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Tears of a Fallen Star Ch4

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Chapter 4
The Friendly Foe and the Eclipsed Nightmare

 

                The air was humid in the underground hut, the inside was dark but Commander Bolt and his officers could still make out the markings on the map. Commander Bolt turned to the officer on his left, “Lieutenant Stone, you and your Bow ponies will line up in the central trench,. Keep your aim high I don’t want ponies falling to friendly arrows.”
Lieutenant Stone replied, “Yes Commander!”
Commander Bolt turned to another officer, in front of him, “Captain Storm you lead your pegisi through the frontal assault and drop spears on them, but move fast, and make your flight path unpredictable. Celestial archers are some of the best, and Unicorns can throw spears at the same accuracy.”
Captain Storm Replied, “Of course, Commander, we will be careful.”
Then Commander Bolt turned to another Officer on his right. “Lieutenant Snow, that stunt you pulled the last time cost the lived of five of your pike ponies, disobeys my orders again and I’ll have your head! Now pay attention because you are the most important force for this battle, there is a trench on the eastern flank here, which goes underground. It will lead you to a hidden tunnel entrance on the other side of the Celestial Crusaders front line. I want you to take your pike ponies through that tunnel and drop their commander. If we wave his spear through there main force then they will no doubt surrender…”

                At that moment a scout ran into the room, “Commander Bolt, we have news from the front! The Celestial forces approaching are being led by Commander Mist.”
Commander Bolt’s eyes lit up. “Are you sure? I mean are you absolutely positive?”
The scout nodded his head, “Yes Commander! We had three scouts confirm it, its Commander Mist.”
Commander Bolt thought to himself for a second, it’s been almost a year since he had last seen Commander Mist. It was before Nightmare Moons Coup-de-tat, before the Eternal Eclipse, and before Equestria became a world of darkness and war.

                Commander Bolt started to remember the argument between Nightmare Moon and Celestia that night. Nightmare Moon refused to lower the moon so Celestia raised the sun without the moon leaving the sky. But Nightmare Moon wouldn’t stand for that. She moved the moon in front of the sun and formed an eclipse, an eclipse that has lasted every day from dawn till dusk. Now Equestria is dark at night and red during the day. Shortly after that, Nightmare Moon took refuge in the Castle of the Royal Pony Sisters just outside of the Everfree forest. This is now our grate fortress, with a treacherous ravine and an unstoppable army guarding it, not one Celestial crusader ever made it to the castle before, at least not in chains.

                Commander Bolt decided, “Lieutenant Snow, change in planes, your pike ponies will keep the rear and hold the line. I’ll lead the assault through the trench and face Commander Mist on the other side.”
Lieutenant Stone Spoke up, “Are you sure that’s wise Commander, at least let me face him with you.”
Commander Bolt looked at Lieutenant Stone, “No! This is my fight. He trained me, it only right that he and I settle this on the battle field.”
Lieutenant Stone tried to speak up again, “But Sir I…”
Commander Bolt Interrupted, “Lieutenant, we need you and your archers here on the front. There isn’t a mare alive that can best you with a bow, so we need that skill here on the front, so please let me face this bitter old stallion on my own, besides it’s been a long time since my squad had the chance to fight, I wouldn’t want you and your bow ponies to take all the glory like last time.”

                The lieutenant smiled, she knew that he could handle himself, so she agreed, “Don’t die Commander; we need you more than you think.”
Commander Bolt smiled, “I have no need to die yet, this war hasn’t…”
Just the screaming came from a soldier outside “CELESTIAL TROOPS SPOTTED!!!”
Commander Bolt and his officers quickly galloped outside. In the distance he could see spear tips on the horizon. Commander Bolt approached a lookout and asked, “Any sign of Pegisi troops?”
The scout turned to reply, “Not, yet Commander.”
“Good, report to Lieutenant Snow if any appear.”
“Yes Commander.”

