The next day, Applejack had us get on a train. A train. We just fought a battle with swords and bows, but they have trains, and apparently they have dubstep music, because one of the posters I passed had a picture of a mare, I had asked Cassie the female horse name, named Vinyl Scratch, who played dubstep. So that means they have soundboards. Why they don't have guns is beyond me. They do have magic though, so I can't say much.

Anyways, we were all on the train to a place called Canterlot. Like Camelot. Marco has been making jokes about the city names, an so far all the punny names he came up with for each city have been spot on. Baltimare/Baltimore, Fillydelphia/Philadelphia, Manehattan/Manhattan, etc. He stopped after a while, and Applejack had been laughing as he tried to make a name up that wasn't real. We all rested on the train, most of our armor off to be repaired and cleaned, and so we didn't smell. The armor gets hot after a while.

About noon we reached the mountain that Canterlot was built upon, and we saw that the only way to get to it would be to hike up the train tracks, or fly. The mountain was steep. And the city was amazing. It looked like Helm's Deep, but built ON the mountain, not into it. The train rolled into the station, and we had just finished putting out armor back on when it stopped.

As we stepped out the train, a group of guards came and surrounded me and my friends. One came up and talked to Applejack.

"Lady Applejack, the Princesses have requested that you and the saviors of Appleloosa come with us up to the castle." Applejack nodded and told them to lead on, and with that we hiked up through the streets of Canterlot. As we did, me and my friends obviously looked at everything. And with looking at everything, we noticed the looks at us. Our armor probably didn't help much, but even then, I didn't think we would have been better off without it. All the ponies in Canterlot looked to be snobby rich assholes, and I could feel the seething dislike of us coming off them. I was happy when we reached the castle, and walked through it's front gates.

As we passed through, the guard noticeably relaxed. At least, to someone who could tell. They still looked tense, but they didn't expect to be attacked anymore. We were lead to the front double doors. I looked at my friends. Rachel had her long blonde hair in the Valkyrie braid, Marco was disheveled as always. Tobias was sticking near Rachel, as I knew he had a crush on my cousin for the longest time. He had his Nodachi, his sword, using it as a staff, a rubber piece on the tip to keep it from getting damaged. Cassie had her Naginata as her staff, and didn't have to keep a rubber tip on it. Ax was doing the same as Cassie with his Halberd. I carried my longsword like the warden always does, in my hand. We headed to the throne room.

As we reached it, two guards on both sides of the door threw it opened, and we were announced.

"Element of Harmony Commander Applejack and the six saviors of Appleloosa." I looked at the throne ahead of us.

There was four ponies with wings and a horn, three wearing elegant dresses. The fourth wore a set of light armor, like the peacekeeper. She had the regular load out for one as well.

We all walked to the edge the steps to the throne, and knelt before the princesses. Well, at least me and Ax did. Cassie and Tobias bowed, like traditional Japanese. And Marco and Rachel just stood there. The guards took exception to that.

"Kneel before the princesses." Marco and Rachel looked at each other, and I stood and addressed them.

"Marco, Rachel, just kneel for like, ten seconds. It won't kill you, and we can't afford to make enemies with them." They both sighed, and then knelt for a few seconds. After ten, they stood up. I looked at the guards.

"Better?" They begrudgingly nodded. I turned back to the princesses, who all had bemused expressions.
"I am sorry." The middle princess, whose fur was an alabaster white and wore a spaghetti strap dress of alabaster satin, waved it off.

"Do not worry. We understand, you're beings from another world, we do not hold you to our customs." I looked surprised at this.

"How did you know we are not from here? Besides the obvious stuff." She laughed.

"Well, I could tell when Discord showed up, and told us what would happen, shortly before he perished." At this, Applejack and the peacekeeper gasped. The peacekeeper spoke up.

"Wait, Discord is dead? Oh gods, Fluttershy will not be happy to hear about that." The alabaster princess raises her hand.

"In the meantime, Applejack, give us a report of the siege. I would like to know how these six newcomers helped, as Discord said they would." Applejack nodded, and said.

"Yes ma'am, princess Celestia. It all started..."

