My Little Warzone: Betrayal Part 1

Chapter Five: Revelation

CANTERLOT CASTLE
TIME: 1200 HOURS

The purple hot air balloon finally reached the castle. Twilight Sparkle's glow emitting from her horn dimmed a little, and Molokus noticed the balloon was slowly losing altitude. Within a couple of minutes, it touched down. Axis stepped out of the small gondola, stretching out his arms and legs, relieved he could get out of that cramped compartment.

But before the two could even notice what was going on. Several grey stallions surrounding them, their golden armor gleaming in the sunlight. "Drop your weapon!" barked one of the larger ones. Molokus nodded and quickly unclipped the Fulcrum from his waist, he then removed the magazine from the rifle, and cocked it, ejecting a single, golden-colored bullet. He then proceeded to place it on the ground, a unicorn guard ran over, and using his magic picked up the weapon.

"Look...I mean you no harm. I'm the defect." Molokus said strongly. The soldier that ordered him to put his gun down then responded, "But how do we know you're not trying to fool us." Axis smiled, and said "Would a normal Union soldier ever hand someone else his gun?" The soldier then glared at the creature before turning around.

"Look, all we want to do is talk to Princess Celestia." declared the lavender unicorn. The soldier simply nodded, and said "Come with me." the two followed them into the castle.

Molokus and Twilight then reached the large wooden doors leading to the royal bedroom. He was nervous about seeing one drunk princess, but two! It was just too awkward, even for a soldier like him.

Twilight stared in disbelief, both of them looked tired, bags under their eyes. Luna was holding a bottle with a clear liquid in it, a small cup barely larger than a shot glass levitating next to her. Celestia had a silver whiskey flask, she quickly took a drink. "W-what do you want?" Asked the white alicorn, she didn't know who it was. "A-are you going to talk to m-me about that soldier...he g-got what he deserved." she then mumbled to herself, "Serves h-him right for calling me a w-whorse."

Axis managed to overhear, and asked "Well...I have met a couple of those guards...and they did said you acted a little...um..." Molokus faced the ground, nervousness pasted on his face, and mumbled "Slutty..." The white alicorn then threw the flask with all her might, hitting the soldier in the head, and spilling some of the golden whisky on his snout and forehead. "Ow...hey! What the hell was that for?" Celestia didn't respond, she simply glared at him.

"Well, can you at least tell me what happened?" Celestia's anger quickly melted into despair. She then began, "There was s-some old guard that was at C-Canterlot Cafe, he was speaking to a friend. H-he called me a whorse, a hoe. H-hell, he e-even said the Union g-guards nicknamed me 'Slutty C-Celestia'." Molokus couldn't help but chuckle at that. He then returned to his serious state, then said "Well, I'm sure that can be re-"

Out of nowhere a massive explosion seemingly tore into the castle. Causing the tiles to shake violently. Twilight, nervous, wrapped around Molokus' leg. "What happened?!" Twilight screamed, she was scared pale. All of the sudden, the mumbles heard from Axis and Celestia were stopped. A bright flash began as another explosion hit the wall, sending princess Luna flying across the room.

"No! L-Luna!" screamed Celestia, very wobbily, she ran over to her sister. Molokus' back heated up, and noticed that there was an immense amount of fire in the room. He looked as a fireball shot over head, flying out a window, into the distance. "W-what's going on?" screamed Twilight.

"Fireballers...shit, we got to get out of here!" Yelled Axis. He immediately grabbed Twilight and Celestia, who was holding her smaller sister in her arms. As they ran out of the castle. They looked in terror as several APCs and tanks rolled through the streets of Canterlot. All of the sudden, several of the machine guns started firing into the buildings, splintering the wooden panelling surrounding them.

"We need to go!" Yelled Axis, they quickly ran over to the balloon. And boarded it. Molokus had barely any room so Twilight sat on top of the balloon, where another, smaller gondola sat. Using her magic, she somehow managed to lift all four of them off the ground. Another fireball shot past their head as Axis saw an M-5 Dragonsbreath's barrel pointing straight towards the balloon.

He didn't have his rifle, he just used his revolver and shot several times, but it was useless. They were in a balloon, traveling over an endless army of soldiers. Luna's body was heavily scarred and burned as Celestia started weeping. The balloon, after what seemed like hours, finally managed to get out of range of the guns, and towards Ponyville.

CAROUSEL BOUTIQUE
TIME: 1240 HOURS

The white mare just sat on her sofa, rocking back in forth nervously as Opalescence lay quietly on her lap. I hope she's okay... Rarity thought, I should've been there...This whole thing would've been my fault if I just didn't let her go to the port with that colt and Scootaloo. Rarity began crying once more. All of the sudden, a knock on the door, she asked who it was, and the response made her quiet instantly.

