7th of January, 1007 ALB (1962 AD)

03:30 Hours

Severyanian Soviet Socialist Republic, Stalliongrad

General Staff Building

Snow was falling from the darkened skies on the lit streets of Stalliongrad. The nihilistic designed revolutionary city had always seen the coldest winters in central Equus, only contested by the Crystal City. For most of the night, it was relatively peaceful and calm besides the small blizzard. However, tonight, that peace was about to be shattered in the most horrifying form possible.

General Alexia Goldgear was trotting down the hallway, her saddle nested firmly on her, filled with highly classified documents and such. Due to her being a thesteral, she was always on the night shift alongside the other poor sods that were on the night shift. Either way, Alexia was in a good mood. After all, New Years was just a few days ago and the entire Red Army was in high morale with cheers and some vodka. After walking for a few minutes further, being saluted by further staff officers on the way in the concrete and wood bland hallway filled with communist symbols and potraits of both Steel Stallion and Altidiya Revoltsova both.

She reached her office, trotting inside the waiting room in which had her personal secretary, Rusted Gear, typing away at the typewriter.

“Good night, comrade Rusted!” Alexia beamed with a small smile.

“Good night, Comrade General!” Rusted Gear stood up and gave a quick salute upon hearing the general’s greeting.

“Everything going well this night?” asked Alexia, pushing up her glasses with her hoof before making eye contact with the stallion.

“Indeed, although I could use more coffee.”

“Really now?” replied Alexia, giving a slight grin. “Well, sadly, since you used up all of your coffee rations and vodka to make that mixture a few weeks ago, I don’t think the Stavka will give you any more. They still think you are hooked up on that thing.”

“Perhaps, but it may be wearing off.”

Alexia shrugged. “Either way, everything is in order, yes?”

Rusted nodded.

“Very good.” Alexia returned the nod. “Well, I should get into my off-.”

They were interrupted by an earthpony telegraph operator entering into the waiting room. “Comrade General! Comrade Gene- huff huff..” gasped the operator in which he took a moment that they did not have to take his breath, before he looked at the general. “Comrade General, there’s a phone call from the frontlines. They say it is urgent.”

Frontlines? Did Equestria invade?!

Alexia’s eyes widened behind the glasses as she furrowed her eyebrows as she decided to speak out her thoughts. “What frontlines?” she asked, worried.

“The frontlines from Petershoof!”

Petershoof?!

Petershoof was a vital port city and Severyana’s only gateway to the outside world. It was pratically the second largest economic center within all of Stalliongrad behind, well, Stalliongrad. So, it wasn’t much of a suprise that the Equestrians would have attacked the city first, but it was extremly alarming. “Lead me there.”

After the three ponies ran down to the communications office, which was a mess and in a mass frenzy, the earthpony grabbed the phone hoofset and extended it to Alexia which she grabbed with her wing, or at least made an attempt to before moving it to her ear.

”THEY ARE COMING! WE HAVE TO EVACUATE! OH.. OH SWEET CELESTIA, WHAT IS THAT?!” was the scream of fear that was coming from the other side. It was a bad sign if they were pleading to the Princess.

“H-Hold on, what is happening? What’s going on there?” Alexia asked after putting the phone back on her ear.

”PLEASE, AT LEAST SEND REINFORCEME-... oh...OH..OH BUCK! GAS! GAS! EVERYPONY EVACUATE NOW!” before a shattering cry of fear, a neigh and then a chocking sound. “H-..help...!” before a distant scream of pain. ”GAH! GET IT OFF! THE WIRE’S ON ME! GET IT O--.” before a sound of what was sounded like blood-curling scream and chocking at the same time. Then the line went dead.

Alexia stood there silent for a moment, her brain replaying the message over and over again. It didn’t make sense. This wasn’t Equestria. They wouldn’t cause.. whatever in Tarturus was happening there.

Stars above.. what’s going on there?!

10:15 Hours

Princessdom of Equestria, Canterlot

Canterlot Castle

The sun was shining below upon the snow-ladden Heart of Equestria itself. Everypony was moving around the city in peace, fillies running around and playing with the snow, restaurants and cafés serving the latest sweets and food, so forth. The shining lights of the tree decorated in the center of the city.

