“Keep your eyes open! I hear they have the reaper on their side”

“The Reaper? You mean that mercenary who formed The Cutters? I thought she vanished about twenty years ago.”

“She did, but she’s back… and she is just as deadly as ever. So keep your eyes out.”

The Nightmare Legion’s soldiers continued traveling slowly and cautiously through the forest while Star Bolt, The Reaper, Commander Mist, and a few their soldiers watched them from their hiding places amongst the trees, The Reaper nudged Star Bolt and whispered, “Looks like I'm well known in their ranks, should I introduce myself?”

Star Bolt smiled, “Patience Scy, we need them to meet my wife first, remember?”

The reaper replied, “Aw, you’re no fun.”

“You can have your turn, I promise.”

The soldiers continued through the forest with their caution at its peak, after a while they stepped into an area that allowed the light from the eclipse to cast down on the ground. After the first guard stepped into the light an arrow flew through the opening and hit the soldier in the head, as soon as the soldier fell to the ground the soldier behind him yelled, “THE SERGEANT IS DOWN! EVERYPONY TAKE COV…”

Before the second soldier could finish his order, he was also struck down by an arrow. All the nightmare soldiers galloped off the trail and into the brush, but this was a fatal mistake for most of them, Star Bolt, The Reaper and Commander Mist struck almost all of them down before they could react. A few managed to run back onto the trail but all they did was try to retreat to safety, for these soldiers, The Reaper made short work of them striking them down from behind.

As soon as the entire formation had been taken care of, Star Bolt looked through the clearing at the mountain, he couldn’t see her but he knew that Gem was standing up there smiling with the cocky smile she usually gave after an impressive shot. Commander Mist approached Star Bolt, “This group was easy but soon they will try to advance through another area, so we better think of a strategy soon.”

The Reaper spoke next, “Commander Mist it might be best if you fall back and support the rest of the soldiers at the base of the mountain, Commander Bolt and I can assist Silas in the skies, that way we…”

The Reaper paused for a few seconds and listened to her surroundings… then she yelled, “GET DOWN!!!”

Everypony dropped to the ground as a number of ballista bolts charged through the forest cutting down trees as they flew, when they passed Star Bolt Stood up, “Is everypony ok?”

One of the Hooviet soldiers called out, “Commander, ve lost three soldiers and this vone is vounded bad!”

Star Bolt replied, “Get him back to the mountain and begin assaulting the enemy ranks that threaten our archers.”

Commander Mist looked at the clearing that the ballista bolts had made and spoke, "Well it looks like they found a clearing, All celestial Troops with me we will hold this area. Commander Bolt can I trust you to take out those ballista?”

Star Bolt replied, “Way ahead of you commander, Scy, move forward and assist Colonel Storm, he should be assaulting the trebuchets by now.”

Scy started flying towards the enemy lines as Star Bolt flew into the air where there was a large cluster of chaos ensuing over the forest. Star Bolt held his weapons at the ready as he charged in, cutting down every nightmare pegasus he got near, finally Star Bolt found Colonel Silas, “Colonel! Where’s Thorn?”

Silas replied, “He is still gathering the rest of the dragon support! We could use his help about now!”

Star Bolt looked down at the line of ballistae and replied, “We will have to make due for now. I need you to help me take out those ballistae, go around and assault them from th…”

“I’d hate to seem rude, but I don’t follow the orders of a militia commander. if you need my help than get Commander Mist to give me the order than I…”

Before Colonel Silas could finish his sentence a ballista bolt flew through the air and hit one of the celestial pegasi that was flying support with Colonel Silas. With half of the bolt visible on both sides of his body, the dead celestial pegasus fell to the ground and vanished in the trees of the forest. Colonel Silas looked at Star Bolt and continued, “Should I lead, or should you?”

Star Bolt smiled, “As I was saying, go around them and hit them in the center I'll assist you, when we hit the center, you move across their line to the east and focus your attacks on the draw cables. I'll do the same but I'll move across the west so we can hit them all. If we hit them all at once, it will take most of the stress off of Gem and the Hooviet troops”

Colonel Silas looked at the line and replied, “It’s a good plan, but watch out for the cable after its cut. If it’s under enough tension than it can be as deadly as a war hammer or a broad sword.”

