Sacrifice

The war started with a bang. An all consuming fire that defied the laws of nature until the Princesses of the Sun and Moon used all of their power to put it out. That was when we realized the Darklords were serious in their threats. We never gave them any heed, despite constant border skirmishes along the western edge of Equestria. But when they attacked Canterlot, the war was on.

I was drafted of course. A simple earth pony given a sword, shield, simple iron armor, and an apology signed by the Royal Sisters themselves. I was given precious few days to say goodbye to family, too little time for training, and before I knew it I was on the frontlines.

The Darklords’ minions were ferocious and terrifying. Giaks, they were called. Horrible mutated versions of ponies with grey leathery skin and a penchant for bloodshed. There were other types of creatures as well, but none I ever saw in person. The Giaks though, they were something that I fought often, night after awful night. After months of gruesome fighting this enemy had become nothing more than practice to us and I felt nothing but boredom. Until the final battle. It was then that I felt real fear. Undead monsters, giant minotaurs, and raging berserkers ranged as far as the eye could see, their evil lieutenants barking orders and casting foul spells, an even match for everything we had and more.

We were given simple instructions: Hold the line. If we fell, so would Canterlot. The pegasus strike teams would be using us as cannon fodder to deal devastating blows to keys points in the enemy lines, no difference there. Unicorn commanders walked up and down the lines to ensure we did not falter. They nodded their approval after each pony, stopping to boost morale here and there. My commander, Captain Rosethorn, was in good spirits himself, having personally defeated the last enemy commander and winning the battle almost bloodlessly on our side. He patted my shoulder and threw me a small smile. I wasn’t sure if I was ready for this fight, but as a newly promoted Corporal, I needed to not show fear in front of my squad.

When the horns blew to signal the enemy charge, us footsloggers held as firm as we could. The press of bodies as the enemy reached our lines was a familiar feeling by now. Our shields interlocked, spears and swords at the ready. But this time it was different. The ponies I came to know as friends fell at an alarming rate. Axes and swords hewed through my comrades ahead of me like wheat before the scythe. What started as confusion became feelings of terror and hopelessness as the soldiers to my sides turned and ran. I only could do what I was trained to. I held my ground.

The undead advance slowed drastically as a circle of my comrades shielded our commander as he cast wards, buffs, and anything he could think of to give an edge to his now seriously depleted company. Energy mixed with adrenaline and rage coursed through my body and I led the charge into the thick of the battle. My blade cleaved through necks and forelimbs with every swing of my head. Instinct was the only thing guiding my actions, and before I knew it the onslaught had abated and the enemy had been pushed back foot by bloody foot. It was then that I saw my worst nightmare. King Sombra, the leader of the Darklords, advanced towards the middle of my formation. Towards our Princesses. His pompous stride was only halted when he deigned to cast a spell or lay low another pony that dared hold his ground against such a feared opponent. His bodyguards were no less terrifying, each over twice as large as a normal pony. All of them were covered head to hoof in pitch black armor covered with ornate details and the blood of our people.

When my captain ordered us to charge at Sombra, I almost threw in the towel then and there. But our nation, our pride, and our Princesses were at stake! Bellowing a warcry, we engaged the enemy warlord.

The instant we approached we were enveloped in a maelstrom of black flames. I could barely breathe but I pushed on regardless. I remember thinking that it was all a great mistake.

Sombra spared neither of us a glance as we charged through the flames. He simply hoisted us up in his magical grip higher and higher until we could be seen by both armies. His cruel laughter echoed in my head with increasing painfulness. I felt my death approaching as his foul magic leached all of us of our inner magic. I blacked out as I felt my body slipping away…

…

I didn’t know why or how, but I felt my breath return to me. Unfortunately I also felt the renewed agony of near death. I coughed violently and opened my eyes to a most beautiful sight. Princess Luna and Princess Celestia both stood over the bodies of my fallen comrades. Their eyes shone with fresh tears as they examined every detail of their bodies. One by one they imparted them all to their immortal memories, as if intending to keep them alive in their hearts. When they reached Captain Rosethorn, they rejoiced. He had stirred just after I awoke, and we both cried as we embraced as not officer and soldier, but brothers. Though it would have been fairer to say that he embraced me, as I couldn’t feel my body from the neck down. The captain immediately bowed down before the Princesses when they approached, while I stayed on the ground, unable to move and bleeding out from multiple lacerations.

