Chapter 31

Day 29

“Would you like some tea, Admiral Waters?” Blandire entered the room followed by a mare carrying a tray with a teapot and cups.

Wanting the situation to be as peaceful as it could be Waters nodded his head.

“It is sassafras tea.” The alicorn sat at the table across from the Admiral as the mare poured two cups. Steam curled into the air and Blandire waited for the tea to be placed in front of them before continuing. “I was very happy when you decided to join us. But when the majority of the ships and crew didn't follow you my joy was slightly abated. A lone Admiral and a few small ships are of little use to me.”

Turbulent Waters swallowed the knot that was forming in his throat. He lifted the cup to his mouth and took an uneasy sip.

“But thankfully we did find something that was of use.” Blandire smiled and Turbulent found his nerves calming slightly. “In a small crate there were documents and blueprints of new weapons and machines that could turn the tide of this war in the favor of whoever possesses them. Since they are no longer in the hooves of Luna and are instead with me I will overlook the lack ponies and ships you were able to bring over to my side.”

“Well...” A voice screamed in the back of Turbulent mind telling him to keep his mouth shut. “We weren’t the ones who made the designs. They are still with Luna. They can just design more.”

Blandire raised an eyebrow. “Is that so? Well then, we will just have to change that. Who is the pony or ponies responsible for these designs?”

“They aren't ponies. Well, some of them are ponies but most of the designs are creations by a couple humans. They have a whole team assigned to developing their ideas.”

“Hmm.” Blandire sat back and thought for a moment. “It is a good thing that I already have a plan to infiltrate the island and obtain a few items that I need. A few humans and their development team can easily be taken out by the infiltrators as they go about their mission.”

Turbulent looked down at his cup as a wave of dizziness washed over him. He looked up at Blandire with horrified eyes.

“You- you poisoned me?”

Blandire nodded his head sadly.

“Why?” Turbulent gasped.

“I regret it, I honestly do.” The alicorn took one last sip from his tea before standing. “But I have no use for you now and you are nothing more than a loose end. You have also proven to be someone who will quickly jump sides and I can't have a pony like that in my ranks. I am sorry but farewell. Your body will be turned over to your family.”

Turbulent tried to speak but nothing more than a terrified squeak come out of his mouth. Blandire didn’t give him a second glance as he walked out of the room and closed the door. The mare that had brought the tea was the only one left with him. Turbulent gasped and motioned for her to help him but she just stood with a solemn face and watched.

The Admiral soon slid from his chair and landed heavily onto the floor. His pulse slowing and vision growing dark but before the cold of death took him the mare approached and stood, looming. She bent down and stared into his eyes and with a green flash the mare disappeared revealing the grinning face of a changeling.

*

The two pristine regiments of the 19th and 24th Ponyville stood lined up across from the battlehardened Charger Brigade. Both new regiments were almost larger than the entire old brigade. The flags fluttered above them as Big Mac watched the group of commanding officers from each regiment. After a while one of them approached Big Mac and addresses him.

“Due to gaps that have formed recently in the line of command, the Colonels of the 19th and 24th will be changing. For the 19th the new commanding officer will be Big Macintosh Apple and for the 24th their Colonel shall be Roseluck. Colonels of every regiment, could you meet in the Brigade’s HQ after the proceedings have ended.”

A pit formed in Big Mac’s stomach. He had been perfectly happy as a Captain. He looked around at his friends in the 19th and didn't know if he would be able to lead them into battle, to their deaths.

“My name is General Chainmail,” a voice cut in snapping Big Mac out of his thoughts. “I will be standing in as your Brigadier until a replacement can be found. I shall be training you alongside my Brigade until then. Now, the Charger Brigade has by far been getting the most publicity and glory lately but don’t let that get to your heads. Also, the two new regiments replacing the 12th are not to be treated as lesser fighting groups. Hopefully one day they can gain as much glory for themselves as you have.”

There was a dark murmur from the old regiments and Big Mac knew they weren’t welcome. From what he had heard the 12th was a legendary Regiment and having two fresh regiments replace it was nothing less that a slap in the face.

“Would the 12th Canterlot step forward!” Chainmail ordered.

A group of ponies, no more than 50 members, complied. They had no flag, only a hastily created replacement for the one lost, made from rags. Their eyes seemed shallow and dark, Big Mac wondered he would ever become like that.

