Siege of Snow Hill #233
Extended Holiday
Chp 15: Siege of Snow Hill #233
Act 2
Taze smiled as he stretched finally able to wake up in the morning without the aching fatigue he had been used to for so long.It was now officaly the start of there second week in ponyville. this last week of exercise was starting to show good changes. Taze had a large smiled on his face. “You know, as much as i disliked Canterlot, i’m starting to like this place” he told his friends.
He found that Matthew was currently asleep clutching the military bunny that was a gift from Moonshade. He had started to sleep a little more but Taze remember that last night had been pouring over routes for their journey to the Castle. He also was wrapped up a little in a warm blanket as the weather had taken a turn to the colder.
Mutatio only nodded as he dropped from the ceiling. “Agreed friend of my friend.” He replied. “Ponyville is nicer, not so… worrisome about Mutatio, at least those that know of me.”
Me-Me only nodded as she pulled out a small stash of chocolate she had saved from last night. “Plus… I would not have discovered or been treated to Queen’s food.”
“Mutatio.” Taze rubbed his eye’s with two fingers. “I thought Matthew explained this to you, the friend of your friend thing is unnecessary, we’re friends now”
“Is not a tradition of friends is to tease one another at times? And to rile one another at times?” He asked with a sly smile as he made a strange noise that Taze had learned was changeling laughter.
“....Well played.” Taze nodded too the changeling. “Ok so Matthew’s asleep, Shawn and Moonshade are out, Mutatio you're on guard duty while I run, and don’t let him sleep all day this time, the guys got to eat something” Taze gestured to Matthew. “You know where I’ll be, running, wood chopping or weapons training. Not much else to say except stay away from Pinkie Pie and don’t try to eat gummy again.” Taze said “Yes his names a type of candy, no that doesn’t mean he’s made from said candy, we clear?”
“Yes Sir,” He got from both Mutatio and Me-Me at the same time. Mutatio spoke next. “I will wake him up, why does he sleep like Changelings feel like doing when it’s cold. Did… Twilight do something to him to make him part Changeling?”
“No, he’s just from a warmer climate and combined with the little sleep he got last night and getting completely drenched a few days ago he probably just needs to get back up to snuff.” Taze said “you guys be safe, and if you can feed Rommel, i don’t want to find him after my candy stash again”
Mutatio only nodded. “Snuff, Another odd human term, but I shall do what you asked. How do you suggest we wake Matthew up?’
“I’m up.” Matthew mumbled from the bed. “It’s just too warm here, and I am not from a warmer climate, I just am not use to the cold. Never was, always too skinny or recovering from something.” he sniffed a little. “I hope I don’t get a cold, I can’t take cold medicines due to my heart.”
“I’ll stop by Zecora’s hut while I’m in the everfree today, I swear seems like I’m getting more business every couple days.” Taze shook his head. “You stay in bed, I’ll get Berry to bring you up something later ok?”
Matthew nodded his head. “Thank you,” He shivered. “Dang, I might just claim the next best seat by the fire to keep warm. The Pegasus don’t kid around, winter is coming.” No one knew that it had snowed the night before. “I may have to request winter gear from Rarity before marching. I rather not die of frostbite or exposure here.”
“Yeah I’ll check into that too.” Taze said clasping on the cloak he had made yesterday. Visiting Rarity was not his favorite thing in the world but he was quite happy with the old fashioned cloak, it was warm, light and did nothing to obscure his movements. “Stay warm, stay safe.” Taze said and with a flick of his wrists he left.
Matthew only nodded his head. He found himself being roused by Berry Punch a little later as she placed a bed table on his lap. “Room?” He asked in confusion, unable to finish the sentence.
“Room service, I was told by Taze that you needed something to warm you up, and with the snowstorm the Pegasus gave us last night.” She tsked as Matthew sat up. “No wonder, only skin and bones and no fur.” She sighed and looked to the window. “How you humans survived your first winters are beyond me.” She sighed and turned around. “Mutatio, Me-Me.” She replied. Matthew smiled at that, she was getting over being scared of the changelings, it helped that the two would hang around the humans and she did start developing a soft spot for Me-Me.
“If you need me, I will be getting a small nip from the cupboard to chase away the chill.” She stopped and moved to under the window and kicked a metal tube contraption. “Never works well.” She muttered and left. Matthew just turned and stared at what he had realized was a working actual steam heater, like the ones you would find in the old victorian houses from the turn of the century. “Oh so it does work, I just thought it was part of the decor.” he muttered as he settled in the covers and began to eat the vegetable stew. “I am living in a living history page.”
Taze laughed maniacally. He had needed to postpone his wood run until he could get ski’s fitted to his cart. so right after his workout he had decided to spend time with his men, as well as a group of school foals in a very high class military exercise that teaches tactical thinking and endurance.
In short he was having a snowball fight, and the foals were winning.
“Hold the line men!” Taze shouted as he hurtled another snowball at the fort on the other side. “Give them blood and vinegar” with an omph another of his guards fell to a snowball to the face.
“You’ll never win!” Pipsqueak shouted. “Loose!” The foal commanded as dozens of snowballs hurdled towards the guards fort. Taze ducked under his cloak as snowballs pelted him before returning fire.
In equestria as it turned out ponies generally only left the house to play, get fire wood or on emergencies, with no major chores, and nothing to do thanks to school cancellations most of Ponyville foal population was currently facing down the dwindling group of guardsmen.
“Call for reinforcements!” Taze shouted to Black Rook. The large earth pony looked at him confused.
“What reinforcements? We’re in a snowball fight?” The earth pony raised an eyebrow.
“Just blow a horn or whistle or something!” Taze shouted as he blocked another volley, the guard beside him going down.
“Had enough then?” Pipsqueaks voice carried out. “Surrender peaceful like!”
“NEVER!” Taze shouted
“Then face death!” Pipsqueak shouted back.
“ALSO NEVER!” taze shouted. “Come on men, for glory!” taze shouted firing off more snowballs as black rook rolled his eyes and humored his CO with a loud whistle.
Almost like a magic summoning, Taze heard the small sound of hooves marching in the snow, then the whistle blast and the hoof falls grew faster and, around a corner of one building came rushing seven more guards being lead by Silver Spear.
They all scattered and ducked as snowballs were pelted their way. Silver Spear found himself next to Taze. “You called for reinforcements?” Taze could see a small book of regulations shoved between him and his breastplate. He didn’t wait for a response. “Come on men, this time we can’t get in trouble, let loose some snow balls,” he grinned a little. “I got a demerit for snowball fighting last year.” he explained. He picked up some snow in his magic and formed a snowball before tossing it over the wall. They heard a over the top dramatic cry as the snowball hit one of the foals on his horn.
“Come on ya’ll.” Applebloom said gritting her teeth. “They need this on the front lines” She grunted pulling forward on the rope. The CMC and Shawn were currently pulling a small but apparently functional catapult on a sled towards Ponyville.
“Remind me again, of a couple things really. One, why did you need this catapult in Ponyville again, and second, does it involve Taze?” Shawn questioned.
“We need to get to get this catapult to the front lines!” Scootaloo said “they need this advantage.”
Dinky merely looked back at Shawn raised an eyebrow and asked. “And you really needed to ask the second question?”
“As said, if he is I could use a little revenge, just for the heck of it.” He chuckled. “That axe was not cheap.” He smiled in a joking manner.
