Prologue: History of Equestria and Her Legions
Equestria has forged many legends in its thousand year history. Many have become campfire stories told from oldest to youngest. Some are perceived as true, others tales to impossible to match reality. But many forget, that legends are always based on some truth.
In the early days, Equestria was seen as a fruit, ripe for taking. The many clans that surrounded her wanted that beautiful land. The Tale of Hearth’s Warming was only told to a certain point. The years that followed were darker, bloodier, and discordant.
While most ponies joined together in Harmony, others sought to rise above the rest. The most dangerous was the Unicornian League. They raised an army to take Equestria and place unicorns above all the other races.
In response, Equestria raised 5 Legions. The Tactics used by these Legions were the perfect mix of Pegasi, Unicorn, and Earth Pony fighting abilities. In a few short years, the Unicornian League was defeated and their land became part of Equestria. This opened the way to the North. Where hordes of Barbarians and Hellish Creatures sought to plunder and slaughter our ponies. Once again the Legions stood in their way, further expanding north and across the sea. Wars become common, in that time Equestria grew stronger. 20 Legions protected her borders and fought her wars with devotion and passion.
With the wars came an even darker enemy. A spirit by the name of Discord gathered an army large enough to capture the World a hundred times over. With his army and his chaotic magic, most of the nations and clans fell in order. The only thing standing in his way were the Battle-Hardened Legions of Equestria. They held Discord at bay long enough for Princess Celestia and Princess Luna to gather the Elements of Harmony and use them on the Chaos God, turning him to stone.
Peace momentarily followed the Chaos War, the planet permanently damaged that no magic could fix. The Sun, Moon, and Stars stopped, the last trick of Discord. In the wake of this disaster, the two mares who stood up for us all took control of the Celestial Giants, bent them to their will, and promised balance over the world.
Not long after, they were coronated as Princesses of Equestria. Peace reigned for many years, many believed the Legions were no longer needed and sought to disband them with honor. They were proven wrong when King Sombra seized control of the Crystal Empire. Once again Equestria called on her Legions. They headed her calls, and marched into the Frozen North. The Empire was quickly defeated, but what followed nearly destroyed what the Legions fought and died to build.
Nightmare Moon, the corrupted form of Princess Luna, attempted to overthrow the Throne with an army of sellswords, criminals, and traitors who escaped exile. The Legions fought with bravery and ferocity. As quickly as it started, the rebellion was defeated, and Nightmare Moon banished to the Moon she once yielded.
Since then, Equestria called upon it’s Legions to defend her from many threats. Dragons, Pirates, Diamond Dog Hordes, Griffon Warriors, and Changelings. This legend was born from one of those wars, what many say is the last Great War in Equestrian History.
In the year 568 ANM, Equestria was invaded by an Army of Changelings. The Clans united under one Queen, and sought to take Equestria for itself. The War lasted 7 Years, leaving close to 900,000 dead on both sides. The Legions fought to the damndest and in the end, they once again prevailed. This is the Legend of one such Legion. On paper, they were the XVI Legion, but the world, as well as history, forever remembered them as… The Dark Legion.
Author's Note
Attention! This is a Rewrite of the Original Story of the same title. Hopefully it will look and feel a lot better than the original did. Debrief me in the Comment Section about any mistakes I make and What you think of the Story. Until then, this is General Jo. And I will See you on the Battlefield.
Chapter 1: Siege of Canterlot
Canterlot was burning. Hordes of Changelings adorned in leather armor filled the streets and skies. Civilians ran for the safety of the Palace. High above on the Balcony stood Princess Celestia, her golden armor glowed brightly. In her magic was a long, gold laced spear. Two Royal Guards stood behind her, ready to defend their Princess.
“Defend Canterlot, my Guards!” She bellowed in the Canterlot Voice. “Defend her to your last drop of blood!” I was fool to send the Legions out so far, now my little ponies are paying dearly for it. She watched as more flaming boulders and doom bombers slammed into the city. The screams of the dying and terrified mixed with the sounds of clashing weapons and armor. Celestia steeled her will, she would die before she let the hordes take her city.
