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One's left behind. /war/

Jan 10th, 2020
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  1. >You are Jax.
  2. >You are a satyr.
  3. >You are in class listening to the old griffon grumble on about post-war history.
  4.  
  5. >"And that class is how the mighty New Union defeated the princess's and the humans..."
  6. >The griffon lecturer continues to chalk up key words on the black board.
  7. >You lean back in your chair looking at the clock watching the seconds tick down the time in class.
  8.  
  9. >"As we know, Celestia in her final moments, casts a spell that returned all humans and their tech to their home world."
  10.  
  11. >You jolt from your daydream as you realize the griffin standing next to your desk.
  12. >"Leaving behind their satyr bastards."
  13. >He leans in close to you as he continues his lecture.
  14.  
  15. >"But as we all can see, we let them in our education system. In hopes of replicating human technology."
  16. >You scowl, upon the last sentence and look back at the clock to avoid eye contact.
  17. >You swear the seconds are ticking slower. Class sucks, and you can’t wait until it's over.
  18.  
  19. >"So far there has been nothing promi-"
  20. >BANG!
  21. >"JAX!"
  22. >You jolt again to find the griffin talon slammed on your desk.
  23. >"For the last time! Listen up you Tartarus spawn. The Emperor has granted you the right to education. Must I remind you that all satyrs who do not pass this year will end up in the mines!"
  24.  
  25. >As you open your mouth to retort the bell rang.
  26. >"Ok class, tomorrow we will be studying the Changeling Rebellion, so make sure you read up on the Changeling invasion in pre-war Equestria for references."
  27. >You get up to leave to find the lecturers wing blocking your way.
  28. >"Jax, you're staying behind."
  29. >You slump back down in your chair and watch as your pony and griffin classmates filter out of the room.
  30. >Well you call them classmates but six months in, one has yet to mutter a single word to you.
  31.  
  32. >The lecturer griffin lets out a sigh and waited for the remaining students to leave before shutting the door.
  33. >"Jax. You need to focus. I cannot keep forging your grades.”
  34. "I know, I know. But it's hard to focus, especially when the lesson is practically insulting"
  35. >"Sorry but as I explained last week. It's just propaganda, but I guess you're smart enough to realize that by now."
  36. "Yeah. 'Just swallow the bullshit to produce more bullshit to be graded' I got it"
  37. >You wave a hand dismissively.
  38. >"Good."
  39. "Also, can you lessen the insults during the lectures?"
  40. >"No can do, propaganda and all that."
  41.  
  42.  
  43.  
  44. >The lecturer shrugged and pulls out a small bottle from under his wing and places it on your desk.
  45. >"Anyway. Rub this on your cheek and arms. It should make a harmless red rash on your skin. Make it look I roughed you up a bit."
  46. >You grab the bottle and dab the liquid on your cheek and arms causing a burning sensation.
  47. >"You're dismissed."
  48. "Thanks"
  49. >"Oh Jax! Make sure you fake a limp as you walk home, got to make it believable"
  50. >You grab your tatty bag and make your way out faking a limp.
  51.  
  52. >You continue your fake limp until you're out of the college gates.
  53. >You take in a deep breath and inhaled the polluted Manehattan air.
  54. >The city was bustling with ponies, griffins and minotaur’s all going about their daily business.
  55. >You are almost unaware there are guards on every corner on every block.
  56. >It's hard to believe nearly twenty years ago a huge battle waged here.
  57. >Some of the buildings look brand new but many you can see were the repairs has been made due to the aging of the brick and stone.
  58. >As you walk down the busy streets you can see an odd bullet hole in a few walls that hasn't been covered over.
  59. > It's almost as if the griffins are wanting to erase what happened here all those years ago.
  60.  
  61. >You pause and glance at a minotaur guard who is on patrol.
  62. >As the minotaur guard turns his head you quickly slip down a dark, run down alley way.
  63. >Checking over your shoulder, you make sure you're not followed.
  64. >After walking for a few minutes, you approach an old factory house that seem lost amidst the skyscrapers that towers over it.
  65. >Looking up you see smoke billowing from the chimney, you guess your old friend Hammer Fell is home, or work.
  66. >Come to think of it you never really seen him outside of his place of work.
  67.  
  68. >You approach the heavy iron doors and gave them a loud thumping knock.
  69. "Hammer Fell? It's me."
  70. >"Jax!?"
  71. >You hear an old gravelly voice behind the door.
  72. "I need to talk to you."
  73. >"Hang on boy didn’t your mother teach you patience? I'll let you in."
  74.  
  75. >A blue aurora wraps around the door.
  76. >With a loud screech, the doors grind open and you walk in.
  77. >You look around to find Hammer Fell covered in black soot with metal shards in his dark faded blue coat and grey mane.
  78. "Are you busy?"
  79.  
  80. >You look along the side to find hundreds of New Union firearms stacked on gun racks that trailed the side wall.
  81. >"I don't think busy is the word for it boy."
  82. >You approach the guns and inspect them.
  83. "Are you making them muskets now?"
  84. >"Sshh! If the guard catch you called their guns that they'll skewer you! They're called Griffins Thunder."
  85.  
  86. >You snicker quietly before turning around to Hammer Fell.
  87. "So why are you making musk- Griff- guns now?"
  88. >You cant bring yourself to call the guns Griffins Thunder.
  89.  
  90. >"Well it was a plan that backfired."
  91. >The stallion unicorn pauses for a moment as he winced.
  92. >"No pun intended. But to cut a long story short I managed to get the blueprints you gave me to the last remaining free states for better guns. From your idea from putting groves inside the barrel and lengthening it, the NU's Army got shot down in their hundreds."
  93.  
  94. >A cold shiver ran down your spine knowing you are responsible for hundreds if not thousands of deaths, but you shake it off and push the thought to the back of your mind.
  95. >If it kept them free in the Free States then you dad would be proud. Well that’s what your mother has told you of him.
  96.  
  97. >"Well as you can see the NU got hold of one of their weapons and copied their design. Then from there they conscripted every blacksmith, gunsmith and metal-smith to produce them to replace theirs as quickly as possible."
  98.  
  99. >The old stallion rubs his head with his hoof.
  100.  
  101. >"So, what is it you want?"
  102. >You open your bag and pull out a few scraps of paper and a photo.
  103. "I've been working blueprints for replicas of human guns and even their 'bullets'..."
  104. >Hammer Fells eyes shot open.
  105. >"Come, we can't talk here. Especially about this."
  106.  
  107. >You watch the unicorn use his magic to pull up a hidden hatch in the floor and climb down the stairs.
  108. >Upon descending the stairs, you enter a dark damp room with old blueprints and photos of weaponry dotted around the walls that was lit by a few firefly lamps.
  109. >Hammer Fell approach an old wooden table that sat in the middle and waves you over.
  110. >You lay down your poor excuse of blueprints in front of him then quietly discussed the plans.
  111.  
  112. "As you can see in the photo, that soldier there is carrying what they called a 'bolt action' rifle. From what I read they used to pull back on that leaver to prime the gun."
  113. >Hammer Fell sat there in silence for a while as he processes the information.
  114. >"One thing, where does the powder go?"
  115. "Ah from the old casings you gave me. the powder is inside of the bullet. I'm honestly surprised how you found them. I thought ALL human tech returned with them"
  116.  
  117. >"Boy. You’re smart, but you still got to learn to see the bigger picture."
  118. "What you mean?"
  119. >"Those casing wasn't made by a human."
  120. >You look at the old colt as if he were mad.
  121. >"Don't you think Celestia would let a chance of advancing her own military technology just slip by?"
  122.  
  123. "So, what happened we could've won!"
  124. >"Let’s just say an infamous human didn't take borrowing human ideas too well and caused the Canterlot vaults incident"
  125. "I was told it were the griffins that destroyed the Canterlot vaults."
  126. >Hammer Fell raise his hoof to his face and sighs.
  127. >"Boy...How in Tatarus can they to sneak into Canterlot and into a secret high security military base and plant a bomb big enough to wipe out three blocks of houses and on top of that make it out alive?"
  128. "Oh."
  129. >"The truth is that luckily enough Celestia and Luna crafted the biggest cover-up in Equestrian history to save the pony - human relations."
  130.  
  131. "So, do you reckon you can make a prototype?"
  132. >"Prototype!?"
  133. >Hammer Fell bolts upright and makes eye contact with you.
  134. >Even though you must look down to meet his stare.
  135. >"Do you know what will happen if I get caught?"
  136.  
  137. >He starts to pace around the room as he starts to rant.
  138. >Knowing Hammer Fell it's a beginning of a short no.
  139.  
  140. >"I would be...ugh how did the humans put it...Fucked. I would be stuffed in some underground bunker and interrogated, probably tortured for that information. The NU will freak out if these go into production in the free states."
  141. >A huge grin crosses his face.
  142. >"And boy... I wouldn't have the odds any other way."
  143.  
  144. >You are taken back from his long-winded answer.
  145. "Really?"
  146. >"Certainly. I'll have something for you tomorrow."
  147. "Tomorrow?"
  148. >"Yes tomorrow, and you need to get going also. Curfew will start soon."
  149. "Curfew?"
  150. >"For Celestia's sake boy, piss off. I got work to do."
  151. >After being magically shoved out of the door you make your way home.
  152.  
  153.  
  154. >The next day
  155. >Tick...Tick...
  156. >Once again you watch the clock on the classroom wall as the lecturer drones on.
  157. >This time you time seems to tick pass even slower, as you can't wait to see the progress Hammer Fell made on the prototype gun.
  158.  
  159. >"And as Queen Chrysalis attacks our new Emperor, he kills her with a single feather and if you done your research, you'll find Chrysalis defeating Celestia during the Changeling invasion of Canterlot It goes to show how weak Celestia actually was."
  160.  
  161. >You slouch deeper into your chair in boredom.
  162. >"Thus ended the Changeling Rebellion."
  163.  
  164. >"Sir?"
  165. >A pegasus mare raises a hoof.
  166.  
  167. >"Yes Sunny Spells"
  168.  
  169. >"I'm not sure if I got this correct. Did the Changelings use the remains old Canterlot Vaults Tunnels as a forward base for the rebellion? Also, what were the Canterlot Vaults?"
  170. >The question catches your attention as this came up in conversation with Hammer Fell only yesterday
  171.  
  172. >The griffin lecturer hesitates on his answer.
  173. >"If you think back about few months ago it was mentioned. The vaults were a military ammo depot for the royal guard’s artillery. You should have notes in your workbook on the story of a heroic group of griffins sneaking in and blowing the vaults up."
  174.  
  175. >"Ammo depot? what kind of ammo were they stor-"
  176. >The pegasus asks another question before she was cut off by the bell.
  177.  
  178. >"Black powder...Now class tomorrow we will wrap this all up with the crystal empires collapse and the disappearance of Luna and the elements. Jax, I noticed you were once again daydreaming. Please stay seated.
  179.  
  180. >Just like yesterday, the griffin done the routine of closing the door after the last student had left.
  181. >You got up from your chair and followed the griffin to his desk.
  182. >With the question from Sunny Spells and the reaction from the lecturer your curiosity has now peaked.
  183. >He knows something.
  184.  
  185. "Sir..."
  186. >"Yes Jax, look I'm busy marking you can leave after ten minutes."
  187. "What do you know of the Vaults really?"
  188. >"Didn't you listen? They were military-"
  189. "Base for the development of human weapons."
  190.  
  191. >There's only silence. The griffin looks at you with his beak agape.
  192. >In a split seconded he grabbed you by the collar and pulled halfway over the desk.
  193. >"Where in the name of the emperor did you hear that?"
  194. >He whispered in a violent tone.
  195.  
  196. >You try and pull back, but you realize there's no letting go until he get a satisfying answer.
  197. >"WELL?"
  198. >His voice grows louder.
  199.  
  200. >"OUT WITH IT!"
  201. "I read some books on it!"
  202. >You blurted out trying to pull back from his grip.
  203. >"What books?"
  204. "Books from under the counter in the market in east-side."
  205. >You wince in hope he buys the lie.
  206. >The grip loosened as the griffin slouched back.
  207. >"Hmm...I heard rumours about that the selling of banned books there."
  208.  
  209. >The griffin stands up and looks out the door window to check for eavesdroppers and returns to his desk.
  210. >"Fine, it's true and don't put that in your paper for the Emperors sake."
  211. >He looks up to the ceiling as he recalls his memories.
  212. >"The Vault did explode, but by human hands. Everything was destroyed in that vault as it went up in flames. They say it took the royal guard five days to put the fire out under Canterlot. That and the NUA has had that place on lock down for over twenty years. I was stationed there when I were a soldier. I saw other soldiers in bio-suits enter there but never come out, whatever is down there all I can say it contains deadly unknown magic."
  213.  
  214. >You decide to push a bit further
  215. "If it were dangerous down there then how did the changelings make a hive there?"
  216. >Instantly the griffin froze in a hundred-yard stare.
  217. "Sir?"
  218. >"It changed the Changelings."
  219. >He mutters in monotone.
  220. "What you mean?"
  221.  
  222. >"Just go."
  223. "Sir?"
  224. >"GET OUT!"
  225. >You stumble back and ran for the door.
  226. >You look back over your shoulder to find his face buried in his talons.
