Before Harmony: The Canterlot Campaign

Chapters

1. A Glancing Blow
2. Dusk of a Battle
3. Engineering Hope
4. Into the Eyes of Veterans
5. Before the Slope
6. Huzzah

1. A Glancing Blow

ThunderWhip looked behind him at source of the snarls. It was a griffin, as expected, with its hideous claws stretched out before it trying to take a strike at ThunderWhip's bleached white tail. It would of been an easy kill with his bow, except that he was out of arrows. Although he had already downed three in this combat alone, they were becoming more elusive, making many of his shots either non fatal or miss completely. He had no idea what was going on below him on the ground, as he had to have his entire focus on the air around him. The longer the conflict lasted, the more separated everypony became. Now it was an individual fight for survival.

ThunderWhip searched around him, trying to find somepony that was near him, but all he saw was another griffin diving down from behind, gaining speed.

The pegasus then rolled to the left causing the diving griffin to catch nothing but air, though it caused the chasing one to catch up. He then dove a little and banked to the right. With the griffin not being able to be as maneuverable to follow, he continued to fly in a straight line, making him to be directly overhead of ThunderWhip. ThunderWhip then continued to fly to the right, then rose up. Now he was directly behind his former chaser. He then raised his bow and reached for an arrow.

His hoof felt an empty quiver.

"Of all the times I had to miss so many shots, why does it have to be today!"

Without any other option, he flew up to gain more altitude, cursing as loud as he could. He wished that he had something or anything that he could fight with, but bare hooves are not as useful as the beaks, claws and talons of the griffins...

_______________________________________________________________________________________

"Steady you sons of dams! We've got to bloody hold this line!"

A griffin then flew low over the formation, hoping to snag an unaware pony. Yet one pony saw the threat and snapped his pike up, catching the attacker right into his belly. However, the force of its weight and speed caused it to vault directly into the middle of pike formation. The dying griffin still struck out with everything it had in its desperate bid to fight.

"You pathetic mules! Kill the stupid ass!"

But the damage was done. A huge gap broke into the center of the pike wall and the enemy infantry took immediate advantage of the flaw.

_______________________________________________________________________________________

"Sir! The center is breaking!"

The officer pointed dead ahead, where several ponies were running away from; their weapons discarded into the dirt.

"Send the reserves in then!" shouted the general.

"They are on the flanks, like you ordered earlier."

"And?!"

"They won't get here on time."

"I didn't ask for your suggestions, get them moving at the gallop! Now!"

_______________________________________________________________________________________

ThunderWhip did not have many more options left for him. He could fly away and live another day, or fight and die.

He chose the best two -- fight and live.

Diving straight down, he looked for an open patch of ground between his routing allies and the enemy. The griffins were a lesser threat now as they were eager after going the tails of the fleeing ponies.

Thunder pulled up horizontally, avoiding skimming his hooves on the earth by only three feet.

"Oh come on! There has to be something!"

He grabbed a spear, but just to realize that it was a pike -- by far too long for what he wanted. He broke it in two over his knee, but it was still too unbalanced. He ended up just flinging it at the enemy, who were getting too close for comfort. He noticed them as being the unicorns of the north with their glassy colored coats; their swords held in mid air before them with their magic with an eerie glow.

"Swords..."

That gave him an idea. A suicidal one perhaps, but still an idea.

_______________________________________________________________________________________

From the peak of the mountain, she sighed. The army was breached, the center was crushed, the left was routing westward and the right flank was beating retreat, trying its best to fall back to the half finished fortifications around the fledging settlement below.

"Canterlot. What an ironic name now..." she commented to herself watching the streams of ponies galloping from the battlefield.

She looked away.

It was supposed to of been a new age, a new era of cooperation and peace, equality and safety. It was a wish for no more fear of each other.

"Yet fear was what existed in our armies today. Fear was what caused the North and West to ally with each other. And fear is what I feel of my failure..."

_______________________________________________________________________________________

The unicorns laughed.

"You really think you can beat us?"

"Well, yeah. Why not? I could get lucky, like how you were when you broke the center."

They laughed again. A crowd began to form from the units behind and flanking them. Soon, there was a circle completely around ThunderWhip, perhaps close to a thousand jeering and jesting ponies. However, they kept their distance from him, creating a small arena.

"So what are you going to do eh? Fight all of us?"

"Oh don't be so ridiculous! Give me a sword or something first."

Laughter erupted once again.

"How about this?" a voice shouted over the crowd from behind.

ThunderWhip looked out of the peripheral of his left eye. It was a stone flying towards him. He raised one of his rear hooves and gave it a sharp kick.

All that was heard next was a loud clang, a falling unicorn, a rush of air and a single loud jest:

"Thanks for the sword gents!"

_______________________________________________________________________________________

"What's this? The enemy has halted!"

The remark of surprise drew her attention. Sure enough, there was a cluster of enemies formed oddly in a circle, causing a gap in the middle of the enemy. This was causing the other units to disengage from the pursuit noticing that their own center had stopped carrying the charge.

"This still does not mean victory," She paused, knowing that her words absorbed the little glimmer of joy that the others had, "...but it is certainly a miracle. The center is gone, and the left flank is still going to flee, but the right flank might be able to make it back to Canterlot. There they will join with the garrison."

She tried to make it sound like a victory for that fraction of an instant, but she knew it wasn't. The day was a complete and utter failure -- two thirds of the soldiers are gone, the enemy army is still outside of Canterlot. The attempted sortie failed miserably. Of all the Canterlot Coalition forces, a half were lost today.

Suddenly, she interjected, "Is there still any word of ArgentHeart's Army of Everfree?"

"No, we have not heard from them since two weeks ago when they started pursuing a reinforcement army. None of our messages nor messengers have returned that we have sent out."

She did not reply back.

2. Dusk of a Battle

This campaign is still young. Only three weeks in. The enemy that we defeated today was after two weeks of chasing. Two weeks of suspense that I should of been prepared for. In truth, there was something strange about this enemy today. Perhaps it was that today we are fighting away from our own territory. Yet after chasing them for so long, they suddenly halted and stood. Rooted to the ground without ordering a retreat. Standing there even though their right flank was being overwhelmed at the end -- frozen to the hillside. They only began to flee when the Pegasi charged. It was an extremely long battle and my own division repulsed not just once, but thrice without us breaking their lines despite how many of them I saw falling. It is surprising how much blood the ground was able to soak up... But we won. Another victory with another day nearly over.

BerylDusk read over his entry. He was tempted to crumple it up and dispose it.

"Getting soft, aren't you?" he bitingly thought.

Releasing a sigh, he remembered why he was here on the ruins of a battlefield leagues away from his territory. He wanted peace. The other divisional commanders had different reasons: WoodenDale freedom, Radiance protection, and EmeraldCrest glory. It seemed ironic that he had to fight for peace, but it was only way. Diplomacy so far has been able to unite the territories around the lone mountain that fills the waters of the Saddle Lake, but only that. Rival coalitions and confederations have arisen in the north, each with their own objectives, as well as in the west, along the long central range of Equestria. Conflict would be inevitable, particularly when they all wish for the same thing: unity, control, or to maintain the past's way of life.

BerylDusk was the appointed leader of the entire Everfree region. It was a prosperous kingdom allowing for freedom of movement of the earth ponies and protecting them from harm. Everfree was never involved with major conflicts as it always looked for itself. That was until nearly a year ago, when responsibility arose.

Beryl felt a downdraft of pegasus' wings over head. Upon turning around, the pegasus saluted in the air. A odd detail that stood out to Beryl was the cleanness and brightness the messenger's coat. Perhaps it is only because he is not wearing armor that he was used to seeing throughout his division.

"Sir, I have orders from ArgentHeart. He requests for you to send your division to the field behind his headquarters to camp. The hospitals have been assembled there for the wounded. Other pegasi will arrive to escort your regiments shortly."

Beryl gave him a nod, dipping his horn ever so slightly. "Thank you."

The pegasus saluted again and flew off quickly back in the direction he came.

Beryl realized how he was truthfully still not familiar with the pegasi. He never negotiated with them during his rule of Everfree mainly because they were just mercenaries. They never grew their own food on the ground but lived in the clouds. Up there, they were trained nearly from birth to fly and fight. Their food come from tributes from the ground kingdoms that hired them to serve as bodyguards or as suppressors. They truthfully did not care who they fought for as long as they were fed.

"An entire culture that was bread for war. War that tears lives asunder and land to ruin... Why must this occur?"

Beryl grasped his journal entry and stuffed it down his breastplate. He could hear the parchment crinkle, but he did not care. He had his duty.

He was a commander, but not only that: He had to believe that he was one.

_______________________________________________________________________________________

BrushedFlame halted and held his double-ended lance level to the horizon over his head, his agile wings gently disturbing the slight breeze. The small pendants near the ends were tattered due to the air whizzing past them. There were also some bloodstains as well adding to it's decoration.

"ArgentHeart is going to curse me out if he sees that..." he mumbled.

In truth, he couldn't help but to always lead the charge and attack. He was always a soldier. He has lived in the ranks, following a captain in the lead. But that was when he was fighting for a minor unicorn controlled domain.

Now he is the captain.

And yet now he's following an earth pony. BrushedFlame chuckled at the thought.

It was really was not much different, ArgentHeart, just like anyone else requested for his services and for payment BrushedFlame would receive a share of crops produced to be sent to his pegasi and their families.

There were a few differences, first off that Argent could win battles. He understood battle theory and knew how and when to use it. Already, ArgentHeart had already been able to unite the territories of the former Free Pony Towns. He was able to push back an Western force that wished to seize control and install a petty ruler over it, even when he was completely out numbered. He was a hero to the Second Everfree Division, consisting of his old commands that would always cheer when he approached even during the roughest days. Never had BrushedFlame met an earth pony with as much power as he, though ArgentHeart refused to be ruler over those lands, and instead attempted to join the Everfree nation. That action alone nearly caused another war.

ArgentHeart also kept his promises. BrushedFlame has heard of many stories where the pegasi have been swindled by the unicorns themselves. Argent always reminded him that this war is not against the unicorns, but to create harmony amongst them all. But there was also this argument that was drilled into BrushedFlame's mind sense the days he first started flying in the basic military training that all pegasi had to go through -- if there are no more wars, then how will they eat?

His loyal warriors in his wake caught up to him. He could hear their heavy breathing. BrushedFlame felt like laughing at his ponies for being so tired as he still felt as fresh as when he started the charge, just the feeling of the wind rushing through his mane and tail gives him extra energy. He remembered how he felt in his first real charge. It was relieving to finally do what he has been trained to do for his whole life.

