//------------------------------// // Chapter Sixteen: Meeting of the Minds // Story: Battle Ready // by D101 Reviews //------------------------------// Chapter Sixteen: Meeting of the Minds "... Sometime before he gets better..." said a voice. Battle's eye twitched, his head throbbing like a bass drum. "... Sure he's gonna be okay?" another voice asked. His body felt like lead and his eyelids even heavier. "... Wondering about Twilight?" a third, pain wracked voice demanded from the others. Everything in his body hurt. His nerves felt like they were on fire, and his head felt like it was about to explode. "You are not the only one here worried about Twilight!" the second voice shouted at the third. Battle groaned and shifted his head slightly. "Hey! He moved!" another voice shrieked, her voice corkscrewing straight to center of Battle's migraine. There was the sound of movement, and Battle became acutely aware of someone leaning over his head. "Battle? You okay buddy?" the first voice asked. It took Battle's pain fogged brain a second to place who it belonged to. It took slightly longer to respond. "Do... I... look... okay... Shining?" Battle croaked, managing to crack open one eye, to allow Shining Armour's face to come swimming into view. "No, seriously... do I look okay? I feel bucking awful... for all I know I could be looking peachy." Shining's worried expression was alleviated slightly as he looked up at someone else. "He's okay... ish." "Thanks for the vote of confidence," Battle murmured. He felt some feeling other than agony return to his arms. With a considerable amount of effort, Battle propped himself up on his elbows. "You should probably lie back down you know," said a voice from behind him. Battle tried to twist his neck around and confront whoever suggested it, but the pain was still too intense. "Fluttershy I can't move my head so if we're gonna talk, you're gonna have to come where I can see you," Battle muttered. Fluttershy moved around to Battle's face and smiled weakly. "How are you feeling?" she asked. "Like I've been stood on by a dragon," Battle grumbled. "Actually no, scratch that, being stood on by a dragon is much worse than this." "You've been stood on by a dragon?" Fluttershy repeated, eyes wide. "Don't ask," Battle grunted. He noticed he was lying on a stretcher in the bloodied remnants of clothes Rarity had once made for him. "Where's my armor?" "Oh, um, Shining took it away," Fluttershy whispered. "Said it was damaged beyond repair." Battle sighed. "Oh my, was it important to you?" Fluttershy asked. "Twentieth birthday present," Battle muttered. "Surprised I never grew out of it actually." Battle grunted as he pushed himself to his feet, the pain slowly ebbing away. "No no no no," Fluttershy objected. "You need to lie down and rest. If you don't rest you'll never get better." "Relax Fluttershy," Shining said as he came over. "Warhorse ponies are made of stronger stuff. Right Battle?" "Aye," Battle agreed. "Still... bucking hurts." He looked at Shining. He in turn looked to Fluttershy who gave a small squeak and rushed away to the others. Shining sighed, his weariness showing. "How's the town looking?" Battle asked. "It's looking good," Shining said smiling slightly. "There is some damage from the initial attack and Sugar Cube Corner is almost destroyed, but you did good Battle. You managed to keep damages to a minimum." "Any pony hurt?" "Nope, collateral damage was non-existent... although..." "What?" Battle demanded. "Rainbow Dash is looking a little beat up," Shining admitted. "Its just a broken wrist, nothing too serious. I'm surprised she doesn't have worse. According to the others she tried to rush Wrath." "Brave pegasus," Battle commented. "Foolish, but brave." "Agreed." Battle rested his hand on Shining's shoulder. "We'll find her. I promise you." Shining smiled. "Twily's a tough one. She won't be beaten down so easy by some cloud of smoke." They both knew it was false bravado. They both knew that Wrath could easily rip Twilight to pieces if he so wished. Battle had been a soldier long enough to see how scared Shining truly was for his sister. Battle felt that ever familiar pang of guilt tug at his heart. "I'm, sorry Shining," Battle muttered. Shining looked at him, startled, then angry. "Look I know what's going through your head okay?" Shining snapped at him. "You had no idea that Wrath was going to break loose, no