The Centurion walked amongst his men in close formation with the standard bearer to his right. His dark brown eyes constantly scanning the dark horizon much like a crow trying to inspect for food. The collective steps of the first Cohort in the Seventh Legion were thunderous but it was something you could drown out with enough practice. The weight of his equipment, the Gladius in one hand and his decorated, but beaten, shield in the other was more comfortable than anything he wore in his time as a normal pleb.
As the Seventh Legion began to crest over a single hill it became evident exactly where blood was going to be spilled today. The Centurion squinted as he started to recognize the small dots in the sky as Pegasi which could only mean that the enemy was getting ready as well. It was bound to be the last time that Centurion was going to see Pegasi clearly due to the overcast that was spreading through the sky. Silent prayers through his Century of Lightening striking down the “Damned flying beasts” were passed along as most laughed but the newest to the ranks only gulped at the sight before them.
The 7th legion and her sister the 8th, took an hour to get into proper formation in the valley but it was needed as the enemy was doing the exact same thing.
“Lucius, what do you take our odds at?” The Standard bearer spoke with a chuckle as the Century was taking it's final rest, front rank standing while the rest took to a knee. The bearer sniffed as he took a moment to look at the long line of enemy ranks. His eyes, unlike his Centurion, were a bright blue as it shifted left and right carefully as if counting.
“Depends, Spurius. Most of them seem comprised of Earth ponies but if Intelligence was correct, Celestia is leading their army. She has yet to lose a battle for a reason,” Lucius Vor, Centurion of a First Cohort Century, divulged some of his thought to his veteran brother in arms. Something he almost regretted as he turned behind him to see a young lad look up to him with both fear and surprise. “Stop quivering, Lad. Ponies will try to attack your shield first if they find you scared,”
Spurius only let out a chuckle at the comment along with most of the other veterans in the ranks who were in earshot of the conversation. “Coming from the man who has never been beaten at battle. Didn't you also kill a Dragon, I hear?” Spurius asked as he stood tall with his Standard in his hands and a smirk on his face.
Lucius only let out a huff because he knew exactly why Spurius brought that memory up. The entire Century was quiet now as they strained their hearing towards their Centurion. Lucius breathed in one last big breath of air before letting it out to sturdy his nerves. “Yes, I've never been defeated in battle and yes, I critically injured a Dragon. Last I recalled, it swallowed my last Bearer whole,” Lucius boasted loud enough for the rear ranks to hear.
The Century spoke quietly but elated amongst themselves, mostly the newest ones about the rumour being true, while the Vets simply lost most emotion due to the memories resurfacing. What the new Legionnaires don't ever hear was how most of them got to be in this Century to begin with. It was because most of the people who should be standing in their spot have been buried in honour. Seventy five percent lose of an entire First Cohort. Lucius remembered stepping off to battle with one hundred and sixty men in his Century that morning and returning with only twenty nine...
“My predecessor was gobbled whole, hm?” Spurius spoke before letting out a soft chuckle. “Well let's hope that Ponies don't have the same appetite as Dragons!”
Lucius gave him a nod as it was refreshing to have a joking attitude in all of this mud and blood. “Yes, let us hope that they have no Dragon hiding amongst their ranks, yes?” Lucius spoke back with a grin as he rested his free hand on the pommel of his Gladius. In all his experience though, they would know if they were about to face a Dragon or not by now. Damn beast didn't like hiding but instead flying around and spouting flames to show their superiority. It destroyed troop morale, something Lucius found out firsthand.
Spurius spoke up again after his laughing fit was well and over. “I also heard that your Helm's hair was made of the late General Trueshot. Is that one also true?” Spurius spoke but Lucius shut his mouth with a smack against his ribs. Spurius was about to apologize until he seen the Centurion watching the enemies ranks.
“Century!” Lucius called out with the true force of authority. Immediately, the entire force stood and reassembled into fighting formation. All down the line both Legions were calling their men to attention. Lucius seen it with his own eyes. The Mother to Equines, Destroyer of Man, The Devil's Whore, The Supreme Commander of Equestria Celestia. Lucius was educated enough to know that Celestia probably didn't deserve most of the names both the Senate and the Legions cursed her with but it gave them hate which fuelled their fight.
