Protect till the Last
By
Teal
The large wooden doors shook, as the battering ram slammed against it once more. Its sound echoed inside the room, bouncing on the stone walls as the ponies in the room waited anxiously. With each slamming sound that echoed around them, they knew that it would only be a matter of time before their final faith was decided. Standing by the door, a group of five bat ponies held their hooves on the wood, pushing back the force that was trying to open them. They wore the dark blue armor that was commonly associated with the night guard, yet they had three black feathers pinned to the top of their helmets.
The locks of the doors were long gone, as the only force that kept it shut were the bat ponies that stood against it. With nothing but their strength and will power, they held the door, refusing to let the ones on the other side enter. No matter how much their body ached and complained, they held their position, grunting and mumbling as they poured out their strength.
With each impact of the battering ram, the five bat ponies were thrown away, pushed back from the door. But with their quick reflexes and speed, they returned to their positions, as they tried to keep them shut. But despite their determination to keep them closed, they knew that they couldn’t keep it that way forever.
Midnight Sky was on the opposite side of the room, listening as the battering ram slammed against the door once more. He stood next to the window, looking at the moon that lay above them all. The white orb looked over the land, shinning its light upon the dark surroundings
“A beautiful sight isn’t it?” A voice said from behind him.
Turning to face it, Midnight Sky found himself face to face with one of the most powerful beings in Equestria. With her flowing hair, which looked like the night sky itself, and dark coat, the alicorn looked down at him.
Despite the small smile on her face, the sad look in her eyes betrayed her facial expression. Her eyes were filled with sorrow and hurt, of pain and wariness. But despite all of that, she hid them away, not wanting him or the others to see her suffering.
“Yes, your highness…” Midnight Sky said, nodding. “…one of the most beautiful sights I have seen.”
The alicorn smiled as she gave a small nod. “Thank you, Captain. I am truly flattered by your compliment.” She said, before sighing. She looked down below them to where a large group of ponies, cladded with golden armor, rushed into the castle, as they bolstered the ones who were attempting to break down the door of their room. “…I just wish that there were more ponies like you.”
She then turned around and gestured to the five bat ponies at the door. “More ponies like you all, ponies who truly appreciate my night. I thank you all for standing by me, even during these last moments. I am sad to say that I have nothing in return, nothing to express my gratitude to you and to the ones who already fell, trying to protect me.”
“There is no need for that, your highness.” Midnight said. “You do not need to give us anything. We swore to protect you, no matter what. So here we are, doing our job and giving you our loyalty.”
“That’s right, your highness. You have already done enough for us and we are merely returning the favor, by sticking by you no matter what.” One of the bat ponies who was keeping the door shut yelled.
The other four bat ponies nodded as they held the door shut.
Midnight turned his head towards the five bat ponies and smiled.
Watching the five bat ponies stumble and keep the door shut, Midnight Sky couldn’t help but feel sorry for them. They have already lost a lot and were now about to lose more as they stayed hear. But it was already too late to back down; there was no turning back now.
They were the few that survived, the few that were left. With their brothers and sisters lying dead all over the castle, they managed to escape and seek refuge here, only to be cornered and left with no other place to go. Now they were about to face their fate, along with him.
They knew what was going to happen; they knew the fate that was upon them. They have seen their comrade’s fall and knew that they would be next. Once the doors fell, they would fall with it. But not without a fight, a fight to defend their liege at all cost.
“You six could still get out. I will not hold it against you if you leave.” The alicorn said, as she addressed them all. “I can hold them off, long enough for you six to fly out of here and hide.”
“Trying not to be offensive here, you highness, but it is our job to hold the line.” One of the ponies holding the door said. “If there is anypony leaving, it should by you.”
“Besides, we’re not leaving without you.” Another said, to the agreement of the others.
“But the ponies outside will follow me no matter where. I cannot leave this place without being spotted.” The alicorn informed.
“Then it looks like we’re staying here with you.” Midnight said, as the others nodded.
“We are here to keep you safe at all cost. Protect to the last, as they always say.” One said, as she struggled to keep the door shut.
The alicorn couldn’t help but smile, as a single tear slid down her cheek. Wiping it off, she nodded to them all. “I am truly honored to have
Guards as loyal as you, willing to suffer the pain that will soon come.”
“They are the best and most loyal, your highness.” Midnight said, nodding. “You can’t get anypony more loyal than them.”
