Chapter 24

The train bounced along at full speed towards the west coast. The sun had long set and the stars shimmered in the heavens. Oddly, no moon could be seen when the previews day it had been high in the sky. The humans, except for Patton, and the six Elements of Harmony sat in contemplative silence. Patton had left when Luna retrieved him for an emergency meeting. The rumble of the tracks was the only noise and it was lulling many of them to sleep. The silence was shattered when Matt sighed loudly.

"The hell was that for?" Bill growled. He had been on the edge of passing out.

"I'm so bored!"

"What, are you five?" Bill shook his head and rolled over onto his side. Hiding his face while trying to sleep. “Read a book. The purple one brought a shit-ton.”

"I hate long trips." The Californian threw his arms up in frustration. "Lets do something to pass the time."

Bill growled and sat up. "Okay, here is a game. Lets each say which one of us we think will become a pony pounder first. The one with the most votes to their name loses or wins, depends on what you think. I vote Matt."

"Pony pounder?" Ian, Matt and the six mares echoed. Jeff looked up from his journal and shook his head disapprovingly.

"Bill," Zeus sighed painfully. He lay by himself on a bench, wrapped in bandages and casts. "The fuck is a pony pounder?"

"I get it," Frederic unexpectedly laughed. "And I agree. Matthew vill be a pony pounder."

"Thanks German." Bill smiled widely.

The others, except for Matt and the ponies, started to realise what Bill meant. The each looked at Matt and nodded their heads in agreement.

"Pony pounder?" Twilight muttered. "I don't think Matt is likely to start attacking us. He seems the most docile of all of you."

"Yeah! I don't want to hurt the cute ponies. They are so adorable and stuff!" Matt was closest to Fluttershy and Pinkie. He pulled them into a strong hug. Fluttershy squeaked in surprise.

"My point exactly." Bill said with a twisted smile.

Matt glared at Bill, the gears turning behind his eyes. Realisation struck him like a punch to the face.

"No!" The loader shrieked causing Fluttershy to jump. “I don’t want to fuck a pony!”

The looks on the ponies faces immediately changed to revulsion.

“That’s disgusting!” Rainbow grimaced. She had involuntarily seen Matt naked at the spa and unwelcome thoughts filled her imagination. The pegasi shook her head trying to get the disturbing images out of her mind.

“You get ‘romantic’ with the locals every other place we go. Why not here? So we all agree that Matt will become a pony pounder?” Bill looked around the car at the multiple different expressions. At the disgusted faces of the ponies, the agreeing nods from the Americans and Frederic then the confused stares from the other Germans who were left out of the conversation.

“I hate you guys.” Matt pouted.

“All in good fun,” Bill laughed. His mission complete. “All in good fun.”

The door to the car slid open and Patton stepped in. He looked troubled and the everyone stared at him with unease. The two princesses followed him inside, the same expressions on their faces.

“Well, we will start with the good news,” Patton said as he sat down and wiped his forehead. “The Army of Eastern Equestria has scored a major victory against the mercenary army. Practically destroying almost half of their force.”

They smiled at the victory, but whatever the bad news was bound to outway the good. Why else would Patton save it for last?

“A fleet has appeared outside Manehattan Harbor.” Celestia took over the announcing. “We don’t know their intentions because no more news has reached us from our evacuation fleet. But we believe they are bent towards an invasion.”

“What are we going to do Princess?” Twilight squeaked.

“We are sticking to our plan but I sent a letter to your brother to cease actions against the enemy and retreat to the west for evacuation.” Celestia looked out of a window and sighed. “I hope the reasons behind this uncertain turn of events is revealed to us soon.”

Magically lifting the cup of tea to his lips, he took a shallow sip and after a quick nod of appreciation for the flavor, Blandire leaned back in his chair and smiled at Turbulent Waters. The Admiral smiled back but was wary of what this alicorn had to say.

The creaking of the ship's hull sounded loud in the captain's chambers as they stared at each other. Finally the alicorn spoke.

“I understand if you are confused and fearful of the reason why I have invaded your nation.” Blandire started the conversation. His soft voice relaxing the Admirals nerves.

“You could say that I am.”

Blandire smiled warmly. “Then I am happy to inform you that I don’t mean you or anypony else harm. I come as a liberator, not an invader.”

