A Soldier's Harmony: Untold Tales

Chapters

Clash of Titans
Conquest of Paradise
Music in the Trenches

Clash of Titans

Flashes of light raced past his face. Stars, black-holes, planets and the cosmos, crossing across his irises in a wonderful display of light. A warped edge loomed at the corners of his vision, distorting the mosaic of colour and causing him to squint in concentration. He held a device in his right hand, his grip like iron so as not to lose it in the void between worlds. His brown trench coat flapped behind him, and his black ball-cap stuck to his head like glue.

Far ahead, he could see a speck. A figure. It's physical form was wreathed in shadow, seeming to coalesce and meld into the background. However, while he could see the figure with his own to eyes, he could also sense it's presence. Malice, hatred, and the putrid smell of death seemed to leech away, giving him a path to follow in the void.

He pushed himself more, angling forward as he picked up more speed. His device entered a personal pocket dimension, and he saw the figure's head turn ever so slightly, its red eyes widening in surprise milliseconds before he collided with it. His arms wrapped around it's torso, and he heard a wicked snarl escape its rotting mouth. It's own hands wrapped around his waist, and the sudden feeling of his stomach rising into his throat threatened his concentration.

A thunderous crack sounded around the two beings and the galactic background was replaced by blues, greens, and whites. The world seemed to slow as the man's eyes widened underneath his hat. He could see buildings rapidly approaching, and adjusted his momentum in a different direction.

The figure he was holding onto let go of his waist and brought it's right hand into the air before slamming it down on the side of his head. The man grunted in pain as he was shot towards the ground like a rocket, his figure a blur as dust billowed from his point of impact.

The sound of crashing could be heard in the distance and the man shook the daze out of his head. He slowly stood, a strange bioluminescent plant falling from his head in the process. His previously indifferent expression settled into a heavy scowl as he levitated off the ground. He recognized his surroundings: the strangely alien trees, the fantastical elements in the air and the ever present smell of magic.

He was in another Equestria.

Another thunderous crash, and the sounds of screaming echoed into the air. The man did not hesitate as he launched into the air, immediately breaking the sound barrier and causing the trees nearby to bend away from the sheer pressure of his speed. His eagle like vision searched the ground for his adversary, and after only a moment, he spotted it, or rather, her.

Landing with force in the middle of the oddly medieval town, he watched as the his foe turned to face him. The town itself was in ruins. Buildings collapsed, rubble strewn about, and dozens of bodies. The man's scowl somehow deepened as his foe lifted a struggling stallion in her telekinesis. His legs kicked, and his body wiggled in an attempt to escape, but the man knew it would be impossible. The two red eyes of his foe glared at him from under her hood, and a wicked grin full of sharp teeth slowly appeared on her shadowed face.

"Back and forth and forth and back. You do not seem to know when to give up, Guardian. Ten worlds we have visited, and ten worlds has the same scenario occurred."

The stallion whimpered as she slowly drew him closer, and the Guardian took a half step forward as he balled his fists.

"You have trapped us here, Destroyer. Had you not pulled me through that accursed portal, we would never be in this situation!" The Guardian growled as he pointed a finger at the Destroyer. "Because of you, we are trapped with these... aliens!"

The Destroyer gave a tsk as she brought a gnarled hand towards the stallions face. There, she dragged it down his cheek as she leaned in to seemingly examine him further.

"These worlds are without the protection of their Archangels as they are not human. These aliens as you call them will make the most wonderous of servants. Look around you Guardian. This is not the same location! We are getting closer to the core, and you know it. You saw the layout of the continents before we arrived. You saw Mankind was once present. This is a land of opportunity!"

She raised her arms and made a pulling motion. The stallion screamed in pain as his bones began to break and his muscles began to tear, and the Guardian heard a little girl cry out from across the town. With a snarl, he pushed his own hand forward with unrivaled speed. An invisible force latched onto the Destroyer's left leg before pulling her to the ground. The stallion whimpered as he was dropped to the ground, and dragged himself behind a pile of rubble as the Destroyer got back to her feet.

"Enough of this! These people do not need our intervention!" Electricity crackled around the Guardian as he spoke, and his voice seemed to multiply in the air. Many onlookers coward in fear as they watched the man begin floating above the ground, little arcs of lightning sparking at his feet. "Whether we are close to the core or not does not matter! So long as I breathe, you will never succeed in your plans for domination! Hear me, Destroyer, for our fight ends now!"

The sky shook, and the earth trembled. Storm clouds were brewing in the distance, and a light drizzle of rain had begun. It was as though a mighty Titan had befallen the inhabitants of this little town, and all were silent as they watched the exchange. The Guardian's coat billowed around him, and his arms rose as he glared down at the Destroyer. Ten worlds he had been forced to enter, and that was ten too many. The Destroyer had done enough damage back home. He could not let this continue.

"So..." The Destroyers voice was like ice, her eyes narrowing, "You finally decide to unleash your full power. If this is where you wish to make your stand, then so be it. The inhabitants of this world will burn before I am allowed to fail. Prepare yourself, Guardian. I am going to kill you, as I killed those you loved. I will no longer hold back."

Rising from the ground herself, the Destroyer cackled. The sky began to blacken, and the wind picked up exponentially. Sleet poured from on high, and the two beings, an Angel and a Demon, faced each other one last time. The inhabitants of the town watched in awe and terror.

Finally, a flash of lightning illuminated the two beings, and just as fast, they collided mid-air.

The shockwave caused glass to shatter, and the rain to part. Ponies covered their ears in pain, and anyone standing was blasted off their hooves. The rain began to pour harder, and the crash of thunder echoed across the land.

The Destroyer was the first to recover from the impact, and flashed across the sky like a wraith as she slammed into the Guardian's stomach. He grunted in pain as he hurtled towards a nearby mountain, but his eyes never strayed from her form as she took off after him. As she approached, the Guardian flipped in the air and brought his arm up, effectively close lining the Destroyer and causing her to tumble through the air. He did not waste a second, and flashed downwards at supersonic speed into her back. The sheer speed and power he was outputting put them both through the mountain and out the other side. Rocks, trees and dirt exploded outwards as they shot through the air. The Guardian yelled as he brought went in for a right hook, but the Destroyer was quick and deflected it with her forearm.

Off balance, the Guardian careened sideways, leaving him open. His rival brought her leg up, and with a devastating kick, sent him crashing through a forest. Trees were uprooted and tossed aside like toys, and a mile-long trench scarred the earth from the Guardian's impact.

"You will bow before me, Guardian. You are still reluctant to hold back! This world has no Archangel, and therefore does NOT FOLLOW OUR RULES!!"

The Destroyer propelled herself downwards at a speed to fast to catch with the naked eye. The Guardian had enough time to cover his face before a shockwave of dirt, stone, and bedrock billowed outwards and smashed him to the ground. The storm was at its peak now, and lightning flashed in time with the Destroyers impact. Cracks fissured inside the earth, and a mighty earthquake the likes of which had never been seen rocked the continent, if not the world.

Standing and coughing, the Guardian tried to see through the dust clouding his vision. His heart thumped in his chest, and a feeling of dread overtook him as he lifted into the air.

Rising above the cloud of dust, his eyes scanned the direction they had come from. It wasn't long before he was glaring at what used to be the town several dozen miles away. Nothing was left. No buildings, no ponies, nothing. Looking around, he noticed the wildlife had suffered a similar fate. Everything had been turned to a desolate wasteland from the Destroyers attack, and the Guardian felt himself begin shaking. Miles and miles of nothing but ash.

"So you see, Guardian. It is inevitable. You cannot stop me, as I cannot stop you. We are forever locked in this eternal struggle for dominance in a series of worlds unknown to us."

A group of beings had arrived at the destroyed village, causing relief to seep through him. Hopefully they could find some survivors. A large white horse followed by a smaller blue one were quickly closing on his position. He frowned, as he knew who those two were. They could not be allowed to interfere.

"You are wrong. I will beat you. You cause so much pain, so much suffering... and for what? To see the world burn? To have unwilling followers that heed your every will like you are some kind of god?"

