The 300 Poniesby AppleBucker22ChaptersChapter 1: BeginningsChapter 2: The Rising StormChapter 3: The Gates of ParadiseChapter 4: The Oncoming WavesChapter 1: BeginningsToday, a foal was born. Like all the other ponyville foals, it was judged. It had to be determined if it was weak, or sick. This did not turn out to be the case this day. Ponyville is a tribe of warriors, ruthless on the battlefield, taking no prisoners and leaving no man behind. They are elite warriors of all Equestria called “Ponyville Spartans”. The children there, train, as soon as they are born. There is no magic here, or flying. Just using your hooves and weapons. The foal that was born, had grown up, and had begun his training. It was intense. Ponyville warriors are taught never to retreat, not even in the toughest situations. When the foal turned 14 it was sent to the Everfree forest for it’s last trial. Survival. Being sent out in the middle of winter with almost no equipment, is used to teach survival. The foal was cold and it searched for a cave, and he found one. On the ground he noticed footprints. A beast was following him. The beast was hungry, smelling it’s prey, thinking of how to devour him. And out of the shadow it came. A timberwolf. The foal stepped back, leading the timberwolf into a narrow cave. The beast was hungry, smelling it’s prey, thinking of how to devour him. Savouring in the moment. The timberwolf jumped, but the foal quickly reacted, and trapped the head of the beast in the narrow space. The foal was quick, ruthless and decisive. He was going to make a great warrior. After defeating the beast, he went back to Ponyville where he was already presumed dead, but as always, that did not turn to be the case. He stood up, raising his shield and spear high. His father spoke up: “You are a real pony now, Leonidas!”. The crowd cheered, excited seeing their new king and the festivities began. There was a feast, drinking and dancing. It was a perfect night. Leonidas and his father went to sleep, knowing there was much to do tommorow. More training for Leonidas. “The boy is an excellent warrior” Said Leonidas’ father “But will he be a good king?” Leonidas’ mother spoke up “Is there any doubt?” Leonidas’ father looked at his wife with a serious face “Well, he has proven a great warrior, but what of his diplomatic skills?” Said the wife “We Ponyville men are warriors only! Only those fancy-pants up in Canterlot are diplomats! We solve our problems with shedding blood, not by offering bribes of gold!” The father said with an angry face “I will take your word on it. But be careful, that attitude of yours will get Ponyville in a lot of trouble on day” Said the wife. Several years later It is a sad day for Ponyville. Leonidas’ father, has passed away. The funeral is being held at the forum. The king is being given a traditional king’s death. By fire. By tradition, it is the son that sets his father’s corpse on fire. And so it happened. Leonidas carried the torch, slowly, with sadness in his face. But he could not show it. It is unbecoming that men of Ponyville express their emotions. He arrived to the casket. He looked down with regret, and set it on fire. The death of the king was mourned for months, but it was time a new king was chosen. And it was Leonidas. “AND THAT IS THE KING WE ARE FIGHTING WITH TODAY! OUR KING, LEONIDAS!” Was yelled out in camp by the second in command. “HAAAAA-UUH! HAAAA-UH!” The soldiers chanted, feeling inspired by their leader “He is the reason why we fight! He is the pony we are ready to die for!” But I have gone too far. To understand this, we need to go a few months back. FEW MONTHS AGO It was a beautiful morning, the birds were chirping and the sun was just above the trees. The children ran through the streets, careless of what is going to happen. It wasn’t their concern. At least not yet. Mares gathered at the market, purchasing goods from travelling merchants that just came from Canterlot. Leonidas woke up, and looked out the window. The sun gently stroked his mane and the breeze cooled his warm face. His wife entered the room and spoke up: “Oh darling, you’re up! I’ve made you breakfast! Why don’t you come down and we can eat?” But Leonidas remained still, looking at the far distance. It’s as if he saw smoke on the outskirts of Equestria. “Leonidas? What is it?” His wife asked “The gates of Equestria... Something is going on....” “If something were wrong our scouts would report it, wouldn’t they?” “I guess you are right dear.... I’ll come down in a second.” “Don’t wait too long, the breakfast won’t stay warm for long!” Leonidas knew something was wrong, but his wife made a pretty good argument. I guess it was too early to assume anything. After having breakfast Leonidas went on to train with his son. His son is a strong foal and he will make an excellent warrior one day, like his father. After the training, Leonidas and his son sat down on the stairs, near the training hall “Dad, how is it in war?” The son asked “Well son, it is.... Exciting.... Enemies wherever you look, so much noise you can’t even tell what is going on around you...” His face turned somber, “But there is also a bad side....” “Like what?” The curious foal asked. “You are too young son, another time perhaps.” On the outskirts of Ponyville you could hear the pitter patter of chariots, slowly riding into town. They stopped at the forum and a dark pony with earrings on his lips and eyebrows, took out of his pouch, pony skulls, tied together. “Leonidas! You are wanted at the forum!” Said the royal messenger. Leonidas left his son, and continued on to the forum, when he arrived the dark pony turned around and spoke up to him: “Earth, and water....” Said the dark pony “Earth and water?” Leonidas responded “Leonidas, the Remnant army asks for your attention! Our leader, Xerxes the half-god is beginning his epic campaign to conquer the world, and all he wishes is a supply or earth, and water.” Said the dark pony “Xerxes wants our earth and water? Hah! I heard those philosophers and fancy-pants up in Canterlot already declined you! If they declined you, I guess the Remnants army is not as strong as people thought!” Leonidas said with a smug smile. “But sir, perhaps we should think about the political advanta-....” Said the counsellor “No! We are warriors only, not diplomats!” Leonidas responded angrily. “If you do not agree to our terms you will be crushed like any other tribe we’ve encountered! Xerxes has massive armies that make the earth tremble, his armies drink rivers dry! I suggest you choose your words carefully, for they may be your last, as king...” The dark pony said with an angry face. As Leonidas looked at his friends and family, and the fair ponies of his town, he thought about what he could lose, and what he could gain.. Before you knew it Leonidas turned around, and pulled his sword out on the messenger pony. “You madman! Nopony ever, Remnant or Equestrian, ever threatened a messenger!” The dark pony said. “You come here, showing the heads of defeated kings, threaten my people with slavery and death and what do you expect me to do?!” Leonidas said. “Earth and water... You’ll find plenty of both down there.” Said Leonidas as he pointed at the well of doom. “You are a madman! This is blasphemy! This is madness!” Leonidas looked at his wife, asking with his eyes if he did the right thing...She gave him a confirming nod. Leonidas turned around. “Madness?” “THIS. IS. PONYVILLE!!!!!!” As Leonidas turned on his front hooves he bucked the Remnants messenger into the well of doom, and so his guards suffered the same fate. “There, it is done. We have plenty to do now.” “A storm is coming....” Chapter 2: The Rising Storm“What do you mean?”, Asked Leonidas’ wife, “What kind of storm?” “The smoke I saw on the outskirts of Equestria, it was