"...And that was when these six showed up. I honestly gotta say, the soldiers were happy when they saw them. They say that the ones who didn't kneel, fought with a ferocious beauty. The two who bowed, they fought with grace and form. And the two knights, well, they just fought, and they decimated, with a sense of honor. In fact, I would probably have been raped if it wasn't for the sword knight over there. By the way, I never caught your names?" Celestia spoke up.

"Yes, I would think we all would like to know." I nodded.

"Well, my name is Jake. The knight next to me is named Axel, but after a book series we read, we call him Ax. The two idiots who didn't kneel are my cousin Rachel, and my best friend Marco. The two who bowed are Cassie and Tobias. If you would like, I can tell you more about us?" Celestia then nods.

"Okay. We are from three different factions, who once were at war with one another. I am from the Knight's faction, as is Ax. Cassie and Tobias over there are from the Samurai, noble warriors who are trained from a young age to fight. And then Rachel and Marco are Vikings. They believe in death in combat, that being the most honorable way to die. They are ferocious fighters, and conquerors.

"I am a Warden. We are masters of the longsword. We are sworn to an oath, to fight for what is right. And only a few may join our order.

"Ax is a lawbringer. His order is sent whenever the law has deteriorated beyond normal. He is justice. His armor is said to be stronger than any other, and it's design a secret. He uses a poleaxe.

"Cassie is a Nobushi, which in our language means Field Warrior, or Wild Warrior. She is the protector of villages, when the samurai cant be everywhere. She wheres the lightest of armor, and wields the Naginata. They are fast, and deadlier than they look.

"Tobias is a Kensei, or Sword Saint. EVERY great Samurai ruler, trained as a sword saint. They are the defenders of the people, who's specialty is victory. There armor is the strongest of the Samurai, as is there will. They wield the Nodachi.

"Rachel is a Valkyrie. She answers to no one but the Gods of Valhalla, and fights for whom she wishes. They are the warriors who fight to gain honor for the fallen. They are masters of the spear and shield, and act as scouts, and trackers.

"Marco is the warlord. And no, not the same type of warlord as Appolyon. The vikings believe that a leader who doesn't lead the charge, is a coward. There shields are versatile, attack and defense. The swords are of an ancient forging technique. The name of Warlord is earned. They are sworn to serve all, and are the shields of there people. They wield a gladius and shield."

I heard my friends giggling behind me, and I knew why. I pretty much just quoted the intro pieces from the story mode. But it was the best way to describe them. After a second, they calmed down. Celestia stood up, and walked down to us.

"I am impressed. Luna, what say you?" She turns to the thrones, and a dark blue furred pony stands, making her way to us. She draws near to Rachel and Marco, and looks them over.

"I think they speak the truth, sister." She says in a commanding voice, deeper than Celestia's.

"But we still wish to see them do battle. Their leader has played them up, so we wish to see this skill."

Celestia just sighs, and looks at her sister. "No. We will not have them do combat just to entertain you sister. If you wish to see their combat skills, join them in the next battle we may send them to. In the meantime, Twilight, please.show them their rooms. I need to debrief Applejack of the siege."

Twilight bows. "Yes princess Celestia." She waved for us to follow, so we did.

She showed us to our rooms. As we walked, we asked her a question or two. Marco had the first question.

"Hey, Twilight. Aren't you another princess? You have wings and a horn like the other princesses."

After he said it, we all looked at Twilight for her answer. She sighs.

"Yes. But I just ascended to Alicornhood about two months ago. After that, we were attacked by an enemy named Tirek. A centaur who devoured magic. He ate all of it, but after I had to kick his ass, I was able to restore everyone's magic. Here is your rooms." She showed us three different rooms. I was guessing it was two to a room.

"Okay, buddy up." Everyone chose a buddy. Marco and Ax got a room, because Cassie and Rachel chose me and Tobias is respective order. I wasn't unhappy. I have always had a crush on her, even before reading that book series. Twilight didn't bat an eye at this, and bid us adieu till supper, to which we were to join the Princesses, and the commanders of the Royal Army.

