Outside the Capitol
The guards that occupied the remaining seats of the train sat in an unwavering stance, every now and then taking a quick peek towards the Gears.
Dom decided to have a little fun with one of the guards, in order to satisfy his growing sense of boredom. Whenever he would catch a guard sneaking a peek towards him, he would meet his eyes with his. When Dom met the Guard's gaze, it would freeze staring into his. After a few moments, the guard would grow anxious but would never waver from Dom's stare.
It was almost like he had some sort of hold on the soldier that prevented him from looking away. All the while, the guard kept staring into his gaze, growing more anxious by the second. He began to labor into his breathing, and he could see his coat darken with sweat.
After letting the guard sweat for a few more moments, he would release his grip, and the guard would be able to breathe calmly again and made very well sure he didn't meet Dom's gaze again.
The other Gears had other ways of keeping themselves entertained during the train ride. Tai was in his medative position, with his eyes closed, his arms crossed, and his Lancer on his lap.
Anthony was watching the mountain scenery pass by, which wasn't really much because the snow storm had picked again, and the white powder prevented any sight that wasn't five feet from the window.
Anthony, Tai, and Dom isolated themselves to the back corner of the cart while Twilight and Rainbow Dash took the front.
"Twi," started Rainbow Dash. "Why are we doing this? Why are we taking these . . . beasts straight to the capitol?"
"I can't explain right now Rainbow Dash. All I can tell you is that Princess Luna's been expecting them. For what, I don't know. But they must have some part in all this."
"Twilight, you haven't seen what I've seen. I'm telling you, bringing them here is a bad idea. And if they try anything, at all, that would give me even the slightest hint they will cause trouble, I am taking them down."
Over where the Gears sat, Carmine couldn't help but notice the various glares from the two ponies. "I don't think they trust us Sarge," whispered Anthony, as if the notion wasn't obvious enough.
"That's not my problem," replied Dom.
"We should at least try and be friendly. Give them some reason not to be so jumpy around us you know?"
"Carmine, we threatened to blow one of their soldier's brains against a slab wall. I think the last thing they will want to do is talk to us; let alone play nice with us." Dom finished his statement by crossing his arms and closing his eyes to end the conversation.
Anthony decided to leave Dom well alone, and began wishing that he had asked for more of those delicious apples that he received from Ponyville. But a few apples weren't enough to fill three Gears. He had almost forgotten the humans' burdens of being in mortal form. Back when he was nothing more than a spirit, he felt neither pain nor hunger. As a matter of fact, he hardly felt anything at all. Just cold
Carmine decided to take off his helmet, seeing that there was no reason to be wearing it. For once Dom got a good look at Anthony. He was surprisingly clean cut looking guy, showing no weariness from the hardships of war. He started to play around with his helmet, examining the damages.
"You would be better off without it you know," said Dom. "That things already costed you one life. You want to go for two?"
"Hey Sarge?"
"Yeah?"
Anthony found that his mouth was a little dry and found it difficult to let the words out.
"There's something that's been bothering me for a while. I was wondering if you might be able to explain it."
"Go ahead."
"Are we...still the good guys?"
"We're here," shouted Rainbow Dash! "Everyone mount up. I find anypony holding anypony up, I'll make sure to get your flanks in gear."
All of the guards began to mount up from their seats, preparing themselves for the stop.
"What was the question again Carmine?"
"Never mind."
Forgetting about Carmine's question, Dom looked outside the train window and saw Canterlot Castle; amongst the haze of the storm. The towers reaching towards the sky, was built with what seemed to be carved stone with sharped edges. Around the peak of the towers, he saw Pegasus guards descending towards the train. With a team of Pegasus on each side, the train continued towards the entrance of the fortress.
"What exactly did the purple mini horse say Sarge?"
"Not much really. In all honesty, all she told me was that they've been expecting us. Something about meeting their Princess."
Well it isn't every day we get to meet royalty.
"That can't be all you two talked about Sarge."
"These people aren't exactly the chatty type Carmine. I do believe they are holding a lot of information from us."
Tai unfolded his arms and reached for his Lancer. "Perhaps they are prepared for what is to come."
"What's that suppose to mean," Carmine asked?
"In times of war, the ones that talk too much are the first to go."
That's surprisingly accurate actually.
It wasn't until they approached the checkpoint gate, that the Gears were put into shock. A light purple wave was formed around the castle and had penetrated the train carts as they passed through.
Still shy from the blast they received back in the forest, the Gears immediately jumped out of their seats and sprinted for the back door, only to find that the aura like wave had passed right through them.
The three humans received numerous glances from the Guards. Captain Rainbow Dash couldn't help but allow herself a small chuckle from the Gears overdramatic outburst.
"Like scared beasts."
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Equestrian Border
"Never in my twelve years as a loyal soldier for the Royal Guard, had I ever been so insulted. You dare question my ability as Equestria's Border Captain."
Ditzy's legs were shacking as she was standing in front of Captain Bruteroot. He had just finished tearing the report into confetti, and was now foaming at the mouth practically spitting words at her.
