Brother's Lament

Chapter 20: Road trip

One thousand years ago

Warsong stood on the precipice of a trench network, wearing his full armour including the helmet, fire swirling around his hooves and along the back of his neck forming a mane, his grey eyes shining through the eye slits as they were pointed at the hill that was framed by a distant volcano where the Lunar Republic soldiers were dug in, beams of magic, crossbow and cannon fire being exchanged by both sides.

Bolts of magic streaked past Warsong, the ones that got too close were deflected harmlessly away, above them the Pegasi fought with their bladed wings, flying around in a deadly aerial battle, the sounds of whistles being blown echoed across the Solar Empire lines.

“Prepare to charge!” called the officers as the Earth and Unicorn ponies prepared themselves mentally to charge across the scorched stretch of land that was no-ponies land.

Warsongs eyes narrowed as they looked up towards the volcano, sensing a familiar presence as the earth rumbled “Charge!” yelled the officers as a loud battle cry sounded across the Solar Empire lines and the ponies jumped out of their trenches to charge the Lunar Republic lines as the Lunar Republic soldiers charged out of their own trenches, both sides letting loose battle cries for glorious blood and victory. The rumbling earth began to grow in magnitude as the volcano suddenly began to smoke, Warsongs eyes remained on the volcano as behind the helmet he was grimacing, his horn began to glow as the earth began to shake like an earthquake.

Suddenly the volcano erupted, a spray of lava exploding out but suddenly froze in mid-air like time had stopped before it began to spiral madly around before it began to form a creature of grand size made from pure lava, a guttural roar exploding from its maw sending a searing heat wave down upon the Lunar Republic and Solar Empire soldiers who fought in a bloody battle below, the creature was almost half the size of the volcano itself. A tiny figure could be seen standing on a patch of cooled lava rock on its head; if one looked close enough they’d be able to make out a black armoured pony with mist roiling around his hooves and on the back of his neck forming a mane.

The earth continued to shake as the ground began to crack around the Solar Empire lines as several hundred feet back the earth began to break apart, a rocky hand exploding forth from the ground sending a large cloud of dust over the fighting ponies when the dust cleared a creature of pure rock stood to match the lava monster as it emerged from the volcano and slithered down the side, a small white flash could be seen on the rock monsters head as Warsong himself stood on this creature, the flames of his mane roared angrily as the rock at his hooves curled and covered his hooves to help him keep his balance as the rock monster roared, it’s roar sounding like an avalanche as it charged, lunging over the combatting ponies to tackle into the lava monster, the riders on the monsters braced themselves when the creatures impacted, Warsong drew his sword as the creatures grappled.

He could make out the rider on the lava monster as his brother who drew his own blade, the rock around their hooves breaking apart as they began galloping down the arms of their creatures, Bladesingers hooves always touched cooled lava rock, leaving a path from the creatures head down his shoulder and across its arm, when the brothers met they fought with their swords with quick strikes at each other before their monsters moved, having to fight each other in the constant changing terrain, having to jumped back or teleport to safety as their creatures fought wildly but slowly for their large size, most of the time though Warsong and Bladesinger shot at each other with beams of magic.

It was only a matter of time before Bladesinger teleported over to the rock monster as the brothers fought across the surface of the creature, using earth magic to keep themselves from falling to gravity, the two unicorn warriors sometimes fighting upside down as the earth creature was having a hard time fighting the creature of pure lava, both warriors were already exhausted from the large amount of magic that was put into forming these two golems but continued to fight despite that with a hatred and vehemence that they had for each other.

Both combatants were forced to teleport themselves into the air as the lava monster had vomited forth lava onto the earth monster, both unicorns slashing at each other into the air as the Pegasi dog fight had moved to fight around the creatures of immense size, Pegasus soldiers dodged and weaved among the creatures in their own aerial battle with immense speed and endurance. Warsong and Bladesinger were separated after the Solar Empire general slashed down at his brother, roaring a wordless yell at the top of his lungs in anger which his enemy had blocked the strike.

Bladesinger was in free fall as a Solar Empire Pegasus tried to cut him with his bladed wing but instead had his wing sliced off by the dark armoured pony causing him to spiral away crying in pain, the severed wing was caught in his dark blue magic before he flung the blade up at his brother who parried it and sent it falling away by simply slashing his sword to the side before his horn began to burst with electricity. A jagged fork of lightning shot forth hitting Bladesinger squarely in the chest, sending him falling uncontrollably towards the rock monster who recovered from the lava golems attack and was returning the favour.

