Six hours and forty-five minutes. That's how long it took to lose 26.4 miles worth of ridge. Nightmare Ridge, a 'strong-hold' for NLR strength in the West. Now most of it is rubble and what isn't is now flying Solar Empire banners. Bodies litter the ground. The Republic has it's back to the wall. No escape. Though they were trained to situations like this and to never surrender, others thought more for their lives than the Republic's being. The Solar Wrath is the platoon in charge of this horrific
onslaught. And they take no prisoners. " We have to think of something." said a Lunar Soldier to nopony in particular. "I got it!" said a pony jumping up and down excitedly. "How about we give up huh? That always work!" He was met with a mass a glaring eyes. Then a split-second silents was broken by a loud smack and the sound of a helmet hitting a rock. Some of the soldiers look up to see that 'brilliant' little trooper has a bright red hoof-mark on the side of his face. "Don't you ever say or even think that again. And let that be a lesson to ya-to all of ya!" said a veteran, by the looks of him and his uniform, he was of high rank. Maybe a Brigadier. "Now listen to me. I'll get us out of here. We've been in situations like this in the past and we've gotten out of them somehow. And we can do it again. Now, anypony know our numbers?" He looked around at all the weary, broken soldiers and on stood up after he put away a book he had. "I'd say roughly around a hundred sir." The vet. seemed to have a grim look on his face. "I see. What's your name son?" He cleared his throat. "Shielding, Private Second-Class sir." Shielding announced.
The old war pony shook the private's hoof. "Nice to meet ya, you can call me Ol' Iron Side." "Iron Side sir? Like-" "Yes like Fort Iron Side. Now you know where the rest of the army is private?" Shielding point to a large hill. "Over there sir. That's where most of us came from. We had the order to fall back here but I guess the rest of them must have gotten blocked off." Iron Side glances over at the hill. "Okay, well the only thing I can think of is for us to head back up there and regroup. Maybe we could come up with some kind of counter against them." The soldiers all stood up slowly. They didn't want to go up there, but what else is there to do? "Alright. Are we agreed? Good now let's get movin'." So they all hurried to the hill. On the other side of the ridge, in a tent next to a small pond, a small party was gathered. Cider jugs were raised. "A toast! To another victory for Wrath!" said a thunderous voice of a pony in charge. "Yes I do believe that Celestia we be happy with these results. A big part of Rebel territory under our control with minimum casualties." said a mare with a large scare across her cheek. The whole tent cheered and chugged down their cider. Suddenly a young colt with slightly lighter armor comes in and salutes. "Ah you're back. So," said the commanding officer said putting an arm around the colt's neck. " what's the news from the front?" "Uh, well sir it seems that there's a small group of NLR forces moving up on Hill 098." He looked puzzled. "Hill what?" The colt sighed. "That really big hill out there sir!" "Oh!" He started laughing. "Well let them try! They know it's hopeless to fight back now." He takes another swig of cider. "But I must admit, they are a tough bunch. This war hasn't been easy. I'll em' that much at least." "Now Commander, don't get let them sneak up on us. We lighten up or start celebrating before it's really over. It will come back on us." said the Cartographer while he was looking at the map. "Don't worry your pretty little head about it we have this battle in the bag. After this we just basically a straight march and the East is ours once again." The Cartographer rolled his eyes. "098 is a pretty big vantage point. And we are attacking uphill-which is a choice I strongly disagree with. We are taking more loses on the one hill. Sir." The Commander just continues to sip is drink while everypony else in the tent has a slight look of worry on their face. Back to Iron Side and Shielding, them and the rest of the band hides away in some tall bushes. "Everypony got the plan?" Iron Side asked. They all nodded. "Alright, good luck private." he said as five other ponies and himself file out of the bushes and towards the enemy. "You too sir. Alright, let's go we got a job to do!"
Hill 098; Nightmare Ridge 2:08pm
Nightmare Ridge (Introduction)
"Dear Diary,
Celestia's forces are pushing fast. Now you'd think that we would have the Ridge fortified by now-no. After our General, and I mean our General, was assassinated, we have this new pony. I mean, he's still basically a colt. He's been making so many mistakes....of course I can't say anything about it though. But because of him we've been taking so many casualties. I actually think the Empire knows that he's dumb. I don't know if I'll survive this one Diary. We can't go back any further. Behind us is ocean, in front, an onslaught of shiny golden ponies. If I make it then well, I just wait to what other hell hole he's gonna send me to. If I don't then I hope my family the best without me. Possibly the last time Diary, this is Private Shielding signing off."
" Dear Diary,
Finally, I have good news to give you. It looks like the traitors will be stopped here. We have them trapped, they have no chance of escaping from sea either. We have ships coming in from the East and their fleet isn't around for miles. Don't get me wrong, they have a good navy but not even their ships are fast enough to make it from half way across the world. But anyway, I must cut this short, we must keep the momentum going and on our side. You understand. With respect, Private Zee."
Nightmare Ridge 12:46pm
