The Republican War: The Fall of Heaven's Spire

To Colonel Iron Pike of the 82nd Crystal Brigade

The Griffins declared war on us but a month ago and we are already losing. They crossed our third line of defense at the Mississippony River a few days ago. The river defense barely gave us enough time to evacuate Canterlot of important Ponies. Canterlot is to be considered fallen. Your defense of the city suicide. There is no other conclusion that we can come to. We'll send what we can but know that once they set a siege there is nothing we can do commander.

We'll do what we can at the Coltumbia River off to the west, but chances are that we won't make it a week. Commander, I wish you an honorable death. That is all we can hope for at this current point in time.

My good friend, I wouldn't have sent your brigade to Canterlot if I had a choice. The princess said you were the right pony to hold Canterlot before we liberated it again. What a bunch of dragon dung. I'm sorry my hooves are tied.

Your old friend, General Sword Strike.

The note read. It was bloodied from weeks of fighting. Everything about it made my fur bristle. With my teeth clenched I burned the orders. My colonel died for nothing. My stallions were sent to die for a vague hope. I retrieved this damn letter from his corpse. His final orders.

This letter with its royal seal is the bane of what equestria should be. My colonel Iron pike, I swear to you by the queen's hive that your death wasn't in vain. I, Lieutenant Colonel Cloaked Dagger, will get our stallions home. Through any means necessary.

"Blow it," I ordered calmly. Ducking my head around the corner and putting my hooves over my ears.

A banshee-like screech of tortured metal erupted as the explosion ripped the door apart. The ancient vault doors blowing inwards. Ancient spells shrieking out as to try to stop us from touching its forbidden contents. The ground shook and the walls cracked from its violent outburst. The shattering of windows and pillars unheard from its fury.

I couldn't stop myself from coughing up the thick layer of dust that decided to rear its ugly head. I looked around to find the few unfortunate souls that were stuck in the same situation as I. I saw a private's ears bleeding, he was holding the detonator in his hooves and was closest to the blast. If he wasn't deaf from the three months of fighting before hoof, he is now.

I just gave a sigh, small injuries like this weren't important anymore. We have too much on our plates nowadays with our resources drying up. It didn't help that his pain tasted just as good as wet gunpowder. The frustration and fear from the others weren't helping. I just gave out another sigh, ponies are so easily frightened by the unknown. Still, I need to keep a firm face and a straight tooth for these food sacks while I'm still here.

I turned the corner to admire the work of our demolitions expert. Well I don't think the doors are a problem any more. The once great vault doors were blown off their hinges, once enchanted by the great princess of death, Celestia, now lay lifeless on the floor. I bit the inside of my lip to stop myself from spitting at even the thought of her, I'm a simple infiltrator staying on mission.

Well the mission has long since passed as those damn blood beaks are assaulting the inner walls. Even with the ringing in my ears I can still hear the sound of gunfire and cannons as they rained down on our last defensive line. Screw the hive queen and screw everyling else. Why did I sign up for this? I could have been a construction drone but no I had to get greedy. Of course the temptation of being a harvester is strong, who doesn't want to be fed first when rations of love were all you could get.

"Lieutenant Colonel!" I heard from my second, shocking me out of my stupor. I know he is yelling from his mouth movements but his voice only sounded like a whisper, "You sure this was wise?! This is the vault of forbidden artifacts after all!"

I only gave a nod of confirmation as I strove forward. I didn't look back. I felt his fear, no living being other than the great killer sun has ever set hoof in this vault and she taught her little ponies to be obedient. Unfortunately for her, I was taught to improvise and finish the mission through any means necessary.

I passed what was once the boundary between the castle and the vault expecting something grand and evil, all I got was just a bunch of random objects thrown on the floor. All of their purposes are unclear or enchantments disabled. It was quite unimpressive honestly. I thought there was more to it here. Where is the necronomicon or tartarus spawn. It was just odd trinkets and bits. I see the crystal monarch starting to laugh at the ridiculousness of this, all this security for the most secure vault in all of Equestria and this is it.

There was nothing here of practical use. The only thing interesting was a portrait of a blue alicorn but I doubt that has any real use. Though I can imagine the artist painting it being upset and old rainbow hair keeping it as a funny joke.

Old enchanted moon scimitars and ancient weapons did litter the ground though. Funny how these just one hundred years ago would be considered some of the best weapons you can get but I’ll stick to my rifle on my back, even with ammo running low.

“Spread out! Find us something useful! We needed them on the front line three months ago! Now move those damn hooves like the sky is falling!” I ordered out. That shook their hesitation of entering this forbidden place off. Ponies, I gave a slight smile, just a little encouragement and they’ll do anything.

I can hear one private’s conversation as I was looking for something to help the war effort. He seemed to know a lot about some of the objects in this vault. Though it was mostly about the legends and myths. Useless information. Gah! Where is the griffon soul killer magic objects or the republican atomizer when you need it?!

I stumbled across several swords, none of which catch my interest but one. Its blade of pure onyx sheen with a red glow. Its twisted mouth guard was bejeweled with what looked like enchanted rubies. It seemed more suited to be in a unicorn's magic than the mouth of any regular pony. Funny enough it seemed perfect for my unicorn disguise. It seemed to call for me. I only stared deeper into its perfect glint. Yes, I needed to be closer, to admire it more. I needed it.

“Sir! Be careful that’s King Sombra’s sword,” a hoof touched my shoulder. I was so shocked by his touch that I jumped out of my stupor. I shook my head at the weird thoughts that plagued my mind. I could only nod at the private while silently thanking him, I have no idea where those thoughts came from. I could only roll my hoof to signal him to move on but he seemed to take it to explain the weapon.

