Chapter One

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"I suppose it is rather fortuitous that you arrived then," Mayor Mare said as she looked over her glasses at the unicorn sitting opposite her. "The Golden Oak Library is in need of a caretaker while Princess Twilight is away."

"I have to say I'm grateful for your consideration Miss Mare," replied the unicorn, smiling gently. "Though I can't help but wonder why you don't select a pony perhaps more qualified than myself."

"Alas they're aren't that many Pony's willing to supervise over the library," she said sighing slightly. "They're... intimidated by the fact that the library is practically Twilight's castle. And those that aren't I can hardly trust to look over the library with great care, or are already in full time employment."

"I see," the unicorn said nodding. "What makes you so certain you can trust the library with me then?"

Mayor Mare blinked. "I am... uncertain. Something about you just makes you seem... trustworthy."

"Definitely not my Cutie Mark I assume," he chuckled.

Mayor Mare's eyes flicked to the mark on his cheek. The white skull emblazoned on a black shield.

"Well," she said slowly. "The skull is rather worrying but shield Cutie Marks are often the signs of guardians or protectors. If there's one more pair of eyes watching Ponyville's back I can't see anything wrong with that."

"I better be getting paid for policing the streets if that's what you're asking for," he joked. She laughed and picked up his application forms, tapping them into alignment.

"We'll see," she said, setting them down again. "Everything checks out. Unless there's anything else you'd like to add you can start straight away."

He shifted uncomfortably in his seat for a moment, before looking at Mayor Mare, brushing his black mane from his eyes. "I need to ask you a favour Miss Mare." He nudged the larger of the two bags that lay at his feet. "And it concerns the contents of this bag."

"I see," she said slowly. "And what exactly would you like to ask me about your own personal possessions?"

"Is there anywhere I can keep them?" he asked. "Somewhere where a passing pony wouldn't be able to find them."

She raised an eyebrow at the request.

"Any particular reason you wouldn't want to keep them on your person?" she asked.

"These aren't the sort of possessions one leaves lying around let's put it like that," Battle said. "I guess you could say that these are the tools I don't use very often. They're also of some extreme... personal value so I would like them safe."

Mayor Mare tapped her fingers together, her face formed into a thoughtful expression. She seemed to wrestle with some kind of huge internal decision. It was not uncommon for ponies to put valuable items under her trust, but they were often items of extreme financial worth. It was extremely odd that this unicorn would like to place his tools into her care. Still, she had a duty to the residents of Ponyville and she would see to it that whatever was in that bag was kept safe until such a time as its owner needed it.

"I suppose we could keep them in the city vault," she said slowly. "Just so long as they're nothing dangerous."

"I can assure you Miss Mayor that, like most tools these items are perfectly safe without a pony to use them," he said, a cold touch to the edge of his smile.

Mayor Mare shifted uncomfortably as a cold shiver ran up her spine. "Well then it should be perfectly acceptable for us to look after them for you."

The cold edge to his smile disappeared, becoming more warm and friendly. "Thank you."

"You're most welcome. Now there is of course the matter of your pay."

"My favourite word in the Equestrian language," he joked.

"Quite. You'll be paid eight bits, ten parts an hour for every hour the library is open and fully functioning. Twilight usually opened the library at nine o'clock in the morning and didn't close it 'til eight at night. You may keep these opening hours or you may edit them as you see fit. Be certain to tell me whenever you make such a change of course.

"Of course ma'am."

"Excellent. The library is often shut on Sunday's, but you can open your doors to whomever you see fit whenever you wish as the library also serves as your place of residence. You should receive your pay on Sundays as well... providing they arrive on time."

"Why wouldn't they?"

Mayor Mare sighed. "Unfortunately Golden Oaks Library falls under the delivery route of... Derpy Hooves."

"Who?"

"Oh, a delightfully pleasant pegasus pony. She's a wonderful wonderful mare... she just doesn't have the best sense of direction in the world."

"So when you say my pay won't arrive on time, you mean it'll most likely be caught up in somepony else's mail?"

"That pretty much sums it up."

"Well this should lead to some interesting encounters," he said with a slight smile.

"Quite."

She reached under her desk and set a small pouch on the desk between them. He reached for it and took it into his grasp. The slight chink of metal on metal told him what may lay inside.

"This small amount of funds should ensure you don't have any discomfort for your first week," Mayor Mare said, confirming his suspicions. "Twilight said she left the kitchen's fully stocked so there might not be any need for the extra bits so long as you use moderation."

"Understood," he said, slipping the money into his pocket.

"You won't be expected to return the money to me until the end of the month at the earliest," she said. He raised an eyebrow at this.

"Month? How long is Twilight going to be gone for?"

"According to Princess Celestia she should be gone for several months at least," Mayor Mare explained. "She's studying some archaeological site in Zebrika. What for I know not but I do know she took her assistant Spike with her."

