As my team and I made it back through the jungle I couldn't help but feel irritated by the fact that all of our efforts were for nothing. The ritual allowed me to 'see my destiny' but also revealed to the tribe the influence that was previously held over me as a result of Discord's actions. Deka explained to me that the Shaman also takes a part in the ritual, allowing her to tap into the participant's energy, allowing her to mark them based on what she sees. It just so happened that when the Chief looked over my markings, he identified the symbol for chaos.

The Harbinger of War? I can't really bring war to the world, can I? Everything was taking place before I arrived. I'm just a frontline soldier, following orders and acting where diplomacy fails. It just so happens that in the short time I've been here, Equestria has taken part in its first war in a millennium. Then they also began a military operation within their own borders based on a plot I stopped on Nightmare Night... Nah, I'm not a puppet whose sole purpose is to start and escalate conflicts.

Peeling back the sleeve from my sore arm, I run my eyes along the marking and come to the realisation that others will likely also be able to figure out what it means. Having the mark on show could cause nothing but trouble as the belief that someone in a high position in society is a puppet. Removing a tattoo isn't easy and I highly doubt that Equestria has laser removal as an option, though I guess magic may help me. If it can't be removed then I could always fill in the gaps of the marking and disguise it. As a squaddie, it was common to have a tattoo, I just never got around to it, and I've always been a fan of tribal sleeves.

Someone finally works up the guts to confront me as Sunny and Chaser move to either side of me. "John, what happened?" Sunny asks. "Why were we forced to leave?"

"You didn't call the Chief's mother a whore, did you?" Chaser mock as he looks at me.

"Trust me, insulting his mum would likely have gone ten times better," I state with a groan. Looking over my shoulder, I make sure that everyone else is out of earshot as I go to explain. "The ritual somehow revealed that I was once under Discord's influence. Apparently, that makes me his 'disciple' and will work to ensure that war is spread throughout the land. If they see me again, they'll be hostile since I'm the 'Harbinger of War'."

"Discord's disciple? I've never heard of him having anypony helping him. He's practically capable of bending the fabrics of reality."

"I've only heard of the one," Sunny adds as she looks to Chaser. "Though it wasn't War. I once read about a Dragon which brought famine during his reign. Burning crops and farmland, resulting in most of western Equestria being affected. But the Princesses were able to defeat it, allowing some farmland to regrow during Discord's absence. I don't know if he was incapable or just didn't bother doing it, but he would only focus on one area at once, occasionally jumping from location to location if he saw fit to do so."

"How many are there?" Chaser asks as he looks to me. "And please tell me every single one won't be a dragon."

"Obviously not," I respond, "Since I'm not a dragon. There are four disciples that Paara told me of. War, Famine, Pestilence and Death."

"Pestilence?" He asks in confusion. "What the hay is that?"

"A fancy word for plague. What's with you today? Asking twenty billion questions like a five-year-old kid."

"Believe it or not, I don't know everything."

I feign shock as I gasp loudly, "Holy fuck! Really!?"

Sunny interrupts us by swatting the back of our heads with her magic, "Stop acting like foals."

The two of us pause as we stare at Sunny. Finally, Chaser stretches out his wing and points at me, "He started it."

With a heavy sigh, Sunny rolls her eyes before continuing. "I think the former disciple of Death was a Griffin. If I remember correctly, many key figures who attempted to oppose Discord and restore order were murdered in a similar fashion. Each time, the same markings would be left at the scene, along with the mark of Chaos. He was a mercenary, highly skilled with a sword and renowned for killing anypony who looked at him wrong."

"And how was he stopped?" I ask as I duck underneath a low branch.

"Nopony knows if he was stopped. He just vanished into thin air following Discord's defeat. Nobody was able to identify whether he was killed or if he was freed from Discord's control and slinked away before anypony actively went after him."

"What of the others, War and Pestilence?"

