My Little Pony: Civil War

Comradeship. It's a wonderful thing to have with soldiers fighting for the same cause, but are two different species. In our time being under the command of the 5th Cloudsdale Regiment, Ponies began to open up and pursue friendships with the Griffons. Some mare-soldiers can be seen flirting with griffon tercels. It warms me to see such relationships.

In times away from the thunder of battle, hygiene is important among our troops. Out of my uniform and carrying a bar of soap and a bath sponge, I was heading toward a pond near the outskirts of Ponyville, "Oh? Going out for a bath, are you? Care for me to join you?" offered Valiant Charge. I grinned, and nodded to her offer as she readied herself too

I received a notice from Corporal Gabby since she still does her mail-delivery rounds that Valiant Charge and I are to receive promotions for our bravery at the Battle of Overland Hill. Honestly, the credit should go to those Ponies and Griffons that fought, and bled the ground red that day with their blood and sacrifice. They are the true victors of the battle

"C'mon, Blackjack!" cheered Gilda

"Yeah! The water's great!" cheered Gabby

"Alright now, simmer down, I'm coming," said the Captain in the 12th Canterlot on the edge of a rock at the pond. She dipped a hoof in, and she grinned to the griffon-soldiers before she jumped in the water in what some call a 'cannonball'. They cheered, and swam up to her to play tag, and other forms of merriment that come with a trip to the lakes.

It is a good time to be a 'Bluecoat'. The tide of the war is turning in our favor. Some of the 'Top Brass' won't admit it, but I do believe these Griffons played a most crucial part in the turning of the tide. Blue Belle will be promoted to 'Major'. I'll be promoted to 'Lieutenant'. That means we trade our sabers for the hallowed 'General and Staff Officer Sword'.

"Good evening you mares and hens, mind if we join you?" Blue Belle asked, it was a more informal time of the evening as one cannot exactly stand to attention when your neck-deep in the pond. The water sloshed, and trickled as the two griffon-soldiers and the unicorn officer swam to the sides to give us room while we put down the soap and sponges.

"After you," Valiant Charge insisted

"You're too kind, Big Val," I smiled back

I went to the edge of the rock, and I dived in with what Griffons call a 'swan dive'. My flanks do give me a big splash. I can't do anything about them. As I gave room for Valiant Charge, she stood up on her back hooves with her back to the water. She raised her front hooves to shoulder height, and fell back into the water with a big splash to our cheers.

We cheered, and laughed above the water and played games below the water. Ponies like me, Blackjack, and Valiant Charge maybe officers, but it doesn't mean we lack a sense of amusement. I swam underwater, and surfaced at the rock to grab the sponge and soap. We swam to the shallower waters, and began to lather and scrub each other the soap.

You can count on Griffons to give the very best in back scratches "Oh...that's the spot" I purred feeling Gilda scratch a spot that I have trouble getting to with a back-scratcher. Gabriela and Gilda are some of the bravest among the Griffon-Soldiers. I'm going to put in a recommendation to have them promoted to 'Sergeant', and receive the NCO swords

"Congratulations on your promotion," said Gabby

"Actually that reminds me," I replied, smiling

I dipped myself underwater, and surfaced to wash out my pelt and my mane "I put in a recommendation to have you and Gilda promoted to 'Sergeant' on behalf of the valor you two show in our recent battles, it's clear that the other Griffon Troops look to you two as leaders and as inspiration, if they say 'no', then they'll deal with me and Valiant Charge"

A soap-covered Valiant Charge dipped herself underwater to rinse herself with her tail and flanks slightly breaking the surface. She swam up to Gilda and Gabby"I think it will go through in the processing, if the top brass say 'no' we'll defend you or both yours and our behalf, you can count on it" said Valiant Charge, that is now 'Lieutenant Valiant Charge'

"I believe we will start seeing more volunteers as this war presses on, those Rebel-Ponies can be so stubborn that even mules will turn their muzzles up at them" said Blackjack as a jest. We all chuckled as we got out of the water, and we all did a 'shakedown' to get the water out of our fur, and head back to the camp for supper, and to call it an evening

It was 'Picket Stew' that evening "Lovely"

"Still, food is food" said Valiant Charge

In the army, you cannot be finicky about food. Among the Pony-Soldiers, our Griffon-Troops have earned a quite few nicknames that are much kinder than what Rebel-Ponies call them. The German-speaking Griffons are known as 'Vonnies', and the Dutch-speaking Griffons are known as 'Dutchies'. It results in some scuffles, mostly with new Pony-Soldiers

It's usually me, Blackjack, Flash Blade, or Valiant Charge that has to come in and intervene and teach the younger ponies a thing or two. I will always treat my soldiers as I will treat myself. It takes time for some to adapt to changes. This war is not just a war between Ponies. This war will effect 'everyone' in Equestria, and I don't just mean 'everypony'