Chapter Four: Equestria
"This is Equestria?" Sky Blade asked as she stepped off of the gang plank.
"Yep," Battle said.
"Permission to set up a permanent outpost here sir?"
"Denied General. We have a job to do remember?"
"Yes sir," Sky sighed dejectedly.
"Can we get this over with?" Tactical growled.
"This is not a simple arrive, talk a bit, leave Tactical," Battle replied. "You know why we're here and Celetia is expecting us at Canterlot before the day's end."
"That could be indefinite given she chooses when the day ends," Tactical grumbled.
"Get on the damn train."
"There's a word missing there," Tactical muttered as the group walked through the beach town the had moored at.
"Oh yes how silly of me," Battle gasped in mock realisation. "I meant to say; 'Get on the damn train now.'"
Juggernaut couldn't help but laugh as Tactical's face burned in shame.
"Oh come on, it was a joke," Battle sighed. "Are you going to be angry with me for the whole time we're in Equestria?"
"Are you going to relive your claim on the throne?"
"No."
"Then yes I'm going to be angry with you forever how long we're here."
Battle rolled his eyes as they approached the train station. As they reached the ticket booth Battle patted down his pockets, nose wrinkled in frustration.
"Oh come on I know I brought it with me," he grumbled,
"What?" Tactical sighed.
"Bag o' bits."
"I beg your pardon?"
"My bag of bits," Battle repeated. "The currency here in Equestria."
Tactical stared at him.
"You're going to pay for a ticket?"
"No."
"Oh you have sense then."
"More so than you considering I'm paying for all of us."
Tactical looked at him incredulously. "We are royalty for buck's sake! Why should we pay for a ticket?"
Battle looked at her with an expression that simple screamed 'Are you serious?'
"I'm paying for tickets because while we are taking the train, we do not have to. We're using this means of transportation for the sake of time and convenience. So, seeing as we are using this public system for our own benefit, I figured we may as well support the economic growth of Equestria while we're here. Aha! Got you ya little bastard!"
Battle withdrew a leather pouch about the size of his fist. He opened it up and tipped the contents into his hand as he approached the booth. He glanced back at his fellows.
"We all know what our jobs are?" he asked. They nodded, Tactical sighing dejectedly as she did. Battle ignored her and purchased the tickets for himself and his fellows. He handed each one out to their intended recipient. When Sky received hers however, a small frown flickered across her face. A look which did not escape Battle. "Something the matter Sky?"
"I should be coming with you sir," she mumbled. "You should be protected at all times."
Battle raised a sceptical eyebrow. "Sky, I'm in Equestria. Not only that, I'll still have some of the best soldiers Warhorse has to keep my back and, to top it all off, have you forgotten what I'm capable of?"
"No sir," Sky replied quickly.
"Then you'll know I'm well protected," Battle replied.
"It's not that," Sky sighed. Battle smiled as the penny dropped.
"Look I know you think you deserve a better position but I need someone I trust to do this job Sky," Battle explained. "I'm trusting you with something I feel is just as important as what we're doing in Canterlot."
"Babysitting?" Sky grumbled. Then she gasped in pain.
"I am not a baby," said a small voice.
Battle looked down with an admonishing stare.
"Blueprint," he said sternly. The young colt standing there bowed his head in slight shame under Battle's gaze. He scratched the back of his head, brushing his black mane, navy blue eyes shining with innocence and intelligence. Battle's expression softened as he saw the smudge of food at the edge of his mouth, staining his pale grey fur. He knelt down and licked his thumb before wiping the mark clean.
"First of all, don't kick my general," Battle said, leaning on one knee. "Secondly, I know you aren't a baby, it's an expression. And finally, keep food in your mouth, 'kay?"
"'Kay," Blueprint agreed. Battle smiled and ruffled the young colt's hair.
"Now, you be a good boy while you're in Ponyville and behave for Sky until I'm back from Canterlot. Okay li'l bro?"
"Yes Battle," Blueprint sighed, eyes rolling but smiling nonetheless. Battle straightened up and looked at Sky.
"I need someone to keep him out of trouble," Battle reiterated. "And out of you three you're the only one he'll behave for." His eyes turned to Merciless. "And the only one who won't encourage him."
Juggernaut blushed and rubbed the back of his head. A whistle sounded across the station and a cry went out.
"That's your train," Battle said. "Hop to it General."
"Yes sir," Sky said, picking Blueprint up under the armpits and lifting him a few inches off the ground before she flew down the station and disappeared from sight.
"I don't see why father made us bring him," Tactical muttered.
"The same reason he made me bring you," Battle snapped. "And besides out of the two of you, in a crisis Blueprint is more useful than you so I'd keep quiet if I were you sis."
Tactical stuck her tongue out as the group made their way to their own train. Arson itched his shoulder, the fingers of his other hand resting against each other, ready ignite should something happen. Battle knew he wan't doing it on purpose. It was training. Indeed, every one of Battle's group seemed to be even more wary. Battle knew that was partially his fault. He had insisted everyone was dressed in civilian clothing, and that any weapons they did bring were to be discrete. In short, his troops were feeling exposed.
Battle of course wasn't. He had lived in Equestria for several months during his self imposed exile, and during that time he had learnt that the only threats were the ones he had brought with him. The only thing Battle had to worry about now was the Sin that was about to be reawakened and the mad cult that worshipped it and no doubt hated his guts.
Another day at the office.