"I don't know, John." Sunny responds as she shakes her head. "There is no certainty whether there were those who aided him, or if they just saw an opportunity amongst the chaos. It's widely regarded that the dragon was doing what her kind did best, pillaging farmlands. With regards to Death, it's thought that he was just a serial killer who used the fear of Discord as a way to make himself feared. As a mercenary, it was important to build a reputation."

Before I can ask any further questions, the leaves rustle overhead. Everyone quickly reacts as they aim upwards, promptly turning their weapons away when they realise it's a group of Wonderbolts entering the jungle from overhead. As they land in front of me, I recognise Rainbow as she lifts a set of goggles to rest on top of her head. "John, where the hay have you been!? We've been looking everywhere for you!"

"Why? What's wrong?" I ask as I adjust the rifle strap on my back.

"Princess Luna ordered that your team were located immediately," High Winds states as she removes her own goggles. "Coltchester was attacked yesterday and the fighting is still going on in the southern side of town. The Princess and the Griffonian Minister of Intelligence are on the north side, coordinating the military response in the area."

Reaching for the helmet which hangs on my hips, I remove it from my utility belt and place it over my head. "You guys had better escort us back to our chariots and follow us into town." Grasping onto my rifle, I remove it from around my body and keep it close to my chest as we begin to run through the last section of the jungle. Great. We're away for a few days and miss the action. Bloody typical.

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As the moon takes its place high in the night sky, we begin to pass over the southern side of the industrial town of Coltchester. Large chimneys tower high into the sky, bellowing volumes of smoke in the atmosphere. Numerous industrial buildings are clearly visible during the fly-over, showing the wide variety of industrial goods and services the town provides to the rest of Equestria. Distilleries, metal workshops, furniture factories, mining plants and jewellery factories being amongst those below.

Our eyes frantically scan our surroundings as the sounds of various skirmishes can be heard throughout the industrial sector of the town. It's only as we cross into the north side of town that we can begin to let our guard down, the visible presence of army checkpoints along the roads with large groups of guards patrolling the streets to ensure that the civilians within the area are assisted in evacuating the area and are safe from potential attacks.

Passing over the more traditional buildings which fill the towns of Equestria, we reach a four-storey hotel which sticks out like a sore thumb amongst the local architecture, the upper class design marking it clearly as the location where all the most elite members of society would stay while in the industrial town.

Touching down on a yard to the front of the building, we all quickly disembark and begin to set up a perimeter. "Bravo Section, I want eyes in the sky! Alternate between the surrounding routes and make sure nobody sneaks up on us! Charlie Section, Move down the main road and assist on the main barricade to the south side of town! Hold position until you receive further orders! Alpha Section, set up overwatch around the perimeter of the hotel! Move!"

With their orders, everyone quickly follows the instructions set out to them. With everyone scattering around me and the leaders of the Sections allocating additional orders, I head towards the steps to the entrance of the hotel and pass a trio of Luna's elite Thestral guards as they watch the entrance way. Moving through the building, I'm forced to weave between the runners who are acting as messengers between the commanding officers based here and the squads on the frontlines.

Moving down the corridor, I'm pointed towards a particular doorway by a Thestral stationed in the passageway. Passing a pair of Griffins and Thestrals, I push open the door and quickly enter to find Luna, Balbean, Shining and various other high ranking officers set up around a map of the area with numerous reports scattered around the room.

"John," Luna calls out as she and the others all look to me as I enter. "Where have you been?"

"Sorry for being tardy," I remark as I step alongside her. "Been trying to establish communications and cooperation with a tribe of Ridge Cats. Unfortunately, no such luck. But, that's an issue we can get back to later. What's the situation?"

"The Diamond Dogs have decided to show their teeth and attack through the mining tunnels," Shining reports as he points to the mines to the south on the map. "They've pushed in and killed the guards stationed there to defend the workers. Seizing the mines, they've pushed into the rest of the industrial heart of the town, attacking citizens and seizing anything of value they can get their claws on."

"How many casualties?"

