The War

Shining stepped on his platform in front of his now fully trained army.

and was in the process of getting them ready for their first actual battle that didn't include

himself or a hay-filled dummy with a stick tied to it's leg. The troops were nervous but they had

full confidence in their leader as he had in each of them.

"Now remember! King Sombra is a very tactical war pony. He sends the quickest witted strongest ponies to fight for him

so be sure to stay on your hooves! Do your best to stay alert and keep each other safe. and ALWAYS! follow rule number one.

TRUST NO PONY! Especially said warriors.

everypony Replied with a firm and assertive "sir yes sir."

The white unicorn nodded satisfied, as his helpers handed out spears and shields to the troops.

he put his armor on and the troops headed into battle.

The Sand was as dry as the air but none of that mattered to the sisters as they followed their leader across what was once

known as the Frozen North.  It seemed unnatural for the Pie sisters to be so far from home for so long.

but if it meant Keeping their friends and family safe. none of that mattered at all.

Hours later. they set camp back up again but this time closer to what was once the famous Crystal Empire.

Pinkie has only heard stories from her Granny Pie About the city of crystal. Only to be inhabited by the unique

and amazing crystal ponies. She has grown up always wanting to see the Empire's glory for herself... just not in this state.

the once shimmering city was now all black, coal like and twisted. It looked as if a big ball of tar fell from the sky

and infested the establishment. It was very uncomfortable to see.

the Troops set up their camp far enough away from the empire to see it but far enough to stay hidden.

while some of the blacksmiths and locals helped set up camp. Shining's army moved forward and met up with another

army of ponies.... But something wasn't right

There must of been hundreds- no THOUSANDS of these ponies. All of whom were too mixed in gender and race.

Unlike Pinkies armor, their armor was Dark grey and black... and a hint of purple on the plumage on both the spikey

helmet and tail area. Unlike their own helmets. Sombera's helmets covered their face and eyes only revealing their ears.

their eyes were dark black with a green neon light peaking through the slips. it was impossible to pick out any familiar faces

if there were any at all. The only pony that stood out was a tall dark grey Unicorn with a red horn and Green, red eyes that

had a purple arora smoking off the sides of his eyeballs. he wore light armor on his neck chest and hooves and a crown and what

looked like a flowing red royal robe and a silver crown. His teeth were sharp like knives and his glance was grim. this was indeed

without any questions, King Sombra.

it grew strangely silent in the desert. not a word was spoken as the two leaders glanced at each other.

seconds later the dark unicorn sounded off some ear belading war cry as his army began to charge the surprised opponents.

Without hesitation, Shining gave his singal and his troops charged as instructed.

Pinkie began to charge at speed of light, bucking soldiers in faces left and right.

Marble did as well dodging punches and bicking strangers in the jaw and flank, ambushing them from behind

pulling them off her sister occasionally.

Pinkie took down a soldier and almost got jumped by another stallion who was clumsy and earned a buck in the jaw sending him tipping backwards, her pinning him to the ground.

The soldier didn't move... he just looked up at her and twitched his ear. For some reason pinkie was able to sense that he wanted to say something but wasn't aloud to speak unless commanded so by his leader..  Marble growled at it and it scurried to its hooves and ran off into the crowd.

Pinkie stood there motionless dumbfounded by what just happened. She blinked mindlessly to where the Dark Warrior disappeared too.

she buck a soldier who looked up at her and  she could tell it was trying to tell her something but he couldn't find the right words to say

"SIS LOOK OUT BEHIND YOU!!!" Shouted her sister who was nearly taken down by a unicorn she simply used her shield to block

and laughed as the pony ran face first into the wooden shield.

the battle continued for what felt like hours. Sombra noticed his troops were falling so he called a retreat and transformed to a smokey

figure and disappeared followed by his army who retreated back to the Tar Empire.

Shining looked at his troops who stood strong and told them to go back to camp and get shut eye.

on the way back to the camp, Pinkie heard a cry from a small forest area that only inhabited a few trees and tall shubbs.

She turned to her sister "Marble go ahead, I think there's a troop that's hurt."