inclination he was going to follow you, and buck it Battle, you did your best to keep her safe. I don't blame you for anything." Battle smiled slightly. "Thanks Shining." "I mean it. Don't make me sock you one." Battle laughed, partly because he knew Shining would do it. He stiffened slightly before groaning in pain, rubbing his shoulder. "It's a wonder you're still in one piece the amount of tumbles you take," Shining commented. "Like you said. Warhorse ponies, made of tougher stuff." "Unless that tougher stuff is diamond I don't buy it," Shining muttered. "Please, diamond looks at me and wishes it was harder." Battle and Shining laughed together, as one of the soldiers approached Shining. "Yes?" Shining asked, wiping an imaginary tear from his eye. "This just came from Princess Celestia," the soldier said, handing a rolled up scroll to Shining. The unicorn took it and dismissed the soldier, before unraveling the parchment. His eyes scanned the page before his rolled the scroll up and turned to Battle. "Royal council, Canterlot. One hour." "One hour to make myself look presentable?" Battle smirked. "I thought battle scars were a sigh of honor?" Shining rebuked. "You really want your wife to see me like this? Victoriam knows what she'll think happened here." Shining laughed. "Why didn't you come to the wedding anyway? We sent you the invite." "Tactical wanted to go as my plus one," Battle growled. "We didn't send you a plus one." "Exactly, but would she listen? No. Of curse not. Because she's Tactical." Battle's eyes widened in sudden horror. "Please tell me she's not coming to the council!" "Not to my knowledge," Shining smiled. "I think we had a lucky escape this time." Battle let out a sigh of relief. "Good... good." Shining smile shrank slightly, before he turned to his fellow guards. "We need a royal escort. Prepare a carriage for travel and inform the bearers of the Elements of Harmony." Battle raised an eyebrow but didn't comment. A medical pony came to his side, a weak, slightly terrified smile on his face. "I'm not that intimidating am I?" Battle asked, smiling slightly. The pony shook his head. Battle sighed. "Go send another pony if you prefer. Nurse Red-Heart if you can, she knows me." The pony nodded and dashed away. Battle had a niggling suspicion that he wasn't going to find Red-Heart. He shrugged, winced and looked down over himself. Rarity was going to have a fit. "I don't see how we get to come to this, Royal Council meetin'," Applejack said nervously as the carriage flew towards Canterlot. "I think the Princess trusts you five almost as much as she trusts Twilight," Shining said, Twilight's crown resting on his lap. "I think Celestia's gonna hand my flank to me," Battle muttered. "If Wrath hadn't already." "I swear to Celestia, I'll hand your flank to you if you don't stop beating yourself up about that," Shining growled. "Yeah, seeing as how I don't really swear to Celestia that doesn't really seem like much of a threat," Battle smirked. "Well then who do ya swear to?" Applejack asked. "Victoriam, Goddess of Victory," Battle said. "Our most important and celebrated deity." "Figures," Dash said. "Maybe I should start worshiping Warhorse Gods too? Sounds like fun." "Victoriam is tied to Verecundiae, God of Modesty," Battle said. "To receive the benefits of one, you must first practice the art of the other." "Eh, sounds boring." "And this Dash is why you would never last in the Warhorse military," Battle said. "I just hope that all of the clothing in Warhorse is as fabulous as your armor," Rarity exclaimed wistfully. "Not all of it. That armor was specially crafted for me as a twentieth birthday present. It was designed specifically to suit my immediate needs, as well as protect me. The enchantments that allow it to change form like the way you saw earlier were cast by the best smiths in all of Legion." "Legion?" "Capital city of Warhorse." Battle leaned back into his seat, smiling slightly at the memories. "The fortress city at the heart of the Warhorse Empire. And at its center stands the mighty Tower of Equitem. The absolute symbol of Warhorse and its might. That tower has stood for thousands of years. A monument to the timeless and eternal resilience of my people." "It sounds amazing," Fluttershywhispered. "Oh it is," Battle smiled. "When I was a foal, we used to believe that the tower brushed the lowest clouds." "And does it?" Dash asked. "Its