//------------------------------// // Chapter 1: Beginnings // Story: The 300 Ponies // by AppleBucker22 //------------------------------// Today, a foal was born. Like all the other ponyville foals, it was judged. It had to be determined if it was weak, or sick. This did not turn out to be the case this day. Ponyville is a tribe of warriors, ruthless on the battlefield, taking no prisoners and leaving no man behind. They are elite warriors of all Equestria called “Ponyville Spartans”. The children there, train, as soon as they are born. There is no magic here, or flying. Just using your hooves and weapons. The foal that was born, had grown up, and had begun his training. It was intense. Ponyville warriors are taught never to retreat, not even in the toughest situations. When the foal turned 14 it was sent to the Everfree forest for it’s last trial. Survival. Being sent out in the middle of winter with almost no equipment, is used to teach survival. The foal was cold and it searched for a cave, and he found one. On the ground he noticed footprints. A beast was following him. The beast was hungry, smelling it’s prey, thinking of how to devour him. And out of the shadow it came. A timberwolf. The foal stepped back, leading the timberwolf into a narrow cave. The beast was hungry, smelling it’s prey, thinking of how to devour him. Savouring in the moment. The timberwolf jumped, but the foal quickly reacted, and trapped the head of the beast in the narrow space. The foal was quick, ruthless and decisive. He was going to make a great warrior. After defeating the beast, he went back to Ponyville where he was already presumed dead, but as always, that did not turn to be the case. He stood up, raising his shield and spear high. His father spoke up: “You are a real pony now, Leonidas!”. The crowd cheered, excited seeing their new king and the festivities began. There was a feast, drinking and dancing. It was a perfect night. Leonidas and his father went to sleep, knowing there was much to do tommorow. More training for Leonidas. “The boy is an excellent warrior” Said Leonidas’ father “But will he be a good king?” Leonidas’ mother spoke up “Is there any doubt?” Leonidas’ father looked at his wife with a serious face “Well, he has proven a great warrior, but what of his diplomatic skills?” Said the wife “We Ponyville men are warriors only! Only those fancy-pants up in Canterlot are diplomats! We solve our problems with shedding blood, not by offering bribes of gold!” The father said with an angry face “I will take your word on it. But be careful, that attitude of yours will get Ponyville in a lot of trouble on day” Said the wife. Several years later It is a sad day for Ponyville. Leonidas’ father, has passed away. The funeral is being held at the forum. The king is being given a traditional king’s death. By fire. By tradition, it is the son that sets his father’s corpse on fire. And so it happened. Leonidas carried the torch, slowly, with sadness in his face. But he could not show it. It is unbecoming that men of Ponyville express their emotions. He arrived to the casket. He looked down with regret, and set it on fire. The death of the king was mourned for months, but it was time a new king was chosen. And it was Leonidas. “AND THAT IS THE KING WE ARE FIGHTING WITH TODAY! OUR KING, LEONIDAS!” Was yelled out in camp by the second in command. “HAAAAA-UUH! HAAAA-UH!” The soldiers chanted, feeling inspired  by their leader “He is the reason why we fight! He is the pony we are ready to die for!” But I have gone too far. To understand this, we need to go a few months back. FEW MONTHS AGO It was a beautiful morning, the birds were chirping and the sun was just above the trees. The children ran through the streets, careless of what is going to happen. It wasn’t their concern. At least not yet. Mares gathered at the market, purchasing goods from travelling merchants that just came from Canterlot. Leonidas woke up, and looked out the window. The sun gently stroked his mane and the breeze cooled his warm face. His wife entered the room and spoke up: “Oh darling, you’re up! I’ve made you breakfast! Why don’t you come down and we can eat?” But Leonidas remained still, looking at the far distance. It’s as if he saw smoke on the outskirts of Equestria. “Leonidas? What is it?” His wife asked “The gates of Equestria... Something is going on....” “If something were wrong our scouts would report it, wouldn’t they?” “I guess you are right dear.... I’ll come down in a second.” “Don’t wait too long, the breakfast won’t stay warm for long!” Leonidas knew something was wrong, but his wife made a pretty good argument. I guess it was too early to assume anything. After having breakfast Leonidas went on to train with his son. His son is a strong foal and he will make an excellent warrior one day, like his father. After the training, Leonidas and his son sat down on the stairs, near the training hall “Dad, how is it in war?” The son asked “Well son, it is.... Exciting.... Enemies wherever you look, so much noise you can’t even tell what is going on around you...” His face turned somber, “But there is also a bad side....” “Like what?” The curious foal asked. “You are too young son, another time perhaps.” On the outskirts of Ponyville you could hear the pitter patter of chariots, slowly riding into town. They stopped at the forum and a dark pony with earrings on his lips and eyebrows, took out of his pouch, pony skulls, tied together. “Leonidas! You are wanted at the forum!” Said the royal messenger. Leonidas left his son, and continued on to the forum, when he arrived the dark pony turned around and spoke up to him: “Earth, and water....” Said the dark pony “Earth and water?” Leonidas responded “Leonidas, the Remnant army asks for your attention! Our leader, Xerxes the half-god is beginning his epic campaign to conquer the world, and all he wishes is a supply or earth, and water.” Said the dark pony “Xerxes wants our earth and water? Hah! I heard those philosophers and fancy-pants up in Canterlot already declined you! If they declined you, I guess the Remnants army is not as strong as people thought!” Leonidas said with a smug smile. “But sir, perhaps we should think about the political advanta-....” Said the counsellor “No! We are warriors only, not diplomats!” Leonidas responded angrily. “If you do not agree to our terms you will be crushed like any other tribe we’ve encountered! Xerxes has massive armies that make the earth tremble, his armies drink rivers dry! I suggest you choose your words carefully, for they may be your last, as king...” The dark pony said with an angry face. As Leonidas looked at his friends and family, and the fair ponies of his town, he thought about what he could lose, and what he could gain.. Before you knew it Leonidas turned around, and pulled his sword out on the messenger pony. “You madman! Nopony ever, Remnant or Equestrian, ever threatened a messenger!” The dark pony said. “You come here, showing the heads of defeated kings, threaten my people with slavery and death and what do you expect me to do?!” Leonidas said. “Earth and water... You’ll find plenty of both down there.” Said Leonidas as he pointed at the well of doom. “You are a madman! This is blasphemy! This is madness!” Leonidas looked at his wife, asking with his eyes if he did the right thing...She gave him a confirming nod. Leonidas turned around. “Madness?” “THIS. IS. PONYVILLE!!!!!!” As Leonidas turned on his front hooves he bucked the Remnants messenger into the well of doom, and so his guards suffered the same fate. “There, it is done. We have plenty to do now.” “A storm is coming....”