//------------------------------//
// The Exile 
// Story: Invictus and the Bishop of Sin 
// by CommanderInvictus 
//------------------------------//

Courtroom 5, Canterlot. Case: Invictus V Royal Army High Command.

The judge slammed the gavel on the wooden table. “Invictus, you stand accused of insubordination during the rebel group Blanche’s attempted occupation of Canterlot. The record states that you killed Blanche’s commander when you were given orders that explicitly stated not to so they could be questioned. Can you confirm this?”

Invictus sighed, rubbing one of his eyes with a hoof as his red coat glistened in the light. “Yes, Your Honor. However, it was them or me. I acted in self defense and I’m being PUNISHED? What is this nonsense?!” The judge proceeded to scowl at them, their blue eyes locked on Invictus’ green eyes.

“Now Invictus, I believe the Generals of the three Guard divisions, Generals Tidal Wave, Midnight, and Solar Flare, have agreed to compromise on your sentence, but you’ll need to cooperate. You do understand what the sentence for a violation of a command from the highest level would normally be, correct?” Invictus nodded slowly, his green eyes hardening.

“I understand. I’d prefer to avoid several years of jail time, so I will gladly cooperate.” The judge nodded slowly, relaxing a bit. 

“Now Invictus, the generals have agreed that instead of jail time, they are willing to exile you from Canterlot and the military. You will be forbidden from engaging in any militaristic actions for the duration of your life unless told otherwise by the princesses. Are these terms acceptable to you?” Invictus nodded again and the judge slammed the gavel again. “You have been sentenced. You have 48 hours to leave Canterlot. This court is dismissed.” Everypony else in the courtroom except Invictus left, leaving him alone to his thoughts.

“Celestia be damned!” Invictus kicked the wall in anger. “How could I have been that stupid? I should’ve taken the prison time.” He glanced at his cutie mark, a helmet typically worn by a Spartan from ancient Equestrian times.  “The military was my life, it’s what i'm good at, my only talent. So why did I think that exile from all military activities was a good idea?” He sighed and stalked out of the courtroom, heading for the train station.

About an hour later, the train rolled out of the station, headed for Ponyville. Invictus sat alone in an empty train car, watching Canterlot shrink away in the distance. He sighed, as a dark figure materialized in the back on the car, in the shadows. The dark figure smirked as they watched Invictus and thought, "He will make a good pawn...."