Star Bolt nodded his head, “Then let do this!”

Both Colonel Silas and Star Bolt dove through the fighting pegasi and made their way to the center of the ballistae line. Once they made it to the first one Star Bolt cut the cable and took off to the western flank while Colonel Silas went toward the east. As he flew through Star Bolt focused each sword swing on the draw cable. With each attack, Star Bolt found himself getting closer and closer to the end of the line. All of a sudden, after cutting one of the draw cables, the tension sent it swinging around hitting him unexpectedly across his wing and throwing his balance completely off. When this happened, Star Bolt’s next swing missed the next cable and instead dug the blade into a support beam on the edge of the ballista. With his sword lodged and stuck in the edge of the massive weapon, Star Bolt was pulled back and thrown into the ground right on the other side of the ballista, stopping is high-speed flight without warning.

Star Bolt quickly shuffled to his hooves just in time to dodge an attack from a nightmare pike pony. After dodging the attack Star Bolt swung around, kicked the pike pony knocking the spear from his hooves, then grabbed the spear and stabbed him before the pike pony could react. When this happened, Star Bolt jumped back and readied himself for an attack. Now he was stuck in a large group of nightmare soldiers with no way to escape or any chance of fighting his way out. As he stood there the nightmare ponies surrounded him as one called out, “SURRENDER NOW, AND YOU WILL BE SPARED!!!”

Star Bolt desperately tried to think of a way out, as the pony repeated himself, “I SAID SUR…”

“DRAGONS!!!”

After hearing another Nightmare soldier scream, Star Bolt along with the rest of the soldiers looked to the sky as Thorn and a few other dragons dove downward, splintering from the groups as they flew. When the archers started firing arrows at the diving dragons Thorn continued forward and burned everypony, he could see in his path.

Star Bolt took this opportunity, using the spear he had in his hooves he stabbed one of the nightmare soldiers who wasn’t paying attention then flew into the sky as fast as he could, leaving the spear in the soldier, and dodging the arrows that where being fired at him as he increased his altitude. When he made it into the sky, he quickly met up with Thorn and spoke, “Thank you brother you really saved my feathers back there. We need to focus our attack on their ballistae and their trebuchets. If we take those out than we will have a better chance at surviving this battle.”

Thorn replied, “Sounds like a good plan commander, you can count on me.”

As Thorn flew towards the remaining ballistae, Star Bolt started to fly to the mountain as fast as he could to get a new weapon and to check on Gem and the wounded.

Back at Nightmare Camp Commander Snow watched the battle ensue as Captain Viscous was returning from her unauthorized mission, “Back from your leisurely stroll so soon captain?”

Captain Viscous lowered her head, “Commander… I was…”

“I know… you were off trying to end the battle before it began… weren’t you? I guess Mr. Bolt won’t allow us to take the mountain so easily will he? If you want something done, than you have to do it yourself. I'm hereby returning your rank of Major, now… take over from here… Its time I stretch my legs and see exactly how a peasant can fight.”

Major Viscous was surprised, “What? You mean, you’re not made for going over your authority?”

Commander Snow replied as he trotted away, “On the contrary, I'm relieved. I expected you to betray me just like Roza did. It’s good to see where your loyalty lies. I'll be back later.”

After Commander Snow was too far for Major Viscous to see, she replied quietly to herself. “Roza betrayed you? I guess that changes everything then, promotion or not.”

Far at the very back of the nightmare line, the pony in command of the trebuchets called to his soldiers. “Load the next boulder, and move the line of sight three degrees to the left. As soon as the adjustment where made the loading crew called out “Ready to fire sir!”

“Good, now FI…”

Before the crew chief could finish his command, Colonel Storm dove from the sky and hit the crew chief on the side of his head with the morning star, killing him on impact. As the chief’s lifeless, body flew across the area like a rag doll, one of the crewmembers charged. Colonel Storm hit him on the side of his front hooves knocking him onto the ground leaving Storm to finish him with the spike on the other end of his weapon. One of the other soldiers called to the rest of the crew, “QUICKLY FIRE NOW!!!”

