THE LONE SOLDIER
Author: Seth Bidwell
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"Have you ever wondered if there were other worlds besides the earth which contains the country Equestria? How about other civilizations? Look at our world for a second. We have the Gryphon kingdom, the Dragon realm, the Equine Kingdom, and the Sea civilizations, which we can't get to yet. Wouldn't it be possible that Princess Luna's sky has hidden jewels of other civilizations? For example, why are they're centaurs, Minotaurs, satyrs, and other half human, half animal creatures? Are there other civilizations we can't get to yet? Well, to answer those questions we'll have to go back, to The Beginning. "Cross Fire looked around as he took a puff out of a pipe he made from the wood of the Whitetail Forest. The river beside his house was gently lapping the bed of the rocks beneath. Trout and salmon rushed in schools upstream to their natural mating grounds. The birds in the large silver leafed trees sung their melodies as a light breeze rustled the leaves like a drum beat to the song. Cross was sitting on the back porch with his two little foals and his lovely wife as he stared into space taking a deep breath to continue on the story.“A long time ago, there was a solitary galaxy with fourteen individual planets. All these planets were orbiting a giant blue star named Yggdrasil. The planets were named from shortest orbit to longest: Aurora; Ginnungagap; the binary planet system of Niflheim and Muspelheim; The gas giants of Baldur; Freya; Tyr; Heimdall; Ve; and Selene; and the icy worlds of Chione; Terra; Arianrhod; and Bast. Most of these worlds, like others, were barren, void of life. However, Niflheim and Muspelheim had life on them. You see, these weren't just ordinary binary worlds where they orbit around each other. These worlds were so close together, their atmospheres constantly touched, causing high intensity storms. One planet rained while the other snowed. However, it wasn't like a downpour or blizzard, but more as beautiful flurries and a misty rain. Muspelheim was the main planet of the civilization.Millennia after millennia they thrived in peace and prosperity. There were two heirs to the throne. Long ago, there was a prophecy made that out of the house of the royals, would come the creator of the realms and destroyer of all they knew. Just so happened, there were two twin brothers. Their names Gilgamesh and Cynbel. Cynbel wished to keep the peace with the other civilizations that begun to take shape on the barren worlds. Gilgamesh, however, wanted to make war with the other civilizations that later sprouted on the barren planets and force them to pay tribute to us. Many years they debated before taking it to the Grand Council and after two more years of debate, Gilgamesh's plan was turned down. Enraged, he gathered as many followers as possible and unleashed his wrath upon the capital. Fifteen years the civil war enraged until, out of desperation, Gilgamesh conjured a black hole that started to swallow Yggdrasil and her satellites. Cynbel grew furious as his unsheathed his sword and fought his brother. Hours past as they fought until Cynbel got the best of him, his sword running through Gilgamesh his eyes flashing.”Cross smiled as his two little foals, aged about ten and eleven now, were astounded by this story. At school they heard about how the world was created and everything, but was never told about this part. Was this myth? Did it ever actually happen? If so, did their father experience this and if so, why does he look so young then if he's that old? Who was Cynbel and what happened to his family? Did they get sucked in before the black hole exploded? More and more questions popped in their heads as they started asking him questions, occasionally trying to talk at the same time."Whoa! Whoa! Whoa! Whoa! Arthfael and Caomhan hold up there boys! Now first off you need to ask your question one at a time ok? The story will give the answers you seek, but only if you are patient enough to pay attention." Cross states and smiled chuckling at them. They looked at each other and nod. Arthfael started first. “Dad what happened to Cynbel and his family?”Cross sighs and looks at them. “No one knows. Some say that they were sucked in like the rest. Others state that they are roaming endlessly in space trying find their lost home.”“Dad, Who was he?” Caomhan asked. Cross answers him smiling. “He was their head marshal. He ordered their where to attack or defend and help when disasters from the constant storms struck. He was the best they ever had.