Ponies and the Great War

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>>27524207
Besides, look at this uniform. Looks smart on a pony.

>>27524296
This is nice.

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>>27524306
See, you say that, and you're not the one covered in mud.

>>27524207
Glad you made a new thread m8. I forgot to bump the old one earlier today.

>>27524296
Also I dig that pone. He should get a story if he doesn't have one already.

>>27524207
Link to paistbins?

>>27524367
I sit in the same trench with you, ya fuck.

>>27516515

November 19th, 1917

Last night was horrible. Well not nearly as bad as the night before, but still bad. Me and Anon couldn’t get any sleep. Each time we started to doze off we heard engine noises, and thoughts of the horrors of the other night passed before our minds. It was always just one of the patrols flying close over the base, but in our minds it very well could have been the lead bomber in a squadron come to finish the job they started. I’m so tired… I don’t know how much more of this my mind can take.

On the bright side I completed my mission, though it almost got me killed… I think. At the crack of dawn, I was set forth on my mission to find the enemy aerodrome. I was unlucky because it was bright and sunny today, without a cloud in the sky. On a side note it’s starting to warm up, and the snow is melting rapidly. Anyway I soared as high as I could when I crossed the lines. The front looked so calm from way up high, almost like it was a great dirt road cut through a field. Once I got to the other side I found a nice forest and went in for a landing.

I had a plan today. I figured that it wouldn’t be a good idea to go flying around looking for a hornet’s nest on a cloudless day. So instead I’d let a hornet come to me, and I’d follow it back to its nest. I settled down atop a tree, and made myself comfortable. Maybe a little too comfortable at points, because it seemed like time passed quickly. I think I dozed off a bit. But, regardless, I heard what I needed to hear after a while. The unmistakable sound of an aircraft’s engine. It was a recon plane returning from a run.

>>27525819
I began to tail it from below and followed it for quite a while. A lot farther than I’d have thought I’d need to. Maybe thirty kilometers past the front. Eventually I saw where it was going. An absolutely massive complex, maybe three times our little aerodrome’s size. I had to quickly duck down into a little group of trees not to be seen. There were enemy planes everywhere. Fighters returning from patrol, while more went out. They flew North, South, and West. This thing was obviously an important airbase for them.

It was difficult getting any good photos since I couldn’t risk flying very close to it. Instead what I did was I took photos from afar, and photos of the surrounding land marks so we’d have an idea of where it is on maps. All the while I was constantly worried I’d be spotted and, well, killed on the spot. Or worse I’d be like that German the other day, and suffer for a while before dying a horrible death. But that didn’t happen obviously. Still I can’t help but think such things when I’m so far away from safety.

When I got back to base the Commander was overjoyed that I’d succeeded. He said he was putting me up for a medal for my bravery and stuff. I guess I should be honored, but it doesn’t mean much to me. I did what was asked of me, like always. Still, I haven’t seen Commander smile like that before. He swore that the base was on top of their bombing list now, and that we’d be giving them what for soon enough.

>>27525827
Sometimes I wonder if there might be a pony like me over on their side, doing the same thing I’m doing. I wonder what would happen if we were to meet, what they might treat their pony like. I wonder if I’m alone, if this is really my fate. To be the only Pegasus in this whole land. I wonder if the imaginary pony on their side is just as scarred by this whole thing as I am. If they’ll ever be able to live with themselves properly again. I wish there was another pony, but I guess I’ll have to make do with Anon, and all the other humans here. They’re alright, really, most of them are. I just think they get angrier than ponies do sometimes, and more violent.

Me and Anon had drinks with the recruits again. We drank to my successful mission. And we drank to the ghost of Oliver, and Cyril’s missing arm. Cyril will never have to come back to this hell, but he’s in his own hell now. The recruits are still taking it all rather hard. They all got so smashed, none of them could walk back to their tents. We, the soberer, had to help support them on the short walk back to their beds. They were funny in a sad way, how they still think drinking will make them forget or feel any better. The one, Edward, he cried on me on the way back. Bloody emotional wreck.

They need to learn to laugh at the horrors of yesterday to try to dispel the inevitable horrors of tomorrow. No doubt there will be more than enough tragedy tomorrow, so why weigh your mind down with the tragedy of yesterday?

