Chapters BOOM!!!!
"Are you alright?" one huge warhorse asked. Strongheart shuddered a bit and shakily answered.
"Y-yes s-sir!"
The warhorse was towering over him with a look of rage on his dirt covered face.
"INCOMING!!!!!!!" somepony shouted.
Right as the huge rocks made contact with the ground, the magic surrounding each one erupted into a fiery explosion. Strongheart flinched and looked away from the red spray that followed the explosions. The sounds of death pounded on his eardrums as he heard stallions screaming in pain and for help. The warhorse looked at Strongheart. His eyes seemed to hold sadness. The great stallion then stood tall as 5 dark coated stallions with bat-like wings landed behind Strongheart. Immediately, Strongheart was pushed to the ground and the warehouse that was in front of him was now behind him fighting.
"RETREAT!!!!!" Strongheart heard him say.
He quickly got to his hooves and frantically started running away. Strongheart looked back behind him as he watched in horror as the enemy pinned the warhorse down and began to beat him to death. The last thing that came from his mouth was a long cry that was heard in the area.
"FOR EQUESTRIA!!!!!!!!"
The enemy then snapped his neck ending his life. Sadness began to consume Strongheart's chest. But suddenly, simailar shouts were being heard all over the battlefield.
"FOR EQUESTRIA!!!!!!!!"
Strongheart felt a sudden burst of courage as he watched his fellow stallions yell out their battle cry. He saw a one-winged peguses charge towards the enemies frontline. Strongheart was engulfed in a mix of emotions consisting of courage, rage, and a sense of righteous fury. He too shouted a battlecry and charged the enemy, particularly the ones that killed the warhorse. Strongheart's fellow soldiers took notice of him and joined alongside him. The group of dark peguses turned and faced them as they galloped full speed towards them. The enemy expected for them to stop charging so they could use their back legs to kick them, it was then that they would be vulnerable and strike the royal guards down. To their surprise, Strongheart did not stop and went straight on towards them, smashing head first into the closest one.The dark peguses tumbled backwards and smashed his head against a rock, his body becoming motionless and a dark crimson liquid oozed from his head.
Strongheart felt his heart sink. He had just killed somepony. When he was little he wanted to kill evil ponies. Be a hero. Now, he felt like a murderer. He turned his head to the others that joined his charge. They had taken out the rest of them, but the same look of sadness that the warhorse had was now on their faces. He fiqured the expression on his face looked the same way.Strongheart heard the sound of the enemy yelling for retreat. The dark ponies, unicorns, and peguses, turned and ran away .Strongheart looked around him. The smell of death was heavy. His fellow soldiers were unrecognizable. Limbs missing, heads decapitated, innards strewn from bodies. Strongheart and the others that followed him walked back to their camp. They did not utter a word all the way back.
They walked into a small tent and sat down. They all looked at eachother then back down, except for one. A young colt sat beside Strongheart with tears falling from his eyes. There was a long silence. Finally one of the soldiers spoke up.
"Name's Ironhoof," he said
"Strongheart," he said hoarsely.
He looked at Ironhoof. He was a very built pegases much bigger than Strongheart. His dark green body was covered in dirt and dried blood. His dark blue mane and tail looked no different. Strongheart looked at his own body. His once dark red hair and dirty blonde mane was covered in dirt....and that peguses's blood stained his mind. Killing was involved in war, he knew that, but, he suddenly didn't want to. The colt next to him was shivering. He looked just old enough to join the ranks. Strongheart noticed the colt's lip was quivering. The other soldiers left leaving Strongheart, Ironhoof, and the shaken colt.
"Whats your name little colt?" Strongheat asked. The colt looked up at him and answered,
"m..my n..n..name is Forge."
Forge was a small grey unicorn with a brown mane and tail. Strongheart watched as Forge's expression relaxed after he answered his question. Ironhoof spoke up in a gentle tone.
"What are you doing here? This is no place for a colt your size or age."
Forge cringed at Ironhoof's comment. His lip began to quiver again. Strongheart felt his heart melting. He pulled Forge into a warm embrace. Forge let out a soft wimper that eventually turned into a cry. Strongheart looked up at Ironhoof. His eyes were watering but no tear fell. Strongheart looked back down at Forge. He kept crying as he stayed latched to Strongheart's side. Finally his tears subsided. When they did, Ironhoof told Forge to head to the medical tent to see if he was wounded. Strongheart watched in silence as Forge left their tent and disapeared from sight. He then looked at Ironhoof who ,as well, looked back at Strongheart.
