Live to Fight Another Day
Time Keeper ducked in a building in a war-torn city. After the end of the first war with the changelings, he believed they could finally live in peace. He was wrong. Extremely wrong. Now he was back on the front lines, serving with some new faces as well as some old. Colonel Quick Loader was promoted to general, so he wasn’t serving on the frontlines with them. He continued to move as recalled the first war. The blood, the mud, the sweat , the tears, and his friend, Star Charmer. He had truly loved her, and when he discovered she was a changeling, he was heartbroken. He shook his head, stopping him from dwelling on the events of the past.
He hid behind some cover, M1 carbine strapped to his back. He watched as the Spitfires of the RAF flew overhead. They skirmished with the Messerschmitt Bf 109’s. Bombers dropped bombs on the town, trying to drive out any Equestrian forces. They knew better. Once they came out they were sitting ducks to both the infantry and Air Force. The planes had replaced pegasi in aerial combat. They were stronger, faster, and, overall, more effective.
Time Keeper pulled his carbine off his back. He aimed at two changelings hiding behind cover. He pulled the trigger swiftly killing both of them. He moved through the building as he continued to fire at the changelings.
“Come on!” He yelled. “We’re almost at the other side of the town!”
He reached the other side of the building. He took a deep breath. There was a road between him and the next building. While it was only a few meters wide, it was enough to get him killed if he wasn’t careful. He made a mad dash for the building across the street, dodging bullets and bombs. He shot back at one changeling before diving into the building. He continued to hide behind cover. The rain of bombs seemed to have died down meaning the Spitfires probably dealt with them. However, there was still a changeling machine gunner halting their advance. He pulled out a grenade and lobbed it right next to the turret. The gunner got a good look at it before widening his eyes. The explosive blew up, killing the gunner as well as two others.
“Come on!” Time Keeper yelled. The other Equestrians emerged from their cover and rushed the changelings. The changelings, seeing no hope left, set their weapons down and put their hooves in the air.
“Good job, sir.” One of the soldiers said to Time.
After a good hour of clean-up, the Equestrians finally settled down for the night. Time Keeper walked through the base. He watched as everyone did their post-battle routines.
“Yes we need an escort to get these POW’s out of here.” Someone spoke into the main communication device.
“Where did you get hit?” The medic asked.
“Left shoulder blade.” A pony said lying down. She put a hoof across her eyes due to the pain.
“Does anyone have any extra ammo?” Someone else asked. Time continued to walk to the edge of the town. He sat alone, staring into the forest.
“Hello?” Someone said behind him. He whirled around to see a young mare approach him.
“Can I help you?” He asked.
“Are you Time Keeper?” She asked him.
“Yeah, who are you?”
“I am Ruby Sparkle.”
“What do you want?” He asked.
“I just wanted to ask you about your time in your previous deployment.”
“What about it?” Ruby sat down.
“I was conscripted, just like you were the first time.”
“How’d you know that?”
“You’re practically a living legend. You’re ‘The Pony Who Came Back From the Dead.’”
“Wait, what?”
“They assumed you died, but you really were knocked out.”
“Oh. Yeah. I was just knocked out by a shell. Nothing much.”
“Nothing much? Nothing much?!” The mare asked surprised. “The shell landed three feet away from you! Nopony survives that close, let alone shake it off like it’s nothing.”
“Interesting. I didn’t know that.” He said calmly. “Nonetheless, I’m sure you didn’t come here just to complement me, right?”
“Right. So about your time fighting, what was it like?” Time Keeper sat still for a second, remembering what it was like being on the frontlines. Changelings rushing the trenches, G98’s in hoof. The Lewis Guns were cutting down many of them. Mortars caused explosions left and right. AA guns shot down any aerial units. Then he remembered. Star Charmer.
“It-it was...” He tried to say, but trailed off. “I-i-i-it was...” He tried to speak again, but couldn’t. Then, he heard a voice.
”Time Keeper.” The female voice called out. He looked around, but no one was there.
”Time Keeper.” It repeated. He still couldn’t see anything. He ignored Ruby Sparkle’s confused look.
“What is it?” She asked worried.
”Time Keeper, it’s me, you’re old friend.”
“Which one?” He asked, shaking.
“Which what?” Ruby asked with a worried tone.
”Your best one, Star Charmer.” Suddenly, he saw it. It was her, emerging from the forest. He stared in shock. Ruby yelled out, but it sounded muffled. In fact everything sounded muffled.
“You’re-you’re here.” He said. He took a step forwards into the woods. “Bu-but I thought you-.”
“Died?” She said. “Yeah, I did. I just wanted to come back let you know.”
“Let me know what?”
“I’m sorry.” She said, a tear falling from her face. “I’m sorry for using you, for messing with your emotions, for hurting you.”
“I forgive you.” He said. “If you forgive me for what I did.”
She looked at him with a sympathetic smile.
“You did the right thing.” She said. “I forgive you.”
“I forgive you, too.” He smiled. They stood still for a second, meeting eye-to-eye.
“You’re still just as beautiful.” He said, causing her to blush.
“You’re still the same old Time, throwing himself at danger.” She said.
“What can I say? I like living dangerously.” He laughed.
“I miss you.” She said.
“I miss you, too.” He sighed. She opened up her hooves. Time immediately knew what she wanted. He walked over to her and gave her a hug. They both pulled their heads back and looked eye-to-eye. She closed her eyes and smiled as she leaned into him. He did the same. Their lips met, and for a second, everything, the woods, the wind, the world, went silent. They broke apart, silence still reigning.
