Humani Victoria

Chapter 25- The Battle of Rome

"The die is cast."

                                                                                ~Julius Caesar

The Vatican, Rome, Southern Unknown, Saturday, 16th of February, 10:37am, 2206 AC

"Jason I'm so-"

One, two, three, four, five bullets pierced Roseluck's body, three in the stomach and two on her neck. Jason stared in shock as Roseluck's eyes widened in surprise until they glassed over, the warmth and life in her eyes that Jason had become accustomed to simply died, and her body slumped to the floor like a rag doll.

The turret began to click multiple times, indicating that it probably had no more ammunition, then, it simply drew itself back into the metallic ceiling.

"Roseluck..." Jason whispered to himself and ran towards her,

Jason's boots splashed into the pool of blood that slowly seeped from Roseluck's many wounds. Gently but with panicked trembling Jason lifted her limp head onto his lap, blood splattering over his hands and clothes, her eyes remained shut and no breath filled her lungs.

"Rose..." Jason called weakly. No answer. He put his hand on her neck searching for a heartbeat, but there was none.

"Rose!" Jason called, dread filling his heart and tears stinging his eyes. "Roseluck!" He finally screamed.

Still no answer came, Jason looked up at where Shining Armour and Green Breeze stood atop the stairs, not willing to descend and be caught in the same trap.

"Do something! Help her!" Jason yelled, the two stallions just exchanged troubled and sad glances, Jason quickly dismissed them and continued calling Roseluck's name with decreasing levels hope behind them.

One of Green Breeze's scouts flew in and saluted, giving Jason a surprised and confused look as Green saluted back.

"What do you have to report soldier?" Green Breeze asked.

"Sir, our sentries have spotted movement just outside the city, lots of it, sir... We believe it's the Gryphons."

"Celestia damn it!" Green Breeze cursed. "Get the civilians inside here, and have our troops prepare for battle."

"Jason!" Shining called. "You need to move!"

"I'm not leaving her!" Jason screamed.

"Jason! We are about to be attacked! Get up here now!"

"I-...I can't!" Jason sobbed, holding Roseluck's lifeless body closer to his chest.

"Jason! There will be time for grieving but it's not now! Carry her up here if you must but we need to close this tunnel so the Gryphons can't get in!"

Fighting back tears and panic Jason lifted Roseluck as if she was a child and carried her up the stairs, the tunnel closed behind him with the robotic voice that called out as the stone slid back into place.

"Farewell, brother." it said.

Jason laid Roseluck on the floor just as the Mane Six entered the room, Fluttershy gasped and galloped over, taking Roseluck's head in her hooves and checking her vitals. The others slowly crowded around, shocked expressions all around, Fluttershy frowned and looked up at Shining Armour with an annoyed look.

"Can't you do anything?" She asked in as surprisingly loud and demanding voice.

Shining frowned and sparked his magic, he lower his horn towards Roseluck. Waves of his purple magic washed over her, blood ran back into her wounds and slowly one by one the bullets each popped out of her body, pinging onto the floor, the wounds closing in behind them.

Jason felt a small spark of hope but it was crushed as Fluttershy took vitals again and shook her head sadly.

"I'm sorry," she said, her voice back to its usual quiet demeanour.

"Sir!" A soldier suddenly called. "The Gryphons are flying right towards us!"

"All of you stay here," Shining said as he and Green Breeze galloped outside.

The Mane Six all wrapped their hooves around Jason as he held Roseluck close, no words were spoken but it was more comfort and support than Jason could have asked for. Outside sounds of battle could be heard, clanging and scraping of metal, the yells of the Royal Guards and the screeches and roars of what Jason could only assume to be the Gryphons.

"I have to go out there," Jason said in a low-pitched voice, almost emotionless.

"No way partner!" Applejack said immediately.

"Jason, your in no condition to run into a fight, you need time to heal," Twilight said.

"This is healing," Jason said angrily, breaking away from their grasp and laying Roseluck back down on the floor. "The only way I know how."

