War like no other has descended on Equestria; the enemy has taken several cities in lightning fast assaults of bloodshed and death. Now in order to save their land the princesses decree. "All able bodied stallions are to join the military."
War has come to Equestria. Changling hordes have wiped several major cities off the map in one night of bloodshed and destruction, and are now marching towards the total destruction of Equestria itself; on their own they were powerful, but somehow they have also enlisted legions of the most dangerous monsters in the world to fight at their side. The townsfolk all fight valiantly, but against such odds they can only lose ground to the ever growing enemy; to make matters worse, the elements of harmony are scattered throughout the land and cut off from each other. With both princesses injured in the opening battles, the call goes out for all able bodied stallions to join the military and defend their homes or perish like those before them.
They appeared with a flash of light, an unshakeable dark horde. A tidal wave of char black flesh blotting out all light, leaving a trail of destruction and death in their wake. It was the same across every city, wherever they appeared, no matter how thoroughly defended went dark within a moment. Reports of terror and decimation fell upon Canterlot's halls as one by one cities went dark, each passing second yielding another letter requesting aid. At eight sixteen am the first city fell, another hour saw four more major cities fall. By nine thirty two am all contact with the western half of Equestria had ceased.
“Your Highness! We have received reports that several cities on the outskirts of Equestria have been attacked! It is not known who or what our enemy is or how they got through our lines so quickly but all reports ceased within minutes of the first. What are your orders?” Sergeant Silver Helm stated to Princess Celestia after taking a respectful bow.
Princess Celestia sighed at the grim news then turned back to the sergeant. “Have every active officer in Canterlot report to the meeting room and send a message to have Princess Twilight return to Canterlot immediately. We will have a meeting to discuss how to deal with this threat as soon as she arrives.” Celestia turned to go toward Luna's quarters, stopping only to state “Also have all trainee officers at the academy attend as well. I fear we may need more than our veterans to deal with this...” with these ominous words she trailed off to her sister's quarters.
Along the path she passed several portraits of generations gone by, she stopped at one; a male alicorn with an old weathered face, his face covered in scars, some faint, some almost fresh, eyes filled with pride, power and...a hint of sadness...welled inside him, unspoken, but still visible and preserved in this master-piece. She never understood this, every time she saw him she sensed it, but never had the courage to ask and now it is too late.
“Father...” Celestia spoke softly and quietly, her voice shaking with the weight of her thoughts.
“You fought so many wars across Equestria, you shaped our world and freed us from being barbaric tribes and now...” She paused, hesitant to speak her concerns. “and now..I fear a new time of war has started, but I don't know if I can handle it...I don't know if I can defend Equestria as you did...” A single tear rolled down her eye and she broke her gaze from the portrait, moving away as swiftly as she could as if trying to escape from her fears, from these feelings of dread that flowed through her, feelings that she might need to face trials as her father did for her kingdom...
***
As soon as Twilight walked into the meeting room she felt the weight of the entire situation, mixes of veteran officers, scarred from years of battle, cadets from the military academy, not even graduated from their training and already forced into a war and even royalty, princes such as Blue Blood, princesses Luna, Celestia and now Twilight; Cadence and Shining Armour were in the Crystal Empire, too far away to reach Canterlot for this meeting. Twilight took a seat as Celestia explained the reports and everything they knew at this time. When she was finished the room burst into frantic discussion, many of the veterans arguing about ideas of how to deal with the threat or even find out what it is, quickly being shot down by other veterans. In the background many trainee officers were silent, overwhelmed by the situation or taking in the discussion.
“We need to send out scout parties to identify the threat!”
“And have them killed!? Whatever attacked us took out five cities in an hour! Sending a scout party is to condemn them to death!”
“Then we lead our armies west and deal with the invaders head on!”
“Without knowing our opponent!? Anything could happen! We wouldn't stand a chance!”
As the debate raged on Twilight looked over the officers, seeing one cadet who rather than staring at the debate was making notes and staring at the map laid out on the table. Soon he raised his hoof and declared calmly “I have an idea.” His words barely audible in the uproar of the debate, going entirely unnoticed...CRASH! Almost unnoticed she corrected as Celestia brought order to the room with an authoritative stomp of her hooves.
“I believe Cadet Diamond Shield here has an idea. Why not hear him out?” On Celestia's command the room waited silently for the cadet's idea.
“If we are to have any hope of defeating our enemy we need to know what they are...” He left the words hanging for a second...possibly from nervousness? He cleared his throat then continued “So scouts are our best choice, I've looked at this map and there is a great deal of terrain to disguise a small unit. Also, from the few reports we’ve received it seems that the attacks occurred during a scheduled fog in the area. This worked to our enemy's advantage but now it can work to ours. I know a few pegasi from the academy who are strong fliers and would be suitable to scout...”
As one officer readied to interrupt, Celestia gave him a harsh look to back down and let the cadet finish. Diamond Shield looked at Celestia nervously and she nodded for him to continue. “I also know a few unicorns who are capable at protective magic and would be able to augment the pegasi vision enough to identify our enemy through the fog if nothing else. This would allow us to scout them while staying at a safe distance. We would need to move fast to reach them before the fog clears but I am confident we can manage. It is not without risk but I have enough faith in this plan that I am willing to accompany this scouting party.”
With that decided the room emptied and Princess Twilight approached the young cadet who was gathering his notes; he wasn’t like the old veterans who were all dull coated and worse for their years. No, his coat was still brilliant white and his chestnut brown mane was tied in a low ponytail; oddly he seemed smaller than most of the other stallions she’d met and if she was honest he didn’t look like he belonged in the military at all.
Twilight cleared her throat and raised her hoof to get the young soldier’s attention. “Hello, Diamond shield was it? That was a very impressive display earlier; how long have you been in the Equestrian military academy?”
The white unicorn stallion immediately halted what he was doing and bowed to the alicorn princess; his dark eyes only raising to catch a brief glimpse at the purple mare before dropping back to the white marble at his armour clad hooves. “Two years, your Majesty.” The stallion answered formally, but with clear nervousness. It was obvious to Twilight that he was not used to dealing with royalty; she tried to find a way to make him feel more comfortable, after all she didn't like to be treated special because she is a princess.
“Please just call me Twilight.” She replied, looking down at Shield as he bowed. “And you can stand up now.” She chuckled to herself.
“Of course Princess.” He stood up quickly, his body tense and uncomfortable. Twilight watched him, trying to think of a way to break the ice. “You know, we still have a few hours before the scout party is gathered. Would you like to play a game of chess?” As she asked him, she wondered to herself how the game would go, she had studied every chess book in her vast library and new every trick and tactic used by professional players, as such she was never defeated. But...how would she perform against a trainee captain?
Shield smiled lightly for the first time showing a slight relaxation, although not much. “I would love to Prin...Twilight.” He corrected himself. They walked together to a quiet room and set up a chess set. “How should we decide who gets to take the first turn?”
“You can take the first turn if you wish your Majesty.” Twilight was surprised, both by the speed of his response but also that every book she had read stated that it was best to take the first turn, so why would he forfeit the chance so quickly...She thought for a moment, he used the word “Majesty” it was likely because she was a princess and he obviously didn't want to argue with her. She wasn't going to pass up the opportunity though.
So she opened with an obvious starting move, bringing her king's pawn forward one space, a move that releases her most powerful piece as well as a bishop while sacrificing no protection from the pawns. His response was immediate, moving his queen's knight to queen's bishop six. It was a defensive move, although much less common. As she moved her queen out, readying for a fast checkmate, he moved the opposing pawn forward...it was to be expected though.