>>27525841
>All throughout tonight’s session Gale has been yawning.
>It’s still rather early, only 9:30.
>But it’s been a very long day for the both of you.
>It’s been hard for you to focus on writing, feeling like you’ll doze off at any moment.
>You lay down the pen and turn toward her.
”Eh Gale?”
>She rolls over on her cot.
>”Mhmm?”
>You yawn again.
>Seeing you, she does the same.
“Don’t suppose you want to go back to the pub and get bloody drunk?”
>She chuckles a bit, calling your bluff.
>”Not unless you bring the pub here. Not leaving this bed for anything…”
>She rolls over, away from you.
“Heh not even another bombing run?”
>You blow out the lantern.
>”Be better if a bomb hit me, than I wouldn’t have to deal with waking up ever again.”
>You walk over to her cot.
“Ay, that sounds bloody nice. Want to make some room for me?”
>She moves over a bit.
>As you lie yourself to rest she rolls over to face you.

>>27525855
>She’s whispering again.
>”When I was at their base, trying not to be seen, I was thinking about you. About what might happen to you if I didn’t make it back.”
>You hug her.
“What did you think would happen to me?”
>”That you’d be sad, that you might come looking for me, that you might get yourself killed trying.”
“So I might. But it’s what I’d have to do.”
>”Why would you have to?”
“Because I couldn’t live without you.”
>”But you could.”
“I wouldn’t really be alive if you were gone.”
>You felt her press herself closer.
>Her head shift.
>Her lips press against yours.
>You pressed back, returning the embrace.
>It felt natural, like you’d done it a thousand times before; but this was the first.
>The gentle kiss lasted a few moments before she pulled away.
>”If I die… don’t get yourself killed Anon.”
“I can’t promise that Gale, you know that.”
>"I know... But I don't want you to die because of me."
>You don't have an answer.
>She turned over; you wrapped an arm around her midsection, holding her close.
>Sleep came easier tonight.
>But the occasional sound of engines in the distance sent a shiver down your spine.

Sweet.

>>27525336
The Journal of Morning Gale:
http://pastebin.com/XCJapptj

Human Superiority's pastebin
http://pastebin.com/6c99BZCf

I don't think there are any others, but please correct me if I'm wrong.

Anyway, G'night y'all. Enjoy the update and stuff.

I don't think we can keep this thread up.

>>27526591
The problem is about half the people lurking here don't say anything. Would probably help the writefags a bit if we threw a few ideas around.

>>27527021
Maybe they're afraid to disturb the writefags, discourage them, or they are plain lazy. There is a third option. I'd write my own green, but I'm literally afraid of doing so.

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>>27527358
Post that shit up. That's an order.

>>27527926
No english enough comrade sir.

>>27528273
I'll be very honest with you. My absolute favorite pastime, aside from reading normal fanfic, is reading fanfic written by non-native English speakers. It just is. Please, don't feel you can't English well enough for this, because you can. Besides, how else will you be able to English better in the future?

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>>27524207

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I found this alt history pic and haven't had a chance to post it any where so here you go

Man, now you guys make me want to write something just so the thread stays active. I'm trying to think of something semi-original, at least.

>>27528273
Let's see it! Donut Steele in WWI, on the front lines? Who cares if there are a few incorrect words.

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>>27530367
>No Eddystone Enfield
WHY DOES THIS BOTHER ME SO MUCH

>>27530896
Do it m8.

>>27530367
This picture triggers me a bit. If this is a civil war, why issued equipment is diverse? Shouldn't they all use the same stuff?

>>27525873
November 20th, 1917

Today was another day, nothing particularly special happened today. I woke up at the normal time, was given my usual mission of spying on the lines, took off at my usual time, and returned at my usual time. I mean yes, I witnessed more death and destruction today, but that’s just the usual in this hell. Commander did mention to me that our bombers would be doing their work over the coming days thanks to my intel. Yay me, pointing the way for more death and destruction as always. I never really thought about it like that until Commander mentioned it to me, that without me they wouldn’t be able to launch the bombing strikes. I am an arbiter of death. What I take pictures of gets destroyed, and whoever is there at the time of destruction is killed. I don’t like this thing I’ve been forced to become.

The salvage job at the base is going slow and steadily. Anon and the other mechanics were busy all day trying to pick out useful parts from aircraft damaged in the bombing raid the other night. Most of the useful pieces were crated up to be brought to our new aerodrome. Some were left out for the planes that might need them over the coming week. Though it’s unlikely we’ll need many spare parts. We barely have ten functioning fighters after that raid.

