Author's Note

Hey guys! Sorry for making you wait like that but with the highschool and Christmas holidays, I try to stay with my family and clear my mind so I could focus a lot more on the stories. Hope you enjoy this new chapter!

CH 4: The Monarch in Rijekograd.

"I choose... the path of the old ways."

"Non-Aligned then. Very well. When we will return to the normal world, you and your 'nation' will be non-aligned. Well, in reality, more your nation, you will be the same as before so..."

"I know what you mean. I will be myself but that choice will make sure that the ponies under my care will easily accept the ideology I choose."

"That's right, now time to show you the possibilities of the non-aligned path."

After Walter said that, a screen appeared and show me everything I need to know about the ideology I chose.

Ideology: Non-Aligned.

Description: The Non-Aligned ideology regroups all the types of government and sub ideology that is not supremacist, communist or harmonic. It's also the ideology where you found most of the monarchies of the world but remember that some monarchies who are imperialists are supremacists. You can also found some things like authoritarian democracies and republics, a military junta, or oligarchies just to say the least.

Possibilities: Unlike the other ideologies, the non-aligned can let you change ideology if you want to. You can also have puppets or collaboration government which are non-aligned like you. You can proclaim yourself the leader of a military junta, the president of an authoritarian democracy/oligarchy, or be crown as the king of your (newborn) nation.

"Well, it's very interesting."

"Glad you like it, also you can create your nation as I said earlier as if you were in Crusader Kings, you have all the condition to create it."

I look at the screen and saw that I can create a region (which is the duchy version of this world if you see what I mean), the region of Wild-Vodina. I hit the button 'create' and something appeared: 'Congratulations, you have successfully proclaimed 'The Duchy of Wild-Vodina'. I thought it wasn't duchy or maybe I created the region but since I take non-aligned and more precisely the monarchist sub ideology, the region name fits with it. Cool!

I came back to the normal world. We were actually at Coltstream, the news about our victory against the enemy was heard in the entire Duchy now.

(Important: I need you guys. I don't know what flag I should use. If by any chance one of you is good to make something with Gimp or photoshop and could post it on the internet because fimfiction needs the image to be on the internet so I could use it, I would be grateful. Or if you find a good flag then I'll take it.)

The first thing I saw was that the house where I lived was much better than last time. It was HUGE. Well, Walter's effect thing works perfectly. Before I could walk toward it, a lot of civilians saw me and run toward me, some soldiers made sure that they don't come too close. Each second, more ponies came to cheer my name and to celebrate our victory. It's like a star who just arrived and all the fans want to take a picture with their idol.

"It seems you're quite popular now." Said a voice behind me.

I turn around to find Shadow Star with Saphire and Starry Diamond walking toward me. I chuckle at that and when I was walking to my house, I wave at the ponies who were held by some soldiers. I saw that some of them have cameras so I turn to them and wave while at the same time they took some pictures.

I was joined by my two warlords friends and Shadow. I let them enter my house and holy fuck, it's HUGE! I walked around to see all the new things that were in this house, clearly, it's for an important person so... me. There were some guards outside who make sure no one enters it.

I go to my room and I open the door. Everything seems normal until I saw an open wardrobe with inside special clothes.

(Take the last one at the right)

It was an officer's uniform, black and red with a cape and a white officer's hat and also white gloves. That's what I think right now.

I take them and started to change my current clothes with them. I look at myself in a mirror, I really like the look of these clothes. I go out and walk into the living room. Shadow looked at me and you can tell she was shocked to see me like that. Sapphire and Diamond look at me as well and they have the same reaction Shadow Star had. I chuckle and sit on a chair. I saw that a pony in a waiter dress come to us and ask if we want to drink something. I said I wanted some wine if we have some and my three friends asked for some alcohol. After some time, the waiter came back with our drinks and left us after we take them.

"If I'd known you were going to become a king, I would have to make sure you have a better house when I came the last time." Said Shadow Star.

"Oh? That's so sweet of you."She giggled a little before drinking again. "Kvragu, this Java alcohol is so good."

"Is that Croatian?" I said a little shocked. I know she talks another language because her accent said she was not British or American when we first met but to thought she talks Croatian is surprising. Sapphire looked at me awkwardly.

"You mean Rivers? That's not surprising though, all the ponies here talk Rivers."

"Remember he is not from here Sapphire. Maybe 'Croatian' means Rivers from where he comes from." Said, Starry Diamond.