The ride to Canterlot had been a comfortable one. For Battle at least. Merciless had been patrolling up and down the train since it had left the station, his eyes glowering at each passenger as if he expected one of them to pull a knife on him. Juggernaut had received some very bizarre stares from the others ponies in the carriage, causing him to squirm uncomfortably. Due to a lack of seating, Arson had been forced to sit next to Tactical, an arrangement clearly neither of them were happy about. The other soldiers were restless. Being in unfamiliar territory was always nerve-racking for a soldier, no matter who they were.
This was not unfamiliar territory for Battle however. He smiled as he remembered his first time to Equestria...
Battle tugged at the chain-mail that clung to his neck. This formal armour was perhaps the most irratating of any he was ever forced to wear. Why his father insisted on it during his diplomatic summits he would never know. Still he could see the meaning behind this particular visit. This was the first time that he would attend a summit with an Equestrian ruler. In previous years his father and the Equestrian ruler Princess Celestia would discuss these matters. However with Battle having turned eighteen barely a month prior, Veteran Centurian believed it to be high time for Battle to become involved in some more mature issues.
While Battle would have much preferred to have spent this time with his fellow soldiers and pushing them through their paces he could see the reasoning in his father's logic. If Battle was going to be king one day, he would have to act like it. He hoped he would make a good first impression on the rulers of Equestria.
The door opened and Battle got to his feet in respect as a herald stepped through and stood by the door.
"Announcing, princess Celestia of Equestria!" he called as a tall, elegant alicorn stepped through, her white fur and wings practically radiating their own light, her long, prismatic mane and tail flowing like water. She smiled as she saw Battle and inclined her head. Battle returned the gesture, snapping to attention as he did so.
"Thank you gentlemen, that will be all," Celestia said to her entourage. the guards nodded and stepped back out of the room, the door swinging shut behind them.
"A pleasure to meet you at last Celestia," Battle said as he and Celestia sat at opposite ends of the table. "I have heard many things from my father about you."
"I was just about to say the same thing," Celestia replied. "Your father speaks very highly of you, though he did not mention you were quite so young."
"Why thank you," Battle said, inclining his head. "You don't look bad yourself."
Celestia gave a small chuckle.
"I understand also," Battle said slowly, "That this year is this thousandth anniversary of the Summer Sun Celebration?"
"Why yes it is," Celestia replied. "Your father told you?"
"Yes," Battle answered. "I believe he attended the ceremony one year?"
"He was the guest of honour four years ago."
"I would sincerely wish to see such a momentous occasion," Battle sighed. "Unfortunately whenever I try and attend something manages to come up. Some uprising or cry for help that will take me away from Legion for a few months and by the time I return the day has passed."
"The opposite to my own dear student," Celestia commented. "Whenever I try and persuade her to leave that library of hers she delves in deeper into those books."
"My father mentioned you had a pupil," Battle said, raising and eyebrow.
"Twilight Sparkle yes. A gifted unicorn, though a bit of a social recluse if I do say so myself. Hopefully one day I shall make a change to such behaviours."
Battle raised an eyebrow. "You have a plan for her?"
"Of course. I have never met a unicorn with such raw power. I expect great things from Twilight Sparkle."
Battle smiled. "That I do not doubt."
"Wake up idiot!"
Battle opened an eye as Tactical smacked him around the back of his head. The blow was weak, and even if it had been stronger, Battle knew no strike of his sister's would cause him any harm. Still it had been sufficient to wake him from his light slumber.
His blue eyes flickered over to the window and saw that they had arrived in Canterlot.
"Must've been asleep longer than I thought," he mumbled, pushing himself to his feet. He noted most of the people in the carriage had already disembarked and he, Tactical and Arson were the only ones left.
"The others have gone on ahead to make sure the platform is safe," Arson explained.
"Merciless' orders?"
"Yes sir."
"Fair enough," Battle shrugged as the three of them stepped from the train to the platform.
"It's an interesting place Canterlot," Arson commented. "Sort of... relaxed."
"I thought the same when I came here for the first time," Battle nodded. "Equestria is a more laid back place."
"Comes with the years of peace I assume," Arson said as the three joined the other members of their party.
"It's lazy you mean," Tactical grunted.
"Because you're one to talk about hard work," Battle snorted with a derisive laugh.
"To the castle then?" Tactical growled. "I don't want to be standing here all day waiting for the escort."
"The escort is already here," Battle replied, nodding to two ponies coming down the platform, raising his hand to wave in greeting.
Shining Armour was walking towards them, dressed in the silver and golden plated armour of the Crystal Empire. beside him, was another pony. A tall pegasus with pale green fur and feathers, dressed in the purple and golden armour that marked her as Captain of the Canterlot Royal Guard.
"Passed the torch on at last eh Shining?" Battle said, stepped to great his friend with a shake of hands.
"It seemed the best choice yeah," Shining replied, smiling back, before turning to his replacement. "This is Captain Daisy Cutter."
"A pleasure to make your acquaintance Captain," Battle said, stretching his hand out to the mare.
"Likewise your majesty," she replied, her voice cool and sharp, but her yellowish eyes wide in awe and admiration. Battle noted her Cutie Mark was a white shield with a pair of folded yellow wings over it. Shining on the other hand, noted the severe lack of soldiers.
"This your army?" he asked.
"The advanced guard," Battle corrected. "More shall be arriving within the week depending on our meeting." He looked around. "But this is not the best talk for now is it?"
"Yes of course," Shining replied nodding. "To the castle?"
"Where else?"