Warlord

(Chapter 6 : The Beginning to Something Beautiful)

The cold air bit into my skin as I began to allow a grin on my face. “Ladies and gentlemen” I said with a bow. “It is time to show you what I have been working on with Miss Striking” I walked towards the cart with my new equipment for my army. There was a large blanket over it to let the suspense last a bit longer. As I remove the blanket I was greeted with shocked expressions as they looked at their new iron weaponry.

(The helmet extends around their muzzle and cover it completely besides the underneath of it.)

I decided to just focus on one attribute when it comes to war so I decided for now I will train Spartans. I will be training them to the bone and once winter passes I will look for my next victim.

Instantly we got to work and trained. We trained six days a week allowing them to have the 1 day off. I would train with them to boost morale and to make sure that I was properly prepared. Thanks to this I gain a few more abilities and weapons. Before the end of the first month many of them began to start to give up. Every time I would talk one on one with that person. I told them that if they didn’t want to they didn’t have to join my army, but if they’re willing to sacrifice everything for the future of their children and their country return the training the next day. So far not a single one has given up.

Upon the end of the second month they began to get used to the cold but winter is only going to get harsher for them. I began to teach him how it is to be a spartan. “Every single Spartan is now your family member. No pony gets left behind or else you’ll lose 2 family members.” I would tell them.

At the end of the third month they surprised me. Not only did they master the phalanx, one of Sparta’s greatest inventions catch, but they went through The coldest month of the winter with smiles on their faces.

At the end of the fourth month they came along way. Ask a single one of my Spartans and they could name half of the 200 by heart. Their strength has grown along with their mind and heart. To be honest I spent one whole week memorizing every one of my Spartans, and I have sat down and ate supper with half of them and their families. They have a reason to fight for me as I have a reason to fight for them. I always wanted to be a king but I want to help these people grow into a mighty nation more. I know I have a chance of ruining the entire future of MLP but I cannot stand idly by as these people suffer. I promised them we will make history.

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It’s nearing the end of the fifth month and the snow is starting to melt away. My Spartans may not be exactly like the 300, but they are my 200 spartan army.

With spring around the corner, I begin to analyze the world we live in. We live in the furthest Southwest side of the island of the bat ponies. In the old kingdom there were 15 provinces, including the capital. We are in Ecla. In each province there are five villages and one city.

The magic of the Warlord works in a weird yet simple. If you own a town then you are a warlord. Now this can be achieved in two ways. The people willingly giving you the power or a warlord choosing a new one. You have to have at least more than 50% of the people in your town to support you. And if a different Warlord chooses you, the people has one month to decide to keep you as their Warlord or else the power is lost until a new one rises. Every warlord has one unique ability to themselves. By killing another warlord or the power being exchanged is the only way you can get additional power, unless the warlord that you killed has a successor that meets every expectation of the rank. This is only the bottom out of the warlord tree.

The next stage is known as a Chosen Warlord. The rules are simple. You must own a province that has five towns in it. Each Warlord that runs the towns must see you as the chosen Warlord. If you were to lose your support your power diminishes by half and you become a half chosen warlord. You will never lose your power fully, unless death, choosing another one or a successor. You copy all the powers and abilities of your fellow warlords that submitted to you.

Finally there is the Warlord King. In order to become a king you must own five provinces with each of the chosen warlords submitting to you. Again losing the support of your fellow warlords will cut your power in half. You will never lose your full power, unless death, choosing another one or a successor. You gain all the abilities from every warlord and every chosen warlord that’s submitted to you.

The magic of the warlord is still finicky but everyone has just accepted these rules as if they were logical. I still intend to find out who made the warlords but that is not important currently.

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I sat on a chair looking over the field upon a hill, watching my men practice every hour of the day. Shatter, Silverwing and Glorious stand beside me.

Shatter has become my personal bodyguard. She still remembers her intense training to become a Warlord and it has served her well. Her eyes were sharp, making sure everything was perfectly intact, and not a single bush moved without the aid of the wind.

Silverwing is also a bodyguard but is also a warlord. Her ability is Leather manipulation. At first I thought her ability was useless until I saw it in action. After pledging loyalty to me along with sparing her village, she quickly learned how to defend herself so that she could defend me. She was crap with most weapons but then we found out that she has a special technique with whips. She herself wears a leather cloak around her. So that in case any other clan members where to find her they wouldn’t recognize her unless she took off her hood.

Glorious on the other hand has become an excellent assistant. Apparently we may speak the same language, but Almost 99% of the population is illiterate. She was very pleased to learn how to write English and mastered it during the winter. She was currently telling me the state of my new empire.

Suddenly I could hear hoofsteps behind me. Shatter Fang proceeded to greet the stranger for me. “Who goes there, traveller!”

A female voice replies. “Warlord Shatter my Warlord, Warlord Conjure, request your aid in defeating our greatest enemy. The Snow clan.”

“Why would Warlord Conjure request my help. We are bitter rivals and she constantly brags about her incredible army, along with her stonewalls.” She had replied with venom. My ears shoot up hearing the stonewalls.

