was signing up for anguish, but he was doing his job.

"What happened to the real John Rason? You... weren't always him, right?"

"No... no... He's... I can't confirm if he's alive or dead. I stole his life... I am guilty of a lot... I'm not resisting that. I know that. I know!" He slammed a fist on the table, as frustrated at himself as anything else. "Let's close this miserable chapter, and I'll turn myself in."

"I'm sorry, People of America. The war is moving in a positive direction, but I cannot lead you the rest of the way. It is with a heavy heart that I resign my office. It was a privilege, one I felt at times was undeserved, to work for you all. My replacement will work to continue what I started." He gave a haunted smile to the crowd. "Thank you for this opportunity."

It was over all so quickly. He smiled for the cameras and walked just out of sight of all the cameras, but that John Rason never came out the other end of the building. FBI agents closed in around him and he didn't resist as he was walked away into a different van, a body double climbing into the car people expected to see drive away.

He was taken away, to be interrogated. There was no assurance he'd even get a proper trial, nor did he beg for that chance. He was guilty by every measure of the word, and he accepted what he was given.

Such was the fate of John Rason, who was also a changeling.

A scientist held a large rifle-like device in his hands, directing it down an indoor range at a target. "Firing one salvo," he announced as he dropped to a knee and took a shot. There was barely any sound. There was light, the barrel of the gun flashing from within.

The target erupted, a hole appearing. It wasn't near the head or torso targets, no one said that scientist was a great shot, but it had happened. The next shot was closer, then closer still. The gun had little recoil, almost none, and propelled the bullets down the barrel with frightful velocity with no gunpowder involved.

Sunburst trembled as he watched it. The first magic-powered gun had been born, and he would not celebrate its birthday.

Author's Note

John Rason. Could there have been a nicer ending for him?

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83 - Reading is FUNdamental

Roland sat up from his typing. His students, eclectic as they came, were picking up English quite well. Most importantly, they thought outside the box. Wild ideas of conspiracies had some uses, and when applied to a very real, and very undefined, force that was acting against them, they had countless ideas for countering it.

The result was the first English web page in a while. Sure, they had to obfuscate it on the back end, make the page perform code to arrive at the English rather than storing it directly, but it didn't seem to fade away into Ponish. Writing on a paper tends to transition in about two to three days. Recordings of someone speaking went faster, maybe 12 to 32 hours. Web pages were the slowest at about 5-8 days.

The concealed pages had survived an entire month so far without the translating magic finding it and forcing it to Ponish. Better yet, people could learn from it, as his newest student had proven.

Yes, there was a war raging, but that was officially out of his jurisdiction. He could wish America well, but he wasn't feeling the urge to do promotional pieces about it. He was quite too old to be suddenly drafted, if they ever tried to bring back that idea. The war just wasn't his problem, so he focused on the lost language.

"Admitting what you've done doesn't absolve you of the guilt."

"I know that." John Rason, the changeling, looked up at his interrogator. "I will help in any way I can."

"You're very friendly, for an admitted enemy agent." He walked away at a casual pace. "Coffee?"

"No, thanks... Look, you don't need to get psychological with me. I did bad. I did a lot of bad, and I know that. I'm here to answer questions, then be punished. The sooner we finish this, the better, for everyone else." The world he had built for himself, the house of lies on lies, was flat on the floor, and he was not reaching for the scattered cards.

"If you insist." He turned back, a fresh cup of coffee in hand. "Let's start with the basics, your employer. I want to know everything about her. Don't filter. You know her shoe size, share it."

"Employer is too kind a word... Her name is Queen Chrysalis, but she stopped being queen of anything worth using the title for." John took a slow breath. "I was one of many drones born in her hive, back when she had one. I was raised to idolize the ground she deigned to touch. It would be through her action that the hive would benefit, or so I thought... I thought it hard enough to run away from the reformed changelings, fearing... well, change. It's funny looking back on it. Change is what we do."

"We have some data on changelings, but we'll get to that, stay focused on Chrysalis." He rolled a hand, prompting John to continue. "She's a changeling too, I presume?"

"Mother of me and many others... You can think of her like a queen bee, if there was a kind of bee that wanted to suck you dry of emotions. Unlike a queen bee, she is not pinned in place as part of her... duties. She has no hive at current, but that could have changed during my time serving under the name John Rason. My contact with her was zero, minus that last call. I presume you have that recorded?"

"We may." He neither confirmed nor denied. He wasn't there to answer questions. He was there to get them answered. "What is your original name?"

"Was... I... don't even remember." He sagged in place, insectoid ear-tufts lowering. "I had to become John Rason. I had to learn every little detail of every part of his life. There was no room for 'me' in there. I was... am... used to be John Rason. If you find him, pass him my apologies, though I know it is scarcely enough."

A hand came down in a sharp slap just beside the wall behind John's head. "You sick bastard, you slept with his damn wife. If we find him, I doubt he'll really want your apologies."

John did not resist the hate directed at him. He deserved it, as far as he could tell. "Let me do what little good I can, then you can dispose of me as you wish."

"Back to Chrysalis." He sipped from his hot cup, eyes on the changeling formerly known as John Rason. "What was her goal?"

"I honestly couldn't say. You heard the conversation, she wanted America." John let out a lone bitter 'ha'. "As if it was that easy. America will never fall to her."

"Mighty patriotic sounding for an enemy agent." He tipped his coffee cup towards John. "You went native, hard."

"Yeah... Can you blame me? This is a country worth fighting for." John lifted his forehooves in an expansive shrug. "I will do what I can for her."

"Shame you're so damned guilty... Back on topic, are you aware of the location and duties of any other enemy agents?"

"I don't," he confessed with a soft grunt. "Changelings don't give many tells until you force it. You know that from how long I lived as John Rason. I was the bloody president of the United States. If I can fill that chair, they could be anywhere."

"You have anything to offer to stop that?"

"Yes." He sat up tall. "I know about the magic research and development. I will gladly help provide all the data they need to get sensors working for our specific variety of magic. They can fine tune on my shapeshifting until they get it right, then any changeling swapping forms on American soil will be noticed."

"You're leaving out a few steps in the process... but your offer is noted." It wasn't as if any such sensor would just instantly be scattered across the country, nice as that idea was. "Your motion to pardon John Rason, by the way, declined."

"Huh, why? He didn't do anything."

"Exactly." He extended a finger. "What would we be pardoning him for? You're the lawbreaker, and you aren't really John Rason."

John the changeling let out a soft breath. "Oh... sure, fine. How's... the VP handling things? The bulls give up yet?"

"I'm not at liberty to answer that question. Let's discuss how changelings work..."

It had become a web beneath their feet, spreading inch by inch across the country. Alaska, the mainland, even their island ports were not immune to their presence. The seismograph watchers were not asleep at their post, but it was an alien world with alien noises and alien motions in the ground. They were still re-writing the book on seismography just as rocket scientists reinvented how to get things into space and move through it.

It was in this vital moment of confusion that they pushed in, another strange noise among so many others. The bulls had green lit the tunnels long before the war, preparing for the day that they may become required. That day had arrived. Defenders withdrew from the battle line that the Americans had given up. The long-range pummeling was rough, but it meant their ground forces could be almost entirely diverted to the gambit. To invade EFC territory from as many points as possible, all at once.

Their forces spread far and wide, the people at the sensors only just starting to wonder what all the noise was all about beyond a general pondering on the strange behavior of the new world they existed on, where beasts large and small made regular habits of swimming through the rock and dirt as if it were nothing but water.

The attack awaited the final word.

Starlight moved to Twilight's room. The doctor had various things to keep an eye on, and left her as the acting nurse, making sure Twilight kept breathing and checking on her. "We're blood sisters, you realize."

Twilight quirked a smile at that, breathing heavily. "Speaking of... that, when will your blood stop making me bloated everywhere?"

"Doctor said he had not a clue." She hiked a brow. "Would you have an answer for a human suffering the same issue?"

"I suppose not..." She tried to sit up, but soon gave up trying to move, panting helplessly. "I don't want to be... ingrateful. He did save me from just... you know... It could be worse. Tell me, what happened? We were supposed to help those people and... we clearly aren't. Is the war over?"

"No. I talked to them." She held up a hoof to her face as if it were a phone. "The people we were with were... attacked, badly. They've withdrawn and they, the military people, wish you a speedy recovery along with a lot of apologies for failing to protect a princess from harm."

"Oh..." Twilight sagged in place for a sullen moment. "On the bright side..." She had to pause, recatching her breath. "No more plastic suits."

"Thank Celestia for that," laughed out Starlight, setting a hoof on her friend's shoulder. "May we never have to wear one again. Look, Twilight... This isn't where you belong. Equestria needs you."

"It does." She fixed her eyes on Starlight with a new intensity. "It also needs me to stop this madness. This is for Equestria. I won't rush back, promise. Promise..." Her eyes half-closed, her breathing still labored. "I wanna sleep..."

"Please don't." She gently shook Twilight. "Not until you can breathe properly. The doctor said in a real hospital they could jam a tube down your throat to keep your passages open, but this is a boat, not a hospital. I... Stay with me, Twilight."

"Ugh..." Twilight's expressive eyes rolled, a few tears of pain and fatigue escaping her. "So this is my alternative? What a choice..." She drew a sudden ragged breath, filling her lungs. "Starlight, did you tell Celestia what happened?"

Starlight's brows went up as one. "You want me to? I figured you'd never want her to know about this."

Twilight raised a hoof weakly. "She has to know. I almost broke her by going dark for so long. Please..."

Starlight caught her hoof, cradling it gently. "I will. Hay, I'll call her right now, and we can both say hello to her. Won't that be nice?"

Twilight's expression brightened a little. "That would be nice... Please."

Starlight drew her phone free in a hurry, dialing up the princess.

"Hello? Starlight?" came Celestia's voice over the speaker phone.

"Yes, hello." Starlight smiled at the floating phone. "It's me, and Twilight."

"Hello," weakly greeted Twilight.

"Twilight, you... are you alright?"

"Not exactly, but she's getting better," assured Starlight. "We're nowhere near the fighting anymore.

"That is a relief. Twilight, Starlight, please... Can you come home? Things are... changing."

Starlight hiked a brow at the phone. "I have no real objection to getting out of this, and we were both roughed up enough that I doubt the Americans will stand in the way of it, but the way you say that makes me full of questions."

"That will be answered when I can share a room with you. Starlight, see Twilight home safely, please."

The phone went dark, the call ended. Starlight peered at it skeptically before tucking it away. "You heard the mare. She wants us back in Equestria... as soon as this boat pulls into a harbor, or I feel 100% again, which I doubt will happen beforehoof."

"What did I do wrong?"

Starlight blinked rapidly, confusion on her face. "What even makes you ask that? I mean, besides being a brave pony that wants to make the world better, you didn't do a thing wrong."

"But I failed..."

"We all do sometimes." Starlight leaned in and kissed Twilight right beside her horn. "Life is full of mistakes, and we'll keep right on trying."

"Together." She pushed a hoof weakly into Starlight's chest. "Thank you."

Author's Note

Things are percolating to an angry boil. What will become as the pieces land? Did you forget about poor Roland?

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84 - To Learn is Dangerous

Head Steam frowned at what she was looking at. "They've changed their migration patterns... entirely." She had come to dry land to study things of the land, which included burrowing creatures that were exploring the new land they could burrow through, being America.

"Are you sure these are accurate?"

A human scientist was there, not a part of her usual team. That scientist was not a biologist, he was a seismologist. "These are gathered readings over the past month. The tunnelers are not hard to spot, and we've been keeping an eye on them, watching to make sure they don't hit anything vital, and just keeping an eye in general. This represents the findings of dozens of stations and more than that many observers. I'm just bringing it to you."

"And I appreciate that," she allowed with a bright smile on her beak. "This is truly... amazing. They normally go left and right..." She trailed a finger where they should be moving. "But they don't, and there are more of them, far too many to just be a good spawning season. This... isn't natural."

She sat up suddenly. "Have you begin new noises?"

"New noises?"

"Sorry, begun, the excitement is getting to me." She shook her head. "Drilling of your own, fracking was it? Maybe it's disturbing the worms."

"It's hard to imagine any isolated attempt to frack would disrupt the entire continent's movements..."

"True... There's only one way to find out." She picked up the map and folded it carefully. "Time for a field trip."

It took a bit of pleading with her boss to allow it. They preferred her near the water, where she could help them with aquatic based research, but she had gotten promises she could pursue land-based research, and that was certainly a biological matter worth putting eyes on. "It shouldn't take too long. I just want to go and have a look. We won't know just watching what directions they move in."

She bade her husband and family a soft goodbye, with hugs and kisses all around. "I'll be back as soon as I've had a peek at what has gotten into those worms." She tapped her husband on the beak. "And you'll commemorate the event once I know what's happening."

"Gladly." He squeezed her gently. "You be safe and swim swiftly."

"As fast as anyone swims on dry land," she laughed out. "Take care of yourself and the children. I'll be back."

Hoku stood at rigid attention. Beside him, Hawkeye and Lucky were in a row. A superior with more decorations on his chest was looking to them severely. "Feeling better?" he asked Lucky who had twisted his ankle during his mad dash, but had kept right on running despite it.

"Sir, yes, Sir!"

"Good. Unfortunately for you, the ground doesn't count as an enemy." He approached Hawkeye, drawing out a dangling medal of a lustrous purple heart, affixing it to his chest.

Hawkeye was turning a bit red. He had been barely grazed by an angry beam of magic. He had a thin scar across his face from what could have been a lethal shot, had it been just a bit to the left, but it hadn't been. It had hardly been a wound at all.

"I didn't call you all here to watch your fellow get a new medal. You have all served with distinction, keeping calm and keeping a flank clear that could have easily resulted in further losses throughout the battalion." He turned away, moving to a small table to pick up a few small boxes. "You gave it your all, and you had what it took." He opened a box to reveal the next medal to be awarded.

Inside was a bronze star. "To each of you I award a medal of valor, for bravery, distinction, and unflinching nerve in the face of overwhelming odds." He began to hang them on the chests of the privates. He didn't mention Paul, but his surviving family would receive his medals. They would be cold comfort for their loss of him.

Applause rippled from the crowd they had been trying to ignore. Such medals required a proper ceremony, which meant that there were witnesses, cheering them on as they turned to face them, their chests burdened with the symbols of their achievement.

Hoku felt pride, but it was tainted, knowing so many of his fellows would be receiving posthumous purple hearts, including Paul, who would never get to school. Was there something else he could have done?

Stream landed lightly, her wings folding and her arm swinging downwards suddenly with the impact of her luggage with the ground. It had wheels thankfully and she began pulling it along towards her destination, eyes moving across the desert terrain. It was exactly the sort of place the worms loved, but their patterns had changed almost overnight, many veering away from the area it seemed, but one cut right through it and kept right on going at a slow rate, for a worm. What was going on? She meant to find out.

She met up with her contact there, shaking hands with the local seismologist. "Where was it again?"

The seismologist, a female, surrendered a map that showed the entire area, as remote as they were. The line of activity showed clearly. The big boss worm was still in the area, making their way southwards. "Fascinating... Thank you. I presume I will not cause trouble if I dig?"

"There's nothing around here that you'd hit, no. Please try to clean up after yourself."

"Take only pictures, leave only hoofprints," assured Stream with a salute and a smile, wandering off with a shovel to see what she could see.

She had other equipment with her, of course, and soon had her own little seismograph on the ground, watching the needle jump and bounce. She had to take several readings to triangulate, but she was working her way towards where the worm was working diligently. "Maybe you're an alpha worm, and the others are avoiding you, but why are you so slow?" she murmured to herself as she came closer and closer to the source of the vibrations.

"Let's try knocking and asking nicely." She had tatzl treats ready to placate the beast and not be devoured for her efforts, and she had read as many books as she could find on their general behavior. She felt ready to discover something new!

She advanced to where the vibrations seemed to be coming directly from and brought down her shovel. She was not trying to dig to the worm. That would be quite slow and likely agitate the worm. She began beating out a pattern. Thump-thump-thumpity-thumpthump. Worms could communicate to one another through the ground through such vibrations.

The language was largely a mystery and rudimentary, as far as most creatures knew, but 'Hello, I would like to see you' was a phrase they knew. It was most often used by two worms that wished to take measure of each other, either for territory, or courtship, or even sometimes just to seem to say hello to one another. In any event, it was a cue for any other worm that heard it to surface and greet the other worm.

Her seismograph began to vibrate differently. They were coming closer! She grinned with silly joy, excited to see her first tatzlwurm in the flesh. She dug out her camera and held it at the ready, barely resisting cantering in place.

The digger emerged, not in front of her in a great sinuous serpentine gesture, but just behind her, a hand grabbing for one of her hooves and yanking her backwards. "Hey what!?" She barely got out, slamming into the ground and sliding backwards. "Leggo! I'm here in pea--" She vanished beneath the dirt.

Dirt flowed past her, roughly scraping against her feathers and fur before she was thrown from the ceiling of some great cavern to strike the ground before she could get her wings working. Dizzy and hurting, she tried to stand, but large hands grabbed her from all around, forcing her to her belly once more. "Stupid, uh..." The diamond dog speaking had no experience with hippogriffs.

"Whatever you are. Tie her up good!" The other dogs dragged her away as others rushed with rope, trussing her up tightly and tossing her to the side. "Seal hole, nothing see here." A moment later a seismograph crashed to the ground where she had been, breaking on the floor. There would be little evidence of Head's presence, and the hole they dug was filled back in with dirt.

Her vanishing would not go entirely unnoticed. When she never came back to sleep that night, they wondered. When she didn't come back the day after that, they began to worry. Calls were unanswered, and soon she was reported as missing entirely. Had she been devoured by the very beast she wanted to study? It couldn't be ruled out, but it had to be reasonably proven.

They began to search for her. She could have simply become lost and trapped somewhere, as any other scientist in the near-wild could have. The desert was not friendly to outright tracks, nor did it have much vegetation for her to disturb and follow that way. They started by following the same vibrations she had, but there was nothing there. It didn't help that by the time they arrived at where the vibrations were coming from, they had long since moved onwards.

They spread out, looking for any signs of a hippogriff, but there were precious few things left behind save for a lone feather, dropping free from when she was suddenly yanked into a hole that wasn't there anymore, and even the feather was missed, as it was just a feather and not what the search crew had been trained to look for.

Head Stream would not be rescued right away.

"You've answered every question we have."

John let his head hang a little. "I'll assist the scientists in their calibrations then. It's all I can offer, then you can do whatever you want." Not that he had a lot of actual say in that.

"We're sending you today." He moved for the door and opened it casually. "If you'd follow me?"

John perked his ears with surprise. With a smooth step down of his long legs, he followed after the FBI agent that held his life in their hands. "This is faster than I expected, but good. The faster we're... past this... the better, for America."

"You seem quite convinced you'll be facing a firing squad."

"Nothing so barbaric... but I am entirely undocumented. Not a single soul save that of a known terrorist even knows I exist. I can be vanished with no legal ramifications, and I would wager that might be for the best." He smiled faintly. "I'm not even angry, not at you... You're doing your job."

"How stoic. Human form, please."

"Hm? Oh." The changeling became John Rason once more, clothes forming with him. He hadn't been wearing cuffs, but they were put on him a moment later. He didn't resist and followed as he was led.

"Tell me, if you have cuffs on and shapeshift, what happens?"

"They're still attached." With a rush of flames, he became a changeling with cuffs on his forelegs. "You can still cuff a changeling, but watch out, we have wings, and two perfectly serviceable other limbs to speak nothing of magic."

"Back to human," ordered the guard, pausing until that happened. "Thank you. Now, you'll be working with some people who have been making strides in the field of magic research and development. We expect full cooperation with them."

"Of course. I will help however I can." Not for mercy, he expected none of that. It was still his job, for he was John Rason, who was actually a changeling and not a president at all. "Lead the way."

He was whisked away in a dark-tinted vehicle to meet those he'd be working with for some time.

Author's Note

Don't mind me as I set some pieces on this chess board...

I was schooled by the way, asking my military contact. The vibrations would certainly be noticed, but... they would be watched, monitored, and likely puzzled at, possibly without any reaction but to keep watching, which is what happened today, with Head Stream reacting.

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85 - Research Material

Sunburst's eyes followed to the same place as much of the rest of his team. Sharply-dressed men were intruding on their workspace, not with news of how their recent work was being received, but new orders and complications.

"Study him until you have a reliable sensor," was the simple command. "Keep us updated on your progress. If you happen to make any peripheral discoveries on the nature of changelings, document and pass it on. He is yours to do with as you please."

Sunburst blinked at that softly. "He volunteered for that?"

"I did," suddenly spoke the colorful reformed changeling, sounding grimly resolved.

"As he said. We look forward to your progress."

"One thing," added a different agent. "He has lofty dreams of being president. He admires Mister Rason, so don't be surprised if he imitates him."

The scientists got a chortle out of the idea. A changeling, president? How silly is that? Sunburst was one of the quieter there, watching the FBI agents go before he moved towards their new test material. "So, hello. I'm Sunburst... and I have a strong feeling we were only told half the story."

Rason lifted a tuft towards Sunburst. "You were told what you needed to know. Right now, you need to be able to detect my shapeshifting reliably."

"That shouldn't be too hard," Confident in their success, one of the scientists were leading John towards their clean room, still full of sensors from their work deciphering Sunburst's magic step by slow step. "If it's anything like unicorn magic, it should show up, even as a new sub-variety."

Once inside and with people at the computers to see what they reported, the same scientist depressed a button to speak to him, "Go ahead and change, we'll see what they pick up, or don't."

John considered a moment, looking arond the room. Rather than become John Rason, he opted to assume the form of the pedestal there with a bowl, making it seem like someone had set two such pedestals side by side after a brief flare of green flames.

"Hm..." There had been something, a nice flare up of noise. It wasn't what the computer would have called magic, but it was power along the same lines. It represented a tremendous amount of power, possibly explaining the visible effect that accompanied it with some heat and other radiations spilling out as mass and composition were played with in ways that should not be possible.

"I want to see something. Step on the scale." The scale in the room began to glow a soft white, making that square on the ground quite visible.

"Alright." John resumed being a changeling and sepped over onto the scale, revealing his weight. "And now?"

"And now change into the heaviest thing you can think of."

Becoming John Rason included getting an educational level that fit. One of the heaviest things that jumped into his mind was lead, so he casually became lead, a great pile of lead bars stacked high and neatly.

The scale reacted to the new weight, the number increasing rapidly moment by moment until it arrived at the new, much larger, number. The scienstists all whistled softly, witnessing another few 'laws' casually destroyed. Sunburst's horn glowed as he pressed the intercom button. "For sake of argument, what about the lighest?"

"Alright." John wasn't entirely sure how small he could become. He tried for a feather, but even changeling magic had its limit, and he became a rather large feather, drifting down to the ground to rest.

"Hm," murmured a scientist, taking note of the upper and lower bounds of weight. "Considering the body has to contain whatever qualifies as 'you' that is in there, I suppose it makes sense that you can only become so light, but you can gain mass much more readily. We're not biologists, but I imagine one could take a lifetime trying to decipher the mechanisms at play here."

"You can go back to normal," added Sunburst. "Thanks."

Each transition was also helpful, adding to the database of such changes to categorize and puzzle through. "That important part," added one of his co-workers. "is that he does put out some of the same radiation as unicorn magic, which means we can detect it. It's different, sure, but that isn't nearly as hard as it could have been."

It was time to apply science.

Head watched as the tunnels grew further and further. There were vehicles too, none larger than a van, ferrying people and materials in and out of the cave at a steady pace. Such a vehicle's vibrations were far from strong enough to meaningfully detect, she thought ruefully to herself.

It was all so obvious, in retrospect. The worms has been avoiding the sudden new tunnels and the mass of dogs making them. Had they been scared? Had they been immediately scared? She wondered if they had come into conflict at first. If they had, the dogs must have won, decisively, and the other worms kept away rather than risking trying again to reclaim their dominion over the underground.

Then again, the dogs had been making tunnels for quite some time, before the humans ever appeared. Maybe they and the worms knew how to av... Oh.

No wonder they reacted so swiftly to her message. They were used to hearing the messages of the worms. If they weren't busy foalnapping her, they could have been a valuable font on tatzlwurm signals and codes. They may have known quite a few more phrases to communicate with them. For just a moment she internally warred with the desire to learn and the desire to be freed and get to safety.

Her senses returned to her as she was roughly shoved aside for some marching diamond dogs hurrying past her to extend the tunnel. She scowled at them, able to see them clearly. Despite being an underground tunnel, it was actually rather well lit. The entire massive thing was made for ease of movement, she figured. Lights hung, supports were placed, and the ground was flat.

It was a feat of engineering prowess. A pity she was tied up in it. "Excuse me?"

"What want?" grunted a dog, pausing a moment to hear her.

"Any chance I could... be less tied up?"

"No."

That had gone about as well as she could have reasonably hoped. "I need to, you know, make water."

"Not here. You wait." He went back the way he had come from, only to return with several other dogs. They attacked the side of the tunnel near her, burrowing into it with the same swimming natural grace of any worm. Soon a new side-room was formed, and she was tossed into it. Once they had bars firmly installed to keep her in there, she was untied, free to roam her little new home, out of their way.

It was a mild step in the right direction.

"Hey."

Hoku glanced to the right to see a familiar fox. "Why not in jail?"

The fox shrugged expansively. "I don't like jail, and they wanted to know things, so we both got what we wanted. Um, I wanted to thank you."

He had gone turncoat. Hoku frowned at the idea. Turning against one's family was pretty high on the list of things a warrior should not do in his book, but the fox had not struck him as much of a warrior. "Have question."

"Hm? Sure. Answering questions for Americans is practically my job these days." He smiled brightly, carnivorous teeth on display. "Lay it on me."

"How join army?" He hiked a thumb northward. "Why?"

"Oh, hm, that's a new one..." He tapped a furry foot on the ground. "But a good one... You'll laugh at me though."

"Not laugh," assured Hoku with an icey tone. He didn't feel like laughing about that battle.

"If you say so... um, so there was this vixen. I really liked the sway of her tail, if you get my meaning." He wagged his brows suggestively. "She was into tough guys, so, there I was, hey, I can be tough! I signed up to show her how tough I was."

"Then captured, break instantly." Hoku rolled a hand at him. "Not tough."

"Guess not." He barked out a laugh, a tear spilling from his eye. "I was young and stupid. Still pretty stupid I guess, and not much older. Hey, uh... Hoku was it?"

"Yes."

"I'm not afraid to admit it; I'm super jealous." He put out a balled hand. "You and your buds, you're the real thing, not like me."

Hoku glanced around, but saw no one else moving towards them. "Where should you be?"

"Cold... Look, I'll head back, I just wanted to say that." He turned away, vulpine tail giving a flick. "Don't get killed, alright?"

Hoku nudged him from behind and began walking with him. He saw the prisoner back to his jail where he had somehow slipped free. On the bright side, a review of the cameras involved showed that he had done as he said, literally slipped out just to seek out Hoku and talk before heading back.

It was all captured, except how the fox had actually managed the deed. It seemed the creatures of their wondrous world had many talents. "Hey, look, I just wanted to talk to Hoku. I'm being good, honest."

"Show us how you do that and we might forgive it." The soldier asking had no idea if it was something that could be imitated or not, but there was only one way to know for sure.

"With the war reaching a lull, we have good news to report; the Storm King's old territory has divided into three allied sections and assumed the shared title of 'The Confederation of Allied Creatures', or CAC. The CAC is already making murmurs of joining the EFC, but nothing official has been documented at this time. Pre-emptively, they've begun issuing passports to any of their citizens that requests one, and are building their infrastructure to better support the modernizing global trade of the world."

A window popped into being beside the newscaster, showing boats drawing into a small dock. "Though still building and recovering, they seem eager to jump onto the modern stage and are welcoming trade from across the world. American relief workers are being encouraged to stay and join their community, though only some are accepting the offer. Those that do are being given land in relation to the time they spent assisting the effort."

"In other news." The window closed, a new one popping open almost instantly, showing a steady barrage of prismatic missiles flying over the horizon. "Bombardment of the minotaur lands proceeds, but they are showing no sign of surrender. No word of the arrival of the minister named by Former-President Rason, though some are unsure if his replacement would honor the same deal."

The window closed and opened again, showing the senate floor. "The sudden resignation of the president has left the government confused for a few days, but they're already back to work under the new president, who has sworn to uphold his office until the next election. Rumors are spreading wildly about why Former-President Rason might have resigned, ranging from health problems to personal issues. He hasn't appeared in the public domain since resigning, going from a strong-spoken president to vanishing overnight."

Chrysalis stomped around her room, howling with fury. "That insufferable peon!" She had been betrayed... again! Again! She drove a hoof into the ground, grinding a rock that had been in her way. "It is time to go. Assemble!"

The loyal she had left were quickly gathered, arrayed before their queen with nervously twitching wings.

"We cannot assume this place is safe... That turncoat may reveal us at any moment, and... we aren't prepared." The admission of weakness was like acid in her mouth. "If America sees us as a direct threat, we're done for..."

"What should we do, Your Highness?"

Author's Note

Poor Chryssie has to face facts. Her plans, they have failed. What is the next step?

Written at the last day of BABScon!

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86 - Finding Love

"Your Highness." All eyes turned to the one drone daring to speak at such a tense time. "Your pardons, Highness, but... Maybe we could just take the love we want?"

Chrysalis scowled at him, her rage scarcely hidden. "And how do you plan to do that, before or after they kill you?"

"If we do not break their rules, they will not hurt us." The drone lowered their head to the ground. "Many are desperate for something to love. Is that not why you came here?"

"Don't presume to know my motivations." She took an angry step forward, but didn't close the distance. Some of her anger ebbed, her face turning thoughtful. "Mmm... Perhaps you are right, on the other hoof. It is long past time... we recharged. We need a hive, a proper hive. New drones, a new generation..."

Another drone raised a hoof quickly. "I know several forms humans find appealing." Other hooves went up. Just about every'ling there had learned what shapes and acts drew lonely humans of any gender and orientation, even if they varied between them.

The room became lit for a moment as they showed them off, a great parade of suave men, shapely females, nerdy members of either biological sex and even inhuman forms to draw some eyes. Even their clothing was tailored to enhance their ability to draw eyes and attention, each specifically done for a particular type of human, for there were so many of those with different keys needed to unlock their hearts and draw out their love.

Chrysalis smiled softly, but it soon grew into a grin. "Yes... My loyal minions, you haven't been wasting time. Come, let's get to making a new hive." Her old plan, abandoned, simply tossed aside. Let the world deal with the mess she had made. "The humans will help us instead of getting in the way constantly. A refreshing change of pace..."

"Let us past," grunted a seapony with a box tethered around his midsection. "You're making me late!"

"No. You are blockaded." The fish crossed their fin-like arms, glaring at the seapony. "Go home."

Their guards came with spears ready, but the fish had spears too. They clashed, but neither race was a bloodthirsty one. They swung and poked, driving one another back before pressing back in, but neither side was giving up, and neither made blows that could actually hurt the other side.

There were more fish than there were sea ponies, and the battle was decided by that fact alone, the sea ponies pushed back into their part of the ocean. They were being blockaded by a race they had known as neighbors.

Novo emerged, done up in her best, body sparkling with the makeups and jewelry that hung from her in a display of her power. "What is this?! Why are you stopping my people from their duties?"

A fish saluted the foreign royalty. "Good day, Queen Novo. We mean you no harm, but the humans must be stopped, we can't fight them directly, but you can't be allowed to trade with them."

Novo raised one finely-arranged brow. "Need I remind you that I can still contact them?"

Several fish glanced at one another before the one speaking swam a little closer. "You can't leave."

"I didn't argue that. The humans will learn of this, then they will become angry... I don't think either of our people want them being angry. Come now, dear neighbors, surely you don't want that." She spread her hoof-fins. "It would end so poorly, and I don't think either of us wishes to swim down this current."

The fish were becoming nervous, their formation losing some of its cohesion. "That is why you can't leave," implored the fishy guard. "No one comes or goes."

"They speak in squeaks," explained Novo with a delicate smile. "Like a dolphin, but even higher, sharper, able to penetrate the very waves. You cannot stop the sounds, and they will, if they haven't already, hear about this. Come, put aside those things." She closed the distance with a flap of her powerful tail, gently pushing his sharp spear aside. "We are friends, let us not forget that. I will tell them it was all just a mis--"

Her eyes went wide as she drifted back and away, a spear jutting from her side where one of the fish had driven it into her. It had been a moment of panic, imagining what the humans could do, that they were already on the way. It had been fear and terror, but the deed had been done.

She coughed, blood swirling from her mouth in a way that could only happen in the water.

Her guards advanced with a unified roar. The renewed clash was dramatically different then the first. Instead of wood striking wood, with jabs being deftly avoided, with either side seeming satisfied with showing their will, her guards were incensed with her injury. Blood could only be paid in blood, and the water began to darken as the second frey began.

Princess Skystar swam up amidst the chaos, wrapping her arms around her mother and swimming away, carrying her as swiftly as she could. Sure, she had been told to stay away, but just as the guards had rushed against her orders, she could not simply watch, not then.

She was not ignored. The fish tried to stop her with sharpened spears. She bobbed and weaved, holding her mother tight, tears in her eyes as she bared the thin cuts of tips that had come far too close to her form, but she wasn't impaled, not like her mother from whom a spear still jutted.

The guards closed around Skystar, trying to shield her from further interference. The sea was becoming cloudy with the spilled essence of those involved. Never had they stained the sea with violence. Blood in the water, it seemed both sides had lost all restraint.

The fish still had the advantage of numbers, and sea pony guards were being lanced and defeated one by one even as they fought with all they had. Their queen needed them, and they were not giving up their lives easily, claiming several fish before each was overcome, but they were being overcome.

With a great rushing noise of displaced water, a spear came from nowhere, as if driving itself. The fish scattered away from it, but it was hardly alone.

The humans had arrived. Not Americans, but Seaquestrian mer-humans. Wielding harpoon guns they hadn't needed before then, they proved that their American roots were still quite alive and well.

That isn't to say they were the best marksmen. Many flung harpoons found no marks, but the sudden reinforcements tilted the flow of battle. The fish broke and backed away in surprise, and the clash came to an uneasy end. The immediacy of the clash was broken. The fish and the guards were no longer in melee range. The queen had been taken away. There was no more reason to fight, and it stopped.

He had been Vice President. Then the international spy had casually stripped away the vice part of his title. Sure, he had entertained thoughts of becoming a president, maybe running later? It had all been thoughts for the future, never seriously considered.

There he was, seated behind the desk. The desk in the office. There was a war going on, and everyone expected him to handle it.

He was President Smith. He was an unassuming guy. He had figured that was half the reason the former-president had selected him to run alongside... He didn't have any big goals, and made no sweeping promises. He just wanted to do his job, and he had done reasonably well, he thought, doing what a Vice President should do.

He reached for the folders in front of himself and began sorting through them, catching up on the wealth of intelligence offered to him. He hadn't even had the briefing that most presidents got from the last president....

He pushed that thought aside. The war raged on, but it was in a holding pattern. With their coastal defenses shattered, American ships were pummeling the minotaur lands with barely any resistance being offered. Had they given up without bothering to mention it? That would be a rude way to keep America wasting its resources on missiles...

His phone rang and he jumped before reaching for it. "Hello?"

"Is President Crane there?" asked a young female voice. "I need to speak to him."

"This is President Smith. How can I help? Who is this?"

"Oh, again? Um, alright... This is Princess Skystar. My mother, Queen Novo, she's... hurt."

With a scowl, he grabbed a pen. "What happened?" He knew who Queen Novo was, most people at least knew of her.

"The fish, the Pisces! They were our neighbors and, you know, we got along just fine, until... this." She drew a wavering voice over the line. "She's hurt really bad."

While regrettable... "What did you want me to do?"

"Save her!" Skystar suddenly blurted. "Save us! They're only mad because of you! Stop it. Stop all of it!"

The phone went dead, leaving Smith holding an unresponsive headset. He set it down with a sigh, a hand moving to pinch the bridge of his nose. It wasn't an easy time to be a president.

Roland looked up from where he was reading a newspaper. Someone was knocking on his door. Clopping would be a better description, as that was clearly no hand that was rapping. He hadn't expected a visitor, to say nothing of an equine variety.

He set the paper aside and moved for the door. "Who is it?" He wasn't worried. As a former president, he had secret servicemen watching his house. If they were dangerous, they would have already acted. He opened the door to reveal the striped face of a zebra.

"(I greet you,)" spoke the zebra mare, dipping her head. "(In a lost tongue, and to congratulate you.)"

He blinked softly, backing up a little. "Come in?"

"Thank you. (Few are the species that hold to their language. I feel honored to meet one.)" She stepped inside, ears erect and dancing as she looked around. "(Though you no longer lead your people directly, you took charge of such an important thing. They are blessed to have such dedication.)"

He raised a finger. "(One thing. I thought you preferred to rhyme?)"

"(That would be rude.)" She turned to him with a genuine smile. "(I am speaking your language, not the forced one of this world. If only we could have done as you have, to keep our tongue. I learned, you taught me.)"

Wait, he had? "(I don't remember doing that.)"

"(Because you did not seek wealth. You left the key laying where any could find it, and I found it and took it up. Now I speak your tongue, amazing at its many properties.)" She raised a hoof to her chin. "(I should imagine others did the same, and you may never know them, but you have changed them.)"

"(I'm happy to hear that.)" He moved to claim a spot on his couch and gestured at a chair across from it. "(You know me, Roland Crane. Who do I have the pleasure of speaking with?)"

The Zebra stepped up onto the chair before settling down facing him. "(Human chairs are curiously built, but this one is nicely cushioned. I am) Haraka (which we believe was once a word for swiftness. Your name has prophetic meaning, I have learned. Bird of the famed lands; is it not fitting?)"

"Are you practicing that language again?" Roland's wife casually strolled in, pausing at the sight of Haraka. "Oh, hello there. I wasn't expecting company."

"A pleasure to meet you, wife of Crane. Your husband is wise, this much is plain. I apologize if I am intruding. Our meeting can be swiftly concluding."

"No, no," she assured, waving both hands, flat towards Haraka. "Enjoy yourself. I'll get some snacks." She wandered off towards the kitchen.

Author's Note

Chrysalis pivots her plans. Novo isn't treated in a queenly fashion. Skystar melts down in worry. Roland entertains a new guest.

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88 - A Warring Country

When the dogs came for Texas, they were harshly rebuffed. Emerging into cities and towns, they sowed chaos in the first passing moments, but the response came with equally frightful immediacy. More people had guns than didn't, and few felt shy about firing them, especially at people threatening their property.