  227. >What every happened that day, it scarred him for life.
  228.  
  229. Walking to Hammer Fell’s place you couldn’t help to wonder what your lecturer had been through.
  230.  
  231. >’It changed the changelings.’
  232. >You also wonder what he meant by that.
  233. >Hammer Fells seem to have a lot of knowledge on the Canterlot Vaults.
  234. >Maybe asking him may shed some light on the subject.
  235.  
  236. >You snap out of your daydreaming as you approach the factory doors.
  237. >Realizing you forgot to check you wasn’t followed you quickly scan the area before knocking.
  238.  
  239. “Hammer Fell?”
  240. >”Hang on boy!”
  241. >The metal door once again wraps in a blue glow and screeches as it opens.
  242. >As you walk through you see Hammer Fell with the biggest smile you have seen.
  243. >”Follow me, she’s a beauty…”
  244.  
  245. >After descending the hidden hatch, you see the new prototype gun laid out neatly on the table.
  246. >”I call it the ‘Hammer Field Rifle’ What you think?”
  247. “I think you’re taking all the credit”
  248. >You quickly replied as you look over the gun.
  249. >”I’ve been working non-stop on this since you left yesterday. I at least deserve most of the credit.”
  250. “Personally, I don’t want my name attached to it anyway.”
  251. >You take a moment to admire the guns beauty, most of the gun is covered polished wood.
  252. >By the looks of it Hammer Fell used the stock and a modified barrel from a musket but removed the flint lock and replaced it with the bolt action mechanism.
  253. >You pick up the gun and inspect it.
  254.  
  255. >”The magazines on the table. Well that’s what the humans called them anyway, from what I remember.”
  256. >You pick up the magazine and notice its loaded five bullets that you designed.
  257. >Upon closer inspection you notice a gem encased in the magazine.
  258.  
  259. “What’s the gem for? I didn’t think of you for cosmetic design.”
  260. >”Heh. No boy.”
  261. >The old unicorn shook his head.
  262. >” Take one of the bullets out. and watch.”
  263.  
  264. >You do as he says and fumble one of the bullets out of the magazine.
  265. >”Ok now wait.”
  266. >After one minute the gem in the magazine glows brightly and a bullet materializes at the bottom of the magazine.
  267.  
  268. “This is amazing! Hammer Fell you really out done yourself.”
  269. >” Wouldn’t have done it without you kid. But you should take note as it requires magic to transfer the bullet, the gem does have a limited number of reloads. I manage to count it to three hundred.”
  270. “Oh so I guess it take more magic if I'm farther away from the ammo stock?”
  271.  
  272. >”Spot on boy. I modified a bag so I can carry up to fifty bullets. It’s a little heavy granted, but there an obvious advantage of not having to reload for many rounds. But there's the issue of the time it takes for the gem to charge the spell if your magazines depleted.”
  273.  
  274. “I’m amazed on how you made all this so quickly.”
  275.  
  276. >”That’s because it’s his special talent. Isn’t that right, Lieutenant Lock”
  277. >A voice chips in as a figure descends the stairs.
  278. >Almost instinctively, you load the Hammer Field Rifle and bring the stock to your shoulder.
  279.  
  280. >”Ah, I recognize that voice from anywhere, Hello Major.”
  281.  
  282. >Hammer Fell didn’t even bother to look behind him.
  283. >As the figure descends further until you notice the familiar face.
  284.  
  285. “Sir?”
  286.  
  287. >”Jax. Lower your weapon.”
  288. >The griffin said calmly.
  289.  
  290. “What’s going on? You two know each other?”
  291. >You keep your weapon aimed at your lecturer
  292. >”Yes we do.”
  293. >The griffin ex major replied.
  294. >”Me and Lieutenant Lock met at the battle of Canterlot.”
  295. >”Boy. Do as he say and lower your weapon.”
  296. >You do as he says and aim the barrel down.
  297.  
  298. >”So as we are all acquainted, I can tell you there are guards upstairs. I can safely say both of you are under arrest.”
  299.  
  300. >Before you can act Hammer Fell spoke up.
  301. >”Just give him the gun.”
  302.  
  303. >After handing the griffon the gun, you all headed upstairs to find another griffon and two minotaur guards.
  304.  
  305. >”Very good Major.”
  306. >The other griffin spoke in low slithery voice.
  307. >”Now, whom may I ask designed the gun?”
  308. >You open your mouth to speak but your unicorn friend buts in.
  309. >”I did.”
  310.  
  311. >”I doubt that, pony. Guards detain the Satyr for interrogation and kill the unicorn.”
  312.  
  313. >The two guards start to make their way towards you, carrying battle axes.
  314. >”What!? NO!”
  315.  
  316. >You hear Major call out, as he flung himself towards the other griffon and clubbing him with the stock of the prototype gun knocking him out cold.
  317. >Suddenly a beam of light fires from Hammer Fells horn striking the guard in the chest, knocking him over.
  318. >You look around to see the other guard moments from swing his giant axe at you.
  319. >You raise your arms and braced for a horrible death.
  320. >Bang!
  321. >A loud ringing in your ears mutes the sound of the ongoing commotion.
  322. >Looking up, you see the minotaur stumble forward then fall on you.
  323.  
  324. >Darkness.
  325. >All you see is pitch black.
  326. >In a panic you try and flail around franticly.
  327. >Upon realizing you haven't got a body your mind shoots into overdrive.
  328. >You Pray to any god or goddess who may be listening.
  329.  
  330. >A few moments pass.
  331. >In the distance you see a tall dark figure emerge from the blackness.
  332. >You come to realise it’s a black and blue unicorn with wings.
  333. >You think back to seeing images of her back in class.
  334. >Is that Luna?
  335. >The only difference is that in the images she lacks any scars which seems to cover her head to hoof.
  336. >She only stands there looking at you completely emotionless.
  337. >Her horn starts to glow brightly before you are engulfed in a blinding light.
  338.  
  339. >As your senses comes back to you, you find yourself in a throne room.
  340. >Looking around you notice the banners of the princess’s hanging from the ceiling.
  341. >You look around once again to find Celestia herself calling for her guards.
  342. >You can hear an ongoing battle taking place in the hall leading out of the throne room.
  343.  
  344.  
  345. >”Oh so you know what it capable of. Now imagine the Vaults gets a second blast inside the glowstone stores?”
  346. >Chrysalis let out another wicked laugh.
  347. >”Imagine the devastation...Celestia...Think about it”
  348. >A few black chitin guards pile through the doors at the side of the throne only to be engulfed by a green flame.
  349. “Those must be changelings” You thought to yourself.
  350.  
  351. >A wicked laugh comes from the bottom of the hall.
  352. >Following by an appearance of a bigger changeling.
  353.  
  354. >”Chrysalis…”
  355. >Celestia spoke up.
  356.  
  357. >”Celestia, we once again meet again.”
  358. >Chrysalis replies with an evil grin as she approaches the alicorn.
  359. >”I got a proposition to make.”
  360.  
  361. >”I’m not interested.”
  362. >Celestia horn start to glow as she charges a powerful spell.
  363.  
  364. >” I wouldn’t do that if I was you… Let just say if I die, everypony in Canterlot dies with me.”
  365.  
  366. >With the spell still charged, Celestia wait for Chrysalis to continue.
  367. >”Now Celestia, my proposition is this. You send the human’s home and everypony lives.”
  368.  
  369. >”I don’t think so. I don’t know how you got past the guards or even get into Canterlot, this war is won Chrysalis. The human army is pushing in to griffon territories as we speak. I suggest you surrender.”
  370.  
  371. >”I don’t think you get it do you...Canterlot Vaults...Does that ring any bells? We changeling has acquired by some of OUR human friends some glowstone... or uranium the humans like to call it.”
  372.  
  373. >”You wouldn’t…”
  374. >”We know where you mined the glowstone, for thousand years this city has been sitting on a time bomb.”
  375.  
  376. >Celestia locks stares with Chrysalis as she runs over different outcomes in her head.
  377. >A single tear runs down her face as her horn glow brightly once again engulfing your vision.
  378.  
  379.  
  380. >You jolt awake can look around in a daze.
  381. >You feel that you are being pulled along in a wooden cart or something.
  382. >Every now and again the cart will hit a bump causing you to smack your head on the wood.
  383.  
  384. >You here your lecturer and Hammer Fell talk amongst themselves.
  385. >You open one of your eyes to find the old unicorn pulling the cart.
  386. >Looking around you find that you are being pulled along a dark tunnel, that being dimly lit by Hammer Fells horn.
  387.  
  388. >You hear the old unicorn speak up with disbelief in his voice.
  389. >”So lets get this straight, you followed Jax to my factory, then called the guards once you saw him enter.”
  390.  
  391. >”Correct.”
  392. >Major replies.
  393.  
  394. >”And when you found out we developed human weaponry, you wanted Jax to admit he did it so the NU will take him away so he can help advance theirs?
  395.  
  396. >”I was hoping they would give him a well-paid job and a nice life.”
  397.  
  398. >”Ok so at the expense of my life? They would’ve killed me!”
  399.  
  400. >You didn’t realize your lecturer cared for you that much.
  401. >Then again, he was willing to kill your only friend.
  402. >You glare at Major not sure what to think of him anymore.
  403.  
  404. >Major voice dropped into a snarl.
  405. >”I wanted you dead anyway. You killed many good soldiers of mine, Lock”
  406.  
  407. >Hammer Fell snaps back
  408. >”And you killed all of mine...”
  409.  
  410. >You could feel the tension between the two ex-soldiers.
  411. >This probably be a good time to wake up.
  412. >You stretch out and fake a loud yawn.
  413. >You yelp in pain as you clutch your ribs.
  414.  
  415. >Hammer Fell looks back at you and spoke in a chirpy voice as if the argument never happened.
  416. >”Ah, boy. I was getting worried. Try and not move around too much. I got a feeling you have one or two broken ribs.”
  417.  
  418. >Major remains silent and just looks at the floor not to make eye contact with the unicorn.
  419.  
  420. >You speak up with a dry throat.
  421. “Where are we?”
  422. >”Manehatten Tunnels my boy, also take a swig of water from the canteen, It should be somewhere in the cart.”
  423.  
  424. “Tunnels? Does every city have them or something?”
  425. >You reply as you fumble around (with your injuries protesting) in the dark looking for the water.
  426. >You finally find it then took a few big swigs of the fresh cool liquid.
  427.  
  428. >”No, no. It’s an old supply tunnel made before the war. As Manehatten grew in size the supplies used to be shipped to the old factory through here.”
  429.  
  430. “Where does it lead?”
  431.  
  432. >”To the old northern docks. I got a contact there to get us out of this city.”
  433.  
  434. “What are we going to do now? Killing guards and an officer, I bet the whole city is after us by now. We’re going to end up being caught!”
  435.  
  436. >”Not to worry, we got at least a day or two before they find their bodies and worked out what happened.”
  437. >The griffin finally spoke up.
  438. >”And on top of that it’ll take more time to identify the officer after being in a furnace for a long while.”
  439.  
  440. >”Like what he said boy, nothing to worry about. I’m taking you to somewhere safe, you’ll should be alright there but I’m not sure what bird brain over there is doing once we’re out of these tunnels”
  441.  
  442. >”I’m coming with you. How much I hate to do it. I have no other option; I have more chance of surviving with you two.”
  443.  
  444. >”What so you can kill me in my sleep and offer Jax as a token for your life?”
  445.  
  446. >”I would never do that. I have honour. Only killing you in a fair duel would satisfy my hate for you.”
  447. >”Same here, griffin. Same here.”
  448. >Hammer Fell sighs after a moment of silence.
  449. >”Anyway I guess having somepony with wings would be useful for our journey. But after we make it to the mountains, we’re finishing this.”
  450.  
  451. >A good while later you finally make it to the end of the tunnel.
  452. >You had to walk the rest of the way as Major deemed you fit to walk.
  453. >Even though a sharp pain shot through your chest every time you took a step.
  454. >Hammer Fell agreed with him saying it’s ‘good character building’.
  455.  
  456. >The pain got worse as Hammer Fell dumps an ammo bag on your back and made you carry the prototype rifle.
  457. >The other two carried their own share of supplies in saddle bags as well as a NU musket slung over their backs.
  458.  
  459. >You step out into the old docks through a rusted iron door.
  460. >You look up to see an orange sky.
  461. >It must be sunset.
  462. >The docks are completely empty and void of life.
  463. >Nothing more than a few abandoned cargo crates and decaying boats.
  464.  
  465. >”Keep quiet and follow me”
  466. >Hammer Fell whispers with authority.
  467. >You guess he instinctively turned to a soldier attitude due to many years in service.
  468. >You and Major follow the unicorn to an old boat that has seen too many days at sea.
  469.  
  470. >”Skipper!”
  471. “Thats cliche.”
  472. >You mutter quietly.
  473. >”Quiet boy”
  474.  
  475. >Hammer Fell speaks up a little louder
  476. >”Skipper! its me Lock, I’m calling in a favour”
  477.  
  478. >The boat hatch opens, and a dusty grey earth pony with a dark green mane drunkenly stumbles out onto the deck.
  479. >”Well... I be bucked. I-I thought I was hearing things. Lock its really you!”
