The Beginning of the End
Live and Die on this Day
Twilight could only stare at where the blue ball of light had been before, now a large, blackened dent in the mountain. First there was the Changeling princess bride, then there was the Changeling invasion, and now an entire section of a mountain had been completely wiped out from the world. Twilight finally broke her trance on the mountain side when a cough sounded behind her; moving her thoughts over to the strange visitor who had been tackled to the ground after delivering two clothe wrapped packages. One was given to Anderson which was about the size of a lunch box and wrapped in black cloth and the one given to Rainbow Dash was half as thick and wrapped in a olive green clothe. The pegasus began to get up still looking dazed from what had happened. The guards that had taken him down earlier were now lying underneath the rubble of what used to be a table. The pegasus had a maroon coat with a mane of a darker maroon and gold, the edge of his wings had what looked like bronze adorning his wings but on a closer look they actually were a part of his wings. His cutiemark consisted of a black cross that all the ends were equal with a steel border. There was no doubt that he was fit but more from everyday manual labor than that of working out at a gym. Twilight Sparkle's friends began to pull themselves off the ground and absorbing the area which used to be the reception party. Applejack had a look of utter confusion as how all of this had happen. Rarity looked down in distress as her dress had looked as though it had been dragged through the mines underneath Canterlot. Fluttershy just laid where she was in shock from the chaos that wiped over the peaceful gardens. Pinkie Pie had already gotten up and bouncing around helping other ponies up off the ground. Anderson could be seen behind some bushes by the wall he had been thrown against. Rainbow Dash was slowly pushing herself off of the package that she was given. The silence that had engulfed everypony after the shockwave was quickly dissipating. Panic soon filled the city as ponies realized what had just happened. The guards soon came down on the scene to quiet the disturbance. Minutes had turned into hours as peace filled the courtyard before a heavy silence fell upon them.
"Wha...What happened?" Applejack asked tearing the heavy blanket of silence.
"I don't know Applejack but I think I have a good Idea what caused it." Twilight answered as she pulled her thoughts back together.
"My GOD! I thought this was supposed to reduce impact damage." Anderson said as he pushed himself off the ground.
"OH, are you alright Anderson?" Fluttershy quickly asked as she floated over to where he was.
"I'm fine Fluttershy; I don't think being tossed against the wall will break me." Anderson replied as he brushed off the front of his vest.
"Do you think Sergi is alright?" Rainbow Dash asked as she picked up her cloth package.
"Once again I have no clue. I don't even have the faintest idea as to where he was all of today..." Anderson began.
"He was based near the mountain pass about where that blue ball of light appeared." The new pegasus answered.
All seven of their heads turned their attention to the maroon pegasus. He stood tall where he was and revealed more hints of his life. He had a few scars that showed through his coat and he looked like he had seen some pretty tough places.
"Sorry but who are you?" Twilight asked
"His name is Iron Cross; we used to be friends when we were younger before he disappeared one day. Why did you leave Cloudsdale anyway?" Rainbow Dash said as he began opening his mouth.
"My mother passed away and my father took me back to his home country of Germaney. Two months after moving into Hayburg the entire nation was thrown into a Civil War. My father was killed by the resistance after they tried to make us join their ranks. I ran into the Blacktail Forest and was found by a passing group of Imperial soldiers. They took me in and raised me up trying to keep me away from the horrors of war as much as possible. One night though we stepped into a resistance ambush. I lost many friends that night but I had found my special talent, standing up for those I hold close. After that night I officially joined the Imperial army and quickly flew up the ranks. After the war I felt alone even though I was surrounded by ponies. I headed onto the road trying to find some place where I could fit in. Everywhere I went there was nothing solid I could do other than doing odd jobs here and there." Iron Cross explained as he seemed to drift off to a different place near the end.
"Wow...I can't believe that the last pony not to have a cutie mark in my class would be thrown into something like that." Rainbow Dash said trying to comprehend what he had experienced.
"That sounds similar to the stories about Sergi except for the soldiers trying to preserve your childhood." Anderson commented as he picked up his own package.
Twilight's curiosity turned from Iron Cross who seemed to be catching up with Rainbow Dash to the black cloth package.
"Hey Anderson, why don't you open up your package." Twilight Insisted as she got closer for a better look.
