A Colt's War

by Codexwriter476

Chapter Nine: Going Home

Big Macintosh was rested down in the grass at the grand park, where it had be converted to a field hospital. Wounded soldiers from both Grenadiers and Royal Guards groaned and ached in pain as the echoing gunfire surrounded them, distant obviously. There were also Lunar wounded nearby, but under heavy guard incase they tired something tricky. He looked over to see Pipsqueak nearby, rested on a cot. A bullet had punctured his skull, but entirely missed the brain; although he would blinded one side for the rest of his life. At least he would live.

"What happened Pip?" Mac asked. The pinto turned to him.

"We attacked the barracks and a sniper nearly got me, but something forced me aside. The bullet hit my head near my left ear. Doc says I might go blind in my left eye soon. Yourself?" Pip replied.

"Broken leg, fell from the town hall's third floor railing from a room explosion." He replied. Suddenly, his ears perked up. The constant gunfights and explosions, they've stopped. Every pony at the hospital waited for something to happen. Suddenly, a single Pegasus flew towards them, dove down and quickly stopped before hitting the ground. He was a pinto just like Pipsqueak, but his left wing was a different color than his right. He touched down, leaving a small cloud of dust at impact.

"Who's that?"

"That's Captain 'Dustoff' Forrester. He's one of the air platoon leaders from the Wonderbolts." A guard replied. The Wonderbolts were the best flyers in all of Equestria, and 'Dustoff', as the rumors spread, was the original founder. Although he didn't seem old, his flying patterns were basic Wonderbolt trademarks, not to mention his brown flight jacket and helmet to match.

"I just got word from the front." He started, shouting out for the whole park to hear. "The New Lunar Republic, as of today, April 30th 1876, has surrendered to the Royal Equestrian Army." He finished. An eerie silence filled the camp. Surrendered.

"War's over boys. We're going home!" Mac shouted. In a fanatic uproar, the camp cheered and hollered, tossing their hooves into the air with joy. The cries of joy echoed throughout the hallowed smoke-filled city, from both wounded and alive, for the end they sought had at last arrived. The war was over. Any Lunar supporters there, simply hung their heads in shame, knowing the fate they will receive once the celebrations were over.
--
When news of the victory reached Lawrence at the remains of the train station strongpoint, he didn't say anything. He didn't cheer, he didn't even smile. All he did was stand there, tears forming at the base of his eyes. This was not the kind of victory he had hoped for.
--
[Three days later...]
The Manehatten Strain station was crowded with grenadiers and guards, homeward bound. Mr. Cake, Pipsqueak and Braeburn boarded the train, helping most of the wounded who couldn't walk aboard. Big Mac did the same further down with the guards when he noticed Lawrence alone near the very end of the platform. Lancer was there, talking to him.

"Here, could you help him?" He asked a nearby guard. He replied yes and took over, freeing Mac to get closer to their conversation.

"You did a fine job Major. Is there anything I could do to convince you to stay on, maybe as my strategic officer?" Lancer said.

"No sir. I've done enough for one lifetime. I'd rather go home, back to my Railyard. I'm also gonna stop by the Canterlot graveyard to take him back with me." Lawrence replied.

"I see. Well, If you have second thoughts, feel free to stop by the Ministry and we'll see what we can do." Lancer saluted and returned towards the main building, once again leaving him alone. Mac soon approached him.

"I couldn't help but overhear your conversation with the general." He said.

"Yeah."

"So this is it then? You get to go home to a loving family?" Lawrence replied, looking to the red stallion.

"Eeyup. We do have some spare rooms if you want to stay."

"Thank you for the offer Mac, but I'll stick with what I got." The train whistle blew and the conductor shouted out from the platform.

"ALL ABOARD FOR PONYVILLE. ALL ABOARD!" Mac turned to the train, then back to Lawrence.

"Train's about to leave, you coming?" Mac said.

"Nah, I think I walk home." Lawrence said. He reached his hoof out. "It was an honor fighting alongside you Captain Macintosh."

"Likewise, Major." Mac reached his out and met his. The train whistle blew once again, and slowly pulled away from the platform. Macintosh turned around and jumped onto the nearest car, the train starting to gain speed. He looked back once more to not just see Lawrence, but also William, Haybrun, Sketch and Newsprint standing by him. Lawrence turned to his right where Sketch was, and Sketch looked to him.

"Brothers to the end." Lawrence mouthed to the ghost.

"Brothers to the end." the ghost mouthed back. Macintosh rubbed his eyes, looked once more and saw only Lawrence once again, walking away.

--
Going Home
--

The train pulled into Ponyville, awaiting them was the cheerful citizens and families. Mr. Cake was the first one off, to meet the warm embrace of his wife and the twins, now able to trot over to his legs. Pipsqueak was next, who ran over to his parents, tears flowing from his eyes with joy. As more and more local ponies got off the train, more welcomes and hugs went around and finally came Big Macintosh. As he laid a hoof on the platform, Applebloom jumped him and they both went down onto the grass. Tears in her eyes, Applebloom snuggled herself under his chin as Applejack, her friends and Granny Smith trotted over, the same feeling overwhelming them. Braeburn got off as well, to get a hug from Applejack. Ponyville was alive with the sounds of joy, but some shed a tear of sorrow as the caskets soon came off the flatbed cars behind them. As his family and friends embraced his return, Macintosh looked up to the sky, wondering how his new friend would be after all he had lost.

Sun shining high in the sky, Lawrence walked down the road towards Ponyville, which was a good day or so out. He preferred to walk since it gave him time to himself. The birds chirped in the distance and the white clouds lingered overhead, casting shadows on the ground. The wood railing fence lined the road on both sides, the landscape unscaved by the war.

"So, what now brother?" a voice said.

"Well, Sketch. I was thinking of selling the Railyard and moving to Ponyville. I hear it's lovely this time of year." Lawrence replied. Sketch's ghost floated alongside him.

"I'm sure Dad will be alright with your choice. It would be difficult to run it all on your own." Another voice added. Lawrence turned to his left to see another familiar face.

"I'm sure he would be Max. I'm sure he would be." The trio continued down the road, towards a hopeful future.

Comments

[rhospet]

loved the story to the end

[Codexwriter476]

415761 Glad to hear it

[TheRealShadowFoot]

This was a really great read with an excellent ending. Hope to see more from you soon.

[Bronyhood of steel]

very good story

[Kortas]

Damn it, i got dust in my eye, i ought to clean more