Chapters Friendship is Magic: Battle Ready
Prologue
The heavy, tangy scent of copper was almost overpowering. It was sickening, dizzying. It made him feel sick to his stomach as he stumbled across the uneven ground. The rain pounded hard against his face, cold and wet, washing away the dark red stains the marred his face. With heavy feet he stepped between the dark, shadowed mounds on the ground.
His navy blue eyes scanned heavily through the air, searching for somepony, anypony else in the misty rain. There was nothing. No sign of anypony. No movement, no cries, no noise. Nothing but the rain, and the smell.
His eyes filled up with water and he rubbed the back of one gauntleted fist against his face, scrubbing away the tears. This was not how things were supposed to go. But this is the hand that destiny had dealt them. Still it didn't mean he had to like it. He tilted his head to the sky and allowed a powerful scream of anguish. A powerful scream that fell on the ears of the dead and echoed around him, rolling over body after armoured body. An army of the dead and dying lay at his feet, wearing the same black and golden armour as he.
He clenched his feet hard and punched it into the soft ground. His pride, his honour, his duty. What did it matter anymore? This could hardly be considered a victory. How many pony's had lost their lives this day? All of them under his command. Their loss was his cross to bear, and bear it he would for every day until the day he died.
A voice cracked the silence.
“My prince.”
His head snapped up and he scrambled to his feet. A pony had propped himself up on his elbow, hand outstretched to where he stood. He leapt to the wounded warrior and knelt beside him, holding his torso and sporting his head. He recognised him by Cutie Mark and by face. He was a friend, and he was dying. He was named Dagger Swift, and had once born a Cutie Mark of a single knife wrapped in the hands of the wind, but now the mark was coated in blood and dirt.
“Did... we... win?” Swift coughed haltingly, blood oozing out of the corner of his mouth.
“Yes my friend,” he whispered, stroking his brown, red stained hair. Swift smiled, his eyes sparkling.
“Then, all is... safe,” he murmured, his eyes sliding to a close.
“Stay with me,” he hissed, gripping his close. “Please. I cannot bear such a loss. Not by myself. If just one pony else survives...”
“My prince,” Dagger Swift whispered, his dying brown eyes fixed onto his face, with a passion and fire that seemed impossible for one so close to death. Swift clasped his hand into a tight fist and pressed his arm against his own chest in salute. “This... our hard won victory... was won by your command... We knew it would not be easy. We knew... lives would be lost...”
“But... so many. It is my fault,” he whispered.
“No... You did what you had too... I am proud to call you... my prince.”
Swift's mangled and broken wing twitched slightly under his grasp, a small gout of blood rushing onto his forearm.
“Live long,” he murmured.
“Die proud,” Swift coughed.
He shuddered, and was still. His arm slumped on his chest and his fist unclasped. The grey eyes that had stared at him with such passion not moments before, lost their lustre. Just a pair of glassy orbs that stared blindly at him. With the respect reserved for a hero and the care of a lover, he lowered Swift's body to the ground. He stood up and saluted Dagger Swift in the same way the deceased pegasus had saluted him. Then he tilted his head back, so that his dark grey horn was pointed at the sky. A burst of silver magic into the sky.
The magic exploded into a burst of green fire and sparks. A cloud of green smoke began to coil over the sky. The rain began to stop falling as the magic began to push the clouds out of the sky. He did not pause to admire his handiwork. Now came the horrible part. Green smoke meant victory. Blue smoke meant defeat. Yellow smoke a stalemate. Red smoke.... red smoke...
Losses beyond measure.
A blast of magic shot the red smoke ablaze. He sat beneath the cloud of smoke, watching Dagger Switf's body, like a parent would watch over a sleeping child. He would not walk, or leave the sides of the men who had fought and died beside him. This would be an insult to each of their respective memories.
They had all seen horrors, all of them seen death in the face. He felt almost ashamed to be alive, when all the death around him was his fault, and his fault alone...
Author's Note
My debut fic. Hope you guys enjoy.
Chapter One: Meeting
Canterlot.
More of a castle than a city.
The blinding white of Canterlot's walls and cobbled streets grew even stronger as the train rattled closer and closer. Twilight Sparkle always enjoyed the ride to Canterlot, though in recent months she had had to be more cautious on the ride. Her alicorn wings tended to attract attention from the pony public. She knew she could always fly to Canterlot if need be, or even use her magic to teleport, but both methods used up a lot of energy and if she was perfectly honest, she wasn't confident in her wings as of yet. Rainbow Dash was a good teacher when it came to flying, but even so, it took all of Dash's tricks to get Twilight in the air on her best of days.
As usual with her friends, they insisted on coming with her to visit Canterlot and the princesses. To provide moral support of course, for whatever test of challenge Celestia had for her most faithful student. But there were ulterior motives at work as well. Raity wanting to check out the latest fashion crazes and do some high class shopping, with a very unenthusiastic Rainbow Dash being dragged to come with her. And then there was Applejack, trying to drum up some extra business for Sweet Apple Acres. Fluttershy didn't mention what she planned on doing, though Twilight could swear she heard her mumble the words, 'Luna', 'Philomena' and 'Discord'. Twilight didn't even want to know what Pinkie Pie wanted to do.
Twilight had adopted a small disguise made for her by Rarity, to prevent any unwanted attention. It wasn't anything special, but it had done its job at the Ponyville train-station. Even if it meant standing a few feet from her friends. Still they had the carriage to themselves at the moment, allowing Twilight and the others some much needed freedom.
“I don't see why you picked me of all ponies!” Dash was whining for perhaps the hundredth time since the train had departed from Ponyville. Rarity looked up from her fashion magazine to scold Dash with a scathing look.
“Because darling,” she said simply, “You seem to be wearing the same outfit everyday these days.”
“Uh, yeah?” Dash said, indicating said outfit. “Because its cool.”
“Cool or not it cannot be sanitary,” Rarity said, wrinkling her nose slightly. “Have you washed that ensemble in the last week?”
“Whoa whoa whoa!” Dash said, looking offended. “Just because I wear the same outfit everyday doesn't mean I wear the same clothes everyday Rairty.”
“Are you actually tellin' us you got yourself a wardrobe full of them clothes?” asked Applejack, raising an eyebrow.
“So what if I do?” Dash snorted, folding her arms. “It's my choice what I wear.”
“Of course it is darling,” Rarity said soothingly. “But it does get a tad boring wearing the same outfit over and over doesn't it? I figured I could help spice up your wardrobe. Just a bit you understand?”
Dash folded her arms and scowled. Twilight would sure she would completely forget the well-reasoned argument that Rarity had just presented her with in a few moments, and the whole conversation would start all over again. Not that she minded. It was something she enjoyed about the company of her friends.
A few moments later a pink hurricane bounced into the carriage, varies sweets and other sugary goodies falling about the five other ponies. Pinkie Pie, for of course it was she, landed in her seat and began to tuck into the sweets she had snatched from who knew where. Twilight smiled and took a sweet from where it had landed beside her.
Elsewhere
The city of Canterlot was... pretty. It was the only word he could find to describe it. Pretty. And it was happy too. It made him feel... happy. It was a nice feeling. Something that filled the gnawing gaping hole that had burrowed itself into his heart and his soul. Not completely, but it made the pain he felt more bearable.
He was here at least. In Equestria. Away from it all. He smiled as he walked about the streets of Canterlot. Perhaps it wouldn't be so difficult fitting in here. Everypony seemed welcoming and accepting. Earth ponies and pegasi and unicorns walked the streets peacefully, laughing, talking and doing everything regular ponies did.
Sure every so often a few royal Canterlot guards would trot past, but this was the nations capital city and home to two of its great rulers. The sister princesses of day and night. A bit of militarisation was to be expected. It was in the name of the people's protection. Canterlot was the only city he had heard of that had this low level policing. As far as he was aware, Equestria didn't have an army, or even an air-force. A soft, slightly cynical smile came to his lips. How wonderful it must be to live in such ignorant bliss.
Some time later
“So what did Princess Celestia want?” Rarity asked as she met Twilight outside of the gates of the Canterlot palace.
“She wanted my approval on something,” Twilight explained, readjusting her disguise slightly. “It wasn't anything really important, don't worry about it. She was a bit confused as to why I came in in a disguise. How was shopping with Rainbow Dash?”
“Awful,” came Dash's response from the other side of Rarity.
“Oh darling it wasn't so bad,” Rarity responded, looking slightly hurt by Dash's comment.
“Oh yeah?” Dash bit back. “You didn't pick anything cool. Everything you chose was lame lame lame lame.”
Rarity snorted and held her head high in indignation. Twilight smiled and turned to Applejack.
“How was Canterlot this time for you AJ?” she asked, curious.
“Ah reckon Ah did my best,” Applejack said. “Not many ponies interested in apples at the moment. Still, some folk were interested in the Apple Family Cider.”
“I thought Canterlot had an abundance of cider?” Rarity asked.
“They did, but then the Apple family ran their main suppliers outta the business,” Applejack said, smiling proudly. “Ever since them varments Flim and Flam got run outta Ponyville, they haven't found any business across Equestria.”
“Which serves them right,” Dash said smirking. “Nopony messes with Applejack and gets away with it.”
“What about you Fluttershy?” Rarity asked the shy pony. “What have you occupied yourself with?”
“Oh uh, I was in the Canterlot gardens,” she whispered quietly.
“Doing what?” Dash asked.
“Oh nothing,” Fluttershy said quietly.
“Ah know this is going to be a stupid question, but has anyone seen Pinkie Pie?” Applejack asked.
“Not since she downed all the sweets at the station and shot off into the distance,” Twilight chuckled, rolling her eyes. “But hey, that's Pinkie. I'm sure we'll see her at the station.”
As she said this, the group of five turned a corner and were greeted with a pink whirlwind.
“Hey guys!” a manic Pinkie Pie cried, bouncing around her friends. “Where ya' been? Did you have fun? Was there cake? Did you save some for me?”
“Hey Pinkie,” Twilight smiled. “No, there wasn't any cake.”
“Aww that's okay Twilight,” Pinkie said, smiling. “There's always more cake in the world, we just gotta find it. Oh! Let's start right now!”.
Pinkie shot off like a rocket... or would have done if she hadn't collided with a pony behind her. The unfortunate pony landed heavily on the ground with a grunt of pain.
“Oh my gosh are you okay?” Twilight asked, kneeling down to help the victim.
“My pride's a little bruised but that's to be expected,” the colt said as Twilight helped him to his feet. He was tall, taller than Twilight, with a dark grey coat with horn to match. His black mane fell around his face in sharp spikes, that fell over his forehead and shadowed his navy blue eyes. His Cutie Mark was strange to Twilight. A black shield, emblazoned with a white skull. It seemed familiar to her for some reason.
He was dressed in a peculiar fashion as well. A dark shirt with the sleeves rolled up to his forearms, grey jeans and dusty brown boots. A long black coat of some unknown material was draped over his arm, and he had a strange satchel hanging off of his shoulder.
He dusted himself off and held his hand out to Twilight's. “Battle Ready at your service.”
“Twilight Sparkle,” Twilight said, before she could stop herself. She clamped her hands to her mouth and looked around quickly, preying nopony had noticed. They hadn't thankfully. The colt, Battle Ready, raised an eyebrow, confused.
“Is that some kind of secret or something?” he asked.
“You mean you don't know?” Dash asked, incredulous.
“I don't know, should I?” Battle asked, even more confused.
“This is only Twilight Sparkle, one of the four princesses of Equestria,” Dash proclaimed in a hushed whisper so that no other pony could hear her.
Battle turned to Twilight and clasped his hand into a fist and placed it firmly against his chest, bowing his head in respect.
“Apologies you highness,” he said, voice humbled. “I had no idea as to the nature of your royalty.”
“You can stop, please,” Twilight said, eyeing Rainbow Dash with an annoyed glare. “I'm not exactly comfortable with ponies bowing to me all the time.”
Battle raised his head.
“So be it princess,” he said, smiling. “I shall make this a one off incident. I found it only fitting to apologise for my lack of local knowledge.”
“Local knowledge?” Rarity repeated. “Are you not from Canterlot? I mean even if you aren't Twilight's coronation was nationwide news.”
“Nationwide perhaps,” Battle conceded. “But I have not been in the nation of Equestria for more than a day. I arrived here in Canterlot just this morning.”
“You're not from Equestria?” Twilight asked, her eyes shining at the possibility of new knowledge. “Where are you from?”
“I prefer not to talk about it,” Battle said, looking nervous. “One does not leave a life they led in one country behind unless they chose not to live that life anymore. I came here to Equestria to make a new beginning for myself.”
“Okay,” Twilight said, sighing, the glint in her eyes disappearing. Battle gave her a small smile. Before turning to the other ponies.
“Where are my manners?” he held out his hand to each pony in turn as they introduced themselves. Applejack gripped his hand in both of hers and shook it vigorously. Rarity took the hand gently and responded with a lady-like shake. Rainbow Dash rebuked the handshake and instead offered Battle a fist-bump, which he accepted. Pinkie grabbed his hand and shook it so fast that he hand was a pink blur. Fluttershy merely hid behind Twilight and whispered her name.
“A pleasure to make each of your acquaintances,” Battle said, smiling. Inside his mind was reeling. Would he be discovered before he could even start? Of all the people he could run into it was one of Equestria's princesses!
“So if you're new to Equestria I assume you don't have a place to stay?” Twilight asked.
“You'd assume correct,” Battle said. “I've spent most of the day searching Canterlot for possible lodgings. Sadly, my search has proven fruitless.”
“Well there's a spare room at the Ponyville Library where I live that you're welcome to use,” Twilight suggested.
“You'd rent out your spare room for a perfect stranger?”
“Not rent,” Twilight corrected. “You can have it for as long as you need. After all, you seem like a nice pony.”
“Nice? He looks awesome,” Dash said. “I mean, just look at his Cutie Mark! Only an awesome pony would have something like that for a special talent!”
“What does you Cutie Mark represent?” Rarity asked.
“So, lodgings,” Battle said quickly, pretending he hadn't heard Rarity. “It's the best offer I've had all day. I may as well.”
“Great,” Twilight said, beaming. “You may as well hang out with us if you're going to be using my spare room. We were heading back to Ponyville anyway.”
Battle smiled again, thought there was something forced in it this time.
“That sounds... delightful.”
Chapter Two: Train-talk
Battle wasn't sure what to expect about Ponyville. He knew by the name that it wouldn't be anywhere near as glamorous as Canterlot. But if the young princess still called it her home, then it couldn't be all bad. He tried to keep the subject on Ponyville for the majority of the train-ride away from Canterlot, yet somehow the six mares somehow managed to turn the questions back onto him. Dissuading them to talk about him was not working out so well and he was running out of ways to avoid the subject of his own past.
What would they think of him if they found out?
Battle knew he was already at risk just being by Twilight Sparkle. She hadn't recognised him as of yet but that could soon change in an instant. After all no two ponies shared the same Cutie Mark. His hand went to his own on his left cheek and traced over one of the eye sockets in the skull. He could feel the small line of scar tissue beneath the fur. An old wound that ran from his jaw to just below his eye. A stabbing flash of memory rushed to the surface of his mind.
Flashback
Lightning cracked, thunder boomed and everywhere he turned he could see ponies locked in combat and hear their battle cries of blood-lust and warfare. He stood for a moment, catching his breath, in a small clearing of warriors. He lifted the visor of his helmet and wiped away the rainwater from his eyes on the back of his iron clad fist.
An arrow flew straight at him from somewhere in the middle of the mass of bodies. It whistled past him, or near enough, slashing his cheek. He let out a small cry of pain before lowering his visor once more and charging back into combat.
Battle flinched at the memory, his hand covering the hidden scar in an effort to stem the non-existent bleeding. Twilight noticed the action.
“Is everything okay?” she asked, leaning forward a look of concern on his face.
“Fine,” Battle said quickly. “Just... a memory.”
Twilight didn't look at all convinced, or maybe that was frustration? She thought him familiar. That wasn't good. If she already believed they had met it wouldn't be long until she remembered where it was. Rainbow Dash provided some distraction however.
“What're going to do in Equestria then?” Dash asked, leaning back in her seat and looking lazily out the window. Battle looked up sharply.
“What do you mean?” he asked.
“I mean, you're not going to stay in Twilight's spare room all the time you're here are you?” Dash said. “What're going to do for bits?”
“Bits?” Battle repeated, scrunching his face up in confusion.
Rainbow stuffed her hand into her jeans pocket and drew out a handful of small golden coins, stamped with Princess Celestia's head on one side, and Princess Luna's Cutie Mark on the other.
“Bits,” Rainbow elaborated. “You know? Money?”
“If you didn't have bits where you came from,” Applejack said, leaning forward, “What'd ya'll use for money?”
Battle deliberated for a moment. He finally decided that it wouldn't be harmful if he showed them his local currency. It wasn't like they could find any reference to home from it. Battle reached into his own pocket and reclaimed a small brown pouch. He tipped the contents into his open palm and held it out for the group to see.
A collective gasp could be heard from his fellow traveller’s. Rarity's eyes in particular grew to the size of dinner plates.
Battle wasn't sure of the purity of the gold in the bits, or if there was any real gold in them at all. The few dozen coins he held in his hand however he knew to be twenty-four carat. They were about an inch in diameter and half a centimetre thick. On one side they all shared the same image; a crest, a horse's head emblazoned on a shield with a spiral of stars. On the other side, some of the coins were different. Some had crossed swords, others arrows. All of them weapons. On the shield sides, they all bore the same words.
'Victoriam, Omnibus Modis.'
“They're ~beauuuuuuuuuuuuutiful~,” Rarity exclaimed, her eyes sparkling with delight.
“Pretty!” Pinkie squealed.
“They're so... nice,” Fluttershy whispered.
“What are they?” Applejack asked, equally memorised.
“Drachmas,” Battle replied. “Standard currency from where I come from.”
“What does the inscription say?” Twilight asked.
“Victory at all costs,” Battle replied solemnly. He placed the drachmas back into their pouch and slipped it back into his pocket, noticing as he did the disappointed pout Rarity wore.
“So yeah,” Dash forced herself to say. Even she had been taken aback by the exotic beauty of the coins Battle had produced. “What're going to do for bits here in Equestria?”
“I thought I might put some of my skills to good use,” Battle said, leaning back, allowing his arms to stretch out over the back's of the seat.
“Like what?” Applejack asked.
“I was thinking medicine,” Battle said absent-mindedly. “I know my way around the doctor's surgery and I've done my fair share of medical practice.”
“You're a doctor?” Twilight asked.
“Of a sort,” Battle replied cryptically. “I was never technically named a doctor but I have enough medical knowledge to see me through I feel.”
Twilight opened her mouth to say something else, but she was cut off by the squealing of the train's brakes heralding their arrival back in Ponyville. She looked out of the window before getting to her feet.
“This is our stop.”
Chapter Three: Ponyville
The stone buildings with tiled, inclined roofs and cobbled pathways of Canterlot had been replaced with thatched, straw roofs and beaten dirt pathways. The extravagant shop fronts of the big city, were replaced with more humble, family run shops and small market stalls.
The ponies that walked and talked along the streets of Ponyville were much more, down to Earth than those at Caterlot. This seemed fitting as the ponies in Caterlot lived in a castle on the side of a mountain but even so.
Ponyville seemed quieter than Canterlot too. It was certainly less busy and was most definitely smaller. But that didn't mean it wasn't filled with life. The ponies here seemed if possible, even more at ease, even happier than those in Canterlot. The distinct lack of armed guards that had been present in Canterlot seemed to relax him.
Canterlot had made Battle feel happy. Ponyville made him feel welcome. It was a strange feeling. Not in an unpleasant way. It was warm and gentle. It wasn't unlike the feeling he'd had at Canterlot but something had been missing there. Canterlot hadn't offered him the same sense of belonging Ponyville did. Of course Battle was no stranger to the feeling, but he had not expected to find it here of all places.
It felt like he had come home. Which was impossible he knew, but still...
“So what do you think?” Twilight asked, gesturing around Ponyville. “It may not be much but, it's Ponyville.”
“It's fantastic,” Battle said smiling, as the group of seven walked down the main street. He turned on the spot, walking backwards, smiling and closing his eyes to bask in the sun.
“Oh, oh, oh!” Pinkie Pie cried, bouncing as they continued to move.
“What is it Pinkie?” Applejack asked with dread.
“We should totally throw a superspecialawesomereallycoolsuperduperamazingfunparty for Battle!” Pinkie cried in a single, outward verbal gush.
Battle blinked.
“Say that again? In some understandable language perhaps?” Battle said.
Pinkie sucked in a deep breath before she replied: “I said 'Nous devons absolument jeter un impressionnant vraiment cool super duper incroyable partie d'amusement super spéciale,' for Battle!”
Battle blinked a second time, even more confused.
“Did she just speak French?” he said, looking at the others.
“That's Pinkie for ya,” Dash said. “Just roll with it you'll be fine.”
“Okay but I still have no idea what she's driving it,” Battle admitted.
“Silly, I'm not driving, I'm bouncing!” Pinkie chirped.
“Yeeeeeeeeeaaaah, not what I meant,” Battle said slowly. He was starting to worry about the pink mare.
“What Pinkie's sayin' is that maybe we should all through some kind of party for ya'. Since you're new here an' all,” Applejack translated.
“Well duh! That's what I was just saying Applejack,” Pinkie said, rolling her eyes.
“You don't have to go through the trouble,” Battle said, smiling now that he finally understood the meaning behind Pinkie's words. “Really, I'll be fine without a... super special awesome... whatever party.”
Twilight chuckled and laid a hand on Battle's shoulder.
“There's no point in arguing with Pinkie,” she said smiling. “Be thankful she's given you warning. The first time I arrived in Ponyville she broke into the library and set up a surprise party with everypony in town invited.”
Battle had to smile at this.
“I'm sure it was a welcome surprise,” he said.
“Actually it wasn't,” she admitted. “At the time I was too busy with my studies to even have a friend or care about getting one.”
Battle frowned. He had been distant in his time, but he had never wanted to not have friends. Something about what Twilight said reminded him vividly of somepony he knew back home. He scowled at that particular memory. One thing he certainly wouldn't miss.
“So where's the library?” Battle asked.
Twilight pointed down the road. Battle followed her finger and saw in the middle of the road, was a large tree. An oak tree to be precise. Old and tall. Even from this distance, Battle could see the various windows cut into the bark.
“Oh you have got to be kidding me,” he said, chuckling at the obsurdity.
“What?” Twilight asked.
“A tree? Isn't that a bit... whimsical?” he asked.
“Whimsical or not, I like it,” Twilight said. “Come on. I'll show you to your room.”
Chapter Four: Library
Battle didn't entirely know what to expect when it came to the library's interior. The outside of the building had thrown his expectations out of the window. Never had he encountered such childish, architectural madness. Not in his brief visit to Canterlot and certainly not in his homeland. When he stepped across the threshold into the library he had no idea what to expect.
So it came as an infuriating shock to him to discover it was built like a regular library on the inside.
Battle ground his teeth against one another. This was getting ridiculous. It also didn't help that there was a dragon working as the library assistant.
He was extremely small for a dragon. Clearly young or perhaps infantile, with purple scales and green spines. At the moment he was halfway up a ladder, organising some books. He looked over, acid green eyes glowing at the sight of Twilight.
"Twilight!" he exclaimed, setting the books down and dropping to the ground. "How was Canterlot? What did the Princess want?"
Then he spotted Battle.
"New friend?"
"This is Battle," Twilight said. "He's new to Equestria, he's going to be staying here for a while until he gets his own place here in Ponyville."
"Wait, where's he going to sleep? On a shelf?" Spike chuckled to himself. Battle smirked, warming to the young dragon.
"You know that spare room we never quite found a use for?" Twilight said. "He's going to be sleeping there."
"Okay but just let him know, I snore," Spike said.
"Him standing right here," Battle reminded them.
"Spike the spare room is in the basement," Twilight said, rolling her eyes.
"I know," Spike said. "But you're not exactly the lightest of sleepers are you?"
Battle smirked.
"Anyway, I'm Spike," the dragon held out his clawed hand for Battle to shake. Battle to the hand and shook it.
"Battle Ready."
"Bit of a proactive name?"
"Yeah my father was paranoid of bullies," Battle lied easily.
Spike sniggered before turning back to Twilight.
"You never said what Celestia wanted," Spike said.
"Oh some issues with an ambassador from one of Equestria's allies," Twilight said, walking over to the desk. "Apparently he's disappeared."
"Is that a problem?" Spike asked.
"Well it depends," Twilight said. "I was getting along pretty well with the stallion I was ambassador to. If they send somepony else who I don't get along with it could ruin all relations Equestria has with Warhorse."
Battle bit his lip.
"Uh, Warhorse?"
Twilight massaged her shoulder blades.
"Yeah," she said. "The nation of Warhorse is a powerful ally for Equestria to have. They're an honourable race of warriors who have been in some of the most important battles in history."
"Pretty hardcore," Battle said. "What happens if Equestria falls out with them?"
"I don't think anything too bad will come of it," Twilight replied, flicking through a book on her desk. "It depends on whether or not I insult there honour badly enough."
She turned to face Battle.
"I think now's not the time to talk about that," she said. "Let me show you where you'll be staying."
Moments later...
The spare room was, like Twilight said, in the basement. It was a small room, big enough for a single chest of drawers and a bed and nothing else. Still, Battle could live with it. In fact compared to other sleeping arrangements he had previously found himself in, this was actually quite lavish. Battle slung his coat lazily onto the bed and dropped his satchel beside it.
"You like it?" Twilight asked. "I know it's not the best place but-"
"It's perfect," Battle said, smiling.
"Great," Twilight sighed, beaming. "I'll let you get settled in while I prep the library."
"For what?" Battle asked, confused.
"For Pinkie, what else?" Twilight joked.
"Oh god she was serious," Battle realized, his face falling.
Twilight's only response was to chuckle as she left the room. Battle sighed and closed the door behind her. He grabbed his satchel and opened it, tipping out the contents onto the bed. A half eaten loaf of bread, a bottle of wine, a large water flask, a few books and another handful of drachma. There was also a dagger. Battle made sure to swiftly put the dagger in the bottom drawer of his chest. Following that he hung his coat up on a hanger in the wardrobe. He stacked the few books on top of the chest of drawers and leapt onto his bed. Smiling to himself, he tore a chunk off of the bread and began to chew slowly. He swallowed and grimaced, only just realising how stale the bread really was. He washed it down with a swig of wine. He lay there for a few more minutes before he became bored.
"Maybe a party isn't such a bad idea," he said thoughtfully to himself.
Elsewhere...
"Balloons? Check! Streamers? Check! Gummy?.... Gummy?"
Pinkie looked up from her various party essentials and glanced around her room, looking for her pet alligator. She spotted him, nose first in a bowl of his favourite punch, purple eyes blinking at her stupidly.
"Gummy, check!" Pinkie cried, beaming. She began to walk around her room. "Okay let's see, Vinyl's brining the music, Applejack's brining the cider... I'm sure there was something else..."
She paused, resting her hand on her chin thoughtfully. She snapped her fingers in clarity.
"Snacks!" she cried in realisation. "Can't have a party without cake!"
Instantly Pinkie was downstairs in the kitchen, a blur of pink intent of baking devastation.
Chapter Five: The Party
"Is everything ready?" Twilight asked Spike.
"There's no such thing as ready when it comes to Pinkie Pie," Spike reminded her.
"That's true," Twilight agreed.
"I can't understand how somepony actually manages to organise a party with barely a days notice," Battle said from his potion on Twilight's desk, turning the page of the book he was reading.
"Pinkie Pie," Twilight said, as if that would explain everything.
Battle rolled his eyes and smiled before turning the page of his book again. He was quickly shooed off the desk by Twilight, who preceded to tidy away any loose papers on her desk and put away any books she had left out. Battle walked across the library and leaned against the shelves, continuing to read. Spike glanced at the title. 'A History of Equestria.'
"Good reading?" Spike asked.
"Very informative," Battle muttered. 'Or at least it would've been if I didn't already know half the stuff in here,' he thought to himself. He turned another page, noting how the engravings of the founders of Equestria looked remarkably similar to the six mares he had met just today. Weird.
"So, what does a Pinkie Pie party usually entail?" Battle asked out of mild curiosity.
"Mostly games and dancing," Twilight said. "Although I've never heard her describe a party like she did earlier." She bit her lip and frowned. "My guess is that she has something planned."
"Why does that fill me with dread?" Battle asked.
"Oh believe me, you're not the only one," Twilight chuckled nervously.
A knock at the door caught Twilight's attention. A purple aura wrapped around the handle and tugged it open.
"Come in," Twilight called, still replacing a few books.
Pinkie Pie bounced in, dragging several bags behind her. Battle briefly pondered what Pinkie had in the bags when Pinkie vanished, replaced by a pink blur that rushed around the room. Upon each complete circuit, one more bag would be empty and other party essentials would be set-up. Balloons were hung from almost every available place imaginable. Streamers were plastered against every available surface. A second table appeared out of nowhere and was instantly lost under plates and platters of cakes and sweets and other such edible treats. A disco ball was suddenly hung from the ceiling, and various lights were scatter throughout the library.
In less than three seconds Pinkie had emptied each of bags and had turned the library into a party hub.
"Ta-dah!" she cried happily. She froze and her tail began to twitch. She looked over at Battle. "Um, sorry."
"For what?" Battle asked. A book sipped from its place above his head and struck Battle on top of his head. "Ow," he said simply, rubbing the point of impact.
"And the Pinkie sense comes through again," Twilight chuckled.
"You are not telling me she knew that would happen," Battle said incredulously.
Twilight merely responded with a sly smirk. Battle eyes the other unicorn warily as he knelt down to pick up the book that had struck him. As he did so a line of barrels rolled through the door. They were quickly followed by Applejack, who looked around at the library.
"You got this place set up real quick Twilight," she said in appreciation.
"Yeah that wasn't me," Twilight said, pointing towards the overly excited pink mare.
"Oh," Applejack realised. "Well it would be Pinkie."
Later...
Battle hadn't been sure how many people would turn up. But from looking around at the amount of ponies that had appeared, it seemed the entire town had showed up. The flashing lights and throbbing music was controlled by the town's local DJ, a pony named Vinyl Scratch. So far almost every pony in town had come up to him, shook his hand and struck up a small conversation with him.
Battle smiled. If this is what life in Ponyville was like all the time he could definitely get used to living here.
Pinkie suddenly climbed up one of the walls, drawing most ponies' attention.
"Who want's a drinking contest!" she cried over the pulses of music.
All noise ceased. A competitive atmosphere had suddenly appeared. Instantly a table was set up, a small stack of barrel's, which Battle now knew contained cider, arranged beside it. Battle raised an eyebrow at the speed at which they appeared. He walked over to Twilight.
"What's going on?" Battle asked, confused.
"Pinkie does this sometimes," Twilight as the music came on once more, but quieter, heightening the atmosphere. "Every pony has a chance to play. One pony's is selected at random from the hat, and they choose their opponents."
"So it's more of a drinking tournament than a drinking contest?"
"Yep."
"Wonderful."
Twilight snickered as she edged to get a better view. Battle shrugged and attempted to get a better view himself.
The first few matches were over fairly quickly, as the lightweight drinkers were picked off easily, leaving more serious competitions to take place. Battle was thankful her own name hadn't been selected. He had no idea who to challenge. He was the new guy after all.
After a while some of the observers had pealed off and had begun dancing once more. Battle stayed to watch. Not out of any feeling of awkwardness. He just wasn't a good dancer, especially when it came to club music. As the table was cleared again the the loser was dragged away to be revived, Pinkie Pie began to rummage around for another name. She pulled it out with a flourish and looked at it.
"Rainbow Dash!" she announced. The blue pegasus clenched her fist in victory and sat down in one of the chairs. She put her hand to her chin, pondering who to pick as her opponent.
"Let's see," she thought aloud. She scanned the crowd and smiled. "I pick Battle."
The crowd parted to look at Battle. He cocked an eyebrow as he walked to the table and sat down opposite Dash.
"You ready?" Dash asked as their first tankard's of cider were filled.
"As ready as I'll ever be," Battle replied.
Dash gripped the handle of her tankard and smiled. Battle followed suit. The two waited, tensed for the start. Dash's eye twitched slightly. Battle smirked. A short whistle blast sounded and Dash threw her head back, drinking mouthful after mouthful of the cider. After a few, deep swallows she set the mug down again and wiped the foam off of her lips on the back of her arm and smiled. It froze when she saw Battle already being handed his next drink. He looked back at Dash and smiled.
"Oh I forgot to mention something," he said smiling. "Where I come from, we did this every night and... well let's just say I'm the best and leave it at that?"
Dash ground her teeth and took her next mug full of cider. Battle settled back into his seat and waited. Dash narrowed her eyes. The whistle blasted again and Dash threw her head back. She was halfway through the cider, when she heard the unmistakable sound of a wooden tankard striking a table top. She set her finished mug down slowly and glared at him. Battle smiled back.
"You're fast," Dash conceded, "But let's see how long you can hold your liquor."
"Oh let's," Battle said as the whistle blew again.
After another ten flagons of cider Dash was begin to loose focus. It took all her brain power to lift the drink to her lips and swallow after the whistle blew. Whilst she was waiting for the next whistle, she glared at Battle. The unicorn didn't seem to be affected by cider whatsoever. A little looser perhaps, but by no means less coherent or less in control. He demonstrated this by balancing his most recently emptied tankard on his horn, to raucous laughter from the other ponies.
They were each handed their thirteenth cider. The whistle blew and Dash drank her cider as fast as she was able, her head swimming. When she was finished she slammed the cup down, her hand shaking. Battle merely looked at her, curious. Dash mumbled something intelligible as they were given their next cider. She waited until the whistle blew with baited breath. Her head was swimming in and out of focus and darkness was coming to her vision.
When the whistle blew Dash's brain shut down. She slumped forward onto the table, snoring. Battle finished his drink to cheers from the ponies around him. He stood up smiling.
He was definitely starting to like Ponyville.
Author's Note
I feel like I've slipped into an entirely different story in this chapter. I suppose I'll have to fix that next time.
Nightmares: Battle's Premonition
Nightmare: Battle's Premonition
Battle's head was spinning slightly from the aftermath of his match with Dash. As Twilight bade farewell to the guests, Battle made his unsteady way down into the basement. He opened the door to his bedroom and tottered inside. His good spirits evaporated as the door closed behind him and darkness swallowed him. He illuminated the room with light from his horn and quickly stripped to his undergarments as he had no proper sleepwear to speak of.
As he undressed, he occasional brushed his hands against his various battle scars. Some were faint, and easily hidden under his fur. Others were much more noticeable. A single gash that sloped from his left shoulder to his hip was a permanent, easily visible reminder of his past. In some places it was still a sore, pinkish red from where it was still healing.
He slipped into bed and the light from his horn faded. He wasn't afraid of the dark, though he was slightly nervous about having his only real weapon so far from him. Battle was accustomed to sleeping with a knife under his pillow. Still this arrangement would have to do. After all it was not the shadows he feared, but the nightmares. Battle knew it was a foolish hope to believe he would be allowed a peaceful night's rest; one uninterrupted by the horrors of his own mind.
Resigned to his fate, Battle closed his eyes and awaited the torture.
He knew this ground. This frozen bitter landscape. It was a dark place. A hate filled place. The kind of land that one visited only in nightmares. Battle had the misfortune however of visiting this place in life too. He often prayed he would never have to visit such a place again, but it was a wasted venture. It seemed almost every other night he returned to this place to face some inner demon.
Battle was unaware of this land's history, but the fate that had befallen its people had been left for all time.
Frozen statues as far as he could see. Ponies locked in a position of malice and fear. All of whom looked ancient, sickly, hungry. There was hatred in their eyes and contempt in their hearts. Earth ponies, frozen trying to salvage some food from their failed, frosted crops. Unicorns, trying to use their magic to keep the bittern cold from their bones. Here and there he saw the shattered remains of a pegasus who had been caught in mid-flight attempting to dispel the blizzard.
Such was the fate that befell those who suffered a Windigo's power.
Battle had had the good fortune of never actually seeing a Windigo, but had seen the effects of the lands they called their homes. The beasts of ice and cold fed on bitterness and hate, leaving nothing but ice and death in their ethereal wake.
Battle walked through the frosted lands and glanced at the remnants of such an old civilisation. Pity consumed him, though this was not the first time he had seen these scenes and it would not be the last time, he was sure of that.
Preferring to get things over with rather than wait it out, Battle began to climb over the crest of a snowy dune and crunched through bitter cold. He was dimly aware he was fully clothed, though he knew it would not matter. Where he was going, terror would find him no matter what he wore.
Battle climbed over the icy bank and looked out over a flat, harsh plain. The ice was no longer clean here and the forgotten and frozen dead were no longer present. The scene before him was like something out of a brutal and sadistic nightmare. A sight which only the most tormented and insane of ponies could conjure.
What might have been most shocking to an outsider, would have been to learn of its authenticity. This place was real. It existed; the final, ugly blot on this already dark and bleak landscape.
A field of death and gore lay spread before Battle. Ponies, garbed in black and golden armour lay in positions of the most gruesome deaths imaginable. The clear ice was stained a permanent red, so dark it was almost black; the blood that had been spilled now an eternal fixture in the land. The bodies that remained had been preserved somewhat by the cold, the frozen faces blue with death, and red with blood.
Battle found himself making his uneven way between the corpses, his morbid journey one of alarming familiarity. It would always go this way. He would pick his way slowly through the battle field, awaiting some torture he knew deep in his heart he deserved.
He tried not to look at the bodies around him though he knew it was impossible. Flashes of horrific deaths flashed past his eyes. Pegasi with their wings torn and mangled, unicorns with their throats slit and earth ponies near trampled under foot. Battle was accustomed to such violence. He had seen and done equally twisted things. After all, what could one expect of a pony with a Cutie Mark such as his?
