Author's Note

Really go check out sirviper guys\girls he's the one that has been helping me and kinda pushing me to even keep updating these stories really should give him a look out. Enjoy the chapter

Hells Brothers

*Imperial Capital*

The top staff of the whole war was in the castle as they could feel the seething gaze of their Emperor on them all

“Would somepony explain why we are once again being pushed back on all sides but at sea and why we our land offensive is being pushed back mile after mile by these… WEAKLINGS!? HOW?! Why do you all even have command of my forces if you can’t squash this little.. Resistance!? SPEAK!” Emperor Titan growled at them as they looked down

“My Emperor… Our troops are not equipped to handle these new weapons and every day our supplies are cut more and more from air raids and the locals are helping them” General Irons trembled in his seat at the Emperor's gaze

“I hear nothing but sniveling and whining from you general. If their air forces are the problem then SOLVE IT” He roared as all the leaders winced

“If I may speak your grace.” All eyes turned to Darkling, he rose from his seat and looked around him for a moment.

“Our problem is not the enemies weapons, or their technology, believe it or not it's not even our supplies. We have won wars in far worse situations in the past, as our ancestors have proven time and again...These alliances against us always cause us great trouble at first...but we come out on top in the end.” Darkling was quiet for a moment before facing his ruler.

“The problem we face here is divided leadership in my opinion. We have in essence dozens of generals commanding one army, each with different methods and tactics. We are disjointed and unfocused, try as we might this is destroying us. And my attempts to...Assert myself as a proper leader have been met with...Complications.” Darkling looked over to the generals he had spoken to before he left for the heartland for a second before looking back at his emperor.

“I however understand what the problem was, they did not respect me and still don't. Normally I would recommend a more extreme solution with these generals...But I propose an alternative.” Darkling then motioned to the stallion who had been sitting beside him silently.

“We restore your old friend Valor to his former rank and position. As he was as when served your father and you in your youth.”

“ Who are you?” The emperor frowns looking at him

“A Vanguard that doesn’t know his place. A lowly captain that thinks he’s a general.” Growls Quick Hooves as she glared at him.

“ If things weren’t so dire you would have been shot for your mouth BOY!” Irons glared at him as the Emperor nodded looking at Valor

“Tell me Valor. Is this how you taught your replacement to be with his higher ups?” Emperor Dawn asked still staring at Dark.

“I taught him to give respect to those who deserve it.Personally in this moment I happen to agree with his statements. Take a look at the situation here for a moment if you would indulge me your grace. These generals around you seem to care more that my old student has insulted them rather than pay attention to the valid point he brought up. That our leadership is divided between many generals, none of which seem willing to actually talk to and work with anyone other than those who share their sentiments and tactics. Look at previous battles for the evidence to support this.” Valor checked his hoof before looking around at the generals around him who all seemed agitated by his words.

“I understand you’ve been out of the game for a while Valor. But I didn’t think you forgot the very BASICS of how a military is run. Each division has an appointed general its always been this way. Your little pet runs his mouth to much but not only that he disobeys direct orders from his grace at every turn. Leaving alive prisoners or letting them flee instead of hunting them down. I remember when you were general of the 1st Vanguard Division and ruthlessly killed everything that was ordered of you. Combatants and resistors to our cause. Though your pupil here hasn’t embraced those qualities.. Why is that? Did you teach him to disobey his orders or is that your own doing?” Irons frowned looking at Dark

“I am well aware of the facts Valor. I get reports from all my generals in the field every day and I trust them to move to their strengths. You however captain should know better than questioning a officer or higher rank. You.” Dawn pointed to a soldier behind him.

