The Sentinel of Equestria

Chapters

I'm Where Now?
Servitude
Rainbow Dash
New Location, Old Enemies.
Discord
Canterlot
Celestia
Addressing the Troops
Log Entry 22/4/1064 Night Raid
Not So Willing Double Agent
Invasion of Canterlot
Log Entry, Late Spring, 1064 ANM: The Amphitheater
The Plot.
The Liberation of Canterlot
Six Centuries and One Screw Up
Where I Stood (Prologue)
Log Entry 15/4/1046

I'm Where Now?

What else would have happened to me today? I just more or less kill myself for New Rome and I'm rewarded by Pluto with being chased down by a manticore! If I am in Hades, I'm going to shove my latin boot up his godly ass! After escaping the manticore, I hid inside a cave deep inside a dark green forest. Did the arrow teleport me to Germany instead of Hades? That seemed more likely than The Gods punnishing me after saving New Rome. Regardless of were ever I am, that manticore didn't look right. It was smaller and actually seemed more...plesant to look at.

I understand that sounds completely out of the blue but this place isn't anything like Earth. I had a feeling the arrow would kill me rather than transport me. I need to snap out of this! I'm in the middle of some monster infested forest and I don't have anything to hide my sent. To them I would be a pizza sitting on a table in the middle of the plaza back home. Home. No! Focus and move! ADHD or not I'm getting out of this forest and somewhere safe. I’ve spent hours roaming these woods and found nothing. I’m still wondering where I am as I walk down the nearly overgrown paths. I’m on edge; I keep waiting for something along the lines of a drakon to burst from the bushes and end me.

My legs were getting tired and I wasn’t sure how much longer I could even stand. I need a place to take a nap, preferably far away from the forest where I found the manticore. I continue down the road for what seemed like another five miles before someone shouted at me.

“Look out!”

There was a rush of wind instantly followed by the feeling of my body going air born; propelled by something getting up underneath my legs at a great speed. I land flat on my ass and fall on my back in pain.

“Oh my gosh! I am so-what the?” a woman’s voice said.

I hear the clop of hoofs starting to circle me. I must have been hit by some woman on a horse. My eyes open to see a pair of unusually large neon purple yes starring right back at me. I shout in surprise and back away still on my back. I could see the creature that presumably hit me only five feet in front of me. It was a small horse, about two feet shorter than me (4 feet tall). But this was no normal horse, its coat was sky blue and its mane was rainbow. Fucking rainbow! The wings weren’t such a shock to me, but the fact that this thing was just so odd looking, it-

“What are you?” it asked me.

That’s what hit me!? A talking blue Pegasus with a rainbow hairdo!? I must have been force fed a lotus flower before I woke up. I draw my dagger and stand.

“You stay back, whatever you are just stay back!” I shout starting to move my way to the side of the road trying to make my way around it.

“You talk!”

“And that's what surprises you?”

“What the hay are you anyway?” the mare said taking flight and hovering like she had to keep flying in order to live.

“Don’t come any closer or I’ll gut you!” I turn the dagger over in my hands and take off running down the road and up a hill.

“Where do you think you're going buster?!” the flying mare said landing in front of me.

I stumble and point my dagger at her. It, WHAT EVER! "Anywhere but right here." Not wanting to harm anything that's somewhat sentient, I try and push my way past it when the rainbow haired Pegasus reared up and let loose with its hindlegs. I had no time to react as its rock solid hoofs slammed into my face. I feel my dagger fall from my hand and my eyes roll into the back of my head as I land on my back unconscious.

I awaken; my nose and head throbbing in pain. I reach up and feel the bandages on my face. I have no idea how long I’ve been out or where I am. My eyes open to see a concrete box surrounding me. With great resistance from my sore muscles, I sit up and look around my new home. Its dark walls and iron bars only told me what I already knew, I was in jail. I check my person and notice my armor is gone, right down to my boots. My purple t-shirt and jeans still cover my body.

I stand and steady myself on the wall closest to myself. I let the head rush fade before moving to the iron bared doors. I’m forced to breathe through my mouth with the bandages over my nose

‘How in the name of the Gods did this happen?’ I think to myself.

Suddenly, the memories of the light blue Pegasus flashed through my mind, mainly her hoofs.

“Oh.” I say out loud.

I groan before falling back on my ass and waiting for someone to come and ask me some questions. Oddly enough, it was nearly no time at all. The sound of a metal door opening echoes down the cell block and I listen for the footsteps of the guard. The clop of hoofs fills the air as I sink back into my own annoyance for a moment; it wasn’t a dream.

“Are you sure you want me to look at it?” a woman’s voice said. “I mean, shouldn’t there be more qualified ponies that could do this instead?”

‘Great, that wasn’t just someone’s pet that kicked my face in.’

“No, not in Ponyville, Princess. You’re the smartest pony here and we need some answers as to what this thing is.” A gruff male voice said getting closer.

“Well, I’ll see what I can do, but I would appreciate knowing something about what I was trying to-” the voice stopped as a light purple pony with a horn stopped in front of me flanked by another pony in a dark blue uniform.

A unicorn… Am I looking at a fucking unicorn?

“Well, this is definitely not what I was expecting see.” The purple unicorn said.

“You and me both lady.” I groan putting my hand on my forehead and falling to my side.

“It talks!?” the purple one said.

“And its nose is still broken. Thanks for asking.” I tell them putting a finger in the air.

“And it has an attitude.” The guard added.

The cell door opened and I look up to see the unicorn standing next to me looking me over. I see the wings on her side- WHAT THE FUCK AM I LOOKING AT!? Should I even be sitting here unrestrained and not laughing like some crazed mad man!?

“Looks bipedal,” I feel its hoof poke my shoulder blade. “Dense muscle tone, little visible body hair other than on top of its head, no tail, wings or visible horn…”

“Would you please stop stating the obvious and get to the point if there is any?” I say sitting up.

“It does have an attitude.” The Pegasus/unicorn said knitting her brow. “Soooooooo… where are you from?” the mare asked me.

“As far as I can tell, not even close to you.”

“Specifics please.”

“I’m from New Rome. And from what I’ve seen around here, I’m the first of my kind you’ve seen here right?”

“Don’t stay in there to long with it; we still don’t know what it can do.” the guard called from the hall.

“First of all, I’m not an it, I’m a he, and secondly I have a name and I would respect if you would address my by it.”

“Okay, so what’s your name?” the mare sitting in front of me asked.

“My name is Jack Anderson. If it makes it easier on you then just call me Mr. Anderson or Jack.”

“Okay, Jack, my name is Twilight Sparkle.”

“Really? That's your name? Gods I hope I'm just dreaming.”

“I must say you’re taking seeing somepony like me very well considering you’ve only just got here.”

“We have Pegasi back in Rome but nothing like you seem to have here. As in the light blue kind with rainbow manes that enjoy kicking people's faces in.”

“Oh, you ran into Rainbow Dash.”

“Are all of your names this strange?”

“Not to us. Anyways, New Rome, I’ve never heard of that place.”

“You know what? At this point I don’t even know anymore. I’m making small talk with the love child of a Pegasus and a unicorn. I’m more or less resigned to thinking I’ve just gone crazy and I’m in a sanitarium somewhere right now.”

“Believe me Mr. Anderson, I don’t know what I’m looking at either, and I’m an alicorn for your information.”

“Is that rare?”

“Yes but it’s a symbol of royalty in Equestria.”

“That’s what this place is called? I would have never guessed.” I say sarcastically

“Rainbow said you pulled a knife on her; why?”

“Well if you were in a strange new world and saw a sentient being that looked completely out of the ordinary and unknown wouldn’t you?”

“Point taken.”

“Besides, if she’s mortal then the blade would have gone straight through her.”

“Why’s that?”

“It’s made of imperial gold. It only harms things from a place called Tartarus.”

“You have Tartarus where you come from?”

“Yeah. Is there much more of this, my head still hurts.”

“Just one more thing, why were you wearing armor?”

“That should be obvious, I’m a soldier.”

"How many more of you are there?"

"I'm the only one."

"So you aren't here to invade Equestria?"

"Nope. If anything I can't wait to leave." a twinge of pain surges through my head and i groan in responce. "How long have I been out anyways?"

"What?"

"How long have I been out?"

"Two weeks."

"Two weeks? Did I have a concision or something?"

"Yes, some minor medical magic kept you afloat though."

"Magic, finally something that makes more sense than you."

"Guard, can he be released?'

"You wanna what now?" I ask.

"If you're not here to hurt anypony-" I snicker a bit under my breath. "Then I want you to prove it."

"So long as I wake up in a few hours, I'm up for anything."

"Good. Officer, I'll have my assistant come by and pick up his things."

"I still think he needs somepony watching him." the officer said.

"Can I just have my boots back?" I ask annoyed.

Servitude

Twilight didn't hesitate to have a few guards follow us to her home. She still hadn't said what I had to do to prove that I wasn't here to take over the world, but so long as I didn't have to slay a dragon I feel like I would be okay. A sign sat in front of a large tree saying it was the town library, but it didn’t look like much of one. The tree had several windows, balconies and a single door. Common knowledge would make me think that the tree was dead, but the leaves were still a lush green color. Twilight opened the door and a young voice came from the halls.

"Twilight, is that you?"

"Yes Spike. Could you come here please?"

"One second. I'm almost done in here."

“Make yourself at home Mr. Anderson. The guest bed is upstairs and the bathroom is downstairs at the back of the lab.” Twilight said looking over one of the many bookcases that were carved into the walls.

“Lab?” I ask moving to the center of the room.

“Yeah, it doesn’t get used often though.”

I hear foot steps coming from my right Thank Mars, it's something with feet. What rounds the corner nearly blows my head clean off its shoulders. Not that her assistant was a baby dragon, it's that it was bright purple and green. If this thing is a male, I don't want to be.

"AH! What the heck is that thing!" the dragon shouts, quivering in fear.

"This is Jack, he's going to be staying with us for a while."

"Why?"

"Yeah why?"

"It talks!"

"Can we get past that already it hurts my head even more than usual." I take a seat at the center table and glance at the books this princess has lying around. Blockhead’s Guide to Flying, 101 Ways to Preen Your Wings and Alicorns, Where Did They Come From? I sigh and pickup the alicorn book and start reading through the introductory paragraphs.

“I’ll have Spike go to the jail house and get your things. In the mean time, you’ll be my assistant. We have a bit of shopping to do and then we have a schedule to make before I go and have lunch with Rainbow Dash, then it’s onto Rarity’s to get one of my dresses mended and after that we have to go pick up Owlicious at Fluttershy’s before we come back here and cook something. You got all that?”

“More or less. First question, what?”

“Listen, I know you don’t like it here, but try to be a bit more upbeat. If I’ve learned anything in my time in Ponyville, it’s that just having a positive outlook on things can make a situation better.”

“Ugh, fine. Like you said, shopping, schedule for tomorrow, lunch with someone, dress repair, owl…thing, and then dinner. Let’s get a move on.” I say slamming the alicorn book shut and standing.

“Spike?”

“I’ll get his stuff after I eat.”

“Okay then, here.” Twilight said as a scroll and quill hovering in front of me.

“How is this-”

“I’m doing that. Unicorns can use magic. Basic levitation spell. Now grab it and let’s get moving.”

I grasp the quill and parchment in my hands. The scroll unrolls and reaches the floor. “This is a shopping list?”

“Baby dragon to feed. He’s not that picky of an eater but he eats alot. Let’s go.”

I get my first real look at Ponyville and I’m a bit more than surprised that one of the rulers of the land would be living in such a quaint little town. The buildings were simple wood with straw roofs. Only a few were shingled. I walk next the princess with a stern look on my face. On the inside I’m still trying to comprehend what I’m seeing; while on the outside I’m stern and unmoving. As best I can I keep pace with the OCD alicorn’s list as she just walks by Main Street food stands and get exactly what she needs in the blink of an eye. What astounds me even more than how much or how fast she’s buying her groceries, was that this quill never seemed to run out of ink no matter how much I write with it. As we pass through Main Street, I can feel the eyes all on me. I’m not surprised, but that doesn’t mean I like it.

“I’ve only been here for half an hour and I am already tired of having everything starring at me.” I tell Twilight.

“They’ll get use to you in time Jack. Besides, if they got use to Pinkie Pie, then I’m sure they’ll get use to you in no time.” She told me buying an emerald.

I blindly cross them off the list and continue walking behind her. “Pinky- what now?”

I was about to try and think of what a pinky pie could be made of but my train of thought was interrupted by something slamming into my side and squeezing me tightly.

“Her.” Twilight said simply pointing to the bright pink pony with matching, but darker, pink hair that was curled to the point of it looking like cotton candy and its forelegs wrapped around me. My eyes land on her flank and I see what looks like a tattoo of three party balloons on her upper thighs.

“Oh my gosh!” the pony known as Pinkie Pie shouted. “You’re really strange looking. *gasp* Are you from space!?” she said faster than the last words that left her mouth. “AH! Don’t steal my brain! Ha ha! Do you have cake on your home world? Did you know Princess Luna when she was up there? What about-” I clamp my rough hands on her muzzle and force her jaws shut.

“Hey! Slow down, and let me answer you. Now, I’m going to let go of your mouth and when I do, you can ask me one more question then I’ll answer the rest okay?”

She nodded as best as she could with my hands holding the front of her head. I take my hands off of her and she put a hoof on my chest and got up to my level.

“What’s your name?”

“Jack. And no I’m not an alien. I’m from another dimension I think.”

“You mean like the one in the Crystal Empire?”

“Never heard of it so no.”

“Pinkie, we have…” Twilight looked to me eyeing the list.

“Oh, um: lettuce, coal for her stove and place an order for more quills and parchment from the stationary store.”

“Can I ask one more question?”

“Sure. Just go easy on him, he’s had a rough day. Catch up to me when you’re done.”

“Okay then.” I say watching her start towards the stationary store.

“What’s the question?”

“Where are you staying?”

“At the Library. Why is that-”

I didn’t have time to finish my question, she had zipped off at faster than average speeds. “Well then.” I look over the list. “I don’t see meeting something crazier than what I think I am on this list.” I say to myself before heading off to catch up with Twilight.

Rainbow Dash

Once we returned the library, we spent an hour making next weeks schedule. At least I know what day it is now. After that, she had me shower before heading off to lunch. She made the sandwiches and I had to find all of the plates and cups to fill the bottom of the picnic basket. After going over that I didn’t eat flowers or hay, she packed an apple and a pear for me though I told her I didn’t need anything at the moment.

The dragon, Spike, walked in through the door just as we were about to leave. “I got your stuff.” He said annoyed before storming off to the kitchen.

“What’s his damage?” I ask grabbing my chest plate.

“Spike gets jealous easily. He doesn’t like anypony else in his position.”

“Anybody.” I corrected.

“You say what you like and I say what I like okay?”

“Fine by me. As far as I’m concerned I’ll be walking up any minute now. So until that I’m just going to roll with it.”

“You keep telling yourself that. Get your armor and let’s go.”

“On it.”

I look at my old armor. The craftsmanship would have impressed Vulcan himself. The light gray plates didn't reflect as much light as the golden inlays. I slide the chainmail shirt on over my purple shirt, rolling my shoulders trying to get the neck of the shirt where I want it. The “iron girdle” was the next section that had to be put on. From the waist of the armor plating, three leather strips studded in iron draped down over my groin and upper thighs. I bend over as far as I can in the girdle to make sure the plates still articulated the way they were supposed to. The chest piece was custom. Unlike the standard issue of the shoulder pads and belly plate, a silver eagle, made of several strips of triangular metal, spread its wings across my chest as I tie the leather lases together. Once I had secured the shoulder pads and my dagger to my left side, Twilight lead me through town.
I find it strange that, despite her wings, she doesn’t fly anywhere. It’s not like she just got them right? These thoughts continue to buzz through my mind as we walk to the outskirts of town. In the distance I see a single cloud in the sky and a lone mail box sitting in the middle of the hills.

“Why are we even-”

“Twilight! Look out!” a familiar voice shouted.

I quickly drop the basket and look up towards the sky with my hand clutching the hilt of the dagger. A blur of light blue and the seven basic colors of the rainbow streaks towards me. Everything slows down again, the mare known as Rainbow Dash became clear as my dagger left its scabbard. The blade was at the bottom of my left hand as I swung at the Pegasus. She saw the blade and immediately pulled to the right. She wasn’t far enough away to dodge the blade however. The enchanted blade passed through her skin at the ribcage and came out near her hindlegs leaving no marks on the rainbow haired Pegasus.

She didn’t have time to pull up either. She was forced to land a few yards away. After she slid to a stop about fifteen yards in front of me, she looked herself over. She saw the blade enter her chest but the blade didn’t leave a mark on her; no blood, no guts, no nothing.

“How is that-”

“Rainbow Dash!” Twilight shouted in anger. “What the hay are you doing?”

“This guy was trying to sneak up on you! How’d you escape?” she said getting in my face.

“If you would be ever so kind as to GET OUT OF MY FACE!”

“Make me tough guy.”

The Pegasus was enveloped in a light purple aura and was dragged away from me.

“Stop, both of you!” Twilight said like a parent stopping siblings from hitting one another.

“But-” Rainbow and I said in unison.

“No buts. Rainbow, you remember Jack don’t you?”

“You mean the guy that pulled a knife on me two weeks ago? Yeah, I remember.” She growled.

“Well, he’s actually a nice guy. So if you could just not try to kill him until after we finish eating lunch…”

“If I say yes will you let me go?”

“Yes.”

“Then fine.”

The aura vanished and she dropped to the ground. She still didn’t look to happy with me.

“So you’re not a bad guy?” Rainbow asked me as I leaned over and grabbed the basket.

“Yes. Believe it or not I’m not here to hurt anything.” I reach under the flap of the basket and pull out the apple Twilight packed for me. “Now if you’ll excuse me, I have a job to do.”

“And that would be?”

“Guarding me.” Twilight interjected.

“And that involves you going somewhere?” Rainbow said looking to me.

“Perimeter check. Just shout if you need something. I’m almost never out of earshot when I’m needed by someone.” I take a large bite out of the apple and start towards the bottom of the hill from the way we came from.

“Weirdo.”

“I heard that.”

As I walk around the hill, apple in hand, I start trying to pick this Rainbow Dash character apart. At first glace, she seemed to be brash and full of herself. Quick to judge and even quicker to act. She would have made one hell of a Centurion back home.

Home. NO! Stop thinking about it! You have a job to do Jack, like it or not. And thinking of home isn’t going to help you at all. I take the last few bites of my apple and drop the core at the bottom of the hill before continuing to patrol the perimeter.I faintly hear the two friends speaking at the top of the hill as I continue my sweep. I eventually finish pacing about the parameter and return to the picnic blanket Twilight had set while I was gone.

“So, any dangers milling about?” Twilight asked.

“Besides yourself?” Rainbow Dash added.

“Rainbow.”

“It’s understandable. I’d have the same unpleasant demeanor towards something I was sure was a threat.” I say a bit mockingly.

“Whatever.”

“Please, Jack, sit.” Twilight said patting the blanket.

“If it’s all the same I would rather stand.”

“I insist.”

“As do I.”

We look at one another for a moment before she just sighs and shakes her head.

“Do you even know who you’re disrespecting right now?” Rainbow Dash asked me.

“At this point I don’t care.”

“You should buster.”

