Chapters The dark, dim sky covered the ruins of Nieghzny, the city was covered in flames and the screams of young foals and their mothers could be heard at a distance. For those who wished peace, they found that their prayers proved useless as the sound of bombs falling and bullets screeching continued. Tanks from the Equestrian army fired against the few artillery pieces of the Earth Ponies’ Army, killing many of the soldiers who once manned them. Various stallions in black uniforms fired upon others in brown trench coats. The yelling of the soldiers from both sides continued, everyone could tell that the battle raged on.
Out of the ruins of a former apartment building, a young filly regained her conciseness. The bruised filly managed to get on her hooves as she started searching for her mother in the buildings rubble. Minutes passed as she continued looking for her at every remaining end of the bombed building, the grey coated filly, with her mangled dark grey mane, started crying as her mother was nowhere to be found.
“My young Violetta,” A small whisper was heard in the rubble.
This made the young filly slightly more content as she approached the whisper. There, in the middle of what used to be their bedroom laid her mother, a white coated mare, injured from all the fallen rubble and seeming almost lifeless. Young Violetta approached her mother’s side as she frantically started removing the rubble that covered her.
“Mommy, are you fine?” Violetta questioned her mother as tears started rolling out of her eyes.
“My dear Violetta, don’t cry,” she said in a soothing voice as she tried to calm the filly down.
Violetta stopped crying as she hugged her mother as hard as she could. Her poor mother was severely injured as she could not get up, all of her attempts proved futile.
“Violetta, I’m not going to be able to go on and help you, but you have to go to Stalliongrad with my Sister Katia. She will be able to take care of you. Please leave me here,” she continued as the filly hugged her, “I need you safe and away from the battles, before you go, take my necklace. It was given to me by your father when we got married, remember me and always know that I’m with you.”
The young filly reached for it as she got up, “Mommy, I… I… love you!”
“I love you to, now hurry Violetta, and leave before the men come!”
Violetta got up from the rubble and made her way to Stalliongrad, she looked back at her mother as she saw her take the last breath. She started to cry uncontrollably at the loss of her mother, she had nobody. Violetta looked at the necklace her mother gave her, she kissed it before she put it on her neck.
Thoughts came to her mind and many troubled her. Why are these stallions fighting? What did they have to do with Nieghzny? What was she going to do?
She continued walking on the destroyed roads viewing surveying the surrounding area, most of the buildings were knocked downs due to the bombings that occurred. As she walked she was stopped by an Equestrian commander.
“What are you doing out here young filly? Can't you see there is a battle occurring? Nurse Kasimira, please take care of this filly.”
A small cream coated unicorn approached Violetta in a calm, peaceful manner.
“Hello young filly. May I ask you for your name? Mine is Kasimira.” Her voice was so smooth and tranquil that it almost made her forget there was a battle.
Hesitantly Violetta responded, “Uh… my… uh… my name is Violetta and I’m lost!” She started to sob immediately as she remembered about her current state of affairs.
“Nurse Kasimira, please vacate the path and take the filly to the military checkpoint towards the 11th Regiment urgently!” The Equestrian commander continued. “Before you depart, take this letter and give it to Colonel Firestarter, but do it now!”
“Yes sir, I will do such. Come on ... Violetta? That is you name right?” Kasimira questioned the young filly.
“Da,” Violetta stopped crying and approached the Nurse. “You were right.”
“Well then, Violetta let’s go before the EarPA finds us!”
Violetta followed Kasimira as they evened at a trot as she noticed the rush she was in. She enjoyed the company provided by the mare even if she didn't know her at all. She looked up on the dark sky and continued through the ruined streets of Nieghzny.
Gray Flowers and Red Berries
After an hour of walking through the battle torn city of Nieghzny, both Violetta and Kasimira reached the military encampment of the 11th Regiment. Violetta observed that the camp was completely full of tents and an occasional artillery piece. Stallions in black uniforms talking about their normal lives, while others, about their eagerness for battle. She huddled against the nurse’s leg as she grew a certain fear of the tall stallions. Kasimira gave her a glance and saw the little filly hidden behind her leg. She giggled, even in the middle of war, Kasimira’s positive attitude could always find something innocent and cute.
“Follow me Violetta, we are approaching Colonel Firestarter’s tent.”