“I still have a bad feeling about this, I mean, I am half expecting a sap tree to fall or blow up with the cold.” She muttered. “As for the actual working of this, what if we pack too much snow? I rather not smother anypony.” She looked at the Catapult. “But it will be cool if we get our cutie marks in siege warfare.”
“CUTIE MARK CRUSADER SIEGE ENGINEERS YAY!” The four shouted together as they started to pull harder.
They slowly passed by a side window of the Tavern and Matthew who had walked down the stairs to keep warm by the fire stood up and walked to the window and actually peered down the street. “I don’t… that is.” He muttered before looking around and found a Coat left over from the previous night and while it did not fit him very well, he was wrapping up in scarves and other warm clothing and stepped out into the front porch of the tavern to see the backs of Shawn, the CMC, and a wooden Catapult as he stared. “How did they get that built?” he asked the empty street as he stood there a bit before a chilly wind blew across his face and he quickly hurried back inside to the warmth. “That is… wow.” He moved to the fireplace and stood there in shock before he moved to the stairs. “Okay, seeing that I have to wear their cape today.” He paused and shook his head. “December first and we have a large snowstorm, the fillies he knew were already having fun. “I wish I knew about this, I would have prepared to battle out their, or at least sledding.” he muttered to himself only to blink as Berry handed him a mug of Hot Cocoa.
“Try it, I am preparing for when the snowball fight’s over, they’ll all come here for free Cocoa.” Berry replied with a chuckle. “Maybe you can get them to tell you all about their little toy war.”
“Silver Spear keep the left flank secure, Rook watch our right. come on Moonshade where's my air support?” Taze shouted, they had brought in the entire guard now, most of whom were taken out by now. The rest where currently separated in what had been there snow fort. some had managed to get wooden bucklers but those where only getting them so far. with a savage war cry Taze tossed another volley of snowballs only to duck the retaliation.
Overhead Moonshade flanked by two thestrals flew over the foals base releasing blankets filled with snow. The foals managed to shoot one down as they passed overhead. They had used slingshots with snowballs placed inside them to hit the flying Thestrals.
“You’ll have to do better than that!” Pip shouted back.
“Now drop the barricade and let them see bertha men!” One of the last snow barricades caved from the inside revealing two large stakes in the ground with a large elastic band between them. the unicorn operating it loosed a volley on the foals.
“Sir!” A thestral landed beside him. “They’re bringing heavy artillery!”
“What could be worse then a giant slingshot?” Taze wondered aloud looking up.
Across from him, he could see a brown and dark object being trailed by Shawn and the CMC, when they got close enough he could see Shawn packing part of it with snow, it was at that moment he realised two things, one, it was a catapult, two, Shawn had an evil grin directed right at him.
“Men.” Taze looked at the rag tag remnants of his troops. “It has been an honor serving with you.” He placed his hand over his heart dramatically. “If we fall here, let it be known we fall in glory!” Taze turned back and waited for Shawn to fire. There was the twang followed by the whoosh but surprisingly instead of being hit by a wall of snow, there was only the sound of two overly dramatic screams. Looking up to the battlefield Taze saw Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon nearly covered in snow.
On the other side of the battlefield Applebloom whistled innocently as she stood close by the misfired siege weapon.
“They misfired!” Taze looked back at berthas unicorn operator “Aim for the catapult and fire!” Taze ordered. The unicorn did so sending a volley hurtling towards the siege weapon.
“Bloom.” Shawn started. “You’ve doomed us.” Shawn said, watching the snowballs head straight for them. “You’ve doomed us all.” He whispered.
He didn’t even flinch as the snowball hit him directly face, with a dramatic flare, he put the hand on his forehead before doing a small spin and falling backwards to the ground.
“Rumble” Pipsqueak called to the grey pegasus colt beside him. “Initiate…. Operation Pink Muffin” pip’s face was grave as he made the order.
“Sir are you sure about that? We’re still not sure what it will do.” Rumble answered as the other foals gasped in shock.
“I gave you an order!” Pip shouted back. “We lost our best and brightest in that volley.”
With a nod Rumble signaled Featherweight to relay the message.
“That was super fun!” Pinkie bounced through the tavern carrying a cup of hot chocolate. “wasn’t that fun? it was looking so terrible and then we showed up and it was like ‘BAM! they never stood a chance.” she laughed before taking a sip of her hot chocolate.
“Yes Pinky I know, I was there, that was my face you hit with a snowball.” Taze said looking at the pink pony who was currently looking directly into his face. clearly not amused.
“I know!” Pinky cheered.
Operation Pink Muffin as it turned out involved getting help from both Pinkie Pie and Derpy. Both of whom were pro’s at the snowball fight.
Pinkies boundless energy and disregard for physics as well as the Pinkie Sense made hitting her nigh impossible.
Derpy on the other hand or hoof while her wall eye’s made her clumsy they allowed her to both dodge and aim at the same time. The guards never stood a chance, when Taze fell Moonshade surrendered outright and the dead were given an honorable burial before everyone laughed it off and migrated to the Punch Bowl for hot chocolate. Taze and the guards were also staying close to the foals just in case Diamond Tiara's threats about getting her father to ban snow sports came through. So far, no word on that front.
Matthew was helping Berry hand out the Hot Chocolate, while listening in on things. “Okay,” he muttered. He looked to Sweetie, “You think you can get your sister to do a rush job? More snow’s falling tonight. I would like to join tomorrow.” he paused and looked at Pinkie. “Next time, let someone on the guards get a Phoenix down, reviving half your side in a minute kind of was unfair.” He muttered. He shook his head. “Also, where is Shawn? I saw him work with that small Catapult.”
Applebloom smiled. “He went back to the farm his lunchbreak was over, and what’s sad is he took our toy with him.”
Matthew sighed and pinched his nose. He was waiting for Sweetie Belle to answer about his question. He moved and placed some more Hot Chocolate in front of Pipsqueak and Featherweight with a grin. “Marshmallows for the victorious general.” he replied. “Now, marshmallows will be available once the General finishes his.”
At that moment the doors opened and Filthy Rich walked into the room and all conversation stopped upon seeing him. He only smiled and walked up to some of the Foals and the Guards. “I would like to ask what happened, my daughter came home shouting about being targeted and being buried up to her neck in snow.”
“Mr. Rich” Taze cleared his throat “I was the one who started the snowball fight today, I take full responsibility for anything that happened, why don’t me and you go upstairs and talk this out like responsible adult? no reason to ruin the party, the foals have a victory to celebrate after all” he raised his mug to pip with a nod.
Filthy Rich blinked and chuckled. “You mean how my daughter demanded I stop the snow fun? Why when I was their age I would rope my friends into building snow castles and then pelt the adults from the walls.” He shook his head. “Frankly why would I stop that? I did warn her to watch where she was going.” He frowned, “She did not like that she got her new snow coat covered in snow, but that is what I got it for, for it to get snow and messy a little.” He sighed. “Anyway…. I will keep my daughter a little away, just give me advance notice where the next battle field is going to be held, and I’ll have her go to the other side of town.” He smiled. “It is nice to see ponies having fun, builds bonds and friendships.” he turned around. “I wonder if Fancy would like to come over to toss a few snow balls around.” He muttered as he left.
The entire room was silent and speechless. During this time Moonshade moved to stand next to Matthew and both were standing there before sipping from their mugs at the same time. Both were not saying a word.
