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// Prologue 
// Story: The Gathering Storm II: Fires of Freedom 
// by WiskeyMikeOne 
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The Gathering Storm II: Fires of Freedom 

Prologue







I saw my death in my dreams many times, or at least I think I did. It was always the same dream every night for the past year. I was standing on a hill in the middle of a field; the tall green grass blew in the gentle breeze, the wind whistled through the trees and the full moon shone brightly in the night sky. Before me lay the armies of the Solar Empire and beyond them was Canterlot. Behind me lay the vast army of the New Luna Republic. A messenger would always deliver me the same message.

“The men are ready sir.”

“I know they are,” I replied with a smile then I would take a deep breath and fly to the front line of our army. As I walked past the men they all wore armour dating back centuries and had swords and no fire-arms. I took my position then ordered the attack with my sword.

“In the name of Luna and her republic; ATTACK!”

My men followed me into combat, the Empire charged as well. We were getting closer and closer with each step, I could feel my heart racing and the deafening roar of thousands of ponies shouting and running. I could make out the faces of our foes. I picked one of the white stallions with golden armour rushing towards me; he was going to be my first target.


*


I woke up to the sound of my alarm clock; I was in a cold sweat, the covers were on the floor and the sun light danced its way through the window and into my eyes. I slammed my hoof down on to the alarm clock.

“I have to get a new one that’s not this loud,” I thought to myself.

The clock display showed 6:30am in large digital red numbers; I always liked an early start to the day and a late night, I tried to fit in as many hours as I could. Being the commander of the New Luna Republic Air Force was not easy but it was necessary.

My usual routine was to get up, wash, breakfast in bed and watch the news, then fly down to the airfield to start the day’s work. I took longer in the shower than I usually do, the images of the nightmare still playing in my mind. I’m not superstitious but maybe that nightmare was an insight into the future. Breakfast was always waiting for me on my bed when I got out of the shower thanks to the caterers. Next to my bowl of Trixie Puffs cereal was a letter, it was from parliament. I skipped passed the boring formality of the letter and got the most important part.

“Meeting at noon in the Royal Hall.”

It was signed by the Prime Minister, Mayor Mare. It turns out that Mayor was actually her first name.

“Buck, another training mission pushed back.”