Patience, there comes a time when the breaking point is finally reached, and with each fleeting moment, it came ever so closer for both sides.

The artic snow seemed to be colder, harsher, than usual, a blizzard had passed by earlier, with remnants of it still creating snow banks and other obstacles as the Knighted Royal Battalion, the personal and combined bodyguards of Equestria's Elite soldiers for the royalties, battled through to take one last message to humanity’s remaining stronghold.

With each fleeting moment, Equus causalities increased by the moment, humanity had created many things throughout the course of the war, from weapons such as powerful railguns, plasma rifles, and the like, to titans of steel and devices that could rule and change the entire pattern of the ecosystem. Yet none were as deadly as the so-called “Magic-Killers,” but there would be a much more befitting name that it would be known and go by. Collectively known as “Humanity’s Ace,” a name simply given by Equus as a whole to any of Humanity’s groundbreaking advancements or individuals.

These were undeniable testaments to what had pushed both worlds to their fullest, a mark that would forever scar both. It was, to some, magical, how everything the war had done showed the true nature of humans, it showed what really turns their decision, unlike their opponents. Humans continued to try and find ways to conquer the different fields and challenges presented to them, first was the challenge of division, the second, the battle against consciences, and the third and final one, the battle against their nature, magic as they saw it, was natural, thus, to overcome it meant to overcome the world that they had built upon. Despite the rockiest of times, Equus found unity with each and every creature despite their clear difference in species and... history, one that admittedly, humanity had known far too well amongst themselves. And if Humanity could be described with rational irrationality, Equus could be described as myth-given life.

A distant boom was heard, but the artic snow muffled what could be heard from the distance. Equus, with Equestria as its leading nation, had repeatedly fallen for the same blunder over and over, but just like their human adversaries, they too had unlocked something great, although they would never be able to unlock the Elements of Harmony's true and full potential, they too had managed to create unity amongst themselves, from Griffons to Yaks and everything in between, it rivaled the UN in all ways, the only thing keeping them afloat for this long was their combined desire to make it through, it brought their resources more than what both worlds could ever expect.

After the distant booms had been heard, explosions after the explosion had befallen these soldiers that traversed the arctic snow. This is what the war grew into a stalemate, with Equus as a whole refusing to negotiate out of a false belief that they could win this war because of the sole fact that they think their magic had attained their immortality, with humanity only really being forced to prolong it in the hopes of negotiation, less their hand be pushed to take drastic measures.

The snow was covered in red bloodstains, the same blood that had stained the souls of millions and untold billions, civilian and soldiers alike. Another “battle” would contribute to this stalemate.

It had been so long since the initial battles had been fought in this war, once, Equus with Equestria leading it was near unbeaten for five whole years with nearly no sign of dent in their progress, but it all came crashing into a halt once humanity had understood magic, and with the understanding, they used it in both their techs and experiments to turn the tides of war, but Equus refused to think otherwise, and untold millions or more had perished in the pursuit of victory, another five years humanity had seemed to turn the tide of war, yet with Equus refusal of surrender, with magic, knowledge, and technology growing in both sides, amongst other things, the war had grown in a deadlock, only hundreds were needed in keeping this war going, it could all end in an instant. Humanity and Equus, two vastly different worlds, yet they saw the unexpected in each other, Equus saw Humanity’s advancements without magic, complicated and calculating they were, yet also morally divided in their views, Humanity saw Equus’s unity, they had “gods”, leaders that they could look up to blindly and the magic that they held within each and every creature that banded that sense of unity, yet for all the grand gestures, both sides could only describe the other with one word: otherworldly, befitting, considering this was two worlds at war.

But amongst them who still saw no point in negotiations was Celestia and the leaders of Equus, who had grown to the very thing they swore to never turn into, or more appropriately, mimic into, they had become in more than one way, human-like, even if they won’t, couldn’t see or even admit it, they had been blinded by hate and anger, one of the most human aspects one could have.

It did not take long for the news about this latest attack to reach her table of command, although opinions were still very mixed in more than one way.

“If we may begin,” Celestia said as she gathered the ponies before her, her table of command, leaders, it was what she needed, she needed a major victory in order to do a real dent in humanities advancement, the war, although having grown into a stalemate, could still be fought and won if one was to achieve a blow that could cripple the others ability to fight.

“I do believe I am first to speak,” A mare said as she stood up to speak.

“Go ahead,” Celestia said.

A nod after, the mare continued, “As of recent events, it has come to our attention that the supplies, ships, and other necessities that we have been promised in order to make an offensive against the ‘South and South-East Asian Blockade Group’ haven’t been fulfilled for the time being, with respect, I would just like to know why that is the case.”