them... They are already at the borders. We have to consult the Ephors!” The Ephors.. Inbred ponies.. Legend has is it they descended from the original kings of Ponyville, and no king has ever gone to war without their permission. Leonidas climbed to the top of Delphi, to reach the Ephors. “Leonidas, we expected you!” ,A hooded pony welcomed Leonidas, “Come, let us go” As they arrived to the top of the mountain, they arrived at a dome, the sacred home of the Ephors, surrounded by nothing but starry skies. Leonidas spoke up, “The Remnants are on the warpath, we have to stop their march at the Gates of Paradise!” The Gates of Paradise was an ancient pass, where the ponies first marched through, to get to the land we today, call Equestria. Leonidas drew a battle plan in the pit of the sand with his hoof, “My plan is to amass an army and get over to The Gates of Paradise, stopping their naval attack. Wave by wave, Remnant soldiers will bounce off our shields.” “Leonidas, what are you offering us?”, Leonidas looked up at the Ephor Priest and dropped a bag of gold on the floor, “Now, about the attack...” “The full moon is arriving Leonidas, you know what that means. The Carnea approaches! No king has ever gone to war on this holiday!” Leonidas got angry and yelled up at the Ephors, “PONYVILLE WILL BURN! HER CHILDREN WILL BURN, AND HER PEOPLE BECOME SLAVES TO THE REMNANTS!” “Nevertheless we must consult the Oracle..” The Ephors meant business, and it was against Leonidas to defy them. “We still have to consult the Oracle.” Saying that, the Ephors pulled out a bottle with smoke coming out of it, and it had a toxic smell. Inbred Ponies, Leper diseased ponies. Oracles were the finest women of Ponyville, taken away from their homes, to serve the Ephors as their Oracles. Even old men, have desires. The Oracle twitched, she looked like she was having a spasm. Finally, she calmed down, all sweaty she lied down on her pillow and spoke to the Ephor Priest. “Asha, saunad”, “Heed the wind...” “Sahua eashe” , “Ponyville will burn...” “Asasu asha”, “Honor the Gods....” “Besh alia” , “HONOR CARNEA” Leonidas was angry, he could not stand the Ephors anymore. He left there, and without the permission of the Ephors, he would’ve gone to war himself, the very first Ponyville Spartan in history to do so. The same night, Remnants gathered and visited the Ephors. Several dark ponies with piercings on the lips and eyebrows came up to the priest with a huge sack. They opened the sack and thousands of gold coins came out. “All you have to do is support the Remnants on their march and honor the god-king Xerxes.” The Ephor’s eyes glittered in the sight of all that gold, and their greed got the better of them. “You will have fresh Oracles delivered to you daily, from all over the world.” Said the dark pony “We agree to all your terms.” And by saying that, the Ephors bowed down to the Remnants. BACK IN PONYVILLE It was nighttime, and Leonidas’ thoughts overwhelmed by the decision of the Ephors. He looked at his fair city, and he thought he saw it all. The people enslaved and the buildings destroyed. He was disturbed by his wife, who came up to him and asked him what was going on. “Has the Oracle claimed your thoughts, dear?” “It will take more than a few words of a drunk pony, to change my mind.” “Why aren’t you sleeping then?” “I.... I just have a lot on my mind...” “Get some sleep, it will all make sense in the morning..” And so the night passed on, and morning came. Leonidas’ son came up to his father. “I’m.... Going away on a trip son.... “ His face turned sad, but ponyville men cannot show emotions, for it is unbecoming of them. “Will you come back dad?” “I... Don’t know my son.... I just want you to know that I am very proud of you. Continue your training, and you will make a fine warrior one day!” “Yes dad, good luck!” As Leonidas departed from his son, he went to the outskirts of Ponyville. Out there was his second of command, General Artemis was waiting for him, with a group of soldiers “Are those the ones I asked for?” Asked Leonidas. “Yes, 300 stallions, all have sons to continue on their duty” Artemis said “Perfect.” As Leonidas looked at his troops, he spotted Artemis’ son “Your son is here?” “Yes, he is a fine warrior, and we will make use of him.” “Are you sure about this?” “Have I ever been sure about anything?” Leonidas gave him a little chuckle and proceeded on. He looked at the gates of his city, and he saw his 2 counsellors approach him. “Leonidas, what is this?” Asked Theron, a council member of the Spartan council “Nothing, what does it look like to you?” Leonidas said “It looks like you are preparing for war, Leonidas.” “A war? With 300 Ponies? Even you know our armies are not that strong! I am simply heading out for a stroll, and these 300 are my personal guard.” Theron looked at Leonidas suspiciously, but because he could not act out against his king, he let this one slip. Leonidas’ wife, Queen Gorgo approached him. “So, this is it...” “Yes, it is..” Said Leonidas “Are you coming back?” “I don’t know....” The Queen took off her necklace, and gave it to Leonidas. “Come back with your shield..... or on it..” He looked at her for some time, but because he could not show his affections, he walked away. She knew he loved her. “Spartan!” Leonidas’ wife said to him. They exchanged one last look, and with that, Leonidas’ departed As the spartan warriors marched on, they noticed a shadow on the horizon, a hunchback pony, wearing familiar armor. The ponyville warriors marched on, and during their march scouts came up to them: “Leonidas, a band of warriors is approaching your way!” “Everyone, stand guard!” As the warriors entered their formations, they stood still until Leonidas gave them the “all clear” sign. “Haha, the Arcadians, my old friends! How are you?” “Do not patronize us Leonidas, you know why we are here” Their leader said “We came here to battle the Remnant armies, I’m sure you saw the smoke at the Gates of Paradise. Our scouts say that Remnant armies are already in Equestria, and we must act quick, so we came to battle them.” Leonidas looked at the Arcadian soldiers, and spoke up: "You there, Arcadian, what is your profession?" “P-p-p-potter, sir.” “And you there! What is your profession?” “Blacksmith sir...” “SPARTAAAANS! WHAT IS YOUR PROFESSION?” “HAAA-UHH, HAAA-UH!” “You see that Arcadian? Ponyville men are born warriors, not like your army of villagers.” “Leonidas...” ,General Artemis spoke up, “It would be... Useful for the Arcadians to accompany us... We are only 300 after all, they could be a good supporting unit.” Leonidas looked at his general for some time, when he finally made a decision: “Alright, Arcadians! Fall in line! We are heading for this village of yours!” As the Ponyville Warriors and Arcadian warriors marched on, they reached this village they’ve heard about. It was visible for miles. Clouds of black smoke coming up from the burning houses. The troops entered the village and looked around. “Leonidas!!” A soldier came up, carrying a small foal in his hooves. The foal was dirty, and had a lot of cuts on it. It was barely speaking. “What did you see?” Leonidas asked the foal. The foal barely spoke up: “It’s quiet now....They came from the blackness...The world we know.... Will never be the same...” This foal’s story shook up the spirits of the warriors, as they looked at each other wondering what the foal is talking about. “He speaks of ancient Remnant spirits. It is said that they come out of the darkness, striking when you least expect it.” The arcadian leader said. “Leonidas.... You have to see this...” The soldier was barely holding his lunch together after this sight. “Gods have mercy.....” Leonidas look at it with shock All of the warriors gazed upon it, the sign of Remnant cruelty. A giant X made