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Mara: Of course that chapter was dedicated to you, you helped me after all ;) Thanks, I knew he would have been pissed of afterwards so I decided to write that ending. Glad you liked it. Thank you for reviewing.

Run away, run away

I'll attack

Run away, run away

Go chase yourself

Run away, run away now

I'll attack, I'll attack

I'll attack!

Attack by 30 Seconds To Mars. –

Chapter 23: Attack At Thebes.

Fall came sooner then Hephaistion would have wanted. He, and all of Philip's army, set out for Thebes to fight the rebel Greeks that still oppose Philip and refuse to acknowledge him as their king.

When they arrived they set up camp on the plain of Chaeronaea. (1) Many tents were set up to house twenty-five thousand foot soldiers and seven-thousand cavalrymen.

Alexander and his companions were to attack the Sacred Band in the morning. Alexander having prepared for the battle to come, divided his closest companions into divisions. Giving them a command of their own. They were all very surprised and honoured at Alexander's trust.

Hephaistion, who felt uneasy for some reason, wanted to talk to Alexander before battle but found it himself unable due to responsibilities on both ends. Morning came sooner then he expected.

Alexander woke before dawn and put on his golden armour, ordering a page to prepare Bucephalus for battle.

When he exited his tent, he saw most men he commanded already awake and ready. Some, who had never been in such a great battle before, even looked like they hadn't slept at all.

He mounted Bucephalus motioning for his troops to move out. Riding in front of his army, he was closely followed by his closest companions and the rest of the army followed after that. Swords and spears at the ready.

Alexander stared over the plain at the Sacred Band, who was lining up for battle. Looking at his left he noticed, his father and his generals were already engaged in a fierce battle, like planned. He was snapped out of his reverie when a trumpet sounded. He turned Bucephalus around and rode towards the far left of his army, commanded by Perdiccas.

He nodded towards his friend, who lifted his spear in salute. He rode passed every single one of his companions nodding in encouragement.

He stopped when he reached Hephaistion and their eyes connected. Both showed no outward emotions but could read each other like a book none the less. They conveyed all their love and hope through their eyes before nodding.

Alexander rode off, stopping at Ptolemy who nodded as well. Alexander smiled before riding to the centre and facing his army, sword drawn.

"Remember Men! The Phalanx is the anvil, the cavalry is the hammer and the vanguard is the hammerhead!" Alexander looked many men in the eye feeling their energy rise as they listened intently.

"Fight For your freedom! For your women and children! Fight for Macedon and King Philip!"

Hephaistion felt his heart beat harder and harder at Alexander's words. His beloved's eyes shone at the prospect of battle, he hardened himself focusing on the battle to come. He could not get distracted, if he did, it could mean the end for him and therefore Alexander. He could not allow this to happen. He would not! He turned back to Alexander who was finishing his speech.

"… this day will be remembered through the ages. On this day we will triumph over our enemies and be VICTORIOUS!"

Every soldier started shouting, banging their swords or spears on their shields. A wave of 'Alexander! Alexander! Alexander!' filled the air until Alexander made a wave with his hand and several trumpets sounded. Every soldier filed in, spears at the ready.

Alexander seemed to pause for a moment, swords lifted in the air. Hephaistion watched as he saw Alexander scanning the sky before smiling.

All of a sudden Alexander shouted, "For Macedon!" just as the sun rose over the hill, shining on his golden armour making it look like he was some deity from another world.

Hephaistion looked up, hearing an eagle screech loudly, flying over their army and following Alexander. Snapping out of his stupor, he raised his sword, yelling, "For Macedon!" before following Alexander at high speed. A loud cry followed as the first wave followed Hephaistion closely.

The Sacred Band, saw Alexander approach and they quickly closed ranks, placing the shafts of their spears in the ground. Directing the sharp end towards Alexander and his cavalry.

Just before reaching the Scared Band, Alexander turned left raising his sword. A cloud of arrows followed as soon as he was out of reach. Many arrows struck their targets but there was no time to think about it because soon the second wave attacked as the first engaged the Sacred Bands left flank.

The battle was fierce and many of the Sacred Band were killed and yet they seemed to be hardly moving. Every time a member fell, another took his place. Effectively stopping them from moving closer.

Dodging a blow and killing his opponent, Alexander moved around surveying the battle as the third wave attacked from the right. Seeing no change, Alexander yelled for Ptolemy.

Making his way through the fighting Ptolemy reached Alexander, "My Prince?"

"Ptolemy, take your men and move over to that side…" Alexander pointed with his bloody sword towards a line where the Sacred Band seemed to be wavering, "…open a breach, I'll follow with my cavalry."

Ptolemy nodded and quickly issued Alexander's orders and moved off. Alexander, still on Bucephalus, moved to his cavalry issuing the same order just as Ptolemy and his troop breached the Sacred Band defences. Alexander attacked with a loud battle cry, followed by 2000 men on horseback. Hephaistion having figured out Alexander's plans, quickly followed, killing his opponent swiftly, blood splattering on his armour as he cut his throat.

Alexander jumped of Bucephalus, finding it easier to fight, but was caught of guard when Bucephalus turned to avoid being hit and he lost his footing falling down hard. Alexander removed his helmet, which was dented, and searched for his sword in the sand. He did not notice his enemy approach as he cursed loudly. Hephaistion however did and quickly ran over, pushing several men down as he tried to reach Alexander in time. Just as his enemy was about the strike, Hephaistion put his swords in between the two of them, effectively saving Alexander's life. Alexander looked up in shock, clutching his sword. They both stared at each other, realising what almost happened.

Alexander broke the contact and he pushed Hephaistion out of the way as an outraged member of the Sacred Band threw himself towards Hephaistion. Alexander twirled his sword around, cutting of his enemy's hand before piercing his stomach. The man fell down, and Alexander and Hephaistion watched as he dragged himself towards the man Hephaistion killed earlier and covering his body with his own.

Alexander and Hephaistion shared a look, understand what happened, before turning around and fighting back to back.

As the hours passed and the sun reached it's zenith, Alexander's strategy seemed very effective and the Sacred Band was defeated. (3)

Many men were killed on both sides and those alive or wounded were taken prisoner and escorted away.

Alexander met up with all his companions hugging them hard, glad to see they were all alive and well. Not counting some minor wounds of course. Soon after, he met up with his father's generals who informed him they were victorious as well.

Not seeing his father he asked, "Where is my father, the king?" Parmenion bowed slightly pointing towards a point in the valley. There between the settling dust and numerous bodies stood one man. When you looked closely, you could him dancing and shouting, despite his severe limp. (4) Alexander raised an eyebrow and Parmenion merely shrugged,

"He's happy…"

Alexander snorted before starting to laugh. Soon every one else followed. Whether they laughed because they were happy they won or lived or laughed because they finally realised what happened or simply nerves, they did not know. Neither did they care at that moment.

(1) The Battle of Thebes took place at the plain of Chaeronaea, near Boeotia (near Thebes, Greece). It's September 338 BC, Alexander was 18 at the time. Alexander was placed in command of the left wing of Philip's cavalry, he demonstrated personal courage in breaking the Band. Alexander later destroyed ancient Thebes in 335 BC.

(2 ) It is said Alexander was the first man to dare charge against the Sacred Band, so I decided to keep this fact in my story.

(3) Although Philip's army was greatly outnumbered by the Athenian and Theban troops (32.000 men for Macedon and 50.000 men for Greece), the Macedonian phalanxes triumphed over them. So, this battle was not made up and did take place.

(4) History states Philip was dancing between the bodies, when the battle was over. So this was once again not made up by my twisted imagination (winks)