Where the hammer falls....

Cloud Kicker’s hooves clopped and echoed against the walls as she continued her mission. Behind her, the private had stayed behind, eyes wide with worry for his superior. At his request, she had relinquished her wing blades. As if that was that was needed to take…

“I’m…. coming… to get you…”

Cloud Kickers ears flicked as the words hit her ears. A few feet away, her family’s assailant was singing. Eyes blazing as her teeth ground, Cloud Kicker’s nostrils flared as she walked. But slowly, and though the she’d never admit it, the words, the tone…

“I’m… coming… to get you… Not another peep…. Time to go to sleep….”

Cloud gulped as cold laughter followed the word sleep. Before the cell doors, two identical pegasi stood, and even from her distance away from them, she could see them shake. While she didn’t blame them, they still needed a semblance of control. As she walked up, she felt her stomach drop and her heart twist. She knew both stallions, even under the golden armors enchantments. Celestia no… Cantering the rest of the way, she wrapped her hooves around the smaller of the two.

“I heard…”

The stallion nodded.

“She’ll… mom will be fine Ms. Cloud….” The opposite stallion cleared his throat, and the stallion Cloud Kicker was hugging gulped.

“I mean… thank you for your concern lieutenant Cloud.”

Snorting, Cloud rolled her eyes as she pulled away.

“Please Gusty… I was ten winters when I started sitting your stupid plot. I think that’s earned you the right to call me Cloud.”

Smiling bashfully, Gust scuffed his hoof against the floor.

“Okay… Cloud…”

The other stallion chuffed, and rolled his eyes. Cocking her brow, Cloud Kicker removed her helm, and walked up to the pegasi. Smiling, she drew him into a hug.

“And you, my little Gale. Look how big you’ve gotten. I can hardly wrap my hooves around you.”

The stallion snorted, and hugged the mare back, saying, “Yeah… it’s good to see you too Cloud.”

Sighing, Cloud unwrapped her forelegs, and took a couple steps back.

“But, I’m not here for that guys.”

Both stallions’ smiles faded, and looked at each other, then back at their superior. Putting her helm back on, Cloud’s eyes narrowed behind the eye slits.

“I trust you both know what needs to be done…”

Gust winced, and chewed his lip, but Gale’s kept his cool.

“We’re not you Clod. We both know there are some things bigger than our revenge, and right and wrong is definitely one of them.”

Cloud scowled, her eyes flashing.

“I’d watch your tone private.”

Gale, undaunted, stepped forward, and looked down at his former foal sitter. Slowly, he shook his head.

“No Cloud. It’s wrong.”

“Why?”

Gale rumbled a moment, and then sighed.

“The… whatever it is that’s in that cell… It’s sick, Cloud. Something…. Something got a hold of it real bad. What it did… it was awful, but it’s not it’s fault.”

Cloud snorted, and shook her head.

“Fine. You don’t want part this, then I’ll…”

As she spoke, Cloud Kicker took a step forward, only to be stopped by Gust, who shook his head.

“I’m… I’m not going to let you lieutenant.”

Cloud’s eyes widened, and she took a step back.

“You… you know I could force you…”

Gale’s eyes flashed, and he scowled.

“Two on one doesn’t look too good for you Cloud.”

The mare’s eyes flashed, mouth beginning to open, when a soft voice said “Three, actually.”

Both stallions turned, but Cloud merely closed her eyes, wishing that the voice she heard wasn’t…

“Your highness…” both stallions prostrated themselves before the alicorn, and smiling, she raised a hoof.

“Arise good sirs.”

Cloud smiled, and turned around.

“Hey Lu.”

Both stallions jumped up, mouths working as they tried to make their protest to such idle use of their diarchs name, but Luna giggled.

“You needn’t bother. Her words have no edge.”

Fluttering her wings at her side, the dark blue alicorn cantered up, and firmly pressed her lips to the mares as both stallions jaws dropped. Closing her own eyes, Cloud Kicker leaned into the kiss, opening her mouth slightly to twine her tongue with Luna’s…

FWUMPH!

Both mares looked at the males, and then quickly covered their respective eyes with a wing, both giggling. Before them, the two stoic sentries sat, eyes wide and jaws still slack, both displaying their wings at full length, giving testament to the state of their… appreciation for Luna’s greeting for Cloud Kicker. Gale and Gust yelped, and stammered out apologies as they stumbled back. Wings refusing to budge from their state, both stallions made claims of being needed elsewhere in the castle, and made a hasty retreat.

