Equus: World at War

Chapters

Chapter 2 - Operation White Spear
Chapter 3 - The Stalemate of War
Chapter 4 - Hard Advance
Chapter 5 - The Wilderness
Chapter 6 - No Other Choice
Chapter 7 - Abandoning Position
Chapter 8 - Wishing For Better Days
Chapter 9 - True War
Chapter 1 - The First Step

Chapter 2 - Operation White Spear

Far away within the capital city, a group of pegasi and thestrals marched down one of the many castle corridors. Each wore their manes short, dark blue uniforms perfectly matched apart from the differing array of medals upon their left breasts, distinguishing each ponies’ achievements during their military careers. Any creature which walked ahead of the five ponies would immediately step aside for them, as they travelled through the castle in step, making their way to one of the main elevators.

Filing inside, they seemed to automatically stand in a military fashion, hooves shoulder width apart, hands held behind their backs. The lead pony, a pegasus, would press the button for level A5. The elevator shuddered briefly, doors closing, before finally descending into the depths of Mount Canterhorn.

Level after level passed by, till they felt the elevator slow down, doors eventually pulling apart as they exited, traversing a long corridor to a guarded set of double doors. The armed earth ponies opened them without question, revealing a set of stairs down to a large table with a scale model of Van Hoover and its surrounding areas. Creatures moved back and forth as they discussed the battle, with Military officers and heads of the various regiments debating over troop placement and when to advance or retreat from the various trenches.

The group of pegasi and thestrals stopped at the end of the table, waiting for their commanding officer to come and address them, which would be almost instantly. Dressed in a similar uniform but of a lighter shade of blue compared to their own, which contrasted with his even lighter fur colour, Captain Wind Rider looked up from a file in his hands, "We have reports that air vessels 4, 5 and 6," he began, pointing at several marked transport class airships suspended by rope above the Van Hoover miniature, "Are currently lining up for an attack on the western trench lines tomorrow. One of them is to be the main attacker and the others are supposedly decoys to divert our fire power. Those trenches are currently our main counter to any sea-based landings the Van Hoover forces may attempt to deploy on our end of the coast.”

He’d pause as he let the information set in, frowning as he continued, “Recent intel suggests that they have indeed primed multiple fishing boats with equipment to entrench, leading us to believe that this truly is their intended plan; to take out as much of the west trench line as possible and set up defences on the beach, facing our flank."

The leader of the group, a yellow fur and orange maned pegasus nodded, "We'll deal with them accordingly Captain. Is this a capture or a removal mission?" she soon asked, taking off her hat and placed it under her arm.

The older stallion turned "Capturing is indeed the case with this one, though we will condone elimination in the direst circumstances. The ammunition and firepower they have aboard those cobbled-together vessels would still be a major benefit to our forces. We've observed their pattern and they seem to be taking an anticlockwise pattern about the city, therefore we calculated vessel 5 will potentially be the real threat, as it will be located in the middle of the other two vessels, providing it with appropriate cover from our anti-air weapons. Furthermore, we received intelligence from one of our Queen’s agents that 5 has indeed been receiving extra mention within the docks lately. We have arranged for transportation on one of our standard airships heading that way as to not alert any creature of your presence," Wind Rider would look over the model.

A rainbow maned pegasus, behind the group leader, would stand at attention "Permission to speak ma'am," she asked, back straight and looking up slightly.

Spitfire glanced back, "Granted... you notice something?"

The pale blue pegasus stepped forwards, "Have you assessed for the airships overall speed and height within the sky. They normally have 12 hours in the air unloaded, if there is a payload inside then it would most likely have to refuel sooner than the others, especially if it is in constant motion" Wind Rider looked to the model, scratching his cheek, "It is… indeed a possibility... and most likely they will want to be airborn as long as possible as this is one of their main aerial defences. I’ll see if we have looked into this." the stallion walked over to begin talking with some of the other Captains.

Spitfire gave a slight grin "Interesting observation Dash"

"It's just like we learned when calculating for long distance flights in the academy ma'am," the pegasus would nod to her commander.

Wind Rider eventually returned with several papers in hand, "So, intel also reported on vessels ‘1’ and 5 refuelling sooner than the others. Currently vessel 1 is providing support to the east side of the city so removing it would weaken that flank. However, we gave another look over it and this does tally with another report," He pulled up a sheet from the back of the stack, "from three days ago, which indicates over three dozen power armour units left the city and took up positions amongst the trenches. As of yet, they have not engaged in combat.”

The stallion flicked through the pages till he found a marked document, “Furthermore vessel 1 has displayed different behaviour to the last three weeks, firing less shells, on average. At first, we merely deemed it as conserving ammunition… Especially with its changed flight path. All in all, we believe that vessel 5 will be attacking first with vessel 1 most likely joining from behind, providing additional firepower or at the very least, detract fire from 5... we will have to take the risk and target both... That was an excellent observation Second-Lieutenant Dash” The Captain would say, looking over his shoulder, nodding to several other officers.

He turned back "With this recent news we will have to adjust accordingly," he cleared his throat before beginning, "Lieutenant Spitfire, you and your team of Shadowbolts will begin your assault upon vessel 5 and neutralise the threat within 30 minutes of boarding. You will then fly the vessel past the rear trenches for collection,” The Captain handed her the file containing the details, marked with the anonymous title of 'White Spear'.

“Meanwhile Lieutenant Lightning Dust's team will be sent to deal with the other airship, boarding the other one ten minutes after you. If all goes to plan, we will have two vessels on our side of the trenches before they can alert the forces at Van Hoover... everything clear? If it seems the vessels will instead be taking the actions we previously predicted, we have a third Shadowbolt group on standby for an intercept. You will have two hours to prepare before taking the train down to the base of the mountain, from there we have arranged transport to take you to Van Hoover."

Spitfire raised her head as he spoke, eventually nodding, "... yes sir. We will get to the armoury immediately," The Lieutenant saluted, as did the others of her unit.

Dash would cast a glance at Spitfire however, already detecting a certain tension in the other pegasus. At that, the group left the war room and returned to the elevator, heading further down at the press of a button.

As the doors closed, Spitfire immediately smashed her fist into the steel wall beside her, making one of the thestrals jump, though the other members of the group managed to control their reactions, having noted their commander’s tension.

"Can you believe it, sending Lightning! What are they thinking bringing that idiot up to Van Hoover, she will ruin everything!" the pegasus turned back on the others, who for the most part remained silent, "You know what I mean! She can't stick to the timing and we only have a small window to accomplish this. Her unit is messy, easily distracted and always tries to bend around the parameters of the mission. They should be sending Fleetfoot's unit instead, she would be able to pull this off without any issues."

The others were quiet, though they would nod one by one in agreement. Eventually, Dash would speak up, "Should we.....prepare to engage vessel 1 as well?" she asked.

One of the thestrals, Dark Crescent, nodded at the idea, " We can manage a vessel like that in under twenty minutes Spitfire. It'll give us the opportunity to get aboard the other one in preparation. If they cut too close to the time limit, we can intervene."

Spitfire looked between them, silent for several moments before closing her eyes and nodding, "… Let’s prepare to go out there as soon as we have secured our vessel then... Not another word about this till we are out of Canterlot." she would quickly say, straightening out her uniform just before the doors opened once more.

The five of them traversed the halls till they arrived at the armoury, one reserved specifically for the Shadowbolts. All their equipment was state of the art in terms of what the capital had to offer them. High strength steel, coated in a layer of enchanted silver to add additional protection. The precious metal housed magical wards to reduce the force behind blows.

Dash removed her uniform, hanging it in the locker as she retrieved the armour, fitting herself into the tightly woven full body suit to which the metal plating was attached. Wires ran beneath the skin of the suit, connecting each of the individual plates to a small canister housing concentrated magic which was connected to the back of their belts. The metal could only hold limited energy to power the spells woven through it and without continued energy being fed in, it would only take one of two shots to overwhelm and punch through the enchantments.

She'd adjust the various buckles, fitting the armour tightly to her body and ensuring everything settling into place. Soon enough she withdrew her choice of sidearms, two .45 calibre revolvers, holstering one on her side and the other towards the back. Though they provided the Shadowbolts with the new semi-automatic pistols, she preferred the reliability and stopping power afforded by the revolver. She'd place the 4 speed-loaders into a pouch at the back as well, with a sabre and dagger soon following.

As they all dressed for the mission, they would remain practically silent. Some may have given their prayers to higher powers in that time, whilst others ran through their heads scenarios they may encounter and how to overcome them.

Both thestrals withdrew their rifles, semi-automatic carbines using the newly improved .290 Titan rounds, more than sufficient for whatever they would be facing on aboard the airships. Eventually the male pegasus of the group spoke up, "I assume we will be heading to the main deck as swiftly as possible Spitfire and try to bypass the majority of guards?" Soarin called across the room, pulling his sabre out of the locker as well as his semi-automatic Birch-Croft pistol, using one of the speed loaders to fill the 10-round magazine.

"We will Soarin. Though I would prefer to eliminate the crew, so we aren’t overwhelmed… with the time constraints we’ll just claim the vessel, get to extraction and have them manage the rest. Soarin, I want you on a rifle too, for extra cover in the halls this time and I want Dash staying back with Cresent and Eclipse as well. This is a big ship that’s planning a full scale attack, so I expect they’ve got even more creatures on patrol than normal" she moved into the centre of the room as she explained.

She would continue, looking between each of them, "We get in, take out the pilot crew before the bombing, then three of us head on to the other one to make sure Lightning Dust and the others don't fuck up. We'll see who’s capable at the time, but ideally I want Dash and Eclipse with me to go to the other one, Soarin, you and Crescent will land the ship and let the extraction crew deal with any left aboard, you got it?"

They all nodded as they finished preparations. Prior to leaving, they would put on jumpsuits to cover their armour, bergens containing their weapons being carried at their sides or slung over their shoulders. No one could know who or what they were. Any creature could easily be a traitor and inform the enemy, ruining the operation.

********

Setting off under the guise of airship mechanics, they would make their way to the Canterlot station, where they were taken down to the foot of the mountain. Departing, they would head into one of the nearby military camps, boarding one of the many large transport vessels heading to Van Hoover.

They moved inside with a hurried jog, passing the hundreds of soldiers that entered alongside them, none batting an eye to their presence. The group would move past the main area for transferring the military units, going to one of the boiler rooms where they could hide away for the entirety of the flight. The staff knew not to disturb them, though not told the reasons why, only that they would suffer repercussions if they were to.

********

They would eventually arrive, the vessel descending to the ground whilst the five Shadowbolts shook the sleep from their bodies, already hearing the tanks leaving the cargo bay. Slowly, they would trail behind the last few soldiers, though they would not join them, instead remaining in the vessel as the ramps were lifted once more, airship beginning to rise.

Finally, they would strip out of their overalls, tossing them to the side of the hanger, sidearms and rifles loaded in short fashion as they assembled before the ramps. No soldiers on the ground would see it or be even paying attention to vessel reopening its hangar doors 2000ft off the ground for a brief ten second period, or the five ponies leaving swiftly out into the night sky, rising higher, past the clouds and waited for their target to finally leave the city. As predicted, the enemy airships would leave close to midnight as the reports suggested, travelling swiftly to the left flank of the trenches.

They fixed on their helmets, the faceplates reducing the visibility slightly, but for the protection they offered it was well worth it. Waiting for the enemy airship to draw closer, they would eventually fly down towards it, traveling at high speeds as they tucked their wings against their bodies, cutting through the air. Their wings snapped open for the last twenty metres in unison, slowing their descent to almost a complete stop, where they gently settled onto the surface of the vessel.

They made their way across the roof of the airship, finding a maintenance hatch which should lead to a secluded section of the vessel, hopefully. Though they were originally transport ships, they were expansive, designed for large crews and long-distance flight. Fortunately Spitfire and the rest of her team were aware of the rough schematics for this particular variant. Producing a small bag of thermite and attaching it over the lock of the steel door, they'd ignite it. Bright yellow and white light flared from the pouch as sparks and molten metal shot into the air. The Shadowbolts stayed clear till the burning mass fell through to the room below, at which point they moved into peel back the hatch, heading inside.

The room was fortunately, unoccupied. After taking off the safety for their weapons they began moving, Soarin taking point whilst Spitfire moved behind him, sabre in one hand, revolver in the other. Behind her followed Dash in a similar fashion, then Eclipse and Crescent, rifles raised as the thestral at the very back would continuously look behind himself every few seconds.

Constant training as a group had allowed to move as one, each knowing when to stop at a corner, how long to wait, and when to move once more. Even their steps were in time, such that the enemy would have difficulty discerning their numbers. Not that their hooves produced significant noise, the underside coated in a rubber sole which reduced the sound they produced. Moving through the corridors, they continued to avoid guards where possible. It was not too hard to discern where they were in a hallway, their plate armour and heavy footsteps alerting the Shadowbolts before they'd even reach the end of the adjoining corridors.

Waiting at one particular intersection, close to a main staircase, the group would hear the movement of several guards on patrol, walking in a continuous circle in front of the staircase entrance. Deeming it necessary to remove them, Spitfire and Dash waited for them to walk down to where they lay in wait. Every step they drew closer, the two pegasi would slide slowly towards the edge of the walls till the guards’ legs finally came in sight. Dash rushed at one, a Griffin, her hand grabbing hold of their sword hilt, keeping in its sheath to prevent it being drawn as the mare slipped behind them, burying her dagger into the side of the guard’s throat and punching forwards, slicing through their vocal cords and arteries before they could call out. Blood spurted down their front and onto the floor as Dash grabbed their arms and pulled them back so they couldn’t retaliate.

Spitfire, on the other hand, would grab hold of their arm, driving a fist into the other guard’s throat, silencing them swiftly. She moved a leg behind the stallion’s own, shoving them back and tripping them onto the ground before diving atop them. The yellow pegasus grabbed their muzzle and forced their head up, burying her dagger under their chin repeatedly, keeping their mouth shut to further prevent any noise. Soon disposed of, the two pegasi looked to one another, Spitfire motioning over her shoulder as she pulled her blade free, signalling Eclipse and Crescent to move in. The thestrals tosses their rifles behind their backs, letting them hang from the sling straps, before pulling the bodies towards the now unguarded staircase. The two mares followed closely behind the pair whilst Soarin walked backwards at the rear of the group, keeping pace as he swept his rifle back and forth, scanning the corridor till they rounded the corner and were out of sight.

They left the body in a small cleaning cupboard just opposite the stairs, moving down to the second level, where the control deck was located. Pressing on, Soarin motioned for their attention, signalling that ten minutes had passed at this point. The other four gave small nods of acknowledgement, hurrying along to ensure they had sufficient time to board the other vessel. Like before, they managed to avoid most of the guards bar a trio of pegasi that exited a break room at one point, which they would deal with in short fashion.

Now only a turning from the control deck and feeling optimistic at completing the mission in under twenty minutes, they'd all turn sharply as a door suddenly opened at the end of the corridor they were walking down, an earth pony in a mechanics uniform stepping out. Their eyes flickered to the side, immediately freezing at the sight of the five armoured individuals prowling the vessel. Soarin took a split second to decide his course of action, sprinting towards them. The Earth ponies flight response finally kicked in as they ran down the corridor, towards the main deck, managing to call out 'HEL..." Before Soarin grabbed hold of them, arm wrapping around and squeezing their throat to cut them off, as he plunged his dagger into the other stallion’s chest twice, slipping it between the ribs. The Earth pony’s voice would be heard though, echoing off the closed walls of its many corridors.

Immediately there would shouting from the vessel’s many rooms as Soarin turned to his left, shoving the dying pony to the ground as a group of ponies rounded a corner quickly, spotting the stallion before running down to face him, weapons being drawn as they called out "Intruder! We're being attacked!" The Shadowbolt pulled himself behind a wall for cover, looking back to the other four, seeing them doing the same, taking cover as guards came to meet the intruders. Spitfire finally shouted out, "Engage! Now!" Soarin, along with Eclipse and Crescent, at the opposite end of the corridor, raised their rifles and opened fire.

Sharp bangs punctuated the shouting as each bullet for the Shadowbolt’s carbines punched centimetre wide holes through the front of the enemy’s armour, passing through the steel with ease to occasionally blow a hole out the backplates even. With every shot a brass case would be ejected from the carbines, falling to the ground.

The guards would stop rushing down the corridors after several minutes of trying, realising the Shadowbolt’s firepower was to great to simply overwhelm them. Adjusting their tactics, they brought their flintlock rifles to bear as it became a true fire fight, the Shadowbolts ducking into cover, before snapping out briefly to fire several shots at the guards before pulling back at the returned fire, retaliating every few seconds and reloading when they could afford it.

Eclipse let out a muffled shout as he shifted out to fire, two well placed shots hitting him, one in the thigh, another in the arm, red and blue light flashing the points of impact as the projectiles bounced off. They hadn't penetrated, but it was enough to dent the armour and throw off the thestral’s aim, sending his shots wide. Taking a moment to focus himself, pushing through the pain, he’d stretch his arm out behind his cover before firing once more, gritting his teeth.

Soarin pulled back as his last round was fired "Out! Reloading!" he called, lifting his rifle up as Spitfire moved to cover him, firing down the corridor with her sidearm before seeing a cylinder being thrown, eyes widening as she looked at the object, suddenly realised what it was as it bounced across the ground.

Spitfire grabbed Soarin as he was about to move in to replace her, the cylinder exploding sending shrapnel out in all directions, which embedded in the walls as well as the two pegasi, throwing them against the side of the corridor. Dash, Crescent and Eclipse turned instantly at the noise, looking to see their companions lying on the ground, dazed for a moment, before trying to crawl away.

Instantly Dash rushed to them, wings flaring and propelling her forwards at speed, covering the distance of the corridor in a second as she grabbed the backs of their uniforms, pulling them fully into cover. Once safe, she stood ready to meet the group already rushing towards the wounded Shadowbolts, as the pair of thestrals fired their last few shots before backing to the others, reloading whilst they still could.

Pulling out her sabre and gripping it tightly, she’d take several quick breaths, before bursting around the corner as the first rifle barrel poked past. Dash caught the end of the firearm between the blade and cross guard, clearing the weapon to the diagonally down and to her left, before twisting the blade so it was point first and no longer against the rifle barrel, driving the tip into the stallion’s throat. Dash's revolver flicked up, firing twice into the stomach of a pony just to the left, swiftly retracting her blade so it was free, slashing it across the other pony’s throat. A third stallion moved in from the right, thrusting with their arming sword. The pegasus stepped back, her own blade flicking down, guiding the tip of the attacker’s weapon to the side, missing her stomach by inches. Whipping her sabre around, over her head, she brought it down across their face, the guard dropping their sword and holding the gaping wound as the rainbow pegasus finished them off with a bullet to the head.

She quickly spun round towards the door to the control deck to see a riflepony taking aim and firing, their shot hitting the pegasus in the chest, armour releasing a bright green and blue flash of light, forcing her to stumble back a step as pain lanced through her chest, the impact knocking the wind out of her momentarily. Pushing past it, she snapped her arm up, emptying the last bullets of her revolver into them.

The mare rushed to the door as she adjusted her breastplate, taking up position against the wall. She'd break open her revolver, casings spewing out via the extractor. From a back pouch she withdrew one of the speedloaders, calling "Clear!" As she pressed six more rounds into the weapon, snapping it back into place. Crescent and Eclipse soon rushed up to her, each dragging one of the wounded pegasi, blood trailing across the ground behind them.

They had to move before some creature locked the doors or they were even corned in this corridor. With a sharp nod, the two thestrals kicked and held the doors open for Rainbow Dash as she charged inside between them both. The stallions’ rifles flicked left and right as they fired at each target that rose up from their cover to attack, the pair advancing into the room swiftly, killing ponies left and right, bullets blowing large holes through the enemy. Once inside, Eclipse turned, dragging the wounded Soarin and Spitfire inside before slamming the double doors shut, Crescent proceeding to cover his companion, stepping forwards to draw enemy fire to himself.

Whilst the two thestrals picked off individual attackers, Dash would burst in, engaging with the largest group of enemies who attempted to fight back. She'd fire several rounds towards them, to force their heads back into cover, as she leapt over their overturned oak table, wings flaring as she stopped in the air above them. Her revolver flashed left, killing one guard instantly as the other brought their rifle to bear. In reaction, the mare fell the remaining few metres, kicking the weapon out to the side as she’d plunge her sabre down into their chest, tearing the weapon free before dispatching them with a back slash across their face, cutting cleanly through the arm they desperately raised to cover their face.

As soon as the stroke had killed them, Dash would be thrown forwards from a shot to her back, falling against the overturned table. She spotted the attacker soon enough, the stallion already drawing out their flintlock pistol to get another shot on Dash. Dropping her empty revolver to the ground, she grabbed hold of the second revolver on her back, whipping around to face the attacker.

Before she could take the shot, their head snapped back, blood splattering the wall behind them as Crescent put a bullet through their forehead. Dash forced herself to her hooves, looking about to see Eclipse over the last pony, a Van Hoover officer scrambling back as the thestral pulled out their pistol, putting several shots in the other stallion’s chest, watching as they eventually slumped to the ground. They could all take a moment to breath; no guards had attempted to break down the doors to the room…yet.

Sealing the entrance more securely before any remaining soldiers could mount a counter attack, they would have a chance to tend to the wounds of Soarin and Spitfire. Both were bleeding from their legs and sides, though the armour had spared them from the majority of the shrapnel. What had gone through did not look too deep, though that was to their less trained eyes, a true medic may say otherwise.

The worst injury was to Soarin’s leg, the stallion’s ankle bent off to the side, the metal shin guard dented heavily which they could only assume had impacted the wall hard from the explosion. Luckily, they were both conscious though dazed. The mission had to go on and some creature needed to keep guard.

Soarin was soon set down at the radio station, head clear enough for him to work on tuning in to the specific channel they had been given, calling down, "OBBK we have taken control of 5" the pegasus growled as they felt another wave of pain from their leg "Repeat OBBK we have taken control of 5, proceeding to land in designated position," the stallion gritted his teeth, putting a hand to his stomach after a moment, breathing out deeply as he almost wretched from the pain, just managing to hold himself together.

Rainbow Dash moved over to Spitfire who lifted their arm as best they could for the younger Pegasus, allowing Dash to begin disinfecting the wound and applying styptic to coagulate the blood swiftly,

"Dash… did you… see they had our rifles out there… and they had grenades… whe-when did they get those? Intel didn’t say anything about this" She asked weakly, head bobbing forwards for a moment.

Crescent soon called back to her, "4 were our newest models which even our troops don’t fully have. I also saw one using something like a semi-automatic but I could be wrong."

Dash looked up from where she was kneeling beside their leader, "What's the call Spitfire... with vessel 1?" eventually pulling away, "Lightning Dust and the others... we still heading in to provide support?" Spitfire glanced over at Soarin as he made contact with the ground forces, telling them that the airship was secure. Her eyes tailed down to look beneath the desk at his broken leg.

Dash followed her look to the grey pegasus, wincing as she saw how severe it looked, turning away quickly. The Lieutenant finally shifted her arm, feeling pain coursing immediately, unable to move it more than a few inches, "... No, we... we stick to the plan we were set and leave them. We still need to maintain this vessel and with the injuries. We would be at too great a risk dividing. Let’s just pray to the Night Mother they can manage it," she'd concede begrudgingly.

Dash would look up to her before nodding "... right... we need to ensure we complete our mission first," she'd say, putting a hand on the yellow mare's uninjured shoulder, before moving over to steer the vessel “Soarin we good to go?” Dash called across the room, the grey stallion giving an ‘OK’ sign to her as he’d continue talking over the radio, explaining the situation.

The vessel swung to the left, moving over the trenches, the anti-aircraft cannons standing down and allowed it to pass over head. It would land some distance behind the frontlines, in an area already surrounded by soldiers, ready to sweep the vessel and wrest control from any of its remaining occupants. Now all they needed to do was wait.

********

It would take little time for them to be extracted, a proper medical time ready to tend to Spitfire and Soarin appropriately, having brought blood bags of their individual blood types. They were quick to notice the lack of vessel 1 within the zone however, looking from their position to see it hanging above the battlefield, midway between the two waring fronts, remaining motionless in the air.

They waited for Lightning Dust, or one of her team, to call over the radio of their success, but there was none. The vessel merely hung between both fronts, hovering high above the ground with them all wondering what was happening… till it suddenly exploded. Light flashed and illuminating the battlefield briefly, the wave of sound soon catching up with the light as they'd hear the boom that echoed off the hills and trees, as the airship turned to the side. Burning brightly, it would begin falling down, plummeting into the sea a kilometre or so off the coast.

Dash took a step forward, looking back at Spitfire who bore a hard look, jaw working as she turned to the other pegasus after a moment, shaking her head in anger. It was just as she predicted from Lighting and her team… failing mission criteria.

Minutes passed as they waited for as long as they could for any signs of the other Shadowbolt team, Spitfire’s anger eventually turning to worry as she began to fear the worst. Eventually, just as they were about to board the high-speed vessel to return them to Canterlot, two pegasi landed, carrying a griffin between them who was missing the lower half of this right leg and right arm, tourniquets tied just above the stumps to slow the flow of blood and tightly wrapped bandages drenched in blood covered to the ends of both limbs.

Medical staff rushed over to take the unconscious a griffin, as one pegasi looked over to Spitfire's unit, holding their head and walking off without a word, squatting on the ground, sitting hunched over as the other member of their team came over to hold their shoulder.

********

Dash would make her way to the Canterlot hospital, walking briskly to a ward, sectioned off to treat the injured Shadowbolts. It has been three days since the mission and Rainbow Dash had only just received a full debriefing regarding the events of the mission earlier that morning. Entering through the door, after signing in at the desk outside, she would head through nervously, taking a deep breath as she readied for the worst.

Soarin and Spitfire were located in opposing beds, the Lieutenant's side was bandaged and their arm was in a cast, while the stallion had a leg cast and similar bandaging across the entirety of his left side. Dash stood to attention, announcing her presence with the clop of her hooves on the floor, soon closing the door behind herself, "How's it look for you both?" she'd ask tentatively, taking off her officers hat, fingers running over its rim lightly before she finally walked over to them.

They looked between each other briefly, before Soarin offered to let the commander explain, "Well, I got hit with a shit ton of shrapnel which tore several of my arm and wing tendons, my surgery will be later today. He’s got the obvious, a fucked up shin… and what do you know, also shrapnel"

Dash gave a small smile, looking to Soarin as he began to explain, "Yeah I'm going to be in here a few weeks. It's not just a snap but a lot of fractures so... I'll be out of action for a while." he'd laugh, looking up to Rainbow Dash as he shifted in his bed slowly, "Did they figure out why it was so bad?"

