Heart of War- Act I (part 3)

>…
>You.
>Are.
>Exhausted.
>It was just hours of receiving ponies saying ‘thank you’ or signing edicts to end wartime laws.
>You’ve signed your name more times today, then in the rest of your life combined.
>And they just kept lining up.
>When the crowd looked like it was being thinned, another group would come in and fill the throne room back up.
>But you managed to keep a cool head.
>You were relieved that when nearing sundown new arrivals stopped coming in.
>There was just one more item on today’s agenda.
>A war council.
>You retreated back to a smaller chamber to meet with the officers.
>Only Anon’s second-in-command spoke.
>Major Steel Arrow, a pegasus of a light brown coat with a steel colored mane and tail.
“So, where are we?”
>He replied.
>”The crystal ponies have accepted us with open arms, and many are flocking to join up. I’d estimate that around fifty thousand will join up, however if we started conscripting able bodied ponies we could easily quadruple that number.”
“There will be no draft.”
>”Understood your highness, we’ll have proper training yards up within the next couple of days.” He reluctantly replies.
>”What else?”
>”Now that we’re in an urban center we should get you a proper suit of armor, somepony will be around at five tomorrow night to get your measurements. That’s all at this time.”
“Major, about a two day’s march to the southeast is a camp; in it are 121 political prisoners. I’d like you to send somepony with half of the Old Guard to liberate it. Take a couple of our cannon to intimidate the guards there, and there shouldn’t be a problem.”
>”Understood Ma’am.”
“I’d go personally, but I have a feeling that I should stay here for a while as the transitional period passes. Is there any news from the front?”

>”Actually, yes. Brigadier Offense has routed the dogs in the south, and is building up his forces. Meanwhile we’re managing to hold both the griffons and Saddle Arabians for now.”
“And the minotaurs?”
>”Still massing near Manehattan. Additionally, our scouts still show the yaks in full retreat.”
“Noted.”
>”One last thing, the men have brought both your and the Field Marshal’s personal effects up into the tower. I had them sent up to your personal quarters.”
“Thank you Major. Dismissed.
>You wait for the officers to filter out of the room before leaving yourself.
>It’s so eerie walking through these halls once again.
>When you were about sixteen you moved to Canterlot.
>You visited back up here every other couple of months, but it just feels different now.
>With Mom locked up, and you in charge.
>You never wanted things to turn out like this.
>You feel your locket bouncing against your chest.
>Why did all of this even happen?
>You wander through the spire before reaching your old room.
>As you open the door, you find that it hasn’t been touched, aside from a couple of boxes that the soldiers brought up.
>It’s like stepping back into time, to a much simpler time.
>You jumped onto your bed, welcoming the soft release of being able to relax after a long day.
>Sweet relief.
>You lie there for quite some time.
>You might have drifted off for a bit.
>Feeling rested; you sit up on your bed.
>You look around the room.
>The painted hoof prints that you and your parents put in the corner are still there.
>You wonder how much of the clothes in your closet will still fit you.
>On the ceiling is a painted map of Equestria.
>Everything is just how you left it.
>Except those.
>Levitating over the two boxes, you place them onto the bed next to you.
>Opening one, you find that it’s yours.
>A half dozen book atop a small suitcase.
>You set them aside.
>You shouldn’t pry into Anon’s stuff.
>Should you?

>No, you shouldn’t.
>You get off of the bed, and start to unpack your own suitcase.
>You stack the books on your bedside table.
>You finished Twilight’s introduction to magic book, but have made varying progress on the others.
>Three of them are further books by her on magical theory and practice; they’re part of a series.
>But you hadn’t started any of them.
>One is on the military history of Equestria (As of thirty years ago).
>The final is about the geography and exploration of eastern lands.
>As you finish setting down the books, in the corner of your eye, Anon’s box catches your attention.
>You shouldn’t.
>But…
>There’s no harm in taking a quick peek.
>You jump back onto your bed, and drag the box closer to you.
>You open the top of the box.
>It’s surprisingly sparse.
>There’s a smaller watertight box that contains what look to be like his memoirs in process.
>Next is a small lockbox with a combination lock.
>Need three letters to open it.
>Something small rattles around in the box when it moves.
>Also there’s a letter for you to be delivered upon his death.
>You leave those be.

>The last item is a cigar box.
>As you open it, you find that it’s filled with pictures.
>You start flipping through them.
>There’s one that must be from when he first arrived in Equestria.
>He’s so young.
>And his face!
>No beard, he looks so wrong without it.
>You skip through some more.
>There’s one of him in full plate armor, a plume sticking up into the air.
>Looks heavy.
>There aren’t many from early on.
>Most of them are from when you were young.
>One has Anon grimacing as he holds you out from his body, Aunt Twilight is laughing to the side.
>By the state of your diaper, you can imagine why.
>Another is of you chasing a butterfly at a picnic.
>There’s one of him cleaning barf from his shirt.
>And the one following it is of Twilight cleaning it from her hair, while a mirror’s reflection of Anon grins smugly.
>You skip forward.
>There’s one of your dad playing chess against Anon as you watch and study the pieces.
>You were four at most, so it’s likely that you had no idea what was happening.
>Of the remaining pictures, only one catches your eye.
>Judging by the state of Anon’s face, you’d say it was around fifteen-ish years ago.
>His beard wasn’t greying, and it wasn’t nearly as large as its current state.
>It’s at night, but you think you can make out the Canterlot skyline illuminated in the background.
>He’s dressed formally, but not in military uniform.
>He’s wearing a black tuxedo, holding a wine glass in one hand.
>And he looks so happy.
>His eyes aren’t weighed down from stress, and his laughing face is lighter than you think you’ve ever seen it.
>What happened between now and then?

>Not many pictures follow that one.
>But in most of them he looks closer to the man you know.
>Stoic, only breaking it for dry wit and deadpan humor.
>Or the occasional snark to snark combat with you.
>And always in uniform or armor.
>Something Anon said a while ago comes back to you.
>’You’re all I have left.’
>Maybe he’s tired of all the war?
>What if he only keeps on fighting because that’s all he’s known?
>Maybe all he hopes for is a lasting peace so that he can set down his sword for good.
>Whatever it is, the years are weighing on him.
>All of that fighting, and all of that bloodshed.
>Has he ever done anything else in Equestria?
>The only thing you can think of is that he raised you.
>It would explain why he didn’t want you to fight.
>After taking so many things out of this world, you were the only good he added to it.
>And even then it’s not like he could ever have children of his own.
>You’re not even sure he has any real friends aside from maybe General Lancer.
>In centuries, when he’s gone he’ll be little more than a historical footnote: the strange creature that fought in wars.
>Any legacy he has will be passed down to you, but even then as generations pass he’ll be only known in histories from long ago.
>Is that what he thinks about as he’s getting older?
>That for all his accomplishments he’ll be forgotten?
>Or does he really just want to retire in peace?
>Why is he always so impossible to read?
>Anyway, it’s getting late.
>You put Anon’s things back how you found them, then clear your bed.
>As you lay down to sleep two thoughts haunt your mind.
>Your previous train of thought regarding your Uncle.
>And ‘You’ve got what your dear mommy has.’

