Chapters “When the more powerful and mysterious Zebra tribes suddenly went quiet, we barely batted an eye and moved on, thinking that it was some obscure zebra warlord gaining power again.” The well-dressed pony struck his hoof against the podium, the volume of his voice rising and echoing in the completely filled halls.
Lord Fancy Pants swept his eyes across the seats, seemingly making eye contact with each and every pony, his opponent always losing the duel and lowering their head, up until he looked straight across, at the face of Princess Celestia herself. The Princess of the Day withstood the normally sedate stallion’s scorching glare, unfazed. Fancy Pants turned to the other Royal Sister, Princess Luna, and neither the younger sister lowered her head in defeat, actually raising her chin in proud defiance.
The stallion huffed, whether in dismay or disappointed none could say. He struck his hoof down again, once, twice, thrice, commanding attention to him again. “When no word came from the Coalition of Diamond Dog packs after rumors of ‘supposed’ invasion, we barely got nervous at all. Can you comprehend the arrogance, the ignorance? As if we cared nothing about what happens to those ‘mutts’! Mutts! We let them fall alone, as if they were things! That is what we’ve come to!”
“Meanwhile, the Imperial Gryphon houses mustered in full force, standing ready to defend their lands with beak, claw and lives. They called to us, asking for nothing more than to help them defend their lands and in return help protect ours! When this enemy still penetrated deep into the Gryphon Empire in less than a week despite their best efforts, what did we do? What was our aid? Our response? A few paltry,newly raised regiments to defend against an army of barbarians of untold strength!”
A loud, sudden sound, like a trumpet, overtook the packed hall, causing ponies to duck and cover their ears. The sound repeated itself, as Princess Luna cleared her throat once more. “You forget yourself, Lord Fancypants. It was the will of this very council to do so, a council whose member you are. Even so, I was there myself, standing and fighting on the front lines. The ‘paltry regiments’ you refer to so insultingly gave their lives to delay the enemy as long as they could. So that the refugees could escape from harm. Do not demote the sacrifices they made as such!” She stood up, taking a step forward, nopony missing the obvious white of bandages against her right front leg and her sides.
Fancy Pants nodded. “Be that as it may, Princess Luna, now Equestria stands alone against this threat, unless you can tell us without hesitation if we can succeed where the cunning Zebras, hardy Diamond Dogs, and noble Gryphons failed.”
The Princess of the Night did not answer. She stepped back and sat back on her throne, glancing with a note of anxiety at her older sister who sat as still as a statue. Celestia blinked, seemingly for the first time ever since Lord Fancypants started to talk, and spoke up.
“Equestria will not go quietly in the night, Lord Fancypants. We will protect our own.”
“With what?” Fancypants challenged. Behind the outrage and anger in his voice there was something else; fear and apprehension. “After a thousand years of peace, what can we stop them with? Untrained peasants playing soldier and guards who’ve never saw anymore more than a bar fight, let alone a skirmish in their life? How, Princess Celestia? How will Equestria stand?”
As Luna looked at her sister, and pondered Lord Fancy Pants’ words, an idea came to her. Facing Fancy Pants, and with defiance in her voice declared, “I cannot tell you of our plans Lord Fancy Pants, but know and trust me that someone will be here to help Equestria in her time of need.”
Fancy Pants furrowed his brow, questioningly. “Are you by any chance referring to Princess Twilight and the rest of the bearers of Harmony, Princess Luna? Are you telling us that the power of the elements can be used to put armies to rest? To defeat what? Entire countries and armies more powerful and experienced then us have tried and failed to do just that, and you expect six young mares with no experience to be able to do just that.”
“I am saying nothing of the sort, Lord Fancy Pants. I am simply saying that somepony will be here to help.” Luna said firmly as she stared the stallion down forbiddingly, making it obvious that this was the extent of information she meant to share with anypony and any further would incur her ‘displeasure’.
“This meeting of the Council of Lords is now adjourned for today,” Princess Celestia announced as she stood up and looked over everypony in the room. “We shall discuss this matter again as soon as this council is next reconvened. Rest assured, we will find a solution to this as always.”
Celestia slammed the door behind her. “What was that supposed to mean, Luna? We don’t have anypony like that!” She exclaimed angrily at her younger sister.
Luna flinched away from her sisters fury, something she was not used to seeing since she had returned from her long exile. “I do have an idea, dear sister. One that will certainly save us…. or at least buy us time.”
“And how do you propose we find a pony like that, Luna? We haven’t had anypony like that for nearly 500 years!” Her sister demanded sternly as Luna nervously bit her lip. “Well? How? Tell me, dear sister? How do you intend to make a pony like this just appear from thin air?”
“There’s an ancient spellbook we can use. One that was ancient before Equestria was even formed.” Luna blurted out. “It’s located in the ‘Starswirl the Bearded’ wing of the library, in the forbidden section. It’s normally under lock and key but…. It may hold a spell that could save us.”
Celestia stared her sister down for a long time before finally speaking. “What spell are you referring to, Luna?”
“A spell that could bring forth a great Equestrian general, even from death's grip and the sands of time.” Luna said quietly as she hung her head.
“Praise the sun! You do intend to make a pony appear from thin air!” Celestia gasped in shock. “How could you even propose ripping somepony from their eternal rest like that, Luna?”
“Because if we do not, a lot more ponies are going to rest alongside them, sister. I’ve seen what our enemy is capable of first hoof, and without somepony to strengthen our armies then we don’t stand a chance!” Luna asserted in a firm tone. “Cely, we need every advantage we can get now. You are a diplomat, and I am a warrior a thousand years out of practice. Neither of us can lead in war. We need someone who can.”
“.... Maybe you are right, dear sister.” Celestia sighed. “Perhaps… perhaps this is necessary to keep Equestria safe. But it is still repugnant, sister. Do you realize what we will sentence an unfortunate soul to, the pain we will subject them to? To rip them out of their just reward and into a world they are no longer a part of? They will know, sister. They will feel it, and it will hurt them.”
“I have considered it, Celestia. And a thought has come to me. If that soul was you, and somepony called for your aid, having nopony else to turn to, what would you say?”
Celestia took a deep breath, and turned her head to the side. “I’d say yes,” she answered after a few moments.
“And so would I. Why then do you think that others would do any less?”
Celestia stayed silent, musing Luna’s words, her expression turning from distaste to sorrow, and from anger to silent acceptance. She sighed again, her whole body shaking by the sheer force as she made her decision.
“I will need to read the book again first. We have to make sure we do this right.”
The four princess of Equestria stood nervously around a small table in Princess Celestia’s private study, deep inside Canterlot Castle. The table was bare apart from an ancient sword hilt, with it’s shattered blade sitting in an old glass case, having supposedly belonged to a great Equestrian general from a long gone era, so long gone that even Celestia and Luna had forgotten his name. Even most of his many deeds had perished to the ravages of time, except for what little was written down and able to be retained until this day. Also engraved on the table was a strange and ancient symbol, etched on the table’s smooth surface by the very same blade that lay in the center of it long ago.
“Princess Celestia, are you sure this will even work? There are no records of anypony ever attempting this spell. How do we know anypony has completed it successfully before?” Princess Twilight asked her mentor, nervously.
“We don’t know, Twilight, but this could be what saves Equestria from the dire threat it currently faces,” Celestia said calmly, even though on the inside she felt just as nervous as her old student. “Now, just remember Twilight. Focus your magic along with ours, and think about who we want to bring back before us. Keep in mind the qualities of the pony we beseech to return and aid us. His bravery, his resolve, his quick thinking, his uncompromising will, the cunning mind. Keep it all in the forefront of your mind and let your thoughts guide the spell as it seeks the soul we are looking for.”
Twilight slowly spoke after Celestia finished explaining the ritual process for what was probably the thousandth time. “I will, Celestia.”
“This is still a little vague, Aunt Celestia. The pony we seek is almost an unknown. Will it be enough?” Princess Cadance asked.
“And thus the sword, dear niece,” Princess Luna said, gently pointing with her aching leg at the weapon of war among them. “If it truly belonged to him it will serve as a secondary focus for the spell to latch on.”
“But is it?” Cadance questioned.
“It is,” Celestia assured her. “I went to his grave myself. It was the best I could find, buried next to him.”
“Are we all ready then?” Luna asked anxiously, and the rest of her fellow princesses nodded. “Then let us begin,” Luna finished as she sparked her horn and began casting the spell. The rest of the princesses followed suit, and they all focused their magic into one.
As the magic began to collect into a bright ball, above the table. There was nothing for the first moments….. until a small dark pin-prick began to show in the midst of the bright ball of magic. This pin-prick began to grow reaching a decent size, and spreading to the rest, a thick fog of dark smoke forming and swirling around it.
“Focus, focus everyone. We cannot be distracted at this stage, this much magic in one place has to be controlled or else it would result in catastrophe.” Celestia warned to everyone, as the strain began to show on everyone. “Don’t worry Princess, I won’t let you down.” Twilight replied back.
As the portal began to grow larger, strange sounds soon started to echo throughout the room. Cries of help, mercy and words in a foreign tongue, seemingly distorted, and then came the sounds of explosions. Waves of bright orange lights began flashing thru the portal, colouring the white smoke pouring out, along with more sharp, cracking sounds of a unknown origin.
As soon as it reached a certain size it quickly shrank, but not before a thump of something meaty and soft hit the table in front of them, alongside with the sound of shattered glass. The portal unleashed one more wave of white smoke as a final farewell, obscuring the room.
Far out in the Argonne forests of France, a place that was once a picturesque landscape of nature. It was not that anymore, as the sea of green was now brown, marred by shell-craters. The bushes and creeks gave way to trenches and bunkers, the rotting bodies or pieces of men in dirty grey, tan and baby blue uniforms lay dotted throughout the landscape and the cries of wildlife were exchanged for those of help or of gunfire. And here in one sector of this forest, nearly five hundred American men were stuck in this living nightmare, upon a hill now littered with shallow foxholes dug quickly and desperately. Trapped behind enemy lines and running low on supplies and morale for nearly three days straight.
“John. John! ” A voice shouted, shaking one young private out of his daze. He’d been staring at the ground blankly for what seemed like decades. The young private looked up to a see another soldier, even younger, who was looking just as tired and sick as he did. “Come on, grab your gun. Those Huns could come at any minute!” the other soldier continued on, as reality flooded back to one John Law.
Here he was, in what felt like halfway across the world, in France. Twenty three, far away from home and being the big hero, he always heard the recruiters say he would “be”. He turned and nearly gagged at the sight of his dead buddy, who’d been shot through the heart yesterday. John couldn’t even think or process the thought of moving his former friend. John picked up his Springfield that laid next to him and set it on the earth of the his foxhole, right in front of him and facing out, towards the treeline where in his mind, thousands of german stormtroopers lay in wait. The ground was littered with bullet marks, shrapnel and the occasional casing. Speaking of casings , he thought as he felt the pouch on his chest that held his few supplies, I barely have fifteen rounds left.
He stared off at the ruined treeline that surrounded them on all sides, and glanced at the only source of water they had, a small dirty creek that only a madman would attempt to go to now. He nearly threw up upon witnessing the last poor soul who’d tried to reach it, his attempt to get fresh water for the injured rewarded only with a bullet, courtesy of a german sniper hiding on an opposing ridgeline. John simply stared until he felt a light tap on his shoulder. John looked up to see someone he didn’t even have time to recognize before noticing the slip of paper in their hand and standing up.
John placed a hand on the soldier’s shoulder. “Remember what I told you, and make sure you repeat it to the rest; Keep low, keep safe. You only have to make them think that we’re trying to break out.” The soldier nodded, and John continued, making sure he held his gaze and attention. “I need five minutes, that’s all. Five minutes to make it out of the killing ground and into the forest. From there, it’s up to me to find my way out of this hell hole. Don’t you or anyone else get killed doing this and take your shots carefully. Once we’re outta here, it’s smooth sailing into Berlin.”
The soldier nodded once more, hitting John’s arm in an brotherly way. “Good luck, John,” he said, and left him alone once more. John wished he could remember his name, but the smudge covered faces were a messy blur, their identities lost and hidden, and John couldn’t find it in himself to try too hard. He didn’t want to recognize the face if he ever came across it again, dead and glassy eyes filled with nothing but pain and fear. A look he’d already seen far too much. But he was going to be the one who made sure no more men from his company ended up with that look, no more friends and comrades needing to be buried in makeshift graves then had to be.
He waited impatiently for the increase in shots. He heard a rallying cry swell from his comrades, and the petering of gunfire multiplied, followed by the harsh german cries and the answering guns, so many more than his comrades could bring to bear. He gave it a precious minute, counting inwardly as he laid in a shallow ditch, before climbing to his feet and starting his mad dash across the blasted ground.
He jumped, barely avoiding a raised root that nearly tripped him. Falling down meant death right now, and he knew that. He kept running, and had almost reached the treeline, ignoring the thumps, whistles and cracks of mortars, bullets and explosives that hit the ground around him until all of a sudden his feet went out from under him, and he felt himself going up into the air. There was a moment of sudden shock and force, and everything slowed down before he felt the hard and sudden impact of hitting the ground face first.
Everything was blurry, his ears were ringing as he managed to roll over and let out a loud moan of pain. He tried to stand but for some reason fell down again with a loud scream of pain, and he could do nothing more than crawl under the cover of the nearest tree, propping his back up against it.
Stay awake. Come on, be strong. You can live, you must live , for them. You need to get up for them. he thought as everything started to go dark, coldness slowly spread throughout his body before he finally closed his eyes to see eternal blackness like so many of his friends before him. The smell of gunpowder, was strong in the air. It was the last thing he smelt and tasted, and home was the last place he thought of.
The princesses covered their eyes as the room was covered in pure white smoke, it took moment for them to be able to see anything again, but the smell was the first thing any of them noticed. A thick, sharp burnt and sour, metallic smell filled their nostrils, causing some of them to gag as they tried to waft the white smoke that had suddenly filled the room away from them. After a few minutes the smoke dissipated, revealing a strange creature laying on the table.
A pool of blood was already forming under the unknown creature’s limp body, flowing freely from the grisly remains of its missing left leg. The blood soaking into the dirty tattered clothing. Its face was pale and dirty while its eyes were closed but it was obviously still breathing.
The princesses all gawked and stared at the strange creature that laid before them. As soon as the surprise was over they began examining it. The form was wrong for a pony, and more resemblant of a minotaur. It was too skinny and small, but it had a similar upper frame with two arms. However once their eyes reached the remains of its ‘leg’, and the realization that it was still breathing hit them, the silence was quickly broken.
“Aunty, please call for a doctor. He’s still alive, and this pony’s hurt really bad!” Cadance cried out loud, with barely contained panic in her voice as she rushed towards the being, and began using her magic to put some pressure on what remained of its leg. “I’m going to put some pressure on the wound but he’s looking really pale, Aunties.”
“Sister, tis not the ‘pony’ we wanted nor is it a pony at all,” Luna whispered to her sister who was urgently sending a message for the guards to bring in the palace doctor, while Luna herself gave a more thorough examination with her eyes of their new ‘guest’.
