Torn Apart

Ponyville looked much better than it did a while back. Life had been restored to the town. That pony at Sugarcube was back to her hyperactive self. We only spent a night in Ponyville. That morning, we had our usual breakfast of salt port and coffee. We marched out to a local river. We boarded a convey of transport ships, we were to disembark near an ill-defended fort near the rear of Luna’s Kingdom.

The ride was alright. We spent most of our time on the ship playing cards and relaxing. And lucky for us this time, we were bringing artillery with us, which would make the siege a whole lot easier. We also had the 1st Ponyville Dragoons with us too. Cpt. Dash was as always, an over confident wildcat. But, I could tell she cared about her lads, and they did the same.

We disembarked at a shallow bank near the fort. We marched until we had it in our sight, which was where we made camp. Dash sent out scouts to recon the area. They came back with good news. The fort was undermanned, which would make this an easy battle for us. On dawn of the next day, we awoke, had a good breakfast, and assembled into our battalions. Cpt. Dash and her men were to surround the area with her ponies and keep them distracted while we scaled the walls and took over the fort.

“Fix...bayonets!” Toadsticker yelled out. I pulled out the long blade and attached it to my rifle. “Load!” I loaded a bullet into my rifle and primed it. Forward...march!” Toadsticker yelled out. Just then, our artillery opened up, raining death upon the enemy. It was strange, the enemy was not on the walls. Even through the barrage of cannon fire, I still expected there to be guards on the walls firing upon us, but the walls were deserted. We kept our pace with the drum cadence. I hoped we would succeed in taking this fort, so I could finally go home.

When we were half way towards the fort, the gate opened. The Lunars poured outward, forming into their battle lines. “Battalion, charge bayonet!” Toadsticker yelled out. Our battle cry resounded through the ranks as we slowly marched towards the line of darkness. The Lunar commander’s voice spoke up “Company, ready! Present! Fire!” A volley poured into us, many fell but we still marched on. “Charge!” We rushed forward towards the enemy, bayonets at the ready. Before they had time for a second volley we tore into them. “Give ‘em cold steel boys, give e’m cold steel! Drive these heathens back to the moon!” Toadsticker exclaimed. In a matter of minutes, they broke and ran for the gate. We pursued them into the fort. The pegasi planted themselves on the wall and proceeded to fire lead down upon the enemy as we tore them to pieces with our bayonets.

Then, in the midst of all of this, a voice rang out “Cease your fire, we surrender!” We ceased. Toadsticker wanted to finish them off, said they didn’t deserve quarter. After some convincing from the men, he reluctantly agreed with us. The rebel commander approached Toadsticker, and presented him his sword. “Captain Dash, take charge of this prisoners!”. Be my pleasure!” she responded. After giving a salute, she along with a group of men escorted them out of the fort under armed guard.

The Lunar flag was taken down, and the flag of Celestia was raised high. Our lads cheered at the sight “Huzzah!” they exclaimed.

We were stationed at the fort while we waiting on word when we were going to attack Luna’s castle. We heard that Celestia sent her sister a letter, giving her this one and only chance to rejoin her. Upon hearing of this, I hoped she would agree. I had had enough of the soldier life. While waiting for word, we were pretty much on furlough. Ponies spent their day in leisure. Playing cards, playing music ‘round the fire and other sorts of things.

Months later, word got through on Luna’s response. She refused. The next day, units started moving in and around the fort, such as the 34th Pegasi Dragoons, 125th Manehatten Volunteers, and the 69th Pillydelphia Guards. I could tell something big was going to happen. I knew it would have to be an assault on Luna’s Castle.

A full two years after the battle of Whitetail Woods, we marched out to the outskirts of Luna’s castle. Resistance was surprisingly minimal. In just 3 weeks, we were at the walls of the castle itself. That was where we encountered heavy resistance. It would seem as if every remaining pony, every rifle, every cannon left intact was gathering together into that castle for its defense. Cannons lined the walls along with a thick line of troops. A large fluttering banner also waved o’er the large structure. If we could take this, we could finally go home.