The TSDI forces regretted that decision, but not before causing desperate damage in the interim. The invasion of Texas was ended barely after it had begun. This wasn't to say there weren't casualties. There were far too many, on both sides, but the fight was over and done, as if they just got it all over with at once.

More rural portions of the country were struck the hardest, with roaving gangs of TSDI forces having plenty of time to take shots at Americans before they could react or even know they were there and a threat. Farms were put to the torch and ranches left as burnt out husks. Great semi-mechanical farms were torn apart, the local police forces no match for the invaders and insufficient populations, armed or not, to push back the invaders.

It wasn't until the local armed forces mobilized that the destruction could be ended, and that took precious time that allowed horrific damage across such states and areas. Entire communities were wiped from existence. The armed forces would fall on them and crush them with brutal efficiency, but not before so much damage had been done.

The same ganger that had narrowly escaped did not run immediately home. He met up with others of his gang, and others. There was panic, and fury. Some were not ready to fight, but many were. "Those niggas choose the wrong ghetto," grunted one, ratcheting his shotgun needlessly. "The way I see it, killing them gets a fool medals, not jail time."

Others cheered, gang differences being cast aside a moment. They could hear the damage being done. The turf they had fought over was being torn apart. They could settle their differences once what was rightfully theirs was protected.

"Yo Yo, check this out." He spilled out a bag full of improvised grenades, each lovingly made in preparation for a need that never seemed to actually come.

"Shit son, when the hell did you stock up on these?" Many hands reached in, grabbing up the offered explosives with grins.

They would suffer tragic losses, but they met the invaders in those critical moments between the police and the army, slowing down the invaders.

Handguns and long arms proved only moderately effective at hindering them, but didn't put them down, whereas the civilians only needed a shot or two on average to put down. The grenades tore through their personal armor far more effectively, and city blocks became an active battlefield.

Those that could hear it had several choices. Some simply ducked down and hoped it would pass. Some fled away as quickly as they could, creating traffic jams throughout the city that slowed responses from those that could more meaningfully add to the battle. A few trickled in, joining the battle. Many were braver than they were effective, managing a few wild shots before a bullet or a beam found them in return.

Fires and smoke choked all sides of the conflict, firefighters completely denied access by traffic and gunfire. There just wasn't a way to start fighting the fire when others were just as ready to fight them with lethal reprise. The city was burning, the screams and cries as if the urban entity itself were calling out in pain.

However one may feel about gun control during peacetime, their appearance in California, New York, and other strict places meant that fewer citizens could even choose to sacrifice themselves on the metaphorical spears of the enemy. They were allowed to roam with relative impunity, unleashing hell on an unprepared police body that was just not equipped to handle hundreds of military-grade combatants and anti-ballistic armor.

One man whistled sharply, ducking just in time to be missed with a clang of a bullet off the metal door he had ducked behind. When a bull slammed open the same door looking for him, he wasn't there. The bull stepped in cautiously, peering around for the human.

The human rushed him, and wasn't alone. Four tackled him from different angles. A sharp report announced the death of one of them, sent staggering back with a gut shot, but the other three bore the alien menace to the ground, fists pounding and beating on him with a desperate will to survive.

One wrenched the gun away from the bull and turned it on the enemy soldier. Another pried his bullet-proof helmet free. With a second loud bang that left their ears ringing, the bull went still, becoming so much meat and leaving them panting and heaving over the first sapient thing they had ever killed.

They were not the only ones to fight back. If they didn't have guns, they took them. The invaders had plenty for the taking, if one were brave and insane enough to get them. Those with guns helped get more, turning the tide slowly.

"911, please state the nature of your emergency."

Gunshots could be heard, faithfully recorded over the line. Something was crackling. "911?" repeated the operator. "Are you there?"

"Yeah I'm here," came a male voice, breathing heavily. "Everything's crazy. Where are the police? Where's the army?! Send everything!"

"Calm down, Sir. Tell me exactly where you are and what's going on." The female operator tried to keep calm, as was her job.

"I'm on 5th and Broadway, Jesus Christ... People are being..." He went quiet.

"Sir?"

She reached to begin dispatching when a hand came down on her shoulder.

She turned to see her shift manager standing there with a severe expression. "If they're there, try to calm them down. They already know."

She had never seen him with that expression before. Her blood ran cold but she nodded softly. "Sir?" she asked into the headset. "Are you there? Help's on the way."

"Please," whispered the man as if afraid to even speak. "Please..."

Princess Celestia strode purposefully through the hallways of her castle, a deep frown etched on her face. "Pray tell me you are embellishing somewhat."

Rainbow Dash trotted alongside her, having to almost gallop to keep up with Celestia's steps. "Look, you know me... uh, yeah, I guess I do that, but this isn't one of those times! He..."

She willed the doors to the infirmary open and stepped in, eyes widening at the sight. There was Soarin, not propped up, as there were no broken bones to hold in place. He had a great bandage where his leg once was.

Soarin looked over towards her, a wry smile on his face. "Uh... hey... I'd get up but..."

"Do not speak another word of it." She stepped inside, eyes locked on him. "Just tell me what happened."

So he did, recounting the fierce battle that sent the TSDI forces retreating. Three bolts were injured, him most of all, but they had secured Canterlot.

"You... have sacrificed much for me, and everyone else that lives here. It will not be forgotten." She raised a hoof to set gently on his forehead, looking into his eyes. "Awaken Luna."

Soarin looked baffled, but a guard understood the command and rushed off to do just that.

"I must go. Rest and recover as long as you need. You will never want so long as you draw breath." She turned from him. "But this battle is far from over."

Rainbow ducked out of the way, letting Celestia storm past. "Eesh... She looks... mad. Like even madder than when her sister was taken and I didn't figure it came much more angry than that." She raised a brow at Soarin. "You two got something going on you feel like sharing?"

"What?! No!" His cheeks burned bright at the insinuation. "I... think I know what it is." Rainbow was looking at him expectantly. "Her sister wasn't actually hurt."

"Oh..." She eyed the missing leg. "It'll take some getting used to, but I bet with some practice, we'll get you back to flying shape in no time."

"Rainbow?" came the voice of a bandaged but intact Spitfire. "Can you kindly buzz off and let us get some sleep? That's an order."

"Yes, Sir!" She saluted with a wing and left them to their recovery.

"They called me crazy." He was high up, looking out through the high powered scope of his rifle. "They called me nuts." With a squeeze of the trigger, he knocked a soldier flat on their back with a satisfying suddenness, but the soldier didn't stay down, knocked dizzy but not dead thanks to their helmet. "Damn it..." He took a quick shot at another soldier helping the first, pinning them. "Ain't moving with me here."

But they were not the only enemies around. His shots were loud and easily tracked even in the chaos of the city. Other TSDI agents arrived at his tower. Rather than charge up to him, they set it on fire with a beam of intense magic, leaving him to fight the fires instead of their fellows.

"Aw shit." He could smell the fire coming, and touching the handle of the trapdoor was enough to tell him it was already a death trap to try fleeing that way. "Shit," he elegantly repeated. "Fuckin' shit hell damn." He thrust his gun back out through the window and squeezed off a shot at a bull making a straight run, knocking them down.

It was time enough for some other humans to get involved. "At least I won't be alone." Rather than calmly wait for the fire to consume him, he pulled himself through the narrow window, hoping to find a fire escape or something, anything.

What he found was a lack of cover. Bullets and blasts peppered the building around him and his body fell to the ground with a loud crunch, torn apart before even reaching it.

The reserves began to arrive in force. They couldn't drive up as close as they would have liked, traffic being what it was and forcing them to hurry the rest of the way. Moving in disciplined units, they told people to get out of the way, and engaged with the enemy. Military-grade firearms fared better against even the bullet-proofed armor.

They fired only single shots, but there were suddenly so many of them, taking their more careful shots in the thick urban environment. It sounded as if they were using automatic weapons, with so many soldiers firing. A rough cheer erupted from what civilian fighters remained, realizing that reinforcements had arrived, in force.

While their armor could turn aside a bullet or two, turning it into a more generalized blow instead of a lethal piercing blow, this become noticeably less effective when the gunfire raised over the saturation point of the armor. Being literally crushed by incoming munitions wasn't any better than simply being shot, and TSDI forces began to crumple under the onslaught.

In some cases, the TSDI did try to charge the reserves, which was exactly when the firing mode was flipped from single to automatic and entire streets became nothing but flying bullets. They died with the same recklessness that had them thinking rushing the American soldiers was a wise idea.

The invasion of America was put down among the fire and smoke. With people cheering and dying; crying and begging. There would be no winners that day, but America would not be taken. Prisoners were gathered from those too injured to fight or wise enough to realize how hopeless their situation was rapidly becoming.

Others fled into the smoke and urban jungle, to become guerilla fighters that would plague the city they vanished into for some time, but the great invasion was a failure.

An infantryman dropped down into a hole, flashing his light left and right. "It's a tunnel. Looks huge..."

Author's Note

America was given a black eye that day, but it was not beaten. Some proved they were made of sterner stuff, while others simply tried to get away, and who can really blame them?

The damages? I should imagine it is in the many-billions if not trillions. Never has America suffered a calamity so dire.

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89 - It is Not Over

"Hello?" Stream poked her head through the bars of her silent jail. She was the only thing she could hear. The soldiers had long moved past her, off to do whatever they had planned on doing. "Anyone?" But she was left, alone.

In the silence, she felt something. A trembling barely on the edges of her senses. She perked an ear towards it and gravitated to a wall, pressing against it to feel and hear it.

Digging?

Dare she hope? She raised a hoof and rapped on the wall. The last time she had tried that message, she had been foalnapped. Perhaps the second time would fare better?

The wall exploded violently, sending her sliding across the floor as a great beast pushed into the cell with a mighty roar, its many teeth on display, tendrils waving wildly. She had found her worm.

She was at once elated and terrified. They were an apex predator, but... She quickly got out her container of Tatzl treats and tossed one towards the worm. It snapped it right out of the air before fixing her with the full of its attention. "Yes, that's right. I'm a friend, not here to hurt you, promise," she assured with gentle tones, climbing back to her feet. "Did those nasty dogs scare you?"

It roared in response, shaking her down to her bones with the force of it.

"Don't worry, they're gone. Gone..."

The worm leaned in closer to her, a tendril brushing over her beak and down over her neck. It was examining with no real regard for her personal space.

"Yes, gone. Nocreature here but us," she continued. She could have run into a corner, but that would just be a sad way to go, she quietly decided for herself. "Can you help me?" She pointed upward, talon extended. "Out?"

The worm nudged at her tupperware full of treats.

"Hm? Oh! Yes. You can have them all, if you get me out. Please..." She smiled without displaying a single tooth.

The worm smiled in kind, but was not shy about displaying how easily it could rend Stream apart if it wished. A curious expression, seeing a tatzl smile, but it managed before lunging at her. She couldn't help it, she screamed as she was gulped up, but the teeth did not immediately begin grinding her to paste.

It was dark and wet and she could feel movement around her. Her insides told her she was raising rapidly. Was the worm carrying her? Well, of course it was. The fact that she could worry about that answered that question. She was literally inside a Tatzl, at its mercy, and it hadn't actually chewed her up. She let out a little delirious laugh at the absurdity of it all. Freedom? Perhaps it was coming.

With a great roar, the darkness was abated and she was thrown free of the worm by the force of it, splatting wetly on the ground, intact if a little banged up. "Oof!" She scrambled back to her hooves and talons almost instantly, turning to have her eyes on the worm. "Thank you!"

The worm stared at her patiently.

"Oh, yes, of course." She reached for her treats and popped the top off the container. She set the entire container down and backed away from it. "Well deserved. Thank you."

The worm dove at her and she flinched back. It came down exactly on the plastic, devouring it and its many treats. It vanished into the ground, it trembling with its passage. It crested a moment later, spitting out the shredded remains of the container before diving and becoming lost to sight and soon even feeling, the trembling fading away.

She was free. Perhaps, she thought quietly to herself, the worms deserved far more credit.

Ponyville had faced monster attacks before. It had faced great magic-eating demon centaurs before.

It had not faced a military force bent on death and destruction. Ponies fled in all directions, calling for help. In their heart of hearts, they felt safe. Surely Twilight and the rest would come and take care of it. Certainly.

But Twilight wasn't there, nor was Starlight. Nor did the villagers flee nearly fast enough to outpace bullets and beams. They were not battered. They were not left helpless. Mayor Mare tried to keep the retreat somewhat orderly until she suddenly wasn't. Her body staggered backwards, slumping to its haunches.

With half her head missing, Mayor Mare wasn't there anymore, and what was once her body collapsed to the ground. The screams redoubled.

What few guards were posted there were woefully unprepared. Ponville simply had little need for them. Their bodies littered the street. It was all happening so quickly, it all felt unreal.

"Look upon me and despair!" came the sudden call of a fashionista. She was no magical marvel, but she had some tricks, specialized as they were. She demanded their attention with a blinding flash of light. Her words had drawn their attention, just in time to get a full blast of all the light she could put out at once. They hissed and howled in agony, rubbing their eyes, and shooting, still shooting. Rarity was rocked, her body perforated by bullets and intense beams of magic even as many missed her, flying wildly in their blind firing spree.

She rolled over backwards and didn't rise, the life having fled her almost immediately.

At least Sweetie Belle had been given a precious moment longer to get further away.

The moment rewound, Rarity flipping forwards, the bullets and streams of angry energy emerging from her as she reverse gasped her last. The weapons re-entered the guns of the enemies that had fired them as Discord appeared with a flash, a scowl on his face. "Fluttershy would never forgive that." He shook his head, approaching the unit as they gawked at him, still blinking off the blinding light. "I'm afraid you really must go."

With a communal call of fury, they turned their attention on the chaos spirit, but his body bent and warped, dodging each projectile, letting the energy pass through him. "No no, I really must insist. It's been fun, and you can cause all the mess you want, but not here, not in my back yard."

He did not snap his fingers. Oh no, it was too big of a moment for that. He brought both hands together in a powerful clap, demanding reality sit up and pay attention. "I mean, really, here? What were you thinking?"

They cried at him with a unified purpose, but it wasn't the cry one might expect. The entire attacking force had been reduced to babes, arms flailing, their weapons clattering to the ground. "I suppose you weren't thinking much of anything anymore, oh well." He turned to see the ponies that had been hurt or killed before he got there. "Mmm... She wouldn't like this very much either..."

True, death was the ultimate chaos that came to all things... But, as Fluttershy had hinted, perhaps breaking that one little rule could be chaotic in itself. "Let's not make this a habit..." With a sharp snap, he bid Mayor Mare awaken, her head restored, even if she had a terrible migraine. "Nice try, points for civic duty..." He wandered through the town, undoing lethal blows. Ponies would need rest and recovery, but Ponyville suffered not a single loss that day in a fit of what could be argued to be literal deus ex...Discord.

He casually didn't fix the buildings and other damage. They could do that on their own.

Manehattan ponies had no spirit of chaos to see to their survival. Their police fought valiantly. The first wave was mowed down almost immediately, as the average pony police officer had no need for firearms.

The towers of the grand city of ponies burned high into the sky with the smoke raising as if they could signal for help that wasn't coming. A second wave of armed resistance arrived after several city blocks were put to the torch. The pony equivalent of the swat team, they attacked with side-mounted guns and cracks of magic where a unicorn was present. They fought, but their armor was a distinct downgrade from what the TSDI had.

The police ponies gave it their all, but their all was just not enough. They were being pushed back, what few remained of them.

One young stallion, barely more than a colt, fired a beam of purple energy from his horn in a wide spread. He did little damage, but he kept them from charging. "It's not working," He sobbed, tears stinging at his eyes. "What do we do?!"

His superior was reloading his gun as quickly as he could. "We keep fighting. Every minute we buy is another minute for innocent people to evacuate. I know you didn't sign up for this, not... this... but it's what we're here for." He ratcheted his side mounted gun, ready to fire. "We suffer so others may live."

"How about making them suffer?" came a sudden shout from above. A glance up revealed dozens on dozens of pegasi. Their city wasn't being attacked, being impossible to tunnel into. With a great cheer, they descended on the attackers.

The ones at the very front were doomed. On some level, they knew that, flying with grim expressions and raised shields, they tried to absorb as much of the punishment as possible so that others behind them could get into range. The pegasi had a long tradition of military discipline, and it was time to show it wasn't all in the past.

They crashed into the enemies, much of the first wave shot from the sky, but the second impacted with bulls and other creatures, kicking, biting and slapping. It descended into a melee, guns becoming difficult to use with the ponies climbing all over them, fighting desperately.

One threw the pony clambering on them free, tossing the pegasus against a light pole, bending both. He raised his gun to finish the job when his gun glowed a bright purple, firing wildly off course as it was yanked away and ripped away. The young police pony heaved for air, the gun rapidly soaring to his side.

Other pegasi dove at the unarmed bull, pummeling and stripping him at the same time. As soon as his head was free, it became a target.

A sharp snap announced another bull firing on one of the many pegasi on one of his fellows, sending the pony to the ground with a weak squawk, but others dropped on him immediately.

Manehatten would survive the attack, but at a terrible cost.

"Remember," grunted a minotaur as they rode through the tunnels. "What we are fighting are enemies. Even the most innocent ones are duped, their minds rotted from the inside out by human mind control devices. Better to give them a quick and clean death. Every creature you take out is one victory for us, for the country we leave behind..."

He looked over his collection of fighting creatures. "Don't be fooled. We're in America, the worst of them. Even the young and infirm can be lethal. They all have hand cannons, all of them. Do not assume you are safe with an American unless it's a dead American."

He rapped on the side of his head, tapping at his helmet. "You will keep your helmets on. They are the only thing that lets us have even a chance. We are the brave and the last chance of our people. If we fail today, the TSDI dies with us. The Council dies with us. Everything you know and love, gone. There is no second option. We must win." He slammed the wall of the transport. "We will win!"

They joined him in a rough call for victory. They who were doomed to death or imprisonment, more the former than the latter. They who were ready to die for what they believed in. Brave fools, they would do what they could.

Author's Note

Did you think the tale of Black Friday was over? Nah. That last bit was a rewind to give you a moment glimpse into the TSDI PoV. On the bright side, Head Stream is free, yay!

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90 - Finding Fillydelphia

With the defenses of the bulls crushed, Star Swirl had been sent home. That suited him just as well. He still had an updated pony civilization to catch up with, as fascinating as it was. He walked down the road of Fillydelphia, taking a soft breath of exotic local smells as he went. Perhaps he'd get one of their famed cheese sandwiches? That was sounding tempting.

He stopped, an ear raised. He heard something that had become far too familiar. Someone had fired a hand cannon. There it was again, and again, short rapid series. With a sudden scowl, he moved precisely against the crowd that was starting to flee the very same source of trouble.

By all rights, he had earned a retirement, but he tossed that thought aside. The world had no room for whiners, and neither did he. What had to be done, needed doing, and he was a perfectly able pony in the right place.

His horn glowed softly, a sphere of power erupting around himself. It turned aside fleeing ponies as he marched forward, expecting it to need to handle far faster, far smaller obstacles. The noise was getting louder, and he could smell fire and burning souring the sweet scents of the city he had been enjoying.

A feline creature stepped out just in front of him, not looking at him but at something across the street. Their eyes were sweeping for something as they raised their gun up to fire on a pony that had been too slow getting away.

It glowed with Star Swirl's magic, imploding violently in the feline's hands and becoming so much scrap. "I can repeat that trick with something less metallic, if you please."

The cat was facing Star instantly, backing against a wall with fear in his eyes. "Or," proposed Star as he approached slowly. "You can leave, now."

The cat fled wildly, removed from the frey. Star smiled softly, pleased with himself. He couldn't actually have done what he threatened, but the cat didn't know that, and he felt confident the cat wouldn't test that. He peeked around the corner to see three more creatures through the smoke. They were planting something on the ground and running away.

He picked up whatever they were and tossed them after the fleeing combatants.

The building was not demolished that day, the explosives instead catching them in a great fireball that their anti-ballistic armor had little defense against.

With a great fwoosh, a beam of energy crashed against his shield, on target to run through his side, if not for his shield withstanding the test. It faded almost as quickly as it came, the gun not able to give a sustained blast. "What a pale imitation of a proper unicorn." He turned towards the bull that had fired on him. "And using magic, against a sorcerer? What folly." If it had been a physical bullet, it would have been much harder to properly stop.

He raised a hoof, hefting up the minotaur in his magic. "Learn--" He slammed the poor creature into the side of a building. "--some--" He threw him against the floor. "--manners." He tossed him aside and pulled his gun over, eyeing it. "Mmm..." It was a fine bit of machinery, but it was made to allow not-unicorns to try being one.

On the other hoof, if he... He suffused the gun with his power and trotted forward. He had other invaders to show what a proper unicorn could muster. Then a philly sandwich. He was certain he wanted one.

Sunburst perked an ear, almost falling out of bed. He heard something, a lot of somethings. There was shouting and the smell of burning electronics was just reaching his nose. Had a fire broken out? Why were the alarms not going off? He rushed from bed into the hallway just to skid and backpedal as quickly as he could.

There were several armed soldiers, and not human ones. He had seen a few teammates, but the short burst of gunfire implied they had met an unkind end. He swallowed heavily, considering his options, but there weren't as many as he would have liked.

He was no great sorcerer. He knew how magic worked, and he had learned how human engineering worked, both great magics in their own right, but neither capable of getting him out of that situation directly. He had no time to panic, which is why he was panicking, in a productive way he could only hope.

If only he was where the new toys were, surely one of those would help.

He was suddenly on fire, much of it due to the feedback of a rough teleportation, some of it quite literally, a patch of his cloak burning cheerfully. He swatted it out with a soft hiss, feeling a bit dizzy, but he could hear booted steps coming closer. He had no time!

Sunburst reached out a hoof towards the very thing he had bemoaned the existence of. He was holding in his magic the thaumic rifle. When the first creature with a gun came around the corner, he didn't have time to think about it, he just fired.

It was so quiet. That was the worst part. There was a faint tingle of gathering magic, then the a thump that shook through of something hitting something else, and they dropped, their armor shattered. A strange intense pain echoed in his twitching ears. Though it was a terrible time to be pondering things, he thought about how many sonic booms the gun would make if fired in such a way as to give the bullet a moment in the air. It would be a dizzying explosion of rainbows. They were too close.

There had been another soldier in front of the first, confused at the sudden stopping of the first. They said something, reaching for the downed combatant.

Sunburst shot him without listening or hesitating. It was so cold, so dispassionate. He hated it, but he didn't want to die either. The second soldier slammed against the back wall and slid to the floor, no longer a threat.

He could have fled then, shooting anything that dared to move around himself... But his peers could still be alive in the building. They had no one else to protect them. He could run... but he'd never run faster than his guilt.

Sunburst advanced down the hall slowly, ears straining to hear them before they heard his hooves, as quiet as he was trying to be. An approaching vibration had him raising his ears and head as an enemy soldier came rushing towards him from around a corner, gun firing wildly at something else.

Pop. He missed, he had to eventually, even if the gun had no recoil. The wall exploded next to the soldier, spraying him with debris even as Sunburst adjusted his aim a little to the left. Pop. Thud. Sunburst took a slow and shaking breath. So far... so good?

President Smith was facing a camera. There was no time to arrange a proper public address. The people needed to be spoken to immediately. "People of America, let us not mince words. This morning, we were attacked. In the grandest, most terrible terrorist strike to ever be known. This attack, I am proud to announce, has been brought to a stop."

He stood up against his podium. "Our intelligence has surmised that this was a last-ditch effort. With what we know of the populations of those involved, we just weathered the majority of what force they had left. Though we pick through the ash and debris they left behind, know that this was the dying spasm of a defeated enemy."

He reached behind himself, pointing. "We will be advancing in the North. The time for bombs is over. We will be taking the disposed Council's lands. We will take 'Commander'" He said the word with palpable disgust. "--Force prisoner, if we can, dead if not. This war is over."

Smith cleared his throat. "Putting that aside for a moment, I wish to commend the American people, you... During the chaos of the attack, many of you proved the American spirit to be true, and would not accept invasion. You fought long and hard while the reserves and local militias mobilized. Know this, no effort will be made to investigate any weapons used in the defense of America today. If you are in the possession of council weaponry, please bring them to your local police department so we can study and prepare countermeasures against them."

"To the rest of the TSDI, you are broken, shattered. Lay down your arms and surrender. You have proven to have no mercy, and none will be shown in kind. Lay down your weapons and yield. This is your last and only warning."

Swiveling between good things and bad, he came back around with a slow breath. "I wish to extend a special commendation to the town of Smithhaven, New York. Despite being unprepared, they repelled their invasion with only three losses against all odds. Today, we all survived. Tomorrow, we finish this."

He was rambling a little, and he knew it. He wasn't ready for the duty foisted on him, but he did his best. "In total damages... " He had the numbers. They were... beyond reckoning. He decided to start with the non-living. "We have suffered approximately two trillion dollars in property damage. In terms of fatalities, though the number is far from finalized, the current best estimates put it around one million."

He stopped, he had to, pinching the bridge of his nose and looking away a moment. "To those who have had friends, families, brothers, fathers, children... To those that have lost so much today, I struggle to think of what to say. This ends, Now. Nothing but complete victory will even begin to suffice. The countries of the TSDI have proven their leadership is beyond corrupt, beyond morally contempt. They will be removed."

"To our allies; intelligence is still sparse, but know that we are aware we were not alone in this attack. We will stand beside you. Marshal yourself. It is time to see this through. We may not have asked to be put on this world, but I'll be damned if we'll allow this to stand. Our flag, one of our first flags, it had a snake on it. The snake demanded to not be stepped on, its fangs bared."

"We have felt your boot, now comes the fangs. Know that even as we reel from this loss, you have murdered less than 1% of our population. Your very best effort saw more of your own population lost than ours, even as you gunned down the old and young without reservation. Even as you burned our cities and brought bridges down in screaming infernos. You hurt yourself more than the great giant you have bloodied. Surrender, now, before we arrive on your shores."

"Opinions on President Smith's speech vary wildly," reported the newscaster, gesturing towards a poll result that showed plenty of strong emotions on either side. "Some feel it was inappropriate to bring up his threats to the opposing sides while speaking of the slain, while others thought it was quite appropriate."

"A new Twitter hashtag '#Rememberthe1%' has gone viral, with posts about the fallen being posted wildly intermixed with rebuttals on President Smith's usage of the term 'less than 1%'. Many people feel those they lost deserve to be remembered as more than such a degrading figure."

"In other news, the sun rose an hour early today. Correspondence with Equestria reports that Princess Celestia is beside herself with the attack, possibly explaining the discrepancy. What a world we live in, where sunrise can be early or late." She gestured to a new window. "The Lutrai nation is reporting a devastating loss of life. Having invested most of their soldiers to the assistance of America, it could be seen as a miracle that they stopped their invasion when they did. Queen Ruddertail could not be reached for comment."

Author's Note

Are there places you want the personal view of on this attack? Now would be a good time to chime in before I move past it. Poor Sunburst, pushed into violence. Star Swirl takes to it far more easily.

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91 - Can You Repeat That?

A pony was swimming into the depths. She had no powerful tail to propel her, nor an air bubble around her head. She chewed at a plant softly that provided her with the air she needed, and she kept her mouth shut, that would have to be enough.

A fish swam towards her. "Stop right there! No one is coming or going from Seaquestria!"

Meadowbrook raised a brow at the fish, but she could not speak. She pointed downwards, made a stabbing motion, then mimed falling sideways with her tongue stuck out a little.

The fish retreated a little. "We... didn't mean for that..."

She righted herself, then directed a hoof at herself, then down as she made a cross motion with the other hoof.

"Are you.... a doctor?"

She bobbed her head quickly.

"Oh! Why didn't you say so? Um, go ahead." He swam to the side and gestured with his fins for her to proceed. "Please help her."

Meadowbrook gave a watery clop of her hooves before she swam forward, descending past the blockade of fish without further challenges. They would not stop a healer from proceeding.

A seapony darted up to meet her just past the blockade, his eyes wide. "They didn't stop you?" But she didn't answer, still swimming. He realized after following her what was going on and reached for his necklace, transferring it to Meadowbrook. "Imagine being like me. It's temporary, promise."

She paused to peer at him. Imagine being like him?

It happened. With a flash of magic, she became a sea pony with a powerful tail. She gasped with surprise, and didn't immediately drown. "Oh, that is easier. Thank you."

"You can return it on Mount Aris, when you're safely back on dry land. For now, please, let's get to the queen." His voice was thick with his worry, and he led the way to her with a quick swim, Meadow just behind him.

Sunburst swatted at an ear as he walked. The ringing was unending. A nervous reaction? Possible. He pushed it to the side. How many invaders in their lab were there... He hadn't run into many others, and couldn't find others.

One of his co-workers rushed him, gesticulating wildly, but was too quiet.

Sunburst blinked at him. "Use your words."

But he didn't hear himself say that, nor whatever his friend was saying. Their mouth was moving, but no words were coming back.

He heard nothing.

That friend pointed down at Sunburst before reaching for a rag and dabbing at Sunburst's head. The rag came back with some blood. His ears were bleeding. What had happened?

Sunburst dropped the gun from his magic, staggering back. He grabbed chalk instead, quickly writing, "What happened?"

The co-worker grabbed for the same chalk, but Sunburst drew it away possessively. He found another after a moment's search. Others were emerging from other rooms, each a surprise to Sunburst, as he hadn't heard them. They were simply there when he looked in their direction, appearing from nowhere.

"Did you fire that?" was written on the wall as the fellow scientist pointed at the dropped gun.

"About a dozen times," replied Sunburst out loud, getting an idea what was going on.

"You didn't wear the helmet," was quickly jotted, underlined, with a few exclamation points added. "You blew out your ears."

Each muffled pop he had heard was, in fact, a terrifying boom, but that was all his ravaged ears could detect. He raised a shaking hoof. "Please tell me human medicine can... fix that?" The silence that he had stalked through not for lack of noise, but for lack of hearing.

The expression on his friend's face was more than enough of an answer.

"You saved us," they wrote. "Thank you."

Other scientists and technicians were gathering around. They patted and petted him. He was a hero, but they also couldn't help him.

In the end, he had killed all six invaders. They had no idea the lab was there, and what it was for. A small splinter of their invading force had come inside to investigate it, but they might have been enough to clear out the technical crew. The guards had been quite ineffective against them.

He was a hero. A pity he couldn't hear their accolades, just that infernal ringing that wouldn't stop.

"This is not what we agreed to." The queen of Abyssinia was speaking to a camera, and an audience. "We were told this was a defense initiative. Just the thought of such destruction visiting us... It reminds us of the Storm King, and to think we signed on with another mad creature their equal, no, they have eclipsed that defeated fool, though they are just as doomed. We will not go down with them! Abyssinia does not agree with this. We formally withdraw from the TSDI, and urge all rightful thinking creatures to do the same."

She leaned forward with a sneer on her face. "For those doubting me, may I remind that, despite this, despite all this, the Americans we feared still do not reach for their world ending bombs. I could not even make the same promise, had I that option, were my people suffering as theirs are. To America, I express my apologies, and my deepest wish that you recover swiftly. No kingdom, no nation, should have to suffer in this way. That is to speak nothing of their allies..."

A tall bear addressed no one. He wrote instead.

The nation of Ursala does not abide.

We do not abide the wanton destruction of non-combatants.

We do not abide the wanton destruction of historic artifacts and places.

We do not abide the senseless destruction of entire cities.

We do not abide.

This is beyond all reckoning, and we do not abide.

We withdraw from the TSDI.

"We will... push them, too far, and they will crumble." Commander Force tried to slam down a fist, but it was a weak gesture. His eyes were mostly closed, his body alarmingly cold to the touch. "Tall and mighty, but brittle. Bring me the good news..."

His advisors and generals shared uneasy expressions. One brave bull cleared his throat. "Sir, we inflicted great damage on the enemy."

That smile, serene and justified. "Good, good... Have they given up?"

"Not exactly... Sir..."

"Are they still confused?" He laughed, a rasping noise. "Too confused to make a statement?"

"Not... No, Sir. They are preparing a counter attack. We... suffered a greater loss than they did."

"What? But... how? It should have taken ten of them to defeat one of us. Ten to one! Ten... to one... How can we have lost more than they did?" He let a hand go limp. He was so tired.

"And... it did, Sir."

Another bull took over, "Their scale was beyond our calculations. They reported the number of killed without hesitation. One million--"

Force smiled, a wrinkled and fatigued expression. "A million... How can they not be defeated?"

"Sir... That was less than one percent of their people."

Force was quiet. He had been told this before, just how many people existed even purely in their army. "They're... coming, aren't they?" He was just too tired to rail, to scream. Everything hurt, but in the worst possible way. It was like he was just... a flame going out. "Everyone out." He reached weakly for one major just before they could leave. "Stay."

Soon he was alone with just that one. "Evacuate the... children and the women. Don't let them erase the minotaurs from the world."

"I won't, Sir." He saluted crisply. "You should get some rest, Sir."

"I... guess I should." He had not the strength to argue that. With his plans laid in ruin, and his stamina long since fled, he sagged back in his chair. "What did I do wrong...?"

Skystar swirled towards the door at the knocking. She was at it in an instant, throwing it open to reveal a sea pony she didn't recognize. "Hello?"

Meadowbrook looked right past her to the floating presence of the queen. "How terrible. We must begin immediately." She swam past Skystar. "Are you any good at fetching specific plants?"

Skystar blinked softly at that. "I can try... Who are you?"

"Meadowbrook. Mage Meadowbrook to some, Healer Meadowbrook to others." She began spreading out her tools. "And right now, your mother needs my help, and I could use yours. Are you ready?"

"Yes!"

She did not strictly require all the things she listed, but it kept Skystar busy and out of the way. Meadowbrook sent her away on the hunt as she turned her full attention on Queen Novo. "Let's put things right..."

Blinking his eyes open was the first surprise. He hadn't died? He thought the odds were not in his favor. The ceiling was a bright white, clean and sterile. It was not where he had gone to sleep. "What?"

Something moved beside him. Pharynx shook himself awake. "Copycat, are you awake?" he asked, reaching to hold one of copy's hooves.

"Yeah..." Copy licked his dry lips. "Aw damn... Is that you, Sir?"

"You did good." Pharynx squeezed his hoof. "Real good. You mighta saved their sorry naked butts." Humans were among the few truly naked species of the world, with all their everything exposed as it was. "You're a hero."

"I don't feel like a hero." He tried to sit up, but that made the world start to spin and he sank back down.

"Relax... They're giving you the best they have." Pharynx rubbed over the limp hoof of his friend. "Just relax. I'm here."

"About that..." Copycat smirked faintly. "Why am I being babied by the baddest changeling I know?"

"Because you deserve it, jerk." Pharynx laughed and cried in one pained noise. "Jerk... Just get better, alright? That's an order."

"Yes, Sir." Copycat's smile deepened a little. "You sure you aren't picking... something up from..."

"Don't even finish that."

The smile only grew. "You sure? Sure seems like something Thorax wo--"

Pharynx popped a hoof in his sick friend's mouth a moment. "You stop that! Hmmph, look... You did good. You... rest up, alright?"

"Sir?"

"Yeah?"

"Still up for a game? I ain't got much else to do."

"Yeah sure." Pharynx smiled a little, wings buzzing. "I'll give you a handicap, on account of I ain't even sure you can see straight."

"Mighty generous." And they played, two friends in a hospital room.

"Look... I ain't happy with your people, but you... You did me a solid." Pharynx was standing outside the room that held his friend. "I still have to ask, why are you here?" He hiked a brow at Iron Will. "He's not your friend, you didn't even know him. You aren't being paid to stay here."

"Iron Will hates leaving a job half done." He glanced around. "Even if Iron Will is forced to sometimes," he whispered to himself. "How's he feeling?"

"He's awake... He could recognize me, and himself, and... I think he'll get better..."

"That's an improvement..." It wasn't the first time Copycat had awoken. "Iron Will is not happy about... this." He gestured towards the room. "He's been watching the news, reading, you know? The Council he grew up with wouldn't do any of this!" He clenched a fist powerfully. "This isn't the Council Iron Will knows..."

"Scared?"

"What? No!" He stomped a hoof down and leveled a strong pointing finger at Pharynx. "Why be afraid when you can be mad! That's why I helped out. They aren't any council of mine, so when they gave me a chance to stick it to them, I took it." He took a slow breath, regathering himself. "Iron Will has limits."

"Good on you." He patted the irate bull on the back. "Look, I'm going to get a bite to eat. Can you watch him while I'm gone?"

"Iron Will is on the case." He gave an emphatic thumbs up. "Thanks for the trust."

"Yeah sure." Pharynx started down the hallway at a tired walk. He hadn't gotten a lot of sleep of late.

Author's Note

This is a very winding down chapter I feel. It also feels 'right'. The TSDI is losing members rapidly, as the wiser members distance themselves from this attack as quickly as possible.

Meadowbrook has arrived, Copycat awakens in intensive care, and poor Sunburst realizes the price of using that weapon unprepared. There was a reason the wall literally exploded when he missed that guy that one time.

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94 - Disintegration

"TSDI, the word has been on everyone's lips." The newscaster leaned forward. "And it may already be gone. President Smith's address to the country has had a fracturing effect on what was once a nearly world-spanning collection of countries, each struggling to distance itself further than the rest from the council that started it all."

A window popped open, showing a fox. "We can read the writing on the wall. It's not even a surprise to me that our leaders have withdrawn from this. I'm only annoyed they didn't do it faster. I would have pulled out the instant the humans landed on their shore. That was the sign of who would win that fight."

The window closed just for another to replace it, showing a hippo with oranate sunglasses. She leaned forward towards the camera that was recording her. "I'm being recorded? Oh! I'm just happy this whole thing is stopping. I never had a thing against the humans. They're not that bad as creatures go. Have you been on one of their cruise ships? Delightful! And they know how to give a hug." She winked at the camera just before it collapsed.

"Foreign sentiment appears to be rising towards America, with many praising their restraint and expressing their condolences for the attack. Relief efforts have begun in earnest for the other members of the EFC. Worst hit, the Lutrai have lost almost a third of their population in what is already being called the worst disaster of their history."

A new window appeared, showing Queen Ruddertail with her scepter held firmly in both paws. "I give my thanks to my loyal guard, may they know peace now." She was speaking with more words, it was a heavy enough time to deserve a few more. "My people were brave... I now work hard for them. We will recover, and be stronger. I not hurt outside, but inside, cut deep. No rest."