>The next morning you distanced such thoughts from your mind.
>Aside from getting sized up for armor, the next few days bled together.
>In the morning you would get ready for the day.
>You still opted to wear no regalia aside from your locket.
>During breakfast various aides and advisors would tell you give you a rundown of scheduled events.
>Then until noon you would sit in the throne room.
>Fewer ponies came in to thank you than your first day (thankfully).
>So your meetings with the citizens generally revolved around one of three topics.
>You would mediate disputes, sign edicts, or have meetings with city officials.
>At noon you would head out of the tower and enjoy the city.
>You tried not to keep an exact schedule so the ponies couldn’t expect you.
>First you would stop by a café for tea or coffee.
>After a quick lunch you would visit the markets.
>You didn’t usually buy anything, but you liked talking with the ponies.
>Sometimes you would head over to one of the schools.
>Then you would tour the training yards.
>You would spend some time relaxing in a park.
>And finally you would visit Anon in the hospital.
>Still no change.
>Around three or four you would arrive back at the tower for another round of work.
>Then comes a civic council with local politicians and administrators.
>And finally the military council.
>After that you would retire to your room to read or practice your magic.
>On the fifth day the detachment sent to the southeast returned.
>No conflict came up, and the prisoners went back to their various homes.
>They were treated better than the ponies at most other work camps at least.
>On the sixth day you were awakened early by one of the soldiers knocking at your door.

>”Ma’am, your presence is needed in the council chambers immediately.”
“Understood.”
>You rush out of bed, quickly waking up.
>As you leave your room, you start galloping through the halls to reach your meeting room.
>You find Major Arrow and Sergeant Thunder waiting for you.
>”Your highness, The Sergeant has just briefed me on some troubling scouting reports you should be aware of.”
>”Our pegasi scouts are reporting that one of the yak chieftains has rallied part of the retreating horde. They’re returning to the city, and at this rate they’ll arrive an hour before nightfall.”
“What do they intend to do without artillery to breach the walls.”
>”Unknown at this time.” The major replies. “It’s possible that they intend to merely blockade the city from the outside world, or they could intend to rush the gates with a ram and hope they can overtake our fortifications.”
“Were our scouts noticed while spying on enemy movement?”
>”Negative.” The Sergeant answers. “They were flying at a high level behind cloud cover, the yaks have no idea that we will be able to prepare.”
“And how many yaks are coming?”
>”Somewhere between thirty and thirty-five thousand.”
“Major, what’s the status on the local volunteers?”
>”Not ready, not by a long shot.”
>If they manage to overrun the defenses how many civilians will be caught in the crossfire?
>Would the Old Guard even manage to stop them if they got that far?
>What do you know about yak tactics?
>They’re slow to start, but when charging are hard to stop.
>And they’re not too bright.
“Major, I have a plan.”
>You begin describing it to them.
>”Hmmm. Risky but it might just work.”

>…
>Clouds covered the sky.
>Just enough so that the ground below was still well lit, even though the sun would be down in just over an hour.
>You were atop one.
>You made a small hole to peak through.
>The hill that the yaks would soon arrive over stood to the east.
>The city gates, some five hundred feet away from the apex of the hill, were wide open.
>No ponies were present on the walls, its cannons unmanned.
>When you hear thousands of hoofsteps resound through the air, you look to the east.
>The army was approaching.
>Its leader, an old grey yak, led the host.
>He was climbing the hill.
>As he reached it he looked down at the unsuspecting city.
>He stood there for a minute in silence.
>Before turning and letting out an immense war cry.
>As he stands there the horde starts charging past him, towards the helpless city.
>They trample down the hill.
>Tripping and sliding the entire way.
>You had pegasi coat the area with rain water; the entire ground from the top of the hill to the city gates was turned into a thick mud underneath the grass.
>At least a fifth of the horde is caught into it, their momentum almost entirely lost.
>You nod to a pegasus next to you, and he flies down into the city yelling ‘NOW!’ as he circles the gate.
>The gates are slammed shut, as earth ponies and unicorns start climbing the stairs leading up to the battlements.
>Earth ponies rush to cannons, and unicorns take the first rank looking down at the advancing horde.
>Another pegasus gives you a flare, that you strike and drop down onto the field bellow.
>As it passes in front of the troop’s field of vision, the cannons start to fire and unicorns unleash magical bolts unto the muddy field.

>You watch as scores of yaks succumb to the attack.
>The remaining yaks in the mud are scrambling to retreat.
>And their leader just watches, amazed at what he’s seeing.
>This is your chance.
>Without the chieftain to keep the horde together, these yaks will quit the field just like the others did.
>You look to the top of the clouds; all of your pegasi are waiting with bows ready.
“ARCHERS- VOLLY AT THE TOP OF THE HILL!”
>You watch as the troops take flight, letting themselves fall to just below the cloud cover.
>You fly below the cover as well, to get a better look at the battle field.
>You watch as hundreds of arrows are launched down at the yak chief’s location.
>At least two dozen arrows peppered the old yak.
>And he falls to the ground, unable to withstand the volley.
>The archers then start to fire at will, most aiming for the main body of the horde.
>You watch as the yaks lose cohesion.
>After the third round of cannon fire they appeared to be in full retreat.
“HOLD FIRE!”
>The archers stop, and one of the officers flies over to ask you:
>”But Ma’am, we have them routed, we could press the attack.”
“No, let them run. Every survivor down there will know not to try attacking here again. If they’re massacred it will only give the other yaks more of a reason to fight.”
>”Understood.”
“Also get down there and have the ground forces stop the attack as well.”
>He flies down to the wall, shortly after the firing stops.
>You…
>You did it.
>It worked!

