Steeltrix watched from where he stood as the hill from which he stood on was turned into a highly defensible position. Logs were being made into barricades as earthen works were erected behind those obstacles. Steeltrix was still surprised that his army had actually fit the army he needed for the tactic he was going to be using. He had managed to be given four companies of normal Warrior ponies, two Warrior companies from the Northern Fiefdom, and at least eight companies of crossbow armed Warriors.
Though it wasn't night time yet, it was slowly getting near that time of day but IronBlood had already had the army set up camp.
Now, both Steeltrix and IronBlood, plus LightningBolt, stood watching on the hill as they looked towards the woods where QuickHoof River resided.
LightningBolt had reported that BloodHoof was heading this way and that his army was now evenly matched in numbers with Steeltrix's army.
"Do you think we can pull this off?" Asked LightningBolt.
"Of we use the tactics our dad gave us and use our own abilities and knowledge, we just might." Said Steeltrix.
They stood for a moment in silence, too caught up in their own thoughts to really talk much.
The sun slowly began to go down behind them when suddenly Steeltrix said," Here they are. We gotta get everyone ready now!"
As the trio took off the rally their Warriors, the approaching Shadow Warrior army was just starting to leave the woods and come into full view.
Amongst that army, BloodHoof could see the hill and its defenses and knew that something was definitely up.
"Halt!" He shouted and as the army stopped, he took from his belt a telescope and placed a crystal into its far end as he looked through it. As he twisted the crystal, he zoomed in on the defenses and what he saw was worrying.Then, he saw figures coming over the hill.
Armed and armored figures.
"SoulStorm's blood!" Swore a nearby Shadow Warrior," they pulled out all the stops."
BloodHoof turned away as he addressed his Warriors." We camp here for tonight."
"Well," said LightningBolt as he watched the Shadow Warrior army," they seem to have become smart. I think they are camping it out for tonight."
"Good. But let's set up watch shifts with groups of six. We need the extra security." Said Steeltrix as their army slowly withdrew from the hilltop.
BloodHoof looked at the battle map which he had made as he tried to plan out his attack. He knew just from looking at the other army that they were both evenly matched in numbers but he had noticed very few of the companies had actual melee weapons. The majority had been armed with crossbows and he knew most crossbow ponies didn't have much good melee skills.
As he thought his plan, some pony behind him asked," Sir, what do you wish for me to clean now?"
BloodHoof looked behind him and saw a pony of grey with silver hoofs. He wore only leather and he was holding a cleaning rag.
"No, I don't need you to clean anything else, SilverHoof. Thank you." BloodHoof said as he turned back to his map.
SilverHoof bowed before he took the rag and the bucket of cleaning solution with him as he went to his tent that was close by to BloodHoofs. As he put up the bucket and the rag, he lit a small candle on a small desk as he sat on his cot. He took out some parchment, some ink, and a quill as he began to draw what he had saw of the rebel army. He remembered seeing them, not exactly backlit by the setting sun but they truly scared him. As his quill swiftly drew the scene with skilled strokes, he wondered if there were ponies like him amongst that army. When he was done drawing the scene, having gotten everything thy way he had wanted it to be, he put away the ink and the quill as he took some colors and a paintbrush out and began to fill the colors in. He carefully filled the picture in as he made it come to life with the colors he used and when he was done, he put away the paintbrush and the colors as he hung the finished picture up next to several others he had completed.
He looked at his desk as he picked up his Warrior gems, having been with him since he had become a Warrior, and he closed his eyes as he said," Father of mine, may you protect me in the coming conflict. May you help me be strong and courageous like you, so that I may become a true Warrior someday like you."
He put down the gems as he heard BloodHoof say," SilverHoof, I am need of you."
SilverHoof sighed inwardly as he got up and he left his tent as he entered the tent of BloodHoof.
"Yes, my lord?" He said as he stopped and bowed.
"Tell me, do you have any experience in battle?" Asked BloodHoof as he looked at SilverHoof.
"I have done my training and been made a Warrior but I have not been in combat." SilverHoof said as he kept his head low.
"Do you have any weapon of preference?" Asked BloodHoof.
"I have trained with many weapons but my greatest strength has come from the siege hammer." SilverHoof said.
