Chapter 8

Commander Star sat in silence waiting for the others to arrive, Stronghoof and Stonewall flanked her with their heads held high and eyes staring forward, all three knew the importance of the events that were about to take place and they were all prepared to run the gauntlet. A knock on the flap of the tent announced the first arrival.

A very large blue unicorn stallion entered the tent; his blonde mane fell about his face in a way that reminded Commander Star of the lions she’d seen on one of her campaigns to the south. He wore a long gold coat that flapped dramatically when he walked and across his back was a massive sword. The stallion’s eyes were large and expressive and his bushy eyebrows moved up and down rapidly whenever he was feeling particularly exited, and him being him that was almost always. His guard entered behind him, she was a lithe orange unicorn who looked like she’d be more at home attending a dance recital then walking the battlefield, but she was far from harmless.

“COMMANDER STAR! It fills my heart with joy to see you again sister!” The stallion roared rushing forward and pulling Commander Star out of her chair and into a bone crushing hug.

“It’s been a while Commander Sol, how’ve you been?” Commander Star asked after they’d separated from the hug.

“I’ve been AMAZING thank you for asking!” Commander Sol replied with a large grin, from behind him his guard facehoofed and got apologetic looks from Stonewall and Stronghoof.

“That’s good to hear, how was your campaign to the north?” Commander Star asked even though she’d read the reports she was interested to hear how Commander Sol would describe them.

“We sent the rebel scum PACKING; those idiots STILL haven’t learned how to really fight!” Commander Sol told her proudly, Commander Star nodded that matched what she’d heard. “Speaking of previous engagements how did your little ENCOUNTER against the DREADED Commander Stormwing go?” Commander Sol asked her inquisitively.

“We sent the bird home disappointed as usual.” Commander Star said noncommittally, Commander Sol laughed boisterously.

“Word reached me about your UPCOMING wedding; may I be a band BEARER?” The blue stallion asked with a mischievous smile that caused his eyebrows to come together as he turned his head to the side. Commander Star blushed, they’d only tentatively set a date and she hadn’t thought that the others would even know about it yet.

“I wasn’t aware that my mother had informed anyone else about my wedding yet, and of course I’d be honored for you bear the bands.” Commander Star told the massive stallion.

“EXCELENT, just between you and me I’ve ALWAYS wanted to do that!” Commander Sol told her in a whisper, the whisper was of course wasted because the closest he could get to a whisper was a normal speaking voice. During the conversation Commander Sol’s guard had gone over to stand with Stronghoof and Stonewall and the three were exchanging stories, at least Sol’s guard and Stronghoof were Stonewall just stood smiling and occasionally nodding. Before her conversation with Commander Sol could continue there was another knock on the tent.

A jet black pegasus mare entered the tent, she was the kind of mare who attracted stallions attention the moment she entered a room thanks to her good looks, but if you looked a little more closely you could see that there was a layer of ice covering her heart. A black coat lined with grey fluttered silently as she walked and at her heels walked, an enchanted long dirk hung from her hip. Commander Star had seen the knife like weapon carve through half a foot of steel armor with a contemptuous slash back when they’d combined armies to take down on one of the more troublesome rebel leaders. Her guard was a serious looking pegasus with a short beard, he went over to join the other guards.

“Commander Tau, it’s a pleasure to see you again.” Commander Star told the black pegasus.

“Thank you Commander.” Commander Tau replied coolly.

“Welcome INDEED Tau, I miss you LITTLE sister!” Commander Sol cried sweeping her up in a hug similar to the one he’d given Commander Star, he was however very careful not to crush her wings.

“A pleasure as always Commander Sol,” Commander Tau replied with a slight smile gracing her icy lips, even she enjoyed Commander Sol’s odd brand of company. “When are the others arriving?” Commander Tau asked turning her gaze back to Commander Star.

“Whenever they get here I suppose, although I’m willing to bet that General Archangel will be last.” Commander star said with a shrug.

“It’s his way.” Commander Tau agreed with a tiny nod. Another knock at the door stalled further conversation.