out of the bodies from fallen ponies. “If this is what they do to the fallen, then we have no chance!” The Arcadian Warriors panicked, but were soon interrupted by Leonidas. “Silence! They will not do this to us. We will not let them! We should move on, we have to get the Gates of Paradise.” As they all left the village, the sculpture still stood there, as a mark of what the Remnants did. And it will not be forgotten... Chapter 3: The Gates of ParadiseNight fell, and the ponyville warriors went to sleep. After the sight they saw, they needed it. Those pony corpses mark the Remnant cruelty, a sign that they will not be stopped. At least, that is what they think. While all the soldiers sleep, only Leonidas watches to the distance. He doesn’t know what to expect. Remnant armies number to a million, and he is unsure if his 300 will fit the ticket. Dawn rises, and the soldiers set out. “My lord! We’re being followed!” The scout approached Leonidas. In the distance, the soldiers saw that hunchback figure, the one they saw back in ponyville. It had a familiar shield, resembling ponyville armor. “It’s been following us since Ponyville” General Artemis spoke up “Let’s leave it for now, the Gates of Paradise are not far away.” “Yes m’lord.” The soldiers marched, the same figure, still stalking them. They neared the Gates of Paradise. They stopped on a cliff to rest, and night soon fell. The soldiers looked over the cliff, what once was the beautiful sea of Equestria, now is filled with thousands of Remnant ships. They were like a plague, once beginning to spread, they would not stop. A storm is brewing... The god of thunder, lashes out on the Remnant ships. A sort of welcome, from the coast of Equestria. The soldiers cheer, overcome by the sight of Remnant ships crashing into the rocky coast, and thousand on ponies falling off the deck. Only one keeps his Ponyville glow. Our king Leonidas. The rain, raged on. The ponies camped in for the night, knowing that they had a big day ahead of them. Tomorrow is the first wave of the Remnant forces. As dawn closes in, Astinos, and the Arcadian leader look over the cliff on the Remnant camp. Thousands of lights, flickering, tents, as far as the eye can see. “Gods, I didn’t know there was going to be so many!” The Arcadian leader said, looking towards Astinos with a worried face. “Why, you gone chicken Arcadian?” Astinos grinned at him “Are you mad?! Look at all of them! How can we possibly hold them off?!” Astinos just gave him a chuckle and proceeded on to Leonidas “Astinos!” ,Leonidas spoke up, “Is there any way that the Remnants can get behind us?” “I wouldn’t know My Lor--” Right then, the hunchback pony walked out of the shadow. His face was weary, and his back misshapen. He was wearing Ponyville crimson and a spear. “My lord! There is a small goat path that would lead right to your flank! I suggest you send men out there while you still can!” The hunchback spoke up “Stay down beast, or I will cut you down where you stand!” Astinos pulled his sword “I ordered no such thing.” Saying that Leonidas grabbed Astinos’ sword. “What is your name?” “I am Ephialtes sir. A child of Ponyville. My mother’s love forced my parents to flee, lest I be rejected. My father was a soldier, but when he fled he became a farmer. He still taught me how to fight, and how to handle a spear!” Saying that, Ephialtes raised his spear, and swung around it. His spear cut through the air with such ferocity. Leonidas was impressed. “That is a great swing.” “I will kill many Remnants sir!” Leonidas observed the hunchback pony, came up to him and asked him: “Raise your shield up as high as you can...” Ephialtes looked at Leonidas with curiosity for some time, but eventually he gave up and raised his shield. It reached up barely to his neck. “You see Ephialtes, in our Phalanx formation, our goal is to protect the person next to us with our shield. The way you raise your shield, it would weaken the Phalanx, and we’d all fall. I’m sorry. Not all of us are meant to be soldiers.. You can still tend to the dead and bring over water..” Ephialtes face turned sad, he began to shed tears “No, no you can’t...” “I’m sorry, but we cannot use you.” Saying that, Leonidas went down to ready his troops. Ephialtes stood at the top of the cliff for some time, watching the dawn rising. Finally he got up. Looked at his shield and spear.. He raised them up, and tossed them down the cliff. “MOTHER! FATHER! YOU WERE WRONG!!!!!!!” “YOU WERE WRONG LEONIDAS! YOU WERE WRONG!!” Several minutes later Several soldiers gathered around the ancient Equestrian wall, which was used to protect Equestria in times of the ancients. Several miles later you could see a giant chair, lifted by several slave ponies, and a dark pony commanding them with a whip. “FORWARD YOU LAZY BUMS!” He smacked his whip on the slaves. The dark pony turned around, and saw the piked heads of the Remnant scouts. “FORWARD!” The giant chair reached the wall, the smell of dead bodies crawled up the dark pony’s nostrils. “What is this....?” The dark pony asked “This is the wall of Equestria, good sir. It was used in the times of the ancients to fend off barbarians like you...” “Barbarians?! How dare you--” The dark pony then saw the corpses of the Remnant scouts, buried deep within the wall. “You see, this wall has protected us with the rocks, from the bosom of Mother Equestria herself. Unfortunately we ran out of rocks, and we had to use some of your men, to patch things up.” Saying that, Astinos pulled out his sword. “You dare, insult the god-king this way? You Ponyville scum deserve whatever comes your way!” The dark pony readied his whip, ready to strike at the ponyville soldiers... Astinos jumped with his sword, and in the split second, cut off the arm of the slavemaster. The dark pony laughed, and spoke up “You think, you barbarians can defeat us? The mighty Remnant army? Hahahahaha, you amuse me in my last moments... Be afraid! Hahaha... Be very afraid! For a thousand nations, of the Remnant empire, descend upon you!” “I’ve had enough of you” Astinos pulled out his sword, and cut off the dark pony’s head. BACK AT THE GATES “Are the men ready?” “Yes my lord, all ready to die for you.” “What of the goat path?” “We sent a battalion to investigate.” “Pray to the gods they don’t find out, or we are all dead.” Suddenly the earth quaked, and the soldiers felt distress “Earthquake” Artemis said “No, battle formations!” Saying that, Leonidas put on his helmet, and stood at the beginning of the Phalanx As they looked at the horizon they saw an army of massive proportions. A million soldiers marching, to destroy the 300. A dark pony in a chariot came up in front of the line and spoke to the Ponyville spartans. “Ponyville Spartans! Lay down your weapons and the God-King will have mercy on you!” There was no response from the Ponyville warriors. Well, not entirely true. Several seconds later, a spear came flying up. The dark pony looked at his fate. The spear plunged through his heart, and the dark pony had the time to say only one word. “Attack....” “SOUND THE ATTACK!!” The trumpet raged, and the soldiers charged at the 300. Leonidas spoke to his troops: “PONYVILLE SPARTANS! THIS IS WHAT WE FIGHT FOR! THIS IS WHAT WE LIVE FOR!” “GIVE THEM NOTHING!! BUT TAKE FROM THEM.... EVERYTHING!!!!” The ponies clashed their shields, the 300 being pushed back by the second. They are strong and do not let up. A thousand more ponies comes marching up to the 300, pushing the Ponyville Spartans further back. After some time, Leonidas shouted: “SPARTAAAAAAAAAAAAAAANS! PUUUUUSH!” The Spartans gave it their all, pushing the Remnant ponies back to the coast. The sound of hooves clashing against the ground and the sounds of shields, clashing against shields. “SPARTANS! BREAK!” The Spartans broke their