Taze turned to the guard recruits “So men what did we learn about a siege today?” he looked around.
One recruit, a unicorn smiled dumbly. “Take out the equipment before it gets into place?”
“That’s a good lesson.” taze nodded “Can anyone give me another one?”
A thestral stepped forward. “Keep your ears open but don’t turn your head from the enemy.” The threstra rubbed the side of his cheek. “Somepony out there has a good arm”
“Anything else?” Taze asked looking around. no one seemed to have anything to say. “Stallions, Mares, today you were defeated by school foals, you underestimated, you under prepared.” Taze said. “Your enemy will not always be imposing, they won’t always be something that you’d normally take seriously, but you must take it seriously, today it was snowballs and bruises, but tomorrow? It could be arrows and death.” He looked around “You all showed great resolve out there, forethought, near the end we were a galvanized machine, but tomorrow I want to see the forts set up taller and thicker, I want to see you be creative, think about how to make it work, so I’m setting it like this.” he said picking up a ruby from his collection of gems. “The one who shows the most engenuity at tomorrows fight gets this ruby, good for one meal at the officers table.” he promised.
Matthew smiled and turned around to look at the Foals. “Well now… I can’t let you all be fighting for nothing, I must give the other team a prize to make them be further on your game.” He moved a little the counter and turned around and smiled as he snapped his fingers. “To the one who shows the must smarts and their own ingenuity, I shall commission them their own battle beret.” He paused. “Or something of similar design or the like.” He replied.
The result was was a sea full of wide eyed foals imagining the possibilities of owning such an important hat. They immediately began to huddle into groups to discuss plans. Taking Matthew aside from both armies Taze smiled. “How did I do? Better tonight?”
“I think,” Matthew whispered back. “That you just got them worked up on an idea, the guards, being offered to eat with the officers, that is a large reward and one that isn’t unheard of but rare indeed.” He looked at them. “I think I shall remain a consultant, you have led the men well so far, and I have already sided on the foals but I will not take Pipsqueaks job, he is making a good general.” He grinned a little. “However I think I should create a few treaties, we can’t have them using weapons of pink chaos. Unless you can think of your own super weapons team.”
“A super weapon that is equal to Pinkey?” Taze gave Matthew an ‘are you insane’ look. “Best part is they don’t even realise how serious of an exercise this actually is, they learn war through a game that foals play every winter.”
Matthew nodded his head. “Why do you think the troops in my Cadet Battalion played Paintball all the time?” he asked with a laugh. “Yes for college Credit I learned to fire a paintball gun.” He sighed as he looked at the group. “I just want to have some fun, but I do not know where to fit in for tomorrow’s game,and with fresh snow it will become a mess.” He was grinning at thinking about that.
“Well we do need a neutral party, for the rules, the aid, i was kinda stupid today not having someone there incase one of the foals got hurt or something.” Taze said “You could always be Switzerland.”
Matthew chuckled. “Nah, I rather be the United States in peacekeeping, still, I can pull together some folks, Twilight, Nurse Redheart, Cheerilee, and Applejack… we can all be neutral parties.” He paused. “Just a warning, Shawn might team up to build more things for the CMC, I saw the catapult and I will not underestimate, you better get planning, I will draft the rules.” he turned and paused and looked back. “Try Rainbow Dash as a super weapon team.” His voice low and thankfully none of the foals were eavesdropping.
“Excuse me Mister Taze, Mister Matthew, can we have a story now?” Pip looked at them obviously the elected speaker for the foals.
“Tell you what Pip” Taze laughed. “Go home, wash up, tell your parents where you’ll be and come back in two hours and we'll have a story for you.” Taze said.
The resounding approval of the foals sounded as the stampede left to tell their parents.
“I think we have a fan base.” Taze chuckled taking a deep pull of hot chocolate.
“I do not know what to be more scared of.” he looked at Taze. “Redwall for the story tonight?” He asked with a grin. “Fits for the theme of these two days?”
“I’m thinking brocktree.” Taze said “Give them the feel for the outer side of a siege”
Matthew nodded his head. “I shall let you tell the story, I shall begin drafting some rules. If that is good for you.”
“Just don’t stay up all night doing it ok?” Taze asked “Moonshade was livid when she found out what time you went to bed last night.”
Matthew nodded his head. “Then I shall be getting her to help with the draft. I just hope Sweetie tells Rarity of what I need.” he muttered as he looked to the sky. “About to snow.” The next moment foals were returning with of all things sleeping bags. Matthew looked at the recruits. “Go back and get your sleeping bags.” He turned to Berry. “I am sorry but we appear to be taking over your Tavern for the night.”
“You are taking my entire floor?” she let out an overly dramatic and obviously fake shout.
“Please mommy?” Ruby Pinch asked making the puppy dog eyes, soon the foals were all making the puppy dog eyes. Then before you knew it some of the parents and guards were doing it too.
“Ah fine” she said “I guess you’ll be wanting more cocoa for everypony too huh?” she looked around. with a smile she turned and pretended to storm off into the kitchen. Truth be told since the humans came the place has been busier than it had been in years.
It after she stormed away that the doors burst open and Pip came back in wearing a bandana, once more riding on top of his father head. Pip and his dad smiled and both settled in on a bedroll that he rolled out for himself and his son.
“So where to begin?” Taze said looking at the group. “Now you see, there had always been a salamandastron….”
“Now remember you take this and you're not to use it unless the signal is given.” Taze handed Silver Spear the feather representing there ‘pheonix down’.
“Why are you trusting me with this?” Silver Spear asked.
“I need Moonshade handling the air support and Black Rook is on the front with me. you show’d you know the military codes and signals so i’m gonna trust you with this. Stay near the back and keep your head down.” Taze pressed the feather into the unicorns hoof as he analyzed the snow fort.
The guards had been up early working on the new fort for todays fight, it featured a large wall facing the foals made of individual snow blocks. Taze was impressed when he noticed that cloud had been used in constructing small roofs over certain portions. Currently it seemed like just a simple wall but he had been informed when the time was right he would see some rather interesting ideas.
Taze’s eyes traveled to the other side of the battlefield and the Foals side. It had been put together rather quickly with Pinkie Pie’s help and it looked simple, the wall was about as high as Taze’s waist, and he had a feeling that there were snow steps to let the Foals throw snow over the tops, This wall created an almost horse shoe shape with the U pointed towards his structure. He already could see a sheet of white covered two spots. It seemed that they had some Catapults. Also there were smaller mounds that Twilight, Matthew, and the others who were the judges had created the areas to allow some flare. Above Taze’s side a red flag was waving, over the Foals, a blue flag waved in the slight breeze.
Taze eye’d the sun carefully, the judges had decide that no side would be able to fire tell exactly ten o’clock. The position of the sun suggested they were almost there. with a sigh Taze turned to address his troops.
Placing both gloved hands behind his back he looked at them stone faced wearing a black bicorn hat with silver trim that he had managed to get rarity to make on the spot. He took deep breath drawing out the exhale for dramatic effect.
