//------------------------------//
// March to the Drums 
// Story: “THIS IS SPARTA!!!!!!” 
// by Sawtoothetherium 
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Luna walked with Leonidas to get herself fitted with some armor, she would be in the war zone. Leonidas had asked her a few questions concerning how capable she was in battle along the way.

“Do you have any training in combat?” He asked.

“Yes, but not the kind you are accustomed to.” Luna said. “I fight with a two handed sword and no shield. Usually heavy plate armor. You dont have the advanced armors that I am accustomed to and I usually would weave my way through the enemy dragging my longsword through the soldiers I passed. You really dont have anything I am used to using.”

“What was the two handed sword like?” Leonidas asked curious.

“Well, it was a long sword that ranged from four point nine pounds to six point two pounds, depending on the length and thickness of the blade. It ranged from forty seven to fifty five inches in length and was famous for its lethality. There have been recordings of it going through inch thick steel plate armor with little effort, and it has been said to go straight through the head of one stallion and through another. Or rather, two decapitated enemies, one blow.”

“Truly?” Leonidas asked stunned. A weapon like that would be formidable indeed.

“Truly. However, to those not used to wielding one it was hard to use and inexperienced users were rather clumsy with the weapon. Also because of its weight it usually surprised those younger trainees. The one I used weighed about forty pounds and was considerably thicker than the more commonly used ones.”

“And what of the armor?” Leonidas questioned.

“It was a series of complex plates strapped to the wearer. It took about an hour to put on and those without magic needed help putting it on. I had used such heavy armor for so long that I could run as fast as our fastest fliers in it. Considering your armor is likely much lighter I will probably be able to move much more and a lot faster.”

“We could have one of the blacksmiths here make this sword.” Leonidas offered.

Luna shook her head. “You use bronze and iron for your weapons and armor. Such a long weapon would be to brittle if made by those materials.”

Having an idea Luna lit up her horn and summoned an image of the longsword. She then explained how steel was made and that the sword would be made entirely of this material. Leonidas grinned as he heard the ingredients.

“We have plenty of all those recourses.” He said. “We can make you that sword.”

Luna looked at him. “I dont want you to be troubled with it.”

“And knowing you you will find a way to get yourself involved in every battle you come within earshot of. If you are wielding a familiar weapon you will have a greater chance at survival.” He said.

Luna opened her mouth to argue.

“And your sister will likely want you to have the greatest chance at survival possible so providing you with this is necessary for keeping her out of trouble.”

Luna sighed in defeat. “Very well.”





In three hours Luna had been given a set of spartan armor and they had forged a claymore for her. She was taken to the training grounds to asses her ability with the weapon, and the weapons ability. Luna approached the training dummy, gripping the claymore in both hooves while balancing on her back legs. She swung a backhoof strike with the back edge of the blade, and cut the oaken training dummy clean in half.

Leonidas watched in awe as his mate destroyed dummy after dummy with blows that cut them in twine from all angles. Her sword looked like a burning wheel of light instead of a straight weapon. Eventually she stopped and placed the point of the weapon in the dirt and rested her front hooves on the hilt, not having broken a sweat.

Leonidas stared, impressed.

“Remind me not to make you angry.” He said to her.

She giggled, “I dont think that will happen anytime soon.”

So Luna, Leonidas, Celestia and Spike marched with the Spartan army. They marched north to meet the army of Thebes and King Sombra. They marched for three days and three nights before they arrived in the place they planned to face them. There they set up a camp to wait for the enemy. 

Luna and her sister spent much of their time with the spartan soldiers. They usually conversed a bit, and Luna was lightly teased for sleeping with the king. She knew it was a joke and always gave an embarrassed smile. Celestia was a bit more protective of Luna and would typically tell them it wasn’t their business. Luna decided that this had gone on long enough and pulled her sister aside.

“Celestia,” Luna told her, “You need to get used to the fact that this is happening. There will be talk of it and a few jokes told to both me and Leonidas. You should expect some too. But stop giving every curious pony the stink eye or you wont develop a good reputation amongst these ponies. Everyone knows this is happening but some want to make absolute sure. Is it their business? No, it isn’t. But they will ask anyway and it isn’t that big of a deal. Let them joke about it Celestia, you may just find a few of them funny yourself. But you must also learn that Leonidas is not your enemy, neither are the Spartans. Just accept that this is happening and move on. You will have a much happier life.”

“Luna I worry about you.”

“I know you do and that is the problem. You worry when there is no cause to.” Luna said. “Besides, I have high hopes for me and him.”

“You don’t mean...”

“That is exactly what I mean Celestia. Me and Leonidas have talked about it and we agree that we will try for it.” Luna said calmly. “And it may happen soon.”