Wardaddy

I don't think you understand. It's not just the criticism that's stopping me from continuing. It's how this has turned from a fanfic into a debate, something I feel is not welcome in a section titled "Fan Fiction". If this topic should be debated anywhere, it should be in the Debate Pit, not here. I mean, look at how many pages separate the last chapter from what would be the next one. Coming back here isn't a good experience for me anymore. As far as I'm concerned, the vultures can go ahead and pick this fanfic apart.

Morning had dawned over Canterlot, and once more the city awoke to scenes of carnage. Hardly any ponies were left uninfected, and those who remained were ruthlessly hunted down and killed by the hordes that roamed around. Artorius awoke, having slept peacefully, to the sounds of birds chirping and tweeting amidst the glare of Celestia's morning sun; obviously if she could still raise the sun, and Luna the moon, it didn't take much thinking for Artorius to assume they were safe. Electing to check downstairs in case anypony broke in as they slept, Artorius made his way to the stairs, clambering down until he reached the compound's kitchen. Despite the fact that the compound was formerly an ironworks which once produced the elaborate, ornate armor of the Royal Guard, it was still quite easy to navigate, and there was no shortage of a canteen, or food for that matter. Having reached the kitchen, Artorius walked in to find a rather unsettling sight. What looked like the headless and decaying corpse of an Earth pony had lodged itself in a hole between the oven and refrigerator. Artorius initially believed the Earth pony was an infected, and had tried busting it's way in, however the walls were too thick for a skull to break it, and the infected's head was blown off, leaving a gore-splattered mess. Realizing that somepony had broken in, Artorius reached for the nearest weapon; a spatula. Carefully surveying the room, Artorius searched for the mystery intruder. With the kitchen clear, he turned to face the canteen. where he found a surprising sight. Huddled in a corner of the room was a unicorn filly, sleeping peacefully in the fetal position. Her light blue coat bore traces of crystalline; Artorius was quick to deduce she was a crystal pony, but what was a crystal pony, particularly a filly, doing so far away from the Crystal Empire? Resolving that the answer would be revealed later, Artorius decided to awaken her. He carefully approached the filly, doing his best to not startle her. Finally, when he got close enough, Artorius pulled the trigger. "E-excuse me? Are you alright?"

"Herr Kapitan, a large portion of enemy targets have been eliminated. Only two remain, and one of them is armed with a bazooka". Said Koehler, reporting his kills to Stahlberg. "Good work Peter" Replied Stahlberg. "Now it is time to give them fair warning". With that, Stahlberg once more climbed up through the commander's cupola, intent on issuing a warning to the remaining two Americans. "Achtung Amerikaners!" Roared Stahlberg. "You have no chance, but you have warning! Urge your commanders to retreat now, or they will suffer the same fate as your comrades! I say again, leave now or die!" Suddenly, just as Stahlberg finished his sentence, a Panzer IV let out a HE round which struck a tree, blowing the midsection to pieces. Surprised, but equally enraged, Stahlberg turned to face the Panzer, sticking up a hand to give the signal. "HOLD FIRE!" He roared furiously, as the snowfall around him began to intensify. The sudden shot may have broken the fresh silence, but it did not shake Stahlberg's resolve. Turning to face the Americans once more, Stahlberg fixed his gaze upon the rocks behind which they hid. "It's up to you, Americans! Turn around now or perish in fire and brimstone!" With that, Stahlberg dropped back down into the turret. "Koehler, keep an eye on them. If they so much as move an arm, you fire, understood?" "Ja sir!" Replied Koehler eagerly. Satisfied, Stahlberg leaned back on his seat, awaiting the next move.

