Branching Paths of Friendship / An Inglorious Bastard Inspired Tale
Once Upon A Time... In Occupied Equestria
The clouds were laid thick by the pegasi as they moved each one into place around a small farm consisting of a yellow house, a barn in the back and some workers spread out, getting them ready for the coming rain. The owner of the property, a strong white pegasus stallion with a crew cut mane took a moment to watch over his family and the side help he hired. He did whatever he could to not look up to the black disc in the sky where the Sun once stood. It had been five months now since Canterlot fell and the Sun and Moon faded from the sky, and seeing their replacement always brought more fear.
White Trail in all his hope smiled and wiped the sweat off his face before dropping a hoe over some ice that was blemishing his property. The hoe bounced off and nearly hit him in the foot. He looked to the ice and huffed as he brought the hoe over his shoulder. It would be much easier if he kicked it through the clouds, but that disrupted the flow and the clouds' magic had been acting rather strangely since the Sun and Moon’s vanishing. As if it had been rather repulsive toward the pegasi living on it. It was even tougher since they couldn’t fly through it now. It wasn’t like things could fall through, but rather they were treating pegasi much like the ground.
White in his annoyance he kicked at the ice and it simply turned away. He traced his eyes over the field and caught sight of Vapor Trail, the prettiest of his five daughters, hanging laundry on the clothesline. She was his second oldest at barely eighteen years old. Beside her was his youngest, a rather uniquely colored pegasus filly with red and greens rainbowed into her wings. Vapor Trail, on the other hand, matched his bold whites perfectly with her mother's colorful shiny hair.
Vapor smiled at her father's gaze and danced for him. She loved working for him but she also dreamed of the day she could join the Wonderbolts. She couldn’t be happier for today, too, as her best friend since childhood was at the Wonderbolts’s offices now, sending in their entry forms. “Sky Stinger…” She hummed and hung up a white bedsheet.
Her ears flickered at a noise. Moving the sheet aside, she saw a chariot, with two little strange flags attached to the hood, armored unicorn soldiers pulling it through the sky, a seafoam unicorn in the backseat. Moving by strange neon blue magic that didn’t seem to match any of the unicorns pulling it.
Vapor Trail looked at her father, “Dad?”
White Trail sank his hoe into the ice and looked over his shoulder to see the same flags she saw. His eyes went wide at the symbol of a gray alicorn's head with a blue gem in the center, wings blazin over a red and black background. This was the symbol of the Poena Guard. White Trail yelled to Vapor, “Get inside, now!”
Seeing his daughters enter the house where he knew the rest of his family was cooking, White Trail sat down on the ice he was previously chopping away at, pulled a handkerchief from his pocket, wiped the sweat from his face, and waited for the chariot to come to a stop. What was previously sweat from work was now sweat of utter fear. He had heard the rumors about that flag and hoped they were wrong.
Besides the flags, the chariot was fancy; green all around with crisp gold inlaid edges and a smooth brown inside. As the chariot stopped his gut dropped. It was standing just outside his land with its doors aimed right at him.
The unicorn in the back raised a silver cane and tapped the roof of the chariot. “This is the property of White Trail? Is it not?”
“Yes!” White Trail answered his question before the driver could. He held tightly to his hoe.
The seafoam unicorn smiled at the spunk and stepped out, carrying in his left hand a black leather case. He looked to his driver and nodded, “Lieutenant Grave, you are to leave me alone until I call for you.” Two other soldiers stepped out with him.
The soldier gave no reply and rode off. One of the other soldiers that stayed stepped forward and the seafoam unicorn handed him his cane, while the other two kept their place on the edge of the road.
Much to the shock of White Trail, the seafoam unicorn stepped onto the clouds and didn't fall through at all. At first, he thought the clouds’ magic was getting worse, but the other unicorns even envelope in the same unknown neon blue magic showed far more fear than their leader.
The leader moved just as gracefully as if he had been born up here. He crossed the trail to the home in long strides and spoke, "It's good to meet you face to face. I am Colonel Birch Bucket of the Poena Guard." Birch Bucket offered White Trail his hand.
The pegasus took the hand and shook it, keeping a strong gaze; he thought it was rather strange that the unicorn was pressing his fingertips rather hard against his wrist. "How might I help you?"