The recruit’s training has taken a serious setback. Their instructor was one of the casualties, so Commander has been having a few of the other pilots instruct them. They aren’t nearly as good, barely better than the recruits themselves. At least that’s what Pat tells me. We had another round of pool in the pub today after their classes. He and the other recruits aren’t very fond of most of the other pilots. Probably because the other pilots aren’t very fond of them. Though they do hold a certain amount of respect for our ace Freddy. They say he’ll be doing lessons tomorrow. I think I’ll drop by for that if I’m back in time.

>>27535670
>”That’s about it for tonight, Anon.”
>She’s been sitting on the ground next to you while she dictated tonight.
“Glad to hear it was a boring day today.”
>”Yah, I like these kinds of days the most.”
“Ay, the simple days…”
>There’s a moments silence as you recline back, stretching your back.
>”Anon.”
“Yes Gale?”
>”I’ve been thinking about what I do. How I’m a spy and all.”
>You look over to her, seeing she’s got that downcast expression about her again.
“What’s the matter dearie?”
>”Well Commander said that if it wasn’t for me they wouldn’t know where or what to bomb. That I essentially pointed to what we should destroy, to who we should kill.”
>You know where this is going, and you don’t like it.
>You get down and sit next to her.
>”People will die because of me. Because of the pictures I took, and continue to take every day.”
>You pet her back, between her wings.
“Don’t beat yourself up too much Gale. Your pictures also save a lot of live too.”
>”Yah, but they also cost the Germans their lives. Are they really any worse than us?”
>You sigh.
“No, no they aren’t… But it’s a matter of them or us.”
>She lies herself low, head resting on the ground.
>”I don’t want to be a part of this. I used to think my pictures just saved lives… but they are just used to keep more of our people alive and kill more of their people.”
“Ay, but I can say the same thing with the planes I fix. If I didn’t maintain them, they would be shot down more, and we’d lose more of our pilots. But because I do fix them, and fix them properly, our pilots have a better chance of shooting down their pilots.”
>She rolls such that she’s facing the opposite wall.
>”We’ve got blood on our hooves… hands… all over us. We’ll never be clean. We’re horrible, every one of us. We’re all monsters for participating in this – this - this thing!”

>>27535691
>You lie on your back next to her.
“Funny… because we don’t act like monsters, you and I.”
>”That’s because we’re just little pieces of the monster that this whole war is.”
“is there a way not to be a monster in your mind?”
>”By not being a part of it.”
“You know as well as I that we’d be executed if we deserted.”
>”I know… I just want it to end.”
“It will one day, it has to eventually.”
>She chuckles in a grim way.
>”Yah, when everyone is dead. You. Me. Pat. Freddy. Everyone here. Dead. That’s when it will be over, only when there’s no one left to die.”
“You know you’re awfully grim Gale.”
>”And I don’t understand how you can’t be Anon.”
>She turns back to facing you.
“I don’t know either. I guess I’ve just found it better to try to not think about it as much as I can. It helps a lot when you’re here with me though.”
>”Thanks for listening to my morbid ranting.”
>She went in for a hug.
>You hugged her back.
“I like your rants… you remind me I’m not alone in this all.”
>You move your head closer to her, pressing your lips against hers.
>Your embrace lasts a few moments before you pull apart.
>”Glad to have you too.”
“So, reckon we get some drinks? Still have over an hour before curfew.”
>She’s already getting herself up and stretching.
>”First rounds on me, you got next?”
“You better keep up.”
>”Don’t think that’ll be a problem.”
>She offers you a hoof.
>With a bit of help you hoist yourself up.
>That night you and Gale got mighty drunk.
>So drunk neither of you noticed when the patrol planes flew overhead.
>It’s nights like these, cuddled together, that provide the only real escape from the horrors of the day.

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Well the pastebin has been updated.

Also, since there is a lot of physical interaction between Gale and Anon, I just wanted to clarify my idea of the size of Morning Gale compared to Anon. I imagine Gale to be the size of Red Heart in this picture relative to Anon. You know, just so y'all have an idea of what I imagine when I write this stuff.

>>27514948
>you hear shuffling everywhere
>no idea what the hell's going on
>voices, you hear voices in the dark
>you can't for the life of you place the accent
>their English is a lot more crass than yours
>but, at least you can understand them
>they seem to be chatting quickly about someone
>"Not much we can do, she's lost her front left leg."
>"What about her friend? That... thing?"
>"Dunno what more to do with them either."
>Another voice speaks up, this one sounding broken, but with an all too familiar accent
>"Oi... if you lot... don't save my mate... There'll... be HELL to pay..."
>the voices continue to chat and argue as you go back into the void, unaware of who was speaking

>>27536258
Oh! Did they get blown into Equestria? Tension.

im supposed to write in my other thread today. but im feelin like i need to get my WWI fix.

green incoming soon!