Turbulent raised an eyebrow. “A liberator?”

“Yes.” Blandire took another sip of tea. “My quarrel is not with the inhabitants of Equestria but it’s rulers. The Princesses’ reign of tyranny has come to its end.”

“Tyranny?” The Admiral shook his head. “You must be mistaken. We have had nothing but prosperity.”

The alicorn smiled again. “An illusion of prosperity under a cloak of ignorance.”

Turbulent stared blankly at the alicorn. Blandire continued.

“Most of the blame falls upon Celestia but Luna shares in this. They have kept the population ignorant to the struggles of the world." He poured more tea into his cup. "The rest of the world struggles to survive while she keeps you as happy laborers, blind to how life outside Equestria is. Using you to create prosperity."

"I don't believe those lies!" Turbulent thundered. "There has never been a more caring ruler. She would never use us to gain her own ends!"

"She is as we speak." Blandire chuckled warmly and Turbulent calmed. "She flees to the west like a guilty criminal running from judgement as you and your fleet lie helplessly in my path. Your Princesses are nowhere to be seen."

"And you have come here to bring judgement?" The Admiral hissed.

Blandire shook his head. "I bring the judgement of every nation against her. I have unified all the nation of the world to liberate Equestria and bring about a new world order. One of unity and true peace without lies."

Turbulent Waters looked out of the window at the forest of masts. The colors of many different nations adorning their tops.

“So you have all the counties of the world following you? How did you ever manage that?”

Blandire nodded his head and his eyes sparkled happily. “I told them the truth and helped them see reason. Basically what I am doing now for you. So I ask you, will you allow me to free you and your fellow Equestrians?”

Turbulent chewed his lip, deep in concentration. “Your words do sound true and if you were indeed here for darker intent you could have easily destroyed our fleet and taken the port.”

The alicorn nodded and took another sip of tea. “So do you accept?”

The Admiral sighed. “I want to believe you, but I have followed Celestia faithfully my entire life. One does not simply throw that aside. So no, I will not join you and betray Equestria.”

“Hmm, that is unfortunate.” Blandire slowly nodded his head. If he was troubled by Turbulent’s refusal he didn’t show it.

“So, what now?” The Admiral leaned back in his chair. “Will you now proceed to sink our ships full of innocent mares and foals?”

“No.” Blandire stood. “I would never do such a thing. I will let your fleet leave and anypony that wishes to go with you. But I do demand one thing.”

Turbulent raised a questioning and worried eyebrow.

“All weapons, all things that are related to war in any way or fashion, no matter how slight, must be given to us. To deny this would result in the sinking of your fleet. Understand?”

Turbulent Waters slowly nodded. “Understood.”

“Very good.” Blandire smiled one last time. “Thank you for the hospitality and the tea was very nice. I am sorry to go but I need to arrange a meeting with the Princesses. Hopefully they will respond maturely. Good day to you Admiral.”

Turbulent watched in deep contemplation as the alicorn walked away.

Day 21

General Shining Armor

Due to the unexpected and uncertain change in events you will begin an immediate withdrawal to Van Hoover. Trains have been dispatched to evacuate your army. If the rail system has been compromised then you will be forced to march the entire way. A fleet might be waiting for you when you arrive, but that is not certain. This is a direct order and must be initiated post haste.

-Equestrian Defence Department

Shining Armor looked up from the letter at the only other pony in the room.

“The fleet may or may not be there?” Sprinter shook his head in bewilderment. “They might abandon us? And what is this Equestrian Defence Department?”

“Probably something to organise this ever growing mess we are in.” Shining Armor started to fill out dispatches for the army’s retreat. “Lets get on the move though. I’m not in the mood to be left behind.”

Sprinter nodded. “I’ll get the Charger Brigade up and at em.“

Captain Silky Wind entered just as Sprinter left. She was sweaty and tired looking.

“I will be moving on General,” she said. “Been getting the tub sorted all night and morning. Thank you for your help.”

“No, thank you.” Shining Armor stood and they shook each others hooves. “Your guns made a difference in the battle. And your fiery humor uplifted the camps moral quite a bit more than you realise. We will miss you.”