high enough that on a cloudy day, a pegasus could step from one of the highest windows of the tower onto the clouds." "Cool," Dash breathed. "Do you party? What are they like?" Pinkie demanded. Battle laughed. "On the days we return home from a victorious campaign, we have feasts fit for a king in the halls beneath Equitem. And the music would play, and the mead would flow." "Mead?" Applejack said, wrinkling her nose. "A very strong drink made in Warhorse," Battle explained. "And banned in Equestria," Shining elaborated. "So that's how you beat me!" Dash accused. "You're used to drinking much stronger drinks." "Guilty as charged," Battle said smiling. "Perhaps I'll send you a barrel as penance Rainbow?" "Awesome," Dash smiled. "Yes, very... awesome," Rarity agreed. "So... you're currency are those, drachmas yes?" Battle laughed. "Warhorse has gold coming out of its ears Rarity if that's what you're asking." "Oh what a simply wonderful place!" Rarity exclaimed. "I wish I could see it." "Yeah, don't get your hopes too high. There isn't that much when it comes to nobility in Legion. Not like Fancy Pants or ponies like in Canterlot at any rate." "Speaking of Caterlot," Shining said, glancing out the window. "We're coming in for a landing." Applejack turned to Battle. "Ah don't get it. Legion sounds like just about the most amazing place you could live and as you're the Prince, you practically own the joint." "And, what's not to get?" Battle asked. "Why leave?" Battle bit his lip. "Unfortunately for you Applejack, you're going to find out." The council was held in a secluded chamber in one of the high towers of Canterlot Castle. The chamber itself was not that impressive. There were no decorations, no fancy architecture. The high, domed ceiling was thrown into shadows, as the only light came from the single window set into one wall. A round table was set in the middle of the room, capable of seating maybe two dozen ponies. There were two, over-sized seats sitting side-by-side, clearly designed for Celestia and Luna. Battle had seen this room several times. It always felt familiar somehow. The seven of them were the first ponies to arrive. The guards saluted Shining Armor and left to patrol the corridor outside. "For a Royal Council Chamber, it doesn't look very royal," Rarity muttered. "Appearances don't matter when you're discussing issues like this," Shining said, pulling up a seat. Battle followed suit, pulling his seat out much further and kicking his feet up onto the table. "Are you sure you should be doing that?" Applejack asked. "Celestia doesn't care," Battle replied. "How are you so calm?" Dash demanded. "Don't you care about Twilight?" Battle's eyes turned hard. "Ponies have many different ways with dealing with stress Rainbow Dash," he said, his voice low. "However most ponies haven't been in command of an army since they were thirteen. Given that I have I think I function better under stress than I do normally, but don't you dare take my calm persona as I sign that I am any less worried about Twilight than anyone in this room." Dash cowed under the look Battle gave her, hiding her face in her mane in a very Fluttershy like gesture. Battle sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose. The five mares looked at each other before each of them took a seat next to each other, nervously looking around the room. Applejack decided to break the silence. "So, um, ya'll been here before?" she asked Battle. "Several times," Battle replied. "Oh, is this where you and Twilight used to have diplomatic relations?" Dash asked, trying to reassert some bravado. "No, this is where Celestia would ask my council on more... controversial issues," Battle replied. "I thought Twilight was your liaison to Equestia?" Rarity stated. "She is. Doesn't mean Celestia didn't ask for my help. Ain't that right Shining?" The other ponies all looked at Twilight's brother. He tilted his head slightly. "There are certain issues that Celestia would seek the opinions of a more... militarized mind for," Shining admitted. "During those times she would request my presence and Battle's to discuss those matters." "Why'd she need you, if she had Battle?" Dash asked. "She needed someone to interpret Battle's ideas for her," Shining said. "And she thought I could learn a thing or two from a Warhorse warrior." "And did you?" Fluttershy whispered. Shining barked a laugh. "I could watch