Torn Apart

At 4 am the next morning, our 3 hour bombardment commenced. Our cannon made good work of the forts walls. Many of us stared out of our tents and watched the fireworks. At 7:00, there was many a hole in the enemies walls, could’ve been mistaken for a changling fort by that point in time. This battle was going to be close quarters, fighting inside a castle, room by room, hall by hall. This was the only occasion I can recall where we actually had musicians with us. Young lads they were, most of them weren’t even 15. But none the less, they could play!

Toothpick finally returned and thankfully relieved Toadsticker of command. It was glad to have the old man back with us. “Battalion, fix bayonets!” he called out. “Shoulder arms! Forward march!” As our left hoof touch the ground, the musicians started playing Celestia and Liberty. Got me all pumped up.  The walls were deserted, which was probably a smart idea considering that was barely a piece of wall big enough to cover more than a pony. We stopped at the large iron gates that provided the only means of entering. We divided our battalion into squads of 15, each would go a certain way in the castle and navigate their way to the throne room. As we broke open the large iron gates, pure darkness greeted us.

After lighting a set of lanterns, we began to navigate our way, one lantern per squad. I and the lads began our sweep through the left side of the first floor. I began to hear whispering somewhere in the darkness. As I approached a corridor, a reb popped his head out and took a shot at me. Lucky for me, it only put a hole in my uniform. When he popped his head out again, I fired. He fell down. “Come on boys.” I said, they followed after me as I approached the next room. I ran in there, bayonet at the ready. I was greeted with a Lunar loading his weapon, I charged him and plunged my bayonet into him. He collapsed onto the hard wooden floor. I placed my hoof on his chest and pulled it out. As I turned around, I was greeted with the sight of a Lunar charging at me. As his piece of steel was about to enter my body, A flash of light went off and he went down. When he went down, I saw bulls-eye standing there with a smoking barrel. “Be more careful next time will ya?” he asked. “I’ll try but no promises lad” I returned with a grin.

Room by room, hall by hall, corridor by corridor, level by level, we cleared that castle out. When we reached the dining room, which led into the throne room, I saw a small lad standing there. He had to be no older than 16. He swiftly dropped his weapon and threw his hands up, fear was in his eyes. I slowly lowered my rifle. At that moment, of our lads popped around the corner and shot the poor thing. “What the bloody hell was that for!” I exclaimed “Wha? He’s a reb, we’re here to kill rebs aren’t we?” “Not unarmed ones! He’s just a kid! That’s bloody murder you bastard!” I persisted. “Meh.” He returned and walked towards the kid to inspect his glorious trophy. Toothpick caught up with us, along with the rest of the battalion. We had cleared out the whole castle except for the throne room.

“Alright lads, ye ready?” Toothpick asked. We all replied confidently. “Remember, we dinne know what’s behind those doors, so remember tae keep your eyes open alright.” We all nodded. With a kick of the door we rushed in, rifles cocked and aimed at a the princess of the night herself.

Toothpick took a few paces in front of us. “Are you Princess Luna?” he asked. “Tis I, and who do I have the honor of speaking with?” she returned. “Colonel Toothpick, 1st Canterlot Volunteers” “Charmed” she said as she reached out her hoof. I was awed by her kindness, surely this was not the same Luna we had been at war with for two years. “Ma’am, you being put under arrest for high treason against the Kingdom of Celetia.” “Ah very well, I knew this day would be upon me not too long ago.” She came willingly, which was a big surprise to us all.

Luna was brought out under armed guard. Toothpick stepped out with her. Our lads were gathered around them. “Three cheers for the colonel!” a stallion shouted. “Hip hip, huzzah, hip hip, huzzah, hip hip, huzzah!”. “Three cheers for Celestia and the Solar Kingdom!” another shouted “Hip hip huzzah, hip hip huzzah, hip hip huzzah!”

We were then marched back towards Canterlot. There was going to be a victory parade there. Luna was put in the city jail and it was being decided whether she should live or die. As long as I fought her and her army, I couldn’t bear to see her die. I hoped she would live, I knew she regretted it all.