“Rainbow, be nice.”

“Why should I? He could be here to concur Equestria. Why should I be-”

“Rainbow!”

“What? He’s not listening.”

It seems I forgot stator of the obvious. I’ve had my back turned for half the conversation between the two.

“It doesn’t matter.” Twilight continued. “And you.” I start to feel my as though the ground was falling out from beneath me, slowly. I look down and see my feet a few inches off of the ground and my body surrounded in a light purple aura. I try to struggle but my limbs are stuck as this magical grip holds me in place. I start rotating slowly to face the two talking mares. “Sit.”

The aura around me drops and I land heavily on my leather clad feet. I glare at the alicorn hoping she just accepts that I don’t wish to sit.

“If you’d rather, I could take your legs out from under you.” She said not disengaging from our battle of wills.

I don’t think I’m that great. To this day I still wonder why I was elected praetor by the people. I never claimed to be unbreakable or unbeatable; but it’s very hard to beat me. Knowing she had the capabilities to do as she wished, I sided against my pride and sat. As I reached back to push my pack out of the way, I do not feel its worn leather. I verbally announce my confusion and start looking through my memory trying to see if I had my bag before I came here and before I was knocked out.

“What is it?” Twilight asked.

“My pack. I thought I had it with me when I arrived.”

“You had a purse when-”

“It’s not a purse. It was a just brown leather pack.”

“Leather?” Rainbow asked.

“Stretched cow hide.”

“You kill cows for their skin where you come from?” Twilight asked.

“Not just for the skin. We use every part of the animal for many things. Mostly food.”

“That’s discussing!” Twilight reeled.

“What? Are they sentient here as well?”

“Yeah they are! Carnivore!”

“I can live without meat Rainbow. I just need to eat more of other foods to compensate.”

“And I should believe that why?”

“I can grantee you that where I come from we burry dead horses. Their bravery is as honored as the eagle’s strength and loyalty. You have nothing to worry about.”

“That doesn’t make any sense.”

“It means I don’t eat horses. If anything we revere them. Some of the old legions had horses as their mascots.”

“Legions?” Twilight asked.

“Armies of Rome. A new legion for each province she concurred. There were thirty before she fell.”

“I knew you were here to concur us!”

“No. That was when the world was still up for grabs in terms of land. The most common way to settle debates of that magnitude back then was conflict.”

“What did you do back home?” Twilight said nervously changing subject.

“I was Praetor. One of two. Praetors are the leaders. Chosen by the people and given directions by the senate. We also lead the army. We serve two year terms before the elections come. The only thing that was required was that you were a member of the legion.” I roll up my left sleeve and reveal my tattoo. “This is the mark of the legion. It’s unique for each member of the legion. It shows what they are meant to be in the legion. It manifests when they have proven themselves. Mine in particular-” black eagle with two crossed gladiolus swords behind it with its wings spread and the letters SPQR under its talons atop of four parallel bars. “-symbolizes the strong warrior of Rome. The eagle symbolizing the strength and unwavering spirit of the one that bears it, the swords the heart of the soldier.”

“And the lines?”

“Years of service. I dedicated four years of my life to the legion, not counting my five as a probie.”

“What about the letters? What does SPQR mean?” Rainbow Dash said getting uncomfortably close.

“If you would hover over a foot I’ll tell you.” She moved herself back as asked and I continue. “They stand for Senātus Populusque Rōmānus.”

“In English please.”

“For the Senate and People of Rome. It’s the battle cry of the legion. We fight for the people, not ourselves.”

“That’s awesome. It’s like a cutie mark.”

“A what?”

“A cutie mark.” Twilight added. “It shows a pony’s meant to do. It appears when a they discover their special talent. See.” Twilight looked to her hindquarters and I notice the pink six pronged star with another white four pronged star behind that.

I looked to Rainbow Dash and see hers. A white cloud blasting a rainbow lightning bolt from its underside.

“In some ways it seems yes, they are.” I say rolling my sleeve down.

Twilight smiled and looked towards the sun. “Well, it was nice having lunch with you Rainbow Dash, but we need to go and pick up my dress from Rarity. Jack could you fold the blanket?”

“Sure.” Did I actually sound a bit happy when I said that?

Whatever, I’m insane at this point anyhow. I wait for Twilight to get up from the blanket and I fold it up into a tight square. And stuff it back into the basket with the silver ware and plates. I offer a kind grin to Rainbow Dash as we head back into town.

New Location, Old Enemies.

The situation in town hasn’t really changed since I was on the hill. Everything there stared at me, even the birds. My armor clanged as I walked next to the purple alicorn. My eyes stayed forward and I walked in a straight line following Twilight through town. We eventually came to what looked like a massive, blue carousel with a pink roof and two pony mannequins standing atop it like gargoyles. It looked to be at least two stories tall. The first had two large circular windows next to the front door.

“Someone works in that thing?” I ask looking the building over again.

“And lives. Rarity’s the best designer in Equestria. I bet she could even give you a new wardrobe.” Twilight said opening the door.

“What’s wrong with my cloths?” I ask somewhat insulted.

“What’s wrong with living in this place?” Twilight said with her brow knit.

The interior wasn’t any less girly. The floors and walls were pink. A small round stage sat in the middle under a dome with three large mirrors. Behind them are two changing rooms. Along the walls are vanity tables with various cosmetic products neatly stacked and grouped on it.

“This place reminds me of Venus’ barracks back in Rome.” I say with a groan.

“Venus?”

“Twilight darling? Who are you talking-” a paper white unicorn with a purple mane and cobalt blue eyes stepped out from a door on the right behind the changing rooms and stops in her tracks seeing me. She lets out a powerful shriek and jumps to the chandelier in a blur. “What is that thing!?”

“A bit of an over reaction.” I say.

“It talks?” She grips the chandelier harder shuts her eyes revealing her mint eye shadow.

Twilight looks to me and laughs nervously. “Rarity…” she says flying up to the chandelier. “This is Jack.”

Twilight puts her forelegs around Rarity and pries here off of the chandelier. I don’t bother moving in hopes of not scarring her anymore. Once on the ground, she hides behind her purple friend.

“Rarity, he’s not going to hurt you.”

“Easy for you for you to say. Have you seen his hairdo, those awful cloths, the bloody cloth on his face and that scowl.” She cringes. “He practically screams ruffian.”

I’m scowling? I hadn’t noticed but a quick look in a mirror I notice that my brow is knit and my head is lowered. I soften my expression and take a seat next to the door.

“My apologies Rarity.” I say as nicely as I possibly can.

“Look, I don’t care if you’re sorry or not, I want you out.” Rarity says suddenly acting dignified.

“He can’t. It’s along story Rarity. But the jist of it is, he’s my personal guard for the time being.”

“I don’t care what he is, he’s filthy.”

“You would be too if you were chased by a manticore and kicked in the face by a Pegasus.”

“Well I’m sure you deserved it.”

“Could with any possibility get what we came here for and get out, Twilight?”

“That’s Princess to you buster!” Rarity says as though I insulted Twilight by not using her title.

“Rarity!” Twilight finally interjects. “Is my dress fixed yet?”

“Yes, allow me to fetch it for you.”she said turning her nose up to me.

“Charming friend you have there. I’m sooooo sure she’ll make me a wardrobe now.” I say as she walked out of the room.

“Okay, so she didn’t take to you like I thought she would, that doesn’t mean she’s a bad pony.”

“I’m not saying that.” Why am I defending my personal image here? “All I’m saying is she’s not the kind of person I like to be around.”

“What do you mean?”

“Obsessed with her own looks, thinks she’s better there everyone, stuck up, right down to the way her place is decorated. All signs of one of Venus’ kids.”

“Why do you keep talking about that planet?”

“Where I come from, Venus isn’t only a planet, she’s a Goddess.”

“A Goddess?”

“Yeah, Goddess of Beauty. Her kids aren’t my type of people. They always patronize and try to change people into their own version of beauty.”

“Rarity doesn’t-” Twilight stopped and thought for a moment. “Okay she does that on occasion but she means well. She just has to get to know you a bit before she shows her true colors. a lot like someone else in this house.”

“Whatever. I-” a low rumble shakes the floor boards beneath my feet. Twilight looks at me befuddled before hearing it.

“What is that?”

I listen closely. The rumble kicks my mind into overdrive. Only a minute after the rumble starts, screams of panic and shouts of rage filter through the door.

“Get up stairs and lock the doors.” I say quickly drawling my dagger.

“Why? What’s going on?” She asks me a little worried.

“No time, GO!”

I fling open the doors to the boutique and survey the area. Ponies of all race and size run through the streets in panic. Behind them, troops, human troops in legion armor rush down the streets looting and killing anything in their way. Some ponies are even participating and killing their own kind. Blood soaks the soldier’s swords and shields as they storm the streets. A blood covered lieutenant marches towards me from the other side of the street.

“Centurion! What are you doing? We have a town to burn.” he says to me as he gets closer. “And where did you-” something in his mind clicked at that moment.

He raised his gladius ready to strike me down. I nearly put my left arm out to block the overhead swing but I remember I don’t have a shield. I instead duck down and slide in behind him. I grab his sword arm with all my might and force his blade to his neck. Without hesitation, I tear his own sword into his throat and watch the blood spill from the wound. I still clutch the gladius in my hand as I stand over his body.

I can hear war drums beat in my head. Their fast beat mimics the march of thousands of troops. I kneel over the soldiers body, sheathing the dagger I bring my left hand to my head. The beat begins to match my heartbeat as anger set in. It’s a feeling I’ve tried so hard to leave behind on the battle field. It’s the reason I prefer using a bow rather than a sword. My brothers called it a gift. I called it a curse.

I feel a presence nearby, one that wasn’t friendly. Mars shouted in my head “Kill them all!”

My eyes shoot open and I swing the gladius through the air like it was a twig. I get a momentary glimpse of a centurion the tip of my blade cut through his unarmored neck. His crimson essence coats my blade and splattered across my armor. The silver eagle now painted red on my chest. I grab his shield as he clutches his throat trying to stop the blood before it his life source left his body. With my new weapons in hand, I charge into the fray and find the first hostile person or pony I can.

The soldier only got a seconds glance before I was on top of him. He tried to block my strike but my blade passed behind his shield and into his left arm. I wheel around and drag my blade through his neck, nearly taking if off of his shoulders. Another soldier catches my eye. She stood over a quivering, mint green unicorn with her blade over her head. I spring through the chaos and slam my shield into her right side. She topples over and I feel another soldier coming from behind me. I swipe my shield around behind me and feel it slam into the soldier’s body. This one had no shield.

I raise my gladius and cleave off his sword arm. The female soldier tried to get up and attack me but I brought my blade through her leg. As the other soldier stumbled back I tore my blade through his throat. The female howled in pain for a moment before passing out and dying. The green unicorn got up and ran as all troops in the area started to converge on me.

A regular pony jumps at me with a gladius in its teeth. I ram him with my shield and thrust my sword through his chest. The sword falls from its mouth as it shouts in agony. It hit’s the ground and writhes in pain before I bring the edge of my shield down onto it head. Its body jolts as a satisfying crunch emanates from my fallen opponent.

The rest is a red blur. My shield caves in skulls as my blade takes them from their shoulders. I shout in rage and laugh like a mad man as years of pent up power surge through me. Ares would have been proud and Mars would have frowned upon being this barbaric, but I couldn’t stop. Blood spilled in the streets and bodies lined the sidewalks as more soldiers fell at my feet. It only takes minutes for someone to shout for retreat, but the troops in front of me were unable to pass me to follow the rest of their comrades. I slash through as many as I can. The last one I deny passage ends up plastered against my shield. I slam him into the nearest wall. His helm falls from his head as he slams into he brick work. I drop the sword I picked up earlier and drawl my dagger. I press the golden blade to his neck. On the fuller I could see the engravings in black.
S.P.Q.R. Cavete (Beware) Nemesis

The Dagger of Nemesis. A blade created by the Goddess of Vengeance, Nemesis. A weapon that would kill all monsters of the darkest realms of Tartarus. It’s the only imperial gold weapon that can kill a mortal, so long as they are traitorous at heart. I had picked it up in one of Nemesis’ temples in Italy. It was ledged the dagger only came to the new spirit of vengeance, chosen by the Goddess herself. But those who posses it don’t live long. Once your path of vengeance ends, you die. It was the ultimate interrogation tool. I put all of my anger and rage back for a few seconds and let the analytical side of Mars’ gift take hold.

“What is your name Legionary?” the frightened man shook in his boots as I held him against he wall. “What-is-your-name!?”

“M-Marcus Stulte, Son of Mercury!” he shouted in fear.

“Who sent you here? Who is your Praetor?” I pushed the dagger against his jugular harder.

“Cipherus Miles! It was Cipherus!”

My heart stops when I hear his name. “Where is he?” I ask.

“I don’t know! He said he would change locations if the attack failed. He said to follow the Centurions if we had to sound retreat. I swear I don’t know anymore!”

I cringe hearing him say he couldn’t tell me. Regardless, it was time I got my point across. “Do you know who I am Legionary?”

“Yes sir. General Jackson Leonidas Anderson.”

I push the blade as hard as I can through his throat. Not a drop of blood comes from his neck. He inhales gallons of air as the blade passed through him. I pull the shield away from him and watch his legs give out from beneath him.

“I want you to fine where Cipherus is and deliver this message. By the River Styx, I will end his life. Whether the Gods can hear me or not, I will kill him. Now be gone.”

Marcus nodded and stumbled in the direction his comrades had gone. I reach up and feel my face and notice the bandages are gone. No pain came with my touch. Why did children or Mars have to heal faster in the heat of battle? True it had saved my life on a quest in Oregon, but it made me feel like I was invincible. That was a feeling that could get a man killed instantly. I drag the shield behind me and sheath my dagger. I step past bodies as ponies start emerging from their homes and watch as I walk away from the battlefield covered in blood. It only took minutes, for what I assume is all that’s left of the Ponyville police force to arrest me and take me back to jail. I don’t resist as they toss me back into my old cell.

Author's Note

Nexus: This is still bad and still makes me not like Rarity.
Me: Oh get over it. It's not like it's you having to deal with her for long.
Nexus: It doesn't matter. She's still a c-
Me: Keep it somewhat PG here Nex.

Discord

The cell was as cozy as I remembered. I sat in the front corner, leaning on the bars. I hadn’t been there for more than ten minutes before I fell asleep. For most this would be a gift from Jupiter; but for a demigod it was no relief. Our dreams were almost never dreams. They were always nightmares. Lucid dreaming helps some, but when the Gods want to get a message across, there’s no way around it.

I’m forced to look upon my city in ruins. New Rome was in shambles as troops of the first cohort arrived without Anna. Some troops that had been in front of the senate building were still there looking at the emptiness that was now New Rome. Some people began emerging from the burning rubble, trying to pull their loved ones out of broken homes and businesses.

“This pains me.” A deep ragged voice says to next to me.

I look to my right to see a very tall man in black centurion armor. His cape seemed to be made of blood soaked fabric and his presence alone made my blood boil. It couldn’t have been anyone else.

“Hello father.” I say blankly.

“She had such promise.”

“She still does. People lived and they can rebuild.”

“It doesn’t matter to you anymore Jackson. There is no way you can return.”

“Are you sure?” I ask getting a little antsy. “You are talking to me right now. Isn’t there a way you can drag me through some kind of dimensional portal or something?”

“Sorry son. But I can’t. Only your blood connection to me allows the other Olympians to observe you. We cannot offer guidance in the world you are in.”

“Why not!?” I shout facing my Godly parent. “You’re a God! How can you not have the power to-”

“You are not in our existence! And do not raise your voice to me you impotent worm! I am not only your father but I am God of War! You have been a disgrase to my name in the past. What son of Mars uses a bow anyway?”

“The kind that would love to put an arrow in your eye.”

“We’re done here. There is nothing I can do for you.”

“Then why are you here!? Why are you even checking up on me!?”

“Because you may not have been my favorite son, but you were the best Praetor New Rome has had. Even the daughter of Venus was good at what she did. All I can say is this, keeping your gift held up inside can only lead to your own self destruction.” He paused for a moment and looked around as though he heard someone eavesdropping. It would appear you have a visitor. Good bye Jackson.”

I suddenly jolt from my sleep and look around my cell. No one. There was only a very odd looking mouse sitting in front of me.

“This is the visitor Mars woke me up for?”

“Oh now that’s just plain rude.” The mouse said.

Given that’s not the strangest thing that has ever happened to me, but it was a close second to what came next. The mouse disappeared in a flash of light. What was in its place when the light faded was a mystery to me. The creature in front of me had the body of a serpent, the wings of a bat and pegasus, the head of a dragon, the horns of an elk and ram, the arms of a lion and chicken and the legs of a lizard and goat.

“As if my day couldn’t get any stranger.” I say.

“Oh, Rarity was right about you. You’re not very polite.”

“Who are you anyways?”

“Oh how incredibly rude of me.” He suddenly flashed out of existence and appeared on my left shoulder much smaller than he had been before. “I’m Discord, Lord of Chaos.”

“That explains the Frankenstein thing you got going on there.”

“What this old thing?” he said pulling his eyes and mouth off of himself and then looking himself over. “I think I look rather slim. Don’t you agree?”

“What do you want?”

He flashed away and then reappeared on the window. “What? Can’t the deity of chaos not come and visit the strangest creature in all of Equestria just to say hello?”

“Where I come from-”

“A visit from a God is a bad omen. Well you’re not home now are you?” he snapped his fingers and brought a purple S.P.Q.R. banner in his lion’s hand. Or paw. Oh forget it.

“It doesn’t matter. Gods always want something.”

“Well if you must know.” He disappeared and then reappeared in front of me at normal size dressed in a toga with a lyre. “I’m here to help you young Roman.”

“And you have to be dressed like Apollo to do it?”

“Fine.” The toga and lyre vanished and he leaned against the back wall. “I don’t normally do this kind of thing. If something comes up then I just have to snap my fingers to fix it. Since my reformation, I just doo the basic cleanup of disasters that come along. But only if they are magical. Things like what you did are in mortal hands. And I must say-” Discord summoned a small gallery of the battle I was just in. Only the images moved. “You are an artist when it comes to killing. Have you ever considered selling your work?”

“Get to the point.”

“Suit yourself.” The moving pictures vanished. “I’m here to deliver a message. A prophecy of you will.”

“Can’t wait.” I say sarcastically.

“Three Praetors walk the land. One atop a pillar of sand,” sand rose from the stone floor where he stood and raised him up an inch or two. “One in chains,” a set of chains appeared around my wrists and feet. “And the other in pain. In the Forest of Everfree, will these three meet their destiny.” All of the objects he summoned vanished as he continued on after appearing in my right ear. “Two shall bathe in fire. One shall parish by the others hand for their selfish desire.” He goes into my ear and reappears in front of me with my dagger. “Though Nemesis’ curse can end your life, it will only be so by her knife.”

“What does that supposed to mean?”

“I don’t know. That’s for you to find out. Ta ta!” he vanished in a flash and left me alone in my cell with my dagger.

I stand and lean my back on the wall. My head throbs as I try to keep myself from thinking about it too much. Prophesies were always a pain in the ass. I hear the guards coming towards me. They round the corner and I am surprised to see two white unicorns in golden armor. I guess they have a military.

“To the back of the cell.” the one on the right commanded.

