The Warhorse Way

(if someone would like to draw some fan art, I would be very grateful

"What?!?!?!" Stronheart and Ironhoof said in unison. The warhorse looked at them and the rest of the squad.

"You heard me! We are doing a direct assault!!" The warhorse, Stonestomper, looked serious. An earth pony that was next to Ironhoof spoke up.

"But there is only ten of us!!!" The warhorse gave him an 'are you an idiot?' kinda look.

"There are ten of us yes, but there are ten squads of ten leading the charge. Then we signal the other three-hundred to follow once we have dug in. This group consists of five earth ponies.....er....four earth ponies, a pegasus, and five unicorns for a reason." The commanding warhorse then pulled out a map of Clydesdale. He pointed to the center of the map.

"Now...our soldiers are surrounded in the center square. We will be denting the outside ranks after the battalion of pegasus send their first wave to thin out the front. Then they will be denting their offense by dropping rock bombs nearn the center of the town. That will make them go on the defensive. Once they do, the pegasus will re-enforce the surrounded soldiers and push an offensive on the enemy. This will thin out their ranks and we will overcome them. Now keep in mind, the soldiers that are here have been protecting an item of great importance. It has to get to Canterlot within a week. This is a direct order from Princess Celestia. Now get ready, we are about to begin."

Stonestomper turned and stepped to the side, revealing five slinder objects. Swords. Strongheart felt two emotions clash within him. Revenge, and a sense of justice. Ironhoof looked at with the same feelings. Strongheart trotted over and picked up a sword with his teeth, as did the other three earth ponies. Ironhoof looked at Strongheart, who was struggling to get the scabbard tied around himself. Ironhoof chuckled and stopped him.

" 'Ang on mate. Let me get that for ya."

Strongheart let go of the strap when Ironhoof took it. After Ironhoof fit the strap snugly on Strongheart, Letting the scabbard dangle on Strongheart's left side, he turned to his own scabbard. He too had as much trouble as Strongheart getting it on. Strongheart felt his heart beat hard against his chest once. As he helped Ironhoof with his strap, he started wishing Ironhoof wasn't there. He didn't want his new friend to get hurt but yet, he knew Ironhoof wanted to be here. The look in his eyes were no different from his own. When Strongheart tightened it to him he backed away looking towards the white warhorse. He had golden armor around the front of his body. His front legs had black bracers. The final piece that completed the uniform was his golden helmet. It had blue hair formed in a line on the top of the helmet. It looked like head a blue mohawk on his head. He turned back to the group as he tightened his strap.

"Alright is everypony ready?" Nopony said anything as they looked at him. He nodded then turned towards the direction of their main camp. All they had to do now was wait.

A few minutes went by. Strongheart turned to Ironhoof, who was staring at nothing. He seemed deep in thought. Strongheart gave him a nudge with his hoof.

"Hey. You ok?" Ironhoof looked at Strongheart. He took in a deep breath then spoke.

"Well Ah sit right now near a town that is crawling with nightmares that are pressing an advance on the remaining royal guards that are surrounded by them meanwhile we are about to charge in a gamble and our lives are the stakes that are at hoof, not too mention that there is an extremely valuable object in the center of town that Princess Celestia herself wants protected and we have no idea if it's safe or taken by the enemy and did I mention that our lives could be taken away from aus so I'm a little nervous thanks for asking."

Strongheart was impressed. Ironhoof said that in one breath. But he was right.This was nerve-racking. The wait didn't make it any easier.

About thirty minutes passed by when a bright flash shot to the sky illuminating the main camp. Stonestomper stood up and looked to the others.

"Let's go!!!!" he yelled out as he began galloping towards the city. Strongheart, Ironhoof and the rest of the group charged behind him. As Strongheart galloped beside Ironhoof, he heard a huge shout from the main camp. He looked behind him and saw a mass of pegasus ponies rise to the sky. They stretched their formation around the town with rock-bombs in hooves. Strongheart watched as the rocks were released as they neared the outskirts of the city.

BOOOOOM!!!!!

The first rock had perfect aim. It reached its target. Strongheart watched as the group of nightmare unicorns were incenerated and morbidly dismembered from the explosion. Around a hundred other explosions followed forming a circular wall of smoke around the city. The noise was intense. The power of the impact sent a tiny shockwave that reached the main camp. Strongheart nearly tripped when it reached him. Strongheart watched as his commanding officer raised his head and yelled at the top of his lungs.

"FOR EQUESTRIA!!!!!!!!!"

Drawing his sword, gripping it in his teeth, Stonestomper galloped onward to the town. Strongheart and Ironhoof then felt a sudden rage and feeling of righteous fury surge within themselves as they too joined the loud battle cry of their fellow soldiers. They drew their swords and galloped full speed. Strongheart saw the enemy getting closer. Thoughts of his home rushed through his mind. Tears started falling as Strongheart put on a burst of speed.