"if you would be so kind as to invite me inside your home. There is something I wish to discuss with you..." Birch looked to the workers around him. "In private."
White followed the unicorn's eyes to his workers. He stopped at the sight of a strong tall pegasus, named Strong Wing. Nodding to him, the other pegasus took a tight grip of his pitchfork just in case. White smiled and turned toward the door, leading the unicorn inside.
The door to the farmhouse swung open, and the farmer snuck his head inside and saw the building was empty now. His eyes wandered to the floor at the sight of the floorboard creaking closed. Careful not to drop his breath he gestured for the unicorn to enter.
Removing his gray cap emblazoned with Poena Guard's symbol, the unicorn stepped inside the pegasus' home. The inside wasn't rustic, with brown walls and dark green furniture. "Such beauty and familiarity."
"What do you mean? I don’t recall having a unicorn in my home."
"No, not this home, the feeling itself, of being a pegasus' home. It's something that reminds me of my childhood visiting my cousin." He stopped at a table and took a seat. "From the cool air of the upper atmosphere to the warm touch of the wood."
"You are related to pegasi?" White's eyes wandered to the unicorns standing just out of his sight.
"Well, that can be our little secret." Birch waved for White to close the door. "My cousin and I were close… very close..." His voice lowered until he caught sight of the picture on the table. Despite White's attempt to protest, Birch picked up the photo and looked it over carefully. He pointed at each of the family members and traced his fingers ever so slowly over each of their wings, keeping his finger on Vapor's wings the longest.
Birch Bucket brought his attention to White as the pegasus brought some milk over and two cups. He placed down the picture and mused, "Thank you. Please excuse my rudeness, but your family is quite lovely. They left so quickly, I didn't get the chance to meet them proper."
"It's okay. Take a drink, you looked thirsty."
"Thank you," Birch poured the milk and was even kind enough to pour a cup for White. The two took a drink and White's eyes fell on the leather case.
The two stopped and White questioned, "So what are you a colonel of..."
"Poena Guard, it's old ponish for Penalty."
"Penalty guards, I've never heard of such a rank--"
"Don't lie to me." Birch stopped him. "I saw the fear on your face from the start." He gave a deep breath to calm the pegasus and held out his hands over the table in surrender. "Please don't. I am here for one thing and then I will leave." His magic brought the leather case over and opened it.
White's eyes widened at the sight of a large sum of coins inside. "What is this for?"
"This is simply an offer from my King. Free of charge." Birch pushed it forward, placing a single hand over White's.
White's eyes fell to his hand, rough and stained with frostbite and then to Birch's hand, soft and placid. He was confused as before while shaking, the unicorn's hand felt strong and as rough as he was, but now the touch was so kind. "I'm sorry, but I can't accept something that was given. I live by what I've earned."
Birch closed the case and placed it aside. "Good, the King was hoping you were an honest stallion."
"As honest as the element itself," White answered back with pride. He rubbed his head as his guard fell. The fear in his heart grew complacent. "The rumors were wrong about him?"
"Of course," Birch could easily hear the questioning tone in the pegasus' voice and answered moments after he finished. "The King is a brilliant and strong alicorn. He values honesty above all the other elements. It's the reason why Applejack was the only one allowed to..." he stopped himself. As always, Birch's mouth was faster than his thoughts.
White couldn't figure out what he meant by that, but the mere mention of even one of the six heroes brought joy to his voice he hadn't felt in a long time. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a cigar and held it up to view.
Birch waved to him, "Sure, it is your home. I'm merely a guest." He took a breath of hesitation before continuing. "I do regret to inform you I am here not to offer you money. That was simply a test by the King." he could not hide the redness of embarrassment on his face, hoping the misunderstanding could be cleared up.
******
The two continued to talk as Vapor watched quietly from below. Her mother and four sisters were beside her sitting on the ground. Vapor noticed the fear settling down in her father's voice, so she turned away and spotted to a small room to the side. She entered it and saw a large grouping of blueprints. Fearing the worse still, she quietly rolled them up and turned toward the exit.
She stopped as the exit to the basement creaked. Her legs buckled as it opened. However a sigh of relief followed as Sky Stinger, her childhood friend walked inside just as quietly. He waved at her silently and she rushed over for a hug. Her mother shushing her did little to hide her tears. She had been so afraid and the mere sight of Sky Stinger was enough to dash those fears away.