The window collapsed. "Almost as brutally struck were the yaks, who were not available for comment. Estimates place their fatalities at 20%. In more local opinions, anger runs high."

A new window popped into being, showing a scowling woman. "I hope they kill three of them for each one of us they came after."

Another replaced it, a group of men. "They'll get what's comin' to 'em!" He made a gun like gesture with a hand and put it towards his own head. "Just like that."

"Others move for peace."

Another window appeared, showing a different crowd waving signs. "War, huh, what is it good for," chanted the crowd.

"Conflicts between the two sides have been increasing, with emotions running high."

A talon clicked the television off. "Ugh..." Stream put her hand over her face. "I don't want to hear about that right now... I'm just glad to be home. I fell into one of their tunnels!"

Spring Zephyr patted the sofa. "You've mentioned that... It... I'm so glad you're back... It was awful."

Stream slipped back up onto the sofa and sank beside her husband. "And I hear everything was burning while I was gone... Are you alright? Are the children?!"

"They're fine... We flew away, then dove in the water." His cheeks were red. "After all that, we fled back into the waves."

"And that was exactly the right thing to do," countered Stream, stroking Spring along his back. "That was not the time to go being proud. Did you hear that part? The war is ending. That whole thing is falling apart." She spread her talons. "Oh! And I have a new discovery!"

"While you were locked in a tunnel?" He raised a feathered brow at her. "You are always seeking, love of my life, what did you find?"

"The worms! One rescued me, and they were clearly sapient." She drew out the ruined remains of a Tupperware container and set it on a table. "I traded this for the rescue, and it was its idea, not mine. It did not speak, not in words I knew, but it could understand that I had motivations, and could be reasoned with. It was amazing! Even if I didn't think about it until I was far away. We were two sapient creatures engaging in a clear 'you give me that, and I will do this for you' exchange."

"I'm just glad it didn't hurt you." He leaned in to kiss her cheek softly. "Just imagine, dropping in on... that. They could have killed you!"

"But they didn't." She tapped at her beak with a sharp talon. "The dogs were more interested in finishing their tunnels. I think they were on a schedule. The ones with guns didn't appear until after them, and they were past in a flash, riding as they were." She shrugged softly. "But I'm more interested in the worm. I need to get back to work and report this, and you--" She pointed at him firmly.

"Me? Me what?"

"You have to draw this." She crossed her arms. "And it better be good. This is a historic moment, and I want it captured to grab the imagination of those who see it. Exploring the true nature of the worms must become a new initiative and I will not accept no for an answer, so you better help me get a yes."

Spring obediently went to grab his tablet. His work, and his mate, compelled him to get to work. "Describe it..."

Roland was standing at the fore of a classroom, much as he had tried before. But there were several critical differences. He was not alone. There were about ten humans, five zebras, two ponies, and a yak of all things. All had paid to be there, and were ready for his lesson.

"This class has two portions. (English and its use.) And a historic overview of how we lost it and what we know of the process." He began to make marks with his chalk. He wrote a simple greeting there on the chalkboard. "I want you to remember that this is 'Hello.', and it is in English. We will give it a moment and return to it, because by the time the class is over, it won't be anymore."

People were starting to listen, and to care. Sure, it wasn't a huge number of people, but it was more than zero, more even than the pittance he had on the chat group to start. The nature of the force that robbed species of their individual languages would not be hidden away. Roland smiled as he got into the first lesson, happy to be teaching before a class that seemed eager to hear his words.

He had work to do.

Starlight twitched an ear back at a jingling coming from her rump. She pulled out her phone with a raised brow. "I thought we didn't get service here..." She saw it was Sunburst and smiled, pressing the green button. "Sunburst! What are you up to?"

"This is his friend," replied a strange male voice. "He can't talk."

"Did she pick up?!" he called, shouting from far too close for the volume he was using.

"Uh, he can talk but he can't hear and he's being really loud today." Unseen by her, he motioned for him to quiet himself. "He wanted you to know he's alright."

"Uh... he doesn't sound alright, if he can't hear."

"Sunburst can't hear?!" blurted Twilight, turning an ear towards them. "What happened?!"

"I'm trying to find out." Starlight rolled her eyes. "Alright, what happened?"

"He was a hero and used something that saved us but blew out his hearing," summarized the scientist. "He wanted you to know he's alright and that he'd be texting."

"Did you tell her I'll text?"

Starlight smiled a little. "Poor thing. Give him a hug for me." She disconnected the call and tucked the phone away. "Ugh, look like he's involved."

"Involved?" Twilight drew closer on her wings, the two soaring over the ocean. "What happened?"

"He did something brave and stupid, often synonyms, and lost his hearing." Starlight gestured forward. "And here we are, rushing to get ourselves hurt doing something else brave and stupid. We could, you know, not do that?"

"You know I can't."

"You say that..."

Celestia was surrounded, flanked by armed soldiers that could do her great damage at a moment's notice. She walked calmly with them, being led through a narrow hallway. "I had thought you preferred tall buildings, with refined architecture. I was a fan of it." They did not answer her. There were few good answers for the sudden need for a bunker to work in, instead of their traditional places.

"Sir." One of her escorts had moved up ahead and was peeking into a room. "Sir? Yes... She's... here, Sir." There was a pause before the soldier stepped back and away. "He'll see you."

The soldiers remained close to her until she arrived at the door. Only one of them stepped in with her.

The smell hit her first, like an acetone that wafted over her nose. She had smelled it before. The reclined form of the emaciated bull, done up in his finest, his badges on his chest, was a dying creature. "You've come." He reached with a shaking hand, slowly taking hold of the head of a cane. "Come to surrender?"

"I... am not here for that," confessed Celestia, looking over the shriveled and fading life before her. Her heart sank at the sight. There would be no revenge there. There would be no justice, not in that body. "I am here for our people, mine, and yours. They have suffered so terribly."

"Suffered..." He put the cane down, leaning against it as he forced himself to sit up, as much of a crutch as anything else. "They died... for a better tomorrow. One free..." He had to pause, breath not coming to him easily. "Tell me, did we win? Is the better day coming?"

Celestia wanted to hate that bull. She wanted to loathe him. She had come ready to break her internal vows, to destroy everything, to maybe die trying... "It is coming," she spoke in the barest of whisper. "You did it." But she couldn't. She couldn't be angry at the dying spectre before her. "Better days are on the way."

He smiled, wrinkled but relieved. "Finally... I... I wasn't sure if I would... make it."

"You did it," she gently repeated, reaching with her wings to brush his face and nudge him back to lay in his chair. "Now is the time for rest. It's up to the rest of us to finish what you began."

"You better..." His eyes closed, mind full of patriotic fare. He was a hero in his own mind, and he went on to greet whatever creator would have him, confident that he had done all he could.

Soldiers pushed in around Celestia, trying to revive their fallen leader, but he was gone. He had already been gone for some time, waiting just a little longer to know he had accomplished something.

Panic began to spread as news of his passing spread like wildfire through the base.

One bull set his hand down on Celestia's shoulder. "Thank you."

Celestia jerked at the contact, facing him. "That is not what I expected to hear, I will admit."

"You sent him... off with a smile. Thank you." He crisply saluted. "With his passing, the chain of command is clear. I was his immediate subordinate."

Celestia recoiled a step, examining the bull. This one was not dying. In the prime of their life, she could not expect him to stand aside casually if he didn't want to. "And you will take up his battle for him?"

"I will." He unslung his rifle and let it drop to the floor. "I will fight for a better tomorrow. It starts here, and now. Princess Celestia, ruler of Equestria, speaking member of the EFC, do you accept my country's conditional surrender?"

Author's Note

Why is he surrendering to Celestia? You get a cookie if you can think of a politically canny reason he would do that. This bull is not stupid, and is playing the long game.

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95 - We Welcome Our Equine Overlords

"What conditions are those?" Celestia asked with steely tones, tense and wary. "You are not in a good position for negotiations on that front, but I will hear it."

"Only one." He held up a lone finger. "We ask that Equestria be the state we surrender to, that our fates be entirely in your ha--ooves."

Celestia's ears danced as she considered the condition. A surrender to her people? "We do not own puppet states. Your people would be reformed and rebuilt. Your council re-established with caring people, hopefully so this will never happen again." She began to relax just a little. "America should have little problem with that. They have done good with the Storm King's lands. This is hardly different."

"That is all I ask." He waved a hand towards some others that were standing there, witnessing the exchange with confused and alarmed faces. "Don't just stand there gawking! She is our ruler until she decides we are ready to stand on our own hooves."

"I will not be your 'ruler'." Celestia turned to the others. "Your people need you, not to fight, but to rebuild, not just buildings, but broken dreams and injured hearts. Great injuries have been inflicted on your nation, let us begin mending them. There is one matter I would ask..." She looked back to the new leader of the minotaurs. "Your last attack... It caused a great deal of damage, and mostly to those unable or unwilling to fight. I have learned the meaning of the word 'civilian', and the majority of those slain fall under the term."

She took a step towards him. "Why? I would know. It could not win you the war. As the Americans already announced, you did not even blunt their military ability, but you left vast fields of misery and anger. You created nothing but destruction, and I would know the why of it."

"In his last days..." He glanced towards the shriveled husk that was their former leader. "He became more withdrawn and did not confide in many the full meaning of his orders. It is a sobering reminder of why a council is required, so no one bull's thoughts can determine the fate of the rest of us."

Celestia raised a brow high. "Such a thing... surely required a great deal of coordination, and he did that without saying what he was doing? How?"

"Each was told what they needed to know." He turned a hand palm-side up as he turned to the side, his hooves striking the metal beneath them in a pacing. "The diamond dogs were paid to provide safe travel to the targets. Each commander was told which tunnel to use. We--" He gestured between himself and the others there. "were not involved once the armies left our country, and he spoke to the field officers privately. What he told them, we couldn't say."

Celestia felt a wing twitching. Part of her wanted to bludgeon the bull that held the answers, but would never share them, but striking a corpse would surely bring no good. "I see... What did you think you were doing?"

"Precise military strikes," he answered without hesitation. "Against strategically critical points that would cripple our enemies."

"You almost had one..." She remembered the reports. Had Canterlot fallen... "But most were not at the heart of our industry or fighting abilities. You attacked our people."

"Do you think our people have been spared?!" he suddenly shouted. He took a slow breath, straightening himself out. "Apologies. Let us simply agree that the world has suffered at his madness. Can we move past it?"

President Smith grabbed for his phone. Princess Celestia? "Hello?"

"President... Smith was it? Hello."

"That's me. Apologies for the musical presidents. It's not a habit we try for. How can I help you today, Princess?" He leaned back in his chair a little. A chat with a horse princess? He could use a little whimsy in his life.

"I carry important news. I have secured the surrender of the Council's remaining leadership. The nation of the minotaurs has been dissolved and is under Equestrian care until a new council can be appointed and their people restored."

Smith sat up only on the way to standing. "You what?!"

"Commander Force is dead. His subordinate assumed control long enough to surrender to me."

He put a hand to his head, a new headache swiftly forming. "Did you kill him?"

"I would never." She did not mention she had been planning that possibility. "He fell victim to the sickness of the bomb. I witnessed his end, and surrender came immediately afterwards. Your soldiers are inbound, aren't they?"

"Yes, a great number of them." Expecting a fight that may never come. "Why?"

"I will have need of them until Equestrians can be summoned, to keep the law, gently. This is an injured nation in need of compassion. Can your soldiers do that?"

A war effort turned into a relief mission? "I have a different idea. Commander Force may be dead, but those serving under him should still stand trial for their parts in things, and to learn what was happening during this. If they are willing, gather them up where we can take them into custody before an EFC panel of judges."

"I will attempt that. His subordinate seemed cooperative, but I am not that foolish. Kind things do not wait for him, I should imagine."

"I imagine not." He looked out the window of the White House and the sunny day outside. "But if we have no resistance reaching them and leaving, the war is over."

"The war is already over," retorted Celestia. "I stand outside their last remaining shred of governance. I have seen their eyes. The fight is fled. If your people will not help restore them, I would ask that they not take part at all. I will gather their leaders and take them myself. Where would you have me deliver them?"

Smith let out his breath in a slow hiss. "Right. Right right..." He pinched the bridge of his nose, trying to abate the ache. "If you can do it, great. I'll toss it to congress to decide on relief efforts."

"Very good." He could hear her smile. "We should have a meeting, of the EFC. We will have to stand trial if nothing else, as you said."

"Yes, of course. I presume there will be no objections to sending investigative forces and cleanup teams? That bomb site can't just be ignored."

"I have no objection to that."

John, who was really a changeling, flew to the one meeting place he knew, wearing the form of his original changeling body. Pushing the door open revealed darkness and musty air. Nocreature had been there in a while.

He frowned as he looked around, poking around piles of bottles and cans, looking for clues.

There. A single stone, but it was not a normal stone. He picked it up carefully and set it down in the middle of the room. With a little changeling trick, he spurred it to life.

Chrysalis appeared, humming a little song as water rained over her floating head. She was taking a shower, apparently.

Rason raised a brow at the sight. "My Queen?" Not his queen, but there were appearances to uphold.

"What?" Chrysalis turned towards him suddenly. "You! Come slinking back after you made a mess of everything?"

"Yes, My Queen." He dipped his head low before her image. "They have cast me out. Where should I go?"

Her eyes rolled wide. "Ugh. You are beyond worthless... Come here. I can at least learn what you've seen, and you can pay for your failure." Her hoof raised into view, touching the bottom of her chin. "On second thought, stay there. I'll send others to pick you up."

As if it would be that simple, that she would give an address and he wouldn't have to actually be in the same room as her. "I will wait here."

"You better." Her image faded away.

The faintest noise reached his ear. If the place hadn't been entirely abandoned, he was sure he would have missed it. He perked an ear towards it and began wandering in the direction. Like something rolling over, bumping? He wasn't sure...

He came to a closet door and grabbed its knob in his magic, pulling it open. An emaciated man almost fell on him. John squealed in a girlishly high tone. Perhaps he could be forgiven, for the man that fell on him was... him... "John Rason?! She just left you here?!"

The actual John mumbled something, still gagged and looking barely conscious.

"It's alright. It's alright... You can hear me, I found John Rason, the original... I'm going to get him some water and put him back in this closet. Come get him, yesterday!" How long had they left him there? John the changeling rushed to fetch a glass of water and brought it to the abused human, plucking free the gag. "Help is coming. Just bare with it a little longer."

John, the original, took the water and drank what little he could. "Oh... god..." It was only then that he noticed who was helping him. "Christ, you're with her."

"For now." He nudged the man he had replaced back into the closet. "Stay there, help is coming, I promise. Your wife misses you. Let's get you two back together."

With the door closed, John turned away, a fresh wave of guilt washing over him. He had done things to that woman that the man in the closet had every right to hate him for. Considering the false measures he was working under, the woman also deserved to hate him, completely. He had done great evil upon them both.

He took a slow breath as he paced towards the center of the living area. "Focus..." He had a job to do, and he would see it to the end. Then he could be gotten rid of whenever that was convenient, and that would be that. He wouldn't run away from his crimes.

With the power of radio technology, word of the sudden change of plans spread through both the military and civilians lines. News of the council's dissolving was not to be a secret, and almost instantly, everyone knew.

The TSDI was dissolved, minus a few tiny countries foolish enough to think they could stand with the bulls, who had just been defeated, by the ponies, or so the rumors went.

Hoku laughed. It was that or cry, though he was perfectly capable of doing both at once and may very well have been. "Again... Again the ponies come and take the glory."

Lucky slapped him on the back. "What are you talking about? What was the first time?"

"I wanted punch Storm King in ugly face." He balled his right fist and made a swing at the air. "I young and stupid. I not know how fight back then." He shrugged softly. "Now they take bulls from me. Where is justice?"

"I hear that." Lucky kept on patting him. What was it with humans and wanting to pat anything that had fur? "They deployed us just to do nothing? Tell me that isn't a bit messed up. I have friends and family that wanted me to pop a few of them. I was supposed to shout their names as I did it. Kinda... stupid looking back on it, but I was ready to do it."

Hawkeye sat down beside them on a bench. "That is pretty stupid," he agreed with a shrug. "Look, we won. Let's remember that. Whether it was with bullets or something else, they lost, we won. That's the way it should be, and the way it is. Now we get to pick up the pieces and get this world back in order."

Hoku peered at Hawkeye a quiet moment. "You... are very wise," he decided with a slow smile forming. "I so glad to have you both." He swept a paw violently towards the north. "We won, and we're alive. That good. When my time up, I go to Lutrai, help them."

Author's Note

Nuremberg trials, take 2. In their benefit, they have no gross local travesties like the camps to answer for, and most of the people most directly involved with the terrorist strike are dead, but not all of them.

John Rason, the changeling, faces his sins.

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96 - Let's Talk Peace!

Twilight landed lightly in a town that had not fared well in the war, frowning sadly at the state of things. "Is... anycreature here?"

Starlight landed just next to her. "I can see them." She looked towards the windows where people peered out at them. "We're not here to hurt anycreature, promise. Just two adorable little ponies."

Twilight rolled her eyes. "Where did you pick up that line?"

"Would you believe Cozy Glow?" Starlight grinned sheepishly. "It's working."

Villagers were emerging, some faster than others. One seemed to assume some responsibility and approached faster with false bravado. "Are you here to... rule over us?"

Twilight blinked softly. "Rule over...? I thought we'd discuss peace options."

The bull blinked in kind, both confused. "They told us we were defeated, by ponies. We... already have peace."

Starlight sat and brought her forehooves together in a clop. "Well, that settles that! Looks like our job is done."

Twilight was not so fast to accept this, shaking her head. "Can you tell me exactly how this happened?"

A little girl calf pointed off into the distance. "Your princess beat up the last councilperson."

"She would--!"

Starlight tackled her, throwing an arm around her to cut off her words. "Thank you. Do you know exactly where that is?""

An adult provided more precise directions and she nodded quickly. "We'll check in with them. Glad that whole war thing is over." There were few arguments about that sentiment.

Twilight plucked Starlight off of herself with her magic and set her student down. "That's quite enough of that. Let's go see what's going on." With spread wings, she took off into the air.

"I cannot assure your safety." Celestia's wings ruffled behind her fitfully. "But your cooperation will pave the way for a peaceful and easy transition for the rest of your people." She glanced away and back. "The nations struck terribly by the actions of yours demand justice... Even I feel that call, and I will not stand in their way for what they have asked. You will stand trial before us, and explain yourself. Depending on what you did and knew, fitting punishments will be meted."

One officer raised a hand. "You won't let them... do anything too rash, will you?"

"Rash as in murdering your entire council, or rash as in razing several of my cities to screaming and burning ruin?" Celestia raised a brow high. "Answer truthfully, and we will move past this... For now, I must transport you all somewhere safe to await the trial."

"Princess!" Twilight landed with a soft thump, dashing the rest of the way to Celestia. "I'm so glad to see you! I came--"

"Twilight, what blessed timing, as usual." She nodded softly at Twilight, then at Starlight behind her. "This nation needs an interim manager to help get things in order. Can you help balance the books and see that good natives are promoted to a new council?"

Twilight recoiled at the sudden new responsibility being foisted on her. "Wait, so it's true then? The war's over?"

"It is done, with only smoldering embers left to sweep away." She turned back to the officers. "Twilight here is a deeply caring pony. She will not allow your people to suffer, and will get the ledgers in balance. She is the one that ended the war between ourselves and the humans."

A few murmurs spread among them. Some had heard of Twilight, who had comported herself as a diplomancer of some skill. "Diplomacy isn't the same as managing a nation," one pointed out. "Does she know how to do that?"

Twilight shook her head quickly. "No, but I have books, and that just means I'll have to find good people who do know how to back in charge as soon as possible." She glanced at Celestia. "I'll be gone before you know it, but only after things are on the right path."

Starlight smiled lopsidedly as she looked over the proceedings. "I'll take care of the school while you're gone."

"Thank you," breathed out Twilight. "I thought I'd be making a diplomatic entreaty, not being assigned a kingdom."

Celestia softly booped Twilight right on the nose. "You had wondered when you would get a nation of your own, though this one is temporary. Now..." She turned her head to the officers. "Shall we?"

"As you can see." Stream waved a laser pointer at a map that showed lines crisscrossing America. "The worms travel wide and far. They're not just a native species, they're immigrants! Or, they would be, if we could get past that language barrier. We owe it, not just to ourselves, but future generations, to study them."

A pen raised, held aloft in the CEO's hand. "While undoubtedly fascinating, their intelligence could theoretically negate our presence. If they are a creature, like a hippogriff, pony, or even a human, learning how they work is more of a medicine than a matter of biology. Contact with them would be for diplomats, not biologists. Whatever concern they would be for security would be a matter for the government... not biologists."

"But..." Her grip tightened on her pointer. "I can't just... abandon them. Coming here, to land, this was what I came for! To uncover the secrets in it, and this is certainly a secret, literally in the land! I already made first peaceful contact, I have to see this through!"

The CEO's wife leaned against him lightly, urging him to quiet without words. "Let's see this as an opportunity."

"Yes, opportunity!" That Stream could agree with.

"It will be a great feather in our collective caps to be involved with this. I motion we call in the proper authorities and experts, but keep Stream involved, as the point of contact. She can work alongside medical scientists, diplomats, and government agencies to help figure out what place the tatzlwurms have in society, and how we can come--" She brought her hands together gently. "Together."

Stream began to clap as eagerly as she could with the pen making it a little awkward. "Can we do that? I am beyond ready to begin."

"So you might have recently heard," explained a Youtuber. "The big worms known at Tatzlwurms may be smarter than we thought. A biologist by the name of Stream--" An image of her with a big smile and a labcoat appeared, laser pointing an image of a worm with a flower held in one of its tentacles. "--has come forward with the idea that not only are they intelligent, but they may qualify for the full qualification of creature."

The image was replaced with a question mark. "What is a creature, you may ask. Coined by ponies, creatures are any living entity capable of sapient thought and social structure. If you can ask it for the time or to borrow a cup of sugar, it's a creature. Ponies, griffons, changelings, and humans are all examples of creatures, explaining the 'anycreature' form of addressing a mixed crowd."

The image swapped back to a tatzlwurm in a more fierce pose, tentacles and teeth exposed. "There are many questions remaining about these elusive burrowers. It calls into question the theory of language universality. Why do they not speak the same language as everyone else? Are they simply incapable, and does that preclude them from joining the ranks of creature?"

A new image appeared, showing a border checkpoint. "Of course, if they are creatures, how will their movement be regulated? They are, if so, possibly illegal migrants, opening up more questions than answers at this time. If you want to know more as we hear it, be sure to subscribe and ring that bell and you can support us..."

Ruddertail smashed her pudgy paw against the table, glaring at the other EFC members. "They slaughtered my people. They not shred remorse, why should display single hair when tables turn?"

Cadance raised a hoof. "Is it not more important that the war be ended as smoothly as possible? Those responsible are in captivity... or dead."

"Your people not dead!" screamed Ruddertail, scowling at Cadance spitefully. "You not attacked!"

"We were attacked," hissed Cadance, teeth clenched. "It was a terrifying time... but we weathered it, and it is time to move past it. Punishing people not involved is how our own innocents were... killed... I will not tolerate continuing that cycle."

Novo walked talons across the table. "Dears, calm yourselves."

"You calm!" spat out Ruddertail. "Do not lie. You not attacked!"

"My people were not attacked," she allowed. "I was. I apologize for taking so little part in things as I recovered."

Celestia sat up at that. "Dear Novo, what happened?" It was the sound of a concerned friend, looking at Novo with worried surprise. "Are you well?"

"I am, in part thanks to the intercession of one of yours, Princess Celestia. Do tell Meadowbrook thank you for me." She set a hand at her chest. "My own neighbors struck me. A barbed spear, right into me. It was very uncouth..."

"Why not demand heads?!" Ruddertail bounced to her feet. "Why not even tell us?! Why not angry?!"

"Because when I swam out for the first time, they cheered. They swarmed around me with so many apologies and tears. They had made a mistake, a painful one, for me, but it was a mistake... I will not seek vengeance on them, and I understand their motivations, now..."

President Smith leaned forward a little. "The fish people, Pisces was it? They were attacking our ships. What about that?"

Novo held up a hand firmly. "Stopped. They were fooled, as many others were. Thinking they were fighting on the right side, they did foolish things. I would care that not a single new drop of blood be spilled in my ocean. I fled there for peace, and would have that restored."

Smith looked to Celestia. "Getting back on topic, where are the former leaders being held? Will they be ready to stand trial?"

"They are safe and secure. We have but to decide on a time and place to begin." Celestia nodded once softly. "Princess Twilight Sparkle has assumed temporary management of their lands and is overseeing the selection of a new government body."

"And reparations?" Smith raised a brow. "I have not heard a single word about that. What are your plans regarding that?"

Celestia winced faintly. "Let us focus on rebuilding. Their economy is in no condition to pay anycreature any amount."

Ruddertail gestured at Smith. "He understand. They spill blood. They burn and destroy. They pay!"

Luna rose to her hooves. "If I may?" Eyes turned to her. "I have taken it on myself to study the nature of America's past. Twice have they had such massive clashes. In the first, great reparations were demanded, which led to the second, so agree their own scholars. The second was handled with greater care and tact, and never a third did trouble them, until they were removed from their world." She fixed Smith with an even stare. "Are you proposing we forget the lessons your own ancestors learned and paid for with their lives?"

"Who pay then?" Ruddertail crossed her arms as she sank onto her chair. "Who pay?"

Smith took off his glasses and set them on the table. "We all do." Focus shifted towards him. "It is up to us, however." He touched the tips of his fingers together. "There are nations that were involved that should pay towards this. Not punitive reparations..."

"Yes!" Ruddertail was on her feet in a flash. "Yes yes. Snooty cat think she can walk away? No, pay! She ready to win, she ready to lose? Her cities whole. Her 'economy' fine. She pay."

Celestia let out a little breath as she nodded. "I will not argue that. I, in fact, motion we keep this as universal as possible, calling all nations not currently recovering from heavy damage due to... this... contribute towards its swift repair and restoration. Any nation that took part in this should help all others to recover."

Author's Note

Twilight gets a new position. Stream chases a new mystery eagerly, Youtubers gonna Youtube, and the EFC convenes. What is John up to?

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97 - Comfortable Couches

"The nations involved in this, withdrawn from the TSDI or not, that were involved in this regrettable portion of history will pay." President Smith addressed the country. "With the swift action of EFC forces, the war has been ended, and now begins reconstruction; but don't be fooled. A bridge can be rebuilt. A building can be rebuilt. A dead friend or family member cannot be 'rebuilt'. Now is a time for us to come together."

He wasn't as nervous as the first time he had addressed the country with poor news and grave words. "We all, Americans, EFC, the world, endured much to reach this point. As we pick ourselves up from this, the truth will be found. Already we are gathering those with answers, and we will have them. We will know how this started, and how to stop it from ever happening again. This I promise."

This wasn't a promise he could reasonably make, but it seemed right to say.

John was met by two stern-faced drones. They pointed away as one, but didn't take flight. As they stepped out of the old hideout, they were engulfed in green flames, becoming humans, a male and a female in casual clothing. They stepped into a car.

Unsure, John became a random White House aide he had talked to many times and got in the back of the vehicle. "We're going to Chrysalis?"

"Not that you deserve it," spat the male of the two as the car began to move.

"What were you thinking?" asked the female, not turning back towards John. "You were their king, all you had to do was give it to the Queen and you would have been a hero."

"That's not how it works." Even if he had wanted to, that would not have worked. "They don't have a king, and a president can't just 'give' their presidency to someone else. If I had tried, they would have thrown me out even faster than they did."

"Seemed fast enough." The male shrugged lightly. "Whatever. Buckle up, mister 'follows the law'."

They drove on largely in silence save for the sounds of the engine and other cars that passed them by, only interrupted when the female reached over and started some country music with some fiddling with the dashboard. The car came to a smooth halt in front of a two story long building on the less affluent side of town. "Out," barked the male.

As one, they departed the car that beeped a moment later, locked. The male led the way, knocking twice on a metal door before pushing inside. It couldn't have been much more different inside. While the neighborhood was rundown and tired, the inside was bright and even smelled nice. Everything was clean, with fanciful art hanging from the walls.

"Pleasure Palace," hung over the first archway in welcoming letters. To the left of the archway was a sign that seemed to list all manner of situations and price points. John glanced at it on the way past, fighting a mild blush at some of the depraved things on offer, though some were downright tame in comparison. You could pay to snuggle or just talk, if you cared to. Companionship was on the tap, and no flavor was out of the question, it seemed.

This was, of course, incredibly illegal. John kept himself from bringing that up. It certainly wouldn't help his case, he decided.

As they walked through that archway, they came into a more open reception area. The were other people waiting there. A shapely female looked up from behind the counter. "Hello and welcome." She leaned forward, bringing her hands together, fingers interweaving. "Is that the lost lamb?"

"That's him." The male that had accompanied John hiked a thumb at John. "She available?"

"Go right in." The secretary separated her hands, hiking a thumb towards the back. "Have fun."

The woman of the two moved forward. "I'll take him. C'mon." They went down a narrow hallway, doors on either side. No sounds issued from within any of them. "They're busy," the woman noted without prompting. "She made sure to soundproof them."

They stopped at the last door on the right. She rapped on the door firmly. "He's here," she shouted through the door.

There was a moment of quiet. A faint noise caught John's ear and he saw a camera swiveling to look at them. The door opened a moment later. "Come in," came a familiar female voice.

The lady changeling backed away and gestured through the door. "Have fun."

"Yeah..." John moved past her into what seemed to be a well-appointed bedroom. A few humans floated in green pods, breaking up what would have otherwise been a fine place. Chrysalis was perched on a great heartshaped bed, smiling gently as John walked in.

"About time..." She tapped at the bedtop lightly. "That was a waste, but I'm not even mad, oh no, not at all..."

John blinked as he approached on unsure feet, soon hooves as he became a changeling once more. "You are not, Your Highness?"

"Why should I be?" She made a dismissive gesture with a hoof. "Look around you. We've done it. These--" She gestured at the floating green tubes. "They pay for the privilege of being drained. Their wildest fantasies all that they will know until the end of their days, all for the low price of the contents of their bank account." She snorted softly, a triumphant smile on her face. "We will never go hungry again."

John glanced left and right at the floating captives, willing or not. "You have... done well, My Queen."

"Of course I have." She leaned forward towards him, over the edge of her bed. "And you will help. Some humans really like the idea of doing things with a former president. That'll sell... But first, punishments!"

John jerked in place. "I thought you weren't mad?"

"And I'm not, but rules are rules." She blew across one of her hooves softly. "You messed up, time for punishments. Can't have you drones thinking that's alright to do." Her horn lit up brightly. "You've been living in the lap of love, time to pay up." Green power crashed into him as she began feeding from him without a shred of gentleness. "Mmm, delicious..."

The soundproofing was as good as promised. Neither of them heard the front door slamming open. Neither of them reacted as armed agents came rushing in, arresting everyone they put their eyes on. Some changelings took flight, erupting into their natural forms, but the building was made to be small, cozy, and windowless. This had served them well, until that very moment.

Why couldn't human buildings shapeshift as well as their natural hives?

Surprised humans were caught in the middle of their liaisons with equally shocked changelings. "Freeze!" They were wielding non-lethal weapons, but that didn't mean they couldn't hurt. Rubber bullets flew when tasers were not employed. One changeling suddenly grew as large as they could, filling up much of the space as they became a bugbear with a mighty roar.

Chrysalis inclined an ear at the faint sound. "These humans are curious creatures. Some of them fantasize about being ravaged by fearsome beasts, as if that would complete them. Others wish to be depraved and belittled. Others crave more sensible things... Are you paying attention?" John was having a hard time responding, writhing in pain under her magic assault. "How rude..."

One agent drew out a can of what could have been mistaken for mace. They sprayed the great beast in the eyes and across the face in a generous spray of bright orange. Its roars turned almost instantly from aggression to utter horror. With a rush of flames, it was a changeling again, its eyes squeezed shut, its hooves over its eyes, writhing and screaming. OC Spray was just as effective on bug bears as human eyes, and just as painful. The would-be aggressor had been reduced to a whimpering mess, handcuffed without further resistance.

They worked from room to room, subduing and arresting each person they found, creature, human, didn't matter. Even one cat that the changelings had adopted was captured and thrown in a carrier, in the off chance that it could be a changeling in disguise. The possibility wasn't 0%, so they took no chances. They had no cuffs small enough for the beast, alas.

Chrysalis looked up at her monitor, a bit of movement catching her eyes. Several humans were rushing her door. They were carrying some kind of heavy object. She raised a brow with confusion, her magic petering off. "What..."

They slammed the hand-ram against the door and the door jumped, bending inwards, but holding fast.

John couldn't help it, he smirked a little. At last, the cavalry had arrived.

"You did this!" she screamed, throwing him bodily in her magic against the wall. With a rush of flames, he hit the corner, becoming his true, new, self, a reformed changeling. "You're one of them!" She stepped down from her bed, scowling at the sudden enemy and easy thing to blame. "Wretched traitor. I will murder you slowly, so slowly."

The door exploded inwards, unable to resist further abuse. Chrysalis coiled in place, sending a beam of angry magic that carried the agent struck by it across the hallway to become a crumpled pile, but there were others behind him. Taser leads struck her and she barely got a 'ha' of laughter before tens of thousands of volts began to course through her.

She screeched as she threw out a hoof that grew and changed as it stretched outwards. "You'll never keep me," she roared, smashing through the archway of the door and slamming all three agents that were there at once. "I have more than enough love to stop--"

Her hoof, shoved into the hallway, made a perfect target. Tens of thousands of volts became hundreds as every agent with a taser made use of it. Her form had no particular resistance to electricity, not that she really understood how electricity worked or tried to work against it. She howled in pain, saved only by the fact that she reverted to her usual form, the leads falling where they were. She crumpled off the bed, collapsing in a heap in her room.

John forced himself to his hooves just in time to see other agents rushing in. "Thank god," he muttered just before one slammed him right back into the ground and began to cuff him. "Wait, I'm... with you..." They weren't in the listening mood, and he was arrested like every other changeling there.

They had to revive Chrysalis. As soon as she was thoroughly cuffed, they hurried in a medic to resuscitate her stopped heart. Thankfully electricity had stopped it, and a more carefully applied jolt was enough to get it beating properly once more, its rhythm broken, and restored. She was carted away with her subjects and her clientelle.

America would get its answers.

Author's Note

Mmm... Mmm... That felt like the right place to leave this chapter off. Good call?

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98 - So Many Questions

She was restrained. Not just a pair of cuffs, but basically being bolted to the ground. When she tried to shapeshift out of it, the humans threw the element they had claimed mastery of at her. Electricity would jolt her painfully until she stopped trying, leaving her just as caught as she started. She couldn't get bigger. She couldn't get smaller.

She was also alone, isolated, and angry. "Release me at once! This is not how you treat a queen. They came to me. They asked for it!" She would have clopped a hoof, but with her legs basically held in place, that wasn't happening. "Release me!"

Footsteps, she could hear them approaching. "You, whoever you are, let me go and you will be richly rewarded." A sly smile spread on her face, imagining how she would behave should someone be so foolish.

The door opened calmly. There were three men. One remained outside, one entered and went towards a corner. The third approached her directly. "Queen Chrysalis is your name." It wasn't a question.

"Maybe." She shrugged lightly. "What do you want? Release me this instant."

He grabbed a chair and pulled it around, the back of it facing her as he plopped down onto it. "I'm afraid I can't do that. We have questions for you. You will answer them. Answer them well, and we may be able to do something about all this."

"I have rights," she hissed. "Where's my lawyer?"

"You are a terrorist that attempted to seize control of America. Your rights have long since evaporated." He crossed his arms over the top of the back of the chair, watching her. "Tell us about that."

Chrysalis huffed softly, rolling her eyes. "What is there to say? That went up in smoke. Good help is impossible to find these days it would seem."

"Sounds like that wasn't your first time," spoke the agent with false sympathy. "They sure can mess up a good plan."

"You don't know the half of it." A low growl issued from deep inside her. "That fool had half the world in his pocket and he couldn't even pull it off!"

Half the world? "Sounds stupid on their part, what did they do?"

"They lost, of course." Her eyes half-closed, watching the human. "They lost and you won and now here you are. Are you trying to reform me? No thanks."

"Perish the thought." It wasn't his job to rehabilitate a soul. "You worked with Commander Force? That must have been exciting."

"An exciting bore, literally. He blew up his own capital, took over, and for what? To lose? What a waste of resources." She rattled her chains, trying to emote just how annoyed she was.

He tilted the chair back, towards her. "How did you get involved with that loser?"

"Ugh. It seemed like a good idea at the time."

Chrysalis loved talking about herself. She would not be a tough nut to crack ultimately. They learned much from their time with her, dutifully recorded and ready to share with other interested parties.

John looked up as the door opened. He knew that agent and perked up. "Did you get them all? It looked like it."

"I'm not at liberty to answer that question." He knelt down in front of John and reached, pulling free some of the tracking equipment that was still wedged into place. John let out a relieved noise as it came loose, liberating him from the irritation of it. "We have something else to discuss."

John tensed. Had his usefulness reached an end? He had done well, at least, as well as a lawless imposter could do... "Yeah?"

The agent set the various trackers and recorders aside. "You have to learn a new identity. I assume you can do this." He drew out a folder and set it in front of John before reaching to continue undoing the bindings that kept John from moving, his identity apparently confirmed. "Take your time."

"My... time?" He reached a hoof for the folder as his horn lit up, floating it up into view. He flipped it open and saw identification and paperwork, so much paperwork. There was a full history there. "Who does this belong to? Why am I imitating them?"

"This is you." He stepped back, John completely liberated. "You are now under the Witness Protection Program. This is, of course, voluntary. Should you accept, this identity is yours. You will become this man, legally. You will be a citizen."

John ran his tongue over his lips, unsure what to say at first, a soft tremble running through him. "You don't need me for calibrations anymore?"

"We have other test subjects." He raised a brow. "We only have one turncoat turned hero. You have demonstrated a true love for this country, it's our turn to show such loyalty is rewarded. The scientists may miss you, they reported enjoying you around."

John smiled faintly, looking through things. He was to become a self-made entrepreneur, already retired. His stock earning were... $207,800 per year, exactly. The rate at which a president could expect for being a president. The meaning was not lost on him. A lone tear fell on the paper and he wiped it away, reigning himself in. "This is a great honor that you did not have to extend to me."