Yet now he is the captain. He must be the leader. He must be cool and calculated and not get over excited. He remembers how many times Argent had fussed at him rushing into the lead. It sometimes amazes BrushedFlame how Argent can remain so solid throughout the battle. Yet again, there was something concerning about Argent, a mysterious earth pony that has made kingdoms bow. In truth, when you combine all of the factors he is causing these wars despite the fact he claims he is making peace. That is why these other ruling unicorns are making these aggressive factions...

Yet without a word he raised and lowered his lance twice keeping it horizontal. It was the sign to return to the army.

_______________________________________________________________________________________

BerylDusk approached his unit, the First Division of Everfree. The uninjured all stood at attention at his approach, though they were exhausted. The wounded tried their best to raise their heads, though many of the seriously injured could not buge. All of these soldiers were all strong and loyal earth ponies, with the exception of the First Hoof which was a mixture of noble unicorns and the strongest and bravest of earth ponies. Originally they were just simple militias and garrisons, but through Argent's direction and rigorous training, they were as elite as they could be. They were approximately one fifth of this army, or about two thousand ponies. Never before has war been fought on this large of a scale. In the beginning of the conflict, a thousand used to be an entire army. Now, two thousand is only a division! And today, Beryl knew that over two thousand ponies died by the hooves of another.

"Captains!" BerylDusk called, "I request your audience. Everypony else is dismissed!"

His captains approached, dignified and resolute. IronQuill arrived first, commander of the Third Hoof. His gray straight mane and tail barely moved when he walked, and his body of a slightly paler shade was as stiff and upright as iron could ever be. He gave a rigid nod to Beryl and giving him his typical cooled stare with his light blue eyes.

He was an earth pony that used to manage the local guards at Beryl's castle. Argent has gave him praise for his unit's discipline, though he has confessed that IronQuill should try to get more flexibility into his troop formations. Argent's word of advice is to never put him on the flanks and only in reserve if the terrain is broken and rough.

"Your orders sir?" he asked unemotionally.

"We're going march soon to the encampment that Argent has ordered to be assembled in the..."

DappledMoss and BranchedSky then arrived together. Both were earth ponies as well, they were in command of the Second and Forth Hoof respectively. They were the flanks of the First Everfree Division. They were flexible, mobile and swift and neither of them received complains from Argent.

DappledMoss is a native to the deeper more isolated thickets and bogs of Everfree therefore she has a thicker stature than what is common for most mares. Yet despite her thicker body she very talented with the bow and sword alike. In forested terrain she always leads, as her knowledge of the trees and foliage never fails. She is however commented in other units for being somewhat ugly, with her green mane and rusted brown coat with splotches all over, though not in her unit as she can beat any of them at practically any type of duel.

BranchedSky could easily been mistaken for Argent at a distance, though his coat is of a lighter shade of blue and his brown mane more finely cropped. It did cause some confusion when Argent was in joint-command with Beryl when only this division was the entire Army of Everfree. BranchedSky was a foal of a respected merchant that in a stroke of misfortune lost all of his wealth and died in a foreign land due to a plague, leaving BranchedSky to try to find a career to support his mother who never truthfully got over the shock of his father's death. Believing that his father was robbed before his death, he joined a merchant guard. He was excellent at monitoring supplies and provisions, therefore generally assisted there, yet he was intelligent enough as well in command and in formation. Apparently he and Argent met a while back before Argent was a commander.

"You requested for us?" asked BranchedSky.

"Yes, but where is ShimmeringAgate? Was she present at my announcement?"

"I saw her," reported IronQuill.

"And I myself" said DappledMoss, followed with a raspy cough.

"Are you alright?" inquired Beryl.

"Hope so. A couple of my ponies in the Second Hoof have it, just a cough. Nothing serious."

"It better be." BranchedSky gave a slight step away from DappledMoss after her comment. "I certainly don't want it."

"DappledMoss, when we get to the camp tonight, can you please go to the hospital and ask if there is a quick remedy for it?" BerylDusk knew a disease, even the slightest, can spread through an entire army like dragon fire, particularly after a battle with so many open wounds. He prayed that it wouldn't expand.

"Is that were we are going?" DappledMoss coughed again that required her to spit out the mucus from her mouth. BranchedSky stared at it disgustedly, though his feeling was mutual to the rest of the group.

"Yes, we are marching to the camp assembled in the center of the army. Some pegasi are supposed to arrive to escort us over there." And as if it was on queue, three pegasi arrived.

"We're your escorts to the camp," the forward most pegasi reported.

"Ah good, do you know what formation we are to arrive in?" inquired IronQuill.

"We're forming the grand column, as Argent wants to have inspection tomorrow before midday."

"This soon? He's inspected the troops just a few days ago," DappledMoss croaked.

"It's his orders. That's all that I can say."

BranchedSky frowned but made no comment while IronQuill shrugged, "Orders are orders. We'll step right to them." IronQill and BranchedSky departed with the pegasi and DappledMoss followed in trail, giving a course cough as a farewell.

With them departed, Beryl looked around to find ShimeringAgate. It was very much not like herself to be late. Most likely she had a good reason though. Beryl looked though the growing dusk to find her brigade, the First Hoof Guards. Beryl was in luck as he could see the glowing aurora of magic being used, the tell tale sign of the First Hoof's unicorns. He began to approach the lights.

"My apologies for being late."

Beryl nearly jumped.

"Oh, I'm sorry. I thought you saw me." A touch of light then rose as the voice lit its horn. It was ShimmeringAgate.

ShimeringAgate was always a pony that there was always a pause when somepony looked at her. She was as elegant as she was intelligent, instantly making anypony respect her. Her coat was similar to the color of the sea, an elegant blue with her mane and tail a similar hue though of purple. Her mane and tail was also long and well kept. She was a heir within Everfree, and when her parents retire from rule, she was already expected to lead her area of Everfree, the northeastern corner. It was debated that she herself has a high possibility of becoming the appointed ruler of the entirety of Everfree itself. She was a recent addition to the army of Everfree as Beryl used to have direct command of the 1st Hoof Guards in the past. Argent's reorganization of the Army of Everfree and the misfortunate death of the previous commander of the brigade caused Beryl to choose a new commander himself. Beryl was surprised that Argent did not have any objections to her as she was not experienced in matters of war. He gave her one good glance from afar and simpliy stated, "She'll do" then left. And in truth with Beryl thinking back, he can't remember a time where Argent actually ever spoke to her. Argent was intelligent, yet just odd... Very odd...

ShimmeringAgate then continued, "There was a dispute within the regiment that I had to iron out. That was why I was delayed. Too many nobles in one area," she finished rolling her eyes.

"What was the dispute?"

"The usual prattle of who is better than who, who has the higher rank... I assume this is typical of new commands."

"It is," mentioned BerylDusk, "yet more like of having the problem of equality in treatment but not in reality, it is nothing that we can really control.. Anyway we have orders to move towards the center for camp tonight. Argent wishes for inspection tomorrow morning."

"Yes sir."

Beryl then began to turn away.

"BerylDusk."

"Yes?"

"Can I have permission for me to ask you a few questions?"

He looked into her eyes, they seem to be very deep and thoughtful.

"About what?"

"ArgentHeart. Who is he? I mean other than the commanding general of this army..."

Beryl paused. "I truthfully do not know much about him myself. There are only rumors. He is as mysterious as his name."

"Can you explain?"

"Well, argent is a royal color, the purest of white and the most refined of silver. Yet when you look at ArgentHeart's complexion there is not even a glimmer of white nor silver on him. He is just solid blue with green eyes perhaps with the faintest touch of hazel, though his mane is a common brown with no more markings to speak of. Now the heart part of his name makes it even more interesting. Does heart mean that the qualities of silver and white is within him? Yet what even makes this more curious is he is not a unicorn and he possesses this name of royal colors and qualities. Nopony truthfully knows his family and he barely talks of home. Quite bluntly, he is strange."

"Do you trust him?"

"He is somewhat like you in a way in character, he knows what he is doing. Like today, his original plan did not work as he planned, but he was able to change it with the situation. Yes I trust him, far more than EmeraldCrest and Radiance. I would of definitively not of let Argent lead my ponies if I could not trust him. Everything would belong to a Nightmare if EmeraldCrest or Radiance was in command..."

"Then why are they commanders?"

"Political reasons. They don't rule the same way as we do in Everfree. Their commanders and judged by royalty, not ability. That is why I pushed for Argent to be the commander of the Army of Everfree as I know he has ability and potential. But anyway ShimmeringAgate you need to start forming up your brigade for the march. We'll talk about this at a later date."

"Yes sir," she replied and went back off towards the glow, leaving Beryl back into the accelerating darkness.

Beryl then lit his own horn. He knew the direction to the center already, and he departed for it before his own troops.

