The Diference Ch8

                The arrow whistled as it flew through the air, then it hit the target just outside the bull’s-eye. Colonel Storm lowered his bow and sighed, he was disappointed with his demonstration shot but he didn’t show it too well. Then he turned to Gem and spoke, “There ya see. All you have to do is focus on three things, the wind, the distance, and your targets movements. Then you can hit your target so long that it’s in your range. If I were you, I would practice on the five hundred meter target first, at least until you get the hang of it.”
Colonel Silas smile, “The target that Storm just hit was the seven hundred meter target, you should get a lot of practice in before you tamper with that one, then maybe one day you can tackle the one thousand meter target on the other side.”

                Gem felt as if the colonels were babying her but she just played along, “Go get them mommy!”
“Yea you can do it!”
Gem turned to her foals that were holding a homemade banner that said, “Yay Momy!!.”
She couldn’t help but smile at the adorable misspelling, then she turned and looked at the three targets in the distance. She stood up on her back hooves using her wings to keep her balance and focused on the wind blowing through her mane. After measuring its speed, and direction, she raised her bow and aimed at the first target. After focusing on its distance, she sighed, “This has got to be a joke.”
She slowly changed her elevation and released the arrow. The arrow flew with great speed into the air and vanished in the reddish haze that has been the sky since the war began. Colonel Silas and Colonel Storm both lost sight of the arrow and looked at each other, Colonel Storm shook his head, “I think you missed. I can’t measure the way you fire your bow unless you actually hit your tar…”

                The echo of the arrow hitting the target was heard, so both colonels looked back at the targets. They were amazed to find that the target she hit was the one thousand meter target, and not only did she hit it, but she buried the arrow into the bull’s-eye, just slightly off from the dead center. Both colonels looked at each other with a surprised expression then they looked back at Gem who sighed, “Darn, I was off by almost an inch… I'll get it next time.”
Colonel Silas nudged Storm, “Um… how did she…”
“Is that enough information Colonel? Or should I try again?”
Colonel Storm wiped the surprised look off his face then replied, “No need Mrs. Bolt, I can make you a perfect bow by what I saw today. It should be ready for you some time tomorrow though I’d say you should keep practicing, you’re a perfect archer, but practice can always help.”
As the two Colonels trotted off, Colonel Silas whispered to Colonel Storm, “What is it with the mares in that militia? They both scare me.”
Colonel Storm whispered back, “Just be grateful they are on our side. one is a legendary killer and the other is just as deadly. I’d hate to face one of them on the battlefield.”

                Star Bolt watched Gem and the foals from the top of Dragon Mountain. As he smile watching them, The Reaper trotted up next to him and joined him as he watched, “They’re Beautiful.”
“What?”
“Your family, they’re Beautiful. A confident and supportive wife, an overconfident yet protective son, and a shy but optimistic daughter. I can see why you would want to protect them like you do.”
Star Bolt sighed, “I’ve often wondered where my life would be if they were to just… disappear.”
“And?”
Star Bolt looked at Scy, “I can’t imagine anything worse than trying to live without them. Not after everything we’ve been through.”
Scy replied, “When you have somepony to look after, every value, every goal, and every dream will all of a sudden change. Trust me on that one, I myself had a foal.”
Star Bolt was surprised, “Really? That’s strange, you don’t seem like the mothering type.”
The Reaper shook her head, “I'm not, but I can’t say I didn’t try.”

               Now Star Bolt was curious, “What Happened?”
She explained, “I had to leave The Cutters and have him in secret, being The Reaper made him an easy target for my enemies. We travelled all over the world to try to get away from those who would do us harm. However, it was no use, I was able to keep him and the fact that he was my son secret, but even when I refused to take contracts, I was still being hunted. Therefore, when the chance came I left him in the care of somepony who could take care of him until I could guarantee his safety. After all my enemies were assassinated, by me of course, I went to go find him, but something had happened. The friend that I left him with lost him and it took me many years to track him down.”
Star Bolt started to feel bad for Scy as he continued listening, “Go on, what happened next?”