As they played he quickly manoeuvred his knight to protect the unmoved knight and his rook's pawn forward as well. They protected each other but it served no purpose. Twilight started to doubt his ability as she took piece after piece, her queen eventually finding its way to rook in that same corner. It would take at least two turns to clear from the small group and it wasn't really necessary, she had this match won easily...but then why did shield look so confident, he was smiling. Although this was a friendly game that smile unnerved her...she soon realised what he was doing, but her pieces were all stuck between each other and her king was trapped by his queen and a bishop, it was a clever manoeuvre, she needed to checkmate him soon but nothing was in position...of course! Her queen could trap him. She spent her next turns desperately freeing her queen and repeatedly placing his king in check, to her surprise he led her queen through the labryinth of those four pieces. Then caught between the two knights, there was no way she could place him in check again without losing her queen and there was no other way to delay being checkmated herself in the next turn. She sat for a moment, in shock as she stared at the board. This game was a guaranteed win until the last few moves, how had it changed so drastically, She still had so many pieces, he had almost none...she played every move through her mind for almost 20 minutes before tipping her king in resignation.
She paused for a moment in silence...”Those knights and pawns...you placed them at the very start of the game, how could you have known they would be so important?”
He looked at her for a moment, taking a deep sigh to calm himself before talking. “You have learned to play from books haven't you?” She was surprised at his response, before she could respond he continued. “I could tell from the way you play, your first move was to free your queen and bishop, a text book opening...from there it was obvious, you took every unprotected piece but disregarded my strategy, it was easy to lure your queen into that corner where she would be unable to get in my way, all of your other important pieces were easy to trap in your own ranks.” As he explained his answer she watched his eyes, they were nothing like she'd seen before in any military pony. There was a burning passion in how he spoke, overcoming even his sense of who he was lecturing...she didn't mind though, it intrigued her. She shook herself out of her thoughts, trying to concentrate on what he was saying.
When he eventually stopped, they sat in silence, his eye dropping to the floor in a macabre expression. There was something else past that passion, she wanted to ask what it was but before she spoke he quickly stated. “It was a pleasure to face you princess, but...” His words trailed off with his gaze, after a moment he looked back at her and stated. “The scout party should be gathered now, I need to go.” With that he left before Twilight could say another word.
***
The library was deathly silent as it had been since Twilight left for Canterlot early that morning. Spike lay on his back staring into space as he wondered what news was so urgent that Celestia couldn’t even tell Twilight what was going on in the letter; he was starting to get bored of lying around and worrying about Twilight was getting him nowhere, he’d have to try to take his mind off it but how? He glanced over at the bookshelves for anything to entertain him until she came back, but it was pointless; there were only so many books in such a small library and he’d read them all several times, in fact he’d read them so many times he could recite his favourites from memory.
With a sigh Spike rolled onto his stomach and stared at the door. Finally, after a few more moments of boredom he felt the build up of magic in his throat and with a belch of flame a scroll materialised in front of him.
“Finally!” He exclaimed in relief and unrolled the parchment.
As his eyes panned across the words his expression sunk and he slowly lowered the letter, letting it hang limply in his claws; before he could finish reading a knock came at the library’s door and he left the letter on a nearby desk.
The door creaked open to reveal a dark brown Pegasus stallion in a royal blue cloak with a pair of bandaged wings, his black mane had started to grey and his face had a very distinct scar across his right eye. Spike had gotten to know him well in the past few years since he moved to Ponyville with Trixie.
“Hey Broadsword, what’s up?” Spike greeted the elderly stallion with a hoof bump; it was the way he greeted every stallion he knew.
“I’m here to return some books Trixie borrowed a few months ago; she would’ve returned them herself, but they’re a bit overdue.” Broadsword joked as he strolled into the library.
Spike laughed as he took the books from the pegasus’ saddle bag and started to re-shelve them. “It’s alright I’m sure Twilight doesn’t mind if… wait a few months?! Seriously?” The purple dragon asked in surprise.
“Yes, she stated that she didn’t fancy getting in trouble…” Broadsword chuckled lightly and glanced at the letter Spike had left idly on the desk. “hmm?”
“What’s this?” the stallion asked pointing towards the unravelled scroll with his hoof.
“Oh yeah Twilight was called to Canterlot on urgent business, but it looks like there’s something big going on because she doesn’t even know when she’s allowed to come home yet.” Spike explained as he returned the last book to the shelf and picked up the parchment.
As he continued reading his eyes went wide and he turned to the old Pegasus with a look of shock spreading across his face. “This can’t be…”
“What’s wrong?” Broadsword asked as he examined the letter; as soon as he read the final line his grew wide with shock. “No…”
***
The mist surrounding the city was thick and the air reeked with the smell of death...They were getting close. The scout party stopped for a moment, Hoof Print got down, inspecting the ground at their feet, there was a clump of large rocks together where a trail of damaged grass began.
“It looks like they used these rocks to conceal themselves before the attack.” He stated.
Diamond Shield and the rest of the scout party started searching for any clues as to the identity of the assailants; it would be dangerous to scout them without any hint as to what they might be capable of. As they circled the rocks Diamond paused...it was odd, there was no trail on any other side of them, it was almost as if they came from the rocks themselves. That was absurd of course...They must be capable of flight, probably pegasi or griffons... Still it would be dangerous to fly in these conditions, the speeds you'd reach and the short vision would make foreseeing obstacles a challenge.
“It looks like we're dealing with enemies that can fly; that at least narrows down what we can expect. We should follow their trail cautiously to Fillydelphia, from there we can hopefully identify who they are and where they may strike next.” The acting sergeant: Diamond shield stated as he pointed his hoof towards the city.
The scout party moved through the fog, it was already starting to fade when they arrived at Fillydelphia. The party stood in shock at the decrepit ruins of the once great city; it looked as if it hadn't been inhabited in decades or centuries. It looked like the horde had long since passed, but there may still have been stragglers and so the party moved cautiously into the city walls. The city was a pitiful sight, corpses lined the street, coated in the debris of crushed buildings and broken walls. It was a massacre, blood and organs strewn about as they were torn from fleeing victims....what kind of monsters would do this?
The party searched the crowds of bodies, near the city guard they found their foes...Char black skin, sewage green eyes, wings and horns... These were Changelings. This is bad they thought in unison.
“Everyone!” Diamond shouted to draw back his party. “Our enemies are Changelings, we need to check their path and return to Canterlot immediately. There is no time to waste!”
As if summoned by the command a group of more than a dozen Changelings appeared, taking the party by surprise.”Stragglers! Quickly everyone to your battle positions!” The party closed ranks around Diamond, only six ponies, two unicorns, Diamond Shield and Silver Arrow, two pegasi, Flash Beat and Lightning Stride and two earth ponies, Hoof Print and Muscle Bound. Easily outnumbered by the Changelings. The earth ponies took the front, readying their bows as Diamond conjured a shield to surround the ponies, a clear blue glittering barrier, deflecting the sickening green javelins of magic the Changelings sent forth.
As Silver Arrow finished readying his spell Diamond dropped the barrier and the earth ponies let fly their arrows, followed by the crackle of silver lightning, cascading from foe to foe dropping them from the sky as the arrows tore through their vulnerable flesh, the pegasi darted out through the skies, their lances piercing skin and shedding the lifeblood of the Changelings. Muscle Bound sheathed his bow and pulled out his thorned shield, his powerful hind legs and onerwhelming weight throwing him forward like a boulder, crushing the grounded Changelings under his mass.