However, the papers were making profits today as the news got from New Mareland about a new alien and exotic new nation! And they were especially more newspapers regarding the nation on Equestrian soil on the Poninsula. And a small situation that was occuring on the Equestrian-Stalliongradian border, rumors were popping up about the reason as to why there many ponies crossing the border into Equestria to why the Stalliongradians closed their borders and declared an emergency.

Either way, the stories about the nations of “Imperial Britain” and the “United Kingdoms of Germany” to which the latter had recieved interest from the Griffonian Empire itself the instant the Empire discovered about its’ existance. However, that is a chapter for another time.

For now, we head into the Canterlot Castle..

..please do ignore the room full of telegraph operators that are dealing with the situation with New Mareland giving territory to two foreign nations without proper authority from the Foreign Ministry or any of the Princesses of Equestria.

Instead, let’s go to the Throne Room.

Princess Luna can be seen on the throne next to her sister, albiet with a blanket wrapped around her and Luna was shaking violently. As one could imagine, Luna had seen the dreams, or rather vivid nightmares, of one poor German soldier who was on the Eastern Front. As one could imagine, they were beyond what even Luna could handle. Perhaps even more than anything that Nightmare Moon could ever hope to create.

“Calm down, sister, I am sure it wasn’t that bad...?” asked Celestia, as she had her hoof wrapped around her sister, trying to calm her sister who had pinpricks and had vomitted several times after escaping the dream realm rather too quickly at 4 AM. And had awaken her sister from all the vomit that Luna had spilled. At Celestia’s question, Luna was simply wheezing and breathing heavily as she was whimpering loudly.

Undoubtedly, what Luna had seen would traumatized any other pony, or creature for that mattter, when she had barely proccessed the sheer horrors that were in those dreams. The endless artilery firing even after the soldiers were fighting hand-to-hand combat, the shells filled with gas and viruses, the mud, the disease and, finally, the firing of the MAD launchers which resulted in nuclear explosions becoming a regular sight upon the Eastern Front. Effectively, it had resulted in even her alter-ego refusing to talk.

Either way, Celestia wasn’t in the throne room just to make attempts at comforting her sister, but rather she was also here waiting for someone which she had summoned. The double doors sung open as Royal Guards pushed it open, making way for the Princess of Friendship, Twilight Sparkle, and her trusted and most loyal assistant, Spike. “Your Highness, I came as soon as I got the lette-..” she trailed off after seeing the state of the dark-blue alicorn that was next to Celestia. Obviously worried and confused at the same time, she raised a hoof and pointed in Luna’s general direction. “Has something happened..?”

Celestia could only turn her neck and look back at her sister, who was now sucking on her own hair, before looking back at her prized pupil. “I am not sure..” she spoke in her usual soft tone, with a twinge of confusion mixed within it. “..when she came out of the dream realm, she promptly vomitted all over the floor, before screaming bloody-murder for a few seconds when she stared into my mirror. She’s been like this since morning.”

“I-..” Twilight frowned as she looked at the Princess of the Night. She had never seen Luna so broken and so afraid, let alone so tramutized. “..how can I help?” she asked.

“Do not worry, Twilight, I already have called all of Equestria’s best and brightest physicians and psychologists to see to her. “ Celestia raises a hoof, before her horn illuminated. “However, this is not why I called you here.” she uttered as she levitated a map and a stick.

Twilight tilted her head, confused and intrigued.

“I have called you here to gather what you can of your friends and go to the poninsula on a..” Celestia cleared her throat. “..diplomatic mission of sorts.”

Now Twilight Sparkle was truly captured by interest. “I read the newspapers, does it have something to do with those new nations in New Mareland?”

“No, no. “ Celestia shook her head. “Although that would be appreciated if you would find the time.” she said with a small smile before she pointed at the map with the stick. “However, we have a nation that is on Equestrian soil. “

“On Equestrian soil?” Twilight repeated.