“Wait, where did he get his dagger from?” his comrade asked.

I walk over to it and slide the imperial gold blade under the food slot at the bottom of the bared wall. “Problem solved. Would you like me to wear shackles as well?” I ask with a sarcastic tone.

The one on the right answers by sliding a set of iron shackles through the same slot as my dagger while the one on the left pick up the dagger in with a levitation spell. I don’t argue as I clamp the shackles on my wrists. The one with my dagger opens the door and leads me out.

“So may I ask where we’re going?” I ask.

“To Canterlot for your trial by Princess Celestia.” Righty told me.

“A Princess of the Heavens? This should be nothing but fun.”

Author's Note

Nexus: Well here's a twist.
Me: Well things come to me when I'm on the brink of sleep. Also, I will be recording me noming on my hat within the week and posting it with my MLP season 4 review. So don't be as disappointed with that as you are with this.
Nexus: You can say that again.

Canterlot

I was taken by flying chariot to the mountain ranges to the north of Ponyville. The town looked like a war zone from high above. Smoke still billowed where Greek fire had been used on buildings and bodies still littered the streets in front of Rarity’s boutique. I look to the north and my jaw nearly fell from its socket. A massive, gleaming city sat atop of man made cliff face. It’s white and dark purple towers loomed over a massive city built into the towering mountainside.

Once over the rim of the city, I can see massive amphitheater in the center of the city large enough to hold easily sixty thousand ponies. Not as large as the original Coliseum but larger then the one in New Rome. There’s also trolley cars moving on their rails through the winding streets like in San Francisco. Everything here was like a combination of the world I came from, old and new.

I have to shake myself out of another wave of depression as we came to the most impressive building I had ever seen. The castle match the city but rose double any buildings height and then some. The towers hung, yes hung, from the sides of the main building and massive archways gave way to several gardens and open air bridges. A large fountain adorned the front of the castle along with its moat leading to a waterfall. The moat was the waterfall, being fed by a waterfall coming from the mountain. They must really like waterfalls.

The flying chariot lands on a portion out of site of the rest of the city; the western most side. The grass was green and a few birch and willow trees grew on the grounds. Righty and Lefty, as I had come to call them, unhooked me from the chariot and lead me towards a solid stone wall. The other chariot landed just as we reached the wall. Princess Twilight exited with Spike riding her back. Couldn’t she have just flown here? Come on, it’s not like she’s had them a few months or something right?

As she approached Lefty’s horn lit and the stone in front of us glowed yellow. There was a low rumble as a section of the stone wall slowly rotated on a center axis and stopped at forty-five degree angle.

“Is there really no other way we can go into this place? Do we really have to follow movie tropes?” I ask as Twilight stands behind the guards.

“No, now walk creature. Welcome to your new home.” Righty told me as he shoved me in.

The wall shut behind me and a bared window formed out of the wall. How the Hades is that even possible? Even with magic I wouldn’t have expected even Discord to do something like that. I shrug and look around the dimly lit room as everything started to come out of the walls. They really love using their magic every chance they get don’t they? At least I was in a better room then I had in Ponyville.

It was white for starters; much more pleasant then gray. There was even a bed, sink and toilet. It would seem this was meant to hold people longer then a few hours. There was no bared door, just four solid walls and a bared window. I look over the sink and see a mirror hanging over it. I walk over and take a look at my reflection. It’s been a while since I had seen my face. Before I had been leading a campaign against an army of rouge demigods for a month only getting my hair cut once to keep it at normal length.

I didn’t look that different. My black hair was still only barely passed my hair line in the front and not at all anywhere else. My face was thick and broad along with my shoulders. My greenish brown eyes showed me worry and begged for help wherever it could be found. A small white scar was etched above my lip on the right side of my face where a harpy had nearly taken my head off back when I was still a probie. My skin wasn’t that dark or light, it was somewhere in the middle. I still looked as stern as any son of Mars only I neglected to shave off my head or get a short Mohawk.

I sigh and crack my neck. Call it a nervous habit. Though it never came up in battle, I’ve had a habit of cracking either my knuckles or my neck when I was contemplating a plan of attack or trying to carry on a conversation with Rose. Anna… No! Not right now. any minute now you’re going on trial, don’t have her on your mind now matter how calm she makes you. No matter how much you miss her you are going to keep your mind on the ball. About fifteen minutes later, the solid wall shook and metal door formed. When it opened, Twilight entered flanked by Righty and Lefty.

“I see you decided not to take the giant magical wall.” I say standing.

“Princess Twilight wishes to have a word with you before your trial by the Princess.” Lefty said.

“Fine.”

“Jack, what you did back there-”

“Before you say anything I have to ask. Are you okay?”

“What? Yes I’m fine, but you’re about to be put to trail for war crimes. Doesn’t that concern you at all?”

“It does. But not as much as my job. Regardless of what you might think of me, I take my job seriously. Regardless of how utterly fucked my mind is about even being here, I had a job and I did it. That’s all I can really ask for.”

“But what I saw out there didn’t even look like you. It looked like something out of a horror movie.”

“So your horror movies involve bipedal creatures that have honor while others don’t? That’s oddly specific.”

“Would you stop that!?”

“Stop what?”

“Being sarcastic! This is serious and you’re making jokes? What is wrong with you?”

“I’m a soldier and a leader. If I’m not calm under pressure or in the face of danger, then those bellow me follow. The leader is the image of the masses.”

“The leader is the image of the masses? That’s actually-”

“Insightful. I get that a lot. People like me aren’t usually like that.”

“What do you mean?”

“I’m-”

“Princess Twilight.” Righty said from the door. They were good at keeping quiet; I’d forgotten they were there. “Princess Celestia is waiting for you.”

“In a minute Phalanx.” Twilight replied.

“Okay these names aren’t doing you people any favors.”

“Listen, I’m trying to help. Can you please act more proper in front of the princess. She’s not as forgiving when there’s a threat.”

“I’ll take my chances thanks Princess.”

Twilight only groaned as she exited the room. “Your trial’s in five minutes. My sister-in-law is coming to give her insight as well.”

“Sister-in-law? How many of you are there?”

“Four. I’ll see you in fifteen minutes Jack.”

The wall spun and became seamless once more leaving me alone with my reflection. I lay back on the cot and wait for Righty and Lefty to return in fifteen minutes.

Celestia

As promised, Righty and Lefty came back around fifteen minutes later to retrieve me. Though I don’t have a watch, I have enough skills to tell the time by the shadows cast by the sun depending on the seasons. Summer and winter are always harder for me to tell but that’s beside the plot now isn’t it?

The white unicorns leave the wall open behind us as they lead me in chains to down a long hall lit by torches. I carefully count my steps in case I need to make an escape later. Around three hundred and fifty steps. Far enough that the torch lights would fade, but short enough for a good sprint past anything coming at me. At the end of the hall we reached a tall, stone spiral staircase. One of them prods me in the side with their hoof as they lead me up the stairs. It took around a thousand steps to reach the top. I was breathing a heavier when we reached the top while Righty and Lefty kept a straight face.

“You guys tired yet? I just want to get this triathlon over with already. How far until the lake we have to swim across?”

“Quite! Keep moving. The Princess’ are waiting for you.” Lefty told me.

I shrug and allow them to lead me down another dark hall that eventually led into a massive corridor. Several stained glass windows formed mosaics of what I assumed were big historical events. I glance at each one as I pass: One showed a white and dark blue alicorn circling around what looked like Discord on either side of a day and night cycle. Another showed a different dark blue alicorn rearing up inside a purple orb being created by six ponies of different colors bellow her.

The windows from there on had the six ponies in them. The six were around Discord but this time he was all gray, as though he was turned to stone. I don’t understand half of what’s being shown in the windows but we eventually come to a window that shows something plain and simple, a purple alicorn with a dark purple mane and a single pink streak in it, wearing a crown holding a pink star shaped gem. Twilight had a window? Come to think of it, there was a purple unicorn in all of the windows with a pink streak in its mane.

Righty and Lefty shoved me again. I hadn’t realized I had slowed down. Ahead of us was a large double door. The left door had a crescent moon carved into it and the right the burning sun. The doors glow light yellow and start to open. Without breaking stride, Righty and Lefty lead me into a massive room. The ceiling was four stories high and around fifty yards long. The walls were lined with tapestries depicting an emblem with a crescent moon beneath a blazing sun. The blue and white alicorns circled the sun and the moon; the white on the right and the blue on the left. Several multicolored windows reached to the sealing of the pinkish purple room and a red carpet ran its length.

“Eyes forward creature and bow to the princess’ of Equestria.” either lefty or Righty told me elbowing me. Or is it knees? I don’t care at this point.

I look forward and see four alicorns, including Twilight standing atop a platform with a golden throne that reached up the ceiling as well. Sitting upon the throne was what looked like the white alicorn. Only instead of the pink mane shown in the windows or the flag, it flowed in an invisible wind with several faded colors all striped through it. The dark blue one stood to the right with Twilight, only the light blue mane was a flowing aura of midnight blue and stars. And on the white one’s right was a pink alicorn I didn’t see in the windows.

She was hardly taller then Twilight, considering the white one was the tallest but that could have been the throne, with a long multicolored mane. What struck me as odd was that the tip of her wings were light purple rather then the solid color like what I presume are her sisters. Not wanting to be blasted to oblivion, I kneel and do my best to cross my right arm over my heart in salute.

“Rise.” The white one called to me. Her voice was strong but still effeminate. It commanded respect. Like Anna’s…

I push the thought aside and stand my expression I hope is unwavering.

“I am Princess Celestia, ruler of Equestria.” she told me.

“Hello, Princess.” I look to the rest of them but hear none of them speak. “Do the rest of you have names or am I just here to guess?”

“How dare you speak out of turn!” Righty shouted at me.

“As you were Phalanx. He may speak as needed. But I do ask that he be more polite.”

“My apologies Princess. What for art thy sisters’ names?” ‘Why did I just say that?’

“Silence!” Phalanx shouted at me once more.

“Phalanx. Still thy tongue.” the blue one said.

“So they do talk.”

“I am Princess Luna. Princess of the Night. Thou shall respect us.” the blue one announced to me.

“And that is all you shall need to know. You have already met Princess Twilight. Now what is your name?” the pink on said.

“What no introduction from the second youngest?”

She sighed. “I am Princess Cadence. Queen of the Crystal Empire.”

“And that makes sense how?”

“Enough of these sarcastic remarks.” Celestia cut in. “You know our names, what is yours?”

“My name is Jackson Leonidas Anderson, Son of Mars, Praetor of New Rome, and General of the Thirty First Legion . And I also know my way around a stove top when necessary.”

“Their General?”

“No. They are not apart of the Thirty First. They are outcasts that joined a corrupt former Praetor, Cipherus, Son of Mars. Though he would proclaim to you that he’s the Son of Rome.”

“Why are we to believe you?”

“I killed many today in the defense of Princess Sparkle. How is that not a free pass to trust in this universe?”

“You are wrong. We take these type of threats very seriously. Do you not see the severity of this situation Anderson?”

“I see the futileness of fighting it and I’m sure Princess Sparkle told you of the battle.”

Twilight hesitated seeming to be afraid to speak out of turn. She needs to grow a pair. “I-I did tell her what I saw.”

“Do I have the right to hear that?”

“Go ahead Twilight.” Celestia told her.

Twilight took a deep breath and began. “We were in Rarity’s boutique getting one of my dresses back when a sound caused Jack to stand up and look out the window. He said it was a war march and that I had to go upstairs with Rarity. When I got up there I heard screaming, shouting and… laughing. When I looked out I saw Jack in the middle of more creatures like him. They all came after him like they knew he was more dangerous then anything in Ponyville. He was… glowing red. I could feel the magic from the window.”

“What was he doing, Twilight?”

“He was killing them. The creatures and other ponies that came after him. He was laughing. It scared me. Then they started to retreat. I don’t know why but-”

“I don’t know why either. Either someone saw the carnage and ordered it or some God got lazy in writing my story.”

“Do not interrupt General Anderson.” Celestia said coldly. “You are but one step from death for your crimes.”

“What crimes? Defending the Princess like she told me to? True, I hate the job. Shit benefits, crappy hours and no pay. You think I did that for my sake, I fought for her sake. Okay when I was glowing red, I was fighting for my sake, but I wasn’t in control of myself. It’s a curse.”

“What is?”

“The gift of Mars.”

“Whom is this Mars?” Luna asked her brow still knit trying to figure me out.

“Mars is the God of War and Strategy where I’m from.”

“So thou is the child of a war deity? Why should my sister and I believe thee?”

“Because I didn’t kill anything that didn’t attack me or something innocent first. Like Twilight said, everyone that came at me with sword raised I killed. The rest I let run for their lives.”

“And that’s better how?” Cadence asked.

“It means I have some control.” I lie. “I can keep myself from killing anything that isn’t a threat. Plus you need me.”

“And why do we need you General?” Celestia asked.

“Because you don’t know this enemy. I’m guessing you’ve fought everything here that needs fighting?”

“Without fail.”

“But you’re dealing with Romans. We don’t just charge in. We plan and we execute that plan with precision.”

“And if you fail?”

“If we die then we go to Elysium. We believe that we were born to die, but not before the one trying to kill us.”

“Then are we your enemy?” Luna asked.

“Only if you yourself raise a sword to my throat. Look, I know their leader. He’s ruthless and uncaring for others. I want him dead as much as you.”

“Go on.”

‘Just like the Gods back home. Nothing if not reasonable.’ “You want this force taken down? I can do it. True they won’t let me in, but I can help you beat them.”

“And you want to help us why?” Cadence asked.

“I lead the Legion to what I thought was my last breath. Even then New Rome nearly burnt to the ground at Cipherus’ hand. He summoned creatures of Tartarus to help him. He’s not afraid to do it again. I have a weapon that can kill anything from Tartarus.”

“Your dagger?” Celestia asked.

“Yes. The Dagger of Nemesis.”

“I could feel a faint magical field around it when it was brought to me. It only kills creatures of Tartarus?”

“And those black of heart. Let me put it through Cipherus’ and then you may do to me as you wish. I swear on the River Styx that I will end his life or die trying.”

“And we should believe you why?”

“Because when a Roman promises on the Styx, we are honor bound to keep it. Unlike my half brother, I have my honor if nothing else.”

“Is thou never fearful that the promise cannot be kept?” Luna interjected.

“I fear death. And that is apart of my promise. Please, take my word. I will either come back and die, or die in battle. Either way you’re rid of me.”

Celestia looked to her council wearily. Cadence was the first to nod to her and Luna followed suit shortly after. Twilight looked me in the eyes and I nodded to her. I wasn’t sure if that was good or not, but I meant it as more of a follow your gut nod rather then a whatever you’re thinking I’m down with kind of nod. She finally spoke up rather then nod.

“I propose he lead a platoon of our finest troops and prove his word. No one can fight an army on their own, not even you General.” she looked to Celestia and she nodded to Twilight.

“It is decided. Once this threat is dealt with, you will be judged for your actions. I will have a platoon sent to Ponyville behind you and Princess Twilight. You will lead them as you led your troops in your world. Be warned, I see more then these walls. If you falter in your word, you will be persecuted on the spot. Do you accept these responsibilities General? Do you swear your allegiance to Equestria?” Celestia spread her wings for some reason as she stood.

Celestia’s horn glows a light yellow and the shackles around my wrists fall to the stone floors. I look up and I cross my right arm over my chest in salute. “I swear on The River Styx that I will fight for Equestria and her people as I fought for Rome.”

“Then it’s final. Princess Twilight, return home with General Anderson.”

“I will require a few things.”

“And they are?”

“I need access to a forge and ten pounds of iron. I’ll also need few sheets of lumber, a six foot long wooden pole about an inch around and the strongest kind of cloth you have. Hide of some animal if you can manage it. I need an a few things before I go back out onto that battlefield.”

“And you will get them. Phalanx?”

“Yes your majesty?” Phalanx said standing straighter then usual.

“Get General Anderson his provisions and ensure they reach him before sun set.”

“As you wish Princess Celestia.”

“And tell your platoon they are to move to Ponyville. Don’t let us down General.”

“I won't.” I promise bowing out of some kind of respect. Twilight steps down from the throne’s alter and walks up to me. “Lead the way Your Highness.” I say respectfully. Twilight steps past me and I follow her out. “I told you I could handle myself didn’t I?”

“You said you’d take your chances.”

“And it worked. I can do something right, and then die knowing that bastard was cut to ribbons by my hand.”

Twilight sighed in annoyance. “Let’s just get back home and hope they didn’t raid the Library.”

Addressing the Troops

Celestia wasn’t kidding when she said the supplies would be there before sun set. It was 1330 hours when they got there with everything I needed. Seven planks of wood, a five foot long wooden pole, ten pounds of iron ingots, several sheets of crocodile hide and oddly enough a golden scabbard with the sun and moon engraved in its metal. As the members of my new platoon brought down all the supplies, I stoked the other furnaces and finished hardening the rest of my armor. The plates had turned black except for the golden outlines. There was more than enough iron to make an entirely new set of armor but that wasn’t needed. I took five pounds of the iron and melted it down until it was molten slag. Though against his will, I had Phalanx help me construct a wooden cast for a sword. It was to be a solid iron gladiolus through and through. At the hilt of the cast, I put a vertical indentation on the hilt and fuller of the blade. S.P.Q.R. on the hilt and Omnes Qui Me In Iustitia (All who stand against me shall suffer) on the fuller.

With the cast made from a quarter of the wood, Phalanx and I poured the slag into the wooden cast. None slipped out and the wood didn’t spontaneously combust so we were on the right track. Lucky me my mother was a daughter of Vulcan. She taught me everything I know about weapons. I guess that’s why Mars took interest in her. Anyways, the five pounds of iron that I had smelted down had actually filled the cast perfectly. We just had to let it sit for a few minutes before dipping the cast into the tank of water.

Once the sword was being cooled, melted two more pounds into several sheets of iron. As best I could I measured the width of my head and started pounding out a semicircle for the sheets. Once they were in the right shape, I heated them up more and started cutting the pieces I didn’t need and shaping the ones that would be hinged onto the side of it. It took a few days, but I finally finished forging a new helm. The top had no hair sticking up from the top, just the ridge that would have it lead by an eagle.

The it had turned black from being put through the fires along with the rest of my armor and weapons. I forged a pila with what iron I had left and then started on the shield. It took another two days to forged the metal braces for the top and bottom but even longer to use what little I had left to forge an iron eagle on the face. Six triangles forming the wings and another forming the head facing to the right. After layering crocodile leather over the front and a charcoal paint job, the shield was ready. I finished sharpening my new gladius and pila, slipped on my helmet and started up the stairs fully armored. My armor clicked as I climbed. I was greeted at the top by Twilight and Phalanx. She seemed a little nervous seeing me now and Phalanx was as emotionless as always.

“What’s the status of the troops?” I ask.

“Getting fat and board.” Phalanx told me.

“We’ve been sitting idle since you went into the lab.” Twilight added.

“We?”

“Yes, I’m as much a part of this as you are. My friends have offered to help as much as they can.”

“And this is a good idea why?”

“Because, my friends and I have fought things stronger than an army. Speaking of, I think they’re waiting for an address from their General.”

I stare her down again. She doesn’t budge. Twilight is hell bent on being a part of this isn’t she? “Fine. You have a balcony I could get to?”

