Darkness. Everything was covered in pure darkness. There was no up, no down, no left or right. Just pure darkness. The only thing that Stephan notice was his own heartbeat. He listened to it, lost in this place, with no orientation. He could feel that something was wrong. Not just because of the sheer black that surrounded him, but that his own heartbeat the only thing was he could hear, too. This wasn’t normal.

Then he saw light. Like he was opening his eyes slowly. He didn’t notice that he had close them at all. It wasn’t a bright white light what he saw. It was a dark red, like he was looking through a red veil. After a while of adjusting, he saw where he was. He was standing in a city. Which one he couldn’t tell, they all look the same after the years of battles. The buildings are ruins now, the streets empty and abandoned. Not even cars where to see. Which is odd, because there were always cars on or at the side of the streets. He swallowed. Or he thought that he already did. His mind was running, couldn’t make sense of what he saw.

There was a sound behind him. Someone was behind him, he could feel it. He turns around, slowly, peeked first over his shoulder, but didn’t saw anyone. The rest of his body followed and he looks around. Still, no one to see.

Wait.

There, a shadow. Behind the edge of a small alley. He walked slowly towards it. Why was he following it? No, it wasn’t smart to follow some random shadow in a alley. But he did it anyway. It was like, he had to do it. That there was something he need to see. He had to know what was going on.

He stops in front of the entrance of the alley. It was dark. Not like the darkness he saw in the beginning, but darker as the rest of the street. And in there was a shadow of a figure. His leg moved on his own, one step closer. Then his other leg. He walked slowly, forgetting everything about cover, watching his surroundings, everything he learned in the military. He approach the figure and looked down at it. It was a foal. A little filly. He also saw blood, running out of a wound under her mane. He couldn’t see the wound, but there have to be one. And it sounded like it was crying. Stephan bowed forward, one hand stretched out.

”Why?”

Stephan stops. He opened his mouth, but no words came out, but he heard them. ‘Why what?’

“Why didn’t you want to play with us?”

Stephan mind was racing. What was she talking about? And most important... why he had the feeling that he heard those words before? ‘I don’t understand...’ He answered, again only in his head. The filly turned her head a bit and Stephan saw some of the side of her face.

“We only wanted you to be happy... to play with us... to join our happy place...”

Stephan rose up slowly. Something was odd about her... where did he saw that filly? Why was it like a giant déjà vu for him? ‘What?’

The filly finally turned completely and looked up at him.

Stephan froze. He looked down at her, in her eyes... or at least, in her one remaining eye. The other one was gone. There was just a hole, and he saw that the flesh was ripped of around her eye socked, the bone showed through at some places. Stephan’s heart beats faster and he stumbled backwards. The filly, now on her four legs, turned around and followed him. Blood was dripping out of the hole and on the ground.

“We just wanted to play with you... to be friends with you...” the filly said with a sad and soft voice.

‘Stay back’ he heard him say in his mind. But the filly didn’t stop. Stephan walked slowly out of the alley again.

“We wanted to show you a better way...”
He stopped again. This time he heard someone behind him. He turned around and his eyes went wide in shock.

More foals, in a half circle, surrounding him. He could run and jump over them. But his body didn’t respond.

“We wanted to show you a way out of all the fighting... the killing...”

‘I... I’m a soldier... I... have to protect those who can’t protect themselves...’

The foals stepped closer. Stephan saw that every single one of them was injured. Some had holes in their sides, others missed a leg. Wings and horns are ripped off, and the other half of the body was gone by some of them. They dragged themselves over the street towards him, a line of blood and guts behind them.

“Then why didn‘t you protect us?” the foals asked in one voice. Stephan looked around, a way to escape, to hide, something. But he couldn’t move.

‘I... you... it was too late... I couldn’t save you anymore...’

From what? He was confused. Why did he say that? He was too late... for what? From what? Protect them? From that monster that did that to the foals? Why couldn’t he remember?

“You still could have join us... the great herd...”

The herd? The herd... it was gnawing on his brain, but he couldn’t...

‘I had to protect others... others who wasn’t turned... I had... to protect them... from you.’

What was he talking about? It was like he had another personality who switched with him. Like he was far away, watching everything like a guest in the cinema.

“And that is your excuse for... murdering us?”

Murdering? He killed them? No... he wouldn’t... or would he? His head began to hurt. He wanted to leave, to get out of here. He don’t want to listen to those foals anymore.

‘You... you are the enemy. I had to do it... I did it because I thought that you will get to a better place...”

“No. You did it because you like the killing... to spill blood...” the foals said and are now only a few feet away from him.

‘N-no... that’s not true...’ his other half tried to reason with them. His body shivers and his knees began to bend as he lost his strength in them.

“You are just a murder... Stephan... a murder...”

‘No... no, I had to protect others... I couldn’t save you anymore...’

“You murder... a filthy children murder...”

He kneeled down and sunk his head. ‘I’m... no murder... I’m not...’

“Murder...” they whispered.

‘Please stop...’

“Murder...”

‘Just stop it... please...’ he covered his face with both hands. Tears running down.

“Filthy murder...”

‘Please...’

“MURDER!”

*

“STOP IT!”

Stephan heard his own voice echo in the dark. He was breathing fast and his heart was going to jump out of his chest. He looked around and saw that he was in his small room in some bunker. He stroke with one hand over his head and notice the sweet.

‘Again that dream...’ he thought.

He looks at a clock. Almost six in the morning in the year 2023. He decides to get up. He wouldn’t fall asleep again. At least, not after this dream. He put his feet on the ground and stands up, turns on the lights and walks over to the sink in the washroom to get some cold water in his face. He looks in the mirror after he was done.

He didn’t saw the young, just 25 years old men anymore. He is replaced by a almost 30 years old men and his face aged because of the war even faster. Some of the younger soldiers calling him and some of his friends, the old guard. Now he is probably on the same level like Peter. He still remembers his joke he told Peter on the aircraft carrier.

Peter. He was always there for him. He wonders what would happen when he is gone. Would he finally break? Will he be alone with the demons in his head? He can’t forget what he did so long ago. Sometimes he wonders, if he just should take the potion, forgetting everything. Forgetting that day...

*

Reims, France, 2019 Anno Domini

Peter walks through the long corridor of the old school building. What was once filled with life is now abandoned, and half destroyed. The battle was horrifying, since there were so many children, running around, trying to hide from... well, everyone. They saw how the ponies turned their friends, they heard their parents calling for them, but they were already turned into ponies as well, luring them with their familiar voice.

He walks past some soldiers from the German and French forces. Some of them just sat there, looking at the ground, others were crying openly. Those who are still able to help, did what they could. Peter wants to help too, but he don’t have time for everyone.

He was looking for one soldier in particular.

He found him in a classroom, totally destroyed by a gun fight. Tables and chairs are broken, the blackboard is only hanging on one screw at the wall. A red colour covers most of the place. Peter didn’t need to think twice about what it is.

He closes the door and walks closer to Stephan who is sitting on the ground with the back against the teacher's desk. His rifle lays on his lap and his hands resting on it. Peter noticed Stephan’s eyes which look straight forward, but not at something in the room. He just stares at the wall. Peter knows that stare pretty well. He saw it at many soldiers back in Afghanistan.

“Leutnant?”

Stephan didn’t respond.

Peter steps closer and was now only a arm length away from him.

“Stephan?”

This time Stephan blinked and looked at him. “Hey, Peter...” he said with a emotionless voice.

“What happened here?” Peter asks.

Stephan turned his head towards the opposite wall again and took a deep breath. “I... I heard voice in here while we rescue the children... I ran to this room and opened the door... and...” He stops for a moment to take another deep breath. “I... I saw how those ponies attacked the children... it wasn’t adult ponies, only foals... and still they... they jumped the children, forcing that damn potion down their throats. I was too late to help them... I was too late. They noticed me at first as they were done with the children... and they... they said ‘Oh, look, another human! He looks sad, let’s make him happy!’”

Peter looks around again. The bodies are already removed. He thanks the one who ever did it.

“I... I told them to stop... that I don’t want to hurt them... and then... they attacked... all at once...” Stephan sobs soft. “I... I lift my weapon, and then...” he puts his hands on his face and he began to cry. “What have I done... what have I done... forgive me... I wanted to save you... I tried... please, forgive me...”

Peter hadn't said anything. What could he say? There was nothing to say that would help now. Instead he wraps his arms around Stephan and pulled him close. Stephan pushed his face against his chest and began to cry out loud. He never cried like this in his whole life before.

And he wouldn’t be able to cry again for a long time.

*

‘No’ he thought and shook his head. What happened, happened and can’t be undone. He have to life with that for the rest of his life. He won’t give Celestia the pleasure of him giving up everything he believes in. Let alone giving up believing in himself. It took several weeks before the psychiatrist said that he could send back on the battlefield again. He had still nightmares for four more months every night. But now it was better, he just had those nightmares one time in a month, maybe two. It helped a lot that he didn’t had to carry that alone.

The war in Europe was the devastating ever fought. The EUFOR used their combined forces to fight back, but all they could do was to save as many of Europe's people and its history as they can. Everyone began to wonder, where they could send the civilians and luckily Russia and China showed quite a fight and took many of the fleeing people who were running to the east. The rest had to flee in the north and west and ended up in the UK, Norway and Sweden or Spain before they could shipped over to the USA. He and the rest of the remaining German forces fought everywhere in Europe.

But it was a war Europe couldn’t win.

*

Frigate „Sachsen“-Class (124), F 219 „Sachsen“, somewhere on the North Sea, 2019 Anno Domini, Two hours later

Germany was lost. It was now hidden under the barrier and under control of Celestia and her ponies. Everyone who could fled to Denmark and to other countries in the north and west. But that was just a temporary solution.

Stephan was standing on the flight deck for helicopters, looking in the direction of his old home. At his side were Peter and many others of his unit. It was a silent tribute to all the fallen in Germany and Germany itself.

Stephan walked forward and turned to his unit and began to hold his speech.

“Today, is a sad day... some people say, we left our home... that we gave up... but I say, we haven’t given up, we just lived on to fight another day. And for those who can’t fight with us anymore,” He took out a little note and began to read it out loud. It wasn’t his own words, nor was he religious, but he thought it will fit for this day, “... for our fallen brothers.”

Stephan looks in the group in front of him and saw that many had tears running down. He could feel with them. They have to leave their homes, many others left their family behind and more. It is not like they leave for some mission in some country. They leave their home, maybe forever. And somewhere behind a edge was a blue unicorn, listening to his words.

He turned around again and faces the German coast. “SALUTE!” he shouts. And everyone did.

“We will miss every single one of you... but one day... one day we will return. And we will take back our home.”

*
Stephan took the toothbrush and the toothpaste tube. He put some toothpaste on the toothbrush and began to clean his teeth. ‘Brush, brush, brush’ he sang in his head. For some reason, the Inspector Gadget theme fit pretty well with this. He should ask that... what was her name again? Vinyl Scratch if she could make a nice party song of it. Well, it wasn’t really his kind of music. He is a avowed metal fan, much to Trixie’s dislike. But he showed her the soft side of metal, like Lounge Metal. Still, she is not a big fan of it, but she began to tolerates it over the time.

He began to smile as he thought about her. Sure, the way they met was rough, maybe even forced. But sometimes, things can’t go the romantic way. She was for a long time under his watch on the F 219 Sachsen. Every time he talked to a crewman, they said that she could be quite a diva sometimes, but she was a good person. Or pony in her case, who just wants some attention from time to time. It became more or less her new home while he was sent of to missions in Europe. He worked together with many special forces, even with some he never heard about before, like the KARHU CTU Valmiusyksikkö from Finland. The EGB needed their knowledge of the terrain, since Finland had over 100.000 seas and 70.000 little islands from the north to the south of the land. The quickest way to travel was with a helicopter, but that took time. Time they were vulnerable.