Flash Beat and Lightning Stride flew around in a pincer strike, catching the reinforcing Changelings between them. From behind, the Changelings regrouped, casting bolts of green light into the Unicorns as they closed ground. Glancing shots cutting at the sides and hooves of Diamond and Silver as they readied their spells; the Changelings came too close, crashing into the newly erected barrier and leaving no pause long enough to free Silver's lightning. Hoof Print drew back his bow once more in an attempt to stop them, but he was swatted back by a charging Changeling. Muscle Bound quickly stood over him, pulling his shield back in an attempt to protect his fallen comrade and enduring blasts from Changeling spells.
Seeing this Lightning Stride and Flash Beat charged at the two groups; Flash Beat crashing into the Changelings behind Muscle bound, impaling the beasts with his lance and leaving Muscle free to barrel through those in front of him. Lightning Stride however found himself caught in a hail of blasts, his fur shredded and his skin torn as he was shot from the sky. This distraction was enough, Diamond lowered his shield as Silver unleashed his power once more, tearing through the remaining Changelings and crushing the will of the remaining Changelings causing them to flee. Using this opportunity Muscle grabbed the injured Lightning Stride and with extreme haste the party fled.
After covering a significant distance back into the mist they inspected Lightning. The injuries were all shallow and he would recover, but for now battle would be suicide. They were only a scout party and an injured one at that...But they still had a job to do. “Muscle, Silver and Flash. Stay and protect Lightning. Be ready for a swift retreat, do not engage the enemy under any circumstances. Hoof Print, you're with me. We need to determine their path before we return.” A practiced “Yes Sir!” followed Diamond's speech, it was the first time it had been directed at him, he would have smiled if not for the dire conditions.
The two raced through the fog, being careful to avoid any Changelings that may be nearby. After catching onto the trail of the Changeling horde they realised where they were leading...No...They were heading towards Canterlot! They returned quickly to their party and hastily made their return to Canterlot. Luckily, there were still four Cities between the horde and Canterlot. They needed to return before the horde could break through their defences. Without the element of surprise their assault would not be as fast as it was but there was still a strict time limit. Fighting their blatant fatigue and injuries the party began making their way back to warn Canterlot.
The crisp, frosty morning air bit against his skin as the sun broke over the horizon. It wouldn’t be long now until the writhing hordes of the enemy would arrive on the far outskirts of Pegasopolis and he would route them, thus saving his aunt’s kingdom and securing his place as the successor to the throne; these savages would never stand a chance against his highly trained regiments or his own skill with the blade for that matter.
Prince Blueblood smiled to himself as he rested his forelegs on his sword: the Dentim Ignis. It had been bestowed on him by his aunt when he joined the ranks of the Canterlot guard as part of his royal duties. The sword had been passed down since the three kingdoms united millennia ago and it was a magnificent, one of a kind weapon hoof forged from the tooth of an ancient dragon and enchanted by Starswirl himself; it was unbreakable and eternally keen of edge. Its long elegantly curved blade was engraved with intricate wards that glowed white hot from the dragon’s soul that Starswirl had magically trapped within so that the wielder could call upon the searing flames at will, sadly however the magic that calls forth the fire from the sword’s heart is ever drained by use and so it cannot be used too eagerly or it will lose its power forever. The prince smiled once more as he thought about this minor drawback; why should he care about such cheap tricks? He was trained by all of the best swordfighters in Equestria, surely such perfect skill didn’t need magic to augment it, but his aunt did insist he take it just in case.
As he stood watching his three thousand elite troops take up formations he thought back to the moment he was granted the use of such a superb sword. It was granted to him several days ago when the scout party returned from their reconnaissance, he could see it all now….
*** The scout party burst into the halls of the Canterlot Castle; the party was exhausted and badly injured with the unconscious Lightning slung over Muscle's back. Celestia rose as Diamond collapsed in front of her, his breathing laboured. “P-princess...it is the Changelings, they head for Canterlot.” Celestia stared over the party as Diamond spoke.
“Thank you, you have all done well. We will mobilize our forces to meet them immediately.” She turned to Twilight. “Princess Twilight, see to it that they are taken to the infirmary and looked after, they appear to have been through a lot. Then I want you to meet me back at the council room.”
Twilight nodded in response and took a few stallions with her to carry the exhausted party to be treated for their injuries. Meanwhile Celestia gave out orders to have her guard gather the war council once again. It took mere moments for the veteran officers and the royal family to gather in the large rotunda with a single round table covered in tactical maps in the centre; Blueblood sat next to the current commander of the Canterlot garrison: Colonel Dash Silvertail, he was a tall and slender black stallion unicorn with a well maintained silver mane and gleaming golden armour. He had known the Colonel for many years and he trusted no other with the role of commander more than him; he was a silent colt for the most part, but when he had something important to say everypony listened and in the midst of the arguments that filled the war room no voice was clearer.
“Princess; according to the report made by the scout party the main changeling force will be at Canterlot’s gate within the month if we do not act quickly. Fortunately there are still four cities in their way Pegasopolis, Trottingham, Detrot and Manechester; by the time we mobilise our forces they would have already taken Pegasopolis, but we can still stop the advance if we fortify the city walls of Trottingham and ready an army to garrison it. Of course, this means we would need to evacuate the city and… it also means we would have to sacrifice the citizens of Pegasopolis….” He took a moment to contemplate the price that would need to be paid for the rest of Equestria; it was a lot of innocents to abandon, but if the sacrifice of thousands could save millions then surely it was a worth while trade. Still, it sat poorly with him; not just because he couldn’t save those civilians, but because that was where he grew up and where his family lived; worse still was the anger he felt at the fact that no matter what he did he was now powerless to save them.
The prince could see this pain in his comrade’s eyes and slammed his hoof on the table to break the moment of silence. “We can’t sacrifice even one more pony to those savages! Surely there must be a way to buy time until our main army can get there…”
“There isn’t a way!” Colonel Silvertail yelled in his anger. “I’m sorry my lord, but there is no other option, Pegasopolis will fall either way.”
Finally, a cough echoed through the tense atmosphere and drew all eyes to the white royal mare sat on her golden throne. “The lives of my subjects are not pawns to be sacrificed, if anyone here has an idea even if it seems fruitless then speak; I don’t want to lose even a single more innocent life to these beasts.”
After several moments of silent whispers and rustling of maps one of the officers slammed his hoof down on a map of the city. “I have it!!” he exclaimed as he drew a circle around a red mark. “There’s a small bastion on the outskirts of the city; it’s garrisoned by only a hundred or so stallions, but if they could distract the force for a few hours we could reinforce them with our main force.”
“How do you expect a force that small to hold for more than a few seconds; they’d be massacred!” Another officer yelled as he looked at the small bastion on the map.
Colonel Silvertail sat silently mulling over the options, but no matter how many times he thought it through he could find no other way. He took a deep breath and held his head in his hooves; suddenly he felt a hoof rest on his shoulder and he turned to see his friend, the prince smiling at him reassuringly. “Prince..?”
“Don’t worry Dash; your family will be alright, even if I have to defend them with my own hooves… and you know how I hate to dirty my hooves.” Blueblood joked as the officers argued among themselves. Suddenly, another officer shattered the ruckus of the war room as he chirped in with an idea of his own.
“Conscripts! If the citizens are going to die then let them die with a sword in their grips…” He exclaimed as all attention fell upon him; the old earth pony captain cleared his throat then turned to the Princess before he continued. “Your highness, the bastion outside Pegasopolis will fall within moments of the changeling assault no matter how we look at it, but if we call all stallions in the city to arms under royal decree then they may have the numbers to hold the line just long enough to evacuate the bulk of the city and buy the main army time to arrive.”