"It's Dr. Silverstar, it's regarding your sister, Sweetie Belle." Rarity had been dreading this moment. She opened the door, and standing there was a light-grey unicorn stallion, with his magic, he was holding something, a bouquet of roses. "I'm very sorry, Miss Rarity...but you're sister, Sweetie Belle...she...she didn't make it..." Rarity just stood there, shocked. Her heart had just shattered into a million pieces. "S-she...she's d-dead?" asked the weeping unicorn. Dr. Silverstar silently and sullenly nodded.

Rarity collapsed onto the floor in front of the doctor. "N-no...she c-can't be...she was j-just so young." sobbed the purple-maned pony. "I'm very sorry, Miss Rarity. We tried every procedure possible to help her, but her injuries were just too severe. No one on the list was an available blood donor. I'm sorry for your loss." The stallion was suddenly ambushed as Rarity locked him into a tight embrace as she began crying into his shoulder.

"A-am I able to s-see her?" asked the torn mare. The doctor nodded and she slowly followed him until they reached the hospital.

They walked into the ICU room she was in, and Rarity saw a small figure on the bed, over her body was a white, linen sheet. Rarity slowly walked over, and pulled it off as she saw her sister's lifeless body laying on the bed. "Y-you look so peaceful, Sweetie Belle..." said Rarity weakly. She immediately broke down, resting her head on the smaller unicorns soft belly.

"I should've been there w-with you. I'm so sorry this h-happened to y-you..." Rarity said. The doctor then said to her, "I'm terribly sorry for your loss. I know what it's like..." the stallion looked down as tears began rolling down his cheeks. "My brother was killed before my very eyes." sobbed the doctor. Together, in unison as it seemed, they started crying. Rarity eventually recomposed herself before going home.

She got inside, and went into her kitchen. Using her magic, she pulled a large knife from the butcher block on her counter. She then levitated it over to her. She pressed the blade against her skin, right below her forehooves, and pulled the knife back. She cried in pain, then looked at the bleeding cut on her foreleg. "I-if this is what I must suffer to be w-with Sweetie Belle, then s-so be it." Sobbed the unicorn. She then cut her wrist 2 more times, then cut three on the other. She then laid on the ground, and closed her eyes, imagining how happy she would be with Sweetie Belle in the heavens.

She then heard a knock on the door, "Anypony home?" asked a mare from outside. She had a southern accent, Applejack. Several minutes passed, and another knock was heard. "Rarity, are ya okay?" asked the orange earth pony again. Moments later, the door was thrown open. Applejack walked all around, her 3 family members followed.

Applejack screamed in horror of what laid before her eyes. Rarity was lying on the ground, a small puddle of blood began to surround her, she had 3 cuts on each wrist. "We need to get ya to the hospital, sugarcube." said the orange mare hastily. "N-no...I want to b-be with her..." gasped Rarity. "Her?" Applejack asked. "S-Sweetie Belle...she's...she's gone... I can't live in a world w-without my precious sister...I'm not going to t-the hospital." wheezed the white mare. Applejack knew she was serious, but she didn't know what to do.

"L-look...Ah feel awful about yer sister...Ah maht've done the same thing...but we're put on this world for a reason. That doesn't mean you should kill yourself." said Applejack, tears rolling down her eyes. Rarity wanted to object, but she couldn't speak, Applejack noticed as she started to black out. "Come on, sugarcube, we need to get ya to the hospital." Applejack picked up the unicorn and flipped her onto her back. She then started into a sprint and ran towards Ponyville Hospital.

Applejack couldn't do anything about the cuts on her friend's wrists. So she simply wrapped her mane around her forelegs as they ran into the hospital. By the time they got there, her mane was soaked in the unicorns blood, and Rarity had passed out. "This pony's lost a lot of blood. Ah need some help!" gasped the worn out mare, moments later, two doctors came rushing out from a pair of double doors with a hospital bed. They quickly lifted the white mare and put her on the bed, then wrapped bandages around her wrists. The nurse at reception then said "There's a bathroom over there, so you can wash..." the nurse pointed towards Applejack's bloodstained mane "That..."

She went over to the bathroom to wash the unicorn's blood from her mane, then walked over to the room her friend was in. She sat next to the bed, and thought All of this. Rarity cutting herself, those soldiers burning our farm down. It's just too much. The orange earth pony began quietly weeping, Granny Smith, Big Macintosh, and Applebloom were there too, and they as well, began sobbing.

UNION-MARKED AIR TRAFFIC ROUTE BRAVO 79
TIME: 1300

They had managed to get out of Canterlot, but the 4 realized that, if they ever got back, the city would lie in ruin. The only one that didn't care was Molokus. "Do you think we'll ever be able to make it back?" Asked Twilight bleakly. "I don't know, and I really don't want to know. Celestia and Luna will be killed on sight, I'll be killed on sight, and you'll be arrested for treason if we ever made it back. So who gives a damn?" Asked Axis, slightly annoyed.