The Guardian turned as his adrenaline began to kick in once more. The storm, which had slowly been dying, began to pick up once more. Lightning flashed, and the Guardian's eyes were alight with righteous fury. Hail began to fall, and a tornado materialized in the distance, blocking the two approaching equines.

"Done playing games are we?"

Slowly turning, the Guardian faced the Destroyer. There was a moments pause, a small hesitation. For a brief instant, the Guardian's mind told him to stop, that he was about to do something he would regret. But then knew thoughts approached. He saw his mother and brother, murdered at the hands of the monster before him. He saw his girlfriend, skewered as he arrived seconds to late to save her. He saw the worlds he had been to, how he had made friends on the first, only to have them taken away.

An inner darkness boiled inside him, ready to explode. he had tried to subdue her, to make her see reason for so long. Lives had been lost because of his choices. Seeing that Demon sneering at him, her face filled with triumph at his turmoil caused his blood to boil. A sense of nostalgia hit him, and remembered a similar feeling when they had first clashed. He had lost. This time, he would not.

The hail slowed, then stopped. A nearby lightning bolt arced through the sky in slow motion, its light reflecting the fury in the eyes of the Angel. Energy began to coalesce around the man, and without a word, he propelled forward at the speed of light, causing an eruption of molten air to trail in his wake.

The Destroyer merely felt the impact before she was hurtled through the air, gasping in shock and pain. Blood exploded from her mouth, a foreign taste, and she watched the Guardian before slamming into the side of a cliff. She had a mere nanosecond to react before he was on her once again, but this time, she was ready.

The two exchanged flurries of punches and blows, kicks and maneuvers. They traveled fast, moving around the globe twice in their battle. Beings from around the world saw the exchange, two titan's fighting for a fate unknown to them. The sky was alight with fire, and the earth shook as the storm began to expand. Pure energy surrounded the two beings, becoming larger by the second as shockwave after shockwave rippled through the air. Towns were destroyed, forests were annihilated, and the earth fissured and cracked from the brutal fight far above.

Then finally, it stopped.

The Guardian stood, his chest heaving and blood pouring from the corner of his mouth. His eyes glared hatefully at the being laying before him, her own bloodied form hacking a wheezing. It was here that the man raised his right fist. It raised and raised, but it did not come down. And finally, as he prepared to deliver the blow to end it all, he heard crying. A small, heart-wrenching sound that cut through the chaos and fury within his mind.

Turning, the Guardian's eyes zeroed in on what appeared to be a griffon child walking through the rubble of what was once a town. It held a teddy bear with a red bowtie in one of her claws, while the other tried to dig under a plank of wood. He could see a lion's paw sticking out from the rubble, unmoving. He watched, frozen, as the cub called for her father through her tears.

Blinking from his stupor, he finally noticed the rest. His surroundings were once again destroyed, and smoke billowed through the air. Looking down at the Destroyer, he heard her chuckle.

"You and I are not so different, it seems. Here I am, trying to rule this world, and you stand in my way. I raze a town to the ground to prove a point. Then, here you are, trying to stop me, but I do not cooperate. You finally snap, all the death, the suffering, and the loss. It rears its ugly head, and suddenly, you realize you caused more harm than good. Sometimes, all it takes is a little snap before we go too far."

Silence.

The Guardian backed away from the Destroyer, and she did not get up. His eyes traveled down to his hands, covered in more than just the blood of his foe. He looked back to the child, who now sat squeezing her teddy bear, tears pouring from her eyes. A flap of wings caused the man to blink and look up. He met the face of a beautiful mare, her coat as white as snow, and her mane vibrant like a rainbow. With her was a dark-coated mare, younger but just as striking. A sense of loss and longing passed over his face as he saw her, but it quickly faded as they approached. Both stared at him, uncertain, with strange relics floating around them. So focused on them was he that he failed to notice the Destroyer chanting under her breath.

"Thou hast caused much destruction this 'eve, Human," the solar princess stated, a waver in her voice. She sounded younger, jumpier, and more olden-timey. The Guardian did not know when he had entered this world, but it had to be far before the Element bearers, or even Discord. He remained silent. The storm was gone, leaving ash and smoke to float into the air.

The silence remained for some time before the two spoke once more.

"As the Diarchy of Equestria, and on behalf of this world, we decree thou art encased in stone for all time henceforth," the Lunar Princess stated.

There was no room for argument, and the Guardian knew it. In the back of his mind, he convinced himself that he deserved it. All the pain and suffering he had caused because of his loss of control. He suddenly felt tired then, and he seemed to age twenty years before the diarchal rulers.

Standing up straighter, the Guardian stared down the two Princesses. He knew his decision was too fast, too hasty, but he did not care. He needed a break, and he needed to think. Glancing at the Destroyer, he realized this would be his only chance to put her away without further bloodshed.

As the gems around the two alicorns began to circle faster and faster, the Guardian stood tall. He had done something horrible, but as the beam of rainbow shot into the air, he promised himself to do better. He was a hero, one that was needed. If this was what it took to end the monster known as the Destroyer, then so be it.

The Rainbow light washed over him, and he felt his limbs hardening. Almost as a last thought, he glanced into the sky with his eyes and said a quick prayer. Then, accepting his fate, he let the rest of himself solidify, finally allowing him peace.

The same could not be said for the Destroyer. As the Rainbow light touched her, she began to cackle manically. Her cackling grew louder and louder as she began to shrink, causing the eyes of the diarchs to widen in alarm. There was a flash of light, then an explosion. When the dust settled, a smoking mark sat where she once did.

As the Elements of Harmony powered down, the two rulers looked at each other in concern. History would need to be rewritten in order to ensure peace, and the two gave each other a tired nod. The Lunar Princess grabbed the Human in her magic before they both made their way back home.

All the while, neither noticed the traces of time magic that lingered where the Destroyer once lay.

Author's Note

Well, well, well... what do we have here!

That's right, I decided to create a spot to put short stories/backstories/other-stuff related to A Soldier's Harmony. From Non-Canon content to unrelated background happenings, I intend to show a little more about the story and the world I tried to create. Uploads will be irregular, but hopefully this first chapter will suffice in answering a few questions I saw in the comments of the original story. I will also be trying to keep this a teen rating, but we will see.

Until Next Time!

Conquest of Paradise

Author's Note

I little more detail from what was described in Chapter 2. When I rewrite the beginning of the story, I will make sure the details are the same.

Until next time!

Conquest of Paradise

Upon a mountain top, inside a castle of great splendor, a throne of gold sat. Upon this throne was a ruby red cushion and intrinsic designs spiraling this way and that. Light poured in from the many windows, bathing the vast throne room in a calm and relaxing blanket of golden hue. Two guards, unicorns, stood at the far end of the room facing the unoccupied seat of gold and ruby. Their armour shined, their spears glinted, and their faces were a stoic mask.

No sound except for their quiet breathing was made, and no movement could be seen from either. They were sentinels, guardians of this particular part of the castle. At exactly eleven o'clock of Celestia's beautiful morning, the sounds of clopping hooves could be heard approaching the vast doors of the throne room.

Moments later, the doors were wrapped in some-ponies telekinetic glow. One door was bathed in gold, the other in navy blue. As one, they swung open, missing the guards by a few inches as they quietly settled against the wall. Still, they did not move, and it was here that the sounds of bickering could be heard.

"I'm telling you Lulu, I will have the royal construction ponies available by next week. It was in the agenda to have your new throne done!" Celestia, the Alicorn Princess of the day, lightly stepped through the threshold and into the room proper. Her rainbow-like mane and tail waved in a nonexistent breeze, alluring and beautiful.

"Thou simply dost not wish to make room for your ample flanks of thine, dear Tia." Luna, Alicorn Princess of the night, smirked as her elder sister sputtered and turned her head to glare at her. Her mane and tail waved like that of Princess Celestia, but instead of a rainbow, her hair mimicked the night sky in all its splendor. Her dark, navy blue coat contrasted heavily with the colour of the daytime, but it did nothing to to take away from her grace and elegance as she followed after the elder Alicorn.

"Sister! That was very unbecoming of your station as a Princess!" Celestia's scolding caused Luna to snicker, and she gave an adorable pout as she looked away.

