[EAW] When Cannons Fade

While the Great War raged in Equus, shattering the Pony dreams of peace as bitter resistance was made against the changeling forces, a grander, and worse war was being fought in the bloodied lands of Griffonia, where only the greed and bloodlust of the Griffons sang against the hopes and dreams of a better world.

The unthinkable had happened. Ferdinand Dawnclaw, the butcher of Griffinheim, “Lord Protector of the Empire”, seized power over the Empire, and by what seems to be extremely lucky circumstances, or the work of a cruel joke by Maar. The truth was, that the rest of the empire that joined to oppose the cruel dictator, was in as much flames and despair as was the capital. Revolution, local rebellions, and simple incompetence made Dawnclaw’s sweep across the Empire an extremely hard affair, but one he could meet with his forces of bloodthirsty legions.

The only sane place that seemed to be left, was the Republic, in the far, harsh North, where the government of Kemerskai and his right hand griff, Sunglider reside. With the conquest of the traitors in Skynavia, the peaceful annexation of Brantbeak, and the alliance with the fair kingdom of Vedina, the Republic had solidified a strong position in the North, but its ambitions lied beyond, never satisfied until the Pan-Griffonian dream would be realized…

It is 1017. Ten years since the beginning of the “Great Griffonian Wars.” And by all means, there’s no signs of it stopping soon...that was until the sun brought dawn...

JANUARY 12TH, 1017, 1400 LOCAL, NOUVEAU AQUILA, SOCIALIST REPUBLIC OF NOVA GRIFFONIA
The Ceasefire Accords

Sunglider disembarked from his aircraft, followed by his entourage of well-armed Republican troops, from the elite “Republican Knights”. Sunglider never cared for the monarchist term, “Knights”, for they were donned in modern gear and berets, rather than armor and full helms, although each one carried a sword, the finest enchanted blades from Equestria. He had to admit, however, it worked well on the people, who were still nostalgic for the old Imperial ways, after both he and Dawnclaw struck it down.

Dawnclaw was going to be here. The bastard that started this all, the murderer of millions, the reign of terror that would make a Discret blush. A griff so morally depraved, that he’ll slaughter a mere child to secure his own power, to hell if it was a royal or not! Sunglider rolled his eye as a thought crossed his mind that the traitor Suntail and Dawnclaw would get along quite famously, and it certainly wouldn’t be over their daybreak-based names.

“Remind me why we’re not here to personally shoot this disgusting griffin?” Sunglider whispered to his colleague, Kingfeather, ever so pragmatic, walking by his side.

“Terms of cease-fire, bringing a war to its halt, Sunglider. I’m sure Dawnclaw has the same ideas...but remember. We’re not here to negotiate with Dawnclaw.”

Sunglider shifted his eye to Kingfeather, to show his visible disgust at this situation. As he did, his gaze almost immediately turned back, as a crowd erupted in cheer as another Republican figure stepped out of the plane - Astler, representative of the Left-NRP. The similar-minded people of the former colony adored the figure from across the sea. Sunglider and Astler had their differences, hell, bad blood even, but he was still loyal - useful, even, an ambassador of much support between the Communist Nova Griffonia, and the Harmonist Republic.

Well, at least, he wished the Harmonist label held any water, anymore.

“That damn tyrant in Canterlot...can’t keep her hooves out of our feathers…” Sunglider mumbled, as the group of NRP leaders continued off the tarmac, soon followed by the small group of Vedinan ambassadors, which made the trip with them.

Through the terminal and to the street, they were assaulted by state media and press, not just from the Nova Griffonians, but from Equestrians as well, the propagandists of the Empress allowed free reign to operate during this momentous occasion. the group of ambassadors all scattered off into secure cars and convoys, driving through the industrial, smog-filled concrete jungle, and into the historical district in the center of the city.

Sunglider felt like he was in Aquilea, especially as he left the car, approaching the steps of the large, domed building in which the talks were to be held. He fixed his eyes on the draped red banners of Nova Griffonia, as well as the Tricolor, the Imperial Banner, and just as he found his eye on the red-white and blue of the Aquilean Republic, he heard a familiar accent shout from an approaching vehicle…

“Sunglider! My brother!” yelled his longtime ally, Theodore Verany, as Sunglider smiled slightly at the sight, approaching his stopped car. Past the Nova Griffonian cordon, many local griffs cheered at the arrival of the leader of the old country, the charismatic griff stepping out, smiling, and waving towards the crowd. “If only in better circumstances, mon ami.”

