Chapter 11: A Nation's Plea

I sat alone under the pine tree overlooking the lake, but in much different spirits than I was a few days ago. Everything seemed to be smoothing out in my new life at this point. Twilight had little objection to Scootaloo moving in with us. Scootaloo had been more than excited, except when Miss Buckle had finally left back to Manehatten after all these years. But Scootaloo understood what had happened, and her spunky self brightened up quick with the new idea of staying with Twilight and me. I smiled at the thought of going home and seeing the happy filly with her friends over, finally having a real family, before continuing my reading.

I looked down at the computer screen which hovered in the air; I had been reading news of the war back home nearly all day, almost none of it good, but I put up a heavy wall for that information. What struck me as good news was that the Seventh had sided with the People's Coalition of Karkland against the Sengian Empire and the Janmori Ascension. The PCK and the Sengian Empire were by far the biggest factions of the civil war; they were of course the factions that started the war in the first place. Neither side was a truly "good" or "evil"; they fought for what they thought was right. But the democratic PCK wants a free, united Karkland and is commanded by all of its nations leaders, while the Sengian is ruled by Emperor Valenti Koropaz as the supreme leader. I hated the war with every inch of my body. It had taken countless lives,and left countless more ruined like mine, but most of them never got a second chance like I did. But I took this alliance as good news, the Seventh was a peaceful nation, and it wanted its people free.

I looked up for a moment to rest my eyes from the computer and stare over the beautiful landscape before me. Everything here was so innocent and untouched. Even though Equestria was only separated from Karkland by a small sea, it had remained just the way it is after all the years next to my homeland. I continued to look over the horizon until a faint but familiar sound caught my attention. It was a distant "beep beep" that seemed to be getting closer and closer to my location. Then suddenly I realized what it was as the object flew past my head, its direction towards the great city of Canterlot. It was a message drone, its blinking light a bright red indicating an emergency message.

"This isn't going to be good in the slightest," I said to myself, trying to be calm as I picked myself up, but gave up quickly as I started sprinting back to Ponyville.

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"What do you mean it's headed to Canterlot!?" Twilight said hysterically as my group of friends listened to the news I had brought to them.

"That's all it means Twilight, it's a message drone, they're not dangerous. But I'm still worried, why would Karkland be contacting Canterlot? And what side?" I pondered out loud, now getting a bit anxious myself.

"Well whoever it is or whatever it is why don't we just go talk to the Princesses?" Rainbow Dash suggested as Twilight shrugged at the idea.

"I think we should just wait and see if the Princesses even need to talk to us about it?" I finally said after a moment.

All of the ponies around me just sighed, except for Pinkie who stood there smiling and waiting. I shook my head and laughed to myself, at least one of them was calm. At that moment Spike burst into the room followed by Scootaloo.

"Guys! Message from the Princess!" he said urgently, the bow that tied the scroll together was black instead of its usual red, indicating top priority.

"Wow! Good idea Evan, that worked really well!" Pinkie Pie exclaimed, which I couldn't help but smirk at.

Soon all of our attention was turned to Twilight as she levitated the scroll in front of her and read it aloud.

"Twilight Sparkle, a urgent message has come to Luna and I from Karkland. I would like Evan and all of you in Canterlot as soon as possible. Yours, Princess Celestia," she said.

All eyes turned to me as she finished, and as if on impulse I got moving.

"Well come on! What are we waiting for? Lets go!" I said hurriedly as the others and I made for the train station.

Before I was able to leave the house I felt a tug at my leg and turned to see Scootaloo with big, glaring eyes.

"You're not just going to leave me here all by myself are you?!" she said in a hurt and angry tone.

I bent down and smiled at her before scooping her up and putting her on my shoulders.

"Of course not Scoot, family doesn't leave family behind," I said, which beat down any feelings other than happiness in the little filly.

Pinkie Pie suddenly appeared next to me bouncing.

"That's exactly what Granny Pie said to me when I was a little filly! And we're all family so lets go!" she said bouncing next to us the whole time.

A smile hid my face from the true feelings of angst and dread as we settled on the train to Canterlot. I had no clue what was going to be the message, and I looked all around the train car at all of my friends. I prayed that whatever it was wouldn't change us, wouldn't change the nation around me, and wouldn't change me. I was sent back to reality as a hoof was placed on my shoulder and I turned to see Applejack looking at me with a concerned face.

