The Last Pack

        It took only seconds to regain full consciousness as I felt the pegasi underneath me galloping away with me and Jazmine. I looked up to see that Jazmine was flailing making it hard for the pegasi, that was carrying her, to carry her. It infuriated me that they did this and I was unaware until Kale had told me. I looked to my right to find a pegasi staring at me.

        “Sir! The captive is awake, should we sedate him for the rest of the trip.” The pegasi said through a communications headset. I took this time to roll off the back of the pegasi rolling over his wings I could feel a jolt go through his body. I landed on the ground with a loud thud causing them all to stop, the pegasi that was recently behind me tripped over my body and slammed his face first into the ground. I took this moment to my advantage.

        As he started getting up I turned, letting Azriel out, making me tower over all of them. They looked at me in fear of the creature that stood before them, no longer a unicorn, but a wolf esque creature. I felt a smile creep across my face as I opened my eyes revealing my change and I could see a dim light emitting from the marks on my body, no doubt the magic flowing through my veins, causing each mark to be a red star-field with the occasional bright light of varying colors.

        I let out a bloodthirsty howl, alerting all recruits and higher ups that there were intruders. I heard and saw tents and buildings in the distance lighting up, ponies getting off their bunk and hurrying outside to see what was wrong. I looked down at the pegasi who were starting to slowly back away, then turning around and starting to gallop as fast as their legs would take them.

        I quickly caught up to the first pegasi grabbing him by the leg and throwing him up into the air, grabbing his leg again, then slamming him into the ground knocking him out cold. I looked up to see the pegasi starting to take flight so I sped up and grabbed another pegasi by the wing and ripped it clear out of the socket, causing the pegasi to spiral into the ground. No doubt he broke many bones, as I heard the crunch of bones breaking. I landed mere feet in front of it and looked up to see the pegasi going even faster, being joined by others. This infuriated me. I let out another howl.

        I cast a spell to create a platform below me and started to fly towards them with it. They looked back and saw that I was speeding towards them, my eyes ablaze with anger and blood-lust. I wanted no more than to rip them apart muscle by muscle, organ by organ, bone by bone. I jumped from the platform towards the pony who was carrying Jazmine, only to be tackled to the side by one of the other pegasi. Sadly for him, I kept hold of him as we tumbled through the night sky.

        “YOU SHALL PAY!” I yelled through the air as I bit into his neck ripping a giant chunk out of him and then proceeding to rip his wings off. I stabbed them into his upper chest, pulling down, revealing his organs as I started to rip them out. He was already dead by the time I ripped his wings off due to the shock, but I continued to rip out his organs, and finally I ripped out his heart and stuffed it into his left eye socket. When we were mere meters above the ground I created a platform below me and let the body of the pegasi continue to the ground where it flopped up and left a pool of blood. I looked upwards as the blood that came out of the body during flight landed on me. I continued my ascension.

        The pegasi that had attacked the camp were over two miles away by the time I got back up to the altitude. I started to fly towards them to be stopped by a shout from behind me.

        “Recruit Solstice! Stop now! You are not to go after them!” I heard the pony yell. I looked back to find it was General Solstice, most commonly called Lunar Solstice as to not be confused with me. I simply shook my head at him.

        “General, that is an order I cannot, and will not obey, they have my wife! I will NOT allow them to take her away from me again!” I yelled almost crying from anger. The General sighed and I noticed the other Generals, save General Lotus, rising up to meet us.

        “Recruit Solstice, I will not ask again, you will stand down and you will obey me, or you-” I cut the General off.

        “OR YOU’LL WHAT?!?!” I yelled. “SHE IS ALL I HAVE General! AND IF YOU DARE STAND IN MY WAY OF GETTING HER BACK.” I continued. “I. Will. Kill. You. And that is final.” As I said this I took my fighting stance. The Generals also took their stance.

        “Solstice, this isn't the time for rash thinking! Luna’s return is only a week away. We know she means a lot to you, but are you going to run in there by yourself? It’s suicide! Fighting all of us at once is not a wise decision either, Recruit.” General Frost says. I simply shake my head in anger.

        “Suicide? Evidently you don’t know me. If fighting you is what it takes to go after her, then I will. I have nothing but her, you wouldn’t understand. You all have family, you all have a home, you have a place to go after all of this is over, but where do I have to go? There’s no way home to my world, there’s no place for us in this world, yet you expect me to give up the only thing I have so easily? You obviously know nothing about me, you don’t know the loss I have felt throughout my life nor in this new life I have to live.” I growled through my teeth towards the Generals who lowered the stances only for General Dusk to step up to me. He looked up at me with the eyes of despair, the look of loss.

        “You think you’re any different from me? From anypony down there? Think again Solstice. Just as you were brought here with nothing, I have nothing to return to either, not even a wife who I have a chance to save.” He started casting a shadow over his face. “My wife, she was killed over 30 years ago by the Queen herself. My parents, both dead. They were killed by the Royal Guard because they were thought to be conspirators. I have no children, and I came from a life of poverty. I knew nothing but how to fight. I survived through my life by fighting. I fought for food, I fought for others, I fought for the better of the kingdom. I was an enemy of the throne, and I still am to this day. I was taken in by The Pack as they saw what I could do. Your pain, it is understood greater than you can imagine. Many of us have nothing to go back to, nothing to lose except our life, and even that is a good price to pay so that the future may be bright.” He finished hardening his look into my eyes. I stood there saddened by what he told me. I was being stupid, selfish, self centered. He was right…there are others out there that have it a lot worse than I do. I looked over my shoulder to see the minuscule pegasi fading from view as they passed over a final hill, disappearing from sight.

        “You’re right General.” I said aloud. I turned towards him again and keeled down so I could be at eye level. “I won’t chase after her, but I will get her back someday. If it takes days, weeks, months, or even years. One day I shall rescue her, but right now isn't time for rash action, as you have said. As much as it hurts to just let her go like this, I must think of everypony else, other than just her and I.” I finished gesturing towards the entire base that was below us. I looked up towards the Generals. “I am sorry, I will give a full report of what happened in the morning if that is okay Generals?” I asked feeling as the adrenaline started to fade from my body making me shake. They nodded, so I started to descend alongside General Dusk. I looked up to see the other Generals descending even slower than us so I looked down towards General Dusk.

