//------------------------------// // Chapter 10 - The helping hoofs // Story: The Lost Lunar Civilzation: The Awakening // by Monsoon //------------------------------// When I woke up my whole body was aching. I thought I died after that battle but apparently, I survived. But who helped me? I felt the fire warms next to me. I forced my eyes open and I stood up. I didn’t see anypony next to me and I was still in the forest that’s for sure. I looked around and I saw a saddlebag with a familiar pattern on it. It was a six shaped purple star. I didn’t care too much for it because I wanted to find my saddlebag. I remembered I had some potions from Frost which will probably help me. I just realized I was bandaged in multiple parts and I didn’t find my armor. I was really in bad shape then. I sat down and waited until somepony shows up. That pony was near because the campfire was still burning. Suddenly the levander coated unicorn appeared from the bushes. It was unmistakably Twilight. So, I didn’t run out from my luck to see a friendly pony around in these woods. “Monsoon your awake!” – she said and galloped towards me. “Yep. Thanks to - “– I couldn’t continue because she hugged me. That’s surprised me verily. “I’m so happy to see you alive. What happened with you? I arrived when you fought with that thestral. You had a serious blood loss and I tried to help you as much as I can.” “Calm down Twilight. Thanks to you, I live to see another day.” – we parted and sat down next to the campfire – “I will explain everything but first you have to tell me what happened with you and Princess Celestia? Speaking of where is she?” She dropped her ears and looked away. – “She was captured by Princess Luna.” – That was worse than I thought. “Twilight tell me everything from the beginning.” She sighed. – “Princess Celestia asked me to come with her after Princess Luna. She thought we could convince her to come back, but it didn’t happen that way as we thought. We were ambushed by the thestrals and they captured her. She sent me to search help or either go back to Canterlot. That’s when I found you.” “Was she there either?” “No, she wasn’t.” “Alright we have to move we can’t let any more time to waste.” – I tried to stand up, but I couldn’t. I have a few broken ribs probably but a few painkillers and I’m good to go. “Monsoon you are seriously hurt, and you were blacked out for almost four days.” “Four days?! We must go now and unite with my forces.” – I said then I got up and ignored the pain. I made my first step and I immediately fell down. “Are you okay?” – asked Twilight. “Yeah I think so.” “Maybe you should get some rest before we head out. As I said before you are in a really bad shape.” “How could I rest? The thestrals were almost kill us and one of theirs captive is Princess Celestia. This situation got worse in every minute.” “Monsoon I feel…I know we can talk this out without risking any life.” “I don’t think the speaking will help us anymore.” “With friends and with friendship, we can achieve anything.” “Oh, come on you don’t believe that, do you?” – I shouted, and she backed away a little bit. – “Look Twilight I want to believe it’s true, but we have to admit it they want to fight. If I have way to do differently without any casualties I will chose that option without hesitation, but they are forcing my hoof to fight back.” “Princess Celestia said once we always have another option we just have to seek it.” “No Twilight they already decided and now it’s our turn, but you know what? They want a war I will give them a so damn war they will regret to even step a hoof into Equestria.” “Please don’t do that I know you we have better option instead of a war. Please I know you are better than this.” The last sentence of hers got my attention. I’m a soldier I know what should I have to do but do we really must to do that? Do we really have another option? I don’t think this friendship things are existing but if I start a war are we better than them? I never thought I will be so blind to start a war. She was right we are better than this. We aren’t soldiers we are the Royal Guards. We protect and serve the ponies of Equestria. She just stared at me for answers. She was the first pony in my life who convinced me to start believing into something different. “You’re right Twilight. I will do it in your way we will try to talk with them but if I hurt myself again in it you have to patch me up again.” “Sure.” – she said while she giggled. “First things first we have to go back to Ponyville as fast as we can and unite with my team.” “We can’t get out from the forest without notice. The castle ruins not far from here and the thestrals patrolling the area. I had to disguise ourselves, so we are safe for now at least.” – Damn – “Do you have any plan Monsoon?” “Honestly, not even one which I like and without reinforcement in here I don’t see any chance for