It lacked any horn or wings and was too scrawny looking to be even a young minotaur. A strange, stick like object rested next to its left hand, which Twilight would most likely examine if she was not assisting Candance in providing medical assistance and stabilizing the unknown creature. Poor Twilight, she must be so troubled seeing all this blood for the first time, Luna thought as she noticed Twilight unconsciously shying away from the small, growing puddle of blood, but nonetheless bravely helping to stem the blood.
Eyes moving upwards she noticed that it wore strange wide brimmed and flat metal looking helmet, somewhat dented and scratched, alongside what may have once been a uniform if it was in better condition and not soaked in the being's own blood and what seemed to be dried mud, with many strange symbols and numbers on the shoulders of the tan piece of clothing “He may have been a warrior of some kind, perhaps a weak one amongst his own, if he was only given just a large stick and not a blade”, Luna thought, however before she could think more on this, she was interrupted by the medical team rushing in and taking over from the two princesses who were performing impromptu first aid.
“This is not going the way it was planned, Luna” Celestia stated as she watched the ponies put the being on a stretcher and head towards the medical facilities. “Twilight, dear, please leave that stick aside. I have a strange feeling about it,” Celestia added as Twilight began to look at the front of the stick, down a strange hole it had.
“I agree,sister. I agree,” Luna said.
And another life was extinguished from the furnace of the war to end all wars, fading from his universe to another. Many lives were lost before him and many would do so after him, but John Edward Law, an ordinary person in his own world went somewhere different from the rest of them.
Somewhere where he could be special and even important. Somewhere where this time he could succeed . Somewhere that’d he’d hoped at first was simply a fever dream.
Get up... Hurry, need to hurry... W- Why won’t my legs move? Come on... Move, John... Message, message needs to get out, to them, to help, or... or else everyone is dead... Move it... Damn it… move it... John thought as consciousness slowly returned to him though he could see nothing but pure blackness.
He could feel his limbs, but couldn’t move them as they each felt as if they weighed a thousand pounds. He couldn’t open his eyelids either. After what felt like hours, he was finally able to open his eyes for a split second and could barely make out someone standing at the end of his bed. He tried to ask where he was, but it just came out as a low, quiet moan. He heard someone gasp, and a clatter, as if they had dropped something metal.
“Doctor? Doctor, he’s awake!” he heard a female voice call out before the sound of someone rushing in. The voices talked in what sounded like hushed whispers for a moment before heavy footsteps approached him. Then it hit him. I must be in a hospital , he thought excitedly. The message must have gotten through. They rescued me, and everyone else! Thank god, we’ve been saved!.... How though? Did I just forget making it? No, how could I?.... Maybe I passed out from exhaustion once I told them. That has to be it, has to be.
The footsteps stopped at, what seemed to him, right next to the head of his bed before a male voice spoke. “Hello? Can you hear me? Make any sort of movement if you can hear me.” He tried to move his arm up, but was barely able to wiggle it. Everything was quiet for a moment before the footsteps got further away, and then there were more hushed whispers between, what John assumed, was a doctor and a nurse. Once they finished talking, he heard them leaving the room.
For what felt like years John tried to move or open his eyes, only to barely do either, and whenever he tried to speak it simply came out as a low moan or grunt. Eventually though a lot of people seemed to enter the room, judging from the loudness of the footsteps. Dead silence reigned back in the room eventually. John lay there, anxious to finally move or speak, so he tried again. “Where… Am….I?” he asked hoarsely.
The silence continued until a calm female voice spoke. “Do you know who you are?” John had to think for nearly a minute before managing to speak his answer.
“John… Edward… Law,” he replied in a rough, low voice. After another seeming eternity he heard more hushed whispers. “Am… Am I saved?” he asked, and the whispers ceased.
“What... What do you mean ‘saved’?” a young and curious female voice asked, after a moment of utter silence.
“Me…. Me and my company. We were stuck and alone in the forest for days,” he answered slowly, finding it easier and easier to speak, even if did hurt. “We couldn’t get a message through, and we were stuck behind the german line. But me or someone else must have gotten one through or else…. or else I’d be dead….. and so would the others.”
As he finished he tried to open his eyes again, and managed to see six blurry figures staring at him from the end of his bed. Two were in red and white, and he naturally assumed they were the doctor and the nurse, but the others were in strange colors from what he could tell. One appearing to be in white and gold while the one next to her wore all dark blue and black. Another seemed to be dressed in something pink, and the smallest one of the odd color figures had on light purple colour. He shut his eyes as they started hurting from the light that streamed in from a window in the corner of the room. Must just be my eyes playing tricks on me with the light. he rationalized.
The whispers continued as he built up strength to open his eyes again, and eventually he was able to keep them open long enough for them to focus a bit more. No one seemed to notice that he was staring wildly at them, trying to bring them into better focus. He blinked a few times and was able to open his eyes without waiting, only for him to believe they were lying to him. At the edge of his bed stood six horses!
His eyes bugged out of his head when he was able to make out the shapes of the figures. He closed his eyes for a full minute and reopened them again, only to be greeted with the same equine shapes.
Four legs, tails, hooves, and…… wings?! This can’t be real! I must be dreaming, John thought frantically as he closed his eyes again. Maybe everything before was a dream and I’m laid up in bed because….. Because, because I caught something real bad like… Like the influenza or smallpox and now I’m in a sick hospital. Maybe my fever is making me dream funny. He began shaking himself in an effort to wake himself up from this strange dream, but heard the whispers stop as another voice spoke.
“What’s he doing?” a caring but nervous female voice said suddenly as he shook “Is.. Is it hurt?
Wake up. Wake up. Wake up! He thought over and over again as a strange warm energy washed over his chest, holding him in place. “Come on, wake up. This is just a dream. This cannot be real. This can’t be happening!” he mumbled as he opened his eyes to see the biggest of the horses staring at him with some odd glow at the end of a horn sticking out from its head. “W-What are you?” he demanded, in as loud of a voice he could muster as he struggled against the force.
“Calm down. Neither I nor anyone here has any intention of hurting you,” it said in a calming, crystalline, female voice. “While this may not be a dream, you are in no danger anymore. You’re safe.”
For some reason, John felt calmed by its words and began relaxing even though he never lost eye contact with it. After he’d stopped moving the warm energy dissipated, and he nervously spoke to it.
“What are you? An-And who are you?”
“I am Princess Celestia, co-ruler of the land of Equestria-”
“Who are you? Why are you here? You are not what we expected.” The slightly smaller horse thing next to the one talking interrupted while looking at him quizzically and with an icy stare
“Sister!” The bigger one said angrily as it turned to face the smaller one who backed away, looking down.
“I’m am sorry, dear sister, but these are important questions. Why is he here? Who is he? Or better yet, what even is he?” The smaller one continued as it back away.
“Perhaps we should answer some of his questions first, Luna. I’m sure the poor thing has plenty.” The pink said as it put a hoof on the smaller ones shoulder.
“Y-Yeah, plenty.” John stammered out.
***1 day later***
“So, I have another question for you.”
John internally groaned as he was laying on the hospital bed, as the princess got ready to jot down another answer on top of the numerous questions she’d already asked. From the biology of a human, to their behavior and even mating habits ‘That was a somewhat awkward conversation’ . “What do you wanna know now?” he asked.
John had tried to fake being tired or sleeping to avoid answering the relentless, living questionnaire. However, this seemed to only provoke the purple unicorn. The last time he had faked falling asleep, she watched him from the door with a floating scroll and a quill above her, just staring with her horn glowing a dim purple and jotting down notes. Needless to say, he wouldn’t be sleeping in her presence for a while.
“I’ve been curious about it since you arrived. From what I’ve gathered you were in a conflict with other members of your species. Why fight each other so… viciously?” Twilight inquired, head tilted at a slight angle in curiosity.
“I’d rather not discuss it right now. Any other questions you have?” John said, eyes looking haunted and tired. He gave her a small smile. “Perhaps we should talk about something… a bit different?”
“Ummm, alright. Well, how old are you and where do you come from?” Twilight replied, looking down on her list of questions. “I haven’t asked that one yet, mostly because I assumed the answer to your birthplace would make little sense to me, and I worried that asking your age might be considered rude amongst your species.”
“It’s not rude at all. I’m twenty three and I’m from Albany, New York.” John said, feeling another question about his answer coming “Albany’s a city in the state of New York which is in the United States of America in case you were wondering. My homeland and country of origin.” He interrupted as soon as she opened her mouth, then closed it and returned to writing down his answer, and most likely checking more questions. Though her questions were certainly tiring and gave him unexpected pangs of homesickness, these ‘ponies’ as they called themselves had kept him safe, fed and healthy. Those were three things he hadn’t had in what felt like ages, so it was fair to answer a few questions in return for their kindness, even if it hurt a little.
Even so, the constant barrage of questions from Twilight were starting to drive him a bit insane by the one sidedness of the situation. There’s no one to answer the questions I have and I really want to ask. What happened to the others? Did they make it out? Are they alive? Or are they dead while I’m here, safe and warm, eating the best food I’ve gotten in months while they rot and die in the mu-. He shook his head, trying to dislodge the nightmarish thoughts.
He’d grown a lot stronger over the past day, managing to move his limbs quicker and easier with what felt like every passing hour. All except his left leg strangely. He hadn’t tried to move it or even feel it at all, but he chocked it up to it being in a splint and being asleep… Still, his curiosity was getting the better of him. As he was slowly moving his hands over to his legs, Twilight gave his hand a light rap with her hoof. “Sorry, John. Don’t touch that.”
John frowned slightly at her, “Why not? I’m not going to mess with the cast. I just want to make sure it’s alright. Maybe scratch it a bit, it’s really itchy.”
Twilight looked at him then his leg nervously. “I guess you’ve had enough questions, haven’t you? I’ll let you get some sleep now,” Twilight said quickly, as she walked towards the door. “Sleep well John,” she said, as she turned off the light and walked out.
John watched her leave with a frown on his face. This hadn’t been the first time this happened. When the pink one had been here she had done almost the exact same thing, leaving as soon as… as the subject of his legs came up. His frown deepened as he looked over the covers, a slight sensation of wrongness settling in the back of his mind. His hand reached over them, ready to pull them off, and hesitated.
This is ridiculous , he thought. I can deal with a broken leg. He half sat on the bed, pushing his torso up, that unsettling sense growing deeper, and got a handful of the white covers. He took a deep breath, not knowing why, and pulled them away.
His left leg was gone. Everything below his knee was missing. All he saw was a thick mass of white bandages, covering the end of a stump.
His mind refused to believe what he saw. He blinked, rubbed his eyes, counted backwards from ten, everything he could think of to try and make it not real , but the lower portion of his leg didn’t magically reappear. He sat staring, his mouth hung open and his jaw quivering, for what must have been hours or mere seconds before he let out a startled, pained yell. He reached over and touched the stump to make sure it wasn’t an illusion. He felt the bandages that were wrapped tightly around the stump and pain when his shaking hand pressed too hard. “It’s… gone?” he said to himself, eyes wide in horror. “Oh God, my leg. Where is my leg? ”
Memories came flooding back of everything that had taken place before he appeared at this place. He remembered the dull sensation of being lifted in the air, and crashing on the naked ground. He remembered the sound as an unexploded shell finally fulfilled its purpose, and he remembered the overwhelming pain that his mind ignored, refusing to accept what had happened. The full gravity of his situation set in, and he felt dizzy as he began hyperventilating, still staring at the stump that was now his reality.
The door slammed open as Twilight ran back in the room, noticing the lights were still on, and John staring at his stump, seemingly oblivious to her sudden entrance. She ran to his side, trying to get his attention.
“John, it’s me, Twilight. John, I know it is bad, but please, you don’t have to worry... Can you talk to me, John?” Twilight asked in concern, uneasiness settling in her voice when she failed to get any response from John at all. Not even a hint of movement beside his chest moving up and down, clearly on the verge of panic.
‘’John, I’m going to get the princesses, they’ll know what to do,”she tried to assure him before running off to notify them. She ran back out the door, shouting instructions, and a nurse quickly walked in to watch over him.
John barely registered Twilight’s presence at all. His mind was full of incoherent thoughts, noises, and faces, in a blur of hazy pictures and sequences. Almost playing out like one of the films he’d seen in a cinema before, where there was no color or sound. Just choppy and odd movements from the people around him and in his memories. Eventually he either fell asleep or lost consciousness with one final thought. I never made it to the trees. I didn’t make it.
I didn’t get help to them.
***2 Days Later***
“Sister, we must talk about this… Human creature.” Luna said as she walked into the room where she and her sister usually talked after daily court was done, even though it had been cancelled for a week now as preparations for their defense took over most of the two alicorns’ time.
“What about him, Luna?” Celestia quietly asked, her attention seemingly sunk into papers spread in front of her.
“Celestia, he has done nothing but lay in his bed for the past two days. The doctors tell me he only stops staring at that wall to eat or be bathed. He has done nothing, and yet he is who the spell brought us.” Luna answered and her sister sighed in response. “Twilight has been asking him every question imaginable, and, for as long as he answered at least, apart from the strangeness of his species and culture there is nothing to suggest he’s a special individual by any means. Cadance tries her best to get him to talk since he found out about his leg, but he simply hums odd tunes, and claims he’s useless. All he speaks of is how he let everyone else down and how he should be dead. Why is he, a crippled and unknown being, the one the spell brought instead of the one we desperately need?”
“Neither I nor anyone else can or could answer that question, and you know it Luna. Why it brought him I don’t know, but the magic of the spell must have had some reason or else it wouldn’t have. Hopefully that reason reveals itself soon, before those ‘horses’ finish celebrating their bloody victory,” Celestia said as she rubbed her temples, which Luna knew was a sign to leave her be. “And I do believe you’re being too cross with him, Luna. Give him some time. Don’t forget that only moments before we pulled him into our world he was full bodied and fighting for his life. Now please, I have a lot to do and need a moment alone.”
Luna felt anger and resent for the human creature as she left her sister's study, but it was soon put down by the guilt that swamped her instead, wondering if it was likely that it was they that may have caused the human to lose his leg or forced his comrades to face their doom. The spell was supposed to pull in the long dead, and instead they got a human that was very obviously still alive and bleeding. If the spell had caught him sooner, could his leg have been saved? And if they got him later, could he found a way to save his fellows?
Celestia looked back down at the papers in front of her, just beginning to sort them out when a knock came from the door. With a sigh of frustration, she opened the door with her magic to reveal Cadance who seemed near panic. Celestia knew that her own appearance was not that much different, a far cry from how she usually was, with her disheveled mane and the stress showing hints of her true age on her face.
“Yes, Cadance? What is you need?” She asked, much sharper than intended.
“Aunt Celestia, what are we going to do about those ‘Horses’? Do we have a new plan?” Cadance asked, in the most panicked voice Celestia had ever heard from her. Not even during the wedding invasion or when Sombra had returned had she heard a voice like that from the young princess. “The spell didn’t work, so now what will we do? That was our resort to give ourselves a better fighting chance!”