He witnessed her for his first time. Her light was, praise to Mars for his treacherous thoughts, completely welcoming and warm. He couldn't see her armour or her face but her silhouette could not be denied. It was as if the Sun and the Princess were one. Beauty, but what happens when you get to close to something hot? You burn to ashes like the flame of a Dragon's breath.
Lucius grit his teeth as he witnessed what would likely be the hardest fight yet. Humanity and Equines were about to shed blood upon spear and sword.
A horn blew across the ranks in three successions which Lucius nodded too. He gave a quick look to Spurius who nodded in turn. The Standard was raised then spun a slow circle twice then came to a stop before dipping forward towards the Enemy. It was a quick symbol that every Legionnaires learned to be as 'Century – Forward'. Lucius blew a whistle that hung around his neck and the march began. The long, flat valley was dry which helped the entire army stay in formation although the Centurions had to constantly keep an eye on their Century's speed to match the middle.
The Equestrian army held their ground for most of the advance with the probability that they wanted the Humans to be somewhat fatigued by the time anything actually combat related occurred. Lucius knew that thought process was pure folly however. Each member of the Legion was fit down to the last man, even the ageing General on his horse was still something not to scoff at. No, Lucius thought it was something else that Celestia must have in store for them. It was then and there that Lucius paused before blowing his whistle as long and as sharply as he could.
It took most of the Army a second before they took the whistle blast as an indication to come to a full stop. The Entire Army came to an unexpected stand still as a man mounted on a horse came thundering towards Lucius and his Century.
“Centurion Lucius Vor! What in the Gods is the matter?” the Messenger spoke as the entire battle came to an unexpected halt.
Lucius rose his Gladius to point out a spot twenty to thirty meters or so in front of him. “Tell the General that the Enemy has deployed Dragon Powder in defence. Tell him that Centurion Vor would suggest that we have the Auxillary spread flames to the fields in front of us,”
The Messenger and his horse both nodded and sped off back to the General. Lucius watched the Messenger for only a moment before returning his focus back to the Enemy. Most of the Ponies were stoic in their appearance although none of them wore plate armour like the Legion did. The Ponies only wore chain mail though it did little to stop a Gladius or Pilum. It was used when the Ponies did their little engagement with Gryphons years ago. Very little weapons in the Legions did slashing damage these days.
Lucuis kept his focus on the one being who seemed to be staring right back at him. Celestia wore gilded armour of bronze and gold linings that had many decorations upon it of past victories. He couldn't read any of them from this distance as he had enough trouble seeing her facial expressions. She wasn't smug nor angry but obviously deep in thought. They shared their glance for several moments until Spurius shook the Centurion's side slightly to ruse him from his gaze.
“How did you know there was Dragon Powder in the field before us?” the Bearer asked with plain curiosity as he tried his best to look for the most volatile solid in existence to no avail.
“You only need to smell it once and see the effect on Human flesh for that scent to be permanently implanted into your very being,” Lucius spoke in a hushed tone before returning his attention back to Celestia. It didn't take long till a twang of a bowstring was heard somewhere behind his Century and a single flaming arrow came to stop only for a moment before the field caught aflame in a long line of blue flame. Lucius only stood to face the hot flame without flinching unlike some of his century that hid behind their shields for a moment. The Centurion grit his teeth once more as he seen where that line would be if the Ponies had lite it and not them. It would have cut the Century in half to the point where the men would be stranded from reinforcements or reliable support.
“By the Gods,” Spurius spoke for a moment as he witnessed Dragon Powder for the first time.
“Thank the Gods that the wind was in our favour. If we were not downwind, I may have not have gotten a single whiff of that foul powder till it was too late,” Lucius corrected his bearer as the two Sister Legions waited for the flames to die down.
Word spread throughout the ranks that Centurion Lucius Vor saved them all from the Dragon Powder. They didn't know that the General started the rumour but it nevertheless had the same effect to boost morale. It was slow but soon a chant started to grow throughout the ranks of the Seventh Legion.
