A Rekindled Flame

White sat in his place at the table within the Command Tent. Inside, arguing Ponies, Griffons, Zebras, and Hippogriffs shouted at each other from across the table. Each blaming the others for yet another defeat. Yes, this tent held the reminants of those whose homes had been conquered. Equestrians, New Marelanders, Aquileians, Wingbardians, Republicans from the Herzland, Zebra’s from across Zebrica, Hippogriffs from Aris, and of course those who called Maregypt home, all of them, and White included, have all lost their homes and families, and in the Marepgyt’s case, they were about to.

Aris had fallen 2 months ago to the combined forces of Colthage and Chiropterra. White had been there, fighting from his Tank on the front lines just as he had done in Equestria, in New Mareland, in Aquila. Each time he lost. He was tired. Tired of the fighting and tired of losing. He sighed to himself, ignoring those around him.

He missed his home. Born in Equestria, in the City of Cloudsdale. He loved it there, flying free in the sky and playing with his friends as he grew. He gave a small smile that went unnoticed. It was simpler then, truely, it was. He had moved to Ponyville just after turning 18, working as a weather pony. It wasn’t a bad job, but he would be the first to admit he would have much rather done something else. In a sense, he got his wish, perhaps though not the way he would have wanted.

The Great War started nearly 2 months from his move to Ponyville. He signed up as soon as he heard. Originally he had been trained as a pegasi scout, tasked with recon and quick reporting of the Changlings movements. His career quickly changed after his third battle, after being knocked from the sky and pulled into a tank.

He had begun to load for the tank after he regained himself, replacing the pony that the crew had lost. He fought with them for nearly a week, and after the battle was official transferred to the 1st Equestrian Armored Division. He loved it. He loved the tanks, and felt that these new armored machines would be the key for Victory.

And for a time, it certainly felt like it. The war stalled for the longest period at Talltale, the fall back line had been thoroughly completed and the reserve units had dug in. They held the line for over 6 months. White had fought his way up and down that line, countering enemy attacks or attempting to push back. By the end, he had been promoted to lead his own tank, and offered commission for single handily beating back a massive changling push against the line. He was proud that day, having give hope to his country ponies that the Heer could be stopped.

Until 2 weeks later when the line broke, and the Changlings pushed through and hard. White knew, the moment the Changlings reached and Encircled Canterlot, that the war was lost. He did what he could, leading his ponies as the rear guard of the retreat, giving the Changlings Tartarus for every inch of ground they stole. For White, a promotion to Captain after the loss of his CO, charged him with the outer defenses of Manehatten.

They would hold the rear for as long as they could, to allow as many ponies a chance to flee as possible. Truthfully his memory of the defense was blurry. He knew it was a few weeks at least, but the lack of sleep and constant fighting took its toll. He didn’t even know how he had escaped, all he was told was that was hit, and he woke up on a ship sailing across the ocean a week later, exactly 4 years after the start of the Great War.

That was his first taste of defeat. He joined the New Mareland army after Equestrias defeat, rebuilding the armored core before Wingbardy struck. For all their worth, the Equestrians and New Marelanders held for 6 months before it was over. It broke the spirit of most of the army. The hopes of taking back Equestria were gone. White fled to Aquila, fighting for the Crown of that nation against the Griffonain Reich. That war lasted another 2 years, and once more White was left without a home once more, leading the Equestrains and New Marelanders, and even some Aquilans that followed him out to Aris, joining the war down there.

And a year after joining that war, they fled once more, this time to a closer neighbor, who had joined the fighting late, Mareygpt. And then, 2 months later after the retreat to Mareypgt, he sat here, at the doors of defeat once again.

No.

He slammed his hoof down, causing papers to go flying and the arguing to cease. He glared at each and everyone of those gathered in the command tent.

“No. I refuse to lose here. I refuse to lose and retreat to some Celestia forsaken place again.”

He spoke, starting off in a quiet, subdued voice that slowly rose in volume.

“I lost in Equestria. I lost in New Mareland. I lost in Aquila. I lost in Aris. I am about to lose here. I am tired of it.”