>Celebrations started almost immediately.
>But you rushed over to the hospital.
>You could hear the ponies shouting victory cries in the streets outside.
>You were sitting next to Anon.
“Hey Uncle. I know that you probably can’t hear me, but I just wanted to say that we won.”
>Wait, he doesn’t know that there was even a battle.
“See, some of the yaks reformed, and tried to rush the gates. I had the ground softened by rain, then set up a hidden crossfire to hit the yaks when they got caught in the mud. They only saw an unsuspecting city before they charged.”
>He remains unresponsive.
“I know that it wasn’t a long pitched effort, but I wanted you to know that I won my first battle.”
>Nothing interesting happens.
“Ok I’ll admit it. I hoped that the news would shock you awake.”
>The machines steadily keep beeping.
“I hope you get well soon. Equestria needs you, the army needs you… and I need you.”
>You sigh.
“I’m doing my best out here, but I could really use your advice. The other commanders don’t know that you’re out of commission right now, and I’m afraid that without you they’ll just fall to petty squabbling.”
>But you know what he’d say right now if he could.
>’Then you’ll have to make sure that they don’t, I believe in you kiddo.’
“I just don’t know if I can finish the war without you. Today was a victory, but we just defended a wall. I know that if they got into the city with even half their force remaining, then the city would be decimated. But all we had to do was keep them away from the gate.”
>Maybe you’re being too hard on yourself. The day was a victory with no ponies being lost.
>And all without ‘the yeti’ leading the army.
>You smile at remembering his old stories.
>Before you take your leave, you tell Anon one last thing.
“At least when you get up I’ll have some war stories for you.”

>You decided not to partake in any of the celebrations.
>Instead you headed back to your room in the tower.
>Stepping out onto your balcony, you could still hear the joyous times from the streets below.
>You watched the city below as the soldiers and ponies had their not-so-little shindig.
>It was past sundown, and the city was illuminated, showing the streets filled with ponies.
>Fireworks were sporadically being set off across the city.
>It was a beautiful sight.
>But at what cost?
>How many thousands of yaks died in the fighting?
>How many families lost a father, brother, or son because of your actions?
>When you watched Anon lead, you were almost disgusted at how casual he was about the death.
>You wanted to disavow war entirely.
>But actually being there and giving the orders changed that.
>Yes, the scale of the death and destruction is horrible.
>But the war is happening; you didn’t cause it, and you can’t change it.
>All you can do is to end it as quickly as possible, and save as many of your people as possible in the process.
>And when it’s over work to preserve the peace.
>You owe that to each and every pony down there.
>Your ponies.
>This is all for them.
>So that the future generations can grow up without wars looming over their childhoods.
>So that family members don’t have to be shipped off to faraway places, never to return.
>So that ponies can once again be free to express themselves how they like.
>So that the people don’t have to live in fear of foreign enemies, or domestic threats.
>And so that they will simply be allowed to live their lives.

>You eventually left the sights and your thoughts.
>You had a good night of rest, the best you’ve had in quite some time.
>Ironically, that morning your armor was finished.
>When it arrived, you rushed to try it on.
>It fit perfectly, and surprisingly was quite light.
>It was made from the finest steel in the Crystal Empire, shaded in light shades of blue.
>Ornate engravings lined the piece, but not as to make it less effective.
>A trio of amethysts was imbued into it- one on the front, the others just above the center one to each side.
>And a set of hoof guards matched the body piece.
>The entire set gave plenty of mobility for your legs and wings.
>You’re not exactly sure what you thought it would be, but it exceeded any of your expectations.
>You decided to wear it today, in order to better get used to having it on for extended periods of time.
>Unfortunately for you, much of the day was taken up receiving more ponies thanking you for the defense of the city.
>You gave all of them a variation of the same answer.
>That the real thanks go to the brave ponies that fought in the defense of the city.
>Honestly, you were really settling into the day to day aspects of running the state.
>And not to sound egotistical, you’re actually pretty good at it.
>The ponies here not only looked to you as a leader, but as a friend and advisor.
>On a grimmer note, the guards in the dungeon have noted no changes with your mother.
>She just sits there in the center of her cell, barely moving all day long.
>You would have her checked out by medical officials, but she’d just use the opportunity to escape.
>And you doubt you’d be able to find the magical energy to stop her this time.
>So until further notice, she stays down there.
>Also, the other fronts are at a standstill.
>Although more ponies are being sent to each of them, the enemy is getting reinforcement as well.

>Equestria’s central position was both a blessing and a curse to the coalition.
>They managed to pull the country into a multiple front war, but because many of the enemies don’t border one another, your forces fight armies comprised of a single type of opponent.
>If the griffons weren’t tying up most of the military’s pegasi, then the Saddle Arabian front would be much easier fought.
>From the start, the griffons and Saddle Arabians were the two biggest threats. It’s imperative that the minotaurs be knocked out of the war as quickly as possible to focus on the bigger powers.
>To that end, you’ve decided to lead your forces to that front once crystal ponies have finished their training (or in some cases re-training).
>They should be ready to march in about two weeks, so you’re really hoping that Anon wakes up before then.
>Until then you have nothing to do aside from continue your daily duties, study battlefield tactics, and practice your own magical skills.
>You should use some of your free time to ask the unicorn soldiers for assistance with combat magics.
>But as this day came to a close, you found yourself lying on your bed, staring up at the map of Equestria on your ceiling.
>You imagined various plans of grand strategies to use against the invaders, particularly the griffons and Saddle Arabians.
>If you end up fighting either of those two, then the fighting will be far more extensive than a single battle or two to decide the fate of the entire front.
>Day after day you would have to play a grand game of chess against your foes.
>The slightest mistake would end up in immense setbacks.
>The worst mistake would end up in complete annihilation.
>As you imagined these scenarios, one question kept popping back up.
>’What would Anon do?’

>In the next two weeks, life went back to a routine.
>The same meetings with civilians.
>The same civil and war councils.
>The same practice for the coming days.
>You were making progress on combat applications of magic.
>Your shields could last more than a couple seconds, and you were just starting to be able to launch bolts of pure magical energy.
>The city was getting ready for you to be absent; the locals shouldn’t have any problem keeping things running.
>On the eve of your march, you went to see Anon.
>Still no change.
“Hey Uncle, I’m leaving tomorrow morning. We’re going to fight the minotaurs that are threatening Manehattan.”
>He just lays there.
“I’m leaving a fifth of you Old Guard in the city, they’ll make sure to brief you on what’s happening when you’re up.”
>No movement from him.
“We really need you. The other fronts are holding, but just barely.”
>Exactly what you expect happens.
“Come on soldier! You’ve survived more than this!”
>Nothing.
“Alright, no more second guessing myself. I won’t have that luxury on the battlefield.”
>The room is silent aside from your words and the beeping of medical machines.
“Look, this is going to be the last time I’ll see you for quite some time. I just want you to know, that I’m going to make you proud. And you’d better be awake the next time we meet.”
>You get up from the chair you pulled up to his bed.
>Then you grab his hand with your hoof for a moment.
“Goodbye Uncle. I love you.”
>With that you head for the tower to rest before the march.

