War of The Gods

April 10th
Canterlot, Principality of Equestria

"I don't know if we could really compete with them," Field Marshal Shining Armor stated in a somewhat frantic manner as he walked alongside Field Marshal Sunset Shimmer down the dark halls of Canterlot's White Palace, their boots echoing on the hard floor. "If they are truly as advanced as Twilight said they were then it would be a sure chance of losing,"

"That's why we need to form an alliance with them," Sunset responded with her calm and collected tone. "I received news from the garrisons near Vanhoover, supposedly they saw tanks near the border with the Republics,"

"Just what we need, this and Stalliongrad," Shining armor let out a quiet curse. "Where did we go wrong? Near a thousand years of peace and it's all falling apart,"

"It's been falling for some time now, you know this," Sunset stated "There was the Civil War in the south right before Celestia took power... And what a mess that was, her biggest mistake was promising there 'Would be no more wars on Equestrian soil.'," Sunset reached up and rubbed the scar near her eye. "What a lie that was," She remembered her time in New Equestria and the fights with the natives that had given her that scar.

"And then she just gave the Markists Severyana," Shining Armor said with an heir of disdain in his voice. A mere eight years ago, Princess Celestia handed Severyana to the Markist Communists after a brief fight had broken out, one in which he took part. Shining Armor was an experienced soldier, he had fought with his father during the Civil War and had been to New Equestria the same as Sunset Shimmer. They soon reached their destination, a balcony overlooking the city of Canterlot as it sat dark and empty beneath them. She leaned on the metal guardrail, letting the cool breeze blow through her fiery braided hair.

"Equestria isn't ready for war," She finally said. "We just aren't..."

"Perhaps these 'Confederates', as they call themselves, could be of use in that regard," Shining Armor began. "Maybe, we can get their support, a guarantee of independence could, perhaps, be in order,"

"I tried talking to her about that," Sunset responded sounding defeated. "She's very adamant about peace and harmony across Equestria,"

"Have you talked to Princess Luna about it?"

"No... She's ill again, and this time it's worse than usual. She's in no position to be making these decisions," Sunset let out a sigh, rubbing the bridge of her nose. "Maybe they'll convince Celestia to support it. With our luck, they'll be just the same as her,"

"From what Twilight described, these people seem to have some sort of an obsession with war," Shining armor told Sunset “She says she managed to get her hands on some music from their world. It was something by a band called Sabaton if you could even understand the words you would find them to be quite disturbing,"

"Still, they could be the answer to keeping this country alive, it seems we lack allies with any real military forces to support us,"

"The whole of the west seems to be edging toward peace, at least that's what Celestia wants to believe," Shining Armor certainly had his doubts.

"I feel it's best we stop talking about this for now," Sunset began. "The Confederates will be here in the morning, it appears they rode the train from Cloudsdale,"

"Yes, we shall continue this in the morning,"

April 11th
Canterlot, Principality of Equestria

The morning sun had risen over Canterlot's grand rail station as the black steam engine rolled in, hauling its dark green carriages behind. The brakes let out a devilish squeal as it slowed to a halt at the station platform, news reporters and photographers gathered around the train as they awaited its long-awaited passengers. Instead, they were greeted by men dressed in green exiting from the rear to push the gathering paparazzi away from the train with their bayonetted rifles.

Finally, after what seemed like hours the passengers finally exited, three men of varying ages and sizes stepped out from the confines of a finely decorated coach at the train's center. All men donned the same matte gray officer's suits, bearing medals and cords from years of service, and carried straight sabers at their hips. Flashbulbs popped and film cameras recorded the monumental event happening before them.

Trailing behind the men were more guards, these men were escorting a station cart loaded with the luggage of the officers. They made their way down the station platform and out of the station, guards shielding them the whole way. Waiting for them in front of the art deco train sat two white and gold limousines, standing outside of these two limousines were their drivers wearing matching white and gold suits.

"Are you Military Governor Thatcher?" One of the drivers asked as they approached.

"Yes sir," The tallest and most imposing of the group answered. The driver nodded and opened the door, allowing him and the oldest of the group to squeeze inside, the other one was let into the limo at the rear, two guards climbing into each one.