“Would the flag bearer of the 12th please step forward.”

A mare, her leg and head wrapped in bandages, stepped out. She glanced up mournfully at the foreign banner before tilting it towards Chainmail. The General saluted, took the flag and gave it to one of his staff officers.

“The 12th is now part of the 7th,” Chainmail declared. “Go, join your new regiment.”

The soldiers shuffled back into the ranks and Chainmail saluted the brigade.

“You have earned a few days to yourselves. Training will start up again in three days,” he stated as he looked at their weary faces. “Charger Brigade, you are dismissed!”

*

“Congratulations on the promotion, Bigs.”

Big Mac had been organising his possessions in his new tent but quickly spun around to face his visitor. Rose stood in the entrance watching him with a bland expression. Mac nodded at the 24th’s new Colonel and went back to his previous actions.

Rose continued to watch him before slinking over to his chair and sitting down. “I’m amazed that a simple pony like you got promoted.”

“Hmm,” was his only response.

Rose chuckled. “I’m even more amazed that I got promoted. A pony my age shouldn’t be leading a regiment. I’m far too young.”

“That could be said for most of us,” the stallion replied, still organising.

“I tried to find the other Colonels of the brigade but they are somewhere in the city.” Rose sighed and fidgeted with her shortened mane. “Want to help me find them? We need to get to know our comrades.”

“I doubt they will want to get to know us,” Mac stated, facing the mare.

“What do you mean?”

“These are battle hardened ponies we are joining. What’s more we are replacing a regiment they started with, fought with and died with. Don’t tell me, Rose, that you haven't seen the looks in their eyes.”

Rose drooped her head. “I saw something in their eyes but I didn’t know that was it.”

Big Mac stared at her for a moment as a puzzled expression formed on his face. “Something is odd about you. You’ve been silent ever since... ever since the train returned to Ponyville. Losing your parents changed you but now you seem like your old self all of a sudden.”

The mare sat up ridged and her voice became dark. “Joining the Charger Brigade is one of the best things to happen to me. With our old brigade there was no guarantee that we would see the same kind of action that we are bound to see now. I want to be on the front. I want to be face to face with the enemy as they die and I want to be the reason why they are dying! You don’t feel the same way?”

“Nope.” Big Mac dropped his eyes to the ground. “A life is still a life and is not so easily taken. Not to mention leading lives to kill even more lives. I don’t think letting hate take over our hearts is a wise decision.”

“Oh Bigs,” Rose smiled softly though her eyes remained hard. “You were always a big softie. Well, I’m going to return to my regiment. See ya latter.”

She slid from the chair, gave Big Mac a quick salute and smile before disappearing out of the tent and into the sunlight. The stallion stared at the tent’s entrance flap softly in the breeze, his mind restless. Eventually he stood and poked his head out of the tent and waited for his eyes to get used to the light. A strong cold wind hit his face and mixed in with the ocean air was the familiar smell that Big Mac could only describe as winter. He took a deep breath before stepping fully out with the intention of finding his sisters.

*

Ian’s voice rang out loudly through the already noisy dockyard. “Put your fuckin’ back into it, Shelly!”

Matt gave Ian a quick glance before returning to the task at hand. He was last in line of a crew of ponies heaving on a rope and pulley that was lifting the last of the Iron ingots out of a ship. The other Americans had finished their allotted work and were waiting for their comrade to complete his.

“Jesus, Shelly! It’s almost like you haven't done a lick of hard work in your life!” Bill bellowed, distracting Matt. The rope slipped slightly and the ponies were pulled forward by the weight. The ingot nearly dropped back into the ships hold.

“Whoa!” The humans echoed in excitement.

“Shelly!” Ian yelled, distracting Matt yet again. “We’re heading to the mess hall to meet up with the Krauts. When you get done, make your way there! Good luck, laddie boy!”

Matt turned his sweat covered face towards them and let out a pained, “Fuck you guys! Can I get some help!”

“Nah,” Ian laughed as they waved goodbye and walked away. “Ya look like you got this!”

“Do you think he might hurt himself?” Zeus asked as they moved into the city.

Ian looked at him with a mock horrified expression. “What, Shelly hurt himself? When we're dealing with that lad there is almost a guarantee that there’ll be injuries.”