*

Finland, 2019 Anno Domini

The government of Finland asked for help from the EUFOR to evacuate their people. They don’t have enough vehicles and helicopters to pull of such an operation, thus Germany, Sweden and Norway have send everything they could spare. It wasn’t much, but they were able to save a lot of lives those days. The plan was, since the barrier closed the channel between the North Sea and the Baltic Sea, to get everyone from the south of Finland, over to Sweden, and from there to Norway. From there they would ship over to America.

Stephan looks over the land under him. The NH90 Mark II helicopter, together with many others of many different designs, flew fast but he could still enjoy the beautiful sight. He had field maneuvers in Finland, days were he cursed the harsh weather and the terrain. By winter or summer, every march was hell. If you are alone and don’t have the stamina and experience, you can forget to survive in the wild here instantly.

Now he is again in this land and works together with the KARHU. The word Karhu means something like bear. And those guys have that name with good reason.

Stephan leans back and talks in the microphone of his headset to the helicopter pilot. “How long to our target?”

“One hour sir! More or less!” answered him a female voice.

Stephan nods. He looks again over the land in front of him. They started in Helsinki and are now on their way to Vaasa, one of the smaller towns of Finland. The battle in Helsinki was brutal, and again they lost many good soldiers. He massaged his forehead as he tries to suppress a memory. He looks up as he felt a hand on his shoulder. It was Feldwebel Henning who looks with worried eyes at him. “Everything okay sir?”

Stephan nods and relaxes again. “Yes. Yes... I’m fine.” That was a lie of course. His mind was still broken since that day. Everyone in his unit knows that. He know that he need to recover, but he can’t leave his men behind. And besides, facing his fears should help, right?

“Hey, do you guys see that?” someone said and points at something that looks like a swarm of birds.

“Are those... birds?”

“Wow, those have to be the biggest birds I ever saw.”

Stephan was now looking in the same direction. He holds his binocular on his eyes to take a closer look. He could swear that the color in his face faded. “Those things... aren’t birds...” he whispers. He switched the channel of his radio to let everyone hear him. “PEGASI FROM THE SOUTH! WE ARE UNDER ATTACK!”

He made his rifle ready to face the enemy and the rest did the same. The Boeing CH-47 in the middle of the formation, also known as Chinook, got a bit closer. That was a new tactic to keep the pegasi from fly easily between the helicopters.

He heard gunfire not even a minute later from one of the helicopters at the end of the formation. The pegasi learned and now they attacked them from behind where the door gunners at the side of the helicopters couldn’t operate optimal. Still, many of those flying ponies died and fall like rocks towards the earth.

“Shit! They get closer!”

“Fire! FIRE! Shoot them down!”

Stephan leans forward to get a better view of the situation. He saw how three pegasi flew under one of the Chinooks, at the end of the formation. They were too close now to shoot them down and they used this short moment to circle from under the helicopter into it, tackling the door gunners inside.

“SHIT! THEY ARE INSIDE! THEY ARE INSA-AAAH!” the radio was cut off and the Chinook began to sink. He saw the flashes of gunfire in it. At least they go down with a fight.

Stephan hates it to fight in helicopters. He wasn’t able to move like on the ground and he had to trust the pilot and her skills. He felt how the helicopter wiggles and he knows what that means. He made his HK45 Tac ready and laid the heavy assault rifle away. “Henning!”

Henning looks at him “Yes?”

“Hold me on my belt! I try to get that piece of shit!”

Henning nods and grabs Stephan’s belt, holding it tight in his hand. Stephan leans forward, got on his knees and leans further until he can look under the helicopter. There he saw the pegasus. She was on her way to the cockpit as she noticed him and turned around with a potion in her muzzle. Stephan was quicker and aims at her, ready to fire.

He heard a loud thud and the helicopter shakes like crazy. Henning had trouble to hold him, and Stephan felt how a other hand grabs his belt. The pegasus mare pressed her belly tight against the underside of the helicopter. She was almost face to face with him as he aimed again and shoots her in the head. “CLEAR!” he screams and Henning and the other soldier pulled him up. He sat down and took a deep breath. He heard how the pilot curses everything. He turned his head and saw that the cockpit window was covered with blood. Looks like that one unlucky pony hit it hard, but didn‘t broke it. Otherwise, they had already crashed into the ground. “How is it looking?” Stephan ask.

Henning listened for a while to his radio before he said “We lost a Chinook and two other helicopters. The remaining pegasi flew away.”

Stephan leans against the wall and tries to relax again. The attack was short, but they managed to get three choppers down. Three choppers with many people on board. He has to talk with the pilots again, figuring out new tactics against such attacks.

Stephan looks at Henning and the other soldier who helped him. “Good work guys. Good work.”

Both smiled at him and nodded back. “We just did our job, sir.” said Henning.

Stephan forced a small smile through his tiredness. He couldn’t ask for better soldiers who would fight at his side.

*

The good thing about Finland was that the ponies couldn’t move as free as they could in Germany or France, because of the amount of seas and islands.

He spits into the sink, cleaned it with a bit water and snatches a towel to dry his face. He just tossed it over the sink and walks back into his room.

He hit his little toe at something on the ground and he curse. He kneels down and takes the object in his hand. It was a little black box. Not just any box, it was one of those magic trick boxes you can buy.

He smiled as he remembered the day as he got it.

*

Reykjavik, Iceland, 2019 Anno Domini

Iceland is this far the only place on the world which wasn’t under attack yet. Thus most of the EUFOR navy used it as a FOB between Europe and America to refill their tanks, reload the weapons and preparing for the next mission.

Just like Stephan and the rest of his men. This was one of those rare moments where they can forget about the war, getting some sleep and some real food. But had something else to do. Today was the day were Trixie have to leave the safety of the ship. She will join other ponies who ran from Celestia and her madness, trying to start a new live on Earth.

Trixie and Stephan were on their way to one of the few camps for war refugees from Equestria. She carries her last possessions, like the hat and cape, in a small back bag. One of the camps is in Klambratún, a park in Reykjavik. It is split in two halves, one half for the humans, the other for the ponies. Humans and ponies are living in different camps, protected by military police from different nations. Assaults from humans against ponies still happen almost daily, mostly on the ships, because they don’t have enough security to prevent that. But it happens also in the camps. And Trixie knew that all too well.

“Do I really have to leave?” The bitterness in her voice could be easily noticed.

“We talked about it already. You can’t stay forever on the Sachsen. It is a frigate, not a cruise ship.” Stephan said with a stern voice.

“But I just started to become friends with the crew.”

“I know, but it is still no place for you. Besides, don’t you want to be with your own kind together for a change?”

“... I guess that would be nice too.”

Stephan nods. He noticed that Trixie changed a lot of her behavior during her time on the ship and around him. For example, the stopped to talk about herself in third person. Most of the time at least. But she is still mad about her cart and wants a new one. He would lie when he says that he isn’t happy to be on missions, far, far away from her sometimes.

Stephan stops in front of the entrance of the camp. A MP from the Norwegian Armed Forces walks towards them and gave Stephan a quick salute that Stephan returns. “Leutnant Bauer from the German Armed Forces. I bring you a new refugee. Her bag is already checked by me.” He hands him some papers. The MP takes them in his hands and reads.

The old officer looks down at Trixie who gave him a shy smile. But he made a face at her and Trixie sunk her head again.

“I will see what I can do.” The MP said with a heavy Norwegian accent. He waves with a hand and another MP trot up. He salutes and says “Yes, sir?”

“Bring our guest to her new home. And while you are at it, check how much space we have left. The next ship comes soon.”

The younger MP nods and signalize Stephan and Trixie to follow him. While they walk, the guard told her the rules in the camp. “Welcome to the refugee camp 2 in Reykjavik. Here the rules. First: Do what the guards say. Rule two: No magic in the camp, or at least not too much magic. You can use it to lift your stuff, or as help to eat. If you try something aggressive with it,” he points at a tower, “Snipers have the order to shoot anyone who tries something funny. Rule three: Food and water is rationed. Everyone gets the same amount and not more. Rule four: You are not allowed to leave the camp without permission. If you have to then talk with the next guard.”

To put it mildly, the refugee camp saw better days. The grass had been tramp down and the raw earth showed through, here and there a few puddles from rain. The tents are crowded, at least ten ponies live in one tent with rationed water and food. The good thing is that they don’t need any human food like meat. Stephan sees a pony stallion holding a mare in his forelegs. Both look tired and hungry, the mare had her eyes closed and leans her head against his chest. The stallion whispers something to her, probably comforting words. Stephan can only imagine through what hell they had to go through, just to end up in this place. He saw some foals too, some try to hide from him, others watched him with curiosity. Some even began to follow the trio.

“We try what we can, but there just come so many every day and we don’t have enough space for everyone. We already began to set up new camps in hei... o... mö Hei...”

“Heiðmörk.” Stephan helps him finishing.

“Yes, that place.”

“Will be there separate camps, too?” Trixie asks without taking her eyes from two fillies who play with a little broken pony doll.

The MP nods. “Yes, they will be separate. It's still not save for the ponies around other people. Especially around those who just lost their homes.”

Trixie nods. She feels how her mood drops with every minute she is in here. Hopefully it won’t be long before she can leave again.

The MP suddenly stops. “Alright. Here we are.”

All three of them stood in front of a tent with a brawny earth pony sitting at the entrance and five others inside. The stallion looks young, maybe just out of his teenage years. He got on his four legs as he saw the trio stopping in front of it, and walks to them. “Hello, Matheo. Long time no see,” the pony said with a little smirk.

“You know that you shouldn’t call me by my forename while I’m on duty.” Matheo said with a serious tone.

“O-oh, sorry, I forgot...”

“It’s okay, it’s okay...” Matheo said with a wave of his hand.

Stephan looks at the pony, then at the MP. “You know each other?”

Matheo was the first who answers. “Yes, he and his family was one of the first who end up here.”

Stephan raised a brow. “ One of the first? They could be already on their way to America, couldn‘t they?”

The pony nods. “Yes, indeed. But...” he takes a short look back into the tent. “We still miss some family members. We hope that they will catch up in time.” He sighs and shook his head. “But where are my manners.” He faces Trixie with a smile. “Hello new one. I’m Brawny Blossom.”

Trixie’s face got a confused look. “Brawny Blossom?”

“I know. You won’t believe how often I hear that. Blossom is the family name of my mother. My dad wanted to take hers instead of his.”

“Oh. sorry, no offence.”

“None taken.”

Trixie offers him her hove. “I’m Trixie Lulamoon .”

Brawny puts his hove against hers. They shake their hove quick before he turns to Stephan and Matheo. “Don’t worry, she is in good hooves here.” He smirks and adds “Or shall I say hands?”

Matheo gave him a short laugh. “Good to hear.” He looks at Stephan. “Alright, we can leave now.”

Stephan nods. “To be honest... I would like to take a look around first. If it is not too much to ask.”

Matheo ponders about that for a moment. “Well, we have a few minutes. Sure, we can do that.”

Stephan crouch down to be on eye level with Trixie. “I go now. From now on, those ponies will take care of you. Also, remember what I told you...”

“Be calm, not starting any troubles and if I have to, make it look like it wasn’t me.”

Everyone looks aghast at Stephan and Trixie before she continues with an uneasy smile. “The last part was just a joke.”

Stephan shakes his head. “You have still to work on your humor, Trixie.” He stands up and strokes his pants long again “Good bye, Trixie,” and walks a few steps as he heard Trixie’s voice.

“Will you come back?”

Stephan stops and turns around. “... yes. Yes, I come back.” Then he walks away with Matheo. Trixie follows him with her eyes before she lost them as they turn right into a new street of tents. She sunk her head and did a soft sigh.

