Deja Vu - A Unicorn's Story

Marching side by side in perfect unison, the regiment of Broken Flame soldiers approached their attacker. Snow crushed underfoot and the metallic scraping of armor could be heard from miles as the military formation gradually encroached. They were heavy infantry, clad in dark green full plate and each carrying a spear and a tower shield. Their shields were painted with the icon of the Broken Flame and had unmistakable runes to protect them from magical attacks, these soldiers were armed for one role, snuffing out magic users.

Leading the group from the center of the front line, a tall obsidian feathered griffon was calling out battle commands with booming squawks. Instead of full plate, he was only garbed in the traditional black leather outfits that their high ranking hunters wore. His was laden with jewelry, ostentatious necklaces and pendants lined his attire to show his personal wealth. This was common among higher ranking griffon officers to show their personal and military success, typically the larger and more lavish their display was the higher rank they were within the organization.

As they approached charging distance, looks of uncertainty were shared through the ranks. Kaostrife, their sizable unicorn target, simply loomed back at them. The stallion was seemingly unfazed by the massive force heading towards him.

“Shield bearers, forward rank.” The griffon commander instructed, looking back across his troops briefly. Their heavy armor left ranks, reforming to a long row of shields to protect the front of their formation.

“Forward, march.” He called, watching his opponent in the distance. He had still refused to budge, awaiting his fate as they trudged towards him. The forward shield rank moved closer step by step, their near synchronized footsteps filling the silence of the night. Then abruptly, they all stopped, their shields having bumped into something they couldn't see. All at once, the runes on the griffon soldier's shields activated, glowing brightly as they pulsed a wave of dispelling magic. Briefly the frame of a large magic wall could be seen with rapidly spreading cracks before it shattered into nothing. When the wall dispersed, there was nothing but empty tundra before them, the stallion was nowhere to be seen.

“A child's illusion!?” The commander’s cheek twitched with rage as he quickly looked back towards the base. They had been fooled, and most of their fortifications were now unmanned. “ Fall back to the barricades, slaughter that heretic!”

Elemental energies wreathed about Kaostrife and his horn, surging chaotically as the unicorn molded it to his whim, he galloped through the encampment lobbing flames into tents as he passed.

“Keep moving my love, don't let them circle about you.” Nova's voice came from beneath his robes, a spot she frequently hid in during combat.

“Doing... My best.” Drawing forth fiery energies from the well he'd created about him, his horn waving about like a musical conductor rather than writing spells. His eyes drifted shut, the brief isolation from the physical world allowing him to focus purely on the magic about him. He was always just the vessel, finding moments of control and not allowing the magic to consume him was an art he was forever a novice of.

“Q-queen Celestia?” Vivid imagery of the former princess flashed through his mind as he drifted away from consciousness. The former princess had taken the role of queen and was one of the most prominent trainers in the Equestrian Army Unicorn Battalion. Despite initial reluctance, when the war began her unparalleled knowledge of magic forced her into the role of preparing them for combat. Throughout the training, he saw her pain, her reluctance to teach them to use their magic in such a way. He remembered her turning aside to wipe her cheeks with a hoof, no doubt clearing tears before the trainees could witness them. She knew it was necessary for them to learn to protect themselves and other ponies, that did little to ease the heartache of what was to come.

Drawing up enough power he molded a gargantuan molten sphere, with an exaggerated nod the unicorn hurled the incendiary creation towards a larger tent, one of the few still standing in the fortification. The flame orb screamed through the night sky, the small sun casting illumination throughout the camp. The spell approached the tent at menacing speed and abruptly dissipated, leaving only the fading sparkle of white dust behind.

The tent's fold opened, a near completely bald female griffon stepped out from within, fully clad in black leather. Burn scars were visible on what little skin was exposed on her face and neck, the hunter peered out at Kaostrife with softly radiating crimson eyes. Her hatred was so strong it could be felt in the air as her eyes narrowed at the stallion.

“Halt heretic, and prepare yourself for demise. You will not be so lucky this time.” She said softly, turning back briefly to close her tent. Kaostrife slid to a halt, kicking up the snow in front of him.