"Zebrika eh? Sounds pretty exotic."

"Oh it is!" Mayor Mare exclaimed. "I have often wished to visit such far off countries, especially Zebrika. Such a wonderful country, that rich culture, that unique history. Sadly I have been unable to find time to leave Ponyville and whenever I do something comes up to keep me here. Have you ever been to Zebrika?"

The instant he heard the question a rush of memories came rushing back to him. The scalding heat of the sun on his back and of the sand at his feet. The hot desert winds that blew dust and dirt into his face and eyes. The cold and terrible nights. The feeling of steel cutting his flesh...

"Once," he whispered and Mayor Mare's face lit up. "But it was during the civil war. I didn't see much there except sand and suffering."

"Oh," she said softly, her smile disappearing. Then her features perked up again. "But the civil war was years ago. The country must be in much more stable position now than it was then surely?"

"Oh most definitely," he agreed.

Mayor Mare picked up his application forms again, tapping them into alignment on her desk before setting them down. She took out a rubber stamp from its inkwell. After making sure the rubber base was sufficiently covered in blue ink, she stamped it onto each one his papers and handed them back to him. He noticed that the blue ink said 'Application Approved' in big, blue, bold lettering.

He placed them in the front pouch of his rucksack, the smaller of his two bags, before standing up and slinging it onto one, broad shoulder. He nodded to Mayor Mare, before extending his hand out to hers.

"A pleasure to meet you Miss Mayor," he proclaimed. She took his hand and shook it vigorously.

"And to you sir," she smiled. "I'm glad I could be of assistance."

His grin widened at that before he turned on his heel and began to walk out of the office. Just as his hand grasped the door handle Mayor Mare stood up and called after him: "One more thing!"

He did a double take and turned to her. "Yes?"

She readjusted her glasses before she spoke. "Welcome to Ponyville Battle Ready."

He smiled: "Thank you Miss Mayor. I have a feeling I'm going to like it here."

Chapter Two

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Battle Ready pushed the door to the Golden Oak's Library open with a light shove from his shoulder. He looked around and raised a black eyebrow at what he saw. The first floor was nearly dominated by a single circular room, carved into the wood. Shelves had also been made into the wood of the tree as carved niches to house the library's many books. Two doors led off to different rooms beyond the library itself, and a wide staircase hugged the walls. Near the back was a solid looking desk, upon which lay several scattered papers.

Deciding to check his new home before opening up shop, Battle set his rucksack down by the front door and made his way to the door that stood behind the desk. Upon opening it he discovered it led into a further extension of the library; a second, slightly smaller room with more books, although these were slightly dusty and appeared to be advanced magical studies of some variety or another. After casting his eyes around the room he closed the door and moved to the other doorway across the library.

Upon opening this door, he uncovered access to the kitchen. A small room with only the bare essentials, but plenty of storage space for food and ingredients. A quick rummage around the cupboards and cabinets revealed that Mayor Mare had been correct in assuming Twilight had left the kitchen fully stocked. The only downside was that she had left it stocked for her particular diet. He gave a twisted frown at the sight of so many flowers and grass substances. He'd definitely need to go shopping later in the day. At least there were raspberries and celery he could survive on for a few days.

Closing the last cupboard, he turned on the spot to see a door he hadn't noticed before. Intrigued, he walked over to it and pulled it open. A staircase leading down greeted him. Eyebrow raised, he descended, hand trailing against the wooden wall to his right.

The basement beneath the library was larger than both the rooms above combined. A collection of junk lay around the edges of the enclosed space, with some old dusty boxes shoved out of the way. The closer Battle got to the ground, the more he saw. Some old, metallic equipment was hidden away in the shadows. Symbols that had been carved onto pieces of stone tablet and wooden slats lay in dusty cobwebs. Ancient books and texts lay hidden in plain sight. The only clean thing in the jumble lay at the back of the room.

A display box. A glass display box on a wooden plinth. Within he could plainly see five ornate golden necklaces; each one embedded with a single, brilliant jewel at the centre; each one carved into an intricate shape. A large, dark purple amethyst carved into the shape of a diamond. A morganite stone, bright and pink, shaped like a butterfly. An aquamarine, shining and brilliant, looking just like a party balloon. A deep red ruby, carved into a jagged lightning bolt. And a brilliant sunstone, orange and fiery shaped like an apple.

Battle's eyes grew to the size of dinner plates as he saw what lay before him. Not twenty feet away from where he stood were five of the Elements of Harmony. He could guess which was which, he had only heard about the powerful artifacts, yet he knew that Princess Twilight's crown was the sixth, the Element of Magic. The others; Generosity, Kindness, Laughter, Loyalty and Honesty, were practically at his fingertips.