_______________________________________________________________________________________

Official Report of Day Twenty-Three of the Campaign

Foul weather the previous two days slowed us down, however it also worked in our favor by masking our movements and allowing us to be able catch up with the reinforcing troops of the Western Confederation. Early scouting at dawn estimated the enemy strength to be six thousand ponies at that time. They appeared to be resting on a lightly forested ridge seven miles to the west from the First and Second Everfree Divisions. The Saddle Lake Royal Division and the Hayseed Royal Division were eight miles further south due to supply train errors that caused a delayed start that I was not aware of that morning. The gap between the two halves was making communication difficult, but the Pegasi Division under BrushedFlame assisted in giving orders and recognizance to the Royals. By midmorning I personally was on the field, with both Everfree Divisions hidden on a reverse slope to hide from the enemy's line of sight. Believing that the two Royal Divisions were closer, I began deployment. The field consisted of two low ridges formed similar to a lowercase y with the enemy encamped on the highest point on the longer ridge with the branching ridge in front of them. They held a good position, though their left flank would be on the level point where the two ridges merged, giving them little advantage with the elevation. At the beginning of midday, using the branch of the y and the slight tree line, I ordered the Second Everfree Division to move to the obtuse angled valley, with the First Everfree Division behind them. The Royal divisions had not yet appeared on the field, though I gave them orders to make a demonstration on the top of the branching ridge to make it appear as if I was going to attack the center. However they would not emerge on the field even after waiting an extra fifteen minutes from my planned attack. I would then send BrushedFlame's Pegasi to search for the late units and escort them to the field. I was then reported that the enemy must of detected my movements as they began to form up and were sending reinforcements to their left flank. Concerned that they may attack the Everfree Divisions in their inferior positions, I ordered for the Second Everfree to attack immediately, and the First Everfree to get on the Second's right flank to apply pressure to the enemy's rear. Without the Royal Divisions, the numbers were about equal and on relatively level ground, though I wished for a decisive victory and not an attritional one. Eventually, the enemy army's former left flank would become their center as they marched down the higher slope. Ranged skirmishing lasted for nearly a half of an hour, which we held an advantage in. I was reported that the Royals were then approximately a mile away, and with limited options that I could do at that moment, I ordered the infantry advance. At first the melee was in our own favor with our advantages with the pikes, though when their reserves entered the combat, the ground we had gained was lost. The fighting was dreadfully fierce and deadlocked, pike formations and shield walls breaking down into a messy melee. I was debating about retreating when finally the Royal Brigades arrived with the pegasi, a full two hours later than I had wished. Their cohesion was extremely poor wasting even more time before they were capable of advancing to relieve the pressure off of the Everfree Divisions. At this time I saw a few of the Everfree Brigades beginning to fall back a few yards as well as some of the enemy, proving that both sides had fought to exhaustion. During this time, I received a report that Division Commander WoodenDale of the Second Everfree Division was injured in the battle, but was still able to issue commands. Expecting the enemy to retreat when the enemy disengaged, I ordered BrushedFlame to charge and pursue the enemy at his own judgment while sending orders to Northern Hayseed Royals to advance immediately to engage the enemy's right. However, even though the enemy was now out numbered by nearly four to one, it did not retreat when the Hayseed troops engaged. BrushedFlame then flew over the enemy and charged into their rear, similar to a hammer to an anvil. This would finally cause the enemy army to break.

ArgentHeart lifted the quill from his unfinished report. "The day is not yet over," he thought. BrushedFlame's division had not yet returned, as they were still pursuing the shattered enemy. He felt discomforted whenever his division was not overhead keeping watch over his army for its security. He was then suddenly interrupted in his thought. It was by a pegasus, a messenger that was still new to the army.

"Another honorable victory today. You make war look easy!" grinned the pegasus.

ArgentHeart just looked at him. "He's young. Too young to understand... but why am I calling him young? He's probably not any much younger than I am..." he thought. "I'm pleased," he said flatly, "Have you collected the reports of the losses yet?"

"There is not an official number yet."

"Do you have an estimate?"

"Our's are certainly less than the enemy." He gave another grin.

ArgentHeart looked away. "I would like an official report as soon as possible."

"Promptly," the messenger replied and he rushed off leaving a blur in his wake.

Argent remained, detached from the rest of the other commanders that had already arrived. He could hear their excitement they always had after a battle with cheers and toasts for their achievements and the dreams they all have when they return, decorated and praised upon. They were all unicorns.

"Or my noisy baggage," Argent thought to himself.

They were the nobility and elite of the areas where they lived, yet sterile of the realities of rough life. The unicorns used to be helpful to the earth ponies, there were legends of them assisting the orchards where they could harvest a whole acre in a few seconds with little effort with their magic which would take several scores of earth ponies to do so. But those were just stories now, long buried in the past.

"ArgentHeart!"

Somewhat startled he looked back. It was BerylDusk, one of the few unicorns that Argent could fully trust. "Good evening sir."

"And you as well. Did I unfortunately interrupt your thoughts?"

"You know as well as I do that I am always thinking over something."

"Agreed."

"I am certainly thankful that it was our veterans that was on the field today, it might of been a heavier blow to us if they were not..."

Beryl gave a weak smile and looked into the darkening sky. "Yes I'll agree to that. I will say that the two Everfree divisions certainly carried their weight today."

"But even the best can be overwhelmed..." Argent thought yet he asked "Where is your division?"

"They are about halfway here, the going is annoyingly rough. It certainly got dark quick..."

"Agreed. Do you happen to know how far the pegasi pursued the enemy's rout?"

"I saw BrushedFlame at the head of them. So clearly he probably have them halfway across Equestria by now if the enemy run fast enough."

"Typical of him... I've talked to him more than once about his reckless nature in the charge, but I think that is a lost cause." Argent gave a rare chuckle, but he became serious again, "Yet if I lost him, it would be like losing a whole hoof."

"He has always returned, whooping and shouting in his typical manner, today should not be any different."

"I hope that you are right. In truth, I would like to have him back as soon as possible. I've been discomforted about this battle today."

"I'll agree on you with that. Then enemy's force would not retreat. They stood there holding that position as long as they could, even at times where they should of clearly withdrew."

"The enemy's general was probably incompetent, though I strongly believe he was trying to cause as many casualties as he could..."

"He could of panicked and refused to accept a retreat. We ourselves seen some of our own leaders lock down," nodding to the unaware Radiance in the middle of the group.

"Aye, most of them should not be here. This is no game. But how else will I be able to have any authority without them? If they are not here, what is there for them to be able bond up and resist? They will never accept having me, an earth pony as a general, as a leader! That is what our enemy has done!" Argent immediately realized he was getting too worked up. "I apologize Beryl. I know that you influenced the Council of the Coalition to install my command of this army instead of yourself. I am just..." he sighed and shook his head then looked back a Beryl, "stressed. Do you forgive me?"

"I do." He paused. "I just want this war to be over. I know that you have much better abilities than my own in command."

"That I understand and respect. I wish for this to be over as well, these conflicts are making me feel much older than the actual years that I have lived."

"Have you thought of what you are going to do after all of this?" Beryl asked.

"I apologize, but I try to not to distract myself with those thoughts. My focus is on this campaign, on the duty that I have been assigned."

"I see. I must take my departure. I presume that I will next greet you at the inspection tomorrow?"

"Yes good gentlecolt, I will see you then."

_______________________________________________________________________________________

The First Everfree Division was lined up into their marching columns as orders were being shouted out at the two thousand ponies that formed the Division. They advanced following a Pegasus guide with a lamp leading them to the central location for the camp. Many of the wounded had already received first aid and followed their regiment, though several still had to be carried by stretcher or on the backs of their comrades. It was relatively quiet, with the exception of the clinking of armor and ironclad hooves. No songs or cheering. Quite simply they were all tried with heads down, keeping their eyes cracked open to see the if the tail of the pony in front of them had stopped so that they would not collide into the other's rump.

Looking behind, there were other individual lights as well which showed the location of the Second Everfree Division which was also advancing. It was the largest of the divisions in the army and it was involved in the majority of the fighting today. The casualties there were rumored to be significantly higher in that division, the exact number was unknown. The other infantry divisions were on the opposite left flank and in truth barely saw much action.

The trip to the center was not far, but by marching in the dark and with wounded the pace was much slower. From a walk that would of taken little more than five minutes took over an half an hour, not including the time setting up the formation. When the regiments found their locations on the fields, many of the ponies just collapsed and slept. The hospitals which were put on the flanks were busy trying to heal the wounded with the best of their ability. They would be busy for the entire night, nonstop.

_______________________________________________________________________________________

"Sir."

ArgentHeart opened his eyes. It was the messenger pegasus from earlier. He seemed to of lost his cheer.

"Here are the after action reports that I have gathered."

"Thank you. You're dismissed for the time being," Argent then spoke in a softer tone, "And rest up. We don't know what tomorrow will bring."

The messenger did not reply, he just flapped off to a thicket of grass and then laid down, presumably asleep in an instant.

Argent held the battle reports.

The air cooled with the rising darkness as he began to read the numbers:

First Everfree Division, Commander BerylDusk

1st Hoof. Captain: ShimmeringAgate

500 Reported. 26 Killed, 97 Wounded, 5 missing. Final Strength 372.

2nd Hoof. Captain: DappledMoss

643 Reported. 93 Killed, 221 Wounded, 26 missing. Final Strength 303.

3rd Hoof. Captain: IronQuill

723 Reported. 167 Killed, 221 Wounded, 5 missing. Final Strength 330.

4th Hoof. Captain: BranchedSky

598 Reported. 52 Killed, 189 Wounded, 1 missing. Final Strength 356.

"That's close to fifty percent casualties... Of 2,464 ponies that division marched out, 1361 came back unharmed," Argent thought. "Though if fortune is favorable, seventy-five percent of the wounded will be healed. Hopefully."

But Argent knew that his old division, the 2nd Everfree, would have significantly higher casualties.

"May the fates have mercy..."

Second Everfree Division, Commander WoodenDale

1st Everfree Volunteers. Captain: ForestJack

744 Reported. 157 Killed, 299 Wounded, 56 missing. Final Strength 232.

2nd Everfree Volunteers. Captain: WindWispier

756 Reported. 147 Killed, 353 Wounded, 27 missing. Final Strength 229.

Everfree Reserves. Captain: ClovenField

1523 Reported. 300 Killed, 625 Wounded, 143 missing. Final Strength 455

5th Hoof. Captain: RiverSand. Killed in combat. Replaced with JadeTreasure on the field.

689 Reported. 221 Killed, 275 Wounded, 53 missing. Final Strength 140.

Argent was already aware of RiverSand's death, but seeing it in writing was a different matter. She only now existed in memories. Another face to fade away... But Argent couldn't grieve. "Another life sacrificed. Another promise to keep fighting for. I can't let their deaths mean nothing."

Argent then skimmed through the rest of the divisions. The others had very limited casualties, most of them being missing from the actual fight.

"Only three hundred and forty-five more. Therefore, I have four thousand five hundred and sixty-two total casualties."

Argent shook his head.

"Too high.. by far too high... How much lower would it of been if EmeraldCrest and Radiance actually got to the field on time? What took them so bloody long? Or is the mistake mine? Should I have waited longer? Should of I revealed my army earlier to the enemy and they would of retreated knowing that I was close to them?"

He knew that he was getting worked up. The responsibility that rested on him was heavy, but he knew that if he broke, everything that was done was for naught. He was not about to fail. Not now. Besides, Radiance had to be in the rear. He had no other choice.

Argent looked into the night sky. He could now see BrushedFlame's Pegasi Brigade as gray isolated figures hung in the sky above. From here he could tell that BrushedFlame most likely overflew them.

"They would probably be too tired to scout in the morning," Argent sighed to himself.

Some of the figures were cluttered, symbolizing that there were wounded.

Argent felt the tingling on the back of his head when someone was staring at him. He knew who it was.

"BrushedFlame, you have permission to land," commanded Argent flatly.