"Do not be like that, sister of mine, thou knowest I only jest!" Luna trotted forward and leaned in to nuzzle her sister. Celestia returned the affection with a smile.

The two made their way up the steps of the throne, but both stopped as they came to the seat itself. Celestia's ears lowered slightly as she looked away from her sister, but Luna simply huffed as she nudged her sister in the side.

"Do not fret, I take no offense." She trotted to the side of the throne and sat upon a velvet cushion with small smile. Celestia sighed, but quickly took her seat upon the throne of Equestria. The feeling was natural to her; seeing as she has ruled from this very seat for a thousand years.

Hearing hoof-steps, both Princesses turned to regard Celestia's secretary, Raven, as she approached the throne. Her hair was done up as it always has been, and her neck-tie was looking as prim and proper as ever. Her coat seemed to glow as she passed under the various windows.

"Good day, Raven." Celestia said with a smile. Her secretary bowed before taking her place at Celestia's other side, a clipboard poofing into existence behind her and reading glasses floating up and onto her snout.

"Good morning, Princesses." She finally stated before returning the smile. Her eyes flicked to her clipboard. "Your schedule for today shows only two hours of day court. Am I missing something Princess? I also did not realize that Princess Luna would be attending as well."

Celestia shook her head as two more guards appeared from a side door and took their places at the base of the throne. These two were dressed like their comrades at the end of the room, but the main difference was that one was a Pegasus and one was an Earth Pony. Both remained vigilant and at attention.

"I apologize for not informing you sooner Raven. The Elements of Harmony will be visiting the castle today at one o'clock this afternoon. I've decided that myself and my sister will entertain them while they are here.

Raven nodded, making a note on her clipboard. "Understood, Princess. I will ensure that the preparations for their arrival are complete. Will they be staying for an extended period?"

Celestia glanced at Luna, who gave a small nod. "It is likely," Celestia replied. "They may stay the night. I would like their chambers prepared just in case."

"I shall see to it," Raven said efficiently, her quill dancing across the parchment in her neat script. "Is there anything else I should prepare for their visit?"

Luna, who had been quietly observing the conversation, interjected. "Perhaps some tea and refreshments in the royal garden once they arrive."

Raven raised an eyebrow, her quill poised to note the request. "Very well, Princess Luna. I will arrange for this afternoon say... half an hour after they arrive." Teleporting her clipboard away, Raven straightens her tie, steps off from her pedestal, bows to the two Princess and walks through a side door to the left of the room.

Satisfied with the arrangements, Celestia leaned back slightly, her eyes scanning the vast throne room. The light from the windows continued to cast a golden glow across the marble floors, and for a moment, everything seemed perfectly serene.

However, a sudden air of tension caused the hair on her back to stand up ever so slightly. Luna, noticing the slight furrow in her sister's brow, gave her a look. "Thou art troubled, sister," she said softly, picking up on the change in Celestia's posture.

The Solar Princess didn't immediately respond, her gaze lingering on the almost empty throne room. Finally, she sighed. "I... have been thinking these last few years. I...I fear that the peace we’ve enjoyed for so long is becoming more fragile, Lulu. I've received reports of disturbances beyond our borders, and whispers from our scouts speak of unrest. I fear something is going to happen soon, and we need to be prepared.

Luna's expression hardened. "We will stand together as we always have. No matter the threat towards our nation." her starry mane billowed around her as she stared resolutely ahead.

Celestia smiled at her sister's determination. "I know. I only hope that such a test does not come to pass." Celestia and Luna exchanged a glance, the bond between them as strong as ever despite the thousand years of separation.

"Come, sister," Luna said with a smirk, "Let us greet the day together, and prepare for the trials ahead."

"Indeed sister," she looked over at the Earth Pony guard at the foot of the stairs, Hard Hoof, and nodded her head.

Seeing her highness give the signal, Hard Hoof stamped the ground once. "DAY COURT IS IN SESSION!! BRING FORWARD THE FIRST PETITIONER!!!" His voice echoed around the room, and the two unicorns at the end saluted before opening the doors. As they did so, a torrent of voices could be heard just outside, and Celestia heard Luna sigh.

"I pity you sister, having to deal with so many."

Celestia did not answer, but as the first noble pony with an upturned noise trotted in, she couldn't help but smirk. It would seem court never changes.

*****

Rainbow Dash tapped her hoof against the window sill. Her wings ruffled, and she held back a yawn of boredom as she watched the mountainous terrain fly by the train. To a regular pony, they would be going at a decently fast pace, but to Rainbow, it was as though a snail was moving in slower than slow motion. If that even made sense.

Looking over her shoulder, the Prismatic Pegasus huffed as the girls sat around, chatting or reading a book. She could've been out training right now, but nooooo. Twilight wanted them to come for a day in Canterlot to meet the Princesses for some tea, so she had to drag every-pony along with her.

"Don't look like that Rainbow. We will be back in Ponyville by tomorrow morning. Surely your training can wait until then?" Rainbow pouted and crossed her forelegs as Fluttershy bumped her side with a knowing look.

Rainbow Dash huffed again but managed a half-hearted smile at Fluttershy. "Yeah, yeah. I guess I can hold off for a day. But seriously, how much tea can one pony drink?" She rolled her eyes dramatically, earning a small giggle from Fluttershy.

Across the cabin, Twilight Sparkle had her nose buried deep in a scroll, her horn glowing faintly as she read through what seemed to be another long list of notes. Pinkie Pie was bouncing in her seat, a tray of cupcakes on the small table in front of her. Applejack sat beside her, tipping her hat back slightly as she gazed out the window, looking far more relaxed than Rainbow could ever hope to be. Rarity, meanwhile, was humming to herself as she fiddled with a ribbon, likely planning some grand design for her next fashion line.

Rainbow sighed again, louder this time, which caught Twilight’s attention.

"Rainbow, I promise this will be worth it," Twilight said, not looking up from her notes. "The Princesses rarely invite all of us together for a casual gathering like this. There must be something important they want to discuss."

Rainbow groaned and slumped further into her seat. "But what if it’s just a boring tea party? You know I’m not good with all that formal stuff. I’ll probably end up spilling something on one of those fancy rugs or breaking some priceless royal vase."

Twilight finally looked up, a small smile tugging at the corners of her mouth. "I think you’ll manage, Rainbow. Besides, it’s not every day we get to relax in the royal garden. I’ve heard the view is spectacular this time of year."

Rainbow rolled her eyes but felt a bit of excitement flicker inside her. She did like the royal gardens—they were one of the few places in Canterlot where she could stretch her wings a bit, especially when the weather was just right.

Pinkie Pie suddenly leaned across the table, grinning from ear to ear. "Oh, come on, Dashie! Don’t be a grumpy-mcgrumpypants! We’re going to have so much fun with the Princesses! And I brought cupcakes!" She thrust the tray toward Rainbow, who blinked at the offering.

Rainbow stared at the cupcakes for a moment before snatching one. "Fine, but only because you brought cupcakes," she said with a smirk, biting into the treat. Pinkie beamed with delight.

The train continued to wind its way through the mountains, and before long, the familiar towers of Canterlot came into view. Rainbow’s wings fluttered a bit with anticipation, and she sat up straighter, watching the grand city come closer. She might complain about the formalities, but she did love the excitement of visiting the capital. Even if it wasn’t a Wonderbolts show, there was always something cool to see.

"Looks like we’re almost there," Applejack remarked, stretching as she stood. "Y’all ready?"

Rarity nodded, delicately adjusting her mane. "Indeed, darling. A visit to Canterlot is always a marvelous affair. I simply cannot wait to see the Princesses again—and perhaps peruse the latest fashions while we're here." She gave a playful wink, causing Applejack to roll her eyes fondly.

Twilight stood as well, tucking her notes away. "Alright, girls, let’s be on our best behavior. This might be more than just a casual visit, so be prepared for anything."

Rainbow groaned inwardly but couldn’t help the small grin forming on her face. "Yeah, yeah. Just as long as I don’t have to drink too much tea."

As the train began to pull into the station, Rainbow looked out the window one last time. Everything was normal, but a flicker of movement caught the corner of her eye. Looking up, her jaw fell and her eyes went wide as a boat-like object zipped above the train and towards the castle. Turning to her friends to tell them about what she saw, the train's wheels suddenly squealed as they came to a halt.