A small frown came to his lips and he paused to turn on the spot. It was usually at this point in his dreams that he would encounter some beast or demon, or the dead soldiers that lay around him would rise again and consume him in his entirety. This... lack of torment made him nervous. His expectations had always been the same of this place and each time he visited those expectations came to pass with chilling clarity. But now? It was almost as if he was being toyed with, as if he were being mocked.
It frightened him.
Unsure of what to do, he continued his silent walk, wary now for the first time in many moons. Deeper and deeper into the forest of the dead he walked, his nervous disposition growing more powerful. This new form of torture was particularly menacing. Such a lengthy build up would surely have a devastating pay-off.
He reached the edge of the battlefield and still there was no sign of any terrors. Not among the dead at any rate.
Battle found his eyes being dragged to a glacier wall in the distance. His blood ran cold at the all too familiar site. A set of double doors, sixty feet high and forty feet wide, it was a doorway for a giant, constructed out of a strange, gold like metal that shone with faux light and another, more humble substance, a white material that shone stark against the ice beside it. Battle knew what both material's were. Bone and shadow metal, each engraved with powerful runes and wards designed to keep whatever remained behind the doors trapped for eternity. Huge metal chains hung limply by the doors sides. The chains, Battle knew, had once been stretched across both doors, as further incentive to keep them closed. A large, bone symbol had been left on the doors. A wicked hook-like coil wrapped around a slanted, bestial eye.
Battle's breath caught in his throat as he saw the gates. For a moment time seemed unimportant, space unreal. Battle felt his mind start to unravel at the sight of the door, the open jaws of madness threatening to consume him as sheer terror gripped his heart. He forced the feelings of fear and madness back and held a hand to his head, squinting malevolently.
He slowly began to make his way closer to the giant doors, his jaw locked, his heart hammering a bruise onto the inside of his ribcage. Time seemed to stretch and warp the closer he got to his destination, his navy blue eyes quivering in his head It Somehow he reached the foot of the great cavernous barrier and stopped. Darkness leaked out of the crack between the doors. Pure unfiltered evil.
Battle took a shuddering breath. He could feel it in his bones. The door wouldn't hold the beast behind them back for long. Something had happened. Something had unbalanced the enchantments that held it in place.
With this thought, realisation came crashing down upon Battle. His resolve shattered and he stumbled backwards, mind reeling, gibbering incoherently. This was his nightmare. His greatest fear realized. The Gates of Wrath would open once more and the beast that lay beyond would break free seeking hatred, seeking blood, seeking revenge... seeking Battle.
Battle screamed in terror, a scream that shattered the silence and the ice. A scream that reverberated into life. A scream that made the doors before him tremble, as the beast beyond laughed with bitterness...
Battle lashed out, sitting bolt upright, eyes wide, heart pounding against his rips. He was drenched in cold, icy sweet that clung to his body and doused him in cold. His eyes strained to pierce the darkness as he slowly readjusted himself into the real world. He sighed, his throat raw from the scream that had just escaped as he had awoken. His horn bathed light to the room once again as he put his head in his hands and began to think.
That was no ordinary nightmare. That was a warning, a message that what he feared most would soon come to pass... if it hadn't already.
Battle gulped at that thought and curled up, shivering with cold sweat and terror. It would be a long time 'til morning.
Chapter Six: First Day
Battle sat in the kitchen of the library, slumped over a steaming cup of coffee. He had spent ages trying to fall asleep in the basement but it evaded him. Taunted him, mocked him. The nightmares wouldn't go away. That was for certain. His nights would be haunted by the omnipresence and omnipotence of the horrific images that stalked his mind. He groaned and knocked back a deep gulp of the bitter drink, kicking his mind back to full consciousness. Sleep had been his main concern as of late. It seemed no matter what he tried he couldn't get a decent night's rest.
Even as he thought about his insomnia, images bulldozed their way into his minds. Flashes of things that he could no longer tell if they were real splintered fragments of memory, or just distorted figments of his own tortured imagination.
Shattered bones, broken shields, mauled and mutilated corpse, screams of agony, a cold, dark laugh, the Gates of Wrath... such bloodshed...
Battle clapped his hands over his ears and screwed up his eyes. It was bad enough he had to dwell on these thoughts during his nightmares, without having to visit them during the day too.
"I thought Luna was supposed to deal with nightmares," he grumbled softly to himself.
Princess Luna, fellow ruler of Equestria, regent of the very moon and the alicorn who brought about the very night. Battle had heard that she also protected the dreams of the people of Equestria, guarding their sleep by providing dreams, and chasing away nightmares. Yet his night had been no different. An hour or so of a confused, half sleep-like state, before descending into hell, even for only a little while, and to return, unable to sleep again.
He lifted his cup to his eye and stared into it, noticing the distinct lack of coffee in the bottom. Battle sighed and set the mug down again, rubbing his face with his hands, staring out from between the gaps in his fingers. As he sat, a familiar, chilling thought came into his head.
It was all your fault.
He gripped his head by the hair, eyes manic, tears welling uo at the corners of his eyes.
Too hard... you pushed them too hard.
Battle pushed himself away from the table and got to his feet, staggering to the bathroom. He slammed the door shut behind him and leaned over the sink. He was shaking now, the oncomings of depressive episode already threatening to consume him. He leaned over the sink and took deep, shuddering breaths. He could taste bile on his tongue as he fought the urge to vomit. Gripping the sink as hard as he could, he choked back the sick trying to force its way up his throat. After several, deep swallows, he managed to keep his food down, though he continued to shake violently.
"Pathetic," a voice said. His voice.
Battle looked up into the mirror over the sink. It was his reflection, but at the same time it wasn't his reflection. A distorted image conjured from his own cracked mind. His reflection stared back at him, smug, coy and callous. His black and gold armour was drenched in blood and gore and the eyes that glared at him were hard and unforgiving, but filled with sadistic mirth. Now Battle really was going to be sick. He leaned forward and emptied his stomach into the sink, a horrible retching sound filling the small room. He slumped slightly as he continued to shake as his not-reflection stood over him, mocking.
"Oh how the mighty have fallen," he chuckled.
"You... aren't... real," Battle sputtered as he forced himself upright, wiping the sick off of his mouth on the back of his hand.
"But does that make the words I speak any less true?" the reflection asked. Battle didn't answer. The reflection smiled. "If they had been better prepared... if you hadn't been so eager, so terrified... so... weak ... then they might still be alive."
"Shut-up," Battle growled.
"Jumping head first into trouble without even thinking of the consequences," the reflection taunted.
"I said shut-up," Battle growled more forcefully.
"You poor, pathetic foal," the reflection teased. "He's coming back you know. How does it feel? To know you led the lambs to the slaughter for nothing! How will you fair this time I wonder? Will you triumph again? Or will you run? Run away and hide because the monster is coming, like the weak, snivelling pathetic-"
The glass shattered around Battle's fist in a shower of jagged shards and droplets of blood. He staggered back and slumped against the wall, ignoring the dull throb of pain in his hand as blood trickled down his fingers from the cuts where the glass had cut into his knuckles. Little by little the shaking died down and Battle began to calm down. He shook his head to clear the last remnants of what happened from his mind. He hadn't had an episode quite like that in a long while. His horn glowed brightly as the pieces of the mirror flew back together and fixed into place on the wall. He pushed himself to his feet and washed away the sick in the sink before he left the bathroom, wrapping his wounded hand in toilet paper.
"I should get myself committed," Battle joked half-heartedly.
"Battle?"
He looked up as he saw Spike standing their, rubbing his eyes and looking at him.
"Oh, hey Spike," Battle said, smiling.
"What happened to your hand?" Spike asked sleepily.
Battle feigned embarrassment as he lied: "I punched the wall in my sleep."
Spike blinked.
"Strong punch."
"Thank you," Battle said. The two stood staring at each other for a while.
"Want some breakfast?" Battle asked.
"I'd love some!" Spike cried.
Battle's idea of 'breakfast', consisted of three heaping plates of waffles, smothered in chocolate sauce and strawberries. Not that Spike complained. With a hearty smile, Spike swallowed the first of the waffles in one, large bite. Battle smiled and started eating his own pile of waffles. Spike swalloed at looked down at the waffle's eyes wide.
"Problem?" Battle asked.
"These are the best waffles I have ever eater!" Spike cried, abandoning knife and fork, he tipped the plate up and the contents slid into his mouth. Battle chuckled as Twilight stepped into the kitchen.
"You look pretty good," Twilight said as she looked at Battle.
"Come again?"
"Aren't you a little bit hung over?" she asked. Battle rolled his eyes in understanding.
"Heavy-weight," he said simply. He motioned over to the third plate of waffles. "Breakfast if you want it."
Twilight looked over at it. "You made that?"
"Yeah. Couldn't get back to sleep so I decided to make breakfast just as Spike woke up."
"After you finished bandaging your hand with toilet paper," Spike piped up.
"What?" Twilight asked.
"I punched the wall in my sleep," Battle said, lifting his bandaged hand.
"You must have some pretty violent dreams," Twilight said as she started on her own breakfast.
"Believe me you have no idea."
Twilight decided that it would be better not to press the matter, instead preferring to admonish Spike for the manner in which he was cleaning his plate... with his tongue. Battle merely shook his head and smiled.
After Twilight finished her rant at Spike, the young dragon looked at her.
"So what's the plan for today?" he asked Twilight.
"I'm not sure," Twilight said, sitting ponderously as she pushed a stray strawberry around her plate with her fork. "We were going to have a picnic for lunch with the girls but aside from that there isn't anything I can think that we desperately need to do." She turned to Battle. "Any ideas?"
Battle swallowed his last mouthful and nodded.
"I don't know about you but I need a knew wardrobe," Battle said,tugging at his shirt.
"Don't you have other clothes?" Twilight asked.
Battle shook his head. "Nothing but the clothes on my back."
Twilight rolled her eyes.
"You'll have to see Rarity about that," Twilight said. "She'll throw a fit when you tell her you've only got one outfit but she'll get you fixed up with a new wardrobe in no time."
"She'll expect payment right?" Battle said.
"Depends. She may do it as a favour, or she'll probably ask for one or two of those Drachma's," Twilight said.
"Drachma's are worth their weight in gold in nations like Equestria. I'm sure two Drachma's will easily cover the cost of a new wardrobe, even without a discount," Battle explained taking a Drachma from his pocket and flipping it in the air. He slapped his hand over it as it landed on the table. "Heads," he muttered, lifting his hand away. "Guess I'll be going to Rarity's."
"See anything you like?" Rarity asked,
"You mean between well-mannered everyday stallion and fancy-pants? No, not really," Battle replied, flicking through some of the designs in Rarity's catalogue.
Rarity pouted. "You don't have to be rude."
"Apologies, didn't mean to insult," Battle replied. "It's just, look at me Rarity. Do I fit either of those two categories?"
Rarity looked Battle up and down and bit her lip. "No," she finally admitted. "You're a bit more... roguish. Like Rainbow Dash but more fitting for a stallion."
"I should hope so I am one," Battle chuckled.
Rarity smiled again.
"Well, if that's what you want I suppose the customer is always right," she sighed. "Let's take your measurements then. Can't make a wardrobe without knowing the sizes."
Battle smiled as he followed Rarity to a small podium. He climbed up onto it and stretched his arms out as Rarity began to measure their lengths.
"So was this the fashion back where you came from?" she asked, indicating what he was currently wearing.
"I wear what I will," Battle replied simply. "It isn't a trend but even if it was I'd still wear it. Not out of a need to e accepted but simply 'cause I do what I like."
Rarity nodded as she started to measure Battle's torso, making a note of her previous measurement in her notepad with her magic.
"So you're an against the flow kind of stallion?" Rarity asked.
Battle shrugged. Rarity scowled at him as she lost her place and tried once more to measure Battle's torso. Battle smiled apologetically.
"You mentioned you were a sort of doctor?" Rarity said, trying to strike up a conversation once again with Battle.
"Yeah, so?"
"You're a bit young aren't you?"
"Aren't you a bit young to have your own boutique?" Battle returned, smiling.
"This is the art of the dress- er, suit," Rarity said. "It is my passion."
"Fair enough," Battle said.
"Back to my point then," Rarity muttered, measuring Battle's waist. "Unless medicine is your passion I'm curious as to how such a young stallion could be in the medical practices. I mean, how old are you for a start?"
"Bit of a personal question don't you think Miss Rarity?" Battle chuckled as Rarity started measuring his outer leg.
"Just answer the question darling."
"Twenty four if you must know," Battle replied.
"Twenty four and already a doctor," Rarity muttered. "It isn't even your special talent as far as I can tell."
"I'm a type of medical practitioner," Battle reminded her. "I don't have a degree in medicine or anything. I know enough to get me by and help a pony out in a crisis."
"Hmmm," Rarity hummed as she measured Battle's inner leg.
"And since we're on the subject of young, how old is Twilight?"
"Twenty one, why do you ask?"
"You think it odd I'm three years older than her and have an interest in things outside my special talent, yet she's a princess of Equestria?"
"Point taken," Rarity agreed, standing up again. "I think I have enough to be getting on with at the moment."
"How much is this going to cost?" Battle asked.
"Oh my dear Battle," Rarity exclaimed. "You have no clothes aside from the ones on your back and you think I would force you to pay ? I insist on creating your new wardrobe for you for free... besides your request presents me with a challenge, something I always enjoy."
Battle smiled before he threw something to Rarity. The unicorn caught it with her magic and lifted it to her gaze. A drachma. Her eyes bugged and she looked at Battle amazed.
"I insist on paying," Battle said grinning. Rarity looked at the drachma before plucking it from the air and slipping it into her pocket, winking at Battle.
"Such a gentleman," she said. She looked at the clock and gasped. "Goodness where has the time gone? I was supposed to meet the girls for the picnic ten minutes ago!" She looked at Battle. "I'll have to start on some other time. I have to go."
"Understandable," Battle said, walking for the door. "I shall see you at a later date then."
"Yes, right. Goodbye!" Rarity cried as she flew out the door. Battle followed after her and shook his head.
Chapter Seven: Night-Watch
Chapter Seven: Night-Watch
Battle leaned over the library balcony, looking up at Luna's moon, rubbing sleep from his eyes. Another night without sleep. The nightmare he had had was more or less the same as the one he'd experienced the previous night. This was not an unusual occurrence. Often the same terrors crept up on him in his nightmares. Still, this never happened on consecutive nights.
He sighed and looked over his shoulder at the door back into the library. With a shimmer of silver magic he locked it behind him. Battle sighed and rolled his neck and shoulders as he planted his hands firmly on the railing before him. With a quick, steadying exhale, Battle vaulted over the balcony railings and dropped like a stone to the street below. Landing in a cat-like crouch, Battle straightened up and turned up the collar of his dark coat and started down the street.
Ponyville, Battle noticed, was nearly just as active at night as it was in the day. In the light of the moon he could just about make out a vivid pink blur in the distance, bouncing from rooftop to rooftop. Battle paused as he watched Pinkie cartwheel through the air and drop into the chimney of Sugar Cube Corner. He thought little of it, already growing used to the pink mare's antics. As he wandered through the town he heard the distinctive 'wubs' of Vinyl Scratch in one of the town's clubs, accompanied by the cheers and whoops of the ponies dancing to the DJ's music.
Battle rolled his neck and looked around. When he was certain no one was nearby he broke into a sprint, racing towards a nearby building. He jumped at the wall and scrambled up, grabbing the second story window ledge with one hand. Raising his other hand to grab it, he planted his feet on the wall and pushed up the wall and managed to grasp the edge of the roof and pulling himself up onto it. He raced up the slanted roof and over the other side, leaping to the next roof when he reached the edge.
Battle felt a smile creep across his lips as he raced from rooftop to rooftop, enjoying the speed, the freedom and the challenge. Granted it wasn't much of a challenge but it was a way to spend an evening. Even if somepony were to see him, they would assume he was Pinkie simply being Pinkie.
Battle paused when he reached the roof of the town hall. He took a deep breath in through his nose and laid back on the roof, placing his hands under his head and closing his eyes. Though he couldn't find peace in his sleep, it was a small comfort to him that he could find a rare moment of peace while he was awake.
A scream pierced the night.
Battle sat bolt upright, ears twitching, trying to figure out the source of the cry. It came again, louder and clearer, easily traceable. Battle leaped to his feet and jumped from the rooftop and landed in a roll. He raced through the streets, towards the source of the screams. If somepony was in trouble, he may as well come to their rescue. He sighed at his own apathy. He really needed to get some proper sleep one of these nights.
He slid into the alley where the screams had come from. The houses that bordered this alley were so close that the roofs blocked out the light of the moon from above, making the shadows between them almost absolute. Battle's horn began to glow as he stepped into the darkness, bathing him in a silver light. He could hear movement deeper in the alley and quiet whimpers. Battle's horn glowed brighter as he stepped further in. The sight that met his eyes was one of eerie familiarity.
A mare was lying curled on the ground before a stallion, eyes wide and filled with tears. It was not this that caught Battle's attention however. The stallion's eyes were blank a black clear white, devoid of iris and pupil. Curved markings as black as ink that twisted and turned, almost like they were a single living entity, lined his face and his bare arms. His Cutie Mark pulsed with a dull, evil red light and his horn has a series of dark, cracks set into its surface.
Battle's eyes widened at the sight. He had seen this before. This transformation, this vile corruption of a pony's mind and soul.
The stallion looked at him, his black eyes narrowing by a fraction. Battle took a step closer, his own eyes locked into the stallion's blank ones. He was vividly aware of the knife he held in one hand.
"This doesn't concern you," the stallion said, his voice laced with a darker, venomous tone.
"I think you'll find it does," Battle said, his voice filled with melancholy. "And for what it's worth, I am truly sorry for what has happened to you."
"Your words mean little to me," replied the stallion. Battle turned his attention to the mare.
"Go," he said simply.
She nodded and scrambled to her feet, rushing past the stallion and out of the alley past Battle. The stallion scowled but let her be. He stared at Battle, his Cutie Mark glowing brighter.
"You have some nerve interrupting my... feed," the stallion chuckled.
"I'll give you one chance and one chance only," Battle said harshly. "Let that pony go."
"I already did didn't I?" the stallion scowled.
"Not the pony I was talking about," Battle replied.
The stallion raised an eyebrow and smiled.
"Well well," he said. "Somepony in Equestria has knowledge of the Sins."
"I guess you could say that," Battle said. "I also know that the Sins cannot posses a pony with a will of their own. Which means you no longer have your own will." Battle's eyes narrowed further still. "Which means you must have died."
For a moment the markings flickered and the stallion stared at Battle with his own eyes.
"Help me, please," he begged.
"There is no help for the dead," Battle said, hanging his head in sorrow.
The markings on the stallion returned and his eyes narrowed as he leaped forward, raising the knife to slash at Battle. Battle stepped sideways and the stallion blundered past. He kicked the stallion's legs out from under him, causing him to fall to the ground on his back. The stallion glared at Battle as he knelt by his head, right hand pressed against his Cutie Mark. Silver binding's pinned his arms to his sides, forcing the knife to clatter to the ground. Battle sighed.
"I'm sorry you had to suffer this fate," he said sincerely. The stallion looked at him with vehemence. Battle ignored the hatred that he was regarded with and concentrated on the spell he was casting. It was a complex enchantment designed to banish darkness and evil from a pony consumed by its vile embrace. The only true way to save one from the corruption of the Sins.
Battle's horn glowed brighter still, the silver aura that enveloped it spreading down his neck, over his right shoulder and down his arm to his hand. The stallion stiffened as the magic touched his Cutie Mark. The black markings on his body began to writhe like serpents in agony and the cracks on his horn glowed white hot. Battle's eyes screwed up in concentration as he began to purge the stallion from the evil that had possessed him.
The markings began to disappear, wafting off of the skin in a dark mist and the cracks began to heal. The red glow that covered his Cutie Mark began to fade too and soon the stallion was looking at Battle with his own eyes once more. His breath caught his his throat, his eyes widened and sweat began to pour from his skin.
"What... what's happening?" he chocked.
"There's no easy way to say this," Battle sighed. "You're dying... again."
"How can I be dying again ?" the stallion asked, eyes wide with fear.
"Because someone made you an offer," Battle explained. "In your final moments someone offered you another chance to live. Which you accepted, unaware of the price you would have to pay."
The stallion's eyes widened.
"I... I remember," he whispered. "Oh Celestia. What did I do?"
"Nothing that harmed any pony else as far as I know," Battle said. "You're free now, that's the main thing. What's your name?"
"I'm Crew Cut... I run the local salon," he said.
"Nice to meet you Crew Cut, I'm Battle Ready," Battle said smiling.
"I'm scared," Crew whispered.
"That's understandable," Battle sympathized. "A fear of death is natural when you have so much to live for." Battle's eyes narrowed slightly. "But it should not come at the cost of who you are. Better to die free than live enslaved."
Crew Cut nodded slowly, his breathing becoming shallower and shallower.
"I saw you," he whispered. "In his mind. He's... he's looking for you."
Battle stiffened slightly at that.
"I know," he murmured. "And I'm sorry you had to see whatever horrors he has in store."
Crew looked at Battle, took a final shuddering breath, and was still. The lights in his eyes faded. Battle released the bonds that had held him and bowed his head.
"Live long," he whispered, "Die proud. Requiescant in pace Crew Cut."
He got to his feet and left the body of the stallion behind. It would be discovered soon enough he knew. And besides, it was disrespectful to move the corpse of a fallen warrior without the families permission. Though Crew Cut was not a warrior, he had had the strength to fight through the evil enchantments that corrupted him. That was something to be admired.
Battle looked up at Luna's moon as he stepped back out into the street. If ponies were already falling under the spells of the Sins, his worst fears had already been realized.
Wrath was free.
Chapter Eight: Tactical
It had been a month since Battle arrived in Ponyville. In that time most of the town had forgotten about his seemingly secret foreign past and had embraced the new pony into their town and lives. As Battle had mentioned he did have a strange knowledge of medicine that resulted in the pony becoming an assistant at the Ponyville hospital. He had a bizarre way of treating some of the more obscure and less well known diseases and injuries that regular Ponyville doctors were uncertain about and had previously had to consult the zebra Zecora about how to treat them. Battle had even become good friends with the bearers of the Elements of Harmony, the first six mares he had ever really met in Equestria.
It seemed everything was fine in Ponyville.
...
Or almost fine.
Nopony talked about it. Nopony mentioned it. Everypony was terrified of it though. A serious of random and violent attacks had been carried out on citizens of Ponyville. The authorities believed them to be the work of the same individual or group as they each had the same modus operandi. The ponies attacked had been in isolated parts of Ponyville, alone at night, with some kind of small blade. Thankfully nopony had been seriously hurt as each account stated that a mysterious savior had appeared before things could become serious, though neither the attacker or savior had been identified. Even so everypony was on edge.
Especially Battle Ready.
Not only did he seem increasingly worried about the attacks going around Ponyville, but he looked worse and worse each time a pony saw him. There were dark circles under his eyes and heavy bags too. His eyes themselves were blotchy and bloodshot and his mane often seemed tousled and under-cared for, something Rarity often commented on. It reminded Twilight of when Applejack had attempted to complete a whole apple-bucking season without any help whatsoever. Like he was slowly being run-down into the ground. It may have been the late shifts he pulled at the hospital, or the surprisingly early time at which he started his days.
Whatever it was, Battle looked like he was running low on batteries.
That didn't stop him however from enjoying a day with friends.
"Sarsaparilla?"
"Check."
"Cupcakes?"
"Check."
"Anti-Pinkie systems?"
"Check... if there can be such a thing," Spike added quietly, dropping the scroll he had been writing on to the floor. "Man I can't believe Twilight made a checklist for all the stuff you have to bring to the picnic."
"Me neither," Battle said, eyeing the picnic basket. "Is she always this picky about organisation?"
"Yeah," Spike sighed. "Even before she was a princess."
"Damn that girl needs to relax," Battle chuckled to himself.
"Tell me about it," Spike said as Battle picked up the basket.
"I thought I just did," Battle smirked, before frowning. "You know I get the feeling Twilight'd vaporize us on the spot is she caught us discussing her like this."
"Oh yeah," Spike said smiling. " Better make the most of it while we can though right? Did I tell you she once lifted an Ursa Minor from Ponyville back to the Everfree Forest?"
"Twice. Shall we move out then?"
"But, what about Twilight?" Spike protested.
"She said for us to leave when ready even if she wasn't back," Battle reminded. "Besides she knows where we're meeting up, she'll catch up when she gets back."
"And if she's mad at us for leaving her behind?"
"Then I'll take the blame... and the wrath."
"Gutsy move," Spike said as Battle opened the door.
"Believe me Spike I have felt far worse treatments than Twilight," Battle smiled as the two left the library. Spike laughed as Battle closed the door behind them. Battle's smile receded slightly, as he locked the library door. "I wasn't kidding," he murmured quietly.
"You say something?" Spike asked.
"Nothing," Battle said quickly. "Let's go. Wouldn't want to keep Rarity waiting would we?"
Spike blushed as he and Battle set off to the Ponyville park.
"So when did Battle say he an' Spike were gettin' here?" Applejack asked the group at large taking a bite of an apple as she finished.
"You never know with Battle," Dash asked.
"Like how you didn't know he was gonna whoop ya'll at cider drinking," Applejack smirked.
Dash bristled, before muttering something about stallions. They were sat under the shade of a large oak tree on top of a hill. A large red and white checkered blanket covered the ground, two wicker baskets on the ground in the center. Rarity lay on a sunbed she had brought and set up just outside of the shade, her own personal selection of foods and drinks besides her in a stylish white basket. Dash was lounging on one of the lower branches of the tree, arm dangling down trailing through the air. Fluttershy was kneeling on the edge of the blanket and was tending to some local animals and Applejack was lying back, resting on her elbows. Pinkie was rushing round the hill, chasing squirrels.
"I just hope he's wearing that new ensemble I made for him last week," Rarity said, starring at the sky from her sunbed just outside of the leafy shade. "It took me forever to find the appropriate materials for that jacket."
"I'm just happy Battle managed to get time off of work to come to the picnic and meet us!" Pinkie beamed. "I mean, isn't that neeto?"
"It's nice," Fluttershy whispered, smiling from beneath he hair, a tiny rabbit nibbling at her fingers.
"Oi oi, see you started without us," called a voice from down the hill. "Wonderful to know you five have such wonderful patience."
Battle set his basket down next to the others as Spike sat cross-legged on the blanket, rooting through the basket and pulling out a bottle of sarsaparilla and twisting the cap off. Battle swiped a bottle for himself and leaned against the oak tree itself as he twisted the cap off and took a swig. Rarity sat up and lifted her sunglasses off of her snout to glance over at Battle.
"I see you're wearing your latest addition to the wardrobe," she said appreciatively.
Battle smiled and rolled his shoulders, the faux-leather of his crimson jacket creaking slightly as it moved over his dark grey t-shirt. Rarity was a little irked that Battle had not chosen to wear the new shoes she had designed for the outfit, preferring instead to wear his own dusty walking boots, but she was thankful Battle had chosen to wear the black jeans she had crafted.
"What can I say?" Battle smiled, "It's a snazy jacket."
"And how fetching it looks on you too darling," Rarity winked.
"Moving on from the fru-fru," Applejack said loudly. "Anypony know when Twilight's supposed to get back?"
"Celestia said she'd send a letter when Twilight leaves from Canterlot," Spike said. "But she also said diplomatic relations were going... slowly."
"How'd you mean?" Dash asked, changing position in the tree.
"According to Celestia," Battle said. "The diplomat Twilight's dealing with is awkward in terms of suiting others needs, arrogant and prefers to be the one talking."
"Why're we dealing him and his government then?" Dash asked. "Blow 'em off I say."
"Rainbow," Applejack reprimanded. "Equestria is a nation of harmony. Of love and tolerance. While this guy maybe acting kind of a jerk, there's gotta be a reason why we're putting up with him."
"Her ," Spike and Battle corrected.
"Beg pardon? Applejack said, dumbfounded.
"The letters Celestia and Twilight sent specifically label this diplomat a mare," Battle explained, Spike's cheeks ballooning outwards. He let out a great belch of glittering ash that smelled of sarsaparilla. He blushed as he picked up the scroll that had formed and unraveled it.
"Dear Spike," he dictated. "I hope you'll be pleased to know that the diplomatic relations have now drawn to a close, and Twilight should be arriving with you at any moment. Do expect her to be in a one of her, less pleasant moods, as the meetings have taken their hold on my dear student. Relaxation with friends is what she needs right now Spike, which I'm sure you can arrange. From Princess Celestia."
"She's on her way," Battle commented. "Brace for impact."
"Oh come darling," Rarity sighed, lying back on the sunbed. "I'm sure the Princess is just exaggerating."
"Yeah, sure," Battle muttered.
A flash a pink and white light blinded them all for a moment. The light became more humble as it twisted into the shape of Twilight's Cutie Mark. It pulsed for several seconds before it burst in a shower of purple sparks. Twilight stood where the star had been, looking almost as bad as Battle, only much, much irritated.
"Darling you look absolutely awful," Rarity commented. "What have you been doing with your mane?"
"Nothing," Twilight sighed stumbling onto the rug and picking up her own bottle of sarsaparilla. "I haven't had any time to fix it outside of sleeping and eating." She frowned as she sat down. "That mare was the most difficult and arrogant person I have ever had the misfortune of meeting."
"Need me to go say something sugar cube?" Applejack asked.
"Thanks AJ, but no," Twilight sighed. "I don't know what King Veteran was thinking sending her for diplomacy."
Battle raised an eyebrow.
"King Veteran?" Dash asked.
"Veteran Centurian the King of Warhorse and its empire," Twilight explained. "With his new diplomatic adviser being his daughter, Princess Tactical."
Battle spat out a mouthful of Sarsaparilla.
"I'm sorry could you repeat that?" he asked, looking at Twilight, shaking with repressed laughter.
"Princess Tactical," Twilight said slower. "The unicorn princess of Warhorse... and most annoying pony I've ever met."
Yep, that's Tactical alright , Battle thought to himself, still shaking with laughter.
"Does Tactical mean something to you?" Twilight asked, narrowing her eyes.
"Nope," Battle lied easily.
Twilight narrowed her eyes even more, though she didn't press the point. She had since learnt that Battle's past was something he avoided talking about, either through evasion, or lies. Twilight knew when Battle was lying by now, and knew he only lied when he didn't want to talk about the subject.
"So anyway," Battle said, "What did your new BFF want?"
"There is no way in Tartarus that she will ever be my friend," Twilight shuddered. "She's worse than Trixie."
"I'm going to pretend I know who that is and just move on," Battle said.
"What was so bad about her?" Dash asked.
"What was good about her? That's the shorter answer!" Twilight cried, throwing her hands in the air. "I don't think I've ever met such an arrogant, self-centered, egotistical, insensitive and harsh pony in all my life!"
Definitely Tactical , Battle thought smiling.
"She was less interested in trying to get my opinions on Warhorse politics and instead she wanted to tell me how we should run Equestria!" Twilight cried. "Said 'Equestria was too docile,' or something like that."
"The absolute cheek!" Rarity exclaimed, sitting upright, lifting her sunglasses off of her face, scowling. "Such brutish pony's should not comment on how Equestria is ruled."
"There not brute's Rarity," Twilight sighed, Battle scowling at the alabaster unicorn. "They're a race of honorable warriors. It's just a case that some of them are not as humble and kind as the rest."
Twilight smiled bitterly. "Not that you could call Tactical a warrior."
Damn right you can't , Battle agreed.
"What the hay does that mean?" Dash asked.
"Warhorse is a nation of warriors. To be in the military is considered an honor over there. So much so that the officers can even outrank the nobility. In fact most of the officers do outrank Tactical. She barely has a place in Warhorse politics."
"Then why did they send her of all ponies?" Applejack asked. "If she ain't important why'd they send her?"
"Because of her ego I assume," Twilight shrugged. "Or perhaps they wanted to make an impression. Their last diplomat was commander in chief of the empire's entire armies."
"Does he outrank the king then?" Dash asked.
Battle snorted but passed it off as a sneeze. Hardly .
"Not really Dash," Twilight said. "Traditionally the eldest child of the current monarch is commander of the armies until they earn the right to be crowned King. Being crowned King is like a leave of service rolled with a promotion."
"So when you say their previous diplomat was the commander of their armies?" Dash said slowly, "You're saying that it was the Prince of Warhorse?"
Twilight blinked.
"I never thought about it like that," she said slowly.
"You knew their traditions yet you didn't put that the commander of Warhorse's armies may most likely also be their Prince?" Battle said, skeptical. And here I thought she was smart .
Twilight blushed slightly. "I wasn't really paying attention to what he was as a political figure. We managed to get more diplomatic issues resolved in one hour than... Tactical and I did, in three days. Not to mention he was polite, sweet... charming..."
Twilight appeared to have drifted off into a dream-like state, her eyes glazed over. Rarity's eyes however bugged in her head as the penny dropped. A sly smile crept over Dash's face as she too realized Twilight's dreamy expression.
"Oh my Celestia!" Rarity exclaimed, "You have a crush on the Prince of Warhorse!"
"Huh? Twilight has a crush on who!?" an ecstatic Pinkie zipped up the hill and was hanging off Dash's branch by her legs.
"Twilight's got a crush on the Prince of Warhorse!" Dash guffawed madly, kicking her legs in the air.
"I do not!" Twilight defended adamantly.
"It's like something out of a fairy tail!" Rarity squealed.
"I never thought I'd see the day Twilight would go all googly eyes for some pony," Applejack chuckled.
"I am not googly eyes for some Prince!" Twilight shouted, blushing madly.
"Um girls," Fluttershy whispered.
"Twilight any Prince would be lucky to have you as a romantic interest," Rarity insisted.
"Girls..."
"I'm not romantically attracted to the guy!" Twilight cried.
Battle smiled, before glancing over to Fluttershy.
"What's the matter 'Shy?" Battle asked. Fluttershy looked up and pointed timidly down the hill, the other girls still arguing Twilight's romantic interests. Battle followed her gaze and scowled.
Princess Celestia was adamantly arguing with a shorter, grey green unicorn mare with silver hair and navy blue eyes. Her Cutie Mark was a map emblazoned with a pair of mathematical compass.. Battle sighed. He could recognize who the Princess was arguing with and could probably guess what it was about. He straightened up and patted Fluttershy on the shoulder.
"I'll see to it," Battle said.
He walked down the hill towards the two arguing unicorns. As he got closer he could start to make out some of the phrases being thrown about.
"Enough is enough!" Celestia was saying. "You have badgered and pestered her enough."
"I still have diplomatic issues to discuss with my designated liaison," the other unicorn countered. "Since you yourself claim to be too busy, you insist I talk though your middle man."
"I assure you Twilight Sparkle is quite able to make decisions and judgments for the good of Equestria and indeed for Warhorse on her own," Celestia said coolly.
"That filly has only been a Princess of this land for a year," the unicorn snapped. "What possible experience can she have that I do not?"
"I can safely say she most likely has more experience of battle than you," Battle called as he approached.
Celestia and the other unicorn turned to Battle. Celetia's eyes widened slightly, while the other unicorn's mouth dropped open. Battle smiled slightly as he reverted to a brisk, intimidating march.
"So, what's the problem here?" he asked, stopping by Celestia, thumbs linked behind his back, heels pressed together, back rigid. Celestia blinked before turning to the other unicorn.
"Princess Tactical is demanding to see Twilight Sparkle over more trivial matters," Celestia replied. "Given the length of time it has taken the two of them to get to through the most basic of matters, I believe Twilight deserves a days rest." She glared at Tactical. "And perhaps that Princess Tactical requires a return to Warhorse before our next diplomatic summit."
"And what do you have to say to this?" Battle asked Tactical. Tactical bit her lip and scowled at Battle. "Well if that's your response I think Princess Celestia is right."
"But-" Tactical started.
"I don't think I gave you an order to talk," Battle snapped, his eyes turning dark. "If you don't have anything useful to say, I think you should leave Princess Sparkle alone for the time being. After all you have irritated her enough for the past three days, I think you both deserve a few days rest."
Tactical glowered at him before her horn glowed bronze and disappeared. Celestia sighed and pinched her nose.
"It appears I owe you once more Battle," she said smiling weakly.
"Don't mention it," he said smiling. He pressed his fist against his chest in salute. "Pleasure to see you again Celestia."
"And you Battle," she said. "I hope you are enjoying your time in Ponyville."
"I should hardly be surprised you knew I was here," Battle sighed closing his eyes.
Celestia glanced up at the top of the hill and nodded. "I shall allow you to enjoy your day. I once again have to thank you for your assistance... for my behalf and Twilight's."
"Don't mention it," Battle said, waving Celestia goodbye.
"And Battle?"
"Aye?"
Celestia looked at him with sad eyes. "You should really get some sleep."
"Tell that to your sister," Battle sighed, turning to march slowly back up the hill. Celestia watched him go, eyes filled with sadness.
"I think I just might do that."
Chapter Nine: Witness
Rarity sighed as she wandered through the high-street of Ponyville. Luna's Moon was hidden behind a layer of clouds, threatening rain as lightning boiled and thunder rumbled. She bit her lip and added a bit more vigor to her step, wanting to get to the library and back to the boutique before it began to rain. Dash had mentioned earlier that Ponyville was due for a downpour tonight and that anypony caught out in the middle of it would be in serious trouble.
Rarity didn't want to be that anypony.
The library wasn't too far. She could even see it in the distance, several lights still throwing shafts of luminescence into the near-dark of the rest of the town. Rarity broke out into an almost full-run as she saw the library, eager to get out of the near pitch black shadows and pre-rain air about the town. She would be glad for the few moments of comfort being inside the library would bring her.
"Sure you're up for another late night Battle?" asked Nurse Red-Heart before she left, looking concernedly over the younger stallion. He looked half-asleep slumped over the desk.
"Wha?" he mumbled tiredly, before he shook himself awake. "Uh, yes of course ma'am. I'll keep an eye on things."
"Don't push yourself too hard dear," she said, smiling softly as she left.
"Goodnight Nurse," Battle called, waving farewell, smiling.