Battle a thousand times over and I wouldn't know how he does what he does. You can't replicate somepony else's destiny." "A destiny that clearly left him in a rather sticky position." Discord appeared in flash of light, sitting in a chair beside Shining. "What are you doing here?" Applejack demanded. "Don't think you're the only non-royals who come to these meetings," Discord said, folding his arms in indignation. "I've been coming to these Royal Council Meetings ever since my reformation, thank you very much." "It's true he has," Battle said, shrugging his shoulders. "And you're just fine with that?" Applejack asked. "I am, I don't think Shining is," Battle said. "And another thing!" Discord cried, his neck stretching out and leaning over Battle. "I am not some mailpony. I won't deliver your messages whenever you're in trouble." Battle patted the side of Discord's face. "Keep telling yourself that D." Discord growled before returning to his usual position. "I thought Fluttershy was the only one who could really control Discord," Dash whistled in appreciation. "How'd you do it?" "It's not really control its more a lack of reaction," Battle replied. "Discord thrives off of the reactions he gets from the chaos he makes. If he doesn't get a reaction, why cause the chaos?" A bowling ball appeared above Battle's head. Before anyone could react, Battle's hand came up and caught it, milliseconds before it hit. With lazy movement, he threw the ball at Discord, where it turned into a rubber-chicken and landed on the table. Discord, looked peeved. "See?" The doors opened once again and Princess Celestia walked in, followed by Princess Luna and Cadance. Cadance ran to her husband's side and wrapped her arms around him, burying her face in his neck, smiling sweetly. Shining reciprocated the motion, smiling just as sweetly. Battle made a small gagging noise. Cadance looked up, noticing him and her eyes widened in shock at the sight of him. "What the Tartarus happened to you?" she gasped. "Feet off the table Battle," Luna said as she walked around to her seat. Battle swung his legs and down. While he was friends with most of Equestria's royalty, he made special efforts to ensure he didn't upset Luna. The poor mare had been through enough in her lifetime Battle reasoned. "I return to my previous question," Cadance said, sitting down on the other side of Shining. "What happened?" "All in good time Cadance," Celestia said as she sat down. "Now, the reason I have called this meeting is simple. It is a response to the recent attack on Ponyville. While I'm sure either Shining Armour of Battle Ready could provide an in depth military report, I believe it best we allow Princess Twilight-" "That may be a problem Celestia," Battle said slowly and quietly. Celestia looked at him sharply. Battle avoided her gaze and nodded to Shining Armour. The stallion bowed his head and lifted Twilight's crown on to the table. "May I suggest a change to the purpose of this meeting?" Battle said quietly. "Like, how to respond to the kidnapping of Twilight Sparkle?" Celestia stared blankly at Twilight's crown for several moments before she cleared her throat and nodded. "Yes... I think that would be most appropriate." She turned her gaze to Battle. "I assume what happened in Ponyville comes under your area of expertise?" Battle nodded. "Then you have our complete attention." Battle nodded again and got to his feet. He began to walk around the table, his horn glowing all the while. At each of the four cardinal points, he left a single glowing sphere of silver light. When he was finished, his horn glowed again, and the shutters on the window closed. The room was left in darkness aside from Battle's glowing spheres. "Allow me to tell you a story," Battle said softly. "Oh, I love stories! Is there popcorn?" "Pinkie." "Sorry." Battle sighed. "This goes against some very old and very important Warhorse customs," he said. Then paused. "But then again I already broke those customs when I told Twilight so I got nothing else to lose." The glowing spheres shone brighter. Strings of light shot from each, creating an intricate web of silver light, that came together to create an image. Seven, regal looking warriors dressed in the most elegant of armors. Three of them were unicorns. Two were pegasus. Two were earth-ponies. All of them looked powerful and imposing. "This is the story of how Warhorse was founded," Battle