Down below in the streets, the Royal Guard was fighting fiercely, but they were in danger of being overrun as hundreds of more Changeling Warriors joined the fray. The Guard fell back toward the Palace Gates, their pikes aimed forward. Some manned the Ballistas stationed on the walls, keeping the skies cleared. Unicorn Archers fired volleys into the swarm, but more took the place of the dead. The Captain of the Guard stood above his soldiers.
“Defend your Princess! Defend your Leaders!” He ordered, unsheathing his sword. “We will prevail!” More guards continued to retreat to the gates, readying themselves for what believed to be their last fight. Dammit! The Captain thought. I never thought I would have to defend this city from actual armies. Those damned Legions failed us! “We are the last line before defeat!” He shouted, trying to sound brave. “Do not let the enemy cross!” He didn’t know what good it would do, most of these soldiers never saw actual combat. Most were put in this position because their families were nobles and high ranking officials. They thought this was the easy way through the military. Damn those Legions.
On the other side of the field, the Changeling Generals watched as their armies tore through the city defenses. The Changeling dawn in silver armor grinned maliciously. “At last, the Great City of Canterlot is in our grasp.” he said with a tone of victory.
“But sir, there are still hundreds of Royal Guards in the city putting up a fight, I wouldn’t celebrate yet.” A female Changeling with blood red armor said as she stood up from the table. “Not to mention the Legions-”
“I don’t care about the Legions. By the time any of them get here, it will be too late!” He growled. “Celestia will be dead, her head on a pike above the city gates.” He grinned. “But not before we have our way with her.” Most of the male commanders laughed at that. The female General, however, looked worried. She fought several Legions in the past, she knew their abilities and what their warriors are capable of if caught in the corner. “Sir, just incase-”
“I will have no more talk of the Legions until after we celebrate our victory, understand Ageetha?!” The General in question gulped and nodded. She was a fierce warrior, but she knew to back down when outnumbered. The Silver General grinned. “Good, now let us-”
The Sound of the Horn (For the Desired Effect, Loop Six Times While You Read)
The horn echoed across the city, the fighting actually halted for a few moments to hear it. The Changeling Generals and Commanders followed the sound. It was coming from the City Gates. “What is that sound?!” The Silver General demanded as the horn continued to blow. The other commanders shrugged. There was loud scream behind them. They turned to see Ageetha on the ground, crying and screaming. More screams started to rise throughout the city, all of them Changelings.
“Ageetha, what’s wrong?” A Changeling in the same blood red armor tried to calm her down.
“They’re here, they’re here. Oh Gods please have mercy!” She repeated over and over again.
“Who’s here?” He asked, getting extremely nervous. Ageetha’s eyes opened, staring into nothing.
“The Demons.” She muttered. “The Damned Ponies of Tartarus, they’ve come to collect.” She said louder. “And we must pay in our blood and souls.” She started to cry again. More horns joined in, soon they drowned out the screams. The Silver General growled.
“Leave the cowardly bitch alone, rally the troops prepare for defense!” He turned to several Changelings in dark green armor, the armor of the Elite Guard. “Keep pushing, break through to the Palace, and bring me Celestia’s corpse!” They saluted and flew off. He tried to ignore the Changeling still crying on the ground.
“I would advise a retreat General.” She said. She stood to face him. “Because if you fight, you will die.”
“And why would I surrender?” He asked, facing her.
She laughed. “I never said surrender, I said retreat, meaning we need to run.” She laughed again. “Because if you’re captured, Tartarus will sound like home when they’re done with you.”
“WHO?!” He shouted.
“The Dark Legion.” Ageetha said, barely above a whisper.