“Well that’s because the snow clan manage to conquer two towns and is bringing a force of 700 soldiers to conquer Ecla! Warlord Conjure wishes to unite all of Ecla, before the snow clan arrives. If we were to unite we would be able to stand a chance against the Warriors. All you must do is see that Warlord Conjure is your better Warlord.”

I could feel the anger Shatter was radiating off. “You dare claim such a thing! You are lucky I follow the rule of the messenger, OR ELSE I WOULD HAVE YOUR HEAD-”

“Be Still, Shatter.” I interrupted. “It’s impolite Shout at your guest like that.” I said with a smile.

“But Warlord-“ “ ‘tis all right. I’ve heard everything” I said as I swung my legs around to face her. “But-“ “But nothing!“ I stated. She nodded her head and step down. “Now I Believe it is me who you want to speak to.” I said to the traveller.

She chuckled “A male as a Warlord. now I’ve seen everything.”

“Oh, you think I’m hilarious do you.” I proceeded to remove my helmet making her go wide-eyed. Slowly, I stepped towards her and reached out with my gauntlet. She was paralyzed with fear as I slowly grabbed her neck. “I think it’s funny that you think, I applied to the same rule of the messenger. Treat me with respect or I will happily open up my borders to the snow clan and maybe even join them. Don’t be the fool that got in my way... Now finish your message.” I let go of her and she dropped to the floor gasping for air. I didn’t even squeeze.

“By the order of Warlord Conjure, all warlords are to meet her at her City in five days from today. there we can formally make the arrangements.” She said that she stood back up.

“Now was that so hard. Tell your Warlord will be there. Go!” She quickly scampered away making sure not to continue stirring my anger.

“Glorious, Shatter, rally the men to my hill.” They instantly ran down the hill together the men.

After 15 minutes I had everyone’s attention. “Greetings my soldiers. Today I have Bad news. The snow clan has conquered half of a Province and is making their way here, to conquer all of Ecla. 700 Warriors will march their way down to our borders. I ask you, my 200 Spartans, shall we have peace and be slaves, or shall we have war!”

“War! War! War!” They chanted.

“Today the Conjuring clan demands us to bend our knees to their Warlord. They demand all of Ecla to bend the knee to them. I ask you, my 200 Spartans, shall we be puppets on the master strings, or do we prove that we are the ones that should rule all of Ecla!”

They cheered.

“Enough of slavery, only together we are strong!“ One mare chanted through the crowd, and her brothers and sisters cheered with her.

“We are not puppets at their beckon call, we are soldiers for our glorious empire!” A stallion cried.

“All correct answers. Tonight we feast. Tomorrow we rest. Then we march to the capital of Ecla! The men cheered to this response.

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Two days later we began our three day march. I couldn’t help but walk in pride as my man kept order and discipline through the entire trip. Spears constantly raise high with the shields in front of them, ready to make a quick phalanx in case of an emergency. I walked in the front column as we divided into two groups, 100 in each, 10 (wide) x 10 (Long). Although in battle I would prefer 20 x 5.

At night they use their cloaks as blankets and slept underneath the stars as they did in their training in the long winter months. This was especially challenging for them but it got them used to the cold weather thanks to their fur. This makes it easier and faster for us to travel.

Finally we reached the capital of Ecla. The stonewalls were a bit intimidating but I couldn’t help but be getty at having them. As we entered the city I couldn’t help but notice how rundown the inner walls were. Half the population looked starved and that’s not including the slaves. There had to be at least three to every person in the capital. How could one brag about their army and their defences if the population is Half starved.

As we got to the gate I noticed other clan members having groups huddle around each other as their leaders must’ve been inside The meeting room. Looking around I noticed no other army had over 100 warriors and were shocked to see my 200 Spartans. I ordered my men to wait outside as well. Only me, Shatter, Silverwing and Glorious entered.

Walking inside the palace was not as I expected. The maids and soldiers actually looked fed. Questions began to rise but they will have to be answered later. Eventually we made it to the meeting room and waiting inside were for other clan members.

Warlord Radiant of the radiant clan. She is a white coated winged bat pony with a pink mane. Her town lives in the south east of Ecla and is most likely to be the last one to get invaded. With a standing army out 50 warriors, 100 civilians and 75 slaves.

Warlord Apple of the Apple clan. She is a green coated grounded bat pony with a red mane. Her town is in the furthest south west side of Ecla and is most likely to be rated and pillaged by the invading forces. After all they have the biggest food supply in the entire province of Ecla. With a standing army of 40 warriors, 150 civilians and 100 slaves.

Yes I have my suspicions to.

Warlord Timber of the timber clan. She is a tan coated grounded bat pony with a dirt brown mane. Her town is The furthest north west of Ecla and has a huge supply of timber which could be useful for building so they would also be important in the invasion. With a standing army of 80 warriors, 200 civilians and 150 slaves.