As the soldier rushed to the release lever, the Reaper dove from the sky, and flew around the large structure cutting the support ropes as she flew. As soon as the release lever was pulled, the large catapult flung the large beam picking up its ammunition and flinging it into the air. However, with the support ropes cut, the whiplash of the heavy arm and its counter weight, was enough to cause the massive catapult to collapse under its own stress crushing a few of the crewmembers bellow. Though she was unable to stop the projectile, but she was at least able to destroy this trebuchet, so that they could move onto the next. Storm stood on the ground and looked at the reaper, “I never saw that technique used before.”

She smiled, “You don’t fight too many of these things, do you?”

“Afraid not, trebuchets aren’t that widely used in Canterlot.”

The Reaper shook her head as she started to fly towards the next trebuchet, “Try to keep up rookie.”

Colonel Storm spoke to himself as he jumped into the sky, “Rookie huh, oh I like her. Too bad I'm married.”

Back at Dragon Mountain, Star Bolt met up with as the battle continued, “Gem how are things here?”

Gem drew her bow and aimed at a target in the distance, “We are getting hit hard by the trebuchets and the ballistae, so we had to move all the injured into the mountain, but with the way things are looking we will soon lose this ground and retreat. Where is your sword?”

Star Bolt picked up a sword off the ground and replied, “I lost it, I came back to replace mine, you’re not using this right?”

After releasing her arrow she looked at Star Bolt, “No the soldier carrying that died already… we need to consider retreating. Even with the dragons help we have lost too much ground and we are continuing to lose ponies.”

Star Bolt replied as he looked as far as he could at the chaos in the forest, “we need to hold this ground as much as we can… just until we find Commander Sno…”

“LOOKOUT!!!”

Gem quickly pushed Star Bolt out of the way as the large boulder from a Trebuchets came crashing down on the cliff that they stood on. When she pushed him both Gem and Star Bolt started rolling down the steep cliff side, hitting many stones as they rolled by. As they rolled, Star Bolt noticed that they were coming to a drop-off so he grabbed Gem and jammed the sword into the ground stopping them from sliding off the edge. After that he looked at Gem and spoke, “Your bleeding… are you ok?”

Gem picked herself up off the ground and wiped the blood from her face, “I'm fine star, but that was too close.”

Star Bolt nodded his head, “Your right, go into the mountain and tell the medics to get the wounded out of here. we need to fall them back th the Celestial Camp.”

She replied, “Not a problem star, I'll get…”

Gem started trotting forward and stumbled over her own hooves making Star Bolt catch her before she hit the ground. She immediately picked herself back up and acted as if nothing happened, while Star Bolt asked, “Gem, are you sure you’re going to be ok?”

Gem shook her head and smiled, “I'll be fine Star… I just stepped on some loose rocks, I'm ok I promise.”

Star Bolt knew that she was lying, but he also knew that she was too stubborn to allow him to help her so he just replied, “Be careful when you make your way back to the top of the mountain, I’ll be back soon.”

Gem smiled as Star Bolt flew into the forest to find Commander Mist. Down below Commander Mist and his soldiers where pushing the enemy troops back but with no luck. Little by little, his ranks where crumbling until Commander Mist had to call it, “ALL SOLDIERS FALL

BACK!!!”

Just then, Star Bolt flew up, “Commander! We need to end this quickly! Both our soldiers can’t handle much more of this!”

“I agree we need to find Commander Snow. If we kill him, then we end this here and now.”

“Got it, any idea where h…”

A celestial soldier called out, “LOOK OUT!!!”

At that moment, Thorn fell from the sky causing Star Bolt Commander Mist and all the soldiers in the area to take cover to prevent themselves from being crushed as Thorn destroyed a number of trees on impact.

Star Bolt quickly rushed to Thorn as fast as he could, but when he got close he was horrified to see a ballista bolt in his chest, “Thorn… no…”

Thorn looked at Star Bolt and tried to speak, “Co-Commander… we… we failed… the mountain… is about… to… to…”

“Save your strength Thorn. It’s not over yet.”