A small orange earth pony entered the stood within the tent doorway; he looked at the others in the room uncomfortably for a few seconds before smiling uncertainly and walking in. He had always been awkward, especially among the other Commanders, mostly because of the fact that he was one of the few earth ponies that made it that far up the ladder, but also because that was just the way her was. Across his back was a blue coat with silver trim, around his neck was a small silver chain, and a thin pair of glasses that had been magically reinforced to be almost unbreakable lay across his face. At his waist hung a mace. His guard was an equally small grey earth pony who made her way back to talk with the other guards.

“Erm, I’m sorry I was late, yeah…” The tiny Commander said apologetically in what Twilight would describe as a trottingham accent.

“No trouble at all Levitas.” Commander Star said smiling at the other Commander; she’d always had a soft spot for the awkward little pony.

“INDEED brother we haven’t even BEGUN yet and you are NOT the last one to arrive!” Commander Sol said steeping forward and offering Levitas his hoof, the earth pony was not a fan of the crushing hugs, something about cracked ribs.

“Thanks…” Levitas said with a small smile as he shook the offered hoof. “…so that means that we’re waiting for General Archangel and Commander Bar-” He was cut off mid sentence by another pony who burst into the tent with a great fanfare of several trumpeters.

“Commander Beretz has arrived!” The new stallion said with a large smile on his face “Thanks boys but you can go now.” Commander Beretz told the trumpeters who nodded and wandered off back into the encampment. “Nice boys.” Commander Beretz commented idly as he watched them go.

Commander Beretz was a tall white unicorn, mares swooned over him and his ‘roguish good looks’ but Commander Star had never seen the appeal. His face was almost always fixed in a large grin that was said to cause the hearts of weak willed mares to stop when he walked by. He wore a large white coat that was for some reason covered in zipper pockets where he was said to store all kinds of things. Strapped across his back were two long curved scimitars that he’d picked up after a campaign in the eastern corner of the empire and never set back down. His bodyguard consisted of one extremely large unicorn stallion that towered over him although the guard was slightly smaller than Commander Sol; across the guard’s back was a giant hammer.

“Commander Star I’ve just been informed of your upcoming wedding to Commander Stormwing of the griffins, and I’ve got to say that it’s a shame you’re settling for him when you could have me.” Commander Beretz said confidently, if it wasn’t for the fact that Commander Beretz was obviously joking Commander Star would’ve unleashed her temper, as it turned out she decided for something, lighter.

“Ah yes Commander Beretz, the stallion’s stallion, every mare’s dream, why wouldn’t I want the one who wet his bed during command school gracing mine?” Commander Star replied with a smile as he winced slightly.

“Now there were extenuating circumstances behind that as you know, Commander Sol don’t I get a hug?” Commander Beretz asked the hulking stallion quickly changing subjects.

“Of COURSE you do my brother!” Commander Sol yelled pulling the white unicorn into a hug; Commander Star grimaced slightly when she heard his back crack. Commander Beretz just laughed and returned the hug before being set back down.

“Oh and who is this I see, by Cosmosmia it’s Commander Tau! Hello my beauty did you miss me?” Commander Beretz asked the black pegasus who regarded him coldly.

“Yes, I missed the headache that you give me.” Commander Tau told him.

“That’s just my essence seeping into your skull; I’ve heard that it’s quite heavenly.” Commander Beretz replied with a wide grin, Commander Tau shot him a withering look before turning away.

“Alright everyone settle down settle down.” Said the charismatic voice of General Archangel as he entered the tent, a small grin was making its way across his face as he saw his Commanders. The General was a very handsome stallion but his face was covered in countless scars that formed twisting red lines that traveled across the right side of his face. The eyes that looked out from the scarred face were green and possessed an almost ethereal glow; the eyes complimented his green fur. He wore a long green duster signifying his rank as general and a large halberd was strapped to his back the black blade shimmered slightly.

The General chose to forgo traditional pony bodyguards and instead opted for a striped verity. The zebra was wearing a hood that concealed most of her face along with several belts that held potion bottles. She nodded once to the Commanders before making her way to the other guards who were now for the most part laughing heartily. Once she reached them they fell silent, until that is she told them a particularly dirty rhyme involving a hydra and one of the other generals at which point they almost fell over laughing. General Archangel shook his head and chuckled before turning back to his waiting Commanders.