“Actually, there is a recent revelation I would like to share,” Twilight spoke up as she lifted a piece of parchment to show to the group, “There has been word that another stronghold has been located, this time in Antarctica, we have sent an ‘expeditionary force’ to investigate and capture it.”

Dead silence followed, until another pony, this time a stallion, spoke up, “What is the news about them currently?” He asked as he himself seemed to set another important file to show, “Because have also received word that the ‘Ocean Giants’ are mobilizing, several words of rumors have been circulating of certain codenames being tossed around, going by ‘Titan Fall’, ‘Mailman’ and ‘Lucky Gamble' respectively, it is currently unfortunate that the nature of these, likely, codenames are still unclear, they might, as some agents of ours would put it, be the beginning of a massive ‘project or plan of destruction,' one that is clearly of great concern should they turn out to bear some truth.”

Another moment of silence, then the mare from earlier spoke up once more, “That still doesn’t answer my...” holding her tongue and thinking of her next words wisely, she didn’t want to tip anyone off, even in the slightest, “inquiry.”

“I think we could worry about that later,” Twilight said for a change of topic, and as she did so, she lifted another file to read aloud, “For now, I feel as though I have to read this report aloud just for its contents.” She said, “The previous expeditionary forces that we have sent to Antarctica have yet to return from their mission, it is clear that they are likely KIA, but for now, they are still considered MIA until further notice, just like all of our recent... endeavors.” She finished, her voice losing its weight as she ended her little presentation.

For now, everyone was reading through the files, soaking up the information and devising in their own minds, ways how it could benefit their own braches.

“What about the other Equus nations?” The stallion asked, “How have their endeavors ended?”

“Better than what we had hoped for it seemed,” Celestia said as she lifted a file to read aloud, “it is reported that the Griffon and Hippogriff fronts in South American Campaign are at a standstill, the Yaks had managed to push west closer into the Russian capital but still hadn’t made a stronghold to their east, the Changeling and Equestrian Navy combined are still being pursued by the ‘South-East Blockade Group’, while the Dragon coalition currently having yet to make any recent moves against Europe or Africa with the ‘Big Seven’ sending constant support for nearly all known and nearby regions, this excludes the actions of other 'minor' nations.”

A wave of silence befell the room, day after day, the same report had always come and gone, news of success, failure, or neither would come and go. Then, a small shuffling noise is heard, one that was immediately followed by a knock on the door of the room.

“Come in,” Celestia replied, and what came inside was one of Celestia’s most trusted agents, Agent Sweetie Drops, “I believe you have a good reason to speak to me directly during this time?” Celestia asked as her agent moved to her side, a box full of folders on her back.

“Yes, you’re Highness.” She simply replied as she dropped the box on top of the table, with the countless other files being shifted and managed by Twilight to give room for the new information, “And I believe it could turn the entire tide of the war.” She said, a smug face forming, likely because of a job well done.”

“Well, what is the report about?” The stallion asked, relaxing his posture like every pony else in the room. They expected good news, considering the fact that this was one of Celestia's best agents.

“Well, I believe you have been told of the recent rumors with what the UN has planned, correct?” Agent Sweetie Drop asked, which she gladly received a unanimous nod from every pony in the room, “Great, because that saves me the time from having to explain the first part, skipping over some details, I would essentially like to say that we, the ESS, had figured out a supposedly important transcript message, one that would reveal some valuable secrets that could just be enough to turn the tide of the war into Equus's favor.” She said so as she held her head up high, waiting for any response or further inquiries which she would have to answer too.

“And what would you finding be?” Twilight asked, floating a quill and paper with her magic, clearly intrigued.

“Well...” Sweetie Drops trailed off, “it's news that you would either find greatly concerning or a great breakthrough in our progress to win against humanity.”

“Please, Miss Drops, you are a professional in your field, I believe that whatever you’d have to say will bring great opportunities for the soldiers of Equus in the frontlines,” Celestia said, putting a comforting smile to ease the agent’s worries.

“Um… Ok, Princess. I trust that everyone could handle and receive this news in a better light.”

“JUST GET ON WITH IT!” Shouted the stallion, “um, my deepest apologies.” He quickly followed suit.

“Ok, ok,” Sweetie Drops said, taking deep breaths before she spoke again, “The findings of the ESS, which are shown in the files in the box in front of you, is one that we did not anticipate, but one Equus should have expected. Mares and Stallions, it is with great reluctance that I should say, but as of today, it is confirmed that Humanity is making plans for the future, a future where the war has ended, a future where the war is entering its final stages, a future that is in the making as we speak…” She said, her voice losing its weight as she finished what she had just said.