“Dad. Could they die like us?” Arthfael asked.Cross looks at them. “Now that I can’t answer. You’ll have to learn that from the rest of the story.” The foals groaned and pleaded, but Cross shook his head. “If I answer all your questions, they’re be no story. Tomorrow sons. More shall be revealed. Now, come here, my little rascals!”The foals giggled as he tickled and played with them until the golden rays of the sun set themselves on the horizon as his wife called out to them from the wooden cottage that it was time for dinner as all three of us ran in laughing the whole way there.Cross's wife, Frozen Waters, smiled and shook her head. Sometimes she wondered whether she married a full grown stallion or an immature one."You know, sometimes I wonder if you're not a kid yourself Cross," she stated and giggled while smiling at him."Hey, it's good to have fun every once in a while," Cross smiled back and helped her to set up the table.Soon the house quiets down and all you hear is the clatter of silverware against plates. The foals looked at their dad like he was going to continue the story and he shook his head."Frozen, you've outdone yourself. The food is very delicious. Kids I will continue the story tomorrow. Until then, have the thoughts lead you into the night. I want you to try out your conclusions to the story. However, as we continue, I also would like you to piece the stories together like a book. Find out how it all fits. Only then are you getting the full experience."They nodded and smiled and started talking to their mother about the story. Cross only smiled with a slight twinkle in his eye as he chuckled. After Arthfael and Caomhan finished what they had on their plates, they went upstairs to their beds chasing each other reenacting the battle scene and together trying to figure it all out before going to bed.“If Cynbel was a general, why didn’t he suggest the tribute instead of Gilgamesh?” Arthfael asked his brother.“Good question bro. It’s also good to note we are twins like them. Was he telling this story as a warning?” Caomhan asked.“I honestly don’t know. Like dad said though, ‘Our questions will be answered as he reveals more of the story. Let’s get some sleep. Maybe we’ll answer them before he does.” Arth giggled and pounced into his bed underneath his covers turning off his light.Caomhan pouted, “Hey no fair you got a head start.” He to, pounced into his bed and turned off his light as they both drift off into a deep slumber.Cross helped to clear the table and wash the dishes. Afterwards, he excused himself and headed outside to enjoy the soft glow of the moon, and the quiet humming of the river. He listened to the soft breeze rustling the leaves and owls hooting in the night. He pulled out of a satchel, that he always carried around, a little reed flute and softly began to play it and as he did, its soft melody blended with the sounds of the forest all through the night. His wife soon joined him resting her head on his broad shoulders as he stared at the stars as if looking for something.Frozen giggled and smiled. “Don’t tell me the story got you looking for the lost galaxy?”Cross looked at her and sighed. “I have something you tell you as well, but you can’t tell the kids. It will spoil everything for them.” He whispered something into her ear and smiled as she was shocked. A secret had been revealed, but what could it have been?Months passed as the foals learned more and more about the events of the Civil War of Fire. “Arthfael and Caomhan. Come to me” Cross called out to them as they came and sat in front of Cross. His wife sat beside him in a recliner smiling as she was crocheting a blanket for Arthfael. The leaves of the trees had changed from silver to full of color. Reds, oranges, golds, browns, greys, purples, greens, silvers and light blues filled the landscape of Equestria, the Whitetail Forest, where Cross was, was showing already the full colors of Fall. He smiled at the foals and lit his pipe blowing a smoke ring. “Come and sit. I have a story to tell you.” Cross watched them as they sat and looked up at him. “Two hundred years ago, this world was not as green and beautiful as it is today. The sky was black instead of blue; the trees were made of stone instead of wood; and the ground was ash with fire instead of dirt with grass. The inhabitants also were different than today’s. Ghouls, wraiths, goblins, orcs, zombies, wargs, were creatures, vampires, demons, ghosts, rakes, reapers, and skeletons roamed this hellish world. However, there was a small band of fifteen thousand in company lead by Lady Celestia. These citizens who agreed to stand and fight against the God of Chaos Discord, and the Eater of Worlds, Kronos, had no clue what they signed up for; that is until the day they declared war. The warriors fought bravely, but were greatly overwhelmed by the dark forces. The first battle was over. Two thousand perished from the An Lann Amhràn that day, but 5,000 perished from the dark forces. However reinforcements for them were arriving daily. Celestia and Luna discussed it with their generals about a possible surrender knowing full well that without help, they would lose.”