  480.  
  481. >”Yeah, I’m glad to see you too.”
  482.  
  483. >”It was getting lonely here. These docks weren’t like they used to be.”
  484. >Skipper stumbles over his hooves on deck.
  485.  
  486. “And he’s drunk. The cliché strikes again.”
  487.  
  488. >You get a jab in the thigh from Hammer Fell.
  489. >”Shut it,”
  490.  
  491. >”Skipper I need you to get us across the water towards north.”
  492.  
  493. >”Su- Sure.. thing, You're in luck too there a south wind too.
  494. We’ll be there in no time. Hop aboard.”
  495.  
  496. >”I think I’ll take my chances and fly across.”
  497. >Major speaks up as he backs away from the boat.
  498.  
  499. >”Just get on board you stupid cat. No griffon can fly that distance, at night no less.”
  500.  
  501. >”Did you forget who I am?”
  502. >Majors back arches up like a house cat.
  503. >”That thing is a death trap. It will bucking sink as soon we leave the dock! To make things worst an old drunk is sailing it!”
  504.  
  505. >”Are..are you really that scared of sailing. Or is it true about the griffons fear of water?”
  506.  
  507. >”What!? NO! I mean I know a death trap when I see one.”
  508.  
  509. >Hammer Fell trots beside the sacred griffin and speaks to him softly as he magically lifts the musket from his back.
  510. >”Now look at that boat and a tell me what's unsafe about it..”
  511.  
  512. >Major points his talon at the decaying hull
  513. >”Well for one th-”
  514. >SMACK.
  515. >Hammer Fell hits him on the back of his head with the stock of his musket.
  516.  
  517. >”Boy, help me get this scaredy cat on the boat.”
  518.  
  519.  
  520. >You can hear the waves gently hitting the side of the boat.
  521. >Skipper sings old human songs of war as he sails.
  522.  
  523. >Watching the moon rise from the horizon, you rest your arms on the railings on deck in deep thought.
  524. >You often wonder who really raises the sun and moon.
  525. >You were taught in school the sun rises due the emperor's will.
  526. >Whatever that means.
  527. >Maybe the princesses of the sun and moon has something to do with it.
  528. >It’s not that hard to make that connection.
  529. >Then again there’s only one left, to your best guess.
  530. >You think back to your dream or flashback or whatever that was.
  531.  
  532. >Why did she want me to know what happened?
  533. >And why did some humans choose to help the changeling queen and betray Celestia?
  534. >Other questions start to form in your mind.
  535. >The only thing certain is the first princess was Luna and she may still be alive.
  536. >You continue deep in thought as the boat sails northwards.
  537.  
  538. >”A bit for your thoughts boy?”
  539. >Hammer Fells voice startles you.
  540.  
  541. “Hammer Fell!...right...sorry…”
  542.  
  543. >”Heh, didn’t mean to startle you, but what’s up? You’ve been looking out over the water for an hour now.”
  544.  
  545. “Oh…”
  546. >Has it been that long?
  547. “Hey Hammer, What happened to Luna?”
  548.  
  549. >”Boy, honestly those questions will lead you into some trouble. But the short story is, no-pony knows. As Canterlot fell into the NU’s rule, Luna took off with her thestral soldiers Well that’s the last time anypony seen her I guess.”
  550.  
  551. >Great that poses more questions.
  552. >Maybe it’s time to catch some sleep.
  553. >As you turn around, you notice Major sprawled out on the deck still out cold.
  554.  
  555. “Is he going to be ok?”
  556.  
  557. >”Him? He'll be fine, I hit him harder than that in the battle of Canterlot. See that scar under his wing?”
  558. >The unicorn motioned you to take a closer inspection.
  559. >You can just make out a long scar running down the underside of his wing in the moonlight.
  560. >”Got him with my spear. But the main reason I knocked him out because he wouldn’t have made it to the other side of the water. Flying long distances would probably prove fatal to him.”
  561.  
  562. >You try and imaging the fight between Hammer Fell and the Major.
  563. >It’s funny seeing two enemies having to work together.
  564. >Yet you worry about them butchering each other constantly.
  565. >Then again, you feel like both are keeping a lot from you.
  566.  
  567. “Are you worried about him waking up. I think he’ll be pretty annoyed.”
  568.  
  569. >”Heh, that the reason I left him on deck. Hopefully he’ll freak out when he see’s the water and forget I hit him.”
  570.  
  571. >You let out a yawn.
  572. “I think I’m going to hit the hay.”
  573.  
  574. >After asking Skipper where you can sleep, you make your way to your ‘bed’
  575. >Skipper called it a bed, but it more like a pile of old sails.
  576. >You let out a groan and bunch up the sails so its at least comfy enough to lay on.
  577.  
  578. >Sleep over came you quickly.
  579. >Once again you are surrounded by blackness.
  580. >You keep calm and wait for Luna to arrive again.
  581. >She doesn’t appear this time, but once again a bright light fills your senses.
  582. >You find yourself in a different place and time.
  583. >You see Luna and Celestia talking in what seems to be a war room.
  584.  
  585. >”Art thou sure about this dear sister?”
  586.  
  587. >”We have no option.”
  588.  
  589. >”Will the humans help us?”
  590.  
  591. >”Oh, I’m sure. I’ve been watching them for a long time. I can safely say they almost admire us”
  592.  
  593. >”Thou said almost….”
  594.  
  595. >”Anyway to important matters. What do you think of this letter”?
  596. >The white Alicorn clears her throat.
  597.  
  598. >"Human Mercenaries of the Badlands, I don't know if I should ask this of you, but I fear that desperate times call for desperate measures. The Griffons, the Minotaurs, and the Diamond Dogs have already conquered our allies in Saddle Arabia. The Crystal Empire is facing internal turmoil. Equestria stands alone. We know that humans are well versed in warfare. We need a weapon to change the outcome of this terrible war. Please, will you help us?"
  599.  
  600. >”The letter does not sound very official…”
  601.  
  602. >”Like I said I been watching them for a long time, I have found they prefer if you get straight to the point.”
  603.  
  604. >”Very well, send it.”
  605.  
  606.  
  607.  
  608.  
  609.  
  610.  
  611.  
  612.  
  613. >A loud squawk cuts your dream short.
  614. >You lay there for a bit gathering your senses.
  615. >Another loud squawk pierces your ears.
  616. >In a panic you get to your hooves and stumble on deck.
  617.  
  618. >”MAJOR calm down!”
  619. >You see Hammer Fell, trying to calm the terrified griffin down.
  620. >”Listen! look over there, land is only ten minutes away.”
  621. >The disgruntled unicorn fires a hoof towards the land.
  622.  
  623. >”How can I calm down! You put me on this deathtrap! I’m going to tear you apart.”
  624. >Major looks fuming, so much for Hammer Fells plan.
  625.  
  626. >”Ok fine, come and get me you old feather duster.”
  627.  
  628. >The griffin looks like he was going to pounce but a freak wave hits the side of the boat cause it to creak loudly.
  629.  
  630. >”GET ME OFF OF THIS FUCKING BOAT!”
  631. >Major pathetically covers his face with his talons and starts shivering.
  632.  
  633. >Hammer Fell turns to you and shakes his head.
  634. >”Boy, believe it or not he was the most feared griffon on the battlefield...”
  635. >A smile breaks out on the unicorn’s face.
  636. >”Now look at him”
  637. >Hammer Fell eventually breaks into a wholehearted laugh.
  638.  
  639. >You look over towards the approaching land.
  640. >The sun is now halfway over the horizon bathing the land in orange light.
  641.  
  642. >”We will be landing in a few minutes!”
  643. >You hear Skipper call out from the wheel taking a swig from a bottle.
  644.  
  645. >”Sweet Celestia…”
  646. >Major mutters out still shivering.
  647.  
  648. >”Huh, never thought I’d hear a griffin say that.”
  649. >Hammer Fell shrugs.
  650.  
  651. >Shortly the boat pulls up to an old dock.
  652. >Not much remains other than a floating harbour and an old deprecated shack.
  653. >Gathering all your belongings you and Hammer Fell make the way off the boat.
  654. >Major quickly flies off the boat onto dry land and praying to any god who can hear him.
  655.  
  656. >Hammer Fell turns and shouts towards Skipper who is still preparing his sails.
  657. >”Listen Skipper! I won’t be seeing you for a good while. There will be no shipments to make anymore. So...uh...see you I guess.”
  658. >You kind of feel sorry for old Skipper, his face looks like he’s heartbroken.
  659.  
  660. >”I’ll, I’ll be alone again?”
  661. >Skipper quickly makes his way down the hatch and you hear crashing and banging from the hull.
  662.  
  663. >Hammer Fell looks at me in confusion.
  664. >”I didn’t think the old Skipper would of taken it so hard.”
  665. >A hint of worry falls on his face.
  666. >”Skipper are you-”
  667.  
  668. >Skipper leaps of the boat onto the harbour and makes his way towards you.
  669. >You notice the packed saddle backs and an old rusty spear strapped to his back.
  670. >”Lets go.”
  671.  
  672. >”Skipper...no. You're not coming with us. Get back on your boat an-”
  673.  
  674. >THUNK!
  675. >BOOM!
  676.  
  677. >The whole boat erupts into flames and slowly sinks as Skipper salutes it goodbye.
  678. >”You did me well old girl.”
  679.  
  680. >”In Celestia’s name Skipper!”
  681. >Hammer Fell yells at him.
  682.  
  683. >Skipper looks down and spoke in a low gruff tone.
  684. >”I was planning to go down with that ship once I’ve built up enough courage.”
  685. >Quickly pushing past the unicorn, Skipper makes his way along the path out of the old dock.
  686.  
  687.  
  688.  
  689.  
  690.  
  691.  
  692.  
  693.  
  694.  
  695.  
  696.  
  697.  
  698.  
  699.  
  700.  
  701.  
  702.  
  703.  
  704.  
  705.  
  706.  
  707.  
  708.  
  709.  
  710.  
  711.  
  712.  
  713.  
  714.  
  715.  
  716.  
  717.  
  718.  
  719.  
  720. >You walk along with your companions through the farmlands.
  721. >After a few miles you got used to the pain from your ribs.
  722. >Though stepping into a pothole or any sudden movement causes the pain to flair.
  723. >The sun has fully risen, indicating it must be roughly late morning by now.
  724. >You walk ahead with Hammer Fell. Major and Skipper a little bit behind.
  725.  
  726. >”Well that makes four of us now. If we gain another, it’ll make a full unit.”
  727. >Hammer Fell chuckles to himself.
  728. >You join him in a small laugh.
  729.  
  730. “So were you a lieutenant?”
  731.  
  732. >”Correct…”
  733. >The smile from Hammer Fells face disappears
  734.  
  735. “Do you miss them? I mean your soldiers?”
  736.  
  737. >”That I do boy. Me and that platoon went to Tartarus and back.”
  738. >The unicorn looks over his shoulder and glares at Major who is chatting away with Skipper.
  739. >Facing front again Hammer Fell sighs, slowly shaking his head.
  740. >”I bet the rest of my bits that you going to ask about me and Major.”
  741.  
  742. “Yeah I was going to ask that.”
  743.  
  744. >”Well almost two decades ago, I was stationed in Canterlot, in preparation for the siege. I was my platoons’ job to defend the remains of the vaults. How the battle played out, I can safely say it was the Majors job to secure it.”
  745.  
  746. “I guess him being a Major, he outnumbers you?”
  747.  
  748. >”You been reading those military books again?”
  749. >The small smile grows on Hammers face.
  750. >”You are right though, My platoon defended that place for three days straight. Even when the walls fell and the rest of the army retreated to the castle, we stayed.”
  751.  
  752. “How did you hold out for that long?”
  753.  
  754. >”We retreated into the remains of the tunnels so the griffins didn’t have an aerial advantage.”
  755.  
  756. >The unicorn gave the same thousand-yard stare as your lecturer did when you asked him about the Vaults.
  757. >”That place quickly went south. I can still remember the stench of rotting bodies and the blood...”
  758. >Hammer Fells shakes in images from his mind.
  759. >”Ugh...sorry boy. Same scars never heal. Can we talk about something else.”
  760. “Yeah...sure.”
  761.  
  762. >You look to the side and admire a quaint farm cottage and the stone wall that marks the garden's edge.
  763. >You hear two gunshots following by screams from the cottage.
  764. >Hammer Fell grabs you by your collar with his magic and pulls you behind the wall.
  765. >Major and Skipper quickly join you, their years of combat expertise has never faded with their age.
  766.  
  767. >”Boy, get your gun ready.”
  768. >Everyone primes their guns, bar from Skipper who readies his spear.
  769.  
  770. >The door of the cottage burst open.
  771. >A sobbing mare and a terrified male satyr makes their way outside followed by two griffins.
  772. >The four of you peek over the walls edge to observe.
  773. >You notice the satyr looks roughly the same age as you.
  774.  
  775. >”Please don't hurt us!”
  776. >The mare sobs as she holds on to her satyr.
  777.  
  778. >”Mam, you have been found guilty under the new law of birth rights.”
  779. >A griffin spoke up wearing an officer's hat while he loads his flintlock pistol.
  780. >”By giving birth of a satyr you have committed the crime of treason.”
  781.  
