Brother's Lament

Chapter 15: Back to work

One Thousand years ago

It was the third month into one of the coldest winters of the war, a village taken by Lunar Republic soldiers were holding out against the Solar Empire advance, the Solar soldiers dug in on the tree line that broke into open ground, the battle became known as ‘Crimson snow’ for the snow that would become covered in the blood of pony kind. The soldiers had been weathering cannon fire from the Lunar Republic strong points, many stallions died from the cannon fire, many more came to reinforce them, among the tree-line of the Solar Empire fox-holes and trenches, Warsong was briefing a lieutenant who was to lead the attack to take the village giving the officer a chance to earn his next rank if things went well.

“You got about a mile of open field to cross before you get into the village, now there is very little cover so you have to move quickly. We have Pegasus support to keep their flyers busy, but at the beginning of the fight they will give covering fire with crossbows but they only have one shot so make their cover fire count. We have a battalion moving in from the east now that is a distraction the point is that you have got to move fast, get in there before they can bring their cannons to bare on you, clear?” When the lieutenant nodded Warsong stood saying “Now I’m relying on you, get it done” before he left.

When the mission began the sound of flapping wings and soaring Pegasi filled the air as the flyers took to the air carrying cross bows in their hooves, dodging and weaving blasts of magic from the ground below they returned fire with their crossbows, dropping the weapons to the ground below when they’re bolt was spent just before the Lunar Republic flyers came to meet them, both sides had special contraptions attached to the front of their wings where the muscles were located, these contraptions unfolded a blade when they’re wings were held straight, this was their main mode of fighting in the air, both sides engaged in deadly aerial combat.

The Unicorn and Earth pony soldiers began to charge into the open ground, hundreds of ponies trotting through the thick snow unable to gallop, deadly beams of magic flew at them, one soldier next to the lieutenant took a bolt to the head killing him instantly, as he fell to the ground yells to ‘Keep moving!’ were shouted by the sergeants, explosions began to erupt around the soldiers as the cannons began to fire the sergeant of one of the platoons spotted Luna republic soldiers taking cover in a shed, he led his platoon to the shed charging the magic in his horn before an earth pony bucked the door open, firing his magic into the shed several times to kill the ponies inside.

The lieutenant slowed to a halt as he looked around “Wait where is Sergeant Folly? Where the hell s first platoon? Hold up!” he ordered in confusion the soldiers stopped and dove low to avoid magical bolts, the whistle of cannons flying in the air Warsong saw the soldiers stopping, yelling at the top of his lungs “Will you move!? Get out of there! Move!” But he wasn’t using the Royal Canterlot voice

The Lieutenant yelled “Find some cover!” as the explosions of cannon fire began to increase around them, diving behind large hay bales which were covered in snow the Lieutenant called his horn operator over “Get Sergeant Folly on the line!” the horn operater had a black box on his back which held magical properties, it was connected to a device that was placed on the horn of the Unicorn. “Easy red six do you read?” spoke the horn operator, his magic glowing on his horn “Go ahead” spoke a unicorn in first platoon as they took cover behind the shed “Stand by for the El-Tee” came the reply, the unicorn handed it to the sergeant who placed the horn device over his horn to be met with the yelling of the lieutenant “Folly you get back here where I can see you goddess damnit!” removing the horn device the Lieutenant began to call “Fall back!” Warsong calling from the tree line “Go forward!”

First platoon trotted to meet up with the Lieutenant as he was shouting “Fall back!” becoming clearly distressed “What is the plan Lieutenant!?” asked the Sergeant as the Lieutenant was becoming distressed, taking his helmet off “I don’t know! I don’t know!” The sound of yelling came from the horn device as the horn operator winced, Warsong being on the other end “You better get Thorn onto that line to me now”

The yells of the soldiers around the lieutenant was not helping “What is the plan Lieutenant?” The Horn operator wanting to hand the horn device over to the Lieutenant “It’s General Warsong sir!” The lieutenant tried to regain his composure “Alright Folly! You take your platoon on a flanking mission around the village and attack it from the rear!” The sergeant was dumbfounded by this order “You want us to go around and attack the village by ourselves!?” The lieutenant replied with “We will provide unicorn supressing fire!” a thumping sound to the Lieutenants right made him look to see a Solar Empire Pegasus had fallen, barely alive with his back broken from the fall and a gash around his throat.