He said, his voice loud and clear, earning the attention of all the commmand staff.

“I am 27 bucking years old, and in less then a decade I have lost 4, nearly 5 wars. No more. No more am I going to lose.”

He stood from his seat, landing on the ground and stretched his wings out, standing up tall.

“I am taking command. We are sending everything to halt the advance of the Legions. And once they have halted, we will push our counter attack. We will drive them out of Mareeypgt and back into the deserts of the north, and then to their land! We will fight them on their land! Take their blood! We will end the Violence in Northern Zebrica or we will die trying”

His voice rose to a shout as he spoke, a tired but stern glare going to all in the command tent.

I refuse to lose. I will turn this war around, I will take back Northern Zebrica and then I’ll make the call to take back my home.

White stood, waiting for a challenge, waiting to see if they would slip back and argue with him. And at first, he thought they might, he could see in a few as the fire to argue was there. A few had opened their mouths to speak, but nothing came.

Nothing came because they felt what he did. The pains of defeat. A last glance around between each other before a unicorn mare stepped forward. Her fur was a dark purple, and her mane was silver. She wore an officer’s uniform from Equestria. A Colonel.

“Then what is the plan General?”

The mare asked him and White felt a small, genuine smile grace his features.

“We will bring almost everything on line. Have the Infantry Division dig in, act like we are still retreating. What’s left of the Armored forces we will reorganize into a new division. We will position them south of the city, feign desertions. Once the Legions have been lured in, we smash them from the side and cut them off. The armor will keep advancing into their rear while infantry mops up.”

White spoke his plan as the officers gathered round. He knew the plan was basic, but that mattered little. They would position everyone where they would be needed, and this war would be turned around.

————————————————————

8 months later, at the Siege of Colthage, White stood atop his tank watching as the final push into the city began. He had lead the army from Mareygpt, through Chiropetera, and into Colthage. They had beenreinforced by Aris after they revolted and rose back up, and began being resupplied from the mountain.

“The War is all but won General. We will have the Capital by nightfall.”

A mare spoke from below him. He looked down, Colonel Violet Star stood on the ground next to his tank.

“Yes. Yes it will. And we can begin to rebuild. Rebuild an army to return to Equestira. With those that wish to come with us, anyway.”

White said, looking out at the city, listening to the sounds of distant gunfire.

“Equestria, Sir?”

“Yes. I wish to return to my home, and great a home for all that followed us here. I have no doubt they’d wish to return to Griffonia but I have no will to fight the Reich.”

“Some might see that as a betrayal.”

“They might. But I believe the Changlings are weaker than they appear. Even from here, in the midst of war far from Equestira’s shore, I have heard rumors of discontent and rebellion. I don’t know when it will happen, but I will be ready. I will lead an army across the sea to support it when it rises.”

Silence filled the air as White continued to observe the city, feeling the eyes of one of his trusted officers on him. He knew of course such a plan would take years, and the support of the local governments in Northern Zebrica, but for all he had done for them, bringing this war back from the brink of defeat, they would owe him.

“And what of the Princesses?”

White turned his head, looking back at the mare.

“Princess Celestia and Princess Luna gave up after New Mareland. They fled to the Riverlands. They are no Princesses of mine, not any more.”

He spoke, an angry snort escaping him before he took a breath, calming himself.

“Princess Cadence and Princess Twilight I heard they stayed behind. If by some miracle they live, I will fight for them to take the throne. And should neither of them be alive, then Princess Flurry Heart.”

“I see.” Colonel Violet said.

White couldn’t help but chuckle. “You don’t fully agree, and I know why. If by some twist of Fate those 2 return, we can talk about it. But I will not let them take full control again.”

The mare sighed, but she nodded.

“…I hope they return, but I agree. The abandoned Equestria, we shouldn’t put them at the head of government by themselves anymore.”

White smiled, looking back to the city. It had gone quiet. “And I believe it is over. They surrendered. Well, I suppose we have more then a few nations to reestablish. Let us get to work.”