Bladesinger recovered and teleported in time to avoid his impact with the rock monster, teleporting back to his lava creature, skidding to a halt on the top of its head from the momentum of the fall, Warsong teleported as well to retake his place on the top of his own monsters head before both combatants leapt at each other with their blades raised to strike to continue their deadly battle.

One thousand years later

The sun played over Equestria once more, the Captain of the Lunar guard rising up from his slumber, he usually slept through the day recently and only awoke at night but today was the day of the hunt for Bladesinger, attaching his sword to his waist and packing saddlebags and slinging them onto his shoulders he made his way out of the captain quarters and up towards Luna’s quarters, The Solar guard who flanked the doors saluted him before he gently knocked on the door and stepped in.

The night before he explained the situation to Luna who ordered him to say goodbye to her before they left walking up towards the bed, he intended to carry out that order, gently pulling the curtains that surrounded the bed open, a pair of hooves shot out and wrapped around him before dragging him into the shady interior causing him to squeak in surprise.

Inside Princess Luna had dragged Bass Rhythm onto the bed with her lying back with him at her side in her embrace, gently stroking his cheek “Oh how I will miss you while you go on your quest. After you went to bed last night I went down to the blacksmith to have a memento created from the left over moon metal. I enchanted it so that I would know where you are at all times, just channel your magic into it to send a distress call and I’ll be there in no time.” She gently kissed him as a necklace floated in blue magic over to him, breaking the kiss so that it could slip on, the pendent was a simple chrome crescent moon with an ancient looking symbol engraved on the surface “The symbol means moon, but the actual word for it, is Luna”

Bass Rhythm remained silent this entire time, not wanting to disturb the princess as she spoke, a smile dawning on his face when he looked down at the necklace, running a hoof over it he hugged her and sat up “Thank you princess…But…I think I’m going to resign from being the Lunar guard captain, I’m going to be gone for a while and I’m not cut out for it…I’m sorry.” His smile disappeared as Luna watched him “It is fine Bass Rhythm…I’ve already gotten a replacement…She has more experience in this kind of work, she was Shining Armours top lieutenant for five years before I requested her transfer and she’s a noble.” As Luna spoke a knock came to the door and it slowly opened to admit a tan brown unicorn mare with blue eyes and long blonde hair and tail, she had glasses over her eyes and a cutie mark of five interlocked rings with four of them forming a box with one ring in the centre, it represented nobility, charisma and leadership.

“Lady Ingrid Boreal Winter reporting for duty as ordered your highness” spoke the mare as she bowed deeply towards the curtained bed, unknowing of Bass Rhythms presence, the light from the hall bounced off the interior of the room and caused her glasses to reflect, hiding her eyes she spoke with a soft Trottingham accent but without the broken words and slang. Princess Luna pulled the curtains away to reveal them and to allow her to get up from the bed, the sight of Bass Rhythm didn’t cause a reaction from Ingrid as she simply looked towards Luna “Did I disturb something your highness?” she asked curiously to which the princess simply shook her head “No you didn’t, in fact we were speaking of you and why you are here…This is Bass Rhythm my former captain who has just resigned from his duties, opening a spot for you to take his place”

Ingrid looked back towards the stallion, giving him a second look “You are the stallion who was defeated by Prince Blueblood…Your efforts are respected among the Solar guard, your highness I graciously accept the duties of the Lunar Guard captain.” Ingrid bowed once more towards the princess who nodded towards her “Excellent the paperwork will be sent to your new office while your new quarters is cleaned and prepared for you to move in” spoke Luna as Ingrid bowed and left, the door closing behind her.

“Did you notice her eyes Luna?” Bass Rhythm asked as he looked towards the princess of the moon who nodded, having noticed the sharp look in her eyes that was hard to see past the reflection “She has the eyes of a soldier, I think she’s seen a lot of action for a noble and isn’t afraid to get her hooves dirty. I read in her dossier that she was stationed at the Gryphon border for some time before becoming a royal guard, I have seen reports of minor skirmish’s but…I can tell you now there is no such thing as ‘minor’ with gryphons.” Bass Rhythm looked towards the door where the departing mare was standing not long ago “She’s a better leader than I’ll ever be…I should be going, good bye Luna” Said Bass Rhythm as he kissed the princess’ cheek before he shifted his saddlebags to be comfortable once more, trotting out with the necklace swaying slightly around his neck.

