//------------------------------// // Leaving the Past // Story: Ones Left Behind // by Pon13 //------------------------------// "The weather today will be sunny spells in the morning, and overcast in early afternoon with a high chance of light artillery barrages though out the night." Pegasi battlefield weather control officer - Siege of fort Griffstone The sun makes its descent below the horizon as Jax falls a little behind in the group. Lost in the web of his home thoughts he couldn't shake the feeling of guilt. Would he flt the the same way if he pulled the trigger just a fraction sooner. The more he thought about it the more he tumbles into despair. What is he doing here? He feels as if life just starting to pull him along and he's no longer in control. Hammer Fell spots the satyr lagging behind with a lost expression on his face. Slowing down his pace, he trotted beside Jax. "I know how you're feeling right now. Trust me I've been though it, I bet the others have as well." "I'm not a soldier Hammer..." Jax gives a flat reply devoid of emotion. "I wasn't at first either. I used to be a blacksmith before getting conscripted." Jax screws up his face in confusion. "Surely making new weapons were just as useful as the soldier who used them." The unicorn feels relieved that he could get at least a conversation out of him, even though the war isn't his favorite thing to discuss with others. "Like I said, conscripted. Equestria was running out of soldiers that were able to fight towards the end," Hammer Fell thinks back to his first battles. " I was a lot like you. I know the feeling of your agency being stripped away from you by seemingly unseen forces." "What kept you going?" The satyr trying to take everything in still attempting to seek answers. "I made sure everyone I cared about survives." "That other satyr didn't survive." Hammer Fell huffs as Jax has completely missed the point "Did you know him?" The satyr furrows his brows not expecting a question like that. "Of course not." "Then sadly he wasn't your concern." Skipper who had been listening in on the conversation chimes in over his shoulder "If I could hold a musket properly, it would be of my concern." "We're not heroes Skipper. We can't save everypony we come across!" Hammer Fell Retorts. "Well we got to try! What else is there if you don't!?" Skipper snaps back. "Quit your bickering!" Major slams a talon to the ground. "Jax, there was nothing you could of done. You tried and failed. If you wan't to avoid it happening again in the future you need to be prepared." The griffon sighs as his face softens. "We all need a rest." "I agree, we do." says Hammer Fell "It'll be completely dark soon." The griffon scans the country side for a good place to camp for the night. He could make out a silhouette of a barn in the distance. "Over there, I can see a barn. At least we'll have a roof over our heads tonight." After a quick march through the dark, the barn came into view. A faint glow of light casts through the gaps in the wooden walls. Major curses himself under his breath as he should of seen it sooner. No doubt the light means the barn already has a residence. Hammer Fell already took point beside the open barn doors. A moment of hesitation from Jax he takes the other side. Hammer Fell holds up a hoof for the satyr to stay put as he ready his weapon and turns the corner. To his surprise he spots a young mare with a light pink coat and a brown mane sorting through her saddle bags. ”Excuse me ma’am..” Hammer catches her attention. The mare stumbles to her hooves ready to take flight. The rest of the group slip through the door. The mare is startled by the weapons everyone is carrying starts to panic. "Please don't..." The unicorn motions with a hoof for everyone to lower their weapons. ”No need to worry. We mean no harm. We are looking for a safe place to camp for the night.” The mare looks over the intruders, not sure to make of them. ”You do not look like the normal patrol. Well I guess he does,” she says pointing a hoof at the Major, who just huffs in response. ”No, we are not the New Union, I promise you.” Hammer fell reassures the mare. The mare gives them a once over again biting inside of her mouth as she processes the situation. After a few moments she gives out an excited gasp "You're revolutionaries!” She lets out a small squeal. "I bet your heading to the rebel camps up north! Oh this is great, I'm heading there myself! Look," She opens her saddle bag filled with medical supplies, "I'm a doctor, I'm pretty sure ponies are getting hurt up there so I can be of use." The next five minutes consisted of the mare over the idea of a uprising and why Equestria should be brought back to it's former glory. "Foals and their idealism. They all change their tune once the war machine starts turning." Hammer Fell mutters to Major who nods in agreement. Jax couldn’t wait for her to stop talking as the conversation held no value to him, he follows the wall of the barn to creep past her to find a place to rest. To his dismay the mare turns to him. ”Oh another satyr. You look just like my friend who lives a few mile's south of here. I suppose to be meeting him tonight. That idiot is always late,” The mare giggles. "Oh you'll like him, Little Bales over there, he's her big step broth-," The doctor looks at Skipper quizzically, "Why do you have Little Bale?" ”Let me handle this.” Hammer Fell quickly chimes in before any of the others could speak , he pulls out the officers orders with his magic then floats it over to the mare. "I'm sorry