The Difference Ch7

Chapter 7
Allies and Enemies

                Commander Snow, Colonel Drib, Major Viscous, and General Roza approached the group that so patiently waited for them just outside the Nightmare Legion’s camp. As they approached, General Roza noticed the bed sheet that was covering Thorns Eye, as a makeshift bandage. She whispered to Commander Snow, “Commander? Do you have anything to do vith that dragon’s injury?”
The smug commander replied quietly, “That my dear, is the business of the Nightmare Legion… Not the Hooviet Union, I’d suggest you remember to focus on your troops, and your business Roza, you wouldn’t want to venture into something that you shouldn’t.”
Then Snow called out to his guest, “Ah Mr. Bolt what a pleasant surprise, what is it that allows you to grace us with your presents? Oh and I see you brought some rather interesting guests, I believe I’ve met one of you before though I wouldn’t say it was a gracious meeting, but the other I haven’t had the honor.”

                Star Bolt wasted no time, “Can it Commander! You know why we are here, the dragon elder and I want to discuss the matter involving the dragon that we brought with us.”
Commander Snow replied, “Ah yes, I almost forgot… how will you be paying for his crime.”
Star Bolt was confused, “Crime?”
“Well yes, this dragon has committed a serious crime. He murdered more than ten of my soldiers; burned them alive, and I feel that some compensation needs to be paid.”
Star Bolt sneered at Commander Snow, “This Dragon, was defending himself after being attacked by one of your soldiers, it was a nightmare arrow we pulled out of his eye.”
Commander Snow smiled, “Yes but it was fired in self-defense because I believe you killed one of my soldiers prior to the incident.”
“YOUR SOLDIER WAS GOING TO KILL MY WIFE AND FOALS UNDER YOUR ORDER!!!”
“Mr. Bolt please, there is no need to yell. the order I gave my soldiers was to retrieve your wife so that I may discuss with her about what could convince you to join my side. That’s all, surely, you’re not going to penalize my whole army because one soldier decided to act on his own discretion. It’s not my fault you seem to have enemies in drastically low places. Maybe you should work on your social skills.”

                With every passing word out of Commander Snow’s mouth, Star Bolt grew more and more furious at the smug earth pony, but he held his composer as much as he could and replied, “So your saying this whole issue is my fault?”
Commander Snow nodded his head, “It appears so, and I am willing to overlook every crime you and your… Pet committed, if you join the Nightmare Legion, however the offer for a position as an officer has expired, but I can promise safety for your family… how does that sound.”
The Enraged Thorn replied, “Pet? PET! Did you call me a pet you smug little hay eating earth shi…”
“Thorn! Calm down…. So you want me to join you, and you will forget this whole mess right? That’s your offer?”
Commander Snow smiled, “Is that satisfactory?”

                Star Bolt sneered at Commander Snow, “Here is my offer, the council has made a decision based on your actions. They are giving you three days to pack up your army and leave this area, or we will return and we will bring a force that will make Thorns actions on your army look like the sparks from striking  a match, am I clear?”
The dragon elder continued, “And my army will not show mercy, also your soldiers will no longer be allowed to enter the forest. If anyone of your soldiers is caught in or above the forest, they will immediately be executed on sight. So how’s that for an offer… pony.”
Commander Snow looked at his officers then looked back at Star Bolt, “I'll consider your offer; however I don’t think Nightmare Moon will like what she hears.”
Star Bolt continued as he turned around, “Well miss majesty will have to deal with it, I'm not going to listen to the rants from her little pampered earth puddle. So you will pass the word and take it, or we will attack you, and trust me, Thorn is moderately young dragon with little experience in fighting, wait until you see the assault dragons in action. I only hope you die quickly so there will be no suffering. Let’s go elder, Thorn… we are done here.”

