The first and last chapter
"War is hell, but that doesn't mean that the aftermath is any better."
- Firebrand
Crowds of ponies gathered along the streets of Canterlot cheering, smiling, and celebrating as the royal army walked down in their finest armour. The end of the crowd was out of sight even for the pegasi who were giving out treats to the tired and war-battered soldiers. More confetti was being tossed out of windows than Pinkie Pie could ever use in her lifetime. The local pubs were filled with songs of joy as well as bawdy songs and drinking songs, while mugs clanged against each other. Ponies wildly waved the flag of the Equestrian Kingdom and banners were hung up with all of them written the same thing. 'Happy 1st VE Day.'
A soldier scrambled his way through the sardine packed sidewalks like a metal ball through honey. His walking was very stumbled and his minor scars on his green fur were able to tell more than one story. Some looked away or covered their children's eyes when they took a glimpsed at him while others gave an understanding nod of gratitude. He saw some of his closest friends marching on the road and was able to give a few seconds of direct eye contact and greeting them with a nod of acknowledgement.
Soon, he reached his apartment where he was temporarily living until a train or vehicle was able to bring him back to his parents in Fillydelphia. The stairs up to his room killed him with each and every aching step, but it was worth it to rest on a soft bed rather than a muddy cloth back in the Badlands. It was a small room with just the minimal essentials: a bed, desk and bathroom.
He flopped onto his bed giving off a sigh of relief.
The war against the changelings took a major toll on him mentally and physically to a point where he thought it was just a dream, but he was still able correlate himself with the same stallion who enlisted. The only question that remained was, could his parents? After years of only written letters going back and forth between them, could they recognise their own son? The soldier bit his lip as anxiety purged through his veins. He forced himself back into reality and shook his head. He knew that his parents would always love him through thick and thin as they had gone through much worse than this together.
***
Later that night, a dial of a phone spun followed by several rings. A voice on the other side answered. "Hello?" A middle aged stallion greeted with a flat tone.
The soldier hesitated for a moment. His throat went suddenly dry and was barely able to reply. "Hi dad ... it's me."
"Son!" The mood of the conversation lightened as so did his father's voice. "We haven't heard from you for such a long time. Wait a minute, let me get your mum."
His dad ran off shouting for his wife. A scream of joy squealed from a far, followed by quick paced hoofsteps.
"How's my baby doing?" His mum asked turning the speaker the phone on so both parents could hear.
"I'm good. Never better, after all, we did win the war, didn't we?" The soldier gave off a small laugh.
"When will you be coming home?" His dad said.
The solder rubbed the back of his neck. "It is strange you say that. I will be coming home soon, but I have a favour to ask. I have a friend that I’d like to bring home."
"Of course." They replied. "We'd love to meet him."
"There is one thing you should know." The son interrupted, nervously breathed through his teeth. "He was hurt pretty badly in combat. He was caught in an ambush and lost a front and back hoof. He has nowhere else to go, and I want him to live with us."
His mother responded. "I'm sorry to hear that, son. Maybe we can help him find somewhere to live."
"No, mum and dad, I want him to live with us."
"Son," the father said in his deep fatherly voice, "you don't know what you are asking. Somepony with such a handicap would only be a terrible burden on us. We have our own lives to live and we can't let something like this interfere with our lives. I think you should just come home and forget about this friend. He will find a way to live on with his life."
At that point, the soldier's phone abruptly slammed down onto its dock. The parents heard nothing more from him.
***
A knock came to the parent's front door. They both rushed in excitement ready to see their son for the first time in years. Only except, that it wasn't their son who was in armour, but another royal guard.
"Is this 45 Hoof Road?" The guard asked.
The middle aged stallion replied "Y-yes. Why is that?"
The guard did his best to answer with a blank face."I am sorry to report to you that your son has unfortunately died due to what investigators believe was a suicide by jumping off of a hotel's rooftop."
The mother shook her head in disbelief, hiding her tears in her husband's chest.
The royal guard continued, "I am told by the royal commission to escort you to the Canterlot morgue to confirm that it is him."
The parents, grief stricken and confused, caught the first train to Canterlot. They recognised him, but to their horror they also discovered something they didn't know. Something they wished they had foreseen.
Their son had only one front and back hoof.
Author's Note
Thank you for reading Aftermath.
If there are any mistakes or you would like to review please feel free to comment below.