                The reaper slowly put the hood on her cloak down as she continued, “I finally found him, but I also found that he discovered a new life, and in that life, he was happy without me. He had already found a filly that shared a connection with him. I knew that so long that he stayed with her, he would never need me. I continued to check on him as the years went by, and in that time, he not only married that filly, but he had a few foals and made a good home for him and his family. ”
Star Bolt looked back at his family and spoke, “In a time like this, I guess that’s all that matters. It’s funny, we both have a curse that puts our families in danger.”
Scy nodded her head, “So commander, what will be our next move?”
Star Bolt sighed, “Our next move will be to get ready, there is no telling what Snow will throw at us next… and stop calling me commander.”
Scy spoke seriously, “Now that you are in command of the militia, then it doesn’t matter how small we are or what you think, you are our commander. I hope you understand that soon because now we all are going to rely on your guidance for this war.”
Star Bolt lowered his head, “Please don’t remind me.”

                Thorn flew up and spoke to Star Bolt, “Star, I spotted something that you and your mercenary may want to see.”
Star Bolt nodded his head as the two pegasus flew into the air and followed Thorn. When they got to a large cloud the two pegasus landed and looked in the direction that thorn was looking in. Star Bolt tried to make out the distant objects on the horizon, “What is that? It looks like a giant bow but I'm not sure what it i…”
“A ballista, The Nightmare Legion has a few ballistae in their ranks now.”
Star Bolt looked at the Reaper, “Ballista? Are they planning to use those against the dragon?”
Scy smiled, “He isn’t very bright, ballistae have a better effect on a dragons scales than arrows but they are difficult to aim and take too long to reload. They will be simple to avoid but if they hit their target, then it’s a guaranteed death… for both dragons and ponies”

                Star Bolt nodded his head, “I guess we will just have to use caution against them. Is there any advice when fighting them?”
Scy replied, “High altitudes, they are meant to destroy heavily armored troops or walls but they can only aim so high so we can avoi…”
Colonel Storm Flew up and yelled to Star Bolt, “Commander we need you for something.”
Star Bolt sighed, “Ok how many times do I have to tell you ponies. Stop calling me comma…”
“It’s Roza!”
“Roza? You mean General Roza, the Hooviet Union general?”
“Yes, she and a small number of her troops have been spotted traveling through the forest. But, something is strange, they are wearing their armor… but they’re unarmed. Commander Mist is on his way to meet her but he wants you to join us.”
“Unarmed?... I can’t help but think she is up to something. Thorn, keep your eye on the legion and their movements. Scy, I want you to join me when we meet her, I don’t trust her so keep your eye out for anything suspicious.”

                The three ponies flew off together to meet Roza, while in the Forest General Roza and Two of her soldiers continued their search, “My General, ve have been traveling through this forest for several hours, are you certain that ve vill find that stallion here… vhat if he left Dragon Mountain already. Ve can’t keep searching for a pony who isn’t her…”
“He is here… I can feel it. A stallion vith that much… spirit von’t just leave vithout any form of retaliation. Especially after vhat Commander Snow did, I expect him to…”
“To what… Roza?”
General Roza and her soldiers quickly huddled together as Commander Mist, Colonel Silas, And Gem approached from in front of them, and Colonel Storm, The Reaper and Star Bolt approached form behind them, all in a perfect formation that surrounded the soldiers leaving them with no place to run.
each approaching pony readied themselves for a fight, all with the exception of Star Bolt, who was unarmed, but he did glare at the General with an unwelcomed anger, “You have a lot of nerve showing your face here… especially after what the Nightmare Legion… your allies, put me and my family through. Tell me why you are here, and you better make it good. The elder said before he died that the legion wasn’t allowed in the forest anymore. So you have already given me reason to let both my wife and the reaper kill you.”

