//------------------------------//
// Ch12 A Murder in Cloudsdale's Shadow  
// Story: Tears of a Fallen Star 
// by Priceless911 
//------------------------------//


The cloud lost its charge and dispersed as Commander Bolt dropped to a knee to catch his breath. Shortly after, he looked around to see that all the celestial soldiers in the area were unconscious. Then he muttered to himself, “This is the second Lightning Orb since this battle began, I can’t keep this pace, at this rate I'll pass out before too long.”
At that moment, Captain Drib approached from the sky, “Sir the celestial commander has been found, General Roza is fighting him as we speak.”

Commander Bolt stood back up “Good, then we will buy her time to end the battle, where are the others?”
“Stone is in the rear firing arrows at long rang, Viscous and Snow are nearby fighting celestial pike and sword ponies. I think Commander Orem is still protecting Stone and I don’t know where Chief Rafi is.”
Commander Bolt nodded his head, “Contact Snow and Viscous and have them assault that hill with the catapult if we can take it we can use it.”
Captain Drib smirked then replied, “let’s not have a repeat of last time shall we?”
Commander Bolt smiled and replied, “Well with all these tombstones running around, I'm afraid we don’t have the time for an encore.”
Captain Drib sighed, “Sir I told you already, I was two and a half miles away when I said that, and they were in the shadow of a city. It wasn’t easy to tell what it was.”

Commander Bolt smiled as he began to gallop toward the catapult, “I don’t care if you call them dandelions. I would like to know if they are holding spears or not. Now deliver the message then help Roza.”
Captain Drib Replied as he flew off “Got it, Sir.”
As Commander Bolt galloped forward, he noticed a group of pegasi diving toward him. He didn’t know if any allied troops were nearby or not, so he called his warning just in case, “FLASH!!!”
Commander Bolt closed his eyes and used the Lightning Orb to create the harmless yet blinding light. When he opened his eyes, most of the pegasi hit the ground at full speed. However, one was continuing his charge with no effect from the Lightning Orb. 

Commander Bolt dodged the spear blade from the diving pegasus and rolled to ready himself for the next attack. The enemy pegasus turned to him and spoke, “Your little trick won’t work with me a second time commander. You used that on me almost a week ago at the battlefield near the Palace of the royal alicorn sisters.”
Commander Bolt smiled, “Then I'll have to show you a new trick.”
When the pegasus tried to dive a second time, a spear came out of nowhere and hit him in the throat causing him to hit the ground in front of Commander Bolt. Then Chief Rafi sprinted towards the fallen pegasus, jumped on top of him, pulls the spear out, and stabbed him again, this time in the head.

Commander Bolt just stood there in amazement. Chief Rafi looked at him and smiled, “You do not think I became chief, just giving advice all day, did you?”
Commander Bolt smiled, “So that’s a zebra’s way to fight… I'm impressed.”
Chief Rafi Replied, “My friend, I am only one, wait until you see all of us fight.”
Chief Rafi turned around and threw his spear at a pegasus who was regaining consciousness from hitting the ground earlier. Then Commander Bolt could hear the whistle of arrows approaching from behind so as he looked up he called to chief Rafi, “TAKE COVER!!!”

Chief Rafi quickly picked up the enemy pegasus’ shield and kneeled down behind the body while raising the shield to block the incoming arrows while Commander Bolt used his own shield. As the rain of arrows hit the ground he could hear the screams of the pegasi who were still alive on the ground around them, Commander Bolt felt sorry that they had to go so suddenly and without warning, but that’s as the ways of war. When the arrows stopped falling Commander Bolt called to Chief Rafi again, “Chief! Go back and tell Stone to disperse her long rang line. Tell her that we have advanced too far, and she needs to focus on direct targets from here on.”

Chief Rafi smiled, “No problem friend, I will tell her to help you out here.”
Commander Bolt replied, “No, just have her move forward, she doesn’t need to join me out here.”
Chief Rafi grabbed his spear then started galloping away, “She will be with you momentarily friend, just continue forward and she will join you soon.”
Commander Bolt tried to stop him to tell him not to send Captain Stone but Chief Rafi was too fast for him to reply. Commander Bolt mutters to himself, “Ever since the ravine incident, all the commanders have been acting strange, first Roza and her comment before leaving, then Orem volunteering to stay behind to quote unquote watch over my archer, then Rafi storming off to get Stone to come to me. Why are the commanders acting so strange?”

