Year 2532, 34th of Chillwind, Hour 34 – Northwood Forest, Unnamed Hamlet – General POV

Under the shining night sky, tucked away in a small valley surrounded by spruce trees lays a hamlet. The chilling northern winds gently rattle the shop signs and shuffle the stray autumn leaves across the ground, yet to be covered in white snow.

The streets remain devoid of life, as not a single soul was out at this hour. The only sign of activity is a single military gunship, sitting quiet in the center of the hamlet.

Near the cockpit of the gunship were five soldiers, Equestrian Royal Guards to be specific. Each adorned in gold and bronze-plated armor, they were all occupied with various activities.

Three sat around a collapsible table. The stallion and mares were engaged in a game of blackjack.

The fourth soldier stands, impatient. He continues resting his form against a nearby lamppost and staring out in the direction of a taller mountain. The fifth paced across the length of the street, his ears nervously folded against his head.

After a minute, the pacing soldier breaks the silence.

“What if she finds out!?” His pacing never lessens.

The mare closest to him at the table releases a frustrated sigh, “She isn’t going to find out.”

“But what if she does?!” The pacing guard’s voice becomes more frantic.

“Timber, faraking relax,” The mare at the table rolls her eyes. “There’s no way Celestia knows what we’re doing. She may be powerful and all, but she’s not omniscient.”

“You keep saying that, Major Glaze, but do you know if it’s really true?”

“Sweet Creator,” The other mare across from Glaze, sliding her fingers through her blue and purple pastel mane, speaks up. “Can you like, make him shut up?”

“Sky Lace, be nice.”

“…”

“Alright, farak it. Timber, shut your mouth and relax. If I hear you complain again, I’ll place you on KP for the rest of your career.”

“But—” Timber protests.

“—What did I just say? Be quiet!”

Glaze relaxes back into her chair, slamming her cards down on the table.

“Straight flush,” Glaze says with a smirk.

Sky Lace and the other stallion guard throw their cards onto the table, irked expressions on their faces.

Timber releases a heavy breath, halting his pacing. Not long after, though, he walks to the lone stallion leaning against the gunship.

“You’ve been quiet this whole time. What do you think of all this, Lieutenant Hanger?” Timber asks.

Hanger continues his vigilant gaze up the mountainside.

“Hmph, I think Captain Grayblade is pushing her luck as Captain of the Guard. She shouldn’t be free to do as she pleases.”

Timber starts to respond. “What does that—”

Timber’s sentence is cut short from a low rumbling in the sky, above the mountain.

The five guards adjust their gazes upward in the direction of the sound. Dark swirling clouds begin to form, with white flashes of lighting bursting inside. Without delay, as the clouds appear, four glowing bolts of lightning strike down from the sky, each after the other. The boom echoes down the mountainside, causing the residents to exit their homes to find the source of the sudden sound.

Glaze rotates her chair towards the lightshow. She leans back and stretches out her legs.

“Get comfortable, the show’s about to begin.”

General POV – Two Kilometers Northwest of Unnamed Hamlet

Cries of terror and unnatural roars echo around the mountainside. A sudden explosion of fire bursts within the tree line, sending a rain of charred flesh into the air. A hulking form of a horned Minotaur charges through the waist-level brush.

Not a second later, the smaller form of a half-Unicorn mare follows. Glowing purple bolts of lightning arc around her arms, and ethereal magic power shines in her eyes and along her horn. With a snarl, the Anthow’piovel charges a Lightning spell into her hands, throwing an arc of electrical sparks from her palm.

Upon contact, the Minotaur’s back is seared and melted. The lightning bursts through his chest, throwing blood and flesh against the nearby plants. He gasps in surprise and pain before falling to the ground.

The mare, her face contorted with fury, ignites a new spell into her hands.

She places her hand against her chest, drawing out a miniscule purple orb. She throws it to the corpse of the Minotaur. As the glowing ball penetrates his body, the corpse trembles before raising back onto its feet. The corpse hunches over like a zombie; faint purple energy pulses from the undead creature’s eyes and wounds.

The mare points in the direction of an orange light, where more screams and roars are heard. She mutters one word, her thick Sarabian accent tainted with a strong ethereal echo,

“Kill.”

The undead corpse of the Minotaur bursts to life, roaring in the same unnatural tone and charges to the light.

The mare follows after the undead, aggressively marching into the camp. Around her, several undead Minotaurs fight against others of their kind that still live. She approaches a single Minotaur; a chieftain, decorated with skulls along his belt and several tattoos across his chest. He lays on a destroyed tent, clutching a large abrasion on his arm.

