//------------------------------// // Chapter two: welcome to Ponyville // Story: Reinsertion // by ringtail_mane //------------------------------// Chapter Two: Welcome to Ponyville It was noon already; as requested by the Marejor and Princess Twilight Sparkle, Ponyville in full was standing before the Administration Building: they had been notified early in the morning that the three princesses would be there: being a really uncommon event to have all of them at the same time in their village, each pony was eager to see them together at the public platform: the enthusiastic Twilight, the unearthly beautiful Celestia and the respect-imposing but sweet Luna. Only the most indispensable ponies had had to remain at their posts: medical personnel, firefighters and police. Twilight was the first to arrive, being charged with all the organization of the historic event: she was here, there and everywhere checking, inspiring, and hurrying. Beside her, as always, as friends true, were Applejack, Rainbow Dash, Rarity, Fluttershy and Pinky Pie, helping as well, awaiting impatiently the arrival of Celestia and Luna, the two remaining princesses, their rightful rulers. “Girls, anybody has seen General Grey Shadow and his Legion?” Twilight was genuinely concerned. “Not since last evening, when I delivered the cleaning stuff, sugarcube” Replied Applejack. “What a deplorable lack of manners! You would think a full-fledged officer and gentlehorse would be on time, being Royal Guards of the highest elite, and sworn protectors of their Majesties!” snorted Rarity, decorating a column with ribbons sporting the colors of the royal house of Canterlot. “Perhaps they overslept” –Pinkie Pie was all concentration, checking her party cannon’s mechanisms were in working order. “Come on, girls, let’s give them some more time” Twilight Sparkle was always the conciliator “Perhaps they are not familiar yet with the neighborhood and are trying to reach the town” “How can ANYPONY miss Ponyville!?” Rainbow Dash, bored and desperate by inaction, as she lied face down over a cloud, tossed and turned for the seventeenth time in the previous three minutes. “Come on, Dashie!” puffed Twilight “In their original time, Ponyville didn’t even exist. Anyway, I sent them a map and detailed instructions… I hope they will not… huh? Did you hear that!?” The ponies assembled at the courtyard cheered and waved and pointed to the sky… and with good reason: Princess Celestia and her sister, Princess Luna, were arriving! Seated in a huge, majestic golden cart, big enough for both, pulled by four robust pegasus from the Royal Guard Transport Detachment, escorted by other five pegasus flying in “V” slightly lower and behind the royal cart. Twi recognized them at once: for Dashie’s comical mortification, they were NOT the Wonderbolts, but their sister squadron, the Thundercolts. Wearing an olive and black uniform, they were the elite of the Sixth Tactical Wing of Equestria’s Air Force, feather-winged fighters, trained in air superiority combat. As their land-based comrades, the Cygnus Damocles, Thundercolts sported magically loaded weapons (absent for the occasion, at least the external ones) and were as superb aerobats as Rainbow Dash’s idols. As the carriage began its final descent towards the courtyard, the five Thundercolts broke formation, releasing contrails of multicolored smoke and disappearing in the sky at full speed; the golden cart landed delicately a few yards from the building a few moments later. Both princesses debarked, hailed by a deep reverence from their people. “Princess Celestia!! Princess Luna!! At last you have arrived!” Twilight greeted them with unrestrained happiness. “How are things going, Princess Twilight?” Asked Celestia, slightly puzzled by Twilight Sparkles frown. “I… I…” The new princess scratched the cobblestones with a hoof “They have not arrived yet. I don`t get it: the map I sent was quite accurate…” “Not surprising: they for sure must be very tired and the most probable thing is that they are slightly delayed: let’s give them some extra minutes” smiled Celestia, trying to calm her loyal, trusted… and extra-nervous student. “Relax, Princess Twilight Sparkle” nodded Luna “General Grey Shadow is punctuality incarnate, be assured he will come. Let’s begin, then” Princess Celestia nodded as well and approached to the Marejor, already bowing is obedience to her sovereigness. “Marejor, would you be so kind to begin, please?” “It will be an honor, Your Excellency” Replied the Marejor to her ruler. “Your attention please, mares and stallions: be warmly welcome. Her Majesty, Princess Celestia, together with Princess Luna and Princess Twilight, has requested your presence to deliver important news to all of you… Your Highness, would you honor us?” The princess climbed to the podium, gazing lovingly her subjects and began her discourse: “My beloved Ponyville denizens, it gladdens my heart to have all of you assembled here, for we celebrate a truly important occasion: from this day onwards, a very special team of ponies will be permanent part of our citizenry, in charge of security and surveillance all around these lands. They are called the Dark Legion, already a legend among our armed forces: it’s our wish that you meet them firsthoof” As if on cue, a rumbling of hooves began to echo across the entire courtyard, thrumming heavily with growing intensity moment by moment: It was a fully armored group of ponies of