His fellow Guards weren't exactly too pleased either to have their ability as Border Guards put into question, and they made that apparent. One of them especially after he snapped his spear in half with his bare hooves.
Ditzy "Oh no no no sir, not me . . . Captain Rainbow Dash does."
The Captain veins were on the verge of popping when he heard that name. He drew himself muzzle to muzzle towards Ditzy with snarled teeth and red eyes.
"Listen and listen well, because I am going say this once. To hell with your report and your Captain. How that flaring arrogant foal got past shoveling foxholes in Stalliongrad I will never know. I am Captain Bruteroot. Guardian of the Northern Equestrian Border, and I refuse to believe that any enemy was able to pass through my wall. There are other possibilities that could lead to the outcome of Captain Dash's report. Perhaps some unruly Griffins that were already Equestrian citizens; or even Griffins that had traveled through the other borders.
"Sir, I-I'm just the messenger," said Ditzy.
"Then you can go back and recite that message word by word to your Captain. And another thing, tell her that her hypothesis, that Equestrian lives have been threatened due to my incompetence as a soldier, is enough to make my blood boil. So I must advise her to not test my temper."
Click Click Click Click Click Click Click!
"What is Celestia's name is that noise," asked the Captain?
Click Click Click Click Click Click Click!
"It . . . it sounds like something's ticking," replied Ditzy.
The Captain and the other Border Guards searched the room for the source of the noise, but weren't able to locate it.
"Somepony find whatever is making that ti-!" The Captain stopped after he felt a little warm spot on his shoulder. He touched it and found that a long strand slime had landed on him.
"Uhh Captain sir," Ditzy said. "I think I found what was making that noise." She pointed up towards the ceiling right above Captain Bruteroot.
Before the Border Captain could look up, he felt tiny claws grabbing on to his face, blinding him completely. He had managed to throw the creature off of him towards the corner of the room. After the creature recovered from the impact, it stood and clawed at the ponies like a rabid animal.
Click Click Click Click Click Click Kaaaaah!
The creature itself was hideous. It held similar resemblance of an insect, if it had scaly skin, sharp teeth, and was the size of a medium sized dog.
But what really stood out was the device it carried on its back. It was a cylinder like container about the same size as the creature, and shined bright orange.
"What is that thing," asked Ditzy?
"Guards, subdue the creature," commanded the Captain!
As soon as the Guards took a step towards the creature, the container on its back began to shake violently and steam. The Captain saw this and by instinct tried to hold everypony away from the creature. But before he could give the order, he was already blasted outside of the bunk.
Several Guards were caught in the blast and their remains were streamed on the walls.
Ditzy had managed to escape the blast, but received some cuts on her side from the shrapnels. She limped over to where Captain Bruteroot was laying, still dazed from the blast.
"Captain! Captain!"
He was wheezing and was covered in cuts and bruises from the blast but he was alive.
Two Guards had entered down towards the bunk after hearing the sound of the blast, shocked to find their fellow Guards covering the wall and their Captain injured. They attempted to help their Captain stand, but he pushed them away stating he was well enough to stand on his own.
"Let go of me, I'm fine you fools." He began to spit blood, which said otherwise.
"But Captain, your injuries."
"I said I'm fine, status report."
"Sir, the wall is receiving heavy fire from Griffin territory. We've never seen this kind of weaponry. Explosions have already happened at several points of the wall."
"Gather the Unicorns, and have them have them use their magic to subdue the creatures. Don't approach them physically."
"Sir, your injuries."
"If I wanted someone to baby me I would've called my mother. Go and raise the alarm."
"Sir, you must receive medical attention."
"Did I stutter? I said go and raise the alarm!"
Xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Canterlot Castle
The three Gears have, found themselves waiting once again, surrounded by Royal Guards. Whether they were there to guards them or to protect others from them was still put into question. Also this time they had found themselves in a completely different setting than before.
They sat in what was a large luxurious hall. Others that occupied the room were what seemed to be a mixture of high class diplomats, decorated, high ranking soldiers, and a couple of other strange characters. Also amongst them were Twilight Sparkle and Captain Rainbow Dash.
There was an uncomfortable sense of uneasiness on both parties, human and pony.
Dom decided to try the staring game again with one of the ponies sitting on the complete opposite side of Dom and his men.
At first he tried to get grab onto the attention of the classy dressed stallions who sat on the far right side of the table, but he immediately drew away his eyes in disgust.
Then he tried to get the lavender colored unicorn that he first met to meet his eyes, but she seemed to be so incased in her own thoughts that her eyes never met his.
He tried to get the cyan Pegasus, but apparently she was already in a staring contest with Tai. Her stance seemed tense while Tai seemed composed. Dom couldn't help but think that she was taking his relaxed stance as an insult.
Further across the left side of the table, Dom saw a scrawny, neon green unicorn stallion that had a black messy mane and dressed in a white lab coat. He seemed like he was frantically focusing on a notepad he had in front of him, that he never paid him any mine at all.
