[EaW]Hell of Stalliongrad

by kalexoo

Rating: teen
Tags: Crossover, Tragedy, Profanity, Violence, Princess Celestia, Slice of Life, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Death, Drama, Original Character
Length: 16447

Lieutenant Victory Key, tries to comprehend the hell created in Princessyn and how did they end up failing in stoping the Revolution.

Oh, Equestria! It is the greatest country in Equus. It spreads from Vanhoover to Baltimare, has a colony in Griffonia, and the greatest military the world has ever seen so far. Who will want to argue with that? Changelings? Griffons? No, but our own ponies, they are ready to go against Celestia herself. The crisis stroke hard on everypony. On Princessyn ponies especially. Now they are desperate for changes that Celestia cannot provide. They are abandoned. They have to find a solution.

The city goes crazier day by day. And young Lieutenant Victory Key has to walk through the hell. The hell created by Equestrian Army, Communists, civilians and himself.

Inspired by the Equestria at War universe:
- https://equestria-at-war.fandom.com/wiki/Equestria_at_War_Wiki
- https://equestria-at-war.fandom.com/wiki/Stalliongrad
- https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=1826643372

Published 2019-08-04 11:00:01 UTC
Last updated 2019-08-07 10:01:58 UTC

Chapter 1

Author's Note

The following fanfiction is based on the Equestria at War universe, a mod for Hearts of Iron IV. It is a pre-war story about the Winter Revolution of 995 ALB(After Luna's Banishment, five years before the TV-series start and twelve years before the EaW starts) in Princessyn, a poor city on the North-East of Equestria.

Each chapter is divided into two parts. The first part is taking place at present time from the third-person view, the second part is a story told by the main hero from his point of view, and took place in the past.

This chapter is not final and may minorly change in the future. Right now it is more of a test for me in the pony fanfiction, to see if the viewers will be interested in the story and if I should publish the other chapters.

Sorry for any typos.

Please be critical and point out what you like and hate.

Chapter 1

“Is your name, Victory Alexander Key?” A mare voice, coming from across the room strictly asked Victor. His name was indeed Victory Alexander Key and he was at a loss. Who the hell was the one who is asking? Where the hell he was? He took a glance around. The room was dark. And he was blinded by the strong light coming on his light-orange snout him at right. Some magical force kept him in the chair. “Lieutenant?” the voice caught the attention of Victor once again. Whoever she was and whatever was happening in here must be serious. He decided not to fuck with those guys.

“Yes, I am the First Lieutenant Pegasus Victory Alexander Key,” Victor said, loudly and confidently. Well, it was easy, everybody knows their name. But no voice was heard after. It wasn’t enough Victor though, so he decided to add, “Born on September 21st, 958, in Princessyn.”

“You were born there indeed. But are you truly a Slavponian?” At the point, Victor started to listen and examine the voice. It had a Canterlot accent. Would it be the Cap of the Royal Guard? Highly unlikely. After all that mess, she has ordered in Princessyn, she has been replaced at least. Anyways, what does she mean?

“Well, as far as I know, my parents were Slavponian,” well as far as he knows. What is that kind of question anyway? He never heard that nationality mattered in the army. He knew the language well. He even had little accent coming out. But well, most of his life he lived abroad. From Vanhoover to the New Mareland. Is that what she means? “But I wouldn’t call myself one now. The only common thing that I had with Princessyn is my family and my heritage. My family, there has been shot, and my heritage became the source of shame to me.”

“Tell me how you got to the Princessyn,” she asked, as strictly and clear as any other question, “as I know, you were at 17th Infantry division.”

“Only after I pour something into my throat.” He heard an angry sniff. Victor always had a problem with alcohol. What can he say about it? Heritage.

“Very well,” the pony said, he heard a sound of moving chair, the sound of hooves slowly moving to the left from him. When he looked that direction, he saw parts of the white body, everything else was unclear.

“Where am I?” Victor finally decided to ask. “Are you the new Captain?” Victor did not hope for an answer, but he didn’t want to be an obedient dog in the room, he wanted to show the dominance, especially over some mare.

The white pony sighed. She turned her head; Victor has seen the end of her snout. “Patience lieutenant,” she answered and turned back to somewhere, “all I want to know, is what happened in Princessyn last winter.” Victor saw yellow aura appear around something that looked like a bottle. So, she was a unicorn, but why did it matter anyway. The sound of pouring liquid was heard from that direction. And then another, as she had poured it into two glasses.

“I thought it is strict in the Canterlot Guard with alcohol,” Victor noted and heard bottle touching the hardwood surface. Then another two magic auras appeared around as Victor supposed two glasses filled with some liquid.

“Well, I am not quite a guard, neither a soldier.” A glass in yellow aura levitated right to Victor as he watched white body disappear in blinding light and heard clopping hooves walking to the table. She had such wide information about him. She must be well connected to the government at least. “Enjoy, Trottingham whiskey, one of the best in my collection.” Victor took a glass with his wing. He lifted it to his mouth and took a small taste. He spread it over the tongue. It wasn’t a cheap whiskey and she had the whole collection of these, whoever is questioning him must be from higher ranks or government positions. “Don’t worry Lieutenant, I am not wishing any harm to you. The only truth about Princessyn.” She silenced, Victor had a feeling that she was looking at him, straight to his soul, to his shame, his anxiety, his feelings. “I’m listening.”

“So be it.”

It was November of 991. I was on a train to Princessyn. The crisis hit hard on everypony. Only the army was kept full. Food has been coming from the last supplies. All to keep four hundred thousand soldiers all over Equestria. For what. To keep order in regions where there wasn’t enough food. What a stupid logic.

Princessyn – it is not the bright Las Pegasus, sunny Baltimare or superlative Canterlot. Even though the name of the city comes from the word ‘princess’, Celestia herself has been there only a few times, once to conquer the land from Slavponian Rus’, a kingdom which existed more than thousand years ago, the other time to open a cake factory even before I was born. Goddamn cake factory. Nopony cared about Princessyn. For nobility, Royal Guard and Equestrian companies, it was one big pot, filled with a hell amount of tasty resources like coal, steel, ponypower, wood, and furs. Nopony in Severnaya would get even a Bit of something that should be theirs. What to say about other parts of Equestria? I’m more than sure, I would even say experienced through traveling around Equestria. Every time somepony is asking where the accent is from, I would say Princessyn, they would ask ‘Excuse me, where?’, all in the same manner. When I would clarify, the whole goddamn train full of stereotypes comes into my ears. ‘Oh, you are slav. Where is your bear?’ or ‘How about going out to drink some vodka, huh’, every one of these ‘jokes’ would be followed by horrible laughing, laughing in such way that it humiliates me from inside. My whole nation is just one big fucking joke for all those Equestrians.

The summer was dry. Central Equestrian agriculture companies couldn’t grow enough crops on their fields to support all Equestria. This has put already poor Severnaya region down the list below all other cities in the nation. What to say about the winter which came later that year. Slavponians was always known as though ones to cold. But without proper clothing, heating, supplies, even they wouldn’t stand a chance. Only the army was kept full. No really, the Chief of Royal Guard Hard Hoof sent ten thousand troops that year right into the city, to maintain the order in the districts of the region where the unrest rose the most. I was one of them. I was assigned to the 17th Infantry division into the 336th Rifle Company. As First Lieutenant, I had a fine rifle platoon. Forty-five heads were on my watch, I knew everypony’s snout.

When I got an order. I was happy to some degree. My grandparents were still alive and were living right in the center of Princessyn. I was worried for them, but as my father was one of the most influential ponies in the region, he kept them safe and full.

The road was long, I had to change train three times. Cloudsdale-Canterlot, Canterlot-Manehattan, Manehattan-Princessyn. It wasn’t an emergency anyways. Already on the train, I’ve met this guy, Ray Wheat. He was the first lieutenant and was assigned to the same company as I did. Furthermore, he was from St. Petershoof. So, we quickly became buds.

“You know I had a friend in Princessyn.” Ray started talking. He took his levitating pipe out of his snout and thoughtfully looked on the floor.

“You had?” I asked, making the focus on the ‘had’. Ray spoke in the way as something certainly had happened to him. “Who was he?”

“My nephew,” It’s not like we were friends already, but if he wants to share his drama, I’ll listen, “he was a cook, ran a family restaurant. It was going alright, and my brother had connections to supply the restaurant with good food. Well, and you know, having the freshest food in the whole city, it is kind of bipolar. On one side you will have clients, on the other someone will always want to take it from you.” The train got on a bump. Old Manehattan railroad surely needs to be fixed.

“He got robbed?” I asked.

“He got lynched, with everybody who worked there that night.” Ray looked up and leaned towards Victor pointing his pipe at him. “My point is Vic, everybody in that city is desperate. They’ve lost the concepts of patriotism and mateship. They will try to fool one another to get food, what to say about killing.” Ray leaned back and bit his pipe again. “It is not Tall Tales or a pack of angry students in Baltimare. If there is gonna be something, it is gonna be big. Big and bloody.”

“You have a point. That’s why we need to get it all peacefully.” I said. I had a naïve hope then, that nothing is going to happen if I keep my rifle down. I hoped that people I knew and was visiting every summer of my foalhood are the same now, smart, investigative, amiable. That I will be able to reach an agreement with them. Well, once again, it is all just a naïve thought.

The knocking into the door was heard. Ray opened it with his magic even before I stood up. He didn’t even look there and continued to observe flying trees outside as the train moves.

“Tea gentleponies?” A blue unicorn mare was holding a tray with teapot and two train style teacups.