Shaking her head, Rainbow mused that she must have been seeing things. She quickly grabbed her saddle-bag from the above compartment and slid it over herself in front of her wings. After stretching quickly and ruffling her feathers, the prismatic mare trotted after her friends.

When she exited the train, her eyes found the others standing a few meters away. Upon approaching, the group began to set off. However, even as they did so, a nagging feeling was creeping at the back of her mind. Her eyes, which were enhanced due to her biology, saw the ponies nearby whispering and gesturing towards the sky. She even saw a guard squad galloping through a nearby street in the same direction they were headed.

Trotting towards the newly crowned Princess of Friendship, Rainbow leaned in for a whisper. "Twi, something is wrong."

It was here that the group realized everyone else on the street was making their way in the same direction. Guards were intermingled here and there, and a few of them pushed civilians out of the way as they tried to get through.

"What the--" Rainbow felt somepony suddenly slam into her side, nearly causing her to topple over. She heard the culprit cry out an apology, but it went unheard by Rainbow as she watched the guardspony mare who shoved the civilian in the first place shouting for ponies to move. An uneasy feeling entered Rainbows gut, and she instinctively moved closer to her friends.

"What they hay is going on?" Applejack spoke with a loud tone in order to be heard over the crowd. By this point, the street was nearly full of curious canterlonians. Rainbow turned to Twilight.

"Twi, do you know another way to the castle?"

Twilight was about to answer, but before she could, the group found themselves come across a wall of ponies. Muttering and whispering could be heard, and the occasional shout to 'get back' caused ponies to shuffle away.

"Rainbow, see what the commotion is!" The Pegasus gave a salute and took to the air. She only went up about two dozen feet, but upon leveling out and seeing what the hold-up was, her jaw dropped for the second time that day.

The strange boat-like object was sitting in front of the gates of the castle, and about twelve bipedal creatures in strange garments stood around and inside it. Their ears were pointed like knives, and their skin was a dark blue hue. Strange spears were held in their hands or over their backs, and all of them wore armour.

Shaking her head, Rainbow noticed a line of royal guards holding the civilians back from the foreigners. Having seen enough, she zipped towards the ground, causing Rarity to jump slightly in fright.

"Sorry Rares. Twilight, you’re not gonna believe this," she started, a little out of breath. "There’s a bunch of weird creatures at the castle gates—blue skin, pointy ears, and they’re armed to the teeth. I’ve never seen anything like ‘em!"

Twilight’s eyes widened with concern, and she immediately scanned the crowd, her mind undoubtedly racing to process the information. "Blue skin and pointy ears?" she echoed. "I've read about that somewhere..." Her voice trailed off as she turned to Rarity and Applejack, who both wore matching expressions of worry.

"Hey, lets just find a way to the castle, I'm sure the Princess will know what's up!" Pinkies jovial tone caused the group to perk up once more.

"Alright, we need to move quickly. Applejack, you're with me at the front, Rainbow, watch our backs. Pinkie, Fluttershy, Rarity—stay in the middle. Let's go girls!' Twilight led the way, the crowd parting at the sight of her determined stride." Twilight walked forward, and those who say her parted with ease. Mutters of 'the Princess?' and other remarks of surprise followed them. As they grew closer to the front, Rainbows nerves grew worse. Something was up with those weird creatures, she knew it.

Finally, all that stood between them and the castle was the line of guards.

"Princess Twilight Sparkle?" A guard at the front exclaimed in surprise, his posture slackening as he saw the rest of the group appear.

"We need to get into the castle sir, can you get someone to escort us there?" Rainbow looked at Twilight in surprise. It seems that in an unsure situation, her friend knew how to take control. A swell of pride for her friend entered her chest, and she stood slightly taller. With all her friends, nothing could get in their way.

"Right away Princess." The guard saluted and called for a Sergeant. An older guard who had been standing near one of the Elves quickly trotted over.

"What is it Private Squall?" The Sergeant's gruff voice caused Rainbow to snap away from the beings. Their glowing eyes scanning the crowd with cold detachment. Even the air around them seemed heavier, as if the very atmosphere resented their presence. Ponies whispered nervously, and Rainbow’s gut twisted tighter with every passing second she stood there. Finally, the Sergeant picked two spare guards and told the group to follow them.

As they trotted past and got closer to the beings, Rainbow shivered. It was an unnatural feeling as those beings seemed to stare into her very soul. Her fearful eyes scanned them, and her instincts told her to get away as fast as she could. One of the beings eyes seemed to widen under its helm and it gestured to one of its fellows. Rainbow followed its gesture and realized it was pointing at Twilight.

Eyes widening, she trotted ahead to stand beside her friend, shielding her from their view. The beings eyes switched to her, and she cringed away as their scowls seemed to deepen. The six ponies and three guards were left alone, but Rainbow did not let out the breath she had been holding until the gates had closed behind her.

*****

"--the castle gardens are being overrun with ghastly wildflowers. I demand that you immediately allocate royal funds to remove these unsightly weeds and restore the gardens to their former glory. Why, just this morning, I spotted a daisy growing amongst the roses! Simply unacceptable!"

Celestia sighed, gazing out the window. The sun was above the castle at the moment, casting some interesting shadows outside. Why, at some point she thought she saw one of those shadows fly past the city in the shape of a boat! Absurd. The pony before her, Duke Highwind, noticed the Princesses lack of attention and gave a rather rude snort.

"Princess, I must implore you to have someone fix this catastrophe!" He stomped his hoof for added dramatic effect. To Celestia's right, Luna yawned.

"Duke Highwind, I will send one of the royal gardeners over to inspect your bushes. I warn you, the price will not be low." Celestia watched as Highwind bowed and said his thanks. Many of the nobles were like this, and it just so happened that the worst of them had their complaints today of all days. Truly she could not wait for Twilight and her friends to arrive.

As the Duke trotted back the way he came, a commotion could be heard just outside the doors. Lighting her horn and connecting to the solar body's power, Celestia deduced it was nearly one o'clock. Twilight should be arriving soon, so she would close day court.

"Hard Hoof, can you inform everyone that Day court is over?" Hard Hoof nodded, but before he could shout his announcement, a guard came running in. He stopped a few feet from the throne and saluted. Raising an eyebrow, Celestia shuffled in her seat.

"Corporal Leaf Runner reporting your highnesses! A delegation of, uh, Dark Elves are here for an audience!" Celestia waved her wing and the guard dropped his salute.

"Looking at her sister, Celestia gave a small nod. Luna shifted in her seat, her starry mane flowing lazily behind her. 'Dark Elves, you say?' Luna's voice was calm, though a hint of surprise lingered in her tone. 'They haven’t been seen for centuries. What could they possibly want now?'

Celestia narrowed her eyes but kept her expression neutral. The Dark Elves were an ancient race, their history intertwined with Equestria's in the distant past, but their people had retreated into isolation long ago. There had been no word from them in generations—until now.

"Corporal," Celestia began, "are they armed?"

"No, Your Highness, save for their guards by the transport. The delegation itself appears to be unarmed. We scanned them and found nothing."

Celestia shared a glance with Luna. Something was off. In the past, The Dark Elves rarely ventured out of their own lands, let alone sent a delegation unannounced. And arriving unarmed? It was unlike them to display such vulnerability, at least intentionally.

"Very well," Celestia said, her tone measured. "Escort them to the throne room. Luna and I will receive them."

The guard saluted once more before leaving to carry out her orders. As the doors closed behind him, Luna leaned closer to her sister. "This all seems… out of place."

Celestia nodded slowly. "I don’t trust this sudden appearance. The timing, their secrecy—it’s too convenient. But we cannot afford to act in haste. We need to learn why they’ve come."

A tense silence settled between the two sisters as they waited, both mentally preparing for the confrontation that lay ahead. Celestia could sense the underlying magic in the air, her connection to the sun alerting her to subtle shifts. Her guards shifted uneasily on their hooves. Something was coming.