        “Listen Solstice, I know it’s hard. I won’t say that it will get better, I can’t say that everything will turn out fine, because in the end we honestly never know what life will deal us. Life will either chew us up and spit us out, or it will give us the necessary items to play. In the end-” He stopped and looked up towards me. “we’re all going to die, no matter the price we pay. Either by old age, disease, or dying an honorable death on the front-lines.” He finished as we landed in the middle of a crowd of ponies. I nodded and held out my hand towards him. He put his hoof in it and we shook and started to walk towards the Generals quarters. General Lotus’s place was still ou- I mean mine for the weekend.

        As I reached the house I turned back into a pony, feeling as the power left my body and dispersed, leaving me weak. I stumbled up the stairs and walked slowly towards the guest room hanging my head low feeling as the depression of losing her again overtook me. I climbed into the bed and fell asleep slowly as I remembered every moment of our life together, feeling as if it was the last time I would ever see her.

        Twilight awoke with a start from Spike poking her with his talon. As he came into view she calmed down taking a deep breath to regain herself. He simply snickered at it.

        “Twilight, don’t be scared, it’s just me. It’s 9 o’clock in the morning, you need to get up or you’ll be late for your morning classes again.” Spike stated as he started to take the blanket off the mare and started folding it. She groaned and started to get out of her bed and made her way towards the bathroom.

        “Spike!” Twilight yelled from the bathroom. “Do you know where the toothpaste is?!” She asked.

        “It’s in the cabinet on the left, on the top shelf.” he answered back to her. Followed by the sound of her slamming the cabinet shut, and the faucet turning on and off, then the sound of the shower starting.

        There was a knocking on the door. Spike rolled his eyes and made his way to the door. As he opened it he was greeted by two stallions of the Royal Guard.

        “Hello sir Spike, please when you see Mrs. Sparkle, give her this letter along with telling her, her classes have been cancelled until further notice as the return of Princess Luna is six days away and that she is preparing.” The stallion states and turns away after handing the letter to the small dragon. He simply nods and closes the door and waits for about 10 minutes before Twilight opens the bathroom door and exits in a plume of steam.

        “Twilight! There's a letter from the Queen, and a message to go with it.” He hands her the letter and tells her the message causing her to give an irritated groan. She then opens the letter and starts to read.

Dear Twilight Sparkle,

        For last night, I am sorry. For what I am about to tell you, I am sorry again. Last night there was a late night raid on Fort Brathio for the capture of two ponies, and I am sorry to tell you that your father was among the dead. He died honorably but not without cause. His wings were ripped off and from what the report describes, the creature that killed him used those wings to disembowel him and squish his heart into his eye sockets. I am truly sorry Twilight. From the wretches of my heart, I am sorry. Your father was a great man and he didn't deserve to die, but he died for what he believed in.

        You are also requested to move to Ponyville during the time of war, as Canterlot will not be safe as the war goes on. Canterlot castle will become heavily militarized and defended leaving you no place to continue your studies in peace. In Ponyville, I have set up arrangements for you to stay at the town library, you are to report to Ponyville tomorrow so please ready your items swiftly. There is no arguing this Twilight.

        Good Luck Twilight, and may I see you again after this war is over.

Signed,

        Queen Celestia.

        As she finished the letter she held her jaw agape and tears were creeping down her face at the news of her fathers death. Then the news that she had to move from Canterlot, to Ponyville. She stopped crying and wiped the remaining tears from her face then started packing all the while she held a blank expression on her face.

        She was hurt, lost, and felt alone. Her father, the one who cared for her since she was young, the one who loved her no matter her flaws, the one she looked to in her time of need. Gone. Never to return, never to say another word to her, never able to tell him she loves him ever again.

        She packed some books, a few trinkets, and lastly she packed the necklace her father had given to her as a foal when she got into Celestia's School for Gifted Unicorns. As she placed it into the bag she kept running her hoof over it, letting tears drop from her face onto the necklace. She then slowly closed the bag and made her way out the door with Spike on her back. She closed that door, for one final time.

        As Twilight left the room the portal, in which they were watching her from, closed. The Order of Harmony leaders all bowed their heads and turned towards the second portal that was focused on Queen Celestia as she was placing her order for new armor as it had been over a millennium since she had armor as it has been peaceful for the past thousand years without The Pack. She was requesting shoulder pads, legguards, a helmet, a neckbrace, and finally a chest-plate. Each of which were to be designed so they could be easily molded to the shape of the wearer and able to have magic flow through them from the pony using it to empower the armor against magical attacks. She gave her the bits required for the armor and left the blacksmiths shop, the portal closed leaving the Order of Harmony leaders in silence as they each started towards the towering doors that lead to the main hall of the Castle.

        “All is well in the Harmonic Hall, might we be making way to the Hall of the Discordant, Kale?” the mare asked blandly. Kale turned around and nodded in response.

        “We shall, I fear that my warning to Lost Solstice was not fast enough as his portal was not open during the oversee, the balance may have tipped from the normal harmonious state that it was truly supposed to be.” He answered turning his head back to face forwards and started to walk towards the Hall of the Discordant. “Gresh, please make way to the court and inform the other members of the Order that they are to up their rounds to each of the halls as the war is about to commence in only six days. The balances will be constantly tipping and will need constant attention. If they argue, you know what to do Gresh. There will be no room for mistake, so make haste, lest you wish to be the one that gets punished.” He stated quickly looking back towards the Pony on his left who simply nodded and broke apart from the group of 6.

        As they started to open the doors to the Hall of the Discordant they could hear the screams coming from one of the portals, no doubt from Jazmines. They quickly made their way towards the left portal from whence the screams came. What they saw made them cringe in anger, Jazmine was hanging in the middle of a room where another pony was using a branding rod to burn the length of her back. All over her body she had cuts, and the occasional scorch mark where a cut had been closed. It was truly a horrid sight to behold, most of them turned away cursing themselves. Kale held his head down and cast a spell over the torturer to put him to sleep and released Jazmine from her bindings, closing the portal.

        “Kale, I don-” the mare was cut off quickly by Kale raising his hoof signaling her to wait before continuing. It took not but two minutes for the portal to reopen to reveal Jazmine in the middle of a large group of guards and Celestia running towards the group in a full gallop.

        “You were about to say Prism?” Kale questioned aloud raising an eyebrow underneath his cowl to the mare. She simply shook her head quieting herself much to the entertainment of the other leaders. Kale returned his attention towards the portal in front of them.

