Knights and Pawns

Chapter 4
Finding the King

Pickin awoke the next morning in a strange bed with the worst hangover of his life. As he rolled out of bed he noticed many trees out the window, upon closer inspection he noticed they were all apple trees. With one mystery solved he slowly made his way to the bedroom door, each step rattling his hyper sensitive brain. When he opened the door he was startled by the sight of a large red stallion already standing in it.

“Wha... oh... Hi Big Mac.” even the sound of his own voice sounded booming and painful, he continued on in a mild groan, “Did Applejack bring me here?”

“Eeyup.” Big Mac never wasted words.

“Was I passed out?”

“Eeyup.”

“Did I make a mess?”

“Nope.”

“That's good, where is Applejack?”

“Kitchen, downstairs, to the left.” Pickin nodded and made his way past the large earth pony and followed his directions to the kitchen to find Applejack chewing on an apple.

“Well good mornin partner, sleep well?” Applejack was in good spirits and apparently forgot to keep her voice down. She nodded to a glass of ice water on the table before continuing, “ah don't think ah've seen anypony take that much of Pinkie Pie's sugar, ah wasn't sure if I should take you to the hospital or home.” Pickin slowly made his way to the glass wincing at every other word Applejack spoke. He never really noticed till now, but Applejack has a VERY thick accent.

“Yea,” He mumbled, “Thanks.”

“Glad to see you're still kickin, now d'ya mind tellin me what in tarnation made you drink that much?” Pickin sipped on the water letting it cool his brain down bit by bit.

“I thought I told you yesterday.” His voice started picking up as he got used to it.

“You told me somepony was being a jerk, but that can't be it.” Applejack glared at him for a bit.

“Alright, I'll tell you... but can it wait till my head calms down?”

“Sure thing partner. Lemme go get you some medicine.”

OoOoOoOo

It had been a rather restless night for Twilight, she couldn't stop thinking about how much pain Checkmate had gone through. Such a betrayal, it was no wonder he had such a poor view on friendship. When she finally felt like getting up she noticed him reading a book on magic. Weird, I have plenty of books on ancient battles... Maybe he's already read them all before.

“Good morning General.”

“Good morning Miss Sparkle.” His voice was even colder than it was the night before. Twilight tried to carry on to get him to open up again.

“Did you sleep well?”

“Yes.” Again, back to short answers.

“Uhhh.... Okay.... What are you reading?” Checkmate merely held up the book so she could read the title, “'Magic and the Mind', interesting choice, I've only read it once or twice. I haven't tried the spells in there, it seems too.... invasive.”

“It does.” He closed the book and stood up, “Are you ready to take me to Zecora?”

“Oh right, let me just fix my mane and we can go.” He nodded as she walked upstairs and half an hour later they were a good half mile into the Everfree forest standing in front of a house built into a tree. Twilight knocked on the door and a zebra answered.

“Come in come in my dear Twilight, Your presence here is a great delight.” Checkmate immediately noticed how the zebra spoke in rhymes, “Tell me dear twilight, so I do not offend, who is this dark one, is he your friend?”

“Not exactly. Zecora, This is First General Checkmate, he needs some information regarding the forest.” Checkmate stepped forward and gave a stiff bow, Twilight could feel the tension building up as Checkmate started speaking in his cold manner.

“I need to know the layout of the forest and if you have seen any armed ponies or unusual encampments.” The General eyed her thoroughly trying to keep her in his sight.

“I have seen no ponies good or bad, except Twilight and her happy band. Though a map I see is what you seek, and one of those I do keep.” Zecora walked over to a shelf and pulled down a scroll. Unrolling it revealed a map of the Everfree forest, in high detail. The map covered the entire section near Ponyville and had small symbols all over it, the legend revealed that they were primarily herb locations and some old structures. “If a bandit force is what you fear, then I suggest you start your search here.” Zecora pointed at a castle marked on the map.

“Thank you, Would you mind if I borrowed this to make a copy?” Zecora nodded and Checkmate rolled it back up with his magic before making his way out the door without another word.
OoOoOoOo

As Checkmate neared town again he heard a familiar voice call his name, “Checkmate, General Checkmate.” He looked up and saw the source of the voice, It was Dark Eye, the leader of his scouting force. Dark was a dark brown earth pony with a gray mane and an unlit lantern as his cutie mark.

“Major Dark Eye, impeccable timing.” As the pegasus carriage carrying the Major landed Checkmate once more unrolled the map and showed it to the Major, “I need you to scout out this castle here, if you find something report back at once, if not, scout the surrounding areas until you find the opposition. I want to know who their leader is.”

“Yes, sir.” With that Dark Eye made his way into the woods without another word.

“As for you two,” The general turned to the two pegasi attached to the carriage, “Inform Lieutenant Colonel Irons that the battalion will make camp east of the Apple Family farm. Security clearance Bravo Delta fifety-seven. Also tell him to consult with the land owners to insure proper distance, we don't need to be stepping on any hooves here.” The General started back towards Ponyville when one of the pegasi spoke up.

“Sir, if he asks, which one is the Apple family farm?”