"Don't worry, your luggage will be taken to the palace," The driver said as he climbed into the limo. The small Convoy started off, heading toward the grand white palace perched on a mountain at the city's edge. They drove down the broad main streets of the city, allowing all of its denizens to gawk at the aliens hidden away in the alabaster limousines. Before long the limos arrived at the palace, crossing a drawbridge and passing under a steel portcullis and into a surprisingly modest courtyard. There stood two officers to greet them, both donning well-decorated dark gray uniforms adorned by medals and cords much like the foreigners.

The drivers parked the cars and stepped out, opening the doors castle's guests, out stepped the soldiers, still wielding their heavy battle rifles, followed by the foreigners. A tall man built like a mountain, an old man hobbling on a cane, and a short man who was equally built like a mountain. They sauntered over to the awaiting Equestrian officers, taking in the scenery around them. Once reaching their Equestrian officers they each stood at attention, giving a quick salute before breaking.

"Mornin'," The tallest greeted with his smooth voice a toothy smile showing his lightly yellow teeth from years of smoking. "Who might y'all be?"

"I am Field Marshal Sunset Shimmer," The fiery-haired female officer answered.

"And I am Field Marshal Shining Armor," The blue-haired male officer answered.

"Well it's a right and fine pleasure to meet y'all," He shook their hands. "This old feller here's Field Marshal Jedediah Clemson,"

"It's good meetin' ya," The oldest one greeted in an old smoke-choked voice, a near toothless smile behind his thick white beard.

"And that short feller's Field Marshal Robert Crawford," The shortest of the bunch moved up to shake their hands.

"It's nice meetin' y'all," He greeted in a deep rumbling voice, both he and the tallest resembled one another, though Crawford looked much younger with his beard still mostly black, and hair still on his head.

"And of course, I'm Military Governor Aaron Thatcher," The largest finally said. "I spoke with some of your officials earlier in the month," Thatcher looked around at the glistening white palace with its rich colors and elegant decorations. "I'll just say, this place looks a hell of a lot better than New Richmond, it's nice to see something other than piles of concrete for once. Now, Marshal Shimmer, Marshal Armor, when do we get to meet this Princess Celestia?"

"I'm afraid she's... Busy right now... You won't be able to talk with her until later this afternoon," Sunset spoke in an apologetic manner. "But... In the meantime-" She was cut off by a flat-nose army truck pulling into the courtyard. "Ah, that must be the luggage, I guess we can go to your quarters then,"

"Good, it'd feel nice to sleep on something that ain't movin' for once," Thatcher responded. They made their way down the gorgeous halls of the castle, all five of them along with Thatcher's guards and a set of servants hauling their luggage. Before long they found themselves in another finely made hallway lined with doors, stopping at one. Thatcher opened it to find one of the most regal bed-chambers he had ever come across. At the center was a king-sized bed surrounded by a blue curtain, concealing it. To the right of the bed was a finely carved oak roller desk, closed for the time being, and to the left and across the room was a long oak dresser, as fine as the desk. "Nice place y'all got here," Thatcher said as he stepped into the room, the servants following behind him. "Just sit my stuff on the bed," He directed, pointing to the bed at the room's center. The servants did so before leaving the room.

"Governor Thatcher," Thatcher turned to find Marshal Shimmer standing in the doorway.

"Oh it's you," Thatcher said, opening one of his bags. "What might you need?" He pulled a brown leather case from within his bag.

“We need you to come to the conference room at the end of the hall, there’s… Something important we need to discuss,”

“Sure thing, Marshal, just gimme a sec,” he opened the case and pulled out a long cigar with a green and gold band wrapped around it. “You see this cigar right here, Marshal?” He asked, holding the long stick of tobacco in his large hand.

“Yes sir,” Sunset answered

"This here's a Dixieland King, made by the Old Virginia Cigar Company. They ain't made these in more than thirty years, I bought a ten-pack off a tobacconist in Hattiesburg Mississippi fifteen years ago and I've only smoked one since then," He stuck the cigar in his mouth and pulled out a large silver lighter, flipping it open and lighting the thick cigar in a cloud of smoke. Both he and Sunset left the chamber, the cigar hanging out of Thatcher's mouth. “So,” he began, pulling the cigar out. “What do y’all believe in?” He asked as they walked.

