Warhammer Equestria

Much had changed in Ponyville since the invasion. The town remained a stronghold by order of the princess and the mayor had commissioned that a militia be formed should the invaders return and with the news of the ongoing war in Griffonstone things were more tense than ever.

In front of the local blacksmith. Valiant and a few of his men began training volunteers who signed up for the militia, among them was Applejack and Appleblooms big brother; Big Macintosh. The group had been practicing weapon drills for the past hour with few showing signs of improvement.

"Keep your guard up!" An instructor shouted to a trainee in a sword drill while the others practiced battle formations.

"FORM WALL!" The group scrambled to positions with most tripping over their gear and falling on each other like a set of domino's. Valiant of course was not surprised.

"How's the training coming along?" Emelyn had arrived with some tea and pastries to share with her husband.

"In a word: Lousy." Valiant sighed as he joined her for breakfast and like always she would cling to him like a filly clings to her mother which of course seemed unprofessional whenever he was on duty. A rosy pink blushed formed on his cheeks as some of his men began to make fun of him before receiving a cold glare from his eyes that made them stand at attention.

"You're so tense! Not like in bed." She giggled to herself while he took a sip of tea, ignoring the stifled laughter of his men.

"Um Emelyn? Can I ask you something?"

"Of course, you know you can ask me anything."

"Are you sure this is a good idea?" His question seemed to confuse her for a moment when he got to the specific part.

"Us trying to have children I mean. We are at war right now."

"Well this war won't last forever and besides what are you gonna do when all the fighting stops? It would break my heart to see you all miserable and unwanted." She said with pouty lips, treating him like a baby; The one routine that annoyed him most.

"Emelyn I'm serious! I'm not exactly father material you know."

"Oh that's nonsense talk you would make a great father! Just look over there." Emelyn pointed to one of the soldiers who had brought his family with him on their travels. Two little foals came running up to him with happy smiles, laughing as he knelt down to pick them up.

"DADDY!!"

"Kids!! OHH!!" The combined weight of his children sent the knight toppling over as they bursted into laughter, the sight seemed to warm Valiants heart a bit now that Emelyn had made her point.

"See? If he can be a soldier and a father then so can you; You'd be a great dad!" Emelyn smiled happily as she moved closer to him when she heard a familiar laugh. Applebloom was playing with her big brother now dressed in standard chain mail armor with a shield and longsword.

"You look amazing big brother!" Applebloom praised Big Mac as his cheeks began to blush.

"You look the part all right but can you live up to your roll?" Valiant walked up towards the large red stallion while examining his armor.

"Hmm...standard edition, not too flashy. You ever use a sword before Big Mac?"

"Eenope."

"Ever killed before?" Big Mac paused before answering.

"....Nope."

"Well then. Time to start learning-HYAGH!!" With a loud clang, Valiant began assaulting him with a flurry of attacks and with only one sword. Thankfully, Big Mac had his shield to protect him.

"Good reflex. You'll need that in a battle-now. Feet apart!" He demonstrated by taking a wide stance as Big Mac followed.

"Keep a tight grip on that shield!" Valiant shouted as he began another barrage of attacks and just like before the red stallion only kept blocking, not even making an effort to swing his sword. It wasn't long before half the town was drawn to the commotion.

"Fight back!!" He shouted to his opponent who shook his head in refusal and clearly trying to suppress his anger.

"So that's how you wanna play it huh? Alright!" This time Valiant had both swords; He wasn't going to hold back this time. Applejack and the others had just arrived on the scene to see Big Mac get kicked into the dirt with some of the soldiers laughing.

"WHAT IN TARNATION?!? You two stop this right now!!" Applejack yelled in fury before Emelyn stood in her way.

"Emelyn?!? Get outta my way!"

"It's fine Applejack."

"FINE?!? Your psycho of a husband is tryin' to fillet my big brother!! and in front of my little sister too!!"

Among the crowd, Applebloom watched as her big brother was knocked to the ground again and again with the soldiers laughing. When Big Mac saw this he could see the fear in her eyes as well as the tears and when this happened something snapped.

"This ends now..." Valiant said coldly as he flipped his sword to it's dull side preparing to deliver the final blow.

"NOOOO!!!!"

CLANG!!!

All went quiet after Appleblooms cry and when she opened her eyes the little filly saw her big brother pushing Valiant back with his sword.

"HRRR!! RRAH!!" Big Mac shoved off Valiant with great force, making him skid a few feet back before going into another defensive stance but this time his eyes showed determination instead of fear; He was not going to lose in front of his sister.

"Start taking bets boys! this one's fired up!!!" The soldiers laughter turned to cheering as Big Mac began to fight back. Each time he blocked he struck out with his blade while keeping a safe distance from his opponent; It was like he had done this before.

"GET EM BIG BROTHER!!!" Appleblooms cheer seemed to fire Big Mac up even more as he began to go on the offensive and began to match Valiant move for move until at last both combatants found their swords resting at each others necks.

"Well done." Valiant said with a proud smile as they both lowered their guard. Some of the men began crowding Big Mac to congratulate him, it turned out not one of them was able to fight Valiant to a draw let alone last an entire duel.

"BIG MAC!!" Applebloom came scurrying through the crowd, crying tears of joy as she leaped onto her big brother.

"Hey now what's all this cryin for?" Big Mac carried her on his shoulder, letting her wrap her arms around his neck and while he comforted his baby sister the red stallion shot a look at Valiant.

"Don't EVER make my baby sister cry like that again." He said in a stern tone while Valiant nodded in respect as he left. The rest of the trainees just stood there in amazement until he began shouting out to all of them.

"That there men is why we choose to fight! Why we have to fight!" Valiant pointed to Big Mac as he left the training area.

"Not for glory, not for fame, not even for gold! But for family. Remember that!"

End.