His moment of giddy excitement however was cut short as his mind kicked in. His eyes narrowed and looked around. There was no possible and conceivable way that Twilight Sparkle, the Princess responsible for the Elements, would leave them in the basement without any form of protection.

His navy blue eyes flicked around the room again, only now with a critical eye.

He could feel their was magic in the air. Powerful magic. He crouched down close to the floor and scanned the dust covered ground. He took a breath and blew out, sending a cloud of dust into the air. His eyes immediately saw what the dust had cleverly been concealing.

Runes. Markings of protection and defense. Of blinding and unconsciousness. These markings were designed to incapacitate anyone who walked through their borders.

Battle gave an approving smile. These enchantments were expertly cast to keep anyone from reaching the Elements of Harmony. Satisfied with this situation, Battle stood upright again. The spells would keep anyone but the most advanced of mages from reaching the Elements and perhaps those who they deemed appropriate, like the spellcaster herself, or those ordained to wield the Elements of Harmony.

He made his way back upstairs from the basement before closing the door. He briefly wondered whether or not he should lock it before he shrugged. Anyone who would be snooping around in the basement would be easily dealt with by the spells down there. The Elements were well protected. With the ground floor and the basement examined, Battle returned to the library proper and made his way up the stairs to the level above.

Much like the basement, the library's upper level was a much larger room. More books lined the walls, along with another desk pushed against the wall. A series of organised parchments and quills, inkwells and notes were kept on the desk. At the window beside the desk a large telescope stood pointing skyward. Battle could see a balcony across the room and another short flight of steps leading into an alcove where he could spot a few beds hiding in the shadows.

Battle gave an approving nod. The library was definitely a decent place to live. And with no definite time to expect Princess Twilight back from her excursion in Zebrika, it might as well be considered his home. Not a bad plan considering. He had come to call far worse places home after all. But this... this quaint little library in this little village of one of the most beautiful countries in the world... he might just grow attached to this place.

A loud crash from downstairs jerked him from his daydreaming. With a troubled frown he began to make his way back down the steps and into the library. He could make out a few hushed whispers and a few slight wingbeats as whoever was in the library moved about.

As he saw the library he raised an amused eyebrow and simply leaned against the wall, folding his arms, a slight smile at the scene before him. A slim, lean mare was racing around the library on her powerful wings as she scanned the titles of books franticly with rose coloured eyes wide. Her coat was a cyan blue in colour and her mane and tail were both a rainbow of colours from red to violet. She was clearly fit, Battle appraised, and obviously built herself up for speed going by her body. Indeed this idea was perhaps supported by the tracksuit bottoms and sports bra she was wearing. From the way she was moving so fast he couldn't tell what her Cutie Mark was, though he thought he did catch a glimpse of red yellow and blue.

She didn't seem to notice that Battle was there, and neither did the other pony, Battle noticed. Another mare, though his one was an earth pony with an orange coat and a brilliant blonde mane and tail. She watched the pegasus with glittering green eyes with a sort of, annoyed amusement with her arms folded across her chest. She appeared to have a much bigger build than the pegasus, more likely for strength than speed. She was however not an athlete Battle assumed, as her attire appeared more casual. A chequered red and blue shirt under a tasseled waistcoat with some blue jeans, brown faux-leather boots and an old stetson cocked crookedly on her head. Unlike the other mare, Battle could see the Cutie Mark of three red apples on her slightly freckled cheek.

Battle stayed motionless. These two didn't appear harmful, and if they did prove to be dangerous... Battle shook his head as the orange mare spoke.

"Come on Dash," she sighed, a slightly southern twang to her voice. When the other mare (Dash was it?) didn't seem to hear her however she scowled and cleared her throat. "Look Dash we're technically breakin' in here."

"Pfft," Dash scoffed. "Twilight never cared if I came in the library day or night."

"The thing is Dash this ain't Twilight's library anymore," Dash's friend hissed. "It belongs to whoever Mayor Mare hires as the town's new librarian."

"And until he or she shows up," Dash responded. "I'm still calling this place Twilight's library. Now where is it? I should've had the new Daring Doo last week!"

"Have you tried looking under D?" Battle asked casually, unable to keep his silence any longer.

The effect was immediate. Dash was so shocked and horrified she lost focus and dropped from the air like a stone and face-planted into the floor. The other mare gasped and held her hand up to her mouth in a guilty expression. Dash jumped to her hooves and rubber her muzzle as Battle stepped down the remaining stairs to the library floor.

"Can I help either of you two at all?" he asked nonchalantly.

"Yeah you can!" Dash snapped rushing up to Battle, practically standing nose to nose with the stallion. "Who are you? What are you doing in Twilight's library?"

"Easy there partner!" the other mare cried, wrapping her arms around Dash's midsection and dragging her backwards. She gave Battle an apologetic smile before stepping between him and Dash. "I take it ya'll are Twilight's replacement librarian?"