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>>27537684
Loose lips sink ships now!

Sorry they're getting short, time's not been on my side for a while.

>>27535702
>“You know as well as I that we’d be executed if we deserted.”
How so? I know Anon is a soldier and all, but Gale? She's a magical flying horse from who knows where and she'd be executed for desertion? Harsh.

>>27538964
I take the example from All Quiet On The Western Front when Detering deserts and is subsequently court marshalled and presumably executed. I also just have a general assumption that WWI disciplinary was brutal. Mostly from the movie Paths of Glory. But mostly the line is a plot device to keep Gale from ever acting on her desire to run away. Sure she's thought about it, but I want to ensure that there really is no option of escape for her. Perhaps it wasn't necessary in retrospect since she has a devotion to her friends at the base. But still. I wanted to highlight the senseless us vs them mentality that was forced upon the combatants.

>>27537990
Glad to see you back old chap!

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>>27538964
That's how the British Army functioned, same with any and all armies. It was rather brutal for anyone that an officer or sergeant disliked. Often even if you delayed a moment, a pistol was pointed at you and you were given a countdown before they either shot you or scared you into charging an enemy position.

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>>27525913
(continuing from pastebin)

>you are Rainbow Dash
>you cant help but feel a bit uneasy with all the new eyes watching you.
>making yourself as small as possible you sit down behind Anonymous
>the human that was referred to as Captain by some of the others still give you a side glance now and then
>almost as if he half expects you to disappear whenever he looks away
>and to be quite honest you wish you could.
>"Hey.. Rainbow."
>apparently whatever the Captain was talking about to the others is over
>each of the humans have got up and started to gather their assorted items up and eventually begin to spread out
>but Anonymous is still sitting next to you, and reaches down to pat your side gently
>its oddly reassuring
>"you alright?"
"Yeah, im fine. I just have a bit of a thing for being watched by a lot of other ponies.."
>or humans in this case.
>"I understand, but relax. They just aren't used to seeing anything like you before. They probably think they are going mad."
"do you?"
>Anonymous finally starts to get up and grabs his rifle
>"honestly, I wouldn't doubt it. but to tell you the truth, if seeing a magical talking pegasus is as bad as my madness gets. Im lucky"
>he smiles down at you for a moment before it slowly fades away
>"but... Rainbow.."
"yeah?"
>"things are going to get bad again.. probably worse than before. Remember the loud noises and explosions?"
>you slowly nod your head
>"well, they are going to come again, and there are going to be humans coming too. things are going to get real tough to handle soon, and..."

>you are Anonymous
>and you must be a little bit crazy.
>are you really going to ask a little horse to help you in a fight?
>you cant do that.
>instead of finishing your thought you start to walk down the trench line to find your assigned post
>Rainbow follows close behind you, her hooves clunking against the wood and smashing in the mud as she does
>"and what..?"
>perhaps it would be best if she wasn't involved at all

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>>27539775
>who knows, Jerry might see her fly off and not even think to shoot at her
>I mean who would waste ammunition on a small flying pony if they saw one?
"and- if you think you can make it, you should get far away from here."
>the words roll off your tongue before you have a chance to think about it too long
>the sounds of her hoofsteps stop
>it takes you a few minutes to notice it and you have made a pretty sizable gap between the two of you
>you look back to her and she seems to be in deep thought about what to do.
"You dont have any reason to stay here. If you leave you might very well live a long happy life, Hell. you might even find your Equinnia again."
>she smirks at the ground at the mention of her home
>"its Equestria birdbrain..."
>now she looks up smiling at you a bit
"so it is.."
>"and I don't think ill be making it back there anyway. I never even heard of Humans when I lived there, and now I see them all over."
>she kicks the mud off her hooves on the wood planks used as a makeshift floor
>"on top of that, You couldnt even remember the name of Equestria the most well known place ever.."
>your heart sinks a bit
>you cant imagine what she must be feeling or thinking right now.
>but from the tone of her voice she seems to have come to accept that shes stuck here.
>even if its not what she wants to believe
"If you plan on staying then, Would- would you mind telling me about it?"
>eventually she walks over to you again
>"yeah, I suppose I can."