"It is, in fact... too much." He folded it closed. "Witsec should provide basic living accomodations and job-placement assistance, not... this." He waved a hand at the concealed paper that promised him a comfortable life. "I would be living another lie."

"I thought you might say that." The agent took the first folder from John's unresisting hands and produced a second. "Here."

The second identity, as John reviewed it quickly, was far more modest. He had a college degree, recently moved, looking for a job. Nobody special. "Yes... Thank you, again. Look, I'm not trying to be ingrateful. That offer... It was good."

"Too good." He tucked the folded folder under his arm, reaching a hand towards John, open for a shake. "A pleasure to meet you, Paul Goldstein."

Paul, who had once been John, who was still a changeling, but then an American citizen, accepted the hand, shaking it firmly. "It's good to be here, but I should get home."

"Oh, of course." The agent turned for the door, guiding Paul along. "We have a flight ready for you."

"He was kidnapped," explained a Secret Serviceman. "He suffered some trauma during it and is experiencing memory loss."

John's wife had tears in her eyes and was holding her sunken husband. "Will he recover? John, poor John... Can you hear me?"

"Yeah, yeah... Of course I can." He squeezed her hand. "It felt like forever... I'm sorry."

"You're sorry?! You have nothing to be sorry about." She kissed his forehead gently. "What happened to whoever did this?"

"They are in custody but I am not at liberty to say more than that. For now, he is relying on you to get back up to speed on his life." He was moving for the exit. "We'll be close, you can call us."

How her strong husband had been reduced to a wreck she didn't know. She would just have to pick up the pieces.

"Terrorists captured." The newscaster was looking at a screen with intensity. "In a sudden daytime raid, over a dozen suspected terrorists were captured." A window popped up, showing the abandoned building that Chrysalis had inhabited, its door left open. "With only a handful of injuries, the FBI says it was a resounding success."

"The exact nature of what these terrorists had planned or already done is still a mystery and they've been tight-lipped on the matter."

Smith drummed his fingers on the table, looking across at the other EFC members. "I have news."

Ruddertail crossed her arms. "Date set for trials?"

"That too, but more than that." He pulled up his suitcase and set it on the table. Unfolding it, he pulled a folder free of it. "We know how Commander Force came to power. We know who helped him, and encouraged him. We know how the war began and who is to blame."

Astonished gasps rippled around the table. Celestia's ears perked up, directed at Smith. "It was not Commander Force then?"

"He was far from an angel." He set the folder down on the table. "His country had been preparing for war for some time. This was no miraculously rapid deployment. Before I start, do any of you know 'Queen Chrysalis?'"

Celestia tensed. "We've... met..."

Cadance put a hoof to her face. "What did she do?!"

Smith cocked a brow at the response of the two pony rulers. "That sounds like a yes... She is the reason this war happened."

Both princesses groaned, their heads flopping to the table. Luna frowned softly. "Really, her?! This will not stand. No more running. We capture her and lock her away, forever."

"We have her in custody," calmly reported Smith. "If she is a known threat, why were we never informed?"

Novo inclined her head towards the fallen form of Celestia. "This is an excellent question. If you would?"

Celestia gathered herself back together. "We did not think she was a threat. Her people have been reformed, and are good neighbors now. She was sent fleeing, alone and powerless. I only hope this will not sour your view on the rest of them. Most are harmless and kind."

"Powerless is not the term I would have used..." He pressed his fingertips together, drumming them instead. "We're still putting the pieces together, but she provided the bomb he used. She fed false intelligence suggesting we were preparing to attack them. She orchestrated this entire war." He brought down a fist with a thump. "The bulls were foolish to go along with it, but she was the one dancing in front of them, leading them along this bloody path."

Ruddertail suddenly climbed the table, scurrying towards Smith. "And you have her! You have her!" She was rubbing her hands together with a big grin. "Time for revenge. Never hurt anyone ever again. Never never. Serious serious. Give chance punch face in. Record, good for morale."

Celestia raised a hoof. "Before we discuss how to inflict further harm... Was it she that set off the bomb then?"

"Commander Force knew what it was, and made sure to not be there when it was brought. The final decision was on the council. If they went along with the idea of it, it would be set off. In her words, he said that any council that agreed with using one of those was beyond redemption anyway, and that would absolve him of all guilt." He spread his hands. "I don't think I need to emphasize how insane that line of thought is."

Luna nodded lightly. "Yes, but if he was not there, how did he succumb to the disease the bomb spreads? Is it infectious, jumping from one creature to the next?" She suddenly looked to Celestia. "Did you catch it?!"

John held up a placating hand. "It is not infectious. It was only dangerous for a few weeks, long enough to get him when he hurried in to gloat about it in front of the cameras. The area is, relatively, safe now. People are already living there, and likely will continue to do so."

Ruddertail suddenly poked him, delivering a sharp little jab to the president's face. "Punch now? Revenge."

"She will be brought with the others," he firmly stated.

"What?!" She threw up her hands. "Ponies, I understand. Ponies soft, weak, nothing but hugs. Nice neighbors, terrible battle partners. They want trial. Why you want trial? You have her. Now revenge!"

"We want to capture her testimony on film. People, our people, your people, all people... They need to know what happened. They need to hear it from her lips, and they need to hear us proclaim her sentence."

Author's Note

Ruddertail wants her pound of flesh with interest, but President Smith advises waiting just a little longer. Who has the right of it?

John Rason, now Paul Goldstein, is a proper American citizen!

And now I run off to Everfree NW.

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99 - New York Trials

Cameras captured every movement. Represenatives filled the hall. All leading forces of the EFC were present, but were not alone. Members of the TSDI that accepted the invitation were also present, as were neutral bodies that had never joined either side.

The United Nations HQ was alive once more, with members of some species that humanity had never even met before then present, accepting this opportunity to witness history being made.

Two great rounded columns of green slime sat/stood beside one another, one with a little hat, the other with a bow. Both had smart ties floating right about where their chest would be.

In a sturdy cage, one person who was arrested and sentenced to rot was there. Tirek drummed his fingers along a bar, watching the other activity. "Do remind... Why am I here? Not that I mind a change of decor. I see some delicious looking snacks..."

His human handler prodded him lightly with a billy club. "They said they wanted you to see a few things."

"Such as?"

"One, we don't have magic for you." Tirek snorted softly. "Two, we're everywhere." His eyes rolled. "Three, we won against the best this world had to throw against us."

He leaned forward. "And?"

"And if you got out of whatever jail the ponies have you in and cause trouble, we won't put you back in there."

He suddenly smiled. "Oh, that's good then. All this just to--"

"--We will kill you. You won't even see it coming. We will never be close enough for you to see. You will be rampaging, having a good time, then you will be a lot of rotting meat." The handler hiked a thumb. "This is a trial for people the ponies captured, we killed most of ours already, but a few are around and they'll get their turn."

The handler was painting a grim picture, far darker than the strict reality of things, but it got the desired recoil from the would-be magical menace.

Hoku's squad had not been sent home. Him and other soldiers were sent deeper into the former-council's territory. They were not there as conquerers, they had been told. The nation they strode through had no government. Even worse than the Storm King's old lands, they had no defenses. Just about every bull that knew how to fight had joined the war, with poor results.

He would have to defend his old enemy's land. He stewed as he marched. He had to guard the same people that had killed his dear friend and ended their dreams of survival and education.

"Relax." Lucky patted one of his shoulders as they walked. "They aren't the ones we were fighting. Those people are dead, or jailed, take your pick."

"Worse." Hawkeye walked alongside at Hoku's other side. "I hear they're doing a big trial for them. Think Nuremburg, take two. I hope they learned some lessons from history."

Hoku lifted an ear at Hawkeye. "What talk about?"

"In the last world war, we gathered up the leaders of the 'bad guys'"

Lucky raised his shoulders. "There isn't much mystery about them being bad and they were guys, what's with the quotes like we weren't sure?"

Hawkeye shrugged softly. "The trials were a public circus. We put them up for crimes that didn't exist before then. We knew who would be guilty long before it started. Some guilty people walked. Some small fries were ground to dust to help satisfy a bloodthirsty victor. Not our proudest moment."

Hoku was quiet as he marched, considering what he had been told.

There was a notable difference in the appearance of those who would stand trial. Those in the pony's care had been treated well. They were groomed, clean, with fresh clothing. They also had a light in their eyes that was harder to see, but compared to those who had been captured by the humans, one could see if it they looked.

The human captured were sullen and donned in prisoner's attire. They looked better prepared for what may come.

"Gathered Represanatives," spoke President Smith. "America is proud to host such a wide variety of nations in these halls once more. Before we came here, this served as the United Nations, a bastion of the idea that differences could be discussed between different peoples. Perhaps it can see use along those veins again."

"Today is not about peaceful negotiation. Great crimes have been comitted. So great that a standard trial pales in the required magnitude. The world needs to know what has been done, by whom, and what the consequences for such actions are. I am your host, but I will not be presiding over these events." He put a hand to his chest. "After all, I'm a politician, not a lawyer. Charged with upholding the law, I have brought these accused here to be judged."

The full line of people were introduced. There would be no one judge. They had called in one of the Supreme Court judges. A dour-faced mare sat beside him. Queen Ruddertail herself was next in line, sharpening a spear with a bloodthirsty little smirk. Novo perched regally, done up in her finest for the occasion, her face neutral and waiting.

The last was perhaps the most confusing. A minotaur female sat in attendance. "Their actions hurt not only others," it was explained. "But their own people. She was a loud and persistent voice of peace before and during the war and is a respected figure throughout their nation." She rose to bow to the gathered audience. "It seemed only proper that one of their own be involved in casting judgments."

"Prosecution will be served as a team. The head prosecutor, step forward." A sharply dressed human man stood up as ordered. "Defense will also be served as a team. Head of defense, rise." Another lawyer stood and nodded, both looking ready to do their jobs.

The justice raised a hand. "We have agreed that a few ground rules should be set. We are here to see justice done, not to see punishment. Let us abide fully by all pre-ordained laws and comport ourselves with dignity."

The other judges nodded in agreement, even if Ruddertail's namesake lashed with obvious irritation.

On the other hand, unlike Nuremburg, they had so many more crimes on the books. They doubted they would have trouble figuring out what to charge people with.

"First on trial, the highest surviving member of the former council's military."

The bull that had surrendered to the ponies strode free of the others. He had been allowed his respect by the ponies. He looked like a general, his chest gleaming with the medals he had earned during his service to his own people. He marched firmly to the stand and bowed to the audience before taking his seat beside the defense lawyers.

His name and rank were read outloud. The dour mare pointed at him. "You were the one that surrendered, were you not?"

"That is true, Your Honor."

She nodded, satisfied. The trial began.

He had been picked for a reason. His fingers had not been directly in any pies that led to war crimes. He had chosen to surrender rather than fight to the last. They would not throw the book at him. His going first was a chance to show the world that they would not be punishing every bull that appeared on that stand.

When he was declared innocent of crimes, he did not immediately rise. Despite his gruff exterior, the relief was too much and he put a hand over his face, taking a moment to cry silently.

Some of the other bulls sat up. For some, hope was kindled. Perhaps they would survive the day.

"The next accused is not and never was a member of the TSDI." Murmurs spread, confusion rippling through the crowd.

Queen Chrysalis was brought out in a cage much like Tirek's. Solid, unyielding, and ready to shock her at any moment. She was not chained down inside that cage as it rolled around. She was more free to move than she had been.

Ruddertail changed her stance, looking ready to hurl the spear directly at the changeling monarch.

Novo put a hand in front of her, stilling her without a word.

The head prosecutor strode forward. "Queen Chrysalis, if you would, tell us who got you in this situation."

Chrysalis was happy to oblige, raging at everyone who was responsible, which was everyone involved that was not herself. "And I was already done with the entire blasted affair. We were living the life we deserved when they came in and ruined it all!" She drove a hoof down with a loud clop of chitin against metal.

"No further questions." The prosecutor sat, his job quite easy.

The tension in the room was palpable, but a few key points had not been made.

The defense rose. "Queen Chrysalis, were you aware the bomb was live?"

"We made it live," she hissed. "Ugh, what a waste of time for all involved."

That could have potentially gotten her some mercy. Her own words had voided that option. "Did you know the bulls would actually use it?"

"I was betting they would." She licked her lips. "They didn't dissapoint, not there at least. The drone was told to activate it the moment they let him." She darkly snorted, a smirk on her face. "Oh would that I could have seen his last expression. Poor sap thought it'd trigger some other bomb somewhere else."

Alarmed gasps spread through the crowd.

Pharynx bounced to his hooves from where he had been seated beside Thorax. "Murderous bitch!" he hissed out, wondering how he could have ever felt loyalty for the queen on trial.

As defenses went, it was a poor one. In his defense, almost any other answer would have potentially improved Chrysalis' position, but she seemed entirely ignorant of how dire the situation she was in actually was. "If you hadn't been involved, the bulls would have found another bomb?"

"I doubt it," she spat. "The humans guard their bombs well, especially the 'special' ones."

So much for even that way out. "The defense rests."

The judges shared looks. They had been briefed on things, but hearing it from Chrysalis' own mouth, admitted so shamelessly, remorselessly...

The dour mare raised a hoof. "Equestria rescinds the right to object." That was all she said. It was all that needed to be said. Equestria would not do what the others would call required, but it would also step aside.

Queen Novo pointed at Chrysalis. "I have one more question. Were you involved in the great tunneling project?"

"What?" Chrysalis screwed up her face. "Don't know a thing about that." She had already quit the war when that happened. She was, at least, innocent of something, for what little good it did.

Ruddertail hopped up onto her chair instead of sitting on it. "Agreement?"

The justice nodded. Novo nodded. Ruddertail raised her spear as she nodded with a grim expression. The bull did not nod. She stood up. "Do you even know how many innocents you murdered?! Do you care?! You destroyed several city blocks of priceless historic architecture while you did it, and do you care? Do you have any regret? Any?!"

Chrysalis raised a brow at the shouting judge. "Why would I care about some dusty cow buildings, or the cows that lived in them? They were stupid and got what stupid people get, hmmph."

Unrepetant to the end. The minotaur judge nodded as she sat. "Agreement," she breathed out, closing her eyes.

The justice gestured for Ruddertail. With a delighted whoop, she thrust her spear forward, pointing it at Chrysalis. "Death. Death. Death! The world will be better without you! Death! First by hanging. If not work, want see electric chair. If not work--"

"--That is sufficient," cut in the justice. "The sentance is death, to be carried out later. The guilty will be removed."

Author's Note

She had it coming, yes? I imagine some are upset the first bull on trial did not have every book thrown at him.

Written at EFNW on my tablet, so sorry for more typos than usual, but the words, they come!

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100 - Just Following Orders

A diamond dog, in the fresh clothing of being pony-held, was on the stand. "Just do what told."

"And what were you told?" encouraged the prosecutor. "You already don't deny them. They would have caused the deaths and injuries of an entire city's population, with displacement for any survivor therein. What exactly were you told?"

He shrugged softly. "Just have to dig supports, get more gems than ever see before. Simple job. Simple job, good pay. You mad, yell at bull who ask."

The prosecutor raised a brow. "Could you identify what bull did give that order?"

The diamond dog leaned forward. "Sure, if let go."

Dissenting murmurs spread through the crowd at the bold request.

The dour mare of a judge raised a hoof. "I move for a brief moment to discuss with my fellow judges."

A recess was called. They would resume in 15 minutes.

"The diamond dogs are stupid," she stated plainly in a side room to the others. "Punishing him won't make the world better. I'd rather have the identity of who gave that order. That person, whoever they are, deserves our fury. They would have to be one of the key architechts of this attack that left us all hurt and bleeding."

Novo raised a brow. "This stupid dog almost murdered two princesses and came within inches of demolishing your capital city. You have no desire to see that punished?"

Ruddertail snorted softly. "I bet she wants hug him and tell him all alright."

The mare scowled. "I would see him punished, as he deserves, but we can lessen it. He speaks, and we don't murder him as the rest of you would surely push for."

The justice nodded softly, familiar with the idea of a plea bargain. "Provided you're alright with it, as Equestria's represenative, I have no objection to that."

Novo raised a finger. "I beleive our equine peer brings forth an excellent point. If we show that those who provide valuable information are treated in kinder lights, others may let slip information they would otherwise have held in confidentiality to the grave. It is in our collective interest that the truth be revealed."

The bull maiden had been largely quiet, but nodded in agreement with Novo's words. "Better to know than to enjoy a brief moment of revenge."

The judges returned to the court room, all eyes on them and what they would say.

The justice stood tall, not taking his seat yet. "We have decided to accept the testimony in return for a lessened sentence. Speak truthfully, as was already sworn, and the full weight of your crimes will not be applied." He sat as the others, and they did not object to his words.

Chrysalis paced back and forth in her jail. "The lot of them! I will make them pay... First, I'll--"

A billyclub tapped against the bars. "Stop making noise in there," advised her guard. "You won't be doing anything but waiting to die."

Chrysalis scowled at the man. "I'll be free and gone long before then."

"Yeah, how do you plan to do that?" Not that he had any confidence she could, but she seemed to like saying things a sane person wouldn't, so...

"Oh don't you worry about it.... I can't be held in any mere cage." She ran a hoof along one of the bars. "My powers are too vast for your puny jails."

"Yeah? So why are you here at all?" He shrugged lightly. "You sure seem to be trapped."

She hissed and turned away, considering her jail. All she had to do was become small enough to simply fly through the bars. Foal's play. She envisioned the form of a breezie and all became pain. The entire jail lit up, crackling fitfully as she was sent to the ground twitching.

"I doubt your little buddies will get much better."

A changeling sat on the stand, black and predatory in appearance.

"We've already heard the words of your leader, Chrysalis. What part did you play in her actions?"

"I am her guard," he stated with pride. "I don't let others get close to her if she doesn't want them there."

The prosecutor nodded as he paced. "And as a guard, I imagine you were aware of many of her plans."

The guard tilted his head, looking baffled. "She doesn't talk to me. I am her guard, not an advisor or planner. Why would she?" He seemed entirely clueless to even a reason why Chrysalis would consider it.

"So you were never charged with other activities?"

He raised a hoof to his chin, considering with a squint. "She sometimes sent me to get coffee for her. Most exciting thing was stopping all of you when you charged in at us. That hurt..." he rubbed his eyes were they had been sprayed, still fresh in his memory.

It was becoming clear that the largest crime that particular changeling was guilty of was fighting with the FBI agents, but he had failed to even do much more than briefly menace them before being taken down in the raid.

Novo pointed into the crowd. "I motion that this changeling be assigned to Thorax for therapy and re-education. He seems clearly innocent of any crime we are here to punish."

The other judges nodded with easy agreement across the panel.

The changeling hissed and complained the entire way, but was soon seated beside Thorax, with a brighter future ahead than those found guilty.

"I was a gatherer. I gathered," explained the female sounded changeling.

"And what manner of thing did you gather?" prompted the prosecutor with a raised brow.

"Many things." She shrugged softly. "Love, snacks, sometimes big heavy things."

"Big heavy things?"

She nodded quickly. "Worst in swamp, big and heavy." She spread her forehooves wide. "Big! And we had to be underwater the whole time. Not sure what it was for."

That was the pattern with the changelings. None of them were told more than they needed to hear, and in Chrysalis' eyes, they needed very little.

The defense gestured at the changeling. "Were you aware you were handling a radioactive device that could have been hurting you? I presume you were given no protective gear for the job?"

The changeling blinked with confused eyes. "What? What even is... radio--oh! Oh! Wait..." She suddenly frowned. "That was radioactive?! Like a bomb?! I was holding a bomb!" She had learned such things from her time as a human. "That... makes too much sense. I was holding a bomb!" She put her hooves to her head. "She didn't mention a thing, and I didn't think to ask."

From the crowd, Thorax waved a hoof wildly. Pharynx, just beside him, was scowling with renewed vigor.

That changeling was far from alone. Thorax would have many to reform, but the crimes they were guilty of were not, themselves, war crimes. The worst of them had broken alarming American laws, but they had been called there to see war crimes be punished. Ultimately, they were given over to Thorax to reform. The changelings who could even possibly have been related to the bomb they had set off were either already found guilty, or were destroyed when the bomb detonated.

"Please state for the court what your position and responsibilities were."

The bull frowned softly. "I was a tactical planner, first division." He gestured to his medals, still shining. He was captured by ponies. "It was my responsibility to plan attacks, and I am neither deaf nor dumb. I already know I've been pointed out." He slammed his hands on the trial, leaning forward. "You're just here to kill me. You won the war, do what you want."

The prosecutor raised a brow. "What was the plan that you helped create?"

"The circus continues," he grumbled indignantly. "I am the one that thought to hire the dogs as mercenaries. Chrysalis disclosed to us how useful they had been in munitions retreival. It was a natural step to put them to grander uses." He waved a hand angrily. "And had we won, I would have been celebrated as a genius, but history is written by the winners."

The justice slammed a gavel. "Please limit your answers to the scope of the question."

"Yes, well, you have your guilty creature." He gestured to himself. "Do you need anything else?"

The prosecutor gave up the stand, his job done for the moment. The defense approached. "What decided what was a valuable tactical target and what wasn't? You only had so many soldiers, this is a truth all tacticians face. You couldn't be everywhere."

"Truth," grunted the bull old enough to have gray around his snout but young enough to still have fire. "Some nations were easier to pinpoint where we needed to strike. Had Canterlot fallen, for instance, Equestria would be effectively removed as a threat. Their population and production are not seperated, so we targeted population centers besides that."

The mare scowled. Canterlot had suffered no lethalities, but the other 'population centers' had suffered as no other single catastrophe before it. Only Cloudsdale and Ponyville had been spared.

"The otters were plain. Kill their leader and the fight would have been punched out of them."

"They would have charged over my dead body!" suddenly screamed Ruddertail. "I would not even be buried until your people were ash!"

Novo put out a hand, but Ruddertail would not be quieted. She charged to the edge of the judge's platform. "You send your best. I live. You here. What good are your plans?!"

The justice struck his gavel smartly. "Please return to your seat, Queen Ruddertail. We have entrusted the lawyers to ask these questions."

She glared at him, seething, but she did withdraw with a loud grumbling, settling back into her seat.

"As I was saying... The humans were the hardest to target. We had assumed they were much as our own. Their factories would reside where their people live. To attack them, you had to go where the people are, and that is what we did."

The prosecutor nodded softly. "I see, but why did the men on the ground have the orders to attack anything and everything instead of focusing their efforts on the infrastructure if that was your goal?"

The bull leaned forward, eyes on the lawyer's own. "Because it was impossible."

"Impossible?"

"We were given an impossible task, to bring America to heel. But the command had been given, and I would not accept less than the best I could give." He crossed his arms as he sat back. "Force said to make them surrender. The best I could do was bring them to their knees, to know a taste of the bitter tears that we had tasted. Equestria could have been brought low. The Lutrai could have been decapitated, but America was beyond my means. They pummeled our people, we would return the favor, and we have."

The dour mare stood up but did not immediately speak. She waited patiently for the prosecutor to quit the stand before she addressed the bull on trial, "if you intended to remove Canterlot and remove the will to fight from Equestria in one strike, why was Manehatten attacked? What did Baltimare do to deserve attention? What did Somnambula do to even appear on your map?"

The determined look on the bull's face showed its first crack. "Hm? Those... weren't in my plans. What did they do there?"

"They killed!" snapped the mare, clopping a hoof on an armrest she didn't need. "They burned. They were a sudden angry horde descending on us. Ponies who had never known the meaning of war were suddenly being killed in the streets. You claim to have no knowledge of this?!"

He was suddenly on his hooves. "Is this a joke?! My plans are right here." He dug out a notebook the ponies had never taken from him. "Equestria was to get a single division. Canterlot was the target. Any other actions were not my idea."

Author's Note

The truth slowly emerges. Today is the last day of Everfree Northwest. I'm having a good and hectic time, as had been asked. Tomorrow, I head home!

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101 - Take a Look, It's In a Book

Not all trials could be completed in a day. The tactician's case was one of them. The judges sat with the book perched between them, a compelling bit of evidence. "Now," started the human justice. "We cannot be certain this has not been tampered with after his capture."

"To what end?" argued Ruddertail, shrugging. "Already admit crimes big enough to hang. Why hide this one?"

Novo nodded in agreement. "It does defy logic, and that bull didn't have that appearance... I'm more interested in what it says than to chase the idea that he may have fabricated some of it."

The pony reached for it, drawing it closer with a hoof. "Beside that, if what is written is true, he planned to succeed where he failed. He had sent a great many more soldiers to Canterlot, every single one we faced across the country. The Wonder Bolts would have been shot out of the sky in short order, and none other even... aware... before it all came crashing down. Instead we had a pitiful scrap and a near aborted lunge at what should have been, by all rights, their priority target."

The justice tapped his fingers lightly. "If we accept this at face value, it lessens the number of crimes committed, but hardly exonerates him."

Novo raised a taloned hand. "Are we not here to look for the truth, and see justice done? I believe him. He did not seek to harm the other pony cities, but he should be remembered for what he intended to do, and what he did." She reached for the book and the pony surrendered it. She flipped quickly. "I find his plans for the lutrai were equally disrupted, or simply not followed. He had wanted you dead, above any other. He even included orders to leave as soon as it was done. They were to move for America and reinforce their presence there the moment the deed was completed."

Ruddertail snorted powerfully. "Not care." Her eyes went to the human justice. "No 'evidence' say he not plan your people's hurt. You kill?"

The human justice folded his hands neatly. "I will see he is punished for the part he played, but I would not be so quick to become apathetic. Not following his original plan resulted in a catastrophic loss of your people, did it not?"

"I already want him dead," she hissed. "What more is there?"

Novo set the book down on the table between them. "I would know who or what caused these soldiers to do this. In America, it was clearly planned, but the other targets become a fractured, but seemingly intentional, chaos outside the hand of the planners back home."

"It is a shame." Eyes turned to the female bull. "He was a bright bull, wise most said. But he was too proud to step down from his position, to relinquish his duty when those above him became corrupt. We are diminished, but this is the way it must be."

Things became quiet a moment. It was hard to not notice she was already speaking of the accused in the past tense.

The judges sat in their chairs. The court was regathered and ready. The human justice directed his gavel at the tactician. "After due consideration, we accept your words. You are innocent of war crimes committed in Equestria and in the lutrai lands. Let the record show your intentions for Canterlot, which you have admitted to, as well as three charges of planned murder of a head of state."

"I will not argue this," stated the bull, sitting up straight. "I was doing my duty to the best of my ability."

"That is no excuse." The gavel came down in a smart slap. "We, humans, have faced this before. The idea of following orders that breach laws is abhorrent and will not provide legal defense. You were in full awareness of how deplorable the actions you planned were. You made this clear. It was the desperate act of a desperate nation that could not bring victory, only a moment of petty vengeance."

Novo softly cleared her throat. "Be that as it may, we are in agreement. You are guilty of conspiracy to commit over a hundred cases of terrorism. An exact number will be recorded at a later date. You are guilty of ordering your soldiers to attack civilians and targets not directly involved in the conflict. These are truths that cannot be denied."

"And they won't be." He set his hands down flat on his stand. "So now I die? I do have one final argument to put forward."

The judges glanced at one another before the human justice nodded. "Proceed."

"With our gross lack of intelligence regarding your country, but full awareness that your population is armed to a level that no other nation could even hope to compete with, how would any country mount an attack on you without committing a 'war crime'? Is it not convenient on your part that you have created an impossible scenario, where a 'civilian' is not to be harmed, but any of them could attack a trained soldier and possibly win? Outnumbered and outgunned, I posit that my soldiers had no choice but to assume everyone was a threat, because anyone could have been. If you--"

The noise in the hall was raising dangerously, threatening to drown out his words. The human justice struck his gavel, but it wasn't enough on the first hit, forcing him to keep banging. "Order! Order in the court or you will be removed from it. We will have order!"

The noise died down and eyes were on the bull, but it was the human justice that spoke, "You assume that we have not been abiding by these rules ourselves, we have. In wars of our own, we have faced unknown masses. Most innocent, enough not, but such that following our own rules put our own soldiers at risk constantly, for decades. And yet, we did anyway. Why? Because it is right, and if we didn’t then how could we expect others to?"

"We did not want this war," countered the bull. "As has already come to light, we were deceived. We believed ourselves the defenders, so there was little choice presented to us. Caught in a conflict we thought we could not avoid, we acted with what we had."

The bull judge stood suddenly. "Then why was the chance for peace not taken, when it was offered? You could have made the humans look foolish or revealed their murderous intent, if you were so sure they had it. All you had to do was accept the peace they were offering and let them make the next move."

The tactician signed softly. "It is not my job, or within my ability, to accept or deny such things. Nothing I did would have changed that. I will not accept responsibility for the actions of my superior, but I will live, and die, for my own actions. I have said my peace. Do as you will."

The justice nodded gravely. "We are aware of the circumstances that led to this regretful outcome, but you were told only that we were 'preparing for an attack', an attack that never came until after your forces struck first, an attack I presume you planned?"

"I did."

Another potential crime admitted, though there were enough extenuating circumstances to not make it worth raising at that instant. "Perhaps that time could have been better spent gathering information on your own, or even reaching out towards us. We had not closed communication with you or your country. Trade had still been operating at that time. You made a decision, and it was not for peace, and it led to this." He looked to the other judges. "Agreement?"

"Agreement," they all echoed one by one.

The female bull rose to her hooves, hands clasped in front of herself. "I will do what I can, to see your family is cared for. I am sorry it came this way. As a calf, I looked up to you. In the battle of the Split Hoof, you saved so many creature's lives and avoided further bloodshed. You were a hero... I'm sorry." She sat back down.

The sentence was given. Death. He walked from the courtroom with the same determined pride that had carried him into it, and down the paths that led to the moment.

They worked through the rank and file, but none cared to, or potentially simply couldn't, offer any clues as to who ordered the attack to go wide in Equestria and in the lutrai lands. It didn't help that those who had gone to attack the otters had been killed to a last. It had cost the defenders dearly, but their land was entirely free of aggressors at the end of the day, with no quarter given.

This left those captured by Americans and the ponies. "You were captured during your attack on Fillydelphia, is this correct?" asked the dour mare, peering down at the accused.

"That is correct." The weasel on the stand was worrying his fingers in a nervous fidget, glancing around wildly. "Please don't hurt me..."

A lawyer approached. "If the ponies you were attacking asked for the same thing, would you have granted it?"

The weasel swallowed heavily. "I... I did! I swear. A scared stallion. I... I couldn't do it. He begged me, um, and I shooed him out of sight."

Murmurs spread through the crowd. The lawyer was unmoved. "But you did kill others?"

"No! No, I swear! I, um..." He had moved on to biting at his claws. "The money seemed nice, but then when we arrived, the ponies were... screaming. It wasn't fun anymore. I couldn't hurt them... Oh... their eyes. Even when they were... When they were dead, they looked at me." He broke into tears, piteous sobs. "I couldn't hurt them!" He collapsed forward, face buried in his arms. "I'm sorry!"

The defense lawyer raised a hand. "I would like to bring the court's attention to evidence." With a nod of agreement from the judges, soon a letter was displayed on a large screen.

To Whom it May Concern,

During the attack, one of them rounded a corner and ran into me. I... might have watered the sidewalk grass. But they didn't hurt me. They pushed me out of sight and told me to be quiet. I heard them talk to their friends, telling them there were no ponies there. I heard they were in trouble and I wanted to write this letter.

If you ever see this, thank you.

New murmurs spread through the audience as everyone read the words displayed.

The lawyer gestured to them. "While this creature may have joined intending to do harm, their conscience got the better of them before they could commit any crimes. They did exactly as we hope soldiers faced with illegal commands would do, acting against them to the best of their ability. This is a soldier we should be celebrating, not trying."

The dour mare's face warmed into a soft smile. "Equestria would welcome you. You've already made a friend, it would seem. Thank you, for listening to your better half, and I would hope you never pick up a weapon again."

"Agreement," spoke Novo with a soft nod.

Ruddertail shrugged softly. "Agreement."

The bull judge smiled as the mare had. "It is a great relief that some good natures emerged during this trying period. With great pleasure do I agree."

"Nooo!" The weasel sobbed all the louder. "You're still going to kill me?!"

The human justice leaned forward a little. "While we have agreed to such sentences, be at ease. We are agreeing that you are innocent and to be released. Bailiff, please see this creature away to rest and recover. He may leave when he feels ready."

With a sharp slap of the gavel, the court was sent into a recess. There were so many others to question.

Author's Note

Any other particular people who yet still live that you want to see on the stand?

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102 - Meanwhile

The doors to the United Nations burst open as a new crowd came rushing in, drawing all eyes back towards them. They were dragons, seemingly all of them by the sheer number of them. At their head was Ember, a cocky grin on her face and the symbol of her position held in her right hand. "I come bearing gifts," she shouted as she descended the stairs towards the stage.

The justice slapped his gavel down smartly. "You are interrupting the proceedings."

"Yeah, no." She turned and pointed into the crowd of dragons with her scepter. They parted without a word, revealing a thick knot of tied up soldiers, bovine and otherwise. "These jerks tried to do with us what they did with the rest of you." She snorted softly, her smirk unabating. "They just failed."

Murmurs spread through the crowd. What had happened exactly? The dragons that made up Ember's crowd all seemed to be sharing in the pride of the moment, even if no one entirely understood the sequence of events.

Queen Novo stood, pointing to Ember. "I recognize you, Dragonlord Ember. Though your lack of etiquette remains vexing, I will assume you have come for good reasons. Tell us the reason for your prisoners and how they came to be."

"Sure thing." She made a gun motion with her fingers at Novo. "These jerks thought they could tunnel under us, and they did. They managed to not fry themselves on lava, good job, jerks." She rolled her eyes softly. "So they came rushing out of their holes..."

The sudden cracks of automated fire rang out over the dragon lands. Some dragons sat up, curious about the noise. They had heard guns before. "Someone practicing or something?" asked Garble with a shrug.

But that wasn't what was happening. They had emerged and began firing wildly on any dragon they could see. Unlike ponies, unlike lutrai, and unlike humans, dragons were never without armor. The first they had targeted roared with fury, wings going wide and flames licking the air from their toothsome grimace of pain, but not death.

At first they were allowed to engage with singular dragons, each dragon proving a formidable foe, but had it continued like that, it would have gone poorly. The smaller dragons could be brought down with enough concentrated fire in a short moment of effort. It could have been bad.

But the dragons had been learning lessons. Ember arrived on the scene and rallied them all to action. What had started as heroic, in their eyes, struggles against individual dragons soon became a landslide of draconic flesh. Their armor did very little against sharp claws and fearsome teeth. Their armor did nothing at all when they were set on fire.

The human justice twirled his gavel. "Flamethrowers are illegal for use in war situations."

"Bite me," was Ember's eloquent reply. "We are flamethrowers. If they didn't want them used, they should have thought a little harder before attacking us. So, as I was saying..."

Once roused, the dragons would not be stopped, scouring their country for any signs of their attackers. The tunnels they had come through were found and explored. As it turned out, they weren't half bad, so some dragons got some sweet new houses out of the trouble.

Ember lifted her shoulders. "We lost five." She held up five fingers. "Pity that, but compared to what I hear, we basically lost nothing." She hiked a thumb at the soldiers behind her. "Now, see, if it ended there, I wouldn't even be here. The way I see it, no grown dragon except maybe Spike, is a 'civilian'."

She turned to the soldiers. "But you guys just couldn't be happy crossing claws with dragons, could you?" Ember crossed her arms. "These are the special ones. They tried to smash our eggs. Now if that ain't 'civilian', what is? Seriously, like an egg can fight back. Bring 'em forward!"

The other dragons closed ranks around the captors and hefted them up all at once, bringing them forward towards their leader.

Ember turned back to the judges. "So I was hoping you could take care of these people like you've been doing with the other ones."

The judges shared looks. The female bull was the first to raise a hand. "We will gladly pursue justice, but that requires that both the prosecution and defense have time to investigate things properly. I move that we enter a recess while the captives are given time to speak with defensive lawyers. Evidence should be turned over to the court for review and disclosure. Witnesses... should remain closeby, yes?"

The human justice nodded. "Yes, that is the right of it. I second this motion. Defense team, do you accept?"

"We stand ready, Your Honors." Already defense lawyers were starting to approach enemy soldiers.

Novo clapped her taloned hands. "Very well then, we are in agreement. Court is in recess. Charged with crimes or not, we will assume innocence and provide some basic rights. The accused will be allowed to confer with legal aid and information gathered, so we may proceed properly."

Ruddertail softly clucked her tongue, speaking softly, that only the other judges might hear her, "Few dragon guards may be wise idea..." How things might have gone differently if she had a few of them scattered through her nation. "Dragonlord Ember!" she called far more loudly. "Not leave, talk after."

Ember gave a thumbs up and the court began to dissolve, going into recess.

Chrysalis was no longer in a cage. They had placed her in a far more secure cell, with the other guilty people of the trial, all awaiting their day to die. She glared at the bars, trying to figure a way past them, to freedom.

"At least you'll die with us," mocked a bull from across the hallway.

She hissed, forked tongue dancing as she gathered pow-- Electricity struck in a powerful jolt, sending her back with a wince as her tormentor laughed at her expense. "Curse the lot of you..."

Celestia waved a hoof, bidding the massive doors open. "Let's get him secured."

Human and ponies moved unison to heft up Tirek's cage and carry it inside. They were all going on a merry trip to Hades. "This was for your own good," warned Celestia as she walked alongside them. "We live in a new world."

"A new world, you say?" He hiked a brow as the scenery moved without his input, his cage carried along. "It would seem to me that you've lost your touch."

"Have I?" She scowled into the cage. "The Equestrian Friendship Coalition is the most powerful alliance this world has seen." She moved ahead of the others, intercepting Cerberus as the canine came to investigate them. "Who's a good boy?" She gently rubbed him under his chin. "We're just putting this one back where he belongs. You'll keep him there, hm?"

Cerberus woofed in triplicate, looking ready to do his job.

"Good boy..." Celestia turned back to Tirek. "Put him up there." She pointed to where he had started. "And banish your notions of world domination. They won't tolerate it, and they are willing to be perfectly violent to assure peace. A curious contradiction, perhaps, but effective at times."

"How long until they decide your little ponies aren't in their vision of 'peace'?" taunted Tirek as he was carried back towards his resting place.

One of the humans helping with the task snorted at that. "They're fucking little ponies."

Celestia shrugged softly. "Crudely put, but there you are." She was not above enjoying her people being cute. "They have comported themselves well, and I will look forward to many moons of peace with this terrible affair behind us."

