Chapter 15

Day Ten

Jeff leaned over the vat of familiar smelling liquid. The aroma was the faint fragrance of apples mixed into the overwhelming scent of petrol.

“How did you make this?” The human asked.

The two stallions smiled and replied simultaneously.

“Accidentally,” Flim and Flam beamed.

“Accidentally?” Applejack inquired with distrust in her eyes.

The orange mare’s initial reaction when they had arrived at the Manehattan factory and realized that the two brothers owned it, had nearly sent her into a screaming fit. Jeff had been filled in on the whole story about how Flim and Flam had tried to run the Apple family out of business.

“We were trying to find the best way to create large amounts of alcohol for the large population of ponies in Manehattan that like the stuff,” Flim said.

“We tried to make a new spell that could create it quickly and efficiently,” Flam finished.

“But we ended up creating this stuff.” Flim pointed at the vat.

“Its flammability gave us the idea to use it as a type of fuel.”

“But developing an engine has been quite, troublesome. Isn’t that right brother?”

“Yes it is.”

“But you tell us that there exists a motor that can use this combustible concoction?”

The brothers stared at Jeff who continued to look at the liquid. Eventually he spoke.

“Ah don’t understand how, but Ah think ya managed to turn the apples into, uh, hydrocarbons.” He dipped his finger into the liquid then gave it a small taste before spitting it out. “This actually might work in the engines. Hand over a few barrels so we can test its usefulness.”

“Hand them over?” Flimm laughed.

“You must be mistaken,” Flam smirked.

“If you have the bits.”

“You can have the fuel.”

Jeff groaned. He was already at the end of his nerves due to the continuous rides in the train and Twilights unending curiosity about humans had not helped. He pulled the gun from his belt and pointed it at the two brothers. Applejack and Twilight both jumped back in shock as Flim and Flam yelped in fear.

“Ah’m requisitioning these barrels for the war effort of your nation,” Jeff growled. But there was still a hint of kindness in his voice. “If ya withhold the items we ask for, your actions will be considered treason and Ah will kill you here and now. Also, tell Twilight the spell so we won't have-ta keep coming to you if it works.”

The two brothers were too afraid to speak as Jeff cocked the gun.

Half an hour later, Jeff and his pony companions were pushing the last of the two fuel barrels into the train. Twilight and Applejack had been silent since the events in the factory. Eventually Applejack spoke.

“Ah understand why ya did that but Ah don’t think ya should have done it,” she stated quietly.

“Ah didn’t like doing it, but it was either the two ponies or the whole nation,” Jeff replied with a tone of sadness.

“Your species seems inclined to end all predicaments with violence,” Twilight looked at the barrels absentmindedly as they finished pushing them through the cargo door.

Jeff huffed in agreement, but deep down he knew that he wouldn't have been able to shoot the brothers even if they had continued to resist. He only shot things that shot back.

As they sat down for another long ride, Jeff removed his journal from his pack and started to write in it. Something he had done on a regular basis. Twilight had long exhausted her curiosity over it, mostly due to Jeff not giving any answers, but Applejack couldn't help but watch him write.

Jeff felt her eyes on him. He looked up and raised an eyebrow questioningly.

“Are ya writin’ down your adventures?” She asked innocently.

He shrugged passively and went back to writing. But Applejack could see the hint of a blush on his face.

“I’ve noticed that ya don’t talk very much,” the country pony continued. “Ya remind me of my brother.”

Jeff smiled and continued scratching the pencil across the paper. A sudden, quiet snoring sound distracted both of them and they looked at Twilight who had drifted off to sleep. Jeff looked out of the window and was surprised that they had yet to even clear the station. He looked back at the orange mare who smiled back at him. He flashed a smile in return then went back to writing.

Applejack watched him for a few more seconds as the train lumbered away from Manehattan. When Jeff looked up again she quickly looked away and acted like she hadn’t been watching. Applejack looked out the window as curiosity filled her mind.

Day Eleven

The last of the deer meat had been eaten when Jeff, Twilight, Applejack, arrived in Ponyville. They immediately set to work assembling the motors. The Texan noticed the silence between the humans and ponies and he asked Zeus and Matt about it.

“Bill killed a mother and father deers,” Matt replied.

Zeus cringed at Matt’s grammar but nodded in agreement.

“Hmm.” Jeff rubbed the small beard on his chin. Everybody had one, albeit different styles, except the Germans who appeared to have been shaving in an attempt to look spic-and-span.

“We will go speak to them,” Twilight said.

The lavender and orange mares walked away leaving the humans alone with the tanks.

“Fuck,” Zeus groaned. “Time to put these things back together.”

As the humans set to work reinstalling the engines, the ponies sat in the farmhouse talking and occasionally looking out of the windows at the humans working on the tanks.

“Well,” Fluttershy said as she held a bottle that the faun was drinking from. “We aren’t really mad at Matt and-um Zeus anymore.”

“Yeah, they weren't the ones that made this poor little guy an orphan.” Pinkie patted the little deer on the head.

“I guess we aren't acquainted with having meat eating friends,” Rarity said with a sigh.

“I know what it is like to have a meat eating friend,” Rainbow Dash put in from her position on the couch. “Guilda ate meat and I got used to it after a while.”

“I guess we owe them an apology.” Rarity looked out of the window absentmindedly.

“Except for Bill,” Dash stood up.