The little filly followed the cream colored mare as she entered the tent. She noticed that Kasimira raised her hoof in a respectful manner to her head; the young filly was left wondering why she did that?
“Salutations, Colonel Firestarter. Commander Hans Houfmann from the 24th Regiment has sent Intel concerning the Battle of Nieghzny,” Kasimira confidently handed over the letter. “Apart from that, I came for medicine for the injured soldiers we currently have.”
Colonel Firestarter was a large yellow coated Pegasus with an infernal mane; his confident look gave the impression of his self-determination and importance. Violetta wondered why his cutie mark was a burning torch. She was going to ask Kasimira, but the mare put her right hoof on the filly’s mouth.
“Excellent job, Nurse Kasimira, the medicine is in the large white tent with Doctor Friedrich. Please feel free to rest here…” he noticed the filly that was next to the mare. “Might I ask who that filly is, Nurse?”
Confidently Kasimira responded, “This young foal was found near our checkpoint, I cannot leave the poor, innocent filly to be killed in battle!”
“Nonetheless, she looks like one of the rebels’ kind; can you not see that she is an earth mare?”
Offended by the cold remark, Kasimira angrily added, “This is the reason they revolted in the first place! Even though I’m a unicorn, I know that all pony races are equal. Not because you have wings, does that make you superior to anypony! How can you be so harsh to this little filly? Can you not see the innocence in her beautiful blue eyes? You are a wicked stallion who has no heart, instead a rock.”
“Do not respond to me like that Nurse; remember that I am a colonel and you hold no say against my word. Just get what you came for and leave the encampment; I do not want to see you again!”
The stallion jumped of his chair and ventured outside the tent. Kasimira could feel the tears of the weeping filly running down her leg. She comforted the filly as they stepped out of the tent and made their way with Doctor Friedrich.
“Oh Violetta, do not listen to the ignorant stallion’s words, I know that one day everypony will know that we are all equal and fights like this won’t occur.”
The filly stopped crying and hugged the nurse. Kasimira’s cheeks blushed bright red, never in her life had she ever felt feelings like that towards a pony, not even her mother. The experience felt bonding and somewhat mother like, which Kasimira never felt.
The two of them approached a large white tent with a red cross on the side; it was quite similar to Kasimira’s cutie mark, except for the fact that it didn’t have two swords crossing.
As they entered the tent, Doctor Friedrich rushed over to the mare and deeply hugged her, somewhat clueless, Violetta could not understand exactly what was going on. This hug of unicorn and unicorn seemed bonding yet unusual, are they relatives or old friends? The answer was a surprise to Violetta.
“My dear Kasimira, it’s been a long time since I last saw you!” The White coated unicorn eagerly cried out of joy.
Kasimira was slightly breathless from such a strong hug,” Uh… Friedrich, could you please release me?”
“Oh, pardon me Kasimira, it’s just that I haven't seen you since we left Medical University in Manehattan. How has life treated you? Friedrich leaped in joy almost childlike.
“Well, everything has been going quite swell,” she said in ironic manner, “I just love war!”
“Huh, well, same goes here,” Hans relied understanding her sarcasm, “What a magnificent war we have? Well, what exactly are you doing in Nieghzny?
Kasimira lifted her ear, “Well, you see Friedrich, Celestia herself requested my conscription a few days after the November Revolts in the Slavhoov provinces of Equestria. I was in Manehattan when I received the letter, once I read it, I made my way to the military base and I was flown to Stalliongrad.”
Friedrich was surprised by such a lengthy response, “Well, that’s quite a story, even though you didn’t ask, I volunteered myself for the Equestrian Red Cross and I was appointed official doctor of the 10th-15th regiments.”
“Ha ha, nice job Friedrich, I am glad for you position. Sorry to change subject but I require medicine for the 24th Regiment. We are low on medical supplies and Commander Hans Hoofmann sent me over to resupply our doctors.”
“Understood, I will help you pack, good question though, is that filly your daughter? I have never considered you the ‘I’m going to settle down’ type.”
Immediately Kasimira responded, “As a matter of fact, she is not my daughter and I still haven’t settled down. Violetta, please introduce yourself with Doctor Friedrich, an old friend of mine since magic kindergarten.”
Violetta hesitantly left the side of Kasimira, “H…h… hi, I… I… I’m Violetta.”