>it wasnt that far to your station, waiting there for you is Incognito already re-positioning a captured MG-08 to face the Huns position
>"Glad you decided to join me Anonymous."
>he gives a short nod to Rainbow
>"and.. you too-"
>"Rainbow Dash"
>"Right."
>you look around for anyone else at your station
"anyone else defending this point with us?"
>Incognito leans against a ammo crate of German made ballistics and grenades
>"this one 'ere? nope. just us lads, and a beautiful lass."

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>>27539797
>for a second Rainbow starts to blush and simultaneously step back
>"uh.."
>he laughs loudly before patting the maschinengewehr
>"I was talking about this beauty. nah she isn't a Vickers but she is a fine piece of weaponry."
>you set down your rifle and examine the pile of grenades that were graciously left by the Boche for you and the lads
>picking one up you slide it into your belt so you can keep one on hand
"how much ammunition do we have in supply?"
>"for Gilda here?--"
>Rainbows ears pick up at the name
"Gilda? you already named it?"
>"of course I did Anonymous. I fancy knowing a pretty woman's name before I give her trigger the pull"
>he cracks a smile at his own joke amused with himself before wiping the dirt and mud off his face from a bit of trench modifications
>"but anyway, id say from a quick glace we have around a thousand rounds... maybe two?"
"if Wilhelm decides to send a lot of men at us that might not last long."
>Incognito nods
>"quite right. and we can only expect maybe one or two extra men here once everything is set and done. we are already spread thin"
"god help us then."
>"well honestly id be happy if he just decided to show up for once. maybe we could get this bloody war done and over with"
>you grab an entrenching tool from the side of the trench and hold it over your shoulder
"well... we dont know how soon Jerry will show up to the party. but we better start planning for him."
>you look over to Rainbow who has taken a mild curiosity to 'Gilda'
"so Rainbow.. Mind telling us about you home to help pass the time?"
>looking at the weapon she nods
>"yeah, I suppose I have a story or two to tell."
>she then stares at Incognito
>"ill tell you about the time my friend from flight school came to visit me."
>"Flight school huh? so was your friend a Pegasus like you?"
>Rainbow laughs slightly and takes a seat on a empty crate
>"no, she was a griffon... and her name was Gilda"

>>27539332
glad to be back.

i really enjoy this green and i hope to update whenever possible. im also rather fond of your greens.

That was a nice read.

>>27539964
I like where your story is going. It's got good pacing, and I like that character Incognito. Funny lad he is

>>27536258
Hoho Anons in horse land now! Sorry, didn't read your update until just now. Hope Anon doesn't end up like Johnny Got His Gun.

>>27541368
Hope Anon doesn't end up like Johnny Got His Gun.

>Get transported to Equestria
>Landmine has taken your sight, taken your speech, taken your hearing, taken your arms, taken your legs
>Taken your soul
>Left you with life in hell.

>How to convince Redheart to smother you with a pillow.

>>27541893
Obviously he writes with his ass.


Anyway I'm probably not going to have an update tonight. It's Friday here, meaning my one opportunity per week to have a semblance of a social life. Stay frosty people and Ponies.

>>27541893
Fuck, that's sad.

Artillery fucks everyone over bump.

A swift bump. Hope this thread lasts until I can get back to it properly.

>>27544817
With a bump like this I'm sure it will

save

>>27546885

>>27548369

>>27536258
>you finally come to
>a ceiling above your head
>there's a great warmth next to you
>it's welcoming
>familiar, even
>you hear groans
>sound like more wounded
>you can't seem to move
>"Digger, glad to see you're doing well."
>odd to hear that
>"Well is relative, mate. Pewter and Bear are still arse over tit in the trench. Had to bury their things with them."
>you hear steps come closer
>you're pretty certain you see a horse's chin above you
>"I'll admit I don't understand your practice of that."
>the familiar presence seems angered
>"You've not seem the trenches, mate. We NEED reminders of home with us."
>the two voices chatter over you
>you're not quite sure what to make of your current situation
>the horse leaves
>your suddenly pulled up
>another horse?!
>this one
>this one seems familiar
>she seems sad
>tears are welling up in her brown eyes
>"... they blew my leg off, Anon..."
>you feel yourself get pulled into a tight embrace
>"... I... you remember that promise we made to my foal about camping? Taking him into the woods one day?"
>she takes in a quivering breath
>"... how... how can I now..."
>you're pulled in again
>you feel her sobs and tears
>you're a bit upset at this
>mostly because you can't seem to move

>>27550172
We toys now guys. I'm liking where this is going.