“Well, I would assume it is the farm of apple trees.” Checkmate rolled his eyes as the two quietly set off.

Checkmate continued on to a busy yet slow day. He started by copying the map from Zecora, except the herb markers. Then he had a quiet lunch before expanding the map to include the section of Ponyville where his camp would be before returning the original map to the zebra. He spent the rest of the day sitting outside Ponyville near the forest, studying and planning. He took in everything, noting the layout of the forest, counting his strengths, and even marking possible ambush positions in the forest. He was going to leave nothing to chance so he planned every detail. Twilight stopped by once in a while to try to start conversation again, but he was not going to let her know anymore than he already had.

As the sun was setting Major Dark Eye returned from the forest, easily finding Checkmate almost exactly where he left him the Major walked up and saluted before delivering his report.

“First General, sir. I have completed my reconnaissance.”

“At ease Major.” Checkmate spoke coldly without even looking up from his map.

“Yes sir,” Dark Eye relaxed as he continued, “the enemy force was in the castle as you anticipated. They are about five hundred strong but are expecting more within the week. Their leader...” Dark Eye paused earning him a nasty look from Checkmate, “sir, their leader is an alicorn.” Checkmate's attention was now completely on the Major, yet he showed no signs of the the emotional torrent that was occurring inside. “He is going by the name 'Overlord' though my guess is that this is an assumed name.”

“Very well.” Checkmate spoke carefully, he knew showing any signs of the fear and confusion he felt would diminish the moral of the troops. “What of the structure? Is there any weaknesses to it's integrity? Or a secret access we can use?”

“The castle is old sir, but it's structure is even. There is no location that would be better for striking. All hidden accesses have already been found by the hostiles and sealed off. Sir it would appear this will have to be a basic siege.”

“We can't afford the time, they are anticipating reinforcements within the week. We cannot lay siege, our troops can't handle a fight on two fronts. Thank you Major, you are dismissed. Meet me at the camp tomorrow night, Lieutenant Colonel Irons should have it set up by then.”

“Yes sir.” His report complete Major Dark Eye made his was back into the Everfree forest, if nothing else the stallion was diligent.

OoOoOoOo

Twilight was deep in her studies when Checkmate burst through the door,

“Miss Sparkle, what is the fastest method of transport to get back to Canterlot?” His words were as cold as ever but also held some heat, maybe fear, or anger, whatever it was Twilight didn't have time to figure it out.

“Well, that would be by pegasus carriage.”

“I don't have time for that, I need to speak with the Princess tonight!” His desperation was bursting at the seams, “Don't you know teleportation magic?”

“Well yes, but I've only ever used it for short hops, not something like Canterlot.”

“Try. Now.” This caused the poor unicorn to jump before settling down and approaching.

“What is going on General?!”

“No time. Just get us to Canterlot. NOW!”

“Alright.... here goes.” Twilight focused as hard as she could, she imagined the royal court and started to create the path, she felt her knees buckle as she pushed all the magic she could into the spell and in a split second they went from the quaint library in Ponyville directly into Princess Celestia's chambers in Canterlot.

“Twilight Sparkle? And General Checkmate? What in Equestria is going on?” The Princess was noticeably startled while Twilight seemed dizzy and weak from the force she used.

“Thank you Miss Sparkle but now I must speak with the Princess in private.”

“It's quite alright General, whatever you have to say she is permitted to hear.” Checkmate was unsure if he should continue but with a nod from Celestia he did.

“We have discovered the identity of the enemy leader.” Celestia was clearly intruiged as was Twilight, she didn't understand how this information was so important. “He goes by the name Overlord, and... He is an alicorn.” The room was silent for a time before Princess Celestia spoke up.

“Are you sure?”

“This information was brought to my attention Major Dark Eye ma'am.” Celestia nodded knowing Dark Eye to be an excelent scout. “Ma'am, this may seem personal but I need as much information on alicorns as possible, I need to know average strength, both physical and magical, I need to know possible weaknesses, and any detailed information you have about this 'Overlord'.”

“Very well,” Celestia Sighed as Twilight stood there caught in there conversation, “On average an alicorn's magic is about the same as a unicorns, obviously with some exceptions. They have the strength of an earth pony, and all the capabilities of a pegasus. This makes them without weakness any physical weakness since they possess the strengths of all three types of ponies.” Twilight sat there stunned, her dizziness was gone but her amazement kept her from saying or doing anything.

“And what of Overlord, do you know him?”

“He may be using a new name but I am pretty sure I know who he is, he has gone by many names in the past; King, Emperor, Mastermind, and even Judgement. Though his true name is Terra, Prince of the Earth. He... is my older brother.” Again the room was filled with silence... Princess Celestia has a brother? Twilight thought. but how? Her thoughts were interrupted by General Checkmate.

“Your Highness, this pony is threatening to wreak havoc in Equestria. With your permission I would like to stop him.”

“You have my blessings General, but please... Do not slay him. He can be redeemed, I know it.”

“As you wish Your Highness.”

The ride back to Ponyville was quite. Twilight was to weak to teleport them again and to busy sorting out the information she just gained to even try to start a conversation. The night was restless, and before she knew it dawn was breaking on the first day of a war...