Augmented Realities

The Guards had their weapons drawn already when Fractal stepped out of his house. They looked confused when they saw him. They had been told that they were going to take in a Royal Guard, but not an Elite Guard, as Fractal's armor signified him as being. Fractal closed the door behind him, and straightened to his full height. He looked out among the ranks, searching for the Captain.

Soon enough, Shining Armor stepped forward, sword drawn. "Drop your sword, Lieutenant. Come quietly." Fractal looked around again, counting about twenty Guards. He couldn't fight all of them, even with Hope. He sighed, and drew his sword. It was a simple-looking blade, with five circular slots at the base near the cross-guard. He held the sword up to the sun, watching the Celestial Steel glint in the sunlight.

"I submit, Captain." He threw the blade down, the point sticking between his commanding officer's feet. "Take me in."

* * * * *

Fractal Blade sat between two Guards, and three others sat a few feet away, weapons drawn. The train ran down the track toward Canterlot, and time was running out. The Guards had taken his sword and armor, leaving Fractal in a plain gray tunic and pants. They had also bound his hands together with rope.

He sat silently, looking out the window at the quickly approaching mountain. He saw a tunnel approaching, and he smiled. The Guard in front of him noticed, and scoffed. "Have a plan, convict?"

Fractal stayed silent.

The Guard leaned back in his seat, and shook his head, turning his head away from Fractal. The tunnel enveloped the train, and Fractal jumped to action, clubbing the Guard to his right with his fists. The other Guards stood, ready for a fight. Fractal kicked out the legs of the Guard on his left, and the car went dark as it entered the tunnel. The Guards, already swinging, ended the swings to avoid hitting each other, leaving them out of position. Fractal, using his Magic Sense, knocked out three Guards before light returned to the car. The remaining Guards watched carefully, preventing Fractal from getting closer. He dropped the cut ropes on the ground and smiled.

"Thank you, gentlemen, for your time." Fractal bowed slightly, and jumped out the window as the car was once again plunged into darkness. Fractal held onto the outside of the train, grateful for hands. This would have been impossible with hooves. He pulled himself along the train, steadily making progress toward the front where his equipment was being kept. He could sense the movement inside the train as everyone on board was alerted to his presence.

Crossbows held by magic aimed out of the windows, and Fractal pulled himself as close to the train as he could as bolts flew past him. He climbed to the top of the train, struggling to maintain balance on the fast moving vehicle, and ran as quickly as he could toward the front. Guards that were previously Pegasi flew out of the train, attacking from the air. Fractal dove down to avoid a spear, and grabbed the roof of the next car, dangling down between the cars. Other Guards from inside the train opened the doors, and start attacking. Fractal swung his legs forward, kicking the first two in the door before him, he swung again, letting go of the ledge and rolling into the next car. He grabbed the spear thrust at him and swung it around, throwing the Guard off of it. He tripped another with the pole end, and ran to the door to the next car.

Using the spear in hand as a vaulting pole, he stabbed the point into the wooden floor board, flinging himself onto the roofs again. Flying Guards were onto him immediately, rushing in from behind. "Time for a bit of magic." Fractal launched a wave of flames toward his opponents, forcing them to break formation and slow down to avoid the scorching rays. "That should buy some time." Fractal turned and sprinted forward again, eventually reaching the forward car.

He reached down into the window, and pulled his body inside, kicking aside the Guard inside. Fractal slammed the window shut using magic, and faced Shining Armor. Shining Armor drew his sword, swinging it toward Fractal. He rolled to the side, pulling Spectrum out to him. The five-holed sword shot out of a small chest, shredding the wood.

Blades in hand, Fractal and Shining Armor circled each other. Blow for blow, they were equals, and every blast of magic was countered by the other. Fractal, unarmored, was at a serious disadvantage, using his skill with the sword to avoid being hit. Blows were traded again, and Shining Armor charged, sword raised.

Fractal jumped, pushing off the walls of the car to get behind his opponent. He reached inside the destroyed chest, pulling out and donning his helmet. Shining Armor turned, locking eyes with Fractal. "You didn't think you could win, did you?" He advanced, guard raised.

Fractal began casting a spell, allowing himself only one witty remark, "Only as much as you did." With that, Fractal vanished with a flash of silver light, reappearing next to Shining Armor. Fractal grabbed the Captain's head, covering his eyes, and let the memories flow with his spell. He felt Shining Armor struggling turn sluggish and finally cease as his memory was unlocked.

Shining Armor collapsed, unconscious. Fractal fell back, tired. His escape was not yet complete, and he was too tired to fight for any longer. He heard the Guards on their way, so he pulled out the rest of his armor, donning it as quickly as his magic would allow.

Within minutes, Fractal was armored and battling again, slowly being pushed back from the doorway. He parried another blow, and heard Shining Armor stand up behind him. "Hope that spell worked." Fractal grunted, a spear point glancing off his chest. Another sword swung down from behind him, cleaving the shaft of the offending spear. Shining Armor jumped into the fray, pushing the Guards back out into the other car.

The door locked, Fractal turned and faced Shining Armor, who looked right back at him. They stared silently for a short time, and they started laughing. They both leaned against the wall, still laughing.

Shining Armor recovered first, and shook Fractal's hand. "I never thought that I would be fighting against my own soldiers, especially with you."

Fractal agreed, "The irony is fantastic." They sat down against the wall, and listened. The Guards were quiet, so they were planning. Shining Armor looked out the window, and saw gleaming gold and white towers approaching.

"We're almost to Canterlot." He said, sheathing his sword and standing. He offered his hand to Fractal, who grabbed it and pulled himself up.

"Good. That means I can..." Fractal narrowed his eyes, and looked Shining Armor in the eyes. "Who's getting married, again?"

Shining Armor groaned and removed his helmet, rubbing his head.

"Who?" Fractal looked worryingly at his C.O.

"It's Dissonance and..." He cut off again.

"And...?"

"Twilight." Shining Armor looked perturbed.

"Dear Luna, no." Fractal shook his head, also disturbed by the thought that the chaos being known as Dissonance was marrying Twilight. Not only that, but Dissonance had been one of the three leaders of the army that had tried to conquer Equestria only a few months before.

"Well, let's get down to scheming then. Or whatever it is you do." Shining Armor pulled Fractal over to the center of the car and began to discuss what to do.