The mare nodded "Yeah, they had a look over your suit and reckon the shin plate hadn't been connected fully to the power supply... anyway, they reckon it punched through what remaining power there was for enchantment so, not as ‘bad’ as it could be but still not good… They were definitely prepared for armoured borders looking at the weapons they had. Higher-ups are freaking out knowing the enemy has our level of weapons so readily available for airship guard," Dash would say, glancing down.

There was a brief silence till Spitfire finally asked "... what happened… to them?" The Lieutenant bit her lip as she waited for the answer, watching Rainbow Dash sigh.

The rainbow pegasus soon scratched the side of her head before pulling up a seat beside Spitfire’s bed. She rested herself forwards, elbows on her knees as she spoke, "Well, Lightning Dust and the others got in. They had some bombs aboard but predominantly it was loaded with abyssinian mercenaries with a squad of their power armoured units ready to be deployed, from what she reported. They guessed that the plan was for the first ship to bomb, second to supply troops to flood the empty trenches." Dash sat up, "Yeah they got in a big fire fight, like us but with way more on their tails and couldn't even make it to the main deck. Silver Flair was shot and bled out and they changed plan to take out the vessel completely. They manage to get some of the explosives into one of the main engine rooms.” She paused briefly

“… Grent gets attacked by one of the power armoured units and gets killed, Grell moved in to save him, had his leg cleaved off by a sword, then some….sadistic bastard in a powered suit toyed with him and ripped his arm off before they could take it down," she went silent, "We saw the rest. They reckon 600 abyssinian mercenaries were taken out with it and maybe a dozen power armoured close combat fighters, so... Higher-ups reckon it was a called for decision, based off circumstances, so they won’t be, you know, looked into at all." Dash left it that, running a hand over her mouth.

Spitfire shook her head, "Yeah that's a... At first I thought… y-you know what I mean."

The three of them remained silent, for the Shadowbolts that had been lost, looking down to the ground, till finally the doors to their ward were opened, breaking the silence, as several nurses moved in, "The doctor is ready to give you a proper examination Ms. Spitfire and evaluate the best course of action. Are you ready to see him?"

The yellow Pegasus sat up straighter "Yeah yeah, not like I've got anything to do here do I," she gave a small grin to her companions as she'd be wheeled out of the room, leaving Soarin and Dash alone.

They looked at each other for a few moments before the mare made her way over to his side, resting on the beds railing, "Are you alright?" She asked once more, now the commander was gone

"Yeah I'm fine, you know just worried about my leg. They're still debating on whether it can be fixed or if they should just go for a prosthetic at this point" he'd explain.

Dash glanced at his leg in the cast "That bad?"

The grey pegasus nodded "Yeah it's that bad... basically just bone splinters"

She frowned, looking back up to him, reaching her hand out to cup his cheek "You'll be fine.... you know we get the best treatment. The, uhh, magic the doctors can do is really good now, putting everything back in place."

Soarin looked up "Grell is going to get a prosthetic though" he'd counter, as if to prove his leg was still a possibility.

Dash gave a brief smile "But you've still ‘got’ your leg. Trust me you'll be walking out on your own two hooves"

Soarin looked down, not wanting to keep his hopes up till he heard it from the doctors, "... How are you holding up Dash?" The stallion asked finally, reaching a hand up to hold her elbow as he asked.

"I'm good, don't worry about me... I'll be off on another mission soon, back to Van Hoover to join in some job taking out the other airships closer to the city. Talk in the trenches is still going on about what happened. Our soldiers reckon the enemy fucked up and killed themselves by accident…if only they knew what had happened"

"We lost two, but we saved who knows how many ...hundreds or even thousands Dash...and we'll remember what they did, even if no one else will know" Soarin replied, going quiet for a second before pulling her down gently, Dash allowing it for the moment before moving down on her own, giving his lips a brief kiss before straightening up

"... not yet Soarin. When the wars done then we can but till then... you know we're not allowed," a small smile reached the corner of her mouth as she patted his arm.

The stallion grinned as he sat back, "I know, I know... still... you want to go for a drink at some point? Just between two soldiers of course to not stir trouble, that won’t cause any problems… I wish you didn’t have to go" He would eventually finish.

She smirked running a hand over his mane briefly "Fine, you get a drink but nothing obvious or we'll both be in the shit. I'll see you when I get back alright. Don't go dying on me while I'm gone... or breaking your other leg going down a flight of stairs" Dash sighed at his last comment “I wish it was over too, but it’s for the greater good. When we are done, Equestria will be whole and a better place again,” she squeezed his hand, holding it for several moments, though she eventually let go and set off, before anyone saw them.

Chapter 3 - The Stalemate of War

The sky was mostly clear, apart from the few clouds hanging above the battlefield. They were heavy and dark grey in colour and threatened the soldiers with rain, if it were not for them being in such few numbers. Perhaps they had broken away from a larger body of clouds out in the sea... at least judging from their general movement inland. Star reckoned it was the case, the cool sea air carrying them the great distance.

The stallion eventually looked down to the ditch they were to call home from now on, their dugout in the side of a reserve trench, his fingers tapping lightly across the barrel of his rifle, the metal cold to the touch. It had barely been a week and already he was beginning to hate it... and he was sure others felt the same.

Eventually, with huff, Star would pull his rifle up from his side and into his lap, disassembling his weapon slowly. To his side was a 'mostly' clean cloth for him, Jacob and Jinx to lay the individual pieces of their rifles. Already he could see Jinx struggling to undo the screws, giving a warm grin.

"Wait Jacob, is it left or right?" Jinx moved his finger anticlockwise then clockwise in the air as he asked, eyes looking up as he tried to think about his gesture from the human’s perspective.

"You go clockwise to push the screw in, anticlockwise to pull it out." Jacob replied, continuing to strip his weapon and clean each section thoroughly, "Except the screw on the underside, that goes the opposite way, so clockwise for that one specifically."

"Okay yeah, that's what I've been fucked on just. So, I've been tightening up that weird screw all this time, right?" He'd show the rifle to the human.

"I guess if you've been doing it the wrong way for it," Jacob would reply with a nod

"Why would they do that… I mean it's fucking stupid to put one going the other way, isn't it," Jinx complained, looking over to Star, "I mean, who the hell is making these rifles and sticking a backwards screw in one place?"

"No clue, but I guess it would be..." Star pulled up the side plate for the rifle’s receiver "... Juniper Sugar. Wonder how rich they've gotten off this?"

"What, the war overall or making this rifle?" Jacob asked, leaning back in his chair, hearing a mortar shell go off in the distance, shifting slightly and looked back, towards the direction of the frontlines some 30 metres away.

"The rifle... but I guess the war in general. I mean you think about it, basically everyone had one of these, even my dad used the original ones. She's probably got millions of Bits," Star would say to them both.

"Yeah, but she's probably working her ass off to make new ones. Probably congratulated and that's about it." Jinx would soon add, "Bet she doesn't even leave the castle, you know, encase someone assassinates her."

Star and Jacob nodded to the unicorn, assassination attempts weren’t unheard of. If the rumour was true, one of Queen Chrysalis’ personal guards had been killed. At least that is what many believed, no creature having seen them for several months. They would all look up to the Lieutenant walking towards them, "Rifles clean yet?" he'd ask as he bent towards them briskly, entering their small dugout.

Before any of them could reply he'd pull up the blanket that kept the individual rifle pieces off the ground, tipping them all onto the soil. He yanked the blanket off to the side before slamming it down on the crate beside Jinx "DO IT AGAIN AND FASTER! NO TALKING!" he shouted, beginning to walk away before turning suddenly on Jinx "What did you just say?"

The large unicorn looked up with confusion from where he was about to pick up the pieces from the ground, looking from the Lieutenant to his friends, "I... I didn't say anything sir?"

The officer walked over to him, putting a finger in the stallion’s face, the smell of whiskey on his breath "I heard what you said, don't you dare think I'm deaf! Latrine duty as soon as you're done here, the lot of you! You're going to fucking learn some damn respect for your officers!" he shouted, eyes somewhat wild, “WHO DO YOU THINK YOU ARE!? HOW DARE YOU SPEAK TO AN OFFICER IN SUCH A MANNER!!”

Eventually pulling back sharply, the Earth pony glared at the three of them. He would squint for a moment before walking away from their dugout and down the trench, using the wall to stabilise himself.

After a few moments, Jacob, Star and Jinx looked between each other. The larger unicorn would eventually whisper "... Cunt..." looking up to the entrance to their dugout but the Lieutenant didn't return. The stallion grinned, brushing back his dark blue mane out of his face, "... He didn't hear that one"

"What did you bloody say about him?" Star asked in a semi-reprimanding manner, beginning to pick up the pieces of his rifle, running his cloth over them and shaking his head.

Giving another quick glance to the entrance, Jinx leaned in, "I didn't, honestly. I think he's off his head and drunk. I promise you guys I was silent,” Jinx sighed, though his Jaw soon began working as he thought, “… Is he the Lieutenant Olive Board everyone has complained about?"

Star gave a shrug, though Jacob nodded "Yeah that's him, he was shouting the other day at some other guys. He was saying his name like he's the top dog and we should all be bowing to him and grovelling almost," the human could see the stallion had more to say, "What did you hear?

"Just some, you know talking about him maybe being on the old," Jinx tapped the side of his nose and sniffed, giving a 'knowing' nod, "get what I mean"

Jacob shook his head before looking to Star who also looked confused "What do you mean... Snuff?" he'd ask

Jinx shook his head "No no, what that kid at school used to have before the police got him. I think he was like a goat or deer; you know with the two horns"

Star thought for a moment "oh?... Ohhh yeah him, cocaine?" the stallion would ask after a moment.

Snapping his fingers, Jinx pointed to him and Jacob "That's it, cocaine. Apparently, a few of the officers are on it to keep themselves sane. Don't think it's doing good for him is it"

Jacob made a face, "You still let your officers do drugs like that?”

"Hell no, absolutely banned since 985 when everyone was going a bit crazy and probably like that," Jinx replied immediately

Star nodded "Yeah Nightmare Moon made sure no one would be taking drugs. It used to be for medicinal purposes, but stuff about paranoia stopped it being distributed and the law cracked down on anyone taking drugs."

"Then... why aren't we just telling on him, get him kicked out and probably get someone better, and I guess, stable" the human suggested.

Star opened his mouth to reply, though Jinx answered first "Nah the officers would just screw us over. They just protect each other if anything happens," the unicorn would explain, attaching a clean cloth to a draw cord, feeding it through the barrel of his rifle, pulling it through, "but a lot of guys say he is a bastard, always kicking off and shouting then breaking down when on the frontlines. You know, one guy said he pointed his revolver at someone."

Star and Jacob looked at him with concern, "Fuck, is that true?" Star asked his cousin, leaning in closer as he’d listen to the retelling of events.

"Eeyup, pointed it like that, right at his forehead. Shouting about the stallion to never tell him to calm down again" the stallion re-enacted what he'd been shown, arm raised and pointed at an imaginary stallion before him, beginning to do a mock impression of the Lieutenant “You dare tell me to calm down, I’ll blow your fucking head off! I am a Rifle Lieutenant of her Majesties’ Royal Equestrian Armed Forces! If I tell you to leave this trench you will do it without question.”

Star glanced at Jacob who was cleaning quicker at that point, already reconnecting the breech into the main frame

"You don't think he'd actually do it though, right?" Star would ask the human with a small grin "he's just threatening and… and wouldn't do anymore. There was probably way more to it than just saying calm down... and... and" the stallion went on, partially trying to reason with himself at this point.

"Would you chance it with him, we already saw he was mental. He looked like he was about to do the same to Jinx just," the human replied.

Star bit his cheek before nodding, doing the same and continued to clean his weapon, faster.

********

They finished cleaning their kit by the time the Lieutenant returned, the Earth pony barely looking over the rifles presented to him before pointing off to the latrines with a somewhat satisfied smirk, as if he had won some little war against the three of them.

Asking around, the trio would eventually find a soldier willing to direct them to the buckets, and for a few minutes, show them how to even go about emptying them. It wasn't as if latrine maintenance was part of standard training in their regiment, though they come to realise that most other regiments received some rundown to general process before being shipped to the front.

The work was arduous and disgusting for the most part, having to ship barrels of 'waste' to a ditch further behind the lines to be disposed of. A constant walk back and forth that seemingly went on for hours as the Lieutenant would occasionally return to provide them with more work. It was apparent he was holding some level of grudge towards the imagined slight he'd received.

Despite Jinx's desire to confront him, Star and Jacob would manage to settle his anger for the moment, believing the best course of action was to not aggravate the seemingly unstable stallion, hoping instead that the Lieutenant would lose interest if they did not retaliate.

They would have the opportunity to talk to the odd stallion or other creature willing to withstand the smell and give a conversation, making the arduous labour somewhat tolerable.

"... and then they go again and again with all this 'I’ve got a winning hand', fail instantly, pour more money in 'this is the winning hand', nope. Hehe, Peter felt so bad for him he just 'let' him keep half of the money he lost. I mean this unicorn has literally blown his entire months wages on cards, with an obvious fucking losing streak," the earth pony, who'd introduced himself as Cherry Wine, would say. The stallion shivered after a moment, pulling a hand from one of his pockets to remove his near finished cigarette, breathing a plume of smoke out to the side.

Jinx sat by the entrance to the latrine as Jacob and Star worked on filling the buckets inside, "Yeah we know a guy like that, this tiger who said he was some big con-artist in his world, selling all his goods for more than they are worth, you know the usual. Anyway, he is 'shit' at cards... Hah, I mean more shit than this crap we're pulling out" Jinx would laugh, motioning with a thumb towards the pit.

"Bucket," Star called to his cousin, moving the container out of the shack, setting it down carefully on the uneven ground.

Jinx moved over, hefting the bucket up, pouring the contents into a barrel before setting the bucket back to be refilled, "How close are we anyway?" Jinx would ask the two as they continued their work.

"I don't know I mean... just past halfway at this point probably," Jacob would reply.

Taking in another drag of his cigarette, Cherry would look at the burnt end which had almost reached his fingertips before motioning to the large barrel being filled "May I?" he'd ask, doing a mock throw of his cigarette into the barrel.

With shrug, Jinx leant back against the wall of the trench, “Go for it mate,” he’d say, tapping a wooden beam lightly as he cast a glance out of the small passage they all stood in, as several soldiers walked past.

The stallion lined himself up before giving a high throw, the near finished cigarette landing in the barrel and sizzling out

"Bang!" Jinx called with a wide grin, looking to Cherry as he jumped.

Eventually a grin spread across the other stallion’s face as he leant back, holding his chest "Nearly gave me a heart attack! I thought I'd actually fucked up bad!" Cherry shook his head, chuckling.

“And thought shit was explosive?” Jinx laughed

“Something like that,” Cherry replied, taking out a metal case from his front pocket, opening it up and took out another cigarette, lighting it soon enough. Quickly realising, he continued, "Oh hey, guys," he shook the metal tin, "Want one?" he called to them, lips pressed together to hold the cigarette in his mouth.

The three of them looked between each other before shaking their heads "It's all good mate," Jinx would begin.

"None of us smoke, but thank you," Jacob gave him a nod.

"Go on, take one encase you change your mind. Or you know, someone else wants them. Got a guy who often heads back to town and picks them up from the shops," Cherry would reply.

The three of them looked between each other once more before Jacob stepped out of the latrine "What town? By the way you're up now," he'd say, nudging Jinx as he passed him.

"Five buckets already? Fuck!" The dark grey unicorn called out, moving past Jacob and looking up to the sky in annoyance briefly, heading into the latrine to take over his job of holding the bucket, Star taking over for Jacob in turn with filling it.

Jacob leant against the wall, "What town is this, I thought they had to blow up Bucksweed to get here?"

"Oh no, I'm talking about the place that's further down, Honeywell. They sided with New Equestria as soon as we came by. A lot of the families were all a mix of creatures, so they weren't a fan of the Van Hoover rebellion to begin with. The non-equestrian people were treated like second rate citizens a lot of the time. They did half blow up Bucksweed, but that's on Van Hoover from what I heard. They moved the artillery back and bombarded it when we went in to evacuate people." Cherry finished off, brushing soil from the creases of his uniform.

Jacob bounced his brows "Really? I wonder if any of the other towns and villages are going to consider joining us at this rate?"

"Probably a hell of a lot. This unicorn I was talking to, he got pulled back to help evacuate some other town a few weeks ago. Van Hoover couldn't take them in as its overcrowded... Oh hey speaking of him, you guys heard about that unicorn who got court ‘badly’ marshalled recently? Found he was able to do a shit ton of magic, right under our noses. Been hiding all this time." Cherry shook his head in disbelief, "Honestly made it look so believable to me that he couldn't even lift a canteen of water with his magic."

Jinx glanced up to Star briefly, who ignored his cousin and kept working.

Shifting closer, Jacob asked with confusion, "What's so bad about using magic?"

"Well, it's not that he can do the magic," Cherry began, "it's that he just lied to everyone about it and isn't doing his duty. You know, we're all doing our part, why isn't he doing his!" the stallion stood up, getting angered at the thought

"I mean he should be back at the capital, giving his magic to the power stations and ready to defend it in an emergency, rather than out and about here. I mean if ‘I’ could do magic I would be using it to help everyone I could in the best way… the unicorn piece of shit! Bloody spike-head bastard lying to everyone and wasting his gift," he kicked a clod of earth away, "it's the bloody law... sorry... just pisses me off that they aren't doing their part like they’ve been told to," Cherry would say, crossing his arms over his chest.

Jacob glanced back to Jinx and Star, the two stallions both stared out of the latrine for a moment before continuing their work quietly.

"N-not there's anything wrong with unicorns guys, heh, just him and other unicorns who ‘can’ do a lot of magic and risk everything by being here. They can provide power, be doctors, use the magic to protect Canterlot, that’s there place in the world… sorry that didn’t come out right… I… " Cherry was quick to explain, realising how he sounded regarding unicorns but only making it worse.

Clearing his throat after his outburst, he continued "Ahem well anyway, I got to be heading off so, you know... keep the tin and… everything" he'd rattle the cigarette case before setting it down for them. The stallion gave a brief wave before setting off hurriedly, shaking his head to himself.

Jacob turned back slowly to look at Star, who turned to look at him as well, eventually sighing.

********

It was dark by the time they finished their work; the Lieutenant having not shown up at the last minute to give them yet another latrine to clean. They hoped he was busy with some official business rather than spending an entire day monitoring them to take out his grudge.

Returning the barrels and buckets to the storage area, they would pass by one of the first latrines they cleaned, finding two soldiers already hard at work emptying it and complaining to each other. They really did fill up quickly.

It was made worse by finding they were late for the food, most of it already taken away by the masses of soldiers. Jinx, fortunately, was able to convince the chefs to pool together what scraps they had available for the three of them, but it still wasn't much.

All in all, a hard day of work, cold scraps and no chance of a proper shower and clean clothes till the next day. The week really wasn't starting out too well. They could only hope the Lieutenant wouldn't come looking the next day and put them through it all again.

They wouldn't have their wish as immediately the next morning they'd find the Lieutenant actively searching through the dugouts for them, demanding they begin work helping the artillery. Though they questioned whether they were needed at their posts, they were swiftly silenced.

So began the next week and a half of their lives, even after they'd been moved to the frontlines again, he called them back, moving the trio from helping artillery to rebuilding trenches, cleaning uniforms, helping the chefs prepare food, bringing in supplies from the trucks that reached the backlines and more. Anything that could be found they would be made to do, the stallion even using them for 'Airship watch' involving nothing but staring into the sky, watching for signs of enemy airships flying directly above them, an activity which the Lieutenant supervised them perform from his chair, to ensure they 'did not shirk their duty' as he ordered them to stand for hours, looking up.

Gritting their teeth, they would find that by the 9th day the stallion was nowhere to be found, simply gone without a trace. Their tentative prying for questions revealing that he had been moved further down the lines where he was most needed. At least that was the official response, the rumours they heard in the trenches were very different.

".... lost his shit and had a heart attack," the ferret would say offhandedly, nodding as he began cutting up onions for the soup, looking at the trio from across the counter.

"A heart attack?" Star repeated after him, making sure he heard him right.

"Yeah, just keeled over on the spot going 'my chest, aaaggghhh my' then passed out completely. No one has to explain to me that's a bloody heart attack... Heh, unless Van Hoover has invisible soldiers going about bumping off absolute assholes" the ferret laughed, continuing his cutting, “Which I bloody wish was the case.”

"You're certain he's gone right, not just recovering in a medical tent for the night then coming back," Jacob would be quick to ask

"Wha-, noooo, he's been discharged under ‘medical reasons’," the ferret did air quotes before scooping up the onion, throwing them in to a pot, "Really the officers were trying to get rid of him for a while, but he spooked a lot of soldiers. You know, probably with that story you told us last week, with the gun to someone's head. Plus, he’s an ‘officer’ so you know, the stallion is higher value than the rest of us, even if he can barely keep his cool for ten seconds straight."

Star nodded "I'm just glad we can get some peace finally."

Jinx grinned, "As much as you can get whilst shooting back at the bastards on the other side. Anyway, thanks Hol'I. We’ll see you tomorrow," the stallion patted the countertop before walking off with his friends, "guess we go report to the front and... get on with our duties?”

"What was this all about in the end? Why did we get lumbered with him," Jacob asked, putting his hands in his pockets as the three of them headed out of the kitchens, turning a corner and making their way down the communication trench, to the front.

"Just bad luck," Star would reply, reaching into his pocket to pull out the cigarette tin. Taking one out, his horn lit up as he ignited the end of the cigarette, bringing it to his lips before closing the tin "But you know what... we kept our heads down and together we stuck to it, didn't we." Star would brighten with a smile

Jacob gave a small grin, shrugging, "I guess. Honestly that sounds like something I would have expected Jinx to say," the human commented, casting a glance over his shoulder

"Yeah, I know," Jinx began, "we are related though. Guess it's in the blood to be umm. Jacob come on; you know the word I’m thinking of…" he'd soon ask of the human

The man lifted his head up, "Optimistic, seeing the brighter side of life and glass half full not half empty."

"Yeah optimistic. Glass half full sort of thing," the stallion would say with a wide grin.

In no time at all their smiles would be replaced with grimaces as the constant gunfire and artillery bombardments reminded them of what their lives were now, without the distraction of Lieutenant Olive Board assigning them to every duty and chore available.

Rifle leant up against his side, Star crossed his arms over his chest and like the many other soldiers in the trenches, waited. There was nothing to do but wait as there was little one could do, besides the occasional shot over the parapet, but that would spell death. At least death was the most likely case, though for Jinx it did not seem so, the stallion still enjoying the thrill as much as he did the first night, standing up to take the odd shot or two.

Occasionally an officer walked down the line, mostly checking that everyone was in their positions and, if it was even possible, waking anyone who was asleep. For those who looked too shaken, the officer would provide them a small drink of rum to settle their nerves. It was a dark, tar like liquid that burned down the throat and tasted vile, but it did its job. Some soldiers would obviously 'pretend' to be shaken but their façade was seen through immediately, the officers had witnessed enough creatures to know what real shocked looked like.

Constant bombardment, the occasional screaming for help as some shell hit a trench and took out its occupants, plumes of soil and shrapnel being hurled in the air to rain down upon them, it was the same once more as they sat and prepared for the enemy to charge. Such would persist for the next few days, no distance gained by either side as the artillery and rifle fire kept each other at bay.

Star took once more to looking up at the sky and counting the clouds, eyes drifting slowly towards the city where he would begin counting the various airships flying overhead, a barrier to any airborne assaults upon Van Hoover. The constant circular motion of the large vessels that moved slowly in their orbit, along with the smaller and faster airships that extended the perimeter to just beyond the city’s hastily constructed steel walls. It wouldn’t take Star long to realise he had sunk into one of the jobs Lieutenant Olive Board had set them to do. Maybe it wasn’t such a bad pass time after all, watching the vessels fly through the sky, occasionally dipping down to be refuelled or going out to… sea.

The unicorn adjusted himself, standing back from the fire-step to get a wider view of the sky, the vessel was definitely heading out to the sea, a small vessel almost missed if one was not paying attention. Star shifted to Jacob, the man holding his ears and tapping the back of his head, seeming to be waiting, not wanting to step up and shoot lest receive a bullet through the head, they had quickly realised their steel helmets did very little to stop the enemies shots.

“Jacob, I just saw a small airship flying off that way,” Star pointed, “You know out to sea and everything, what else is that way… do you think we’ve managed to get some of our ships around to attack?” he’d ask.

“I don’t know…maybe they are planning to flank the trench and blow us up with a bombing run, heh, end all of us! Maybe I can finally get some proper sleep!” the man joked before his face fell slightly as such an event would mean the end of this torture but also death and for a brief moment, he tried to decide which one was worse.

“There’s no way they would be able to make it onto land with the anti-aircraft guns, it has to be something else?” Star would call back over the noise, not catching onto the morbid joke as he turned back

Jacob shook his head, shrugging “I don’t know Star I don’t know. Maybe they are running away but then they would be shot down by their own soldiers, I guess. Or maybe they have someone important on board, I don’t bloody know!”

Star could see the man’s anger rising. It was the stress of the whole situation though and Star knew not to take anything to heart. Giving a nod, the stallion shifted to his cousin, excited grin plastered over their face, “I fucking got one Star!”

“You got one?” Star would say in somewhat disbelief

“Oh yeah I was totally having a fucking fire fight with this one guy over there, you see the rise!” He stood up briefly before ducking down once more. Only a few seconds later sand poured out of the sandbags lining the parapets as bullets passed through them, just left of where the unicorn’s head had been.

“Yeah, there is that rise over there right, and I kept waiting for him to pop up because he always takes five or six seconds to reload and I ‘know’ I got him because I haven’t seen any flashes by that rise anymore!” Jinx soon went on.

“How do you know he didn’t just move or stop for a bit?” Star would question

“What?! Nah he’s dead, I know it.” Jinx would reply, shaking his head. That was all the break the stallion was having as he pulled the lever of his rifle down, spent case flying out. Forcing in a new round, he’d close the breech as he stood, continuing

How he could stay alive being so reckless Star would never know. He had tried to pull his cousin down constantly to protect him but if he stopped for just a split second, the other unicorn would be back up and firing. It had hurt Star at first to ‘let him go’ and know he could be hurt worse. To let a loved one do something that put their life at risk and almost stand by and watch… but nothing had happened to Jinx. He just kept going and remained unharmed no matter how bad the shooting became.

It even got to a point where Star was more worried for Jacob, who almost constantly remained in cover, as if the human was in more danger than his brother who literally put his head above the parapets.

The days passed by in the same manner, the back and forth with no victor close to being in sight. A true stalemate. Many soldiers may have thought the airship coming down when they first arrived and the other airship that joined their side were a sure sign of victory, plus the word of the very eastern most trenches making a large push of thirty meters and another of fifty metres were a signifier that the battle for Van Hoover, to get to its gates and walls, was coming to a close. The following days, and soon weeks, proved that these were small victories if not, simply minor setbacks for Van Hoover, which it would quickly recover from.

