“Ah… yes… I remember that fateful day, as if it had happened just yesterday… nay, as if it was today. It began as any other day. The same routine I had experienced for a solid decade. Indeed! I too was a late bloomer! I had gotten my Cutie Mark when I was fourteen. Don’t fret. You are still young. I’m sure your talents will become apparent soon. Mine, however, came to be in a rather… cinematic fashion.” I paused. I had never told anypony this tale before, and here I was about to share it with a few wide-eyed fillies. I thought, and then continued:

“Dear! Would you like to join us? I am telling a tale that even you have not heard.” I saw Fluttershy’s head poking out from the kitchen.

“Really? Oh my, well I will have to hear it then. Give me a minute…” I continued, bringing my attention back to the fillies in front of me.

“It was thirteen years ago… I was fourteen. It was a sunny May day. The eighteenth. I had awoken that morning, expecting nothing more than my standard training routine. However, I was surprised by my father with a… special assignment.” Fluttershy had now made her way into the living room, and had sat down next to me, looking at me with interest as I continued. I looked quickly at my Cutie Mark. I shuddered from all the memories it brought forth. I looked forward again to my audience.

“But don’t let me get ahead of myself. Let be start that day with my awakening.”

“Red Storm! Wake up dear, it’s time for breakfast. You father also wishes to speak with you.” I was dazed by my mother’s voice, but shot up straight at the mention of my father.

“Hmm… What time is it, mother? I fear I may have slept in.” My mother was standing in my doorway. At the time, she was my height. Now, I am much taller than her. Her blood-red eyes showed a caring mother, behind a prowess that could decimate an army.

“It is five o’ clock, dear. You have not overslept, but your father wanted to speak to you now. I suggest you put on your armour quickly and meet us in the dining hall.” I nodded and, my mother left my room, shutting it behind her. I leaped from my bed, flapped my wings once, and landed in front of my armour stand. I stomp my hoof once on the ground, and I hear an “uncloaking” noise behind me. Like clockwork, Whitewash steps up from behind me in her full suit of platemail, her visor down to shield her eyes. I nodded to her, and she began to equip me with my armour using her magic. Once she was done, I cracked my neck and headed outside. Whitewash opened the door for me and closed it behind me. I walked down the large marble halls to the dining hall, anxious to see what my father wanted to see me so early for. Whitewash followed me for a few steps before I heard her magic flare again, and when I looked behind me, she was gone. I was not fooled by the petty illusion as a mere mortal pony would have been. I tasted the air as I walked, and sure enough she was right behind me, invisible and muffled, but certainly there. I made my entrance to the dining hall with Whitewash opening the door ahead of me, to make it seem like they were moving on their own. She repeated the process of closing them again behind me as I made my way to the Great Table. I took my place at the end of the table, across from my father. My sister was already sitting to the right of me, drinking her breakfast. She looked at me, and her eyes glowed a devilish red. I had gotten used to it at this point, however, as I was reminded of the fact that my eyes were exactly the same. This occurred to me as I looked down onto my plate. The polished silver acted as a perfect mirror, and I stared sternly at myself for several minutes before my father cleared his throat, attracting my attention. I moved my gaze to my father, Red Wing, who was sitting at the opposite end of the table, on his throne of skulls of his defeated foes. He wore his golden royal armour and sat, looking my way, his chin resting on his hooves, his hair combed back as always. His blood-red, cat slit eyes burning holes into my very soul. My mother sat to his right. My left. She was in her full purple royal armour, drinking from a golden chalice. I could smell the B-negative from here.

“Good morning, son. I am sorry for having roused you from your slumber so early, but I needed to summon you to discuss… matters of great importance; matters that I feel you can aid in.” This was a first. If my father was saying what I thought he was saying, that means that he has an assignment for me. A mission. A task.

“As I am sure you know, I am waging a great war with the lands to the north, against the griffins.” I sat up taller, hoping that he was finally going to send me out on the front lines. He continued:

“While the war has been fairing well, and the odds are in our favor, there is significant resistance to the western front. I have decided to lead our forces on one last push towards the griffin capital, and take it in order to end this war.” Damn. Oh well. I still wish to know what he needs of me.