“Cadance, calm down.” Celestia said in a tired voice. “Panic will not help us now, and it seems the human that the spell summoned will not either. We didn’t gain what we hoped, but we didn’t lose anything at the very least. Nothing changed. We must simply defend Equestria ourselves.”
“How? The only experienced forces I have to spare is the Crystal Guard, and they’re nothing more than an honor guard. Even if they weren’t, there’s nowhere near enough of them to make an impact.”
“What of the Crystal Empire's regular citizens? Surely, they are more accustomed to war that the citizens of modern Equestria,” Celestia suggested, only for Cadance to frantically shake her head.
“They are accustomed to the horrors of war, aunt Celestia, not waging them. Whatever forces the Crystal Empire had, apart from the Crystal Guard, were wiped out by King Sombra in his madness, afraid of any threat to his power. They are untrained citizens, aunt Celestia, that are still hurt in their way. They aren’t soldiers.”
“Then what do you suggest for me to do?” Celestia snapped, and Cadance flinched “We have few options, Cadance. Equestria is ill prepared for war, and has been for a long time. Its citizens already panic at the mere mention of a serious conflict such as this,” she ended with a tired sigh as her head fell into her hooves. “At this point either I force a conscription and try to stop the Horses by throwing my ponies bodies at them or I keep them happy and in the dark until they are hounded out of their homes. If they’re lucky.”
“You mean they don’t know?” Cadance asked in surprise
“I’ve done my best to make sure the news doesn’t spread. There are rumors of course, but they have no idea of exactly what we face. I’m sure if they did, it would not end well.” Celestia said quietly “Especially if they knew we had no plan. But the rumors are growing every day, Cadance, and I can’t keep it hidden much longer. I wanted to tell them when we had a plan, but we don’t!”
Cadance was quiet as she walked up to the old princess, wrapping her front hooves around Celestia in a caring hug, and whispered into her ear. “Maybe it’d be better if they found out from you instead of another way. They are going to find out anyway, aunt Celestia, you might as well let them know now so that they may prepare. I think you’ll find most are braver than you think.”
Luna quickly made her way to the hospital wing of the palace, thoughts of this kind swirling in her head, knowing fully how useless asking these questions was and yet unable to stop herself. She walked into the human's room where he lay like she had been told, still staring blankly at the bare wall. She sat on her haunches at the end of the human's bed, and sighed.
“Why did the spell bring you instead of a strong warrior? Why bring you , a human, injured in soul and body, when we needed the guiding hoof of a general?” She spoke aloud, not expecting a response. “… Was it our spell that harmed you? And if so, why? Did it cause you to lose your leg? Does the responsibility for it lies with us-” She was cut off by him talking in slow and shaky voice.
“You didn’t hurt me,” he said, finally showing his awareness that someone was in the room with him. During the last couple of days, the human had tuned everything out, until this moment. “I’m sorry. L-Luna was it? I…. I think I was already hurt.”
Luna was amazed. The only interactions she had with him where she actually heard a sound come from his throat, apart from the day he appeared, was when she had visited him one night, drawn by the sound of his screams in his fevered sleep. She had tried entering his dreams, but was unable to do so. The current state of his mind had proven to be restricting and unyielding, barring the entrance to his dreamscape with metaphorical iron bars, and what she had managed to see by peeking through them would have been enough to haunt almost anypony else. Yet now here he was, talking to her when even the friendliness of Twilight Sparkle and the soothing, unmitigated compassion of Cadance had failed.
“What do you mean, human?” Luna asked, leaning forward in anticipation.
“John,” the human reprimanded her, softly. “My name’s John. I’m sure it wasn’t you. I… I don’t remember that much, but I’m sure.”
“What do you remember then? John . What’s the latest event you remember, John?” Luna asked, the name rolling strange upon her tongue.
“I remember... I remember seeing my best friend killed. He was right next to me. Fighting, yelling, and screaming curses and profanities at the germans, like me. Fighting the good fight, for the spirit of liberty, and all that.” His tone seemed more bitter before softening back to what it was before, almost as if he found trouble with the words he’d just spoken “Just like everyone else. Then he went silent and he took a step back or… or fell backwards, leaning on the wall of dirt behind us. I didn’t even notice it till I asked him a question, and didn’t get a response. He just laid there. I don’t even know how long it had been. I don’t know when he died. Now that I’m here, I’m glad I didn’t take his dog tags so his family can know...”
His expression was blank and unmoving as he paused for a moment while he breathed deeply to calm himself. Except for his eyes. He squinted and blinked a few times, holding back the physical proof of his pain that threatened to emerge, before continuing on in a haunted voice.
“I remember being hungry, thirsty, and tired. Oh God, I was so exhausted. I also remember a message, someone giving it to me. His face is just… it’s just a wild blur in my mind. I remember running. Running through gunfire and exploding shells, then stepping on something hard underneath the brush, followed by a boom right below me. I.. I went through the air, I remember that now. Then the landing, face first. It hurt, but… it wasn’t my head that hurt, I think. Everything hurt, but there was something else as well. I remember crawling to a tree after trying to stand only to fall on my left side. Everything fades after that. I only remember smelling gunpowder and thinking of home before…before it all went black.”
Luna sat quietly, her own experiences with the horrors of the battlefield telling her to wait, to give… John a moment to collect himself. She sat and said nothing, giving only the comfort of a listening ear and a friendly presence.
John sighed, his whole body deflating before he continued. “Then all of a sudden there’s a huge flash of white, a loud ringing noise, and this weird warm feeling before the blackness came again.”
He moved his head to look at Luna, tears finally welling free in his eyes, with a near heartbroken look on his face. “I don’t think you caused me to lose my leg. I don’t know anything besides that I’m a cripple, and that I failed every single one of my friends, still stuck in that forest. I failed at the one thing I volunteered to do. It was my job, they were my brothers, and I failed them.”
Luna felt her own heart skirt at the pain of that declaration. Many of the words and terms he used were a complete unknown to her, but the underlying feelings, the tragedy, the loss, were all too familiar to her, even if faded by the long passage of time.
“You aren’t useless. From what I understand you were put in an impossible situation, yet despite that you didn’t hesitate. You attempted to do what had to be done for the sake of your fellow soldiers. Whether you succeeded or not… that is secondary. You did your best. I think… I think you might be able to help me and my sister after all,” she blurted out and… John’s expression changed into a look of confusion.
“How? How could I possibly help you? I’m just a crippled soldier. I can’t even walk anymore. You said so yourself that I wasn’t who you needed or wanted. I’m here by mistake. I’m alive because some mishap miracle.”
Luna mulled over the human's words for a minute before speaking again. She spoke the first thing that popped into her mind, driven by bitterly gained experience, trying to give not comfort but purpose. “Perhaps you aren’t exactly who we need, but… perhaps the spell had a reason to bring you instead. We just don’t know why yet.” She looked at the hu- John , she mentally corrected herself. He looked unconvinced, but the unfocused stare was gone, for now at least.
“The doctors say you can try and walk with crutches,” Luna continued firmly before he could revert to his old behavior. “You won’t know if you can help unless you get out of this bed and try.”
He seemed deep in thought for a moment before reluctantly nodding.
“Alright. I’ll give a shot at the crutches at least. It beats having the nurse bring me a bucket every time,” he said as he sat up and threw his blankets and sheets off of himself. He reluctantly looked at the stump that the doctors had rebandaged after stitching together what was left only three days before. His stare threatened to become foggy again, lost into pain he could do nothing about once more, until Luna used her magic to force him to look away. He didn’t complain like he normally did when forced to move by magic, but simply looked at her with a troubled expression.
“You will do this. Repeat that to yourself.” She said firmly, and she left to tell the doctors to go ahead with supplying him with crutches and helping him walk before this brief surge of courage left him again, atrophied by the loneliness of his thoughts. She stopped at the door. “My condolences for your losses. All of them. But I have to make sure that my ponies face as little of the torment that you have. And perhaps, just perhaps, you’d prefer it if you could stop somepony from seeing their own best friend die. I wouldn’t say this if I didn’t believe you had the strength or the courage. But first…”
Willpower glinted in the back of tired eyes. “Walk,” John finished for her.
***A few hours later***
John had gotten somewhat used to walking with his new makeshift crutches. He was saying walk, but it was actually more like a broken shuffle, due to him being much taller than the average pony. The doctors had managed to tape and cannibalize two pairs just to reach his armpits and although awkward, his new shuffle was far better than being unable to walk. He’d nearly fallen over several times already, Luna catching him and providing a bit of support with her magic when he had first tried walking, but as he continued to use them, they were starting to feel more natural, albeit a bit uncomfortable as they dug into the soft flesh under his shoulders. The blue colored princess had assured him he would get used to it soon enough.
He followed the princesses through the halls of the palace or castle they lived in. He marveled at the sheer size and beauty of it all, especially since the ponies he’d seen were so small, and even Celestia, who was the tallest of the princesses he’d seen, only stood a few inches taller than him while she was on all fours. The inside of this castle reminded him of some of the French chateaus the generals and officers would requisition as their personal quarters, living in comfort far from the fighting and squalor of the front lines, but even they paled in comparison to what he now saw in scale and beauty.
He stared curiously at the various ponies in brightly shining, gold painted armor that came to attention as the princesses passed them by, never taking their eyes off of him, and he felt they were ready to stick him with their swords and pikes should he try anything. The fact that they thought he could actually do something, other than smacking one of the princesses on the shins with his crutches, made him feel a little better.
He lagged a bit behind, stumbling on a tile raised a little higher than the others while trying to step forward with his crutches first, and almost landing on his chin again. Luna noticed him falling behind and waited for him to catch up. He nodded as he joined her at her side, greatful that’d she’d stopped and waited for him.
“So,this palace is where you live and those guys are your guards I assume?” he asked while acknowledging one of the ponies in armor standing nearby with a nod.
“You are correct. Me and my sister live here, as well as perform our royal duties. Twilight and Cadance have their lodgings elsewhere and deal with... duties more relevant to their talents and disposition, so to speak,” Luna responded as she looked up at him. “Tell me, do you have any royalty where you are from? I have to confess that I tuned Twilight out when she was going over the answers you gave her. Though I love her like a sister, she does have a talent for making ponies fall asleep even greater than mine, and she does it with no magic to begin with.”
John chuckled lightly at that, “In some places, yes. They’re mostly for show though, not really having a hand in governing. However, the country I’m from is a democracy so we don’t have even that.”
“I see,” Luna said, unsure of what the term democracy meant, but not did want to bother him with even more questions. “As for the answer your other question, John, yes, those are our guards, tasked primarily with protecting me and my sister and keeping the peace in the palace.”
“I getcha.” John said, wanting his real question answered. “So, what’s so important that you all have to ask me outside of my hospital room?” He asked and Luna turned away from him and did not speak again for a moment of awkward silence.
“It is better if we all explain it to you all at once and away from other ponies. Do not worry, we feel that you can help despite what you may think.” She finally replied, leaving John unsatisfied and with a small frown on his face, but he decided not to push it for now.
Eventually they entered what seemed to be a large study and approached the middle of the room where a large chair sat on one side of a large table, which John assumed was there so that he could sit down since ponies didn’t seem to sit in chairs as often as just sitting on their haunches.
“Please, sit and down and relax, John,” Celestia said in her calm and reassuring voice that she usually used when talking to him, but something felt off about it. An edge of nervousness perhaps?
John didn’t think more about it as he sat down. He set his crutches on either side of the soft but somewhat uncomfortable chair, while the princess stood across from him, looking almost anxious. “So, what’s the big news you all have to tell me?” he asked as he looked at each of them, an expectant and curious look on his now clean shaven face.
The princesses all gave each other a nervous glance before Celestia cleared her throat and spoke, “Well, you John, Equestria is in a…. desperate situation. Enemies stand at our doorsteps ready to invade while we are unprepared for any sort of war.” She said before Luna interrupted her
“We have had peace for one thousand years. We do have leaders and generals of course, however they lack in one most important thing, experience and being ready to take charge. You however seem to come from a society much more war-like and from what you say, you yourself are an experienced warrior, if what Twilight told me is correct.” Luna said, then gave a pause for her words to set in “I know that more conflict is most likely the last thing you want, especially after what you’ve been through but… we need help.”
John was silent and looked at all of them with a blank expression for a moment, before finally speaking in low, shaky voice. “Please, please tell me this is a joke. Please let this be some cruel damn joke,” he said, his voice getting steadily louder. “Because if it is, it isn’t very funny. I did not die in one war only to die in another!” He shouted, grabbing his crutches and standing up.
“How dare you? How fucking dare you! I went through hell once, and I did it for my country, I did because I had to, I did for others of my kind. And you now want to drag me back into another for… for a reason I don’t even know, for people I don’t know? No! Whatever you want, stuff it! This war is yours, not mine!”
“But entire cities and families could be slaughtered!” Twilight exclaimed in shock. “How could you just let that happen?”
“You think I didn’t have a family or a life or loved ones? I was ripped away from it all once by a war and now you all want to drag me into another! No! No way!” John yelled at her angrily and Twilight shrank back from him
“Please understand that we never intended to bring you here, but if there is a way you could-” Celestia began but was soon cut off.
“How? How could I help you! I’m one man, and crippled at that. I’m no use in a fight now! I don’t care what you say, I’m not letting you throw me as another body in a war that isn’t mine! Not that’d it’d do you much anyway.”
“No, that isn’t what we actually want...” Cadance responded meekly
“What you want? You think it matters what you want? I was just a grunt among thousands. Passed a shovel to dig miles of trenches in the mud, given a gun and told to shoot in a single direction till some general miles away from the fighting decided today was a good to launch an offensive at the enemy. We’d get cut to blood smeared ribbons usually and retreat, while being shot at in the back. But every once in awhile, we’d break through and just dig in there and hold off a counter attack and vice versa. Rinse and repeat, with lack of supplies, the rotting smell of your friends and brothers getting worse every single day! We can’t even recover the bodies without getting shot at, so we’re forced to let the rats get them.” He ranted as he stared at the ground, his voice becoming much softer and sounding haunted.
He continued, on much more quiet than before, almost a whisper. “Imagine, sitting in the ground all day with nothing to hear but the moans of wounded men, your comrades shouting in pain, and over them is the whizz, bang and pop of shells. This goes on for days and you never peek your head over the top, lest it get taken off by a sniper. Until one day, while you’ll sleeping, someone wakes you in the early morning and tells you that everyone’s going over the top. You get up, go eat the slop that could very well be your last meal then do whatever you can to calm your nerves for the 2 hours you have left. Chat, drink, play cards, write a letter home or just sit there. Whatever it takes to take your mind off the upcoming onslaught. Now imagine that hell but over and over and over till you either bite it, get hurt so bad they send you home, or simply stop minding it all and accept it. Or if you're lucky, you break for good and they don’t send you home in a box or a basket. Just a messed up head and bad memories.” he finally finished, collapsing into the chair while his crutches clattered to the ground
The princesses were horrified at his description and silently gaped at him.