                As Star Bolt flew into the sky with the dragons following, Star Bolt looked at the elder, “So… he was lying wasn’t he? About considering the offer?”
“Oh yea, big time. He already made his decision before we asked. But I’d be careful, I noticed a little bit of desperation in his voice, a pony like that will do anything to win.”
“I agree, we need to be careful from here on out.”
Thorn looked at Star Bolt, “Where to now? The Celestial Camp?”
“Yea, we need to speak with Commander Mist and see what his plans are. We won’t join him, but because of his support in helping my wife yesterday I want to at least thank him personally.”

                Back on the ground General Roza looked at Commander Snow, “Vhat Vas he talking about, trying to kill his vife and foals? Vere you actually directing action upon innocent civilians?”
Snow replied “General! You better learn your place, what I order my soldiers to do is none of your concern.”
Roza sneered at Commander Snow, “There is no honor in this!”
“Dually noted.”
Commander Snow then turned to his officers, “Mr. Bolt is starting to try my patience, I believe its time we change tactics on him… rather than getting to join by cheap bluffing, I believe it’s time we aim for the heart. Colonel, gather your strongest pegasi, and archers, I have a special mission for you. Viscous, I want you to gather three of your fasts runners and every unicorn you have to spare.”
Viscous spoke up, “Sir, he won’t join us, provoking him will only worsen our chances at…”
“MAJOR! I’ve had just about enough of you questioning of my orders, you will do as I say or I will demote you and promote somepony who will, AM I CLEAR! Now Shut up and go! I want to pay Mrs. Bolt a very special visit, before nightfall.”
Commander Snow turned around and mumbled to himself as he trotted away, “Pampered poodle huh, we’ll see who the real mongrel is at the end of this day.”

                Just outside the Celestial Camp, Star Bolt, the elder and thorn landed and approached a guard who nervously pointed their spear at them, “St- Stay back! Who are you and why are you here? Are you a member of the Nightmare Legion?”
Star Bolt tried to calm the guard down, “Its ok sir, my name is Star Bolt, I'm here to speak with Commander Mist!”
The guard replied, “Over my dead bo…”
“Stand down soldier! I know who this pony is and I wanted to meet him anyway.”
Commander Mist trotted past the guard and approached Star Bolt and the dragons, “It’s nice to finally meet the stallion who outsmarted Colonel Storm, and survived the battle yesterday while protecting his family. You have a lot of potential, and don’t worry, you already told Colonel Storm that you wanted nothing to do with this war, so I'll respect that, and I won’t bother asking. Tough I am concerned, why would you request to meet me?”
Star Bolt replied, “Yesterday you received an anonymous tip about my wife’s location and the soldiers who were trying to kidnap her. First I want to thank you for sending a force to try and lead her to safety, and next I want to know where you got your information.”

                Commander Mist smiled, “It appears we had a mercenary monitoring the actions near this mountain. I don’t know her full intentions, but she offered her services just yesterday. Now, she is not only one of my most valuable asset, but she is an expert spy.”
Star Bolt looked at the elder for confirmation, in which the elder nodded his head saying that he was telling the truth. Thorn Stepped forward, “Commander? Were any of your soldiers killed yesterday due to my actions?”
Commander Mist nodded his head, “I lost seven yesterday in that fight, to include the one killed protecting Mrs. Bolt and her foals.”
Thorn lowered his head, “I am truly sorry for that, I lost my temper and saw no difference between friend and foe, so I killed all I could see and I would like to offer my sincerest of appo…”
“It’s ok dragon, in the heat of battle, we all tend to lose a sight of ourselves, though I do feel for those lost, all we can do is finish this war, then we can mourn over them.”