Commander Bolt decided to forget about it, a focus on the battle at hoof. As he made his way to the hill where the catapult was sitting, on the way met up with Lieutenant Viscous who was already cutting down troops with her massive axe. Using the blade on his shield, he stabbed a pike pony that was facing Viscous then called to her, “Viscous any sign of Snow?”
Viscous’ mind was too focus on her magic for her to reply, so Commander Bolt just continued forward till he reached the catapult. 

When he got to it, the catapult launched a boulder clear over his head into the distance. Commander Bolt then jumped and flew as fast as he could barely a foot off the ground until he buried the blade of his shield into the unicorn who was reloading the catapult. The pony near the firing lever drew his bow and sent an arrow towards Commander Bolt. Luckily, the arrow hit his armor at an odd angle, ricocheting it into the ground and leaving behind a deep scratch on his already bruised armor. Commander Bolt charged the already terrified archer and with one swing cut his bow in half.

The archer with an arrow already in his other hoof tried to stab Commander Bolt. However, with Commander Bolt backswing, his throat was cut and he fell to the ground dead. The last pony in the catapult crew threw his spare and shield to the ground and yell, “I SURRENDER!!!”
Commander Bolt looked at him with a stare that sent a chill down his spine and replied, “THEN RUN!!!”
Without hesitation, the soldier turned around and galloped away as fast as he could. Commander shook his head and mumbled to himself, “Why would a soldier like that even think to step onto a battlefield?”

Captain Snow and Lieutenant Viscous galloped up to the catapult, Captain Snow smiled, “Exceptional work sir, looks like you took the catapult this time.”
Commander Bolt nodded his head, “No mistakes this time. Snow, you keep the enemy off us, Viscous you and I will turn this catapult around and fire it at their lines.”
Viscous asked, “Uh, sir? Where should we aim it?”
Before Commander Bolt could answer, he heard a faint whistle in the air then Captain Snow called out, “TAKE COVER!!!”

Commander Bolt looked up and saw a rain of arrows approaching. He and Snow quickly took cover behind their shields while Viscous used the catapult and her massive axe blade. As the arrows rained down Commander Bolt shouted to Lieutenant Viscous, “WE HAVE OUR TARGET!!! Once the arrows stop, immediately help me push the catapult so that it aims at the archers lines!”
When the arrows stopped falling, Lieutenant Viscous dug her axe into the ground and used a combination of her magic and her brute strength to push the back of the catapult while Commander Bolt pushed the front.

Once the catapult was facing the right direction, Lieutenant Viscous used her magic to place a boulder on the platform. Then she turned to Commander Bolt, “Uh, commander? You know how to use this, right?”
Commander Bolt smiled and replied, “Sure I do… I think.”
Viscous replied, “You think? What do you me…”
“FIRE!!!”
Without trying to finish her sentence Lieutenant Viscous took her axe and hit the rotary wheel as hard as she could cutting both the chain and the wheel in half.

The platform containing the boulder flew upward with incredible speed and power sending the boulder hurling through the air knocking down everything and everypony in its flight path. Commander Bolt, Lieutenant Viscous, and Captain Snow all watched the boulder as it crashed into the celestial archers main line and rolled over the center like a sponge removing dirt from the countertop. Only this left behind an even bigger mess than before. Captain Snow commented, “Superb shot sir, not bad for your first time even touching a catapult.”
Lieutenant Viscous commented, “I should've guessed he was just winging it. Oh well, at least it went better than the last time we dealt with a catapult.”
Commander Bolt looked at the catapult and gave a somewhat sinister smile, “I need to get me one of these.”

Snow looked up and shouted, “Commander! There’s the signal arrow!”
Commander Bolt looked to the skies saw the blue signal arrow signifying the battles end. Captain Snow sheathed his sword and commented, “Leave it to the good General to finish what she starts.”
Captain Stone flew up from the rear line and approached Commander Bolt, “Sir? Chief Rafi told me that you needed my help out here, but I guess I'm too late right.”
Commander Bolt slung his shield, sighed, and mumbled to himself, “That annoying striped…”
Then he replied to Captain Stone, “It was a misunderstanding all I asked was to break your long rang line, and he took it out of context. But since you’re here why don’t we all go meet General Roza on her way back.”

The group put away their weapons and began trotting towards the front of the celestial army’s line. On the way, they met up with Commander Orem, Chief Rafi and Captain Drib, and then they saw General Roza trotting up with another pony following close behind in chains. She approached Commander Bolt with a smile on her face, “Nice of you to join us commander, I vas thinking you got hurt again.”
Commander Bolt smiled, “Not this time; I merely kept them busy for you. Is that the celestial commander with you?”
Roza looked at the chained soldier and replied, “Yes. Once his spear broke he had no reason to continue fighting, so I graciously accepted his surrender.” 
The Celestial commander looked at Commander Bolt and nodded his head, “Commander Bolt, I can’t say it’s good to see you well, but I don’t wish any real tragedy upon you.