Princess Celestia took a moment to consider the options laid out before her; she knew this was the best way, but it would still cost her subjects dearly and that was still a price too high for her. Before she could speak her orders the door to the war room burst open and a messenger limped towards her; he was beaten and tired from whatever had befallen him, but he continued to struggle into a bow despite the several wounds on his legs. As he winced in pain he looked at the princess and removed his helmet. “Your highness… changelings have fallen upon Buckingham in numbers beyond counting… none were spared…. My sergeant, before he died ordered me to bring you this…” With that the young soldier took a small box from his saddlebag and handed it to the royal mare; inside the box was a small yellow crystal that glowed with blinding magical light.
“Thank you; you have served me well…” Celestia turned to another guard that stood in the room and gestured to him to help the messenger to his hooves. “Please take him to the hospital immediately.” As she looked at the eldritch crystal in her hooves she knew that if the Changelings have taken Buckingham then they have the east border of the kingdom and it wouldn’t be long until Canterlot becomes surrounded entirely; there was no more time to discuss options, her mind had been made up for her. She turned to princess Twilight Sparkle who had sat silently through the whole argument and handed her a scroll and quill before standing up to face the officers.
“Gentlecolts, the changelings have the eastern borders of our kingdom; this is no longer a battle to save a city this is a battle to save our country… Princess Twilight send a letter to all E.U.P. guard outposts that all… I repeat ALL able bodied stallions are to report for active military service and all other citizens are to evacuate to the safety of the rural towns that surround Canterlot. Prince Blue Blood, Colonel Silvertail, I want you to take any forces you need to crush the enemy’s main force; if we can defeat their queen the rest should falter and retreat. You have a day to marshal an army and ready it for battle… good luck.”
***
As the sun slowly climbed higher in the sky Blueblood watched his bodyguard finish directing the last of the elite warriors to their positions; with only minutes until the distraction force leads the enemy back to the battlefield he took a moment to think about the bravery of the citizens who took to conscription without hesitation, they’d managed to reinforce the outpost with easily enough soldiers to make the changeling force give chase and buy time for the main army to arrive.
Colonel Silvertail trotted back towards the prince who seemed lost in thought, he looked remarkably well groomed and rested despite the stress of the last few days; his blue diamond armour was polished to mirror perfection and his blonde mane didn’t have even a single hair out of place. The prince didn’t move an inch as Silvertail removed his helm to address his friend.
“Your highness the preparations for battle are complete and your bodyguards are waiting for you to return.” He said and took a small bow towards the royal.
“Ahhh…” Blueblood sighed with a smile. “I suppose I should go and grace them with my magnificence.”
As soon as he tied his long blonde mane back and replaced his helm he was lead to his bodyguards who were waiting in perfect ranks of gleaming gold plated armour and shining spear tips. The squad was small, but very intimidating; each warrior of the prince’s thirteen hoof picked bodyguards were equipped with enchanted armour and weapons to make them almost unstoppable. The Prince drew closer to the unit and drew his magnificent sword from its gilded, highly ornate, jewel encrusted sheath. With an inspiring cry he thrust the blade aloft and let the incandescent light shine across his army; the blinding glow from the heart of the Dentim Ignis burned as bright as Celestia’s sun and raised gasps of awe from every stallion in the seemingly endless ranks of Blueblood’s army. Colonel Silvertail smiled inside his helmet at his friend’s natural showmanship; sadly there was no time for a heroic speech to rouse the troops as the overbearing gleam of the prince’s sword drew the attention of the Changeling forces that were being lead by the remainder of the distraction force.
“Stallions to war!!” the prince cried as his unit fronted the charge into the pitch black tidal wave of changeling flesh.
In perfect unison the army of over ten thousand highly trained warriors followed the prince’s beacon of light with a mighty roar. “For Equestria!!!”
The thunderous roar of stampeding hooves shook the ground beneath as the endless hordes of charcoal flesh clashed against the gleaming ranks of the Equestrian guard; the writhing, savage mass of bodies forced their way to the front of the fray while others trampled their own comrades in an attempt to tear the throats from the pony defenders. Wave after wave of bestial fury broke against the anvil of the pony’s shield walls only to redouble their efforts in another display of unrelenting ferocity; Colonel Silver tail did his best to reinforce the ranks of strong earth ponys as they pushed back yet another savage onslaught.
Across the ocean of bloodshed the prince and his thirteen guards carved a gory path to the enemy’s heart; his eternally sharp blade sang as it cut through the bodies of his assailants as easily as it cut through the air. Everyone of his bodyguards slew the enemy around them in their droves, but still no real headway was being made and at every turn they found their target: the enemy commander was nowhere insight.
The Prince took a deep shuddering breath as yet another challenger fell to his mighty skill, his muscles ached from the constant melee and his vision was becoming blurred from the blood that had seeped through his helmet’s visor; he threw another blow and severed one of the beast’s front legs before head butting it to the ground. He was revolted and disgusted at the state his beautiful equipment was now it, but for now that was the last thing he was concerned about. As he thrust his magical blade into the chest of another savage he heard the blood curdling wail of several war horns emanating from the ranks of the changeling forces and watched in surprise as the hordes of pitch black flesh began to withdraw.
He began to laugh as the enemy fell back to the edge of the battlefield. “Ha ha ha! Watch the cowards flee from our splendour!” He took another deep breath and continued with his orders. “Form up for pursuit!! Leave not a single savage standing!!”
With that announcement his bodyguards began escorting him back to the makeshift camp. “Your highness we need to reform and stand ready for their next assault, let the stallions rest and treat their wounds; please don’t be hasty my lord.” The sergeant of the unit stated as he took the prince’s helm for him.
“Very well sergeant, let them lick their wounds for now; We’ll finish them soon enough…” Blueblood said as he shook the fresh blood from the Dentim Ignis’s blade.
The next few hours were uncomfortably silent as the battlefield sat deafly silent as the E.U.P. guard reformed their ranks ready for any sudden assault from the changeling hordes. Blueblood shook with the adrenaline that now coursed through his veins; this was his first real battle and his bodyguards had told him that their first kills had made them feel sick, but this… this was invigorating beyond compare; he felt noble and powerful like a divine scythe of justice reaping the souls of the evil.
“My lord!” Yelled a messenger as he entered the command tent.
The messenger was clad in deep blue armour with a silver trim and a bat-like crest on the helmet. His fur was a muddy brown and his pitch black tail was an unkempt mess, but most noticeable of all were his leathery bat-like wings which matched the crest on his helmet and his golden eyes that shone like the heart of an inferno. There was only one place in all of Equestria you would find such warriors and that was in Princess Luna’s personal guards. Considered to be the best of the best for their skill and ferocity; it is said that to witness one in battle was to know true fear and to face one in combat was to feel your very soul recoil in pain.
“Prince the night guard reinforcements have arrived and are awaiting your instruction.” The bat-pony warrior stated as he removed his helmet to reveal yet more tangled black hair.
Seeing the state of the messenger’s mane reminded Blueblood of his own blood drenched and tangled locks; suddenly, as if by magic the battle was the last of his concerns. “Colonel; deal with this for me…. I need to fix my mane before the next bout.” He said as he began combing his long blonde hair.
Colonel Silvertail sighed and rolled his eyes at his friend’s vanity in the face of such danger and turned to regard the messenger. “Have them rest and wait until nightfall, then when I issue the command to fall back they are to filter into the melee and continue the battle while the day forces rest. Although, if all goes well we should have pushed them back before that.”
“Understood sir…” With that the messenger bowed and exited the tent.