Thorn smiled and replied, “That’s why… that’s why I was willing to follow you into battle… through all your pain… your fear… your sorrow… you continue to fight… even though this war… is… is… hopeless…”

Star Bolt sighed, “It’s not hopeless unless you’re willing to give up… but for you this battle is over. Don’t move and stop talking, we’ll get you the help you need.”

Thorn closed his eyes, “I'm… glad to be your friend… but I'm even happier… to call you brother…”

With those final words, Thorn gave his final breath and died.

Star Bolt held in his tears as he yelled to the celestial forces, “GET A MEDIC OVER HERE!!!! NOW!!! HURRY UP AND GET OVE…”

Commander Mist grabbed his shoulder, “AND DO WHAT?!? Our medic can only help ponies, not dragons! there is nothing we can d…”

Star Bolt slapped Commander Mist’s hoof away with his wing, “Then we will find one who can! I don’t care if I have to go to Cloudsda…”

Commander Mist punched Star Bolt and knocked him to the ground. Star Bolt shuffled to his hooves and drew his sword. Commander Mist just stared at him, “He’s dead commander… get that through your head before you try anything stupid. You can waste the battle crying over one soldier, but that will only lead you to spend the rest of your life crying over an entire army.”

Star Bolt held his sword at the ready and replied, “Then… then what should I do… commander?”

Commander Mist replied, “Fight… show him that his death wasn’t meaningless. Also, consider the fact that there are many soldiers like him that are still alive. Do what’s best for them… even if it involves retreating for now. That’s your choice.”

Star Bolt lowered his sword, “And… what about you?”

“I'm not going to leave you to fight this battle alone, so whatever you decide, the Celestial Crusaders will provide support.”

Star Bolt looked around him at the soldiers who were still fighting then he looked in the sky at the pegasi fighting above. Then he spotted a lone cloud and made his decision, “I'll create a diversion… commander can I trust you to see to my soldier’s safety. I'm not asking much, just support the ponies’ evacuation the mountain and try to get them to retreat. Until I get back they are under your command.”

Commander Mist Nodded his head, “Sounds like a plan, what exactly will you do?”

Star Bolt wiped the tears from his face, looked at Commander Mist, and smiled, “I'm going to remind them why they came to Dragon Mountain.”

Star Bolt flew into the sky and into the cluster of fighting pegasi, after he was there Colonel Silas approached him, “Commander? I lost track of you when we split to take the ballista line. I managed to finish off my side then I took care of yours… but… I was unable to get to them in time. you see your dragon friend… he...”

Star Bolt replied, “I know… I saw him… listen new orders from Commander Mist, I need you to guard me while I get ready to use the Lightning Orb.”

“Really? How do you plan to do that? Don’t you need to be on the ground for that?” Star Bolt started flying towards the lone cloud in the sky, “Moisture isn’t just in the soil Silas. But I'll need you to help me. “Have you heard anything from Colonel Storm or Scy?”

Silas replied, “They returned after defeating the trebuchets, but I think Colonel Storm went to see to the wounded, while Scy was trying to locate Commander Snow.”

“Snow? isn’t he at the Nightmare center line?”

“No, he was last seen entering the forest.”

Colonel Storm flew up and spoke, “Commander Bolt? The wounded are safely away from Dragon Mountain, now your wife is trying to hold the mountain with Commander Mist keeping close support.”

Star Bolt grabbed the cloud and yelled back, “Thanks Colonel, I need you to give me cover while I move this cloud into place.”

Colonel Storm was confused about the odd request so he replied, “Um… okay, but what do you need the cloud for?”

Star Bolt could only smile, “Trust me, I was a weather pegasus for almost nine years. I know exactly what I'm doing but I'll need you to cover me and while I get it ready. Then when I'm done, I'll need you to get as far away from me as possible.”

Both Colonel Storm and Colonel Silas nervously looked at each other, and then Storm replied, “Um… you got our support.”