                The elder dragon spoke next, “Commander, you speak with honor, when you believe you deserve none, and you’re completely honest with us thus far. I came here to see if you were as big a tyrant as Commander Snow was, and now that I know who you really are, all I can say is welcome. You, your army, and your actions will receive no trouble from the clan. Of this, you have my word as the elder dragon. Though I ask you, will you lend your support if we are to fight against the Nightmare Legion?”
Commander Mist smiled, “It would be an honor and a privilege to fight alongside you.”
The dragon elder smiled and spoke to Star Bolt, “There! ya see? That’s how a pony should flatter a dragon, not one hint of sarcasm in his voice, you can learn a thing or two fro…”
The Elder froze and didn’t finish his sentence, when Star Bolt noticed this he asked, “Elder? What is it?”
The elder replied, “Somepony is here, very faint and hard to notice, but I can barely hear her…. To your left.”
Star Bolt looked to his left and saw the Reaper trotting casually by him, once he saw her scythe, he immediate became terrified of her. She had made it close enough to reach out and tap him on the shoulder but not one sound was heard from her, and he didn’t notice a thing out of place while his guard has been up since they arrived in the camp.

                The Reaper saw the surprised expression on Star Bolt’s face as she trotted by so she intimidatingly winked at him as she started to speak, “I never met a dragon who can hear so well. You must not only be blind… but wise too.”
She continued over to Commander Mist and spoke aloud so everypony and dragon in the group could hear, “Commander we have a problem, the Nightmare Legion has mobilized two forces, one small and one massive, going way beyond the treaty.”
Commander Mist replied, “What are they doing Scy?”
“The large force is heading towards Dragon Mountain while the small is heading for Star Bolt’s cabin; we must move out immediately!”
Star Bolt stood in a state of shock but before he could say anything, the elder called out quickly, “Star! See to your family, Thorn I want you to assist me we are going back to the mountain to take down that large army. Please excuse us commander.”

                Without waiting for a reply from Commander Mist, the two dragons jumped into the sky and headed for Dragon Mountain while Star Bolt did the same only his destination was his home. Commander Mist spoke to the guard standing next to him, “Get Colonel Storm and tell him to gather a large force and assist the dragons at dragon mountain, Reaper I want you to…”
When Commander Mist looked at the Reaper she was already gone, “Oh... she’s good.”
Star Bolt raced as fast as he could into the sky, but what he saw only terrified him more. From where he was in the sky, he could see his home, the place where Gem and his foals waited for him… was on fire. Star Bolt raced as fast as he could to get there before something bad could happen, as he arrived there he could see Gem standing outside traumatized, she sat on her knees, “NO!!!... PEARL!!!... No… this can’t happen… not again… I can’t have any more lost to fire… I can’t!…”
Sable ran up to his father, “DADDY! Pearl is still inside! we need to help her! we have to get her out!”
Star Bolt replied, “Take care of your mother I'm going to get Pearl!!!”
Star Bolt raced to the door and kicked it in, then he charged inside and frantically started searching for his daughter. Gem started to panic even more when she saw Star Bolt enter the house. She tried all she could to fly in after him but Sable clinched onto her wing as hard as he could, “We have to stay here mommy… we can’t go back inside, daddy will save her remember, nopony can beat daddy.”

                Star Bolt went through the house as fast as he could calling out, “PEARL!!! PEARL!! WHERE ARE YOU? JUST TELL ME WHERE YOU ARE!”
When Star Bolt got close to her bedroom door, he noticed it was on fire but he could hear Pearl crying on the other side, “Pearl! Stand back from the door! I'm coming in!”
Using all the force he could and ignoring the fire on the door, he kicked it as hard as he could send it flying into the center of her bedroom floor. When he entered, the room he could see Pearl curled up in the corner gripping onto the flowerpot with her rose. Star Bolt rushed over to her but before he could leave the room, a beam fell through the ceiling blocking the doorway. Star Bolt looked around to find another way out; the only other way was the window.

