//------------------------------// // Chapter 2 // Story: Equines of War: Friends to the End // by stotans //------------------------------// Somewhere in the mountains Solomon had just arrived back from his recent visit to his old "friend." The griffin guards stood in attention as he walked through the tunnels down into the nest. The interior of the nest was the inner tunnels of the mountains. In there they fashioned a series of caverns that served any purpose they chose. For storage, for resting grounds, for a military base. Solomon entered the "war room" in rage. He saw that it was empty which allowed him to vent. "That damn childish fool! He thinks he can make my army fall with four measly humans! He insults me! I'll show him! Him and all of Equestria!" Solomon felt a presence. He wasn't alone. "I believe you meant… "We" will show them all." A theron guard emerged from the shadows of the corner of the room. He was large in size and his armor only made him seem more massive. Solomon only guessed that he reached up to him mid chest. He never got too close enough to him to measure. He was holding a large serrated knife with a piece of bloody meat hanging from the blade. He began to gnaw on it with what seemed to be like a bored expression on his face if anyone could tell. He hardly showed any emotion which just made him seem all the more intimidating. Solomon approached him cautiously but stern. "Don't forget your place General Raam. I brought you here and allowed your kind to repopulate under the earth in exchange of your services. But if I hadn't revived you and your army; you would all still be in hell. In truth you are in my debt." The General looked unamused. He began looking at the piece of meat out of boredom. "We suffered in the afterlife because of our failure in our world. You brought us because you wish to avoid the same fate. This time we will succeed and we will be given redemption for the entire Locust horde." He turned his gaze to Solomon. "These humans that you've mention, there were four?" Solomon paused before answering. "Yes. They were sent in a feeble attempt of defiance. They shouldn't present a problem." Raam tackled Solomon and held his head against the table while stabbing his knife on it inches away from his face; blood still dripping from it. He brought his face near Solomon's beak. "It is unwise to underestimate them! The very few of them can go up against hundreds of your warriors! They will blast you soldiers out of the skies like flies hovering over rotting flesh! They will bring your army their knees and make them beg for mercy!" Solomon staggered trying to reach into his armor to grab a red skull jewel. He held it toward Ramm, causing him to release him and collide with the wall behind him. When Solomon was free from his grasp he moved closer to the downed general holding the gem towards him. His feathers were ruffled and his pride was shooken. "I could have your head on a pike for that, but luckily for you I need you to keep your beasts in check. Wouldn't want them running loose without their precious General holding the leash." He took a second to collect himself and smooth down his feathers. "I guess I can overlook this and grant you mercy, if you bowed and swore your life to me." Ramm just glared at him with a still gaze, and then he turned to the stone that bounded him in servitude. The red gem pulsated a brighter glow of red forcing him to look away. He gritted his teeth and kneeled on his knees. "I and the Locust horde are under your command." Solomon put on a satisfied grin reassured that he had his pride returned to him. "Good." He picked up Raam's blade from the table. "A gift from you General. I'll be sure to make good use of it." "Now, prepare your troops General. We will be attacking soon, and do make it quick." Raam stood up with his head still bowed. "As you command…Master." The general exited the war room. He started to walk through the dark tunnels of the mountains when a small bat like creature started creeping up on the walls next to him. It took flight with its wings and hovered before the General. Ramm raised his finger allowing the creature to land. He gave it a small pet with one of his massive fingers."Don't fret my pet. Patience is the answer." He allowed a small grin form on his scaled face. "Patience... then it will be time to feed." Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx "Dom! Dom! Wake up soldier!" "Huh what? Dom found himself lying on the floor of a bright white room. Prescott was standing before him now wearing his old chairman's suit. His body and his eye however still showed the marks he received from hell. "You need to get up. There are things we need to discuss." Dom stood up and glared at Prescott. "What makes you think I'll listen to the likes of you?" Prescott took a step towards Dom. "Listen. I know you don't think of me highly. I hardly expect anyone to, but right now we need to work together In order for us to succeed. That beast that brought us here wasn't entirely wrong about me. Being the Chairman's son, I have received the highest tactical training possible, and if we are going to lead an entire army to victory you're going to have to put trust in my judgment." Prescott paused to let Dom absorb this before pressing on. He lowered his tone that allowed him to show a sense of truth in his words. " War is all I know, and if you just gave me the chance I, I know you will not be disappointed." Dom stood there letting Prescott's words sink in, and as much as he didn't want to admit it... He was right. He was taught the skills in the art of war. He knew nothing but simple tactics for small groups of soldiers, but to lead an entire army... Dom gave a heavy sigh. "Goddamit! Fine. I'll take your advice for consideration, but remember if you screw up then it's both of our asses that pay the price." Prescott gave him a small grin and a nod. "Duly noted." "Now, there's one more thing I need you to do." "Oh yeah, and what's that?" "I need you to wake up." Dom opened his eyes. He was lying on snow covered ground in the middle of a dying forest. The sky was a blanket of eerie darkness, and the forest was filled with silence filling it with a peaceful yet haunting atmosphere almost like a graveyard. No time to admire the scenery Dominic. Stand up soldier. The time for action is now. Prescott's voice grew silent, leaving Dom to figure things out for now. He saw his fellow gears beside him rising from their sleep. "Tai, Carmine you guys okay?" Carmine rose brushing some snow off the lenses of his helmet. Tai gave a mighty shake loosening all the snow on him. "I'm okay," said Carmine. "As am I," said Tai. "So our quest for redemption begins. However it seems that we've been left without the tools of our trade. This presents a problem." "Shit! He's right, we don't have any weapons. What are we gonna do if we come across the Locust Sarge," said Carmine. Dom was taken aback by Carmine. "Sarge?" Carmine looked at Tai gesturing him towards Dom. Tai stepped forward. "I believe what our friend is trying to say is that our faith lies with you. We will fight under your command." Tai bowed in humble respect towards Dom. "We know you will not fail us." Still taken aback by this, Dom turned to Carmine. Anthony gave a nod towards him letting him know he would do the same. Dom put on a face of determination. "Alright, let's try to see if we can find shelter. We won't last long out here in the snow. And keep your eyes peeled. We're in unfamiliar territory. Something tells me the Locusts are not the only things we got to worry about out here." The three Gears began their trek through the forest in search of shelter. As they distance themselves from the spot they appeared, a presence made itself know within the forest. It gazed at the newcomers with a fearful gaze. "Oh Celestia protect us." It sprinted into the unknown now leaving the forest in silence.