>In your room, you found yourself reviewing reports.
>Manehattan sits on an island, the river surrounding it runs south in to the sea.
>The minotaur force is camped out on the east bank, building their numbers.
>There’s only one bridge connecting the island to the east, and the locals have set up a series of walls o atop it.
>It seems like the enemy is waiting to build enough numbers to assault the bridge, or are constructing barges to sail directly to the island.
>Either way, you’ll need to get there quickly.
>It’ll take one or two days to get out of the Crystal Empire, and at least another week to get to the city.
>Some of the officers have said that a single minotaur is worth a dozen ponies in battle.
>You have just over fifty thousand ponies at your command.
>And you’re facing at least twenty five thousand enemies, with hundreds more pouring in every day.
>You have no superiority in artillery, as the some of them use their strength to personally wield light cannons.
>Previous engagements indicate that generally five to ten percent of their forces are equipped with hand cannons.
>They’re also more resistant to magical attacks than the yaks are.
>The only thing you can exploit is that they fight as warriors, not soldiers.
>Your forces work in formation with their comrades, while minotaurs fight as individuals.
>In previous conflicts with them, Anon would overwhelm them with immense numerical superiority.
>He would never fight them unless he outnumbered them five to one.
>And he led the charge personally, breaking the enemy vanguard almost entirely on his own.
>But, as the hours ticked by, you decided it was best to head to bed.
>You’ll have plenty of time on the road to think of battle plans, and you’ll need your rest.

>In the morning you watched from the tower as the army marched from their encampments, heading out of the city.
>They marched deep, not wide.
>Thousands of spears were waving in the air over their carriers.
>Hundreds of banners flew in the wind.
>Artillery and supply carriages were being dragged throughout the line.
>You could hear fife and drums setting the pace for the host.
>As the last men passed through the gate, you flew to the head of the army.
>Your army.
>As you passed in your armor, the soldiers cheered.
>When you reached the front, Major Arrow spoke to you.
>”Should you wish, a carriage can be pulled up for you.”
“No, I will walk with the army. I’ll go through whatever the rest of the men go through.”
>”As you wish.”
>You made good time.
>By nightfall you set camp at the pass leading out of the empire.
>Although the rail routes are secured, there are far too many ponies to take it to your destination.
>Walking the rail road out of the Empire would have saved a day or two, but it is a treacherous mountain route.
>You won’t lose anypony before the first battle, that’d be just insulting.
>That night you got word from Manehattan.
>The Ministry of Interior Defense tried to re-enforce their rule in the city.
>Riots broke out, and the secret police were routed.
>Any of their survivors either fled or were captured.
>This was happening across the country as the royalists tried to subvert the military.
>However after news of both the yak and dog fronts being won, popular support remained in favor of the military.
>For now the people trust the army.
>But that trust might not last for long if the enemy starts making gains.
>Or if the standstill continues for too long.

>That night you reread part of one of your books.
>You looked through the military history of Equestria for every conflict against the minotaurs.
>Every fight against them was won either by having an incredible numerical advantage, or by completely cutting off their supply lines so they starve out.
>You don’t have either of those options.
>But what are they waiting for?
>Historically the minotaurs have always pressed the attack almost immediately.
>Here they’re waiting for something.
>There is one bit that might have helped, but it just was a reference to The History of Equestrian and Minotaur Relations: Volume 2-The Early Pony Unification Period.
>Why is almost every book you read a maze?
>There must be something you’ve picked up from Anon that could help.
>Maybe there’s a minotaur holiday coming up, you could pull a Washington in the night.
>If you cross the river far to the north, you could leave their army and attack their homelands.
>No, Hannibal had elephants and it didn’t work out in the long term.
>On a matter of principal, you’ll leave burning the camp with oil as a last resort.
>There has to be a better way.
>However it escaped you that night.
>…
>The next morning the march started early.
>Nothing of importance occurred in the next three days.
>Until that night, as you were in the command tent.
>The Major briefed you on the situation.
>”Ma’am, we’ve news from Baltimare. No changes in the front, but their scouts have seen a Saddle Arabian armada sailing north.
That explains why the minotaurs have been waiting.”
>”Their speed and heading puts them at Manehattan in 8 days. The letter was sent 5 days ago, we have three before they arrive.”
“And we’re still four days out.”
>”Affirmative.”
“Then strike camp, we need to get there before the enemy.”

>The men were quite unhappy at facing a forced march.
>But because you’re walking it with them, they dealt with it.
>There will be time to rest in Manehattan.
>With only three resting periods of three hours each, you’ll arrive at evening in two days.
>That gives the men a full day to rest and prepare.
>And a day for you to take stock of the situation in the city.
>Until then, you just need to keep your army moving.
>…
>After the first rest, the men got moving no problem.
>…
>After the second, there was some opposition, but they eventually got moving.
>..
>After the third, they were reluctant.
>They were exhausted, and so were you.
>After having triple rations of coffee sent out, they got moving quickly enough though.
>You were all nearing three days without proper rest, lugging heavy equipment and armor all the way.
>But it’ll be over soon.
>…
>You arrived on the west bank of the river just before sundown.
>You gave the men until noon tomorrow to rest.
>Meanwhile you went to meet with the city leaders before resting yourself.
>Given the circumstances, many pleasantries were dropped.
>Many of the veterans in the city organized a militia.
>They won’t join with any offensive actions, but if enemies set hoof in the city there will be a force as large as your own fighting to defend it.
>Fortifications were being built across the island.
>If it came down to it, the urban warfare would be bloody.
>Combined you maybe have enough to repulse the minotaurs, but not if the Saddle Arabians can reinforce them.
>You eventually found yourself in your tent, struggling to sleep as scenarios played out in your head.
>After about an hour of that, you were just drifting off to sleep.
>When your eyes jolt back to being fully open.
>You remembered something.
>You ran out of your tent and back into the city.
>The only thing keeping you going was adrenaline.