  782. >”But that was nineteen years ag-”
  783. >BANG!
  784. >The mare falls to the floor with a hole in her head.
  785.  
  786. >”Mother!”
  787. >BANG!
  788. >Another gunshot fires, but this time from the other griffin.
  789. >The satyr gurgles on his own blood after being shot in the throat.
  790.  
  791. “NO!”
  792. >You call out as you leap over the stone wall.
  793. >In one slick motion you lift the stock to your shoulder aim and pull the trigger.
  794. >The Hammer Field Rifle recoils causing you to stumble back.
  795. >The bullet slices through the air and impacts the second griffins skull.
  796. >Chunks of flesh and scalp flies everywhere as the body slumps to the floor.
  797.  
  798. >You immediately load another round in the chamber by pull back the bolt of your gun.
  799.  
  800. >The officer griffin turns towards you, unfazed by the death of his comrade as you realise what you have done.
  801. >You have taken a life.
  802. >You feel a lead weight form in your stomach.
  803.  
  804. >”You fool.”
  805. >He pulls a second flintlock from under his wing and aims it at you.
  806. >”Was that your first kill? I recognize that look from anywhere. Anyway, since you're new to this I’ll give you a short lesson. If there's two enemies make sure you have a side arm ready.”
  807. >The officer laughs slyly.
  808. >”And to top it all off I go the extra mile and give you a chance to reload.”
  809. >You hesitate.
  810. >Does this griffin really think I’m carrying a musket?
  811. >You take a deep breath in as you know what you're going to do.
  812. >No. What you must do.
  813. >You aim your gun at the griffin and fire another round.
  814. >The bullet takes a chunk from his talon and straight zips straight into his chest.
  815. >The officer rolls on the floor in agony.
  816.  
  817. >”What in the name of the emperor is that gun! You didn’t reload!”
  818. >You feel a fire surge through your veins as you walk towards the griffin and kick his pistol away from him.
  819. >You pull back the bolt handle of your rifle again.
  820. >Slamming a hoof on his chest, you push the barrel of your rifle between its pleading eyes.
  821. >You hear the magic crackle as two rounds manifests at the bottom of your magazine.
  822. >CRACK!
  823. >The officers scalp and blood flies back up at you covering you.
  824. >You feel the fire in you subside and the led weight in your stomach returns.
  825. >You look at the carnage of the griffons head.
  826. >You scream and stumble over onto your back and scuffle away.
  827.  
  828. >Hammer Fell and the others race over from the wall.
  829. >”Jax!....You bucking idiot!”
  830. >He wraps a foreleg around you.
  831. >”Skipper! help me get him inside the cottage. Major scout the area for more guards.”
  832.  
  833. >You don’t know what came over you.
  834. >How could you take a life so easily.
  835. >Your mind flashes back to those eyes.
  836. “He was scared.”
  837. >You mutter.
  838. >”He was scared because you showed him a glimpse of humanity.”
  839. >Skipper spoke up as he checks the cupboards and pulls out an ale bottle.
  840.  
  841. >” You’re not helping Skipper! Go and make yourself useful and check the upstairs.”
  842.  
  843. “What does he mean by that?”
  844. >Tears run down your cheeks.
  845.  
  846. >”Boy...Like the griffins, taking a life for a human is easy. It’s embedded in you. but to complicate things your half pony. Killing is extremely hard for us, being herbivores is the biggest player for that.
  847.  
  848. “I don’t understand.”
  849.  
  850. >”The best way I can put it, is that you got a mind of a human but a heart of the pony. Tell me boy, did you feel a lead weight in your gut?”
  851.  
  852. >You nod.
  853. >”That's your heart talking.”
  854.  
  855. “But I also felt this surge of energy, it was like there was fire going through my veins.”
  856.  
  857. >”That was your mind taking over. Do you see where I’m coming from now?”
  858.  
  859. >You nod again.
  860. “But why didn’t you help me?”
  861.  
  862. >”Boy. If I did you would be dead right now. He would have killed you first, as you were the closest potential threat. Besides you decided to play hero and jump right in.”
  863.  
  864. >”Hammer Fell, I think you should see this…”
  865. >Major stand in the doorway the cottage carrying a letter in one talon and the other tucking the officer's flintlock pistol in a holster under his wing.
  866. >”I found it while searching the officers body.”
  867.  
  868. >Hammer Fell snatches the letter with his magic and opens it.
  869. >”It’s orders, straight from the emperor himself.”
  870.  
  871. >”Well what does it say?”
  872.  
  873. >”The year trail of Project Human have been cut short. After six months in education and funding the satyr abomination has failed to produce any progress on human technologies. The courts have deemed satyrs a threat to national security. Officers are now granted the rights to trial and execution…”
  874.  
  875. >A feeling of dread settles in your body.
  876. >Major looks at Hammer Fell, with an emotion that indicated betrayal.
  877.  
  878. >”I bet your well happy now, knowing you fought for this!”
  879. >Hammer Fell spoke with anger.
  880.  
  881. >In half expecting a fight between them, Major just turns and walks away.
  882. >You look out the doorway to see him slouch against the stone wall.
  883.  
  884. >”Boy go upstairs with Skipper and tell him to look for anything that's useful for supplies. I’ll check the kitchen for food and bits.”
  885.  
  886. >You climb the stairs to find Skipper.
  887. >You can hear him talking softly to somepony.
  888. >”Come on, I aren’t going to hurt ya.”
  889.  
  890. >You walk along the hallway.
  891. >You side step over a dead stallion, with a bullet wound to the chest.
  892. >You can see where a struggle has taken place.
  893. >A short sword lay next to his hoof.
  894. >He was defending his family.
  895. >You guess he must of been a step father of the satyr.
  896.  
  897. >You peer into a bedroom to find Skipper.
  898. “Skipper?”
  899.  
  900. >”Hey Jax, there’s a filly under the bed. Poor things terrified. Do you reckon you can talk her out from under the bed.”
  901.  
  902. “Sure”
  903.  
  904. >As you step up to Skipper you whisper in his ear to cover the stallion outside with a sheet or anything he can find.
  905. >Skipper grabs the sheet off the fillies’ bed and heads out.
  906.  
  907. “Hey…”
  908. >Darn…
  909. >You're not sure what to say.
  910. >You're still shaken up yourself from what happened.
  911. >You decide on starting simple.
  912. “Hey...can you tell me your name?”
  913.  
  914. >You hear shuffling under the bed.
  915. >”Brother?”
  916. >Brother?
  917. >You look at your hooves.
  918. >They are the same colour of the satyrs outside.
  919.  
  920. “No, Im not your brother,” you get down and show your face.
  921. >You see a light yellow filly under the bed.
  922. >Her cheeks are stained with tears.
  923. >She shuffles back further.
  924. >As she shuffles you notice a lack of cutie mark on her thigh.
  925.  
  926. >You try a different approach.
  927. “My name’s Jax, I’m from Manehatten.”
  928. >You smile at her.
  929.  
  930. >A long silence come from under the bed.
  931. >You open you mouth to speak.
  932. >Instead the young filly cuts you off.
  933.  
  934. >“My name is Little Bale.”
  935. >The young filly whimpers.
  936. >”Have you seen my mom and dad?”
  937.  
  938. “...”
  939. >You look towards the bedroom door as Skipper returns.
  940. >You gave him a pleading look.
  941. >In which he returns with a shrug.
  942. >Looking back round the filly start bawling her little heart out.
  943.  
  944. >”I think she got the hint Jax.”
  945. >Skipper makes his way to the filly and lays on the floor.
  946. >”Hey it’s me again. The mean griffins are gone now. It’s safe to come out.”
  947.  
  948. >”but...but…”
  949.  
  950. >”Come on. You can’t stay here and we got to go.”
  951. >The filly slowly pokes her head from under the bed.
  952.  
  953. >You and Skipper both gave a kind smile.
  954. >”Lets go, and stay close to me.”
  955. >Skipper lead the way out the room.
  956. >One the way out you grab a small teddy bear and a little woolly coat that's hung on the door.
  957. >She’s going to need it.
  958.  
  959. >The three of you make your way along the hallway.
  960. >The body is now gone.
  961. >The only thing left is a pool of drying blood.
  962. >You nod to Skipper for his quick thinking.
  963. >As you walk down the stairs you see Hammer Fell watching Major digging in the garden.
  964. >The unicorn looks back around.
  965.  
  966. >”Oh great…. I was fearing this would happen.”
  967. >He looks at the young filly.
  968.  
  969. “Well you got your unit now…”
  970.  
  971. >The unicorn just smiles and shakes his head.
  972. >”Boy, I worked with worse.”
  973.  
  974. >After Major finished burying the dead, a few words were spoken in their memory.
  975. >Shortly after you and your companions continue heading north.
  976. >The thought of killing still sits heavy on your mind.
  977.  
  978. >The whole group walks in silence.
  979. >The only noise was a gentle wind and birds tweeting in the afternoon sun.
  980. >The young filly is now laying on Skippers back as he hums a song as he walks.
  981. >You are surprised of the strength of the old earth pony.
  982. >It must be heavy carrying his spear, saddlebags and a filly on his back.
  983. >He isn’t even breaking a sweat.
  984.  
  985. >”Mr Skipper?”
  986. >Little Bale speaks up.
  987.  
  988. >”Hmm?”
  989. >He cuts of his humming.
  990.  
  991. >”Do you know the song...oh I forgot the name of it.”
  992. >The filly starts to look upset as she couldn’t remember the name.
  993. >”My mom used to sing it to me and my brother.”
  994.  
  995. >”Well, can you sing a bit?”
  996.  
  997. >”There's a rhythm in rush these days…”
  998. >The filly sings a little out of tune.
  999.  
  1000. >”Your in luck, that's a human song and I do recognize it.”
  1001.  
  1002. >”Really? My mom told me my brothers real dad use to sing it to him”
  1003.  
  1004. >Skipper clears his throat and starts to sing as he trots to a beat.
  1005.  
  1006. #~There's a rhythm in rush these days
  1007. #~Where the lights don't move and the colours don't fade
  1008. #~Leaves you empty with nothing but dreams
  1009. #~In a world gone shallow
  1010. #~In a world gone lean…
  1011.  
  1012. >You look over to Hammer Fell who is listening with a thoughtful expression on his face…
  1013. >You start to hear music.
  1014. >You look around, but you couldn’t see any band anywhere.
  1015. >You realize the music is in your head.
  1016.  
  1017. #~Sometimes there's things a man cannot know
  1018. #~Gears won't turn and the leaves won't grow
  1019. #~There's no place to run and no gasoline
  1020. #~Engine won't turn
  1021. #~And the train won't leave…
  1022.  
  1023. >Hammer Fell joins in and sings with a gravelly voice.
  1024. >”#~Engines won't turn and the train won't leave”
  1025.  
  1026. >All eyes lay on Hammer Fell.
  1027. >”What? I know this song too.”
  1028. >He continues singing with Skipper.
  1029.  
  1030. #~I will stay with you tonight
  1031. #~Hold you close 'til the morning light
  1032. #~In the morning watch a new day rise
  1033. #~We'll do whatever just to stay alive
  1034. #~We'll do whatever just to stay alive
  1035.  
  1036. “What’s happening? You hear the music too?”
  1037. >You ask Major.
  1038.  
  1039. >”Well I be damned, It’s the music of harmony. Ponies used to sing like this all the time before the war.”
  1040.  
  1041. “How come I never knew about it?”
  1042.  
  1043. >”It’s against the law for ponies to trigger the music of harmony so it was never passed to your generation.”
  1044.  
  1045. #~And I will wait for you tonight
  1046. #~You're here forever and you're by my side
  1047. #~I've been waiting all my life
  1048. #~To feel your heart as it's keeping time
  1049. #~We'll do whatever just to stay alive
  1050.  
  1051. >You speak over the music.
  1052. “How do they trigger it?”
  1053.  
  1054. >”It’s when they sing from the heart and the song means something to them.”
  1055.  
  1056.  
  1057. #~Dawn is coming
  1058. #~Open your eyes
  1059. #~Dawn is coming
  1060. #~Open your eyes…
  1061.  
  1062. >You look back at the filly who is falling asleep on Skippers back.
  1063. >You smile to yourself.
  1064.  
  1065. >The sun is now making its descent towards the horizon.
  1066. >Not much really happened as you were walking alone.
  1067. >Hammer Fell would just stare out over the scenery.
  1068. >Skipper hummed random tunes with the filly still sleeping on his back
  1069. >And Major, just flew up into the sky every few miles or so to scout ahead for any NU patrols.
  1070.  
  1071. >”We should call it a day and find somewhere to set up camp”
  1072. >Hammer Fell says while looking for the best place to rest.
  1073.  
  1074. >”There’s a farm a mile up the road, I think I saw a barn as I scouted ahead.”
  1075. >Major speaks up.
  1076.  
  1077. >”Very well.”
  1078. >The old unicorn picks up the pace.
  1079. >The farm came into view.
  1080. >Another cottage sits along the roadside.
  1081. >Everyone knew what each other where thinking.
  1082. >We all stop and listen for any commotion.
  1083. >An young farmer mare with a light pink coat and a brown mane, steps out into her garden and starts watering her plants.
  1084.  
  1085. >”Excuse me ma’am..”