“Follow me.” Phalanx said.

We start up the stairs at the back of the library to the second floor. Once there, past the two beds set under a mural of a burning sun we entered what looked like an amateur observatory. Next to several large telescopes, a set of double doors lead into the outside world. Phalanx waited for me at the door with Twilight. I take a deep breath and push my way past the doors and into he open air of Ponyville.

‘The leader is the image of the masses’ I tell myself looking over what was certainly more than a platoon. There were at least three hundred ponies dressed in golden armor of all races, sex and colors. They all see me standing in the sun light, my shield in my left hand and my pila in my right.

“Ten hut!” I shout. The entirety of the ‘platoon’ scrambled to their hoofs and clicked them together in attention. “I am General Jackson Leonidas Anderson.” I bellow to the troops. “And all of you are under my command. I have fought this evil head on before. These are people from my home, they don’t give up. The question isn’t will they attack it’s when. And rest assured there are no ifs ands or buts that we will be on guard for them when they do return. I have lead armies before, let you be the finest I have had the honor to have at my sides. Remember one thing, the weakest point for a centurion is here-” I say pointing at the crease in-between the iron girdle. “and here.” I say pointing to my throat. “Work your way around their shields and you will have a clear shot at them. Remember if you wanna get out alive, hold on for your life. That is all.” I turn and walk back inside.

“What that’s it? That was pathetic.” Twilight told me.

“At the moment it’s all I got. If you got any better ideas I’m all ears but for now we send patrols throughout town and try and keep an eye open.”

“The Princess has a point General. You need to be more direct in your interaction with them.” Phalanx butted in.

“Just split them up into groups and start locking down Ponyville. I want nothing in or out. And could someone get me a map!?”

“Jack!” Twilight said stopping me. “You’re acting like you’re going to take them on all alone and just use the armies as a distraction.”

“That’s not it at all.”

“Then what is it?”

“I don’t know!”

“How could you no know!? You’re the son of a war God right?”

“I am. But I’m not like Cipherus. I’m not a leader!”

“Well you are now. Like it or not you’re the leader now and the troops out there need your support.”

“They have it. Now I need a map of Equestria and a map of Ponyville. I need to see how much of a blockade we’re talking about here.”

Twilight only groans in anger and storms out of the observatory. I hate to say it, and I do mean HATE, but she’s not completely wrong about me. No I don’t want to use the armies as bait, that’s not what I’m doing at all, but she’s right about me wanting to end this by myself. There’s no way I’m letting anything else kill Cipherus. He’s mine to kill, nothing more.

Author's Note

Nexus: So he's not another version of us is he? Cause I don't know how I feel about that.
Me: Don't worry Nex. He's not some alternate us. He's too out of it to be us right now. He'll adjust.
Nexus: So then he's a generic General?
Me: For now yes. Like I said, he'll adjust.

Log Entry 22/4/1064 Night Raid

I sit alone in the moon light upon the balcony still in my improved armor; my helm resting at my side. Hours ago I assigned teams to patrol the skies and streets. I hated waiting. I pulled out my log and turn the photo strip of Anna and I over as I start a new entry.

Log Entry: 22/4/1064 ANM

My first orders were taken well. The troops are now patrolling the skies, streets and river. I still feel uneasy about commanding a legion again. Phalanx told me that they asked for volunteers and they received over four hundred of them. Four hundred! I’ve lead armies larger but the last time I did I nearly failed. Even then the problem wasn’t gone. Cipherus is still a threat. I forged my armor last week and it fits well. Reminiscent of what I had back home. Though I forgot that repeated heating and cooling caused iron to turn black. I now reflect what I said before, a Ghost of Rome.

It’s beautiful here in Equestria. I see why so many volunteered for this. Twilight’s words still ring in my ears. I don’t want to take on an army, but I have to. I don’t want to lead hundreds of troops, but I must. I just want Cipherus’ head, that is guaranteed. He will be my down fall though. Discord said so. Nemesis’ Dagger is the only thing I have to ensure he will stay dead. The fields of punishment are to good for him.

I pause before closing the little black book. I flip back a few pages until a date made me stop and remember why I had this photo strip.

Log Entry: 28/12/2010 AD

It happened, a month ago Cipherus was been taken out of power. His reign over New Rome is over. But the Senate has made a grave mistake. They unanimously elected me Praetor. I don’t get it. I was just fighting with Cipherus to try and quell a resistance of demigods and now he has left putting me in his place. My first order was to, believe it or not, ask for a recount. They voted unanimously again.

I suppose it’s not all bad. I get to spend some time with Anna. I haven’t seen her since she was appointed over Samantha from second Cohort by Cipherus. Some say that every time the Praetors are elected, they are destined to be together. The kids in Anna’s barracks are unbearable. I’m starting to think that Venus is just trying to make it harder for me to do my job well. Yeah, Praetors work closely and sometimes end up together. But Anna and I have known each other since we were infants. There’s no way we could ever be a thing.

Log Entry 29/12/2010 AD

Okay, everything I said yesterday is bull shit. I ~~love~~ really like Anna. Sweet Romulus I forgot how great it is to be around her. The HVAC system in our private barracks went out and we were freezing our Latin tows off. The Gods know Venus is watching me write this so I’ll spare the details but… We kissed. For a while… and shared a bed for warmth. I get it, Sons of Mars don’t fall in love. But considering I’ve never been a normal son of his I think there might be an exception. Now I remember why I called her Rose when we were younger. She smells so nice. I need to clear my head before we end up back in the same bed again tonight.

I chuckle. It seems like another life. Even though I’ve only been here for a week, everything was starting to fade from me about New Rome. Home was seeming farther and farther every passing second. And knowing I couldn’t do anything about it, I had to accept that I wasn’t going to be going home or seeing her again.

I look at the strip of pictures again. Four frames of photos. The first three are just us making the dumbest faces we could think of and the last one made my cheeks red still. She kissed me on the cheek in the last frame before we left. I smile remembering the times we had and I would have gotten lost in a daydream if it weren’t for a certain lavender alicorn.

“Who’s that?” Twilight asked looking over my shoulder.

“GAH!” I shout, slamming the log shut on my hand hiding the photo strip. Normally that would hurt like Tartarus is hot, but I had to try and keep profesional. “Didn’t your mother ever teach you to not sneak up on people?”

“Yes, but you weren’t answering me.” she giggled.

‘She seems awful chipper for someone I just ticked off a few hours ago.’ “What’d you want?”

“That can wait. Who’s that in the pictures you have?”

“No one you need to know.”

I’m starting to develop a hatred of all things lavender with a horn and wings. She used her levitation spell to pry open the book and see the pictures herself. “You’re not hateful, you’re homesick.”

“So what if I am? I can’t go back anyways.”

“The two of you seem to be good friends.” she said looking down the strip. She stopped at the bottom and her eyes widened. “Oh, she wasn’t your friend…”

“No, she was more than that.”

“She was special?”

“Daughter of Venus.”

“I thought you hated them?”

“I don’t like them. But Anna was different. She wasn’t froufrou like her sisters or even her brothers. She was strong, independent; hell, a bad hair day for her was when it was done up. She hated looking proper and nice ever since we were kids.”

“You loved her?”

The question caused my heart to stop faster then a Cyclops’ with an arrow in its groin. “I-I. Well- we weren’t- uh…”

“You did.” Twilight seemed to be on the edge of hysteric laughter.

“Shut it! So what? Like I said I can’t see her again so why bother thinking about it.”

“You seemed to be thinking an awful lot just then.”

“She distracts me. She was a curse that I couldn’t live without and she still makes it hard for me to stay focused without thinking about her. Venus wants one of us dead. We’d do anything for the sake of the other. That’s why I’m here.”

“You came here because of her?”

“Sort of. There was a weapon given to me by the Gods and I was told only to use it when the time came. The Gods are dicks like that. And when the time came, I couldn’t risk her dying because I wouldn’t see her again. No sacrifice, no victory. No pain, no gain. All things that I hate about our flaws. Love is a curse to children of Mars. We lose-” Something stops me. The clatter of armor. The patrols weren't suppose to come this way for another hour. “Stay here.”

I pull on my helmet, grabbed my shield and drawl my sword. The drop wasn’t too far. Lonely ten feet. I bent my knees and rolled with a grunt. When I came to a stop with a knee in the dirt roads a humanoid form in iron armor stood ten yards ahead of me. He stumbled seeing me and started to run. With all of my might, I push off and give case in full sprint. The soldier didn’t stand a chance. I was on top of him in an instant. I slam my shield into the back of his right knee and skid to a halt as he tumbles head over heels. Before he can try to run again I put the tip of my black sword to his throat.

“How many more are there, where are they now and when‘s the attack starting?” I ask.

“You can’t win this Jack. You see, we’ve already started.” the soldier told me.

As if on que, an explosion shook the ground beneath my feet and caused me to drop the tip of my sword into his throat. He convulsed, pined the ground and trying to escape. I pull back and slam the edge of my shield into his head to help dislodge my blade from his spine. I leave him where he lay and charged back towards the explosion. Twilight had Phalanx with her, she’ll be fine.

As I pass into town square, just behind the town hall, I see my troops battling with all their might against humans and ponies brandishing daggers and pila. My instincts kick in again. Only this time I push Mars down a bit. A Centurion charged me with his sword over his head and shield out of the way thinking I wasn’t paying attention. I simply put my gladiolus out and watch as he runs neck first into the blade.

“Simpleton.” I say using my shield to help drag my sword out of his throat.

I run, picking my targets. I left my pila back at the library so I had to borrow one. I side step twice as a pony stands holding a pila in his hoofs hoping to impale me with it. Right when he thrust the pila, I spin right and drive the tip of my sword into its back. I lock my shield around my arm and grab the pila before it can fall from his grasp. With a small toss into the air, I sheath the gladius and take the pila in my right hand while taking full hold of my shield in my left. With the weapon of Mars in my hands, I run to the porch of the town hall and survey what I can as fast as I can.

“Regroup on me!” I shout. “Lock shields and prepare to push! We’re not losing this battle! As one!”

“As one!” the troops shout back.

As fast as they can without catching a few arrows or pila, the lock their small shields around the building like a flimsy phalanx. I step down and put myself at the front. Cipherus’ troops advance and are quickly cut down by pila being shoved past their shields. These troops were cocky.

“Ready!? As one! Up!” I shout taking a step forward and plunging my pila into a pony’s chest. The tip was reinforced as to make it a melee weapon rather then a one use spear.

The line followed my lead. Slowly pushing the disorganized troops back. Just as they started to retreat I called for the lines to break and the troops seared forward throwing their spears and charging like mad men. Or I guess mad ponies. I was starting to feel optimistic. We might actually break this charge. That is, until a voice echoed through the night that stopped my thoughts cold.

“Archers! To the ready!” Cipherus shouted.

I turned to see Cipherus himself standing atop a pastry shop with archers at his sides. My hands gripped my gladius and Mars shouted in my head to kill him now. But I couldn’t. If I charged I would be mowed down by archers. To make things worse, hearing their leader, Cipherus’ troops started to reform and become organized rather then attack like barbarians.

“Fall back! Evacuate everyone you can! Fall back!” I shout. I hated hearing those words come out of my mouth. Any other son of Mars would fight until they died, but a sane man would pull his troops back and hope to fight another day. I side with my rational thoughts and follow my troops towards the library

Then something went off to my shielded side. A Grenada. Shrapnel bounced off of my shield but the shockwave blew me off of my feet. My ears rang as I stumble to my feet. I look back and watch as a volley of arrows pass over my head and hit my troops. Another volley was quick to follow but was aimed at me. I raise my shield and block the volley and continue to run commanding my troops to do the same not hearing my own words. I get to the library and I see Twilight’s horrified expression seeing battered and bloody ponies running past. Some civilians some soldiers. I get up to her and I shout at her to get everything she can.

I see her nod and run inside to grab a saddle bag of provisions. I sprint into the observatory, pick up my pack and a few maps with our plans on them. I throw my shield onto my back and grab my pila in my right hand before running down stairs to find Twilight ready to run with Spike sitting on her back. They both looked terrified; I could only imagine how I looked right now.

We step out into the night and see Cipherus’ troops whopping and hollering in victory. My hearing is still nothing but bells as I lead Twilight towards the troops ready to knock the bridges out behind us. Phalanx, bloody, either his own or something else’s, stood waving us to hurry. Before I can reach the bridge, I feel a shield slam into my side and throw me to the ground. My hearing comes back just in time to hear Twilight shout for me. I see a sword come down towards me and I dive out of the way.

“Go! Get out of here!” I shout thrusting my pila blindly into the pony-like figure that tried to stab me.

“I’m not leaving you!” Twilight shouted back.

I hear the marching of more troops converging on the bridge. If I try and cross they won’t be able to drop it before more troops would follow us. “This isn’t a debate. Get out of here and take the bridge down behind you. Now!”

I take my shield off of my back and take my stance right next to the bridge. The pila over the top the shield and my weight on the balls of my feet. Twilight takes one last look before leaving me to my fight. The troops start encircling me as the bridge starts to collapse behind me as unicorns took out the supports. The concrete of the bottom of the bridge makes the ground rumble as it collapses.

The troops all stop about twenty feet in front of me with their shields locked. At my twelve o’ clock, they part reveling Cipherus in his full armor.

“Well brother. It would seem we meet again.” he says pleased to see me with nowhere to go. “I’m actually impressed you were able to do what you did last week. But thankfully, I’m here to fix what you’ve broken like always.”

“I’ve done nothing you tyrant. You only live to enslave. I’m here to protect.”

“You and what army? Last I saw they were running away.”

“You think I need an army to end this?” the drums start to pound in my head and my vision gets a slight red tint to it. ‘Will you kill them all now?’ Mars asks me. “I’ll take you all on!”

“Kill him.” Cipherus said with a smirk.

Troops from my sides advance and everything slows for a second. The only one that I am in control. I bring my right arm over my head and slide it down to the bottom of the pila. Using my neck as leverage, I swing the pila like a bow staff and slam it into the two troops advancing on my sides. The first hit on the right directly on his head, knocking his helmet off and throwing him to the ground. The second was less fortunate and had it just slash their jugular. They fell quickly behind me as the pila made another deadly arch into the first soldier’s head, crushing his skull under the force.

The next two came in from in front of me. As fast as I can I get into a throwing stance and heave the pila into the female soldier’s chest just as she reached me. The second one on my right was less fortunate and met the brunt of my shield. This gave me time to pull my gladius. From behind me I hear a man shout. In my mind’s eye I see someone not as tall as me with a gladius over their head their shield ready to block anything I can throw at him. I put my shield over my head and deflect the downwards stab. I step left and cleave off his shield arm. With my shield pulled back, I ram its bottom into his nose and bring the tip of my sword down just under his helmet and into his ribcage. Another female soldier charges in behind me with no shield wielding a spatha. A longer cavalry sword adopted for front line use.

I put my left foot back and swing my shield like I’m taking a backswing with an ax. The bottom of the shield impacts her chin and throws her off balance. With a powerful tug I free my sword. As its flying back I let it go for a moment and grab it again with the blade facing the bottom of my fist. I bring my right foot past my left and thrust the blade right in between her girdle plates. She gasps and drops her spatha as I withdraw the black and bloodied blade from her body. A pain suddenly shoots up my left leg. As an arrow embeds where my shin guards couldn’t protect.

I shout in rage and block a second arrow with my shield. I reach down, rip the head out of my hamstring and ram the bloody arrow into an advancing pony’s neck. It was able to get a punch in but I was able to throw it into the river behind me as more troops approached me. The one right in front of me brandished an ax without a shield and the two on either side of me had pila. The one with the ax was first to come at me with his ax making a wide sweeping arc to my left. I lean into my shield and stop his strike cold before lobbing off his head and using his body to catch an arrow. The one on my right thrust their pila just past my shield and slashed my left arm just past my cuffs. I slash her throat as I drop my shield.

Blood spilled from my upper arm as the second pila tries to pass through me. With great strain, I side step the pila and grab its shaft. I push back and slam the but of the pila into the attackers stomach. The soldier steps back holding their stomach. I give them no mercy; I drive my gladius through the back of their neck and let them fall from my blade.

“Stop!” Cipherus shouts before anyone else can advance on me. “I’ll do it myself.”

He draws his blade, a stagnant iron sword he stole from Pluto’s palace. I stumble to my shield and take my stance. So much for that prophecy. I prepare to fight a losing battle when I’m suddenly taken from my feet and carried away faster then any Pegasus back home could ever fly. I look up and see Rainbow Dash with her hoofs under my arms carrying me away with a rainbow streak trialing behind her.

“You’re not dying on us that easily.” she said with a cocky grin.

My blood still stains my armor as we fly towards a small mountain range. My hand is clasps my shield and gladius as my eyes roll into the back of my head and I pass out with the wind wiping past my ears.

Author's Note

Me: A bit of a long one and some deuse ex machina, but otherwise fine i think.
Nexus: I still don't think Rainbow Dash would've come back for him.
Me: If Twilight told her to she would have. Element of Loyalty Nex.
Nexus: Are we just going to talk to ourselves or will these actually have some meaning in the future?
Me: Don't get your tail in a twist. The next chapter is starting.

Not So Willing Double Agent

My head throbs in time with my heart as I’m surrounded by darkness. Charon, ferryman of the dead whispers in my ears as my head spins.

“You’re not meant for my boat yet young Centenal.” his, calm and raspy voice whispered. “You’re fate is in the hands of that bloody Chaos God.” I feel my face contort in pain as I feel something reach into my chest a grab my heart. “You will have your time. The Fates have your thread of gold ready and you cannot sway them as easily.”

“Jack!” Anna’s voice shouts in my head as I inhale about an oceans worth of air in a femtosecond.

My eyes dart around looking for threats. As the ocean sized breath leaves my lungs and I start to hyperventilate. I lay in a long tent with several other white and gray ponies lying on white mats groaning in pain. A yellow Pegasus with a long pink mane sits to my left bandaging my arm and a pale pink unicorn stands to my right, the aura around her horn fading. My chest shakes my abdominals tighten up. I look to the one bandaging my arm and she eeps, backing away from me quickly.

“Oh, I’m sorry. Did that hurt?” she asked in a timid voice that was barely audible.

“Unless you just reached into my chest and squeezed my heart I don’t think you did.” I say tightening the bandages around my upper forearm.

“That was me. You were bleeding badly and there was no time to summon a strong enough spell to stop you from dying.” The pale pink mare with the red cross cutie mark told me. “Really? I lost that much blood from a cut and an arrow?”

“You mean a gash and a toxin. If we hadn’t stopped your heart it would have gotten there before the doctor could counter the Manticore poison.”

“Really? Manticore venom? Wow. How many made it out of town?”

“Three hundred fifty.” Twilight said entering the tent. “Two hundred are injured.”

“Only two hundred? We should count ourselves lucky. What about the civilians.”

“Only one hundred.” Twilight said with her head hung low.

“I’m guessing Ponyville’s population was around eight hundred?” She didn’t respond. "Okay then. Where’s my armor and weapons?” I groan as I try to sit up.

“Oh no. You’re staying down for a few days.” Twilight said putting a stern hoof on my chest.

“Twilight’s right. You’re in terrible shape. You’re leg is terribly wounded and your arm is no shape to handle any weapons.” the yellow Pegasus told me.