There was word of an infantry charge from the Van Hoover troops, charging boldly from their steel gates, on to the Royal army’s central trench line, leading to the loss of 500 soldiers or more. Even this was a minor setback for the New Equestrian army, as a newly trained battalion from the capital would replace the loses in short order. There was no end in sight.

Chapter 4 - Hard Advance

Star held his rifle close, gazing up to the sandbag lined parapet, holes having been shot through the hessian sack, leaving the dull sand visible. He knew they would need changing soon but over the weeks they had been here, they had realised how little attention their section of the battlefield received. The fighting had died down to only the occasional shot or artillery shell being fired and become a monotonous wait for something to happen, even if many knew that ‘something’ would most likely involve death and injury.

"Star your turn" Jacob would say, sitting on the firestep, his back against the wood and earthen wall of the trench, holding his cards close to his chest. Sky Star looked down with confusion from where he stood, glancing up at the parapet once more before sitting beside his friend, taking a card from the deck. He'd look over his current set of cards briefly before setting down a Jack of Spades onto the small wooden table, resting his rifle beside him "So... you sure it's next week?" he'd ask the human.

"Yes, it's next bloody week... Shit Sky, you won't get out of this trench any sooner if you keep asking you know?" Jacob would say with in a brief moment of annoyance, sighing after a moment "sorry, I just want a break too..." he put a hand on the unicorn's arm as he apologized, "It is next week though, on the Thursday... unless they change it, touch wood it doesn't," the human tapped the box in front of them, which had become their makeshift table, whilst Star idly knocked on the wooden support beam by his head.

The stallion glanced up at the top of their trench for a moment more before looking to the human again, "He'll be back soon, right?" the unicorn swallowed, praying silently for his cousin.

"Trust me, he's fine. Despite the name, he has Lady Luck on his side half the time... And he's only on a scavenger run right, no scouting jobs like the lot in Brackish Way had to do," Jacob would say, waving his hand in the general direction of the trench lines some eighty metres towards the coast.

After what felt like hours to Sky, Tumble Jinx's voice could be heard singing, badly, as he approached them, bag held in his hands as he shifted back and forth in a little dance, Laurel following him, rolling his eyes as the stallion took his time getting back to his friends

"Boys....it's Hearths Warming," Jinx would say, setting the bag down "Ho ho ho I bring gifts oh plenty. And what would you like for Christmas young Sky Star?"

The smaller unicorn shook his head "How can you still be messing around and having fun like that... it's been a month of this nearly," Star wrapped his arms about himself to keep warm.

"Oh, someone's down today, I think he might need two presents to cheer him up, ho ho," Jinx made a show of rummaging for a while in his bag before producing a box of cigarettes "Here you go young lad, a half full box that's slightly damp."

After a moment of staring at the box held out to him, Star would eventually crack a smile, taking it "Thanks mate," he'd say as he opened it up, taking a dry cigarette and lighting it. He wasn't happy to have developed such a habit like this... but if he didn't have 'something' to pass the time then what...

Jacob finally placed down his card, looking up to Laurel, "So, you back for a while then?" He'd ask the snake who'd kneel down with them.

"Four days then I go west unfortunately. Don't know how long I'll be there for but that's that," the snake would finally say, quickly giving a glance at the other firing posts, head tilting to look in the dugout nearby, all of which were empty, "Where's everyone else?" he'd eventually ask.

Jacob would be first to reply, "The shark with us got pulled back to the medical bay when some random stray bit of shrapnel from ‘gods know where’ came over the trench and hit him in the shoulder. Then the Earth pony asked for some transfer, didn't really say why... I think he just didn't have any of his regiment up here. That was a week ago."

Star soon commented "And the other three got their week off two or three days ago so... they'll be back soon. Heh one's this sapper guy who originally tried to be a comedian, so he had all these, like, really awful jokes... yeah but they don't really like us as much.”

Laurel gave a smile as they talked, though his brow was still furrowed with concern, "Why don't they like you?" He shifted closer; arms crossed over his chest.

The stallion soon answered "Well we're the 95th regiment, always shouting at us like we don't know anything and saying we're not a real regiment just a pretend one. They even refused to help Habben, the shark guy, when he got hit by the shrapnel because he was part of our regiment... said we needed to learn or some bullshit. They were always being rude to him because he wasn't a Pony. Just a bunch of assholes." Star growled at the memory of it all.

The snake shook his head as he listened, "Well... I'll be sorting that out when I get to the Officers bunker mark my words!"

Star would quickly try to calm him "No no just leave it... what if they get pissed off when they come back?" the unicorn would say.

Jacob would soon join in, "Yeah I'm with Star, if you say anything they're the kind who will shoot you and just say you put your heads up above the parapet line."

The reptile turned, "They won't be bloody coming back here then! I'll have them shipped off to the fucking East Flank for that, see how they like it up there!" the snake hissed angrily, baring his long fangs briefly, before they'd retract into his mouth, "I'm not going to let them risk killing you guys alright, my decision is made."

He let out a growl before calming himself, the stallion and the human conceding in their attempts to dissuade him further. After a brief silence the snake would open his eyes, "But right now... is there only you three in this trench?" His brow furrowed with concern.

"Yeah, just us three right now." Jacob would reply, setting the rest of his cards on the table as he sat back to listen

"Alright well I’ll have to let the Officers know about that as well. There just aren’t enough troops available for these coastal trenches I guess... I shouldn't be telling you this but... and keep this between yourselves" he'd say leaning closer, "In the next day or so you'll be pushed forwards, over the line to take their trenches. We're doing a big advance to break this side.”

"Oh great...so we’re going to die soon?" Jinx called out.

Laurel batted the stallion's side with his heavy tail, "Keep your voice down! We can't say this to anyone encase they're traitors. I can trust you three but the others," the snake went on, "look... it's happening whether you like it or not, but they're not sending you out with nothing. The capital won't send battalions to their death like 'those' bastards. You'll be shipped in a convoy with the tanks, this new tactic they're planning, directly in their trenches."

"What else is happening then?" Star, eventually took off his helmet, scratching his head.

"I don't know too much about it, but the tanks are intended to remain in the trenches with you like a, I guess, some sort of bunker turrets to provide support. I'll just say, when you're there, don't stay near the tanks as they'll probably be targeted immediately alright. I only heard this in passing so I don't know the full details but something else was in the works," Laurel sighed, "I know it's shit for you guys, but they aren't making this decision lightly, we want to succeed in this push. Once you're established then support will be coming through soon enough. They hope to send in a column behind you."

There was a silence between all of them as they looked to the floor. Finally, Jacob would speak up "So... this might be the last time we see each other? If it goes wrong."

Laurel shook his head "No, guys, listen to me you'll all be fine. Look," the snake pulled his bag off his back, glancing about once more before setting several weapons on the box between them. One was an iron mace that looked like it had been constructed from a wooden hatchet handle with a metal cap hammered over and nailed to the end, the others were a longer bayonet, somewhat like a short sword at 16 inches in length. He pulled out a wooden club with nails hammered into the bulbous end and a short but stout dagger, handle like a brass knuckle.

"I've managed to keep these from entering into circulation for our guys, these are the better ones that we found scavenging out there just. Take what you want but keep them close alright. I’m guessing you haven’t had any close combat experience or even training at this point. From what I’ve gathered you haven’t received any charges at all..." he gestured at the table “I wish I could do more for you guys but that's all I've got," Laurel sighed.

"Fuck, no Laurel, this is... this is loads, thank you" Jacob would say, patting the snakes back.

"Without you we wouldn't even know what was happening, and you're already putting yourself at massive risk doing all this" Jinx would comment soon enough.

Star picked up one of the gruesome clubs, covered in blood and mud... knowing he might be adding another layer to it soon enough, "thank you Laurel... you honestly do more than anyone else would do." he pushed himself off the trench wall.

"I'm just making sure you guys are looked after. I'll try and help one or two of the others in the regiment but I know some are probably still loud mouths... and that shouldn't be the reason they don't receive help or a better chance of surviving but if the enemy finds out then it would be a true suicide mission without anyone knowing and it would be all my fault for not keeping quiet," he rubbed his hands together as he felt the cool morning air "...I should be going and report my findings before they start wondering where the hell one of their scouts went," standing up immediately, he gave them a thumbs up, "Good luck guys"

Laurel would soon leave, the trench already beginning to feel much more lonely and less safe without the snake, who always seemed to be in control or know what was happening, able to reassure them that they would be alright.

The silence would persist till Star eventually asked, "So what else you got in there?"

Jacob gave a nod, happy with the change of topic as Jinx smiled, continuing from where he'd left off, as if the last few minutes had not occurred, "Oh I forgot your presents didn't I," the unicorn went on, grinning for them. He'd pull out a deck of cards, "Now we can do that double deck thing we talked about" he'd say, finally pulling out a bottle, "And I even got a half empty whiskey. I think it's whiskey... I mean if you guys want it, we… " he faltered for a moment, setting it down on the table with a sigh. Soon enough the unicorn rested his elbows on the table, pushing several of the weapons aside to make room for himself "Listen... he's right... we're going over and we need to think about what we are going to do."

The large stallion picked up the iron headed club, "I think we should do as he says, not stick to the tanks or they'll get blown up and us with it. I bet we'll get over and there could be guys hiding so we need to check everywhere... so like... I'll... I'll smash them with the club and be up front, Jacob you use your gun to shoot, heh of course you’ll use your gun to shoot I mean." the big unicorn kept trying to think of the plan but trailed off.

Jacob finished for him "I'll stay back with my rifle and Star, you stay between us and be ready to use your, you know" the unicorn pointed at Star’s horn.

Jinx nodded "yeah, you use your stuff Star... and we'll be all safe," he'd agree, looking to his cousin who rubbed the back off one of his hands with a thumb, eventually touching his spiral horn in thought.

"Okay... so Jinx with the heavier club, Jacob you take the bayonet knife and I'll take the knuckle duster knife thing for myself. You guys decide on the other club between you both. Jinx goes first, I'll use my magic to protect us as best I can. But guys we got to remember, we're not the only ones so we will have guys behind us and maybe in front. We won't be alone. Let's maybe... get out and take up a position in the trench we're at, clear it and hold position alright, let someone else advance then we can come in and protect them from behind. See where those tanks are and move from them. We just need to make sure we're on alert. Yeah, yeah! We'll be fine" he’d say suddenly smiling, the three of them seeming fairly confident with the plan.

********

The 95th regiment would be called to the support trench lines two days later where the situation would be explained to them swiftly, as they hoped to charge the enemy in the early hours of the same morning. Close to 300 soldiers would be sent across to capture the trench, along with thirteen tanks. The vehicles would form a shielded arrowhead formation in front of them, protecting them as best they could. When they arrive, they would clear out the trenches, sappers would begin constructing a fortified ring within the trenches using a new magic shield generator and produce a safe zone against artillery, a state-of-the-art device which was having its first true combat test that day. while three tanks to remain for a time whilst the other ten would move back to provide a second arrow-head formation for more soldiers to cross the battlefield. Eventually they intended to keep all the tanks in position till the area was fortified by their sappers at which point they would have to hold out till a supply tunnel deep beneath the battlefield could be dug to them.

Being within the enemy territory, they realised that the soldiers needed greater defence and were provided a new form of armour to wear. Little more than a simple to make steel 'apron' of sorts, the overlapping plates were backed by straps to provide flexibility, covering from their torso to just above their mid-thigh. The words 'first time using this armour method' and 'newly designed for the trenches' were passed around.

Of the soldiers being sent over belonging to the 95th regiment, they were well aware from being a testing regiment what that meant, 'you will be testing to see if it works... count the bodies so we can have our statistics'. It made Star almost angry to think about it. They would be the guinea pigs again, despite them being in a life-or-death situation and in more danger than they had been for the last month of fighting and now they were officially testing these new prototypes.

He cooled his temper before either of his friends noticed, remembering the words of their Colonel. The one-winged Pegasus had told them of the nitty gritty of war. Soldiers had to test tactics and equipment, no one mystically knew everything regarding war and could make it easy for them, even if they did receive aid from other worldly creatures who had experience of their own wars... like life, everything had some level of trial and error till there was success. Star realised how much he missed the commander. For someone who'd seen the worst of war, the Colonel had never been bitter and always tried to protect them like an uncle almost. Why did he try so much and care for them?

The tanks were finally brought to their position. They seemed more armed than normal tanks, fitted with two 25mm cannons each to provide further firepower. Large caterpillar treads were located on either side of the tank to carry its massive weight of who knew how many tons, appearing to be slightly bigger than the normal variants of the tank with the thick armour plating.

The soldiers formed into their rough formation. Timing was imperative with this charge. The tanks would cross over their trenches first to get into position then they would all need to clamber up and run amongst the steel behemoths as they stormed across the dead-zone between them and the enemy. The tank crews fortunately had practiced this manoeuvre several times, but the soldiers hadn’t, for them they were praying the tanks did not speed off without them and leave them expose.

The vehicles roared to life behind them, black smoke pumping from their upwards facing exhausts as the tanks drove across their trenches before driving over them, the soldiers seeing the underside of them as they passed. Once over, the soldiers began clambering up and running. What were they doing, this was mental, running along behind the tanks in such a way, scampering over the ground and climbing out over craters that were in their path. The sound of the tanks’ cannons firing constantly on the enemy trenches could be heard, flushing them out for when they arrived. The sound of bullets thunking on the steel hulls of the tanks rung out loudly and after a moment the soldiers grinned, beginning to believe this plan might actually work, protecting them all the way.

Suddenly there was a loud boom on the other side a tank, machine jumping in the air as a tread broke loose, vehicle veering off to the side and exposing the soldiers for a moment as the tanks on the right flank rushed to fill the gap. The battalion rushed to be in cover, though it was too late as several men dropped down to the ground, those still screaming being dragged by their companions the rest of the way as they clutched at wherever they had been shot. Still, they pushed on, another tank stopping altogether as the soldiers scurried about the dead machine. Finally, the tanks were over the enemy lines and the soldiers jumped into the trenches, looking both ways, bumping into each other as they searched for any enemies.

Jinx grabbed hold of both Star and Jacob by their shoulders, pulling them together and back as they were about to be swept in opposite directions from each other by the mob of soldiers rushing down the trench bays like a swarm of ants to attack an intruder to their nest.

To their left were the other tanks riding over the enemy trenches, soldiers pouring out into the other lines before rushing deeper in, the sound of rifles soon heard as the fighting began. Fighting was not the plan Jinx, Star and Jacob had. Though avoiding direct combat, they would do their part in sweeping the trenches clean that their fellow soldiers had passed through already. They all admitted they wanted to live through this and doing this search gave them the highest chance to survive... whilst giving a reason to not be rushing on ahead and claiming ground.

The enemies’ trenches were not like their own, seeming less zigzagging and instead having long straight bays that one could shoot down with ease. The walls were also unstable and many of the trenches did not have boards lining the walkways, making footing poor in the mud that had formed at the bottom of them.

Moving through the maze of paths, taking their time as they searched every dugout and small bunker, they made sure to not step too far out of the cleared zone, lest meet a group of enemy soldiers mounting a retaliatory attack. Everywhere seemed to contain yet more bodies, ponies strewn out, some appearing to have died instantly from bullets to the chest or head, whilst others showed signs of crawling away, having bled out before they received aid.

The trio felt the growing concern as they realised there was none of their own soldiers to help them if they were in danger. If one of them was injured and they were in a fight, there was no back up coming to save them. No creature would hear their calls over the gunfire, not at this distance... their combined bravery and push to go deeper would soon falter. Star looked back to Jacob, the human glancing about quickly before he called to his cousin, who still walked on ahead, growing increasingly unnerved "Jinx, slow down... maybe we should go back?" The smaller unicorn suggested.

"What but we need to catch up to the others!?" Jinx would jog up to the other two, "We can catch up if we just keep going."

Star shook his head "Look we were sent to secure this area, not kill everyone within a ten-mile radius. I know they have run off, but we shouldn’t too. We need to head back. There will be more coming up soon and we can link up with them," he'd try his best to convince him.

The other stallion would take a second considering, looking down the way they'd come, then ahead "... alright. Yeah, we'll do that. Tack on to the units which will be joining soon,” Jinx conceded, still looking ahead to where the rest of their battalion most likely was, eventually shifting past Star and Jacob "Come on let's go!" he'd call back, hearing the gunfire growing further away... Still wanting to join up with the others of their battalion.

They moved swiftly to where they entered, ducking down and almost running through the trenches. Jacob pointed out one of the tanks still remaining, suggesting they head towards it as the other tanks would most likely link up with them. Additionally, they could look for any soldiers who were wounded and retreated to safety.

They turned the corner, eyes lighting upon a group of soldiers from the 95th regiment, bandaged and wounded, being set upon by the enemy ponies. There was no mercy with how the enemy killed the already injured soldiers who could put up little resistance. It wasn't just killing quickly… they tortured them, stabbing and toying with the helpless soldiers of the Royal Equestrian army. The looks of glee they gave as they stabbed a feline, covering their mouth as they looked into his eyes. The five enemies were about to dispatch the last injured soldier as one of their number took off his satchel and pulled out a small metal box, a bomb, looking over to the tank whose crew were unaware they were seconds away from death.

Jinx fired first, grabbing not only the enemies’ attention, but Jacob and Star's as well, who had been attempting to plan out their attack quickly. His shot missed his target, the stallion with the bomb, but blew a hole through another pony’s thigh, dropping them to the ground screaming and holding the bleeding wound. Jinx stood, gulping as he quickly tried to cram another round into his breech, not even thinking about moving into cover.

Star rushed forwards and pulled his cousin into a nearby dugout, bullets penetrating the earthen wall where he had just stood only seconds later.

Jacob dove into another small dugout for cover, taking a shot down the length of the trenches, catching one stallion as they attempted to move behind a wall, the bullet punching a hole through his stomach. The humans’ fingers scrambled to pull a round from the ammo box on his hip, dropping one round into the mud. Leaving it, he grabbed hold of another and forced it into the rifle breech, not knowing if his friends were dead or not, till he took another shot around the bend, spotting the two unicorns for a brief moment, returning to their cover.

Stunned momentarily by how close he was to dying just, Jinx would freeze up before suddenly growling in anger, pushing past Star even as they tried to stop him, the smaller unicorn’s fingers pulling at their cousin’s uniform. Loading another round as he stood, Jinx stepped boldly around the corner, standing half exposed as he waited for one to pull out. His finger squeezed the trigger tightly, blowing a hole through the enemy’s chest, sending them reeling as Jinx moved back behind the wall, breathing quickly as he tried to reload.

"Guys... we’ve got two more out there probably!" Jacob called to his companions.

Star took a moment before taking a sharp breath in "Alright both of you move out... I'll protect you." he took another breath in deep. Standing, horn lighting up brightly, he’d use his magic to produce a glowing wall of light between them and the enemy soldiers. Stepping out, Jacob and Jinx stood in the trench openly, taking their time to aim their rifles and fire.

The remaining Van Hoover soldiers shot back, bullets stopping as they hit the wall of light, which flickered brightly but continued to hold. Jacob and Jinx knew that Star wouldn’t be able to hold this type of magic up for long and acted swiftly. Shooting back, their own bullets would pass through the translucent wall of magic as if it was air, and within seconds they would kill one of the stallions, moving on to the last one who fought more conservative, than his fallen companion. With every shot into the glowing wall, it would grow dimmer and visible fracture lines could be seen as if the magical structure was made of glass, ready to shatter.

Eventually Jacob landed the shot to the enemy's head, blowing a hole through their steel helmet. Lifting his rifle, Jacob turned back to Star, calling back, "They're dead, they're dead!"

The wall promptly vanished and what bullets were held in the air within its glistening aura, dropped to the ground. Star would pant loudly as he held onto the trench wall for support, knees feeling as though they may give out on him.

"Shit star you alright... come on give me your arm" Jinx began, though he was pushed off with what remaining strength his cousin could muster

"Get to the tank and tell them about the bomb!" Star managed, slumping against the wall with exhaustion.

Jacob grabbed Jinx's arm and pulled him back, "Go, I'll take care of him" the human called, pointing to the tank as he already knelt beside the weakened stallion.

After looking between both indecisively, he would finally rush through the trenches to the tank, banging on the door, "Open up! Fucking open up we've got a problem!" the stallion looked to the bomb nervously, sitting in the mud only metres away. The doors finally flung open, rifle pressed to the stallion’s face as he turned back, "Don't shoot, I'm with the 95th!" Jinx pointed behind himself quickly, "The enemy just tried to blow up the tank and..."

"Fuck a bomb! Merry Trot get here now!" one of the tank crew called into the vehicle, a unicorn rushing out to them soon enough. Following the finger pointing out to the explosive, the unicorn immediately hopped out, horn lighting up bright orange and enshrouding the device in a dome of magical energy "Get Coal down with the kit, we need to disable this immediately!"

"I don't know if they activated it so it might be safe, but I don't know" Jinx would say, stepping back as an Earth pony jumped from the tank with a tool kit, coming over to look at the bomb.

They would ignore Jinx as they got to work, "Just hold it Merry I'm working fast alright"

“On it just give me a second!” the other called back.

The two bomb diffusers would work, the unicorn holding the explosive in place, his magic preventing any internal mechanisms moving, the other slowly disassembling the device before it could blow. In minutes, it would be nothing more than pieces on the floor of the trench, the pair spending little time debating whether it had been active or not as they rushed into the tank to man their stations, continuing to fire.

By that time, the second wave of Royal soldiers would have made it across the battlefield behind the cover of the tanks. Along with the troops were the sappers, who began working on barricading the trenches, taking steel sheets off the back of tanks and placing a large device of silver metal and crystals in place, close to six feet in height, the prototype magic shield generator.

With the newest mass of soldiers with them, their numbers were now pushing on 850, close to a full battalion. It would be enough to hold the position, especially with the additional support of the tanks which functioned as artillery.

Star was shaky but had almost recovered for the most part. Kneeling with Jacob and Jinx, he rested with them. The trio believed they had earned this momentary reprieve after saving the tank from destruction and the crew it held within.

"... How are you feeling Star... You think you’ll be ready to go soon?" Jacob would eventually ask, having taken to pacing back and forth, listening to the fighting which had all but silenced now, the enemy having been forced to retreat.

"I'm fine just, another minute and we'll go... Oh fuck!" Star looked to Jinx sharply.

The other unicorn looked down at himself then about, "What? What!?"

Star pointed to Jinx’s chest, "Your armour, its-"

Jinx looking down to see a sizable gouge and dent along the side of his chest plate, looking to be more of a glancing shot than a direct hit by the angle, "... DAMN... I-I didn't even feel it," the stallion ran a finger over the mark, blanching slightly at the thought of what it could have been if he had not been wearing the armour. He touched beneath it and immediately winced as he felt the large bruise over his chest, where the plate had slammed against him. Clearing his throat eventually and shaking his head, Jinx would gather himself, "Well... yeah, good. The armour works so... we know we can trust it right?"

Jacob bore a concerned look for a moment, the bullet looked to have been on the cusp of penetrating... but he said nothing regarding his thoughts, "Hmm… yeah yeah, it works and it'll protect us," the human looked off to the side, rubbing his face. Eventually his eyes wandered to his own plated armour where several scratches had already developed, frowning once again with concern.

A diamond dog ran up to them, badge on his right arm indicating they were an assault engineer, "You three on guard duty or something?" he asked, resting down on all fours as he was accustomed to, his arms and hands looking almost disproportionately large, like many of his kind.

"We are just taking a breather at the moment," Jinx would begin.

Jacob soon spoke up before the engineer got the wrong idea and thought they were slacking, "Just waiting for orders sir" he would add quickly as he saw the recognisable three crescent moons of a Sargent on the diamond dog's uniform.

"Well, we need more support on the eastern facing flank, been sent to find more so... come," he motioned his large paw for them to follow, "All you have to do is stand and keep guard while we do our work." they'd explain, turning and moving off, hem of their long coat dragging through the soft earth and mud momentarily before they changed for movement on both legs once more, seeming to almost shamble along.

The engineer led them past multiple enemy bodies and several of their own soldiers, all of which had been piled to the side of the trenches, allowing troops to move more easily. Little care seemed to have been given to the enemies’ bodies, stacked upon one another. Their own soldiers however, seemed to have been somewhat placed more considerately. After what they'd seen of the enemy troops, taking glee in torturing injured creatures, it was what they deserved, Star would think to himself.

They finally came upon where they would be stationed, midway through the trench was a mound of earth and logs, some semblance of firing ports having been provided in the wall and though it was rough, it looked sturdy enough for them to use.

The diamond dog looked to them, waving his arm to the other soldiers that were already in position, "Take up posts and we’ll reinforce, we need more time to work in other trenches and section it all off. Great deal of work to be done."

"Has there been any attacks yet?" Jacob would ask, pressing himself against the compacted wall, rifle aimed through the small hole provided, his friends doing the same.

"No attacks yet. But they will try. We doubt they will be bombarding us with their cannons and risk shifting fire from our true trenches. Plus, if they did blow us up then everything would be a crater here and open for more attacks in the future." he'd explain, soon on all fours once more, moving to a large dugout and disappeared into the darkness as he began digging into the soft earth.

Positioned against the barricade, rifles at the ready, the trio would realise how strange it was not hearing the constant sounds of artillery and rifle fire, an almost deathly silence about them. They knew this ‘peace’ would not last long and in little time at all the fighting would resume, but it was when that was most unsettling and left them feeling constantly on edge. In seconds they would here an echoing whirring noise and small boom behind themselves, light firing up into the sky fifty feet before producing a glistening multicoloured dome outward. Its edges touched down to the ground 200m from its source, encapsulating all of the Royal Equestrian soldiers that now resided in the Van Hoover trenches and protecting them for who knew how long.

Chapter 5 - The Wilderness

East of Mount Canterhorn and towards the coast, war was waged between the New Equestrian forces and The Manehatten Commonwealth in the North and the Independency of Baltimare and Fillydelphia to the South. The two rebel powers had brokered an uneasy truce between one another, to not fight whilst the looming threat of the New Equestrian army still pressed down on them. The Independent cities and the Commonwealth were aware that the Royal Equestrian Armed Forces, dubbed by them as REAF for short, were the obvious threat they had to deal with. Despite vastly outnumbering their foes, New Equestria held the advantage with its technological superiority and something that few would have realised to be so powerful, the unity of their soldiers.

Indeed, the general mistreatment of non-ponies which had grown in the Commonwealth, Independency and many other cities lead to a tense air amongst their soldiers, a general unease which for the most part effected their moral, but slowly, was beginning to lead to infighting that was swiftly covered up to hide the disharmony that occasionally seeped through the cracks. Despite these internal issues and the common enemy lead by the two immortal Queens that sat side by side in the capital, it did not mean there were no discreet attempts to undermine one another or secret hopes for the others failure. Once the Queens were disposed, they would still have each other to contend with, along with the other city states that had developed across the country. The Manehatten Commonwealth, sitting as the second most advanced region in Equestria and governed by a host of wealthy business-ponies, often sold their weapons of wars to their ‘competitors’, supplying them with armaments so that they may combat the REAF forces that held their lines despite the innumerable odds they faced.