Marble turned to her to respond  and tell her to stay with the group but she was gone.

"HELLO?!? WHO NEEDS FIRS-Y AID?!?" She sang as she trotted in the small woods.

to see the cry was coming from a Dark warrior who has stayed behind form Sombra's army.

The black armor hid his face and features but it was plain to see he was incredibly  thin for a war pony.

A Dark Warrior heard her call and quickly stood up

From what she saw, he was unarmed.... and alone.

The stallion stood up and backed away from Pinkie.

Even though she coudn't read his face.. she could tell he was scared.. But she didn't want to take any chances.

Pinkie inched closer to see him as an opponent  and toggled him down

"What is your purpose on being so close to our camp?" she said through her teeth aggressively

the stallion shook and spoke stuttering.

"No! P-PLEASE! D-DON'T HURT M-ME..

I-I mean no harm!  I-I don't want any of this!" He Cried flattening his ears that were his only way of showing emotion.

Pinkie placed her hoof where his mouth would be on his helmet.

"Shh...I won't unless you give information I need"

"Wh-wha-"

"If you don't want any of this..then why are you in sombras side?" SHe interupted

as she narroed her eyes.

"W-we are Slaves; Prisoners! I need your help to get this helmet off my head.

I promise not to hurt you on the honor of the Princess."

She looked at him quizzing before she bucked the helmet off his head

"There... now Dare you lay one hoof on me and I'll kill you. I-I'm a rock farmer!"

The stallion's Helmet flung off in an instant. The pony took a bunch of deep breaths and . "A rock farmer eh? I Wouldn't dream of it."

he began to rub his face and blink violently as if he has never seen the moon before.

Pinkie turned and got her first good look at the stranger's appearance.

He had a young face but he seemed to be older than her by a year. He had a gunshot wound on his earlobe winch looked painful, He was tall with a buckskin pelt and a brown curly main that resembled hers with the exception of his sideburns that ran down the sides of his face and collided with his Five o'clock shadow on his face. The stallion smiled warmly.

"T-thank you! Thank u so much!" He said wagging his chocolate colored tail.

Pinkie sat down looking at him, she quickly looked away as she felt her cheeks warm up lightly.  She  turned back towards him

"Your'e welcome. Tell me more about how you became a slave"

He looked to the side and itched his mane, taking a deep breath of fresh night air.

"W-Well you see.. I'm kind of a traveler."

Pinkie listened attentively

"I went to crystal empire to visit a good friend of mine and one day, We were captured

and separated. He became a Blacksmith, and I was sent as a Stationary guard in the palace.

It all happened so quickly."

Pinkie blinked in disbelief "So...all the soldiers....are slaves?!  b-but that's not fair...WE ARE KILLING INNOCENT PONIES!!!!"

The earth pony sighed and pawed at the ground.

"Yes I know.. It's awful ... you see, every one of Sombra's put a ruby in everypony's helmets that he has cased a spell on . The Ruby is known

to be able to brainwash wherever it touches The longer you are brainwashed but If it's removed within a certain amount of time, you can recover to yourself agan.  but the longer the ruby is touching you , the harder it will be to rehabilitate yourself back to normal.

and apparently King Sombera cased a spell on it to make them answer to him and no pony else."

he showed her his helmet that had a very unusual gem inside. it was rectangular and a dark ruby color. It also had swirls of purple in it.

it was unlike anything she has ever seen... which says a lot coming from a rock farmer.

Pinkie then looked down in anger and sadness back up at the tall colt.

He sighed

"We've been abused and beaten and some even killed if we didn't follow orders. Im just so happy knowing  there are still ponies Like you that are safe and free from his madness." I ran off after you broke my gem so i could try and get my helmet off and warn the Princess.

Pinkie nodded "you got lucky you weren't completely taken over....but I have to take you in as a late soldier...If I tell Shinning that you were an opponent I helped he will know I disobeyed him."

Pinkie looked aorund her and then back at the stallion.

"I know I am breaking the rules when i ask this, but  we could use your knowledge to our advantage in winning this war

so... would you be willing to help?" she asked.