Slightly giggling Friedrich introduced himself, “Hello Violetta, what a beautiful name you have, just like your eyes. My name is Friedrich; it’s a pleasure meeting you!”
Violetta immediately retreated to the legs of Kasimira; it was obvious that the young mare was very shy. Nonetheless Kasimira had to leave the young filly alone as she started packing with Friedrich the medical supplies that were needed. Violetta took a nap while she waited for them to finish packing. After half an hour she was awoken by Kasimira as they have finished packing.
“Wake up Violetta, we are done and we must return to Nieghzny with Commander Hans.” Kasimira gave a big hug to Friedrich as she continued. “I thank you dearly my good friend, if Celestia wishes for it, I will see you at the end of this damned war!”
Friedrich handed over a small pistol to Kasimira, “This will insure your statement, regardless of what Celestia wishes. Remember that we will see each other when peace is made, good luck Kasimira, and farewell young Violetta.”
They dismissed themselves with a hoof shake as they made their way out of the tent.
“Let’s go Violetta, before the night befalls upon us and we be attacked by the EarPA. Help me carry this luggage please.”
Young Violetta picked up a backpack as they made their way back to Nieghzny in the even darker sky befalling the path.
“Well, we finally arrived! Kasimira told Violetta as she looked at the camp.
“I’m tired Kasimira, I've been walking all day and the only moment that I had the chance to rest was a 30 minute nap while you packed.”
“Don’t worry,” Kasimira nudged the filly with her nose. “Let’s go to my tent so you can rest, I have to speak with Commander Hans though, so you’re going to be alone for a while. Will there be any problem?”
Violetta let out a long yawn before she answered the question at hand, “I understand Kasimira; I just honestly want to sleep.”
“Okay little filly, the tent is just over here. Come on! Follow me.”
Violetta entered the tent; it was full of odd looking contraptions that made her even more tired for some reason. She was just about to ask Kasimira where she was going to sleep when, all of a sudden, an alarming yell from the camp was heard.
“Help, we need a medic!”
Kasimira looked at Violetta with a concerned look as she said, “Eh, well leave the backpack on the ground and sleep on the mattress in the corner of the tent. I’ll return in a while, so keep calm.”
The filly retreated to the mattress as she watched Kasimira leave the tent in a rush. She started adjusting her body on the mattress as she prepared herself for a long slumber. Kasimira grasped the necklace of her mother firmly remembering the last words she said. She started crying but her fatigue led her to fall flat on her face as she started sleeping.
“Nurse Kasimira, thank Celestia you are finally here!” Commander Hans eagerly told the mare as they walked towards the field hospital.
“Just look at this place Commander, it’s completely devastated! What used to be a bustling city is now reduced to pitiful rubble. On my way back, so many corpses were to be seen, not only that, the formerly clear river of Fransik is now red. I can’t imagine what will end this war knowing that this was just the second battle.”
Commander Hans stopped suddenly as a tear came in his eye. Memories of the last battle kept haunting him. How he hated such a war, yet what can he do?
Kasimira noted the Commander melancholy as she asked him, “Commander Hans, what’s going on?
Commander Hans was quick to reply as he landed a disturbing glance to Kasimira, “If you think this is horrible, you cannot imagine what it was like in East Vladizfoal. I will tell you the horrors I lived that day, but in another moment, attend the injured stallion right now.”
Kasimira gave a last glance at Commander Hans as she could see the unicorn leave towards his tent at such a depressing trot. Kasimira could only imagine what happened that day but it was irrelevant for the moment. She rushed to the aid of a stallion that was bleeding from a brutal head wound. This was going to be a long night.
“What happened to him?” Kasimira asked a tall white unicorn nearby.
The unicorn responded in a heavy, Slavhoovian accent, “Our Company was ordered to occupy the city center when all of a sudden; we were ambushed by the EarPA. As we started firing, an explosive device was thrown into the building. It caused my hind leg to be wounded by the falling debris and my friend received the head wound from the explosive’s shrapnel. It’s a miracle that we managed to return at all!”
Kasimira approached the severely injured stallion’s wound, it would require surgical procedure if the stallion were to survive. Immediately using her horn, she flew over a tray with various surgical utensils. Kasimira cleared the table he was lying on so she could start.
No experience in her life had prepared her for what she was about to do. She was going to do the surgery, regardless of her knowledge. She looked at the patient’s friend and then looked at the sky.