The Lieutenant noticed that Zeus seemed to be worried. “Don’t worry. He needs to build character and muscle.”

“He has plenty of character,” Bill grunted. “Mostly he needs muscle.”

The group fell silent though as they passed by a large building. From inside they could hear the moans of wounded ponies. The smell of death hung heavily in the air. A few wounded soldiers noticed them passing and raised their hooves in salutes and their voices into a weary cheer. The humans saluted back and continued on their way.

“How much booze do we have?” Zeus asked when they were a far distance from the hospital.

Ian took a deep breath. “Not enough.”

The Germans were already waiting for them when they arrived. Frederic waved from their table at the opposite side of the crowded building.

“Hello,” Frederic greeted as they sat down. “Where is Matthew?

“Still working,” Ian replied.

“How was your day?” Zeus asked.

“Forging cannon isn’t fun.” Fraedrich looked up and waved to someone that had just entered and the others followed his gaze and saw that it was Twilight, Rarity and Rainbow Dash.

The three ponies joined them as the already crowded table.

“Hello,” Ian said. “Where’s the other’s?”

Twilight sighed. “Pinkie has been busy bringing sweets to the wounded, Fluttershy is helping Cadence treat the wounded and Applejack is gone on her duty in the newly appointed farmland. Where she is exactly, I cannot say.”

“Where are the young ones?” Frederic implored.

“Young ones?” Twilight asked before realisation hit. “Oh, Applebloom is with AJ, Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle are with Cheerily and the other foals out of the town. Somewhere far away from the death.”

“I talked to Cheerilee recently,” Rarity cut in. “That poor mare is extremely tired. She needs more help.”

“Fluttershy was helping her for a while but when the wounded came in she took it upon herself to help them instead.” Twilight paused and stared at the ceiling. “I think it is taking a toll on her.”

“It’s taking a toll on all of us, dear,” Rarity put her hoof on her friend’s back.

“Rarity,” Bill coughed. “Can I ask a favor of you?”

The fashion pony tilted her head in slight surprise. “Sure.”

“Could you make this flag?” He revealed a piece of paper from his pocket and gave it to her.

Rarity looked over the simple simple design of a star studded blue X with white outlines over a red background.

She shrugged her shoulders. “I believe I can find time to work on this.”

“A Confederate flag?” Zeus asked. “So that was what you were working on all night.”

Ian chuckled. “If we’re all getting flags made perhaps I can get the Irish flag.”

“And the German flag for them!” Zeus laughed as he motioned towards the Tiger crew.

“We can get Patton the American flag so he can fly it next to the Equestrian one for all I care!” Bill growled before face Rarity again. “I just want this. Please?”

“I’ll see what I can do.”

“Matt’s here,” Jeff grunted.

They turned to see the Californian enter, his wrists and hands wrapped in bandages.

“What happened?” Zeus asked when the loader had sat down at the end of the table next to Ian.

“Rope burn and sprained wrists,” he hissed. Matt looked at his injured hands then at the food on the table. His stomach growled unhappily as he tried unsuccessfully to eat.

“Poor baby,” Bill chuckled. “Do you want mother to feed you?”

“Fuck you! My hands really hurt!”

“Do you want mother to kiss them better then,” Ian joined in.

“Aww,” Matt moaned as he dropped his head into his arms. “Why are you being so mean?”

“Because we love you, Shelly boy.” Ian wrapped his arm around the young man’s neck. “Tough love my boy!”

“Oh, hello Big Mac,” Twilight started, surprised at the silent arrival of the stallion.

“Hello,” he replied. “Would any of you happen to know where my sisters are?”

“We were just talking about them,” Twilight replied. “They left already for the southern farmlands.”

Big Mac frowned but nodded. “Thank you, Twilight. I think I’ll have enough time to visit them.”

Without another word he turned and left. They silently watched him go each falling into their own thoughts.

Matt let out a loud sigh as he tried to lift a loaf of bread just to have it slip back onto the table. “Damnit!”

“Do you need help, Matt?” Dash asked.

“Nah,” he shot, shaking his head. “I got this.”

Matt wedged the loaf between his arms and took a triumphant bite.

“I wonder what is happening back on the mainland,” Twilight stated, still in her thoughts.

“Their probably staying strong,” Rarity answered with a forced smile. “We will return to save them soon.”

