Sacrifice of the unknown Alicorn
By.
FoxofRarity
“Heartstrings or Lyra whatever they call you! Get over here NOW! Relay a message to Blueblood, to inform Supreme Marshall Gold Sky the left flank is near its breaking point! Many are severely wounded especially from the 501st airborne, our lines are now growing thin, and we can’t hold out if another major assault attacks the left flank. We need reinforcements!”
“Yes Colonel Macintosh, right away!”
The light turquoise Unicorn mare’s horn glowed as she sent the message to Blueblood in the center, Colonel Big Macintosh on the other hand wiped away the blood from his golden armor…it was not his blood but that of a Fascist Griffon rebel soldier.
“Please Gold Sky ah need all the help you ken send.” Big Macintosh hopelessly said to himself.
***
At the center Prince Blueblood or as he now asks to be simply called Blueblood, was helping a medic place a wounded Pegasus on a stretcher until the message suddenly appeared before him. The medic told him it’s all right, immediately Blueblood galloped to the tent of Supreme Marshal Gold Sky, the third but unknown Alicorn of Equestria. He was placed in command of the entire Equestrian forces by order of Princess Luna and Celestia. He was reluctant at first since he’ll be away from his dear Octavia whom he had just married three years ago and made her immortal like himself, but Equestria needed him so he put on the gold and silver armor Princess Luna made for him to protect his wife and nation.
“Supreme Marshall Gold Sky message from the left flank sir, it’s from Colonel Macintosh!”
“Let me see it.” The golden winged Alicorn horn glowed as he took the scroll from Blueblood.
“General Flying Havoc are the reinforcements from Princess Luna here yet? I can’t risk having the left flank crumble and also have Big Macintosh getting killed…I made a promise.”
The grey coated Pegasus general stood before Gold Sky whom he admired.
“Sir the reinforcements here. Fresh and able-bodied ready to fight.”
“Thank goodness! How many troops did Princess Luna send?”
“Umm…I don’t want to say, but knowing you sir you will still make me talk. Only a company was sent. ”
“You’re kidding right? ARE YOU KIDDING!?” Roared the Alicorn.
Flying Havoc tried his best not to run out of the tent, it was extremely rare for Gold Sky to express anger since he is known for the extraordinary amount of love he has in his heart that not even Dr.Whooves can measure.
“Major Ditzy get your cute bubble flank over here and fetch Blueblood. I hope Princess Luna or Celestia won’t get mad about this strong worded letter I’m going to send them. Wait!…Flying Havoc what is the name of this company?”
“F-F-Fox Company sir.”
Suddenly the face of the of the Supreme Marshal lit up upon hearing General Flying Havoc telling him the legendary Fox Company was sent to reinforce the left flank. Fox Company-Princess Luna herself personally trained Fox Company and took great pride of this company of silver armored Elite Commando Guards.
Major Ditzy doo meanwhile, was puzzled about Fox Company but more importantly what difference can eighty Elite Commandos do to change the tide of the terrible predicament occurring in the left flank.
“Gold Sky if I may? Can I ask you a question?”
“Of course Ditzy, what is it you wish to know.”
“Why did your face light up when General Flying Havoc mentioned Fox Company? They are just a company sir, so how can this company fill in a role that is meant for a battalion? Sir.”
“Ditzy I understand your doubt…but these fifty Pegasus and thirty Unicorns were personally trained by Princess Luna.
I’ve seen what they can do Ditzy, they are deadly as they are also efficient if anything can change the tide in the left flank its Fox Company.”
Gold Sky started to spread his majestic gold colored wings before opening his mouth to speak.
“As crazy as I may sound I would have gone personally to the left flank to reinforce it, but the troops will not allow it.”
The Alicorn along with General Flying Havoc and Major Ditzy doo walked out of the tent, Ditzy Doo who in her own right was a glorious fighter with one hundred sixty seven kills but despite her success she was scared with losing her left eye which is now covered by an eye patch.
“Why does Major Ditzy get to call you by your name?” Flying Havoc sheepishly asked.
Gold Sky stopped in his tracks to gaze at his general with one eyebrow raised.
“Oh...uh Sir!”
“Because General Havoc she can and will call me by my name, if you don’t like it then I suggest you keep your mouth shut. But…I didn’t say that you couldn’t call me by my name did I now eh Flying Havoc?”
Flying Havoc saw a warm smile from on Gold Sky’s face, until the left ear of the Alicorn shifted quickly.
“Ditzy look out!”
A golden wing shot over Ditzy Doo as a shield, followed by a sharp moan was from Gold sky.
“SIR are you alright!? An arrow struck you on your wing! I-I will get the medic right away!” Blueblood franticly exclaimed.
“No Blueblood it’s all right, there is no need to worry about me.”
Gold Sky brought his right wing close to his head; delicately he grabbed the arrow with his mouth before yanking it out with a swift motion. Once the act was done his horn to started to glow creating an aura around the wound making it heal. Ironically despite having the ability to regenerate, he felt the in times like these he needed to speed up the process.
“Blueblood inform Colonel Macintosh his reinforcements are coming, and also inform Colonel Trixie of the right flank to have her troops battle ready.”
“Why sir?”
“Because the Fascists Griffons are getting ready to launch an attack on the right flank but I can also sense an attack coming to the center too. Unicorn archers get ready! Pegasus to the skies! Earth ponies have your gauntlet blades extended. Romeo magic boom squads prepare charges. Major Ditzy lead this 501st pegasi division of the center to victory.”
Ditzy saluted before taking flight.
Gold Sky teleported to his tent to don on the armor Princess Luna made for him, the Alicorn sighed as he put on the armor along with the red cape it came with. But before heading to the front lines he opened up the locket his wife gave to remind him of what keeps him going everyday in this war.
***
“Gold Sky promise me you will bring back Big Macintosh safe and sound, Ah know he can do whatever he wants wit his life…but he is the closest thing ah have that reminds me of mah daddy. Look ah know ah been mean to you once and that in war you should never make promises… but if not for me do it for Apple Bloom she loves Big Macintosh very much.”