"You alright Sugarcube?" she asked.

I couldn't lie to the Element of Honesty, she'd see right through it.

"I don't know AJ, I'm worried," I admitted.

She seemed to be able to read my mind as she just smiled.

"Don't you worry a hair, ain't nothin' gonna change anything," she said as she settled into the seat and looked out the window.

Twilight took the other seat next to me and laid her head on my shoulder, she was even more worried than I. Pinkie and Scootaloo were playing a game that involved keeping Rarity's favorite comb away from her as Dash laughed at her expense, while Fluttershy sat across from me giving me the same worried glances that I had on my face that was natural to her. Finally the train started moving, and we were on the way to a new situation, one that involved a nation at war.

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As the train arrived at the Canterlot station we were greeted by two royal guards who told us we were to be taken to see the two Princesses at once. As they lead the way I had Scootaloo propped on my shoulders again and Twilight pacing nervously next to me.

"Twilight you need to calm down; we don't even know what's going on and you're already freaking out," I told her, but I was every bit as worried on the inside.

She saw through the facade easily with a glare and turned back to the path ahead, murmuring to herself about what she should do in any scenario. I shook my head and felt Scootaloo give a nervous twitch of her legs against my head.

"You alright up there hun?" I asked her.

She started rubbing her hooves nervously on my head.

"I don't know whats going on bro, why is everyone so worried?" she asked curiously.

"Nothing you need to worry about Scoot, I'm gonna handle it don't worry," I said as I put on my big brother character and she seemed to calm down. "But you're going to wait outside the throne with Spike while I do okay?"

She didn't like that part at all and yelled, "What! Why?"

Twilight and Applejack turn their heads in surprise.

I waved them off before explaining, "'Cause it's really important Scoot, and this is just something the seven of us have to do alone. Don't worry about it okay?" I said.

She gave me an annoyed huff and was silent for the rest of the trip.

We had finally made it to the castle and the guards let us find our way to the throne room ourselves. Twilight was now freaking out even more as we reached the large throne room doors. I picked up Scootaloo off of my shoulders and put her on the ground, her little wings fluttering in slight anger and her eyes looking at me in the same way.

"It won't take long, I promise. Besides, you gotta watch Spike and make sure he doesn't get into trouble. Love you, kiddo," I said as the seven of us walked into the gigantic room in front of us.

"Yeah, love you to bro," was all I heard from behind me.

The two large doors shut gently behind us in a magic glow as we saw the two alicorns waiting for us next to a large object with a blinking light, the message drone. As we reached them all of my friends bowed in respect except for me, I wasn't a citizen and they didn't rule me. But I gave a friendly smile and nod to both of them, especially Luna the Lunar Princess, who I became closer to than Celestia on my trips here. As my friends rose the Sun Goddess stepped foward and began speaking.

"I'm sure you can see why we have called you here my little ponies, and human, for we have received this drone from our neighbors to the east, Karkland." she paused and looked to me. "Evan my dear friend, we have not viewed the message inside yet because we wanted you here for input."

"Well Celestia," I saw Twilight twitch out the corner of my eye for using just her name, the Princess seemed however perfectly fine, "I'll certainly try."

"We uh, also do not know how to activate it," Luna said with a sheepish smile.

That was why I was fond of her, she was to a point silly, but still held a very regal demeanor and I couldn't help but chuckle.

"Of course," I said as I walked over to the drone, "Let's see what home has to say."

As soon as I said it, I regretted my words.

I pushed the viewing button on the drones front casing and instantly a large holo screen burst to life with the image of General Augustus Yavik staring at us, the high general of the People's Coalition of Karkland. My heart dropped at the site of this once great man's face. His whole life he was a man of honor, mercy and compassion, and the war had torn all of that into a sunken face who had seen more death and destruction than one human should ever see. Then he began talking.

"Greetings Princess Celestia and Luna of Equestria. I am General Augustus Yavik of Karkland, and I have sent this message in a time of great need," the hologram general said.

All faces were set in stone watching the recording, except for mine which was preparing for the worst.