Any good WWI films to recommend?

Already watched Flyboys, All Quiet on the Western Front, Paths of Glory, and The Blue Max. Got Oh What a Lovely War and The Red Baron in my queue. But there must be some other good ones out there. Maybe one involving tanks.

>>27551745
Check out the BBC miniseries Our War.

>>27552198
Sorry, it's Our World War

>>27552198
>>27552203
Thanks m8. I've added them to the torrent queue.

>>27550172
>Toy Story Special: Trenches ain't fun.

>>27552277
Another must watch: Passchendaele, and obviously the Blackadder fourth season.

>>27552307
Got that one in the queue now too.

And I'm sorry, but there won't be an update from me tonight. Have had a headache all day, and got little sleep last night. Will provide green tomorrow, promise!

>>27524207

>>27553023

Power is out where i am. Three bad transformers all blew at the same time.

>>27555381
Fuck.

>>27552532
If you want a WWI game, get Verdun.

Verdun is fun.

>>27555381
Damn, hopefully that didn't cause a power spike.

>>27557404
I would if I had anything to play it on. All I have access to right now is a Dell laptop from 2014.

>>27559857
That's what the surge protector is for.

>>27560498
Good stuff. I've lost some electronics to surges in the past.

Page 10 bump

Will write green soon.

Last 4 posts all me. Fuck I would let this thread die if it wasn't the place I was dumping my green.

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Everfree Commonwealth is back online.

>>27565120
Good to hear mate!

We got a heavy load of green coming soon.

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>>27565533
Huzzah!

Bump to let you know you aren't all alone, writefriends. I was drunk recently, couldn't do anything.

>>27535702
November 21, 1917

Well it was raining today. A cold kind of rain that makes flying miserable for me, and impossible for the enemy. It was a good day. A cold day, but a good day. I had the normal assignment of photographing anything important. Not much to note today since the rain has a way of freezing a lot of potential movement on the ground. The rain had an added effect of melting any traces of the snow that was left. Which is for the better anyway, it was getting muddy and icy.

Today Anon spent most of his time with the other mechanics trying to repair our fleet of aircraft. He tells me that some of them are becoming little more than patches on patches supported by nailed together splinters. I can’t even imagine how some of them are kept flying… Come to think of it I can’t even imagine how they fly in the first place. We never had anything like them in Equestria. I actually thought they were like birds or dragons when I first saw them flying around when I arrived. And I do still think they are like dragons, because they can cause so much damage and death.

I was back early enough today to sit in on Freddy’s lesson. He has an interesting way of instructing the recruits. He doesn’t use a meter stick to keep their attention, no they have too much respect for him for that to be necessary. Instead he asks the recruits how they would respond in situations. Say they were jumped from above and behind. How would they try to escape or get on the enemies’ tail. Most said they’d dive and dodge. Freddy didn’t like that answer. He’d slide in one direction, attempt a barrel roll, while trying to slow down enough to throw the enemy for a loop. This went on in several situations. How they would engage an enemy coming from directly in front, how they’d engage an enemy that is above and in front of them. Just about every scenario he could think of.

>>27566282
After Pat had put up a somewhat meager fight against Freddy I tried my hoof. He was actually a little amused, but took me up on the offer. The scenario was simple. I’m flying toward him, he’s above and in front of me, and we spot each other around the same time. I’d fly directly toward him, and down, gaining speed, making him over shoot. He’d pursue by breaking and spinning his craft around to be behind me. I’d pull up as soon as he was behind me in the dive and pull a loop to try to get him in front of me. He’d skim left and try to throw off my maneuver while pulling up. I would level out and follow his moves, trying to stay on his tale. He’d break the opposite direction and pull an Immelmann loop to fly the opposite direction as me. I’d try to follow. He told me he’d continue his loop to make me fly in front of him. I’d break right. He’d follow, and open fire. He’d hit me, but I’d continue my evasive maneuvers. He’d continue to try to tail me, firing short bursts. I’d try to make it over our anti-aircraft guns. He’d pursue until he’d either killed me, or started taking flak.

He told me I might have survived the encounter, and I thought quicker than many of the recruits in the room. I think I may have embarrassed a few of them. I also think I put up one of the better fights that day. At the end of class Freddy said there would be more lessons like that in the future, and to practice with partners. Me and Pat had a go of it tonight in the pub. Of course I gave him more time to respond than Freddy did, and he gave me time too. But of course we wouldn’t have that kind of thinking time in the air. Freddie’s main point about today was that if you panic, or can’t think under stress, you will die.