“We won’t be going back anytime in the near future,” Ian interjected. “Winter is coming and nothing other than preparation is going to happen. Even by summer I doubt we will be ready to return.”

“Winter is shit,” Bill grunted.

“Only the Russians fight in it willingly,” Zeus added half jokingly and Frederic nodded his head.

“I like the snow.” Matt was still trying to eat the bread. “It never snowed where I lived in California.”

“I don’t mind the snow either,” Ian stood and stretched. “I just hate fighting and working in it. Well lads, back to work. Matt, you can take the day off from the hard work. Go find something easy on you.”

The humans except for Matt stood and left. The loader watched them go and waited until they were out of the building. He changed his attention to the three ponies.

“Don’t tell anyone,” he shot before slipping the bandages off his mostly pristine hands. He grabbed another loaf of bread, smiling widely.

*

Celestia peered out of the window alongside the only other pony in the house, Flo. The mare was not happy about staying with the filly but straws were drawn to decide who was going to baby sit her and Flo got the short end.

“So, Dawn, want to play a game or something to pass the time?” Flow chimed.

Celestia didn’t want to but before she could say no a familiar voice whispered in her mind.

‘I want to play a game.’

“Sure,” Celestia replied quickly.

Flo stood and made her way to a closet. She rummaged around for a while before returning with a stack of boxes.

“We use to have game nights here before the war.” She set the boxes down on the coffee table. “We have a whole bunch of board games. Which one do you want to play?”

Celestia joined her and looked at each box. Of all the games only one looked enjoyable. “I like playing chess.”

Flo raised an eyebrow. “Realy? Never met a chess player as young as you before.”

“My father taught me how to play it,” Celestia replied, which was actually a truth.

“Very well,” Flo set out the board and pieces. “I must warn you I’m not going to go easy on a child.”

“That’s fine.”

Celestia didn’t really pay attention to the game and in fact neither did flo. When neither of them were moving a piece they sat watching the window. Despite this Celestia found herself winning the game rather quickly and Flo couldn't help but be impressed.

“You are good at this, kid.” She sat back after her king was checkmated. “Were you in a chess club or something?”

“Uh,” Celestia didn’t know if she should say yes. “I was.. too young to join. But I loved practicing.”

There was a distant rumble from outside and Flo rushed to the window. Celestia quietly followed her and stood waiting patiently. The mare watched the dark, empty streets suddenly become alive with columns of enemy soldiers rushing to unknown locations. Flo backed away just incase she was seen observing and instead went to the back of the house to a different window and peered into the small back yard.

Celestia joined her and several minutes later there was a blue flash of light and Cobalt appeared by the back door. Flo rushed out of the house to meet him.

“Flo, come quick,” he gasped. “We need you.”

The mare was taken aback by his urgency. “Why? What happened? What’s wrong?”

“No time to explain,” he took her hoof and his horn lit up with blue light.

Celestia rushed and touched Flo’s tail before they could flash away. The next thing she knew they were in a large barn. The Princess slipped away and hid behind a bail of hay before they could realise that she was there.

“Hold on sister, it’s all going to be fine!” Ocean Mist was weeping over a bloody body on the barn floor. “Don’t give up.”

“I-I hurt so much,” was the weak response from Morning.

“What happened?” Flo demanded in a horrified tone.

“Me and the bat ponies blew the first bridge without a problem,” Cobalt said as he pointed to Shadow and two other bat ponies guarding the door. “But Tipple, Ocean, Morning and another one of the bat ponies ran straight into a patrol.”

Flo looked around the room and didn’t see the other bat pony or Tipple. “Where-?”

Cobalt cut her off. “Tipple is captured or dead, we don’t know. The other bat pony is dead and that is certain.”

Celestia snuck to a different pile of hay bales to get a better look at the Mist sisters. Morning Mist’s breaths were quick and her blood filled gasps nearly made the Princess sick. A series of cuts were along her sides with two deep puncture wounds bled profusely into the hay. One through her ribs, the other in her back.

Flo uneasily approached and after a pause helped Ocean put makeshift bandages made from sacks onto her sister’s wounds.

“You're going to be fine, Morning,” Flo whispered, brushing the dying mare’s bloody mane out of her face.”

“Do-do-y-you think their going t-to come after our families?” Morning gasped.