                Star Bolt cupped Pearl under his wing and spoke to her, “Pearl, I'm going to carry you a few feet but I'm going to need you to cover your face with your wings and close your eyes. No, matter what you hear or how uncomfortable it may be. Don’t uncover your face until I tell you, ok.”
Pearl was too afraid to speak but she nodded her head, and did what she was told.  Star Bolt picked her up with his wing and charged towards the window, crashing through the glass as the roof caved in behind them. When Star Bolt landed, he lost his footing and rolled a few feet before stopping, then he checked on Pearl, “Are you ok princess?”
Pearl uncovered her face and smiled pleasantly, “I am now… thank you daddy, I knew you would save me. and look my rose is safe too.”
Star Bolt could only smile at her optimism while Gem and Sable galloped up to them. Gem threw herself around Star Bolt, “I was so worried… I... I didn’t know what to do… I can’t lose another loved one like this… I… I just can’t…”
Star Bolt huged her back and calmed her down a little, “I'm fine Gem, I won’t go down like this, I promise nothing will stop me from protecting you all.”
“NOPONY MOVE!!! Stay where you are!”

                Just then three Soldiers of the Nightmare Legion stepped out of the woods, one was a pike pony while the other two were archers. Star Bolt and his family turned to face them, but from where the three were standing, they were cornered between the burning house and the soldiers. Star Bolt knew he could use the Lightning Orb and take all three down, but not only has he tried to keep it a secret from his foals, but he didn’t know if he could use it without hurting the foals beside him. The pike pony spoke to them, “I'm sorry to break up this beautiful moment, but I believe our commander gave us strict orders and I'll follow them. Mr. Bolt, I would like to ask, would you join the nigh…”
“No.”
Just then, the archer released an arrow that stuck into the ground about a foot in front of Pearl. The pike pony smiled, “That was called a warning, the next one will kill one of your foals, or… your wife. Now I'm going to ask you again, will you join the Nightmare Legion?”
Star Bolt hesitated, he tried thinking of ways out of this but it didn’t matter, each attempt at escaping would result in one of them being hit by an arrow, even if he tried the Lightning Orb, the archers would fire out of fear and still manage to kill one of them.

                The pike pony grew inpatient, “I'm waiting Mr. Bolt! Will you, or will you not join the nightma…”
The pike pony all of a sudden went silent and stood there, the expression of intimidation left his face leaving an emotionless stare behind. The archers lowered their bows as one of them spoke, “Sarge? Are you ok?”
The pike pony dropped to a knee then fell to the ground dead. The archers took a few steps back in fear while one spoke, “What? What in Nightmare Moon’s name just hap…”
Before the archer could finish his sentence The Reaper jumped out of a tree right behind him and threw a needle straight at the other archer, hitting him in the forehead. When the last living archer turned around, he didn’t even have time to raise his bow before the Reaper dug her scythe into his head, and used it to toss his lifeless body at the first archer who was still standing and didn’t even fall to the ground yet. The Reaper landed and swung her scythe slinging all the blood off the blade. Then she turned and spoke to Star Bolt, “Sorry I'm late Star, I decided to travel on foot rather than in the air.”

                Star Bolt was both speechless and terrified, she attacked only three times, and each one was an instant death. The cloak, the scythe, She reminded him of the real Grimm Reaper, taking a life that was no longer meant for this world. She trotted over to the pike pony and the archer’s bodies to retrieve her throwing needles, then she looked at Star Bolt, “We must hurry, the elder dragon is their next target, we must get to him before the Nightmare Legion.”
Star Bolt didn’t reply he only turned to Gem and spoke, “Hide in the woods and don’t come out until I come for you, I don’t want them to try to get you again.”
Both Pearl and Sable spoke at the same time, “What should I do daddy?”
Star Bolt smiled, “Sable Protect your mother and sister, and Pearl… stay brave, we will be planting that rose bush, and I bet each one will be as beautiful as you are.”
Star Bolt looked back at the Reaper who was smiling at his words, “Wow, I didn’t think a mercenary could smile so pleasantly.”
She shook her head, “I may be a mercenary, but I am a mare first, whether you like it or not. Now let’s go, we’ve no time to waste.”