>What they say about the city never sleeping is true.
>Even with a hostile army parked just across the river, life continues for the ponies of
Manehattan.
>And everything is so fast paced.
>In your drowsy state you almost got ran over.
>Twice.
>Make that three times.
>You duck into a corner café that’s still open for more coffee.
>Supposedly you got the strongest thing they serve, but the caffeine is barely affecting you as you continue towards your destination.
>Still better than nothing though.
>The slight increase in attentiveness keeps you from almost getting run over a fourth time.
>While passing in front of a shop window, you can see large bags under your eyes.
>And that you’re still wearing your armor.
>Now that you think of it, you didn’t actually remove it in the past three days.
>Eh, there is time to remove armor once the war is won.
>But that might just be the sleep deprivation talking.
>It actually feels much heavier now that you’re aware of it.
>Curse you whatever it’s called when you become aware of something and then it becomes much worse!
>That’s definitely the lack of sleep.
>Anyway, where were you?
>Right!
>You were looking for a building that you don’t actually know the exact location of.
>Right…
>You continue searching the streets.
>Somehow you managed to find it.
>It was actually just around the corner from the café you stopped at earlier.
>The Manhattan Public Library.

>You enter the building and walk up to the main desk.
“Good evening. Would you mind telling me what floor the history section is on?”
>The reception pony is busy filing her hoof.
“Hello?”
>She points to a sign on the wall, never looking up at you.
>Titled: DIRECTORY
“Sorry.”
>You could swear that you heard her say something about ‘lazy students.’
>You walk over to read the directory.
>History is on the ninth floor.
>While heading for the elevator, you toss your now empty coffee cup in waste bin.
>Elevator music commences before you hear the ‘DING’ signifying the end of the trip upwards.
>You then begin wandering through the seemingly endless selection of books.
>Curse you decimal system!
>After eventually finding the section on minotaurs (next to a list (that you missed) explaining where historical subsections are located) you start looking.
>Now where is The History of Equestrian and Minotaur Relations: Volume 2-The Early Pony Unification Period?
>Soon you find the six part History of Equestrian and Minotaur Relations series.
>Grabbing the second volume, you retreat to find a chair to read in.
>If you recall the reference from the history of war book, you need either page 285 or 582.
>You flip to 285.
>It’s on agricultural developments and how the ponies and minotaurs differed in developing them.
>Probably not it.
>So you try 582.
>You start reading the events of almost two thousand years ago
>A grin forms across your face.
>And a plan is forming in your mind.
>As you fall asleep in the chair, with the book in your grasp.

>It must have been at least ten hours later when you work up.
>You were sitting rather uncomfortably in a chair.
>Still armored and with the book in your hooves.
>You rise from the seat and start to stretch your legs and wings.
>After putting the book back, you left the library.
>You know what you have to do.
>But, first you need to stop by the camp.
>As you fly over to the tents, it looks like the Major had already started to have your men assist in last minute fortifications.
>You heard from some of the soldiers that the Major is overseeing the fortification personally.
>And most of the Old Guard is still in the camp.
>Good.
>You head over to where the pegasi are at.
>They stand to attention as you approach.
“Alright, I need the twelve best fighters among you to come with me.”
>There’s a bit of discussion, but soon twelve pegasi step forward.
“If anything goes wrong, our only option will be to fly away. If I give the order, then retreat.”
>They nod in acknowledgement.
>Now you just need two things.
>After assembling one of them and searching trash bins for the other, you stood on the eastern bridge.
>Before you lay no man’s land.
>On the far end you can see minotaurs resting on barricades.
>As you and your men flew beyond your own fortifications, you heard confused questions from the ponies manning them.
>You landed in no man’s land, and started walking towards the enemy.
>Here goes nothing.

>As you approach, you wave the red flag that you made. For the minotaurs it signifies that you’re not here for open battle.
>They lower their weapons when you near them.
>And clear a path to their leaders command tent.
>You pass through the camp, and the entire way armed enemies tower over you.
>But you do your best not to appear intimidated.
>If things go south, then you’ll have barely a second to fly out of reach before they attack.
>In front of a large and ornate tent you see what looks like their general sitting in front of it.
>As he stands, he looks to be at least a foot taller than any of the others.
>A huge albino bull, clad in heavy steel armor and wielding a large warhammer- the head almost as large as your entire body.
>He begins laughing as you approach.
>”Here with terms of surrender tiny one? I, General White Rage, will accept it.”
>Courage Flurry.
>You spit on the ground beneath his feet, and levitate the bucket you brought over to his tent.
>Then you fling its contents at it, showering the tent with rotting fish.
“On the contrary, like Bronze Star almost two millennia ago, as leader of the opposing army I demand trial by combat to decide the fate of the war.”
>”HAHAHAHAHA!”
>The army around you starts joining in on his laugh.
>”Ha, you think that arcane customs from countless generations ago still apply? I haven’t laughed that much for a long time pony, thank you.”
>This is bad, you think as the crowd continues to laugh.
>”ENOUGH!” You hear a single voice form the crowd yell.
>An elderly looking minotaur comes forward leaning on a cane, is beard almost scraping the ground as he walks.
>He then whacks the general in the head with it.
>The entire crowd is silent at this point.

>”Fool, how dare you dishonor your ancestors! That rite was never overturned, just never put into practice for two thousand years. She has spat on your ground, and assaulted your tent with rotting fish carcasses. It is your duty as war leader to oblige, or else you will face the wrath of the gods in this life and the next.”
>”It can’t possibly still be in our laws. Check.”
>The old one hobbles over to a tent, and retrieves a huge book bound with iron rings.
>He opens it and starts reading.
>”Come here boy.”
>The general approaches and starts looking at what the other is pointing at.
>A look of shock is seen on his face.
>The general falls to his knee.
>”Forgive me sage, I will oblige the rite.”
>He rises and turns to you.
>”Single combat, leader to leader, for the fate of the war.”
>He hefts his enormous hammer over his shoulder.
>You really didn’t think this part through.
>You don’t even have a weapon.
>”Clear a space for an arena!”
>As the minotaurs shuffle to oblige the order, you turn to your men and whisper.
“What do I do?”
>They look visibly nervous at your question.
“Come on ponies, I need help here!”
>”There’s not much we can do in a just a few moments.” One speaks up.
>”Yeah, were do we start?” Another asks the others.
>”Stick ‘em with the pointy end. “ A third says as he offers you a spear.
>You grab it with magic and deadpan back to him.
“You don’t say.”
>You hear the general’s voice boom over to you.
>”This way pony, our space has been cleared.”
>He leads you past a few tents, to where a large circular area is waiting for you.
>It must be a hundred feet in diameter.
>A few weapon racks line the circumference of the arena.
>You take your place in it as the general heads to the other side.
>You really didn’t think this through.