"I am indeed," Battle announced. He held out his hand for the other mare to take, which she did and shook it vigorously. "Battle Ready at your service. Ponyville's replacement librarian until such a time as Twilight Sparkle returns from her exploits in Zebrika."

"Applejack," she replied. "I work on the apple orchards jus' outside o' Ponyville."

"Pleasure to meet you Miss Applejack," Battle said, his gaze turning to Dash. "Both you and your friend."

Applejack blushed and turned to her friend behind her, who had now decided to have the good grace to look decidedly sheepish under Battle's slightly austere gaze. She shuffled forwards and rubbed her prismatic mane and blushed, smiled nervously. Now that she had stopped moving Battle could see the Cutie Mark on her cheek. A mixed yellow blue and red lightning bolt bursting from a snow white cloud. Battle rolled his eyes and held out his hand for her to shake again.

"Pleased to meet you as well Miss," he said. "And you have nothing to be nervous about. You're not in any trouble. While I had planned on having an hour or two to get settled in I have no problems in serving two friends of Princess Twilight Sparkle."

Dash's eyes lit up slightly and she straightened up, taking Battle's hand in a firm grip and giving it a few solid shakes.

"Thanks pal," she replied, sweeping a few bangs from her eyes. "And it's Rainbow Dash. Not Miss."

"Rainbow Dash," Battle repeated. "I'll make sure to remember it."

"You'd better," Dash joked. She stood for a moment before she looked around the library. "So.... you got any idea where the latest Daring Doo might be hidden?"

Battle blinked and scratched his head.

"Uh... Daring Doo?"

"You know, the totally awesome series of books! The ones about the pegasus archeologist Daring Doo and how she constantly has to stop the evil Auizotal!" Dash exclaimed, her eyes lighting up as she said it.

Battle chuckled and looked around the library. "I don't believe I am familiar with that particular series of novels. I must make a note to become more acquainted with them."

"You've never read Daring Doo?" Dash gasped, her eyes now wide with horror. Battle shook his head.

"Never even heard of them?" Applejack asked. Another shake of the head. "What rock have ya'll been livin' under? Daring Doo are some of the most popular books in Equestria."

Battle shrugged.

"Well all I'll say buddy is boy are you in for a treat!" Dash squealed. "And speaking of treat, the newest addition came out just after Twilight left." She nudged Battle gently in the rips with her elbow. "And I kinda think the new librarian might be able to help find it?"

Battle rolled his eyes. "I'll try my best Miss-"

"Just call me Dash."

"Dash. But try to remember that A: I have just arrived in the library. Heck I haven;t even unpacked my things. And B: there is always the possibility that the novel you're looking for might not currently be in the library's selection."

Dash nodded, but didn't seemed to be listening. With a mental sigh Battle quickly walked to one of the shelves and began scanning the books. To the untrained eye it would appear that these books were arranged randomly. They weren't in accordance with the Dewey Decimal System that was for certain. It took Battle less than half a minute to realise the pattern of how these books were organised. A most unusual fashion, they were arranged into topic for each section of shelving, and each topic was arranged A-Z by title.

"How odd," Battle murmured, straightening up and looking around for the fiction section of the library. Acutely aware of Applejack and Dash watching him, he strode over to the books and skimmed through the titles. Coming to 'D' he began to scan more thoroughly. He soon found an entire shelf dedicated to the Daring Doo series. How anypony could miss it was beyond him but he slid the last book from the shelf and raised it in the air with an aura of nervous triumph.

"Is this what you were looking for Dash?" Battle asked handing it to her.

Her eyes instantly grew to the size of dinner plates and she punched the air in triumph.

"YES!" she squealed. "Battle you just officially became cool!"

"Um... thanks?" Battle said, slightly confused.

"She means thanks," Applejack explained. "And Ah've gotta thank ya'll too. She's been draggin' me down here everyday since that book came out trying to find it."

It wasn't that hard to find, Battle thought to himself. "Don't mention it," he said, smiling. "And uh, since you're a friend of Princess Twilight's, I suppose we can forget any late fee's this once, 'ey Dash?"

Dash's pupil's shrank to the size of pins, before she held up her balled fist. Battle recognised the gesture and mimicked her stand and gently touched knuckles with Dash.

"You just became twenty percent cooler," Dash whispered.

I'm going to be seeing a lot of her aren't I? Battle thought.

Chapter Three

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It was early morning, the day after Battle had taken up his new position of Ponyville temporary librarian. Battle himself was slumped in the chair behind the librarian's desk, a stack of Daring Doo novels sitting in front of him, Daring Doo and the Sapphire Stone sitting loosely in his fingers. There was no sound other than that of Battle's shallow breathing as he slept and the rustling of the leaves on the library's branches. Battle gave a gentle snort in his sleep and his eyes screwed up gently, as if he were dreaming of something unpleasant.