Jason sprinted out of the the Vatican and outside, the troops and formed up in the middle of St. Peter's square, all of them pointing their weapons upward, the Pegasi flew around in the sky as if patrolling. As Jason looked he saw at least twenty or so stallions who lay lifeless on the stone ground, large claw marks raking their faces, many of them looking like their throat had been torn out or their eyes pecked to nothing by a sharp beak.

"Jason! Get back inside, now!" Shining yelled at him in a demanding voice.

Before Jason could respond he heard a cry that sounded like a large eagle which swiftly transitioned into a lions roar. Suddenly the sky was filled with hundreds of winged beasts, the Pegasi chased down some but were quickly mobbed, they fell from the sky with wings ripped from their bodies. Many of the Gryphons dived towards the group of Ponies only to be skewered on the end of a spear, a worrying amount though, managed to rain in near-lethal blows before flying off again.

As Jason looked around, he spotted a Gryphon speeding towards him, yellow eyes filled with hate and his claws encased in metal, extending them several more inches and gleaming in the sunlight. Jason dived to the side and the Gryphon slid across the marble ground, his claws screeching and carving scratches into the ancient stone, Jason drew his knife and charged the Gryphon but he flared his wings and took off, disappearing into the clouds.

In seconds the sky was empty of Gryphons and the square had gained quite a few fallen soldiers, Jason ran over to where Shining and Green Breeze stood.

"Are they retreating?" Jason asked, confusion spread across his face.

"No, this is how the Gryphons fight, they attack in mass and leave just as rapidly, again and again until they whittle us down to nothing," Shining said. "FORM CIRCLE!"

The Royal Guard reformed themselves, creating a circle worth layers of soldiers, all of them pointing their spears at different angles.

"Oh, Jason, it would be wiser to use a sword, these Gryphons are very hard to hit with a tiny knife such as yours. Take this." Green Breeze offered. Jason accepted.

But before he could thank him, as in a flash, the Gryphons were on them again, the troops held a firm position and many  Gryphons fell on the formation's spears, their bodies joining their brethren on the ground.

Several Gryphons charged Jason who managed to duck and dodge their attacks, even manage to slice across the side of one, sending him skidding across the ground. Again the Gryphons disappeared and the troops were allowed a moment to reform, filling in the missing spots in the circle left by their dead comrades.

Again the Gryphons attacked, this time flying in at low altitude, they caught many of the troops of guard and carried them high into the air only to drop them. The stallions screamed throaty screams before smashing into the ground, bones crushed and heads cracking open with sickening thumps.

Just as Jason dodged another charging Gryphon he spotted Green Breeze taking down one Gryphon just as another grabbed him from behind and lifted the stallion into the air. Green Breeze tried to hack at the Gryphons legs but his captor took hold of the Pegasus' wings and tore each one off, with Green Breezes blood dripping down and his screams echoing off the marble buildings the Gryphon tossed Green Breeze away who landed on the ground with a crack and a splatter, limp and lifeless.

"Forest Fire! You're acting second in command!" Shining called out.

"Yes sir!" An Earth Pony who must of been Forest Fire yelled back. "And if I may sir, we need reinforcements!"

Forest Fire was right, Shining's guards were dropping rapidly while taking few Gryphons in turn. When the Gryphons fell back again their number had diminished from the original forty to about twenty-six or so, now formed into a tight circle.

"Negative!" Shining yelled. "Even if we managed to get a message out reinforcements wouldn't get here in time!"

"Then we should retreat!" Forest Fire yelled.

"No! We cannot allow the Gryphons to possess the secrets of this city! I'm prepared to die for my country and the Two Princesses, are you?!"

"Begging your pardon sir!" Forest Fire said, as the Gryphons could be seen flying towards them. "But I have a family waiting for me!"

"Then make them proud soldier," Shining said grimly. "Make them proud."

As the Gryphons closed in, Jason had zoned in on something, reinforcements.

"This is the Resurrection Scroll, it contains the spell to summon warriors from the dead, unfortunately it summons only warriors from ancient times, who once garrisoned this city."