>The old sage is to the side, and he begins speaking.
>”As a leader of your people, you have initiated the age old ritual of combat. Should you emerge victorious, then the minotaur people will be obligated to award you with a ten year truce. However, should you fall in battle then your city will be forfeited and the war will continue. The gods value actions, not words. So let you begin when ready.”
>You eye the spear you’ve been given, getting used to its dimensions.
>You start to spin it around you in a display to get more accustomed to holding it with your magic.
>As you end, it’s in the air to your right, facing your opponent.
>The albino bull brings his hammer down to the earth, and you can feel the impact even standing at least fifty feet away.
>He then bashes his left fist onto his chest piece.
>You start to charge up as much magical energy as possible.
>As you reach the peak of what you contain, the bull starts to charge.
>You unleash a blast of pure magical energy that impacts him square in the chest.
>And had no visible effect on him.
>You wait as he storms towards you.
>At the last second you roll to the left, going just under the hammer that was swinging.
>You sent the spear the other way around him, and you reunite with it behind the bull.
>Using all of your remaining magical power, you thrust the spear into his back.
>But it harmlessly impacts and deflects off of his armor.
>He turns and towers over you.
>Reaching down he grabs the front end of the spear, and uses your magical grip to snap it in half.
>He throws the part he broke off over to the side.

>You jump backwards as he brings his hammer down in the space that you were just occupying.
>He then starts to charge.
>You narrowly avoid getting hit by it as you fly up, just out of reach.
>Coming back to the ground, you watched as his charge continues on another twenty feet.
>And he turns to face you once more.
>You count five weapon racks around the arena.
>Focusing on the one directly behind him, you levitate the weapons from the rack.
>And send them flying for his back.
>But they harmlessly deflect off of his armor.
>You start doing the same with the next.
>He starts slowly approaching you, allowing you to pepper him with useless attacks.
>The ground is littered with swords and spears that impacted him dealing no damage.
>He begins to laugh as he walks towards you.
>You start back peddling.
>You lift an empty weapon rack to his right, and sent it hurdling towards him.
>He noticed it in his periphery vision too late.
>And he went tumbling to the ground as the wooden object broke upon him.
>But he soon stood up.
>You launched another at him, but he anticipated it.
>Just before impact, he swung at it with his war hammer- shattering it before it could hit him.
>He cracks his neck to the right and left before continuing.
>You have an idea.
>You launch another weapon rack at him that he breaks.
>And a fourth.
>All that remains is the one directly behind him.
>And you throw that one at him as well.

>The minotaur general turns to strike it down.
>All this time you still had the broken spear floating next to you.
>You grab what’s left of it with your right hoof.
>And start flying towards your opponent.
>His back is turned as he strikes down the wooden object being sent towards him.
>Just before you reach him, he turns back to face you.
>But he didn’t have time to react.
>You were feet away from his un-helmeted head.
>Tightening your grip on the wooden shaft, you plunge the broken end into his neck.
>Your hooves impact his chest as your charge is broken.
>He’s still standing there.
>A wooden stake through his throat.
>He blinks once or twice, unable to speak.
>Then he falls backwards, leaving you standing atop your defeated foe.
>The crowd is completely silent.
>Some of the minotaurs look at you in shock.
>Others have their hands ready on their weapons.
>Your men are looking quite nervous as well.
>Looking down, you see blood flowing from the general’s wound.
>Some of it from the impact had spattered onto you.
>the silence is broken as the old sage starts to speak.
>”Today, the gods have favored you young one. Our law is clear, there will be no war between our people for ten years from this day.”
“Just like that?”
>”Just like that, our forces will be gone from your lands immediately.” He then talks to the others. “Break camp, we are going home.”
>There’s a lot of grumbling from the minotaurs as they’ve been denied a chance at battle, but they do start to filter away from the arena.
>Your horn glows as you retrieve both halves of the spear you started the combat with.
>Walking over to your men, you offer the halves back to its owner.
“Stuck ‘em with the pointy end.”
>”That you did. You can keep them.”
>Taking flight, you and your men left the now neutral camp.
>You had your men go off to brief the Major on the situation, as you went back to your command tent to rest.
>You kept the spear halves as mementoes.

>You were in your command tent, cleaning the blood from your coat.
>Things were still troubling, as tomorrow the Saddle Arabian armada would arrive.
>It’s unclear if they’ll still attack the city without the minotaurs there to assist them.
>They could still shell the city from a far.
>You need a way to convince the enemy not to fight.
>But how?
>Your thoughts are interrupted as Major Arrow stormed into your tent.
“Afternoon Major.”
>”Your highness, you could have gotten killed!”
“But I didn’t.”
>”We can’t afford to take such risks at this time.”
“Would you have preferred to be attacked from two fronts as the minotaurs and Saddle Arabians flanked the city?”
>”Ma’am, you shouldn’t have taken action without consulting-.”
“ENOUGH- I am the leader of this army, and I took action to prevent battle. You would never use that tone when speaking to the Field Marshal, and I expect you never to use it again while speaking to me. Is that understood Major?”
>You emphasize his rank.
>”Yes Ma’am.” He says, being put back into place.
“Now, while you were wasting time leaving the oversight of the cities fortifications to come complain, I was constructing a plan to circumvent the coming battle entirely.”
>The Major stands at attention to receive orders.
“I want our men to work with the city militia and any civilian volunteers. The need to make scale models of our cannons, it doesn’t matter out of what. All that matters is that from a spyglass they look real. By dawn I want at least a thousand of them lining the south side of the island, the bridges, and the banks of the bay across each side of the river. When the enemy fleet arrives, assuming they don’t flee immediately, I’ll send a flyer with an ultimatum demanding they retreat now or be utterly destroyed.”
>He remains standing.
“Go on then, dismissed.”

>You didn’t like putting him in his place, but you can’t allow your authority to be circumvented.
>If the chains of command fall apart, then the entire military will fall to chaos.
>While thinking of how to word your letter, you went into the city.
>You were pleased to see ponies scrambling to construct and paint wooded cannons.
>Eventually you found a book shop containing what you needed.
>The First War of the Saddle Arabian Coast
>And
>The Second War of the Saddle Arabian Coast
>With the two books you purchased in hoof, you returned to your tent and started composing your ultimatum.
>You struggled to find the perfect blend of formality, truth, and exaggeration necessary to make them turn and run.
>The first draft wouldn’t frighten a single enemy.
>And the second was obviously a lie.
>The third was too specific at naming numbers.
>You worked well into the night.
>After many discarded pages, you ultimately settled on:

To the leader of the Saddle Arabian fleet,

	By now you are aware of two things. One, that your allies have quit the field. And two, that the cities defenses are far more considerable than you had thought. The reasoning as to why your allies have fled back to their homeland, quitting the war entirely, is that I have killed General White Rage in single combat. The reasoning for the latter observation is because this nation’s military has rallied, and many of the nation’s two million combat veterans have returned to active duty. If you attack, then you will find over half of this city’s population rising against you, in addition to the hundred thousand battle hardened soldiers leading the defense.