Making his way out towards Warsongs room he heard sounds of something being smashed inside, knocking on the door and walking inside, his eyes widened at the sight before him of his teacher stomping on a radio while wearing silk socks over his hooves that covered his legs entirely “What the ffff-buck?” Bass Rhythm almost yelled as his teacher looked towards him “How can you call this world peaceful!? You trap ponies in these little boxes to talk and play music for you sicko’s!” Warsong yelled at his student angrily, Bass Rhythm’s eye twitched as he stared at his teacher “Uhh…Warsong…That radio doesn’t have ponies trapped in it... it has magical properties that it broadcasts sound like a signal from a single location.” He explained as Warsong slowly stopped stomping on the radio.

“Sounds like the horn system we used during the war…Except these are much smaller and they tell time…” said the Ancient warrior as he picked up the destroyed device before he shrugged and tossed it into the bin “Why are you wearing those socks? Is Darling Rose in here?” Bass asked looking around, his teacher looked at him confused and shook his head “No I’m wearing these socks to keep my hooves warm…What are you-Oh wait I remember now…That fetish thing.” Warsong sighed in a look of annoyance “No wander I couldn’t find socks in a clothing store and only in that Adult store.”

Bass Rhythm shook his head “Are you ready to go?” he asked as the larger stallion began removing the socks “No I haven’t packed I’ve been trying to ‘free the ponies’ from the radio this entire time give me a half hour” he said as he went to work on packing some saddle bags while Bass Rhythm slowly made his way out of the room “I’ll wait out front.” He said as he made his way to visit a nearby store to get a pack of cigarettes, he couldn’t stand the cravings anymore and the patches were not working, he hid it well but he was losing his mind over the cravings for his fix of nicotine.

By the time Warsong joined him outside the front of the palace with saddlebags and sword at waist, Bass Rhythm was well into his third cigarette, the older stallion frowned “I thought you were quitting…Didn’t have the will to quit cold apple fritter eh?” Warsong asked as his student had placed his spectacles over his eyes to ward against the sun’s rays “Yeah well I’ll make do with the coughing fits from long galloping; besides Unicorns aren't natural runners like Earth ponies and your stamina most likely comes from your powers given by the goddess.”

Bass Rhythm finished the cigarette and stomped it out before they began walking towards the entrance of the city “He’s gotten a bit of a head start on us, but we’ll take a train down to Ponyville and start from there” said Warsong as he closed his eyes and pointed off to the south “He’s gone in that direction…I brought a map he must be heading for Appleloosa, and there is where we will go”

Warsong and Bass Rhythm made their way to the train station based outside of Canterlot “Tell me this Warsong, why can’t we just take a train straight to Appleloosa?” asked Bass as he looked at his teacher who shook his head “We don’t know if he’ll suddenly change direction, we could be halfway to Appleloosa on the train and he suddenly changes direction west towards Las Pegasus, we can’t change direction until we reach Appleloosa and we’ll probably lose more ground.” Warsong replied as they stepped onto the platform taking their saddlebags with them onto the train, both stallions remaining silent as the train left for Ponyville.

Warsong writing in a book meant for Bass Rhythm, the book was like a diary and reference guide for combat magic to help teach Bass Rhythm when Warsong was unavailable, while Bass Rhythm was reading a book he brought with him on learning how to use a turn-table having forgotten how to use one when he re-learnt the electric guitar for the Lunar Guard graduation.

When it finally arrived they stepped off and made their way onto the dirt road leading south, however this road led straight into the Everfree forest “We’ll cut through the forest and make a straight line for Appleloosa” Said Warsong as he was looking the map over, held in his magic in front of him, putting it away as the shadows of the Everfree forest engulfed them, Bass Rhythm took this time to light another cigarette between his lips as they continued to walk in the relative silence of the forest with only the sounds of birds and other wildlife ambience around them.

Bass Rhythm finally decided to break the silence “Who did Bladesinger knock up before he got sent to the other dimension?” he asked Warsong who sighed “Remember that spy I told you about? The one I tracked? I tracked her to the Solar Empire controlled city Manehatten to a pretty high class hotel, she was going to meet a contact there apparently. Turned out the contact was my brother, didn’t know that until after I sent up the Solar Empire soldiers that very night. I imagine they spent the day together pretty well because when I sent up the soldiers to apprehend her, the place smelled of sex and they were slaughtered by Bladesinger, he then fought his way to the ground floor and he distracted me and the others long enough for her to escape.”