"What do you mean, exactly?" Sunset asked confused by the question.

"Like gods and such, what do y'all believe in that regard?"

"It's a fair bit complicated," Sunset began. "We believe that one thousand years ago two magical sisters, named Celestia and Luna, united Equestria by raising the sun and the moon. Now, every princess of Equestria are descendant of the two of them,"

"That ain't complicated," Thatcher said, strolling along. "There's still a debate as to whether or not our guy is God in human form or the Son of God. Personally, I'm for the God in human form belief," They finally reached the conference room, it was fairly simple, a long wooden table surrounded by wooden swivel chairs. The walls were blue and a chandelier hung overhead, Clemson, Crawford, and Shining Armor was already situated there. Thatcher sat down next to Clemson, the chair groaning under his weight. “So why are we here?” Thatcher asked Sunset as she sat down across from him. She let out a sigh.

“Listen,” She began “Me and Shining Armor have a proposal,” She reached into her great pocket and pulled out a folded piece of paper.

“Now what’s this?” Thatcher asked as he pulled his glasses from his pocket.

“Our proposal,” Sunset answered. “A guarantee of independent for Equestria,” Thatcher read over the handwritten words at a racer's pace before passing it to Clemson, who also had his glasses out.

“What do you think?” Thatcher asked. Clemson read over it at a slower pace before passing it over to Crawford.

"I think I see a lot for them, and not a lot for us," Clemson stated.

"My thoughts exactly," Thatcher turned to the two officers, his brow lowered "What's in it for us?" He asked in a menacing monotone voice.

"Uhm... It's... Up to you," Sunset stuttered out, seeming unprepared for that question. Thatcher stared at her with a look that said: are you serious?

"Do you mind explainin' to me why you can't give the proposal to her?"

"Well... I'm just gonna lay it straight for you, Princess Celestia is such a pacifist that she refuses such military alliances and won't listen to us. If you proposed it to her yourself then she might listen to you.,"

"Well, if ya ask me, pacifists shouldn't run a country, if you're afraid to fight then you'll be crushed under the boot of your enemy. Alright, bring us some paper and leave us here. We'd like to do this in private," Sunset grabbed some paper from a cabinet in the corner of the room, setting it before the men and leaving with Shining Armor in tow. The two sat on a bench in the hall outside, Sunset checking her watch periodically until around two hours had passed. Finally, the door opened and Thatcher stuck his head through to ask "Where's the stamp ink?"

"Top drawer of the cabinet," Sunset answered.

"Thank ya very much," He shut the door again and emerged a moment later with his comrades in tow, a neatly folded piece of paper in his hand, with an ink stamp depicting a man on horseback marking it. "Alright, Marshal Armor, Marshal Shimmer, this right here is our proposal to Princess Celestia," He held up the folded piece of paper. "It's still got your little guarantee of independence with a little sugar and spice to make it work for us," The group turned around and returned to their respective rooms until Celestia finally arrived.

When she was finally ready to meet with the Confederate diplomats, it was almost sundown, the glow of the western sun flattering through the palace's windows like columns of fiery guardsmen. Thatcher was in his room, sitting at his desk with a cigar, one of a less lucrative brand. He sat reading a copy of War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy, a glass of Ameretto on the desk. He was alerted by a knock at the door.

"Come in!" He called back, and in stepped Field Marshal Sunset Shimmer. "Ah, Marshal Shimmer, I was just readin' War and Peace, the French version," He said. "What's the good word?" He asked, setting the cigar in his ashtray.

"Princess Celestia is ready to see you now," She answered.

"Ah good, I was startin' to think she was never gonna be ready," He set his book down and got up, downing his drink and straightening his suit before reaching into one of the desk drawers and pulling out the proposal before stuffing it neatly into his pocket. The two stepped into the hallway, joining the other Equestrian Marshal and Thatcher's group before making their way to the throne room. They reached the throneroom, a wide and tall room with blue walls and tall stained glass windows showing the history of Equestria in its murals. At the far western end of the room sat four golden thrones, only two were filled.