                Without saying anything, General Roza slowly approached Star Bolt, looked him straight in the eye, and then bowed. Star Bolt was extremely confused, “What?... What is this?... Why are you…”
“I'm sorry Mr. Bolt… I truly am. Vhat Commander Snow did vas unforgivable, and dishonorable. I should have done this a long time ago, but from this day forward, the Nightmare Legion in now an enemy of the Hooviet Union and its forces. Commander Snow’s method of varfare has done nothing but dishonored all that the Hooviet Union stands for. Ve fight for the ponies and their cause… ve refuse to harm innocent civilians, and ve refuse to support comrades who vill. So ve vish to join vith the Celestial Crusaders… as their allies. That is… if the handsome Commander Mist vill allow it.”
 Colonel Storm laughed, “Wow, I think handsome has been a word that I have never been used to describe Commander Mist.”
General Roza stood back up and smirked at Commander Mist, “I only speak the truth.”

                Commander Mist Smiled back, “And a very wise truth it is, you know that flattery will get you everywhere General… but not here. I apologies, but the Celestial Crusaders cannot and will not join forces with an army that was at one time, allied to the Nightmare Legion… however, if you were joining forces with an army that is already allied to us, then we would have no objection to you fighting alongside The Celestial Crusaders.”
General Roza was confused, “Other army? Vhat other army?”
Mist continued, “If you were to join forces with Commander Bolt and his militia here, than there would be no objection to you fighting with us.”
Star Bolt spoke up, “I told you all to stop calling me comma…”
“You see Commander Bolt here, is in command of the local militia who are devoted to drive the Nightmare Legion away from Dragon Mountain, by any means necessary.”
General Roza looked at Star Bolt and spoke, “Oh.. I see… Vell Commander? vould you allow us to fight alongsi…”
“No.”

                Star Bolt turned around and started trotting back into the forest before Gem called to him, “Star, We need more soldiers to help us, why don’t we ju…”
“I said no… and I meant no… I won’t fight beside her… not after what her comrades did.”
Before he was gone, The Reaper landed in front of him, “Your wife is right. If we are going to fight the Nightmare Legion than we are going to need…”
“The help of a traitor? She has tricked me before, and there is nothing to prevent her from doing it again. I won’t let her further threaten the lives of my foals.”
General continued her plea, “Vhat happened to the dragon elder, vas a terrible tragedy that disgraced the Hooviet forces, even though ve had no part in it, ve all feel terrible for vhat happened and even if ve never gain your forgiveness. Ve still vish to fight beside you as allies.”
Commander Mist spoke next, “A commander needs an army to command. I’d highly suggest you take this offer, I don’t know of anypony who was just giving an army right off the bat like it was a normal every day thing.”

                Star Bolt hesitated for a few seconds then he asked Roza, “How many soldiers do you have in your ranks?”
Roza replied with confidence, “Ve have five hundred soldiers not counting our three catapult teams.”
Star Bolt sighed, “With those numbers, taken away from the Nightmare Legion and adding to ours, we will match the Nightmare Legion in count… Fine, I'll let you fight with us, but don’t think you have my trust, if you do anything, and I mean anything, to threaten my wife, my foals, or the reaper, then you will quickly discover that Commander Snow isn’t the only pony who can be cruel. Is that clear?”
All the ponies present were surprised to hear Star Bolt talk like that but none more than The Reaper, she didn’t understand, why Star Bolt had any concern for her safety when he didn’t even know who she really was. General Roza and her soldiers bowed as she replied, “Thank you commander, I don’t expect to ever gain your trust, but know that I will do everything within my power to try. The Nightmare Legion knows nothing about this so I must return to the Nightmare camp to retrieve my soldiers and equipment. Ve vill not let you down commander.”

                Star Bolt sighed, “See that you don’t, and don’t call me commander. Gem, Scy, let’s go there is one more thing that must be done before nightfall.”
Gem, The Reaper and Star Bolt all trotted into the forest towards Dragon Mountain, as they continued, Scy asked, “Um… Commander? Can I ask you something?”
Star Bolt replied, “Sure Scy, what is it? and stop calling me commander.”
“Why… did you tell Roza that if she threatened my life also that you would kill her? You know I can take care of myself, but what I'm really asking is, why are you concerned for my safety.”
Star Bolt replied as the group made it to the base of the mountain, “You have a son to protect right… and like you said before it’s my responsibility to make sure you survive this war. If you’re going to continue keeping your son safe, then I have no choice but to help you survive this war so you can keep him safe. Besides, there is something about you that makes me feel… content, I can’t quite understand it but when you’re around I feel more comfortable, kind of like how I feel when my family is with me. It sounds strange but it’s true.”