miss, but I believe your wait will be in vain." The mare looks up from the orders with tears in her eyes. "How, how can anypony give such an order!" Jax speaks up tucking his legs to his chest as he leans against a hay bale. "I'm sorry, I wasn't quick enough." The lead weight returns to his stomach after his half confession. The mare turns to Jax to unload her boiling emotions onto him, before she could open her mouth she felt a talon that slightly squeezes her shoulder. A gesture that sat between a warning and comfort. Still holding the mare's shoulder Major speaks in the satyrs defense. "He was the first into the fight trying to save them. With out him, Little Bale would of dead too." "I-I'm sorry." The mare mutters brushing off Majors talon. "Spring Heal?" Little Bale sleepily rubs her eyes then jumps off Skippers back. "What's going on?" "Hey, sweetie." Spring Heal sniffs and wipes away her tears. "Your new friends told me the news." Little Bale quickly runs over to Spring Heal and hugs her tightly, sobbing as her bottled up emotions floods out in tears. Some times passes within the barn, everyone found somewhere to sit or lay being on the floor or on the stored hay bales. Skipper is sat talking to Little Bale and Spring Heal, he takes a last gulp from his ale bottle before reaching for another one and pulling the cork from the top with his teeth. ”You know it’s irresponsible to drink like that in front of young ones..." Major walks over and tries to snatch the bottle but Skipper pulls the bottle away. ”My parents used to do it.” The earth pony swigs his drink in defiance. "Yeah and look how you turned out.” ”It’s nothing to do with that.” Skipper takes another sip halfway through his reply,"”You mentioned you took up teaching after the war and Hammer Fell went back to smithing. And me?” He gulps down a fair amount to drive home the point "I took up drinking." ”Leave him be, Major.” Hammer Fell speaks up from across the barn. ”We all have coping mechanisms to deal with our past. I’m sure you do too.” He turns to Jax and smiles. ”Boy, I'm sure yours will come shortly.” Jax didn't reply back, without a moments notice he scrambles to his hooves and storms out the barn. "Oh no, boy, get back here!" Hammer Fell yells after him getting to his hooves. "There will be no young angsty satyrs on my watch. "Sit down Hammer," Major is already making his way after Jax, "I'll talk to him." Leaving the barn Major spots Jax a few yards away standing motionless looking into the night. Jax hears the muffled sounds of paws flatting the grass. "What you want." "Cut the attitude." Major orders, "I know it's been hard on you. But you need to pull yourself out of this self pity." "I wish I could!" Jax throws up his arms. "I don't want to do this! I don't want to be here!" "And you think I do?" The griffon retorts. Jax turns his down and looks down at the major, tears glisten in the moonlight as they stream down the young satyrs face. "I feel so lost! Everything I know has been turned on it's head and worst of all" Jax's voice creeps up in volume "Worst of all the county that I live in wants me dead for who I am." "I almost broke a promise that's dear to me, I killed an officer, I’ve been shoved on a boat with an old enemy, and to top things off I just found out everything I fought for is leading to a genocide.” The Majors voice matches the satyrs. "It hasn't been a great for me either." "A promise?" Jax says quietly. "Yeah I... this feels like the wrong time but I knew your mother." The Major sits on the grass, "She made me promise that you'll be looked after." "You knew her!?" Jax is advisably startled at the new information. His face changes as something dawns on him. Anger flares up inside of him "You made that promise and you still tried to sell me and Hammer out to the guards!?" Guilt slowly creeps over the griffon. "I didn't think, I wasn't thinking. You started asking questions that would get you killed and I had to know where it was all coming from. And yes, I followed you to the old factory house. But once I saw Hammer Fells face..." The griffon sighs. "I let old grudges get the better of me." Jax feels mentally and emotionally exhausted. Letting his legs of limp he slumps back onto the grass. He couldn't believe Major knew his mother. The Majors actions do make sense now, the satyr did wonder why would he leave his whole life behind just to make sure Jax was somewhere safe. On top of that he easily killed one of his own so easily to protect him. "I understand you fought on opposite sides, but why do you hate Hammer so much?" asks Jax. The griffon takes a while to reply as he gathers his thoughts. "He showed me who I really am." Major looks down at the grass running his talon through the blades. "Don't let me ever catch you telling Hammer Fell this, but fighting in those tunnels against his soldiers still haunts me to this day. Not because of the bloodshed, it because that day, when I finally captured Lieutenant Lock, I realized what I monster I have became.” "What happened?" ”There’s one thing killing another, but taking everything ones got - it breaks them. When me and my troops had him surrounded, he was standing all alone over his butchered soldiers around him. It was the look he gave me when I spared his life and I was a look I’ll never forget.” Major rubs his eyes with his talons being careful of his claws. “What stood in front of me was a broken stallion. I took everything from him that day.” “Does he know you spared his life?” ”Yes he does, that's why he hates me. Look in the door