He was angry and his anger only grew as the gap between him and his first target closed. It was an earth pony, darkened body due to choosing the side of Nightmare Moon. Strongheart felt no pity for the nightmare. The dark pony looked up then slumped over as blood flowed from his neck in gushes. A cry was heard to the right of Strongheart. Time seemed to slow down as he immediately looked and ducked just in time avoiding the sharpened steel that was aiming for his neck. Strongheart saw his chance. With his left legs, he thrusted to the right side on the nightmare turning his face towards the right. The blade cut the layers of skin with ease making its way to the muscles and arteries in his neck severing them apart. The pony grabbed his bloodied throat and collapsed to the ground. Strongheart charged onward.

Ironhoof had two ponies to deal with as well. A dark glow surrounded one of the nightmare. Ironhoof realized what was coming next. The dark earth pony blasted towards Ironhoof completely airborne due to the magic. Ironhoof stood on his back legs and waited for the right time, then brought down his left hoof onto the nightmare's head driving it into the ground. Ironhoof felt it crunch beneath his hoof. A warm and wet sensation drenched his left hoof. The remaining nightmare was horrified. This one had a horn on him. Ironhoof rushed him, sword pointed to the right side. The dark unicorn went for his own blade after realizing he didn't have time for a spell. He was too late. The sound of bones breaking were heard as well as a piercing cry from the now, hornless unicorn. Blood sprayed out the hole as the unicorn fell to the ground frantically trying to stop the bleeding. Ironhoof then drove his blade into the side of the dying unicorn ending his pain.

Ironhoof caught up to Strongheart and galloped beside him. They suddenly stopped as they heard an extremely loud shout come from behind them. They looked towards the noise and saw a mass of shadow moving towards the city. Strongheart took a closer look and saw it was the second wave of pegasus. Ironhoof raised his hoof and shouted through the sword still gripped in his teeth.

"WoooooHooooo!!!!"

Strongheart looked at Ironhoof laughing. Some hope was restored upon seeing that mass in the sky. The swarm of pegasus made it above the center of town and started circling it. Strongheart felt his jaw drop a little as he watched a multitude of rock-bombs fall, the squadron of pegasus not too far behind them. This was going to be loud. Especially since the entire battalion of pegasus that dive-bombed behind the explosive projectiles shouted their war-cry all at once.

BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM!!!!!!!!!

The heat from the blast could be felt even from a hundred yards away. The shockwave was bigger, knocking over Strongheart. The wave caused Ironhoof to stumble a little, but he held his ground. The swarm of pegasus that followed the rock-bombs landed soon after the initial explosion finishing off any survivors.

The dust and rubble settled. Strongheart and Ironhoof headed towards the center only to be stopped by a huge dark warhorse. Strongheart's eyes went wide as he gawked at the sheer size of the stallion. Ironhoof was less impressed and charged towards the nightmare warhorse. He readied his blade as he got closer to him. Strongheart soon followed close behind him. The warhorse grinned and ducked as Ironhoof's blade neared his neck. Seeing that Strongheart was following Ironhoof's attack with another attack, the dark stallion thrusted torwards him smashing his helmet into Strongheart's face sending him crashing to the ground. Ironhoof focused as he aimed for the right flank of the warhorse. The warhorse turned his head to the left turning his body quickly while bringing his back left hoof against Ironhoof's face. Ironhoof felt his sword fly out of his mouth as he staggered backwards. Before he could recover, the warhorse had spun his body to where he was facing Ironhoof. Ironhoof looked up just in time to see a front right hoof making contact with his left cheek. Ironhoof grimaced in pain as he fell on his right side. The warhorse grabbed Ironhoof's sword and swung at Ironhoof's neck. Ironhoof tensed up awaiting the finishing blow.

Clang!

Ironhoof looked up to see a spark fade from two swords clashing. Strongheart felt the force of the warhorse pushing down on his guard. Strongheart teethed the word 'go' as he glaced towards Ironhoof then back to his opponent. Ironhoof quickly got up and decked the warhorse in the mouth sending his blade flying. The warhorse's lip split open causing blood to splatter on Strongheart's face. Strongheart flinched, blinking to keep blood from getting in his eyes. Immediately, the warhorse hit Strongheart with his front left hoof causing Strongheart to stumble backwards. Ironhoof flinched from the sudden movement of the enemy then retaliated bringing his front right hoof towards the stallions face. Air only greeted his hoof. Ironhoof felt an unexpected pain in his chin as the warhorse brought his head up hard against his chin. Dizziness began to overtake Ironhoof. He staggered backwards and fell on his rump. Strongheart jumped to his hooves and charged the stallion. The nightmare laughed and charged as well.