She gave a playful giggle as she walked out of the hospital's double-doors. Battle's smile fell as he turned to the security monitors. It would happen again tonight, he could feel it. His eyes alighted on the footage from 'Intensive Care'. Ponies who were either seriously injured or sick. Some ponies in there, were close to death.
Battle slammed his fist against the desk. The camera angle was useless. He could only see half the patients in the intensive care wing, the patients opposite the camera. Those underneath it were hidden. Provided they were still there of course.
Battle got to his feet and began stalking up the corridor, throwing open the door to the stairwell with magic as he approached it. He slid through the opening and began to bound up the steps. He needed to set up some kind of early warning system, he really did. It would save him rushing up the stairs every twenty minutes to check on the patients. Granted he had to do that anyway but that was part of the job.
Preventing deceased, reanimated and possessed patients from leaving the hospital was not in the job description.
"I have to say thanks once more Twilight," Rarity said as Twilight packed the last of her books into a bag for Rarity. "You have been most kind to get these together for me at such short notice Twilight."
"It's no problem, really," Twilight said, smiling. "It comes with the job of being a librarian after all."
She glanced out of the window and bit her lip in worry as the rain began to patter against the glass. Rarity looked outside too, looking nervous.
"You're welcome to spend the night if you want to Rarity," Twilight offered.
"Oh that's quite alright darling," Rarity waved off. "I'm afraid if I leave Sweetie Belle alone with the boutique for too long my orders for the Canterlot Elite will end up... well you get the picture."
"Okay," Twilight said cautiously, "Just be careful Rarity."
"I think I can handle a little bit of rain darling," Rarity scoffed.
"That wasn't what I was talking about," Twilight hissed. "They still haven't caught the pony that's been causing all of these attacks remember?"
"Oh come Twilight," Rarity laughed off, pulling an umbrella from her bag. "As if some brute of a stallion will find me? So long as I don't go anywhere I'm not supposed to, I'll be fine."
"Well, if your sure," Twilight muttered.
"Of course," Rarity said, opening the door and waving goodbye. "Goodnight Twilight."
Lightning framed the open window as rain poured in over the window-ledge. The pony had his hand grasping the window pane and was holding a scalpel in his other hand. Battle Ready watched him, panting after the chase. All the signs were there. The black markings, the white empty eyes and the pulsing, red Cutie Mark.
"We both know I'll find you," Battle said, stepping forward. "Better not expend pointless energy by running."
The pony laughed harshly. "Where's the fun in staying though?"
He jumped through the opened window. Battle cursed and ran to the window himself, his horn glowing with silver light as his white doctor's coat flickered and became his usual black jacket. He leaned out the window and peered into the darkness, before pursuing the possessed pony.
The rain was coming down hard and fast now, coalescing in large muddy puddles. Rarity tiptoed around the puddles as she made her way steadily home. She gave a small cry of despair when the wind tugged at her perfect mane, turning it into a mess. The wind was strong enough to knock her off balance for a few steps. She staggered down the road, but remained upright as she wandered through the dark street, lighting her way with the blue glow from her horn.
She leaned into the wind, trying to shield herself from the worst of the storm with her umbrella. Lightning flashed overhead, followed almost instantly by a booming clap of thunder. The air wreaked of ozone and rain water, something Rarity decided was not a good combination as she continued to slog her way through the increasingly muddy street. Perhaps she could still turn back to the library and take Twilight up on her offer to spend the night? Sweetie Belle couldn't do too much damage could she?
The thought of her sister alone in such a dreadful storm gave Rarity one more reason to press on regardless as she cursed herself for not waiting until morning to make her trip out to the library.
Rarity bit her lip and looked down one of the alleyways. Granted it would be safer to go through the main high-street, as Twilight was right the attacker was still out there. Then again, she wasn't very safe at the moment, given that she could be blown away at any moment and the longer she stayed out here the more she risked catching herself a cold.
Deciding that the pros far outweighed the cons, Rarity ducked down the alleyway. The wind died almost instantly, and the rain lessened considerably. Rarity smiled, believing she had made the right decision.
Something crashed above her. She looked up alarmed as she saw something large and dark twist and turn as came plummeting to the earth almost directly on top of her. She squealed and dashed forwards as whatever it was slammed into the ground in a splash of rain water behind her. She spun around and discovered that it was not one thing that had nearly fallen on her but two stallions that had been grappling mid-air and had now broken away from each other on contact with the ground.
The earth-pony stallion closest to her was the first to realize her presence. He was also the one she was most afraid of. His skin was marked with livid, moving black markings, like living tattoos. His veins were pulled to the surface from under his skin and pulsed with a sickly green glow and his Cutie Mark shone with an evil red light. His white empty eyes seemed to focus on Rarity's face and his mouth spread out in a wide grin that seemed to shine under the flash of lightning.
Rarity screamed as the stallion leaped to his feet and lunged at her. The second stallion grabbed his ankle in a vice-like grip. The earth-pony fell onto the ground hard, scrabbling towards Rarity. The second pony pulled the first one back, wrapping his arms around the first pony, pulling him into a full-nelson before flinging him bodily down the alley and into the mud. He turned to Rarity, his dark blue eyes glowing with a strange silver light.
"Go!" he cried at Rarity as the other stallion came up behind him, a small blade in his hand.
Rarity screamed, hands flying to her mouth and dropping her umbrella, as the attacker swiped the blade down the other stallion's back. He grunted and stepped forwards, turning around. In the dim-light Rarity saw that, though the blade was sharp, the strange material had not yielded and had instead protected its wearer from any injury.
The uninjured stallion grabbed his attacker's wrist and twisted the blade out of his hand and threw it away, before kicking him in the torso and letting go, sending him flying down the alley-way. He turned back to Rarity, his eyes now consumed in silver light. He reached his hand out and Rarity's umbrella flew into his grasp, glowing brightly before transforming into a large, heavy sword.
"GO!" he roared as he turned back to the other stallion. The earth-pony now looked like a monster. His limbs had grown and distorted themselves to monstrous lengths and angles, seemingly having grown several joints in several places.
Rarity stumbled backwards before turning and running, every muscle in her legs screaming at her to run faster, away from the monstrosity that had formed behind her. The sounds of fighting growing louder even as she ran away. Every instinct in her was telling her to run home, lock all the doors, find Sweetie Belle and keep her close for the next week.
This was starting to become worrying. As the creature beneath him finally stopped moving and began to revert back to normal pony form, Battle set his blade down. He watched as it slowly began to revert back into an umbrella, as the pony was finally still, just a pony once more. Things were starting to get out of hand. Granted he knew he couldn't keep a lid on everything what with ponies being attacked, but regular ponies being possessed he could keep secret. He could keep them under some form of control. But now this? They were changing. Pretty soon there would be no way to set them free. And that meant...
Battle shivered. If things were getting this bad it could only mean one thing. He shivered again and got to his feet, throwing the deceased pony over his shoulder and picking Rarity's umbrella up as well. He would return it to her soon.
If there was a soon.
Chapter Ten: Research
Battle was awoken by someone shaking his shoulder vigorously. He mumbled incoherently for a moment before he sat up slowly, rubbing her eyes on the back of his hand.
"Rise and shine sleepy-head," Nurse Red-Heart said softly, giggling slightly.
Battle nodded and mumbled again, stretching his aching muscles, thanking his lucky stars for a rare night of peaceful sleep. He looked up at Nurse Red-Heart and gave a bleary smile as he rubbed his knuckles into his eyes.
"Morning," he mumbled. "What time is it?"
"Six thirty," Red-Heart said as she hung up her coat behind him. "You've been here all night?"
"Suppose so," Battle yawned. "It's funny 'cause I only put my head down for a second when the rain came."
"Oh yes," Red-Heart agreed, looking out the window. "The pegasus ponies have really out done themselves this time. I was in bed by the time it started mind. How bad was it?"
"Let's just say I think anypony that got caught in it will shrink in the sun," Battle chuckled as he got to his feet. Red-Heart laughed.
"Go on you, get home," she laughed, waving him away. "You look like you could do with some proper sleep. I'll cover for you don't worry."
"Thanks," Battle said, beaming. "I owe you one."
"You owe me two," she called as Battle left.
"What for?"
"For not ratting you out for sleeping on the job!"
Battle barked a laugh as he left through the doors, Rarity's umbrella tucked under his jacket. The sky was still changing from pinkish red to crystal blue, with a few wispy clouds here and there. Despite the intense rain, the ground seemed to soak up the water from the night without turning the roads into a boggy mess. This Battle was thankful for. The last time he'd traipsed mud into the library Twilight had made him clean the entire place from top to bottom.
When Battle arrived at the library he was surprised to see that there was already some lights on inside. Even from this distance, he could see a hive of activity inside of the library. At least four ponies were in there, and the smaller figure Battle could only assume to be a sleepy Spike.
"What the buck is she doing?" Battle muttered as he approached the library door. He twisted the handle and pulled.
A flash of blue and rainbow hair later, and Battle found himself flat on his back with a knee in his throat.
"Oh... Sorry Battle," Dash chuckled nervously.
Had it been any other pony asides Dash or her friends, Battle could have found eighteen different ways to force him/her off of him and deliver severe pain to arms, legs or head, rendering them immobile, in pain and most likely unconscious. As it was Battle merely accepted the hand of apology and climbed to his feet.
"Do you attempt to kill everyone who tries to walk into the local library?" he asked as he followed her back insides.
"Rainbow's just a bit jumpy," Twilight explained. "Can't say I blame her though."
"Why, what happened?" Battle asked, closing the door behind him.
"I will tell you what happened!" Rarity cried from her place huddled on the stairs. "I came within several feet of my death last night!"
Good to know Rarity's still Rarity , Battle thought to himself. What he said however was: "Can someone elaborate for me please?"
"Rarity says she came into contact with whatever's been attacking ponies for the past month," Applejack explained. "Last night during the storm, she said she saw something mighty fierce."
"After I rushed home to the boutique," Rarity said, "I spent several hours recuperating with my dear sweet Opalescence and Sweetie Belle. When the rain stopped this morning I came straight here to seek Twilight's expert help on the matter."
"Why do you need expert help identifying a pony?" Battle asked.
"I'm not sure it was a pony any more," Rarity whispered.
"What Rarity's described to me is definitely not of the norm," Twilight validated. "As soon as the other girls heard about it they all came to help with the research but so far we've found nothing like what Rarity's described."
"We even went to see Zecora," Pinkie added from under a mountain of books.
Battle nodded, familiar with the zebra potions mistress from the the Everfree Forest.
"Hey wait a second!" Dash cried, whirling around mid-air. "Battle knows some freaky stuff about medicine. Maybe he could help?"
"I hardly think my knowledge even holds a candle to Twilight's," Battle said modestly.
"Be that as it may Dash has a point Battle," Twilight said, slowly putting her book down. "You may be the only one who can help us find out what we're dealing with."
Battle sighed and walked over to Rarity, kneeling down in front of her.
"Tell me what you saw," Battle said softly. "Tell me what you remember, what you know for certain happened."
"Well I had just turned into an alleyway-"
"Just the pony Rarity. Just the pony."
"Oh, right. He looked... wrong."
"Wrong?"
"Yes. That's definitely the way I would describe that thing . Wrong. He had these, horrible empty white eyes that just leered at me. And his skin... I could see his veins beneath his skin they were all, green and throbbing."
"What else Rarity? What else? There's more you want to tell me."
"His Cutie Mark!"
"Yes? What about it?"
"It pulsed with this tragic, evil red light. It looked positively ghastly. Like the marks on his skin."
"What kind of marks? Were they in some kind of pattern?"
"No, they were just these black, pointed curves on his face and skin, like the most garish of tattoos but... they moved, like they had a life of their own."
"Anything else?"
"Nothing I can say for certain... no, that's all I can remember."
Battle straightened up and turned to Twilight.
"I think... I may know what Rarity encountered," he said haltingly.
"Really?" Twilight asked breathlessly. "Just from that?"
"Just from that," Battle said. "What Rarity saw last night was a pony, but not a normal pony."
"What do you mean, not a normal pony?" Applejack asked.
A book flew across the room and landed into Battle's hand. He began to rifle through the pages before he came to one he found relevant. He held the book open in one hand and showed the page to Rarity.
"Something like that?" he asked.
Rarity looked at the page and pointed excitedly at it.
"That's almost exactly it!" she exclaimed.
"Thought so," Battle said simply. "Count yourself bloody lucky your hear to tell us."
"What do you mean?" Twilight asked. Battle put the open book on the table.
"Rarity encountered a pony under then influence of some kind of superior negative possession," Battle explained.
"Superior negative what-now?" Applejack mumbled.
"Possession," Battle repeated. "A very complex and dangerous branch of dark magic. Possession spells are designed to exert one's will over another pony and take them over."
"Horrible," Rarity muttered.
"It is," Battle agreed. "The type of possession that's happened here however is a very rare, very powerful and very forbidden form of the art, and guarantee's complete and total control of the target."
"What's the catch?" Dash asked.
"The target has to be dead," Battle said. "That's why the spell is so taboo. It requires the reanimation of a dead pony beforehand for the possession to take place."
"You seem to know a lot about it," Twilight said quietly. Battle shrugged.
"If you're thinking I practice it I take some small degree of offence," Battle replied. "Beside I have none of the knowledge, skill or power to make the spell work. I do have the knowledge of what to do if someone is attacked by someone under this sort of possession."
"What do you mean by that?" Rarity demanded.
"The spell imbues its target with certain advantages," Battle explained. "The green veins you saw is an indication of acidic blood and enhanced strength. If you had seen a unicorn you might have noticed a series of cracks in the horn? That means the magic of that pony has been twisted and warped to suit a more, nefarious purpose, and on the wings of a pegasus there can be found a series of spores on the wings, signalling some kind of animal-like adaptation. All of them however have a venomous bite and if not treated quickly, the venom can be lethal."
"Wow," Twilight breathed. "So if Rarity had been bitten by that thing...?"
"She would have most likely died," Battle finished bleakly.
"My goodness," Rarity gasped. "I had no idea. If it hadn't been for that mysterious individual I might have... might have... I have to sit down."
"Whoa whoa whoa!" Dash cried as Rarity sat down again. "Mysterious individual? Are you telling us this knight in shining armor guy is real too?"
"I think we should focus on finding the possessed pony," Twilight said.
"Wouldn't bother," Battle replied, already tidying up the library. "Most likely the body has been returned and the next time something like this happens it'll be a different pony. And besides the spell only works on the recently deceased."
"So we have to what, set up guard in a place where people are near-death or something?" Twilight tried to make some ind of plan.
"We could but you'd have to find a place where ponies are near death," Battle said. He pressed a hand to his forehead and shook himself.
"You okay Battle?" Spike yawned.
"Fine," he replied, rubbing his shoulder. "Just, kind of tired."
"So you're telling us it's a fools errand to try and stop these attacks?" Twilight said slowly.
"Look," Battle said sharply. "I commend you for trying to help Twilight, I really do. But if you really want to stop these attacks, you'll have to stop focusing on the puppets and start focusing on the puppeteer, which to be honest I wouldn't recommend anyway as whoever or whatever it is, is most likely powerful, dangerous and evil."
"We've fought powerful dangerous and evil before now Battle," Twilight chuckled. "I think we can handle it."
The girls all gave collective agreements. Battle ground his teeth together but held hi tongue as he put another handful of books away. He knew all about the Elements of Harmony and their victories over Nightmare Moon, Discord, Queen Chrysalis and King Sombra. While the four of them may have seemed difficult to Twilight and her friends, Battle knew that the six Elements of Harmony were out of their depth here.
Magic, Honesty, Laughter, Loyalty, Kindness and Generosity could only go so far against Pride, Gluttony, Sloth, Lust, Greed, Envy and Wrath...
Nightmares: Twilight's Visitors
Nightmares: Twilight's Visitors
Twilight poured over every book she owned on magical possession. Ever since Battle had explained that the ponies of ponyville were all potential targets of this most vile of spells earlier that day, she had spent every moment trying to find a spell to help the situation. If not prevent ponies from beings possessed, surely she could find a spell that would backtrack the incantation to the source.
She had to. For all she knew, one of her other friends could be attacked in much the same manner as Rarity was.
She took a deep calming breath. Remain calm Twilight , she told herself. Remember Rarity wasn't attacked she just stumbled onto something. Had she been attacked she would be in a much worse condition. But she's not! She's fine. Yes... yes, everything, is just FINE.
Twilight rubbed her forehead and rested her head on her hands, elbows on the desk before her.
"There has to be some kind of spell that can help me," Twilight mumbled. "Maybe I'm just not looking hard enough."
She brought the nearest book closer to her, bringing it within an inch of her nose. She sighed and threw the book down leaning back and rubbing her eyes.
"These books are useless!" she cried out in frustration. "Why tell me what it is and not tell me how to protect myself from it!"
"Because if you learnt to protect yourself from it, you might learn how to use it yourself," said a voice.
Twilight looked up and saw Battle dressed in his medical uniform.
"What are you doing dressed like that?" Twilight asked confused.
"It's ten o'clock Twi," Battle said. "I'm going to work."
"It's that late!" Twilight exclaimed and grabbed a nearby clock and brought it to her face.
"Yeah," Battle said. "I doubt you'll find anything you're looking for in these books at any rate. If I have to say anything against Equestria it is rather paranoid when it comes to stuff like this."
"So what, are you telling me these isn't a book that can help me?" Twilight asked, dejected.
"Not from Equestria no," Battle shrugged.
"Great," Twilight mumbled.
Battle scuffed his feet for a few moment and bit his lip, like he was deciding something. He sighed and held something out to Twilight, his silver magic carrying it across the room to Twilight's side.
"What's this?" she asked, confused.
"A book that may just help you out," Battle said.
"I thought you said there wasn't a book that could help me?"
"I said there wasn't one from Equestria. That publication came from my homeland. We're a lot more relaxed about this kind of information. You may find what you're looking for in there... just be careful what you read in there. That book's not for everypony."
Twilight looked at Battle as he left, before she opened the book he had given her.
Ten minutes later...
Twilight slammed the book closed, shivering from head to toe, eyes wide, fighting not to be sick. The book Battle had given her did indeed have some much needed information on what she wanted to know, but there was a lot of things in there that made her stomach turn. This was real heavy-duty defensive magic, complete with diagrams and drawings of the various creatures that one might need to defend themselves against. She had no idea that such creatures could possibly exist, let alone all the horrible things they did.
"I... think I need a lie down," Twilight said to nopony in particular.
Twilight walked unsteadily to her bed and flopped down on top of the covers, before curling up into a ball, still shuddering. She couldn't get the thought out of her head that the book she had just read was Battle's . A pony she thought she had known, yet this? That book contained some very complex and very dangerous magic. There were death spells in there for Discord's sake! Spells that could kill a pony in a flash of light, spells that could cause death easily and painlessly or slowly and agonizingly.
Twilight screwed up her eyes and tried to get to sleep.
Everything was darkness. Surprisingly however, Twilight was okay with this. She was fine with darkness. She felt safe, comforted for some reason. Like she knew everything in the world was right, and that nothing could possibly go wrong so long as she was here. It just felt, right.
Twilight spotted a soft, lilac glow in the distance. Or maybe it was nearby and just very small. There was nothing to judge it by. It grew larger, or was it closer? The more powerful the light became, the more safer Twilight felt. It was as if she was expecting a visit from an old friend who she hadn't seen in a while.
A shower of white sparks burst from the center of the glow and something began to form. A pony stood there, in the heart of the glowing light. The stronger their appearance became, the more sparks shot out from the glowing light surrounding them. Finally the sparks dissipated and the light faded away, revealing the pony standing there.
Twilight felt as though she was looking into a mirror.
A unicorn pony mare stood there, with lilac fur, magenta hair with an electric pink strip and bright purple eyes. She wore a simple brown cloak over some more complex silvery blue robes. Around her neck was a series of small amulets on a golden chain. Her Cutie Mark was a pink six-point star with two smaller, similar white stars beside it.
"Who... who are you?" Twilight asked, dumbfounded. "I mean... you look almost exactly like me!"
"I think you'll find that it is you who looks like me my dear Twilight Sparkle," the unicorn chuckled.
"I... I don't understand..."
"I, Twilight Sparkle, am Clover the Clever," the unicorn explained. "And I am, your ancestor."
"Wait... Clover the Clever? As in one of the six founders of Equestria?"
"The very same."
"And your... my ancestor?"
"Yes I am."
Twilight blinked as she absorbed this new information.
"Aren't you dead?" she blurted out before she could stop herself.
Clover let out a laugh that was eerily like Twilight's own.
"Death is but the next great adventure my dear Twilight," she said simply. "And while I have shucked off the mortal coil, I still keep an active mind. In fact, it is because of my active mind that I am able to speak with you this evening Twilight Sparkle."
"What do you mean by that?" Twilight asked.
"Even on the other side, spells continue to be made by some of the greatest unicorns in history," Clover explained. "Myself included of course. One of the spells I have recently invented allows me to communicate with the living, through dreams. It takes a lot of energy though for little time, so I'm afraid we shall have to keep this brief Twilight."
"Brief... what?" Twilight was still confused.
"Twilight I need you to focus," Clover said sharply. "I'm here to warm you."
"Warn me of what? If it's about the ponies that are being possessed, I already know about that. Oh! Please tell me you know a spell that can help with the possession's because Battle's book-"
"Twilight!" Clover snapped.
"Sorry," Twilight whispered.
"Thank you. As for the pony possession, no that's not what I'm here to warn you about, though your friend Battle's book contains the only spells I know of that could help you right now. Anyway, that's not what we're here to discuss. I'm here to wan you of something terrible on the horizon."
"How terrible?" Twilight asked.
Clover's horn glowed with the same purple light as Twilight's usually did. The dark world that surrounded Twilight and Clover was replaced by a freezing landscape and howling winds. Twilight wrapped her arms around herself, shivering.
"You know the tale of Hearth's Warming Eve?" Clover asked, her voice harsh and bleak. "What caused our homeland to freeze, was our hatred for each other and our anger towards the other tribes. This I am certain you know."
"Y-y-yes," Twilight shivered.
"What you did not know was what caused our feelings of hatred," Clover continued, waving her hand and dragging the world around them away, changing the scenery. Twilight now looked out over what looked to be an army of dead ponies, laying before a glacier with a monstrous doorway set into it. The door hung open.
"Many millennium ago, a beast of great and terrible power come to our land and spread anger and hatred across the land. Though he was soon defeated, his corrupting influence remained. We hated each other still, and those feelings of anger festered until the Windigo's came. And they still stalk these lands to this day. As does the beast that inevitably brought them here."
She looked to the open door. "Or at least he did."
"He's coming to Equestria isn't he?" Twilight chattered. Clover nodded solemnly. "Why?"
"He wants something," Clover said simply. "What I know not. Whatever it was, it was not in Equestria until recently. But I can tell you this. He is the one causing the possessions around Ponyville. It is by his hands that you and your friends are in danger."
"How do I stop him?" Twilight asked. Clover opened her mouth before she looked up sharply.
"My time is short," she said. "And there is another who wishes to speak to you. Farewell for now Twilight Sparkle. We may meet again some night."
"Wait!" Twilight cried as the icy scene and Clover faded from existence. The darkness was no longer comforting. It was ominous. Evil almost.
The shadows rippled at her feet. Twilight gave a small 'eep' as something began to rise from the darkness, like it was being dragged upwards from the depths of a pool. A pegasus stallion, dressed in heavily damaged black and golden armor, his wings badly bent and his face marred with blood, his brown hair and chestnut fur much the same. His Cutie Mark was hidden by blood, and his brown-grey eyes stared at Twilight for a few moment, empty and lifeless.
His eyes rolled suddenly and he took in a deep breath. The blood on his body disappeared, his armor mended and straightened itself out. His wings repaired themselves and a strange clarity came to his eyes as he focused on Twilight. His Cutie Mark Twilight now saw was a dagger, held in what looked like a pair of wispy hands.
He slammed his right fist into his breast in some form of salute.
"Princess Sparkle," he said, bowing his head. "I am Major Dagger Swift, commanding officer of the pegasus soldiers of the Warhorse armies, at your service ma'am!"
"Clover the Clever sent you?" Twilight asked confused.
"Affirmative ma'am," Dagger replied. "I was sent by Miss Clover to brief you on what you currently face... considering I've met it..."
Dagger Swift shuddered and for a moment, the world around him and Twilight was filled with a raging battlefield, the screams of ponies all around them, the sound of metal on metal. Twilight clapped her hands over her ears until the moment passed.
"Sorry about that," Dagger said. "Flashback's you know? It's hard not to remember the day you died."
"You died fighting what's coming?"
"Aye. As did hundreds of others. What's coming Princess maybe too much for you and your friends to handle. The magic of Friendship has many benefits... but this is older than your Elements of Harmony."
"Maybe if you told me what's coming I could be better prepared for it!" Twilight shouted.
"Ask the Commander. He'll tell ya what's coming."
"The Commander? Just who the hay is that?"
"You don't know? Clover said you knew the Commander?"
"Who is the Commander?" Twilight demanded.
"Well-"
Dagger doubled up in pain and landed on his knees, blood oozing from wounds that were reopening. He looked at Twilight with a pleading stare as he began to sink into the shadows once more. He held out his hand to Twilight, before he dissipated too.
Twilight landed painfully on the floor, her blanket twisted around her. She groaned as she looked up at the window. Celestia's sun was only just beginning to rise. Twilight sighed and rubbed her head. Something told her she had a long week ahead of her.
Chapter Eleven: Close Encounters
Chapter Eleven: Close Encounters
"It's a deaths spell for Luna's sake! I didn't even think that ind of magic was real, and now I find out one of my friends has a book full of them? I mean, what am I supposed to do?"
Zecora nodded slowly as Twilight paced around her hut. She had gone to the zebra for two major reasons. One, Zecora didn't know Battle, and so her opinions on him knowing a series of death spells would not be biased. Two, Zecora wasn't as judgmental as other ponies, and so her opinion would most likely be a clearer and simpler one.
"As your thoughts are so clearly impaired, I must ask you what makes you scared? If it were some other pony would you still care? Or is it only he, to which you are unfair?"
"Unfair?" Twilight cried rounding on her friend. "He knows how to kill using his magic! I think that warrants some suspicion, especially since he kept this a secret under my nose!"
"Appearances can be deceiving dear Twilight," Zecora said mystically. "Remember Princess Luna on Nightmare Night? She was feared, alone and sad, while every pony thought she was still bad. Or perhaps you forget when we first met? If not for you, ponies would fear me yet."
"I don't see how any of this has anything to do with Battle," Twilight sighed.
"What you see Twilight Sparkle you assume to be evil. But tell me has Battle Ready given you reason, to be treated ill? Can you think of anything he has done or said, that would make you believe he'd use this spell of death?"
Twilight paused and began to think. Battle hadn't yet given her a reason to be afraid of him. In fact he was the most out of the way of all of her friends. He was helpful, kind and charming, but also distant... melancholy... He never told them where he came from or what his life was like before. Like his past was somehow painful.
"All I can say is... I think he's hurting," Twilight said simply. "I think he's in some kind of pain... like whatever it is he came here for is haunting him."
"This I can understand, truly I can," Zecora said. "But does alone this warrant your fear? Or is there something else, you must clear?"
Twilight sighed and sat down. She pressed her head into her hands and rubbed her eyes.
"I just want to understand him a little bit more," she said at last. "He's so distant, but so nice and... and..."
Twilight looked at Zecora.
"I think I'm falling for him."
Zecora raised an eyebrow.
"And this is a bad thing because? After all, love does, what love does."
"That's just the thing," Twilight muttered, tracing her finger on the table-top. "I don't think he loves me..."
He wasn't used to this. Battle kicked an empty drinks can down the corridor and planted her head against the wall, groaning to himself. There were things he could deal with. Pain was one of them. Pain was one of the few things that Battle expected and anticipated. It wasn't as though pain was pleasant in any way, Battle just knew it would arrive sooner or later.
Guilt, that was something Battle was finding harder to deal with. It was a constant pain that throbbed and burned every inch of his insides. It wasn't something he could get used to, and it wasn't something that would go away anytime soon.
But now this? Battle growled at himself. He was a fighter for Celestia's sake... not a lover.
"What in the hay is it about her?" Battle grunted to himself as he sat down behind his desk again, head in hands, grasping at his hair. Sure once upon a time he had thought of her as cute, and when he finally got to know her he thought of her as pretty. When did his passive interest in Twilight begin to grow into something much more potent?
Pain he could understand. Guilt he could barely just handle. Love? This was new, unfamiliar territory for him.
He was almost thankful when he heard a crash from above him. He got swiftly to his feet, running through the now familiar motions up to the intensive care ward. He needed to get his mind off of the lavender princess.
Twilight wandered through the darkened streets of Ponyville. She debated on speaking with one of her other friends about her realization at Zecora's but she was confused enough as it was. She didn't need Rarity or Rainbow Dash or Applejack trying to tell her what to do about it. She sighed, imagining what sort of things the girls might say.
You're a Princess, darling. If Battle refuses your advances I think it would be fair to assume he's playing for the other team, if you catch my meaning. Yes that would be Rarity's response.
Listen sugar-cube, if he don't say yes when ya'll ask him on a date, then he ain't worth the time of day. Applejack's advice no doubt.
Pffft, forget about it Twilight. Let him come to you, that's what I say. And if he doesn't, I'll convince him for ya, how 'bout that? That definitely sounded like something Dash would say.
She sighed. Even in her head her friends were being more confusing than helpful. She wanted so desperately to seek their advice on this matter, but she knew that if she did ask their opinion she would be left in a worse position than she was right now.
A few drops of rain began to fall onto Twilight's face. She sighed. Maybe she should just go back to the library.
Battle slid down the bark of the library wall, panting, his face twisted into a grimace of distaste. He was beginning to regret asking for a distraction now. That distraction had come in the place of two possessed ponies.
He sighed. Back home he would have had another pony watching his back, someone to keep track of one problem while he hunted the other. But he wasn't back home. He didn't have anypony to watch his back. In Ponyville, he was pretty much alone.
A shadow caught his eye dashing over the rooftop nearby. Battle leaned forward and raced across the street after it.
Almost alone.
Twilight saw something move in the alleyway beside her. Her horn glowed with purple light as she tried to penetrate the darkness. There was a quiet whimper and some scuffling sounds, as whatever was in the shadows retreated deeper into the alleyway. Twilight frowned and followed whatever it was. Some tiny voice in the back of her mind was screaming at her that this was dangerous, that she should turn and run and let somepony else handle it. But would Twilight listen?
She crept deeper into the darkness, looking slowly from either side of the alleyway. A few old and empty barrels stood in a stack on one side. A stagnant horse-trough filled with old and filthy water lay unused a little further on. And still Twilight had not reached whatever was making that shuffling, whimpering noise.
The little voice at the back of Twilight's head was screaming louder than ever, telling her to turn and run the other way. This was dangerous, it said to her. Yet still she ignored the voice in the back of her head. Morbid curiosity had consumed her and left her compelled to find out just what was going on.
"Is anypony there?" Twilight asked softly.
As she spoke, her light reached the back wall of the alley and a nightmare greeted her eyes.
A monster stood before her, hunched over what she could only assume was the remains of its pony victim. The less she looked at the blood spattered mess and gore the better in Twilight's opinion, but she also didn't want to look at the beast that did it. A hulking brute of a creature, with obscene and distorted muscles. Its body was covered in twisting, moving black markings and a patchwork of acidic green blood-vessels. Its skin had split in between its knuckles, yielding long, pointed blades of bone and great spurts of steaming green blood.
Twilight took several hurried steps back before tripping over something behind her. She landed heavily on her rump, before she tried to scrabble away, moving backwards from the thing. The monster however had noticed her, and turned to face Twilight with large, booming steps. Twilight however had inadvertently backed herself up against the stack of barrels. She gulped and looked over her shoulder, realizing she was trapped. She looked back up at the monster as he took another booming step towards her. Twilight blanched as she screwed up her eyes, trying to think of a spell that could help her.
Her mind however was blank. Every spell she had ever learnt, every incantation had just flown right out of her head. Even something as simply as levitation had disappeared. She was alone, defenseless and without magic, facing perhaps the most fearsome creature she had ever seen that wanted perhaps nothing more than to see Twilight rendered to the same state as the pony behind it.
The horror and terror of the situation came crashing down on Twilight. She opened her mouth and screamed. A true scream, one of pure terror that could only be produced by someone who knew they were staring down their death.
The beast's distorted mouth twisted in what Twilight could approximate as a grin, and that served to make Twilight scream even louder than before.
She didn't know what to do. She had no ideas, no plans and no conceivable way to defend herself... She was going to die...
The creature lunged suddenly, with a speed Twilight would have thought impossible. Twilight screamed again and rolled out of the way, getting clumsily to her feet. She began to run unsteadily away from the monster, eyes filling with desperate tears. The monster behind her roared with such a power that Twilight lost her balance and landed painfully on the ground. She looked backwards, petrified as she saw the beast lumbering towards her, clawed hand raised to cut her to ribbons.
She closed her eyes and sobbed, waiting for the monster to reach her.
Something moved swiftly over her. There was a cry of mutual pain from the monster and whatever had collided with it. Twilight opened her eyes and looked up. Where the monster had been there was now a tangle of limbs as another, more spindly creature was now tangled in the larger's grasp. It took Twilight a moment to realize she had been holding her breath and took this time to suck in a deep breath of night air.
A breath that came out almost instantly in a short shriek as she felt a hand clasp her shoulder.
"Hey, calm down!" a voice cried as she wriggled away from the grip on her shoulder. She turned around and saw a hunched figure, black against the night, silver eyes glowing at her. Twilight opened her mouth to scream when the figure's other hand came to her face and covered her mouth.
"It's me, Twilight!" hissed the figure, his horn glowing to shed light on the two. Battle's face loomed into view, looking even more weary than usual.
Twilight stopped struggling. Instead she threw herself at Battle, wrapping her arms tightly around her friend and sobbing hysterically. Battle put his arms awkwardly around Twilight and began to pat her back. The tender moment was ruing when Battle pushed Twilight aside and back-flipped as something flew at the space where they had just been. Battle landed on his feet as he stared down the two monsters, the larger of the two already grabbing another barrel to throw at him, the second, spindly one crouched and ready to run at Battle.
It was clear to Battle that these two were beyond saving.
He rolled his neck, his tense and weary body relaxing. All the aches and pains seemed to dissipate as he focused on the one thing he was born to do. Kick some flank.
The hulk threw his barrel, but Battle was ready for it this time. His hand shot out, surrounded in silver light and the barrel exploded at his touch. The splinters and fragments that would have cut or damaged Battle's face on hands evaporated into something less than dust against a mysterious silver barrier that appeared.
Not giving either of his opponents an inch, Battle dashed forwards, moving with a speed Twilight was sure would make Rainbow Dash green with envy. Battle leaped into the air, delivering a punch to the head of the hulking creature that Twilight was sure would have taken the cranium off of any other living being. As it was the monster merely roared and stumbled backwards, blinded by pain.
Dropping in a cat-like crouch Battle ducked a swipe from the spindly creature ad thrust his own hand out, sending the creature backwards with a blast of light. Twilight had never seen a pony do the things Battle was doing He was using such simple spells in such a fluid, ruthless manner. It was like he was some form of well-oiled machine. Controlled movements, rapid attacks, unyielding strength. The qualities of a near-perfect warrior. From watching the way Battle was now pulverizing the two monsters Twilight now knew what his Cutie Mark represented.
It was the mark, of a violent guardian. A soldier.
Twilight's revere was cut short when Battle was lifted bodily off the ground and thrown down the alley and past her, landing in a heap on the floor. Her concern for his well-being was short lived, replaced by admiration as Battle returned almost instantly to his feet. He rolled his head on his shoulders for a moment or two before his horn flashed and something small appeared in his hand.
A dagger. A foot-long blade that seemed to draw in all the light. Even from her current distance she could see the words engraved into the blade.
Victorium Omnibus Modis.
Victory at all costs.
Battle raced down the alley again, jumping and kicking off from the wall. He flipped like a gymnast and landed behind the two creatures, his blade slashing at the back of the larger one's leg. He roared and dropped to one knee as Battle leaped over a strike from the other creature and landed on the hulking beast's shoulder.
"Open wide," he snarled, driving the blade down the creature's throat. The monster gargled around the metal, green blood bubbling up from his slashed throat. Battle didn't waste time, instead removing the blade and drawing a deep, savage cut across the creature's throat. The monster spluttered before he began to teeter forwards. Battle slid off from his shoulder and with barely a glance, rammed the blade into the heart of the other monster.
With in a moment, both creatures were on the floor, blood oozing from their wounds as the life seeped out of them. Battle turned from the carnage he had wrought, silver flames leaping into life, consuming the bodies almost instantly. As Battle stepped away from his work, his weariness seemed to return. He walked up to Twilight and sat down beside her.
"I suppose I owe you some answers," he said quietly.
Twilight nodded, not trusting herself to speak.
"Well... what do you want to know?"
Twilight gulped and looked at him sternly.
"First and foremost," she said sharply, "I want to know this: Who are you?"
Battle twirled his dagger in his hand before replying.
"I am Battle Ready, Commander in Chief of the armies of Warhorse and heir to its throne and its empire as its prince."
Chapter Twelve: A Painful Past
Chapter Twelve: A painful Past
"You're the Prince of Warhorse?" Twilight repeated, shocked.
"Aye," Battle said quietly.
Twilight blanched before she began to gush incoherently: "Okay when I said you were charming I meant in kind of a big brother way it's not like I actually have a crush on you or anyth-"
"Twilight. It's cool," Battle said, resting a hand on her knee, smiling gently. Twilight blushed. Battle's smiled broadened.
"S-so," Twilight stammered. "Why are you in Equestria?"
Battle's expression darkened slightly at this as he looked back at the sky. He seemed to be wrestling with some internal debate.
"You said you'd answer my questions," Twilight pressed.
"I did didn't I?" Battle sighed. He pinched the bridge of his nose and grimaced. "Shame Twilight. That's what brought me here. I was ashamed to consider myself a prince... no, I am ashamed to consider myself a warrior, let alone a prince."
"What happened?" Twilight asked.
