(Chapter 7: The battle at Thermopylae)

My soldiers and I stand in front of the gates that are known as the mountain pass. After today, they will be remembered as Thermopylae.

The mountain pass true to its word was very thin. It seems that we can only march in a 5 x 20 phalanx line.

But unfortunately for me there seems to be two other passes they can fit one person at a time. One on each side. We marched through the mountain pass with me in the front. I was finally getting my beautiful war.

I heard the flapping of that like wings draw near as I noticed Silverwing approach me.

“How may I help you, Silverwing?” I asked in a polite tone. Well as polite as I can with this helmet on.

“I-It’s about the mission sir. I’m just not sure it’s wise for me to hold off the right flank alone.” She said in a scared tone.After I told my plan to my troops everyone was worried about Silverwing and wondering if she could pull it off.

The positions were simple. Me and the 200 Spartans would hold the centre as it would be an obvious target for the enemy. Shatter will pick up the left flank along with Silverwing picking up the right. This way the battle of Thermopylae isn’t going to repeat.

No one was worried about Shatter as she has fought in many battles. Unfortunately for Silverwing… don’t get me wrong she has improved greatly it’s her confidence I’m worried about.

“Are you saying I made the wrong choice.” I asked her in a stern tone.

“No not at all!” She quickly replied. “You just might’ve... missed calculated.” She finished.

I let the marching of the boots echo through the mountain pass for a little bit before replying. “Maybe a little bit, but I don’t make wrong choices… I make investments. I get it you’re afraid. Surprisingly everyone here is afraid. No one knows what tomorrow will bring. Some don’t know if they will see it. Some don’t know if they live only to watch the Village burn later…”

She looks down seemingly more worried.

“Even I am afraid.” I said under my breath so that no one except for her could hear it. Instantly she looked at me with shock. “It’s true!” I laughed. I brought my voice back down to a whisper. “I’m afraid I’m gonna let everyone down. I am afraid I made the wrong choice when I said we would take on the snow clan alone… but if I hold onto those fears, it only increases the chance of becoming a reality. No matter how scared I am, I will always be brave. Not for me but for everyone else.”

I let that sink in, hopefully she will find the answer before tomorrow. I could hear a fly off returning to her post as we made our way to the end of the valley.

I am not much of a religious person. But I prayed that Silverwing would understand why I chose her for this mission.

After time passes I hear another set of wings. Looking up I noticed shatter flying down to me. She walked beside me as she landed and begin to report.

“I just finished scouting sir it seems the pathway overhead is clear.” She said with a salute.

“Thank you Shatter, now return to your position quickly.” Unexpectedly for her character she didn’t move right away. I could tell something was bothering her so before she left I asked her. “Is there something you want to tell me?”

Her reaction was cute as she Froze up, almost blocking the path for the Spartans. She caught up quickly before speaking. “Yes sir, I think it would be best if I would have a squad of Spartans along with me. I’m not as strong as I used to be and if an enemy sends a warlord then I’m finished. At least with a few of our Spartans I stand a chance.”

I thought it over in my mind before I responded. “Shatter, are you saying that my strongest warrior can’t handle a warlord. I thought you promised me that no enemy shall get in my way?”

“O-of course,” she stammered. “I didn’t-“ I placed a finger on her mouth, shushing her for a moment.

“It’s true that strength, speed and power can be very handy in a fight. But no matter how sharp your blade is. Your mind can always be sharper.” I finished my speech with a pat on the head.

She went ping before responding. “T-Thank you sir!” Before quickly flying to her position.

In this single battle there is going to be three conflicts. Mine, Silver wing and Shatter fang. Only victory in all three will I be satisfied after today. Somehow... I have a good feeling.

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Finally we arrived at the end of the mountain pass. Justin time to… The snow clan has arrived.

The Spartans Formed the phalanx with me in the front inspiring the spartans behind me. “After today men, our empire shall begin it’s birth!” I shouted over the crowd. “After today men, we shall have a feast! Show these cowards to the gates of tartarus itself!”

