Chapter Eighteen Legion
Rarity's eyes bugged at the sight of the Tower of Equitem. When Battle had described the city of Legion and the great tower at his center it had sounded the most incredible sight one could possibly imagine.
And it did the real thing not one iota of justice.
The Tower of Equitem looked to be as tall as the mountain on which Canterlot was built. It was a mighty, enormous structure of black stone. The top of the tower was lost in the clouds, hidden by a blanket of white. A great banner hung from the tower; the crest of a horses head on a shield, surrounded by stars, that had been stamped onto the Drachmas Battle had shown them. The shield was a brilliant blue, while the head of the horse was a pure white, the stars glittering gold. It was the most amazing sight the girls had ever seen.
And that was only the tower. The city was just as majestic as the tower. The same, sloped tiled roofs they had seen in Century were present here, in an outer ring of the city, along with much taller skyscrapers nearer the center. Ponies ran, walked or stood in the cobbled streets, talking, shopping or just doing. Every so often they caught sight of a troop of soldiers marching up the streets, clad in black and golden armor, wielding elegant and exquisite weaponry.
Battle smiled at the sight. He was home.
"Well I'll be," Applejack muttered. "That there city is twice as big as Canterlot and then some."
"It looks big enough to home everyone in Equestria," Dash said, equally amazed.
"Oh my," Fluttershy whispered. "There's so many ponies... I don't think I can do this, I don't want them all looking at me."
"Relax Fluttershy," Pinkie cried. "It's not like we'll stick or anything. Right?"
"We're with their Prince, Pinkie," Rarity sighed. "Of course we'll stick out."
"We'd stick out anyway," Dash said. "I mean, we're not exactly the most inconspicuous of mares are we?"
"You most certainly aren't," Rarity agreed. "I mean, I don't think we'll see another pegasus with such hair anywhere in Legion."
"She's got a point Dash," Applejack said.
"Yeah yeah, you girls are just jealous."
"Um, Battle what's wrong? I mean if it's okay to ask that is?" Fluttershy whispered.
The others glanced at Battle. The unicorn had been looking out of Legion as they approached, a dark frown on his face.
"This is supposed to be a war footing," he muttered. "And yet... there seems to be the same number of patrols out as usual."
"What're ya thinking?"
"I'm think Tactical is being stupid... as usual," Battle muttered. "Only one way to find out though."
The train came to a screeching halt into the station. No sooner had it came to a stop, Battle flung the door open and swept onto the platform. The train had taken them into the innermost ring of the city, just outside of the military zone that surrounded the tower. Battle didn't feel like walking the three miles into the city center from the outermost station.
As he walked out onto the platform he spotted a familiar unicorn, dressed in the regalia of a General.
"Arson, just pony I wanted to see," Battle cried, striding over to him.
The pony that had been standing at the platform looking bored looked up. His fur was a deep red color, his hair orange and yellow. His deep amber eyes flicked to Battle and widened slightly. His Cutie Mark was a skull, caught in blazing fire.
"Commander!" Arson cried, snapping to attention.
"At ease General," Battle replied. "Now what's happened here then? Warhorse is on a war footing and here you are guarding the train station."
Arson scowled. "Blame your sister."
"What's Tactical done?"
"Well, she was stupid before, but now she's gone stark raving bonkers. Her army consists of every soldier you said was unfit for duty."
Battle's eyes narrowed. "You mean the dark squadron?"
"Aye," Arson sighed.
"There's only a thousand of them."
"I know. You've got to get in there before she botches everything up."
"Don't worry I will," Battle assured as the others came up behind him. Arson noticed and raised an eyebrow.
"Friends of yours?"
"Aye, they came from Equestria."
"Is that where you've been for this time?"
"Yep. And I have news for Veteran that may be of interest to him."
Arson nodded, before saluting the five mares. He turned back to Battle.
"You want an escort?"
"If one can be provided. I don't think Tactical is going to take kindly to this."
"I'll get the other generals. They'll want in on this. Tactical's been snubbing us ever since you vanished and quite frankly, we're sick of it."
"Get to is General."
Arson snapped back to attention before making his way down the street at a brisk jog.
"Friend of yours?" Dash asked.
"Arson was made unicorn general after Clear Shot died," Battle explained. "He's a good pony. We were in the same barracks at the training facility."
"Um, not to be picky," Applejack said. "But that sounded to me like you were gonna storm your own castle."
"The generals are insurance," Battle explained. "I don't expect Tactical to do anything after all. Father will be there at any rate, she won't attempt anything while he's there."
Less than a minute later, Arson was back with two more ponies. A burly earth pony with a fist shaped Cutie Mark, and a slight pegasus with two crossed daggers over a cloud on her cheek.
"Sir!" all three of them said, snapping to salute.
"At ease," Battle replied. "Juggernaut, nice to see you're in shape."
"Thank you sir," the earth pony smiled, revealing missing teeth.
"And Sky Blade, you're looking superb."
"It's what I do sir," the pegasus smiled.
"Right guys listen up," Battle said quickly. "What we're going to do, is we're gonna walk into the military zone, we're gonna stop Tactical from being stupid and we're going to prepare for this war properly. Sound like a plan?"
"Yes sir!" cried the three ponies.
"Then let's get to work," Battle said smiling. He turned to the others. "You may wanna stay at the back."
They nodded. Battle smiled and turned back to his generals. As one they fell into formation, Battle taking the lead, Juggernaut marching to his left, Arson to his right, and Sky took to the air above them. The other five stuck close behind as Battle walked up to the gates that separated the military zone from the rest of the city.
"Open the gate!" Arson roared. "Commander Ready wishes to enter!"
There was a sudden flurry of activity as whoever operated the gate leaped into action. The gates swiftly opened and Battle and his companions swept through. Battle felt the eyes of every pony in the zone upon him, and the sudden flurry of ponies snapping to attention made Battle realize just how few soldiers Tactical was actually taking.
"Where's Tactical?" Battle asked, loudly. Arson pointed to the tower and Battle growled. "She always has a thing for grandeur doesn't she?"
Arson nodded as they stormed towards the great monument at the center of Legion. As they approached Battle heard cries, order being shouted, and messages to be delivered to the king. Battle smiled. Tactical was in for a big surprise.
As they came closer still to the door, Battle heard Tactical's pouting voice, adamantly refusing to believe a word her father said.
"I tell you he is not here! This is some foolish prank caused by those idiot generals of his!"
Juggernaut growled.
"Easy there tough guy," Battle soothed. Tactical wasn't finished yet however.
"Here. I shall prove to you all he is not here! I shall open this door and reveal to you, nothing."
Battle smiled as he strode up the marble steps to the door. He heard Tactical's footsteps on the other side, and heard her begin to push the doors open.
"You see?" she cried, flinging the door open and turning to the people within. "Nothing here!"
"Hey sis!"
He couldn't help it. Seeing Tactical freeze up like the way she did, watching her turn in horror... it was a priceless moment.
"What'd I miss?" Battle asked, smiling slyly.