“If only in victory, mein freund.” Sunglider said, as the two embraced, Verany gave the fellow revolutionary a short kiss on the cheek, before moving to greet the other NRP representatives. He never cared for such Aquilean and Karthinian ways of greeting, but it was welcome in this trying time.

“Come, let’s all get inside before the Imperial delegation arrives...” Sunglider said, ushering the NRP and Aquilean representatives along with him.

“Hah. Best restrain my claws, because I was going to be the one to kill him.” Verany jested, as he followed along. It seemed that Verany was able to keep his spirits high in this situation, even when it meant possible destruction if things could go wrong. He still had that Revolutionary spirit.

The two delegations entered the hall, where waiting for them was Heinrich Redtail, the modestly dressed president awaiting their arrival.

“Gentlegriffs.” He calmly states, nodding in the direction of both the NRP and Aquilean delegation. Sunglider tipped his service cap back to him, while Verany bowed. “I’m glad you two came first. We need to talk. Follow me.”

Redtail brought them to a small coffee room off to the side, with no windows, and thick walls. A worker poured them all hot drinks, the delegations making idle chatter before Redtail finally spoke up.

“We’ve graciously offered our local presidium in Nouveau Aquilea, however, I’m fearing that you both will be the only ones to argue reason within it.” Redtail said, sipping his small, enamel cup of tea. “Dawnclaw and his lackeys will do all they can to poke the hornet’s nest, perhaps even plot to derail it completely. As much as I’d like to see the Princess...sorry, “Empress” of Equestria skewer the head of a child killer, she knows she can use this to justify a conquest against all of Griffonia. Including you two.”

“What about the Riverlands?” Kingfeather asked, expecting that their distant allies against Dawnclaw’s forces would provide some leverage against their negotiator.

“They’ll abandon you, Mister Kingfeather. You haven’t had to deal with the Equestrians as I have.” Redtail would say, shaking his head. “They’ll play into her hooves. Secure all they can so they can achieve a pony-favored settlement for this conflict. Maar willing if Dawnclaw doesn’t put a band on those Hellquillian friends of his…”

“It’s all why she’s here, isn’t it? Get the Riverlands on her side, or get them to stand by, so she can send her armies landing and marching straight to Griffinheim and Cloudbury...and we all know she outnumbers us in numbers, industry, and pure will to fight.” Sunglider spoke up. He was a Harmonist, but unfortunately, Equestria just made him and Verany the only sane ones left, and now he was proposing what would’ve sounded like insane conspiracy theories back in 1007. “Kemerskai, you’re a lucky bastard for retiring to the grave by now…” Sunglider thought.

“I wouldn’t think so completely, President Sunglider. Above all, she wants to wield her hoof with power across the globe, insanely sticking by her old ideals. If your griffs and Verany’s can stake out a ceasefire agreement without a hitch...she’ll think she won. A champion of peace and harmony across the world. Showing Dawnclaw, and the ‘faithless’ Republics the true meaning of Harmony and Friendship.”

“Faithless?”

“Her words, not mine, comrade.”

“Great. A diplomatic tango with an insane empress leading the largest and most advanced army in the world, an insane child-killing dictator that we’re trying to depose, his genocidal friends, and lastly, riverponies who care only for their own wellbeing.” Sunglider said, before staring down at his coffee. He sipped it, as the room fell silent. He sat with the only remaining Griffons who fought for and upheld the dream for a free and just world. Perhaps the only people left. And he was at the helm of it all.

“Gentlegriffs.” Sunglider said in a strong voice, standing up. “This might seem hopeless. But the future of all Griffons rests in our talons. If we let tensions escalate, we’ll be worshipping the Solar Empire and speaking Equestrian. But if we secure peace, Daybreaker will stay on her shores. We’ll prepare for the final liberation, lying in wait to fight again until she has her own matters to trifle with. Peace is our only option, at the moment.”

Soon after, Verany stood up, crossing his hand over his heart. Then Kingfeather, nodding in his usual, calm fashion, but flashing a small smile. Astler next, hands behind his back, replying. “We’ll stand behind you, as we did to Kemerskai.”

Redtail would finally stand up, raising his teacup as if it was a toast. “Well said, President. We have your wings, as we did in the war.”

Sunglider couldn’t help but smile. At what seemed to be the world’s end, he still had these griffs to stand by.

“So Maar help us, raise the night...”