“Missing him already, eh?”

Trixie got startle and shook her head. “What? No, Trixie is not going to miss him.”

Brawny tilts his head a bit. “Why are you talking about yourself in third person?”

Trixie holds a hove in front of her mouth. “I-I mean, I will not miss him. That much...” She whispered the last part.

Brawny giggles a bit. “Don’t worry. You won’t be the first pony I know who lost her eyes on some human.” Trixie wanted to say something about that, but he was faster. “Now, how about I introduce you to the rest of the family?” He turns around and walks into the tent.

Trixie smiles and nods. “Sure. That would be nice.” She followed him shortly after.

Meanwhile Stephan follows Matheo. The tour in the camp shows him that it was everywhere the same. In some places stays a board with pictures of missed ponies. Some pictures even show humans. It was more than obvious that too many ponies life here with not enough tents for everyone. Medical care was also a problem since not many human doctors know enough about the anatomy of a pony, and much of the medical equipment is reserved for the military. Group of volunteers did their best to help everyone, but the amount of refugees is troublesome. It’s probably the same situation in the human camp. At least everyone gets enough food and water. For now.

“Hey, mister.”

Stephan looks down. At his feet sat a little filly, maybe not older as six or seven years with a bleeding hole in her head.

He closes his eyes and shakes his head. As he opens them again he saw just a little filly at his feet with a look of expectancy in her eyes. It looks like she didn’t clean herself for days. “Did you saw my mom and dad? I can’t find them here.”

Stephan shakes his head. “No, sorry. I didn‘t saw them.”

“Oh... okay...” She sunk her head and follows the path in the opposite direction and was now behind him, asking an pony. Stephan took a deep breath and strokes with a flat hand over his head. ‘Damn, I’m still not over it...’

“Sad view... she is not the only one. We have many war orphans here. Their parents send them on Earth to start a new live here, away from the Sun Tyrant.”

“Can’t the other families take care of some of them?”

“We try to get them in other families, but, like I already said, we don’t have much space. Twenty, sometimes even more foals share one tent together. We try what we can to give them something to do, games and stuff like that to let them forget their current situation. We even looked for an entertainer for them, but no one wants to. And the ponies here are mostly workers.” He shakes his head. “It is the same situation in the human camp. I really wish we can do more...”

Stephan nods. “I hope so, too.” As he walked through the camp he noticed that there was a bigger tent almost in the center of the camp. He points at it and asks Matheo about it.

“That is the communal tent. In there, the ponies can come together and getting their next ration of food and water. It is even got a little school for the foals. We have the same in the human only camp.”

Stephan tapped his chin with one finger. Then he got an idea. He look at Matheo and said, “I would like to talk with the volunteers and those who are in charge of this place.”

Matheo gives him a confused look at first before he nods. “Well, sure. May I ask why?”

Stephan gives him a smile. “I think I found an entertainer to cheer up the mood here.”

Trixie was now two weeks in this camp and learned how things work here. She met other ponies who told her their stories of how they end up here and what the actual situation is in Equestria. She learned how the community spirit works, and that everyone have to take care of each other. But she still had problems sometimes with when she heard the guards patrolling in the night through the camp. A human from the other camp even managed to sneak into the pony camp and attacked a pony marched just because he hates them. The guards catched him later that night, but the damage was already done. Brawny told her that she is save by him and his family. But she still wish that Stephan will be back soon. He was already in Europe again and helping there with the evacuation. And in a few months the barrier will hit Iceland as well, and everyone should be off the island when that happens.

After a few more days, Trixie got unexpected visit from some human volunteers, who said that she is needed in the communal tent and that she should bring her bag with her. She follows them without question, but still wonders what they want from her. She already began to imagine the worst.

They stop at the rear end of the tent and they guided Trixie inside. She did what they said and as she was inside, her chin hit the ground.

Inside, of the other side of a improvised curtain was some decor for magical shows, nothing extraordinary, just enough for a little show with magical cards and rings and balls and a small stage. They even got a magical had and table with a chair because of the size difference. On the chair was a little note for her.

‘Dear Trixie,

I hope you like what those people set up for you. I know, that is not your cart, but I hope that will do for now. Those ponies behind the curtain are lost and scared in this world. They need someone who brings some light, some magic, back into their lives. And I couldn’t think of someone more fitting for that job as you. Good luck and give them a hell of a show.

Signed by

Leutnant Stephan Bauer

PS.: Remember to keep a low profile. Too much magic scares the guards.’

Trixie feels some tears rolling down her cheeks while she reads them. She drops her bag and opens it to take her hat and her cape out. After a few minutes of preparation she was ready. She told the few humans who wanted to help what she is going to do and soon after she stood on the stage, took a deep breath, relaxes and:

“Come close, come all! Come and witness the amazing magic of the Great and Powerful Trixie!” The curtain opens and now she saw dozens of ponies and foals, applauding by hitting the ground with their hooves.

Finally, she was in her element again. And this time, she will do her best for those ponies, and not for herself today.

*

He lifts the box from the ground. It was a gift from her to him after she joined Renee in America. Still, before she left she had a request Stephan couldn’t deny.

*

“You want what?”

Stephan and Trixie sat alone in a tent. He returned to her from time to time like he promised. One time, he watched one of Trixie’s shows, and she made him her ‘audience volunteer’. Without being ask about it. Stephan still feel uncomfortable around foals which he didn’t tell Trixie at this time. Maybe she already heard about what happen back in France but does not want to talk about it, too. One day maybe, but today there was something else to discuss.

“I want to do more and they give me that option.” Trixie sat at the opposite of the table, her fore hooves on it. “Many ponies here are already leaving, going to America and other places to help the human resistance. And I want to help, too.”

Stephan sighs heavy and leans back into the chair. Of course he hoped that the work in the camp is enough for her, but she already told him that she want to do more, and Stephan was willing to give her some more to do. He even managed to get her into the human camp to entertain them. Everyone was impressed by her ability to create illusions. That was probably the reason why the new United Nations/Ponies for Human Life Joint Task Force want her to join. It’s not like he hadn't thought about it how to use her abilities against the enemy. But he hoped that he can keep her out of the fighting.

Stephan shakes his head. “Why do you want to?”

Trixie looks at him for a before she sunk back in the chair. “I saw what those New Foals did... what they wanted me to do. And what they now try to make everypony else do.” She closes her eyes and shakes her head. “And... and I know what they made you do...”

Stephan feels like someone took his heart in the hand and squeezes it. “You... heard about it?”

Trixie nods with a sad expression in the face. “Yes.”

There was a silent minute between both and the tents seem to become a bit colder.

“...you probably see me as a monster.” said Stephan with a whisper.

Trixie shakes her head. “No. I don’t. I only asked myself... why? Why do you had to do it? And... I understand now that you did it because you didn’t had a choice...”

Stephan sunk his head. “I had a choice...”

“One that would have killed you and your friends.”

He looks at her. “What I did was still wrong...”

Trixie nods. “And as long you can feel that what you did was wrong...” she leans over the table and put a hoof on his arm and smiles, “you are not monster.”

I took a while for Stephan to get all that through his head. But after he was done, he smiles back at her. “Thank you.”

Trixie slides back into her chair. “And that is why I want to join the fight. To help stopping this war as fast as possible. And to end that bloodshed.”

Stephan nods and took a Pod in his hand, checking a few documents. “OK. If you really want to join then I’m not going to stop you. I just hope that instructor know how to train you guys.”

“I actually hoped that you will train me.”

Stephan turns his head at her with wide open eyes. “You... what?”

“You are the only one I know from all the soldiers here. And... and I heard about your skills and everyone talks highly about you.” She gives him a warm smile before she continues. “I couldn’t think of someone else who will be more fitting for that.”

Stephan keep staring at her before he tips his chin with a finger. “I... see what I can do. We are still busy with helping the civilians on the mainland. And I am always with my comrades.”

Trixie let her head sink and nods. “Oh... okay, I understand.”

“But I can’t be always with them to hold their hands, right?” He adds with a muffled giggle.

Trixie eyes him again, first with a surprised look which turns quick in a smile. “You will train me?”

Stephan nods. “I will see what I can arrange. Until then, help out in the camps.” With that he stands up and walks to the exit. He turns his upper body at her and says, “But be prepared to leave. I will call you. Auf wiedersehen.”

Trixie smiles and waves at him with her hove. “See you again!” she says in English. Stephan teaches her German from time to time to give her the opportunity to understand and to talk with his other comrades. And to keep secrets between them. Who knows who listens?

Trixie did the next days what she have been told by Stephan and keeps her shows running but was always ready to leave when Stephan comes to get her. It took Stephan two weeks to get through the well-known German bureaucracy. He was not surprised that this survived even through war times.

Trixie was in the tent she shares with the pony family as Stephan walks in with a smile. “Alright, it’s done.”

Trixie looks up at him with a baffled look in her face. “Really?”

Stephan nods. “Yeah, took a while, but now you see the new instructor for ponies who want to join the United Nations/Ponies for Human Life Joint Task Force. Well, temporary instructor. Get your stuff, we leave in ten.”

Trixie smiles wide and jumps from the chair to get her saddle bags. She had them packed the first day he told her to do so. She gave every member of the family a hug as goodbye and follows Stephan out of the camp. Everypony she passes gave her a wave with a hove or a simple ‘see you again’.

“Seems like you made a lot of friends the last weeks.” Stephan said.

“Oh yes, everypony was so nice to me. Some of them know me from Ponyville.”

“I thought that story didn’t end up so well.” He ask.

Trixie nods. “True, but they didn’t hate me for what happened. I mean, it wasn’t my fault that this Minor Ursa woke up and destroyed half Ponyville.”

Stephan laughs a bit. “Wouldn’t mind if you do that now. Heh, how about you go back and wake up a Major Ursa and leading it to Canterlot?”

Trixie turns her head away from Stephan and hides a giggle under her mane. “Sure, that would be funny. Well, not for me while it is chasing me.”

Both charred a laugh before they reach the exit of the camp. A shuttle bus is already waiting for them and the other ponies who stand at the side of the street. Stephan points at the group of ponies and Trixie joins them.

Stephan walks behind the group of ponies and stood still. “Attention!”

All ponies stop with whatever they did and looking at Stephan. “Line up!” he said with a commanding voice. The ponies quickly lined up almost perfect what surprised Stephan. Then he thought that they already knew how to line up since they live under the rule of a monarch who was visiting her subjects regularly.

Stephan continuous with his announcement. “My name is Leutnant Stephan Bauer and I will be your instructor for the next three month. You will call me with Herr Leutnant or Herr Vorgesetzter. And when I ask you if you understood everything I was telling you, you will say Jawohl Herr Leutnant! Is that clear?”

“Jawohl, Herr Leutnant.”

“What? I couldn’t hear you!”

“Jawohl, Herr Leutnant!”

“Speak up already!”

“JAWOHL, HERR LEUTNANT!”

“That’s better. Alright, next thing, and I say that just once. You all will be trained for combat. There is no use to talk around it, you will go into battle with other ponies and humans against Celestia’s forces.”

Just the mention of her name let some ponies shiver. “You will face other ponies who want to hurt you and turning the human at your side into a pony. You will have to kill him or her, or he or she will kill you and your comrade.” Stephan took a deep breath and let his eyes wander over the group of ponies. He waits to let his words sink into their minds.

“Nothing can prepare you for war itself. The sound, the smell, the fear. Dead is ugly. All you can do is make sure that your enemy is the one who dies.” Again he waits. He saw how some ponies got sick at that thought, but remind silent.

“I ask you: Are you sure that you are ready to do what is necessary? I give you the chance to leave now. Continuing to run away. Hiding in the dirt. You can be with your families, going somewhere with them and hope that Celestia never finds you until all hiding spots in our world are gone. Or...” he gives the group a dramatic pause, “Or you can fight for them... and for our children as well and giving them a chance for a better tomorrow. The choice is yours.”