“How about you, Captain?” The alicorn said, looking at him. “Aren’t you the most loyal of them all? To be able to order you’re Guard against fellow Guards, to be able to turn convince most of your guard to turn against their country and follow me, all because you put your trust on one single pony. To be able to do all of that requires either great bravery and loyalty or stupidity and recklessness.”
“Well, whether it was loyalty or recklessness, we’re here now.”
Another slam hit the door, as its hinges began to creak. The constant hammering on the door was taking its toll, as the wood was relentlessly pounded and pounded. Cracks were starting to appear, as the door began to break up. Although the ponies who held it shut were still strong and willing, the door the separated them from the outsides wasn’t so eager to do the same. If the attack on it didn’t stop, the door would soon break and let in the hordes of attackers.
“Hey, Captain, I don’t think this door is going to last any longer!”
“Well you all know what that means, right?” Midnight said, pulling his swords from its protective scabbard and holding it in his mouth.
Although he knew that it was basically suicidal for them to fight against a superior enemy, it was the only option they had. When they sided with the forces of the Night and turned their back against Equestria, they basically signed their death wish, for treason was punishable by death. This gave them with no other choice but fight.
Better die fighting, with glory, rather than be hanged, with all the shame.
He looked at the other five bat ponies, as he saw them nod and pull out their own swords. The fear was obvious in their eyes, but their expressions showed determination. They weren’t going to go out silently and despite the odds, they remained brave.
You would not get anypony braver than them…
Another slam on the door and the five ponies were pushed back with a force that kicked them across the room. A loud bang soon followed, as the two large doors fell off and landed with a thud. Dust and bits of wood flew everywhere, as the room was filled by an eerie silence.
Then a shout came, then another, followed by another and another. The sound of hooves echoed, as ponies, cladded in golden armor, rushed into the room, pushing against each other as filled the small space inside.
Struggling to get up, the five bat ponies picked up their weapons and charged back, trying to be as fierce as their enemy. Swinging their swords, they were lost in the great melee in front of them. Swallowed by the numbers that they faced.
From his position, Midnight could hear the sound of sword hitting armor, the grunts of the ponies as they swung their blades against one another. They were gravely outnumbered, but it seemed that they were putting a fight.
Wanting to join them, Midnight rushed into the crowd, swinging his blade at the first pony he faced. The suddenness of his charge managed to surprise the poor pony, as he jabbed the tip of the swords against the neck, pushing it deep before quickly pulling it out.
His sword was now coated with the blood of his slain adversary, as he moved to get another one. So he swung his sword once more, only to be blocked by the armor of another pony.
A pony swung his sword at him, but he managed to duck it and avoid the sharp blade. Looking towards his right, a foolish pony decided to charge him head on. So he met the charge with a stab to the face, penetrating the skin and distorting the face. It was a gruesome sight, but
Midnight ignored it, as he pulled the sword out to face another enemy.
But this one was too fast, as the pony managed to slash at him, scrapping his shoulder and drawing blood. Midnight hissed at the pain, but he tried his best to push it away. This was no time for pain, he needed to focus.
By now, the sound of fighting seemed to soften, as more and more ponies began to surround him. They formed a circle around him, till he found himself in the center, with spears pointing towards him. He didn’t know how many were pointed at him, but there must have been a dozen spears that were bearing at him. The sharp pointed edges were only inches away from him, moving closer and closer.
Midnight looked at the faces of his adversaries, as blank expressions remained plastered on their faces. They stared at him, with their eyes focused on him, as they pointed their spears, preparing to strike.
“Kill the traitor!” One of them bellowed, as the shout was followed by painful jabs at his body.
Midnight felt the tips penetrate his skin, as the sharp edges cut deep in him. The pain was unimaginable, as he screamed to the top of his lungs. With the spears jabbed at him, the ponies continued to push it deep, making sure that he was dead.
Eyes wide in pain, the life within him slowly started to fade. He had assumed that the others who managed the last stand were gone by now, meeting the same faith as their fallen comrades. Now he was experiencing it too, the painful end. But soon, soon he would be joining them, in silence and in peace.
A the last of his life faded away, the only regret he had inside him was the fact the he didn’t do more. Didn’t do more to protect his liege and bring her away from the uncertain punishment that she would receive. Now, her faith was unknown, as his bad lay cold on the stone floor.