“Well don’t miss me too much.” Silky turned to leave but she stopped and winked at him “Or I might have to steal you from your princess.”

Shining Armor huffed and shook his head as she left. “I miss my wife.”

Silky immediately leaped into the sky after leaving the tent. The Storm of Vengeance was already heading to Van Hoover and was probably twenty miles ahead of her. With the desert landscape stretching like a tan blanket in all directions before her, she felt she could finally relax after a busy and terrifying week.Though she doubted it would last.

The dry wind whistled around her and occasionally she would tuck her wings in and allow herself to fall just to make the flight more enjoyable. It was such a lovely day and it seemed like a great idea to get the most out of the moment.

But gradually a noise started to pick up in volume in the air. As she followed the sound out of pure curiosity she realised that it was the sound of a distant battle. Silky stopped momentarily, far from eager to fly straight into a battle. But what if her ship had been ambushed? So she pushed herself onward at a greater speed.

Silky flew over a line of rocky mountains and then she saw it. The rest of the enemy army sat in a valley and they had company. Approximately fifty airships hovered over the force and was raining shot and fire into the fleeing masses. The bodies of dragons littered the ground and Silky guessed that they were the first ones eliminated, picked off before they could get into the sky.

The mare felt her heart leap with joy. She dove towards the slaughter, believing that the Equestrian Air Fleet had made a surprise attack on the enemy army. But as she got closer her hopes fell away instantly. They were not Equestrian gunboats but Gryphonian corvettes and fireships along with a few Labyrin cruisers. The flags of the Gold Eagle Claw and the Bull King adorned the aft of the vessels. She had learned their appearance in the navy’s school and now Silky turned and darted full speed back to Shining Armor’s camp.

She peered back and was shocked to see that her presence had not gone unnoticed. From the decks of the nearest ship a squadron of gryphon took off in pursuit. Silky climbed higher into the sky, her wings grabbing at the air and muscles protesting in pain. Looking behind her every so often she could tell that they were gaining on her. Silky began a series of maneuvers to throw them off but to no avail.

In her panic she flew in the wrong direction after one of the maneuvers. The lack of landmarks and the midday sun had confused her sense of direction. The smell of steam and smoke suddenly wrapped around her all the while hoping that is was the Storm of Vengeance and not hostiles. She followed the scent until three specks appeared high above her. Two Gryphon corvettes pursued her ship.

Choosing to return to her ship instead of the army to prevent the gryphons from following her and reporting their position, Silky used her last bit of energy to gain altitude and pull ahead of her assailants. By the time Silky reached her airship her wings burned and she could barely see through the sweat that dripped into her eyes.

“Welcome back ma’am,” her pilot greeted as Silky Wings collapsed onto the deck. “Just in time to save us from this pickle we are in?”

The Captain huffed, trying to get more air into her lungs. “Why haven't we outrun the corvettes? Our gunboat is far quicker!”

“One of the engines cut out on us and we don't want to risk the other two following suit. We are still faster than them but not by much.”

Silky looked into the sky for the gryphons that had been chasing her, but apparently they had gone to the pursuing ships. The vessels chasing them did appear to be falling behind and the captain smiled widely.

“Ma’am!”

Silky Winds looked at her pilot and noticed him pointing to a towering mass of growing clouds looming over the distant mountains that bordered the desert. A fine location to lose the ships chasing them.

“Lose them in those clouds!” Silky ordered.

“But ma’am, the clouds haven't been tended to for quite a while!” the pilot protested. “They could be volatile and wild!”

He was right. There had been more wild clouds in Equestria ever since the evacuation was ordered. Storms were even popping up on their own! But it was a chance they were going to have to take.

“I don’t care!” She wrapped a hoof around a rope and braced herself.

Silky quickly realised wild clouds felt different from the usual fluffy objects that filled the Equestrian sky. Instead of feeling a cotton-like softness, the insides of the cloud was moist, like a thin fog and a electric feel filled the air. After flying a little deeper into the cloud Silky relaxed.

“Stop the engines but keep them hot and see if you can fix the broken one.” The mare let go of the rope she was holding onto for dear life. “ Run out the guns and be ready!”

“Yes ma’am.”