Bass Rhythm nodded slowly as they approached a calm stream, the older unicorn stepped up to the edge and nudged a rock into the depths with his hoof “It’s too deep to cross give me a moment” he said as his horn glowed and the stream seemed to freeze a bridge across, the water downstream suddenly breaking as a serpent rose from the depths, shaking from the cold “H-hey! That’s cold!” he whined loudly as he shivered Warsong and Bass Rhythm began to cross not giving the serpent much mind “We’re just crossing then I’ll change it back, quit your complaining” said Warsong as they got to the other side, the red unicorn turned and melted the bridge, raising the temperature of the stream as steam began to rise from its surface, the serpent hissing from the heat as the two unicorns continued on their trek “Pansy…” muttered Warsong.

After an entire day of walking through the forest, the duo decided to stop for the night to rest, Warsong beginning to set up camp “Go get some fire wood from the forest, keep Luna Saltator handy” said Warsong as his student stepped out into the forest “Sure thing boss” commented Bass Rhythm as he made sure his blade was at his side and easy to draw if a creature of the forest decided to attack.

Picking up several twigs into his magic he continued deeper into the forest coming into a clearing in the forest a pair of red eyes followed him in the shadows, when he stepped into the clearing his eyes looked into his peripheral vision before he spun around drawing his long sword from its sheath “Show yourself!” he called out, taking a defensive stance with his blade wreathed in his green magic as the dark figure stepped out of the shadows, it wore a hood over its head but it was clearly a pony, a black pony with silver bracers around his hooves and a tattered cloak, pushing the hood back it revealed Bladesingers face “Hello…My great grandson” spoke the dark stallion as he smirked down towards the pony whose eyes widened at the appearance of their query but on his own Bass Rhythm wouldn’t stand a chance.

“It’s a shame you joined my foolish brother, judging from your stance though it seems your also his student, I should feel honoured that my descendent is being trained in the combat arts, but I am also shocked to see that…Ilyena had my child, but that is the past. Join me Bass Rhythm and together we will rule Equestria, become my student and I will give you power beyond imagination” spoke Bladesinger as the wind began to pick up and blow his cloak in the wind, showing his broadsword strapped to his back.

“Don’t waste your breath Bladesinger I’ll never join you.” Said Bass Rhythm as he readied himself to fight his most difficult battle, Bladesinger showed honest disappointment as he lowered his gaze “Pity…I would rather not kill you but you give me no choice” he said as he drew his broadsword slowly, the whispers from the sword almost deafening as it anticipated the battle to come. Bass Rhythm took a step back as Bladesinger shot forwards at a blurring speed bringing his sword against Bass Rhythm’s sending the stallion flying backwards into the air, as the blue stallion landed he skidded against the ground, trying to keep his balance and as he came to a stop a blue light emitted from the tip of his sword as he began slashing the air, sending slashes of pure blue energy at his opponent, aiming to keep him at a distance.

Bladesinger didn’t even bother using his sword as a shield and simply dodged the projectiles using wind magic to move as a blur towards his great grandson, the slashes of energy continued into the forest, cutting down trees in its path before they dissipated. Bladesinger appeared next to Bass Rhythm with a maniacal grin on his face as he brought his long sword to slash at Bass once more who barely blocked it in time to be sent flying by the force of the blow, skidding to a halt some distance away, Bladesinger wasted no time in appearing before Bass and bringing his sword down in a heavy strike against his descendent who held his sword in defence, unable to fight back as the ground cracked around him from the constant strikes.

Suddenly a red blur tackled into Bladesinger’s side sending him flying into the tree line, Warsong stood facing the direction he sent Bladesinger flying with his hoof strike, drawing his sword at his waist “You ok kid?” asked Warsong as he looked down at Bass who was exhausted just from defending himself “How can I even be any help in this battle of demigods?” asked Bass Rhythm as he panted, his hooves leaning against his sword which was planted in the ground as he tried to stop himself from collapsing.

Warsong simply smirked at his student “I wouldn’t call us demigods…” he trailed off as the tree line lit up with fire as a giant king cobra snake made purely from fire slithered into the clearing, hissing at the two ponies, as it slithered closer, followed by Bladesinger with its fiery tail extending out of his horn “Bass I’m going to use that Blitz strike of yours, I want you to duck and cover when I do, it’s going to get hectic” said Warsong as lightning began to streak over his body, gathering at his horn before a loud shriek erupted as small rocks around them began to rise in the air from the magnetic force of the power coming from Warsongs electrically charged horn.

“Don’t blink” said Warsong before he shot forwards, another loud shriek erupting like a hawks cry from the electrical surge as forks shot off and formed a tunnel around the unicorn like a shield as he began to speed up, wind magic hastening his limbs, the ground beneath him breaking away to form a trench in his wake as he charged the fiery snake, when his horn touched the snake he continued running, the fire swirling and dissipating away at the charging unicorns touch, Bladesingers eyes widened in surprise as his brother broke through his attack and pierced his horn into his chest, an explosion erupting from the impact.