He smiled warmly and saluted

"Ill do whatever it takes to contribute. I Don't know a bunch about Somebra's plans but I DO know my way around the castle. Because i was a stationary guard for a long time."

pinkie beamed " perfect! That is just what we need."

The stallion wagged his tail with enthusiasm

"YAY!! Oh By the way I never got your name!"

Pinkie's mane puffed up "How silly of me I'm Pinkie Pie" she extended her hoof to greet him.

He shook her hoof back firmly."Pleasure to met you! Name's Cheese Sandwich. But you can just

call me Cheese." Said Cheese as he shot the mare a wide grin.

"Nice to meet you too. Cheese." she said blushing lightly without him noticing.

Pinkie beamed at Cheese. "almighty!  then follow me I'll get you an outfit of ours!"

she lead him back to the camp

He grabbed his shadow helmet and followed.

Pinkie took him the armory tent where she was able to find him a set of armor that would at least

come close to matching is strange figure.

The tent has some suits on the left and dressing rooms on the right.

Pinkie found a suit and gave it to Cheese "Alright I'll keep guard while you get dressed."

he smiled warmly

"Thank you  Pinkie pie."

She giggled "you're  welcome."

He changed into the other set of armor and it showed off his bruises and scars more on his golden dirty coat.

"S-sorry that other suit was way too small for me"

She slightly gulped as she observed him blushing lightly.

Cheese looked at his Dark armor. "But what about my armor? I feel like i need to keep it incase i need to do some snooping." He chuckled heartedly.

She chuckled back cutely.

Giggling behind her hoof.

"I can hide it for you."

The Rock farmer grabbed it and hid it underground behind the tent.

She then looked back at the colt remembering his bruises and could help but to frown and feel concerned

"You sure have a lot of bruses there. Here I can get you some bandages if you need them."

Cheese smiled at the young mare. "Thank you Pinkie."

Pinkie went into a cart and pulled out a red bag with a white cross on it. She gave the bag to Cheese as he began

to use some gauze to clean out his wounds and wrap them up.

Pinkie looked at him and sighed.

"On battle field I want you by my side...You have been through enough. Sorry if im asking for too much."

Her eyes darted nervously.

Cheese stooped wrapping his arm as he looked at her and froze. After a moment of awkward silence he smiled.

"Pinkie, if you didn't remove that helmet I would of went mad like every pony else." He contused to wrap and patch his wounds. " I am very grateful for what you did,

I am very thankful for your kindness. and I am more than willing to repay you. I want to rescue the Princesses just as much as you do.

and I think if we work together we could make a heck of a team.  And I promise that I will always have your back."

Pinkie was flattered and blushed at this sight as she was about to respond to him only to be surprised by her sister coming in the tent.

"Sis....oh I'm sorry did I interrupt something?" she blushed as she walked into seeing her sister speaking with a strange stallion.

She looked at the stallion

Cheese scurried to his hooves like a scared hamster and sat up tall.

"Cheese Sandwich. Pleasure to meet you."

He saluted firmly, puffing his chest out slightly.

Marble looked from pinkie back to cheese and smiled playfully.

"So in war you found a lover huh sis?"

Marble teased elbowing her sibling.

Cheese looked away embarresed and continued his stance as if he was waiting for an order.

Pinkie growled "Marble...cut that war attitude short. Cheese you dont need to stand like... That... I-if you dont want too..." She chuckled.

The young stallion relaxed his body and let his head hang low. "s-sorry.. That's a habit... I guess i'm still not used to not being around the king."

Marble blinked in shock.. "wait! what do you meanThe King?.... You mean Sombera? But he's not here!  WAIT!!! PINKIE WHAT DID YOU DO!?"

Pinkie stood in front of the stallion protectively.

"I know it looks bad Marble... Because you caught us. He was a Stationary guard for King Sombra...."

She went into explaining everything to her sister.  she even brought up the fact that every one of Sombra's ponies

where brainwashed slaves and the Ruby. "Marble. You need to promise me... Pinkie promise to not

tell anypony! or we will get in the dog house for sure..."