As Star Bolt continued moving, the cloud into place, Colonel Storm and Colonel Silas tried to lend as much support as they could, then once the cloud was in place Star Bolt stood on top of it and started to focus his energy on using the Lighting Orb. unlike the normal Lightning Orb, the cloud didn’t appear above; it only started changing the color of the cloud below him from its fluffy white to a stormy black. Though they continued staying close to Star Bolt as they guarded him, Both colonels where getting even more worried as they watched long and bright electric arcs shot out from all edges of the cloud and make contact with Star Bolt who continued standing on the cloud as his eyes turned yellow with electricity. Finally Star Bolt Yelled out, “It… it’s ready… FALL BACK NOW!!!”

Both colonels called to their troops, “ALL SOLDIERS FALL BACK TO THE MOUNTAIN!!!”

As the Celestial pegasi fell back, Star Bolt waited a few more seconds until the nightmare soldiers where close enough. Then using every bit of power the cloud could handle, he released the Lightning Orb, sending out electricity in all directions followed by an extremely bright and blinding light.

Back at Dragon Mountain Gem was aiming her bow when a nightmare soldier charged her, as the soldier swung his sword, it was blocked by the celestial spear while another spear stabbed him, then flung him over the cliff. Gem turned her head back at Commander Mist and spoke, “Thanks commander, I'm still a little distracted.”

Commander Mist replied, “No I recognize that look anywhere, your concussed aren’t you. you took a painful blow to the head right?”

Gem shook her head, “I'm fine commander, I don’t need to…”

Before she finished her sentence, the loud sound of thunder filled the sky completely drowning out the battle that was being fought all around the mountain. Gem looked at the large neon yellow sphere that was making the loud noise, “St… Star Bolt?”

Commander Mist looked at the glowing ball of electricity and commented, “So… this is the power that this lone weather pegasus holds in his hooves… I can’t help but feel sorry that he should hold such a burden.”

Gem replied, “He didn’t ask for this power, but he will not live with it alone. I'll always be with him; it’s my duty as his wife.”

Back in the sky, the large sphere slowly faded, as all the pegasi in the area started to fall from the sky and into the forest below. With his body completely drained, Star Bolt dropped to his knees to catch his breath. He looked in all directions to see if any enemies were approaching him. Nevertheless, he was the only pony still in the sky, so with a sigh of relief he continued trying to rest. Unfortunately, the power released also used all the moisture in the cloud causing it to disperse below his hooves. This caused him to fall through it and plunge to the ground. He tried to open his wings but he was too weak and tried to flap them. He couldn’t even glide to the ground; all he could do was close his eyes as he continued his downward drop. Before he hit the top of the tree line, the reaper flew out from the trees below and caught him.

Star Bolt opened his eyes slightly and spoke, “Scy… thank you… you got to stop saving me like this. It’s getting embarrassing.”

Scy replied, “Stop getting yourself into trouble like this then I won’t have to save you. So… what’s your next` order Commander?”

Star Bolt replied, “Take me to Dragon Mountain we need to begin our full retreat… did you find Commander Snow? “No… I think he might be in the forest somewhere but I don’t think we will see him from here.”

Star Bolt replied, “that’s ok, we need to get out of here first. This battle is lost, we have no choice but to retreat to safety.”

Scy smiled, “Now you’re sounding like a commander.”

Back at the mountain both Storm and Silas were helping Commander Mist as they provided support in defending the main line as Scy flew up carrying Star Bolt. The Reaper sat him on the ground allowing Star Bolt to stand on his own as Gem galloped up to him and hugged him, “Star! You’re all right… I was worried you were…”

“Gem… I'm fine.. but we need to begin the retreat, this mountain is lost, Thorn… Thorn is dead. We have to save who’s left. Go with Commander Mist and the others. I'll stay and make sure the rest of the troops make it out in time.”

Gem hesitated before she replied, “If thorn is gone, then I'll stay with you, I

can’t leave you to fight this alone.”

Star Bolt replied, “Fine, then you and Scy will stay here with me, then we will fall back with the rest."

Commander Mist spoke next, “Colonel Silas, assist Commander Bolt then when you’re finished meet us back at the camp.”

Colonel Silas replied, “Yes sir.”