	Simply put, you will be annihilated. I would use the phrase decimated, but that implies you would lose one of every ten men rather than the inverse. If you still feel like attacking Manehattan, then you should note the two books I’ve sent to you. Histories of the First and Second Wars of the Saddle Arabian Coast, a matter you should be very familiar with. Take note of the individual leading the wars against you, Field Marshal Anonymous. Supposedly, he individually killed more of you than died in the last three centuries of any causes combined. While he is busy overseeing the entire war effort, he has put me in charge of this front. That man raised me as a daughter, and taught me everything he knows. If you still feel like attacking then you are certainly welcomed to break upon this city. But if you have any shred of sanity then you will turn back. Whether you and your men survive to see another sunrise is in your hooves.

	-Princess Flurry Heart, Vice-Commander of the Equestrian Armed Forces

>With the letter finished, you heated wax and sealed it up.
>Then pressing your seal into the drying quickly hardening wax.
>You have scouts further down the coast that will notify you when the fleet will be arriving on the horizon.
>So you tried to rest as much as possible before they arrived.
>If they call your bluff there will be a tough fight ahead of you.
>This was the first time in four days that you were able to remove your armor.
>And it felt glorious.
>…
>In the morning you washed off yourself and your armor.
>And then went for breakfast.
>You sat in your tent contemplating yesterday’s events over tea.
>You had killed somebody… with your own two hooves.
>It was so much more personal than just giving an order.
>The adrenaline pumping through you, the fear of losing, the rush of victory.
>It was surreal to say the least.
>You had ended another sentient creature’s life.
>All of those potential memories and actions have been prematurely ended.
>Granted, many of those immediate actions would have been to kill who knows how many ponies.
>You don’t like killing, but you suppose that if done for the right reasons then it’s necessary if not justified.
>As you were finishing breakfast, a runner asked for permission to enter.
“Of course.”
>”Ma’am, the enemy fleet has been sighted; they should be on the horizon within the hour.”
“Thank you.”
>With that you headed to your forward observation area.

>You flew to the top of one of the skyscrapers on the southern tip of the island.
>There, many of your officers, as well as city militia leaders were present.
>You watched and waited.
>There was some grim idle chatter that you stayed out of.
>It was a cloudy day, but sight lines remained clear across the horizon.
>You scanned with a pair of binoculars every minute or so.
>Their sails will pop over the horizon soon enough.
>You looked towards the defenses.
>On the island, four hundred mock cannons lined the southern tip of the island.
>Each of the bridges leading to either side of the bay had two hundred.
>And the coast lines on each side had another two hundred.
>Each of the fake artillery pieces was manned, and there were army and militia formations behind the guns.
>Then you saw the first sail.
>And the next one.
>And the armada.
>You started counting.
>Five dozen war galleys, each with two to four forward facing guns.
>Twelve galleons, you don’t have a clear view, but with maybe thirty-two guns each.
>And a massive ship of the line, you’d guess it has at least a hundred and twenty guns, and on its deck is a large mortar.
>Presumably that’s the flagship.
>The fleet has stopped, most likely to take stock of the situation.
>You turn to your pegasi courier and give him the box containing your letter and the two books.
“Take this package to the flagship over there, the big one, drop it off at the captains hooves, then fly back.”
>He nods and starts flying.
>You watch as he soars over the bay, becoming a tiny dot in the distance.
>He looks like he’s reached the ship.
>Now he’s coming back.
>As he approaches, you see that the package was delivered.
>Nothing to do now but wait.

>…
>The armada is just sitting there.
>The admiral will have had plenty of time to read the letter by now.
>He’s judging the situation, wondering if you’ve bluffed.
>Which you have.
>There can’t be more than twenty thousand enemies ready to land, but they wouldn’t have to land.
>They could just shell the city until nothing but rubble is left.
>But based off of the sheer size, most of the enemy fleet must be here right now.
>Would they sacrifice losing that much if it isn’t a bluff?
>They’re still waiting well out of cannon range.
>Your forces are locked in a staring match, but who will blink first?
>You see movement.
>The fleet starts to lurch.
>But will they turn or head forward?
>They’re moving…
>And…
>Turning.
>Your army watched in silence as the enemy fleet disappeared over the horizon.
>You had ordered them to stay silent if they turned back.
>Can’t have any cheering tip them off.
>The celebrations came later that night.
>Well after scouts confirmed that the fleet was heading back south.
>But you had the scouts follow for at least a week, and you left the fake guns standing in the field.
>Just in case.
>That night, you once again skipped out on partaking in the festivities.
>Instead you sat in your tent, reflecting.
>You had stopped two armies and an armada, all without losing single pony.
>But this streak can’t last forever.

>As fireworks were going off outside and cheering was persisting through the night, you wondered on your next move.
>Head south to relieve General Lancer with the Saddle Arabians, or see if Admiral Brairheart has rebuilt enough of the air fleet to retake Cloudsdale?
>Or head back north, and hope Anon will have woken up by the time you get there?
>Is this what it’s like to be a general?
>Never able to enjoy a victory, because you need to plan for the next.
>Anyway, you would have received word from the Admiral if the air fleet was ready.
>And each of the fronts appears to be at a stalemate.
 >But Brigadier Offense is massing troops to hit the Saddle Arabians further to the south.
>If you take your own fresh army to Baltimare, then their entire front could collapse.
>With volunteers from Manehattan bolstering your force, you could have at least a hundred thousand men to relieve the front.
>They’ve managed to keep the enemy on the outskirts of the city.
>So if you split your force, letting the Manehattan soldiers march to the east while your force from the Crystal Empire takes the west, you could encircle the enemy besieging Baltimare.
>You’re two weeks march from there though.
>But first you need troops from this city to join up.
>Give yourself two weeks to recruit and train, then another two to get there and you might have a plan.
>You start writing letters to General Lancer and Brigadier Offense outlining the idea.
>You’ve proposed that if Lancer can hold the city for just one more month, then you and Offense can pincer the occupied territory.
>Make them be the ones fighting on multiple fronts for a change.
>You also included news of Anon’s status and your victories.
>Politely you suggested that you be placed in command of the military while Anon is out.
>It will increase popular opinion even more.
>After all, a Princess of Equestria leading the fight is more sympathetic than a General.