Marble sighed and smiled. " I promise i wont tell anyone. But promise me not to do anything like that ever again!

you could of been killed!"

Pinkie sighed... "yeah i know... but Cheese is aware that i will kick his flank if he steps out of line."

cheese gulped and nodded.

Marble giggled. "yeah and besides you make a cute couple." Pinkie felt her eye twitch with irritation holding in

a yell at her nosy sister.

Cheese felt like he should say something but refused in fear of making things worse.

Marble laughed and cleared her throat..."Any who....I was talking to Shinning about the camp being too crowded....so he told us we could keep this tent for the night... Which is why I came here. and The recruit should stay because it's best to keep him hidden till morning ya know."

Pinkie smiled "really?....oh wow...sweet"

Cheese cheered as he wagged his tail like a terrier.

"this is gonna be great! it's like a slumber party!"

Pinkie laughed at the colt's sudden burst of enthusiasm. "Woo someone know how to party"

He smirked and Rolled his green eyes sarcastically.

"I should know how. I  Would make a lousy party pony if i didn't know how to throw a party."

Pinkie's eyes lit up as if she where a filly in a candy shop.

" WHAT! A party pony? I've always wanted to be one....but I couldn't leave my family..."

Marble smirked and whispered in her sister's ear. "he he, Maybe he can take you on journeys sis"

Pinkie flatted her ears

"Marble I swear" Pinkie mumbled under her breath.

Cheese laughed gleefully. "I promise you girls! once this stupid war is behind us! I promise Equestria the best party it has ever known!"

the pink mare gasped and hugged him briefly "Cheese that sounds awesome!! I want in!! we have to restore the sisters first tho."

Cheese looked at her seriously again."Well of course! that's why we are here."

Pinkie giggle and lied down in front of the stallion, looking up at him with curiosity and fascination like a child.

"Tell me more please." He looked at her slightly confused "Tell you what?"

Pinkie pie giggled. "About being a party pony! OH MY! It is truly my dream to be a real party pony and spread joy and happiness in Equestria"

The younger gray mare giggled at her sister's foal like wonder. Marble leaded towards the Buckskin pony " My sis here has always wanted to throw parties for everyone ,but she practiced on us a lot and never failed to make us smile."

Cheese smiled. "She made me smile that's for sure..."

Pinkie felt her entire face and ears begin to rapidly hear up to a crimson hue.

"w-wow...r-really....making such a handsome...I-I mean gentle colt like you smile with just my presence?" She slightly giggled feeling a little

embarrassed.

the colt laughed and nodded."Yeah! totally."

Marble made kiss faces at her sister making Pinkie's face turn as red as an apple.

"OKAY! THAT'S IT! "

The mare got up and toggled her sister down in tickles.

Marble's laugh was so quiet not even cheese could hear it

Cheese just laughed at the two goofy mares.

Pinkie immediately bounced to him and put her hoof over his muzzle.

"shhhh.... we need to stay quiet Cheese..."

Cheese Stopped laughing and took a deep breath. .

marble slowly gets up and looks both of the ponies silently giggling.

Pinkie soon realized that she was now a little too up close and personal with her friend. She quickly removed her hoof ,

looked at him stammering "S-sorry....didn't want the Captain to hear us and ruin the bit of fun we can have."

The stallion chuckled and got up.

"Don't  apologize for having a good time!"

"thank you pinkie... I speak out loud a lot... so excuse me.."

WHELP! should get some rest gonna be another normal war day tomorrow."

the mare gave him a shy smile

The stallion smiled back

"oh um pinkie... i have something i want to give you.... Its for saving my life..."

The colt gave her a funny yellow rubber chicken and smiled.

"Keep him safe..... His name is Boneless. He has gotten me through some hard times and inspired me to bring joy to everyone and i hope he can do the same for you.... Have a good night." He smiled and went to a corner and curled up in a ball like a cat nose to tail.

The mare then got I into a sleeping position and cuddled the chicken to sleep, along side her younger sister. until the following sun brought on another day of battle....