Commander Mist and Colonel Storm started making their way down the mountain as Star Bolt, Silas, Gem, and The Reaper made their way through the caverns of the mountain to search for any soldiers who were left behind. After spending a lot of time searching they decided that that was all the soldiers that they could find so they made their way back out to the summit of the mountain. When they were outside, they all looked toward the Celestial camp to see if Commander Mist and their group arrived there yet. then they all froze when they heard the one voice they have been searching for since the battle began. “Mr. Bolt… you’re a hard pony to find, especially after the display you showed in the sky a few minutes ago.”

All four ponies drew their weapons, Turned around, and readied themselves for an attack. Commander Snow stood there with his sword sheathed and replied to the hasty action, “Easy now, I'm not here to start a fight… well actually, I am. But I'm only here to settle things with Mr. Bolt here. As for you three… I have no quarrel, so I don’t need to fight you.”

Gem Started to step forward, “OVER MY DEAD BO…”

After making her step gem fell to the ground as Star Bolt rushed to her, “Gem!... that’s it! you’re going to fall back with the rest. Colonel Silas, Scy… Get her out of here and stay with her!”

Gem replied, “I'm fine star, I…”

“THAT’S AN ORDER!... I… I already lost so many… I'm not losing you too. go back with Silas and Scy… I'll see you soon.”

Gem lowered her head in shame, then she looked back at Star Bolt, kissed him, and replied, “I love you commander… please remember that.”

Star Bolt replied, “I love you too. Silas, Scy, keep her safe… I'm counting on you two.”

Colonel Silas nodded his head, “No problem commander.”

The Reaper replied, “If that is your order commander… I'll follow it.”

As the three ponies flew towards the Celestial Camp, Star Bolt turned to Commander Snow, “It’s time we settle this!”

“I couldn’t agree more, now I suppose since you survived this long you know how to use a sword? Remember, the pointy end goes into the other pony.”

Star Bolt was irritated at the insult but he was able to hide it, “Can we move this along please, I'm sure a commander who takes his orders from a princess has a lot more time on his hooves than a commander who actually commands his army.”

“Commander?… oh, I get it! how quaint, you think that just because you command a small number of Hooviet traitors, barbaric dragons, a single mercenary, and your wife, that it makes you a commander? That’s funny, and here I spent years earning my rank while you think they can hand it to you on a silver platter. Listen Mr. Bolt, you can roam the land calling yourself a king for all I care, but you are nothing more than a hypocritical peasant with a powerful curse.”

Star Bolt sneered at Commander Snow and replied, “Rather a hypocritical peasant than Nightmare Moon’s pampered poodle.”

Commander Snow drew his sword and replied, “Well than, can you silence this poodle? Or will you remain the coward you are.”

Star Bolt charged forward and swung his sword but it was an easy block for Commander Snow. As the blades were still pressed against each other, Snow spoke, “My turn.”

Commander Snow pushed Star Bolt back and swung the sword with incredible speed. Star Bolt was able to block the swing but He couldn’t believe the speed that this thin blade was moving. He knew it wouldn’t be long before Commander Snow’s attacks would get past him, he was much faster than any of his soldiers and it didn’t seem like he was even trying. As the attacks continued, Star Bolt tried as hard as he could to keep up with the blades speed until finally, he missed blocking a swing and the thin sword cut Star Bolt across his face. Star Bolt was able to jump back and save the vital parts of his face. Nevertheless, the blade still managed to put a deep cut across his cheek, almost taking his eye with it. Star Bolt wiped the blood from his face and sneered at Commander Snow while he was gloating, “You see Mr. Bolt, you’re still just a peasant, you can try to fight all you want but you’re nothing when compared to me.”

Star Bolt charged forward swinging as much as he could but Commander Snow blocked each attack until he saw an opening and swung past Star Bolt’s defense, cutting him on his shoulder. Star Bolt ignored the pain and tried to use his wing to throw up dust, but as soon as the dust was blocking their view, Commander Snow jumped through the cloud and head butted Star Bolt stunning him. Then while Star Bolt was stunned, Snow swung his sword again this time putting a deep gash in his wing while it was still open. Star Bolt screamed in pain while Commander Snow swung the sword again cutting his hoof and taking him to the ground. Star Bolt tried to shuffle to his hooves but before he got back up, Commander Snow took one more swing taking off a large chunk of his right ear. Star Bolt was in so much pain over that last attack that he even dropped his sword, in agony. Commander Snow smiled as he trotted around Star Bolt, “Come now Mr. Bolt. I thought you would have more fight than that, where is that spirit? That devotion? And to think Nightmare Moon wanted you to be an Officer in her ranks.”