>>27566291
Around the base I’ve seen them starting to pack things up on trucks and horse drawn carriages. I won’t even begin to get into how uncomfortable the horses of this world make me feel. But there isn’t much time left until our move. From what I hear the aerodrome we’re going to is huge, and that the pilots get to stay in a chateau with real beds. I don’t know how I feel about that. Because the mechanics would stay at base. I’ll probably see if I can’t get my tent set up on base so I don’t have to sleep alone. Anon makes a good pillow.

>>27566293
“And you know you aren’t half bad to sleep next to either… But yah do kick in your sleep.”
>”And your hands like to wander.”
>She was giving you a sly look from her cot.
>You grin.
“Do you have a problem with that?”
>She rolls over.
>”Well I wish you’d spend more time on my belly.”
>You put down the pen, and stretch back in your chair.
“I think that can be arranged, eh Gale?”
>”I don’t know… between wings and hooves, it’s a tight schedule.”
“Oh I think time can be made.”
>You pause for a moment in thought.
“But you know, you’ve got to give me a back rub. I’ve been wondering what a hoof massage might feel like.”
>”I don’t think you’ll be impressed Anon. Hooves aren’t really the best for that. Now fingers on the other hoof… or hand, those do the trick.”
“Ay. I’m sure they do. But say Gale, were you serious that you would want to live on base with me, instead of in the chateau with the other pilots?”
>She rolls back to face you.
>”Absolutely.”
“Glad I’m worth living in this hell hole for. Am I the only reason you haven’t flown away yet? I mean you’re a magic horse. Even if they did catch you after you deserted, it’s not like they’d kill you.”
>She sigh’s
>”Well, again, yes. You’re about my only, or at least me best, friend in this world. I’d be lost without you.”
>You nod silently for a second.
“And I’d be too without you. Have I ever told you about my best friend before I met you?”
>”You mean Sammy? You’ve mentioned him.”
“Yah, yah, but did I ever really tell you about him?”
>She thinks for a second.
>”No, I don’t think you have really.”
“Well figures… I don’t like talking about him that much.”
>”Then why are you now?”
“Maybe because I feel like reminiscing a little.”
>You get up and a second later you’re lying next to her on her cot.

>>27566313
“Well, anyway, Sammy was my best friend from childhood. He is the reason I’m at this aerodrome to begin with.”
>She’s nodding as she shimmies closer to you.
“I used to repair his bike when we were lads. Kept him on the thing whenever he’d try to take it down a hill that was too steep, whenever he busted the thing. I had a knack for fixing his accidents like he had a knack for getting into them.”
>”Don’t tell me he…”
>She had a look of worry painted on her face.
“Ay, but he did. He went into the air corps, I went into the mechanics, and a year and a half later we were here. A little bit of whiskey and a friend in the right spot can get two pals into just about any post they want it would seem… But long story short, he died just a few days before you came along. Funny thing is he died by his own hand. He clipped his wing trying to do stunts over a church tower. I couldn’t fix the bloody idiot after that one…”
>You were looking into space, remembering better times. You felt a hoof on your shoulder, bringing you out of your reverie.
>”I’m sorry about Sam, Anon… but why’d you tell me about him?”
“Well he was my last best friend, and now you’re my new best friend… I figure I owed it to you to let you know about him.”
>”Ohhh…”
>Now she was looking into the distance.
“Gale?”
>She looks back into your eyes.
>”Do you want to hear about my former best friend Anon?”
>Now it’s your turn to put your hand on her shoulder.
“Absolutely.”
>She takes a deep breath.