“Ray?” I called Ray because I didn’t order tea. He jumped and quickly turned his head towards the conductor.

“Yes darling, please come in!” Ray cheerfully said it and seem like he quitted all his thoughts about Princessyn. “I hope you don’t mind Vic, I asked for a good cup of tea for both of us on the way from the toilet. You know, it cheers up.” I guess I wouldn’t sleep longer today. Celestia starts to get the sundown already, and we had another hundred miles till Princessyn.

“Of course, officers.” The conductor spoke again. “It is griffonian tea. It has been brought all the way from New Mareland. Someponies even say that Celestia herself personally orders this particular kind of tea for her.” She explained while placing the tea on the table between me and Ray.

“Well, I heard that Celestia likes a good whiskey too!” I said.

“Really? Celestia consumes something else besides champagne and cakes?” Ray questioned it, hinting on the newspaper lying next to me and the article about last Grand Galloping Gala.

“Well I’ve been in the Royal Palace like a year or so ago, and I’ve seen at least a box of finest whiskey from all over Equestria.” I confidentially said it is true. Who else would drink all that? Not the Guard or servants, it would be only princess, “Tall Tales, Albion, Princessyn, Las Pegasus, and other places.”

“Then you have a lot in common with her Vic,” sarcastically said Ray, “Maybe you should go for a date with her highness.” After that Ray produced a pinch of laughter, the conductor smiled too.

“Ray, I always loved to dream. But going out with the goddess herself, I don’t even know if you can think about it.”

“Take a chance, Vic. Perhaps one day…” Ray started to speak but was interrupted by me.

“Perhaps one day I’ll meet your dear mother Ray, that is something in my range of possibilities.” That was a tough joke, but it was worth it. Ray only growled.

“Well, if you wish sir, we don’t have whiskey, but we have an apple cider from Ponyville apple farm.” The conductor smiled again offering to bring the cider.

“No, thank you. I should have a clear head on this ride.” I said.

“That’s right. Who knows what waits for us in Princessyn.” Ray supported it and looked at the conductor with his best look. She quickly straightened up and turned towards the doorway.

“Oh, alright, officers. I won’t take any other minute of your time.” The conductor said and walked out the doorway, “Enjoy your tea!” she said kind fully and carefully closed the door with magic.

We had one more day of a train ride before we get to the Princessyn. It was really far away.

Chapter 2

Something has gone wrong. We don't seem to have an archived copy of that chapter.

Chapter 3

“Three hundred,” Victor said, “Three fucking hundred and forty-three civilians were executed in 991 just on the streets.” Victor made a relatively big sip out of his cup. “I haven’t even smoked before I came to the Princessyn. And only after a year of being there I had two or three cigars a day. What to say about drinking? Slavponians surely had a good stoli.” Victor started to think, he still remembered that white mare on the railway station. The first minutes of him being there and he witnessed two ponies dead. Like it foreshadowed all the death and chaos that followed later. It was hard four years.

Victor almost felt like home there, even though he never knew the true feeling of home. Jumping around Equestria every few years and sometimes even months left a mark on him. He never got a true friend, he got delayed with getting his special mark. He got one when he was only sixteen which is extremely late compared to his peers. He’s special mark was a palm branch wrapped around a dagger. As his grandfather Alexei Key once told him, ‘You are a special pony, Vicy. It took you so many years to get it, and trust me, it was totally worth it. Your cutiemark is full of victory spirit and fear. Use your talent right, as nothing can stop a pony who was born to win.’ Victor asked him then, ‘Win in what?’, and he didn’t get an answer, he only was ordered to wait patiently for his moment. Victor hoped that Princessyn was his moment, but no. It was his greatest lose. He had to wait for his moment, and he didn’t even know what was it. Sometimes he wondered if he went the right way if he should have gone to the academy and become an officer, come to Princessyn, take three bullets and come out with the side led by retreating losers.

“Did you get close to your soldiers?” the voice asked.

“The first rule of the army is not to get close to anypony,” Victor said, it was something that every soldier has gone through, “I had to learn it hard way. But before I understood it…” Victor stunned, he doesn’t want to remember it, them, Ray, and even this bastard Major. As he said, he had to learn it hard way.

He understands that he is showing his weaknesses straight away to that fucking white mare. She seems not stupid enough to see that as well and crush him whenever she needs that. The light was still uncomfortable. At least the chair was good. And whiskey was alright too. Sometimes he has been forgetting that he was kidnapped.

“You are asking some strange and unrelated shit, ma’am.” Victor objected showing his annoyance; he was tired already. He was annoyed, no, he was fucking frustrated, as much when he had to go through all shit of his life at once. “You are just wasting our time.”

“Time, is irrelevant, especially for me, trust me, lieutenant.” The mare said, what the fuck did she mean Victor wondered. “And we have a lot of time, lieutenant.” The voice has answered as she was trying to repeat the same tone the Victor has expressed to her a second earlier. She might have not enjoyed it too. Well, she already made it clear earlier who is boss here. Victors ears still hurt. “We’ve been sitting here already for a few hours, so many more are forward. And I need to have a full image about your past, personality, dreams and loses, your spirits and… yourself of course.”

Victor sighed, he understood once again, he is fucked. “If we are gonna be here for a while, at least you should turn off that fucking light until my eyeballs dissolve completely, so at least I’ll be able to aim later?” Victor said, he was annoyed and seemed to start to lose his temper again.

“I am afraid I can’t,” the voice said as she disappointed in Victor, “I can’t let you see who I am yet.” Seemed like an unfair deal, she gets to know everything about Victor, but she wants to keep herself as shadowed as a white cat in the light.

“How can I at least be sure,” Victor started, “That you are not one of the enemies of the state. Are you a goddamn Commie?”

The silence has followed. Perhaps she was thinking about something, or perhaps she has already loaded her Colt M911 and was aiming right into his head, Celestia knows what the hell she is doing right now.

Victor took another small sip out of his whiskey glass and said, “If you want to know who I am, I’ll tell you, I am a soldier. And the Princessyn showed me, that there is no right or… wrong for a soldier. This fucker Steel Stallion who says that the world should burn in the Red flame of the proletariat or this bitch on the throne Celestia who is a goddess herself and raises the sun and the moon, saying about harmony. We have the biggest military in the world doing nothing. Or even Changeling’s who are killing only to survive but everyone hates them. These are realities in which we all are living. None of them is right, they have just happened to be suitable for those who live there. They are encouraged by their ideas, ponies by Celestia, changeling by survival, communists by equality and they all want to push their ideas further abroad. That’s what soldiers are for, right? To go and fuck the enemy in the ass and put the Blue-white flag with two alicorns somewhere high in every enemy city. But once they get to the battlefield, nopony gives a fuck about what are you following and respect, I didn’t. I wanted them to shoot, they shot. Some deserted, some betrayed us. But I still was shooting. All I wanted is a victory. Celestia damn me, my name is Victory. And we almost got it, me and another 10 thousand soldiers in the city, we could have been victorious. But it wasn’t even a week until Celestia finally woke up and withdrew all the troops from the region. She explained it with not wasting more pony lives. But she missed a part that she has already wasted all the souls that died before. All my soldiers had so much hatred for Red’s that they wanted to give their lives to finish them. But no, we haven’t achieved it. Furthermore, now we have that communist fanatics who will want more than some crappy city and they will get more.” Victor stopped, he got tired of talking, he was saying it leaving so little time to breathe, “And what the harmony has brought us to, creating more chaos in the country, a rise of the new political system in oppose to ours. Am I still loyal to Celestia? Yes. And if she will say to kill an innocent, I will kill it, if she will say to conquer the whole goddamn Equus, I will conquer it, if she will say to put the weapon down, I will put it down, if she will say to drink with her, I will drink with her, she will say to bang her, well you know. But it doesn’t mean I respect her, I just have principles, and I want our country to win, no matter what for we are fighting.”

“Peace lieutenant,” The voice tried to calm down Victor, “Peace.”

“Celestia damn me if I’ll ever be in peace.” Victor annoyingly said. “My demons will always follow me, until I die, or get new ones. Who cares?” He wasn’t a good person, he understood it. But nopony forced him to be one. And the light, fucking light, Victor wished that the light will go fuck itself already. He sipped another time from the glass to discover that it was already empty.

“You are right, you are in a frustrating situation indeed. I can’t look at the pain you are in. But I have to.” The voice talked. It sounded kind, nice, but it sounded annoying already. This voice, he never heard it before, at least that’s what Victor thought. He was exhausted and may not have thought clearly. “I owe you an apology for that, lieutenant.”

“Uh, the least you own me right now,” Victor said, “Is the new glass of whiskey.” He pulled out his yellow wing holding an empty glass. Then he saw a yellow aura appear again in the place where mare has been pouring the drinks before and the bottle of whiskey appeared in front of him, pouring the liquid into his glass. “Thank you, ma’am.” Then the bottle levitated the direction of the light and disappeared in there.

“Alright, let’s go with the 9th of January 993.” the voice said, and made the white light softer, but not like he could see the mare, “However, I see that you’ve got into some kind of incident right before that date.”

“Straight to the climax, huh? Yeah, some shit happened right before the Bloody Sunday, it cost Ray an eye.” Victor said. Well, the 9th of January is one of the most influential reasons for starting the bloody riots in 994. There was a lot of ponies walking on the Celestial Square with the statue right in the center of all the crap that happened then. “Listen then.”