Sighing deeply as he stuffed his notepad back in his saddlebag, Artorius turned to Ace, his mind set to give the order. "Right Ace, do it. Put an arrow in his head and let's get some sleep. If we're going to escape here, we need to be rested and ready. I don't want anypony lagging behind". With that, Artorius turned to return to his quarters, not bearing even the slightest hint of remorse for agreeing to cull the body of Aces High once and for all. The Creator only knew whether he'd be a good asset to his resistance or not, but as fate had it, he would be infected, and thus decisive action had to be taken. As a former paramedic, the only thing Artorius was focused on was saving lives, and he was prepared to undertake that task no matter the risks, or the circumstances. If he had to, he would die to protect somepony. He would do anything, and he would do it with courage, honor, and bravery. It was the only thing he knew after all. Sparing a thought only for what to do in case the infected managed to break in, Artorius proceeded to lie down, before snuggling comfortably against the floor. He finally shut his eyes, allowing his weariness to take him to Princess Luna's paradise of sleepy delights.

"Max, stop the Panther please" Ordered Stahlberg, who jerked forwards slightly as Steinhauer brought the Panzer to a halt atop the hill. Flanking the Panther was a mix of Panzer IVs, as well as light armor vehicles and troop carriers, including mobile mortar halftracks which could shell the enemy as they moved. Stahlberg pushed open the turret's access hatch, intending to take a look downhill for any Americans which might be approaching their position. After standing up through the commander's cupola, Stahlberg raised his binoculars up to his eyes, craning his head to spot any hostiles. For the time, nothing came into view, however, approximately 50 klicks from their location, Stahlberg spotted the rounded rim of an American M1 helmet. Jumping back down inside the Panther, Stahlberg began relaying orders to his crew. "Koehler, turn the gun 20 metres left. We got hostiles behind some rocks. Eisenberg, load a HE shell. Let's give those Americans a surprise greeting. Schneider, pass this message around the column. Enemy infantry behind rocks, 20 metres to the left of our Panther. Possible recon unit. Engage and eliminate all targets. Fire only on my order". Collectively, the crew responded, before jumping to action. The turret creaked as it turned to face the American recon patrol. Below him, Stahlberg could hear Schneider passing his message to the other vehicles in the column, intending on ensuring that the Yanks did not make it back to their barracks to tell the tale of their presence here. "Sir, we have a lock" Said Koehler with authority. "HE shell loaded?" Quickfired Stahlberg. "Loaded and ready Herr Kapitan!" Chimed Eisenberg happily. "Good. FIRE!" Stahlberg bellowed out. His roar was followed by a loud bang as the Panther's 75mm cannon spewed death at the Americans. As time seemed to slow down, thoughts were racing through Stahlberg's head. This engagement could either make or break their mission here.

Artorius continued to examine the body, his self-designated time close to expiring. He knew the group would have to get some sleep if they were going to escape successfully tomorrow. After hearing Moonlit ask him to call him Ace, Artorius looked up at him, sighing beforehand. "Moonlit, I'd happily call you Ace if I could, but you and our friend here share pretty much the same name. If I started calling you Ace, then I'd be getting confused with yourself and the body. As our group's medic, I do like to keep a clear and working mind, so please try to deal until we leave this place, ok?" With that settled, Artorius pulled out a notepad and quill from his saddlebag, taking notes of the condition of Ace's body, compared to the condition of the infected that had imprinted themselves in his memory. Recapping everything he had learned, he judged that depending on the genes of the host, the infection's spread, upon expiration of the incubation time, may vary in terms of speed and ferocity. In the case of the host not being infected immediately, then an urgent inspection is recommended, to ensure there are no wounds, and in the case there are, that no infected blood is detected around or in it. If there is, then the host is to be killed immediately. In the case the infection does consume the host in the expected time of infection, then he/she is to be dealt with instantly, no exceptions. Having taken his notes, Artorius turned to face Moonlit once more. "Right Moonlit, I think we're done here. The last thing we need to do now is to give Ace here a treatment which will ensure he does not turn for as long as his body decomposes. For this, I will require the services of your longbow".

You two need cough drops or something?