Then, BloodHoof walked to where his armor was as he compared it to the size and build of SilverHoof. SilverHoof stood silently as BloodHoof finally said," I think you will be perfect for the role I'm going to need."
"What are you asking of me?" SilverHoof asked.
"I have already given my officers the plan but I need you to wear my armor. I am going to be leading a few companies for an attack on these rebel ponies flanks and catch them off-guard. All you need to do is stay in view and, if worse comes to pass, fight as me."
As BloodHoof slowly began to put the armor of his onto SilverHoof, SilverHoof said," I assume that you will still need this armor?"
"Of course I will but not today. Not this time." Said BloodHoof.
The morning rays of dawn slowly fell upon the field as Steeltrix surveyed what had been accomplished last night. The flanks had been secured finally and though he didn't think BloodHoof would try such a crafty move, it never hurt to make sure. IronBlood and LightningBolt were organizing the troops into their positions and as Steeltrix looked all around, he wondered if he had made the right choice.
The barricades were separated by a gap that a few companies of normal Warrior ponies would be holding to the last man. The barricades swept around the hill and all along the barricades, crossbow-armed Warrior were ready to unleash many volleys of crossbow bolts.
As he stood and waited for the battle to join, IronBlood and LightningBolt appeared next to him and they stood watching over the area.
"Well, our Warriors are ready for battle. Let's just hope BloodHoof doesn't slaughter us here. Otherwise, it might as well be the end of the rebellion." Reported IronBlood.
"I think that, if anything, BloodHoof will try and flank us. Wouldn't surprise me if he does but we must be prepared, in case he throws us something we didn't exactly prepare for." Steeltrix said.
LightningBolt took something from his pocket and as he used the crystal in his hand, he scouted the tree line with his telescope. He swept around he fore he stopped and said," And here they come. Though it looks like they have a few companies less than before."
"Lemme see what those other companies may be up to." Muttered Steeltrix as he took the telescope and crystal just as IronBlood shouted out," Prepare for battle!"
Warriors began a check of their weapons as they all readied themselves for the battle to come.
Steeltrix swept their flanks and then said," BloodHoof has decided to risk it and attack our right flank. I see at least four companies worth of Warriors moving around."
"Shall we have some Warriors stand by to react to this?" Asked LightningBolt as Steeltrix returned the crystal and telescope.
"Only one company for now. Have them await for orders at our discretion since if it comes all at once, let's hope our crossbow ponies can savage them before they smash into our lines." Steeltrix said.
They all stood silently as the Shadow Warrior army slowly began to advance on both sides. The Rebellion Warriors stood silently as they awaited their orders from their commanders. The crossbow ponies silently checked to make sure their crossbows were ready to fire before they returned to their relaxed but anxious posture.
Then, the Shadow army stopped a distance from the rebel ponies position, apparently knowing the exact distance the crossbows cannot fire without having the crossbow ponies move up. The ponies at the flank stayed well within the tree line as a Warrior company took position on the rebel flank.
"Alright... Well, tell the crossbow ponies to be at the ready... And have the Warriors get in their positions at the gap." Steeltrix said in a calculated way.
The orders were obeyed as the Warriors began to set up in the gap and the crossbow ponies began to take up their crossbows in their hoofs. The Shadow Warriors seem to get nervous as this action happened and many began to put up their shields as they all sorta made their army ripple like a drop hitting water.
Then, suddenly, a cry went out from the Shadow Warriors and as the rebellion crossbow ponies began to point their crossbows skyward, the Shadow Warriors began their valiant charge across the field.
"Crossbows!" Shouted Steeltrix," Fire!"
The sounds of tightly-wound strings being released echoed around as thousands of crossbow bolts could be physically seen shooting skyward. The cloud of crossbow bolts made a dark cloud as they began to travel upward and as the Shadow Warriors ran with their shields up, the bolts began their final descent and they whistled as they fell.
Steeltrix watched with grim satisfaction as the bolts savaged the Shadow Warriors as he watched many become pincushions for the bolts but many ran onward regardless of the crossbow bolts raining upon them. Steeltrix heard another volley being launched off and as that cloud began its journey, LightningBolt said," Those Warriors at our flanks are moving. I think we need to send one more company to help the other that is already moving."