“Indeed. The local police forces and the garrisons have made contact with a nation that speaks Herzlander and seems to have advanced technology. Seemingly the same as those of Britain.“ she teleports a file from her quarters, holding it in her magical grasp and levitated it towards the purple alicorn. “They have made several attempts at contact, thinking we were this ‘Imperial Britain’ at first before the newspapers came up. ” Celestia said. “Now, they have kept their diplomatic lines open and they asked for a diplomatic envoy to be sent to a city they call Frankfurt with several promises made by their Kaiserin herself. They wish to discuss territory. I have already told them I will be sending one of my own.”

Twilight Sparkle held the file and opened it. The pictures inside were interesting as it shown furless minotuar-like beings without the horns and features in uniform. The telegraphs and radio transcripts that they had made called them the ‘United Kingdoms of Germany’. “ I see. I assume that you want me to go there and talk to them?”

Celestia simply nodded. “You have also been made as plentipotentiary of Equestria and, of course, I wish for you to get a peaceful agreement from the Germans.”

“Alright then.” Twilight said as she closed the file and moved it to Spike, as he flew at it and grabbed it. “I won’t let you down, princess!” she exclaimed in her usual determinated tone, nodding before turning around. “Spike, start writing letters to the rest of the girls, please.” followed by an “On it!” as the two made their way outside.

Celestia sighed before she looked at her principal secretary, Raven Inkwell. “Now then, could you please repeat what you said about the Griffish isles?”

12:10 Hours

Canterlot Airfield

(notice: in this color, german is spoken)

Since airplanes was a relatively new concept to Equestria, and this world as a whole, Canterlot only had one airfield which was for testing purposes. It was relatively the only place where the citizens of Canterlot could get trips on airships. However, the Germans have requested to use it for their airplane.

Now, airplanes, while they weren’t that new, were still a fresh concept on Equestrian mind and had, obviously, been at odds with the Wonderbolts considering that, theoretically based on Equestrian knowledge, planes were faster than any pegasi. Most of the planes were smaller bi-planes with a few newer ones that resembled something of the British Supermarine Spitfire Mk I. Sadly, those fighters were still in their earlier stages but most Equestrian engineers understood the functions of an aircraft propeller.

Twilight Sparkle had some winter-wear on her as she was waiting for Rarity to arrive. She had visited all of her friends, but almost all of them were busy with their work. Fluttershy was taking care of Angel (who got a cold out of nowhere by suspicious means), Rainbow Dash was preparing with the Wonderbolts on another Wonderbolt show, Applejack was too busy taking care of Apple Bloom who got a cold and Pinkie Pie was busy making cakes. Rarity was the only one who had the least to do and thus she decided to go with Twilight Sparkle.

Twilight got bored as she started to tap her hoof on the concrete. She turned her neck to Spike. “Spike, could you tell me what time is it?”

“Uh.. quarter past twelve?” Spike said as he looked at the watch.

Twilight stared back at the open expanse as she sighed softly. Then, before she could open her mouth.

“FORGIVE ME FOR BEING LATE!!” was an exclamation that made Twilight slightly jump as she looked to her left and saw Rarity and her bag that was barely holding on for dear life with the amount of clothes she shoved in. “I do hope I’m not too late?”

“Rarity! You can’t just scare me like that!” Twilight said as she took a deep breath, her eyes moving to Spike as he waved sheepishly at Rarity.

“Oh, sorry darling. I was just busy preparing the dresses for this wonderous occasion!” Rarity gleamed with excitement. “I simply can’t wait to see what type of fashion does...” she stopped, wondering the words. “..what were they called again?”

“Germans.”

“Yes, the Germans!” she repeated the word. “I can’t wait to see what type of fashion they have!”

Before Twilight could reply, a violent roar of the wind was heard as a plane began to be made into view. It was a remarkably strange design. A long pointy nose, and what stood out the most was that it had no propellers on it. On its’ side it had written “Lufthansa” in gold and on its’ veritcal stabilizer it had what looked like an eagle flying down. It was on a blue background with golden atributes to the eagle.

The futuristic plane landed swiftly, as its’ wheels grinded it to a halt. Due to the airfield being small, the plane barely managed to not run off the runway. Many pegasi and other engineers around Twilight, alongside reporters, were all in awe of the technology that was this plane. The main thing that had the engineers inspect from a distance was the four box-like engines at the tail of the plane.

