The British Grenadiers

"The most certain way of insuring victory is to march briskly and in good order against the enemy, always endeavoring to gain ground."

-Frederick the Great, King of Prussia

Thoughts of the Motherland

-Imperial Glory Soundtrack-

"Serjeant major, open the gate on my command!"

"Aye aye, sah!"

"Ensign Woodworm?"

"Milord?"

"Take the King's colours to the roof, at the double!"

"On my way, sir!"

Inside the cramped red barn, standing through fire, smoke and powder, the British redcoats were ready for their final stand. With their leaders by their side and their proud regimental colours on their back, a three rank deep line awaited their last order to fire. Down to a single bullet per man, the Prince of Wales' Volunteers had no choice but to strike back, sallying forth and taking the battle to the foe's ground.

Knowing that common steel wouldn't be enough to defeat the wooden hounds, the high command authorised the Grenadiers to coat their bayonets, swords and pikes with alcohol. Cider, brandy, whiskey, ale, it did not matter, as long as it could be lit on fire. Using their flintlocks, the men set their weapons ablaze, burning with the fury of the sun himself.

On command, the three lines fully cocked their muskets.

"PRESENT!"

"OPEN THE GATE!"

"FRONT RANK, FIRE!"

**VRROOM**

Like a furious dragon, the line erupted in fire, raining a shower of lead into the cursed assailants. The wolves before them, now terrified and retreating, fell and turned to splinters. Losing no time, the front line knelt down, bracing their weapons and making room for the second rank to give fire.

"SECOND RANK, FIRE!"

**VRROOM**

"REAR RANK, FIRE!"

**VRROOM**

"CHARGE- BAYONETS!"

"HUZZAH!"

"PREPARE TO CHARGE!"

"THEY'RE GETTING IN THE BARN, SAH!"

"CHARGE!"

They emerged from the gun smoke like enraged red demons. Every man, every soul fighting for their life, taking the battle straight to their assailants with burning hot steel. Stabbing their way through the Timberwolves, the British Redcoats turned the tide of the battle, having the hounds' fear fighting by their side.

With quick, brutal motions, the rankers set the wolves on fire, thrusting their blades into their opponents' bodies. The serjeants, taking advantage of their sturdy pikes, impaled their foes with brutal force, striking directly into their cursed heads. The officers, armed with pistols and swords, mercilessly sliced and shot their way through the wooden hordes, leading their company to victory with fire and sword.

As the battle raged on, one of the lieutenants was distracted by a distant purple light, foreign to that of the mass stabbing, slashing and barking. Without letting his guard down, he took a quick glance in that direction, spotting a long shade of gold, grey and blue, accompanied by the sounds of bugles and war cries.

Slowly, some wolves began withdrawing and running into the orchard.

"THE EQUESTRIAN CAVALRY, SAH! THEY'RE HERE!"

"THEY'RE RETREATING! THE BUGGERS ARE RUNNING!"

Standing tall in the night's mist, a few yards from the apple orchard's inner tree line, four ponies observed the battle before them. Twilight Sparkle stared in horror at the terrifying scene, unable to believe what she was seeing. Right in front of her, all around the Apple family's barn house, an unimaginably big pack of timberwolves had the building under siege.

She could hear barks and growls, tearing through her ears and smashing all hope she had for her trapped friends. With sorrow carved in her heart, the Princess turned to her left, taking a glance over her two strange companions, Rogue and Butler. Surprisingly, both kept a stern and calm look on their faces. Neither of them showed much concern or sadness. Instead, they just focused on the scene unfolding before them.

To her right, clad in gold and purple armour, her brother Shining Armour analysed the battlefield in deep concentration. For the first time in years, it was up to him to lead an offensive attack of Equestria's enemies, and the bold colonel was eager to partake in such offence. Nevertheless, the situation in his hooves was definitely something new. His lack of experience with timberwolves opened huge gaps in his plans, and thus, making the leader uncertain of his own decisions.

However, all of a sudden, the earth ponies' eyes shut close in despair, hinting a bit of fear and disgust.

