Lunar Spartan

Celestia’s sun angled as the day furthered in the afternoon, the rays peeking through the bedroom of the sleeping Spartan. After everything that had occurred from waking up two moons ago, it seemed that so far in this new world he’s in continues to spiral down into inevitable chaos. The Empire had turned much more dark, all stallions there being drafted to fight and for some being enslaved to help the war effort as they now pushed north into the country of Yakyakistan, creating a new war front as Sombra’s army crosses Guto River and makes way to the capital of the Griffon Kingdom. More knowledge of what is around Equestria, but not in the way he would prefer it in.

Slowly he woke up, his eyes opening wider as he saw the young filly sleeping on top of his chest. How she had gotten on him was a question he could not answer, knowing himself well enough that he would have awoken immediately if there was something off. Whatever kind of stealth she knew certainly worked. She too began to wake up, yawing with her youthful voice, clicking her tongue before staring at Aniketos. A gasp came from her, as well as a smile. “Ani! You’re awake!” She jumped up and down on his chest, making him sound out from the force.

He held the filly by both his hands before she jumped again, lifting her up and placing her on the side of the bed while he sat up. “When did you arrive to my home?” He asked.

Ann looked up in thought, then looked back at him. “One hour I think,” she said, sitting down. “I was wondering if you wanted to play with me, but you were sleeping, and so I waited for you to wake up, but then I got tired too. So I took a nap!”

He shook his head, patting her head which made her squee in delight. “You never fail to impress me, young one.” He swung his legs off the bed and stood up, feeling much better as he was forced to take a ‘day off’ yesterday by Luna’s orders. He had recovered much quicker than usual, knowing the injuries would have taken one or two weeks. Then again, I did rest for three months. He turned back to Ann who was looking at him in awe. “What is it?”

“Where did you get all those marks?” She asked, looking at all the scars that he had on his body.

“Training and battles.” He grabbed his tunic and placed it on hiding his body. “The place I told you about of where I come from, that is where I received much of what you see.” He then pointed towards his slashed eye. “This is my last scar from my world before I entered here into yours.”

“Oh~!” She sounded out, growing more curious. “Did it hurt?”

“Aye it did, but it helped me grow better as a Spartan,” he said, putting on his footwear and walking out of the room, Ann following behind. “Does your family know you’re here?” She nodded her head, her braids bouncing a bit.

Once in the living room, she sat on the soft chair while Aniketos worked on starting the fire up. “Do you have a family Ani?” She asked.

Having the fire going, he almost burned himself by the question he was asked. A sigh came from him, sitting by her. “Aye, both my mother and father, but they are back in my world.”

“Why didn’t they come here with you?”

“Uh, I suppose they didn’t wish to leave everyone behind. Even us spartans can get homesick when away for far too long.”

The wood cracked as the fire grew. “Do you miss you home?” She asked.

“I do. I would not mind having the chance to return back home, but right now I have a duty to serve with Princess Luna. I cannot leave her alone.” He stood up. “Are you hungry?”

“Am I ever!” She hopped off the chair and ran towards the front door.

Out in the sun, Aniketos walked down the narrow dirt path while the filly trotted ahead with a basket in her mouth, looking at all the fruits and vegetables, both older or recent as well as some not being seen by him before, growing with no signs of rotting nor damage. Another discovery that he wished Sparta would have, knowing a third of what is grown not able to be eaten. While this would be great to have, there was a problem of what to do with the surplus of everything around. “Ann,” he called.

She plucked a red bell pepper and placed it into her basket along with other assortments. “Yes Ani?”

“What does your family do with much of the extra fruits and vegetables? There is much around that may not be eaten.”

Ann thought for a moment, having her hoof on her chin. Her face then lit up. “Oh! My Ma and Pa and Uncle and Aunt and my other Uncle-”

“Aye, yes, you have a large family,” he interrupted, knowing she would go on for awhile, “What do they do with the extra crops?”

“Sell it to other ponies,” she said, she smiled.

“Sell it?” He rubbed his beard. “I wonder why I didn’t think of such thing.”

“Well you are a Spartan.”

“Aye, true.” He looked down to her basket. “Did you finish picking what you wished to eat?”

She grabbed the basket with her mouth. “Yup!” She muffled, soon falling forward by the weight of it.