Steeltrix nodded as he watched LightningBolt direct another company from the gap to reinforce the other company, who was just now creating a wall and holding its spot. Two crossbow ponies diverted the third volley towards the Warriors coming from the tree line and as their shots arced that way, more Warriors began to fall to the merciless barrage.
The crossbow bolts were slowly chipping away at the Shadow Warriors but they were getting nearer and nearer to the barricades and though they were not as many now as before, they were still determined to break the rebel lines. And just as the fourth volley streaked into the Shadow Warriors ranks, the Shadow Warriors crashed into the Rebellion Warriors standing at the gap and as the melee ensued in viciousness, several crossbow ponies took the hands to fire crossbow bolts straight into the melee. The ponies from the tree line also crashed into the ponies guarding the flank and as crossbow bolts were fired into their ranks, more and more were falling to die upon the ground as bolts pierced several parts of their body.
"Come on. Let's help our flank out before it collapses." Steeltrix said as he noticed that though the flank was holding, two companies were going up against twice as many and it was going to possibly break if it continued.
Steeltrix ran that way as IronBlood and LightningBolt followed him without hesitation. The ringing of metal on metal, the screams of the dying, the war cries, and the sounds of the crossbow bolts filled the trio's ears as they ran to their flank. As they neared the fighting, they drew their weapons and ran towards the center of the conflict. They crashed into the battle and they lashed out and cleaved through the enemy Warriors as Steeltrix shouted out," Warriors! Push them back! Give them nothing!"
The Rebellion Warriors all rallied at this and as they began to dig their feet in, they slowly began to hold their ground and push back the enemy.
Steeltrix cleaved apart Warriors with his scythe as his sickle was flicked at whoever was closest. IronBlood bashed ponies with his shield as his broadsword slashed and pierced every pony around him. LightningBolt decided he would be better at the other battlefront and as he ran towards the gap, he shouted a rally cry to those around him.
Steeltrix and IronBlood paired up with each other as they fought with their fellow Warrior ponies and as they fought, the blood of the dead made their armor slick and pooled around their hoofs.
Suddenly, Steeltrix heard a voice from a nearby Shadow Warrior and he swore as the Warrior shouted," Come on, you fillies! Break these whelps and push past them!"
Steeltrix looked at the Warriors Warrior mark and nearly cursed as he realized that it was a blood-red hoof. Steeltrix pushed past the other Shadow Warriors as he ran towards BloodHoof. BloodHoof saw him coming and he brought up his siege hammer as Steeltrix brought up his scythe.
The two weapons clashed as the two ponies were locked in combat. IronBlood rallied the troops as he began to push back the Shadow Warriors. All the while, crossbow bolts were crunching into the bodies of Shadow Warrior ponies in great, large swarms.
Steeltrix forced BloodHoof back as he swiped and slashed with his sickle at him. BloodHoof nimbly dodged the attacks as his siege hammer rose and fell as well as being swept from side to side as he tried to smash Steeltrix off his feet. The two danced around each other but though they only met with their weapons, neither could gain a decisive advantage over each other. But that changed when Steeltrix lashed out and manages to cut a gash across the flank of BloodHoof, who stumbled back as his blood began to coat his left side.
Steeltrix almost pushed the advantage when BloodHoof smashed his hammer in an uppercut to his chin, causing his teeth to rattle and make him stumble backwards. BloodHoof pushed this advantage, no matter how small it was, and began to swing his hammer in great arcs with both hoofs as he tried to smash Steeltrix. Steeltrix dodged the blows as he threw his sickle at BloodHoof, but it clattered away as BloodHoof used his hammer to smack it away. But he didn't stop Steeltrix from blitzing forward and doing a 360 with his scythe. The blade caught BloodHoofs cheek but BloodHoof wasn't letting Steeltrix gain any sort of advantage as he blocked Steeltrix's blows and retaliated with his own. One blow smashed into the side of Steeltrix's face, ripping away his visor and fracturing his cheek bone. Steeltrix tasted some blood in his mouth as he swung his scythe downward in a brutal arc that caught BloodHoof in his front left leg.
BloodHoof howled as blood gushed from the wound and as Steeltrix ripped the blade out, he could see that the limb was useless, the majority of the nerves and muscles having been destroyed or disconnected.