Sky Stinger held her tightly and looked towards her mother. She pointed upward to her husband as White continued his talk with Birch. Sky walked Vapor to her mother and let go of her. He looked upward through some cracks. His eyes went wide at the sight or Birch and he whispered under his breath, "The Wing Collector..."
Despite his fears, White seemed to be handling it fine. Sky wanted to go up there right now and do something, but as his eyes fell on Vapor he knew he couldn't. His eyes stopped at the blueprints in Vapor's hand. He reached over and took them from her hand, who did little to fight him. He looked it over and fear grew stronger in him. It only faded when Vapor in her weakness leaned on his shoulder. He took a seat beside her and looked up to White. He inadvertently rubbed Vapor's mane as his stare became more strained. He lifted his ears to listen, Vapor watching his actions followed.
******
Back above, the laughter faded in Birch's voice. A joke ending in hopes to better calm the pegasus. Seeing his chance he finally made his move. "Mr, Trail, you must understand I can only be here for so long. I must claim what I was sent here for."
"No, I can understand. I just can't see why such a high ranking officer like yourself would be sent out here to such an out of place farm far from even Coudsadale."
"That's true. And while we are talking about the six heroes and the King of which we are both very familiar with, I have no way of knowing if you are familiar with who I am." Birch brought his hand to his cap and pointed to the symbol. "Or my alliance to the King."
White's joy faded at that symbol. So many rumors about that image couldn't so easily be swept under the rug. He questioned, "Why are you aligned with the King?"
Birch was stopped by this line. The words seemed so simple to the pegasus, but hearing them made Birch's throat sink. He got up from his chair and walked over slowly to White. "Did you know, before I joined the King, I worked at the spa in Ponyville.”
"Ponyville, such a small town," White responded, his face became pale.
"Yes, but it was always popular with the six heroes. I used to see Rarity in the spa every day." Birch stopped just behind White and raised his hand to the pegasus' shoulders. "She would ask for the most perfect backrubs. Her and my cousin would always ask to be served by me personally."
Before White could even protest, Birch's fingers were moving smoothly over the joints. Hitting the right pressure points made the pain in his back from daily work fade as if it wasn't there anymore. The fingers traced over the shoulder and twitched between each muscle, loosening them. Then they moved to the blades and to the spine, releasing more tension and lowering his defenses until they fully dropped.
"This is good, yes?" Birch slowed his movement only slightly, knowing it was working perfectly now.
"Yes," White could barely compute the words coming out of Birch's mouth.
Seeing everything’s just right, Birch smiled and asked, "Are you aware of the job I’ve been ordered to carry out in Cloudsdale? Why couldn't the King come here himself?"
"Yes, I heard rumors." White's mouth spoke before he could stop himself, "I’ve heard the King has put you in charge of ending Cloudsdale's reign in the sky since he is busy taking down the town formerly owned by Starlight Glimmer."
"Good, now that we have covered current details, let's go over past details. Tell me what rank you had before retiring?"
"1st lieutenant captain of the Wonderbolts."
"Directly under Spitfire's grandfather, am I right?"
"Yes, Head Commander Yamamoto Solarflare… My oldest friend..."
"Good, hopefully by that means he trusted you with everything..." Birch pressed down more gracefully, each movement he made brought forth more answers. "And what was your last job for the Head Commander?"
"Cloudsdale's..." White stopped as sweat gathered over his face.
"Cloudsdale's what? Speak up?"
Despite White's attempts to fight his own tongue, the words caved, "Cloudsdale's defense system..."
"Finally," Birch lifted his hand toward the window, giving a sign to the outside before returning his fingers back into place. "Now tell me, where are the old blueprints to their defense systems?"
"They are..." White's voice stopped as his hand trembled, the attempt to fight this command being very clear to Birch.
Birch pressed down and repeated, "Where are the blueprints?"
"In..." Sweat returned with full force on White's face as his fear was now overpowering Birch's control. White with all his might fought harder to keep his mouth closed, yet it moved despite his pleas. "The blueprints are..."
"Yes, in where?"
"The... the... the..." White barely whispered as his eyes fell.
