//------------------------------//
// Performance on the Battlefield 
// Story: Pony Emblem 
// by Alkem 
//------------------------------//

On the heavy hearted orders of commander Staghoof, the squadron of green troops marched forward. Staghoof constantly read over the details of the scroll he'd received and every so often his men caught him gritting his teeth while he looked over its contents, something they'd never seen their usually tranquil instructor do.

Traversing west through the northeast region of Equestria, the serene valley of cascading green hilltops adorned their view as they headed west to the village of Oakwheat that was under bandit attack. Everyone was in high spirits from their last victory, but tensions rose as each step closer brought a stronger scent of smoke riding along the breeze.




Performance on the Battlefield
.


Within the poor village, Diamond Dogs could be seen running amok while the townsfolk scrambled for safety as their homes and businesses were being broken into and set ablaze. On the northwest corner, two unicorns clad in red armor and helms were conversing with the largest of the bandits.

"You understand what we've tasked you mutt?" asked the unicorn standing on the left, facing the ragged brown vested giant.

Slobbering on a bone moving about in his mouth, the gray Diamond Dog looked down to the pair of unicorns standing as tall as his waist. "Me get. You want us to stop puny pony soldiers coming this way."

The second unicorn nodded. "That's right. In return you and your men will get your pay, plus keep everything you find in the villages. And don't worry about the soldiers headed your way; most camps around here are full of fresh recruits."

The two soldiers wobbled as the Diamond Dog's twin headed mallet lightly patted against the soil. "Bonemaul's no scared of ponies. We Dirt Ruby Bandits are tough. You just keep your part of deal, or else."

The pair of unicorns stepped back as a crater started forming from Bonemaul's constant pounding. They both then nodded to him.

"You keep your part of the deal and we'll keep ours," said the unicorn on the left.

"And make sure they don't get passed you," the soldier on the right added.

Finished with the bandit leader, the two unicorn soldiers turned and made their way out of the village, leaving the band of rouges to do as they please. They looked at each other as they galloped away.

"Do you think those barbarians will be able to stop them?"

The one on the left shrugged his shoulders. "Who cares? By now almost every soldier in the region is headed this way. As long as those savage mutts manage to preoccupy them long enough, we can take the fort and then the Colonel will have a clear path to the castle." He snickered to himself. "If that beast does manage to succeed, our archers will get some practice when he and his men return." The two continued westward and out of sight.



Back in the center of Oakwheat, a group of ponies were hiding inside a tavern. Ducking behind the bar and underneath clothed tables, the numerous village ponies trembled as they heard their beloved town being torn apart by the howling beasts. Among them was a unicorn mare, dress in a peculiar dark green garb with star decorations, crouched under a table in between two other unicorn colts hiding with her.

She adjusted her grayish purple, star speckled mage hat and glared at the duo next to her while nudging them with her hoof. "What are you two waiting for? Go out there and deal with those brutes."

Exchanging concerned glances with each other, the young stallions lying beside her were both hesitant to move. Finally the pudgy gray opal unicorn on her right swallowed his fear and spoke.

"We'd love to lady Truxtee, but…" His dark dot like eyes wandered over to the lanky amber pony across from him.

The other colt jerked his head in recognition. "Eh, yeah, Clip is right. We can't go out there because…"

The duo poked their heads out from under the table cloth, being careful that their matching red and green armor didn't make much noise and looked around, noticing the other ponies cowering in their hiding spots while the sounds of crates and barrels being smashed continued outside.

"The other ponies?" said the skinny colt.

Clip jutted his hoof out, accidently poking his partner on the nose. "Shells is right!" The two of them pulled their head back in to look at Truxtee. "We can't go out because we'll put the other ponies in danger. We should just wait until they decide to leave."

They both looked back to the brilliant azure mare lying between them with wide smiles. She only glared back at them unconvinced.

"You two do realize those bandits are eventually going to torch the place even if they don't come in?"

The duo nervously looked at her. "Eh, maybe they won't notice the building?" said Shells.

"Yeah, maybe they don't even have torches?" Clip concurred. Everyone inside suddenly looked towards a window as they heard the two bandits speak.

"Hey what about this building, should we check inside it?" asked one of the voices outside.