“T-That must be impossible,” Twilight finally said in disbelief, breaking the silence. “Surely it must be impossible to fight for that long without someone giving up and breaking away.”
“Impossible huh? If only you were right.” He replied in a shaky and tired voice before another long silence that was eventually broken by Luna
“I understand why you would never want to experience any sort of conflict after going through all of that. Nopony would. And we don’t ask you to.” She approached him slowly and he shook his head, as if denying what she said, refusing to believe her. “What we ask you is to help us so that Equestria’s citizens will not have to face such loss and hardship.”
“I am not… I don’t want to fight again. Never again.” John said, feeling the last reserves of his strength leaving him. He hadn’t even known he felt that way, but now that the words came out of his mouth, he knew them to be true. All he wanted was to… to lie down and rest. Lie down forever and never get back up, never feel pain or hurt again.
“You don’t need to fight for us, we simply believe you could give us the tools to stand a better chance.” Celestia said as she walked up beside her sister. “From what Twilight tells us, and your own descriptions, your kind’s weapons of war are beyond our wildest dreams.” She finished explaining, and John was silent for a moment before he starting chuckled maniacally. His chuckling eventually grew to full blown laughter and him wheezing for breath as he clutched his side, but eventually he calmed down enough to answer the stunned princesses.
“You-you assume I know anything about weapon manufa… heh…” John began laughing all over again, clutching his chest and bending over. “Air, oh God, I need air!...Okay, okay, I can talk again... Look, even if I wanted to help you do that, I can’t. I barely know how my rifle works, and that’s only to clean it. I couldn’t tell you how to make one or even make the parts for one! Let alone everything else. The aeroplanes, the armoured landships and the masses of artillery? I only know how they kill, maim and what they look like, not how they work. So even if I would help, I can’t. At least not with the construction of weapons, besides what scant little I know of my rifle. What the hell is this war about anyway, huh? Care to tell?”
“Sister, it will be easier for him to understand if we show him exactly what is happening.” Luna told her sister and Celestia nodded in agreement
“Perhaps you are correct Luna. Please, follow us John.” as they both walked towards the door.
John gritted his teeth but reluctantly nodded. “Fine. Guess I don’t have much of a choice now do I? Lead on.” he got up slowly with his crutches and hobbled after them while Twilight and Cadance looked at each other nervously, both looking rather upset after what they’d heard.
The princesses led him to what looked to him a hastily put together war room, with a map of ‘Equestria’, as they called it, hanging on the wall. On the large table in the middle of the room was a much larger map, depicting other strange lands and landscapes surrounding Equestria. He could see just how big it was and how many different cities it had, he noticed all the different blocks and pins used to represent various Equestrian forces. All of the territory surrounding Equestria was marked in red and a large amount of red blocks were around and in a particular city, not that far from the border
“G-Griffon… Grriffonstone?” He said aloud as he read the name of the city aloud. “What kind of a name of that?” He asked as he began reading the names of Equestrian cities. “What the- Canterlot? Manehatten? Fillydelphia?”
“Is there a problem with the names of our proud cities?” Celestia asked as she watched his eyes scan the map
“They don’t make any sense is the problem.I mean, what kind of a name is Cloudsdale? Or Appleloosa?” John asked as he read before a realization hit him and he nearly facepalmed “They’re horse puns.Goddamn horse puns.”
“Excuse me? How dare you compare us to the horse's!” Luna snapped before seeing the true look of confusion on John’s face and blushed in embarrassment “Apologies, we have not explained who we face have we?”
“We have not explained anything to him sister. Though I am confused by his statement as well, he is probably much more confused by yours.” Celestia said as John turned to face her
“Finally going to tell what the heck is going on?” He asked with a raised eyebrow “I’ve been waiting for a while to know.”
“Yes, we are going to explain and apologize for not explaining earlier, but… we wanted to make sure you could take it. But, that is beside the point.” Celestia said before taking a deep breath “All of our allies and neighbors have been conquered, one by one. Each powerless to stop their advance. When our closest ally was threatened by their wrath, they asked for us assistance we gave them what we could muster. We had been careless and had ignored the threat for long as possible, so we were not prepared for any sort of fighting. The troops we gave them were… butchered, for lack of a better word, along with their own and so the Griffon capital fell in less than a month. Luna saw the fighting herself and was even wounded during the retreat of what few ponies remained after holding the enemy as long as possible, allowing Griffonstone’s citizens to escape. Now, Equestria stands alone against this horrible threat. I am no general and neither is my sister nor Cadance or Twilight, so we attempted to bring a great, ancient general back from the cold grip of death to help. But it seems even that has failed as the spell we used brought you. So now we still stand alone with no help and I have no choice but to sentence many innocent ponies to die with little hope of victory.” She finished solemnly, leaving John stunned at what she had described. He couldn’t believe what she said but he knew it had to be true with how she and her sister both looked right now.
How can I help though? How could I help them? I’m crippled and near useless in a fight, I don’t know a damn thing about making weapons and I have no reason to help. He thought, trying to convince himself to not offer to help, which was a growing feeling in the pit of his stomach. But he thought about the reason he’d given his family for enlisting. “I’m doing this to keep innocent people and their families safe. I can’t just stay here and watch them die and be driven from their homes. I may be but a single man, but every bit helps.” He remembered saying to his crying mother as she embraced him, her eldest child and only son
He was silent as he thought back on this memory, thinking of how honestly he’d meant those words when he could have easily stayed. When you told her those words, you truly meant it.
After that final, resounding thought he sighed and began slowly looking over the maps laid out in front of him, the feeling in his stomach shrinking away slowly, while the sisters were quiet, letting him think clearly on what to say
“We aren’t entirely sure, but it is rumored to be the mysterious ‘horses’. Normally they are squabbling tribes from a harsh wasteland in the far east, fighting with each other over what few resources they have. Why they strike now nopony knows but they are fierce and vicious warriors and live in the toughest of conditions, faster and stronger than even the strongest of Earth ponies could be physically but they lack the abilities of unicorns or pegasi. From what I’ve seen of their tactics, it seems to involve sudden strikes and mobility. That is all we know.” Luna said, taking note of the confused look on John’s face.
“Horses? But I thought you were all horses?” He said, slowly shaking his head trying to understand what he’d just heard
“They are believed to be distant cousins of ponies by a few scholars who have witnesses them in their home habitat but as far as we know, ponies and horses are completely differently.” Luna explained
“I… Never mind.” John said as he searched his mind for a question they could answer over the plenty he knew they couldn’t “How long do you have until they attack? Your border don’t look so far on that map over there.” He said, nodding at the map on the table
“They have not yet begun marching towards Equestria, as they are still celebrating their bloody victory over the Griffons, but it would take them less than a few weeks to march from Griffonstone to The Crystal Empire if unopposed or stopped.” Celestia said as she pointed at the Equestrian city, which John couldn’t help but find the name stranger than the rest. His eyes scanned the map and noticed something near a town named Trottingham.
“Hey, wait a second,” He said, catching the attention of both of the princesses “see that railway bridge near Trot-Trottingham? Looks like their easiest way into your borders. You could hold them up there, it’d buy yah some time.” He said pointing at the bridge in question, drawing the eye of both the princesses.
“We planned to hold them outside of Equestrian borders.” Luna explained as she motioned at the blue blocks set around somewhere called Griffonstone station.
“It is better to not allow them closer to Equestria, lest it cause panic.” Celestia told John as he frowned and shook his head “Something wrong?”
“Wouldn’t it be better to bottleneck them? You could concentrate your forces on your side of the bridge, your best units in front with archers and artillery behind them to rain down hell on the enemy with reserves waiting as a stop gap should they break the front ranks.” He said as he began moving the blocks around with his hands while resting on his crutches. Once he’d finished, no Equestrian forces were on the other bank with most being placed around the bride and others further back in reserve. “See? Even if they do break onto the other bank, you have fresh units to drive them back.”
The princesses looked at each other and both could tell the other was thinking about the humans plan.
“Celly, do you think it would work?” Luna whispered to her older sister “He certainly makes a good point, even if it does not address every possibility. Maybe he knows more than he lets on.”
“I agree sister, perhaps his plan could work. But what if it doesn’t? What will we do?” Celestia whispered back before clearing her throat and asking aloud “And what if our forces are routed? What will we do?”
“Wait, you mean that’s all you have?”
“I am afraid so.”
John sighed deeply as he slumped for a second before standing up straight, “Ok, not much to work with. We’ll worry about that soon because I need a moment to think about all this as I suddenly feel very tired.”
The princesses looked at each other and Luna cleared her throat, “You are aware we don’t have much time before they strike correct?”
“I know but I need some rest and time to process this all. After that, I can think clearly.” He said with a yawn as tiredness hit him like a brick wall even though he hadn’t been up that long but he chalked it up to his body getting used to moving around again and mental fatigue
“Of course, of course. You can sleep in a royal guest room as I’m sure you’ll enjoy that much more than your hospital bed.”
“Thank you. And don’t worry, we’ll definitely figure out a way to defeat these, ummm, horse things.” He said in as sincere a tone as he could muster after the little briefing he’d been through and hoped they bought it. He sure as hell didn’t.
Author's Note
(If you're curios what map I'm using when I write this,the here is a link:https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uj5l0C_W9Ps/Vh9gxWnaXKI/AAAAAAAAA98/kYLCGxpkHmI/s1600/eq_map.jpg )
Day 6- October 10(?), 1918
Journal of Private John Edward Law
First day of writing and almost my first week here as well. Lord knows how I’ve stayed sane since I find myself not only crippled but forced to help my savior's in a conflict I cannot fathom the cause or reason of.
From what they tell me it seems mere bloodshed and invasion for the sake of it. They tell me of places inhabited by creatures of myth or imagination, as if a country of “Equestrians” could get any weirder, they tell me of Gryphons, zebras and something they call a “diamond dog”. Lord doesn’t even know how or why.
All have been crushed or absorbed by this enemy and were seemingly much more prepared for it. In another talk, I learned they have a mere five hundred guards stationed throughout their nation, of which nearly half police their capital, with only fifteen hundred active “troops” (all green of course) and only six thousand reservists readily available for specialist training or deployment. That’s a mere eight thousand inexperienced men (stallions maybe?) along with their only allies, to the north of which the enemy must march through to reach ‘Equestria’ proper, with forces of roughly a thousand or so more.
I have no idea what I’m to do next
John stopped writing, looking over his words on the parchment. He'd thought writing the facts down would make him feel better or at least give him some sort of clue on how to proceed next. Let him think on a larger picture or, if he was lucky, wake up from whatever dream he was in from seeing just how silly this all was.
Sitting at the desk, bathed in candlelight as well moonlight as that poured through his curtains, he felt that his words were cynical at best and defeatist at worst.
He had considered tearing away the page and starting over but decided against it. Knowing that it'd change little, only a temporary solution to pause his thoughts at most. Thinking too much was one of the reasons he was up, to begin with despite the fact that it was very early in the morning. It also didn’t help that the recurring nightmares he’d been having lately still plagued him on even such a calm night.
He sighed as he put the quill back in its well and leaned back in his chair, looking around the dark room at just how lavish and big it was, maybe even better than the chief of staff's quarters, which made him smile a bit before he thought about his room back home.
It made his constant homesickness more present as he remembered each and every little detail. The filled bookcase, the various old toys he no longer played with but had kept for maybe his own children one day, the bed that had been small for him since he was 14... things he'd never see or touch or smell again... and how he longed for the sounds of his little sister to rouse him from this dream...
Shaking his head, trying to dislodge the thoughts of home and of what lay in store for him. He looked at a nearby curtained window, one that should give him an aerial view of the city of ‘Canterlot’, as the maps and princesses had informed him it was named. He couldn’t help but aimlessly think about the name, of King Arthur and his knights. He snapped out it when he tried to stand up he and paused, remembering that he was unable to do so without the crutches, which lay against the desk right next to him.
He sighed as he grabbed the “monstrosities” and placed one under each arm, almost unable to look at his missing leg. All it was to him was another reminder that his life and limb had been thrown away carelessly.
Standing with a little bit of trouble and hobbling his way towards the window, opening the curtains and looking over the dark city below. The various streets and buildings giving off light from illuminations, whether by light from a window or street lamps giving it a sort of peaceful atmosphere in the dark. While thousands of people, wait, Ponies, slept soundly below, completely unaware of what soon might come upon them…. He envied them in their ignorance even if he had disagreed with not informing the public as the Princesses had done so far... Maybe he'd have liked not to know.
He admired the beauty of the stars and moon as he looked up, something so familiar to him yet so… “foreign” at the same time. Standing there for a while and wondering what lay beyond them and whether his home was up there somewhere. If perhaps the war was over or was it still ongoing? But did it really matter to him now?
The silence of this place, on the other hand, was absolutely foreign unlike the stars, and in some way almost frightening to John, who had become accustomed to the roar of artillery shells or random spurts of gunfire rousing him from light sleep day or night, lest a shell catch him in his sleep or be killed in his sleep by quiet trench raiders. Silence was said to precede death in the trenches and he didn’t doubt that rule applied here.
However, lately the only thing that’d kept him awake was his own mind being unable to shut off and just sleep peacefully, usually waking up numerous times throughout the night and sleeping in to compensate for it, something he disliked as the early bird always caught the worm in his eyes.
He looked over his shoulder at his bed and thought that maybe after his writings and gazing, he might be able to finally sleep easy if only until dawn broke and he’d be needed for something or another by the princesses who seemed to slowly include him on more and more things yet never anyone except one or both of them, him and their guards were in the war room
He laid down upon this bed, setting his crutches against the bedpost and snuggling into the pillows and blankets. Yawning as he looked up at the ceiling, he could feel tiredness wash over him like a wave hitting a beach, happy for the reprieve from his constant thoughts of ‘how’ and ‘what’ and so on. He couldn’t explain where he really was or how and right now he didn’t care, he was just happy for a break.
Within minutes, he had passed out into a deep sleep and unto another unsettling dream.
*******
“Damn stupid dream.” He cursed as he shakily got out of bed and firmly planted himself on the ground
“Are you feeling ok sir John?” A voice came from behind him
He gasp and spun around, nearly falling over as he lost his balance. He caught himself in his nightstand and looked frantically for the origin of the voice. In the doorway to his room stood Princess Luna, her horn illuminating her worried face.
“Jeezus Luna!” He said, letting out a deep breath as he clutched his chest “you scared the shit out of me.”
“My apologies sir John but… You sounded in duress and I couldn’t stand by.” She said approaching him slowly “bad dream?”
“Yeah… how’d you know?”
“Well, it is my job to protect ponies from nightmares and make sure they dream easy. I would help you in the same way but your mind seems to lock me out. But while I may not be able to enter your dreams, I can sense you’ve been having unpleasant ones.”
“Oh… Well, I guess I have. But it’s nothing.” He said as he shook his head “just some silly stuff going around in my head is all. Don’t worry about it.”