Commander Bolt replied with a serious expression, “The feeling is mutual, have we met before? You seem familiar somehow.”
The chained commander replied, “I was second in command the day you killed Commander Mist, you sent the rest of his troops plus myself back unarmed that day. I have to say, I owe you my life. You could have killed me and the rest that day but you showed us mercy.”
Commander Bolt shook his head, “No, I only set the example for my… our troops. Anypony who has lost, and refuses to fight in battle, will not be killed in battle. Commander Mist understood this but I was too blinded by my emotions to see it before his death. This battle will end the same way. You and your troops will be striped of your armor and weapons and sent home where you belong.”

The celestial commander smiled, “Thank you commander, what Mist said about you was true after all. There is good in you. My troops will happily throw their weapons down, and leave quietly. It looks like I owe you my life again. If you ever find yourself in Cloudsdale again, look me up, I'll buy you a drink. Or better yet, you can meet me there tonight and save us both the wait.”
Commander Bolt nodded his head, “I just might do that.”

The group turned around and continued trotting back to the Nightmare Legions front line. When they got there, they notice that Nightmare Moon was standing and waiting for them. She approached Commander Bolt and with sarcasm, she spoke, “Congratulations on our latest victory commander. But I'm afraid I don’t know the stallion that seems to be following you back. You know the one wearing the chains.”
The Celestial commander stepped forward then bowed, “Your majesty my name is comma…”
“Excuse me commander, but I believe I was waiting for a reply from my commander, not you.”
The Celestial Commander stepped back in nervousness, while Commander Bolt answered the question, “Your majesty this is the commander of the celestial army we fought today. He realized he couldn’t win so he surrendered the battle.”

Nightmare Moon gave him an unappreciative stare and asked, “And why is he in chains?”
Commander Bolt tried to answer, “Well you majesty I thou…”
Nightmare Moon looked at the celestial commander and spoke before Commander Bolt could finish, “You! How long did you serve my sister?”
The celestial commander replied “About 5 years your maje..”
“And in that time how many of my… Commander Bolt’s soldiers have you killed?”
“To be honest your majesty I don…”
“And you commanded this army during this particular battle, how many of our soldiers did your army kill today?”
“Well… I…”
“Do you plan to take responsibility for their lives?”
“I.. um…”

Nightmare Moon turned to Commander Bolt and gave him an order, “Commander, this soldier has killed many of your troops, because of that I want you to make an example of him and execute him, now!”
Commander Bolt wasn’t surprised Nightmare Moon would say something like this, but he didn’t want to kill a defeated pony so he tried to stand up for him, “You majesty this pony has agreed to lay down his weapons and surrender, I can’t in any way kill a pony who isn’t willing to fight back.”

Nightmare Moon gave Commander Bolt an unamused stare then she replied with a crooked smile, “Very well, then I'll Kill him.”
While the conversation was happening nopony noticed that a portion on Nightmare Moons mane had snuck behind the chained commander, and as soon as she had finished her sentence, the mane wrapped around the commanders throat and lifted him high in the air. The celestial commander struggled with all his strength to get free but no matter how hard he tried; Nightmare Moons grip was too strong. Commander Bolt tried to reason with Nightmare Moon, “Your majesty, please! This pony has given up the fight! There is no reason to kill him!”

With an uninterested expression Nightmare Moon replied, “This pony has taken many lives and he must answer for them all.”
Commander Bolt could hear the struggling sound of Nightmare Moons grip tightening around the celestial commander throat, so he continued his plea, “But this pony shouldn’t pay for the lives with his own, he should be given the chance to find another way!”
Nightmare Moon glared at Commander Bolt “There is no other way; we are behind in our schedule as is. Your little vacation at the ravine made sure of that.”

Commander Bolt didn’t like the comment but he knew he had no time to defend himself, “Your majesty I'm begging you spare this pony’s life! Nopony deserves to die like this!”
Nightmare Moon replied with anger in her voice, “Listen to yourself! You are the Great Commander Bolt! You are the only pony in the world who wields the Lightning Orb. You are feared throughout all of Equestria, and you are begging to spare the life of a pony whose life isn’t yours to spare? This pony’s life in in my hoof so I will decide what happens to it.”
“PLEASE NIGHTMARE MOON ST…”

At that moment, a loud cracking sound was heard followed by dead silence. The celestial commander, whose body was struggling for life went completely limp, as his eyes dilated. Commander Bolt was completely stunned, Nightmare Moon didn’t just kill another soldier on a battlefield she just murdered an innocent in cold blood. Nightmare Moon lowered the dead commander enough to look into his still open eyes, and then she smiled with the crooked smile that only a monster could make, “The deed is done.”