That evening on 7th January I was sitting over a lot of documents that stockpiled over the last few months. That was field reports, incident reports, orders from the HQ and other shit that I had to deal with. I tried to prevent any civilian killing and shooting. I made it pretty clear to my soldiers about doing that crap. Well, it cost me 10 soldier casualties, in just one year. Major was really mad at me for that.

Every time I looked at the numbers, I felt something strange in my chest. I just didn’t understand. I am trying to save the lives of civilians and I am paying other lives for that, the lives of ponies who go under my command. I took a folder with my wing from behind and put it on the table in front of me. ‘MAGIC LEAP’ it was saying with capital letters on the front. Magic Leap was my Platoon Sergeant, well trained, disciplined, always helped me with watching over my rifle squads and organization in the platoon. He was ambushed and blown up in a truck by some anarchy gang in the western Princessyn a week ago. It wasn’t our region of operation of the city, but I sent him and one of the other squads to secure cargo delivery to another military base in the west, to Prohods, a village with airfield outside the city, important strategic point. Everypony in the convoy was dead, there were thirteen of good and already hard-tempered soldiers. They took more than thirty of anarchist gang members. At least I am glad that they took a fight and didn’t let those bastards to take cargo. I expected to meet new sergeant E7 Seargeant tomorrow, as well as the new rifle squad.

Sun Dawn died there too; she was a leader of the Charlie rifle squad. I liked her, maybe even too much. Combat enthusiastic and she loves explosions and a brilliant mechanic. I would say she was my type. I can’t think of her this way now; I am left only with soldier respect for her and grief that I’ve lost such a brilliant and loyal soldier that day.

And I wasn’t the only one who was pissed with the lost of Magic Leap and Sun Dawn. Major flared himself up and broke my favorite pipe that I bought only six months ago. It was a good pipe, it cost me at least twenty Bits. I am still not sure why exactly did he blew up into my room, just to give me hard time because he feels like it, or to give me a lesson on something that I don’t understand. He really hated me. I was thinking of going to Colonel Moon Joy and asking for moving to the other battalion and base. Like Saint Petershoof or back in normal and peaceful Equestria like Cloudsdale or Baltimare.

So, as my pipe got broken and thrown from the window on the moon, one of my soldiers, Dust Pusher was his name, gave me a couple of good cigars that he had brought with himself from Acornage. I immediately got addicted to them and had one or two cigars a day. Well, I tried to do it in private, as I didn’t want to depict too rich in front of my soldiers and civilians.

I took one of the cigars out, cut the edge off, and lighted it up with a candle that stood on my table. Some duchebag cut off the power for the whole goddamn military base. Celestia damn this outdated shitty place which has been last updated in the early 50s or so. That is before I was born. The only thing that has been changed is the new gas heat system, to sustain the winters. As it was independent of the electrical power, at least we could enjoy the warmth.

I was leaning back with hooves on the table looking at the window beside me, breathing in and out the smoke from a cigar between my feathers. It was Friday at 6 p.m., so I had a free evening forward. Fuck the documents. I was just left with myself. I didn’t even know what to think about. But I wanted to think. There wasn’t much to cheer me up though. Two of my friends were dead. And two dozen soldiers have already lost their life. Their souls were sitting on my back since the first death. I was stuck there for Celestia knows how long. Well, if she at least knew about all that crap maybe then she would know. And my command officer hates me as much as I hate him now.

My eyes caught an envelope lying under my dirk. Even though I wasn’t in the navy, I got it as a present on my 27th birthday from my godfather, my father’s friend, Sea Mustang, he is a Rear Admiral in the fleet. I got up and moved the envelope with my hoof to myself. I read on the front side ‘To 1st Lieutenant Victory Alexander Key.’ There was an address, the name of the unit and date, on the top-left corner I read: ‘From Alexander Alexei Key, Cloudsdale Governor,’ and an address, ‘Cloudsdale, Cloudsdale Parliament House.’ The envelope was from my father. I’ve been wondering what it was about, in the middle of the winter, post office fees and prices were higher than Canterlot’s mountain.

I put my cigar into the teeth and picked up a paper-knife. As I flipped the envelope, I saw a little blood on the edge of the paper you mean to close with. Poor father, he will never learn that he shouldn’t slide the paper on his tongue. I wondered if he had any of it left. I carefully cut through the top and took out the letter itself. When I unfolded it, I moved the candle a little closer and started to read:

Dear son, Victor,

I am writing to you with bad news. They might get shocking for you. The winter in Cloudsdale didn’t make it easy on everypony. Your mother has scared the whole house when she started to wet cough. But you know her, she is a strong mare. Next morning, she was playing with your niece in snow. On Hearth's Warming Eve, the family has gathered at our place, even your cousin Night Fog from Trottingham came. He made a long boat trip to Manehattan because he was afraid of going through the Princessyn. I think you know better than any of us do why. I’ll take a chance to say, that I respect government secrecy policy. Even I know some government secrets that will go with me at one point. But total cut off of the whole region to keep something in. That’s extreme. And even my position doesn’t allow me to look at what’s going on in there. So I hope that you are well there.

And that’s the shame they haven’t let you out to visit your family back home. Your mother is worried about you and her parents. Do us a favor, look after them, or move them away from the city, if there is still one. I also worry about you, son. I know you don’t hear it a lot from me, but just know it. And I am not sure if they allow you to send letters but send us one if you get a chance.

I’ve been on a meeting with Princess and other high-ranking members of the government. The crisis is tearing our nation apart. The Applelouse was threatening to start to fight over their independence from the monarchy if they won’t get protection from the Buffalos and get enough crops to feed themselves. It is all crazy. I know you never were into politics, but I’ve always raised you to see a bigger picture. And this is the time to understand what the hell is going on in our nation. Crisis, riots, Princessyn, outdated military, monarchy, corruption, industries are taking over the land. We all are going to break apart like the Griffon Empire once did.

There is one last thing that I have to tell you. It is Rose. We have invited Drop family over the Hearth Warming party, as they are not rich, and Rose is very special to you. Only her father and her sister showed up. Rose is sick, heavily. It is grippe, son. I offered my help with her treatment, which was taken very happily. But unfortunately, the illness took over her, before the doctors could even try. I don’t know if she will make it. I’m sorry, son. I will still try everything to help her for you.

Every member of our Key family is sending you a warm ‘hi’, to keep you safe in the horrible frost of Severnaya.

With love and respect,

Your dearest father and friend, Alexander Key.

‘Mother of Sweet Celestia!’ I thought that moment, I couldn’t believe. My jar wasn’t so opened since the Cloudsdale academy and my cigar was lying on the wood floor ever since I read Rose’s name. To say that I was just shocked is too say nothing. I was fucking horrified. Rose was the most special to me since high school. I was visiting her every summer before 991 when I got to Princessyn. And I’ve seen her as healthy as the bull. How could she die? She couldn’t die. Oh, holy Alicorn-sisters, what had you done? I just didn’t know what to think.

I was outrageous, I was so frustrated. Just why? I kept staring at the letter. I kept sitting for a while, until I found myself sitting in a chair, with tears gathering under my eyes. A few have already dropped from my cheeks on the paper. I couldn’t move. I’ve been kept in a chair by some strange force. I was paralyzed from shock. I couldn’t comprehend that Rose might have been dead by then. The date on the envelope said that it was two weeks ago. But if it was as bad as father described, should have I left her behind then?

I’ve already lost, Leap, Dawn, Rose. Who is the fucking next? Ray? He is the only one who was still with me. We were friends. We knew each other. He couldn’t just be taken away from me.

At that moment I finally woke up. I could finally move and hold myself together, I folded the paper and put it into the pocket inside my uniform jacket. I thought to go out that evening. I took my black coat, upped my fur collar, put my officer hat on with Equestrian emblem. After I picked up my cigar from the floor, which surprisingly was still burning and taking a long and deep shot of smoke I walked out of my room. I haven’t forgotten about the letter; I just didn’t want to think much about it.

I headed for Ray’s room. I wanted to see what he was up to. And maybe at least he will be able to cheer me up. His room was opened, and I confidently walked in. Only now I realized that I’ve forgotten my knife and a holster. Didn’t put much attention into this.

“Victor!” Ray happily exclaimed, “I was just thinking about you.”

“Yeah me too, kinda.” Well, kind of, I’ve been thinking about a lot then. Ray stood up and dressed up for outside. He wore the same overcoat as me covering his whole body from the neck to his special mark with grain and hoe. “Where are you dressing up like this?”

Ray stunned and looked at me, then gave me a grin, “Are you serious? I thought we are going to the pub tonight, we are doing it every Friday, Vic.” Ray explained. I was so exhausted and frustrated that I’ve totally forgotten about it.

“Sorry Ray,” I said and put my cigar back into my mouth, “I had a long day.”

“I didn’t hear anything bad today,” Ray said and used his magic to put a scarf on.

“Nah, it is more of a personal thing.” I said, I wasn’t used to sharing personal problems with other ponies, Ray knew it, he also knew that I have to be drunk as fuck to tell them, so he wouldn’t bother me with that now, I remembered about my holster, “I’ve forgotten something in my room, let’s meet outside in five min.”

“The soldier without a gun is as useless as a gun without you,” Ray shouted looking into the mirror and checking his long black mane as I’ve already walked out the door. Didn’t expect that he would notice, smart-ass.

As I took my holster I headed to the entrance into the building. As I walked past Ray’s room it was already closed. But the main surprise awaited me on the stairs, as I met major.

“Halt! Where are you going?” he said giving me his best look, “Getting drunk again, huh?”

“Apparently I am sir,” I said without regret, “I had a long day, sir.”

