The Wandering Soldier

Light showered over the battlefield. Dark clouds were visable in the distance. The terrain was made up of  gravel and dirt. The dead grass that remained had been painted red with the blood of the dead or dying. War showed it's true colours.

It was a war between Ponies and Griffons. What caused the war was of little matter to the soldiers. Their sole purpose was to serve their beloved princesses. It seemed that for every soldier that was struck down the opposing side also took a casualty. However one pony in particular, a white pegasus pony with a yellow mane, stood out amongst his fellow soldiers. He glided through the battlefield cutting down his enemies where they stood. His fellow soldiers rallied to him as they would to their own princess. The battle swayed in favour of the ponies.

One griffon stood out in front of his comrades, gesturing a challenege to the white pegasus. He stood before him causing the other ponies to halt. It was not uncommon for the strongest soldier of each army to battle it out to decide the outcome of the battle. The pegasus stepped forward to show he accepted the challenge. A large roar came from both the ponies and griffons. They stared at each other for what seemed like hours. Eventually the griffon stepped forward. He immediately realised his mistake, for whoever made the first move always lost. The pegasus swept forward and with one flash of his balde the griffon fell to the ground. The ponies cheered while the griffons slowly backed away.

A gasp came from the ponies as a gap formed amid the ranks. Out from the gap stepped the princess. She sported her golden battle armour, her pink mane flowing through a hole in her helmet. She stepped forward to the pegasus and looked him in the eye. She spoke an unsaid congratulations. She then turned to face the griffons. Normally under these circumstances the griffons would lay down their arms and be allowed to leave with their lives. This was the mercy of a monarch. Today there was no sign of that mercy.

The princess bellowed at her soldiers to slaughter the remaing griffons. At first they hesitated but soon followed their order. The pegasus stared at his commander and princess. In her eyes he saw pure hatred. He looked down at his bloodsoaked armour. His purpose was to serve his princess. He felt his morals shattering down around him as the air filled with the scream of griffons. He took off his helmet and threw it on the ground. He looked at the princess one more time before walking in the opposite direction of death. He though about all the souls that would now perish. He blamed himself for this. He banished himself to wander in the wastelands until he could right these wrongs. He had no idea how long this would take but he promised himself he would live to see the day where he could find his purpose again.

The pegasus wandered through the wasteland for more than a thousand years. He did not know why he never died during this time, but he always remebered his promise. During this time he helped many poor souls who became lost in the harsh wastelands. He defeated many evil creatures that resided in the wastelands. Sometimes he wished he could leave the wastelands but could never find the way out. He was bound to reamin here until his time came. Little did he know that his time was soon at hoof.

One day as the soldier was wandering through the hospitable wasteland a large sandstorm rained down on him forcing him to take shelter in a nearby cave. He waitied out the storm. When he emerged from the cave he could see a small village in the distance. He knew what this meant. His time had finally come to fulfill his promise.

The pegasus approached the village. It was a small village styled in a way unfamiliar to him. The town was populated by mostly earth ponies and many buffalos. He walked over to a yellow coated stallion standing near the edge of town.

"Howdy" the stallion shouted as the pegasus approached."Welcome to Appaloosa, home of the best cider in all Equestria" he chanted with a big grin on his face. The pegasus stopped in his tracks.

"Equestria" he thought to himself."It has changed quite a lot since I have been gone".

"You alright there partner" the stallion asked trotting over to him.

"I am alright. I am just adjusting to my surroundings" the pegasus slurred. He then realised he had not spoken in a long time.

"You sound like you had a pretty crazy night. If your looking for a place to stay the inn is just over there" he said pointing a hoof at the largest building in the town.

"I appreciate the help" the pegasus said still rembering how to speak. He stared at the yellow stallion. This caused the stallion to tense up slightly.

"I'm Braeburn" he said extending a hoof to the pegasus. He shook it firmly."What's your name" he enquired.

The pegasus blinked." I don't quite remeber, it has been a long time since I used it" he mumbled.

Braeburned smiled and laughed."Must of been one heck of a rodeo if ya can't remeber your name" he giggled."Follow me into town and I'll get ya some cider". The two ponies headed towards the inn. They reached the bar where Braeburned ordered two ciders. They sat down and drank in silence.

"So" Braeburn said trying to instigate a conversation."What brings ya to town".

The pegasus looked up from his drink."I was out wandering in the wastelands for many years. A storm hit and when I emerged from shelter I saw this town" he said taking another sip of his cider."I must journey to the castle of the two princesses to speak with her majesty Princess Celestia" he said firmly. Braeburned stared at the stallion slightly confused.

"You must have been in the wastelands for a long time. The Princesses no longer live in that castle, they now live in Canterlot" he said to the pegasus.

The pegasus thought about what the stallion said then finished his drink."Can you take me there" he asked.

Braeburned looked at him and smiled."I can't myself but I know somepony who can" he said as he also finished his drink.