Knights and Pawns

Chapter 2

Setting the Pieces

As General Checkmate made his way over the bridge leading him to town hall he noticed many ponies were staring at him and whispering. It's not surprising, since no military level threats to the small town have occurred they must never have realized that Equestria even had a military. They must not recognize the uniform of a first general. He just shrugged it off and made his way into town hall where he was stopped by the Mayor's aide, an earth pony mare with a brown coat and a messy blonde mane, her cutie was a quill and scroll.

“Greetings sir, how may I help you?” Asked the aide.

“Yes, I am First General Checkmate of Equestria's armed forces and I require to see the mayor of this town.” The aide gave him a confused look before responding.

“Yes... I will go see if she's free.” The pony stepped through a set of double doors and after a few moments heard a very surprised holler from the other room.

“What?! Let him in right away.” Checkmate smirked assuming it was the mayor and made his way to the door just as the aide came out.

“She will see you now.” The poor mare was obviously shaken by the Mayor's sudden outburst and could only watch as Checkmate passed her into the Mayor's office shutting the door behind him. The mayor was scrambling to clean up the paperwork on her desk before she noticed the general had already seen it and gave up her pursuit.

“Greetings First General, I am Mayor Mare.” The gray maned pony stood stock still unsure of how to act around her prestigious guest, “please forgive my assistant, most of our citizens are oblivious to the existence of any sort of military.”

“That is quite alright. You may relax Mayor.” Checkmates words were cold and calculated as he continued, “I am afraid I must inform you that a hostile armed force is gathering in the nearby portion of the Everfree forest.” The Mayor's heart skipped a beat as she fell to a sitting position.

“I-Is that why you're here General?”

“That is correct, I am expecting my counter force here in 2 days time and I would like to be prepared when they get here.” The Mayor only blinked a couple times before catching on that this was his way of asking for help.

“Oh, is there any way I can assist you?”

“Actually there is,” The Mayor shuddered at the cold words Checkmate spoke, “I need a location for my men to set up camp and our operating base. I also need information on the layout of the woods.”

“Yes, of course. There is a field east of the Apple family farm that you can use, and Zecora should be able to help you with the... 'layout' of the forest. She lives in them.”

“Excellent, where may I find this Zecora?”

“I don't know, but Twilight Sparkle visits her often, maybe she could help you. She lives in the library tree on the south side of town” Twilight Sparkle that was a name he could recognize, Princess Celestia's personal protégé. He had seen her many times with the Princess but has never spoken with her.

“Thank you Mayor, I will visit her immediately.” With that Checkmate made his way out of town hall and toward the library.

oOoOoOoOoO

In Sugarcube Corner Pickin was sulking and chugging down his third cup of Pinkies “special” sugar, which was little more than crystallized, hyper-sweetened, rum mixed with regular sugar. Sitting with him was an orange mare with a blonde mane and three apples showing on her flank.

“Don't take it too hard sugarcube,” the farm pony said with her southern accent, “ah bet he was just busy.”

“Heh, doubt it. You didn't hear the way he spoke 'it's GENERAL Checkmate.'” Pickin downed another small cup of sugar.

“Well if you got to be a general wouldn't you want people to call you that?” Applejack pondered a moment, “what is a 'general' anyway? Is that some fancy speak for a salespony?”

“I don't know, but whatever it is it must be a very lonely job, he was so... cold... almost...” Pickin hesitated a moment before sighing “heartless.”

“Now don't go sayin that, truly he must be very busy. Salesponies have a lot to do.”

“Oh just forget it. Pinkie, 5 more sugars!” Pickin was depressed, he used to be such good friends with Checkmate, and now.... he didn't want to think of it. Almost in a flash pinkie was at the table with a tray of sugar glasses.

“You should be happy, Checkmate's back in Ponyville. I know, let's throw him a 'welcome home' party.” Pinkie was off on another of her party planning hypes, “oh we're gonna need balloons, streamers, cake... lots of cake...”

“Pinkie.” Applejack tried to stop the pink mare.

“and a big banner saying welcome home, oh this is gonna be so much FUN.”

“Pinkie...”

“Oh what games would he want, pin the tail on the pony? I love that game.”

“Pi.... oh forget it.” the orange mare gave up figuring it was too late, Checkmate was getting a party whether he liked it or not.

“Chess...” Pickin muttered, “Checkmate loved chess.”

“Oh that's right, duh. I'll go find my chess board... and the PARTY CANNON!” Pinkie was gone so fast Applejack found herself staring at an afterimage while Pickin just continued his sulking.

oOoOoOoOoO

Twilight was busy taking stock of the books and finding out who was overdue when she heard a solid knock on the door.