“Slaughter them all!” A dark blue pegasus bellowed right before bashing a charging Changeling with his shield. He turned to a midnight black pegasus mare who just threw a pila into a Changeling’s chest. “Tonabit!” The mare immediately ran over to him. He blocked an arrow with his shield, she saw the archer that fired it and launched another pila at him. It ran through his leg, causing him to cry out in pain and fall off of the roof he was standing on. “Tonabit.” The Commander called. “Tell Commander Rapidus to advance his Legion on our right flank, we need space to move if we are to reach the Palace in time.”
“Yes Commander Forum.” she flapped her wings and took off into the air. She started flying to the rear, avoiding Changeling arrows, magic, and warriors as she went. Several Pegasi units were engaging in air combat. Bodies from armies fell by the dozens. A Changeling sky warrior charged at her with a spear. She reacted quickly by barreling to the right. The sky warrior stopped and turned quickly, he hissed loudly, his tongue sticking out from between his teeth. Tonabit readied her sword. Neither soldier moved for a few moments.
The Changeling roared as he charged full speed at his opponent. The pegasus swooped to the left, swinging her sword as she did so. The sword made contact with the Changeling’s neck, leaving a deep gash that spewed out green blood. He floated there, choking on his own blood before he fell to the ground below.
Tonabit took a deep breath before continuing her flight. Dammit, I hate these weak flyers, give me a real fight. She made it to the rear in no time at all.
The camp was filled with hundreds of wounded, almost all of them moaned in pain. Below, an earth pony mare with pale white fur and a red mane was checking all of them. “Please help me.” A stallion laying down on a cloth sheet moaned. He was bleeding from the chest down, blood already starting to dry on his fur. The mare reached into her medical bag, pulling out a bandage. She walked over to him and stopped, she took a whiff. She quickly pulled out a scalpel. The stallion moaned again. She kneeled down next to him and rubbed his mane.
“Shh, it’s okay. The pain will go away.” She said softly, right before impaling the scalpel in the stallion’s eye. He screamed in pain as green flame consumed him and a changeling was revealed. She pulled out the scalpel again and impaled it in the infiltrator’s skull. The body dropped to the floor with a thud. The mare signaled over two legionaries, who took the body away. They dumped it into an ever growing pile of discovered changelings.
Wounded changelings would often try to disguise themselves as ponies in order to get medical treatment before infiltrating the camps. Medical ponies and soldiers quickly caught onto how to catch them before they recieved treatment. Once caught, they were disposed of instantly.
Tonabit landed in front of the tent guarded by seven legionaries. They wasted no time in letting her pass. Inside the tent were several Legion commanders and generals. She saluted them by placing her right hoof over her left shoulder. “Report.” A pegasus mare with orange fur and a flaming hair style ordered.
“Ma’am.” She started. “Commander Forum is advancing the XVl Legion forward down the middle. He requests that the other Legions advance along the flanks. He wants to reach the Palace before the Royal Guard line collapses.”
“Which won’t take long, knowing them.” Another Commander commented. “Anything else.”
“Yes sir.” She said. “He wants Commander Rapidus’ Legion on our right flank.”
The orange pegasus grinned. “Perfect, tell Forum my Legion will push those bastards into the walls of the mountain before long.”
“What about the left flank?” A Unicorn stallion asked.
“Thank you for volunteering your Legion Commander Lux.” An older earth pony stallion laughed.
“Me?” Commander Lux questioned nervously. “Are you sure General?”
The General nodded. “Of course, your Legion has proved itself in the past.” His smiled vanished into a serious face. “Now let’s move, we’ve got a city to save. The other Legions will provide reinforcements if need be. Move out!”
The Commanders quickly left to organize the Legions already engaging on the frontline. Tonabit flew swiftly back to her commander, who had already started his advance to the Palace.
“Cohorts form!” Forum ordered, his Legions quickly obeyed. They formed into their cohort squares, preparing to advance. Ahead was a changeling road block. They were using captured ballistas to take out any pegasi cavalry attacks. Forum knew they had to eliminate it quickly if they were to succeed. “Forward!” The cohorts roared. “March!” The thunder of over a thousand hooves drowned out the sounds of battle. Changeling archers appeared on the makeshift barricade, bows already drawn back. There were several loud snaps and dozens of arrows sailed through the air.