“ I want you to show the captain what happens when you disobey and disrespect an officer.” The soldier nodded to his emperor and slammed the butt of his rifle in the back of the young officer's head making it bounce off the table bloodying his nose as he fell to the floor while the beating continued

“Now Valor. It's not just the incompetence of the generals that has me worried but also why you’re here. Care to enlighten me?” Dawn watched for a reaction from Valor as the captain was beat inches away from him

“Your grace...You have gotten reports from the field, of that I have no doubt. But...Let me make a request. May I see some of these reports you have been given? There is something I wish to confirm.”

“The reports are about our suffering supplies and moral along with complaints about a certain captain that thinks above his pay grade.” Dawn rubbed his beard as he waved off the soldier who stopped beating Dark who was then dragged away.

“Indeed they are? Very strange, because my contacts in intelligence tell a similar story. But with a bit more...Details.” Valor motioned over to a large door and in walked a intelligence agent who bowed silently and placed a few folders on the floor before walking back out the door. A nearby soldier picked them up as the Dawn waved him over to him and took the folders from him.

“If you read these reports you will find out that my captain, speaking above his paygrade told the generals to NOT engage enemy forces repeatedly, such as a disastrous attempt to reclaim the city of lions from the enemy. He had seen first hoof the power of our enemies new tanks and told several generals here that we had no proper counter for them….And his opinion was disregarded and they attacked regardless. Not as a united force even, but several separate ones...Which may be one of the single worst military decisions i've ever seen. And the result? Our forces were annihilated and instead of trying to salvage the situation...They debated and argued amongst each other for who was to blame. Were you informed of these little….details your grace?”

“ I was.” He slid the reports back to him

“I personally ordered them to take back the City of Lions at all cost, to do whatever needed to be done and they did exactly as I told them with the information given to them by your captain which was helpful but the city still needed to be taken back.” The generals smirked at Valor as the Emperor continued to look at him unfazed.

“This I expected. I had little doubt that you ordered them to take back the city and the logic behind it is sound your grace. We have lost far too much territory to this...Alliance against us. I only brought this up for a single reason, to ask you how many battles have these generals won in recent conflicts? The number is...Frighteningly low. I do not doubt their ability, what I do doubt however is their willingness to adapt to the situations at hoof here. They continue to use the same tactics that they did in the beginning of the war...With no alterations and often with the same results, there has been no adaptation or usage of differing tactics. Just the same ones...Over and over again as I am sure you are well aware of your grace.” He frowned at that nodding as the other general paled at his look of displeasure

“I am.” Nods frowning deeper

“So what do you suggest then? The combined arms tactics of the Vanguard?” Raises an eyebrow at him

“Please your grace, I feel as if we are getting ahead of ourselves here. What I wish to point is however, despite my captains habit of disobeying orders and his...Mouth. He had more than once attempted differing tactics and using different methods to achieve victory. As All officers are trained to, however you might notice something odd there...My captain attempted differing tactics multiple times...Yet our forces continue to use the same tactics over and over as a whole and strangely you get a large number of reports saying that my captains disobedience was a large factor in these battles. Does that not sound...Odd?

“I won't deny that but your captain has been brought up on charges of treason and disrespect since this start of this whole push into Equestria. It's not just this latest battle Valor but EVERY battle he’s been in on at the front with his company. Now I know you Vanguard play loose with the rules but disrespecting and disobeying commanding officers is a criminal offense. Besides that, your captain hasn’t won a battle against them either until our Hydra tanks were created.” Frowns a little at him as the Dawn started to eat his food

“All very true. Yet...Many of those charges of treason come from him attempting to be more compassionate, as opposed to ruthless. I believe this stems from his upbringing, coming from a war-torn area, he saw the results ruthlessness and brutality first hoof. I will admit he has always been...Soft. So I will not defend his actions there, only bring up the points that he has stopped soilders from rapeing daughters of our citizens and that at one point, he was able to convince the populace of a small town to hide wounded soldiers as injured farm ponies and workers. He saved their lives and they were able to make it back and fight again.” Valor drank a glass of nearby water he had before continuing.

