Iron Equestria

June 11th, 1029 PC, 1:32 PM

Gallus arrived barely in time to watch as ambulances pulled up to the building, and Equestrian guards quickly rushed out with stretchers. The first to come out was Twilight and the other princesses. Gallus's breath hitched as his eyes fell on Twilight, who was still, with her eyes closed. His only evidence that she was alive was her slow and unsteady breathing.

One of her wings was bent at an unnatural angle, while her chest was wrapped in hasty bandaging that was already soaked through with blood. Her previously pristine purple coat was coated in crystal shards, and soot.

Celestia and Luna weren't in any better positions. The princess in the sun had bandages over her eyes, the previously noble Celestia was whimpering as a guard desperately tried to stop bleeding at her stomach with a towel and his hands. Luna had to be carried on her right side due to the sheer amount of wounds on her left arm.

His eyes then fell on the others leaving the palace. Cadance herself was almost completely covered from head to toe in bandages like a mummy. Both her husband and daughter desperately followed, getting into the ambulance alongside her which quickly sped off towards the nearest hospital in the city.

Behind her came a stretcher carrying the Changeling King, whose breathing was visibly labored as cracks snaked across his carapace oozing blue blood, all while Ember stood over him almost completely unwounded save for a broken arm in a sling as she held one of his hands as they were lead towards the ambulance.

Finally came Queen Novo and Prince Rutherford. Novo was buckled over in pain trying desperately to claw at a wooden board impaled into her chest, screaming as Silverstream and her bodyguards held her hands down to prevent her from pulling it out, something that would have guaranteed a quick and rather horrible death for the queen. Rutherford meanwhile was slightly more dignified, though an entire half of his face was burnt beyond recognition, one of his hands covering his eye as he roared out in pain.

Finally, the last guard came out, and in his hands was the slightly burned and blood-splattered but still intact crown of King Grover, which he was quick to hand off to two other guards. Gallus quickly rushed forwards toward the three, causing them to freeze and salute.

"Where are the other two dignitaries!?" He demanded

The guards were quiet, before the one who brought out the crown spoke. "Dead, sir." He said, grimacing. "There... there weren't even bodies left sir."

Gallus froze for a second. The gryphon king... dead... and he wasn't there to protect him. He wasn't there to protect any of his charges...

"What happened?" Gallus asked as he covered his forehead with a hand, turning to stare at the last of the ambulances as it sped off, to be replaced by troop transports and Harmony-Class Striders.

"We don't know sir," One of the other guards said, "As far as we are aware a bomb had been hidden under the meeting table."

"And no one noticed it? We had that place swept clean just this morning!" Gallus cried, turning to the guard with a look of rage on his face. Someone was losing their job for this, if not being arrested for criminal incompetence.

"No sir... We think..." The guard said, his voice trailing off. The third guard, who had been quiet this entire time gulped before speaking. "We think it was smuggled in by one of the dignitaries themselves."

Gallus's face instantly went white. "Which one?" He asked, dread in his voice.

"We... don't know sir."

June 12th, 1029 PC, 10:12 PM

Yona and Sandbar and their family sat on the ground huddled around their standing radio. Yona had her two eldest calves, five and six respectively, rested on either of her knees, a hand on each of their shoulders. Sandbar, meanwhile, had a young baby in his hands.

Sandbar and Yona both stared at the radio, dread written on their faces as it merely played static before finally after what felt like hours of waiting, it finally chimed on with a female voice; "Tragedy shakes the nation of Equestria today as the Royal Guard and Parliament finally confirmed what everyone was already suspecting. Yesterday, at one PM in the afternoon, a bomb went off in a conference room being attended by the four princesses and leader from across the globe. All four alicorns in attendance were heavily wounded by the blast and have been left in critical condition and were rushed to the closest hospital where they remain under round-the-clock medical care and surveillance. Alongside this, King Thorax and Queen Novo have been left in similar conditions, with their wounds near fatal."

Yona let out a slight sigh. At the very least that meant that Prince Rutherford wasn't on the verge of death like so many others.

"However, we have confirmation that not everyone escaped the blast. King Grover IV and Prince Los V were both killed in the blast, leaving both nations reeling. Relations with both nations have already taken a turn for the worse, as the Equestrian Parliament has decided nearly unanimously to seize the Crown of Grover I until such a time that other missing magical artifacts have been returned."

"They did what?!" Sandbar cried, his jaw-dropping. He turned his eyes to his wife, who merely had her eyes staring ahead in dread.

"The Kingdom of Gryphonstone has already announced that Prince Galiano would take the throne in response to his father's passing, but he has declined to accept the title of King until his father's crown is returned to him. Things are similarly grim within the nation of Cervinija. The Cervinijan government has announced that King Los IV, after hearing of the death of his son suffered a near-fatal heart attack that has left him sickly and bedridden. His firstborn son, Prince Antevic, has taken the throne as regent and begun rapidly mobilizing the military of his nation, claiming Equestria is at fault for the death of his little brother and has cut all diplomatic ties. The Equestrian Broadcasting Station will attempt to cover the story as it unfolds but for the time being this is Newscaster Tell All sighting off for the-"

Sandbar interrupted the radio's closing messages by turning it off, before he turned to his wife, dread written on his face.