The ponies began to whisper between themselves. Stephan could almost smell the indecision and the fear. He knows what they think. The same thoughts he had the first time his instructor asked his group the same question before the training for the 313 EGB began.

Even Trixie had now some doubts about the idea. Her eyes are focused on the ground, deep in thoughts. After a while she looks at her left and her right, watching the other ponies arguing about what to do.

Then she looks up at Stephan who stands in front of her. He just stood there, waiting for her answer. She took a deep breath; pluck up courage, and steps forward, head high and looking straight into Stephan’s eyes.

“I’m not leaving.”

Another pony, a grey Unicorn stepped forward. “I’m done with running away... Herr Leutnant... I’m Silver Soldier. And I wanted to be a Royal Guard...”

There was a loud gasp from the ponies. Stephan stood still and looks him in the eyes. “May I ask why are you here and not with your other comrades?”

Silver lowers his head before he returns Stephan’s glare. “I wanted to join the Royal Guard with the hope that I can change something. Helping others. But...” he paused for a few seconds. “But I never finished my training because of...” he lowered his head to find the right way to tell him.

Stephan saw that it wasn’t easy for him to talk about it, thus he lifts a hand to stop him. “You don’t need to tell me why you left. I want to know why you want to join us.”

“... after I heard about what the Princess is doing... after the war with the Crystal Empire... what happened to all my almost comrades... I just knew I had to get out. I was one of the few lucky ones who still had a clear head before she brainwashed everypony...”

Stephan and the rest waited. For him it was good to have at least one pony who had already a bit of military training, someone who can help the others. “I see... I guess you already talked about it with someone else?”

Sliver nods. “After I mentioned that I was in training with the Royal Guard... well, some people came into my tent and took me for ‘further questioning’. I told them all I know. They believed me and send me back into to camp.”

“I think it is safe to keep you around then?” Stephan asks with a hint of unbelief.

Silver bows with one knee of his front hove on the ground. “By my honor as soldier. I swear that I will not betray you or others.”

Stephan narrowed his eyes. Can he really trust him? “You say words like honor and trust... and betray. And after what I just heard...”

Silver interrupted him. “It was different. I was running away. I don’t want to fight against you like the Princess told the others.”

“Why?” Stephan asks emotionless.

“I... I came in your world... I thought that would be a good place to hide from my ex-comrades and Celestia and...I wanted to see your world... I heard about the horrors the others told me... and I saw some of it...” he raised his head and looks at Stephan with a sad expression. “But I saw beauty, too. Your world... I can’t describe it... it is so rich with it. And I feel like it is worth to be protected.” He stood up and rose his head in Stephan direction. “I’m done with hiding. I’m done with running away. I want to stay and fight for something right. Not for lies and the genocide of an entire species.” He turned around and looks at the ponies behind him. “That is something worth to even die for if I have to.”

It was silent for a while. A lot has been said now and all the ponies need to process the words first. Even Trixie thought about it again. But she came always to the same conclusion. That pony was right.

Another pony walks at the side of Trixie and Silver. “I’m not leaving, too.”

“Me neither!” said another pony who walks at the other side. More and more ponies managed to conquer their fears and doubts until all of them stood side by side, looking at Stephan.

He smiles and gave a little nod. “Alright then. Everyone on board.”

With that, all the ponies walked into the shuttle bus and took their seats in in the prescribed order. Stephan took a seat aside of the driver and gave the go signal.

Stephan smiles. Maybe a bit evil. He loves the basic education. And in some weeks those ponies will love it, too.

*

Stephan opens the box. Empty. He closes it again, taps on it three times and opens it again. He smiles because it is still empty.

Of course, he didn’t prepared it yet again.

Heh, prepared.

The ponies had a hard time the first weeks he was training them. And his thoughts about the pegasi and unicorns were confirmed. They are good with their natural abilities but the lack of stamina and agility when tied to the ground was troublesome at first.

But he wanted to be damned if he couldn’t manage to make soldiers out of them.

*

Near Hveravellir, Iceland, 2019 Anno Domini

Stephan loves the fresh wind around his face, his heart that beats in his chest and the sound of his heavy boots who hit the ground by each step. He simply loves to jog in the morning and Hveravellir was a nice little forest in Iceland. He slows down until he fully stops and takes a look at his side.

Every pony, even some of the earthponies, gasp for air. “Nothing is better as a jog through the woods, right?”

He frowned as he saw how some ponies sit down, one of them even dare to lay down.

“Hey! Did I say that you guys can sit down? Well, since you seem to like the ground, let’s make some push-ups! Everypony down!”

He drops on his hands and began with his push-ups. “One! Two! Three!”

Some ponies began to groan loud as they got to twenty.

“Twenty, twenty, twenty-one! Damn, I miscount thanks to your groaning! Again! And count with me this time! And loud! One!...”

After almost sixty pushups, thirty sit-ups and knee bends (what was quite hilarious watching twenty ponies doing it with just their hind legs) and over 8 kilometer running, they finally got back in their little tent city. And even during lunchtime.

The ponies had just ten minutes to wash themselves and getting their mess tin. Stephan was waiting with an eye on the watch. Ten minutes was almost too good for them. He and his comrades had only five, sometimes just three minutes to get ready. He remembers one time as he almost burned his throat because his group was too late for lunchtime and they had only five minutes to eat. Since this day he had a slight dislike for croquettes.

He was the last one who took his lunch after they marched together to the food distribution. The ponies became vegetables with some rice and he goulash. At least they could choose between orange juice and cherry juice. The ponies sat down in a circle around a fire hole and began to eat and chat about the events of the past weeks.

“Those humans know how to make a good meal, I give them that.” said one of them, a green unicorn colt who uses his magic to manipulate a fork.

“Meh, it is eatable. I had better stuff back in Manehatten.” said another one, an earthpony who tries to get his muzzle in the mess tin to get the food. In the end, he just uses his long tongue to lap it out. The result was quite messy.

“Hear, hear,” respond a pegasus mare. “I was once in Manehatten. And I can’t say that is true.”

“You probably just eat in one of those cheap locals.”

“Yeah, my coltfriend was always bit-pinching on our dates.”

Everything became silent for a while until somepony whispers “Awkward~”.

“So... yeah. Change of subject?”

Every pony nods. “Well- Silver.”

Silver rose his head from his meal. “What?” he asks with a full mouth.

“You was a Royal Guard recruit before you switched sites, right?”

Silver put his meal down and let out a heavy sigh. “Yes, that is right.”

“Well... why did you leave them?”

The pegasus mare gave the curious green unicorn a look which make him silent before she turns to Silver. “You don’t have to tell us if you don’t want of course.”

Silver shook his head. “It’s okay.” He looks over the group around him with a smile. “Besides, I and my other recruit brothers always shared some good stories.”

All the ponies stopped to eat and lean closer towards Silver to hear him.

“First thing first. I didn’t leave the Royal Guards. They kicked me out.”

He smirks as he saw how some ponies became huge eyes. “It was one week before I and my friends would become real guards. Well, we had the idea to go out one night at a weekend and to celebrate.”

He close his eyes like he recall the past. “We went to a nice little bar near Canterlot. For the usual. Drinks, parties and mares...”

His eyes shot open as he notice how he almost lost himself in memories. “Like I said, the usual. We had already a few drinks and the mood was high. That was, until I notice how a guy at the bar bothers a waitress. It was about... not so sure anymore, but it was mostly about the humans. The waitress was probably a pro human activist, and the stallion... was not.”

“I stood up and walked over to both to stop the fighting. I heard my friends calling me, but I was fixed on that brute who didn’t let the mare go. I took him on his shoulder and shove him away from her. He wasn’t happy and tried to hit me. So, I bucked him in the face.” He took a sip from his juice and placed the can on his lap.

“A few minutes later I found myself in a cell. A Guard told me that I just bucked a officer of the Guards, breaking his nose and kicked out a few teeth. I don’t know his name, never cared about it anyway. They told me that they’ll forget what happened when I apologise, I said, no.”

The ponies gaps and a few mares watched him with almost dreamy eyes. “Long story short, they kicked me for kicking a high ranged officer and for helping a pro human activist. I left one day before we had our vow. I said goodbye to my friends. And since then, I never saw my friends again. They are probably now slaves of Celestia...” He lowers his head, avoiding to show the others his sad eyes. But he wasn’t able to hide his voice. “Maybe... they are already dead.”

It became silent again. Trixie thinks about those who are behind the barrier, all those ponies who get caught between the lines. One day she will return, and help them to find the truth. About the War, the barrier, the main six, Celestia... and the humans.

Stephan didn’t hear any of it, he was in his own tent eating his meal. He missed a good kitchen already. Currywurst with a good beer together with his friends.. That would be a nice thing right now.

His train of thoughts came to a halt as someone calls for him outside. “Come in.”

Stephan smiles as he saw how his friend Daniel walks into the tent. “Oh, didn’t know you were eating. Shall I wait?”

Stephan shook his head and points at a seat on the other side of his table. “Not a problem at all. Take a seat. Do you want something to eat? We got plenty left.”

Daniel sit down and his nose notice the warm lunch on Stephan’s table. But he shook his head. “No, thank you. I’m just here because of my last mission.”

Stephan took a spoonful of noodles in his mouth and swallowed. “Your last mission? Why?”

“Well, how shall I start... I and my team were on a patrol and rescue mission. Quite simple. Go in, see if you can find someone and bring them back. No one told us that some of those people don’t want to leave.” He shook his head again, this time with an uneasy expression on his face. “They shot at us and we shot back. I can’t believe that they actually want to stay behind.”

Stephan nods. “People do crazy things in crazy times. But I guess that is not the reason why you came to me, right?”

Daniel rose his head and gave Stephan a quick nod. “Yeah. After some time we found someone we can rescue.” Daniel gave Stephan a dramatic pause before he continued. “Or, let’s say, something.”

Stephan stops to eat and he could’ve sworn that the noodles sigh in relief. “Something?”

“Yes. It looks like a pony had sex with a bug... or so. I’m not sure and the eggheads back in base working on it right now.”

Stephan stood up and walks around the table, taking his vest and other belongings. “Show me.”

Daniel also stood up and waits for him at the exit. “Are you sure? What about the recruits?”

“I put Peter in charge. It’s just theoretical stuff about firearms. I’m still waiting for the weapon saddles for the earth and pegasus ponies.”

It took just ten minutes to tell the ponies and Peter. Stephan could see that of all ponies, Trixie was the most saddest one.

The car drive took almost an hour in which Daniel and Stephan talked about almost everything they couldn’t talk about. Stephan was happy to hear that the relationship between Daniel and Alica got stronger every day. Of course, relationships between soldiers was actually not allowed but who cares about rules in days like this?

Daniel stops the car in front of a hospital. Stephan asks him why they put the creature (They decided to say creature instead of the thing during the drive) in a civil hospital while they walk inside.

“The camps don’t have the material to help the creature. It seems like in pain the first time I saw it. And more fascinating is... it seems like it can change the form by will.”

Stephan gave him a brow. “Really? You are not trolling me here, are you?”

Daniel lift up his hands in response and put on a innocent face. “Of course not! You know I only Troll you during our LAN-Parties.”

Stephan still gave him a stare that makes his spine ice could.

After a quick chat with the nurse in charge and checking their identity, they were allowed to see the creature in question. They passed several guards and sights with the Hazardous symbol and other warnings. Finally they came to the room and Stephan looks through one of the windows in it. What he saw stunned him.