“We few, we happy few we band of brothers!” Taze started. turning to face them. “For he that sheds his blood with me shall be my brother, be he ne’er so vile.” he lifted a wooden sword high dramatically. “This day shall gentle his condition, and gentle stallions of equestria now a bed shall think themselves accurs’d they were not here, and shall hold themselves cheap whiles any speaks that fought with us upon guardsmen snowball fight day!” He lifted his head high pushing his chest out. Surprisingly the guards saluted the end of his speech. “For the Guard! for Equestria, FOR GLORY!” he swung the sword forward. “call havok and let loose the dogs of war!” At that moment in the silence they all heard it, the excited barking of a canine and the yelling of AJ and a moment later Winona bolted across the field before climbing the snow banks of the foals and jumped into the foals camp with AJ actually skidding to a stop and falling flat on her muzzle on the wall.
Applejack picked herself up and brushed snow off her fur and glared at Winona who was panting and looking very pleased as foals surrounded her and pet her. “Gosh Darn it Winona, You get out of there.” She glared but finally sighed and turned around. “Okay I guess you win.” SHe looked at Twilight. “So, where do you need me for this shingding?” She bolted off the field as Matthew suddenly blew a whistle twice and the foals cheered, and with that signal the guards began unleashing their volleys.
Applejack was quick to stand next to Matthew and Twilight. Her fur having snow clinging to her. “Well, I am happy to see you all out here watching the fun.”
“She brought a rulebook.” Nurse Redheart said pointing to a nearby tree where said book currently sat in a fairly large snow build up. “They said no.”
“Get outta the way there youngsters can’t an old mare get to her seat in peace.” Granny Smith grumbled getting to a rocking chair that had somehow been pre-set by Pinkie Pie. She was wearing with her winter scarf an old metal pot like a war helmet. She turned around and settled into her rocking chair as Matthew placed a Green scarf over her own scarf. It turned out that the Green Scarfs were worn by all those that were neutral or judges. Penalties would be given if a judge was deliberately targeted.
“Open fire!” Pipsqueak ordered now equipped with a tri-corn hate over his bandanna. “Leave none left alive!” he growled the last part making him self in his mind seem very pirate like..
Chaos erupted across the battlefield in the form of small white snowballs, at first neither side seemed to be making progress until a guard went down to a snowball to the face.
“Dammit” Taze said looking at the thestral Black March. “get him to the back of the fort” he signalled two unicorns who did so immediately. “You think you got us Pip! you’ll need more then that” he signaled the an air strike.
“We are not giving up.” Pip looked up and signaled some of his own friends who could fly to throw snowballs at the incoming Air Strike. Three pegasus foals took to the air with saddlebags full of snowballs and a blanket of snow between them to dump on the ground below.
“Now” Black Rook shouted suddenly and two pieces of the wall lowered revealing two giant slingshots which both launched at the pegasi foals.
“I thought these blocks where solid?” Taze looked at black rook.
The black earth pony motioned to a Unicorn. “Someone thought of placing ice covered cloud blocks in several places allowing for quick reconfiguration.” Rook smiled. “We can hit from almost anywhere in the wall face.
“Nice work Bronze Dagger” Taze winked at the Unicorn.
“Hey, that’s cheating.” Pip yelled almost as a gut reflex, from the judges a long blast of the whistle signaled a quick cease fire. Matthew was the one to move to inspect the walls and stepped back. “All made from water.” he replied not giving away anything, he moved so Twilight could inspect the structure.
“Pip,” Twilight started after her inspection. “Snow is from water, and so is the structure, they found a way to use the entire cloud process.” She smiled a little as Pip raced back as he shouted orders and moving his hooves about wildly. They were soon creating a cloud over the top of the Horse shoe, before covering it in Ice. They only got the cloud lowered before the whistle blew to restart the fight.
Moonshade landed next to Taze. “It looks like they are enclosing their rear by a covering. The front will still have holes for them to pop up to throw snow at but at the moment it will keep us from landing snow in their back and disrupting their production.” She looked to the two sheet covered items. “I think they are about to unleash their main weapon from yesterday.” She added before taking off and avoided a snowball that landed where she had been. “They’ve taken over checkpoint alpha.” The foals it seemed had made the first move in capturing the other locations as a red flag now waved over the second fortification.
“Silver Rook, Moonshade give me options people come on.” Taze snapped drawing a rough diagram of the area in the snow.
“What about a pincer movement?” Rook asked outlying a possibility for taking one location.
“Now that will put us in too close to the catapults.” Taze said. “We need to keep them busy well we take that position.”
“A faint?” Silver Spear spoke up. “We send a squad to seem like we’re going to contest their control of alpha, they’ll be so concentrated they won’t see the second squad taking position bravo”
Taze examined the outline for spears plan, it was potentially good but for it to work everything needed to be precise. “What do you think Moonshade?” Taze turned to the Thestral.
“It could work, but if you send a small group of fliers to Charlie to support Beta’s left flank, that will make it a little stronger, only two fliers is need for that, and I know who to take with me for that capture, they are taking it cautiously, unsure what to do with the checkpoints, seems like this is a new concept of multiple positions.”
“alright get your team ready, i’ll lead the charge on alpha, Rook you maintain the line, spear you're taking the team to bravo.” taze said.
“Wait lead the team?” spear asked
“listen to me silver spear, this is war, well of a sort, now you lead this team or we’re all sunk, I have faith in you gardman” taze saluted him smartly before turning.
“trident force, flanking run, frontal charge your with me come on!” he signalled as a thestral and two earth ponies joined him.
At Alpha fort. The red flag was fluttering in the breeze on a donated rode that was acting as the flagpole. Around the walls where foals who just looked out over at the side walls were guards were working to push snow up higher from their position. They smiled a little and three foals were still watching while five more were just lounging inside not even making any more snowballs, the total number was at eight. Pipsqueak was at the moment gathering up more foals to try and take some of the other fortifications. They numbers were a little skewed. Twenty Guard ponies were fighting what had become a slight influx as some foals had to still eat breakfast and do chores before playing. The latest count was thirty foals, thirty one as another foal raced almost into the guards fort before racing back. Thirty again as he was hit by three snowballs, one which was still staying together on his small horn.
From the guards fort Taze filed out of the base followed by his three compatriots. all of them carried large squared off pieces of plywood, these shields had been allowed on both sides and were good for a total of five hits apiece before ‘shattering’. with a cry Taze and the guards charged the alpha fort.
The only warning the five had was two of their numbers falling backwards from snowballs hitting them in the forehead while the third tried to throw snowballs at the group, the five raced to the wall with snowballs either in their magic or in wings only to pop up and face right in front of Taze who throw a snowball right at them. The Fortification was already looking like a lost cause.
On Pipsqueaks side he was having to scrap his plans and send out those committed to Bravo and Charlie out to repeal the attack on Alpha, Delta he still sent out to try and take to hold. He knew that one rule was that if one of the other team members were hit with a snowball and down when their area was taken… they could be called POW, and he was facing the fact he may not get to use Phoenix Down on eight of his men. He looked at the three pegasus foals that they were able to recover from the field thanks to Pinkie Pie, and then back at the fortification. He signaled without a word for his three friends to do another aerial strike with snow upon Taze’s men.
“He fell for it.” Taze chuckled raising his shield along with his men creating a box. they counted the snow balls quickly, three on thestral’s shield, one on one of the earth ponies, two on his own, the other earth pony managed to avoid getting hit at all. “Back men groups of two, force you with me”
“But sir we could take it now!” Force argued. “We could take three in one blow.”
“And with the four of us we’d hold it?” Taze looked back. The training was kicking in and they were already falling back by twos. “Our victory now would be our defeat later, we have the two forts lets retreat and plan further.” he said as they returned to base.
