//------------------------------//
// Chapter 2 - An Honor to Serve, Part II 
// Story: A Paragon of Peace 
// by JacobFawkes 
//------------------------------//


An Honor to Serve, Part II


In the Stockish army, you are taught that three rules are necessary for success and survival in battle. Three rules that are enforced with an iron grip.

Rule 1: The primary goal of combat is capture, only feed in combat when met with resistance - resistance must be dealt with swiftly and harshly.

This rule was logical and there was never question or criticism to its purpose. Capture ensured that there would be enough emotion to feed upon for the civilians back home. If every stock fed on every possible target in battle, there would never be enough to go around. 

As for the second part, resistance meant conflict. While that might not be a problem against a pony or zebra, a griffon or dragon was an entirely different matter. So if resistance was met with prejudice in all cases where it proved necessary, then maybe others would be compelled against the notion.

Rule 2: If you are captured, show your enemy no kindness as they will show you none.

Equestrians hated the stock. They despised them with every fiber of their being. The Maesters said so. Any Equestrian would never hesitate to slay a stock if given the chance. So why would you give the most sacred gift a stock could grant, a kindness, to someone would not show you the same?

The final rule was the newest rule, having been enacted shortly after Nax’s birth. And yet, out of all the rules, this was the rule that was most strictly enforced. No one dared question it, as it existed because a stock had once performed it; and the traitor had paid the price for his defiance.

Rule 3: In combat, NEVER go out on your own.

Nax had followed these rules with stubborn obedience. They were there to protect him after all. They had never led anyone astray, never been proven wrong. What did he or any other soldier have to gain from defying them?

Then the Battle of Canterlot happened.


***


"I don't know Twilight. He is still very weak. I don't feel right leaving..."


***


As he gazed across the city now consumed in war, Nax could remember speaking with some of the old veterans when he was younger. He had asked them for stories of dragons and griffons, battles and wars, Equestrians and kings long dead. 

Of dragons and griffons, they spoke of their great strength and might. Of kings, they spoke highly of their intellect and valor; and of Equestrians, they naturally spoke of their cowardice and greed. 

As far as battle and war was concerned, all were unanimous - it was like being trapped in Tartarus.

When he was younger, Nax had always assumed these were old ponies simply too cowardly to not enjoy battle, how else did they manage to survive to retirement. After all, it was an honor to serve.

But now that he witness war with his own eyes, he knew they were telling the truth.

It was absolute chaos. The splendor of the city, which was still visible, had become masked with fear, anger, and anguish. Many of the magnificent alabaster statues that lined the streets now lied shattered against the ground as the cities cobblestone streets were awash with hundreds of ponies running wildly about trying to evade their changeling assailants - almost all were unsuccessful.

As Nax gauged his great enemy up close, he noticed that they were both very similar and very different to his expectations. He had expected violent monsters, ones that were spoiled, greedy, and could kill you without a second thought. In truth most were as frightened children. True beneath their anxiety and ire, Nax could still sense in many a pride and stubbornness; a boorish sophistication that earnestly set Nax’s fangs on edge. Their appearance was strange as well. Most of the mare’s manes were exceptionally gaudy and unnecessarily complex, very impractical for any useful endeavor. As for the stallions, most were in peculiar elaborate suits ill-suited for combat. Not the style most expected for a society of warriors, as cowardly as they were.

Nax was continuing his surveillance of the battle when a voice behind sundered his train of thought.

“Enjoying the view there, Nax?” Faris spoke with a drip of sarcasm that most had come to expect.

“The city is quite beautiful.” Nax replied with a flustered chuckle.

“Well, if it wouldn’t be too much trouble…” the stallion said with strain in his voice “…could you stop your sightseeing and help me with this rather heavy dude”. He gestured to the pony that he was struggling to place in a cart for transport. The 'Kitchen Club' had just succeeded in capturing a small platoon of Equestrian Guards before Nax’s mind had been drawn inward, as it often did when he was worried.

Nax quickly ran to his compatriot and assisted in lifting the cargo. With an extra pair of hooves, the job became much quicker. When their prize had been loaded, Faris turned to his easily-distracted friend and asked quizzically.

“So what were you really thinking about?”

“I was just noticing how unsoldierly they all are.”

Two voices in unison suddenly interjected with alarm, “You’re upset that Equestrians aren’t more of a challenge!?” 

Nax turned to see Oodo and Paarn rounding up the few stray guards to pass on to Faris. Beside them was Dural, checking to make their soon-to-be prisoners were still healthy. Nax was sure that those ponies that were still conscious wished they weren’t, as he heard Dural senseless barrage of wordage. In the center of it all stood Thane, who was naturally “managing” the operation. Truthfully, Nax could tell he was actually keeping an eye out for dangers.