“You had indeed, twelve soldiers, Vic, twelve!” Major said trying to make me bad, again. I had a feeling that he will do it every time he meets me. And we have to meet a lot.

“It was thirteen, sir,” I corrected him, “However it is not my fault, it is the fault of themselves and the driver for picking the wrong route.”

“They are your responsibility, slav,” Major said again, “I don’t want any other of my soldiers die because of your stupid orders. They are soldiers, they don’t just stand in the middle of the street for scenery, they need to control streets, otherwise, they are an easy target for anypony. Understand that! Now go, your stupid friend is waiting for you in a Jeep.” He said and continued to walk up the stairs.

I walked out of the building and saw Ray straight away standing near the green car, already covered in snow and started. The lights have been lightning snowflakes blown by the wind to the side.

“Take your time Vic, but it took long enough for you already,” Ray shouted to me as I’ve flown towards him and landed right into the passenger seat through the opened window. “Yeah right, what the doors are for?” He asked me sarcastically.

“Sorry, I’ve bumped into major on the stairs, Celestia damn him!” I’ve explained myself to Ray as he opened the car door and sat down into the driver seat. He didn’t wait long to start the car and drive. He was holding the wheel with magic; his right hoof was on gears and left hoof out the window catching snow and wind. It was dark already; we could see only ten meters forward with far lights on. It has been an hour and a half to get to the Princessyn from Dubrovka, so we silently drove there.

Chapter 4

“Sorry about Rose, lieutenant,” the voice said, “I’m sure she meant a lot for you, the way you spoke about her.” Victor made himself more comfortable in the chair, moved his short red tail and sipped some whiskey. The light was still burning his eyes, he couldn’t even try to see through it.

“Yeah, she meant a lot indeed,” Victor said and smoothed his mane once again, “I left her in the past, and I’m not sure if I want to date somepony again.” It is true, Victor was afraid of losing someone special for him once again. And as he is always moving around Equestria, it never will be a simple relationship for him nor the mare. “The most interesting thing is,” Victor started and gave himself a small grin, as if he was laughing at himself, “that nopony has ever written me again after that evening, and it was the last time I’ve ever seen Rose’s name. Who knows, perhaps she is still alive.” He never had a chance to visit Cloudsdale after the Princessyn Crisis ended to see Rose herself or in a grave. He has been sent straight to Canterlot for questioning from the Defense Department authorities. Perhaps it wasn’t enough for them, so they decided to kidnap him and question once again with a harsher environment. At least Victor knew who was questioning him last time, and even though he didn’t tell all the truth, and there wasn’t so much about personal and moral questions. So, what in Celestia’s name is going on in here, it seems too unprofessional for the department. It is either some trick from opposition from Princessyn or somepony who is too high in the hierarchy to follow the rules.

“Have you had a lot of mares around you?” the voice asked Victor, he was surprised to hear a question like that. Well, he’s been a little dissolute in Princessyn. Like everypony else in the city. Especially soldiers. Still, he was feeling uncomfortable to answer this to a mare.

“I had nothing serious after last time I’ve heard of Rose,” he decided to say, “as I said earlier, I don’t want that. I am still not sure if I’m still with her or not anymore.”

“But what about before Rose, school, college, academy?” the mare asked, she seemed to unwillingly move away from the main topic. There is still so much to tell. “Brief me about your past, lieutenant.”

Victor was standing with a perplexed expression, still looking down, on his tail swinging down the right side of the chair, “Well, I wouldn’t say that it was very interesting past,” he stated, “Our family moved a lot. Originally in Princessyn and finishing in Cloudsdale. We’ve been living in Vanhoover, New Mane, Big Mane,” Victor meant New Manehatten in New Mareland and Manehatten in Equestria, “even a little in Canterlot. The high school was easy for me, can’t say that about my peers then. After graduation, I wanted to study the law but went into engineering in Vanhoover University.” Victor had another little sip out of his- glass, he started to feel a little light-headed, but he wouldn’t call himself drunk at the moment. The engineering education helped him in designing barricades in Princessyn with experience from the Tall Tales.

“How did you end up in the army, especially in the officer ranks?” the mare asked.

“My father pulled some strings when I’ve abandoned the uni after two and a half years in there, long story, and he got me into the Wonderbolts Academy. Simple enough.” Victor has never imagined himself in the military career before, he wasn’t physically fit, he was skeptical about the Celestial regime and was a slavponian, nopony loved those in the army.

Victor still remembers words of his drill sergeant in the Academy addressed to him, ‘Who the fuck are you’ she was saying, ‘Slav? Well, then you are either a nopony here or just like everypony else. I want you to get rid of your disgusting accent and in two days speak like a normal stallion. No! Like the fucking Holy Celestia herself. Understand?’ It was like this for Victor from birth, naturally. Nopony around has really liked him, and he always knew how to get into the argument and a future conflict with everypony from the teacher to the generals and ministers. The mare in front of him however, she didn’t seem to show any kind of discrimination towards Victor. She even seemed more sympathetic to Victor, than his mother like all the time.

“I know your father,” the voice said, “he is a reasonable stallion, knows what he is doing.” Surprisingly for Victor, he wasn't surprised by these words. He already knew that she was some high-ranking government pony. Maybe Celestia herself, who knows. Victor just didn’t understand why would Celestia waste her valuable time on him. So it can’t be her.

“Oh yeah, he is an old and wise pony,” Victor said, “Everypony respects him, but I am the witness of a lot of shit he has done. Well, it is just my foalhood memories.” His father has been unreasonably hard on him sometimes. And Victor’s mother was a recipient of it as well. Long story, it was just a time when Alexander had a lot of going on and it played on his nerves. Anyways, Victor is not a foal now, he has gone through the hell that’s for sure. Some shouting and a broken wing from his father are nothing compared to Princessyn.

“You appear to be a really morally strong stallion, lieutenant,” the voice said, well she wasn’t the first who tells him that. Victor gave her a grin. “I’m impressed. And I’m glad that our army has somepony like yourself. I predict you may have quite a career in the future.”

“Will I?” Victor said, “Will you ignore all the war-crimes I made in Princessyn?” Victor took another sip out of his cup. Technically it wasn’t his orders, but nopony cares. He might go under the tribunal soon, like old Chief of Royal Guard did or Major. Victor hasn’t heard about him much since Celestia withdrew the troops from Princessyn last month.

“No need to worry lieutenant,” the mare said, “Captain Hard Hoof has already been punished and replaced by a new and ambitious stallion. His name is Shining Armor, he is the new Captain of Royal Guard.” Victor heard this name already. He wasn’t sure but he might have met him before. In 990 during his visit to Canterlot in the Royal Palace. Victor even saw Celestia herself walking with generals and admirals down the hall. She seemed always busy. It was something to be impressed about. Even though he didn’t approve her political actions sometimes, Celestia was a popular figure in Equestria, she was a saint, someponies even saw a Goddess in her. Seeing the Princess alive was a huge privilege and an honor. He wished he would personally meet her then and discuss politics, history, warfare, culture.

“Well, looking forward to meeting him,” Victor said, “Perhaps he will want to interview my school behavior too. Like Minister Spear or you, whoever you are.”

Victor heard a silent giggle, “I love your sarcasm too.” The mare seemed too relaxed for questioning, she doesn’t even try to question Victor, she doesn’t beat him or shouting at him, presses on weak points and bulldozing him. It is strange. Still, Victor had some kind of trust towards her, unwished trust. “Well, I think you should continue, was the cider tasty in Princessyn?” she asked.

In 993, the situation didn’t seem like simple riots. It was more of guerilla warfare. We weren’t sure who they were supported by. Nova Griffonia, Chrysalis, or Yaks, they all wouldn’t miss a chance to corrupt the regime in Equestria. Harmony provokes peace, and it is easy to disturb if you choose the right moment and place, like Princessyn. Anyways, partisans were sneaky bastards, we couldn’t figure out their system, leaders, and ideology. Our first suspect was Free Konsky from the anarchy gang called “Bread and Freedom”, they are also responsible for a recent raid on the supply convoy. He was just a criminal, and he is concerned only about his profit, to head the guerillas would be unreasonable for him. Another and the more obvious suspect is Steel Stallion, from the Severnaya Social-Democratic Pony Party. They were slowly getting popularity in Princessyn but weren’t strong enough.

Both of those powers in Stalliongrad had been a huge problem for us, it wasn’t my job for investigating them though. They both tell how they want the best for Princessyn ponies. But they still were assassinating political figures around the region, making anarchy in the west Princessyn, and making the streets unsafe at night. All of them were just a bunch of criminals who want money and power. I always had my M911 loaded and ready under the wing. I am not the best shot, but I am still a soldier. And a soldier always can find a way how to kill his enemy.

Ray and I were already in the city after a few outposts. The roads were empty as there was a deficit for gas. Only the army has been using the vehicles. We rode under the bright lights; the city was surprisingly calm and pretty at nights. Most of the windows were covered with curtains, in some, you still could see ponies doing stuff in their apartments. You also could see some ponies leaning out the window holding a cigarette.

“Have you heard the news, Vic?” Ray broke the silence in the car, “I just didn’t have a chance to ask you today, and you seem too thoughtful to be interested in the outside world.” I was mostly sitting in the office lately indeed. I didn’t read newspapers and talked much to anypony. Except for the Major who was occasionally stopping by to give me new paperwork, tell how unproductive and lazy I am, and to play with my temper. I swear my wings never shook so nervously from anger. Someday he will get what he deserves.

