Gunshots rang out as mortars exploded all over the battlefield, you heard pained screaming as a severed arm got launched back into your trench. You flinched when it bounced off the wall and landed in the lap of the shell shocked Earth Pony to your right. You clutched your rifle tight and prepared for the inevitable charge you would have to fend off with what little troops you had left. The Corporal of your unit chanced a look over the trench, resulting in a bullet splitting his skull in two. Blood sprayed everywhere as he collapsed and you heard your commanding officer swear loudly. It was rare to hear ponies swear, but this was war, and war changes even the kindest of folk.
When the war began, you originally elected to stay out of it. It wasn’t in your nature to get involved in conflicts anyways, especially since you were the only human in the land, and probably will be forever. You lived comfortably in Ponyville with Twilight, who allowed you to stay in her castle. However, peace only lasted so long. Eventually, King Sombra’s forces were sent South, and took Manehatten within days. You had been in a small town nearby at the time, on a business trip. When Crystal Imperial troops opened fire on that small town, the local law enforcement had been almost wiped out to the last man before you rallied the townsfolk and drove off the invaders long enough to escape. After that, you enlisted, in hopes of keeping Ponyville safe. Sombra had allied himself with the Yaks, who were now engaged with you in battle. Equestria and it’s allies were outnumbered, but the fighting still raged as the ponies refused to back down.
Twilight, of course, absolutely despised the idea, but your mind had been made up. After several tears, some heartfelt words, and a surprise kiss from her, you had set out to Canterlot for enlistment and training. Now you really had something to come back to, a real reason to fight.
You were shaken out of your dazed state as the ringing in your ears faded, your Commander was yelling at you to prepare for the charge. The explosions ceased and you heard a distant whistle from the enemy trench. The war cry of a thousand Yaks erupted as your commander gave the order to rise up and open fire. You steeled your nerves and stood up, aiming your rifle. The Earth Pony next to you received a bullet to the head the second he appeared, and you returned in kind. You were pretty good with guns, all things considered. Five rounds, five killed. Then you crouched to reload.
The Unicorn on the machine gun next to you got hit in the shoulder and began screaming in pain, he looked younger than everyone here. You grabbed the machine gun and began to mow down every Yak in that ruined field. A Yak officer raised her pistol and shot in your direction, but by a stroke of luck the bullet hit the gun instead of you. You grabbed your rifle again and fired off another shot, another Yak dropped.
An idea popped in your head, and you grabbed a grenade from your belt. You pulled the pin and threw it up in the air above a group of Yaks charging your trench. You let the grenade get to the peak of its trajectory before raising your rifle and shooting it, causing it to explode. Shrapnel rained down on a group of 6, killing them all, a stray bullet whizzed past your face, barely scratching your cheek and causing you to crouch.
The Yaks finally reached your trench, dropping in with war cries that could chill to the bone. You racked the bolt on your rifle and shot one in the back of the head, racked the bolt again, and when you pulled the trigger, there was an all too familiar *click!*
“Shit!” You hissed before charging a Yak and impaling him on your bayonet. In the trenches, physical combat was practically guaranteed. You were shoved to the ground as a young looking Yak stood above you, raising his mace. You drew your pistol and put 3 rounds into his tough hide before he could swing. He dropped and you stood, frantically swinging your head about to scan the chaos around you. An officer of a different unit just got thrown into a wall and had his skull caved in with a club, and his lifeless body collapsed to the ground. You domed the Yak responsible and ran to the officer, grabbing his saber.
You were relatively comfortable with a sword, but still fought on instinct alone. The next few minutes were a blur for you. Nothing but a blend of blood, screaming, explosions, and pain. You took a pistol bullet in the ribs, but your adrenaline prevented you from slowing down. Eventually, the mass of corpses increased and the fighting eased up, and before long the trench was finally clear of Yaks. You dropped your sword you looted off the battlefield and slid down the wall into a sitting position. The edges of your vision became fuzzy and your breathing became raspy. The Commander of your unit ran up and knelt beside you. He placed a hand on your shoulder as he put some gauze covered in alcohol on your bullet wound.
“Easy, easy, private. You’re gonna make it through this.” Your Commander, a Pegasus named Skystreak, said. He pondered for a second as he patched you up. Eventually he pulled you to your feet. You both began walking to the medical tent set up further back in the trench line as reinforcements arrived to man the defenses.
“We should get you some better medical treatment.” Skystreak said.
“Commander Sky…” You said quietly. “The battle must have shaken you up a bit. You’re nicer than you usually are.” You punctuated with a pained chuckle.
Skystreak shook his head. “Don’t get used to it kid. Let’s go.”