New Equestria would have picked up on the spread of more advanced weapons in the hand of those other than Manehatten in time. Not wishing to see a spread of such damaging technology to all regions, had begun the careful monitoring, and if possible, intercepting of these armament deals that occurred, carefully keeping tabs on the growing strength on their enemies.

********

Within the Trotting Mountains that marked the borders between New Equestria’s domain and that of the Eastern regions, a stallion grumbled, looking up at the tall mountain ranges about him. Eventually, he moved forwards to look over the edge of the cliff, down to the valley far below, before shifting back fully into the brush he was using as cover.

The birds chirped loudly in the trees next to him and soon enough he would look back at the sound of branches being pushed aside, a human lying down next to him, his partner in this reconnaissance mission.

"Anything?" the man asked, adjusting his belt pouches till they sat comfortably on his waist, soon going still and waiting once more.

"Nope, nothing... by the way I hope that's not the first in a line of extremely long pisses?" the stallion would say, biting his cheek as he breathed out through his nose.

"Ugh!" the human looked about, rolling his eyes, "Well sorry... I didn't know you were the piss police. What's next I'm gonna get fines on how 'much' I pissed."

"Shut up dude," the earth pony would say with a hint of a smile as he pulled his rifle up from beneath the brush, moving it closer to hand, soon going silent once more as the birds continued singing.

"So can you fill me in on something Zestar?" the human would eventually ask, propping his upper body up on his arms, but not too high that he would be noticeable in their cover, "What's with the guys who are around the military base doing jack shit?"

"What uniform were they wearing?" the stallion asked, glancing over.

"The dark blue top half, grey trousers with the orange or yellow-y lanyard, on the left arm," the man would reply, taking the time to stretch out his aching neck.

"Oh, the navy guys... yeah they aren't doing much because.... they can't," the stallion would say, believing it answer enough.

The human raised a brow, "okaaayy... so your Equestrian navy is like a traditional division that’s just for show?"

Zestar turned sharply, "What, no! They're not doing anything because they can't do anything, all of our coasts are taken over so how 'could' they do anything?"

"Yeah, but like... why don't they learn something useful or start bloody picking up a rifle at this rate... I mean two years of you guys not having boats out there, right?" The human countered, "Also, I don't bloody know do I. I only just got here."

"I… yeah well... we're about to make a breakthrough soon though so... we might be getting them out in the water eventually," the stallion cleared his throat, pulling out his binoculars to look down into the valley, "... but I know what you mean... they ‘are’ just sitting around doing absolutely nothing for the most part... besides the odd base maintenance, which we all know they should be doing more of. Especially with their numbers." Zestar conceded after a moment.

The cold wind swept through the crags from the north, making the pair of shiver. They'd keep themselves huddled together for warmth as the wait continued, making idle conversation quietly with one another to pass the time but remaining ever vigilant as they did so.

********

Hours later

“So when… okay so what do you do if you want to get married then?” Zestar asked.

The human breathed in through his teeth as he’d recall his world’s traditions, “Well you go to the church of the birch tree, you ask one of the tree attendants if you can take one of the leaves. They then ask you to describe the person you love to them and kind of… judge you based on how you describe them?”

“They judge you on that… why do they do if you just said no,” the stallion asked with confusion.

“I don’t know… well I do but…” the human began

The stallion followed up with another question before the human could finish, “And why do they even need to know about them anyway?”

“Well hang on because I’ll get to that,” the human smiled, “Basically you describe them and they see how much you care about the person from the way you describe them. That kind of tells the tree attendant how much you actually care for the person. So, if you go into detail about them then she, all tree attendants are women by the way, can figure out if you really care about that person and love them, noticing all this detail and the like. You know if you just kind of describe their appearance but not their personality it’s like you are only seeing the outer beauty and not their personality, that sort of thing.”

“What if you just lie… anyway you haven’t told me what this has to do with the tree?” Zestar turned more towards the man with interest, resting his chin on his crossed arms.

“They can tell if you are lying… but you know, the more you notice about the person you love then the more you love them. Then they tell you how many leaves you can take from the tree. This is what you eventually present to the person you want to marry. It kind of shows the official-ness of it all. If you truly love them then you will have tons of leaves, but if you don’t then well… you’ll have one leaf to show them. And who wants to go to the person they love with one leaf right.”

Zestar nodded, “Huh that’s… different… I mean, well what happens if you were drawing a blank on that day or something. Just completely forgot about it all the little things of the person you liked?”

Andrew nodded, “Yeah, they can see if that is happening to you and give you a chance to either settle yourself within the church gardens for a time or just come back another day. These birch tree tenders are all sort of magical, so they know what’s real and what’s not.”

“It’s a pretty cool way of going about it but it just seems like you’ll get some problems in the end,” Zestar would go on to say, glancing up at the sound of a hawk calling out, spotting the bird off in the valley, swooping down towards some rodent or other creature it had spotted on the ground. It was enough to bring the stallion back to his duties, looking down into the valley once more.

********
Hours later

"What do you think of the 'Queens?" the human asked, making the stallion look to him sharply.

Taking a moment, the pony would eventually ask, "... what do you mean by that?"

"Well... you know how nobody sees them at all... wouldn't it be better for moral if they... like toured the camps or gave big speeches to the public every once in a while, you know what I'm saying, be more public,” the human responded, not noticing the hard look he received from the stallion for a brief moment.

"oh... right... yeah... yeah no I..." the stallion tilted his head from side to side as he decided on his reply, "You know they used to, I think… well my uncle said that the Queen of Night used to tour around the camps ages back when he was in the army, but they stopped doing that around the time Queen Chrysalis arrived... I guess they decided amongst themselves that..." he stopped, trying to think of a reason for it.

The man would soon guess, "It’s too dangerous for them? It’s... not safe for them in the war to talk to the public?"

The stallion eventually nodded, "Yeah something like that probably. I mean who knows where there could be traitors, they still find little pockets and groups of them in the capital even. But they deal with them before they can do damage, thank the Night Mother and Mistress of Change" The Earth Pony's last words making the man laugh briefly, garnering a questioning look from the stallion

The human looked to him, "Nothing, just the whole thanking thing. It’s like... I don't know, you thank your royalty for doing something, like they were in control of the world," the man waved his hand dismissively.

"We used to say thank... the ‘other one’, fifty years ago nearly. It’s just the thing we say" Zestar sniffed, feeling like he was beginning to develop a chill, quickly pulling his scarf over his face for warmth.

"I know you guys do but ’we’ say it for things or people we can't see or... have unbelievable power and control over the world. Like 'thank Hemestuin the crops turned out good this year' who’s the god of farming in our world, so it makes sense. You can't see him and he has power over all farming. I mean when you say it about your Queens, it’s like you're going 'thank my Auntie Mary that train didn't hit me on the..." the man would have his arm punched to stop, Earth pony motioning off to the entrance of the valley roughly 5 kilometres away.

Multiple tanks could be seen moving down the steep inclines, several battalions marching alongside them. Taking up the rear would be a regiment of griffins, flying in the air and providing cover for the heavy gun batteries being wheeled by artillery teams. Soon enough the sound of the diesel engines echoed off the mountain sides and reached them. It was a large force indeed, practically a small army, marching through the passes.

The two would be silent practically as they looked at the large force making its way towards their side of the valley. "Fuck... that’s alot of them," the human breathed out, pulling his notepad up from his side, "What’s the count Zestar?"

The stallion looked through his binoculars, mouthing his numbers as he calculated before eventually speaking up, "... 4 infantry battalions of 3000 roughly... wait those tanks look different... Oh shit, write this down, 25 Milbuck machine guns, 8 Model 1022 60mm cannons, 14 MK-2 Paladins and 2 griffin brigades.” He took a moment to look over the other tanks moving with them, appearing to be some new variant.

After a second, he described them, “Okay, the tank has 2 turrets at the front, about 8 metres long and half as wide nearly so 4 metres wide roughly... they have a snake painted on the side all coiled about itself but its got a rooster’s head. There’s about 8 of them," he would finish, looking to the human as they wrote everything down.

"Got it, let’s go," the human would say as he finished, crawling backwards into the brush as the stallion took his rifle, looking back at the tanks with concern, before receding from the cliff as well.

The pair rushed down the crags and into the denser forests that began to form midway down the mountain. The stallion would stop behind a tree suddenly, going low. His partner, running several metres behind, came to an immediate halt, shifting quickly to the cover of a nearby tree. The pony looked back to his companion, pointing off to their right.

Shifting out briefly, the human caught glimpse of a group of griffins walking through the forest. They weren't their own soldiers and they certainly didn't look like local hunters, as all wore plated armour, standard issue amongst the griffins even to this day and carried breech loading rifles. The two scouts would soon see the silver eagle of Prince Gladwin embellished on their breastplates, confirming them to be from the Manehatten army.

They waited silently for the group to move on, the griffins appearing to be enemy scouts searching the area in advance of the main force travelling through the valley. How they had passed the two Royal scouts and filtered into the mountains they did not know for they had been in wait for close to a day now. Though the griffins came close to their position, they would eventually move on, up the mountain, giving Zestar and Andrew the opportunity to escape. Moving through the forest with much more caution, they would soon come across the river which cut through the forest.

They rushed down to the banks of the 30m wide river, the stallion searching across the ground till he found the rope, tugging on it hard, pulling it taught and out of the river, connected to a tree on the other bank. The stallion tied off the rope at large birch on their side, nodding to the human who immediately began moving across, rushing into the water and attached a clip from his belt to the line, holding onto it as he began pulling himself across the river to the other side, one hand after the other. The force of the river hitting his back, pressing his stomach into the line as he moved.

The stallion looked back the way they'd come, tapping his hoof nervously. They could have soldiers come down and spot them easily on the edges of the river. In seconds they would be either dead or captured. The stallions mind imagined a scenario where they would be split up, caught on opposite sides of the river. He looked back to see Andrew pulling himself from the water, scrambling up the steep bank before waving before taking hold of the rope and keeping it taunt to help Zestar cross.

The stallion moved his rifle onto his backpack to help keep it out if the water somewhat as he began pulling himself across the river, rope creaking under his weight. He cast a look to the bank he'd arrived from, looking back down to the rope, ensuring his hands would not miss. Cold water rushed past his legs, soaking his clothing through as his arms were already beginning to cramp up. He would reach the end soon enough, pulling himself up to the human, splashing through the water, "Alright cut the line", the stallions teeth chattered as he spoke, watching as the man cut through the rope with the saw-back on his large survival blade. The frayed end would be pulled by the river’s current and disappearing whilst they'd continue on through the other side of the forest, rushing between the trees.

When they had enough distance, they changed out of their wet clothing for the dry pair in their backpacks, soaked and freezing clothing placed in a waterproof sack in their backpack before continuing on. Despite this the chill had already begun to seep into their bodies, the cold mountain air not helping them.

Hours passed of them jogging through the woodland, stopping for several minutes at a time to rest. They would have spotted several more groups of griffin scouts ahead of their position, having to wait till they eventually flew away to report back to the small army crossing the mountains. Every time they thought they had travelled far enough away to be safe, there was yet another group searching the forest. At this rate there must have been at least 3 brigades of griffins with this army. They would have to continue moving further through the forest than they had planned to, unable to rest. Fatigue soon set in as they had travelled miles on foot through rough terrain, but eventually it would be night, the moon just visible through the thick branches of the trees. Under the cover of darkness to hide them, they had to halt.

"We stopping here?" Andrew would ask, kneeling and stretching out, shoulders in pain from jogging for so long with his backpack.

"Yeah, let's try and find somewhere at least partially hidden for us to stay. We will still have to move pretty early in the morning though. There's no way they would travel in the dark, especially that large a force. They will have to keep their scouts closer for safety," the stallion searched through his pockets till he'd find his torch, a simple copper tube with a magically powered lens.

He shone the light down the slope of the ditch, guessing it was a metre or so deep. He flickered the torch about, keeping it pointing down so the beam wouldn't be travelling through the forest. He would soon find a collection of trees growing next to a large rock protruding from the soft earth "Let's camp here," he turned the light off, "you took your medicine, right?" he'd ask the human

"I've had them... I'm all good" Andrew would reply, casting his gaze out through the dark forest.

Unable to make a fire to cook, the pair would take out their emergency ration packs, small wax sealed cases of leather containing 'blocks' of dried salted beef, biscuits and cheese. All were compressed into a compact cylinder which fitted inside the case. It was not the most pleasant food to eat, having a leathery tang to it, but it would keep for a long time and was all pre-cooked.

He'd hear the human settle in against a nearby tree, the stallion making his way towards the sound of his partner, easing down near him, resting his head forwards as he rubbed the back of his neck. Eventually the Earth pony asked as he began finishing his rations, crushing the leather packet back into his bag, "See anything out there?"

"Not a thing... or they're good at hiding maybe, but I haven't seen anyone walking around yet,” the human responded, able to see fairly well in the darkness of night compared to most creatures, “... you get your sleep first and I'll take the first watch" he patted the stallion’s arm.

"Yeah sure. Don't tire yourself staying up too long," the pony yawned and shivered somewhat, pulling his jacket tighter about himself. He curled up on the ground, a nearby root as good a pillow as any, drifting off.

********

"Wake up Zestar... somethings looking at us" a voice whispered through the pony’s dreams. The stallion began sitting up sharply, feeling a hand stopping him before he'd even moved several inches off the ground.

"Not fast... its... studying us," Andrew would say, perhaps not realising how terrifying he made it sound.

"What... what is it... a wolf a... bear?" the pony looked about, only seeing darkness practically, eyes only just making out the human's hand on his shoulder.

"I don't know what is, but it’s looking at us. I think it’s... maybe 11 feet tall. Fur in places but mostly skin. Things got long arms and legs. It’s kind of hiding behind a tree at the moment just staring... pretty big claws on its hands. Creeping around and looking at you now that its seen you," The human went on

"Fuck can you please not say it like that, you're freaking me the fuck out!" Zestar whispered harshly, gulping soon enough, "How far away is it from us?"

"Maybe 20 feet away... just looking down at us" was the reply from Andrew.

"20 feet!?" the stallion turned his head sharply, heart pumping in fear as, whatever it was, stood somewhere in the darkness, watching them. His mind could only imagine what the hell this monster could be and all he could do was rely on Andrew to tell him what was happening. His hand slipped down slowly to the holster on his side, fingers grasping the handle of his single action revolver in preparation. Soon enough he heard the sound of branches being snapped purposefully.

The stallions ears flicked to the side as the hand on his shoulder lifted away, human standing up "Wait Andrew... Andrew where the hell are you going... don't leave me here!"

"Shut up," his partner's voice whispered back immediately, as Zestar heard them walking off. Soon, he heard a clicking sound that grew steadily louder and louder till it finally stopped, silence filling the air. It continued for several unbearable minutes before a scream, almost like that of a young child in pain issued from just ahead of him, which trailed off at the end into a whimper.

Several seconds later he heard heavy footsteps thudding towards them as another high pitch scream came from the monster before the heavy footsteps suddenly turned and ran away, followed by a retching sound off in the distance.

"Andrew?" the pony dared to ask louder, "... Andrew... Andrew what’s going on..." he felt hands grab him by his collar, lifting him up sharply.

"We need to go, we need to go!" the human hauled the pony onto his hooves, "It's going to hunt us soon and it’s really fucking..." the man said no more, pulling the stallion by his arm, fear evident in his voice.

"What's it doing? Where is it!?" Zestar called out, holstering his half drawn revolver and running.

"I don't know it... it ran off a few hundred feet before hiding behind another tree, but it just fucking charged us before being spooked by something else in the forest," Andrew pulled his companion harder, looking over his shoulder as he did, "Fuck I can't see it anymore!"

"What is that thing?" Zestar wouldn't look over his shoulder, eyes on the ground before him as he tried to avoid the roots and rocks that constantly rose up to trip him.

"I don't have a fucking clue but it wasn't like an animal, it was smart. We need to get out of its part of the woods quickly. I don't even know if there are several of them, it kept looking off behind us when it was clicking and shaking its arms about." Andrew did his best to guide his friend through the near pitch-black forest, his eyes like a cat at times, reflecting the light of the moon.

The two kept running, stallion occasionally stumbling and human yanking him back up immediately when he did, pulling him forwards as he could feel a malicious gaze on them, almost as if the creature was enjoying watching them run away. Every so often he would hear heavy thudding, not knowing if it was the creature or his heartbeat in his ears.

The stallion would be gasping for breath, but the adrenaline kept his legs running. Suddenly pale light washed over them as they ran out of the forest into a field of long grass. But they couldn't have gone that far... they'd been... but they were ages from the forest edge. He felt Andrew tug him to a stop, the human panting loudly, visible in the cool light of the half moon.

The stallion looked nervously at the man, "Andr... andrew... the moon... you gonna be-"

"I'll be fine... just catch your breath," the man began reaching into a pocket, hands shaking as they scrambled to hold a small pill box. He pressed it against his chest to steady it as he opened the container, taking two tablets out and swallowing them, pulling his water canteen up from his side and drinking deeply. He eventually held it out to Zestar, "Drink it quickly," the man would say, gritting his teeth for a moment before sniffing deeply through his nose with a semi pained look.

The stallion would do so, drinking from the near empty canteen, turning sharply as there was another scream from somewhere within the forest, followed by two more off to the right, before 'someone' began screaming out for help. Their voice was so distinct as it echoed through the trees, so filled with terror. It was soon drowned out by the screams, as Andrew and Zestar already began backing further away from the forest's edge, "Is that one of our guys?"

"No, we were the only ones up this way..." Zestar replied as they heard a bang that cut sharply through the night, the pair of scouts seeing a flash of light hundreds of metres away, followed by another shout of pain, so gripped with absolute terror before silence, both left to only guess who they could have been. They wouldn't waste what time they'd been bought however, running through the fields, path illuminated by the moon high above. Both still prayed silently that the creatures would not pursue them.

Chapter 6 - No Other Choice

Day turned to night, the moon forced ever higher into the sky, struggling to rise for a moment, till it came to its highest point, only half of its face showing, doing its best to illuminate the warzone around Van Hoover. It was colder tonight than before, the wind channelled through the many trenches in front of the city. The soldiers would begin to shiver as the temperature dropped low, forcing them to pull their thick woollen clothing tighter around them. Extremities grew numb as the night pressed on, many having to spend time to take breaks and warm themselves, alternating guard shifts, to ensure they could at least fight if the time were to arise.

The Diamond Dog sappers had performed their duties diligently and had used the earth and what clay they had found deeper in the ground to form their barrier, cordoning off a large area of the enemies’ trenches in a two hundred metre circle around their original entry point. The Van Hoover trenches looked hastily built, their bunkers constructed with wooden supports and bays were far straighter and wider than what had been constructed in the New Equestrian trenches. Even the ground was bereft of boards, forcing soldiers to trudge through the muddy troughs of the ditches. They had received word that yet more REAF soldiers would be deployed, due to the success off the 95th regiments attack on the Van Hoover line, with the potential of large gun emplacements as well to further fortify the area. But for now, it was just the few tanks they had and the four hundred or so other soldiers. It was still too few.

Star sat, back against Jacob as they tried to keep warm and share some level of body heat between each other, eating their rations, which were something akin to dried bread with an assortment of vegetables and beef baked inside. A sachet of mustard and pepper powder went with the bread to give some level of flavour to the otherwise bland food. He would feel sorry for Jacob, his bread seeming to be lacking meat, instead having been replaced with bitter tasting mushrooms. The human making a face as he ate, though he would finish it... there being little else to eat besides the hard tack-like biscuits in their packs.

They could see Jinx at his post, breathing on his hands to warm them up, rubbing them together every so often as he tried to ward off the chill settling into his fingers. It was still so deathly quiet in their area; no gunfire having sounded since the barricades were erected by the sappers and to some it almost felt as if there might not be any war being waged. It would have, at least, if the sounds of cannon firing off in the distance could not be heard on occasion. Restless spirits amongst the soldiers wanted to push on and take advantage of the enemy’s retreat, claim more of their territory or perhaps even punch through to the city though they were silenced soon enough. They had been ordered to guard the position for a reason... and what would a few hundred men do anyway, take on the who knew how many thousands that were behind its walls, just storm up to its gates and knock them down. Despite the unease it was safest for them to stay where they were.

Hours seemed to pass as such, the soldiers swapping positions with each other, taking over shifts. Besides the small talk, to pass the time, nothing happened but the whistling wind and the constant desire for the morning to come.

An almost imperceptible noise was caught on the wind, just barely heard by several soldiers within the trench. Jacob would only notice when he glanced up, seeing the ears of several stallions on end, turning left and right, "What's going on?" the man would whisper, eyes flickering between them as the group strained their hearing, one turning sharply at a sound they heard, motioning with his hand in the general direction of the noise.

There was yet more silence, leaving them all unnerved as finally one of the stallions waved his arm to get their attention, signalling for them to watch him as he moved down to the junction, rifle raised. Every step he took sounded loud on the wooden planks of the duck boards as they waited with bated breath.

The stallion stopped, aiming his weapon down each of the turnings before looking back to the others. Just as he was about to return, he did a double take down one of the turnings, soon enough rushing back to the others as quietly and quickly as he could manage, hooves clopping as he moved.

"What is it!? Fuck Willow, what did you see?" Jinx shook the other stallion’s arm.

"There was kind... three of them... or four… stabbing someone and covering their mouth. I... I don't think they saw me," he'd say as he gulped, "What are we going to do?"

“You sure that’s what happened, like, are you positive?” Jinx would quickly ask.

“I know what I saw Jinx, they were stabbing his neck and pulling him into one of the dugouts!” Willow whispered back harshly, pulling their rifle up to their shoulder.

A load bang to their side sounded, the group turning to see Star had fired into the air, unicorn reloading immediately before firing again, "ATTACKERS IN THE TRENCHES!! THEY'RE IN THE TRENCHES!" the unicorn called out loudly as he loaded another round.

Orange grabbing Star’s weapon sharply and pulled it to the side, shot firing into the earthen wall, making them all jump once more in shock, "You fucking idiot, now they'll come for us! We could have snuck away!", the stallion grabbed Star by his collar and shoved him to the ground.

Star wrenched his rifle free and pulled himself up quickly, "And you want to let everyone die without knowing... We would be sitting here waiting whilst who knew how many could get killed! Now get yourself ready!" he loaded another round, firing into the air once more.

The other soldier pulled away, angered and ready to fight the stallion on the decision before Jinx stood in the way, merely saying, “Don’t,” which was warning enough.

"Get your bayonets on," Jacob called to them quickly, already pulling the short dagger from his side, affixing it to the end of his own weapon.

Already the sounds of gunfire could be heard within the other trenches, lights flickering here and there and similar warnings of raiders were shouted out, some cut off before they had finished. It was more than the one group of raiders then. Occasionally they heard sharp cries like those of birds, sounding out over the gunfire, screeching and filled with the rage of war.

They'd hear a scuffing noise to their right, looking up to see large feather wings blocking the moon out briefly, opened wide, as a griffin descended upon them from the edge of the trench, plunging their spear down and into Jinx's shoulder, landing atop them and pinned them to the ground.

"JINX!" Star called out, turning immediately to the side as he finished loading, firing at the attacker. There was a brief spark as bullet tore open the griffin’s steel breastplate, sending the creature back a step. They would squawk loudly in pain, ripping their spear out of the large unicorn beneath them before rushing at Star, pushing past the pain as blood poured from their chest. Orange Jam suddenly tackled them from their, taking down the attacker as they reared their weapon back to thrust at the unicorn. The young stallion struggled on the griffin, stabbing with their knife, blade skidding off the attackers armour several times before finally plunging in their neck.

Already another pair of griffins jumped down into the trench, Jinx rolling to the side as another aimed for him, spear piercing the bloody floorboards where he'd lay only moments before. The other landed atop willow, slamming the stallion’s head back against one of the wooden columns supporting the trench wall. Pulling back, the griffin slashed at the stallion’s face with their arming sword, the pony only just raising his arm in time to protect himself, though the blade cut almost cleanly through his wrist and through the bone.

The attacker suddenly arched their back as a stout blade was buried into their side, underneath rim of his breastplate. Looking back the griffin saw a human had stabbed him, the man immediately pulling the blade partially out, angling it upwards then thrust it in once more, blood spilling from their side. Jacob gritted his teeth and pulled away, watching as the griffin fell atop Willow, stallion doing his best to stab the dying creature on him as he bled out himself from his near severed hand, fighting through the pain.

The remaining griffin did their best to retrieve spear from the wooden floor, eventually giving up as he heard a call from his side, turning to see a large unicorn rushing towards him with a club, the weapon cracking them across the end of his back, sending him to the ground where he was further battered by the stallion. All he could do was curl up to protect himself and struggle to reach for his dagger as the onslaught continued from the unicorn.

Star, would soon rush over to his cousin, gently pushing him to the side as he pressed the end of his rifle to the griffin’s head and fired, killing them quickly. Already more were coming to attack them, similarly, using spears as they charged at them from the end of the trench, rather than leaping over the parapets.

"Get up!" Star called to the others of his group as his horn lit up brightly, soon sending a wave of force down the line, throwing the attackers back several metres to land atop each other, buying the group time to ready themselves for the charging griffins.

Jacob grasped for his rifle on the ground before rushing to Willow who limply lay back against the wall, dead griffin lying atop him, "Shit he's dead guys!" he called back, raising his rifle and firing at the griffins trying to stand.

Jinx still held his bleeding shoulder, but despite the pain, helped Orange up, soon handing the stallion their rifle, "I'll batter them if they get close guys so… you know," the muscular unicorn would say as he retrieved his club, panting somewhat as he tried to ignore the lancing pain as blood poured out of the deep stab wound.

The griffins would move into what cover they could find as Star, Jacob and Orange fired down the trench bays at them, bullets punching through the earthen walls but not seeming to hit their marks. On occasion, two of the griffins would take the chance to fire back, their crossbows letting out hard snaps as they were fired, bolts embedding close to the REAF soldiers but likewise, not hitting their target. They hoped to hold out till reinforcements arrived, but after minutes it was apparent none was coming.

Finally, one griffin flew several metres up into the air before sharply diving towards them, hurling their spear which missed Jacob by inches as the man fell backwards, weapon burying into the wooden duckboards. In an instant, the griffin was felled by two shots hat took them out of the air, sending him crashing into the edge of the trench before landing on the ground. It was however the distraction they needed and soon the rest of the raiding party stormed towards them, some flying up, others rushing headlong down the trench with swords and bucklers in hand.