"Nah…" replied another.

Clip and Shells breathed a sigh of relief.

"We'll just torch it. Hold on, I'll go get a torch."

Seeing all the ponies inside panicking over the conversation outside, Clips and Shells turned their heads back to Truxtee and sighed. "Fine," they said in unison.

She wrapped her front hooves over their shoulders, draping them under her long cape in the process. "Don't worry boys; you two are lucky you have me to watch your backs."



At the southeast corner of the town, Staghoof's squadron lined up at the village gates and awaited his orders. Seeing the bandits running wild, he wasted no time giving his ponies their tasks.

"Alright everyone, same as last time. Take out the enemy forces and rescue the villagers. Prioritize getting ponies to safety before eliminating the invading forces. Watch each other's backs" He then turned to stare at one unicorn in particular. "And no running off."

Shining Armor felt something nudge him at his side and turned his head to the mare standing to his left.

"Try not to fight against ax wielders again, alright Shine. Being a lance user, you should have known better then to face off against someone with an ax type weapon."

He ducked his head down. "I know Mia. It's just that I got carried away. You know I can't stand seeing this sort of thing."

A second nudge came from the pegasus on his right. "How you holding up this time then?"

"I'll be fine," Shining answered, looking out towards the series of wooden houses. "I hope."

Following Staghoof's orders, the soldiers moved from building to building, rescuing ponies hiding inside and taking down bandits as they popped up. Pinkamia, Shining Armor, as well the other soldier made their way inside homes, finding stallions, mares and foals hunkered down, trembling in fear and escorting them to safety behind the line of archers over by the village entrance.

A family of three stepped out of their bashed up home. Their guide, Pinkamia, was the last to step outside. Lying atop the roof in waiting, a Diamond Dog jumped towards her with his weapon drawn. Unaware of the dog, she kept walking right behind the family. The Diamond Dog's ax couldn't even touch a strand of her pink curls before a barrage of arrows flew towards him.

Watching the stream of bolt fly over her head, Pinkamia looked back and realizing the peril she was saved from as her would be attacker was propelled away by the numerous arrows. She turned back towards the group of archers lined up, waving in recognition to Docile and the rest of them.

Over in the house across from her, Shining Armor was busy aiding an elderly couple out of their home. As the three of them stepped outside, Pinkamia ran over and joined them.

"How are they Shine?"

"They'll be fine. We just need to get them away from the fires and over to the squad."

She joined them, sandwiching the couple in between Shining and her. While they made their way closer to the Oakwheat gate, Shining's ear suddenly perked up. The clanging of steel caught his attention and he started looking around to pinpoint the source of the noise.

Pinkamia noticed him. "What is it Shine?"

He turned his head north and his eyes widened. "There! Someone's fighting over there." He looked over to the archer squad, seeing they were all keeping an eye on them and the couple and then back at Pinkamia. "Can you guide them the rest of the way? The archers got your back."

Her light blue pupils went red as she stared daggers at him. "You're not thinking of—" Before she finished, Shining had already taken off and headed down the road.

Staghoof, along with the rest of the archers positioned in front of him, watched as Shining Armor ran. He saw that Pinkamia was busy with the old couple and then looked down at one of his archers. "Docile, go and cover his back. I'll send Mia as soon as I can to give you more support."

"Cover him?" he asked looking back at the big stallion. "Don't you mean bring him back?"

Staghoof stared off where the unicorn had run off to. "You'll see what I mean once you get there. Now get going."

With a small grunt, Docile May placed his bow over his shoulder and made his way after Shining Armor while Pinkamia was still slowly approaching with the ponies she was escorting.



Headed down the road, hearing the continuous clanging reverberating off homes, someone was fighting. And in Shining's mind, they could probably use some help. Turning the corner of a house, Shining found the source of the noise and came upon a peculiar sight.

"Put your backs into it you two. What kind of escorts knights are you if you can't handle a simple bunch of bandits."

Both Clips and Shells were struggling as they fended off the Diamond Dogs that surrounded them at the front of the tavern. Shells was jabbing the javelin he held in his mouth while Clips was swinging his iron blade wildly. "You could help us a little bit," Clips said as he finished striking down another thief.