Matthew looked at Nurse Redheart as he surveyed the battlefield. “Nice, notice how Pip just committed over fifteen foals towards Alpha, that is cutting into what he planned to do with Bravo, Charlie and Delta. He smiled weakly as Moonshade and her flying buddy retreated to Bravo leaving Charlie empty, but still in the fight. Delta in a surge of glory need split their force of five and sent three to Charlie and two got in. Leaving two in each position, and fifteen foals in Alpha, a perfect place to lance another slingshot of snow at. Ten were left at the base, and the eight were being moved quickly to head back to the main base.
Matthew did some math in his head as he felt his last estimate of thirty was off. As he calculated he saw Taze already taking back command at the main base. Five, plus Fifteen, twenty. He totaled, plus the ten, thirty, and the eight… Thirty Eight Foals… just how many young did Ponyville have? He was regretting the rule that kids could join later due to chore duty.
Taze signalled the unicorns on the slingshots. “Keep there heads down, you pegasi go back up Silver and Moonshade” he ordered. “knowing Pip the catapults will be coming for us soon.”
“Sir, the opposing unicorns are trying something new!” A guard shouted as a loud thump echoed outside. Even as the thump sounded other guards were operating the Slingshots pinning down fifteen, now ten foals and thirteen needing phoenix down.
Taze looked over the wall, across the field at the foals mane base, get it? mane base?, Taze shook his head this was no time for word play. group of two three or even four unicorn foals were using their combined magic to roll large snowballs which the earth pony foals bucked towards them.
“How long can the walls take this?” Taze asked
“Ten maybe fifteen minutes.” Black Rook said looking at the walls.
“What do we have Rook?” Taze asked. “As long as they keep this up where stuck.”
“We got a plan.” Rook said looking at Taze “That’s what we got sir, a plan.” He signaled two thestrals at the top of the wall. the thestrals pulled black rainclouds from under the cover of normal looking rainclouds. carefully they began letting the water spittle weakly across the walls while creating cold drafts with their wings. within the next four minutes a wall of ice built up in front of the snow blocks causing the large snowballs to break against them.
“Good job Rook, now increase fire, that pipsqueaks a crafty one” he looked over at his opponent.
While this was happening, Pipsqueak was looking about and saw that Bravo was pinning down Charlie and Delta had moved up to leave empty but still flying the red flag, he was happy that the others had not seen Delta empty. He turned around as the roof was deemed steady and he whistled. The sheets were pulled off and a catapult launched it preloaded amo of snow right at Bravo, the first volley landed short by a few feet. He ducked down and raced under their own roof of cloud and ice and signaled for the Catapults be moved up closer. He was happy he was not facing more of these pony guards. He knew more were coming just not knowing when. He grinned a little. It would be fun to do more snow ball fights with them as well. He raced out of cover and into the staging area of the Catapults were five beings were wearing red caps. Applebloom, Sweetie Belle, Scootaloo, Dinky Doo, and Shawn as they worked with the Catapult. The second one he witnessed its own demise as it fell apart as ropes snapped from tension. Applebloom and her other crusaders were already working hard.
“Too short, Too short.” He called out.
He blinked as he noticed Shawn looking at a strange tube and pulled away and he realized what it was. “A Telescope?” You know already?”
Shawn only nodded not speaking as he moved back to work some knobs, Pipsqueak turned around and raced back to his post as he met some of his own friends racing to meet him with news.
“Good now we know where they’re aiming.” Taze grinned turning to the two thestrals both holding large lumps of unmoulded cloud. “your sure this idea well work?”
The guards nodded. “We tested it last night.” One answered.
“Good head for delta while I lead the strike for charlie point.” Taze ordered. “Don’t change the flag or fire until you hear me whistle.” And with that Taze and two earth ponies took off. The two thestrals circling around.
Taze and the two earth ponies split up while Taze charged head on the other two would pincer the foals. The plan worked flawlessly as the two foals fell as they were aiming for Taze. the other two went down even as they poked their heads up. Entering the base and raising the blue flag Taze let out a loud chuckle. “Stop your attack on bravo now Pipsqueak or face the consequences!” Taze shouted
Pipsqueak turned to another of the ten remaining foals in the mane base. He liked the wordplay of calling it that. “Tell the siege engineers to aim for Charlie point.” he ordered. He turned and used his own whistle to blast four short bursts. The foals who were left in Alpha, eight strong were now belting Bravo with their own snowballs as Taze heard the sound of the catapult launching and he saw the snow heading right towards his spot.
Meanwhile the one Thestrals that went with Taze had led the four foals back to their base where they were given some hot chocolate and some warm blankets from Nurse Redheart. Matthew was making sure that POWs were treated fairly on both sides. The two as soon as they gave up their charges raced back to their position.
He and the two earth ponies ducked “Hey Shawn?” Taze shouted.
“Yo?” He heard Shawn yell back.
“You remember what made the catapult extinct?” Taze asked loudly.
Twilight looked back at Matthew and out to Taze. “What do you mean? What do you…” She paused and she made an O with her mouth before giggling. “This is why Equestria does not use catapults very often.” Matthew watched on, because frankly this part of history he had no clue about. He looked forward to learning something new.
“And suddenly I feel dread.” Shawn mumbled to himself.
Applebloom had time to look at Shawn and looked at their invention. “Wha ya mean dread? What can they do to hit us here?”
Using his index finger and middle finger to whistle a loud shrill note.
“Do you hear the people sing?” Taze sang out loud as from delta position the two thestrals appeared on the walls positioning two large bodies of cloud formed in a very familiar style. “Singing the song of angry men!” As it turns out a cloud will always shoot out whatever is in it when bucked, and always from the same side, which isn’t always down. The two thestrals moved with their backs to the cloud cannons and bucked hard. One blast of snowballs heading towards the foals outside of bravo, the other at the catapults.
The foals at Bravo fell apart as they dodge and the eight when they got back to the the mane fort as it was closer, found themselves to be three left. Bravo quickly in the chaos of the foals regrouping raced out and “Captured” those they could. Taze saw some even going in and capturing those at Alpha and leading them back. The Foals did try to get the two who went for Alpha but only managed to get their own side covered in more snow. The two made it back to Bravo. A head count revealed the assault of Bravo resulted in sixteen foals under the care of the guard. Matthew took a quick note as Twilight used the chaos to teleport in and out with the figures to Matthew. “Okay, the foals have ten left.” he paused and shook his head. “I am making it fifteen just to err on safety.”
The foot of the catapult faced a deluge of snow that ripped through anything that got in it’s way. when the snow cleared pip could see the CMC and Shawn lying on their backs in the snow.
Scoots sighted and rolled around in the snow. “That is two for two that we get knocked out early.” She moaned. She did chuckle at Pinkie touched her forehead with the feather. “Phoenix Down.” She cried out before moving to the other three reviving them.
Shawn shook his head. “Going to take a good fifteen minutes to get the gears unclogged of snow.” He mumbled.
Applebloom looked at Pipsquack. “Can you hold them…” She made a rather cute squeak as Shawn picked her up and dragged her to the cover of the cloud ice ceiling. The other three CMC ducked inside as more snow was dumped on top of the catapult burying it even more.