                Gem spoke up, “Do you think it’s a feeling of safety? You know, since she saved us at the cabin.”
“I don’t know. But whatever it is, its reason enough for me to trust her with my life.”
Scy was surprised, “Really? You actually trust me. I thought I was still on your list of ponies to keep your eye on.”
“MOMMY! DADDY!”
The Two foals ran up to their parents as Star Bolt replied to the reaper, “You saved me and my foals… as far as I'm concerned, you’re a part of this family too.”
Scy could only smile at Star Bolt’s kind words, as he turned back to his daughter and spoke, “Pearl? Are you ready?”
Pearl smiled and replied, “I  need to get my saddle bag first.”
Sable added, “Me too!”
Gem Smiled and replied, “Then go and get your saddle bags we need to get there before it gets dark.”

                Back at the Nightmare Camp, General Roza was in her quarters getting her belongings together. “Going somewhere general?”
Roza froze and turned around to see Commander Snow standing at the doorway, “Oh… uh, commander… I didn’t… uh… do you need anything from me?”
Commander Snow smiled, “Don’t bother trying to play dumb, I always knew after Chief Rafi left us, that you would soon follow… but you’re not leaving us to go home… are you?”
General Roza griped her weapon and braced herself for an attack while she replied, “That is true… but I can no longer fight for you. Your actions are to…”
“Then go…”
“Vhat?”
Commander Snow nodded his head, “Go… I told you that the Nightmare Legion had its own business, and the Hooviets had theirs, so far be it for me, to get involved with your business, now of all times. If you want to leave then I'll allow you to leave.”

General Roza was amazed, he was just letting her go, just like that. But why? Without saying anything else, Commander Snow turned around and left her tent. General Roza tried not to waste any more time, so she continued to pack her things until she started hearing fire outside her tent. She rushed outside to see what is was, but she as soon as she saw it, she immediately became afraid. Commander Snow stood in front of her staring at her three catapults that sat outside her tent. Each one was on fire, while the teams that controlled them, lie dead in the blaze, “COMMANDER VHAT HAVE YOU…”
Without warning, one of Commander Snow’s soldiers snuck up behind her and bashed her in the back of her head with a club, knocking her to the ground. While she laid on the ground stunned, a number of soldiers rushed her and tied her up before she came to her senses.

                Commander Snow turned around and smiled, “Roza... even the name is a thing of beauty. I admire you, standing up for your morals the way you do. it’s an inspiring thing, I use to be the same way. Nevertheless, when the Nightmare Legion was chased out of Equestria, then forced to continue this war in the Mild West, where even the natives sought to kill us. I knew that the mercy that I showed, only added to my list of failures. Therefore, I realized something new after the past few years… Mercy is for the weak. If you want to take proper command of an army, you must rid yourself of all forms of forgiveness. Since then I was able to push my forces back into Equestria, then you betrayed me. It’s not my business why you did what you did, but the fact remains. You’re going to raise your weapon to me soon. I… as commander of the Nightmare Legion, can’t allow that to happen. But I can’t further stain my conscience by killing another leader when this time there is no order to do so.”
General Roza felt a little confused but she was still focused on her dead catapult teams, “SO YOU KILL MY SOLDIERS INSTEAD!?!”
“Temper, temper general. You act as if you have never lost a soldier before.”

                General Roza, Glared at Commander Snow as his guards threw her onto a cart, “You… you vill fall harder than any stallion in this var… mark my vords, your death vill be swift and cruel.”
Commander Snow, leaned down, kissed her, and replied, “I'm afraid general, that your… vords don’t mean anything here… not anymore.”
General Roza spit in his face then sneered at him. Commander Snow wiped his face off and smiled, “I suppose I deserve that… but I have one more gift for you before I send you to your new commander.”
Commander Snow raised his sword high in the air then stabbed her hoof causing her to scream in agony, “V… vhy did you…”
“This should keep you alive for a few more days. Good luck general, I hope we never meet on the battlefield.”
Roza had never been so confused, but the pain in her hoof was too excruciating for her to ask what he was talking about, she could only lay in the cart breathing deeply to bear the pain, while Snow turned to his soldiers, “Take her into the forest, and leave her for the crusaders to find. I hope they find her before she bleeds to death.”
“Yes Sir, and her soldiers?”
“Tell them that she was plotting to betray us, and that anypony who refuses to fight with me, will be stripped of their weaponry and sent home. I'm not going to let her actions discard a number of loyal soldiers from my ranks.”