“We’re going to be alone out there Lieutenant! and our Pegasi are getting overrun!” the sound of a hoof stomping behind them made them turn to see Warsong standing there in his full armour “Lieutenant you are relieved of your duties, I will be taking command now, first platoon on me!”

Warsong led the group of ten ponies through the open ground from cover to cover, blocking magical bolts and cannon fire with a shield he had erected around the front, leading them to the take cover by one of the buildings of the village, the other soldiers who were in cover began advancing again, the Lieutenant remained where he stood, his composure dissolving as a cannon shot exploded in front of him.

***

One Thousand Years later

“I don’t see why I have to see my parents now” Bass Rhythm whined from under the covers of his bed having slept through the day after staying awake through the night with Luna for the past two days, the last day of their leave was today and they’d be leaving for the training camp at first light tomorrow, the sun was once more setting as the moon began to take it’s place among the sky “I believe it’ll be a good idea for your parents to meet your fillyfreind and their relative from a thousand years ago, they’ll be on their best behaviour if Luna is there” Warsong used his magic to remove the blanket from his nephew “Come on drink a coffee, take an aspirin and wake the buck up” Bass grumbled something underneath his pillow before he got up “Only if you make the coffee” to which Warsong replied by placing a steaming mug of the bitter liquid on Bass’ night stand

“I took the liberty of making you a cup, it’s my special brew I used when I was on the front-lines. It can keep you up for a week; use that time to complete your growing pile of paperwork waiting for you at the training camp.” Bass groaned loudly “I thought I was done with collage and highschool...” he took a sip from the coffee and spluttered “This tastes like liquid doody! What did you put in it!?” Warsong simply shrugged “Coffee for soldiers wasn’t great a thousand years ago it shouldn’t be great for them now, drink your medicine and shut up” Bass Rhythm grudgingly drank the stank brew and took an aspirin afterward, his suit was given to him and he took a shower before putting it on “Princess Luna will be going dressed formally herself go meet her in her quarters, I’ll be there soon.”

Bass Rhythm trotted up the spiral steps, his magic placing his spectacles over his eyes when he entered Luna’s bedroom, his eyes fell upon the mistress of the night, his jaw dropped and his spectacles moved down his nose to show his shocked eyes the Princess wore a dark blue dress it seemed almost transparent with several small diamonds dotting it’s surface, some of the diamonds formed several constellations accurately, the dress looked similar to her hair in the sense of its material and flow over her figure. Seeing his expression she couldn’t help but blush slightly “It’s the current fashion this month for spring wear” Warsong soon joined Bass Rhythm wearing a military uniform with several medals and ribbons donning his chest, looking at Luna his gazed moved down to his student, closing his mouth for him and pushed his spectacles back up his nose with his magic he rolled his eyes “Let’s go”

As they sat in the carriage being pulled by Solar Guard Pegasus on overtime Bass removed a pack of gum from his jacket pocket popping two pieces in his mouth to chew on Warsong frowned as he sat across from Bass Rhythm who sat next to Luna “Why are you chewing on gum now?” Bass Rhythm shrugged “If I’m going to quit smoking I need something to keep the cravings down, I’m chewing special nicotine quitting gum, I even have the patch” Warsong shook his head in disdain before they arrived finally to the home of Bass’ parents.

It was a simple home inside a suburb near the outskirts of the city when they arrived Bass Rhythm stepped out, helping Luna out like a gentlecolt while Warsong followed after, they were met by a blue Pegasus with long blonde hair and green eyes, she had a beautiful face and a slender body with the cutiemark of a dress on her flank to show her modelling talent. She was followed by a grey unicorn with orange hair and orange eyes, he had a musical symbol on his flank, both ponies had smiles on their faces “Welcome! Please come in! I’m Velvet Gown and this is Jazz Rhythm” said Bass Rhythms mother introducing herself and her husband as they welcome both Warsong and Luna warmly but seemed to ignore Bass Rhythm completely.