***
Minutes of eerie calm became hours of anxious waiting as the changelings stood poised for assault at the edge of the battlefield, but never made another attempt to strike. Colonel Silvertail didn’t like it; they weren’t behaving the way they were before, they should be charging.
Finally, after far too long waiting the blood curdling screech of the war horns sounded once more and the tidal wave of black flesh began rushing across the field in a thunderous roar of hoof beats and snarling growls.
“This is it warriors!! First volley…. FIRE!” The Colonel ordered to the artillery ponies that were waiting behind a shield wall of large earth pony stallions.
The artillery ponies were all muscular earth ponies with trebuchets attached to their backs, these catapult like weapons threw huge boulders into the charging ranks of the barbaric changeling hordes, crushing many beneath their overwhelming weight. As boulders crashed into the hissing ranks of the enemy Blueblood once again strode out into the bloodshed alongside his thirteen bodyguards; suddenly the first of the thirteen fell, his throat had been torn away and he collapsed choking on the thick sticky blood that gargled sickeningly from the gaping wound in his neck. The prince tried to help the gasping warrior, but he was quickly pulled back by one of the remaining twelve bodyguards who formed a defensive ring around the royal.
Colonel Silvertail slashed and kicked his way through several changelings as they smashed their way past the front ranks of the pony soldiers. Something was wrong. Silvertail gazed around the battlefield, examining it between blade strokes. The Changeling movements in this fight...yes it was easy for the ranks to mix in a brutal charge such as this, but the Changelings seem to be charging from within the E.U.P ranks... ”No...It can't be...” Silvertail muttered to himself, half in shock at his revelation. “We were never winning this battle...The Changelings took the place of our soldiers...I need to reach Blue Blood!”
The body count grew ever higher as night began to approach, Silvertail carved his way through any who drew close to him, scanning the area for Blue Blood. Seeing the sun setting he hoped that Luna's Night Guard would arrive soon...but they never came. He called for the retreat but very few could respond.
One by one the warriors of the Equestrian guard fell and were pushed into a fighting retreat; each soldier fought valiantly, but they perished all the same. Colonel Silvertail watched as his soldiers died in waves of carnage, those that broke from combat slipped in the blood soaked mud or tripped over the shredded corpses of their fallen brethren; the brave few that stood stubbornly, died with blade still clutched between their hooves; each hero was torn asunder and reduced to masses of rent open armour and deep, gaping wounds.
The prince faired no better; his twelve remaining bodyguards slowly whittled down to just one, he was scarred and bleeding profusely from the many wounds that covered his body. His golden armour was a mangled wreck and his sword was nothing more than a hilt with a few shards of blade protruding from it. This brave stallion’s life was measured in mere moments and he soon collapsed from the blood loss; he had escorted the prince as far as he could, but he was still a long way from the makeshift camp that they had set up before the battle. Prince Blueblood was alone now and his armour was starting to fail him, but he continued to battle his way back to his own lines in a vain hope that he would find some help.
***
As the thunderous roar of battle raged around the campsite, the changeling saboteurs moved into their position outside the night guard’s tents; the plan was simple they were to wait until the final assault and dispatch the more elite warriors during the resulting chaos. It worked without a hitch and within moments the once mighty soldiers of Luna’s personal guard were mere piles of ragged flesh as the razor sharp fangs of their foe tore through their bodies before they even had a chance to strike a blow.
Amongst the bloodshed and carnage a single night guard stirred from his slumber as one of the guards that stood in front of the tent slipped in through the tent’s door; his disguise: the form of a white stallion in gold armour began to recede to reveal the charcoal black flesh and opaque turquoise eyes of a changeling assassin. To the would be assassin’s surprise he wasn’t met with the sight of a sleeping target, but rather a wide awake and very ready warrior fully clad in dark blue armour with two razor edged obsidian blades equipped in battle stance.
Caught in a brief moment of shock the changeling was too slow to react and quickly felt the keen edge of the obsidian swords expertly dissecting him as he stood powerless to save himself from the onslaught. Within mere seconds the charcoal black flesh had collapsed in a heap of gore as blood gurgled from the open wounds that covered his body; the night guard stood with one sword still gripped between his teeth and the other held by his tail as he looked down at the corpse of his foe, he knew with this that the plan had gone very wrong. Without another moment’s thought the night guard galloped from the tent and joined the fray…
***
With a sickening crunch razor sharp teeth ripped a chunk of flesh from the prince’s rear leg before their owner was cut neatly in two by the Dentim Ignis’s enchanted blade. Blue Blood staggered for a moment as the sharp pain from his leg jolted through his body; he cringed at the thought of the scars that forever ruined his looks, but at this moment the pain from his wounds were much more important. He took a shuddering breath and grunted as he found himself surrounded by yet more changeling aggressors; he was slowed by his wounds, but even with the pain that wracked his body he was still more than a match for the undisciplined assault of the rank and file changelings that sought to slay him and within moments they were all left as piles of bloody meat. The prince staggered through the corpses that surrounded him, both changeling and equestrian bodies littered the ground. His vision growing blurry as the changelings finished butchering the last of his soldiers; they turned to him, ready to pounce as he prepared his final stand. The Dentim Ignis flickered a crimson blaze around the royal unicorn, his horn glowing and joining with the blade’s power. Sparks igniting the air in a flash of incandescent light, catapulting the burning remains of those unlucky enough to not be incinerated in the release of the blade’s power. The Dentim Ignis grew dim, now little more than an ember burning in the once blinding sword. His last energy spent, the prince dropped to his knees.
Colonel Silvertail stumbled cautiously through the charnel pit that surrounded his friend; he was no longer the noble shining figure of inspiration that he once was, instead he was a broken, exhausted shell of his former self. As he drew closer towards the fallen prince he forgot the roar of battle that surrounded them and he ran to help his friend to his hooves once more.
“Prince are you alright?” Dash asked as he used his weary frame to help the royal rise.
“Dash… I can’t walk…” Blue Blood stated as he struggled to hold himself up.
“Blue Blood… sir… don’t give up we can escape this…”
“Dash, I’ll only slow you down…” the prince smiled as he looked at his destroyed hind leg.
“Sir I can’t let you fall here; princess Celestia would never forgive me…”
Blue Blood laughed as he passed his sword to the colonel “here, take my sword and tell my aunt how I died a hero…” with that he lifted the colonel’s sword with his teeth and used the last of his strength to push away his friend.
“Sir…” colonel Silvertail protested.
“This is an order colonel… take my sword and tell of my bravery…” with that the prince raised the borrowed sword with his magic and yelled to the massed hordes of changelings that were slaying the few remaining warriors. “I am prince Blue Blood of Equestria; the greatest sword fighter in the land and I challenge your best warrior to take my head in melee…”
As the changelings began their charge the prince turned to face the colonel “Go Dash…”
With that the colonel fled from the scene only turning back once as the prince gave a blood curdling death cry; he watched as the savage hordes tore the royal limb from limb, with a grim sigh of despair he fled off towards the nearest place he could call safe.
It was a typically sunny day in Ponyville as the sun rose over the town’s horizon; warm beams of light flooded through the windows of every shop and home, gently rousing foals to get ready for school as well as their parents who were preparing to head to work. In Sugarcube corner the Cake family were preparing their baked goods for the day’s service; while across town in Sweet Apple Acres Pinkie Pie did her morning aerobics in the bedroom she shared with her new husband Big Mac, meanwhile in the shady orchards Big Mac and Broadsword: his hired help were loading up the next crates of apples from the latest harvest. In fact were it not for rumors that there was something happening in the far out cities of Equestria the day would have been be considered pretty mundane. ***
Trixie woke to find her breakfast waiting on a tray next to her bed just like she had every day since she’d invited her colt-friend to live with her, but sadly like every morning he was already at work with the Apples long before she’d begun to stir. She wiped the errant silver hairs from her face and looked at the gold band around her foreleg; he’d given it her for her most recent birthday after saving up all his Bits for a year to get it. She smiled and let her mind drift to the memory of that night as she picked up the applesauce topped oatmeal that Broadsword had left for her; picking up the spoon, she licked her lips and began eating.
