From The Shadows

MEANWHILE (revised)

From The Shadows

by DeepThought

Sole is seriously injured when the guard drop him off at Canterlot hospital. Several doctors take care of the strange guest hectically by Celestia's orders as the sun princess eyes him suspiciously. Around the small group the medical equipment makes fast, beeping noises and flashes in alarming, red color. The room itself is an emergency room on the first floor near the entrance, and except a few things completely white. Sterilized by disinfectants, the air smells like hospital, slightly burning in the nostrils.

‘What a monster she is... Treating her own subjects, no her children, like her enemies... *I WAS RIGHT*. Opening Equestria’s borders to her kind would be a great mistake... Twilight, my student and my friend, what did you do to deserve this?'

Doctor Stable, the head physician, a brown unicorn with a patch cutie mark, tells his ruler, “His condition is critical. We don’t know much about changeling anatomy, but he lost much blood. I can’t guarantee anything.”

A mix of emotions shows itself on the princess’ face, ranging from contemplation to fury - the doc gulps nervously

Finally, she says, raising an eyebrow, “He keeps some very important information. Make sure he survives. The tiniest mistake will lead to your suspension.”

“But Princess...” the stallion blanching stallion mutters, "How would that be my fault?"

“NO, we can’t risk to lose this creature. I don’t like HIM, I don’t like HIS KIND. But it is important for Equestria.” she spits out, hysterically, “Take care that he lives.”

‘Next task: Taking care of our vassals, the Crystal Empire and Liberty provide support.'

Meanwhile...

Two armies stand on both sides of the valley, only a few miles from Las Pegasus, The first Army of Equestria and the Third Imperial Army. While the Equestrian army is smaller it also only consists of ponies - for the Griphon Empire fights a mix of several races, minotaurs, zebras, diamond dogs and of course the griphons themselves. Luna, the commander of Equestria’s golden forces, faces her opponent, the griphon general.

Banners in the respective national colors wave, masses cheer for their leaders, armor shines in the early hours of the new day.

‘Back in my time no one would have dared to attack Equestria. We had talented magicans, the best warriors and the most skilled smiths. We’d have crushed them... But now? Look at these foals. This is nothing but an pathetic excuse for an army. Too much ‘Harmony’ and peace made them weak. Celestia has done a wonderful job.’

A griphon, wearing his kind's traditional outfit of an military messenger, closes the distance between the armies and lands in front of the night princess.

"Greetings to you, Princess Luna. I'm Bloody Feathers and In the name of the glorious King of the Griphon Empire, Rex the Great, ruler over the griphons, minotaurs and the zebras, I speak to you today."

"Greetings to you, Mr. Feathers," she says, forcing a regal smile.

"I come here to give you an option. Your forces are inferior like ponies themselves to the merciless talons of the griphons," dramatic pause, "But no harm shall come to your subjects if you surrender unconditionally. If not you'll feel our wrath. Decide wisely, Princess, today you decide the future of your species."

Eagerly, an arrogant smile plastered on his face, he waits for a response.

Then steel blinks behind him, held by midnight blue magic.

SLASH

His head drops from his shoulders. Blood sprays on the ground, blue fur and brown feathers.

“Now he lives up to his name,” Luna chuckles darkly.

She booms in her royal Canterlot Voice, “CHARGE! We shall win this fight!”

‘With the help of Faust,’ she adds mentally.

Small streams of blood flow through the dirt of the battlefield. Corpses and wounded soldiers are scattered everywhere. The scent of death is in the air. Equestria is no longer the peaceful Utopia it used to be. The almost pure, naive harmony - the essence of its existence - is disturbed, probably permanently.

After some quick successes achieved by Equestria’s army, which morale was boosted by the presence of its princess, their advances were stopped by a much more experienced griphon army. Griphon mercenaries fought back violently, machine-like without any passion, quickly discouraging the Equestrian troops, forcing them into the defense.

When the sun reached its peak the dynamic battle finally had turned into deadly static warfare. A few feet of ground costs hundreds of lifes. Lines of trenches divide the armies protected by several shields in a diversity of color, rivaling a rainbow. Between the fronts rays of magic, bolts and slingshot missiles penetrate the air with whistling noises. A second Verdun.

Luna, wearing plate armor decorated with the image of a crescent moon, her face showing concern, talks to one of her colonels in a tent near the battlefield.

“Your Majesty, I’m mister Insert, Self Insert, member of the 7th division” the handsome, beige-furred pegasus stallion smiles his toothpaste advertisement smile.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you,” Luna responds business-like manner, unaffected by his charm, “Report, soldier.”

His smile vanishes. “It doesn’t look too good. We suffered serious casualties at the western side of the front. Two whole platoons were encircled and surrendered.” He points his hoof at a gigantic strategic map resting on a table, a representation of the battlefield and the troop’s positions. Several small figures adorn it, moving magically across.

"Oh, and we started building fortifications," he adds.

Absent-mindedly the lunar diarch stares at the motions.

'Every piece represents hundreds of lifes. My subject's lifes! It is my responsibility to protect them as their ruler... Isn't it cynical I just sit here, being one of Equestria's most powerful mages, and fiddle with my hooves? I was Nightmare Moon! Where is the past's glory? I have to set an example! I have to earn my place. *AGAIN.*'

“Princess Luna... Princess? Your Majesty?”

Self is astonished by the sudden silence.

“If you want a thing done well, do it yourself...” she whispers to herself and trots to the entrance.

“PRINCESS one does not simply defeat the griphon army herself!”

“SHUT UP, PEASANT! WE WILL FIX THIS!” she snaps.

In the meantime a special guest is welcomed secretly in Mayor Void's mansion back in Liberty.