Birch stopped for but a moment and realized the attempts to fight him had finally stopped. He looked over the pegasus and followed his face and eyes to the floor, and the thin wood. "I see, you hide it with them." He leaned down and wrapped his hand around the chin. "That is better, your kindness for your family is strong. If only I had your family.” He took a deep breath and with a final press, White's breathing stopped. His body and face twisted, mouth opening and closing in an attempt to get the air that would never come. Birch leaned lower and brought his hands to the wings, his thin soft fingers wrapping tightly around joints. With the tips of his fingers, he pressed down hard."Maybe then I wouldn't despise your kind so much."
******
The blood splattered down like a fountain through the crack, making Vapor unable to hide back her screams. "Dad!!"
Sky Stinger pulled her away as the blood hit the tips of her fingers. "We need to leave." He looked to her mother who gripped the hands of the youngest as they raced to the backdoor. Following her actions, the other children and Sky Stinger fought the sorrow. Hearing the bones crack louder only intensified their speed to the exit.
Outside, the group was met with shock to see all the workers laying dead with their wings ripped out of their backs, their warning to the family inside very clearly failed as Strong Wing’s severed hand fell off the outside handle. Sky Stinger fought his rage and handed the file to Vapor. Seeing her tears still flowing he shook her. "Vapor, take this please."
She looked at the file and back to him. "What? I... I can't..." She was stopped as he pulled her forward. He wanted to jump downward, but he feared the clouds again were working against the pegasi.
Sky Stinger feared the worse. Knowing somehow deep within his heart that he couldn't save them both. With both the file and Vapor in the place, he could at least ensure their survival even if he didn't ensure his own. He looked to the edge of the clouds and raced faster.
Vapor could see the panic was just as strong in him as well as in herself. Her father was his greatest mentor, they both lost so much in a single moment. She attempted to slow her breathing and catch up to his speed. However, Sky Stinger was always faster and better at such things. Her legs wanted to buckle and drop but she couldn't.
A loud bang echoed out as liquid splatted over her back. She feared her own pain but then a greater fear clouded her thoughts as she remembered her eldest sister had been right behind her. The brave voice of the strongest one of them was now gone, in an instant.
Another bang followed as the youngest screamed in agony, the sounds only being deafened by the sounds of her hitting the ground. Vapor's legs kicked faster as she heard each bang and another fall. The group was quickly shrinking just as fast as the distance between them and freedom.
BANG, the loudest sound of all tore through the side of Sky Stinger's face and jaw, ripping his cheek and some teeth out as they reached the edge. Jumping off he fought the pain and pulled tightly on the hand of Vapor. His eyes went wide at the feel of no resistance. He turned to see nothing but a severed hand in his own, the files on Cloudsdale fading in a puff of ash. His eyes raced around until he saw her falling to the ground. His wings kicked at the winds with all his might as he raced to catch her. "VAPOR!!"
Hearing her name, Vapor's eyes slowly opened and she was met with the shock of her arm gone and worse all, flames; her own home beyond Sky's wingbeats now being engulfed in flames.
******
Above, Poena Guard colonel, Birch Bucket huffed in annoyance at the sight of the file's ashes flowing through the air. His teeth gritted and angered boiled forth until he heard a small breath. He turned to see the youngest filly crawling to her mother. He walked over and smiled at her strength and will. Kneeling, he placed his large knee over the muscles and bones in her lower back left exposed by the fire spell, making her wince in pain. "I found your sister's wings so pretty. Oh so pretty, just like my cousin's." He ran his fingers through her feathers, making her twitch uncontrollably. She attempted to beg but he pushed her head into the cloud and reached the joints of her wings. His muscles pulsed as he pressed his fingers into place. Cracking and shredding followed as blood flowed down her back. With a quick yet agonizing pull, he removed one of her wings from her back. He brought it to his nose and smothered himself in their scent before proceeding to remove the next wing as the filly bled out beneath him.
******
Author's Note
Well, as I said the first chapter is a giant homage to the first scene in the movie so no sex. As for anything else, the magic acting up wasn't really there just to make things flow better but also hint to things shown in the later stories of this timeline, I've already established in those that magic is decaying, so due to this story taking place far earlier in the timeline this story's clouds acting strange is simply the first signs. Ponies just haven't put two and two together yet.
Either way, comment on the story, how well did I do at this homage? Did you enjoy the first scene? Is Birch a good replacement for Hans Landa. I am going to full nazi loyalist vibe with him but I'm also adding a few things to make this character that much more hateable.
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