It had been several years since she moved to Ponyville with Broadsword and since then they’d sold her trailer and moved into a small cottage near Fluttershy: the kind yellow Pegasus who helped Broadsword after Trixie saved him from falling down a waterfall; in more recent years she and Trixie had become good friends and in fact she was the one who pointed out the cottage where they now live. As she continued her breakfast she heard a knock at her front door; expecting it to be Fluttershy for their weekly shopping trip she set down the oatmeal and went to answer the door. To her surprise it wasn’t Fluttershy at the door, but instead it was Twilight’s assistant Spike who was holding a scroll and fidgeting nervously.
“Hey Trixie… is Broadsword here?” he asked with a look that said he was in a hurry.
In the time since she’d moved to Ponyville she’d become more at ease with Twilight and her group of friends and as such had slowly dropped her usual third pony style of talking although it still sometimes slipped back into conversation when she felt something was wrong. “Trixie has not seen him all morning; what do you need him for?” she stated while internally scolding herself for sounding so rude to the purple dragon.
“I received this letter from Twilight a few moments ago; it’s very important that he sees it as soon as possible. Do you know where he is?” He asked as he unrolled the letter.
She took a deep sigh to recompose herself before looking back at the dragon. “He’s at the Apple’s farm; please tell Trixie what’s going on…” she asked softly.
“Twilight said there was a battle near Pegasopolis; the Canterlot royal guard were wiped out and…” he cut off as he looked at the scroll.
“And?!”
Before the young dragon could answer the clatter of armoured hooves thundered through the streets of the small rural town followed swiftly by the loud, ominous chiming of the town hall’s large bronze bell that drew everypony from their homes and work places as they tried to see what was happening. Shortly after the last chime the townsfolk finished gathering in the town centre as several stallions clad in bronze armour began setting up a tent and nailing several notes around the meeting place; the stallions were each marked with the blue stripe of the E.U.P. guard reserves on their left pauldron and the sigil of Princess Celestia engraved on each croupiere, the lower ranks were armed with simple spears as opposed to their sergeant who was armed with an ostentatious sabre that bore an ornate silver pommel, hoof crafted in the shape of an eagle’s head.
The sergeant was a slender, white coated unicorn made to look bigger by the heavy plates of the iconic gold barding that was issued to the regular army; he was also adorned with a blood red cape that trailed over his back and a crest made with hair from his dark grey mane. After his squad had set up the tent, he turned to face the townsfolk that were looking on as their dull rabble died into silence. He took a deep breath. “Citizens of Ponyville, this is a call to arms by mandate of her Royal Highness Princess Celestia.” He began with a booming voice that immediately drew several shocked gasps from the crowd.
“WHAT’S HAPPENING?!”
As the crowd once again descended into a rabble, Trixie and Spike tried to navigate the mass of worried town’s ponies in an attempt to find their friends. Every step they took resulted in them being knocked around or barged out of the way as other ponies tried to get closer to the front; after several minutes of searching and harsh language they found the others in the front and centre of the crowd.
Rarity stood comforting Fluttershy who was scared by all the noise while Rainbow Dash was yelling over everypony in a vain attempt to get more information; Applejack was stood silently with the rest of her family which had recently added Pinkie Pie after she’d started dating Big Mac earlier that year. Finally, standing out like a sore hoof beside the Apple family was Broadsword in his favourite thick, dark blue cloak. Trixie continued to force her way past the other ponies, all the while using Spike as a living battering ram to make her passage easier; within moments she’d cleared her path to the large Pegasus and quickly ran to his side to see if he knew what was happening.
“Broadsword!” She called over the crowd, prompting him to turn to her. “What’s going on?”
“They’re conscripting soldiers by royal mandate…” he said as concern began to show on his face. “Something big must’ve happened; like….” He stopped as he recalled the letter from Twilight a few days ago. “The Canterlot army must’ve failed to force them back…”
“Spike said that too, Broadsword what’s going on?” Trixie asked with worry underlying her tone.
The crowd around them died down to hushed whispers as the sergeant cleared his throat for his next announcement; once again his booming voice rang through the town. “The rumours you have all heard are true, the Canterlot garrison has failed to stop the Changeling aggressors and now they march towards Trottingham. The E.U.P. guard need to rebuild our ranks to combat the changeling invasion, to do that the princess has ordered that all stallions are to report for active military service; when I call your name step forward!”
“Caramel!” The sergeant yelled as he read from his clipboard; Caramel tried to avoid being seen, but ultimately he stepped forward and was guided to the tent by another soldier.
“Bright Ideas!” The curiosity shop owner was the next to go; he acted a lot braver than Caramel and strode towards the tent without needing a guide. Soon after he left the crowd the sergeant called the next stallion forward.
“Pound Cake!” the son of the local bakers followed Bright Ideas into the tent leaving his mother and sister weeping and his father begging the sergeant to allow him to take his place, but it was no use he was far too old and frail to join in his son’s stead. As they reeled off names more stallions were guided to the recruitment tent and everypony’s breath caught in their chest in fear that they or their loved ones would be next.
After several more names they called Big Mac forward which caused the rest of his family to erupt in loud protests as he began walking towards the tent. “Mac! Ya can’t go!” Applejack yelled. “Think of the rest of ya family! Think of the farm! Think of Pinkie!” the orange cowpony tried to remain strong as she looked at her older brother, but no matter how much she attempted to hold back her emotions she still ended up breaking down in tears. “With Apple Bloom at college in Canterlot and since Granny Smith died ya’ll ah got…”
Pinkie was quick to hug Applejack as her own mane straightened from sadness; she too looked heart broken by the knowledge that Big Mac was going to leave his family to go to war. Of course she tried to force a smile in her usual attempt to make everypony happy, but Big Mac knew her well enough to see through the façade.
He took a deep breath and looked over at the recruitment tent; despite his lack of formal education and comically bad luck he was still an incredibly smart stallion and he knew he had a way out of conscription, all he would need to do is declare his status as a farmer in the essential services and he would be deemed too valuable to be sent to battle, but he dismissed the thought.
“Pinkie…” he began in a tone he used only to address her. “Ah love ya with all mah heart and soul, but ah hafta go… because ah want to know ah did all ah could to protect ya and mah sisters…” with a single swift movement he wrapped his large muscular foreleg around Pinkie and pulled her close. “Ah promise ah’ll come home for ya…”
“You… you pinkie promise?” she asked as a more genuine smile stretched across her lips.
“Ah cross mah heart and hope to fly…” He smiled softly as he slowly broke the embrace, feeling Pinkie tighten her hug slightly at first before finally letting him go.
Trixie watched the Apples emotional display as Big Mac turned and headed towards the tent and felt her heart sink with sadness as she watched the same scene play out over and over again in the crowd. Finally, the sergeant yelled the words she feared and her eyes snapped immediately back to the large Pegasus stood at her side; suddenly she felt his foreleg pull her close and his hoof begin stroking her silver mane. Her clear azure eyes began to sparkle as tears fell silently down her cheeks leaving wet patches on his dark blue cloak. “Please don’t go… Trixie needs you…” she began as she buried her wet muzzle into his warm fur; she knew he had to go, but she couldn’t stop herself from telling him what she felt.