“Thank you.” Star Charmer said.
“Thank you, too.” Time Keeper said back, before everything went black.
Time Keeper shot up, out of the bed. He looked around and instantly recognized where he was.
“The medical tent?” He asked himself. Then, he remembered what happened. “I must’ve been hallucinating.”
“You looked like you were.” A voice he could identify as Ruby Sparkle said. “I had to carry you back after you passed out.”
“Oh, well, thanks, I guess.” He told her.
“What did you see? It seemed like you were talking to someone.” Time Keeper sighed.
“Star Charmer.” He said.
“Star Charmer? That name sounds familiar.” She said.
“You’ve probably heard it before. She was a changeling disguised as a pony, causing us to lose three vital battles, as well as many minor ones.”
“Oh. So why did you talk to her?”
“Star Charmer was-.” He was cut off by a scream.
“Changelings! Incoming!” Someone yelled. He shot up out of the bed, and headed for the exit of the medical tent.
“Wait! The medic still hasn’t checked you.” Ruby Sparkle said.
“Well, no matter how healthy I am, it won’t matter when I’m dead. Now where’s my gear?” He asked. She pointed a hoof at a nearby table. His armor, saddle bag, and weapons were all laying there. He put on his gear and picked up his M1, before heading out.
“Watch the right flank!” Someone yelled. He pulled up his weapon, and gunned down two quickly. He turned to his left, and watched as three ponies went out in an explosion. Their squad wasn’t exactly loaded with men. Two more went out to his right. They did their best to take out as many creatures as they lost, but it wasn’t enough. He looked around, and saw only ten men left. There was no point to n continuing. One way or another, they would be overrun.
“We need reinforcements!” A pony yelled into the long-range communication device. “I repeat, we need reinforcements!”
A group of changelings charged him, but he held them off. He killed two before getting shot. This didn’t stop him, however. He pushed one with his gun, before shooting it. This wasn’t enough, as he was gunned down by the remaining changelings. Nine ponies left.
“Retreat!” He yelled out. They turned and slowly backed into the war-torn city. They had troops moving up the rear, approximately 5 miles away. The group needed to make it to the other side of the city if they wanted a chance of making it out. They ran through the buildings, most of which had been reduced to ruble by bombers. Time Keeper ducked behind cover, before shooting at the pursuing changelings. He took two out before turning again. He made sure that he was the one in the back, covering their retreat.
“Artillery! Look out!” Someone yelled. Suddenly, an explosion landed, taking two of them out, reducing them to seven ponies.
“Keep moving!” Time yelled. The group sprinted through the roads, dodging gunfire and artillery shells. They rounded a corner, and the edge of the town came into sight.
“Come on! We’re almost there!” Ruby Sparkle cried out. Then, there was a huge explosion. It took out three ponies and injured one. The three still standing pulled the fourth one into a nearby building. Time Keeper reached into his saddle bag and pulled out his binoculars. He looked into the streets. The changelings were marching down the streets of the town. Every street was covered by at least five changelings. There’s no way they’d be able to sneak out. Considering it was a three on about twenty, there’s no way they could fight their way out. Time Keeper turned to Ruby. “You two, get him out of here.”
“What are you gonna do?” She asked.
“Distract them.” He said. He put the binoculars away and pulled out his M1.
“You’re gonna fight them?!” She whisper-shouted.
“No. I know what I’m gonna do. Just go.”
“But what about you?” She asked.
“I’ll be fine. Just go. Live to fight another day.” He said. She had no response. The young mare just swallowed and nodded. She, and the other stallion, picked up the injured pony and prepared to head out. Time Keeper snuck to the front of the side of the building that met the street corner. If his calculations were correct, he could topple the remains into town square. He placed a few mines on the wall. The only thing he needed to do, was get them all in the middle. He knew how to do that.
The watch maker emerged from the building, and stood right in the middle of the streets. He didn’t fight, however. Instead, he threw his rifle to the ground, signaling his surrender. The changelings approached him, cautiously.
Meanwhile, Ruby Sparkle and the two others ran down the empty streets. Time Keeper had distracted the changelings, allowing them to sneak to the city walls. They snuck through a side-gate, meaning they’d successfully making out of the city. Ruby Sparkle, however, went back to the main gate. From there, she peered her head out, looking for Time Keeper. Just as she expected, the stallion was standing in the middle of the main road. Changelings approached him from all three sides. Time Keeper, however, looked far from phased. He stood still and made a small smile, before he sang.
“Almost heaven, West Virginia
Blue Ridge mountain, Shenandoah River
Life is old there, older than the trees
Younger than the mountains, blowing like a breeze
Country roads, take me home
To the place I belong
West Virginia, mountain mamma
Take me home, country roads.”
He paused briefly as the changelings moved in closer. They were within the range of his trap.
“Country roads, take me home
To the place I belong
West Virginia, mountain mamma
Take me home, Country roads!”
He pressed the button that detonated the mines. The mines on the wall blew up , as well as some in his saddle bag that he intentionally activated. Several changelings were killed by the blast of the mines he had on him, and the rest were crushed by the falling building.
Ruby Sparkle turned away from the rubble. She sighed as they began to walk to the nearest base.
“Live to fight another day.” She told herself.
“Live to fight another day.”