The door to the library was pushed open suddenly and a unicorn walked in, with a bight white coat and glowing complexion. Her magenta mane and tail was curled into a series of elegant curls. She wore a pair of glasses - plastic with orange rims - over her brilliant blue eyes. She was also dressed in all white as well, save for the black shirt she had donned beneath her white designer jacket. Her white jeans already fit perfectly, the blue faux-leather belt nothing more than an accessory with its jewel encrusted horse-shoe buckle. On her cheek was a trinity of blue gemstones. An obscure Cutie-Mark to be sure.

The sound of the library door opening didn't disturb Battle from his sleep. He merely snorted once more before slumping deeper into his chair. The book he had loosely held onto fell from his grasp and dropped to the floor. The mare looked to the source of the noise and raised an eyebrow, before slowly approaching the desk.

"Um, excuse me?" she said, trying to raise her voice and not wake Battle at the same time. The result was some sort of raised whisper. In any case it did little to awaken the still sleeping Battle. The mare idled in the middle of the library for a few moments before she walked straight up to the desk and cleared her throat. "Hello?"

Battle continued to sleep. The mare scowled and crossed her arms in front of his chest. "Excuse me?"

The loud, crisp raised voice jolted Battle not only from his sleep but also from his chair. He lurched forward, stumbling on the book he had dropped and planted his face straight onto the desk in front of him.

"Secure the barricade," he mumbled sleepily.

"My goodness are you alright?" the unicorn asked, rushing to Battle's side.

"Timeizit?" Battle slurred, pushing himself off the desk and back into his chair, rubbing his nose. Somewhere in the back of his mind, he realized the tip of his horn was throbbing too. He'd probably left a mark in the desk.

"Last time I checked it was roughly half past eight," the mare said as she hovered over Battle's shoulder, looking concerned.

"Eh?" Battle scratched his mane. "It was ten when I last looked though..."

"Half eight in the morning darling," she corrected him.

"Oooh," Battle sighed, nodding slowly. "That explains a lot."

"Clearly," the mare said. She looked at the books on the desk. "Late night reading was it?"

"Passin' the time," Battle replied. "First time I've read 'em to be honest."

"Goodness. How could you not have read these novels before now?" she asked.

"You know everyone I've spoken to about that has said the exact same thing," Battle smiled. He shook his head and pinched the bridge of his nose. "Ugh don't tell me I left the front door unlocked last night?"

"I'm afraid you did. Otherwise you and I wouldn't currently be having this conversation."

"Well that's a wonderful start to a new job isn't it?" he chuckled bitterly. He shook his head before getting to his feet. "So sorry, where are my manner's? Battle Ready at you service."

"Rarity," she replied, taking the hand he offered and gently shaking it. "I assume that you'll be serving as Ponyville's temporary librarian until Twilight returns from her exploits in Zebrika?"

"You would assume correct," Battle said. "Are you a friend of Twilight's then?"

"Darling you would be hard pressed to find someone in Ponyville who isn't friends with Twilight," Rarity tittered.

"Well given that she's a Princess I should've expected that," Battle admitted.

"Oh she was popular before she became a Princess," Rarity corrected.

Battle nodded before clapping his hands suddenly: "Right! Sorry, were you looking for a particular book?"

Rarity nodded. "Yes. One of my clients has requested a series of dresses for a wedding. Sixteen dresses to be exact."

"Ah," Battle said, not understanding where this was going.

"Weddings are a wonderful don't you think? Two ponies committing themselves to each other in an eternal dance of love affection and-"

"I assume the fact that making wedding dressed contributes a significant sum to your income isn't affecting your opinion," Battle smiled.

"Oh hush you!" Rarity replied playfully. "Everything at the Carousel Boutique is excellent value for money. Anyway, the dresses she has commissioned warrant a, what she says: 'Exotic theme'."

"Exotic how?" Battle asked.

"Well that's exactly what I said and she replied: 'Something remote. Something with influence from somewhere far away. From somewhere with a rich history and beautiful culture.'

"And those were her exact words were they?" Battle asked, a questioning eyebrow raised.

"I may have read between the lines a little bit," Rarity admitted. "Still I have a job to do. After I had my consultation with the bride, I decided the best thing to do was to come here post haste and find a few books on foreign culture. Any suggestions?"

Battle stroked his chin. "This is technically my second day so I'm not as familiar with these books as the Princess may have been," he said slowly. "But I may be able to find a few interesting choices."

"Oh the more interesting the better," Rarity exclaimed.

Battle smiled slightly and walked over to the shelves. He had taken the liberty to attempt to familiarise himself with the rather order of the books before he put his feet up to read the previous night. At least he understood where all the sections were, though he was certain he would have to rearrange everything into an easier to find format. He had a few vague ideas of what might help Rarity, but with the obscure suggestions she had given him, he didn't have very much to go on. Still he had a job to do and he was obligated if anything else to do it.