Jason reached into his pocket where he has stuffed the scroll, he stared at it thinking whether or not what he was about to do was smart.

Then Jason figured that he would die anyway, so he took the chance. He dropped his sword and unfurled the scroll.

The world around Jason melted away into a plane of white nothingness, then, just as fast, the city of Rome was being built around him again but it was different. No cracks patterned the buildings and streets, no plants grew in the crevices, and there was no Vatican or St. Peter's square, rather there was a long marble street bordered by cheering and clapping crowds, a chariot pulled by the first non-sentient horses that Jason hadn't seen in a year moved down the street.

The man in the chariot was tall and impressive, he wore a golden-bronze chest plate and a red cape, a golden wreath adorned on his head. He waved to the crowd as they rained flower pedals down on him, a small smile of victory on his lips. Jason swore he saw the man look directly at him, and suddenly Jason knew exactly who that man was.

Behind the chariot marched an entire Legion, three thousand men in plated armour, shields and capes red as blood. They held their spears leaned against their shoulders and short swords sheathed at their sides, several in front held horns which they blew loudly in a echoing war horn.

Suddenly, in a blink of an eye, Jason was back in reality, staring up at the tall decaying buildings and Shining Armour who looked down at him in concern.

"You passed out just as the Gryphons attacked, are you alright?" Shining asked.

Jason sat up, he searched for the scroll, only to discover that it had dissolved into golden dust that blew away as he opened his hands. Jason felt strange, more energetic, like he had just eaten a lot of sugar and it sent a buzz through his entire body, almost like power lines in the summer, humming with energy.

"I'm not su-" Jason was interrupted by a familiar horn echoing from afar, Shining drew his sword and the remaining Royal Guards readied themselves.

"The Gryphons don't usually sound horns," Shining Armour commented.

"I... Don't think that's the Gryphons," Jason said as the sound of marching feet reached their ears, turning around a corner, lead by their Centurion, was an entire legion of Roman soldiers. Jason and the Ponies gaped at them as they marched into St. Peters square before halting at the command of the Centurion, then about faced towards them, the Centurion approached where Jason and Shining Armour were.

Shining readied his sword but the Roman ignored him, he stared at Jason from under his red plumed helmet. The man banged his fist to his chest and held out his arm straight in a salute, he lowered his arm and stood still, as if waiting.

Jason stared at the Centurion before him, hundreds of thoughts running through his head. As he stood up, Jason noticed that the Roman was slightly transparent, almost as if he was a ghost, and he bore no shadow, Jason couldn't believe what he was seeing.

"Uh..." Jason stuttered, then had a thought. "Defend this square, don't let any Gryphons through and keep them-" Jason pointed towards the Royal Guards "-alive."

The Centurion spared a glance towards the Ponies before nodding and walking back to his Legion, barking out what had to be orders in Latin.

"Clausus autem semita! stare adversum nostrum hostibus!" the Centurion paused. "PAX!"

"ROMANA!" the Legionnaires chanted back, they broke their formation, groups of soldiers filling in each entrance to the square and locking shields, the rank behind them holding their shields above them. One soldier ran towards the centre, carrying a long metal pole with a red cloth rolled up near the top and was topped with a golden eagle, as the soldier stamped it down into the ground the cloth unfurled to show an image of a gold eagle with words 'Legio XIV SPQR' underneath it, the soldier ran off to join his brothers.

"They're... Like you, Humans," Shining said, staring at the soldiers.

"Romans," Jason breathed. "That scroll I had was designed to resurrect dead soldiers but they could never adjust the time period in which they came from."

"Can we trust them?" Shining asked.

"They seem to want to listen to me, so I think we can relax, you wanted reinforcements didn't you?" Jason said back, as he spotted the Gryphons again.

The Gryphons flew towards them from all sides and something was made clear; they could simply fly over the Roman formation, Jason was about to say something but the Centurion cut him off.

"PILUM PROMTUS!!" He yelled and every Legionary hoisted their arms back, preparing to throw their spears.