Harmonic Rhythm came outside after the others stepped in, hugging her younger brother tightly before welcoming him into their foalhood home, smelling the air brought scents of Bass’ past back to him, remembering his time living in this home, then remembered the emotionally painful experience of living in this home, wanting to instantly have a cigarette between his lips to calm his nerves, Bass Rhythm spat his gum into the bin when he entered the kitchen, smelling his mother’s cooking made him calm down, the mare may have been a model but she knew how to cook, having aged a bit now she now advised and trained models and even began designing her own line of clothes though she had no hoof in the actual sowing of the clothing just the creative side.

His mother was at the stove, stirring a pot with a spoon in her teeth “Need any help with the cooking mom?” he asked softly behind the mare “No that is fine, go somewhere else please” Bass’ ears lowered as he left the kitchen slowly making his way into the living room where Warsong and the others sat listening to one of his old war stories, Bass Rhythm heard them all and could figure out how bad the fighting really was, taking a seat next to Luna who smiled at him, he finished listening to Warsongs story “Also your son Bass here put up a good fight against Prince Blueblood a couple months back” Bass Rhythm smiled weakly “It wasn’t that great I mean I was just a novice with the sword back then I –“ He was interrupted by his father though “Yes of course, I’m sure it must have been lovely though I remember you got your flank handed to you by the good prince. It’ll teach you to pick fights with those clearly more skilled than you.”

Bass Rhythms teeth clenched and started to grind together, lowering his face so the shadows of his bangs covered his face, a black cloud formed over his head, lightning spouted from it angrily before it was blown away by a light exhale from Princess Luna who placed her hoof over his, calming the stallion who could have struck out of anger, Warsong was looking at Bass with half closed eyes that narrowed as he looked at his students body language, a plan forming in his mind to carry out later, Harmonic however was looking at Bass with a look of pity and self-loathing Warsong decided to break the sudden silence that was caused by Jazz Rhythms statement “In any case, many of the medals and ribbons I wear now don’t exist today, Princess Celestia saved them for me by having them stored in the treasury.”

The conversation continued on uninterrupted, Bass Rhythm remain silent the entire time until dinner was ready, taking a seat on one side of the table he sat next to Luna while Warsong sat on the otherside of Bass Rhythm at the head of the table while Harmonic sat next to him then Velvet Gown and then Jazz Rhythm sitting opposite Warsong, healthy helpings were served out to everypony but Bass Rhythm getting a small amount usually the unfavourable portions. Warsongs eyes moved around the table at all the ponies, seeing Luna trying to contain herself as anger boiled beneath the surface, Bass Rhythm looked depressed, small hints of tears staining his spectacles as he kept his face and eyes hidden beneath his mane, the tension at the table could have been cut with a knife.

Warsong closed his eyes, he had not touched his food as everyone seemed to be half way through their meals, his horn glowed with his magic as his own plate and Bass’ lifted into the air and switched, Bass getting Warsongs food. His parents noticed, Jazz speaking up “I’m sorry Warsong but why did you change your food with…The unicorns food?” Warsong gritted his teeth before the plate was thrown at the Jazz Rhythm, missing him by a millimetre to hit the wall behind him, the larger stallion rose to his hooves planting his forehooves on the table his eyes opened to reveal them glowing pure white as his magic brightened on his horn.