BloodHoof staggered back as he continued to use his hammer one hoofed but blood loss was beginning to make him slow and tired. And all the while, Warrior ponies on both sides were dying.
Steeltrix swung his scythe in another deadly arc and it caught BloodHoof in his chest and as more of his blood began to seep from his armor, BloodHoof began to cough a little bit of blood from his mouth.
"Surrender and tell your Warriors to stand down and we will take you in as honorable prisoners." Said Steeltrix.
"Never!" Shouted BloodHoof as he managed to charge Steeltrix with his hammer raised high.
Steeltrix merely sidestepped and slashed his scythe as BloodHoof ran by and as he stood still, BloodHoof slowly fell to the ground and as he hit the ground, his Warrior gems popped free from his armor.
And like a switch, the fighting stopped around Steeltrix and he slowly heard the fighting on the other side of the hill come to a standstill.
"Your General lies dead and you have lost many Warriors. Surrender and you may come with us as honorable prisoners of war." Announced Steeltrix as he looked all around him.
And slowly, the Shadow Warrior ponies around him dropped their weapons and surrendered themselves to become POW's.
The battle was finally over.
As Steeltrix stood atop the hill, watching the POW's being rounded up and slowly escorted back to the nearest town, he gazed up the defeats took that had been wrought upon both armies. Bodies of the dead lay everywhere and though BloodHoof had lost more ponies, Steeltrix had lost many in the fighting. As the dead were slowly taken for burial, IronBlood appeared next to Steeltrix, covered in blood from head to hoof.
"We won..." He said as if it was a shock.
"But at such a great price... I'm surprised we didn't lose much more since we had so few in normal Warrior companies." Said Steeltrix as he gazed out.
Then, a voice caught their attention and they turned to see LightningBolt dragging along what looked to be BloodHoof. However, Steeltrix remembered killing him before and asked LightningBolt," Who is this?"
"Looks like BloodHoof sent an imposter to try and confuse us. He gave him all of his equipment, his general equipment, to this colt here." LightningBolt said as he pushed the pony forward.
He was a Pegasus, with a grey body and as he walked forward, Steeltrix managed to see his hoofs were silver. His Warrior mark, as Steeltrix struggled to see, was a silver hoof and he had blue eyes.
"By chance, can we have your name?" Asked Steeltrix.
"My name is SilverHoof... Personal servant of BloodHoof... What do you want of me?" Said the pony.
"Well, SilverHoof, I don't think you are a servant anymore now that you bear armor and a weapon. I'm tempted to call you BloodHoof but I believe that wouldn't fit well with you." Said Steeltrix.
"I am not a full Warrior though and it's not like I honestly can be useful besides servitude." SilverHoof said as he took off his helmet, showing a red mane.
"Well, what if I told you I can make you one?" Asked Steeltrix.
"I would be honored but wouldn't I have to have my own weapon and armor?" Asked SilverHoof.
"I think... And this is just a thought... But maybe you can bear the title of BloodHoof. Make it your own, maybe." Said IronBlood suddenly.
Everyone looked at him in surprise but then Steeltrix thought some more before he said," You are right. As long as you bear your own gems and have good training, you can do that... But it will require the gems of the original BloodHoof."
"Do we even have them?" Asked SilverHoof.
IronBlood took the gems from a nearby bag and he presented them to Steeltrix, who walked towards SilverHoof. Steeltrix placed the gems upon SilverHoof and as he muttered a few words that couldn't be heard, the gems glowed and so did SilverHoof. SilverHoof's hoofs began to turn blood-red and his Warrior mark began to change into a Blood-red hoof symbol. And when the process was done, the gems had disappeared but SilverHoof had changed into BloodHoof.
"Come, BloodHoof. We have a small trek to where our commanders are. You are going to be with us as part of a bodyguard unit." Steeltrix told BloodHoof as he began to walk away from the hill.
"So, I'm called BloodHoof now...?" Said BloodHoof slowly.
"Yes. At least now you can make the name of BloodHoof your own, you know, changes the name so it’s good and no longer bad." Said IronBlood as he slowly led BloodHoof from the hill with LightningBolt bringing up the rearguard.