"I've returned," the pegasi commander said with a smile.

Argent returned it with a stern stare, "Pardon me if I withhold my enthusiasm, but I'm no fool to see that you have gotten a different lance than the one you charged with earlier as the pendants are not tattered. You know what I have said before about being reckless, and yes, I've given up on telling you to stop, but today you pursued the enemy too far." Argent stuck a hoof skyward at the other pegasi flying by, "The men are exhausted and I need scouts tomorrow. I have largely left your command independent, but things have gotten a lot larger and important now. Don't make me restrict it."

"Yes sir."

Argent then looked away for a moment then looked back at him, the ice in his eyes gone. "I don't mean to be harsh or anything, as I do have a high respect for you and your ponies." He then stretched and yawned. "But besides that how are you?"

"The typical expression when you chew me out then ask how I am."

Argent smiled, "Ah yes, I see. I assume I'll see you tomorrow morning at inspection."

"Inspection tomorrow morning? And you said that I was always in a rush!"

"Perhaps a bit of you has rubbed off on me. I don't expect it perfect, no need to polish."

"Has the hospital been set up?"

"Yes, but it's rough. I am wanting to move by midday tomorrow."

"I doubt that is possible. Particularly with inspection and all."

"I know, but I just don't feel comfortable here. We are a bit too deep in unknown territory. I wish to be mobile."

"Or you could just get an army of pegasi," BrushedFlame joked.

"Yes, but then who would carry me around then as clearly I must of forgotten my wings? You?" Argent replied, with a slight chuckle. Yet becoming more serious, "I thinking that I might fall back."

"Really?"

"I have not heard from Canterlot for the past two weeks, and I just don't like how the enemy fought today. They stood like a wall even when defeat was clear. I've never understood why they did that, it is as if they wished to delay us as long as possible. In truth I didn't even want to fight this army in the first place."

There was an instant of shock in BrushedFlame's eyes, "What?! Why?"

"I was hoping I could talk to them first to give them the option of peace. I don't do this because of glory or sport you know. But they attacked first in that skirmish a week prior."

"What were your orders?"

"In simple terms, find the enemy and defeat the enemy. Hunt and destroy. I disagree with them, but if news spread that I let a hostile army be untouched, then my command of the Army of Everfree would be quite short."

"Agreed."

Argent took a large breath in and out. "I just had to get that off my back if you know what I mean. Please don't spread any rumors, okay?"

"I'll try not too," BrushedFlame responded with a smile.

"You better not you rascal!" knowing that he wouldn't, "You better be off to your soldiers."

"Aye, I'll do that," and he gave a quick salute then departed.

Argent watched him go. It was difficult to remain upset at him, though the pegasi where a very important of this army. A careless mistake could cost him his most valuable asset and perhaps even the war.

And the thousands of promises he had to keep.

"We're not fighting this war for nothing," Argent mumbled, unheard into the nightly air.

3. Engineering Hope

The sun was not at completely at rest, but it was behind the solitary mountain that Canterlot clung onto, casting it's shadow over the city. The soldiers that were there were survivors of defeat. They were a mixture of cowards, luck and fortune.

There were a few wounded, but countless more were left on that field of battle in the mountain pass. Their only hope right now is the mercy of the enemy...

They came up the road, at first a small trickle, but gradually larger. The deserters did not have any weapons on them, as they were discarded on the battlefield. They would become the trophies of the enemy's victory. Weapons themselves are difficult to come by in this land, and for many, the value of a single pike was more that the actual life of a pony.

The early arrivals were disorganized. They either came from separate units, or that they escaped earlier and hid, only to return when they realized there was nowhere else to go. The cohesion however increased when the troops of the former right flank arrived with the reserves. But they too were mauled, coated in dust and dirt and heads hung low. There were no calling horns being played for their arrival and no cheering for the duty's they did. They were just only survivors. Nothing more.

_______________________________________________________________________________________

The gatehouse of Canterlot was a perfect arch, with no fault between the stones that it was practically impossible to deter the separate blocks of polished stone from each other. The bottom was thicker than the crest, causing the frontal escarpment to not be vertical and making the center point of the base to be furthest point out, making the gatehouse to have the elegance of a hoof.

Yet this feat of engineering and art was not for a military design. It was hardly defendable, the top of the wall not designed for the mounting of troops but for banners, and the gate was literally projected in front of it and not within where it could be protected by flanking fire. Two stone towers which were built out of the more local grey stones had only been partially constructed, as well as being behind the actual gatehouse, only being useful if the enemy tried to avoid flank the gate itself. The arc of the crest was higher than the bases of the towers, blocking any defensive fire that it could offer to support the front of the gate. There were also extensive gaps between the towers and the gatehouse, making an already difficult defense there practically impossible.

Yet, there were a few advantages from the geography around Canterlot. In front of the gate, there was a swift stream that would delay an enemy advance, particularly on the cliff side, however, it could be possible to ford the stream if the enemy held close to the small body of water that pooled near the base of the waterfall, if the enemy was knowledgeable of that. There was also a field before that stream where the armies encamped earlier, though now the majority had been moved behind the gatehouse. The field was wide and open, and would give little cover to the enemy. It was also possible to create small palisades in the field to impede the movement of the enemy causing them to be under ranged fire for longer periods of time.

The final main advantage was the two hills that bordered the field. These two hills connected the plateue that Canterlot was on to the valley below and had to be scaled first before the enemy could attack Canterlot. Also, the hills were in a narrow pass and could easily be fully covered by the surviving pike infantry and would force the enemy to charge head on without being able to flank. In truth, it was the best denfendable location for Canterlot, though no fortifications existed there.

The defensive plans were then set. The rements of the Grand Coalition Army would hold the two hills, in theory being a temporary wall. Their responsibility was to hold back the enemy as long as possible, as it was likely that they would assault directly the next day. They should only need to hold for only a day or two, to buy time for earthen walls to be built along the gatehouse and the towers, making the city reasonably defendable. Also, the field would have palisades built during this period, in an aim to prevent the enemy from approching the fordable part of the stream and slowing them while being rained from above by arrows. The army would then withdraw into Canterlot itself.

The plans ended there. After that point, there was nothing that truthfully could be done except hold the towers and gates. The defences had to hold or else all would be lost.

_______________________________________________________________________________________

She said nothing while she watched the ponies, scurrying about below illuminated only by the few torches in the deepening darkness. She could hear the harshness of the commands, as the grass that formed the meadow below turned into brown heaps.

All she could think of was if the new dug holes would be enough to burry the dead soon to come.

She sensed someone staring at her and she looked back over her right shoulder, her eyes resting on another unicorn.

She remembered him. He was a royal from the Saddle Lake Kingdom, a mature pony more used to the days of peace rather than war, yet his name escaped her memory at the present time.

"My lady, I apologize for interrupting your thoughts..." he began.

"No, it is completely fine," she interjected, somewhat thankful that he did.

"Ahem, well, a rumor has it that a pegasus ended up stopping that charge."

"And what's the import..."

"I believe that I saw that actually," one of her guards interrupted, "a golden speck flew from the center of that mass that occurred in the center of the enemy line."

Another guard piped up, "And the enemy only has griffins, so it had to be one of our's."

Soon a small commotion began with the members of the staff and the guards. But she saw something in their eyes that had been missing for the past day -- hope and courage. The two things that they needed the most.

_______________________________________________________________________________________

ThunderWhip lifted the earth laden bucket up from the base of the earthen wall. He had lost count of the number of times that he had done this chore, lifting the buckets and dumping them onto the pile of earth. For all the work that his team had done, the wall had rose about three feet in the three hours of work.

"One foot an hour..." he grumbled.

The earthen walls were going to be approximately to be about fifteen feet high, too high to jump, therefore requiring the enemy to be forced to take siege equipment to assault the walls.

He could see several unicorns using their magic to carry large rocks that were being laid at the base of the dirt wall, hoping to create some type of foundation. Other ponies were there as well, with makeshift wooden bludgeons, hammering the boulders into the dirt, hoping that would firm up the foundations of the wall. Everything was being done in the hope that it would work.

As he dumped his bucket to the top of the earthwork, a cart rolled by. It's wheels making a horrific groaning as it carried its overloaded pile of rocky dirt. There was a small ramp for it go up on to empty its load, but the weight of the wagon made its wheels sink into the fresh dirt, bringing it to a halt. The four earth ponies pulling it just unhitched themselves from it, and wondered off, uncaring.

"We're defeated already," he thought. "There's little point of going on if nopony else is even trying..."

"Hey, you there!"

ThunderWhip looked at the direction of the calling. It was a sodden earth pony, who would of looked respectable except for the fact that he was covered head to hoof in dirt grime.

"Yeah, you, the pegasus. I think the Guards are looking for you."

ThunderWhip flew down to the pony.

"What? Why?" he asked.

"I dunno. I head them asking for a golden pegasus, and I wager that it's you."

He then remembered what he did on the battlefield today. Was that actually today? It feels as if weeks have past since then... but in truth, it was only five hours ago.

He looked down at himself. He never though of himself as golden, and particularly not now, with his hooves dirtied from his chore. But perhaps destiny had something in story for him.

"Thank you," he said to the earth pony, as he took to the air again. True enough, there was a group of the Coalition Guards, with their distinctive brass armor. One of them must of spotted him, reared up and was pointed at him. Another shouted.

"You there! Come here!"

ThunderWhip landed between them.

"I heard that you were looking for a golden pegasus."

"Yes. The Minister of the Coalition is looking for one."

"Apparently he ended up halting the enemy's charge today," the other guard added.

"Was it you?"

ThunderWhip did not know what to say. "All I did was fight, good gentlecolts... Fight and live..."

"He must not be him then."

ThunderWhip couldn't recall really much what happened after he stole the sword, the griffins shortly made a beeline to him, yet he eluded them. By the time he looked back at the ground the He then flew back to Canterlot over the reserve regiments trying to find his own regiment. He managed to find a small group of twenty or so other pegasi and flew back with them, but they were from a scattering of regiments. A few were from his own, but he never knew them as they were the older veterans. Conversation was basically non-existent between them as they kept pace with the infantry below. On arrival, they were already some of the last to get to Canterlot, and the duties were already assigned for them. And since then, he had been lifting buckets to build a wall and watch the morale of the troops droop further.

The guards had already turned their backs to him, searching around to find their golden pegasus.

He heard one mumble, "This must been somepony's imagination..."

"Yeah, but Lance swears that he saw one fly out of that circle..."