"I lost Twilight," Battle said quietly. "You said yourself the eldest child of the King is treated as Commander of his armies. I was my father's Commander. It was my duty to lead his armies into war." He hung his head low. "And I lost. We lost. So what if our enemy was defeated? It was no victory. I could barely look at my subjects after that out of my own shame."
"Battle, explain to me what happened," Twilight demanded. "You're not making any sense."
Battle sucked in a deep breath and raised his head.
"I'll start at the beginning," Battle said quietly. "So allow me to tell you a story."
"You said you'd tell me what happened," Twilight reminded.
"I will," Battle said. "But for you to understand fully Twilight... I have to start right at the beginning. So, I'm going to have to ask you don't interrupt me. Until after I explain things to you."
Twilight nodded slowly, moving so as to get comfortable. She had always enjoyed being read a story ever since she was a little filly, and even though this was her friend telling her one, she was already hanging off of Battle's every word.
"Many, many thousands of years ago, there were seven, powerful pony warriors, who lived on an island nation in the heart of the ocean," Battle said softly. "Because of their precarious positioning, the warrior ponies quickly became the island's voice of reason and driving force. They raised an army, though small in number, strong in will. With strength matched by no other army on the planet, the warrior ponies led their army to war, to conquer new lands to better suit their needs. And for a time, this is what they did. Only taking the land that was needed for them, their reputation spreading quickly though the lands around them..."
Battle closed his eyes as he was lost in the familiar tale.
"But their time of peace was soon lost. The seven warriors feared their own mortality above all things, and craved more lands to conquer, and more time to enjoy them. They found tomes of dark magic, even then considered ancient and forbidden. With this dark knowledge in hand, they turned their magic on themselves in a desperate bid to live forever..." Battle hung his head. "And they succeeded," he breathed. "But at such a cost. The darkness of the magic brought their darkest defects to light and cultivated them, until the darkness within each of their hearts consumed each and everyone of them from within, twisting their forms, their nature their very destinies into distorted shadows of their former selves. To fit their new identities, the warriors changed their names, and in turn gave their new names to the seven deadly sins we now know today in the religion Cantertholisism."
"Pride, gluttony, sloth, lust, greed, envy and wrath," Twilight recited easily. Battle nodded before continuing.
"They called themselves The Sins and their metamorphosis had made them much more powerful. So powerful they no longer needed armies to conquer nations. They abandoned their principles, their honor, everything they had once worked to create. They spread out across the world, searching for lands to conquer. But the armies they abandoned did not sit idly. They discovered magic to combat the enchantments The Sins had used upon themselves. They took it upon themselves to fight The Sins, as it was they who allowed them to rise to power. One by one, using the magic they had found, the warriors defeated each of the seven Sins and entombed them in the seven lands they had made their homes, sealing them forever in tombs of great and powerful enchantments. Vowing to never again let the horror of the Sins be repeated, the army returned to the first land they had conquered and began to prepare."
Battle finished his tale and looked at Twilight.
"And then what?" she whispered.
"They waited," Battle said simply. He pinched his nose. "The story I just told you was the tale of how Warhorse was founded. The story of the Sins is not just an old pony's tale, it's the fundamental history of my people. The Sins are real Twilight and nopony outside Warhorse has ever been told the founding story of our nation."
"Why not?"
"Because we gave rise to the Sins and their powers. It is our duty to protect the rest of the world from their evils as it is our fault they are there."
Twilight knew best than to argue with Battle's logic. How could his generation be to blame for something that had happened thousands of years ago?
"What happened?" Twilight asked. Battle closed his eyes and hugged his knees.
"Wrath escaped."
The two words hung like ice in the air.
"Two years ago we received word of strange weather patterns in the North," Battle explained. "It didn't take long to figure out that somehow the Sin was breaking free of the enchantments that had kept him imprisoned for thousands of years. For the first part their was shock, then their was action."
"You were sent to stop him?"
"Damn straight. Me and an army ten-thousand strong," Battle said, a small smile of pride of his face. Tears welled in his eyes as he smile and head fell. "I alone came back from that battle," he whispered. "I had been sent to lead those ponies... and I had forced them too hard on the journey. They were weak when the time came. I was ill fit to be a Commander. I led those warriors to their deaths..."
He looked at Twilight glumly. "My shame Twilight, is that I survived."
Twilight looked aghast.
"Surely that's a good thing? At least you're alive !" she reminded him.
"Alive, yes... but I don't deserve to be. Those other ponies, the ones who died because of my stupidity, they deserve to live."
"I'm not listening to this. Give me one reason why it would be better if you were dead and they were alive?"
"You mean asides the thousands of families that didn't have to mourn the loss of a love one?"
"Well... yes."
"They died for nothing Twilight, that reason enough?" Battle spat. "Wrath has been unleashed once more and this time he's going after the one pony he hates above all others."
"Who?"
"Me. Wrath sees my survival from our last encounter as a personal insult to what little honor he has. That's why this is happening to Ponyville! That's why the dead are being possessed. He's doing to get to me and he's hurting the people I care about in the process."
He glared at Twilight. "That's why I should be dead. No one else would have to suffer if I had died that day." He hung his head low. "I'm not fit to be called a Commander."
"That's not what Dagger Swift seemed to think," Twilight blurted out before she could stop herself.
Battle's head snapped upright.
"What?"
"Last night," Twilight said softly. "I had a dream. A pegasus called Dagger Swift referred to you as his Commander."
Battle looked at her and smiled sadly. "That idiot always was loyal to the end."
"He was your second in command?" Twilight asked.
"He was one of my three Majors," Battle explained. "Major Dagger Swift, he helped organize the pegasus ponies of the army. Major Clear Shot, she was my unicorn adviser. And Major Bombardment, he was my go-to guy for the earth-ponies."
"Major Bombardment?" Twilight triggered.
"I always called him Bomb-B," Battle smiled. "Good ponies... all of them were to be honest."
"You were there prince though," Twilight reminded.
"I was there comrade first, prince second," Battle said in response. "I even slept in the barracks with them. I left being all nice and warm to Tactical."
"That's why you were laughing," Twilight said in realization. "Tactical's your sister."
"Unfortunately," Battle grumbled. "She keeps complaining to me about how she should be heir to the throne. To which I respond, get on the battlefield first, then we'll see about the throne."
Twilight laughed and Battle smiled.Twilight rested her head on Battle's shoulder.
"You don't have to go through this alone you know," Twilight mumbled sleepily. "You have friends remember?"
Battle smiled and closed his eyes. The two remained there for a while, content to sit. When Twilight fell asleep on Battle's shoulder, he thought it best he carry her home.
No point in letting his friend catch cold.
Chapter Thirteen: Breaking Point
Chapter Thirteen: Breaking Point
The lavender alicorn stood in the corner, a mocking, sneering look on her face as he curled up into a ball.
Your fault. Everything was your fault.
"No..."
Yes. It was all your fault. Everything that's been happening? Everything that happened? All, because, of you!
Twilight felt something was wrong. Something in her quaint little life had snapped. The air was filled with misgivings and unease. Twilight didn't remember returning home last night, and yet somehow she had awoken in her bed. She sat bolt upright, terrified. So leaped out of her bed and began to walk downstairs, slowly, uncertainly. It was just like the previous night all over again, knowing something bad was waiting for her, but wanting to know all the same.
The library was in shambles. Books had been strewn across the floor, papers clinging to every surface. Twilight's desk had been reduced to splinters and there were deep gouge marks in the floor and walls. On the back of the door was smeared a bloody hand-print. Twilight bit her lip as the details leaped out at her.
"Battle," she whispered. "What have you done?"
Invisible he had watched him. He had been watching him for the past month, on Celestia's word of course. Honestly, having friends was the most irritatingly pleasant thing he had ever experienced... and he'd been turned to a rock twice in his lifetime. It wasn't as though the stallion was uninteresting. Far from it in fact. His night-time escapades provided him with a veritable source of constant entertainment.
Too constant.
He hadn't had a decent night's sleep since that damn stallion had arrived in Equestria. He was constantly awake. It didn't help that a certain Princess of the Night wasn't doing her job and chasing away the stallion's nightmares that kept him awake!
This morning however...
That had been worrying even for him. It was a wonder Twilight Sparkle hadn't woken up earlier than she did.
"And it was like this when you woke up?" Rarity asked, aghast.
"Yeah," Twilight said softly, putting another book on top of the pile she had been creating. "I... I don't know what happened."
"Maybe ya'll should tell us what happened last night?" Applejack suggested.
Twilight sighed and pinched her nose.
"That mysterious stallion going around and saving ponies from being attacked," she started.
"Oh please tell me this is going where I think it is," Dash chuckled.
"I think... no, it is Battle," Twilight said.
"Yes!" Dash cried pumping the air. "Pinkie you owe me fifty bits!"
Pinkie pouted.
"I don't see how this could have caused him to... freak out like this," Rarity replied.
"If he's been doing this for all the while he's been here I don't suppose it did," Applejack reasoned.
"Um, girls..."
"Maybe the lack of sleep's gotten to him?" Dash suggested. "Last time I checked he looked like Applejack during the apple-bucking season."
"I'll thank ya kindly not to remind me o' that," Applejack growled.
"I don't think it's the sleep that's gotten to him," Pinkie said. "I think he's just crazy ."
"Girls..."
"He's not crazy he's just..." Twilight struggled to find the words.
"Twilight did something happen last night?" Rarity asked.
"GIRLS!" yelled Fluttershy.
The other five ponies looked at her and finally noticed the bizarre nature of what was happening. Books were floating gently about the room. The remains of Twilight's desk had suddenly turned into various wildflowers A large gumball hung from the ceiling, that glowed and throbbed like a disco ball.
Fluttershy cleared her throat and put her hands behind her back, eyes turning stern.
"Discord," she said sternly.
The books returned to their various places on the shelves. Twilight's desk reassembled itself to the way it had been the night before and the gumball dropped from the ceiling and landed heavily on the floor, where it was immediately set upon by a ravenous Pinkie Pie.
The reigning King of Chaos appeared over Fluttershy's shoulder, pouting.
"I was having fun," Discord sighed. "It wasn't like I was hurting anypony."
"Well you were clearly trying to get our attention," Fluttershy said. "Now what is it."
"Oh very well," Discord sighed, floating into a lying down position. "I think you'll find however Pinkie's assumption that your friend is crazy isn't entirely off the mark."
Twilight scowled. "And what's that supposed to mean?"
Discord appeared behind Twilight.
"Oh dear naive Twilight Sparkle," Discord chuckled. "You're the one he bared his soul to last night. Surely you should know?"
Twilight turned crimson.
"Have you been spying on me?"
"Spying? No, I've been watching. On you? No, on your good friend."
"What in tarnation do you have to do with Battle?" Applejack asked.
"Nothing really," Discord shrugged. "Celestia is and has been worried about him. And rightly too. Poor stallion has some issues to work out."
"What kind of issues?" Dash demanded.
"Well I'm sure Twilight here could tell you all about it," Discord pondered. "But her dear friend Battle told her this in confidence. I won't tell of course, so that leaves Princess Celestia and Luna. Of course Celestia know only what Twilight knows, Luna's got the scoop on his nightmares and I'm just here to deliver the psychosis."
"Nightmares?" Fluttershy whimpered.
"Oh yes," Discord chuckled. "Horrible nightmares too if Luna's right. End of the world type paranoia. But then, I'm not supposed to tell you that am I?"
"You said something about a psychosis?" Twilight said shortly.
"Depressive anxiety my dear Twilight," Discord said, twirling over their heads. "A very bizarre disorder brought on by feelings of immense guilt, and can lead to some major psychotic episodes, which include vomiting, fits, delusions and even, if you're lucky, hallucinations."
Twilight's mouth dropped. "How... how many...?"
"How many times has he nearly dropped himself into madness before today without you noticing?" Discord smiled. "Twelve. And today I think he finally snapped."
He stared down at himself for the longest time. The water of the pond shimmered in the morning light. Blood trickled from the cut on his hand, as it refused to clot over. He knew he should probably get it looked at but right now, he needed this time alone.
Today he could officially say he was at his worst. Before he had merely conjured up a distorted image of himself or a twisted shadow of one of his departed friends to slander and torture him.
Today it had been Twilight. And somehow that made it a thousand times worse.
There was no pain. There was no guilt. There was no anything. He felt hollow. Empty. His heart felt dead inside. Cold and hard and petrified.
My shame Twilight, is that I survived.
Those had been his words, right? He had been the pony to say them? Did he really believe that?
I was ill fit to be a Commander.
What had ever made him say that? Granted he had felt downright depressed but now...?
Get a grip on yourself you foal!
Battle jumped to attention, the voice of his drill sergeant echoing though his head.
You fell down and grazed your knee? Big deal. You know what I say to that? Get up and get moving!
A spark came to Battle's eyes as he crouched down to the water. His reflection shimmered and was replaced by the mocking face of Dagger Swift.
"Well well, look who's back for-"
"Shove it," Battle said quickly.
Dagger's face was quickly replaced by Battle's own, only this was his distorted self.
"Some pony grew a backbone at last?" he chuckled. It wasn't mocking though, not any more.
"Yes, I have," Battle snarled. "And you know what? I've had it. I have literally had it up to here with this crap. I will not keep doing this to myself."
"Oh you naive fool," the reflection chuckled. "You're turning your back on your comrades?"
"I never said that," Battle whispered. "I know that what I've done can never be undone. What happened that day, yeah it was my fault." His eyes narrowed. "But it is an insult to the warriors who gave their lives that day if I were to squander my life feeling sorry for myself. I'll be bucked if I hide myself in my pity."
"A Warhorse gets up and canters on," the reflection smiled.
"He lives long, he dies proud," Battle smiled back.
The reflection shimmered again, changing from Battle's to Twilight's. She didn't say a word. She smiled softly at Battle. Battle merely tipped an imaginary hat to her.
"Well lookey what I found."
Battle got to his feet and turned to see a sight not familiar, but not unwelcome sight.
"How long have you been standing there D?" Battle asked.
"Didn't I ask you not to call me D?" Discord murmured, checking the claws on his lion paw hand.
"Answer the question."
"Since, 'shove it'," Discord replied.
"Wonderful," Battle sighed.
"Working out a few demons?"
"Celestia asked you to keep an eye on me huh?"
"Indeed she did."
"And how was that for you?"
"Boring."
Battle laughed.
"So what happened? I'm assuming you weren't just having a discussion with yourself for no good reason."
"It just clicked," Battle said shrugging. "For some reason it just all fell into place. I guess going over the edge helped slightly. I've got my perspective back." Battle's eyes narrowed as he smiled. "I am the Prince of Warhorse. I made a mistake, and you know what? I'm okay with that now. I'm not saying the lives that were lost are any less important. But if I mourn every death everyday for the rest of my life, who will that help?"
Battle looked up at the sun.
"I know it's my fault, and if coming to terms with that means having a few nightmares, that's a price I'm willing to pay."
"How sappy," Discord yawned. "I you'll excuse me, your friends are looking for you."
Battle grimaced. "How much did I do?"
"Oh nothing I couldn't fix," Discord shrugged.
"Yeah that really doesn't help in the-"
Battle froze. Discord raised an eyebrow before he shivered.
"Did it just suddenly get a lot older out here?"
Battle nodded. It had indeed just gotten, very cold. Sub-zero in fact. The water in the pond was freezing solid before his eyes. Discord's breath was fanning out before him in clouds of vapor. Frost was forming on the grass at there feet and the blood on Battle's hand was freezing.
"What the me is going on?" Discord muttered. "I know for certain I'm not doing this."
"I know you're not," Battle whispered. He gulped and turned around.
The shadows beyond the treeline of the little clearing had not been so absolute moments before. Wispy tendrils of darkness wafted through the branches and in between trunks, the bark freezing where the shadows came into contact. A shadowy figure glided in between the trees towards them, his entire body wreathed so deeply in darkness, that he appeared to be nothing but a shapeless mass of writhing dark fires. Battle gulped, but stood his ground.
"Hello, my Prince," a hoarse, mocking voice whispered as the shadowy figure came to the edge of the treeline. Battle looked at the place he knew eyes would be.
"Hello again Wrath."
Chapter Fourteen: Battle
"Discord," Battle said calmly. He nodded slowly and disappeared in a flash of light, leaving Battle alone with The Sin.
"That was either very brave, very stupid, or very gutless," Wrath snickered.
"Explain to me how that was gutless?" Battle asked, folding his arms.
"Don't you know that suicide is the coward's way out?" Wrath chuckled.
"Still giving the same quips I see," Battle muttered.
"And I see you're still full of that self-righteous bravado," Wrath replied sternly.
The shadows melted away from his body and he stepped forward from the treeline. His fur was the same shade of dark grey as Battle's, his mane the same shade of midnight black. But where Battle's eyes were a kind, navy Blue, Wrath's were a dangerous, bloody red, flecked with spots of black and his horn was angular and twisted, with a series of deep red cracks in the surface. His Cutie Mark was a dragon-like eye with a nasty hook underneath. He was dressed in silver armor, inlaid with black rivulets of something darker, that seemed to move with a mind of there own. Ice cracked and rippled over his armor, freezing and melting in an endless dance, creating new and intricate patterns after each passing moment. A pair of dark, leathery bat-like wings were folded across his back, like a cape or cloak. Across his body was a series of empty weapon sheathes and scabbards.
Battle knew however that they wouldn't be empty forever.
"Your favorite shape I see," Battle observed.
"What can I say?" Wrath chuckled. "It gives me a certain... satisfaction when I go in for the kill."
He lunged at Battle, flying across the clearing, gauntlet clad fist slamming into Battle's jaw. The unicorn was thrown backwards, tumbling through the air before he crashed into the trunk of a tree, traveling straight through it and landing heavily on the other side. He rolled to his feet and grunted, feeling a particularly nasty splinter dig into the side of his leg. He couldn't worry about that though as Wrath was already coming for another attack. His horn glowed silver and his clothes coat glowed silver and gold, arcs of darkness flying off of it.
Battle liked his jacket. It made him feel safe. That was probably because once upon a time, a jacket had not been its primary shape. There was a reason he always wore it when in danger. A reason it was so resistant to attacks.
Battle's jacket was his armor.
The dark, unknowable material changed in a flash of light. The sleeves grew longer and melded over Battle's hands. The coat tails warped and wrapped themselves around his legs and feet. The collar grew taller and enveloped Battle's head. As the jacket consumed him, it changed from fluid fabric, to hardened metal. Black and gold.
It felt good to be back in arms Battle thought.
The previous pains he had felt dispersed as he ducked a swipe from Wrath, delivering a heavy punch into Wrath's ribs. The Sin snarled and dropped his elbow heavily onto the back of Battle's helmeted head. Battle hit the ground and rolled as Wrath tried to stomp on his head. With a surprising agility for one decked in such heavy armor, Battle leaped back to his feet, grabbing a fallen branch as he did so. Battle thrust his hand out with a blast from his horn and sent a powerful gust of wind that carried Wrath bodily backwards. His feet sank heavily, crackling the icy ground.
Another glow from Battle's horn and the branch in his hand turned into a heavy two-handed broad sword. Wrath laughed at Battle's weapon.
"How cute," he called. "You think that little twig can cause any harm to me?"
"Desperate times," Battle snarled.
Wrath mimicked the motion and moved one hand to a scabbard over his hip. His fingers closed around where the hilt of a sword would have been and pulled. A real sword appeared there, scrapping against the inside of the scabbard as Wrath pointed the blade at Battle.
"What was it you said last time?" Wrath said, smiling coldly. "Come and have a go-"
"If you think you're hard enough," Battle finished.
"Do you?"
"Let's find out."
Wrath roared and launched himself at Battle. Battle's blade came up in defense, sparks flying off of each blade. Neither warrior was willing to give up. He who back off first would be on the defensive. In a fight to the death, every advantage was needed, every bit of ground gained was important.
Battle slid slightly across the icy ground, his teeth gritted in concentration. While he was trained to the peak of physical perfection, Wrath was practically a god. The last time they had fought Wrath had only just broken from his tomb. He had been weak, vulnerable. Now? He was at the peak of his power. Battle was pleasantly surprised he had gotten up after being struck twice by The Sin.
So it was a shock when Wrath took that first backward step. Never one to miss an advantage, Battle stepped up to Wrath, sword coming down over his head. Wrath's sword came up in a block, but Battle was already moving, coming in low, swiping at Wrath's shin. Wrath stepped backwards and Battle's sword came up once again, lunging straight at Wrath's stomach.
The Sin, unable to block the strike, merely widened his eyes in anger and surprise as Battle's sword penetrated his armor and cut the flesh beneath. Wrath roared in fury, sending Battle staggering backwards, hand pressed over one helmet clad ear. Wrath glowered at Battle, his red eyes turning pure white. The unicorn smiled slightly. Now the real fight begins .
Both warriors were staring at each other, sizing each other up.
His weakness, his anger. My weakness, my mortality. Probability of survival... 43% . Battle cocked his head and gave a small smile. Pretty good odds considering .
Wrath launched himself at Battle again. There was no holding back this time. Their blades clashed and retreated, danced and fought time and time again, a shower of sparks flying off of them each time the collided. It was harsh, brutal and fast paced violence. Neither warrior gave an inch, their feet moving as fast as their arms, eyes locked onto each other's, filled with anger.
The is getting nowhere fast , Battle thought to himself. However he couldn't deny he was having the time of his life! How he had missed the adrenaline, the power, the tingling sensation of fear at the base of his skull. This was what he was born to do, and right now he felt better than he'd ever felt before.
Wrath's horn glowed black, arcs of red lightning spitting out as he charged his magic. Battle's eyes widened before he kicked Wrath in the stomach and back-flipped away. Wrath growled in pain as he shot a beam of black light at Battle. Battle's hand came up and with a burst of his own magic, sent the blast of light into the sky.
Wrath was back on the offensive instantly, kicking Battle in the chest and sending him flying. Battle rolled rolled on the ground, before coming to his feet again. The tumbles were starting to take their toll on him, yet he couldn't shake the grin from his face. This was what he was meant to do after all. Who didn't enjoy their destiny?
Battle raised his sword again with moments to spare, as Wrath's blade clashed against his own once more. Battle's smile wavered slightly as he saw a crack appear in the blade. That was the thing about hastily crafted weapons. They lacked durability. Battle rolled forwards as he weapon shattered. Wrath's eyes widened as he fell forwards. Battle didn't give him chance to recover, spinning around and slamming his fist into Wrath's side. Unrelenting he continued, dancing around The Sin, delivering heavy punches and kicks.
Battle knew he wasn't doing any real damage. But Wrath's body was weak. If he could keep it occupied by beating it relentlessly, he might just wear him down. He knew it was a vain hope, but it was is only hope.
Wrath was growling like a wild animal. The attacks were merely proving to aggravate him. Battle grimaced, remembering what had happened the last time. Last time however, Wrath had been wearing a more... bestial form. The scar on Battle's chest throbbed painfully at the memory.
Wrath exploded with fury, reaching one hand out to try and grasp at Battle. Battle practically floated backwards, bouncing on the balls of his feet, awaiting Wrath with the traditional boxing stance. Wrath stumbled to his feet. He glowered at Battle then smirked.
"As I thought," he rumbled. "I knew you were special, Battle Ready. I knew you were different from the rest of your nation."
It took Battle a moment to realize that Wrath was breathing heavily. His eyes widened in shock.
"That isn't your body is it?" he said, aghast.
"Too true," Wrath said, smile broadening. "This is merely a conduit though which my powers flow. I wished to... test you."
"Test me?" Battle scowled.
"Indeed. And I have to say you passed with flying colors," he chuckled. His eyes narrowed quickly. "But for the manner in which you have wounded me today, I shall repay you ten fold. As we speak, my forces already move to take your precious Ponyville."
"If you so much as dare-!"
"Oh save it my dear young stallion. I'm merely making sure you know the stakes." Wrath's eyes suddenly grew playful. "And to make sure you come... oh yes you will come to face me for real dear Prince... to make sure this happens, I think I may just take a trophy with me."
He's twisted smile broadened. "I wonder how Twilight Sparkle will look, chained and helpless in my tomb, awaiting a knight in shining armor to save her."
Battle's eyes flashed silver and he roared in fury. A column of silver flames erupted from beneath where Wrath, or Wrath's conduit, was standing. In an instant he was enveloped by scorching silver fires. A scream of anger and agony pierced the air, as Wrath's weakened body was ripped apart.
Battle stumbled backwards, hand pressed to his head as his armor changed back into a jacket. He blinked several times, trying to clear his mind. It had been a long time since he had unleashed such a powerful magical attack and it left him feeling slightly dazed and confused.
His mind suddenly cleared as he remembered what Wrath had said. He turned on the spot and ran, faster than he had ever run. One thought echoed around his head. A single resonate command that filled every fiber of his being terror and passion, fear and fury.
Save Twilight Sparkle .
Chapter Fifteen: Ponyville Under Siege
Chapter Fifteen: Ponyville Under Siege
Battle flew through the Everfree Forest, leaping over fallen logs, dashing under branches and clearing muddy ponds and rivers in single bounds. His navy blue eyes were filled with a fire and a fury that nopony could match or rival. There was no way in Tartarus he would let Wrath anywhere near Ponyville.
There was no way he would let him anywhere near Twilight.
Beaten an weary, he continued, uncaring or perhaps unaware of his injuries. Pain was irrelevant. Wounds weren't important. Weariness was naught but an idea. All that mattered to him was how quickly he could get back to Ponyville, and how fast he could get Twilight and her friends to safety.
"I give up," Dash sighed, flopping down on the grass.
"Me too," Pinkie agreed, lying down beside her.
Twilight sighed and sat down. "Where did he go?"
"Someplace to cool off I guess," Rarity said, sitting down besides Twilight.
"I don't think ya, 'cool off' from a mental breakdown Rarity," Applejack said.
"Well then what do you suggest?" Rarity sighed.
"Panic?" Fluttershy whispered.
"Maybe it'd be easier to understand if Twilight would tell us what exactly happened last night," Dash said, sitting up.
Twilight shifted uncomfortably.
"Rainbow," Applejack said. "Whatever happened it clearly has somethin' to do with where ever it is Battle came from, an' ya'll know how hard it was form him to talk about it, even to us."
"Well is can't be so bad," Dash sighed. "I mean, it's hardly like he's a Prince or anything right Twilight?"
Twilight shifted again. Dash's jaw dropped. Pinkie sat up, beaming, poking Dash in the nose.
"Ha! Now who owes who?"
"Twilight, is this true?" Rarity whispered. Twilight blushed.
"Remember when we were talking about the previous liaison I had for Warhorse?"
"Twilight, if you are about to tell us that Battle Ready is in fact the Prince of Warhorse," Rarity said, holding up a hand. "Might I first ask, how in Celestia's name did you not recognize him?"
Twilight's bush deepened.
"He looks different without his armor on."
"Which do you prefer?" Dash smirked."Armor on or off?"
"Rainbow," Applejack chuckled.
"I haven't seen him with his armor on for a while," Twilight mumbled, smiling softly.
"Armor off," Dash concluded, nodding sagely.
"Definitely armor off," Rarity agreed. Applejack laughed, then shivered.
"Hey, did it suddenly just get colder out?" Applejack asked, shuddering.
"Yeah," Dash agreed, wings flapping in discomfort.
"Maybe the weather patrol is bringing winter early this year?" Pinkie suggested, bouncing up and down excitedly.
"Not on my watch they aren't," Dash grumbled, looking at the sky. "There was nothing like this scheduled for the next two months."
"Then just what the hay is going on?" Applejack asked, wrapping her arms around herself.
Dark clouds were billowing over head, like an inkblot covering the sky. Black lightning flashed and crackled in the heavens, followed instantly by a booming clap of thunder. Frost was forming on the ground before their eyes, and their breath came out in misty clouds.
"Something's wrong," Twilight whispered. "Something is very, very wrong."
Another thunder clap came from above, even louder than the rest. Fluttershy gave a small squeak of terror and instantly curled up behind Dash, quaking like a leaf. A powerful wind whistled through the air, shaking the branches in the tree.
"Ah, my mane!" Rarity exclaimed in discomfort.
"Forget about your hair Rarity," Dash cried over the winds. "We need to get inside before we freeze to death!"
"I think freezing the least of our problems," Applejack said, pointing into the distance.
Twilight followed her finger and her jaw dropped. Racing through the streets of Ponyville, was a menagerie of monstrosities. Creatures that barely resembled ponies were running through the town, chasing after the citizens of Ponyville with malevolent glee in their eyes. Even from this distance, Twilight could see these were not the random attacks of the possessed. There were no black markings on their skin, no glowing red Cutie Marks, no empty white eyes.
These were real monsters.
"What the Tartarus?" Dash whispered.
"Normally I wouldn't suggest we do a Fluttershy," Pinkie said thoughtfully. "But now I really think we should PANIC!"
"No!" Twilight snapped. "We are not panicking. We're going back to the library, we're going to get the Elements of Harmony, and we are going to stop this mess."
"Normally that plan would rate five out five stars," said a slightly breathless and familiar voice from behind them. "In this situation though, I think you'd be in way over your head girls."
Twilight and the other spun on the spot. Battle was leaning against a tree, staring past them at Ponyville, an expression of mourning on his face.
"What do you mean way over our heads?" Dash demanded. "The Elements of Harmony have proven more than enough to stop Nightmare Moon and Discord."
"Villains just over a thousand years old, beaten by slightly older magic," Battle countered, stepping forward. "This... this is ancient magic we're dealing with. Tens of thousands of years old."
"It's him isn't it?" Twilight said with slow realization. "It's Wrath."
Battle nodded.
"Wait, what, or who, is Wrath?" Applejack said, confused as the other four.
"Too much to explain, not enough time," Battle said. He looked at Twilight for the first time. "He's after you."
Twilight blinked.
"What for? I thought you said he wanted you?"
"He wants me, yes. But he's trying to get to me, though you."
Twilight's eyes widened, then she smirked.
"Well let's not disappoint him."
"Twilight this is serious," Battle snapped. "This isn't a game. This is something that genuinely wants you dead. Remember those things last night?"
Twilight's bravado faltered a little.
"Yeah. What's happening in Ponyville right now is even more terrible and dangerous."
"Will somepony explain to me what the hay is going on!?" Applejack cried.
"What's going on Applejack," Battle sighed. "Is an ancient, immortal and evil being so terrible he gave his name to one of the Seven Deadly Sins, has sent what looks to be an entire legion of monstrosities to terrorize Ponyville, in an attempt to kidnap Twightlight, just to piss me off."
Battle took in a deep breath. Applejack looked shocked.
"So what do we do?" Dash asked, looking back at Ponyville.
"There isn't a 'we'," Battle replied, looking at Ponyville. "I am not having any of you going down there."
"And why's that?" Applejack scowled. "You think we can't handle ourselves?"
"Under normal circumstances that wouldn't be the case," Battle said. "But these aren't normal circumstances. I know they don't look it but those creatures are perhaps some of the most disciplined soldiers you will ever meet. If you go down there and they see you I guarantee you'll either be dead or in captivity faster than Dash can pull off a Sonic Rainboom."
Applejack blanched.
"When did you suddenly get so blunt?" Rarity asked, slightly hurt by Battle's nature.
"Politeness, unfortunately, has no place on the battlefield Rarity," Battle replied. "I'm sorry if my shift in personality offends you, but this is what happens during a life or death situation. I get mean."
He cracked his neck and a small smile came over him.
"I get angry."
"Then why does it look like you're happy?" Pinkie asked.
"Because, this is what I was made for," Battle smiled, his horn glowing bright silver. A branch from the tree behind him was torn from its place and flew to Battle's waiting hand. Carefully he set it down, horn still glowing, as his coat began to shift back into armor.
"Whoa," Dash breathed as Battle rolled his shoulders. "Armor on... definitely armor on..."
Battle knelt down and picked up the branch, horn still glowing, eyes screwed up in concentration. No shoddy merchandise this time. No sir .
The branch slowly stretched and warped, changing from wood, to metal as Battle worked his will over the material. It was like using a traditional forge. You had to picture what you wanted and work on each detail carefully. The more time you took, the better your work would be. Granted weapons that were actually made from a traditional forge were a lot more durable and suited for combat but Battle had to make do with what he had.
He let out a sigh and held his finished work to his eyes, ignoring the gasps from the six mares around him. It wasn't his best work given the subtle imperfection, but this was the price he paid for being rushed. Not that the others cared. He had practically just worked a miracle before their eyes. He looked at Twilight, his navy blue eyes positively fearsome in his armored head.
"Do not, follow me," he ordered. Twilight nodded, transfixed. She had seen Battle in armor before yes, and she had seen how well he fought in combat only the previous night. But this? This was the first time she really saw a warrior. This was the soldier, the Commander, the pony Wrath hated.
Twilight wasn't sure whether she preferred this, all powerful Battle, to the kind pony she had grown to know. All she knew as that she was in love with both...
Battle's eyes softened slightly and he gave Twilight a sly wink before he bent his knees and jumped. The ground split at his feet with the force behind his leap. One moment he was there, the next he was but a dot in the sky, hurtling towards Ponyvile.
The six stood there for a while, looking at the spot where Battle disappeared. Eventually, Applejack cleared her throat.
"What do we do now?"
"Simple," Twilight said, a mischievous smile on her face. "We follow him."
The first thing Battle did when he landed was kill something. No really, his landing killed something. His heavy, armored feet came crashing into the neck of a monstrous creature. There was a horrible cracking sound as the creature's neck snapped as he fell forwards. An even worse splatter came shortly after as its head collided with the ground, Battle still on top of it. Battle stepped from the pile of gore, kicking some of the creature's brain from his toe.
Despite himself, he felt a smile slide onto his face once more. Time to do what he did best.
He swung his sword out, slicing off the head of another creature as it ran past, blood spurting everywhere as the body hit the ground and the head tumbled away. By this time, several other creatures had noticed Battle's presence. Their leering eyes lit up in excitement as they saw him. They stepped into rows, standing at attention, the dull, bestial gleam in their eyes replaced by a sharp, quick-witted intelligence. Battle rolled his neck, holding his sword in both hands. Many of creatures did likewise, raising primitive clubs or crudely crafted swords.
At least now Battle had there attention they weren't hurting innocent ponies.
Battle stayed still as a statue, collecting breath and his thoughts, scanning each individual before him. He who broke ranks first would be at a disadvantage, as he would allow his enemy, or enemies in Battle's case, to prepare for the strike. Battle couldn't afford such a set-back considering the sheer number of enemies he was facing down. Not that he wasn't confident he could beat them all. Far from it, he had faced down armies single-handed before. No it was the variety of enemies he faced here, that was the problem.
Not for long.
His keen eyes aw one of the creatures shifting his weight, ready to break ranks and charge at Battle. Battle's smile widened as he watched the amateur prepare, believing he could surprise him.
The creature dashed at Battle, eyes blazing. Battle smirked, waiting for the perfect moment to strike. When the creature was halfway to Battle, the other had only just begun to move in reaction, following suit. Battle smiled, plotting his path through them swiftly.
Battle plan laid out, Battle moved like liquid lightning. His blade flashed and hacked and slashed and shone. Blood spattered his armor, screams pierced his ears and gore littered the ground. No of them understood what was happening. It was a tangle of pain and terror for all except Battle. He was to busy having fun. There was no room for rational thought anymore. He was operating purely on instinct. The sword he held was no longer a tool but an extension of himself as he danced a bloody waltz through row after row of monsters.
Within thirty seconds Battle had reduced the large troop to a bloody mess on the ground. He stood back to admire his work and, once he was satisfied no one was moving, turned away once more. There were more creatures to deal with and there was much blood to be spilled.
Somehow Twilight and the other had manage to worm their way through the chaos that had been brought to the streets of Ponyville and back to the library. Thankfully the carnage hadn't reached this part of town yet. Twilight hoped that it wouldn't get any further as she was now very attached to the old tree.
"Okay so where are the Elements?" Dash asked.
"Spike!" Twilight called. The purple dragon appeared from under a small pile of books, terrified out of his young mind.
"What's going on out there Twilight?" he asked, racing to her side.
"Something bad Spike," Twilight said simply. "Where are the Elements of Harmony?"
"Where they always are," Spike said simply, pointing to a glass cabinet near Twilight desk. Twilight raced over to it, the cabinet opening with her magic. The five necklaces flew to their respective owners as Twilight donned her crown.
"So what's the plan?" Pinkie asked, bouncing on the spot.
"First of all, we need to make sure every pony gets to a safe place," Twilight said. "Preferably out of Ponyville."
"I doubt they'd let us get that far sugar-cube," Applejack admitted. "We'd be lucky if we could get as far as Sweet Apple Acres."
"I'm just glad I didn't leave Sweetie Belle at the boutique," Rarity said. "I mean, imagine how she would react to all of this?"
"Its a lucky happening that they're all up at the farm," Applejack agreed. "Providin' they stayed there."
"Agreed but we're getting off task ladies," Dash said. "If we can't get the ponies out of town, what's our fall back position?"
"Somewhere that could keep all the ponies safe," Applejack said.
"Oh, how about the town hall?" Pinkie cried.
"That could work," Twilight said.
"Well let's stop talking and start doing!" Dash cried. "Time's a'wasting!"
Battle hadn't expected to be thrown through a building but that's what had happened. One second he had been on his feet, the next, he was smashed though one wall of Sugar Cube Corner, flown through the bakery and crashed through the wall on the other side. Needless to say, Battle wasn't pleased.
"And I liked that shop too," Battle grumbled, jumping to his feet. He rolled his neck and sighed, glancing around Ponyville. No matter how many creatures that fell before his sword, another five would replace it a moment later. Wrath was pulling out all the stops to get his 'trophy'. Battle growled as he thought of how Wrath had addressed Twilight. When he got his hands on Wrath he was going to-
A powerful first came down on Battle's shoulder, sending him to his knees. Okay, fight first, plot revenge scheme later .
Battle rolled forwards, spun and swung his sword in one fluid motion, severing the hand of the creature behind him. The roar of pain the followed was cut shirt as Battle swung his blade again, cutting through the monster's neck. He panted slightly.