“I don’t think they recognized who we were,” Cobalt stated.

“Not unless Tippple turns you in,” Shadow growled.

Cobalt glared at him, “Tipple may be an ass but he would never turn us in.”

“I wouldn't be too sure about that,” a bat pony by one of the windows muttered. “We have company.”

From outside a voice challenged. “Come out without any weapons or we will be forced to come in there and do things the harder way. And don't try to escape with magic, we have that covered.”

Then the familiar voice of Tipple joined in, “guys, I’m sorry! I didn’t have a choice!”

“Damn you!” Cobalt screamed out of a window.

“What do we do?” Flo inquired, her eyes filled with horror.

“We could fight,” he replied.

“I wouldn’t do that if I were you,” the voice said, apparently they must have heard. “So far we only want you. If you try to resist then we will take it out on the inhabitants of the city, and if you succeed in injuring or killing any of us then we will do the same tenfold to your pony brethren. You understand?”

They looked at each other with terrified expressions before Shadow sighed. “I guess the game’s up. What a poor running I had.”

He stepped towards the doors followed by the other bat ponies. Cobalt looked down at the Mist sisters then to Flo.

“Hide,” he said. “They only know that there were eight of us. If eight of us come out then they won’t be expecting to find you.”

“Okay,” she nodded her head and averted her watery eyes.

“Don’t worry about us,” he whispered. “I will try to break the group out. I’ll see you soon.”

Flo looked up at him wishing that was true. After a moment she rushed forward, wrapped her hooves around his neck and kissed him.

She stared into his eyes, tears flowing down her face. “I’ll be the one breaking you out.”

He smiled then pulled away. “We’re coming out!”

“Wise choice!” the voice replied.

Ocean remained by her sister. “I won’t leave her!”

“Flo will take care of her,” Cobalt whispered, pulling the distraught mare away.

Morning stared back at her sister with unseeing eyes. Her mouth moved but no words came out. After struggling with Cobalt for a few more moments Ocean finally allowed herself to be pulled away.

The group left the barn and everything was quiet for a while. Flo had hidden herself under a pile of hay and Celestia found an empty barrel and slipped inside. After a while two gryphons entered and looked around. They immediately came across Morning Mist and stood over her.

“Here’s number eight,” one of them said before raising his voice. “We found the other!”

“Is she dead?” the other asked.

One of the Gryphons nudged her with the butt of his spear and got no response.

“Yep,” he replied. “Dead.”

A minotaur entered and walked up to the Gryphons. He looked down at the body before nodding his head. “We’ll leave this mess for the farmer. Check around to see if there is anyone else in here.”

The minotaur left and both Gryphons groaned.

“Lets just do a quick walk around,” one said as he moved deeper into the barn.

“Sure,” replied the other.

Luckily both Gryphons didn’t try very hard in their search. After walking around, poking the hay with their spears and tapping a few boxes and barrels they left. Only after a few minutes had passed though did Flo leave her hiding place. After checking out of the windows to make sure no one was still around she went to Morning’s side. She put her ear over her friend’s mouth to check for a breath and after a moment a soft smile crept onto her face.

“I always knew you were a tough girl,” she murmured. “Come, lets get you patched up.”

Celestia creeped up behind Flo but the mare heard her. She spun around and glared at the Princess.

“How did you get here?” Flo hissed.

“Grabbed your tail when you and Cobalt teleported.” Celestia maintained a stern and not at all childlike expression. “After we get Morning Mist somewhere safe I can help you rescue the others. If you’ll trust me.”

Flo began to lift Morning onto her back. “You’re a filly. But thanks for the offer kid.”

“They will most likely take them to the royal dungeons in the palace,” Celestia continued. “It is nearly impossible to escape from there and you won’t be able to do it even with a dozen skilled ponies. But I know the palace, I know the dungeons and I know exactly how we can enact a rescue. I am your only hope of seeing them again.”

Flo stared at the filly sceptical.

Celestia returned the glare with a pleading face. “I am your only hope of saving Cobalt.”

“Lets go,” was Flo’s only reply.

Celestia put her hoof on the mare’s leg and prepared to be teleported away but Flo looked down at her.

“Someday I’m going to find out who you really are and where you came from,” she hissed. “But for now I’m going to put a little trust into you.”

And with a flash of light the three ponies disappeared.