The Royal 3: Orion’s passage

January 27 2012 A.D
Brooklyn, New York.
12:30 AM

It is a cold, sunny day in New York City. And right now, Artemis is in his bedroom combing his hair while looking at himself in the mirror.

Today, Artemis and his family are going to the barbershop and Macy’s to get ready for their big interview on Monday. Afterwards, they are heading over to Hard Rock Cafe to have dinner with some of his relatives.

“Artemis hurry up, we’re about to go soon!” Apollo yelled.

“I’m coming!” He yelled before putting the comb down and grabbing his satchel bag.

Before Artemis left his room, he looked at his dresser where his walkie-talkie was. Ever since they came to New York, the triplets had not taken the small device anywhere with them. Now that Artemis thought about it, was pretty stupid on their part.

The battle that is going to change humanity forever, could happen at any second. And if they don’t have their walkie-talkie with them, they can’t contact Equestria and their allies right away.

Then again the battle might happen days or even weeks from now and the walkie-talkie would be just extra weight for him to carry.

After thinking it over for a moment, Artemis decided to levitate the walkie-talkie with his magic and placed it in his bag before leaving the room.

“Oh there you are. I thought I had to come and get you.” Apollo said.

“Sorry, I was deciding if I should bring this with me.” He opened his satchel, revealing the small device in his bag.

“Oh. Do you think we need to bring that with us?”

“Not really, but it wouldn’t hurt if I did. Better safe than sorry.” Artemis answered as they walked down the stairs.

“Hopefully, it’ll be nothing more than a waste of space in your bag.” Apollo stated.

“Me too.”

After they got into their parents’ vehicle, their mother put the SUV in gear and drove away.

===•••===
Fort Green, Brooklyn.

It didn’t take long for them to drive over to Fort Green, a neighborhood north of Prospect Heights.

After Stephanie found a parking space, they walk down the street and entered to the barbershop. A small bell could be heard as they opened the door.

This establishment is like any other barbershop that you’re find anywhere in NYC. There is posters on the wall, barbers are having conversations with their customers and there is a guy selling random things to people.

One of the barbers is a broad black man with black hair and beard, cleaning one of his hair clippers. His name is Martin Anderson, the owner of the barbershop and Tyrone‘s dad.

The barber looked at the door for a second before his eyes widen. “Jesus Christ. Triplets, is that you?”

“It sure is, Mr. Anderson.” Artemis greeted.

“Well, it’s good to see you all again.” He said before putting his clippers down and walk over to them. “I knew you were coming, but seeing y’all in person is still surprising.”

“Everyone has been feeling that way for the past few days. You should’ve seen Deborah’s reaction when she saw Apollo at JFK.” Stephanie said. “She nearly suffocated him.”

“I don’t blame her. It's not every day when three missing family members come back to us. Now, Atlas you’re with me. Artemis, Apollo you will be with my two new barbers. Well, they’re not really ‘new’, they been with me for a year now.” Martin said as he introduced the triplets to his employees.

“Artemis, this is Pablo.”

“What’s up?” The Puerto Rican man greeted.

“Apollo, this is Rick.”

“Nice to meet ya.” The white man said, as he shook Apollo‘s hand.

“Nice to meet you too.”

“Since you all are now acquainted, I’ll take my customer to my chair. Take good care of them.”

“You got it, boss.” Pablo said.

After Atlas sat down in the barber chair, Martin looked at Atlas in the mirror and ask. “So, what do you want to get today?”

“A shape up and a trim.”

“You got it.” Martin smiled.

===•••===
20 minutes later.

“What do you think?” Martin said after he turned off the hairdryer and turned the barber chair around.

Atlas whistled when he saw himself in the mirror.
As expected, Martin did a really good job. This haircut is better than the ones he had in the last three years.

Don’t get him wrong, pony hairstylists were good, but not as skilled as a New York barber.

“I like it.”

“I’m happy you like it.” Martin said as Atlas got up from his chair. After he put a $20 bill in the barber’s tip jar, Atlas went over to his parents.

“Wow, looking good, Atlas. How does it feel to finally have a haircut after all these years?”
His father ask.

“Honestly, I’m glad I finally got one.” Atlas said before sitting next to his parents.

“That’s good to hear.” Stephanie said.

After Artemis and Apollo, we’re done with their haircuts, they said goodbye to the barbers before leaving the establishment.

But little did they know that a mysterious figure was watching them from a far in a nearby alleyway.

“Supreme Commander, I have spotted them.” He said into his radio.

An old but authoritative voice came from the device. “Good work, Sergeant. You found them faster than I thought.”

“Thank you, sir. Should I go and kill them now?” The figure ask.

“NO! I know you’re eager to do your duty and have your revenge, young one. But do not engage. The great trial will commence very soon. Be patient.”

“But sir, the triplets are sitting ducks. They have no guards with them and it doesn’t look like they have any weapons on them.”

“Just because they are defenseless, doesn’t mean you should blow your cover and try to eliminate even one of them. Our mission is not only to eliminate the Royal Three, but also conquer this nation and others on this continent. One slip up, and we might wake up the giant from its slumber too soon.”

The sergeant rolled his eyes. “In all due respect, sir. You really think that this ‘United States’ is the most powerful nation this world has to offer? I only been here for a few hours, and I already can tell this place is not a warrior society. All I have scene is decadences and no discipline.”

“Don’t judge a book by its cover, Sergeant. That’s how wars are lost.” The voice said solemnly before it went back to its normal tone. “Now, continue monitoring the triplets until your comrades are in position. Do you understand?”

“Yes, Supreme Commander Karbyshev.”

“Good. All hail the Empire, long live the Black League.”