Sitting on the throne second from the right and facing the door was a woman with long hair of many colors, from pinks to greens and blues, wearing a long white dress that reminded Thatcher of the ones worn by Greek women in the days of old. Ones that he had read about in his immense historical library. Sitting on the far left with another throne between them was Princess Twilight Sparkle, wearing a long purple and violet dress with her braided. With that information, Thatcher and his marshals deduced that Princess Celestia was the one dressed in white.

"Good evening, Military Governor Thatcher, Field Marshal Clemson, and Field Marshal Crawford," Princess Celestia greeted from her throne in an elegant and regal voice, a warm and royal smile on her face.

"Good evenin' to you, Princess," Thatcher returned, bowing before her, the other men bowed before her as well. Thatcher came back up, looking around the room and finding guards dressed in golden armor like Spartans and carrying long lances. Thatcher found it odd that the men tasked with protecting the leader of a nation wouldn't carry a firearm. Even when his men didn't have their rifles they at least carried the standard issue 10mm pistol. "I have a proposal," Thatcher began "If I may speak,"

"You may speak,"

"Thank you, Princess," Thatcher said, before pulling out the note and walking over to Princess Celestia, handing it to her. "This is the proposal I and my officers drafted for you, it basically says that we give you a guarantee of independence one exchange for relaxed tariffs on steel and oil. See, before we came along ole Tzarovicka was receiving all of its steel from your communist neighbor, now that we're here they won't even look at us. We don't exactly have a lot of iron, sadly, and it would be much cheaper than just pulling it from Earth. What do ya say?" Princess Celestia looked over the paper.

"I think..." She said, unable to formulate an answer.

"Ya know, a guarantee of independence means nothin' more than if someone tries to invade ya we'll send in our boys to help. All in exchange for a little bit of oil and steel... Oh! And allowin' our folks to come here and preach a little,"

"Hmm... What do you think Twilight Sparkle?"

"I think it sounds like a great idea," Twilight responded confidently.

"Nice to see someone agreein' with us," Thatcher said with a smile. "So, what do ya say, Princess? Do we have a deal?"

"I believe... It would be in our best interest if we... Agreed to this guarantee," Celestia answered anxiously.

"Good deal!" Thatcher exclaimed triumphantly, extending his hand toward the princess. "Seal it with a handshake? It's a Confederate tradition," Celestia extended her hand, meeting Thatcher's with a royal handshake that sealed their alliance.

Later in the evening, after the sun had sunk below the horizon and cast the city in the glow of the moon and stars. Celestia and Thatcher, along with his group and her six fine diplomats and two field marshals, had settled down for a fine dinner. Thatcher found himself with the kind diplomats yet again, they were an enjoyable bunch to him. They sat at a table covered by a long white cloth with a throne at either end and utensils lined up before every occupant.

Celestia, who had been absent for some ten minutes, entered the dining room with another young lady in tow. Thatcher had not met this one, she was excited, to say the least with red hair in a ponytail and glasses that much resembled Princess Twilight, she wore a suit with an odd plaid skirt.

"Well, who might this be?" Thatcher asked as they approached the table.

"This is Red Inkwell, she's been assigned as your ambassador," Princess Celestia answered, gesturing to the smiling girl.

"Ambassador? She's awful young," Thatcher responded, sipping from the glass of amaretto before him. "Personally, I wouldn't send nobody under forty for the job, but I reckon she'll do a good job," Princess Celestia took her seat at the head of the table, and Red took her seat across from Thatcher, seemingly enamored by the sight of the officers. The food was brought out on carts by finely dressed servants and placed before the diners, all but Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash being given large T-bone steaks alongside baked potatoes. "This here's a mighty fine meal, Princess, but before we begin I'd like to say a word of grace," He stood up. "If you'd all bow your heads I'll begin," The whole table bowed their heads. "Our Father, who art in Heaven, thank you for blessin' us with a safe journey across the ocean and on the rails to this unfamiliar nation. Thank you for the meal you have set before us and let it be nourishment to our bodies so that we may better serve you, dear Lord, Amen,"

"Amen," Clemson exclaimed.

"Amen," Crawford exclaimed, and they all started eating.

"The college season's startin' up real soon," Thatcher began as he started mixing up the potato on his plate. "Who y'all got this season?"