“I will watch over him Applejack, I will bring him back. But Applejack know that I forgave you long time ago.”
The promise he made to the younger sister of Big Macintosh resonated in his mind, before another promise he made before Day Zero of this war started to play.
***
“Octavia are you awake?”
“I am Gold Sky.”
“The time has come…come downstairs with me my love.”
Gold Sky and Octavia walked downstairs to wait for the Princess of the Moon to appear.
Octavia felt tears forming in her eyes as her Alicorn husband nuzzled her on the cheek.
“Don’t go Gold Sky! Please don’t go! You may be immortal and also have regeneration, but Princess Celestia once said that even Alicorns can die!”
“I know…it’s because I am not a full pure Alicorn like Luna and Celestia, who were created directly by the Great Spirit.”
“Then why are still going to fight Gold Sky!”
“Because its right thing to do. I’m fighting to protect you Octavia, I’m fighting to protect the innocent children of Equestria, and I’m fighting to protect the two Princesses who gave me guidance when I needed it the most. And I will not let those Fascist Griffons harm you or anypony here in Equestria along with taking away our freedom.”
Octavia buried her face in Gold Sky’s chest sobbing.
All Gold Sky can do was wrap his wings around her to try and comfort her.
“At least promise me you’ll come back Gold Sky. Give me the hope of knowing you will return to me and you will hug me tight before looking into my eyes telling me how much you missed me.”
“Octavia please look at me.”
The mare looked into Gold Sky’s eyes.
“I promise you, I will come back. If there is one thing that I will fight in order to get to…it’s you my dear. I will fight the whole world so I can be back by your side. You are my heart you are my pulse.”
“You promise?”
“I promise. Cross my heart…and hope to fly… stick a cupcake in my eye.”
Octavia smiled a bit before hearing a soft knock on the front door.
“Hold me tight one last time please.”
Gold Sky hugged his wife one last time, he smelled the sweet soft scent of her mane one last time, and he wrapped his golden majestic wings around her one last time. He kissed his wife for the last time… from here to his last breath.
***
“Sir your helmet, I got it for you.”
The voice of Private Braeburn took away Gold Sky from his flashback.
“Oh, thank you Private Braeburn.”
“Sir are you ok? I noticed you were lost in something.”
Gold Sky starting to think if it was a good idea to express a little bit of his thoughts to Private Braeburn, he reached to feel the locket around his neck.
“I don’t want to become a Razor…I think it will be alright if I have a quick chat with Braeburn.”
“I was just thinking about my dear wife and how much I long to be with her right now, you know the usual stuff most soldiers think about. What about you Private?”
“Well Supreme Marshal Gold Sky I rea…”
“Braeburn if you may please call me by name and my name alone is that clear?”
“Oh uhh yes Gold Sky. Ahem I really miss Appleloosa…but ha I really miss hearing the stories of the past ancestors from Chief Thunderhooves around a campfire, then when he was done him and the other buffalos will dance while doing a chant to ask the ghosts of their ancestors to bless their land.”
“Quite the story Braeburn I’ve never visited Appleloosa perhaps me and my wife will be happy, to visit Appleloosa and get a first class tour from you.”
“Ha-ha of course Gold Sky I will be more than happy to give you and your wife a tour… oh and how is she?”
“She’s fine… is just she didn’t want me fighting in this war, it was just departing from her is what haunts me. I miss hearing her practice, also her beautiful loving voice, the sweet scent her mane has, but most of all I wish I can just teleport out of here to be with her…”
Gold Sky stopped when he caught himself saying too much about his feelings, Braeburn on the other hand smiled at knowing that the Supreme Marshal still had not lost himself to this war like Caramel who turned into an emotionless Razor.
“Gold Sky I understand how you feel I felt the same sometimes, just wishing to take off this armor and go back home. But you and I both know we can’t do that since its sworn duty to protect Equestria from these Fascists.”
“Thank you Braeburn.”
“Thank me for what Gold Sky?”
“For allowing me to tell you a bit about myself it feels good to share a bit of how I feel instead of keeping it bottled up inside.”
Braeburn gave Gold Sky a nod, while the Alicorn proceeded in putting on his helmet before flying to the front lines.
“Oh Great Spirit please give me the strength I need to protect my troops.”
***
“Captain Caramel please give me a troop status report, I need to how many Pegasi, Unicorns, and Earth Ponies are combat ready before taking battle positions.”
The emotionless Earth pony went to get a clipboard from Nurse Tenderheart that had the percentages of ponies that are combat ready.
“Colonel Trixie here is the report as you requested.”
“Thank you Captain.”
“My pleasure Colonel Trixie.”
“Damn! If only these numbers where only higher I could spare some troops to the left flank to help Big Macintosh, the center is good since Supreme Mar…err I mean Gold Sky and Major Ditzy Doo are skilled fighters.”
“Colonel the enemy is approaching! Griffons by air and land Colonel!”
“*Sigh* Battle Positions now! Pegasus to the skies now! Unicorn archers fire at will! Zulu magic boom squad drop charges at grid point niner one seven four zero two NOW!! Archers redirect fire at Kilo point. No wait! Belay that order! Redirect fire at previous set point of niner one seven four zero two! CAPTAIN CARAMEL ARE YOU WITH ME!!”
“To the end Colonel and to my last heart beat.”
A small smile of hope formed on Trixie’s face, she then turned toward the Earth and Unicorn ponies that stood ready behind her.
“Troops know what you’re fighting for! Fight for freedom! Fight for your children! Fight for the Princesses! But most of all…fight for Equestria!”
The troops let out a cry the shook the ground beneath them.
With the Pegasi and the few Unicorns using flight spells engaging the Fascist Griffons in the air, Trixie and Caramel led the land forces to engage the Griffons on land.