As several more spears were thrown, Star quickly used his magic to send out another wave of force, blasting the weapons backwards through the air. He took in a deep breath as the griffins were soon upon them, unable to muster another wave of magic in time. Star would save his round for the moment, instead thrusting at one’s neck, rifle being knocked aside immediately in a skilled parry as he'd soon see the griffin bringing down his sword to cut at the stallion’s arm. The unicorn instinctively raised his weapon to block, arming sword cutting into the wooden stock momentarily before a bullet to the chest sent them back.

Orange, having aimed across at the attacker on Star, quickly turned to a griffin rushing at him him. The griffin went for high attack, feinting as they'd instead thrust towards the pony’s leg, blade cutting through the side of the stallion’s thigh, dropping him to the ground. Just before he'd received the sharp tip of the sword to his throat, finishing him there, Jinx brought his club down on the griffin’s hand, breaking several fingers and forcing them to drop their arming sword. The griffin looked to the side in pain and shock at the sudden strike from the side, finding the club being brought up quickly to crack across the underside of their jaw, sending them backwards onto the ground, knocked out cold. The Jinx pulled Orange up to his hooves immediately, calling out to him over the fighting, "Keep shooting, I've got you!"

Star could see they were outnumbered by the attackers who were evidently much more skilled in close combat compared to them. In an effort to save Jacob, Star would suddenly find himself shoved backwards by his throat and onto the ground, a griffin leaping atop him instantly, talons closing around the unicorn’s throat tightly, slamming his head against the ground.

Star tried to pry the hands off his throat, though they'd only grow tighter, his legs kicking out to the side as the griffin adjusted themselves atop him, pinning his legs before he could use them to break free. Already Star would begin to see white and black dots flickering at the edge of his vision as his fingers slipped into the knuckle duster like handle of his dagger, pulling it out and punched it across the raiders face. Before they could pull away, Star grabbed hold of their collar and pulled them into a second punch, cracking the side of their beak from the force of the blow. He'd drive the blade into their neck repeatedly as the griffin feebly attempted to break free of the pony’s grasp, blood spurting from the open wound and over the stallion’s hand and face, but eventually they would fall to the side, hands desperately trying to cover the wound, red rivulets seeping between his fingers.

Gasping, Star crawled away, hands running across the floor to find his firearm, instead coming up some creature’s leg. Looking up he’d see himself at the side of one of the attackers who struggled with Jacob, trying to stab the human with a long dagger. Within a split-second Star realized and buried his own blade into the back of their thigh, twisting the weapon in before hanging on the attackers arm as best he could to stop his friend being stabbed, head dazed and body feeling heavy as he struggled to help. The human would eventually wrestle himself free with the unicorn’s help and shove the griffin back, using his short sword to hack at their weapon arm and finally across their face.

They would eventually fall to the ground, dead from the numerous deep gashes across their face, Jacob looking up with a mix of confusion and wild anger as Star grabbed his arm. The human was about to attack him too in his almost feral like state, before looking up as Jinx cracked his club over the head of the last griffin, watching as the weapon slipped from the other unicorn’s hand and skittering across the ground. Jinx eventually resorted to his hooves, stamping on the fallen griffin’s hands as they tried to reach for their sword. In a last effort, Orange pulled himself over and stabbed the end of his bayonet into the griffin, pinning them down momentarily as they thrashed before finally going still.

The earth pony almost fell atop the corpse in exhaustion as Jinx moved back against the wall. He gasped loudly for breath, holding onto the support beam at his side as he looked over to Jacob in a similar state of adrenalin filled ferality. The four of them would stay in the trench, trying to gather themselves after the manic battle they'd just had, Star looking about as he rubbed his bruised throat, eventually catching sight of willow and crawled to them, prying the body off them, "Willow!? Willow wake up mate... you got to wake up... you hear me... come on!" the unicorn's voice came out forced and strained as he shook the other stallion, holding onto their face as he put his fingers to their neck, searching but not able to find a pulse.

"Shit I can't feel his heart guys what... what are you supposed to do, its chest compressions right you..." Star coughed as he tried to talk, looking up to Jacob who, having calmed down enough to think rationally once more, pulled Star back.

"I... he's dead he's... look at him!" the man said for better lack of words, Star turning back to see the sheer quantity of blood that had leaked from the wound on their throat, face already appearing pale from the lack of blood.

Despite the obvious signs, the stallion still tried to wake them up for a few moments more before finally conceding, the others letting him do his best and not stopping him. When he finally turned back, he'd watch as Orange bandaged up his thigh, Jacob having retrieved his rifle, keeping guard, whilst his cousin pressed a bandage roll into his shoulder. "You...", Star gulped, pushing himself to talk louder, "We need to find...others. Let’s leave this and…" he eventually managed.

Jinx nodded "Fuck holding this position now is pointless, we’ve got to group together so we don't lose everyone..." without another word, the unicorn took the lead, picking his rifle up, holding it against his chest as he used his coat to wipe off the blood on his club's handle. The four of them moved as a tight group, constantly looking up at the distant sounds of gunshots that could be heard further on. Who knew how many griffins had been sent to clear them from the trenches, there could practically be hundreds maybe even a thousand or more. They would have made sure to send a sufficient force to push them out as quickly as possible. The group stopped at the sudden cries of pain at a junction ahead, going low.

"Shit... I... help... help... some… I..." the voice called, coughing wetly as movement could be heard for a few seconds before it went completely quiet. Orange would be first to move around the corner, aiming their rifle at roughly chest height before snapping it down to the pony huddled on the ground. It took them a second to recognise the uniform as one of their own regiment.

As he reached down to the soldier's arm, he'd hear a quiet noise, like rope creaking off to the side. Immediately he pulled back as a flurry of crossbow bolts were released down the length of the trench, one grazing his upper arm, cutting through his jacket and flesh. The Earth pony fell backwards, clutching his arm as it bled, "To the right, to the right!" he called to the others, Jacob taking action and moved to the corner, firing down at the griffins who had laid in ambush, hearing one cry out in pain as he moved back into cover.

"There's four or five" Jacob called back, to the others as he could already hear them moving up, blindly firing around the corner in an effort to delay them. Pulling Orange back into safety, Star would move up, taking a breath before creating a blue shield of force, a crossbow bolt aimed at the stallion stopping upon impacting the light. With some effort he'd both maintain his magical protection and grab one of the griffins in his aura, slamming them left and right into the other attackers, throwing them back against another about to fire their crossbow, knocking their bolt off course. The unicorn breathed out heavily at the exertion, aiming his rifle and firing at one beginning to rise, Jacob moving out to do the same. Already the last few griffins began pulling themselves up before being slammed down onto the ground hard, pinned with blue, magical energy that encompassed them. Together the unicorn and human finished them off, firing at the remaining four griffins that struggled hard to break free, each eventually going still. The exertion was enough to dizzy the stallion however and as the last was killed, he would finally support himself against a wall.

"Star you've got to ease up on the magic or we'll have to be carrying you out of here and none of us can manage that," Jacob would whisper to the unicorn quickly, taking the stallion’s arm.

Star pushed them away quickly and forced himself to stand up as if to prove his point, "Leave me I'm still going," he would say somewhat angrily as he felt a migraine already beginning to form around the base of his horn.

He'd look back to see Orange glaring at him somewhat before looking down, earth pony shaking his head, "Give me a hand Jinx," they'd say, the big stallion helping Orange up soon enough.

Star huffed but would say nothing at the glare he’d received, leading the way as best he could through the winding passages till they stopped immediately in a bay, a voice shouting out to them.

"Stop there!" a voice commanded from behind a barricade, the inner ring of fortifications, which marked the assigned fall-back point, "Stay back and identify yourselves!"

"We're with the Queens' army, 95th regiment s..." Jacob managed before being interrupted by whoever was hidden behind the wall, "Jinx is that you back there?"

Jinx looked up with surprise, quickly raising his hand up, "It's me, let us in before we get killed out here!" the unicorn called to the guards hidden behind the barricade, adjusting his arm around Orange as the earth pony's head nodded forwards briefly, legs giving out beneath them. They were too weak to go on much longer.

Within seconds part of the wooden blockade would be pulled open, giving enough room for them to squeeze inside, "Come on quickly before more of those bastards arrive!" one of the guards would say, gently pushing them into the safety of their retreat zone.

Inside, the four soldier would soon find themselves in the shelter of the fall-back point, which had received extensive work to cover the trenches in thick corrugated steel sheeting, forming a roof of sorts, over a large portion of the trenches. The magical field of energy protected them from artillery, but it was the steel sheeting that would protect them from attacks by the raiders. Gas lanterns had been hung from the walls to provide light in the darkened tunnels they now moved through. Wounded soldiers were already inside and the four of them were pushed in deeper, as yet more arrived through the same door as they had. They eventually took shelter in an expanded dugout, a wider area having been cleared for all of them to huddle together, allowing the main walkways to be clear and not be blocked by soldiers sitting in the way of the passages.

********

"You killed him?" Orange eventually spoke up, looking somewhat delirious but holding a glare towards Star as he spoke.

"What? What are you talking about?" the unicorn asked, shaking his head with bewilderment at the sudden statement from the Earth pony.

"I said," Orange raised his voice, "You killed him! It’s your fault Willow is dead now because you had to make shout and shoot and scream you head off to let all of them know!" he pointed his shaky hand at Star as he gritted his teeth, squinting and trying to stay awake.

Jinx looked between them both before moving in front of Orange partially, "Woah hey let’s just calm down there a second, we were going to di-"

Star looked at him incredulous, leaning forwards, "Wait 'I' killed him!? Me... What are you even on about? If this is about me alerting everyone we were being attacked then look, I'm sorry... I'm sorry they got to him but there would probably be a whole lot more of us dead right now and chances are we could all be dead as well."

"Yeah but you just went ahead and didn't even confirm it with any of us, just decided to start firing off in the air like a fucking bastard!... You could have saved him but you didn't did you. Able to do all that fancy crap with your magic. You lied to get here! Why didn't you use it to save him! You betray all of us and you betray New Equestria by being here with your magic!" Orange retorted venomously.

"Look it happened in an instant right, I didn't have time to react and I couldn't do much of anything when I was being strangled! And are you shitting me, I was the one who kept trying to save him at the end there while you sat back and sorted yourself out..." Star snapped back at them, leaning in closer
.
Jacob shoved both of them back quickly, "Shut up both of you, we are starting to get looked at," he'd whisper harshly, "I think Star did the right thing back there, because right now all of us would probably dead, but instead we are alive. You get that Orange. So just leave it. Willow is dead and... tomorrow we will try and bury him if we can but there's nothing more to say about it... this is what we signed up for and what’s happened, happened."

Orange shook his head, "Doesn't explain why he didn't try to-to heal him with his magic or why the 'fuck' he's even allowed in the army in the first place! He probably hated Willow because of what he said about unicorns and ‘wanted him to get killed… oh yeah I see it now! You went and let him get killed didn’t you. Why would you guys even be with this fucking cunt, what fucks wrong with you two!" he directed at Jacob and Jinx finally, "What the hell!?"

Jinx finally spoke up "Look... it is what is so leave it at that alright Orange you don't have to cause... "

"Problems, you know what I'll cause fucking problems, I'm going to tell the officers right now you've been hiding his magic all this time. It'll serve you all right for getting Willow killed! All of you arrested and fucked over, maybe they’ll toss you out of this place so the griffin’s can have you," the Earth pony pushed himself up into a standing position, shoving Star by his head as he moved past, though the unicorn did nothing in retaliation, only staring at the ground.

Jacob spoke up finally, before the stallion could leave, "You say anything and... we'll all testify that you knew too then."

"You what? What did you just fucking say?" Orange leaned towards the human, towering over them as he clenched his fists. Despite how weak he was, he was still strong enough to give a fight, or worse, might try to use his weapons even.

"You tell on Star and we'll bring you down with us," Jinx stood up, at near equal height to the other stallion, "So just keep your mouth shut or you'll be going to prison as well, hell we'll spin it that you knew it first and have known for the last year or something. Now go on, stay quiet about it, or your life is going to be real fucking shit! You don't get your family pay if you go to prison. Right Jacob?" the human nodded after a moment, "Then-then you better think... about how your dad's going to survive without it" Jinx finished off his threat, breathing in before nodding finally.

Looking absolutely shocked the stallion would even bring his family into the matter, Orange grabbed hold of Jinx's collar, eyes blazing in anger, "Don't..." his eye twitched as his face scrunched up, trying to hold back his rage, finally shoving the unicorn against the wall, knocking loose earth onto the ground. He lifted his arm up, knuckles white they were clenched so tightly before punching the metal roof above his head, leaving a dent in the steel and popping the metal panel loose from its connection on the trench parapets. Without another word Orange stormed off, seething.

Star looked up as his cousin let out the breath he'd been holding back, seeming to deflate almost, "Thanks... guys... but if he ‘does’ go there and say something then don't get yourself into trouble for me, just deny knowing it alright. And he’s right, it is my fault that Willow is dead I know that."

"Fuck no, we'll go with you if they take you out of here Star," the grey unicorn would say, putting a hand on his cousin’s shoulder, "Your family, I'm not letting him break us up."

Jacob shifted in closer, "And I'm your friend, Orange has always been a bastard. We are in a war, people die every day... if you hadn't taken action there could be who knows how many less of us in here... this bunker might be completely empty even."

"... yeah I guess... thanks guys, but still... you guys shouldn't get screwed over for me lying. Please... just deny knowing. Jinx you need to get your pay for our family so... it affects us as much as it affects him," the unicorn motioned his head in the direction the Earth pony had gone. They remained in their hole for hours, the battle outside waging on till morning. They could only sit and wonder, would the enemy bomb them first, or would they manage to get their reinforcements in time and escape. Did their lines even know that they were trapped in a metal covered hole, would they even risk more soldiers in an attempt to rescue them.

Chapter 7 - Abandoning Position

The retreating zone, a 200m diameter section of the trenches covered by corrugated steel roofing with a multicoloured, shimmering barrier of magic several meters above its surface, had taken a beating since the REAF soldiers were forced into its depths. For a few days it had been a near constant fire fight with raiding parties attempting to break in and storm it's tunnels while short-ranged cannons and mortars attempted to exhaust the magical reserves of the barrier and break through, at which point it would have been a matter of hours at most for the artillery to obliterate the soldiers within. It would destroy a large portion of the Van Hoover trench line and weaken them to further assaults, but it would be worth the price, killing the Royal soldiers, if it came down to that. The city, however, would rather capture the weapons held by the soldiers within and redistribute them to their own forces and potentially repurpose the fortified area for their own gain, however with the losses incurred by the raiding parties attempts, that seemed much less likely.

The tanks, built into the fortified system, were all but useless and destroyed so they had no idea what was occurring above them and the magical barrier protecting them from near instant death wavered and waned as its magical reserves were reaching their limit, despite the bombardment having stopped on the third day. Magical lanterns had been removed and their power given to the shield generator to maintain it, leaving the halls to go dark. Unicorns had been called to provide what magic they could to fuel the device, though the soldiers knew that it would not be much, unicorns allowed into the armed forces not allowed to have any significant magic. Despite this however the shield continued to hold. To maintain their strength to produce magic and to help guide groups through the dark passages, unicorns were provided a slightly larger portion of food to maintain their strength, not helping the underlying racial tensions that some ponies and other creatures may have had.

By the seventh day, the REAF soldiers were running low on ammunition, food and medicine, with the stress of battle and the tight confines of the corrugate sheet covered trenches causing tensions to rise as the wounded numbered in the hundreds, their calls for help sounding through the reinforced earthen passages. Though the retreat zone had been built over a canteen bunker and had contained some food, it was nowhere near enough to sustain the hundreds of mouths over the many days they were there. Eventually, the arguments were beginning to lead to in fighting, disputes over rationing of food which were never intended to be spread so thinly. Brawling occurring in the larger passages which only amounted to producing more wounded. No serious injuries except bruises and the odd broken bone, but it was still a strain on the medics. Some were surprised by how quick a soldier could become paranoid and desperate to do anything to escape, even if it meant facing the enemy and almost certain death with a few going into shock and regressing into themselves. Such had been seen before thought the war, but it was noticeably more apparent in the cramped, gruelling conditions of the covered tunnels.

The ninth day was a beacon of light that few believed would come. Tunnels, long and burrowing deep beneath the battlefield and through the rock, had been constructed by the sappers. The REAF soldiers having the chance they needed to escape as many were considering surrender, a better chance at life than starving in the darkness. Within less than an hour, the officers had devised a plan to evacuate through the small, cramped tunnels, ensuring that the wounded would be removed first and then the more able bodied. Bombs would be planted after they left and a final demolition crew would activate them, ruining the fortifications and ensuring the enemy could not claim them once they had left.

Sitting with his face in his hands, half-finished cigarette still smoking and held between two fingers, Star sat by himself at the end of a tunnel, sitting on his backpack. He'd found the dead end some time ago, having used it, along with a few others, to get a few minutes away for the screams of pain and the shouting. They had barely seen outside this practically underground tunnel network in the time they been trapped there, bar from the odd hole left by enemy's firing their muskets through the roof in a hope of killing some creature.

The stallion’s ear flicked at the sudden noise coming up the trench, sniffing the air and sitting up straight, taking another drag of his cigarette, “Star you up here?" the unicorn would here, seeing a figure stop sharply at the turning just ahead, looking around the corner.

The stallion would just make out they were Habben, a shark he'd come to know more and more recently, "Yeah it's me," the unicorn called down to them, motioning for them to come up, relaxing back against the wall as he did.

The shark waved as he walked over, leaning against a wall beside the stallion with his arms crossed over his chest. He was quiet for a few moments before finally pulling out a pack of cigarettes, bringing his lighter to bare. After several failed attempts to produce a flame, he'd sigh, glancing over to the unicorn, "can you give us a light again?" he'd ask

The stallion brought his own cigarette to his mouth, nodding. His horn lit up, smoke soon trailing from the end of the aquatic creature’s cigarette, "Thanks... again" they'd say clearing their throat.

"... you know, you don't have to do the lighter not working thing to get around to asking me for a light, just ask me outright," the stallion would comment, giving Habben a knowing look.

The shark paused for a moment before grinning, showing his rows of sharp teeth briefly, "Sorry. Just kind of feels rude asking a wizard to use their abilities on... lighting a smoke."

Star turned to them, "Wizard? I'm just a normal Unicorn, no magical education for me," he'd breath in deeply, watching the lit end of his cigarette draw closer and closer till it nearly reached the filter, burned paper and tobacco falling away as ash. The pony tossed it aside soon enough, breathing out a grey cloud.

"You've got no training... but you can do all that stuff I heard about," the shark moved his arms and shoulders as if shaking off a chill, glancing down the tunnel quickly, soon shifting closer, "stop bullets and send gryphons flying?"

Star nodded, "Just strong with magic I guess. My mom is okay with magic and got a little magic schooling but dropped out before she learned any real spells... and I know I shouldn't be here because of it but please just don't tell..."

"No hey," the shark would quickly interrupt, "I won't say a damn thing. I won’t get you in trouble for some stupid war protocols against magic. I get you should be doing the whole power company thing, but I think it's just stupid not using magic more on the frontlines," the shark clarified, "you're using it to get those fuckers. I ain't got a problem with that."

The unicorn looked up to him for a moment before nodding, leaning forwards once more, running a thumb over various cuts and blisters on his palms, "Well at least someone won't."

There was a brief silence between them, Star feeling like the shark had more to say but was pensive regarding whatever it was. It got to the point that Star was about to ask what it was, before the Habben finally spoke up, " Orange has let some other guys know what you did... well not what you did, what 'happened'. And they want to... sort you out," the shark scratched his forehead, closing his eyes tightly, unsure if he should be getting involved.

"Well, if they want to 'sort me out' they can do their best, I'm not going to be pushed around for... doing the right thing" the stallion's jaw working as he stood up at the thought of it, breathing in deeply.

The shark put a hand on the stallion’s shoulder, the pony looking like he was about to run head long into something he would regret, "Hey you… try and think of them as baiting you," the shark began.

"What do you mean so I end up throwing the first punch and they can have a right to fight back… in self defence or something?” Star suggested at first.

"No, they... look just sit down for a sec," Habben motioned him over to the backpack the pony had been sitting on, Star eventually complying. The shark knelt in front of him, talking quietly, "Look I'm not saying it is this exactly... but what if the main goal is to goad you to use magic and get you in real deep shit. That's what they want, take a beating sure but you would come off worse for it."

The stallion would stiffen, "They wouldn’t actually do that would they. That’s just a, just a threat... something like that is like… actual prison time," he'd look down and growled in anger, rubbin the side of his head.

"A unicorn lying about what he can do, then beating up several fellow soldiers with magic. At least that's what I reckon they'll do to you because it seems the smartest way for them to tear you down as much as they can. When I say he sounded pissed I mean he was ‘pissed off’. Orange was best friends with that Willow," the shark flicked his near finished cigarette to the side.

"I know, I used to always see them together. But it was the griffins that got him killed. I mean fuck we ‘all’ got hurt out there and Jinx is still recovering from his shoulder… What do I do then? Just never turn my back on them for who knows how long I'll be with them," Star looked up, "... they could get me when I sleep or... get Jacob and Jinx, I should just confront them now and try to sort this out and get them to calm down maybe."

"My advice. Take the fall. You let yourself get beat up, you get 'them' in the shit and don't use your magic. A unicorn under attack and not using his magic to fight back supports you and gets them in trouble," the shark stood up, "I think it's the only way, despite the risk," the shark looked back at the tunnel "... but that's just my suggestion... I should get going," Habben would eventually say, "just think on it before going in all guns blazing. I know he has been trying to get a few of the nasty sort on his side thought," he'd say, finally walking off and feeling at least like he'd done the right thing.

For several minute the stallion would sit at the dead end, thinking. Tapping the side of his head before swearing, glaring as he'd soon trudge his way back to the others to tell them.

********

"....that's the plan at least. Get my face kicked in and get the officers to sort them out," Star would finish.

"That's a fucking stupid plan!" Jinx would growl immediately

Jacob soon following up with, "Actually I can see that working maybe," glancing up to Jinx as he already knew what was coming.

"What are you on about, you want him to get fucking 'killed', possibly, just to get these guys off us and disprove the magic claim. And that's what they will probably do, kill you. I mean... fuck... can we even trust Habben, what if he's in on this and doing some double phsycology tricking thing, 'Dont defend yourself, be an easy target so they can kill you'. You know. Think about it, what if he is playing you," Jinx retorted.

"Look I think.... we're giving a bit too much credit to Orange if that's the case. Tricking me to use my magic is a stretch for them to come up with but still plausible. But sending someone to say they are going to trick me, to not use my magic, then banking on me not using my magic so they can 'maybe' have a chance to kill me, which I doubt he would do right he wouldn’t go that far. That seems way to complex," Star explained.

"Convoluted and having to many factors to rely on for it all to work," Jacob agreed with a small nod as he huddled closer. The pained calls and groans no longer permeating the tunnels as loudly now that most of the wounded had been safely evacuated.

"Oh, okay so you're literally going to offer yourself up to them on a silver platter so they can just fuck you up?" the larger unicorn would go on "just open arms 'come beat me I won't do nothing because I listened to a fish I sometimes smoke with."

"Fuck no, and don’t be like that on Habben! I'm just not going to use magic. I'll fucking fight back... as best I can. But the point is they start the fight, they do their thing, we get them moved to another line and now we don't have to deal with them," Star huffed, putting a hand in his cousins arm "and if they are going to go too far and kill me then I 'will' use my magic."

The other unicorn scoffed "Huh yeah and what if you don't get the chance, they just shank you at the end of that tunnel you keep having your smoke breaks in."

"Well, we are going to be there to back him up aren't we Jinx. Just to help him out. Though that somewhat invalidates the plan to a degree, as they could concoct some story of us trapping them and then... word it so we started the fight," Jacob sighed.

"By the bloody Night Mother, this is getting way too complex for us now!" Star would say, "look we are thinking too much into this. We don't know if they will try anything even, but just so we are clear, plan is if they start the fight, I'm not using magic, end off. Then we get rid of them the proper way," the unicorn finished heatedly, looking between them before finally sitting back, brow furrowed. Talking about this plan had been almost as much stress as knowing there was someone out to beat him up with a group of who knew how many.

The concern emanating off him was palpable and after a moment his two friends sighed almost simultaneously, resting back on their backpacks. Eventually Jinx spoke up, "So I got this cool thing I found the other day right. Look at this" he forced a small grin as he tried to diffuse the air, before pulling out a gold coin, dirt marring the crevices of what was imprinted in its surface. Using the edge of his long coat to clean it, the stallion displayed the coin in his hand.

Jacob lent forwards, raising a brow, Star squinting to see. Though tarnished and old the coin displayed Queen Nightmare Moon's side profile. It did appear scratched out slightly, almost like the cuts in the face were done purposefully.

"What's so special about that?" Star would ask, looking up to his cousin, Jacob equally confused.

"Yeah... well look at this," he'd turn it over to show the side profile of a crowned alicorn, though they didn't appear in the shape of the Queen they were so used to, "Yep. Its 'her'. Can you imagine that. Some bastard at the printing press not stamping the coin right and probably used like, an old coin die or something."

Star nodded soon enough, eyes wide, "Yeah actually... fuck, that's her..." the stallion would not say 'her' name, it was taboo to mention the deposed princess almost entirely.

Jacob looked up to the opening off their dugout quickly, "You know it's interesting and all, but you should get rid of it. If someone finds you with it, they'll think it's actually yours!"

"It's fine, I'm throwing it away... You know, it's weird seeing the other one," he'd say before tossing the coin to the side, crushing it into the ground with his hoof and buried it in the soil. He'd soon brush over the ground, evening it out, "I found that on the ground beneath the duckboards, just kind of sitting there. Caught my eye when I was walking is all... mmm," the stallion eventually went quiet, along with the others as several soldiers walked past.

The silence persisted till Jacob finally spoke up, "We'll be heading to the reserve trenches soon guys. Have a well-earned break and... we definitely earned it and...yeah," the human trailed off after a moment, not knowing fully what to say to lighten the mood.

Rather than let the atmosphere sink once more however, Star would give his best attempt to pull them all out of it, "Right come on guys, let's get up and take a walk around. We've got an hour to kill till we get back so let's at least look like we are doing something," the unicorn held a hand out to Jinx, helping him up off his bag before doing the same for Jacob, doing a brief double take as he looked over the human, "Where's your knife," the stallion’s hand moved up and down over his own belt, mirroring where the weapon would be on the human.

"I lost the long knife. Well not dropped it, I mean it snapped when I was using it yesterday. " the man sucked his lips in and shrugged, "Whatever I guess."

"Cheap Van Hoover crap," Jinx would soon say, "We can find you another one if you want, maybe Aspy can hook you up with something"

The human shook his head at the suggestion, "It's all good. With all the griffins that have been taken out, I'm sure there's a surplus of their things going around, I'll just jump in that que," Jacob would say, following behind Star as the unicorn lead the way out of their hole.