“It has, however, come to my attention, that there is an uprising to the south. An uprising that need culling. Apparently, the ponies inhabiting that town are… dissatisfied with the war, and are challenging our authority as their rulers. They need to be re-taught the meaning of loyalty.” ‘Ah. I see. While not as exciting as waging war on the front lines, this is suitable. Perhaps I will earn my Cutie Mark in the battle to come.’

“This village has, according to reports, amassed a sizable arsenal, and is making quite a show of themselves. Unfortunately, I cannot spare any soldiers to quell this… rebellion. I can however, send my very own son to do so. I can only afford to send you with a detachment of your choice of our Honour Guard… ten Sanguinaries At most. Is this not clear? You are to kill all opposing forces, be they stallion, mare, or foal. I trust you can accomplish this?” I nodded my head quickly, while retaining my deadpan. “Excellent. Have your chosen guard to me in an hour. You are to rally your troops and be equipped by seventeen hundred hours, before departing at eighteen hundred.” Red Wing paused. “And please, do not get any of them killed. It is difficult to train them.” I nodded again, and my father left the table, heading for the War Room.

Whitewash uncloaked from behind me, startling a few guards around the room. Even now, after twenty years, they were still not used to her veils. Whitewash took her seat to the left of me. Several chef ponies brought out trays of food, and spread them out in front her and I. They then poured her a glass of white wine and myself a glass of blood. I sipped at it before gesturing for my bodyguard to begin. She nibbled at a carrot before arising.

“Something bothering you, Whitewash?” I asked, perturbed by her strange behavior.

“Not at all. I am merely going to assemble your guard.”

“My father told me to. Not you. Sit down Captain. And eat.” She obeyed. As she continued to pick at her assorted vegetables, my sister got up from her seat, having finished her chalice of blood.

“I am going to my room for a nap. Father said that we did not need to train, as today was a… special occasion.” I did not question my older sister, whom moved from the table out into the hall, with two Sanguinary Guards following her. The only ponies left in the room were my mother, Whitewash, and three guards. I was bored, and feeling sadistic.

“You there! Guards!” I caught the attention of the three, who swiftly made their way to my end of the table.

“Yes, my liege?” said the first one, a brown unicorn stallion.

“I want you to fetch me a cleaver from the kitchen. Now. He hurried away as I faced the other two.

“You two. Fight each other. First one to spill the other’s blood wins.” The two guards immediately looked directly at each other before jumping backwards, giving each other space. The one to my left was a Rusty-red Mare and the one to my right was an olive stallion. Both were earth ponies. They dove, ducked, slashed with their daggers and parried. Combat between these two was… interesting. Sanguine guard ponies were well-trained, and it showed. After several minutes, I heard the sweet slicing sound of steel on flesh. I raised a hoof, and both ponies bowed down. The olive stallion had a cut on his foreleg. I waited, and when the third party returned, I clutched the cleaver, and threw it directly into the head of the olive stallion. As he slumped to the ground, I heard the mare whimper.

“What is wrong, guard? You have survived the weak, and have become stronger in the process. Why do you weep?” She looked up to me with watery eyes.

“He… was my lover. I… cut him on the leg so he wouldn’t be hurt…” I thought for a moment.

“Unfortunate. However, life is uncaring and cruel. You should know this, as my guard. You are relieved.” The mare did not move.

“Why do you sit there and weep? It is unbecoming.” She raised her head again.

“He… I… I am to bear his child.”

“…”

“…”

“…… I said you were relieved, guard.” She now rose, and slowly left the room. I turned back to the brown stallion.

“You there. Clean up this mess.” He nodded, and left for a mop and bucket. I turned back to Whitewash. She was still deadpan, eating her breakfast.

“Come, Captain. It is time to assemble my honour guard. To the barracks.” Whitewash said nothing; she merely opened the door for me and closed it again as I left, leaving my mother alone in the room with the olive stallion.

“Ok, Captain. I have seen my choices for my honour guard. Let’s go round them up.” Whitewash just nodded silently. I looked at her cautiously, but moved on towards the soldiers-in-waiting.

“Commandant Sandsturm!” The young, dusty-brown stallion looked up at me from his cot. His green eyes wore a look of worry. I dismissed this for now. He strode up next to me.