Minutes passed before the large double doors to the throne room creaked open. The royal guards stepped aside as the Dark Elf delegation finally entered, their dark cloaks sweeping the marble floor, and their faces concealed beneath ornate hoods. They moved with a fluid grace, their presence demanding attention, yet unnervingly quiet.

The leader stepped forward, pulling back his hood to reveal a sharp-featured face, eyes gleaming with an unreadable expression. He bowed low, though there was no warmth in the gesture.

"Princess Celestia Solaris, Princess Luna Solaris," he began, his voice smooth and carefully controlled. "I am Lord Vorath of the Dark Elven Council. We bring tidings… though I fear they are not of the peaceful kind."

Celestia’s stomach twisted, though she kept her face serene. "Lord Vorath," she greeted, "we welcome you to Canterlot. What news do you bring, and why have you come after so many years of silence?"

Vorath's lips curled into a thin smile, but it didn’t reach his eyes. "We have come to discuss the future of this world, Princess. For you see, there are forces at work that even you may not be fully aware of. Our time of isolation is over, and the Dark Elves have returned to claim what was once ours."

Celestia's heart skipped a beat, her mind racing. Before she could respond, Luna stood, her eyes blazing with sudden intensity. "What do you mean, claim what was yours? Equestria has always been free from your dominion. We were allies when I was but a filly!"

Vorath tilted his head slightly. 'Perhaps, in your time, Princess. But we remember the old ways. And we are here to ensure that history is corrected. Starting today."

"Are you threatening us, Lord Vorath?" Luna's eyes narrowed, her mane seeming to grow darker. The Dark Elf tilted his head slightly as one of his fellows began to walk forward.

"Halt!" Both guardsponies at the throne crossed their spears in the Elf's path, causing him to pause. Slowly, carefully reaching for his hood, the Elf revealed a chiseled face and glowing silver hair. His heard tilted to the side as he regarded the two Alicorns before him. A tense silenced ensued, and the two groups stood facing each other.

Standing warily, the Solar Diarch placed a wing on Luna's back, causing her sister to glance at her in confusion. "Perhaps we can come to some form of agreement that benefits our two parties?" Celestia tried to sound disarming, and a bead of hope burnt to life in her chest as the Elf before her looked pensively to the side. However, before he could speak, the doors at the end of the throne room opened.

"Thank you sirs." The sound of Twilight's voice echoed around the room, causing the two Princess to look up and away from the Dark Elven delegation.

"kyshuf." The Elf mumbled under his breath.

Faster than the wind, the Elf was standing before the guards one moment, and in front of Princess Luna the next. In his grip was a wicked curved blade thirteen inches in length. A microsecond later, the knife was buried in the chest of the Lunar Princess up to the hilt, Runes and blue spirals glowing against her fur.

"W-Wha..." Twisting the blade, the Elf watched as the smaller of the two Alicorns collapsed, her eyes rolling back as her mane ceased to flow.

"LUNA!" Celestia's scream went unheard as the Elf pivoted, ripping the blade free and plunging it into the Solar Diarch's neck. The glow on her horn sputtered and died as she screamed in pain and fell to the ground. The Elf heard cries of terror as the Alicorn's guards were promptly executed in similar fashion. A Sneer crossed his mouth as he looked down at the terror-filled visage of a once mighty being.

"Princess!!" The cry caused Dommick's head to swivel, and he let a Cheshire-like smile spread across his face. The Elements of Harmony, Equestria's mightiest heroes.

"Twilight! RUN!! SAVE YOURSELVES--Hrk!!" Dommick twisted the blade, yanked it out, and quickly stabbed up through her chin, causing the Solar Princess to seize up before going still. The sounds of galloping hooves told Dommick that the six Element bearers were escaping, but he paid them no mind. He knew his soldiers would capture them well before the left the city.

"I, Emperor Dommick Blueblade, have conquered Equestria!" The Emperor rose both his hands into the air. The sounds of explosions and the screams of pony civilians could be heard as the siege commenced in full. He felt like laughing, so he did.

Moving to sit upon his new throne, the Emperor paused upon hearing a hacking wheeze coming from behind him. A playful smile appeared, and he slowly turned to regard the Princess of the Night.

"My, my. You are resilient aren't you?" He stepped forward as the Midnight blue Alicorn tried to rise. Blood spewed from the wound in her chest, spurting with every beat of her heart.

"Y-You wi...will not w...win." She stated. Dommick put a hand on her neck and stroked the soft fur underneath. His smile did not reach his eyes as he raised his dagger. A glint of light reflected from its surface, and that same glint reflected off the eyes of the Princess. Her eyes flicked to her sister, and tears poured forth. Her leg feebly reached out, trying to touch her one last time. The blade came down. Luna's body ceased to move.

"My dear little pony..." Dommick waved his hand, pushing the Lunar Princess from atop the throne and onto the floor below with a thud. He slowly walked back to the single seat before him and sat down with grace and tranquility. His eyes stared forward, and his smile did not leave. Blood poured from Celestia, creating a cascading river down the steps of the throne. Breathing a sigh, Dommick glanced at the Alicorns body before slowly pulling a pitch black orb from inside his cloak. His smile depend into something sinister, his gaze inherently on the strange orb in his grasp.

"I have already won."

*****

Thu-thump...

"Twilight run!! Save Yourselves!!!"

Thu-thump...

"Private? Private can you hear me? Watch ou-!

Thu-thump...

KRACKAKOOM!!!

She stopped, as did her friends. All around her was fire and death. Bipedal beings clashed with pony guards, spears spewed sickly yellow energy. A foal cried for its mother who lay dead in the street. A mare was stripped of her dignity, screaming for help.

"Miss Dash!"

Her breath quickened, her eyes widened, and her pupils contracted. She could hear the thump of her heart, she could smell the burnt bodies and blood. She couldn't take it. She--

"Mrs. Dash, Follow Princess Twilight to the main gate and get to the train station, it's your only way out!!" A Guardstallion yelled at her, and Dash's training at the Wonderbolts academy kicked in.

However, as she began to run once more with her friends, she turned to yell a thank you to the guard. She quickly looked away when she saw him get split nearly in half by a giant axe.

Giving a cry of despair, she looked up and noticed the gate fast approaching. Turning to the girls, she tried to yell over the sounds of battle.

"We're almost to the gate!" She screamed out, causing the others to put on a burst of speed. She ignored a nearby guard screaming in pain, and she jumped over a motionless filly as thought she weren't there. She knew that if she stopped now, she would never be able to move again.

"Alicorn, THERE!!" The sudden yell caused Rainbow's eyes to widen in fear, and she whipped her head around as no less than five of those strange beings gave chase. Her lungs began to burn, and her legs felt like Jelly, but she knew she had to keep going.

The first bolt flew past her and struck Applejack in the leg. Her screams of pain were stopped when a second bolt slammed into her torso, crackling with electricity. Dodging from side to side, she watched hopelessly as Rarity stopped to help their friend but met a similar fate. Rainbow sobbed, her every instinct telling her to both turn and help her friends and run for her life. Fluttershy went next, then Pinkie. Time seemed to slow down for Rainbow and she realized she now had a choice. She was going to pass Twilight any second now, and she knew that the Elves would get her much like they got her friends.

Looking to her right, Rainbow saw a waterfall cascading down the mountain and into the river far, far below. If she could somehow get herself and Twilight over the cliff, they could use their wings to get out of there.

And that was when she felt the most excruciating pain of her entire life.

Electricity crackled up and down the length of her right wing, and she screamed as she tried to regain its control. She saw Twilight pause and eyes widened. If she stood there, they would both be caught!

Thinking quickly, Rainbow dove forward using her left wing to propel her. Twilight had no time to react as Rainbows hooves connected with her side just as a yellow beam slammed into the Prismatic mare's side. She screamed, her vision winking in and out.

Forcing her eyes to stay open, she realized she was alone on the mountain top. Twilight was nowhere to be seen. And Rainbow Dash sighed in relief. She felt hands on her body, and suddenly she was being carried away. Her eyes grew heavy, and the last thing she saw before losing consciousness was a purple speck slowly and spinning towards the base of the mountain.

Music in the Trenches

Author's Note

I wish you all a Merry Christmas!

Until Next time!

