[Ponyville]

“You know, ever since Mark and Major left for that summit, everything’s been… quieter.” Twilight commented as she helped Schmidt clean up one of the AA turrets that he had set up from the Ratte. “Even though its been two days, everything’s slowed the heck down.”

“Its like he’s the main protagonist of a story or something.” Spike commented as he brought over a box of ammunition. “Why the heck did you need me for this again?”

“You need to pay more attention little dragon.” Schmidt chastised, pointedly ignoring Spike’s muttering about him being an adult. “I’m teaching you how to fire these guns.” Twilight gave him a sharp look. “Nothing like a live fire demonstration to lighten the mood!” That sharp look turned into a sharp glare. Spike, meanwhile, went from mildly annoyed assistant to eager assistant.

“Helm...” She growled softly. “You better not be getting anyone in danger.” Helmut rolled his eyes and ruffled her mane, not exactly reassuring her. She nearly bit him.

“We’ll be aiming in the direction of Everfree, and besides, he’ll start learning by loading the gun for me.” Schmidt answered. “Now, you stand here, Spike get on the other side with the racks.” Once they got into position, Schmidt took his seat at the gunner’s position and walked Spike through loading the magazines. Right before he started firing, he seemed to remember that ponies had sensitive ears and gave the two protection.

“How will we know its over?” Spike called out pretty loudly, causing him to chuckle.

“When the firing stops!” Schmidt gleefully started firing, sending 20 millimeter high explosive tracer rounds rocketing into the dusk sky, green tracers zipping towards the Everfree. In about six seconds, the four guns were dry, causing Schmidt to motion for Spike to reload them.

“Wouldn’t it be easier for a unicorn to load them?” Twilight asked as she shifted an earmuff to one side so she could hear him.

“Yes, but a gunner should know how to load his gun in case of a loader death.” Schmidt explained. Spike paused for a second, but slid in the last magazine. “Of course I hope it never comes to that, but it pays to be sure.”

“What can you tell me about the big cannons?” Twilight asked as the two males swapped seats.

“Well, the 28cms are coastal defense guns, since we’ve scrapped the naval ships they were on.” Schmidt sipped at a cup of coffee as he watched Spike let loose with the HE-Ts. While he reloaded, he continued. “The 12,8cm? No fucking clue. Came after Stalingrad from what I can tell. Probably a version the army had developed from the naval cannons.”

“Language.” Twilight casually remarked, rubbing her chin. “And I take it you’re familiar with these 2cm… whatsits?”

“Flakvierling 38’s.” Schmidt clarified. “The 2cm cartridge was going out of date by the time the war started and we were starting to use a 37mm auto-cannon instead, so Rheinmetall stuck four of these 2cm cannons together and improved the effectiveness just enough to be used as well.” Twilight hummed, Schmidt the only one noticing as Rainbow touched down behind the turret. “Yes?”

“Just wondering what’s going on.” She said, her ears folding down to block out as much of the sound of the guns as possible. “What with the whole light show and all.”

“Showing the young drake here how to operate one of the AA turrets.” Schmidt answered, before nudging Spike. “Cease fire.” The dragon nodded and sat back as smoke started coming out of the barrels, sliding his earmuffs down.

“I like this.” He practically purred, rubbing the magazine almost creepily. Schmidt told him to knock it off.

“You guys ready for First Snow?” RD asked once they were all able to hear her. Schmidt grumbled a bit but nodded. “Still hate winter big guy?”

“Not like Mark does.” He said after a moment, lighting and taking a drag of a cigarette. “I’m fine with the whole ‘making winter yourselves’ thing.” Shrugging, he took a moment to climb out and stretch. “Hate being in those things, honestly.”

“You never mentioned why, though.” Spike pointed out as he got up. Twilight, feeling lazy and definitely not for the fact that the turret was designed for a human, just teleported out.

“You’d feel the same if you saw your comrades freezing to death while you sat inside a freezing tank.” Schmidt shrugged. “Plus the whole starvation thing in Stalingrad. A man had three ways to die; enemy, elements, or hunger.” Twilight flinched at that. “By the time I had died, we were beginning to get about half a loaf of bread a day. If we could get it, since we had been encircled.” Shaking his head, Schmidt sighed. “Though that is all in the past now, so don’t worry about it.”

“How… How’d you die?” Spike asked after a tense silence. Schmidt leaned against the stationary turret, taking a drag of his cigarette before flicking it away and lighting a new one.

“I was in the process of scouting out a supposedly clear area from the turret of my tank, when a soviet sniper put a hole in my chest.” He explained. “Destroyed my left lung and I bled out inside the hull, my gunner and loader frantically trying to save me.”

“You weren’t able to get to a medic in time?” Dash asked quietly. Schmidt shook his head.

“We were scouting, there wasn’t a medic for a couple hundred meters at best.” He answered. “Plus they were more concerned with getting me to breathe again and stop the bleeding.”

“I’m sorry..” Twilight quietly muttered, giving her husband a hug. Schmidt rubbed her head in response.

“So, Spike.” Schmidt looked over at the dragon as he sipped at a bottle of water. “You got a girlfriend yet?” He pointedly ignored the dragon choking on his water. “I’ll take that as a no.”

Next Chapter: Versailles End Estimated time remaining: 26 Minutes