''How long have you been in the Royal Guards?'' asked Ironhoof as he got up and walked out the tent. Strongheart followed behind him.
''Five years. I joined after the attack on Foalstead. My family and i got separated.'' Ironhoof stopped in his tracks and looked back at Strongheart slowly catching up to him.
''Foalstead huh? Im surprised you are alive. I heard not many made it.''
Ironhoof just realized what he said. His remark had hit Strongheart hard. He quickly changed the subject.
"I've been here for 4 years. I joined when I was old enough.''
Ironhoof looked like he regretted what he had just said. They continued down to the medical tents. They tried their best to ignore the sounds of their wounded comrades in agony, but to no avail. Strongheart noticed one unicorn with his horn missing and blood flowing rapidly out of the gaping wound. The doctors and surgeons desperately tried to stop the bleeding as the wounded unicorn screamed in pain. He was no longer in Strongheart's sight but his screams flooded his ears. Suddenly, Strongheart could hear the screams no more. He looked behind him and saw the doctors sillouette. His head hung low and shook from side to side. Strongheart heard the shouts from another soldier in the same tent.
''NOOOOOO!!!!!!! YOU CANT DIE JACK!!!! YOU JUST CAN'T DIE!!!!!''
Ironhoof stopped and looked back towards the commotion. They both watched as a unicorn was being dragged out of the tent in tears. He was struggling to get back to the tent but was held back by two stallions. Strongheart continued to walk away with Ironhoof. He felt his pace beginning to slow down. Ironhoof looked at him and put a hoof on his shoulder.
''C'mon mate. Let's get outa here.''
Strongheart nodded and continued to walk. Suddenly, he saw a grey object running towards him. It was Forge.
'' Strongheart!!!''
Strongheart put on the best smile he could for him. Forge stopped infront of them to catch his breath.
''Strongheart, the nurse says Im fine and ready for battle!''
Ironhoof and Strongheart looked at eachother. They were both thinking the same thing. ''He is too young.'' But Strongheart smiled and patted him on the shoulder.
''Thats great Forge!'' Forge smiled big and stood beside inbetween Ironhoof and Strongheart.
''Hey can I walk with y'all?'' pleaded Forge. Ironhoof put a leg around him and pulled him close using his other hoof to give Forge a noogie.
''Ah sure you can ya little blighta!''
Forge smiled grew even bigger. It was obvious he was alone before he met them. Strongheart and Ironhoof looked at Forge and his new sense that everything was going to be ok. They felt the exact opposite.
Morning came, well, twilight came. Equestria was always stuck between night and day. Princess Celestia struggled everyday to keep the sun up while trying to keep the moon from rising. Nightmare Moon struggled as well but with keeping the moon up while attempting to keep the sun from rising. While laying in his bunk, Strongheart looked up at the tent cover pondering about the war. This war had started because of one mare's jealousy, turning the beautiful Princess Luna into that evil being, Nightmare Moon. Strongheart felt anger and yet, he felt sorry for Nightmare. The bugle sounded signaling for everypony to get up. Strongheart lazily sat up and hopped down onto the ground. Time for the daily routine. First was breakfast. Strongheart made his way to the lake, where they served breakfast. The line that started from the serving table was overwhelmingly long.
''Hey Strongheart!!'' yelled a familiarly accented voice.
Strongheart turned to the right to see Ironhoof waving to him by the lake with two bowls near him. Strongheart chuckled a little. Seeing Ironhoof getting up before the bugle so he could be first in line for breakfast was quite humorous. Strongheart trotted over to him and sat down. Ironhoof pushed the bowl towards Strongheart. Strongheart looked at the bowl. Sloppy oats, again. He sighed and looked at Ironhoof. He had picked up the bowl with his teeth and tilted his head back allowing the slop to slide into his mouth. In one swallow, he was done. Ironhoof then eyed Strongheart's bowl hungrily.
"Ya going to eat that mate?"
Strongheart looked back at his breakfast then pushed it towards Ironhoof who gobbled up the contents in one go. Ironhoof stood up to drink from the river when he noticed Strongheart was just staring where his bowl use to be. He sighed and placed a hoof on his shoulder.