He remained silent as she sobbed gently in his embrace, her body trembling with the fear that she was going to lose the stallion she cared for so much; finally he gently lifted her head and kissed her in an attempt to calm her down.
“Please… I love you.” Her eyes shone with tears as she gazed up into his soft brown eyes.
Before he could say a word the sergeant called his name again and he turned back towards the tent leaving Trixie silently begging him not to go as tears continued to roll down her cheeks; within seconds she felt a hoof pat her on the shoulder as Applejack and the others gathered around her.
“C’mon sugarcube; it’ll be alright…” Applejack lied as she tried to console the azure mare; the lie wasn’t just for Trixie, it was for herself and Pinkie as well although in true Apple family tradition she was too stubborn to admit it.
Finally, after what seemed like an eternity the last Stallion was called to the tent as the soldiers began clearing away the scene; the remaining stallions were all either too old, too injured or deemed to valuable to be conscripted into service. Spike scanned the crowd; so many of the stallions he’d grown up with were now leaving to fight and many would never return, he wanted to go with them to fight at his friend’s sides like he did with Twilight and her friends, but his name wasn’t called out by the soldiers. Did that mean he wasn’t considered a citizen? Or did Twilight tell them not to call him? If he were to volunteer would he be allowed to fight?
These questions plagued him; he felt guilty and powerless, he wanted to fight… no, he had to join up or at least he had to try as part of his own dragon’s code. As he mulled over what he was going to do, Applejack began trotting towards him as if to lead him back to the library, but he tried to push past her towards the recruitment tent.
“Spike!? What in the hay are ya’ll doin?” she asked as he tried to pass her.
“I’m going to volunteer! Don’t try to stop me A.J!” he yelled and continued towards the tent as Applejack tried to stand in his path.
“Ya what!? Spike don’t be insane, ya’ll get yaself killed!!” she scolded him and pushed against him with her forehoof.
“A.J. I’ve got to; if I didn’t i wouldn’t be a true dragon…”
“A true..? Spike don’t start with this again, ya’ll are a great dragon. Ya don’t hafta do this to prove it.” Applejack pleaded as his pace increased, so much so that he was forcing her back despite the fact that she’d dug her heels in.
“A.J. I’ve made up my mind and there’s nothing you or anypony can say to change that.” Finally, he pushed the cowpony aside and strode through the crowd.
As he passed the other ponies Rarity raised her hoof meekly in a vain attempt to stop him, but he paid her no heed, only briefly stopping as he heard her call his name before heading back on his path.
“Spikey wikey?” she said as a single tear fell from her eyes.
Finally, he reached the sergeant who had just finished clearing away the scroll of stallion’s names and saluted him. “Sergeant, I’d like to volunteer for the E.U.P. guard.”
The sergeant smiled at the sight of such a powerful ally and passed him a scroll and quill. “Welcome aboard; sign here son.”
With a signature it was done; little Spike was now a soldier about to fight one of the biggest wars in Equestria’s history. After he was lead into the tent he stood with the other stallion’s that had just joined; he was stood between Big Mac and Broadsword as the one of the soldiers began measuring them for their armour.
“Broadsword, Big Mac? Do you think I did the right thing?” he asked as he fidgeted with his claws.
“Eeyup…” The large red furred farmer replied.
“Do you think Twilight will be mad at me?” he continued nervously.
Broadsword smiled lightly and patted him on the shoulder. “Twilight would be proud of you.”
After everypony had been issued with equipment the sergeant called the room to attention and removed his helmet. “Gentle colts you are now officially soldiers in the E.U.P. guard’s protective pony platoons; in the morning there will be a military coach detail waiting in this very spot to transport you to boot camp where you will be taught how to fight and survive. The coaches will arrive at zero six hundred hours and I expect all of you to be here on time. That said, I’d like to thank you all for not trying to evade your duty as citizens of Equestria; when I dismiss you, you will be free for the rest of the night. You all have until tomorrow morning to say your goodbyes so make sure they’re memorable….” He sighed on that thought as he remembered saying goodbye to his own wife and son earlier that day; after a few seconds of reflective silence he took a deep breath and barked the command. “Room, Dismissed!”
***
A sombre shadow hung over the rest of the day like an ominous cloud, black and pendulous as the stallions said their goodbyes and spent their last hours of freedom with their loved ones.
***
The Apple family’s home was lively as Pinkie threw a special going away party for her brave husband; Big Mac sat at the table while both Pinkie and Applejack prepared a feast of all his favourite foods: home made apple pie, apple fritters, toast with granny’s last jar of zap apple jam and cream filled apple turn overs. The meal was accompanied with vintage Apple family cider from their storage cellar; Big Mac smiled as Pinkie happily fed him each bite of his special meal, he could tell by the look in her and his sister’s eyes that this was a plan to keep him at home by giving him everything he’d miss in the military. Unfortunately he’d already made up his mind and like all Apples once he’d decided he was going to do something he did it. As the night moved on Applejack had fallen asleep on the sofa as Pinkie cuddled up close to Big Mac who was gently stroking her mane; Pinkie’s eyes fluttered as she fought to stay awake, she didn’t want to sleep because she knew that these last few hours with Big Mac may be the last she’d ever get.
“Big Mac…” she began as she gently placed her hoof against his; it was obvious that she was very tired, but she refused to let her eyes close.
He looked down at her tiny hoof as it pressed against his; he’d never realised how small and delicate she was until now and it surprised him that he’d never noticed how soft her coat was or how her heart had an unusual skip in its beat, everything about her reminded him why he loved her so much and it was all these little details that he’d miss when he was away. He smiled as she yawned and cuddled closer to him; he could tell she was struggling to stay awake. “Pinkie why don’t you go to bed?” he suggested as he continued stroking her soft mane.
“Nuh uh… I don’t wanna sleep… I want to remember every moment with you…” she protested as yet another yawn escaped her lips and her eyes gently closed.
Finally, she lost the battle with tiredness and she gently drifted off to sleep; Big Mac sat silently for a few moments to make sure she was fully asleep before slowly and delicately getting out of his seat. As he stood up he felt Pinkie’s grip tighten up, despite her size she was strong when she didn’t want to let go; after a few more seconds her grip eased and the large farmer slipped out of her embrace.
As Big Mac carefully pulled a blanket over Pinkie and Applejack he sighed, he knew he’d miss them horribly and he’d worry about them every day and night; but they were the very reason he had to go, he had to protect them and if that meant fighting in the military then so be it. With a quick kiss on each mare’s forehead he stole away out into the night to walk the streets of his home town one last time.
***
Trixie sat alone in her cottage as she waited for Broadsword to return; she didn’t feel like moving from her spot on the bed they shared, she just wanted to wake up from this nightmare and see his smiling face again. Minutes became hours as Celestia’s day gave way to Luna’s beautiful night; finally, she heard the front door creak and the soft thud of Broadsword’s hoof steps as he trotted through the house.
Within moments he found her sitting, huddled over on their bed; her eyes were bloodshot and sore from where she had been crying and her body trembled from the mix of sadness, fear and anger that coursed through her small body. He stepped closer and wrapped his cloak around her, he knew she was angry with him and he didn’t blame her; she meant the world to him and now he had to leave her. As his heavy cloak enveloped her, tears began to well in her eyes once more and she tried to push him away.
“Trixie… I’m sorry…” he began as he sat next to her and looked at the gold band on her foreleg.