Tirek made no signs or pleas of reformation, and they left him there, to stew and consider what he had done wrong. The heavy grinding of stone on stone announced the door closing, locking him inside, weak and with few options. "Hm..."

The first of the dragon's captives was placed on the stand. They were a curious middleground between the human captures and the pony cared. Most looked more irritated than anything else.

The prosecution approached. "Did you or did you not attempt to inflict harm on the dragon eggs?"

Defense's hand raised, but the human justice shook his head. "Please answer the question."

"My job was to 'inflict harm' as much as possible." He lifted his shoulders. "And now here we are so you can 'inflict harm' on me, but it's alr--"

"--Refrain from adding more testimony beyond the question asked," ordered the justice with a scowl.

"Yes or no," pushed the prosecutor.

"I saw them, so yeah."

The prosecutor half turned away. "You are aware that eggs pose no threat? Even should they have hatched, dragon hatchlings are helpless immediately after emerging."

"Didn't matter," grunted the soldier. "Inflicting harm was my damn job."

"The prosecution rests." He returned to his seat, a confident smile on his lips.

The defense was far less confident in appearance, considering how he could salvage the situation. It was his job to try. "Tell me, how many eggs did you personally harm?"

"Zero."

Murmurs spread through the court. "Not a single one?" pushed the defense, his expression becoming less gloomy.

"Never had the chance. They saw me headed that way and I was buried under dragons."

The defense gestured at him. "He never committed the crime for which he is accused. He is clearly innocent."

The prosecutor slapped the railing in front of himself, standing up. "He's still very guilty of attempted murder."

"And, while dire, that is a far lesser crime," countered the defense.

Ember waved her scepter at the two arguing lawyers. "He better get one charge for every egg on that field!"

"Order!" The justice struck his gavel. "The audience will refrain from speaking or be removed. I advise the other judges to disregard that statement."

Novo raised a talon to point towards the lawyers. "Please, proceed."

The prosecutor straightened his tie. "I will remind that this is attempted murder of babies, the very definition of a non-combatant. I urge the judges to bare that in mind." He took his seat calmly, hands on the rail in front of himself.

The defense nodded towards the accused bull. "You were aware of your target, I presume?"

"The dragons?" asked the soldier with a shrug. "Yep. Drew the short straw."

"You knew how strong they were then?" he pried. "I presume you were aware of their culture. In the dragon lands, there are no noncombatants, as their leader proclaimed in this very court just minutes ago."

The bull nodded. "Yeah, hard not to know. Dragons know how to fight. They're built for it. Why?"

"I'll ask the questions, thank you. So you came prepared to enter a true battle situation, soldier against soldier, both armed and ready to die, correct?"

"That is correct." The bull watched the defense lawyer, confusion on his face.

"And your plan, I presume, was to win. That was the goal?"

"That is correct." He nodded softly. "We failed."

"The eggs. Did you see them at the start of the conflict?"

"That we did not." He sat back. "Some of us noticed them as we were getting our back ends caved in and we made a dash for it."

The defense gestured at the accused, his eyes on the judges. "This was not premeditated. I motion that my client's crime is that of second-degree attempted murder."

The defense returned to his seat as the audience shared astonished murmurs. He had potentially saved his client from a life imprisonment, after already sparing him from a noose or equivalent.

The prosecutor rose, no longer as restful as once he was. "How many bullets did you have left when you were captured?"

"In the gun?"

"On your person, ready to use," the prosecutor guided with a roll of the hand. "Ten, twenty, fifty? Hundreds?"

"I was already fighting... I don't remember."

The prosecutor turned away. "We were told the personal effects of the accused, including their weapons, were stored securely, with their name. If it pleases the court, I would like a full accounting of the accused's remaining munitions."

The murmurs grew in volume. What was the prosecution pushing towards?

Author's Note

What is that lawyer aiming at? Can you tell? I'll be eagerly reading comments for your theories.

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103 - One Shot, One Kill

The inventory came back swiftly with a full list of everything in that soldier's supplies. Much of it was banal, such as his armor, tags, a picture of another minotaur, a friend or family member left behind perhaps? He had a an automatic rifle, as was standard.

He had 52 bullets remaining.

The prosecutor nodded softly. "And one grenade. When firing with limited ammunition, I assume you have discipline to save each shot, to maximize effect?"

The soldier looked confused, and so did many members of the audience. "Yes? No purpose firing on the dead."

"Then rather than insisting you would have shot 'every egg', let's keep this simple. If you had cleared the field of active combatants, you would have moved for the eggs next. Perhaps more dragons would have appeared, perhaps not, but you were, at the least, willing to discharge the ammunition you had. That was, as you said, your job."

He turned away from the accused. "It's already been submitted to the court that the field had 178 eggs." Including notes that many would not eventually hatch, but it was not his job to defend the accused. "If your path had become clear, you would have discharged 52 bullets. Your grenade could have taken out many at once, but let's keep it to your bullets for easy accounting. 52. I move that you are guilty of 52 charges of attempted murder, only stopped by the selfless intervention of their concerned parents."

Murmuring rose in volume. Some inhuman witnesses leaned closer to their human peers, asking what that entailed exactly.

The human justice nodded, looking to the defense. "Do you have any closing statement?"

The defense frowned faintly, considering his diminished means of sparing his client. "I urge that the situation be considered. Unlike the other attacks, these were soldiers that were sorely pressed from the moment the activity began. Being ripped apart and burnt to cinders, it is less of a wonder that they acted out of desperation. While this doesn't excuse their actions, it can help explain it. Few are the people that could stand where they stood and not act irrationally."

Novo clapped her hands softly. "Thank you. I confess, some of the jargon used is beyond me and I require clarification. What is 'attempted murder', insofar as a crime? What makes one 'second degree' rather than first, third, or any other number? Is it not assault?"

Proceedings came to a stop as it fell to the human justice to explain what attempted murder was. "First degree implies planned measures, while second degree is often used for 'heat of the moment' exchanges. In either event, taking a direct action that would have led to murder, had some outside force not prevented it is attempted murder."

Ruddertail hopped up in her seat. "Seem clear. Guilty! Death!"

Novo raised a talon. "Is death the proper punishment for this crime?" She was looking to the human justice. "I'm not familiar with it."

"It is not." He stood up. "A charge of attempted murder in the second degree requires imprisonment, ranging from five to fifteen years. The multiple charges would stack, giving us a range of --" He paused, clearly doing mental math. "-- 260 to 780 years."

"Harsh, but fair," sighed out the female minotaur. "Agreement."

"Agreement," echoed Novo.

"Agreement," cried Ruddertail, sinking back onto her seat.

"Very well." He directed his gavel at the accused. "You are hereby found guilty of fifty-two charges of attempted murder in the second degree. You are to be jailed for a duration of seven hundreds years." With a soft strike of the gavel, the future of the minotaur was set.

The next bull on the stand learned his lesson perhaps. When the prosecution approached and asked, "How many eggs did you harm?"

He had replied, "I wasn't trying to hurt any of them."

Ripples of conversation picked up in the crowd. The prosecutor frowned softly. "But you were with the others, were you not?"

"Yeah, so? I thought we were moving for cover. Is that against a law now?" He threw a hand aside. "I had angry dragons to deal with. I wasn't wasting a single bullet on a damn egg. If I had hurt an egg, they would have made me pay for it, slowly, without changing the outcome of the battle."

The prosecution doubted that was the truth, but how did he prove it? How could he show that the bull had intended to attack and destroy a living egg. The first had admitted it. This one did not... This would not be as easy of a trial.

Tirek's cell was stout and strong. It had been made to be impervious to any attempt from within to break free.

It was a shame that it stood empty, with no centaur inside.

Cozy Glow paced with a soft frown. "Stupid humans!" she fumed to herself. Her plans were coming together so nicely. She had all the pieces, but to proceed, madness such that even she could see it. They did not use magic. On the other hoof... "They'll adore me." She put her hooves to her cheeks. "They love cute little ponies. They won't be able to get enough of me."

But that relied on giving them no reason to get nervous or alarmed. A scared human was a supremely dangerous one. She just had to figure out a way to become reigning monarch of Equestria without alarming... basically all of them. "Hmm..." The data she had gotten from Tirek would let her suck all the magic away. That part was so simple!

She bounced in place impotently, trying to puzzle through things. "Wait." She rushed over to the corner of her room and pulled out a magazine. Printed in America, it talked about their celebrities and stars. It showed the ritzy lives they led and how much people hung on every word. "Maybe I'm doing this wrong..."

But would a celebrity ever own the world? Would a celebrity ever command anything?

Cozy crashed to her haunches, considering as she tapped at a cheek with a hoof. "Think now, think..." She would not be denied so close to her goals!

She fled her room, leaving the magazine behind. Darting through the secret passage, she stood before the place where she could start the magic transfer. All she had to do...

"It's not fair, is it," whispered a voice in her ear. "You were so close."

"Yeah! Wait, who said that?" She turned in place rapidly, but there was nocreature there to see.

"Someone with a shared interest. Come."

Cozy tried to ask a question, but she suddenly didn't have a body, being drawn away from that basement to another dark corner of the world, where others faced similar troubles.

Of the soldiers, roughly half had claimed no intention to harm the eggs. With no easy way to prove they would have harmed the eggs, there were no war crimes left to charge them with. One had succeeded, smashing an egg with a shot. They were found guilty of murder, assault of a non-combatant and murder of a non-combatant. He would go to jail.

Ember tapped a foot, claw tick-tacking on the smooth surface. "I thought there'd be more, you know, dead people. Why are half of them walking off when they were going after the most 'civilian' civilians ever to civilian? What makes humans and ponies so much of a worse target?"

"It's not that." Spike landed just beside her. "Your eggs are, you know, equally important."

Ember rolled a hand. "Great, so why are they getting jail time instead of off with their heads?"

Spike lifted his shoulders. "Because dragons are too awesome."

"Come again?"

"They failed," explained Spike. "Only one egg was smashed, and the rest were perfectly fine. So we can only say what they 'would' have done, and how do you even prove that?" He shrugged softly. "Dragons are just way too awesome. Seriously, you guys handled this like it was nothing."

"Yeah, we did do that." She smirked lightly, pleased with herself and her people. "Still ticks me off that they're all getting off without a good stomping. I only flew all this way to see them get what's coming to them."

Spike slapped her once on the lower back. "Hey, look at it this way. It's now on the records just how amazing dragons are."

She paused a moment before reaching to boop Spike right on the snout. "Sometimes, Spike, you know just what to say. Also, uh, no offense for before. I mean, you're still are a kid dragon."

"I am not!" he huffed, flapping his wings. "See, I got these!"

"Congratulations, no, really, but you just got those. You have survived dragon puberty, and I'm proud of you--" She rolled a clawed hand, a little smirk on her face. "--but you are not an 'adult' yet. Hey, don't look at me like that. We all had to go through it."

Spike crossed his arms with a mighty pout, grumbling a bit to himself. "Well this kid's saved the day more than most 'adults'."

"And that's what makes you special." Ember patted him softly on the head. "Like I said, no offense. Doesn't make you an adult, but you're damn cool as the dragon you are now."

It would have to do.

Court came to a close for the day, many more trials played. Novo stretched languidly. "This is taking quite some time. I need to check in with my darling people and be sure everything's alright."

"Least your people can be mostly alright," spat Ruddertail, her thick tail slapping the floor. "Phone." She stormed off.

The female bull offered a hand towards Novo. "We've been so busy, I feel we haven't really met. I'm Copper Bell. Though these are dark times, I can see the light ahead."

Novo accepted the hand, shaking it lightly and stepping aside to let the human justice step closer. "I am Queen Novo, though I imagine you're aware of that."

"Supreme Justice Korrigan," he announced, taking her hand in a firm shake. "I'm glad justice is being done."

Copper inclined an ear at Korrigan. "I imagine you would be, for such is your position. I was never trained in the art of judgment, nor did I imagine I would do it one day... But this is good, for us, those of us that have to pick up the pieces."

They chatted amiably for a time.

Hoku patrolled down the city street. He wasn't alone. Only the foolish would have considered patrolling alone. They had been assigned to a minotaur metropolis, and they were its police.

He perked an ear, hearing something. "Trouble. With me." He charged forward, Hawkeye and Lucky just behind him. Reaching the end of the block, he threw himself against a wall and peered around the corner to see the source of the disruption.

Two minotaurs were screaming at one another, hands balled into fists and waved. Punches did not seem to be being swung, but tempers were clearly quite high.

"I told you we should have left!" shouted the female of the two.

"When the going gets tough, we have to be stronger," roared the male. "This is our home!"

"Some home this is!" she retorted, shaking a fist at him.

Hoku lowered his gun, determining the two weren't killing each other, nor was one mugging the other. Still, they were disrupting the peace... "Hello." He stepped out into view.

Both looked over sharply, their conversation dying instantly.

"Loud," noted Hoku simply, bringing up a hand with pointer and thumb close together. "Quiet."

Hawkeye took up at his right side. "People are still sensitive to noise at this time. Out of consideration for your neighbors, if you could lower the volume of this argument?"

The cow hiked a thumb at the bull. "Then convince him to let us move away from this warzone."

"This is not a warzone!" he huffed out. "The war is over, and this is our home. We have to rebuild, not run away."

Author's Note

Hoku gets to be a peace officer. Not his usual job, but he signed up to be a soldier, which means getting things done, darn it!

The first soldier gets nailed to the wall, but some others get a clue. Was justice done?

Someone seems to be collecting the forces of evil... Can this be a good sign?

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104 - Picking Up the Pieces

Arrangements for those found guilty of severe enough crimes for death were made. Public executions had long since faded as a concept, but the definition of a private one often included access to watching to the victims and families. How did one reconcile that with the victims being such a wide spread of people from across the world, some human and some not?

They would have to televise it.

"Why do you cling to the past?"

Roland looked around the starry field. He was standing on a well-cobbled walkway that wove through the void.

"Even your people know many languages as a curse."

"Who is this?" demanded Crane, failing to find the source of the voice that seemed to come from everywhere at once.

"I am not a single person, but a concept given thought," gently counseled the voice. "Do you not wish for harmony? You worked so hard to ensure it. Your actions spared a kind species an unkind end, despite their foolishness at the time."

"Those who ignore the past are doomed to repeat it," Crane quoted with a frown. "It isn't right. It isn't ethical to force it."

"Is it not?" The voice was suddenly behind him. "To force peace in such a gentle way?"

He turned quickly, bringing a ghostly version of Twilight into view, watching him with eyes that did not seem to properly focus on him, as if gazing out into infinity.

"Twilight? Princess Twilight?"

"I am not her. I am taking a form you know." The aspect of harmony dipped her head towards Crane. "I am pleased to know you. You are a good person, a bringer of me, but now you struggle."

"And you are?" Was he dreaming? As dreams went, it felt too... distinct. "I'm afraid you have me at a disadvantage."

"Harmony," spoke the Twilight with the distant stare. "So much torment has visited the world, perhaps now we can have a moment of peace. Can you not enjoy that?"

Harmony rose up to two legs, her eyes suddenly even with Crane, though he was certain Twilight wasn't quite that long normally. "The world has more immediate need of you."

His right hand clenched. "What do you mean?"

"This war has been long and terrible... They need you to help soothe their hurts, not dig into the past they have largely left behind." She circled him, walking as a human might despite her pony anatomy, hooves swaying to and fro as a human might have swung their hands. "Queen Ruddertail weeps when she is not watched. Perhaps you could afford her the swim you denied her long ago."

He frowned, trying to imagine the vivacious ruler brought to tears. "Was it that bad?"

"Worse." The entity turned to look at him directly. "Those friends you made have need of you. They knew you, do not forget them."

Roland Crane awoke with a start, the vision bright in his mind.

"The first to be executed, the head tactician of the former council, is being brought in... He looks as proud as ever," spoke a commenter as a camera fixed in the corner watched impassively the progress of the bull. "His last meal was a simple one, one slice of toast, cut diagonal, with butter and scrambled eggs. He wanted the same breakfast he had always had."

A stoic bull was by a medical gurney, speaking soft words of passing. "As you can see here," continued the commenter. "Religious services have been allowed. Though the people of the council do not acknowledge a specific god, they do have a spiritual life and even the condemned are granted this final rite of passage."

Of course, neither bull, nor the humans or other creatures physically present could hear the commentator. He was but a man streaming what the room was putting out, for the rest of the world who happened to be watching his channel or streaming site or whatever else he had.

A human gestured to the gurney and the bull to be killed sat down on it, allowing himself to be strapped into place. "You will be given an injection," explained the human. "You will become tired, and go to sleep, then you will die. Do you understand this?"

"I haven't much choice." The tactician's jaw was set, matching the human's look. "Go on."

"We will not be permitted to watch the final moments," explained the commentator just before the stream switched to viewing a room full of important people. "We will be allowed to witness the witnesses." The leaders of the EFC were present, as were other world leaders, some from the dissolved TSDI.

Queen Ruddertail was in attendance, scowling at the window. "Good. Good. Die quiet, die slow. Fitting."

Chrysalis was wheeled in. She was already on a gurney, struggling and hissing, but there was no escape. She pulled. She tried magic, she was shocked for her trouble, but they were going to kill her, so she kept trying, struggling against the current to try and break free, but she just couldn't get out of the gurney.

"It seems Queen Chrysalis is attempting to force their hands, opting for electrocution instead." Not that she was likely to kill herself with it, as the feed was still on her.

"Release me," she roared. "I am above this!" She shook her head, which was enough to bring another person into her line of sight. "You!"

Thorax stepped towards her on soft hooves. "I am as close as we have to... a spiritual leader, so they let me come and give last... rites." He glanced away and back at her. "Are you sure?"

"Am I sure what, traitor?" She hissed like a kettle left on too long.

"Does it have to end, like this? You're still... my mother." He worried his forehooves together, sitting on his haunches. "I'm so sorry..."

"When... I get..." She pulled and struggled, but she was held firmly and securely. There would be no escape. "When..."

Thorax set a hoof gently on her shoulder. "I'll be here until the end. Sleep well, Mother. I... hope you can find the peace you never had in life."

"I don't need your damned comfort!" Her tone had shifted. Desperation and realization were starting to come. "Release me and I'll forgive you." She reached impotently towards him. "Don't..." She hissed as the human operator right there inserted the needle to begin. "Don't let them do this," she breathed out in a desperate sigh. "This isn't how this is supposed to end."

"I wish it was almost any other way," sadly agreed Thorax. He took her hoof between both of his own, gently rubbing it. "I won't leave, promise. I'm here..." Tears stung as his eyes. Even if his mother was a psychotic murderer that had sent millions to their ends, she was still his mother. He did not move to stop them, but he would not leave her until all was complete.

The feed switched to the witnesses, denying people at home the chance to watch those final moments. Somber expressions were worn across the room. She was not the first to die, nor would she be the last. The injection was beginning, and they all watched, for that was their duty, to bear witness.

Ruddertail was on her feet suddenly. "What?!"

Others were rousing in a similar fashion, alarmed voices and pointing fingers past the window the camera couldn't see through from the angle it was positioned. Something had happened.

"Not sure what's going on," admitted the commentator. "Waiting for word..."

Chrysalis had suddenly evaporated. Was that normal for a changeling? Thorax insisted that was not how they normally went, but was in no particular condition to give much more information. "M-maybe it was the drugs," he sniffled, worrying his empty hooves together. There was no Chrysalis to hold. "She's gone..." He had to go, unable to stop himself from shedding tears for his criminal of a mother.

Hoku watched as workers of varied species worked to clear the debris and remnants of an old building. It was his current duty to ensure that they were able to work without being bothered. This meant the young bull that approached without the appropriate badge on his problem.

He moved to intercept. "What do? Not belong here."

The bull came up short. "O-oh, I just bought a gift." He held up a basket towards Hoku.

A basket could mean many things... "Put down. Check, then give."

The bull slowly set the basket down. "Okay... They look hungry."

Hoku hiked a thumb towards the workers. "Know them?"

"No." The young bull smiled at the otter soldier. "But they're doing good work. I don't have a lot, but it's good work, you know? I hope everything's put together again soon."

Hoku had learned gift-giving was considered a cultural norm among the bulls. To outright deny a gift was quite rude, so he hadn't done that. "Good work," he agreed, sharing the soft smile. "Check, then give. Promise."

"Thank you." The boy started to turn, but hesitated. "Did you fight? In the... war?"

"Make a new friend?" Lucky was approaching at a casual pace. "Hey there, little guy."

"O-oh! Hello..." The bull dipped his head towards Lucky. "I brought lunch, for them." He pointed to the workers.

"Yeah? That's nice of ya." He lifted his shoulders in an easy-going shrug. "They're really busy right now though. We'll get it over there when they take a break."

That logic seemed to hold up in the young bull's mind. "Alright! Thank you." He scurried off back into the broken city that he had come from.

Lucky swatted his mildly-superior friend on the shoulder. "You're not good at the talking part of things."

"Use too many words," snapped Hoku with a huff. "Check for trouble?"

"I doubt there's trouble." Lucky lowered his gun and stepped back. "Little kid was running around with this, right?"

"Yes."

"So it can't be that sensitive." Lucky flicked the covering off with the very tip of his gun, sending the thin cloth fluttering to the side. Inside was a collection of sandwiches and fruits. "Looks harmless."

"Not for us." Hoku hiked a thumb towards the workers. "For them."

"Yeah yeah, Mister Proper. I'll bring it over." Hoku watched him rush off with the basket.

Pharynx nodded towards each changeling in a row. None of them were reformed. "You came here expecting soft creatures. You were expecting a lack of discipline, simpering fools, and a complete void of purpose."

The changelings nodded softly but stiffly, agreeing with soft mutterings.

"Too bad!" He thumped the ground with his hoof, colorful as it was compared to theirs, muted compared to the other reformed changelings. "I do not run a ship powered by heartwarming feelings here! You have two choices." His hoof was suddenly cloven, allowing for two digits. "You can settle down, learn to be a loving caring creature. Or: You can help defend them."

He smiled, sharp teeth in display. "I'll be your boss if you take the second, and I will work you. You will earn your keep, but you'll never go hungry. You'll learn to love like a grown person, the love between brothers and sisters, not the adorable but laughable at times love that my broodmate displays."

Soft snickers spread through the group, imagining Thorax's goofy smile.

"Hey. It's my job to laugh at him. You want to replace me?" Pharynx leaned forward with a scowl. "You're welcome to try. He's with your former queen right now, seeing her off. He's doing a hard thing, being there, through it. I know, I talked to him. He wanted to be anywhere but there, but he did it anyway, and do you know why?"

One changeling raised a holed hoof. "Because the humans told him to?"

Another raised a hoof. "Because you told him to?"

Pharynx rolled his eyes. "I told him she can rot and we don't owe her a damn thing, but he went anyway, because that was his duty. He is doing this because he is a damn fine changeling."

Author's Note

I wept for Thorax, imagining being in that situation. That's just a place no person should ever have to be in. No matter how vile she was, she was still his mother, and being there as they killed her...

But was she killed?

Crane gets a visitor urging him to redirect his efforts. What would you do?

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105 - System Abuse

"Hey."

Crane nodded to the person he couldn't see, but could hear on his bluetooth headphone. "Hello. You usually prefer text to voice, don't you?"

"Yeah, usually," admitted the male on the line with an uneasy tone, but it brightened to excitement. "No time for that! Look, I set up a thing, to test something, and it finally paid off." He heard a fingersnap over the line. "Every night at midnight, a file was made that held the Declaration of Independence, in English. Every morning, it was converted, repeated over and over."

"Yes, yes, I know digital files are affected. What's the-- wait, did it not convert?"

"It didn't convert," giddily confirmed the speaker on the line. "Just to be sure, I made a few other files, and even dared tried typing out some, but there they are, not being converted."

"But... what changed?" He put a hand behind his head, confusion mounting. Wait... "I had a conversation that might be related." Had 'Harmony', or whatever was doing it, decided to stop blocking English?

"You did this? You, sir, are a miracle worker. Look, gotta go, but wanted you to know!"

The line went dead.

He took a soft breath, then tapped his earpiece. "Call Celestia."

Sunburst dipped his head, ears fanning out to either side. This allowed a ribbon to be placed over his head, carried by the hands of President Smith. "Thank you, for your service. You saved countless lives, and paid a heavy price for it."

He wasn't the only person there. Several others who had mounted a brave defense, the rest humans, stood at attention, each being adorned with a ribbon and given a personal thanks from the president. Cameras were watching them intently, and the audience clapped with applause as soon as the last ribbon was placed and they took their communal bow.

He had won a medal of freedom, not that he had asked for it. Sunburst reached up to trail a hoof along its blue ribbon, considering it. He would rather have heard the clapping instead of gently feeling the vibration against his hooves. The fact that he could feel the clapping like that was odd, but minds were a powerful thing, adapting. He couldn't hear, so he paid more attention to other senses he normally paid little heed to.

He would have traded it back for hearing, but he would work with what he had.

Twilight's horn glowed as she scribbled with a pen on the paper. She looked up at a knocking. "Who is it?"

"Just me," replied a male voice, a bullish snout peeking in through the door. "She's back. You asked me to tell you."

"Oh, yes!" Twilight set her pen down as she clopped her hooves excitedly. "Send her in."

Copper Bell entered, dressed simply. "I was told you wished to see me, Princess?"

"Yes." Twilight pointed to the seat across the desk from herself. "Please, relax. I was told before this that you were a low-level bureaucrat?"

Copper sank gently into the provided seat. "I administered several departments. They assigned me where they wanted someone who would take a stern eye at things that faced the public and needed things shaken up. I don't have a prestigious family, and I don't care for fame, so I was considered less corruptible than most."

"You had no desire for money either?" pressed Twilight with one raised brow.

"All I want is a roof and enough to not struggle. The rest, I give to others. There are so many that do not have even that." She snorted softly. "Please, forgive me. That trial was... I will never forget it."

Twilight inclined her head towards a television that rested in the corner. "I was able to watch some of it... It was... in some ways, far less gruesome than I had feared. They have so many guns, I admit I thought they would be used more in the judicial process."

"No, no..." Copper shook her head softly. "They are a people of laws, and the laws have specific punishments, many of them involving imprisonment, not unlike your Tartarus." She rolled a hand softly. "You two are alike."

Twilight blanched at that, jerking back with perked ears. "I wouldn't go that far! We only send the absolute worst, beyond redemption, to Tartarus."

Copper smiled faintly. "And how many have you released from Tartarus? Do you attempt to reform them, to guide their broken minds?"

Twilight glanced about. "I'm glad to report that no creature has been sent to Tartarus within my lifetime, barring one that was sent back there after rampaging across our entire country!" She suddenly coughed into a hoof. "Putting that aside, your country has need of you. I would like to see you on the new council. Do you accept my nomination?"

"Am I the first?" Her eyes were on Twilight squarely, taking measure of her.

"You are not." Twilight's horn glowed as a paper came free of a filing cabinet and settled on the desk between them. "I have secured four council members at this point. I was hoping this progress could accelerate, as five members is sufficient to reach proper quorum, meaning you and the other council members could start filling your ranks without me."

Copper's ears flattened to the sides. "That eager to be rid of us?"

"That eager to see you standing on your own hooves," corrected Twilight with a smile. "Your people are more than... this. My research implies that, had they not been... attacked..."

"Killed," she flatly countered.

"Yes, that... If not for that, the council would have stopped the war long before... a lot of things happened." She rolled a hoof softly. "While it is a pity it began to start, there were extenuating circumstances and I think the best thing that can be done is to have your people up and moving, which requires a government of your own people, not me."

Copper's ears lifted faintly, the reserve fading. "I see..." A soft smile touched her lips. "I must be growing paranoid in my age. You are, in the end, a pony, and one that has proven her benign nature at that. Very well, I would accept this nomination. Tell me this, Princess, does that mean the American soldiers are leaving?"

"Only when you have your own guards or police force." Twilight nodded softly. "Right now, they are protecting you. If one misbehaves, you have every right to report them for censure and potential removal after investigation. They're here for you, not to oppress you." She brought her forehooves together. "I look forward to when they are not required."

Copper suddenly offered a hand. "I have work to do. Where are the other council members?" She had clear goals in mind, and it wouldn't come without getting to work.

"President Crane," came the soft tones of the pony ruler. "I had not expected to hear from you."

"Not the president anymore, but good to hear from you too. I have a question I feel only a pony could possibly answer." He paced in his living room, speaking to the ruler across the world.

"If I can help, I gladly will. What is troubling you?" She could hear his worry, and sounded sympathetic. "I trust you were not harmed during... that."

"No... no." His particular town hadn't even been attacked. It was as if it never happened, for him. "It's not about that. Tell me, do you know what, or who, Harmony is?"

Unseen, she hiked a brow at her phone. "Harmony is a concept. We all strive towards it, with varying levels of success. What a curious question; may I ask what prompts it?"

"I..." Well, she was a magic horse. Magic wasn't that strange, right? "I had what you could call a 'vision', with a pony that called itself Harmony. She looked like Princess Sparkle, but she insisted she was not Twilight. What would you gather from that?"

"How very strange..." Celestia frowned softly in thought, tapping her chin. "The only physical presence of harmony we are aware of is the Tree of Harmony, wherein rests the Elements of Harmony, but they are artifacts, immobile and typically non-conversant... The very idea that they could, even if they could at all, reach you from such a distance... Unfortunately, Twilight isn't available."

Not Available? "Where is she?"

"Re-forming the council, for the minotaurs," Celestia advised gently. "She will return as soon as that is complete. Hm, ah! Another idea occurs to me. The friendship map is attached to the tree."

"Friendship... map?" Only ponies could possibly have something called that. "And where is that?"

"In Twilight's castle. I will call Starlight and inform her you're coming." There was a brief pause. "Are you coming?"

Well... "That would be one way to confirm what's going on. Putting that aside a moment, have you spoken with Queen Ruddertail recently?"

"Not immediately... We last spoke during the last EFC meeting, which I'm afraid I'm not at liberty to go into details about. You know how that is."

"I do. I'm not asking for privileged information, but... did she seem... well?"

There was a moment of quiet. "That is a heavy question."

"I ask as a friend."

He could somehow hear her smile. "That is a good way to ask... As a friend, I fear she is hurt, inside. She suffered greatly..."

"What about you?"

"I... am managing. I suffered my own losses, but none as terrible as hers. Of the nations attacked, the lutrai were the most dire. This is common knowledge, have you not been watching your news?"

He hadn't... "I'm sorry. The ponies and the otters didn't deserve that."

"No creature deserved that," she softly sighed into the phone. "I am glad it is done and hope it never is repeated. Are you coming?"

"I'll arrange a flight. There are no airports in Ponyville." He remembered that was where Twilight's castle was.

"There is not," she agreed, "But there are landing points in Manehatten and Baltimare, then you can catch the train to Ponyville. Forgive us, we're still catching up with your people's needs for global movement. It is... nice, in some ways. It's a friendship between people, and I can't fault that. Come then, and text me when and where you'll land. I'll see that you're taken care of as a friend of our people should be."

Though the infrastructure damage was considerable, it created countless sudden new positions. There simply weren't enough trained laborers to build bridges and erect buildings, and people without jobs found themselves able to secure such positions with on-the-job training being thrown in the package.

America was healing, and became the hub through which goods traveled. With the concessions agreed upon by the other nations that had participated in the war, but were not as damaged, goods were shipped to America for refinement and packaging before moving out to where they were most needed, both internally and abroad.

American planes delivered aid packages to the ailing minotaurs and the devastated lutrai. Ponies cheered when great packages of cement and building supplies arrived for them on greatly burdened ships to reconstruct their cities.

Though the formerly TSDI nations were not EFC, they were rapidly catching up to EFC codes for travel and conduct, the idea of passports and documentation spreading across the world as more nations had it than did not, applying pressure on the holdouts that had been resisting the idea.

"Wouldn't anyone cry?" posited a man, gesturing up at a screen. "However terrible she was, she was his mother."

"A mother who killed millions of people," hotly rebutted another speaker, slamming a fist down. "He was doing it for public sympathy, and it didn't even work."

"He was inconsolable long after the cameras were turned off," retorted the first. "They were already on poor terms. Maybe I'm the only person, but I've had fights with family members, they're still family. I still care about them. You don't just turn that off."

"If he cared, he should have stopped her from doing all of... that."

"Nobody even knew!" exclaimed the first throwing up his hands. "No one. He came halfway across the world just to be with her at the final moment. That's dedication, and doing what's right."

A third voice joined, the camera panning to the actual host of the show, "what more are asking is, what really happened? Never has a person 'evaporated' on being executed. Stay tuned for our theories."

Author's Note

The world, it is starting to move forward. Crane has things to investigate before he rushes off, but what is this, English isn't being force-translated on the Internet? How curious...

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106 - Harmony

The soft sounds of rolling wheels on tracks were steady and rhythmic. Crane was on a long bench clearly designed for the comfort of ponies. For him, it was a bit low, but served its purpose well enough. Ponies were scattered about the train car, some talking to each other in happy little chats, others looked patient, or excited. They were just people, like humans, traveling.

And he was another, not especially special in their eyes it seemed. Except for the little colt that was staring at him from just across from him, facing him. His mother(?) was asleep, passing the time.

"What's it like?" asked the little pony, enormous little eyes on him.

"What's what like?" he asked safely, rather than assuming what the colt could be asking.

"Being all... smooth. I'm smooth right after a shower, but then I'm cold. Are you cold? I bet they have blankets." He clopped his little hooves together. "Want me to find one?!"

"I'm fine, I promise." He smiled a little, amused at the antics. "We get used to it, even without fur coats. That's why I wear this." He gently tugged at his own coat, artificial though it was. "Thank you for offering."

"Welcome!"

He would be in Ponyville soon, heart of... well not a lot, except where Twilight came from. It was of no specific importance to Equestria, so far as he was aware, other than it had been entirely free of fatalities in the Great Attack. How did that happen?

"We, as a people, made grave mistakes." Copper directed a gavel at one otter that stood in the middle of the courtroom. "One of which, I believe, was restricting our council to those of 'pure blood'. I second the nomination of Shiwa."

The other council members gave their votes. "Third."

"Fourth."

"I motion against."

But the ayes were in easy majority. An otter would join them, breaking a generational tradition of only bulls reaching the lofty heights of councilmember. Shiwa ascended the steps and sat down with them, becoming their sixth just like that. The next came in as a gavel was struck. They all had a council to form.

Hoku watched from just outside. He was on guard duty, his life since the war ended, but a little smile was on his face. Part of him had simmered with anger at the nation he defended, but there was a revenge most insidious. To see one of his own become one of their highest leaders chased some of that ill will away. "Do well," he barely breathed out, hoping that lady otter would be the best councilmember they had ever witnessed.

Crane stepped off the train, ducking under the doorway. They were perfectly tall enough for a pony to trot through without a worry, but they were four-legged, and spent most of their time far lower to the ground. He was the only human in clear sight, for he was the minority.

It was a strange new feeling, being that minority. Normally, he was the majority of majority for most of his life. In that place, he wasn't even the right species, let alone worrying about phenotypes. Thankfully, ponies milled past him without a worry, most loo--

"Hi!" interrupted his thoughts, a pink pony bouncing in front of him where she had not been a moment before. "Welcome to Ponyville! I'm Pinkie Pie, what's your, oh wait, I remember you!" She pointed a hoof at him in a strong thrust. "You're President Bird!"

"Not a president anymore," He gently raised a hand flat. "Roland Crane, nice to meet you."

"That's a kind of bird." She clopped herself right in the face before offering the same hoof towards him. "Nice to meet you, again, Rolie! What brings you to Ponyville?"

That was not a nickname he was used to, though it brought an amused smirk at her energetic delivery of it. "Nice to meet you as well, Miss Pie." He balled his fist and bumped it against her hoof, which only made her smile all the more. "I'm looking for Twilight's Castle."

"Can't miss it!" She turned quickly and pointed up at the towering... tower of purple crystal. "She's not here right now. I hear she's coming back soon! I can't wait. The school hasn't been the same without her."

"I was told a 'Starlight' would meet me there?"

"Oh! That makes sense. Follow me!" She began bouncing away. "She's a nice mare. Have you met her before?"

Being a town, he was less surprised that most people knew most other people. He followed after Pinkie, weaving through town towards the tower that was his target. "I know her, yes. You reminded me, I hear war touched this town, but I see no signs of it."

"We fixed it." She shrugged softly. "Seriously, we have calamities kinda often around here, we're used to rebuilding. Thankfully nopony was hurt too bad."

"You're welcome." Stepping out of literally nothing came a strange towering bipedal form of mismatching animal parts. "And when were you going to tell me you had distinguished guests? I'm not even dressed."

Roland watched with a dazed expression as the strange creature drew a curtain from nowhere across himself and pushed it away, revealing a sharp business attire across his nonsensical form. "Hello...?"

"Yes yes, hello." He offered a hand like a princess might to be kissed. "Former-president Crane, I do presume?"

Crane eyed the hand, glancing towards Pinkie, who was shrugging helplessly. "Er, yes, that is me. I--"

"It's a pleasure to meet you." He suddenly grabbed Crane's right hand, shaking it vigorously. "Thank you for sending my dear Fluttershy home nice and safe."

"This is Discord." Pinkie gestured with her head. "He's harmless."

"Harmless? Me?!" He put a hand to his chest, looking offended. "Why I never!"

"Forgive me, but I had meant to see Starlight." He gestured past Discord, towards the castle.

"Starlight? Hmmph, everyone seems to want a piece of her, but here's a perfectly functional spirit of chaos right here, and does anyone come looking for that? Oh no, let's talk with the magic former-dictator instead." He rolled his eyes mightily, scoring a double six in his sockets.

"Hold... on. Spirit of chaos?" Roland raised a brow at the thought of it. The strange figure looked... discordant to start. "I didn't catch your name, Mister...?"

Discord made an underhanded lob, focing Roland to quickly move his hands to catch what was thrown. It was a word, Discord, each letter in a different font, some of them were alive, the i's dot looking at him as a blinking eye. "And now you have."

Roland dropped the disquieting name, though it vanished before hitting the ground. "Oh, Discord then?"

"The one and only." He was suddenly beside Roland, half-wrapped around him. "Now what brings a fellow biped to this quiet little village?"

Well, if he was a spirit of chaos... "Do you know about 'Harmony'?"

Discord recoiled with a frown. "Ugh, distasteful. What about it?" He made cleaning motions with his hands as if to be clear of the taint of the word.

"I'm here to find out what she did, and wants."

"Wait, she?" He raised a brow. "When did, ugh, harmony get a gender?" He leaned forward suddenly. "Actually that does explain a few things, hm... Regardless, are you off to the Tree then?" He hiked a thumb towards the Everfree.