formation, letting loose with all the rage inside them. Slashing, and stabbing. Stabbing, and slashing... Remnant numbers dwindled, Leonidas stood out in front of the crowd, cutting the soldiers down. Soon all that remained was a handful of Remnant soldiers. “They look thirsty, my king!” General Artemis spoke up “Then let’s give them something to drink, eh?” The spartans went back to their Phalanx formations and slowly marched towards the end of the cliff, where the Remnant soldiers stood. “No, no please don’t!” The remnant soldiers all shouted That did not stop them. They continued on moving, when finally Leonidas jumped on his hind legs and bucked the Remnant warriors into the ocean below. The Spartans felt proud. This was the best action they saw in years. “Everyone, round up the dead and---” Before Leonidas could finish, a million arrows fired off from the cliffs. Remnant archers. “Everypony! Tuck and Cover!” The ponies kneeled, with their shields above their heads. “Remnant cowards! Can’t fight if their lives depended on it so they send archers to do their work!” The arrow shower passed and the Spartans began collecting the dead and burning their bodies. “Spartans! Get some rest! Tomorrow is a new day and it brings new troubles!” “This.. is just the beginning...” Chapter 4: The Oncoming WavesYesterday was a victory. The warriors managed to repel the waves of Remnant forces. However, today is a new day, and new challenges await them. The ponies had waken up. Light hoof chatter was heard in the camp. Several ponies gathered around the campfire with warm breakfasts in their hands. “What do you think’s gonna happen?” One of the soldiers spoke up “I don’t know, but it can’t be good. The senate has to send help for us!” “You actually think the senate is going to respond?” “Their country’s life is in danger, why wouldn’t they send support?” “Maybe, because they’re pompous idiots who only care for themselves?” Leonidas joined them, but the soldiers suddenly went quiet. “What is the topic?” Asked Leonidas “None, my king... Just... catching up?” The soldier gave him a little smile, letting him know that everything is okay. “Eat your breakfasts, and wake the rest of the soldiers. Long day ahead of us...” A few moments passed, and the whole camp was awakened. Putting on their armor, sharpening their spears and honing their swords. The ponies took up their position at the mouth of the gates, when their scout saw something in the distance. “Leonidas! Look!” The scout pointed at the distance, where a large object could be seen “Battle formations, sir?” “No, I will check it out. Alone.” “If you say so sir.” Leonidas went ahead, to investigate. When he arrived, he was greeted in the most unusual way anypony could ever be greeted in. A large carrier approached Leonidas, carried by a dozen of slave ponies, all tired out of their mind. On the carrier was a dark alicorn, who had no mane. His face was “decorated” with various rings. The carrier approached Leonidas and lowered the dark alicorn. Leonidas looked at the dark alicorn with confusion and asked: “King Xerxes, am I right?” “Leonidas, king of Ponyville, I come before you with a humble heart.” The dark alicorn answered. “Your heart was not so humble yesterday when you sent a horde of your men at my army!” “You resisted, therefore you had it coming” “Before I get bored out of my mind and leave, what is your purpose here?!” That comment aggravated Xerxes. You could see it in his face. Years of pain and struggle, only to be found by more. Leonidas did not back down and he had to find a way to make him. “Listen up carefully Leonidas, for I shall say this only once. I.... Am kind. And I am offering you this. Surrender Ponyville to the Remnant army and I will grant you everything you ever wished for! You like war? You will become the supreme warlord of Remainder, the country that will rise out of the ashes from Equestria! You want money? You will be the richest pony in all of the world!” Leonidas looked in awe.. He was offered everything, and he would be crazy to refuse such an offer. “You do know it would take a crazy pony to refuse this?” “And, what do you say, Leonidas?” “No.....” “What did you say...?!” “I said... NO.... I’d rather burn in the gates of tartarus then give up Equestria. This is my home. It will always be my home, and there is no way I am going to betray her!” “You are brave, but you WILL be crushed by our armies!” Saying that, both sides departed. Leonidas knew that trouble was ahead. He went back to camp to tell his soldiers what happened. “Alright, listen up everypony! Trouble is ahead. It was king Xerxes. You could say I angered him, and we will see some troops soon, so battle formations everypony. And try not to die!” Night has fallen, and the god-king observed the soldiers from the cliffs overlooking the mouth. The soldiers heard marching and it was time to form up. In the distance you could see blackness. Spawns from Discord himself, twisted to serve the purpose of battle, and nothing else. Spawned in the pits of tartarus and marching towards the warriors. And they, were the IMMORTALS. The warriors are anxious. Arcadians told them they were the “demons” that committed that heinous act in the village. And now, it was their time to pay. Arcadians are waiting in ambush on the right flank, just in case the immortals got too close. At the back of the army, loud screams could be heard. A giant monster, tied together by chains, guarded by 3 unicorns. The monster seemed to be a minotaur, but twisted beyond imagination. It’s face scarred, it’s torso full of cuts from previous battles and his hands disfigured, and turned into weapons of mass murder. The monster screamed, thirsty for pony blood. Xerxes spread his wings, dark magic started flowing from his horn, embracing the immortals. He screamed: LET THE FUN BEGIN! The God-King had gotten greedy and sent his personal guard to assault the spartans. The immortals galloped toward the spartans, clashing with their shields. Spartans quickly retaliated, pushing them back, while some of the Spartans got stabbed. and were left behind to tend their wounds. The rest moved up, killing immortals as they went. Some Spartans got wounded which was devastating for their morale. They broke off their Phalanx and went loose. Immortals went down one, by one, but the Spartans were still suffering casualties so they called in the cavalry. “Arcadians, now!” Leonidas shouted Arcadians popped out of the bushes like lightning, severing immortals. They killed like brutes, not professionals. Amateurs, doing their part. Immortals got impatient and they got the “go-ahead” from Xerxes to release the monster. The unicorns broke off the chains. The monster went loose, and killed an Immortal to pick up his weapon. Leonidas who was already engaged in combat noticed the large monster coming after him. He quickly reacted, dropping his spear and taking his sword out. The monster swung his sword and Leonidas covered with his shield. The impact was so strong that the sword punctured the shield, leaving a huge hole in it. Leonidas dropped off his shield, and swung his sword, leaving a cut on the monster’s arm. Next he put all his energy into this swing, stabbing it into his chest. The monster grinned at Leonidas, grabbed his sword and pushed it further into his chest. Leonidas fell on the ground, exhausted. The beast took a final swing but Leonidas managed to pick up his sword and block it. The beast’s sword ended up scraping Leonids’ left eye, giving him a cut. Leonidas grabbed the monster’s sword and cut off it’s arms. The beast fell down, bleeding and eventually reducing into ash. The immortals, losing morale, fled from the battlefield or stayed, only to be killed. We conquered today. We lost a few, we killed many. Xerxes looks down upon his fallen army. He may be a God-King but a very pony-like chill is going through his spine.