“Let’s give them a show they’ll never forget. FORWARD!”
***
“If you choose to surrender Griffon I will spare your live, treat you with the upmost respect, release you as soon as this war is over, and you will be back home with your family.”
“I will rather die than to ever be at your mercy pony! *Spit*.”
“If that is what you wish? So be it then. You shall die a slow death.”
Gold Sky took out his dagger and magically took hold of it.
“Suffer in knowing I take no pleasure in this.”
Slowly Gold Sky plunged the dagger into the heart of the Griffon, twisting it alittle before taking it out and placing it back in its sheath.
The Griffon started to convulse, his breathing went faster, and blood started to ooze from the wound with every damaged heartbeat.
“Sir I should end his miser…”
“You will do no such thing Major Ditzy. Let him suffer and let the pain flow through him. That’s what he wanted anyway.”
“B-But it’s not right!”
“Do not question my order unless you don’t want another eye patch Major Ditzy.”
Ditzy Doo simply nodded before gathering up the courage in asking another question.
“Supreme Marshal should you even be here in the front lines?”
“What is the point of being a leader if you can’t fight alongside your troops?”
“Good Point sir…I think? Say is okay if I can eat my muffin here?”
“Yeah go ahead I’ll keep a look out for an…Blueblood? You have a message for me?”
“It’s another urgent message from Colonel Macintosh sir.”
Gold Sky opened up the message.
Gold Sky where are our reinforcements!? We need them! Our airborne division is completely wiped out! I’m afraid the left flank is collapsing, my troops are now running away, and we can’t not hold out I repeat we can’t hold out! Did you get that Heartstrings? Huh why are you writing that down? No, don’t write that, just write down what I need… sigh. Gold Sky the left flank is gone… it is gone.
The Alicorn’s face became whiter than white.
“This can’t be happening…how can this happen? This can’t be happening.”
“Gold Sky Fox Company has been ordered to…”
“WHERE IS FOX COMPANY!? I’ve ordered them to reinforce the left flank and now the left flank has fallen tell me Havoc,
who the hell ordered them not to go reinforce the left flank!?”
“Sir Fox Company has ordered to head back to C-Ca- Canterlot sir.”
“Then tell me who the hell ordered them back to Canterlot so I can have the pleasure of killing them! Slowly.”
“Not me sir! It was Prin-Princess Celestia ordered them back sir. Do you intend to kill her?”
Gold Sky’s legs gave out upon hearing who ordered the company of Elite Commando Guards to go back to Canterlot, the last hope of holding the Fascists at the borders of Equesrtria vanished just as hope of keeping his promise.
“Sir we need orders, what are your orders sir! Should we position our troops into the defensive fishhook?”
“We can’t… we don’t have enough troops to reposition and even if we did the Griffons will use the left flank to sweep in from behind our lines to block any forms of retreat, while they launch an frontal offensive to the center and right flank to keep us busy. From our rear they will also attack sandwiching us and they will wipe us out completely. Celestia why have you done this?”
General Havoc, Major Ditzy, Private Braeburn and Blueblood watched as tears ran down from the teal eyes of the Alicorn, their leader has lost all hope.
“Funny.” Gold Sky quietly said.
“What do you mean sir?” Asked Major Ditzy.
“Princess Celestia knew this thought will cross my head, it’s actually kind of funny when your talent that makes you who you are is being used against you.”
“Gold Sky we don’t have a clue of what you’re getting at. Can please be more elaborate and enlighten us.”
“Look at my cutie mark, tell me what you see.”
All four ponies looked at Gold Sky’s cutie mark. Blueblood was the first to speak.
“We see a golden heart along with a rose and sword crossed underneath it.”
“Now can any of you tell me what the golden heart means?”
All four went into deep thought.
Gold Sky meanwhile got back up on his hoofs and felt his red cape flow with the wind.
“I will take a rough estimate and say the golden heart means that love is what fills your mind, body, and soul.”
“Ha you are correct Flying Havoc. Inside of me I feel love…love that compels me to make sure all of you are alive every day. Love that compelled me to lead all of you in the hope I can get you back to your homes and families. But we all know that is a pointless way of thinking, I miss my wife so much my dear Octavia what I’ll do to hug her one last time.”
Gold Sky started to laugh as if Braeburn joked about apples and carrots.
“But the funniest thing is in the end of this I will still be the unknown Alicorn of Equestria few will remember me, well with the exception of my dear Octavia, both Princess Luna and Celestia, the six Elements of Harmony, and all my troops.”
“Sir we don’t know what to say…”
“I do. Blueblood relay a message to both Colonel Macintosh and Trixie. Tell them I order a full retreat, all of you will head back to Canterlot. Where you will be strengthened by the reserve battalions and also the entire Elite Commando Guard, all of you will then be rallied or should I say motivated to launch a massive counter-attack that will completely destroy the Fascists once and for all. Oh…and Princess Luna will lead you in the counter-offensive.”
Braeburn suddenly came to realization of the spoken words from the Supreme Marshal.
“Gold Sky you didn’t say anything about yourself in this plan of yours. What is your role in all of this?”
“Hmm good ears Braeburn I commend you in that and promote you to lieutenant, but if y’all must know then promise me you will not stop me in any form or way.”
“So say we all!” The four ponies chanted.
“I will stay behind to cover the retreat.”
***
In the Palace the Princess of the Sun paced slowly back and forth, the expression on her face showed guilt that Princess Celestia should not have in the first place but just like a parasite it clung to her.
“Princess are you alright? I sensed something is bothering you severely.”
“I’m alright Octavia it’s just that this…wait what did you say?”
“I said, I sensed something was bothered you Princess.”
Millions of thoughts now shot through Princess Celestia’s mind just as more guilt infiltrated her.
“Octavia how much do you love Gold Sky?”
“Princess why do you ask such a question?”
“Because I raised him many years ago that’s why I ask you this to see if you really love him for who he is and not for what he is.”
