//------------------------------//
// Chapter 5 
// Story: Legendary 
// by RoflNom 
//------------------------------//

The morning had gone by rather quickly. I woke up, and most of the army was already up by the time the sun rose. We had set off to march almost immediately, only taking the time to send scouts to the surrounding area.

When nothing was spotted, we set off. We left the field in which the town from the previous night would stand one day. We passed through some very beautiful scenery along the way, too. There were meadows of flowers of all kinds all the way to the base of the mountain.

From there we began our hike up the mountain. The trail that was carved into the side wasn't as steep as I expected it to be, since I had never actually used it before. It was a rather annoying process, but still kept going.

Halfway up, the remaining cavalry had taken to the sky, leaving the Earth and Unicorn ponies a little unamused. I decided to walk rather than fly, simply because it still felt natural to do so. Even though I had a new body, I was still the same Earth pony from before on the inside.

After maybe an hour long hike, we finally reached the top of the trail. There stood the large golden gates that were the entrance to Canterlot. Guarding the gates were ponies from the 13th Defensive Force, who opened the huge gates upon our approach.

When we entered the city, we were met with a welcoming sight. As we marched down the street toward the castle, the inhabitants of Canterlot flooded out of buildings and everywhere else. They were all cheering and celebrating, welcoming the two hundred tired and beaten heroes home. 

"Well, this is a nice change. I'll take cheering ponies over snarling dragons any day of the week." SwiftWing said, receiving chuckles from both Arch and myself. 

"Same here. Too bad we couldn't have been order to Manehatten. I would've loved to see the family again. Maybe spend some time with my wife. I can't take there only being stallions around." Arch said jokingly.

Of course, I stayed quiet. I wasn't about to say anything about my family, not when I was in the body of an immortal God. 

I looked around through the crowd of ponies cheering. Some were looking frantically through the army, trying to find their loved ones that were sent away with the 5th R.I. Others were crying, from either joy or sadness. I also noticed a few stares in my direction. I don't blame them, I would stare at a pitch black Alicorn, too. Or just another Alicorn in general.

Then I saw something that ripped at my heart. At the front of the crowd, I saw both of my parents cheering. With them I saw Violet, her eyes searching throughout the army. Searching for me, or at least IronTrot the Earth pony.

"I'm guessing thats them." Arch said quietly, noticing me staring at the three ponies. I only nodded in response. "You're a lucky stallion, then. I've seen a lot of beautiful mares in my day, but she takes second place." He said with a smile.

Second place? I guess that makes sense, he is married. He's already found his perfect mare. I had found mine, but I couldn't do anything in this body. But still, I knew that I would have to make sacrifices. The worst part is that I would be added to the report as M.I.A., only because my body was used to create this new one.

I kept marching, trying extremely hard not to cry. We eventually reached the gates to the castle, where Princesses Celestia and Luna stood. As Celestia raised to hoof, everyone became quiet. 

After a brief pause, she spoke. "Welcome home, my little ponies of the 5th Royal Infantry. It saddens me to hear that you've lost well over half of your original numbers. Although I am happy that the ponies of your army fought and died to save Fillydelphia from a joint army of more than five thousand."

Both the 5th R.I and the crowd behind them burst into a cheer. Celestia simply smile and waited for the outburst to subside. When it did she spoke again. "I am pleased to say that your victory has helped push back the Gryphonic lines, and has given several other forces out there an easier time."

Princess Luna, who had remained quiet throughout her sister's speech, levitated several small boxes in front of her. When Celestia finished speaking, she began. "If the following ponies would come forward: StarStreak, Blue Thunder..."

And so began a small ceremony, with the Princesses handing out awards and promotions. After a while only Major SwiftWing and General Arch were at the front. Celestia soon stepped in front of the Major.

"Major SwiftWing, I, Princess Celestia, hereby appoint you to the office of Lieutenant Colonel of the Royal Equestrian Army." She said, pinning the ranks insignia to his uniform, "Do you accept the responsibilities that come with this rank?"

"Yes, Ma'am." Was all the newly promoted SwiftWing said, trying to keep himself from exploding with joy.

Celestia then walked over to General Arch. "General Arch of the 5th Royal Infantry, I hereby award you with the Medal of Honor, for honorably serving and defending Equestria. You have shown that you have earned this award, by not only risking your own life but putting the lives of your soldiers ahead of your own."

"Thank you, Princess." Arch said, respectfully bowing.

While the two ponies stepped back into formation, Princess Luna stepped next to Celestia. "There are still two final awards to be given. Sadly, the stallion who was to receive said awards lost his life during the latest battle of the 5th Royal Infantry. I ask the next of kin of Second Lieutenant IronTrot to come forth."

At the moment she said my name, my jaw hit the ground. There was no reason for me to receive an award. I had died in combat, yes, but I hadn't done anything important. Then again, I didn't really remember much before I died.

I saw a path made in the formation of soldiers, each of whom removed their helmets in respect. Past all of them walked a grey and white stallion, my father, who had tears in his eyes. I bowed my head as he walked past, yet again trying to keep myself from crying.

As my father reached the Princesses, he already had tears streaming down his face. He still bowed his head, then stood up straight.

"I am very sorry for the loss of your son, but know he died a hero's death." Celestia said quietly, then spoke much loader, "For giving his own life to save the life of General Arch in the heat of battle, I posthumously award Second Lieutenant IronTrot with the Distinguished Service Sun. I also appoint him to the rank of Major, for he was to receive it upon his return."

Celestia levitated the small golden box that contained the medal and rank to my father, who placed it on his back. He bowed, and turned to walk down the path again. He returned to my mother and Violet, who were both sobbing. 

I looked over at Arch, who had his head down. That's how I died? Saving my closest friend in the army and superior officer? Now I'm starting to think my death was worth it, if it lets him go home to his family. When I looked back up at the Princesses, I noticed they were looking directly at me. And from the look of it, they weren't very happy to see me. 

"As for the rest of you," Celestia said, "You are to stay within the cities boundries. You will receive new orders from General Arch within the next few days. You are dismissed."

The soldiers gave her a salute, and she turned with Luna to enter the castle. The formation and the crowd dispresed, and Arch walked up to me. "We should go see the Princesses now. They'll want to meet with you."
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As Arch and I walked down the hall to the throne room, we had both grown quiet. Not because there was nothing to say, but because there was something that made us keep quiet. That and every guard we passed bowed his head, assuming that I was some distant relative to the Princesses.

When we reached the massive doors to the throne room, Arch just stood there. He looked over at me and I gave him a simple nod. He used his magic to push open the large doors open. Inside were Celestia and Luna at their thrones. We entered and bowed before them.

Princess Celestia looked back and forth between Arch and myself. After what seemed like forever, she finally spoke. "General Arch, this is the pony from your report? The one who appeared in a flash of light and helped you defeat the joint army?" She asked with a tone that couldn't really be described.

Arch looked up at the Princess. "Yes, without him we wouldn't have survived." 

She looked back at me, with a look that could make even a dragon cower behind something. "And who exactly are you?" She asked me.

I stood as straight as I could, and spoke as profesionally as I could. "I am Legend, God of War an-"

"Oh, I know who Legend is." Celestia said, interrupting me. "I asked who you are. Now, please, give me the answer I want."

Well, that saved me a lot of explaining that I thought I would have to do. Though I still planned on having a bit of fun with this. "I am the late, newly promoted, Major IrontTrot of the 5th Royal Infantry." I said with a smug look.