For the first part, Daniel was right. The creature on the bed and surrounded by medics was somehow a mix between pony and bug. It had four hooves, a long neck, pointy ears and even a tail and mane and even a horn. But here ends the consensus with a real pony. She (He realized that after he saw her face and body structure) had long, sharp canines and her body was covered in a black chitin like material. The wings and tail are greenish and what made him even more uneasy was the fact that she had holes in them and her horn and her legs too.

“Where did you found her?”

“In Finland, close to the barrier. It seem like she was hunted by some Royal Guards. As I found her... well, she didn’t look like that. It happened during the flight. Some of my men almost shot her as she turned back into... well, that. She muttered something before she fell unconscious.”

Stephan works with the information he just got. A creature that can imitate others. If the eggheads could figure out how...

Then he noticed that she was watching him. He looks back at her and for a moment it was like they had a mental conservation.

“I guess I say hello to her. Wanna join?”

Daniel gave Stephan an uneasy look. “Are you sure? Who knows what she is capable of.”

Stephan gave Daniel a little pat on his back. “Hey, I bet she is happy to see you since you are the one who rescued her.”

Daniel sighs and nods. “Alright.”

Stephan smiles and opens the door into the room. The medics were first surprised but gave in after Daniel explained who they are.

Stephan walks closer to the creature on the bed. He looks at her for a few seconds and puts a hand on his chest. “I’m Leutnant Stephan Bauer, 313 EGB. May I ask who are you?”

She look up at him for a while like she is studying him. After a minute she opens her mouth but the first thing that came out was a heavy cough.

“Sorry... I’m not in the best shape right now...”

Her voice was... differed. Like an echo on its own. “Not a problem.” Stephan said.

“I’m Chrysalis, Queen of the Changelings.” She paused for a moment before she added. “Or... was the Queen of them...”

Stephan’s look became worried. Shall he press on or gave her some rest? He decided for the first.

“I’m sorry if that brings back bad memories. But... what do you mean?”

Chrysalis eyed him for a while and cough in her hove. “I mean what I said. I was once the queen of them... now... now I’m just their shadow of what we once were.”

Stephan sighs. “What happened to the others?”

Chrysalis facial expression became sad and she looks down at the ground. “I... wasn’t strong enough... again. My poor Changelings... all dead because of that big plotted Celestia...”

Now Stephan’s curiosity was calling. “Celestia? What does she have to do with it?”

“She... she killed them... she killed all of my children...” Stephan saw how her eyes became wet and tears began to run down her face.

Stephan looks over at the medics and gave them a sign to leave. Daniel followed them and closed the door behind him.

“That’s... horrifying. She already did genocide on a race...”

“Yes... and now she will do the same with yours...” She said with another cough attack. “I’m sorry that I couldn’t warn you earlier... I had to hide from Celestia’s minions, and as the war break lose... I saw my change to leave.” Tears continued to run over her face. “If I could have left earlier... I knew about your people for a while now, and after I saw what Celestia planned... I didn’t want to see another race going down.”

Stephan walks over the a table and took some handkerchiefs to give them her.

“Thank you,” she whispers weak. “It is nice to have some company after... all what happened.”

“May I ask you something more?”

She gave him a weak nod.

“You didn’t just come here in our world because you wanted to be safe, right?”

She gave him a smile after a while. “You are smart. Yes, I wanted some more. I saw what your armies are capable of, and so I decided to help you.”

“Well, that’s nice... I guess. But how?”

Chrysalis wanted to say something but fell silent. “I’m... not sure. I’m not in the best conditions anymore.”

There was a knock on the door and Daniel came through. “Stephan, I talked with the medics and they said... oh... um, hello.”

Stephan points at Daniel. “That is Oberstabsfeldwebel Daniel Johannsen of the Wachbataillon. He is the one who found you.”

Chrysalis smiles at him. “Thank you for that.”

Daniel smiles back, uneasy. “No problem.”

“And I must say, the love for the woman of yours has quite the taste.”

Both, Stephan and Daniel now looking at her with slightly scared expressions. “E-excuse me, but... what?” Daniel asked.

“Oh, sorry... I didn’t told you that. We Changelings feed from positive emotions. Don’t worry, it is not harming you at all.”

Stephan relaxes again and notice just now that his hand was on his pistol. “Don’t do that again please.”

“Of course.”

Stephan looks at Daniel who relaxes now too. “You wanted to tell me something?”

“Huh?... aah, yes. It’s about her.” He points a finger at the former queen. “The doc said that she is stable so far but that she is sick somehow.”

Stephan rose a brown. “How so?”

“Well, he said it is like cancer or something familiar. It is weakening her. But they can’t figure out the source.”

“I guess I can answer that riddle.”

Stephan and Daniel look at Chrysalis.

“During the time as the first new foals were born, we felt... that something was off.”

“Off?”

Chrysalis nods. “Like I said before, we changelings feed from positive emotions. And as the first new foals came to Equestria... we thought we are feasting.” She gave both a slight evil grin. “There was so much love of them for Celestia, and everyday more came. But...” Her face darkened again. “We noticed too late that their love was... wrong. It wasn’t true love but twisted and taint like venom. We realized it first as some of the weakest, our newborn and the old, became sick and died after a while. More and more became sick, including me. And that was the moment Celestia attacked, pushing back and away from Equestria. She soon figured out what we have to suffer and decided to let us die out slowly. My children asked me to leave, to find new food sources to feed on while they stay behind, distracting Celestia and her Guards...”

There was a moment of silence between them. Stephan could feel with her. And Daniel too. Celestia decided to attack their world after there were enough new foals around to start. Attacking the capitals of each nation simultaneously and trying to cut each nation from another. The plan failed in some places but the shock was still deep in everyone's mind.

“My bravest soldiers buy me enough time for me to flee with the hope that I can rebuild our great race again. But the damage is already done. I can’t lay any eggs anymore. The love of the new foals poisoned me and I feel how it eats me from the inside out.”

“Can’t you feed from our love or from other ponies?”

“I can. But it doesn't matter. The poison is already in me. I will die over long or short. The love I can feed on here keeps me alive now. But I will never give live to other Changelings anymore.”

Stephan looks at her with sad eyes. No one, not even his worst enemies, should live like that. Alone, the only one left of an entire race. And if he and his comrades can’t find a way to stop Celestia... someone, somewhere will have to face the same fate.

“Just... one more thing. Daniel told me that you are a kind of... shapeshifter. Is that correct?”

“Yes. That is a method we use to observe and infiltrate potential sources of love. We sometimes switched a loved one with a Changeling to feed on him or her. We even can take their memories, using them to become the pony in question.”

Stephan strokes over his chin with two fingers. “That is... quite disturbing. But clever.”

And then it hit him.

“Can a pony learn that? I mean, a magical pony, like a unicorn?”

Chrysalis turned her head away from him and looks at the ceiling, tapping her chin with a hove. “Maybe. Shapeshifting is a difficult art not anypony can do. She must have experience with illusion magic and familiar crafts.”

“I guess I know there one pony.” He eyes her with a serious look. “Do you think you can teach others how that shape shifting works?”

Chrysalis nods. “I will do everything to help you and your people. I only want justice for what Celestia did to my children.”

Stephan smiles and gave her a quick nod. “I then we have a deal.” He was already on his way to leave but he stops and turns his head at the Queen. “... how do you know it is a she?”

Chrysalis only gave him a toothy grin. “Can’t you figure?”

Stephan eyed her for a few more seconds before he gave her a goodbye and walks with Daniel at his side to the car.

During the drive, Stephan called the HQ to inform it about his conversation with the Queen. Of course, they wasn’t so happy that he did it before any of their Intel's could do, but they trust him enough to let him have it his way. But as he told them his plan, they almost lost their temper and he already imaged that someone will jump out of his phone. Stephan could only smile as he heard the annoyed sighs on the other end of the phone as he gave them arguments they couldn’t deny. They gave him one month. One month to show them that he could make a spy out of a pony that could sneak behind enemy lines, blinding in their society and that with a new face every time.

All he had to do was talking to Trixie and convince her to that idea. He was quite surprised that Trixie was all too eager for all that, becoming a spy, stuff. She hesitated a little as he told her about Chrysalis and how she will fit in all that, but as he told her about what happened to her and the other Changelings back in Equestria was reason enough for her to join.

They load up some of her belongings, said a few goodbyes and off they were to the hospital again.

Trixie looked uneasy at the door to Chrysalis but a smile from Stephan lit up her courage again. Stephan opened the door and both walk inside.

Chrysalis smiles by the sight of Stephan and her smile became a bit wider as she saw Trixie. “Ooh~, that is quite a surprise to see you, Trixie Lulamoon.”

Trixie was taken aback and watched her with wide eyes, just like Stephan. “Y-you know me?” she ask with a shaken voice.

Chrysalis nod. “Not directly, but some of my Changelings told me about the amount of love you have for yourself. They said it was quite tasteful. A bit odd, but tasteful as a nice snack.”

Even though Stephan shouldn’t be such a statement, he tried his best to hide a smile. He know Trixie long enough to confirm that.

“T-they... feed on my love? When? I never saw any Changeling...”

“They have hidden in your audience as some random ponies.”

“...oh...” Trixie seemed to become even more worried if it was a good idea to come with Stephan.

“Well, I guess as long you didn’t harm her.” Stephan said what he thought.

Chrysalis shook her head. “Of course not.”

“But, what about the time as you attacked Canterlot?”

There was a pause in the room and Stephan rose an eyebrow. “I guess we have a lot to talk about, Chrysalis.”

She only nods and turns her attention back at Trixie. “Now... before we start with the training...”

Stephan holds a hand up and interrupted her. “We can’t start the training today already. You need to rest.”

“I wanted to say that I would like to see what Trixie already can with her illusion magic.”

Stephan gave her a guilty look and smiles. “Sorry, I was just worried that it would be better if you get some rest first.”

Chrysalis smiles at him. “How kind of you. But a nice show will for sure help me to raise my mood.”

As soon as the word show had been spoken out, Trixie smiles wide and she light up her horn. Stephan took a few steps away from her and towards Chrysalis bed.

“It will be a honor for the Great and Powerful Trixie to show Queen Chrysalis what she is capable of.”

Stephan rolls his eyes but kept silent. Trixie didn’t notice it since she was too busy with her show. Chrysalis on the other hand smirked at his behavior.

Trixie showed them every kind of illusion magic trick she could perform. Stephan had to confirm the nurses who came by that the fireworks are not real and do not harm anyone.

After the show, Chrysalis asked Stephan to let her and Trixie alone. He obeyed and walked out of the room. Of course he could still see them through the window and Stephan saw how Chrysalis talked to Trixie and she nod and talked back. After a while he noticed how Chrysalis expression became dark and Trixie seem to be worried about what she told her. A moment of silence between them followed but Trixie gave her a nod. Chrysalis looked at Stephan and nods.

Stephan enters the small room again. “And?” He just asked.

Trixie looks at him with a smile. That kind of smile someone gives when he or she was happy and sad at the same time.

“I can start tomorrow. If that is okay.”

Stephan nods and looks at Chrysalis. “Thank you for your help. If there is anything I can do...”

Chrysalis only shook her head. “Don’t worry about that.” She gave him a smile and added, “Giving Celestia a pain in the plot is more than enough payoff for me.”

Stephan returns that smirk. “Much appreciated. I still have to adjust my trainings plan but that's nothing I can’t handle.” He looks at Trixie. “And I can’t just let you not finishing your basics.”

Trixie know that this would mean that she had to do more as most of the others but she didn’t mind. She was quite happy because now she can do something no other pony could do. And how many ponies can say that they learned the art of shapeshifting from the Queen of the Changelings herself.

After Trixie and Stephan said goodbye to Chrysalis they drove back to the camp. Stephan noticed during the drive that Trixie is quieter as usual, like she is in deep thoughts. He didn’t want to interrupt her and concentrate on driving. At the camp, Stephan and Trixie gave both a goodbye and both walked back to their tents. The entire conservation took hours and it was getting dark already outside. Peter told him about what the group learned today and that they had the order to help Trixie to keep her in touch with the theoretical material.