“Princess I love him so much… there isn’t a time in which I don’t think of him. I could feel his emotions just as he feels mine; every day since this war starting I could feel his pain, sadness, determination, and love. And if the situations were reversed I will give up my life to protect him. But surprisingly I can also feel what emotions are passing through you and Princess Luna your highness.”
“Octavia what you have is something only Alicorns are supposed to have. You see Alicorns share a invisible thread to the mind allowing us to know what we are feeling. I guess since both you and Gold Sky have such a strong bond…so strong that not even I can understand. It causes me to think that’s how you obtained this certain ability.”
Octavia stepped back from Celestia, something was telling her the Princess of the Sun was not being completely truthful about a certain predicament.
“Celestia you are not telling me something…what did you do to my husband? Answer me!”
“Yes Celli answer her, I will like to know as well.”
The sudden injection of Princess Luna startled Celestia and Octavia.
“Octavia I will not blame you if you choose never to forgive me, some goes for you Luna.”
“What do you mean sister…have you betrayed us to the Fascists!!”
“I will never do that. But I will forever be haunted by this decision I made… I have used the love Gold Sky has in him against him.”
“What!? How can you use the love of my Gold Sky against him!?”
“*Sigh* I’ve made him a…Martyr.”
***
“Sir you can’t do that I will not allow you to do that sir! We need you!”
“Lieutenant Braeburn just because I promoted you to officer status does not mean you have the right to get uppity with me, do not force me to call in that Razor… Captain Caramel to put you in your place, his rank is higher than yours and I am the Supreme Marshal.”
“Gold Sky we need you, we can’t fight on without you. You’ve lead us with such valor, such skill of combat we’ve never seen, but the love we see in you inspires us to fight...” Flying Havoc tried to talk Gold Sky out his decision but was cut off by Gold Sky.
“Save your breath, all of you, no matter what you say I will hold fast to my decision. Now are Big Macintosh and Trixie here?”
“Eeyup, I’m here.”
“Trixie is here too.”
“Now, Flying Havoc tell me what you miss the most.”
General Flying Havoc eyes closed for moment so he can hear the voices of his wife and children. Pictures of the clouds he enjoyed watching also appeared.
“I miss my family. I miss playing with my children in the backyard and when after playing for hours we will lay on the ground to look at the clouds.”
Gold Sky then started to look at Major Ditzy before asking her the same question.
“You Major Ditzy what do you miss?”
“I miss my daughter… not a day goes by when I don’t think of her. I miss being called mommy, I miss eating breakfast with her and baking muffins with her. I want to go home.”
“You Blueblood what do you miss?”
“I long to visit my aunt Luna so we can have our nightly tea along with lessoning to her teach me how to use my magic to move the stars into constellations. I j-just want to get another chance to make up to that white Unicorn mare I’ve mistreated years, I feel so much guilt after coming to realization of my actions towards her and shattering her dreams.”
“Oh yeah I forgot I my dear sister Rarity spoke of you. I am not very pleased about your actions.”
“She d-d-did sir? A-and she’s your sister?”
“Yes, she accepted me into her family. But more importantly I also miss her very much, still Blueblood you don’t have to worry about me getting mad at you since we all make mistakes. You just need to worry about Rarity and whither she has the heart to forgive you, anyway what about you Lieutenant Braeburn what do you miss… no wait. I already know anyway no need to hear about it again.”
“Big Macintosh what do you miss?”
“Ah don’t want to say much but ah really miss both mah sisters oh and granny too, all those trees full of apples for me to buck. Ah could see mahself sitting against mah favorite tree watching the sun set, and then go inside to have dinner with Applejack, Apple Bloom and good ol Granny Smith. Ah can never wash the blood from my hooves but ah will in time forget about this war and live mah normal life.”
“Trixie will you do the honors in telling us what you miss the most, but please tell us in first-person of course.”
The Brave and Strategic Trixie threw off her helmet as she lowered her head to ground; the sound of the laughter from children filled her head which brought forth tears in her eyes.
“The children call me Auntie Trixie…I love going to the orphanage in Canterlot to put shows for the sweet children. Nothing gets to me more then to see the young fillies and colts hug me every time I arrive to put shows for them one colt in particularly, calls me mommy.”
“Why.” Asked Gold Sky.
“Because after I ran from Ponyville I saw a house on fire, I-I don’t what drove me to run inside but I did. Once inside I saw that the parents of the colt were on the ground dead… it looks like they suffocated from the smoke while shielding their son. I immediately grab the colt with my magic and took him out from the burning house; after I set him down he looked up at me with tears in his eyes. He started to cry about no longer having a mommy and a daddy, *sigh* I-I don’t know what came over me but I told him he had a mommy, he stopped bawling to ask who was his mommy…I told him I’m his mommy now.”
Trixie turned her back to the group so they wouldn’t see her hold back her emotions, but still went on with her story.
“Apollo is the name of the colt, I promised him at the orphanage that once I’m able to get a home we will be a family. I am a mother. And just like you Supreme Marshal Gold Sky I hold children dear to my heart. I want to raise my son in a world free from tyranny, I want to pick him up from school and hear how he made new friends, take him to the park to play all day till the sun sets, and then see him get his cutie mark. I just want to love and be loved and enjoy the blessing of being a mother.”
“All of you know what you are fighting for…Family, home, and redemption. Go now.”
“Where sir?”
“Go back to what motivates you to fight every day. Flying Havoc that’s your family. Ditzy Doo your daughter. Blueblood your aunts and a chance to redeem yourself. Big Macintosh your sisters, grandmother, and farm. Braeburn your home and your friends the buffalo. Trixie your dear son… I envy you now, since you have the chance to be a parent something which is now taken away from me. He needs you just like you need him, be the loving mother you’ve always wanted to be. Here, have this twenty pound ruby it should be more than enough to cover the cost of any home you want. ”
Gold Sky forced Blueblood to signal the retreat. Unicorns, Earth ponies, and Pegasi turned their backs to the battlefield and ran as if death were chasing them to Canterlot.