Dural intruded upon the conversation as well with his own quip, “I’m pretty sure that Canterlot ponies aren’t a fair index of Equestrians overall. These guys seem really weak.”

Nax agreed with a nod before turning to their commander. Nax had learned a while back that if every member of the squad spoke in a conversation, then Thane would almost always insert information of some sort to the dialogue as well. 

He had been very dependable so far.

Sure enough, the ten eyes that now stared at him in anticipation for the inevitable were vindicated with a simple, cold statement.

“I think we should all just be glad we are not in 4th Regiment.”

The mention of 4th Regiment sent a shiver up every present soldier’s spine. 4th Regiment had had the “luck” to come face-to-face with the Elements of Harmony. While there had been no casualties, the nature and the amount of injuries had been absolutely mind-boggling as word of it circulated around the army. The Elements of Harmony’s reputation and renown as warriors was legendary and without question. They had single-handedly bested both The Betrayer and the bringer of Nightmares, two foes not to be taken lightly. All on their own no less. No stock, no matter how brave, would have wanted to face them in combat.

Nax’s inner thoughts were again driven from him as a hoof suddenly found itself on his shoulder. He turned to discover its own owner, to find Thane smiling at him.

“How are you holding up?” the commander spoke with earnest worry.

“Still a little nervous, to be honest.”

“Well you’re doing great for all that its worth. I didn't realize you had gotten that good at hoof-to-hoof combat. I don’t think that one fellow will be resisting for a while.”

Nax laughed as he reminisced about the move in question. He had performed a rather impressive buck-chokehold combination that had proven devastatingly effective against a rather unruly Equestrian officer. Nax didn’t question for a second at its potentially lethal capability. Hopefully he would never need to use it for that.

A smug looking Oodo sauntered up to the two brothers, “Well he did learn from the best.”

Thane’s response was uncharacteristically quick and sharp compared to his usually grim and no-nonsense demeanor.

“Go blow it out your flank, Oodo. That was all Nax right there, I can tell.”

Nax’s commander suddenly turned to his brother and, with a mutual smile between them, whispered, “It shouldn’t be too much longer and you’ll have made it through your very first battle. I am very proud and I know father would be too.”

The two brothers’ grins were suddenly interrupted by a sharp howl from the eldest. As he slumped over in pain, Nax saw a bolt from a crossbow lodged in his brother’s back. His brother’s blood began to trickle from its wound as the rest of the company came to their commander’s aid.

Staring at his commander, now reeling in pain as Dural worked furiously to remove the bolt, Nax’s eyes were drawn towards the direction of the shot. There he saw the attacker - the pony that dared to strike his brother. He was tall and well-built pegasus, clearly a soldier, with a grey coat and a deep blue mane. On his face was plastered the biggest manure eating grin Nax had ever beheld. The stock continued his visual assault upon the combatant, the chaos of the battle grew silent as Nax’s mind began to fill with anger and rage, the sound of rushing blood in his ears signaled the rage building within - blinding him to all save for that lone stallion.

It was here that Nax broke the 3rd rule of combat; and everything changed.

As Nax barreled towards his enemy with vengeance on his mind, a voice hidden beneath the rage was heard roared behind him as he sped beyond even its range.

“Don't go out on your own, you idiot!!” Faris bellowed with his terror clearly present in his voice.

But Nax was now deaf to all sounds but the blood rushing to his ears - blind to all but the pony that had harmed his brother who now slithered down an alleyway, contentment smeared across his arrogant face for a job well done.

Nax followed his target with frightening determination. The pony turned down alleyway after alleyway attempting to evade his pursuer. But Nax would have none of it. Every path the pony took, the stock took in response. For how long this went on, Nax could not be sure.

After a while, Nax turned a rather swift corner, only to be greeted with a violent buck to the face that sent him crashing into a wall with a crack before falling to the ground like a rag doll. The pain was immeasurable as Nax weakly raised his head to meet his assailant, he was greeted with not one but five ponies that had succeeded in surrounding him – preventing any attempt at escape.

They had set a trap, and Nax had walked right into it.

Nax’s attacker jested towards his confidants as they all steadily approached the Stockish soldier still struggling to lift himself. 

“See? I told you that would work.” The stallion’s voice clearly indicated youth, but behind it laid a malice and cruelty that chilled Nax’s blood. Every rumor ever spoken about Equestrians now seemed to ring true as Nax stared helplessly at the pony who continued his approach. “I knew we could get at least one of these stupid…things…to follow us with the right motivation.”

