After a few hours, the officers all began the meeting on the deck of the HMS Troopship as the sun reached afternoon and Étienne with the light frigate captain told them that their ship is heavily damaged though it is repairable, it will take alot of resources something they don't have and the British troopship also have been damaged and may not be able to complete their journey without the necessary supplies and it would be the safest chance is to find if there is any civilization nearby that can help them as soon as possible.

"Je propose que nous envoyions nos Rifles et que vous envoyiez certains de vos Voltigeurs et ingénieurs pour explorer la forêt et chercher une quelconque civilisation. Cette mission serait dirigée par le lieutenant Oakleaf." (I propose that we send our Rifles and that you send some of your Voltigeurs and Engineers to explore the forest and look for any civilization. This mission would be led by Lieutenant Oakleaf.) Ashenhoof boldy announced, puffing out the smoke from his pipe while the French and the troopship captain with the royal marine captain and lieutenant Oakleaf stare at him.

"Pourquoi devrait-Il diriger?" (Why should he lead?) Étienne asked, his pencil-parted mustache twitching with distrust and suspicion as the rest of the earth ponies are silently staring at Ashenhoof, even Oakleaf as he didn't expect it to be handed to him.

"C'est parce que lieutenant Oakleaf a prouvé sa compétence en Espagne, où il servait auparavant comme sergent de la compagnie légère avant de devenir officier commissionné." (This is because Lieutenant Oakleaf proved his competence in Spain, where he served as a light company sergeant before earning his commission as an officer) Ashenhoof replied proudly, his voice brimming with confidence and he continued. "Il est entré dans les des grades d'officier après avoir secouru et conduit ses soldats et autres, perdus dans la forêt pendant la nuit, pour les ramener sains et saufs à la compagnie." (He entered the ranks of officers after rescuing and leading his soldiers and others, lost in the forest during the night, back to the company safely.)

""Hmm... Très bien, si vous insistez." (Hmm... Very well then, if you insist.) Étienne reluctantly said after thinking deeply of the current situation, then his voice grew serious. "Il prendra la charge, mais à une condition." (He will take charge, but under one condition.) He looked at Ashenhoof who was still smoking, nodded, his ears listening to the condition. "il doit s'assurer qu'aucun des voltigeurs ou ingénieurs ne soit blessé ou laissé derrière, sans quoi il sera fusillé par mes soldats au moindre signe de lâcheté, sans aucune répercussion, Compris?" (He must ensure that no voltigeur or engineer is injured or left behind. otherwise, he will be shot by my soldiers at the slightest sign of cowardice, without any repercussions, Understood?)

There was a short silence after he boldy gave his condition to Ashenhoof. "Compris." (Understood) Ashenhoof said after taking out his pipe from his mouth. "Soyez rassuré que personne ne mourra ni ne sera laissé derrière par mon lieutenant." (Rest assured that no one will die or be left behind by my lieutenant) He looked at Étienne with a serious expression. "Si cela arrivait..." (If that happened) He hypothesized. "vos soldats seraient libres de le fusiller sans répercussions, Cependant, cela sera inutile car mon lieutenant est brave et compétent." (your soldiers would be free to shoot him without repercussions however, that will be unnecessary because my lieutenant is brave and competent)

Étienne then turned to look at Oakleaf and he sees that this Old Buff Lieutenant was seemingly up for it as he didn't show any sign of nervousness or fear and he turned to Ashenhoof and he nodded "J'espère que ce sera bon pour nous tous" (I hope it will be good for all of us) and he left the ship with the light frigate captain to gather the Volunteers. Understandably, Some Voltigeurs and even fewer engineers volunteered after hearing they will be led by British officer and he told them of the condition where if the British officer showed any sign of cowardice or got them left behind they can shoot him without any consequences and that got enough Voltigeurs and engineers to volunteer.

Meanwhile in the troopship after Étienne and the light frigate captain had left, Oakleaf was about ready to go and gather the rifles but he had to deal with something more personal for now. "Oakleaf! ye are not going to go out in the woods without a proper meal, ye hear me?" A strong feminine voice called out to him with the sound of quick hoofsteps coming at him and he turned to see his mother. Before he could say anything his mother gave him a loaf of bread and as well as some apples she took from the supply crate for him.