"Do you hear any shots?" asked Butler, turning to meet his companion's gaze.

"Nay... ah bugger... I hope they didn't run out of powder." Rogue shifted back at the barn, allowing for sorrow to slowly creep up his face. "If they're out of rounds then... well..."

"Ran out of rounds? What's that supposed to mean?" inquired the alicorn.

"Long story, miss. Colonel Armour, bring yer stallions forward. It seems our lads won't stand any lo-"

**VROOM**

Rogue's voice was cut off by a loud, explosive rattle, echoing through the orchard and striking a smile in his snout. Startled, the ponies turned at the barn, spotting a big cloud of fire and smoke exiting through the front gates. It was then followed a second and a third loud noise, booming through apple trees and shaking the ground below their hooves.

The two Equestrians were dumbstruck.

"What in Tartarus was that?!" asked the Guard's commander, stunned by the loud explosions.

"That, mate, were the Prince of Wales' Own. Come on, now! Bring forth the Guard!"

Nodding, the unicorn lit up his horn in a purple aura, shooting a bright bolt of magic into the air. Within a few moments, twenty armour-clad Pegasus Royal Guards emerged from the orchard's trees, followed by a the cerulean banner of the Equestrian Royal Sisters.

Rogue and Butler were still amazed by the Guards' weapons. Made of hardened ash wood, their six feet long spears put those of the French Chevau-Legers in shame. They were all hoof-made, crafted with the most delicacy and attention to detail and ornamented with drawings and symbols carved into the handle. Finally, the tip was made of magically forged steel, which sparked with lightning when nearby living beings.

Without much delay, the guards formed into a line, awaiting their colonel's orders. Shining Armour drew his sword from his saddle sheathe, then turned to his fellow stallions and raised it into the air.

"Be careful, my BBBFF... Don't get hurt." The princess stepped forward and gave her brother a hug.

"Don't ye worry, yer highness. We'll keep 'em out of trouble."

Shining gave her a smile. Then, with a serious expression, addressed his squadron."Prepare to charge! Ready your lances!"

The officer moved to the centre of the line, followed by the two earth ponies. Once in position, their leader reared back and pointed forward with his right hoof, yelling the final order to the Royal Guard,

"For the Harmony and Equestria! Charge!"

Running at full gallop, the Royal Guards closed in on the red barn, yelling their battle cries at top of their lungs and pointing their vicious spears at their wooden foes. Leaving behind a trail of dust, the golden armoured pegasi locked their pikes on their wings, while the bugler played his instrument in the rear.

Halfway through the charge, Shining Armour could distinguish a strange flag being waved on the barn's roof, which did not belong to any Equestrian organization or nation he knew of. It consisted of two red and white crosses, which were positioned horizontally and diagonally on top of a blue background. Assuming it belonged to his companions' friends, he began swinging his sword up in the air, signalling the Pegasi to use their wings to quicken their pace.

As the Guards grew closer and closer, the enraged timberwolves turned their attention to the armoured ponies. The creatures' first reaction was confusion. Then panic, and finally horror, as the first few stallions collided with their ranks. With a devastating effect, the Royal Guard made contact with the wooden wolves, sending sparks of lightning through their foes' bodies and turning them to mere dust and splinters. In a matter of seconds, the horde began dispersing, scattering all along the open field and desperately running for dear life.

Once the way was clear, the ponies began making their way towards the barn, willing to congratulate those brave defenders for their valiant efforts. However, they all found themselves dumbstruck upon witnessing their allies' true forms. Dozens of ape-like bipeds stood in a circle before them, brandishing burning lances and swords. They were all wearing some sort of red clothing, while at the same time, waving a yellow banner in the centre of their formation.

Then, out of nowhere, loud explosions and clouds of smoke began covering the red formation, followed by the death of the remaining timberwolves around the field.

"Uh... Rogue..? Butler..? Are those things.... your friends...?"

"Are you scared, Colonel?" asked Butler with amusement. "Behold, the Prince of Wales' Own Volunteers, Mister Armour."

"What? No! I'm just... intrigued. That is all..."