"Well, I think princess Celestia could make a change, even if-" Twilight was cut off by Axis, who immediately yelled "Your princesses are Goddamn drunks who screwed up once too many! Can't you see that?" Princess Celestia then argued, "Y-you have no i-idea how hard it is to run the e-entire planet. You ungrateful piece of shit!" Molokus simply glared at her, and with a harshly worded "Fuck you." turned around.

Twilight couldn't take it anymore. It's only been 45 minutes and they've been at each other's throats. I don't think I can take much more of this. thought the lavender pony.

Molokus then immediately shot up. "I think I heard something...not sure if it's what I think it is...but sounds like...jets..." said the Aerisan ominously. They were absolutely silent for several minutes, Twilight heard it too, then Celestia, then Luna. Before they even knew what happened, the jet faded away and out came an eardrum-shattering "WOPWOPWOPWOPWOPWOPWOPWOP!" They immediately ducked as a Halberd shot passed them, Twilight noted some strange black shapes at the wing roots.

"What is that?!" screamed the purple filly. "They're the Halberd's attack sirens. They use those to let their targets know they're there. We're that target." Axis replied, all of the sudden the alarm became louder as the same fighter passed, it's miniguns ablaze, nearly shredding through the balloon.

All of the sudden, Luna yelled in pain as a bullet grazed her back as the Halberd came in for a third pass. "We have to get out of h-" Molokus didn't get time to finish as the bullets tore through the balloon, causing it to deflate. Twilight fell off the side of the balloon before being caught by Axis. He then put his foot on the side and yelled "Jump!" Axis looked down at the blue ocean with despair, then they leaped out of the balloon, over a body of water. The two princesses managed to use their wings as parachutes, Twilight, however, was still falling. Molokus formed a diving position after grabbing the filly. Seconds later, they hit the water.

Molokus broke the surface and gasped, he looked over and saw a beach not too far away from them. The seconds the princesses surfaced, he swam over and they followed, until eventually reaching the beach.

They got to the shore about an hour later, and saw that they weren't alone. It was a small coastal town, several ponies were just simply walking around, a couple that was walking along the beach immediately found them, they bowed towards Celestia and Luna, and gave a friendly smile to Twilight and Axisus. They followed the couple to their home.

"So...what are you doing out here so far? Especially you two." Asked the stallion of the couple, pointing towards Celestia and her sister. Molokus then quickly responded "Look...we were at Canterlot. But the Union invaded and destroyed the castle, we managed to get away, but we were shot down, that's how we got here. Wait...do you even know what the Union is?" The couple nodded at Axis' question, the mare replied "Yes...we are well aware, especially of the events that had happened in Canterlot, Ponyville...and Crawson." The last two words were choked out, Axis especially knew that name.

"By God..." Molokus quickly put his head in his hands. The ponies acknowledged, but then looked at Celestia. "So...princess..." They then noticed the princess's looks, the bags under her eyes, her trembling lips, everything about her they knew something was wrong. Luna said she had to go to the bathroom, and they could hear her vomiting. The second the white alicorn opened her lips, they could smell the strong stench of whiskey in her breath, they realized what was wrong.

"Princess...have you been...drinking?" asked the couple in unison. Celestia just weakly nodded, before falling over. Her student just looked at them and nodded very discretely.

"Well...I suppose there's some...issues...I suppose you can stay here until you're all able to get up on your feet." Axis nodded and smiled, Twilight as well. They just picked up the princess and followed the couple to the guest bed, doing the same to Luna when they saw her with her head next to the toilet

PONYVILLE HOSPITAL
TIME: 1400 HOURS

The 4 members of the Apple family were put in the waiting room, Applejack bit her lower lip nervously, worried about the state of her friend. A few minutes later, Dr. Silverstar came into the small room and said "You're very lucky she was able to get here in time. By the time we started giving her a blood transfusion we noticed she had lost almost a pint of blood." Applejack was about to speak up, but the unicorn wasn't finished. "I'm afraid that your friend, Rarity, will have to stay in the hospital for a bit longer." The orange earth-pony spoke up "W-what?! But why?"

The doctor looked at her in the eye, and said "Your friend was trying to kill herself. I'm sorry but the law requires that anypony that has suicidal thoughts or actions needs to stay in the hospital for a while, just so he/she can rehabilitate. And, since your friend slit her wrists and tried to kill herself, that's what we need to do..." The mare simply nodded, torn between anger at the doctor for not letting her see her friend, but also sadness for what her friend has done to herself. She then looked up, and said a simply-worded "Fine." The doctor nodded, and the ponies walked out of the hospital.

"Do you think she's gonna be okay, sis?" Asked a watery-eyed Applebloom. Applejack just sighed and said "Ah don't know...Ah just c-can't believe she would d-do somethin' like this." Homeless and heartbroken, the 4 walked the distance to Rainbow Dash's house.