               Commander Bolt turned back to his officers, “You all know the battle plan, move the front wave to their position and hold the line. I want my pike ponies to follow me into the trench, Now Move!”
Commander Bolt and a hand full of soldiers ran into a nearby trench, and then they moved to a tunnel that was hidden in the brush. Each pony moved slowly through the cave, to try their best not to make any noises. The sound of metal on metal contact behind them was a good sign that the battle above had already begun. When Commander Bolt reached the end of the tunnel he moved first into the trench, to check the surroundings. He turned back to his troops and whispered, “Clear.”

               All the ponies left the cave in a slow quiet manner, to try not to attract any attention. Then Commander Bolt moved down the trench till he reached a clearing. There he could see the back of the Celestial army, but there was no sign of Commander Mist. Then he heard a scream in pain behind him. Commander Bolt turned around just in time to watch one of his solders fall to the ground with a spear in his back. Commander looked above the tunnel entrance at the stallion that threw the spear.

               “Ya got a lot of nerve coming here Sparky! Ya sure you ain’t lost?”
There standing above the tunnel entrance was Commander Mist and a few of his troops. Commander Bolt called out to him, “Stand down old stallion. You know even now you can’t win?”
Commander Mist only smiled then replied, “Commander Bolt! I am here to discuss your terms of surrender, if ya lay your weapons down now, I’ll see to it that you and your soldiers will not be harmed. However, if ya refuse to surrender you and your soldiers will die, here and now. Do ya except?”

               Commander Bolt could only smile, “You know as well as I do that you shouldn’t surrender when you have the upper hand.”
Commander Mist chuckled, “I know you’re stubborn but you can’t be blind, I Kno…”
Commander Bolt interrupted, “Can you?”
Commander Mist was confused, “What?”
Then Commander Bolt yelled, “FLASH!!!”

               All of Commander Bolt’s troops hid their eyes as Commander Bolt used an alternate version of the Lightning Orb. Only instead of producing lightning it produced an instantaneous blinding light that blinded all the Celestial troops. Immediately after the booming sound all of Commander Bolt’s troops charged Commander Mist and his soldiers. Before Commander Mist knew it, he was pinned on the ground with Commander Bolts hoof holding his head down by his horn.

               Commander Bolt smiled in a cruel manner, “As you can see I have mastered all forms of the Lightning Orb. Now Commander, I would like to discuss the terms of your surrender.”
Commander Mist gave Commander Bolt a very angry stare, but Commander Bolt could tell what that stare meant. Commander Bolt jerked his hoof back from Commander Mist’s horn and right as he did a spear flew right across Commander Mists face missing his hoof by mere inches. With this diversion Commander Mist used both rear hooves to throw Commander Bolt off of him and back into the trench. Commander Bolt rushed to his feet and braced himself for an attack, but Commander Mist just stood at the top of the trench over him like a king over peasant.

               Commander Mist was irritated now using his unicorn magic, he picked up spears that where lying on the ground from fallen troops, and had them hovering over his head in a threatening manner. Then he spoke, “Face it Sparky, you lost. Give up now.”
Commander Bolt tried to think of a strategy but he was cornered in the trench with no escape route, and his troops had taken their fight to another area, so he hesitated. To break the silence Commander Mist launched a spear at Commander Bolt digging it into the trench wall behind him, then he spoke, “Give it up Sparky, I don’t want to kill you, but I can’t let you continue protecting Nightmare Moon. What she is doing is wrong, and you know that. So why are you protecting her?”

               Commander Bolt looked at Commander Mist and replied, “You think I don’t know that? You think I don’t see what she has become, and what she is doing to the ponies of Equestria? Do you, the Stallion who raised and trained me, think I don’t know what happening here!?! I know what she’s doing, I know the ponies of Equestria are miserable. I KNOW SHE IS EVIL!”
Commander Mist yelled back, “Then why? Why are ya helping her? Why are ya doing this? Why are ya betraying Celestia, your Princess? WHY!!!”
Commander Bolt yelled back, “BECOUSE I LOVE HER!!!”
Commander mist glared at Commander Bolt, “you love Nightmare Moon?”
Commander Bolt yelled back in anger, “NO! I LOVE LUNA!!! And if there is a way to bring Luna back I will find it, but I can’t do it if Nightmare Moon is my enemy so I’ll do whatever it takes to Stay Close to her!”