Chapter 1: BeginningsToday, a foal was born. Like all the other ponyville foals, it was judged. It had to be determined if it was weak, or sick. This did not turn out to be the case this day. Ponyville is a tribe of warriors, ruthless on the battlefield, taking no prisoners and leaving no man behind. They are elite warriors of all Equestria called “Ponyville Spartans”. The children there, train, as soon as they are born. There is no magic here, or flying. Just using your hooves and weapons. The foal that was born, had grown up, and had begun his training. It was intense. Ponyville warriors are taught never to retreat, not even in the toughest situations. When the foal turned 14 it was sent to the Everfree forest for it’s last trial. Survival. Being sent out in the middle of winter with almost no equipment, is used to teach survival. The foal was cold and it searched for a cave, and he found one. On the ground he noticed footprints. A beast was following him. The beast was hungry, smelling it’s prey, thinking of how to devour him. And out of the shadow it came. A timberwolf. The foal stepped back, leading the timberwolf into a narrow cave. The beast was hungry, smelling it’s prey, thinking of how to devour him. Savouring in the moment. The timberwolf jumped, but the foal quickly reacted, and trapped the head of the beast in the narrow space. The foal was quick, ruthless and decisive. He was going to make a great warrior. After defeating the beast, he went back to Ponyville where he was already presumed dead, but as always, that did not turn to be the case. He stood up, raising his shield and spear high. His father spoke up: “You are a real pony now, Leonidas!”. The crowd cheered, excited seeing their new king and the festivities began. There was a feast, drinking and dancing. It was a perfect night. Leonidas and his father went to sleep, knowing there was much to do tommorow. More training for Leonidas. “The boy is an excellent warrior” Said Leonidas’ father “But will he be a good king?” Leonidas’ mother spoke up “Is there any doubt?” Leonidas’ father looked at his wife with a serious face “Well, he has proven a great warrior, but what of his diplomatic skills?” Said the wife “We Ponyville men are warriors only! Only those fancy-pants up in Canterlot are diplomats! We solve our problems with shedding blood, not by offering bribes of gold!” The father said with an angry face “I will take your word on it. But be careful, that attitude of yours will get Ponyville in a lot of trouble on day” Said the wife. Several years later It is a sad day for Ponyville. Leonidas’ father, has passed away. The funeral is being held at the forum. The king is being given a traditional king’s death. By fire. By tradition, it is the son that sets his father’s corpse on fire. And so it happened. Leonidas carried the torch, slowly, with sadness in his face. But he could not show it. It is unbecoming that men of Ponyville express their emotions. He arrived to the casket. He looked down with regret, and set it on fire. The death of the king was mourned for months, but it was time a new king was chosen. And it was Leonidas. “AND THAT IS THE KING WE ARE FIGHTING WITH TODAY! OUR KING, LEONIDAS!” Was yelled out in camp by the second in command. “HAAAAA-UUH! HAAAA-UH!” The soldiers chanted, feeling inspired by their leader “He is the reason why we fight! He is the pony we are ready to die for!” But I have gone too far. To understand this, we need to go a few months back. FEW MONTHS AGO It was a beautiful morning, the birds were chirping and the sun was just above the trees. The children ran through the streets, careless of what is going to happen. It wasn’t their concern. At least not yet. Mares gathered at the market, purchasing goods from travelling merchants that just came from Canterlot. Leonidas woke up, and looked out the window. The sun gently stroked his mane and the breeze cooled his warm face. His wife entered the room and spoke up: “Oh darling, you’re up! I’ve made you breakfast! Why don’t you come down and we can eat?” But Leonidas remained still, looking at the far distance. It’s as if he saw smoke on the outskirts of Equestria. “Leonidas? What is it?” His wife asked “The gates of Equestria... Something is going on....” “If something were wrong our scouts would report it, wouldn’t they?” “I guess you are right dear.... I’ll come down in a second.” “Don’t wait too long, the breakfast won’t stay warm for long!” Leonidas knew something was wrong, but his wife made a pretty good argument. I guess it was too early to assume anything. After having breakfast Leonidas went on to train with his son. His son is a strong foal and he will make an excellent warrior one day, like his father. After the training, Leonidas and his son sat down on the stairs, near the training hall “Dad, how is it in war?” The son asked “Well son, it is.... Exciting.... Enemies wherever you look, so much noise you can’t even tell what is going on around you...” His face turned somber, “But there is also a bad side....” “Like what?” The curious foal asked. “You are too young son, another time perhaps.” On the outskirts of Ponyville you could hear the pitter patter of chariots, slowly riding into town. They stopped at the forum and a dark pony with earrings on his lips and eyebrows, took out of his pouch, pony skulls, tied together. “Leonidas! You are wanted at the forum!” Said the royal messenger. Leonidas left his son, and continued on to the forum, when he arrived the dark pony turned around and spoke up to him: “Earth, and water....” Said the dark pony “Earth and water?” Leonidas responded “Leonidas, the Remnant army asks for your attention! Our leader, Xerxes the half-god is beginning his epic campaign to conquer the world, and all he wishes is a supply or earth, and water.” Said the dark pony “Xerxes wants our earth and water? Hah! I heard those philosophers and fancy-pants up in Canterlot already declined you! If they declined you, I guess the Remnants army is not as strong as people thought!” Leonidas said with a smug smile. “But sir, perhaps we should think about the political advanta-....” Said the counsellor “No! We are warriors only, not diplomats!” Leonidas responded angrily. “If you do not agree to our terms you will be crushed like any other tribe we’ve encountered! Xerxes has massive armies that make the earth tremble, his armies drink rivers dry! I suggest you choose your words carefully, for they may be your last, as king...” The dark pony said with an angry face. As Leonidas looked at his friends and family, and the fair ponies of his town, he thought about what he could lose, and what he could gain.. Before you knew it Leonidas turned around, and pulled his sword out on the messenger pony. “You madman! Nopony ever, Remnant or Equestrian, ever threatened a messenger!” The dark pony said. “You come here, showing the heads of defeated kings, threaten my people with slavery and death and what do you expect me to do?!” Leonidas said. “Earth and water... You’ll find plenty of both down there.” Said Leonidas as he pointed at the well of doom. “You are a madman! This is blasphemy! This is madness!” Leonidas looked at his wife, asking with his eyes if he did the right thing...She gave him a confirming nod. Leonidas turned around. “Madness?” “THIS. IS. PONYVILLE!!!!!!” As Leonidas turned on his front hooves he bucked the Remnants messenger into the well of doom, and so his guards suffered the same fate. “There, it is done. We have plenty to do now.” “A storm is coming....”