Applejack quietly knocked on the door...nothing. She then knocked harder onto the door, still nothing. Using her strong rear-legs, the orange earth pony bucked the door open, making it fly off it's hinges, they walked into the cloud house, and stood in the entrance to Rainbow Dash's house. "I didn't answer for a reason!" Yelled the annoyed pegasus as she walked into the foyer.

"There's a problem though, Rainbow..." replied Applejack. "All of our apple trees got burned down, meaning we have to sell the farm for the little money we can get. If that's not makin' things even a little bit worse, Rarity's sister is dead, and she tried killin' herself. So now we're homeless, and we got a friend that's gonna be in the hospital for a week 'cause she's suicidal." The cyan pony's irritated expression disappeared as her jaw hung open, she then put her head down.

"Oh...I-is there anything I can do to help?" The pegasus began crying, "We'll be stayin' at the hospital for a bit to keep up with Rarity. But we also need somewhere to sleep. So Ah was wonderin' if we could stay at your place..." replied Applejack with mutual feelings. "Well...I only have my bed and a 2 bed guest room...So I guess Granny Smith can sleep in my bed...Big Macintosh and Applebloom can sleep in the guest room...and...oh, wait...where will you sleep?" Asked Rainbow Dash. Applejack looked up to her and said "I'll sleep on the couch...But where will ya sleep with Granny Smith in your room?" The blue pony faced her and said "It's big enough...so why don't we sleep on the couch together?" Applejack nodded, and they walked into the cloud-house.

They talked very little during their stay. Applejack for the next couple of days simply stayed with Rarity at the hospital. Big Macintosh, Granny Smith, and Applebloom hung around the house with nothing else to do. It was a very boring lifestyle, considering that Rainbow Dash was gone all the time. But they stayed at her house for a while after that. Hoping, one day, they could return to there farm.

SERBINGTON
TIME: 0600 HOURS

Several ponies looked in awe as they saw a blue figure running across the beach. His large, 3 toed feet seeming to slide effortlessly on the sand with every step he took. Several asked Molokus what he was doing, he would just shout "P-T-ing" and continue running. "What's 'P-T'?" asked a mare that was walking with what seemed like her husband, he shook his head, showing he didn't know.

He had been running for an hour now, it seemed that he was heading to the couples home where he stayed at with Twilight Sparkle, as well as the two princesses, something that you don't see every day in their small town. They then noticed he passed them several times, and realized that the blue creature was running laps. After the fourth lap, Axis came back to their home. The Aerisan walked in, his blue skin glistening with sweat, he went to the couple's kitchen to get some water.

The lavender unicorn was just sitting on a couch, reading a book. Typical, thought Molokus, She should get outside more... Twilight then realized that the creature had come into the den she was in, looking at her disapprovingly. "What's wrong, Axis?" Asked the filly. Molokus just shook his head, and said "You really should get out more, you know, so you can tone that shape. You don't want to be heavy, do you?" He then remembered that it was six in the morning, no one would want to run that early in the morning. "Yeah...but I just find this book so interesting. You know?" Replied Twilight.

Molokus let out a sigh of frustration, knowing this is going to be a tough one. "Look...I understand it's early...but I run 2 miles every morning, like how I just did 15 minutes ago..." He then flexed his arms and legs, showing his powerful muscles. "And, when you do that in the morning...you could get these..." He flexed again. "I understand...you don't have to boast about it." Axis facepalmed, and said "I'm expressing to you that you could be well toned like me, if you work out....but that's besides the point...how's our two princesses?"

The lavender filly replied "Princess Celestia is still in bed, she said she's really hung over and that she doesn't want to be talked to. Luna...I think was taken to a clinic down the street last night...me...as you can see, I'm still here." Molokus nodded, smiled, but then frowned. He began "Well...I have some news for the princess...but if she's got a hangover...then I'll talk to her about it later." Molokus then looked into the sky, "She needs to raise the sun in a half hour, anyways."

25 minutes had passed, so Molokus decided to head into the bedroom the princess was in. It was odd to see such a regal figure staying in such a small, ordinary room. "Ugh...what do you want?" groaned the alicorn. Molokus then began "Princess...I think we might be able to return to Canterlot within a couple of days." the hungover princess's tired eyes shot up. "H-how?" she asked, the Aerisan then began to tell her that the Union clears out after a couple days of siege. "They realize there's no point...the Union's generous, they don't enjoy the spoils of war...they take what they need, and leave." Said the alien.