“Well, brief me then,” I asked, and I had no idea what Ray was gonna talk about. Politics, culture, or something bounded with the Princessyn only. At the same time, I decided to have another cigar. I took one out, with already cut off tip, bit it with my teeth. Then I realized that I’ve also left my light on the table. I’ve been just about to fuel it, but the letter interrupted me. “You mind?” I’ve asked Ray. He nodded and magically fired the tip of the cigar. I quickly blew the smoke inside and released it in a second.

“So, Equestria now has two alicorns,” Ray said making me choke on smoke, “Can you imagine it?”

“What? When?” I impatiently exclaimed with a surprise, “Who?” I was confused, as far as I knew, there were only two princesses ever existed, and it was such a long time ago, that it became more of a fairy tale for little foal and fillies than a historical fact. Scary Nightmare Moon comes every Nightmare Night, scary as shit. But if there is another princess, does it mean the whole restructuring of the government. From absolute monarchy to diarchy. Or does it mean, that if there are two opposing princesses, with a civil war between them?

“Yeah, her name is Princess Le More… Amore…” Ray was saying confusingly trying to remember the name. It sounded complicated already. Very French. “Oh, sweet Celestia, what was her name?” I started to worry that Ray stopped to pay attention to the road, and it was dark too, I honestly wanted to stay alive in one piece more than hearing the name of that new alicorn, “Mi Amore! Mi Amore Cadanca! Wait. Cadenza! Yeah, Princess Mi Amore Cadenza. Celestia’s protégé.”

“Oh, so she is just Celestia’s student.” I said relieved, “I started to worry, that there is a war coming.”

“No, no, no,” Ray said with a grin, “Don’t even try to overlook it. I know that you are always searching tar in honey but see it as a celebration for ponies.”

“Celebration for ponies?” I asked and defiantly looked around, “I don’t see anypony celebrating here, do you?” Ray’s grin immediately disappeared from his expression, and he started to look more serious. I couldn’t tell under the engine noise, but I think I heard him angrily snort. Even though it wasn’t technically night already, and you still could see the sun's rays beyond the horizon, it was dark on the streets. Only every third streetlight properly worked. But nopony was walking under them. The sidewalks were dusty and uncleaned. Every window closed, almost every place and shop were shut down. And it seemed that Ray had trouble finding our pub. It was a pub in a corner building, there were a lot of soldiers hanging out, so nopony had decided to rob it, some tried, they were instantly shot at the entrance, and it happened more than a year ago. So where was the place where the Princessyn ponies have been celebrating? Ray stayed silent for a while, I didn’t understand, is it because he couldn’t navigate in the city properly, or he just didn’t want to discuss it. So, I just continued to stare into the window.

As we rode on the streets, I started to think about Rose again. I caught myself on thinking about her like she is dead already. Like I lost hope in her. But father didn’t say that she died, he just said that Rose was heavily sick. And knowing him, he liked to exaggerate on things.

Under one of the lights forward, I’ve seen three pony silhouettes, but one looked like it was on the ground. They were around 50 feet in front of us. And as our car got closer and I started to examine better what was going on there, they’ve seen our lights and quickly ran into the dark alley between buildings magically carrying the third body. It was floundering like it was trying to escape, then it disappeared behind the corner. I looked at Ray and he seemed to notice it and kept an eye on the situation. As soon as we heard screaming, Ray accelerated to the alley and stopped right in front of it.

Without saying anything Ray quickly used his magic to take out his Nagant revolver and teleported outside the car. I did the same, took M911 into the wing feathers, put out the cigar and walked out the door where Ray has already been standing in the combat-ready position. I moved my cap higher, so it doesn’t cover my eyes and we started to move towards the alley.

We couldn’t see shit; the alley was dark as hell. Ray lighted up his horn and we could see on the short distance of a few meters around us. Ray also launched a light ball forward. It quickly moved through the alley until it hit the dead end. We didn’t see anything suspicious. But the hoof traces were breaking up.

“They’ve swept the traces.” Ray said an obvious thing for me, “Where did they go?”

“They’ve might have flown away or teleported,” I said, even though the last traces didn’t look like they’ve been in the pose for a jump, and teleportation would have melted the snow around. I looked at Ray, he waved his head in the direction of the alley to tell me to move forward and slowly entered the alley. I’ve heard the sound of his revolver cocking.

We entered the alley, Ray tried to give his light as much power as he could make out of himself. His face started to look tired. I tried to watch around in case if there is anypony behind the corners. We didn’t know who were that ponies and especially who was the pony who looked like a hostage. But they seemed to be scared away by our presence. I thought that they were Konsky’s men at first. But it is too far from their territory.

“Help! He…” The scream of the mare was heard again and was quickly disrupted. It was coming from the far end of the alley and dark-purple magical light has been seen there. So, I and Ray increased our walking rate. The scream seemed desperate. I tried to examine it. She couldn’t even finish the word, it stopped too sudden. We still walked forward.

When we came halfway, I’ve suddenly heard hoof-steps behind me. When I turned around, I’ve been attacked. Somepony jumped on me. I didn’t have time to react, and my gun has been knocked out. I quickly found myself on the ground with that pony on top, he was going to punch me. Ray turned around to shoot the bastard but has been knocked out by some magic blast from the behind. There was another pony at the end of the alley.

Before the pony could strike me, I put a block with my hooves and used my back legs to throw him out of me. I am not an earth pony to have the strongest back kick, but it worked good enough, and the criminal was on the ground twisted from the straight strike into the stomach. He didn’t seem like a good fighter, so I quickly realized that I had an advantage.

The other unicorn started to run to help his friend and charging another magic blast. Ray seemed to be unconscious on the ground after the blast came on side of his face. It seemed like it hit the eye. I jumped on the pony on the ground, took out the knife with my wing and put it straight under his chin into the neck. The fountain of blood sprayed my snout and clothing. I haven’t ever felt so gross. The unicorn with the glowing horn was ready to shoot me, as I was opened and right in front of him. There was no cover to hide from the shot.

Suddenly, when the unicorn was running past unconscious Ray, the bright magical shot threw him right into the brick wall. He couldn’t survive after that. There was nothing left to light the alley after that. I tried to understand what happened and seen Ray’s overheated horn glowing in the dark.

“Ray!” I shouted and ran to him, “Sweet Celestia, Ray! You good?” I asked him while trying to put him on his hooves supporting him with my right wing.

“Argh,” Ray groaned in pain, “I’ll survive. You?” We slowly moved toward the entrance of the alley, to the street.

“Need new shirt,” I said sarcastically, “And would use a drink too.”

“I’m down for it,” Ray said with strain. We walked out the alley, he fell on the ground. I stayed and tried to catch my breath. “Give me a moment, Vic.” He was exhausted, his horn was still glowing, At least he was still breathing but looked like dead. I’m surprised, I’ve never seen Ray using his magic in the combat before, it was a strong magical ray that threw that unicorn into the wall. And he survived a straight blast of magic into his face, impressive. I couldn’t see the place where it hit him. Supposedly it was the right side of his face, he was laying down on this side keeping it in the snow.

I opened the car door and sat on the passenger seat. I realized that I lost my cap and weapon there, and also remembered about the third pony. She might be still there, dead or alive, I didn’t know. I wanted to give Ray time to gather his strength first. I looked at him, he seemed to be unconscious again and a small flow of blood has been going from his head. I didn’t want to leave him like that, it was cold and windy. And he was too big for me to carry him and put into the car.

It was dangerous to be on the street without a gun too, all I was left with was a bloody knife that still was in my left wing then I put it inside the sheath and stood up to try to turn Ray’s head to see the wound, and to make sure he was still breathing too. I carefully grabbed his head with my hooves and lifted it. He was unconscious, but the steam was still coming from his snout. He is a strong pony; he should make it. When I took a look on the wound, I saw a burned skin, his red fur was gone. It will be a bad scar for him. The wound was two-three inches in diameter. The shot wasn’t strong enough to go through his head, perhaps the motherfucker didn’t charge it enough.

I didn’t have any communications, everything around seemed abandoned, the only place that I knew nearby, is the pub we were heading to. It is two blocks away. There were a lot of soldiers, and telephone too. I needed to get there and get Ray medical attention. But first, I can’t just leave our weapons lying around here.

I searched through Ray’s coat and took car keys from his pocket. When I started the Jeep, I turned to the right to light the alley up with car’s lights. It was hard to ride onto the sidewalk with all the snow around. The car has almost stuck at one moment. With the alley lighted up with far light turned on, I saw two corps lying on the ground. One yellow earth pony in the pool of blood with stab-wound in the neck. Another bastard was that green unicorn, he was surrounded by brick pieces, his horn was broken off and shredded into dust. I came closer to examine the bodies. They both were wearing greenish shirts with grey accents under a dark grey leather jacket. There was also a red star with a yellow outline on their ties. Fucking Steel Stallion’s men. It is their symbol. Symbol of their party.

When I picked up my M911, and Ray’s revolver I walked to the unicorn corpse and made sure that the bastard was dead shot him into the head one time. Then headed down the alley to the dead-end holding my gun ready. Turns out there was a turn to the left, which we couldn’t see. I hid against the wall, and slowly turned, first my gun, then me. The light couldn’t get there, but it was enough to see the corpse lying on the ground. It wasn’t moving

“Hey!” I said, but she remained silent, “Are you hurt? I am a friend don’t worry.” She was probably unconscious or even dead. After making sure that nopony else was there, I grabbed the legs of the mare and dragged her until the light met her. She was facing down and also naked. I turned her around and seen a dead purple face with a rag on her snout to keep her shut. The mare didn’t have eyes. “Fuck me, Celestia saves us from that shit,” I swear aloud and spit to the side. I know this kind of spell. It is dark magic, and it’s forbidden all over Equestria for learning. Only special units in the army had permission to use those. The spell goes through the open holes of the pony like eyes, nose, mouth and sucks out not only her magic but also life energy. It is horrible and cruel death. I needed to report about that crap as soon as possible. I was so stressed about this shit that I took out my cigar again and automatically went into the inside pocket for the light to remember that it is still on my table. I was angry; I broke the cigar with the feathers of the wing in half and threw it on the ground. So much shit has just happened.