Eitherway, the plane began to taxi forwards rather smoothly down the lane, before it stopped about 5 meters away from the entrance building. The door on the side began to slide open as a human in an interesting bright blue dress uniform looked in suprise. The female turned her head before grabbing a megaphone.

“STAIRS?” she shouted on the megaphone.

Unfortunately, they did not have a staircase that tall to reach the main cabin entrance, and that left everypony confused for a moment. So, Twilight expanded her wings and began to flap them, before using her magic to levitate Rarity, and her monstrous bag, with her. After 2 seconds, and her ears drooping down at the noise of the engines, she finally reached the entrance as she stepped onto the smooth carpet.

Rarity was also levitated in, as she was slightly dazed but otherwise alright. Twilight then looked at the female human who blinked in disbelief before muttering. “That works too.”

They speak Herzlander. she thought before she began to go through her internal vocabulary and speak. “Hallo..uh..” she hadn’t spoken Herzlander in years and Ling was a mix of herzlander and equestrian.

The female noticed this as she sighed, putting the megaphone in an open compartment before she crossed her hands infront of her chest. “I speak English also, not to worry.”

Twilight blinked. Is that what they call Equestrian? Either way, thank Celestia. “O-Oh, that’s.. that’s good.”

“Indeed, Darling, now t- WOOhh...!” Rarity said as she turned her head and looked at the First Class cabin area. It looked more like a lounging area but it also looked incredibly traditional. “Oh.. my... GOODNESS!” Rarity exclaimed at the extreme traditionalist luxury that was in the area alongside more pieces of technology that all looked alien to Twilight. Such as the giant telescreen on the wall which was turned off. The fact that there was also a bar at the end of the section was also suprising to Twilight.

“Please, have a seat!” the female flight attendant gestured before she walked backwards, pulling the curtain that was supposed to act as the door as she went to close the main cabin door. Another attendant went ahead to secure the bag in a compartment.

Twilight and Rarity both looked around the cabin, in awe of the beautiful space that was prepared just for them. Spike already placed his backpack against one of the couches before he sat down. “Woah.. these are too comfortable..!” he said as he sunk slightly into the couch. Rarity was already sitting onto one of the couches, sinking herself against it as she giggled. “Darling, these are simply divine!” she exclaimed.

Twilight also sat on one of the empty couches, letting her saddle bag slide down as she removed her scarf off. Then, suddenly, the interior began to shake slightly before going back to calm as the plane began to taxi back to the runway. Another proof of the technological advancements of this alien species.

“Oh my.. this is..” Rarity says as she raises her eyebrow, looking at the contexts of a magazine advertising synthetic skin care products, alongside even synthetic organs. All of it was in German so Rarity couldn’t understand much of it, however, the images on it were... unnerving to say the least.

Twiliht, curious, also levitated another one of the magazines and opened it. There were things advertized in the magazine that would be considered fiction or simply insanity. There were even advertisements for brain transplants for new synthetic bodies (albiet it was prohibitably expensive by the number of zeros on advertisements). Augmentations were also advertised. If Twilight didn’t know better, she would have assumed that these were from one of Spike’s science fiction comic books!

Her thoughts were interrupted by the flight attendant’s voice. “Entschuldigen, if you would allow me, ma’am?” the woman asked as she gestured at Twilight’s stomach area with a finger. “Uh.. hoofs in air?”

Twilight looked confused before she raised her hoof in the air, watching as the human moved her hands and grabbed the seat belt and pulled on it to secure it. During this short interaction, Twilight noticed plastic on part of the female’s cheek. After the famle went over to Rarity, and did her seat belt as well, before securing Spike also, Twilight decided to make her move.

“Uhm, excuse me.” she said in a louder tone.

“Ah, ja?” said as the attendant leaned back up and placing her hands on her stomach, crossing them.

“I don’t mean to be rude but I saw something on your cheeks?” Twilight asked, trying her hardest to not put a rude tone.

The female blinked before sighing. “Verdammt.. not enough make-up.” she cursed before inhaling and exhaling. “Would you like to know what is behind this?”

“Yes, if that’s not too much trouble?”

She then looked at the purple alicorn, before putting her hand on the cheek and began to pull the hyper-realistic prosthetic skin, as it began to slowly reveal a horrific sight for the three. What was hidden was a hole in the side of the cheek, effectively mangled meat all over it and, it seemed, enough damage to cause a hole in it, enough for some of the bone of the mandible to be visible.

