//------------------------------// // Chapter 7 // Story: The Forgotten Battle of Equestria // by lilinuyasha //------------------------------// December 10 Celestia’s about to make a huge announcement. She called the troops up. Special meeting. I personally think she perfected the Elements of Harmony and wants to attack. Write later. *** Yeah, Celestia’s perfected the Elements of Harmony. She’s holding off on an attack though. She believes that Luna will get offensive. She’s preparing for an attack on Canterlot. I had a few words with her afterwards. I told her we need to go on the offensive. Canterlot can’t be put at risk. She saw the wisdom in my words and is reconsidering. I’ll be informed on what happens first thing tomorrow. Burly Georges got to the schoolhouse, running late. He galloped as hard as he could, Making it to the schoolhouse about 5 minutes late. As he got inside, the young fillies and colts cheered. “Sorry I’m late, everypony!” “We thought you weren’t gonna come...” Said Mac. He was quickly becoming his favorite student. “I wouldn’t miss it for Equestria.” He said. “Now...who wants to hear the next battle?” Everypony in the room raised a hoof. Georges smiled and continued. “Now, after Celestia created the Elements of Harmony, under careful consideration, she decided to go on the offensive into Everfree forest...” *** “This place is creepy.” Complained Cartographer. “Well for a cartographer, you’re not exactly helping our cause here.” Shouted one of the ponies up front. Cartographer got on edge. “Calm down.” Said Burly. “We can’t start arguing now. This isn’t the time or place.” And with that, they all turned around and marched forward to an uncertain destination. One of the unicorns up front, using the spell Celestia taught him, tried tracking the homing device. So far, only a faint trail could be picked up. “It’s getting stronger.” He said. “Right through here.” Burly and his squad snuck through a heavily bushed area. Celestia assigned 6 squads, one for each Element of Harmony. Each squad consisted of about 100 ponies, each with their own leader, which would be Burly, in this case. Each Squad carried unicorns, with the tracking spell, and several Pegasi to match the Earth Ponies. Celestia herself opted not to show up, however. Maybe this was part of her magnificent plan. Burly figured she’d show up later, after damage had been done. “It’s really strong now!” Said their unicorn. Burly looked up. “Twinkle...you don’t need the spell anymore...” Twinkle Dinkle, their head unicorn, looked up. Before them loomed a huge, threatening castle, deep in the Everfree. Burly and his troops stayed concealed in their shrubbery. Burly saw faint lights from the horns of the other unicorns in their respective positions. Quiet signals up front told the ponies carrying the Elements to drop them. They were to stay put with about 10 other ponies while the rest of them stormed the structure. The only problem was, they had absolutely no idea what the structure was like. Obviously Celestia didn’t think that far. Burly looked back to Cartographer. “You have any tricks you can use?” Asked Burly. “Not really. I’m at a loss. Maybe we can have one of the Pegasi hover me over the castle while I X-ray it?” “Brilliant!” Said Burly. “Be careful though.” Burly looked towards the structures. While it was pitch black, Burly could still make out faint figures which looked like guards. “This may not be a good idea.” “Well, you’ll have to settle for a small front map.” Cartographer said as he used his magic to x-ray the front of the structure. Wasn’t exactly a bird’s eye view, but it was better than nothing.” “Cart, that’s enough. What do you see?” “I can’t make it out yet. A little more.” “Cart, stop.” Burly said. His horn was emitting a rather large, noticeable light. “I can get more!” “Cart!” Burly said. Burly, frustrated, tackled him. Cart’s horn sparked bright, then flickered out. Muffled voices in the background resounded. “That’s not right. Get the troops ready.” Burly heard one of the voices say. “Crap. Colts, get ready to charge.” *** “That light doesn’t look right. Get the troops ready.” Said one of the watchcolts. The other one immediately trotted with some urgency inside. “There appears to be a possible invasion! Everypony ready your weapons!” Soon, the dinner hall was filled with commotion as all of Luna’s troopers scrammed about, gathering weapons, theirs or not. The watchcolt galloped to Luna’s quarters, bursting in. “Your Majesty! We fear an attack!” Luna reacted in shock. Here? They could never have found out. There definitely was a mole. Luna would punish him. For now, she had an invasion to squash. She trotted out of her quarters