Soon, a large door on the end of the hall had opened. All occupants, except for The Gears and the green unicorn, immediately stood.
They all relaxed back into their seats when only a petite grey unicorn mare in a maid's uniform entered the hall, followed by a line of carts.
"Oh good, foods here," said Twilight. "You go ahead and help yourselves."
The unicorn maid levitated the plates in front of each occupant, including the humans. Such ability still mystified the Gears, but right now, starvation was another factor that demanded more attention.
Dom and Tai were one of the first to receive their plates. They both took a peek at their entree and exchanged looks.
Then they saw Anthony receiving his meal.
"Oh thank God," exclaimed Anthony! "I'm starved! Let's eat!"
"Wait minute Carmine I don't think that you're going to want to-" Dom was cut off short.
He could already see Anthony's smile fade when he saw what the main course was.
"Nooooooo!"
The ponies were taken aback by the humans wail, and were quite unsure of what caused his ailment.
"Is there something wrong," asked Twilight?
Carmine only shook his head while he held a forkful of hay in front of him. "Horses, it had to be a world of horses."
Dom
"Listen, whatever your name is," started Dom.
"Twilight. Twilight Sparkle."
Oh dear God, Dom thought. Even their names are ridiculous.
Did you expect anything different Sergeant?
"Listen . . . Twilight Sparkles or whatever it is you call yourself, we can't eat this."
"What's wrong with it? This is quality "A" food that has been prepared for your arrival. This is only served to high class citizens of Equestria."
"Well excuse me if we can't digest hay. We are not miniature horses you know."
Rainbow Dash slammed her hoof against the table. "We are not miniature horses! We are ponies, Beast!"
Again with that word, Dom thought.
"Rainbow Dash, please control yourself."
"So much anger in you." Tai's words somehow pierced through the heated argument, for a short while.
"What did you say," questioned Rainbow Dash?
"Rainbow, please calm down," pleaded Twilight.
"So much anger, so easily tested, so unbalanced," continued Tai. "That is why you allowed yourself to be defeated."
Rainbow Dash was at her limit, but one of the other occupants raised an eyebrow in interest.
A white unicorn stallion with a blond mane spoke up. "I am curious myself on the terms of this 'defeat' Captain. Surely such an attempt couldn't have been too overbearing for a high ranking officer such as you." Dom recognized him as the same high classed unicorn that avoided is gaze.
"It was nothing more than a fluke Prince Blueblood; with a mix of cowardly tricks."
"Waiting for the perfect moment to strike is not cowardly," replied The Boulder Man. "It is a tactic that every warrior strives to master. So that he may better his opponent."
"A real warrior doesn't depend on tricks in order to win battles. A real warrior attacks head on, with brute force until his opponent breaks," retorted Rainbow Dash.
Am I the only one that sees the irony in this?
The stallion was starting to get giddy with all of the excitement and tension in the air. "Well in this case, what say we test the skills of your arts."
"Prince Blueblood! I cannot allow this. Princess Luna's orders were to bring the newcomers to her immediately."
"And bring them to her we shall Ms. Sparkle. All I'm asking for is a friendly challenge that is all. Some small proof that they are true warriors of honor is all I'm asking. I'm sure my aunt wouldn't mind. "
"I don't see no problem with it," cut in Dom. "What do you say men? Why don't we go get ourselves a little exercise?"
"But we haven't eaten yet," piped Anthony!
"I accept the challenge," said Tai. "But I must warn you, if my honor is being put into question, I will not be inclined to holding back." There was a small trace of hardiness in the Gears words that made sure that others took them seriously."
"Bring it tough guy," yelled Rainbow Dash!
The stallion just smiled and rose from his chair. "That's fine, that's just fine my friend. To the sporting hall, shall we?" The stallion exited the hall, as the Gears, Rainbow Dash, and the other occupants followed him.
The only ponies that remained in the hall were Twilight and the green unicorn. It was only when he raised his muzzle out of his notebook, did he finally take notice that everypony was absent.
"Oh dear, it appears that I've missed out. Pardon me Miss Twilight, but if that is all, I must be off. Much research and development to do. I'll give you the latest updates on the armory afterwards. Will that be all?
Twilight never answered him. She was to busy trying to absorb how that she had completely lost control of the situation.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Outside Equestrian Border Wall
General Ramm stood on a small hill, a safe distance from the wall, and admired his work. The Tickers had done their job. Now it was his turn.
He turned to his Locust brethren and began his speech. He began it with a deafening roar that echoed through the mountain range behind them for good measure.
After he had gotten their attention, he allowed a dramatic pause, just to savor the moment. And then he spoke the words that every Locust would carry with them to battle.
"Locustssss Horde fight!"
The entire Locust horde shook with anticipation and blood lust just by these simple words.
"Locustssss Horde kill!"
Now their blood was at their boiling point. They smelled the scent of war and it was throwing them in a frenzy. They couldn't hold it in any longer.
"Locustssss Horde attack!"
This is what we were born to do, General Ramm thought. This is what we are.
Why deny what you are?