Whipping her hair back with her eyes closed, Truxtee looked over to the round stallion. "Too think that my mere presence isn't enough to motivate you to overcome these brutes." Standing behind the knights, she took a stance with her legs stretched and readied herself. "Very well then, I guess I'll have to display my amazing magic to these ruffians."

She took off her hat, revealing her horn underneath that shined with a light magenta hue. A dark cloud appeared, casting a shadow over Shells and the Diamond Dog he was fighting. He shielded his eyes as a bright flash emerged from the shadowy fluff and a streak of lightning came crashing down. Lowering his leg from his eyes, he watched as the brigand he was fighting fell over like a charred tree.

Although the bandits were dropping one by one, the three of them were being overwhelmed as more bandits advanced on them. Shells was hit hard by a Diamond Dog and it broke through their defense. It passed him and lunged towards Truxtee. Surprised by the dog's brazen attack, she didn't have time to ready her magic to stop him.

"Aaah!"

A shield went flying through the battlefield like a frisbee, soaring over Clips and Shells. The metal plate when for the Diamond dog headed for Truxtee and slammed into the back of his head. Truxtee ducked, dodging the brute that went smashing through the tavern door. Startled by the body suddenly crashing in, the townsfolk inside the tavern went running outside.

Shining Armor saw the village folk make their way past the skirmish and called out to them, pointing down the road behind him. "Everyone, you'll find Equestrian soldiers towards the south gate, go now!" They all did as instructed, and with the villagers headed to safety, Shining jumped in to help the trio.

Invigorated by the stallion's assistance, Clips and Shells lashed out against the brutes harder than before. Clips with his blade and Shells with his lance, both stallions twirled of their weapons and struck their opponents down with mighty blows. They then turned to face Shining Armor who just finished off the last thief around them.

"Gee, thanks for your help mister," said Clips.

"Yeah, we'd sure be in big trouble if it weren't for you," said Shells

Shining Armor smiled at the two of them. "You two sure managed to hold you own though."

"Well we are knights after all," Clips said, pounding a hoof against his chest armor.

Shells nodded in agreement. "Yeah, knights in training."

Clips quickly snatched his partner by his teal mane and pulled his head close. "Keep quiet about that Shells," he whispered.

Delighted to see the two colts were safe, Shining suddenly felt a tap on his flank. He turned to notice the mare standing behind him. "Oh hello there miss, you too should head down the road to safety. The soldiers should be moving forwards and providing protection."

"Excuse me," Truxtee scoffed, dusting off her hat and placing it back on her head. "A genius pony such as I, the extraordinary Truxtee, does not need some pony concerning themselves with my safety. I can manage on my own thank you very much."

Shining Armor stepped back, surprised by the mare's boisterous attitude. "I'm terribly sorry; I didn't mean to be rude. But it's too dangerous for you all to stay here."

Truxtee marched forward, forcing Shining to step back with each of her hoof steps while she stared him in the eye. "A genius such as I shall not be pushed around by a band of boorish mutts and I certainly won't be pushed around by you." Her dark grayish violet eyes wandered to her left, spotting a straggler in the group of bandits. "Watch and be amazed as I show you the awesome power of Truxtee."

Her hat levitated as she prepared to cast a spell. Spotting her, the Diamond Dog she was aiming for charged. A cloud formed over his head, but the quick moving hound managed to avoid the bolt of lightning that came roaring down. With her a attack a failure, Truxtee could do nothing to stop the advancing Diamond Dog. But suddenly, the beast yelped out in pain and fell to the ground. Astonished, the four unicorns noticed the shaft of an arrow jutting out of its back. Over in the distance behind the fallen dog, Shining Armor recognized the hooded bowpony responsible for striking the bandit down.

"I thought you'd need me to watch your back Shine. Guess I was wrong though," said Docile May, gazing over to the mare whose hat was shaking in her hooves as she stared down at her would be killer. "Well almost."

Shining Armor trotted over to his pegasus comrade and locked fetlocks with him. "Great timing Docile, if you hadn't shown up…"

"Save it Shine, we need to get those three out of here," said Docile, tilting his head forward to the trio standing across from him.