The sight was utterly horrifying for the three. Spike basically had to put his claws at his mouth and look away to not vomit while Rarity gasped audibally and shrieked.

Twilight just stood there in horror, her eyes becoming pinpricks as her eyeballs were falling out of her eye sockets, figuratively speaking. “W-what happened..?” she asked in a quiet tone.

“War happened.” said the attendant, before moving the prosthetic skin back and pressing on it for the skin to stick before she gave a smile. “Enough about that, uh, if you need anything, simply press the button above your head..” she gestured a finger above at a blue button with a simplistic humanoid and their arm in the air. “...and please enjoy the flight!” she said before she nodded and went forward as the plane made a loud roar as it took off.

However, she still couldn’t believe what she had seen as she just stared at the wall in front of her. Spike was already looking for a change as he grabbed the remote on the table and turned on the telescreen, as it displayed a cartoon show.

Twilight just now began to vaugely realize what she was dealing with here.

12:57 Hours

United Kingdoms of Germany, Frankfurt

Frankfurt International Airport

Aside from the disturbing sight that they saw, and the strange magazines, the trio were just watching whatever entertainment there was on the telescreen. There was a broadcast from something called the “Imperial Broadcasting Corporation” or IBC. It was the only channel they understood because all the others were in Herzlander. The IBC was mostly just giving information that all of them knew, such as the world’s kinds, etc. It was clear that the humans were making attempts to explain this world to their citizens. They got a few instances of the British Queen, as Rarity making a few comments about her pure-black eyebags not looking too good for her.

Suddenly, a ding was heard as a red button that showed the seatbelts were illuminated. Then a voice came from the intercom: “Landung”.

Twilight and Rarity just moved towards the couch-seats as they levitated the seatbelts, fastening them as Spike simply did it with his claws. The female attendant leaned through the curtain. “Anything you would like before we land?”

“No, thank you.” was the answer that Twilight spoke for herself. And the two just nodded at her answer.

The attendant simply nodded back, before moving back and disappearing.

As the plane began to move down to land on the runway, Twilight utters. “I wonder how their Kaiserin will be like.”

“I hope she will be an elegant figure, like Princess Celestia.” responded Rarity.

Twilight sighed hopefully. “Let’s hope it is that.”

Then, the plane began to shake as it hit the runway with the brakes activated to drag the plane down to a halt. After a minute of violent shaking, the turbulance stopped and the plane began to move slower. The three unfastened their seat belts and hurried to a window that could display them what was beyond. The oval window displayed the ancient splendour of Frankfurt, nicknamed Germania. Effectively, it looked like Griffenheim without the griffon additions. They could see that the city was massive, as the long and tall gothic-like sphires of the Imperial Cathedral of Saint Bartholomew in the distance. There were also some long skyscrapers with drones flying about them.

There were many flags fluttering above the airport, showcasing the golden background with the double-headed black eagle on it. As the plane moved further, it moved towards a staircase as it was indication that they had arrived.

The plane reached to a stop as the attendant opened the main cabin door, and bowed slightly. “Do enjoy your time here.” she said in a calm tone, as she raised herself up.

Twilight Sparkle, Rarity and Spike all stepped out of the plane and were immediately met with flashings of lights as it appeared that the human reports had arrived to take pictures of the beings. After being momentarily blinded, the three began to walk down the staircase. Twilight turned her head as she saw a human male in a very intricate military outfit, wearing a stalhelm as he walked over in black boots. This fashion desgin had already caught Rarity’s interest.

“Welcome to Frankfurt, your highnesses.” said the man, clicking his boots as he gripped his holstered sword. “I am Oberstleutnant Adler, I shall be your guide in the city, your highnesses.”

“Ah, no, she’s the princess, not me.” Rarity said as she shook her head and pointed a hoof at Twilight, who simply smiled nervously. “She’s acompanying me.” annswered Twilight.

“Aha, understood, your highness.” the man said before he looked down at Spike. He blinked before he muttered under his breath: “Is that a lizard?” he quickly and slightly shakes his head before he blinks. “Uh..your highness..” Adler looked at the Princess. “..is he with you?”