“The leader is the reflection for the masses. If I’m out of commission, then so are they. If I can’t walk, I run. If I can’t run then I sprint. If I can’t do that then I’m dead. Now where is the my helmet, shield and sword?”

“You should listen to Fluttershy, Jack. She knows what she’s talking about.” Twilight said pointing to the mare that was patching me up before I woke up.

“If I were a normal soldier I would. But I’m here to do one thing, and that’s lead. I can’t do that from this mat. You want my help? This is what I have to do. Self-preservation isn’t a forethought right now.”

“I could tell when you sat back and let those troops try to kill you.”

That stung. Could she really see through people this well or am I just crazy. “Trust me, it’s inevitable.”

“You can-”

“Prolong it? That’s all a son of Mars can do.” I shove my way past Twilight and Fluttershy as I stand. “I have a lineage of blood and glory. Only our glory comes in death. Sons of Mars have short life spans. We’re either too reckless or too noble. Sacrifice is a part of our lives and there is nothing we can do to stop it.”

“You can. Everyone has a choice.”

“And when you’re a soldier you’re never guaranteed tomorrow! You either die out there or not. Simple as that. I have to live for today and look to the next to try and save it.” I spot my helmet, bag, left arm guard and right shin guard resting with my shield and sword at the front of the tent.

“Jack, you’re talking about suicide. Do you want to die?”

“I have nothing left Twilight! I’m talking to the love child of a Pegasus and unicorn for the Gods sake! I couldn’t be further from home with no way back. It couldn’t be a universe where Rome never existed. No it had to be this, fucking one!”

“Jack calm down!”

“No, fuck you Princess! The deal is either I die out here or I die in Canterlot. I might as well die a hero rather then a criminal. Even if I never lived as either.”

“Jack, there’s always a way. Don’t act like such a child!” That stops me short of my armor. “You think that just because you’re the only one that knows who we’re up against that you have to go through it alone. You’re a selfish brat! You’re right. You’re not fit to lead. I’m relieving you of your command and having you sent back to Canterlot.”

“You’re risking your country here princess.” I say still not wanting to turn to meet her laser like gaze.

“Spike.” The baby dragon gets up from helping a pony on the other side of the tent. I hadn’t noticed him. “Get two Pegasi ready to take Jack back to Canterlot and send a letter to Princess Celestia letting her know he failed. Tell her to send my brother here as soon as she can.”

“On it.” The dragon said quickly running outside.

“I’m your only hope here. I’m the only one that can kill him. Discord gave me a prophesy.” I say turning to meet her angry gaze.

“What are you talking about?”

“He said that a praetor shall die by the others hand for their selfish desire.”

“And yours is less selfish then his? You want him to die by your hand. You think you’re the best thing here? We can handle ourselves. My brother will lead us to victory.”

“Twilight, this is your last chance, either you understand that if you kill me then there is no hope for Equestria or you lose your only hope.”

“I’ll take that chance. You have to swear on the River Styx that you won’t try to escape or hurt anypony on the way to Canterlot.”

“You don’t trust me?” Twilight only stares me intently as though she wants me to burst into flames. “I swear on the River Styx and my honor that I won’t harm anyone or try to escape on the way to Canterlot.”

“Their ready.” Spike said sticking his head into the tent.

“Let me get my armor on and I’ll be on my way.” I say starting to tie my arm guard to my left arm.

Once armored up I step outside and see the chariot waiting on me. Only two Pegasi were hooked to the chariot and none waited on me next to it. I feel the troops stares as I approach the back end of the chariot with my head hung high to try and leave some state of professionalism to my appearance. I step in and put my shield on my back before facing the crowd in front of me.

“Strength and Honor. May your Gods guide you to glory.” I tell them as the chariot pulls away into the sky.

I watch the large camp they built fade away under the trees as the Pegasi fly me east past the outskirts of Ponyville. I see the fires blaze, the smoke rise and the scorpion catapults launch massive bots at us. Wait what?

“Bank right!” I shout.

I’m too late. A scorpion bolt prices the Pegasi on my right, killing him instantly. The rest fly over our heads as the chariot does a Dutch roll before making a beeline for a barn outside of Ponyville. The Pegasi that was still alive shouted in protest as he tried to either pull up or unhook his harness, I couldn’t tell which. Regardless, his efforts were futile, he slammed headfirst into the side of the red barn. The sound of his neck snapping and his skull caving in was drown out by the splintering of wood and the chariot crashing through behind him. A chunk of wood hits my helmet and my eyes shut on impact. I feel my body get thrown like a rag doll through a hay bail and into the dirt.

My eyes hurt as a they try to open. The pain pulsing through my body is almost unmistakable. A bruised rib and a sprained right ankle. It’s luck that’s all that happened. My neck could have been broken. Something’s off, my eyes are open, I can see the lids, but my eyes are rolled back. Am I passing out? Hell no. I shut my eyes and bite back the pain as I get to a knee. I open my eyes to find my shield lying unbroken against the wall adjacent to me with the chariot, along with it’s two dead drivers, laying overturned outside another hole in the wall made by the chariot going though the other side.

I feel at my side and find that my pack and sword stayed with me through the crash surprisingly. Just as I get to my shield a hear a sword leave its scabbard.

“Well, well, well.” Cipherus says putting his sword to the back of my neck. “Come to unconditionally surrender?”

I can’t turn. If I do I risk having my throat slit. “You wish Cipherus.”

“They what is the leader of the most pathetic army in the world doing flying around here?”

“What? Can’t I just drop in and say high to my half brother? Why do I need a reason?”

“Because I know you. And you’re up to something. What were you doing?”

I guess I’ll die either way. “I was on my way back to Canterlot to meet with Princess Celestia.”

“Ah, yes. One of my troops told me about that. The city on the mountain and the ruler of the land.”

“The chariot’s intact Cesar.” one of his men said.

“Good. Then this’ll work perfectly. You’re going to be my ticket into that city.”

“And what makes you think I’ll do that?”

“Because you’re in no position to do otherwise. Besides, if I didn’t need you, do you think you would be alive right now?”

“Awe, and here I thought you were just being generous.”

“For you it is mercy.” I feel the tip of his blade back away and I stand to face him. His dark brown eyes were cold and calculating. His ebony sword still pointed at my throat. “I will be hiding behind the guard of the chariot and two of my soldiers carry the chariot up to the city. You will show us where to land and once I’ve taken the castle, my army will arrive by train to take the rest of the city. And then, no one can stop me from taking over the rest of this place and create The New Rome. A Rome where I am her God!”

“Since when where you one to monologue?”

“Silence!”

“You know just because you think you’re the next Romulus doesn’t mean you have to talk like that. We were both born in the twenty-first century ya know?”

“I said silence! You will stand at the helm and be my ticket into the castle.”

“You expect them to let you walk right in?”

“I expect you to kill them all.”

“I can’t.”

“Why not?”

“I swore on the River Styx that I wouldn’t kill anyone until I had an audience with Celestia.”

“Did you now?” He pressed the tip of his blade against my jugular hoping to make me break. He should have known better. I lay my chin on the blade and stare into his eyes, begging him to. He smirks at me then takes the blade away from my neck. “Well then, I guess I’m going to have get my hands dirty.”

“Can’t soil what has never been clean.” I look over to the chariot and watch as two centurions flip it and two Pegasi take the golden armor from the two ponies that were suppose to see me to Canterlot.

“It would appear it is time brother. Shall we?” He motioned his blade to the doors of the barn he had entered through. “Don’t forget your shield.”

I turn around and throw it onto my back with my right hand. It hurts to bend over as the pulsating pain in my ribs grows. I hobble over to the door where the chariot is already waiting on us.

Author's Note

Nexus: Okay, why doesn't he just take Jack's armor and lead it in himself?
Me: Because of Discord's prophecy.
Nexus: I may be you but that doesn't mean I know what the damn thing means.
Me: Well too bad then. You'll have to wait until we get to that bridge. Now hush, the next Chapter is starting.

Invasion of Canterlot

Author's Note

Me: Sorry if there's any grammar mistakes. My new laptop doesn't have Office so I have to write here.
Nexus: Doesn't excuse it Roman.
Me: Shut it and go polish your legs. And let the chapter unfold.

Invasion of Canterlot

The sky was clear and the ride was smooth. I would have loved having a day like this in Rome to fly a chariot around the city and vineyards but I would prefer not having a sword in my groin as I flew. Cipherus crouches behind the guard of the chariot as his cohorts fly me towards Canterlot. I watch as the rim passes beneath us and the castle looms a few miles ahead.

"Where do we land?" one of the pegasi shout over the wind.

I'm reluctant to answer, but with a sword on my testicles... There's a secret door on the north side of the castle. They'll probably have unicorn guards so make them open the door after we land."

"How many will see us Jackson?" Cipherus asks me prodding the sword against my gems.

"Only those two guards hopefully. If not I'm sure these two can handle anything else that's there."

"Show us."

The chariot slowly rounds the castle until the small yard came into view. I could see the two guards there waiting on me. Cipherus' pegasi slowed down and started to bring us in. They obviously only knew how to take off and fly these things; they couldn't have made a smooth landing for a pile of dung. The two guards started to approach me. Both were white, one was a Pegasus, the other a unicorn.

"Are you ready General Anderson?" the unicorn asked me.

"The question is are you ready to let me in?" Cipherus said jumping up and putting his stagnant iron blade to my throat.

"Who are you?" the Pegasus asked.

"And since when were you a cheesy villain from a cartoon?" I follow up.

"Silence! You shall open the door and let me in or I'll gut him!"

Cipherus' pegasi unhooked themselves and pulled daggers from under their armor. They slowly got on either side of the two guards. They looked to me, then to the pegasi then back to me.

"Fine." the unicorn replied.

I curse the Gods as he turns around and opens the door to my cell and the door to the hall on the other side. Just as the doors opened, the pegasi jumped the soldiers and dug the daggers into their necks. I watch silent as the brutal attack takes place. They don't stop either. After the necks, the two went for every unarmored point they could find as Cipherus released me with his sword still pointed at the back of my head.

"Take us to Celestia." Cipherus demanded.

"It's a straight shot. Just up down the hall, up the stairs and follow the massive hallway until you get to a set of doors that reach all the way up to the sealing. Can't miss it."

"I still don't trust you Jackson. You will take me or you'll see the fastest way down this mountain." Cipherus said putting his blade against the back of my neck.

"You hit your head when you landed here Cipherus?" I ask.

"Silence! Do you think I will not make good on my promise?"

I don't reply as I start to make my way through the dank corridors. The dim torch lights feel perfect for the situation. Bleak, dark, hopeless; all wrapped up in one hall way. that wasn't even the most nerve wracking part of it. The bright hallway lined with windows defining the history of Equestria was troubling to say the least. knowing I was a part of destroying it all in one day. I had swore that I would fight, but I ran. I swore if I didn't win I would die in the process; I'm still breathing. And now I have my hand in the punch bowl. The massive wooden doors loomed before me, the sun and moon looked back at me like eyes, filled with disappointment.

"Open it." Cipherus said prodding his sword into the back of my neck. It wasn't until the sound of my helmet's metal screeching against Cipherus' blade that i remembered I still had it on.

With the pain of my bruised and sprained ankle still taking its toll on my movement and the gash in my left arm, I'm forced to push as hard as I can with my shoulder to try and open the moon door. Without magic to open it, it creaked in protest as I pushed it open about three feet. Celestia sat at her throne with no guards and only on unicorn stallion holding a massive stack of papers in a levitation spell as she signed them one by one. You'd think she'd have a stamp for that by now. Celestia looked up and saw me. The minute her gaze landed on Cipherus, the quill in her telekinetic grasp fell and she knit her brow.

"What is the meaning of this General?" she asked angrily.

"Ah. You must be Princess Celestia. I am Cipherus Cesar; your new ruler." Cipherus said walking around me but still keeping his sword pointed at me.

"And the new nut job in the castle." I say before receiving the flat of his blade to the back of my head.

"Thank you Jackson. But I think the Princess would like to unconditionally surrender to me before I take her city,"

"I will do no such thing. Get my guards."

"You mean these guards?" one of the pegasi that walked in with me said pulling a body behind him along with the other not far behind.

"You will pay for this you cur." Celestia said, her horn starting to glow and her eyes turn yellow.

"Princess stop!" I shout starting to stand back up. "He has an army on the way. Even if you kill him now, you'd have these two to deal with and they would over take you in seconds. You'd have nowhere go before they put their daggers in your neck."

"My half brother has a point. You're only option is to surrender you throne to me. And I aspect you to want to fight back but your death means nothing to me. I will have what I want but there shall be a body that needs to burned in the ditch. I am your coercer, this worlds hero, this worlds God!"

"Then thank you for forcing an adrenaline rush." I say grabbing my shield off of my back and drawling my sword.

As it left my scabbard, I swing it close to my body and knock his blade away from me before taking my stance.

"You swore on the Styx that you wouldn't attack anyone until you spoke with Celestia."

"I swore not to try and escape or kill until I got to Canterlot. And even if the latter were true, I do believe I just spoke with her."

"And you think you can kill me here Jackson?"

Cipherus was nothing if not manipulative. His fatal flaw. The entirety of his attention was on me along with his two cohorts. Sun Zu once said that the mind was the greatest weapon and weakness of a soldier. And in the case of Cipherus, it was the pride within that gave me the advantage. He didn't notice Celestia start to fly out of one of the of the castle.

"No, but my idea of distraction works just as well."

Cipherus turns around with his two pegasi and see Celestia is gone leaving the papers behind. "You little bastard!" Cipherus lunges at me and I parry his blow and find myself in the middle of a triangle of death. Like I had told Celestia, I know I won't live long enough to kill Cipherus. "You are lucky I am feeling merciful. Send the signal."

"Yes Cesar." the pegasi on my right said moving to the windows.

He pulls a small crossbow made to be held in his mouth. That arrow looked familiar, it looked a lot like one of my arrows from the Goddess of the Hunt. The head was made of imperial gold and popped with red sparks. As soon as it left the crossbow, it ignited and made a loud screeching sound.

"What do you mean mercy?" I ask dropping my sword and shield in surrender.

"I know that you and I share a gift brother. I wish to put it to use in the celebration following my victory here in Canterlot. Celestia has fled and i would assume the other princess' were quick to follow. You are to be the center piece of the celebration in the amphitheater at high noon tomorrow. Where you will reenact your defeat at Ponyville, only with a slight touch of your demise. Or would you rather me end your life now?"

I hear the faint shouting of civilians and troops in the city as the other Pegasus reenters the triangle. "Like I have a choice."

Log Entry, Late Spring, 1064 ANM: The Amphitheater

Log date: Late Spring, 1064 ANM

It’s been I don't even know how long since Canterlot fell. I've been in darkness with nothing for the longest time. Cipherus' version of mercy was nothing like mine. Even though he let me keep my sword, dagger and pack, I was stripped of all of my armor and shield. I sit in what use to be a storage closet underneath the amphitheater. Cipherus had emptied out all of the rooms and used them for prison quarters for those about to go into the area. I can hear the stomping of feet and hoofs in the bleachers above me. They shout in entertainment as a battle takes place to celebrate Cipherus' victory. I didn't hear much before coming here, but one of the troops told me that he saw Celestia retreat to the north and Luna to the south safely. At the very least I can die out there knowing I've given this world a chance.

Cipherus believes that I will die out there. That means it's my job to disappoint him. I saw a cage filled with manticores a day ago. He's either going to feed me to them when I die or he's going to try and kill me with them. The Jaws of Tartarus will unleash suffering once more.

Just as I finished writing, a strong knock came at the door of the closet/cell I was in. They didn't wait for me to say anything. the door opened and an earth pony, as I came to know the regular ponies as, was standing there with a heavily damaged shield on his back.

"You're up." he said bucking the shield over his back and onto the ground in front of me.

The bottom right of the shield had been broken off by what looked like massive claws and the bottom right looked as though it had been burnt off. I say nothing as I stand from the corner I had been sitting in. I take the battered praetorian shield follow the earth pony towards what was once the area the actors had their hair and makeup done before a show. There, racks of battered helmets and rusted pila sat waiting for a new owner. Twenty ponies, four earth ponies and eight pegasi, stood near the door leading out into the arena wearing some of the dented helmets of fallen guards. I neglect to take any armor and stand next to the door with a sky blue pegasus stallion holding a dagger in his teeth. He glares at me as the earth pony stands in front of us.

"When you go out there, stand together and await Cesar's command to fight the opposing army. You will die out there today for the entertainment of thousands. Take pride that anypony is taking interest in your final moments." He moved forwards and opened the door. The loud roar of the crowd slammed my ears as we slowly made our way out onto the blood soaked stage. Two soldiers were just dragging off two pony bodies.

"Ladies, gentlemen and equines!" the announcer shouted. "Cesar now brings you a reenactment, of the raid of Ponyville." The crowd went wild for a moment before going back to a dull roar so they could hear the announcer. "In the night, the leader of the Ponyville forces, Jackson Leonidas Anderson, fought against The Great Cipherus on the twenty second of April. Cesar, is proud to bring you, the troops of Ponyville and the General Anderson!"

The crowd booed in disapproval and, those that had them, gave me and the ponies at my side put their thumbs down.

"On that night." the announcer continued. "General Anderson faced a century lead by The Great Cipherus. It is Cesar's pleasure to bring you, the champions of The Tenth Cohort, Equestrianas!"

At the other side of the amphitheater, the door opened and a half century made up of forty soldiers and five ponies and formed five columns of ten. My heart rate soars as I draw my sword. I take a breath. "This might sound crazy, but the only way any of us are getting out of here with all of our limbs attached is if we can get them on their own."

"Why should we trust you?" The sky blue stallion said. "You're one of them."

"If you don't trust me then try and take them head on. We have to break up the phalanx. Roman soldiers aren’t trained for one on one combat."

"How do you propose we do that then?"

"One of you has to get in the middle of them and force them to spread out. That's when the rest of us move in and tear them apart one by one."

"Why don't we just charge them?" an earth pony mare asked.

"Unless you like having pila in your chest I would advise against it."

"I'll do it." the blue stallion told me.

"Then it's settled. On my call, you jump our lines and into theirs. But only on my call. Stick together and pray that this works."

"Let the invasion, begin!" The announcer exclaimed.

"Form a line! Form a line!" I shout at the top of my lungs. The ponies behind me line up and do their best to put their shields out in front of them. "Column, forward! Huah!" we stepped forward with a slightly less them mighty thump of hoofs.

"Shields at the ready." the column of Romans in front of us locked their shields and took a battle stance with their pila at the ready.

We advanced slowly. The crowd begged for action as we came closer. Just before we were in range for them to impale us on their pila, I called for the lines to halt. The half Century tried to get into range with powerful serge forward.

"Column, back! Spread out! Spread out!" I shout as we continue to lead the half Century towards the middle of the stage.

"As General Anderson's lines fell, The Fifteenth bravely pushed forward against the barbarians before having mercy on them and giving them an honorable death at their swords."

"Is your entire race this conceded?" the blue pegasus asked.

"Only if their psychopaths." I look past the lines and see my troops have their rear covered. "You ready?"

"As I'll ever be."