The mare points to the chieftain, speaking another command to her undead corpses.

“Hold.”

Two of the undead quit their mauling of other dead Minotaur and latch onto the chieftain, pulling him onto his knees.

The mare stared into his soul, her angry glare and whitened eyes striking fear into his heart.

“You Minotaurs always were cocky,” she says. “Believing that you had no equal. You tested the waters, seeing how much you could get away with. But now, you’ve gone too deep. You—” the mare drives a finger into the chieftain’s chest. “—made a grave mistake.”

She pulls back.

“You attacked soldiers,” her voice gains a dangerously calm tone. “Royal Guards. You killed several, but you also killed one that was very dear to me.”

The mare flicks her wrists, charging another Lightning-based spell into her palms. For each passing second, the magical humming increases in strength.

“And now, I’m going to kill you. I’m going to make you feel more pain than your weak mind can even comprehend. Then, I will spread your remains to every corner of your wretched clan, so that any other Minotaurs of your kind will understand what happens when you piss off Solaria Grayblade!”

She brings back her arms, the glowing orbs of lightning crackling loudly. Without notice, she feels a brutal bluntness impact into her left ribcage. The force of the blow sends the mare several meters away.

With her concentration broken, the five undead Minotaurs lose their glowing features and crumple to the ground, lifeless.

“Let’s go, Chief,” the hammer-wielding Minotaur helps the chieftain onto his feet.

“Good work, Svelg.” The chieftain replies, sending a glare to the mare’s form on the ground before retreating into the forest with his clanmate.

Solaria’s POV

I groan, the dull pain aching from my ribs. The effect of my magical overload had absorbed most of the impact, but a substantial bruise was still given to me. My rib will be aching for the next few days for sure.

Curse my blind eye! If I could still see from it, I could’ve prevented it.

I lift myself off the ground into a sitting position, falling back against my right arm. A few meters away from me is the carnage left over from my emotionally induced overload. I rub my face with my left hand, brushing the loose stands of my fiery mane over to the left.

All that power, yet I couldn’t make the shot… faraking leathersacks and their stubborn, fearless minds!

My face becomes contorted with fury. Standing up, I ignite Shockwave into my palm and cast it against a nearby spruce. I twist my arm counterclockwise. The tree explodes outward, the lightning blast of the spell throwing splinters of wood and bark all around. With a groan, the massive tree tips perpendicular to me, crashing to the forest floor with a crunch.

I release a scream of anger and frustration, punching another spruce that sits next to me. The action causes a flare of pain through my left side as I hear the bark crack.

The pain is nothing compared to the feeling of failure I had.

I’ll get him soon. Then, Stronghold will be avenged…

I spend a few minutes calming myself down. When I can think clearly again, I cover the fire left by the Minotaurs in dirt and start walking the distance back to the hamlet.

34th of Chillwind, Hour 36 – Northwood Forest, Unnamed Hamlet – General POV

“There she is,” Timber calls to the other Guards. The five soldiers gather in front of the gunship with a few of the townsmembers. They all wait as the Captain walks down the street to the gunship.

As Solaria approaches, the Guards notice she’s gripping her left ribcage, a look of discomfort stretching across her muzzle.

“Are you alright, Captain,” Glaze asks.

Solaria gives out a ragged breath.

“I’ll be fine.”

“Well, did you get him?” Sky Lace’s voice expressing her anger.

“No, Sergeant Lace, I didn’t,” Solaria says, grimacing.

Several of the soldier’s faces drop.

“But, how…” Sky Lace questioned, feeling shocked at Solaria’s answer.

“He may have escaped this time, but he hasn’t won. I promised I would destroy that monster, and I will do just that!” Solaria declares.

“When will you ‘destroy’ him? In a few days? In a few weeks? He’ll be long gone by then!”

“That’s enough, Sergeant Lace. I’ll handle it.”

“But—”

“I said drop it!”

Hearing the venom in Solaria’s voice, Sky Lace bites back the response she had.

Solaria limps over the rear of the gunship.

“Lieutenant Hanger, get these townsmembers back in their homes.”

While Hanger clears the small crowd, Glaze gestures for the rest of the soldiers to grab their equipment and board the transport.