        Celestia had finally made it to the front of the crowd where the guards started to back away forming a big circle around the two. Jazmine taking a defiant stance against Celestia, Celestia simply standing there not even phased by her. Jazmine pounced in to attack the queen only to be caught in a field of Celestias magic, much to the surprise of the Order she set her down gently and bowed her head towards her. Kale shook his head and looked towards the other leaders and nodded. They all nodded towards him as well. Kale stepped through the portal making him a phantasm in the castle to watch the event unfold as the other leaders turned their attention towards the portal that was focused on Lost Solstice.

        Jazmine looked up towards Celestia whom was still bowing her head to her for reasons unknown until she finally raised her head with a saddened look on her face. Jazmine got back into a fighting stance as Celestia started to speak.

        “Jazmine Lynn, was it?” She asked to her. Jazmine simply nodded keeping her stern look, not taking any chances with letting her guard down. “I know you hate me but allow me to explain without rash action from you nor I. Please follow me.” she said as she motioned her head to follow down the hall. The guards making a pathway for the two mares.

        Jazmine simply stood in the same spot keeping her guard up against the Queen. It took Celestia a moment to realize that she wasn’t following. Jazmine finally spoke, “And why should I your “highness”.” she growled through her teeth towards alicorn. “First off yo-” she was cut off by Celestia stomping her hoof on the ground causing an echo to vibrate through the halls of the castle.

        “QUIET!” She yelled at Jazmine causing a silence to overtake the entire castle. So quiet they could hear the breathing and heartbeats of others around them. “You may not trust me, you may hate me, you may want to see me dead Jazmine. For the kidnapping and for the torture, I cannot say I deserve forgiveness, but there is one thing that I do know. Just as you have very little to lose, so does my student Twilight Sparkle.” She stated lowering her voice to a hushed whisper as she walked over to Jazmine who perked up at the mention of her student.

        “Telling from that, you must know her. I ask not as a Queen, an enemy, or a friend but as somepony that cares for her, that you hear me out Jazmine.” She whispers into her ear. Jazmine nods and starts to walk towards the pathway created by the guards shortly followed by the Queen. They make their way towards the throne room of the castle where Jazmine stops at the doors, remembering the day that she had arrived in this crazy world of myth and magic.

        Jazmine sighs as she walks over the threshold of the room, closing the doors behind them and casting a spell so that none may hear them or see them. Even the phantasm that was floating above them was not able to get in so he had cast a spell and returned to from whence he came.

        A buzzing sound occurs as Kale starts to materialize into the room in the Hall of the Discordant. Causing the other leaders to shift their gaze towards the stallion who held his head low, concealing his face underneath his cowl. When he finally lifted his head back up he made his way towards the next portal to see as Lost Solstice was still sleeping and it was midday. The shades were cracked only allowing small rays of sunlight into the room, Solstice was laying in bed holding a pillow tight to him, no doubt to have something to hold in place of his wife whilst he slept.

        “Kale, he’s been sleeping this entire time sir. He hasn’t stirred, even once, not even to the knocking at his door from the Generals. What happened to him? Why is he-” Milor was cut off by Kale lifting his hoof up motioning her to be silenced. She nodded and returned her attention towards the portal.

        There was a loud scream as Solstice woke up, no doubt he had been having a nightmare brought upon by recent events. The other leaders were taken by surprise causing them to jump a little, all except Kale who stood there with a blank expression, taking in the scene before him.

        Solstice sat there for what seemed like forever, panting, feeling himself all over to make sure he was still in one piece. By the time he had finally gotten up there was another knock at the front door in which Solstice was startled by. Kale kept watching, unblinking and unmoving while the other leaders were shifting uneasily waiting for something to happen so they could leave. Kale saw that they were growing impatient.

        “You all may retire to your duties for the day, I will keep watch over the Hall of the Discordant for the day. Please relay word to all others that there is to be no pony to interrupt me lest they choose to cease their existence in the Order. The only ones allowed to enter this room are Milor and Gresh, any others will be banished, no questions asked.” He stated towards the other leaders, looking up to each of them, giving them a piercing look that told them he was serious. “Do I make myself clear?” He asked returning his attention towards the sight before him. They all nodded and made their way out of the room leaving Kale looming over the open portal.

        “Now, let us see what your fate has in store for you my sweet Lost Solstice.” He whispered quietly giving a malevolent grin as he stepped into the portal, appearing as a phantasm once again in Equestria.

        As I made my way towards the front door, I felt a chill go down my spine. It was odd as the heater was on and it was 84 degrees Fahrenheit in the house. I took a quick look around to see if anything was odd around me only to find nothing abnormal. I shrugged it off finally as just something unexplainable and continued to the front door. As I opened the door I was practically blinded by the light of the sun and the cold of the outside.

        “We've been pounding on the door for the past hour Recruit! What in Lunas name were you doing in there?!” General Frost exclaimed as he pushed passed me, followed by 9 others. I yawned and proceeded towards the kitchen.

        “For you to know my thoughts General, tis a bad omen indeed, especially after last nights events. All I will tell you is I awoke to nightmares, not to the banging of your hoof to the door.” I growled through my teeth towards the General. Everyone was taken aback by my attitude. Usually I was happy and cheerful, but now that happiness and cheer was replaced by hatred and disdain.

        General Dusk stepped forward and sat at the counter that separates the kitchen and living room. “Listen Solstice,” he started, “I know it’s hard for you right now, but trust me, we will get her back someday. Although right now we need your full cooperation as there are only six days left before Lunas return.” He finished giving me a stern look, I returned a glare to him.

        “Know it’s hard? This is my second time watching her get taken away from me. Also who said I wasn’t giving my full cooperation? I woke up the day after she was taken away from me, after I had promised her she would never be taken away again. You expect me to be happy? You expect me to be nice? You expect me NOT to be pissed because I couldn’t keep my word to her? Well you are absolutely wrong so, get over it or leave me be. I will give my cooperation but don’t expect the happy recruit you knew from when I arrived here up till yesterday.” I spoke aloud, more so addressing everypony in the room, not just specifically General Dusk. The General sitting in front of me gave a small chuckle and shook his head, I took this as an insult. “What in tartarus do you think is so funny?” I growled.