Moments later the sound of steam engines passing nearby and the voices of gryphons surrounded them. Everypony fell silent and listened to the noises that seemed to come from everywhere. A dark shape suddenly appeared through the clouds roughly fifty yards away and Silky Wind realised that now was her only chance to escape.

“Open fire!” She screamed.

The port side of the airship roared with the hate of the guns. The dark greyness of the cloud became red with fire as the gryphon airship's streamengine was hit and exploded. Above the roar of the fire, the screams of gryphons filled the air as they tried to fly away from their burning vessel.

Suddenly the Storm of Vengeance was rocked from the starboard. The second gryphon ship had rammed her gunboat either accidently or intentionally from the other side. Luckily the starboard was loaded as well and point blank fire raked the enemy corvette which quickly started to drift downward, with gaping holes in the balloon that kept it afloat.

Then the gryphons dove at the Storm of Vengeance. The loss of their two airships sending them into a rage, but they did not attack. The deck of the Vengeance was quickly swarmed with enemy soldiers that far outnumbered the ponies onboard.

“Surrender, immediately!” Ordered a gryphon captain. “Or we will kill all of you!”

“Drop your weapons,” Silky sadly told the other ponies. “No sense throwing our lives away.”

But she wasn’t too keen on being a prisoner of war either. Somewhere nearby lightning flashed and it started to rain.

Day 23

“Holy fuckin’ shit!” Matt looked at the over populated and busy shore of Sky Island where a makeshift city was being built. Ships unloaded onto a hastily prepared harbor and battalions marched to recently set up barracks. “This place is England!”

“It does look like the English Isles,” Ian agreed as he sat down on a concrete bunker that was still drying. He quickly stood up in surprise. The Lieutenant continued talking as he wiped off his pants. “But instead of a bombed out London you got pony slums. God damn it, now my ass shape is going to be implanted into this bunker!”

“Hahaha!” Matt broke out laughing.

“It wasn’t that funny Shelly,” Bill groaned.

“It was pretty funny.” Matt continued to chuckle.

“Where did General Patton disappear to?” Zeus asked. He sat in a wheelchair, a drowsy look on his face.

“No idea, but he is probably with the Princesses.” Ian wanted to sit down to alleviate his leg but there was nothing nearby other than the wet bunker. “Wherever the royal ponies are, I don’t know. They just disappeared shortly after arriving here. Oh, do you guys know where the krauts went?”

“They wandered off into the countryside somewhere, “Bill replied.

“Hey guys!” Pinkie Pie cheered as the six friends walked up to them. “Want to go explore the old ruins on this island to pass the time?”

“No, I need to wait for the tanks to unload.” Ian absentmindedly rubbed his leg. “And I don’t feel like walking.”

“How about the rest of you?” the pink mare looked at them expectantly. “I hear it’s haunted!”

“Hell yeah! Sign me up!” Matt started to jump up and down excitedly, Pinkie quickly joining him.

Jeff shook his head and went back to writing in his journal but Bill shrugged and reluctantly nodded.

“I guess I’ll go, keep Shelly out of trouble.”

Zeus sighed heavily. “I want to go.”

“I don’t think they make ruins wheelchair accessible,” Matt joked.

“Fuck you Shelly,” the gunner huffed.

“Who all of you six is going?” Ian pointed at the mares.

“Me, Twilight and Rainbow Dash are,” Pinkie replied.

“The Stellar Monks were a mysterious sect of elder alicorns,” Twilight added. “The ruins of their temple is probably the best place to learn about them.”

“And I like adventures.” Rainbow said matter of factly.

“Well, we will see you guys later then,” Zeus sighed sadly. “Maybe you will find the Germans and they could join you. Have fun and don’t die.”

“Uh, thanks.” Twilight frowned. “Very blunt advice.”

“He doesn’t like being left behind when the other kids go on field trips,” Ian said as he tried to stifle a laugh.

They parted and made their way towards the center of the island. Rolling, green, rocky hills and patches of forests filled the countryside. Matt rarely stayed on the broken path and ran around them like a scatterbrained child.

“This is so much like that time I went AWOL and hooked up with that farmers daughter!” The others rolled their eyes as Matt continued, “She was all goo goo over yankee boys and I indulged her for a night.”

