Chapter 5: Fallen War

"This is so much bullshit!" An ursa clad in armor and holding a great warhammer called out loud. "I didn't join the army to die in vain!"

"No, you joined the army to follow orders, so now shut up!" Another ursa said a couple of meters away.

Captain Ragepaw merely watched in silence as his troops, begrudgingly, took formation to face the opposing army at the other side of the field. He really couldn't blame them given everything that was happening. It all began roughly a year after the Trial of Spike Solaris. His Queen began amassing funds and stockpiling equipment for what he knew would be a hard-fought war; a logical decision since the formation of the so-called Equis Alliance. He was placed to maintain a vigilant watch on one of the borders with Equestria and to keep a close eye on their military movements.

During his first three years, he feared the worst. He saw how the military might of the griffons, saddle arabians, and changelings grew. More worrisome was the fact that the ponies were quick to adapt and soon formed a mighty military force that had never been seen before. Worst of all was the creation of three specific groups dedicated to hunt down and murder any they deemed as 'tainted' or 'depraved'. Out of those three, the Spike Scaled Units were the ones that actually made him question if Ursanis could even survive the inevitable coming war. They were the most fanatical, ruthless, and merciless of the entire Equestrian military if the reports and rumors were to be believed.

Still, there were also some aspects that didn't add up. The Equestrians and the rest of the Equis Alliance nations didn't close their borders to the rest of nations, although security was highly increased. Worse was when one of his cousins decided to take a trip to the Crystal Empire to see if he could open a market there for his berry business. To say he was surprised to what his cousin told him would be an understatement.

Ragepaw snorted at the memory. According to his cousin, after crossing the border and some initial tension everything was perfectly fine. The deal was made, no backroom policies or deals were threatened, and now he had a branch of his business in the Crystal Empire. What he couldn't believe was that everything looked so peaceful despite the massive efforts of rebuilding and construction going on all around Equestria and the Crystal Empire.

That made him pause. It didn't sound like the ponies were preparing for war. Could they be worrying over nothing? No. Of course not. Their military increase and their ruthless behavior were evidence to the contrary.

During his fourth-year, things got even more sketchy. He didn't notice any increment of border patrols on the Equestrians for months aside for the usual ones. Heck, there wasn't even a single report of intrusion or expansion from their part. Yet his Queen still maintained the high taxation, increased military training, and the production of weapons and war equipment. Was there something he was missing? Why were they preparing for war when the Equis Alliance didn't look like it aside from reinforcing key positions every now and then?

It wasn't until the sixth year when he finally learned the truth: they were the ones preparing to attack the newly formed Equis Alliance instead of defending themselves from it. And not only them; Zebrica, Cervidas, Minotauria, the Diamond Dog Empire, and several other minor nations had prepared themselves for the task. And when the truth finally came out, unrest followed.

It was no secret what the caribou had done to the Equestrians during the Fall after the Trial and the tales of those that visited Equestria or the Crystal Empire. Some didn't believe them, others ignored it, but many felt pity and sympathy for those that had suffered under the caribou regime. He personally believed the tales, but he didn't believe what Spike and his followers did to the caribou was justice. To him, it was simply genocide. Point is that riots occurred all around the kingdoms demanding to not go to war for one reason or another.

Then, martial law was implemented to control the population and after that, the armies began to march.

So, here he was. Captain Ragepaw of the Ursanis Kingdom marching to face an army that was at best a tenth of his own... as an invader.

"I should've listed to Silverpaw and moved when he asked me to," Ragepaw muttered to himself remembering his cousin had moved his entire business to the Crystal Empire months before martial law was implemented. " 'You could retire and help me run the business. Think about it, we'll make a fortune, my business is booming like never before, Ragepaw.' " He muttered again imitating his cousin's voice.

"HALT!" He heard the commanding officer shout behind him and his unit.

Ragepaw watched in silence at the opposing army using his binoculars. Unsurprisingly, most were regular pony soldiers of all kinds, although they looked well equipped. He also saw Royal Guards, also mainly ponies, but he noticed changelings, griffons, saddle arabians, buffaloes, two dragons, a few minotaurs, and even a couple of fellow ursas! He clenched his jaw when he saw a small group of about thirty in the middle of the army wearing purple armor: Scaled Guards.

"This is crazy. Why are they even attempting to fight when they are clearly outnumbered?" The commanding officer said loudly.

"Outnumbered but not outmatched," Ragepaw muttered. "Sir, may I speak freely?" He asked turning back and looking back at a rather tall ursa sitting on a reptile looking steed. The commanding officer nodded. Ragepaw gulped before finding his voice. "Sir, I think we should retreat."

"Why do you think that, Captain Ragepaw?" The commanding officer asked in an annoyed tone. "Are you perhaps afraid of such a small force facing our mighty power?"

"No, sir. But what if this is a trap? Those in the middle are Scaled Guards, but there are only around thirty of them. And they have never been known to travel in numbers lower than a full battalion. Where are the rest?" Ragepaw asked. "That's not all, didn't Spike Solaris warned us about this during his Trial? And those Scaled Guards are known for their ruthlessness towards their enemies. Who knows what they are planning." Ragepaw steeled himself gripping the pole of his axe tightly. "And why are we at war with them? They have not attacked us and there have been no conflicts with them or their alliance since it formed. Why attack them now and not before?"

"Mmmmmm, you are correct, Ragepaw. But it matters not. I care not for their reputation or their numbers. Our Queen wishes to conquer those lands and so they shall be conquered." The commanding officer said glaring at Ragepaw. "Next time you show cowardice or question the orders of our Queen, you shall be executed, understood?"

Ragepaw stared at the officer for several seconds. "Fine then. I'll execute myself." Without another word, he turned back, grabbed his axe, and advanced alone towards the enemy lines. Once he was a good two or three meters in front of his unit he started to run, ignoring the voices of his unit and fellow soldiers.

Ragepaw saw the pony army looking at him and saw archers behind the first line and unicorns ready to skewer him. Once he was close enough, he stopped and turned back to face his unit looking at him perplexed.

"I WILL NOT FIGHT FOR A TYRANT!" Ragepaw roared before tossing his axe away and taking off his helmet and pectoral armor. He then turned to face the pony army and raised his arms and began walking towards them. Several moments later he heard the buzzing of arrows getting close. He closed his eyes and sighed. As he continued to walk he heard the arrows crack and shatter against something. Opening his eyes and looking back he saw a magic shield had protected him. After several tense moments, he made it to the first line of the pony army and was greeted by a thestrals Scaled Guard.

"Welcome to Equestria, friend."

Ragepaw nodded before looking back. His eyes went wide when he saw many ursas dropping their weapons despite the orders of the commanding officer and other captains. Most were making their way back while others were walking up to meet the Equestrian army. He also saw that from above, entire squadrons of Scaled Guards were now diving to subdue the remaining soldiers and officers that wanted to fight.

Ragepaw then turned to face the thestral once more and saw she was stretching a hand to him.

"You're going to attack Ursanis now?" He asked.

The mare shook her head. "We just want to defend our home, not take it away from others."

Ragepaw smiled. "Then pleased to meet you." He said grabbing the mare's hand.

End.

Author's Note

Special thanks to anyone that read this!