Torn Apart

The following night, I was on pickett duty about a quarter of a mile from Ponyville. On most nights during picket duty, I would usually be on the edge of sleep. However, that night, I was wide awake. I knew the enemy was out there somewhere, marching this way. I thought about home. I wondered if that factory, which seemed so long ago was still in service. I thought about how I got into this mess in the first place. I joined to keep equestrian together. My thoughts were interrupted by the noise of talking. It was far off, but not far off enough for me. I could start to see the smoke of a campfire rising above the tree line. It was dangerously close to me. I began to feel uncomfortable.

I fought the urge to investigate the supposed enemy encampment. I lost, my mind got the best of me and I snuck through the bush until I was about 20 feet from the camp. I saw that those ponies were forming for a night raid. They were lined up in companies, forming a battalion. I slowly backed away. Once I was well out of range of the camp, I started running back to the town. Once I passed the guards, I searched for Toothpick. He was sitting by one of the campfires. I ran to him and saluted him. He returned the salute. “What is it boy?” he asked. “Sir, I….I ran into a…- “Take it easy boy. Now, what did you see?” I..A…a rebel encampment sir…, they..were coming this way.” “My god… Go wake up the bugler!” I ran to his tent and proceeded to shake him up. “Hey, what’s the big idea!?” he asked sternly. ‘They’re coming!” I told him. He pushed me aside and blew Assembly. Stallions rushed out of their tents, grabbing their rifles and cartridge boxes. We’re were lined up beside one wall of defenses. To my surprise, there was a rather impressive looking regiment of pegasi (of whom I later found out to be the 1st Ponyville Pegasi Dragoons) stationed beside us. There commander was a cocky one. She had an amazing rainbow colored mane, unlike anything I’ve seen before. “Alright everypony, let’s show these rebels we mean business!” she addressed to her troops. Toothpick was going up and down our line, stating words of encouragement. “Steady lads steady, we have the cover. Don’t’ shoot until they’re in range.” He said. After a few minutes of waiting, I started to see figures marching through the evening fog. There colors flying proudly in the wind. “Steady, steady” Toothpick said. They marched closer and closer. Each step they took, I became more fearful.

“Ready!” Toothpick exclaimed. “Aim!” We aimed our rifles at the enemy. “Fire!” We sent a devastating volley into the ranks of the Lunar regiment. The dragoons commander spoke up. “Ready! Aim! Fire!” The dragoons had the same effect on the enemy ranks. “Battalion, halt!” said the rebel commander. “Ready” Aim! Fire!”. Most of their bullets hit the structures of the defenses. Most of them. “Ready! Aim! Fire!” Another volley of lead poured into the Lunar ranks. This continued all through the morning hours until finally, we were out of ammo. I knew that this was not a good sign.

Toothpick approached the dragoon commander for advice on the situation. “Captain Dash, our lads are out of ammo, what is your approach on this dilemma?” “My ponies are out too. There’s only one option left, we will give them the bayonet!” she said. “I wouldn’t have it any other way” Toothpick said with a grin. He walked back over to us and exclaimed “Company, fix bayonets!” I hesitantly pulled my bayonet out of my scabbard and attached it to my rifle. I had dreaded this ever since bayonet drill, which seemed so long ago. “Charge...bayonet!” A war cry resounded through our ranks as we brought our rifles down at the ready position. “Prepare to charge!” Toothpick said as he waved his sword in a circular motion. “Charge!” At that moment, I leaped over the wooden barricade into the wild. A ferocious war cry over came us as we charged toward the enemy. Adrenaline was bursting through my veins. Most of them began to turn and run for the woods, which is what I would’ve done in their situation. We chased them towards the edge of the woods until Toothpick called us off and we walked back to the town. Our loses were light. With the 123 stallions we had in our company before this engagement, only 6 were killed and 23 wounded. The same couldn’t be said for the rebels. Three hours of point blank firing left a field of devastation. One of our lads even got a prize for the regiment, the enemy’s colors.

With the battle over for now, we began to calm down and started our leisure routine. I was cleaning my rifle when Toothpick approached me. “Private”. I stood at attention and saluted him “Yes sir.” “I’m sure you’re aware of our large amount of wounded comrades.” “I am sir” I replied. “Captain Dash says there’s a Pegasus somewhere in this town. Says she takes care of animals and things like that. I thought she might be the ideal pony for caring for our wounded.” “So sir, you’re requesting that I track her down for you sir?” I asked. “Indeed I am lad.” She’s the closest thing we’ve got to a medic ‘round these parts. She lives in a cottage beside a small steam, shouldn’t be too hard to spot. Now go, times a wastin’.” I saluted him and proceeded to search the town.

After asking some of the locals, I finally managed to spot the house. It was surrounded by all sorts of pet houses. I peeked through the window, the door was boarded up from the inside. But I hoped she would still answer. I approached the door and knocked a few times. A soft voice replied to my knocking.”Y..yes?” “Uh, ma’am.. I heard you were good at taking care of animals and such, and..We have a quite a lot of wounded. My colonel was hoping you could come down and help.” “I..is the battle..over?” She asked. “Yes ma’am, it’s all over.” I heard what I guessed was the sound of homemade barricades being taking down. She slowly opened her door and peeked out. She was a yellow Pegasus with a long, pink mane. I could tell she was a timid pony. “Don’t be scared” I said reassuringly. She came out of her house. “Follow me” I said. We started walking back towards the front line. “So” I said “What’s your name?” “F..flutter-“ the rest was inaudible. I’m sorry, I couldn’t quite hear you. “Flut..fluttershy..” she said softly. “Fluttershy? That’s a nice name. My name’s Paradox. “Oh, hello Paradox” I could tell she was starting to warm up. “You know, you seem like a really nice pony.” I said to her. “Thank you” she replied. She brought with her bandages and a bottle of chloroform.