She remained silent save for a few soft sobs as tears began to flow from her eyes; in truth she wasn’t angry at him, she just didn’t know how to properly express her fear of losing him.
The two sat for a few moments neither knowing how to break the silence; finally, Trixie glanced over and noticed him looking at her foreleg. She smiled slightly and turned to hug him. “Trixie is sorry too… she… I know you don’t have a choice, but i… just don’t want to lose you.” She confessed as she felt his forelegs wrap around her and pull her closer; she ran her hoof through his course brown fur felling every scar and rent on his weary body. She took a long moment to caress each mark, committing every one to memory. “You’ve already given the military so much…” she thought out loud and rested her head on his chest.
He took a moment to think about his past in the night guard and sighed, he knew she was right; he could feel the small mare brushing each of his old wounds and ran one of his hooves through her silver mane and another along her body. “You won’t lose me, I promise I’ll come home…” he stroked her foreleg and brushed against the gold band; it brought back so many cherished memories and he couldn’t help but smile.
Trixie blushed and tried to look away in embarrassment “What… What is it?”
“This band; you blushed back then as well, but you are so much more beautiful now… erm… Trixie I have something I want to ask you…” he asked and gazed deeply into her crystal clear azure eyes that shone like sapphires in the moonlight.
“What is it?” Trixie’s heart raced as she stared into his soft brown eyes, they were so deep and honest like windows into the stallion’s heart; in that moment she felt as if time had stopped and they were the only ponies in the world.
“When I come home, will you…” he closed his eyes for a second and took a deep breath to ready him for his next words. “Will you marry me?”
Trixie’s heart skipped a beat and her eyes welled with more tears as she felt his hoof run through her silver mane. She didn’t know what to say; she wanted to yes, she wanted to say it a thousand times, but she was so choked up that instead of using words she began crying uncontrollably and buried her muzzle deep in his fur to hide her tears of joy.
“Trixie? What’s wrong?” he panicked as he gently raised her head, but was surprised to see her red cheeks and smiling lips.
“Nothing’s wrong… Trixie’s just… just so happy…” she continued to cry as she leapt up and kissed him deeply; surprised, his wings snapped up with an audible ‘pomf’ sound and he winced slightly from the pain of his old injuries. She could feel his hoof gently wipe away her tears before it returned to caressing her mane; her eyes opened slightly and she giggled as she noticed Broadsword’s extended wings, which gave her an idea.
Trixie broke the kiss and smiled mischievously as she gently stroked his feathers with her hoof. “Well, it seems that you’re as happy about this as I am.” She giggled and continued to plant several soft kisses on the large pegasus’ lips.
Broadsword stared into the azure unicorn’s sparkling blue eyes; in that one moment both he and her were able to forget everything and lose themselves in each other’s embrace. It was in the perfect, frozen moment he made a vow to himself that he would do whatever it took to stay alive and return to her no matter what.
***
The cold night breeze whistled through the trees of the town as Spike stood sombrely outside the library reflecting on his life in Ponyville, it seemed like only yesterday he was sent here with Twilight to help oversee the Summer Sun Celebration and now here he was, so many years later about to say goodbye to the only place he could truly call home; with a sigh he took a long lingering look at every branch and window. Suddenly his train of thought was derailed by a soft, upper class voice that came from behind him; he knew the voice well and although he loved that voice and its owner, it was a voice he didn’t want to hear right now.
“Rarity, what are you doing here?” he asked sharply as if trying to scare her away.
“Spikey, I want you to reconsider; you can still use your position as Twilight’s assistant to get a safe…”
“No!” he cut her off angrily, raising a shocked gasp from the white unicorn mare. “My mind is made up and there’s nothing you can say to stop me…”
“S..Spikey?” her eyes began to well with tears as she stared at the large teenage dragon.
He sighed again and turned to embrace her tightly. “I’m sorry… but it’s something I have to do; not just for my dragon code, but for….well… for you.”
“M..me?” she was taken aback by this confession.
“Rarity… for the longest time I thought I had a crush on you, but as the years passed these feelings have only gotten stronger…and now I realise it wasn’t a crush, but love… I love you Rarity.”
Rarity remained in a state of stunned silence as she felt his large scaly arms tighten gently around her, she had never noticed just how much he’d grown up; he was no longer the baby dragon she once knew, he was now a mature and… handsome teenage dragon that dwarfed her with his sheer size. She could feel his giant claws gently caressing her fur, taking the utmost care not to hurt her with his razor like talons. It was then she realised that somehow time had passed her by and before she knew it he had become so much more than just her friend, he was someone all together more valuable.
“Now… I have a chance to protect you and be the knight you’ve always dreamed of… so I can’t just hide away….” without another word he broke the embrace and turned away from her as tears fell from his eyes.
Spike didn’t spare her a glance as he strode into the darkness, but he knew that she was trailing behind his every step, her light, delicate hoof steps echoing in the empty streets as a constant reminder of what he would be leaving behind. He hadn’t realised how long he’d been walking until he found himself at the bridge on the edge of town; he remembered this bridge well, it was where he’d gone to reflect after he’d gotten greedy and went on a rampage all those years ago.
“Rarity…”
“Yes?” she answered tilting her head in confusion.
“For one night… can you act like you’re my special somepony?…it would only be for tonight; just so I know what it’s like…” he asked still avoiding eye contact for fear of her reaction.
Silently the moments slipped away and before he knew it the glamorous unicorn was leant against him, gently nuzzling his neck with her soft fur. His heart began to race as her tail wrapped around his and her warm cheeks rubbed against his causing him to blush; her breath was warm as it caressed the scales on his face. “Rar…”
“Shhh…” she silenced him with a light kiss and gazed lovingly into his eyes. “Spikey… for tonight I’ll be yours…”
With that Spike pulled her close and violently, passionately kissed her until both were breathless and blushing; Rarity giggled and ran her hoof along Spike’s burning red cheeks. For what seemed like an eternity the two sat on the bridge locked in each other’s gentle embrace. Finally as Luna’s moon began to descend Rarity sat up and searched her saddle bag, pulling out a heart shaped fire ruby and placing it gently in the purple dragon’s claws.
“Spikey… do you remember this?”
“Yeah, it’s the fire ruby I gave you before I went on that rampage…” he said sadly as the memory replayed through his mind.
“I want you to have it, to remind you of me and to bring you luck in the battlefield.” Rarity smiled as her cheeks reddened. “Please stay safe out there… for me…” with that she kissed his cheek one last time and watched sombrely as the teenage dragon strode towards the town centre.
***
The hour had come for the stallions of Ponyville to meet their destiny and understandably many weren’t eager to leave their comfy peaceful life for the war torn battlefields of outer Equestria, but each were fully prepared to defend their home with their lives. In the town centre stood several coaches; each were surrounded by a small group of bronze clad warriors that stood as sentinels to protect the ponies that pulled the coaches to the E.U.P. training camp. Finally, the sergeant disembarked the coach and looked out over the town’s stallions; he sighed as he lamented the sad fact that no matter how much he prepared them, many of these brave stallions would not return from the battles to come. With a barked command he stood the rabble of new recruits to attention and began ushering them onto the large coaches.
“Alright Everypony; get on the coaches and get ready! The next few weeks will be some of the toughest, most painful weeks of your lives, but all that pain and hardship will give you a better chance of survival in even the bloodiest of battles. I’m not going to sugar coat it; this training will not be easy. It was designed by Luna’s personal guards to make raw recruits into veterans in a very short amount of time, so pay attention and you might just make it home in one piece.” With that he ordered the stallions to embark on the military coaches.
Within moments the stallions had all boarded their transports and bid their old lives behind.