        The General looked up to me and gave me a smirk. “Nothing is funny, but I think we finally get to see who you REALLY are now Solstice. We all feel bad for you, but it seems that it was exactly what you needed to get you to stop messing around. If you weren’t messing around like you were weeks ago, you would already be out of training just as you were in the legend.” He ended turning around in his chair. “Now make some coffee for everypony, I’m sure Lotus won’t mind. Now hop to it Recruit lest you would like to go on a morning jog?” He stated. The other Generals and Captains laughed at what he said.

        “Make your own forsaken coffee Dusk, I’m not your slave.” I retorted, causing them all to gawk at me. Dusk started to laugh aloud much to the surprise of the other Generals, I quickly joined him. “I’ll put the coffee on, just stop looking at me like that, starting to freak me out, looking like ya seen a ghost all eight of y’all. Me and Dusk joke like this all the time, might as well try and get a smile today.” I said rolling my eyes at the Generals and captains. They started to chuckle nervously.

        I started making the coffee when I felt the strange chill go down my spine again, this time I knew it couldn’t be something unexplainable. I quickly finished putting the coffee into the brewer and made my way towards the living room and sat on the couch and motioned the Generals and captains to take a seat.

        “Everypony, be quiet.” I said causing them all to look at me weirdly. We sat there for about a minute in complete silence, only the sound of the brewer in the kitchen. I felt the chill go down my spine again, this time much stronger.

        “Why do we need t-” I cut General Frost off as I closed my eyes and reopened them, revealing pale blue eyes. I looked around and found the cause of the shutters I have been having.

        It was a unicorn clothed in a black cowl and robe. I stood up and made my way towards it and put my hand through the unicorn and felt another chill fly down my spine, this time causing me to fall to the ground slightly from the freezing cold. I heard the others get up, I put my hoof up motioning them to sit down. I backed away and took my place back on the couch keeping my gaze on the phantasm in the room.

        “It seems we have a guest everypony.” I said aloud making it known to the unicorn that I hadn’t just felt him by mere chance. He removed his cowl and looked down at me, I recognized this unicorn as Kale, the one who had warned me of Jazmines and my kidnapping. “Kale” I said aloud recognizing the pony. He simply smirked at me.

        The Generals and captains exchanged confused looks to each other. “Recruit? Are you all right?” General Frost asked poking me. I simply nodded and looked towards him revealing my eyes to him. He backed away and sat back down closing his eyes and reopening them, revealing the same spell I had used on mine and looked to where I was looking. He was taken aback by the ghost floating right in front of us.

        “Hello Lost Solstice.” Kale said aloud, causing General Frost to shift his gaze towards me. “Worry not General Frost, Lost Solstice has no ill intentions towards you. He used his senses to perceive and find me. He is not traitorous nor am I here on terms of spying nor killing.” He said making his voice heard to even the other Generals and captains around us who looked around to find from whence the voice had come.

        “What in the name of Luna was that?!” General Dusk exclaimed. Breaking General Frosts concentration causing him to lose grasp upon the spell. I closed my eyes and dispelled the sight spell and reopened my eyes.

        “Kale, why don’t you join us. Tell us your true intentions of why you’re here.” I said aloud, confusing the others except for General Frost. The air grew cold around us as a wind came through the home creating a small tornado of energy in front of us throwing off some sparks of energy as Kale appeared in the middle of it, eyes ablaze with a bright white light. It took about thirty seconds for him to fully appear and the magical energy to fade from the room.

        I stood up and made my way to the side of Kale who was still patting his robe free of static electricity that may have resided in the robe. I put my hoof around his neck and hugged him close, much to the surprise of him and the other ponies in the room. “Thank you Kale.” I whispered to the pony. He shook free of my grasp and removed his hood for a second time, this time revealing himself to the Generals and Captains. All but me, and General Frost were gawking at the sudden appearance of the unicorn.

        “I did not warn thee to benefit you Lost Solstice, do make of it what you wish though. I did not do it for anyponies well being, if I did, the three pegasi you slaughtered last night would be alive and well, with you in the Royal Canterlot Dungeon.” He said, standing tall, a full two feet above anypony else in the room. I nodded.

        “Well, I thank you nonetheless for the chance to save Jazmine, even if it weren’t meant for me.” I quickly replied, Kale simply nodded to me. I heard the alarm go off to signal that the coffee was done. “The coffee is finished, would you like a cup Kale?” I asked to the unicorn who nodded.

        “Make it black.” Kale said aloud making sure his request was heard. The Generals and Captains followed suit asking for black coffee. I rolled my eyes as I put milk and sugar into my own cup of coffee and sighed as I felt the steam rise up from the pot into my nose, bringing me the bitter sweet smell of the coffee rushing to my brain. I put the coffee into 10 other mugs and carried them in a field of magic to the others. Each one taking a mug in their magic and hooves.

        I took a big gulp of coffee letting the succulent liquid fill my throat, feeling as it warmed my entire body. I looked around to see everypony but Dusk and Kale looking at me like I was crazy again. “What? I like hot coffee.” I said narrowing my eyes in irritation. “Stop looking at me! Aren’t you all here to talk about something, or is this just merely a social call?” I asked as they returned their attention to the table that sat in front of them, ignoring Kale who was sitting behind the table sipping his coffee.

        General Frost made his way over to the door and picked up a suitcase that was laid on the wall that I hadn’t noticed until just now. I shook it off and assumed he had put it there when they got inside. Not as soon as he had sat down the door flung open and General Lotus sprinted inside holding a spear.

        “WHO IN THE BUCK IS IN MY HOME?!?!” She yelled at the top of her lungs causing us all to jump, all of us except for Kale that is who sat there sipping his coffee still. It took us all a moment to regain our composure as Lotus was fallen to the ground laughing her flank off. I rolled my eyes.

        “Okay, you had your fun General Lotus, now can you be serious for once and sit down?” asked General Frost motioning towards a spot next to Kale. She stopped laughing as she recognized this stallion. She slowly rose to her feet and slowly walked towards him. I felt as the atmosphere had changed from a calm, and peaceful setting to one as if there were a bomb about to be dropped, so I conjured up a magic bubble around me and the others, save for Kale.

        Kale looked to his side to see her approaching, he turned back only for his eyes to widen and return his gaze towards the mare that was approaching him. He turned to look at us, I simply gave him a smile and waved. He mouthed, “Help me please!”, silently hoping that we would put a shield around him as well. I shook my head and mouthed, “I can’t hear you!”, giving a small giggle as the gray mare pounced Kale in a full on glomp, causing Kale to start flailing for breath. I dropped the shield falling into a fit of laughter.