After that, we chat for the rest of the day and make sure to prepare for another attack that could come in the next days.

Rijekograd, third POV.

Rijekograd, the old capital of the now-dead River Republic. Under the rule of a communist warlord who is well known in the entire Riverlands, the one and only General Secretary Caramel Haze. Caramel Haze, before the Great Collapse, was a radical communist believing that the River Coalition could only be united by military strength and communism.

Here some history for you. After the Great Collapse, General Secretary Caramel Haze and his comrade Nova Whirl launched an uprising against the council that controlled Rijekograd and succeeded. The problem was, who should lead? And from that moment it was literally a war between Nova whirl, leader of the moderates and popular among the citizens, and Caramel Haze, leader of the radicals and chief of the communist army in the River Republic's territories. Thanks to his relations and position in the River Popular Army or RPA, he gained control but the moderates split up from the radicals and form their own nation. Also, there is a lot of warlords that came between the moderates and the radicals who have some territories here and there but not very important and their armies are not really good.

When the 6th Division return, all the ponies in Rjekograd thought they win and bring new territories into the fold but when they saw how much a lot were wounded and a lot of soldiers didn't come back, they were shocked and didn't understand what is happening.

The officer in charge of the expedition was asked to see the General Secretary. You should know if you have to see the General Secretary because you failed a vital mission just before that say goodbye to your family, it's maybe the last time you will see them. He arrived in the office and salute Caramel who was sat on a chair. He told the officer to come closer.

"Tell me, officer," said Haze, looking at the officer's eyes intensely, "When adults said something to their foals, they make sure that's what they said is a rule and an order the foal must follow, hmmm?"

"O-Of course, General Secretary." The officer couldn't stop looking into Haze's eyes, this look is always make sure that you can't stop looking at Caramel that's one of many reasons he can be scary.

"Well, then if we tell that I'm one of these adults and you, you are the foal. If I tell you to do something you will do it, don't you think?"

"I-I c-can only agree, sir." The pony was stressed, Caramel was known to be very unpredictable. He always tells something like if you chit-chat with him but in a blink of an eye, you're already dead or if you are lucky, he will let you live. What does this pony want? It's to unite the Riverlands under Stallionism at ANY cost.

"You see, military and family lives are two different things of course but there is a lot of similarities and when I order something I expect good results. Now, I ask you, officer: WAS THIS MISSION TOO DIFFICULT FOR YOU?! YOU LOST TO A BUNCH OF WARLORDS WITH PONIES WHO DIDN'T RECEIVED ANY PROPER TRAINING A SIMPLE SOLDIER GETS BEFORE HE OR SHE INTEGRATES THE ARMY! HOW COULD YOU LOST AGAINST THEM AND LET MORE THAN HALF OF THE 6TH DIVISION DIE AGAINST THEM?!"

Haze was furious and here you saw why he can be scary. He talked like anything was normal and just like that he was like an enraged beast, ready to destroy what or who angered him. His outbursts were so unpredictable and because of that, you could be paralyzed by fear for a whole minute if you were lucky enough that he didn't kill you before you realized you were paralyzed.

The officer was going to say something when two Red Guards take him away. At the same time, another officer came into the office.

"Druže Glavni Tajnik Caramel Haze, may I speak with you?" (It wants to say 'Comrade General Secretary')

"Of course comrade, what is it?"

"Our new weapon from Stalliongrad finally arrived."

Caramel smiled knowing he had something that will really help him.

Coltstream, third POV.

In Coltstream, everyone prepared for an ambitious attack, an attack against Rijekograd itself. William ordered to prepare for the future assault. Right, he was in a meeting with some promoted officers including Shadow Star, Sapphire, Starry Diamond, Jackpot Star, and his wife River Breeze.

"I want and it's a priority that our soldiers have proper training. The last time we won because we had strategic advantages but it will not always save us if our soldiers aren't trained." Said, William.

"Of course my lord. We will begin their training after the meeting." Affirmed one of the officers.

"But what is our plan then? Rjekograd can be an impenetrable fortress if its defenses are organized." Asked another one.

"Good question. My spies told me they're making trenches and improvised bunkers. Also, I've heard they have received something but I don't what it is and who sent it." Said Sapphire.

"Very well. Their information will help us. Now, what could destroy their defenses easily without sending waves of ponies?"