“Come over here and hold him down,” Kasimira said to the stallion. “What I’m about to do will bring much pain to him, so hold him down as best you can.”
The stallion with the broken limb made his best attempt in reaching the table. As soon as he reached the table he immediately did as the nurse asked. He placed his forearms on the injured stallion as Kasimira commenced.
She then carefully levitated the scalpel and made the first incision on the stallion’s forehead, immediately he started screaming. Kasimira’s concentration wasn’t affected by his screams however, as she continued making the incision. Finally, she finished the incision, now what? She stared thinking for a moment and then glanced at the patient’s friend.
She pulled out a pair of forceps using her horn. This was the hardest part, yet she knew she could do it. Using her horn to levitate the forceps, she started extracting the shrapnel slowly. The stallion let out an agonizing scream as she continued pulling it out. Kasimira could not imagine the pain the stallion was experiencing. The extraction was complete and the screaming stopped. What was next?
Now she had to clean the injury. Kasimira started flushing the wound with water. She then covered the wound with penicillin so the wound wouldn't get infected. Apparently the stallion’s pain had reduced as Kasimira started sewing the wound up. The needle entered the stallion’s flesh, in and out, in and out, she finally finished.
“Done,” Kasimira happily said as she stroked her long, black mane.
“Good gracious, Nurse! I must say you did a bloody good job!”
“Thank you,” she looked at her clock, it indicated 10:23 P.M. “Sorry to end this conversation, but it’s time for me to rest.”
The patient’s friend bowed and started patching up his friend. Nonetheless it was late as the Slahoovian night could clearly demonstrate. She left the field hospital and directly walked to her tent.
Upon entering, she could see little Violetta curled up in ball sleeping on the mattress. A smile rose on Kasimira’s face, just seeing the filly tranquilly sleep made her content for an inexplicable reason. Kasimira placed her medical bag on the table and slowly removed the heavy, cream colored trench coat and her fur hat. It was time for some rest as her body could demonstrate. Afterwards, she approached the mattress where Violetta was and immediately fell asleep.
Chapter 4
The roar of the trucks' motors woke Violetta up. She slowly started rising from the mattress and gave of a long yawn. She landed a glance at Kasimira, apparently tired from last night; she nudged her with her muzzle and woke her. Kasimira checked her clock, it indicated 7:15 a.m. Puzzled by the hour the filly awoke, she proceeded on questioning her. “What exactly are you doing awake at these hours, Violetta?”
Violetta replied, “I heard some loud motors that woke me up.” Looking into the mare’s eyes, she continued. “The noise reminds me of my uncle’s tractor.”
Kasimira got off the mattress in a slow, careless manner and trotted towards a table. She started pouring water into her mug and gave a fast sip of it. She continued her interrogation of Violetta.
“Speaking of your family, what befell of them?”
Violetta’s face turned emotionless, this brought Kasimira’s attention.
“Is something wrong?” Kasimira questioned the filly.
Grabbing the necklace her mother gave her, she proceeded on answering the question. “My mother …,” tears started rolling out of her blue eyes. “She was killed in the bombings.”
“Dear Celestia!” Kasimira was shocked to know this, “That’s why you are alone, isn't it?”
Violetta started weeping uncontrollably; Kasimira then approached the filly and started stroking her dark grey mane.
“Now, now, I understand the pain you are going through, but I need to know where the rest of your family lives. I cannot take care of you of much longer because of this damned war.”
Violetta hugged the mare’s neck; she started to calm down a little from the previous thoughts that rose in her mind.
“I know,” Violetta looked at Kasimira in the eyes as she continued. “I wanted to tell you, but you were always busy with something.”
“Tell me what?” Confused, Kasimira questioned the filly.
“Before my mother passed away, she gave me this…” Violetta grabbed the necklace and stared at it for a moment. “This necklace, she also told me to go to Stalliongrad with my aunt, Katia.”
“Hmm…,” Kasimira looked at Violetta. “That is why you headed towards the checkpoint. Interesting, this all fits together.”
“Well, that stallion that stopped me was scary. I was lucky that you were there.”
“Commander Hans? Trust me, that unicorn would never hurt an innocent filly like you. Now, how are we going to get you to Stalliongrad?”
Kasimira started pacing around her tent. How can she get this filly out safely? An idea popped out of her brain. She needed to speak with Commander Hans; he would know safe routes to Stalliongrad.
