Chapter 30
Once at the palace, Celestia briefed the five of them as Starlight Glimmer joined them from the School for Gifted Unicorns, as well as Moon Dancer. It seemed illogical for some that Discord waited this long to say anything, but after Celestia explained the situation and the strategy behind all that happened, they backed off some, and Twilight then said, “So, what happens now?”
“The twins are gathering other bards that can get here quickly,” said Luna, “They shall be going with the strongest units to face the bulk of Ponaeros’ forces. Our intelligence tells us his arrogance has him right out there with his troops, so we are going to take a chance to try to stop him cold. We know his magic is very powerful, but we do not know if he even knows his fullest potential, or if he is holding it back. Whatever the case, they are going to try to put to use all they have learned and see if they can repeat the kinds of things that the bards once did to put war to rest before it can begin.”
“Considerin’ how much more punch the Bardies put intah th’bards music,” added Applejack, “Maybe we should yoke that.”
“No,” said Celestia, “We do not want to put noncombatants into the crossfire. The bards are an exception to this, considering that they have the ability to stop the conflict. I am sure they have enough on their own to subdue the main attacking force. If they can collectively stop Ponaeros, they can break the spell over his troops. The bard’s magic should stop the troops, but once Ponaeros is subdued, then we alicorns can combine our strength to lock him down and seal off his magic once Princess Cadence joins us. Then the bards can use their magic to un-brainwash Ponaeros’ followers, and we can put things right.”
Luna then added, “The rest of you will stay here in the safety of the castle, and Princess Twilight shall join us at the front to aid in putting Ponaeros under wraps, so to speak.”
“Is there anythin’ we can do t’help?” asked AJ, not liking how Twilight was having to go without them.”
“Not as yet,” answered Celestia, “But if it gets bad, then all your areas of expertise are going to be needed to aid in the fight. However, if it gets really bad, we may have to extract the Elements of Harmony once more as a last resort. If we fail, it won’t matter anyway.”
Twilight thought about it, and then she said, “About a year ago, you mentioned what powered the elements of harmony, including magic. You were sketchy as to what that was at that time, but did imply that the Bardic magic tied in somehow. We do know that music is powered by harmony, and so it does tie into the tree. If we can find out what that is, perhaps we can tie that into whatever the bards do and then see if the Tree of Harmony adds to what they do what it takes to put this all to a stop much quicker.”
“It is a possibility,” said Celestia, “But that can only be revealed by the bards as they act. If they hit on it right, then it just might happen, and we can be rid of Ponaeros forever.”
Those of the main six and all their friends present hugged it out with Twilight, begging her to take care of herself and not to do anything risky or rash, wishing her home and safe before too long. They were tearing up, now feeling the weight of the whole thing now, and it was frightening. Indeed, the ancient bards hated war as much as this new breed, and now they were beginning to understand why.
After about a day and a half of swift travel, the bards and all the soldiers were at a spot they knew Ponaeros was approaching as the Wonderbolts circled overhead, ready to strike if called on. Meanwhile, Ponaeros indeed did approach with his dark and obedient minions out in front. They all were nearly drooling at the concept of combat, ready to kill anything that moved, thinking they were better than all the ponies in the world and ready to prove it. Ponaeros, however, had other intentions. If his move he was making here worked, he could get what he wanted and then strike back later with the real tsunami of force. He wasn’t seeking to prove himself better than anypony else…he was drooling at the concept of being worshipped as the god he always saw himself.
Yet, when they got in sight of the army of Equestria, yes, they saw the forces there, but, in the middle, was a massive band on a large stage, including the cream of the crop of the recording industry who were also bards ready to add their power to the mix and try to stop this. Confused, Ponaeros’ army stopped in their tracks, not sure how to react to this sight. Quill then got on the mic and said, “Welcome all those from the east. It’s good you all came, and we hope we can change your minds about what you are doing. Indeed, all you are in this are pawns in the hands of a self-righteous maniac who cares nothing about anything but himself. To him, all of you are nothing but cattle, and he doesn’t care how many of you he kills to get his goal, so why not just chill out and just peace it up with us!”