Slowly a single one of them approached us. It was a female grounded bat pony with leather armour and copper weapons. “I have come to negotiate!” She shouted at us. I looked back to my army and they all stared at me. I turned back to the woman and shouted. “careful of your next words for they may be your last!”

She grinded her teeth at me but continued to speak. Resistance is futile! We know other pathways to go around! Surrender now and we will be merciful! You may even join us and we will not harm a single one of you!”

I could hear angry grumbles behind me but they held firm. I simply chuckled and soon after my army followed suit. It eventually got so loud that some where even bellowing laughter and could barely stand. “What makes you think that our resistance is futile! The battle hasn’t even started yet!”

This seemed to anger the girl as her next comment wasn’t as pleasant. “I promise you all that if you stand for this funeral attempt to hold us off then we will have no choice but to hang every one of your heads on our spears as we march through your country. Do you really wish to put your husbands and Children through such stress.”

“Do you think we would let you!” One of my men screamed, I couldn’t tell which one as he seemed to be further in the back.

Suddenly the negotiator paled and looked at us with horror. “You would bring males to the battlefield. Truly you are a tyrant as they claim.” Suddenly she ran off probably to begin the engagement.

After about a long half an hour the army charged at us. Half of them were flying while the other half was charging on the ground. It looked to be about 2/3 of their entire army. “Hold formation men.” I said as I stood in front of the shield and spears. The ones who were flying were a bit faster than the rest and so they began to fly above us most likely to encircle us. “Now!” I shouted.

About 100 spears flew out of the mountain path and almost all of them met their target. A few unlucky ones got two and it completely stopped the charge. Now there was a huge pile of dead females in front of us blocking the way for the rest of the ones that have to walk on foot. But they advanced, walking over their fallen comrades as the ones with wings slowly went to ground level, not wanting to be exposed to flying spears.

I smiled underneath my helmet and before any one of them could react I charged I pulled out my short sword as I was going to need to be quick. My blade sliced through the poorly made weapons and armour of the snow clan. Instead of taking them all out I just simply charged forward through wanting to split them in half.

Those who tried to attack me quickly learned that it was futile as I struck them down quickly. Eventually after a few minutes they learned that going around me was probably better and slowly I started to face less and less opponents as I tour through.

Eventually I notice on a far hill a bunch of shamans beating the drums and calling out to the spirits above. It was time to shatter their Morale.

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(Silverwings POV)

I stood on the right flank making sure no one passed this position. I could feel my legs shake as I was waiting for something to come up. I noticed as a negotiator talked to Oscar. Eventually the negotiator would leave and after a long time the army would charge. The war had finally begun. Certainly I heard the sound of whistling, and I had turned to my head and I noticed an arrow flying right to me! I ducked but unfortunately my cheek was just cut.

I’ve noticed 10 grounded Bat ponies running to me with hide shields along with copper swords none of these men had bows or arrows on them so someone was shooting from a distance I couldn’t see.

This wasn’t good. I could deal with the 10 Warriors but not someone who can shoot me from very far away without a problem. I was so shocked that I didn’t even notice one of the Warriors taking a swipe at me until last minute where I barely was able to dodge.

By the spirits, they are not hesitating to kill me… which means I have to kill them. No doubt that the one that is shooting me is a warlord. I begin to use my leather whips to strike at them. The first one used their leather shield to block the blunt which I was counting on. As soon as my leather connected with hers, I used my leather manipulation to combine the two. I then use my warlord strength to lift them up and slam them on the other side of me. I could hear a few bones break.

Suddenly I felt an arrow in my right knee. Looking down it was the same arrow that flew at me to strike me in the face. The other warriors took the chance to surround me and attack me all at once. I again use my leather manipulation to create a tornado effect with my two whips striking them all at once across the face, stomachs and chess.

Another error in my left shoulder making me drop one of my whips. The Warriors got back up ready to charge a second time. This was it I was going to die. I could hardly move as I felt my heart race.