"Alright, what do we have here?" Anderson replied as he unwrapped the black cloth to find a rugged, black, box within.
The outside of the box was barren, no identification markers of any type. Anderson opened the box and stared inside for a few moments before pulling out a piece of paper. Twilight began getting annoyed as the box was still above her. She gave out a cough and Anderson looked down at her.
"My bad, I think you will like this as well." Anderson said as he knelt down to her level.
Inside the box was a small metal rectangle with a glowing blue light glowed from the middle. As she moved in closer to inspect the light glowed brighter and shot up from the box. Twilight squeaked as she fell back onto her rear. Before her stood a human woman made out of light. She looked to be dressed up in an outfit similar to what Anderson wore now except without the helmet and the vest. Her hair was grown down to her shoulders and a smile spread across her face.
"It's good to stretch out ever once and awhile, I don't recall Sergi knowing you Private. Well he hasn't really interacted with me fully since about two months ago. I'll check my secondary components to see what Sergi has been doing since he put me to sleep." The Lady said as she moved her arms out as far as they could go.
Small characters began flowing across her and she began glowing brighter. A few moments passed and then the characters disappeared. The smile on her face quickly turned into a frown.
"It looks like Sergi had some fun while I was sleeping. I always miss the fun stuff." She pouted as she crossed her arms.
"What are you?" Twilight asked as she finally pushed past the shock.
"Why, I am an Artificial Intelligence unit or AI for short. My name is Dawn of Revelation; most people just shorten it up to Dawn though. I have been with Sergi after he broke out of the United States Zurich labs. He has seen some interesting things in his time but this has to be the cream of the crop." She answered as she turned towards Twilight Sparkle and unfolding her arms.
"Why have you been sleeping all this time?" Twilight asked as she got more used to this AI.
"With the death of Lieutenant Ashlyn Smith he decided to turn off most of my functions because I bore a similar appearance to the one person he had grown especially attached to after the traumatic events that had happened to him. Life was not very courteous to that Russian." She replied as she slowly shook her head.
"Could you tell me about where you all came from?" Twilight Sparkle inquired hoping for a chance that has been denied to her for a long while.
"What do you want to know?" Dawn of Revelation asked.
"Everything." Twilight simply answered.
"I can't promise you that but I can tell you what I can." Dawn replied
"Before we get anywhere else what happened to Sergi?" Anderson asked before Twilight could begin firing off questions.
"From my records he was last stationed by the mountain pass. My readings of his last reported area detect that anti-matter was used. Anything caught in the blast is now gone from this world. Nothing remains of anything, no ashes or bones. I guess Sergi won't be followed by his past anymore." Dawn replied.
Silence followed what she said. A man that seemed to be able to push through any opposition was now said to be not even dust. Nothing in Twilight's mind could come up with anything with that much power. Even a large blast would leave something behind. Her thoughts were interpreted when Dawn of Revelation continued.
"I think that we should start planning a funeral for Sergi, the unsung hero of an unknown war. If you would like I can take up the planning and preparation for this if you would like to take your time wrapping yourself around everything that had just happened." She continued as saw the look of disbelief on Twilight Sparkle's face.
"I guess that would be fine. I just need to tell the girls about this." Twilight replied quietly.
Twilight Sparkle got back onto her hoofs and began walking over to her friends who were in a small circle. As she got closer she could see that they already knew. Taking a look around at her friends could show that they all shared a feeling of disbelief and sorrow from what had happen. On the ground in front of them was a triangle of folded red fabric with a golden trim. Lying on top of the fabric triangle was a strange necklace that looked similar to the one that Rainbow Dash has been wearing for the last few weeks. Rainbow Dash sat on the ground staring at the folded triangle of fabric and the necklace as if she took her eyes off it all of her memories of Sergi and those items in front of her would vanish into thin air.
"I take it everypony here knows what happened..." Twilight gently said.
"Sergi sacrificed everything to protect all of Equestria. Ah never knew something like this would happen so soon." Applejack replied.
"I didn't really know him very well from just a few weeks but this did seem like how he would like to go out. A final stand that would save an entire nation and ponies he held dear." Rarity commented.