Aniketos smirked and grabbed the basket by his hand and lifted Ann onto his shoulder. He walked down the path back to where the door to his home was. Reaching the front, he noticed Luna standing by the door. “Luna?” He said.

Luna jumped, turning to see her Spartan and a light green filly on his shoulder. “Good afternoon Ani. Hello young one.”

Ann jumped down and looked up to the princess. “Wow! You’re so pretty!”

“Aye, very,” Aniketos spoke along.

Luna’s smile grew, but deep down in her mind she was hysterically screaming. “I see you have turned into quite the farmer even though of your other background.”

“Not my profession but it has kept me busy,” he replied. “Are you visiting?”

“I wish I was, but I have only come to bring you back to the castle. There is an urgent matter that is occurring.”

“I see.” He looked down to Ann. “It is early for me to leave, but I have no choice.”

“You are a Spartan Ani, this is your duty, like you told me,” Ann smiled. “I will see you later!” She turned and started to trot off back to her home, leaving both Luna and Aniketos alone.

“Let me wear my attire and we can leave,” Aniketos said to Luna, opening the door and allowing her in. She looked around, looking at the fire burn as she sat down. “You care to explain to me why I am needed at your meetings?” He asked while in his room.

“As a veteran in battle, having you among other stallions looking at how Sombra is moving his troops can help see where he plans on going next. Steel Wing requested you as well.” Luna told him. “And...I wanted you to be with me while I listen to all of them argue with one another of what to do.”

Aniketos walked out full in armor, having his helmet under his arm. “You could have only said ‘I missed you’ instead of speaking such excuse.”

“Hmph. Like I would say such thing to you,” said Luna, facing away and having her head up.

The Spartan shook his head and walked out of the house. “Come now, I’m ready to leave.”

Luna came back to reality and saw Aniketos standing outside. “C-coming!” She quickly got up and was outside as well, magically closing the door and joining him on the trail. “Couldn’t you wait for your princess to be outside first?”

“You were not moving, so I took lead,” he replied.

She sighed, knowing he would have done this if she acted like she is. “So that is the young one you speak about when you are on duty?”

“Oh, yes, she is with me most of the time when she is not put to work with her family. I do not mind the company.” He looked to the left. “She has outstanding stealth capabilities, catching me off-guard many times.”

“That is surprising to hear from a trained Spartan such as yourself.” She then giggled a bit. “You are out-skilled by a young filly, maybe I should use her for any spying missions if needed.”

“Hilarious. You may do well as common fool than a princess.” He smirked seeing her face of displeasure. With his hand he ran it down her head and behind her ear, making her gasp and slightly blush. “Figured that was one of your weak spots.”

“How dare you-” She was interrupted again by him doing the same action, making her shiver a bit. “Stop that!” She managed to speak out.

“This is entertaining,” Aniketos said. Without notice, both he and her were instantly in another area, the castle to be exact. “You tried to teleport?”

She backed up, her face looking a bit flushed. “Y-yes! To get away from you and your damned hands!” She started to walk towards the castle.

“If you had thought about it, we could have been here much quickly if you used such magic before.”

“Shut up!”

Aniketos blocked out any kind of sound as he watched stallions argue with one another of what is to be done about Sombra now that he has turned into a dictator than a loyal king. The map of Equestria and much other neighboring countries known was laid out on the table, the red squares representing Sombra’s army and red flag marking the expansion of his territory. Over to the Griffon Kingdom, much red squares were past Guto River in front of the green squares representing the Griffon army. Up north-west, red squares were next to brown squares of the Yakyakistan army, and with much surprise are able to hold off Sombra’s army. However that was not of concern of what happens to either Griffon or Yaks, for their attention was directed to the build up of red squares on the Equestrian border. Such thing was something Aniketos knew would happen, war was approaching the peaceful land of Equestria.

With Celestia continuing to be in her depressive state, Luna had to take role of both sun and moon, making sleep almost non-existent for her as she continues to answer to constant royal duties. It was not showing, but she was certainly tired.

“We must prepare for war! King Sombra will strike us at any moment!” One commander yelled out.

“No! We must pull in diplomacy and continue to rein as a neutral and peaceful nation and negotiate with the Crystal Empire to not attack us! We cannot throw away thousands of lives fighting a nation that has grown in power!”