“Apologies, old age is beginning to creep up on me. Need more water than I used to. I would like to add however, that him being out of the front has earned him the respect of those under his command. He has never ordered soldiers to do anything he himself would not do. If that means hiding in mud or assaulting a fortified bunker, he will do so without hesitation.It is true that a general's place is not on the front lines, but then again...He isn't a general is he? Though him acting like one does come off as disrespectful, he simply feels that it is his place to be the voice of the soldier in the trenches or the one in the fox hole. And he speaks accordingly, with all the flaws that brings.”

“Thats what a captain is supposed to do. And that is his problem, he feels its his duty when he bypasses the chain of command. The fact he is even sitting in the same room as generals and acting like one is beyond disrespectful. He is a lower rank officer and it’s his job to lead from the front, follow orders TO THE LETTER Valor.” Dawn growled at him slamming a hoof on the table.

“Him being soft is what is going to get his men killed in the line of duty, you think the Equestrians are going to show the same mercy as him? Three divisions have been all but wiped out because of their hunger for revenge. I believe we awoke a sleeping giant the day that we attacked Equestria.” Frowns at them all

“ All of you idiots have proven time and again that you’re too busy trying to get back the glory of four years ago. Now Valor are you wanting to rejoin the military or not?” Frowns at him more than a little frustrated.

“Forgive me your grace...For I have been...A tad deceitful here. Though for good reason, the frustration you feel at this moment...Is exactly the problem these generals have. They all feel so frustrated at their failures they look for scapegoats or worse, ignore what caused said frustration. As an example, My captain was heavily against attacking Equestria, even recommending we form a non-aggression pact with them until we were able to isolate it at the very least. He foresaw that it was a sleeping giant...Yet in that instance, he bit his tongue and followed his orders to the letter….And look where that got us. We have indeed lost three divisions… In this last battle...But he hasn't even lost a fraction of as many forces as they have. In fact, while the vanguard has lost over half of its strength...It has taken the least amount of casualties in this entire war. Something I feel should be noted and if you notice...Vanguard are often taken prisoner. Not executed on the spot like others are, worse in some ways, but still notable.” Valor drank the last of his water.

“Your grace what I want and we need are two very different things. If I rejoin, there is nothing stopping these generals from repeating the same mistakes as before, or not worse not coordinating with me and trying things by themselves. I wish to serve you as I did your father and I promise you this your grace, I will always serve the Imperium and you first. My own ambition or desires are inconsequential.”

“Hmmm let's fact check you Mr. Valor, the first being casualties. Now how many divisions of Vanguard are on the frontline? Ah yes. NONE. But a small COMPANY of Vanguard only 400 plus soldiers if I remember and casualties of that magnitude are acceptable in comparison. The loss an entire company of soldiers is a bad but the loss of an entire regiment is disastrous yes? So to me you comparing a company’s loss to a Regiments is laughable. Yes he has lost less than us put together because he has less to work with. Now let's talk about the Vanguard in the war in general. When did they attend the war? Ah yes I remember at the Battle of the Two Bridges as the enemy pushed us out of Equestria an-” Valor raised his hoof interrupting him.

“‘Leave an enemy a false opening and they will rush in head first.’ Did you not hear those first in the academy Irons?” Irons seems thrown for a second.

“Tell me General...Did I ever say that the loss of a regiment was equal to that of a company? No I did not. If you had listened to what I was saying, you would have picked up that I was purposefully leaving you or another an opening there to turn my words against me. And you rushed in, like a bull seeing red. Just as you did at Karkoo.” Irons paled noticeably. “Ah yes. Karkoo. Arguably your biggest blunder, I am curious, how do you lose a battle when you have 50.000 soldiers...To an army of 5000? Oh yes, by rushing in like a bull. How many soldiers died because you were foolish enough to believe you had found a opening in their defences? There isn't an exact number, but a 90 percent mortality rate speaks for itself doesn't it?” Valor turned his head to Quick hooves.

