Part 4
Valrek got back to his palace, Amelioration, and told the Vanguard the news. He remembered that he needed to thank Ironhoof for training them in case of this. And he needed to thank Geartail for the armor and weapons. That night, he announced the news to all of the Vanguard, and sent word to the others that aren't at Amelioration. War was declared.
The news spread like a wildfire throughout Equestria. And many ponies began to prepare for the worst. Most bought extra food, just in case. Others fortified their homes. There was also panic among some ponies, for there had never been a real war in the known Equestrian history. The panic soon calmed, for there was calm for two and a half weeks before the war showed itself.
"Are you sure we should be out here?" said a nervous Fluttershy. "With this war, anything could happen!". Rainbowdash flew over and plucked her out of the tree she was hiding in. "Yes, we're sure. Nothing has happened so far, and I honestly don't think anything will happen. Also, I don't believe locking yourself up in your house for a week on end is good either.". The others chuckled. They were not worried about the news that reached them over two weeks ago, for they didn't believe it would really come to that. So they decided to have lunch at the edge of the forest, and have a day to relax. "Now, who wants to have some of Granny smith's apple pies?" announced Applejack, uncovering a delicious-smelling basket of pies. "Me me me me me me me me me!" cried Pinkie pie, as she ran over and devoured a whole pie, and picked up another just as Rainbowdash flew over and took it from her. "I think she brought them for everybody, Pinkie." she said as she set the pie down on the cloth they spread out on the grass. "Oops, sorry. I was just craving some of those." said Pinkie pie. "Don't worry, everypony. I think there is enough for us all." said Twilight Sparkle. "She would have anticipated a hungry Pinkie.". "She's right, I brought enough for all y'all, even Pinkie pie.". They all laughed. "Well, I just hope this time she tries to eat with some manners. I just groomed my mane." said Rarity, looking at Pinkie pie gobble down a pie and reach for another. "Aww, but that's no fun! I'll eat over here, so you won't get pie'd by my pie.". They all sat down and had their fill of the pies and some carrots Twilight brought. Then they began talking. "I am so bored most of the time... These Guards here are always telling me to slow down, be careful, don't go here, don't go there... When this whole war thing is just going to fizzle out!" said Rainbowdash in an irritated tone. "They're just doing their job, Rainbowdash. I'm pretty sure they will go away soon. I just wish my brother were stationed here. It would be nice to see him again." said Twilight. Fluttershy squeaked and hid behind Rarity. "What are you doing? You nearly scared me to death!" Rarity said in an exasperated tone. "I-I saw something m-move in the trees..." Fluttershy stammered. "It's probably just a squirrel, don't be such a scaredy-cat." mocked Rainbow. "But I'll check it out if it makes you feel better.". She then flew lazily to the tree line, and into the trees. At the same time, three armed Guards flew by on a patrol, and said "There she goes again... Let's get her out of there...". They flew into the trees, after Rainbowdash, saying "Come on, get out of there. Nopony is allowed in here.". Then there was a loud *crack*. All of the ponies' heads snapped in the direction of the sound. *crack crack*. They were now alarmed. "Rainbowdash! Get out of there!" they yelled repeatedly, afraid for their friend. *crack crack*. They got up and started yelling louder for her, then *zzzip, pop* something flew past them, and hit a branch behind them, splintering it. And just then, three ponies came flying out of the forest, with panicked expressions. "RUN!" They yelled. The five ponies quickly obeyed, seeing Rainbowdash in front of the two Guards. They raced towards the town, and stopped at Twilight's library, then stopped to catch their breath. "Weren't there three of you that went in to find Dashie?" panted Pinkie pie. "yeah, why-" he stopped. "Where is he?" yelled the Guard. "I don't know, I lost track of him when... They began shooting...". The ponies gasped. "D-does that mean-" Fluttershy said before she fainted, along with Rarity. "Dear sweet Celestia... And we all were just talking about the war not even coming." Twilight whispered. "C'mon girls, we have to tell somepony what happened.". The guards went off to tell their commander. Rainbowdash told the mayor. The other ponies brought Fluttershy and Rarity inside of Twilight's place to wake them up.
They later found out that the shooters in the forest were Vanguard scouts. And the body of the fallen Guard was recovered, after a thorough search of the area proved it safe, for now.
News of the first shots of the war reached Valrek, and he was not pleased with it. "What were you thinking?" he said loudly to the squad of scouts. "Now Celestia can use this to make us seem horrible. Now, who fired first?" he stared at each one of them, and one of them spoke up. "The Guards fired first,sir." he said. "Yes sir, we tried to hide, but they spotted us in the brush, and tried to shoot us." another said. The rest agreed. "Oh really now? Let's see how this goes, then. I apologize for jumping to conclusions.". He turned around, and went to his room.
