//------------------------------// // Chapter 10 // Story: Battalion Wars: Equestria // by mathwiz617 //------------------------------// 12:00, January 17; approaching Canterlot “What in the name of…” General Herman gaped. “How is that city not falling down?” He gazed at Canterlot, amazed that it seemed to not just defy physics, but casually flip it an obscene gesture as well. “According to the intel we received from Empress Lei-Qo,” a mortar veteran explained, “that city’s been standing for about a thousand years now. If what the Brigadier said is true, then it’s probably held up by magic. If so, whichever pony holds it up must be pretty powerful.” “You don’t say,” Herman whistled. “Well, it’s a good thing we’re helping these ponies. According to them, the entire Xylvanian invasion force was pushed back in a matter of hours. In addition, the boys from Fort Omaha said one of them even learned to pilot a battlestation in the heat of combat.” Suddenly, there was a flash of light outside the helicopter, and a dark blue pony appeared. Herman, having trained himself to recognize important people at a glance, assumed this was one of the princesses. Looking at her flank, he decided that this must be Princess Luna. When she opened her mouth, the transport experienced some strong turbulence. However, the General could definitely make out the words “Follow me” in the wind. Princess Luna then sped towards the center of the city. “Well, what are you waiting for, soldier?” Herman demanded of the pilot. “Follow that alicorn!” Minutes later, they touched down in the castle’s courtyard, alongside a single Solar Empire transport. Empress Lei-Qo and Princess Luna were waiting for them. “Empress!” Herman shouted as he stepped out of the transport. “It’s good to see a friendly face here!” “Likewise, General,” Lei-Qo responded. “However, I think you will find most of Equestria hospitable. The residents of this castle, for example, have been very accommodating while their daytime princess has been away.” “Indeed,” Luna agreed. “However, I doubt the nobles will be quite as complacent once Day Court starts.” Looking at the position of the sun, she sighed. “It seems I must take my sister’s place for today. A pity; I was looking forward to a day’s rest.” Turning back to Herman, she said, “The Royal Guard should be back in an hour or so, according to Celestia. In the meantime, I advise you to prepare your training program. When my sister returns, she will expect you to come with her to Ponyville for a strategy conference.” Herman whistled to his troops. “Well, you heard the princess,” he shouted. “Get this stuff set up, pronto!” 3:00; on the train to Ponyville Herman gawked at Pinkie Pie. If Canterlot was giving physics an obscene gesture, she had kicked it in the hypothetical genitalia. With considerable force. Repeatedly. Turning to the white alicorn that sat beside him, he asked, “Why a small town like Ponyville? Why not Canterlot, the core of your military power?” Celestia laughed. “You wouldn’t understand, General, but Ponyville is the center of Equestria’s military power. It’s the home of six of the ten most important beings in Equestria.” “Who are the other four?” Lei-Qo inquired. “Well,” Celestia said, “There’s me and my sister, as well as our niece, Princess Cadence, who resides in the Crystal Empire. And, of course, there’s Discord, who you have already met.” Herman looked at the draqueonus and shuddered. He was even worse to physics than Pinkie was. “Charmed,” Herman said simply. Discord smiled. “So, are these six ponies strong? Or are they just influential?” “Both,” Celestia said. “Actually, not all of them are particularly strong, but each has a particular talent that sets them apart from most other ponies. You’ve obviously met Twilight Sparkle and Pinkie Pie, and can guess what sets them apart. In addition, there’s Applejack, Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy, and Rarity. I’ll let you get to know them in your own time, though I’m sure Rarity will have something to say about your uniform. Just know this: all of them are just as experienced in combat as most of the Royal Guard, in their own way. I trust them explicitly in most every matter. Especially so since Twilight was more perceptive than I at the royal wedding.” Twilight, who was sitting across from them, blushed. “Everypony makes mistakes, Princess. Even you. I’m just glad it was fixed before the changelings took over.” The conversation settled into awkward silence for a while, until Discord whispered something in Pinkie’s ear. “I would,” Pinkie laughed, “but we’re pulling into the station now.” True enough, they were. Celestia led the group off the train and towards the center of town. She ushered Herman and Lei-Qo into a tree with a door on it. Stepping inside, the humans noticed it was a library. Twilight and Pinkie walked, or bounced, in Pinkie’s case, into the library behind them. Twilight levitated the radio Betty had given her onto the table. Herman tuned it to the frequency that he and Marshal Nova had agreed upon earlier. “Come in, Tundra,” he spoke into the microphone. “Yes, Herman, I am here,” the Marshal replied. “Are we ready for the meeting?” “Not quite yet,” Princess Celestia said. Sitting down, she spoke to the room at large. “We are still waiting for four of the Bearers of Harmony. As soon as they get here, we can discuss the retaliation.” Throwing open a window, she corrected herself. “Make that three,” she said, as Rainbow crashed into the ground, Twilight throwing her a dirty look. “Can’t you use the front door like a regular pony?” Twilight asked. “Of course I can,” Rainbow said. “I just choose not to. Besides, the others are on their way.” There was a knock at the library’s front door. “That would be them.” Celestia opened the door to reveal the three remaining Bearers standing outside. “Come in,” she told them. “We’re just about to start."