"If... if there is a war we will have to join." He said, turning to his wife, who nodded over at him.

"Yak... Yak will call mother and father. They will take care of little ones." Yona said, looking down at her children, who barely had a grasp at what was happening.

"You guys want to spend some time with Baba and Dida?" Sandbar asked turning to the two calves sitting on Yona's lap.

"Yeah!"

July 2nd, 1029PC, 11:21AM

Gallus stood in the center of the Equestrian Parliament building, hands clasped behind his back as he stared ahead at the Equestrian Parliament. Standing to his right was Shining Armor and in front of him was Flurry Heart. It was a very large circular room, with an entrance to his left and right. The rest of the chamber was taken up by a large circular gallery, where nobles and industrialists alike sat, speaking about inane issues.

Gallus's eyes scanned the room until they locked on the leaders of Equestria's allies. Or for most, their interim leaders.

Novo had been forced to temporarily step down due to a mix of her age and wounds, so her position had been filled by her Daughter, Princess Skystar. While the gryphons had been taken over by Prince Galiano, King Grover's only son. Gallus found his eyes drawn to the prince often. He was wearing a deep blue military uniform with a cape on his back and a saber on his side. His arms were crossed over his chest as he stared at the Equestrian parliament with scorn. Gallus could have sworn he saw the Prince's eyes twitch slightly everytime his eyes brushed over the head of the parliament, one Prince Blueblood... He understood why of course. There was bad blood between him and the gryphon race ever since the first argument popped up over Grover's crown.

With the wounding of Thorax, his brother had quickly implemented martial law and stepped up to bat alongside a temporary council to handle civilian matters. The Changeling Empire had, in recent days, been taken over by an all-encompassing desire for revenge against whoever it was who had hurt their beloved king. It was honestly rather scary. Ember herself was standing alongside the changeling prince, her arm in a sling. He watched her grind her teeth slightly. She had managed to escape the blast almost entirely unharmed. Apparently, having fireproof skin and scales hard as stone helped against explosions, who'd of thought?

More surprisingly to him, however, was the fact that Prince Rutherford had remained in power and had almost entirely shrugged off his wounds. Half of his body was wrapped in bandages, and he was slightly more sluggish than normal, he noted, but aside from that, he seemed almost completely fine. It was hard not to say that Gallus was impressed.

A stallion clearing his throat prompted Gallus to stop what he was doing and turn to a central podium, which was built in a stair-like shape, with three seats, each one progressively higher than the last. Sitting on the top podium was Prince Blueblood, the de facto head of the Equestrian Parliament. Gallus had genuinely never really liked the guy, but he was the head of Equestrian nobility and was thus deserving of some minute respect he supposed. Sitting next to him was a unicorn noble by the name of Polar Star. Grey mane, and white hair. He on the other hand was exceptionally quiet, never really speaking except to back up Blueblood's points and agree with him.

Gallus grimaced when he saw who the third person sitting on the lowest pedestal was. A grey pegasus with a white mane, wearing a monocle, tophat, and business suit. He rolled his eyes as the pegasus tapped a cane idly on the ground while waiting for his fellow magistrates to start the meeting.

Big Business was his name. Leader of the largest industrial company in Equestria, with factories stretching from the Crystal Empire all the way to the deserts to the south. The number one job provider in Equestria. And a massive specist. It was an open secret amongst the upper crust that he had secured his position on the parliament council through bribery, but since almost every other noble and industrialist in the country was in his pocket there was nothing he or even the princesses could do about it. Especially because he constantly pushed forwards motions to try to swindle land out of Equestria's neighbors for exploitation or things of that regard.

Gallus tried to calm himself, breathing in and clenching his fists when he and Big Business locked eyes, and the pegasus flashed him with the smuggest smile he had ever seen in his life. The only thing keeping him from clocking him in the face was the threat of court martial if he did. And the hand of Shining Armor on his shoulder.

Blueblood cleared his throat and spoke out, his voice refined though somewhat aged by the march of time. "Fillies, gentlecolts... and creatures. I believe you are all well aware of the situation our nations find themselves in." He started, looking over to two guards who were quick to rush forwards holding up a map resting on an easel. Gallus recognized the map rather quickly, one of Cervinija.

"Tensions with Cervinija are remarkably high, and there is a very very low chance of them stabilizing. War is a certainty." Blueblood said, triggering a series of mumbling from the crowd.

Big Business took the lead from there. "As such, we will be striking first and beginning a preemptive attack along Cervinija's northern border directly into the Velovnik Region, which houses most of the iron and oil the Cervinijans pull up from the ground to fuel their war machine." He stated as he rose from his chair. "Which, after we slam these deer into the dirt, we will be annexing for Equestria permanently."