I shout in rage as I ram the lead of their lines with all two hundred pounds of me. With them all so closely grouped together, all of the troops in the center stumbled. The blue pegasus spread his wings and took flight over my head and into the middle of the line with his dagger in his teeth. The half Century didn't have time to put up their shields and form the phalanx. The blue pegasus was smart and dug the blade directly into the neck of the soldier in the center before bucking a unicorn in the side of the head. The soldier tired pulling the dagger out of his neck as the unicorn mare crumpled to the ground with a crushed skull.

"Strike now! Strike them down!" I shout as the entire half Century turned to try and deal with this new threat.

I'm the first to strike after the pegasus. I move my shield out of the way and plunged my sword into the back of the front soldier. From there, the troops disbanded, as the crowd booed, called us cheaters. The half a Century wasn't following the orders of their Centurion to reform. It was easy pickings. One bad move after another lead to the demise of another soldier. After all five ponies and twelve soldiers had fallen Cipherus called for what was left of the half Century to fall back.

The ponies that were working with me tried to chase the troops out of the doors but were too slow. I look to the crowd and feel the strong urge to ask if they were not entertained. My gaze finally settles on the VIP box where Cipherus sat with a golden wreath around his head wearing a purple tunic over his armor.

"You dare kill my century!?" He shouts over the crowd that quickly fell silent.

"It was a half Century, give me some credit here Miles." I say with a cocky grin on my face.

"It's Cesar! Bring out the manticore! Kill them all!" he shouted in rage.

A trap door suddenly opens behind me and I hear the blood curdling roar of a manticore. I turn to face it. It still looked much more pleasant than the ones back home. Rounder, more cuddly, but still deadly by every means. The manticore was chained to the underbelly of the stage to keep it from attacking anything besides what was in the arena. I sheath my sword and draw my dagger. The blade causes the creature to flinch as it stepped out of the door it had been under.

"Are you trying to get us all killed?" the blue pegasus asked me.

"If I were trying to do that you'd all be dead. AH!" I shout as I charge the beast.

Just before I get into range of its claws, I leap right and make a lunge at the child of Tartarus. It spreads its bat wings and throws itself back ten feet before trying to attack one of the ponies I was trying to save. I take my shield by the top part and hurl it at the mighty creature. The undamaged side of the wooden shield slammed into the back of its lion's head causing it to put its full attention on me.

The manticore immediately charged me and tired to drag its claws through my chest. Without my shield I can only duck and slash at its arm with my dagger. The golden blade cut through its touch skin and caused the beast to rear up in anger. One slash would never do anything to any creature. The only way I could kill it was to drive my dagger into its chest. But before I get a chance to do so, the manticore leans forward and thrusts its scorpion tail in my direction. I roll right to evade and try again to stab its chest. The beast reared up just as I got close, putting me underneath of it.

Just as it brings its full weight down on me, I thrust my dagger into its chest. I feel the powerful roar of the beast rattle my ribcage as it starts to disintegrate into golden dust. The wind in the open air amphitheater blows the dust from the creature towards my feet allowing me to sliver out from beneath it before the whole thing collapsed on me and suffocated me. You'd think I was over reacting but you've never seen a demigod choke to death on the essence of a monster.

With the manticore reduced to dust, I pull my lighter out of my pack. The entire crowd was still silent, waiting for Cipherus to give an order. I put the butt of the lighter into the pile of dust and watch as it's sucked into the body. The eyes on top of the lid glow red as more of the dust is collected into the lighter. The eyes turned blue just after I had taken around half of the manticore's essence into the lighter. The dust stopped being inhaled by the lighter and I could feel the energy within waiting to be unleashed.

"Send out another! Two if you must." Cipherus shouts in panicked anger.

I grin as two more doors open up and the beasts enter the arena. The other ponies moved back to the sides as the manticores slowly approached me. They bare their massive teeth at me as they approach; their growl shakes the ground beneath my feet. I point my lighter in their direction and wait. They come closer, I still wait. They're only ten feet away from me now. Just as they both go to lunge at me, I open the head of the Zippo and feel the rush of heat shoot out the head.

The mighty roar that came after was deafening as blue flames enveloped the manticores entirely. Beasts were nowhere to be seen within the flames. I know they were instantly vaporized, golden ash and all. After a few seconds, I shut the head of the lighter and let the silence that's left behind sink in. The Jaws of Tartarus have been reopened. Praetorians Quickly funnel out of the doors and line the parameter of the arena. Cipherus looks down upon the scorched floor as the crowd starts to clap in amazement. Their cheers slowly turning to a chant.

"Live! Live! Live!"

Cipherus looked to be struggling with his emotions right now. He knew that no one he had could kill me and if he sent more monsters at me it would only refuel my weapon of mass cremation. He stuck his thumb out of the VIP box and let it hover in-between thumbs up, life, and thumbs down, death. His Praetorian watch his hand and wait for the order. The crowd's chant seemed to get louder. They wanted me to live so that I could bring them more entertainment. Cipherus made his final decision, his thumb hesitantly went up and the thundering applause filled the air after.

I grin at him as the Praetorians lower their weapons and open the door backstage. I sheath my dagger and put my lighter into my pants pocket as I walk out with the rest of the ponies. The blue pegasus flew over next to me just before we get to the door.

"How did you know any of that was going to work?" he asked.

"I didn't." I reply. despite a volley of complaints from the stallion, I refuse to speak as we are taken back to our "cells"

Author's Note

Nexus: A bit of a dull combat scene ain't it?
Me: Describing group combat is always less exiting Nex.
Nexus: Are you just getting lazy?
Me: More like running out of filler before the climax.
Nexus: You sure you want to tell them that?
Me: They hate this story anyways. Once this is done, I'll get back on your stories.
Nexus: Don't rush. Dust and I have a date next week.
Me: Whatever Nex. Happy New Year everyone! This is going up at 0100 cause I have so little to do!
Nexus: Happy New Year everypony.

The Plot.

I can't tell how long I've been a gladiator. It's all blurred together. Cipherus has given up on trying to kill me the easy way. He sends me out there every day hoping I'll slip up in a one on one fight with a soldier that wouldn't follow orders or somepony desperate for survival. I kill them all. I don't have a choice. I've been lucky not to face the blue pegasus, whom I've come to know as Soarin, in battle. He's about the closest thing I have to a friend in the prison.

I sat in the yard with Soarin sitting opposite me. He hadn't touched his bowl of stew today. For the past few, I suppose weeks, he hasn't said a word to me unless it involved an impromptu strategy in the arena. He just glares at me with his light blue eyes. I take a spoon full of my stew before I say anything.

"What?" I say with my mouth full. "You've done nothing but stare at me since the first time in the arena. Whatever your problem with me is, just spill it."

"Why have you been helping me survive out there? You're one of them."

"So are the ones I fight against. But they don't obey him as his troops do."

"Did you ever follow his orders?"

"To some degree yes. I hated every minute I had to. One time in late summer we caught wind of a rogue group of demigods back home that we were suppose to quell in the north east. The senate told us to be as diplomatic as possible because they had civilians with them. Parents and mortal siblings. Cipherus had just become Praetor of New Rome and personally lead the party to the north. When we got there he had me follow him in as a second diplomat."

"How'd that go?"

"Once we got face to face with the leader, he put a sword in his chest and ran. When we got outside their base, he told everyone that we were going to invade and kill everyone there."

"Did you go through with it?" Soarin seemed to be getting interested now.

"Again, to a degree. Anyone that came to fight me I forced to surrender. All the civilians I found I told to run. It got to a point where Cipherus killed the soldiers that surrendered, so I told them to run. He later convinced them that everything was my doing and had them attack New Rome."

"Do you regret anything from that day?"

"Regret is like a carving in a tree. It never gets bigger as the tree grows; it only gets darker. Regret is only as big as when it happens, we grow with it and it just becomes a part of us. I regret a lot in my life. It'll take some time but it'll eventually become a part of me I'm not even aware of."

"Is that what you really think?"

"It is." I take another spoon full of my stew. "What about you? You fight well. Were you in the military?"

"I was. I was a member of the Wonder Bolts."

"I heard about them. There's a poster for them under the arena. Aren't they just a flight demonstration squadron?"

"We weren't just that. We were Equestria's elite Air Force squadron."

"If there was any major problem that needed air support, we'd be the first on scene. Anywhere in Equestria, at any time."

"Sounds like a twenty-four hour gig. You fight well for someone that spends all of their time in the air."

"Whatever. You were the leader in Ponyville?"

"I was."

"Is it true that you ran from Cipherus?"

"Even the greatest soldiers have fear. I wasn't ready to for him. I knew that with him there his troops would have fought harder than ever. They hated me enough as it was. With Cipherus commanding them directly there was no way I was letting more troops die in a losing battle. So I called for a retreat and an evacuation of Ponyville."

"I heard most of them didn't make it." Soarin said grimly.

"You know anyone there?"

"I met Rainbow Dash once. But that's about it. Some of my friends were in your regiment though."

"Four Centuries of troops and one of them were killed in action."

"General." the cook called.

I stood up and walked to the bared window where the cook stood, a dark skinned human who also fought in the amphitheater on occasion, was waiting for me.

"I already got my rations Donavan." I tell him.

"I'm not handing out your rations. Someone wants to see you in private Jackson. The guards'll escort you out."

I turn around and see two pony soldiers coming toward us. "It would seem so." I slide him my pack. "No matter what don't let this fall into Cipherus' hands if I don't come back."

"Yes General." Donavan replied taking my pack behind the kitchen bars.

"Come with us General." the one on the right said.

I don't question this as I follow the two guards through the halls underneath the castle. The halls changed between being lit by torches and florescent lights. I don't get why they did this but I don't care that much to question it. After what seemed like fifteen minutes of walking, the two guards shoved me into a small room and left me there. The stone walls absorbed all sound inside and two torches on either side of the door.

In the corner of the room, a figure shorter than me stood. His head was shaved and he seemed famished through his brown, burlap toga. The face was familiar but I couldn't quite put a name to it. I think it started with an M.

"It's been a while General." the man said a bit timidly. Now I remember him. Marcus Stulte. The soldier that told me about Cipherus.

"That it has Marcus. Why'd you ask for me and why do you look like this?"

"Cipherus was disappointed that I didn't kill you when I had the chance so he made me go without food for two weeks and made me one of his personal slaves."

I groan in annoyance. "This is outrageous. Why hasn't Celestia come back for her city and people? You know as well as I do that sitting around and waiting for something only gives us time to find holes in the defenses we've made."

"That's what I want to talk to you about. You see, I was sent here to make you a deal."

"What kind of deal?"

"Gladiators wouldn't have heard about it, but outside these walls there is a rebellion causing havoc for Canterlot. Attacking patrols, taking out armories across the city and even having people and ponies on the inside of Cipherus' operation. But one thing is in our way. You. With you still in chains it makes Cipherus' troops feel like they can crush any rebellion."

"Get to the point."

"Our leader wants you to join us. We have connections with Shining Armor's battalion, your battalion."

"What'd you want me to do?"

"Preparations have been made to raid the castle but only during a match. That's when the troops that are here and not fighting out in Equestria are unarmed. If we can cause enough confusion in a match then Celestia's troops'll have a window to come in and help retake the city. You know Cipherus better than our leader. We need you to make sure he's concentrated on something other than an invasion."

"Your leader wants me to put my neck on the chopping block so that Celestia's forces can invade?"

"Yes."

"Who's your leader?"

"They made me swear on the Styx not to tell you. They said it was dangerous for you to know. They have a reputation with Cipherus and they can't risk blowing it under any circumstances."

I curse under my breath. "Do you have a way out of the city?"

"Yes. I'm the one that goes to Ponyville and gets apples for the castle."

"Then the next time you go you tell the troops to sneak into Canterlot. If your resistance is as good as you say they are then they'll help them get in unnoticed. Once they're in, tell them to wait for the flames of Tartarus to come over the rim of the amphitheater. That's when they should attack. While they take back the city I'll get Cipherus. Do you understand that?"

"Yes! We can have them ready by tomorrow." Marcus said suddenly happy.

"And tell your leader that when this is over I want a word with them."

"When this is over they'll be more than happy to see you in person. Thank you General! Thank you!" Marcus threw his arms around me with a big smile on his face.

"Okay, let me go now. I can't miss curfew unless I like being whipped."

"Oh, yes General. Thank you again."

"Not a problem. Uh, are those guards in on it?"

"They are. Don't worry."

"Alright. Strength and Honor."

"Strength and Honor, General. Oh our leader wanted you to have this." Marcus reached behind him and pulled a brown leather band brace with an eagle, like the one on my chest plate only in gold, on the front. "Cipherus took it from your barracks during the Battle of New Rome as a prize."

"Is this what I think it is?" I ask sliding the brace on my arm and strapping it tightly to my left forearm.

"Tap the eagle and find out."

I bring my two fingers from my right hand over the eagle and touch its breast. The eagle flashes and a massive piece of iron juts out from the sides and then expands vertically into a full Roman shield on top of my forearm with the sound of metal on metal joints and gears leading the way. The golden eagle's tail reaches the bottom of the shield, the head almost to the top and the wings from edge to edge. The shield pivots down putting the handle of the shield into my palm and having two pieces of iron holding the black shield with its golden eagle to my arm for added blocking support. The shield didn't feel heavy in my hands at all; like my sword it was balanced perfectly to help it move more naturally in my hands during battle.

"This is the gift I got from my mother when I joined the legion. My shield."

"Our leader thought you'd want it in battle. Good luck General."

"Tell them I said thank you as well." I say tapping the underside of the band brace. The shield shrank back the same way it expanded with the sound of metal sliding on metal. "I'll do what I can."

"Good. Guards, return him to his cell."

With that, I was lead on another fifteen minute walk back to the commons area just in time to be locked back up.

Author's Note

Me: The plot thickens.
Nexus: Hardly. All you did was give the story more longevity.
Me: It's the second half Lunar; it'll get there. Do you really hate Jack that much?
Nexus: He's getting normal, I'll give you that, but he's far from being redeemed to me.
Me: Well that's the plan. If he just suddenly turned normal then it would leave a gap as to what made him that way. I need to develop him. If I recall, you weren't all that developed when I wrote you.
Nexus: But I'm a good character and another side of you. So what's your point?
Me: Let's save this until after the royal conference. I still have to give you a speech to read.
Nexus: You make me look like an idiot, a bad character is going to be the least of your worries.

The Liberation of Canterlot

The prior night was silent. Not even the normal prisoners were silent. It was like everything down here knew what was going down tomorrow. I keep looking at the band brace my mother made me years ago, waiting for it to vanish like everything else I love. A small thought crosses my mind as I sit here. I reach into my pack and take the photo strip out of my log. With the pictures in my left hand, I loosen the straps on my band brace and slip the photos under the thick leather.

Just as I readjust my straps, the door to my cell opens and the usual earth pony stand with a new decrepit shield. Not wanting to set off anything yet, I take the shield and go to my usual door. I was told I'd be in a one on one fight to the death. No matter what Cipherus said, the other would die. This shield was held together by a few planks of wood rather than iron ends. This thing's not going to hold up to much of anything. The Mouth of Tartarus lay in a small pouch on the outside of my pack for a quick pull. I'd need it today.

The crowd, the mob, above me stomp their feet anxiously awaiting my entrance. Their cheer made a mighty roar like a powerful beast. That's all Cipherus' operation here was, a monstrosity that was civilization. The earth pony opens the door and the filter that held back the powerful bass of their cheer vanished. The roar of the crowd rattled my ribs and the air in my lungs as I step out into the gray morning light.

I stand alone for a moment before the announcer starts his shpeel. "On this day, Cesar brings you a match that will dwarf all that come before it. The only two undefeated gladiators we have had these three months. The great General Anderson," the crowd went wild but I remained still. "and his opponent, a member of Canterlot's former air corp., Soarin of Vanhoover!"

I'm lost for words as the door opposite me open revealing Soarin in full golden armor. His expression, angry and hateful. I walk forward and meet him in the center of the arena. His eyes fixed on mine.

"Do as I say and we can both get out of here alive." I tell him putting my right arm across my chest in salute.

"We who are about to die, salute you." Soarin said loud enough for the crowd to hear.

"Are you in?"

Soarin and I stood face to face for a moment. Neither of us moved. Without warning, Soarin pulled a dagger from under his left wing and lunged at me. I barely had enough time to put up my shield and deflect him. The crowd cheered in approval as I drew my sword.

"What are you doing!?" I shout at him.

"What I should have done the second I met you." Soarin said spreading his wings and taking off into a hover.

"We can get out of there Soarin. You can see your family again."

"My family's dead. Shot out of the sky by your people."

"What are you talking about?"

"The Wonder Bolts. We were flying patrol when your people attacked. I watch everypony I cared about get skewered. Now I'm going to finally get to kill one of the people responsible."

"I didn't have anything to do with that. I'm here to help you Soarin!" I tell him not getting out of my fighting stance.

"What have you done besides cause trouble around here? Cipherus is right, you deserve no mercy."

"That silver toughed… Whatever he said is a lie Soarin. We can still get out of here."

"The only way you're getting out of here is by the dung of a manticore!" Soarin shouted swooping down on me with the dagger in his teeth.

I roll out of the way of his attack and put my shield up again. "This is your last chance Soarin; either you help me get us out of here, or you die."

"The only one dying today is you!" Soarin flew up ten feet and started to dash towards me.

"So be it."

Just as he gets close to me, I swing the damaged shield towards him just as he gets close. The old wooden shield shatters in a shower of splintery debris. I drop the wooden poll that's left and stand ready to face another attack. Soarin slowly stands with his right wing hanging loosely at his side. Filled with anger he charges me on foot. With a strong push of his hindlegs, he launched himself at me. Without hesitation, I swing my gladius at him. The tip of my blade grazes his left front leg.

Even though he's on his hoofs he's still pretty quick. He stops just behind me and tries putting his dagger in the back of my spine. I swing low this time, slashing his lightly protected underside and throwing him over my shoulder. His blood spilled onto the floor and he stumbled back holding his stomach with his left foreleg. The noise of the crowd comes back to me as I start to step away. They cheer in admiration and chant for the kill.

"Live or die Soarin?" I ask.

"Give 'em what they want! Show them that Cipherus is right. You're a merciless killer!"

"Wrong answer." I say walking towards the edge of the arena.

"Praetorians! Kill him! Soarin's the victor!"

"Is this what you all wanted!? A world ruled by a lying tyrant!?" I sheath my sword and pull The Mouth of Tartarus.

I point it in the direction of the crowd in front of me and they scattered. I pull myself over the lip of the arena and start the long climb to the top. To my right, I hear a ballista being released. I quickly tap my band brace. The shield springs up instantly and I put it up towards the sound. I don’t see it, but I feel it hit the shield and snap in half as it slams into the eagle. Thank Vulcan my mother was the best at what she did. This thing was indestructible.

I hear another ballista launch behind me. I swing my shield around and deflect bolt. With the ballista reloading, I start hopping six stairs per bound. I keep running at full speed as Cipherus shouts for guards to stop me. The ballista might be able to hit a speeding pegasus, but they sure as hell couldn't hit a rogue demigod. The bolts passed just over my head. The ballistae were up there to hit pegasi attackers and gladiators in the arena. Now being neither of which, I run up to the top with my adrenaline pumping hard through my veins and The Mouth of Tartarus still clutched in my hands.

