I hear a click and swiftly jump behind a toppled wooden cart, narrowly dodging the bullet that was sent my way not even a second after. I sit hunched over trying to catch my breath. Looking out at the scene in front of me a lump forms in my throat.
Several ponies, enemies and comrades alike, lay on the bloodstained battle field. Most are dead and the rest are well on their way. The screams and gun shots around me enter my mind.
Gritting my teeth I quickly check my wings to make sure they aren't injured. Now I can barely make out the rainbow colored feathers mixed with the dark gray. My jet black mane falls into my face. Again I can barely see the bright rainbow colors in it anymore. Dirt and blood mixed in with it long ago. I close my eyes and reflect back on how this happened.
*Flashback*
I casually stroll through the castle when I hear a sound come from within Princess Celestia's sleeping quarters. Cracking the door open I see the white princess slumped on the floor with a shadow looming over her. I almost rush to save her but I stop. I've seen a scene similar to this before. It was too late.
"You put up a good fight, Princess," The creature spits out the word 'princess' as if it were a bug under her hoof. "But I won. And in a week, Equestria will be mine." Silently I turn and run to Princess Luna's room.
"Kestrel" She smiles when she sees me, but her bright blue eyes darken when she sees my seriousness.
Two days later the war started. It's been about three months now and if this mission fails we will lose the war, and more importantly, Princess Luna. About a hundred ponies were sent to get Princess Luna past the guards and army protecting the evil being inside the castle.
My armor clinks together as I shift. Luna should be reaching the enemy soon. I hear hooves hit packed dirt and stone near me and I quickly hold my breath and prepare to defend if need be.
The pony rounds the broken cart and I let out a sigh of relief. My second in command, Inkwell Prose. The dark gray maned stallion plops next to me, out of breath.
"What's new?" I ask.
"All enemy soldiers terminated or fled. Only abut one fourth of our ponies are actually still alive." He pauses. Silently we sit there, the only sound being the moans of agony coming from the ponies we can't save.
"She made it, right? You guys got her there?"
"Pretty sure we did. I guess as we got closer she could feel it or something. She told us to leave her be. That she would be fine." Right after Inkwell finished his sentence a loud crash rang through the air. We look above the cart and see Luna chasing Celestia. My heart leaps as Celestia swings around to confront Luna. The navy blue alicorn quickly stops and defends herself from a magical shot Celestia sends her way.
"Please! Stop this!" Princess Luna yells towards her sist- no- they aren't related. Not anymore.
"Never." Celestia growls as she aims another burst of magic. I spread my wings planning on flying to help my princess but then Inkwell Prose nudges me. I look at him questioningly and he gestures behind us. I turn around and whimper slightly. At least twenty enemy soldiers are heading our way.
"Hey Ink?" I ask quietly.
"Mhm?" He answers.
"Where's the rest of our soldiers?"
"Probably gone to give those two room to fight." He gestures with his blue wing. I gulp.
"Well" I pause. "Think we can handle this?" The stallion beside me doesn't have any time to reply when one of the offending pegasi leaves the ground to help Celestia. I surge forward brandishing the swords in my armor shoes, my heart forcing me forward.
I catch the Pegasus off guard and stab him in the chest without a fight. His eyes widen and he tries to hold onto me as he falls, but I fly back and look away. A loud thump rings through the air as he hits the ground.
"I guess we're going to have to handle it." Inkwell says to me as he flies up next to me. We look at the soldiers preparing to fight us. Thankfully they don't have any guns.
We empty our guns on them leaving only five enemies, then we rush in and fight them hoof to hoof.
A sharp pain in my side erupts in my mind as I knock a dark green unicorn unconscious. Whipping around I see a dark brown stallion standing there, pulling his sword away from me. My heart plummets and I quickly end his life.
"Kestrel." Ink says lowly. "They're dead..." He trails off as he looks at my side. I turn to look at it and wince. It's deep.
"Ink" I say quietly.
"Mhm?"
"Did you pay attention to this part of our training?" I limp away from the other bodies. He walks beside meand supports some of my weight.
"No..." He replies regretfully.
"Me neither..." I lay on he ground. Blood oozes from my wound.
"Kestrel..." I hear a voice say in my mind. I look to the sky and watch the two alicorns fight.
"Maybe we should wrap it up?" Inkwell says. I look back at my side and all the dirt around it. I shake my head.
"Too deep. Probably already infected." Isigh. I laugh lightly and more blood spills from my side. "You know, Ink" I wince as the pain starts to set in. Inkwell looks at me. "My father died in combat. That's why I've always hated griffons. They took away my chance to know my father. Who knows how many other fillies and colts went through that because of them... They took away my family."
"I'm sorry." Ink says, stretching his wing to rest it on my shoulder. I shake my head slowly.
"It's okay." I say, looking to the two alicorns. "I had the chance to find love because of it. My soul mate." I feel the energy draing from my body.
"Kestrel let's just head to the hospital."
"It's too far and... I don't want to leave them." The stallion nods. We resume watching the mares battle in silence. I stand up quickly as I notice Luna's blows getting slower. I see Celestia start to build up a powerful attack as Luna does as well. I shoot into the air quickly, knowing the blue princess wouldn't be able to protect herself or attack before the olde alicorn.
"Luna!" I yell, catching both princess's attention. The pain in my side forgotten, I unsheath my sword and aim for Celestia. She narrows her eyes and growls, letting the magic blow hit me. I start falling to the ground, drowning in pain. I watch Celestia get hit with a ball of dark blue magic. Inkwell catches me and lays me on the ground gently.
"You're torn open, Kestrel." Ink says as Luna lands next to me.
"Kestrel you stupid stupid mare..." Luna says fighting back tears. I close my eyes as she nuzzles me.
"I will always be with you, my love." I say in my mind as the world goes dark.