Cloud Kicker pressed a hoof to her chest, her eyes fluttering. Giving a slight flick of her tail to the left, she glared at her Princess.

“Hey… was that really necessary?”

Luna smiled, giving a small shrug of her wings.

“Oh, I thought they deserved a bit of a thrill. Most of your clan has the good sense and manners to duck out when I’m working you over.”

Right eye twitching, Cloud Kicker ran a hoof through her mane along the back of her neck. Because of various trials in her interim as an officer, she had been unable to get herself into regulation recently. She meant to do so today, but… as her thoughts ran, she realized she was staring at Luna’s tail. Biting her lip, she whimpered slightly, then straightened her features and posture as Luna turned to look at her, her head cocked slightly to the left, a concerned look across her muzzle.

“Cloud, are you all right?”

Cloud grinned, her right eye beginning to twitch again, and said in a strained voice, “Yep! Peachy, never better ma’am!”

Luna sighed, and her features hardened. In an instant, Cloud’s rampant desires were cooled once again by an alicorn.

Uh-oh.

Luna stepped forward, and muzzle inches from her lovers, said “I know what you were about to do Cloud.”

Cloud gulped, and smile fading, took a couple steps back.

“Luna, what are…?”

A sad look across her face, the alicorn pressed a hoof to her lips.

“Spare me.”

Cloud Kickers haunch slumped, her wings going limp at those two words. While she and Luna were sometimes lovers, she had made it quite clear she wasn’t looking for anything long term, even with Luna. While the alicorn was receptive to Clouds position and backed off, Cloud knew it was killing her. Alicorns were very possessive of their mates, and while Luna considered Cloud hers, all the Princess wanted was her happiness. As her mate, for Luna to call her out now…

Cloud Kicker gulped again. It wasn’t the punishment she was worried about. What hurt was the look of betrayal and disappointment on the alicorns face. Shaking her head, Luna walked past the mare, and working her magic, opened the door to the cell.

“We’ll…. Talk later soldier.”

…………………………………………………………………………………………………

Luna stood silently before her most recent capture, features neutral. In front of her, the strange creature glared at her, held down in a kneeling position. Below him, a circle and glyph had been made, and from its soft glow ghost like chains rose, holding the human tight. His arms were lashed behind his back, and held together with three brown straps, runes sketched into the faux leather. Around his head, the guards had place a half mask, the middle of the mask open with bars set in the middle allowing easier breathing and speech. Behind the hole, the human mouth was set into a sneer, and from between clenched teeth, a sort of dark smoke leaked, curling into the air.  But as it rose, about a foot over the humans head, the smoke suddenly was cut off, the magic of the circle barring its escape.

Behind his mask, the human, or rather the thing in him, grinned.

“Ahh, Luuunnnaaa….” Luna repressed a shudder as the raspy voice drew through sense like nails over a black board, the words and their tone seeming to rattle the alicorn's ear drums and sinuses in their place. Slowly, the humans head tilted to the side, and the voice softly said, “Or is it Nightmare…”

Raising a brow, Luna’s horn glowed as she slid the door’s bolt back into place, latching the heavy wood and iron door. As the latch clunked, runes flashed over the wood, and ethereal smoke rose from the carvings, curling and eventually dissipating into the air.  Walking forward, one brow raised, Luna stepped forward, and the human chuckled.

“I suppose I should feel honored, even if I’m even the presence of the spare.”

Eyes never leaving the human, Luna began to slowly walk around the edge of the circle. Closing his eyes, the Darkness snorted.

“So, where’s buffalo butt?”

“Oh, I thought I’d leave my sister out of this. Give you and me a chance to chat…” Luna said in a monotone, coming around to the humans back. The human nodded, and chuckled again.

“Yes, my dear Nightmare… you and I have so much in common…”

Right brow quirked, Luna asked pleasantly “Is that right?”

“Indeed…” the human’s eyes followed her as she came around, and as she sat in front of him, he rasped, “How many was it you killed? Thirty four, I believe?”

Luna’s eyes widened, and inside the host, the Darkness writhed in triumph. Suddenly, the beast stilled as the alicorn giggled, then covered her muzzle with a silver adorned hoof. Clamping the hoof back down, Luna shrieked with laughter, her entire body shaking. Face contorting behind the mask, the voice rasped, “You dare… mock me…”

Luna shook her head, opened a temporarily clenched eye, then fell into convulsions as she began laughing. Teeth now bared, the human struggled, and spat “Insolent whelp! Fledgling immortal! You dare mock such as I? I who watched creation itself be forged, who lived a thousand lifetimes, and will live a thousand more when you are not even a memory?”