Celestia nodded weakly, and said "But my sister is being treated for her injuries. But...perhaps we could leave here soon enough, and go to repair the castle!" Her usual subtle smile had turned into a large grin. Molokus, too, smiled. "And...I don't know how to repay you...I mean...you've done so much for us, just..." the majestic mare locked him into a tight hug "Thank you." The blue creature smiled, and said "Ya know...I think as a repayment...I could help you." Celestia wore a confused expression. "W-...what do you mean?" asked the princess. "I mean, I could help you by leading your army." replied Molokus, "And I'm not talking just about being your personal guards. I mean frontline service, fighting against the Union. Unfortunately...they're not prepared for that...I've seen them in the castle before. If I put one of your ponies in a headlock, he'll freak out and probably have an accident..." Celestia let out a small chuckle.

"Yes...that would help a lot...thank you." On all fours, she was more than a foot shorter than him, but when she stood on her hindlegs, her face meet his, and they hugged. They then continued for the day, sorting out which day would be best to leave, how they would leave, and what to do when they got to Canterlot. "So...I understand there will probably be a rebuilding of the city, seeing the damage the Union's caused. I think we should hold a celebration the day we finish." Suggested the happy Aerisan. The white alicorn smiled, and said "That actually sounds delightful, but we should also come on terms with your other suggestion. I will let you lead my army, but first you must begin by training new recruits. As long as you be as orthodox as possible." Molokus agreed and smiled.

For the next couple of days, they worked together with locals of the small town: Serbington, for a mode of transportation. The balloon was lost at sea, causing them to cut that out. After 2 days of endless frustration, Molokus then spoke to Celestia, "Wait...don't you have some ability to teleport?" The princess looked at him nervously, then asked "The Union is still clearing through Canterlot, aren't they?" Molokus replied, saying "I doubt it...they usually only spend a day or two, making sure all of the citizens are cleared out. Some guards say they go to the Everfree forest as an evacuation exercise, perhaps they're there, meaning we could head over to Canterlot." "But Luna...she's still in the hospital I-" "I went there yesterday, they said she'd be out at 1200 hours, meaning in about 5 minutes." Celestia smiled sweetly, then said "Thank you."

They went to the small clinic down the street, where they saw a dark-blue pony standing out from the rest. Besides the bandaging around her legs and midsection, she looked like same-old Luna.

About an hour later, they had all gathered their things. Twilight decided to take the book Axis saw after his morning run two days ago. But the rest had nothing, Molokus had quickly showered, something he never saw any other ponies do often, before donning his light grey vest. "Stand back." Declared the princess, she spread her legs out and planted her feet. Within a couple minutes, her horn began to glow, and a high-pitch noise was emitted from her white cusp. Eventually, the bodies of the four began to materialize, and before they knew it, they were back in the castle.

Molokus took a step before falling flat on his face, his legs felt like gelatin. "Sorry...teleportation can sometimes have side-effects on the ones who are involved." Molokus got up a few minutes later, and looked at the large hole ripped through the bedchambers. Standing before them was Canterlot, however, there was smoke, and several building were nothing but rubble.

Some ponies walked out from the buildings, dirty, scarred, but nonetheless okay. "Hey! It's princess Celestia!" yelled a pedestrian from down below, there was an immediate cheer. Molokus smiled as he looked at the princess, "How's it feel to be back?" he asked, jokingly. The princess let out a small chuckle, before they walked through and out of the castle.

She eventually walked in front of the castle, where a large crowd was gathering. "Citizens of Canterlot!" Began the white alicorn, "I am back from a small village after being shot down. I've seen the destruction that has been caused by the Union, and I assure you, we will repair it." She then nodded at Molokus, who walked up to the crowd, and bowed in respect. "Captain Axisus Jerovix Molokus, is now the leader of my royal army!" She declared, she looked at him, then said "We put possibly the fate of Equestria in your hands, captain. Can we trust you to protect us to your last breath?"

Molokus stood at attention while facing her, saluted, and declared "I, Captain Axisus Jerovix Molokus, former leader of Union Army Elite Corps task force 1-4-7, swear my loyalty to Princess Celestia and Luna, rulers of Equestria. I will serve the princesses, and the citizens of this land until the very end of my life. I will command the royal army with dignity, power, and patriotism. I will train soldiers to fight on the front line for their people and their freedom. I promise you will not be let down, I promise that I will overcome any obstacle forced in my path. And I promise to protect my princesses with honor." The commander's oath, the older princess had no idea how the Aerisan knew, let alone remembered the oath one must take to be appointed leader of the royal army. The crowd cheered, Celestia nodded, and Molokus dropped his salute and formed a parade-rest position.

"Captain Molokus," began Celestia and Luna, "You are now head of our royal army. You are no longer captain, you are now general. Congratulations." The creature bowed in gratitude, before standing up, and saying "I promise I will not fail." The crowd cheered as they noticed the soldiers coming through the streets from the Everfree forest. "Welcome! I'll be your new leader from now on." said the newly-appointed general to the group of soldiers. They nodded as they stood by him, and he headed back into the castle, same with the three others.