"I know ma but It will be only be for a while, I will be back soon." He said, groaning a little but his mother wasn't having any of it and she forced him took the food and he reluctantly put it on his knapsack with the morning bread that his mother and other officers' mother made for the rest of the soldiers with the ship cook, which he had only eaten half of as he wanted to save his food for later time. She then checked his uniform to make sure it is proper and clean while other soldiers and sailors nearby looked on at the distance amused by the mother's love. Oakleaf glared at them but that didn't stop them and he had to tolerate it until her mother decided that he is ready to leave.

"Now ye can go my boy." She said after she made sure the uniform was proper and clean. Oakleaf then hurried outside as he is getting late and he asked for rifle volunteers and he got enough within a few minutes and told them of their objective. The rifles nodded and they began to be ready grabbing their baker rifles and other equipment for the journey.

Lieutenant Étienne came at the middle, between the French camp and the British camp on the shores with the voltigeurs and engineers waited patiently for him and soon Lieutenant Oakleaf and the rifles arrived. The French observed that the rifles are of the 60th rifle as they have red facings on their collar, and cuffs. They also have half length Gaiters with dark blue trousers with red stripe along the outside seams.

One of the Voltigeurs, an Italian origin unicorn mare with a light green coat and raven black mane named Lucia Amato spotted one of the 60th rifles, a corporal bugler mare who has a pale-cream coat and muted blue mane talking to the unicorn sergeant in German, unaware of her. The unicorn mare narrowed her eyes as she soon recognized that earth pony mare. How could she forget that rifle mare? After all, she was the one who almost shot her head off were it not for her younger sister Sofia, who shoved her away just in time 2 years ago at the Battle of Salamanca. Though to be fair, she almost killed her first but she got a misfire while the rifle mare didn't.

The rifle mare stopped talking to her superior as she felt she was being observed and she turned to see the voltigeur who was looking at her. She recognized the unicorn mare and she was surprised and a bit tense to see the mare who she almost killed and in turn would have killed her, was here of all places and there was an awkward silence between the two mares. Then Lucia's younger sister Sofia Amato, an earth pony arrived to talk to her and she also spotted the rifle mare and her smile slowly faded as she remembered the rifle mare. She doesn't know what to say or if she should say anything at all.

Fortunately for the mares it was only for a brief period of tense silence before their comrades nudged them, reminding them of their task and they followed lieutenant Oakleaf, They want to talk to each other to but they don't have the courage to converse with each other and they kept glancing at each other for a brief periods of time with the sounds of hammers, and shouts of orders being fainter and fainter until it was fully gone, replaced by sounds of insects and birds chirping.

Oakleaf ordered the rifles and the voltigeurs to make marks on the tress as they move cautiously so it will be easier to be on track if they get lost and it will also be a maker for other soldiers as well and they do this for hours as they march with no sight of civilization and they were beginning to belief that they are in an isolated island.

"Sir. Do you think we should turn back?" One of the English rifle stallion asked concerned "We have been marching for quite a while and we haven't seen a single bloody village nor town in sight and it is going to get dark. I'm thinking we are in an abandoned island at this hour!"

"Be patient, will ye?" Lieutenant Oakleaf ordered him and they continue the march but the doubts and concerns are getting more and more real by each walk with no signs of any living settlements. Then they hear sounds of rustling leaves and whimpers nearby. Oakleaf immediately gestured the rifles to be quiet and to explore first where the sound came from and the pale-cream coat rifle mare moved with her sergeant moved first and they see that it was 3 fillies, 2 of whom, an earth pony and a unicorn were slightly injured on their hind legs with small wounds and exhausted while the Pegasus filly was trying to reassure them and herself.

The fillies soon spotted them and they became cautious and afraid. "Who...who are you all?" Scootaloo asked with shaky voice trying to be brave for her friends as she hesitantly stepped towards them. Oakleaf, the rifles, the voltigeurs and the engineers notice that the pegasus filly's wings were smaller then it should be.