No matter what his training, he was still just one pony. A Warhorse pony yes, but even he had his limits. He knew these creatures were being made by Wrath in waves. It wasn't a question of beating them, it was a question of outlasting them, and Battle knew that Wrath could keep this onslaught going forever.
A shadow fell across Battle from behind. He turned around and saw the creature that had punched him through Sugar Cube Corner. A monster roughly as tall and as wide as the bakery towered above Battle, leering down at him. Battle's shoulders sagged.
"Oh nam caussa irrumabo !" Battle cursed. The creature raised one fist and gave a grunting laugh. Battle sighed, and prepared to counter-attack.
A volley of arrows struck the creature in its chest, followed by a spear quivering directly between its eyes. The monster roared in agony, staggering backwards, before a bolt of magic sent it landing heavily on its back. A series of golden armored warriors rushed past in regular formation, their armor marked with the symbols of the royal guard. Battle felt a friendly hand on his shoulder.
"We came as soon as we heard," said a familiar voice.
Battle turned and placed a hand on the other shoulder of the pony standing there.
"Straight from the Crystal Empire? That's bloody fast even for you Shining," he said smirking.
Shining Armour laughed.
"I was in Caterlot with Cadance when Discord came," he explained. "As soon as I heard Ponyville I came as fast as I could."
"With reinforcements too I see," Battle appraised.
"You disapprove?"
"Honestly, anyone who knows how to use a sword is appreciated at this point."
"Then let's get to it!"
Battle smirked as he and Shining turned back to back and launched themselves at the closest monster they could find.
"That's it," Applejack sighed. "I reckon we got every pony in town safe up in the town hall."
"Fluttershy get out here!" Dash cried, dragging the butter-yellow pegasus from where she'd been hiding. "You're an Element of Harmony girl, we need you!"
"I'm sure you don't need my help to fight all those big, scary monsters!" Fluttershy whined.
"Fluttershy come on," Twilight insisted. "This is no time to be scared."
"This is a perfect time to be scared!" Fluttershy argued. "Or haven't you noticed all the huge, terrifying monsters running around Ponyville?"
"We've all noticed darling, that's why it's up to us to stop them," Rarity said. "Don't you remember the time you stood up to a dragon? Well think of this as being much the same only on a slightly larger scale."
"Slightly larger?" Applejack whispered to Twilight.
"We don't have time for this," Twilight sighed, "For all we know, Battle could be-"
A loud crash caught their attention. The girls turned to see a black armored warrior lying in the remains of a market stall, sword by his feet. He caught sight of them as he got to his feet and rolled his eyes.
"One job, I gave you ONE job!" Battle shouted. "Do, not, follow me. That is what I said right?"
"You should know us by now Battle," Twilight smiled. "We're pretty much attracted to trouble."
"Agreed," Battle muttered. He glanced up at the six mares and his eyes widened in terror. "Behind you!"
Twilight spun around and a tendril of darkness knocked her and the others off of their feet. She landed heavily on the cold ground and looked as to what had attacked her. A shapeless mass of shadows stood where they had been moments before, eyes of pure red glaring at the from beyond a veil of shadows. Battle rushed forwards. This was no conduit for Wrath's power, this was a pure manifestation of his spirit.
Wrath glowered at Battle and another tendril of shadows shot out and wrapped Battle in its crushing embrace. Battle cried out in pain as the long arm of darkness began to squeeze tightly on his armored body, crushing the breath from his lungs. Battle's hand relinquished his blade as the pain began to reach unbearable heights. Twilight got to her feet and scowled at the shadowy creature, her horn and crown glowing with purple magic.
A dark chuckle came from the shadowy mass as Twilight fired off a bolt of purple magic. The blast was lost in the darkness before it was regurgitated back at her, blasting her off of her feet.
"Twilight!" the other cried.
Another tendril flicked out and grasped Twilight by the ankle, lifting her into the air. As it did so, the other tendril flicked Battle from its grasp, sending him flying into the ground in a cloud of dust and ice. As Twilight was lifted higher into the air, her crown slipped from her head and bounced off of the ground and into the crater that had been made around Battle and onto the wounded prince.
Wrath floated eerily up to Twilight, leveling her eyes with his own. Though he had no visible mouth, Twilight could practically feel his smile.
"Greetings Princess," he chuckled. "I hope you won't reject my invitation."
"Bite me," Twilight spat.
Wrath chuckled again. "Now we won't have any of that." As he said this, the tendril that held Twilight's ankle began to envelop the alicorn Princess in a blanket of darkness. Twilight cried out in fear and writhed in Wrath's grasp.
"Leave her alone!" Dash cried out, jumping to her feet and launching herself at Wrath. The Sin's eyes flashed with anger, sending Dash flying through the window of the town hall.
"Dedicated friends I see Princess," Wrath muttered. "Perhaps when I am victorious, I will take your friends as trophies too? Give you some company in your imprisonment?"
Twilight took a deep breath as the cocoon of darkness completely smothered her. Wrath chuckled once more, before he rose quickly to the sky. As he disappeared, Twilight in tow, the creatures that had been attacking Ponyville turned to similar clouds of darkness and shot to the sky, following their master.
In his crater, Battle's ruined armor collapsed into fragments of its former self, revealing the bloodied clothing beneath. Blood trickled from a deep cut on the side of his head. His eyes were heavy, his arm even more so as he lifted it to the sky.
"Twilight..." he whispered hoarsely, arm stretched to the point he had last seen the alicorn.
His eyelids were even heavier now. His hand fell to his chest, resting on Twilight's crown. Battle could see nothing but shadows as his eyelids slowly slid shut.
Author's Note
Anyone interested in drawing Battle in his armor? I'm a piss poor artist and I wanna see what you guys think of Battle Ready when he's ready for battle... see what I did there?
Chapter Sixteen: Meeting of the Minds
Chapter Sixteen: Meeting of the Minds
"... Sometime before he gets better..." said a voice.
Battle's eye twitched, his head throbbing like a bass drum.
"... Sure he's gonna be okay?" another voice asked.
His body felt like lead and his eyelids even heavier.
"... Wondering about Twilight?" a third, pain wracked voice demanded from the others.
Everything in his body hurt. His nerves felt like they were on fire, and his head felt like it was about to explode.
"You are not the only one here worried about Twilight!" the second voice shouted at the third.
Battle groaned and shifted his head slightly.
"Hey! He moved!" another voice shrieked, her voice corkscrewing straight to center of Battle's migraine.
There was the sound of movement, and Battle became acutely aware of someone leaning over his head.
"Battle? You okay buddy?" the first voice asked. It took Battle's pain fogged brain a second to place who it belonged to. It took slightly longer to respond.
"Do... I... look... okay... Shining?" Battle croaked, managing to crack open one eye, to allow Shining Armour's face to come swimming into view. "No, seriously... do I look okay? I feel bucking awful... for all I know I could be looking peachy."
Shining's worried expression was alleviated slightly as he looked up at someone else. "He's okay... ish."
"Thanks for the vote of confidence," Battle murmured. He felt some feeling other than agony return to his arms. With a considerable amount of effort, Battle propped himself up on his elbows.
"You should probably lie back down you know," said a voice from behind him.
Battle tried to twist his neck around and confront whoever suggested it, but the pain was still too intense.
"Fluttershy I can't move my head so if we're gonna talk, you're gonna have to come where I can see you," Battle muttered.
Fluttershy moved around to Battle's face and smiled weakly.
"How are you feeling?" she asked.
"Like I've been stood on by a dragon," Battle grumbled. "Actually no, scratch that, being stood on by a dragon is much worse than this."
"You've been stood on by a dragon?" Fluttershy repeated, eyes wide.
"Don't ask," Battle grunted. He noticed he was lying on a stretcher in the bloodied remnants of clothes Rarity had once made for him. "Where's my armor?"
"Oh, um, Shining took it away," Fluttershy whispered. "Said it was damaged beyond repair."
Battle sighed.
"Oh my, was it important to you?" Fluttershy asked.
"Twentieth birthday present," Battle muttered. "Surprised I never grew out of it actually."
Battle grunted as he pushed himself to his feet, the pain slowly ebbing away.
"No no no no," Fluttershy objected. "You need to lie down and rest. If you don't rest you'll never get better."
"Relax Fluttershy," Shining said as he came over. "Warhorse ponies are made of stronger stuff. Right Battle?"
"Aye," Battle agreed. "Still... bucking hurts."
He looked at Shining. He in turn looked to Fluttershy who gave a small squeak and rushed away to the others. Shining sighed, his weariness showing.
"How's the town looking?" Battle asked.
"It's looking good," Shining said smiling slightly. "There is some damage from the initial attack and Sugar Cube Corner is almost destroyed, but you did good Battle. You managed to keep damages to a minimum."
"Any pony hurt?"
"Nope, collateral damage was non-existent... although..."
"What?" Battle demanded.
"Rainbow Dash is looking a little beat up," Shining admitted. "Its just a broken wrist, nothing too serious. I'm surprised she doesn't have worse. According to the others she tried to rush Wrath."
"Brave pegasus," Battle commented. "Foolish, but brave."
"Agreed."
Battle rested his hand on Shining's shoulder. "We'll find her. I promise you."
Shining smiled. "Twily's a tough one. She won't be beaten down so easy by some cloud of smoke."
They both knew it was false bravado. They both knew that Wrath could easily rip Twilight to pieces if he so wished. Battle had been a soldier long enough to see how scared Shining truly was for his sister. Battle felt that ever familiar pang of guilt tug at his heart.
"I'm, sorry Shining," Battle muttered.
Shining looked at him, startled, then angry.
"Look I know what's going through your head okay?" Shining snapped at him. "You had no idea that Wrath was going to break loose, no inclination he was going to follow you, and buck it Battle, you did your best to keep her safe. I don't blame you for anything."
Battle smiled slightly. "Thanks Shining."
"I mean it. Don't make me sock you one."
Battle laughed, partly because he knew Shining would do it. He stiffened slightly before groaning in pain, rubbing his shoulder.
"It's a wonder you're still in one piece the amount of tumbles you take," Shining commented.
"Like you said. Warhorse ponies, made of tougher stuff."
"Unless that tougher stuff is diamond I don't buy it," Shining muttered.
"Please, diamond looks at me and wishes it was harder."
Battle and Shining laughed together, as one of the soldiers approached Shining.
"Yes?" Shining asked, wiping an imaginary tear from his eye.
"This just came from Princess Celestia," the soldier said, handing a rolled up scroll to Shining. The unicorn took it and dismissed the soldier, before unraveling the parchment. His eyes scanned the page before his rolled the scroll up and turned to Battle. "Royal council, Canterlot. One hour."
"One hour to make myself look presentable?" Battle smirked.
"I thought battle scars were a sigh of honor?" Shining rebuked.
"You really want your wife to see me like this? Victoriam knows what she'll think happened here."
Shining laughed. "Why didn't you come to the wedding anyway? We sent you the invite."
"Tactical wanted to go as my plus one," Battle growled.
"We didn't send you a plus one."
"Exactly, but would she listen? No. Of curse not. Because she's Tactical." Battle's eyes widened in sudden horror. "Please tell me she's not coming to the council!"
"Not to my knowledge," Shining smiled. "I think we had a lucky escape this time."
Battle let out a sigh of relief. "Good... good."
Shining smile shrank slightly, before he turned to his fellow guards.
"We need a royal escort. Prepare a carriage for travel and inform the bearers of the Elements of Harmony."
Battle raised an eyebrow but didn't comment. A medical pony came to his side, a weak, slightly terrified smile on his face.
"I'm not that intimidating am I?" Battle asked, smiling slightly. The pony shook his head. Battle sighed. "Go send another pony if you prefer. Nurse Red-Heart if you can, she knows me."
The pony nodded and dashed away. Battle had a niggling suspicion that he wasn't going to find Red-Heart. He shrugged, winced and looked down over himself. Rarity was going to have a fit.
"I don't see how we get to come to this, Royal Council meetin'," Applejack said nervously as the carriage flew towards Canterlot.
"I think the Princess trusts you five almost as much as she trusts Twilight," Shining said, Twilight's crown resting on his lap.
"I think Celestia's gonna hand my flank to me," Battle muttered. "If Wrath hadn't already."
"I swear to Celestia, I'll hand your flank to you if you don't stop beating yourself up about that," Shining growled.
"Yeah, seeing as how I don't really swear to Celestia that doesn't really seem like much of a threat," Battle smirked.
"Well then who do ya swear to?" Applejack asked.
"Victoriam, Goddess of Victory," Battle said. "Our most important and celebrated deity."
"Figures," Dash said. "Maybe I should start worshiping Warhorse Gods too? Sounds like fun."
"Victoriam is tied to Verecundiae, God of Modesty," Battle said. "To receive the benefits of one, you must first practice the art of the other."
"Eh, sounds boring."
"And this Dash is why you would never last in the Warhorse military," Battle said.
"I just hope that all of the clothing in Warhorse is as fabulous as your armor," Rarity exclaimed wistfully.
"Not all of it. That armor was specially crafted for me as a twentieth birthday present. It was designed specifically to suit my immediate needs, as well as protect me. The enchantments that allow it to change form like the way you saw earlier were cast by the best smiths in all of Legion."
"Legion?"
"Capital city of Warhorse."
Battle leaned back into his seat, smiling slightly at the memories.
"The fortress city at the heart of the Warhorse Empire. And at its center stands the mighty Tower of Equitem. The absolute symbol of Warhorse and its might. That tower has stood for thousands of years. A monument to the timeless and eternal resilience of my people."
"It sounds amazing," Fluttershywhispered.
"Oh it is," Battle smiled. "When I was a foal, we used to believe that the tower brushed the lowest clouds."
"And does it?" Dash asked.
"Its high enough that on a cloudy day, a pegasus could step from one of the highest windows of the tower onto the clouds."
"Cool," Dash breathed.
"Do you party? What are they like?" Pinkie demanded. Battle laughed.
"On the days we return home from a victorious campaign, we have feasts fit for a king in the halls beneath Equitem. And the music would play, and the mead would flow."
"Mead?" Applejack said, wrinkling her nose.
"A very strong drink made in Warhorse," Battle explained.
"And banned in Equestria," Shining elaborated.
"So that's how you beat me!" Dash accused. "You're used to drinking much stronger drinks."
"Guilty as charged," Battle said smiling. "Perhaps I'll send you a barrel as penance Rainbow?"
"Awesome," Dash smiled.
"Yes, very... awesome," Rarity agreed. "So... you're currency are those, drachmas yes?"
Battle laughed. "Warhorse has gold coming out of its ears Rarity if that's what you're asking."
"Oh what a simply wonderful place!" Rarity exclaimed. "I wish I could see it."
"Yeah, don't get your hopes too high. There isn't that much when it comes to nobility in Legion. Not like Fancy Pants or ponies like in Canterlot at any rate."
"Speaking of Caterlot," Shining said, glancing out the window. "We're coming in for a landing."
Applejack turned to Battle. "Ah don't get it. Legion sounds like just about the most amazing place you could live and as you're the Prince, you practically own the joint."
"And, what's not to get?" Battle asked.
"Why leave?"
Battle bit his lip.
"Unfortunately for you Applejack, you're going to find out."
The council was held in a secluded chamber in one of the high towers of Canterlot Castle. The chamber itself was not that impressive. There were no decorations, no fancy architecture. The high, domed ceiling was thrown into shadows, as the only light came from the single window set into one wall. A round table was set in the middle of the room, capable of seating maybe two dozen ponies. There were two, over-sized seats sitting side-by-side, clearly designed for Celestia and Luna.
Battle had seen this room several times. It always felt familiar somehow.
The seven of them were the first ponies to arrive. The guards saluted Shining Armor and left to patrol the corridor outside.
"For a Royal Council Chamber, it doesn't look very royal," Rarity muttered.
"Appearances don't matter when you're discussing issues like this," Shining said, pulling up a seat. Battle followed suit, pulling his seat out much further and kicking his feet up onto the table.
"Are you sure you should be doing that?" Applejack asked.
"Celestia doesn't care," Battle replied.
"How are you so calm?" Dash demanded. "Don't you care about Twilight?"
Battle's eyes turned hard. "Ponies have many different ways with dealing with stress Rainbow Dash," he said, his voice low. "However most ponies haven't been in command of an army since they were thirteen. Given that I have I think I function better under stress than I do normally, but don't you dare take my calm persona as I sign that I am any less worried about Twilight than anyone in this room."
Dash cowed under the look Battle gave her, hiding her face in her mane in a very Fluttershy like gesture. Battle sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose. The five mares looked at each other before each of them took a seat next to each other, nervously looking around the room. Applejack decided to break the silence.
"So, um, ya'll been here before?" she asked Battle.
"Several times," Battle replied.
"Oh, is this where you and Twilight used to have diplomatic relations?" Dash asked, trying to reassert some bravado.
"No, this is where Celestia would ask my council on more... controversial issues," Battle replied.
"I thought Twilight was your liaison to Equestia?" Rarity stated.
"She is. Doesn't mean Celestia didn't ask for my help. Ain't that right Shining?"
The other ponies all looked at Twilight's brother. He tilted his head slightly.
"There are certain issues that Celestia would seek the opinions of a more... militarized mind for," Shining admitted. "During those times she would request my presence and Battle's to discuss those matters."
"Why'd she need you, if she had Battle?" Dash asked.
"She needed someone to interpret Battle's ideas for her," Shining said. "And she thought I could learn a thing or two from a Warhorse warrior."
"And did you?" Fluttershy whispered.
Shining barked a laugh. "I could watch Battle a thousand times over and I wouldn't know how he does what he does. You can't replicate somepony else's destiny."
"A destiny that clearly left him in a rather sticky position." Discord appeared in flash of light, sitting in a chair beside Shining.
"What are you doing here?" Applejack demanded.
"Don't think you're the only non-royals who come to these meetings," Discord said, folding his arms in indignation. "I've been coming to these Royal Council Meetings ever since my reformation, thank you very much."
"It's true he has," Battle said, shrugging his shoulders.
"And you're just fine with that?" Applejack asked.
"I am, I don't think Shining is," Battle said.
"And another thing!" Discord cried, his neck stretching out and leaning over Battle. "I am not some mailpony. I won't deliver your messages whenever you're in trouble."
Battle patted the side of Discord's face.
"Keep telling yourself that D."
Discord growled before returning to his usual position.
"I thought Fluttershy was the only one who could really control Discord," Dash whistled in appreciation. "How'd you do it?"
"It's not really control its more a lack of reaction," Battle replied. "Discord thrives off of the reactions he gets from the chaos he makes. If he doesn't get a reaction, why cause the chaos?"
A bowling ball appeared above Battle's head. Before anyone could react, Battle's hand came up and caught it, milliseconds before it hit. With lazy movement, he threw the ball at Discord, where it turned into a rubber-chicken and landed on the table. Discord, looked peeved.
"See?"
The doors opened once again and Princess Celestia walked in, followed by Princess Luna and Cadance. Cadance ran to her husband's side and wrapped her arms around him, burying her face in his neck, smiling sweetly. Shining reciprocated the motion, smiling just as sweetly. Battle made a small gagging noise. Cadance looked up, noticing him and her eyes widened in shock at the sight of him.
"What the Tartarus happened to you?" she gasped.
"Feet off the table Battle," Luna said as she walked around to her seat. Battle swung his legs and down. While he was friends with most of Equestria's royalty, he made special efforts to ensure he didn't upset Luna. The poor mare had been through enough in her lifetime Battle reasoned.
"I return to my previous question," Cadance said, sitting down on the other side of Shining. "What happened?"
"All in good time Cadance," Celestia said as she sat down. "Now, the reason I have called this meeting is simple. It is a response to the recent attack on Ponyville. While I'm sure either Shining Armour of Battle Ready could provide an in depth military report, I believe it best we allow Princess Twilight-"
"That may be a problem Celestia," Battle said slowly and quietly. Celestia looked at him sharply. Battle avoided her gaze and nodded to Shining Armour. The stallion bowed his head and lifted Twilight's crown on to the table.
"May I suggest a change to the purpose of this meeting?" Battle said quietly. "Like, how to respond to the kidnapping of Twilight Sparkle?"
Celestia stared blankly at Twilight's crown for several moments before she cleared her throat and nodded. "Yes... I think that would be most appropriate."
She turned her gaze to Battle. "I assume what happened in Ponyville comes under your area of expertise?" Battle nodded. "Then you have our complete attention."
Battle nodded again and got to his feet. He began to walk around the table, his horn glowing all the while. At each of the four cardinal points, he left a single glowing sphere of silver light. When he was finished, his horn glowed again, and the shutters on the window closed. The room was left in darkness aside from Battle's glowing spheres.
"Allow me to tell you a story," Battle said softly.
"Oh, I love stories! Is there popcorn?"
"Pinkie."
"Sorry."
Battle sighed.
"This goes against some very old and very important Warhorse customs," he said. Then paused. "But then again I already broke those customs when I told Twilight so I got nothing else to lose."
The glowing spheres shone brighter. Strings of light shot from each, creating an intricate web of silver light, that came together to create an image. Seven, regal looking warriors dressed in the most elegant of armors. Three of them were unicorns. Two were pegasus. Two were earth-ponies. All of them looked powerful and imposing.
"This is the story of how Warhorse was founded," Battle said. "Please hold your questions until the end of the tale."
All ponies nodded. Even Discord was looking intrigued. Battle waved his hand and the image started to move.
"Many thousands of years ago..."
"And the armies returned to that first nation they conquered, awaiting the day The Sins returned."
Battle finished his tale and looked at the gathered ponies. They looked back at him. Battle returned his attention to the image he had created. A memory of his own. A conjured image of Legion in the earliest years of the Warhorse Empire, sketched for the history books many years ago.
"Cut to present day," Battle said, waving his hand. An image leered out at them. A terrifying image, pulled straight from Battle's nightmares. Rarity shrieked, Dash yelped and Fluttershy ducked under the table. Pinkie gave a nervous chuckle and Applejack gave a cry of alarm. Celestia's eyes widened in horror and Luna's narrowed in distrust. Cadance leaned into Shining and even Discord seemed slightly disturbed by the lurid details of the face before them.
It was a twisted, evil thing. Something between a pony and a dragon. Large, slit like pupils with blood red irises glowered maliciously at them. Hideous, blood coated scales lined the surface of its face like armored plating, pieces of gore stuck in between interlocking pieces. Long, vicious teeth protruded from it's long mouth.
"What is that?" Celestia asked at last.
"The Beast," Battle replied. "The Face of Wrath. The Monster Within. We have many names for what this creature is in Warhorse. Simply put, this is Wrath's true shape."
"It's hideous," Rarity cried.
"I thought you said that The Sins were imprisoned thousands of years ago," Shining said. "How could you possibly know what his true form looks like?"
"Wrath escaped," Battle replied. "Two years ago, the Gates of Wrath opened to unleash this monstrosity." Battle gave a smile that appeared almost evil in the light he cast. "But we were waiting for him. An army ten-thousand strong marched onto the ice fields that day and fought The Sin head on."
Battle sighed and hung his head. "I alone was to return." Battle's eye twitched and he exhaled.
"It was a tactical error on my part," Battle said simply. "In order to reach Wrath before he could do any damage, I pushed my fellow warriors too hard on the journey. So eager were they to follow orders they never questioned me. By the time we marched onto the battlefield we were already weary and worn."
He sat down. "And now it appears Wrath has been unleashed again."
"Why come to Equestria though?" Applejack asked.
"Yeah, wouldn't he want to get even with Warhorse?" Dash asked.
"He wants to get even," Battle agreed. "But not with Warhorse. With me."
"How'd ya mean?" Applejack asked.
"He sees my survival as a personal insult," Battle explained. "That's why he came to Equestria. He was after me."
"And Twilight is what?" Dash said.
"According to Wrath, a trophy," Battle growled. "He took Twilight and attacked Ponyville just to piss me off."
He sighed and rested his head on his hand.
"That is the situation," Battle finished meekly, waving his hand. The orbs of light dissipated an the shutters opened with a bang. "We have essentially a God from the beginning of time holding Twilight hostage in kingdom that has long since been overrun by Windigos."
The room was deathly silent for the longest time. Even Pinkie was still.
"You're loving every minute of this aren't you," Celestia said with a knowing smile.
"You have no idea," Battle replied, smiling back. Luna laughed and Celestia turned to Shining.
"How soon can you prepare an appropriate army for an rescue mission of this caliber?" she asked.
"A day or two at least," Shining said.
"More than enough time for me to get back to Legion," Battle stated. "I trust I'm bearing letters from the sun?"Celestia hastily scribbled a letter onto a scroll and handed it to Battle. He looked over the message, nodded and rolled it up, slipping it into the belt loop of his jeans, given that his pockets were now ruined.
"Um, what's going on?" Applejack asked.
"Well my dear Applejack," Celestia said smiling. "We're preparing to get Twilight back of course."
"And kick some flank while we're at it," Battle said smiling, getting to his feet and rolling his neck.
"In short, we're preparing all out war with Wrath," Shining said.
There was a moment's pause.
"That sounds awesome," said Dash, beaming like a little filly.
Author's Note
I decided not to bore you all by repeating the founding tale of Warhorse. The entire tale is in A Painful Past, if you wanna read it again.
Chapter Seventeen: Warhorse
Chapter Seventeen: Warhorse
"For the last time no!" Battle shouted.
"We're coming whether ya'll like it or not!" Applejack demanded. "Twilight's as much our friend as she is yours."
"And it's because of me Twilight's gone in the first place!" Battle cried. "I'm not plunging anymore of her friends into danger."
"You think we can't handle ourselves?" Dash asked.
"Look I applaud your enthusiasm girls I really do," Battle sighed. "But Dash, you've already been injured, and that was when Wrath simply looked at you. You saw the kind of powers Wrath had. That's just the tip of the iceberg."
"Well from what you've been telling us darling that was his spirit," Rarity said. "If that was his spirit what happened to his body?"
"Wrath has the ability to separate his consciousness, his very soul, from his body," Battle explained. "That's what makes him such a powerful enemy. He can attack on two fronts. On the one hand you have the body, which without Wrath's conscious mind inhabiting it is just a mindless animal. On the other hand, you have his spirit, which is nigh indestructible and has most of Wrath's godly powers."
"A tall order for sure," Rarity said.
"Exactly, and that's the reason you aren't coming!"
"How about we just come as far as Legion? You know, for moral support?" Applejack suggested.
"I think that's a good plan," Fluttershy whispered.
"Yeah! It'd be tones of fun being in a new city for a while!" Pinkie advocated.
Battle screwed up his eyes and pinched the bridge of his nose.
"I'm not going to here the end of it unless I let you come am I?"
"Nope."
"Of course darling."
"Like we'd miss this?"
"Whee!"
"If it's okay with you that is..."
Battle sighed. "Fine, you can come as far as Legion."
The girls cried out in joy. Battle gave a sly smile. And then you'll wish you'd never came when you have to put up with Tactical for more than a day.
There was no direct way to Warhorse from Canterlot. Battle explained that in order to get to Equestria before he had taken a two month long journey, taking him over mountains and endless flat lands. Upon Rarity's horrified reaction Battle assured them there was a faster way to get there.
By sea.
"We'll take a train to the coastal boarders of Equestria," Battle had explained. "From there there's a small ferry which'll take us across the channel to the town of Century. It's a full days passage and we'll most likely have to sleep on the boat provided its at dock when we get there. From Century, it's another half days train journey before we get to Legion. Once we get there, we go straight to the tower."
That was how they ended up on a boat sailing in the middle of the night. None of the girls had ever traveled via sea before. Dash had taken an instant dislike to it, claiming it was slower than Tank her pet tortoise and that the rocking motions were causing her to feel queasy what with her being cooped up for so long. Fluttershy occupied her time conversing with the creatures of the water as they traveled. Applejack shared Dash's sentiments, wishing to be free of the oppressive atmosphere in the boat. Pinkie... was just pinkie Pie and Rarity studied the strange star formations.
"I simply don't understand it," Rarity muttered. "I mean I expected some change in the stars... of course Twilight would be able to see the more subtly changes but..."
"The stars this far out of Equestria are natural," Battle explained. "Luna's magic doesn't extend out here. The star formations therefore are different. Luna doesn't control where or when they appear."
Rarity stared at the sky. "It certainly is beautiful," she said softly.
"It's wild," Battle shrugged. "I have been to some of the farthest reaches of land you could care to name and just when I think the world can't get any bigger... there it is, on the horizon. A new land... waiting to be discovered."
"And conquered?"
Battle looked at Rarity.
"Military nation Warhorse maybe," Battle said. "Barbarians we are not. We fight, but never for our own desires. We defend countries from invading nations where necessary, reclaim nations from their governments and return power to its people... Warhorse is a peacekeeping nation. Taking for our own wants, taking for sport for amusement... that is the way of The Sins."
"Who helped found the Warhorse Empire," Rarity said slowly.
"They had honor too in the beginning," Battle rebuked. "But where they abandoned their honor, we retain ours. We keep to the ways of old."
"Doesn't that get a bit tedious over time?"
"If you mean have their been uprisings?"
"I suppose."
"Of course. There are always people who believe our power should be used to benefit us rather than others."
"And what do you do when these uprisings occur?"
"We deal with them. They've never even got close to the tower."
"So you'd fight your own people if you had to?"
"If they forget their honor, if they forget what makes them a Warhorse then yes. I would fight my own people if it came to it Rarity. Out of service to the empire."
"Are you suggesting that your empire knows better than its people?"
"It's not a question of believing we know better. You have to understand Rarity, if somepony got a hold of a military force like Warhorse for the wrong reasons it could have disastrous consequences, not just for the empire but for the world. I'm not exaggerating that either."
"Of course not darling."
"So... that answer any misgivings you may have had about my people?"
"Yes, thank you."
"Good."
Century was a wealthy mining town, making a fortune in underwater mines as well as traditional land based mines. As such, Century had many off shore stations where the ocean miners would be lowered into the deeps to search for diamonds, gold or other such valuables. The town itself had cobbled roads instead of the dirt tracks at Ponyville. The buildings were different too, having tiled roofs instead of thatch, and brick work instead of mortar.
The smell of the sea was strong as Battle of the other five made their way though the town to the train station. Battle kept his head low, trying to keep his Cutie Mark as inconspicuous as possible. He did not need to be swarmed by an adoring public at this moment.
Compared to Legion, Century wasn't that impressive. It was like how Ponyville was unimpressive and unassuming compared to Canterlot. But Century had that Warhorse feel to it. Welcoming yet tense. Ready.
Smiths worked on weapons at the grindstone, sparks flying from the blades they sought to craft and improve. Merchants cried the prices of their various wares, of armor and weapons at lower prices than their competitors. In the distance Battle could hear the sound of marching from the local parade ground, the troops preparing for a days training.
How Battle had missed the feel of home.
Battle paused and looked over at a small stand, before handing Dash a palm full of Drachma.
"A newspaper," he said simply. "Legionary Daily if they haven't sold out yet."
"Why do you need a newspaper?" Dash asked. "And why don't you get it?"
"I need to know what's happening," Battle hissed back. "If something happened recently in response to Wrath it may affect how we proceed. And the reason I'm not getting it is because if that mare recognizes me it will cause of commotion, which means we won't get to the station in time, and we'll have to wait even longer to help Twilight."
"Okay geez," Dash sighed walking over to the stand. After a few exchanged lines with the mare, Dash came back, paper in hand with a small handful of coins. Though not all of them Drachmas.
"What're these?" she asked, handing the money and paper to Battle, noting the smaller, silver coins.
"Demi," Battle said simply. "There are ten Demi to a Drachma and ten Centi to a Demi."
He unfolded the paper as they kept moving to the station at the other end of town. By the time they reached the station, Battle was frowning profusely.
"What is it?" Applejack asked.
"Good news, Warhorse is already preparing for a conflict with Wrath," Battle said.
"And the bad news?" Rarity asked, dreading the response.
"Father's put Tactical in charge of the assault," Battle growled, folding the paper up and handing it to Dash to read.
"You mean that mare Twilight had to deal with?" Rarity asked. "Princess Tactical? A.K.A. your sister?"
"Yes," Battle growled.
"Well if she's your sister, what's the trouble?" Applejack asked.
"The trouble is, Tactical has never done a days military service in her life," Battle replied. "She's arrogant, fool hardy and reckless. She embodies everything that a Warhorse should not be. She believes herself too important to be on the field of combat, and instead whined her way into a cushy little position in an office."
"Is it an important position?" Dash asked, nose deep in the paper. Battle released a harsh bark of laughter.
"She's a Junior Assistant Tactical Adviser," Battle replied. "Her opinions on what should happen mean squat."
"Then why's your dad lettin' 'er go?" Applejack asked.
"The armies of Warhorse have always been commanded by the next in line to the throne," Battle explained. "Tactical believes that position should be hers, and that when father abdicates his throne, she should be the one to take his place."
"And you're an argument to the contrary?" Rarity said.
"Older sibling," Battle said, smirking. "I was here first. Add I'm not about to let her ruin this war."
He stepped up to the ticket office and leaned into the window.
"When's the next train for Legion?" he demanded. The young mare sighed and blew a wad of bubblegum, not looking up at Battle as she scanned the time table.
"Next train for Legion leaves in an hour," she said in a nasally drawl.
"Too long, that train's leaving now," Battle replied.
"Look pal, I don't make the rules," she sighed.
"That's funny, because I do," Battle smiled.
The girl looked at him, bored, her eyes flicking lazily over his face. When her eyes came to his Cutie Mark however, her eyes opened wide and her jaw dropped, bubblegum falling out of her mouth.
"Is there a problem, ma'am?" Battle asked.
"N-no sir, I mean, your majesty," she stammered. "Will is be a ticket for one or...?"
"I'll need six tickets," Battle said. "One for myself and my five friends here."
"Yes your highness," she whispered, quickly writing down the appropriate information. Battle dropped a handful of Drachmas onto her desk and scooped up the tickets.
"Keep the change," Battle winked.
"Yes sir, thank you sir," the mare whimpered.
Battle turned and waved the tickets in the air as the walked towards one of the trains.
"Why the sudden rush?" Applejack asked.
"I need to get to Legion ASAP," Battle replied. "If Tactical's promotion has gone public she's almost, for lack of a better term, ready, to go to war."
"And you're going to stop her?" Dash said. "Why?"
"Tactical's an idiot," Battle answered.
Once word had reached the driver of the train that the Prince was on board and wanted to get to Legion as fast as possible, he was very willing to comply. The train rocketed along the tracks at break-neck speed. Battle however was impatient. He knew the kind of damage Tactical could most likely cause. Though her destiny would seem to be to create and design battle strategies, and hell her name ever seemed to suggest that... she wasn't a tactician, she was a map maker for Victoriam's sake.
He tapped his foot repeatedly on the floor, his hands crossed over his chest, a dark scowl on his face. If Tactical did something stupid he was going to kick her head in.
"Boy howdy," Applejack muttered. "I ain't never felt a train go so fast before."
"Never mind the train, just look at the view," Rarity cooed.
The view was indeed impressive. There were deep green slopes that seemed to roll on forever and in the distance, tall mountain ranges, capped with glistening white snow. While Equestria had its fair share of sights to see, none of them came close to the natural beauty of Warhorse.
"It's, so beautiful," Fluttershy whispered.
"Super, super fun!" Pinkie cried.
Battle's eyes widened slightly as he saw something in the distance. He smiled to himself as he got to his feet and joined the girls at the window. He looked out to the dark spire that pierced the sky, visible even from this distance.
"You haven't seen anything yet girls," Battle whispered. "Next stop: Legion."
Chapter Eighteen Legion
Rarity's eyes bugged at the sight of the Tower of Equitem. When Battle had described the city of Legion and the great tower at his center it had sounded the most incredible sight one could possibly imagine.
And it did the real thing not one iota of justice.
The Tower of Equitem looked to be as tall as the mountain on which Canterlot was built. It was a mighty, enormous structure of black stone. The top of the tower was lost in the clouds, hidden by a blanket of white. A great banner hung from the tower; the crest of a horses head on a shield, surrounded by stars, that had been stamped onto the Drachmas Battle had shown them. The shield was a brilliant blue, while the head of the horse was a pure white, the stars glittering gold. It was the most amazing sight the girls had ever seen.
And that was only the tower. The city was just as majestic as the tower. The same, sloped tiled roofs they had seen in Century were present here, in an outer ring of the city, along with much taller skyscrapers nearer the center. Ponies ran, walked or stood in the cobbled streets, talking, shopping or just doing. Every so often they caught sight of a troop of soldiers marching up the streets, clad in black and golden armor, wielding elegant and exquisite weaponry.
Battle smiled at the sight. He was home.
"Well I'll be," Applejack muttered. "That there city is twice as big as Canterlot and then some."
"It looks big enough to home everyone in Equestria," Dash said, equally amazed.
"Oh my," Fluttershy whispered. "There's so many ponies... I don't think I can do this, I don't want them all looking at me."
"Relax Fluttershy," Pinkie cried. "It's not like we'll stick or anything. Right?"
"We're with their Prince, Pinkie," Rarity sighed. "Of course we'll stick out."
"We'd stick out anyway," Dash said. "I mean, we're not exactly the most inconspicuous of mares are we?"
"You most certainly aren't," Rarity agreed. "I mean, I don't think we'll see another pegasus with such hair anywhere in Legion."
"She's got a point Dash," Applejack said.
"Yeah yeah, you girls are just jealous."
"Um, Battle what's wrong? I mean if it's okay to ask that is?" Fluttershy whispered.
The others glanced at Battle. The unicorn had been looking out of Legion as they approached, a dark frown on his face.
"This is supposed to be a war footing," he muttered. "And yet... there seems to be the same number of patrols out as usual."
"What're ya thinking?"
"I'm think Tactical is being stupid... as usual," Battle muttered. "Only one way to find out though."
The train came to a screeching halt into the station. No sooner had it came to a stop, Battle flung the door open and swept onto the platform. The train had taken them into the innermost ring of the city, just outside of the military zone that surrounded the tower. Battle didn't feel like walking the three miles into the city center from the outermost station.