               Commander Mist was surprised to hear Commander Bolt admit that he was in love with Luna, but this wasn’t the time to complement him, so he continued, “BY KILLIN? You would rather Kill Celestia’s troops, the ponies you fought beside, than to just get over some kind of… CRUSH!?!”
Commander Bolt couldn’t hold his temper anymore; with that last phrase in his mind he lost complete control of himself, “crush? CRUSH! I'll kill anypony that stands between me and Luna’s freedom, EVEN YOU!”

               Moving fast, Commander Bolt stretched his wing out, till it was touching the bottom of the spear that was stuck in the Trench wall behind him. Using his front hoof he pulled the back of the spear in a see-saw motion flinging it out of the trench and toward Commander Mist. Out of reflex Commander Mist block the incoming spear with one of his hovering spears, and threw another at Commander Bolt accidently taking off a chunk of his left ear. Commander Bolt Screamed in a combination of pain and anger unlike anything Commander Mist had ever heard before.

               Commander Mist spoke to him calmly, “Sparky, I didn’t mean to do that, but you gave me no choice…”
Commander Bolt had lost complete control of himself and replied, “No, you had a choice, but not anymore.”
Commander Bolt anchored his hoofs into the ground and started to produce the cloud for the Lightning Orb. The cloud started to grow at a very fast rate, faster than anything he had produced before. Commander Mist tried to stop him by throwing the spears at him but as each spear got close a static discharge would make contact with the spear changing its course and burying it in the ground in front of Commander Bolt. Even the spear that carried the Celestial seal that belonged to Commander Mist himself didn’t come close to hitting its target.

               Once the cloud grew to about six feet across, Commander Mist cried out, “It’s too big hold back!”
Commander Bolt hesitated, that comment, it was the same one he used when Star Bolt was training back before the guard exam. Commander Bolt started to think about that day, there is no way he could forget it. It was the day he got angry and went to the Thunder Grounds. It was also the first time he and Luna got to speak alone together. Then he started to think about what he was doing, Luna wouldn’t like this at all, in fact it would break her heart.             

                Commander Bolt looked at the cloud above his head. It had already grown eight feet across, it was too late. If he tried to stop it now the static stored inside would release and make no difference. Feeling terrible about what was happening Commander Bolt looked at Commander Mist and spoke, “I'm sorry Commander I can’t stop it.”
Commander Mist smiled calmly and dropped the remaining spears, “Its ok Sparky either way you found your opening.”

                Commander Mist closed his eyes in acceptance. Commander Bolt tried to hold on to the power he had stored up but he couldn’t hold it anymore. The lightning stretched in all directions destroying everything in its path, the last thing Commander Bolt saw of Commander Mist was his shadow slowly vanishing inside the blinding light that followed. This particular Lightning Orb was so powerful that it stretched easily over Commander Bolt’s and Commander Mist’s still fighting troops.

                When the dust settled Commander Bolt was on his knees in the middle of a crater. The trench was no longer visible. The trees in the area where charred and absolutely nothing of the nearby ponies remained other than their armor and metal weapon that lay in the sand and ash. Commander Bolt looked into the distance. Everything was quiet other than the sound of the front line battle that lay over the horizon. Commander Bolt couldn’t believe what he had just done. Not only did he kill his teacher, guardian and who he could consider his father. But he vaporized him and both their squads of soldiers.

                 Commander Bolt started to trot to the pile of armor that was sitting where Commander Mist was standing; before he got there he hit his hoof on something hard in a pile of sand. He brushed the sand away to reveal the gold colored Spear that only Celestial Generals carried. Commander Bolt picked it up and started to think to himself, “I just killed my mentor, my squad and all the troops in the rear side of their army. But I can still save the few in the front before they die.” Commander Bolt flew into the air as fast as he could with the spear till he reached the back of the remaining Celestial army.