Then in the corner of my eye I noticed Oscar charging into the enemy. “Even I am afraid” those words echoed in my mind. How could someone who smiles during a battle be so afraid? How can he charge into the enemy lines with fear? A strange mail with new ideas and beliefs. One who gets excited about war yet doesn’t want to be known as a conqueror. Somepony who spared my life and offered me a place to stay. Some-one truly wants to help everyone he can. Can I do it? Can I be just like him? “No matter how scared I am, I will always be brave. Not for me but for everyone else.” ...He’s right. Even when I’m terrified I have to be brave or else I will die!”

“I can’t fall now!” Suddenly my whip returned to my hand and it lashed out faster than I ever could. I was striking at least 100 times faster that I didn’t even get a chance to connect to the shield instead I just tore through them. I felt energy wash over me. No it can’t be. Am I evolving my power?

For centuries the power of the warlord has always been a mystery to everyone. Very few have been able to unlock it secrets and fewer haven’t been able to gain full access to the power even when coming to the status of Warlord King. However when one spirit is at their maximum and they run through their greatest trial they gain 100% control of their power, This is known as evolving one’s power.

I barely moved as my whips tour through my enemies blowing them all away in the spring air.

I noticed a few arrows coming towards me again but this time I struck them down before they even had a chance to reach me. But what caught me off guard is that they were iron tipped arrows.

Eventually I could hear footsteps as a single bat pony flew to me slowly. I noticed that she didn’t have any bows with her only a bunch of quivers stacked with arrows.

Eventually she landed just 5 feet in front of me as I took her arrows out of me. “Are you the one that stopped me?” She asked me which I replied. “I am warlord Silverwing, protector of his Majesty warlord Oscar, and my duty is to hold this passage.”

she smirked at me and continued speaking. I am warlord Crystal, Champion of her Majesty warlord snow, and my duty is to go through the passage and flank the army, which you are blocking. It seems we have no choice but to kill each other.”

“It was an honour to meet another warlord who feels the same way about honour and how it should be held.” I said to her with a bow. She returned my bow before flying a few feet away for me and keeping to the sky. I proceeded back to the mountain pass.

It was tense to say the very least we had to have been there for at least a good two minutes before Arrows started flying out of her quivers I proceeded to hop through the mountain staying behind trees and rocks while slashing at a few of the arrows.

(Crystals POV)

It was an honour to meet this foolish girl but she has no idea that I have 100% of my power. Are used to be able to control a single arrow at a time but now I can control hundreds. I will not fail her majesty.

My only drawback is that I have to hold still to keep concentration on the arrows. luckily I can fly as long as I stand still while doing so. As I noticed that she was hiding behind trees and rocks I put more force into the arrows smashing through them catching her off guard.

This went on for about a minute and she probably will need to rest soon and my arrows will pierced her heart giving me an opportunity to finish her. I will say that she is fast. Being able to fly from tree to tree to boulder at a quick paste along with being able to slash at my arrows. Her ability must be something to do with speed. Speaking of which I wonder how she’s doing on her end of the fight.

A few seconds and… wait why is she smiling?.. No… Her ability isn’t speed her clock is made out of leather along with her whips. She’s not flying she’s using her leather to guide her through the air. Such a talent can only be done by something that has… 100%.

Damn I underestimated this girl but not for long, I’ve been holding back as well. I still have my secret arrow.

I launched all of my arrows at her. I’ll take down half of the mountain if necessary, just so I can skewer her. Suddenly she looked right at me with her wings unfolded, moving twice as fast. Unfortunately for her not fast enough, especially for my arrows. She flew right in between them but I can change the direction instantly. She was now in the centre of 100 arrows ready to skewer her along with my secret arrow that I fired first.

“It’s the end for you!” I said. All the arrows went in… and were blocked by shields! No not just any shields, the hide shields I gave my Warriors. They are also made out of leather. Drat that was every last arrow.