                At Dragon Mountain, both Thorn and the dragon elder arrived but there was no sign of the nightmare soldiers anywhere. Thorn looked at the elder, “I'm going to search the caverns, I'll be right back.”
After thorn entered the cave the elder sat outside listening for even the slightest noise, finally he heard something on the other side of the mountain though it seemed very faint. The elder flew into the sky to try to hear more but the sound only grew fainter, so he flew closer to where the sound was coming from. When he got close enough to identify it, his blood ran cold. The sound he heard was the sound of a hammer bashing against a shield… in other words, a trap. Colonel Drib’s voice came from below the tree line “ARCHERS RELEASE!!!”
all of a sudden a barrage of arrows flew out from under the trees at the elder. The elder tried to dodge them but he was too close and couldn’t get away in time. Half of the arrows had a wide top that did sever damage to his wing’s membrane while the rest had ropes attached to them, so not only were they removing the elder’s ability to fly, but they were pulling him down to the ground. After the elder hit the ground, a number of pegasi flew over the dragon carrying spears that were connected by a chain net. The pegasi quickly flew over and dropped down around the elder, holding him in place with the net completely immobilizing him, and then he could hear Major Viscous’ voice this time, “All unicorn! Hold him down and start burying the edged of the chain. Make it so he can’t get away!”
Immediately unicorn charged out of the forest and used their magic to dig the spears deeper into the ground holding the elder in place.

                The elder was infuriated, “Release me at once! You know not who you’re dealing with!...”
“Oh… I believe I do… elder dragon.”
The familiar voice enraged the dragon elder even more. In a furious attempt, the dragon blew fire hoping the chains would be weak enough to melt. However, it was no uses, the chains were too thick and his fire wasn’t hot enough to melt them. Commander Snow approached with Coronel Drib and Major Viscous, “Bravo, for an old blind dragon you put up an exceptional fight, but you should have known, you’re inferior to the Nightmare Legion.”
The Dragon elder struggled as much as he could but it was no use, his wings were too damaged to try to take off, and his body was completely pinned to the ground, under a chain net. The dragon elder spoke, “Ok you got me commander, now what?”

                Commander Snow trotted close to the elder and started pacing around his body, “Fascinating, your scales are too thick to be damaged by arrows but your wings and your eyes are just like a ponies flesh…. Vulnerable… but then again I bet… if you hit an area between scales just right… the flesh is just as weak, wouldn’t you say elder?”
The elder replied, “I know what you’re thinking, so stop wasting time and just do it already.”
Commander Snow drew his sword and looked at his reflection on the blade, “As you wish.”
Without warning, Commander Snow placed the tip of his sword against the dragons chest just outside his heart and pushed the blade all the way in, until the blade couldn’t be seen anymore. The elder flinched for a moment then slowly faded away.

                When the elder stopped breathing Commander Snow pulled his sword you and started wiping the blood off the blade while Major Viscous approached him, “COMMANDER! You said we were going to capture him and keep him as a prisoner; you said nothing about kil…”
While sheathing his sword and taking his hoof off the handle, Commander Snow swung his hoof and hit Major Viscous on the side of her face knocking her to the ground, “I have had enough of you, Captain… its time you learn your place. The next time you question even the simplest order, you will be the one in these chains, am I clear!”
Captain Viscous sat up from the ground, wiped the blood from her mouth and looked back at Commander Snow without a reply. Commander Snow drew his sword again and quickly pointed the blade at Viscose’s face, causing her to flinch in fear, “I SAID AM I CLEAR!!!”
Viscous lowered her head in shame and replied in a volume that was just above a mumble, “Y-yes sir… I… I understand… it will never happen again…”
Commander Snow sheathed his sword again and spoke as he trotted away from her, “See that it doesn’t.”