surviving. Well we have only one way left.” “Which is?” “I’m going to talk with Princess Luna and maybe we could solve this. Anyway, where is my armor?” “It’s broken into pieces. The only thing I saved is your sword.” – She opened her saddlebag with her magic and took out my sword. She levitated to me and I took it with my hoof. “I saw a lot of symbols on your sword. Does any of them mean anything?” “This sword was always in my family. My dad said we got it personally from Princess Celestia to defend the country with it. If that’s true, then one of my descendants was a general or something like that. The sword went generations in my family and it’s not symbols. It’s engraved pictures from the past about heroic quests, wins and loss.” She sat down next to me - “The first picture at the bottom of the sword is a griffin slain down by a pony. The pony name was Thunder Shine. The first pony who was soldier in my family. This happened the very first war with the gryphons which we won.” “Did your family engraved these pictures on to the sword?” “No. Believe it or not they just appeared with a bright light. Just like our cutie marks. On this picture is a pony who defends foals with her wings. Her name was Astral Shine. She was a pegasus pony. If I know correctly a group of foals was kidnapped by the minotaurs. They demanded ransom for them but Astral freed them. Unfortunately, they were few against the minotaurs and she protected the foals at the cost of her own life.” “And what about that one?” – Twilight asked and pointed to the last picture “Well it’s a pony who’s holding his sword high and a shield or something like that forms around him. His name was Mythic Shine my father. A few years ago, Vanhoover was attacked by some kind of strange creatures. They looked like us, but they were all black. They had magic and they could fly. My dad and his battalion sent there. They fought against them for days. A big explosion ended the battle and the creatures vanished… just like my father and his battalion. The only thing left after him was this sword.” “The saddest thing was mom vanished either two years ago. My brother left me alone, but Winter said it was my fault and we never see our parents again. We searched them in all of Equestria but nothing. We gave up and both of us went to back to live our life.” “I’m sorry.” – she said in a low tone then she hugged me again. – “That’s why you don’t have any close friends?” “Since I’ve left Ponyville, not really. Maybe just Shining and Spitfire but they both captains so we don’t speak with each other too much.” “And in your squad?” “White Lance just a pal. You like to hang out with him but nothing more. Frost Wing is the same and Sandy is new in my squad. That’s why I don’t believe this friendship thing because I never knew a true friend” “Monsoon that’s not true because you already have one friend in here. Besides there’s Applejack, Rarity and many other friends you have.” “Thank you, Twilight. You gave my hope back.” – I chuckled – “Now I should get some rest before we are going.” “Sure.” – then she went back to her saddlebag and searched for something. I just laid down and tried to relax a little bit. I hope we can talk with Princess Luna and we could restore everything back to normal. ------------------------------------------- Perspective Corporal Sandy Blaze in Ponyville “I say it again Winter, we won’t go search him!” “But we have to!” “We have only one task! Find Princess Celestia and bring her back to Canterlot. Unfortunately, the only thing we got out from our captive, she’s captured by Princess Luna. So, we must rescue her. Beside we don’t even know he is alive or not.” “What?! Do you want to leave him behind?” “We have a clear order!” I just came inside the barn in Sweet Apple Acres with Mighty Strike. The old lady who leads the farm gave it to us and mostly the whole farm because we explained the situation to her. We were trying to keep it in low but we needed a headquarter. I already heard from outside Spitfire and Winter argue. They’ve been doing this for almost a day. “To hell with that order! He is my brother and my only family member who alive. I won’t leave him here to rot in this forest even if he is alive or not.” “Look, Winter, I won’t believe he died but we have a mission. We already lost a few good ponies and I don’t want to lose more. That’s why we must rescue her. Do you understand that?” Winter sighed – “Yes Ma’am.” “Good. Corporal Blaze?” “Ma’am?” – I saluted. “Did you find Sergeant White Lance?” “No and nopony saw him since the battle.” “That’s not good” – she shook her head – “I’m getting out of options but I need somepony now. Sandy, I promote you as an acting sergeant in front of Monsoon Shine squad.” – Oh my gosh! I couldn’t say anything to that so I just stared her. “When did you have an authority to promote anypony in the guards?” – Mighty asked. “I have the highest