        “Please…Get…Off…Me…” Kale said between breaths before she finally released him and punched him in the Jaw causing us to flinch from the sound. “I guess I did deserve that.” He said as she bucked him in the stomach, causing us to wince again. “I deserved that as well.” He said holding his stomach.

        Lotus turned away and sat down next to the table causing us to give her quizzical looks. “What? He’s an old friend who dropped off the face of Equus and hasn’t talked to me in over 24 years! He deserved it.” She said without elaborating any further into it. Kale disappeared from sight, no doubt hiding in phantasm form so he couldn’t be glomped any further by her. I chuckled at this returning to my serious attitude from before. “How was you and Jazmines night Recruit? No doubt it was fun!” She said breaking the silence, only to be replaced with me darkening my face and the others looking around to avoid looking at either of us. “Was it that bad?” she asked forcing me to look up to her with tears coming from my eyes and an angered look on my face.

        I couldn’t really blame her, she hadn’t gotten the news yet, so I told her what had occurred the night prior. She sat there listening attentively, hanging onto every word about what had happened. When I finished she held her head down and looked back up to me and smiled. “It’ll be fine, just as Dusk said, so don’t linger on it too much Recruit.” She said sincerely. I simply nodded and returned to a serious attitude again, hoping this time we could get back to the meeting at hand.

        “I think we can hold this little meeting later, after all this drama is over with. Meet at the main tent at 2100 tonight everypony.” General Frost stated aloud, causing the others to sigh in relief. “Recruit attend your classes and we will see you there as well. Good Luck today everypony.” He said leaving the room. Shortly followed by everypony else except for me and General Lotus. I sat on the couch, my left eye twitching from irritation.

        “Aren’t you gonna-” I cut off General Lotus by flipping the table and storming out of the home. She was left with a terrified expression from the table hitting the wall in front of her.

        Jazmine was offered a seat in the middle of the throne room as Celestia brought over a seat large enough for her to lay down upon. Jazmine sat down waiting for Celestia to get comfortable. “You have no reason to trust me, to care about what I say.” Celestia started, “You have many reasons to hate me, to show me disdain and nothing but anger. For which I cannot and will not apologize.” She continued, causing Jazmine to glare at her. “Glaring at me will do you no good Jazmine. You may be my enemy, I may dislike you, but I do know you spoke with Twilight Sparkle last night, along with Luna and your husband.” She said bringing back her calm demeanor and causing Jazmine to calm down.

        Jazmine nodded her head. “Yes, I did. For what can be said, Twilight Sparkle is very dis-” Jazmine was cut off by Celestia raising her hoof motioning her to silence.

        “I know she is disappointed in me Jazmine, but it is the very reason you are not dead right now for breaking out of the dungeon.” Celestia stated, causing Jazmine to perk her head up as to hear better. “I could have, and should have, but I didn’t. Are you curious as to why?” She asked to the mare before her. She nodded slightly, Celestia smiled finally. “I want you to look after her while she is in ponyville, for the duration of the war.” Celestia stated causing Jazmine to become confused.

        “What? Why do you need somepony to look after her? She is a full grown mare! Not some foal!” Jazmine exclaimed, baffled by Celestia. Celestia shook her head, and motioned Jazmine to follow her. As Jazmine stood up, following Celestia to a hidden hall of the main hall. No doubt concealed to hide a room of grave importance.

        Celestia cast a spell causing an orb of light to appear in front of the two ponies. She started down the hall, looking around as if she had long since seen this hall. “Jazmine, she is a full grown mare, true, but she makes rash decisions, without thinking ahead. Knowing her, she would do no more than try to make her way to my side and fight alongside me.” She stated, continuing down the hall. Jazmine was about to speak before she was cut off. “I know what you’re about to say, that I’m just worrying too much, that I’m worrying over nothing. The thing is, you have only known her since last night, as I have known her since she was a foal. So I ask you this, will you please see to her protection during the war?” Celestia stopped finally at a dead end, waiting for her answer.

        Jazmine took a minute or two to contemplate whether she should trust her, or whether not to. It couldn’t hurt her anymore than staying in the dungeon of the castle, and with this she would at least have a chance to survive without being tortured day in and day out. She finally made her decision.

        “I will Celestia, but on one condition, please?” She asked to the Queen. Celestia nodded her head in acknowledgement. “I request, that if the time comes, if it ever happens. If you see my husband on the field of battle, please, I beg of you in return of this favor, to capture him and to let me see him one final time before you kill him?” She asked tears welling up in her eyes.

        Celestia thought about it for less than a minute. “I will Jazmine, in return of this favor. Just make sure you keep her safe, okay?” She replied, causing an ecstatic smile to appear on Jazmines face. Celestia quickly pressed a brick in the wall, causing the wall to break apart in the middle revealing a big room, from what she could tell it was a ponies room.

        “What is this place Celestia?” Jazmine asked walking around the room. The ceiling was decorated with stars and looked like the night sky then on the other half of the ceiling it was decorated with a blue sky with clouds and the sun at the top where it connected with the night sky. In the middle of the room was a bed large enough for an alicorn, it could easily fit Celestia onto it, along with another alicorn. The room had no furnishing other than the bed and a large alicorn mannequin that held pure white armor.

        “This room,” Celestia started, “belonged to Lunas and my mother.” She finished, bringing a hoof onto the armor that adorned the alicorn mannequin. Jazmine raised an eyebrow to the alicorns statement. Celestia sighed. “I brought you to this room, not so I could trick you, but to show you, that even a “Tyrant Queen” has a heart. I could have destroyed this room and turned it into what we wanted as she told us to do when she died.” She brought a saddened look to her face. Jazmine walked over and hugged the alicorn as much as she could for her height. “But…I didn’t do that, as I wanted to keep this room, in memory of her.” Jazmine felt as a tear dropped onto her. Celestia returned the hug slightly.

        Jazmine broke away from the embrace and walked to the mannequin and looked over the armor and its detail. “Your mother must have been a great pony.” Jazmine said silently. Celestia nodded slightly as she looked around. “I can only imagine losing a mother…” She said moving her hoof over the armor.