Vor, Vor, Vor!
Gladius' smacked with their blunt sides against their shields to create a thunderous noise. Lucius ignored the cheering but if it pumped up the men to help fight against their enemy than let them cheer. His focus was on the obscured image of Princess Celestia that stood on a small boulder to overlook her army. It was hard to get a clear image of her but he could tell she was looking right back at him although it seemed she was also talking to her Officers.
The cheering died when the Flames were reduced down to small flickers and the horn blasted three times to signal the advance. Lucius blew his whistle and his Century advanced inline with the rest of the Legion's front line. Lucius watched the Celestia at all times just over the brim of his shield. It was the moment that he witnessed her turn her head slightly to issue orders that he could not hear was when he issued his own.
“Century! Testudo!” Lucius called as he hunkered down and his Bearer, Spurius retreated back on rank as a Legionnaire took his spot and copied Lucuis exact position. Soon the entire Century was covered in a tortoise like shell of shields and not a moment too late. Luckily the other Centurions have come to trust Lucius hunches and suspicions as they quickly ordered their own Century into Testudo formation.
A shower of arrows came down upon the Legions and all they could do was take it to the best they could, which they did well in their current formation. Lucuis could hear a few screams of pain amongst the ranks but he was thankful that none seem to come from his own Century. The hail of arrows stopped and that is when Lucius yelled once more. “Century! Slow March!”
As an entire century still holding Testudo formation they moved. With each stomp of their right foot they sounded off to keep in sync of one another. One shield out of place could mean a fatal arrow that could kill you or a comrade.
Lucius was adamant as his gaze never left Celestia's. The two seemed to have a battle all their own but Lucius knew full well that she couldn't win that battle for she had an entire army to lead. Soon enough her head would turn left and right to issue orders. It was the advantage he took for granted knowing full well that Rome had the superior numbers in this battle, something that was an odd advantage to have over Equestrian forces. “Century! Ready Pilas!” he ordered out as they neared the Ponies front line meter by meter.
Gladius' were sheathed and the rear half of the Century wrestled for a moment to ready their throwing weapons. The moment to spring was close but before he issued the charge he finally ran some things through his mind. Ponies main strength was in their charge both by spear and speed yet they stayed glued to their starting position. Celestia wouldn't be so foolish to just let her army get chewed up in close quarters on purpose did she?
The twang of bowstrings strummed out as arrows arced towards the Ponies lines before stopping short. The arrowheads collided with a shimmering bubble upon contact. The shafts of the arrows mostly shattered as they begun to litter the ground. It clicked in Lucius head as he knew now that Celestia was not so clumsy as to just leave her army astray. But the test now was to see if the shield only blocked high velocity objects or everything from entering.
“Bearer!” Lucius called and on Que Spurius answered. “Grab a stone and toss it at the enemy ranks. Make sure to give it a slow toss. Prepare to give the bearer room to toss on my order, Lads,” Lucius instructed amongst the front ranks as they called out their acknowledgements. Spurius plucked a decent sized stone from the ground and waited as a hail of arrows clattered amongst their shields once more. Lucius waited for one moment after the volley then shouted “Now!”
Four or so Shields separated enough for Spurius to stand fully moments before he cocked his hand back and tossed the black stone towards the magical barrier. The Bearer didn't even bother watching his efforts at work before crouching down again so the Legionnaires could once again make the Testudo whole.
Lucius watched however as the stone successfully pass through the shield and came to a peaceful stop right at the hooves of the Equestrian Army. Lucius granted himself a gaze once more at Celestia as he gave the whistle blast once more to begin the slow advance. The Century moved with a singular purpose as the shield was soon passing over the men. It was then that Lucius called it with a quick order of “Century, Throw!”
The rear ranks of the Century removed their shields from protecting over head. Several men armed with Pilas, which were much like Javelins in shape, cocked their arms back and followed through to release the weapon in beautiful form. Hours and hours spent tossing the Pilum made every Legionnaire masters at it. Just like their Standard Bearer, they quickly resumed Testudo formation without seeing the fruit of their labour.