rank among us and I lead these ponies so I suggest you accept my decision because you need everypony for our next operation.” “You know Spitfire, I’m still a commanding officer on this mission too so you have to share everything with me and that’s include every choice we made. I will accept it because we need somepony who commands his squads and not because you are captain.” “I don’t care until, you help me to get rid of these thestrals.” “Hmm then Captain, what’s the plan?” – asked Mighty. “We will march straightly to the castle and finish this once and for all.” “I like it but not all of it. Before we went inside, Monsoon asked me to send two of my pony to the southeast side of the Everfree.” “Why?” “Because he thought they were more than just a little thestral team and they probably have a supply line into the forest. Well we found it. So, I say we should get a squad as close to the castle as we can by using that path.” “That’s really gives us an advantage against them. I will lead that squad and Mighty you will march to the castle. Then together we will kick their flanks back to where they came from.” – She turned around and went out from the barn with Winter. “Well I hope you are ready because we are going back to the wolf’s den.” “Sir?” “Yes?” “Can I speak with the prisoner?” “Permission granted Sergeant.” – then he left the barn and I followed him. Mighty and Spitfire gave out the orders so everypony was readying themselves up for the battle against Princess Luna forces. Of course, I still couldn’t believe it I promoted and got a squad under my command. I was the newest one and they have to do as I say to them. They won’t like it at all. I hope at least Frost Wing stands next to me because they listen to him. Frist thing first I needed to speak with her. Monsoon trusted her but she backstabbed us. I will try to get everything out of her because she knows what’s happening here. While I went through between the tents I spotted Winter next to an apple tree. He was bucking it and shouting something to it. At first, I thought I just go away and do my orders but as I watched him, he was really on the edge. I heard a lot of things about him I felt sorry so I approached him. “WHY US?! Why we are the ones who loses mostly everything?” “I don’t want to interrupt anything but if you continue shouting like that, they’ll think you’ve, gone insane.” – I said. “Do you think I care about it? I’m still hoping my brother isn’t dead but…but if he is really dead, I will kill every one of them. I won’t show mercy to them not even Luna.” “Winter the anger speaks from you so calm down.” “You don’t know how I feel right now! To lose your last family member! To lost somepony so close.” “No, I don’t but I have still faith he’s alive. I didn’t spend too much time next to him but I learned one thing. Never give up even if the others think you are useless. So, Winter don’t give up yet.” “I do really hope he is alive. We weren’t the best brothers and we argued a lot but I care about him and he is the last one, who was left to me.” – He sighed – “Thanks I apricate your help but Spitfire probably searching me. Anyway, congratulations for your promotion and if you need anything just call me.” – then he flew away. He suffered a lot lately but if he shares his pain, maybe it will erase. I know it’s not the Wonderbolt style to show our feelings out but sometimes we need somepony to speak about it.I have a sister too and if anything happens to her I won’t know, I could ever forgive myself. However, if I have ponies around me it could help to ease the pain. Alright back to the plan. I need to speak with our thestral captive because she knows something for surely and I want to know. I started to trot the tent where they are guarding her. ------------------------------------------- Perspective Lieutenant Monsoon Shine in the middle of the Everfree Forest While we ventured through the forest, I explained what happened with me how did we start to search them. She was pretty amazed from the spell I used. I said how the thestrals ambushed us and how did I end up there. The only thing I left out when Princess Luna visited my dream. “Say Twilight, when did you learn to heal?” “I read a lot of books about. Of course, I’m not a doctor but I think I did a pretty good job to save you.” “Sure, you did. Besides we needed some fresh medic in our team anyway and Frost Wing can get his retirement.” She giggled. – “I don’t think I’m better than him but thanks for the offer. So, are you really going down to the Canterlot archives time to time?” “I like to read old dusty books and learn our history so I use my rank to get inside. It’s easier than make an appointment with the princesses or the librarian.” “A guard who likes to read and are you really using your rank to get advantages?” “Maybe. You know our history teach us a lot thing. Example tactics and choices in the battles.” “So, you are reading only war stories?” “Of course not, but I have to improve myself and figure out new strategies in a war.” “You are full of surprises Monsoon” “Thanks for thinking I’m just a typical guard and nothing more.” “I didn’t mean it like that.” “I know but it sounded like that. Do you usually say the same things to Shining?” “No not at all.” “Typical liar.” – I chuckled. A few moment later she hit me one of my bandaged part. – “Ouch! Hey!” “Well at least I know how a typical guard react when he is a little bit sore.” – Smart. – “Can I ask something from you Monsoon?’ “Sure.” “How does it feel when...when you kill a pony?” – I had to gather my thoughts before I answer that question but luckily, I didn’t have to. I stopped and ducked to the bushes. I pulled down Twilight with me and she wasn’t happy with that. I saw a familiar white pegasus in the middle of the forest. White Lance just stood there alone without anypony. I’m wondering where is the others? Surely I didn’t hide if I don’t know somethings not good in here. Another pony came out from the woods. It was Shadow Fang. Moonlight Moor’s son and he was the pony who attacked us back in the expedition. I had a really bad feeling about this. “As I see our ambush wasn’t so successful as we planned. They mostly survived and fled.” – said Shadow Fang. “Except one pony and it was a serious blow to them.” “Do you think he’s dead? Because he killed one of our best soldier and we didn’t see anywhere his corps.” “If you ask me, he died back there. He didn’t return and nopony can survive these woods. His brother wants to find him though, but the others didn’t let him. One of their best out of the picture and they are more disorganized than before.” “That’s good news. Anything else?” “Well when they broke out they managed to capture one of your ponies.” “Did they get anything out from that weakling?” “Not yet.” “Oh, then you have to kill it. Our task has to remain in hidden until the siege.” “I can’t go back to them. They began to watch me, so I have to leave before the things get hot. That’s why I will travel back to Canterlot and prepare for your come.” “Alright but how we will spy on them?” “His brother thinks Monsoon died either so he probably not thinking straight. Send somebody to replace him so you are still knowing where are they.” “That’s sound good to me. Our mother will be proud of us but if you disappoint me you will feel my fury.” “Yes, she will and don’t worry I won’t. Until we meet again Nourx.” – said White. “Farewell Leamaeus.” – then both of them left. So that’s why he acted so strangely. I didn’t believe my own eyes. He was working for them but what did he mean about to replace my brother with one his own ponies? We instantly see through it if he uses wonderbolt suit or do we have more traitors? At that moment I couldn’t know what should I do. I’ve known White Lance since I joined the guard and he was the last pony I could imagine backstabbing us. He was a little bit weird sometimes, but he was one of my best friends. Twilight couldn’t understand how was that possible. How could we have a pony like him among us? Well that’s definitely change a lot of things. When it was clear I signed Twilight. “Monsoon what was that?” “We must get to the camp as fast as we can and reunite with our forces. We will retreat back to Canterlot and prepare to defend it.” “What about Princess Celestia? Or Princess Luna? We can’t leave them behind just like that!” “I know Twilight, but I can’t do anything with that. We are few even with our team. It’s a hard decision for me too and I know what I promised but we have to protect the ponies in Canterlot first. Now we have to move before they can do anything.” – I started to move the direction where White went. I know we leave our princesses in danger but what should I do? My hoofs were tied, and we didn’t have much of a choice. I just realized Twilight didn’t follow me. I turned back and she was surrounded by thestrals and they captured her. I charged my horn and sent a magical blast one of their face then I drew out my sword. “Put down your sword Lieutenant.” – said the only pony I didn’t want to me. It was Shadow Fang. “Why should I do it?” “Because your alone and…we captured her.” “Monsoon!” – Twilight tried to escape with all her strength but she couldn’t. “Great job son! I’m proud of you!” – suddenly said Moonlight Moor from the background. –“I give you a suggest. Do what he said or she will die.” – I dropped my sword down. – “Heh good boy.” “If you do anything with her I show what I learned in the guard!” “You’re not in a position to threating me Lieutenant but I have orders to do just like you.” – He turned away from than two of them tied my hoofs. – “We will go back to the castle. MOVE OUT!” – They just grabbed me like an apple sack and flew up. Damn it! We are in a sticky situation but we could manage it and get out from this.