"Circle you say?" ThunderWhip interrupted.

"Yeah, do you know anything about it?"

"Well, you see, I'm a pegasus archer, but during the battle I ran out of arrows after downing a few griffins. I tried to find another weapon for me to keep on, but all I could find were pikes..."

"Please hurry up. We don't have all night..."

"I then challenged a group of enemy unicorns, as I wanted a sword."

"Were they the Crystal Unicorns?"

"I would assume so, they were all pale..."

"The Crystal Unicorns were in the center of the enemy army" the left guard commented to the right.

"Sir, I would like you to follow us."

ThunderWhip, already had his hoof on the hilt of the sword, ready to show it to them to prove his point, but they already decided.

"B-But of course."

_______________________________________________________________________________________

She watched the trail of flame dart across the sky, yet it quickly got swallowed up by the darkness. She wished that she was just a filly and could make a wish, but those days of innocence were over.

She looked around herself, there was nopony else there. It was a rare time indeed. She looked down at herself. She still had her perfectly white coat and slender body. She also had her longer than normal horn, giving her that pinnacle of elegance.

Thinking back, she could remember a ponystale about of the radiance of beauty.

Radiance...

Radiance the Prince in Saddle Lake, now Radiance, Commander of the Saddle Lake Division.

But always, Radiance, my brother.

He was younger than her, by several years, but he was the expected heir of the Saddle Lake Kingdom. He was always eager to learn as he was young, always willing to help out for the slightest trouble any one in his family had. He was just so gentle and kind. He grew up as very nice gentlecolt, always wanting for the protection and preservation of his family.

But now he is gone, with the Army of Everfree -- under the command of that earth pony, ArgentHeart.

Times have certianly changed.

She remembers that day when the Coalition was created, not far from the spot were she was standing currently. It was over the collapse of the Free States that existed at the edge of the central range. In theory it used to be under the protection of a western kingdom, however they failed in the duties that they were responsible for doing causing the Free Pony States to be forced to fend for themselves. Eventually demands were made on the Free Pony States which they revolted and compiled their militias. The revolt was expected to be crushed quickly and decisively, though that was when this mysterious ArgentHeart appeared. Perhaps it was just a trick of fate, yet this earth pony commander decisively defeated the western army. The question then arose whom would be the protector of the Free Pony States. Tensions heightened between Everfree and the Saddle Lake Kingdom who both bordered the territory. When the Free Pony States' armed force merged with the forces from Everfree, Saddle Lake was on the verge of declaring war. However, an meeting was arranged to hopefully settle the conflict bloodlessly. Interestingly, after two days of intence negotiations, it would be BerylDusk, the leader of Everfree itself who would change his iron stance that the Free States have already joined the nation of Everfree and suggest the creation of the Coalition. His arguement was that we all need to protect all ponies, and unity was the only way to do so.

It would be there that everything changed. Ultimately, it was a method that was to break down the borders of the kingdoms to let the assist each other when in need and to secure the longitivity of the Free States. The Council created by the leaders of the regions in Everfree, Saddle Lake, Northern Hayseed, and represenitives of the young Free Pony Towns, elected a single leader to be the Minister of the Coalition.

And that was me, CelestialSky, the Princess of Saddle Lake.

Now, First Minister of the Canterlot Coalition.

But scarcely three months passed and then there was this war.

There was then a knock on the door, and the guards entered. Their brass armor was still polished, giving their shine in the room, and behind them was a palomino pegasus still wearing his saddlebag, with a quiver and an unstrung recurve bow hung on the outside.

"Not exactly golden," she thought, "but close enough."

The guards bowed their heads, but the pegasus did not.

_______________________________________________________________________________________

ThunderWhip saw the guards bow in front of him, yet he didn't know what to do himself. He remembered that in training an entire hour was dictated by the Drill Captain's harsh voice: "Pegasi don't bow! We never wish to get closer to the ground! We bow to Nopony!" Yet a salute felt ridiculous in this situation. True, the Minister of the Coalition was in theory the peak of command, it truthfully did not have much power in comparison to the leaders of the kingdoms.

Yet perhaps it could be the shock of beauty?

He shook that thought out of his head. He was here to do his duty, not time to drift off...

In her delicate voice, she dismissed the guards who exited the door, both giving ThunderWhip a glance as they passed with their polished brass armor.

With their exit, she then rested her violet eyes on him with her finely shaped face. Her body was still facing the window that she was looking out of when they entered.

"So are you the pegasus that saved the Army?"

Once again, ThunderWhip was stunned by her sight. It was one of the few things that he was not taught to have a defense against... He coughed in his throat.

"Yes, madam. I never realize that I did though... Until the guards started talking..."

He noticed that he was stuttering just slightly. He once again cursed at himself in his thoughts.

"I see. So what did you do?"

He reached back with his right hoof, and pulled at the hilt of the sword hidden under his saddle bag, and drew it out fully. He tried to make it as impressive looking as possible. ThunderWhip really didn't understand why.

"I procured this after I challenged a group of unicorns to a duel."

He felt like boasting about this achievement, how he swindled the sword from them. Though, it was more in the situation of chance rather than actual talent...

"And that caused them to stop?" she looked at him with curiosity.

ThunderWhip's heart seemed to beat a little faster. "Well, a whole crowd formed around me." He paused, then with a little grin, "You should of seen their faces after I knocked over the first one." "Yes, it was a bit of a lie," he thought, "but still true as I did knock out one of them with the stone..."

"Impressive."

"Yep! And that's how I got this trophy." He held up the sword for dramatic effect.

"So what is your name?"

ThunderWhip deflated slightly at that question.

"Err, ThunderWhip, pegasus of the Fourth Pegasi Archers in the Canterlot Coalition Pegasi Division."

It would then be right then when he gave a brief salute.

He had never felt as embarrassed before in his life. Only soldier's discipline kept him from falling apart right then and there.

She just gave him a slight smile then looked out the window again.

"I have a proposition for you. You can probably can tell, the morale of this army is extremely low if not nonexistent at this point." A frown began to appear on her face. "You see, I need to engineer hope, just like the gatehouse is of stone. Yet this just might be even more important than that actual gatehouse..."

She then looked at ThunderWhip, her eyes a slightly deeper color of purple now.

"I need you create hope, to raise the morale of the ponies. Perhaps your story will do that."

She then looks down at the ground, "The only thing that is keeping what remnants together right now is the geography, as the enemy most likely is now blocking the only exit from Canterlot in the valley below..."

ThunderWhip then spoke up. "Madam, I will do what you wish. I'll try my best to save the men from the defeat in their hearts. My duty is for victory and I serve under your grace."

And he gave a bow as it seemed to be the most natural thing to do in this situation.

_______________________________________________________________________________________

4. Into the Eyes of Veterans

BerylDusk went out of his tent to see the dawn crest over the artificial horizon created by the mountains, therefore it was actually later in the morning than what it appeared to be. The other soldiers were stirring as well, stretching their sore joints and backs or taking taste of the grasses they slept upon during the night, bare and open to the environment. BerylDusk shivered at the thought. He knew that he just could not sleep with the open sky above him with the constant gaze of the stars and moon on him. Perhaps it was just that he was used to the life of being in the castle during his youth, with the secure stone walls protecting him from the elements.

"But I'm not a monarch right now. I'm a commander," he reminded himself, "It's just the sacrifice that has to be made for peace."

A few of the awaken soldiers were in a line behind a cart loaded with barrels, trying to get their morning ration of water as early as possible. Standing nearby that cart was BranchedSky who was talking another earth pony that was sitting at the front of the cart, who's forearm was in a tight bandage with a slight brown stain in the middle center. It clearly appeared as if BranchedSky was giving him advice on how to minister his new job. BranchedSky used to be the Chief of Supply and Provisions for the Army of Everfree, an important position and responsibility that was the true lifeline for the Army, or how he would put it, "It's easier to march with a half-full belly than an empty one." While not as glorious as being a commander, it was just as or even more important. Throughout the escalation of recent conflicts and the growing sizes of armed forces, the procuring of war material and provisions needed to expand as well. When the army was encamped, the soldiers could graze and forage for food around them, though when on the march to prevent halting and assembling camps every day, food and water was transported along with the army to be distributed throughout the march. This was in truth the key to Argent's earlier success in the Free Territories north of Everfree and west of Saddle Lake, as he was able to scatter his enemy's army and defeat them in detail by being so mobile and not directly tied to large sources of water. BranchedSky's knowledge of the merchant trades and transportation made him perfect for the organization of this extensive system that he and Argent developed.

BranchedSky noticed BerylDusk and gave him a respected nod with his head at him that Beryl returned.

Beryl could already smell the scents of the army drifting through the air. It was largely the smell of the accumulation of dirt and sweat of pony odor, mixed in with touch of refuse despite the soldiers' efforts to relieve themselves in places out of the way. It was a general problem when the army was grouped together like this, but for now it was only just a slight discomfort. He continued to examine his troops as they began their awaking routines. He could already see there were some of the wounded already returned to their units, as their white bandages made a sharp contrast against their darker colored coats. It was the interesting phenomenon of the different regions of Equestria that there was generally a stereotype of coat colors. The ponies of Everfree and Hayseed were generally darker coated, while the northern ponies were all delicate pastel colors. Saddle Lake was generally a mixture of the two while the pegasi were generally in flashier colors.

BerylDusk then saw DappledMoss herself up and about, with her green mane still clashing slightly with her rusted orange coat which was speckled with small splotches of a slightly lighter orange.

"Good morning Beryl," she called in her deep voice. She gave a slight cough, but it did not sound nearly as severe as it was during the night.

"Good morning to you as well. I presume that you went to the hospital last night?"

"Yeah, I did that. They gave me some sort of tea or something. I'm sharing it with the others as well. Do you want some?"

Having tea with DappledMoss was certainly not on a list of things Beryl ever wanted to do...

"Ah, well no, but that is good you're getting better. Is everypony else up?"

"Everypony but IronQuill, but he always oversleeps which is no surprise to anypony now."

Beryl chuckled, "No it's not. Can you make sure that he is up soon though? I don't know how soon Argent is wanting for that inspection..."

"That I'll do." She walked off a few steps, then turned back around. "Oh, in case you are looking for her, ShimmeringAgate went off into the forest over there," raising her hoof to the small woods that were on the right flank.

"Oh, why thank you."

She then nodded and spoke again, "Yeah, she's been acting kinda strange lately. Best be that you'll check on her..."

"Yes, I'll do that. Thank you again."