Suddenly she was upon me and I could do nothing as she struck me across the face and crashed against the ground with her on top of me knocking me out cold.

(Silverwing POV)

I did it. I was able to win the fight. Oscar was always curious about my power. I’m glad that it’s useful to him. But something is wrong. I felt something on my back and something was trickling down. Slowly begin to hurt. I looked over my shoulder and noticed a single arrow sticking out of my back.

“Well shit.” I said. “I’m gonna need to take a breather. But I can’t let my guard down… no I Lost too much blood I’m not gonna be conscious for much longer. Hopefully someone will find me before she wakes up because I doubt that I will.

(Shatter POV)
(A few minutes before)

waiting is probably the hardest part. Waiting for something interesting to happen while everyone else is fighting besides maybe Silverwing, I hope the poor girl doesn’t have to fight anyone. I mean no offence to her but she isn’t the most skilled of fighters. Why Oscar made her a part of the bodyguards I have no idea. Maybe he’s seeing something I’m not.

Suddenly I heard the sounds of hoof steps on the hard ground coming toward me. I looked over to my left and noticed 20 or so warriors charging towards me. I simply smiled as I noticed that none of them seem to be warlord types. Maybe I was worried for nothing so I got ready to defend the Mountain pass.

The first warrior let out a feminine battle cry but I quickly skewered her on my Hellberg before throwing her aside. A few more warriors surrounding me which I easily blocked and pureed. As soon as one lost their footing or made a mistake and struck without mercy. I often aimed for the neck so that Blood can spray on their allies in an attempt to demoralize them.

This went on for several minutes but eventually I went down to just five of these warriors left. I got ready to pounce but that’s when I heard the hoof steps behind me. I quickly jumped to my left but got nicked on my right arm by an iron sword.

Looking at my assailant I noticed that it looked like a normal warrior but something was different about her. Suddenly she struck fast giving me almost no time to react as I blocked her attacks. But every time she went for an attack she came back faster and stronger. Suddenly she gripped the other hand on the sword and swung for me. I went on the defence grabbing my spare weapon, A simple iron sword that we give to the Spartans. I believe Oscar called it a kopis.

I used both my halberd and kopis to block her two handed strike. Unfortunately for me her attack was far more powerful than anyone could ever possess in her form. I was launched back as my kopis shattered into pieces. Luckily my halberd was still intact except for the other half of my staff. Now it looks like more of an axe than an actual halberd.

I proceeded to get up and noticed that the other four warriors backed off a bit. “You coward!” I shouted. “Fighting a fellow warlord without giving your name! Pretending to be a normal soldier! Do you have no honour for your fellow warlord!”

She simply chuckled as she walked forward. She had a peculiar light blue coat with slightly darker wings. her main was white as snow which was easy to spot in the spring. “Warlord, I don’t see any other than me... Shatter?”

Instantly I froze when she said my name. Eventually I shook myself out of it. “Enough of your games! Who are you!” I shouted with rage.

“Very well, if you will at least keep you quiet, I am warlord frost sister to our beloved majesty.” She said with a mocking bow.

“I don’t know how you know who I am, but one way or another I will defeat you and you will tell me how you know such knowledge.I proceeded to get ready with my axe but before I could do anything she pounced.

Instantly I was flung onto the defensive. Soon I found myself retreating back to the mountain pass. Her strakes became faster and faster with every swing. Shit this is bad. I don’t think I can last much longer like this. I can see the cracks on my blade. I won’t be able to defeat her! What do I do!

“It’s true that strength, speed and power can be very handy in a fight.”

Those words suddenly appeared through my mind. Unfortunately I lost focus and another two handed attack sent me flying right beside the mountain pass. My back struck the back of the mountain as I felt blood come out of my mouth a bit.

“But no matter how sharp your blade is. Your mind can always be sharper.”

What did you mean by that Oscar?

“Hey, I would give up if I were you.” she said “I’ll let you live as my pet, doesn’t that sound fun!” She started laughing at me.