Of course, this bounced of them as a ridiculous notion considering their brainwashing and Ponaeros’ magic. Yet, for Ponaeros, he was going to allow this to happen to see just how much power the bards now wielded. If it was significant, then his plan could go into full force. Indeed, they could subdue him, but he had learned some tricks from the over a millennium’s time he spent trying to get out of Tartarus and the Abyss. He would put that to use to block whatever tricks they tried to subdue him and go on the offensive when the moment was right. The twins then started to play a kind of mix of old country and western with folk and started into something that was more talk than singing, but, as they had already learned, storytelling was just as much a bardic art as music. With that, he started:
Come all you stallions big and strong as ol’ Ponaeros scams you along;
He’s a ‘starting some chaos and making his stand as he spreads his lies all in the land.
So go get your weapons and commit this crime, and we’ll all have a really good time!
A, B, C, do you all even know why you’re here;
If the reason is not clear, you should all run home in the deepest fear.
F, G, H, I don’t know why we should fight;
But if your all uptight, let’s make it right, and let peace shine nice and bright!
With all the bards contributing, a huge wave of magic rushed forth, and started to penetrate what Ponaeros had done to them. Because the mood was light and a bit satirical in nature, it started to lighten the mood of the situation, spreading with more effect because of the Bardic magic. All of Celestia’s troops were laughing, while the other side was feeling quite confused, but suddenly not able to restrain from a chuckle or two from what was being sung. The twins then went on as Downy took over:
We ain’t got nothing to gain by fighting this war, ‘cause pain loss is what’s in store;
Some think they’ll get rich with gain by making the weapons that cause such pain.
The undertaker’s the only one who’ll roll in cash, and with war he’ll make a real big splash.
A, B, C, do you all even know why you’re here;
If the reason is not clear, you should all run home in the deepest fear.
F, G, H, I don’t know why we should fight;
But if your all uptight, let’s make it right, and let peace shine nice and bright!
The Equestrian army was in stitches now, and the other side was cutting through the haze that was in their minds, starting to question their actions by this point, and actually starting to see just how silly all this was. What was there to gain in this? This went far beyond the so-called “social justice” Ponaeros preached to them all this time. In fact, what seemed to be his goals really didn’t seem to match up to what they had originally wanted and sought for themselves. It certainly did not involve war. Quill continued on, in fact, and seemed to reinforce this point:
So make them pay who get in your way, and now’s your chance to take the day;
Get back at the wrongs all done to you, and that won’t come ‘till you’ve run ‘em all through.
Yep, these ponies you’ve never met and did you no wrong will pay the debt!
A, B, C, do you all even know why you’re here;
If the reason is not clear, you should all run home in the deepest fear.
F, G, H, I don’t know why we should fight;
But if your all uptight, let’s make it right, and let peace shine nice and bright!
Some were saddened now that they were extracting justice from those that never hurt them, while others were just smiling and shaking their heads at how zealous to be trying to cause justice against what were really nonexistent crimes. And some were even now joining in the chorus with the band and the Equestrian army. This was all aided by cartoonish images depicting the story, again, satirically, showing how silly and just plain dumb this fight really would be. The Bardic magic was now showing just how powerful it had been back in the ancient days. Downy then led into a big finish:
So all you towns come join the fad, send your best and you’ll be glad;
Be proud Tripes, and don’t hold back; send all your best into the attack.
You’ll gain status and fame by the amount you gave and how many that lie in a grave!
A, B, C, do you all even know why you’re here;
If the reason is not clear, you should all run home in the deepest fear.
F, G, H, I don’t know why we should fight;
But if your all uptight, let’s make it right, and let peace shine nice and bright!
They finished the tune, and now the applause was great on both sides, along with the laughter, and indeed, the bards were breaking the spell. In fact, in other areas of Equestria, the other fronts were wondering why the word for attack had not yet been given, and word came back that the Tripes in the center were laying down their arms for a concert of some sort! Confusion reigned, but this was exactly what Ponaeros had banked on!