“Commandant Tigerheart!” The next stallion in line was a zebra-sanguinary half breed. His brown striped coat and mane were odd, yet intimidating. He was at my side by the time I called for the next pony.

“Second Lieutenant Emerald Flight!” The light green stallion moved to my side, joining his brothers-in arms. His coat was a… unusual colour for a sanguinary, but he was an excellent soldier nonetheless.

“Second Lieutenant Rustwind!” The mare from earlier looked at me, tears still in her eyes. She slowly made her way to my party and all was quiet. I felt no pity for her.

“Sergeant Nightwish!” The dark blue stallion moved from his cot to my side without a peep, nor a single expression. Just a complete deadpan. That was good training.

“Captain Bloodthorn!” The massive red stallion got up from his crushed cot, and trudged towards me. He was nearly twice my height, and almost as strong. He was truly a berserker of old and a worthy addition to my Honour Guard.

“We are going to battle, m’lord?” I paused, not expecting a question from him.

“Yes, Bloodthorn. To battle.” He nodded and flumped down next to everypony, causing a slight shudder through the barracks.

“Lieutenant Stardust!” From the corner of the barracks the blind mare looked up. Her eyes were a whitish-blue, and her coat and mane were shades of the same colour. Her horn glowed, and she arose. She slowly made her way to me, and sat down again by my side. Her horn ceased it’s glowing then. I had learned years ago that she uses her magic to navigate.

“To the rest of you, we’re done here." I turned away and gestured for my honour guard to follow. Then I realized that Stardust was blind. I whistled, and she perked up and followed us silently out of the barracks.

As we entered the armory to prepare, Sandsturm pulled me to the side.

“Red Storm, what are you doing? I thought we agreed we would never fight together. What if something were to happen?” I paused.

“I won’t let anything happen to you. Don’t worry. We shall live, and share stories of valor together. Don’t worry.” He bowed his head, almost as if he had lost faith before the battle had even begun. I raised his chin and brought him into a kiss. When we broke apart a whispered one more time: “I will not let anything take you from me.” A small smile crept across his face, and I returned my gaze to the rest of my guard who were too busy suiting up to see what had just happened.

“Come on, everypony! We must depart within the hour! Do not dally!” My guard was fully equipped with their armour and ready for war. I nodded my head, and looked to the blind mare.

“Stardust. Take us to the outskirts of the village of Red Falls.”

“Right away, m’lord.” She spoke softly. Her horn flared brighter than the sun, and we blinked out of existence.

We re-appeared outside of Red Falls. The sun was setting now. I tasted the air. It rank of death and soot. It smelled absolutely lovely. I looked about, and saw dozens of dead ponies everywhere. Some were impaled on pikes, others burned to death. I noticed that Sandstrum had wrinkled his nose at the smell of burn flesh. That same smell caused a stirring in me. I felt the need to slaughter. I turned back to my detachment.

“All right. I have decided on a plan of action. Bloodthorn, Whitewash, Sandstrum and I will make our way to the town on foot. Nightwish and Emerald Flight will take to the clouds. You will watch for any aerial attackers and for ambushes along the way. Tigerheart, Rustwind, and Stardust will remain here. We cannot afford to risk our unicorns in a frontal assault.”

Everypony looked at Whitewash, then back at me. I sighed. “Whitewash will be cloaked, and will flank any ground attackers.” I paused, glaring at my Honour Guard. “She’s also better trained than you lot combined, so you have no need to worry about her.” They nodded in agreement, and I made the gesture to “move out”. Whitewash phased out of view, and the groups split up to make their way to the town.

As we trotted along, Sandsturm moved to my side to speak to me.

“Red Storm… I think we should talk.”

“Now is not the best of times, Commandant.” He looked a bit distraught at me referring to him by his rank. I rolled my eyes. “Sorry, but I need to remain professional about this. I need you to return to you formation. He nodded, and said:

“Yes sir, Brigadier sir.” That made me twinge, but I pressed on. Now was not the time to allow my love life to impede on my mission.

We walked into the town, and I looked overhead for my two pegasi. Seeing as I could not see them in the clouds, I took it as a good sign. I gestured for my team to stick together. We walked through the abandoned streets, and I found that odd. This was a fairly successful town… why would they be missing…! I spun around, just in time to see the rain of arrows coming down from behind us.