When the dust from the explosion cleared Warsong stood alone in a small crater, looking down at a figure “I knew something was wrong…” Said Warsong as he stared down at the body, the body was that of a green stallion but many limbs were missing from the Blitz strike attack, having been incinerated in the explosion “I can’t even identify who this was…Poor fellow caught in a puppet spell” added Warsong as Bass came to the edge of the crater, placing a hoof over his mouth “I know…Knew who that was…He was a local from Ponyville..” said Bass Rhythm as he felt like he wanted to throw up from looking at the scorched body with the smell of burning flesh in the air filling his nostrils Warsong looked at Bass and quickly made his way up out of the crater.

“Look away boy, you’re not ready for these sights, the puppet spell is a forbidden spell which takes an unfortunate soul and steals away their free will, turning them into the user of the spell with all their powers and abilities…But at only twenty per cent of their power, you fought a very weak Bladesinger.” Said Warsong as Bass’ eyes widened in shock and fear as he was herded away from the crater “I’ll send a message to Celestia to get this body buried, best nopony see this kind of thing.” Warsong added.

Bass Rhythm was in a clear state of shock his eyes wide with his pupils as mere dots in his green eyes, tears welling up as he had witnessed something that had not happened in over a thousand years, a Pony being killed by magic, his experienced teacher who had seen this kind of thing a thousand times before and had killed many with the same magic helped his student back to the camp hoping to help him forget what he saw.

***

Far from where the battle took place in a rocky terrain area, Bladesinger meditated as he was in control of the puppet he took, when the puppet was defeated he opened his eyes slowly, looking in the direction of the Everfree forest “He’s got some new tricks up his sleeve…” he commented before he rose to his hooves and continued walking he showed very little care or even notice of the dark deeds he had committed.

***

Warsong and Bass sat at the fire that Warsong quickly gathered wood for on their way back to the camp; Bass Rhythm looked slightly green in the face from seeing the effects of the spell he created.

Warsong noticed his great nephews discomfort “Listen kiddo, I would be lying if I said that you won’t kill someday, what you’re learning and even the spell you created is designed to take lives. Better you see death now in one of its worst forms with me here rather than face it alone” Warsong explained, as he finished Bass Rhythm turned around and rushed towards a bush as he vomited all he ate today, Warsong remained silent and waited patiently for his great nephews return, he had seen this kind of thing with all ponies who had witnessed the sickening sight of death for the first time, even Warsong and Bladesinger had been there once a millennia ago.

When Bass Rhythm returned and sat at the fire he wiped his mouth where some spittle had drooled out “I don’t want to use Blitz strike ever again…” said Bass Rhythm as he lowered his gaze into the fire, removing his spectacles as tears began to fall from his eyes, wiping them away he looked to Warsong who nodded “I understand, but to continue you training you will still learn how to use two elements at one time, that Blitz strike was the combined wind and lightning magic, you’ve seen its effects and that isn’t the only spell from using two elements at once. You seem to have a knack for Lightning and Earth magic, I believe that if Blitz strike is ever going to be useful to you-“Warsong began to explain but was cut off by Bass.

“I’m not ever going to use Blitz strike.” He interjected as Warsong cleared his throat noisily “If it is ever going to be useful to you…Your third element will have to be wind and judging from your fighting style you will benefit from the speed that wind gives its user, your fourth and fifth can be in any order you want between fire and water.”  Said Warsong as he finished his explanation, Bass Rhythm remained silent and lay on the ground, turning away from Warsong as he went to sleep.

The ancient warrior sighed “He’ll…Come back to his senses…Soon.” He thought to himself as he stayed up several hours into the night, writing in the book he was going to give to Bass Rhythm one day when it was completed, also sending a letter to Princess Celestia using a fire spell similar to dragon fire to send it to the Princess directly telling her of what happened and that Luna should start sending letters to Bass to give him a moral boost also making a mental note to teach Bass the letter transference fire spell tomorrow.

The fire reflected into his eyes as he stared at it for some time, his thoughts returning to today’s events and compared it to events that happened in the past, his eyes narrowing slightly as screams of the dying haunted him, his hoof lightly resting on the sheathed blade lying next to him he looked the sword over in the dim light given by the camp fire. His jaw clenched tight as he looked back towards the fire as he could see Bladesingers face among the flames “I’m coming for you brother…I swear you will not allow another pony to die because of your own selfishness…” Was all he whispered before he returned to writing in his book.