Commander Bolt looked around at the rest of the soldiers who watched the whole thing. All he could see was mixed emotions of fear, sadness, anxiety, and anger. While he looked around, he didn’t notice that Nightmare Moon had turned to face him, “Commander! Since you were so worried about this solders fate, I'll leave you to dispose of his body. I think that the rest of the ponies here would like a demonstration in exactly how powerful you really are.”
Commander Bolt was confused, “What are you talking about your majesty? How should I do that?”

Nightmare Moon looked at a nearby hill and replied, “I heard that the Lightning Orb used to kill your mentor completely turned him to dust, I want to see this. Take this body over to that hill and reassert yourself as a fearsome and strong leader. Show these solders and your officers who you are.”
With that, said Nightmare Moon tossed the dead commanders body at Commander Bolt knocking him to the ground. Commander Bolt cringed at the pain he felt from his broken rib, but he picked himself of the ground all the same.

Nightmare Moon stared at him with an inpatient expression, “I'm waiting commander, show me that you can still perform the Lightning Orb.”
Commander Bolt didn’t like it one bit, but he knew his orders so despite the pain he tried using his wing to lift the body onto his back. Captain Stone could see the pain in the expression on his face, so she tried to galloped over to help but Nightmare Moon stopped her, “Um… excuse me mare? What do you think you’re doing?”
Captain Stone replied “Your majesty I was going to hel…”
Nightmare Moon interrupted Stone in a disrespectful tone, “Did your commander ask for your help?”
“N-no but…”
“Did I give any instruction to help your commander?”
Captain Stone lowered her head, “No, your maj…”
“Then you will step back, and allow your commander to follow the orders he has been given. Is that understood!?!”

Commander Bolt looked at the worried expression on Stones face, smiled, and spoke softly, “I'm fine Gem, don’t worry about me.”
Captain Stone smiled and nodded her head, as she did this, Nightmare Moon saw the expression on both their faces and mumble to herself, “Well well, this is unexpected.”
Then she raised her voice again, “Commander Bolt, you may continue.”
Commander Bolt trotted to the top of the hill carrying the body of the fallen leader, feeling pain with each passing step. Then when he got to the top of the hill, he dropped the body so that everypony watching could see the event.

While looking down at the body he could only feel terrible for accepting the soldiers offer for a drink earlier. He reached over, closed the soldier’s still opened eyes, and stepped back. The pain in his side grew as he channeled his energy into the ground. When the cloud appeared above his head, he could only feel the pain and his fatigue from the Lightning Orbs used earlier in the day setting in. The cloud grew to its required size and sent out the amazingly powerful Lightning Orb that vaporize everything not made of metal. After the blinding light dimmed and the cloud dispersed Commander Bolt stood there in front of a pile of scorched armor. However, his body had reached his limit and without going to a knee first, he fell onto his side.

All his officers and even the three commanders took a step forward then stopped knowing that Nightmare Moon wouldn’t allow them to help there weakened leader. Nightmare Moon looked at the worried expressions on all their faces and sighed, “Fine! Go help him.”
Without hesitation, the five ponies, zebra, and griffon raced to Commander Bolt’s side and helped him onto his hooves. Nightmare Moon flew to the group and stood in front of Commander Bolt. Feeling weak Commander Bolt looked up at her and made perfect eye contact. Nightmare Moon looked at him with disgust and said only one word, “Pathetic.” 

Nightmare Moon turned into her cloud of mist then flew away through the crowd and out of sight. That one word was the only thing she said before leaving, and it echoed in Commander Bolt’s mind. The more he thought about it the more furious he became, so much in fact that he couldn’t hold a straight face. He lowered his head to hide his fury and took a couple of deep breaths before he stood up and looked around. Everypony, zebra and griffon had their eyes on him while he stood there in the blacked part of the hill. 

Commander Bolt sighed, and with a serious expression, he turned to his group and gave his orders. “General Roza I'll leave you to decide what to do with the survivors of the Celestial Crusaders. Griffon take to the sky and search for any other survivors who need medical assistance, Rafi have our medics look after the wounded, injury takes priority not uniform. If a celestial soldier is about to die but a nightmare soldier has a broken wing then see to the celestial soldier first. Drib, Snow, Stone, and Viscous I want you to assist the other commanders in any way possible, I… need some time alone so if anything comes up that requires my attention then send for me. I'll be looking through the supply carts in the rear line, so we can start planning our next move. So, how clear am I?”
The group all hesitated with concern before replying, but they all replied, “Crystal sir.”