"NUNC!," The Centurion yelled and the spears were thrown, the Gryphons flew right into the attack, most of the spears hitting their mark and taking down many Gryphons.

"GLADIIS!" the Centurion commanded and his troops drew their gladuis's, the Gryphons flew above the Romans and dived down to attack, the Legionaries held their shields above them where the Gryphons would land unable to attack or grab hold of anything, meanwhile the Romans darted their blades through the gapes in between shields to stab at the Gryphons, taking down a fair few with constant stabs.

The Gryphons retreated and the Romans reformed, the Royal Guards maintained their circle in case the Roman lines broke. In minutes the Gryphons were upon them again, flying directly over the Legionaries before flipping around and attacking from behind the Romans, with another group attacking the circle of guards.

"TORNARE!" The Centurion ordered, drawing his own blade and stabbing a Gryphon who charged him. The Legionaries simply turned to face behind them, the men previously in the back now held their shields out front where the Gryphons were caught and stabbed, their lifeless bodies slumping to the ground, painting the marble in their blood.

"TESTUDO ITINERA!" The Centurion called, immediately whatever Legionaries were not engaged formed up together, locking their front shields and holding the rest above each other, swords poked out of the gapes and they slowly marched towards where the Royal Guards. The marching mass of red shields drew the Gryphons away from the Ponies as they attacked the new threat with little success as they were caught on the shields and stabbed to death.

As the Gryphons fell back it was apparent that the Romans had not bee completely successful, several of the retreating Gryphons carried Legionnaires whom they dropped. The Romans seemingly accepted their fate as they slammed into the ground, their bodies and equipment dissipating into golden dust on impact.

"MASSSA CIRCULARIS TESTUDO!" the Centurion yelled and his remaining men began to form into a circle formation, the Centurion pointed towards Shining and the remaining Royal Guards.

"Stare simul atque consequatur victoria!" He said to Shining.

"What's he saying?" Shining asked.

"I think..." Jason paused, looking at the Centurion gesture between the Royal Guards and his own Legionaries. "I think he wants your men to form up with his."

"Fine!" Shining replied in an irritated tone. "Royal Guards! Form up with the Humans!"

Shining's troops looked at him as if he was crazy "sir?" Forest Fire asked.

"Just do it! That's an order!" Shining barked springing his troops into action, the Royal Guards entered into the Roman formation where the Legionaries accepted them, making room for the Ponies to level their spears through the shield wall.

When the Gryphons where seen flying towards them again, Jason took note of their lowered number. St. Peter's square was littered with the bodies of the dead, Gryphon and Pony alike but with their Roman allies Jason regained confidence about the outcome of this battle.

The Gryphons struck but it was clear they were being more cautious this time, they would attack the formation viciously, trying to break the line before darting back and trying again. Many of them now began to target Jason, Shining, and the Centurion, they stood together staying off any attackers while still keeping an eye on the main formation.

"This attack seems to be lasting longer than normal," Jason said when they had a moment.

"Their numbers are low, so they're throwing everything they have at us," Shining said back.

The Centurion said nothing, but he looked behind them and pointed urgently. Jason and Shining Armour turned to see a small group of Gryphons entering the Vatican.

"Twilight!" Shining said in a panic, sprinting after the Gryphons with Jason and the Centurion following behind.

Twilight and her friends were backed against the shrine, the Gryphons slowly advancing on them like lions. Before anyone could say anything a spear flew through the air and pierced the head of one of the Gryphons, the Centurion drew his sword again and advanced on the remaining three Gryphons who turned their attention to him, the Mane Six simply stared in fearful awe as Shining and Jason stood with the Centurion against the Gryphons.

The first attack came towards the Centurion, the Gryphon pounced towards him but missed as the Roman sidestepped and slashed open the Gryphons side as it passed, spilling his organs onto the floor when it landed. The next went towards Shining Armour who pierced his brain through the eye, the third found himself surrounded and attempted to fly away but was quickly felled by a bolt of magic from Shining's horn.