“Testudo!” In a matter of seconds, the cohorts stopped and formed the testudo formation, covering their entire unit with their shields from the front sides and top. The arrows made contact with the shields, none made contact with skin. “Advance!” The cohorts dropped their shields and marched forward. Another volley of arrows appeared. Once again, they formed testudo. Some arrows got passed the shields and landed on the legionaries. They screamed in dire pain, but the cohorts once again started to march. This was repeated several times, with more soldiers dropping.
“Halt!” The cohorts stopped within throwing distance of the barricade. “Pilas!” Dozens of legionaries launched their pilas at the enemy, most successfully buried themselves in the bodies of the changelings on the barricade. “Unicorns, ready explosive spells!” An entire cohort of unicorns marched forward, horns glowing with the spell. “Fire!” A hundred explosive spells fired at once at the barricade. There was blinding flash and in an instant, the barricade and everything directly behind it was obliterated. Forum grinned. “Cohorts! Charge!” He pointed his sword, letting his Legion loose on the invading warriors. Most had no time to put up a defense before they were slaughtered. Some tried to surrender, but the XVI Legion stopped taking prisoners a long time ago.
“Mercy.” A changeling begged as Forum walked past. He stopped to look at the wounded creature. He simply lifted his hoof over it’s neck and slammed it down. There was a sickening crunch and the changeling stopped his weak begging. Forum turned back toward his troops.
“Legion!” Everypony stopped to hear him. “We are but a simple charge away from our objective.” He pointed toward the Palace. “The enemy seeks to destroy all our ancestors have built, they say an empire cannot last!” Many soldiers groaned in annoyance. “Well, we an obligation to prove them wrong!” They roared. “Form cohorts!” In less than a minute, they formed up once again. Forum raised his sword and shield, then he slammed the sword down on the shield, creating a mighty bang. He did over and over again, as he did so, more legionaries joined him in unison until a mighty thunder echoed through the city.
“Forward!” He called. The Legion marched forward, very little stood in their way now, most of the changelings began their retreat from the city. Shouts of victory could be heard across the city.
“And soon after, the Legions secured the Capital, wiping out all Changeling resistance.” Spike read aloud. He was reading a book with the title: Legions of Equestria: The Changeling War. Princess Twilight Sparkle looked at her assistant with concern.
“Spike, while I’m proud of the fact that you’ve taken an interest in history.” She said. “I don’t think this is a good thing to be studying at your age.”
Spike groaned, “Aw come on Twilight. This book is very interesting.” He started flipping through pages. “I never knew Equestria was a major military power before.” He jumped up from his seat. “Not to mention seeing those awesome Legionaries fighting against any foe they see.” He started waving around an invisible sword, fighting an imaginary enemy. “Also, most of the history in Equestria, in some ways, always has the Legions in the background.” He sat back down and reopened the book. “I think it’s high time they got what they deserved.”
A purple glow enveloped the book, then in an instant, the book was ripped out of his claws. “They did get what they deserve Spike.” Twilight said sternly. “After centuries of bloodshed, Celestia ordered the Legions to be disbanded. She realized they were too quick to start fights and create chaos.” She put the book in a high shelf, the limited access shelf. “Once the Legions were disbanded, Equestria hasn’t seen a single conflict, besides the Royal Guards are more than capable enough to defend us without all the violence.”
“I bet Rainbow Dash would make a great Legionary.” Spike said, apparently not listening. Again. For the the upteenth time. Twilight groaned, then walked out of the Castle Library, leaving Spike to fight his imaginary enemies with his invisible Legion.
Author's Note
Perfect, we got to see some action and some of the Commanders of the Legions. Soon we shall see more. Until then, this is General Jo and I WILL see you on the battlefield.
