The air was waft with death and despair, ponies were losing their lives by the dull edge of a blade, and it was total war between The illustrious House Whitegold and the crazed Cult of Laughter. The House's Arqueteers were parked on a steep cliff overbearing the battlefield. The Arqueteer leader motioned his soldiers to aim at the unsuspecting ponies to finally fire repeatedly at the enemies direction.
One such Arqueteer that was among them was planted at the very top of the cliff to scout for aerial combatants that would attack from above. The Arqueteer on the steep cliff continued to scout nervously and aim his Arquebus towards the sky until he noticed numerous somethings deep within the clouds flying fast at their location.
"Euphories!" screamed the Arqueteer. The ranged ponies diverted their attention towards the sky to notice the maddened pegasi laughing and cackling in insane pleasure. The Euphories were ready for their sharp wing-blades to bathe in pony blood. They began to dive down towards the Arqueteer party in high speeds. The Arqueteer's took aim at them and waited for the command from the leader to fire repeatedly.
"Steady your Arquebuses! Aim to their hearts and wings!" ordered the lead Arqueteer. The Aqueteers under his hoof aimed their Arquebus's straight into the air at the general direction of the Euphories.
"Wait for it..." murmured the Lead Arqueteer, almost to himself. The sound of the insane laughter of the Euphories were getting louder and closer as they waited.
"Fire! Fire at bucking will!" screamed the lead Arqueteer. They fired their weapons at the Euphories, torrents of magical bullets swept through the air in tremendous bulk. Deftly, the Euphories dodged out of the way from the magical shots only for some to fall after getting their wings pierced or their hearts were punctured straight through, causing them to drip immense amount of blood that showered over the Arqueteers. Some Euphories made it through the magical torrent and dived down hitting the pile of Arqueteers slashing them as much as possible.
Arms and heads were cut instantly at their landing causing the Arqueteers to retreat away, firing at the Euphories who stalked them. Right into the forest the Arqueteers ran until their pursuers lost track of them. They were breathing deeply from the immense running and found ground to rest.
"Alright. Damage report: how many have we lost?" asked the lead Arqueteer. He waited for a response from his men only to find terror in their eyes. None of them were able to talk from the travesty of losing their friends and colleagues and seeing them get cut limb from limb. Only one Arqueteer was steadfast and calm from the situation.
"You! What is your name?" he ordered. His voice quivered at his words. "And why are you so calm?"
The lone Arqueteer that walked out from the group had a long straight greenish mane and a burly orange body. He had his Arquebus on sheath moving and creating a "chink" sound from every step.
"The name's Storm Eye, commander, and I am actually quite scared..." His eyes were gleaming with the fear of death. "I am just trying to keep it together so that I can stay alive longer."
The Lead Arqueteer was impressed by his logic controlling his fear, although he did not show it. He breathed deeply and composed himself. He turned to the others.
"All of you! Stop being cowards and stand strong!" yelled the lead Arqueteer. His voice echoed in the ears of his soldiers, who shakily began to stand up again. "We must continue on! Or else die to these infernal cultists! Now ready your Arquebuses! It will soon be time to counter attack!". The Arqueteers looked at each other before one shouted out a cheer. The others followed his example.
"Alright, who wants to scout ahead to see what is going on?" asked The Lead Arqueteer. Nopony dared to reply to that question. Some of them excused themselves to help the medics, but the majority of them stood, staring at the ground.
"You're all a bunch of cowards! Why do I get such sorry excuses for soldiers as yourselves to fight in this war!" screamed the commander. Glaring at them with a blood boiling rage, he continued, "Useless sacks of nobility! You thought that this would be a joy ride into candy land? You all make me sick!" He turned away from his soldiers only to be stopped by Storm Eye.
"I-I will do it...," said Storm Eye. His eyes towards the ground and his demeanor of certain fear. "I will scout ahead to see if they are still around."
"You will do this?" Storm Eye nodded. "Alone? All by yourself?" questioned the commander, his confused expression showing well on his face.
"Yes... and I will hopefully return," said Storm Eye. Courage accompanied his voice and his demeanor. He trotted along towards the forest path they came from, the smell of blood and magical radiation drew stronger from each step, nodding to the other soldiers. The other Arqueteers could only watch in differing awe and respect, some of them thought he was going to get killed, others thought he was the bravest of them all.
This is where our story begins.