The six ponies before Gold Sky looked at each other…they were not going to leave their leader behind. Ditzy Doo was the one to clarify this to Gold Sky.
“I reminded all of you what you love the most and yet you dare to leave it behind in order to fulfill your petty acts of honor!?”
“Jus like you Gold Sky we too are breaking the promise we’ve made earlier. You broke your promise so we decided it will be proper if we do the same.” Big Macintosh bravely declared while unknowingly stabbed Gold Sky at his core.
Gold Sky wings suddenly flung open, glowing with magic like the horn and eyes of the Alicorn.
Big Macintosh realized his words angered the Supreme Marshal.
Gold Sky grabbed hold of the red stallion with magic and slammed Macintosh to the ground. He then stood over
Macintosh looking malevolent. Gold Sky took hold of the dagger he carried with him, and placed it over the wind pipe of Big Macintosh.
Big Macintosh could only watch with fear as he felt the cold touch of the dagger. Surprisingly the glowing aura around the dagger ceased causing the dagger to fall by the neck of Big Macintosh.
“If you ever say words like that to me again Big Macintosh then at least provide me with the luxury of stabbing me in the heart, I order you to take that dagger and stab me in the heart! C’mon you have the audacity to remind me of the pain I receive in breaking the promise I made to my dear Octavia, so now I order to stab me in the heart since all of you are willing to throw away the things you love the most.”
“We can’t leave you sir… we just can’t, t’ant fair that somepony like you is performing the ultimate sacrifice, while we go back home to enjoy the things you are now robbed from.”
“DO NOT MAKE MY DECSION YOUR BURDEN!” Roared the Alicorn.
“It’s my burden to bear not yours! There comes a time in one’s life where they will make the ultimate decision. My decision is one where all of you will be given the chance to be with the ones you love. I loved you all like brothers and sisters…I couldn’t have asked for more devoted solders like the six of you. But my sacrifice is for your own good, and in time you come to understand why I’m using your freewill against you just like the love in me is being used against me.”
“Gold Sky don’t tell me you are planning to use…”
“I’m sorry Flying Havoc but using my telepathic ability is the only way to ensure all six of you will obey my command.”
The eyes and horn of Gold Sky started to glow. It was not long before he bent the free wills of the devoted General, Colonels’, Major, Lieutenant, and messenger.
“All of you retreat to Canterlot and spend time with what you love the most. Good bye and it’s been honor being your leader.”
As Gold Sky witnessed thousands of ponies retreating only six… looked back.
“I guess I can take this time to say my final good byes.” And with that the horn of Gold Sky glowed so he can connect with the minds of his wife, best friend, and guardian aunt to say his last words.
***
Princess Celestia felt the world around her crumble little by little around her as Gold Sky the young stallion she took under her wing many years ago, just asked for her forgiveness. Of all the words he could said to her he specifically asked her to forgive him for leaving her to start his two hundred year journey to find inner-peace, good bye guardian aunt I love you were the last words he said to her.
“How does it feel Celli? In finding out no matter what you did to Gold Sky, he held no form of anger against you but instead asked for your forgiveness for when he left you and caused you great pain. He stilled loved you then and he still loves you now.”
“I, have nothing to say to you Luna.”
“Oooh but I do Celli. Answer me this how will Sylva feel in knowing she entrusted you her best friend, with taking care of her son before she died. But then you offered him as a sacrificial lamb in this war.”
“How do you know of Gold Sky’s unicorn mother?”
“Well Gold Sky is or was my best friend…he showed me his memories, his mother and father who gave up their… unknown rare immortally to heal him of a deadly unknown disease but then died a few months later. Then you came into the picture and took young Gold Sky under your wing. I could say since this was during my banishment you needed somepony to temporary replace me not as your sister of cour…”
“That is not true Luna! I will never replace you.”
“Can it, Celestia! I am not done speaking. Sylva a former student of yours was she now eh? She was your best friend, I’m sure both of you did all that girly stuff together. But what’s more interesting is the trust she had in you, of all the ponies that could have taken care of Gold Sky she asked you. Cute isn’t it? Your best friend’s last dying wish was for you to raise and love Gold Sky as your own but fast-forward to today, and here you are sacrificing him as if he wasn’t your son!”
“Stop it, Luna.”
“No, I’m just getting started sister! You loved him as a son; in fact didn’t you always go into his room every night to nuzzle him on the head and then tell him good night. You always said quietly good night…my son. Also you always waited in front of the fireplace during stormy nights because you knew he will be scared of the thunder, he will run in asking if he can spend the night with you because he was scared. And like a good mother you raised a wing so he can sleep under it and feel safe.”
“Please stop it!”
“I like where this is going actually.”
“Stop Luna! Just stop!”
“Time to raise the stakes a little bit. Let me share with you a memory Gold Sky passed to me. If you recall Celli, Gold Sky always called you Guardian Aunt instead of mommy or mother. But he stilled loved you very much…like his mother. Here listen to this.”
"Good night. Mommy”
Princess Celestia’s eyes widened at hearing the voice of young Gold Sky call her mommy. Millions of thoughts ran through her head, the Alicorn stallion whom she took in and raised as her son will die.
“I guess that’s why you eagerly replaced him. Twilight Sparkle no? After he left you in his journey to find inner-peace you were heartbroken for many years. Until you met that unicorn who shared the traits of Gold Sky, maybe that’s why you strife so hard to be seen as a mother figure. Because you a true mother will sacrifice her son!”
“That’s not true!”
“It is Celli. Just look what you did to Gold Sky; he decided to say he’s sorry for leaving you by becoming the sacrificial lamb in your plan of using his death to rally all of Equestria. During his journey he felt your pain…he felt your sadness…he felt your love for him. This caused him to have so much guilt in him, so much that it always prevented him from trying to ask for your forgiveness.”
“How do you know all of this, Luna?”
