After a few days’ rest my wounds were healed and I was transferred as I had requested to the unicorn front. It took a few days to travel from the north of the Scarlet Empire border to the border on the south west. While in transit, various convoys merged with our own, apparently a lot of troops along the northern pegasi front were transferred by force. Some other smaller convoys also came from the eastern front against the Moon Kingdom.
Its queen, Waning, is apparently a fierce leader and her generals equally so. However she also deplores unnecessary violence and as such has reached out with peace to her neighbors. The Scarlet Empire remembers what the Moon Kingdom, especially Waning, did for it in the past when The Plague threatened to destroy everyone. And since we are facing war on each of our borders, agreeing to this armistice was an easy decision to make. However, her other neighbors aren’t so noble as to show appreciation for what she has done in the past. In the end, only we accepted her armistice.
We soon reached the unicorn front, but it was not what I was expecting. The entire area was a charred partially burning wasteland with our tents pitched in the midst of it. We were outside a recently taken unicorn city whose name I do not know, however the general later told me he has taken to renaming all unicorn cities they capture, and this one he named Scarlet Hoof. He went on to explain how it represented how the Scarlet Empire was going to cruse the Magical Symposium under its hoof.
As the newest additions to the combat here and I arrived, we were corralled to a large open area with what looked like a stage in front of us. As an officer I was told to stand near the front and did so as the rest of the newcomers arrived. Soon, roughly a hundred ponies were gathered before the stage, only three others stood alongside me, my fellow officers. A few minutes passed before three ponies trotted onto the stage. One stood at the podium in the center while the other two stood at attention beside him. The one at the podium began to speak.
“Welcome to the fight everypony. Allow me to introduce myself, I am General Blood Hoof and I lead the fight against the unicorn menace and these two here assist me in doing so. To my right is Brigadier General Forge and on my left is Colonel Gizmo. Now, with that out of the way let me say right now, the fighting here is unlike anything any of you have faced before. The unicorns are brutal, bloodthirsty, and will stop and nothing to eradicate us “inferior” ponies. Now, I know some of you are unicorns yourselves, well let me tell you they hate you as much as anypony else. If you so much as look kindly at a non-unicorn you are committing treason in their eyes. They are an idealistic group who believe that unicorns are the supreme beings in this world. Unicorns do have their strong points, those of you who are fighting with us I am glad to have you, but the supreme beings? I have two words to say to that, Horse Shit.”
“Enough on that matter, we are here to fight, not talk. I run things very differently than the other generals, I need to. Things here get messy and I need to ensure my troops can and will do their best. Your past generals probably just gave orders while sitting at some HQ, am I right? Well fuck those cowards. I fight with you, I lead charges, I strike the enemy first and as such I will need to rely on you all at times. If I cannot expect myself to do as I command, how can I expect you all to follow my orders, and you will follow my orders. I can be a kind leader or a cruel tyrant all depending on how you carry yourself, and I have a zero tolerance for any treasonous acts, including aiding the enemy, fleeing from the enemy without command, and just down right cowardice. I treat traitors one way, I send them home. In a casket. And on that note, send up the traitors.”
At the general’s word, two ponies are led onto the stage, one unicorn and one earth pony. The unicorn looks like they have given up all hope; however the earth pony still has fire in his eyes. “This is bullshit general! You know it is!” he spat at the general. The general smiled and said, “Gag him.” One of the soldiers escorting the traitors moved to put a muzzle over his mouth, but the earth pony got some words in beforehand, “Don’t let the general fool you! What we did is right! Don-“ But he was cut off as the soldiered slipped the muzzle on and the general began to speak once again.