THE NEXT DAY:

ROYAL ARMY PROVING GROUNDS
TIME: 0500 HOURS

The group of 25 stallions stood in their armor, slacking a little, but besides that completely upright. They thought that their new leader would be a pushover, and then out he came.

Normally, a Union soldier merely wears his-or-her vest, rendering him-or-her the same as anypony else. However, he wore a black vest with the edges of the vest reaching his waist. He was holding an old rifle in his hands, he looked fine, but when he spoke, the recruits knew they weren't going to get treated well.

"Alright, maggots. ATTEN-HUT!" barked the commander. His shere height and looks made him look like a monster, but one of the stallions rudely said, "Pff. I doubt you'd do any better than the last commander, he at least had some balls when he went out there and got killed in action." several soldiers chuckled, this was the stallions first mistake.

Before he had any time to react, the commanders face was almost against his, his white, glaring eyes were narrowed, he barred his sharp, dagger-like teeth. "Look...you little disrespectful pile of shit, I don't give a damn whether the last commander was a brave man, or a pussy! You're going to follow orders, you got that you little punk?!" The soldier just stared at him, "Go ahead, try me!" second mistake. Before he had any time to register what was happening, the blue stallion was slapped across the face and knocked to the ground, a large welt on each side of his face from the butt of the drill-rifle.

Molokus then nodded and didn't take his glaring stare off the stallion until he returned to his position. "As I was saying. You're going to be put through the most miserable weeks of your life. You can leave if you want, only to show your parents that you couldn't even make them proud. Just looking at you makes me want to go throw up all over you. You're worthless, and soon you'll learn how a Union soldier trains." roared the general. Several felt shamed, and one began to sniffle, the soldier was immediately slapped by Molokus, "There's no crying in this unit, you got that?" asked the Aerisan. The almost-crying soldier nodded.

"There will be no crying, no whining, no complaining, and Celestia help me, if you say as much as one word about the service here is bad, I will have your little flank booted back to the hole you crawled out of. Am I clear?" Yelled Molokus, "Huh!" replied the soldiers. Molokus smiled, "Let's begin...Unit...Left face!" the soldiers pivoted to the left when Molokus finished the command. "For-ward, march!" barked the old soldier in acknowledgement. The 25 stallions started marching, general Molokus up front.

Little did they know that they were being watched by Princess Celestia, though, being right next to the castle, it's just how it works. Celestia wasn't sure why, but she seemed almost...infatuated by the Aerisan. His height, his well toned muscles, his strong athletic capability, his voice. Celestia started growing an almost insatiable lust for the creature, but, knowing from the events at the cafe, she knew what could happen if he spread word.

She watched attentively while the 26 did drills, the various colors and races of stallions marching as Molokus roared "Left...Left...Left, Right...Right Left...Left...Left Right..." After about a half hour, Molokus stopped, and they could hear a bell. "Alright!" started Axis, "That's it for morning drills...head to the mess for breakfast and head back here at 0600 hours. No earlier, no later. You got that?" the soldiers replied with a unified "Huh!" and headed to the mess hall.

The princess was proud of him, he seemed much more aggressive when it came to drills. However, she noticed one of the stallions had bruising on his cheeks, similar in shape to the buttstock of Molokus' drill rifle. She decided she should talk to him.

The Aerisan was sitting at his unit's table, not even eating, while the recruits chowed down. All of the sudden a trained guard went up to him and whispered in his ear. After a couple of minutes Molokus closed his eyes, nodded, then spoke to his unit, "Men...drill is cancelled, I have a matter I need to attend. You are to report to your barracks after breakfast and stay there until I say so." With that, he got up, and began the short walk to the castle.

The general walked into the throne-room of the castle. He had only been there once during a celebration, he couldn't remember which one, but was still struck in amazement by the place. The floor was sparkling white tile, every five feet or so was a guard standing at attention, and a red carpet in the middle headed straight down to the back of the massive room. Two thrones were there, accompanied by two princesses, a large, white chair for Princess Celestia, and a smaller midnight-blue chair for Princess Luna.

Normally the princess was happy, but she had a disapproving frown when she saw Axis standing by her. "General Molokus," began the regal mare. "I am disappointed to see your treatment of your soldiers. Do you think this is some sort of fight club? We do not hurt one another, is that understood?" Molokus chuckled and facepalmed, Celestia scowled at the creature for his rude behavior, but before she could say anything she was cut off by Molokus. "What, so you want me to give them candy and motivational speeches to train them? No! Look, a normal soldier always gets some rough treatment in basic training. I understand your use of contortion, control, and friendliness. But regardless, a soldier needs to know pain and humility to become well disciplined. When I bitch-slapped tha-"

Celestia cut off the soldier "Please use more appropriate language, you are talking to a princess, not some army buddy." Molokus glared at the princess, "Fine...when I slapped that soldier across the face, it was to teach him that he will get hurt if he's rude or disrespectful, telling him that he just needs to shut the hell up and do what I say." the alicorn just sighed, then said "Yes...but do you not find that at least a little...I don't know...unorthodox?" Molokus snapped back "If you're in a firefight, no one's going to give a damn how your acting...as long as you can protect yourself and your comrades. Same rules apply with training. If you don't like the way the Union does things, that's fine, but if the Union can launch a perfectly executed surprise attack on a port, then maybe they know a thing or two about training." The white alicorn glared at Axis for a moment, the creature returned the glare. She tried intimidating him, but the creature was more menacing than she was with his shere size and facial features.