“Are you sure? Might you want to talk about it?”
“Not… not right now, no. There are more things to worry about than some silly dreams.” He said with a reassuring smile “so, anything else brings you around so early or were you really that worried?”
“I was to awaken you in order for me and my sister to discuss with you over breakfast what our next move is. I know it’s early but she likes to do things bright and early always.”
“Good, I do too. I’m not going back to bed anyway.” He said, turning back towards the window “is… is it always so calm and beautiful out there?”
Luna walked to his side and looked at her herself
“It does Sir John. I make sure the night sky is as it should be and keep ponies dreaming safely.”
“So easy for them to rest… so easy to not know what’s happening... “
“I know what you think of me and my sister keeping this from them Sir John, but we only wish to keep them safe.”
“Ignorance is bliss, not safety.” He mumbled as he shook his head again “a-anyway Luna, let’s not keep Celestia waiting huh?”
“Only if you wish to Sir John. No need to rush yourself for anyponies sake.”
He flashed her a smile, “thank you Luna, but I’m a go-getter anyway. Now, lead the way, your highness.”
Luna returned the smile before turning and walking back into the doorway, motioning him on
He shuffled out with her and stuck to her side as the two walked through the large, cold marble hallways, still a little confused just how anyone made their way around the large palace. Everyone, the princesses their guards and even their servants seemed to know how to get anywhere while he still hadn’t figured out the way from the war room to his room.
“I swear, this palace changes every day,” he mumbled to himself
“Hmmm? What was that Sir John?” Luna questioned as he looked to him
“I said I swear this palace changes every day I wake up. How does anyone get around?”
“I must say that I share your problem. The palace had many expansions when I… Well when I took a leave of absence.” She said, shaking her head a bit “To this day, I have troubles getting around the newer parts of the palace. I’m sure you will get used to it Sir John, and you will also have me or one of the other princesses or one of our guards and staff to ask if you need to.”
“I’ll keep that in mind… Speaking of your guards… do you really have so few of them?”
“Yes. This surprises you I take it?”
“Well, how can so such a large nation filled with so many people require so few to keep good order in it?”
“Ponies have always been peaceful creatures and most of our neighbors we have good relations with and we have been able to easily keep peace within our country and with others.” She said before a short pause “that being said, Equestrias armed forces were not always so… puny. In a time far gone, our armies were large and their ranks filled by brave and trained troops led by some of the best generals of the time…” she sighed and reluctantly continued “we were attempting to bring one of these generals when we brought you.”
“Pardon?” John asked, cupping his hand around his ear “I think I may have misheard you.”
Luna shook her head and sighed again, “Yes, as you know you’re summoning was a mistake but not because we weren’t trying to summon somepony. We just… we just weren’t trying to bring you.”
“You… you were trying to bring someone else… to… to help, didn’t you?”
Luna nodded silently
John shook his head in disbelief, “that, that doesn’t make sense. H-how would that even be possible? And why would it bring me of all things?”
“Magic such a what we used is very powerful, and, well, normally forbidden… we made an exception for the good of the realm… as for why it brought you, a human… I can’t tell you for sure but mayhaps you share similar characteristics with the one we tried to bring back?” Luna said somewhat reluctantly
“I… I doubt it.” he said shaking his head again “still, nothing I can do about it now and I don’t have any other option than try and help anyway… just more to think about.”
The two continued their walk in silence
***
They soon arrived at what John assume was Celestia personal quarters, given how large and grandiose it was and the two stoic guards outside the door that watched him intensely and the two inside that stood at the Princesses side while she sat at a large table, 3 hot plates of food and one of those uncomfortable pony chairs were waiting. Luna sat on her haunches and John sat in the chair
“Good morning your highness,” John said as he leaned his crutches on the table and relaxed, mouth watering at the hot pancakes, hash browns, toast and steaming cup of coffee that lay in front of him
“Good morning Sir John, I hope you slept well.” Celestia said as she levitated a knife and fork over to him “go ahead and eat, I see you’re just waiting to dig into it.”
With intense gratefulness, he took the utensils and dug into the breakfast with the gusto only a man deprived of good food for months could have. In no time flat, he’d finished while the princesses had hardly touched theirs, letting out a loud belch as he finished, only remembering his manners when one of the guards at Celestia's side stared him down and cleared his throat.
“Oh, umm, my apologies your highnesses. Not used to being around royalty.” He said, a small blush forming in his cheeks
They both seemed amused
“Oh no need to worry yourself sir John,” Luna said “we’re more casual than ponies might think us.”
“And I’m happy to see you enjoy my cooking so much.”
“Wait… you cooked that?” John asked, seeming surprised. Royals weren’t supposed to do that sort of thing he thought?
“Why yes, I happen to quite enjoy cooking. I almost always cook my own breakfast.”
“Well, damn fine work, your highness.” John said, straightening back up in his seat after realizing he was slouching “so, what exactly is there to discuss?”
“Well, we thought we would share that the Horses have still yet to advance, they seem taken in their sacking of Gryphonstone which at least gives us more time. Our military staff is reviewing the plan you put forth and seem mostly satisfied for it except for our top commander calling it “Un-noble and cowardly”... but I’m sure he’ll come around... Other than that it is a lot of tedious paperwork and matters which you don’t directly need worry about but there are two issues…” Celestia explained, trailing off at the end “One would be to announce the war to the citizens of Equestria which… we don’t know how.” She said plainly “it has been long since I’ve done any such thing but we simply can’t keep it hidden any longer…”
“And we were hoping you could help,” Luna added
“Well, I’m sure I could at least try and help… what’s the other issue?”
“That would be announcing to the nobility and military staff of your existence.”
“They don’t know?”
“We’ve kept the castle clear of them and the only ones who know of your existence are us, Twilight, Cadence, the doctors and nurses who treated you and the guards so they know to treat you as an important guest. Both the medical staff and the guards are sworn to say nothing for now.”
“Oh… so, what did you have in mind for introducing me?”
“You’re… willing to be known?” Luna asked, seeming a bit shocked “we assumed that perhaps you would like to keep your presence unknown for now, lest you feel overwhelmed.”
“I’d rather be a known surprise than a potential nasty secret. Besides, I know the feeling of being commanded by a faceless, nameless person. At least a name gives someone to curse.”
“Well… In that case, we could call a session of the Council of Lords tomorrow while asking the military staff to attend. If we’re to have your help, we’ll need the support of both in order to do it.”
“I’ll remember to shave and dress nice.” John joked as he looked down at his ratty uniform. Even after being cleaned, some patches of mud and dust never seemed to disappear, and he knew all too well he needed a shave soon as he ran his hand over his face
“Speaking of your dress, we’re having a tailor come that could make you something once they have your size, even if it might take a while to make.”
“They could make something that fits me?” he asked in disbelief
“While you’re size and shape would certainly be something different, she is a very skilled tailor and seamstress. We have no doubt she could make you something to replace what you have now. But as we said, she might not be done for a while and so you’ll just have to make do I suppose…” Celestia explained, not sounding thrilled by the idea
“And… well, maybe this is a pessimistic question but… what happens if they don’t support my help?”
They two Princesses looked at each and pondered his very valid question before Celestia gave the only answer she could think of
“Than we ignore them.”
“And that won’t upset them?”
“It will but we must do what we must if we wish to live through this.”
***After that discussion, the next 2 days had gone largely without anything of note and John stayed in his room, thinking over the situation and what could be done.
Once the nobles and generals knew of his existence, he was going to make sure the Princesses came out with a fiery address to their nation with an official acknowledgment of war, a war that everyone would need to put everything into if they hoped to win. He smiled one morning as he shaved with a provided straight razor as he pictured himself bent over his desk, writing the speech himself.
His smile and concentration were broke, causing him to nick himself a bit when his bedroom door was knocked. His cursed softly at the sudden pain from the cut as he washed off his half shaven face before walking out of the bathroom and opening the door where he found two guard standing.
“Umm… sir.” One of the guards said, seeming almost unsure of what to call him “Princess twilight has requested your presence in the throne room as soon as possible.”
“Alright. Just gimme a moment to finish shaving and dress.”
After he'd finished shaving and buttoned up his uniform, trying to appear formal for royalty, he joined the guards outside who began to led him to the throne room, somewhere he hadn’t been too yet.
They seemed to have a hard time remembering the slow down for him and he often found himself falling behind the two guards. And even when he was caught up to them, they didn’t say a single thing to him or each other, something he didn’t really mind or blame them for. If he had to lead a walking, talking hairless ape to place their monarchs spent time at in royal court, he wouldn’t say much either
Eventually they entered into a room that was even bigger than most of the palace, the ceiling seeming to climb into the sky, the stone marbles supporting them carved with intricate pictures and symbols that meant nothing to him, yet left him in awe. It was big, elegant and beautiful.
The large thrones sitting in the back of the huge room only added to the size as they were raised high above the ground, the guards standing at the base seeming almost pointlessly tiny compared. A large shining sun sat carved into the taller of the two while, a big red ruby in the middle to make it pop out while a beautiful pearl sat encased in the middle of the moon carved into the smaller one, just below the taller.
He could only stand and look around at the room, amazed by it all but slightly perplexed by the elevated seating along the sides of the room, towards the middle of the room. It reminded him of one of his classes, with rows of seats that were far less shabby than what he knew and a speaker's stand on the floor right in front of them. It seemed a bit… out of place, especially since it seemed some foldable chairs had been placed to the sides.
He was led to this stand where Twilight stood with flashcards, seeming to be nervously repeating the information on them to herself, not noticing him or the guards.
“You highness, we’ve brought the hu-man as you’ve asked.” one informed her, the word human rolling as poorly off his tongue as the names of pony cities had off his
Twilight gasp and her head shot up from her cards, “Wha-what? Oh! Right, I did ask you to bring him here. Thank you, you may return to your duties.”
With a bow, the two guards left them alone: a crippled man and small (compared to her fellow princesses) nervous pony who seemed about to have a freakout
“Your Highness, what’s wrong?” He asked, wondering what could have her so worried… aside from the impending war “if you’re worried about the upcoming conflict than have no-”
“No! I’m not worried about that nearly as much as I’m worried about getting my notes right today!”
“Okay… but why?”
“Celestia and Luna want to introduce you today and I’m supposed to read my recorded notes about you but I’m so nervous I’ll mess up because it’s all so… so... So strange!”
“Hey hey hey, easy easy. Why don’t you let me answer some of them hmm? I mean, who knows humans better than me right?” he said in an effort to relieve the stressed pony even though he himself was now stressed out. ‘Thanks for giving me a heads up’ he thought.
“I don’t know… the princess was starting to worry about revealing you because… well…”
“My charming looks might distract them from the important work?” he joked with a grin, trying to relieve some pressure but he’d never been very good at it… “jokes aside, why?”
“... She’s worried that… that they might not take you as seriously if they see you’re…”
“Injured?” He asked, taking a shot in the dark sighing when she ashamedly nodded yes “well, if they don’t like it, they’ll just have to deal with it and so will Celestia and Luna. i told them i refuse to be faceless… Errr, Twilight, can I ask you something?”
“Yes, John?”
“What’d you do with my gun?”
“You’re what?” She said, her nervousness temporarily replaced by confusion and curiosity
“My gun. Long, wooden mostly with some metal parts…” he said, realizing how poorly he could describe something like that without using terms she didn’t know
“You mean that stick you came with?”
“Err… sure, my stick.”
“Well, I took it meaning to study it but I’ve been too busy too.”
“Well, umm… can I have it back? It means a lot to me and I’d just… just like to hold it again.” he explaining, feeling weird for admitting it. He’d been longing to hold a weapon again, longing to have something that would make him feel less useless, less weak, more of a soldier
“Sure, if it means so much… just... Promise that when you can, you’ll let me study it, ok?”
“Sure Twilight.” he said with a smile, happy to see her return it warmly “Now, where are Luna and Celestia?”
“Probably receiving the nobles as we speak. Whenever they really want the nobles in a good mood, they make them feel special by receiving them at the palace personally. Given all the usual social stuff, it might take a while.”
“Thanks for letting me know… lemme help with the notes by the way.”
***
After about half an hour of helping Twilight ease her nerves by being a patient audience and correcting any small things she might have gotten wrong… and asking her to have some personal things out of her notes, the large doors to the throne room were opened, Celestia and Luna walking in, trailed by a large group of fancily dressed ponies
“Oh! They’re here! Go stay behind the throne.” Twilight said, gently pushing him in the direction before standing beside the throne herself and trying to seem what he could call dignified
He did as she said however and hid easily behind the large thrones, luckily limping behind before the Princesses and their entourage of fancy ponies approached. The ponies filled up seats along with a few in fancy looking armor or stiff collared uniforms sitting in the extra folding chairs or on the ground while the Princesses took their corresponding throne.
The opening was a lot of what he assumed was ceremony and the like, then with somepony stating the listed points of discussion points for the meeting. To him, it was all rather… uninteresting for a while until the war was brought up and the room exploded into loud talking, echoing in the large chamber until a loud trumpet or something similar played, damn near making him deaf in the process.
After he assumed everyone finished rubbing their ears, someone demanded to know what was being done about it. Celestia calmly explained that she, her fellow princesses and the military staff present were doing everything they could be done. A lot of questions involved bureaucratic and budget things he was even less qualified to understand than he could have worried.
He was a college student who’d been studying history, not a great intellectual and certainly no great commander of soldiers! He was lamenting how foolish he felt when the noble who had started the very conversation shushed them all with a question above all else.
“And by chance your highnesses, in all this work, have you made time to find this somepony who will help ease our woes?” One asked in a tone that made him sound almost cocky yet nervously so as if they wanted the answer to be a yes
Luna, who up until this point had been rather quiet compared to her older sister, replied “yes, we have Lord Fancy Pants.” she said, sounding rather pleased with herself. She noticed Twilight was trying to get her attention but then laughter came from behind the thrones.
“L-Lord Fancy Pants? R-really?” John said quietly between stifled laughs that, had the nobles still been murmuring and questioning among themselves , would have been rather quiet. But seeing as he was the only one making noise in the echoey room, it was loud enough for all to hear… he realized this all too late
“Who in Tartarus is that?!” the noble demanded loudly and angrily “And who are they to mock my name?”
“Fuck…” John said as he wondered what to do, feeling even worse when he just heard both Luna and Celestia sigh
“That would be our help,” Celestia said, trying to not sound angry and sheepish from the mistake John had just made
Collectively, the nobles and staff began to question them but the loud noise trumpeted again, once again shutting them up
“If you may allow me and my sister to explain.” Luna said, clearing her throat “after what I said in my last meeting, I and my sister realized that very few if any ponies are truly prepared for a war… even us…” she said, pausing and sighing softly, “we thought that if we could bring somepony that knew war to our time, it would give us a far better chance… and we did bring somepony… just not a pony .”
The nobles murmured their questions and shock between each other but let her continue
“And while this being may not be exactly what we were hoping for, he has already agreed to help our cause and our country for nothing more than the kindness of his heart. Regardless of what you might think of what we did or of having a being helping us, I and my sister are going to need the help of every single one of you if we’re going to have a chance of winning… so please, remember your pledges to me and my sister to always act in the nation's interest and not your own beliefs.”