The room, silent for a moment with tension being built with it, the silence hung for a moment, until in a united yet unexpected manner, the room busted into a fit of noise, every pony in one simultaneous moment spoke and stood up from their place, voicing their thoughts on arguably the most important news ever since the war had started, in a fit of rage, disgust, surprises, and other emotions, everyone, including Twilight Sparkle, had been knocked into a flurry of emotions trying to push their views, to try and find the right answer, because, in that very moment, the entirety of Equus and the war effort as a whole was now walking in a fine line, one that would no doubt be costly if they are unable to act appropriately.

But one thing stood true to everyone in the chaos that ensued, this news had to be spread throughout the nations of Equus, the Yaks, Griffons, Hippogriffs, Changelings, Crystal pony’s, and everyone else. Because in that very sudden moment of realization, the information that the final stretch of the war is about to enter would only bring an issue that has plagued everyone since its very beginning, the costs and effects that will ensue.

And while every pony in that very room was consumed by this new information, only one had thought that she fully understood its meaning, slipping away from the room unnoticed, Celestia made a byway for her personal quarters. And upon arriving in the room, she immediately locked it and sealed the entire room with her magic, encapsulating it and making sure nobody, not even those she would lay down her life for, would hear or even see what was about to happen in this room.

“Took you a while, Celestia, I was afraid I might have to intervene just to get your attention for a private discussion of ours.” A voice said, one that Celestia had no ill will towards, she had lost some emotions as the war progressed, and she honestly became indifferent to the creature that that voice belonged to.

“I can’t say this war had been going according to plan, Discord, but do know that I'd rather stay as vibrant as the sun for the following days, plus other... plans,” She responded, rage crawling into her voice, she admittedly hated how the war was at a stalemate, but the recent news only further dampened her mood, “so please do me a favor and leave, I do not wish to be indulged with you or your antics, Until later maybe, but may it be forbidden, I really don’t need you making it all the more unbearable.”

“Oh no no no, Celestia, as much as I'd love that being the case, well, let's just say I had to ‘negotiate’ somethings just to be here to meet and bring you some news,” Discord replied, taking on a much more serious tone, “and although what is about to happen will certainly bring chaos, I can't exactly say I am too keen with it happening, I am certain that most of humanity is hesitant with what they are about to do, Celestia, so do bring that into consideration once new news comes about.”

“And why is that, Discord? I’m almost certain you’d switch to the winning side once ab opportunity is found, and I’m sure you understand my hesitation to take your word, the war had gone on for so long, despite what humanity has created, Equus as a whole is still standing and putting up a fight, it won't fall so easily, and we will still win this war.”

“And yet it fails to realize you are straining not only your luck and resources but also time, let me ask you this Celestia, for how long are you planning to drag this war on?”

“For as long as it takes to achieve total Harmony.” She said with conviction and trust in her voice, she believed the war was far from over, and she knew humanity had a history of treachery, this could easily be another one of those, after all, this is war they were speaking about, playing dirty, as much as she hated, was a way to achieve victory, or in this case, harmony.

“Harmony, or a semblance of order?” He asked, lifting what appears to be a cup of tea for himself, “Because unfortunately for Equus, and especially for you Celestia, humanity had waited long enough, and with great reluctance on their part, they have decided to take action.”

“And what do you have to gain from telling me this?” Celestia asked, preparing her horn to imprison Discord, she had a chance, but first, information.

“Because as much as I hate the war, Celestia, I still love Equus in my own chaotic way, for it is the world that brought me these powers after all, and in the honest heart of Chaos, I came here to give you this warning, because it will be the first of many, and one that I need Equus to heed.” He finished with a sober tone, eyeing the princesses with a seriousness he seldomly showed to anyone.

Staring at each other for a moment, in one quick motion, Celestia discharged the spell that she had prepared, but before it could hit its mark, Discord had snapped away into thin air. Rage began to creep into Celestia's thoughts, but before it could get any worse, she laid down on one of her chairs, she needed time, but with every second that came and went, it cost Equus precious resources. And one that she would have to find a quick solution to, lest the worse is to come by what Discord is saying.

“The war really had gone off long enough…” Celestia muttered to herself, looking out the windows of her room, the weather seemed to be darker than usual, now, she first had to wait, collect her thoughts, to think rationally.

“Unfortunately, it has indeed, Celestia…” A whisper in the air said, the somber voice of Discord, one the Celestia expected. Now that war was on a metaphorical timer, it was a race against time to its results.

Author's Note

A new story, a new venture, or something...

So, the usual shebang will be asked, corrects and what not, apart from all that,
just like my other stories, I'm just trying to do something with time and writing for fun, amongst other things,

This is still a work in progress, and I am still going to make changes to better up the narrative, hopefully, I am able to create something good to bring

Storyboard and references are great and all, but sometimes, yeah no... I won't do something like that, maybe I'll include some, who knows!

Till next time!