We Brave Few

Luck, what does luck mean to you? Numbers? Probability? Coincidence? Or maybe a divine intervention? No matter what it is, there was no doubt that lady luck was with me as my bayonet lodged itself into the chest of this six-teen-year-old boy. His rifle parried to the side, while his blade a mere inches away from my own skin.

The tides of war slowed as I pushed his body to the floor. My muscles acting on their own as I screamed taking the bloodied blade out and plunging it back into his lifeless heart.

Could a man ever recover from taking another's life? How could you live on with the horrors you’ve seen and done on the fields of battle? Were we young enough that we could lay it to rest like we did to our names upon that dotted line? Every one of us were so full of hope and life that we promised our families we would be safe. How could they know it was just another lie from the frontlines.

Looking back up, I continued forward. Time kicked back into gear as the shells made their way downrange. I tried to focus on the task at hand as the battle amongst the trenches and mud waged on. I could hear their screams, smell the blood and taste the gunpowder filling the air.

My vision tunneled as I focused on the trench in front of me. I never ran so fast in my life as I jumped into it. My boots hitting the blood-soaked mud as I leaned against the wall. I didn’t dare look at the dead, should I soon join them.

Within seconds, whoever was left living this nightmare got into the trench and lined up. Their rifles already over the parapet firing at the enemy a couple feet in front of them. Our eyes bloodshot from the stress of long nights.

Hugging my rifle I looked over to the man next to me. His mud-covered coat was sprinkled with blood as he poked his head over the trench. Not letting up, the man fired his rifle at the other trench on the other side. For you see we had a rule in the trench, it was one everyone abided by. Most saw it as common sense, but with the chaos of battle, common sense is the first to go out the window.

It was to never poke your head over the lip for more than five seconds. Filled with adrenaline, I ran over to the man firing his weapon. About to pull him down the shot rang out. I looked at the man I was trying to save, his body going limp as he tumbled backward into the trench.

As much as I hated myself for doing it, I immediately scavenged his body for ammo. My hands pushing passed the blood and mud as I opened his pockets. I would have to pay my respects and wash my sins later for right now I needed to survive.

The tale-tell signs of howitzer-fire echoed in the background like thunder on the horizon. My eyes widening as the whistling of the shells stopped. Jerking my head towards the brass hat a couple of meters down, he rang his whistle once again. It was ironic how such a pure high pitched sound meant the death of so many as we once again climbed into the fray.

I didn’t have to look to know many men didn’t even make it over the ridge as machine-gun fire opened up. The crack and whistle of the bullets whizzing by as bodies filled the holes we had once dug. The enemy was at the ready, tossing in gas to slow our march down as we pulled our masks out.

They were like blinders on a horse, showing us what lay in front while hiding the massacre behind. Just like before, I ran as fast as my legs could take me. My bayonet at the ready as the trench behind me exploded from the artillery. Pieces of wood sent flying into some unlucky few. More screams, more gunfire as the battlefield received more scars.

Reaching the next trench, I jumped screaming with my eyes closed. Bayonet fixed I felt it dig deep into the mud. Another soul spared as my eyes snapped open. Expecting to be in a trench, I was surprised to see that I was in a small village devoid of war. Instead stood multiple horses staring at me with wide eyes.

Yanking the bayonet out of the dirt, I quickly crouched down and leveled my rifle. Switching from horse to horse as I assessed my situation. Did I finally snap? My rifle snapped to the next horse, Did I run farther than I could have thought possible? I questioned my eyes darted around. Where was everyone? Why are there so many horses here? My mind continued running a mile a minute as a scream came from behind me.

“Monster! Run!” She screamed as I quickly did a one-eighty. My turn came up useless as the horses started to panic. Before long I found myself alone in the middle of the town. All the horses spooked from the scream of the girl.

I had yet to decide if knowing someone was around was a good thing or not. Seeing as they screamed monster, I assumed I was in some German town, maybe deep within their lines. What confused me was that they spoke English. So maybe it was the other way around and they were just prejudiced against soldiers.

How I managed to get here was another mystery all in itself. I decided to leave that question unanswered as I got up and looked more into the buildings around me. They were medieval in style. Cobblestone walls, wooden floors, and straw-thatched roofs. The whole place seemed pretty wholesome, a far cry from where I was moments ago.