said. "Please hold your questions until the end of the tale." All ponies nodded. Even Discord was looking intrigued. Battle waved his hand and the image started to move. "Many thousands of years ago..." "And the armies returned to that first nation they conquered, awaiting the day The Sins returned." Battle finished his tale and looked at the gathered ponies. They looked back at him. Battle returned his attention to the image he had created. A memory of his own. A conjured image of Legion in the earliest years of the Warhorse Empire, sketched for the history books many years ago. "Cut to present day," Battle said, waving his hand. An image leered out at them. A terrifying image, pulled straight from Battle's nightmares. Rarity shrieked, Dash yelped and Fluttershy ducked under the table. Pinkie gave a nervous chuckle and Applejack gave a cry of alarm. Celestia's eyes widened in horror and Luna's narrowed in distrust. Cadance leaned into Shining and even Discord seemed slightly disturbed by the lurid details of the face before them. It was a twisted, evil thing. Something between a pony and a dragon. Large, slit like pupils with blood red irises glowered maliciously at them. Hideous, blood coated scales lined the surface of its face like armored plating, pieces of gore stuck in between interlocking pieces. Long, vicious teeth protruded from it's long mouth. "What is that?" Celestia asked at last. "The Beast," Battle replied. "The Face of Wrath. The Monster Within. We have many names for what this creature is in Warhorse. Simply put, this is Wrath's true shape." "It's hideous," Rarity cried. "I thought you said that The Sins were imprisoned thousands of years ago," Shining said. "How could you possibly know what his true form looks like?" "Wrath escaped," Battle replied. "Two years ago, the Gates of Wrath opened to unleash this monstrosity." Battle gave a smile that appeared almost evil in the light he cast. "But we were waiting for him. An army ten-thousand strong marched onto the ice fields that day and fought The Sin head on." Battle sighed and hung his head. "I alone was to return." Battle's eye twitched and he exhaled. "It was a tactical error on my part," Battle said simply. "In order to reach Wrath before he could do any damage, I pushed my fellow warriors too hard on the journey. So eager were they to follow orders they never questioned me. By the time we marched onto the battlefield we were already weary and worn." He sat down. "And now it appears Wrath has been unleashed again." "Why come to Equestria though?" Applejack asked. "Yeah, wouldn't he want to get even with Warhorse?" Dash asked. "He wants to get even," Battle agreed. "But not with Warhorse. With me." "How'd ya mean?" Applejack asked. "He sees my survival as a personal insult," Battle explained. "That's why he came to Equestria. He was after me." "And Twilight is what?" Dash said. "According to Wrath, a trophy," Battle growled. "He took Twilight and attacked Ponyville just to piss me off." He sighed and rested his head on his hand. "That is the situation," Battle finished meekly, waving his hand. The orbs of light dissipated an the shutters opened with a bang. "We have essentially a God from the beginning of time holding Twilight hostage in kingdom that has long since been overrun by Windigos." The room was deathly silent for the longest time. Even Pinkie was still. "You're loving every minute of this aren't you," Celestia said with a knowing smile. "You have no idea," Battle replied, smiling back. Luna laughed and Celestia turned to Shining. "How soon can you prepare an appropriate army for an rescue mission of this caliber?" she asked. "A day or two at least," Shining said. "More than enough time for me to get back to Legion," Battle stated. "I trust I'm bearing letters from the sun?"Celestia hastily scribbled a letter onto a scroll and handed it to Battle. He looked over the message, nodded and rolled it up, slipping it into the belt loop of his jeans, given that his pockets were now ruined. "Um, what's going on?" Applejack asked. "Well my dear Applejack," Celestia said smiling. "We're preparing to get Twilight back of course." "And kick some flank while we're at it," Battle said smiling, getting to his feet and rolling his neck. "In short, we're preparing all out war with Wrath," Shining said. There was a moment's pause. "That sounds awesome," said Dash, beaming like a little filly.