Stephan used the night to organize his training plan new which took some effort and time. It was almost midnight as he was done and was happy to lay with his face on the pillow. Still, he wonders what Chrysalis told Trixie that caused the sudden mood change.

And after a while he wonders if he will have nightmares again.

*

He didn’t had any if he remembers right. The thoughts about what Trixie talked about with Chrysalis pushed them easily aside. Chrysalis told him a few weeks later.

She had injected some of her Changeling magic into Trixie to give her the ability to perform the transformations better. He was almost gone mad about it, but she and Trixie assured him that it was harmless. Almost.

She told him about the danger of the shapeshifting. The danger to get lost in the personality the Changeling, or in that case pony, chose and forgetting who she or he was before. The Changelings were born with that ability and don’t have to fear to lose their personality, but ponies are a different story.

Still, after three months, Trixie was one of the outstanding recruits Stephan ever had. She managed even to lay him by trick him with her illusion magic. On the mat. In a training fight.

‘Damn’ he thought. His friends made jokes about that even today. You just have to pronounce one sentence wrong and all goes to hell. But it didn’t take long until he beat her again and sometimes they end up in a tie.

But even though he know that his feelings grew for her every day, he didn’t managed to open up. Something that Chrysalis noticed. She eats love and of course she will notice that something is happening between Trixie and him. Chrysalis wasn’t interfering for a while, watching if they can overcome whatever restrains them by themselves.

But that changed with a little shove in the right direction.

*

Reykjavik, Iceland, 2020 Anno Domini, Three Months Later

Stephan stood in the snow at the harbor and watched how ponies and humans walk into the waiting ships. Most of them go to the USA and he waits for one pony in particular who would also leave soon. He turns around to look at the city and he could swear that he can almost see the barrier emerging.

But that didn’t matter for the people who lived here. They put up a nice Christmas party for everyone and the streets look colorful and warm. The ponies had a familiar celebration, called Hearth Warming Eve and somehow they managed to put both together but both sides still keep their distance most of the time.

“There he is.”

Stephan turned around and smiled as he saw Trixie and Chrysalis. Both wore some kind of winter jackets, Trixie‘s had a military touch and a saddleback while Chrysalis was covering more of her body and a hood covered her head since no one want to scare anyone or let alone start a panic between the civilians. As soon as both are close enough, he stood still and looks at Trixie. It took her a while until she realized what he waited for. She saluted with a hove at her head. “Gefreiter (Private) Lulamoon reports: Ready to leave to the USA and escorting Queen Chrysalis to the ship.”

Stephan returns the salute. “At ease, Gefreiter.” Trixie relaxes and a small smiles crosses her face. He looks over at Chrysalis who as well with an acknowledged nod.

“I hope you two had a nice last day here in Iceland?” Stephan asks.

“Why, yes of course Leutnant. It is beautiful how your people set up such a celebration even during times like this.” Chrysalis lifts her nose and her grin grew even more. “And all that love in the air...”

Stephan rose an eyebrow at her. “Please, Queen. Remember what we talked about eating others emotions.”

Chrysalis chuckles and looks him in the eyes. “Ooh, but of course. I’m sorry, but I couldn’t help it.” She coughed at the end of her chuckle and Stephan gave her a worried look. “Are you okay?”

“Yes... yes. It is okay again.” She sighed and looks over her shoulder to the city. “What a shame... not long and this place will be gone as well.”

“Yes. But we will make sure that Celestia will have to pay for each centimeter she takes away.” He looks down at Trixie with a warm and slightly evil smile. “Right, Trixie?”

Trixie looks up at him and returns that smile with her own and nods. “Yes, we will.” Then her mood changes and she let her head sunk. “I just wish...”

Stephan gave her a questioning look. “Yes?”

Trixie returns her gaze up at him and smiles awkward. “Oh, nothing... nothing at a-AH!”

Trixie jumped a bit forward and Stephan kneels down to see what happened to her. “What is it?”

Trixie looks back and saw how Chrysalis tipped her hove on the ground before she gestured Trixie with the same hove to move forward. Verbally of course.

Trixie narrows her eyes at the Queen and turns her head back at Stephan. “Well... what I wanted to say... I...” She swallowed dry and continues with a whisper. “I... I will miss you...”

Stephan just looks at her and tilts his head a bit. Not much, almost unnoticeable for some people. But not for Chrysalis.

“Oh, well... I guess I will miss you too. But I’m sure yo-UGH!”.

He almost fell forward on Trixie but she caught him with her front hooves. Both make eye contact for a moment and Stephan felt his cheeks beginning to warm up. He already saw how Trixies cheeks became red.

He looks at his side just to see how Chrysalis whistles innocently and looking in the air.

Stephan shook his head and returns his attention at Trixie. “What I wanted to say... I will miss you, too. From all the people I already meet... well, you are somewhat special for me.”

Trixie’s eyes widened and her cheeks became even warmer. “Oh... well... yeah. I... I think that too. That with I’m being special...” another little push at her side, “That others thing that I am...” another, “That I’m special for you...” and another, “THAT I THINK THAT YOU ARE SPECIAL FOR ME TOO!”

Stephan leans a bit away and he could saw a small smile on Chrysalis face. “...Oh-kay~...”

“No... I mean it...”

Trixie’s soft voice turns his attention back at her and he saw how Trixie tries to find the right words, looking at the ground.

“I... you are special for me... you not only saved me from the New Foals and those humans who tried to hurt me...” She returns her gaze back at him and he saw how her eyes became wet. “But you also helped me to adjust and fit in... you gave me something to do, helping others to cheer up their mood. You gave me a porous in my new life and now... now I leave you...” She broke the eye contact and closed them, a little tear run out.

She felt fingers under her chin and how they raised her head up to look at him again. Stephan smiles at her and runs a hand over her cheek. “Hey... it’s not forever. I’m sure our ways will cross again. You know, there is an old saying... Man sieht sich immer zwei mal im Leben.” (You always meet twice.)

Trixie shook her head. “But... but what if I want to see you if I miss you too much?”

“If that happens...” Stephan puts his hand in a pocket of his pants and took out a metallic Zippo with a dead skull on it and under it the text ‘Rock ‘n Roll’ and holds it in front of her. “Take this. When you miss me then look at it, knowing that a little piece of me will be always with you. Merry Christmas”

Trixie took it between her hooves and looked at it for a while before she smiles and puts it in one her pockets of the jacked with her magic. “Thank you...” Then she used her magic to pull a little black box out of her saddleback and hovering it over to Stephan who took it in his hands. “What is that?” he asks.

Trixie smiles. “Open it.”

Stephan looks at it for a minute and then at Trixie and back at the box and shrugs. He opens it and his eyes widened. In the box was...

“...nothing?”

Trixie giggles. “Close it again.”

Stephan does as he has been told and closes the box again. Trixie hits it soft two times with her horn. “And now, open it again.”

Stephan rose an eyebrow but opens it again. He jerked his head back as a bush of false flower popped out. After a short time of shock, he begins to laugh. “Neat. Thank you, Trixie.” He closes the box and puts it under his arm. To put it on the ground wouldn’t be a nice act in his eyes.

“Happy Hearth Warming Eve.” Trixie says with a wide smile.

Both looked at each other for a while until they notice a little shadow above them. Stephan was the first who looks up and saw Alica, holding a mistletoe between her fingers above them.

“And now, kiss.” She said with a mischievous grin. Daniel was not far away from her with the same kind of grin. Stephan wonders how they managed to sneak up at him.

“Really? Alica? Daniel? Really?”

Daniel holds his hands up in defense. “Hey, it was hers and Chrysalis idea. I’m just here as support.”

“Uh-huh. Why, is she threatening you with sex withdrawal?” Stephan asks with a light angry voice.

Alica giggles like a little girl.

Daniel just nods in a ‘Yes, you are right’ manner but smiles innocent at Alica as she turns to him. But she turns her attention back at Stephan and Trixie. “Come on now. We know you both will make a nice couple. And everyone who says something else will be regretting to have ever been born. Now, get over with it already.”

Stephan don’t know what was more horrifying. The fact that it seems like that everyone already know about his hidden feelings for Trixie...

Or the fact that Alica uses her typical ‘Do it, or you will regret it for the rest of your life’ voice. He sighs in surrender.

“Well, Trixie...”

He didn’t came further as he felt her lips pressing against his. He was quite taken aback by that and his eyes are wide open in surprise. Soon he closes them and leans in the kiss, placing a hand on her cheek. He could hear the Daww’s of Alica, Chrysalis and Daniel. Stephan could feel the eyes of others on him and Trixie. But somehow he don’t care right now. Why should he? Alica would take care of those who make the mistake to say something wrong.

Stephan and Trixie separate from each other again and both look in each other eyes for a few more seconds before they start to laugh softly.

“I’m happy for you both.” Chrysalis said with a happy smile on her face before she giggles and feel in a laugher later.

Stephan and Trixie turn to her. “What is so funny?”

Chrysalis stops her laugh and looks at both with a huge grin. “Well, think about it. I’m a creature that feeds from love. And here I am and helping two individuals who could not more differed from each other to find theirs. Ironic, isn’t it?”

Stephan looks at Trixie and she looks back at him before they began to laugh as well. “Yes, that is quite ironic.” Trixie said.

Stephan stood up and cleans his knees from the snow. “Well, I guess it is time. The ships will leave soon.”

Trixie nods and stood up as well, shaking a bit snow off her. “Yes, indeed. Chrysalis, are you coming?”

The Queen looks at her for a moment before she said, “I will follow. I need to have a word with Stephan at first.”

Trixie nods and waves at Stephan and Alica and Daniel. “See ya again soon!”

Alica and Daniel waved back. “Well, I guess we should leave now, too. Bye Stephan. And bye Chrysalis. Was nice to work with you.”

Stephan and Chrysalis wave back and following them with his eyes until they are out of hearing range. Then he turns at Chrysalis who had a concern look in her face.

“Stephan. You know that I can't really say what will happen with Trixie if she uses form-shifting abilities.”

Stephan nods. “Yes. I know.”

The Queen nods. “Trixie is going to have a hard time. She will often questioning herself if she can continue, maybe even fearing that she will lost herself to one of her new personalities. Maybe she does but I can't tell. Never before had a pony the same powers as a Changeling. It can go so far that she is losing her mind.”

Stephan knows that already. There wasn’t a day where he wonders if it was a good idea to let Chrysalis teaching her to make her a better spy, maybe the best who ever lived. But to what price?

“But...” Chrysalis began again, “I know that will not happen.”

Stephan gave her an unsure look. “Why?”

She gave him a warm smile before she adds, “Because I know that you will be there for her if she needs someone. Someone who makes her remember who she is. Who loves her for who she is. Your love will help her to keep herself together. No matter the distance, she knows that you will be there for her.”

Stephan thought about her words for a while before he nods. “I see. And... thank you.”

Chrysalis rose an eyebrow at him. “Oh? For what?”

“For telling me that. And... for open me up to her.”

Chrysalis giggles and waves with a hove. “It’s okay. I don’t mind to help you two out with that. It’s nice to be the one who spreads love for one time as just consume it.” She looks at him with lovely eyes. “Besides... if she didn’t want you... I would take you every time.” she adds with a wink.

Stephan laughed and watched her from the corner of his eye. “Sorry, Queen. But you are not really my type.”

Chrysalis seem a bit hurt by his words. “Ooh, really? I guess you forgot to who you are talking to. I can change in every mare... or maybe even every woman you want.”

Stephan strokes his chin before he gave her a sneer. “Well, too bad that you showed Trixie how to do it as well, hmm~?”