“He told me his life. But skipping that let’s cut to the chase, you turned from a mother to a Monster!”
“HOW DARE YOU!”
“How dare me!? YOU MURDERED A FELLOW ALICORN!! YOUR SON!”
“STOP!”
“You killed his future of ever being a father. You made Octavia into a widow! And now she is cursed with immortally because of you!”
“Stop it!”
“Why Celli? Does the truth hurt so much? That you can’t possibly face it? What will your faithful student have to say about your decision? Hmm.”
Luna’s voice became daunting in mentioning Twilight Sparkle.
“Leave Twilight out of this Luna, she has no reason to be injected into all of this.”
“Oh but you wouldn’t dare to sacrifice dear Twilight Sparkle would you eh Celli. Even if that was the only option, I know you would neverrr sacrifice Twilight, right?”
Princess Celestia turned away from Luna; she knew deep down Luna was right…
“Answer me!”
“No…”
“Louder damn it!”
“No!…I would never harm Twilight. Please Luna I’m sorry.”
“But yet you were so earnest in sacrificing Gold Sky. Look Celli if there was one thing Gold Sky told me, it was to forgive you.”
“Would you Luna? Can you ever forgive me?”
“I will forgive you Celli… in time. Now I must go.”
“Go where?”
“I am going to put on my armor on, I will lead the troops now.”
“No you won’t Luna! I can’t risk losing you.”
“Too bad! Because if you try stopping me, Sparkle will be the next lamb.”
“You wouldn’t dare!”
“Try me. You killed your son, a fellow Alicorn, my best friend, a husband…all which Gold Sky was. Fare well sister.”
Princess Luna walked out of Celestia’s room slamming the door behind her, Celestia on the other hand could only look out her window and watch the thousands of ponies retreating from the battlefield.
“I’ve killed my son. But worst of all I killed the son of my best friend. I’m sorry Sylva… I truly am”
***
“Rarity my dear sister do not cry for me but know I loved you very much, good bye big sister.”
“Applejack I’ve kept my promise… Big Macintosh is safe and sound.”
“Pinkie Pie I can never thank you for helping me with Octavia, but I’ll say it again. Thank you.”
Gold Sky started to breathe hard when he started to connect with the mind of his heart and his pulse.
“Octavia I know I made you made a promise b-but…”
Gold Sky tried to sound brave for Octavia, its hard finding the perfect potential last words.
“No matter what I say well be able to comfort you. I’m sorry for making you immortal, I’ve always loved you. I will always love you even when I am watching over you, please Octavia please move on… I know its hurts you hearing these words. Ignore the pain…not the emotional pain but the physical pain that will come soon. I just want to be with you, I LOVE YOU! I should have listened to you. You were right about this. Please move on… you must, I love you Octavia.
Please forgive me. I-I love you.”
As soon as Gold Sky opened his eyes he saw two griffons coming at him, he teleported before their swords made contact with him. He reappeared behind one them, Gold Sky stood up on his back legs and grabbed the griffon with his front legs. His horn glowed as his magic took hold of his dagger and slit the throat of the griffon. He then used his dagger as a projectile and threw it at the other griffon which went cleanly through the skull.
His ears picked up the sound of numerous wings flapping; he turned to see a massive hoard of griffons heading towards him.
A griffon flew up to Gold Sky with a spear and threw it at the Alicorn. Gold Sky simply moved his head to the right avoiding the spear, before grabbing the two swords on the ground with his magic. He waited for the griffon to lunge at him, once the griffon took the bait Gold Sky held the swords above him and swung them down at the wings of the griffon before teleporting at the last millisecond before the griffon had the chance of stabbing him with a bowie knife.
With the wings cleanly cut off blood gushed out like a fountain from the sides of the griffon, seconds later the griffon collapsed from the loss of blood. He looked up towards the alicorn who was standing over him, suddenly a dagger plunged into his heart and bright light filled his vision.
Gold Sky magically picked up both swords with him as he took flight and started to head towards the massive hoard.
“Gold Sky do you love it when I play the cello?”
“Octavia when you play the cello nothing else matters to me, your grace fills my heart and soul.”
“Do you promise you’ll be back?”
“Cross my heart…and hope to fly…stick a cupcake in my eye. I promise.”
The distance between the hoard and Gold Sky got shorter with each flap of his golden majestic wings.
“They’re just lining up to die.”
With that last thought that passed through him. The love that filled his mind, body, and soul vanished and Gold Sky raised his swords into combat position.
***
In the palace the halls, corridors, and courts echoed with the sound of a cello playing a dark and heartless tune.
Octavia stood in the dining room eyes closed as she played her cello for the sixth straight hour, her face conveyed many emotions as she swung the bow back and forth. Tears ran down as she pressed the bow harder against the strings, her right front hoof moved faster making the tune more heartless.
“Gold Sky you are an Alicorn! How can you fall in love with me?”
“Octavia if I must cut off my wings and horn, well that be enough to show you how much I love you?”
“I will die and you won’t, it’s unnatural for a mortal earth pony like me to be with you…I-I”
“Octavia you are no longer mortal.”
“How? What do you mean I am no longer mortal?”
“You are now immortal like me. Forever together forever in love.”
“No!” Octavia yelled.
She pressed the bow harder against the strings making the tune turn into grit, then as she predicated each string popped. Until finally after the last string popped she threw her bow against the wall with such force it went through the stone, in a fit of rage she also lifted up her cello and threw it across the room shattering as it hit the ground.
Octavia picked a piece sharp of wood she then put out her left leg and with a swift motion created a friction cut on her left leg. She saw blood flow out of the cut until after eleven seconds her blood stopped flowing out and miraculously it flowed back into the cut that soon closed itself.
Octavia broke down. She cried her heart out when she started to feel the physical pain Gold Sky earlier warned her about.
“He’s fighting… they’ve must of cut him. AHH! And also struck him.”