Luna laugh slowly stilled, and she wiped a eye with a hoof.

“Ah me…” still chuckling, the Princess pressed a hoof to her chest, and looked at the human.

“You… you really thought that would get me, didn’t you? I expected more.”

The Darkness hissed, and struggled all the harder. Raising a brow again, Luna began to hum. Slowly the human began to slow, his eyes fluttering as the lullaby echoed through the room. As the human slumped to the side, and his eyes closed, Luna snorted. Those old songs worked every time. Walking into the circle, Luna pressed her horn to the humans shoulder, and closing her eyes, slipped into his mind.

........................................................

The feeling of whistling filled Luna’s ears as she descended. Further and deeper she pushed, the memories of the human filling her eyes. Wings outstretched fully, tilting slightly to adjust her through the winds of the youths dreams, visions began to appear in the fog she flew through. There, claws outstretched, only to turn to mist as they touched the alicorn. Over there, and furious face and blazing eyes. Horn covered in her dark blue aura, Luna banished the visages with a snort.

“My word beast. Surely thou could offer more of a challenge. I can feel it! Test me!”

Through the wind, a voice whispered, Insolent cunt! You cannot save him. He is mine!

Rolling her eyes, Luna pushed through a particularly rough patch of clouds, and as the visages parted before her, Luna giggled.

“I don’t even think he need’s me. Look’s like he’s giving you a run for your bits beast!”

He is nothing! You are nothing!

Luna’s cold smile locked in place as she finally broke through the coverings of the humans mind. Below, she could see a battle torn field, burnt buildings and tree’s dotting the hills. As she flew closer, sounds like dull thunder now filled her ears, and flashes of light pierced the haze. Closer and closer she drew, and the smell of blood and an odd smell she’d never known filled her nostrils. Now figures began to appear in the haze, on one hill a group of humans dressed in blue overcoats, in their hands odd sticks which boomed and flashed. As she flapped, slowing her descent, Luna heard human shouting orders or screeching in agony as the odd sticks the other humans  held flashed, and the blue coats fell. Eyes turning towards the other hill, Luna gasped.

The other humans were dressed either in deep blue or black, gold trim upon the shoulders, cuffs and boots. Some wore odd helmets, with a sharp spike at the top. Those who wore helms gave guttural groans and snarls, and around the others took positions behind masonry and broken fences. Why their words were unclear was obvious. The black suited humans had neither eyes, nostrils, or mouths. Despite this handicap, they seemed quite adept at the slaying of the light blue coated humans. Through the barrage and bedlam, a scream rang out, and Luna watched as a blue coat was dragged into the black coats trenches by two opposing brutes, kicking helplessly as a bag was pushed over his head. Eyes narrowing, Luna shifted into her mist form, and followed the two black coats.

………………………………………………..

The soldier was forced to kneel next to his fellows, a choked sob issuing forth. Taking a sentry position, the black coat stood as it’s commander paced in front of the five captives. Slowly, it’s hand fell to the rugar at its side, and undoing it clasp, the commander drew his weapon. Pressing it to the first captives temple, he paused. The back of the captive’s head blew open, splattering the wall of the trench behind him, and as the former soldier collapsed, the commander took a side, pressing the rugar to the temple of the bag covered head of the captive.

The newest captive cried out as each shot filled the air, and though it happened in moments, it seemed and eternity. Another side step…

“Oh God…. Please….”

The soldier screamed as another comrade fell. Through the burlap, he felt a hard and still hot barrel press to his temple. The soldier’s began to pray.  An odd whistling filled the air, and the sentry jerked back, a steel jet black feather jutting from its forehead. Looking up, the commander turned his side arm to the forehead of an alicorn. Right brow jutting, Luna gave a cheerful smile.

“Hi there.”

The commander tilted his head to the right. A blur of motion arced through the air… the commander screeched as the end of Luna’s mane solidified, piercing the creatures wrist too the trench walls.  Fingers opening in reflex, the commanders weapon fell harmlessy to the dirt, and wrapping the opposing hand around the mane, the creature fruitlessly began trying to tug it out. Another blur, this time from Luna’s side.  The commander jerked once, then its hand slid off the mane. Slowly it’s head tilted back, then further, a slit appearing at its throat. Further and further the head tilted till it fell with dull thud to the floor , the human jerking as the sound of its arrival further rattled his nerves. Lowering her head to the now detached cranium, Luna grimace. Under a thin covering of translucent skin, she watched as the things eye rolled wildly a moment, then locked with the alicorns gaze. Raising her head, with her hoof along with it, Luna held the hoof over the commander head. It’s eyes widened as the hoof quickly fell. The body, still standing, convulsed as the alicorn’s hoof cleaved it’s head in twain, and as its brain jutted out around Luna’s blow, the commander collapsed fully, though its wrist was still held in place.