        Celestia made her way over to the pony. “The reason she died was because of the same reason that I may as well.” she said quietly. Jazmine raised an eyebrow towards her, asking what she meant. Celestia looked to the head of the armor and started to speak. “She died due to an uprising from the ponies of the land, they betrayed her. One day she was going about the day when ponies broke into the throne room where she was having a meeting with the gryphons of the eastern lands. A pony threw a spear right into her heart, causing her to die immediately. The guards were taken by surprise of the attack and so was she.” Celestia said this with a flat tone, seeming as if she had told this a million times and has finally lost any emotion to give to the event.

        Jazmine tried to think of something to say but couldn’t think of anything to say to her. Why was she telling her this though? Was she trying to relate to her husband's past experience with his father? She was about to say something but was cut off by Celestia.

        “Jazmine, I know of Lionels experience with his father, how he killed most of the perpetrators except for the one who actually killed him. The same was for me, when I saw my mother die next to me, her blood sputtering onto me and my sister, we both were in shock for only a moment before letting loose and murdering those ponies in cold blood. We got all but the one who threw the spear. To this day, I regret it, killing those ponies when we could have tried to do something better. No doubt your husband feels the same. I will not relate to his experience, but I do know where his fighting spirit comes from, why he fights and why he does what he does. Just as my experience with my mother formed this entire war.” she finished putting her horn onto the armor, sending magic flowing through it, causing the designs to glow with a bright yellow light, illuminating the room.

        Jazmine watched in awe as the armor shone like the sun. It was a beautiful sight to behold. When the light finally died out, the armor returned to its pure white color and Celestia stepped away from the armor. “I am sorry Celestia, but don’t think this changes anything.” Jazmine said walking towards the Queen, who nodded her head.

        “Then, we are both in agreement. Please see to it that she is safe Jazmine, not for only my sake, but for yours.” She said frowning at Jazmine and casting a teleportation spell on her, sending her to Twilight Sparkle.

*5 Days Later………*

Luna, there’s less than an hour before you return, are you sure you are going to be ready in time? I asked to the mare inside my head. Keeping my head low and crawling between bushes making sure each of the others were in position to take out any enemies that may be coming into the forest.

For the umpteenth time Lionel, I am ready. My armor is rusted but that’ll be an easy fix when we get back to the Fort later tonight. I should be asking are YOU ready? Your thoughts have been a little……Violent as of late. She projected into my brain causing me to roll my eyes in irritation. I loved having a pony who I could share every thought with, but sometimes I wish that she wouldn’t, especially when they were as violent as they are currently.

        I sighed before I replied, You can’t expect them NOT to be after the news before we left the Fort, especially considering the importance of tonight. I said, poking my head above the brush, scanning the sky to see if there were any pegasi trying to fly over the forest. I saw only the light from the moon and the stars in the night sky. I looked to my right to find that a pony that was in my squad, moving nervously. I put a hoof on his shoulder and gave him a reassuring smile and told him to calm down, it seemed to do the trick for him. I sighed and returned my attention to the other recruits that dabbled the entrance of the forest, more precisely the top of our class that was ready to see combat. This was our final test before they became PFC’s, but I was going to be made a Corporal for my overachievement, guaranteed that I would not be so low for a long amount of time if I kept up with what I’ve been doing.

I’m sorry for that news you got. I know she meant a lot to you. Luna said into my mind, this time in a soothing tone, sadly it had no effect on my mood. I remembered back to the memory for only a split second before I felt the anger rise up. I calmed myself quickly to save the anger to use on any enemies that may cross our path this night, especially any pegasi from that squad that had kidnapped her.

        As I looked up to the night sky, I noticed a quick movement above us. I crouched down and conjured a magical field underneath me and readied myself to pounce at the creature if it made any sudden movement again. Sorry? Sorry doesn’t cut it Luna. It’s become a personal matter now, and Celestia will pay with her life for the sin she has done. As I said this I noticed the movement again and launched myself into the air tackling the pegasi up into the air, knocking the breath out of them. I let him go and let him go up a few feet recognizing it as royal guard armor, I released a large bolt of magic shooting straight through his skull, making his head explode and the brain matter and bits of skull fall to the ground below.

        I returned to my position in the brush waiting for anypony else that was stupid enough to try and enter the forest. As I got into my position you could hear the solid thud of the pegasus body hitting the ground in the middle of the pathway. Two of the other recruits got out quickly and dragged the body into the bush that they were hiding in. There was a small light as the body was undoubtedly immolated with a spell, leaving no evidence of the event that just transpired.

        We waited for 45 minutes under the brush before finally we saw a platoon of ponies marching towards the forest, all of them dressed in the royal guards armor. Celestia walking in front. I felt as my anger boiled over, I was slowly rising, readying myself to attack the alicorn with full force but I was stopped by Luna. Lionel! Don’t! She’ll kill you if you attack her by yourself. She yelled into my mind causing me to take heed to her warning. She was completely right, if I attacked her, it could prove to be a suicide attack. I silently cursed myself as I let the platoon pass by. Luckily nopony was spotted and we started to follow the platoon of soldiers marching down the pathway, making sure to stay far enough behind and not attract any attention. Occasionally when a pony or two would stop, we would put them to sleep and take their armor and join up with the platoon.

Eventually, the entire squad had merged with the platoon and we were following them towards the castle. Where the generals were waiting with a platoon of their own to intercept the platoon of Royal Guards and Queen Celestia. The whole trip took only 10 minutes in total before we stood outside the ruins of Everfree Castle. I broke away from the platoon of soldiers and made my way to a bush and cast a invisibility spell over myself and made my way into the castle through a side window.

I made my way towards the Generals who were standing around a statue that held the supposed elements of harmony. I tapped on the shoulder of General Frost who quickly turned to look at me, using his visual spell so he could see invisible ponies. He gave me a slight smile.

“General Frost, Queen Celestia and a platoon of soldiers are right out front. Also my squad infiltrated the platoon of soldiers, taking out 17 of them in total leaving them with a grand total of 48 ponies which includes Celestia herself. Sir.” I said standing at attention as I gave my report. The other Generals simply nodded and the unicorns cast an invisibility spell over the entire platoon, combining their magic to strengthen the spells effect area.

“Thank you for the update Private Solstice, remove your invisibility and wait right here just as we planned. I’m sure your appearance won’t be much of a surprise to them. Make sure you only turn if you absolutely have to. Got it Private?” General Frost ordered me. I removed the spell and took my place in front of the statue, focusing my magic from Azriel into me causing his markings to appear on me and my mane and tail to take on their flowing appearance as they had before my death a thousand years ago.