The two soldier trotted over where Clips and Shells stood at attention while Truxtee looked at them with a small scowl.

"Now will you three go to the evacuation zone?" Shining Armor asked.

Shells and Clips saluted the two of them. "Sirs yes S—"

"No!" Truxtee hollered, stomping her hoof and grabbing everyone attention. "I refuse to take my leave. Not after such a horrid performance."

Both Docile and Shining stared at each other, unsure of what to make of the adamant mare and her two lackeys. Shining took a deep breath and faced her.

"Please miss Truxtee, you're not safe here. I understand you have some skill with magic, but right now—"

Truxtee stepped back and gasped. "Some skill? I have more than just some skill and I'm going to show it to you."

Shining continued sighing. "Is there nothing I can do to convince you to seek shelter?" he asked, staring at the mare that was already shaking her head at him. He then looked over to the colts beside her. "And what about you two?"

They both stared back at Shining with the same annoyed expression he had. "Sorry but we've been contracted to escort miss Truxtee. It's our duty as knights to see this job through."

"Yeah. That and we won't get paid," Shells added.

Docile stepped up, placing his hoof on Shining's shoulder. "Give it up Shine, there no way you'll convince a pony like her to leave." He stared at the mare who glared back at him. "You're free to do as you wish, but if you intend to follow us stay out of our way and stay out of trouble."

"Fine," she quickly answered.

"Very well then," said Shining. "If you're going to be following me around, I should introduce myself. My name is Shining Armor."

The pegasus next to him did likewise. "And I'm Docile May."

The mare rose up; standing on her hind legs and flinging her cape open behind her. "I am the mage, magician and fortune teller extraordinaire, Truxtee." She then pointed to the pair of colts next to her. "And these two are my escorts, Clips and Shells."

While they exchanged introductions, the arrow stricken Diamond Dog lying nearby reached out to them. "Stupid ponies. You might have stopped us, but Bonemaul at the edge of town will make you pay. He'll avenge us." Saying that, his outstretched paw fell back to the dirt.

Docile looked over to Shining Armor, noticed a gleam in his eyes while he stared off to the distance. "Oh great, I recognize that look of your Shine. I know what you're thinking."

"So does that mean you're coming?" Shining asked with a grin.

"Just get going, I'll get your back," Docile answered dejectedly as he and Shining took off.

"Hey wait for me!" said Truxtee. She looked back to her escorts before went after them. "Come on you two."

"Yes Truxtee the extraordinary," said Clips, running along with Shells.

Shining Armor dug his hooves deep into the soil as he galloped down the ruined village, focusing on his target to the northeast. Truxtee and her escorts chugged along behind him, taking notice of the destruction around them while Docile May was keeping a sharp lookout in the rear.

Shining Armor finally reached the edge of the town and found himself a few hoof steps away from the biggest Diamond Dog he'd seen. He levitated his lance and shield to his side and stood at the ready against Bonemaul who was slouching against a set of crushed barrels. "So you must be the leader."

Hearing the pony address him, Bonemaul lifted his head and awoke from his light slumber. "What? Who you?"

"I am one of Equestria's brave soldiers, and I won't allow you and your pack of dogs to harm any more ponies. Leave this village now and no more blood has to be spilled."

Yawning and wiping the sand from his yellow eyes, Bonemaul laughed. "Tiny pony thinks he can order Bonemaul? You is dumber then unicorns earlier. Hahaha."

"What unicorns earlier?" Shining Armor asked, tilting his head and furrowing his brow.

Bonemaul stopped his laughter, snarling at the string of ponies and tightening his grip on his hammer. "That no matter. You all going to fall here."

Truxtee tugged on the white unicorn in front of her who was ready to fight by the tail. "Do you think this is a good idea? I'm may not be a fighter, but even I know only a fool would wield a lance against an ax like weapon."

Clips stepped up beside Shining Armor and brandished his blade. "Don't worry about that Miss Truxtee, I've got his back."

Nodding to the round swordcolt at his side, Shining charged in and slashed Bonemaul with the tip of his lance. Running alongside, Clips swiped his sword down, leaving an intersecting cut in the foe's chest. Bonemaul then countered by swinging his mighty weapon down towards Shining Armor. But Clips quickly moved in the way, parrying the attack and causing the twin metal blocks on a stick to crash onto the ground next to him.