Shining Armor raised an eyebrow. "With all due respect," The prince said, taking a step forwards. "I think it is far too early to be thinking of what we will claim in victory. Not to mention, if I was a Cervinijan I'd most certainly be expecting an attack along that border. They probably have it already fortified, and you're suggesting a full frontal assault? A naval invasion or an attack from their south would be far safer and hold less risk than marching into one of their most strategically important regions." He said, quickly pointing to the map.

"And?" The pegasus laughed. "The Equestrian army has remained undefeated for a thousand years, and now we have one of the largest industrial militaries in history. These antlered upstarts handed Equestria the very means to destroy them! We won't even need our allies to finish the savages off and pick their nation apart for scrap."

"But-" Shining Armor started.

"Not to mention we have an Alicorn," Blueblood said, sitting up at his podium. "Which, I will remind you, are the supreme magical authority in existence. With her, on the frontlines, we could conquer the world if we wanted to."

"You want to put my daughter on the frontlines?" Shining Armor growled through grit teeth.

"Correct." Big Business stated with a smirk.

Shining Armor started visibly grinding his teeth but quickly turned away with a snarl.

Gallus turned his head to the allied leaders, who were already murmuring to one another. Barring Prine Galiano, whose eye merely twitched. The prince suddenly stepped forwards.

"Perhaps a compromise is in order," he said, smirking slightly, arms behind his back. "While I do agree with Shining Armor's assessment, I have studied some of Cervinija's military doctrine. I mean, they have bordered the Kingdom of Gryphonstone for over a thousand years."

The Prince approached, tapping the Gryphonian and Cervinijan border, directly adjacent to Equestria's border with the nation. "Cervinijan war doctrine tends to askew aerial warfare in favor of mostly focusing on the ground. They have very few aerial mechs and even fewer airships. That leaves any fortified positions they have vulnerable to an attack from the air. Which we gryphons just so happen to excel at. Lucky you."

The prince turned to Shining Armor, smiling slightly. "We will be more than willing to provide you aerial support during your operation in Velovnik. You Equestrians have always been so... accommodating with us that I feel it's only fair that we paid you back for all you've done for us." He said, rolling his wrists slightly as he spoke. "Especially what you've down recently."

Prince Rutherford stepped forwards. "Yak will send army to help in battle too!" He said, slamming a hoof down.

Gallus could have sworn he saw Galiano's eye twitch after Rutherford spoke out. "Very well then. The more the merrier."

"Perfect. Now we have a solution, and I trust you to get to it Shining Armor." Big Business chuckled, moving his hands in a shooing motion.

Gallus growled before he too spoke up. "Hold on." He said arms crossed over his chest. "Unless I am remembering incorrectly, the Equestrian army does not have the final say on military operations. You are a civilian government."

All eyes were now on him. Gallus scanned the room. Many in the parliament looked down on him with scorn, though the allied leaders were more interested or curious. Galiano himself's eyes were wide with interest, blinking several times over at him.

Gallus stepped aside holding out a hand in a gesture to Flurry Heart. "As all of the other princesses are currently... indisposed, Princess Flurry Heart is the defacto ruler of Equestria and has the final say."

Big Business seethed between gritted teeth, while Shining Armor let out a sigh of relief.

Flurry Heart paused as all eyes moved to her instead. She felt her breath catch in her throat but did her best to remain stoic.

Her eyes quickly traveled from Gallus, to the map, then finally settling on her father.

"Well... it would be in the best interests of everyone to avoid war." She started, thinking back to the lessons her mother had tried to drill into her. She watched as her father swelled with pride, straightening his back and positively beaming.

But at the same time...

She hesitated. This was her chance for an adventure. If she could end the war and save lives while doing it... she'd be a hero. Just like Auntie Twilight.

She straightened her back. "But, this war is likely unavoidable." Instantly her father's smile dropped and Gallus took a step back. Her vision settled on Galiano and the council who all smirked down at her. "If it is unavoidable, then the best way to minimize death and suffering is to end it as quickly as possible. As such, I will be fighting on the front lines. And we will start our invasion in Velovnik."

"Excellent." Galiano clapped his hands together, before turning towards the door. "I am off to prepare my armies. I suggest you all do the same.

As he turned to leave one of his generals was quick to rush to his side. "Devo fazer os preparativos para a surpresa, senhor?" He said quietly as they made their way to the door.

"Sim."

The rest of the allied leaders were quick to follow, several of them mumbling about how they didn't get a chance to speak, but the parliament ignored them.

"Now then General, I highly recommend you make preparations. You will be leading the frontal assault." Blueblood said to Shining.

The unicorn snarled, Gallus and Flurry Heart quickly following after him. As soon as they were out of the room, Big Business quickly cleared his throat.

"Now that this is out of the way..." He said, snapping his fingers, quickly prompting the guards at the map to change to the next slide, revealing a close-up of the Velovnik region, though it was cut into pieces with each one numbered. "Shall we begin the auction?"

Quickly the nobles and businessmen of parliament pulled out small auction paddles from under their desks, and it began.