Chapter 2: The Rising Storm“What do you mean?”, Asked Leonidas’ wife, “What kind of storm?” “The smoke I saw on the outskirts of Equestria, it was them... They are already at the borders. We have to consult the Ephors!” The Ephors.. Inbred ponies.. Legend has is it they descended from the original kings of Ponyville, and no king has ever gone to war without their permission. Leonidas climbed to the top of Delphi, to reach the Ephors. “Leonidas, we expected you!” ,A hooded pony welcomed Leonidas, “Come, let us go” As they arrived to the top of the mountain, they arrived at a dome, the sacred home of the Ephors, surrounded by nothing but starry skies. Leonidas spoke up, “The Remnants are on the warpath, we have to stop their march at the Gates of Paradise!” The Gates of Paradise was an ancient pass, where the ponies first marched through, to get to the land we today, call Equestria. Leonidas drew a battle plan in the pit of the sand with his hoof, “My plan is to amass an army and get over to The Gates of Paradise, stopping their naval attack. Wave by wave, Remnant soldiers will bounce off our shields.” “Leonidas, what are you offering us?”, Leonidas looked up at the Ephor Priest and dropped a bag of gold on the floor, “Now, about the attack...” “The full moon is arriving Leonidas, you know what that means. The Carnea approaches! No king has ever gone to war on this holiday!” Leonidas got angry and yelled up at the Ephors, “PONYVILLE WILL BURN! HER CHILDREN WILL BURN, AND HER PEOPLE BECOME SLAVES TO THE REMNANTS!” “Nevertheless we must consult the Oracle..” The Ephors meant business, and it was against Leonidas to defy them. “We still have to consult the Oracle.” Saying that, the Ephors pulled out a bottle with smoke coming out of it, and it had a toxic smell. Inbred Ponies, Leper diseased ponies. Oracles were the finest women of Ponyville, taken away from their homes, to serve the Ephors as their Oracles. Even old men, have desires. The Oracle twitched, she looked like she was having a spasm. Finally, she calmed down, all sweaty she lied down on her pillow and spoke to the Ephor Priest. “Asha, saunad”, “Heed the wind...” “Sahua eashe” , “Ponyville will burn...” “Asasu asha”, “Honor the Gods....” “Besh alia” , “HONOR CARNEA” Leonidas was angry, he could not stand the Ephors anymore. He left there, and without the permission of the Ephors, he would’ve gone to war himself, the very first Ponyville Spartan in history to do so. The same night, Remnants gathered and visited the Ephors. Several dark ponies with piercings on the lips and eyebrows came up to the priest with a huge sack. They opened the sack and thousands of gold coins came out. “All you have to do is support the Remnants on their march and honor the god-king Xerxes.” The Ephor’s eyes glittered in the sight of all that gold, and their greed got the better of them. “You will have fresh Oracles delivered to you daily, from all over the world.” Said the dark pony “We agree to all your terms.” And by saying that, the Ephors bowed down to the Remnants. BACK IN PONYVILLE It was nighttime, and Leonidas’ thoughts overwhelmed by the decision of the Ephors. He looked at his fair city, and he thought he saw it all. The people enslaved and the buildings destroyed. He was disturbed by his wife, who came up to him and asked him what was going on. “Has the Oracle claimed your thoughts, dear?” “It will take more than a few words of a drunk pony, to change my mind.” “Why aren’t you sleeping then?” “I.... I just have a lot on my mind...” “Get some sleep, it will all make sense in the morning..” And so the night passed on, and morning came. Leonidas’ son came up to his father. “I’m.... Going away on a trip son.... “ His face turned sad, but ponyville men cannot show emotions, for it is unbecoming of them. “Will you come back dad?” “I... Don’t know my son.... I just want you to know that I am very proud of you. Continue your training, and you will make a fine warrior one day!” “Yes dad, good luck!” As Leonidas departed from his son, he went to the outskirts of Ponyville. Out there was his second of command, General Artemis was waiting for him, with a group of soldiers “Are those the ones I asked for?” Asked Leonidas. “Yes, 300 stallions, all have sons to continue on their duty” Artemis said “Perfect.” As Leonidas looked at his troops, he spotted Artemis’ son “Your son is here?” “Yes, he is a fine warrior, and we will make use of him.” “Are you sure about this?” “Have I ever been sure about anything?” Leonidas gave him a little chuckle and proceeded on. He looked at the gates of his city, and he saw his 2 counsellors approach him. “Leonidas, what is this?” Asked Theron, a council member of the Spartan council “Nothing, what does it look like to you?” Leonidas said “It looks like you are preparing for war, Leonidas.” “A war? With 300 Ponies? Even you know our armies are not that strong! I am simply heading out for a stroll, and these 300 are my personal guard.” Theron looked at Leonidas suspiciously, but because he could not act out against his king, he let this one slip. Leonidas’ wife, Queen Gorgo approached him. “So, this is it...” “Yes, it is..” Said Leonidas “Are you coming back?” “I don’t know....” The Queen took off her necklace, and gave it to Leonidas. “Come back with your shield..... or on it..” He looked at her for some time, but because he could not show his affections, he walked away. She knew he loved her. “Spartan!” Leonidas’ wife said to him. They exchanged one last look, and with that, Leonidas’ departed As the spartan warriors marched on, they noticed a shadow on the horizon, a hunchback pony, wearing familiar armor. The ponyville warriors marched on, and during their march scouts came up to them: “Leonidas, a band of warriors is approaching your way!” “Everyone, stand guard!” As the warriors entered their formations, they stood still until Leonidas gave them the “all clear” sign. “Haha, the Arcadians, my old friends! How are you?” “Do not patronize us Leonidas, you know why we are here” Their leader said “We came here to battle the Remnant armies, I’m sure you saw the smoke at the Gates of Paradise. Our scouts say that Remnant armies are already in Equestria, and we must act quick, so we came to battle them.” Leonidas looked at the Arcadian soldiers, and spoke up: "You there, Arcadian, what is your profession?" “P-p-p-potter, sir.” “And you there! What is your profession?” “Blacksmith sir...” “SPARTAAAANS! WHAT IS YOUR PROFESSION?” “HAAA-UHH, HAAA-UH!” “You see that Arcadian? Ponyville men are born warriors, not like your army of villagers.” “Leonidas...” ,General Artemis spoke up, “It would be... Useful for the Arcadians to accompany us... We are only 300 after all, they could be a good supporting unit.” Leonidas looked at his general for some time, when he finally made a decision: “Alright, Arcadians! Fall in line! We are heading for this village of yours!” As the Ponyville Warriors and Arcadian warriors marched on, they reached this village they’ve heard about. It was visible for miles. Clouds of black smoke coming up from the burning houses. The troops entered the village and looked around. “Leonidas!!” A soldier came up, carrying a small foal in his hooves. The foal was dirty, and had a lot of cuts on it. It was barely speaking. “What did you see?” Leonidas asked the foal. The foal barely spoke up: “It’s quiet now....They came from the blackness...The world we know.... Will never be the same...” This foal’s story shook up the spirits of the warriors, as they looked at each other wondering what the foal is talking about. “He speaks of ancient Remnant spirits. It is said that they come out of the darkness, striking when you least expect it.” The arcadian leader said. “Leonidas.... You have to see this...” The soldier was barely holding his lunch together after this sight. “Gods have mercy.....” Leonidas look at it with shock All of the warriors gazed upon it, the sign of Remnant cruelty. A giant X made out of the bodies from fallen ponies. “If this is what they do to the fallen, then we have no chance!” The Arcadian Warriors panicked, but were soon interrupted by Leonidas. “Silence! They will not do this to us. We will not let them! We should move on, we have to get the Gates of Paradise.” As they all left the village, the sculpture still stood there, as a mark of what the Remnants did. And it will not be forgotten...