I waited only a minute before the doors burst open, the platoon of soldiers pouring into the room with Celestia at the head of the crowd. They all stopped in the middle of the room, just as planned. Celestia took a few steps forward and stood at the bottom of the stairs in front of me, looking straight into my eyes.

“I can’t say it is a surprise to see my sisters dog here tonight.” She starts, quickly causing me to stand up in protest.

“Dog you say, you murderer? I’d rather be a dog to Luna anyday, then be a pony under your rule any day. Especially after the crimes you’ve committed against the world.” I stamp my hoof, cracking the stone below me from the pressure. Celestia raises her eyebrow and puts on an innocent face. “Don’t act like you don’t know. If you hadn’t taken away either my brother, or my wife. You would still have a chance for redemption, but the only way for any of this to end.” I said lowering my head so my mane covered my head and body. “IS TO DIE!” I yelled thrusting my head up high into the air, causing the air around me to crack with magical energy. This signaled the generals to release the invisibility spell over everypony.

The platoon of soldiers were surrounded, and outnumbered as the ponies that infiltrated them retired to The Pack taking up their spots in the circle. The leaders looked confused as 2 squads had disappeared instantaneously, Celestia was the only one who was not surprised by this. She looked calm as usualy.

“It seems you have done away with some of my troops before the real battle had even begun Lost Solstice. I commend you for it, but it will cost you dearly.” She said as she conjured a sword of light and charged up to me. The generals readied themselves to attack her but I conjured a giant blade of fire before any of them got a chance to defend. Our swords clashed and caused the air around us to crack with energy from the blow. “This will not be the day in which I die Solstice, but this shall be the day, you join your wife!” She bellowed as she released herself from the struggle.

I felt myself jump at her bringing my sword down upon hers above the crowd of ponies making the ground below her crack from the strength of the hit. “You dare not speak of her.” I growled through my teeth letting my anger seep through my veins, flowing into the magic, causing it to turn from its normal bright yellow to a blood red. I released from the strike and quickly turned it into a staff and knocked her up into the air where I slammed her back down into the ground. As she hit the ground the two groups of ponies started their battle, with me and the generals fighting Celestia.

From what I could tell, Lunas return was only two minutes away. So, I made sure that Celestia was kept on the defensive and not the offense. General Solstice sent her flying back up towards me with a bolt of electricity, I dived towards her only to be bucked away by her bouncing off me flying towards the General. She hit him full force with her blade, cutting straight through his abdomen, cutting him in half as the blade sunk into the ground. I watched in horror as he coughed up blood and split into two, revealing a clean cut all the way through his guts and all. I saw the other Generals were unphased by the loss, attack her at once surrounding her in a box of magic as the spears and swords all converged on the princess. She teleported out of it just in time and appeared in front of General Dusk.

The General took this chance to buck her back a couple feet and I dived towards her again, this time landing a crushing blow onto her upper back. I heard a loud crack from the floor below her as it broke again under the pressure of the blow. She teleported behind me quickly and smacked me into a far wall using a sphere of sunlight, leaving a scorch mark on my side. She was ambushed quickly by General Frost who had teleported above her with a slab of stone that was being held in his field of magic. He cut the slab in half then turned one of the halves into shards of stone and sent the big half slab down towards the Queen, where she quickly obliterated it with a bolt of energy. She hadn’t counted on the shards of stone after it, lowering her guard she was pelted by shards of stone, stabbing into her entire body. She quickly made a magical shield to protect her body from any further harm.

I saw a weakness in the shield and took my chance. There was one small hole, only big enough for a rat to fit through in the back of her shield. I conjured a bolt of lighting and condensed it into a small ball and sent it through the hole and closed the last of the hole with my magic. She looked down to see the small ball of energy, as she saw it, I released my magic causing the lightning to explode and break the magical shield she had made. She was sent flying a few feet back, before struggling to her hooves, where she began panting heavily as her wounds started to take a toll on her.

IT’S TIME LIONEL! I heard Luna yell into my mind as I heard a thunderous explosion above us. Everypony stopped in mid-battle to gaze at the sight, above us there was a funnel of clouds that was alight with an ominous dark blue glow. The ground beneath us began to shake as the sky began to lightning and thunder. The lightning was the oddest I have ever seen, it arced back into the clouds instead of coming down to the ground.

The light got brighter and brighter as a sphere started to appear near the exit of the funnel. Slowly lowering itself to the highest tower of the ruined castle, eventually releasing an explosion as it landed, causing the entire castle to shake as if the ground itself was splitting apart. Luckily the ruins were sturdy and resisted the urge to crumble underneath the shaking. It was followed by utter silence. I could hear Celestias heartbeat start to race as we heard the clippity clop of hooves coming down the stairs that lead to the tower.

We had succeeded in holding Celestia and her guards back. The pair of hooves stopped at the bottom of the stairs, only revealing a starfield mane poking out of the exit. I turned around to see that Celestia held an expression of fear upon her face, I smiled evilly at the sight, thinking of the ways I could kill her at that very moment. I turned my attention back to the exit as Princess Luna had finally stepped out into the room, revealing herself to everypony. Members of The Pack bowed before her, while members of the Royal Guard raised their weapons, readying themselves. Celestia stood there with the same scarred expression.

“Greetings everypony.” Luna started with a tone of regality heavy in her voice. She made her way over to the top of the stairs, and stood in front of the elements of harmony statue. She looked down upon Celestia who had started to very slowly inch her way back towards the entrance of the castle. “Oh dear sister, how nice it is to see you after a thousand years.” Luna said changing her voice to a tone of disdain and hate, thick with sarcasm. She made her way down the steps, slowly approaching her sister, conjuring a sword made of her starfield mane, solidifying it to reveal a deep silver blade that shone like the stars above, and a handle that was a deep black, like the night sky. I started to make my way towards her only to be stopped by General Frost who shook his head, telling me not to approach the two.

“You made me suffer for a thousand years. Alone, trapped on the moon. Listening to the pleas of everypony who wanted you gone. The pleas of the ones who I had failed. The pleas of all who were lost in this world you created.” Luna said aloud, making sure she was heard by everypony. “The nightmares ponies had of you. The nightmares that were created from your lies. The lies you created for a thousand years of history. You’re nothing but one who lies to ensure her rule, no matter the cost.” She continued to approach Celestia with her sword drawn, Celestia continued backing away as she got closer. “You’re NOT a Queen worthy of your title Celestia, you're a tyrant worthy of her head on a platter!” Luna yelled as she slammed the sword down into Celestias sword. Causing another eruption of magical energy.