Finally we have Warlord Conjure. She is different from the others. She is the usual dark blue coat with black mane, but she is an ancient one. She owns the capital of Ecla and if taken would bring an end to the war. With a standing army of 300 Warriors 400 civilians and 1200 slaves. I wondered how they kept their sleeves and check until I realized why everyone was so malnourished. If you join the army you get food. The slaves are being barely capillary and are unable to fight. This is going to be fun!

We all sat in a round table with our companions behind us. To start things off I removed my helmet.

“So the rumours are true. A stallion really did burn down the Soren clan.” Said Timber with a smirk. I could feel Silverwing twitch at that, it’s still a sore subject for her.

“I prefer to be called a man thank you and my name is Oscar.” I replied to her.

“Know your place stallion.” Said Conjure. Getting a closer look at her I noticed that she was an ancient one. “Excuse me?” I said confused.

“You heard me! Just because your a Warlord doesn’t mean that you're better than the other stallions. Now hush as the big mare are talking.” She said in a mocking tone.

“Very well.” I said without hesitation which shock to my group. Deep down I was just biting my tongue.

She nodded her head in satisfaction and talk to the others pretending to ignore me. ‘Strict one bitch.’ I thought to myself.

“As you know the snow clan is gathering a large number of troops and in one weeks will be coming into our borders. Thankfully due to the terrain Ecla provides we can hold them off in the mountain pass that stretches through the borders of Ecla, Ankan and Thunderspan. With there being only one path through the mountain to rain that the Raiders don’t own, should be our place of defence. But before we can go, we want to make sure that we are all on the same side. If you would bend the knee to me we can get going” she said casually which struck an uproar.

“You have quite the nerve demeaning such things from the Apple clan. From the looks of it without my harvest your precious city would starve to death.” Said Apple.

“I must agree.” stated radiant. “To demand such a thing is simply barbaric. Who do you think you are.”

“On that point we can agree.” Finished Timber.

‘Strike two.’ I counted in my mind.

“My fellow warlords... listen, please. We don’t have much time. If we were to unite we could hold off the enemy with the power of the chosen warlord. There’s no time to discuss other plans. We quickly need to establish a new town with a very small population and for somepony new to become a Warlord.” She stated to the group and it caused them to quiet down a bit.

“What is your plan with the Fang Clan?” I had asked her. The room went quiet.

“well obviously, you’ll be used as a distraction your clan has the smallest amount of soldiers that I remember. And since you did make things worse by burning down the Soaring Clan. If you survive I’ll make you a pet, where if you be a good boy you’ll be well-ACK!!!” With a snap of my metal fingers Silverwing through her whip around Conjures neck. Using her leather manipulation to burn the rope around her neck causing it to melt onto her skin.

She then proceeded to yank hardly sending her flying across the table before she could react.

She flew towards me which I simply brought out my sword and stabbed her right in the heart.

Shatter react next as she brought up her halberd and sunk it into the back of Conjure, sending the halberd through the table as well.

What shocked me the most was that she was still breathing. “So it is true what they say. Only a Warlord can kill a Warlord.” Before anyone else could react I gently placed my chip on the back of the skull. I proceeded to use my finisher as I brought my other hand down to her skull. Like a hammer to a nail I hit the chip as it went right through her. In fact my hand went through her as well.

The bloody mess was all over the table, as the other warlords took a step back in shock. “What have you done!” said Warlord Timbre.

“Relax, it's not like I’m going to kill everyone of you. I just wanted to show a message to all of you not to mess with me or my people. Unfortunately for all of us we have a bigger problem. If the snow clan gets past the mountain pass we are all screwed. Hundreds will die and no one will be able to do anything about it. Thankfully I have a solution. I’m going to take my 200 Spartans and hold them off at the gate. I will do it all by myself and prove who should really be chosen Warlord.” I said to them.

Suddenly radiant spoke up. “You think you are strong enough to hold off an army so large and what do you mean 200 last I checked you didn’t even have over 100.”

I turned my head to Silverwing to speak up. She removed her cloak which revealed her face to the others. “Silverwing, my friend, I thought you were dead.” said Warlord Apple.

“I was but I have been born a new I no longer live to the name of the soaring clan. My loyalty belongs to the new empire natural rise from the ashes of our old kingdom. Warlord Apple, Warlord Radiant and Warlord Timber. I begged you to do the same. For far too long we have been divided but now this man has come out of nowhere and has united two clans in a matter of days where it would take weeks or months to do so.” Silverwing said in my defence.

“But your village-“ Warlord Timber tried to persist.

“A necessary sacrifice from it we build a new Village. Alai. Not a single one of my people have been hurt. I tell you Warlord Oscar only seeks for the best of our people. Let him prove his worthiness by holding off the snow clan.” There was a long pause afterwards. Then each of the warlords nodded to each other.

“Warlord Oscar.” Said Timber. “If you manage to defeat the snow clan.”

“Then we will feel loyalty to you.” said Radiant.

“But you will treat us like equals.” Finished Apple.

I couldn’t help but smile to myself. “I believe this is a beginning. The beginning of something beautiful“