“Quick Hoof. I remember you as a young officer in the academy that I visited, young, spirited, eager..And arrogant. Always believing in the superiority of your training, or your advantages. How many mock battles did you lose or sparring sessions because you underestimated your adversary, or overestimated yourself? The only reason you passed if memory serves is because I saw something In you, a passion...A fire almost, you never gave up no matter how bad things got for you. Admirable...But, you always led yourself to ruin time and again and never learned from your mistakes.” He looked around and the generals around him.

“Almost every pony in this room was either trained under my watch, graduated with my blessing or rose through their ranks under my command. I can list off each and everyone of your strength and accomplishments...But also your flaws and failures. I had hoped with age, you would temper yourselfs. Come into being, rise above your flaws and failures. Instead, you are all dragged down by them, letting them dictate your actions.” He shook his head in disappointment.

“Worst of all is that none of you can look up and see that we must put aside our differences and stand as one. You attack others who you feel are a threat to your authority or those you feel do not give you the respect you feel you deserve. I staged Darklings actions today with him, full well knowing what would happen. I wanted to see your reactions to it...And I am very disappointed in all of you.”
Irons smiles as he leaned back at him being called out

“First off you did. You compared your pets losses or a whole other army. Second my faults are in the past and have been forgiven. I followed my orders that were given to me by our Emperors late father during that mission, what you don’t know is that there was a few unknowns that would have been great to know at that time. And that was they had stolen our equipment, placed mines-” Valor let out a sigh.

“Again, like a bull to red-.”

“ YOU WILL SHUT YOUR DAMN MOUTH CIVILIAN!!!” He roared slamming his hooves on the table

“ What do YOU know of my doings? Huh? More than once you have failed our emperor and you’re going to throw my mistakes in our faces?! What do you know of what its like out there huh? You were raised with pitchforks and swords having to get in close to kill somepony while any of us can die from a thousand yards or more. You were brought here because your pet had his little feelings hurt that those higher than him dismissed him when he brought news. The fact of the matter is Valor your era was far different from this one. Your 40 years too old for this type of combat that even we have a hard time figuring out. So don’t think that you can just walk in here and know everything their is to know” He sat down as Quick Hooves stood up

“I agree. You WERE one of our greatest high generals but that was back in another lifetime. While we have been repeating mistakes what your captain sometimes comes up with is borderline suicide. Or either are too daring for the operations that are needed for some of his ideas. Just as they little disaster with Saddle Arabia.” Smirks as Valor blinked at that

“Oh your pet didn’t tell you about that did he? Creating a political nightmare in a already volatile situation going to a neutral country and having their leader nearly killed as well as open fights in city streets with Vanguard spies. It took nearly a month to get them to not declare war on us and join the fight against us themselves thanks to his grace’s cunning. How the student follows in the masters footstep eh Valor?” Smirks as Dawn held up his hoof

“Enough. The actions that happened with Brittania all those years ago isn’t a subject that needs to be mentioned again and is not welcomed either General Quick Hooves

“My apologies your highness. I only saw it fair if we were going to point out faults then his should be brought to light as well. After all it is why he was ‘asked’ to retire instead of being in front of a firing squad.” Grins at him as she sat back down

“Now stop playing mind games and speak Valor. What is your pla-” The sound of the air raid alarm went off as they rushed out with the soldiers to see a lone pegasus trying to dodge flak in the sky from their anti air batteries

“Hmm 10 minutes.” Valor said almost to himself as he held a silver pocket watch out. “And it was evenly divided between you two. Not sure whether that is impressive, or sad. Still as easy as ever to get a rise out of you two after all these years, although thank you for the information. Also, tell the anti air batteries to stop firing. If you pay attention, this pegasus is clearly playing the role of the distractor, if I was in this position I would be trying to leave under the cloud cover. With the flak being fired the skies will darken and the clouds will blacked and become thicker, easy for the real one we need to kill to escape. And I had to guess...Its that cloud there. If you keep firing like this, the other one will escape.” Valor pointed to a small cloud bank, it looked like any other, but every few shots of flak it would seem to inch closer to the larger bodies of clouds.