Chrysalis looks at him for a while before both began to laugh heartily until Chrysalis coughs again. Stephan catches her as she was almost falling over from the hard coughing. “Thank you.”

Stephan helps her to stand on her hooves again. “You are welcome.”

Chrysalis looks over at the navy ship. She saw Trixie waving from it. “I guess I should go now. Thank you Leutnant Bauer for the hospitality.”

“Not a problem at all. I hope you two will enjoy your travel.”

Chrysalis nods and trotted towards the ship. She stops and turns again to Stephan to wave at him. He waves back and looks at them until they are gone.

Stephan stood a while longer at the pier, watching the snow dropping around him. It was cold outside.

But somehow he felt pretty warm inside.

*

It seemed so long ago. A lot happened after that day. Iceland is now lost as well. Luckily, everyone was evacuated long before the first ponies arrive. But the humans didn’t left with a little welcome gift in form of several MOAB in every city. A gift from the Americans. The explosion was visible even several kilometers away and took many lives. The island is now a crater landscape and the cities already gone before the barrier could do it.

Stephan had the order to travel to the Poland/Russian border, and helping the rest of the Poland army to protect the evacuation routes.

During the time of his travel something else happened. Some people high above promoted him to a Major. They let him jump four ranks what surprised him at first. But he realized that it means only one thing:
The European army is low at experienced officers and he was one of the few left who survived long enough to get that promotion.

He was happy first, but as they told him that he shall leave his unit and moving over to America to help in strategy and logistic questions, he refused both, the promotion and the order to move to America. His place is at the side of his comrades and to protect Europe. Someone even had the nerve to say, what he want to protect. Europe is gone. Of course, that broke lose a big shit storm and Stephan called them names and they were already on it to call him a mutineer during times of war and let him get shot.

But some high rank officers of the remaining European army step between them and told them their side. Of course, there is no democratic in the military, but when several soldiers of different nations begin to talk about how Stephan helped and about his heroic feat, the other side had to listen.

And they did. They granted Stephan to keep the promotion and even gave him the permission to lead a part of the remaining EUFOR who was willing to follow him how he wanted. With the condition to keep the other forces in touch what he is doing in the moment.

Stephan agreed and the other officers agreed as well. Stephan took everyone with him who wanted to follow him.
It was almost everyone which made him to the Commander of the First United European Defense Force. A huge responsibility but everyone seemed to trust him enough. And that was enough for Stephan to accept his fate.

Later he and the European army fought at the side of the Russian and Poland army. They were drove back by the sheer mass of ponies, but they managed to give the civilians enough time to flee behind the Russian border.

Stephan showed that he is more as fitting for the job as leader and many successful missions going on his account. Later he decided to split the European army into several groups, each with one active commander under his command who are allowed to act on their own as long the mission is done. That gave Stephan enough space to fight at the front of another group. He switches between them to see their progress and helping out with his own unite with his co-leaders Daniel, Müller and Peter.

One of the first things he did was to give the order to not take trophies from the fallen enemy. At least nothing like bodyparts like a horn or a wing. He knows that he can’t keep an eye on everyone, but he trust his other commanders to keep their soldiers under control. No need to give their few pony allies more nightmares.
Trixie came by from time to time to visit him. And one day she brought him something that will turn the dices to his favor.

*

Iran, near the Afghanistan border; 2022 Anno Domini

An explosion ripped the T90 tank apart and several Iranian soldiers jumped into cover.

Under them was Aadish, a young private of the Armed Forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran. He felt how the shockwave rushed over his body and he couldn’t breathe for a few seconds. It took a few more until he found the courage to get up again. He wished he didn’t as he saw the horror in front of him.

The Equestrian barrier is already visible and several cities are destroyed, swallowed by the energy. Aadish knew that his home is already gone and all he could do was to help the rest of the civilians to flee to Afghanistan. Politic be damned, those people need help and for the first time, most of the nations of the Mideast helped each other.

But it wasn’t enough. Their armies are not trained for such a situation and were overrun almost at the beginning of the campaign.

Now they hope that the promised help from Europe will come in time before it’s too late for everyone.

Aadish startled as he heard a scream at his side. He saw how one of his comrades got hit by one of those potion bombs and now lays on the ground, screaming in pain while the unholy mixture does it work. Aadish could only watch as the poor man transformed into a pony. It took a few minutes and a new pony was born. It turned his head at Aadish and smiled.

Aadish jerked his rifle around and fired a quick burst into the pony who dropped into his own blood.

Aadish turned his head and looks over his cover to see how a lot of ponies, New Foals, running towards his position. He rose his weapon and fired into the mass. Several ponies died almost immediately but there are so many.

He fired and fired, dropping more ponies... and then he heard the metallic noise of the hammer in his rifle. The magazine was empty.

He took it out of his rifle and was already on it to take another one when he noticed a shadow in front of him.

An earthpony was jumping over the sandbags with a potion in his mouth. It saw Aadish who was trying to put a new magazine in his rifle. Aadish blood froze and time seemed to slow down. And then he felt the liquid on his face.

But nothing happens. He opens his eyes again and strokes over his face and saw that it wasn’t the potion. It was blood.

Then he saw the body of the pony in the dirt, his body torn apart by a high caliber weapon. The next thing he saw was another shadow that jumped over him from behind. He had to blink a few times until he saw what it was.

A heavy armored figure stood on the cover, dressed in dark blue clothes and body armor which covers his entire body from the neck downwards, the armor itself having a strange sheen to it, as if there was more to the armor itself and in his hands a big rifle which he shot in full auto, killing many more ponies. He also fired his under barrel grenade launcher, blowing another group of ponies into pieces.

Then he put his rifle on his back and switched to a machete. Aadish wonders if the mysterious man got crazy before he saw how the machete began to shine as well, transforming into a giant claymore made of light.

The man storms the lines of the ponies and killed at least a dozen of them with one swing of his magical weapon. Several potions hit him all over the body, but a barrier around him seemed to absorb the liquid, protecting him from the effects of the potion.

He killed already another group of ponies before he turns around and shouted, “Come on, do you guys want to live forever?”

Aadish felt the earth shaking and he turned around. There he saw hundreds of soldiers, tank, helicopters and jets, beginning their counterattack, followed by a war scream that got under his skin.

He smiles and finally loads his rifle, screaming as well and attacked the ponies together with the European army.

Later in Afghanistan, somewhere in the mountains near Kabul; 2022 Anno Domini

Stephan was in his small room and cleans his armor from the blood.

The body armor was a prototype of the next generation of combat equipment. It was lightweight, protects most of the vital parts of his body and could even withstand a direct hit of a .50 caliber weapon. Still, hit can hurt like hell being hit by such a weapon. He had also to wear a so called ‘Climatic Vest’ which is another vest with a inbuilt temperature calibrator to cool him in the heat and warm him in the cold. He couldn’t believe that it will work the first time he saw it. But now he does not doubt the functionality of his armor.

Another gimmick is the enchantments, which were set inside the material of his body armor, and drew power from several power gems located inside incase it ran low on power. A gift from the PHL, the enchantments themselves came from studying the Royal Guard’s armor, which were then reversed engineered by unicorns of the PHL, the few unicorns in his group then proceed to make their own armor and pass it out to others in the group. His own armor protect him from any harm and also from the potions. They already work on a way to adapt it for other weapons for the humans, even for their tanks, jets and even ships. Rumor had it that the Americans themselves were working on something even more powerful than the enchantments, and were sending out messages to any military power still existing to come to America. He was planning on heading over himself, if only to see what this powerful new magic can do.

He carefully pulled a wire from his chest piece, making the C-4 explosives imbedded into his armor safe. A failsafe in case he were to be captured by the Royal Army. The explosive was connected to his helmet by a single wire, if the helmet was forced off without him going through the motion of deactivating the bomb, it will blow, making him and his armor a giant suicide IED. But he promised someone to do it only when there is no other way for him. The last thing he want is to leave the world, knowing that Trixie will be swallowed in sadness forever.

The next thing is his machete. Trixie gave him a visit a while ago and gave it him. The first thing he noticed was the pendant on it. It was enhanced with some of Changeling magic and transform the machete into a giant claymore made of pure magical energy, able to cut through almost every material he encounters. But it had limited charge and can only use it for few seconds, a minute top if he forced it; but given that the blade itself was made of magic, it weighed as much as the machete. Seeing a human wielding a blade about the size of himself and swinging it around like it weighs nothing more than paper was a sight to be seen indeed.

He used it in Russia the first time together with the armor. That gave him a unique nickname: The Knight of Germania.

He smiles every time when he thinks about it. The people think about him as a hero, a angle of death on the battlefield, who brings chaos and destruction to the ponies who are loyal to Celestia.

But he isn’t the only one with a unique nickname.

One time he called Trixie ‘his blue spy’. And someone had heard that as well. Since then she is called with that name, even in Equestria. He already heard of her work, espionage, sabotage and other kind of work. Also about her habit to leave with a bang and a note which says ‘have a nice day’ before the unlucky ones vanish in a cloud of fire and dust.

Yes, he couldn’t be more proud of his little blue spy. Both of them even use their time together to train his mind against the effects of mindreading and familiar magic. Something that was desperately needed since the unicorns began to use spells to knock out his soldiers. Another was that they trained together, and Stephan was surprise to see how well they work together. His strength and skills along with her magic and explosives were something straight out of a action movie. He was the main fighter, heading headlong into battle. That was dangerous enough as is, but with Trixie, her being his backup, always by his side, supporting him; it turn into a whole new ballgame. The first time they fought together, he saw illusions of himself running by his side, the panicky voices of the Royal Guards before the illusions rush by them, his own weapons barking out as he cut them down. Trixie would then either transform into one of guard, or turn invisible, hiding behind them and slitting their throats open wide. Or he would find himself pin down, Trixie would vanish from sight before the line of Royal soldiers would get blown up from her explosives. Fighting together, back to back, new foals surrounding them, and he would feel as secure and safe as if he was in a bunker itself.

He loved that mare, trusted his life in her capable hooves. ‘His Blue Spy’ would never let him down.

Speaking of which. He turns around and saw her in his bed, quietly dozing in it. She came from another mission and wanted to see Stephan. Of course, there wasn’t much talking. Each one of them had to go again soon, preparing for the next mission in who knows where.

He stood up and walks at the side of the bed and kneels down in front of Trixie. He puts his hand on her head and strokes over her mane. She coos under his touch and opens her eyes slowly. She smiles at him and leans into his hand.

He smiles back and whispers a, “Good morning, meine Liebe. Slept well?”

She nods and leans forward, her muzzle just inches away from his. “Hmm, yes. Thank you for letting me sleep in your bed.”

Stephan chuckles and leans in for a kiss. “You are welcome. It is nice to have you around.”

Trixie nods and rolls on her back to stretch her limbs. “I know. I just wish we could spent more time together.” She rolls back and out of the bed, shivering the fatigue from her.

Stephan kneels at her side and giggles. “I wish that too. But we have a job to do.” He pats her back before he stood up and walks back to his armor and continues to clean it. “When do you have to leave again?”

Trixie thinks about it for a second and looks at the clock before she answers, “In two hours. The Doctor and Derpy are coming to take me.”

Stephan chuckles again, he thought the strange stallion was insane, but turns out the pony was borderline genius; Stephan had an inkling that the Doctor knew more or was more than he appear be, especially when he saw the pony himself trot through a war-torn battlefield without batting an eye at the corpses that laid there. His partner, Derpy, didn’t fair as well as him, but she kept a stiff upper lip throughout it all.

Still, conflict erupted between him and the Doctor, Stephan felt like he was in the presence of a being that did a terrible deed. That placed him on the edge whenever the Doctor was around. He even got in a fight because of this with the Doctor; Derpy and Trixie stopped them after almost an hour of shouting.