>Besides, you’ve seen how the commanders can squabble.
>You’ve actually amazed yourself in the past days.
>You’ve managed to prove proficiency leading both on and off of the field.
>Clearly someone taught you right.
>Thanks Uncle.
>Your thoughts drift north.
>He’s still just lying there in that hospital room.
>No pony aside from his nurse is probably even keeping him company.
>Meanwhile you’re out here doing what he should be.
>You doubt that this would be how he saw his ‘little soldier’ going off to war.
>But life just happens that way you suppose.
>Twenty five years ago no pony imagined the coming decades of conflict.
>Twenty years ago your Dad didn’t imagine he would never see you again.
>Fifteen years ago Auntie Twilight didn’t imagine she would disappear while looking for him.
>Ten years ago not a soul would have imagined the other Princesses descent into madness.
>A few weeks ago you would never have imagined you would have to fight your own mother and take her throne.
>But that’s just how things turned out.
>That night you planned for the coming days.
>You would give speeches around the city asking for old veterans to return and for new recruits to sign up.
>Manehattan is a huge city, and finding fresh blood shouldn’t be an issue after the events of the past few days.
>The city is also a great location to make sure that supply lines to the Saddle Arabian front remain moving.
>But when you get down there, you won’t be able to cheat the enemy like you have your last three foes.
>It’ll be frontline warfare.
>You can only hope that you’ll be as proficient leading a straight fight.

>Recruitment started the next day.
>Almost all of the city militia joined up.
>Your speeches were well received as well.
>Days started to bleed together.
>Manehattan was in a buzz for the two weeks.
>Weapons and armor were being made, and the local soldiers were busy training and enjoying time with their families before being sent off.
>The camp had gotten considerably larger.
>Each day more ponies joined up.
>Thankfully you were able to keep them all supplied.
>Aside from Canterlot itself, the nation is firmly in support of the military.
>You got word back from the other commanders; they had agreed with your proposals.
>Half of Baltimare is little more than ruins at his point, but Lancer will hold it.
>The enemy is constantly pushing, but as they make gains in one area, they lose in another.
>Those gains and losses are often single city blocks.
>The fighting is brutal.
>Although the enemies vastly outnumber the defenders, the narrow streets are making numerical superiority worthless.
>At least most of the civilians were evacuated long before the fighting started.
>On the other front, trenches have been formed in the clouds.
>Waves of pegasi and griffons are being thrown at the other’s defenses.
>It’s contained the enemy to Cloudsdale, but many lives are being lost.
>If you can’t end the stalemates soon, then an entire generation might be claimed by the conflict.
>The night before you set out for the front, you got final estimates of the men at your command.
>In addition to the Old Guard and forces from the Crystal Empire, almost a hundred thousand locals joined up.
>You were leading the largest active army currently deployed by Equestria.

>At least it was before you split it up.
>On the second day of the march, it came time to split the troops.
>The men from Manehattan were sent directly south along the coast.
>More or less a straight shot down to Baltimare, but the terrain would slow them slightly
>Your route to the west was almost twice as long, so to arrive on schedule you had to take the roads.
>By heading a bit further into the Equestrian heartland you were able to march along clear highways the entire way.
>However, the route would take you relatively close to Canterlot.
>…
>A few days later you were reading a report in your command tent.
>Matters of espionage.
>Apparently under the sands of Saddle Arabia a new energy has been harnessed.
>They’ve found abundant deposits of a strange mineral.
>Large bright purple crystals, that when finely ground can be used to imitate pure magical energy.
>Not to dissimilar from how Equestria harnesses magic to power weapons of war.
>They call it Sahar sand, and they have been testing its potential usage to copy Equestrian airships.
>An airship needs three specially trained unicorns to properly operate.
>One helps to counteract gravity so the armored dirigible can actually be lifted off of the ground. This unicorn also controls the altitude of the ship.
>A second provides thrust and brakes to move the ship forward and back.
>The last one deals with maneuvering to the left or right.
>A unicorn for the X, Y, and Z axis.
>However the Saddle Arabians have developed a single engine, powered by the Sahar sand, that can do all three of those jobs, and with none of the training.
>And the first batch of them is being sent to the front.
>With Equestria’s air fleet being reconstructed and most of the trained pegasi fighting the griffons, the enemy could easily take air superiority.
>And they should be arriving right around the time your forces attack.

>Your contemplations on how to deal with the enemy aircraft was interrupted as the Major burst into your tent.
>”Ma’am, were under attack!”
>You then heard explosions nearby.
“By who?”
>”The Loyalists have set up artillery encampments to the west; they’re shelling the camp with magical cannons.”
“Have the main body of the army scatter away from the camp. I’ll take half of the Old Guard to storm the southernmost encampment; you take the other half and start from the north. We’ll regroup at the center.”
>”Understood.”
>He rushes out of the tent while you put your armor on.
>As you leave the tent, you see a few officers waiting for your orders.
>The area is lightly forested on each side of the road, so you tell them to wait while you fly upwards to get a better view of the enemy.
>Although the sun had set hours ago, the bright magical lights tell you what you need.
>You can make out four- no, make that five artillery nests.
>Each one periodically shoots out three or four different colored bolts high into the sky, arcing down onto your camp.
>Going back down to the ground you give your orders.
“I’ll take the pegasi to rush the south guns, approach the second with the ground forces.”
>They go off to divide the men as you fly towards the pegasi members of the Old Guard.
>You only have a hundred or so fliers at your disposal.
>It’s a risk, but the enemy can’t have more than a thousand ponies total.
>They wouldn’t leave Canterlot without the lion’s share of their men to defend it.
>You then take flight with your force, coasting low, just over the tree line.

>As you fly towards the beacons shooting into the sky, you realize something.
>If you had the army march wide, then many more of your men would have been caught in the initial bombardment.
>But because they camped deep, alongside the road, the enemy couldn’t target large groupings.
>A final barrage goes up as you near the encampment.
>Four magic cannons, pointed to the skies.
>Each of them has a unicorn firing into them, and two earth ponies to deal with removing and reloading amplifying crystals.
>Surrounding the guns are two dozen or so assorted ponies.
>But they expected attack from the ground, and your men quickly swarmed the defenders.
>You fired a few magic bolts down before the impact.
>Arrows flied past you, and pegasi charged down with spears.
>Half of them fell, and the rest broke almost immediately, fleeing to the north and west.
>You landed in the artillery encampment, the men continued to circle overhead waiting for orders.
>But you just stood there, looking at the bodies.
>These were Equestrians.
>Your people.
>And you ended them.
>You’re fighting this war so the opposite happens, not to send more of them to their deaths.
>No.
>Stop thinking like this.
>They attacked your camp, killing how many of your men?
>You weren’t sure how long you were thinking, but a shout brought you back into the now.
>”MA’AM, LOOK OUT!”
>You look up and to the north.
>Just in time to see a large bolt of red magical fire, maybe thirty feet away and rocketing towards you.