“What about using the Guardian?” The general asked. He heard of rumors of her capabilities in combat. “Where is this guardian?” Celestia asked him. “Dragon’s Helm, in the Ancient Temple of Fire.” The general answered. Celestia and Luna nodded thanking him before setting off for the temple.Meanwhile, in Dragon’s Helm, there was something occurring at the Temple of Fire. The landscape there was very different from what Equestria looked like. Instead of the lush green hardwood and softwood forests we see around us, all the eye could see was barren, blood red rock with towering ironwood trees empty of leaves, the sun clouded over, and massive dark caverns in the towering mountains. In the midst of the only thick forest of ironwood, stood an ancient marble and cobblestone temple that looked nothing more than old ruins. In the center of the temple was an obsidian altar that was surrounded by hot, boiling lava. A small bridge connected the altar to the cobblestone pathway. A slight breeze swayed the bare trees as the lava gurgled and bubbled around the altar giving it a dark red glow to it, since the clouded sky made it seem like night. However, a dark silhouette approached the altar and chanted an old language as the wind started to gust. The torches flared as a fireball flew out of the lava landing on the altar spreading as it etched an ancient rune onto the stone. When it finished, a beam of light blasted out of the altar and went towards the sky. A black ball appeared in the light as it expanded to a knelt Pegasus as the light disappeared leaving a red and black mare on top of the altar. On her right, was a leather sheath that was strapped around her waist by a belt holding a large, heavy broadsword made of steel and iron infused with fire rubies. On her back were a crossbow with a scope and a quiver holding fifty bolts. Around her neck was a medallion of a Celtic-like cross colored like no other. She looked up at this entity that summoned her as she placed her head back down. ““What is thy bidding?” The mare asked still looking down not wishing to look upon her summonor due to disrespect.“My bidding dear is for thee to come to knowledge of a certain world thou livest in and know how to fight against it.” The dark entity responded calmly as it chuckled at her. “What realm dost thou wish me to know?” The mare asked.“The realm of the supernatural entities that ye seeth around us. I shall teach ye how to fight and destroy these creatures for war will upon us soon and thou shalt needth yea for thy purposes.” The entity replied and smiled. “Ist thou ready?”The mare nodded and trained with the entity learning the material as fast as she was being taught.Weeks have passed since the two mares left the garrison towards Dragon’s Helm. Soldiers now have spread rumors that the enemy had intercepted and killed them after cruel and heartless torture. Many of the soldiers wanted now to surrender, they were leaderless and it would only be a matter of time before this small rebellion would be crushed. Already, small armies of the dark forces have been trying to breach the defenses killing even more soldiers. The enemy’s forces surrounded them besieging the camp. However, the two mares were still alive and well as they approached the ruined temple coming forth to the altar. The wind swayed the trees gently as it flowed through the open temple. A blood red moon was high in the sky. They nodded at each other as their horns lit at the altar as it glowed. The torches then flared as they shot fire building a pillar on the altar. The obsidian altar then glowed revealing the ancient rune as fire etched through the carved path. A shaft of light launched out of the altar once the fire etched the rune completely as the black silhouette of the Guardian appeared before them. The shaft then vanished leaving the knelt mare in front of them. “What is thy bidding?” The mare smiled at them, but kept her head down.The journey back to the frontline took a week's time from the temple. By the time they arrived, many troops were consumed by death. Barely two thousand troops remained; defeat was looming over the An Lann Amhràn. Days of blood bathed Equestria as they fought the dark forces. Days turned to weeks and then to months. The forces of the dark were beginning to weaken. However, so was theirs. A mere nine hundred left against nine thousand and just when they had the upper hand, the gates of Tartarus and Hell opened. Their forces were driven back to Ponyville, the last free city uncorrupted by dark entities. A meeting was held between Celestia Luna, the general and the Guardian in the commander’s tent in light of this when they arrived.