  1086. >Hammer catches her attention.
  1087.  
  1088. >”Oh...hello..”
  1089. >The mare is startled by the weapons everyone is carrying.
  1090.  
  1091. >Hammer Fell give a reassuring smile.
  1092. >”No need to worry. We mean no harm. We are looking for a safe place to camp for the night.”
  1093.  
  1094. >The mare looks over us, not sure to make of us.
  1095. >”You do not look like the normal patrol. Well I guess he does.”
  1096. >She points a hoof at major, who just rolls his eyes.
  1097.  
  1098. >”No...no we are not the New Union I promise you.”
  1099. >The unicorn lets out a nervous chuckle.
  1100.  
  1101. >The mare gives us the once over again then gasps.
  1102. >”Your revolutionaries!”
  1103. >She lets out a small squeal.
  1104. >”I knew this day would come, sure, I got a barn across the field, feel free to use it.”
  1105.  
  1106. >”Err...yeah, sure.”
  1107.  
  1108. >”Good! I’ll lead you there!”
  1109. >The mare put down her watering can and motions you to follow.
  1110.  
  1111. >The next five minutes consisted of her fangirling over the idea of a revolution and why the NU should fall.
  1112.  
  1113. >You couldn’t wait to get to the barn so she can go away.
  1114. >You act you're not interested in the conversation.
  1115. >”So you’re a satyr then?”
  1116.  
  1117. >What kind of question is that.
  1118. “I was the last time I checked.”
  1119.  
  1120. >The mare giggles.
  1121. >”Oh you satyrs all have such a weird sense of humour. Like there's a nice satyr that lives a fair few miles south. Oh, he’s so dreamy... You guys must of saw him?”
  1122.  
  1123. “Uh…”
  1124. >You look at the rest of your group who were all shaking their heads with a worried expression.
  1125. “No, no I must have missed him.”
  1126.  
  1127. >”Oh that's a shame, he looked a bit like you...his family...”
  1128. >The mare looks at the sleeping filly on Skippers back.
  1129. >Seriously how didn’t she notice her?
  1130. >”Little Bale? What are you doing with her?”
  1131.  
  1132. >”Let me handle this.”
  1133. >Hammer Fell quickly chimes in before any of us could speak.
  1134. >Going into his bag he pulls out the letter that was found on the letter and hands it to the mare.
  1135. >He waits a little bit so she can read it.
  1136. >”The griffins orders, I'm so sorry but Little Bale here was the only survivor.”
  1137.  
  1138. >The mare looks up from the letter with tears in her eyes.
  1139. >”So...what will happen to Little Bale?”
  1140.  
  1141. >”I was hoping we can leave the filly with you.”
  1142. >Major speaks up with much of Skippers dismay.
  1143.  
  1144. >”I have to get my father.”
  1145. >The mare runs off into the fields.
  1146.  
  1147. >”No...I...I”
  1148. >Skipper starts dropping his lip.
  1149.  
  1150. >”Skipper, where we are going is no place for a little filly. She would be safer here.”
  1151. >Major put a talon on his shoulder, then slaps him at the back of his head.
  1152. >”You only known her for a few hours, and she’s been asleep for most of them!”
  1153.  
  1154. >”I know, but she reminded me of-”
  1155.  
  1156. ”Ok, ok. Everyone let’s get camp set up for tonight.”
  1157. >You but in before an argument broke out once again.
  1158. >You seem to be doing a lot of this recently.
  1159.  
  1160. >You all enter the barn and drop everything you’re carrying.
  1161. >You put your hand on you back and stretched.
  1162. >A few pops and cracks came from your spine.
  1163. >A sharp pain shoots through your chest.
  1164. >Dammit, you keep forgetting about your ribs.
  1165.  
  1166. >Skipper gently nudges the filly.
  1167. >”Hey wake up.”
  1168.  
  1169. >Little Bale stirs then slowly wakes up.
  1170. >”Where are we?”
  1171. >The filly jumps off Skippers back.
  1172.  
  1173. >”We’re setting up camp here. Little one.”
  1174. >Skipper slumps down on the floor and pulls out the bottle of ale from his saddlebags.
  1175. >Pulling the lid off with his teeth and takes a big gulp.
  1176.  
  1177. >”You know it’s irresponsible to drink like that in front of young ones..."
  1178. >Major tries to snatch the bottle but Skipper pulled away.
  1179.  
  1180. >”My parents used to do it.”
  1181.  
  1182. >”Yeah and look how you turned out.”
  1183.  
  1184. >”It’s nothing to do with that.”
  1185. >Skipper takes another swig.
  1186. >”You mentioned you took up teaching after the war and Hammer Fell took up smithing. And me?”
  1187. >Skipper takes a bigger gulp.
  1188. >”I took up drinking.”
  1189.  
  1190. >”Leave him be, Major.”
  1191. >Hammer Fell speaks up.
  1192. >”We all have coping mechanisms to deal with our past. I’m sure you do too.”
  1193. >He turns to you and smiles.
  1194. >”Boy, I'm sure yours will come shortly.”
  1195.  
  1196. >You didn’t reply.
  1197. >He’s right. Where things are heading it only a matter of time before you must kill again.
  1198. >You sit down on the floor and lean back against a hay bale.
  1199.  
  1200. >Hammer Fell goes outside to look at the scenery again you guess.
  1201. >Major makes his way to a pile of hay, lays down and shuts his eyes.
  1202. >You watch Skipper and the filly from across the barn.
  1203.  
  1204.  
  1205. >”Mr Skipper? Sir?”
  1206.  
  1207. >”Yes Little Bale?”
  1208. >He replies in between swigs from the bottle.
  1209. >”And just call me Skipper. None of that Mr stuff.”
  1210.  
  1211. >”Oh, ok. What did you do in the war?”
  1212.  
  1213. >”I fought and I sailed.”
  1214. >Skipper purposely kept his answers short.
  1215.  
  1216. >The filly goes quiet.
  1217. >”What happened to your parents?”
  1218.  
  1219. >”My parents? Well I lost them, like you.”
  1220.  
  1221. >”By the big mean griffins? Like that one over there?”
  1222. >She points a small hoof towards the griffin.
  1223. >You look over to Major who just glared at the both.
  1224.  
  1225. >”Kinda, like that one. But he’s ok. He’s just grumpy.”
  1226. >Skipper chuckles to himself.
  1227. >”Hey do you want to hear a funny story about him?”
  1228.  
  1229. >The filly nods.
  1230.  
  1231. >”Well when we were sailing from Manehatten…”
  1232.  
  1233. >”Continue that story Skipper and I’ll break you.”
  1234. >Major snaps at Skipper before turning his back to him.
  1235.  
  1236. >”I guess I have to tell you another time.”
  1237.  
  1238. >You start to worry about Major.
  1239. >Ever since the first cottage, he hasn’t been right.
  1240. >You get up and sit on a hay bale near him.
  1241.  
  1242. “Sir?”
  1243. >You fall back on old habits.
  1244. >He isn’t your lecturer anymore.
  1245.  
  1246. >The griffin just smiles from his beak.
  1247. >You were never sure how he does that.
  1248. >”What is it?”
  1249.  
  1250. “Don’t snap like you have been doing but are you okay?”
  1251.  
  1252. >”I killed an officer . I’ve been shoved on a boat with an old enemy, and to top things off I just found out everything I fought for is leading to a genocide. So no I’m not okay.”
  1253.  
  1254. “What did you think you were fighting for?”
  1255.  
  1256. >”Emperor and Empire I think. I was young and stupid. I fell for the propaganda against Equestria. But this, killing young lives because the Emperor thinks satyrs don’t belong here...There's no honour in that.”
  1257.  
  1258. “I can’t imagine how you feel now, with everything else that happened.”
  1259.  
  1260. >”Jax, don't let me ever catch you telling Hammer Fell this, but fighting in those tunnel with his soldiers still haunts me to this day. Not because of the bloodshed, it because that day when I finally captured Lieutenant Lock I realized what I monster I have become.”
  1261.  
  1262. “What you mean?”
  1263.  
  1264. >”There’s one thing killing another, but taking everything one’s got, breaks them. When me and my soldiers had him surrounded, he was standing all alone with his comrades butchered around him. It was the look he gave me that spared his life and I was a look I’ll never forget.”
  1265. >Major rubs his eyes with his talons being careful of his claws.
  1266. “What stood in front of me was a broken stallion. I took everything from him that day.”
  1267.  
  1268. “Does he know you spared his life?”
  1269.  
  1270. >”Yes. He does, that's why he hates me. Look out the door there.”
  1271.  
  1272. >He points a claw towards Hammer Fell who was pacing.
  1273. >” He’s now worrying it’ll happen again.”
  1274.  
  1275. “Have you tried talking to him?”
  1276. >”Talking?”
  1277. “Well yeah, we are all stuck in this mess together. I don’t want you two tearing each other apart.”
  1278. >Major just chuckles and shakes his head.
  1279. >”Is this because you actually care, or that me and Hammer being around increases your chance of survival.”
  1280. “Errr…Both.”
  1281. >The griffon laughs
  1282. >”I’ll talk to him. But this time I don’t think it’ll be me who would take what little he manages to regain.”
  1283. >Major stands up and makes his way outside.
  1284. >You look out the barn door to see Major and Hammer talking.
  1285. >You back against the hay bale again and close your eyes.
  1286. >What are you doing?
  1287. >Why are even here?
  1288. >Endless thoughts pour through your mind.
  1289. >Hammer and Major is really all you have. They actually made you life somewhat worthwhile and both helped a lot after your mums disappearance.
  1290. >You sigh, still. Something inside you dreads for the future.
  1291.  
  1292. >”Excuse me…”
  1293. >You open your eyes and see the young farmer mare.
  1294. “Hmm?”
  1295. >”I’m sorry but Little Bale can’t stay here. Dad says she’ll bring unwanted attention.”
  1296. “Right…”
  1297. >You look over to Skipper who is smiling at the news, with Little Bale asleep again curled up next to him.
  1298. “I would of thought your father would of at least to come out here and tell us.”
  1299. >”Oh he can’t, he’s ugh…not well, petting it lightly.”
  1300. “I’m sorry to hear that.”
  1301. >”Well I’ve been doing it for years, I even earnt my cutie mark because of it.”
  1302. >She points to her rear showing a small medic bag on her flank.
  1303. >”Anyway besides the news my father wants to meet you.”
  1304. “Really? What for?”
  1305. >”Not sure really, not really the one for company.”
  1306. >You get to your hooves and follow the mare.
  1307. “What’s your name anyway?” You ask making your way outside of the barn towards the farmhouse.
  1308. >You spot Major and Hammer still talking as you pass by.
  1309. >”My names, Spring Healing, Yours?”
  1310. “Jax.”
  1311. >Another thought enters your mind.
  1312. “Say, did you know that satyrs name from the farm far down the way?”
  1313. >The mare looks down in sorrow
  1314. >”Paul, his name was Paul Bale, I never built up the courage to talk to him so I didn’t know him that well. I guess I’ll never get the chance, now would I?”
  1315. “Sorry.” You mutter out.
  1316. >”It’s not your fault, what the New Union is doing is horrible.”
  1317. >She opens the door to the old farmhouse, and you follow her in.
  1318. >The place has a traditional rustic feel to it. Everything is wooden and industrial like, function over form comes to mind as you look around.
  1319. >”This way” She motions her head towards the staircase.
  1320. >You once more follow her up the stairs and along the landing stopping at the door at the end.
  1321. >”Hi Dad! Got the satyr you were asking for.”
  1322. >You peer into the room and see a sick looking stallion in the bed with basic drip bag. By the looks of him he doesn’t have long left.
  1323. >The bed ridden stallion speaks up. “What’s your name?”
  1324. “Jax sir.”
  1325. >”New Harvest. I guess you already met daughter Spring Healing.”
  1326. “If you are implying about the news of Little Bale, I understand.”
  1327. >”Yes the Filly. I’m sorry, but it’ll be too dangerous for her here too. Those Griffons will be back.”
  1328. “Like I said I understand. Your family comes first.”
  1329. >”What’s left of it. The war cost the Harvest Family a lot. Plus Spring Healing and I aren’t blood, I took her in after finding her in a worn torn village, and I think it’s time for Spring to pass on the same kindness.”
  1330. >”Dad, what are you saying!”
  1331. >”I’m saying go, with these revolutionaries here. You’ll make a wonderful doctor and there’s a little filly out there that needs protection.”
  1332. >”But what about you?”
  1333. >”I’m dying, Spring. You need to leave this farm else it’ll be the death of you.”
  1334. >”Bu-“
  1335. >”No buts, a new war is brewing Spring. These fields will once more turn to mud and death.”
  1336.  
  1337. “I’ll think, I’ll step outside.” You add in as it’s getting a bit personal in here
  1338. >New Harvest Speaks up “I know you are baring a lot of wait on your back but please consider taking my daughter with you.”
  1339. “Sorry it’ll have to be her choice.”
  1340. >”You have a good heart son.”
  1341. >You step out the door and make your way back to the barn.
  1342. >You see Major, Hammer and Skipper sat around talking eating the food from the farm prior.
  1343. >”Hey Jax, grab a can, it’ll be along march tomorrow.” Skipper says as he hands you a warm can of rice pudding. “So, where have you been with that young mare?”
