The battlefield outside Camel-ot is tattered and desolate. The air is filled with the crackle of gunfire and the stirrings of giant wings. Among the endless ranks of Sniflish soldiers steadfastly guarding the castle barrier, Pohatler himself can be seen giving orders to his troops in a hoarse shout. Rather than lock himself away in the safety of the castle, the "Master Mod" has cast himself into the thick of battle like any of his riflemen. War Prince Bulbito Hamuussolini and Emperor Valon Hirohito are visible as well, directing their Andalite and Draken warriors from the front line. But the Communist Lugias commanded by Supreme Leader Stalinasian, the Paradyne platoon led by Prime Minister Kazkame, and the full might of Archie Exie's army will not allow the invading forces to push forward. At a critical moment, one Lugia spots its opportunity. Bearing down upon Pohatler, it fires an Aeroblast before pulling back as a Camel Dragoon leaps upon its neck. The Aeroblast, however, reaches its mark."I HAVE BEEN INJURED! SOLDIERS -- TO ME!"But no aid comes. The Sniflish forces are scattering. The defenders of Archie Exie are storming the castle. Camel-ot is falling. And Pohatler, its king, has fallen before it. “What? Vas ist das? These – these strange Colors! – das ist like Nothing I’ve seen before!”
“That’s because you haven’t been looking properly, I’m afraid.”
“Eh? Who are you?”
“My name is
Pohatu.”
“But – you are – you must be–!”
“Yes, born and raised in Sniflheim. But now a citizen of Archipelago Exodus.”
“Why did you not fight in mein Army? Have you betrayed your Homeland?”
“Betrayed? I love Sniflheim! Believe me, I haven’t been trying to avoid you. The first word I got of the outbreak, I set off at once to Sniflheim to seek you out, along with a few other Archie Exie citizens. I was hoping to face you and reason with you. But then I found out you’d built this castle here, and so I returned.”
“Reason with me – ha! I suppose you’re going to cart me off to be executed.”
“What? Executed! Nothing of the sort.”
“But I have lost the War. I can see this clearly. Mein great Castle… she ist overrun by mein Enemies.”
“Are you sure they’re your enemies?”
“Don’t be stupid, Boy! I’ve been fighting them for Days!”
“Well, what led you to wage the war in the first place?”
“Eh?”
“Why did you invade us?”
“Why… Das ist a stupid Question! I want to hear no more of your Foolishness.”
“Didn’t you say you were invading because this forum had gotten so quiet and boring? Didn’t you declare war on the admins precisely for letting it languish so? Didn’t you promise excitement and activity if you took over the forum?”
“Ah… was it that I said.”
“Well…?”
“What?”
“You
delivered, didn’t you? You brought excitement to the boards simply by invading them! Archie Exie has gone firmly back up in activity since you attacked. It’s still not the busiest we’ve ever been, but you lifted the forum out of its recent slump. And the war helped provide a foothold by which two new members could get established. You may not have achieved your goal of forum domination, but you’ve taken a big step in addressing the problem you were really trying to solve all along!”
“I… do you know, you’re right!”
“Now how, after all that, can you really say you lost the war? And how can you call the people of Archie Exie your enemies any more?”
“You are a very wise Man, Pohatu! Perhaps, I think, this War was not so much a Loss in the End! And perhaps the People of Sniflheim and Archie Exie may become Friends again.”
“That’s all I can ask for.”
“I shall withdraw mein Troops from those Boards I so thoughtlessly claimed for mein own! All Sniflish Soldiers will return home within a Day. And on the Border let this Castle stand, a Reminder of the Past and a Symbol of Hope for Peaceful Relations in the Fut—”
“Sir! Pohatler, sir! The Andalite Armada is in chaos-a! A ruffian-a named
Bulbs who looks-a like me has starting parading around giving orders-a, and now – badabing, badaboom! – the Andalites don’t know to whom to turn-a!”
“Pohatler-san, the Drakens would never give in to these surrounding forces. They would die rather than betray their emperor. And yet many of them submit to a new leader,
DL. He tames them with a word, and this one’s influence upon them is diminishing.”
“Are these Newcomers Friends of yours who accompanied you on your Journey, Pohatu?”
“Just as you say.”
“Then they are, perhaps, the rightful Leaders. Prince, Emperor, let your Troops go. The War, after all, is over.”
“Over-a? But—!”
“We have lost, then?”
“We did not quite lose.”
“…Well… I will go address this Bulbs-a fellow.”
“And I will speak to DL. Farewell, Pohatler-san.”
“Farewell, mein Friends. I thank you both for your faithful Aid.”
“So what are you going to do just now, Pohatler?”
“Ach! – it will be soon much Paperwork und Publicity with me. I need Refreshment first. Shall we go for a Walk, Pohatu?”
“I’d like that very much.”
“I think we shall have much to discuss!”
“Yes, yes! Here’s something I’ve been wondering about. I saw some guys with bronze armor who were jumping around all over the place and attacking the Lugias with spears. Now, am I wrong… or were those camel
dragoons?”
“The very same, Sir.”
“Well then! We
do have a thing or two to talk about…”
[/font][/right]