Octavia continued to sob as she came to realization that she and the love of her life are connected not only emotionally but also physically. She then felt a wing come over her, she looked up and saw a magnificent white mare standing by her. Suddenly rage filled her once again.
“G-G-GET AWAY FROM ME YOU MONSTER!”
Princess Celestia in horror retracted her wing, those words stabbed once her again but this time it had more effect since it came from the wife of the Alicorn Stallion.
“Don’t you ever come near me ever again Celestia, you of all ponies dare to come near me!? Stay away me…forever!”
Octavia tail whipped Princess Celestia in the face as she stormed past her.
Princess Celestia can only frown as she saw the shattered cello on the ground; she killed two things in the gray mare. Her Husband and her talent.
Octavia made her way to the room Princess Luna asked her to stay in, she looked at the bed and saw two pillows.
“I don’t need two, I only need one pillow.”
Octavia grabbed hold of the pillow and threw at the corner of her room. Looking at the bedside table she saw a pitcher with two glasses.
“Ones enough!”
Octavia slammed her hoof on one of the glasses causing pieces of glass to fly in all directions, but then her sharp hearing picked up the sound of a wooden thud. She saw that in one corner of the room there was no light, so in curiosity she ventured to the dark corner she gasped once her vision fully adjusted.
There in the corner was her cello…put back together piece by piece, shiny new strings, a new bow, and to top it off was a letter was taped on the belly. Octavia took the letter, opened it, and commenced reading.
Octavia my love please don’t allow my passing be the reason you abandon your talent, I know it’s my fault cursing you with immortally now that you are reading this letter. I wish I could have been a father just as you wished of being a mother, I wanted you to wake up every morning and see me have little backyard adventures with our son or daughter. I also wanted to give you magic wings so you and I can fly together in the sky so you can feel the pure joy of flight. Please, I ask you Octavia to move on. You must move on…you must. I understand reading this will hurt you, but it’s my fault that this is happening to you. Please Octavia live your life without me. I ask you to forgive me. My love for you will never cease even when I go to the other side.
Your loving Husband
Gold Sky.
PS- Gold Sky told me to give you this letter if the time ever came. I also fixed up your cello—Princess Luna
Octavia walked to her bed and threw herself on it.
“Gold Sky don’t leave me…I just can’t move on without. But I will try I will fulfill your last wish and move on for your sake. I know you could hear me. I love you Gold Sky and you shall always be in my heart. I will join you in the other side…once Luna finds a way to remove my immortally.”
Octavia once again started to sob. She needed to prepare herself for when the thread between her and Gold Sky is cut.
***
“Look at me griffon…LOOK AT ME!!”
Gold Sky was holding down the last griffon with his front leg, while he held up his weapon of last resort…his dagger.
“I will be the last you see before you die! You will die in shame knowing that you died in hoofs of a pony!”
Gold Sky brought down the dagger on the neck of the griffon twisting the dagger for good measure. Once done with the last griffon who had a death wish by coming against him, Gold Sky got up to his feet.
Around him were thousands of lifeless bodies of the massive hoard. Gold Sky noticed that his red cape was now tattered but worst of all the armor Luna made for him was coming apart.
“It can only take so much punishment. But least Guardian Aunt’s plan failed. I’m still up and running, looks like I was able to keep my promi… AHH!”
Gold Sky a massive jolt of pain on his thigh, he looked to see a arrow somehow managed to get through a chink in his armor. Gold Sky looked to see a griffon on a cloud reloading his crossbow, the Alicorn then noticed more clouds were low and positioned into a semi circle.
“Oh no, this is not good. Whoa! Ha he missed. I got to teleport to that cloud and cloud hop to take out those archers. Whoa! Ha missed again.”
Gold Sky horn glowed in stopping an arrow in mid air, before sending it back to its owner’s forehead.
“Gotcha.” Gold Sky said with pride.
The alicorn teleported to the nearest cloud reappearing in front of a griffon archer, the archer fearfully dropped the arrow he held in his hand.
Gold Sky swung his hoof into the griffon’s head so hard that the sound of the skull shattering freaked Gold Sky out a bit. He saw a griffon on a nearby cloud aiming at him; his horn glowed as he caught the arrow and shot it back at the griffon.
The griffon was able to duck in time, he then took out his bowie knife and saw that the alicorn landed near him. The griffon lunged forward at the alicorn tackling and bringing him down. As he tried to bring down the bowie knife on the alicorn’s neck, a glowing aura around his hand prevented him from stabbing the alicorn. Suddenly the alicorn spat into his eyes causing the griffon to drop his knife and wipe his eyes, but then the alicorn head butted him with enough force to send him back a few feet. After a quick recovery he then saw his crossbow glowing as it hovered in front of him, the alicorn’s smirk expression was the last thing he saw.
“DAMN ARMOR!” Roared Gold Sky as he felt another arrow pierced his crumbling armor; he could see blood flowing from the wound.
“Don’t have the time to heal it fast, just four more clouds to go! Whoa! Man that griffon has terrible aim.”
As he made his to the next cloud Gold Sky used his golden majestic wings to shield him from the arrows. His blood started to stain the golden feathers of his wings, and Gold Sky just ignored the pain and continued fighting not knowing he was losing blood.
He tried to teleport to the next cloud but he couldn’t, battle fatigue started to make its presence known.
“No! My magic can’t be near its breaking point. Think! Think! Ideeeea!! I could use the magic I have left to temporary blind these griffons.”
His horn glowed creating a bright flash, causing the griffons to let out moans as they covered their eyes.
Gold Sky moved in fast to a cloud that harbored a griffon.
Once there he slammed his left hoof on the chest of griffon to keep him down, as he lifted up his right hoof the helmet of the griffon came off revealing an old friend.
“Gilda!? Is that you? By the will of the Great Spirit, it is you Gilda!”
“Gold Sky please! I didn’t want to fight in this war please don’t kill me!”
“I won’t kill you Gilda but I missed you so much. Wait!! Are you the archer missing on purpose?”