As the eruption faded, the battle commenced once again, but this time with Celestia and Luna in the middle of it all. I took my eyes off them quickly as I was attacked by two of the platoon Captains who had survived the first part of the battle. They charged at me from both sides so I cast a platform underneath me and quickly flew upwards causing them to slam into each other head first. As they fell on the ground rubbing their heads I transformed and slammed my claws through both of their skulls and ripped their heads clear off their shoulders. There were only about 16 Royal Guards left compared to our 47 Pack Members, so I quickly took to using my magic, creating 12 daggers from my magic, that was still a blood red for unknown reasons. I Jumped into the middle where the last ponies were defending against The Packs onslaught.

I concentrated and started spinning the daggers around me faster and faster, until finally they were moving so fast you could no longer see the daggers separately, but as a whole circle around my body. I started walking outwards, cutting down one… two… three… six ponies. As they touched my daggers they were sucked in and churned out into a pool of blood, mixed with bones and minced organs. I stopped and turned my attention towards the final ten ponies, but they had dropped their weapons and accepted defeat before I could get a chance with them. I felt a pang of disappointment in my heart as I still had a few ideas I wanted to try out on the ponies with a new spell I was learning.

From behind me, “Retreat!” Celestia yelled as she ran past me, galloping as fast as she could. Quickly followed by four of the prisoners who successfully escaped with their Queen, sadly the other six were not so fortunate. I slammed the doors shut with my magic as the bucked at the door, trying to make it open. I quickly grew tired of the banging and cast a sleep spell over them. I sighed in relief as a moment of silence befell the recently alive battlefield in the Ruins of the Everfree Castle. I looked above the crowd seeing how many ponies we had left, how many were wounded and how many were dead. 39 uninjured, 4 injured and in need of medical attention and 19 dead. I made my way over to the stairs where I sat down in exhaustion and returned to my normal pony form. I was quickly followed by the Captains and the Generals of the mission. The ones who survived at least.

Among the dead were General Solstice, Captain Blitz, Captain Kicker, and lastly Captain Draco. I swore to myself, their lives would not just be in vain, that Celestia would pay one of these days, that I would kill her, if it was the last thing I did, if it was the thing I did with my dying breath. I was brought back to reality by a hoof being placed on my shoulder, I was startled by it. I looked over to see that it was the platinum hoof guard of none other than Princess Luna. I looked up towards her to see her eyes were full of both happiness, and that of sadness. I got up and hugged her, she returned the embrace wholeheartedly, turning heads from everypony in the room.

I broke away from the hug and quietly nodded at her and turned my attention back to the generals who were all bowing to Luna, along with the Captains, Sergeants, Corporals, PFCs, and Privates. Me and Luna were the only ones standing above the crowd. I turned to face her, she was standing in front of the statue motioning me over to her. I walked to her side and stood proudly beside her, not as another soldier anymore, but as a survivor, as her friend. Everypony rose to their hooves and the Generals surrounded me and her.

“Private Solstice. Your duty to The Pack in your time of training, and in this major battle has been met with great recognition, not only from us, but by your instructors and from your fellow Recruits. Your passion and dedication to The Pack is true and is what we all strive for. Despite your losses, you overcame and surpassed each loss, turning them into your greatest determination. You are an inspiration to us all Private Solstice. With that being said, you will be attending a promotion ceremony this weekend, not for only you, but for the rest of your graduating class. We hope that you will be there Private.” General Frost ended giving a salute to me, the other Generals followed suit to his example.

“Thank you sir, for your kind words, and thank you for the promotion.” I started, thanking them all with a hoof shake. “But there is something I need to ask you.”I said darkening my face, causing the Generals to raise an eyebrow to me. “All of you have been good to me, you have all given me a reason to keep fighting, but I can no longer fight just for The Pack.” I said causing murmurs among the Generals. I felt a hoof on my shoulder, I looked over to see Luna staring into my eyes, telling me silently to continue. I give her a slight smile. “You all fight for the better of everypony. You fight to see a brighter future, but the one thing I need to know, from each of you. Why do YOU fight? I mean why do you REALLY fight?” I asked coldly.

I was met with dead silence. “So you all really have no reasons why you personally fight?” I asked addressing them as a whole. General Frost was the first to step forward lifting his head up to meet my eye level, staring into my eyes.

“I fight…I fight because…I fight because I have nothing, and I hate seeing others…in pain.” He says lowering his eyes away from me. I lift his chin up and hug him. I break away from the hug.

“Thank you General Frost.” I said wholeheartedly. The next one to step forwards was General Dusk.

“I choose to fight because I want to defend those around me from Celestias unjust laws. Sometimes, you can’t run away from the fight, so I chose to fight a fight that was worth fighting.” He said aloud keeping his stern look and puffing out his chest in self confidence.

I stepped forward and punched him lightly on the shoulder, he returned the punch. “Thanks Dusk.” I said returning to my spot next to Luna.

The next to step forwards was General Lotus. “I fight for my own gain, nothing more, and nothing less.” She said flatly, causing the other generals to look at her quizzically.

I stepped forwards to greet her with a firm hoof shake. She clapped her hoof into mine and we shook ferviously. “At least you’re honest about it General Lotus, Thank you.” I said flatly, not changing my expression.

The last of the six generals stepped forwards, holding his head low. He mumbled so low we couldn’t hear it. “Excuse me General Hooves, but could you please speak up?” I asked to the pegasi. He raised his head and looked me in the eyes. “I fight for the future.” He said aloud making sure we heard him this time. It was quite vague but I still took the answer.

“Thank you General Hooves, even if it’s vague, but nonetheless, thank you.” I said shaking his hoof firmly. I turned my attention to Princess Luna who was waiting patiently, listening to all but two of the Generals reasons for fighting.

“Shall we return to the Fort, Princess?” I asked her. She simply nodded and we started to walk towards the door, followed shortly by the Generals and other ponies in the platoon.

We had won this battle, we had gotten our Commander back and with that, The Pack was whole once again. Princess Luna, the Commander and founder. Lost Solstice, the Lupine Demon and best weapon. The drive of nine field armies at our disposal. The Pack had finally returned, and we were stronger then ever before.