We entered the rooms, and they were pretty darn posh. The bed was huge, a king at least. It had a balcony, a bathroom of it's own, and a wardrobe of to the side. Me and Cassie started to help each other take off our armor. We had clothes underneath, and we had all of us done a live action renaissance festivals, for multiple places, so we had actual practice with taking off the different types of armor we all wore.

Underneath our armor, we had on the last clothes we had worn before coming here. I had on a black t-shirt that was lightly baggy, cause muscle shirts look stupid. Black jeans that had plenty of room, and black socks. Guess I would need some new shoes. And new clothes for that matter.

"Hey Jake?"

"Yeah, what's up Cassie?"

"Why haven't any of us started to freak out over the fact that we are in a new land, and surrounded by Ponies, and literally talked to a GOD, who brought us here? And we haven't started to freak out over the lives of the Caribou we took yesterday? I didn't even have nightmares last night about them, and I like Caribou. What has happened?"

I thought of what to say. I realized, this is what true leaders have to go through. They have to reassure their troops that what they do isn't bad. I realized what I should say.

"From what I saw yesterday, with Applejack, I think that these Caribou aren't going to be nice. The five I killed that had pinned her, were literally about to rape her. Also, did you see how every soldier was a buck? When the Equestrian side had both male and female soldiers? I think that the Caribou might be sexist. They might be trying to invade for some reason. We can talk to the Princesses more tonight about it." Cassie nodded, and I continued to help her with her armor.

After another hour passed, we heard a knock on the door to the room. As I opened it, I saw a bat-pony stallion on the other side.

"Hello. I am to guide you and your friends to the dinner hall. If you will gather them and follow me." I nodded and got the other four. Though, Tobias and Rachel were a little mussed up. I overlooked it. I understood they liked each other, they just never said it out loud.

We had a good walk to the dinner hall, and had a better chance to look around at the palace we were in. We also realized how much of a maze it actually was. If you were to breach the castle walls any where but the front, you would be wandering around for a long while.

The dinner hall was large, but it had one long table in it. Sitting at the table, I saw the four princesses, Applejack, four other mares sitting near her. Sitting near the unnamed princess, a white stallion who looked to be a figure of high authority. After him, a yellow mare with orange hair, a bat-pony, and a couple of what looked to be Griffons. Near Twilight, Applejack, and the four mares, a young purple child sat. He had green spines that ran down his back, colored a lime green. There was six empty chairs, which we took.

Celestia addressed everyone at the table.

"Hello, everyone. Thank you for joining me and my sister at our table. We have much to discuss as we eat. First, I would like to thank the griffon king Graulus for joining us, and the head of his military. Also, I would like to thank Captain Spitfire for joining us from the Wonderbolt's. And I would like to thank you six humans for saving Appleloosa. If you would please introduce each of yourselves."

Cassie stood first. "Hello, my name is Cassie. I was a farmer and veterinarians before I was brought into the Japanese military. I am trained to be a Nobashi, or wild warrior, and I use a weapon called a Naginata."

Ax went next. "Hi, I'm Axel, but most people call me Ax. I am a lawbringer for the knights faction. I was just an ordinary citizen when I was chosen to be trained to be a lawgiver."

Tobias. "I am Tobias. I am a kensei, or sword saint. I was trained from ten to be one, and I wield the Nodachi. Also, Ax didn't say what he uses, but it is a poleaxe." Ax gave a small pound on the table for having forgotten.

Rachel. "I am the Valkyrie Rachel. I was trained from birth practically, and was asked to join the valkyries after I showed proficiency in combat."

Marco. "Hello everypony. I'm Marco. I am a warlord. I earned my title after saving my shipmates after they had been captured. I use a gladius and shield. And Rachel uses a spear and shield."

And finally me. "My name is Jake. I am a warden. I was trained from ten. I was sworn in as a warden at 18. I use a longsword." And I sat down.

The final princess stood up. "I am princess Cadence, princess of love. Me and my husband Shining Armor bid you welcome to our world. I am sorry you had to come here in such dire times." Celestia nodded.

"I agree. Fluttershy, it pains me to say, but Discord brought them here with the last of his powers... before he died of his wounds sustained during the invasion of the dragonlands."