The air was dead silent until someone finally broke the silence
“May we see this... Creature, you tell us of?”
Before either of the Princesses could respond, John stood as tall as he could and limped out front and center, everyone in audience eyes glued to him as he stopped in front of the much shorter podium and bowed as well as he could to them
“Your esteemed Lords and Ladies.” He said, the first sorta thing he thought a foreigner in court would do when a guest of the monarchs
More silence followed however and the crowd had various reactions, with at least one poor old mare passing out in her chair
“.... By the sun and moon, he’s crippled!” Someone eventually cried “you present this sickly, lanky two, or should I say one-legged, freak as your answer to a dangerous threat!”
Johns temper boiled over and all the stress he’d been holding in released a bit “And my other leg will be lost when I shove it up your ass and they have to amputate you keep talking that way!”
Needless to say, this action caused an uproar amongst the nobles until something even louder than the trumpet before made them really clam up: Luna's Royal Canterlot voice
“SILENCE!”
Her voice rang in the air for minutes and had John's ears not become accustomed to much louder sounds, he had no doubt they’d be ringing like he was sure some in the audience were.
“Sir John, I would ask you mind your manners and language in the presence of not only me and my sister but of our nobility and important military ponies! And I will ask you all to refrain from insulting our guest further!” She chastised, clearly a bit fed up
“Of course, my apologies,” John said with a bow, a bit frazzled. He’d messed up twice now, they were sure to not only hold that against him but the princessesit was, how intelligent it was, how it could be of any use and so on. After hearing the Princesses give answers that obviously didn’t satisfy the askers, he cleared his throat loudly
“If I may, I could explain a few things myself?” he timidly suggested, not wanting to stir up the already choppy currents of this… ad hoc introduction.
“I suppose it couldn’t hurt.” Celestia said, sounding a bit tired “please, go ahead sir John.”
He nodded thankfully and turned back to the now expectant audience, clearing his throat once again “I realize this must be strange for all of us. An injured, limping, talking hairless ape walks center stage and probably breaks a million social normalities in an instant and then has the gaul to talk further. And see, normally, I wouldn’t do this but I want there to be no bickering, no questioning, no plotting, and no-nonsense and certainly no questions on what I am for now. Your nation is at war and if you don’t know, that’s awful for everyone.” He said, trying to sound apologetic and understanding “Your Princesses, your subjects and you yourself. And each needs each to survive, especially now that enemies stand at the gates, ready to overthrow your monarchs, slaughter your subjects and kill any of you that get in their way…” He paused to let his words sink in “and when an enemy stands ready to do that, we must all stand together to throw them back to whatever desert hellhole they come from!” He shouted, crescendoing and raising his fist to emphasize his point “but to do that, you will need to push any doubts or grievances from your mind and focus entirely on winning… I ask you to push them from your minds now and give not me your trust, but your rulers. I will do everything and all that I can to make sure you have a better chance… but while I do not give promises of a miracle, I give promises of hard work, loyalty, honesty, and my full effort. So while my leg may be gone, my stubborn brain and foolish heart are not just yet.”
The room was a silent as it had been when Luna silenced it for a few moments before a noble, the one who’d seemed so nervously smug when bringing the question of who they’d found to help, stood and pledged to give his full support to whatever the Princesses needed for the war. Slowly, more joined him and made the same pledge and while many remained seated, there were no neighsayers. Seeming satisfied, Celestia called an end of the meeting to both Twilight and Johns chagrin after the preparation.
Once all the other ponies except John and the Princesses had left the chamber and the doors were shut, the two sisters glared down at him as he stood their sheepishly, clearly knowing he'd made mistakes. Luna instantly softened and her sister followed suit, sighing loudly as she looked him over
“I could hug and slap you at the same time.” Celestia said, sounding frustrated "it's a hard choice between the two after that...."
“Sister, do not be too harsh on him. He’s new to anything like this are far as we know. I’d say he handled it quite well in fact.” Luna defended him as she flew down to his side “even if it could have been better… he still did get them to give support."
“I’m sorry, it’s a funny name!” he said in an effort to put a defense "and that other guy had it coming!"
“Well, I suppose that’s the easy part done with at least.” Celestia said as she rubbed her temples “now the hard part begins…”
Author's Note
Yay...
While John had been mainly focused on his own new problems in this strange, strange land he found himself in; he couldn’t help but wonder from time to time what’d happened to his troop after he… left.
Sitting on his bedside and staring out unto the city below, he yearned to know, no, he needed to know, what had become of the rest of his company? Of his battalion? Hell, of his regiment? Looking at the patches on his uniform made him homesick, leaving him only wishing he could see Albany once again, see New York Harbor and even Lady Liberty… just to see America again, if even for a brief moment...
He sighed as his gaze went back to the window and down the courtyard below, where he saw several guards huddled, looking relaxed as they loosely gripped their long spears in hooves or the same strange glow he’d seen the Princesses use whenever they wanted to just… move something.
And something about the scene made his wish for something far easier: to just go outside.
So far, the Princesses had kept him confined to the Palace; though it was largely to his room, the throne room, their makeshift war room or the princesses personal quarters. Surely now that the nobles knew, it’d be ok for him to explore further and even go outside?
Even if only for a bit.
So when he heard his door open and saw Luna walk in, he knew it wouldn’t hurt to ask.
“Good morning, Luna.” He said, standing up and turning to her, as he watched the dark pony walk in with a smile towards him.
“Good morning to you as well, Sir John. I see you’re up early. Hopefully, it was not because of any bad dreams. I hope.” She replied in a cheerful tone, seeming a bit nervous, as she kinda looked to the side a bit.
“Oh no, none… what’s got you so worried already? Is something wrong?”
“Well…” She sighed “I suppose if anyone should know, it’s you. Our scouts managed to come back and what they reported… wasn’t good at all,” Luna sighed, as she approached John, before continuing in a more somber tone when compared to her jolly greeting. “ It seems that… that the Horses may soon move earlier than we thought. The city of Gryphonstone is in ruins and so was the surrounding countryside. Why they would burn it down leaves questions, but all I know is that they are capturing as many refugees as possible. The acts they tell the ponies who find them are… horrifying… and I believe it.” She said, looking down at the white bandages wrapped around her right front leg
John had been curious about those but hadn’t asked out of politeness, “Savages do tend to act savagely… Though the refugees might at least serve a good use.”
“How so?”
“Well, I have no doubt the… err, fighting age males who are fleeing are more than willing to fight for their homes and lives back. However, I’m sure the old and the female folk can no doubt tell us more about these savages and their ways.” He said, hobbling over to her and putting a comforting hand on her shoulder, as he gave a reassuring pat. “Don’t worry Luna, we’ll whip em and avenge whoever they’ve hurt or killed.”
“I wish I could have your courage, Sir John. I saw them at Gryphonstone when they attacked… such speed and ferocity… something I’ve never seen before.”
“All the strength in the world can’t beat the strongest force: desperation.” He said, immediately realizing that didn’t sound as inspiring as he hoped
“Yes well, we are desperate.” Luna said with a pause, “My sister is trying to prepare a speech to announce what’s going on but it is, shall we say ‘slow going’. Neither of us has the slightest idea of how to do it without simply… saying it!”
“Well, your people need something inspiring. Something that would explain how serious of a situation this is, but neither she nor you or Cadance nor Twilight are willing to throw in the towel! And neither should they!
“'Throw in the towel’?” she said, confused at the metaphor, before a worried look appeared on her face, before reverting back into that of a confident smile. Walking towards the door, and opening it for the both of them. “You have a way with words. After yesterday's speech in court, I’m tempted to have you speak for us instead.”
“And have me mess it up again? I don’t think it’d be a good thing. Anyway, what did you need of me Luna? Or did you just come to make sure I was up and a chat?”
“That seamstress we’ve told you about is supposed to arrive today. We wanted to prepare you for that.”
“Oh please, I can handle some measurements being taken. Though standing still will be a bit of an issue.”
“Then I hope you don’t mind being pricked with pins. For all her creativity and talent, Rarity has a way of making it feel like slow torture. But, until then, I thought you could review the new plans or perhaps-”
“Go out and get some sunlight?” He interrupted, hoping his suggestion would be taken seriously. He was beginning to feel far to cooped up for his liking.
The look on Lunas face seemed stuck somewhere between uncertainty and fear as she stood there for a moment, contemplating the possibility, “Well, I… I don’t know Sir John it seems quite-”
“Come on Luna, I can’t stay in this palace another minute. I just want to go out into the palace grounds a bit. You can even have some guards escort me around but I really need to stretch my legs… well, you know what I mean. The nobles already know about me and most of the guards from the rumors I’m sure!” He interrupted and pleaded, trying to convince her to release him if only momentarily from his gilded cage.
She looked at his desperate face, as she was forced into making a decision. After another moment, she sighed and nodded her head, “Alright, I can understand being stuck in one place is frustrating. But I’ll be having a guard who I trust will keep an eye on you.” She then gave him a smirk, “Just so no one assumes you’re an intruder or some strange magical being of course. We’ve had enough of those appearing from when Twilight was here.”
“Sure, any of em! I get along just fine with those fellas!” He said, ecstatic to finally get some sun and breath fresh air and not bothered at being babysat like he needed a wet nurse.
“Come on then.” Luna said as she turned and waited for him just outside the doorway.
John eagerly followed, with a skip to his hobble, as he was delighted by the news.
The clicking of Johns crutch had a steady rhythm as they both proceeded through the quiet and luxurious halls of the palace, as familiar surroundings began to turn to the unfamiliar until she went in an entirely different direction. The place still had its grand nature to it, but they passed what felt like a lot more guards and staff upon reaching a point, all of whom stopped and bowed low whenever Luna passed and still eyed him with concerned, amazement and in a few cases… suspicion.
“That must be the creature, Metal was talking about!” One guard whispered, anxiously to another, as they passed by. Luna ignored them, however, John couldn’t help but overhear.
“The one that spoke to the Council.” Another whispered, this time it was a maid gossiping with another.
“Seems I’m a bit of an oddity, to say the least, huh?” He joked to Luna as they walked “never would have guessed it.”
“Equestria has had and seen many strange things, Sir John… but you are certainly a first I will admit.” Luna continued, as they left the guards behind them, though John couldn’t help but feel that there was something more to what Luna just said.
“Nice to know. So, where are we in this huge palace anyway?” He asked curiously, as he made out the slowly diminishing levels of luxury. Where ornate silk covered tables were turned to simple wooden construction meant for utilitarian purposes, paintings, once displaying art and works of life, began to show instead uniformed ponies in military like postures or old battlefields and most noticeably the lack of plush carpets; as the floors transitioned from fabric to hard polished stone.
“The barracks wing. It’s where both the Solar, and the Lunar guards; eat, train and sleep full time, all of them ready to protect us to their dying breaths.”
“Well, Hell, set me up with a cot in the barracks and I’ll be right at home!” He exclaimed, seeming serious
“And have an important military advisor sleep with the rabble?” Luna asked as she made a surprised face as if stunned by this revelation. “You’re part of the General staff, they’re not supposed to sleep with the soldiers.” She said sternly.
“Oh, I’m a military advisor now hmm? And remember, the rabble does the fighting. I’d like to see what they’re capable of.” He said, seeming completely serious like in his earlier statement “and I’d like them to know me . I won’t be some enigma lording myself above the rank-and-file soldier, handing his death certificate down the unreliable chain of command. Leave that for your real generals and staff. I’ve had enough of it for one lifetime.”
“They do the leading, while we do the dying.” He said grimly, looking down at the floor.
She seemed even more taken aback by not only what he said but how dedicated to the idea he seemed, and on some level, Luna had to at least respect that
“Sir John, I understand your wish to not be like that and while we will not force you to act that way, you are certainly staying in your guest room and that is not going to change.”
“Fine fine, I know when enough is enough your highness,” He said, putting his hands up defensively in front of him. “just… can’t stand the thought of being the one doing that to someone else is all.”
Luna stern look softened and she understood where he was coming from a bit, “I understand it can be hard to think about being unknown while at the same time expecting others to respect you… far too well in fact do I know it. But fear not; we shall not hide you away. I promise.”
His grim look seemed to slowly disappear and returned to a small smile of excitement, “Well, that is certainly nice to hear. This gilded cage of unknown mystery was beginning to get a tad dull huh?”
“I’m sure for you it was. Now, let us not delay too much further.”
And down the winding, comparatively bland halls they went, John taking note of something Lunar had mentioned earlier
“So… you said earlier you had both a Solar and Lunar guard, right? Well… what the Hell does that mean? Like, shifts?”
“In a way… The Solar guard protects my sister, the palace and Canterlot during daylight. When night falls, the Lunar take over their duties of protecting me.”
“Is there much of a difference?” He asked, part of him more annoyed by the existence of two completely separate sounding guards for basically the same task. Something that might just make his job harder… his spirits were not lifted when Luna looked at him and seemed to have a look of nervous realization “what? What is it?”
“Well… there are many creatures of Equestria you have yet to meet.” she said cryptically
“Why yes I’m sure there are plenty but what does that have to do with my question?” He asked, trying to stop himself from sounding indignant to her
“Let us just say that I worry for your reaction if you were to meet the ponies that make up my Lunar guard.”
That sent chills up his spine: what weren’t they telling him? Why did she seem worried? What could these creatures possibly be?
He wasn’t sure he wanted an answer and kept his trap shut, Luna seemingly to happily do the same for the rest of their walk which ended with them walking up to a desk outside of a room, a female pony sitting there, mindlessly filling out paperwork until she looked up and saw the pair
The pony gasp and nearly fell back in surprise.
“P-Princess Luna! I-I’m so sorry! I didn’t see you and your…”
“It is alright, my little pony.” Luna said, her voice much calmer and milder then what John was used too, drawing the ponies eyes from him back to her “I just wanted to know if Captain Armor was in.”
“H-he’s overseeing a training regime before he leaves for the Crystal Empire, your highness.”
Luna seemed to frown a bit before regaining her neutral look
“I assume in the drill yard then?”
“Y-Yes your highness.”
“Thank you. Well Sir John, it seems we’re continuing on our walk a bit more.”
“Oh joy! It seems I get to watch drills. Has to be more fun than being in them.” He joked, trying to regain his eager mood from earlier, as memories of all the training and marching he’d done before leaving for France. Forcing himself from laughing when he remembered a story about a replacement, being so undertrained, that he was unable to put more bullets into his rifle. “I do hope they know of such an esteemed guest is coming to watch them.”
“Do not mock me, Sir John.” Luna said plainly, turning to him and giving a bit of a deadpan expression
“Why, I meant you, your highness!” He said, walking back into the hallway seeming all too pleased with himself “now do please lead the way.”
She huffed and eyed him before her smile returned and they continued their trip, walking out a set of double doors where John proceeded to stop and rub is eyes furiously, “Are you alright?” Luna asked, sounding far more worried than she should have been.
