Prologue: The war begins.
Princess Celestia read another report from the Minotaur Tribes. the final clan that was friendly to Equestria had fallen, and the new lord of the Minotaur Czardom had set eyes on Equestria. She turned towards her sister, Deep worry etched into her face.
"Luna....I had hoped to avoid this outcome, But Equestria is... At war." As the last words spilled from her mouth, Celestia choked. She knew her power was waning. It was a point driven home by the changeling invasion and Tirek's rise to power. She had seen war, and had failed to protect her little ponies from it. Luna looked equally ill at the thought. She had seen war as well, and it was inglorious.
"I shall summon the generals sister. We must prepare now, while we have the chance." Said Luna, Hugging her sister tightly. "I hope to see this end quickly, with as little pain as possible. Maybe they're new king can see reason hmm?" said Luna hopefully.
She couldn't have been more wrong. In the first two months of the conflict, the Griffin Imperium failed. Their losses had been too great, and they retreated to their inaccessible mountain cities. The minotaurs continued to advance, and the only thing that stood in their way, was the Equestrian Expeditionary force, and the Highlands. The Highlands were a free state who were allied with Equestria. Because of the small size of the nation, they were often in conflict with the Griffins, who wanted the Iron and sheep that the Highland clans raised. Constant skirmishes with enemies who could fly led the Highlanders to develop an advanced weapons program, Discovering gunpowder and Rifling well before any larger nation. Military service was Mandatory, and in times of peace, Regiments were loaned out as mercenary Forces in order to Bring money into the treasury.
This also led to Superior and experienced soldiers, and officers with the knowledge and ability to counter the advantages that other species had, From developing charms to dissipate magic, to Creating timed shells that explode in the air to combat flying foes. To many nations, the Highlands were untouchable. Unfortunately, the officer in charge of the defenses Betrayed his homeland for gold and power, and caused the destruction or capture of most of the Highland army. The King of the Highlands, Matchlock Cavalier, led his personal guard into battle in order to protect the battered EEF and the refugees he had tasked them with rescuing. He Died screaming Profanities at the Minotaur horde, Swinging his sword and holding his banner high. The Minotaurs, Respecting a tenacious foe, Allowed him to be buried with full honors, and proclaimed him a hero, even in their own lands.
During the next year, The only thing that kept the Mino-tsar and his army From flooding Equestria was a capable and Tenacious Resistance movement from the highlanders, and the return of several Regiments from abroad. On and on the fighting went, Until only the 12th remained. Colonel Saberhilt, the youngest stallion to have ever reached said rank, Pulled his forces from the fray and retreated. He recognized that he alone could not dislodge the Minotaurs, and that to fight and die in a futile attempt would be to waste the lives of his soldiers, so he offered his services to the equestrian army with a heavy heart. This is where the story truly Begins.
Colonel Saberhilt watched from the wooden tower in the center of his camp as his soldiers trained. Bayonet drills, Line drills, Marching, It was glorious. He felt a sense of pride as he watched, their bright brass buttons flashing and winking in the noonday sun, Complimenting the blue shell jackets and Red pants (Originally they had worn Kilts, But the element of Generosity had Whined long and loud enough that the Highlanders had readily agreed to wear more fashionable pants). Nearby, he saw the banners of the Equestrian regulars. Saberhilt thought they were fine soldiers, If a bit Foppish. They still wore the cumbersome Cuirass and Legionary helm from the last century, and he knew they'd tire long before the battle had ended.
Princess Twilight Chose that moment to teleport behind Colonel Saberhilt. The first thing she noticed about him was his excessive height and broad shoulders. As he turned she was shocked at what she saw, a scar crossed his grey furred face, Leading to and past a milky white left eye. His other eye was forest green, and his hair was a darker grey than the rest of him. His face was far from handsome, with it's gaunt and sharp features, he could be called almost ugly. However, the way he carried himself was confident. She quickly noted his Cutie mark, (which had magically Printed itself just under the insignia of rank as it always does for uniforms), the silhouette of a pony waving a saber in battle.
Colonel Saberhilt looked Princess Twilight dead in the eye before bowing. "Your highness." he said in his deep, almost ancient sounding voice. "To what do I owe the Pleasure of your grace?" He asked. Twilight Blushed a little, (she'd always had a thing for Stallions like him, Intelligent and well spoken, But rough and ready.)