“I say we join their side and aid their conquest for they would surly not attack us if the materials they need is given to them!”

“We need to help with the invasion of the Griffons!”

“You idiot! Are you trying to bring us into another war with the Griffons!”

“You’re the idiot who voted for the non-aggression pact with those barbaric birds even after their attempted invasion of our land! We lost much lives to them”

Aniketos sighed in annoyance, same with Luna while she looked at Steel Wing for any idea how to stop everypony from screaming like fillies. “Shut all of your mouths!” Aniketos yelled out, tired of their constant yells. The room fell silent and all attention was put onto the Spartan. “You!” He pointed to the yellow pegasus, walking over to the stallion. “You sent for a scout to update Sombra’s movement, correct?” He asked, receiving a nod in return. He looked around the room. “Let us wait and relax until our scout comes with updated information and see what we can do about such news. Arguing about the right possibility will not work without more knowledge of what is to come.”

Right when Aniketos finished his sentence, the scout, all dirty and blood dripping off from his wing with an arrow through it ran into the large room. “Prepare the troops! They have began their movement across the Equestrian border in full force!” He yelled out, soon fainting after from exhaustion.

Silence was no longer possible as the room erupted with more yelling of what to do now. Soon Luna yelled out, making everyone quiet for the second time. She turned to Steel Wing. “Quickly travel to Canterlot and sound the bell of war, we must warn everypony of what’s to come.”

“Princess Luna, you don’t mean...” One of the commanders spoke.

She nodded. “We have no choice, we are going to war against the Crystal Empire.” She looked to the other commander. “Prepare the draft, we need all available stallions if we are to be able to combat against Sombra’s army.”

“Shall I enact it for mares as well?”

“Nay, we left too many orphans when the Griffon War ended,” she told him, receiving a nod.

“This is all Celestia’s fault!” An older commander spoke, receiving all the attention, including Luna who grew angry. “If she was not infatuated by the damned King then we would-”

With a thrust, the kopis went through the neck of the stallion, blood dripping off the tip before being pulled out and letting the now dead commander fall onto the ground. Aniketos sheathed his blade, not fazed by what he had done. All he knew was Luna was going to do the same thing, and saved her the trouble of doing such dishonorable act. The commanders remained quiet, not wishing to be the next victim to the Spartan’s blade, knowing that he does not allow mercy. The story of burning a pony alive had spread among the ranks helped assure how threatening he can be when needed.

Luna knew well of what the stallion was trying to say, but how it was done was not needed. She walked towards the table, observing all Royal and Lunar Guards’ positions in Equestria. Majority had been put into the east while much else remaining were scattered. One white square at the border among dozens of reds; one thousand Guards against ten thousand. All around her they watched, waiting for anything to be said, anything to be done about the invasion. To her left, she saw one of the ponies bringing over both ink and a document to sign. With a quick pull, she used one of her feathers and dipped the tip into the ink, looking over what is written and making sure one part of Equestrian code is written down onto the document stating the override of requiring the two princesses to declare war. Doing such act was something she didn’t want to do, but had no choice. She signed the official declaration of war against the Crystal Empire, magically sealing the signature then the document to protect it from any kind or attempted damage or alteration.

Another interruption brought the attention of many once more at the doors, it being possibly another scout coming to report. What was thought of was not true, for around the six guards walking into the room, two griffons, one with a crown, walked in surrounded by them. As if anything could get worse. Aniketos gripped his kopis but relaxed after Luna held a hoof up to him. She walked towards the two griffons, herself being slightly prepared for what could happen.

“Princess Luna. A pleasure to meet you again.” said the griffon with the crown. He looked around, noticing that Celestia was not around. “I see that your sister is unavailable.”

“Yes…she is currently occupied.” Luna replied. “What brings you here King Grover? If I may say it is awfully brave of you to appear in a time like this, or at all.”

King Grover laughed. “I figured since we have agreed to end hostilities towards one another, my appearance would be something you would start to be used to.” He walked over to the table looking at the map. “Perhaps it requires more than just visits.”

She turned to look at him. “Are you going to answer correctly or will my guards escort you back to your land?”