P.S The Griffons speak German.

Music in the Trenches

One Year Before Dean's Arrival...

Gus the Griffon was not having a good time. The cold bit at his feathers, seeped in through his coat of fur, and stung his eyes. For three long months he had sat in this trench, and for three long months had the enemy done the same. Snow caked the war torn fields of which they sat, and silence permeated the air.

Gus glanced to his left and saw three of his fellow Griffons sitting idly by a small fire. They shivered, with only one of them having a scarf wrapped around his neck. The one furthest away coughed.

"It's way too bloody cold."

The voice was young, and Gus had no doubt that this was a new recruit brought to the front. His eyes softened, and the older Griffon winced. Such a sorry state they were in. No one talked about it, but the new conscription law put into place was putting a dampener on everyone. Griffons as old as Gus's father, and as young as his fourteen year old son were being forced into service. The reason for this being the Dark Elves and their relentless onslaught. Their technology had been superior, their tactics far above anything the Griffons had seen, but still they continued. The Kaiser and his council had deduced early on that what Gryphonia lacked in firepower, it could make up for in numbers.

Gus turned back towards the enemy entrenchment, and his gaze hardened slightly. The war was at a standstill, with the Elves obviously waiting for something. They had failed time and time again to break the line, and Gus had no doubt they would be trying again very soon.

'If only it wasn't on Eyrie's Accord."

Eyrie's Accord was a special day for all of Griffon-kind. The ponies called it Hearthswarming, and the Yaks called it Snowstomp (typical). Eyrie's Accord marked the founding of the Gryphonian Empire, and the day that all stood in Unity under the Idol of Boreas for the first time. In that Era, the many fiefs and factions sent their leaders to the small town of Eyrie. For months, the snows had killed crops and caused famine. The many became one in an attempt to better the chances of their people. As the last signature was put down, an explosion of magic had burst forth and lit the sky. Thousands witnessed an end to what was predicted to be an eternal winter, and for the first time, all of Griffonkind was united.

Of course, over the centuries, the Empire had broken apart, reformed, and broken again, but through it all, the tradition still stood.

Gus took a moment and reached a claw into his dull gray jacket. His claws fished around for a moment, and he slung his rifle against the edge of the trench in order to get a better grasp. Finding what he was searching for, Gus pulled a picture from an inner pocket.

His wife, son, and baby daughter stared up at him, wide smiles as they looked at the camera. It had cost quite a bit to get the picture taken, but in Gus's mind, it was worth it. He dragged a claw against his wife's face, and a small graced his beak for what felt like the first time in weeks.

A soft sound met his ears, and Gus slowly turned to regard the three Griffons near the fire. He narrowed his eyes, noticing that the young Griffon from before was softly singing under his breath. His voice wavered, timid and uncertain, as though he expected someone to chastise him for it.

Gus tilted his head, his sharp hearing catching fragments of the tune. It wasn’t one he immediately recognized, but it had the unmistakable cadence of an old Gryphonian song. Something nostalgic, from a time before war had become their daily reality.

The older Griffon closest to the fire—the one with the scarf—snorted and shook his head. "What’s that supposed to do?" he grumbled, though his tone was more weary than harsh.

The younger Griffon shrank slightly, his voice faltering for a moment before he resumed. This time, his words were a little clearer, his tone carrying a note of defiance beneath the tremor.

Gus watched, his sharp eyes softening as the young recruit continued. One of the other Griffons, who had been idly poking the fire, finally looked up. His ears twitched, and his beak parted in what could have been surprise--or faint amusement.

“Hey,” the second Griffon muttered, his voice rough but not unkind. “I know that one." He sat back, rubbed his claws together for warmth, and then added his voice to the song. It was scratchy at first, more spoken than sung, but as the notes stretched on, the melody grew steadier.

Gus couldn’t help but feel a pang of something he hadn’t allowed himself in weeks—hope, faint but insistent. He turned his gaze back to the enemy trench, his talons gripping the edges of the picture in his hand.

“They’ll hear you," he muttered, his words barely audible.

The young Griffon faltered, his feathers puffing slightly in embarrassment. But before he could stop, the second Griffon, now emboldened, laughed under his breath. “Let ‘em hear. Maybe they’ll be so moved they’ll surrender."

A snort of laughter escaped the scarf-wearing Griffon despite himself. He rolled his eyes, shaking his head, but after a moment, even he began to hum along, the low tone blending with the growing harmony.

Gus sighed, turning back toward his comrades as the melody began to rise. His talons brushed the edge of the photograph one last time before he tucked it away. With a glance at the fire, he closed his eyes and let a soft hum escape his throat.

The others noticed, but no one said a word. The song grew stronger, the faint beginnings of a chorus echoing softly through the snow-laden trench.

It wasn’t loud enough to reach the enemy. Not yet. But the warmth it brought to the Griffons huddled by the fire—however fleeting—was enough. For the first time in months, Gus felt like the cold couldn’t quite touch them.

As the melody filled the air, Gus found himself mouthing the words he had learned long ago, from his father’s stories of Eyrie’s Accord:

"Raise your voice, Griffons, high,
Wings of Eyrie, touch the sky…"

His voice joined the others, low and steady, carrying a weight that only years of battle could bring. The younger Griffon glanced at him, eyes wide with something almost like gratitude, and Gus gave a small nod in return.

The song swelled in strength, their voices weaving together in imperfect harmony, a patchwork of tones and emotions that spoke of resilience. The melody seemed to hang in the air, carried on the biting wind that swirled through the trench.

The others at the fire sat up straighter, their initial hesitations melting away. The youngest among them, emboldened by the growing strength of the song, raised his voice higher, clear and sure, as if determined to prove he belonged.

Gus felt his chest tighten—not from the cold, but from something far deeper. The words of the song carried memories of a time before this endless war. A time when the stories of Eyrie’s Accord had inspired pride and hope, not the bitter resolve to survive.

Footsteps crunching in the snow caught his attention, and he glanced toward the edge of the trench. A shadow moved there—then another. Gus’s claws instinctively shifted toward his rifle, but the tension ebbed when he saw who it was.

Two more Griffons approached, their feathers dusted with frost and their breaths visible in the freezing air. They paused at the edge of the firelight, their expressions unreadable as they watched the small group.

“What’s this, then?” one of them asked, his voice rough from disuse.

The scarfed Griffon grunted, gesturing with a claw. “Just a song. You remember Eyrie’s Accord, don’t you?”

The newcomer raised an eyebrow, his gaze shifting to the younger Griffon, who was still singing with an intensity that defied his small frame. The older Griffon’s expression softened, and without a word, he stepped closer, his wings rustling as he settled near the fire.

“I remember,” he murmured, and then, as if testing the words, he joined in, his deep baritone adding a new layer to the melody.

The second Griffon who had arrived hesitated, his claws clenching and unclenching at his sides. Finally, with a sigh that carried the weight of exhaustion and perhaps a touch of embarrassment, he added his voice as well.

The song grew louder.

Gus glanced around, noticing other shapes emerging from holes, sleeping quarters, and other sections. Heads peeked over the edges and around corners, their expressions curious, their breathless silence filled with cautious wonder.

One by one, they came closer, drawn by the sound that cut through the oppressive stillness of the battlefield. Griffons of all ages and ranks gathered around the fire, their battered uniforms and weary faces illuminated by the flickering light.

Some joined in immediately, their voices shaky but determined. Others stood on the side, humming softly or simply listening. The song became a beacon, drawing more and more from their frozen solitude, the cold and silence no longer an unbroken barrier.

“Raise your voice, Griffons, high,
Wings of Eyrie, touch the sky.
Through the storm, we’ll find our way,
For Eyrie’s Accord, we sing this day.”

The words rolled through the trenches, reverberating like the echo of a distant dream.

Gus’s voice faltered for a moment as he took it all in--the unity, the defiance. For the first time in months, he felt something he hadn’t dared to consider.

Hope.

And for a brief, fleeting moment, it didn’t matter that the enemy was out there, waiting. It didn’t matter that the war seemed endless.

In that moment, they were Griffons, standing together. And that was enough.