Pip looked out over the field and then up to the flag that was still flying. “Rise the flag.” He ordered. The others knew what this meant. They were activating their secret weapon and would thus allow the other team to activate theirs without signaling. The flag was mostly to signal Derpy who was working on other things in the sky, but keeping an eye on the flagpole to know when to join.
Taze saw as a flag was raised up under the Red flag. It was Red with a cupcake and a series of bubbles on it. Twilight suddenly made a long and short whistle blast before teleporting into Alpha which had remained empty for over two minutes and lowered the Red flag due to not being occupied and with the other team holding Bravo, Charlie, and Delta, it left Alpha really empty, it not being an asset to Blue team thanks to the foals little roof, which Nurse Redheart had with unspoken permission from the guards went below as soon as it was going up to make sure the roof would not fall or collapse upon any heads while in use.
Reaching into his belt Taze took out a hand mirror signaling with a single flash that all troops were too fill as much of the air with snowballs as possible. Combined with Derpies throws and Pinkies insane throwing ability left the air between them white. Next Taze shone the mirror straight up. Neither party noted as a rainbow streak developed above them heading straight down. Picking up speed and velocity until there was a sudden boom from a little behind the guards base. a tell tale ring of rainbow light started to spread outward bringing with it wind and force. The entire battlefield was so mesmerized they didn’t notice the shockwave take the snowballs and pitch them all forward, forward at this point being the foals base as a literal deluge of rainbow colored snowballs both their own and the guards collapsed the roof upon them. The Judges and even the guards were already moving when all ten heads of the remaining foals popped up. It seemed the cloud had served as a cushion for the snow and the foals would state that it felt like sitting in cotton all around them.
The second snowball battle of Ponyville was over.
“VIVA LA SCIENCE!” Taze shouted
Matthew looked out over the scene of the “carnage” to him he liked the untouched pristine snow covered lawns of home. Here he saw paths, pits, mounds and even grass in some areas showing where the snow had been used to the very bottom. He realized that in this one spot. Over three feet of snow was between him and the ground. He looked at Rainbow Dash. “Let me guess you focused some extra snow flurries in this area to give us more fun?”
“You bet I did, if I was to be part of a snowball fight, it would have to be the most epic of all time. Which I say is what happened.” She boasted putting her left hoof over her chest with a cheeky grin.
Taze walked over to the gathering guards looking at the group “What wins a battle?”
“Obedience” one guard spoke “Sir”
“Quick thinking” another “Sir”
“Creativity” still another “Sir”
“And most of all?” Taze asked raising an eyebrow.
“LUCK SIR!” the group responded.
“You fought like soldiers today gentlemen, you acted like we expected you to, You treated this as a real , I’m sure I don’t speak only for myself.” Taze looked to Matthew “But for all of us.” He nodded towards Shawn. “Today gentlemen you took the first steps towards being actual , but I believe I promised a prize, the winner of the ruby and the right to a meal at our table, I believe with all my heart, belongs to Crescent blade and Moonbeam,” he signaled to the thestrals who approached, placing the gem between their hooves. “Without those cannons boys we would have been sunk” . With that Taze signalled. “The rest of you will be receiving double rations tonight, dismissed.” Taze said saluting with the wooden sword in his hands. The guards filed off exhausted but seemingly happy.
Matthew had walked over to the ruins of the foals base. “He blinked as he finally got a good count. “Forty?” He gasped and looked over at Taze. At one point he was fighting Forty foals. Although about seven looked sad. He guessed because they got to the game late.
“Now,” Matthew began. “Do not look down in shame, hold your heads up high, you can still brag that you won the first snowball fight of Ponyville against guards.” He looked at Pipsqueak. “It was you all who introduced the concept of super weapons of fighting.” He smiled wide. “I am proud to have offered my own prize.” He replied as he looked out.
“A commander is great when he wins. A great commander is one who learns from his defeats. You are alive, and so you live to another day.” He moved a little stiffly in his winter clothing that Rarity had made in one night for him. “Commander Pipsqueak. You lead your troops and while you had to think on your hoofs and did what you had to do to help your troops. You have earned the prize of a copy of my hat. Also, a dinner tomorrow night at the officers table in the Tavern.”
“Why not tonight?” Pipsqueak asked.
“Because tonight, I dine with all of you to celebrate a wondrous battle and a fun time.” He looked around at them. “So… shall you go home? Or do you want to play some more in the snow?”
“Play!” They all shouted.
“Then, I think I shall join you all… at least running around and doing some not so serious fights with snows.” Matthew replied as he picked up a snowball, only to pause as he heard a voice behind him.
“My my that was truly an impressive display.” An older sounding feminine voice spoke up behind Matthew.
Matthew spun around and looked at who was speaking towards him as the snowball fell from his hands.
Standing in her boots, a fluffy looking jacket and her cavat, Mayor Mare looked at all of them. her aid standing beside her as always. “I’m not sure I can remember a snowball fight with such power, such cunning.” she smiled. “Why it’s almost worth repeating.”
“Repeating Ma’am?” he asked while anything else he might say was cut and drowned out by the cheering of the foals around him. He smiled weakly hoping nothing went too far out of control.
“As Mayor of Ponyville, I hereby set aside these three days that they shall be here and forever set aside for the battle of Ponyville, that is as long as the guards are willing.” Mayor Mare turned to Taze with an asking look, as did pretty much every pony present.
“Uh” Taze looked at Matthew who gave a gentle nod, then to Shawn who did likewise. “Mayor Mare, on behalf of the guard, it would be our honor.” he said. “That is of course as long as Shawn acts as general next year.”
Shawn only shrugged in response. “Eh, why not.” He said.
The cheering from the ponies around could be heard clear across town. Many parents were confused and all of them looked out towards where the snowball fight had occurred, unsure of what or who had won as it sounded like everypony there yelling and cheering.
Mayor Mare smiled and picked up a snowball, the one that Matthew dropped and suddenly tossed it at Twilight. She blinked and looked at the Mayor who grinned. “Free for all.” Twilight yelled and the entire fields erupted into chaos of a free for all snowball fight.
Matthew in one moment found himself pelted by three snowballs and quickly had to pick up a snowball before throwing it in a random direction before ducking behind a wall. The fortifications were now used for cover but it was quickly turning into a fun day that lasted for another three hours and one that tired everyone and everypony. Even the air was full of snowballs as the Pegasus took to the air to throw not even snow but puffs of clouds as well as each other.
Naturally when a big event ended in ponyville there was only one way to end it. A PARTY!. neither Sugarcube Corner or the Punch Bowl was large enough to hold everyone so Pinkie Pie decided to hold it at Sweet Apple Acres, the barn being just large enough for everyone.
Taze lead the guards in a column three wide. Ponies from all over town stomped as they entered.
They were followed shortly after by the foals who the guards saluted with respect. With a little coaxing from Twilight and Fluttershy, Pinkie had decided to go with blankets and warm drinks rather than streamers and punch. The music playing was slower and more relaxing as tired ponies chatted about the day.
“And that my friend is why Joan de Arc would defeat William the Conqueror.” Taze laughed walking up to Matthew. “The cannon over the catapult”
“That may be, but you forget what he had that was still an imposing force even in Joan’s day. The Longbowmen.” Matthew countered with a tired smile as he tried to stop shaking from the cold. “Also have William capture one of her pieces and I am sure the match would be an interesting event.”
“Perhaps.” Taze said handing Matthew a bundle. “I had a second cloak made, believe me it’s warmer than it looks.”