"Easy Stronghammer" Said Artorius firmly. "If we had the choice, he would've lived. Unfortunately, the circumstances do not allow for even the smallest wounds, lest a chain reaction take its deadly toll. Now, the plan is that we should stay here for the night. I suspect there's still a significant number of infected outside. If we hold here for now, they might grow tired of waiting for us and head off elsewhere. Besides, if we stay here, we can find out a bit more about the Rage virus, thanks to our dead friend Ace here. Moonlit, I want you and me looking at the body. Dam, if you're going to look at his blood, I urge you to use full-body protection. Eyes, ears, everything. If the blood gets into your system, you can kiss your plot goodbye. Stronghammer, seeing as your the strongest of us all, I need you to keep watch. If any infected break in, I need us out of here in ten seconds flat or less. In the meantime, everypony better get comfortable. We don't leave until dawn". That night, Artorius left his post to rouse Moonlit. It was time to inspect Aces High's body. "Moonlit, come on. We need to inspect the body". Leading the way to the room where the body lay, Artorius began collecting all medical knowledge in his mind. It was of great importance that he take note of the bite wound, while ensuring the infection did not reach Ace's brain. If it did, then there was a possibility he might turn, despite being logically dead. To do that, well, there was only one thing to do. Destroy the poor colt's head. The door to the room opened, and there lay the body. Thankfully, it hadn't even started decomposing yet, but that was the least of Artorius' worries. What mattered was studying the bite wound, seeing the condition of the infected blood, and determining exactly when Ace got bitten. The latter was a hard enough task, however it depended on the freshness of the wound. If it still bled, and was swollen, then the wound was recently inflicted. However, if the wound had darkened, and did not exude as much blood, then the wound was inflicted a while ago. Looking over the corpse with great care not to miss anything important, Artorius' gaze finally found the bite wound, which was still quite fresh, indicating he had been bitten just before he reached the group. However, the big mystery was why the infection's expected incubation time of 10-20 seconds had transpired, with little to no symptoms evident from the host. "Well Moonlit, we know Ace got bitten just before he met us, but what I can't understand is why he wasn't taken by the infection. If memory serves me, the Rage virus has an incubation time of between roughly 10 to 20 seconds. Despite the fact those seconds had transpired before he could even be treated, he still did not turn. I'm struggling to understand why. None of the symptoms appear to be evident either. By this point, he should be oozing blood from every orifice, eyes, snout and all. Yet he has suffered no such symptoms. This has got to be an anomaly. Even the healthiest pony alive cannot survive infection, yet this specimen has. How, I wonder?".

Well, that's the thing. I'm actually planning on collecting all tanks in the game, researching them and selling them off to buy the next one. I don't go down just one tank line, I go down them all. I know it's a ton of work, but I'm quite happy to grind it out.

How's it going tankers! I'm starting on a fresh account, but I need some help. I'm not very experienced at tanking. In fact, the stats on my last account are borderline shite. Therefore, it would be much appreciated if someone could help train me with each tank. In the process, we could turn it into a training group for other newcomers. What do you think?

Artorius sighed deeply. He knew the answer to these questions would change the minds of his partners almost instantly. Still, it had to be said, so he said it. "Stronghammer, everypony........I'm afraid there is no cure, and it is already too late to isolate the city. Too many ponies have already been infected, and it is likely they are moving out to other places, spreading the disease as they go. Worse still, we may fight to our last breath, as the situation has it, but none of us are immune to the effects of the virus. If any of us is bitten, they have to die, no exceptions. I'm sorry, but that's just the way it is. Either you put yourselves out of your misery, or we do it for you. The choice is yours. Now, the plan is simple. We must get out of here and go somewhere safe. Personally, I suggest we head for Ponyville. They have a hospital there, as well as food, accommodation and supplies. However, if any of yous have a better idea, I'm all ears. The bottom line here is that Equestria as we know it is doomed. There is no known cure to infection, and as we speak, the infected are moving to other cities and towns, looking for more suitable hosts. Their fall is inevitable, however, our survival is not. We may not be able to save ourselves from infection, but we can defend each other and keep on running from it. That is, unless you want to die, get it over with quickly".