As he walked out onto the platform he spotted a familiar unicorn, dressed in the regalia of a General.
"Arson, just pony I wanted to see," Battle cried, striding over to him.
The pony that had been standing at the platform looking bored looked up. His fur was a deep red color, his hair orange and yellow. His deep amber eyes flicked to Battle and widened slightly. His Cutie Mark was a skull, caught in blazing fire.
"Commander!" Arson cried, snapping to attention.
"At ease General," Battle replied. "Now what's happened here then? Warhorse is on a war footing and here you are guarding the train station."
Arson scowled. "Blame your sister."
"What's Tactical done?"
"Well, she was stupid before, but now she's gone stark raving bonkers. Her army consists of every soldier you said was unfit for duty."
Battle's eyes narrowed. "You mean the dark squadron?"
"Aye," Arson sighed.
"There's only a thousand of them."
"I know. You've got to get in there before she botches everything up."
"Don't worry I will," Battle assured as the others came up behind him. Arson noticed and raised an eyebrow.
"Friends of yours?"
"Aye, they came from Equestria."
"Is that where you've been for this time?"
"Yep. And I have news for Veteran that may be of interest to him."
Arson nodded, before saluting the five mares. He turned back to Battle.
"You want an escort?"
"If one can be provided. I don't think Tactical is going to take kindly to this."
"I'll get the other generals. They'll want in on this. Tactical's been snubbing us ever since you vanished and quite frankly, we're sick of it."
"Get to is General."
Arson snapped back to attention before making his way down the street at a brisk jog.
"Friend of yours?" Dash asked.
"Arson was made unicorn general after Clear Shot died," Battle explained. "He's a good pony. We were in the same barracks at the training facility."
"Um, not to be picky," Applejack said. "But that sounded to me like you were gonna storm your own castle."
"The generals are insurance," Battle explained. "I don't expect Tactical to do anything after all. Father will be there at any rate, she won't attempt anything while he's there."
Less than a minute later, Arson was back with two more ponies. A burly earth pony with a fist shaped Cutie Mark, and a slight pegasus with two crossed daggers over a cloud on her cheek.
"Sir!" all three of them said, snapping to salute.
"At ease," Battle replied. "Juggernaut, nice to see you're in shape."
"Thank you sir," the earth pony smiled, revealing missing teeth.
"And Sky Blade, you're looking superb."
"It's what I do sir," the pegasus smiled.
"Right guys listen up," Battle said quickly. "What we're going to do, is we're gonna walk into the military zone, we're gonna stop Tactical from being stupid and we're going to prepare for this war properly. Sound like a plan?"
"Yes sir!" cried the three ponies.
"Then let's get to work," Battle said smiling. He turned to the others. "You may wanna stay at the back."
They nodded. Battle smiled and turned back to his generals. As one they fell into formation, Battle taking the lead, Juggernaut marching to his left, Arson to his right, and Sky took to the air above them. The other five stuck close behind as Battle walked up to the gates that separated the military zone from the rest of the city.
"Open the gate!" Arson roared. "Commander Ready wishes to enter!"
There was a sudden flurry of activity as whoever operated the gate leaped into action. The gates swiftly opened and Battle and his companions swept through. Battle felt the eyes of every pony in the zone upon him, and the sudden flurry of ponies snapping to attention made Battle realize just how few soldiers Tactical was actually taking.
"Where's Tactical?" Battle asked, loudly. Arson pointed to the tower and Battle growled. "She always has a thing for grandeur doesn't she?"
Arson nodded as they stormed towards the great monument at the center of Legion. As they approached Battle heard cries, order being shouted, and messages to be delivered to the king. Battle smiled. Tactical was in for a big surprise.
As they came closer still to the door, Battle heard Tactical's pouting voice, adamantly refusing to believe a word her father said.
"I tell you he is not here! This is some foolish prank caused by those idiot generals of his!"
Juggernaut growled.
"Easy there tough guy," Battle soothed. Tactical wasn't finished yet however.
"Here. I shall prove to you all he is not here! I shall open this door and reveal to you, nothing. "
Battle smiled as he strode up the marble steps to the door. He heard Tactical's footsteps on the other side, and heard her begin to push the doors open.
"You see?" she cried, flinging the door open and turning to the people within. "Nothing here!"
"Hey sis!"
He couldn't help it. Seeing Tactical freeze up like the way she did, watching her turn in horror... it was a priceless moment.
"What'd I miss?" Battle asked, smiling slyly.
Chapter Nineteen: The Crash Course
Chapter Nineteen: The Crash Course
The girls hadn't known what to expect of Battle's father. They knew that at some point he had commanded Warhorse's armies much the same as Battle did now. The general idea was that he would be a gritty, battle hardened warrior. This proved not to be the case.
Veteran Centurion was as tall as his son, but was slighter. His eyes twinkled with a mischievous air that one might see in Dash's eyes when she set up a prank. His fur was the same shade of dark grey as his son's and it was clear where he and his sister got their navy blue eyes from. But his mane was long and silvery, and was tied back into a long pony tail. His Cutie Mark, though slightly hidden by his stubble, was that of a shield, emblazoned with a curved sword, shaped so that it looked like a 'C'. The crown he wore was nowhere near as resplendent of elegant as the ones worn by the Princesses of Equestria. Just a simple laurel wreath made of gold.
He, Battle, Tactical and the girls were currently in one of the council chambers of Warhorse. Tactical was fuming, standing half in the shadows of one dark corning, scowling at the back of her brother's head. Battle himself stood close to the roaring fireplace, eyes fixed onto the leaping flames. Veteran was sat in a plush armchair, hand on his whiskery beard as he read the letter from Celestia. The five mares from Equestria were gathered in a small ground around a table, waiting in silence.
Eventually Veteran spoke.
"Grave tiding's indeed you bring to us my son," he said, his voice gravelly.
"I wish I could come with better news father," Battle replied softly.
"Not your fault my child," Veteran assured, pushing himself to his feet, wincing at the pain in his hip.
"Not his fault?" cried Tactical. "Of course it's his fault! Not only did he lose ten thousand warriors the last time he fought Wrath, but he didn't even put him to rest for two years!"
"Enough!" roared Veteran, his eyes glaring daggers at his daughter. "You are lucky to even be here Tactical, so you will hold your tongue unless you are spoken to."
Tactical shrank back into the brickwork behind her, cowering under the gaze her father looked at her with. Veteran sighed and limped over to Battle.
"You believe it is, necessary to accept the help of Equestria in this campaign?"
"Necessary?" Battle repeated slowly. "No, perhaps not necessary, but appropriate. Whether we, or they, like it, they have been involved in this conflict now. We may as well offer our assistance if they are willing to offer theirs."
"Spoken like a true Warhorse," Veteran said, slapping his son on the shoulder. "I feel better already having my Commander back."
Battle smiled slightly at this. Veteran turned to Tactical.
"Leave us," he said. Tactical gave a halfhearted salute and left, slamming the door behind her. Veteran turned to the five girls and smiled.
"I must thank you young ladies for the services you've done for my empire," he said smiling. the girls looked at each other, confused.
"Beg pardon your majesty," Applejack said softly. "But, we didn't do anything."
"On the contrary," Veteran replied, "I think that you're charming input on my son was just what he needed. For that I must thank you. It was an... unpleasant sight to see one once so full of life become so miserable."
Battle gave an embarrassed smile.
"Your devotion to your friend and Princess is admirable as well," Veteran said, lowering himself into his chair again, wincing at the pain. "It is touching."
"Well, thank you your majesty," Dash said, still as confused as the rest of them. Veteran looked at them, before pulling out a pair of wire rimmed spectacles and putting them on his nose.
"You bear the Elements of Harmony I see," he stated. "It appears I was correct in allowing you five to stay. The Elements are powerful magical artifacts to wield if used correctly."
"They didn't seem effective against Wrath," Dash grumbled.
"Do not confuse the power of the Elements with your own abilities," Veteran corrected. "You embody the Elements true, and from what Celestia has told me through our correspondence, they are indeed powerful when they are used together. But you seem to be unaware of their true potential as a powerful asset that may aid your friend."
"You seem to know a lot about the Elements of Harmony," Rarity said. Veteran chuckled.
"I make it a point to know as much as I can about magic," he said. "I am not, as you can see, the brawler my son is. I have brittle bones you see? But, I was Commander for a good part of my life. A Warhorse has more in him than just his fighting talents. A pegasus is fast. An earth pony is strong. A unicorn, uses his magic. And this is what I did. I took my not inconsiderable magical prowess, and used it to my advantage. So I learnt as much as I could on the subject, even going as far as to study the mythical Elements of Harmony. Honesty, Kindness, Laughter, Generosity and Loyalty. And then, a few years ago, Celestia rights to me and tells me of the sixths Element. Magic. So fitting don't you think?"
"Father, you're rambling," Battle interjected.
"Oh, yes," Veteran blushed. "Well you see the point is, I know much about the Elements of Harmony, because I have access to books that have long been lost to Equestrian literature." He leaned in close. "You wish to help your friend?"
Battle straightened up and looked over his shoulder at his father.
"More than anything," Dash replied quickly. The other girls nodded their agreement.
"I have promised to keep them safe father," Battle said swiftly. "I can't let them leave Legion."
"I believe this is their choice," Veteran said firmly but kindly. He turned back to the girls. "If you are willing, I am certain we can allow you a chance to help. We may have need for you in the fight against Wrath."
"You mean on the battlefield?" Applejack asked.
"If that is what you wish."
The girls looks at each other.
"Well I've never swung a sword in my life," Applejack said. "But if it's for Twilight, I'll do it."
"I'm in," Dash smiled, though she looked queasy.
One by one, the girls agreed. Veteran turned to Battle. He sighed.
"The troops will be ready and waiting to leave in about a week," Battle said dejectedly. "I can organize a crash course in Warhorse military procedure for the five of you as well as lecture from my father on the Elements of Harmony if you so wish." He turned to face them. "You're in the Warhorse Army now. Get ready for things to get a hell of a lot tougher."
Chapter Twenty: Ready for War
Chapter Twenty: Ready for War
Applejack dropped to the ground and panted, She had thought given her experience bucking apples back in Ponyville, nothing that could have been thrown at her would have effected her. Now she realized just how wrong she had been. Battle had assigned each of them a trainer to help them get the best out of their crash course.
Applejack had the misfortune of being assigned General Juggernaut. The orange furred pony was a head taller than Applejack and even more ripped than her older brother. However unlike Big Mac, who Applejack knew wasn't the smartest pony on the block, Juggernaut's beady black eyes glittered with intelligence. Even without that intellect however, Applejack now knew that Juggernaut was a force to be reckoned with. After all he was the pony who demonstrated to her how to knock down a brick wall using nothing but his own strength and momentum.
It had been quite a sight.
"You're not taking a break are you Apple?" Juggernaut asked. Applejack forced herself to her feet stood at an approximation of Warhorse attention.
"N-no sir!" Applejack cried, though her legs wanted to buckle under her.
"Good!" Juggernaut said. "Wouldn't want you passing out during lunch would we?"
"Lunch?"
"Aye. Time flies when your pumping iron doesn't it?"
"Yeah, it sure does," Applejack said dumbly.
"Come on. I'm sure we'll find some cider to perk you up."
Applejack stumbled unsteadily after the general, her body aching from all the training she'd been doing. It didn't help that she did most of her training with an eighty pound weight strapped to her back. Juggernaut had offered no explanation to this other than 'Commander's idea.'
The two earth-ponies entered the mess hall. Juggernaut pealed away and sat down with the other generals. Applejack looked around for Battle. The Prince however was nowhere to be seen. However she did see her friends sitting at a table close to the door. With a sigh of relief she collapsed onto a seat next to Dash.
"You look dreadful darling," Rarity said, though with not much enthusiasm.
"You... try... working... with him," Applejack panted, taking an apple from the fruit basket on the table.
"Someone's been working hard," Dash chuckled, though sounded as tired as Applejack felt.
"You could say that," Applejack gasped. "They don't pull any punches do they?"
"Nope," Pinkie said. Even the exuberant party mare seemed drained, her usually curly pink hair now straight as a board.
"How was it for you Fluttershy dear?" Rarity asked.
"Oh, it wasn't that bad," Fluttershy said. "I mean, I was just taken to the archery range."
"Oh is that all the made you do?" Applejack said, sighing in relief. "I thought they'd make ya'll do what I had to."
"And what did you have to do?" Pinkie asked.
"Break a whole load o' stuff," Applejack said. "An' it hurt."
"Who assigned us these trainers?" Rarity sighed. "I mean honestly, what kind of prat would give us these ponies to instruct us."
"I did actually," said a voice.
They looked up as Battle sat down. He wore a pair of khaki tracksuit bottoms and a green t-shirt that was soaked in his own sweat. His hair was plastered to his scalp and there was a bandaged wrapped around his hand. He appeared however as vibrant as ever.
"What happened to you?" Dash asked.
"You think just because I'm a Commander I can afford to slack?" Battle chuckled. "No way. I train just as hard, if not harder than any pony here. I've got to keep on tip-top form."
"How'd you mean tip-top?" Applejack asked.
Battle sighed and looked over to one of the other soldiers. Some unspoken order passed between the two and the soldier stood up and walked over. Battle stood too and kicked his chair out from behind him. The soldier than dashed suddenly, picked up the chair and smashed it over Battle's head. The unicorn didn't even flinch.
"Like that," he said smiling. "Thank you corporal, that'll be all."
"Yes sir," the corporal said.
Battle's chair flew back together with a glow of silver magic before he sat down again. He smiled at the girls.
"That was... impressive," Rarity managed to say.
"That's what Warhorse training does to you," Battle said. "You should see Juggernaut. I swear he can make a chair explode just by looking at it."
"I'm thinking you're right," Applejack said.
"Course I'm right I know him," Battle smiled. The girls smiled too.
"So, you selected our trainers?" Dash said.
"Aye."
"Is this punishment for wanting to fight?" Rarity scowled.
"No this is several years of Warhorse training I am trying to crush into one week," Battle explained. "And besides I picked those trainers based on how much I know about you guys. Example Applejack, you're the strongest one here. You're tough you're resilient you don't back down. I assigned Juggernaut to you because you can take the pressure and, if the training pulls off, do some serious damage." Battle turned to Dash. "Rainbow, you're fast you're agile and you don't give up. Sky Blade was assigned to you because she's going to take one of the best flyers in Equestria and turn her into one of the best flyers in the world ." Now it was Rarity's turn. "Rarity, you may not be much of a fighter but you're elegant, smart and pay close attention to fine details. There's an assassin to be made out of you and Merciless is just the unicorn to bring it out of you." His eyes fell on Pinkie. "I put you with Fancy Feet, Pinkie because he can help turn you, a ball of vibrant pink party energy into a veritable force of nature on the field of battle." Fluttershy hid her face in her mane as Battle turned to her. "Shy, I know you'd never truly be cut out for war, but Stitch is going to make one hell of a field medic out of you, and heck, that's just as important."
Battle finished his speech with a cool eye, daring one of the girls to contradict him. None of them did. Battle's logic was irrefutable.
"So this isn't punishment," Battle explained. "This is merely an extension of yourselves. I'm not expecting you to be pitch perfect. I'm just making the best I can with what little time I have."
"Sir?"
Battle looked up at Arson.
"Yes general?"
"Hammer says its ready," Arson said simply.
"Already?" Battle asked surprised. "Bloody hell he's fast."
"Indeed sir," Arson said smiling. Battle turned to the girls and smiled apologetically.
"Apologies ladies but I'm afraid I have some business to attend to. Don't forget after lunch you have you lessons with my father."
They offered farewells as Battle followed Arson out of the mess-hall.
"Have you seen it?" Battle asked.
"A managed to catch a peak," Arson admitted.
"And?"
"I think it's just what you'll need against Wrath."
"That's what I thought."
Hammer was the head smith of the army's forges. A grizzled old unicorn who had seen his fair share of war before stepping back to make the armor and weapons for the army. In recent years he had developed a friendship with Battle, as the unicorn Prince challenged his skills in ways no one else conceived. Hammer had said Battle had a natural mind for advancing warfare. Battle's reply had been to say he was thinking of new ways to protect his people.
This task however had been to benefit Battle in the short run, and had been Hammer's easiest request to complete. Needless to say he had been disappointed.
"In comparison to some of your other requests this was simple," Hammer said as he limped down the corridor with Battle, leaning heavily on a walking stick. "A redesign of your usual armor to allow increased speed and mobility... why do you trouble me with something so trivial?"
"Because you're the best blacksmith in Legion," Battle replied. Hammer chuckled, brushing a strand of course white mane from his face.
"Be that as it may I have a few things to tell you," Hammer said.
"Then by all means go right ahead."
"Thank you. First of all, we've switched out our standard issue metal."
"Again? What's the reason this time?"
"It's three times as strong as what we were using before and half the weight. Thinking of calling it Readium."
"Cute."
"I thought so. Now, in concern to your armor, it's not like anything we've tried to make before. This suit's unique you understand?"
"Got it."
"Good. There is however a trade-off to your request for increased mobility. The only way we could do so was to separate the individual pieces of your armor, meaning-"
"I'm more vulnerable to attack," Battle finished for him.
"Exactly," Hammer said. "However, given that you move like lighting on fire, I'm sure this won't be a problem."
"Thank you Hammer," Battle said as they reached the room at the end of the hallway. It was Battle's personal armory. An extensive collection of various weapons and shields lined the walls. Some rested in cases, with plaques beneath them. These were more often than not either broken or damaged in some way. Battle kept them for posterity's sake. There were also several wooden mannequins, sculpted to an exact likeness of Battle's body throughout various stages of his life. Upon each mannequin was a different suit of armor, some damaged, some not. Some had never even been used.
In the center of the room was the latest addition to Battle's collection. A suit of armor on another mannequin. This one however was different. While the others appeared to be a single mass of sculpted metal, Battle could easily tell where one piece of this new armor ended, and the next began. It was black with gold inlays like the previous armors, but this one appeared more function than fashion as Rarity might say.
"Well?" Hammer asked.
"It's exactly what I wanted," Battle smiled, trailing a finger across the armor. "You've outdone yourself Hammer, you really have." He turned to the smith. "Does it have the extras I asked for?"
"If you mean the blade mechanism in the gauntlets then yes," Hammer said, peeling a gauntlet from the mannequin and throwing it to Battle. He caught it and put it on. He flexed his wrist outwards experimentally. A slender, long blade emerged from Battle's inner forearm, glinting evilly in the light around the room. Battle smiled.
"Perfect," he whispered, allowing the blade to retract. He turned to Hammer. "I will of course need a sword."
"One is already being made," Hammer said smiling. Battle smiled.
"And my friends," he said quietly.
"They require armor and arms?"
"Yes."
"I shall go make the appropriate arrangements."
"Thank you."
Battle looked around the room again as Hammer left. He walked over to a display case and looked within. There was a sheathed dagger within. The plaque read: 'Vindicta - Blade of General Dagger Swift. Reclaimed from the battlefield of Wrath. Battle frowned and pressed his hand against the glass, before he opened it and pulled the sheathed blade from where it rested.
"We will end this together," Battle whispered.
Chapter Twenty One: Move Out
Chapter Twenty One: Move Out
The barracks had been unusually crowded for the last few days before Warhorse went to war. This was due to the arrival of Shining Armor's reinforcements halfway through the week. About three thousand warriors in all. Though not as large as the force Battle would be taking, it was still impressive for a non-military country like Equestria. Hammer of course took one look at the Equestrian army and their armor and gave a disparaging snort, before sending the forges into overdrive to make replacement arms and army for each stallion and mare.
Needless to say Shining had been grateful, yet concerned.
"I assure you my friend we shall be leaving A.S.A.P. for the northern mountains," Battle said, dressed once more in his training gear. "Hammer is in charge of the finest and best smiths in Legion. You're men's armor shall be ready before you know it."
"And you can guarantee that?" Shining asked.
"Yes Shining I can," Battle said smiling. "He's even coloring the metals for you so we can tell our men apart."
"As if it'll matter, you'll end up giving them orders anyway," Shining joked.
"It's funny because it's true," Battle chuckled.
Shining looked down through one of the windows into the military zone. Battle followed his gaze and saw the five mares from Equestria being put through their paces by their trainers.
"Are you sure it was a good idea?" he asked for perhaps the hundredth time.
"You're asking the wrong stallion," Battle replied again. "I keep telling you it was there decision. I have no right to turn anyone away from enlisting into the army unless for medical reasons or safety of the empire. Given that none of them have any medical issues and aren't our enemies, I have no choice but to recruit them."
Shining sighed. "I just hope you're right." He glowered at him suddenly. "You try and recruit Twily and we're going to have some words."
"I'm not saying anything!" Battle protested, continuing the walk.
As Battle promised the armor had been ready before Shining knew it. He had skeptically swapped his Equestrian made armor for the Warhorse set, slightly unconvinced of the promises Battle made about it. He had been shocked when he felt the lack of weight. He looked around for the Warhorse blacksmith Hammer.
"Are you certain this is stronger than what I had before?" he asked.
"Nervous Prince Armor?" Hammer asked chuckling. "Relax, that metal's been put through all the warhorse standard tests and beaten everyone of them. So when you ask if I'm certain and I tell you yes, that's a Warhorse guarantee. That or your money back."
"Thanks I... guess," Shining muttered.
"Look alive ladies!" roared a voice. He looked up and saw Battle's three generals standing above the gate leading out of the military zone. It was clear to Shining the voice came from General Juggernaut. He felt a tug at his arm and turned to see Battle standing there.
"You might want to follow me," he muttered.
"What for?" Shining asked.
"Opening address to the troops. Reassurance, that sort of thing."
Shining looked confused but Battle merely sighed and slapped a hand to his shoulder and his horn glowed. The next second, the two stood behind Battle's generals over the gate. Arson stepped forward and looked down at the men.
"Alright troops," Arson roared. "You know what we're up against! You know what we're fighting! I'm not going to pretend I know what exactly we'll find but perhaps you'll believe the pony who does? Attention!"
Every Warhorse warrior snapped to attention.
Arson stepped back as the generals stepped aside to allow Battle through. Shining noted his armor was completely different to any other sets he'd seen around. It was more, exposed, but he could see the meaning behind it. A black cape had been attached to the armor and now it billowed out behind Battle in the winds like black fire.
"I'm not going to lie to you men," Battle called, his voice carrying over thirteen-thousand ponies. "After all you deserve better than lies. What we go to fight today, is a monstrosity from the beginning of our very nation. You all know him. You all heard the tales as foals. Today we fight the Sin, Wrath." Battle paused here before continuing. "Some of you may be afraid... and that's okay. Fear means your alive, and it will keep you that way if you consume it, rather than let it, consume you. I know the last time that Wrath arose we marched to fight him. I know none of them returned home... and for that I can never forgive myself." Battle eyes narrowed and a dark fire appeared to be lit behind them. "But this day, we shall make him pay for what he did to our nation!"
Cheers of approval rang throughout the crowd.
"On this day, we end it, once and for all!" Battle roared. The cheers grew louder. "On this day, we shall shed no tears, feel no remorse, and show, no , MERCY !"
The cries for blood from the warriors of Warhorse was almost deafening.
Battle raised his fist to the sky. "Victorium Omnibus Modis!"
"Victorium Omnibus Modis!" the warriors screamed back.
"Live long!" Battle roared.
"DIE PROUD!" the armies of Warhorse did cry.
"MOVE OUT!" Battle thundered, turning on his heal as the gates swung open beneath him. He and the generals stepped to the edge of the walkway and over the edge, dropping to the ground like rocks. Shining rushed to the edge and saw them get to their feet, dusting off the drop like it was nothing. Shining whistled his appreciation, before his horn glowed with purple light, teleporting to Battle's side. The Warhorse looked sideways at him and smiled, before jerking his head backwards. Shining twisted his head and saw the armies of Warhorse marching swiftly behind them. The discipline they showed was amazing.
Shining had always know that Warhorse had the best armies in the world, and now he had the opportunity to see this amazing army in action for himself. This would be a war to end all wars. The bloodiest battle that might ever be fought. He looked at Battle. Yes... the greatest and perhaps most important battle in history, being fought by the best pony for the job, Shining thought. And he was here to be the witness to Battle's glory. While Equestria had somehow been tied to this duel of the fates, this was a fight between Warhorse and Wrath, and as such, it was Battle's fight to lead.
And it was his fight to win.
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Chapter Twenty Two: Best Laid Plans of Prince and General...
Chapter Twenty Two: Best Laid Plans of Prince and General...
The mountain ranges that marked the Northern borders of the Warhorse empire were capped with freezing snow and sheets of ice. It was a virtually a wall of frozen stone that rose forever to the skies, with no conceivable way to climb its craggy peaks. Aside from one.
Cracked Peak was, as its name suggested, a great mountain that had been split down the center, right to the slopes at its base. It was the fastest way to get from Warhorse to the strange lands beyond. There had been some expeditions in the spirit of exploration to those lands in the past, but whatever they found and whatever they had recorded was lost to time. Battle had considered sending another expedition out here at some point, but then Wrath had appeared and... he had lost his appetite for adventure.
Night was falling fast by the time they reached Cracked Peak. Battle looked at the sky as he marched through the snow, his navy blue eyes scanning for something. When he appeared not to find what he was looking for he turned to the generals, marching backwards through the snow.
"We set up camp in the gorge," Battle said. "Spread word among the troops."
"Sir!" they chorused and went to their respective platoons. Shining stepped next to Battle as they entered the gorge, relieved to be out of the snow but couldn't help voicing his concern.
"Are you sure we should be resting right now?" Shining asked.
"You wanan be walking in a blizzard at night?" Battle asked, indicating the harsh weather that was moving in on the other side of the gorge. "Besides, if we set up camp on the other side, we're in Windigo territory. This way we only have to worry about being attacked from one direction."
"And what about that way?" Shining asked. Battle looked at him with a withering look.
"You really think some twonk is going to attack an army thirteen-thousand strong by themselves in the middle of the night?"
"Point taken."
Battle smiled, a camp site already being set up. Warhorse ponies were fast like that. Not to say that the Equestrian army wasn't as fast. It was just Warhorse trained themselves to the peak of physical and magical prowess in every condition imaginable. The Equestrian army, though disciplined, was not used to the harsh, winters conditions they now stood in.
A command tent was quickly erected and Battle swept inside, furnishings already being brought in, the snow already melting at his feet. A table was summoned from nowhere and upon it a map was stretched out over it. Battle rolled his neck as Shining followed him. He knew that stance. Battle had just gone into war-mode.
"How far are we from the ice fields?" Battle asked.
"About another day's marching distance if we keep this speed up," Arson said.
"Provided we aren't attacked of course," Sky added.
"Well I'm sure we won't have anything to worry about from a few rogue Windigos," Battle muttered. "Not with Juggernaut."
The general cracked his knuckles menacingly.
"Um no offense," Shining said, feeling he had to drop his two-bits. "But I don't think you can hurt a spiritual creature with fists."
"Of course not," Arson smiled. "That's be stupid." His entire body was wreathed in golden flames. "We're gonna burn the fuckers," he snarled, the flames glancing off of his manic eyes and wild smile.
"Arson, not in here," Battle admonished softly. The unicorn extinguished his fires and looked disappointed.
"As you wish sir," Arson grumbled.
"Sir, may I ask what the battle plan is for dealing with Wrath and rescuing Miss Twilight Sparkle?" asked Sky.
"Princess ," Battle and Shining corrected simultaneously.
Shining then looked at Battle. "A plan? Really? Surely it should be: kill Wrath, find Twilight, go home?"
"Not as simple as that Shining," Battle muttered.
"Not as simple?"
"There is an entire army at Wrath's disposal out there," Battle said. "The army he was buried with."
"I thought you said that Wrath abandoned his armies?" Shining said, confused.
"Wrath made a new one," Battle shrugged. "You remember those creatures in Ponyville? They were his army. And they are made by his hand. He'll keep making more of them until he's done."
"You mean beaten?"
Battle barked a laugh. "Until he's done playing with us," Battle said smiling bitterly. He turned to the map.
"Last I remember the Gates of Wrath were here," Battle said, pointing to a space on the map. Arson marked the point where Battle touched. "Now if things play out the way I think they will, and they shall, then the first wave of attacks will be Wrath's armies of creatures." He hung his head. "That's what got us the first time..."
"How many are we talking sir?" Juggernaut asked.
"It could be anything from the hundreds to the thousands... tens of thousands even..." Battle muttered. He looked at Sky. "However none of them have the ability of flight. This I am certain."
"Understood loud and clear sir," Sky said, a vicious smile on her face. "Arial forces to box them in, keep 'em pinned-"
"-And then the heavy infantry comes in to bring some pain," growled Juggernaut, punching his hands together, "Makin' a right royal mess before-"
"-The unicorn forces move in to finish them off," Arson finished. "A bold plan, if predictable."
"At this point Wrath doesn't care about predictable," Battle agreed.
"You mentioned the first stage of battle would be this army of monsters?" Shining said. "What's stage two?"
"The beast," Battle muttered. "Wrath's true, monstrous form will be unleashed for us to fight."
"And we'll give it to him," growled Juggernaut.
"Yes, but not here," Battle said. He tapped the Gate's of Wrath. "There is where we make our battle with our enemy."
"Sir?" Arson asked.
"Wrath wants to fight me," Battle said. "The mistake I made last time was leaving his spirit to fester in that tomb, where it could recuperate. This time, I'm going in to finish the job. I'm going to end this once and for all... alone..."
There was silence.
"Like hay you will," Shining cried, slapping Battle's shoulder. "My little sister's in there. I'm going with you no matter what you say!"
"With all do respect sir," Sky said, smirking, "But you're mad if you think we're going to miss out on this."
"Wrath's gettin' a taste of ol' Juggernaut whether you like it or not," Juggernaut snorted.
"I feel I have to say this if everypony else is," Arson said. "But, buck that sir."
Battle smiled and sighed.
"Should've known you wouldn't let me go it alone." Battle chuckled.
"You know Twily's friends'll want in on this right?" Shining asked.
"It's be hard not to," Battle smiled. He looked at his generals. "Alright then you crazy bastards. We're in this together and there's no getting out of it. When Wrath makes his move, we sneak around his flank, and hit him where it hurts." He smiled evilly. "Get Merciless," he ordered. "That crazy S.O.B. is just what we need for this kind of mad scheme."
"Sir!" cried the generals snapping to attention. Battle turned around to Shining.
"Get a team of nine of your best ready," Battle said. "If you're coming in, it's only fitting we go on an even playing field."
"You only have four?" Shining said. Battle smiled. "Oh yeah..."
Rarity had to fight not to just lay down on her bedroll in her armor and fall asleep. Granted she felt she was supposed to, and the armor was... impressive. It was similar in design to Battle's only the plating was not as far apart. The color scheme was different too, being a dark shade of purple inlaid with black. Over either of her ribs were knife belts, each holding ten, sharp throwing knives. Strapped to her hip was a short but elegant dagger. Even her helmet allowed her hair to escape in a luscious ponytail. Granted she was not wearing that now of course. She had stripped that off as soon as she was able, relieved to give her horn some breathing room.
"Boy howdy that was a long trek," Applejack said, collapsing onto her bedroll opposite Rarity. The unicorn felt sorry for the earth pony. After all Rarity's armor may have been the heaviest thing she had word, but Applejack's was even heavier going by its size. The farm-pony's armor was thicker, bulkier and more constrictive. It was a dull orange in color with greenish inlays, almost like vines. A heavy broad-sword was sheathed at her hip and a large war-hammer strapped across her back. She looked flustered and tired, understandable given the weight she was under.
She had been allowed to wear her stetson over her helmet.
"You look a mess dear," Rarity sighed.
"Yep, Ah reckon Ah do," Applejack agreed, simply accepting Rarity's quip. She lifted one arm and rolled her shoulder. "Ah still can't get over how quiet like this here armor is."
"Yeah yeah it's quiet and its heavy," Dash said, flopping face down on her bedroll. "Let's just get some sleep before we start walking again." Dash's armor was a light blue, with red inlays. Across her body were various knives of different shapes and sizes. Her wings were armored too, in interlocking golden plates, that ended in a pair of vicious looking blades at each wingtip.
"I never thought going on a rescue mission could be so trying," Dash groaned.
"Are you saying you don't want to save Twilight?" Applejack asked playfully. Dash grumbled.
"Come on Dashie get to your feet soldier!" cried an upbeat Pinkie, bouncing around the tent like she wasn't wearing a heavy suit of armor... a bright punk suit of armor with blue inlaid patters. On each hip was a long, hunting knife.
"Pinkie... not in mood," Dash grumbled as Fluttershy sat down delicately on her bedroll. The armor she wore was similar to Rarity's only butter yellow in color with pinkish inlays. Fluttershy's armor was thinner as well however, less restrictive yet somehow not. It was hard to be described. The large cross that had been inlaid into the breast-plate was easier to see, marking her as a medic. A bow and quiver were strung across her back.
"Just how much longer are we going to have to walk?" Rarity asked aloud.
"I just hope we get this over with," Dash sighed sitting up. "Do you know how many looks I keep getting from the Warhorse ponies like 'You shouldn't be here'? It's like the Grand Galloping Gala all over again!"
Rarity shuddered at that particular memory. They stayed quiet for a moment. Even Pinkie stopped bouncing.
"Okay," Applejack sighed breaking the silence. "Ah'll be the first to say it. Ah'm scared."
Rainbow Dash squirmed uncomfortably before she spoke up too: "Yeah... me too."
Applejack raised an eyebrow before chuckling slightly. "Rainbow Dash? Scared? Now Ah know we're in trouble."
Dash smiled lightly. "Yeah... I'm normally not one to admit it... but that thing... whatever Wrath is... it's got me shaking in my horseshoes."
"It is big and... scary," Fluttershy whispered. Pinkie said nothing, her smile strained slightly.
Rarity sighed: "Well afraid or not we've put our hoof in it girls. We agreed to this and we can't let Twilight down."
"Whoever said anything about letting Twilight down?" Dash asked.
"Ah'd rather eat my hat than let ol' Twilight go," Applejack snorted.
"Yeah! It doesn't matter that we're scared or antyhing!" Pinkie cried. "We're going through with it no matter what!"
"Yeah!" cried Fluttershy, abnormally loud. She shrank back at the surprised glances from the others. "Oh, I'm sorry. Too loud?"
Sky stepped into the tent looking around.
"Was that Fluttershy?" she asked confused.
"Eeep!"
Sky shrugged her shoulders as Dash got swiftly to her feet.
"What is it ma'am?" Dash asked.
"The Commander wants to see the five of you in his tent ASAP," Sky said.
"About what?" Applejack asked.
"Battle plans," said Sky simply.
The five mares looked at each other before the picked themselves up and walked through the camp to Battle's command tent. The guards outside nodded to them as they approached and stepped aside to allow them to enter.
Battle was leaning over a map, but his eyes did not see it. There was something in his gaze. Something... old. For a moment he looked to be his own grandfather. The girls looked at each other shocked. Battle looked up, the age in his face fading away.
"Glad you all came so quickly," he said.
"Sky said you wanted to talk about battle plans or something?" Dash said.
"Yes," Battle said. "This is a war that shall be fought on three fronts." He looked at them. "I'm only asking you to partake in one."
"And what front would that be?" Rarity asked.
"The final one," Battle said. "After all is said and done the real battle will be fought in Wrath's tomb. There we shall defeat Wrath and rescue Twilight."
"Sweet!" Dash cried. "What's the problem then?"
"I have an army at my disposal," Battle said. "I'm not saying you're inexperienced, but if you feel that you're not up to this..."
He left the statement hanging in the air.
"Anything for Twilight," Dash said simply.
"We're not sitting that rodeo out that's for sure," Applejack agreed.
"All for one and one for all as the saying goes," Rarity chimed.
"For Twilight!" Pinkie cried.
"Um... yay," Fluttershy whimpered.
Battle smiled. "I wouldn't have it any other way."
Chapter Twenty Three: Airborne
Chapter Twenty Three: Airborne
Battle knelt as his army crested the last snowy dune at the edge of the ice field. He heard Sky gasp at the sight of so many dead. Juggernaut gave a disbelieving murmur. Arson said nothing, his eyes wide looking at the decaying and rotting bodies of his fallen predecessors in shock. Shining looked to Battle as he knelt.
"What are you doing?" he asked.
"Paying my respects," Battle replied, placing his clenched fist against his chest. "Requiescant in pace meus cecidit commilitones ."
"Consensi ," Sky whispered.
Battle got to his feet and looked out of the icy ground he had fought on so long ago. It seemed like centuries ago to him. He felt like a different pony. The first time he had been here, he remembered his passion, his determination, his recklessness,... his fear. Now here he was again. There was that same determination, but the passion burnt stronger, the recklessness burnt out and instead of hiding his fear like he had before he embraced it like an old friend.
He was afraid because he was fighting a legend, but he stayed because he was one in the making.
"What are we waiting for?" Shining asked.
"Wrath," Battle muttered.
"Why don't we go to him?" Shining asked.
"Wrath likes playing games," Battle shrugged. "He'll come when he wants to. If we try and force him out he'll wait even longer. So we wait here, get him to come to us."
The wind picked up suddenly and lightning cracked across the sky. Black lightning, way too low to be natural.
"BRACE FOR IMPACT!" Juggernaut roared.
A bolt of Black Lightning flew straight at where Shining was standing at the speed of ten sonic rainbooms, so fast nopony would have had time to see it and react had they been wearing standard Warhorse armour. In his new armour however Battle was faster and more mobile. His horn glowed brilliant silver and his hand came up faster than a blink, covered in the same aura. The lightning struck an invisible wall and bounced off.
"Fuck me," Sky whispered. Arson muttered something that caused Juggernaut to laugh.
"That was... good reaction time," Shining admitted. Battle grunted, hand pressed to his shoulder.
"Sire?" Sky asked, concerned.
"Empathetic shield," Battle explained. "First thing that came to mind."
"A cute gesture, if a foolish one."
Battle looked up, almost bored.
"You done?" he asked.