"It's difficult to say." Shining states with a heavy sigh. "But we can confirm at least forty-six guards have been killed, one-hundred and twelve civilian casualties have been recovered from the streets. No doubt the casualties are much higher, but we're having difficulty getting closer into the district. Brigadier Swift has deployed the 1st Ranger Battalion to the area, but they're meeting heavy resistance. The Diamond Dogs are rapidly digging tunnels between the buildings, allowing them to hit us before quickly scurrying away."

"Have we got a plan?" I ask as I lean forward and begin to study the map.

"Your troops are in the process of advancing on the key tunnels that the Diamond Dogs have dug to reach the surface," Balbean answers as he runs his talon across his beak. "Captain Spitfire of the Wonderbolts was able to perform reconnaissance and plot out their locations. The army is in the process of moving to the entrances and collapsing them by using plastic explosive charges."

"So we're closing the tunnels as we move through the sector? Wouldn't that cause them to all surface from the one entrance? As we progress, it will increase the resistance as we push forward."

"It is going to increase the level of resistance," Luna starts as she looks at me, "But we have little choice. Numerous Platoons are moving to strike simultaneously as other units are evacuating civilians with the assistance of the Guard. We haven't got enough soldiers to hit every single passage at once, so they are advancing along pre-planned routes, converging on the final location on numerous approaches. There are three more which each of your Sections can hit, two are on the street with one being located in a distillery on the corner of Rein Road."

Stepping back from the table, I adjust the rifle strap on my back in order to swing the weapon to the front of my body. "I'm gonna need some of those explosives. I can set the charges in the distillery before my Section will meet up with the rest of the army to take out the last entrance." With my hand firmly taking a hold of my rifle, I step alongside Luna. Leaning closer, I place a soft kiss on her lips.

As I pull back, a worried smile surfaces on her lips. Her eyes focusing primarily on the new scar on my face as her forehoof reaches up to slowly brush against it. "John, please be careful."

I return a smile to her, my hand lightly running over her forehoof before I step away. Returning to the main corridor, I quickly flag down a group of engineers which have the explosives I require. Acquiring an adequate number of charges, I jog out of the building and join the others, rounding them up in order to distribute the munitions required and to give each of them their orders.

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Travelling through the blockade, I pivot to face my Section and lift both arms straight into the air, signalling for them to enter a double column formation. Half of the Section move onto the left-hand side of the road in a single file with myself and the other half positioning themselves on the right-hand side of the road.

We quickly and cautiously move through the streets, our heads remaining on a constant swivel as the sound of fighting can be heard throughout the streets. Passing close to a series of stores, the sudden clattering of a metal can causes me to come to an immediate stop, lifting my fist and taking a knee as I do so to signal the Section to halt. Looking to the left side of the road, I point to Aerial Ace and Bronze Lorgnette then signal them to form on me as I slowly advance on the front of the building in question.

With the two forming up on me, I gesture to the door with my hand for the two girls to take aim and prepare to move in. Rather than exposing myself to potential fire from peering around the door, I decide to take out my phone and switch to the frontal camera. With the camera showing on the screen, I edge the lens around the corner so that I can see the screen. It doesn't take long for me to find two Diamond Dogs looting through the store, their paws frantically grasping at the small pieces of jewellery and gems on display.

Putting my phone away, I point my thumb downwards followed by my left hand holding up two fingers, informing them of two hostiles within the building. It’s a good thing I taughts them army hand signals so they know what I mean. Retaking control of my rifle, I quickly switch to the left-hand side of the door frame and rest my rifle on the woodwork to take the targets in my sight, the disadvantage of having a rifle which can't be fired from the left.

With the Diamond Dogs not paying attention, I gesture with my left hand for the pair to move inside. Once they step inside, they both quickly move in to engage the dogs. Both opting to quickly launch themselves across the room, stretching their wings outright before pivoting in the air to deliver swift yet forceful kicks to the Dog's heads. Both are immediately incapacitated, one in particular as his head connects with the corner of a display case.