Watching the two clash blows against the bandit leader, Truxtee glanced over to her second escort. "It's our turn Shells!" Her horn began to shine as she prepared to attack from afar.

Shells struck first. Clutching his javelin with his light yellow magic, he hoisted it, impaling it on Bonemaul's arm. Then, as if using the wood as a lightning rod, Truxtee's lightning bolt hit, singing the brute as it hit the ground. Docile then follow up their dual attack with a well aimed shot straight into Bonemaul's chest.

Snarling, growling, and swinging his hammer wildly, Bonemaul yanked out the weapon stuck in his flesh and lashed out. He swung his hammer in a large vertical arc towards both Clips and Shining. The clang of metal rang out again from Clips's weapon, deflecting the hammer for a second time. But the Diamond Dog attacked again with a back swing, bashing both Shining and Clips back to where Shells and Truxtee were standing. Hurt but not out, the two of them got back on their hooves and prepared to attack again. That's when they heard the mare behind them speak.

"Clips, please stand back. I wish to show Mr. Armor why I am called Truxtee the extraordinary." Dipping his head to her, Clips stepped to the side as Truxtee stepped up to Shining Armor's side. "Now then, when you're ready, I shall blow you and that slobbering mongrel away with a dazzling performance."

Her confidence motivated Shining who propel himself towards Bonemaul. While he charged ahead, Truxtee grabbed the brim of her hat with her teeth, tossing it high into the air and closed her eyes. Meanwhile Shining had plunged his weapon deep into his foe, but his attention was drawn to the large formation of clouds that formed overhead. He looked back, noticing his partner shrouded in an aura of light. He let go of his lance and backed away quickly.

Spinning gracefully on her hind legs while her forelegs reached for the heavens, Truxtee's cape made it seem as though she was dancing against a starry night sky. Finally stopping, she viciously slammed her hooves down onto the ground and her horn flashed vibrantly. As if yanked out of the clouds by her motion, three bolts of lightning dropped down combining into one that headed for Bonemaul.

Everyone shielded their eyes as the streak of light tore the ground asunder and left the charred husk of a Diamond Dog standing. With his body fried from the inside out, smoke billowed from his mouth as he opened it.

"Cursed unicorns, this was not worth what they offer," he grumbled, falling to the ground.

Standing inches from the cracks in the earth caused by her attack, Shining found his lance lying beside him and shocked himself when he touched it. He walked back towards a beaming Truxtee and the others.

"Well? What do you think of that?" she asked, wiping her hoof against her snout as her hat fell just to her left in the mud. She levitated it up and started picking off the globs of mud from it. "Oh, fool's rubies. I can never get the hat part right."

He chuckled walking past her. "Yeah, that really was a great performance."

With their leader defeated, the remaining Mud Ruby Bandits fled Oakwheat, escaping east to the mountains that marked the Crytailia Kingdom border. Docile May lifted his hood up slightly, watching the last bandit leave the village and breathed a sigh of relief. He then noticed something along the dirt road in the distance. Something that got his heart racing again. It was headed their way fast, it was angry and it was pink.

"Docile, Shine! I can't believe you two just went on without me! You didn't even save me one bad guy to fight!" Pinkamia protested, skidding to a halt. She glared at the two colts but then noticed the others standing with them. She quickly swiped her foreleg over her face, hiding here rage under a bright smile and tranquil tone. "Oh, hello there I didn't notice you," she said to the three new ponies.

Both Shining Armor and Docile May shot quick glances at each other. Both with the same thought running through their head. How'd she not notice them when they're standing in between us? Shining decided it would be best to distract their angry sister in arms and stepped next to the azure mare, extending a hoof towards her while facing Pinkamia.

"Mia, I'd like to introduce you to Truxtee."

"That's the extraordinary Truxtee," the mare beside him corrected, holding her head high.

Shining simply stared forward with a sullen look on his face. "Riiight." He then directed his hoof over to the two waving colts standing back besides Docile who had his forelegs wrapped over their necks. "And those two over there are her brave escort knights, Clips and Shells. It's thanks to these three that Docile and I managed to drive out the bandits."

