6th of the Pink Moon, 877 CE.

Romulus stood upon the stage, looking out upon the 13th and the 12th Legion. Over 10.000 ponies, standing in their full armor, in perfect formation, and in complete silence.

The discipline on display filled Romulus with a sense of pride in his soldiers. For eight long years they had fought together in a hostile land. Eight years since they last felt Equestrian soil beneath their hooves. Eight years since they last saw family, or friends, lovers.

Romulus didn't know all their names, but he knew their hearts, and they knew his. The bond he shared with them had been forged through the hardships they had all endured over the years. These ponies deserved rest, they deserved the glory, and they deserved recognition for their brave deeds.

Could Romulus ask more of them?

Had they not given enough to him, and Equestria?

It would be up to them now. Romulus had tried to find a way out, but apparently it hadn't sat well with the new Princess, or the council. His two weeks were not even up before a letter formally telling him to surrender, and come to Canterlot for trial. The intent was not even hidden anymore, and his council was ignored by the Princess.

If he did as the Princess commanded, he would be tried for illegal warfare, theft, bribery, and murder. He could face life in prison, banishment. Or if the counselors felt bold enough, even resort to the ancient practice of execution, the first one in centuries.

Going to Equestria, disbanding his legions meant the end to everything he had fought for. Everything his legions had fought for. But, it meant peace, didn't it? Was it pride that had brought him to this? No, it wasn't. He just refused to accept this injustice, and he would face it head on.

The only question was, would he be going alone?

Taking a deep breath, Romulus spoke up. His voice boomed over the two assembled legions that surrounded him.

"Soldiers!" He called. Thousands of eyes followed him. "Princess Twilight, and the council, has formally declared that I, Romulus Invicta, is to return to Canterlot to face trial!" He announced, holding up the scroll for them all to see.

The air seemed to tense, there wasn't any movement, but Romulus could sense their shock, their outrage.

"I've been commanded to disband my legions, and dismiss you all to return back to Equestria! Something I would gladly do. You deserve to return home! To see your families, your friends, your homes!" He took a moment to let them absorb the news. "However! If I do this, everything we have done will have been for nothing!"

Again he paused, letting that too sink in. "Every day you have spent away from your homes. Every friend we have lost! Every drop of blood we have given for Equestria will have been for NOTHING!"

"Our deeds will be declared criminal! Our work, destroyed! Our allies left behind! And peace we fought to create ripped apart!"

Now ponies started to move ever so slightly. Almost unheard murmurs of disapproval made their way through the thousands of ponies gathered. Romulus took his time to look around, making every pony feel as if he was looking directly at them.

"I am being asked to return to face trial, and be treated as a common criminal!"

Now the crowd responded to him, yelling out their outrage and disapproval.

"If I could do this knowing your deeds would be honored, and our work secure, I would gladly face any trial to secure your glory!"

Now the crowd cried out to him. "Nooooo!" He let them voice out their outrage for a moment. Then he raised his hoof, and the crowd reluctantly fell silent once more.

"Legionnaires! Brothers, sisters, friends!" He called, earning complete silence. "I've decided what I am going to do..." His tone turned more somber, he could almost feel how they all seemed to hold their breath, waiting for his answer.

"I've decided to go to Equestria. I'm going to march on Canterlot." Utter silence, no pony dared make a sound. "Will any pony be coming with me?!"

As if having just waited for him to ask them, they all rose up and cheered Romulus's name! Raising their swords and spears high into their air. Banging their shields, and stomping their hooves in approval and support! The sound was beyond any cheer Romulus had ever heard.

They were with him, they were his. It was as if this very moment echoed through history already, it was as if he could see it all happen all at once. As soon as they would step across the border, they would be outlaws, and the second Equestrian civil war would begin. Not since Nightmare Moon had anything like this happened.

Romulus was not blind to the risks facing them. But he was prepared for them, he knew his next move. Speed was the key, speed and surprise. Romulus wouldn't let Twilight concentrate her power, or make a calculated move. Already he had planted trusted and loyal soldiers all over Equestria, agents ready to act, both in Canterlot, and in Ponyville.

The elements had to be secured, and Twilight cut off. He would be knocking on the doors of Canterlot before Princess Twilight was even ready to face him. His battle hardened Legions would sweep away any soldiers she would attempt to raise against him.

Yes, he could see it all here in his mind... He could win...

Smiling, he tore up the scroll sent to him, earning him another cheer from his soldiers. He raised a hoof, looking at them all.

"To Canterlot! The die is cast!"

The legions cheered even louder, and Romulus stood, and basked in glory of this very moment. Today, he had made history, and tomorrow, they would be in Equestria. In a week? Canterlot.

Fate would judge if he would succeed or not. History would remember him as a hero, or a villain...

Author's Note

Whelp that was that. A nice little short story to satisfy my mood this weekend. I hope you guys enjoyed it.