  1344. “Spring Healing, her dad wanted to talk to me. I guess he thought I was the leader of our group I guess.”
  1345. >Major speaks up “What did he want? Can Little Bale stay?”
  1346. >You shake your head.
  1347. “No, Springs dad is dying, and he wants her to come with us to look out for Little Bale and play medic I guess.”
  1348. >”Damn it Jax!” Major rubs his temples, “The goal is to get to the rebel camps. Not run a day care!”
  1349. “I told her it’s was her choice, besides the look on her face she didn’t want to go.”
  1350. >Major sighs, “Fine. At least that’s some good news.”
  1351. >You return to your spot and close your eyes for a while.
  1352. >Eventually you grow restless so you grab your rifle and check over it.
  1353.  
  1354. >”Ah, you're the only one still awake boy?”
  1355. >You look around to find the Major, Skipper and Little Bale had fallen asleep.
  1356. “Looks like it but I think I’ll be joining them soon.”
  1357. >You let out a yawn.
  1358. “So what were you two talking about?”
  1359.  
  1360. >”Well Major and I decided to put our differences to one side for now. Other than that we was discussing what to do with Little Bale. Leaving her with any family will put them at risk”
  1361.  
  1362. “How can Little Bale put anyone at risk? She’s just a filly.”
  1363.  
  1364. >”Boy, you know what that letter said, she should of been executed with the rest of her family. If the griffons found out she still alive, then the family here would be jailed for harbouring a criminal.”
  1365.  
  1366. “Well we could just change her name or dye her mane or something.”
  1367.  
  1368. >Hammer Fell trots over the hay bale and slouches against it how an equine would.
  1369. >”I mentioned that but honestly it’ll just be a matter of time.”
  1370. >The old unicorn closes his eyes gets comfy.
  1371. >Well as comfy you can get sleeping in a barn.
  1372.  
  1373. >You notice Skipper starts twitching and mumbling.
  1374. >Major is doing the same next to you.
  1375.  
  1376. “Hammer Fell?”
  1377.  
  1378. >Your old friend replies without opening his eyes.
  1379. >”Bad dreams boy. They sold their right for peaceful dreams by becoming a soldier.”
  1380. >Hammer Fell peeks on eye at you and chuckles.
  1381. >”I wonder what horrors my head conjures up tonight.”
  1382. >He closes his eye and speaks up again.
  1383. >”Boy, enjoy your peaceful dreams while they last.”
  1384. >You hope of the hay bale and rest your back against it.
  1385. >You wriggle around to comfort.
  1386. >You pray to Luna for peaceful dreams tonight as the thought of killing today starts to creep back into your mind.
  1387.  
  1388.  
  1389. “Good night Hammer Fell.”
  1390.  
  1391. >”Good night my boy.”
  1392.  
  1393.  
  1394.  
  1395.  
  1396. >Your back chest aches as your stir awake.
  1397. >You didn't dream last night.
  1398. >Well from what you can remember.
  1399.  
  1400. >The morning sun shines through the barn door.
  1401.  
  1402. >”I guess we got to take her with us.”
  1403. >You hear Hammers voice.
  1404. >You look round to find him talking to Skipper.
  1405. >Skipper smiles at the sleeping filly.
  1406. >” Should we wake her?”
  1407.  
  1408. >”No not yet. Lets wake the other two first.”
  1409.  
  1410. >” Already wake.”
  1411. >Major walks over to them.
  1412.  
  1413. “Same here.”
  1414.  
  1415. >”Grab a snack for breakfast, then we’re moving out.”
  1416. >Hammer Fell levitates the bag over to you.
  1417. >You take an apple from the bag.
  1418. >It’s a little bruised but still sweet.
  1419.  
  1420. >After everone ate, you pick up your bags and move out.
  1421. >Once back on the road and farewells have been said to the family you set off.
  1422. >Just like yesterday you and Hammer Fell is ahead of the group and Major were behind.
  1423. >Little Bale once again sits on Skippers back.
  1424.  
  1425. >A Little down the road, you hear Skipper starts humming as usual.
  1426.  
  1427. >”You wouldn't know any songs of us griffins?”
  1428. >Major interrupts his humming.
  1429.  
  1430. >“Oh yes, they do write the finest songs.”
  1431. >Skipper replies as Major sticks out his chest in pride.
  1432.  
  1433. >”Bawk bawk bawk….bawk..bawk!”
  1434.  
  1435. >The whole group burst into laughter except from Major, who just groans.
  1436. >”I’m sorry I asked”
  1437. >Major stretches his wings out.
  1438. >”I’m going to scout ahead.”
  1439. >With that he zips up to the air.
  1440. >Skipper and the filly on his back are still chuckling lightly.
  1441.  
  1442. >”You know who you’re insulting right?”
  1443. >Hammer Fells looks of his shoulder grinning.
  1444. >”I’m surprised he didn't tear your throat out.”
  1445.  
  1446. >Skipper just laughs.
  1447.  
  1448. >“Hey! Wait up!”
  1449. >The group all turn to see Spring running towards them carrying a large medic saddlebag.
  1450.  
  1451.  
  1452.  
  1453.  
  1454.  
  1455. >You're not sure how many miles you've walked.
  1456. >It must be about midday now.
  1457. >Shortly after Majors return from scouting, most of the walk was filled with arguing between Springs and Major.
  1458. >It seems like her father has talked her into joining us and leaving him behind.
  1459. >Luckily Major softened his stance once she explained she is a trained doctor and medical supplies. Plus, the boon of it being her special talent.
  1460. >You look back at Spring, Skipper and Little Bale chatting.
  1461. >The look on Springs face tells all how she is feeling.
  1462.  
  1463. >Looking back ahead you can see the northern mountains come into view.
  1464. >The blue and white mountain range stretches far from the eye can see.
  1465.  
  1466. >As you continue to head towards the mountains you fell the air become cooler with a crisp wind.
  1467. >Small specks of snow drift lazily through the air.
  1468. >You rub your arms for warmth.
  1469. >Come to think of it, you are still wearing your clothes from college for a few days now.
  1470.  
  1471. "Hey, Hammer Fell?"
  1472. >"Yes boy?"
  1473. >Hammer Fell answers still looking ahead.
  1474.  
  1475. "We are going to need warmer clothes. "
  1476. >"That we do."
  1477. >The unicorn stops and rubs his chin with a hoof.
  1478. >"There's a small village not far from here and it on route too. There's a market there too."
  1479.  
  1480. >Thinking about warm clothing you remember you had picked up Little Bales coat on the way out of the cottage.
  1481. >You go into your bags and pull out her wool coat.
  1482.  
  1483. "Here."
  1484. >You hand her the coat.
  1485. "Put this on, it's going to get really cold soon."
  1486.  
  1487. >"Hey! My coat! Thanks Mister!"
  1488. >She hops off Skipper and put on her woolly coat.
  1489. >She pulls up her hood and pulls the tassels tight and trots beside Skipper and Spring.
  1490. >That's too adorable.
  1491.  
  1492. >You keep on walking north.
  1493. >You feel the air now getting much colder.
  1494. >Your skin starts to burn from the cold.
  1495. >The others seem fine, due to having fur or feathers.
  1496.  
  1497. >"Not long now. I can see the village ahead."
  1498. >Hammer Fell points ahead.
  1499.  
  1500. >The village sat at the bottom of a tall mountain.
  1501. >All the cottages are covered in ice and snow from the mountains.
  1502. >Luckily enough you can't see any New Union patrols or guards.
  1503. >Thinking about it you can't see any villagers.
  1504.  
  1505. "Where is everybody?"
  1506. >You ask the group slightly worried.
  1507.  
  1508. >"Good question."
  1509. >Hammer Fell stops and turns to everyone.
  1510. >"I want everyone to stay close to me. I'm not liking this. It's hardly sunset yet there should be at least some ponies around."
  1511. >Everyone nods in agreement.
  1512. >" Jax ,you stay back with Skipper and Spring, Major - I hate to say it -but you're up front with me. Everypo- one load up, we're going in blind."
  1513.  
  1514. >Major and Hammer loads their muskets while Skipper readies his spear.
  1515. >You load a round into the chamber of your rifle.
  1516. >Once again, a fire builds up inside of you.
  1517. >You dread thinking you may have to kill once again.
  1518.  
  1519. >Quietly you follow behind the griffon and the unicorn.
  1520. >You pass a few snowy cottages.
  1521. >You no longer notice the cold against your skin.
  1522. >Gripping your rifle harder you peek between the dwellings.
  1523.  
  1524. >"Hold up."
  1525. >Hammer Fell whispers.
  1526. >"Get down and follow me."
  1527.  
  1528. >You do as he says and follow him behind a wall facing towards a market with a few stalls.
  1529. >The marketplace is full of villagers all looking frightened amongst the commotion as two griffon officers and multiple soldiers’ herd them into line.
  1530. >A pegasus tries to escape the commotion but was quickly shot down by the muskets of the griffons.
  1531. >The escapee tries to fly a little distance longer before tumbling towards the ground.
  1532. >Immediately the marketplace falls under an eerie silence.
  1533.  
  1534. >All the soldiers’ muskets are now aiming at the terrified villagers.
  1535. >The two officers stand beside the firing line.
  1536.  
  1537. >One of the officers speaks up.
  1538. >"Now we have your attention, I will tell you why we are all gathered here this evening."
  1539. >The officer starts to pace in front of his guards.
  1540. >"Now then. Our reports suggest there are four satyrs registered living here. Since I cannot see any abominations within the crowd, I ask only once; where are they?"
  1541. >The crowd remains silent.
  1542. >"Fine, then. The hard way it is."
  1543. >The griffin flies back to the other officer and whispers a few words .
  1544.  
  1545. "Hammer Fell we have to do something."
  1546. >You whisper.
  1547. >"Boy are you stupid? We are outnumbered and outgunned. It'll be suicide to interfere."
  1548. >You continue watching the marketplace with the officers head between your sights.
  1549. >You glance to your left to find Major is doing the same as he speaks up.
  1550. >"I'm doing something about it. Like I said before, I didn't fight for this."
  1551.  
  1552. >The other officer shouts.
  1553. >"Present!...."
  1554. >All the soldiers ready their muskets.
  1555. >You watch the crowd push back away from the aiming guns.
  1556. >A few sobs and cries start to echo in the air.
  1557. >"Aim..."
  1558. >CRACK!
  1559. >Your left ear is deafened by Majors musket.
  1560. >Blood and scalp erupt from the officers’ head
  1561. >The body slumps into the snow, not moving an inch."
  1562. >Once again, the marketplace falls quiet.
  1563.  
  1564. >"Open fire!"
  1565. >You hear Hammer Fell yell as he unloads his musket missing the other officer and hitting a soldier.
  1566. >You start firing rounds at the soldiers.
  1567. >One by one they start to fall.
  1568. >"Boy you got to cover me and Major while we reload."
  1569. >The unicorn shouts over the gun fire as he reloads his gun with his magic.
  1570.  
  1571. >The griffin soldiers start to take cover behind the market stalls.
  1572. >The place has now descended into pure chaos.
  1573. >Gun fire and screaming ponies filled the area.
  1574.  
  1575. >You notice the braver villagers attack the griffons who had their backs turned.
  1576. >You lower your head behind the wall as a barrage of musket fire chips away at the woodwork.
  1577. >Chips of wood starts flying everywhere, you feel a few shards pierce your cold skin.
  1578. >Looking toward Skipper you notice he's been hit in the soldier as he uses, his body to shield Little Bale.
  1579. "Skipper!"
  1580. >"Its fine, keep shooting. It only grazed me!"
  1581. >Spring is already attending his wound.
  1582. >”He’s right it’s just a graze.”
  1583.  
  1584. >"Hammer Fell! Skywards!"
  1585. >You hear your griffon friend shout as his he shoots.
  1586. >Two griffins have taken to the air for an aerial advantage.
  1587.  
  1588. >"Not this shit again!"
  1589. >Hammer Fell shouts as he charges his horn and blasts them with his magic.
  1590.  
  1591. >"CEASE FIRE!"
  1592. >You hear the remaining griffon officer call out to his troops.
  1593. >"I SAID CEASE FIRE!"
  1594.  
  1595. >The fighting gradually ceases.
  1596. >You look over the wooden wall.
  1597. >The remaining griffon soldiers has now reformed their line.
  1598. >A little bit of hope grows inside of you as you count the soldiers.
  1599. >Only five left.
  1600. >Their comrades lay either stone dead in the snow for calling for help in their dying moments only to be ignored by their leader.
  1601.  
  1602. >"Under the order of the New Union, I ask you to present yourself."
  1603. >The officer calls out to the five of you.
  1604.  
  1605. >"Boy keep your gun ready. Blow a new plot hole in that griffon if things go south."
  1606. >Hammer Fell whispers.
  1607. >You ready your gun as Hammer Fell and Major cautiously raises their heads above the wall.
  1608.  
  1609. >The officer looks at Major.
  1610. >"Major Sto-"
  1611.  
  1612. >The Major immediately interrupts him.
  1613. >"Corporal Feathertail. Still playing toy soldiers, are we? "
  1614.  
  1615. >"It's Lieutenant Feathertail now. And the same can be said about you."