Commander Bolt started trotting through the soldiers who were taking their guidance from Roza’s officers. As he made his way back to the line, he could feel the eyes of many ponies watching him trot but he ignored this feeling and kept going. When he made it to the first supply wagon, he was feeling a lot of pain on his side so he unslung his shield and sat down to rest. While he sat there, that word started to echo in his mind again, “Pathetic… pathetic… pathetic.”
Each time he heard the word being repeated in his head it only made him angrier. Finally the last time the word echoed in his head he repeated in in a fit of pure rage, “PATHETIC!!!”

When he yelled that word out loud Commander Bolt stuck the tip of the blade on his shield into the side of the wagon, burying it deep and holding in place. Then a voice came from behind him, “Really sir, must you be so barbaric, the wagon didn’t have anything to do with what just happen.”
Commander Bolt let his shield go and lowered his hoof leaving it stuck in the side of the wagon, and then he replied, “Sorry you had to see me like this Snow. But aren’t you supposed to be helping General Roza like I told you to.”

Captain Snow trotted over and pulled the shield from the cart, “Of course, but you understand me sir, I follow the instructions that further benefit myself, and my honor. Beside I’ve seen that antagonism in your eyes before, and I believe the last time I saw it, you placed your blade against the good commander’s throat.”
Commander Bolt turned to Snow and took his shield back, “That was different, I was young, naive, Inexperienced, and I was also a major then. A lot has changed since the Griffon Civil War now that I'm a commander I'm not supposed to show my frustration to my soldiers.”
Captain Snow replied, “That is true, but do remember sir, I was present for the first time you lost your temper and this time, you had good reason to feel troubled. I disliked taking instruction from an inexperienced cub in a crown all the same. However, like every good soldier I followed my orders.”

Commander Bolt looked at him with curiosity and asked, “And what would you do in a situation such as this. She made me look like a fool in front of my troops, their confidence in me has been tarnished and now there is a good chance they won’t appreciate my order anymore. So as far as I'm concerned they…”
Captain Snow interrupted him, “Is that really what this is about sir? You looking like a fool in front of your subordinates, because if I'm not mistaken it was the last battle that you demoralized yourself in. and that didn’t seem to trouble you the least, did it sir? What is it really about?”

Commander Bolt thought to himself for a bit, he knew that it wasn’t about looking like a fool, it was more about the cruelty that Nightmare Moon showed today. Killing a beaten stallion in cold blood, making him despite his injury disintegrate the body, then final calling him pathetic after using too much energy. This wasn’t the Nightmare Moon he saw a few nights ago, this wasn’t the small glimpse of Luna that made herself known at the thunder grounds. This was the wicked mare of darkness that Equestria feared and hated. Commander Bolt lowered his head and replied, “I… can’t say.”

Captain Snow got annoyed, “If you’re not going to dignify me with an answer then at least divulge me of this information, does it have any relation with the unbridled gossip that went around amongst the guards more than a year ago? You know the rumor that spoke of you… and Princess Luna?”
Commander Bolt lowered his head, “Yea… it does.”
Captain Snow mumbled to himself very quietly, “Poor Stone.”
Commander Bolt didn’t hear what Snow said but he did see Snow talk so he asked, “What was that?”
Captain Snow replied, “That’s all I need to know sir, we don’t need to say another word about this.”

Chief Rafi galloped up and handed Commander Bolt a vile, “Here ya go friend, another batch of that medicine to help your rib.”
Commander Bolt took the vile and asked, “Did you get the name of it this time?”
Chief Rafi replied “Nope but if all goes well then your wound will be healed by tomorrow.”
Commander Bolt smiled “Well at least that thought will help me through the taste. How are things going with the survivors?”
Chief Rafi smiled, “They have been rounded up, and executed.”
“WHAT!?!”
Chief Rafi started to laugh, “Just a little joke my friend.”
Commander Bolt frowned at Chief Rafi, “That wasn’t very funny you know.”
Chief Rafi replied, “Sorry commander. I felt you needed a little joke to help you feel better. The survivors were gathered, striped of their weapons, and will be sent home before nightfall.”

Commander Bolt looked at Cloudsdale hovering overhead then he replied, “Send the survivors who are from Cloudsdale and anypony who has severe injuries home right now, then get Captain Stone, Captain Drib and the griffin to gather a small number of troops. Before nightfall, I want to have a talk with the mayor of Cloudsdale. Oh and one more thing we seriously need to talk about your sense of humor.”