“As you all know we’re going to be assaulting the underground fortress known as Daemonis Regni, this will be a very difficult battle that will require precision and skill to pull off but I have the utmost faith that you’ll all perform to my expectations.” General Archangel began, it was the usual speech he gave before any full deployment of the five armies under his command but every time he made it he put passion into it, and if there was one thing that Commander Star respected deeply about General Archangel it was the fact that he really cared about the ponies in his armies.

“I’ve come up with a plan, but as usual I would like your honest opinions on it, nopony can concoct a perfect plan all by themselves.” General Archangel said pulling out a long thin tube. Out of the tube he unfurled a roll of parchment that he spread across the table behind Commander Star. The Commanders all gathered around the table and looked at the plan skeptically; they hadn’t made it as far as they had in the Empire’s military service by being yes ponies who wouldn’t question their superiors. The plan was very detailed and showed how the armies would approach the enemy fortress and just what kind of formations and roles they’d be playing.

“As you can see Commander Sol and his First army will be the first ones into the tunnels where they will draw out the inevitable ambush. Once that is taken care of Commander Beretz and the Fifth will follow watching out for any other traps that the First might have missed they will be followed by Commander Star and the Fourth along with Commander Levitas leading the Second. Once we’re lined up and prepared to take the fortress Commander Tau will bring the third forward into the cavern, my apologies for brining you in last Commander but your army is mostly pegasi and you won’t perform as well as the others in tunnel action.” General Archangel told Tau with a slight shrug.

“It matters little, as long as my troops get to bloody their wings.” Commander Tau replied as a thin grin made its way across her face.

“Once we’re all outside the fortress Commander Sol will of course be leading the assault on the main gate as is his preference, meanwhile Commanders Star and Beretz will be attacking the wall while Commander Tau’s troops provide air support. Commander Levitas and his troops will be on standby looking for traps and reinforcing our ranks when needed. I’ll be having a small talk with every mage unit over the course of the day to tell them each their mission objectives; I’ve had summaries of all of those objectives sent to your respective tents under spells protecting them from anyone but you looking at them. So what do you think?” General Archangel asked looking at each of his Commanders expectantly.

“May I add a small wrinkle to the plan?” Commander Star asked politely, it honestly was a sound plan, but there was something missing.

“By all means Commander Star.” General Archangel said with a nod.

“Well it looks like you’ve completely overlooked the opportunity that a small stealth team could offer.” Commander Star began, General Archangel gestured to continue. “I have a pegasus who, despite being a complete ass in all forms of the word, could probably get the gates open with less loss of life for Commander Sol’s troops.”

“I presume you’re talking about True Shooter?” General Archangel asked Commander Star nodded. “If you think that it’ll work, he has proven reliable although I won’t go anywhere near him, I don’t want to accidentally let my halberd cut off his head.” General Archangel told Commander Star getting a few chuckles from the other Commanders who all knew of True. “Anyone else have any suggestions?” General Archangel asked, the others took one last look over the plans and shook their heads. “Good now we move at dawn tomorrow and I have to go and address the mages so I’ll be fairly busy for the rest of the day but I’ll talk to anyone who needs it. Goodbye.” General Archangel told them before walking out of the tent, his zebra guard followed after one final rhyme to the other guards.

“Well brothers and sisters that went BETTER than expected!” Commander Sol boomed the others nodded, usually when they all met like this the end result was a shouting match between Commander Star and General Archangel.

“His plan wasn’t flawed this time.” Commander Star said simply. After a few minutes of small talk the other Commanders filed out of the tent leaving Commander Star alone with her guards.

“So how are the others?” Commander Star asked Stronghoof.

“Oh the usual, Zanti is still as funny as ever and nothing ever really changes with the others.” Stronghoof replied with a grin. Stonewall grunted and began to polish his sword.

“Good I’m glad that you’re all still friends after all this time.” Commander Star told Stronghoof before she returned to her desk and began to go over some last minute plans.

***

Night had fallen and the armies were sitting quietly preparing for the coming bloodshed. Twilight and her unit were sitting around their campfire eating smores like Blaze promised they would, Angeldust had been the one to find the materials something about smore emergencies.