“Yes. You are my friend Gold Sky. I’ve also missed you a lot, but when I was forced into the Fascist military I tried my best to stay out of combat, because I couldn’t risk having an arrow striking you.”
“You truly are Rainbow’s friend…Gilda here take this.”
Gold Sky took the locket he had around his neck and handed it to Gilda.
“I need you to play dead and wait for a couple of hours.”
“Why Gold Sky?”
“Because in a couple of hours Princess Luna will be leading a massive counter-offensive, and if they find you show them this locket so they won’t kill you. They will know you are my friend and will treat you as a friend, once in Equestria find my wife so you can give her the locket.”
Gilda’s eyes widened at Gold Sky’s request.
“Gold Sky I don’t understand.”
“I know Gilda, this is my final fight…my sacrifice for my wife and Equestria. It’s sad after all these years I finally get to run into you but in the battlefield… look no matter what happens to me do not come to my aid. But stay in this cloud and do as I say. Remember! It’s imperative that you give the locket to Octavia, please Gilda.”
“I will Gold Sky, I promise.”
Gold Sky hugged Gilda before flying to the griffon archer on the cloud next to them, he slammed the griffon down with his left hoof. Using all the strength he can muster he buried his right hoof into the face of griffon recreating the haunting sound of the skull shattering and blood to splatter over his face.
Gold Sky then felt agonizing pain come from his chest he looked down to see that two arrows pierced his broken armor. The world around Gold Sky started to blur around him as he picked up his wings to block more incoming arrows, more pain ran through him as many arrows hung from his bloody golden wings.
“Fight…on…keep g-going! For Octavia!”
The griffon archer looked up to see the alicorn coming at him; he raised his crossbow to fire but was hit by a silver and gold helmet that the alicorn threw at him making him drop his crossbow. He then saw blades come out of the golden horseshoes of the alicorn, he felt one of the blades stab him the back. While the other blade silt his throat.
Gold Sky turned his focus to the last griffon left standing, he snorted out breath from nostrils. Gold Sky saw his vision getting blurrily, blood flowed from his wings and chest, his heartbeat was slowing down, voices started to play in his head, and his wings hung on his sides like dead weights.
The last griffon archer’s jaw dropped in seeing the arrow covered alicorn still standing.
Gold Sky’s horn stared to flicker as he took hold of his dagger, sadly his magic was nearing depletion to the point that not even digging deep into his iron will can help.
He spun his dagger one hundred eighty degrees as he took to the air to kill his last enemy.
The griffon in full haste tried pulling the string of his crossbow up so he can load the arrow. Seeing the alicorn directly above with the dagger pointed at him, he raised his crossbow and blindly fired at the alicorn.
Octavia felt a shockwave run through her; Princess Luna and Celestia also felt the sensation.
The arrow struck Gold Sky in the heart… using his last bit of strength he plunged his dagger into the head of the griffon breaking off the handle as his horn ceased to glow. Both Gold Sky and the griffon fell to the ground.
“Do you Gold Sky take thee Octavia to be your lovely wife? No matter through sickness and hell stand by her and love her with all your heart?”
“I do”
“Do you Octavia take thee Gold sky to be your wedded husband? No matter through sickness and hell stand by him and love him with all your heart?”
“I do”
“Then with the power invested in me… Gold Sky you may kiss the bride!”
Gold Sky looked up from the ground. He saw that his armor was completely shattered and he also saw his beautiful wings marred with arrows. His breathing started to increase while his heartbeat decreased; he saw the arrow that stabbed his heart moving up and down.
“Octavia, no matter what happens I will always be right here supporting you.”
“Gold Sky this is my first performance I do for Princess Luna, you can’t tell how nervous I am! I don’t want to mess up.”
“You won’t my love…you are incapable of ever making a mistake. Once you set your bow on the strings, you become the living example of flawlessness. But just in case a kiss should put you at ease.”
Gold Sky lifted up his hoof to the sky as images of Octavia passed in front of him, for the second time in his life he’d lost everything he held dear to his heart.
He saw Gilda peek her head from the cloud she was hiding in, she was about to spread wings to come down and help him until Gold Sky shook his head. Gilda painfully wept for her friend whose dying, while carrying out his wish of not coming to his aid.
“I give my life up to you Tavi…I know you don’t like being called that. But what are you going to do about it ha-he *cough*. I never thought, I will die like this or ever die for that matter. Oh why Guardian Aunt!? Is it a sin to value the lives of my troops so much, that I will die so many can live? Why have you taken me away from my dear wife? I will never be a daddy, I will never enjoy the blessings of being a parent, and never see or hear Octavia write and perform her own music. I will die knowing I cursed my wife.”
“Gold Sky can I ever teach you to play the cello? It will be incredible if you and I can play duets together, we could even become musical legends!”
“Hmm, that sounds like a wonderful idea! Lets do it!”
“Luna please watch over Octavia for me, take care of her and help her move on. I cry, knowing my death will be the reason victory will come to Equestria. OCTAVIA! No, no, no, I don’t want to die. Why must I end like this? When I finally find happiness it is taken away from me… Great Spirit please don’t hold any grudge against Celestia. I die serving my nation, I die protecting the innocent children of Equestria, I die protecting the Princesses, but more importantly I die breaking my promise…”
Octavia saw Luna walk into her room. Luna climbed onto the bed where Octavia was sitting, she grabbed Octavia into an embrace, and wrapped her wings around her. Octavia started to sob once again; Luna could only watch as she knew the death of her best friend was near.
Gold Sky noticed the yellow light from the sun was turning into white light along with the blue sky.
Gold Sky felt his heart beat slower and slower, the whiteness he saw turned into light as the felt himself being lifted towards the sky by an invisible force.The white light started to engulf him.
His last heartbeat finally came…Gold Sky ushered his last words.
“Forgive me Octavia.”
Octavia felt the thread snap as the Great Spirit took her husband to the other side.