“HAVE YOU NO SHAME!? HAVE YOU NO LOVE FOR YOUR SON!?” Warsongs voice boomed like thunder as he used the Royal Canterlot Voice “HOW DARE YOU! HOW DARE YOU! YOU CALL YOURSELVES PARENTS!? YOU ARE NOT WORTH THE DIRT BENEATH MY HOOVES!” He was joined by Princess Luna as thunder and lightning seemed to boil outside “THEE HAS NO RESPECT OR LOVE FOR OUR LOVER AND THUS WE HAVE NO RESPECT OR LOVE FOR THEE.” The two parents seemed to cower as they were battered by the assault of the two ponies, Warsong turned on Harmonic “AND YOU HAVE NO SELF RESPECT OR TRUE LOVE FOR YOUR BROTHER, IF YOU DID YOU WOULD SPEAK OUT AGAINST THIS INJUSTICE” Bass Rhythm watched in shocked silence as the two powerful ponies battered his family with accusations and pointing out their wrongs.

When the two finally calmed down the storm outside started to dissipate Warsong looked to the mess he made before from throwing the plate at the wall he made his way into the kitchen for a cloth “I will clean the mess up” Bass Rhythm looked at his family who were slowly raising from their passive positions his father was the first to speak, brushing himself off “Bass…I think we need to have a proper talk” he made his way into the living room with his wife and daughter, followed soon after by his son and his fillyfreind “We will watch and make sure that thee has learnt thy lesson” Bass’ mother decided to speak up this time “I believe we have your highness, listen Bass we only ever wanted the best for you, and we went out of our way to give you the best and make sure you became the best, when you went down the path of a DJ, me and your father both felt that you spat in our faces by not figuratively flying as high as you could”

Luna shook her head “It is understandable that thee wants the best for thy son but has thee ever heard of the story of Inclement? He was an earth pony who invented wings to try and fly like a Pegasus but when he flew to close to the sun the wings melted and he fell to the ground to be hospitalised for weeks. We know because we were there.” Bass Rhythm raised a hoof “I appreciate your input Princess Luna but I wish to speak with my parents and sister” Luna looked towards the stallion for a moment before bowing her head “As thee wishes.” Bass Rhythm smiled lovingly at the Alicorn

“Mother, Father, Sister, I love you all and I will not stop loving you but I made my own personal choice as an independent being to become a DJ and I don’t regret that choice and I never will. I became the singer, and musician you both wanted, in my own way but I do not appreciate the cold shoulder and grudge you’ve held for me for all these years. If you want to do the right thing, support me and my decision much like my sister has.” His mother and father looked at each other before the father nodded, his mother smiled at Bass Rhythm as she trotted over to a small case before opening it to reveal every record and album Bass Rhythm has ever made along with all of his merchandise, every piece having been autographed by him “We’ve been supporting you in our own way too.”

Bass Rhythm stared at the ‘shrine’ of his career “No wonder Harmonic always had me sign two of everything that she brought to me” He looked at his parents in a new light “Why the terrible treatment?” Jazz Rhythm decided to speak up “Because we wanted you to continue to strive to be better to try and impress us and make us proud when in truth you already have. I think now that you’re not a DJ anymore and instead the captain of the Lunar guard and the coltfreind of the Princess of the moon, me and your mother can drop the act, not even your sister was in on it.” His parents stood and moved over to Bass, hugging him tightly his mother talked to him into his ear, tears welling up in her eyes “We’re so proud of you Bass, you were also so brave to stand up for your sister against that moron Prince Blueblood” Bass Rhythm was already in tears to finally feel the love of his parents.

Luna simply smiled as she watched the touching scene when Warsong stepped in, seeing the parents and their son in an embrace “It looks like we got through to them then.” The rest of the night was a bit more bright and enjoyable with the group playing board games and other such activities for the rest of the night before Warsong and the two lovers left to return to the palace, Bass Rhythm spending rest of the night with Luna while Warsong retired to his bed chambers.

The next day Bass Rhythm wore his beret and arm band as he and Warsong were leaving once more, receiving a goodbye kiss from Luna, Bass Rhythm left for the airship port with his teacher, feeling much happier and relaxed and ready to get back to work, meeting up with the Lunar four, Lightning Flicker wanted all the details on his date with Luna, of course not knowing that Princess Luna, their boss was also Bass Rhythms filly friend, the blue Unicorn only replied simply with a “I don’t kiss and tell.”