Matthew smiled and took the cloak and placed it over the winter jacket Rarity had made for him and still shivered. “It is the core body temp I fear, I was outside for too long.” He smiled a little. “But still fun.” He gave Taze a sideways glance, “Besides you know I will defend William with the last of my breath, he is my great so many great grandfathers.” He muttered low. “My family has gathered some very interesting branches in time, and now… a branch has been cast from one vineyard and into another one.” He looked around. “What shall we produce? Bitter fruit or sweet fruit?”
“The best wines are made from the best grapes, and the best grapes are the ones you’d least expect.” Taze said carrying the metaphor. “Who knows, maybe in the future here they’ll talk of Matthew the Brilliant” Taze gently clapped his friend on the back.
Matthew only smiled at his friend. “That does sound a little nice, maybe a generation after I am gone, but I am sure you will have stories and titles bestowed upon you as well.” He shook his head. “To see the world a thousand years from now… that would be fascinating.”
“Matthew if the great bard is right, and the world is a stage, i’m not the main character in this play.” Taze half heartedly chuckled. “I’m just the plucky side kick.”
Matthew stared at Taze, his friend. “So says the guy who fought till his blades went dull, who fought them with fists and hands, who was cocooned out of fear of his body being a weapon. You are, as one might say, a main character. Then again according the great bard, if this be a dream and we spirits offend, we do apologies, for it is time to wake up.” Matthew paused and shook his head. “Something like that, ending of a Midsummer Night’s dream.”
Taze took a drink from his mug, non-alcoholic hot apple cider, it was sweet and the heat seeped in. “You know, at least if I had to be stranded in a alternate universe, I’m glad it was with two friends, I think together we could make it here.”
Matthew nodded his head as he took another mug of hot apple cider, which for an American was automaticly non-alcoholic. He would have to be careful just if he heard the word Hard Apple Cider. “That is hitting the spot.” Matthew sighed.
Meanwhile in the back Shawn was leaning against one of the back walls with a mug in his hand, at his side was Big Macintosh, also with a mug in hoof. Both looked to each other for a second before Mac faced the group again. “Eeyup.”
With the same tone Shawn faced the group ahead of them and repeated. “Eeyup.”
“So are snowball fights like this where you come from?” Twilight asked as she approached Taze and Matthew.
Matthew looked at Taze, “I do not know about Pokke, but from the United States, not really, nothing as elaborate, sure they might have mounds to give cover and we can use trees to hide behind, but no, nothing as awesome as I judged today, it was more like what you saw with the Mayor and all the ponies showing up, a free for all mostly. Just good fun.”
“When we do have snowball fights we usually go for days.” Taze said with a grin. “The winters are long and hard with mountains of deep snow so really snowball fights, building snow stuff, ice hockey.” Taze said
“What exactly is ice hockey?” Twilight asked with a mixture of confusion and curiosity of learning a new thing from Pokke.
“It’s hockey on ice” Taze answered in a tone that seemed to say this should be obvious.
“And hockey is?” she asked
Matthew just froze and looked between his friend and Twilight unsure of what will happen next, if he was like some of his friends from Canada, and not Pokke like they had to keep pretending. This could go, very poorly.
Taze couldn’t say anything, he could only stare at her as if she had grown a second horn. Which Matthew found a little amusing. “You don’t know what hockey is?” Twilight only nodded her head up and down to confirm that she did not know what it was.
“But I would like to hear about it. Sounds like a bit of fun.” She replied as she sat down and magiced a scroll, ink well and a quill to take notes about this sport.
“Where’s Storm Hammer, I’m gonna need some skates” Taze said not even answering Twilight’s questions as he stormed off.
Matthew looked to Twilight who looked back at him utterly baffled. “It’s akin to a National sport to them, that and curling.” Matthew was sipping some more from his Apple Cider.
“And what's curling?” she asked with a wag of her tail as she sat there and looked like she was hungry for facts.
“Well, based on what I recall reading up on Pokke, and Curling, which was taken up nicely by a nation to my north, those two take Curling very, very seriously.” he shook his head. “Anyway, moving on,” He drawled out the Moving on part a little bit. “What Curling is that you have a big stone, on a sheet of ice, your goal is to sweep the ice in front of you as someone uses a broom to push said stone towards a painted ring at the other end of the course and the goal is to have it slide to a stop as close to the center as possible, and this is with two teams and you can use your stone to knock the other teams stone out of the circle dropping that teams points that had the stone moved. It is actually very fun to watch.” Even as he said that he thought of his Aunt’s voice calling him crazy for liking a boring sport like curling.
Twilight Smiled a little. “So, any national sports your nation is good at?”
Matthew smiled as he took another sip which turned into a pull of the last of the warm liquid. “Yes,” he replied as he put the mug onto a haybale next to him. “Baseball.”
“Baseball?” She asked with a tilt of her head. “I, think that I might have heard of it. Is it where you run around kicking a ball at nets?”
Matthew blinked and looked the ceiling. “That is Soccer in the US, and the rest of the world Football.”
“Oh, We have football, but that is rather difficult and brutal, you can body slam opponents.” Matthew looked down as Twilight said that, and in his mind he realized that it sound very much like Rugby.
Matthew did smile a little bit too wide. “I might teach you some of the basics of Baseball when the weather is nicer, and.. I wouldn’t mind seeing some of your football.”
“That would be awesome, my brother is big on sports, I could see if he can come by to teach you some of our sports in exchange of teaching us some of human sports.” She smiled as she turned her head up to the ceiling. “Hey Rainbow,” She called and a second later in a blur of rainbow colors Rainbow Dash stood there smiling.
“Yeah Twilight?” She asked with a grin before turning back to the tables. “Can you make it fast? I want to get back to the cider.”
“Sure,” Twilight replied with a smile as she turned to Matthew. “I was just wondering if you wanted to gather up some Pegasus when it’s warmer and show off one of your sport events.”
Rainbow looked at Twilight before grinning. “That would be awesome, I already have a thought, Pegasus Rugby or Sky Darts, that is where two teams gather, why one of the fields could be as large as a mile long and a mile across, anyway you have these sticks with nets attached to them and you toss around this hard ball as you fly around the sky.” Matthew nodded his head, sounded like Lacrosse to him. He noticed that Rainbow was speaking again so he stopped his thinking at the moment. “I think the humans would enjoy that sport.” She smiled as she saw Twilight wrote it down before dashing off to the Cider table again.
Matthew slowly stood up and began to walk to where he saw Taze talking to Storm Hammer and wondered if he could get a woodworker to craft a baseball bat.
Taze finished his conversation with Storm Hammer and walked over to Matthew. “Three days before they can have the skates ready.” He grumbled.
He looked at Taze. “At least they had skates if you recall a certain song.” he mumbled. “SO they just have to make a pair that fits you, imagine having to tell the entire concept to one who never saw skates before.”
“Fair point, so what did you two talk about?” Taze asked with a slight tilt of the head, picking on a body movement of the ponies.
“Well, an exchange day of sports. Seems that they want to teach or show us Football, which sounded like Rugby, and Pegasus Rugby, which I have no clue about. As well as another Pegasus sport that sounds like Lacrosse but only in the air. In exchange we teach them Ice Hockey, Curling, and Baseball.” Matthew blinked a little as his body shook from a shiver. “You know what I feel like doing Taze?” he asked before answering his own question. “No, you might not, I got to stop doing that, drove my mom nuts with those questions, anyway, I need to get a guitar and play some Christmas songs.”