Chapter 3: The Gates of ParadiseNight fell, and the ponyville warriors went to sleep. After the sight they saw, they needed it. Those pony corpses mark the Remnant cruelty, a sign that they will not be stopped. At least, that is what they think. While all the soldiers sleep, only Leonidas watches to the distance. He doesn’t know what to expect. Remnant armies number to a million, and he is unsure if his 300 will fit the ticket. Dawn rises, and the soldiers set out. “My lord! We’re being followed!” The scout approached Leonidas. In the distance, the soldiers saw that hunchback figure, the one they saw back in ponyville. It had a familiar shield, resembling ponyville armor. “It’s been following us since Ponyville” General Artemis spoke up “Let’s leave it for now, the Gates of Paradise are not far away.” “Yes m’lord.” The soldiers marched, the same figure, still stalking them. They neared the Gates of Paradise. They stopped on a cliff to rest, and night soon fell. The soldiers looked over the cliff, what once was the beautiful sea of Equestria, now is filled with thousands of Remnant ships. They were like a plague, once beginning to spread, they would not stop. A storm is brewing... The god of thunder, lashes out on the Remnant ships. A sort of welcome, from the coast of Equestria. The soldiers cheer, overcome by the sight of Remnant ships crashing into the rocky coast, and thousand on ponies falling off the deck. Only one keeps his Ponyville glow. Our king Leonidas. The rain, raged on. The ponies camped in for the night, knowing that they had a big day ahead of them. Tomorrow is the first wave of the Remnant forces. As dawn closes in, Astinos, and the Arcadian leader look over the cliff on the Remnant camp. Thousands of lights, flickering, tents, as far as the eye can see. “Gods, I didn’t know there was going to be so many!” The Arcadian leader said, looking towards Astinos with a worried face. “Why, you gone chicken Arcadian?” Astinos grinned at him “Are you mad?! Look at all of them! How can we possibly hold them off?!” Astinos just gave him a chuckle and proceeded on to Leonidas “Astinos!” ,Leonidas spoke up, “Is there any way that the Remnants can get behind us?” “I wouldn’t know My Lor--” Right then, the hunchback pony walked out of the shadow. His face was weary, and his back misshapen. He was wearing Ponyville crimson and a spear. “My lord! There is a small goat path that would lead right to your flank! I suggest you send men out there while you still can!” The hunchback spoke up “Stay down beast, or I will cut you down where you stand!” Astinos pulled his sword “I ordered no such thing.” Saying that Leonidas grabbed Astinos’ sword. “What is your name?” “I am Ephialtes sir. A child of Ponyville. My mother’s love forced my parents to flee, lest I be rejected. My father was a soldier, but when he fled he became a farmer. He still taught me how to fight, and how to handle a spear!” Saying that, Ephialtes raised his spear, and swung around it. His spear cut through the air with such ferocity. Leonidas was impressed. “That is a great swing.” “I will kill many Remnants sir!” Leonidas observed the hunchback pony, came up to him and asked him: “Raise your shield up as high as you can...” Ephialtes looked at Leonidas with curiosity for some time, but eventually he gave up and raised his shield. It reached up barely to his neck. “You see Ephialtes, in our Phalanx formation, our goal is to protect the person next to us with our shield. The way you raise your shield, it would weaken the Phalanx, and we’d all fall. I’m sorry. Not all of us are meant to be soldiers.. You can still tend to the dead and bring over water..” Ephialtes face turned sad, he began to shed tears “No, no you can’t...” “I’m sorry, but we cannot use you.” Saying that, Leonidas went down to ready his troops. Ephialtes stood at the top of the cliff for some time, watching the dawn rising. Finally he got up. Looked at his shield and spear.. He raised them up, and tossed them down the cliff. “MOTHER! FATHER! YOU WERE WRONG!!!!!!!” “YOU WERE WRONG LEONIDAS! YOU WERE WRONG!!” Several minutes later Several soldiers gathered around the ancient Equestrian wall, which was used to protect Equestria in times of the ancients. Several miles later you could see a giant chair, lifted by several slave ponies, and a dark pony commanding them with a whip. “FORWARD YOU LAZY BUMS!” He smacked his whip on the slaves. The dark pony turned around, and saw the piked heads of the Remnant scouts. “FORWARD!” The giant chair reached the wall, the smell of dead bodies crawled up the dark pony’s nostrils. “What is this....?” The dark pony asked “This is the wall of Equestria, good sir. It was used in the times of the ancients to fend off barbarians like you...” “Barbarians?! How dare you--” The dark pony then saw the corpses of the Remnant scouts, buried deep within the wall. “You see, this wall has protected us with the rocks, from the bosom of Mother Equestria herself. Unfortunately we ran out of rocks, and we had to use some of your men, to patch things up.” Saying that, Astinos pulled out his sword. “You dare, insult the god-king this way? You Ponyville scum deserve whatever comes your way!” The dark pony readied his whip, ready to strike at the ponyville soldiers... Astinos jumped with his sword, and in the split second, cut off the arm of the slavemaster. The dark pony laughed, and spoke up “You think, you barbarians can defeat us? The mighty Remnant army? Hahahahaha, you amuse me in my last moments... Be afraid! Hahaha... Be very afraid! For a thousand nations, of the Remnant empire, descend upon you!” “I’ve had enough of you” Astinos pulled out his sword, and cut off the dark pony’s head. BACK AT THE GATES “Are the men ready?” “Yes my lord, all ready to die for you.” “What of the goat path?” “We sent a battalion to investigate.” “Pray to the gods they don’t find out, or we are all dead.” Suddenly the earth quaked, and the soldiers felt distress “Earthquake” Artemis said “No, battle formations!” Saying that, Leonidas put on his helmet, and stood at the beginning of the Phalanx As they looked at the horizon they saw an army of massive proportions. A million soldiers marching, to destroy the 300. A dark pony in a chariot came up in front of the line and spoke to the Ponyville spartans. “Ponyville Spartans! Lay down your weapons and the God-King will have mercy on you!” There was no response from the Ponyville warriors. Well, not entirely true. Several seconds later, a spear came flying up. The dark pony looked at his fate. The spear plunged through his heart, and the dark pony had the time to say only one word. “Attack....” “SOUND THE ATTACK!!” The trumpet raged, and the soldiers charged at the 300. Leonidas spoke to his troops: “PONYVILLE SPARTANS! THIS IS WHAT WE FIGHT FOR! THIS IS WHAT WE LIVE FOR!” “GIVE THEM NOTHING!! BUT TAKE FROM THEM.... EVERYTHING!!!!” The ponies clashed their shields, the 300 being pushed back by the second. They are strong and do not let up. A thousand more ponies comes marching up to the 300, pushing the Ponyville Spartans further back. After some time, Leonidas shouted: “SPARTAAAAAAAAAAAAAAANS! PUUUUUSH!” The Spartans gave it their all, pushing the Remnant ponies back to the coast. The sound of hooves clashing against the ground and the sounds of shields, clashing against shields. “SPARTANS! BREAK!” The Spartans broke their formation, letting loose with all the rage inside them. Slashing, and