Twilight cleared her throat. "As Luna's aide in this endeavor, I'm ensuring that the division is ready for combat. It seems your regiment is lacking in armor. I'll just get the quartermas-" she began
"No." Said Saberhilt, Gently pushing down the Clipboard Twilight was scribbling on. She blushed again and began Rambling
"Oh, Colonel, We just met and you're nice and all but don't you think it's a little fast? I mean uh-" She was cut off again by his rough hand covering her mouth
"I don't know what you're babbling about your highness, But my troops don't need armor. It's cumbersome and will stop neither shot nor shell, nor minotaur axe." said the Colonel.
Twilight knew this, But she firmly believed that some protection was better than none. However, before she could voice her protests, a pegasus runner landed in the tower.
"Colonel Saberhilt, sir! General Ironsides sends marching orders, The Minotaur first division is on the move, and he wants you in the center of the formation!"
Colonel Saberhilt nodded and looked over at the young purple princess. "Forgive me your highness, Duty calls." with that he began shouting orders as he descended from the tower.
*******3 hours later*******
Twilight sparkle, Luna and General Ironsides watched the battle using a scrying pool. Magic was basically useless against the minotaurs, as they had an absurdly high resistance to magical effects, So, the army was relying on Cannons and Trebuchets to hit soften the enemy up before they got into Arqebus and bow range. Flying units were harassing the Minotaurs as well, But due to their mass and weight limits they'd soon be exhausted. Twilight and Luna were looking on in horror as General Ironsides Explained his plan.
"Alright, So those mercenary bastards are flanked by nothin but levies, and when the center breaks, the real heavy infantry comes from hiding and assaults the minotaur's rear while the flanks close in on the sides! It's perfect!" Gloated the fat noble, Munching on hay fries.
"Thou art truly a Vile Stallion. We do not wish to see the lives of our subjects wasted in such a manner!" Shouted Princess Luna, Gripping the table with shaking hands. It was far too late to change the plan, Any hesitation now would lead to far more casualties than leaving it be.
Twilight just watched, stunned as the battle unfolded.
Colonel Saberhilt drew his sword as the last cannon shell landed in the minotaur ranks. The enemy was shaken, but not disheartened as they began to advance. soone enough, The Equestrian Arqebus formations and Archers opened up, most falling short or having slowed to the point the only thing they did was bounce off of the leathery hides of the Minos. The 12th however, Just formed a line, and held their fire. As the enemy came closer, the Equestrian missiles began taking their toll, but they'd used up far too much ammunition in the earlier volleys, and the arebusiers fell back to their position behind the pikes. Finally, Saberhilt raised his sword, and dropped it.
"Fire by rank! Fire at will!" he shouted, and his subordinates repeated it down the line. The first Volley was devastating, Shredding the Vanguard of the Minotaur army with a withering hail of bullets. Twilight watched, Both horrified and fascinated as the first rank knelt, And the Rank behind Fired as well. By the time the third rank fired, the first had reloaded. The minotuar force was held at bay by the hail of bullets, and began to focus on the flanks rather than march into the meatgrinder in the center. The hidden Equestrian heavy infantry finally showed their faces and began to try and flank the minotaurs, even as General Ironsides gaped at the unprecedented skill of the mercenaries.
"By the godesses!" said the fat noble as Luna and twilight both cheered.
Colonel saberhilt then shouted his next orders, as he'd run short of ammunition. "Fix! Bayonets! Advance!"
The regimental band began playing as they set forth, marching with purpose and pride towards the Minotaurs.
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the minotaurs, Already in disarray after both the unexpected resistance and the flanking maneuver, were unprepared for a charge of this sort. The highlanders let out a mighty war cry as they charged in, skewering those unlucky few too slow to block. Bayonet clashed against axe and spear and sword, and for the most part, the highlanders were sucessful...But no battle comes without it's casualties. The standard bearer was cleaved in two, and the regimental band lost it's officer to a thrown javelin. Saberhilt himself was saved from decapitation when an unlucky private stepped in the way. Saberhilt quickly dispatched his would be murderer with a slash to the throat. Soon enough the minotaurs were beginning to stream through the only route of escape, fleeing back towards their territory to reform. Saberhilt was panting as he flagged down a runner.
"Tell *hah* the general *hah* that the word *hah* mercenary means *hah* professional soldier *hah*"
After the counting, there were over 5,000 dead and wounded. 3,000 of which were ponies, 150 of which, were highlanders.