“Agreed,” Rarity nodded. “Until he becomes a nicer person we will not treat him as a friend.”

“Bill use to be a nice person.”

The surprised ponies turned towards Zeus who held a recently filled cup of water in his hand.

“He use to be nice?” Fluttershy squeaked.

“The nicest man I knew.” Zeus took a drink, a sad look on his face. “Then one day while we were in England preparing to head out into France he got a letter and he became the pissed off bastard you know now. He used to be called the battalions uncle. Uncle Bill-Lee we called him.”

“What was in the letter?” Twilight asked.

Zeus shrugged. “No idea.”

The human walked out of the door and the ponies sat deep in thought. Rainbow Dash, not being a fan of sitting around, decided to head to Ponyville. The others followed and they ambled towards the town, still not sure on what to do. Nopony was in the mood to talk, there was too much on their minds.

When they arrived they were surprised to see a long column of ponies marching from the train station and towards the open fields at the edge of town. A large camp could be seen being constructed in the distance. A royal guard trotted past and Twilight stopped him.

“What is going on sir?”

“Due to Ponyville’s high amount of food and supplies we have decided to put our primary military base here,” he replied flatly. “Ponies from all over Equestria are being brought here for training and assignment.”

He started to hurry away but Twilight stopped him again.

“Can you tell me how the war is going?” She asked innocently. “The newspapers have stopped publishing and I have yet to receive any letters from the Princesses.”

The stallion ground his teeth and prepared to walk away then paused.

“Wait,” he said turning back towards the six friends. “You guys aren’t the Elements of Harmony are you?”

“Yes we are,” Rainbow Dash hissed sharply.

The guard sighed and prepared to relent information. “The Princesses don’t want to cause panic, so please don’t go around flaunting this information.”

“We won’t,” Twilight promised.

“The only reason the enemy isn’t in Canterlot right now is because they haven’t tried. They are moving slowly, they have yet to even reach the edge of the desert.”

The six mares sighed in relief but the guard continued.

“But they will arrive in Canterlot,” he growled. “I can promise you that. There is nothing we can do to hold them back. The Princesses and the humans are forming a plan but it is above my pay grade to know what it is. Have a nice day.”

He cantered away leaving the six ponies in their thoughts. Eventually Twilight spoke.

“I need to see the Princess,” she said hurriedly. “You five stay here and help the humans. Only Spike and I need to go.”

Before her friends could protest, she rushed off leaving them among another column of marching Ponies. A human walked up and stood behind them for a few moments before speaking.

“How are you ladies doing?” Ian asked.

“Hi Mr. Ian!” Pinkie Pie exclaimed.

“Hello dear,” Rarity looked at the human with a sense of surprise. “I thought you were in Canterlot?”

“I was, but I have been assigned to be the head assistant trainer of all military forces. My new commanding officer is now Shining Armor.” Ian chuckled. “Never thought I would be taking orders from a pony. Though the orders I receive from General Patton come first.”

There was a sudden eruption of thunderous noise and many of the ponies, including the five friends, covered their ears.

“What the hay was that!” Applejack hollered.

“That was the First Artillery Corps training with their new heavy guns.” The human beamed. “They couldn’t hit the broad side of a German battleship at a hundred yards, but they will be ready when we start the counter offensive. I hope.”

Ian watched the ponies march by. “Well, I better get back to work. Tell the lads I’m here.”

“We will.”

He walked away towards the camp. They didn’t want to say anything, but the war had just become more real to them and a tight feeling was starting to form in the friend’s stomachs.

“Girls,” Applejack said after a few moments. “For the first time I can honestly say Ah am becoming fearful of what is gonna happen to Equestria.”

“It feels as if the revelation that this is all real is hitting me like a brick!” Rarity cried.

“I’m going back to your house now,” Rainbow Dash said flatly to Applejack. “I don’t want to hang around Ponyville anymore.”

“Ah better get to work harvestin’ apples for the ponies arivin’,” Applejack replied. “They look starved!”

“Oh, I should help Mr. and Mrs. Cake make food for them too!” Pinkie bounced away.

“The, uh, faun needs to be fed again,” Fluttershy walked slowly away. “See you girls later.”

Rarity stood alone for a couple seconds before sighing. “I better see how Sweetie Belle is doing.”

Twilight pushed her way through the crowd of arriving ponies. She noticed a military train preparing to leave for Canterlot and jumped on. Twilights train had just left the station when Spike burped up a letter from the Princess.

Dear Twilight Sparkle

Please hurry to Canterlot. There is important information I need to tell you and your friends if they are able to come.

Sorry that Princess Celestia couldn’t contact you herself.

Princess Luna

“Luna?” Twilight questioned aloud.

“Celestia might be busy Twilight,” Spike stated as he read the letter.

“Maybe.”

The train passed a convoy of wagons filled with newly recruited ponies headed for Ponyville.

“Spike,” Twilight asked hesitantly. “Do you have that crushing feeling that we aren't going to win this war?”

“A little,” the dragon replied. “But I don't like to think about it.”

Twilight nodded, “I can’t help thinking about it, and I don’t think we can win.”

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Sorry it took me so long to make such a short and uneventful chapter. Been busy with work and the medicine I'm taking makes me not want to do anything but sit around a stare at the wall and sleep. I promise that the next chapter will be much longer, be more eventful and have Patton in it to the maximum. Please continue to be patient with me and you will be rewarded with epic chapters.