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.