I raise the magical lighter and flip open its head. The bright blue flames shot up over the rim and into the open air. I held it up for a full minute and let all of its magical fuel. I shut the warm Zippo and slid it back into my pack. I look to Cipherus as his Praetorians started to close in on me. Just as the first one came to me, a white pegasus in golden armor, wielding a spear in his hoofs (somehow), landed a solid kick into the closest Praetorian. The one on the pegasus' left raised her pila to try and kill him. I bring my shield around and knock the pila away, at the same time, drawing my sword and burying its umber tip into the center of his stomach.

Behind me, my winged savior was busy fighting off seven Praetorians with his spear. He was quick and accurate with his jabs. He rammed the spear into two Praetorians. And I started fending off the other five. Slowly but surely, the pegasus and I prod the Praetorians further and further. About a quarter of the way down, I hear the ballista on my right launch. I put my shield up and prepare for impact, until I hear one of Praetorians shout in agony. I put the shield down and watch as a second ballista bolt slam full speed into the Praetorian on my left. The four foot long arrow sticking out of the plates in his chest. He fell back and another ballista shot landed on the closest Praetorian to me. They were no longer interested in me or the pegasus. They were trying to block the ballistae bolts with their shields.

Once five bolts and five Praetorians were dead, I looked to the rim of the amphitheater and saw Marcus and Donavan were standing next to the two ballistae at the top. They smile and wave to me as I hear the rumble of an explosion outside the amphitheater. I now look to the pegasus that saved me and see a familiar glare looking back at me.

"Phalanx." I say to him.

"General. I'd say it's a relief but I'm not sure what to feel right now." Phalanx replied.

I glance to the other side of the amphitheater and see the VIP box where Cipherus stood with his hand maiden. Her face was covered by a cloth and wore a very revealing dress that showed off her curves. Cipherus stood in his a new set of white armor with golden inlays and a golden wreath on his head.

"How much weight can you carry when you're flying?"

Phalanx follows my gaze and sees Cipherus standing about to run. He looked to his hand maiden and spoke to her. She turned and ran out of the VIP box, leaving Cipherus alone. "Let's find out."

Phalanx furrowed his wings and put his forelegs under my arms. My body lifts a few feet off of the steps of the amphitheater. Cipherus takes a few cautious steps back as I start to fly towards him, carried by Phalanx.

"Throw me in!" I shout.

Phalanx doesn’t questioning me as he does a full back flip twenty feet from the window of the VIP box. At the bottom apex, I feel his hoofs slip out from under my body and I start to move forward and up rapidly. I watch as the VIP box comes closer as Cipherus bolts from the box. I land hard and roll into a small wooden table with a bowl of fruits and a bottle of wine on top of it. I stand in time to see Cipherus run down a flight of stairs. I tap the bottom of my band brace to fold my shield before I give chase.

Every corner I turn in the amphitheater Cipherus is around the next. My adrenaline is still pumping as I follow. I hear outside the walls a massive battle going on as we get closer and closer to the outside; one stair case and corner at a time. Shouting, swords clashing and granada's going off. Cipherus just continues to run with all of his might as I continue my chase. I gulp gallons of air as my muscles try to keep up with my iron will. Cipherus is slower in his armor but was able to get out of the amphitheater with me right on his heels.

I burst into the early morning light of Canterlot as The Second Battle of Canterlot raged around us. Ponies impaled humans and enemy ponies with their spear and slashed them with daggers. Bolts of magic fly across the battle field with arrows from mouth cross bows from unicorns and earth ponies. Pegasi were the lead fighters for some reason. I don't take my focus off of Cipherus as he continues to flee from me away from the sun. Smoke rises from the streets as ahead as I chase Cipherus through.

On the other side of the smoke column, a long street lead towards the edge of Canterlot. On all sides of the street, rubble, overturned cable cars and carriages blocked either side of the road. The battle had already passed through here and left its mark. Cipherus and I were going to leave our own marks before the sun reached its peak.

I charge feeling the end of this coming closer. The rubble under my boots crackling as I move faster. Cipher keeps running looking for an escape until he reached the railing at the end of Canterlot. I catch up with him quickly as he keeps looking over the edge as if he were looking for something.

"I thou-I thought you were the next Cesar?" I ask out of breath. As I start moving closer, I see he's unarmed. He always thought daggers and knifes were women's weapons so I knew for a fact he didn't have either of those. "I suppose you're taking after Cesar, Commodus." I say remembering the stories of his cowardly actions in battle.

"This-this isn't over Jackson."

"I think it is. You've nowhere to go and I have a sword."

"Do you really think that killing me will end this? You don't think that I have a successor already lined up?"

"You're death will be the force that breaks apart your regime." 'Though Nemesis’ curse can end your life, it will only be so by her knife.' I think to myself. "You will die by my hand Cipherus. This ends here.

"Like it ended for Anna? I saw her run. That was your order wasn't it? It isn't like her to run."

"You keep her out of this." I say only five feet away from him with my sword leveled towards him.

"I heard she had a thing for you. It's a shame you'll never see her again.

"Quiet." I feel my rage building inside as the tip of my blade presses against his throat.

"Then again, she's a daughter of Venus. She's probably into another son of Mars by now."

"Shut up!" I shout in rage as I open my shield.

I don't want to block anything. I hammer the bottom edge of it into the golden wreath on Cipherus' head. The bald maniac stumbles back and falls over the edge of Canterlot. I move the edge to see him hit the face of the mountain. Only to see him holding his head in a chariot just below the rim of the city.

"Sorry brother." Cipherus taunted as the chariot rose just out of my reach. "But this is far from over. You've only delayed the inevitable. We'll meet again Jackson; and next time will be the last."

The hand maiden stands next to him with the reigns in her hands, waiting for the order to head off. She looks at me a small jolt shoots up my spine. I don't know why, but her eyes just stopped me cold for a moment, calmed me. She snapped the reigns and the pegasi in front of them started to fly with their backs to the wind.

"Coward!" I shout after them. "Face me you fucking coward!"

I only see Cipherus wave at me as he flies away higher than Canterlot. If I weren't already having an adrenaline rush, I wouldn't hear something running up behind me. I turn and level my sword at whoever is trying to sneak up on me. Donavan stops just short of having his head skewered on the end of my sword.

"Ho there General! I got news from the troops." Donavan says pushing the tip of my gladius to the side.

"What is it Donavan?" I ask angrily.

"Cipherus' troops are surrendering. Canterlot is ours."

"Is that all?"

"No. Marcus told me that the leader of the resistance left you something in the highest tower."

"Did they now?" I ask tapping the underside of my band brace and let my shield fold back up.

I sheath my sword and start making my way to the castle. The walk back to the main street is much longer then the run I had just finished. I enter Main Street with Donavan behind me just as a large golden chariot carrying Princess Celestia and Phalanx lands. The ponies whoop and holler with victory as the chariot comes to a stop in front of me. Celestia, like her guards wore golden armor but didn't wear a helmet. Her mane, normally long and flowing, was now cut short and tied back except a tuff that covered her forehead. For some reason it had also turned a pale pink now that it was shorter.

Out of what little respect I had left, I knelt and crossed my sword arm over my chest.

"Rise, General." She said over the roar of the crowd.

"Your people welcome you home after a glorious victory." I say getting to my feet.

"They would not be shouting if it weren't for you. Come." she said motioning me towards the chariot.

With great hesitation, I step up onto the chariot before it starts to move again towards the castle.

"You did well today General. Thank you for-"

"Don't thank me your highness. Shining Armor's soldiers and the rebellion did all of the work. I just signaled the attack."

"And drove Cipherus out of Canterlot. That is worthy of praise."

"That's all I did. He lives to fight another day. His troops are still scattered all over Equestria. This war is far from over."

"I understand. You know, Princess Twilight was very concerned about you."

"Was she?"

"The moment she heard you were alive, she demanded her brother help free you." I let out a chuckle imagining Twilight shouting at her older brother. "Your time here seems to have changed you."

"I've been through worse than this Princess. If anything this is mild compared to other fights I've been in."

"You carry yourself differently. You've come to care about this land."

"I have. It's a lot like Rome. Just, peaceful, orderly. I won't let Cipherus take Equestria Princess. I won't let him destroy another civilization."

"That's what I want to hear." Celestia smiled as we crossed the bridge into the castle grounds.

"Where's Princess Luna?"

"Still in the south I'm afraid. She refuses to let the troops their take another inch of Equestrian territory."

"With all due respect Princess. I request a transfer to the south."

"You can do that after you and Shining Armor have retaken Ponyville." she said stepping out of the chariot as it came to a stop.

"What?" I say following her towards the castle gates.

"Shining Armor has been trying to liberate Ponyville for quite some time now. He was only able to spare one hundred troops for the battle. He could use your help. Once Ponyville is liberated, you can work your way south to Luna."

"Yes Princess. Before I forget, what's in the highest tower?"

Celestia looked back at me and smiled. Not the kind you're thinking of, the kind that meant where else would that be you moron? "My bed chambers. Why?"

"The leader of the resistance said they left me something there."

"Then that is our first stop. Phalanx, secure the rest of the castle."

"Yes Princess."

And I thought the amphitheater had a lot of steps. Celestia was lucky. She could fly after she got tired, but I had to walk. That sucked. I counted over five thousand. Five! Thousand! The builders of this place were fucking racists. Only a pegasus could get up these stairs! Out of breath and with a massive stitch in my side, I finally reach the top of the tower with Celestia ahead of me.

"Well it's going to take some time, but I should be able to get this fixed." Celestia said looking over her room.

The large room was filled with weapons, maps and gold, stolen most likely. At one end was a moderate sized fireplace and the other was a massive circular bed. On a table in the center of the room, a few objects were underneath a white blanket. A note lay on the largest of the objects in the center. I slowly walk into the room, past Celestia and towards the table. Celestia moved towards her bed and levitated the sheets from it. I on the other hand take the note from the sheet over the objects.

Dear Jack,

I know your sacrifice. I know what you've been through and I want to let you know that you're not suffering alone. I can only thank you with what is under this sheet. Do not think that with this victory this war is over. Cipherus knows more than you think Jack. Don't forget Sun Zu: Always assume your enemy knows as much or even more then you. I have no doubt in my mind that you'll defeat him. But for the sake of the Gods, don't think he won't go out without a fight.

Strength & Honor: A friend.

I fold the letter and slide it into my front jean pocket. With the note tucked away, I pull the sheet away and find my armor laying neatly across the table. I let out a yawn as I picked up the right arm guard.

"That didn't sound good. How long has it been since you slept?" Celestia asked concerned.

"Don't know. How long have I been MIA?" I ask yawning again.

"One month, three weeks."

"And there's your answer."

"You haven't slept?"

"More than a minute a night? No."

"There's a guest room just beneath us. I insist you use it."

"And I insist that I get back to- *yawn* work." I reply putting on the right arm guard.

"If your brother is as smart as you say he is, he'll be taking some time to recover. I think Canterlot can hold long enough for you to recharge."

I sigh before I speak. "Fine. I'll go take an hour. Any longer then that get someone to come wake me up."

"Of cores General." Celestia says with a small giggle. "Sleep tight."

"Please don't say that to me."

Author's Note

Nexus: By Celestia's beard! This is the longest chapter I've ever seen! What were you thinking!?
Me: I was thinking that- Celesita's beard?
Nexus: It's a saying. Why what'd you normally hear?
Me: By Neptune's over sized beard.
Nexus: Ah. Well what were you thinking Roman?
Me: I knew it'd be along one before it even started. So calm down. There's only one that I think'll be that long is the last one.
Nexus: Well it's still pretty bad.
Me: You say that about everything you're not a side character in.

Six Centuries and One Screw Up

Like I said before, sleep is seldom a solace time for demigods. I dream that I'm beneath massive ruins. My heart races as I block another attack from Cipherus' sword. I don't have my shield for some reason. I can feel the band brace on my left arm but only the braces for the shield remain. I can feel a heat more fierce than Hades (the place not the Greek God) radiating behind me. Sweat beads on my forehead as Cipherus continues to push me back. I look over my shoulder and find a massive five foot wide crack in the stone floor behind me. An orange glow along with dark smoke rolls out it. Periodically thinning before becoming thick again; like breath.

I'm only about ten feet away from it as I look back to Cipherus and slash at his right shoulder. He parries my slash and Spartan kicks me in the chest. I fall back, my armor clattering noisily as I hit the stone floor. My head now hangs over the abyss. I realize I don't have my helmet on as I feel the heat pass through my hair already madden with sweat. Cipherus stomps on my right wrist before I could stand and puts his sword to my throat. I release my gladius and listen to it pang against the stone.

"Don't do this Cipherus." I tell him. "You'll kill yourself before you concur anything."

"That's what you think. When the blood or Rome wets his throat, he'll be at my mercy."

"Cipherus, listen to reason man!"

"Goodbye brother." Cipherus raised his sword.

Just as it starts to come down upon me, my mind jumps back into the real world. I take a sharp breath as I sit up in the guest bed. Perspiration rolls down my face as my heart starts to calm down a bit. I look to the balcony and see the sun shadow of the peak of the mountain start to pass over Canterlot. What amazed me was that the sun seemed to be lower than when- Are you fucking me.

I throw my feet over the side and was about to stand when I knock came at the door. It wasn't loud. Like they didn't want to bother me.

"It's open." I say waiting to see who was on the other side.

The handle clicked and the door cracked open enough for for someone to stick their head in. A familiar lavender mare stuck her head around the door.

"Rise and shine." Twilight said quietly.

"Why are you so chipper?" I ask rubbing my eyes. "How long have I been sleeping?"

"All day yesterday. We tried waking you up but you didn't budge."

"Isn't there some kind of spell you could've used to wake me?"f

"Not without some major electroshock therapy."

"Okay then. Thanks I guess." I stand and stretch my arms and legs. "So, I heard you went off on your brother when you heard I was still alive?"

"Yeah. Ha. He didn't think you were worth the time." Twilight said nervously.

"But really, why were you so anal about getting me back?"

"Well, I wasn't too into you having a part in this, but when I heard what you went through…"

"You took pity on me?"

"Believe it or not, I consider you my friend. You're a good person and you don't deserve what I was send you to. It's my fault that you fell into Cipherus' hands."

"Hey." I say putting my hand on her shoulder blade. "There's no way either of us could have known that Cipherus would shoot me down."

"But you were right. I made a terrible mistake in sending you to Canterlot."

"It didn't help that I was acting like a dick to begin with. You were right, I didn't plan on getting out of that alive. Hell I was expecting to die in that amphitheater."

"But why did you agree to help us after everything we've done to you?"

"Because it's the right thing. I know the evil Cipherus can muster and the pain he causes. I don't want to see another beautiful world fall to greed."

"That's what I wanna to here. Now you should clean up, Princess Celestia's waiting on you."

I look down at my cloths and find that they're covered in muck and grime. I can only imagine what's under them. "Yeah. I'll get on it."

"Bathroom's through there." Twilight said pointing to the door on my right. "Rarity measured you and your new cloths should be up in a few minutes."

"You had me measured in my sleep?"

"Well Rarity couldn't make the cloths without them. You should've seen her come in with a full HASMAT suit." Twilight said stiffing back a laugh.

"I could only imagine. You mind?" I ask pointing to the door.

"Sorry. Just come to the throne room when you're done." She replied walking out. "And Jack?"

"Yeah?"

"Thanks again for everything."

"Like I told Celestia. All I did was send the signal."

Twilight only smiled as she shut the door behind her. I shake my head and walk towards the bathroom. Though it looked more like one tub in a Roman bath house. Obviously there weren’t any nymphs that would clean you, but the bath looked luxurious none the less. The yellow and white marble tub was two feet deep and eight feet in all directions with slots for where I assumed water came out in a waterfall fashion. To the right was a two person sink next to the toilet. Strange that they look like ones used for humans…

I don’t let my mind dwell on it as I search for the dial to start the water. It was more like one and it was on a set in the marble next to one of the slots. The water was steaming hot before it even hit the bottom of the tub and quickly started to hang in the air. I was never really a fan of baths. I was indifferent to bathing itself but I just didn’t like baths. I felt more comfortable in a nice hot shower that was unfortunately not in this room. I undress and lay my clothes next to the sink as I let the tub fill up.

The bath was nothing if not refreshing. The towels were almost too small to wrap around myself. I still had to hold the ends together but other than that I was covered. I grabbed my boxers from the sink before going to the door. It was hard to see through the steam that came from the now drained bath with the white marble, but the dark purple door stuck out nicely. When the door opened I felt the normal room temperature slam into my bare upper chest. My body shivers slightly and goose bumps cover my arms as my body adjusts to the change. It only takes a second for the feeling to go away. I look back to the bed and see a small pink duffle bag lying at the foot of the bed. I walk over and toss my boxers onto the riffled sheets. When I unzipped the bag I was amazed at what I saw.

On one side, six purple t-shirts were neatly folded and placed in the bag like they were in a filing cabinet. Next to them were six pairs of jeans folded in the same fashion as the shirts. I pull a pair of jeans from the bag and examine them. Minus the Wrangler patch that was on the back of the jeans I was wearing and the lack of a tag, they were exactly the same. They were even made of denim instead of the less durable cotton knockoffs back home. I guess she was more generous than I thought.

After changing into a fresh set a jeans and a new exact replica, purple shirt, I walk back upstairs to my armor. It only took me another five minutes to get myself tied into my armor that I started the long, five thousand step, journey down stairs. Aside from the number of steps, I think of how these cloths fit so perfectly. They felt new but they fit like I'd worn them forever. It was like Minerva herself had woven them.

The thoughts didn't make the walk any less tedious to take. I cursed the builders of this place with every step until I reached the main stair case. If my hunch was right, the stairs on the left would lead me in the right place. It would've been nice to have Phalanx and Lefty lead the way for me again. I walk up to the top of a short staircase and through an arch way. As soon as I pass through, I'm met with the blinding light from the stain glass windows. If this wasn't plain luck then I don't know what else in my life is.

It's about time all the shit my grandmother pounded into me. Back straight, chin up, eyes forward and hands closed. She told me that this was how a warrior walked. I hated it but right now I couldn't risk anything. I've been here for a few months now so Celestia probably expects me to act like it. Or that's what Anna would've done.

I walk up to the two massive doors and hold for a second. I take a deep breath and push open the doors. What's on the other side is something I never expected. Hundreds of soldiers stood at attention in the throne room. They went from the door to the throne at the end of the room. Celestia sat upon her throne like the day I met her with Princess Sparkle at her side. I walk down the red carpet, my armor clattering as I walk.

As I go by, the line of troops I just passed turns forward to face Celestia. The thunder clap of their hoofs shakes the entire room. I walk with my eyes forward and my face serious. I get to the foot of the throne and wait. Silence fills the room as my eyes are locked with Celestia's. I reach over and draw my gladius. Everyone in the room, including Twilight, flinched. Celestia remained still. I turn the blade over in my hand and put tip into the floor as I kneel.

"Rise." Celestia says calmly.

I don't hesitate to stand and sheath my weapon.

"What was the meaning of that?" Celestia asked me.

"In Rome, it's a sign of loyalty when you kneel on your sword."

"There are no doubts of your loyalties now General. You have proven yourself to me."

"Thank you Princess."

"There is the matter of your troops. A General is nothing without an army to command."

"How many?"

"Six hundred. They stand before you now." I look over my shoulder at the ocean of shimmering gold armor; waiting for my command. "As of this moment, they are under your command."

"Thank you."

"I also have one more gift for you General."