“Follow me Violetta.” Kasimira opened the tent’s door, Violetta reluctantly exited the tent.
“Where are we going?”
“To speak with Commander Hans, he will know how to get you out of here. Put on this coat, the morning chill will get to you.”
Violetta grabbed the fur coat that Kasimira handed her. Kasimira put on her white trench coat that bared a Royal Equestrian insignia. They headed outside of the tents in search of Commander Hans, without a doubt, the morning sky could clearly demonstrate that the day was going to be cold. Looking around the area, Kasimira could see Commander Hans near the trucks with a pale, stone cold expression on his face. This brought up her curiosity as she approached him. He noticed Kasimira and Violetta approach him. His attention shifted from the trucks to the pair, he wondered what was going on.
“Good morning Nurse, I see that you are still carrying around this filly.”
Kasimira gave him a sharp look and remarked, “The filly’s name is Violetta, just for your information.”
Commander Hans lowered his hoof and gave Violetta a cold smile. The filly was reluctant to shake his hoof, but nonetheless, she could tell he didn’t have bad intentions.
“So Kasimira, I guess you came for that talk I promised you last night, I completely forgot because of this cruel sight.”
He lifted his hoof and pointed towards the trucks, many pegasi and unicorns were huddled around there viewing the horrendous carnage that those trucks contained. The cruel carnage contained the corpses of some EarPA soldiers and that of some civilians, mostly earth ponies.
“Without a doubt,” a revolting feeling rose in Kasimira as she covered Violetta’s eyes from seeing the cruel, heartless act.
“What kind of pony can be so cruel and coldblooded to commit such an atrocious act?”
“Just one, a Pegasus by the name of Firestarter.” Commander Hans looked at Kasimira with a cold, deeply stare.
Kasimira wasn’t surprised to hear that response, she personally knew that Firestarter was a racist and cold blooded pony. “
"Well Commander, mystery solved. One question though, what led him to become that way?”
“As you should know, the Battle of East Vladizfoal was a bloody and costly one. I was in the 9th Imperial Regiment on that day, Colonel Firestarter was ordered to control the city’s population and to crush and opposition.” Commander Hans took a deep breath as he continued. “We were sent to City Hall and patrolled the streets, when all of a sudden; we were ambushed by all sides. One of the Colonel’s most faithful friends, Gregori Izanhoof, was impacted by a bullet wound that ended his life.”
Kasmira was confused by the Commander’s response, it didn’t fit in, crucial information was missing. “Commander Hans, what exactly led him to hate earth ponies?”
“I cannot answer that because I wouldn’t know. After Gregori’s death, Colonel Firestarter went into hiding while the rest of our regiment was slaughtered by the artillery guns of the EarPA. Only ten ponies managed to survive and it was only possible by hiding in the corpses of the fallen. That day scared my life, never had I seen so much blood, I turned into an emotionless pony that could never see the positive things of life. Here we are at the second battle of a bloody war. What can I expect from pony kind?”
Kasimira was confused; she couldn’t deduct the cause of Firestarter’s hate towards earth ponies. She looked at Violetta, who was huddled behind her legs as always and then glanced at Commander Hans. “We need to get this filly and the rest of the refugees to Stalliongrad.”
Commander Hans gave a stupefied look; he didn’t expect such a response at all. “You do know we can be executed for treason, right?”
Kasimira confidently responded “Hans, I could care less about that, I only fear the earth ponies’ lives and in particular Violetta’s.”
Commander Hans could note the determination on Kasimira’s face; he looked at Kasimira and Violetta and let out a sigh. “I accept. One question though, how can a group of four accomplish such?”
“We can work with the rebels. We’re already committing treason anyways. “
“And do you know any rebels in specific?”
“No, but we can meet some outside of Nieghzny. Please use your brain Hans.”
Commander Hans felt quite insulted about the previous remark, but he managed to control his emotions and just let out a reluctant sigh. “Understood Kasimira, I will meet you north of this checkpoint tonight and we’ll head towards the Slavhoovian Mountains. There surely must be rebels in that region.”
"Excellent, Violetta and I will unite with you there; in the meantime we will pack our things.”
Kasimira and Violetta retreated from their meeting with Commander Hans. Violetta looked up to Kasmira, she returned a smug smile and continued walking towards the tent. This was going to be a long day.