Twilight looked at Spike before she looked back at the human in black. “Yes, he is with me.”

Adler nodded as he stood to the side, clicking his heels before he gestured to the convoy. “Shall we, your highness?”

Twilight nodded and Adler turned around and began to walk to a car, as the Oberstleutnant opened it, allowing the three ponies to jump into the car. The convoy began to drive forward as soon as the Oberstleutnant got into the front passenger seat.

As they drove into the city of Frankfurt, the two ponies and the dragon stared at the city’s grand architecture, made from hundred of years of culture and history. However, the further into the city the convoy drove, there were also evidence of a war as several buildings were utterly ruined and crumbled. The convoy itself had to take other routes towards the Imperial Palace because of the rubble in the middle of the road. The city also was extremely overpopulated and many were living on tents in the streets.

Then, they reached the main highway, passing underneath the massive Great War Triumphal arch, as they saw the tripod and duopod automechs protecting the massive Imperial Palace just into the distance of a marble-paved road. And a lot of protestors.

“TIERE RAUS!” and “DEUTSCHLAND SPRICHT NICHT MIT TIEREN!” were written on all of the signs as a gold banner with a black nordic cross on it were being waved around. There was even a cross being held aloft by a hands in the crowd. There were also counter-protestors which waved the UKG’s flag alongside a tri-color of black, white and yellow. All they had on their protest signs was “FRIEDEN” and “PAX” written on it.

While the local police had it under control, they also had to call several razormaiden detachments to fully secure the protest and the alleyway. But, because the Razormaidens had normal-looking apperances and wore Victorian-style dresses alongside military uniforms, the three guests were confused as to the seemingly unarmed women.

Twilight was more focused on the automechs as they moved around with spider-like percision. She turned her head to the Oberstleutnant. “Excuse me?”

Adler immediately snapped his eyes and neck to the rearview mirror. “Jawhol?”

“Um, what are those things?” she asked as she pointed with a hoof at a passing by automech.

“Ah, ja, those are the uh..” he clicked his tounge. “..the automechs! Ja, the automechs.” he said with a finality.

“Automechs?” she repeated the words. “If you don’t mind me asking, how do they function?”

Adler blinked as he thought about it for a moment. “I’m sorry, I uh, don’t know how they uh...” he looked further confused slightly. “Uh, ein moment, bitte.” he nodded as he pulled out his telecommunicator and went on the translation application. He tapped the word “Betrieb”. Twilight watched the device with great interest and curiosity as it began to become increasingly clear about just how advanced humanity was. There were several generals, including the pompus prince, now field marshal also, Blueblood who wanted to invade the “puny little apes’ nation”.

“Ah, here we are, operation.” Adler snapped her out of her thoughts. “I am not an operator of it, but it’s controlled from the interior like a tank. That’s all I know. You know what tanks are, right?”

Twilight nodded. Equestria did make some prototypes and some smaller tanks.

“That’s good, I was almost thinking you used speers and shields. That should make the generals think twice.” he chuckled as the convoy took a right turn, and began to drive towards the Palace’s exterior. The palace was a near picture-perfect image of the Imperial Palace in Griffenheim with slight alterations and a dome at the center of it. The main gate had a double-headed eagle decorated with many house arms and medals on it.

Albiet, Twilight couldn’t stop but think at what Adler just said.

The convoy stopped infront, as the gate was pulled wide open, letting the cars drive into the palace. After a few more turns, they reached into an entrance pathway, the car stopping as the door to the left was opened.

Twilight, Rarity and Spike all got out as they looked at the staff members, before she noticed that one was walking towards them.

“Good morning, highness.” he said, bowing his head before he looked back at Twilight. “His Imperial Highness is waiting for you.”

Twilight nodded as the three began to follow the man into the palace’s interior. Rarity was utterly in awe at the beauty of it. There were many huge paintings and painted ceillings as well. All of them were extremely detailed and beautifully done. They passed many rooms that had marble statues and sculptures in all shapes, sizes and positions, alongside many large oil-paintings that depicted large battles, many locations and different potraits of past Emperors and other people.