"Many years ago, my ancestors could recall a time where Karkland and Equestria were once great friends, and it shames me that in such a long period that this message is one for help. Karklands war is growing, many people are dying, too many," he said.

At this point, the screen switched from the General to a video. It was a news broadcast in the city of Havel, in the Fourth Nation, which was home to a very deadly battle in the war. I braced myself as the video recorded soldiers of the PCK and the Sengian exchanging fire as missiles rained from above. Civilians caught in the crossfire stood no chance as the eight ponies  and I watched them go limp from gunfire and fall to the ground motionless. Suddenly from out of the videos angle one lone figure ran to a group of PCK soldiers and pulled something he held in his hand, then a bright flash of light erupted as they were reduced to nothing in an explosion. My friends and the Princesses faces dropped in shock, Fluttershy started to cry and Pinkie's hair went limp.

The General's image came back into view and continued speaking, "I am very sorry for the images you have seen, but this war is destroying Karkland. And now with the war against the Janmori Ascension...these terrorists are targeting non-combatants on both sides. They slaughter innocent people in their own march for power."

It switched to another video. This time it was a helmet camera of a PCK soldier leading a group of refuges in a large field; this video had audio as well.

"Don't worry everyone, the base camp isn't far from here. We'll get you there in no time," the soldier we were seeing through said, his camera turning to a little girl whose hand he was holding and then behind him at a mass of civilians and soldiers in his protection, "I promise."

The little girl had dark brown hair and beautiful hazel eyes as she looked at the soldier, and us, and gave him a slight smile. She couldn't have been more than ten I figured.

"I know you promise, Daddy, you'll get everyone out, like you did for me." she said.

The solider rubbed her head gently and gave a audible huff as he took back her hand, until he thrashed around quicker than light at a scream. His camera focused on another soldier as he began running.

"CALA MINES!" a soldier yelled.

Then there was nothing but an image of terror as an explosion ripped apart the soldier and the closest group of refuges, sending body parts and dirt everywhere.

"AMBUSH!" shouted the soldier as figures popped up from the area around and began shooting indiscriminately.

The camera turned and the soldier pressed his child to the ground, who began crying in fear, as he wielded his rifle and began returning fire.

I switched my gaze for a moment to the Princesses to see their faces. Celestia seemed shocked but kept it hidden well, while Luna was much more visibly affected; her eyes seemed to be glossy. I turned back to the screen and found myself looking at the ground. The soldier had fallen and blood was spattered across his hand.

He looked up to see approaching figures and screamed at his daughter, "DANALA RUN NOW!" and she obeyed.

The figures came closer to him in the chaos around as surviving PCK soldiers fought back or protected civilians while the attackers continued their killing.  Soon the lead human came into view and wore the patches of the Janmori on a wrap around his head. He bent down to look us and the soldier in the eyes.

"It seem you have failed in you're goal Sergeant. Now these unworthy will die, as will you, but do not be scared. Your deaths will help our glorious ascension!" the Janmori said as he brought out a pistol from his holster and aimed it at the Sergeants head.

The camera took one last look around and then back up to the murderer before him.

"My name is Sergeant Carson Faelorn..and I don't break promises,"  were his final words before he let out a large scream.

He pounced on his executioner, brought him face to face and held something between them, a thermal grenade. The screen went black as he pulled the pin, ending his life.

The message paused for a few moments before returning to the General.

"The sacrifices and death will never go unforgotten. But now, I give you my request, I ask and beg of a save haven for our refuges, for there are none in Karkland. We ask that we may build emergency camps in Equestria for the use of hospitals and housing. I understand that after centuries of no contact this is a massive request, but we have simply run out of options. Whatever your decision may be, this is General Augustus, PCK High Command signing off. May the Goddess be with you and us."

The screen went dark for the final time.

The room was completely silent except for the soft cries of Fluttershy, who had obviously seen much more violence than she knew existed. Right next to me, Twilight had sat down and attempted to realize what had just taken place, Applejack and Rainbow Dash were in shock but still in reality. Pinkie Pie and Rarity just sat there, not knowing what to do, until Princess Celestia finally broke the silence.

"Well...it seems we have a great decision weighed upon us. Any opinions my human friend?" she said to me directly.

I had no clue what to say, except what seemed the most rational at that time, so I picked myself up and responded.