Ponaeros was not looking to make this the main push across Equestria, as one might have thought. He wanted to test the power of the bards versus his own. Indeed, spending all his time building up a minor empire in order to attack at the right time had never allowed him to fully explore just how strong he had grown magically for all his time battling to get out of the Abyss. He figured that he would have time to explore that as he sought to use it in the war he was hoping to make. After all, the whole point of building a military, as far as he was concerned, was only to be in a state of warfare. You always channeled the best and the most out of the ponies you ruled over by constantly having some kind of cause for which to fight. Now that he had seen the bards firsthand, he knew they were as powerful as he had remembered. Yet, he had the personal ability to resist, though he was taxed in trying to keep the spell over his soldiers while keeping himself from falling under the bard’s spell. Moreover, now was the time to show these upstart alicorns that nothing they had could compare to the power he now wielded. He had been powerful when he had once faced Starswirl, but now he was many times stronger than that, so what made these mutant ponies who could not decide which category of pony they wanted to belong think they stood a chance? Furthermore, he was to become more powerful than that with what he did next.
Just before the twins could break into another number, Ponaeros teleported right behind them with about six of his elite guard, saying as he appeared, “You know, you are talented, but your music is a bit grating. Time to change that.”
The six grabbed them before they could act and the whole crew vanished back to where Ponaeros had been before. He quickly cast a sealing spell on the pair and prepared for phase two. This was when the excrement hit the rotational cooling device.
The princesses were shocked. They could not believe how easily and quickly Ponaeros had acted. They were certain he was powerful, but not so much as to resist all those bards and then be able to grab the twins as they did. Worse, Ponaeros had cut off the head of the snake, so to speak, which would make, at least at that moment, the body useless. Confusion set in, as well as panic, as Ponaeros quickly reestablished his controlling spells over his troops present and then called for an all-out attack. The Equestrian Army was now disorganized, having spent too much time getting into the music, and letting down their guard when the opposing force was laying down their arms. The bards could not counter because they were looking to the twins for guidance, and because of that, could not organize the music enough to repel the attack. The Equestrian soldiers were starting to improvise, but were being overrun. The bards, now in full panic, were trying to get out of there as fast as they could, and mixed in with the fighting to where it made it hard for the Equestrian soldiers to pick out targets. The Tripes, however, didn’t really care. Luna sprang into action herself on the ground, rallying the army to some kind of fighting form, if only into a fighting withdrawal to get the bards out of there. Celestia was doing what she could to aid in the extraction of the bards and gave command for all Wonderbolts and their reserves to give air cover while this was being executed. She was not about to try to attack the Tripes in this disorganized state. She would have to give up ground for now while she and her generals were able to come up with a new plan. First, they had to pull back to a better position and dig in there to stop the advance while building a new plan, and hopefully, call for help from other places, and quickly. Meanwhile, Ponaeros had now left the field altogether and back to headquarters. He had some plans for the twins.
On the northern and southern areas of Equestria, the troops were holding their own against the Tripes, but the Tripes were gaining ground, but much slower than in the middle. The north and south on the flanks were more ready than the middle, considering what had been planned, yet they were now finding out just how powerful Ponaeros had made them. The sickening feeling was now settling in on the whole battlefield; this was not going to be over in one day. This was going to be a long and protracted war, and the fates only knew just how long and bloody this would be. However, they knew what was at stake now. Because of what Discord was able to tell the princesses, Ponaeros was making no bones about just what his goals were. His evil was the worst kind: absolute wickedness! Life only held value to him as long as it served his purposes. He could dispose of anypony after that once he or she outlived their usefulness. He expected all to bow to him, and he felt he owed nothing to anypony. In short, he just did not want to conquer the world, he wanted to be worshipped as a god! If he were to win, not only would he plunge the whole world into a horrible dark age, but he would then begin to reshape the whole thing into his vision, and anypony that did not measure up to it would be disposed of. Thus, blood would flow long after the fighting was done. Therefore, the stakes were to prevent the end of the world as they knew it. It now became win at all costs, and exactly what Celestia had hoped to avoid. It was turning into the darkest day in Equestrian history since Ponaeros pulled this maneuver many centuries before.