“I am sure many of you have noticed the charred and burning state of the land around us. That is due to a tactic we use to weaken the enemy. We simply set fire to the surrounding countryside of a town, burning all the houses and crops that could aid the enemy. During this tactic, it is not rare for enemy soldiers to get caught in the fires and burned alive. It is acceptable, and I welcome their death to the flames of war. One less unicorn to fight against, right? Well these two took it upon themselves to attempt to rescue a small group of unicorn combatants from being burned alive in a house. They succeeded and the unicorns fled back into the city we later took. Because of the action of these two ponies before you, more of our brothers had to die in combat at the hooves of those who should have been dead. These two are just as guilty of the killings as the enemy is, and for that they will be executed.”
The general unsheathes his sword and turns to the unicorn before slashing his throat and then the earth pony’s. He then stabs his sword into the stage and turns back to face us.
“These traitors make a mockery of our great army. If it was up to me, it would be my pleasure to execute every traitor we come across; however I have my hooves full fighting on the frontlines defending our homes. If you all obey orders and fight to your fullest, we won’t have any problems. Fight with me and you will quickly become seasoned veterans and maybe even earn yourselves a promotion or two. I look forward to fighting with you all in defense of our great empire. That is all. Go and find your assignments, officers, report to the command tent.”
With that he turned, as did the Brigadier General and Colonel, and the three of them walked off the stage heading for, what I assume, is the command tent. On stage, the soldiers that escorted the traitors up are now hauling off their bodies, and a new soldier galloped up to retrieve the general’s sword. Around me murmurs could be heard as everypony talked amongst themselves. I was uncertain of how to interpret what I had just seen. The general certainly seemed cruel, but maybe he was just putting on an act in front of the new troops? One thing was certain; my time here was going to be interesting.
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An entire month has gone by since I arrived at the unicorn front. Soldiers have perished and new ones have come to replace them. The general was right; this front was unlike the others. It was gory, taxing, and deadly, and sure all war is like that but this…This is something else. In my time here I have come to think of General Blood Hoof as a kind leader, he expects nothing of his soldiers that he doesn’t expect of himself, and as he has said he fights at the front. His many scars on his ember coat are proof enough of that. It would also appear he has taken a liking to me, having me lead important missions and diversions.
In this month we have fought only two battles, but they were both taxing and we lost many soldiers. And somehow through that I managed to gain two promotions, and only the first was due to a death, I am now a Major. The general thinks that with my help we can end the war with the unicorns within a year, and he has already told me that if I keep this up more promotions will be ahead. At the moment however, there is a lull in the fighting, even the best-oiled fighting machine needs rest. Since my wife is due to have our child in less than a month, this is as good a time as any to ask for leave. I make my way to the command tent to talk with the general.
As I enter the tent I see that the tent is empty aside from the general and brigadier general. “-know that. Things have been progressing roughly at best, and every step forward is met with heavy resistance. I hear the east is sending us more troops thanks to the armistice, but the north and south have none to spare. Fighting in the south is almost as bad as it is here, and the north still needs some troops to defend in case of pegasi counter-attack. We must make do with what we have for now.” The brigadier general was informing the general. But the general just slammed his hoof down. “The other fronts are nothing compared to our fighting force. If I were in their position of leadership, I would have finished long ago and sent aid to another. We have taken all the smaller towns we can, our next siege must be their fortress. But with what we have, it will be very deadly.”
I stepped up to the table. “Uh, sorry to interrupt general. I have a favor to ask.” The general looked my way before asking flatly, “What is it, Major Crimson?” He wasn’t in a good mood, but I pressed on. “General, you see my wife is pregnant and due in less than a month. I would like leave so that I could be with her when it happens, sir.” The general seemed to grimace when I asked for leave. “There is no doubt in my mind that you have earned leave, but at this time, on the precipice of a siege on a fortress, I am not sure we can handle your absence.” The brigadier general chimed in, “Oh come on general, he’s having a kid. Crimson, is this your first?” I nodded. “His first kid! Come on general! He will be back before we know it. And what’s more, he will come back refreshed and ready for action!”