I ran to the Jeep, and barely picked up Ray, who was still unconscious. He was heavy, even that he was a unicorn his earth pony genes showed themselves in his size. Celestia damn me, to sustain that kind of magical blast and be still alive. And then make one of the most powerful spells that I’ve ever seen. Nopony would want to fuck with this guy. And everypony knew that, even the Major.

I managed to put Ray on the back seat, it took me more than ten minutes. I wasted so much time for this. I quickly took the driver’s seat, changed the gear, turned around, and with my hoof down drove to the pub.

Chapter 5

“Dark magic, huh?” the mare asked, Victor, heard the sound of paper, “I don’t see that in the reports, tell me more.” The incident the Victor got into was highly classified. The high command was afraid that the soldiers would lose their moral if the rumor will spread. So, whoever was that mare in front of Victor, even she wouldn’t get access to that information.

“I am just some shitty lieutenant,” Victor spoke, “They wouldn’t give me even a bit of data about that. So, call the Minister Shiny Spear and ask her yourself.” He encountered with Shiny Spear only two times, once in 990 in Canterlot, once in the Defense Department a week or two ago. Victor hoped that he would seat someday with her at one table. Well, dreams come true. He just didn’t expect a few hoof punches from her into Victor’s snout and psychological pressure. She’s a bitch. Almost got him into the electric chair.

“Very interesting,” the voice said, “I am quite disappointed in her now, to hide such information from me, perhaps she should go as Hard Hoof did.” What did she mean? Is it really in her power? Who the fuck was she?

“It was a political association, this mare controlled the supplies coming into the city, for civilians, some for the army. Communists probably tried to talk with her, but when she refused, they killed her. Unfortunate.” Victor said, he had seen the picture of that mare on the wall in the City Hall, so he knew that it was her. Military tried to keep it down, but Victor would tell the citizens about the actions of Steel Stallion then. Maybe it would get the army some trust then. “It allowed us to control the supplies. As I know Ray became ahead of it because of his injury. The Stallion got nothing from it, only gave us more control over the city.”

“You sure about that, lieutenant?” the mare said, sometimes Victor didn’t want to accept the fact about what Ray has been doing. Victor only sighed as an answer. “I know how it is to be disappointed in somepony close to you. So much time can pass, but you still trying to understand why they have done it, isn’t it like that lieutenant?” She was right, as always. What could Victor do, to stop Ray? Only aim better in his head, nothing else. Instead, he shot his leg, and he still stood up and walked towards what he believed was right. He is still a coward though. And that is what Victor tried to comprehend, that Ray was nopony else but a coward, who decided to leave everything behind for some elusive goal he had. At least he believed in it, and he believed that it was right, that is something Victor couldn’t blame him for. For his faith.

“It wasn’t in my power to stop Ray. Whatever he has done, he still was my friend once.” Victor thought that he shouldn’t have said that, the mare might understand it wrong.

“Did you put friendship over your duty to Equestria?” the mare asked. Victor didn’t know what to say. What he knew for sure, is that this pony had enough power to destroy his whole career and maybe put him on the trial for treason. The mare sighed, “A lot of ponies, they do not understand what they are fighting for, what they believe in, what is Harmony at all. I know, lieutenant, you might be disagreeing with me. But I think Harmony is when everypony stands together. When they know that they have friends, who will support them, and when they can forgive them and continue to live knowing that they have a friend on the other side of the river. Ponies can be so different, but it doesn’t stop them from being friends. You can have one, two, five, dozens of friends, doesn’t matter. In Equestria you always have them. You don’t even have to look for them. You find each other. That is how Equestria stands, lieutenant. And if you would stop Ray from doing what he considers right, then what kind of friend would you be?”

“I wanted to stop him from doing the wrong choice,” Victor said. Ray didn’t know what he was doing, he just walked full of dreams towards the beast, that he and Victor were supposed to beat, but instead Ray decided to join him.

“You wanted to stop him from what has been wrong for you. What you don’t agree with and hate.” The mare said, “He had different views and it annoys you.”

Victor sighed, he shamefully looked down. “I simply didn’t want to lose him too,” he said and lifted his head and through force looked through the light, hoping that he caught the mare’s eyes, “It was hard. He completely broke me when he turned his tail on me. Even the loss of Rose hasn’t affected me as much,” Victor took his eyes away from light and closed them letting them rest, “I guess, it was a day when I started to call myself a soldier. Came through hell, lost a platoon, was betrayed by a pony whom I called a friend once, now I bitterly have to call him my enemy. What should I do after that, huh? I am left only to take a rifle back into my hooves and charge into someponies as I have been told to do. Then realizing what waste was all of that sacrifices and loses, because of damn Celestia.”

“There is too much anger inside of you, lieutenant,” the mare said, “I see that it all heaped up over the years of your life, and you are too afraid to let it all out. You don’t know what may happen. That’s why you are afraid to make a family, to find new friends, that’s why you abuse drinks and smoke. I understand I had that period of life, long time ago, I’ve lost a close pony to me, I was angry, I was ready to burst myself inside out. But I got over it.” She was right, in some sense. Victor didn’t want to admit it, but she spoke the truth. She saw him inside out, “You are angry that we lost Princessyn…”

“We didn’t lose,” Victor interrupted the mare, “We were forced to retreat.” He was annoyed, he didn’t lose, he has done everything for victory, but it slipped from him on the last day of the war.

“Right, but so many little ponies were slain, because of your spirit for victory,” the mare continued, “We would come out victorious, I did not doubt our army, our principles, and harmony. Was it really worth it? You said it yourself lieutenant, it wasn’t harmony, it was chaos. This war was one big pile of chaos.” Victor indeed had said it, but the existence of the region that is ruled by the idea of avenging Equestria right next to Equestrian borders, that wouldn’t be good for Harmony either, “You know the story of Wendigos, don’t you, lieutenant? Every foal knows it. It may sound like a fairy tale at first, but it was total trueness. A historical fact I would say! Think about that story and compare it with what you wanted to achieve in Princessyn. It all would end up with chaos and there would be no talk of harmony in Equestria after that.” The mare finished.

“If we are going to free any rebellious subject,” Victor said, “How we will be able to hold the nation together?”

“Equestria is standing more than a millennium by now, and it is gonna be standing for two just in a five years,” the mare said, nopony knew how long Equestria really exists, anything before Discord wars is unknown, only Celestia herself is a witness to anything before that, “Would you still question the Harmony?”

“I would question it only if I see a better way for Equestria,” Victor said, he wasn’t a fan of Harmony and Celestia, but it was the best way so far.

“But isn’t it what lieutenant Wheat has done?” the mare asked, Victor thoughtfully looked at his whiskey glass held in his left wing and spin it around its axis making the liquid jump around inside, “He chose the way, he saw there what he considers the best.”

“I’ve never said that I blame him for what he believes in,” Victor said.

“These are feelings inside of you.” the mare said and sighed, “Anyways, lieutenant, I’m glad that you are ready to wipe off your hooves for Equestria. You see it as something more than just a political system, you see it as your liability, every little pony in Equestria is your liability.” Victor didn’t know what she was talking about. Was it really who he was? Or is it some kind of brainwash? He would stand strong to his ideals and principals, and nopony can force him their own.

Victor took another sip from the glass, waved his tail and thought about the words of the mare. She seemed like a true follower of harmony. The only thing in common between him and her was the loyalty to Equestria, and how they have seen it. Equestria is not only a country, but it should also be an idea. The idea of a united pony nation. And harmony suits the best for the role of gathering the ponies together. And when everypony in the world is living under one flag, except of the Riverland of course, Harmony has played its role successfully, and now it is time for a stronger system, that holds not only the government together, but every individual pony in Equestria. The political system that may sustain from the enemies of ponies surrounding them, like changelings and those traitors communists.

But the only thing that Victor has been asked for so far, is to be loyal to Celestia. He was sworn to serve her and spread the idea of Harmony. And he will do it till his last drop of blood. Until he will see the better way.

“You may continue, please.” The mare said.

I know that I’ve should have gone for a hospital as it was the nearest medical facility, but I didn’t trust civilian doctors. They all were controlled by Stallion, if the target survived, it could’ve been poisoned right in the ward while it was sleeping. It was easy to hide too, everyday somepony dies in the hospital. And the base was too far away, I was afraid that Ray is downplaying himself. The hit was powerful, he was lucky to talk after that. He needed a combat medic, one of my squads was right in the pub at the time.

Lucky Lake’s squad had 6 ponies, all are just the rookies, but with potential. They are from Acornage altogether, and as I know, they were the only ones from that region in the whole company. So, they always hang out with each other only. Anyways, as a lieutenant, I had to gain the trust of everypony not only in my platoon but in the whole company. There was an incident when soldiers deliberately killed their officer with a frag grenade thrown into his window in Tall Tales some years ago. After that, every officer started to be afraid of their own soldiers.