Spitfire flew up in front of all the Wonderbolts and called for them to form up and prepare for battle. “Alright!” she said, “Time to show why we practice all those fancy moves and show they weren’t just to look cool!”
Indeed, she was right, because what few realized is that, in the execution of the stunts, they were demonstrating that they were also attack patterns that would be used in a situation such as this. In much the same way dressage was indeed a major pony martial art hidden inside fancy dance steps, so were the stunts of the Wonderbolts. Spitfire then said, “The whole plan has messed the bed down there, and we’ve got to cover the strategic withdrawal while the army finds better ground from which to fight. Let’s get down there and show ‘em why we’re feared throughout the world!”
“FLY SWIFT! STRIKE FAST! SOAR HIGH!” they thundered in one of their many battle cries, and moved in.
Rainbow Dash had hoped she never had to be a part of the combat side of the Wonderbolts, but at the same time, she also understood the risks involved, and she got her now pounding heart under control. Instead, she focused her energies to aggression and the mission at hand, reminding herself that she was always ready for a fight. She had never backed down from anypony, and it was not about to start now. In her time during her monthly training sessions, and her two weeks annual, she had learned much about combat. She understood a couple of things. First, she remembered what some of the older vets and drill instructors had taught her; go into combat expecting to die and you will live. Go into combat hoping to live, and surely you will not. This was because, if you spent too much time trying to save her own hide, she would not focus on the mission at hand, look out for the wellbeing of her fellow Wonderbolts, and not only would it cost her, but it would also cost her teammates. The other thing she had learned was from the high stress training. They were always putting them up against overwhelming forces in simulations in order to get them to be able to make training based decisions when they were nearly out of energy and working off raw emotions. At that point, one always drops to the lowest level of their training, and the goal was to make the lowest common denominator be the simplest and yet most effective actions when you were up against it, and to keep your head about you so you didn’t panic, and just tell yourself that, if you were at the bottom, they only way at that point to go was up. She kept her mind focused on one thing at a time, got into formation, and prepared to dive into the fray. She then got that fire in her eye, and the only thing she could now think, see, or reason was to attack!
The Wonderbolts headed for the area of the field that the Tripes were looking to catch as many bards as they could and wipe them out. This would allow the troops who were covering their retreat to dig in and form a wall of defense while Celestia got them out of there. As they approached, Celestia was keeping them calm and organized as they moved out, blasting several Tripes at a time as they attempted to approach, and finding out the hard way why you don’t mess with an alicorn that was over a thousand years old with experience and wisdom, and thus proper battlefield treachery, on her side. Spitfire, seeing this, called for Soarin to take his battle wing to the left and she would go right, go over the main line of battle, and attack from the rear in a dual starburst pattern. The two wings dove in fast and hard, and then starburst, first into their squadrons, and then starburst again as they did their runs. The whole thing looked confusing to the ground troops as it seemed they were getting hit from every direction at once, but the Wonderbolts were in full control of what they were doing. Those in the main line of the fight then had to draw some back and aid their now besieged comrades and stem the tide. At this, a battle wing of the Tripes took to the air to try to confront the Wonderbolts directly, and it was exactly what Spitfire was hoping for!
She called for her wing to break off and meet the oncoming threat while Soarin kept up his strafing runs. Rainbow Dash had just finished clobbering her umpteenth foe when she heard the call and saw the threat. She was so pumped up with endorphins at this point that she wasn’t even thinking about the danger and only focused on one thing: win! She uttered, “Oh yeah! Let the dogfighting begin!” and banked up to meet the new threat. Her years of learning earth pony fighting was about to pay off along with what she had learned with the team: WHAC, (Wonderbolts Hooffighting Aerial Combat.) The lead Tripes began to hear a shriek coming up fast, and looked down only long enough to register Rainbow Dash coming up in full battle cry and primal scream as she was just short of Rainboom speeds. She hit the leader full tilt and would have snapped him in two had it not been for his armor. Nonetheless, he had cracked ribs as he spiraled out of the sky, attempting to regain control in all kinds of pain. This disrupted the whole Tripe wing and the others were quick to jump on the confusion. There was chasing, maneuvering, and straight up hoof-to-hoof aerial combat. The attacking Tripe wing were caught off guard by the counterattack, and found out quickly that they were not going to outmaneuver the Bolts at any part of the fight. They began to drop like flies hit with DDT and with each one out, it only increased the Bolts’ strength on the enemy. Dash was starting to become an ace fighter as she knocked one foe after another out of the sky. Then it happened.