********

Within less than two hours they would find themselves crawling through a tunnel on their hands and knees, along with hundreds of other soldiers, beneath the battlefield and back to their trench line. It was claustrophobic and though they had been assured by the sappers that it would not collapse, they still felt like the passage was unstable and would lead to them being buried alive, feeling the rumble of shells landing far above them, tunnel shaking as if hit by an earthquake. The vibrations knocking loose dirt in the tunnel, making all silently pray that they would survive. Many would feel their bodies ache from crawling for so long, unable to follow a straight path back and having to instead crawl downwards, then along through winding passages to avoid dense stone, before finally being forced to crawl upwards at a sharp angle.

Many had discarded their armour before entering the tunnels, so they could crawl more easily and not have to carry the extra weight. The steel plating had served its purpose and had saved multiple lives. It could not exactly be deemed bullet proof as many direct shots had punctured the material, but for diverting the odd shots and greatly reducing the energy behind bullets and lead balls, it had done well. Eventually, after almost 20 minutes of crawling in the darkness, bumping into one another constantly, they would find the warm, welcoming light of a lantern, making them crawl faster, surging towards it and out into their own trenches. Given little time to catch their breath or appreciate being out of the cramped tunnels and into safety, they'd already be directed and pushed towards the backlines.

It was almost disorientating, going from the enclosed trenches to a dark tunnel and now the open air. Soldiers felt almost uneasy with the wide, open space and the evident threat of being killed by rifles or artillery once more, not that the corrugated steel did much to stop even lead shots of muskets, but it had provided some semblance of safety and protection from the outside world. As many soldiers as there had been going ‘strange’ in the steel covered trench tunnels before, there were now just as many who clung to the walls, looking up at the open sky above and feeling like the world was now too big for them, like the passages had entailed safe restrictiveness of threats only being able to attack from in front and behind, now they could be attacked from all around. Such individuals would soon enough be escorted from the battlefield if an officer’s commands would not get through to them and taken from psychological evaluation.

In little time at all, they would be filed into the more protected bunkers behind the rear lines which had been built within the hills outside of the reach of the Van Hoover artillery, concrete and steel structures, buried partially beneath the earth. Passing the first few shelters they would already see the wounded being treated, hundreds of soldiers receiving medical attention with many being treated for the more serious injuries they had sustained which had not been treated for over a week nearly.

It wasn't obviously apparent at first, but soon they would notice how much quieter it was, this far back from the frontlines. There were the echoes of artillery fire but compared to what they had grown accustomed to, it was so significantly less, especially once they had moved into the safety of the bunkers, providing many soldiers the comfort they had taken for granted at their homes in the form of cots, good lighting, warmth and food. Food which was not stale and was in plentiful supply.

Star found himself falling into the bottom cot of a bunk bed, pack and rifle still on his back, letting out a pained groan at the chance to finally relax. His joints ached and already the warmth was beginning to make him feel tired as he could feel his stomach yearning for food but felt almost too tired to get out of the cot now. He eventually looked up as the bunk above him creaked, Jacob pulling himself into it, testing his new bedding.

"Oh wow, this is actually really nice," the man would say, dropping back down to unburden himself of his equipment, sliding it alongside the bunk bed before pulling himself up once more and lay down, looking up to the metal roof some metres above him.

They could already hear the excitement of many other soldiers as they rushed into the adjacent bunker room, following the scent emanating from the food being prepared in the kitchens for all of them.

"Can you guys smell that!" Jinx looked to them both, "That's actual food! What do you think it is..." The unicorn went quiet, straining his ears to hear the conversation from soldiers already in the kitchen, "Oohoo sounds like rice, pork and beans. Damn that smells good... they're spoiling us now aren't they!" he looked back to his friends, excitement evident in his tone as he was almost bouncing at the thought of real food.

Jacob grinned, "We've earned it after a month and a bit of fighting and starving almost I’d say. I mean compared to many we’ve done way more than our allotted time on the front lines."

"But did we do anything," Star would eventually say, wiping his nose as he shifted over to look at his cousin and friend, "We've literally spent a month fighting and... dying for... for what? We didn't accomplish anything," the stallion sighed, a look of frustration crossing his face.

Detecting the sombre air about him, Jacob spoke up quickly, "Hey mate," he reached a hand down to skim Star's shoulder, "It's not a waste or anything. We got beat back sure and it's been hell for all of us,"

"A fuckin' shit show" Jinx added quickly, chewing his lip.

Jacob nodded his acknowledgement to the larger unicorn, "But we've pushed them back massively. I heard that we beat them back so fast it scared them. That has to count for something. At the very least we’ve damaged their numbers and their moral with what we did and that’s not forgetting the testing of equipment, I’m sure before long technicians will be down here and asking us for feed back."

Despite his words the stallion still lay on his side, brow furrowed as they continued rubbing their cheek absent mindedly, "We should still be out their fighting. They need us. Instead of running we should have evacuated the wounded then reinforced the position to hold it."

"Star we've done a world of good this last week already. We've earned this break and... look think about the people passing out from exhaustion the last few days. If we don't stop then we would fail anyway. Maybe they could have reinforced the position but that shield generator was the only thing making that place viable and it was already failing." he patted the stallion’s arm, glancing to the side as he'd see the Jinx's dark blue tipped tail flicking back and forth as they ran to the kitchen.

Star eventually turned look at the human, "But what was the point of it all then. Why bother sending us on that push and reinforcing that entire area if we are completely wasting it. Its kind of an insult to the people who lost their lives, allowing it to be in vain."

"Star," Jacob hopped down from his bed and sat in the edge of the stallion’s own, "I know what you're thinking because I've been thinking the same since we got back, but you just can't keep thinking about it. Push it out of your head, enjoy the next week and calm yourself. I'm telling you, when we go back out it'll be fine. You'll see. What we did wasn't a waste."

The stallion was quiet briefly, "And for the next week I'll be watching my back for Orange and whoever he's got. And you guys. What if he's after both of you too. It’s my fault they're after us."

Jacob gave a bounce of his brows, nodding in agreement, "Yeah them. Look we'll be watching each other’s backs for ages now anyway. And if they do try anything, then we will deal with them appropriately. Like you said, stick as a team we'll accomplish anything."

Taking a breath, Star would eventually close his mouth, giving Jacob a nod. Sitting up, the stallion nudged his thanks to the human "... you're right," the unicorn forced a smile, which turned genuine as his cousin came over with three bowls brimming with steaming food.

"I tell you, good thing I went when I did because that line is fucking 'huge' right now. I bet they won't have enough to feed us all hehe, we’re so hungry we will each eat for three," Jinx knelt down in front of them, passing the bowls out, "Come on, if we finish this, we'll be the first to get their fancy deserts going about." the unicorn laughed, "They really do spoil soldiers in the reserve line don't they. Hey, you know I heard some guys are planning on getting us all to have a drinks night in a couple of days. They're hoping to ask the officers if we can have a 'proper' break after what we just did, you know what I mean," the stallion grinned widely and nudged the pair with his elbows before sitting back on the floor.

For a moment, Star would forget that in a week they would be back on the frontlines once more. But he took Jacob's advice. There was no point in continuing to worry about it. What would happen would happen... like his mum would say, not stressing about a situation twice and causing needless worry. He would only then realise how much he was really missing his mum and younger brother, as well as his home. Though the conversation between Jinx and Jacob regarding some film they had watched a year back helped to take his mind of it, the stallion turning towards them fully as he began eating.

Chapter 8 - Wishing For Better Days

The bell rung loudly and soon; students began filing into their classrooms. Despite the war, the education continued almost as normal, with students attending lessons for a wide array of subjects, all of which fitted within the tightly set curriculum of the EDA. Education was paramount not only during this war but to the country’s economy and sociability on a worldwide level, as what they were taught would not only help to stimulate development of their way of life for years to come, as they had been told.

Life continued within the many cities, whether they served under the rule of the diarchy or were part of a rebellious county or province, vying for their own doctrines and beliefs, aspiring to maintain a 'true' Equestria, to wrest control from the monarchs and restore some form of balance to the world, or simply for the greed of profit and power. Wars really could take all sorts of creatures. The people of these city states, in various forms of success, tried to shelter their citizens from the fighting for they knew that when this was over, they would need normal people to claim what was left, not twisted and trained soldiers which could only form dictators and military states.

As the months now became years, many people had come to adapt life for a war without end it seemed, in particular the education sector. The young adults were less than a year away from leaving the confines of the school halls to begin their lives... not aspiring for whatever they had dreamed of doing but working the daily grind to help with the war effort. To toil in the fields and factories to produce the necessary equipment and supplies to support the army, or to throw themselves headlong, hearts brazen on their chests and spirits soaring with their banners into the battlefields.

"Cozy Glow are you listening?" the teacher soon asked, looking at the little pegasus who was almost staring blankly at the board. The green mare moved her glasses up her muzzle as she looked at her student, the other children in the class doing the same, turning around with various looks of amusement, waiting for the pegasus to make a fool out of herself.

"Oh yes miss, I was!" she was quick to answer with a smile, attention snapping to the teacher, glancing about with confusion at the children staring at her suddenly.

"Then what did I just say... loud enough for the class to hear please," the teacher called across the room, leaning on her desk with a deep frown.

"The Night Mother wrested control of Equestria from her horrible sister 44 years ago, 45 this time next week. That's why we will have the Lunar Eclipse Celebration, as it's the anniversary of that day," Cozy answered swiftly, hands together in her lap fiddling with a small rubber stress ball she had been given.

Seeming more than satisfied, the teacher did not give out a punishment, instead continuing, "Yes, the celebration will commemorate her victory, her reclamation of her throne and will show the strong bond between Queen Nightmare Moon and all her subjects, no matter where they come from," she'd go on, "Due to the obvious unrest in Equestria, the celebration will still not be as grand as most years but will go on nonetheless. It's a time for us to grow stronger as a community and as a people. To understand all our new citizens and neighbours, welcoming them into our world and showing them our culture whilst also learning theirs."

The students listened as the teacher carried on, "The celebration this year will take place through the streets of Canterlot under guard supervision, I hear two of the Armoured Orders have agreed to be in the streets for our protection,"

Several of the students cheered and called out at the thought of seeing the Armoured soldiers who looked so powerful and cool. Though armoured suits had existed for decades now, the mechanical suits of armour did not fail to impress young minds still. What boy didn’t dream of joining something as prestigious as a power armour order after all, a literal representation of ancient beliefs and doctrines which had been revitalised upon the run of the Queen, one who had lived in a time of swords and magic.

"Furthermore, our Mistress of Change, Queen Chrysalis, will be attending this year. Though her particular celebration is in four months, she has decided to lend her words to the speech Queen Nightmare Moon shall give as well. Now I want all of you to keep up the work you’re doing each day and finish your homework. School will be closed for two days over the celebration period so this homework will be set early. I want you to answer pages fifty through to fifty-five. Ask each other if you have any problems and failure to obtain at least fifty percent correct will not be acceptable… remember that everyone," the mare looked over the young faces before glancing up as the hand of the clock hit 1pm, "school is finished," the teacher concluded.

Immediately the students all scrambled to fill their bags with their books and stationery, heading to the door silently before bursting into conversation once they were outside the class, walking down the hallways. So too would the other classes as they left their rooms and crowded into the school corridors, pushing and shoving as they tried to get out of the school doors and get their freedom from the confines of the school curriculum.

Cozy Glow packed her bag slowly, giving time for the students to filter out first so she could easily pass through the hallways without having to deal with being crushed between masses of bodies.

"Cozy, you headed straight to the factory today?" Sapphire, a blue pegasus with an aquamarine mane tied back in a bun, would ask as she flew across the room to her friends side.

"Mmm I don't know. I've got to get all these books back to the library before they shut or the fines will just tear through my savings," Cozy replied, wings flapping and lifted her off the ground, Sapphire following as they headed out into the corridor, settling on the ground once more to join the crowds shuffling about as flying not allowed indoors, even if it would have been more convenient and eased the congestion in the hallways. Such was the rules of the school.

"Do you need me to cover for you again?" Sapphire eventually asked as she clutched her bag in her arms tightly, resting her chin on the fabric as she looked across to her friend.

"Oh, would you Sapphire, it would really help if you could buy me a few minutes extra," Cozy shifted back and forth with a small smile.

Sapphire nodded immediately, "Of course, it's no problem. I just hope the line manager doesn't catch on any time soon."

"I heard what he did to that colt last week. I mean golly, giving him the belt for messing up a few stitches on a uniform doesn't seem fair at all," Cozy agreed. She’d never liked their line manager, abusive to all of them on an almost regular basis… but it wasn’t as if that would change any time soon, especially with him on track to become a full assistant manager from maintaining such high production levels from his work force.

"And it wasn't his fault! He's just new is all an-and he only messed up four of them... Plus his dad paid for the bad uniforms so he shouldn't have gone that far,” Sapphire went on before growing silent as she clutched her bag tighter, tail flicking anxiously.

"Well I'm just glad it's my birthday soon and I'll be able to move out of that crappy factory soon," Cozy said with an affirmative nod to her friend as they left the school, heading out and into the grounds, a short space of grass that had been cut all the shorter to allow the walls around the school to be fortified encase of an emergency and to make space for the expanded width of the city streets, which had significantly reduced the accident rate of vehicular collisions.

"Oh Cozy, you're not actually going to move are you!" Sapphire asked, moving to her friend immediately, "Don't go, otherwise I'll be stuck by myself!"

"You've got Jasper, Harriet and the other girls... and it's not like it'll be long till it's your birthday anyway, you can move to the same factory as me," Cozy would say with another nod, looking up and down the street before crossing.

"But why though!? It's not that bad at the factory… despite what we said. I mean sure the sowing machines aren't the best, but the head manager said our line will get newer ones soon," Sapphire continued to do her best to convince Cozy to stay.

Despite the Pegasus' efforts though, the other filly shook her head, "I can't, the pay is terrible, I have to walk and fly thirty minutes from the train station just to get to it and that manager outright 'hates' me and I don't know why... Plus I hate when Sight Seeker's uncle comes around to pick him up. He always just stares at me and acts all weird. Asking weird questions, it's just creepy. No, I'm definitely moving to P&R munitions factory.”

"A munitions factory! Cozy they're so dangerous and your fur and skin get stained yellow and everything," Sapphire replied immediately, squeezing next to her friend as stallions walked past, workers returning from their break.

"Well, I'll just buy some gloves with the extra money I'm making," Cozy gave a sideways nod and flicked her tail, straightening her back, "But honestly, anything’s better than this factory... Hehe, I say that, but I'll probably find another creep at this new place anyway,"

The two fillies were soon joined by a young female griffin. Her feathers were interesting in how they were a mixture of greys, blacks and whites though despite the monochrome colours, they always appeared so vibrant. At first the griffin said nothing, listening to the pair carry on with their conversation before finally joining in, "I still think you should work finding scrap. You can just go amongst the heaps and not have to do much if you don't want to, it’s not like they can do much to watch you out there."

"Ginny, you know we have a job to do. We can't be shirking off. What we do matters to our very way of life and those of the next generations!" Sapphire would immediately say, quoting their teacher

"Well, you do that after working a five-hour shift at a mechanics shop and tell me if you have anything left to give," the griffin crossed her arms over her chest, wings ruffling, "I work hard, I'm just... taking my breaks as I work is all. Nothing wrong with that right"

Sapphire looked away before looking back once more, as she spoke earnestly, "Yes but... but if you worked harder, then you can save more lives. The uniform or canteen you make could be the difference between life or death for a soldier out there."

"I don't think one more uniform is going to change that. I mean if you really think about it, making that extra uniform means one more soldier has the kit necessary to go out there," the griffin countered.

Cozy caught the look that Sapphire gave from Ginny's comment, the thought that her actions were getting their soldiers killed in a long, convoluted manner and spoke up quickly, "But let's not forget, having another person in uniform means one more soldier on the front lines and we know that one soldier can make all the difference for a group of them, maybe saving all of them. But anyway girls, we shouldn't be arguing over this sort of thing. We have to stay together and just do our part," she'd say, pulling them both closer and walking with them down the street.

It was enough to convince the two girls to concede in their personal beliefs and change the subject to schoolwork and the eventual celebration. In time, Cozy would break away from her friends to return her books to library. She'd taken her notes on all the chapters to come and broken it down into a much more concise, information dense manner. They should get her to write these books, she could get the same amount of knowledge across in an eighth of the pages. Probably would mean they could get eight books printed instead of one and give them to students to keep, rather than only taking books out for a week at most.

For all the new ideas these creatures brought from their worlds, there were still places as simple as a library which needed reinventing. But she was just a kid after all, not like her voice would be enough to make a change.

Arriving at the factory finally, she would almost be surprised by how quickly the line manager picked her out amongst the masses of workers as she moved to her machine, the stallion rushing up to Cozy before she could even sit before her sowing machine.

He grabbed the pegasus roughly by her wrist, yanking her to the side, "What the hell do you think you're doing coming in this late! Do you think you can just skip on your shift and let everyone else slave away while you go burying your head in books!"

"N-no I just wanted to return..." Cozy managed before turning away as the stallion continued yelling in her face.

"Don't you dare talk back to me and give excuses! You're going to work without pay today and then you're going to work an additional 3 hours overtime to make up for the time you owe me!" he shouted, in part using the young filly as an example, glaring about at several of the other workers that had stopped working briefly.

The filly took in a breath before nodding, eyes fixed on the chipped concrete ground. She would eventually be released from his grip, the stallion continuing to berate her as she moved to her station, "Everyone does their part in this war. Everyone. Don't think you can just skip your work and go about doing whatever you please. When I was your damn age, I had three jobs before I signed up to the army and I was never late, yet you've done it again and again every month now."

He paused as the filly said nothing, finally snorting through his nose, "This is the last time you bloody do this, or you will be fired and you will 'not' get your pay at the end of the month," he called at the back of the filly's head as she continued working. The subtle movement of her head was enough of a 'yes' that the stallion needed and finally he left. He didn't doubt she would do it again, but he'd laid down the line in front of everyone, she had her last chance. Now he could get rid of her and get someone in who really worked hard and did their hours.

Cozy kept her head low till he was gone, wiping under her eyes and sniffing as she heard the clopping of his hooves moving off. She could feel the glances of the other workers on her or the staring gaze of the few as she measured out the required material on the ruler marked on the side of the work bench, taking up a sharp pair of scissors to cut the necessary amount. She gulped eventually, shaking herself off at the horrible feeling weighing down on her as she could just imagine how much they judged her. As lazy, late or ignorant of the war effort. But she worked harder than anybody to do her job, to work hard in classes and when she went home.

Her jaw worked somewhat at the thought of it, instead just deciding to focus on her work at hand, pausing only briefly to tie back her light blue curls, pulling a length of midnight blue cloth from a pocket, discarded material she had left over from one of the uniforms, its edges fraying from use. She continued to stand at her station and work for the remainder of the shift, then worked overtime as the next group of employees began their shift, having to push the heavy carts and collect the piled-up stacks of uniforms from the workers, taking them to the back rooms.

*****

Once truly released from the cold confines of the factory, she would rush to the train station, just managing to get on a carriage before the train departed. The filly fell into her seat, rubbing her forehead hard as she switched her mind onto everything she needed to do when she got home and what she had to prepare for the next day, for school and her job.

From down the carriage she heard three colts laughing and talking amongst each other about their work collecting scrap and whatever material they could find from the pits. Piles upon piles of waste that spewed out from other worlds and the portals, all collected and thrown in the scrapyards to be sorted. It was a job that was dangerous but very rewarding if you happened to be in the right place at the right time. From the sounds of it one of the boys had been in such an instance, finding something of worth.

Cozy turned away and looked out the window instead, the moon pushing high into the sky as the sun would be dropped low behind the distant mountains that punched up through the Everfree forest. The train jostled gently as it followed the tracks that spiralled around the side of Mt. Canterhorn to the ground. Another train passed by on the other track, Cozy making out the briefest faces of the other passengers about to begin their night shifts in the city, obscuring her view of the rolling land at the base of the mountain for a time till it finally passed.

The train stopped in Crescent, the town that had formed rapidly near the base of the mountain, predominantly filled with the overflow of Canterlot's growing population, a large majority of its people being the non-natives, the outsiders and other-worlders that all came tumbling into their world. Every day it grew bigger and swelled with their numbers, construction sites constantly active at its edges.

She enjoyed the buildings the most. All the different styles these creatures brought with them and their buildings of prayer, single spired, multi turreted, domed or crenelated. The more exotic and unusual simply being a large statue for religious gatherings or even modelled after the unopened petals of some plant like structure, stranger designs still being produced as well. How they accommodated them, these creatures from other worlds. Made them feel so connected and welcomed, catering for their many cultures as best they could to remain connected and unified despite their differences.

The train pulled into the station though she remained seated, waiting for the next stop in Poneyville. Cozy relaxed somewhat as she was now alone in the carriage, finally taking the chance to eat her lunch, now dinner for her, as she rested back in her chair, the tattered cushion of the seat flattened from use so she could feel the hard wooden board beneath, making every bump uncomfortable. She still had so much reading to do and things to organise, especially with her extra-curricular work.

The train slowed down almost noiselessly but the sound of a muffled screeching from the brakes, gently pulling itself into the station for Lunar Lane Junction, several creatures stepping into the carriage, many non-pony creatures resembling moles, bats and others much more unusual and alien in appearance, taking up the seats and waiting to reach Poneyville, Cozy assumed. The grey and red initials of 'MW' on their uniforms denoting their place of work within the Maxwell and White Automobile factory on the outskirts of Poneyville. Gone were the times of making purely civilian automobiles and producing aesthetically pleasing designs, now they worked tirelessly to produce trucks and armoured cars, welding thick steel sheets and tirelessly meeting the demands set by the military.

Cozy considered it ridiculous how anyone could work there with its sub-minimal pay and workloads. She was glad, despite the travel, that she'd looked for a factory in the city that accommodated her school schedule, despite the problems she had.

The train stopped just outside of Poneyville in a small, newly built station that only allowed exit from the first five carriages. Several large double decked buses waited to take workers from the station to a munition factory operating under the 'Longleaf A1' name. Before long, the train set off yet again to arrive in Poneyville where the filly could finally step outside. She'd spread her wings out as she'd take to the air, clutching her bag to her chest, heaving a sigh as she saw the house several streets away and what it entailed.

As soon as she landed and her keys clattered lightly on the wooden door as she tried to unlock it, an annoyed males voices called through, "Don't you dare think you're coming back in at this time!"

She found the chain still on the inside of the door as she attempted to push it open, "Look I had to work overtime at the factory and I'm sorry I haven't made your dinner yet," Cozy pressed herself against the door frame, struggling to undo the chain as her hand slipped through the narrow opening it allowed.

"The cheek of it, not apologising after letting me starve in here, by myself for hours! What did I do to deserve a girl like you," the voice called through and continued to rant on about their years of service to the country meaning nothing, their voice growing distant as she moved into the next room.

The filly gritted her teeth and banged the door, "Just open the door already!" she called through, pulling back to taking in a deep breath to compose herself as she cast a glance behind her to make sure no one was in the street watching the whole scene. Calming herself to a degree with another deep inhale through her nose, she worked on the chain once more, fingers and arm straining to reach through the tight space. Finally, it was undone and clattered to the side, the door opening fast as her weight was pressed against it, banging on the hallway wall loudly and jittering on its hinges.

"Stop all that banging, the neighbours are trying to sleep!" he yelled through loudly.

"And people in other towns are trying to sleep too," Cozy said to herself quietly, soon making her way into the living room, finding the griffin by the window, staring out with a glare.

"So... am I making you dinner now or..." Cozy raised a brow as she already had an inkling of what the answer would be.

The griffin turned his wheelchair around, "You bloody will not! All those fumes from that damn stove will kill me!" he called across the room, "Have you no sense girl! Don’t you ever listen to what I say!"

The filly huffed, "I know that..."

"If you knew, then why did you ask! Bloody excuses for you forgetting is what it is," he'd cut in, taking a book off the mantel piece and beginning to write in it, "That Taut Knot has been coming back later each day, he has to be doing something... Something illegal I just know it," he rambled on as if forgetting about the filly for a moment.

"If you're still trying to catch him out then you won't. He's just been caught with more shifts than normal lately and likes to be the last person to leave the factory. He's got the keys to lock it up so he has to," Cozy would say, holding onto the door frame, brow furrowing briefly in annoyance at the Griffin's one-creature-crusade to maintain a watch on his neighbours and report them to the police.

"No he's not. Don't be so stupid! What do you even know about him, he goes to work at Crescent every day," he'd sneer, though a grin crept across his beak as if he had caught the filly out.

"I talk to him in the mornings on the train 'up' to Canterlot. It's the same train line you know… and if you don't stop bothering Liam with questions and everything, he will call the police... Hurgh! Why can't you get on with everyone, instead you keep trying to... to catch someone out in a hope the Queens will reward you with something," The filly called in exacerbation

He glared back at her, "Listen her you little... I've worked all my life for this country, even though it's not mine! I've served for nearly two decades and made sure you weren't taken over by those damn cat bastards. They would have had you working in the coal mines at the age of six if it weren't for creatures like me fighting them. They would have gone beat you daily and put you on their labour camps and worked you to death!"

"Guess you're forgetting the griffins that attacked us as well and threatened to send all pegasi to slave camps too. Don't want to leave that out... No pony should be higher than a griffin right? I think I remember reading that the clipping of pegasi wings was also a thing they did frequently," Cozy would comment, moving back and forth on her hooves, hands behind her back.

"Don't you get smart with me you brat. If it... I've done more than anyone else for you! When your parents died I did well by Gallow and took you into my house and you have the audacity to answer back to me! You do nothing in this house! You lazy little shit! You don't know what the real world is like and are to air headed in your books to ever know what it is like. Should have smacked you when you were younger, might have given you some respect! You’re a selfish and stupid little girl who won’t amount to anything… ANYTHING. You can barely hold this job, I get letters every damn day about how the teachers see you don’t pay attention in class, you’re an embarrassment!" the griffin shouted, growing steadily louder as he moved himself up to the filly with every word till he was in front of her glaring into her eyes.

With a deep breath in, Cozy would hold her next comment and remain silent, finally averting her gaze to the ground, squinting her eyes as they began growing wet around the edges, though she managed to stop it from going further.

Several moments passed in silence till he moved away silently to the window, continuing his 'watch' on the neighbours. It was the opportunity the filly took to leave and go to her room, hearing him mutter on about her snivelling and needing to grow up. He had enough food stockpiled in the cupboards to sate himself for today and probably a month even. But she'd most likely be paying out of her own wages to replace it.