"I reckon I'll root for the Longhorns this year," Clemson stated "Switch it up a little bit,"

"I'm goin' Alabama," Crawford said.

"I reckon Hughes is doin' the same, y'all already know what I'm doin'," Thatcher smiled.

"Ole Miss Rebels, same every year," Crawford responded.

"Yes sir! Don't matter how their season is, I'm gonna shout 'Hotty Toddy' all damn season," Thatcher took a bite from his meal.

"Excuse me, but what are y'all talking about?" Twilight asked in a curious manner.

"Football!" Thatcher stated loudly "College football to be precise, no greater sport has ever been conceived," Thatcher proudly said "Hell I played myself,"

"Football? Is that the game with the egg-shaped ball and all the people smashing into each other?"

"Yes ma'am, though I'm insulted you'd describe it like that," Twilight blushed with embarrassment at his remark. "Don't sweat it, kid," He chuckled. "I'm just yankin' your chain,"

"Our fine national university here in Canterlot has a football team, Governor Thatcher," Princess Celestia said.

"Well maybe we should get together and play a game," Thatcher responded "Get Ole Miss out here and show you how Mississippi plays football,"

"I'd rather Virginia State," Clemson said taking a bite from his steak.

"The only reason you say that is cause you're from Virginia, remind me when y'all last had a winning season. I think you were still a private in the Confederate States Army," Thatcher remarked on Clemson's age. Clemson grumbled and angrily said:

"I may be old, but I could still whoop your ass," He held up a steak knife and turned himself in his chair, putting it less than an inch from Thatcher's face.

"It'd be the first time Virginia beat Mississippi," Both Thatcher and Crawford started to laugh, Clemson eventually joining in and leaving some of the occupants at the table unnerved. "Oh this guy here, a real hardass half the time and a joker the rest," They all continued eating in silence, Thatcher and his group still chuckling quietly. This went on until the door to the dining room swung open and in stepped a green-dressed Confederate Soldier, shocking the whole gathering with his out-of-place appearance. He went over to Thatcher and quietly said:

"Sir, you've got a call from New Richmond, sir,"

"Can't it wait?" Thatcher asked with mild annoyance, gesturing to the meal before him.

"Hughes says it's urgent, sir," Thatcher let out a sigh before quickly standing up.

"Might I be excused?" He asked "There's urgent business from New Richmond,"

"Of course," Princess Celestia answered. Thatcher nodded and left the room with his guard, leaving the others to go about their meals unhindered. Some minutes later Thatcher returned to the room, his face pale and angered with his downturned brow and flat expression. He sat down at the table, pushing his meal away and folding his hands in prayer. "What is it, Governor?" Princess Celestia asked, Thatcher, drew in a sharp breath.

"I'd rather... I and my men discuss it," He said his voice trembling.

"Nonsense," Princess Celestia stated warmly. "Whatever it is, I'm sure we can help,"

"Fine..." Thatcher let out a hard sigh. "There was... Another attack, this time on a small town called New Bethlehem," The table's occupants gasped in unison. "That ain't all... They burned the whole place down," His voice shook, and the beast of a man leaned on the table like a horrified child. "The soldiers responding to the attack over the radio found the whole population in the church... Those Goddamn savages burned the whole congregation alive," The table's occupants started murmuring amongst themselves, both Crawford and Clemson took their hats off and bowed their heads in prayer. "Then they took the preacher and strung him up on the cross outside by the neck... Strangling him and leaving him to die..." That one detail was enough to send the timid and sensitive Fluttershy, who already had tears welling up in her sympathetic eyes, over the edge. She burst into tears at the table, it was no surprise as it seemed the tough-looking Confederate officers might do the same. Rainbow Dash took her out of the room to calm her down.

"Oh my... I-is there anything at all we can do to help?" Princess Celestia asked horrified. "Perhaps peace talks-"

"Spare me the talks of peace, these savages have used up the last of my mercy, I sent their king an ultimatum and he didn't act on it. That bastard better hope his kingdom can survive an army of pissed-off southerners," With that, Thatcher and his men stood up. "I bid you goodnight," He said, his voice turned to one of pure rage and spite and stormed out of the room, his officers in tow.