                Back at Star Bolt’s cabin Star Bolt, Gem, and Scy watched as the foals helped each other plant the rose right next to where their front porch used to sit. After they finished Star Bolt spoke to Pearl, “One day, this rose bush will grow roses so beautiful that ponies will wonder who it was that planted such a bush… but few will know  that it was an adorable filly who outshines this roses in beauty.”
Pearl blushed as Gem spoke, “That was crossing the line into cornyville.”
Star Bolt didn’t even look at her as he replied, “You’re just jealous that I didn’t think of that phrase until after we were married.”
“And you think it would have worked?”
Star Bolt looked at her and smiled, “Maybe, you were gullible enough to marry me, why not?”
The reaper watched the family from a distance and mumbled to herself, “For the past thirteen years I’ve been watching over him, but I guess he didn’t need my protection after all. He grew into a good stallion, a perfect father and a loving husband… once this war ends I'll leave him to live his life without my protection. Hmm… A part of this family… if only he knew how long I’ve waited to hear that from his mouth.”

                As his foals started to play with what toys they brought with them, Gem and Star Bolt started searching through the ash that was their home. Gem found the bandanna she was given before their marriage and was disappointed that it had melted to the wood that used to be their dresser. When Star Bolt saw this, he spoke to her, “I'm sorry Gem… I was unable to save it. but… at least we made it out alive, and Pearl got to plant her rose bush just like I told her she could, everything is going to be o…”
“You need to tell them.”
“What?”
“The Lightning Orb, you need to tell the foals about it, they are too young to understand why this is happening; you need to tell them about your gift. Otherwise, they are going to think the world is this cruel.”
“Gem… the world is this cruel. You of all ponies should know that. Look at our past. Your family was lost in a freak accident, while mine never existed as far as I know. If we didn’t find each other, who know what would have happened, I could be lying on a battlefield dead somewhere. And I don’t even want to wonder where you would be. I'll tell them… but I want to wait until they understand everything a little more. Sable is too proud of me to know that I have this curse, and Pearl… the poor thing, she would be terrified if only she knew. I want them to discover the world’s cruelty through experience; if I were just to tell them, then they wouldn’t know how to handle it. If they experience it then they will have a better chance of surviving it.”

                Gem Sighed, “Ok I leave it to you then, I wouldn’t know how to explain it an…”
“COMMANDER BOLT!”
Thorn flew up behind the two while Star Bolt replied, “You too? What is with everypony… and dragon calling me commander lately, why don’t yo…”
“Do you know an earth pony with a gray pelt and three red stars as her cutie mark?”
Star Bolt felt a little concerned, “Yes, that sounds like General Roza, why?”
Thorn Replied, “She is badly injured, and is being seen by medics at the Celestial Camp. We need you to come quickly.”
Star Bolt replied, “Got it, Gem, Scy, Stay with the foals, and meet me back at the Celestial Camp when you’re done.”
Without waiting for a reply, Star Bolt followed Thorn as they flew back to the Celestial Camp, “Would you mind explaining what happened to her?”

                Thorn Replied, “While I was watching the Nightmare Camp, I saw some smoke start floating up from the center, as I watched I saw three catapults and the ponies that operated them, burning. Shortly after, I saw a cart enter the forest, with a tied up mare in the back. I didn’t know what was going on so I continued to observe them from a distance, but all they did was find a clearing and toss the mare onto the ground. They didn’t even so much as untie her, all they did was leave her there. Then I noticed she was bleeding quite a bit, so I rushed in and took her back to Commander mist to be treated. I couldn’t just leaver her there to die all alone like that. She lost a lot of blood and she even lost consciousness before we arrived at the camp so I'm unsure whether or not she will make it.”
Star Bolt replied, “Well at least you saved her, so she has a chance… but I don’t know how good of a chance it is, we can only hope.”