Nonetheless, that didn't mean I was going to let my guard down. In fact, it meant quite the opposite as I racked the next round into my rifle. Three rounds were left, I would have to reload once I made it out of this open plaza.

Every step I took brought an unbearable sense of dread and anxiety. For all I knew, there could be a Hun hiding around any corner, or upon some house with his crosshairs trained on my forehead.

Taking off my gas mask I yelled, "come out you cowards, or let it be known that the Huns hid from Tommies!" I don't know if it was the silence or my anxiety that made me yell, but now it was painfully obvious I had given away my position.

My training kicked in when I heard a large explosion. Quickly ducking into the nearest alleyway I trained my sights towards the source of the noise. What showed itself made my mind spin. A lowly blue mare with wings and a horn. Even with it being a horse I continued to aim at it. My rifle leaning against the corner of the stone wall for support.

"We do not wish to harm thee-" was all it could say before I let a warning round out. The bullet whizzed by her head impacting a food stand behind her. Racking another round I placed the iron sights on her head. I didn’t know how it was able to talk, but now with it scared I spoke up.

"What type of Fritz trickery is this?" I yelled "some new drug that makes me think Huns are talking horses? I will die before you get any sympathy out of me!" I could feel the grip of the trigger against my finger tighten.

She didn’t respond, maybe it was all in my head. Throwing her a bone I called out again, “Speak, I know you can! Tell me why the next bullet shouldn’t go through your skull?”

“Nay” My mind immediately slipped back into the past.

“Nein, lass ihn leiden.”

Snapping back I was shocked to see the mare gone. Within mere seconds she reappeared in front of me in a flash of light. Acting fast, I butted her with the stock of my rifle tossing her to the cobblestone floor. Following up on the blow I pushed the blade closer to the mare’s neck, “I don’t know what you did to me, but you’re not getting anything from me.”

Her irises shrunk to pinpricks as her horn started to grow. Pulling the rifle back I gave her a good look at the blood-covered blade. The last thing I remembered was her eyelids closing as I jabbed the rifle forwards. My body going limp seconds before the blade could reach its target.

***

I was standing in the middle of a poppy field. The wind blowing the petals into the air like waves lapping against the stony shore. I looked in front of me, a Hun stood rifle at the mark. Reaching behind I shouldered my rifle.

He hesitated, I did not. I watched the life flow out of his eyes as his body hit the ground. The poppies all around me withered away replaced by mud. My eyes were still on the Hun. His blood seeping out of his head and into the murky water.

They say that the first time is the hardest time. Yet, here I was training my sights on the next one in line. My body pumped up on adrenaline as I let loose another round downrange. How was I supposed to know that the red mist that followed stained my mind?

I was at war, told by my superiors that they were ruthless killing machines. Each life a tally on my soul. Why didn’t I care? Why was the weight of my actions coming to me now when the deed was settled? Aiming at the next soldier, I could see his blue eyes staring right into my own, he was just a kid. His rifle still held in his grip as he fell to his knees, I could see the war had broken him. It felt surreal that he was the enemy with tears streaming down his face.

Another shot rang out piercing his helmet. Like tinfoil, it buckled as his lifeless body fell to the mud as more charged over him. Letting another shot ring, I continued to defend my post fearing that I would follow in suit.

That was the trick you see. The moment you stopped seeing them as humans was the day you became a good soldier. You had to get used to it, the killing. For no one wants to fight the battle back home in the comfort of your bed.

***

Warm? For the first time in months, I was warm. Under the polyester covers of an old oak bed, I looked up towards the ceiling. I didn’t want to move, my mind was at ease here I didn’t have to worry about the war.

If I perished in this spot right now I wou-, I snapped myself out of the traitorous thoughts. I had my comrades back in the trenches and here I lay in a bed made for a king! I sat up instantly, I had apparently been changed into a simple white gown, but that didn’t matter, what mattered was getting back into the fray. I would be hard-pressed if I let the Hun’s threaten to take the lives of my friends and family.

Tossing the sheets off, I got out of the bed. My feet coming into contact with the plush carpet I instantly looked around the room for my rifle. A bust of a pony made of alabaster adorned the only desk in the room, oil paintings of other-worldly scenery hung upon the oil painted walls, and in the distance lay a set of french doors fully open, letting the white silk curtains blow lazily in the summer breeze.