Lowering my rifle, I step back outside and signal for Colbalt and Sunny to join us. Reaching me, I lean closer and point to the two unconscious Diamond Dogs. "Take these two back to the blockade with your magic. These are the only prisoners we'll actively be taking on this journey since we're on a schedule. They could have Intel which will be useful in the future. Grab Starry and Slicer as you pass them for an escort, it shouldn't be needed but it's better to be safe than sorry. We'll advance the next four blocks and wait at the crossroad before moving around to advance on the distillery."

The two quickly carry out their orders without question, levitating the unconscious forms before running back down the street where we came from. As they disappear into the distance, the rest of my team advance further down the street towards the junction in question. Reaching the destination without any complications everyone takes up defensive positions, each establishing overwatch down each street in order to maintain a secure perimeter.

Looking at the right road, I observe movement in the distance at the junction where Rein Road is supposed to be. Lowering my body so that I'm lying on my stomach, I remain in a prone position as I take aim at the slowest moving figure and observe him through my scope. Intelligence states that every Diamond Dog within this cordoned section will be a part of the attack, making them viable targets to engage.

"Crimson, on me." It only takes a moment for her to take a position alongside me, her rifle aimed in the same direction as mine. "We're weapons free on these guys. I want you to take out the most important one. Identify your target then I'll engage them. Clear?"

"I've got this," Crimson replies with confidence as she adjusts her scope. "Big brown bucker, got a tanned jacket," Crimson calls out as she focuses.

Identifying her target, I switch my focus and aim at the one standing alongside him. "Fire when ready." Slowly exhaling, she takes a shot causing her target to hit the floor with ease. As soon as he impacts with the road, I fire off a single shot in order to incapacitate my target by hitting him in the gut. Before the rest can scatter, I fire off a series of short bursts, taking down another three before the last of the group are able to find cover.

"You missed them," Crimson mocks as she pulls on the bolt to eject the empty cartridge.

"Still got more than you," I respond as I twist my SA80 to the side. "Any targets come into view then you all have permission to engage," I announce to the rest as they continue to watch their sectors. We remain at the crossroad as we wait for Sunny and Colbalt to return, the occasional pot-shot being fired by the others as they find more Dogs. The only thing that tears my attention away from those we shot is the sound of a distant explosion crackling through the streets, signalling that one of the tunnels in the street within our sector has likely been collapsed by either Bravo or Charlie Section.

It doesn't take much longer for the four that left with the captured Dogs to rejoin us. With the Section regrouped, we quickly and cautiously advance up the street, our eyes switching frantically towards every opening to ensure that nobody is able to sneak up on us. Within a short period of time, we pass the group that we previously engaged, the Dog which was wounded was now unresponsive, likely having died as a result of blood loss.

Without warning, a crossbow bolt whizzes past my head. Dropping to the floor, I instantly find the culprits as a group of Diamond Dog's peer down at us from the buildings overhead, crossbows pointed towards us from the balconies they stand on. Pointing my rifle in their general direction, I fire off a succession of short, controlled bursts, effectively suppressing them in order for the rest of the team to move to cover.

As the rest of the team begin to return fire, I quickly sprint towards a small doorway and tuck within the frame, the woodwork being pierced by a bolt which must have only missed me by inches as I entered. Popping out of cover, I aim at the top of a Dog's head as he tries to duck low in order to reload.

PHAT PHAT PHAT PHAT *Click

Two of the rounds tear away the top of his head, propelling skull fragments and brain matter onto the brickwork behind them as his body collapses out of view. Removing the empty magazine, I quickly replace it with a fresh magazine before pressing on the bolt release catch and forward assisting the cocking handle.

Peering my head around the corner, I reach into my webbing and withdraw a grenade. "Sunny!" I shout out in order to grab her attention. When she looks at me, I point to the grenade and make a hand gesture for her to hoist it over the barrier onto the balcony. Once she responds with a crisp nod, I pop the pin free with my thumb and underarm throw it towards her. Catching it with complete ease in mid-air she levitates it over the frame of the balcony in her magic, much to the alarm of the Dogs.