"No problem!" she responded over her shoulder as she departed.

"Now what is the problem with ShimmeringAgate?" Beryl began to wonder to himself. ShimmeringAgate has always been reasonably strong and loyal. He knew that yesterday was her first battle ever and it was one was certainly a rough one for a first, but she was confident in her command throughout.

He then remembered her asking about ArgentHeart yesterday. Her eyes seemed to be similar to times when he would see a pony fall in fancy with another when he was back in the court in Everfree.

"But ArgentHeart?" He laughed, "What a silly thought."

Beryl remembered asking him about CelestialSky once on what he thought of her complexion as she has been widely declared as the most beautiful pony in all of Equestria. His response: "She's pretty, I guess." It's literally the joke of the army now.

"Argent has his phalanxes and formations to dream up of, certainly there is no thought of love in his mind..."

_______________________________________________________________________________________

"BrushedFlame, have you seen anything up there?" asked ArgentHeart.

"Yes, a dark blue earth pony with a brown mane and tail who's going to start glaring at me with his green eyes two seconds from now."

"You're totally asking for it..." Argent said as he glared directly into the face of the jokester flying directly overhead.

"Oh lighten up a bit. The route you selected is perfectly safe, I've already sent several detachments of scouts to examine it for you. It even has a good place to rest after the first day of marching. And most importantly, it avoids those bogs we, or at least all of you grounded ponies had to march through," he said with a smirk.

Earlier for an entire week they were trapped in a valley of bogs. The enemy probably went in there thinking that they could lose us, but they became trapped in there too. There were a few brief skirmishes, but most of the time was spent trying to find a path through the sticky, stinking ground while going after the enemy. The water was foul and there was no firewood, forcing the soldiers to carry their own waste in sacks for it to dry, then burn it so that they could boil the water to prevent them from getting ill. It took forever to get out of that mess, and it was certainly a place no pony in the army ever wished to go back through. Argent sighed, "You don't even have the foggiest idea how difficult that was..."

"However, I am still warning you that we won't be able to leave until tomorrow morning," BrushedFlame added, "As it will still take a bit for my scouting parties to check for all the details you ordered them to check."

"I'm aware, yet I better start the inspection soon. I just need to see what our condition is and then decide when we are going to get back to Canterlot."

"What about Radience? Are you going to lecture it into him due to his incompetence yesterday?"

"Not right this instant."

"Today?"

"Most likely not. Why?"

"Because I would certainly like to see his reaction when you start to drill on him like how you do on myself."

Argent quite suddenly became serious, "That is not necessary. When we do talk, it will be on an individual basis. Please don't ask again."

"ArgentHeart, I have just one more question, and I promise is not related to the last one."

"What is it?" Argent stated, still with a bit of ice in his voice.

"Why are you so eager to end this campaign? We had our hard fought victory, but we're not getting anything out of it. Shouldn't we just keep on pressing westward and capture a citadel or demand for a truce? I mean, after all of this, 'we're not bearing any fruit' as many of the earth ponies would say."

Argent turned and looked westward, "The lands we have to cross to get to the western coast line are largely unknown and untracked. Where were are now is just lands for the nomads, with no cities, the land is uncontrollable. So basically, if I march over there I will not have any reinforcements. While I could just sue for peace, it probably won't do anything as they will go back to their ways as soon as the Army left to go back home. No, if we are going to do something with the Western Confederation, it will have to be in large-scale."

"Then why did we go West?" BrushedFlame asked with his expression perplexed.

"Orders..." Argent rolled his eyes, "In truth, the Canterlot Council thought the Western Confederation were going to merge with forces of the Crystal Kingdoms as both of their declarations of war arrived within two days of each other. I thought it was unlikely that it would be anything large scale as there would be more clues. Besides, the geography is not in either's favor to combine forces like so here, being so far from settled civilization... The Army of Everfree was supposed to be, as the council wrote it, 'like the delicate touch of a hoof to a bath' to the area." Argent clearly over exemplified the quotation and gave an outward breath of slight annoyance to the flowery language. " Clearly they don't know much about military matters... and speaking of a bath, it is certainly something that I am looking forward to..." as he scratched his left front leg with his right.

"All I've got to do is fly through a cloud and I come back out all wet, then fly around some more until I'm dry."

Argent gave him another glare jokingly, "Don't make me get even more jealous than I am already of you pegasi."

"A bit too late don't you think?"

Argent stuck his tongue out at him. "Anyway, I must gather the other commanders. Can you please notify BerylDusk for me?"

BrushedFlame saluted, "As you wish!"

_______________________________________________________________________________________

BerylDusk noticed the slight astonishment ShimmrtingAgate had upon her expression when she noticed Beryl as she exited the woods.

"ShimmeringAgate, what are you doing here? Inspection is going to begin shortly and I need you with your brigade."

"My apologies Beryl. I was not expecting for it to be this early in the morning."

"Argent has not been at ease very well recently, so he's probably over calculating and worried."

"Perhaps," she stated lightly, "but personally myself feel as if there is something wrong. No news from Canterlot for two weeks? That is certainly something fishy..."

"Or it could mean that the war could be over and they have been too excited to tell us."

"Yes, that would be nice," replying to Beryl's optimism as they started to head back, "but have you seen the last message yet?"

"No, which is unusual. Argent never hides orders or anything after he reads them. It might be a personal letter."

"Yes, it might be.." Beryl noticed the slight air of disappointment around her when she spoke that, yet it might of just been his imagination. The odds of Argent receiving a personal letter was pretty far fetched anyway. He's about the most unsocial pony he knew.

From overhead Beryl heard his name. He searched skywards to see BrushedFlame hovering in the air. He was in his typical informal attitude. The only time he has ever seen him serious is when he is in front of his own troops in battle, but even then he whoops and hollers as soon he begins the charge.

"So anyway, this blue earth pony has demanded for me to order you to come to him. Do I have permission to spank him for his insubordination?"

"Very funny..." Beryl said flatly though ShimmeringAgate was able to put on a slight smile. "Tell him that I will report to him shortly." Then turning to ShimmeringAgate, "You better be off to your brigade."

She acknowledged and then trotted off towards the location of the first Everfree Division.

"Well, she's a catch," BrushedFlame mentioned after watching her trot off.

"Don't you have better things to do?" Beryl asked with a spike of annoyance.

"Well that was certainly not a conversation starter..."

Beryl rolled his eyes, "I want this campaign to be over with, and you're not making it any better right now..."

"Oh, well then I got some news for you -- Argent is planning on moving back the army to Canterlot."

Finally Beryl could perk up his ears. "Oh really?"

"Yes, my scouts have already observed most of the routes to get there. We're definitively not taking the same route that we got here though."

"Praises upon that. I certainly don't like the feeling of the ground moving under our hooves..."

"Yep, I'm fortunate enough," BrushedFlame gave an extra flap of his wings for extra effect.

"Well is there any more news from him?"

"Yeah, he wants to take a bath."

"Of importance..." giving him an extra sigh. The only real reason that he is able to tolerate BrushedFlame was that he could find out information and gossip much easier and sooner than any other pony in the army.

"Not much, though I think he might have a personal conversation with Radiance."

"Oh probably due to his failure to get on the battlefield on time yesterday."

"Yeah, but he seems somewhat secretive about it."

"Odd. It must be pretty severe lashing he is going to give him..."

"I guess, but he generally just complains to me right on the spot where anypony can hear it..."

"Yes, I know."

By this time, the both of them were close to the starting point for the inspection, and the other commanders were there as well.

EmeraldCrest of Northern Hayseed was standing idly by with an expression of being bored and uninterested. His green mane did match with his beige coat and horn well, but his personality never benefitted him. He always had some sort of sour aroma around him that never invited conversation thus making him to appear very gruff and bitter to anyone, even to the point that BrushedFlame avoided him. He also reportedly has a quick temper. ArgentHeart did not want him in his army, but neither did the Grand Coalition Army in Canterlot and therefore he was thrust into ArgentHeart's hooves. At first he was tolerable, but as the campaign wore on, both his competence in command and mood worsened.

Then there was Radiance "the Prince in Saddle Lake". He was standing resolutely with his posture perfect with all of his hooves forming the corners of a perfect rectangle underneath his body. His own coat was an elegant white, though not completely snow colored it was certainly the whitest in the army currently. He also had an golden mane and tail that would glimmer if the light hit it properly. Beryl had known him for a long time, though when the conflicts began before the formation of the Canterlot Coalition, they were close to becoming enemies due to the disputes over whom would be the protectors of the Free Pony Cities that edged on both of their borders. Radiance was not the ruler of the Saddle Lake Kingdom, just a heir, though he has been expected since birth to be the leader of Saddle Lake. This was different than how it was in Everfree, where the nobility elect a single pony to be the leader until their death or resignation. In truth, this would make the Saddle Lake Kingdom the largest area directly ruled by one pony in the Canterlot Coalition, making Radiance a very powerful figure for the future of the Coalition.

Finally there was ArgentHeart who appeared to be more discomforted than normal; avoiding to look at either of the other two unicorns. He however seemed instantly relieved at the sight of both Beryl and BrushedFlame arriving.

"Ah, you have arrived BerylDusk!"

Beryl looked around, "Where is WoodenDale?"

"In his tent, he got knocked in the ribs pretty bad yesterday so I'm letting him rest a bit. I visited him last night. He should however be better soon."

"Oh, I was not aware of that..."

"He's still fit enough for command I assure you, but the Sisters of Generosity basically had to force him to not attend. I'll see him later and tell him about the situation." He looked around at the small group. "I presume we wish to get this inspection over with as quickly as possible, and BrushedFlame, I would kindly ask you to land on the ground and walk like the rest of us. It looks a bit more formal."

BrushedFlame landed with a small huff with Argent giving him a sly smile.

Argent then continued, "So that it is known to you all, the reports from the prisoners of yesterday's battle confirms that there are no other forces of the Western Confederation in this area. Their objective was to link up with the Crystal Kingdoms of the North, though they were the only force tasked to do so. It is unlikely the West will be mobilized soon as they expect the Northern Kingdoms to be victorious therefore they provided very little to them. I am betting that I will not have to worry about the West until next Spring, and by then I hope that we will have some peace or truce agreement with the North. I am currently worried that we may of overextended the army from friendly territory by chasing this enemy force for so long, therefore, I am planning on marching back to Canterlot to reunite with the Grand Coalition Army. I've still have not heard a word from Canterlot after crossing the range, therefore I wish to be cautious. We are taking a more direct path on the northern side of the mountains, however this also means that we will be marching in unprotected territory. Therefore, we must still remain in fighting condition. Is that understood?"