Stepping through the threshold, I gasped. The sun was just cresting over the horizon casting an orange glow across the sprawling city below. A haze hugged the ground where I came to see the walls of a castle I was in. Looking over the balcony one could see a grand garden in front of the main doors, horses dotting in between.

Getting myself back together, I turned back towards the room; the large wooden door in my sights. I had to get back to the frontlines, my family was counting on me to get the job done. My mind went to dark places as I marched up to the door and turned the knob only to see that it’s locked from the outside.

I heard shuffling from the other side, getting next to the door I shout, “I need to get back to my detachment. I’m in seventh division, names Leo White.” Once again there were more shuffling until seconds later everything went quiet.

Things were too quiet, there were no screams, no whistling of the shells nor gunshots. Anxiety started to settle in as I looked towards the door handle. It was a simple single bolt lock which could easily be broken with a couple swift kicks.

Not wanting to escalate things any further than they were; I knocked on the door once again, “I need to be let out, I’m a soldier of the Br-” was all I said before it hit me. I didn’t know where I was and who brought me here. Last I saw was the blue talking horse which was probably some Hun drug to get me to talk. So more than likely I was being held captive.

Things, however, didn’t add up. If they truly were germans then why would they leave the balcony wide open for escape? Or why would they put me in such a luxurious room? Was it to trick me into a false sense of security, butter me up and then expect me to just spew forth all the information I had.

Steeling myself, I walked over to the hickory table and started to drag it next to the door. Going through the drawers reviled nothing of use, just a couple blank papers, and a quill. Shutting them closed, I once again heard shuffling from the other side of the door. Acting quickly, I took the bust and stood on the table next to the door.

Listening closely, I could hear a male speak up, “Majesty, I’ve been hearing some scraping from inside. I suggest you let me enter first.”

Then unexpectedly a feminine voice spoke, “It is alright, I’ve seen what he’s capable of doing. I do not wish to further frighten him with a guard bursting into the room. You and the other guards stationed here are all relieved for the day, I have a feeling that a slow integration is in order.”

“Yes Princess,” the male stated.

Princess? I thought to myself. They were once again speaking in perfect English. If they truly were Hun’s, then their accents were spot on. On top of that, the ‘princess’ seemed to be very confident that I would not try to escape. So much so that she even left the room completely unguarded for the sake of making me feel at ease.

Shaking my head, my grip on the bust tightened. I would not be tricked by them, I knew this was all some sort of drug it just had to be. There was no way I was talking to horses, that’s something only a mad man would do.

My thoughts froze as the lock clicked. Friendly or foe I had little time to think as the same blue horse entered the room. She only had enough time to look at the empty bed before I tossed the bust at her. However, as I let go I noticed that nothing flew forward. Looking up I come to see the bust glowing in a blue hue, the same color the horse’s horn was glowing.

Improvising on the spot, I made a split-second decision and jumped off the table at her. Eyes growing wide, I heard the bust behind me shatter as I slammed right into her tossing us both to the side. Having been tossed by artillery shells many times before, I rolled and slid to a stop before turning back towards the mare.

She, however, was nowhere to be found. Hearing a pop behind me my mind snapped back to the first time I encountered her. Turning around, I brought my foot out low and swiped her hooves. Getting caught off balance by the attack, she once again vanished right before my very eyes. Another pop was heard behind me.

“You’re a pretty sneaky one, but you’ll have to do better than that,” The mare mused.

‘Was this mare actually enjoying this fight?’ I thought, ‘I need to get out of here fast she might just be stalling,’ as I rolled forwards away from her. Making a dash towards the balcony, without so much as a look I jumped on the railings and hopped over to the adjacent roof.

“Wait you weren’t supposed to do that!” The ‘princess’ yelled out.

Simply ignoring her, I slid down the shingles. Gripping the edge of the roof I swung myself into the room below the one I woke up in. Panting from the excessive force of swinging my body, I ran towards the door and pushed it open.

The door opened with ease, leading me into a hallway lined with horses clad in golden armor. Looking both up and down the hall revealed that this was a dead-end. Turning back around I come to see the blue horse land just before the window.

“I wasn’t expecting that one I’ll give you that, but I think we need to have a little chat.” She stated as I once again looked over my situation. The guards from the hall were now at the entrance blocking it, and with the ‘princess’ blocking the window I was caught.