“GET TO COVER! PREPARE FOR BATTLE!” We dove into a nearby building through the window, glass shattering as we landed inside. I listened for the hail of arrows to end, and what I heard next frightened me. Hooves. Thousands. Running straight for us. I looked at my team, and grinned.

“Time to shine, everypony. Let us shed their blood in my father’s name.” They nodded, and I heard a distinctive de-cloaking sound from behind me. Whitewash stood in her full silverette platemail armour with her visor up. Her green eyes were shimmering.

“To battle, War. Time to do what you do best.” I half-snarled at her remark, half grinned at her enthusiasm.

“That’s still up for debate.” I stepped out of the shelter of the store with my Honour Guard behind me. I saw hundreds of villagers armed with farm tools and instruments of war alike. Some wore armor, and some were unclothed.

‘To battle, War.’

We dashed, we sliced, we crushed, and we immolated.

None before us could stand before our combined might.

Our battle brothers fell from the sky and brought death from the heavens.

The streets ran red with the blood of dozens. Then hundreds. Then countless more.

We danced, we laughed, we flew, and we brought death.

We were the emissaries of their doom.

We were the main event in this Danza Macabra.

The fighting raged on. Some damned fool set fire to the buildings. That’s when I noticed ponies were fleeing from the fires. They had been hiding the whole damn time. I broke from the fighting, turning to Whitewash as I took to the skies.

“Whitewash! Finish this battle, and begin to sweep the town! I will pursue those fleeing!” She nodded her head as she impaled a colt on her horn, before returning her attention to the fight. My eyes burned red, as I had been feasting on the blood and death of this village the entire battle. My senses were at their peak, and I detected a pair of ponies fleeing to the woods, in the east of the village. They were a pair among many. They were, however the closest. They were likely unprepared for this battle... warned too late to flee the bloodshed in time. I flew forward at breakneck speeds, and landed as soft as a butterfly into a nearby tree. There, I saw the two fleeing the battle directly below me. I swooped down while the one who was falling behind was looking backward. I landed directly in front of an olive mare with a red mane. Before she could say anything, I swiftly grabbed her neck in my jaws and snapped my head backwards, snapping her neck. As she hung limply from my mouth, the colt who was following her ran into me. He looked up at me, and was absolutely terrified. One word was uttered from his lips.

“War…” I sneered, dropping the mare from my mouth.

“Indeed.” I tackled him and wasted no time in burying my teeth into his throat. Blood gushed as I made quite a mess out of the colt. When I was done, the moonlight glistened off of my blood-soaked muzzle, and my blood-red irises. I spread my wings and took flight once more, determined to slaughter every last opposing pony in the area.

And I did.

And I enjoyed every minute of it.

I returned to my detachment in the city when I was finished with my… hunt. I landed amongst the Sanguinaries, but something seemed off about them. Even in the moonlight, they looked mournful.

“Whitewash! How did you fare? All went well, I hope.” The crème mare said nothing, and sat down onto a pile of rubble. Bloodthorn took his place next to her, and kept the same quiet about him.

I looked around. Somepony was missing.

“Where… where is Sandsturm?” Whitewash rose, and walked to my side.

“He… he disappeared amongst the fighting. I saw him overwhelmed by twenty of them. They dogpiled him and I lost sight of him…”

“DID YOU SEE HIM DIE?” Whitewash jumped at my reaction. I hadn’t told her about my relationship with Sandsturm. I hadn’t told anypony.

“I… I… no. I didn’t.” She stuttered. I had never yelled at her like this before.

“THEN WHY ARE YOU ALL SITTING AROUND INSTEAD OF LOOKING FOR HIM?” The mare in front of me backed away slowly. Everypony else was terrified. They knew I could easily kill every one of them if I wanted to, and I really wanted to. All of them immediately got up and began to sift through the thousands of bodies to find him in the darkness of night. I was throwing body after body to the side as we sifted through the dead. We went on like that for hours. Every time somepony began to complain I would beat them into submission, and have them continue their search for my love. This went on for hours. While it takes but a moment to kill a pony, it takes a minute to move and identify them. We only finished as the sun began to break. We never found his body. As I pushed over the last body, and a pair of blue eyes looked back at me, I felt a portion of my soul die.

