Life in Ponyville was the same today as it was any other day, except the absence of all stallions over the age of eighteen. There had been a draft calling all earth, pegasi, and unicorn stallions to serve in the Equestrian military to defend against the continuing attacks by the Griffons. Many mares had lost husbands, sons, brothers, father, uncles, cousins and friends to the war. On the farm where the Apple family lived, a certain red colt now turned stallion was preparing for his eighteenth birthday.

"Oh I hope they don't make Big Mac join the army!" A young filly named Applebloom said

"I hope so too sugarcube." The fillies older sister Applejack said hugging her younger sister. Their grandmother, Granny Smith, had passed away several months ago leaving Applebloom and Applejack's older brother, Big Macintosh head of Sweet Apple Acres. For Big Mac's birthday, Applejacks friends Spike,Twilight Sparkle, Rarity, Pinkie Pie, Rainbow Dash, and Fluttershy all came and Appleblooms friends Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo also attended. Macintosh's friends, Steel Tank and Gunny had already been drafted into the military so none of them could make it.

"HAPPY BIRTHDAY BIG MAC!" The ponies all shouted to the friendly red stallion, he felt touched by the surprise party.

"Aw thanks y'all." He said with a smile as he started dancing with Applebloom. Applejack looked sadly at her brother, he looked he was having such a good time.

"Twilight I just don't know if I can handle it if Big Mac goes to war!" Applejack said. "Braeburn has already been listed as missing in action!"

"It's okay Applejack, I sent Princess Celestia a letter and she said she would exempt Big Mac from the draft." Twilight said comforting her crying friend.

"R-r-really?" Applejack said as she hugged her friend "Twi you're the best!". A knock was heard at the door and Fluttershy went to answer it only to be scared by two war-torn earth pony soldiers, one had an eyepatch covering his left eye.

"Is this the residence of the Apple family?" One of them asked. Fluttershy hid behind her mane and was too scared to answer. Big Mac looked over and saw the soldiers at the front door and slowly made his way over there before Twilight went to talk to them.

"Wait! I though Princess Celestia exempted Big Mac from serving!" Twilight cried as she gave the soldier a scroll. The soldier with the eyepatch took scroll from Twilight and read it outloud

"By order of Princess Celestia and Princess Luna, the earth pony Big Macintosh is until further notice, exempted from any military service.". Upon hearing this Macintosh felt a little angry, he wanted to fight out of his own free will.

"Now just hang on a darn tootin second!" Macintosh said as he walked over to the door. "Why can't ah go? All mah friends have all been drafted!"

"We are sorry but the princess demands it. It's a shame really, you look like you'd make a good soldier." The two ponies turned around and began to make their way to Stalliongrad.

"WAIT!" Big Mac yelled but was stopped by Applebloom and Applejack.

"Big Mac please don't go." Applebloom pleaded. Macintosh looked down at his younger sisters, they were still young and just started to live life. They were the reason he had to fight.

"I'm sorry, but I don't go, who will?" Big Mac said.

"They'll find someone else in Ponyville!" Applejack cried.

"Every stallion in Ponyville is already fighting! I'm the only stallion left in the whole town! How do you think that makes me feel?" Big Mac yelled. His sisters backed off at his sudden outburst. Macintosh felt guilt after doing this, he didn't mean to scare them.

"I'm sorry you know I love you both and that's the reason I have to go." Big Mac said as he embraced his younger sisters as they started crying. Applejack didn't want her brother to go to war and possibly die but that wasn't her choice. Big Mac wanted to go fight out of his own free will and she should feel proud of him for doing so.

"Twilight please tell Princess Celestia I want to fight and to get rid of the rule saying I can't serve." Big Mac asked Twilight kindly.

"Big Mac you can't possibly be serious? Rarity asked. She could never imagine going to war herself.

"No you can't go you might...die." Fluttershy said quietly to the brave stallion before her.

"Twilight I'm begging you, this is my decision, please." Big Mac asked. Twilight reluctantly agreed.

"Spike, please right a letter to the princess." Twilight said sadly.