"Grand Duke, I have an idea." Said one of the ponies.

"What is it then?"

The pony took a box he brought at the meeting and take some blueprints from it. He placed them on the table and unrolled them. William took a closer look and saw something very interesting.

(Think it's a blueprint)

"As you can see, I thought we could start to improve our fire capacity and troops support. And I thought since we will attack Rjekograd which is occupied by a good army, why not improved our firepower with artillery?"

William looked at it, watching every detail: it's an M3 Howitzer, used by Us soldiers in WW2. The gun uses the barrel of the 105 mm Howitzer M2 and shortened and fitted to a slightly modified split trail carriage of the 75 mm pack Howitzer. (Thanks, Wikipedia.)

"Good work officer Lake. This will definitely help us, Jackpot Star do you think your company can help our military industries to produce a lot of it?"

"Of course William. You can count on us."

"Very well. I will make a plan before going to the city, for now, train the troops and make sure they are ready. I want the factories to start artillery production."

Jackpot Star and his wife nodded and everyone goes to do what they were asked for. Shadow Star, Starry, and Sapphire followed William to prepare a plan. They gather in one of William's rooms and close the door t make sure they are not interrupted.

"Can you please bring the map Shadow?"

She nodded and brought the map to unroll it on the table. It was showing the city of Rjekogra and how much it was big, after all, it's the old capital of one of the most powerful countries of the Riverlands.

"We need to make sure we can take it in one assault. I don't want too many casualties on our side, at least we now have artillery being produced."

"I agree with you but what is making me scared is what is the gift they received. My spies told me they couldn't find it. Apparently, the security and restricted areas doubled so there is no way we can find it plus I'm pretty sure they hid it."

"Fate will tell us, very soon."

For the next hours, they prepared the plan that will maybe bring them victory against the RPA and the General Secretary. In Rijekograd, Haze was looking through one of the many windows his office has. He looked toward the direction where the 6th division came back, defeated. He knows that the one that defeated them has the characteristic of a military genius. He smiled at this thought.

"At last, we will finally saw if our Revolution is strong enough against..."

He looked at a file where you could find some information about the other warlord that pushed back his army. He saw the title of this warlord, 'Grand Duke' and it's all they know about him except for his strategic skills.

"If our Revolution is strong enough against a monarch."

Some days later, third POV.

Finally, after days of preparations, the Duchy of Wild-Vodina was ready to attack the Commune of Rijekograd. Willaim was looking at his troops making the final checks of materials. The newly M3 Howitzer or we should say R1 Destruktor. (It's in Croatian it just means destructor.) Yes, they decided to rename, William didn't mind he thought it was pretty cool. He waited for some minutes to make sure everything was ready, he kept his new clothes he found in his room those days ago and his troops have military uniforms now.

(There are holes so the ponies aren't bothered by their ears)

After making sure everything was ready, the Grand Duke sent the signal to leave. The transports took the way toward the exit of Coltstream. As they were making their way toward the exit, a lot of citizens gathered to cheer and wish their Grand Duke and soldiers good luck.

The trucks leave the city and take the direction toward Rijekograd. It takes some days to arrive but they were finally at their destination. Soldiers come out of the trucks and the canons were detached from them, the soldiers started to place them and take the munitions these R1s use. William takes a look at the city thanks to his gun visor. He knows a lot will die during this attack, brave defenders who will fight until the end, and courageous attackers who will charge like fearless beings.

An officer came toward him, followed by two soldiers. The R1s were ready to fire they just wait for the signal and then, a storm of fire and steel will fall against the city.

"Grand Duke, the artillery is ready. Say the word and we will start the attack." Willaim turned slowly toward the officer looking directly into his eyes.

"Tell me, officer. Do you have a family?"

The pony was confused, he didn't know why William was asking this question.

"Of course. Why this question my lord?"

"Because you are lucky that your family is not in this city right now. By my very words, innocents will die: children, wives, and husbands. And this will haunt me, I already know that."

He took a deep breath before saying his bloody words.

"Open fire at will, officer."

He nodded and turned toward the canons with soldiers waiting for the orders.

"Fire at will!"

The canons started to fire. A loud sound could be heard in the city, a lot of ponies, citizens like soldiers, looked at the sky thinking it was the thunders from a storm which did this loud sound. The ponies in the trenches saw orange things coming toward them, the captain finally recognized what these oranges things were and started to yell.