She'd close the door behind her as she went into her barren room, with its peeling walls and chipped wood. Black mould was growing by the window ledge from the lack of air circulating through. He would never let her open the windows and had quite literally locked them and thrown away the key, all for that paranoia of the factory's smell. The filly was surprised the rotting walls hadn't come down atop them in the last few months especially, always seeming creak loudly which was followed by the occasional sound of the wood cracking or being gnawed upon by the nest of rats. Funny how the griffin was scared of a little smoke that wasn't there but when faced with an obvious problem of an infestation he buried his head in the clouds to ignore it.

She inadvertently let out a sigh which didn't seem enough to get the weight off her mind and chest, leading to her performing a subsequent, heavier sigh. The only thing she could do was to remind herself it wouldn’t be long, only a few more weeks till she was 16 and that was it, legally an adult and finally free to make her own decisions. She could feel a certain level of excitement at the thought of all the things she could finally do, even the smallest things such as painting the walls or eating something other than foul smelling mackerel nearly every day, maybe she could even go out for a midnight walk when she couldn't sleep at night amongst other things, it was all so exciting and was enough to keep her going.

Chapter 9 - True War

The days after their return would afford time to recuperate. Having to spread little more than two days of rations over a week and having had poor quality of food even before that for over a month, the officers made sure they were given their fill. The Royal Equestrian army had learned from prior experience, an army fights on its stomach and they couldn't push their soldiers anymore.

As such, they were given a week leave from the front in the closest town of Oak Hollow, the first night affording them time to be merry with large quantities of alcohol being provided, though military law enforcement were stationed about, to prevent 'the stress of war and liberation of drink causing unwanted attitudes to rise', or so it had been put by Colonel Mulberry Merlot, in command of their eastern portion trench line.

As such, despite the high spirits that many would have as they drank, they were under the constant eye of those trying to ensure nothing went too far. They were still in a war after all, and the tides could change in an instant. Then what would they be left with, over a thousand inebriated soldiers who could barely tell friend from foe in the late hour. Though that would have had to be a massive disaster for the enemy to push past their trenches and move all the way to the town some 50 miles away… though it was better not to take any chances.

Star could already see his cousin was one-drink-too-many deep, already laughing and giggling at almost any comment, though it was infectious, making the rest of his company laugh with him even if he never answered their questions in the end. Surprisingly, Star also found Jacob joining in more than he would have thought, only needing two pints to make him somewhat tipsy.

The unicorn glanced down to his own, mostly untouched mug. He wanted to join but... the constant threat of who knew how many people wanting a chance to get at him now put him off drinking all together. He would keep up the act though, taking small drinks from his mug when he thought he'd taken too long, pretending to go up and get refills here and there. He did his best to join in, even if he did feel eyes looking at him amongst the crowded pub.

He looked up, noting the pause in the conversation, finding the table looking at him, "What's up?" the unicorn asked, putting on a grin and looking between them all.

"You're all depressed... you worried orange is still going to get you?" Jinx grinned and missed his mug as he tried to grab it, hands grasping in the air briefly before he'd eventually find the handle a few inches to the right.

Before Star had a chance to reprimand his cousin for being so loud about the matter, one of the other stallions at the table, who they only recently found out was called Pond Runner and a member of a tank division, leant in, "What's this about orange?"

Star kicked Jinx in the leg to keep him quiet, but his cousin would only make it more obvious, "Ow, fuck why'd you kick me!" eventually grinning and turning to the Earth pony regardless, "Orange is pissed with Star because he blames him for Willow dying whatever week or something ago," Jinx finished off his remaining mug of beer.

Growling at the other unicorn being so obvious about it, Star already reared his leg back to kick him again despite the previous attempt having failed to get the message across though he’d stop soon enough as he did a double take, the Earth pony turning sharply to him, "You killed willow!?" The stallion leant in somewhat angrily, eyes blinking as they adjusted.

"What!? No... I... griffins attacked us and he got stabbed by one of... you know all the Griffins that attacked us and...," Star stopped as he tried to think of what to say, though Pond Runner eventually sat back in his chair roughly.

"Oh okay... yeah I mean... not being insensitive or whatever but Willow was an ass, no offence... but I'm... not an actual ass like a donkey, but I mean like an ass...ass. Yeah, you know it…” the Earth pony stumbled over what he was saying before sighing as his head hurt trying to think of what he’d said wrong, knowing he’d made a mistake somewhere.

Jinx looked at him somewhat confused before grinning, "yeah yeah, I know... he was a dick half the time." the unicorn grinned, draining what drops remained in his mug. "Hey Star, it's your turn to go do fill ups."

Jacob stood up "It's fine I'll get the next lot," he'd say, taking Star's mug, seeing it was full practically, but said nothing. The human collected everyone else’s cups, taking them over to the bar where beer was being passed out, a reward for their efforts, before the soldiers even needed to touch their drinking rations of rum or gin. The Bartender had cleaned up the half-bombed establishment and opened up his cellars to them, as a measure of thanks for what they’d all done to free the town and for New Equestria’s promise to aid in rebuilding. On occasion, the military police would quickly move in to remove anyone becoming too rowdy or problematic, sending them off for the night to their regiment’s sleeping arrangements, normally sleeping bags in an abandoned building or in tents on the outskirts of the town for the time being.

Star eventually held his head in his hands, ears moving in the direction of various conversations, though he paid little attention to what was being said. Soon enough he felt like his head was spinning, opening his eyes quickly and sitting back, taking several deep breaths as the alcohol was starting to get to him, even though he’d been pacing himself through the night.

Jinx continued on; the conversation having deviated, "oh... had too much to drink already Star? But we haven't even started on the rum or urr...," Jinx pointed to Pond Runner with a raised brow.

"Tank crews get gin. None of that… tar you army lot get," Pond answered with a laugh.

"Hey, real stallions can handle big boy drinks! That's why we... we..., " Jinx waved his hand as he thought of something to retort with, licking his lips as something came to mind, "We are brave enough to go over without being in shitty metal boxes like you guys."

Pond turned to him, "They are the only thing advancing us. The skill you need to control the 40mm gun and precision for it all is way more than just shooting one of your crappy bolt actions," Pond Runner countered with a grin.

"Excuse me, but we don't even get those, we get the fucking twenty fucky year old breech rifles," the large unicorn replied in turn “Ain’t that right Star,” Jinx patted his cousin’s arm hard.

Looking up, Star glanced between them, “Hmm? Oh yeah, the breech loading rifles are all we have at the moment. Though I guess we are new so we might get some eventually.” the unicorn would say, looking back to Jacob as he returned, the human handing back Star’s mug, having been half emptied to help the stallion along. Star would look up and give an appreciative nod to the man who gave smile in return.

"Everyone quiet down, it's the Royal speech," a senior officer called out from the bar, looking about before calling at one group still talking, "Private Flannigan and Salt Marsh, you better not be talking or..." he'd stop mid-sentence, satisfied by the almost immediate silence from the end of the room, giving a final once over of everyone before turning the volume up on the radio resting on the bar, the pub’s TV which normally would have been in the top corner of the room having been destroyed.

"... find that we give out our hearts to soldiers down in the south after that travesty, and again extend our invitation to any refugees of the cities to come to Canterlot where we can provide housing and shelter for your families. Now we go on to the Royal speech from both our Queens in the Royal Palace." the speaker went quiet and after several seconds of static, which soon faded away, a voice came through.

"Hello creatures of New Equestria," the voice began. It was one that spoke in tones and inflections of the old Ponish, bearing with it a sense of power and control with every word and an almost parent like aspect at times, "I would like to begin by thanking each and every one of you, from the armed forces fighting on the fronts, through to citizens of our noble country and especially those at the tragedy of West Albarna this last week. Our world as it is now, is suffering untold strife. Dark times pervade and the only way we may push through this horrific time is through our unified effort, which is seen in every aspect of life. Unity between all creatures from the battlefield between soldiers and comrades, to workers and colleagues in businesses and even the children in our schools as they make friends and learn. It is through this solidarity that we shall push past this war and into a brighter future of prosperity and equality.” the queen paused briefly.

“I'd like to note that though they are the enemy in the field of war, at their heart they are our kin, our country ponies and people. It is important we remember that this war is not about differences or where we originate from, but on our very beliefs and ideology. For these armies, of potentially familiar faces, strike at our way of life, all that is good and just, fair and right, they wish to tear down and replace all of it with their own warped doctrines. Some for greed, their lust for power or simply because they believe what they do is the correct way. I would ask you not forget what we hear from refugees daily... of the violence, murder and other heinous acts that occur within the enemies’ dominion, where theft, narcotic usage and assaults have grown uncontrollably, where crime is rampant and lives of all stallions and mares, males and females, as well as children, are destroyed irreparably, some who do not originate on this world suffering more so due to who they are. I speak of these things to remind you all of what we represent and of what we stand for. That is the reason we fight. For the good of all creatures.”

“Though this may be our countries darkest hour, we shall prevail and what we shall enter will truly be a new age, where equal rights, safety in the law and quality of life will accumulate into a golden age. Remember, for all your hardship we fight for a better future. Never let your heart falter or your resolve fail my citizens. Stand strong and stand firm, for braving this adversity will mean a better future, for our families, our friends and our children." there was a moment of silence before she continued, "I shall now pass you on to Queen Chrysalis for her final words during the Lunar Celebration tonight."

There was the sound of movement before a voice spoke, echoing, even over the radio, with a husky and haughty tone to it, "New Equestria... I speak to you now. I believe there is little more to say that Queen Nightmare Moon has not already spoken of. Yes, these are perilous times for any creature, but victory holds in it a future for all of us, one that is far greater than any that could be offered by those we fight, be they enemies on the frontlines around our country or in the streets of our home. I believe that I may put myself forward as an example of what had happened and may happen once more. I am a changeling... I am no pony... prior to thirty-five years ago my people were outsiders because of one creature’s decision. We were treated as monsters, beasts and worse. My kind were persecuted and hunted till we had little where else to go, starving in the outlands.”

“I believe you will also recall the loss of the fourth pony tribe, the Thestrals. Like my kind, they too were targeted and attacked because of their differences. They too were chased into the hidden places of Equestria and dare not leave lest face death. This was allowed to happen because one creature did not fight for their rights lest face ridicule from her subjects. To avoid conflict, they willingly gave permission for countries to claim vast swathes of Equestria’s land... they paid tithes of millions to these countries and in doing so near led to this country becoming destitute, its people having to face increasing taxes and cutbacks on funding for various economic sectors. I believe any old enough to remember will recall a time of stagnancy, no? When the stories of the wealthy, the technologically advanced and powerful were perpetually from outside Equestria's borders. New Equestria isn't just a way to lay some level of control and claim over the country, as the enemy may criticise, it represents what we are... we are a New Equestria, we are in a new age and a new way of life. Every day, hundreds of creatures come to our world, bringing with them new ideas and new cultures, all giving us a greater understanding of each other and people from different worlds. With them our world has become just so much bigger, and I am proud to be this country’s Matron of the Otherworlders and represent their wonderful differences and talents they bring to our land. As spoken, never faulter and never succumb... We fight this war for all of us." she'd finish before she took a breath, "Thank you... and let the celebration commence,"

From outside the moon would be held high in the sky and almost seem to grow bigger and brighter, staying as such for the rest of the night, bathing the world in a bright, silvery night, the cool night air seeming to gain a spark of energy to it as the soldiers performed their religious sermons dutifully before erupting into cheerful song and drank deeply, celebrating the holiday. Merriment continued late into the night as the full moon remained bright for all to see and enjoy the celebrations.

Far away in the cities the streets were alight with markets, festivals, restaurants, bars and theatres, which remained open much later than normal as singing and dancing spilled outside on occasion. Creatures not native to Equestria held their own forms of celebration, many attracting the attention of ponies who would join in with them, giving their prayers, minutes of silence or performing contests of mind and body. For a time, many would forget the war and the last three years, just enjoying themselves, this luxury only afforded, however by the soldiers who still fought at the very fronts, holding back the enemy hordes tirelessly so others may find some level of peace.

********

Three days passed by faster than any would have liked and soon enough the soldiers were redeployed to the frontlines, replacing several battalions located further West. Now located comparatively closer to one of the city’s main gates, the soldiers of the 95th regiment would mostly fall into the routine they had before, though would adjust quickly to the far more intense fighting that was taking place along this trench line with far more artillery and soldiers populating the enemy lines. Bombardments were far more frequent than what they had grown used to and the sheer volume of bullets being fired towards them made it almost impossible for the soldiers to ever put their heads above the parapets and fire back at times as they not only had rifles but machine guns amongst their numbers it seemed, in emplacements along their lines.

The fighting persisted continued for days, soon enough becoming two weeks as, neither side advanced far from their lines which seemed almost indefinitely set in the mud and earth of the battlefield.

Jacob held his head in his hands, hunched over in his seat, eyes down at his dirty boots which sunk into the mud that had built up on the hard flooring. The human soon breathed out heavily, knee constantly bouncing and making his body shake. His ears were ringing from the shelling that they had just received, even though he had covered his ears for the majority of it.

A hand suddenly touched his back, making Jacob sit upright sharply, though he relaxed as he made out their face, "Oh hey Jinx."

Sitting down next to the human, Jinx looked into his eyes deeply before wrapping an arm about Jacob's shoulders, "You alright?... Is it getting too much?" the stallion soon summarised.

"Yeah, it's just non-stop, round here isn’t it," Jacob sat back, glancing about, noting no one else was with the unicorn, "Where's Star?"

"He's fine. Smoking and having a talk with that shark. Whatever his name was." Jinx motioned off to the side where his cousin had gone, "Went off that way I think" he’d say before eventually grumbling at the thought, shifting in his seat, "I don't... trust him yet"

Jacob nodded, "At least he's not alone. I think we should give him a chance though. If it weren't for him-"

"I know, he did help us," Jinx interrupted, "He's just... I don't know. Something just smells, heh, fishy," the stallion gave a small grin at the joke, nudging the human for a response

"Haha yes, fishy," Jacob gave a half smile, rolling his eyes.

"Cause he’s a shark!" Jinx pressed for me.

"Yes, I get it, he's a shark and something smells fishy," the man replied, shaking his head with a bemused smile.

Jinx crossed his arms, sitting back "Just thought of that as I was saying it... Damn I should be a comedian after all this,"

"Yeah, well I mean, if you do end up in comedy you've got to make sure you don't offend anyone with your jokes," Jacob would point out.

Jinx turned to him, "Come on I'm just saying fishy. It’s like when you said don't look a gift horse in the mouth, I didn't go weird or anything,"

"Yeah well... Just make sure you check your audience before you start. I'm guessing something like 'two birds with one stone' really wouldn't go down well with a crowd of c-" Jacob stopped immediately, the pair jolting in their seats as a shell suddenly landed twenty metres to their right, the explosion sending debris into the air as it tore through their trenches.

After a moment of shock, they both took cover, lying down on the duck planks as another shell landed closer, feeling the mix of concrete, wood and soil landing on their backs as they could do nothing but hide and pray. Another shell, only metres to their left would explode, the turn of the trench only just protecting them from receiving the full force of the blast, having been on the other side of the fortified trench wall.

They remained low for several minutes, holding onto each other for dear life as the bombardment on their position went on, decimating their trench line. All the while they could hear the screams of soldiers from around their area, both in pain and those of officers trying to gain some order amongst the REAF soldiers.

As suddenly as the attack on their position had begun, there was silence. Jinx would lift his head first, looking about them, "... What's going on, why did they stop?" the stallion called to the human, gritting his teeth as he could see the nearby dugout had collapsed, a bloody leg hanging out of the earth, as well as one of the trenches wall, completely decimated and gaping, revealing the dark, almost black earth that had been behind it, now piled along their bay.

Jinx pulled the human up onto their feet "Come on we need to get moving, they're... STAR!" the unicorn suddenly realised, turning around, "STAR! WHERE ARE YOU STAR!" the stallion pulled Jacob's arm briefly to get him moving, climbing on the mound blocking the trench before rushing down the line to where his cousin had been.

The human clambered over the line, glancing to the person who was buried in the dugout behind him, knowing they could not have survived before moving on. He soon began looking about as well, pointing to an arm just barely hanging out of a mound of soil, "Jinx! That's not... " the human dared not continue, shaking his head as he pressed himself to a wall.

Already Jinx was rushing to the body, digging with his hands, "Star come on don't be fucking dead, don't be fucking dead!" the unicorn pulled hard on the arm, dragging out the body of a green maned, yellow furred stallion.

For a brief moment the stallion felt relief before realising how horrifying that thought was, immediately letting go of the soldier who was missing his shoulder and half his face, crawling back from them quickly.

Jacob looked over his friend to see the corpse, the left side of their body practically missing. The sight was enough to make the human's stomach turn, immediately turning away and taking a deep breath as he held himself together just barely as the image of the dead stallion’s inner body stayed with him.

After several seconds of staring at the body, Jinx finally pulled his eyes away from the gruesome sight, "S-Star, STAR!" once more the stallion pulled himself up, walking over the body as he looked for any other limbs, glancing back to see Jacob following.

The man kept his head turned away from the corpse, calling out for Star as well, as he kept pace with Jinx, beginning to see unharmed soldiers pulling themselves out of their hiding places, searching for their own companions.

Eventually they heard a voice, "Over here! Jinx, Jacob over here! Help guys!" Star's panicked voice called out from further down the line.

As the human and unicorn rushed down, keeping their heads low, they would come across Star knelt next to the shark, Habben. The unicorn was desperately tying a belt around the shark’s thigh where everything below the knee was missing, leaving only a bleeding, open stump.

The unicorn looked up, arms and chest covered in their blood, trying to speak but no words came from his mouth as he soon gritted his teeth and looked back down to the unconscious shark, the side of their coat peppered with blood stains from shrapnel and debris, not knowing how else to help him.

"Shit!" Jinx rushed to his cousin's side, looking at the wounded shark, holding his hands up but knowing how to help, "Urr fuck, what do we do when this happens again," he went to unbutton the shark’s overcoat to see how bad his other injuries were, but stopped suddenly, looking up along with the others as a sharp, loud whistle filled the air.

It was soon followed by calls for everyone to "Get back to the front they're storming over! BACK TO THE FRONT!!" as officers continued trying to regain control of their soldiers before the coming charge of Van Hoover forces arrived.

Jacob pushed his way between the stallions, "I'll deal with him, both of you just do what you need to!" the human rolled up his sleeves as best he could before pulling out his medical kit from a side pouch, tightening the tourniquet belt as he focused solely on trying to keep the shark alive, despite the sickness in his stomach at the blood that soon covered him, not knowing fully what to do but what his mind desperately tried to remember from his first aid course.

For a brief moment the two stallions would stare at the human as he worked before pulling themselves up, moving to what positions weren't destroyed and cautiously looking over the cratered land between them and the enemy trenches.

Soon enough, they would see figures running across the scarred space, ducking and diving between cover as they advanced, slipping down into the deep holes in the ground or occasionally behind ruined tanks.

Jinx would fire almost immediately, aiming at any figures that were growing too close, pulling back down behind the parapet to reload before moving to fire once more. "Come on Star!" Jinx called out after seeing his cousin staring out, almost frozen for a moment at the sheer number of soldiers rushing towards them.

Star turned to look at the other unicorn, gulping and covered in blood, hands clenching and unclenching. His eyes were wide and dazed from lingering shock, though eventually he pulled himself to the present, aiming at the figures and beginning to fire as well, gritting his teeth with every shot as his fingers fumbled to pull the rounds from his ammo pouch at times as his mind kept thinking back to Habben, the stallion looking back occasionally which only made it worse.

Despite their efforts, and those of the fellow REAF soldiers that would arrive to reinforce their position, the advancing Van Hoover soldiers, like a swarm of ants rushing from their nests, drew closer and soon enough began returning fire as they saw their enemy within their bunkers, throwing up large clods of dirt and sand.

It seemed like they would be overrun, Star attaching his bayonet already in preparation after ducking into cover once more, glancing back and feeling relief as he'd see more reinforcements filtering in next to them with junior officers directing them to their posts and medics already beside Jacob. The creatures would push the human away from the Shark, Jacob having managed to bandage up their stump as best he could, though the white linen was completely soaked through with blood and dripping.

One medic would check the shark's pulse before immediately beginning CPR, pressing down forcible on Habben’s chest with their hands interlocked, the other calling out for a stretcher to be brought immediately as he pulled a spray can out of his bag, pulling the bandages back and began spraying it on the wound to coagulate the blood.

Jacob was given little chance to make a decision by himself before a stallion, chest and helmet adorned with a red cross, grabbed the human's shoulders, "Are you a medic?" they shouted over the din of battle.

Taking a second to understand the question, the human quickly shook his head, "N-no!" he would answer, wiping his hands over his uniform, wiping rougher as the stain wouldn’t come off them.

"Then get up there and shoot!" the soldier would say, grabbing a rifle off the ground and pushing into Jacob's hands before forcing them to the firing steps to join the combat, returning immediately to the shark’s side as he pulled them onto a stretcher and began carrying them away with a fellow medic, squeezing past the soldiers as he moved towards the rear lines.

Jacob found himself pressed beside a stallion, eventually seeing it was Star as they pulled back down from firing to reload once more, seeing the shock still on their face and how they were fighting to stay focused, shaking his head to gather himself.

"Star! Star! What's it like?" the man motioned his head up towards the parapet as he struggled to attach and lock his bayonet on the end of his rifle, seeing that several others had already done so, flicking off the safety for his weapon as he was hesitant to take his first shot and expose himself to the retaliatory fire raining down on them from the enemy.

"There's thousands of them over there I mean… they just keep coming!" the unicorn shouted back to Jacob, standing back up to fire once more, knowing that every second spent not firing meant that a Van Hoover soldier was just that more likely to break through into their ranks.

The human breathed in deeply, pulling himself up finally to gaze out across the battlefield at the swarms of stallions that were less than a hundred or so feet away, close enough that he could almost make out their faces in the dawn. Bodies were strewn about which they climbed over, moving as an endless horde, some firing their sub machine guns, others bolt actions and others still running with their bayonet tipped muskets, shots already spent as clunking and heavy suits of power armour struggled to keep pace with their fellow soldiers. Jacob fired at one, not even waiting to see if the bullet made contact, immediately loading a new round and hiding behind the sandbags.

Star ducked briefly as a bullet hit just shy of where he was, seeing a shape falling at his side and realising a fellow soldier had been shot in the throat, lying on their back on the floor of the trench. He stood swiftly fired at one stallion who sprung up from a crater in ground, watching them fall backwards into the pit once more, rifle flung from weak grasp. Pressing on, the unicorn would manage to take down three more before reaching his hand into the leather ammo box on his right side, fingers running across the rough bottom of the container, searching the corners for any rounds but finding none. Swearing loudly, he knelt down further behind the cover, setting the rifle aside and scrambled to pull his other ammo box around on his belt, tugging hard till slid around to the front of his hip.

He chambered another round roughly, coming up to see stallions and gryphons running headlong at their position, barely twelve metres away and covering the short space in seconds. Their bayonets were pointed at the heads of the REAF soldiers that they saw over the parapet line, others waving clubs, axes and knives as they began jumping into their trenches with abandon, almost recklessly as they ran headlong onto the points of bayonets pushed out to meet their charge.

Firing a round up into the chest of one soldier, only metres away, Star stepped back and suddenly tripped, falling backwards off the firestep to land atop a pony who had part of their face missing, lying dead and sprawled out on the ground. Immediately the stallion scrambled up to his hooves, aiming his rifle up to the parapet that was being swarmed as his fellow soldiers stepped down into the trench, unable to hold the elevated position against the enemy.

Star didn't know where his friends were, only seeing a mass of bodies and weapons shifting as the two forces clashed, gunfire sounding amidst the waring soldiers as knives stabbed through trench coats, axes were buried into soldiers’ necks and arms while others were pierced horrifically by long bladed bayonets that punched through stomachs and chests. Star would be shoved to the side as soldiers scrambled to get into position to fight back and reinforce their wavering line, colliding hard with their enemy and leaping upon them in an unorganised melee.

Shouting out in anger and panic, Star would thrust his weapon up, into one stallion trying to shoot at them with his submachine gun before they could get more than three shots off, his bayonet easily puncturing their grey uniform and burying into their chest, tearing through muscles and puncturing their lung in an instant. Twisting and tearing out the blade, Star immediately stabbed up once more, piercing further up their torso, slicing across their collar bone and neck, watching the enemy drop down in pain, before a bullet from a REAF soldier finished them off for good.

The unicorn stared, eyes wild and teeth gritted for a split second before snapping his attention up to see a griffin in plate armour, descend upon them. The armoured griffin raised their axe above their head, burying it into a Royal soldier's neck who turned to face them, almost decapitating them in that first blow. They raised their axe up once more, practically ignoring the clubs that crashed against their tempered steel armour and the knives that were thrust aimlessly to glance across their breastplate. The griffin grasped high on the haft of his weapon, cutting into the jaw of another stallion sharply before turning their avian eyes upon Star and immediately swung for him, missing by inches as the unicorn fell backwards through the mass of bodies till he hit the back wall of the trench.

The griffin brought his axe down on the exposed head of a soldier that was in his path as they tried to stand, shoving his way towards Star, intent on killing the unicorn in particular now that he had set his eyes upon him, a particular glee in his eyes at the slaughter about him. It would be his downfall however, as an officer grabbed onto the back of the distracted griffin, pressing their revolver to the side of their helmet and fired. In an instant the griffin went limp, blood and bone spewing out from the other side of their head as they fell limply to the ground in a crumpled heap.

Star didn't know why but that shot to the griffin seemed to ring out louder than the rest, immediately gasping for breath as he looked at the dead griffin, heart pounding in his chest for a moment as a pair of hands moved into the unicorn’s field of view, forcing him to look up, "KEEP FIGHTING! KEEP FIGHTING!!" the officer screamed into unicorn's ear over the gunfire, shoving the shaking stallion forwards, narrowly dodging a stallion letting loose with his sub machine gun, riddling several soldiers with small caliber rounds before being shot at himself and slumping down into the trench along with the others.

Star eventually felt that wave of shock and panic give way to a deeper anger. He let it well up and used that to drive him forwards as his hands still shook with adrenaline, instantly driving his bayonet into the neck of one griffin that was tackled to the ground, forcing it in till the barrel of his rifle pressed just under their chin, struggling to wrench it free for a moment.

Stepping over the corpse, Star set upon an earth pony beating one of the fellow soldiers of his battalion with a club, letting go of his rifle and pulling his trench knife free of its sheath. The unicorn grabbed hold of the earth pony, pulling them back by their mane and buried his knife into their neck repeatedly. Star wouldn't let go as the pony struggled to protect himself, stabbing down into them more till they didn’t resist any more before finally shoving them over, looking down to find Jacob had been the one being beaten, their arm raised to protect themselves and shaking as they looked up to Star in relief at being saved, blood leaking from a gash across his temple.

The stallion immediately reached a hand down to help his friend up to his feet so that they could both continue the fight, eyes looking about for his next target, struggling to find an enemy that wasn’t disappearing into the throng of waving weapons of limbs as they leapt upon soldiers, or ones that weren’t being slaughtered themselves...