Think…. she has to have some weakness. I got off the side of the mountain and proceeded to look her up and down and that’s when I noticed something. It was small in fact someone wouldn’t even notice it unless you have a keen eye like me. A very small leaf floated right beside her. It wasn’t the leaf that was special but the fact that it went to her sword. As soon as it passed by at least an inch, it suddenly spiralled around the sword once before leaving and continuing its path.

‘it’s some kind of wind manipulation! it’s making her attacks faster and the more she uses it the faster it gets. Which means I can still win this!’ I proceeded to get into another stance as she just chuckled at me. Again she rushed me but this time the world moved in slow motion. I knew exactly what I had to do. I moved slightly to the path getting into the defensive stance again. Again she pounded me making me retreat further into the path. Her attacks became faster as usual and after a little while she decided to finish it with another two handed attack. My halberd barely survived the other two attacks, there was no way it would survive this third attack which means this is my last chance.

So I can’t be on the defensive! I must attack! I swung my blade for the first time, aiming for hers. It was too fast for her to redirect as I struck it at the side of her blade, sending it straight to the ground where it got stuck. She was dumbfounded but still had a grip on it. I quickly checked the handle as hard as I could, making her let go and breaking off the handle.

“How could this be, your nothing more than a simple soldier!” She said in a panic. She tried to back off but I wouldn’t let her. Using my left hand I grabbed her shoulder and brought my halberd up. “That may be true but there is One advantage I have over you. You underestimated me which only gave me time!” I brought my halberd down. “To sharpen my mind!”

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(Oscar POV)

After destroying the last piece of the drums I looked at the defenceless shamans. “Scram!” I shouted. What! I’m not down for killing unarmed people. That’s just fucked up.

Anyways I looked over to the mountain and there I noticed that the enemy was in full retreat. Well looks like victory belongs to.

(Shin)

I heard the sound of something scraping on the back of my head. Turning around I proceeded to get an uppercut to my chin, knocking off my helmet.

I looked at my ceiling with fury… but…

“So you are this warlord Oscar I’ve been hearing about!” Said this very beautiful woman and a young grounded bat pony mare. Her coat was as the white as snow as her mane was a light blue. Her eyes on the other hand sparkles like diamonds as her irises were sapphire like.

“I feel so embarrassed~ do you know so much about me yet I never heard your name, beautiful~” I said flirting.

To my joy she blushed, with the look of rage plastered on her face. “Why you-! I am her Majesty Snow of the snow clan! Show me more respect!”

I proceeded to chuckle softly.

“What’s so funny!” she demanded.

“Oh nothing!” I simply said. “Just the fact you think that’s a puny thing like you deserves any respect for me. May I remind you that you attacked us first. If anything you should be on your hands and knees and beg me to spare your life. After all it is your army who is retreating. Even when having the numbers you still lost to us. Now why should I respect you.”

She hesitated. I could see the look in her eye. She knew that the outcome wasn’t in her favour. But... I am a curious person.

“I’ll make you a deal.” I said. She perked up at this but stayed on guard. “I’ll give you two options. You surrender now and become a vassal to my new rising empire. Option two I’ll give you another chance. Rebuild your army, come at me again. But if you lose… you will be mine. And I will be able to use you as I wish.”

She instantly flinched and took a few steps back, then a few more. Eventually she ran off shouting behind her ”I'll have your head for this!”

Good. Hopefully showing that I can crush two armies in a row will prevent any rebellion from her parts of the territory. But unfortunately it will take us months to be ready. Thankfully I heard it was going to be a specially cold winter for us. ‘I’ll see you in a few months...Snowball’ I proceeded to laugh to myself. Some Who had heard my evil laugh of darkness would be cursed to sleepless nights for the rest of their lives. ‘Muhahaha!’

…

…

…

“Welp... I’m bored... I wonder how Shatter and Silverwing are doing?”

Author's Note

Sorry for the long Wait. But I hope it was worth it. Anyways be safe and make sure to wash your hands every day.