“Do you think the Doctor is still mad at me?” Stephan asks with concern in his voice.

Trixie looks at him with a smile and shook her head. “No, of course not. The Doctor is a good colt. I bet he already forgot it.”

“Well, I hope so.”

Trixie giggles and walks over to Stephan and puts a hoof on his lap. “Oh, don’t worry. The Great and Powerful Trixie will protect you from him.”

Stephan rose an eyebrow at her. “You know, sarcasm fits you quite well.” Stephan makes a short pause before he adds, “Did you hear something new about the Queen?”

Trixie blinks a few times before she know about who he was talking about. “Chrysalis is still sick. Nothing we did could help her so far.” She sunk her head and her voice became sadder. “She will die and she knows it. But still, she keeps up and helps us as good as she can.”

Stephan nods and puts the cloth on the table, aside of the armor and turns to Trixie. “She is a strong woman. Not many can continue when they know that they will die.”

Trixie nods. “I... I just hope that I’m that strong too.”

Stephan kneels down in front of her again and takes her in his arms, holding her head against his chest. “I know you are. And besides...” He smiles at her before he whispers in her ear, “You know that I’m always there for you.”

Trixie smiled back and nuzzles his neck before they began to kiss again. Then she had a idea and her cheeks became red.

“You know... we still have two hours...”

Stephan giggles and kisses her cheek. “You are one bad mare, you know that?”

*

With his fingers over the lip. He could still taste hers on his. He missed her.

He also heard already that Chrysalis died a few weeks ago, but still helped Trixie with her new powers as much as she could before her time was up. She was a strong mare, he give her that. He just hopes that she is now reunited with her Changelings, wherever it is.

Trixie is probably somewhere in America or already in Equestria again. Still, he had the feeling that she was fighting with something, and that it is not the enemy. It was an internal fight. He remembers what Chrysalis said, about the unknown risks of the Changeling magic for a pony.

But he knows that Trixie is one strong mare who can handle it whatever it is.

There was a knock at the door what took him out of his stream of memories. He walks at the door and opens it. Behind it was a young woman, dressed in a combat uniform from the Ukraine. She salutes and he returns it.

“Telegram for you, sir.” she says and showed him the paper.

He nods and took it out of her hand, wondering who could have send it. He noticed that the woman was still at the door and saw her cheeks flushing from the corner of his eye.

“Was that all?” he asked her with a neutral voice. But he smiles in his mind, knowing that he only wears his long but tight X-Bionic underwear for upper and lower body. And they are skin tight.

The woman looks at him quite shocked but salutes quickly and turns around to leave again.

Stephan smiles and closes the door. He opens the paper and began to read it.

His smile vanished as he came to the end of the note and walks over to the radio and picks up the microphone.

“Get me Hauptfeldwebel Diesberg on the line.”

Afghanistan, somewhere in the mountains near Kabul; 2023 Anno Domini

Stephan was on his way out of the mountain he and hundred other soldier call home today. He is wearing his armor already, rifle and sidearm loaded and ready, his magical machete at his side. The mountains of Afghanistan are connected with each other via a network of tunnels. The Taliban and the ANA are now working together with the European army to protect the borders from Celestia’s army, and they did a hell of a job this far.

Now something has changed. Stephan was the first one in the European army who got the news first hand. Hell, he SAW it happen it. The Royal Guards had sent a giant airship to attack the rest of the human army and to crush the ponies who dare to help them in the Middle East. The city of Herat fell within the day, even with thousands of people fighting for it, it fell due to its new weapon.

Potion Clouds.

They threw everything they had, but nothing they had on hand could pierce the shield that was covering it, along with a few dozen Potioneer Ships, the entire city of was swarming with ponies. But the defenders were fighting hard, slowly pushing them back. Stephan himself was flying in route to the city, along with an entire convoy of tanks and vehicles.

He saw it happen right before his eyes. The giant floating ship, Flying Goddess, unleashed its new weapon upon the defenders. Slowly, spewing from the ship, was purple clouds. He ordered the convoy to stop, the feeling of dread filling his soul. He watched as the clouds covered the entire sky around the city, he heard over the radio the confusion on what was happening.

The few pony allies within the city cried out over the radio when potion fell from the sky, covering their allies, changing them before they were cut down by the very people they were trying to help. People stuck outside transformed, instantly giving the Royal Army ground troops, buildings were invaded and people dragged out into the rain. Stephan could only look in horror as he saw people within the few vehicles they got on hand to flee the potion laced city. Out of the 104 ponies that were sent to support the city, only a scant 12 made it out. The others were cut down before they could escape.

It would haunt Stephan for several days, the screaming before it transformed into sounds of laughter and voices calling out thanks for ‘saving them’.

Because of this situation, Commander Marcus Renee, the actual commander of the UN/PHL Task Force, was called to be informed. Instead, he was called to Boston, and to bring as many of his men and equipment as he could, ASAP.

Stephan was told that new weapons were being brought forth, their own weapons to be enhanced, and the finally find a way to stop the barrier itself; if only temporarily. Renee knew that he had obligations in the Middle East, but they were finally going to strike back now, information was coming in that the Tyrant was going to sweep into America, take as many UN commanders and leaders as she can, and break the back of the resistance.

Besides...New and improve weapons, armor, and tech was always a good thing.

Stephan grins. He did a lot to keep the European army together under his command, and even refused to come to America in the first place to not lose his connection with his men and women under his command.

And now, America calls for help. Of course, he can’t refuse this time. He knows that when America falls, one of the last few countries free from Celestia’s madness on Earth will fall, and with that, the last hope of winning this war. If the Americans fail, what chance did the rest of the world have?

He walks past some soldier who running around, giving orders or carrying them out. Stephan saw on young man working on his weapon and he stops when he saw Stephan. He rose from his box and salutes. “SIR!”

Stephan holds in front of him and musters him. He was not older as eighteen years, his face still of that of a teen. His combat suite was a old green patterned US Army jacket and grey jeans. He also got a belly vest for AK magazines.

“Show me your weapon.” Stephan says with the typical neutral commando voice.

The young soldier quickly lifts his rifle, unloads it and offers it towards Stephan. He took it out of his hand and eyes it for a while.

It was a old AK47, a gun widespread around the globe. He could see the years on it, but the AK series is known for their reliability. He opens the chamber and pulls the trigger several times to see if the hammer works. Then he inspects the iron sights. He nods and gives the boy his gun back. “It is a good weapon. Take good care of it, and it will take care of you. Understood?”

The boy takes his rifle back and nods thankful. “Yes, sir. Understood sir.”

Stephan salutes and continues his walk and finally got out of the cave. The warm sun greets him and he had to blink a few time to adjust his eyes to the light.

Outside are many more soldiers and ponies running around, tanks and jeeps are driving around, preparing for the now coming event. He even saw Silver who carries some rifles between his hooves and with his magic. Stephan walks towards a tank and saw Peter at its side, talking to an earthpony with a pale, light grayish gold coat and a light brilliant cobalt blue.

Stephan identifies her as Sapphire Shore, a Pop star from Equestria and Peter’s actual mate. Well, again, because that is the pony with he cheated his old wife. The mare left him too, but came back since she could not stand all those New Foals in her fan base anymore. Thus she returned to Earth and found Peter again. Now she helps as good as she can, but she uses her talents as Pop star mostly to entertain the troops. Still, she is a good fighter and almost never leaves Peter’s side.

“Hey, Peter. Hello, Sapphire. How is it going?”

Peter salutes quickly and Sapphire does the same. “Good this far, Major. The troops are already working and we can leave in less as twenty-four hours.”

“Good, good. How are our troops anyway?”

Peter gave Stephan an uneasy look and let his eyes run over the soldiers. “They are afraid. We never faced something like that airship before, and you know the rumors about it as well.”

Stephan nods and strokes over his chin. “Yes, I do. But I don’t believe that it can’t be destroyed.” Stephan looks at the soldiers. “Still, I guess I should talk to them. Sapphire, is the stereo equipment ready?”

Sapphire nods and points with a hove at the tank. “It is reeeaa~ady, oo~oh yeah.”

Stephan hat to suppress a smirk. He knows that she uses her sing voice in the end of every sentence to keep herself in training. Still, it is one thing to hear it out here as from behind a door which leads into Peter’s room.

Awkward moments included.

“Nice work everyone. Peter, take care of the rest. I want to leave as soon and possible.”

Peter salutes and walks with Sapphire back to their business. Stephan climbs upon the tank and takes the micro in the hand, turning it on.

“Comrades!”

His voice shouts over the entire place and everyone stops with whatever they are doing and looking at him. "We are going to fight the enemy in Boston! The sun tyrant wants to bring down the last hold of humanity! But I say, we will not let that happen! I know, many of you fought already for so long. I already heard the voices, too. That we lost our homes, our entire country. Our history, vanished under the barrier. We lost so many lives, comrades, friends, family...
But look around you! You are not as alone as you think! We have soldiers and officers from Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, and many more! You are not alone! You are all now, brothers in arms, bounded by the blood we already shed, and we going to shed in the future! All of you, every single one of you, have a history! Buildings can be rebuilt! Books rewritten! They say we lost our home? I say we have our home always with us! In the person who stands on your side! In our hearts! In all of you! And as long one heart is beating, our home and history will live on!
And today! We will defend our people! Who fled with us, trusting us that we will protect them! Soldiers! Do you want to let them down?”

Everyone was screaming in one voice. “NO!”

“Do you want to protect them, giving them the hope of a better tomorrow?! Showing them that not all is lost?! Showing them that we endured long enough?! That we are up to the challenge?!”

“YES!”

“Then let us the army of the sun tyrant greet with the fire in our hearts! Let them hear our united voice, who calls out ‘Just this far and no step further!’ Today, we will draw a line in the sand! TODAY WE WILL PUSH HER ARMY BACK! TODAY WILL BE THE TURNING POINT! TODAY WE WILL DO ONE STEP FORWARD, TO RECLAIM BACK OUR HOME! LET US WRITE A NEW CHAPTER IN OUR HISTORY! OF US! OF EUROPE!” Stephan pulls out his machete which transforms immediately into the magical claymore and holds it in the air. “WHO WILL FOLLOW ME AS MY BROTHER IN THIS FIGHT?!”

An deafening cheer was his answer. Thousands upon thousands are cheering in one voice, letting him hear that he will not march alone. He smiled and sunk his sword again. “THEN LET’S SHOW THEM WHAT THE SLANG ‘HELL ON EARTH’ REALLY MEANS! UNITED IN DIVERSITY!”

“UNITED IN DIVERSITY!” was the echo.

Stephan remained on the tank for a little longer and watched how everyone was preparing for the battle. He felt a hand on his shoulder which belongs to Daniel. Müller was standing on his other side. “Quite a speech, dude. I always knew you had it with the melodramatic.”

Stephan smiled. “They need some motivation. I gave it to them.” Stephan turned to Müller. “In the mood for a bet?”

Müller grinned wide. “Always.”

“Do you think you can hit a seven hundred meter airship with some of your Panzerhaubitze ?”

Müller let his fingers creek. “I‘m always up for a challenge.”

Stephan smiles and returns his gaze towards the soldier.

‘Today, Celestia...’ He thought. ‘Today you will learn the meaning of fear. To fear humanity. And you should be very afraid. Because I will come for you, and your minions. And I’m not alone.’

Author's Notes:

I want to thank everyone who helped to make that story possible. I never thought that it will be that long when I started it.
Thank you, Redskin and TB3 for giving me the idea for this and for the help to make this possible.
And thank you Drawdex for the help to edit this.
And thank you dear fans, for your support and your patience.
I hope you enjoy this story and who knows...
Maybe I do another one.
Until then:
Have a nice day!