                 The trooped in the rear of the army called out to the front “ITS COMMANDER BOLT, HES HERE!”
All the soldiers turned to him. Commander Bolt landed and held the spear up in the air so that the Celestial seal could be seen. The troops saw the spear, dropped their weapons, and bowed. This was a simple costume in the Celestial military, they weren’t bowing to the one who defeated their commander, but they were bowing in respect for their fallen commander, and to surrender the battle. Some of the lookout ponies fired a blue burning arrow into the sky to signal the front line and the pegisi to surrender.

                 Commander Bolt marched through the front line with the spear held up high. The sounds of screaming, rage, and metal on metal, dimed down all that could be herd was the moans and cries of the wounded. Luckily the Medical soldiers didn’t bow so they were able to reach wounded who were unreachable during the combat. When Commander Bolt reached the rear line where his officers waiting, he asked Lieutenant Snow, “Lieutenant, gather up all Celestial soldiers in an area near that bolder I want to address them all shortly.”
Lieutenant Snow replied “Yes Commander.”

                 Commander Bolt walked into the hut and sat the spear in the corner of the room. Then he stood staring at it. Lieutenant Stone walked into the room and placed a rag on the left side of his face, “Are you ok Commander? It looks like he took part of your ear off. Douse it hurt?”
Commander Bolt knew that Lieutenant Stone was trying to get his mind off of what happened so in appreciation he replied as kindly as he could, “Its fine Lieutenant, I’ve had worse. Can you give me a casualty report.” The Lieutenant looked down and replied, the medics are gathering the numbers now... but if I were to guess, about two hundred or so.”
Commander Bolt replied, “I see that the lowest we’ve had in weeks, who suffered the most loses?”
“Captain Storm lost the most, including himself…”

               Commander Bolt couldn’t even look her in the eye, but he spoke, “He will be missed I'm going to address the remaining Celestial troops, continue tallying the total loses and I’ll meet you later Captain.”
She looked at him with concern, “Captain.”
Commander Bolt replied, “Of course you have done more than enough to prove yourself. You deserve this promotion.”
Captain Stone replied, "Thank you Commander I’ll gather the remaining soldiers and get a better count of the fallen.”
Captain Stone left the room; Commander Bolt took one last look at the spear, bandaged his ear and left the hut.

               Commander Bolt flew to the top of a nearby bolder to address the remaining enemy force and announced, “Greetings to all of you. If you don’t know me already, I am Commander Bolt; I am the commanding general of Nightmare Moons army and second in command of the Nightmare Legion. I have gathered you all here because I want to give you a chance. I can turn you in, and have you either imprisoned or executed for fighting in the Celestial army. Or you can leave your weapons laying where they are, and return to Princess Celestia. It isn’t a wonderful offer but I'm making this in light that I believe we have all lost something important to us today. Some lost friends, family, limbs, wings, pride, hope, or even the reason to continue fighting. But I won’t take, your lives if you still have them. There is no reason to kill defeated ponies, so go back to your Princess, and tell her that I'm still fighting, and if she wants to take down Nightmare Moon then she will have to face me first. Now, go home.”

               The entire crowd was speechless, nopony said anything as Commander Bolt left the front and started trotting back to the hut. On his way back Lieutenant Snow stopped him, “Commander you think it’s wise to just send them back like that. Celestia will only give them new weapons and send them back here for another fight.”
Commander Bolt stopped and looked at Lieutenant Snow, “When I was up there you know what I saw looking at Celestia’s army? I saw many types of ponies willing to give their life for Celestia. Pegasus, unicorns, earth ponies, mares, stallions, even some that I would still consider colts, and fillies, all of them willing to give everything they have, just to see the sun again. But while I was up there you know what I saw the most? Bandages, blood soaked bandages, like the one on my ear. I couldn’t pick one pony out that didn’t have some sort of injury on them. If I send them back only a few of them will return, Celestia will not send a wounded pony into battle, and if I turn them in, to Nightmare Moon, she will execute the wounded and try to corrupt those who can still fight. All of those things I mentioned up there, family, friends, limbs, wings, hope, and the will to fight. I lost a majority of those things today. And only one pony can change my decision, and she isn’t here so don’t test me today. Or you will go back with them, in chains. So, how clear am I?”