Wrath hovered there, his smoky, formless spirit more powerful in his realm. Lightning crackled in his shadowy flesh and his blood red eyes glowed with evil power. The flesh-less matter looked almost corporeal.
"You were brave coming here," Wrath smirked. "Brave b-"
"Brave but foolish yeah yeah," Battle sighed. "Let's go muffin top."
Wrath scowled at him.
"You mock me?"
"I mock you're face!" Battle cried. "Let's fucking go! I think we all want to get this over with, right guys?"
"Yeah," Arson agreed.
Wrath growled. "You may mock me child of Warhorse. But I see you're fear."
Battle smiled.
"You're right. I am afraid. I'm afraid I might fail again. I'm afraid I'll make mistakes. I'm afraid that I'll get the people care about hurt or worse." He fixed Wrath with his gaze. "But I am not afraid of you. And do you know why? Because you're a coward."
Wrath's eyes flared in anger.
"How dare you?" he thundered.
"Easily," Battle shrugged. "Because unlike you Wrath, I am not, have not, and will not ever, fear, death." Battle's gaze was hard enough to cut diamond. "I understood long ago I may face my death on the field of battle or beyond. But unlike you, I accepted this fact, rather than hide it. Rather than change my identity so I would never face death. Because in the end Wrath, death always finds whomever he seeks." His smile returned. "And on this day, I have found you."
Wrath snarled. A clawed shadow hand was raised as he rested his finger on his thumb. The ice field exploded behind him. Battle's eyes narrowed in anger as the icy plain was swept clean. Wrath moved away, floating through the settling ice crystals and snow. Battle clenched his fist.
"He shouldn't have done that," Battle growled.
"Agreed," Arson growled.
Battle spun on his foot and turned to his army. The ice around his feet cracked as his horn glowed silver. Battle lifted the ice plinth into the air and by extension himself. The dust behind him cleared, revealing a clean plain of ice. A dark mass on the other side moved steadily towards them.
"Warriors of Warhorse!" he roared. "The time is now! This is the beginning of Phase One! And this is the day Wrath falls !"
There were cried of agreement from the army before him as Battle lowered himself back down.
"Sky," Battle said to his general. "Give the order."
"Pegasus soldiers!" she roared. "Take arms!" There was a great sound of various weapons being drawn. "Take flight!" Every Warhorse pegasus took to the skies, hovering several meters above the other soldiers. "ATTACK!"
Battle felt someone tap his head on his head. He looked up to see Dash hovering there.
"Yeah?" Battle asked.
"I know I said I'd help with Phase Three," she said. "But...."
Battle rolled his eyes. "You remember the signal for Phase Three?"
"Yeah."
"Then knock yourself out."
"Yes!" Dash cried, pumping her fist, taking after the other pegasus.
"She made a fine soldier of Dash," Shining commented.
"That's Sky for ya," Battle replied. "Helping the impossible do the impossible."
Dash soared through the skies, wings spread wide, the icy wind blowing through her mane, her hair, her feathers. The armour that had so weighted her down on the ground felt light up here in the air, like it was an extension of herself. Like it was just another, tougher layer of skin. Even the plates on her wings felt like an extra set of feathers. She grinned. If this was what it was like being a Warhorse pegasus, she might just have to enlist permanently.
"Everypony dive and give them some hell!"
Dash winced as she heard Sky's voice echo somehow in her helmet. When she noticed that the pegasus around her had folded their wings however, she followed her general's orders. She reached for two of the knives strapped over her rips and drew them as she plummeted to the ground. Dash normally felt some kind of g-force as she dived from a height like this, but now? She felt streamlined, but she didn't feel the g's. Heck, the high winds didn't even make her eyes water.
Dash smiled. She was really starting to like this armour.
She looked at her fellow pegasus as the dove into the attack. Some were already in the thick of battle. She watched as Sky hooked one of Wrath's creatures with her foot under their armpit and brought him into the air, before dropping him on the head of his comrades. Dash whistled in appreciation. That looked like a tricky maneuver.
Dash decided to go with a simpler approach. Namely swoop low, attack, loop de loop come back for another pass. Lather, rinse repeat. Heck that seemed to be what most of the pegasus were doing. She figured it must be a newbie thing. Dash bit her lip as she pulled from her dive and hacked her blade against the throat of one of Wrath's creatures. She grain altitude once more as she thought.
She didn't want to be a sheep, but she also wanted to do her part.
"Dash," Sky's voice said. "You said you could do a Sonic Rainboom? That better not have been grandstanding. I've got any idea."
"Yeah, I can do it," Dash replied, hoping Sky could hear.
"Good," Sky said. "Think you could get a rainboom in the midst of their ranks and cut 'em up while you're at it?"
"Yes ma'am!" Dash cried.
"Get to it then!"
Dash rocketed straight up into the sky, her wings propelling her as high as she could go. After she was certain she reached the minimum distance required for her legendary Sonic Rainboom, she allowed herself to drop. She plummeted back down to the ground once more, eyes locked on a particularly large group of burly creatures. She smirked and flapped her wings, propelling her to go faster. She felt the familiar sound barrier press against her, but in her new armour she hardly even felt it! Dash grinned again. She was so going to have to show her new stuff to the Wonderbolts.
She neared the ground faster and faster. She felt the sound barrier nearly tear. At the last possible second she burst through it, levelling out instantly. The creatures that weren't flattened, knocked over or blasted into the air by the sheer force of such a maneuver, were quickly cut down by the blades on the ends of Dash's wings. She panted heavily as she began to fly around Wrath's armies, cutting bigger creatures down to size, and knocking smaller ones over, where they were trampled under foot.
"Nice work Dash!" Sky cried. The General was flying several hundred feet above the action observing everything. As Rainbow Dash zipped through the forces of Wrath, she could see other pegasus soldiers landing, getting close and personal with the monsters. They had been cut down to about half of their number since the battle started, but Wrath was beginning to make more. Still they weren't advancing any further. She looked to where she knew the next general was standing.
"Jugs, you're up. Let's get to it."
Juggernaut smiled as he heard Sky's voice. He contemplated drawing his battleaxe from his back and looked sideways at Applejack. The cowpony smiled nervously.
"You didn't have to come you know?" he said calmly, setting his heavy helmet on his head.
"Dash'd never let me here the end of it," Applejack shrugged.
"Good enough reason for me," Juggernaut smiled, before turning his head to look at his troops. "Alright you pansy's! Attack!"
There was a great roar from the ponies behind them as Juggernaut began to run towards the battle already raging. Applejack racing along beside him. Juggernaut may have been big and cumbersome but his strides were huge and fast paced. Applejack gripped her war-hammer tightly, holding it low, waiting for the first strike.
It didn't take long to reach the battle. As they began their final approach, instead of drawing his weapon, Juggernaut lowered her head and began to run even faster, easily outstripping Applejack. The farm pony thought that he would stop as soon as he hit the first line of monsters but she was surprised when Juggernaut simply ploughed straight through them and kept on running.
A line from an old comic book wafted to the front of Applejack's mind. 'Nothing can stop the Juggernaut' . She smiled despite herself, clearly understanding why he had that name. She turned her focus back on her own battle. She was almost there. She gripped the handle of her war-hammer tightly as she neared and raised it behind her head and over, sliding her right hand down to the bottom of the handle to meet her left to achieve maximum damage as she brought it crushing down on the creature's skull.
Applejack barely had time to register her first real kill as she had many more to go through before the battle ended.
Chapter Twenty Four: Into the Shadows
Chapter Twenty Four: Into the Shadows
Applejack swung her hammer in large, heavy strokes. The blunt weapon, while cumbersome, was effective in rendering enemies crippled and in pain, where they would either be finished off by other Warhorse attackers, or trampled underfoot by their own comrades. There was blood on the heavy handed weapon surprisingly, a testament to the power Applejack had in her swings. She debated switching to her broad sword, which kept slapping against her thigh, but she decided against it. Switching weapons in the middle of battle didn't seem like the best thing to do without practice. Sure she had practised a whole bunch of things with Juggernaut, but none of them in an actual battle scenario, where even one mistake could get her killed.
While these thoughts were going on in her head, her body continued to twist and turn, pummel and destroy, working almost entirely on autopilot. While she may have had but a week's training, Juggernaut himself had said that Applejack was a natural born warrior. Applejack had been slightly scared by that thought but let it slide. This was a one off. This was for Twilight.
Remembering the reason she was fighting caused her to put even more force behind her swings. She drew her arms back and swung the hammer like a baseball bat at one of the monsters before her. The creature looked at her and ducked a little too late. The blunt weight of Applejack's hammer caught his head with ease. There was a tearing cracking noise and, too Applejack's horror and amazement, it came clean from his shoulders, rocketing into the sky where it hit some unfortunate pegasus.
"Damnant ," whistled Juggernaut in her ear. "Remind me never to get on your bad side Apple."
"Yes sir," Applejack grunted, ignoring Juggernaut's new nickname for her, knocking another monster down for the count.
Juggernaut smiled as he crushed the skull of another beast under the strength of his bare hands, before using the body as a club to bash his enemies back, as he drew his battle axe from his back, using powerful, heavy chops to cut the monsters cleanly in tow.
"How's it looking from up there Sky?" he asked.
The pegasus swooped in low, dagger flashing evilly as landed, spinning like a top, her wings splayed out and the blades at the tips slicing through armour and flesh like butter. She threw a few throwing knives with ease and accuracy, the blades sinking between the eyes of her targets. She turned to Juggernaut before she took off again.
"It's a cake walk," she smiled.
"Don't get cocky General," came a voice in her ear. "We're still in Phase One. This is the warm-up."
"Yes Commander," Sky agreed.
From his position at the edge of the battle, Arson and Battle stood at the head of the unicorns forces. The unicorn segment of Battle's army was not as large as either the pegasus or earth pony side of things. This however, was because the unicorns were the most destructive. The magic that Warhorse unicorns tapped into was old and powerful. They used even the most simplistic of spells to the most effective degree in combat. They were easily the most powerful force Battle had to command.
A third unicorn approached Battle. A lean, slight unicorn with dark a dark black mane and silver eyes. His amour was the same black as the rest of the warhorse armies, and styled similar to Rarity's. His Cutie Mark was a dagger, crossed over a crescent moon.
"Commander," said the pony, saluting.
"Merciless," Battle nodded, smiling. He looked at the armies of Wrath. They had certainly been cut down to size that was for certain. Nearly two thirds were gone, and his forces were laying them down faster than Wrath could spawn them. He smiled.
"Alright Sky, Juggernaut," he said. "It's time to stand back."
Sky looked to Battle and nodded. She dived down the the battlefield and grabbed Juggernaut under the armpits, lifting him to the air. All around them, the pegasus soldiers were doing the same. Applejack looked up as Dash came down to air lift her out of harms way.
Battle tilted his head to Arson slightly.
"Everyone out of the way?" he asked.
"Affirmative sire," Sky replied. "All clear for you to reign hell."
He smirked and nodded. Arson stepped forwards, his horn glowing a fiery red light as his hands were wreathed in flames. He raised one hand and snapped his fingers. An explosion the size of Ponyville sent creatures flying everywhere in charred and burnt chunks. Battle turned to his left to look at his General and smiled before looking forward.
"No mercy," he snarled, drawing his sword from his hip.
"Merciless is my name remember sir?" the unicorn to his right chuckled.
Battle didn't answer verbally, instead charging forwards. Arson and Merciless followed, Arson drawing a flaming whip, Merciless a long, black scythe. The other unicorn forces followed at a slower pace, knowing just how much damage Battle alone could do, let alone with Arson and Merciless.
Arson cracked his whip, fire lancing out from where it stuck against the air and evaporating an entire line of soldiers. Merciless threw his scythe one handed, sending it spiralling towards the forces of Wrath. It sliced through them like a knife through butter, before arcing back around like a boomerang and landing in Merciless' hand once more. Battle gave a roar of blood-lust leaping into the air, higher than a pegasus taking flight, eyes glowing silver as he dropped into the middle of the monstrous ranks.
Once there he sent a bolt of powerful magic out, so strong that it vaporized anything it touched. He spun around, the blade hidden in his wrist appearing in a glint of light and a flash of red as it cut through the neck of a monster with ease, sending blood everywhere. An explosion to his left reminded him of Arson's presence as he heard the crack of his whip. He smiled darkly as he saw another monster being thrown into the air before it was pierced on a spear of darkness thrown by Merciless.
Battle reared up as his as he could before brining his fist down to the icy ground. The force of the blow caused the wind to hold and huge, gaping cracks to appear in the icy ground, swallowing Wrath's creatures up as they plunged into the shadows below. Battle straightened up and thrust his hand out, eyes crackling silver. Bolts of white lightning flickered from his fingertips, frying all they touched.
This was battle... this was war... this was where Battle belonged. No restrictions, no limits. Nothing whatsoever to hold him back. Within a few short moments he, his General and his Major General had completely decimated what little remained of Wrath's army.
The few that remained looked nervous.
A moment later they dissipated in a flash of shadows rising to the skies and into the open doors of the Gates of Wrath. Battle's eyes narrowed.
"Here it comes," Battle muttered. "Get ready for Phase Two."
In the darkness beyond the gateway there came a deep growl.
"Here comes the beast..."
A single clawed foot emerged from the shadows. From beyond the darkness emerged the Beast that Wrath had become. Battle scowled at the sight of it. It was like some sort of half-breed between a dragon and a pony. A large, bestial creature with heavy black scales and lizard like forelegs with long gleaming golden claws. Its hind legs and flank were coated in course black hair. Its face was just as hideous as Battle remembered. Those scalene eyes, that scaly face and the hatred in the way it moved its head. This was the monster that had terrorized the land the walked on for so very long, the one who had brought about the ice that covered it and froze its heart.
But Battle was only concerned with one thing. The fact that this monster had caused the death of ten thousand good ponies he had known. Not all of them as closely as the others but still. They had been his friends. Their deaths were this creature's fault as much as his own.
"That's Wrath?" Arson asked approaching Battle's side.
"That is the Beast Within," Battle replied. "Wrath is still in his tomb."
"So we have to get past him to get at Wrath?" Merciless reasoned as Sky landed beside them, Juggernaut reaching their side too.
"Sounds like fun," Juggernaut growled.
"Easy General," Merciless reminded. "This is why Phase Two was put into effect, remember?"
"Yeah... Phase Two..." Battle murmured.
"Are you all right Commander?" Sky asked.
"Trying really hard not to charge that thing, that's all," Battle muttered.
"Why would you charge it? What happened to Phase Two?" Arson asked.
"Phase Two can kiss my flank for all I care," Battle growled. "I just want to eat him!"
"Easy there Battle," said a voice as a hand clasped on his shoulder. He didn't have to turn to see it was Shining standing there. "We need to stick to the plan."
Battle took a deep breath in through his nose before nodding. He turned to Shining and the nine warriors he had picked to follow him into the Tomb of Wrath. Hammer had copied the armour of Equestria exactly, even down to the enchantment's placed upon it, making each soldier look identical, being a pure white warrior with no Cutie Mark.
"Yes, of course," Battle said. "This is not our battle. Not anymore." He looked to the Beast as it crawled nearer, before turning to his armies.
"Warriors of Warhorse!" he called, pointing to the Beast. "This monstrosity is your target! Make sure it doesn't get up again!"
"Armies of Equestria!" Shining roared. "Do not let this creature live another day! Put it to rest for the sisters of the Sun and Moon!"
Both armies roared their agreement. Battle turned back to the Beast as Dash landed beside him, still carrying Applejack. A slightly more nervous Fluttershy landed the other side, holding Rarity. Completing the group of twenty came Pinkie Pie in a blur of her usual pink flourish. Battle locked his eyes onto the dark portal beyond the monster.
"Let's go," he said.
Battle raced ahead, keeping low so as not to attract the attention of the Beast. He needn't have worried. The Beast was far too preoccupied with the some thirteen thousand warriors that were charging towards it. It didn't take long for them to reach the edge of the ice fields and arrive at the glacier face, though sometimes someone would glance back to see what was happening on the battlefield. Battle was one of those who looked most often. He knew his army was powerful, but the last time they had fought this beast, no one had come back. He had been the last warrior to return.
He shook those thoughts from his head. They had taken precautions this time. Their armour was better, their soldiers tougher and their weapons stronger. The Beast did not stand a chance.
The Gates of Wrath loomed before them. Battle looked into the darkness beyond. It was almost impenetrable.
"What are these markings?" Shining asked, looking at the gates themselves. "The symbols are ancient but the magic that created them is newer." He eyed them closely. "And... are they drawn in blood?"
"Best I could do at the time," Battle said simply, hand curling up as he felt a ghostly throb of pain from the scar upon it.
Shining looked at him.
"You drew these?" Shining whispered.
"My failed attempt to seal him away," Battle replied, drawing his sword. "No more though. We end this now."
And he stepped into the shadows.
Chapter Twenty Five: Labyrinth
Chapter Twenty Five: Labyrinth
The shadows were absolute, freezing and sickly. Battle's horn glowed bright silver, casting rays of brilliant light through the darkness. The cold, icy realm outside was nothing to the near Arctic temperatures within. The walls of carved ice shone under the glare from Battle's horn. Veins of some dark substance ran deep throughout the icy tunnel. It might have been liquid shadow, or it may have been blood.
"My goodness its cold," Rarity cried, wrapping her arms around herself.
"I thought outside was bad," Applejack managed to get out through chattering teeth.
"Arson?" Battle called.
"Sir." A ring of warm, yellow flames appeared and hovered around them as they walked. Battle felt the heat take affect almost immediately but he paid it no head. It was for the benefit of his comrades rather than himself.
The further they walked in, the more the rough ice tunnel became more of an ice coated passage. Chiselled and carved stone walls could be seen under inch thick sheets of dark ice. Intricate designs and patterns were just visible under the surface, drawing depicting great battles and terrible creatures.
"There're walls here," Shining observed aloud, following Battle's train of thought.
"We're entering the tomb proper," Battle explained. "This entire place was constructed in order to prevent Wrath from escaping." He paused slightly. "And to stop people from breaking in."
"What do you mean?" Dash asked.
"This is a tomb remember?" Battle said. "Even though this place was constructed to be a prison as much as a resting place, Wrath was still buried with some his more... dangerous acquisitions. And like the tombs of old, their are contingencies set in place in order to prevent-"
A spear shot from the darkness ahead of them. Battle's eyes flashed and he side stepped, his hand crashing down on the centre of the spear, breaking in cleanly in two.
"Grave-robbers," Battle finished, growling.
"How are these traps still working?" Applejack asked.
"Either good Warhorse craftsmanship or maybe Wrath's fixed them up just for us," Battle suggested.
"Well that's good," Rarity sighed. "We're walking through a freezing crypt, facing a monster from the beginning of time and there are traps at every corner. Now what?"
"Remember your training," Merciless said sharply. "A good assassin is always prepared for anything that is thrown at them."
"Well put Merciless," Battle agreed. "But I feel we'd be much better off if we could see them before we set them off. Arson."
Arson snapped his fingers. Twin trails of golden flames lined either side of the passageway, throwing the icy tunnel into sharp relief. Battle turned to Arson and gave him the thumbs up.
"Ooooh pretty!" Pinkie exclaimed. Battle's horn stopped glowing, and allowed the light from Arson's flames to guide the way.
"So how big is this tomb anyway?" Shining asked.
"And is it all as dark and spooky and scary as this?" Fluttershy asked.
"It could in theory go for miles," Sky reasoned. "I mean, who's to say the entire glacier didn't form around Wrath's tomb?"
"You mean this thing could be the size of an entire glacier?" Dash asked.
"Maybe more," Battle shrugged. There could be underground tunnels waiting for us too. An endless labyrinth to stop us reaching Wrath."
"You mean we could be wandering down here forever?" Applejack cried. Battle stopped.
"Quite possibly," he said glumly.
The passageway ahead of them split off in a fork. Two equally similar passageways, indistinguishable from each other. Each one ran into the darkness and the cold.
"Now what?" Dash sighed.
"Split up?" Shining suggested.
"That is the last resort," Battle replied. "We are not splitting up you hear?"
"Agreed," Juggernaut said. "Not the best idea."
"Well then if we aren't splitting up, what are we going to do?" Rarity asked. "I mean, do we blunder blindly down one corridor and hope for the best?"
Shining looked left, then right. He stepped directly up to the fork and held out both hands out, one in each passageway. He screwed up his eyes in concentration before sighing and turning back to the others.
"What the hay was that?" Applejack asked.
"Well I assumed we could tell which way Wrath was if we identified which direction was colder," Shining shrugged. "Didn't work out like I hoped."
Battle frowned, walking up to the fork himself. Followed Shining's example and looked left, then right. He closed his eyes and listened intently. He knew what Wrath wanted. It was him. He wanted to fight Battle with the very core of his being, something Battle knew was a mutual feeling for the both of them. Wrath didn't want them to get lost. What he wanted was for them to find him.
Something brushed past his left ear. It twitched in response and Battle paid more attention to it. He could hear something, a small rasping voice. He turned hi head and strained his hearing.
"Come and have a go..." it whispered, mockingly.
Battle's eyes flared open.
"This way," he said pointing. "Arson, light the way."
Arson snapped his fingers and the trails of golden flames shot down the left hand path. Battle immediately began walking down said path, his eyes set like stone. He paused for a moment before striking the icy wall at his side with all his might. The ice in the tunnel shattered in a blast, showering them all and the ground in shards of frost. Battle smirked. While he wasn't sure if he would make it of of here alive, he decided it be best if he left a trail for his friends to follow even if he wasn't with them.
I'm comming Wrath, he thought. And this time, it's winner takes all...
They continued down into the labyrinth, Wrath's mocking voice their only guide. Their path was easy to retrace as Battle kept de-icing the paths that they travelled down. They remained in relative silence, aside from some happy humming from Pinkie Pie and a fair few nervous whimpers from Fluttershy.
Eventually the tunnel came out to a large, open chamber. Arson's flames led them right up to the edge of a mighty, open chasm. A circular pit, at least two-hundred feet in diameter and seemingly bottomless. Rainbow Dash gave an exasperated sigh and looked at Battle.
"Let me guess," she said. "He's down there right?"
"Looks that way," Battle said, kneeling at the pit's edge. "Arson, give me a light."
"Sir."
Arson came to Battle's side and held a fist of fire at arm's length. Battle closed his eyes and pointed into the pit. Arson nodded slowly and reached his hand out into oblivion. Battle nodded and Arson dropped the fires into the pit. Battle kept his eyes closed, concentrating.
"Contact," Arson said as the fires struck the ground. Battle opened his eyes.
"Five seconds," he said. "That's roughly five hundred feet."
"Five hundred feet and noway down," Applejack lamented.
"Uh, hello?" Dash said, shaking her wings out.
"Oh yeah," Applejack muttered, blushing slightly.
"Sky," Battle murmured, getting to his feet. "Go long."
Sky crouched and spread her wings. Battle smiled before leaping into the void. Shining and the other Equestrians gasped as Sky leaped after her Commander, grasping him under the armpits and lifting him, as he began to plummet. With a powerful wing-beat, Sky slowed their fall as they began to gently fall to the ground. Applejack looked down after them and scratched the back of her neck.
"I don't know about this. It don't seem exactly-"
Dash cut off off by grabbing her and lifting her down.
"Dash! Put me down!"
"Oh quit your bellyaching. I'm doing you a favour here."
"Fluttershy dear, would you be so kind?" Rarity asked. Fluttershy nodded and lifted Rarity into the air.
It took a few trips but eventually everpony was at the bottom of the pit.It wasn't much from the bottom either. Just an icy, circular space. Arson's flames revealed little else that wasn't visible in the dark, aside from the only exit.
A single, black door. A door that absorbed all light. There was writing around the outside of the door, in glistening, blood red lettering.
'Ira fiat peccarent per jaceo hic in sempiternum et exsecramini eos qui videret eum vigilaveris ...'
"What does it say?" Shining asked.
"Let the Sin of Wrath Lie here forever, and curse those who would see him wake," Sky translated.
"Let's go say hi," Battle said. "Juggernaut. Those doors look pretty sturdy. Go introduce yourself to them."
"Yes sir," Juggernaut smirked. He leaned forwards, and raised his arms before charging at the black doorway. With a colossal 'BANG' Juggernaut collided with the black metal. The doors flew from their hinges, flying into the flickering, orange light beyond.
Battle took a deep breath through his nose as Juggernaut stepped back.
"Door's open sir," he said, gesturing for Battle to step through. Battle smiled and stepped forward.
"Let's end this."
Chapter Twenty Six: Clash
Chapter Twenty Six: Clash
The labyrinth had been an ice coated maze. The inner sanctum of Wrath's tomb was nothing like that. A huge, stone chamber greeted them. Flickering orange flames danced in bronze brackets, throwing black shadows against the walls. In the centre of the room was a shiny black stone casket.
Chained to it was Twilight Sparkle. The alicorn mare lay slumped against the stone, eyes closed. She appeared to be in some kind of trance-like slumber, her body coated in some kind of shimmering black aura.
"Twily!" Shining cried rushing forward.
Battle's arm came up faster than Shining could move, blocking his advance. A sideways look from the Warhorse warrior showed no emotion whatsoever.
"What gives?" Dash demanded. "We should just go get her!"
"Dash's right. Time's a wastin'," Applejack agreed.
"This is Wrath's burial chamber," Battle reminded.
"So?" Shining growled.
"Where's Wrath?"
No sooner had the words left his mouth did the room begin to shake and rumble.
"You had to ask," Arson muttered.
The casket behind Twilight split open and a torrent of darkness burst forth. The shadows swirled and danced and writhed and fell over and over. Battle tensed, his eyes locked onto the centre of the dark swirling mass, heart pounding in anticipation and terror.
Here we go.
The shadows morphed into shape atop the casket. A tall, silver armoured warrior with a shining silver mane and blinding white fur. But still that Cutie Mark of the dragon's-eye on his cheek. The same blood red eyes that glowered from deep in his head. His smile revealed pointed fangs that could not belong in any regular pony's mouth; fangs that were designed to rip and tear flesh.
"Commander, so nice to see you could make it," Wrath chuckled.
"Show respect demon!" Juggernaut snapped.
"Calm General," Battle soothed.
"Yes, calm," Wrath smirked. "Wouldn't want you to overheat that thick skull of yours eh, General?"
Juggernaut growled.
"Enough small talk!" Battle snapped. "I've come too far to listen to your prattle! Let's finish this! Right here, right now!"
Wrath's eyes narrowed. "If you insist."
Battle didn't see Wrath move, but he felt the impact of his fist in his armoured stomach. He let out a strangled cry as he and Wrath flew backwards out of the burial chamber and into the pit beyond. Battle cracked straight through the ice and into the stone wall behind it. Battle's eyes screwed up in pain before he looked up and stared into Wrath's face.
"What's wrong Commander ?" Wrath hissed. "I thought you wanted to fight me."
Battle scowled into Wrath's eyes. "Me mordebunt te limo ," Battle snarled, raising one armoured hand. The blade in his wrist shot from its resting place as Battle slammed it into Wrath's exposed neck.
The Sin roared in agony as he staggered back, allowing Battle to drop to the ground, both warriors clutching at their wounds. Battle recovered first and barely dodged Wrath's next strike as The Sin slammed his fist into the wall where Battle had been standing in front just moments before.
"Slippery little-" Wrath began to say before he was flattened against the wall by a rampaging Juggernaut.
"Take that!" Juggernaut cried, every ounce of strength used to press Wrath flat again the wall.
"You think you can holdme ?" Wrath grunted, smiling evilly. His body dissipated into vapour and reappeared behind Juggernaut, sword in hand. "I am the Sin of Wrath !"
He swung his blade heavily, determined to sever Juggernaut's head from his shoulders. Two long daggers stopped his blade cold however, forcing them to a sudden stop. Sky stood beneath the attack, he face strained with the effort of fighting back against the Sin's overwhelming might.
"You think yourself strong, little pegasus?" Wrath growled. "Strong enough to face me?"
"I will face even if I am not," Sky grunted, collapsing slowly onto one knee. "For if my brother can fight you, so can I! I face you Wrath in the name of Dagger Swift!"
Her wings exploded out behind her as she beat them furiously, the added force pushing back against Wrath's attack. The Sin growled and then buckled as Juggernaut punched him in the side. Wrath fell to one knee and Sky seized the opportunity to attack. She spun out from Wrath's line of fire and lashed a powerful kick to Wrath's Jaw. Against a normal foe such an attack would had ripped their head from their shoulders. However Wrath was not a normal foe. When Sky's attack connected, Wrath's body became vaporous once again.
The flowing form of Wrath transferred to the other side of the pit, where it reformed into the white warrior of Wrath, smiling manically.
"You can fight all you want!" he crowed. "But I am indestructible in this form! I cannot be wounded! I cannot be injured! I'm unstoppable!"
"Quit blowing your own trumpet!" Battle called. "Even immortality has it's price you know!"
Wrath cackled with madness and rage.
"I have already paid my price foolish mortal!" he cried. "And look at me! I'm the most powerful force in the world! I'm invincible!"
"You're a loony," Battle retorted. Wrath snarled, his eyes flashing red.
Everypony in the chamber was suddenly pushed against its icy walls aside from Battle and Wrath.
"This is what we both wanted is it not?" Wrath chuckled as he drew his sword. "Nopony to get in our way. Just you and me. A clash of the titans as it were. Though, you're not really a titan are you?"
"Yeah you're right Wrath," Battle said, drawing his own blade. "Because like I said before, I'm not just a pony... I'm your death."
Wrath roared and launched himself at Battle, but the other warrior was ready this time. His blade came up faster than the eye could blink. Wrath's blade barely graced Battle's with a touch before both swords retreated and were up again, exchanging lightning fast blows that seemed impossible to follow, much less carry out.
The other ponies looked on as Battle fought toe to toe with Wrath once again. And what's more, he appeared to be winning. The speed and mobility granted by Battle's armour certainly had its advantages over the extra protection Wrath's armour gave him. That much was clear from how Wrath continued to retreat, taking quick steps backwards to avoid Battle's onslaught. Shining for his part found it an interesting twist of fate that the black knight, fabled villain in most pony literature, would be the warrior he was rooting for.
Battle however knew that combat wasn't one with strength alone, nor was it won by how skilled you were with a blade or how fast you moved it. To be victorious a Warhorse had to use all his assets. And right now, his only other asset was his magic.
With a subtle silver glow, the ice at Battle's feet began to melt. Battle knew he couldn't beat Wrath in a game of strength. Wrath's power was limitless in this form, while his own mortal energy supply was not. Battle may have been able to keep fighting for an hour or two, but as soon as he slipped up, Wrath would have his head and then it would be game over.
Battle's eyes suddenly flashed, and the ice at their feet and indeed the ice all around them evaporated in a burst of steam. Wrath gave a cry of alarm, throwing his hand sup trying to disperse the white fog. No sooner had he tried however did he feel a thin blade strike the weak point of his armour, underneath his armpit. The blade sunk through metal and into his shadow flesh. He roared in pain, but it was cut short as an armoured fist slammed into his jaw. Wrath staggered back, searching for Battle in the steam.
"COWARD!" he roared. "Face me!"
"This is war," Battle's voice replied from the mist and shadows. "And as the old Warhorse saying goes: omnibus est pulcherrimus in amoris et belli ."
"All is fair in love and war?" Wrath snarled. "I always hated that phrase."
"Well I don't blame you. After all, with a mug like yours, who'd love you?"
Wrath growled before Battle appeared in front of him smirked as his wrist-blade came up and slashed across Wrath's cheek. The Sin's eyes widened in pain and shock as Battle leaped backwards, disappearing once more. There was a moment's silence before something shot out of the darkness like a cyan bullet. A gauntleted fist connected with his stomach before a long dagger slammed into the exposed weak point in his armour.
Wrath roared in pain as whatever had attacked him dissipated into the air above him. He growled, his leathery white wings appeared where once their head been none. He was distracted however when he was kicked heavily in the side. He grunted as he staggered away, before something large and heavy swung into his back. His eyes filled with anger as whoever had attacked him danced back into the still rising steam.
How is this even possible? Wrath though to himself, just as an arrow struck into his neck. He snarled just as something, or somepony, shot from the shadows in a blur of pink. A pair of knives reigned agony down on Wrath over and over again as whoever was wielding them ran rings around Wrath. Before he could lash out once more the attacker disappeared into the shade.
Wrath's growl was cut off before it began as another arrow struck him in the arm, followed swiftly by another. He tried to spy the source of the arrows before a knife sunk into his armour, cutting through it like butter and piercing the flesh beneath. He growled as something slashed up his cheek, the attacker moving to stealthily to be seen.
"Wrath, allow me to introduce you to my friends," Battle chuckled as the steam finally disappeared. "The Elements of Harmony. But then, you've already met them haven't you?"
Arranged around him were the five, colourfully armoured mares that Battle had appeared with. They each bore a slightly smug but determined smile upon their faces. The other warriors stood behind Battle, looking equally determined and ready to fight. Wrath growled at the sight of them.
"Aw hey don't be like that," Battle pouted. "Well actually, yeah be like that. Because these girls are pissed and you're unlucky enough to be their enemy."
The girls all smiled as from beneath their armours lights began to appear. Battle smiled too.
They may be one element short , Battle thought, But the Elements of Harmony are still powerfully enough to do some serious damage. And maybe keep you in a form we can destroy too...
The five Elements slowly enveloped their bearers, bathing them in various shades of light. Fluttershy was enveloped in apinkish glow, Rarity in a purple haze, Pinkie in a blue ball of light, Dash in red and Applejack in orange. The five lights merged together as Wrath held up a hand to shield his eyes from the intense light. Battle smiled darkly.
"Let 'im have it girls!" Battle cried.
A blast of multicoloured light burst forth in a powerful stream slamming Wrath against the stone walls of the pit. He cried out in pain as the light tore at his shadow flesh and burnt his very soul. He screamed out before he dissipated himself his shadowy form writhing out from the onslaught brought by the five Elements. Battle raised an eyebrow. The training the girl had undergone with his father had really helped them all it seemed.
Wrath reformed in a corner of the dark pit as the light from the Elements faded. Wrath's face was distorted into a snarl of anger, black blood oozing from various wounds. Great strips of flesh were cut from his body and their was a hole in the centre of his chest and his armour. What it revealed was a pulsating core of pure shadows. Battle's eyes widened before narrowing slowly once more.
The heart of his soul... his Achilles heel it would seem... if we destroy it, we may just destroy Wrath...
Wrath snorted like a bull. "I will mount your heads on a pike and let the crows have your eyes!" he thundered.
"Come at me bro," Dash chuckled. Battle looked up sharply, Rainbow's provocation the absolute worst thing she could have done.
Wrath roared and blast of pure shadows filtered from the wounds in his body. The Element Bearers were slammed against the walls were the slide to the ground, unconscious. Battle glanced over his shoulder to make sure they were alive. Satisfied that they were, he looked to his fellow soldiers. They were getting shakily to their feet, but it seemed as though they were frozen, moving sluggishly. Battle's gaze turned back to Wrath.
"Now. Let us finish this," Wrath snarled. Battle threw his sword aside and drew Vindicta from its scabbard.
"Let's."
Chapter Twenty Seven: Tears of a God
Chapter Twenty Seven: Tears of a God
Wrath's blade snickered off of Battle's as the two warriors stepped back and forth exchanging blows as fast as they could. Battle may have had more agility, but Wrath was running on pure rage now. The two were evenly matched. All it would take however would be one mistake. One slip up and either warrior could end up dead. A blade to Wrath's exposed core, or a swipe to Battle's mortal neck.
Battle somersaulted over Wrath and elbowed him in the back, before ducking a swipe from Wrath. The Sin growled as he spun around and clamped his hand around Battle's throat and lifted him into the air.
"You have been a thorn in my side for far too long," he hissed. "I shall enjoy extracting you and slaughtering your army. Then I will conquer your empire, followed by Equestria. And then, just to finish it off, I will kill your new friends!"
He threw Battle bodily over his shoulder and into the burial chamber. Battle struck the hard ground and rolled several times over, coming to a rest at the foot of the black casket that Wrath had escaped from. He pushed himself to his hands and knees before coming to a crouch. He was quickly blasted off of his feet again by a bolt of magic from Wrath.
Battle smacked into the casket and felt his head spin slightly as he tried to get to his feet. He wasn't weak. He wasn't weary. He wasn't in pain. He could handle whatever Wrath threw at him.
"Still getting up I see?" Wrath chuckled.
Battle growled and turned his head to Wrath, leaning on the casket. His eyes however were drawn to the form of Twilight beside him. She appeared sickly, tired, half-starved. In her slumber she twitched and moaned slightly, like she was having some kind of nightmare. From where Battle stood he could see a cut on Twilight's right shoulder. His eyes narrowed and turned to Wrath.
"How dare you treat my fiends so shamefully ?!" Battle growled. Wrath chuckled.
"Does it disturb you?" Wrath asked. Battle's eyes glowed with the same red light in Wrath's.
"You know," Battle hissed. "I've never really let loose in battle. I've always been too afraid. Even I don't know what I'm capable of when I get angry ." His the red glow in Battle's eyes mixed with the silver of his magic. "Shall we find out?"
Battle was in front of Wrath before he could comprehend what was going on. Battle's fist knocked Wrath backwards, sending him staggering. Battle didn't let up for a single moment, his movement's leaving blurry after images as he slammed his dagger into Wrath's shoulder. The Sin screamed in pain as he staggered again.
"What are you?" he asked in agony.
"I told you already!" Battle cried, wrist-blade emerging as it slashed Wrath's leg. "I am your death !"
Wrath cried out in pain as he slashed blindly to find Battle, black blood flying. But Battle was no longer there, he was behind Wrath, his blades lashing in an 'X' across his back. Wrath roared as he was forced to his knees. Battle flipped over his shoulder and looked into his eyes.
"I will enjoy this much more than I should," he growled, raising the blade of Dagger Swift. Wrath's eyes flashed black, sending Battle flying black. Wrath got to his and took several steps backwards.
"Let's see how well you fair now?" Wrath panted.
