Crimson woke up for the second time on this trip as the brakes screamed the most high-pitched squeal to exist. They were stopping about four hours from their destination to refuel the engine. And at five hours until dawn, it was extremely inconvenient, not to mention ear-splitting. Crimson groaned and doubted he’d be able to get back to sleep before they reached Baltimare. He rolled over in his bunk and shut his eyes.
It was seven in the morning. The sun shone brightly into the tent he slept in as Crimson groggily woke next to his Atlantean comrades Platinum Starlight and the Earth pony they all called Bats. the other two snapped to attention as Sarge pulled the flap open with his Unicorn magic.
“Wakey, wakey, rise and shine! All ya pretties are gonna getcha some dirt on those shiny uniforms! Report to the Square in TEN MINUTES!” Sarge bellowed.
“Someone’s gonna get a sore throat. He yells like he’s on the high seas,” Bats grumbled.
“Sarge’s a sailor, Bats.” Crimson replied as he put on his uniform and slung the single-shot rifle around his back, easily accessible with his right wing.
The three hurried to obey Sarge’s orders. More than once the friends had been at the wrong end of the sargeant’s obedience lecture, which typically included KP duty for the next week. They weren’t the best nor the most disciplined soldiers in the Atlantean Reserve Emergency Army, but they fought like hell. AREA was the only thing between the Dominion and conquering the nearby town of Pacifica. With dwindling supplies and troops, they could never hope to completely halt the Domination Army’s advance.
As the three sped into the training grounds, known as the Square, they saw that everypony in all AREA was there. They reported to their colonel in the 2nd Coastal Regiment and stood at attention while the wait began. After waiting thirty minutes while the last stragglers came in, Sarge came on stage. He had his ragged uniform with its impressive three medals and warrior’s prestige.
“Alright shinies, ya got all day cut out fer ya. The 1st Midlands goes to the left flank…” and so it began. Crimson’s hopes that his regiment wouldn’t be called to do anything were crushed when Sarge yelled, “And the 2nd Coastal is to be transferred to the center. Don’t let us down, boys. Dismissed!”
The next few minutes were chaotic as everypony ran to grab their stuff before marching to the lines. Once inside the tent he shared with Platinum and Bats, Crimson sorted through his few items as the other two came in. He quickly shoved things he felt were nonessential, like his dress uniform, and packed more practical things, like ammo. But one thing was eluding him.
“Hey, has anyone seen my locket?”
“You mean the iron one with your sister and parents in it? Don’t know,” replied Platinum.
“It’s silver, dammit! And yes, I’m looking for that one.”
Bats picked it up from his trunk. “Sorry, thought it was mine. Here you go.” He gave Crimson the locket he so desired.
The red Pegasus wrapped it around his neck and let it hang from the shining chain. It was the one piece of home he always carried with him, and it was one that sparked constant reprimand from Sarge. But Crimson took the criticism without fear and never let the locket go. Besides, every soldier was obligated to remember those they protected.
A bugle horn sounded. “Well, that’s our signal. Let’s get to the Square and meet up with the others.” Platinum said.
When the entire regiment formed a column and moved out, they all began to sing. It was a horrible job, but the ponies sang their military anthem without much care to quality. They just did it with vigor, which was better than artsy, according to Sarge. Crimson joined in the merry crowd, hoping it would draw attention from his locket.
Where the old wind blows and na-ture crows
We stand in un-i-ty!
The kings of old, they all were told
Of every-thing they’ve done!
We all are grateful for those who fall
They serve to their last breath.
In spite of all, they have prevailed
So therefore we will too!
Oh, At-lan-tis, we all sing!
We sing for thee, we sing for thy
At-lan-tis, we will be
We’ll be there for our home!
And our fair princess, known as Queen,
She lives with pride and strength.
She calls upon our greatest foe
The Dominion, to seek a fight!
There’s nowhere that we’d rather be
The Army is our home!
Instead, we wish to fight as hard
So that our kids see we won’t stop
And always save the day!
Oh, At-lan-tis, we all sing!
We sing for thee, we sing for thy
At-lan-tis, we will be
We’ll be there for our home!
We fight all day, and in-to the night
Through blood and steel
On land and sea
Our home is what we all do make it
And the Army is our home!
As the ponies marched by the Atlantean flag flying proudly in the Square, they all saluted it with pride, dignity, and discipline. It was their home they were defending, and they all knew it. They fought for their homes, their families, and their friends, but most of all because they loved Queen Atlanta and would come to her aid at any given moment. But nopony knew just how hard they were going to fight. They were shinies, after all, and had yet to see combat.
Crimson smiled as he remembered that day, so many years ago. It had been joyous, wonderful, and the best he’d ever get out of the army. His childhood friend Platinum stuck to him like a bodyguard, ready to keep his marefriend’s brother alive at all costs. He would do anything to make her happy, but the two broke up about four months after the war started. She decided that the wait might never end, and he agreed. But he never let something like that slide in the way of his duty to the Queen.
It was the day he first had a taste of battle. The adrenaline that coursed through his veins, only to dissipate at the end. He lost so many friends that day: Bats, the formerly retired Golden Sands, and his drill instructor, the stallion they once called Martian. Seeing them dead was devastating. But he soldiered on through the war, and knew his warrior’s resolve was close to cracking. It almost had then, and neither Chrysalis nor Sombra would let it recover, even though they didn’t know that particular secret.