                Colonel Drib was hovering over the scene trying as hard as he possibly could to hold in the fury and rage that built up from witnessing the conflict, Commander Snow called to him, “Drib, I'm going back to the camp. Take care of this large pile of worthless scales, do whatever you want to it, mutilate it, and burn it I don’t care, just leave it so Mr. Bolt understands that I'm not playing anymore games.”
After Commander Snow left Colonel Drib flew down and helped Captain Viscous back up on her hooves, “Ardent, are you ok?”
Viscous wiped the tears from her face and replied, “Something is wrong, Commander Snow isn’t the way he used to be, he is much worse. Even then, I can’t follow him for much longer. I can’t sleep peacefully knowing that we are tormenting a stallion who only wants to keep his family safe.”
“Ardent we are only following orders; it’s our job as sol…”
“And will you idly stand by when we are married, and somepony tried the same thing to us?”
Colonel Drib lowered his head in shame, “Ardent, you’re not the only one who thinks this way, Roza and I also think this is too low, even for Commander Snow. Go back to the camp and see a medic, I'll be back soon, then we can discuss what we can do about this.”
Viscous nodded her head and trotted away into the forest.

                Colonel Drib approached the dead dragon and sighed, “I'm sorry, I truly am. If only it didn’t have to come to this.”
One of the remaining soldiers approached Drib, “Colonel what do you think we should do? You know, with the dragon’s body.”
Colonel Drib replied, “I hear when dragons die, their clan member burn their remains to honor them. Go get some kerosene; I would at least like to honor this dragon for facing death so fearlessly.”
before the pegasus could follow his order a large number of Celestial Crusaders emerged out of the forest followed closely by Commander Mist, “Surround the Legion! Don’t let anypony get away!”
When Colonel Drib saw, Commander Mist he immediately called, “ALL SOLDIERS FALL BACK NOW!!!”
Colonel Drib tried to taker off into the sky, but after he flew above the treetops, The Reaper dove down on him and tried to catch him with her scythe. Luckily, Drib was able to dodge the first attack. When the Reaper tried to attack with a second swing, he managed to parry her blade with his spear then he flew a small distance to try to get away. As he turned around he tossed the spear at the charging mercenary but not only did she blocked the blade by knocking it upward, but she swung her scythe again and cut the shaft in half causing it to fall to the ground in two pieces, “Oh crap!”

                Colonel Drib tried to turn around to retreat, but when he did, Star Bolt was there with the pike that one of the tree dead soldiers at his house was carrying. Star Bolt swung the pike as hard as he could bashing the shaft against Colonel Drib head and knocking him out of the sky and to the ground.  When Drib hit the ground, Colonel Storm and a number of soldiers rushed him and held him down as they started to put chains on him. Star Bolt looked at Colonel Storm and smiled, “Sorry we’re late, these cowards tried to burn my family alive so we had to take care of them first.”
Colonel Drib looked up at Star Bolt in surprise, “WHAT?”
Star Bolt explained, “Your commander sent three soldiers to try and burn my home down with my family still in there, you’re lucky everypony made it out alive, otherwise I’d kill you on sight. You mean you didn’t know?”
“No, I didn’t know what the other three were ordered to do.”

                Star Bolt shook his head, “That sounds like Commander Snow to me. Mrs. Mercenary? Can you please check on the elder?”
As the Reaper trotted off to check on the Elders condition, Colonel Drib hung his head in shame knowing what her answer will be. Star Bolt stood looking at the subdued Pegasus and asked, “You’re the one who is supposed to be married soon, right?”
Drib didn’t look up as he replied, “Yes… I don’t know when but we decided it would be the day after this war ends.”
Star Bolt smiled, “I hope you both survive long enough to see that day.”
Just then, the Reaper returned with an unhappy look on her face, “Star… he’s gone. The dragon elder… is dead.”

                Star Bolt looked at her with a shocked look, “What?... are you sure? I mean are you absolutely positive? Is… is he really gone?”
Scy shook her head, “I'm sorry Star… it’s over. The wise dragon has passed on.”
A tear rolled down Star Bolts face as he sat down against a tree, “He was with me this morning… he was fine… not one hint of sickness or injury… he was right there… he… he can’t be gone… he just cant.”
Commander Mist approached the group and spoke, “Good work Scy, Mr. Bolt, I'm glad you caught the officer who was leading this attack… and Mr. Bolt, I'm sorry for your loss. I understand what it’s like to lose a friend.”

