I stand and watch the sun as it rises. Strange, I can actually see it rise. In fact, it seems to be going quite fast. I guess that is an interesting detail, but one I could care less about. The morning sun reflects off my polished armor, and the armor of my brothers.
The old man finally walks out of his tent, hobbling along with his cane, “Rise and shine, old man! Finally awake?”
He simply conjures a mug of coffee, and drinks it, “It’s morning Atreyos, and I’m old. Just because you as a young man can rise early does not mean I can.”
I scoff, about to shout back before I’m interrupted, “Six unknown creatures!”
I look at the Archidon that spotted them, and climb up there with him. Robin, Joseph, and Harry all join me up there as well. We look together at six colorful creatures that move through the forest we find ourselves in. Joseph looks at them, “I haven’t seen creatures like that before.”
I look at the things closer, “Horses!”
The Swordwrath and Archidon look over at me. Robin says, confused, “How do you know that?”
I glance at Harry out the corner of my eye, before returning my gaze to them, “Horses were actually used by a Empire of old. The Knightmares, rode on horses and used lances. That is until they fell apart against Chaos and became Westwind and Pertland. After their failure, they betrayed themselves to peace and allowed us to take over. They served as defenders in Westwind, not as attackers, fending off Chaos. At least, until Order invaded and forcefully took them over. It’s no wonder you haven’t seen horses, they went extinct in the First Battle of No Man’s Land. Slaughtered along with King Richard and his men who charged against the Giants.”
Joseph smirks, “I didn’t ever think there would be an intellectual Spearton, no offense intended.”
I sneak another glance at Harry, before sighing, “When I was a child- no. You know what? That’s none of your business over why I know so much. So, don’t mention it again, please.”
He just shrugs, “Alright.” He points forward, “So, why don’t we go meet them? They walk like they’re intelligent.”
I nod, before vaulting over the ramparts, and land with a roll. I rise from the roll to my full height, towering over the horses. Hearing two other impacts behind me, I know my fellow warriors have done the same. Harry would obviously take the slow route.
The ponies jump back in suprise from our sudden and intimidating enternce. Our idol stands behind us, the two stone swords buried into the stone base. They look at us in mild fear, until a purple horned one walks up to us, “Greetings. I am Twilight Sparkle, here on behalf of Princess Celestia.”
I glare into her eyes for a few more seconds, all for intimidation, before holding my hand out, “Atreyos, leader of the Speartons.”
She shakes my hand as the others introduce themselves, “Robin, leader of Archidons, and marksman unparalleled.”
“Joseph, leader of the Swordwrath. Pleasure to meet you.”
With the sound of a staff hitting the ground, the final member appears, “Harry. Leader of the Magikill. Old man who has lived longer than most.”
Twilight smiles, “These are my friends. Pinkie Pie, Rarity, Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy, and Applejack.”
I look at the ponies as she mentions them. Applejack and Rainbow Dash seem to be more aggressive than passive, unlike the rest. I glare at them two in particular, creating an air of tension, “You sure don’t look like diplomats. Where are your weapons?”
She looks arpuns at her friends, “Weapons? Why should we bring weapons? That would go against our policies of first contact!”
I shake my head, “Diplomats that don’t carry weapons? What mad world have we entered. The weapon is a mark of respect. Diplomats bring weapons to show they respect the enemy enough to be prepared to defend themselves. By not bringing weapons, you insult the strength of the ones you go to meet. Foreign Relations 101, something about everyone knows.”
She loses her smile, “Oh, really? I’m going to have to ask more about your culture later if diplomats carry weapons.” Then she smiles again, “Within two days, Princess Celestia and Luna shall come down to meet you. Until then, we offer you Ponyville’s hospitality.”
Harry smiles from behind his beard, “We would’ve be glad to sample your hospitality.”
She smiles, “Great! In order to prepare, how many do you have?”
I take this question, “One hundred and four. Fifty Miners, Twenty Swordwrath, Fifteen Archidon, Ten Speartons, Five Magikill. And us four.”
Her face drops at the numbers, “One hundred and four. Dear Celestia.” She looks to her side, to see a pink blur race off, “Pinkie! No!”
Harry walks forward, “You need not worry about lodgeing. We make our own.”
The Miners start to shove the tents into their bag, and one shoves the statue inside. Soon, the entire encampment is gone, and we are ready to march.
The pony smiles, “Follow me.”
I shout back to my brothers, “Speartons! March!”
She looks back at us, “There is going to be a party for all of you when we arrive.”
Why does that statement fill me with fear?