there.” Major tilts his head towards the barn door. "See him watching us? You gave him something to fight for. He's worried I'll one day take that from him too." "I really don’t want you two tearing each other apart.” Jax says trying to hide his worry. "I wouldn't fret about that. Hammer is smart and very tactical minded like me, he knows if he takes me out he risks loosing you," Major stands up from the grass. "If I hurt him, I guess you'll never forgive me." Jax nods. "Then it's a stalemate." Major taps Jaxs' shoulder "Come lets head back inside." "I'll be in a minute." "Just don't stay out too long, it's starting to get cold." Major turns and heads back back in the barn. Hammer Fell watches the griffon enter without Jax, "Is he alright?" Major nods, "He'll be fine, it's been a little bit too much for the boy." The griffon says nothing more and walks past the unicorn, finding a spare hay bale he leaps on top of it , circling once around he lays down placing the bottom of his beak on his forelegs. Skipper starts to smirk at the display. "Sweet Celestia! Hammer Fells right, you griffons are giant house cats." The sailor ponies quip causes everyone in the barn to chuckle, except for Major who just grunts and turns his head. It's been a good while when Jax decided to come back into the barn. He see's Major asleep on top of a hay bale, Spring Heal and Little bale cuddled up gently breathing as they slumber. Nearby Skipper is sprawled out on his stomach snoring loudly. "Decided to call it a night boy?” Hammer Fell speaks up not bothering to opening his eyes. “Looks like it but I think I’ll be joining them soon.” He lets out a tired yawn. "Yeah, I am." Jax see Skipper start to twitch and mumble in his sleep. Major is also doing the same with his hind leg kicking off the side of the hay bale. “Hammer Fell?” Jax calls out quietly. The old unicorn cracks open his eyes to see what Jax is looking at. ”Bad dreams boy. They sold their right for peaceful dreams by becoming a soldier,”Hammer answers before giving a chuckle. "I wonder what horrors my head conjures up tonight.” Jax finds his spot that he had prior to storming out. Leaning back against the hay bale he wriggles around to get into a comfortable position and not to cause more pain to his ribs. He prays to Luna for peaceful dreams tonight as the thought of what happened recently starts to creep back into his mind. “Good night Hammer Fell.” ”Good night my boy.” Jax feels his body protest as he tries to move his back chest aches as he stirs awake. He was certain that he didn't dream last night from what he remembers. He joints pop and click as he pushes himself up into a sitting position. Raising his hands he shield his eyes from morning sun as it shines through the barn door. ”I guess we're taking them with us then.” Skipper replies to Hammer Fell finishing their heated discussion over Little Bale and Spring Heal. "You're right, we can't leave them here. I really don't think Spring is in the right frame of mind to have a filly dumped on her." Hammer eventually agree's with Skipper. ”Should we wake them?” Skipper asks looking at the mare and filly. ”No not yet. Lets wake the other two first.” ”Already wake.” Major strolls over to the others. "It's hard to sleep in when you two are bickering like a married couple." Jax stumbles over to them rubbing his eyes. "Morning." "You feeling alright?" Hammer asks the half asleep satyr. "Feeling a little better." Jax shrugs. "Good," Hammer Fell levitates the bag over, "Everyone grab a snack for breakfast, Skipper wake up the fillies.” After everyone ate, everyone picks up their bags and belongings and heads out the barn. Almost like the day before Jax and Hammer Fell is ahead of the group with Major and the others behind. As they make a little way down the road Skipper starts humming as usual with Little Bale laying on his back while Spring walks on in thought. ”You wouldn't know any songs from us griffons?” Major interrupts his humming. “That I do, you griffons do write the finest songs.” Skipper replies as a smile creeps onto Majors beak. Clearing his throat Skipper starts to sing. "Bawk bawk bawk….bawk..bawk!” Major's smile intently falls into a frown the rest group burst into laughter, even a chuckle from Spring due to Skippers antics. ”Very funny you old drunk.” Major stretches his wings out, ”I’m going to make myself useful and scout ahead.” With that the griffon zips up in the air. ”You know who you keep on insulting right?” Hammer Fells looks of his shoulder failing to hide his grin "I’m surprised he hasn't tore you a new rear end yet.” Skipper shrugs. Jax isn't sure how many miles they have walked, but the sun now stands at late afternoon. Shortly after Majors return from 'scouting', most of the walk was filled with arguing between Springs and Major.The mare only commented on Majors scar that it would of been less prevalent if it was stitched correctly. As they walk further the mountains fade in view from the cold blue skies around them. The mountain ranges stretches far as the eye can see. The air become cold accompanied with a crisp wind that blew specs of snow lazily through the air. The satyr subs his arms to keep warm, his dirty college uniform isn't doing well keeping the cold from Jaxs' skin. "Hey, Hammer Fell?" Jax shivers. "Yes boy?" Hammer Fell answers still looking ahead admiring the mountain range. "I'm going to need warmer clothes." The unicorn stops and looks at the shaking satyr. "There's a small village not far from here and it on route too. There's a market there too."