BOOM!

Shrapnel and debris fragments are thrown through the air over the edge with the balcony, along with the heavy frame of one of the Dog's sending him impacting hard with the ground below with a large amount of force. The sound of fighting quickly dissipates with the rest of the Diamond Dogs quickly withdrawing as the balcony is rapidly cleared. I maintain overwatch of the positions overhead as the rest of the team quickly reload their own weapons.

As soon as everyone is ready we make a quick yet cautious push to the entrance of the distillery, only to find that the door has been barricaded. Taking a knee, I knock on a low section of the door, "Colbalt, make a hole." Answering my call, he steps forward and points the barrel of his shotgun before blowing a small hole in the woodwork to reveal the various crates and debris being used to barricade the door.

Reaching into my field pack, I take out the bundle of plastic explosives which was provided and tear away one stick from the rest of the bundle. Operating by using a basic fuse, I reach into my back pocket and take out my lighter and shout for the others to fall back before I ignite the ten-second fuse. Reaching through the opening, I drop the explosive and quickly run away and duck behind an overturned cart on the road.

BOOM!

Wooden shards and razor-sharp splinter hurtle towards us, impacting with the various pieces of cover we used to protect ourselves from the blast. The explosion was enough to almost completely obliterate the door and to displace the makeshift barricade providing us with a route to enter the distillery. Setting up at a bench opposite the open doorway, I rest the handguard of the rifle against the top of the bench to use as a resting point for my rifle.

Aiming through the settling smoke, Crimson and Aerial Ace positioned on either side of me and mimic my action. As we watch the entrance, the others quickly stack up on either side of the doorway and prepare to move in, only to stop when the sound of rapid movement comes from the other side. I begin to fire rapidly through the smoke, the sound of the high-velocity rounds piercing flesh being quickly followed by pained yelps as the casing clatter to the floor.

This results in the Dogs inside returning fire, firing blindly at the doorway with various crossbow bolts, arrows and magical projectiles which are likely being fired from captured Lances. I fire off the last of my magazine, using my rifle as a makeshift support weapon to demoralise the enemy within. Reloading the SA80, I signal for Crimson to come to me as I talk to Aerial Ace. "Me and Crimson will find a fire escape and attack them from behind, drawing their focus. As soon as you hear fire, move in. Understood?"

Aerial Ace gives a quick nod as Crimson and I move off to the left side of the building to find a way in. Reaching the corner, we advance slowly with my rifle constantly aimed upwards towards the rooftop in case more Dog's try to engage us from above. We soon reach a metal fire escape which leads directly to the roof, the steps elevated off the floor approximately seven feet. I'm able to easily jump up the wall to grab the steps, causing them to descend the reach the floor so that Crimson and I can quickly climb upwards.

Climbing up two floors, we find a large open window which seems to lead to a small office which hangs over the factory floor. Climbing inside, we quickly scan our surroundings, a series of ransacked desks and filing cabinets litter the floor, a painting of the royal sisters having been slashed on the wall, likely to show the Dog's distaste for them. Shuffling the desks towards the two doors leading into the office, I quickly barricade the doors from potential attackers before moving to a set of windows that look down onto the shop floor.

The main floor of the distillery is filled with dozens of large vats filled with various spirits, the shop floor acting as a makeshift maze with numerous stands containing barrels of processed alcohol guiding those on the floor below down narrow passages. Almost perfectly centre is a large tunnel, another group of six Diamond Dogs climbing up as they're quickly instructed to move towards the front doors.

"You ready, Crimson?" I whisper as I aim my rifle at the group. "We're gonna get a bit of fire on us as soon as we engage."

"I'm ready," She responds confidently as she takes aim at another group posted near the door.

"On three. One. Two. Three."

PHAT PHAT PHAT PHAT PHAT PHAT PHAT PHAT PHAT PHAT PHAT PHAT PHAT

My rounds quickly pierce the chests of four of the six Dogs, the other two frantically jumping to cover as they're fired upon. As expected, we're quickly under heavy fire as every weapon that's down below is turned towards us and fired, sending crossbow bolts into the ceiling above us, bullet fragments from old muskets colliding with the window frame and magical bolts coming through the opening, sending the two of us to the floor in an attempt to seek cover.