The title of a book leapt out at him: 'The Ancient Myths of Equestria.' Battle blinked, before smiling and pulling it from its niche in the shelf. Scanning the next shelf up Battle also removed, 'Griffinstan: A History' and 'The Complete Germaney Encyclopedia.' He stacked the three books on top of one another before bringing them over to Rarity.

"I think these three will do nicely to start off with," Battle grunted, placing the three - thick - tomes onto Twilight's desk, before setting each of them out in front of Rarity. She peered at each of them, thought not too closely, as though afraid of catching something from the dust that clung to them. She then pointed at the first book Battle had chosen.

"What made you pick this one? This is a book about Equestria is it not?"

Battle smiled: "You said somewhere remote. Far away, yet with a rich culture? Well I can think of fewer cultures more beautiful than Equestria's and as for remote and far away, is their anywhere any more remote than the ancient past?"

Rarity paused, stunned. "That is perhaps the most wonderful idea I have ever heard!" she exclaimed, her eyes shining at the thought. "Oh these books are all brilliant choices but you are right of course. And a book of myths as well it's so exciting!"

"I take it you're pleased?"

"Very much so darling... Although..."

"Yes?" Battle said, curious as to what Rarity might have a complaint about.

"These books are awfully heavy you know?" She emphasised her point by picking up the smallest, The Complete Germaney Encycloedia, only to drop it onto the table again after her arms began shaking from the strain. "You see?"

It took all of Battle's not inconsiderable willpower not to drop his face into the palm of his hand. As a result he simply blinked several times over. After this moment passed he sighed and shook his head.

"As a gentlecolt and a scholar," he said, "I'll carry your books for you." He waited a moment before adding under his breath, "Your highness."

"Excellent," Rarity chirped, seeming to have not heard Battle's slight. "It's not far from here. Honestly. You'll be back to your reading in no time flat."

"I hope so," Battle replied, picking up the three books, following Rarity as she left the library.

'Not far from here she says. Back to reading in no time she says,' Battle thought in frustration as they finally reached the Carousel Boutique. He decided to remain silent as he set the books down on the counter for Rarity.

"Thank you darling," Rarity said smiling with genuine gratitude. "Now thanks to you I can get started on my research."

"Glad I could be of assistance," Battle said, with as much grace as he could manage.

When Rarity turned to look at him Battle, assumed he might have offended her. Instead she merely tilted her head slightly and narrowed her eyes. Her bottom lip protruded as if she were pouting and she rested her chin on one dainty finger. Battle felt rather uncomfortable under her scrutinizing gaze. It felt roughly like he was being x-rayed, a feeling and a look he was accustomed to receiving from only a handful of ponies.

"Is there something the matter?" he asked uncertainly.

"Hmmm?" She seemed to come out of a heavy revere. "Oh I apologise I was just thinking... your clothes?"

"Eh?" Battle looked down at himself. He had to admit he did feel slightly underdressed in the boutique, but then that wasn't necessarily a bad thing. He knew his black jeans may have frayed a little at the hems but whose didn't these days? And truthfully his dark grey button-up had originally had a longer sleeve for his right arm but he had covered that up pretty well by tearing the left sleeve to match. Admittedly his boots were a tad dusty but he felt that gave them their particular character, though everyone else claimed that it just made him look untidy. "Is there something wrong with the way I dress?"

"Nononono no!" Rarity exclaimed. "No I rather like it. A sort of casual rogue. Not damaged but a little... a little rough around the edges."

"I'll try and take that as a compliment," Battle muttered. Rarity ignored him. She was instead rummaging around behind the counter, eventually emerging with paper and pencil.

"Now while I make an effort to bring fine and formal clothes to ponies far and wide, I must admit that you pull off this... ragged look with elegance, and I have so been meaning to broaden my demographic to the average gentlecolt of Equestria."

"And you think my clothes are going to carry an entire line?" Battle asked, unsure.

"Oh no not by themselves," Rarity replied. "But I think I have enough creativity from your clothes to make a series of them. Something rough, tough and mean looking. Oh!"

"What?"

"I just had an idea for what I can call my newest line: 'Rough, Tough and Had Enough'! Oh it's sheer brilliance Rarity, pure unadulterated genius!"

She sat down at the counter and began making rapid sketches with the pencil, her horn glowing with a pale blue aura and lifting a pair of orange glasses onto her muzzle. Her mouth was stretched into a wide smile and she hummed a little tune as she worked. Battle scratched the back of his head awkwardly.

"Um, shouldn't you concentrate on the wedding dresses?" he asked.

"Oh don't worry darling the wedding's three months away," she replied, waving his concerns aside. "I can easily design a new line and start creating sixteen dresses so long as I don't have any-"

There was a colossal bang from somewhere upstairs.