“No patience at all. And I thought my guard and I were the only Griffons here.” He looked down to his part of the land. “It seems that I am of need of supplies, mostly food, for my people and soldiers. With everything that is happening and much of the farmlands being captured, we will soon enter a state of famine which will most likely lead to our defeat. And with our defeat…,” he used his wing to push the red squares across the ocean and towards the eastern sides of Equestria, “The Crystal Empire will have another advantage to invade, bringing in their elite, battle-hardened, and their main largest army to your ground.”

“As if we would work with you Griffons after what you’ve done!” Yelled one of the commanders, causing much of the room to start mumbling to each other.

“Silence!” Luna ordered, the room falling silent once more. “What do you propose that can both help your griffons and my ponies without much conflict?”

“Forty percent of your medical and food supplies-”

“Forty percent!? Are you mad!?” Another commander yelled out, this time causing a bigger commotion.

Luna sighed from the angered eruption, knowing that would be of high cost to give the Griffons, once and still rather a major nemesis, a large portion of supplies to them. But in order to push back Sombra’s army, both sides that are mostly enemies will have to work together to fight the same enemy that threatens their lands with darkness. “Agreed. Forty percent,” she said, the commanders gasping to her choice. “But we will need something in return which will equal out this large request...”

Again, King Grover laughed. “I am sure what I will give in return will satisfy you and your Guard. It is a material that only Griffons now have the knowledge of, a new type of steel.”

“Steel?” Luna questioned.

“Yes, pure Griffon steel. A new type of metal that is stronger than any kind of iron that is used in this world. Much proof of its use by looking at my guard who had returned from combat. He had used a weapon made of steel and it is the only known type of metal to be able to break the strong crystal iron that many wish to have,” King Grover explained, pulling out the guard’s sword. “And as you can see, there is no sign of damage when in contact with the crystal metal.”

Luna magically took the blade and inspected it, the blade reflecting the light and part of her face. “This new metal is able to break crystal iron? That sounds highly unlikely. Everypony knows that crystal iron is the strongest type of metal there is,” she said, giving the sword back to the guard. And now the most deadliest.

“Not anymore,” replied King Grover. “So, do we have an agreement?”

In thought, she listed much possibilities of what could occur, only one stood out from the rest. If what he says is true, then the powers would turn but in favor of the Griffons, or worse, getting into the hooves of Sombra. Taking the opportunity to first have such dominating metal would benefit the ponies. “I’m surprised you have not started including this type of metal into your armies,” she spoke up.

“For now getting my griffons food and medical aid is what is important. I have plenty of warriors willing to fight and die to protect those at the capital with what is currently being used.”

Luna nodded. “Then I agree to your offer.” Instantly, the pony with paperwork magically teleported into the room by Luna’s magic. “Let us create the agreement and it will be official.”

The pony scribbled down the necessitates of such agreement with two nations, followed by what was discussed and soon agreed on between both princess and king. She was in the middle, her princess on one and the scary griffon on the other, watching her write down and soon finish what was said. Making to straight lines, the pony backed up and allowed the two to sign the document, officially and possibly strengthening relations hopefully.

“Oh, I have but one more request. This one does not require paperwork,” said King Grover.

“What may it be?” Luna asked.

“I request that your Spartan travels over to the kingdom and aids us against Sombra’s army.”

Aniketos, slightly not paying attention to what was occurring while he stood idly focused back up as he heard his name. “What?”

Luna looked at him then back to the griffon. “I do not think that would be possible. He is of much use to us and is needed to fight the army.”

“That may be true, but unlike my kingdom, you have proper time to push back the army. One or two more battles over in my land could cause the capitulation of the kingdom. Plus he is practically a one stallion army.”

Aniketos quickly thought of what was being spoken about, then mentally nodded once he understood what was happening. “I will go assist them.”

Both Luna and Grover looked at him, Luna not looking pleased. “Ani...”

“The Griffons may not last another offensive. Their survival is key to winning against Sombra and his army. If I can help them, and possibly help push back Sombra’s army, then victory will be on our side as they will be on the defensive,” Aniketos spoke. He soon felt King Grove’s claw patting him on the back.

“This is excellent for us! We may have a winning chance now!” King Grove cheered out, not noticing the Spartan’s face of dissatisfaction towards Luna’s face of betrayal.