Pinkie shook her head rapidly. "He's going to the castle." She pointed up towards the castle. "He's meeting Starlight, remember?"

Roland resumed his walk, trusting the others would move with him, which they did. "I was told that harmony is more of a concept than a specific person, but what I spoke to was a 'thing', rather than a concept. It could speak and... seemed... individual."

"It is," easily agreed Discord. "The force of boringness, yawn. If you were talking to a single thing... Then I have a new rival." He suddenly balled up his hands, shaking them giddily. "I never had a rival before! Do you think we'll exchange threatening letters? Maybe we could duel at dawn. How romantic!"

Roland wasn't sure how to approach that. "Well, I mean to find out one way or the other. If they did as I believe they did, they have much to answer for."

"Ooo, partners!" Discord threw his arms out wide. "Today is quite the day; I got a rival and someone that shares my burning need to best them. Lead the way."

Pinkie gigglesnorted as she bounced along. "You two are hilarious. Let me check if Starlight is home." She suddenly galloped ahead of the other two, streaking up towards the door and knocking on it eagerly. "Starlight! Open up!"

The door opened, but it was not Starlight. "Hey Pinkie," greeted Spike with a waving hand. "What's up?"

"What's down!" She pointed down the hill to where Discord and Roland were approaching. "They're here to see Starlight, is she in?"

"She should be. Hey, isn't that the human president?" He squinted at the approaching figure.

"Not anymore. Roland Crane is his name. I'll get her!" She streaked in past Spike, seeking out Starlight.

Spike shrugged softly before opening the doors wider. "Welcome!" He waved at Roland and bro-hoofed with Discord amiably. "Our home is your home and all that."

"Ever the gentlepony," complimented Discord with a flutter of his lashes. "This is Spike, but I think you met him?"

"We have, though only briefly." Roland offered a hand, shaking with Spike firmly. "Is Starlight in? I was told she is expecting me."

"Right here." Starlight came rushing to the door, Pinkie right behind her. "Oh sheesh!" Her eyes went from Discord to Roland. "Everycreature's come to say hello at once today. Celestia said you wanted to see the map, right?"

"Oh why didn't you say so?" Discord lifted his shoulders. "I could have just taken you there and saved us a walk."

Starlight pointed up at him. "Some creatures prefer to knock before they charge into some other creature's home. At least Mister Crane here has manners. This way." She turned away and trotted into the castle.

"Forgive me for asking, but when you say spirit of chaos, do you mean the spirit of chaos or a spirit of chaos?" Roland was following Starlight as he asked, but the others were coming right along, though Spike had veered off to do something else without a word.

"That would be telling," spoke Discord in a teasing tone, a smirk on his face. "If you're asking if every single matter of chance is something I personally make happen, no, that would be boring, and exhausting. I wouldn't have enough hours in the day."

"Hm..."

"There it is." Starlight gestured grandly at the map that was surrounded by thrones, each with the cutie mark of the pony it belonged to. "As you can see, no friendship emergencies at current. Not sure what you plan to do with it, but don't hurt it."

Roland stepped towards it, looking over the bedazzingly detailed map of Equestria. "How interesting..." What amazed him was that the worst hit places still showed signs of that damage, as if he were viewing a live satellite view instead of a static image. "Magic, I presume?"

"One of the more magic things I know," agreed Starlight.

"There's my family farm!" Pinkie pointed proudly at the rock farm.

Discord rapped on the map lightly. "Hey, 'Harmony' or whatever your name is. My buddy Rollie wants to talk to you. Come on out and play."

A sudden glyph appeared, a cutie mark circling over a specific part of the Everfree forest, but it wasn't a cutie mark. It was a bald eagle, the seal of the United States, arrows in one talon, shield on its chest, a vine in the other talon.

Starlight pointed towards the Everfree vaguely. "I think you got your answer. I'm assuming that's supposed to be you."

Discord was suddenly garbed in a scout's attire. "Into the wilderness! We may never return, but we will find answers!"

Author's Note

Answers, we're in hunt of them. What will we find?

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107 - Where the Timberwolves Howl

"Watch your step," warned Discord just an instant before Roland stumbled over some large roots. "See?"

Roland was doing his best, but wild survival was not really his specialty. He pressed on despite it, despite the sweat that was building and the ache in his muscles that insisted that going back to civilization would have been the best course of action. There were answers he needed.

"Sir." One of the tailing agents had closed the distance. "We can't keep a distance in here. We trust you don't object?"

"No, no... it's fine." He waved it off, hurrying to catch up with Discord.

"You have guards? I thought you weren't El Presidente anymore." He wore the stereotypical hat and moustache of a third world dictator, grinning foolishly. "I had thought they were fans of yours."

"Well, they are in a sense, but no, they are guards." He climbed up and over a log. "Presidents get guarded for life. It's an American thing."

"Huh..." He glanced to the right, where another Discord hid behind a tree in spy-like attire. "Everything clear?" The spy nodded silently before fading into the foliage. "Well, alright then."

The group became larger, with the three servicemen that had been sent to watch Roland no longer even trying to be out of sight. In the forest the options were be in sight, or be woefully out of contact.

The thick vegetation gave way to a a path that led up to a castle, and down to the bottom of a gorge. Discord pointed to the downwards stairs. "Down there is the tree you're hunting for. You know, not often you see someone hunting a tree. They make for awful sport."

"This tree is possibly guilty of a great crime." He pulled at his coat, trying to assemble himself as he descended the steps. "She has many answers, and I have just as many questions."

Mobile Coral gently embraced her daughter. "Ready to be a big girl?"

"I can do it!" vigorously agreed the unique child. "Thank you for trusting me."

Mobile had wanted to homeschool her child. Her husband, Tim, had agreed at first that it was likely for the best, considering the satyr nature of their daughter, but Swift Swim had insisted... She wanted normal school with other kids.

Tim ruffled the top of his daughter's head. "You go and make some friends, learn some things. Now, you'll probably know some stuff the teacher goes over, but don't be a show off, help the other students that are still learning it."

"I'll be good," Swift Swim promised as she danced away from him. "See you later!" She waved wildly before clip-clopping away, the only student in the school that made clip-clop noises but also had reaching hands.

Tim and Mobile leaned against each other, both filled with hopeful fears for their child. "Uh, Tim... I have some news."

"Is it about Swift?" He turned away from the door as it closed, sealing Swift inside the building for the day.

"Eh, sorta?" Mobile grinned a bit lopsidedly. "She will soon be an older sister."

"Oh. Wait." He stepped back, just realizing the implication. "Again?!"

Mobile raised a brow. "You keep doing the baby making thing, then you're surprised when a baby happens? Do I need to explain the process to you, dear but silly husband?" She rolled her eyes softly. "It won't be my first time. I know what to expect this time, and we know I can do it without exploding."

"Yeah, yeah... we'll be fine." He clapped his hands together. "Congratulations!"

"Why are you congratulating me? This is our child, Tim. Ours." She reared up and planted a beaked-smooch on his cheek. "Our family is growing."

"Don't forget to tell what's-her-face, Novo, that's it. Call Novo." He was pointing towards the beach. "I imagine she'd like to know."

"Good call." Mobile clapped eagerly before grabbing for her cell phone. "This isn't news to keep to ourselves, and I can tell her Swift Swim's off to kindergarten while I'm at it. Kid garden; that's such a cute name! What crazy language did it come from? It's not Ponish."

"German, I think?" Tim shrugged softly, far from an expert. "They better treat our little sprout right."

With their attempt to be covert blown, they didn't bother to withdraw even as the need to be in sight faded. The party of five descended towards the great cave that held the potential god-like being that had stolen their language.

There was the tree, rising humbly in its cave, crystals embedded in several branches, the Elements of Harmony. It was more of a modern art installation than anything else. Discord shivered softly. "Ugh, being this close... 'She' better come out and talk after all this."

"I am glad to see you." A fake Twilight stepped out from behind the tree, her eyes not focused properly on anyone there, just looking out into the distance. "You have brought friends."

"Bet that makes her happy," stage-whispered Discord.

"It does," she agreed with not a hint of worried emotion. "I am glad you came. I had not expected it."

Roland dared to approach the being of uncertain nature or power. "You were the one that said to come, were you not?"

"I was, but that was my first knowing that you had arrived. I thought I had counseled you visit the other leaders that needed you."

"We have things to discuss before we get to that." Roland looked over the fake Twilight, but he wasn't sure how much he could get from it. The fake twilight sparkled and was faintly transparent. It was a construct, made to talk. "First, why? Why did you take our languages away?"

Harmony tilted her head faintly. "I did not."

"Oh, uh..." Discord rubbed behind his head. "That was kinda me. Didn't like it? You speak Ponish like a pro."

"(You did this?!)" He wheeled on the chaos spirit he had thought was becoming a friend.

Discord shrugged softly. "It would have happened anyway. I just hurried it along."

He took a slow breath, gathering himself. "Why? And you know English?"

"" he spoke in smooth French, twirling a thin moustache he hadn't had a moment before. "[Or would you prefer this one?]" he asked with a rough German tongue. "I admit I'm fairly used to Ponish."

Harmony stepped forward, placing a wing towards Roland and Discord, separating them. "What is done cannot be undone. When you said this was harmful to your people, I used the strength I had gained to cease it, but I fear it will not do as you hope."

Roland's attention slipped to the order spirit. "Wait, I still have questions. If you can see everything--"

"--I cannot," she gently denied. "Discord, you are a creature of similar power, can you see everything?"

"At once? I tried that once, what a headache." He rubbed his head as if soothing the migraine caused. "Wait, similar power? Are you saying--"

"I am saying we are ideal rivals." She offered a hoof towards him. "Let us vie in good natured ways."

Discord shook his balled hands in giddy anticipation. "Ooo, how lovely!" He touched balled fist to hoof. "You're on, prepare to go down."

"Yes, well, what were you aware of?" he pressed, hoping for more information.

"I was aware of the arrival of a new people. I had hoped harmony would swell and with it, my power would grow, but weakness came instead. War and distrust grew dangerously, but the pony who's body I am emulating worked as my agent, putting to bed that hurtful chaos and ushering in peace and harmony."

Roland raised a finger. "Wait. Princess Sparkle is your agent?"

"Not knowingly... And her time passes. Already I groom what will follow. They will know me better." Her eyes focused, slightly, as if recognizing Roland as a specific entity for just a moment. "You have worked as my agent, but you did not know me. You spread harmony, and could spread more. There are those that need you."

The finger turned into a hand, and the other joined it. "Stop there. I still need to know what you knew. When the war was going on, the big one, the real one, where were you?" He wheeled in Discord. "And you, now that I think about it. You're both basically little godlings."

"I was minding my own business, thank you." He buffed at his chest lightly. "They taught me to not go imposing my flavor of fun on the world, so I didn't. I only acted when it fell in my back yard."

That clicked. "You're why Ponyville had no lethalities?"

"Didn't I say that?" Discord shrugged softly. "That attack was like a sugar rush. I bet Harmony was never feeling smaller as the world burned, but I had all the power I wanted, so I just decided, nope. So it wasn't."

"Why didn't you do that for everyone!" barked Rolan. "Millions of good people died that day, and you just spared one little town?"

He reached out, tapping the former president right on the nose. "There you go, assuming things. Can't see everything. I dealt with what I did see, and did a fine job of it, thank you."

"Thank you," suddenly spoke Harmony. "You spared an agent of mine."

Roland let out a slow breath, looking between the two beings that could likely destroy him and his servicemen if they wanted to. "You, Harmony, were able to reach my dreams, once. If you can go that far--"

"--I cannot normally." She lifted her shoulders in a shrug, though her eyes were focused on the same distant point. "The relief and harmony of peace's declaration gave me the power, but that has faded. I could but speak once, and hope it was enough. You taught me things."

Discord echoed the shrug. "I know that feeling. It was like I was king of the world, but it faded. Pity that..."

"I could get much done, but that is not my purpose. I do not wish it. I would have people act, not to act in their place. I encouraged your action, instead of comforting Ruddertail myself, for it is your ability, not mine. She would resent my presence, and she would be right to do so."

Discord clapped his hands suddenly. "Just like I keep trying to teach those girls how to do things instead of fixing all their problems for them. Huh, rivals really do mirror you when they're done properly." He squinted at the spirit of order, considering her.

Harmony pointed to Twilight's castle, though it was not visible, she knew the direction innately. "I speak with calls to action. The map you have seen is my most direct method. 'Go here'. I say little, but that is enough."

"And that is what you did with me. You pointed me at a problem."

"I did it wrong," confessed Harmony. "I should have given you direction of where to go, instead of burdening you with more. It distracted you, and now you are here, instead of assisting the queen. This is my failing, and my responsibility. I accept this failure."

"Ha! Even Order can get things wrong." He looked oh so smug about the idea of it.

"I was wrong by deviating from what has worked before. It was a touch of chaos that led me astray." Though she was speaking to Discord, she never turned her head towards him. "You now know all I can tell you. Will you go?"

Ultimately, the thing he had come to hold accountable was not the one. Which left... "What do you mean, it would have happened anyway?"

Discord shrugged softly. "Always does, just a way the world works. It's like this planet hates new languages or something. (Don't ask me, I didn't make it up.) I don't see anything wrong with a few extra tongues." He extended three tongues at once, each flickering in a different direction.

Author's Note

How infuriated should Roland be at Discord? Is there much left to be pissed at Harmony about?

Will Swift Swim be the cutest little k-grader in her class?!

(The answer to the last one is yes.)

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108 - Agent of Harmony

He had little more to ask Harmony. Her motivations seemed simple, and she hadn't actually done anything wrong. "Just one last thing. If you are harmony, as a global thing, why are you in the pony's country, as a pony even when visiting a not-pony?"

Harmony inclined her head faintly. "It was the ponies that created me. It was a different group of ponies that urged my growth. Ponies can be very harmonious. My next agents will be more diverse, this is already in action. I only regret that I have... had... no human agent, but then you came. Will you act?"

That was a hell of a recruitment line. "If it's to be a decent person, I'll do that without prompting."

"Gentle prompts are all I will do," assured the demi-god. "Thank you for coming. She needs you."

Discord hiked a thumb at her even as he turned to go. "What a slave driver."

"I don't think she--" He had faced Discord, then looked back, and she was gone, just the tree remained with no fake-Twilight standing before it. "Hmm. If she asks me to do something I wouldn't do, I won't do it. I feel certain she can still hear that." He turned back for the stairs leading up out of the hole. "I still have questions for you, and a note of thanks.

Discord hiked a brow. "Of thanks?" He easily kept up with Crane's movement. "I thought you were upset about the whole (language) thing?"

"Your sudden action made what could have struck us without knowing into a very obvious effect, for some of us." He glanced towards the quiet servicemen that accompanied them. "Do any of you still know (English)?"

One of the three raised a hand. "(I learned little Ponish,)" he explained as he went.

"Right, can you fix that?" Roland ascended the stairs one after the other, undoing the day's travel. "Just, pop, put English back in everyone's head?"

Discord lifted his shoulders. "There are limits. That magic was already there, already working, and I hurried it forward. That's a lot easier than doing it all myself. My power rush came and left, I mentioned that."

And it had saved little Ponyville from the sting of war, but little else. Roland frowned softly, but could think of no specific argument about how feasible being a godling doing an act of world-impacting magic was. "At least we can preserve it." Without a bevy of technological trickery, at least. "With the war over, are you weak?"

Discord raised a brow higher than his head. "Weak, me? As if. People produce more than enough chaos without a war mucking things up. In fact, your little country is a hotbed of almost constant chaos. Not enough for that rush, but enough to not be worried about losing to Harmony any time soon." As if to display how fine he was, he snapped his fingers and they were not about to head into the Everfree proper, instead they were all emerging from from the forest as if they had just finished the walk, though their watches agreed that the movement had been instant.

"You could have taken us directly to the tree, I assume?"

"I could have." He shrugged softly. "But what's the fun in that? You got to tour the Everfree, a thing few other humans could claim just yet. Besides, using chaos to bring others to Harmony? That hardly sounds proper. Using chaos to bring others from Harmony, now we're talking." He smirked softly with a little chuckle. "Me, a rival... This will be interesting. Well, have fun!" He waved a little before casually winking out of existence.

Paul Goldstein, who was also a changeling, smiled at the room full of people. "I'm glad you could all make it," he started. "Have you ever looked in the mirror and weren't sure who was looking back at you? I've been there, and I'm here to lend a helping hand."

The crowd softly applauded, eager to be there.

"Before we get too far, I want to remind a few people I see already having second thoughts. This class is offered on a sliding scale. We only ask that people give what they can, and not a penny more than that. Now, let's get into the meat of things. The nature of identity." It was certainly a thing he had personal experience with, living as a third person in his life.

"We can give you hearing," stated clear electronic words held in the human's hands. The words vanished to be replaced with new ones, "it will require surgery, but we can do it." He swiped the screen the words were on, bringing up a page about cochlear implants.

Sunburst reached a hoof and his horn glowed, bringing the tablet closer to read. "I heard about these," he said out loud, though he couldn't be sure he was speaking it loud enough, or too loud. "But it's not the same, right?"

The man reached to swipe on to the next page that explained the difference between such an implant and normal hearing. "For people with functioning nerves but a damaged ear, this can allow hearing and interpretation of voices." There were a lot of caveats there underneath it, but it was quite confident that it allowed that.

Sun reached up to paw at one of his fuzzy ears. So far as he knew, his nerves were fine, just the inside of his ears were wrecked. Still... "This has to be expensive."

The human swiped a few pages forward to where it proclaimed he could get one at no cost.

"What's the catch?" Sunburst hiked a brow. Humans were many things, but he hadn't known them for being very generous with medical anything.

The man started to gesture slowly. Sign Language.

But Sunburst hadn't learned sign language. "Uh, can you write it down please?" Ponies didn't have fingers to do sign language, which had dissuaded him from even trying to learn it. And humans couldn't do pony sign language, with its many ear and tail motions. The world spoke one language, until you were deaf.

The human reclaimed his tablet and got to tapping at it.

You seem like the kind of pony that would appreciate frank honesty. Performing this procedure on you is good PR. We'll restore hearing to a medal-winning champion of liberty, which is good for us. You get your hearing back, which is obviously good for you.

Sunburst tapped at his chin softly. "I see..." He would be a spokespony for them, just by existing and hearing through their efforts. It did mean it was in their best interest that he hear then, so he doubted they'd mess that up. "So you'll give me the best you have? You want me to say how good it is, right?"

The very best

He typed quickly before turning the tablet back to Sunburst to see.

What a hero deserves.

While he wanted to say yes, he instead raised a hoof. "Have you ever tried this on a pony before? Are our ears exactly the same?"

Your inner ears are the same. This sound will not be the same sound you heard before your sacrifice, but it will be sound that you hear.

Sound that he could hear. That... He felt a drop land on his hoof and realized it had come from his own face. "Sorry." He wiped it away, trying to compose himself. "I... need to think about this."

"In a surprising bit of weather news, a hurricane was entirely avoided." She gestured to the right where a window appeared, showing the trajectory of a hurricane that had been moving towards Florida before curving quite suddenly away. "Pegasi from across the state took flight in a cooperative mission, deflecting the troublesome weather from ever touching the ground."

The window switched to show a pegasus stallion, smiling at the camera. "Don't worry!" he assured with a big grin. "We'll let in just the right amount of rain to keep things happy, no storms."

A mare leaned in off camera. "And we'll make rain when there isn't enough. That's what you pay us for." They performed a high-five, but used their wings, not hooves or hands. "Let's go!" They took off away from the camera and the window closed.

"In other news, a handful of griffons have joined the weather pegasi, insisting they are equally capable of weather control."

Another window appeared, showing three griffons with a pegasus mare pacing back and forth in front of them. "You listen to what I say, do what I do, and I'll have you molding clouds like nocreature's business!"

"Yes, Ma'am!" they barked as one, even if one stuck out his tongue when she wasn't looking.

"In other news, the Internet has reached the Equestrian mainland, with plans already rolling out to expand from there to other countries that reside on the same continent. Equestria now has its own top-level domain, so expect new sites to appear using .eq at the end."

She gestured to the left. "Former president Roland Crane visited the war torn Lutrai yesterday. He was welcomed with open arms."

A new window appeared, showing Roland smiling and waving at cheering otters. A new figure rushed forward to the Secret Service's obvious dismay, but they didn't stop Queen Ruddertail from jumping on him. She hugged him fiercely and though it was hard to hear over the cheers of others, she was saying a lot of things in too much of a hurry.

"He's gone to visit with his family and is expecting to stay for an indefinite time."

The window changed to show Roland facing the camera. "The lutrai lost a lot fighting alongside us. They threw themselves into the effort without a moment of hesitation, and lending a hand in return is the least we can do. I've left my personal projects in good hands for the moment while I see to this equally important matter."

"Mister Crane's linguistic preservation society has been receiving greater attention these days," explained the newscaster, gesturing as a new window appeared showing the website that housed it and also clips of classes. "With a dozen teachers and growing, it is Roland Crane's hope to at least archive English and other languages as best as can be done. Those wishing to learn these dead languages can do so in his school."

The window showed a trio of striped equines, zebras facing the camera. "(We have learned English here,)" stated one.

"(We are honored,)" spoke the second.

"We hope to learn our own, to share it in return. Let it not be alone, A place here to earn." All three of them nodded at the sentiment of getting their native Zebrican language inducted into the linguistic society to be preserved.

The newscaster tapped her papers on the desk. "What a time to be alive. With peace sweeping the globe, outlooks are sunny for the future. Even what we thought were animals are proving to be potential friends." A new window popped into being, showing a tatzlwyrm pointing with its tendrils at various letters and words, communicating with a smiling hippogriff. "Preliminary studies show that tatzlwyrms are likely to be approved for creature status, with all the privileges and obligations that brings."

"Our brave soldiers are coming home! The new council of the minotaurs has succeeded in forming a basic police force. As per the peace agreements, they will have no offensive army, but a modest defensive force has emerged, ready to serve its peoples' needs." A window popped up, showing soldiers arriving home, waving and smiling. A Hoku was among them, waving from beside his two squaddies.

"Do you understand why you lost?" A baleful set of eyes glared at the set of villains. "Why you were destroyed? Why your dreams were snatched from you just when victory seemed to be a sweet taste on your rotten tongues?"

A cloven hoof came down, just barely in view as it slammed the stone. "I'll tell you why!"

Author's Note

And.... fin? I feel like that's a fin. The patreon funding this wanted this wrapped up this month, and this sure feels like an ending (With a teaser if ever a sequel were to happen).

The world is safe, for now. Things are growing and healing. Surely nothing will go wrong!

Did you reserve your .eq website?!

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57 - Slow and Steady

"Envelopes." He slapped the board with a marker, drawing another circle around the picture of the rocket. "The air isn't 'rushing to get away'. Things form envelopes. Power, be it magic or otherwise, seems to repel the air, creating an envelope. The more power provided, the stronger the envelope becomes and the less wind actually touches the speeding object. Less air, less friction."

"Why are commercial planes suffering so much then?" asked another scientist, wagging a pen at the first man.

"I have a theory for that, unproven, of course. A hypothesis at best." He drew little lines coming out of the back of the ship. "The source of the power creates the envelope. The increased strain reported by the planes makes perfect sense when you think of it that way. The wings are creating the envelopes, but the main body is not."

A woman suddenly stood up. "The wings are trying to tear away from the plane!"

"And failing," agreed the first man. "The result is drag, and plenty of it, not to mention metal fatigue where the envelope ends."

"The rockets worked..." The second man put a hand to his head. "Because the whole thing is a power source. That explains the color patterns we saw. This is genius, if it pans out."

"Big if." The female shrugged softly. "Did you already share this idea?"

"How could I not. We need a manufacturer on board to help test these things."

Their conversation turned towards specifics, to try planes with dramatically different designs to see if they could get the envelope to encase the entire plane, just like pegasi, griffons, and hippogriffs (how were they not a hybrid species of the former two?!) covered themselves in them.

Mankind would prevail over this new challenge.

"Let's make some hybrids." The tipsy woman slapped the back of the stallion she was standing next to. The pony glanced at her nervously and began to wander away without a word.

"Yer loss." She flopped against the rail, looking out over the ship. She had taken the cruise to get away from it all. Her failed romantic life had driven her to look for other things, trying desperately to piece her life together. "Get it together..." she quietly chastised herself. The drinks she had filled herself with were not helping.

With a soft clip-clop another pony approached. A warm snout nuzzled into her dangling hand and she reflexively squeezed her fingers, capturing the pony.

He squeaked and fell back onto his haunches. "I heard you were lonely," he quickly defended himself.

"Yeah?" She didn't let him go, instead trailing a finger through his fur. "The kind of lonely I am isn't fixed with any party game."

He smiled a little. "We should get to know each other first, don't you think?"

She quirked a smile at that. The ponies were too pure at times. She turned to him, leaning her side on the rail instead. "Look. I'm horny, lonely, and I thought I'd have a lot more going on with this trip. Can you fix that? I promise we can have some pillow chat afterwards about our favorite colors or whatever."

The stallion seemed to consider it a moment, ears flicking down and up. "Do you promise?"

"Do you promise to not be a cheating asshole?"

His eyes went wide, as if the idea was just terrifying to him.

"Answer enough." She leaned forward and planted a kiss on the end of his furry nose. "Now show me how ponies do it."

He led the way back to his room, blushing the entire way. He would do his best to cheer her up, and he would enjoy the process. He didn't get any pillow chat that night, with her passed out sometime during the activities.

Thankfully, she was open to talking when she came to the next day, whispering softly as he nursed her from her hangover.

It wasn't the most romantic of starts, but it was one.

"High Flight." The engineer waved at the flying pony. "Got a moment?"

The pegasus stallion landed, perching on the rail as if it was a perfectly natural place to land despite being narrow. "What's up, Rob? The captain have another sudden new idea?"

"Mercifully not." Rob smiled at the shared empathy of dealing with their captain's ideas. "Come to think of it, maybe yes, but not the usual kind. Look, I'll be blunt. She likes you, High."

High Flight blinked, wings going erect to either side. "Oh! Oh? I... like a friend?"

"She hopes for more than that, but she's too nervous to say it herself, so here I am."

"I... appreciate you just coming out and saying it." High nodded softly, starting to look a little more relaxed. "But it won't work."

"I know, work relationships can be hard, but--"

"Huh? No. I'm not into mares."

Rob blinked softly, thrown off guard. Ponies had gay people?

"I was actually... kind of hoping you'd notice me, since we're admitting things together." High leaned forward, wings fluttering a bit. "You're so dependable, and kind, and smart. Whenever anycreature has a problem, you're right there with some answers, and I appreciate that." He raised a hoof to his chest. "Do you... like stallions?"

Rob could feel his heart hastening. An alien dude was propositioning him. Sure, it was an alien dude he knew pretty well. He'd worked alongside High Flight for over a year at that point, but... "I'm... straight, sorry. I mean, hey, you keep flying that path." He pointed with both hands at High Flight. "You deserve an awesome boyfriend."

High looked disappointed, wings sagging a bit as he stepped off the rail to the platform properly. "Oh... Well, we can still be friends." He wasn't asking, he was stating what seemed obvious to him. "I do like having you around, even if we're never special someponies."

"Let's not change that." He delivered a gentle patting. Ponies were too nice to pet. They also took rejection surprisingly well. At least, this one did. He had to find out how Sea Flower would take it... "I'll break the news to the captain."

High hissed softly. "I do not envy you there. Good luck, alright?" He spread his wings and took off to take care of other business.

"Do you understand what you are signing up for?" The stern-faced man was facing the cute-faced otter. "This is not an easy job. This is not a forgiving job. This is... How do you put it..."

"Serious serious," finished the Lutrai, clasping his hands together. "I understand that. I am ready. I will fight for my new country and protect it from anything that threatens it."

The fuzzy potential recruit was a resident alien. He was 18 years old. He had... the otter equivalent of a High School degree. "Alright, look... I'll let you get examined, and you can take the test. You fail, that's on you. I'll give you credit for being willing to take it. This is a hard path you're stepping onto, and it never gets that much easier."

"Serious serious," echoed the Lutrai. "I know that. Warriors don't have it easy... but I am ready."

He brought down a hand on a firm slap on the otter's shoulder. "Then make us proud." With a sudden rough shove, he sent the otter staggering towards where he could get examined.

He'd have to pass a test, a written one, long before he'd be allowed anywhere near any physical trappings of even a recruit. He could fail those and be turned away. That interview had been a step.

"It's been over a year!" angrily shouted a sea pony, glaring at her ruler. "Over a year! Where are my friends?!"

"We are still searching for them," assured Novo with gentle placating motions of her hooves. "We are scouring every inch--"

"--Of the sea!" The sea pony twirled in place, gesturing wide. "They're not in the sea! Why haven't you asked the humans? They're good at looking. Make them search the land."

Novo let out a soft sigh, bubbles escaping her. "The humans are in a transitional--"

"--I don't care what they--"

"--I am still your queen," roared Novo suddenly. "I understand you are upset, and you have every right to be, but you will not take it out on me. Now..." She gently composed herself and her smile returned. "I will see what can be done."

The plea to help find the lost Seaquestrians was one of the first issues to cross John's desk. Of course, he knew exactly where the lost sea ponies were... He smiled softly in consideration. It was a chance for decisive action that would set his term to the right tempo.

It would also have other effects...

It was perfect. He quickly made a call. He had military to be commander in chief of.

He got those wheels turning and reached for the next in the stack of things waiting for his eyes.

A new bill. It was a relief plan that Crane had been pushing but didn't get through in time. It was dense with economical actions to help the country recover. He could strike it down, make noise about 'doing it right', and start from the bottom...

But his people were expecting him to help them. The bill looked good. He signed it. He was John Rason, president, who was also a changeling. He would do it right.

Next; a bill that would have declared a portion of the land Alaska had claimed without approval as unclaimed territory, to possibly later become its own state if it met the requirements.

But the people living there were already Alaskans, and saw themselves as that. Telling them they were suddenly in a property of the USA, but not Alaska... John frowned thoughtfully, considering the angles there. Another state would also skew the balance of power, since it would mean 2 more senators if that happened.

He put the bill aside and reached for other documentation. He had to know more before he could vote for or against this bill. He was president. He would do it right. His people were hoping he would. He could feel that hopeful love seeping in directionless, from the people across the country. "Get Interior in here," he ordered with a press of a button. He had questions, and they needed answers.

They wouldn't know what hit them. Prowling through the underbrush, trained combatants stalked their target. They could see the compound up ahead, guarding their rescue targets.

The defenders had guns. They also had tails more often than not, but that didn't change much.

With silent signals, the teams were in constant communication, encircling the target completely, lines of fire being drawn as snipers readied their shots.

"Good to go," came over their shared comm.

"On three."

Their targets knew nothing until one of their sentries crumpled to the ground with a new, likely fatal, wound.

Another turned suddenly, only to collapse a moment later, screaming and clutching at the side of his throat. The sniper had missed.

"Go go go!" It was no longer time for subtlety. They knew where their targets were.

With smashed glass, half a dozen marines hit the ground hot. A few of the defenders were intelligent enough to immediately throw up their hands and drop any weapons they had. Those were ignored as the rest were taken down with brutal efficiency.

"We have one casualty."

They were armed, they would fight back, and they had, firing wildly through a wall and catching one of the marines before others could charge the room and bring the perp down.

A marine cut down the ropes that kept the prisoners dangling there. "You're safe now."

The liberated hippogriffs appeared to be in a fog, as if they couldn't even grasp the idea that their torment, having persisted for so long, could possibly be coming to an end.

The prisoners, injured, and rescued targets were all ferried away to safer lands.

Author's Note

Consequences.

For every action, a response. Such is the literal rule of the universe. So far as we know, it remains true in this new world with a few headscratchers.

What will the response be to what is happening in this chapter?

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72 - Rockets' Red Glare

The commander stood proudly at the fore of his ship. No Americans were even daring to approach them, cowed by the presence of so many vessels, no doubt. He smiled with a soft snort. "We'll run them over and claim these islands. They'll make a fine platform for striking at their mainland." Others nodded in agreement, but most were busy working, keeping the ship moving.

He spotted something odd in the air. Rainbows? It wasn't a single rainbow, or a band of rainbows. It was as if the horizon was vomitting an uneven spray of rainbows, all coming from about the same place, but spreading as they went.

That was how it looked when a great cluster of medium-range missiles streaked at many times the speed of sound, reacting with the atmosphere and throwing off their wild colors. Each one had produced an envelope with the tremendous engine that powered each one, shielding them from drag as they screamed towards the hostile navy.

As fast as they were moving, they were coming from so far away that he had time to witness their terrible approach. "Oh... for.... Shields up. Shields at maximum!" He bellowed, turning and running for cover. "Brace for impact!"

The entire fleet began to glow as if competing with the brilliance of the oncoming attack. Their shields were raised high enough to be visible even when not being struck, angry shades of protective might.

Soldiers fearfully cowered. Were they being struck by world ending missiles? "So much for not using them," sighed out one.

As it turned out, they weren't. Not that it mattered. Humans loved a good explosion. It did not have to be nuclear to ruin their opponent's day. The first missile struck a ship in the second line of the formation with the force of tons of TNT. The sea itself heaved in objection. The shield sizzled before a mighty explosion ripped through the interior of the ship, the generator blown to pieces. The ship was exposed.

And so began the rain of fire. Missiles pounded down on them like an angry god was hurling fire from atop their mountain, determined to show its disapproval with a seemingly unending supply of ruination. Hawaii had plenty of land-based silos ready for the purpose, and meant to defend itself with the ferocity that far belied its small size. As vulnerable as it had appeared, its teeth sank deep into the invading force, tearing ships apart. Each shield could handle one such strike before collapsing, and there were plenty to go around.

In some cases, a single strike destroyed multiple ships if it happened to hit a clustered unit of de-shielded vessels at once.

They did not go entirely without a fight. Their weapons lashed out, forcing some missiles to detonate early, or even fall to the sea in uneven chunks, never getting a chance to express their explosive potential. It wasn't a complete annihilation, but it came close enough to not matter. Their mighty fleet had been reduced at least in half in one action.

The bulk of Hawaii's naval forces sat comfortably long out of visual range of their target. With the steady thumping of launching missiles, they bombarded a land target quite some distance away.

"Did you hear," asked one sailor to the next. "They tried to make a move on Hawaii while we're out here."

"Shit man. Why aren't we turning around then?"

The first clapped the second on the arm. "We lit them up like a Christmas tree. Those missiles aren't only for offense man."

The second laughed, realizing all was well.

Until an angry purple beam lanced right down the center of their great ship. Just like that, it began to sink, cut cleanly in half.

Great static emplacements, much like Hawaii's missile silos, had come online and began attacks that were more like lasers than bombs, if one could even imagine a laser with such frightful power and size as to be able to punch through tens feet of metal in an instant.

"Redirect fire, redirect!" They had computers, they could figure out where the enemy gun was, even without seeing it. "Targeting position..."

As tremendous as the ship-based shields were, the ones that protected a perfectly static station proved even mightier, shrugging off the first clumsy volley that wasn't even entirely on target. The beams kept coming, then from two places, another of these lumbering guns coming online and joining in the fun of dissecting American vessels.

A beam struck lucky, hitting the munitions. That ship didn't sink miserably into the water, it exploded in a brilliant spray of metal, then began to sink, burning, crew screaming.

Lighter and faster ships began to scatter. As powerful as the guns were, they didn't seem to be able to keep a lock on them from outside visual range. Any ship that didn't fire on the minotaurs wasn't lanced, implying they were backtracking from the incoming missile fire.

That day, both sides made it clear to the other; attacking en masse would have deadly consequences for the other. Neither homeland was without a means to defend itself from large craft that dared to approach.

"Dozens of EFC ships sent to the sea floor," bellowed out a fox waving a paper around excitedly. "Read all about it. TSDI defenses shine!"

"An attempted attack on Hawaii was stopped cold in its tracks," spoke a man looking towards the camera as a window showed the rapid firing of land-based missiles, rainbows erupting as they hit the required speeds.

A mare sniffled softly. "I'm sorry, um... In today's news, the war hit a tragic note... Countless fighters from both sides were sent to a watery grave..." She willed over a napkin to blow her nose into, tears flowing copiously. "So many poor creatures... I hate this!"

"You can't say that," hissed a voice from off-camera.

"I can and I will." The mare stomped a hoof. "I ha--"

The feed cut off with a technical difficulties banner.

Rason held his face in a hand. That had gone... poorly. In his eyes, it was his fault that the ships and their crews had suffered their losses. Hawaii had defended itself, that was good, but... Maybe he should have recalled the fleet... But how could he have known?

Ignorance was no excuse. "Damn it all..." Ignorance was the worst excuse. He should have pressed harder to have known.

If only there was a way to... He stood up suddenly. "There is..."

Chrysalis would never accept him as he was, but there was another... Loathesome though they were... they had joined with the ponies. They were EFC...

He took three large steps across the room and grabbed his phone with a rough grip. He smashed at it and the phone was soon ringing.

"Ooo, hello! Wow, you're the first person to call me. This is exciting!" came the almost juvenile joy of Thorax. "President of America? Hello!"

Rason rolled his eyes. God, they really were... Ugh, it wasn't time for being picky. "Thorax, I presume?"

"Sure is!" He could hear the fluttering of excited wings. "Hello!"

"I have need of your people. I need your best, cleverest, most serious changelings. They will be paid well, but they will also be in danger."

"Are you talking to the Americans like that?" came another voice, male, deeper. "They aren't smiles and rainbows, Brother. Get with it!" Another noise, the phone being grabbed. "This is Pharynx, what do you need?"

Rason liked the sound of this other changeling. They sounded almost... respectable. "Do you understand what war is?"

"This is Pharynx, head of the changeling patrol. I know what fighting is. I know what dying is. Don't look like that, Brother, ugh. Fighting does that. Anyway, yes, why?"

Rason's estimation of that particular changeling kept rising. "I need your best finding out the secrets of TSDI. I need locations of defenses, their variety, and everything else they can get their hooves on, and I need this yesterday. Can you do this?"

"Maybe."

Such bold indifference. "All agents will be well-rewarded for their service."

"That's cool..." Pharynx sounded almost uninterested.

"Pharynx, stop talking mean!" There was some noise, perhaps the phone being wrestled over, at least until Pharynx had his brother in an arm lock.

"So here's how it's going to go down," he resumed. "Any 'ling we sent better be paid good, sure, but we want something, as a country. Equestria's getting all the good stuff, we want it too, and we want it on America's coins. You promise that, and I'll get my best and brightest."