every kind, preceded by a majestically gray unicorn. General Grey Shadow marched before his troops, all of them wearing dark blue armors, as mysterious as night itself, all shining as if just forged. It was an army that imposed, DEMANDED respect, a battle contingent that oozed fear with their mere presence. Each detachment had a flag pole with its respective banner, preceded by two unicorns beating drums with their magic, signaling the proper march step for the troops. It was like seeing a living tableau from another era, awe-strucking, imposing, unstoppable. The ponies before the platform retreated to give them space. “TROOPS… HAAALLLT… NOW!” Grey Shadow cannon-like command voice found an instant reply from his troops, stopping all at the same time, as a single pony. “TURN AROUND 180º DEGREES, NOOW! AT ATTENTIOOON, NOOOW!” His warriors obeyed with almost uncanny precision and accuracy, facing now the gasping multitudes. Preceding each line of armored soldiers, a warrior sported a banner with the coat-of-arms of each section of the Dark Legion. Climbing to the podium, General Grey Shadow removed his helmet and bowed respectfully, to the citizens gathered to receive him and his troops. “Your Majesty, General Grey Shadow reporting: The Dark Legion is here as requested” “I told you, Twilight!” mumbled happily Luna, addressing her best friend in a decidedly unofficial tone; despite the seriousness of the moment, Twilight barely suppressed a chuckle “He never breaks his word” “Happy to see you again, General Shadow; please address the multitude gathered so gently to bid you welcome” The gray unicorn advanced forward to the podium, gazing the crowd gathered around, all awe-struck to see history alive before them. He remained silent for a short time, admiring all those young, happy faces, full of admiration and curiosity for these newcomers. He searched in his mind’s depths for the adequate tone and vocabulary to address this multitude, coughed gently and began: “Denizens of Ponyville: I am General Grey Shadow, commanding officer of the Dark Legion, Second Battalion of elite troops under direct orders of Princess Luna, Paladins of the Night, Guardians of Darkness, and Dark Warriors of Equestria. Centuries ago, our warriors have served Royal Family; by a whim of fate, our Legion is again among you all. I see this time a bit weird and unknown for us, so different from the obscure days we lived a millennium ago. “It’s our promise, both mine and of each one of my soldiers that, as we did in our original era, our goal will be to care for you, to be your protectors from any menace that follows the foolish and unwise choice of threatening any one of you. Be assured, whoever attempts to hurt you, to molest you in any way, will receive a visit from the Dark Legion… and it will not be a social one!” Despite the seriousness of his speech, not a single pony in the place could suppress laughter, followed by an ear-splitting “HOORAAYY!! HAIL GENERAL GREY SHADOW!” Touched to the core, Grey Shadow, coughed so politely, lifted a foreleg to request silence, and continued: “We just beg you some measure of patience with us, we are still adapting to your customs, a bit alien and unknown to all of us; as our beloved Princess Luna, we are new in this land, this time: We thank you for your understanding… we are here to serve you. Thank you” Even he passed hard moments trying to make quiet once more: the enthusiasm Ponyville showed for him and his soldiers was both moving and encouraging. Finally, after lifting a hoof for silence at least six or ten times, Grey Shadow could continue: “Thanks, noble citizens of Ponyville: Let me introduce you to our different hosts: “Captain Stone Cracker, section chief of ramrods and lancers… “Demolishers Squad”! “Captain Whipslash and her air strike team… “Night Wings”! “Captain Bolt Thrower and his unicorn squadron… “Mystic Brigade”, or “Brigade M”! “As you can see, all of them are well trained and qualified warriors, have seen the hardest combats and now are at your service, ready to protect your town against any menace or threat… of any kind. It’s my wish as well to make a call for whichever of you that could be interested in a career as a Legionary… eh?” For his amazement, Rainbow Dash had dived from the cloud where she and Fluttershy were enjoying the show and was bumping softly her head against the rump of a quite reluctant Half Moon, for the barely suppressed merriment of each and every one of her companions: Half Moon was incredibly strong… and incredibly shy as well. “He left you aside, kiddo! Oh no! You are also a Legionary!” “Rainbow, please no! Our general must have his reasons!” Half Moon resisted the bumping and pushing the best she could but, somehow, her strength seemed to have taken an unexpected license. “Reasons my mane, Half Moon! Now move your scrawny butt!” She raised her gaze “Er, Mr. General Sir… I mean… well… it seems you… well…” A final bump and poor Half Moon rolled head over hooves, stopping clumsily before Grey Shadow – who was momentarily busy pulverizing Dashie with a stern glance –; she shook her head, blushed to the mane, gazing her superior officer, momentarily petrified; somehow, her training surfaced with full force: clicking her hooves, the little filly saluted Grey Shadow with a booming voice nopony would have guessed could come from someone so young: “Corporal Half Moon reporting, General Grey Shadow, SIR!!” “A-hem!” coughed Grey Shadow “Corporal