''War is tough mate. The people who havent seen it think we are heroes.....,'' his voice trailed off as he pondered for a split second.
''....but the ones who have seen what we have done call us murderers. Are we murderers?''
Ironhoof stopped and took a drink from the river, lapping up the water with his tongue. Stronghoof took in his words. Were they murderers, or heroes? Strongheart remembered back to what his father used to say.
''You know, my father used to have a saying. He said that everypony has a right to defend themselves and the ponies they love. Killing should be a last resort to any conflict. But if your family's lives are on the line, by any means necissary, defend them, until your last breath." Ironhoof nodded in agreement.
"Your father is very wise." Strongheart started to laugh creating a confused look on Ironhoof's face.
"Hahahaha....I wouldn't call it wisdom. More like, common sense if you ask me." Ironhoof chucked to himself the looked to Strongheart.
"He is wise in knowing what is worth fighting for. Not blindly fighting because everypony else is fighting. But fighting for a purpose." Strongheart calmed himself as the words sunk in. He smirked and held out his hoof.
"Grayden Strongheart," he said looking at the green pegasus.
"Terry Ironhoof," he responded.
Strongheart felt his own stress level lower tremendously. He finally had a friend he could trust. Ironhoof got up and picked up both of the empty bowls with his teeth as he spoke through them.
"I vetter go thake zhese vack."
Strongheart laughed slightly at Ironhoof's temporary speech impediment. When Ironhoof turned and walked away, Strongheart caught a glimpse of his cutie mark. It was a horseshoe with a wing attached to the side of it. He thought it fit Ironhoof. After all, he was the only pegasus he knew of that wore iron horseshoes. Strongheart turned and looked at his own cutie mark using his reflection in the river. It was a silver heart. Memories began to push their way into his thoughts as he recalled the day he got his cutie mark.
~flashback~
The young colt, Grayden Strongheart sat on his back legs on top of the hill that overlooked Foalsville. He was watching the sun wavering from rising to setting knowing Princess Celestia was fighting to keep the sun raised in the sky. His next-door neighbor and best friend, Josh Woodcutter, was sitting beside him. The brown earth pony looked towards the sun, concern and worry in his eyes.
"Looks like they are still at it, huh Grayden?" Strongheart said nothing as he kept staring at the sun. Woodcutter looked over at his friend.
"Grayden?" Woodcutter nudged him with a hoof snapping Strongheart back to reality.
"Oh, sorry Josh. I was just thinking that in four days, I'll be old enough to enlist for the royal guard. I can't wait for that day! I'm gonna jump up the ranks so fast, I'll be a warhorse in no time." Strongheart looked at Woodcutter with eagerness. Woodcutter sighed wishing that Strongheart wasn't so keen on joining the war.
"So you won't reconsider? There is absolutely no way to change your mind?" Woodcutter asked. Strongheart shook his head.
"Its not supposed to rain today is it?" asked Woodworker looking at the purple and orange sky.
"I don't think so..." Strongheart looked around trying to pinpoint where the thunder had come from. A few minutes went by. Woodcutter stood on his hooves and stretched, yawning.
"Welp....I think I'm gonna hit the hay. See ya later Grayden!" Strongheart waved bye to his friend.
"Yeah. See ya tomorrow Josh." And with that, Woodcutter galloped to town. Strongheart turned his attention back towards the sun as he rested his head on his hooves. Sleepiness started overtaking him and before he knew it, he was asleep.
He awoke to the smell of smoke and the sounds of thunder. He quickly got up, shaking the sleepiness away and looked towards Foalsville. His sky blue eyes dilated at the sight he saw. Foalsville was in flame and a giant black thunderstorm was situated right above it sending lightning bolts into the town. His body froze in fear. He was in shock. Finally, he gathered his courage and galloped to town. As he got near, the sounds of screaming ponies could be heard after each lightning strike. Strongheart put on a burst of speed as his family popped into his thoughts. He arrived at his house and saw that it was in flames. He was relieved to see it was still standing. His small feeling of joy was short-lived as he watched his house collapse on itself. Strongheart's heart began to race, his adrenaline flowed through him.
"MOM!!!! DAD!!!!"