“Ok what the hell do we do?” The general fiercely asked. “We have lost 9,100 innocent civilizations who equipped themselves to liberate the country. If we lose, they all died in vain. However, if we don't surrender, our lives will be spent in blood.”The Guardian smiled and giggled, but spoke in a serious manner. “Better to die in battle and obtain eternal glory, than flee and be a shameful coward. If I can close Tartarus and destroy Kronos, all of you should be able to defeat Discord’s Army.” The general looked at her and laughed mockingly. “A mortal in Tartarus against the Eater of Worlds and live to tell the tale? That is doubtful. ““Got any better ideas?” The mare hissed at the general as he buttoned his mouth, his head shaking no. “Anyone else?” As she looked around all she saw was blank stares. “Right then. I’ll handle Kronos. The rest of you will be equipped with the weapons necessary to kill them. Celestia and Luna can use the power of the Elements of Harmony to defeat Discord.”“What if you don’t defeat The Eater of Worlds?” The general asked eyeing the Guardian.She smiled and simply answered, “Defeat is not an option.”Lady Celestia and Luna looked at each other. This plan wasn’t the best, however, it held promise. They looked to the Guardian and nodded. “We’ll do it.”The General protested. “Milady! You cannot be serious. Its suicide!”Celestia and Luna looked at him and sighed. “It be suicide without a plan as well. It’s likely we will all have our end here.”Ranks of orc came thundering before the fortified wall around Ponyville. Discord smirked and chuckled. “Equestria soon will be mine!” Kronos merely growled at Discord as the orcs roared signaling their readiness for battle. “I mean ours! Yeah……ours….”“To Your posts! Archers Prepare to Fire! Arm the Trebuchets!” The Guardian ran barking these orders at the soldiers. The soldiers ran to their positions and drew their arrows aiming at the orcs. An old stallion, that they had to outfit for battle due to the need for as many fighters as possible, lost grip on the bowstring causing him to fire prematurely killing an orc instantly. “Hold!” The Guardian commanded as the orc fell face first into the ground. The Orcs growled and roared before charging towards us. The Battle for The Last Free City began. Hours past with no end in sight. The defenses were barely holding as the orcs started to try breaching the gate. The Orcs though underestimated the guardian. You see, she knew the latest technologies there were to overrun a city and she built, with help, much stronger defenses by using steel and not wood. Because of that, orcs were dying left and right. However, legions of goblins, wraiths on top of Nazguls, cave trolls, and other creatures came to fill in the enemy's’ ranks. The battle lasted the whole night into dawn. No end was seen with the enemies’ forces. Already two thousand were dead on their side with two hundred on ours. Even with the magical powers of Ladies Luna and Celestia, the cloud of defeat loomed over us. The Guardian was fighting vigorously against the army of Kronos killing every single orc, goblin, and other dark entities. Her holy light glowed as she gave her all, but to no avail. In time, all that was left was Kronos and Discord against the Ladies and the Guardian. The Ladies took on Discord eventually turning him to stone using the Elements of Harmony. Meanwhile the battle in Tartarus was bloody. What felt like years did Kronos and the Guardian fight. The Guardian took every bit of chi she had and used it to defeat him causing her heart to explode. As she laid there dying Kronos laughed and mocked her. “What kind of Guardian are you? You're weak! I thought this would last forever. Ah well might as well be kind and put you out of commission.”The Guardian using his words as fuel gathered enough energy as she roared slaying him to pieces with her sword that was connected to the Particularum Virgae. The staff broke after its use for using all its core energy to supply her sword which in turn destabilized the portal. The Guardian barely escaped before it closed. Weak, but victorious, the Guardian carried her dying body to the rendezvous point of the An Lann Amhràn. The ladies saw the substantial wounds and called out for medics. However, the Guardian refused as she collapsed. “Rejoice and have this day be merry. Let your kingdom forevermore prosper.” The mare’s body then glowed brightly as she breathed heavily, panting a bit. Her body started to levitate into the air as everyone watched. Fire soon encased around the glow bursting outward like a flaming cross as The Guardian screamed. The energy blasted out a loud bang like an explosion as a blue and black Pegasus stallion laid on the ground. His body smoldered like embers of a fire. Weak, He tried to get up, but failed.The date of the year now was 1776, the beginning of the Kingdom of Equestria. Discord was just defeated by the Ladies Luna and Celestia as well as another sinister