                When Star Bolt and thorn arrived at the Celestial Camp, they immediately landed next to the medic tent where Commander Mist, Colonel Storm, and Colonel Silas were waiting, “Commander Bolt, your General is inside.”
Star Bolt replied, “How is she Commander? Will she make it?”
Commander Mist lowered his head, “I don’t know, I left so that the medic could look after her, but she lost a lot of blood, I'm hoping she will be fine.”
Star Bolt sighed, “Well here goes nothing.”
Star Bolt slowly entered the tent and saw General Roza lying in a bed with the medic sitting next to her, Star Bolt approached and asked, “How is she doc? Will she be alright?”
The medic smiled, “She will be fine, she lost a lot of blood and she will be weak for a few days but she will make it, so long as she has her rest. But I'm afraid she was stabbed in her hoof by a sharp thin blade, so she will be unable to wield a weapon, for a week or so, and she will be unable to stand for the next three days.”

                Star Bolt lowered his head and replied, “I could guess which blade injured her, thank you doc, can I speak to her or should I leave her to rest.”
The medic replied, “I would let her rest for now. She will need it.”
Star Bolt replied as he turned towards the door, “I understand, I'll be back in a few…”
“Co… commander?”
General Roza opened her eyes just slightly, as Star Bolt galloped to her side, “Rest Roza, there is no need for you to spe…”
“Commander… Commander Snow, he… he did this… but something is wrong… he… he didn’t kill me… he tried to save me… he isn’t the way he is making himself look… there… there is something causing him to… to be this way…”
Star Bolt had a hard time believing what Roza was saying, “What? Why would you say that?”
Roza tried to continue, “Because… because he saved me by… preventi…”
Unable to finish her sentence General Roza passed out. Star Bolt felt her pulse to make sure she was still alive,  when he felt it he felt relieved that she didn’t die, so he turned around and spoke to the medic, “Look after her Doc, please let sompony know if her condition changes.”
The Medic smiled, “Don’t worry commander; it’s all part of my job. She should be fine all she needs is some rest.”

                Star Bolt looked at the ground as he left the tent, trying to ponder over what Roza was saying, then he heard Gem’s voice, “How is she?”
When Star Bolt looked up to reply he not only saw Gem, Scy, and the foals… but he saw a large number of stallions standing behind her, “Um… she is fine she only needs to rest… but who are they?”
One of the stallions stepped forward, “Ve are General Roza’s soldiers, when ve vere given the option to leave or fight for Commander Snow, Ve left to find the General. There are vone hindered and fifty of us in all who are villing to betray the Nightmare Legion too. Ve know she was planning to join another nation’s army to fight the Nightmare Legion… but ve don’t know who the Commander of the other nation’s army is… Tell us, are you commander of the army she vas going to join?”
Star Bolt felt a little embarrassed, one hundred and fifty Hooviet soldiers were standing in front of him requesting to fight the Nightmare Legion, and they were all looking for the commander they wanted to fight under. Star Bolt hesitated for a few more seconds then sighed, “Yes… I am Commander Bolt of the Equestrian Militia.”

                The soldier nodded his head then stood at attention, “SIR! Vith General Roza out of commition, Ve vill follow your orders from here on out.”
Star Bolt smiled, “Then take your soldiers and start setting up camp. Our base of command is Dragon Mountain.”
“Yes Commandant.”
The soldiers started making their way towards the mountain as Star Bolt approached Colonel Storm, “I hope you have enough armor and weapons for a hundred and fifty soldiers.”
Colonel Storm replied, “We do, it’s not the best, but it’s better than fighting naked. Speaking of which, I finally finished your wife’s bow and your sword. Both are made to fit the way you fight.”
Star Bolt took the small sword and looked at the blade, not only was it polished to a sheen, but the place that would usually have the Celestial seal, had his cutie mark instead. Star Bolt sheathed the sword and looked at Dragon Mountain, “I guess I really am a commander now. Sometimes I really hate my luck.”