As they board, Glaze watched each soldier enter the gunship. War Coach was frustrated, Sky Lace was angry, Timber was worried. Only Hanger’s face contained the slightest of smiles. It was clear his thoughts were focused on something else. Glaze’s face twitches. A million thoughts race through her mind, all involving Hanger, as she double-checks that everyone is on board, before joining the group.

After a few moments, the engine thrusters of the gunship come to life with a mechanical whir. The bay door closes with a hiss and the thrusters release a burst of blue fire. It takes off slowly, spinning around to face opposite of its landing position before flying off with a loud thrum.

35th of Chillwind, Hour 2 – Canterlot, Military Aerial Docks – Solaria’s POV

“Nice job, guys. And remember – not a word to anyone.”

Both pilots confirmed my request with a nod. Satisfied with their response, I leave the gunship’s cockpit. My squad is gathering their items they had brought with them as I pass by.

All of them were disappointed.

I had failed to deliver on my promise to them. The feeling hurt more than I expected it to.

A quiet cough touches my ears. Major Glaze is next to me, trying to gain my attention. I step closer, leaning in to hear her thoughts.

“Keep an eye on Hanger,” Glaze murmurs. “Something about him this trip has been… off.”

I glance to the stallion in question. He’s casually waiting at the door of the gunship. His posture isn’t like the rest. His shoulders aren’t weighed with discouragement, and his expression is too calm. Everyone else was either sad, angry, or frustrated.

“Don’t worry,” I place a hand upon Glaze’s shoulder. “I’ll be keeping a close eye on him. For now, however—” I raise my voice for everyone to hear “—All of you get some rest. If you have an assignment tonight, don’t worry about it. You can do it tomorrow.”

A flurry of tired “Yes ma’ams” ring from around the gunship. All of us exit the vehicle, traveling down from the landing pad to the path. As we all silently walk towards the castle, each soldier taking a different path until I’m all who remains.

Now alone, I take the opportunity to view the night. The sky is absent of clouds, allowing the full shine of the moon and stars to flood the ground.

After the short remainder of my walk, the guard barracks come into view. I turn to my personal quarters; separate from the standard soldier quarters.

With a flick of my wrist, I cast Telekinesis, using it to unlock my door from within. I enter and relock the door.

In the single, white-walled room is a simple bed, pressed against the center of the wall furthest from the door. To the right is my dresser and two bookshelves, filled with various combat and tactician books. To the left is a small kitchen, holding all the necessities. To the right of my bed is a desk, with a doorway leading to a bathroom, and on the left is my armor closet.

I start to strip off my heavy armor, carelessly removing the helmet and dropping it to the ground. I undo the bun my mane is in, allowing it to fall against my shoulders.

The gauntlets are next; unlocked by sliding a finger along a crease traveling the forearm’s length. A simple, yet efficient way to seal armor without the need of straps or locks.

The rest of my armor components follow, until only the under-armor remains. I feel a sudden flash of aching pain from my ribs. I wince, sitting down on the end of my bed and ignite Swelling Reduction. I press my palm against my ribs, feeling the ache disappear as the magic does its job in reducing the swelling.

I cancel the spell and collapse onto my bed, not caring to swap the under-armor out for something else. It is comfortable enough to sleep in, considering it is designed to be like a second skin.

Normally, I would meditate on my magic, allowing myself to increase my magical strength. The events of tonight however, were physically exhausting. My failures also weighed on my mind, causing me to feel more tired than I actually was.

Unable to keep my eyes open, I lie on top of my bed, immediately drifting off to sleep.

Author's Note

Well this was an interesting turn of events. This story actually existed up until the 4th. I was going to update it with a new chapter, only to find that the story was no longer existing. It was gone, and I have no idea how or why.

Regardless, I've uploaded it again. It's not the worst thing (okay it's still bad), considering I was going to update the currently posted chapters with fresh stuff anyways. So, Chapter 1 and 2 are back and fixed, with Chapter 3 on the way. Chapter 4 and 5 will also be posted whenever I finish changing them.

I also have Chapter 6-9 ready. Chapter 6 will be uploaded next Saturday or Sunday, with 7-9 following every week. This is how I'll be uploading chapters until this story's finished: I'll write and perfect each arc, then upload the chapters on a weekly basis. This way, I won't be going back through and rewriting everything when I go to upload a new chapter.

As a final note, I was originally leaving each magic spell in the Author's Note at the end of each chapter. I figured it would work better if I left them all in a Google Docs file. This Google Doc actually.

Anyways, enjoy! Leave your comments and such!

--Thanks to HoneyBacho for assisting in editing and world continuity