“Didn’t her father chase you off of his property the next morning with a shotgun?” Bill stared at the loader with amused eyes. “So if this is just like that time in England where you hooked up with that girl, which one of the ponies is like the farmer’s daughter? Apple Snack or Applejack, whatever her name is, ain't here.”

Matt glared at Bill but then pointed happily at a hill. The others followed his gaze and noticed the Germans standing on the side of the rise. Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo sat watching them. The faint sound of singing drifted towards them.

“They hell are they doing?” Bill asked.

“Lets go find out.” Matt ran ahead of them.

As they neared the singing became discernable. One song ended and they quickly started a new one after some quick inaudible conversation. They were coming up behind the Germans so they had yet to see the Americans and ponies approaching. The three fillies noticed them but they were enjoying the song too much to react.

Auf der Heide blüht ein kleines Blümelein und das heißt Erika.
Heiß von hunderttausend kleinen Bienelein wird umschwärmt Erika
denn ihr Herz ist voller Süßigkeit,
zarter Duft entströmt dem Blütenkleid.
Auf der Heide blüht ein kleines Blümelein und das heißt: Erika.

In der Heimat wohnt ein kleines Mägdelein und das heißt: Erika.
Dieses Mädel ist mein treues Schätzelein und mein Glück, Erika.
Wenn das Heidekraut rot-lila blüht,
singe ich zum Gruß ihr dieses Lied.
Auf der Heide blüht ein kleines Blümelein und das heißt: Erika.

In mein'm Kämmerlein blüht auch ein Blümelein und das heißt: Erika.
Schon beim Morgengrau'n sowie beim Dämmerschein schaut's mich an, Erika.
Und dann ist es mir, als spräch' es laut:
"Denkst du auch an deine kleine Braut?"
In der Heimat weint um dich ein Mägdelein und das heißt: Erika.

They finished their songs and the fillies clapped their hooves.

“That was amazing!” They echoed.

“You bastards are good singers.” Bill stated, revealing their arrival.

“Ah,” Frederic turned and nodded. “Hello Amerikaner. Yes, ve vere the musical heart of our battalion before the var started to go against us. Ve vere getting out of practice so ve decided to entertain these young ones.”

“We are going to the ruins!” Matt beamed.

“And they are haunted!” Pinkie added.

“Sounds fun,” Frederic nodded. He turned to the fillies. “Do you three vant to go too?”

“Ja!” The fillies said simultaneously. “Cutie Markierung Kreuzritter ruinieren Abenteurer!”

“Oh look,” Bill muttered to himself. “They’re learning German.”

“Gehen Sie zurück zum Ufer und warten auf die Panzers,” Frederic ordered his men.

They saluted him and ambled away. Matt started to hum a familiar tune as they started off again.

Bill ground his teeth together and called after Matt. ”I swear to god if you sing ‘We Are off to See the Wizard’ I will burn you alive!”

“Love ya too Billy!” Matt called back before running even further ahead. He took a deep breath and started to sing. “Ohhh! We are off to see the wizard! The wonderful wizard of Oz!”

“When we get there,” the driver growled. “Remind me to hide his body in a pit.”

Canterlot Palace was unnervingly quiet. Patton popped his back just to add some noise. The Princesses looked at him and the General shrugged. The room soon returned to silence.

“When did he say he would be here?” Patton grumbled.

Celestia nodded towards a window and Patton heard the sound of a steam engine simultaneously. He looked as an airship dropped down and landed on the large lawn. A ramp was lowered and minotaurs filed out onto both sides. A surprisingly small alicorn followed close behind by a filly. Then what appeared to be royalty from other nations came behind him.

“Should we go out and get this overwith?” Patton asked blandly. He fiddled with the revolvers on his side.

“Yes,” Celestia sighed sadly as they stood. “It’s for the best.”

“Sister,” Luna spoke up. Tears starting to form in her eyes. “I don’t want to do this.”

Patton was surprised to see how terrified and childlike Luna had suddenly become.
Clearly the younger sister but how much younger was she? Patton never asked.

“It will all be fine Luna,” Celestia nuzzled her sister. “Or it will all be over quickly.”

Patton nodded and they stepped into the sunlight.

Author's Notes:

Sorry for taking so long. Here you guys go!