enemy, Kronos, The Eater of Worlds. Cross had destroyed him and placed him back into the realm of Tartarus with the help of a weapon that broke afterwards and was left there, the Staff of the Elements or as she was known in his world, Particularum Virgae. Peace was finally starting to settle throughout the land. For Cross though, it was a different story.The sun soon awoke from her slumber as she rose from her covers of the horizon stretching as her cool, radiant light gently warmed the earth. Cross nodded welcoming her as he finished washing his face with the cool waters of the Purity River in the Whitetail Forest. Dew was still on the soft grass as a gentle wind rustled the silver summer leaves of the trees. Cross sighed and smiled at the peaceful scenery. As he began to walk around town though, he couldn’t help but hear a sinister laughter, faint but still easy to hear as he noticed no pony was laughing. In fact, they were mainly chatting and going about their daily business. Still though the laughter continued in Cross’s head until he went into the dark Everfree forest to complete his patrol. A dark figure soon manifested in front of him as the dark energy flew Cross into a tree hard as she groaned pinned to it, The figure smiled evilly, his yellow eyes glaring at Cross.“Going somewhere?” The dark figure asked laughing mockingly at Cross as the dark entity used his energy throwing Cross’s body around like a rag doll. The demon laughed as he grabbed Cross’s throat smiling evilly. “Time to harvest again weakling.” With that demon threw him again and laughed as it flew off disappearing as Cross coughed as he slowly got up in pain blood coming out of his nose and mouth. He trotted home at half his normal speed and went to the bathroom to wash up. However, it was too quiet.“Frozen? Caomhan? Arthfael?” He asked and finished washing up as she looked around the house calling out for them. The house was eerily quiet as Cross’s heart pounded. He turned to the living room as she looked around noticing blood on the floor and his wife and foals on the ceiling. “Frozen! No!” The room burst into flames as the laughter grew loud as dark entity appeared again throwing me to the wall.“Watch the ones you love burn!” The demon laughed as Cross groaned trying to go against the energy his fire aura raging as slowly, but surely he does, however, that even was short lived as Cross again was bashed into the wall. “Hmmm, a fighter are we?” The demon roared in laughter disappearing again as the house burned Cross having to run from the flames coughing from the smoke as the house exploded. Cross was on the ground devastated as it awoke a pain he tried to heal long ago. Rage, anger, pain, and vengeance quickly filled Cross. Why did this have to be done? What did he do you deserve this punishment? Cross sighed turning his back on the burning blaze. He was going to get revenge on this demon, but there was only one question, how? Date: October 31st, 2001.Fall had set upon Equestria as the landscape changed from green to reds, purples, greens, oranges, yellows, silvers, and coppers. A slight soft breeze rustled the leaves as the trees swayed in the wind. Cross was in the Whitetail Woods sharpening and refining his bolts and sword. It had been years since the fire engulfed his home as everything finally had been rebuilt. However, deep inside, Cross was still crying. It was 225 years since the death of his wife and foals. He was at the end of his second regeneration still trying to find out his identity. Now, he was a fugitive thanks to their deaths and him being a prime suspect because he was a fire elemental. His body definitely showed age now as he was nearing the end of this life. He sighed as he sat by a campfire listening to soft rustling leaves. He watched the flames dancing in the wind as it flashbacked him to that moment. Not noticing, the fire etched closer to him and lit his hoof on fire surprisingly not burning it as it spread encasing him. Soon he heard laughter mocking him as his anger grew. The fire around him increased in heat turning yellow orange as demonic unholy fire encased him as well as light. The power was too much as his body glowed and forming to a ball of flame as he regenerated to his third form. His body was now taller as wings formed on the outside of his body. His fur went from a dark blue to a dark red and black with a yellow orange mane as on his rump appeared his first cutie mark a yellow- orange flaming cross. Cross Fire looked at his new body as he chuckled, the power of fire coursing through him. Cross had a mission he became obsessed with what happened to him. He burned for vengeance and would make sure he was ready. Until that day every supernatural being that killed and preyed on others would meet there end by fire. He became a silent guardian against beings others could not see.