"Do not worry, we are not here to hurt you." The pale-cream mare in green uniform with a strange accent reassured them as they see a unicorn in the same uniform nearby take what they presume to be a thick club or stick from her hooves and she moved to them slowly. "Can you tell me your names little ones?" she asked as they see other ponies in fancy clothing like green, others had white-blue with green epaulettes some were in complete blue dress and there was a lone earth pony in a red uniform and they realize that he must be their leader. They slowly introduced themselves to them and they asked the mare for her name.

"My name is Freya." She replied with her accent that fascinated the fillies. "I must say, you three have such great names" She complimented them with a gentle smile that made Apple bloom and Sweetie bell relaxed while Scootaloo kept her guard up. "How are you here in this dense forest?" Freya asked them before realizing she has to mend their wounds immediately or it will be dangerous for the fillies. Before they can respond to her question, she told them to forget her question for now and to stand still as she turned to her comrades and asked if they have any bandages for them in a language they have never heard anyone speak and then to back to familiar language as her comrades take down their knapsacks to find the bandages for the fillies. Even the voltigeurs and engineers took out their knapsack and to get some bandages for the fillies as well after they heard the word Bandage.

"Uh....Freya?" Apple Bloom hesitantly called her, she turned to her and Apple Bloom continued. "What was that talking ya were doing with your friends?"

"Oh, That is German Apple Bloom." She answered as she got the roll from one of her comrades and wrapped it around her injured hind leg. Apple Bloom winched at the firmness of the bandage but she kept a brave face the whole time. Scootaloo, wanting to help, asked Freya how she can help as she doesn't want to stay idle while her friends are in distress and Freya told her she can help by grabbing Sweetie Bell's leg gently and calm her down by speaking to her and Scootaloo did as instructed and she calmed Sweetie Bell down as Freya quickly bandaged her wounds with the help of Scootaloo.

Apple Bloom and Sweetie Bell thanked Freya for treating their wound to which Freya nodded and advised them to be careful, especially in the forest. Sweetie Bell also thanked Scootaloo for helping her calm down and she grinned as she said she doesn't need to thank her.

After they were well bandaged, Freya told them they were all quite brave and the fillies smiled at the compliment. Oakleaf then offered them some bread that was made by his mother for him and some apples and they ate it. She then asked them the previous question and they replied that they were exploring the forest out of thrill of adventure, got chased by timber wolves, and ended here lost and scared.

"Ah, That is quite unfortunate." Freya said, sympathizing them. "You really don't know where you are?" She asked them and the fillies slowly nodded in hesitation as they know they won't return home in time before dark and they are in a forest with no way of direction to their home.

Lieutenant Oakleaf got an idea and he decided to put it forward. "Ye lasses need to be in shelter fast as ye can. Children aren't supposed to be in the woods alone especially in the dark. Ye need to come with us." He said stepping forward with his thick Irish accent catching their attention. "I know ye don't fully trust us and that's good thing. But right now ye need to be in a safe place and woods are not a safe place to be. Ye need to trust us for now" He said to them as the sun was now almost gone.

The fillies looked at each other and they thought of their situation and in their different scenarios in their mind on what will happen if they take or didn't take his offer. They decided to take their chances.

Scootaloo, Apple Bloom and Sweetie Bell after thinking and seeing the better chance as these strangers have helped them, especially Freya. "Fine, we will follow you." Scootaloo said, speaking for herself and her friends to the adults. "But, we will be watching." She said though the tone was less tense then before and that was enough for Oakleaf as he nodded in understanding and he gestured the Group to be quick as when night comes it will be hard to navigate, before they moved, she asked him for his name and he gave them his name.

The fillies stick close to Freya as she is the most trusting adult to them and they began to quickly walk back to the camp. As they march to the camp. They ask her many questions about them and who they are.

"Freya, Who are those ponies in white and blue uniform with green and yellow on their shoulder and hat and those in full blue?" Apple Bloom asked as she and her friends sees the voltigeurs and was fascinated by them.

"They are called Voltigeurs Apple Bloom. They are small in body size but they are braver and smarter then most soldiers" She explained though she didn't dare to look at the Italian sisters at the eyes nearby but for French Voltigeurs, she was fine looking at them. "And those in full blue are engineers" She said gesturing to an earth pony stallion with a soft warm beige fur and dark chestnut brown mane and tail nearby in complete blue uniform and he nodded after seeing Freya gesturing to him.