“Or that in itself could be the distraction.” They turned back to see an older stallion walking towards them. The current head of the Imperial Army. High General Frost. A stallion with white hair and a brown coat with icy blue eyes that had an unnerving look in his eyes as he put his hoof to his ear as they saw the pegasus wing get blown off before the other shot away only to be gunned down by triple a fire

“But it doesn’t matter in the end anyway does it? Hello Valor it's been far too long.” Looks at him with a uncaring look on his face while Valor could see the same ruthless thirst for war in his eyes

“Still getting a rise out of the children eh?” Raises an eyebrow at him

“What can I say old friend? It's far too enjoyable watching them rant at me. Nothing quite beats watching another pony lose their cool. Your looking good for your age, how are your grandkids?” Valor seems to be unaffected by the look as if he had seen it many times and had grown used to it.

“Fine and spoiled rotten. I thought you were retired? Being brought out of it to help me with this stubborn fools?” He looks over at the other generals who paled at his look

“Ha, if only. If these fools had their way i'd be shipped off to some nursing home playing bingo all day and going senile. And that's at best, at worst they want to see me shot. Can you believe Irons actually roared at me? He even called me a ‘Civilian’ after all I did for him.”

“He technically isn’t wrong but to yell at a hero of our state….” Looks over at him before a shot rang out and Irons head jerked to the side and he fell over dead before even hitting the ground

“Such a thing is unforgivable. But why are you here then old friend?” Looks back at Valor as Quick screamed staring wide eyed at her friend's body

“Well originally I was just here to indulge Darkling and get a good laugh in, it's been far too long since I had some fun with the children. But after seeing the sorry state the leadership is in...Well it's no wonder things are going the way they are, I feel for you old friend having to put up with this all alone...Just doesn't sit right with me.”

“ So are you offering your services? It seem the 39th Army is in need of a general. A few of your old students are actually commanders in it. I’m sure you remember Lieutenant Smooth Wind, Bedrock and Blackwing yes? They’re all majors now. I’m sure they would be very surprised to see you back in your old uniform” Raises an eyebrow at him

“Ah Smooth wind, such an eager little stallion he was. Had the heart of a dragon inside him. Good to hear he’s rising up in the world...Hmm. I suppose it would be good to see them again after all these years and show them how its done. However...Before I do...Quick. I have a question, how old are you?” Valor looked over to Quick hooves.

“What's it t-” She caught Frosts look and whimpered

“5-57.. Why?” she looks up at him cradling Irons head.

“Well my dear, given your recent loss and your distinguished service to our great nation. I believe it's time for you to move on to greener pastures. Spend some time with your family and let a younger pony take your place. Like for instance Major Blackwing. He always had a natural talent for leadership, i'm sure he'd do great in your place...Don't you agree Frost?” Valor gave her a friendly smile, that made her begin to shake

“I think her usefulness has long since run out in my army. I can always send you to join your beloved. Turn in your armor and go home or refuse and join your lover… Your choice.” She nodded shaking badly as she stood bowing to the Emperor and left

“The only reason I kept them is because there was no one competent enough to replace them.” He sighed looking at his old student on the ground as his blood ran down the cobbled street

“Let's go see what our Equestrian foes left for us, shall we?” Looks over at Valor who nodded as they headed off with a few soldiers that wore the Vanguard colors came to their side

“Tomorrow the push begins. When you take command of your Division I want a report on what you need. Clear?” He gave the smallest of smirks as Hell's Brothers reunited again

“Of course sir. I'll make sure that nothing is left undone...And it's good to have you back general.” Smoothwind gave a small smile at his old mentor and friend.