Farther down the table, a butter yellow mare gasped, and then started to cry. I guess she must have known him well.

"I hadn't even gotten to tell him... I'm pregnant yet. " everybody gasped, and then the others around her started to get up to hug her.

I don't know what prompted me, but I got up and made my way over to her, and hugged her. She seemed scared, but then I said.

"He died with a smile on his face when he brought us here. Me and my friends will honor his wish, for us to help save Equestria."

Fluttershy looked at me when I said this, and then redoubled her hug on me while still crying. After a time, she let go of me, and I sat in my seat again.

Twilight stood, and started to introduce each of the other ponies we didn't know.

"You meet my friend Fluttershy. Then there is Rarity, Rainbow Dash, Applejack, who you met, and Pinkie Pie." Then Pinkie made a joke that got to us.

"Are the Andalites coming to help?" We stared at her. Marco asked her the question we wanted to ask.

"How the hell do you know about that book series? We all read it, but how do you know of it?" Pinkie just giggled.

"Well, I like to know things. I am the spy, so to say. Think Shinobi from the season 2 update. Then you have my job. Rainbow is the Orochi. Twilight is the mage/Peacekeeper. Applejack is the Black Prior. Rarity is Aramusha. Fluttershy is an archer/medic. She doesn't really fight much." Everyone at the table stared at her. Us the most. I asked her.

"How do you know so much about For Honor, and the heroes you can play as?" She sighed.

"About a month ago, Discord gave me the game. He said that it was important for the upcoming war. I think I even fought you guys at one point in the faction wars. You guys were good. But yeah, he gave me the game to play. That's how I know."

Everybody i think just chocked it up to Pinkie being Pinkie, but I didn't. I understood. Discord wanted somebody who really knew. Whatever reason he had for it, he did it. I nodded to her.

"And about the books? How did you know about that?"

"Well, I read the series as well. And I will leave it at that." I nodded again. Whatever. Princess Celestia started the conversation again.

"Well, I believe that we must prepare for the next battle. We have reason to believe that the Caribou are going to strike at Ponyville next." The group of friends gasped.

"Yes, our scouts report that the Caribou are bypassing several cities and marching for Ponyville. It makes sense, as it is one of our nations most defended forts. But, before they can reach Ponyville, they must either head through the Everfree, or go over the Cornerstone Bridge, on the way to Las Pegasus. judging from recent reports, this is the direction they are coming from. We need to hold them off, buy some time. That way, we can evacuate Ponyville, and prepare the defenses. Twilight, I know your castle can hold an entire regiment. Therefore, I want you to take a regiment with you. Fluttershy, I would like for you to go into the Everfree, and try and recruit some of the creatures there to our aid. Applejack, your needed back on your farm. Try and supply as much food as possible. Yours is one of the last few farms we have left. And if the town falls, burn the orchards and fields. The Crystal Empire to the north still has farms, and they can supply us with food till we win this. Humans, I hate to ask you this, but-" I interrupt her.

"As I said to Fluttershy, I will honor Discords wish. We will fight for Equestria. Marco, Rachel, Tobias. You three are to deploy with the soldiers to the bridge town. If the town falls, retreat the troops, and bring them back to Ponyville. Is that acceptable to you, Princess?" I look to Celestia. She is looking at me, and she nods.

"I agree with Sir Jake's plan. Pinkie, Rarity, Rainbow, go with the troops and the three humans to Trotseltown. Defend the bridge till you can't, and retreat to Ponyville with any surviving troops, and help shore up Ponyville. That is all for tonight. Spitfire, I will see you in my personal office. Luna, it is time to raise the moon and lower the sun. Twilight, could you please show them back to their rooms?" Twilight nods, and tells us to follow her. She leads us back to our rooms, and we bunk in for the night.

Tomorrow, we go to war.

Author's Note

Sorry for the delay on this chapter. I have had things going on for a little bit, and I have been working on the colab chapters for Howl at the moon with Displacedwriter. I hope this chapter holds up, because war stories will have to have planning chapters that will be boring. Next chapter, we might get someone elses point of view.

Have a Jivin day!