"You better recompose yourself." suggested the princess, "Bite me!" snapped the soldier. Celestia instantly threw her hoof forward aiming for the Aerisan's unguarded gut, however, Axis grabbed her wrist and twisted her foreleg. The princess screamed in pain and Molokus dropped her leg. "Leave..." said the princess under her breath. Molokus stayed, and said "What was that?" He crossed the line. "I SAID LEAVE!" Celestia's fiery mane appeared again, her teeth barred, and her pupils dilated. Molokus slowly backed away, before turning around and walking out. The princess stamped her hoof in anger as her mane's colors returned, and she cooled down.

About 30 minutes later, Molokus walked back to the training camp and to his unit's barracks. "Alright! Hopefully you had enough time to complain about me, let's start inspection. ATTEN-HUH!" Barked the Aerisan general, every soldier stood up straight. Molokus passed each nervous soldier, sometimes nodding, sometimes glaring as he walked by. He sometimes would grab a soldier and straighten his neck, or give him a light kick in the leg to make him stand up straighter, but besides that it was just like any other inspection.

Molokus then stopped at the disrespectful stallion he had come across earlier that morning. Molokus glared at him, then looked at the welts on each cheek. He bent down so his face was directly across from his, and quietly, almost sweetly, said "That'll teach you a thing or two about respect, won't it?" The soldier nodded weakly, Axis screamed in his face "WHEN I ASK YOU A YES OR NO QUESTION, YOU REPLY ONLY WITH 'YES SIR' OR 'NO SIR', IS THAT CLEAR?" The trembling soldier said "Y-yes sir!" "Good." Molokus gave him a light tap on the cheek, enough to make him wince in pain. He then stood up, and said "Alright, you all pass inspection...for today...we're going to do our morning PT, now get ready and meet me outside in 0645 hours. Is that clear?" the soldiers replied with a loud "Huh!" and the general walked out of the barrack.

In about 15 minutes, 25 soldiers all stripped down from their golden armor stood before the soldier. He gave an approving nod, then yelled "Alright, follow me to the track, we'll start with our run!" The soldiers followed him through the large training-base until they reached a ovular track, it was made out of red concrete and had a couple white lines where ponies stood. Molokus stood at the side, holding a stopwatch, and said "Alright...the second I give the signal, you start running...You will not rest until you have ran eight full laps...ready?" "Huh!" replied the soldiers. "Alright...U-nit! Commence Exercise!" barked the general, the 25 immediately started into a full sprint. For the first couple of laps they ran fine, but eventually, several started slowing down to catch their breath, and Molokus noticed this. He then yelled "Hey! What do you think you rotten piles of crap are doing? I said no breaks until you ran the full eight laps. Now MOVE!" the resting stallions started in their sprint again, and Molokus watched until they finished about seven laps. One tripped and cringed in pain, Molokus walked up to him and roared "I DID NOT ALLOW YOU TO REST, WHAT THE HELL DO YOU THINK YOU'RE DOING?" the soldier looked up, and said "I can't run, sir, I think I pulled something..."

Molokus picked up the soldier, he was much lighter than him, only about 100 pounds or so, noted the general, he then set him on all fours, and the soldier cried in pain. "Now get running." said the creature. The soldier started running with a limp, and Molokus smiled at the progress. Celestia watched at the treatment he was giving his soldiers, but then realized that he was perhaps right.

After all running the 2 miles, the soldiers walked to the side, a couple were wheezing and coughing, and two started throwing up. Molokus frowned at the group, then said "If you can't even run two miles without breaking down then I assure you you will not be able to survive on the battlefield. We ran seven miles when I did basic training, this is just pathetic...I'll show you how a real soldier is able to run." With that, Molokus moved onto the start of the track into a sprinting position, he sprung forward, and they watched in awe as the soldier ran around the track. He did so 28 times, seven miles. When he finished, he was panting and sweating, but besides that fine. "I'm nearly in your condition...but after running three and a half times more then all of you...tell me, don't you find something wrong with that?" asked the soldier, several nodded, and backed away as Axis went to go get a drink of water from the cooler.

