Blood, sweat, and iron…this was all I knew as a child.

But when I became a adult I knew another thing…war.

The fort was under siege as the army approached. An young adult earth-pony ducked under the low wall as a boulder flew overhead crashing into a tower. She wore worn but strong dull silver armor of what was called a conqueror it along with the helmet, her build and height let her blend in with the men of the fort so long as she did not speak. But she feared the ones breaking in right now more than the ones who she fought along side her.

She saw “him” leading the army. Not is some chariot pulled by a large beast, not protected from all sides by elite guard, but leading his troops at the very front of the frontlines. He wore regal but battle damaged armor wearing a helmet that covered his face, a black cape with a golden sun on the back attached to his shoulders, she only saw him carrying a short gladius sword in his right hand and nothing in his off hand.

She grabbed her flail and shield and began to run towards the steps that lead down to the court yard. But she only got a few steps before 3 enemy knights cut her off each with swords and shield at the ready. The armor clad mare swung her flail crash into one of the knight’s head with a sickening crack, she the kicked one away who charged at her before bashing the third with her shield sending him into a wall with spikes impaling him, the last had fallen down the steps now surrounded by Stonehoof knights. Before anyone could act the fort gate exploded inward in a hail of splinters as the army began to step through but none attacked and she saw why, their leader. He stood with his arms our telling his army to hold and when he spoke the whole world listened.

“IRON BIT!!! I CHALLENGE YOU TO SINGLE COMBAT! THE WINNER TAKES THIS KEEP, ITS SOLDIERS, AND ALL IT HAS TO OFFER! WILL YOU SPARE THESE MEN?!” He boomed calling out the knight put in charge of the fort. His call out answered by a tall unicorn armored in heavy steel armor carrying a halberd with a sun design at the head.

“Well Shining this is a treat.” Iron spoke removing his helmet revealing a gray coat and white mane his face covered in a few scars. “Here looking for someone?” He mocked. “She cried for you almost every night, well when she wasn’t moaning like a whore.” Iron chuckled joined by a few others at the fort. They couldn’t see his face but Shining armor’s rage was felt like a roaring bonfire. “I’ll fight you and when I kill you I’ll keep you head as a little treat for her.” Iron smiled putting his helmet back on readying his halberd.
Shining said nothing as the two circled each other for moment before Iron made a swing for the former captain of the royal guard. before the head came close he ducked out of the way charging at the keep captain. Shining tackled Iron to the ground ready to plunge his blade into the lawbringer's chest but was quickly thrown off by the downed knight.Once to their feet they clashed blades Iron looking to have the upper hand.

The conqueror looked on as did the rest of the keep and army the fight continued. But out of the corner of her eye she saw an archer reading his bow taking aim at Shining armor. As the fight continued the said archer had perfect aim on the rebel general but his vision was soon filled with stone then pitch black. The Conqueror looked at her handy work of the now unconscious archer.

Shining armor finally decided to put some effort into the fight and stabbed his sword into the ground grabbing Iron’s halberd by the pole as it came down. Holding it in place he balled up his left hand and delivered a punch that ended in a crunch as his fist slammed into Iron’s helmet. Iron’s helmet was caved in but Shining continued driving the unicorn to his knees but kept punching each made the sound of metal giving way and bones breaking. One he was on his knees Shining delivered a powerful knee to Iron’s jaw making him fall onto his back with a painful groan. As the former captain retrieved his sword Iron spit and sputtered trying to speak. “Blrhg…*cough*…please…blrph…mercy…” The still standing unicorn turned back to the one on the ground.

Holding his left fist forward with his thumb out and began to tilt it between thumbs-up and thumbs-down. He finally seemed to keep it at thumbs-up before quickly turning it to thumbs-down. With a might roar and a powerful slash Shining removed Iron’s head from his shoulders letting it roll toward the knights of the keep. As the excitement faded Shining removed his helmet revealing his face to be as it had been before the war but a few small scars near his lips and one on his eye brow as he handed his helmet to one of his soldiers he turned to all who had watched on. “I took an oath… as all you did… now I offer a choice… swear loyalty under me and the rule of Equestria… or be cut down.” As he finished none of the soldiers moved but one walked forward to him, the conqueror. “What is your choice?” He asked the tall knight that stood before him.

The conqueror looked at him then at the remaining keep before taking ahold of her helmet and removing it revealing herself to everyone making most gasp in shock before she spoke. “My name is Lucky Feet, I’ve served surrounded by enemies these past years… I want to fight alongside allies now, if you’ll have my services.” She finished looking at the former captain who looked at her for a minute before smiling and nodded.

“Welcome to the cause Lucky.” He said patting her shoulder.

After Lucky stepped forward many of the knights of the keep joined casting any Stonehoof armor or weapons aside and taking up new ones that seemed to have the symbols of each of the once Princesses of Equestria on them. For any that did not join they quickly found their heads on chopping blocks, but for right now Shining had Lucky show him to where they kept any slaves. “We keep most down here but some were shipped off just a few days ago I believe head for Canterlot, your wife among them… I’m sorry you couldn’t get here in time.” Shining hit the closest wall as they walked down a hallway cursing. As they entered the dungeon they saw highly overcrowded cells with species from caribou to pony and even a griffon or two.

“Let them all out and get them some proper clothes and food.” The former prince said as he quickly left the dungeon and headed up to one of the watchtowers. As he looked out over the land he saw Canterlot in the distance. “Cadance…please just hold on.” He begged to the air. He was pulled from his thoughts by the sound of small hooves coming up behind him.