Making sure everypony was inside, Artorius made sure the compound was secure before revealing what was happening to his resistance. "Ok, everypony gather round, I will tell you what's going on. Black pegasus! Come on inside, I'm going to reveal the truth". Once everypony had found a comfortable position, especially Dam who was in great pain, Artorius braced himself. "Ok everypony, you're probably wondering why Canterlot is burning and abandoned, why there are raging ponies biting other ponies, and why I've gathered you here. To begin, my name is Artorius. I was formerly a paramedic at the Royal Canterlot Hospital, and two days ago I decided to retire. Yesterday, I was out buying flowers for a mare I was affectionate with, who was also my colleague......until an infected smashed through the glass doors and bit the salespony. I was able to take out the infected, but it wasn't until later that I realized what was driving these ponies mad with rage. It was, in fact, due to what every doctor and nurse in Equestria believed to be a myth; the Rage virus. The Rage virus is a disease which, upon contact with a victim's bodily fluids, infects the host and drives him into an uncontrollable frenzy of rage in a matter of seconds. The incubation time is insane; in just mere seconds a host suffers extreme spasms, before bleeding from their eyes and nose. Finally, when driven into their rage-induced state, the infected will seek other hosts to infect, setting that above all else, even self-nourishment and preservation. Here's the worst part; due to the incredibly short incubation time, one single infected can spread the disease to thousands of other hosts in under an hour. now, the myth that ran through the medical world is that the virus comes from bite wounds inflicted by changelings, and as I'm sure you all know, there was an attack a few weeks ago. After the Changelings were defeated, we began receiving patients with bite wounds. As the days passed, they got sicker and sicker, until they finally died. There was no explanation, until one day the patients woke up and started biting everypony, infecting them and starting a riot which spread to the city. Now, there is no cure for the virus, which means the most we can do is kill those who try to bite us. In the meantime, If Canterlot is not quarantined, then Equestria and life as we know it is doomed".

Link to OOC: http://mlpforums.com/topic/105712-world-war-ii-battle-of-the-bulge/?p=2903603 It was the winter of 1944, and after initially having marched their way into Eastern and Western Europe, Germany had now found themselves between two armies with one common goal; defeat Germany and put an end to fascist rule forever. With the Red Army closing in on Seelow, the German High Command formed a plan to halt the Allied advance in the west, Operation Nordwind. If the plan succeeded, then the Germans would be able to concentrate on the Soviets in the east. However, the odds were very much against them. the Allies, led primarily by the Americans, had battled their way through France and were already packing the country with fresh arms and armor. Worse still, they had complete control of the air, soundly outmatching and even belittling what remained of the Luftwaffe, and that same aerial superiority led to the crippling of German ground forces in Falaise. Still, determined to restore the initiative to Germany, Hitler refused to surrender, and thus, the Ardennes was forced to brace itself for a deadly clash of attrition between what remained of German forces in Belgium, and the full might of US, Commonwealth and Free French forces, with help from Luxembourgish partisans. In Belgium, elements of the 6th Panzer Army under Sepp Dietrich were preparing to engage Allied forces in the Ardennes. Among them was Captain Friedrich Stahlberg, commander of a Pz. V Panther. Having originally seen action on the Eastern Front, he was transferred back to the west for relief. However, after hearing that the Soviets were advancing towards Germany, the High Command placed the 6th Panzer, Stahlberg included, with other elements of the Wehrmacht in Belgium, to await the approaching Allied armies. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Captain Friedrich Stahlberg, a man well known for his exploits in the early years of the war, was stood outside his Panther, observing a mechanic that was checking over the winterketten, which was attached to his tank's tracks. With his boots sunk into the snow, and a cigar smoking from his mouth, Stahlberg remained fairly relaxed despite the situation. However, it did not change the fact he was still on high alert. US forces were approaching the army's location, and Stahlberg knew that if they caught them unawares, it would be the end of them. "All good Marcel?" Stahlberg asked the mechanic. "Jawohl Herr Kapitan!" Replied Marcel. "The winterketten is locked in and ready. Just be careful that track doesn't get shot at". With a chuckle, Stahlberg replied "I'll keep that in mind". With that, Marcel stood up from the track, taking one last look at the Panther, admiring her beauty. "Beautiful, isn't she sir?" "She's a fine piece of engineering indeed, mein Kamerad" Replied Stahlberg. The Panther was indeed a superb piece of German engineering. Even though mechanics would have a tougher job repairing it than they did with the Panzer IV, it was still a great tank to look at, and even better to command. Just then, a sergeant ran up to Stahlberg, the same sergeant in charge of a recon platoon sent out only moments earlier. "Herr Kapitan, enemy infantry spotted. They're closing on our location. General Dietrich has ordered everyone to mobilize, immediately". With that, the sergeant ran off to alert the other commanders, leaving Stahlberg to assume control. "Well Marcel, it seems I've a job to do. You are relieved". "Thanks sir, and good luck". Said Marcel, who went off to his billet, leaving Stahlberg to rouse his crew. "Quickly men! Into the tank, lets go!" With that, Stahlberg clambered aboard the Panther, ushering his crew inside as around him, the vast mix of German soldiers and crewmen rushed to their stations. As the gunner sunk into the Panther, Stahlberg made his move. He jumped on top of the turret, before lowering his body down through the cupola and closing the hatch behind him. "Right gents, we have a job to do. Max, let's link up with the others". "Ja sir!" Replied Max Steinhauer, the Panther's driver, who proceeded to start the engine and drive the tank forward, joining up with the other panzers. "It begins". Thought Stahlberg to himself. Would this be where his luck runs out, or would he live to fight another day?