They were all very beautiful for Twilight Sparkle and Rarity both. It was clear that this nation had a proud history and culture that it cherised. The palace's splendours might even rival those of the Canterlot Castle and Griffenheim's Imperial Palace combined. Either way, they reached at a singular double-door frame.

The escort turned around. "Only the Princess." he said.

Twilight frowned at that, she would have prefered to have her friends with her in the room however a quick glance at the escort's eyes made her understood that who she was meeting was very important. "Alright.." she gave a reply, one that was mixed with a bit disappointment and understanding both, alongside a tiny bit of confusion. Spike looked a bit worried but decided to let it go. Rarity was a tad bit too distracted by another potrait.

The escort gave a slight nod before he spun around and pushed the double-doors open, walked inside. Twilight Sparkle followed into the audience room which was rather small in comparison but still big enough to fit 30 ponies inside it. It was slightly overfurnished. Twilight took note of the human standing in a busniess suit. The man looked in his 50s, he had a dark-brush mustache and thick eyebags around his eyes. Thicker than any Twilight had ever seen from anypony that had exhaustion.

"Eure Hoheit." the escort's greeting was what re-focused Twilight's attention as the escort bowed his head before he softly clicked his heels, did a right-face and walked out, closing the doors behind him.

It was just Twilight Sparkle, the Princess of Friendship, and Otto von Hasburg, the Crowned Prince of Germany in that room and only one of them had felt true exhaustion.

Twilight Sparkle, after blinking from the sudden departure, bowed slightly. "Your highness." she said, before raising back up.

"Don't worry about the curtesy, princess." Otto said as he waved his hand down as if to push away any such notions. "After all, we both bare the same title. " he said before he gestured a palm at the couch. "Please, sit." he said as he took his seat with grace that he had learned from bearing the crown.

Twilight Sparkle hesitated for a moment before she trotted around and jumped onto the taller couch. It was comfortable.

For a few short moments, none of them said anything as both of them inspected the other. Otto was looking up and down the purple alicorn, just as Twilight looked up and down at the human. They were in an invisible dance, both of them silently scrutizing every detail of each other's physical apperance.

Twilight decided to begin the conversation. "So.. uh.. I am here on behalf of Princess Equestria to discuss territorial cession as requested by your government?"

Otto simply stared for a second further, before he opened his mouth to speak. "That is so."

Twilight nodded slowly as she expected further reaction out of that but recieved only a blank, dead stare from the crowned prince. "So, uh, as I am sure you can understand, that will be a great cost for Equestria to make as there are citizens living in the poninsula. Princess Celestia is kind and is willing to give you this territory under a reason and, well, exceptions. To that I ask, why should we give you this land?"

Otto looked at the princess for a few seconds further, before he crossed his arms. "Because you have no other choice." he answered straightforwardly.

Twilight blinked at the direct answer. She had expected words of soothing and diplomatic gestures, so she was quite suprised at the direct, and ominous, answer. "Uhm.. W-what do you mean by that?"

And then, she got a brutal answer that she absolutely did not expect to hear. "The government formed in my aunt's name, Elizabeth, is currently made up of the military as we are under martial law. My aunt is in a coma, and the doctors don't know if she will wake up ever. I have been able to push back against any notions of immediate invasion by some warmongering generals. However, my position as heir apperant can only get me so far. The government has given me a chance to discuss things with you peacefully but made it clear that if nothing comes out of this meeting, military action will be enforced. " Otto simply said as he rubbed his hand with his fingers.

"N-now, wait a second, I am sure that there is no need for military action--!" Twilight began to say nervously but was interrupted by Otto. "Look outside, princess." he began. "There are not only Germans living on the streets, but also many other ethnicities. They will not live on the streets forever and, as large as this city is, Frankfurt does not have enough space for them all. We need land to live and settle in."

Twilight was curious. "How many, exactly? Maybe we could provi--."

"130 million."