"Looks to me you're still broken beyond repair Wrath old boy," Battle snarled.
"Not against me," Wrath smirked. "Against her ."
Battle turned just as a bolt of grey-scale light struck him the chest, sending him flying backwards again. He got swiftly to his feet, trying to understand who had attacked him. His eyes widened in horror and fury.
Twilight was making her silent way through the burial chamber towards him, her eyes still closed but her face screwed up as if she were in some terrible dream. Battle turned to Wrath.
"You coward," Battle snarled. "Fight your own damn battle's!"
"What was it you said before?" Wrath snarled. "All's fair in love and war?"
Battle growled as Twilight slowly stood in front of Wrath. She remained there, silent and still, waiting for Battle to move. Battle however was frozen. Wrath had just put him in an impossible position. He couldn't hurt Twilight. That was obvious, her friends and brother would never forgive him, if he wouldn't forgive himself. But then, he needed to get through and end Wrath once and for all. It all hinged on what he could do, and what he couldn't... what he would do and what he would never do...
He lowered his arms to his side in defeat, closing his arms in shame.
"Throwing in the towel?" Wrath chuckled. "Good call. Twilight my dear?"
Another bolt of light sent Battle sprawling in the dirt with a cry of pain. Battle looked up at Twilight as she walked up to him, eyes still closed. Battle bowed his head in sorrow.
Something glinted in the corner of his eye. He flicked his gaze over to it. It was the Element of Magic, lying at the feet of one of the still frozen warriors. His eyes widened. How had that gotten here? Battle smirked as he realized who the Element was lying in front of. Shining Armour.
Cunning bastard.
Battle looked back up at Twilight, smiling broadly. The light began to gather at the tip of Twilight's horn. Battle tensed, ready to move.
Twilight unleashed her attack and Battle rolled, getting swiftly to his feet and running to Shining Armour. He bent low and scooped up Twilight's crown and kept on running, hearing Twilight's footsteps as she ran after him. Battle back flipped over her head. Before she had a chance to turn around, Battle raced up behind her and placed her crown upon her head.
There was a blast of lilac light that swept Battle off of his feet. He landed in a heap for what felt like the hundredth time that minute. He shielded his eyes from the intense light that was nearly blinding. After a few moments the light faded and Battle lowered his hand. Twilight stood there, the black aura no longer enveloping her. Her eyes were open though slightly clouded. She looked at Battle for a moment, swaying severely.
"Battle...?" she whispered before she began to fall, her eyes closing. Battle raced to her side and caught her softly, gently lowering her to the ground. Once he was certain she was safe, he turned his gaze back to Wrath.
"Looks like you're all out of tricks," Battle snarled. Wrath took a step backwards.
"Now-" he began to say but Battle had had enough. His fist collided with the side of Wrath's head. The Sin jerked with the punch. Battle's other hand came up and smashed him in the nose, sending him rocketing backwards. Battle kicked into his knee, sending Wrath into a crouch and as he moved, Battle's elbow came down on the back of his head.
Wrath's roar was cut off as Battle grabbed his throat and forced his head up, Vindicta already poised for attack.
"Praeparare in occursum Homicidium in Tartara!" Battle snarled as he stabbed the knife into Wrath's pulsating core.
There was a screaming wail of shadows that burst forth from where Battle's blade struck. Wrath let out a high pitched scream of agony as blackness spurted over Battle's hand as he drove the blade in further, puncturing the very heart of Wrath's being. Battle's smile of vengeance was one straight out of a nightmare as he watched Wrath writhe in agony.
Eventually Battle withdrew the blade from Wrath's heart and stepped back, allowing Wrath to lie down. Darkness pooled around Wrath as he lay in the dirt. He looked up at Battle, his red eyes changing to deep hazel, his white fur becoming a mustard yellow and his mane turning to a dark green. His Cutie Mark remained the same however, burning feebly against his cheek. Something dark leaked out of one of Wrath's eyes, something that wasn't blood.
"You..." Wrath croaked, tears of darkness sliding from his eyes. "You have taken my life... and now you have taken my pride."
Battle knelt by Wrath's side, feeling a strange sense of pity for the Sin.
"To shed tears is not a sign of weakness," Battle said soothingly. "Even the proudest of warriors must show sorrow at some point."
Wrath held up a hand to his face and felt the tears there.
"How?" he croaked. "How did you win? How did you beat immortality?"
"Simple," Battle replied. "Your goal was not to die. Mine was to live. That is why I won."
Wrath looked confused.
"Thoughout my whole life, I have found many things that I am willing to fight and to die for," Battle explained. "My family. My country. My empire. My brothers in arms. My goal was not to die so I could continue to fight for those causes." He turned his gaze back to the six mares from Ponyville. "But ever since I met them, something changed. They became important to me. More important than anything I had ever had before. They didn't give me another reason to die. They gave me my first reason to live . That's why I won Wrath. Unlike you, I had a reason to stay alive."
Wrath nodded slowly, understanding at last.
"I... never saw," he whispered. He looked to Battled. "I am afraid."
"Fear means you are alive. Alive I think for the first time in many thousands of years."
Wrath smiled sadly. "I... have missed this..." His eyes closed and his hand dropped. His shadow-flesh body began to disappear in drifts of darkness, until it was gone completely. Battle stood up, his ears picking up two, ghostly words.
"Thank you..."
Battle smiled slightly as he turned back to his men.
The journey out of the labyrinth was shorter, and less threatening. Battle and the others walked, weary and worn but cheery. Shining carried a still unconscious Twilight with a piggyback but the other mares from Ponyville seemed okay. A little bruised but they were basking in the compliments given to them by the Generals. Battle for the most part stayed silent, revelling in one simple fact.
It was over. All his fears and nightmares... they could be dismissed. He was free. Wrath was no more. No more would the Sin trouble him or his people. A giddy smile was plastered over his face as their group of twenty emerged into the final stretch of tunnel that led out of the tomb.
"Better think of something to say Commander," Arson grunted. "I think they'll want to hear something good after this."
Battle smiled slightly. He knew exactly what to say.
They could hear talk coming from the end of the tunnel. Lots of ponies appeared to be waiting for them. Battle rolled his neck, stepping from 'war-mode' to a more relaxed Battle Ready.
As soon as they emerged from the end of the tunnel there was a great cheer as the armies saw the return of their various monarchs. Battle was beset by a tide of Warhorse warriors who bore him onto their shoulders. He laughed as he saw their cheerful faces, spattered in blood but triumphant. Battle raised a hand to be heard.
"Warriors of Warhorse!" he cried, still laughing. "I won't mince my words! I'll just say this: we WON!"
The cheer was deafening as the army of Warhorse cried out in triumph, raising various weapons to the sky. A chant began to rise from the soldiers.
"Hail Battle Ready! Slayer of Wrath!"
Chapter Twenty Eight: Celebrations
Chapter Twenty Eight: Celebrations
Twilight stirred from her sleep and opened her eyes. She was lying in a four-poster bed that was neither her own at the Ponyville library, or the one that was normally supplied for her when she was at Canterlot. It was too soft, too smooth. She looked around and saw that she was in an unfamiliar room. It was... royal but not the sort of royal that she saw in Canterlot. It was more, refined, simpler. Like it didn't have a need to prove itself. A desk stood against one wall between too large windows, a series of papers littering its surface. The windows themselves were hidden behind curtains of red velvet, the exact same as the hanging's of her bed, bathing the room in darkness, save for that of the candle that burnt on the bedside table to Twilight's left. Next to the candle was her crown and Element of Harmony. Against the wall opposite Twilight was a large bookcase containing a wide variety of books she couldn't quite see the names of. Next to the bookcase, in the corner, was a suit of black armour decked out on a mannequin, with a series of weapons on plaques behind it. On the other side of the bookcase was a large oak wardrobe.
Twilight sat up and winced as pain lanced over her shoulder. She glanced at it and saw that under the lilac silk nightgown that had been provided for her, was a series of bandages that covered some wound that she had sustained to her shoulder. Aside from that she seemed fine.
Twilight didn't know where she was but she felt... safe. The last thing she recalled was being very cold and tired, looking out at a dark space. There had been someone there, but Twilight couldn't remember whom. Compared to that this place was a big step up.
The door that Twilight had not noticed before opened. Twilight pulled the duvet up to her eyes in a very Fluttershy-like gesture with a Fluttershy-like 'meep'. It was appropriate however as the person behind the door was indeed Fluttershy. The butter-yellow pegasus closed the door behind her before noticing that Twilight was awake. Her face broke out in a smile as she rushed to Twilight's side.
"Oh Twilight thank goodness you're awake!" she exclaimed in an excited whisper.
"Fluttershy?" Twilight asked. Then her face broke out in a relieved smile. "Oh Fluttershy!" She flung her arms around her friend's neck, before hissing in pain as another spike of pain lanced over her shoulder.
"Oh I'm sorry," Fluttershy whispered letting go of Twilight almost instantly. "Did I hurt you? I'm so sorry, I guess I don't know my own strength."
"No it's fine Fluttershy," Twilight said as she let go of her friend. "It wasn't your fault. It's just my shoulder."
"Oh right of course," Fluttershy breathed. "I'll speak to Stitch about a round of painkillers... I mean if you want some of course?"
"Um yeah of course Fluttershy," she agreed wondering one thing. "Who's Stitch?"
"The leading medic here," Fluttershy explained. "She's the one who patched your shoulder."
"Oh," Twilight said, looking at her shoulder, before turning back to Fluttershy. "Where are the others?"
"Oh, they're outside," Fluttershy said. "Stitch said that she didn't want anyone else coming in here unless you were awake. I'm allowed because, I'm a trainee medic."
"Since when?" Twilight asked, intrigued.
"Since about a few weeks ago," Fluttershy explained. "I've only had a week's training though. I'll get the others."
She fluttered to the door again and opened it. She leaned around it and beckoned to somepony on the other side. When she pulled away, the other girls came round the corner, all smiling broadly at the sight of her.
"Twilight!" cried Pinkie, zipping to Twilight's side and embracing her in a tight yet somehow gentle hug.
"Good to see you're up again girl," Applejack said coming to Twilight's side and pushing her Stetson onto her head, smiling with relief.
"How long have I been asleep?" Twilight asked.
"About four days," Dash answered, bouncing onto Twilight's bed. "I thought I overslept."
"Four days ?" Twilight repeated, incredulous.
"Not surprising considering what you've been through Twilight darling," Rarity said, throwing back the curtains and allowing sunlight to spill into the room. "I mean, you were hostage by a sinister demon from many thousands of years ago. Hardly surprising you needed a little... power-nap as it were."
"But four days?" Twilight sighed. "I mean that's a long time to sleep." Her stomach rumbled. "Especially without food."
"I snagged you this from the kitchen," Dash said, tossing an apple into Twilight's grasp. "Sorry I couldn't get you any more but the chef's kind of like a hawk. He see's everything. I'm surprised I got this past him."
"Thanks," Twilight said, taking a bite out of the apple. She chewed it slightly before twisting her mouth slightly.
"What's up?" Applejack asked, eyeing the apple suspiciously.
"It's kind of, sour," Twilight said.
"Want me to throw it out the window?" Pinkie asked.
"It's not bad. It's just different," Twilight said hastily, taking another bite from the apple. She looked out of the window before turning back to the others. "Where are we anyway?"
"Legion," Rarity explained. "In the Tower of Equitem actually."
"And where's that?"
"Warhorse," Dash explained. "And this is supposed to be Battle's quarters."
"Wait this is Battle's room?" Twilight asked, blushing slightly. "Did I kick him out of here or something?"
"I sleep in the barracks. So no."
Twilight and the others looked up to see Battle leaning against the door, smiling at Twilight. He was dressed in what appeared to be some kind of dress uniform. A black jacket with sharp shoulders. On his right shoulder was Battle's Cutie Mark, on his left the crest of the empire. His chest was swarmed under the number of medals he'd earned. Across his chest was a golden sash with silver embroidery. His black dress trousers appeared to have been recently pressed and his shoes were polished to a gleam.
"Special occasion?" Twilight asked nodding to his uniform. Battle's lips twisted in a grimace.
"Formal address," he corrected. "Dad wants me to say something to the people."
"You look good," Twilight said before she could stop herself. Battle chuckled.
"You should see the other guy," he smirked. Twilight looked at him, confused. Battle's smile was smaller now, but more sincere. "He's dead Twi... Wrath's dead. And let me tell you that is a huge load off of my mind."
Twilight blinked. "That's..."
"Yeah," Dash said smiling. "And we helped."
"Wait what?" Twilight started.
"You're friends are so insane that they joined the Warhorse army to help get you home," Battle explained. He held up one hand. "And boy did that pay off big time."
"Yeah, Battle would have been in big big trouble if we hadn't been there," Pinkie added.
"Even if we only had a few week's training," Applejack said.
Battle smiled. "I'll leave you to get dressed. I'll talk to somepony about breakfast Twilight. Try to eat light though. You'll need it for later."
"What's that supposed to mean?" Twilight asked. Battle's eyes sparkled with mischief as he closed the door behind him.
When Twilight stepped out of her bedroom about an hour later, thoroughly nourished and fully dressed, she was instantly beset upon by Shining Armour. Her eyes bugged out of her head as her brother squeezed all the breath from her lungs. She tried to return the hug from her brother but her arms flailed uselessly by her sides until Shining finally set her down.
"Nice to see you too B.B.B.F.F." Twilight gasped, smiling at her older brother.
"It's... it's good to have you back Twilight," Shining said, smiling, a small shimmering in his eyes.
"Are you crying?" Twilight asked, mockingly.
"Of course not," Shining replied. "Just, something in my eye is all."
"Sure," Twilight replied, winking slyly. She noted that Shining was also in his dress uniform, the same one he had worn to his wedding and to Twilight's coronation. She eyed it curiously. "Does Battle expect you to say something too?"
"What?" Shining blinked. Twilight poked him in the chest indicating his uniform. "Oh right. No it's just King Veteran wants us to be there when Battle gives his address." He looked at the girls behind Twilight. "And by us he means all seven of us."
"Yeah yeah we remember," Dash sighed rolling his eyes. "Quit worrying Shiny."
Shining rolled his eyes as he stepped back from Twilight before they began to make their way down the passageway.
"So I slept through a Warhorse battle?" Twilight asked.
"Yep," Shining replied.
"Are they as good as history says they are?" Twilight demanded.
"They're better," Shining replied, a slight awe in his voice. "I mean... wow..."
"Somepony's impressed," Twilight smirked.
"You'd be too if you saw three unicorns practically slaughter an entire army," Shining rebuked. "I'm serious Twily, three unicorns."
"Don't get over excited Shining," Rarity said. "After all they were the three most powerful unicorns in the Warhorse army."
"And highest ranking I might add recruit?" said a voice from behind them. Rarity gave a small jump and fell into attention as a dark stallion walked past slapping her shoulder. "Ah at ease Rare's. You're not my soldier now any more."
"Oh, yes of course," Rarity said, blushing slightly.
"Hop to it you lot, the Commander's address is immanent," Merciless called over his shoulder.
Battle tugged at his collar and grunted in discomfort.
"I hate this damn uniform," he muttered under his breath. Tactical snorted. Battle smirked. "Aw, jealous sis?"
Tactical growled before stalking off into the depth of the tower. Battle smirked. He loved how he could always spite his sister so. No matter how much she bragged about how it should be her as the heir to the Warhorse, with just a few words Battle could easily knock her off of her down a peg or two. It was sad really. Hilarious though.
"How's it looking out there Arson?" Battle asked his General.
"Nervous sir?" Arson asked, chuckling slightly.
"I'd rather fight Wrath again to be honest."
Arson laughed.
"That I don't doubt," he muttered before he turned his gaze to behind Battle. He snapped to attention. Battle turned and followed suit as he saw his father.
"At ease boys," Veteran said, smiling kindly. He clapped a hand to his son's shoulder. "Well my child, I can't say this enough: You did it Battle. You did the impossible."
Battle felt himself smile and go red under his father's praise. Arson respectfully backed out as Veteran slid his arm around his son's shoulder and guided him to a nearby window.
"You certainly learn from your past my son," Veteran observed as they looked out over the city of Legion.
"It's all I can do," Battle replied. "If we don't learn from our errors we are but destined to repeat them."
"Wise words," Veteran said. "Words that I am certain we should all live by. I think... you are ready."
Battle looked at his father as he lowered his arm. Veteran turned to Battle, smiling kindly at him. He raised his hands to his head and gently grasped the golden laurels there. Battle's eyes widened as his father lifted his crown from his head and placed it into Battle's disbelieving hands.
"You've earned it," Veteran explained, bowing his head. "My king," he added.
Battle stared at the crown in his hands in disbelief before smiling slightly. He raised the laurels high, before cramming them back onto his father's head.
"Not on your life old-timer," Battle laughed. "I've still got a few things to learn from the master."
Veteran laughed heartily as he pushed his son back.
"Who are you calling old?" he demanded.
"The geezer who just tried to make me king!" Battle cried back. "Sorry dad but I'm no ruler. Not yet at least. I'm still a soldier at heart, and until the day I'm not, I'll serve this empire the best I can. On the battlefield."
Veteran smiled as he slapped his son on the shoulder. "And when that day comes, I'm sure you will have ensured peace eternal for our empire."
Battle smiled at his father.
"I'm good but not that good."
"That's what you think."
Battle chuckled as he father took him by the shoulder once more.
"Now come. Our people wish to hear from the conquering hero."
Battle suddenly blanched. "Oh Victoriam . The horror."
"Come on Commander."
Twilight and the rest of her friends from Equestria sat on the right hand side of the balcony. On the left hand side was Tactical and Battle's three Generals. She couldn't decide who looked most unhappy about the whole arrangement. There was an empty seat to Tactical's right, clearly reserved for her father. From what Twilight had seen of King Veteran, he seemed nice enough. Much better than his snobbish daughter.
The balcony itself was decorated in white flowers of every kind, though not, Twilight noted, a single rose was to be in sight. She assumed there must be some Warhorse custom behind such a thing. Pegasus guards flew steadily beside the balcony itself, watching the skies and the ground for potential threats, though Twilight was certain nothing could reach them from this dizzying height.
A fanfare sounded suddenly, nearly blowing out Twilight's eardrum's as King Veteran strode onto the balcony to raucous cheers and applause from the people below in the streets. Veteran smiled warmly at his subjects before raising a hand to silence them. Even so it was still several minutes before the people of Legion fell quite.
"My friends!" he called out to those below. "My people. This day of celebration is not of my doing. No we owe our happiness and joy, to one we all know. To someone who has shown time and again, the honour, and courage, and leadership that Warhorse seeks in its soldiers, and indeed, it's monarchy. So without further adieu, I present to you our Prince, our hero, the Commander of the armies of Warhorse; Prince Battle Ready!"
The cheers returned as the fanfares began again. Veteran sat down as Battle strode down the aisle between their two groups. He smiled broadly at the site of the people that cheered for him, that smiled openly up. He noticed a few white roses being thrown from the crowds which made him chuckle. Eventually however, he too raised his hand. Silence fell instantly.
"People of Legion," Battle began. "People of Warhorse. Today we stand tall, after the greatest victory our empire has achieved, perhaps since its founding, many millennia ago. The defeat of one of our longest standing enemies is not something to be overlooked." He raised his fist to the sky. "A cheer for those who fought on the battlefield, and to those who brought us this most momentous of victories!"
It was like a bomb had been dropped in the middle of the crowd. The cried were the loudest yet as the people below screamed their support of the warriors of Warhorse. Battle smiled as he silence the crowd with but a wave of his hand.
"Let us also, not forget to thank she who gave us such a splendid victory!" Battle called. "Victoriam benedicat nobis . Victoriam bless us!"
"Victoriam bless us! " the crowds chanted back. Battle smiled.
"Now I must say this. Our victory against Wrath was not won alone." Here Battle turned to his Generals. "That isn't to say the great warriors of Warhorse didn't do more than their fair share." He turned again to face the Equestrians. "But our victory was assured through teamwork. Through comradely and bravery that rivals our very own." He turned back to his people. "We won through bonds of friendship that, since they have been forged, shall never be broken. I must therefore thank, and bless the armies of Equestria for their assistance in this, our darkest hour."
Battle looked to Shining Armour and raised his hands before clapping them together. His smile was genuine and true as he began to applaud the Prince of Equestria. The people of Legion were quick to follow and the air was soon filled with the sounds of applause. Twilight stole a glance at the other side of the balcony. The General's shared Battle's smile and King Veteran looked to be laughing as they clapped their hands. Tactical looked like she was sucking on the mother of all lemons.
Eventually Battle stopped his applause and leant on the balcony in a much more casual manner. Twilight saw the General's smiles widen in joy, like a foal who had their Hearth's Warming Eve present come a month early.
"Now normally," Battle said, inspecting his nails. "What I'm about to say would be left in the barracks and the barracks only. But given the scope and importance of today... and given the fact you're all most likely prepared for what I'm about to say, I think father will allow me a little leeway." He looked to Veteran, a sly smile on his face. Veteran laughed and nodded, wiping an imaginary tear from his eye. Battle chuckled as he turned back to legion. "He said yes my friends!" he cried. "Then tonight, the festivities shall begin!"
The was a great roar from below as people began to surge from where they stood and return home to get the necessities Battle smiled as he turned around.
"What's going on?" Dash asked, getting to her feet.
"It's no secret in Legion that after a successful campaign, the Commander throws a party for the soldiers," Arson explained. "It's also not a secret that they're perhaps some of the best in all the empire. To have one made public is rare indeed."
Battle snapped his fingers as two pegasus ponies landed beside him.
"You're in charge of getting things ready right?" he asked. They nodded. He smiled as he led them over to the Equestrian side of things. "Allow me to introduce Pinkamena Diane pie, AKA, Pinkie Pie. Take her advice, help her out and try and keep up."
A banquet was being held in front of the military zone. Twilight and her friends being the guests of honour, sitting to Battle's right. Battle himself was sitting off centre to the right of his father. The Generals and Tactical sat on Veteran's left. The long tables that travelled down the street were filled with nobles and soldiers and a few VIP's. There was a general excited chatter as they began to wait for the word on when the festivities would start.
Veteran turned to Battle and he nodded, the cheery air that had so consumed him now replaced by a solemn one. He got to his feet and raised a crystal goblet to waist level, striking it with a spoon. The clear harsh note could have been heard from all over Legion. everyone looked up at Battle.
"Today is not just a day for celebrations," Battle said. "But one of mourning. For we must remember the sacrifices that were made on the field of battle, and honour those who paid the price, for our safety." He saluted towards the sky. "Hail the honourable dead."
"Hail," echoed the people of Legion.
"And may they find their peace in Paradise," Battle called.
And then, quite suddenly, music began to waft through the air. It was, some kind of lyre or a harp. A gentle, following, haunting melody that filled the silence. The silence did not last long, as the people of Warhorse began to hum, creating a chilling melody with the music. Battle's eyes had slid closed as he allowed the music to wash over him.
And he began to sing.
*"From the tower of Equitem a deafening call, Bellows down over the planes. On a host of battle-worn ears it does fall, pushing out through the thunder and rain.
These warriors of war they will suffer so long, Their honour is bred in their veins, Of their spirited roars lost warriors songs, Distant Echoes are all that remains.
And our voice, is our violence, Dry your eyes, of your tears, And no more we'll be silent, With this paradise song in our ears."
The people of Warhorse stopped humming and began to sing also.
"And we stand tall, Children of war, We will not fall, Under the sword, For our hearts they are hardy Our spirits are strong, And our voices are lifted into, This Paradise song."
Silence returned as the music faded into nothing. Battle's eyes slid open as he remained standing.
"Let the celebrations commence," he said at last.
After the solemn opening the celebration began in full swing. The music played and the food came in and out non-stop. Whenever Twilight cleaned her plate it was whisked away, to be replaced by another one. The wine was beautiful as well, an endless supply of it seemed to be poured into Twilight's goblet, each cupful a new blend of flavours Twilight wasn't really a connoisseur like Rarity but even she could tell that the people of Warhorse spared no expense on this particular evening. Rarity approved of the various wines much the same as Twilight had, and was discussing her favourites with Fluttershy. Pinkie Pie had been throwing back cider non-stop, though Twilight knew it wouldn't effect the exuberant party-mare. She wasn't sure about the sanity of her brother though, as Pinkie was asking Shining which was better, Chimicherry or Cherrychanga. Dash was trying to persuade Applejack to try some Warhorse mead, as it was clear the pegasus clearly liked the beverage.
"Come on, seriously!" Dash cried pushing the flagon under Applejack's nose. "It's that good."
"I keep tellin' ya Dash!" Applejack snapped, pushing the drink away from her. "I don't wanna drink it!"
Twilight smiled as her eyes flicked back over to the Warhorse side of things. Tactical had stalked off some time ago, to great cheers from the Generals. Twilight couldn't blame them. That girl was nothing but a bad egg and brought the whole party atmosphere down.
Arson had gotten out of his chair and walked out of sight, for what Twilight had no idea. Veteran too had left his seat and began to mingle with the crowds. Battle was content to drink and eat, though he did steal a few sideways glances at Twilight when he thought she wasn't looking. After a few minutes Arson reappeared and sat down in the seat Veteran had vacated, smiling evilly.
"What have you done?" Battle asked suspiciously.
"Nothing," Arson said, feigning innocence.
"Don't make me order you General," Battle smirked as he took a sip from his drink.
"Well," Arson said slyly. "I figured that the people might want to hear that old song sung by the one who does it best."
"What old-?" Battle froze as his eyes narrowed. "You didn't."
"Maybe I did, maybe I didn't," Arson grinned.
"..."
"..."
"I hate you."
Arson roared with laughter as he turned to Sky and Juggernaut. "Heads up guys. The Commander's gonna sing our favourite!"
Sky and Juggernaut cheered and raised their flagons high. Battle gave a small groan of dramatic effect, but the smile on his face told a different story as he downed his flagon.
"What's going on?" Twilight asked.
"Arson has just contracted me into singing for the people once again," Battle chuckled.
"Well that doesn't seem so bad."
"Yeah, see the thing is, they want me to sing a very particular song. Something that you'd rarely hear me sing outside of the barracks."
"Like?"
Battle grabbed another flagon and downed it as he got to his feet.
"Just watch," he smirked.
Arson clapped a hand to Battle's shoulder as the two began to walk down to the stage where the music was coming from. Twilight was certain that Battle said something along the lines of: "I'm gonna bucking kill you." Arson merely laughed.
Twilight shrugged and went back to her dinner as Shining took advantage of Pinkie's silence to lean over.
"What's going on?" he asked.
"I think Arson's corralled Battle into singing for us," Twilight explained the best she could.
"Well this'll certainly be interesting," Shining shrugged.
"Yeah, I wonder what sort of song they've got him to sing? This is going to be a chance to analyse Warhorse culture in its musical arts!"
Shining smiled at his sister's enthusiasm.
"I wouldn't get your hopes up too high Twilight!" called Sky. "What Arson's got the Commander singing is more than a Warhorse drinking song!"
Twilight blanched.
"What?"
Sky nodded and raised her eyebrows.
"You heard me," Sky chuckled. "The Commander is partial to a drop of mead every now and then, and everypony knows this particular song when you're out for a night on the town."
As she spoke the music began to change. An announcer appeared, smiling broadly.
"Now seeing as how you all have a drink in your hand!" he called, "I think we should celebrate our most wonderful of drinks. I'm sure you al know the words to our most famous tavern number?" They was a great cheer and cat-calls of laughter. "Thought so. Well then, as a special treat just for today, our olden pub song shall be sung by today' hero! The Commander, the Prince of our nation. Battle Ready!"
Battle waved as he appeared on stage as he was handed a microphone and a flagon roughly three times larger than the ones on the table beside her. The music began to pick up, the lyre from before creating an upbeat melody with a set of pipes. Twilight was certain there was an electric guitar there as well, but she wasn't paying attention to that. Battle had started singing once more.
**"We merry few of Warhorse, So sturdy and so stout, When the day is done, when it's time for fun, We'll drink and sing and shout, You weak livered bilge drinkers, Can let your throat's run dry, Cuz there's just one drink that we will sink, Until the day we die!"
The people in the crowds starting singing as well, Sky and Juggernaut raising their own flagons high.
"Drinking mead in the halls of Legion! The stallions and the mares! We drink our brew until we spew, Then we fill our mugs again! You can keep your filthy cider, it makes our bellies bleed! Cuz when we raise our flagon, To another dead legion, There is just one drink we need! War Mead!"
Battle smirked and tilted back his head and began to drink as the crowd began chanting time with the music.
"Chug another mug of mead, And another mug of mead, Chug another mug of mean, 'Til you fall down, Chug another mug of mead, And another mug of mead, Chug another mug of mead, warrior!"
Battle finished his drink to great cheers from the crowd as he tossed it aside to be refilled. He rolled his arms and shook himself off, much looser than before. This was proven when Battle began to moonwalk across the stage to raucous laughter from the crowds. The song wasn't over yet as Battle lifted the microphone to his mouth once again.
"After the long hard days, Of hunting and of war, Our throat's are tired and thirsty And our bodies drenched in gore, But we won't waste our evenings, Feeling tired and feeling spent, We perk right up when we breathe in, That wholesome honey scent!"
Battle took a few breaths before he began singing again.
"That Northern Icy Brandy, Too fruity for these tongues, You can keep your fancy Griffon Wine, It tastes like dragon dung! Equestria Blue tastes great to you, But here we like it plain, Just fill my mug with a mighty jug, Of honey heart and grain!"
And again the crowds joined in with the chorus.
"Drinking mead in the halls of Legion! The stallions and the mares! We drink our brew until we spew, Then we fill our mugs again! You can keep your filthy cider, It makes our bellies bleed! Cuz when we raise or flagon, To another dead legion, There is just one drink we need! War Mead!"
Battle stepped back as the music stopped, dropping his microphone in a blare of feedback and raised a hand in farewell, laughing all the while. Twilight applauded with everyone, laughing as she did.
"That was the best thing I have seen in years," she laughed.
"And that's why we love the Commander," Sky said, laughing too.
Twilight nodded in agreement, and waited for Battle to sit back down.
Author's Note
*Yes I am well aware these are altered lyrics to Miracle of Sound's Sovengarde Song. I just thought that it was a beautiful song and that the opening fit music so well with the message that is trying to be conveyed in the lyrics.
Anyway guys this story is almost over, so like, favourite, watch and recommend or whatever and stay tuned for more of Battle Ready.
Epilogue
'The Last Centurion' was a dark tavern was on the outskirts of Cohort, an old Warhorse town that was at the centre of many an industrial circle. However the dingy and bleak setting was at odds with the wealth of the rest of the town. It was run-down. It was rotten. It was forgotten. No one had set foot in the old place for a drink in years, asides from the barman.
However just because the filthy place wasn't used as a watering hole, wasn't to say that it wasn't used at all.
A dark robed figure strode through the maze of rotten and old tables to the bar. He leant on the counter and looked at the barman, his face wreathed in shadows, hidden even from the light of the last candle.
"Who will join me in the afterlife tonight?" the barman asked casually as he cleaned a filthy glass with an even filthier rag.
"I shall oh gatekeeper, but first let us slay the newcomers," the robed figure replied.
The barman set the rag down and opened the counter beside him.
"In the back," he grunted as he went back to work. The robed figure nodded as he stepped through and opened the door behind the bar.
The back room was much better in terms of its furnishings. The walls were made of some polished black material. The carpet was clean and stain free. The light that illuminated the small space came from the emerald green flames that burnt from the candles on the table. The table itself was laid with a black table cloth and arranged around it were seven black velvet armchairs. Six of them were already occupied.
"You are late," said a cold female voice. He grunted as he sat down.
"My apologies Madame Superbie," he said, bowing his shadowed head. "I was delayed in setting out."
Madame Superbie didn't respond, merely looking up at the six others around the table.
"I am sure you are all aware of why we are here?" she replied. They made no movement. She sighed. "In case any of you forgot, we are here to discuss what to do about our so called Prince."
"He has committed an act of blasphemy unmatched since our lords of masters were sealed away all those millennia ago," one of the others growled.
"Quite," Superbie agreed. "He had done the unthinkable, the unforgivable. He had slain a Sin. The most ruthless of them all. He has defeated our Lord, the Sin of Wrath."
She looked around the table. "So what do we do about it?"
"Madame if I might speak," said another of the hooded individuals. "Perhaps it is wise to remain silent for the time being. The Zenith of Wrath promised our master would be at his most powerful and yet he has fallen. Perhaps it is better to disappear for the time being. Let the heretic live for now, until we may regroup, stronger. It would be the wise-"
"Thank you Cupiditas I think I have heard more than enough," Superbie growled.
"My Lady I meant nothing by it!" Cupiditas quickly stammered. "I merely thought-"
"Your thoughts are most valuable to me but I feel you have served your purpose," Superbie replied, flicking her hand at the other figure. She screamed in pain as she slumped onto the table; dead.
"Anyone else believe we should let the heretic live?" Superbie demanded. No one spoke. "Good. Now as Cupiditas rightly pointed out, we are still in the Zenith of Wrath. we have plenty of time before the next Zenith begins. Plenty of time to prepare."
She classed her fingers together.
"The Prince may be strong, but how will he fair against our Lady, Mistress Envy?"
To Be Continued In: 'Battle Ready - Envy' ...
Chapter Twenty Nine: Until We Meet Again...
Chapter Twenty Nine: Until We Meet Again...
They stood on the pier at Century. The armies of Equestria had already begun the return trip back across the channel to their home country. There was one ship left at harbour and only eight people standing on the pier, ready to board. Well, seven of them would be boarding.
Twilight Sparkle, her brother and her five best friends stood, looking at their newest recruit to their close circle of friendship. Battle had dressed down. No armour, no uniform. He wasn't seeing them off as Prince of Warhorse or Commander of its armies. Just their friend. And Twilight wouldn't have it any other way.
"Are you sure you can't come with us?" Twilight asked, praying Battle didn't hear the pleading tone in her voice. Battle sighed, hands in his pockets.
"I would if I could, believe me," he said sadly, casting a glance back to where he knew the Tower of Equitem stood, hidden in the distance. "But... I took an unauthorised leave of absence to come to Ponyville. Just because we're friends... it doesn't mean I can drop everything again to come visit. I have things to do. And as much as it pains me to say it, I can't do those things from the basement of the Ponyville library."
Twilight pouted but nodded her understanding. Being a monarch herself, she understood the workload, even if hers was only a fraction of Battle's.
"But, hey!" Battle said smiling. "I'll see what I can do. Next time I'm in Equestria for a diplomatic summit, I'll see if I can't stay a while."
"Sounds good," Twilight said, smiling. Battle took a step forward.
"I guess this is goodbye," he said. He held up his hand for Shining to shake. "It's been a blast."
"That's one way to look at it," Shining smiled. Battle chuckled and side-stepped, holding his fist up for Dash to bump.
"You better be a Wonderbolt next time I'm in Equestria," he told her.
"You doubt me?" Dash chuckled. Battle smiled as he moved to Applejack, holding his hand up for her to shake.
"No you don't partner," she smiled, "Come 'ere!" And she pulled Battle into a bone cracking hug. Battle returned the sentiment before they set each other down.
"Juggernaut would be proud," Battle said. Applejack tipped her hat to him, grinning. He turned to Fluttershy. She scuffed her feet before she too hugged Battle. Battle smiled as her arms wrapped around his neck.
"I'm gonna miss you too 'Shy," Battle said into her shoulder. Fluttershy whispered something unintelligible as she let go, hiding in her mane. Rarity stood next, as Battle moved to her.
"Don't let my clothes end up in some charity shop," Battle said.
"As if I would, they were some of my finest creations!" Rarity cried, aghast at such an idea. Battle smiled before taking Rarity's hand in his and grazing her knuckles with his lips.
"My lady," he said, winking slyly at Twilight as Rarity was reduced to a gibbering mess.
"You're gonna come visit us soon right?" Pinkie asked, bouncing on the spot in front of him.
"Cross my heart, hope to fly, stick a cupcake in my eye," Battle promised, miming the appropriate actions. Satisfied with this response, Pinkie bounced aside as Battle stepped in front of Twilight. They stood for a moment or two, content in silence. After a few second the others began to walk silently onto the boat.
"Well," Twilight said, awkwardly. "Thanks... I-I guess."
"For what?" Battle asked confused.
"You know? Saving my life," Twilight chuckled, swinging her arms forward and backwards nervously.
"Don't mention it," Battle said softly. Twilight smiled and opened her mouth to say something when Battle leaned in, brushing her cheek with his lips in a gentle kiss. Anything that Twilight had thought she was going to say flew straight out of her head, leaving her standing there, opening and closing her mouth like a startled fish. Battle looked as nervous as she felt.
"You'd better get on the boat," Battle said quietly.
"Y-yeah," Twilight whispered. Battle smiled as she stumbled onto the gang-plank.
"I'll see you round Princess!" Battle called. after her.
"You better!" Twilight cried back, still blushing madly.
Battle laughed as he took a step or two backwards. Waving his friends from Equestria off as the boat began to move from where it was moored. Battle's smile remained plastered on his face as the boat sailed out of view. He turned on the spot as it finally disappeared and walked back to the train station.
"Everything's going to be fine," Battle said to himself.
Afterword: A Special Thank-You
I know this should go in the Author's Notes section but I feel you guys deserve more than that. Because you guys thought my story, my silly little tale that i posted as my first story was actually worth a thumbs up! What's wrong with you people XD. No but in all seriousness guys thank you from the bottom of my heart for giving this story your approval. And to you lunatics who actually FAVORITED this story... You guys deserve a personal mention.
So without further ado to:
wharghod
Haze33
Onetwentyeight
Domzori
ChaosSapphire
Templar22
Valkyrie_7
Legarto6
ferrosxlupas
ISKV
kamachakta
ArrowofEquestria
Typhon-Voidhog95
Linkonpark100
CaptnPenguin
Heldenlied
Rabenstein
Goodjinx
Cpl_Chaos
Ferral
TheOverlord
Karok The tank
and finally Whitewolf_Stormrunner,
THANK YOU SO MUCH