“I’m alright I’m alright. Just… my eyes aren’t used to such clear and beautiful light.” He said as he put his hands down and blinked furiously while looking around the large, flat and enclosed area, it was what he imagined a medieval castles drill grounds to look like, with targets for archery and melee training alike against the large impending wall that enclosed them while what looked like an obstacle course was set up as well. In the center of that whole yard, a large group of guards in armor were on the ground doing push-ups, or what John considered to be the pony version of push-ups, under the watchful eyes of instructors in fancy uniforms and one pony in armor far more decorative than he’d seen.
His attention, however, didn’t last long on them and instead switched to that of the gorgeous baby blue sky above them and the bright sun that radiated down, warming him to the bone and filling him with joy as he had no doubt that he’d be able to hear happy birds calls were the guards training not yelling out numbers as they went with their push-ups
“It’s… even more breathtaking outdoors.” He said almost breathlessly as Luna watched the small grin he’d had blossom into a full-on toothy smile as he looked into the sky
She couldn’t really understand his excitement with the sun and the outside, to her it was just enough beautiful day created by her sister and the local Canterlot weather team and so everything but the cool breeze blowing was just common occurrence
“Are you not used to such weather sir John?” She asked, trying to satisfy her curiosity over the matter
“Well Luna, imagine that every day for a few months you wake up and it’s gloomy and rainy and dreary almost every single damn day and then see how badly you smile up at the sun.” He told her as his eyes shifted back to the group training, seeing they had moved onto… jumping jacks? He opened his mouth to question how ponies could stand on their back hooves, let alone jump up and down on them, but he shut it and decided to just not question some things about this country. “So, about my babysitter, I’m gonna take a shot and say it’s… the fella in the fancy armor, the one trimmed up in all the silver and purple.”
“You’re a good guess then. While I’m sure Captain Armor has many important things to attend to, especially since he must soon leave to join Cadance in the Crystal Empire and begin organizing its defense, I see it best to have you two get to know each other since you’ll likely be working together closely.”
“Well I’d hate to distract the guy from his duties but I guess I’d like to know just who I’m stuck with more.” John shrugged, focusing on the group and how wrong it felt for an equine to be doing such… human things “I don’t understand it…” He muttered to himself, slowly shaking his head, as Luna continued across the yard and walked up to the group
Those in the courtyard were soon surprised, if not by John then by Luna being among them, a few fell over only to be chastised by their instructors: before they too stopped, all facing Luna, coming to attention and then bowing to her. Luna hid an amused smile by turning her head a moment.
“Princess Luna,” The one that was to be Johns escort said, raising his head back up after bowing deeply, before inquiring to her. “To what do we owe this pleasure?”
“Captain Armor, I have an assignment for you before you leave.”
“Anything, your highness.”
“I’m sure Twilight has no doubt excitedly told you about the… magical occurrence that brought a creature unknown to us.”
“She did mention something about it…” He said, now frowning “I heard from a member of the military general staff that ‘it’ spoke in Council the other day… spoke out of turn I might add.”
“What can I say, I’m not a courtier sir.” John commented as he stopped at Lunas side and watched as the captain turned to him and looked him up and down, likely prepared for meeting him by Twilight and Cadance.
“And I’m assuming you’re the creature in question?”
“Yes, I am 'it'. The one and only human around, far as I know. A pleasure to meet you, captain.” John said in a friendly tone as he stuck out his hand “John Law, at the service of your princesses and their underlings.”
The pony eyed the hand with confusion and distrust for a moment before timidly putting a hoof up which John firmly grabbed and shook briefly before breaking the… hand-hoof shake?
“Captain Shining Armor, in service to majesties Princess Celestia and Luna.” the pony replied in a skeptical tone
“I hope we haven’t interrupted anything important captain Armor.” Luna said, looking over the ponies who stood rod still now that she was in their presence
“Nothing that the instructors cannot handle.”
“Excellent. I just require you to escort our guest around the palace grounds a bit.” She explained, glancing at John “make sure he stays out of trouble.”
“Oh I insult one dickhead noble and now I’m a potential terror to the world!” John said in a mock menacing voice, unable to hide his enjoyment of his own joke. Now that he had a brief moment to feel truly happy again, he wanted to use it before he had to go back to being serious… by the look on Lunas face, he saw he’d gone too far “err, let me rephrase that to I was simply defending my honor.”
Luna rolled her eyes and sighed softly, smiling at the odd and strange ways of this ‘human’ “Try and defend it more diligently next time.”
“Why of course your highness.” He said, bowing as well as he could to her before turning to the captain “well if it wouldn’t bother you, I believe taking a walk around this drill yard might do me well for what I got left of me. And I’m sure Luna here can think of several ways I can cause trouble just doing that.”
“I shall send for you if you are needed sir John. Captain Armor, good luck.”
The captain bowed again as Luna turned and swiftly left before turning to John, frowning again and speaking in a stern tone. “Are you always so disrespectful to monarchs, who have housed and fed you?”
“I mean nothing by it captain and I think she knows that.”
“And did the noble you insult know that?” Giving John a raised eye, as he probed the man.
“And what would you do if someone from a nation you were offering to help called you cripple… as for laughing at the other one, you have to admit it's a funny name.”
“Maybe it is from wherever you’re from.” Shining Armor said shaking his head and walking away from the training that had continued, not wanting the guards to overhear this conversation “coming?”
John nodded and soon caught up and fell in step with him as they walked the perimeter of the yard and leaving the gaggle of recruits to resume their torture under the eyes of now even more on edge instructors, Johns eyes watching them as they continued their training
“It's a bit odd to want to walk while missing a leg isn’t it?” Shining Armor asked, watching this strange creature look over the training
“Huh? Oh, I… I guess so…” he said, sounding perplexed about something “Umm, has the heat gotten to me or do I spot females training amongst those ranks?”
Shining Armor was a bit taken aback by this and how utterly confused ‘John’ sounded, as if the idea of female guards was absolutely foreign to the strange creature, though he figured that wasn’t all too surprising
“Yes?... Is this concerning to you?”
“Well, yes! Who would trust female folk into any sort of job like that? Being any sort of soldier takes physical strength and mental fortitude that they don’t have when compared to a male! And the fact they would be trusted in a position such as being guards to protect your monarchs is a critical error.” John stated as if it were fact “while I do not doubt that women- err, I suppose mares in this case, have some will and strength, it just isn’t suited for hard work like that.”
“Well once again, maybe where you’re from they’re seen as that, but in Equestria mares and stallions have been considered equal for millennium.”
John frowned and looked at the pony who was looking at him indignantly, returning the look. John wanted to further argue his point but remembered that he was a guest and one yet to prove himself at that.
“Then maybe I shall be pleasantly surprised. I’m sure someone in your position must have seen more of them than I have.”
The seemed to cause the pony to drop his guard a bit, “I have. My counterpart in the Lunar guard is a prime example in my opinion.”
“Well, then I hope to meet her at some point.” John said as he looked now to the sky again and gasped, stopping in his tracks
“What’s wrong?” Shining Armor said, stopping as well and looking up to see several pegasus flying casually in the sky. Nothing to him, but by the stunned look on John’s face it was something
“A-are those… flying ponies or have I truly lost it?!” John exclaimed loudly, pinching his arm “I’m awake?!” he said before turning to Shining “they’re flying! Just… flying! With… with wings!”
John had taken note of the wings that the princesses all possessed along with numerous servants and guards he’d seen around the palace, but he’d yet to see them in action. And if he’d thought seeing an aeroplane for the first time had been striking, it paled in the shade of flying equines! And to add to it, the captain looked at him like he was acting strangely in the situation.
“Well… yeah? They’re Pegasus after all. They can fly.” Shining Armor said, feeling weirded out by the human's reaction. After all, it was the strange thing here, not something that was as normal as him using his magic or an earth pony being a farmer “what’s so weird about that? Things don’t fly wherever you come from?”
“Not horses! Or ponies or whatever the Hell the correct term might be! It’s just not… not natural…”
The two stood there in silence for a moment or two as John watched the flyers go until out of sight, finding something equally elegant and beautiful as it was strange and unnatural
“Never a dull moment…” he said before just silently continuing to walk, to which Shining Armor followed, reminding himself to ask his little sister about this thing that she had almost certainly asked far to many questions.
The rest of the walk had been fairly silent with John seemingly caught up on just pretty everything was as from the greenest grass he had possibly ever seen to midday sun shining down seemed to catch his attention while his escort seemed just happy for the silence, not wanting to hear much more from the strange creature who weirded him out beyond belief. Eventually, they had returned to the recruits where John continued to watch them, shaking his head time to time in disbelieve for one reason or another for a while before eventually, another guard came to inform the pair that Luna had requested John to her personal quarters. While he was disappointed to have to return to his cage, he simply nodded and asked the guard to show him the way before turning to Armor and thanking him who in turn simply nodded and walked away. After that, the guard deposited him at the Princesses room where he found her waiting for him, having that worried look on her face again.
“Something the matter again Luna?” He asked, puzzled as to what could be on her mind now
“No no, it is just… the pony I have asked for help is very… sensitive.”
“How so?”
“Well… if it is any indication, she possesses a ‘fainting couch’ as she calls it for… well, I believe you understand the purpose. So I’m afraid the shock of seeing you might…”
“Upset her?” John finished only for Luna to nod “oh come on now, no one else here been that shocked. Is she in there now?” He asked, pointing to the closed door to Luna's room
“She’s getting ready right now I belie-”
“Luna!” A somewhat prissy feminine voice called from the room “I’m ready for the dashing client! Oh I wish you had told me more about him, I hope I brought enough fabric for the size you said.”
John looked at Luna deadpan, “You didn’t tell her, did you?”
“No… She is the only pony I trust to do this but I was afraid she would refuse if I… told her everything.”
John sighed before deciding to just bite the bullet, “Well, I guess we’ll just have to see.” he said, reaching for the doorknob and opening it, walking in as he did so, never one for dragging things out. He’d put on a big smile, intent on making a good first impression… it didn’t go according to plan
“Oh hello there darling, glad you could final-” the admittedly majestic pony who stood in the room cluttered with all the things John assumed was necessary for her job said as she turned to the door. She stopped in her tracks, gasp and left her jaw hanging open.
“Hey hey hey.” John said in a calm voice as he slowly approached her “no need to-” he was interrupted not only by a loud screech and something being thrown at him than a soft thud as the ponies body hit the floor. He stood there, shocked that she had actually, well, fainted!
Luna walked in a moment later after dismissing the guards who had come to investigate and sighed when she saw the pony laying there, “Oh Rarity…” she muttered, lifting the pony up in her magic and laying her on the nearby bed
“I…” John stuttered “well I feel like a piece of shit.” he finished lamely, looking down in shame after barging in like an idiot.
“Do not feel bad, it is not the first time she has done something like this. Like I said, sensitive.”
John just lamely waved his hand as he sat down in a chair while Luna checked to make sure Rarity was ok and, as always it seemed, she was. Not long after, the pony stirred with a groan and saw Luna looking over her
“Oh Luna, thank goodness you’re here! I had this awful awful dream about some bizarre creature that was, was trying to attack me! It stood on two legs, had a mouth of sharp fangs and wore just the worst color of khaki you could imagine! It was just awful! I’ve never seen anything so bad before! Not even in the Everfree Forest!” the pony said, sounding absolutely exasperated
“I’m afraid that wasn’t a dream. I’m much less afraid to say that everything you said except the walks on two legs part was true.” Luna told her, trying to sound soothing
“Technically just one. She was kinda right about the khaki though.” John interjected before he could stop himself, causing the pony to yelp and scramble under the covers
Luna sighed and pulled the covers off the mares head, “Come now Rarity, where is the courage and resilience I know you for?”
“I-I apologize Luna it’s just… everything else didn't talk! Or walk like that! O-or anything like that!”
“I know he’s strange, but John is as harmless as a bunny. Actually, Fluttershy’s bunny might be more dangerous.” Luna joked, causing the two to laugh at the inside joke while John simply rolled his eyes
“While Luna has a way of making things at my expense, she’s right I don’t mean to harm you and I doubt I could if I wanted. My deepest apologies in scaring you miss.” He said apologetically and sincerely. It was at least enough for the mare to get out of the bed with Lunas help and stand there shakily, looking him over and gasping again when she noticed his leg was gone.
“W-what happened to your…” she started before quickly realizing how rude that was “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to be rude. It’s just-”
“It’s alright it’s alright.” John said, waving his hand dismissively again “I get it a lot. As for how, well, let’s just say I got into a nasty war that took it from me.”
“W-war?” She said quietly, the word sounding almost foreign to her “my goodness… you poor… umm, thing.” she tried to sound reassuring and empathetic as she walked over and placed a hoof on his shoulder “I’m so sorry about how I reacted darling. Truly it was nothing personal.”
“Oh it’s fine miss.” He said dismissively “I was, ah, warned I might get that reaction.”
“Please, call me Rarity.” she said, smiling down at him. John couldn’t help but smile back some.
“Well, only if you call me John. I get it’s probably a bit different from all the names you’ve heard before so if you want, just sir works.”
“My, I must say it is very… unique. But in a good way.” She told him before looking at Luna “I won’t ask any more than where the pony you wanted me to fit is?”
“Well, about that…”
****************************************************************************************************
She sighed and set the pen she used back into its ink, the words still not coming to her. She was happy to have the distraction of the door opening to reveal her little sister coming in.
“Luna, how have you been sister? How did it go with John and Rarity
“Rarity reacted as expected.” Luna said as she walked over to Celestias desk “terrified of him and then excited to be the first to ever make a uniform for a human. John seemed rather… unimpressed with her methods of doing so. Never before have I seen Rarity so flustered as to when she asked he undress and he refuses profusely. Said something like “a man should never undress in front of female folk, especially royalty.”
“He is such an odd creature... “ Celestia murmured “and it goes to say, why would it bring us him of all things? At worse, I expected maybe a skeleton to fall onto our table. Not another living being from an entirely different world…”
“Yes, and he certainly doesn’t himself like a general of any kind. He even asked if he could sleep in the guard's barracks… but enough of him, he is being pricked and prodded. How goes your… speech.” Luna said, surprised to see the parchment empty. She was confused. Her sister had always, even in their early days, been a master of speechcraft while Luna was… middling at best, a joke in comparison. Her critics a thousand years ago had said she was too forward, was to the point too quickly and not diverse with her language.
Celestia looked up at her little sister, cheeks tinged red and she sighed seeing how surprised Luna was, “This is… needlessly something I am very out of touch with dear sister…”
Both sisters for a moment looked into each other's eyes, both reading each other well. Celestia easily saw the surprise and small satisfaction Luna got from seeing this and Luna saw her sisters own shame and guilt. Lunas own came when she realized her own satisfaction at her sister not being so good at something.