The Mane Six were left in a stunned silence, Twilight didn't seem to notice as her brother ran up and gave her a comforting hug. She stared at the Centurion who was nudging the dead Gryphons with his sandalled feet, Twilight was having a hard time comprehending what she was seeing.

"B-but Human... And he just... Jason... Huh?" She sputtered.

"I'll explain later," Jason said, out of breath. "Come on, I think the fighting stopped."

They exited the Vatican to see that the Gryphons had indeed been defeated, their bodies lay strewn across St. Peter's square. The Romans had formed up, standing in wait for a command as the remaining Royal Guards galloped to and fro, tending to their wounded as best as they could.

Fluttershy went off to help as Jason, Shining and the Mane Six approached the Centurion who stood in front of his Legion waiting for them.

"Thank you for your help," Jason said, the Centurion responded with a Roman salute, then he reached to his side and unlatched his Gladuis. The Centurion offered the ancient weapon to Jason who took it. As soon as Jason touched the sword it lost its ghostly transparency and suddenly gained weight, Jason looked back up to the Centurion.

"Pax Romana," The Centurion said softly.

"Pax Romana," Jason said back, and with a sudden gust of wind the Legion turned to golden dust and blew away.

"Sir!" Forest Fire suddenly said. "The wounded will not survive for much longer! They need professional healers!"

"Right!" Shining said, sparking his horn. "Twily! Come help me."

Twilight followed Shining Armour, clearly still stunned at seeing a large group of Humans just blown away into dust. Shining and Twilight sparked their magic. Suddenly Jason felt a tug, almost if someone was pulling him, before Rome melted away in a flash of gold.

When the light cleared, Jason, Shining, the Mane Six and the Royal Guards stood in the middle of the Hall of Harmony, in front of a very surprised Celestia and Luna.

"Jason? Shining Armour? What-" Celestia began.

"Princess! These soldiers need healing right away!" Shining cut her off with urgency.

"Of course," Celestia said, a flash leaving her horn. In seconds, three unicorns dressed in white and gold robes burst into the hall, they immediately went to aid the wounded soldiers.

"Take them to the infirmary," Celestia said. "Guards, you are dismissed, get some rest." the robed unicorns nodded and teleported away in flashes of gold, the remaining soldiers left to go rest.

"What happened in Rome!?" Luna demanded. "Did you find a Lost Artifact? And where is Green Breeze?"

Together, Shining and Jason recounted what had happened in Rome. Jason left out one or two details about the video log he had seen, wary of Twilight and her friends standing right behind him.

"-and then I teleported us out if there, I left a beacon though, so next time we can teleport directly there," Shining finished.

"But then how is Jason here?" Luna asked, staring at the Human. "He is immune to magic like all Humans, how did you teleport him as well?"

Shining Armour shrugged. "I don't know, I reached out and I felt a magical presence where he was."

"Mmm... Jason, you said you used a magical scroll?" Celestia asked.

"Yeah, some scientists there were trying to bring people back from the dead but they weren't able to get the time period right."

"You don't think..?" Celestia looked at Luna.

"It is possible," Luna said back.

"Mmm... I need time to think this over," Celestia concluded. "You should all get some rest, I'll summon you when I am ready."

"Wait a minute!" Twilight yelled, stomping forward, anger and sadness over her face. "I'm not going anywhere until I get answers!"

"Twilight!" Celestia said in astonishment.

"You lied to me!" Twilight yelled, tears springing from her eyes. "You forced Jason to lie! You told me there were more Humans!"

"I...I-" She stuttered in her own words after such outburst. It was clear that she was caught off guard.

"I want to know everything!" Twilight demanded. "Do you know how the Humans died?!"

"I..." Celestia. "...Jason didn't tell you?"

"You... Knew?!" Twilight asked furiously, turning a betrayed look to Jason.

Jason felt more hurt than before, Betraying a friend wasn't easy for him, much less a second time in a single day. But he tried contain himself. He was about to apologize when he was cut off.

"Tell me everything," Twilight demanded, turning to Celestia.

"Very well," Celestia sighed. "It happened so long ago, very few that were there still stand..."