Celestia's horn glowed a soft yellow as she pulled a small ring from a set of saddle bags slung over Twilight's back. The ring was hardly the size of a regular wedding ring but was made of yellow stone. "This is all I can offer as my thanks to you General. This ring will give you immense power that you cannot possibly imagine. But be warned. Once you wear the ring, you're allegiance is to Equestria. It cannot be removed and the small chance that you may return to your world will be gone."

"There's a way back?"

"Possibly. But that is a decision for later. Do you understand?"

"I understand Princess."

"Good." I hold out my hand and Celestia levitates the ring into my palm. "I think they're waiting on you." she said motioning towards the six centuries of troops behind me.

I turn to them with the ring held tightly in my hand. I look over the massive crowd and feel my heart pound as I start to speak. "Ten Hut!" the rumble of their hoofs coming together shook my skeleton to the core. "A month ago, I would have stood before you a man with nothing left. A man resigned to death. But now I stand tall as your leader. I am General Jackson Leonidas Anderson, former Praetor of New Rome. You will follow my orders to the letter when I give them. Is that understood?"

"Sir, yes Sir."

"When I say fight, you say how hard. When I say run you say-"

"How far!?" the mare's and stallion's voices shouted in reply.

"United we stand, as one we thrive. Cipherus thinks that we're weak, that we're in capable of standing together. We're going to prove to him that he's wrong. Are you with me!?"

"Sir, yes Sir!"

I turn and face Celestia now. "What's the fastest mode of transport here?"

"Airship. I can have one ready for you by tomorrow." Celestia said with a smile.

"You heard the Princess. Tomorrow we board an airship to Ponyville. Salute!"

All six hundred brought their right hoof up to their brow. I grin at their unity and salute them back by crossing my right arm over my chest. "Strength and honor. Dismissed."

Slow but orderly, the captains moved each century out until only the Princess' and I were left. I take my helmet off and put it under my arm as I sit at the foot of the throne. I let out a sigh of relive not having all those eyes staring back at me.

"What's wrong?" Twilight asked.

"I just don't like being in that position. Ya know; all eyes on you, waiting for your orders."

"Weren't you the General back home?" Celestia added.

"I was. But I didn't like it that much. I loved Rome, but I've never seen myself as a leader."

"Well handled it well then like you do now." Twilight said reassuringly.

"I'm just worried that my liberation of Ponyville will go as well as my defense of it."

"You'll succeed. I have faith in you." Celestia said putting a hoof on my shoulder.

"Thanks Princess." I sigh again before standing. "I have a few things to do before tomorrow. I'll see you two when I see you." I say as I walk out of the throne room.

For some reason they started speaking as I left as though I couldn't hear them. "Do you really think he can do it Princess?" Twilight asked.

"As confident as when I crowned you Princess Twilight. He won't let us down again. I know it."

"I hope so."

"You're not the only one." I mumble to myself as I pass the threshold of the throne room.

Author's Note

Nexus: If my speech is anything like that we're going to have problems.
Me: It's not that bad Nex. It's not like he shouted "Are you not entertained."
Nexus: Still...
Me: Whatever. I'm trying to get back on your stories and get this one done too.
Nexus: Well hurry up. You're good with those.
Me: Not according to you half the time.

Where I Stood (Prologue)

The cool spring air blows through my armor as I stand atop the steps of the senate building. I look down at the oath I took on these steps as Praetor the year before. By my life and honor, I swear to protect and serve the senate and people of Rome with destination and honesty. I see twenty of sixth cohorts’ troops run past shouting at the top of their lungs “Senātus Populusque Rōmānus!” Though Latin is natural to almost all members of the New Roman Legion, most prefer to speak English. Their battle cry is the one of the entire Legion, “For the senate and the people of Rome”.

I look upon the carnage that has become New Rome. Creatures from the depths of Tartarus flood the streets, destroying businesses and homes on their rampage towards the senate building only to be stopped at its steps by the Legionary’s guarding it, Imperial Gold Gladiolus’ at the ready. Legionaries are regulated mostly to security. The Immunes are the ones that normally handle the invaders, but today rank isn’t an issue. Griffins, Minotaur, Cyclops’, Harpies, Manticores, Drakons and even the Chimera, were just the surface of the siege. It wasn’t until I saw former Praetor Cipherus in his flying chariot, pulled by two ebony Pegasus, giving orders to the creatures and men he had recruited I could feel the battle was nearly lost.

I look back and I see my fellow Praetor, Anna James in her armor, wielding her pilum and shield. Her armor covered most of her light skin along with her trademarked tattered purple t-shirt and half of her blue jeans with her helm covering her long brown hair, only showing her bright blue eyes through its slots. She could only have been a child of Venus. But unlike her sisters, she was a warrior and is the only child of Venus to become Praetor. I am just another child of Mars, but one of the few that keep a cool head in battle. Anna stands next to me looking over the war unfolding before us.

“How long do we have?” her smooth, pleasant voice asks me.

“I don’t know, Rose.” I reply sadly. “We’re out numbered and we are losing ground fast. The Senate building won’t stand long.”

“Then we have to fight.”

“Take First Cohort and surround the main square, drive out anything that isn’t human. I’ll take Apollo’s archers from Tenth Cohort to the roof and provide cover.”

“Good luck Jack.” She said with a salute.

I saluted her back and she ran in the direction of the First Cohort barracks. I kneel down and take hold of my silver bow, a gift from the Goddess Diana, and slung it over my shoulders. Inside my quiver I feel her other gift weighing heavily on my mind. I quickly run for the scaffoldings behind the senate building only to be met half way by several hundred pounds of a Manticore slamming me into the side of the building. Looking up through blurred vision, I see its scorpion tail rise over its lion head and large bat wings and prepare to strike me down.

Before it could make another move, a wide head arrow pierced the top of the tail and continue going. The head of the Manticores tail fell from its deadly perch and the creature recoiled in pain with a roar of anger as it turned towards where the arrow was fired. Before it could let out a roar, another arrow appeared in its forehead. The beast yelped and crumpled at my feet. A boy in a white t-shirt, jeans, thin leather chest cover and flat helm knelt over me. His curved, Arcus long bow was clutched firmly in his hands as he looked me over.

“Sir, are you okay?” he asked as several others dressed like him knelt at the corners of the senate building with bows drawn.

“I’m fine Aaron. I was just coming for you.” I said standing up.

“Where is your helm, Sir?”

“Inside. Aaron, I need you and your archers at the top of the Senate building. No matter what, that building cannot fall. As far as you and I are concerned, this is Olympus now.”

“Yes Sir! You heard him, get to the roof. We’re going to hold off here!” Aaron shouted to his brothers and sisters.

Without hesitation they followed us to the top of the Senate building. We quickly surrounded the bronze dome and began raining all the arrows we could. The weight of Diana’s gift in my quiver grows as I pull explosive, smoke, net arrows from my quiver and launch them at the growing crowd of monsters approaching the steps. From my right I see Anna charging in with all of First Cohort behind her, shouting like mad men from the barracks.

“Provide covering fire!” I shout to my men.

“Covering fire!” Aaron parroted back to the men.

I notice the archers shooting closer in and past First Cohort. Down below, a Monitor stumbled towards the stairs roaring in pain and anger, trident in hand. I reach back and grab the first arrow I could grab. I notch it and look at the tip. The imperial gold tip glows red hot and pops waiting to burst. I drawl the bow string back to the right corner of my lip. Everything slows down and the drone of the battle slowly fades from my ears. The gift of Mars. The ability to slow a battle and make every move count. The Minotaur practically stood still as I release the arrow. As it cut through the air, a stream of fire trailed from behind the arrow head. The shaft bent back and forth, straightening its flight path as it went along.

Time began speed back up and the roar of the battle began to flow back through my ears. The arrow made contact right in between its horns on top of the Minotaur’s head. The burning head of the arrow instantly erupted in a massive fire ball, knocking a burning Hurth over into the coble stone streets and spilling its embers. When the fire ball subsided all that remained of the creature was a pile of golden dust blowing in the wind and a rusty trident.

Before I can go back to long range fire, I look up and see our parameter falling. The medics were dying as fast as the soldiers against the enemy monsters. Being a son of Mars, battle strategy on the spot comes with the lineage, and any son of Mars could see that the battle was going downhill fast. I freeze looking upon my dying city; buildings falling, arches collapsing, fields burning. Once again the sound of the battle left my mind. I could only hear my own shallow breathing as men fell where they stood. Nothing slowed for me however; I am forced to witness the fall of my city fall in real time.

“Sir!” a voice said behind me.

Looking back I see Private Sam Kidd, a young scrawny, Probie, son of Mars. He was normally regulated to guarding the Senate Building, but it seems he was reassigned to fighting a war. Blood and dust cover his bronze armor and his brown eyes were blood shot.

“What Probie?” I shout over the battle.

“Our lines are falling, Sir! What are your orders?” his voice cracked.

Aaron looks at me as I prepare and answer. “Where is Anna?”

“Still fighting, Sir. She wants your opinion.”

I wrack my mind looking for any way to keep this battle form being lost. But there is only one thing that was coming to my mind. The Goddess’ gift feels heavy in my quiver. I reach back and sling my quiver off my back while holding my bow towards the Probie. “Take my bow and quiver to Rose. Make her leave New Rome no matter what. Those are my orders.”

Sam looked stunned at my order. “What of the other troops, Sir?”

“Take Tenth Cohort with you. Do not look back. If you do then you will never see Rome again.”

“Wh-what are you going to do, Sir?” Sam said taking hold of my only weapons.
I reach out and take hold of silver arrow in the center of the 10 remaining arrows in my quiver. “Leave it to me.” I tell him.

The arrow, from the fletching to the edge of the arrow head, was completely chromed silver. The head wasn’t a traditional arrow head. It was a white, hexagonal shape, around two inches long, tapering to a point at either end.

“Go find Anna, and give her this.” I say finally taking my dog tags off my neck and handed them to Aaron.

They only look at me as though I just died in front of them. The three of us looked at one another for a moment before Aaron was able to give an order. “Fall back men,” he says loud enough for them to hear. “The city has fallen.”

“You may return after the battle. You will know when it is over. Go!” I command as Aaron’s troops leave the roof with Sam close in tow. I watch as Sam runs into the battle. I scan the crowd below with him on the ground, looking for Anna. It wasn’t hard, her silver armor made her stick out. I watch as Sam stops Anna’s killing spree. He pointed in my direction and she looked up at me. We locked eyes across the square and I could see the tears appear on her cheeks in the mid-day light. Then anger took hold and she stuck her blade into the nearest monsters skull. Even from the distance I was at, I could tell how begrudgingly she turned and ran, commanding First Cohort to follow.

“Te amo.” I mumble to myself.

It wasn’t long before people saw Anna retreating with the legions finest soldiers, many of which were my brothers and sisters. When they did it only took a few minutes for them all to surrender. Cipherus’ chariot came to a stop in front of the Senate building.

“Well, well brother,” Cipherus bellowed stepping out of the chariot. “I see you have realized how futile your attempts of defense are.”

It was insulting to me to know that I was related to this disgrace to Rome. His bald white head, long face and nearly black eyes made him a stereotypical son of Mars. I was utterly silent as I walked behind the dome and to the scaffolding.

“Hold!” Cipherus calls out to his men. “He isn’t going anywhere.”

He was right. The climb down was long and the walk to the front stairs was even longer. As I walk I remember what Diana had told me. This final gift is to be used wisely. Once alight, upon impact and in a flash, all monsters in its path with fall to Tartarus along with any with a black heart. But any that look upon it after flight with not die, but be sent to an unknown place including the one using it. Be cautious, Son of Mars, this gift could be the last thing you ever use.

I walked around the side of the Senate building and was met with the gaze of a few hundred Roman soldiers on their knees and even more monsters looking at him. Cipherus’ old Praetor armor was insulting to Rome and all her people. I was ready to jam my arrow into his neck and die fighting hoards of monsters, but I had to save as many men as I could.

“Don’t look men.” I said to the soldiers.

“Yes, you wouldn’t want to see your leader at his all-time low.” Cipherus said confidently.

As I passed the Hurth, I stick the head of the arrow into the coals and lighting the arrow. Cipherus looked at me confused but he didn’t order his men to attack. All of my men looked down and didn’t seem like they would do otherwise unless ordered by me. I hold my breath and with one last mighty shout I bellow, “Senātus Populusque Rōmānus!”

And with those final words, I kneel and plunge the arrow head into the coble stone streets with all my strength. I was too close to not see the flash. I remember seeing the fear in Cipherus before he instantly disintegrated in a mighty roar of light and air. I am blinded as the light engulfs all of New Rome. I feel no pain but yet the fear I feel is pain enough make me scream in agony. I fade for a moment before my vision returns. I am no longer in the streets of New Rome but I am kneeling in a field or tall green grass and golden wheat. As I stand to take in my surroundings, it seems like I have reached Elysium, until I hear a blood chilling roar behind me.

Log Entry 15/4/1046

The chariot flight back wasn’t nearly as long as the flight there. Probably because it was down rather then up but I’m sure there’s some magical BS involved. As we approached Ponyville, I could see the smoke from the battle yesterday. I can’t hold back a sigh as I see the bodies of ponies and soldiers I killed being buried in a trench outside of town. Disgraceful to the dead. They deserved the pyre. Sure they tried to kill me but they fought like lions when I ended them.

The chariot dropped us off outside of the library. Spike ran out immediately after we landed and hugged Twilight.

“What’s going on?” he said worried. He looked past Twilight and saw me stepping out of the chariot. “Ah! Why’s he still here?”

“Thanks for the warm welcome griffon bait.” I say a little insulted.

“He’s not going to hurt you Spike. He’s here to help.”

“Help? Twi, he’s one of them!”

“Again, thanks for the warm welcome.” I repeat.

“He was their general back in his world. He wants to help fight them off.”

“And end this before it starts if at all possible.” I add taking the bag with my armor out of the chariot before it took off. “There a blacksmith near here?”

“I have a forge in the lab. Spike, did anything come for me while we were in Canterlot?”

“Just some bag.”

“Bag?” I ask.

“Yeah. Brown, heavy. Wouldn’t fit anypony around here, your name all over it.” Spike said.

“Where’d you put it?” I ask walking briskly into the library.

He didn’t have to answer. A light brown satchel lay on the middle table of the library next to the book I was reading earlier. I drop my armor on the floor and rummage through my bag. I start taking stock: a few assorted maps, a black iron Zippo lighter with a dragon head as its lid and a black leather book bound in string to keep it shut.

“Ah. Thank the Gods, my log is still here.” I say slinging the bag over my shoulders.

“Why is that so important?” Spike asked shutting the door behind Twilight.

“Reasons that you will never know griffon fodder.”

“Would you stop calling me that? It’s getting annoying.”

“Exactly why I’m doing it. If you don’t need anything further,” I pick up the bag with my armor in it and sling it over my right shoulder. “I have work to do. Get me when the supplies get here.”

I don’t wait for Twilight to get a word in edgewise. I go down a flight of dimly lit stairs. The sound of my feet striking the wood is absorbed by the wooden walls rather then reflected as I get to the bottom. I’m greeted by a room lit by hanging lamps. Witch was odd since the rest of the library was lit by candles. That aside, various machines hummed on one side of the room. On the other, a row of four empty stone furnaces sat next to a pile of wood, a sealed bucket of oil with a ladle, a large tub of water and an anvil with all of the tools of the trait. Not quite my mother’s workshop, but it’ll work.

The inside of the furnaces had racks for things that needed to be heated up but not softened. I lay my armor out on a table and start taking the metal from the frame work and leather. I reach into my pack hanging from my side and I pull the lighter out of a side pouch. The silver dragon’s head looks at me, begging me to open its mighty jaws and unleash hell. I knew it was out of its regular fuel, but it would never lack fire.

After I chuck seven logs into the furnace, I pour a small ladle full of oil into the top of the wood pile and I pull the metal rack out. After a few minutes or putting the metal plates of the shoulder pads into the clips on the top of the rack, I open the top of the lighter and watch the light blue flame flicker to life on its own. As carefully as I can, I light the oil on top of the wood and watch it start with a massive whoosh.

Once the plates were put into the flames, I take a seat and pull my log. I flip through the pages until I find an empty one. The pen I used before was still strapped to its spine thankfully. I click the black ink pen and start my first log in a long time.

Log Date: 15/4/1064 ANM

No, I haven’t traveled a few thousand years into the past. I only wish, I would rather deal with the kings of old then this. I’m- well I don’t know exactly. The people here are some highly evolved form of equus ferus caballus. A pony in layman terms. They aren’t just any small horse however, they’re intelligent. Right now I’m sitting in a per industrial lab with a forge beneath a tree hollowed out as a library. There are even Pegasi and unicorns! If I hadn’t just fought my fellow soldiers in the streets, I would think I was going crazy.

Earlier today, the town I am currently stationed in, Ponyville, (I don’t like the names here but bare with me) was under siege by soldiers of Rome. Rome for Romulus’s sake! They weren’t under my command, oh no, they were under the command of Cipherus. That bastard brother of mine. I only live to end his life. The leaders here don’t trust me. I wouldn’t either if something like me popped up in New Rome and killed about twenty soldiers.

Though through it all, I seem to have won the trust of one of the four. Princess Twilight Sparkle. An alicorn. (combination unicorn and Pegasus) It was because of my gilded tongue and her relation with her sisters that I was able to save myself the death penalty. Instead I am to lead a platoon against Cipherus. I don’t know how my brother came to be here, but I know he will die. The God of Chaos here, Discord, told me that two praetors shall bathe in fire and one shall die for their selfish desire. I still carry Nemesis’ dagger. The curse will kill me. It’s the only way I can kill him. But something else he said troubles me.

He told me that three praetors walk the land. One atop a pillar of sand, one in chains and the other in pain. And that in the forest of Everfree will the three meet their destiny. I already know Cipherus is here, but who else could be talking about. I have a hunch and I don’t want to be right. Thought it’s the only thing that makes sense. Regardless, I have to end this before it starts. No matter what the prophecy he gave me says, I will kill him. His blood will wet the battlefield and he will wander Tartarus blind, def and dumb.

This is the start of something; something I will end before it gets worse. I am the last true Centurion. I am the head of a Single Man Legion. A Ghost of Rome.

I shut the book and slip the pen into the spine. Then I see a small book mark sticking out of the top of the pages. I don’t remember having a book mark for anything. I grab the piece of paper at the top and I pull it out of the pages. The first thing I see a picture of two teenagers; one boy one girl; making the dumbest faces they could think of at the time. I smile a bit remembering that quest to Pennsylvania. There was something, I can’t for the life of me remember what it was, hidden in The King of Persia Mall.

It was the largest mall in the USA and we had to find something the size of a pearl. The girls light skin, long brown hair and bright blue eyes were breathtaking. I chuckle a little thinking of how she never took off that purple t-shirt. Even when it was on fire. Rose was a good friend. I suddenly remember why we had decided not to be near one another in a battle or during anything important, she distracted me. It made it harder for me to keep my concentration. It’s as though Venus is trying to get me killed.

I put the strip of pictures back into the book where I had just written and I go back to the forge to cool my metal plates.

Author's Note

Nexus: This still isn't that good.
Me: You can only polish a ball of dung so much Nex. It's not as bad as it use to be. And some people seem to like it.
Nexus: Yeah, all of five people.
Me: Let's just move on shall we?