Lucius marched in disbelief as he witnessed every single Pilum pass right through the Ponies. It was like tossing a stone through fog. Luscius quickly glanced back at Celestia now that he was much closer to her and examined the Princess closely. Her form seemed under great strain as if carrying a heavy burden but it couldn't have been the armour. It was then that everything was starting to click in as Celestia's horn began to shine a blinding light before disappearing along with both the barrier and ghost Army.
It was at that moment that Lucius knew that Celestia had successfully pulled off a grand manoeuvre. Wide spread panic and confusion erupted through the ranks before it was squashed by the yelling of Officers and Centurions.
It was then that Celestia unleashed her army on both sides of the Roman flanks. As if a curtain was pulled to show off a grand release, an entire army was covered in an invisibility field. Ponies shouted to the top of their lungs as they charged forward. The Cavalry who were quick to react fled from the charge but the Archers in the rear ranks didn't have neither the speed nor the protection of the front line Infantry. They were cut down quickly upon spears and swords while the Centuries had to face bombardment from the sky. Heavy rocks fell from the sky as shields were heavily rattled while some found their way through to pulverize the poor sap underneath.
Lucius didn't wait a second longer for his General to reorganize the entire two Legions. With all the force he could muster he blew once into his whistle then shouted at the top of his lungs “Seventh Legion! First Cohorts! By the left!” Lucius paused for a moment for the next order to sink in. “Left turn!”
Like clockwork of a well maintained machine the front Centuries of the Seventh Legion turned to face the on coming threat. The First Cohort of Centuries ran to speed the manoeuvre and with ease they stopped once in position moments before receiving the first Equestrian charge.
Lucius shouted even though he was only to command just his Century. “Century! Brace!” He screamed as the front row of Legionnaires shifted their feet and prepared to get ran over. The men behind the first rank did their best to help in bracing the first rank by placing their shield behind their back.
The Ponies collided like a wave of fur and iron as some flipped right over the formations. The poor Ponies that managed to somehow jump or get flipped over and into the formation of the Century were immediately stabbed to death by several Gladius'. Luscius had to breath hard when the black and white furred Pony slammed into his shield. He could hear the very grunt the Stallion made moments before all his momentum was halted. Lucius was glad that the young lad behind him at least had strength to push back. Lucius quickly took the chance as the Stallion made the foolish swing as if to hack at the Centurion from above. Lucius did the well trained two hit combo as he smacked the enemies sword hilt with his shield to keep it up while jabing with his gladius into the Stallions exposed jugular. After every jab or attack Lucius' shield returned to position so no Pony could break through the lines. Another Pony tried to do the same with his sword but this time went low as if to try and get through the small crack between Legionnaires. Lucius quickly countered as he pushed with enough force to crack the shield against the Mare's face. She let out a yelp before falling for a mere moment, a moment Lucius took to slam the bottom edge of his shield down on her now exposed face repeatedly until her movement halted.
The battle raged on and Centurions rotated their forces through the ranks so front ranks in the Centuries didn't have to constantly fight till they either died or succumbed to exhaustion. This rule never applied to the Centurions themselves. It was a rule that them nor the Standard Bearer shall be cowering behind their legionnaires. So when Lucius blew the whistle the front shields gave way as fresh Legionnaires quickly filled their comrades empty spot. It was at this moment however that something happened that surprised even Lucius.
A blinding light caused all fighting to cease immediately. Ponies backed off from the Legion as a single figure wielding a flaming sword marched forward to meet the Legionnaires. Celestia in all her glory came out and soon levelled her weapon towards the Seventh Legion Veteran Hero. “You, Centurian, I challenge you in one-on-one combat. What say you?” Her voice called out loudly so all could hear.
Lucius stopped for a moment before doing something he thought he'd never do on the battlefield. He began to start to laugh behind his shield. It got to the point were the men standing beside him were a little awestruck as if the enchantress Celestia did some awful magic trick. Lucius gathered his nerve to look upon the Princess once more over the brim of his shield before calling out. “I apologize, Princess Celestia, but my heart belongs to our Mother Rome! It would leave a sour taste in my mouth if I danced with another!”
