Author's Note

Note after republishing and putting on hiatus rather than cancelled: after reading through it i see some potential if I start rewriting what already exists and then expanding, the biggest flaw here is the first chapter which in my opinion is what garnered most of the dislikes, I'd say my writing does improve significantly in the next 2 chapters, they just need to be proofread and have some light editing done. For new readers please keep this in mind. I'll get around to rewriting the first chapter asap.

Will be updated semi regularly (hopefully) first longish thing I've ever written so all feedback is greatly appreciated. This chapter was more setting the scene sort of thing so it should start to heat up in the next chapter.
High General of the Royal Guard = pretty much a Cheif of staff.

Chapter One. The Nation

Chapter One, The Nation.

It was what you'd call a usual day in the Slazic capital of Colasvis, with the bustle of commerce that would be expected on a Monday morning and the parliament gathering after a two week period of inactivity, and with the Royal Slazic Army conducting drills at Volcis Barracks. New issue olive green uniforms had just arrived and the troops of the 22nd Platoon of the 11th Royal Infantry Regiment were getting trained in the art of using the colour to blend in... something that wasn't really going to plan.

The two Sargents conducting the training where getting very close to slapping the troops involved over their sheer inability to understand how to hide unseen in low grass.

"Can these fuckers not understand how to blend green with green?" Sargent Nightly Wonder muttered under her breath to her superior standing next to the light grey mare.

The other, a older Stallion by the name of Shadow Wind quietly replied "They'll soon get it the Corporals managed and if they can get it past their thick skulls then I'll be damned if they wont". The mare gave a small grin in response and continued giving instructions.

Private Dusk Mist was working with a few others to blend in with the low grass and pass the Sargents expectations for them to be, in her mind atleast, invisible. In the process of all of this they were getting very muddy and she was dreading cleaning the uniform... again.

Eventually after many hours of crawling on the ground they stopped and where dismissed.

Going inside the group of now very muddy ponies made a beeline for the showers. Private Long Wind turned to his two friends, Swift Eventide and Night Dusk and started happily chatting about the quickly approaching Winter leave. "You guys looking forward to the trip to the lake? Can't wait to finally skate again now that it's frozen."

"Already got some of the kit out, might need to get the blades sharpened though" Night said while opening the door to the male showers.

Swift on the other hand who had never particularly enjoyed skating in the slightest just gave a quiet huff, following his two friends into tour the now busy shower area.

Royal Slazic Parliment, 61 Days before outbreak of violencet

Loud bickering was the order of the day in the lower house of Slazic with the usual group, (Equestrian Union Party) having set off another argument about unification with Slazic's larger southern neighbour.

"It is simply out of the question as we have told you fools time and time again" The leader of the Ruling Royal Slazic Party, Prime Minister Blue Night loudly spat at the EUP members opposite him.

The EUP leader, Cherry Winds, gave him a glare and quickly hit back with "Your entire government is made up of 95% Thestral and continues to neglect non Thestral ponies and their cultural, economic and transport needs, despite us making up a minimum of 30-35% of the population as reported by the previous census." Continuing on for a while more she finished with something that shocked even a few members of her own party. "And if nothing is done we will be required to take more... militaristic actions to secure our needs"

A member of the National Slazic Union then stood up from where he was seated and hit back with "The needs and requirements of your kind have had our successive governments bending over backwards and beyond, in fact it would be the view of myself and my constitutents, to the detriment of the main Thestral population. And if you where to take as you put it 'militaristic actions' you'd be throwing the entire nation into turmoil and, this we can promise, a equally drastic reaction."

This continued for several hours until a group of government officials ran in and quietly informed the prime minister of a disturbing letter that had just been received from another one of Equestrias smaller neighbors.

Gettino up Blue Night excused himself and with a few ministers, who were currently in the chambers and hurried out with the group of officials. They soon reached the government meeting area of Government Square.

Sitting down Blue Night turned to the most senior of the group that brought them here and bluntly asked him "What is it? To rush into the chambers like that it better be good"

Misty Light, who was one of the seniors within the diplomatic staff quickly blurted out what she had to say. "Sorry for the disturbance sir but... Equestria just invaded Stalliongrad under the pretext of unifying all of pony kind under one banner"

Blue Night stared at her for several seconds a look of clear shock of his face. "Can I see the letter for myself?"

"Of course Sir, it was sent by the Stalliongrad embassy to all nations who currently have pony inhabitents, I could also fetch the Stalliongrad ambassador if you wish to have an audience with him?" She quickly said while passing Blue Night the letter from Stalliongrad.

"If you could ask them if a meeting could be set up within the next week it would be most appreciated, I'll call you if I need anything else." Blue said in a somewhat worried tone. As Misty walking away with the 3 others he raised his voice to be heard "And don't forget the report on the Equestrian assistance programs in the Southern Regions"

Misty turned her head for a second and gave and light nod and continued on her way.

The Prime Minister got up to quickly tell one of the Armed Guards to gather the War Council as quickly as possible. The guard gave a quick "Yes Sir" and set off at a gallop for the Ministry of Defence.

Coming back to the group of ministers he went to the lenter that Misty had given him and opened it.

