Casualties

Morning Soon arrives upon the camp of heroes and volunteer farmers turned war-band. With the few who were on guard duty waking up the rest as the sun rises in the horizon. The happy campers slowly pack up their things into their personal packs or the wagon hauled by Senny's Timberwolf. Sunbeam is packing up his personal tent as he watches his little army gather their weapons and groggily eat what leftovers they left from last nights dinner. With the camp finally packed up and everyone mostly awake the rag tag war-band continue to head out to their destination in rather high spirits. Much to Sunbeam's delight, for as he thinks. 'If moral is high then the more loyal the army is.'

Soon though the rather boring walk is broken up by casual banter by the Volunteers, with some simply talking about expectations for the battle against the bandits while others play a game called 'Eye Spy'. Soon Sunbeam quickly remembers something he forgot.

"Hey Senny, did we ever ask the Townsfolk to find out where the bandit lair was by interrogating the leader?" Sunbeam asks, slightly worried he forgot to add that crucial detail to the plan.

"Dont worry i took care of it when you were busy rallying the Volunteers and making that speech. Town elder got some guys to keep watch of him in the old windmill to wait till we come back with an army. They will probably get the information by then."

"What would i do without you." Sunbeam says while smiling at his friend.

"Probably be clueless leading a band of peasants to their deaths." Senny states with a sarcastic grin.

"Shut up if it weren't for me you'd still be on that merchant caravan not going on the adventure of a lifetime."

With a few chuckles from the two they continue to look forward as they find ways to distract themselves on the long march to the next town..

One hour Later..

The rag tag group spots the village as they exit the woods and into the vast farmland surrounding the village of Tensia, which is almost double the size of the village they left from. And obviously much more prosperous due to the vast amount of farmland. A Ripe target for filthy bandits to raid since there are no defenses other than some peasants with a pitchfork here and there.

"Alright everyone hold here at the edge of the forest. I am going to go ahead and scout the scene, I might be able to just start recruiting if there are no bandits around extorting the ponies of this village. If i get into trouble, youll see a magical flare, Run to the town to help me if you do see it. Otherwise ill be back with some new recruits." Sunbeam orders to his troops as they nod in approval and disperse to 'train' with their weapons on trees, relax, or to snack on natural fruit.

"Wait shouldnt i go with you?" Senny says, slightly worried that her friend will get hurt, Even though she knows hes an alicorn.

"I need somebody here to keep the soldiers in line, even if they are a only a few. Still, teach them a few things about fighting, maybe some group-fighting exercises. Teamwork is essential in a battlefield."

"Alright then, just make sure you don't get hurt, that's bad for morale." Senny and sunbeam chuckle as sunbeam rolls his eyes and rides off ahead to the village. Running past a vast field of farmland, drawing a few eyes form hard working peasants near the road he is traveling on.

With only a small distraction when the timberwolf attempted to chase a rabbit, Sunbeam slowly rides into town on his wolf, drawing various eyes as he looks around. Thinking to himself, 'I probably shouldn't have ridden in like this if i wanted to scout this place out.' Which is probably true. Soon he rides around the small market area, buying himself a loaf of bread to snack on as he wanders about. Spotting a few shady individuals in the shadows behind and between buildings.

'Hmm probably bandits waiting to catch me off guard to rob me. Should probably ask somepony about the status here.' Sunbeam thinks as he dismounts his wolf and walks to the nearest villager. "Excuse me but can I ask you something?"

"Depends on what it is fine sir?" The young adult earth pony says while putting down the bundles of wood he was carrying.

"Do you know of any.. Bandit problems recently?" Sunbeam asks while looking around for any shady individuals, spotting a few not too far away watching him. A unicorn and a Pegasus.

The farmer's face turns from 'happy to help' to 'help me'. "S-sir i recommend you dont talk about those things around here.. They listen in to everything around here.. Please help us-" The farmer is cut off when the bandits hiding in the alley suddenly walk forwards towards them.

'Damm the unicorn probably used an 'eavesdropper' spell. Probably gonna have to talk my way out of this with my charisma.' Sunbeam thinks as he turns to face the bandits. While the farmer backs away behind him.

"What you both talken about heh? A rich looking fellah like you shouldn't be so far away from his castle. And you" The bandit refers to the farmer while drawing his single edged Sword. "You know them rules around here, wouldn't want what happened to your sister to happen to you!" The bandit threatens.

"N-no please i-i wasn't saying anything!" The farmer pleads, slowly drawing the attention of the nearby villagers and a few outlying bandits here to see the 'show'.