Twilight was physically taken aback by that number. That was more than twice Equestria's entire population. Her ears began to droop. "I-I see.." Twilight then looked at the tired human in front of her. Otto sighed as he closed his eyes and leaned back against the couch. "Look, I understand that this is not an easy choice for you. But you need to understand that my government wants you to say no. They want you to believe that we are weak so you underestimate us. Believe me, we aren't. "

Twilight raised her eyebrows, fear beginning to toil inside her as the crowned prince continued. "Humanity is a perculiar species, but a very scary one. We are capable of the greatest wonders and the greatest horrors all at once. Our disagreements are discussed in diplomacy until we pick up arms and force one's belief onto another. Civilization is a solution, but a very weak one. Tell me, how do you think we got here?"

Twilight was afraid to ask. But she was also morbidly curious. "How..?"

"We burned our former world. We bombed it until it was nothing more than a useless rock in space. Only the genius of the scientists at the EIEC who kindly shared with us a technology were we able to escape and save our species. We did not agree with one another and how did we do it? We destroyed our old world and we simply distorted the will of reality to our whims to escape."

Twilight stood there in shock. Every judgement and instict told her that this man was lying. That it was all fantasy and delusion. But the mere fact that she was in this very city shattered anything rational her brain was trying to form. Twilight Sparkle had, indeed, known a humanity as she was through the Crystal Mirror into Canterlot High but she did not see the technology that was here in there. There were also no records or mentions of mankind even existing in her world. Horror struck her even harder as she realized that this was a different mankind. Otto continued.

"The Kaiserliches Oberkommando is already aware of the technological inferiority of your nation and, thanks to maps that were taken during first contact, have begun conducting war plans for invasion. I have told them not to, but they make the argument that, if this meeting is not successful, they must be ready for any scenario. And believe me, the scenario of invasion would lead to such destructive obliteration that, a thousand years from now, generations yet unborn will still feel the effects. "

Twilight Sparkle was already at pinpricks, her eyes were widened and she was shaking with fear. She was breathing heavily as she felt a feeling that she never felt before. She couldn't put a name on it. She couldn't describe it and she hated that. She looked at the tired man's eyes. He is calm. How is he so calm?!

Otto sighed as he let his arms loose. "I can tell you this. If you give us the territory, we will make good use of it. So, please..." he leaned forward. "..do not give them what they want." ;

Twilight was now becoming calmer, as she took deep breaths. She saw in his eyes that he also did not want war. And based on the counterprotests outside the palace, she saw that there were those that wanted peace, maybe even friendship. And who knew? Maybe if Equestria gained favor with the human nations, Equestria would gain an alliance with them. "Alright.. under one condition."

"That is?"

"That you promise to treat the inhabitants of this land fairly and with respect. " Twilight said.

Otto gave a small smile. "Of course." Otto then pressed a button on the table as a butler came in with a tray. On that tray was the treaty and a pen.

The butler bowed his head, before he stepped forward and placed the tray down. He then grabbed the document and placed it neatly on the coffee table. Then he gripped the pen and placed it next to the partchment. Without a word, he placed his fingers on the tray's handles, lifted himself up and walked out.

Twilight Sparkle looked at the treaty as she used every last bit of Herzlander that she knew in order to understand what was written on the partchment. It seemed genuine. She then sighed before her horn illuminated and grabbed the pen in her magic grasp. After a moment of slight hesitation, she signed her name on the paper.

Twilight raised her sight as she looked at Otto, as she levitated it slowly towards him. Otto simply placed his thumb and index finger on it, pulling it out of Twilight's magical grasp before he leaned down and signed his name too.

As the two stared at each other, Twilight extended her hoof. "To a new beginning."

Otto grinned as he grabbed her hoof and shook it, nodding.

"To a new beginning."

Author's Note

RED CIRCLES ARE LIVEWIRE DEPLOYED AREAS

RED PAINTED AREAS (WITHOUT EQUESTRIAN BORDER) ARE HEAVILY GASSED AREAS

(MAP HAS BEEN BORROWED FROM THE EAW WIKI)

Alright, now that the diplomatic important thingamjings have occured, I can finally do the timeskips.

Expect much monoplizing and colonization. And a lot of interventions.

Also, in a recent gameplay, I have discovered that effectively the French are now friends with the Leauge of Nations (abiet the Germans can unite with France to form Francia under the Hasburgs in the liberal path which I am not going to do that for obvious reasons) so I have SLIGHTLY altered the canon lore so that the French have a friendship with the Germans out of necessity and hate the Russians more than the Germans.