stabbing. Stabbing, and slashing... Remnant numbers dwindled, Leonidas stood out in front of the crowd, cutting the soldiers down. Soon all that remained was a handful of Remnant soldiers. “They look thirsty, my king!” General Artemis spoke up “Then let’s give them something to drink, eh?” The spartans went back to their Phalanx formations and slowly marched towards the end of the cliff, where the Remnant soldiers stood. “No, no please don’t!” The remnant soldiers all shouted That did not stop them. They continued on moving, when finally Leonidas jumped on his hind legs and bucked the Remnant warriors into the ocean below. The Spartans felt proud. This was the best action they saw in years. “Everyone, round up the dead and---” Before Leonidas could finish, a million arrows fired off from the cliffs. Remnant archers. “Everypony! Tuck and Cover!” The ponies kneeled, with their shields above their heads. “Remnant cowards! Can’t fight if their lives depended on it so they send archers to do their work!” The arrow shower passed and the Spartans began collecting the dead and burning their bodies. “Spartans! Get some rest! Tomorrow is a new day and it brings new troubles!” “This.. is just the beginning...”
Chapter 4: The Oncoming WavesYesterday was a victory. The warriors managed to repel the waves of Remnant forces. However, today is a new day, and new challenges await them. The ponies had waken up. Light hoof chatter was heard in the camp. Several ponies gathered around the campfire with warm breakfasts in their hands. “What do you think’s gonna happen?” One of the soldiers spoke up “I don’t know, but it can’t be good. The senate has to send help for us!” “You actually think the senate is going to respond?” “Their country’s life is in danger, why wouldn’t they send support?” “Maybe, because they’re pompous idiots who only care for themselves?” Leonidas joined them, but the soldiers suddenly went quiet. “What is the topic?” Asked Leonidas “None, my king... Just... catching up?” The soldier gave him a little smile, letting him know that everything is okay. “Eat your breakfasts, and wake the rest of the soldiers. Long day ahead of us...” A few moments passed, and the whole camp was awakened. Putting on their armor, sharpening their spears and honing their swords. The ponies took up their position at the mouth of the gates, when their scout saw something in the distance. “Leonidas! Look!” The scout pointed at the distance, where a large object could be seen “Battle formations, sir?” “No, I will check it out. Alone.” “If you say so sir.” Leonidas went ahead, to investigate. When he arrived, he was greeted in the most unusual way anypony could ever be greeted in. A large carrier approached Leonidas, carried by a dozen of slave ponies, all tired out of their mind. On the carrier was a dark alicorn, who had no mane. His face was “decorated” with various rings. The carrier approached Leonidas and lowered the dark alicorn. Leonidas looked at the dark alicorn with confusion and asked: “King Xerxes, am I right?” “Leonidas, king of Ponyville, I come before you with a humble heart.” The dark alicorn answered. “Your heart was not so humble yesterday when you sent a horde of your men at my army!” “You resisted, therefore you had it coming” “Before I get bored out of my mind and leave, what is your purpose here?!” That comment aggravated Xerxes. You could see it in his face. Years of pain and struggle, only to be found by more. Leonidas did not back down and he had to find a way to make him. “Listen up carefully Leonidas, for I shall say this only once. I.... Am kind. And I am offering you this. Surrender Ponyville to the Remnant army and I will grant you everything you ever wished for! You like war? You will become the supreme warlord of Remainder, the country that will rise out of the ashes from Equestria! You want money? You will be the richest pony in all of the world!” Leonidas looked in awe.. He was offered everything, and he would be crazy to refuse such an offer. “You do know it would take a crazy pony to refuse this?” “And, what do you say, Leonidas?” “No.....” “What did you say...?!” “I said... NO.... I’d rather burn in the gates of tartarus then give up Equestria. This is my home. It will always be my home, and there is no way I am going to betray her!” “You are brave, but you WILL be crushed by our armies!” Saying that, both sides departed. Leonidas knew that trouble was ahead. He went back to camp to tell his soldiers what happened. “Alright, listen up everypony! Trouble is ahead. It was king Xerxes. You could say I angered him, and we will see some troops soon, so battle formations everypony. And try not to die!” Night has fallen, and the god-king observed the soldiers from the cliffs overlooking the mouth. The soldiers heard marching and it was time to form up. In the distance you could see blackness. Spawns from Discord himself, twisted to serve the purpose of battle, and nothing else. Spawned in the pits of tartarus and marching towards the warriors. And they, were the IMMORTALS. The warriors are anxious. Arcadians told them they were the “demons” that committed that heinous act in the village. And now, it was their time to pay. Arcadians are waiting in ambush on the right flank, just in case the immortals got too close. At the back of the army, loud screams could be heard. A giant monster, tied together by chains, guarded by 3 unicorns. The monster seemed to be a minotaur, but twisted beyond imagination. It’s face scarred, it’s torso full of cuts from previous battles and his hands disfigured, and turned into weapons of mass murder. The monster screamed, thirsty for pony blood. Xerxes spread his wings, dark magic started flowing from his horn, embracing the immortals. He screamed: LET THE FUN BEGIN! The God-King had gotten greedy and sent his personal guard to assault the spartans. The immortals galloped toward the spartans, clashing with their shields. Spartans quickly retaliated, pushing them back, while some of the Spartans got stabbed. and were left behind to tend their wounds. The rest moved up, killing immortals as they went. Some Spartans got wounded which was devastating for their morale. They broke off their Phalanx and went loose. Immortals went down one, by one, but the Spartans were still suffering casualties so they called in the cavalry. “Arcadians, now!” Leonidas shouted Arcadians popped out of the bushes like lightning, severing immortals. They killed like brutes, not professionals. Amateurs, doing their part. Immortals got impatient and they got the “go-ahead” from Xerxes to release the monster. The unicorns broke off the chains. The monster went loose, and killed an Immortal to pick up his weapon. Leonidas who was already engaged in combat noticed the large monster coming after him. He quickly reacted, dropping his spear and taking his sword out. The monster swung his sword and Leonidas covered with his shield. The impact was so strong that the sword punctured the shield, leaving a huge hole in it. Leonidas dropped off his shield, and swung his sword, leaving a cut on the monster’s arm. Next he put all his energy into this swing, stabbing it into his chest. The monster grinned at Leonidas, grabbed his sword and pushed it further into his chest. Leonidas fell on the ground, exhausted. The beast took a final swing but Leonidas managed to pick up his sword and block it. The beast’s sword ended up scraping Leonids’ left eye, giving him a cut. Leonidas grabbed the monster’s sword and cut off it’s arms. The beast fell down, bleeding and eventually reducing into ash. The immortals, losing morale, fled from the battlefield or stayed, only to be killed. We conquered today. We lost a few, we killed many. Xerxes looks down upon his fallen army. He may be a God-King but a very pony-like chill is going through his spine.