  1616.  
  1617. >"Oh Lieutenant... how many years preening feathers did you have to do to get that rank?"
  1618. >You watch Major drop his musket and pull out his flintlock pistol from under his wing keeping it hidden behind the wall.
  1619.  
  1620. >The Lieutenant grumbles under his breath as he looks at Hammer Fell.
  1621. >He changes tactics.
  1622. >"So you're taking orders from a unicorn of all things and I see you brought me a satyr. How very kind of you."
  1623. >"Him?"
  1624. >Major motions his head towards the unicorn.
  1625. "Meet Lieutenant Lock."
  1626.  
  1627. >"Howdy!"
  1628. >Hammer Fell mocks a tip of a hat.
  1629.  
  1630. >"Lock..."
  1631. >The griffon looks at him as his feathers turn pale.
  1632. >His soldiers notice this and becomes unnerved themselves.
  1633.  
  1634. >"Lock, Feathertail here were a private of mine the battle in the Canterlot vaults. He was the only survivor in his squad."
  1635.  
  1636. >"Well, looks like the weapons and the places has changed but the old players are still here. So Feathertail, I'm going to play nice and tell you this..."
  1637. >Hammer Fell looks up and spots several griffons land and reinforce the line.
  1638. >You start to lose the hope you gained earlier.
  1639. >"I have two hundred troops marching inbound for this village and another six hundred marching south to Manehatten. "
  1640.  
  1641. >"Your lying! Our scouts would have seen this army of yours"
  1642. >The officer tries to compose himself.
  1643.  
  1644. >"Well how did we get here then?"
  1645. >Hammer Fell starts to look smug.
  1646. >"We out number you ten to one. It's your choice, die here today or leave now and pray the Federation army doesn't find you."
  1647.  
  1648. > Federation?
  1649. >You must admit Hammer Fell isn't good with names.
  1650. >More so when he's lying.
  1651.  
  1652. >"So what it'll be Lieutenant?"
  1653. >Major speaks up.
  1654.  
  1655. >The griffon soldiers start to look around franticly paranoid that they could be surrounded.
  1656. >The officer hesitates before speaking.
  1657. >"Soldiers. Move out. "
  1658. >The New Union soldiers start to march out of the village in single file before scrambling to the air and fly east.
  1659.  
  1660. >"I can't believe that worked..."
  1661. >Hammer Fell mumbles with a surprised look on his face.
  1662.  
  1663. >"I can."
  1664. >Major replies.
  1665. >"Feathertail rather soon save his own feathers than hold his position. Besides his orders were to capture satyrs. There is no reason for him to hold and fight."
  1666.  
  1667. >You all come from behind the wall and into the marketplace.
  1668. >Pony villagers flood back into the marketplace cheering and thanking you, while others attend the dead and the injured.
  1669. >"So is it true? There's an army on its way?"
  1670. >A colt speaks out from the crowd.
  1671. >Every pony fell silent and lays their eyes on Hammer Fell.
  1672.  
  1673. >"Errr...."
  1674.  
  1675. >"Yes. There is."
  1676. >Major announces.
  1677. >"But they may not come this far north."
  1678. >The ponies start muttering to each other.
  1679. >"We are here to help start a militia so you can defend yourselves until a garrison arrives. "
  1680.  
  1681. >"I don't understand, why did the army send you five and a filly?"
  1682. >You look round to see Skipper being tended too with Little Bale beside him looking worried.
  1683.  
  1684. >Hammer Fell and Major look at each other for help.
  1685. >You chime in.
  1686. "Because we're a new type of unit being trailed by the Federations army. We work in a small squad doing special operations. This filly here is the result of one of those operations and we are getting her to safety. The rest of the details are classified."
  1687. >The crowd nods and agrees, being satisfied with the answer.
  1688.  
  1689. "Now as you can see, we've been on a long journey and we need a place to rest and restock on supplies, I was hoping anyone can help us out with that."
  1690.  
  1691. >"I-I own an Inn here. You can stay in one of our rooms."
  1692. >A young mare speaks out from the crowd.
  1693.  
  1694. "Perfect."
  1695.  
  1696. >"I like to add, any volunteers for the militia are to meet here tomorrow at dawn."
  1697. >Major shouts out to the crowd as you follow the mare to her inn.
  1698.  
  1699.  
  1700. >After the mare left you to your room, you look around.
  1701. >The room is quiet large containing two bunk beds and two chest s of drawers.
  1702. >There is a large window overlooking the villages marketplace with two tatty curtains draped either side.
  1703. >On top of the chest of drawers stands an old telescope model for a poor excuse of decoration.
  1704.  
  1705. >Skipper opens one of the drawers and takes of the pillows from the bunks.
  1706. >He lifts Little Bale and places her in using her woolly coat as a blanket.
  1707.  
  1708.  
  1709. Major taps you on your shoulder.
  1710. >"You did good out there."
  1711. >He turns to Hammer Fell who is climbing onto the bottom bunk.
  1712. >"Federation?"
  1713.  
  1714. >"I stole it from a sci-fi comic I used to read ok?"
  1715. >You laugh as you imagine Hammer Fell reading comics of all things.
  1716.  
  1717. >"I'm not talking about that. I understand why you lied to the officer and now we got ponies relying on a false hope."
  1718.  
  1719. >"False hope? You're the one that backed me up. Also, what about the militia thing? We cannot train them. "
  1720. >Hammer Fell snaps back.
  1721.  
  1722. >"So your plan was to give them false hope and leave them to die, when the New Union's Army comes back in number!?"
  1723. >Major is now yelling.
  1724.  
  1725. >"No, yes. Maybe. I don't know ok? I panicked. I've been out of this game far too long."
  1726. >Hammer Fell rolls over in his claimed bed.
  1727. >"I didn't know what to do. We we're out numbered and yes we we're killing them, but it was a matter of time they would've flanked us."
  1728.  
  1729. >The griffon lets out a long sigh.
  1730. >"Lock...I mean Hammer Fell, you’re following a path what I once took. You're treating this as a numbers game. There are ponies out there with lives and family. On top of that, what are we doing? What is our goal here?"
  1731.  
  1732. >"I agree with Major on this one."
  1733. >Skipper pipes up.
  1734.  
  1735. >Hammer Fell rolls onto his back an looks at the ceiling.
  1736. >"We're getting Jax out of Equestria while we deliver blueprints of the new guns to a rebel camp up north."
  1737.  
  1738. >"OK we do that, then what?"
  1739. >Major steps forward towards Hammer Fell.
  1740.  
  1741. >"I - I'm not sure. I don't know what I'm doing anymore. I was hoping to aid the rebels like I have been doing the last few years to start rebellion or something."
  1742.  
  1743. >"Hmm...I'm sorry Hammer Fell, but that will never work. You need a proper army. Not some rabble. From what I heard the rebels are nothing more than beat up veterans and crooks who living a pipe dream."
  1744. >The griffon looks round at you.
  1745. >"Plus have you asked the 'boy' what he wants?"
  1746.  
  1747. >Hammer Fell turns his head and waits for your answer.
  1748.  
  1749. "I want to stay with you guys. I know it's sad to say but you guys are like family to me. You are all pretty much all I have. Plus, I want to fight. We have to do something to stop the New Union."
  1750.  
  1751. >"I think the 'boy' is old enough to decide for himself."
  1752. >You hear Skipper speak up from the bottom bunk of the other bed.
  1753.  
  1754. "Thank you Skipper."
  1755.  
  1756. >Hammer Fell lets out a laugh.
  1757. >"Well boy, If we are all you got, then it can't get any worst can it?"
  1758.  
  1759. >"What's the plan?"
  1760. >Major cuts in through the laughter.
  1761.  
  1762. >Hammer Fell pauses and thinks for a while.
  1763. >"Right, the plan is this. We train these ponies and prepare the defence of this village. So, they will have a fighting chance if the NU decide to come back here."
  1764.  
  1765. >"Good, good. I'm liking it so far."
  1766. >Major nods.
  1767. >"But we need better weapons. I spied a blacksmith in this village on the way in and by the looks of it, this is a mining town."
  1768.  
  1769. >"Well Noted. We will start production of the Hammer Field rifle. As there are many earth ponies here the trigger may have to be altered."
  1770.  
  1771. "True the tactics will have to altered for the earth ponies also. Aiming these rifles would make them unbalanced and immobile in battle. But I got a few ideas for that."
  1772.  
  1773. >"Good."
  1774. >Major makes his way to the top bunk of Hammer Fells bed.
  1775. >"Ok, well let's get some rest then we'll start tomorrow."
  1776.  
  1777. >You make way to the top bunk above Skipper.
  1778. "How's the shoulder Skipper?"
  1779. >You ask.
  1780.  
  1781. >"Spring bandaged it up good. The drink here is strong enough to numb the pain."
  1782. >You hear Skipper take a swig from a bottle.
  1783.  
  1784. “Where is she anyway?”
  1785.  
  1786. >”Helping out at the town clinic. A few ponies got injured in that fight.”
  1787.  
  1788. "That's good, What about Little Bale?"
  1789.  
  1790. >You lift your head to look down on the filly.
  1791.  
  1792. >"She's doing ok. I've been having long chats with her. She's strong even what she's been though. Poor thing really misses her family. Caught her weeping her heart out last night."
  1793.  
  1794. "I think anyone would."
  1795.  
  1796. >"Yeah...anyone."
  1797. >You hear a pop from Skipper opening another bottle of ale.
  1798. >"Get some sleep. I think Major is planning an early start tomorrow."
  1799.  
  1800. >"I had a family!"
  1801. >"Why did you do it!"
  1802. >"It was my son's birthday!"
  1803. >A group of griffins walks towards you.
  1804. >"Why?"
  1805. "Leave me alone!"
  1806. >You stumble back to find an invisible wall behind you.
  1807. >You try and look away from their rotting faces.
  1808. "Stop!"
  1809. >The continue to walk slowly towards you as you try and scramble away.
  1810. " HELP ME!"
  1811. >The invisible wall gives way and you fall onto your back.
  1812. >You feel your hand land in a pool of liquid.
  1813. >Looking at the floor you see a blood trail leading up to the body of Hammer Fell.
  1814. "NO! No no no no."
  1815. >You look back around towards the griffins that's still perusing you.
  1816. >"MAJOR! SKIPPER! Anyone! Springs! Hammer Fell needs help!."
  1817. >Upon calling their names you see their blooded bodies lay motionless in front of you.
  1818.  
  1819. >A piercing scream catches your attention.
  1820. >You spot Little Bale being held by one of the griffons.
  1821. >No, this isn't happening...
  1822. >You got to you hooves and ran towards the griffon.
  1823. >As you jump towards him you feel yourself falling into darkness.
  1824. >You scream as you fall into the abyss.
  1825. >THUD!
  1826.  
  1827. >You fell a sharp pain in your chest as you kick and scream.
  1828. >"BOY!"
  1829. >You hear Hammer Fells voice.
  1830. >"Wake up boy! You're dreaming."
  1831.  
  1832. >You wake up to find yourself on the floor next to the bunk with Hammer Fell front hooves around you.
  1833. >Your breathing slows down as you regain your thoughts.
  1834.  
  1835. >"Boy?"
  1836. "Hammer Fell? Where Skipper and Major!?"
  1837. >You look around
  1838.  
  1839. >"Present."
  1840. >You see Skipper wave a hoof at you.
  1841.  
  1842. >"Still here."
  1843. >Major waves a talon.
  1844.  
  1845. "Littl-"
  1846. >"I'm right here mister Jax."
  1847. >The small filly waves a hoof from the chest of drawers.
  1848.  
  1849. >You feel the tears run down your cheeks as feel relief that your friends are safe.
  1850. "All of you...all of your were...and Little Bale.."
  1851.  
  1852. >"Shhh ,there boy. It was just a dream."
  1853. >He holds you close.
  1854. >After seeing if you were ok, everyone went on with the plan.
  1855. >Major went straight to the marketplace to drill the new militia.
  1856. >Hammer Fell searched the market for any ponies with any smithing talents.
  1857. >Skipper went to find the village mayor for help finding maps of the surrounding area.
  1858. >And you, you were set developing tactics for the earth ponies using muskets.
  1859.  
  1860. "Fire!"
  1861. >You yell as a stallion fires his musket.
  1862. >The musket had its trigger guard removed for easy firing.
  1863. >Unsafe? Yes. But for now, you must wait until you come up with a new trigger system for hooves.
  1864. >You look ahead to see a tin can get shot off a rock a hundred yards away.
  1865.  
  1866. >"Easy."
  1867. >The stallion announces with a proud look on his face.
  1868. >"I bet I can hit that can at four times the distance"
  1869. "I doubt it. Those muskets firing distance is about hundred and fifty yards, and that's with perfect firing conditions."
  1870. >"What about your gun?"
  1871. "My gun?"
  1872. >"Yeah, what's the distance on that?"
  1873. >Come to think of it you haven't tested this gun fully yet.
  1874. >You only been using it at close range.
  1875.  
  1876. "That's classified."
  1877. >You reply thinking fast on your hooves.
  1878. >You didn't want the stallion to know you wasn't sure.
  1879. "Besides, this gun is designed with fingers in mind."
  1880. >You show him the trigger.
