Knights and Pawns

Chapter 5
The First Move

Checkmate made his way through the camp on a fine spring night, each soldier saluting him as he passed. They set up camp 3 days ago and the general immediately sent out his scouts to gather as much intelligence as possible. Tomorrow they were due for their report, at which time they would finally act. The presence of the alicorn still disturbed the young general but no matter what he would protect Equestria. As his tent came into view he started to relax, it was a long day and he was ready for it to end.

As he stepped into his tent he was greeted with a large “Surprise!” from five ponies. He could recognize all but one of them. Twilight Sparkle, Applejack, and who else but Pinkie Pie, likely the orchestrator of this event. He also recognized Rainbow Dash, from her victory at the Best Young Flier competition. The only one he could not name was a rather quiet yellow mare with a pink mane.

“What in the world? What are you all doing here?!” Checkmate did nothing to hold his rage as he glared at each of the ponies. Pinkie Pie, clearly unaffected by his outburst was the first to respond.

“It's your 'welcome home' party silly.” Checkmate took note of the giant banner at the back of the tent reading 'Welcome Home'.

“Pinkie Pie... no. No party, I have work to do. Now all of you out.” The room was silent, no pony said 'no' to a Pinkie Pie party. Pinkie Pie was obviously the most effected, as she slowly led the group out Checkmate sighed, “Fine... but keep it tame. No loud music, just a quiet, relaxing night, alright?”

This roused everyone back up and they started the party, though significantly calmer than the norm. The music was quiet and everypony was chatting, each taking a turn to talk to Checkmate over a game of chess. Rainbow Dash wasn't very skilled but she kept trying, once they had started their third game Checkmate surprisingly started the conversation.

“Miss Dash, I understand you are an incredible athlete.”

“Yes sir, winner of the Best Young Flier Competition in Cloudsdale.”

“I know, I was there.” Rainbow Dash gave him a funny look then remembered how her friends made it to the competition.

“I didn't see you there, and I think I would have noticed if some wingless pony was in Cloudsdale.”

“Chameleon spell, not as effective as outright invisibility but good enough to fool ponies who aren't looking for you.” Rainbow nodded her understanding while the general got to his point, “Miss Dash, I would like to put your athleticism to use.”

“What? You want me in the military? Sorry but I’m holding out for the Wonder Bolts.”

“Actually I think the military would be a great stepping stone for the Wonder Bolts. Little known fact, almost every Wonder Bolt served a time in the military and the team itself acts as a reserve for military missions. I can give you a pass on basic training, and even perhaps send you on a mission or two with the Wonder Bolts.” Suddenly Rainbow Dash was all ears and ready to go.

“Where to I sign up?”

“We will handle the formal paper work tomorrow, report in bright and early for your assignment. Oh and one more thing... checkmate.”

Rainbow didn't expect to win and after three straight losses she gave up and went to tell her friends about her decision. Next to play was Applejack who, as soon as she sat down, started a new conversation.

“So Checkmate, how ya been?”

“Busy.”

“Why haven't ya visited? Been here 5 days and didn't even stop in for a 'hello'?”

“I've been busy.”

“You know... ah talked to Pickin the other day.” Applejack knew she was setting hoof on shaky ground but continued anyway. “Look, Checkmate, he's real sorry about what he did, he truly is. Why don't you go talk to him?”

“I don't blame him.” Applejack blinked a few times.

“What?”

“I don't blame Pickin for what he did.”

“Then why in tarnation haven't ya talked to him yet?”

“I've been busy.”

“aww horse-apples, you've been spending most of your time at Twilight's library. What is goin on between you two anyhow?” Applejack's raised voice gathered the attention of the rest of the ponies as Checkmate replied.

“Nothing, I've been studying.”

“Studying what exactly?” Applejack noticed Checkmates book filled saddle bags sitting next to the chess table. Curious about their contents, she picked them up and dumped them onto the table knocking over all the pieces. “'Mind Control: A Reference Guide'? '101 mind control spells'? 'Spells of Subtlety'?! What in Equestria are ya doin to Twilight?!”

“Nothing, I was just doing some research.”

“Research for what?” Asked Rainbow Dash, also concerned for Twilight.

“For...”

“Are ya trying to corrupt Twilight?”

“No.”

“Have you been taking advantage of her good nature?”

“No.”

“Ah know. Yall are trying to brainwash her and turn her into some weapon!” Applejack finally made Checkmate snap.

“NO! She is Princess Celestia's student and I am Celestia's loyal servent! I. Would. NEVER. Try to control her!” Twilight stepped in curious about the books herself.

“I believe you General, but what is with these books, you must have read every book I have on mind manipulation...”

“I... I...” Checkmate was backed into a corner, he had not anticipated this but with the five ponies closing in on him his rage rapidly fell into shame, “I was trying to find out if Twilight had used that magic on me...” The room was silent so he continued. “My first night in Ponyville I stayed at the library. During the night Miss Sparkle somehow got me to reveal something of a personal nature, I couldn't understand how she did it so I assumed magic was involved. I've been reading these books to figure out how she did it...”

No one spoke. Twilight was hurt that he would suspect her of that, Applejack was sad that she forced him to admit this, Rainbow Dash still didn't quite believe him. That was it... the party was over... all the ponies left. Checkmate wasn't sure how he felt about this night. It did drive away his distractions so he could focus on his mission, but it also drove away his best hope of friends. It didn't matter, friends were a weakness. None of the five returned, and Rainbow Dash did not show up in the morning and since she was not technically part of the military yet so there was nothing he could do.