“All hail the Empire, long live the Black League.”

===•••===
Downtown Brooklyn.
40 minutes later.
1:30 PM

Yukon family are shopping in Macy’s looking for nice outfits for the triplets to wear on their special day.

While they were browsing through the clothing section, the family went their separate ways. Atlas was with his mom while his father and siblings were nowhere to be found.

“How about this shirt?” Stephanie said she held up a white shirt with long sleeves and buttons down the middle.

“Look nice, better than the other options. But I feel like it’s missing something.” He said in thought.

“Like what, a tie?”

“No, not exactly.” Her son said before he realize what the shirt needed. “I got it. A tuxedo would be perfect with this.”

This surprised Stephanie. “A tuxedo? Don’t you think that’s a bit much?”

“Yeah, but I’m going to be interviewed on national television. It doesn’t hurt to look presentable.”

“Ok, you’re the boss. Do you need my help to pick out a tux?”

“No thanks, I got it.” Atlas said before walking away.

A few minutes later, Atlas came back. “Hey mom, what do you think of this one?”

Stephanie turn to see that her son is holding a suit that someone would wear if they were meeting the queen of England.

“Wow, this is beautiful. Since when you developed good taste in fancy clothing?” She said, feeling the soft fabric.

“I don’t know, I just saw it and liked it.” He answered.

“Well, in that case, we found what we were looking for. Let’s just hope that everyone else did as well.” Stephanie said as she and her son went to the nearest checkout counter.

After Atlas was done purchasing his outfit, he and his mom waited at the stores exit until the rest of our family came.

“So did you find everything you wanted?” Stephanie asked her sons.

“We did. Me and Apollo got suits and a bottle of cologne.” Artemis said.

“You got suits too? I thought the two of you would be going for something that is more business casual.”

“And be undressed in front of America? No way Jose.” Apollo said.

“They got fancy ones at that. Apollo’s suit has a pocket square.” Andrew chimed in. “Did Atlas get one?”

“He did, it looks like he’s about to visit European royalty.” Stephanie said.

“Oh, come on mom it’s not that fancy.” Atlas said.

“Yes, it is. Not that I’m complaining.” She said before they left the store.

“Who made them like this?” Andrew ask.

“I don’t know, but whoever did I want hug them.”

“Me too.”

===•••===
Times Square.
2:10 PM

After they got home and put their new outfits away, the triplets and their parents left their home once again, and took the subway all the way to Times Square.

As they were leaving the station, Stephanie received a text from her sister-in-law. “Oh no.”

“What is it?” Andrew ask.

“Maya just texted me that they’re stuck in heavy traffic near the entrance of the Brooklyn Bridge and might arrive late.”

“Well, that’s unfortunate.”

“I would be surprised if that traffic jam was caused by a stupid driver getting into an accident.” Atlas said.

“You and me both.” His mom said in agreement.

While they were making their way towards Hard Rock Cafe, Apollo notice an Asian man wearing a jet black combat uniform standing near the middle of Times Square.

At first, Apollo thought it was just another person with a unique sense of fashion sense until he noticed the design of the flag on his right arm.

The flag is black with a horizontal gold stripe and an outline of a white pentagon in the center. Inside of that pentagon is an emblem of a certain xenophobic empire. Not only that, Apollo saw that he wasn’t alone at least five other individuals were wearing the same thing.

“Oh my God.” He said before getting Artemis attention.

“What is it?”

“Keep your voice down. Look.” Apollo whispered, pointing at the guy.

“It’s just a guy wearing-“ Then he noticed the flag on the man’s arm. “We are going to fight them of all people?”

“It looks like it.” Apollo whispered.

“Goddamnit.” He said quietly before he walked over to Atlas and said. “Atlas, I think I know who we’re going to be fighting.”

“Who?”

“The black League. Apollo spotted a few of their members in this area.”

“The elite paramilitary group?”
He whispered in shock.

“Yes, them. We need to get our parents out of here before they become trigger happy.” Artemis answered.

“OK. Apollo, keep an eye on them.”

“On it.”

After that, Atlas walked in front of his parents.
“Mom, dad, how about instead sitting in the café we take a little stroll around the block to pass the time.”

“You want to have a stroll in the cold?”
Andrew asked.

“Yeah, it’s a beautiful day today and it’s way warmer than yesterday. Plus, you said that Auntie Maya is not going to be here for a while, so let’s make the most of it.” He smiled.

“Do your siblings want to go on this little walk of yours?” Stephanie ask.

“Of course we do.” Artemis chimed in.

“Ok, if you say so.” They were about to continue walking, but once again, their son blocked their path.

“I was thinking we turn around and go the other way.”

“We just came from that direction. You know what, never mind. It’s your day.” Andrew said before they turned around and began their stroll.

As they walked, the Apollo kept his eyes on the soldiers while Atlas and Artemis made sure that their parents were distracted.

When they were almost outside of Times Square, they felt relieved knowing that their parents would be out of the line of fire pretty soon.

That was until Apollo spotted a white man wearing the same uniform. Standing across the street while holding a small radio in his hand.

But unlike like his comrades, he was staring right at the triplets. His eyes did not look away from them for a single moment. He said something to his radio before he put it back on his belt and smiled.

Then, Apollo saw that three soldiers were walking towards him and his family.

It was at this moment the changeling dropped his disguise, ran across the street. “THIS IS FOR MY DAD, YOU FUCKING BASTARDS!” He yelled before shooting a beam of magic at them with his comrades following suit.

“GET DOWN!” Apollo yelled before he conjured up a shield bubble, just in time.

*KABOOM.*

The explosion heard around the world, not only started the battle of Times Square, but also an uncertain future for humanity.