With their attention focused solely on us, the rest of the team quickly storm through the doorway and engage the distracted Dogs. Rushing over the factory floor, they quickly close the distance and engage up close, firing off numerous rounds before using their bayonets to impale the enemy.

The door to our left is forced open, the brute force of the Dog sending the makeshift barricade flying across the room. As I swing my rifle around, I'm soon interrupted with a swift kick that throws the rifle from my hand. Attempting to slash straight down on top of my head, I frantically roll to the side before drawing my pistol and taking aim at his head.

Before I can pull the trigger, the roof of his skull is propelled upwards as a heavy spray of blood coats the ceiling as his body slumps backwards. From her position below him, Crimson is now coated in speckles of blood, the barrel of her rifle pointed straight up as she ejects a spent cartridge.

Holstering the pistol, I step up to her and hold out my hand, grabbing a hold of her forehoof and hoisting her up. Exchanging a quick nod, she returns to the broken window and begins to pick off targets below as I grasp onto the rifle that hangs alongside me. "Crimson, keep an eye on the others. I need to get out on the catwalk and collapse that tunnel. Think you can cover us?"

Crimson fires off another round, the sound of a heavy thud following shortly after. "Yeah, I can do it. Just make it quick. No doubt this fighting will attract more through the tunnel."

Stepping through the doorway, I quickly advance over the metal catwalk over the factory floor, the sound of my boots clanging against the metal walkway echoing through the large room. Stopping above the tunnel, I look directly down and notice another group of Dog's trying to climb the tunnel walls to get up. Wanting to make them reconsider their decision, I fire a series of short bursts at the one closest to the surface, sending him falling back and knocking another two deeper into the tunnel with him.

Giving myself a few seconds to breathe, I take out the bundle of plastic explosives from my field pack and lean over the railing. Taking out my lighter, I quickly light the fuse and wait a couple of seconds before dropping it straight down the tunnel, only for me to sprint as fast as I physically can back towards the office I came from.

BOOM!

The explosion sends up a sizeable fireball along with a large column of dust and smoke, the sound of a heavy rockslide sounding throughout the room alongside the thunderous bang of the explosion as the force is enough to send me off my feet and impacting with the metal grating. Regaining my footing, I push myself up and look at the scene below, the sight of the entire tunnel being caved in confirming that we should be able to breathe a sigh of relief as no more Dogs should be able to come up any time soon.

Turning my focus back to the others, they're easily able to make quick work of the last of the resistance, picking them off and assisting one another without sustaining any casualties of our own. Checking my own kit to ensure I have enough ammo, I advance along the catwalk towards a set of stairs alongside the office where Crimson is waiting for me to join her.

Quickly descending the stairs, we move towards the main doors as a set of Guards make their way inside. "Make sure this site is secured," I order as we pass the Guards. Stepping back onto the street, I look back towards my team as they wipe the dust and debris from their uniform and manes. "Good work, guys. We've still got more work to do. We need to link up with the rest of the Rangers and the Guard and plug this last hole. Let's move."

Stepping off, we begin a rapid jog down the street towards the last destination, the sounds of fighting in the distance gradually subsiding alongside a roaring crack in the sky.

Hopefully the others will have been successful.

Author's Notes:

I have finally moved to Nottingham
Transfering forces and getting settled into my new home hasn't been easy but I'm slowly getting back into my normal routines.

I may be a bit slow to update up until November/December due to lots of work over the coming months and getting settled in, but I will try my best to work on Dying Embers when I can.

I appreciate your patience and will try to get back up to speed, these updates are far too slow compared to my original uploads.

Thanks for reading and I hope you guys enjoyed it

(P.S. I'd be interested to hear if any of you guys are from around the Nottinghamshire area, if so, feel free to send me a message. )