Celestia gazed back at the Centurion as the Roman lines began to erupt in baths of laughter. Insults were soon shouted up and down the First Cohorts Centuries towards the Princess. It was easy to see that the Ponies didn't take too well to having their Princess openly mocked at. “Is this the most that Humanity has to offer? Some idle threats and insults while they cower behind their shields?” she retorted with ease as she returned her attention back towards Lucius.
Lucius couldn't let her goad the men into a stupid brawl which would break formation nor let her run the Centurion name into the mud. “I believe you are seeing this battle wrong, Princess. I'm pretty sure even with our Legions surrounded were winning. Why don't you do your entire Nation a Favour and lay your arms down?”
Celestia scoffed at the idea “And give myself or my precious Ponies up to your corrupt Senate? I'd rather see my Ponies fight to the last then being Crucified down the roads leading to Roma,” Celestia spoke before raising her sword high.
Lucius knew full well that Senate wasn't what it once was but he was a simple Soldier. Politics were never his thing. “You have courage and honour, Princess, but those don't stop arrows and swords. Century! Forward!” he ordered moments before another brilliant flash consumed him. This time Lucius was standing before his Century alone before Celestia. He was so close to her, he could feel Celestia practically breathing down his neck. Their gazes were like stone for moments before Lucius held his shield up and his Gladius at the ready.
“I command you, Centurion, please lay your arms down or feel internal imprisonment. I have Magic that no Human could deflect. Please, I beg of you as a being who relishes peace,” Celestia pleaded upon Lucius once more with a tone of a lover begging for her special someone not to leave.
Lucius lowered his stance but didn't sheath his weapon. He responded with a hush whisper that only Celestia could hear. “I wish I could, Princess Celestia. I wish that all I had to do was order troops around in fancy formations to impress Nobles. I will die on these battlefields with my men the way the Gods have decided it for I have no family back home to welcome me. I hope this conflict had a happy ending for both sides but it has been almost a year of fighting, Celestia,” Lucius spoke as honestly as he could before sheathing his Gladius and removing his helm to show flatten dark, brown hair and the rest of his stubbly facial hair. He extended his one free hand which Celestia returned with a shake of her hoof.
“I'm guessing you won't reconsider?” Celestia asked once more as she sighed with knowing defeat.
Lucius donned his helm and unsheathed his sword once more. He gave Celestia a small smile but still shook his head. “I rather be with my only Family in death than being known as the one to surrender his friends and family,” Lucius replied before walking back to his Century.
“I hope we meet again, Centurion,” Celestia called out.
“If the Gods will it,” Lucius called back before taking back his original position. The Century was quiet as they waited for the inevitable clash of charging Ponies again. What they got however was Celestia slowly ascending into the sky with what looked to be six orbs of different colour circling her. It happened almost instantly as a rainbow of colours flashed down the line of the First Cohort and all of the Seventh and Eighth Legions.
In a flash it ended. Every remaining Human that still stood was in cased in stone. Celestia knew it to be mass killing to turn all of them to stone but she had no other choice. This War had dragged on way too long and too many lives were lost. Slowly she made her way up to the nameless Centurion who captured a slice of her with him when she encased him in stone. She levitated him from his formation and began to walk away with stone Soldier.
The War lasted only a month more until the Senate was forced to concede to Equestria's demands of surrender. Rome was demilitarized and housed more than a few Garrisons of Ponies to keep everything under control. After the Incident of the Seventh and Eighth Legion, all Legionnaires who were encased in stone were returned to their respective home to be displayed in the Halls of Remembrance. All Legionnaires except one Centurion by the name of Lucius Maxis Vor, Seventh Legio: Invictus.
It has been Two Hundred Years after the war and ever since that day, Lucius has been standing proud within Celestia's very own Chambers. Some say she has kept it there to remind her how great power can often lead to many lives lost. Some say she secretly feel in love with the Centurion after their secretive talk on the battlefield. Whatever was going on in Celestia's heart and mind she simply never discussed to any, even her favoured student, Twilight Sparkle
It was standing still before small shards of stone fell to the floor revealing a bright red shield underneath...