My Little Pony: Civil War

The board is set. The pieces are moving. Trotland and Trottingham have now sided with the Rebels. Queen Novo and her Hippogriffs have also sworn allegiance to the Rebel cause. The Griffon Kingdom has sent over 200,000 Griffons to fight for Equestria. I was summoned to Canterlot to meet with delegates with our newest ally: the Chefalien-Prench

They are known as 'Mountain Hippogriffs'. Some call them the 'Sister Species' to the Tulparian minority of Ponies. Their stallions are rugged and strong and their mares are most fair and healthy. These more Griffon-like Hippogriffs are excellent soldiers. You make a 'surrender joke' at them and they will take your words, and shove them down your throat.

"Big Billie" I smiled warmly to the delegate

"Big Belle" smiled the Mountain Hippogriff officer

'Big Billie' is Lieutenant Wilhelmina De Faucon. A friend of mine from military college. She is a white gyrfalcon mixed with a dapple-gray Appaloosa. She is my size and just as big and healthy in the flanks as they wiggled when we hugged. Chefalien-Prench soldiers wear a similar uniform to our own. Wilhelmina is an officer in a 'Chasseurs à pied' regiment

Holstered at her left side is a Model 1866 Meyers-Brevete 11mm Pinfire Revolver. Sheathed on her right is a Model 1855 Infantry Officer's Sword. The standard long gun of the Chefalien-Prench is the Model 1867 'Tabatière' Rifle and an elegant rifle in the Model 1865 Perrin Revolving Carbine. This is a well-armed and very well-trained army in my eyes.

"Thank you for coming, Lieutenant De Faucon"

"One would have thought that the Griffons would have sufficed, but it seems that is not the case" she replied as we were walking down the hallways to the throne room to meet with the Princesses. We removed our hats, and bowed to the Princesses. Our swords lightly clanked as we bowed "Your Majesties, we have come to offer military aid in this war"

"Your aid is most welcomed in this war, such a terrible war it has been" said Princess Celestia "our forces have been encountering Trottish Highland Regiments in the most recent of battles with the Rebel armies, this comes without aid from the Griffon Troops, even with their string of victories, some in the Royal Army are still not willing to see their worth"

"They attack without any Griffon Troops? Why?"

"Some among the Royal Army's officers believe that this is a 'Pony's War'," said Princess Luna, "with your involvement in this war, it will bring needed confidence to our soldiers in knowing they are not alone in this fight, though our list of allies is smaller than that of our enemy, Lieutenant, you have our permission to send troops to aid in just cause"

Within 3 weeks, the first Chefalien-Prench troops were armed and ready. They are camped on the shores of Lake Hippocampus just two miles north of Ponyville. I went over one evening to see how our new allies were settling in. They socialized with the Griffon Troops while smoking cigarettes and playing cards or going through marching and rifle drills.

"Such discipline" I said in admiration

"The true soldier fights not because he hates what is in front of him, but because he loves what is behind him" said Wilhelmina, I nodded with a light grin in agreement and went to inspect the fresh new troops. Some of my 'Big Mares' exchanged rifles with the Mountain Hippogriffs and showed them how their rifles worked and they returned the favor

Some of our Artillery-Ponies and Griffons took a keen interest in Chefalien-Prench cannons. While breechloading rifles are the norm on the battlefield, it seems our allies have made it successful in breechloading artillery as they introduced us to the 'Lahitolle' 95mm cannon and 'de Bange' 90mm cannon. It warms me to see friendship among our armies

"Look" said Gabby seeing to a Pegasus fly away

Gilda recognized the red uniform "A scout" said Gallus with a ready Colt Revolving Rifle "looks like somepony's going for a swim" I gave a small nod for him to take the shot. Private Gallus 'wing-clipped' the stallion with a shot in the back of the head. He fell from the sky with a splash into the lake. I looked to a couple 'Big Mares' and gave them orders

"Sergeant Fair Mane, Sergeant Sweet Vanilla, send out a patrol to search the area, where there's one scout there could be more" I ordered to them and they saluted. The two took a small handful of Pony-Soldiers and went to where the stallion fell. The Griffons, Mountain Hippogriffs, and Tulparian Pony-Soldiers are on their guard on orders from officers

I saw two Pegasi fly away "They got away"

Sergeant Fair Mane is a pretty ginger mare with beige-colored fur and a mane and tail of fluffy curls. Sergeant Sweet Vanilla is a fair blond in the mane and tail and has the same pelt color as Fair Mane "Worry not about it" I said to the two 'Big Mare' officers "tell our troops and our allies to eat well and rest well, we'll march out tomorrow at first light"

As the drumroll sounded on that on that morning, our troops numbering 2000 Griffons, 2000 Mountain Hippogriffs, and 4000 Ponies stood at attention. Officers unsheathed their swords and soldiers shouldered their rifles. Sergeant Fair Mane and Sergeant Sweet Vanilla saluted as did Sergeant Gilda and Sergeant Gabby "Ready at your command"

I nodded lightly to them "Forward march!"

"En avant, marche!" ordered Wilhelmina with a ready sword. Our numbers seemed to be without end as we marched the trail to the upcoming battle. Our soldiers march with confidence knowing they are getting assistance. We got word that the Rebels are camped out near the outskirts of the White Tail Woods. We now know their objective: Ponyville