“My prince, you must see the truth. Sandsturm… he’s gone.” The goliath of a stallion put his hoof on my shoulder to try and cheer me up. It didn’t work. I spun around and punched him in the chest, shattering his carapiece and breaking every rib in his torso. He lay on the ground, coughing up his own blood as I stared at him.

“He’s. Not. Gone. We haven’t. Found. His body.” Whitewash stepped up to me and pulled me into a hug.

“Red Storm… I am sorry… I… I know you loved him. And all I can say is I’m sorry…” Tears welled up and began to flow from my eyes as I cried into Whitewash’s armour. Everypony else simply stood and stared. Stardust was the first to speak up.

“Bloodthorn is dying. I never practiced medical magic. We must return to the keep in order to treat his wounds.” I looked up, and wiped the tears from my eyes.

“Yes… yes, of course. Let us go now, before the damage is unrepairable.” I did not want to leave, but I had to watch over the rest of my detachment that was still alive. I looked down at Bloodthorn.

“I am sorry, Captain. I should not have let my emotions get the better of me. Come. Let us go home.” We grouped together and teleported home, back to the keep, leaving the destroyed village forever.

I returned to my room, dismissing Whitewash to hers. I stood in front of the mirror, and looked into my eyes. They disgusted me. My blood-soaked armour did not help the feeling of self-loathing. I stripped off my armour as fast as I could and began to groom my coat, cleaning it of all the filth; all reminders of my sins.

‘I killed him. I marched him to his death, when I told him he would be safe. I lied to him and betrayed him. I never even recovered his body… Sandsturm… I am sorry.’ I continued to groom myself in between sobs. When I went to groom my flank, however, I noticed something new. On my flank, was a Cutie Mark of a Sanguine Drop on top of a Golden shield. However, this could not bring me any joy now. No. It is only an eternal reminder of the day I led my love to his doom.

“Red Storm…” Fluttershy spoke softly. “I… never knew.” Even the three fillies before me were silent. This disturbed me even more than the memories.

“Do not despair for me. I don’t need it. I am now at peace with myself.” This was a lie. I will never be free of those tormenting memories. “After all, I have you, Fluttershy. You have filled the hole in my soul when so many others could not. I am happy again.” This, however, was not a lie. “Little fillies… did you enjoy the story?” They looked at each other nervously. Applebloom spoke up first.

“It… was a pretty neat story ‘n all… but the ending made me kinda sad.” The other two nodded in agreement. I shrugged.

“Oh well. Life can be sad at times. However, if one looks only to the past, or the present, then they are certain to miss the future. I have learned to leave my past behind me. I do not let it bother me anymore than it should.” Another lie.

“Well… ok… if you say so,” stated the orange filly. Suddenly, there is a loud rumbling. Sweetie Belle blushes.

“Sorry…” I scooped up the white foal and plopped her on my back.

“It sounds like somepony is hungry! TO THE FEAST!” I leaped into the kitchen as Fluttershy and the other two fillies followed laughing.

The rest of the night was spent having fun, playing, and enjoying life to the fullest. I wouldn’t have traded it for the world.

Author's Notes:

Wanna meet Red Storm's Honour Guard? Now you can!
491X1Y40007F7659FEC59E0000053A57COL1937004000001R18C5F3FA5875B0A008C5F3F004CB2= Sandsturm
47291N401069BF9BFFC49D0000021D821UK1A38404020000I07F5E46FF7FFF0T107F3FCC004CB2= Emerald Flight
3L3X001100942828FFC49D0010161A500UN1837204000000F1998A6B0000000400998A6B004CB2= Rustwind
471X1O5010281C66FFC49D00900003EBAGJ1837205000000C0142433FF7FFF0T107F3FCC004CB2= Nightwish
3X2S1L70017F61334F342000000CCCC00UN1837200000003817F60334C321F1L107F3FCC004CB2= Tigerheart
3P4L006200345E72FFC49D00041B3FEF0UN1837404400000804B42A5FF7FFF03107F3FCC004CB2= Stardust
51002S4000A532329977540000000BB96UN1837514000001Q08C8C4DFF7FFF2X107F3FCC004CB2= Bloodthorn