Half Moon comprises herself an unique division within the Dark Legion, one I was reserving as a surprise for all young colts and fillies that display unusual traits… no, not cutie marks… something extra special… Corporal Half Moon, would you care to park Her Majesties’ cart a few yards at left?” Everypony was intrigued, but for the Elements or Armony Bearers and the princesses, who already had seen Half Moon in action: the cart’s pegasus had been unhitched for the time, brakes were on… and the cart itself weighed on the best side of a ton and half… unloaded! One moment later, not even Celestia could repress a gasp when Half Moon crept under the cart, straightened her thin legs… and bodily raised the vehicle without even a groan! Half Moon trotted fifteen or twenty yards away, to deposit the cart with unbelievable delicacy on the ground. A tsunami of applauses, wolfwhistles and cheers erupted from the multitude: “HOORAY!”, “YOU ARE AMAZING!” the multitude yelled. “Mom, is she Krypthaynian, as Supermare is?” said a little filly to his mother. All ponies was amazed by Half Moon´s prowess… as well as a mainly ignored small commotion: almost nopony noticed Silver Spoon and Diamond Tiara had fainted: it was their secret wish to molest the newcomer as soon as the chance presented itself. At first it seemed a ‘good evil idea’… in three seconds it had changed to a ‘good suicidal idea’ Grey Shadow continued: “Thanks a lot for the demonstration and parking, Corporal. Return to your detachment” “I also make a formal request to whichever is interested in enrolling as Legionary, be it Royal Guard, civilian or – added with a slightly mocking smile – Cygnus Damocles. You can pick up the respective recruitment forms: we will be calling the pre-chosen ones for exams, tests and such” Everypony cheered and applauded the gallant officer; nodding amiably, Grey Shadow descended from the podium and approached the princesses, awaiting orders. “It has been a real pleasure, General” Smiled Celestia “Now proper introductions have been done, please consider yourself and your gallant soldiers free to return to your base and rest as long as you like” “Thanks a lot, Your Majesty” Grey Shadow seemed a bit uncomfortable, scratching the ground with a hoof, “but…..if I can make a formal request, we’d like assignation of funds: we have not enough provisions yet, our stores are bone-dry… we exhausted what we had yesterday night and even my soldiers had no breakfast yet” His belly spoke for him with a rumble that seemed to the hapless Unicorn as noisy as a barrage of heavy artillery. “So I notice, General” Smiled Celestia “It seems something here is emptier than your pantry.” “I… am sorry, Your Highness” replied quietly the gray unicorn, blushing to the roots by the unexpected and loud sound. Luna’s eyes welled with tears: tears of pride, of joy, of compassion: “It’s easy to see who was ONE of those soldiers – thought she – and no doubt he worked harder than anypony in that base: the Grey Shadow I knew one thousand years ago hasn’t changed a bit” Celestia laughed good-naturedly hearing her noble officer. “Gladly, General” answered she “I’ll send you today the appropriate funds and provisions, so you can have an abundant stock; Princess Twilight and her friends will be ready and willing to assist you to integrate with these new times. If somepony here knows about friendship, that pony is Twilight Sparkle” “So will be done, my Princess. Now, if you allow us, we will return to our quarters” The three princesses nodded in agreement; General Grey Shadow faced his troops, steel-eyed, gallant and imposing, raising a wave of sighs among every unmarried filly and mare in a 100 meter radius. “Return to base, my hosts. Let’s go! MAAAAAAAAAAAARCH!!” They barely could raise a foreleg. “Oh, no! YOU WON’T!” Boomed a voice from the multitude; to general amazement, two ponies, one yellow and slight of build; the other a sorrel stallion with a curious white stepped bonnet, detached from the rest, advanced before the astounded officer and saluted martially. “No” Continued Mr. Cake, “until your troops – and you, my General – have been properly fed! It’s really commendable what you have done for Equestria… and Ponyville is grateful!” “I am not from Ponyville; my presence here is just coincidental” Continued Donut Joe “But I want to join my colleague’s offer; you need to eat as of now: I was chef at one of the best restaurants of Marehattan before deciding to open my own business with my own specialties… and now I am at your service!” One by one, other chefs, restaurant owners, garcons and waitresses began to join Mr. Cake and Donut Joe: Grey Shadow smiled, his eyes moist. From now on, Ponyville would have the Legion as their most fierce protectors. “Th… thanks, noble people, really” Gulped the unicorn “But we can’t put you in a race…” “Nonsense SIR!” Boomed Mr. Cake “I was in the army before I opened my bakery… and was campaign cook: Have handled troops ten times the size of yours… no offense intended. And for now I am again Sergeant Cake for you!” “Let’s distribute your troops among our restaurants and bakeries, General” nodded Strudelfeast, one of Ponyville’s most famous chefs “Now the rivalry between my colleagues and me will be about who gives the best dishes to your men” After an abundant dinner, the battle-hardened troop eventually returned home, bone-weary… and belly-bursting, leaving behind the most proud citizenry across all Equestria.