The night only got livelier from there. Other soldiers along the miles of trench line stood and sang in merriment and joy. Wreaths were fashioned from scraps of wood and fallen leaves, and many were set along the top of the trench. One troop of soldiers from northern Gryphonia even brought out an instrument from their home: a bagpipe.

Truly, the spirit of the holiday was with the Gryphons.

*****

Icarus was a younger fellow, a Dark Elf straight from the academy. Him and his friends had thought to themselves that joining the army and crushing the enemies of the Emperor would bring them glory and treasure.

What a fool he was.

They sat in their trenches, clinging to whatever blankets, scarfs, mittens, and other garments they could. They magic spears hurt to touch, their metal bodies frosted over from the intense cold of the Gryphonian winter.

'I wish Rod was still here.' Icarus thought solemnly. Rod had been Icarus' closest friend, and it had nearly broken him when he found half of his dead body, the other half having been vaporized in an artillery strike. It was there that Icarus had realized that this war was not glorious, nor full of adventure and treasure. No, it was Tartarus.

"Glare at the wall any harder and you might melt it." Came a gruff voice from behind him. Rod jumped slightly, but upon hearing Arnie's chuckle, he scowled.

Icarus tightened his scarf and leaned closer to the pitiful fire that flickered in the center of the trench. Arnie, always the joker, gave him a crooked grin and nudged him with an elbow.

The sounds of singing carried over no-elves-land, and Arnie's scowl deepened. Oh, how he wished he was back home. His sister, mother, and father would be sitting around the fire. They would look through the picture books, laugh and sing. All in celebration of the Night of Unity.

Not many Elves celebrated it these days, and even fewer believed in the legends that carried it through the generations. Icarus knew it well, for his mother would read him the story before bed every Unity. She would tell of the Dark Elves and their various groups, how they were split apart and divided. A time of strife and suffering followed, and the Elven lands were bathed in an eternal snow. Mother told how three Elves, Dresdon Graysword, Elmslee the Charmer, and Baron Rutherford, the three rulers of the divided land, met in a small village at the crossroads of their three kingdoms. Their hearts were cold, but for the betterment of their people, and for the continued existence of the Elven race, they would unite under one banner, forming the Elven Republic.

Icarus sighed. He hated the singing from the enemy, because he himself could not participate. They were probably all sitting around a comfortable fire, their smiles breaking the cold that threatened Icarus's own trench. He imagined the food being exchanged, and the lack of care for a single night that a war of devastating proportions was happening at this very moment.

"Icarus, Arnie, come quick!"

Icarus was broken from his reverie as a fellow soldier, nicknamed Mustard by the rest of the battalion for his polished gold coloured armour, ran into his and Arnie's section of the trench.

"What's wrong, Mustard? Are the Griff's attacking?!" Arnie show to his feet and held his spear at the ready.

"No, no! Tomlin's sister snuck to the front! Apparently, she and him are going to play some songs!" Mustered than bolted back they way he came, leaving a baffled Icarus and amused Arnie behind.

"Well, I'd say this is our chance for a bit of home, dontcha' think? I met Tomlin's sister when we were being shipped out, and she was awfully skilled on that harmonica of hers. Come on."

Icarus did not hesitate. He quickly stood, leaving his supplies and weapon on the seat behind him. He followed Arnie, and the two soon came to a wider section of the trench.

"Where's the Commissar?" Icarus asked a fellow to his right. The only response he got was a shrug, so Icarus remained silent.

Icarus and Arnie pushed their way further through the gathered soldiers, their breaths visible in the frigid air. Soldiers sat on crates, leaned against the frozen walls, and huddled together for warmth, their faces a mixture of curiosity and weariness. Icarus' eye's widened upon seeing the mass of bodies and Elven soldiers sitting around. It was as though the entirety of B-Company was gathered in this one spot.

At the center of the crowd stood Tomlin, a wiry young Elf with sharp features and a nervous energy. Beside him was a taller figure, bundled in a thick cloak. As she lowered her hood, the dim light from the flickering fires revealed her pale blue skin and striking, angular features--a mirror of Tomlin’s own. In her hands, she cradled a small wooden harmonica, worn but polished.

“Right, you lot,” Tomlin called out, his voice carrying just enough authority to quiet the murmurs. “This here is my sister, Caila. She’s traveled all the way from the capital to see her idiot brother—and, I suppose, the rest of you as well.”

A few chuckles rippled through the crowd, though the humor was muted by exhaustion. Icarus felt a pang of envy. To see family again… the thought alone felt like a luxury he couldn’t afford.

Caila smiled, her gaze steady despite the sea of faces before her. “Tomlin’s told me about all of you,” she began, her voice soft but clear. “And I’ve heard enough to know you’re not just soldiers, but survivors. Fighters. And tonight…” She paused, holding up the harmonica with a faint smile. “Tonight, we’ll forget the war, just for a little while.”

A wave of murmured agreement swept through the crowd, but it was cut short by the sharp bark of a voice.

“What is this insubordination?”

The crowd parted like a wave as the Commissar approached, his black armor gleaming even in the dim light. His piercing gaze swept over the gathered soldiers, lingering briefly on Tomlin and Caila. “This is not a tavern, nor is it a festival. You are soldiers of the Empire, and this… display is unbecoming.” he raised an arm halfheartedly, though it did not have the intended effect.

A tense silence followed, the weight of his words settling over the group like a leaden shroud. Icarus felt his heart sink. Of course, they couldn’t have even a moment of reprieve. War didn’t allow it.

“Commissar,” Caila said, stepping forward with surprising calm. “I understand your concern, but morale is as vital as rations on the front lines. Let me play one song...just one. And if you think it a waste of time, I’ll leave immediately.”

The Commissar’s gaze flicked between her and the assembled soldiers. For a moment, Icarus thought he might deny her outright. But then, the man’s rigid expression softened, just a fraction, and he gave a curt nod.

“One song,” he said gruffly. “But make it count.”

Caila inclined her head, the barest hint of a smile gracing her lips. As the Commissar stepped back, she raised the harmonica to her lips and began to play.

The first notes were soft, almost hesitant, but they carried a haunting melody that echoed through the trench like a whisper from another time. The soldiers fell silent, their breath visible in the cold air as they listened.

Tomlin joined in with a quiet, steady hum, his voice blending seamlessly with the harmonica’s tune. Others followed, one by one, until the air was filled with a harmony that seemed to defy the biting cold and the weight of the war.

The song they sang was an old one, known across the Empire as The Binding Frost. Its lyrics told the tale of the three leaders who had come together in the harshest of winters, their unity bringing warmth and salvation to their fractured people.

“Through frost and flame, we rise as one,
The battle fought, heralding the sun.
In darkest night, our bond shall hold,
Together we stand, both brave and bold.”

The melody swelled, each voice adding to the tapestry of sound. Icarus felt a lump rise in his throat as he joined in, his voice shaky at first but growing stronger with each verse.

The Commissar stood at the edge of the group, his arms crossed, but even he seemed moved. His rigid posture relaxed slightly, and though his face remained impassive, there was a softness in his eyes that hadn’t been there before.

As the final notes of the harmonica faded into the night, a hush fell over the trench. For a brief moment, the war felt distant--a shadow on the edge of their shared light.

Caila lowered the harmonica, her breath visible as she looked out at the gathered soldiers. “Thank you,” she said simply.

The crowd didn’t cheer. It didn’t need to. The warmth that lingered in the air was enough.

And then, from the distance, faint but unmistakable, came another sound.

Music.

It wasn’t anyone from their lines--it was the Griffons. Their bagpipes carried across no-elf’s-land, their own melody weaving through the night like a thread of fragile hope. The song was familiar, and it wasn't just Icarus who recognized it. born from the Night of Unity. Glancing around, he to saw the shocked faces. Where had the Griffons learned 'The Flame of Unity'?

For a moment, Icarus thought he might be dreaming. But no, it was real. The same melody played. He felt something in the air; magic, he deduced. Something was compelling him to sing, but Tomlin beat him to it. When a lull in the music entered, Tomlin began to sing.

'When frost and shadow gripped the land,
And hope was slipping through our hands,
Three hearts divided, cold as stone,
Stood at the edge, but not alone.'