Radiance then spoke up, "So how long do you estimate it will take us to get there with this northern route?'

"It depends on the condition of how we are, which is why I am having this inspection."

The group seemed satisfied with the answer, though EmeraldCrest seemed to have a bit more annoyance yet he did not say anything.

"I assume that we will begin now. EmeraldCrest, your division is first. Do you have any comments you wish to share about them?" Beryl could see that Argent was trying to look at EmeraldCrest in a friendly manner yet all that he received back was a guff huff.

"No."

_______________________________________________________________________________________

ShimmeringAgate came outside of her own tent. She was dressed back into her armor, which was largely lacking in protection in comparison to her own brigade, just a breastplate and iron shoes that really only protected the front of her pasterns and cannons. They were also painted in a solid lighter blue. There was also a helmet, yet she did not wear it as it truthfully did not take in account to her mane. The entire set was designed as decoration rather than for actual armor; in battle she would wear it but with also an addition of a dense cloth blanket to cover her back. She knew that she had time as there were two more divisions before the First Everfree, the Northern Hayseed and the Saddle Lake Royals, yet she felt anxious. She walked out in front of the location were her brigade was and stood and waited. In front of her was a brigade of the Saddle Lake Royals, though they were idle.

"This means that they are still inspecting the Northern Hayseed," she deducted. To her right about several lengths away was the hospital. There were many tents arrayed over there, however she could still see that several ponies were laying on the ground outside with some on stretchers and the others on the grass. It was largely quiet over there though she could see a few of the Sisters of Generosity wondering among the laying bodies. A group of them were gathered around one, then picked up his stretcher and carried him behind the tents. Behind there would be a garden where he would become a seed, a seed that would never spout again.

She looked away. The price of life was so high to her personally, but in the army it was so cheap, so worthless. So many ponies just give their lives away, their dreams, their hopes. Why do they wish to pay that price?

The Royals suddenly forming into attention in front of her broke her thoughts. "We're next." She then looked over her shoulder gave out her orders, "Ponies of the First Hoof Guards of Everfree fall in!"

With that command, the ponies began to form their ranks. This unit was distinctive from the other Everfree brigades mainly due to the presence of unicorns in the unit. These were generally minor family members who wished for a faster gain in promotion than taking the safer civic occupations, though there were a few who were there to show their support for the Canterlot Coalition's mission. There were also earth ponies within the brigade as well. These were the strongest and most loyal of the earth ponies who were hoof-picked from the other Everfree units. For them, this was the highest honor they could receive, and they seemed to accept their responsibilities and duties much better than most of the other unicorns.

She looked at their faces. All of them were veterans, some more experienced than others. She then realized that she herself now can be considered a veteran, having seen and commanded during the fighting the other day. Yet it was not something that she took pride in, she was doing what she was told to do. The only reason she was here at the command of the First Hoof was that her national leader, BerylDusk, requested for her to do so. She never had military education or planning, and even to this day she was still trying to understand certain military terminology. But she learned. Perhaps that was he selected her rather than some other veteran.

A few minutes later, the ponies in front were then dismissed from formation, and they began milling around once again contenting their boredom until the next order was shouted out at them.

She looked down to the left at the line of ponies, only interrupted between them with the tents for the individual commanders. The line was around five hundred ponies long, then stacked behind them three more rows making each column four ponies deep. Just the raw numbers of ponies was impressive enough, yet it was barely a fourth of the entire army. She could then see the small cluster of the commanders at the end of the line. She could be begin hearing the commands being passed down the line.

"Ponies of the Forth Hoof of Everfree at Attention!"

"Third Hoof of Everfree at Attention!"

"Second Hoof of Everfree form Attention!"

She could see the sea of movement of the ponies straitening their lines and raising their heads, and the sound of armor clinking and the slight movement of hooves multiplied by the hundreds began to crescendo as it neared her position.

"Ponies of the First Hoof Guards at Attention!"

They formed the final crest of the wave, then all became silent in the First Division of Everfree.

The commanders began to move forward at their walking pace examining the troops. The other captains were standing in front of their units as well accompanied with their officers which assisted in leading the separate companies. They were the members of regiment that helped with the command of the skirmishers, archers, pikes or swords. ShimmeringAgate then remembered that she had forgotten to create a new lead officer as the other one was wounded in the fighting yesterday. She cursed at herself as she meant to do it first thing this morning, but that was too late now.

The commanders were then about halfway down the line and she could then look at them distinctively. Beryl was making comments to ArgentHeart who seemed to nod his head just slightly every now and then, though was not looking at Beryl. She could then start to see the details of Argent's eyes, green and serious. There also seemed to be this mysterious depth in his eyes as he gazed at the faces of the ponies as he passed, causing her to shiver just slightly making her look away. There was always that mystery that hung around him which just kept on edging her curiosity.

_______________________________________________________________________________________

ArgentHeart kept his even pace while BerylDusk was giving his comments about his division. In truth, Argent was not really listening to what he was saying, he was more concentrated at looking at the soldiers, with particular attention to their eyes. He cared little about their posture or polish of armor. He wanted to know their strength or weakness, their will to keep on, their spirit and morale. All it took was a glance into their eyes. The people with intelligence and experience would generally have sharper contrast in their eyes with a light bit of pain but would look back at you. The cowards would look downwards to avoid, while the frightened ones would jerk their eyes away quicker. The uninspired would look up and away and the faithful would soften a bit. There were many factors that could be found and calculated yet Argent could do it extremely quickly without truthfully thinking about it. He just quite simply knew.

Finally his eyes then passed into the First Hoof Guards, checking off every single one with a slight nod. Of all the troops, these were supposed to be the best on the field, if not even the entire Coalition.

His eyes then rested onto ShimmeringAgate's.

He looked away, the only time he broke his gaze through the entire inspection.

Yet he kept going and two steps later he was back to his pace, looking back at the soldiers. His mind though was clouded and the details that he was trying to see lapsed over his head. He forced himself to try to not think of what he saw in her eyes, nor of the bloom and panic within his heart.

_______________________________________________________________________________________

5. Before the Slope

The remains of the Grand Coalition Army's right flank, newly renamed as the Army of Canterlot, was dismissed from the digging parties just before dawn while the rest of the garrison tried to keep pace though now over half of the ponies that were able to work were now lined on the crest of the two hills before the plateau. When they arrived on the position, exhaustion began to spread as several ponies stood while sleeping, with their muddied coats hardening in the rising sun. For many of them, it appeared as if they either did not notice or even care that there was an enemy army in the valley below, constructing large wooden siege equipment and shields to push up the slopes in their prepared assault.

_______________________________________________________________________________________

"RainyHaze! Do you hear that?"

"No."

"Somepony is crying for help, I think just up ahead."

"I really don't care."

"It's a pony! I can't just let him die out there!"

"You'll break formation. You know what that mule would do if he saw you... be thankful that you are not back in the mud..."

"You lazy ass. I'm going to rescue him."

"See if I care... even if he lives he is just going to be another mouth to feed..." A hoof then struck him near the side of his head.

"I bloody care."

_______________________________________________________________________________________

The griffin clung onto his perch. He had been there for hours, watching the enemy sluggishly muster up and occupy the ridge. He was not out here on orders, but the griffins really didn't give much of a care about orders anyway. He had watched the wounded pony paw his way up the rough stretch of the slope, literally dragging his body over the ground. The griffin would of killed him much sooner if he was not so enjoyed at watching the frail body try to get himself to safety. He had a plan that he thought would be more tasty--using him as bait.

_______________________________________________________________________________________

He stepped out in front of his unit and felt for his canteen from his saddle bag that also partly served as armor. He shook it a little to tell that is was still reasonably full. He could then tell that his fellow ponies where then also watching him.

"What do ya' bloody think you're doin'?" barked his commander.

He then kept on moving forwards. As he advanced starting to go downhill, his visibility of the steepening slope increased until he noticed the pony calling for help earlier, laying on his belly with his forelegs stretched out before him in the middle of an attempt to drag himself up another foot. He raised his head at the sight of the pony standing there looking down upon him. The wounded pony's eyes had pain and terror layered on top of each other, both begging and forbidding at the same time.

_______________________________________________________________________________________

The griffin held a beaky grin on his face. It was all too perfect, as he saw the single pony step out of the unit towards the victim. It was the perfect plan of demoralizing the idiotic enemy--slay the brave and let the cowards grow and fear. He just had to wait a few more moments. His fiendish delight kept escalating--this was just too delicious.

_______________________________________________________________________________________

"Here, everything is fine." He all the sudden felt like he was speaking to a lost pet or animal. "I have some water here," he said as he removed his canteen, "Do you want some?"

The crippled pony opened his mouth and nodded, yet just those motions must of exhausted him, and his body seemed to crumple right then and there as his head bumped back onto the ground.

He approached with his canteen in his mouth, then gingerly kneeled down beside his injured companion. The pony then opened his eyes again, this time with a fragile tear in the corner of his eye. He then opened his mouth again. "No, there is no need. Here, drink this." He would try again to speak, yet he surrendered as his rescuer began to pour the water slightly into his mouth, though half of his first pour was absorbed by the grass and dirt. He knew that this pony probably wouldn't of made it an hour longer out here in this condition, yet somehow this pony made it here through the rough few miles from the battlefield wounded in the condition like this.

After is third sip that he gave him, he asked, "Can you stand?"

"I-If you... would a-assist me," his voice torn and jagged as he gasped from his pains.

Laying down next to the wounded pony, he lifted the soldier's left front leg and put it around his neck.

"On three we are going to stand. You got that?" He felt the other's body shudder, he assumed that was his agreement. "Here we go. One. Two. Three!" He then stood up with most of the weight of the injured pony resting on his back. His own knees nearly buckled which could of sent both of them back down onto the ground. They stood like so for a moment, trying to figure out their balance and movement on the steep slope. "Going to step forward now. You got that?" He did not receive a response, but he assumed that he understood. Tenderly taking a step forward with his left front leg, he could feel the other push off ever so slightly with his hind legs, shifting his weight forward thus focusing both of their weights mostly all onto his own right front hoof. Responding quickly, he planted his front left and lifted his hind right forward to pick up the excess burden. The wounded pony's left hind also rose and moved forward as it rubbed against his right flank. The pressure eased on his right front when the other put his leg down, finally allowing him to move his front right and hind rear. They staggered forward, painfully grinding each step and every inch of elevation.