Star Bolt picked himself back off the ground while trying to push himself through the pain and ignore the blood dripping from his face, hoof, wing, and ear. Commander Snow smiled, “well it seems you still have some fight left in you after all. But can you continue to face me even after all that.”

Star Bolt reached over and picked up his sword, so Commander Snow attacked again. Star Bolt was able to block the sword, but he wasn’t fast enough to guard himself when Commander Snow swung around and kicked him with both hind legs. Throwing Star Bolt back and near the edge of the cliff.

Snow approached Star Bolt who was lying on the ground feeling almost completely defeated, “Perhaps you will accept my offer now, will you join the…”

“Bite me…”

Commander Snow punched Star Bolt in his face, “now I'm trying to give you a chance because I really don’t want to kill you so I ask again, Will you joi…”

“Eat a pinecone...”

Commander Snow stopped on his face and continued, “Please Mr. Bolt… please done make me do this… I don’t want you or your family to suffer anymore, so please. Wil…”

“Sorry I'm already married but thanks for the offer…”

Commander Snow didn’t hurt him this time, he just changed the tone of his voice, “Mr. Bolt… why… why do you continue to persist. Why won’t you take my offer and spare yourself and your family any more pain… I… I don’t want to continue this… but if you insist then I have no choice. I'm going to have to kill you now… it’s too bad. Now your foals will never know the true value of your gift.”

Star Bolt laid there then he realized something, “You’re… you’re right. They don’t know the value of this power, because … I never used it around them… I never even told them I had it, or used it because I was worried that they would be afraid of me for it… but there is something you should know.”

Snow took a few steps back allowing Star Bolt to pick himself off the ground, as Star Bolt looked back and smiled, “They aren’t here, so I don’t have to hide it anymore.”

All of a sudden, a cloud appeared above Star Bolt’s head. Commander Snow tried to strike before anything could happen, but he wasn’t fast enough. Lightning came out of the cloud and made contact with the sword causing him to drop it in pain. After that, Star Bolt sent another bolt into Commander Snow’s chest, though he was dazed, Commander Snow tried to charge before taking another bolt to his body this time knocking him to the ground.

Star Bolt continued hitting Snow repeatedly with lightning with an attempt of neutralizing him so that he wouldn’t try to fight back. After hitting him almost ten times, Commander Snow finally stopped trying to get up, while Star Bolt stumbled over to Snow’s sword and picked it up. Then he continued stumbling with each step as he approached Commander Snow, “You… you killed the dragon elder, you threatened my foals, you brought this war to my family, and are responsible for Thorns death and Roza’s injury. Why did you spare her by the way?”

Snow Tried to answer through the numb feeling in his body, “You think I like making my friends suffer. I'm not as heartless as you think. She… she was the only pony who understood why I did what I did… but after a while, even she couldn’t stand to be around me I… I admit I fell for her… but she didn’t want anything to do with me. I could have just killed her on the spot, or let her leave and face her on the battlefield, but… I couldn’t kill her, even if I wanted to, she has been fighting with me excessively long. I… I had to save her, some way or other. But I have to admit… after I killed the elder, I expected that karma would catch up to me soon. I guess now is just as good as any. Do what you have to do… commander in order for this battle to end, you must kill me.”

Star Bolt Raised the sword above his head and replied, “As you wish commander. good bye.”

after saying that Star Bolt tried to stab the sword into Commander Snow’s body, but his hoof wouldn’t move. Star Bolt tried over and over but both the sword and his hoof stayed above his head. When he looked up at his hoof, Star Bolt saw that it was incased in a mystic blue aura, in other words, magic. Star Bolt was confused but then he heard a voice come from behind him, “It’s a shame, you would have been an exceptional soldier.”