“King Sombra’s sword is quite the artifact, it’s said that the gems on the guard are bloodstone made with the blood of a thousand souls for each individual gem. Made with dark magic so strong that it turned the frozen north into the hostile place we know today.

It’s said to amplify the user’s magic to where Celestia herself couldn’t defeat him directly. Though the one other pony who wielded was in the great lunar rebellion as General Lunar Cycle, who was corrupted by its power and was consumed by it creating the legend of the mare in the moon,” I could only stare at him dumbfounded. He seemed so happy with himself as he told me that story.

I rolled my eyes and pointed for him to do his job and not a history lesson. He only gave me a tiny smile of embarrassment, finally getting my message.

“Sorry sir! Right away sir!” he saluted as he turned around. I only shook my head at him. Why did he sign up to become a part of the army when he could as easily become a historian is a mystery. I saw his excitement for the objects that were thrown around all over the ground. It tasted nice compared to the salty taste of resignation going through the line.

There was a loud knock at what was once the door. Turning my head I found captain True sight. He looked ragged. He was out of breath and bleeding from several wounds.

“Sir, ha ha ha, the griffons are breaking through our line, we can’t stop them from reaching the courtyard,” his voice was rough and he was breathing hard. My face hardened at his exclamation. This wasn’t good, I thought I had more time but these damn griffons are too damn persistent.

“Stallions!” I yelled out catching the attention of all those who heard, “Hear me now and hear me well. Gather up all that you can and push it to the front. Anything useful must make it there no matter the cost. You! Gather the three youngest, the wounded and the civvies in this damn vault. It’s the safest place for them now. Have them protect them and give them orders to surrender once the griffons make it to the vault. I don’t want a bloodbath here.”

“Yes sir!” multiple voices rang out. Like ants they were moving. I could only smirk a little, if I were to die here, these would be the ponies I wouldn't mind dying with. This reminds me of home with how well these ponies work together.

Hm, death. Funny how close I’ve come to that many times in these last few months. I was once scared of the prospect but now it was numbed. I fear more honestly for the death of my soldiers than I do for myself. Even if they are just dumb ponies being led by the sun tyrant.

Even if it was dumb, I must do everything I can for them. I stared back at the glistering blade behind me. The power of an alicorn you say. I carefully trotted up to it. I was aware of the sword trying to edge its way back into my mind. It wanted me to take it. To use it. To destroy my enemies and bath this land in its unholy light.

Unfortunately for it, it’ll never see this land bathed in its darkness with me dead on the doorsteps of Canterlot. Gently picking up the blade with my hooves, avoiding touching it with my magic, I strapped it to my back along with my rifle.

With hurried hooves, I moved. The sounds of gunfire closing in. The shouts and screams of all those who were fighting were blatantly clear as I strode. The sound of a gatling gun rippled out, striking the wall beside me.

“Get Down!” I heard right before the old wooden doors of the castle was riddled with bullets in front of me.

“Get that damn gatling inside NOW!” a soldier ordered. The old wooden doors slammed opened with a loud thud. Immediate I could see the crew of the brass gatling dragging the beaten down machine inside, the wheeled cart having its wheels splintered and broken. Its barrels were still smoking.

Soldiers started to pile into the safety of the stone and marble walls, shutting the castle doors behind them. At least the illusion of safety with the cannons the feather pluckers outside were most likely setting up. Some took the chance to reload their rifled muskets, though I could see the earth ponies struggle with their hooves.

Gunfire ringing out, splintering wood and shattering windows. I can taste their fear, others hatred, but most resignation. Everypony knows we lost this fight a long time ago. Once the solar princess fled the city after the claw cowards broke through Mississippony river defensive line. We were left here to die as a token defensive force. I inherited command of these poor sods after my commanding officer fell.

I GAVE them a vow to never resign, I vowed to keep fighting, to never give up. Here they are at the brink and they are still fighting. Impossible odds and certain death awaits us if we go down this path, yet here we are. Unbreakable and Unyielding.

The sounds of booms and the cracking of walls sounded out as the bird bitches finally got their cannons up. Galloping into action, I jumped in front of the gatling ready to catch what was surely to come.

Right on cue the door shattered as a cannonball forced its way through the ancient wooden doors. I was ready. Activating my magic, I grabbed onto the ball and directed it upwards and away from the gatling, saving it from destruction. My horn ached from the exertion. I felt as if all my limbs went numb.

“Get your flanks deeper inside! Grab as much ammo and stallions as you can! Drag them if you have to! Get everypony to the damn throne room!” I ordered out, barely being heard over the constant cannon barrage and gunfire. My men were swift as they listened. I couldn't hold my grin back at the efficiency of my men. While few in numbers they were mighty. The pinnacle of bravery.

The once grand throne room was now presumed to be the final last stand of Equestria’s military. Faust knows what is going on outside the city, or even if we already surrendered. The Once great golden and purple tapestries were torn and riddled with bullet holes. The marble pillars, floors and walls chipped or broken as they were ravaged. The stained glass windows shattered with their shards scattered all over the floor. The seat of power, what was once the most powerful seat in the world, now lays broken on top of its raised pedestal.

My stallions spread out around the room, finding whatever cover they could find. Fallen pillars or raised audience platforms. The gatling crew decided to set up right down the center, moving debris as a way of shielding themselves from incoming fire. Everypony kept looking to me for guidance, I would give them a nod as I readied my repeater.

I decided to stand where the sun whore sat. Right where everypony can see me. Where they can see my defiance. My anger. My strength against impossible odds. We may have been abandoned, but I will never abandon my stallions.