"I'll have to get approval, but accept my conditional agreement to those terms."

"Approval? I thought you were their king?"

"It's more complicated than that." Rason tapped at his desk, leaning against it. "If that proposal is denied, we'll find something to balance the scales, I promise that. You are a member of the EFC, supporting this is a promise you already made."

Pharynx hissed softly with the reminder that they were part of that defensive treaty. "Right, yeah... fine, we have a deal. Expect callbacks from not-this-number, right?" The line went suddenly dead.

Rason took a soft breath as he set the phone down. He had to have some faith in not-really-changelings to do a changeling's job... At least that Pharynx person sounded like they were serious about things.

Chrysalis marched in. They knew her, as a cat, and they did not challenge her as she went to her appointed place in the building to deliver vital intelligence.

The door slapped shut just as she walked into the room.

"You didn't warn us they could fight that way! Our shields were ready--" boomed the angry bull. "--to deflect anything up to and including our best, and they overwhelmed them with sheer brute force!"

Chrysalis smiled calmly at the incensed military bull. "The humans love their toys, especially the ones that explode. I didn't think I'd have to tell you the obvious. I suppose that's why they call people like me military intelligence, hmm."

"Don't you take that tone with me!" He drove a fist into the wall from the side, leaving a dent. "This is your fault."

"No it isn't, and screaming it doesn't change that, but, more importantly... I have news for you."

"Mm?" He was glaring at her, but curiosity kept his mouth closed.

"I can get you human bombs.... Their biggest... Their world enders... You could match them." She sauntered past the bull, hips swaying in a distracting way. "I have a friend that can make that happen, but you may not like her very much."

"If she can do that, I'd kiss her!"

"Mmm... no thanks. I'll settle for a promise that you'll be a polite boy and let her show you what she has."

"Yes, fine, she can display what she has." He threw an arm aside as the other gestured at the cat. "But this had better be good! We don't have time to go wasting it."

With a rush of flames, Chrysalis was revealed. "I wouldn't want to go doing that... I assure you, it will be quite worth it."

The bull's teeth clenched at the revelation that the cat he knew wasn't actually a cat. "I thought the changelings had join--"

Chrysalis was suddenly on him, one arm across his throat. "Those things are not changelings! No true changeling would join the EFC, really..." She drew back, huffing softly. "You just wait patiently a moment longer... I'll bring you what you need."

She could feel his fury, but also that smoldering hope. It was such a tasty little nibble. "I'll bring you deliverance, and we'll show our enemies how foolish it was to pick a fight they couldn't finish."

Chrysalis was allowed to walk out in her true form. No guns were fired, and not a hair on her insectoid head was put out of place. Word was already spreading. People were hoping, desperately, for her to be the answer they needed.

All according to plan.

Author's Note

We are getting close to that dark hour in the timeline.

I was amused at TSDI vs EFC vs Pony news coverage. Was it just me?

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87 - Black Friday

The spear had been carefully removed from Novo, her side bandaged with equal gentleness. They knew the barbed end could have caused untold internal injuries, but all they could really do was keep her inner water separate from her outer water.

She was wrapped in protective and warming blankets made of a sort of seaweed that could help hold in her heat. Skystar fretted nearby, keeping a watchful eye over her mother. "You'll be alright... right? Please tell me you'll be alright..." But Novo had no words to respond with, sleeping without sound and barely movement. "Stupid fish! She was trying to help!"

Skystar swam over to her mother's still form, laying two hooves gently on her chest. "You have to be alright... We have so many more things to do..." A drop of water even saltier than the ocean she swam in escaped her. "Just one... small thing..." The song brought her little comfort, but she sang it anyway, hoping feverishly for her mother to recover.

Bulls cowered in broken buildings. The bombs roared, a constant beating heartbeat, the sound of war. A war they had not asked for, but could not avoid. Huddled around a small fire, they tried to chase the cold away, about five of them, two larger than the other three. They were a family, but they hadn't always been. The two were not married, nor were the children belonging to either of them, but they found each other, and tried to stay alive and sane.

"Will it stop?" asked one of the calfs, a boy with such large desperate eyes. "Will we go to school again? I promise to never complain ever again."

"Me too!" called a female next to him. "I'll do extra homework forever if we can just... go back..."

The larger male, the adult, the father of their strange family, smiled faintly. "If that trade worked, I'd be with you, doing homework forever... Eat up... We have to live, to see when it does stop, alright?"

The female shook her head. "We'll make it through this..." "I hope," were words she didn't voice in front of the children. "But eat, he's right. You need the energy... and if it goes bad, there... aren't replacements." She swallowed heavily. "I'll go searching after you're done."

"No!" The third child clung to her. "Don't! It's dangerous out there!"

She set a large hand on his small head. "I must. One of us must, or we'll get hungry. It's my turn, so I'll go."

"Be careful," urged the young girl calf. The others voiced agreement with that idea, urging their foster mother to caution.

The war was for a good reason, they had been told over and over. At that moment, they would have been quite happy for it to just end.

With her legs crossed, Somnambula led her group in meditation. "With your mind cleared, envision the sun, warm, not too bright, softly bathing you in its gentle heat, dry, soothing..."

The crowd had their legs crossed too, mostly ponies, with a smattering of humans and other creatures. They were all doing their best to find inner-peace. "You are a plant, content in its place, the sun feeding you, caring for you. You are loved and nourished. Be at ease..."

A foreign soldier wheeled around the corner into the square. With a raised rifle, the rapid tempo of automated gunfire filled the air, bullets flying towards the knot of people, but it was not alone. Brothers in arms appeared from other angles. Ponies and humans began to fall, many before even realizing what was going on. Others screamed, some paralyzed in place, others fleeing in a panic.

Somnambula opened her eyes calmly. To navigate life in a peaceful state was literally her name, the sleepwalker. "What?" Even she could not fathom what she saw. Half her class was injured or worse, sprawled across the stones and cushions. "Stop! Stop!" She hopped to her hooves in time for her world to constrict to a point. Something had pinched her in the chest and she staggered back.

She raised a hoof to the spot and it came away with blood, far too much blood. "What?..." She took a shuddering breath, but it felt like something was wrong inside of her, as if she couldn't breathe right. "Stop... it... What did we ever do to you?" She slumped to the ground, never to move again. She survived countless moons, only to meet her end in such a way.

She would be far from alone. The yaks would not go down peacefully, charging at their attackers with rough cheers even as their young and infirm fled their city. Their attackers had sprung up from nowhere, heavily armed and armored. The firearms the yaks had were inefficient, but that armor did little when it came to their bulk.

One enemy combatant was lifted from the ground, skewered at the end of a defending yak's horn. "Smash!" he called out, echoed by others. Still, for every enemy trampled under angry hooves, three yaks were brought low by munitions and explosives.

Across an ocean, two gangs were posturing and ready for a fight, with each other. Neither expected a literal military action, and when one of their spokespeople crashed to the ground, caught in a wild spray from the side, both sides did what came naturally, panic. They fled and fired at once, putting at least as many shots into each other as towards the actual source of danger.

Neither side was prepared for what crashed against them, soldiers taking practiced bursts on them, gunning them down almost as easily as any other civilian. "This is fucked as hell," cursed one as he jumped out through a window frame and made good his escape.

With the sharp whistle of a rocket, the TSDI forces proved it had learned well the value of explosions. Police cars erupted into flames, often with the brave defenders still inside. Cities were being razed indiscriminately, as if each and every building were an enemy to be destroyed. They were small in number, relatively, but surprise made for a heady advantage in those precious first minutes.

Rapidly assembling an impressive-looking device and pointing it at a bridge they did not want humans to have access to any longer, they plugged it directly into the very power grid of their enemy, stealing America's might for its own. With a bright flare, magic bolstered with electricity crashed into the bridge in a beam of purple-yellows. The explosion could be heard for miles around as it began to come down, cars and trucks with it. The people's screams would be unheard under the din of destruction.

Tourists gaped with awe as the landmark they had come to see crumbled before their eyes. Mount Rushmore collapsed with a roaring wave of tumbling rocks, no enemies even in sight, all done from beneath the ground in an act of petty terrorism, done entirely as a symbolic gesture.

It was as if the world had unraveled all at once.

In the Lutrai lands, they had precious few significant buildings to attack, so they came for the people. Many fled, but others charged forward. They did not have police, for they never needed any. Most able-bodied lutrai of fighting-age knew how to do so. Unfortunately for them, many of their warriors had been lent to America for the war effort, but they had more behind them.

It was a pity they did not have much in the way of firearms. Trained with spears and with little industrial base to speak of, the only guns they had much access to were the ones lent to the warriors fighting alongside the Americans.

This did little to deter the Lutrai warriors that threw themselves at their far-better-armed foes. Spear and naked fur was not a fair trade for advanced armor and automated rifles, but they charged towards their enemies, ready to do battle as best they could.

Ruddertail cursed them, shaking a fist in their direction. "There are less of them than us, show them their mistake!" she howled, but even she saw the benefit of discretion, vanishing beneath the water of her lake.

A single infantryman could take down six to ten charging lutrai in a spray of bullets, but they kept coming, some of them even after being shot. With blood oozing down their front and froth in their mouth, they closed distance with the bulls and revenge began. Stout spears were not what the armor they wore was meant to deflect. They impaled the attacking TSDI forces, often with each enemy soldier left gurgling on the end of several spears holding them up even as the warriors rushed towards the next one.

The Wonderbolts had been enlisted. Not that it was much of a choice. They were a military force to begin with, even if that military had little immediate need for them most of the time. Soaring in a circle around Canterlot, looking for trouble, most days passed boringly, for little seemed to be happening so far into Equestria proper.

Rainbow cocked a brow. "What's that?"

"What's what?" Soarin looked where she was pointing. "What the?"

They banked sharply as Rainbow pulled her gun up into place.

"Hey woah, where were you hiding that?"

"A mare has her secrets." Rainbow rolled her eyes before focusing on what they were dropping towards. There were several diamond dogs working at one of the supports of Canterlot, clearly intending to bring down the entire city. "Not on my watch!"

She bit down on the trigger and began spraying the dogs without mercy. One crumpled before they even knew what was happening. The others pointed at her and scattered.

One popped out of a hole with a gun of his own. She and Soarin spread sharply, leaving the incoming bullets to impact the air where they had been a moment before.

Soarin came in at a screaming descent, crashing into the dog with his forehooves, driving him to the ground with a shout.

Rainbow took potshots at any dog she could see. "Get away from there!" she called through the trigger. Whether or not she would have normally defaulted to such lethal deterrence, even she knew that if the dogs took down the city, countless ponies would die, possibly including their princesses. It could not be allowed to happen.

The dog he had pinned a moment slammed his face with the butt of his gun, forcing him back enough for the dog to dive into the ground, burrowing away rapidly. "Son of a..." A wild beam of power surged, catching him across one leg that suddenly ceased to exist. He began to fall forward, but his wings pumped wildly, carrying him up and away, eyes wild with panic.

"Soarin!" Rainbow veered sharply to bring her gun to bear at where the fox that had fired was stationed. Her shots were wild, perhaps distracted at the thought of her suddenly maimed team-mate.

Sudden shapes zoomed past her. The other Wonderbolts had arrived. Canterlot would not fall that day.

The response from America was at first confused and local. Police forces moved to fight what, at that split second, seemed to be isolated crimes, but as their reactions were violently rebutted, calls began to go out for larger forces with larger guns. Never had this happened before.

Terrorists, even at their most bold, did not operate this way. They did not come in even small forces and try to 'conquer' America, even if it was clear that they weren't actually doing that.

Soldiers began to filter onto the battlefield as helicopters flew overhead, searching for the insurgents and trying to coordinate the efforts.

Bright bolts and screaming missiles made helicopters regret being such large targets without cover to speak of. Bombing their own cities was not an idea that was entertained for long, and the infantry was sent in. America would not be so easily defeated, they felt certain, being driven as close as possible before disgorging from their APCs across the country.

It was time to fight.

Author's Note

Things suddenly get... real in an unpleasant sense, and the fatality rate climbs. Silly random question but now that you made it this far, are the tags on this story right?

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92 - Daybreak

The Sun rose over the tired land of the bulls, chasing away shadows and moving far too quickly. Another bomb? There was no trail of smoke behind this one, and bombs were not usually so bright, even if they shed rainbows.

Oh, it stopped. "Citizens of the Council," boomed a voice that could be heard for miles around herself. "Present your leader and none other will be harmed." A sudden lively jingle began to play from within her.

Celestia blinked softly as she magiced out the cellphone tucked in her pocket. It read 'Sunburst' on it and she quickly willed the answer button. "Sunburst! I hope you are alright after that madness?" Her initial burst of his name was booming, but quickly fell down to regular conversational tones.

"Hello, Your Highness," replied a voice that was not Sunburst. Male, middle aged? "He wanted me to call you."

Celestia felt coldness sweep through her. There weren't many reasons she could think of, that were good, that would have him having someone else call her. "Oh?"

Not that she could know it, but the only reason they could talk at all was due to the help of Minuette and Moon Dancer, helping drag satellites over the minotaur's land.

"I'm alright," came a sudden call from a distance, Sunburst shouting across the room.

"He can't hear," corrected the first male. "He's in one piece, but his hearing's shot. He's also--"

Celestia lowered the phone away, trembling. Yet more pain and suffering visited upon her subjects. She suddenly yanked it back up. "Did they do this?" she demanded in an angry snarl, teeth displayed a moment.

"Uh, not exactly." The other male laughed nervously. "He was defending himself, and us, and he wasn't wearing the right protection while he did it. He kinda did it to himself. He's a hero."

Celestia blinked away a few tears, trying to put that together. "I... see... Tell him I am very proud of him, and wish him a speedy recovery. I must... finish some business, but will call back."

"You should text," advised the male. "He can read just fine."

"Yes, of course... Thank you." She slipped the phone away, clearing her throat as she resumed the royal tones. "Where is your leader? Bring forth Commander Force!"

Something approached her. A rock. It didn't even make it halfway up before arcing back towards the ground. She peered at it and scanned for its source. There was a young calf of a bull, reaching for another.

She sank towards him, feeling little fear from the young bull. With her voice lowered, she addressed him, "Are you the defenses of your people?"

He chucked a fresh rock, but she caught it easily. "Go away! Stop hurting people!" shouted the young bull, already reaching for another.

"I would only share words with one specific person. Young foal, where is your leader?" She caught the next one he threw, adding it to the magic grip with the first one. "I will not harm any others if I can just speak with him."

"Give my dad back first!" screamed the youth so loudly his voice threatened to give out in the emotional outburst.

Celestia's left ear sagged a little. "Was he hurt? I am sorry. Too many people have been hurt."

"He isn't hurt, not anymore..." The fourth rock just hung limply in a hand without the strength to hurl it at that moment. "No one can hurt him anymore."

Celestia drew a slow breathe, imagining all her ponies that had been forced to early ends. "In this... we share a pain. This war, it has persisted for too long, if ever there were an acceptable amount of it to begin."

"What do you know?! You sided with the humans. They did this! They started this." He brought up an arm, the rock falling to the ground. He wiped his teary eyes with the arm, sniffing once.

Celestia did not rise to the invitation to argue. "Let us end this. We both want that, don't we?"

She woke with a start. The first bit of surprise being that she didn't feel as terrible as usual, and she was breathing. "Starlight?" She slid down from the bed and saw Starlight slumped against a corner, passed out. Twilight smiled gently at her loyal friend. "Thank you..."

"Mmm?" It had been enough to stir her. "Twilight!" She bounced down and proceeded to flop, her hooves lacking in grace. "You're awake, and moving!"

Twilight helped her friend up with a glowing horn. "I am both of those things, thanks to you and I vaguely remember a doctor being involved?"

"Yeah, good guy." She sat on her haunches in front of Twilight, smiling a bit lopsidedly. "It's so good to see you coherent and able again."

"What happened, to the war? Is it over?"

"As if..." Starlight deflated with a sigh. "They officially sent us home though."

"We can't go home." She started for the door, staggering once on the way but picking herself up quickly into an even trot. "We have to end this."

"About that..." Starlight put a hoof behind her head, glancing to the side.

"What?" Twilight looked over her shoulder. "You know something. What's going on?"

"I might have told Celestia what's going on, and she's... kinda... involved?"

"How is she involved?" Her eyes widened at the thought. "Tell me she isn't fighting!"

"I don't... think so? Either way, I vote we go home."

"Your vote has been noted, thank you." She shook her head firmly. "Now I'm going back." She thrust a hoof northwards. "Not to home, but where I'm needed, even more than before."

Starlight put a hoof over her face. "And I'm following you, because I don't want anything... more... to happen to you. How about we avoid even wanting to do anymore blood transfusions, alright?"

"I'll do my best."

He walked up to the front door of the research lab, his brightly-colored plates on display. He knocked on the door lightly and waited a moment.

"Can I help you?" asked a bored secretary.

"Yes, hello. I'm supposed to be a test subject in there." He pointed past the blackened glass door. "Reporting for duty."

A guard and a few scientists were out shortly to retrieve their changeling, all about as equally surprised. "We thought you might have gotten hurt in all that, but we couldn't find any hint of you," noted a scientist.

"I thought you ran off. I would have." The guard shrugged softly.

John smiled faintly. "I made a promise, for the good of America, and I don't plan to change that." They headed back inside. Not that he was officially a prisoner or anything, but John knew better, and the guard clearly did as well. "I apologize for leaving, it was for your sake."

"Our sake?"

So he explained what happened.

John heard the chaos approaching. His room wasn't that far from the exit, and the TSDI forces were anything but quiet. Explosions and screams were the hint, and he went to investigate on cautious hooves. Peeking out through the one-way mirror that was the black door, he could see the enemy approaching.

They would surely destroy the building, and kill everyone inside, as he could see them doing that on the way there. The screams of innocents ringing in his ears.

He had to do something. He became a bull in a matching military outfit, wearing fake armor and wielding a fake gun. He pushed out into the street and waved wildly at the chaotic group.

They came, as he hoped, asking him why he wasn't torching everything.

"This is not a good place. We should avoid it." He gestured at the building. "Fire would only hurt us."

"Chemicals?!" blurted out another, assuming. "Good catch, Brother. Leave this one alone. You, you, you, you, you, and you, go inside and clear out anyone hiding in there. The rest of you, with me!"

John was not one of the ones selected, and had to go with them, or blow his cover. Six soldiers poured into the building, but it was better than all of them, or them simply setting the place ablaze, or setting off explosives. At least he had managed that much.

The various creatures he was with were eager to swim back into battle, which suited him well. The instant they charged around a corner, so did he down another, emerging as a raven that took flight away from it all, but never far. He circled high above the chaos, trying to see what was going on, desperate to help somehow.

He saw a lone man, stunned and lost. There was a bull approaching. They'd meet shortly, likely with a poor end for the human. John dove at him with an angry squawk, beating at the man with wings and scaring the poor bastard half to death. The man fled away, and John felt sure that half to death was better than all the way. He did what he could to dampen the toll on the city.

When the reserves arrived, he sprang up among them, emerging from an alleyway in the proper attire and appearance. He knew where the TSDI forces were, and he told them where to look, and what to expect. Oh, no, he couldn't stay. He had to get back to his squad or he'd be chewed out. You know how it is... He never outstayed his welcome, to avoid any uncomfortable questions before they could be raised.

It had become a very long day for him, working from the shadows to protect the country he had once been the most powerful citizen of.

"And I came back here when it seemed to be completely over."

One of the scientists raised a long finger. "What was that about most powerful citizen?"

John tensed. Had he said that? "Sorry, wishful thinking on my part. I wish I could be more like John Rason..." He would never again be John, not really... "How did things go in here? I... tried to get them to go away, but six still came in. Anyone hurt?" He was more surprised that anyone was not hurt, but there they were.

The guard grunted. "Lost Hank." That was another guard.

"Four dead, two injured. One of those injuries is... unfortunate, and self-inflicted."

John lifted an ear at that. "Huh? Someone hurt themselves?"

"Not intentionally," corrected the scientist. "Sunburst went Rambo on them, blew them away, and his own hearing while he was at it."

John winced at the news. "He deserves a medal..." The way he saw it, he not only protected the lives of his fellow scientists, but priceless research and research materials that could have been lost. Heck, if... "If the TSDI had gotten that gun..."

Faces paled a little, considering that possibility. "Excuse me a moment." The guard left them to their conversation.

He pulled out his phone as he went, calling a number most of the people there didn't have. "Yeah, Chris Thomson here. The subject is found. Uh huh. No. He did leave, but he also came back. He says he spent the whole day saving people."

Chris frowned faintly. "Starting with making sure only six of them came in here. ... Not sure. It was a little out there, but he looks legit." He glanced back to see that he was still alone. "I know one thing though, he could have flown the coop, and we wouldn't have ever found him again. Yeah? Roger that." He hung up.

"Hey!" Sunburst sat up with a smile, seeing the changeling walk in. "You weren't hurt!"

Words appeared on John's chestplate, "Hello. I was told you can't hear."

"Yeah... I can still talk at least." Sunburst rubbed behind his head. "The worst part is the ringing, hooves down... You alright?"

"I'm fine," was printed cleanly on John as he approached. "You were very brave. I am sorry I couldn't have spared you the need to be."

Sunburst perked an ear at that. "Hey, we, uh... do what we can, right?"

So they hung out a little, going over the day's events.

Author's Note

Celestia arrives... and chats with a calf. Easily distracted princess is easily distracted. John is found, yay! Twilight wants to get back to work! Things, they are happening. If you didn't read my blog post, updates this month are 3/week instead of 6/week, though this opened a horse prophet tier.

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93 - Great Meetings, Dim Fires

"I'm back!" cried Skystar as she burst into the room, a basket hooked around one leg, laden with all manner of plants and coral. "Now you can start?"

"Now I can finish." Meadowbrook swam over with a flip of her tail and took one coral and a few plants from the basket. She tossed them in a bowl and ground them up to a mushy paste. "Your mother will be fine, I got here in time. She may be weak, but you should encourage her to move anyway. The more she moves, the faster she'll recover and the better she'll feel in the end."

Skystar watched Meadowbrook with some confusion. "What about the rest of--"

"I'll leave some instructions for some tea she should drink three times a day to help her get her strength faster." Meadow gently dabbed and rubbed the ointment in. The slumbering Novo was no longer wrapped in seaweed, exposed, but there was a little more color in her cheeks. "Your mother will be fine, repeat that."

"Repeat what?"

"Say 'My mother will be fine." She worked gently, not facing Skystar.

"My mother... will be fine..." Tears began to spill from her eyes. "Do you mean it?"

"She's past the worst of it." She turned in place with a swirl of her fins. "Idly, being a seapony is fun, but I really should move on. There are too many other creatures in need of what I can offer. You watch over her, and get her moving as soon as she wakes up. She'll be mad, and complain and maybe try to ground you forever, but be strong, and keep her moving."

"Thank you so much!" Skystar made a swimming tackle of the pony healer, squeezing her tightly. "Thank you thank you!"

"You're very welcome," gently accepted Meadow, patting the shivering Skystar on the back. "It'll be alright, but let me go, so I can help other creatures be alright too."

"Oh, yes, of course." Skystar swam back a little. "Good luck..."

"Blame me when she gets angry. Doctor's orders." Meadow gathered her things back into a bag that she tucked away. "Swim straight."

"Swim safe!"

Meadow darted out a window, making for the surface. The blockade of fish was there, just as she had left them. Most of their eyes were on her and she readied to be stopped again. They closed in around her, but there was no malice in their eyes.

"Is she alright?" asked one fish-person.

"She'll get better, right?"

"She is recovering." Meadow nodded softly. "If you care so much about her, why are you keeping her people here?"

The one that seemed to be in charge rubbed behind his scaled head. "It wasn't safe for them, but we couldn't say why... We didn't mean for anycreature to get hurt..."

"Not safe?"

The fish glanced sidelong at one another with soft grumbles. One raised a hand. "You'll see when you get back... We didn't like the idea, but we for sure didn't want the Seaquestrians mixed up in it."

Meadow did not like the sound of that, and she left as quickly as she could. The fish did not stop her.

"Thank you for agreeing to see us."

John looked across at the sharply dressed human. FBI? CIA? Something like that, he assumed. "I didn't have much real choice, but I wouldn't have said no anyway. How can I help?"

"You've been adamant about being loyal to the country." His voice was even, careful.

"Yes."

"Despite not being born here."

"Yes."

"Despite not being a citizen."

"...Yes... I know... I owe America nothing... But that is how I feel. I have learned to love this country, and its people, as crazy as they are. I love America, and I feel loyal to it. I know that doesn't make sense from the outside. Do you think it makes sense from the inside? It doesn't, but it's just as true."

"Are you..." He set his suitcase down flat on the table. "...willing to demonstrate this, for the good of the country?"

John Rason's ears went up quickly. "How can I be of service?"

"We want to find your previous employer--"

"--Queen. Not that she is mine anymore, but she's a queen."

"Yes, your former queen. We've tried tracking her, but, as you've recently demonstrated." He popped open the suitcase slowly. "When a changeling wishes to not be found, it is basically impossible to force the issue... Unless we can present them with something they cannot resist."

John sat up tall, looking curious. "And you've thought up bait you believe could work, or you wouldn't be here. How do I fit in?"

"You are, or will be, that bait." John tensed harshly. "Tell us, what would her reaction be, if she were to reacquire you?"

"She would... probably kill me, likely slowly." He ran his tongue over his lips. "You would, however, know where she is, and the other rogues..."

"Precisely so. If you could do this, and give the signal expediently, we will make our move. We can capture her and any criminals in her employ." He turned the suitcase towards John, revealing a collection of tools. "We can track your position. Are you willing?"

"If I'm going to die... I'd rather do it doing something good." He stepped down from his chair. "I will find her and tell her I escaped during the commotion. That was true. She doesn't need to know the parts after that."

"America thanks you." He waited for John to approach and began fitting him with the trackers, working it uncomfortably under his shells so they weren't visible easily. "This is a very important task."

"I understand that. Oh, if you can, get word to the president that we have a real hero that deserves a commendation." He glanced in the direction of Sunburst's room. "Made himself deaf protecting this place, basically on his own, and keeping extremely powerful weaponry out of enemy hands."

"I'll pass that on." He stood up, looking over John, checking for hints of the tracking devices. "All sounds will be broadcasted and recorded. I won't insult you by assuming you couldn't remove the tracker, if you wanted to."

"Which I don't. Let's... find her." John fought against his fear, knowing just how much danger he was signing himself up for. "Whether I'm alive or not, you catch her and make her pay."

"That's the plan." He put out a hand and it was met by a hoof, the two shaking.

Other creatures began to emerge, most bulls, but some not. The Council had been, at the time, before humans, one of the more forward-thinking nations. Like Equestria, with more forethought, they had members of other species living among them, and they were still there, looking to Celestia with so many emotions.

Fear. Anger. hope... "People of the Council," she called to them. "I am not here to bring you further hurting than you have already suffered. This has endured for too long. All I seek is the location of Commander Force."

A new rock came flying at her, and she caught it just as she had the others, but another was coming, and another. She could not catch them all, and she vanished in a flare of light, appearing high over their heads. "I am sorry," she softly whispered, and took flight away from them. Her presence was only making it worse, and she had someone she needed to see.

A thin rainbow soared just inches to the left of her face. Turning her eyes down, she saw a lone guard, or soldier, or whatever they were. They had a hand cannon, a large one that needed both hands used, firing up at her.

Another noise was distracting her. A human helicopter was approaching. She tensed, realizing it likely saw her being attacked. It would react, with extreme violence. That guard would be dead shortly. "No!" She had seen enough death. She vanished, appearing just behind the guard an instant later, diving at him and driving him to the ground with a surprised call from the bull.

He thrashed and twisted around to face her, ready to fight, but she focused on tossing his gun far away in her magic. "No more fighting!"

She was rewarded with a stiff punch across the face, knocking her back just enough for him to scramble to his hooves. "You've brought them here. I won't just sit down and die."

"Then... don't die at all." Celestia shook her bruised head. "Enough death has already happened. Please... Please, just, talk."

"There isn't a lot to talk about." He was glancing towards his discarded gun, likely weighing its distance.

"Our people, all of our people, have suffered enough... There is no more honor, or glory, or anything to be gained with more bloodshed." She reached with a wing towards the bull. "I would share words with your commander. I come with no weapons. May I speak to him?"

"So you can kill him?" He sneered at the idea. "Why would I do that?"

"Because I am not that. For all my years as ruler of Equestria, I have never been that... Surely you can accept this simple truth. I will not harm a hair on his head. I will speak, and that is all that I will do." Celestia breathed softly, becoming calm as she watched the guard. "Surely the TSDI can tolerate the presence of a lone ambassador."

"Ambassador..." He looked up at the helicopter that drew close. The humans inside were obviously watching them, floating right in striking range. "An ambassador with armed friends."

"As ambassadors do at times," confessed Celestia with a smile. "But they will not come with me. I will walk alone. Simply tell me where I must go." She raised a hoof at the helicopter, waving them away. "This is a chance for peace, do we not both want that?"

"Peace... yeah..." He sagged a bit in place, his entire body heavy with fatigue. "Yeah... Look, I can't take you to him..."

"What can you do?" Her tone was not judgmental.

"I can take you to my commander, and he can direct you from there. Alright?"

"Lead the way." She gestured for him to go, and began to follow.

Hoku raged. There was no better word for it. Anything he could find that did not have immediate value to his force, he tore into, screaming and fuming. Word of the crippling attack on his home had reached him. They had been slaughtered, fighting bravely, as was their want, but he hadn't been there to help.

He threw a rock to skid along the ground, screaming at the setting sun. He had fought so long and so hard, just for his people to suffer for lack of warriors. Where was the justice in that?

"Private."

Hoku looked up sharply at his commanding officer. Still trembling, he snapped to attention and saluted, drawing his rage back inside.

"Private Hoku, the act visited on our nations will not be forgotten. We are being deployed to end this. Can you serve?"

"Of course I can serve, Sir!" he barked, frowning with rebuilding fury. "Why would I not be able to serve, Sir?"

"Because you are a barrel of powder that's ready to set itself on fire," calmly explained his superior. "Can we trust that you'll show us that calm head that has seen you advanced and decorated this far?"

"Yes, Sir." He began to dust himself off. "It's... just a lot to take, Sir."

"There isn't a person on this base that wasn't affected by this." He firmly slapped a hand down on Hoku's shoulder. "But discipline is how we'll end this. Let's show them we're made of better stuff."

"Of course, Sir."

"Good." He hiked a thumb. "Now clean up the mess you made, and make the latrine spotless while you're at it. We'll be moving out at 0600. See that you and your people are ready to start marching at the bell."

Author's Note

Hey, Hoku, you've been missing a few chapters.
Wonder what Roland is up to...
Celestia saves the life of one desperate bull guard/soldier/cop/guy.
Novo will live, yay!

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1 - Property Values

A man pulled up to work with a tired smile. It was time to work, to pay his bills and keep a roof over his head. It was a tiring life, but it was his, and he was alright with it.

A woman waved gently at her departing child, visions of good grades that would turn into college opportunities, in turn to grander and grander things that would let her child become more than she could ever be.

A dog chased after a bird that had dared to land in its yard. This was an affront that could not be forgiven, and it scurried as quickly as its paws would carry it to chase the bird away or make it pay the final price for its mistake.

A world away, a pony trotted merrily down a long path that connected her house to the nearest town, whistling as she went. The sun was so warm and the breeze just right. It would be a good day, or so she had decided.

In a room, away from all of this, a human tapped busily on a computer in their bedroom, writing something of little importance as the news played in the background, droning about issues that were both terrifying and yet so very far away. As if they could do anything about it. As if it even felt like it was the same world as the one they stepped into sometimes.

A ship sailed out from the dock, its sailors rushing about to keep things in order as they began what would be a long journey. Inside, GPS and radar worked to keep the boat on track and properly charted to get across the ocean as quickly as possible both ways and see its crew and cargo safely.

The man from before waved to his peers as he approached his cubicle. "Let's close this deal," he said in solidarity, getting a shared cheer from the others. They had a busy day ahead of them, but the energy was good, and they got to work.

"Mr. President." The man who had spoken those words was severely dressed with an earpiece and sharp suit that fitted the Secret Service. "We need to move."

The president looked up from where he had been eating, a diplomat seated across from him. "We were just--"

"--I am sorry, Mr. President. This is not negotiable."

He knew that was a lie. As president, he could argue all he wanted. What it meant was that the serviceman was hoping, possibly praying, that the president would accept the analysis of the situation and not argue it. He put his hands down on the table, standing up. "I'm deeply sorry for this interruption. Let's schedule another meeting soon. I feel we are close to a resolution."

The diplomat barely had time to accept the end of the meeting, as the president was being hurried away, perhaps a touch roughly for being the leader of the free world. The group emerged into the bright light of the outdoors and it was a strange thing that the president noticed immediately.

The air, it didn't taste right. It didn't smell right. That was, perhaps, a bad way to put it. The wrongness was what was removed, but that felt alien to happen all at once. It was as if he had been thrown on top of the most remote mountain, minus the lack of oxygen and freezing temperatures. It was clean. He was stuffed in the back of an armored car in his moment of surprise.

"Mr. President." Another serviceman was seated across from him and held out a thin folder towards him. "What we know so far."

He took the folder. It was too thin. Opening it, there was but a single page inside. What a way to start the day.

The ship's captain was looking over the navigator's shoulder. "How's it looking? Weather still clear?"

"Looks like sm--" The navigator leaned forward, one of her brows hiking sharply. "The hell..." She flicked a few switches up and down before pressing a mess of keys, trying to encourage her system to respond. "GPS just went down, hard. 0 satellites responding. Have someone get up there and make sure the antenna didn't fall off or something."

The captain didn't argue the command given. The navigator had clear situational authority when it came to making sure the ship knew where it was. He reached for a radio he had at his side, depressing the button. "Someone get up top and check for damaged antennas. We have an outage."

"Roger, Sir," came quick reply. "On it."

The navigator swiveled in her chair. "If I have to get out the manual tools, I'll do it."

The captain nodded at that. "Turning around isn't much of an option. We're not being paid to not get where we're going. It's not as if the country is a moving target."

She nodded in agreement. "Exactly. It's a pain in my ass, but I'll get us there, Captain. Here's to hoping it's just something knocked loose and it'll come back online right about.... Now?"

The instruments reported no sudden change. "I really don't like it." She poked gently at her console, swiveling back around. "No errors at all, just zero satellite coverage. I don't normally see that unless we're directly under something that can block the view, and that's obviously not the case."

The captain peeked outside the nearest window. They were in the middle of the ocean. There was nothing for miles but a bird or two that could try to block their view of the GPS flying around far above them, offering positional data. "Keep on it. I'll visit the radios and see if they can't get some intel. Maybe this is more than just us." They shared a parting gesture, like a salute but half as formal. Neither were proper Navy, just two people trying to get some shipping done.

"Damn it." They slapped the side of their monitor, but that provided no answers. Nothing did. Half the Internet seemed to be down. Not all of it, but enough for things to look odd. And it was on every major site. The smaller ones, at places, seemed to err towards being all online or entirely dropped off the grid.

"What is even going on?" They typed furiously on a chat server that was still operational, thankfully. Maybe someone else knew what was happening.

The president scanned over the paper quickly. Full satellite loss. No sign of missile attack. Extreme Internet disruptions. Border guards reports were the most immediately alarming. "Has this been confirmed?" he asked of the stoic man across from him.

"To the best of our ability." He folded his hands in his lap. "We are in a state of emergency, Sir. The Senate and House are cancelling recess, but not all members are accounted for."

"Where are they?" The president set the folder down beside himself.

"Unknown. Those outside the US borders are deep black. All attempts at communication beyond them are dead."

The vehicle stopped just long enough for another man to board across from the president. "Mr. President." He knew that man, his advisor of national security. "We're in a bad position."

"So I've been informed." He tapped at the pathetic one sheet of information he had in its thin folder. "Where is Canada and Mexico? You don't lose entire landmasses overnight."

"As of oh-ten-hundred, we became an isolated continent." He sat forward a little as the car made a turn. "The continental states are all accounted for, but anything beyond that is, at current time, unknown. The radio channels, beyond our own, are dead silent. No chatter. Not even the usual background noise."

"Do the people know?" The president slammed a hand down on the chair beside him. "They need to be informed."

"Once we have something to tell them." He sighed, folding his arms. "Right now, they know what they can see. People will begin making up their own ideas. We live in a connected world. They'll know quickly that international contacts are unreachable. The longer this goes on, the harder it will be to pretend it's something else. What, exactly, will we tell them?"

The president sagged back. He had promised peace. This was not the peace he had in mind.

The room was a panic of noise and motion. That was normal. Nothing about air-traffic control was quiet and easy, though usually orderly. That was where things were different. "Another missing flight," came a shout from across the room. "Flight 92 from--" It was but one report among many. More and more flights were not showing up when they should.

"Returning Flight 32 requesting landing clearance," came another voice. GPS was done, as were other service satellite services. Many flights were being turned back for fear of some kind of attack, or with wild reports of being unable to communicate with their destination. It was bedlam, and there were no easy answers available to explain it.

"Get those planes on the ground," shouted the man in charge. "Get me some answers, people." But there were few answers coming. Everyone worked as quickly as they could to return some semblance of order. It was, by and large, domestic flights. Planes going from place to place within the continental states could use other means of navigation and were flying without any issue larger than complaints from their flyers about the satellite internet not working.

At least, he decided, he wouldn't be the one dealing with all the people who had come to pick up a friend, family, or colleague from an international flight that wasn't showing up. He couldn't imagine a number large enough to take up that job.

"We have a new one," came a call. "Flight from MEX to YVR, lost contact with YVR and is requesting permission to land with the rest."

"Get it down," he barked in reply. "What else are we going to do?"

"These are people from Mexico to Canada. None of them were planning to stop in the states. How many of them have valid visas?"

Christ on a stick... "Worry about that after they're safely on the ground. Here's to hoping this little hiccup passes us by and we can send them forward with some free peanuts for their lost time."

"You got it." He had accepted the buck. It would be his back end on the fire if he had made the wrong decision, but letting a plane make an unsafe turn was a step above that. He had made the only call he could make. That plane had to come down and weather the storm.

"Any news? Please tell me there's news."

The president stood before a podium. Many cameras, some with people, some without, were directed at him. That was not an unusual situation. It having only minutes of planning was more the strange part. "People of America, I stand before you in this time of great concern. At ten this morning, Eastern Time, we lost all contact with the world outside the borders of the continental United States of America. It is time to prove that we are worthy of the name. We must come together and see each other through this trying time. As you can see, the information and power networks within the country are in excellent repair where satellites are not in service."