               Lieutenant Snow was surprised that Commander Bolt snapped at him like that, of all the times Lieutenant Snow made him angry. This one was the worst, so he replied, “Cristal clear Sir.”
Commander Bolt went back into the hut and looked at the spear in the corner of the room. He started to remember everything from his colthood he started thinking about all the training he endured, all the hours put into making himself stronger, in hopes that one day he could protect Luna. Then he remembered Commander Mist’s advice, and ideas that helped him to control the Lightning orb, and his deceitful way of giving him a chance to tell Luna how he felt. But his thoughts where interrupted by a dark voice from behind him, “Did you ever think, you would be the one to silence that pitiful fool?”

               Commander Bolt knew who was speaking so he turned around and bowed. Just then Nightmare Moon appeared form a dark blue fog that phased into the room from the cracks in the ceiling. Commander Bolt stood back up and spoke, “Your majesty what brings you to the battlefield?”
She smiled, “I just had to see how things were going I didn’t want to receive bad news from a pathetic scout, when I could receive it from my general himself. So… how did it go Commander?”
Commander Bolt replied, “It went a little bit south, they knew of the tunnel and set up an ambush for us.”
Nightmare Moon replied,” I see and how did you survive that ambush?” Commander Bolt replied, “I used the flash tactic but in the end it was a close battle. “

               Nightmare Moon smiled,” I can see that, your ear is mangled, did Commander Mist do that?”
Commander Bolt looked back at the spear. “Yes, he did.”
Nightmare Moon replied, well it seems like your devotion towards each other faded a little more than you thought. Either way continues your defense; at this rate we will be ready to lead a strike on Canterlot next month.”

               Commander Bolt was surprised, “Next month? Do we have the troops for an attempt like that?”
Nightmare Moon chuckled in a cruel way, “Not if you continue to vaporize them.”
With that said Nightmare Moon turned into the blue fog and phased back through the cracks in the ceiling. Commander Bolt became furious, how did she know that? And why would she taunt him like that? He tried to calm himself down by going outside for some fresh air. While he was outside Captain Stone approached him, “Commander we have the total number of deaths gathered up would you like to hear it?”

               Despite how much he hated hearing the casualty report, he had to know there loses, so he replied, “Yes, How many dead.”
Caption Stone replied, “So far we’ve lost a total of one hundred seventy ponies, in that last battle. All we need is a count from the fifteen you took with you. How many did you lose?”
Commander Bolt lowered his head, “The total is one hundred eighty five then.”
Captain Stone thought for a second, then she understood knew what he meant but she didn’t want to say anything about it. So she only replied, “That’s the total fallen. We have two hundred ninety-six wounded but some of the wounded might not last till tomorrow.”

                Commander Bolt looked toward the eclipse, it was already on the horizon soon the sun will go over the horizon and it will be the real night. Commander Bolt looked back at Captain Stone and spoke, “Set up camp and reports any changes in the morning. You and your troops need their rest. I'm going out to the Thunder Grounds, if anything bad comes up send for me.”
Captain Stone knew that he needed time to think so she agreed, “Yes sir.”

                Commander Bolt went deep into the Everfree forest, after a short while he approached the Thunder Grounds, years ago he always came here to relax and calm himself down, when he was in a bad mood. The static electricity from the very first Lightning Orb he ever made was still inside the plants in the area. In fact a new species of apple tree happen to grow out of this charged soil. The tree sat with beautiful apple blossoms glowing in the moon light. This was a comforting sight to Commander Bolt, he use to come here in hopes of returning his prior memories but after he joined the royal guard he came here just to relax away from all the commotion.

                Commander Bolt tried to relax but after a few minutes he felt a presents in the area. Somepony was there with him, but who? Commander Bolt knew that he was a target for Celestia’s army so instead of looking behind him, he just braced himself for an attack. Then he heard a voice, it was the same dark voice that he knew, only this time it sounded gentle. “Beautiful night isn’t it Commander?”