An idea popped into my head as I raised both hands. The ‘princess’ seemed to visibly relax, however, the strange blue light was still glowing around her horn.

The moment I heard a guard step forwards, I dashed once again right at the ‘princess’. To my surprise, she just shook her head with a small smile. I felt myself being sucked back through what felt like a straw before being thrown out into a void of white. I barely had enough time to gawk at the feeling of weightlessness before I was sucked out and thrown against the side of a bed.

First thing my eyes land on is a telescope sitting on the open balcony. Since neither rooms had this, it was safe to say I was in an entirely different part of the castle. My barrings once again scrambled I slowly sat up against the cobalt bedframe.

“You should be honored, not a single stallion has seen this room and lived to tell the tale,” came the voice of the ‘princess’, “While I enjoyed the exercise; I must ask if you are done resisting?”

I slowly looked up towards her and for the first time I took in what I was looking at. Her navy blue coat contrasted the dark colors of the room perfectly, her ethereal mane was mesmerizing to look whilst it brush along her feathered wings. All the while her dark cyan eyes brought forth a chilling stare.

I didn’t speak; I simply nodded.

“Splendid, I’m princess Luna co-ruler of Equestria. Now if you would be so kind as to relay your own name?” The now named Luna asked.

Seeing no harm in stating my name I replied, “Leo, Leo White.”

Luna adorned a perplexed expression as she walked closer, “strange name, but it is progress.” Summoning a small cushion for herself she sat across from me, “Now Leo, what may I ask, are you?”

It was now my turn to be confused, a part of me wanted to believe that this was still the effects of the drugs and they were playing along. While the other part of me was starting to actually question if this was not all some drugs and was reality.

“Human,” I started, staring into her eyes.

Luna stared back as she continued, “Never heard of a human before, what part of Equis do you hale from?”

There was no hesitation, no slight movements of the eyes, either she herself was on the same drugs or this was real. There was no way that someone was this good at impersonating a fictional being.

“I come from Great Britain,” I state.

“Great Britain? I see this might take a while, do you know how you got here?” Luna questioned as a knock came from the door. Eyes widening she looked over towards me and pointed under the bed, “you must conceal yourself! It is for your own safety!” She whispered in a stern voice.

Raising my brow, I looked towards the bed then back at her. Did she really just tell me to hide under the bed?

“Now!” She stated pushing me towards the ground and rolling me under the bed. As soon as I was out of site the door opened revealing four white hooves.

“Sister! What brings you here? Shouldn’t you be resting for morning court?” Luna questioned what was now pegged as her sister.

Luna’s sister walked towards her, “I was told by the guards that we had a situation in Ponyville of a creature frightening all the ponies. I was then told that you personally went there yourself and dealt with the situation.”

“Of course, anything that happens during my rule is my responsibility. Everything was taken care of,” Luna replied, clearly her sister wasn’t satisfied causing her to continue, “really sister it was nothing,”

Her sister walked right next to her, “if it was nothing then how do you explain this?”

Out of nowhere, I was pulled out from under the bed. Immediately I was dropped onto the ground as the Luna's sister backpedaled, “Luna what have you brought into the castle!” she quipped.

“I brought Leo,” Luna made an effort to strain my name out, “and the whole reason I didn’t want you to se-” was all she was able to say as my survival instincts kicked in. Bolting towards the door I slammed passed it hearing Luna yell, “-e reason why!”

Passing the threshold I found myself running down the trench, I saw the Huns lining the muddy walls. They all turned to me and started to give chase. Pushing one to the side as he latched onto me; I slammed him against the walls of the trench. A pained grunt escaped his lips as I continued to run.

A shell slammed in front of me, bringing forth my arm I pushed passed the cloud of dirt and fallen soldiers as I continued forward. My training keeping me on my feet, I could hear my Sergeant screaming to keep running. The only way to stop the bullets was to make it to the end and put my own into the Huns head.

Turning the corner, I come face to face with a german. I didn’t have time to react as she pushed me to the ground. Rolling to the side didn’t do anything and thrashing around in her grip was turning out to be a lost cause.

“Leo!” she screamed, “Leo snap out of it!”

I looked once more at the soldier only to see that it was replaced by Luna, her eyes filled with worry.

“There we go, now we’re just going to walk back to my room okay?” She calmly stated.

Her horn glowed once more and before I knew it I was out like a lamp.