His grip on the podium tightened. He was barely more educated than the scared people who would be watching him. "We have our best people on the case to discover what happened and what can be done to fix it. For now, continue as you were. Go to work, go to school. If you normally worked outside the country, you are to avoid attempting to leave."

"While we are racing to produce more satisfying answers for you all, at least know that we are on the case, and will not rest until we have them. Your government is on your side. Together, we'll make it through this tunnel and emerge stronger than ever before."

"United, we will stand. God Bless."

Author's Note

There will be more ponies, I swear! We start a tale about a large situation and what befalls it. We'll be zooming in on particular people in particular places, following them as they deal with things.

Are there people/ponies/places you want a peek at? Now's a fine time to vote! Comment below!

Want this story updated faster? Want to get your own story written? Want to support the author in his writing? Join the atreon!

Join my discord to chat!

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13 - The Ultimate Price

The president stood behind a podium. It was not unusual for a president to do so when they had news to deliver. He had a somber look on his face, addressing the crowd and the many camera pointed at him. "It is with a heavy heart that I commemorate a brave man..."

The man shouldn't have done what he did. He had been ordered to stand down. Regardless of that, he had done a brave thing, and the people needed someone to look towards, dead or not. News had started to crack. They knew. Even with a broken Internet, there was no escape from the modern news cycle.

"He is not alone. Others serving their communities gave their last in the past few weeks to protect against a new menace." He gripped the podium perhaps a little too hard. "The enemy forces--" The crowd's mood shifted. Enemy? "--scattered after his brave defense. Countless lives may have been saved."

"Though our countrymen in Alaska face new dangers, let us remember that we stand together. While we are safe, here, we will be working to extend that protection." He threw a hand out wide. "While these selfless guardians of the common man may have been first, they will not and simply can not be the last."

A shout came from the crowd, "what enemy?!"

"We are not prepared at this time to go into details. Simply know that we are not taking this lightly and we will defend this country. The element of surprise is over." He let out a small breath. "We are here to honor those who sacrificed themselves to that force, to give us the opportunity to react."

He gave posthumous medals to decorate the caskets of men far too dead to ever enjoy them. It was a small thing, he felt, to offer, but it was a thing he could do.

Mobile sprang from the water, hitting the ground on legs she didn't have just moments before. "Time to party!" she eagerly called in the human tongue.

"Hey, Coral." A younger human greeted her, waving one of his hands as he came closer. "People aren't really partying today."

Mobile tilted her head a little. "Why not? The sun's warm and the water's just the right level of cold."

"Yeah." He shrugged. "I'm with you. They're all moping because some cops in Alaska got killed. Not a big deal the way I see it."

Mobile tilted her head at that. "What's a cop? I mean, that's sad. Were they friends?"

He looked baffled at her confusion. "Cops? People who catch people who break laws and stuff?"

"Oh! Guards!" She clapped her talons together. "Oh... That's really sad. What happened to them?"

He shrugged. "They're being kinda cagey about that, but the Internet says it's--"

"Internet?" She tilted her head a bit. "You use a net to catch information?" She made a gesture as if tossing a net. "That's a pretty cool idea, but how would that work?"

He laughed good-naturedly at her confusion, gesturing to the hot dog stand that was ready and waiting. "I'll try to explain over a snack."

"Yes, please!" She followed after him with a smile. Food and answers? A great combination in her book.

The patrolman's body was found there outside the city in his car. The door was open, he was dead, and it was filled with bullet holes. The gun had been fired. There was blood. Some of it belonged to him, clearly, but some of it did not. He had shot something, to say nothing of whatever his car had run through before that point. It was a grizzly scene, and one they had to pore through.

It didn't take long for them to determine the mystery blood was not human. It was alien, built in a way that could only happen with a whole new origin. Theirs was an alien evolution, following paths that Earth never did. Even just under a microscope, one could see organelles in their cells that defied easy identification.

And those were primarily blood cells, theoretically simpler cells compared to many.

They did have one point of comparison. When offered treats and payment in exchange, the Seaquestrians were willing to give up some blood for examination. Between the two, it was clear to see that they shared an origin. Just as a human, a dog, and a frog all shared base similarities that marked them as being kin of the Earth, the seaquestrians and those that attacked that patrolman were born of the same world.

That was, perhaps, a small comfort. More comforting was the fact that this information could be passed. Packet radios had begun to come online, re-establishing a low-bandwidth connection between Alaska's Internet and the rest of America's. The priority of military and government traffic mostly pushed out the common man's access to this channel, but it was not entirely closed off.

You could get and send email to the rest of the states, if you didn't mind it coming in slowly; very very slowly. Browsing the web was far worse off; with basically any access to standard web ports being disabled. They were working on it, they claimed. At least there was email?

Back to the attacked city, they increased efforts to patrol their borders. Lawkeeping took a hit, as police searched for assailing invaders instead of criminals, but what other choice did they have?

Rarity set a hoof gently on the still shoulder of her dear friend. "This isn't right..."

A soft cough of an injured soldier was all that replied to her. Rainbow was unconscious, spread over a table. She had been stripped of her outfit and hurried off to emergency care on arrival. Rarity had waited with watery eyes the entire time. When Rainbow was returned, they said the pegasus would live.

That was a small pleasure. Rarity gently ran a hoof over Rainbow's shoulder. "Please wake up. Darling, you can make a snarky comment or two, that is what you do..." She sighed out, trailing her hoof along the bandages that helped Rainbow survive. "Such barbarians..."

"Have you seen Twilight?"

Rarity jumped, looking up to see Cadance there. "Oh, dear, I hadn't even heard you coming." She shook her head. "I haven't seen Twilight in some time, now that you bring it up..." She rubbed behind her head. "I do hope she's alright. I don't think I can weather another of my friends being so tragically injured..."

Cadance leaned in, touching her head to Rarity's, horns touching. "I know how you feel."

Rarity smiled just a little. "I... think you do. Thank you. Has... anyone dear to you been hurt?"

Cadance gestured across the room. "The guards from the Crystal Empire; I took pride in knowing them, being more than just a royal face... It hurts a great deal to know they are hurting, and that I took a part in making that happen."

She upturned a hoof in Rainbow's direction. "And Rainbow, of course. I can only imagine how Twilight will react if she returns to find Rainbow in such a condition." Her voice lowered dangerously, "if she returns." She looked away, her mane covering her eyes.

"Darling! Don't... please don't talk like that." Rarity shook her head almost violently. "That is not a thought I wish to entertain. She is Twilight Sparkle, princess of friendship. She has always found a way through in the darkest hour. Let's have some faith in her."

Cadance smiled a little. "I remember her when she was just a little dork of a filly." She returned her gaze to Rarity. "And she has grown into such a fine... dork of a mare." She sighed, but the motion was interrupted. A pony had grabbed one of her wings. She looked over her shoulder to see an injured shoulder holding her wing gently but firmly.

She couldn't muster the will to even be irate at the guard. "Shhh, I'm here. Sleep." She leaned in and kissed the stallion's forehead. The soldier released her wing and sagged with a smile, fading away.

Rarity felt her own expression brightening a little. "They really love you..."

"And I love them. Not in the way I love Shining Armor, of course, but..." She raised a hoof, looking ready to clop it down, but it returned to the ground slowly. "I pray she finds an answer that does not involve putting them in danger again."

Twilight appeared with a burst of sparkles. Her quarry was below her. But how did she approach? She watched. She watched and took notes. Who came, who left. Those who came regularly, who she began naming with no particular reasoning. "Ah, here comes Strong Breeze," she muttered to herself as a floating quill took a note on a floating scroll beside her.

"And his mated partner, Gentle Breeze." She had no evidence that the two humans had any relationship of any kind, other than both showing up at the building many times, often together. Was it terrible to assume two humans that happened to be in physical proximity were having a relationship? She shrugged softly and kept watching.

She tapped at her chin softly, considering things. "I am increasingly certain the badge they wear signifies their name and title." She made a little jot. "This seems to mean 'I belong here' since all the badges have it." It was a laborious process, trying to decipher humanity from a distance and without speaking to them.

Elsewhere in the same building, humans watched her. She was not terribly stealthy, barely making an effort to hide. They had cameras on the roof, casually watching the purple pony as she watched humans in turn. The first reaction had been thoughts of attacking her, but she seemed unarmed, and entirely harmless. She just... took a lot of notes. It was hard to be scared of something that just took notes all day long.

Was it a spy? That was dimly possible, but spy horses? They let her stay, watching her intently. There was a reason to.

She wrote. She wrote words they were learning. With data being passed finally, the words needed to communicate came through and after that, written language. Every day they were learning by watching what she wrote. They could see she was trying to do the same, to decipher English. She wasn't making very fast progress, and that was fine.

It was only after about a week of watching her watch people that they made their move. She hadn't budged, save to use the little mare's room. She was polite enough to not do so on top of the building, vanishing for a few minutes before popping right back where she had started and resuming her activities.

She slept there. It was during one of these sleeping periods that a soldier slipped out onto the roof. He had a gun, just in case. The horses could kill, this was known fact. That one appeared harmless, but appearances only went so far. He wasn't even alone. One didn't go alone if one wanted to survive. A moment after the first a second, then a third came out, all creeping as quietly as they could on the snowy rooftop.

Twilight was unaware of their presence and remained so until she woke up. Something had stung her. She reached a wing back to swat at the affected area, muttering something. She hadn't seen a lot of insect activity in the deep of winter. Figures it had... Her wing was not touching an insect's left bump. There was something protruding from her flesh.

She jumped up with an alarmed squeak, her magic yanking free the dart that had pricked her. Everything was kind of fuzzy. "W-what?" Adrenaline and depressants warred with her confused psyche caught in the middle. There were humans, she could see them, wielding their mini-cannons and watching her warily. "N-no, I come... in peace." She slumped into the snow, sleeping once more. The tranquilizer they had used proved quite effective on ponies.

Author's Note

Merry Christmas! I brought you a captive Twilight. Aren't I generous?!

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21 - Venture Capitalism

The mare smiled with building confidence as the human read over the manifest. "Ready to trade?" Sure, it had taken some work to move from scout to captain... But once she had asked the right ponies for a little backing, she soon had a ship of her own, and a crew of her own, and cargo... of her own! She had to make it to the human lands and come back with exotic goods.

She had loans to pay off.

The soldier was in a completely different standing. He didn't want to risk a potentially hostile ship in port, but the goods seemed harmless by and large. The produce and food would need inspecting. "I'm going to mark this." The mare didn't stop him from putting red squares next to each thing that would need inspection.

"Now, the way I see it," he continued. "You don't need to dock."

She squinted at him. "How else are we going to trade?"

"By staying right here. I'm taking this, but someone else will be back to perform inspections." He turned to leave with the manifest. "Bear with us and we will trade."

She sat on her haunches, fighting the urge to argue. A little faith? "I'll trust in you. Let's make a lot of people happy." Surely the aliens wanted some of what she had, she was sure of it. She surely wanted some of what they had.

Queen Novo examined her subject intently, watching her squirm in the water with soft little movements of her fins and tail. "Mobile," she spoke, breaking the silence. "Mobile... Why?"

Mobile blushed brightly. "They were a lot of fun and--"

"Are you in the habit of having children with anything that is 'fun'? Am I not fun, Mobile? Where are my young ones?"

"Right here, Mom!" came a younger female voice from around the corner.

"Not now, Skystar." Novo shook her head lightly. "What you did was... deeply irresponsible, even if they weren't complete outsiders. I would normally not involve myself in the questionable family planning of my subjects, but..."

"But?" Mobile canted her head faintly. What made it worse?

"You are creating a child that requires new laws, for us and them. You have drawn us into what would be your business. That thing growing inside you has an (American) father and an irresponsible seapony for a mother. Is it a citizen here? Is it a citizen there? Both, neither? And you don't even know who the father is! Does that invalidate its claim to its human nationality? You have made its life difficult before it even truly has begun."

She put a fin over her face. "Let's focus on what needs to be done. The father should be located."

"How?!" Mobile threw her fins wide. "I tried looking, but..."

"Not by shouting and screaming, to start." She swam up to Mobile in a single strong swish of her tail. "We will formally tell them we seek him, and let them look for us. They are very good at communicating. The human that admits to fatherhood will be granted Seaquestrian citizenship; pending your verification." She hiked a brow. "That does mean you'll have to decide which of them was the one. Now, please, tell me you didn't raise your tail for too many of them."

Mobile tilted her left one way and the other. "That's a funny way of getting into Seaquestria."

Novo sighed softly. "We will make this abundantly clear that this is a one time favor done, due to the... newness of the situation. I do not want bad ideas being rewarded as a habit. Now, if a couple were properly wed and came to me for my blessing, how would I say no?" She smiled gently, imagining the curious wedding. "But that isn't what happened." Her smile faded.

A new day, a new envelope, though this one... bulged in strange ways. Inside of it, President Crane found a scroll on two rollers. Also included was a translation and update. Contact had been made with the one Queen Novo had mentioned.

"Ah." Finally, a mention of Princess Celestia. She didn't sound hostile from the letter, far from it, but there were missing pieces...

He reached for the phone. "Is the route to Alaska clear enough for a little visit with Air Force One? It's time to settle things."

Only a blind man could miss all the signs. Princess Celestia, according to Queen Novo, was in charge of the ponies, and her agent was present, in American custody. Peace could be made, in theory.

It wasn't long before he was aboard Air Force One, the spacious jet that would ferry him across the ocean that separated the mainland of America from where Alaska had landed; shared with the natives to result in a poorly handled first meeting.

"Your Highness." A pony dipped their head towards Luna. "We have spied one of their flying vessels, moving quickly over the ocean. It is larger than any other we've seen!"

Luna frowned softly as she nodded. "If it carries weapons..." She imagined the slaughter that occured in the Crystal Empire, multiplied. "We cannot allow it! Assemble the team, we will intercept it." She drove a hoof down for emphasis. With a glowing horn, she drew her robe from across the room, shrouding herself as was proper for a warlock on duty.

Her loyal gathered around her and she nodded to each in kind. "If this is as large as reported, there are likely to be many active combatants aboard. We cannot be shadows the entire time, so use caution instead. Fight well, fight smart, and survive to serve me another day, my dear warriors."

The eldest raised a hoof to his beard. "Should we spare them?"

"If it can be done. Your safety is my first priority. Are we prepared."

"We are prepared," echoed them all at once.

With a great flaring of purple magic, they were gone.

They appeared in the center of the great flying ship. There were humans there, shocked at their appearance.

That instant of hesitation was all they needed. The secret service members stationed in that room were thrown violently into the walls as other magics robbed them of thought, leaving them unconcious.

Despite their altitude, it was warm. The air was... not so thin. It was almost as if they were still on the ground, though their ears reported that there was some pressure difference to be felt.

Unknown to them, other agents had heard the violence. Air Force One was wired with many phones and radios, and word was spreading rapidly.

"Mister President." A firm hand came down on his shoulder. "We have to move you. There may be intruders on the plane. Come with us."

President Crane did not fight the order, it was the one time the serviceman outranked him, but the very thought. How? AFO had countless defensive measures, to be... boarded? It was beyond comprehension.

"(Freeze!)" A door had burst open, allowing two men to level their hand cannons at the collection of ponies.

One horn glowed. That was enough. There was no time for further hesitation. They had a president to protect. They opened fire. The door leading into the back kicked open, allowing two more men to fire.

Two of the warlocks crumpled to the ground, caught in the crossfire instantly. The others faded away, becoming shadows for a brief moment.

A plane is known for its speed, and this worked against them. As a shadow, the plane could not carry them. They had to cease being a shadow with barely the speed of a thought to not be thrown into the air.

This left the defenders to advance on the room with its two injured and possibly dead interlopers. "(Room clear,)" one barked into their radio. "(They used magic or whatever, could still be on board.)"

"(Full sweep,)" came the reply. It was time to search the destroy.

The invading party had been scattered by their forced shadow departure. The hoof-to-hoof specialist arrived in a galley. The chefs were working, seemingly unaware of problems elsewhere. She could see one that was different. That one already had a hand cannon out and was looking, likely for her. Fortunately for her, he was looking in the wrong direction.

She jumped, magic propelling her. She couldn't fly, no, but a magically assisted jump? She was pretty good at those. She sailed across the galley without the noise of hoofs to give her away.

"(What?)" One of the chefs had seen her.

The cannon-wielder turned towards her. Her extended hind-leg connected, her hoof driven right into the side of his face as he tried to see what the alarm was. He crashed backwards, knocking over cooking utensils, but she was on him, punching and beating him without mercy. She swatted his cannon away, possibly breaking a few fingers doing it. "Stay."

Elsewhere, Luna appeared in a large space, relatively large. She wasn't sure what it was. She didn't get to find out. Before she could orient herself, pain exploded through a leg and she collapsed to the floor. She tried to call on her magic and another shot found her shoulder, causing it to gutter and fail in shock.

Several men closed in on her from different directions, ready to fill her with more bullets if so required.

The eldest appeared in a small room. There was a single man there. The man did not wield a cannon. The room was small, so small. "Hmm." He looked for the exit.

"Who are you?" asked the man in practiced Ponish.

This startled the pony, turning to regard the man again. "You can speak?"

"I've been practicing..." President Crane could feel his heart thumping. That pony was a very real threat. The room he was in was supposed to be rock solid, nothing should have gotten in unless the plane was shot down first and every serviceman was already dead, and yet... "Who are you?"

The old pony frowned softly. "I am an agent of my people, and my peers need my help. How do you leave?"

"You don't. They open it from the outside when it's safe." He tapped two fingers together. "In better circumstances, there would be things to do." Satellite Internet was not what it used to be. "Tell me, if you would, why is attacking this plane in your people's interests?"

The elder cocked a brow. "Is it not obvious? An attack ship of this size? We cannot allow such a thing."

"This entire (airplane) only has one purpose."

"What is that purpose?" asked the elder, peering at him intently. "Do not deceive me."

"You are speaking to the President of the United States." That only got confusion. "I lead the two-legged people."

"Oh..."

Another warlock appeared, only to vanish again, hopping and skipping through rooms with rapid jaunts. Teleportation was her specialty. Even the high speeds of the airplane couldn't throw her off, and she jumped around, startling humans wherever she went.

As she traveled, she took note of how many were wielding cannons, and which ones were not.

Then she found the cockpit. She appeared with a faint pop behind the two pilots and looked around, smiling quietly.

The pilots were focused on flying the plane, but the chatter of the radios were loud as the fighting between the warlocks and the humans raged across the aircraft.

One of them heard her, perhaps. He turned his head towards her, she vanished.

She appeared over his head and landed on him, clapping her arms over his neck and squeezing. "I'll be taking these." Her magic reached for the hand cannons that were still sheathed, yanking them free with a toss towards the back of the cockpit.

The other pilot punched her. Just... punched her. It wasn't even a very good punch. She turned her head towards him. "Sit down." She focused on his arms, holding them down with magic. These two were simply not very good fighters, she decided.

Author's Note

That could have gone better.

The Warlocks thought they were invincible, this is quickly proven false.

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25 - Elsewhere

"(So...)" The dark-skinned human student peered at the alien that made him look perfectly average. "(What's it like?)"

"(What's what like?)" They were not in Ponish class, so English was expected. Head Stream had her attention on her classmate though.

"(Being a... uh...) Hippogriff. (Bird-horse.)" He waved vaguely over her exotic form.

Her cheeks warmed dangerously. "(I am not a bird, or a horse!)"

"(Hey hey, sorry, my bad.)" He put up his hands placatingly. "(That was thoughtless of me. I should know better. You can fly, right? Is that fun or scary?)"

"(A little of both.)" She tilted her head. "(Depends on how you do it... You try being a mer-human? It's kinda like swimming, but easier in some ways... Crashing's easier when you fly too. Wherever you go, you get there fast.)

"(Right on. I ain't try that. Like I could afford it.)"

Head tilted her head the other way. "(Why not? The only part you have to pay for is--)"

"(--the boat--)" He began counting on fingers. "(--a place to stay, food to eat, and, uh...)"

She booped him suddenly on the nose. "Or... (you just ask a friend to help you out.)"

He brushed her arm away, but was looking at her curiously. "(You could get me over there and put me up, say over Summer Vacation?)"

"(That'd be fun!)" She clapped her taloned hands together. "(And you'd get to practice the, uh, what was that word... start with an h?)"

"(Hell?)"

"(Yes. Practice the hell completely out of it. It'll be out of hell. We'll have to buy new hell to put in it so you can practice that right back out again.)" She nodded confidently with a big grin. "(Just like I'm getting better at English.)"

"(You're not bad at all,)" He admitted with a slightly more subdued smile. "(Thanks... I'll think about it.)"

Mobile inclined her head faintly. The human before her was one she was certain she had never met before, and yet... "(How did we met?)" she challenged.

"(On the beach,)" explained the human.

Mobile Coral squinted at him. "(I think the right term there is 'duh'? Get more specific or we move on to the next one.)"

His face soured, but recovered quickly. "(It was sunset. You looked even prettier against the reds of the water.)"

"Next!" She waved him away. She felt certain she would remember a romantic spewing human, and she still did not remember that one.

She took a sip from a glass of water, watching as the first human left, and another came in. That one seemed... a little more familiar. She couldn't put a talon on it... "(Hello.)"

"Hey, Mobile Coral." He said it in the way that she used to say hello, when she first came ashore. "(Uh... Look... We... did things... And I don't know if that was... the time... but I want to do the right thing, so here I am.)"

Mobile rolled up to her haunches, her attention locking onto the human. He was a younger specimen, though she was terrible at putting years to humans. Old enough to not still be going to school, but not that much further? He was... about at the same place she was, young, stupid, thinking they had everything under control. She smiled gently. "(We can never prove it's yours. Do you accept being the father of, you know, that? I mean..." She started to worry her fingers, feeling increasingly self-conscious.

"(Keep checking... but I'm here. We had a really good time, and I would...)" He was shaking a little, looking so nervous.

Mobile sat up, regarding him all the more intently. "(What if I wasn't having a child?)"

"(I'd never have the bravery to be here, asking a pretty woman if she will accept my hand.)" He dropped awkwardly to a knee, offering a hand.

Mobile smiled a little. That was romantic, minus the faux-poetic nonsense. Her tail lashed behind her as she considered. "Next... (But you, stay... Over there.)" She pointed to a quiet place for him. She had more humans to interview, but she considered him a good possibility.

"(Mister President,)" greeted the door guard, removing his hat to show proper deferrence. "(And, uh, guests?)"

"(Hello,)" greeted Twilight, learning that human word. "We brought back your leader. Sorry for the confusion."

The guard did not know what she was saying. The president thankfully did. "(She's apologizing for my being kidnapped. Get on the phone and let everyone know where I am and that I'm unharmed, now.)"

"(Yes, Sir!)" He dashed off to do just that.

Rainbow came in last, following Twilight. "They sure do talk funny."

"I'm sure our words seem equally strange to them. That's how it works." She smiled at Crane. "Do you need anything else, or should we get out of the way? I'd love to have that chat, but I imagine..."

Crane shook his head. "I have to stop my country from losing its mind from this event. When I have a moment, how do I contact you?"

With a glowing horn, a scroll emerged from her pocket. "Write what you want here, close it as tightly as you can, then set it on fire."

"Set... it on fire?" He accepted the scroll even as he peered at it suspiciously, waiting for it to explode in his hands.

"It's a one time enchantment. It will arrive at the palace we just left. Send word for me, and I'll come right back here." She pointed back out onto the roof they had stepped off of. "I hope everything goes well... These miscommunications must stop, now, on both sides. Our people have suffered so needlessly... I feel you agree."

Rainbow softly snorted. "Maybe if they stopped shooting their cannons at us so fast, we could get along."

"Rainbow!" hissed Twilight, trying to smile despite it. "Now is not the time."

The president pulled out the dictionary that more and more people were starting to have. "Take this."

Twilight's eyes widened as she accepted the book in her magic. "Is... this?" She flipped it open, eyes rapidly scanning. "It is! This will change everything! Come on, Rainbow, time to go back."

Rainbow arched a brow at the book, watching the president move away. "What's the big deal about that book? You look more excited than the last time a Daring Do book hit the shelves."

"As if you weren't standing in the same line right next to me." Twilight softly chuckled at the memory, the two of them giggling like little foals, so eager to get the book. "This is just as important. Look!" She turned the book towards Rainbow Dash. "It's a dictionary! It has their words and our words, together, with meanings! Ooo, and it's clearly written to work in either direction. This is fantastic." She clip-clopped her hooves with building joy.

Rainbow clucked her tongue, considering the book. "Think they'd get a kick out of translating Daring Do books?"

Twilight paused, blinking at the idea. "I... don't know? Maybe? Learning what sort of literature they prefer would be delightful, once we stop hurting each other." She huffed at that, emerging out onto the roof once more. "Speaking of that, we should relay the good news. At least, today, we aren't pushing things closer to calamity."

Rainbow didn't immediately join Twilight, instead zipping to the edge of the building to look out over the city. "Woah... This place is kinda big, and so tightly packed... Look at how tall their buildings are!" She pointed a wing at the tallest she could see.

"That's not that big," noted Twilight with a raised brow. A little over twenty stories, she estimated. "I mean, it's a tall building, but you were in Manehatten."

"So Manehatten has tall buildings too, doesn't make that not tall. They're lousy with buildings." Her eyes wandered over the snowy city, drinking it in. "Sure I can't go for a little fly?"

"Dash... We are still in a state of... uh... not sure what it is, but it's not 'peace'. I'm hoping we're getting close to that, but right now, you're just asking someone to panic and do something you and they will both regret."

"That's lame." She turned away from the vista and trotted over to Twilight's side. "This city's so much bigger than the ones we were seeing though. I thought those were their big ones."

Twilight hiked a brow. "Learning is a magic all of its own. C'mon, let's go home." She vanished with Rainbow, drawing the pegasus far more smoothly between Here and There with the knowledge that she was along for the ride.

"(The president is secure,)" announced one man, looking to the others in the room.

Interrogating Luna felt less immediately pressing. "(Where did they find him?)" asked the woman there.

"(They gave him back with an apology,)" explained the man on the phone. "(Can you even do that? Hey, sorry about that, here you go.)"

Another man shrugged. "(He wasn't even gone for 24 hours. If he doesn't press the matter, it's about as legally damning as sitting someone on the wrong plane I bet.)"

"(Except the attempted hijacking of Air Force One,)" noted the first man, hanging up his phone. "(Someone has to take that responsibility, to say nothing of the people injured in the event.)"

"(We have a new focus.)" She raised a hand to her headpiece. "(Ask her why she attacked the plane. Forget the president, he's already back and safe.)"

"(Think they gave him up hoping to trade him for her?)" The man waved a few fingers at the monitor that showed the interrogation room.

"(If they did, they did a poor job of it, since now we have both.)" The other man shrugged softly. "(Let's see what we can get from her.)"

Twilight appeared in an uneven pile, Rainbow crashing on top of her. "What the?" The spot she had just said Rarity kept clean, wasn't clean. There was a new ponyquinn right on the very spot, causing her teleport to veer off and Rainbow to land on top of her instead of next to her. "Figures..."

Rainbow sat up, shaking herself off as she did so. "Is this Rarity's--"

"--Rainbow? Twi!" Applejack emerged from the back with a big smile. "Shoot, sure is good t' see you girl. Where ya been hidin'? Spike's practically lost without ya."

Twilight rolled upright, sending Rainbow tumbling. "Good to be back. I'll be sure to check in with him. Good news, I think... This may be over soon."

"Relieved ta hear it." She reached up for her big hat, pulling it down a little. "Ah couldn't say no to comin' out here, didn't mean ah was lookin' forward to it any. If we can do this without hurtin' people, all the better. Shoot, why can't we just rainbow the problem?"

Rainbow huffed as she stood up again. "Rainbows are always the answer, especially this rainbow!" She pointed to herself with both hooves.

Twilight smirked softly as she considered it. "Well, for one, we're dealing with a lot of little problems, not any one huge problem. If there was one specific thing to handle, I feel certain we could, but an entire nation of things? It doesn't quite work that way... Anywho, glad to see you." She threw an arm over Applejack, hugging and being hugged in a moment of reunion. "I should get to the castle so they don't panic more than they already have."

Almost the moment the VP set the phone down, his phone began to buzz and beep anew. He sighed as he turned the phone over to see who it was. The FBI? A call from the literal FBI? He swiped to answer. "Hello?"

"You are still going to serve as the president," announced the man on the line. "The president has to be evaluated. The opposing force, in defiance of all previous scientific knowledge, has what we would call magic. President Crane could have had his perceptions changed and his loyalties twisted. This must be confirmed to not be the case before we can allow him to resume his duties."

Things just got a little more complicated.

Author's Note

Happy ending, yay!

...

Or is it?

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41 - Migration

Despite the dragons' complaints, they took time to try to ensure some amount of safety for those involved, human or otherwise. They cooked up special sleeves to be worn over sharp claws and gnashing teeth that would reduce it to being gummed and gently brushed with nerf toys, but leave ink all over wherever the contact was made, to clearly mark a mortally wounded soldier as taken out, despite no actual injury being received.

With the consent of a few dragons eager to prove how tough they were, they were able to calibrate the marking ammunition to keep the risk of injury as low as possible, while leaving bright marks where they could easily be seen on a variety of scale colors to note a defeated dragon in much the same way.

Because standard munitions appeared to be more painful than immediately life threatening to draconic combatants if not aimed at the right places, the dragons were all given face masks and and chest covering directly over their more exposed organs. If they were marked outside of those places, the dragon could continue to battle, but if they were marked there, they were out.

The exception were explosives. They threw a different color ink, and anyone caught in one of those, human or dragon, would be out if they got sprayed with that ink. Dragons had shown no specific resistance to pressure waves, just impact and shrapnel. A sizable advantage, but not an insurmountable one.

The war game, er, fight for dragon's honor, was almost ready.

"(Is this necessary?)" Mobile was laying across a medical examination bed. "(Everything is fine.)"

"(Your child is larger now. We just want to keep up to date with its development.)" The female doctor gently smeared the ultrasound goop all over Mobile Coral's tummy, preparing for the scan. "(You are a special mother, with a special child. You are both making history, and we want to keep a very close eye on it the entire way.)"

"(I'm right here.)" Tim was holding one of her talons, his fingers gently woven with her claws. "(I'm kind of excited.)"

"(Oh?)"

"(It's my child too, and I never got a peek.)"

She smiled at that, upturning her beak in a way normal birds could not do. "(Let's not keep him in suspense then, Doc.)"

"(As the mother requests.)" She pressed the rounded end of the device against the prepared belly, slowly scanning about. "(And... a face.)"

On the screen was the infant, still developing, face of what seemed to be a human child at first blush, if one entirely ignored the ears. Those were long and positioned incorrectly. It had sea pony ears. The child moved, the image lost. "(Ooops, where did they go...?)" The doctor swept across just a little, bringing in a new image.

"(Ah, a spine. Your child is already showing her disapproval, flashing their back at us.)" The doctor was smiling at the attempt at humor.

The spine was fairly standard, as spines went, until one went far enough down that it seemed to get a little confusing. Mobile pointed a talon. "(Is that a tail?!)" It didn't have two legs, but one tail. "(I'm making a mer-human!)"

Tim's hand clenched softly at hers. "(Can you... tell if it's a he or a she, by chance?)"

"(If they will cooperate with me.)" The doctor did her best, trying to get a better peek at the forming hybrid's genitals. "(They appear to... be in good health, but... I can only say that they are moving and nothing appears to be...)" She paused, looking to the parents instead of the belly or the screen produced. "(Your child is not human, so judging it by a human child's usual tells would be unfair. If a human child had... no legs and a tail like that, I would be deeply concerned.)"

"(But they aren't that,)" echoed Mobile. "(I wonder if... they have a tail because it's wet in there... Maybe they will have legs when it's dry?)"

Tim became confused at the idea, his face broadcasting it guilelessly. "(Uh, don't you need your crystal to do that?)"

"(So? I have a crystal right here.)" She reached with her free talon to feel the dangling fragment of their crystal. "(Children are more clever than people think. I bet they used it.)"

Tim did not look confident, but he squeezed her talon gently, remaining at her side.

"Finally!" Ember landed atop a small boulder to raise her just a little against the elevation of the rest of the dragons she had brought. "We are going to show those humans--" She had learned what they called themselves, all the better to talk about them. "how much better we are. Everyone got their stuff on?" She raised her claws into view, all their sharp points covered in the painted foam. "Don't go scratching any itches with this on."

Torch loomed tall over the rest of the assembled army of dragons. When he spoke, his teeth looked absurd in his mouth, capped as they were, "is there a reason for this? This is hardly a comfortable way of fighting."

"Yeah," complained a younger dragon near the front. "You can't really hurt someone like this." He wriggled his covered claws at Ember.

"Because we aren't hurting anything, but their pride." She flashed a grin. "They think they're so tough, let's take them down a few pegs."

A female dragon raised a hand, waving it wildly.

"Yes?"

"Oh, um..." She glanced left and right nervously. "I was just wondering... do we get something if we win?"

"Ooo." The previous male perked at that. "Yeah, now we're talking. What do we get for winning?"

Ember let out her breath in an annoyed sigh. "We're going to beat them up and show we're better. Have some pride!" She grabbed her scepter and turned towards the battlefield. "I'm going to signal we're ready." She lifted the scepter into clear view, thrust at her unseen opponents.

A flash caught her eye. "They're ready. Let's get started. No going past the borders of the battlefield, not that we need to. Let's mop up some humans."

With a great roar, the dragons scattered, each hunting eagerly for human soldiers. They had no cohesion or order, just a want to win, mobility, and natural weapons.

The humans did not gather in plain sight. They did not scatter haphazardly. Small teams stuck together as they spread in specifically planned motions. They could see the dragons, many of them flying above. The ability to fly was not always a boon. It's hard to not be seen.

A sharp crack echoed from the forest below.

"The hell?!" cursed Garble, feeling a stinging blow on his chest. He reached for it and his hand came back covered in ink. A sniper had shot him right at the heart. "They're cheating!" Despite his accusation, he diverted away, flying off the field with a string of grumbles.

Torch landed. For most dragons, that would be a casual event, and not itself a thing that changed the battlefield. Trees snapped and fell as his massive bulk came down close to where the shot had come from. "Where are you hiding?" Little specks of paint began to cover him from all directions, but none landed on the critical points, one of which was buried under his bulk. "I can hear your little cannons." He held up a claw to cover his eyes, the weak points that they were, but that left him with plenty of strength in his other hand.

The humans yelped and screamed as he casually swatted an entire copse of trees aside, sending them flying.

The attempts to take down Torch were giving signs to the other dragons, sweeping in from the sky to attack the humans that had tried to take out their largest.

Despite the attempt of the human soldiers to keep things organized, it fell apart as the lines clashed. Soldiers were sent to the ground with ink splotches as dragons reeled back, unable to see out of their ink-stained visors or cursing their ink-splattered chests.

It was a bloody massacre, on both sides.

By the time the dust settled, they started to count casualties, both real and simulated.

Ember was smiling victoriously, the ink splatters she got not landing on any 'kill' zones. "We won, right? C'mon, tell us!" She was facing a human that was busy scribbling things, tabulating the results.

"(25 actual casualties. Fatalities unconfirmed, we'll have to hope for--)"

"In Ponish," she grunted, tapping a foot on the ground impatiently.

He turned in place before flagging down another soldier and whispering to them quietly a moment. The second nodded and moved between him and Ember. "(I will translate.)"

"Fantastic, so did we win?" She waved her scepter idly. "They wanna know."

The second soldier listened to the first. "25 people were hurt. We don't know how many were killed."

She cocked a brow. "Yeah? That all of 'em, or just your side?"

The two exchanged words before the second replied, "Those are human numbers. How many are hurt on your side? Real hurt, not fake hurt."

Ember rolled her eyes as she turned back towards her people, all waiting at the rocky clearing they started at. "Hey! Anyone hurt over there?" she bellowed in their direction.

Replies came back, but most of them were variations of 'no', with one dragon complaining that he had landed badly. Ember held up a single finger. "One hurt, but I think he's being a little crybaby. Don't see anyone missing, so zero kills. You'll have to try harder than that to take one of us out." She turned back to the soldiers with a cocky smile. "So we won on that, but what about the fake stuff? I didn't get splattered with paint to not hear the results."

"Comparing the total fieldable army of both sides, we had one thousand soldiers against your fifty. Of your fifty, thirty-five were hit. Of our thousand, three hundred and sixty two were hit." The first soldier slapped shut his clipboard, the second nodded lightly. "As conflicts go, that is an embarrassingly high casualty ratio on our part. It took ten american casualties to inflict one dragon casualty."

"So we won!" She pumped a fist, an action that prompted wild cheering from the dragons behind her. "Yeah! I knew--"

"--Don't be too fast. In the end, we had more than enough soldiers to defeat what you had left. You won the battle--"

"--Yeah!" Her outburst prompted a fresh round of cheering from the dragons.

"--but lost the war."

She frowned at that, working the numbers in her mind. "Huh... There are too many of you."

"Basically," he agreed with a little smile. "If it helps, I wouldn't want to fight you."

The intel gathered from the battle was sent off for analysis as quickly as it was assembled. Many people would lose sleep sifting through it all and making conclusions.

The dragon 'conflict' had been resolved peacefully. Despite the logistics of it, injuries to American soldiers had been kept to a relative minimum. Crane tapped the folder against his desk. "(We have plenty of other concerns.)" He picked up his pen and started scribbling. "(There are things congress needs to answer before the end of the year. Get this to the VP and have him present it.)"

"(Of course, Sir.)" The aide took up the written letter, folding it precisely. "(What are you hoping they'll do?)"

"(Our laws are terribly out of date. They assume we live on Earth, which we no longer do. To start, immigration and emigration channels need to be completely reworked. We have people leaving, and others wanting to get in. The legal definition of a 'person' has to be redefined. Technically, Seaquestrians and everything else don't qualify. They're not--)"

"(--Not technically true,)" interrupted the aide. "(Queen Novo incorporated her nation, filled out all the paperwork. All of her people are considered board members and are sheltered under that legal personage.)"

Crane laughed, slapping the desk. "(She's the CEO of her nation? Fantastic. That doesn't absolve us of the need to fix that.)" He made a quiet note to look up how that had been filed.

Author's Note

Time is speeding up a bit here, if you didn't notice. The active conflict fading, allowing us to skip around a bit while peace reigns, which isn't a bad thing, right? The dragons got their honor fight, rawr!

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