                Commander Bolt looked behind him, standing there was Nightmare Moon but the dark presents that Commander Bolt usually felt around her, wasn’t there. It didn’t even seem like Nightmare Moon to him. Commander Bolt jumped up and bowed, “Good evening your majesty”
Nightmare Moon didn’t acknowledge him, “Get up. There is no need for that.”
Commander Bolt stood back up and was very confused; she wasn’t her usual dark angry self. Commander Bolt had to ask, “Is everything alright your majesty? Do you need anything from me?”
Nightmare Moon glared at him, “Do I always need reason, for being in your presents?”

                Commander Bolt quickly answers to avoid trouble, “No your majesty, all I meant was I didn’t expect to see you here, that’s all.”
Nightmare Moon looked at the tree that grew out of the crater, “I didn’t expect to see you here, Commander.”
Commander Bolt was a little confused, “Me your majesty?”
“Yes, I have been coming here numerous times lately, I don’t know why but this place seems special to me, somehow. It seems to make me feel better about this war.”

               Commander Bolt couldn’t believe what he heard, why would Nightmare Moon like this place? Is it because she has faint memories of Luna’s life, and if so would that mean that Luna considers this place special, and if so why? But before Commander Bolt could ask, a large number of shooting stars started to fly overhead, and before their eyes, the apple blossoms magically turned into black apples. Both Commander Bolt and Nightmare Moon couldn’t believe what they just witnessed.

               Commander Bolt trotted up to the tree and placed his hoof against it, it was warm and full of energy, however when he placed his hoof on the apple it was cold and powerless. Nightmare Moon looked at the apple, “It’s not time yet.”
Commander Bolt looked back, “What?”
Nightmare Moon explained “The apple isn’t ripe yet so you can’t eat it. Perhaps this is the reason I think this place is special, it would explain why I like to come here.”
Commander Bolt lowered his head in disappointment, “Yea that explains it.”

               Nightmare Moon turned around, “Well I must return to the castle, by the way, Star Bolt?”
Commander Bolt looked back at Nightmare Moon, “Yes, your majesty?”
“This is the same place you were found…wasn’t it?”
Commander Bolt lowered his head, “Yes, you found me here… many years ago.”
Nightmare Moon replied “I thought so, that explains even more.”
Commander Bolt was confused, “Even more, your majesty?”
Nightmare Moon didn’t respond. She only phased into the cloud of blue mist and vanished into the forest. Commander Bolt turned back to the tree, “I wonder. Could she remember me, could Luna remember me? She did call me Star Bolt for the first time in a year, but if so douse that mean, that Luna actually cared about me?”

Chapter 4 is in.
Unlike the last few chapters this takes place only one year after the last chapter, Star Bolt AKA Commander Bolt Still fights for the Nightmare legion against the Celestial Crusaders in the Nightmare Crusade.
The world doesn’t have a day anymore now it’s either an eclipsed day or a normal night. Either way Nightmare Moon isn’t letting Celestia stop her without a fight so this takes place during the rebellion so expect some action in this one.
Enjoy:)

Tears of a Fallen Star

Chapter 1: The Colt Awakens
Chapter 2: The Exam
Chapter 3: Commander Bolt’s Decision
Chapter 4: The Friendly Foe and the Eclipsed Nightmare
Chapter 5: Two Orphans, Celestia, And New Recruits
Chapter 6: Celestia's Stand, and Forgotten Foes
Chapter 7: Peace in Death, Love in War, And Good in Evil
Chapter 8: Confrontations between Nations
Chapter 9: The Bolt That Cleared the Mist
Chapter 10: The Fatal Funnel
Chapter 11: Wounded Spiritually, Physically, and Emotionally
Chapter 12: A Murder In Cloudsdale’s Shadow
Chapter 13: Past Wounds in Present Skies
Chapter 14: Who I Am
Chapter 15: My Home Front
Chapter 16: The Emotions of War
Chapter 17: True Pain
Chapter 18: Letter From a Mare in Love
Chapter 19: A Meeting to End the War
Chapter 20: By the Light of the Stars
Chapter 21: The Fallen Star
Chapter 22: A New Dawn

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Tigasus's avatar
I knew it,I knew that Luna had feelings for him too