I trust my platoon. They follow my orders and respect them. Unlike other lieutenants and even Ray, I do not make them do some immoral shit unless I am ordered to. Two months ago, we had to go to Kanzan, a city east of Princessyn. Oh, Celestia save us from the shit our company had done there. The shop windows were broken and robbed, thirty-five civilian casualties and two soldiers were dead too. Some dickhead on the truck wrecked into the statue of Windy Gallop, a famous athlete from that area, it fell and smashed them inside. I’ve also heard of raping and filly sexual abuse. Bastards, all of them. Nopony in this army has at least some kind of honor. I’ve always felt like the most reasonable pony in the whole Equestrian army, Celestia damn it.

As I drove the car to the center of the town, the streets started to be more alive. There weren’t any broken streetlights, the Pegasus patrols were seen flying above us, and also some other military transport showed. The life seemed more peaceful here, at least no overpowered unicorns are running around and absorbing the life energy of mares with dark magic. I needed to report it as soon as I get to the nearest telephone. I planned to do it in a pub, and also find Sanitary Spell, she was a combat medic, and she had to help Ray.

The roads in the Princessyn never was the best, some of them are still from the first cars times. So, I was always running over the bumps and holes, and I was driving fast, at least ninety k’s per hour, they felt hard. “Ouch!” the Ray exclaimed after another hole in the road, “That’s why I never give you the wheel.”

“I call shotgun since my foalhood,” I meant that I always sit in the front passenger seat, and usually not driving, its either Ray or my platoon serg, “You live?”

“I live,” Ray answered, I felt the struggle he was saying it with, “Might not see for a while though, can’t open my eye. Argh, it hurts like hell.”

“Yeah, it looked bad enough,” I said and stopped before the turn to the right, the destination point had to be in less than a block, “Sweet Celestia, it hit you hard, how the hell are you still talking?”

“I have some secrets of my own,” Ray said and quietly groaned, “Like a barrier you know.”

“Yeah, right, magic,” I said. Unicorn is a powerful soldier if you train him right. But the unicorn never should be too powerful, otherwise, he will become unstable and only Celestia will be able to stop that beast. It happened a few times already before they started to test unicorns in 650s ALB.

“Perhaps didn’t charge it enough,” Ray said, “I thought that it will be enough for both of us.”

“You have barriered me too?” I asked you cannot feel a magical barrier around you unless something hits it.

“All along,” Ray said and sighted, I looked into the mirror and seen him trying to get up from the lying to the sitting pose.

“Even when you were...” I asked and was interrupted by Ray.

“Even when I was fucked in the snout.” He said. I didn’t know that he used half of his only defense on me, perhaps if he gave it fully for himself, he wouldn’t be like that now. Even though it didn’t help me, he would have needed that more. I felt respect for him, and a warm feeling of friendship inside.

At this moment we already drove to the pub. A few soldiers were seen standing outside and smoking. I drove right to the entrance. “Here,” I said.

“Wonderful,” Ray said and opened the door on the right of him to get out. I quickly ran out of the car and wanted to help him, but as soon as he stepped his hoof on the ground, he fell, and couldn’t even stand.

I wouldn’t be able to carry him inside by myself, so I’ve thought of asking the other soldiers to help. They were already looking at us, thinking that Ray is drunk as fuck already and laughing at him.

I started to move towards them. Walking with a quick temp until I accidentally slipped on the ice. I almost fell but caught myself with wings in the air and quickly spin around stabilizing myself in the air. I’ve heard laughing from behind, it was the same soldier group laughing at me. I started to lose my temper already and wanted to give those idiots a lesson.

“Perhaps you want to help me get Lieutenant Ray inside of the building, privates.” I said, they haven’t even saluted me and still had those grins, it annoyed me.

“Why would we want to do it? We don’t even know who you are?” one of them said. He wasn’t tall and looked skinny with light gray mane and a white body. I didn’t see their squad leader in the group, all were private rank.

“Did you lose your place soldier or a sight maybe?” I said and turned a little to the right showing my stripes on the black coat, “You are speaking to an officer, lieutenant Victory Key,” I said trying to keep myself as calm as possible, “And I command you to help me get the wounded officer inside of the building right fucking now.”

“I’m sorry for your friend, lieutenant,” another mare said making a mocking voice on my rank, “I’ve heard the liver disease is an untreatable wound.”

“Yeah he looks like he had a real combat night, look, he can’t even lift his snout.” A pegasus mare said and followed with a laugh from everypony. I started to get angry. I took out my last cigar and held it in my wing.

“You have a fire, private?” I said and stretched out the wing towards her. She only confusingly looked at me and went to the pocket for something.

“Sure, sir,” she said and took out a gaslight, “Here, enjoy.”

“Thanks,” I said and put my cigar into the mouth, put the tip over the fire and breathed the smoked in. Then I’ve quickly grabbed her hoof and took out the cigar from my lips with a wing.

“Hey!” she said and got a cigar burn there from me, she dropped the light and groaned, the others only watched with wide-open eyes and mouth, that their cigarettes couldn’t hold there, one of them tried to stop me but was intercepted by his comrade before he got to me. I held the cigar for five seconds squeezing it in and took it away, letting her leg go leaving there a nice round reddish burn on her pink skin. The mare moved back, she was scared, and it was enough for me, “What the hell!” She said loudly, “I’m gonna tell serg about it!”

“Next time be more respectful towards an officer, soldier. I’ve wasted enough time already,” I said, put my cigar back into the teeth and pointed at two earth stallions standing in front of me, “You two, with me,” I said, they didn’t say anything but still went after me so I led them towards Ray, he was still lying in front of the car.

“Go fuck yourself!” The same mare shouted to me from the behind.

“Feather, it’s enough.” White stallion said trying to settle down the pink pegasus. She just turned around and waved her blue tail at me. She held her hoof with the cigar burn up and was showing it to her friends. Soft and impudent soldier. Celestia, please prevent those coming to my platoon. It is such a struggle to show those privates their place in the command chain, at the very bottom, not any higher.

Two ponies without my orders lifted Ray making him groan, “Careful, now after me.” I said to them and held a big dark wood door of the pub for them to enter like a fucking doorman in the Manehatten hotel.

We walked into the room of descent for a pub size which was lighted with electricity, it was loud, half of the tables were taking by ponies in the military uniform, another half was empty. It was mostly army green uniform, but I’ve noticed two groups from Airforce with blue jackets on them.

I quickly found a corner table under the window and pointed there with my hoof. The two stallions nodded and carefully placed Ray there. After that I let them go, without saying anything. They willingly went outside and joined back their group. I haven’t seen them before. Perhaps they were a new squad of rookies who weren’t familiar with army principals and how the ranking system works. The mare was speaking with Las Pegasus accent, and she acted like half of the ponies in that city, cocky.

“Hey Vic,” Ray said without opening his eyes, “Get me a mug of cider.”

“I will, but first I need to find a doc for you,” I said and started to look around to find Sanitary Spell.

“Oh, c’ mon Vic, it can wait,” Ray said, “I want cider! Everypony wants cider, bring me cider!” Ray started to be capricious and knock the table with his hooves acting like a foal. I only sighed and shook my head continuing looking for Sanitary Spell. I couldn’t see her anywhere, but luckily, I’ve seen Dust Pusher from the same squad as she is. He was standing up and looked like he was talking a toast. I supposed that the rest of the Lucky Lake’s squad is at that table.

“…let’s drink, good fellas, for the new princess Mi Amore…” Dust Pusher was interrupted by Lucky Lake who noticed me coming. She immediately stood up and saluted to me, others followed her, Dust Pusher turned around too. There was Violet Ember, Arctic Gust, and Steam Bolt, but no sight of Sanitary Spell.

“Lieutenant Key!” Lucky Lake happily greeted me and put her hoof down, “We started to get worried already, that you won’t come.” She said and noticed blood on my shirt and snout. She gave me a puzzled expression. “Or should we worry?”

“I’ve been almost as much from not coming today,” I said and showed the small space between two of my feathers, “There is some shit that happened on the way here.”

“Well sir, we are glad that you are alive,” Arctic Gust said and scratched back of his blue head, “You want a drink?” He said and offered a cider from his mug.

“No Gust,” I refused, “It would be better if you tell me where the Sanitary Spell is?” I asked and smoked a cigar.

“Sir, she went into the ladies room.” Dust Pusher said and pointed towards the toilets, I didn’t look that direction.

“Fuck,” I said with annoyance, “How long ago? I would use her help.”

“Just now, right before you showed up.” Lucky Lake said, “Are you feeling good?”

“I am fine, can’t say that about Lieutenant Wheat.” I growled and looked in the direction of the restrooms in a hope that I’ll see her there, “Tell her to come at the table under the window there,” I pointed to Ray’s table, “There is an officer who could’ve used her help. That’s an order.” I said, Lucky Lake saluted to me again and I went to the barman stand to ask for a telephone.

The barman showed me the way into the room behind the stand and let me make a call. While I’ve been talking to Major and explaining to him what happened and where it happened, I’ve watched two mares come to Ray, one yellow earth and one lime unicorn. That was Lucky Lake and Sanitary Spell. I wasn’t sure if Ray fell unconscious again or he was just leaning back with his eyes closed.

Major seemed to be unusually calm and listened to me carefully, “Understood Key, I’ll transfer that straight where it needs to be heard.” Major said and hung up. I guessed that nothing more was required from me anymore.

I saw that Sanitary Spell didn’t lose time and started to examine Ray’s wound. Her bag with the red cross on a white square was lying on the table, opened, with bandages and few bubbles with some liquid carefully placed near. Looking at Ray’s face he was full of pain, even though Sanitary Spell haven’t touched him yet.