The general looked from him to me and finally at the map lay open on the table. He sighed before saying, “I will consider it. Return here tomorrow at this time and I will have an answer for you.” My face immediately lit up as hope soared throughout my being. “Thank you sir! I will see you then!” and I left the tent, heading for my own.
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Brigadier General Forge turned to General Blood Hoof, “Oh? You are actually going to consider allowing our up-and-coming officer to go on leave before a fortress siege?” Blood Hoof smiled, “Of course, he deserves leave after all. Of all the soldiers under my command he has fought the hardest. And even if he decides to take his leave, he won’t be gone long. He will be back before we know it.” Forge raised an eyebrow, “Do you think he loves war that much?” Blood Hoof shook his head, “No, I don’t think he does. But, he seems drawn to war, it suits him. Perhaps he has what it takes to become a great general someday. That is, of course, if he can focus on military duty and forgets about being a devoted father and husband.”
Forge let out an awkward laugh, “You really can be cruel, can’t you general?” Blood Hoof just grinned, “It comes with the territory of being a general. And I’m not cruel; I simply understand the needs of war. The Great Scarlet Empire needs to expand its borders and protect itself from its enemies. Nothing will get in the way of our defense.”
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I have been antsy all day, waiting till it was time to hear the general’s decision. Would I get to go home and see my wife or would he force me to remain here till after the fortress siege? I arrived shortly before the specified time and waited outside. I would have entered, however I heard some muttering that I couldn’t make out and decided against interrupting. It wasn’t long before the flap of the tent opened and a masked pony in a blood red cloak walked out.
I have never seen one in person, but that pony fits the exact description of the emperor’s elite guard. The wooden mask painted red that keeps the muzzle exposed and painted with a gold gear over the right eye, the blood red cloak, and the steel halberd. The legends surrounding them say they only talk to the emperor and his generals. Perhaps the general is looking for reinforcements while I am away?
Ah! But it is time for me to hear the general’s decision. I enter the command tent, as the talking ended once the elite guard left. As I do so, the general notices me, “Ah, Crimson, right on time. I have considered your request for leave, and am happy to grant it to you, should you wish to take it. You can leave when you are ready.” My eyes widened and a grin spread across my muzzle, “Really general!? Thank you so much! I will leave tonight and be back as soon as I can!” The general smiled, “I know you will. However, an elite guard just informed me of something. Apparently a small group of unicorns have broken through our line and are wreaking havoc at our slimly protected villages. Be careful you do not meet these scum while you are on leave. Now then, go and hurry back. We have a war to finish.”
I nodded my head, saluted the general, and trotted back to my tent to pack up everything I needed. Hold on honey, I am on my way home!
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My home, given to me by my father, who got it from his father who built it, a quaint little hovel on the edge of town, the house that my wife and unborn foal reside in…Is ablaze with the fires of hell.
I got into town late at night, but I could see smoke rising from somewhere. I galloped towards the smoke only to discover that it was my home that was ablaze. The fire must have only recently started, as nopony else had gathered and the alarm had not been raised. As I sprinted towards the door, four silhouettes came into view. Four unicorns clad in the armor of the Magical Symposium. Were these the unicorns the general had spoken of?
I swiftly drew my sword and charged the unicorns. I was upon them in seconds and before they realized what was happening I had taken the heads off of two of them. The other two were quick to respond, but not quick enough as I slit one’s throat and stabbed my sword in the other’s chest and left it there.
I bucked open the door of my burning house and charged inside only to be hit with a wave of heat. I shielded my head with a leg while I looked around the house. It wasn’t long before I saw my wife lying in the middle of it and I ran to her side. As I got closer I noticed she had various wounds on her sides, but she was still breathing, barely. I hauled her onto my back and carried her outside as quickly as I was able, staying low to the ground to avoid the smoke.
I burst forth from the doorway and into the cool air of the night. A crowd had started to gather and some guards had been called. I headed a far distance away from the burning house and laid Ivory on the ground. As I did so I told one of the ponies in the crowd to go get a doctor and I cradled Ivory’s head in my hooves.