>>27566319
>”Ok, well back when I was just a filly in flight camp I liked to make a lot of trouble. I’d play pranks on the other colts and fillies, and kind of mean ones too… Like I’d cut their mane at night, hide all their saddle bags, and this one time I trapped a colt in a closet for a few hours… Anyway he didn’t cry, ask to be let out, or anything I wanted him to do… I thought he’d found a way out since it was so quiet from the closet. So I checked to see if he was in there, and when I opened the door, he jumped out, and flung me across the room… But he didn’t beat me up like others had done in the past, when they’d found out it was me. He actually just sort of helped me up. It was weird. He had a crush on me, and I have to say I liked him too… after I got to know him.”
“So what happened to him?”
>”His name was Cirrus Shine, or just Cirrus. And well what happened was that we lived in different cities. So we only knew each other during summer flight camps. He liked pranking ponies as much as me… but he toned me down. Made my sense of humor less damaging to those around me. Now I just drew on ponies faces instead of cutting their manes. Just pulled fire alarms instead of starting fires. He of balanced me out you know?”
“But why aren’t you like that anymore Gale? What happened to your humor?”
>”You humans and your bloody war killed it!”
>She’s looking at you with sorrow in her eyes.
“I’m… sorry…”
>”Don’t be… where was I? Oh yah. Cirrus. Well we dated for a while. He was my first, and only… and after a while we grew distant. We stopped talking like we used to. He wanted to move away, and I wanted to stay… and it ended up being me who moved away… to here.”

>>27566335
“Didn’t you have any other friends?”
>She was looking away from you now.
>”I was a lonely filly.”
>You pull her into a hug.
”Ay, but you aren’t any more.”
>A smile creased her face for a half second, before receding into her melancholy.
>”That’s what Cirrus said too once.”
“But I’m no Cirrus.”
>”Heh, no, no you’re not.”
>You move your face closer to hers, embracing her lips in a kiss. She returns, and wraps her hooves around your neck.
>The embrace lasts longer than before.
>Eventually you separate before falling backwards onto her cot.
“You know one day I’ll want to hear the story of that tattoo you have on your flank.”
>”Yah, one day you will.”
>That night you and her slept well, plagued only by the occasional kick or stray hand.

Pastebin has been updated.

>>27565812
Don't worry mate. I've been there too, a lot.

>>27566344
Heartwarming piece of green, friendo.

Impasse captcha. Wew.

>>27566408
That's what I'm going for these days. Hope y'all don't mind that I'm turning this into a romance of sorts.

>>27566439
I personally dislike romances and I suppose I may skip through these parts, but this is just me. I'll stick around for all the fuzzy and bleak moments.

>>27566450
Do you mate. Romances and tragedies are my favourite things to write.

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>>27550172
>you sit up awake
>there's no roof over your head
>no calm nurses
>battle seems to continuously rage around you
>your ears are ringing
>you ache all over
>you look down at yourself
>other than a stench and a wet spot on your trousers, you're unscathed
>your pocket feels empty
>you quickly look about, finding Digger on her side
>the enemy shell blew here front leg clean off
>you frown sadly, remembering what you had just witnessed.
>you pick her and her slouch hat up
>she takes her place in your pocket once more
>hand to hand combat comes soon
>you manage to grab a hold of your sword bayonet
>you run the Turk through that enters your trench
>he falls in a heap at your feet
>you pick up your Enfield
>full magazine
>the stock buries into your shoulder as you raise your rifle
>your finger pulls back
>your hand works the bolt
>shot after shot is made
>fire spews from the barrel of your SMLE
>brass flies from her breach, smoking
>you go through your ten shots in less than a few seconds
>your hand automatically reloads the rifle
>two stripper clips join the brass at your feet
>once more, you manually blast lead out at the enemy advance
>Turks fall to your onslaught
>you hear whistles
>they're retreating
>you lower your rifle as you watch them run in full retreat
>you look down at Digger in your breast pocket
>she had a good view of the show
>you give a small grin, petting her little toy head
>cheers echo up and down the line
>but deep inside, something's bugging you
>can't get the images you saw earlier out of your head
>talking horses and the like
>you tenderly pull Digger out of your pocket to examine her
>you look at her open stump where her leg used to be
>slowly, you take out your sewing kit
>can't have her walking about with an open wound now
>you look at her blank flanks for a moment
>your thumb rubs the blank area for a moment before you go to your collar
>you take off your ANZAC insignias
>you carefully pin them on the blank area
>she looks much better

>>27567707
Cute. I think I see where this is going.

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>>27567790
Maybe you do, and maybe you don't. Story's not over yet.

>>27568024
Bump, for I want to find out.

>>27569104
And again.

>>27569809
Guess what.

>>27570417
ffs

>>27570417
Pineapple Lumps?

Trench bump

Camel hump.

Arbitrary bump

I am sorry, but no update tonight. Had my birthday and shit, plus not super sure what to write. I'll be on it tomorrow.

>>27576028
No worries, I'll still bump. For you and other writefags.

>>27576503

>>27577175

>>27576503

>>27572410
good guess

>>27581477
Well they are God's gift to the Kiwis