“Sir!” Sanitary Spell jumped and saluted me when I got closer to the table, Lucky Lake did the same.

I saluted back, she put her hoof down, and continued to look at Ray’s eye, “What do you think?” I asked her and smoked the cigar, “Will he live?” On the light, Ray seemed worse. The round burn around his right eye stood out on his red fur. It was hard to tell where his eyelids were.

“He will live alright, sir,” Sanitary Spell said, “Third-degree burn will leave him a scar.”

“I surely can live with that,” Ray said and opened his left eye, “Just like my grandpa. He has this huge scar under his nose, well he pulled his face on the pitchfork. And he was also drunk then.” He said sarcastically making Sanitary smile, but she tried to remain calm and professional.

“I’m afraid he requires a surgical intervention to open his eye,” Sanitary Spell said, “But looking at the type of magic blast hit him…”

“I didn’t tell you about the magic,” I interrupted her and looked and Lucky Lake, she gave me an innocent face like she doesn’t know what we are talking about, “Did he tell you?”

“Oh sir, it is easy, see those curls coming from the sides of the burn,” Sanitary Spell said and pointed at Ray’s eye, I came closer and leaned forward to see better, there were indeed some curls going from the edges of the wound, like it was spiral, it was hard to notice generally looking at it, “That is a Lorehoof spell. It goes with incredible speed and spins around, that’s where the spiral comes from.” Sanitary Spell explained, Lorehoof was a unicorn-physician in 820’s ALB, I’ve been a little fan of him while I studied in the college ten years ago, it was so long ago, “Lorehoof spell requires a lot of time for charging but goes deep into the organic tissues. Looking at Lieutenant Wheat, I’m surprised that he acts so casually after the shot came right into his snout.” It was clear that Ray was just underplaying. He was in total pain then, “Even though the blast got him on the side of his face, it didn’t go all the way to the brain. Perhaps his assaulter wasn’t strong enough for that kind of spell or something slowed it down before it hit him.”

“Yeah, he has charged the barrier,” I said and sat next to Ray on the couch under the window. That disrespectful group of ponies outside had been gone somewhere. Lucky Lake was standing and listening to Sanitary Spell as carefully as I did.

“Well, perhaps he charged it too bad,” Sanitary Spell said and looked at me for an answer, I only snorted. If Ray wouldn’t waste his magic on protecting me, he would still be standing on his hoofs. I was still grateful to him as a friend. “I’m not sure about his eye, looking on the radius of the burn, it might be melted.” She continued.

“So, I won’t see,” Ray asked.

“Unless you can alloy it again,” I said sarcastically, “But you are still not sure, right?” I asked Sanitary Spell.

“I cannot check it in any way, sir,” she said, “In the best scenario, his eye was left undamaged and his barrier took enough power of the spell, in the worst, well you know, sir, the left is the only one he is left with.” Sanitary said and turned to her medical bag, “All I can do now is bandage it and stop any bleeding he has. Sir?”

“Yeah do it,” I said, “Good job.” Sanitary Spell gave a small smile and started to slowly bandage the burn around Ray’s head.

“Sir!” Sanitary looked at me and jumped again, “Are you hurt? Can I look?” She asked and tried to examine my neck where there was some blood left on my fur from that pony I stabbed. I tried to wave away her hoofs and she looks at me with misunderstanding.

“That’s not mine San,” I said putting her hoof down from my neck, “I’m as good as Celestia on the Gala.”

“Oh,” Sanitary said, “Good, I’ll get back to Lieutenant” She got bandages with her magic and started to wrap it around Ray’s right side of his head. She went from his black messy mane around his ear covering his eye. She did it ten or so times.

“It was a hell of a mess you got in there, sir,” Lucky Lake said, “What was it all about?”

“Fucking Stallion’s men,” I said, “Had somepony to assassinate. Me and lieutenant Wheat were just driving by.” And it was worthless in the end and cost Ray an eye.

“They were good though,” Ray said, “If it was the Lorehoof shit they used, it must be well-trained unicorns.” He groaned again after Sanitary Spell tightened the bandage, “Celestia!”

“Oh, I’m so sorry sir!” Sanitary said guilty and quickly got away from Ray. He nodded to her and straightened himself up and touched the bandage with his hoof.

“Argh, I guess I’ll have to go left-sided now.” There were left-sided and right-sided unicorns, it doesn’t affect much of everyday life, but in the army, it is crucial to know how to hold a weapon for a unicorn. It will be hard for Ray to swap, he is not a dynamic pony. History books say that the greatest of magicians were left-sided, like the Star Swirl the Bearded, Princess of the Night, Lorehoof, Einstable, even the Celestia herself. Most of them are dead by now though.

“Whoever those ponies are, they are no more of our concern,” I said and took the cigar out of my teeth, “Major Force will know what to do with that crap, I’m sure that the department is already at the place examining the bodies.” I was expecting that they will come to me or Ray afterward, but they didn’t. We just sent them reports and that was enough for them, I guess.

“Shit, sir,” Lucky Lake said, “I couldn’t even think of ponies like that just walking around and killing other ponies right in the center of the city. De-facto Martial Law was already crazy enough for me.” She said and shook her head.

“Major was right,” I said, Sanitary Spell has already finished with Ray and sat next to him, Lucky Lake took a chair and sat on the opposite side of the table, “The city goes into the hell day by day.”

“That’s the first time I see you agreeing with him,” Ray said.

“Major Force is a respectable officer,” I said, “He had done some shit in Tall Tales, yes, and still doing it now, but his straps didn’t come from nowhere. It is only his stupid racism to slavponians.” I said and sighed.

“Vic, you always think that everypony around hates you only for your nationality.” Ray said and took off his overcoat, Sanitary helped him with that and carefully levitated it to the nearest hanger.

“But that’s true!” I exclaimed, “Why am I not a captain yet, say me that? I was supposed to be one more than a year ago.”

“I think there are other reasons for that,” Ray said, “It is all high command and politicians, they don’t care about you, especially what genetics do you have. Look around, do you see anypony hating you here?” Ray said and nodded at Lucky and Sanitary.

“Yeah sir, there are ponies who don’t even know about your nationality.” Lucky Lake said and gave me a grin.

“Lieutenant also has a great reputation as an officer.” Sanitary said to Lucky.

“Nah, I wouldn’t say that,” she said and saw my puzzled face looking at her, “Or maybe San is right, you know, you always gotta respect your officer.”

I sighed and looked at the bar once again “You guys want a drink?” I asked.

“Oh yeah!” Ray said and tried to stand up, but fell and groaned, Sanitary Spell caught on him.

“Please, sir, you should let yourself rest a little,” She said, “Your head was hit hard, walking is not recommended.”

“Yes, right,” Ray replied, “Hey Vic, bring me a mug of apple cider! You know what, bring everypony at this table a round, I cover.” He said and waved a hoof on everypony from me on his left to Lucky Lake and Sanitary Spell on his right. “Here.” He said and levitated to me four golden Bits, he put them right into the pocket of my coat.

I laughed and put my cigar back into the teeth, it has been burned halfway already. I turned around and went to the barman, on the way there my cap levitated back to the table, I didn’t mind as I knew that it was Ray. I ordered four mugs of cider. The green unicorn nodded and took four gold Bits with Celestia’s head that I put on the stand. He quickly filled up glasses and put them on the tray. I took it with my wings and walked back. The cider foam leaked over the edges and dripped on the wood tray.

When Ray saw me, he happily yelled and whipped away one of the mugs for himself with magic before I was even half-way to the group. Two mares were sitting smiling over Ray’s actions. It was easy to see how confident and boldly Lucky Lake was sitting compared decently sitting Sanitary Spell. Ray already got a sip off his mug when I only got to the table and put the tray down.

When everypony took a cup I said, “What are we going to drink for, comrades?”

“Oh, there is a lot, sir,” Lucky Lake said, “New Princess?” I didn’t feel like it, too much politics that are going on somewhere there, in Canterlot. Cadenza had nothing to do with us.

“Or that you have survived!” Sanitary said, “I can’t… I mean, we can’t afford losing an officer this times.” She said and saw Lucky’s grin at her, she immediately blushed and shamefully squeezed.

“Or to my eye, that I might never use again.” Ray said, “Isn’t it the loss of the day?”

“The fortune took your eye in exchange for your life, you should be grateful.” I said to Ray.

“Basically, the same what San has said,” Lucky Lake said and pointed at Sanitary. She only nodded and smiled, “Let’s drink to Sergeant Leap!” Lucky exclaimed. Magic Leap was a fine soldier, it is very unfortunate what has happened to him.

“You know, Lucky, you’re maybe right,” I said, and took my mug with my right wing and took out my cigar from the mouth with my left wing, “We should drink to Leap, as we should drink to everypony who has given their life already following orders of ponies like me. And everypony who will go further. I’m not sure what’s going on in this city, but it’s not gonna end well, and we will have to go through hell in the future. Altogether, me, Ray, San, Lucky and everypony in Celestia damn it Equestrian Army we will walk out of this hell carrying the Alicorn Banner, the banner of harmony and stability, that we have to bring and sustain. We are fucking soldiers, aren’t we?” I said and lifted my mug up.

“That’s what I’m talking about,” Ray said, “Said well Vic, too pessimistic but well enough.”

“Oh, shut up,” I said to Ray, “It was the greatest toast I’ve ever made.”

“Then you need to train it.” He said and lifted his half-full mug with magic.

“Let’s drink already!” Lucky Lake tried to stop our talk and lifted her mug. Sanitary Spell did the same thing.

“To victory!” I said and we have clinked the mugs.