"Volte-no, wait...Voltigeurs?" Sweetie bell asked correcting herself as she stares at the voltigeurs who were marching besides ponies in greens uniform like Freya and Freya calls those who wore same uniform as her as the 60th rifles or rifles. "And those in blue are engineers?" she asked and Freya nodded

"What 'bout Oakleaf?" Apple Bloom asked, looking at Oakleaf as he lead the path which is now getting dark.

"He's a lieutenant and he was chosen to lead us for now" She said as she walked the path. "He has experience in leading soldiers in the woods" She continued, remembering the reason he was selected and the fillies asked more questions and she answered it all patiently.

"Alright, one last question Freya," Scootaloo said as they hear sounds of waves in the distance with night covering the whole forest. Freya nodded and waited for her to ask one last question.

"What is that wooden mix steel club thingy that you, your friends and the voltigeurs have?" She asked pointing at her rifle and voltigeur's carbines.

Freya was a bit astonished by the question as she didn't expect that question and neither did the rest of the rifles and Oakleaf as they stopped to remember what she asked while the voltigeurs were confused by the sudden stop and look of astonishment as they don't know why the rifles and Oakleaf look surprised and their expression was one of confusion given they only speak French and for some Italian as well, not English.

"These are Flintlock muskets" Freya said to them after recovering from her surprise. "None of you know what a musket is or even heard about it?" She asked incredulous, and the girls shook their heads.

"We don't know Freya." Sweetie Bell said and she continued "What does it do? Wait....does it throw something like a bow?" She gestured at the muzzle of her rifle where she notice an small open gap.

"Yes, it does" Freya conformed. "But it shoots small round balls made from iron or lead." She went on explaining the what she knows of how the flintlock musket works from the putting the musket at half cock, paper cartridge being torn, putting the powder called black powder on the pan, then close it, put the remaining powder in the muzzle and ram it and full cock the musket and it's ready to shoot.

Understandably they were at first confused and overwhelmed by how it works. "Wow....that is so complicated!" Sweetie Bell said trying to remember everything.

"Seriously, How do you all remember this?" Scootaloo asked throwing her hooves in exasperation.

"It is hard but you will remember it quickly" Freya said chuckling at their confused faces. Meanwhile Oakleaf and the rest notice they are back to shores now as they see fire and lit lanterns in the distance. "Well, we are here lasses." He said getting the fillies and Freya's attention.

The fillies see two lit camps with one being the closest and guarded by ponies in the same red uniform like Oakleaf and on the other was smaller camp guarded by the voltigeurs. Oakleaf went to the nearby camp and the soldiers nodded and let them through even the voltigeurs with one of the guards saying in French that their officer is in the camp as well. They were shocked and scared when they saw Lions amongst ponies for the first time. The Lions noticed them and greeted them warmly by waving at them with their paw and a friendly smile that calmed them down.

"They are kinda nice?" Apple Bloom said and her friends slowly nodded as they were lead deeper into the camp and they smell tobacco in the air and it was getting stronger as they were led to big tent.

Inside the camp, they saw 2 Ponies, One being an senior stallion in red uniform, having the smoking pipe on his hoof and other was a voltigeur with a pencil-parted mustache like the rest of the soldiers and there was a lion with them in the same red uniform and he has an intimidating scar on his left cheek. "Captain Ashenhoof." Oakleaf said saluting to the senior stallion and he nodded in response. Captain Ashenhoof already made a strong impression on the fillies with the pipe on his hoof and his calm demeanour And the another stallion was a voltigeur unicorn with a pencil parted mustache.

"At ease Lieutenant." Captain Ashenhoof said and his gaze turned towards the fillies, noticing that Apple Bloom and Sweetie Bell are injured on their hind legs and bandaged. "Lieutenant, Could you possibly explain why are there 3 fillies here and not in their homes?" He calmly asked Oakleaf as he and other officers look at him waiting for his response.