“You know these smores remind me of a mare I know.” Spike said as he took another bite of his gemstone smore before offering one to Peewee who sniffed it cautiously before shaking his head.

“A mare really, I expected you to have eyes for a dragoness?” Blaze asked Spike who shook his head.

“Nope, I haven’t met any who I like.” Spike replied with a shrug.

“So who’s this mare you’ve had your eyes on?” Aqua asked looking up from her tome of dark and mythical power with interest.

“Her name’s Rarity.” Spike replied with a little blush.

“Anypony we’d know?” Blaze asked.

“Not unless you’ve been to Equestria.” Twilight told them with a small grin.

“So what’s this Rarity like Spike?” Aqua asked.

“She’s the most amazing pony I’ve ever met, she’s beautiful, she’s kind, and she’s generous!” Spike answered immediately.

“The one real regret that I have about coming here is the fact that it meant leaving her behind just as she’d accepted my love.” Spike said a little glumly.

“Wait Rarity accepted your love?” Twilight asked in surprise.

“Yeah, I asked her for a kiss before Celestia sent us here, and…well we started making out.” Spike said blushing.

“Well at least you gave her something to remember you by.” Dane said with a grin.

“Marshmallows…” Spike said trailing off with a happy look on his face.

“What?” Trixie asked she wasn’t the only one looking at Spike oddly.

“Oh sorry, the conversation reminded me of her, she tasted like marshmallows.” Spike told them. Twilight facehoofed at the statement but before anyone could add anything Angeldust came leaping out of the darkness.

“We’re being visited by General Archangel!” She said doing a front flip and landing in the fire and standing there with no apparent harm. Twilight blinked before shaking her head, over the half year that she’d been living with her squad she’d given up trying to understand Angeldust or how she defied physics more than Pinkie usually did.

“Thank you for the introduction.” A stallion’s voice said dryly from the direction that Angeldust had come from. The first things that Twilight noticed about the General were his glowing green eyes, as he stepped into the light cast by the campfire Twilight gasped. The General’s face was covered in scars, his green duster flapped in a nonexistent breeze and his halberd seemed to growl slightly.

“To what do we owe the pleasure General?” Stardust asked.

“Oh I was just walking by when I noticed the smell of smores, you wouldn’t mind sharing them would you?” The General asked with a grin.

“Of course not sir, have a seat.” Aqua replied offering him a smore with a wave of blue magic.

“Don’t mind if I do.” General Archangel replied taking the smore in his own green magic and taking a seat in-between Dane and Twilight, he somehow managed to look completely dominant next to the diamond dog who towered over him. He took a bite of the smore and closed his eyes in pleasure. “I haven’t had a good smore in ages, my compliments to the chef.” The General said with a satisfied smile.

“So General besides sampling our smores is there anything else we can do for you?” Stardust asked.

“Yes, I also came to check in and give you some special orders.” General Archangel told the squad around him. “You’re probably one of the most diverse groups of mages in almost all of the armies; as such you represent an interesting piece on the board. One of you is an earth mage correct?” The General asked.

“Yes, that would be me.” Stardust replied.

“Good, you’ll link up with the rest of the mages actively countering the dog’s mages. As for the rest of you, the dog will be on guard for assaults from beneath the ground. Your fire mage will be taking the earth mage’s role in the spirit side of the battle while your newest two mages will simultaneously offer fire support and defense. Are the dragon and the phoenix are noncombatants?” The General asked his glowing green eyes turned to Spike and Peewee.

“I’ve never actually fought before, but I know I’m hard to hurt and immune to magic.” Spike said with a shrug.

“Hmm…well I’m sure the two of you will find some way to help.” The General told them with a kind smile before turning back to the others. “Well those are your orders, remember if you see an opening in the defenses tear it open.” He turned away from the fire and walked into the night. Twilight felt odd now that his glowing green eyes had departed, while he’d been there I had been like someone was staring into her soul, Twilight prayed that he liked what she saw.

“I still want to know how he does that.” Blaze said randomly breaking the silence that had descended on the group around the fire.