"-Trouble," Rarity sighed with reignation.

"What the heck was that?" Battle muttered, looking up at the ceiling.

Rarity gave an over exaggerated sigh and flopped lazily down on the counter. "That would be my sister."

As she said it, the door close to the back of the boutique bust open. Battle's eyes flicked over to the door and saw a young mare a few inches shorter than Rarity. She had a pearly white coat similar to Rarity's, and though her mane was curly like Rarity's it was magenta and lilac in colour and her eyes were a faded green in colour. She wore a pair of yellow jeans, a striped white and pink shirt under a rose coloured jacket, which was tucked under her bubblegum pink belt. Her Cutie Mark was that of a pink heart surround by what appeared to be stars. It took Battle a moment to realise the heart was shaped like a quarter note, as a pink stem rose from the right side. The young mare also had a satchel slung across one shoulder.

"Rarity, I'm going to Applebloom's!" she cried. She blinked when Rarity didn't reply until she spotted her slumped on the counter. "Oh there you are. I'm off to Applebloom's sis. Don't wait up."

"Take care Sweetie Belle," Rarity called from her slumped position.

Sweetie Belle beamed happily and almost seemed to bounce until she passed Battle. She stopped, turned and looked up at him, tilting her head slightly. Battle had to resist the urge to do the same. Something about the young mare before him seemed vaguely familiar. Like there was something at the back of his head knawing for attention.

Sweetie looked at him for a full thirty seconds before her eyes widened in shock and horror. She gave a small squeak of alarm and dashed out of the boutique, slamming the door behind her. Battle watched her go, if anything, even more confused then when he first saw her. Rarity seemed equally confused, sitting up from where she slumped.

"How very peculiar," she commented. "I don't think Sweetie's ever acted in such a way."

"She hasn't?" Battle asked.

"No. She almost seemed scared of you."

Inside Battle chuckled mirthlessly. 'For good reason probably.'

Chapter Four

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Battle stepped out from Rarity's boutique and stretched his arms out, yawning. Though he was wide awake, he had still been asleep not twenty minutes beforehand. Rubbing a few grains of sleep from his eyes, Battle reasoned a cup of hot coffee might be in order. Stretching his arms above hi head once again, he began to wander Ponyville, fishing into his pockets for the small pouch of bits that Mayor Mare had given him. It seemed a bit of a waste to spend them on something like a cup of coffee from a cafe but right now he thought he may as well get the lay of the land as it were.

There was a small voice that spoke from somewhere in the back of his head that he still had the library to look after and that it would be opening, according to the hours Princess Twilight had set out, in less than ten minutes. He immediately quashed these notions. He wouldn't stray too far from where he knew the library was. And even if he got a little lost, it wouldn't be difficult to find the oak tree standing damn near the centre of Ponyville. Plus, given the fact his only visitors yesterday had been Rainbow Dash and Applejack, he felt secure in the knowledge that there wouldn't be much traffic. Maybe later on in the day perhaps but he was sure he'd be back within the hour.

Safe in this knowledge, Battle strode off to explore Ponyville a little more.

He knew where the town hall was of course. If he remembered correctly he had passed a rather curious building on the way from said town hall. Sure enough, there it was, standing in its own little corner of Ponyville. A little cottage that seems to be made from gingerbread and sugary goods. Battle's nose curled a little at the sight. His sweet tooth was rather particular about what sort of sugars he ingested. Most pastries and sweets tended to disagree with his dietary habits anyway.

In fact Battle very nearly passes the shop before he spotted a little chalkboard sign standing out in front. A sign advertising a variety of caffeine laced beverages at half price until noon. Although a little skeptical, Battle shrugged, deciding if he was going to spend some bits, it might as well be as few as possible before payday. He stepped to the door and pushed gently, yielding the tinkering of a bell from above.

The bell has just finished its tiny chime and Battle has only just stepped through the doors, when something fast and blindingly pink shot straight for him.

"Hi!"

Battle stumbled backwards ad fell down the steps onto the ground as the pink mare practically shoved her mane into his muzzle. He quickly dropped the spell he had been prepared to cast out of reflex, and looked up at the one who had so surprised him. She was chuckling giddily at him.

"Hi! I'm Pinkie Pie! Are you knew here? Oh my gosh you must be super-duper new here, because I know everyone in Ponyville and I#m friends with absolutely everypony! Oh! I just had the bestest idea ever! You wanna be friends?!"

It took Battle a few seconds to realize the strange mare was talking to him. It took him a few more to realize she was asking him a question. He blinked, shook his head and steadily got to his feet.

"I believe I understood half of that," he said slowly, "Enough to know you're name at least. How about we start again?"

"Okay!" she beamed. Battle found her over-friendliness rather unnerving but stuck out his hand instead of saying anything.

"I'm Battle Ready, pleasure to meet you Pinkie."