Ignoring him completely, Pinkamia zipped straight for the other mare and vigorously shook her hoof. "Oh my gosh, I'm so happy to meet another mare out here. Well I mean there are the other mares in our squadron but they're all stiffs and not so much fun to hang out with, but seeing how you can get along with Docile and Shine that must mean you're not as boring as they are." Her continued rattling of Truxtee through her foreleg caused her hat to fall off, but the pink mare kept speaking. "Oh that's right, I totally forgot to introduce myself. My name is Pinkamia Pie, but you can call me Mia. What's your name? Oh wait, never mind. Shine already said it."

So you were listening to me, Shining thought to himself.

Pikamia waved a hoof at the colt. "Of course I did Shine. I always listen when it comes to meeting somepony new."

Shining jerked his head at her, and then did a double take. "Mia, did you just... "

She stared back at him, tilting her head to the left. "Did I just what?"

Shining stood there with his mouth open. "Never mind," he said, turning over to Truxtee who stood nervously watching the overzealous earth pony as she delightfully hopped frantically in front of her.

"So does this mean you and your friends are going to join our squad? Because that would be so awesome. We'd get along and become the best of friends."

"What? Us go with you?" said Truxtee, bewildered by Pinkamia's energy and sudden question.

Clips and Shells quickly made their way beside her. "Oh course we'll go with you," said Clips.

"Yeah, we'd love to." Shells added.

"What!" Truxtee yelled, turning her head left and right to her bodyguards.

Clips leaned his head in close and whispered. "This way we can get around safer. After all, things seem to have gotten more dangerous lately."

Understanding his point, she knelt down, picking up her hat and flipped it on her head before looking back at the mare that awaited an answer. "Yeah, we'd love to join you guys."

"Yippie!" Pinkamia yelled, back flipping at the good news. "Then it's settled. I'll have a word with Staghoof later to tell him the good news. Speaking of which, we should head back and join him and the others. They're probably getting worried."

Along their walk back towards the village main gate, Pinkamia chatted up a storm with Clips and Shells as they walked in between her and a silent Docile who kept quietly to himself under his hood. Shells, walking to his left, leaned his head over to him.

"Is she always like this?"

A smirk appeared above Docile's peach fuzz, underneath the shade of his cowl. "Only when she meets new ponies. But you get used to it. She's also a pretty good swordmare who'll always watch your back." He rolled his eyes. "That is of course unless you run off like Shine always does."

Behind the lined up quartet, Truxtee was giving Shining Armor a light tongue lashing as they walked side by side.

"What have you gotten me into? I'm no fighter. This fabulous pony was meant for the stage. To gain the adoration of millions. To hear the roar of the crowd, not the roar of some thug's battle cry."

He turned his head to her and smiled. "Don't blame me. You're the one who let yourself get talked into it by your escorts. Besides you were pretty eager to show me what you could do on the battlefield earlier with that Diamond Dog."

She brushed her hair at him. "Well that was because you doubted my abilities. I have my pride as performer to defend after all. If I had just known showing off to you would've led me into this mess, I would've reconsidered."

Shining looked straight ahead as he walked. "Well, I'm glad you did decide to show off."

Truxtee turned her head away. "The next performance is going to cost you."

"As long as it's worth it, sure."

Reaching their squad, Clips, Shells and Shining tended to their injuries while Pinkamia explained what happened to Staghoof who was at first reluctant to accept. But after a bit of excessive pleading from the pink mare, welcomed the trio of new recruits and immediately put them to work in helping restore the village. Snips and Shells worked hard along with the other troops while Truxtee, not being a mare of manual labor, found herself of more use in maintaining the village pony's spirits up with her dazzling performance.

With the sun setting behind them the troops finally restored the burg to a state of peace once again. Staghoof then lined up his company before him. "Excellent work everypony. With this we continue to preserve and maintain the peace of our fair kingdom. I understand you're all exhausted, fortunately there's a fort close by where we can all spend the night."

The troops all cheered hearing they'd finally get a well deserved rest, unaware of the ulterior motive their commander was hiding from them for heading there.