“It’s a very ancient spell, how he acquired it is beyond me…” Aqua replied before leafing through her book. “Even my book doesn’t have it, and when an eldritch tome of unknowable power doesn’t have a spell…” Aqua said trailing off.

“He’s impressive I’ll give him that, but he’s holding in a lot of anger.” Dane said.

“Why do you say that?” blaze asked while absentmindedly raising and lowering the height of the fire.

“Because of the way he holds himself, also he smells like it.” Dane replied with a shrug getting stares from the rest. “I’m a dog, I smell feelings, and for example she is horny.” Dane said pointing a claw at Trixie who blushed till she looked purple. The rest of the group chuckled good-naturedly and Trixie eventually regained the ability to speak.

“You should learn to watch your mouth mongrel; it could get you into trouble.” Trixie told Dane menacingly, the mastiff laughed.

“Hmm let’s see, anger, annoyance, embarrassment, oh and arousal. Why Trixie I had no idea you felt that way about me.” Dane told the blue unicorn with a wide grin.

“Go fuck yourself!” Trixie yelled before she ran into the darkness crying.

“Smells like you’re the one who wants to fuck me!” Dane called after her, the rest of the group was glaring at him, except for Angeldust who was busy fiddling with a cupcake. “What? I’ve been saving that for a while now, especially after she insulted my honor, you just don’t do that.” Dane replied with a shrug.

“Twilight go get your partner and keep her from doing something stupid.” Angeldust said without looking up from the cupcake. Twilight nodded and took off after Trixie. “Dane what do you smell when you smell me?” Angeldust asked the dog sweetly.

“Hmm…insanity, darkness, madness, despair, self control, kindness, love, power…” Dane said with every word his eyes narrowed.

“Yes, now would you like to show what I’m like without the self control, kindness, and love?” Angeldust asked him, her voice was light and happy, but Dane stiffened and paled visibly. “I thought as such, see that you don’t force me to, I do so love cupcakes…” Angeldust trailed off looking at the cupcake in her hoof. “I don’t mind the sparring, in fact I enjoy it. But if you make her cry again I will come down on you hard…see that you don’t.” With that the golden unicorn spaced again looking at the cupcake again before tossing into her mouth with a shrug.

***

“Trixie are you ok?” Twilight asked the blue unicorn who she’d found inside the mess tent drinking a large mug of wine.

“No Twilight I’m not, but that’s hardly your fault.” Trixie relied looking into her mug.

“Do I need to have a talk with Dane?” Twilight asked her partner in concern.

“No, it wasn’t even his fault, I just don’t like others knowing how I feel unless I want them to.” Trixie replied.

“So you actually like him?” Twilight asked confused.

“Hell no, it wasn’t for him Twilight.” Trixie said taking a long swig from her mug.

“Then who was it for?” Twilight asked uncertainly.

“Take a good guess.” Trixie replied looking at Twilight and blowing her silver hair out of her eyes. Twilight paused to think but could come up with nothing so she shrugged, Trixie groaned slightly. “Well I’ll tell you a little about her then I’ll let you draw your own conclusions okay?” Trixie asked Twilight.

“Alright.” Twilight replied.

“She solves any problem she finds, she’s the most amazing mare I’ve ever met. No matter what happens to her she’s always been the type to put her friends first and those friends would rather die than see her come to harm, and yet she’s clueless to it and truly believes that she’s ordinary. Hell she’d throw herself in front of a normal arrow to save a magically armored alicorn simply because that’s the kind of mare she is. This mare is so beautiful that the stars weep in jealousy, yet she’s not aware of it, in fact most of the time she thinks that her friends got all the good genes. Oh and to top it off she’s the smartest pony I’ve ever met, she’s equally capable of solving calculus as she at telling you the last thousand years of history without batting an eye. The best part is that she’s sitting next to me with her mouth open.” Trixie finished with a smirk, Twilight’s mouth was indeed open wide in shock.

“But, I’m none of those things!” Twilight protested in disbelief. “I’m not beautiful, Rarity is beautiful so are Aqua and Celestia and Luna, but not me! I’m just Twilight the book worm who has an average control of magic!”

“Twilight everything you just said about yourself is a lie.” Trixie told her calmly.