"He did what he always did best, showing some mean ponies a thing or two!" Pinkie Pie shouted out as she boxed with some invisible pony.
"I am not sure it this will help anypony but Anderson has something that will be able to answer some questions you might have." Twilight Sparkle said.
One by one her friends slowly moved over to where Anderson was until Twilight Sparkle and Rainbow Dash were the only ones left. They both sat there for what seemed like an eternity in silence. Rainbow Dash raised her head after a while and looked towards Twilight Sparkle with a look that she thought was never even possible for Rainbow Dash. If she showed any more misery or sorrow she would be the exact representation of that.
"What do you think Twi'?" She asked in a voice almost as quiet as Fluttershy's voice.
"Think about what?" Twilight replied trying to specify the question.
"About everything that has happened when Sergi, Sir Henry, and Anderson. They showed up out of nowhere and saved your life. Now in less than 3 months Anderson is the last one standing while Sir Henry and Sergi gave their lives to stop something that we only knew as whispers and murmurs. Are they going to be forgotten as quickly as they arrived? Will their actions be written into a book and placed onto a shelf to gather dust until somepony wonders why a story that sounds almost fictional is placed among books recounting events that left their mark on Equestria? Since Anderson is the last of the three, when he goes what will keep the memories alive of those who sacrificed everything to save those they cared about?" Rainbow Dash asked as her eyes began watering up.
"We knew them as well; we can help keep their memories alive. I am positive that what they did will never be forgotten. Personally, even though Sergi is dead I think he may have a few tricks up his sleeves that will surprise us for years to come. Now let’s see if Anderson's gift can help you with any other questions." Twilight Sparkle said as she held out a hoof to her friend.
"Thanks, it just seems like a part of me was ripped away when I saw his dog-tags. Maybe I just need to get some air and try to hold strong, just like he would want to see." Rainbow Dash replied as she wiped some tears from her eyes.
Twilight waited as Rainbow Dash picked up her red and gold fabric triangle and the 'dog-tags' and they walked together towards the rest of their friends feeling that everything will be fine again.
==================================
Three Months Later
Anderson stood towering among the ponies around him. He wore the formal suit that Rarity had made for him for the Gala but with some military ribbons attached to the front. Three were replicates of ones he had received from his former world's war. There was a ribbon and a medal he had received from the princess of Equestria for standing up against the changelings during their invasion. It felt odd wearing those medals at the funeral service of a man that had fended off a griffon army of around 1.5 million. Just a few days ago they were at the Hall of the Fallen for the funeral service of Sir Henry. The trip across Equestria to Stalliongrad was a long and tiring train ride. Once there, they had to trek up a mountain to an ancient temple that was very well taken care of. Now they stood in the courtyard in Canterlot where Equestria watched the end of the Griffon conflict. In front of them was a large silk cloth that covered a new addition. Compared to the other statues around them this one easily towered over all of them by more than double. He turned his attention as he saw the Princesses approach a stage in front of the silk covered statue.
"Three months ago we faced not one but two invasions on our homes. One we felt right here as the changelings ran rampant through the streets of Canterlot. The other one we never experienced but rather felt the force of the last card being played. This statue is dedicated to one of the two humans that stood for Equestria's defense." Celestia began before nodding to her sister.
The silk was magically lifted off the statue to show a giant marble statue of Sergi. He stood in his combat armor he always seemed to be wearing. In his left hand he held a giant, gold, banner staff that displayed the flag of the Cossacks in the gentle breeze. The flag was red with golden trim and a golden star. The skull was a pure white with a yellow crown and a steel grey dagger finding its place plunged down into the skull. The motto of the Cossacks was embroidered below the skull in its original Latin form. In the right hand was his signature PPSH raised into the air as if to encourage anyone behind him to follow him into an unknown battle. The most intriguing aspect of the statue was how on the helmet they placed two rubies where his eyes would be.