As chuckles rose throughout the group, their leader suddenly stopped as Nax raised his eyes to see the ponies now had their hooves lifted, prepared to strike. With a final sickening chuckle, the lead stallion whispered his orders.

“Now to make him pay for attacking our home.”


***


Each strike of his enemies hooves was as a thunderbolt against Nax’s flesh, stinging with a merciless pain. The crazed and howling laughter of his aggressors worked to only enhance the feeling of dread, fear, and helplessness that was beginning to well up inside of him. As the assault continued, the pain seemed to almost fade, if only because each blow had begun to bleed into the next, numbing the Stockish soldier to too much further suffering. A natural mercy of sorts. 

But any notion of mercy was stifled by the fact that for all the pain being dealt against him, Nax could feel the strength behind the attacks were being tempered - they were holding back.

For how long this assault went on Nax could not be sure, but cease his attackers finally did. Struggling to maintain consciousness for fear that he would not wake, Nax eyed his assailant’s struggling with their own battle for breath. They had beaten him till their own fatigue had overtaken them.

With his foes continuing their war for further strength, Nax seized his opportunity to attempt escape. However futile, he had to try. Perhaps if he failed his enemy would be swifter in his execution. The alternative was filled with so much pain that that potential had earnestly become an ideal outcome.

So with a quick morph to his claws, Nax began his tortuous crawl from the soldiers. Hissing in pain with each movement, he dug at the ground, furiously trying to pull his broken body away with all possible speed. He prayed to the Dark One to save him from his suffering.

But the Dark One would not answer.

Escape was slow and noisy work and Nax had gotten no more than ten feet away before his efforts were thwarted by a devilish chuckle. The leader of the pony soldiers eyed his prey’s foolish attempt at evasion. In response, he gestured to one of his unicorn compatriots whose horn began to glow with a lifeless grey which signaled the collapse of a large pile of wooden boxes, burying their victim beneath the oppressive weight.

With that, any possibility of escape had been thoroughly quelled. Nax struggled with what little strength was left trying to free himself from the weight of his prison. But the pain was beginning to make his world grow dark around him as the chuckle grew stronger with the leader’s approach.

When they met eye-to-eye, Nax gazed into the face of his foe. The pegasus in question was probably not much older than Nax himself. But there was a malice and hate in those fiery orange eyes that sent a shiver down the stock's spine. Here before him was a soldier that enjoyed war, who relished in the possibility to cause pain and misery. One who would enjoy Nax’s death with a sickening joy.

Accepting his end was near as the leader lifted his hoof to finish the job, Nax closed his eyes and turned his mind back to what was really important. 

He thought of Faris, sitting alone with that journal of his, going over amazing prank after amazing prank to a crowd of empty air. 

He thought of the twins and how the three of them would never be able to steal B Company’s pig and dress it up like they had planned. It likely wouldn’t have worked and the punishment would’ve most likely been severe, but that was part of the fun wasn’t it?

He thought of Dural and the great debates that would never happen again. Never again could they discuss the nature of  life, the inevitability of death, and whether or not moss really did grow only on the north sides of trees. That last mystery had always interested Nax as to whether or not it was true. 

But most of all he imagined Thane, standing at the family altar begging their father for forgiveness. He imagined his brother all alone as the last representative of a once great clan. 

Thane, the last of the Thesik Clan.

These memories brought pain to Nax’s heart, but a song whispered through his mind that steeled against his sorrow. 

When they come I will stand my ground
Stand my ground I'll not be afraid

Thoughts of home take away my fear
Sweat and blood hide my veil of tears

It had been an honor to serve. To protect and provide for his friends, family, and fellow stock. If he was going to die, he would go as a hero of his people.

As his thoughts turned to his death, something happened that nopony could have expected.


***


It started as a simple roar, echoing through the streets and alleyways of Canterlot. But then it quickly grew to a deafening blast which shook the very foundations of the buildings. At first, many thought it was an earthquake. But the shaking soon gave way to a massive wall of magical energy which spread through the air like a wave through  the ocean. As it went  through the city, it picked up stock after stock sending them flying beyond the Appleoosian Mountains and out of sight.

In one fell swoop it effectively ended the entire invasion.

But when the blast reached Nax, rather than going after the broken stock, it instead attacked the gang of ponies, sending them careening off in different directions. Some were only sent back a few feet into a wall and knocked out. Others, like the leader of the little band, were sent completely out of sight. Not as far as the other stock but well enough away from his broken victim.

Nax lied there in awe at what had transpired. He had been saved for the moment. But how and why were unknown to him as the shock and pain of his wounds forced the stock to slip into unconsciousness.