"This war has been going on for centuries...people are still going to die no matter what, innocent people included. This choice is to save a few thousand of those people, but risk involvement in this krifing war," I said.

She nodded her head and asked, "Anypony else?"

Luna then spoke up and said, "When I was on the moon...I watched over both nations..we share the same moon sister. It was awful, what they did to each other. To save even a few would be better than none."

Dash then shot into the air "Yeah! We can't just abandon them like that! We should help them, no we NEED to help them!"

The others nodded in agreement, which Celestia gave a nod back to. After a few moments she stood tall and began speaking.

"I do not think I could call myself a Princess anymore if I let these people die for no reason. Equestria will come to Karklands aid. Word will be passed for volunteers to help aid the displaced humans, doctors, physicians and more, no longer will the innocent suffer so much," she said.

And with that, the decision was made, my heart was twisted with dread and relief. The Princesses thanked us, and as we turned to leave Celestia hit the respond button on the drone and began speaking.

"This is Princess Celestia and Luna of Equestria," was all I heard as the large doors shut behind us.

Outside, Scootaloo and Spike jumped up and nearly pounced on us.

"SO? What happened?" Scootaloo said as she hoped up onto me.

I looked at my six friends with a heavy face.

"Nothing important, Scoot, just something you'd be bored with. But c'mon, how bout we get some donuts before we leave?"

"Oh...well alright," she said and jumped down, walking to Donut Joe's. Twilight and Applejack stayed behind and looked at me with worried faces.

"That was a lot to take in hun, are you okay?" Applejack asked.

"The Princess knows what she's doing Evan, it'll all be okay, she's saving those people," Twilight said as she put a hoof on my side.

She had calmed down much after she realized the importance and gravity of the situation, but both of them were shocked at the images that they had seen.

"Yeah girls..I'm okay, but I hope the Celestia and Luna realized what they just did," I said.

Both of them looked puzzled at my reply.

"An' what did they do Sugarcube?" came a curious response from Applejack.

I paused for a moment and then looked each of them in the eye before simply saying, "They're now part of the Karkland Civil War."

"Pardon?" Applejack asked, confused.

       "We just aligned ourselves with the PCK. I don't think the Sengian's will retaliate, but the Janmori..." I trailed off, thinking of the horrors that might happen to those refugees if they did not get the proper protection.

        "We still have to help those poor people, Evan. Regardless whether or not these 'Janmori' think of it." Twilight confidently stated.

Her words did nothing to reassure me. She hadn't seen the horrors of the Janmori.

"I know Twi. But anyway, I gotta get Scoots. When's the train for Ponyville leaving anyway?" I asked.

"Uhh, Sugarcube," Applejack said wearily, "We're stayin' for the night. We're leavin' for Ponyville tommorow."

"Oh. Well, I'll head back to the castle as soon as Scoots and I finish the food. I wanted to talk to her about some stuff privately anyways," I said.

All seven parted ways, anticipating rest and time to comprehend the news we had just received.

I entered the store and saw Scootaloo seated in a booth table, slurping down a milkshake, chocolate, by the looks of it. I slid into the other booth.

"Who said you could have that shake?"  I asked as she sheepishly smiled, "Without getting me one?"

She took her mouth off of the straw and chuckled.

"Just for that, take these bits and buy me one, and pay for yours while you're at it. Last I recall, you didn't bring any money." I said jokingly.

When she left, I made a mental checklist in my head of what to do. Eat here, go to the castle, and talk to Scootaloo. I never truly connected with her, and figured now would be as good of a time as any. My train of thought was interrupted when she returned with my drink.

"Chocolate, how did you know that was my favorite?" I asked.

"ALL the cool ponies like chocolate,"Scootaloo said with a laugh. "You're cool, right big bro?"

I rolled my eyes and smiled at her antics. I decided to chug down my milkshake, regardless of my suffering after. I tossed out my straw and lifted my glass, attracting Scootaloo's attention. I had finished the chocolate genocide, and slammed my glass onto the table. All of a sudden, Scootaloo started laughing. Curious at what she was laughing at, I skimmed my hands across my face, and felt cream on top of my lips. Without changing my expression, I cleared the whipped cream from my face with a napkin. All of a sudden, my brain started throbbing.