His shouts were in vain as thunder drowned his voice. His heart began to sink until he heard Josh screaming from next-door. Strongheart burst through the front door only to be greeted by a wave of black smoke. He coughed violently until his lungs temporarily adjusted to the smoke. He scanned the first floor finding nothing at all.
"JOSH!!!! WHERE ARE YOU???" he shouted into the house.
Smoke filled his nostrils again causing him to cough hard. When Strongheart stopped coughing, he went upstairs to search for his friend. A new smell seeped into his nostrils. Strongheart felt his stomach turn over, nearly emptying it's contents. Strongheart forced his way to the door to Josh's room. It wouldn't budge. Strongheart turned around and started kicking at the door with his back hooves. The door began to crack from the stressful blows. Finally, the door gave way, breaking in half horizontally. Strongheart vomited from the strong smell that washed over him. He had never smelt something this bad before. After entering the room, Strongheart saw Josh in the corner with his hooves over his muzzle crying softly.
"C'mon Josh, we need to get out of...."
Strongheart looked to where his friend was looking and saw a horrific sight. Underneath a pile of burning wood, was Mr. and Mrs. Woodcutter, their bodies burnt beyond recognition. Strongheart looked at the corpses with disbelief. Suddenly, a section of the ceiling over the doorway collapsed, bringing Strongheart back to his senses. He looked for an exit. He saw a window near them and without a moments notice, he grabbed Josh by the mane with his teeth and pulled him to his hooves. He jumped out the window bringing his friend with him. Strongheart wrapped all four legs around Josh, who was screaming as they fell. Strongheart felt his back tense as he braced for impact. He landed hard on the ground, knocking the wind out of him. He didn't have enough time to get any air back into his lungs as a result of Josh sandwiching him between him and the ground. Strongheart gasped for air as Josh rolled off of him. He coughed a couple of times after his lungs filled with air. After recovering,
Strongheart weakly stood up looking over to his friend. He was still crying but was on his hooves. Suddenly there was an explosion. Pain erupted from the back of Strongheart's head as he collapsed to the ground unconscious. When he came-to, a nasty smell forced its way into his nose. He looked down to find that he was on top a pile of corpses. He quickly got up but found no traction from the lifeless bodies. He tumbled down the pile and landed on his back. His eyes began to water when his head made contact with the earth. Strongheart felt the back of his head. It was warm and wet. He pulled his hoof in front of his face and saw it was blood. He must have been clocked in the head by a rock bomb's debree. He got up and felt a warm feeling on both flanks. He looked at his backside and watched as the image of a silver heart formed in his fur. Strongheart felt his eyes water, but they weren't tears of joy. He could feel a lump in his throat. His tears were falling one after the other. He was alone. His parents were either missing or dead. Strongheart looked at the pile of corpses. His heart started beating really fast. He began to whimper softly, the same word over and over, steadily getting louder.
".....no....no......no....No...No....NO!!!!!! NO!!!!!!!"
Strongheart fell over on his side, eyes clenched shut as tears seeped out.
~end flashback~
Strongheart looked at the reflection of his cutie mark again. The more he thought about it, the more he realized, it was no cutie mark, but a mark of war. He had done nothing special to get it. His greatest talent was piano, so why would a silver heart appear on his sides? Strongheart sighed wishing everything made more sense. He looked around at other pony's cutie marks. There were cutie marks that resembled talents of knowledge, literature, writing, crafting, baking, foods, building, music, arts, sports, and so much more. He was the only one with a mark of war. Strongheart became deep in his own thoughts, trying to figure out his purpose in all of this. He had fulfilled part of his dream. He was now in the royal guard. His urge to become a warhorse had died along with his best friend. Strongheart slouched letting his mane fall in front of his eyes. What was he fighting for? Revenge? Justice? Right now, they seemed to be the same thing. His thoughts were interrupted by the sounds of hoof-steps galloping towards him. Strongheart looked up and saw Ironhoof running with everything he had. Ironhoof didn't put on the brakes a moment too soon. He skidded a little, stopping in front of Strongheart's face. The look on Ironhoof's was one of worry. Strongheart was about to ask what was wrong, but Ironhoof cut him off before he could say anything.
"They attacked Clydesdale!!!"
(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!
WHAT WE SEEK IS HIDDEN WITHIN
AND WHEN THE BATTLE IS WON
Upon hearing the voices of his brothers in war, Strongheart let a small smile form on his face.