_______________________________________________________________________________________

His claws itched as they grasped onto the rocky surface. He was getting annoyed at how long it was taking them to leisurely plod up the hill. They were not quite visible to the idiots above, but it would have to be soon. He opened his wings to their full length, and he could sense every black and gray feather eagerly catch into the breeze. Patience was growing thin.

_______________________________________________________________________________________

Though the blades of grass, he could just scantly see the helmets of the ponies in his division on the top of the steep hill. He felt the other pony's legs shiver causing his own to waver. "Come on, just a bit more. There we will be safe." He did not know how many times he had said that to himself already. He then began questioning if he actually said it out loud or not. He took another shaky step forward, feeling a small cracked pebble wobble under his hoof, messing up his already tarnished balance, yet perseverance kept him pushing forward. The grass was then cast aside and he could fully see his unit. A few hooves were pointed in his direction. He knew that this little battle was almost over as he called out for assistance.

_______________________________________________________________________________________

The griffin unlatched his talons from the crevice. He felt the split-second of free-fall, yet his time honored reflexes twisted his center of gravity to make his stomach level to the ground. His wings opened and flexed to the air as he dove down upon his objective. His focus was directly on his target. There was no way that he could miss.

Except for the sudden blur in the corner of his eye.

_______________________________________________________________________________________

A piercing screech then shattered the air, ricocheting off the mountains. Following there was an sickening crash of a body colliding with the ground a scant few yards behind the two ponies. ThunderWhip knew what he did was really just another stroke of luck as he hung in the air with his dirtied sword being held low. Due to fright and shock, the pony carrying the wounded one was on the ground, though staring wide-eyed at his rescuer from above. ThunderWhip looked back at the crumpled body that he sword just moments ago plunged through. It had curled up just slightly, but it was now still and frozen. He felt no emotion for it. Turning back around he faced the lines of the regiment and pointed a hoof below at the two ponies below him. "Soldiers! Assist these two!" Yet they remained stunned at what just occurred. ThunderWhip remained staring at the formation of earth ponies. He had to inspire them. For a pegasi, it was difficult to imagine how to inspire such a group. All pegasi were already inspired by their own abilities, strengths and beliefs, yet these earth ponies came from different backgrounds. Some here were volunteers, a few were ruffians, yet most were originally ponies just protecting their homes that escalation of war was the only reason they were here today. He needed to say something, anything.

"Soldiers... Ponies of Canterlot! I cannot always save you. Already those that are standing here today owe me a debt. I saved you all from the hooves and swords of the enemy yesterday! Today, I've saved these two before you. However it must be you that take them to your ranks. I cannot be the entire soul of the army. That responsibility rests on you all. You have to be the ones that have to decide for victory or defeat. It does not rest on the hooves of the commanders. We are not united for no reason. We must save ourselves together. We must embrace our unity here!"

ThunderWhip was then inturupted by the sounds of flugeltrumpets from the base of the slope. The Crystal Coalition was ready to advance.

6. Huzzah

_______________________________________________________________________________________

"WoodenDale?"

"Ahem, yes?"

AgrentHeart looked at his old commander through the opened tent flap. "Is it alright for me to enter?"

"Yes, that is fine. It is a bit warm in here though..."

"It'll get hotter by this evening."

WoodenDale lifted his head as Argent entered the tent, "So we are not leaving tonight?"

"I changed my mind so we will be leaving tomorrow morning. It will give us an extra day to freshen up a bit more."

"Ah. Well I myself am feeling a bit better, though I should be sleeping on my hooves rather than on the ground like this..."

Argent took a step forward, "Do you wish for me to assist you up?"

"No, I've got it." WoodenDale then shifted his legs, clenched his teeth and then stood. Argent could see the tight white cloth bound around his roan barrel for his injured ribs, though the rest of his body escaped injury.

"Ah that is better. If I'd known any better, I wouldn't of even laid down earlier." He looked at Argent and gave him a weak smile. "So how's my trainee turned commander?"

Argent exhaled slightly then looked at WoodenDale's eyes. "Well I have two problems."

"Yes?"

"Well, perhaps just one, really."

"What are they?" Argent caught his plural pronunciation. He knew that he couldn't really escape now.

"Do you believe that Radiance is competent in command?"

"If he is or not, you know that it is impossible to replace him. His troops are truthfully only loyal to the Saddle Lake Kingdom. Plus his sister is the Minister of the Coalition, and doing that would be a pretty bad political move." He gave a low chuckle.

"Dale, you are certainly aware that I have little to no interest in politics..."

"Well like it or not, you are in the middle of them right now. You are probably the fifth most powerful member in the Coalition now and that is a spectacular achievement for us earth ponies."

"You rose up as well, you started as just the local militia commander over me."

"Things have certainly changed, that I will mark."

"But anyway, do you think that Radiance could become competent?"

"Well, if I was able to train you how to use a sword, I'm pretty sure that he could learn about command, but he needs to understand the importance of it."

Argent nearly commented that he was not that bad as how RiverSand was, just to remember that she was killed in combat yesterday, in fact actually trying to protect WoodenDale when he got wounded by a few enemies that broke through the line temporarily.

"You were about to say something?"

"Oh nothing." Argent tried to discard which would of changed the tone of the conversation significantly, "I'm pretty sure that when we make it back to Canterlot, we will have enough time to teach Radiance to make him get better at command. It is probably the safest bet right now."

"And your other question?"

"It's not..." Argent looked down as he shuffled his front hooves, "...really a question..."

"You are still thinking about her?"

"Her as in who do you mean?" Agent briefly thought that he might of been talking about RiverSand.

"That filly back home, something-Grace?"

"GraceWind you mean?"

"You have still have not gotten over her?"

"Yes, I have gotten over her."

"Argent, you joined the militia because you had a broken heart. I know that for a fact," WoodenDale said, "You really still care for that filly?"

"No, I've gotten over her, she already has a stallion of her own now, though he is an embarrassment on four legs... You see, she never broke my heart, I broke mine myself." He paused and looked up at the canopy of the tent, "I just don't want to do that again."

"So who is it now?"

"I don't know if she really does or not, and I hope it is just my own imagination..."

"Who is it?" and with a slight sly simile, "or I'll get BrushedFlame on you about it."

"Blackmail..." Argent mumbled. That was one thing about WoodenDale, he was pretty crafty in his persuasion. "It's a pony that I'll certainly will not have a chance on... But I shouldn't really be worrying about these matters..."

"Oh, is it that new captain Beryl enlisted for the First Hoof Guards? You know, I could actually find that match possible."

"Oh please, it is not going to happen. She's a noble unicorn! She's probably already arranged off anyway."

"Actually, I think not. She is expected to rule Northeast Everfree, and she is a very high possibility to actually become the Leader of Everfree itself. Plus of all the earth ponies that have probably ever existed, you probably have the highest chance ever due to your value."

"Look, I'm not looking for a filly. I have this army that I need to take care of."

"Then what are you going to do after the war is over and the soldiers return home? I know you don't wish to return home."

Argent started squarely at his former commander. WoodenDale was right, he did not wish to go back to his home. He never felt comfort there. He didn't hate his family, be he always felt as if he failed their expectations. He never felt that they ever understood him. "Dale, you shouldn't make me think of personal matters, there will be time for that after the war."

"I apologize, though I do worry about you. You are my student of sorts and well... the others are dying off."

Argent looked down at his forehooves. He knew he was speaking of RiverSand, yet many of his comrades were gone as well, planted as seeds into the ground for peace to come. Blurred faces from his memories were passing into his mental vision. "I understand, but we have made it this far." .

"Yes. We have lived this far." Argent felt that WoodenDale's words were hollow in the stuffy tent.

"Well, WoodenDale, I have other business to attend to. I pray that you will be able to recover promptly," and with that, Argent exited the tent with a slight swish of his brown tail. He knew that the conversation was beginning to shift too deep into the emotional spectrum. Argent knew that he should not fall into such topics as they expose his weaknesses for others to interpret. He could doubt himself, but if the others doubted him then everything could fall apart.

Argent's ears picked up murmurs, which interrupted his thoughts, coming from the resting soldiers near him. He turned his head to see a cluster standing and looking back at him. One of them suddenly began to cheer.

"Huzzah! Huzzah for ArgentHeart! Huzzah for the Hero of the Free States!"

The cluster then joined in, shouting out their huzzahs. The surrounding soldiers then turned to the commotion, noticed ArgentHeart as well, and added their voices to the cheer.

Argent looked around at the soldiers. So many of them were bandaged and wounded, yet they raised their hooves higher and higher for ever huzzah. Several had tears within their eyes, either from pain or joy, but they kept on adding their voices to the fabric.

_______________________________________________________________________________________

ShimmeringAgate had just removed her armor when she first heard the huzzahs. She exited her own tent, and could tell that the sounds were coming from the Second Everfree Division. Looking at her own brigade, she could see the earth ponies were all turned towards the sound, yet most of the unicorns tried to ignore it, or had their ears drawn back ever so slightly. Glancing back at the earth ponies, she could also feel their want to cheer as well, but due to the proximity of the other unicorns, they remained silent. She looked down the line to the other units of the First Everfree, and there, many hooves were rising into the air for every huzzah being given out as well.

Agate then walked to the back of her brigade where most of the earth ponies in her division was located. She passed one earth pony, which on the moment of noticing her, bowed his head and turned away from the spectacle. A few unicorns then watched their commander move to the back corner closest to the earth pony dominated units for the Second Everfree, giving a smug look at the other earth ponies in the brigade.

She stopped and looked down the line Second Everfree Division, and she could see ArgentHeart himself standing there at the center of the cheers, and she, for whatever reason, felt herself smile a little.

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ArgentHeart felt as if he was going to become deaf from the cheers, but yet again, they were invigorating. The fears and worries that he had earlier were gone. These ponies, despite the horror they had been through were still loyal and faithful to him. Despite the two divisions in front and behind him being named for Everfree, over half of them were really volunteers from the Free Pony States, the province where Argent was from. Yet for the cheer to be so loud and full, he knew that the ponies from Everfree itself must be a part of it as well. WoodenDale's words, "You are probably the fifth most powerful member in the Coalition now and that is a spectacular achievement for us earth ponies," repeated in his head. It almost gave him chills. He looked down the lines of the First Everfree Division, until the furthest unit.

And there she was standing, with her hoof in the air and cheering, just like all the others.