"Ooooowwww," I groaned, putting my head in my hands.

This only served as fuel to Scootaloo's joyous, and somewhat cruel laughter.

I grumbled and said, "Let's go, I need painkillers or something. Ugh!"

The walk back was fairly uneventful. The Guards didn't even stop me, talk to me, or communicate at all, other than lifting their spears and allowing us to pass. I looked down to see Scootaloo yawn as she walked. I smiled and lifted her up over my shoulders, eager to get to our rooms for some well deserved sleep. As I had opened my door, however, I had found an unexpected, and potentially unwanted surprise.

"Greetings," said Davian casually, even after sneaking into the heaviest guarded facility in Equestria.

After our last encounter I had learned not only to respect his fighting prowess, but also fear it. I had jumped up a few inches off the ground upon seeing him there, awakening a napping Scootaloo.

"What do you want Davian?" I asked.

"To tell you what you just got yourself int-" he started.

"AAAAAH!" Scootaloo screamed at the sight of the new human, as she jumped in the air like a scared cat, hitting the ceiling.

I have to admit, the sight was fairly amusing. I caught her in my hands, putting her back on my shoulders. I still couldn't believe it, though. After this whole time, I didn't tell her about Davian, and now I had to tell her of this peculiar being's purpose.

"This is Davian. He's some sort of Guardian, supposed to look out for human mages. He's also supposed to train me to get better," I explained, as briefly as I could. "He's also magic, just like me."

"You are both impatient. I can tell." Davian said as he got up.

It wasn't until now that I had seen his size. He was roughly six feet tall, taller than me by a few inches, give or take. I had always imagined him as smaller.

"I just wanted to tell you how you had changed the fate of this entire world with what you have done. If you would like your, err, sister, to leave the room, now would be a good time to do so," he stated blankly.

"No, what I can hear, she can hear," I said.

"Very well. What you have done today is the beginning of a new era. How this will turn out is impossible to predict. Either faction, even Celestia and Luna's, could rule all of Karkland. The Janmori, needless to say, will the be the ones to start terrorizing the Equestrian people. You have brought new powers into a war that has been only human for centuries. Equestria knows nothing of violence, but they will fight if need be. This is the perfect target for the Janmori Ascension; they are the chaos of Karkland, and they will not stop till every last human bows down to their will. Now that there will be humans in Equestria, the chaos will spread, my young friend," he explained.

Scootaloo sat on my head confused, scared, and shocked, while I just gave him a blank look of knowing.

"You don't think I know that Davian? My whole village, my family, was taken from me by them." I said as Scootaloo looked down at me in a shock of sadness, "I know very well what they're capable of. But until that time comes, the Princesses have the say, and I think they will be prepared. If not, then I am."

Davian sat there just staring a hole through me, searching my face for any indication of fear, and he found it. He gave a large sigh and stood up and walked to my door. He turned around and spoke one last time before leaving.

"Well then I guess I must prepare too then. Find me when you have time; your powers must grow, my young friend," he paused as he was out the door. "Karklands war is coming to an end soon, the order has seen it. What that end is, no one will know. I just pray to the Goddess that we will be here after it. Goodnight, young Magi."

With that he disappeared into the darkness.

After he left, Scootaloo began tapping on my head and I looked up to see tears forming in her big eyes. I just realized I had blurted out what had happened to me while she was here.

"Evan your family is..." Scootaloo started, but I cut her off.

"Yeah Scoot, they're gone. I'm sorry I didn't tell you but you're much to young for that kind of stuff," I said.

My heart felt like it weighed a ton.

She just kept looking me in the eyes, finding out that we were so similar, and so hurt. She grabbed my head in a hug and nuzzled my ear as she spoke.

"I'm never going anywhere, Evan. You're never going to be alone again." she promised.

I felt tears of my own forming at that point. Tears of happiness, of sadness, and fear of the future.

"And I'm never going to leave you, Scoot. You'll always have your big brother," I said as I lifted my hand and rubbed her mane.

As the moment continued I found myself looking out of my window into the dark horizon, past Canterlot, past my new home in Ponyville, past the peacefulness of Equestria. I found myself looking at the raging storm that was the human nation of Karkland.