“Come on Ivory, stay with me. You’re going to be fine; the doctor is on his way. Come on baby…” I whispered to her. She was losing a lot of blood and without aid she would die soon. “C-crim? I-I’m so happy…to see you…” Ivory’s voice was barely audible. “No, honey, don’t speak. Keep what strength you can.” I told her. She gave me a weak smile as she said, “I love you, Cr-Crimson…”
After uttering those words she closed her eyes and didn’t open them again. I held her head close to my chest and cried into her mane. I was too late. If only I had been minutes, seconds, faster getting here she might not have died. Lost in my mourning, I don’t notice the doctor approach us.
“Crimson, back up give me some room.” The doctor said. “She’s already dead doctor, there’s nothing you can do.” I told him. “I can see that,” he told me. “But if we act quickly we might be able to save your foal.” Upon these words I immediately lay Ivory’s head down and gave the doctor some room. “Please doctor, if there is anything I can do just let me know.”
The doctor cut open Ivory’s abdomen to gain access to her uterus, and within minutes he pulled our foal from my wife’s body. I looked to the doctor, smiled and asked, “Well doctor, do I have a colt or a filly?” Immediately after asking my smile disappeared. The doctor wasn’t smiling, he looked grim. He looked at me and said, “Crimson, I’m sorry…but your colt didn’t make it.”
I fell to the ground in utter disbelief. “A colt…we would have had a colt Ivory…Thank you doctor, but I’d like to be left alone for a while.” The doctor nodded and laid my colt’s body next to its mother before he walked away. I sat there next to their bodies for what seemed like hours.
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The following morning I had a lot of business to attend to. Ivory’s body had been taken to the undertaker’s the previous night along with our colt’s, who I decided to name him Cinereous because his coat was coppery gray color. We were going to be holding a funeral tomorrow for the both of them.
I had to go through the process of picking out their grave plots and coffins. I also had to inform the guards of what I encountered and hire somepony to clear the wreckage of my house, which had completely burn down. I had nothing left in this town to call my own, the fire and those unicorns saw to that. I decided to sell my land my house was on and to dedicate the rest of my able-bodied life to destroying the unicorn bastards that caused the death of the ones I loved.
I wouldn’t become rich from fighting in the military, but when I can no longer fight I will have enough money set aside to buy a house and live out the rest of my days. It won’t be a happy or easy life from now on, but if I can prevent another innocent death, prevent somepony’s wife and foal from being killed, it will be worth it.
The day following the death of my wife was a day full of sorrowful looks, words of sympathy, and acts of pity. At one point I wondered into an alley way just to get a break from everypony looking at me. I curled up in that alley for a few hours before carrying on with my business. When I finally returned to the room I was renting, I couldn’t even sleep. The night passed by me as I lay on the bed. My mind was filled with thoughts of my wife, colt, and the life we could have had.
When the next morning finally rolled around I was thankful to see the sunrise. Today was the day of the funeral, the last time I would see my wife’s or colt’s body. I prepared myself and made my way to the graveyard. No one else was there, it was far too early for the funeral, but I had nothing else to do and I really didn’t want to be alone in my room the whole day. I stood before the dug graves and waited, lost in my own thoughts. After quite some time the funeral assembled around me.
I returned back to reality for the duration of the funeral and hearing everypony’s kind words to me giving their condolences. The coffins of my wife and colt were lowered into the ground, their graves about a foot from each other, and buried. Words were said, shoulders were patted, but the whole thing passed as a blur. Like it had appeared, the funeral slowly disappeared around me as I stood before the two fresh graves.
The sun began to set before I turned from the graves and returned to my room. I had nothing keeping me in the town any longer. The next morning I would return to fight against the unicorns. I promised myself that I would return to my family’s graves again once the unicorn menace had been crushed. They killed my family and now I will not rest till their army lies in shambles.