“I'll get it.” Spike said already halfway to the door. He opened it to reveal A solid black stallion dressed quite regally in the uniform of a military officer, Twilight recognized him immediately.

“General Checkmate? What are you doing here?” She inquired.

“I am told you may be able to assist me. May I speak with you?” Checkmate glanced down at the small purple dragon, “In private?”

“Oh of course, Spike do me a favor and go deliver these late slips.” Twilight levitated a stack of paper to Spike who grumbled a little as he left.

“Thank you, now I understand you know a pony in the Everfree forest by the name of Zecora. I must speak with her.”

“Oh yea, but she's not a pony,” Checkmate raised an eyebrow “she's a zebra.” Only a very trained and attentive eye could have noticed Checkmate tensed at the word, but he there were no other signs of his distaste.

“Well could you take me to her?” Hate it as he did, he needed information.

“Sure, tomorrow I am going there for my favorite tea. Now, what is this all about?”

“An armed group of ponies is gathering in the forest and I am here to prepare for our preemptive strike.” Twilight became very pale as the blood drained from her face.

“Why hasn't the Princess told me about this?! If there is anything I can do to help General just say the word.”

“Well, seeing as how my camp will not be set up for another 2 days perhaps you could point me towards a hotel for me to stay at.”

“I'm afraid there aren't any, most ponies visiting Ponyville are here for friends or family, so they just stay with them. You can stay here if you like.” As she finished her sentence Twilight suddenly realized what she did, and a slight blush caressed her face. What am I thinking? It's not like I've never had anyone stay the night, but those were just my friends. This is a stallion, and a general, and... oh dear.

“That's alright Miss Sparkle, I would not want to impose.”

“Oh no, it's no problem at all. Spike is going on vacation starting tonight and I have plenty of room.” What am I saying? Oh dear, this is awkward. Luckily the ever growing blush went unnoticed by Checkmate, who could only assume it was the blood rushing back to her face.

“Well if you insist, it's not like I have a lot of options. Thank you Miss Sparkle.” Twilight nervously nodded her approval.

oOoOoOoOoO

A little while later Twilight walked into Sugarcube corner to find Applejack tending to a passed out Pickin, Pinkie getting things ready for another of her parties, and Rainbow Dash slowly finishing the sugar Pickin could not.

“Uh, hi girls. What's wrong with Pickin?” Twilight asked, concerned for the well being of the small miner.

“Ah think he had a bit too much sugar,.” Replied Applejack as Twilight noted at least 2 dozen empty sugar glasses.

“Why would he drink that much sugar?”

“Oh, some old friend of his came to town and didn't want to hang out with him.” Said dash, still sipping away at her sugar, “Some guy named Checkerboard, or something like that.”

“You mean Checkmate?”

“yep, that's the one. He was a superdy duper awesome chess genius.” Piped up Pinkie Pie, “do you know him Twilight?”

“Well I know OF him, but I can't say I know him. He's a tactical mastermind and Princess Celestia's First General.”

“What's a general anyway?” Asked Dash.

“You mean you don't know?” Twilight was amazed, sure this was a small town but they still should have at least learned some things related to the military. Before she could continue an elegant voice from behind her spoke up.

“A general is a commanding officer in the military, the title is given to three stations each with a a large number of soldiers under it's command.” Everyone turned to see that the voice belonged to Rarity who didn't miss a beat in her explanation. “The lieutenant general maintains the smallest portion of soldiers and advises the next general. A general maintains command over a region and usually has a few lieutenant generals under his command. There is only one first general, the leadership of the whole military force and direct military adviser to the Princess. This office is currently held by First General Checkmate, the youngest First General in history, 20 years ahead of his time.” For some unknown reason Twilight thought she detected a hint of pride in that last statement.

“Uhhhh.... exactly. How do you know this?” Twilight asked.

“Oh Twilight dear, what kind of sophisticated lady would I be if I didn't know these things?” Rarity scoffed lightly as if it should be obvious. “Now, am I to understand that the First General himself has graced our town with his presence?”

“Yea, he's kinda... well... staying with me for a couple nights.” Every other jaw in the room, except Pinkies, hit the ground.

“Twilight dear, are you sure that's proper? I mean a grown mare and stallion together... ALONE?”

“Twilight, you know ah trust ya judgment and all, but.... are you sure?”

“Yea, seriously. What if he tries to take advantage of you... or worse?!”

“Oh Rainbow, Checkmate isn't gonna take advantage of her.” Pinkie pie chuckled at the thought, “If anything he'll drive her crazy with endless games of chess.”

“Yea, that's even WORSE.”

“Uh guys,” Twilight interrupted her friends banter, “I'll be fine. Don't worry. Anyway I need to get back to set up his bed.” And so began the most awkward night of Twilight Sparkles life...