The next day after the scouting had been done and the plans had been made General Checkmate stood in front of his troops and began the briefing.

“All right ponies. Today we start a series of raids on the enemy supply and reinforcement routes, We have a pony inside their stronghold to feed us the schedule. This will continue for 1 week before ending in a siege on the enemies stronghold. Without their reinforcements or supplies the enemy will be weakened thus securing our victory. Today's raid is to be conducted on a supply caravan coming from the east. Any questions?” No one spoke up so he nodded and finished his speech, “very well, report to your commanding officers for your assigned duties.”

Checkmate left the briefing stage and made his way to the armory to get his armor on. As he undressed to don his armor he stared at his scar and remembered his first night in Ponyville. Why did I tell her all that? There was no way she manipulated me...

“General?” Checkmate blinked a couple times, after being pulled from his thoughts, before he looked to the source of the voice. Lieutenant Cassidy Irons, a navy blue, red maned pegasus mare with a crossed sword and blacksmith hammer as a cutie mark. She was both an armorer and part of the aerial assault force.

“What is it Lieutenant?” Checkmate didn't hide his disdain for being pulled from his thoughts.

“Oh... Sorry sir... You're armor is ready.”

“Oh right, thank you Lieutenant.” Checkmate stood still while Cassidy began putting his armor on. “Lieutenant... Do you like me?” Cassidy stopped, surprised by the question and Checkmate doubled back to clarify, “I mean as a pony, like... a friend.”

“Oh...” Cassidy sighed in relief then continued, “Well, I can't honestly say... we never really speak unless it's about military duties. This is the most personal conversation we have ever had.”

“I see, do you have many friends Lieutenant?” Cassidy went back to armoring Checkmate while they spoke.

“Yes sir, I have plenty of friends. Oh, but I don't let that get in the way of my duties.” This intrigued Checkmate.

“How do you manage that Lietenant? Not allowing friends to get in the way?”

“Simple, I make sure to tell them when I am busy with work, and they respect that.”

“I see, but to be fair your position doesn't really possess the same dangers of betrayal.” For the first time Checkmate wasn't sure who he was trying to convince.

“I grant that sir, but sometimes it's nice to have someone you don't have to be suspicious of. There you go sir, you're all done.” Checkmate blinked, getting armored felt a lot longer.

“Oh, thank you Lieutenant.” Checkmate left the armory still going over his conversation. 'Sometimes it's nice to have someone you don't have to be suspicious of.' Those words echoed in his mind, yes... it would be nice wouldn't it... but I can't afford that. He didn't know why he was thinking so hard on these things. After a while he finally chalked it all up to the highly unusual week he was having. He then proceeded to the rally point to lead the mission.

After gathering the troops they continued on to the ambush sight where Checkmate placed his men, insuring there would not be a survivor of this ambush, he didn't want anyone catching wind of what happened.

As they waited Checkmate inspected his sword, it was amazing what the pegasi could create, a blade that even an earth pony could use. It was like a unicorn blade but instead of a handle it had a fitted loop that would connect just above the knee. An earth pony would rear back on it's hind legs and strike leading with the front knee, where the blade extended from. It was cut to a perfect length to allow normal walking too, it was amazing.

As the caravan approached Checkmate readied himself for the fight. The forest was perfect for this ambush, he looked around to prime his teams. The pegasi hiding in the trees, the earth ponies in the bushes, and the unicorn artillery hiding a ways from the path, all were ready and as the caravan hit the trigger point Checkmate shouted.

“Attack!” With that one word the ambush commenced, starting with the unicorns firing a volley of fire magic instantly setting the caravan ablaze, from there they worked to maintain the fire and keep it from spreading. Next the Pegasi leaped from the trees down onto the guards taking out about a quarter of them in one strike. With the window of surprise closed the earth ponies burst from their bushes and the battle commenced in full.

Thanks to the ambush the battle was already tilted in Checkmate's favor, but not by much. There were a good deal more guards than anticipated and Checkmate knew there would be casualties. Checkmate stepped out and singled out their leader, an earth pony at the head of the caravan. The enemy leader noticed Checkmate as well, and both knew the value of the other so they locked in battle. Not wanting to risk hurting their own leader both sides' forces continued combat around the dueling commanders.

Checkmate knew a standoff would only give the enemy time to collect himself so he lunged right in aiming his blade right for the heart. His opponent parried and attempted to disable him with a strike along his front legs. Checkmate kicked his front hooves off the ground to dodge and then kicked with his back hooves and lunged over his opponent slicing the shoulder blade. The wince of pain gave the perfect window to continue pressing. Checkmate sliced again and again often being parried or dodged but occasionally getting a nick in and pushing his further and further opponent back until finally a fatal mistake was made; the enemy's leader tripped over his own hooves and fell back into a tree. Before anypony knew what was happening Checkmate thrust his blade into his opponents chest.

With their leader slain the enemy force lost morale and concentration and soon all had fallen. Checkmate surveyed his surroundings, out of the 75 he brought to the ambush about 10 were injured, none dead. He smiled at himself, even with that flaw in his intelligence he made a zero loss plan.

“Good work men, now lets clean this up. No evidence.” He emphasized this point by slaying a an enemy survivor. It was not entirely honorable to slay the defeated, but he couldn't afford survivors, not even as prisoners. “And see what you can salvage out of this caravan.”

Checkmate made his way back to camp leaving the clean up to his men. Upon arriving to his tent he found a small letter on his bed, too exhausted from lack of sleep he moved it over to his desk and collapsed on his bed, it wasn't official so whatever it was could wait; This was his time to sleep.