Several looked at him in awe, several in hatred. Later they headed over to the barracks and were talking, "He's a good leader... but he's such an asshole. What the hay is wrong with him?" asked one stallion. "Maybe he's just upset and he's venting?" suggested another recruit. Molokus overheard the conversation, and took the liberty to interrupt their conversation. "The only reason I act like an ass is because without a little rough treatment, I assure you you will not survive on the battlefield. Understood?" "Yes sir." "Good...now get in uniform and get ready to march at..." Molokus looked at his watch, nopony had noticed it before, it was made out of platinum and had an analog readout. "0700 hours..." The stallions shook their heads and with a quiet "Huh." got their armor on.

About a half an hour later, the group of stallions followed the blue creature until they reached the gate of the camp. Molokus nodded and the two gates blocking the entrance parted. Molokus then took his drill rifle, and after a series of twirling and maneuvering it, and declared "Men! Or-der...march!"

Several ponies walking up and down the streets of Canterlot, looking in awe of the 25, then seeing the soldier in front yelling "Left, left, left-right...right-left, left, left-right..." They marched for miles, eventually ending up in a patch of forest between Canterlot and Ponyville.

The general then stopped, about-faced, and said "Alright men...it seems you're a bit tired, you want to rest, don't you?" A couple soldiers nodded, one was shaking from exhaustion. "I said...YOU WANT TO REST, DON'T YOU?" yelled the Aerisan. The soldiers replied with a "Huh!"

Axis smiled, then said "Very well...fall out and take a break..." With that, the group of stallions started into different directions, some talking, some laying down to rest. Molokus walked through a couple of bushes and hedges until he reached a pond. He stuck his feet in, the splashed some of the cold water onto his face. Molokus let out a sigh of relief, then dropped his usual uptight posture. His head snapped back up when he saw something that made him want to jump.

Another Aerisan, not too far away from him, a couple inches shorter then him, clad in different knives, a hatchet, and a sidearm. "X-Xereva?" asked Molokus, Bad idea... he thought. His former unit's CQC specialist and student just stared at him.

"A-...A-Axis? Is that y-you?" asked the dumbstruck soldier. "Yeah....what are you doing out here?" asked Axis. Xereva quickly responded "I usually go here to relax...meditate...but, now that you're here..I...I..." but Gavarixus' orders came up in her memories. Xereva stood there, her mentor staring in confusion He's a threat to the Union, the next time you see him, kill him...we have no other choice. said the Union's commander in her head. She pulled her gun from it's holster and cocked it, Molokus, except for his unloaded drill-rifle, was completely unarmed.

"Xerev...what the hell are you doing?!" Axis asked, his question quickly turned into a yell. "I-I'm sorry Axis...If I don't do what I'm told to do...I'll get charged with mutiny..." with that, she pointed at one of her closest friends, and pulled the trigger.

A gleaming, bronze bullet flew out of the muzzle aiming straight for Axisus' head. He jumped out of the way, letting the bullet only graze his ear. He dashed to the left and right as Xereva kept on firing, eventually she ran out, and she went to her belt to fish another clip.

Molokus found his window of opportunity and lunged at her. Xereva felt the wind knocked out of her as Molokus tackled her to the ground. She quickly rolled out of the way, and reached for her knife. The second she pulled it out of the sheath it was slapped away, Molokus jumped back up, holding his student.

Xereva immediately threw her fist forward, aiming for Molokus' jaw but was caught off guard as he grabbed her wrist. He twisted it and smashed his own fist on her elbow. She screamed in pain, then looked at the limp arm before taking out her combat hatchet. She tossed it, once again barely missing Axis, and tried punching him again.

Molokus quickly parried the attack, grabbing her forearm and pushing it behind her, then grabbing her neck and putting her in a headlock. She quickly squirmed trying her best to break free, but it was useless, she used her knee and falcon punched the back of his own. Axis fell over as his knee buckled.

Xereva then took a smaller throwing knife and put it to his throat. He grabbed it, and pulled it from her grip. "You might be more flexible than I am...but I sure as hell am stronger than you." choked the soldier. Using his foot, he stomped on Xereva's knee, he looked as her joint buckled with a loud "crack," and then laid her to the ground.

Molokus held up the small knife, Xereva started pleading "P-please...don't kill me..." Molokus burning rage turned into despair. He then said "My student...I taught you these arts of close-quarters combat for ten years...and now you use them against your own teacher...it's a pity...you were also my friend...but you tried killing me for what a madman believes...I'm sorry...but this is what I must do..."

Xereva was absolutely terrified, but she then opened her eyes and saw the tears rolling down her mentor's cheeks. Xereva started saying "No...please, Axis...no...please!" Axis raised the throwing knife, then thrusted it down, planting it deep in his student's chest.

"I-....You-...Why-..." Choked the smaller soldier. She let out one more breath...then closed her eyes.