“No you’re wrong, you’re just drunk!” Twilight exclaimed shaking her head violently.

“Twilight this is a mug of apple cider, and not the hard stuff. Everything I told you is true no matter how much you want to not believe me, or at least it is in my opinion, I’ve loved you for a long time Twilight! You forgave me for almost unleashing a rampaging Ursa Minor on your home, after that like I’ve told you before you treated me with dignity and respect despite how much of a, quite frankly, bitch I was. After I came here thoughts of you were the only things that kept me from becoming an emotionless killer, or a detached happy fool like Angeldust. Look Twilight you’ve got to believe me, I love you!” Trixie told Twilight looking deep into the purple mare’s eyes.

“Really?” Twilight asked softly.

“Yes Twilight, I really do love you.” Trixie replied earnestly.

“Are you sure you aren’t drunk?” Twilight asked in a small voice.

“Twilight is everything okay?” Trixie asked Twilight who was shaking almost imperceptibly.

“Yes, I’m fine; it’s just that this sounds like my old confession to Celestia.” Twilight replied softly causing Trixie to stare at the unicorn flatly.

“What?” Trixie asked.

“My first real crush was Celestia, I know it sounds stupid. It was at the third gala and I’d had a lot to drink. She kindly explained that, one I was drunk, two that she was an eight thousand year old alicorn god princess, and three that she was into stallions. After that I’ve never tried for anypony before because I wasn’t good enough for her…” Twilight said trailing off. Trixie did the only thing that can be expected of her, and pulled Twilight into a deep kiss.

“You’re good enough for me Twilight.” Trixie said when she broke the embrace. “Now why don’t we go back to our tent and discuss this out of the public eye?” Trixie continued eyeing the rest of the mess tent; apparently they’d attracted a lot of attention because everypony in it was staring at them.

“I think that I’d like that.” Twilight replied quietly, the tent broke into enthusiastic cheers causing Twilight and Trixie to blush deeply.

“Well it’s about time” A stallion with in red armor emblazoned with a almost imperceptible quill said with nod before turning back to his drink.

***

“Mother what’s wrong with General Archangel?” Commander Star asked her mother who sat across from her sipping tea from a small cup.

“I had a long talk with him, and I placed a small spell on him to keep the extremely violent drastic part of his mind out of the decision making process till the battle has started.” Cosmosmia replied with a shrug.

“Ah.” Commander Star replied there was nothing more to say.

“So your wedding is scheduled for immediately after this campaign if that’s okay with you.” Cosmosmia told her daughter who blinked.

“Are you sure it’s smart to have it so soon?” Commander Star asked.

“Not at all, it’ll keep the griffins appeased for a long time and maybe even forever if we handle it properly, after all it’s not every day that a Princess gets married to a griffin.” Cosmosmia said with a smirk.

“Mother I hate it when you call me that, besides everyone knows I have no real political power!” Commander Star replied in annoyance, her mother infuriated her sometimes.

“Well my dear you have an army, plus I’m sure that the other four of our top armies would follow you actually I know for a fact that they would…” Cosmosmia replied with a wide grin.

“Enough mother. I’m not going to be a General.” Commander Star said with a tired sigh.

“Oh I know it’s just fun to ask you.” Cosmosmia replied with a wider grin.

“Good night mother.” Commander Star said before she walked out of the tent as she walked away she heard Cosmosmia chuckling. She passed Twilight’s tent on her way back to her tent and to her surprise heard the sounds of two mares enjoying each other.

“Well it’s about damn time.” Stronghoof said from behind her, Stonewall chuckled, Commander Star joined him and pretty soon all three of them were too embroiled in their laughter to notice the fact that the sounds from the tent had stopped. Trixie stuck her head out of the tent and glared at them fiercely.

“Would you three please stop laughing this was hard enough to start again after the tenth time and this is getting ridicules!” Trixie shouted sending the three into even greater laughter, but they moved off.

“What’s so funny about the two of us having sex?” Twilight asked in exasperation from inside the tent.

“Don’t worry about it, now where were we?” Trixie asked lustily.

Next Chapter: Chapter 9 Estimated time remaining: 2 Hours, 55 Minutes