“Maybe start with something a little less human based.” Taze suggested. “Winter wonderland?”
Matthew nodded his head. “I guess I could do that, Winter Wonderland, but I still think that I should try and do Silent Night.” He smirked. “I can do English and German.” He sighed and looked around. “If only I had the guitar they made for me.”
“You mean this?” Pinkie Pie hopped into the conversation literally holding the guitar. Matthew only smiled and picked it up.
“Thank you Pinkie,” Matthew replied as he moved to sit on a hay bale and looked at the doors and thinking of some of the scenery outside. He slowly began to pluck the strings as he tuned it a little before nodding his head. He slowly began to play on the guitar a song he was familiar with. One he enjoyed to play here and there.
Shawn turned his head as he recognized some of the chords, he recognized a little of holy night, then jingle bells and then Matthew began to sing, while not the best singer with the music and the setting it seemed to be just right. “Sleigh bells are ringing are you listening?” He sung the first line as Ponies slowly stopped their talking and listened to Matthew’s singing and playing.
As the music started Taze quietly made his way over to Shawn. “Listen Shawn I’m going to head out of here while everyone's distracted, I won’t be at the tavern tonight, or probably tomorrow.” he told Shawn.
Shawn only responded with a quizzical look, one brow raised as if asking why.
“I’m heading out to the castle.” Taze whispered to Shawn so no other ponies would hear their conversation. “One of us needs to see what it’s gonna be like getting there.”
Shawn gave a nod to the side in a gesture to follow him. Specifically, at the door, soon he started walking towards it. As they walked out they heard Matthew’s guitar playing and singing switched to another song. “Oh the weather outside is frightful, and I’ve brought corn for popping, since we no place to go, let it snow, let it snow, let it snow.”
Taze waited a few moments acting natural before he followed Shawn. Their leaving the room was observed by few none of whom noticed anything suspicious.
Shawn walked at an even pace towards the direction of town. “Need to get the rest of it.” Outside the sun was setting, casting the surroundings into an almost unreal magical setting of snow covering bare trees and the path they tread was packed from the many hooves that trekked to the barn for the party. The air was nippy but the clouds had broken to allow the night sky and stars reign over a winter wonderland.
“The rest of what?” Taze asked raising an eyebrow. “The carts packed, I got food, blankets, dry wood, my weapons, my knife, a fresh axe. What else is there?”
Shawn didn’t verbally respond, instead he reached into his coat with his right hand and pulled out something. “Ammunition.” He said, showing a second flintlock pistol, much like the first one he gave to Matthew. He flipped it in his hand and held it out for Taze to take as they walked.
Tazes eye’s widened as he saw it. “You made another one?” Taze asked
Shawn only raised a brow. “What’s the point in only going for one? I had the smiths make Matthew’s first, I wanted him to have it as an early gift, it just happened his birthday was close by. I had them make his special, I don’t even know if he noticed the engraving on it.”
“Just don’t start making muskets ok?” Taze said. “But thanks.” He said placing the pistol out of sight in his belt.
Shawn only smiled and gave a tap to the side of his head. “All up here, and the rest hidden. Only Steel Weaver has been working on this project, and he is sworn to secrecy.” He chuckled. “Those will come later, if at all.” He laughed in a low manner, keeping himself quiet.
“The ammunition was finished recently, after all, it's not as complex as a full bullet, but I’m sure you can figure it out.” He looked over at Taze and smirked. “Mostly sure at least, if you need any pointers before you go, just ask.”
“Cartridge, ball, ramrod, pull pack and fire?” Taze double checked the loading procedure.
Shawn shrugged. “Good enough.” He chuckled afterwards. “Here we are.” He said as they stepped up to the Tavern.
“Just make sure he doesn’t send a full battalion after me.” Taze said.
“What are you talking about, after all… You’re just going on a small camping trip a bit into the forest…” Shawn smirked as he said this. “I’m pretty sure you mentioned wanting to go alone to practice and train.” He finished with a smile.
They arrived at the room, Taze opened the door and walked in. Retrieving his spare cloak. “I put everything I’m not taking in my chest, Meme has the key. I shouldn’t be gone longer than two days if everything goes well so prepared for two and a half.”
“Forty-eight to sixty hours remaining. Keep track of time, the moon may not have a face this time, but you are still on a short time limit.” Shawn replied.
“And no ocarina to slow time.” Taze chuckled. “According to Fluttershy chimeras rarely cause trouble at night so as long as I keep a torch for timberwolves II should be fine.” He double checked his belt nodding with everything in place.
“Taze. You might need this.” Shawn said, passing a decent sized pouch at Taze. “I think it would suck to leave, without the ammo.”
Taze took the pouch, storing it in his bandolier. “So uncivilized.” He quoted with a british accent.
Shawn paused for a moment before looking Taze in the eyes. “Five, Shots. That’s all you got.”
“Lets hope I don’t need any.” Taze said. One last double check of everything and he turned to Shawn offering him a hand. “Thanks man.”
Shawn grabbed his hand. “Don’t thank me yet. Enjoy your, ‘camping trip’…” He smiled. “Be sure to tell me about what you find.”
Taze nodded as he shook Shawn’s hand before releasing it, he turned to the door and with a wink backwards he left the Punch Bowl. Outside a black earth pony stood harnessed to the cart. “You know Rook, I was planning to go it alone.” Taze said
“Sorry sir, but if you're going out there you’re going with back up.”
“And if I order you?” Taze raised a brow.
“You’ve seen my file, you really think that’ll work?” The earth pony raised a brow.
Taze let out a wry chuckle. “That’s what I wanted to hear.” And with that the two of them set off silently out of Ponyville proper.
Shawn watched from the window as the two left Ponyville. “Well, some people say camping is best with company…” He said rolling his eyes and heading to the desk off to the side, quill and parchment ready to write.
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Bad capitalization in the first half... Otherwise, awesome!
4659872
Thanks for the notification, I'll get to work on that later tonight, should be fixed by tomorrow.
5015017
Thank you for the information, the story has been edited to include the information and fixed the link needed.
31.media.tumblr.com/c663894d053cfb3f7b630c848fbf58ef/tumblr_mvsvqoy6ez1sl9kiqo3_400.gif
6009050
I am a bit confused by this comment, as I know this is the correct spelling.
Still, I guess you liked it and have some humor from it?
Thank you very much for your comment and I hope you enjoy reading more of the story. Also do not be hesitating to speak, nor to speak up on the comments.
thank you again and We all hope you continue to enjoy reading.
Also, the image did make me laugh.
Okay, I'm going to stop here, continue my research on the show, write (or try to write) a bit more of the first chapter of my story, then I'm going to give another good story some attention, then, if there is still tome left in the night (perhaps even if there isn't. I have been known to forego sleep entirely on occasion.) I'll come back to this story then.
In other words, this comment was completely unnecessary and there is no reason why you would read it.
Edit: I just thought of a sad story I read, and now I am sad, so I didn't get to do a single thing I said I would. Except for come back. I hate being sad. I'm still thinking about it, which is making me more sad. I need to stop thinking, partially, without giving myself the thoughtless feeling I get when I don't think, then I need to read this story. No! Brain, stop it!
Edit: That helped. And now I thought about it again. ****.
their
This