and stood at the top of a stairwell, overlooking the main hall. She prepared herself. She would end her sister here and now. *** Lights flicked on in the structure. That wasn’t good. “Charge!” Shouted Burly as he drew his sword up in the air. A massive throng of ponies charged from behind him, rushing the structure. The door was barricaded from the inside as they charged, effectively stopping them. Archers then fired from above, killing several of them before they broke the door open. As the doors cracked at the seams, the ponies barricading the door abandoned post and readied weapons. The door burst open and several ponies burst through. Slicing and dicing from both sides occurred as the bodies dropped left and right. Blood spilled on the floor, pooling up in a deep red, sticky mass as Luna watched, smiling dementedly. Eventually, the front Line broke, and the hall was flooded with Celestia’s Royal Army. A huge scene erupted as the ponies dressed in white metal clashed with those in dark purple and black robes. Archers lined up along the banister at the staircase fired, effectively decimating both friend and foe. “Be more careful!” Shouted Luna. She turned her attention back to the carnage in front of her. *** Mighty gathered his materials. A loud commotion was resounding outside his door. Obviously Celestia charged them, as he expected. Luna gave him a specific mission. He was to carry it out without flaw. As he put on his chainmail, the only one in the army with it, gathered his sword and shield, and opened his door to the carnage outside. *** Burly, satisfied with the charge ahead, charged in himself. Most experienced on the battlefield, he made short work of his foes, though few. He looked up to see Luna staring at the battle from the top of a long, tall staircase. Right behind her, a door opened, and his brother stepped outside. “MIGHTY!!!” Shouted Burly, as he galloped toward him, staying clear of other smaller battles going on. He galloped fast as the staircase quickly approached him. Suddenly, a sharp pain shot out in his leg. He tripped over it, seeing an arrow in his right leg. Burly lived up to his name and ignored the pain, getting back up, correcting his bearings, and dashing ahead, dodging further arrows. As he traveled up the stairs, several Pegasi from Celestia’s Army fired arrows at the archers on the banister. Where were they earlier? Regardless, he rushed up the steps. Luna then vanished before him in a purple flash, disappearing into a small black mist that floated away, out a window into the darkness. Burly paid it no mind as he focused his attention on his brother, who galloped away as he approached the top of the stairs. “MIGHTY!” Burly yelled as he chased his brother down a narrow, winding corridor. Burly was catching up to him. As Mighty turned a corner, Burly approached just as fast. Mighty made a quick move, clotheslining Burly, knocking him to the ground. Mighty then drew his sword, placing it at his brother’s throat, threateningly. “It doesn’t have to be this way, Mighty.” Mighty just stared at him. His sword quivered a bit. “You killed our brother, Mighty.” “DO NOT ACCUSE ME OF THAT!” He shouted, a tear rolling down from his cheek. “Had I known who he was...” “That shouldn’t matter. You still killed an innocent person. For what? Luna?” Mighty pressed his sword tighter onto Burly’s neck. Burly flinched as the pressure of the knife weighed on him. “Long ago, you told me to stand up for what I believe in. All those years ago. When all the colts would pick on me in the schoolyards. You were always there to support me. I took your advice. I’m standing up for what I believe in.” “Mighty...” “I’m sorry, Burly. It’s time to end this.” He said, gripping his sword tighter. *** “...and that’s all we have time for.” “You can’t just leave us on a cliffhanger like that!!!” Shouted Mac. “You ponies have better things to do than stay in school. Trust me. Tomorrow’s story will be even better.” Said Georges. All the Colts and Fillies trotted out, dragging their hooves. Georges turned around and gathered his materials. As he trotted out, Mac stood outside the door. “Mr. Patton?” “Yes, Mac?” “Did this really happen?” “Yes, Mac, it did.” He said, smiling. “They didn’t really use pies, did they?” Georges froze for a second. “Uh...” “I thought so.” He said, lowering his head. Georges put a hoof on his back. “Mac...you’ve trusted me on everything so far. When I say they fought with pies, then they fought with pies. Remember hearing about Appleloosa?” “Yeah...” “Same thing. Alright?” Mac looked up and smiled. “Alright!” And with that, Mac and Georges both went home. The finale of this battle would have to wait until tomorrow.