Scowling, Luna jerked her mane from the arm, and with a hiss, the creatures blood turned to smoke and dissipated of the star sparkled fur. Turning to the remaining human, Luna gently took the burlap sack around his head and gently pulled. Smiling around the end in her mouth, Luna gently lifted the humans head with a hoof under his chin, then gaped, the burlap sack falling to the ground. The human, from what she could tell, was only fifteen or sixteen, his once youthful face held together now by black thread. One eye had been sewn shut, though the other was leaking tears of gratitude.

“Gol, blimey! I’ve seen a lot of odds and end’s out ‘ere in this place, but tain’t never seen nothing ‘ike ‘ou ‘efore! Well, you certainly are a pretty girl, ain’t ya! What ‘ou doin’ out here girl?”

Luna giggled, pressing her hoof now to the humans mouth, and said “Peace, young one.”

The humans jaw fell, his good eye widening.

“Goh, and she bloody talks! Brilliant!”

…………………………………………………………………………………….

Luna followed silently behind her guide, eyes now taking in the scene around her. Though the battle was still going on, it was further and further away as they walked, and as they moved, the human, whose named she learned was Tom, prattled on.

“Yes siree, miss Luna! I’ve seen a lot of beasties out here, but nothing like you! ‘ell and thunder, yur even an odder one then that yank who showed up here not ‘oo long ago.”

Luna’s ear twitched at the mention of the word yank, and her muzzle puckered.

“I beg your pardon!”

Looking over his shoulder, Tom rolled his one good eye, but continued his trek.

“ ’ou know. Yank! Yankee, American! Allie to our Queen and country to wot! Though ‘is one ain’t been much use out here. Just been… well, talking to us. Asking us where we’re from, what sort of stuff we like, friends and family ‘e miss. Lads were right at odd’s ‘ith ‘im at first, right so! But now, he’s one of the team!”

As they crested the hill, Tom nodded in indication.

“Home sweet home and all that!”

…………………………………………………………………………..

Luna sighed as she walked amongst the ruined souls who occupied the village. A few gazed off in the distance, not answering when she spoke, lost in their own minds. Though most drew a circle around the two as they entered, greeting Tom and his guest. Through the throng, a rather large human walked, and Luna could see he was missing an arm. Putting on a pair of bifocals, the human patted on the back. Puffing out a ring of smoke from the pipe clenched in his teeth, the human gave an approving nod.

“By Job son, a fine nag you’ve netted yourself!”

Tom, grinning widely, saluted.

“Why…. Thank you sir.”

Luna turned her gaze to him, and whickered in annoyance.

“Tom!”

Everyone gasped, a handful taking a step back, including their commander, the rest drawing their rifles. Sputtering in indignation, the captain pulled the pipe from his lips, and shouted “Tom! Dash it all man, when did you bloody have time to learn to throw your voice!”

Eyes narrowing, Luna said “He didn’t”

…………………………………………………………………………

Still puffing on his pipe, the captain strode next to the alicorn, leading her too her target. Looking at her out of the corner of his eye, the human said “Poor boy. Been having a bit of a rough patch, learning about us. Pretty sure he’s the first to try.”

Undoing a lock, the captain sighed, and held open the door. As Luna passed, he said “This fellow… all he’s done is try to help us. He’s tried all he could for us weak and weary souls. He’s fought like a demon against this thing that holds us, and is getting ready for our final push. He says he just needed the right moment.”

Luna nodded, then jumped slightly as the door closed, then locked once more. Turning, she regarded the kneeling human. Before him, a wooden cross leaned against the wall, candles flickering around it. Between the candles, photo’s lay, humans smiling and laughing upon them. The human raised his head, and regarded the cross.

“Princess Luna, I presume.”

The alicorn nodded, and stood next to the human.

“And you are… Gabriel, correct?”

The human nodded, then slowly rose.

“I know your intent, alicorn. You seek to rid me of its soul and mind, and leave its powers intact. We’ve been waiting for you Luna. We’ll need all the help we can get for our final push.”

Luna nodded, and turning, walked to the door. Outside, the captain unlatched it, revealing the gathered soldiers. As the two stepped out, a cheer rang through the gathered force. Today was the day this hell was over.