"This man's name was Sergi Zolnerowich. His life was hard; his hometown was burned to the ground when he was but a child. He was rescued by a group of mercenaries called Cossacks. After that he was trained for battle and war, stealth and deception, adaption and perseverance. He has seen things and done things that no pony here could ever begin to imagine. All of these things he used to better the common good, to help the weak and take down those that abused the power entrusted in them. When he and his two companions were brought here he did not change his mindset or his morals. He took down a manticore who was trying to kill my faithful student, Twilight Sparkle. He ran through a blizzard in the Everfree forest to find help for Twilight Sparkle. He took down a pack of Timberwolves to defend Twilight Sparkle and her friends who came to help. He defended my sister from a basilisk and its minions even though it nearly killed him. He settled a dispute in Ponyville between a group of griffons and the local population. He stormed into a hidden griffon camp in the middle of Equestria to rescue captured ponies in said camp. He helped the Royal Guards oust some griffon soldiers who crashed this recent Gala. He used his skills to make a final stand against an army of griffons who wanted to destroy the entire nation of Equestria. This human saved all of Equestria at the cost of his own life, so we dedicate this statue and another similar one in Ponyville to this great man who sacrificed all that he had to save those close to him and those with a good heart." Princess Celestia said as she put emphasis on his skills and how he used them to save each and every pony there in attendance and everypony they knew.
Princess Celestia stepped down from the stage to be followed by Princess Luna. A few moments later the ponies in attendance made their way to the concessions laided out for those in attendance. Rainbow Dash flew in the opposite direction and headed towards the statue, soon to be followed by the rest of her friends. On the base of the statue was engraved, 'Here stands a monument to the human named Sergi, the once unsung hero of an unknown war. This monument also stands for those who risk what they have to help others. In the words of the Cossacks, The Protector of the Sick, from the Final End to the Last Breath of the Great Hunter, we will fight.' They all stood there for a long time until a rumbling in their stomachs reminded them of how they were missing out on what would be their late lunch. Slowly the group shrank until it was just Anderson, Rainbow Dash, and Twilight Sparkle.
"I think it is time for us to grab something to eat. Anderson, are you coming?" Twilight Sparkle asked as the man stood solid in his spot.
"No, no, you guys go on. I'll be right there." Anderson replied as he continued to stare up at the statue.
The sounds of the fading hoof steps reminded him of a small favor he had to do. He reached inside his jacket and pulled out a piece of folded up paper. Unfolding the piece of paper showed the handwriting of the man that statue he now stood in front of. Anderson had read and reread every word on this page but it always seemed to have a slightly different meaning to it.
'Anderson, if you are reading this I have made my attempt at stopping the griffon army and have succeeded. I now ask of you a favor to ease my heavy rest. Watch over them, they are not only the bearers of great power but a great sign of something I never got to experience. They have a life filled with light, joy, happiness, and innocence. When I came into this world, I always felt out of place because these girls had never even had an idea or a basic understanding of war and the chaos of our world. They have friends that care for each other and the ease of knowing that their way of life will never be disrupted by war. Watch over them Anderson, make sure that they stay as happy and joyous as they are now. I have no doubt that this task will be a cake walk for you but if trouble stirs again, I promise on my Cossacks Honor that I will pull myself out of whatever bloody hole that I was sent to and restore the peace. Dasvadanya my good friend, Sergi Zolnerowich.
Once he got to the last few lines he looked up from the paper and looked over to them. All of them looked exactly as Sergi had written. Even the newest addition to the group, Iron Cross, filled in the part exactly. He made his way to them as he stuffed the paper back inside his jacket.
"Dasvadanya Sergi. Rest in peace." Anderson said quietly into the air before interacting with his friends.
========================
Both Princess Celestia and Princess Luna looked over the proceedings from the top of a stairwell off to the side of the statue.
"Do you think they will find out?" Princess Celestia asked simply.
"The ponies will not find out until it happens but Anderson might figure it out sooner or later." Princess Luna replied as she looked off towards the mountains. "If I learned anything from Sergi it is that not even the bounds of death can hold him back if those close to him are threatened. Now with the Elements, we have recovered from the detonation it just makes it even more real."
"So it is all true; even the last part of the Prophecy that was destroyed after its completion.” Celestia said in a pondering voice.
"A new Guardian Angel forged from the wars of hell will take up his throne and strike down any that dare threaten his protected lands." Luna quoted from her memory.
After a few moments of pondering they proceeded down to join in with the other ponies to do what they can. Luna still thought about when and how Sergi would come back to the mortal world, and what unlucky group will feel the wrath of the Cossack.