She was chasing one who looked like an officer, looking to add another notch on her belt, but not seeing the trap into which he was leading her. She was so focused on him that she could not see that she was being led into some unicorns who were acting as aerial artillery against any Bolt who was foolish enough to stray from the melee and then become an easy target. Spitfire saw this and shouted into her headset, “SERGEANT DASH! GET OUT OF THERE! IT’S A TRICK!”
But it was all happening too fast. The one she was chasing suddenly pulled a maneuver that she had to bank hard to match, but was designed to get him out of the line of fire. Her entire body was now open for attack, and the unicorns opened up. She screamed and started to take evasive action, but, as something like this always is, it is the one you never see that catches you, and it caught her, square in the chest! It ripped through her armor and right through her left lung, the beam cauterizing the wound, but not without collapsing her lung and still causing internal bleeding. Being low to the ground, she skidded down to the ground and tumbled to a halt. This got her a broken foreleg and rear leg, and she lay there, gasping for air, and her good lung slowly filling with fluid. Soldiers were starting to close in to finish the job, but about five Bolts showed up to get her out, along with a pony bowling ball. Bulk Biceps blasted through and bowled many of the attacking troops out of the way. He took a shot from the unicorns, but it just grazed him. He hardly noticed it and growled as if a horsefly had bit him and headed straight for Dash. He started to pick her up as she gurgled faintly, “Get out! Leave me!”
“ALL IN OR ALL OUT, LITTLE BUDDY!” he thundered, “NOPONY LEFT BEHIND!”
He got her to some of the faster fliers and got her to the medics quickly. They quickly stabilized her and got her to one of the mobile hospitals away from the fighting.
The Tripes had made gains, but had been stalled with the Wonderbolt attack and had to pull back before they took anymore losses. They retreated to better defensive positions and then sought to resume hostilities the next day, and this pattern was repeated all along the front in all places in Equestria. Luna had lay waste to many foes and had the field officers prepare for a proper defense until reinforcements arrived. She then went to find her sister and see how it went with her. As she approached, she was relieved to hear that only a few bards were lost, but it was not so consoling, knowing that Ponaeros got away with the twins, and there was no knowing what he was doing to them, if they were even alive at all. Yet, Celestia was nowhere to be seen. When she asked around, she was told what happened, and she was now shaken to her foundations at the news. She had been told to take control on the front while she escorted back a certain casualty back to Canterlot. Considering who it was, Luna understood well why.
At the palace, news was starting to come in about how things had become a fiasco, and now they were in a full-fledged war. Hearing that, there was not much talk or discussion, with everypony at a loss as to what they could say. Yet, it was about to become worse as the rest of the Mane six and the others saw a grave and sad Celestia come in, all grimy and sweaty, her mane disheveled, come into the hall of honor where they were waiting. She saw them together, and she said, “My little ponies, I have awful news…”
When she said what had happened, horror overcame them all, and almost all of them were now in tears, shocked at the news. “Is she…” Twilight started to ask through the tears, but Celestia cut her off and said, “No, she’s stable, but it’s touch and go right now. She’s in surgery right now, and she should be okay, but right now, she’s in a coma. It is not so severe that she won’t come out of it after a short time, but it could have been worse.”
All they wanted to see her as soon as they could, but with the news of the twins, all hope seemed to be seeping out of their hoofs and into the floor as if it was their lifeblood. Rarity, between sobs, said what they all were thinking, “Whatever is to become of us now?”