Backgrounds of Fate: Blazing Glory

>Vanhoover is lost..
>you know this, its only a matter of time before its official.
>Manos has come to take this city from the Princesses, and his forces have a excellent battle record.
>leaning against the wall of a building you look around the corner
>a force of Black Hands are moving by with support from their mobile death factories
>the blood in your veins turns to ice as a chill runs down your spine
>just before a Hand turns to look towards your hiding place you pull yourself back behind the corner
"there's.. there's hundreds of them.."
>a hoof pats you on the shoulder followed by the calm voice of your Captain
>"easy now, take a few deep breaths and think of something else."
"sir, they have those machines with them. more than I have ever seen or heard of!"
>"we already knew that from the sound..."
>Captain Soul Flare hangs his head for a moment before a look of determination forms
>you've seen that face many times before, whenever he decides its his job to give the hard orders.
>to be quite honest, you've always respected and admired him for being the one to take charge when it was most difficult
>this time however, it just worries you.
>his horn glows a dimly and his sword comes from its sheath confirming your fears of his next orders
>there is a calm silence, excluding the noise of the Hands marching on your city, as Soul Flare looks deeply into his own reflection in his blade
>everyone else who hadn't readied themselves for a fight now does so.
>"spread up and down the side streets, no more than two or three to a group. we will need to strike fast before they are ready."
>"sir, are you sure about this?"
>your eyes slowly move to the corner of the building again
>panic slowly builds inside you
>will you possibly see a pony you know?
>could it be a family member?
>would you kill them if you had to?
>and more importantly... are you going to die this time?
>"Blazing... Blue Blazing!"
>Captain Soul Flare finally gets your attention
"yes sir?"
>it takes a moment to notice that its just the Captain and you here now
>"I said you're with me, come on. I already have a place in mind."
>why cant you be as brave as him?
>pulling yourself to your hooves you follow closely behind the Captain doing your best to keep quiet and hidden from the horde of Black Hands just yards away
>just think of something else, thats what Soul Flare said.
>the sound of those machines gets louder and louder the further you and the Captain move
>they must be getting closer... or worse, the two of you might be getting closer to them.
>a small shop has been destroyed and the Captain enters through a large opening in the back
>quickly you follow suit and inside you see the Captain waiting for you by the door on a still standing wall
>he waves you over to his side and you take your place there.
>its comforting being this close to him
>maybe some of his bravery will inspire your own.
>"alright, now once we give the signal the others will strike, you ready Blue?"
>the signal?! YOURE THE FIRST ATTACK!?
>your legs feel weak and start to shake again
>Soul Flare puts his hoof on your again and your legs slowly begin to stop shaking
>"Blaze, it will be okay. I promise."
"Im scared Captain. I dont think ill make it this time."
>Soul Flare smiles warmly back at you and even gives you a small one legged hug
>"Im scared too Blaze, and so is everyone else, but we are Royal Guards. we have a duty to give everything we can to protect Equestria and her ponies."
>as quietly as you can you take out your spear and give a small nod of understanding
>"alright.. so are you ready now?"
>no, not quite yet..
"uhm Captain."
>"yeah?"
"I uh, if we both make it that is... would you like to maybe get a hayburger or something sometime?"
>already you feel the blood running through your cheeks
>did you really just ask out the Captain before a fight?!
>you're such an idiot!
>"Uh, wow, you know I really wasnt expecting that."
>suddenly those Hands dont look as scary...
>"well, Im not really into stallions Blaze. But.."
>the Captains eyes look into your own and he slowly smiles again
>"but if you were brave enough to ask me that now, I dont see why I can't be brave enough to try"
>did he just say yes?
"o-okay!"
>"alright Blaze, lets go."

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jFi7bWkyRpA

>Soul Flare readies a spell, his horn glows brightly and one of the Machines come to a stop.
>no, it doesnt stop, it starts to lift from the ground.
>the Captain begins to strain from the weight of the machine before he tries to push it with all his might
>it falls to its side as it hits the ground, though only barely
>but its enough to take it out for now
>"Royalists in the buildings!"
>the sound of magic and 'gunfire' quickly breaks out in the streets
>"come on Blaze! for Equestria! and for the Princesses!"
>busting down the door you charge the line of Black Hands your spear ready in hoof
>the Hands quickly load one of their larger weapons with a belt of projectiles as you get closer
>before they can fire you have closed the distance
"For Equestria!"