“Celestia, it is nothing to be ashamed of. It only shows well you… we did in our rule. For who else can claim to know so little of war that to even tell their people becomes difficult?” She said, trying to console her older sister who just sat there, deep in thought for a moment
“Do… Do we have to tell them? Or at least tell them in whole? Surely we only need them to know there is conflict just not maybe the… scale.” She said, hoping her sister would agree with her and wipe away her guilt for considering it. Instead, it only deepened when Luna looked disappointed and even anger for a split moment.
“Sister, even if we could find a way to keep this hidden while refugees from Griffionstone flood to the Crystal Empire seeking aid, it would be an absolute tragedy to do so!” Luna said, far louder and harsher than she intended, feeling remorseful when she saw her flinch back in surprise “I can understand the sentiment sister but have not seen them as I have… ponies must know. For the good of everyone.” She said, much softer as she took her sisters' hoof “why don’t go and try and take your mind off all this? Maybe allow me to do the honors of writing our grand declaration?”
While Lunas question took both of them off guard, Celestia gave her a slight smile and nodded her head, “Yes, that is a good idea Luna. You always were better at matters of war than me. There are reasons some still call you the Warrior Princess.”
Celestia stood and with some hesitation Luna took her place, picking up the pen in her magic, watching nervously as her sister walked out of the room. Once she was gone, Luna turned to the parchment and began to write what came to her mind, channeling what she remembered of over a thousand years ago when she and the once grand military of Equestria had marched to meet any foe who dares threaten their kingdom!
********************************************************************************************************
Meanwhile, far from the capital city of the ponies, just outside of what had once been the ancient and splendid city of Griffionstone, home of the griffions and their capital. Their valiant knights, soldiers and even its citizens had fought beak and claw to drive the attackers away, to try and save their city. It was more than any of the horses, or the Mori as they called themselves, had expected after several garrisons on the way to the city had accepted gold and gems taken from previously conquered lands such as the profitable mines of the Bankhar or “dogs” as many seemed to call them, who seemed to have a knack for dredging up valuable from deep underground. No work a Mori was fit for but it made more than enough cowardly griffions change their allegiances and the very same silver that came from those mines was melted down and poured into the eyes and ears of every griffion knight or noble who had been captured. The King himself had his wings tied down with bags of gold and was pushed from atop his great palace for, like all before him, refusing to allow the might hordes of Mori through his land onto their ultimate goal. The goal that their new leader, Othar, had united the clans under: a mass migration to their rightful bountiful land of “Equus” or “Equestria” as its name had become tainted.
As he sat on the griffion king's throne, drinking his wine, eating his food and listening to what had been his servants scream as he allowed his most loyal and esteemed troops were allowed to do with the female ones as they wished, he prided himself on how he had become the king of his people and of how he would lead them to greatness. No longer would they be petty tribes battling for what they needed to survive, they would be a great empire who would rule and control everything around them and destroy everyone that stood in their way. And so far, none had come close to stopping them.
The stripped ones were not unlike them, tribes who often bickered and war amongst each other and it had not been hard to play them against each other. It was only until the arrow had already been fire did they try and fight his overwhelming hordes off who despite the unfamiliar and wet land full of diseases, managed to quickly deal with zebra war bands by simply burning the forest around them. Many warlords simply accepting they had no choice but surrender in the end before their whole villages were slaughtered. He gave them quick deaths and even allowed some of them to live under his rule. Those ones who had resisted and captured were given the most potent poisons their own shamans and healers had in doses just barely enough to keep them alive for days on end until they were thrown, paralyzed by the poison's effects, into one of the great bogs to finally drown and be eaten by the beast that dwelled there.
The Bankhar too had been simple, easy to buy and distract with their greedy paws wanting nothing more than power and money. They too were all too slow in trying to combat him and only one, the High King who stood most powerful above the rest, tried to fight him. For months, the High King held out within his heavily fortified hold until prisoner dogs were put to work, digging out tunnels under the stone walls that allowed him to overwhelm the garrison, with said prisoners often used as shields during the assault. For this resistance, the hold and everyone in it were put to the torch and sword, and when he was caught, he was forced to mine to exhaustion and near death then the tunnel behind him was collapsed in, trapping him there. Anyone who had seemed rebellious instantly turned into obedient pawns and doing what they were good for: mining and smithing. The new iron weapons afforded to his army had only come due to this victory.
They had come in handy for wiping out the griffions armies with their unity, superior armor and ability to fly. Their pride had been their downfall for it was easy to lure them into baited attacks with what they thought was a smaller, inferior force before being encircled completely and destroyed. Even once they had grown wise, their attempts to make holds on the open plains and valleys where their villages lay was foolish as skirmish allowed their lines to be weakened before a huge charge would smash through, while any flight for the skies could simply be downed by arrow fire from arrow fire. The griffions had managed a few smaller victories when their noble knights had charged into ranks from the air, the Mori having no natural counter to this until they devised a tactic of making for the nearest cover of trees and if that wasn’t possible, filling the skies with as many arrows and javelins as possible, decimating or make useless many a griffion charge. And even when the war reached their mountain strongholds, so many of the enemy were scared by the tales of what happened the prisoners that they accepted coin in exchange for loyalty or simply fled their fortresses in the night. That cowardliness, that enginity, that cleverness and lack of unity was what led him Ortha to sit on that throne now. And soon these weak ponies who, if the troops encountered during the storming of the city were any indicator, would be crushed within a week. So sure of this fact was he that he would not lead the army himself or even the full army. He would send 3 smaller armies, each lead by one of his sons who’s ruthlessness easily matched his own and it would be what gave them his prowess. For now, he would stay with the main force make sure any dissident was stomped out and harshly. Nothing stood in his way except for a land of soft, weak bodies who would all fall beneath his blade if he felt. Not even a miracle could save them and he smiled, thinking of all the land that he would control.
His smile widened as he thought of just what he would with that pony, the dark one who stood far above the rest of her ilk with hair shimmering like the moonlight and her face the only one that held any courage even as she retreated. That would be his next wife. A bonus to everything he would already receive. After all, land, power and those who catered to their will are what every truly great Hori deserved and he was a great Hori. The greatest to live even!
For even now, as the city and surrounding countryside was being ransacked, were preparations made: food taken and gathered, weapons and armor stolen, wealth, glory and land being divided among the lower warlords and their troops in exchange for continued service. As long as victory came, the warbands wouldn’t falter or fail him and victory it seemed would be absolute if what the griffions told him were true. Food, land and wealth would abound. And all for a few more battles. Unity and such success had never been before achieved and no more were they no more than petty raiders or unknown things to be studied, they were the bane of the other races who for so long had looked down on them.
He was the world's conqueror. Its ruler! And he would either rule it or it would burn by his hoof.
*************************************************************************************************************
She sighed at her conversation with Celestia, about her citizens are readiness for war. She had lied to her fellow princess but only slight. While it was true many Crystal Ponies from the time of Sombra still had vivid memories of the time and still retained some combat knowledge while having more of a stiff upper lip than most other ponies, they still weren’t warriors by any stretch of the imagination.
“Ohhhhh, what are we going to do…” she said softly to herself. She thought back to all the hardships her subjects had suffered, all the awful things they had seen and gone through, of how they still shivered at the very thought of King Sombras name. How could she possibly ask them to face another enemy? Her thoughts were interrupted by a flash of light behind her along with the voice of Twilight, her best friend next to her brother.
Just seeing the purple alicorn raised her spirits enough to smile again, “Hello Twilight! What brings you all the way here?” She asked, walking over to her
“I… I just thought I’d come ahead and talk to you before you and Shining got really busy. Celestia is far to busy for me to interrupt and, wellll, I never could tell if Luna wanted to talk me the same way Celestia does.” the young princess said, somewhat shyly. Cadance sat next to her and wrapped a wing around her and pulled her close.
“Well, it is a busy and frightening time but I can make time for you Twilight any day.”
Twilight sighed and relaxed in the warm presence of her sister in law and old friend, “Thank you. This whole thing is just so… odd. Never in any of the books I read was conflict on this scale ever mentioned and now to see it play out… I worry for my home and my friends and you and Shining and the other princesses… on top of that, I just feel so useless.” She said, hanging her head low “everyone else is doing something while here I am unable to do anything because I’m so inexperienced.”
“Don’t think you’re alone in feeling that way Twilight. Do you think me or your brother really have a clue what we’re going to do?”
“Well… maybe not but at least you’re able to do something. You’re a source of hope for the Crystal Ponies, you give them someone to look up to while my brother is one of the finest officers to come out of the Royal Guard. Celestia and Luna are dealing with everyone that needs to be done regarding the nobles and the military. What can I do when all I’m good at is spells and speeches?”
Cadance took a moment, looking over the younger princess and gently picking up her head, looking her straight in the eye, “Twilight, you are a source of hope too.”
“How? I’m not very special to anypony…”
“You’re a reminder that anypony can do great things Twilight. Think of everything you and your friends did before you were even an alicorn. You saved ponies lives, Canterlot, and even Equestria! Ponies don’t forget that.”
“But we had the Elements of Harmony to help us do all that…”
“Even when they were taken from you by Discord?”
“Well… ok but that was one time!”
“One time is more than most anypony can claim to have stopped the lord of chaos. While you and your friends can’t stop this threat, you and your friends are the embodiment of what can. And if everypony demonstrates not only the loyalty, kindness, generosity, laughter, honestly and magic but the courage, then I have no doubt we can turn back these beasts.”
With that Cadance slowly unwrapped her wing from around Twilight and stood up “Do you want to have some tea and talk about brighter things before Shining arrives?”
Twilight raised her head and smiled up at her “Sure! Maybe I can share some of the notes I took on the hu- errr John.”
“I would love too. Is he feeling better?”
“Oh dear, I remember how she can be..."
“Ow! Are you almost done?” John asked wearily as once again he was poked for had to have been the millionth time
“Almost almost, now stand still.”
“You said that last time…” he muttered to himself, thinking back on the past few hours of standing. Luckily the perfectionist pony had allowed him to sit every once and a while to regain his strength though the last break felt like much too long ago
“So… I hope you don’t me asking but…” she asked after a few minutes of silence, hesitating to continue “would you mind telling me more about what happened to you? I understand if you don’t want to it's just… I’ve never heard of losing a leg outside of maybe an accident.”
“Well, if I tell you the full story it won’t make much sense but… I was in a big war, the biggest, nastiest, worst war to take place where I’m from. I was running, I had to deliver a message, to tell someone of where I and my buddies were…” he began to choke up a bit but coughed and swallowed “then, something… something blew up under me. Think of like a firework but a lot more powerful. It threw me into the air and when I came down… it was gone.”
“Oh my… I-I’m so sorry I asked, it sounds like it was hard for you…”
“I-it was but… I’ll be fine.”
After another few minutes of silence, John cleared his throat “thank you for taking an interest miss. Rarity was it?”
“Yes, Canterlot and Ponyvills finest fashionista! Working on Manehatten.”
“Manehatten… heh… what’s it like there?”
“My, well, it's quite amazing! It's one of Equestria biggest cities with all its bright lights, huge skyscrapers, wonderful architecture and brimming with culture and life!... The ponies and their attitudes could use some work I’ll admit. Why do you ask?”
“It… it reminds me of somewhere back where I’m from. Different name but very similar.”
“Really? Why that’s fascinating… Anyway, a question more about the clothing this time, what are these patches on your shoulders for?”
“Oh those?” he said, turning to her and pointing at each one as he went “rank insignia, unit insignia, and national flag… could you do me a favor miss Rarity?”
“Of course dear, what is it?”
“When you're making my new uniform could you… could you sew them onto it like they are now? It’d mean a lot to me.”
“Well… I don’t see an issue with it so long as you let me do one tiny thing.”
“That being?”
“I want to place an Equestrian flag onto it. Would it be alright if I placed it above the flag you wear?”
It took John a while to answer as he thought about it. In his mind, he was still an American and it would be shameful to place any flag, even of the one he currently fought for and that cared for him, above the country of his birth and that he ‘died’ in service to... It would also mean accepting there was no way back, that there was no U.S, no more Earth, no more humans… and that on Earth, to everyone he knew including his country, he was dead.
“I...I… I suppose it wouldn’t hurt.” he said limply, his heart now somewhat heavy from all his thoughts
Rarity seemed to get the hint as she just nodded and continued her work in silence. Eventually, she finished, looking him over and seeming satisfied
“Yes, I know exactly what I’ll do for you.” she said quietly
“So, we’re done?”
“Yes, thank you for your patience. You have no idea how excited I am to have the opportunity to do this! I’ll definitely need help for this though… oh but you needn't worry about that, I’ll have it done so as possible, though I might need to come back now and again.”
“Oh lord help me then.” he said, only half joking as he sat down in the chair “in all seriousness, thank you so much Rarity, it’ll be nice to have something not so… ragged.”
“Oh don’t fret dear, you still look handsome in it. You’ll look even better soon enough.” she said as she began to pick up “tell Luna and Celestia my regards, I must return to my shop immediately if I want to get this done soon.”
With that and almost everyone she had brought, the mare rushed out of the room, leaving John alone with his thoughts. He looked over his uniform, the uniform he’d died in, the one he’d fought in, the one that seemed to be clean no matter how often, long or thoroughly it was washed. He smiled as he thought of how eager french women always were to help American troops with washing when it was possible and he smiled as he remembered when he’d first got it, crisp, clean and beautiful in a way. Aside from his rifle, which he’d yet to get back, it was all he had left to remember his world… and yet it was also full of his worst memories of death and destruction. It was everything good and bad he knew...
On one hand, it felt irreplaceable and on the other, he wanted nothing more than to burn the damn thing and go around naked like these ponies seemed to do. Would getting rid it make him forget where he came from? Make him forget that at heart he was still an American who had been pushed into a hard situation? Could he forget everything he’d seen? Would he want to? These were all questions he asked as he ran his fingers over the flag he had always saluted and always loved. That was the only way he’d see it or touch it again. This little patch not even as big as his hand. And what of Lady Liberty? The gorgeous beacon of freedom and compassion that had waved them off to war was now reduced to nothing more than a tiny stitch… These were all he had to.
But what of all the mud stains and smudges of blood that reminded him of vicious slaughter and senseless killing that lay around these symbols? Did they each not tell a story of war and hardship, the last thing he wanted to see or think about? Did they not remind me of his friends, blood speckled across their young faces? Of the soft mud he’d seen men drown in? There were so many more of them then of hope and liberty...
He didn’t want to think about it any more than he already had…
‘If this is some test Lord, then I don’t know if I can pass it.’ he thought, folding his together in prayer ‘I pray that you give me the strength to do this. Pray you to help your wayward son find his way home. Pray that somewhere, right now, you answer one of my prayers. The prayers of a loyal, lonely soldier who sees no one else to turn to… Amen.’
Author's Note
Chapter title pending seeing as this one was more to advance the plot some and give some insight on the enemy itself instead of having some kind of theme
Hello! If you're reading this then I just wanted to say that while this story has not been updated in a long time, I promise that I have just left it! I just want to say that one day (I swear) I will do the next chapter. Thank you for the time. This update chapter will be deleted after the next real one is posted.