                Without looking up at Commander Mist, Star Bolt Replied, “Commander Mist… I… I have an offer that will be difficult for you to refuse. I want to fight beside you, when we attack the Nightmare Legion’s front.”
Commander Mist was surprised, “You mean you want to join the Celestial Crusa…”
“NO, I told you I fight for no princess, and that’s how it will stay. Instead I'll fight as militia.”
“Militia? What’s the difference?”
Star Bolt looked up at him and smiled, “I will not follow any order you give, and at any time I have full right to place my weapon on the ground and trot away, without question, or explanation. So do we have a deal?”

                Commander Mist shook his head and smiled, “Though it seems pointless, I guess I have no choice in this matter anyway, but how will you be a militia without weapons, or any other soldiers?”
Star Bolt lowered his head to think on the subject, but before he could reply with I don’t know, Colonel Storm Stepped forward, “Sir my armory is overstocked, I believe if a few weapons where to go missing, I wouldn’t notice, and it wouldn’t decrease our defense one bit..”
After the colonel stopped speaking, the Reaper stepped forward, “I'm sorry to do this commander but I believe I'm going to defect. The Dragon Mountain Militia just made a better offer. They offered the chance to teach them a thing or two about fighting, and you know The Cutters… we work for the highest bidder. Besides, I think Commander Bolt will lead us to a very interesting victory.”
Commander Mist smiled, “It’s settled then. But first what do we do with this soldier?”
The Reaper Spoke up, “Kill Him?”
Star Bolt Shook his head, “No, he has plans for after the war. I don’t want to ruin those. Let’s just send him back to Canterlot in chains, he’ll pose no threat and still make his wedding day.”

                At that moment, a large group of Celestial Crusaders trotted out of the trees and approached Commander Mist; one stepped forward and stood at attention, “SIR Colonel Silas reporting From Canterlot!”
Commander Mist Sighed, “Silas I told you numerous times before, you don’t have to be so formal all the time. I'm your commander, not the princess.”
“Of course, commander my mistake it won’t happen again.”
Colonel Storm approached Silas, “How’s that sword of yours, in any need of repair?”
“No, it’s pretty much been unused since you last looked at it.”
Commoner Mist continued, “So how many troops did you bring?”
“Sir, we brought about three hundred.”
Star Bolt looked at Silas and replied, “That’s not enough, even with the clan assisting we will be outnumber two to one.”

                Colonel Silas looked at Star Bolt with an uninterested look, “And… you are?”
The Reaper stepped forward and answered for him, “This is Commander Bolt, commander of the Dragon Mountain Militia.”
Star Bolt looked at the Reaper and spoke, “Why do you have to keep calling me commander? So far all I have for soldiers is myself and a mercenary.”
Colonel Silas laughed, “Not much of a militia then are you… beside I’ve never heard of you, so as far as I'm concerned you’re just a civilian with a weapon and… and… an... uhhh…”
Colonel Silas quickly went quiet when he felt a curved blade pressed against his skin from the back of his neck to the front of his face with the tip resting on his cheek. Being too afraid to move he shifted his eyes to the side until he could see the Reaper holding her scythe against his face, “H-how… did you… when did you?... behind me… but how I…”
Scy smiled “And… what’s wrong with a civilian with a weapon and a mercenary? Especially one who knows the Lightning Orb, whose mercenary happens to be the most feared in the world.”
“Nah… nothing at all.”
Commander Mist smiled and shook his head, “Stand down Scy, we know who our enemy is, so I think we should focus on that. First, Colonel Silas, I want you to spare a few soldiers for a prisoner convoy back to Canterlot. Then I want you to assist Mr. Bolt and Colonel Storm in getting him a weapon, and some training in. I have a feeling our next battle will begin soon.”