"TAKE COVER!"

But just after she said that a shell hit the ground and exploded killing the ponies who were not too far away from the impact. After the first one hit the ground and exploded, the others did the same thing, you could vaguely hear the screams of pain and the ones who shouted orders. The worst was when some shells hit right into the city, killing the ones who war always kill: citizens. Panic and fear filled Rijekograd, the artillery destroyed countless building civilians like militaries. The worst who was worst than the precedent, it's when the shell hit an ammunition depot which was filled with explosive ones, ravaging the city a lot more.

The bombardment lasted for at least five minutes, five long minutes of hell: blood, fire, tears, steel, fear, panic were the things you don't want to see at the same time because they create a monster of a hell that could tear you apart if you only look at it.

After the five minutes, William ordered the end of this hell and send the infantry. The RPA soldiers seeing the rain of fire stopped tried to reorganize their defenses but before they could some of them had their heads pierced by a bullet. The army of the Duchy started to shoot at the enemy, without taking too many casualties from the pitiful resistance the RPA soldiers tried to put.

William was at the head of the assault, each time he saw an enemy he killed him/her like right now, he aimed toward the head of an RPA soldier and shoot killing him. After some fighting, William and his army were not too far away from the main building where Caramel Haze is. But, before they could reach it an explosion killed the group of ponies at William's left and a loud sound of something was coming closer like if it was something which rolled and this sound was...

"Oh no." Said William realizing what was the thing making that noise. He looked before him to see it!

"Everyone, take cover!" He ordered.

The tank shot again killing another group of three ponies. The machineguns on it started to open fire killing some ponies in the process.

"We need to destroy it!" Said Shadow Star.

"How?! I don't have anti-tank grenades on me!"

"There is a rocket launcher here!"

Shadow was pointing toward a depot that was damaged by the artillery but what was inside was in relatively good condition. She was pointing toward a rocket launcher, William run toward it and took it, and went back to his cover.

"Okay, William you can do this. Come on it's not your first time using a rocket launcher, you've done that in the army before." Said William to himself before, standing up and firing at the tank, destroying it in one shot. The ponies started to move toward the enemy HQ now that the way is clear.

After making his way into the HQ, William finally arrived before Haze's office door. He opened it and enter the room. He looked at his surrounding before seeing Haze looking at one of his windows. The General Secretary turned around to face the Grand Duke. William came closer and pointed his pistol at Haze.

"Grand Duke, we finally meet. After all those days of waiting, we are at the finale. This battle has sealed the old River Republic territories."

"General Secretary, what do you mean by that?"

At that Haze chuckled. He finally meets someone who was a decent commander and a military genius and here they were discussing like friends.

"You know, you and I have a lot in commons. The two of us want to unify these lands and stop all the suffering and for that, we are ready to make sacrifices and look, because of those sacrifices you made: the death of innocents and soldiers killed on the battlefield, you have claimed victory and defeated me. Now, you are a strength to be recognized. Only a fool would dare to attack you. You have succeeded to beat my army which was more powerful than yours in number and... relations if you know what I mean."

William couldn't disagree with him. With his victory, he took Rijekograd and now have an important territory and he could just destroy the warlords who were here and there. So yes, this battle just sealed the fate of these lands.

"You are right but that doesn't mean I like what I did. All these deads will haunt me like the ones I already killed in the past back from where I come from. Now, General Secretary, I order you to surrender you and your army. Your fate will be decided by justice from all the things you have done which are: assassinations, deportation in forced work camps, and many other horrible things. The ponies told me so no I don't that up just now." Haze hearing that smiled, he knew this day would have come one day or another.

"Oooh I know but I have a question for you Grand Duke. Do you think I would have been the one who would have to lead them if I won?"

"Maybe, I don't really know."

"You see? You don't know either like the rest of the ponies outside and to answer it's no. I would have maybe united the Riverlands but I would have never had a place in the future and now imaginary nation I wanted to create. Why? Because I'm a monster, everypony knows that."

Two soldiers of William's army enter the room after William gave them the signal to enter. They took one arm each and started to take Haze out of the office and to guide him into a jail.

"Before you go, General Secretary."

The soldiers stopped to move, Haze turns his head to the side to look at William, his back facing Haze and the soldiers.

"Only time and fate will tell us."

Then the three ponies started to walk again, leaving the monarch alone in a room overlooking Rijekograd.