“It's good to be back Lieuten...Or I'm sorry Major Smoothwind. Say did things ever work out with that lover of yours...What was her name again? Razorwind?”

“She’s pregnant with our fourth child actually” He blushed a little looking away smiling.

“Been quite busy haven't we? Ah I remember my youth. Many sleepless nights of passion. Ah to be young again. I'll have to make sure to send her a present...Hmm maybe a gift basket, or some wine just to mess with her...Or gift baskets with wine.” Valor seems to be deep in thought about it.

*City Outskirts*

The small troop walked up to see the Equestrian pegasus limping towards the body of the first who was holding a satchel there was no way that she was going to survive her wounds

“Now this is very surprising. You Equestrian's are made of tougher stuff than I’ve ever seen and stubborn.” Walks calmly towards her as she growled at him

“Fuck you, ya old goat.” Growls while Frost actually smiled getting closer to her

“Fighting till the bitter end I see.” He stepped in front of her as she glared with pure hate looking up at him.

“Ah those eyes you have my dear. I’ve lost count of how many times ive seen them. There like a comfort to me by this point. Lets me know i'm doing something right.” Frost was now in front of the mare, she spat at his face but he simply moved his head to the side and it went by harmlessly.
“34. You are the 34’th to ever try to do that to me. At least try to be original in your final moments.” The mare all but snarled at him and spat up blood on the ground.
“You know most others would put a bullet in your head, or beat you to death or put pressure on your injuries...But that’s for the young blood’s those in their 20-30’s. Me? Ive more...Refined what I like to do to others in their final moments.” The mare coughed and shuddered

“What? You gonna bore me with words till I die?” The mare had a defiant look on her face as she looked up at him.

“Oh no. Not at all. Oh by the way, the soldier you didn't notice behind you is about to stab you in the back, you don't even get to see the face of your killer. Now that is a sad death for a soldier.” The mare’s eyes widened slightly and she turned her head as best she could, but there was nopony there she turned her head back and saw the Imperial had the satchel in his hooves and it was already open.

“The oldest trick in the book, the ‘look out behind you’ Works every time. Oh would you look at this? Target locations? Troop patrol movements? Ooh, anti air defence locations now that one's important. You were quite good at this you know, enough that i'm actually impressed. Bu-.” They heard a pin pulled as she growled lunging at them with a grenade to her chest before she was bucked away by Smooth as the other soldiers covered their leaders when the grenade went off taking the Wonderbolt with her.

“21. She actually broke the even number this time kudos to her for that. Sigh, these ponies have GOT to learn to be more creative with how they go out. In her last moments she must have felt humiliated. Knowing the only pony she killed was herself and she had a shot at taking out the leader of the Imperial military. She must be raging in the afterlife right now. You know, for once I’d like that trick to NOT work, why do they always try to blow themselves up and take you with them?” Frost wasn't the least bit phased by what just happened and continued to look at the papers.

“No idea sir, gets kinda samey after a while, first few times it's pretty shocking and bold. After a while though...Gets real predictable.” Smooth dusted off his uniform at that.

“Oh well. Either way...These papers tell an interesting story. Looks like the capitol is going to have some...Visitors. Well...Let's get ready to throw them a blitz they'll never forget.”

*As they left one soldier moved the other body to be disposed off before they all heard a click as a whole squad was taken out by the other dead Wonderbolt.

“Clever little minx..Well that's what the 5th time i've seen that trick? Credit where credit is due...I love that one. Hmm...I wonder if she left a landmine somewhere? I'd put money on train tracks.” Valor gambled as Smooth raised an eyebrow at that.

“Hmm...I'd go with mainroad, or maybe in a forested area. That's a bit more clever.” Frost looked over the papers.

“I'll take that bet General....And raise you a tripwire.” As the two walked away from the scene thinking of ideas on where booby traps could be that the scouts may have laid out for them the rest of Vanguard soldiers were looking at them in shock at how nonchalant they were being.