Dear Princess Celestia

I know earlier I sent a message asking you to exempt my friend Applejack's brother, Big Macintosh from serving in the military but he has chosen out of his own free will to go. He requests that you allow him to serve.

Your faithful student, Twilight Sparkle.

Spike breathed fire on to message and it was sent to Princess Celestia in Canterlot.

Canterlot

"Your highness, we are holding out on the frontlines but the griffons tactical leaders are slaughtering our ground troops, estimated casualties at Baltimare were estimated at 7,546 earth ponies, 342 unicorns, and 2345 pegasi." A earth pony Royal Guard named Shield Star explained to Celestia and Luna who were shocked at the news.

"I hate sending all these young stallions off to this-this-stupid war. I HATE THIS WAR!" Celestia yelled at the top of her lungs as she began to cry. It broke her heart to see all her beloved subjects dying because of hate from the griffons.

"It's okay sister." Luna said trying to comfort her sister. "Captain, do you remember the special operations group I requested?"

"Yes the C.O.L.T.S why do you ask?" Shield Star asked.

"Have you commissioned it yet?" Luna asked. She was still getting used to not speaking in the Royal Canterlot Voice.

"Almost your majesty, it has been difficult finding ponies that meet the physical and mental requirements for it" Shield Star explained. "We had 2,000 candidates that were selected and only 57 of them made it past testing. 30 more of them dropped out during training which hasn't been completed yet meaning many more may drop out."

"I see, do you know of any possible candidates?" Luna asked.

"A private in my company from Ponyville said there was a red stallion named Big Macintosh who was the strongest pony there and has a will of iron" Shield Star said.

"But I promised my pupil that I wouldn't send him off to war" Celestia said. Suddenly a paper appeared and opened up. Celestia read it and was touched.

"What is it sister?" Luna asked.

"It appears Big Macintosh wants to fight out of his own free will" Celestia said impressed with Macintosh's courage. Most ponies only went cause they were forced and would jump at the chance to not have to go. Although it pained her to send yet another pony off to war, she allowed Macintosh to be commisioned into the military.

"Really?" Luna said wanting to meet the courageous stallion.

Ponyville

Macintosh got together his backpack where he put in some apples for his journey, a straw hat, and a picture of Applejack and Applebloom with there parents and Granny Smith.

"I promise I'll make you proud Granny, ma, and pa" Macintosh said as he hung his sack over his back and went to say goodbye to his sisters. Pinkie Pie, Rarity, and Fluttershy had been crying the whole time and Rainbow Dash tried to hide her sorrow but to no avail. Twilight used her magic to use a tissue to wipe a tear from her eye as Big Mac talked to his sisters.

"Now Applebloom, you listen to yer sister while I'm gone, ya understand?" Big Mac said to his youngest sibling.

"Yes big brother." Applebloom said sadly.

"Good, I love ya." He said as he hugged her.

"I-I Love you too." Applebloom said through her tears.

"Big Mac we're all proud of you, please come home safe." Applejack said as she embraced her brother. She felt this might be the last time she would ever get to do so and didn't want to let go.

"I promise i'll make it back AJ, I love ya." Macintosh said.

"I love yo-" Applejack said before she broke down crying and was comforted by Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy. Big Mac made his way towards the train station before he saw Applebloom running after him.

"BIG MAC PLEASE COME BACK!" The filly said as she jumped into him and began crying. "PLEASE I LOVE YOU! DON'T GO! I'LL DO ANYTHING!". Appleblooms pleads soon became incomprehensible babbling as she cried harder and harder. It broke Macintosh's heart to see his sister like this but he couldn't back down now.

"Hey Applebloom take this." Big Mac said as he pulled out a neckless with half a heart on it and gave it to his sister. "I'll wear the other one so that way you know I'm always with you."

"O-okay." Applebloom said feeling a little better but still sniffling. Big Mac boarded the train with the other stallions who had joined or were drafted. He didn't stop looking back at his two sisters until they disappeared over the horizon. Big Mac decided to take a nap, he had a long day ahead of him tommorow.