Epilogue

I later got out of the facility, when I ran into a group of Alpha 1 troopers who were about to evacuate the place. They told me that another contingent from there group have manage to locate the Elements of Harmony and rescue them, meaning mission accomplished. Thanks to the fact the defense systems were knocked out, the Elements of Harmony were easily recovered and saved. So we were now all ordered back, as the drop shuttles started landing down, covered by the remaining battalions above. We rushed to the halls and tried to exit, via vents. Using our jets, we boosted ourselves up and used them to get out. It was a long journey, but we soon got out.

When we got back up to the field above, I saw that the battle was a bloody event. As bodies littered the dirt, while sporadic fire flew all around. Troopers were holding a perimeter, which was slowly shrinking as they fell back to the drop pods. It’s amazing hold they still manage to hold the line, despite the fact that the odds were against them.

I followed the beacon on my helmet’s display, indicating the drop shuttle the Lunar Express has assigned for my company. It was landed a little bit to the side, giving me a long distance before reaching it. But thanks to my suit, I manage to get there right in time, just before it lifted off.

As I passed through the field, I hopped over the dead bodies of fellow troopers. It was quite sad to know that we didn’t have time to recover them, due to fears of enemy counter-attack. It made me wonder on what the enemy would do with them. Would they have the honor of being buried or would they be left there to rot, inside their metal coffins. It made me shed a tear, knowing that Ruby’s body wouldn’t be retrieved, if there was still anything left of it, and be sent home to her family.

Getting in the drop shuttle, I noticed that there were only five other ponies in there, all of them painted in blood and had their suits damage. My suit itself too damage from some shrapnel, but theirs looked pretty beat up. None of those ponies wore the mark of my platoon, but they did have the mark of my company.

Looking behind me, I could see that most of the ponies were inside their respective drop shuttles as some of the shuttles started taking off. Some ponies who had their drop shuttles destroyed decided to enter the nearest shuttle and stay there.

“Is this all?” A pony, who didn’t wear any armor, but instead the white uniform of the Fleet, asked.

I noticed that there were no more ponies heading towards our shuttle and I concluded the worst. The five ponies and I were the only ones left of our company.

So I looked back at the pony and gravely nodded my head. A sad expression fell on his face, but he nodded back before telling us to strap in.

Despite the sound of the enemy firing at the shuttles, it was a lonely and quiet flight back up.

When I got back up, I was surprised to learn that I had a commendation for the ‘Medal of Bravery’. I was shocked because I don’t remember being brave throughout my time in the front. Most of the times I spent there was filled with me screaming and crying, not brave at all. But high command thought otherwise. Since they though my accidental discovery of the vent and the fact that I was the only survivor of the platoon as a brave thing. Yet I don’t see it the same way they do, but the orders of high command cannot be changed.

They labeled me as a hero, alongside other ponies who won the award during the battle, like Col. Blueblood, Pvt. Long Shot, the ponies of Alpha 1, whose names are classified, that rescued the Elements of Harmony and countless of others.

They praised us and many looked up to us. So High Command decided to award us.

We were pulled out of the front and shift back to Equestria Prime, were we had our medals pinned on by Princess Celestia herself, while in front of press and thousands of other ponies. Well, all of us except the ponies of Alpha 1, since they work covert operations and can’t have their faces exposed.

They then gave us a new mission, in which we would tour the vast outpost and fronts and inspire the troops of the E.S.F. We would act as a morale boost, which was badly needed for our soldiers. Having heroes visit them would make them want to fight more and create role model for each individual.

It quite funny, since this was somewhat similar to my original job, the one I was forced to leave behind.. Since I found myself standing in front of crowds, encouraging them to fight on and continue the war, as they nodded and cheered. It was what I was good at and I was doing a good job.

We toured all of Equestrian controlled space, going in planets, which I enjoyed, and talking to front line ponies, the injured, and all of the members of the E.S.F.
It was like the old PR department, except it was now called the Moral Department. The only difference now was the fact that I was a veteran and now have a shiny new medal to brag about.

But I didn’t brag. I couldn’t, because I knew I didn’t deserve it.

Because to me, I’m no hero. I’m just somepony made to act as a hero. I was a piece of propaganda that helped inspire troops and increase moral.

I was a survivor of a battle, but not a hero. I know it might sound cheesy, but the true heroes were the ones left behind. The ones who didn’t hesitate and sacrificed themselves, so that other may live and go on.

If this medal belongs to anypony, it should be on Ruby, for she held her ground and died doing so. But High Command doesn’t like brave soldiers who are dead. They want live soldiers who can talk and praise the war, so they gave the job to me.

So now, after visiting a planet and inspiring troops, I sit down and enjoy the view. The different planets I went to had different views, but all of them were beautiful and majestic, just like I dreamed off.

As I sit down and look upon the wonders before my eyes, I think back to the ponies I knew. The ponies I spent time with and loved and even the ones I didn’t love, the Sergeant, the Lieutenant, Bolt, and Ruby. They were gone now, but they would forever be in my heart, as their souls waited for me to join them.

Author's Note

It finally done
Well, I hoped you enjoyed this, because I know I did. Sure it's a little short, but it my first full story here and I hope to improve in the future.
So anyways, thanks for reading and please give some feedback.
Bye and see you in my next story.