"Did you hear? The Rebels murdered a Royal Guard!" said a teal pony. "No way! You're joking, right? Because that isn't funny." responded her maroon and pink friend. "It's true! Haven't you read the news? Celestia herself announced it.". Rainbowdash and Twilight Sparkle were walking down a street in Ponyville, trying to calm Rainbowdash's nerves. "So, what happened in there? If I may ask." asked Twilight softly. "I don't really know." said a stressed Rainbowdash. "It all happened so quickly. One second I'm looking for a squirrel or whatever could have made Fluttershy scared, and the next-" she took a deep breath "- and the next, Guards and rebels are shooting at each other. I didn't know what to do until a Guard shoved me and told me to get away from there.". Ever since the incident two days ago, Rainbowdash seemed to space out a lot, as of in deep thought. It caught her friends' attention, and so Twilight decided to help, and see what was on her mind. But she said something surprising before Twilight could ask. "I've been thinking about joining Celestia's Royal Guards...". Twilight's jaw dropped. "You do understand that you may not come back." she said softly. "Applejack also wanted to join... But I looked into it and the Royal Guard is being restricted to just Canterlot. Celestia is making an army now, and a sky force too." Rainbowdash said. This surprised Twilight even more. "Wha-" she started to say, but Rainbowdash interrupted her, "Fluttershy asked about it too- because she can help medically. She does have a skill with healing.". Twilight's head was spinning. Rainbow? Applejack? Even Fluttershy? Who's next, Pinkie Pie? She didn't know what to say. Her friends were going to fight... And maybe never come back. She had to go home, to settle her nerves. But not before asking the biggest question in her mind. "Why? Why do you want to do this? You may never come back..." she said sadly. "Somepony has to do it. If everypony thought and did the same thing, then we would not stand a chance. We need to defend ourselves, and not let the rebels get away with this.". "But- Fluttershy? She can't stand a drop of blood, let alone battle wounds!" exclaimed a distressed Twilight Sparkle. "I think I can do it, if it helps." said a voice behind her. Twilight turned around and saw a nervous, but confident Fluttershy. "W-when are you signing up?" stammered Twilight. "We were actually going to meet here to go together, and AJ should be here soon. Just then, Applejack walked towards them, along with Big Macintosh. "Y'all ready t- oh hi Twilight, why are you here?" she said. "I was just talking to Rainbow, and I just found out what you are doing. Why didn't you tell the rest of us?" she said, getting upset. "We were going to, but thought that you might talk us out of it..." said Fluttershy. "We have made up our minds, and we're stickin' to it." said Applejack, trying to hide her nervousness. Then, reluctantly, Twilight said "I guess I'll go with you, just to be there for you.". They agreed, and walked over to the recruiting building. It used to be a Post office, but was converted for recruiting purposes just yesterday. The Post office was moved to a different building, closer to the east of town. When they were on their way, they were surprised to see that there was a long line of new recruits. They waited in the line, Twilight off to the side to show that she wasn't actually in line. When they got to the tables set up in front, Applejack, Rainbowdash, and Fluttershy told what they planned to do, signed, and went to Twilight's library. Twilight sent spike to get the others, to tell them, and to say goodbye, for they chose to leave for training tomorrow. When they arrived, they all looked at each other quizzically. "What could be so important that you have to make me leave in the middle of making a dress for Cherilee?" said a slightly irritated Rarity. "Umm, Cherilee left town last week, we don't know where she went, Rarity. But back to the point- the reason why we're meeting here is to say goodbye to Applejack, Rainbowdash, and Fluttershy." said Twilight sadly. The two other ponies stared at her, and Pinkie asked "Where are they going?". "We signed up for Celestia's military. And before you say it- we didn't tell you before because we didn't want want you to talk us out of it." said Rainbowdash, trying to hide her nervousness. "What? I...I don't know what to say..." gasped Rarity. Pinkie's jaw dropped. She shook her head quickly and said "Will you come back?" she said. "We will try. But we can't guarantee it." said Applejack. They explained to the others their reasons, and Applejack went to say goodbye to her family. Fluttershy went to say goodbye to her animals, and left them in the care of Twilight. They went to bed, and woke up to go to the train station at 8:00 AM. They said their goodbyes, along with many more recruits. The train left, taking them to train. To become soldiers.