A tense silence descended, and Icarus feared they had drawn the attention of the Griffons. Any second now, Icarus would hear the war cries as they rushed over the edge of the trench, their bayonets fixed, and their foreign words piercing the sky.

It never came.

The bagpipes started once again, and a collective sight of relief swept the assembled Elves. Tomlin continued to sing.

'The flame of unity, it burns bright and true,
Guiding the lost, bringing strength anew.
Though storms may shatter, and darkness descend,
Together we’ll rise, our bonds never bend.'

The voice of the Elven soldier, and music of the bagpipes worked in tandem, like a beating heart. The chords of the song struck the assembled soldiers, and a fiery passion ignited in their chests. Other hummed, and everyone had a smile, but all watched as Tomlin grabbed a torch sitting to his right.

Slowly, still singing and with the bagpipes backing him up, Tomlin slowly scaled the hastily made wooden stairs. He stood tall and proud, turning to face his fellow Elves has he continued to belt out the song at the top of his lungs. His voice, and the harmony of the music never once faltered.

'The flame of unity, it burns bright and true,
Guiding the lost, bringing strength anew.
Though storms may shatter, and darkness descend,
Together we’ll rise, our bonds never bend.'

The song finally ended, and every Elf stared up at Tomlin in shocked silence. His chest heaved from the singing, but his smile slowly fell upon seeing the faces below him.

Before so much as a word, order, or thought could be passed, thunderous applause echoed through the night. A few whoops and hollers followed suit. Tomlin turned, facing the lines of Griffon soldiers who stood, weaponless along their trenches. A few sat upon the banks, and many held smiles of their own.

The bagpiper, a graying, heavily muscled Griffon, adjusted his rig and began the process. Icarus stepped forward and peeked over the edge; many others following suit as the music began. They instantly recognized the song as 'Come Stand Together.'

The first section of the music was played, but Tomlin did not sing. There was an awkward silence that followed, and many elves began to mutter to each other. Icarus tensed, preparing for the worst once again. Perhaps Tomlin was afraid of offending them with the different language, or perhaps he had gotten stage fright.

(To the Cadence of 'Oh Come, all Ye Faithful)

'Through the storms and endless winter,
Hearts grew cold, the world turned gray.
Yet from darkness, hope was kindled,
Guiding light to show the way.'

Tomlin's piercing voice broke the quiet once again, causing everyone to jump. However, it seemed to bagpiper was ready, and after only a slight hesitation, began playing anew.

Icarus was in awe, and he felt the urge to stand and walk with his fellow elf. Looking left and right, he noticed others held the same sentiment. In a moment of courage, Icarus was the first to slowly climb out of the trench and stand to his full height. He noticed a Griffon on the other side do the same, followed by another and another. Icarus heard his fellows following his lead, and they slowly began to walk behind Tomlin, who had not stopped singing.

'Three great hearts with wisdom guided,
Set their pride and pain aside.
For their people, lands united,
Peace and strength redefined.

Come, stand together,
Bound in strength forever,
Raise our voices, never falter,
Raise our voices, never falter,
Raise our voices, never falter,
Unity will see us through.

Through the frost, we found each other,
Forged a bond no force can break.
Now we carry forth their banner,
For our future’s hope’s own sake.

Come, let us stand together,
Bound in strength forever,
Raise our voices, never falter,
Raise our voices, never falter,
Raise our voices, never falter,
Unity will see us through.

Come, let us stand together,
For the land we treasure.
Side by side, now and forever,
Unity will see us through.'

The song was finished; silence reigned across the land once again. Snow had begun to fall at some point, the little flakes twinkling in the firelight of the torches. The two sides stood naught but two meters apart. Icarus saw every detail on the Griffon across from him. The weary look, the scar across his right eye, and his red-tinged plumage clashing with the brown. Some wore helmets, some wore caps or just scarves.

Icarus gulped, and could only watch as the Bagpiper and Tomlin regarded each other with warm smiles. He noticed the Commissar pushing his way to the front, and also noticed a Griffon with an odd headdress doing the same on their side. What was about to happen could define their two cultures, and Icarus could only pray that cooler heads prevailed.

*****

Gus did not know how the Elves were familiar with songs from their heartland, but he did not care. Pride swelled in the hearts of everygriff present, and he knew that something truly special was taking place. He did not understand their versions of 'Wings of Harmony' or 'The Accords Melody,' but he and everybody else paid that no mind as well.

Gus could only watch as their kommandant strode forward, his few metals clinking as he stepped up beside Guzzy the Piper. The Elf that had caused this all stood before them, and Gus watched as their leader, wearing a black trenchcoat, jackboots, and oddly enough, a Schirmmütze. It was amusing that their Kommandant and the Elvish leader had a similar taste in wardrobe.

He, along with the Elf directly across from him, watched as their leaders exchanged words. Gus couldn't hear a word, but after a few tense moments, the two shook, claw and hand. In their own languages, they addressed their troops.

"Soldaten des Imperiums! Wir halten jetzt bis morgen früh um acht einen Waffenstillstand mit diesen Elfen!" (Soldiers of the Empire! We now hold a truce with these Elves until eight tomorrow morning!)

"Warriors of the Elven Empire, we have agreed to a ceasefire until eight-o'clock tomorrow morning!"

The echo of their voices seemed to leave a void to fill, and neither side really knew what to do. Looking down the line, Gus felt compelled to step forward. Without hesitation, he did so. He felt dozens of eyes on him, but he was determined to do what was right.

The Elf ahead of him did the same, and the two met in the middle. Neither said a word, and Gus slowly reached into his pocket. He saw the Elf tense up slightly, but upon slipping the photo from his pocket, the biped seemed to relax.

"Das ist meine Familie. Meine wundervolle daughter, mein Sohn and meine liebevolle waife." his english was broken, and Gus unternally winced at his butchered pronunciation. He felt the Elf gently grasp his photo, and he watched as it smiled at the photo. After merely a second of analyzing, the Elf slowly handed it back.

"This is... This is uh, Wunder--er wunderbar?" He raised an eyebrow. Gus chuckled and nodded. The Elf smiled brightly and turned to look between the Griffons and his fellow soldiers. "Wunderbar! My friends, this is wonderful! Ha, ha! Wunderbar!"

A cheer rose among the two sides, and they both stepped forward. Gus couldn’t help but feel a warmth spread through his chest that no fire could replicate. For the first time in months, the oppressive weight of war seemed to lift, if only for this fleeting moment. Griffons and Elves mingled, their differences forgotten in the camaraderie of shared songs, stories, and smiles.

Gus watched as the younger Griffons introduced themselves to Elven recruits, the language barrier bridged by gestures and the universal language of good-natured laughter. An older Griffon handed a strip of dried meat to an Elf, who reciprocated with a small tin of preserved fruit. Nearby, a makeshift game of hoofball had begun, the soldiers cheering as the ball skidded across the snow.

The Elf who had admired Gus’s photo turned back to him, a thoughtful expression on his face. “Maybe,” the Elf began slowly, his broken Griffonian thick but his tone sincere, “one day, no...war. Just... this.”

Gus blinked, the simple words striking deeper than he expected. He glanced down at the photograph in his talons, his family’s smiling faces looking back at him. “Ja,” he murmured, nodding slowly. “un day.”

For a moment, the two stood in silence, watching their comrades laugh and play as if they weren’t surrounded by trenches and the threat of death. The snow continued to fall gently, dusting their uniforms and softening the harsh lines of the battlefield.

As the makeshift game grew more energetic, Gus noticed a young Elf and a Griffon working together to repair a torn ball. The sight made him smile. Perhaps, if only for this night, there was a glimmer of hope for something better.

“Frohe Eyries Zustimmung,” Gus said softly, raising his talons in a simple gesture of goodwill.

The Elf hesitated, then mirrored the gesture with a smile. “Happy Night of Unity.”

And for the first time, amidst the cold and chaos, there was warmth on the battlefield. Two sides of a war, brought together not by orders or strategy, but by the shared desire to be more than enemies.

For one magical night, the trenches became a place of unity, not division, and the echoes of their laughter and songs carried through the snow, a reminder that even in the darkest times, the light of understanding could still shine.