“Papa! Papa!” The little alicorn no more than 5&1/2 cried coming up and jumping into Shining’s arms for a hug. “Did you find mommy?” She asked as her father held her.

“No…not yet Flurry.” Her father replied looking like he was about to cry but was stopped by his daughter hugging his neck tight. “But when we do find her I’m never going let anything happen to you and her again.” Shining then gave his daughter a kiss on her head and headed back down his daughter still in his arms.

-Elsewhere-

A group of ten Caribou walked beside a large caged wagon while a large beast pulled it. In the cart were only two prisoners both not liking the other’s company but it was preferable to compared the one’s who were currently escorting them. One was the former princess of the Crystal Empire, Cadance, her coat and mane were dirty her horn removed along with her wings kept in sleeves to keep them weak and so the feathers would not grow back. The only clothing she had was a black collar and a wedding band on her finger. But her current cellmate was dirtier than what she really looked like, Chrysalis the former changeling queen, her horn cut off as well while her own bug like wings appeared to not have been put in sleeves but ripped off by hand, her attire did not differ much from Cadance's a black collar and what looked like a silver ring on her left ring finger.

“I will say this is humbling." Chrysalis said breaking the silence the two had kept for a majority of the ride.

“I’d say you deserve worse for all you’ve done…but I don’t think I can given what both of us went through.” Cadance said admiring her wedding ring. “So who’d you trick into getting married or is it just for show?”

Chrysalis chuckled. “You wouldn’t believe me if I told you…” The former queen brought her ring up to look at it. “He’s kind, he’s handsome, and you couldn’t ask for a better king to my people.” Cadance smiled thinking maybe the changeling that almost ruined one of the happiest day of her life had found her own version of Shining armor. “Plus when he pulls his pants down you could play horseshoes on that damn thing.” Chrysalis said with a chuckle.

“Okay the first bit was wholesome and the second bit unnecessary.” Cadance replied before scooting over as close as the chains would let the two get. “But that doesn’t hurt to much.” She whispered making the two giggle.

“What's so funny skanks?” One of the caribou soldiers asked. Instead of an answer he simply got mean looks from the two. “Come on I haven’t had a good laugh in years.” He said trying to pour on charm but it only came off as sleaze.

“We were laughing about how our husbands make you all look hung like infants.” Chrysalis snapped back. This was not the smartest idea as the caribou made the cart stop.

“I’ll show you, little bitch, KEYS!” He yelled but the soldier who he yelled at didn’t move he only fell over an arrow sticking out the back of his skull. “AMBUSH! SPREAD OUT!” He yelled again but he soon realized the small squad was dead all around him and knights began to step out of the trees some peacekeepers, mostly wardens, but a centurion with wings coming out his back approached the lone caribou sword at the ready.

“So will you die fast or die slow?” The centurion asked the caribou who only growled pulling out a sword and charging at the knight. His momentum came to a sudden halt as he fell to the ground dead a gladius embedded in his head. The centurion walked over grabbing the sword handle and yanking it out. “He chose the fast way. Now search them all, find me the keys, anything of value is yours to keep, got it?” He ordered with his small group of about 20 replied with a booming. “YES SIR!” As they searched the body they found any bits first, weapons were next and last was anything else, in this case keys to the wagon and shackles. “Now ladies I could free you from the quagmire the both of you are in…but you see this little faction of mine does fight for free.”

“We are both of royal descent and will compensate you greatly when we are freed.” Chrysalis spoke putting on a smug grin.

“Oh the word of royalty…spit is worth more.” The centurion chuckled. “What about those shiny bands on your fingers…as a small down payment?”

“Not on your life.” Cadance spat with venom. “But what about this?” She asked brushing her hair away from her ear showing a very elegant and expensive gold earring with at least a dozen jewels in it.

The centurion getting a closer look at the jewel. “Well that could work…but say we return you to the gental-stallions who gave you those rings, what could they pay as a return fee?”

“Well my kingdom is made of crystal if that is of interest.” Cadance smiled knowing she had him hooked. “But great fearless leader of this small army what may we call you.”

“Oh forgive my manners, not a huge need for ‘em , I am Gaius ‘Invictus’ Gabinus and currently your savior…so ‘our hero’ works too.” Gaius unlocking the cage and moving to unlock the them.

“Well Sir Gaius I, Princess Cadance of the Crystal Empire, humbly thank you and swear on my life to repay your kindness the moment I am able.” Cadance smiled rubbing her wrists and ankles as a peacekeeper brought her some pants and a tunics for the two now freed rulers.

“Careful I take life as payment.” Gaius chuckled at his off color joke even if the two did find it funny.

“Gaius!” A male peacekeeper ran up panting. “We’ve got a problem.”

“Calm down, what is it?" Gaius asked seeming somewhat concerned.

“Vikings, At least 10 ships full plus a war-beast.” The peacekeeper answered. “But they aren’t flying Stonehoof symbols or colors.”

“Doesn’t matter you’ve met one you’ve met them all.” Gaius said unfeeling. “We’ll set an ambush and wipe them out before they can even touch Equestrian soil.” Gaius finished looking down toward a cove where he saw the lights of ships moving closer. He felt like this encounter will be different, how? He wasn’t sure, but he just knew by the end of it he’d have caribou blood on his hands.

Author's Note

Thank you to all readers. Also thank you all those who have posted characters. Gaius was created by Centurion Pike-Wall so a special thanks them. See you all in the next chapter