The sound of the voice sent a chill up Star Bolts spine that filled him instantly with shock… and terror, “Nigh…”

Just then Star Bolt felt a jolt throughout his whole body followed by a split second where every since in his body went numb. First, his sight blacked out and returned as if he had a head rush. His throat went completely dry before having a taste of blood, then his body went completely numb before returning with an intense pain in his chest and back that outweighed the cuts all over his body only to end with his ears ringing then returning chaos in the distance.

As the cloud above Star Bolt’s head started to disappear, Star Bolt slowly looked down at his chest where he was feeling the pain. His fear hit its peak when he saw the tip of a spear blade sticking out of his chest, then he slowly turned his head to look behind him. That’s when he saw her, the mare of darkness herself, the beautiful princess who turned evil, Nightmare Moon. Star Bolt spoke, “Y-you… it’s you…”

Nightmare Moon smiled and replied, “This isn’t the best way to introduce myself, but it seems to be the most appropriate. He may be a pathetic fool, but he is still my commander and I can’t allow him to fall just yet.”

As Nightmare Moon pulled the spear from his back, Star Bolt fell to the ground next to Commander Snow. Commander Snow looked

at Star Bolt’s face as he laid next to him, “Mr. Bolt?...”

Nightmare Moon spoke to Commander Snow as he laid there, “Good work commander, it appears that we have taken Dra…”

Nightmare Moon was stunned when an arrow flew by her face cutting her on the cheek. Nightmare Moon put her hoof against her face then looked at the blood that she wiped off her, then she turned around to look at where the arrow came from. She saw Gem far off in the distance with a rage-filled expression on her face. Gem pulled another arrow and placed it across her bow, but no matter how hard she focused, she was still too concussed to fire accurately. When she released the second arrow, it flew too high and landed just between Star Bolt and Commander Snow, scaring Commander Snow even more. When she reached for a third arrow she realized that she was completely out. Colonel Silas placed his hoof on her shoulder and spoke, “Mrs. Bolt, we have to get moving! We can’t stand up to Nightmare Moon.”

With nothing but anger controlling her, Gem pulled Silas’s sward from its sheath then charged toward the mountain, “No… Star… I'M GOING TO KILL THEM!!!”

As Gem charged forward, The Reaper fell from the sky and hit her in the face with the staff of her scythe knocking her unconscious. As soon as Gem fell to the ground Colonel Silas ran up grabbed her and continued their retreat back to the Celestial camp. As the three ponies continued, their retreat Nightmare Moon and smiled, “Well, well, It looks like this little militia still has some fight in them. I'll be seeing you again mare… I hope you will be ready when I do.”

Commander Snow struggled to pick himself up off the ground, then he approached, Star Bolt , “I'm… I'm sorry Mr. Bolt… I truly am… I didn’t want it to come to…”

Star Bolt glared at Commander Snow and spoke, “I'll be seeing you soon... Poodle.”

Looking into the rage-filled eyes of a dying stallion sent chills up Commander Snow’s spine as Nightmare Moon approached him, “I’d say it was a good job commander, but it seems that if I didn’t arrive when I did, than you and Mr. Bolt here would have something in common.”

Star Bolt laid on the ground and started losing since with his surroundings, “Gem… stay safe… Pearl… Sable… Gem… stay…”

Trying his hardest to ignore Star Bolt’s mumbling, Commander Snow spoke to Nightmare Moon, “Your majesty? Should we pursue the Celestial Crusaders?”

Nightmare Moon replied, “There is no need, let the cowardly fools run back to their princess we got what we came for, the pony who can use the Lighting Orb won’t be a threat… not anymore.”

Back at the celestial camp commander Mist was shocked to see Colonel Silas returning with Gem on his back, “Colonel! What happened? Where is Commander Bolt?”

Colonel Silas didn’t reply, he just shook his head as he trotted by Commander Mist, then the reaper answered the question, “we must leave Dragon Mountain... This battle is over. My contractor… has fallen.”

Commander Mist replied, “Oh… I see… All soldiers prepare to retreat, Dragon Mountain has fallen… but this war is far from over."