“Your Highnesses, you were amazing! Sombra didn’t stand a chance against you!” It was fair to say that Captain Rosethorn was positively giddy from a combination of blood loss, being alive, and meeting two living goddesses. Princess Celestia nodded once as an acceptance of his statement.

“It is you brave soldiers who made this victory possible. You gave us a chance to attack once he was distracted. It is we who must thank you.” The humble admission from the Princess left my captain in stunned silence. He stayed perfectly still staring at the same spot in contemplation as Celestia and Luna walked slowly towards me. “And you, Corporal...Wildheart, I believe? I must say, you were very brave. A soldier of the line who risked all to help bring down the most powerful sorcerer in the land? I am thankful beyond words.”

“Yes, very impressive. It’s...almost as if you were sent from the gods themselves.” Princess Luna knelt down and nuzzled my cheek with a sad smile. It was obvious to me that they wanted to console me before I died. I refused to give in to my fate.

“T-thank you, both of you. But I am not yet done. I need to...to keep the country safe…” Pain wracked my body in a horrible spasm. I was sure my spine was injured somewhere. The Princesses frowned at my expression of pain. “I do not wish to die like this...like a dog in the mud. Save your sympathy for those already gone.”

Princess Celestia was clearly distraught as she thought of how to respond. Finally she spoke: “I understand you are under immense stress. But with your injuries, even we cannot heal you. It would take us time, and that you do not have. You are slowly dying. I am sorry.”

“Wait sister. If it is time he needs, and he clearly wants to serve us still, unlike the others who accepted their deaths with open hooves, we can put him in stasis until he is healed.” Luna smiled softly at me, and despite my pain my spirit flew higher and I truly wished I could bow to such a gentle and beautiful personage as her.

“Yes, that is what we can do. I believe he has earned it.” Celestia nodded once, and then turned to Captain Rosethorn, who finally recovered and was at my side again. “Captain, once the spell is complete, please allow this brave soldier to serve by letting him watch over the bodies of the slain until the time that he is fully healed and needed for service again.”

“I will, your Highness.” He said as he bowed again. He then turned to help me up, but was stopped by my groans of pain. His blood-soaked hooves stayed underneath me as he looked to the Princesses for assistance. Princess Luna’s horn glowed a gentle blue and my body lifted off the ground so I could stand on my hooves. My armor and weaponry was cast away and I felt a strange numbness take hold.

“Do you have any last wishes, Wildheart?” Celestia asked, her horn beginning to glow as well. I smiled and slowly nodded.

“Yes, your majesty. I want my family to carry on my legacy. It would mean so much to me. Take my shield to them and tell them to keep it safe.” I wanted to say “until I return”, but there were no guarantees with this magic. Celestia nodded and Captain Rosethorn immediately took up my hoof shield, slinging it over his back. He would know exactly where to bring it.

Princess Celestia and Princess Luna nodded to each other and closed their eyes, focusing their magic upon me. I stared in both horror and awe as my white bloodstained fur slowly turned to grey stone as the combined magic of the Sisters washed over me. They were even kind enough to move my long black hair out of my face so that I looked more presentable. I felt a strange sensation crawling over me, a mix of numbness and a dull heavy weight pulling me down. The very last thing I saw before everything faded to black were the gentle faces of the Princesses, Captain Rosethorn, the victorious soldiers busy routing the enemy, and the dead and dying soldiers who I would soon be watching over for eternity.