But how can I? All these pages would set the new chapter apart from the first one, and even if I did post a new one, I'd get heckled further for trying to defend Twilight when she's apparently in the wrong for trying to protect her brother. There's just no point anymore. But this is not a debate. It is a fanfic, one which has been tarnished by endless arguing and flame-warfare. And if you think you were helping me, you are sorely mistaken. You were trying to force your opinion and criticism down my throat, and I refuse to allow it, especially when I believe Twilight was harshly mistreated, to the point where one could argue she was left to die. I mean, if Chrysalis had killed her, then Celestia, the Mane 5 and Shining would be on their knees begging for forgiveness. And all around them, Equestria would be burning because of THEIR MISTAKE. By refusing to take that into account, you are just as foolish and naive as they were. Good day indeed sir, I hope this is the last time we ever cross paths (for a while anyway. I will apologize someday, count on it)

Oh ,so that's it? After everything I've said, you expect me to simply drop my luggage and adapt?! Let me tell you something, mate. You can't force people to accept your opinion, no matter how bloody good you crack it up to be! Everyone's got their own opinions, heck, for a time I believed when Twilight became an alicorn and a princess 5 seconds apart, Hasbro had jumped the shark by a long mile. Nowadays, I now believe it was the right decision, but that's because it wasn't FORCED on me, like you've been doing! In fact, you almost succeeded! Now, go back to the last chapter and see how many pages have been made since then. That is, if it helps you to understand the damage you have done.

@ No, you and EquestrianScholar have done enough damage. Just look at the pages since the previous chapter. It's nothing but discussion and flame warfare. I just can't go on, another post will land me in much hotter water than before, and I can't have that.

I didn't want to do this, but it seems that given the state of the thread as it stands today, I cannot go on. EquestrianScholar, Dragon Master, you may have won this battle, but I will always be convinced Twilight can be vindicated. Therefore, it is with great regret, but also steadfast resolve that I declare this thread closed. You may continue to write in this thread if you wish, picking apart the remains of the corpse you have killed, but just know that all I was doing was expressing my opinion, and if I should be condemned for that, then so be it. I just don't care anymore, this thread will be thrown to the dogs for all the good it did.