  1881.  
  1882. >"Pfft no problem."
  1883. >You watch as the stallion pulls out the ramrod from the musket.
  1884. >"Pass it here."
  1885.  
  1886. >You pass him the gun and explain how to use it.
  1887. >You knew what he was thinking, and it was dangerous.
  1888. >But buck it, it's for science.
  1889. >The stallion lays down and puts the rod through the trigger guard.
  1890. >Holding the rod in one hoof and the barrel with the other he awkwardly shifts himself to aim the gun.
  1891. >Waiting for the firing range to be clear you take a quick look at how he's positioned as cogs start to turn in your mind.
  1892. "FIRE!"
  1893. >He pulls back the rod.
  1894. >The Hammer Field Rifle let out a thunderous clap.
  1895. >You hear a quiet pang in the distance.
  1896. >He hit the can.
  1897.  
  1898. “What’s your name?”
  1899. >"Snow Peaks sir."
  1900. >He passes back your gun.
  1901.  
  1902. "Very well, Sharpie. I'll be keeping an eye on you."
  1903. >"It's Snow - Peaks sir..."
  1904.  
  1905. "I know Sharpie. But it was a human tradition for the higher ups to nickname their soldiers."
  1906. >Well, how that’s what you’ve been told.
  1907. >You gave him a poor excuse of a salute.
  1908. "You're dismissed. I got some checking up to do. I'll be contacting you later."
  1909. >Sharpie, not too sure what to do with himself nods and trots away.
  1910.  
  1911. >Later on that day you meet up with Hammer Fell at the blacksmiths.
  1912. >You couldn't smell any coal or smoke so you guess there haven't been much progress.
  1913. "Hammer Fell?"
  1914.  
  1915. >"Over here boy!"
  1916. >You see Hammer Fell on a workbench looking over some blueprints.
  1917.  
  1918. "Any luck?"
  1919.  
  1920. >"Some, the good news is that there many ponies who can smith here. The bad news is that I can't come up with any idea's the trigger system for the new rifles."
  1921.  
  1922. >You smile at him.
  1923. "I think I may have an answer."
  1924. >You continue to explain how the stallion fired your gun.
  1925.  
  1926. >"Boy I could buck you over the moon for giving over your rifle so easily. Other than that, I think you have cracked it."
  1927. >Hammer Fell puts a pencil in his magic and starts to draw the new trigger.
  1928. >The blueprints now show the trigger on the side of the gun. Instead of being curved it sticks out about two inches, enough for a hoof to pull back.
  1929. >It even has a small joint so it can be folded in for a safety lock.
  1930.  
  1931. >The rest of the gun had other small edits.
  1932. >The stock of the gun is now more ergonomic for the pony’s shoulders as well as the magazine slot being moved along slightly to cater for the new trigger mechanism.
  1933.  
  1934. >"Now, isn't she beautiful."
  1935. >The unicorn holds up the blueprints to you.
  1936. >"I call it The Hammer Fell Mark Two's"
  1937. >You groan at the name.
  1938.  
  1939. "Why not call it The Revenger?"
  1940. >You suggest half-jokingly.
  1941.  
  1942. >Hammer Fell deadpans.
  1943. >"That's a stupid name boy."
  1944. >Turning around with a sigh, he places the blueprints back down and scribbles 'Revenger' next to the name.
  1945. >"There, it can be the nick name for it."
  1946.  
  1947. >With that Hammer Fell start to work on creating the new guns with help from the new recruited smiths.
  1948. >After the day was done, you make your way to the inn's bar located downstairs.
  1949. >The mare inn keeper kindly allowed you to use the bar after hours and all to yourselves.
  1950. >You watch Hammer Fell make his way from the bar carrying four pints of ale plus a small glass of apple juice in his magic and places them on the table.
  1951.  
  1952. >"Isn't Jax here too young to drink?"
  1953. >An exhausted Major speaks up as the pint slides in front of you.
  1954.  
  1955. >"I think we broken enough laws today without worrying about age restrictions on alcohol. Besides the boy earned it."
  1956. >You take a sip of your ale.
  1957. >The rest of the table looks at you as you start to sputter as the froth goes up your nose.
  1958. >In return you become the laughingstock.
  1959.  
  1960. >"Easy there Jax. You meant to drink it, not snort it."
  1961. >Skipper jokes before taking a huge gulp of his ale.
  1962.  
  1963. >After the laughing the griffin brings order to the table.
  1964. >"Right time for a debrief. I've been drilling discipline in the new militia as well teaching them basic spear techniques. I couldn't do much until the new guns arrive. "
  1965. >He looks at Hammer Fell.
  1966.  
  1967. >"Right...Thanks to me and the boy, we have made huge progress on the new guns. Hopefully we have our first couple made by early afternoon tomorrow with thanks to the village smiths. "
  1968. >The old unicorn then looks at Skipper for his turn.
  1969.  
  1970. >"I can say the mayor of this village is a lovely mare..."
  1971. >He says with a grin.
  1972.  
  1973. >"Dammit Skipper..."
  1974. >Major covers his face with his talon.
  1975.  
  1976. >"Well excuse me, I was implying that she let me, and Little Bale take a peek in the village archives and I found this..."
  1977. >Skipper goes in his saddle bag and pulls out a map and displays it on the table.
  1978. >"I also found this. I guess it's more of your thing Jax."
  1979. >He passes you some old photos.
  1980. >In one of the photos, a group of human soldiers are sat on top on what seems be a cannon on strange flat wheels.
  1981. >"Impressive isn't it? It's called a Tank."
  1982.  
  1983. >"I heard a few of those things took on a whole army near Appleloosa. The old Union at the time suffered over a thousand casualties. "
  1984. >Hammer Fell speaks over the table.
  1985. >"Though over the years I guess the figures may have been overestimated."
  1986.  
  1987. >You flick through the other photos of human soldiers until one catches your attention.
  1988. >Major, Hammer Fell and Skipper continue to talk among themselves.
  1989. >You tuck the photos into your bag as Spring places her drink onto the table, just as tired looking as Major.
  1990. “Hey Springs.”
  1991. >”Hey…”
  1992. “I’m guessing you all finished up tending to the injured from yesterday.”
  1993. >Springs just nods and sip her drink.
  1994. >”I’ve even trained a few volunteers to be first aiders at least so more ponies lives can be saved.”
  1995. “Are you holding up okay?”
  1996. >”Doing fine as I can be. Just my father.”
  1997. “Right…Is he?”
  1998. >”He died yesterday morning before I left. I didn’t tell anypony as I don’t want you guys thinking I’m a loose cannon.”
  1999. “I’m pretty sure you’ll fit in fine. I’m pretty much sure we got a sad story to tale.”
  2000. >You take a sip of your ale.
  2001. >”Never smind the saad tales!” Skipper joins into our conversation obviously slurring from his intake of ale. “Pull a stool round and let old Skipper tale a merry tale of a cat who was scared of the seeea.”
  2002. >”Skipper…” Major scalds the sailor pony.
  2003. >”So there I was on my beloved ship, late at night…” Skipper starts the tale ignoring Majors warning.
  2004. “It was late evening.”
  2005. >Skipper frowns at your input. “Late evening, where I hear a voice, a voice no other than Lock himself.” He leans into Spring and whispers “You know him as Hammer Fell.”
  2006. >The old unicorn rolls his eyes as it wasn’t a well-kept secret now.
  2007. >”Anyway! These three calls upon my help to flee Manehatten, hundreds of guards on their tails…”
  2008. >It was Majors turn to chime in “There were three, we killed them before me made it into the tunnels. Plus you don’t have to tell everyone we meet this story.”
  2009. >A smirk grows on Springs face, clearly amused by the dynamic of our group.
  2010. >” But the griffon, oh, the griffon terrified to board my beloved ship. Countless battles she’d been through, weathered treacherous storms and…” Skipper elbows you in the side. “Bringing a few mares back if you know what I mean.”
  2011. >Skipper takes another swig of his ale and continues. “But nay! It was too unsafe for the mighty griffon.”
  2012. >”It was a deathtrap! I’ve seen less rot in the emperor’s council.”
  2013. >”Yet it got us here did it not?”
  2014. “Skipper, it was barely holding together. And besides I was knocked out for most of the journey thanks to somepony.” He glares at Hammer Fell clearly not yet forgiving him.
  2015. >We all look back round to Skipper for him to continue but only to see him passed out on the table, in a deep slumber.
  2016. >You look back up at Spring who is now laughing lightly behind a hoof.
  2017. >You are glad Skippers antics has brought her mood up once more.
  2018.  
  2019. “I’m turning in for the night, see you all tomorrow.”
  2020. >With good-nights said, you head towards the bedroom.
  2021.  
  2022. >You are surrounded by the familiar blackness you’ve gotten used to the last few nights.
  2023. >You hope it isn’t the start of a nightmare like last night, but Luna will show up again.
  2024. >As right on cue, the princess of the night once again emerges from the dark.
  2025. “Can- Can you speak?”
  2026. >You call out to her.
  2027. >Luna pauses for a while as she hesitates.
  2028. >”Yes my little satyr, but direct communication requires more magic. The last few nights I had many dreams to visit.”
  2029. “Why do you visit my dreams?”
  2030.  
  2031. >”You just peek one curiosity, that is all.”
  2032. “Then why do you give me these snippets of the past?”
  2033. >Luna lets out a small laugh.
  2034. >” Because thou is asking questions, and one is answering them.”
  2035.  
  2036. “Last question, I know I’ve asking a lot lately…”
  2037. >Luna gives a gracious smile and interrupts you.
  2038. >” There’s nothing thou can do with the nightmares nor can I. My magic is far too weak to help every pony with their dreams, too many broken spirits and minds.”
  2039. >You notice the smile has now evaporated from Luna’s face.
  2040.  
  2041. “I see..”
  2042. >You feel grief wash over you knowing you gave up your rights to peaceful dreams. Just like Hammer Fell said.
  2043. >”One must leave you now satyr as pressing matters need attending.”
  2044. >Luna starts to fade into the blackness.
  2045. >”I grant you one last peaceful dream Jax. Remember it well.”
  2046.  
  2047.  
  2048. “Luna!”
  2049. >It was too late, she was gone.
  2050. >You find yourself in a peaceful grassy park.
  2051. >The sky is a rich blue and the sun is shining brightly.
  2052. >You look around to see two figures standing in the distance.
  2053. >One shaped like a human and the other a pony.
  2054.  
  2055. “Mom? Dad?”
  2056. >”Hey son.”
  2057. >The dream seemed to last forever.
  2058. >You wake up with tears at the corners of your eyes.
  2059. >You’ve must have been crying in real life too.
  2060.  
  2061.  
  2062. >”Pfft...Go and put a tin hat on, you conspiracy nut.”
  2063. >You hear Majors voice.
  2064. >”I tell you. The Fillydelphia experiment did happen!”
  2065. >You here Skipper call back.
  2066. >” Towards the end of the war, Twilight Sparkle tried to send a ship full of soldiers back in time.”
  2067. >”Still calling pony feathers on this one.”
  2068. >”Really? After the experiment’s failure, due to ponies being horrifically merged with the woodwork - the element of magic went into hiding.”
  2069. >”And where is this ship now?”
  2070. >”No pony knows.”
  2071. >You hear Hammer Fell laugh.
  2072. >”Get used to it Major, Skippers full of these stories.”
  2073. >”They're NOT stories! I read about them in books!”
  2074. >Skipper snaps.
  2075. >”Ever heard of a story book Skipper?”
  2076. >The old unicorn retorts.
  2077.  
  2078. >”Come Little Bale, let find you some work to do today.”
  2079. >Skipper grumbles as he leaves the room.
  2080.  
  2081. >You climb down from your bunk.
  2082. >”Ah about time you woke up boy.”
  2083. >Hammer Fell turns towards you.
  2084. >”We got a busy day today. Time to get started.”
  2085. >The unicorns stomach rumbles.
  2086. >”Errr maybe after a quick breakfast...”
  2087.  
  2088. >After breakfast you return to your makeshift firing range.
  2089. >Major sent a unicorn and a satyr over to you who had promising aim with the muskets.
  2090. >You wonder why the griffin sent you these two as the plan was you to develop tactics for earth ponies with the new guns.
  2091.  
  2092. >You walk over a inspect the satyr first.
  2093. >He’s about your height, with light blue hair and white hooves.
  2094. >He’s wearing what seems to be an old dusty white boiler suit with the sleeves rolled up.
  2095.  
  2096. “I haven't seen you around before.”
  2097.  
  2098. >” Been hiding Sir, a group of four of us fled to the mountains when the NU came.”
  2099.  
  2100. “So, a coward then?”
  2101. >You pretended to be very unimpressed with him.
  2102. >You have been watching Major drill the other soldiers quite a bit this morning.
  2103. >So, you start intimating his tactics on training.
  2104.  
  2105. >” What!? No Sir. We were under equipped and outnumbered. The hiding was tactical.”
  2106. >You raise an eyebrow.
  2107.  
  2108. “So were we, when we arrived...”
  2109.  
  2110. >The other satyr remains silent.
  2111. >You decide to mess with him a bit more.
  2112.  
  2113. “Whats with this?”
  2114. >You pull on the arm of his boiler suit.
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