Chapter 1 - The First Step

Standing atop a small hill outside the great, steel walls of Canterlot, the 95th regiment stood at attention before Colonel Bolt Affable as he discussed the days training quietly with a new lieutenant. It had always been the case that the 95th regiment was to be used as the 'practice unit', of sorts, for the new Commanding Officers. Such was also seen in the various sections of the Air, Naval and Ground divisions of the Royal Army. Each of these ‘testing’ regiments had to suffer through new and aspiring Commanding Officers, fumbling through their orders and commands as they came to terms with not only managing themselves but the lives of their unit, whilst assessing the battlefield and adjusting their strategy on the fly.

Thinking about it, Private Sky Star could understand just how much pressure was involved in maintaining a unit in a warzone or could at least imagine it. The young unicorn had joined into the 95th regiment less than a year ago and in that time had seen over two dozen new Lieutenants and Sergeants be tested with their unit.

His father had served in the previous wars within the Air Division, having seen frontline combat as part of the fast deployment squads. He always used to hear stories of his dad fighting, either boarding airships or landing behind enemy lines and capturing buildings. Since then, he had an ambition to be in the military. It was in his blood almost. His dad had seen active duty, and while his grandad and great grandad hadn't necessarily been involved in any wars during their service, with the EUP that served… that other Princess, they had still been members of the armed forces essentially.

His mother would have preferred him to work at the power station, using his magic to be used in powering their countries magic technology, but with the high demand for frontline combatants he knew he had to join up, to fight for his country, to fight against the prejudice and unlawful creatures that threatened the rightful Queens. How could some pony denounce Queen Nightmare Moon her throne, she had wrested it from ‘her’ in a fair fight and after much diplomacy… and those who shunned Queen Chrysalis showed how backwards thinking they were, not accepting a capable ruler only due to her species.

Eventually the Colonel turned to them, a pegasus in his late forties, having seen the many ins-and-outs of combat over a long career spanning close to twenty years. It seemed today he wasn't wearing the majority of his prosthetic right wing...most likely because it would rain soon and he wished to avoid cleaning rust of an all metal-wing, Star reasoned.

It would however leave the officer looking unbalanced as he walked towards them with a slight limp, his one wing tucked against his back, the first foot of the other wing, a metallic pole almost, protruding from his back. Affable’s long over coat hugged tightly to his body, a deep brown and green in colour with a bronze badge of two crossed muskets above a pair of outstretched wings it's only decoration.

"Right," He brushed his mane back, "Lieutenant Silver Willow will be taking you through 'his' training regimen for today so... sniff act as usual everyone, don't give him any special treatment because he's new, be that good or bad. He is your Commanding officer"

The regiment called out, “yes sir,” in unison.

With a satisfied nod the Colonel stepped to the side, letting the Lieutenant, an earth pony of 26 years, take his place. He gave the superior ranking officer a brief nod, "Right everyone, can you all hear me?" he called out, holding his hands up and waving them.

Some nodded, whilst others gave no response, leading the Lieutenant to clear his throat, "Guys I asked if you can hear me... give me a yes sir if you can?" his question was followed by three quarters of the regiment giving a yes sir, the rest either smirking or remaining still.

With a sigh, the stallion continued "Ahem... right I..." he looked to the Colonel for advice before quickly looking back, raising his voice, "Everyone listen up... training today will begin with three laps around the hill then back up to the crest, last three to make it will do another lap!"

The Colonel Affable shook his head, motioning for 'more' with his hand. The Lieutenant turned from the pegasus to the regiment, "Urr t-two laps," the earth pony corrected "Now go!" he'd soon call out, the recruits peeling off to begin running down the hill before circling it, using the time to talk to one another.

Soon enough Sky Star saw his cousin, Tumble Jinx, slow down to run alongside him. The unicorn was taller than Sky Star and stronger in build as well. Guess that's what you get when you have a lot of Earth ponies in your family

"So, he's scared of raising his voice, isn't he?" Jinx would say with a grin. His dark blue fur and almost black mane contrasting with the olive green of their uniforms as he easily kept pace.

Star gave a shrug, glancing up the hill where he could make out the Colonel moving his arm in a sharp motion before casting his hand towards the recruits as they finished their second lap. He seemed to be teaching the Lieutenant what he should have done.

With a second shrug Star would eventually look back, "He's just getting to terms with it all. I think Affable is giving him the standard rundown though"

At his words Jinx looked up the hill, "Yeah....bet it's 'be harsher and to the point. You can't let them off or they'll walk all over you'," he'd imitate the Colonel with a grin. Realising they were slipping towards the back as they spoke, he would speed up after nudging his cousin to let him know.

Star grinned, "Yeah he's going to have a lot to deal with when he finally gets sent out," the unicorn would say, soon continuing, "But you know everyone's got to start somewhere...hey did you hear that thing in the paper?" he tapped Jinx's as he moved on to a different topic, "One of the factories in Van Hoover blew up or something, like not a huge explosion, but it's completely wrecked!"

The larger stallion gave a pleased grin at the news. He would glance back as a creature rushed up to run alongside them, a human with short black hair and pale skin

"Is that the Van Hoover thing?" Jacob asked, the two stallions.

Star nodded to the human, "Yeah the big factory, like an airship manufacturing place I think,"

The human leaned in, "I heard from Wind Warmer, when he came back on Wednesday, that it was him and some of the others that did it. You know full on sabotage or something"

Jinx rolled his eyes, "Bullshit Wind Warmer and his lot did that, like they'd trust some blabber mouth like him to do something sneaky… and the lot of them with a bomb or whatever, they’d probably blow themselves up”

Jacob looked up, "Hey it could be true, you know we haven't seen him much, maybe it was training for that?" he looked between the two stallions.

Star thought about it, "Yeah, I'm with Jinx, can you imagine Wind Warmer 'actually' sneaking about. He'd just be going 'guys where are we going. Shit I dropped by rifle. Damn dude, did you see that explosion holy fuck that was loud’ !"

Jinx smirked, "Yeah and then that Sargent Ridge Birch would be like 'shut up you're louder than the fucking bomb'!"

"And then they just hide there, arguing for hours until our guys eventually claim the area. The lot of them are just shouting in a flooded ditch!" Jacob laughed, carrying on the story with the two ponies.

The trio laughed together as they began running up the hill, quickly going quiet as they reached the top. Still smiling, they filed into the formation, before standing at ease.

They waited for the remaining recruits to file in as the Lieutenant, chest puffed out, looking down to them. He stood straight, arms behind his back, whilst he scanned the line. He soon turned to the last three soldiers as they came up the hill, much later than the rest of the unit, talking loudly

"You three!" he called out loudly, catching the attention of all of the battalion now "Stay where you are!"

The three looked between each other before stopping in place, the Lieutenant making his way over, "Right... you three... will...," he lost his control briefly as he began to think, but regained it soon enough, standing straight once more "three laps around the hill then back up and forty sit ups each."

One of the stallions huffed loudly, "Oh come on you said... " he'd begin before being cut off

"Quiet! Now get round the hill and back up here. If you take longer than five minutes, you’ll be doing it all again, you understand!" at which point the officer turned away, walking back to beside the Colonel who gave a slight grin.

The one-winged pegasus turned towards the recruits, "Right, quick point before we carry on with training today, our regiment has been selected for trials with a new rifle that has been built. So, after the lieutenant is finished, we are headed to the shooting range. Now, I want you to tell me any faults you have, big, small even bloody petty ones, whatever it is I need to get a report in on whatever views you have on the thing. Understood? The standard stuff for this rifle."

"Yes sir," sounded in unison.

Colonel Affable nodded, looking over all of them will his bright blue eyes "good... good," he sniffed the morning air, stepping back and allowing the Lieutenant to continue.

The training was nothing different to normal with push ups, press ups, burpees and the occasional sprints. Nothing too difficult and more a means to teach the new officer how to command a large group of soldiers, reprimanding certain individuals and ensuring he kept his attention on the whole unit and not just a select few.

Eventually, they would all begin their march down to the firing range, a large concrete building which faced a large, flat field. Twenty individuals would step up at a time to test the new rifles, being taught the basic operation of the device. Once they understood how to use the weapon, they would begin firing at seven targets, each placed at fifty metre intervals down the field.

The bolt actuated rifle did not have a tubular magazine as they were used to but had an ‘internal magazine’. Utilising stripper clips to hold multiple rounds, it allowed for ease of reloading, comparative to breech loading rifles or hand feeding rounds into a tubular magazine.

They were informed that the new calibre was smaller in diameter compared to firearms they may have used previously. This was however offset by the increased magazine size and potential speed of reloading when using the stripper clips.

The trials for the 'Pakmit-Heartstring rifle' would begin. The recruits were provided 30 rounds each, in the form of three stripper clips. Though they showed the potential of the design, the stripper clips jammed repeatedly, the rounds not entering the rifle smoothly. Despite the problems, compared to the current rifles the Royal Army used, and especially the flintlock rifles found amongst the enemies’ ranks, they were significantly faster.

"Fire!" the rifle instructor called, twenty bullets going down range to penetrate the targets at fifty metres, casings ejected off to the sides.

"Reload... Fire!" eighteen bullets went down range as rounds in two rifles did not fire. Eventually the soldiers ejected the rounds, as advised, setting them gently facing down range.

The process continued, at one point everyone's attention brought to a rifle that broke during a shot, firing mechanism breaking loudly. The user was unharmed thankfully. Several minutes later and two more were malfunctioning. By the end of the trials, the original 20 prototypes were down to 15 functional rifles, the other 5 having been set aside on a table.

Colonel Affable walked down the line, looking at the table of firearms. Bouncing his brows, he turned on the regiment, "Right I'll just say it, they have issues," he held his hands up, "but this is the trial phase. Some things will be ironed out before they are battlefield ready, so... issues get written down on these here forms. In ponish please. If you can't, get one of the others to write it for you," he finished with a sigh, running a hand through his mane as he waited.

The forms were completed swiftly and glancing over several of the complaints, Colonel Affable nodded his head silently in agreement. Stacking them together, he would pass them on to the weapons instructor before motioning behind the recruits, "Back to the barracks, two columns" the Colonel sighed once more as he gave his orders, looking back at the regiment briefly as he and the new Lieutenant would lead the way.

The Colonel was beginning to feel his age, stretching out his wing as it felt all stiff. He was getting too old for all this now... but he knew he couldn't stop till they had won this war at the very least. He'd die before he retired, especially during this wore which tore at his country. That thought made him grit his teeth and begin marching, despite the pain it gave him in his hip, following the regiment through the fortified military base at the foot of Mount Canterhorn. He just wished he could keep his promise to all those mothers and fathers and keep their children safe. The stallion gave another fleeting glance at the regiment, shaking his head to himself.

********

Eventually they arrived at the barracks for their down time. Star lay back on his bed, looking up at the ceiling as he finally guessed, "... Marmalade," he looked to Jacob who made a face.

"The fuck kind of middle name is marmalade?!" The human would respond.

Star shrugged, "I don't know, ponies have that here... just tell me what your ‘middle name’ is then?"

Jacob grinned, "Nah I'm not telling you, you have to guess it," he'd say, eating the beef, rice and mixed vegetables they had for dinner today.

"Shit, like...that could be anything, I don't know what humans have for names...it's all like Bob, Rob, Job... weird stuff," he'd wave his hand at the man, “and its all just made-up words like Timothy. Nothing is even called Timothy,”

"Oh yeah, as opposed to flouncy two barrel name stuff like Flutter Petal or... or Raspberry... Twirl-tinkle-binkle," Jacob tried to think up a name off the top of his head.

"Come on at least try to think up a real name" Sky Star would say with a grin as Jinx sat down heavily on the bed with his own mess tin.

"Ohh you’re going to kick yourself when you find out his middle name... or kick him for having it," the larger unicorn would say with a smirk, digging into his food.

"Urgh come on give me a hint I've been at it for like twenty minutes," Star hit the bed lightly as he huffed. He rubbed his forehead in thought, though his attention drifted briefly to the rest of the conversation in the barracks between the other recruits in their respective groups. His attention turned to a group in particular, who belonged to the tank division.

He understood they had to mix up the sleeping quarters at times, since there was limited space, but did they seriously need to have some of the tank division here. They were always so...awkward and stuck up, preferring to stick to themselves and talk about their machines rather than with everyone else... especially the 'cannon fodder' that was the army, as they called them.

"Star you give up?" Jacob asked, interrupting his thoughts.

The unicorn turned back, "Urrrr yeah! I said I give up like six times now. What is it?"

The human grinned, "I'm Jacob... ready for this... Jacobson Baker"

Sky Star looked at him for a long moment, brows hiking up as he waited for the joke, but... that was it, "... you're serious... that's the fucking same name twice! That's like being called Oak Oak or something,"

The human quickly shook his head, "Nah it's... well sort of, but Jacob is my..." he would be unable to finish as all the creatures within the room turned their heads to the loud knocking on the open barracks door, Colonel Bolt Affable looking at them all.

The pegasus breathed in, holding it for a moment, before finally sighing, "... I just got word that the 2nd, 5th and 6th battalions of the 95th rifle regiment, Crews 1 and 2 of the tank division and finally the 9th company of Assault Sappers will be joining the Van Hoover front line... in two weeks."

He looked about at the various faces which displayed a mix of joy to finally see the frontline and serve their country properly and panic… knowing that in two weeks, it would be the day they truly saw war. From the side of the room an Earth pony was bold enough to speak up "But... Sir, I know we haven't fully completed our training courses and... and the 95th is a testing regiment we don't fight... we try out new stuff and... and we don't go out... there!" they'd say, trying to make excuses as already they were getting jeers from the other recruits.

The pegasus lifted his head to the ceiling, eventually dropping it back down to look at them. For the briefest moment the earth pony would see... pity from the Colonel, "... I'm sorry but those are the orders... that is all," the pegasus knocked once more on the door to signify that he was finished, heading off down the corridor with his usual limp as the Earth pony, amongst others, would fall silent in fear. Their silence was drowned out, however, by the renewed conversation between everyone.

Jinx was one of those who was getting excited to be having their first taste of war, of fighting and doing their part against the mad ponies who attacked at the core of their countries values of acceptance and spat in the face of law and order. These ponies who, from many accounts, led lawless lives in their cities and were known to rape and kill freely within them. They would finally have a chance to save their country.

As Star turned away from the door, looking to Jacob, he'd see the sombre expression the human wore, though they perked up at the realisation the unicorn was staring, giving a small thumbs up. Star would consider speaking up, asking if he was going to be alright though Jinx suddenly clapped him on the back

"Isn't this great cos'. Fuck this is amazing, I thought I would have to go through a whole transfer process to get to another regiment but we're actually doing it!" he'd wrap an arm around the smaller unicorn.

Giving a meagre a grin, Star would answer, "...yeah...yeah let's fucking show them what for right!" he called out as several other creatures cheered. His face dropped as his cousin looked away, glancing back to the human who had resigned himself to eating the rest of his dinner quietly.

Star slowly looked behind himself, out the window to Mount Canterhorn outside. The tall mountain blocked out most of the light cast by the full moon, shrouding the military base at the foot of the mountain. in darkness, which the gas-powered lanterns did their best to counter. Suddenly the safety of the giant steel walls felt so... far away... like he was locked out of them and now left to fend for himself in the wide, dangerous world.

********

Two weeks passed faster than one would imagine; the imminent knowledge of deployment at the front lines taking hold of most conversations at this point. In those fourteen days, their training had doubled, ensuring they were on par, as much as possible, with the other battalions they would be fighting alongside.

Training in covering the sapper units as they built fortifications and dug trenches, individuals teamed together to use the newly developed mortar systems that were being deployed, quick drills in hand to hand combat in confined spaces and manoeuvring with the tank crews to both protect them from flanking and avoid being trampled by the armoured machines....it was all knowledge they should have gained over three months at least....but two weeks was all the time they had.

On the fourteenth day of waiting, spirits had settled for the excited, while nerves were on edge for the fearful. Large heavyweight transport airships had arrived to take the 1800 ground troops and 2 tank units to the frontline outside Van Hoover.

Star stood alongside his fellow soldiers, waiting for the near two dozen tanks to be loaded onto the vessels. As the heavy machines rolled past, smoke rose from their large exhausts, trailing up into the cool morning air before dissipating. Their treads left imprints in the soft grass of the field, which ended as soon as they reached the ramps of the large 100 metre long airships. Once the vehicles were inside, the soldiers furthest down the line would begin to follow those patterned tracks into the bowels of the ship.

Star waited till they would head in, one arm holding onto the sling strap for his breech-loading rifle, while the other rest on the satchel on his opposite side. Despite the thick wool long coat he wore, which helped tremendously with the chill, the stallion would continue to shift back and forth on his hooves, keeping himself moving and warm.

A repetitive clicking to his left would make his ear flick, the unicorn turning to see one of the shark like creatures holding a cigarette in their lips, unable to get their small bronze lighter to produce any flame. They shook the lighter in annoyance, continuing again with the clicking, small sparks coming from the wheel but no ignition.

After several seconds, Star's horn lit up a light blue, as did the end of the cigarette, his aura flickering around it till smoke eventually began to rise. The shark looked down to the trailing wisps, glancing sidelong at the unicorn who'd helped him, inclining his head in thanks. Immediately they took in a deep drag, the cigarette burning a bright cherry red which moved up its length, ash falling in the gentle breeze that washed over them.

The whir of the massive engines of a transport vessel further along in the field would sound, a deep rumble that vibrated the air and the ground, even from where they were standing. Its hangar doors were closed and locked manually from inside before it began rising through the air, its engines, powered by magic due to its great size, propelled it with an invisible force up 500 metres before it turned in the air steadily, heading West as it climbed higher, beginning the fifteen-hour trek to Van Hoover. Soon Star would be on one of the vessels, trapped within its metal confines and waiting till they finally arrived.

Eventually they too would file on board their vessel, walking up the ramp and between the 8 tanks that had been loaded on this airship. Star glanced at a group of airship mechanics walking to the side of the hangar, bags of tools in hand, attention soon moving to the 8ft tall machines as he passed by them, outfitted with their 40mm canons and ports along the sides to fire at infantry. They truly were a technological marvel. The stallion patted the side of one, his hand bang quietly on the steel armour, as he hoped they would be able to do their job when the time came.

Continuing on in their line, they'd find available seats in the hangar area, the stallion making his way over to an open row, looking about for his cousin and friends as he'd take his seat.

Jacob would be first to sit beside him, buckling in and setting his rifle between his legs. He rubbed his hands together, tapping his boots on the ground, "You ready?" he'd ask forcing a meagre smile as he looked at Star

The unicorn sighed, "yeah... yeah I guess I am... where's Jinx?" he'd eventually ask, following Jacob's finger pointing to the them, down another row

"Getting unbuckled," the human would say, giving another wave to Tumble Jinx, motioning him over.

The large unicorn rushed to the seat on Star's other side before it was taken, settling in as he gave his cousin a pat on the knee, "Cheer up....the flight won't be that long!" the dark blue furred unicorn would say, belting himself in, "Hey, have either of you seen Aspy" Jinx turned his head left and right before calling out "Hey Aspy...ASPY, get over here!" he'd say, waving his large arm to a snake about to sit down.

The creature looked at the unicorn in annoyance, glancing about with slight embarrassment before walking over, their thick tail waving behind them as they hissed, "How many times to I have to tell you I'm not one of your asps! If anything, I'm like your planets water snakes!" he hissed though it truly didn't bother the reptile too much, "No nicknames like Aspy alright," they'd finish, sitting beside Jinx.

"Anyway....where will you three be?" he'd sigh, tongue flicking out briefly to taste the air, which was filled with the sweat and stress of hundreds of soldiers crammed together into a small steel box... practically a shipping container to transport them all.

Jinx grinned at the reptile, "Alright Laurel.... Aspy is better, but yeah, we will be on...the...lllllleft," the unicorn would finally answer.

The snake raised a ridged brow, "... the left... Jacob where will you be?" the reptile looked past Jinx to the human who replied soon enough

"In pathway Octagon, which is all branching up towards the west side of the city, towards the coast," Jacob would say, nodding his head.

The snake sat back, "I'm also on my way there, but I'll be part of the first reconnaissance group moving in to test the waters before you all advance... it's not pretty on that side, they have their water-born vessels bombarding the coast...I just hope you are inland enough that you will be alright," Laurel fell silent as he strapped himself in.

The other three, even Jinx, felt less excited regarding what awaited them.

********

Fifteen hours felt like forever. Locked in a confined space with nothing to do but make idle conversation. The ventilation was not particularly great and the room became almost unbearably hot and humid with all the creatures inside. The price to pay for being in a bomb proof box probably.

The constant monotonous tone of the engines' muffled rumbling and whirring the only sound they could hear bar from the occasional cough and tapping of feet or hooves on the grated, steel floor.

Star would pull out a picture he had of his mum and dad, most of the other soldiers asleep at this point. He looked at his dad in the old-style uniforms they wore twenty-three years ago, one wing wrapped around his mum who hugged him, her horn lit up orange, probably holding the camera and taking the photo of them.

It would be faint, but Star heard a subtle change in the snoring to his left, glancing over to see Jacob staring ahead, eyes practically blank.,"You alright?" the unicorn whispered

The human did a small double take at the voice, eventually looking at his friend, "... yeah yeah... just... thinking of home... we used to read of these big wars in stories... never thought I'd be in one. Just... I mean we all have to do our part," he looked about, making sure no one would judge him for his opinion, sounding as if he didn't want to fight. Eventually he carried on, "I just... kind of made sure to join this regiment so I wouldn't see the fighting"

The unicorn nodded, glancing at his sleeping cousin "I know," he whispered quietly, "same here...my mum didn't want me going in to fight so...this was the best thing," he looked down "I..." Star stopped midway through what he was about to say, instead looking back to the man, taking hold of their arm "We stick together alright, you, me and Jinx, we have each other’s backs... don't worry we'll be alright, I mean we already have these over them" Star tapped the side of his rifle, even though it wasn't a bolt action like the rest of the army used, it was far superior to the enemies flintlock rifles

"We just need to play it smart, stick to the plan and we'll be alright...come on," he held the human's wrist, giving it a shake, "let's do this for all the creatures that are abused by those bastards out there and get Equestria back to how it was."

Jacob would give a grin at his friend, "Yeah....yeah we'll do that Star....get everything back to normal. Then we can all go home,"

********

It would be another four hours before all of the soldiers heard the change in the engines tone, a slight inertia which made many of the creatures shift to the side, towards the front of the airship as it slowed.

A faint tinking sound would be heard, several soldiers looking up at one of the walls. Already they began taking their seats' belts off, stretching quickly before they had to go out.

Star breathed in, pulling up his steel helmet, like the old kettle helms of old, doing up the strap beneath his chin as he'd undo his own belt. Star reached down quickly for his rifle bayonet, a short 8-inch blade that had a triangle cross section.

He huffed, looking up to Jinx as his cousin slung their own rifle over their shoulder, Star doing the same.

Walking in front of them, Laurel pulled out a small book as he flicked through several pages, "Right... you three just follow the signs and listen for your battalion number alright, they'll get you to your stations soon enough. I, on the other hand, will be off to the Officer's bunker to discuss my work. I might see you all in a couple of hours if you are on the same line I'll be going... good luck," he'd put the book away, motioning to four others who all rushed up to him, forming up behind him.

They would be ushered to the main hangar area, where even more tinking sounds were heard as bullets were fired up at the vessel.

Ponies and other creatures would begin climbing into their tanks, hatches being pulled down and sealed, engines turning on and revving up. There would be a brief pause of silence, as if they were all holding their breaths in unison, before the hangar doors suddenly opened and the cacophony of sound blasted in.

Noise which they'd all been starved for hours, seemed unbearably loud.

It was just turning night, the moon rising as they beheld the warzone finally, the crackling booms of musket fire being answered by sharper bangs of their own rifles.

Explosions sounding out And echoing across the fields with large flashes of light, sending soil and shrapnel high into the air, to rain down in the vicinity of the magical blasts or mortar shells.

Smaller flashes of yellow and red would define the rough lines of the trenches that had been dug out around the city. It was enough that Star stepped back, bumping into his cousin’s chest who looked over the smaller unicorn, staring at it all in... bewilderment.

So many were hesitant to enter that chaos. The engines roared to life as tanks moved out of the airship in their small column, infantry following on either side in rough formation of a marching order, spurred on by the sound of their own vehicles.

They made their way down to the back of the rear-most trenches, several officers stationed at the splitting paths called out numbers and waved their arms in the correct trench to travel.

Jacob patted his friends' arms, pointing to one stallion in an officers attire calling out, "95TH REGIMENT, 5TH BATTALION! 95TH REGIMENT, 5TH BATTALION!" their shouts almost drowned out by the gunfire close to 800 metres into the trenches, towards the frontlines. They would all be siphoned off to their respective zones, huddled together, keeping their heads down and rifles up, looking about as the sounds of combat grew louder the deeper they went.

Before they reached the 'true' front, the 5th battalion would be guided down a line of trenches 500 metres back, to the armoury where they could be given the ammunition pouches finally.

Their rifles would soon be turned into long ranged weapons of death. It was scary knowing these weapons would soon be put to use. Not being dry fired during a drill, not shooting down some long concrete range at a roughly pony sized target, but actually in the direction of some creature, with the intention to hit their mark and take one less soldier of the enemy's side.

Jinx stepped up first, two ammo pouches, 60 rounds each, one bag with a basic medical kit, rations to last 3 days and a waterproof cover... they were expected to stay at their post till they either ran out of rations, were wounded or... well they wouldn't be moving particularly far if they were dead.

Each would step up to receive their standard issue equipment before being guided back to the front. By the grace of the Night Mother and Mistress of Change they would be together, only 2 metres apart from one another.

Before they huddled into their positions, Star had caught a glimpse of what they were pushing towards, Van Hoover. The city was surrounded by thick walls, like that of Canterlot but looked irregular in shape, at least from what the unicorn could make out in the darkness of night.

There were bright lights from within the city, beams cast up into the night sky as if searching, running over their own airships that hung in the air and watched the battle from far below. That was what they had to take out... that city and its defenses... and Star knew that it wasn't even the greatest of all the cities which stood against them

But there was no time to think of that now... he just needed hang tight and wait till morning...or until some creature shouted for him to put his head above the trench and start firing.

Looking over he could already see Jinx taking pot shots with a wide grin, shooting into the darkness... could he even see anyone out there or was he just... Joining in. He could just be wildly shooting the ground in front of them or way above...wasting his rounds.

Star intended to save his ammunition for when it was day. What if the enemy decided to storm the next morning, he needed to be prepared and have as many rounds as possible... if he could even use them.

Still in his hole, back pressed against the mud and wood wall, he would hear an especially loud boom off in the distance, not wanting to even look to see what had happened, just breathing and trying to stay calm as a bright flash of light illuminated the night.