Lieutenant Oakleaf explained the situation to them and after getting the whole detail, Ashenhoof then turned to the fillies. "Are you all still hungry little ones?" He asked them and they remember that they didn't eat anything the whole day except breakfast before exploring the forest and Oakleaf giving them a loaf of bread and some apples, Nodded slowly but their stomach began rumbling, telling the officers how hungry they are. Embarrassed, they began to give excuses for their stomach making sounds.

"Well, their stomach said it all" The Lion officer said in a deep voice, amused by their explaniation. "You don't have to worry, it's alright. There is some bread with cheese alongside some more apples here. Eat to your hearts content little ones." He continued gesturing to the nearby basket on the table and the smell of fresh bread with cheese and more apples was tempting.

The filles controlled themselves for a while as they wanted to know the lion first and they asked him for his name. "My name is Leon and I am also a captain like Ashenhoof." He replied and they were confused by two captains in the same uniform. "I understand your confusion little fillies. I am a captain of a small group of red coats called Grenadiers and we grenadiers are required to tall, strong and brave creatures. Ashenhoof is the captain of the regular soldiers." He clarified with Ashenhoof nodding in agreement.

"So, the lions we saw are in your command captain Leon?" Sweetie Bell asked connecting the dots.

"Indeed, Miss Sweetie Bell but not just the lions, even ponies though they are larger and stronger then most ponies" Leon responded. "If you wish to know who are the Grenadiers amongst us red coats in the distance, see for full white plume on our hats, That is our mark" He ended and he showed them his Belgic shako and showed the complete white plume and they nodded.

"They are quite curious girls, and their cutie marks is quite interesting" A voice said and they turned to see it belonged to the Voltigeur officer. Oakleaf was surprised that Lieutenant Étienne can speak English as he didn't hear him speak English before he left.

"Wait a minute..." He said narrowing his eyes. "Ye know English? Why didn't ye speak in English before?" He interrogated him, his suspicion growing at the potential reasons for the French Stallion hiding his English speaking skills.

"Lieutenant calm down, it's indirectly because of me." Captain Ashenhoof said getting Oakleaf and everyone's attention. "Remember in the morning and afternoon I took control of the situation and communicated in French and he spoke what is natural for him, French. I didn't give him time to speak in English" He said and Oakleaf calmed down as he remembered Ashenhoof did immediately speak in French after meeting Étienne and didn't given Étienne the time to speak French.

"Wait what do ya mean French is natural?" Apple Bloom asked, tilting her head in confusion. "Isn't that just a fancy language for fancy ponies?" She continued looking at Sweetie Bell and she nodded in agreement. It was the officers turn to be surprised and amused minus Étienne.

"Madam, what do you mean by that?" Étienne asked, his eyes narrowing at them while the British were grinning at his unamused reaction.

"Wait! Wait! We didn't mean to insult ya all!" Apple Bloom said as she and her friends see Étienne's eyes narrowing at them. "We didn't know there are ponies who speak French as their natural language that's all!" She clarified, hoping that will calm him down and it did.

"Fine....But don't make that assumption again understood?" He said and they nodded in understanding.

"That was quite amusing." Captain Ashenhoof said clearly enjoying the scene and Étienne glared at him. "Anyways....You all go and have some food and Oakleaf will take you to a nearby tent where you will rest for now and in the first dawn He will take you to your home." He said to the kids, changing the subject while Étienne muttered in French and rolled his eyes.

As they went to eat the food. Captain Ashenhoof called out to Étienne before he left the tent, saying If he wants to, he can take some food as well but Étienne responded with Non and they have enough food for themselves, he lead the French back to their camp.

After they had their meal, Lieutenant Oakleaf took them to a tent and he put the blankets for them. And they were excited to sleep in a tent. Oakleaf chuckled at their excitement and he told them to not cause too much voice and he left them alone. They began talking amongst themselves in excitement and intrigue at everything that happened and what will happen. Strangers in cool clothing, their shako hats which they soon realize was basically marching bands hats which made them giggle, Freya and her language called German, the muskets, the lions and Étienne's unamused reaction to them asking French is a natural language, laughing nervously at that moment and they also wondered how will Ponyville react to these strangers and how their sisters will as well and after hours of quietly talking, playing games with each other, they fell asleep looking forward the next day and it's surprise for everyone.

Author's Note

If you have any questions, you can ask me and I will do my best to answer it!