Stalliongrad Department of Foreign Relations

To whom it may concern. The Socialist Republic of Stalliongrad was attacked today at 8:30am by Equestrian forces, without any form of official declaration of hostilities.

The attack was unprovoked as the reason for the attack (Which was given 3 hours later in clear breach of agreed international war proceedure) seems t o be a aim of uniting all ponies of all kinds under the banner of Equestria and/or the Crystal Empire. This letter has been dispatched to all nations with any sort of pony population within them. Stalliongrad forces are currently failing to hold the line against extremely powerful magic. This letter should be seen as a warning to prepare.

Stalovitch Hamerlov- Stalliongradian Foreign Minister.

"Sir.. should we" The Minister of Finance, Flight Shadow muttered. "Should we start preparing?"

The Prime Minister looked at him with worry written all over his face. "We'll see what the Military has to say, in the meantime close Parliment for the day. ""You" he said to the Minister of Transport and Communication "Start procedures for a possible restriction on travel across the country and evacuation of the southern border regions. The minister quickly scuttled off and after the Prime Minister had given a few more orders when the War Council rushed into the meeting area along with Chancellor Pure Dusk.

"What do you require sir?" General and Cheif of the War Council Midnight Arrow said, snapping to attention in a salute.

"Equestria attacked Stalliongrad under the pretext of unifying all of pony kind under itself"

Blue Night then went onto explain in detail to the assembled war council what the letter from Stalliongrad contained and went on to show the gathered War Council the letter contained and then asked them what should be done.

Midnight shifted uneasily as She replied "Well.... the best course of action I would think, is to fortify the mountains and start building defensive lines in and around the passages, possibly also start deploying troops to valuable assets and of course putting them on high alert"

Another General butted in with "Possibly activate the reserves and put ourselves on a war footing sir?"

"I doubt that'll be necessary but I do agree with what General Midnight Arrow has said"

The meeting continued on for several hours more and then finished with a basic plan of what to do, which included not letting too much slip to the press and informing the King immediately.

Volcis Fort, -60 Days before outbreak of violence

Nightly Wonder awoke to the sound of the alarm clock along with the 2 other female Seargents. Letting out a yawn she gother herself out of bed as the other two, Grey Light and Nox Gust, did so too.

"Thought we had atleast a few more hours of sleep today?" She muttered sleepily

"We were supposed to, atleast that's what the Lieutenant said" Responded a clearly grumpy Grey Light.

Nox Gust then pointed out how they'd been woken up an hour earlier than usual which solicited more grumbling from the other two.

A few Corporals where muttering about "What the fuck now" and "Hope rations are good enough tokay to make this worth while"

It was much the same in the male NCO bunks with Noon Dust, the platoons resident Warrent Officer muttering something along the lines of "I'm getting too old for this"

Shadow Wind however was already in the process of rousing any Corporals who were still in their beds, and was already making a beeline for the shower.

Within an hour the Privates had also been woken up and all were ordered to form parade with the rest of the Regiment, and soon enough the 11th Royal Infantry Regiment, all 2,500 of them, where formed up when Colonel Flight Shield trotted onto the parade ground and the entire Regiment snapped to attention.

"At ease." The Colonel said in a authorotive tone. "The entire military has been put on high alert due to Equestrian invasion of Stalliongrad. What I'm about to tell you doesnt leave this fort until said otherwise, anypony found to violate this will be punished, severely". The Colonel then went on to explain exactly what he had been told about the Equestrian invasion and all its details, along with the reason that was provided. "...and that is why we've been ordered to the Alkais border range and to entrench in the mountains and await orders, the coming leave has been cancelled. We will depart tomorrow and you will be issued cold weather equipment which you are already trained in using. Lieutenants send your platoons to mess and get yourselves some breakfast." The Colonel then turned and left towards his office.

After the Lieutenants plenty of somewhat upset voices started to grumble amongst themselves. But it would soon become apparent that wouldn't be their biggest worry.

Canterlot, -59 Days before outbreak of violence

The court of nobles was pestering Celestia for the umpteenth time that day about which noble family would get new titles in the newly conquered Stalliongrad, which while sporadic fighting was still going on in some remote areas had been fully occupied by the Equestrian Royal Guard for the most part. Celestia was in the process of assuring them that they'd get land and that she really needed to get on with a meeting with the High Command of the Guard about more unification plans when a messenger flew in.

"Yes you will get the land for your Grandson Lord Featherhoof do not worry" She was patiently telling a noble when she was startled by the sudden entrance of the Royal Guard messenger. "Everyone you will get your land just let me deal with this if you could" She turned to the messenger who had landed in front of her. "What news do you bring my little pony?"

"The Slazicans have been spotted mobilising around the border region by observers and spies, and it's on a significant scale your hillness." The pony in front of her said while trying to regain her breath and handing the Princess the letter.

Celestia took the letter from the pony in front of her and quickly glanced over it. Giving a small knod she dismissed the messenger and rose from her throne. "Lords and Mares I have something rather urgent to attend to I'm sure you can see yourself out".

Celestia turned to one of the guards and asked him to summon the High General of the Royal Guard and tell him that it was urgent. The Guard gave a quick salute in response and set off out the door.