I was there 05 (Patreon)

For several seconds Captain Solid Shot said nothing in my Equestria dreamscape. He stood there with his eyes closed obviously struggling to keep his composure as an officer and a stallion. It was apparent to every pony gathered that afternoon to listen to his tale that what he had witnessed that day in those frigid mountains was an event that he would remember for the rest of his days. A young earth pony mare in the crowd spoke up.

    “Dear sir, if do not wish to speak of it anymore we understand. We do not wish bring more distress upon you.”

    “NO!” Exclaimed the Captain. “No.” He repeated in a softer tone. “Thank you for caring about my feelings but I think it is best if I talk about this. Besides I think everypony needs to know and understand what the Princesses are willing to do to protect Equestria and its subjects.”

    Solid Shot took several deep breaths then resumed his narrative in a more even tone. Once again his descriptions created vivid images in my mind.

    “It was chaos as we recovered from the explosion of the Northern powder magazine and the two great dragons bore down on us. The surviving field, rapid-fire volley, and quick-fire guns frantically began loading and tracking the two approaching giants. They began firing and scoring hits immediately but it was to no avail. Two-pound shells detonated with no effect, and 12lb solid shot and volley gun bullets hissed and rattled off the first great dragons scales like hail stones on a slate roof. The air around both of them pulsated and boiled with magic as if by force of will they demanded the sky to bear their enormous weight.”

    “The first of them slowly sailed over the remains of the Northern outer wall and landed in the main courtyard of the fortress. It was so huge that there was no room for the other dragon to also land in the courtyard. However the second dragon seemed to be satisfied with just landing outside the outer curtain wall and watching.”

    “The first dragon was the more massive of the two. In the light of the fires burning out of control in the fortress its massive crown of twisted horns, broad jaw and gigantic crocodile-like teeth and stony grey hide were the stuff of nightmares.”

    “The second dragon was much sleeker and its scales and hide glistened scarlet lacquered metal in the firelight. Two long, sleek ivory horns curved up from the back of its skull. A mane of long, flowing orange-gold hair ran the entire length of his spine. Its face had a look of sadistic glee on it.

    “Of course the moment the first dragon landed in courtyard I turned and barked at my sergeant Slow Match to load the armor piercing shell in Massive Mare-e. Throughout the main battery gallery one could hear crews preparing their heavy guns with shells instead of canister.”

“For several seconds the first dragon looked casually around the fortress courtyard. Then it spread its wings and spoke with a voice like thunder.”

    “Ponies! Behold your doom! I Stone Spines, Champion of Flame Hide, Head of the Council of the Dragons have come to deliver you into death’s embrace! Look upon me and know fear and despair, for the end of your kingdom begins with me! Neither your Princesses, your magic, or your clever toys will save you from your demise!”

    Many of the ponies gathered around Solid Shot gasped in horror at this declaration. The Captain opened his eyes and looked at all us, and then he closed his eyes and continued his tale.

    “Stone Spines then began systematically destroying everything in sight. Field guns and their crews were crushed under foot, tossed high into the nighttime sky or incinerated by his flame! Some ponies fled in terror. Some field gun crews stuck to their guns and continue to fire them in a desperate effort to stop this monstrosity. For their gallantry they paid the ultimate price, but their sacrifice bought us precious seconds. Now it was time for the heavy guns to have their say.”

    “We didn’t plan it but all of the heavy guns in the inner fortification fired at about the same time. Eight-inch Massive Mare-e bellowed, two six-inch rifles roared, twenty 48pdrs and a dozen 36pdrs thundered in unison and Stone Spines vanished in cloud of exploding shells.”

    Solid Shot looked up at the sky with a pained expression.

    “When we took possession of Massive Mare-e and brought her back to Mareiland we demonstrated her to the residence of our fair city. There was an old abandoned stone lighthouse at the end of the harbor jetty. For over three hundred years that lighthouse had shrugged off gale-force winds, pounding surf and biting cold as if it was nothing. It took only three shells from Massive Mare-e topple it into the sea.”

    “For several seconds we waited to see what were the results our volley. We could see nothing as result of the darkness and clouds of powder smoke. Suddenly it was very quiet on that mountain slope. Just the sound of our gun crews going through the drill of swabbing bores in preparation for reloading could be heard. I squinted and attempted to see what effect our salvo had had. As the smoke slowly dissipated a silhouette became visible and my heart sank. Stone Spine stood there apparently unaffected by our efforts. Surrounded by the flames of his own mayhem he turned slowly toward us and roared”

    “Foolish ponies!” Bellowed the dragon. “Your clever gimcracks and gadgets will not harm me! Great spells of ancient magic have been cast upon me! No claw, fang, talon, or blade, or dart can pierce my hide! Your efforts are in vain! Accept your fate and just die!”

    “Then a slow rumble grew from within him, Stone Spine whipped his head back then snapped forward. Great ball roiling green fire shot from his mouth and slammed into our inner defensive walls. It did not penetrate but we were almost thrown to the ground by its violence. We would not be able to withstand many more blows like that. I then made a desperate decision.”

    “Load double charge and then load another shell!” I yelled. “The ponies at the Thunder Stride Foundry had told us that Massive Mare-e could take an overcharge of powder in an emergency, but that only under extreme circumstances should we do it. This I felt was extreme.”

    “Without hesitation my crew began the process of loading. I know they were terrified but they were conducting themselves admirably.”

     “Unfortunately due to Massive Mare-e great size we could not close our three-inch thick protective steel shutter like the other gun crews. To run the mechanical rammer through its full travel we needed to keep the shutter open. One by one the rammer slid in and out of Mare-e’s great maw feeding her great linen bags of powder. Once the last powder bag was rammed in home in the barrel the shell would be hoisted in line with the bore for loading. Ponies cursed and sweated as they worked the pulleys and tackle as quickly as they could.”

    “Then I heard that horrible rumble build again. I turned and looked out our firing aperture just as Stone Spine hurled another ball of green fire. It was aimed right at our opening. There was no time to close the shutter and wouldn’t have matter. At that moment I knew we were all going to die.”

“Weren’t ya scared Captain?” Asked the dappled violet colt in a tiny voice. Solid Shot shook his head.

    “No not really.” Replied the Captain. “There was only a sense of resignation and regret. As a soldier and an officer death is something that comes with the job. No sane pony eagerly seeks it out but it is always a possibility. But at that moment I was more worried that our efforts had failed to protect Equestria. That this monsters and others like it were going to lay waste to the very lands we had sworn to protect. We had failed in our duty.”

    Solid Shot smirked. “Well obviously myself and my crew did not perish there since I‘m here telling you this tale.”

    “Suddenly there was a brilliant blue flash and a detonation so violent we were knocked off our hoofs and the shell fell from the hoist. When my vision returned, I got back on my hoofs and looked out. Down in the courtyard were two new figures. Physically they were tiny compared to Stone Spines hulking mass, but still they stood confidently between those monsters and us. In the very armor you saw them in this morning was Celestia and Luna. The Royal Sisters had joined the battle.”

To be continued.