..........................................................

Within the walls of its home, the Darkness lay. With invisible threads, it bound the wicked souls its taken to it and set them to the task of its protection. For countless millennia, through countless hosts, it had taken good and evil alike, watching in delight as the two forces collided in front of its home. But the Esticado’s… even decades later, it had not for a moment been bored of this new board or its pieces. Jackie was the closest to controlling it, the Darkness thought, its mood souring somewhat. But it lifted again quickly. What despair that Luna would feel when she found she’d… what? What is that?

The Darkness shivered as one of its souls was suddenly severed. What is this? A push? Focusing its will, it watched as tanks began climbing the hills, the soldiers he’d been toying making their way towards him. And… they were singing?

Mine own eyes have seen the glory

Of the coming of the Lord!

He is trampling out the vintage where the grapes of wrath are stored

He hath loosed the fateful lightning of His terrible swift sword:

His truth is marching on

Feeling their master’s shudder, the creatures hissed in agitation, taking a couple steps back. The meat had never been like this before. Through their noise, voices rang:

I have seen Him in the watch-fires of a hundred circling camps,

They have builded Him an altar in the evening dews and damps;

I can read His righteous sentence by the dim and flaring lamps:

His day is marching on.

The black screeched in fury, and began stamping their feeting. Seeing the enemy undettered, commanders ordered troops to hold the walls. As the tanks drew up over the hills, they opened fire, and through the dinge of its rhythm, more singing was heard from the tank crews:

I have read a fiery gospel writ in burnished rows of steel:

"As ye deal with my contemners, so with you my grace shall deal;

Let the Hero, born of woman, crush the serpent with his heel,

Since God is marching on.

The Darkness’s thrall slowly began to rise again, then step back. Along the tanks, the allies kneeled, taking shots at the creatures. This time, the black coats comrades did not rise again. Why? What has happened?

He has sounded forth the trumpet that shall never call retreat;

He is sifting out the hearts of men before His judgment-seat:

Oh, be swift, my soul, to answer Him! be jubilant, my feet!

Our God is marching on.

More and more, the allie’s came. From the bunkers, the hills. From burnt remnants of old villa’s they marched. Screams began again from the black coats, this time of anguish. Weapons dropped from shaking palms, and the creatures turned, and began to retreat. Some threw themselves from the cliffs, others hid among the hills. Luna and Gabriel were the last to crest the hill, the alicorns eyes glowing white, her horn in its aura of blue. Holding up his pole, Gabriel unfurled his flag, and as the banner fluttered in the wind, the alicorn reared up on her hooves. From her horn, a beam of light shot, piercing the clouds. Holding the flag high, Gabriel sang

In the beauty of the lilies the Son was born across the sea,

With a glory in His bosom that transfigures you and me.

As He died to make men holy, let us die to make men free,

While God is marching on.

A horrific shriek echoed from the castle, and the ground rumbled as light touched it. With a horrific crash, the castles draw bridge cracked, and fell down into two split pieces.

So… boy… a voice echoed. You’ve won…. All that was mine is yours… Take it, I say…. And with it all its blessings and curses. But do you think you have any place in this world?

Gabriel shrugged, and smiled.

“God gives us trials, to test our faith. Its not too late for you either you know. Please… whatever you’ve done, there’s still time…”

A cold chuckle echoed.

Foolish child...  Not even God can forgive all I’ve done… What you allowed me to do…

“If you say so…” Gabriel sighed, and crossed his arms.

“But… even if that is true… Even if God doesn’t… I do. I hope we’ll meet in the long tomorrow.”

Maybe boy…  So long…

Another shudder rocked the earth, and with a great crash, the castle began to collapse upon itself. From the sudden fall, a great plume of dust of ash belched forth. Everyone gathered turned, covering themselves. As the air stilled, a new voice echoed.

“Free… I’m free…”

Before them, a soldier struggled from the rubble. Standing amongst the ruined stone, he held his arms over his head.

“Free!”

Around Gabriel, tank crews crawled from their charges as foot soldiers dropped their weapons, and looked up. Slowly, they began to fade as light touched them. Looking down, tears streaming down his cheeks, the soldier yelled, “Hey, whats your name kid?”

“Gabriel!”

“I’m Anthony Esticado! Thanks. You and your friend have done more for us then any of us could repay. So, see you at home kid.”

And with that, Anthony raised his head up once more, a smile across his face as he closed his eyes, relishing the warmth.

“Home…”