"Looks like we got anotha lesson to teach boys!" The Pegasus yells to the bandits as they cheer while the unicorn grabs the farmer and forces him to the ground while preparing to strike him in the arm with the sword, only to be deflected by the sword of our Protagonist.

"Sorry but i cant let you do that." Sunbeam casually states before grabbing the hilt of the sword and kicking the bandit in the chest, causing him to fall backwards into a pile of mud.

There is a silence as everypony around is stunned by what happened, but soon the Pegasus grows angry. "Ill show you what happens when you mess with us!" He yells before charging with his spear causing Sunbeam to use his magic to teleport in his shield form his back to his arm to block the strike inches before it hits him, while slicing the spear in half with his sword. "Why you little- That was my favorite spear!" He says while charging again, this time with a butchers knife, Only to get blasted in the chest by a swirling blue and golden knock-back spell by Sunbeam, Which causes the bandit to be blasted into a cart of cabbages. Which causes a random pony to yell "MY CABBAGES!"

Sunbeam looks to the cabbage pony only to be tackled by another bandit, which attempts to stab him in the neck with his knife, but sunbeam grabs his arms and pushes him away while kicking his groin, causing the bandit to stumble and hold his stallion-hood while crying. Sun quickly shoots a flare into the are before being tackled again by a mare bandit, pinning him with the help of another bandit and grabbing his horn to prevent spells.

"Well I'm going to enjoy killing you! Those who oppose us get culled, so its a shame you'll never get help. Not from these stupid townsponies. Pity too, You are kinda cute.". The mare says causing nearby bandits to chuckle, only for the mare to be struck in the side by an arrow, causing her to scream out and fall to her back to clutch her side.

All the bandits look at thier fallen comrade and draw their weapons as they look towards where the shot came from, only to see a group of ponies, one with a bow, and a few others with board shields and pitchforks. With the shields having Sunbeams Crescent and Sun Coat of arms on it, With Senny riding on her timberwolf behind the line of recruits. With the townsfolk quickly fleeing the scene and watching from behind buildings and carts, the center of the village is empty for this battle.

Sunbeam takes the advantage of the distraction by getting up and darting towards his ponies, while blocking any incoming magic or arrows from the bandits. "Glad you saw my signal Senny."

"I rushed us as fast as possible, looks like we got here on time." Senny states before an arrow hits her wolf's leg, causing it to growl and look towards the archer. "And looks like Timby here is hankering for some meat. CHARGE!"

With the Recruits, Senny and Sun charging at the bandits, whilst they charge back, Senny and sun with their timberwolfs go around the main line of battle, where the recruits are using their shields more than their weapons, afraid to get hit. Then Senny's wolf tears a bandit archer to shreds while she sledgehammers another, Right as Sunbeam crossbows a bandit who's about to get a hit on a recruit, only to be forced to duck as a magic bolt whizzes past his face, causing him to head straight for the Poor unicorn bandit who never stood a chance.

Soon the Recruits begin to get some confidence, stabbing and clubbing the bandits as they uselessly whack the large shields of the Recruits. With the screams of fallen bandits the battle quickly turns one sided as the bandits start to retreat as their losses rise, Only to be pinned by the two Wolf Riders.

Within minutes of the battle starting it is over and the victorious recruits yell out a cry of victory, With the townsfolk quickly rushing out to cheer for the village being finally rid of the bandits. With Sunbeam dismounting and getting various flowers thrown around him as he is thanked by many. Only for a scream from one of his soldiers to distract everyone.

"Is somepony here a doctor! a nurse! anything!" One of the mares yells as she holds one of the stallions who volunteered in her arms as he lays down, a large open gash across his chest. Bleeding heavily he attempts to sit up only for the mare to keep him down telling him to stay still and be calm. "Somepony get me some bandages!"

Some villagers quickly rush over with water and some rudimentary medical supplies. Sunbeam sees its hopeless though and walks over to the poor stallion, who is quickly losing consciousness. "No no no! stay with me! cmon brother! YOU CANT LEAVE ME LIKE THIS!!" Cries the mare as her eyes well up with tears only looking away when Sunbeam puts an arm around her.

"Im sorry.. there is no hope for him, that wound is far too deep even if we had a doctor... He wouldn't be able to be saved.." Sunbeam states, while a tear comes to him.

The mare stares in disbelief clearly not wanting the situation to be real. Hoping that maybe he was wrong. "N-No it cant be!" She yells, as her brother looks at her and whispers something to her. Causing the mare to chuckle and cry at the same time as the Stallion's eyes close for the last time...

Author's Note

I should probably make a map for this world since im obviously not gonna use the canon MLP universe map, or the M&B Map. Expect one next chapter if i bother to do it. And if not yell at me.