"Yeah, yeah... Of course, sir. Now, we better give 'em a proper salute, eh?"

"If you say so... Guards! Form up!"

The twenty armoured ponies formed up in a line behind their captain, having the colour bearer and musician on the left and right flanks.

In the meantime, the other creatures seemed to be forming up as well. Facing directly at them, these bipeds broke their formation and lined up in a double-ranked line, having their flag bearer standing behind the formation. This last one was then joined by a second creature, who held the other red and blue banner.

Slowly, the ponies began walking forward, scared but eager to meet these strange creatures.

Well, all except Rogue and Butler, who simply ran at them out of what Shining Armour saw as sheer madness.

"Evenin' officers, it's good to see you all in one piece," stated Butler upon arriving to the British formation.

"Welcome back, adjutants," said James, failing to keep his stern look and painting a big smile on his face. "I'm glad you both made it. You may fall in."

"Aye aye, James!" Butler's amusement immediately killed the major's smile. Going back to serious-mode, the officer moved closer and instructed the pony to stand beside him. Using a handkerchief, he cleaned his sword from the remaining alcohol, then sheathed it back into the scabbard. They were then joined by Rogue and Williams shortly afterwards and made their way to the front of the Redcoats' line.

"So... Do you want us to take the diplomatic role, sir?"

"Do please take it. I don't want to risk another beating from these ponies."

"Oh come on! The red one bucking Bush in the nuts was hilarious!"

"It was, but it also put my best lieutenant out of commission for half an hour. Now please, shut up, the ponies are coming."

Within a few moments, twenty one armour-clad ponies stood before the Grenadiers' formation. The major took particular note on their golden armour, which resembled the old Spartans' bronze armours, but made out of golden metal plates. Their helmets were particularly interesting as well, made out of the same golden metal and sporting a tall blue crest on top.

In front of these ponies, another stallion made his way towards the officers. This one in particular had purple armour, which, in the Major's belief, identified him as an officer. He cautiously took a few steps forward, then with a hint of fear, stood in front of the Englishmen and gave a quick salute.

"Eighty Second Regiment! On my command!" yelled the serjeant major from behind. "Present your- Arms!"

The men, who had their weapons on their shoulders, proceeded to carry out the order. Given that they were now on parade, the drummers followed the instruction by giving a beat for each of the three motions.

The sudden choreographed movement of the Grenadiers seemed to have startled the pony officer. Upon hearing the first drum beat, the purple-armoured stallion gave a slight jump, narrowing his eyes and taking a slow step back.

Trying not to worsen the matter any further, Major Verulam took a step forward and addressed the scared commander.

"Greetings, good sir. I am Major Lord James Verulam, Earl of Verulam and commander of His Britannic Majesty's forces in this... region... Um... Sir?" The pony was now a bit more than scared, and seemed unable to phrase a reply.

"Um... Colonel Armour? Ye alrigh'?" asked Rogue with concern.

"Oh? What? Oh... yes... I'm just... nervous." It took the captain about thirty seconds to formulate that reply. "I've never seen such... creatures before I-"

"Come on, mate! At least introduce yourself!"

"Butler! He's a superior officer! Behave yourself!" spat the major with anger.

"No... Don't you worry... major... I-it's fine.. I'm Colonel Shining Armour, commander of the Equestrian Solar Guard." The nervous pony stammered with utter disbelief. Not only these creatures were unknown to the Equestrians, but they were also sapient and part of a very disciplined military organization!

"Well it's good to meet you, Colonel Armour. This man beside me is Captain Edward Williams, by the way, the man in command of the Grenadier Company of the Eighty Second Regiment of Foot."

"Oh... hello..."

The captain stretched his hand, hoping to break awkwardness of the moment. However, as soon as he moved, both him and the Major were struck by a purple light, throwing them back and on the floor.

"What the fuck?!"

"What was that?!"

"DON'T YOU DARE TOUCH MY BROTHER!"

"TWILIGHT?!"

"CHARGE YOUR- BAYONETS!"

"HUZZAH!"

"OH BUGGER, NOT AGAIN!"