Strongheart watched as the warhorse jumped at him with his right hoof raised. Upon instinct, Strongheart quickly spun his body over and began sliding on his back. Strongheart saw his opprotunity come as the warhorse's neck came into clear view. He kicked his back hooves straight into the neck collapsing the airway of the warhorse. The warhorse fell groping at his neck struggling for air. Ironhoof had recovered and was charging at him. The warhorse mustered his remaining strength and stood up facing Ironhoof wheezing as he tried to breathe. He readied himself knowing the next move would be his last, but he was determined to take the pegasus down with him. Ironhoof was too quick. He lowered his head putting it under the chest plate of the warhorse. With strength behind him, Ironhoof thrusted his head up right when his body collided with the dark stallion sending him smashing into a stone wall that use to be part of a building. Strongheart was back on his hooves racing back towards them. The warhorse fought against unconsciousness. In a final desperate attempt to take the Pegasus down, the dying warhorse gathered the very last of his strength and bit down on Ironhoof's neck. Ironhoof winced in pain and found himself being thrown to the ground. Suddenly a sharp pain jabbed Ironhoof's head. His ears began to ring. His vision blurred. Strongheart watched as blood seeped out of Ironhoof's head. The warhorse was dead with his teeth still tightly clamped on Ironhoof's neck. Unable to breathe, Ironhoof desperately tried to push the corpse off of him. Finally, the nerves loosened and Ironhoof was free. Strongheart helped him up to his hooves. Hoof-steps in the form of clopping( clapping, mind you) were heard all around them as well as cheers.

"ALL RIGHT IRONHOOF!!!! WAY TO GO STRONGHEART!!!"

Everyone quieted down as the horn of Equestria sounded signaling victory.

....

Strongheart and Ironhoof sat down on their rumps. Finally, it was over. They looked at eachother for a second, just a second. But what they saw on eachother was dirt, grime.....and blood. The blood of the enemies. Shouts of victory rose up in chaotic rhythm, but finally came together in unison, the single word, Equestria. Strongheart wasn't cheering. He looked at his bloodstained hooves. He immidiatly keeled over and vomited. Ironhoof wasn't faring much better as he fought with everything he had to keep from vomiting. After he controlled his gag reflex, Ironhoof looked at Strongheart.

"Ya alroight mate?" Strongheart nodded and looked away. Suddenly the chatter of victory died down as Stonestomper spoke up.

"STRONGHEART! IRONHOOF! COME HERE!"

Ironhoof and Strongheart got up and walked towards their commanding officer. Fellow soldiers moved away forming a bath that lead to Stonestomper. When they were face to face with him, they looked straight forward. It was a sign of respect to an officer of higher rank. Stonestomper spoke in a softer tone as if making what he had to say, for their ears only.

"Do you see that enemy warhorse over there on the ground?" Strongheart and Ironhoof simply nodded as they looked straight forward.

"That was the enemies commanding officer, the leader of the group that attacked Clydesdale. Someponies tell me that you both took him down, and that it was a sight to behold." Ironhoof nodded. Strongheart just stared forward. Stonestomper raised his voice as he called out.

"HAMMERHOOF! BRING ME THE GAUNTLETS!"

A few moments passed until a big pegasus landed beside Stonestomper with a box in his teeth. He then stayed put and looked forward just like Stronghoof and Ironhoof. Stonestomper nodded a thank you before he spoke up.

"BECAUSE OF YOUR ACTS OF BRAVERY AND EXEMPLERARY SERVICE IN BATTLE, I HEREBY PROMOTE STRONGHEART AND IRONHOOF TO THE RANK, MUSTANG!!!"

Strongheart and Ironhoof kept their gaze as the cheers and hoof stomps were getting louder. Stonestomper then raised his voice again.

"YOU ALL FOUGHT WELL TODAY! NOW. COLLECT THE DEAD AND BURN THEM IN THE SAME PILE! THEY MAY BE ENEMIES, BUT THEY ARE PONIES AS WELL! AFTER THAT, WE CELEBRATE!!!!!

Upon hearing the phrase, we celebrate, everypony cheered and got to work. Strongheart and Ironhoof were about to leave when Stonestomper stopped them. He had the box that was given to him, in his teeth. Strongheart turned and let the warhorse place the box on his back. Ironhoof nodded and turned to leave with Strongheart. When they found a place to rest, Strongheart grabbed the box and opened it revealing four black gauntlets, the symbol of the mustang rank. With a sigh, Strongheart gave Ironhoof his. After buckling them on, Strongheart felt a lot better.

After the dead were gathered and piled, an earth pony lit them with a torch. Their voices then rang out in song, the anthem of equestria.

"EQUESTRIA!
EQUESTRIA!
JUSTICE IS LIGHT'S BRIGHT DAY
CELESTIA!
CELESTIA!
TRUTH WILL NOT LEAD US ASTRAY

WHAT WE SEEK IS HIDDEN WITHIN
THE DARKNESS OF DISMAY
FIGHT ON BROTHERS FIGHT ON
FOR STRENGTH IS OUR WAY

AND WHEN THE BATTLE IS WON
AND NO LONGER NEEDED IS WAR
WE WILL SING AGAIN AND AGAIN
HARMONY REIGN!! FOREVER MORE!!!"

Upon hearing the voices of his brothers in war, Strongheart let a small smile form on his face.