She took one look at the proffered hand, shrugged and leapt at Battle, wrapping both arms around him in a bone-cracking hug. Battle wheezed out what he thought may perhaps be his final breath before the mare put him down again and smiled. As she did so, he took time to look at her in detail. She was pink obviously, with a frizzly curly mane and tail and big baby blue eyes. surprisingly her yellow and blue shirt didn't clash with her fur and neither did the blue skirt, or the pink and white striped socks that came nearly up to her knee. Battle became confused at that point as he realised she wasn't wearing any shoes. Her muzzle wrinkled up for a moment before she issued a cute sneeze. A streamer popped from her ear. Battle blinked and his eyes followed the impossible party accessory to the ground. Battle then realised Pinkie was talking again.

"Sorry, what?" he said, shaking his head.

"I said welcome to Sugar Cube Corner silly!" she chuckled. "Maybe we should get you inside so you can order something?"

"Yeah," Battle agreed, following her into the shop proper. It seemed to be some kind of cafe/sweet-shop hybrid. The room he stepped into was large and spacious with a counter near the back. The counter had a glass front displaying a multitude of cakes. Behind the counter was a series of shelves that displayed sugary goods in glass jars of varying sizes. The rest of the room had a series of tables with chairs cluttered around them. They didn't seem to seat any specific average per table, rather the chairs just seemed to be there.

"So what'll it be?"

Battle blinked, realizing he was at the counter and Pinkie Pie was behind it.

"You work here?" Battle asked.

"Yesseri!" she cried. "So what can I get you? Some candy canes maybe? No too bright. You look more like a liquorice kind o' pony. But then no pony really likes liquorice do they? How about chocolate? Everypony likes chocolate? Did you want a muffin? I'll bet you wanted a cookie right?"

As Pinkie stated each of the these items she staked them on the counter before Battle, with the exception of the jar of liquorice which she promptly put at the back of the shelf farthest away from the counter. Battle was baffled by the speed at which Pinkie moved. Baffled and a little jealous. Pinkie was still talking.

"How about some banoffee pie? It's the best way to start the day. Speaking of starting the day, did you know our coffee is half-price up until noon?"

"Yeah I saw outside," Battle said, trying to get his point across before Pinkie started talking again. "Actually that's sort of what I was after."

"Oh why didn't you say so silly?" Pinkie laughed. Battle hoped she hadn't seen his right hand curl into a fist.

"Well what sort of coffee do you want? Oh I know! How about a mochachino?"

"I'm sorry what?" Battle exclaimed, positive the strange mare was making words up now.

"A mochachino!" she repeated giddily. "It's like coffee and hot chocolate mixed together!"

"I'll just have a coffee," Battle said.

"You sure you don't want some chocolate in there?" Pinkie whispered conspiratorially.

"Yeah, I'm sure," Battle affirmed.

"Okie-dokie. How do you take it? I take mine with lot's and lot's of sugar!"

No kidding?

"I prefer mine just as is. No milk or sugar," Battle told her. Pinkie narrowed her eyes slightly at that and walked backwards towards the coffee machine. Battle began to feel nervous. The over-friendliness had been ever so slightly unsettling. But when she operated the coffee machine without even looking at it, staring all the while at him... it was damn right creepy.

She walked back over, a cup of back coffee in her hand and placed delicately on the counter. As soon as she let it go, her face broke out into another wide smile, her eyes closed in sheer happiness. Battle was now thoroughly weirded out. Pinkie's constant mood and behaviourally swings confused the hell out of him.

"So... how much do I owe you?" Battle asked.

"Two bits fourteen parts," Pinkie chirped off. Battle quickly scooped out the necessary funds, wondering why a coffee cost something as specific as four and twenty-eight. Still he didn't dwell on it, hading Pinkie the money as she returned with change.

"Thanks for coming! she smiled. "Hope you come by soon!"

"I'll try," he said smiling as politely as he could manage. He had just about made it to the door when Pinkie stopped him by calling out.

"Oh hey I just remembered!"

"Yeah?" Battle asked, turning to face her. She smiled.

"You answered me before. Are you new in Ponyville. I think I would of remembered meeting you before."

"Arrived just yesterday," Battle explained. Pinkie's eyes widened in delight.

"Ohmygoshthisistottallythemostawesomenewsiveeverheard!" she squealed in a garbled mess of discourse. "I'm definitely going to have to tell everypony about this!"

With that she leapt over the counter and whizzed away, kicking up dust in her wake. Battle stood open mouthed, before lifting his coffee to his lips and taking a sip.

I looked like a tree, yet appeared to made of some kind of crystal or gemstone. It appeared naturally occurring as well it seemed. Like it had simply sprouted out of the ground. Either way, Battle was intrigued by Princess Twilight Sparkle's castle. Why she still needed the Golden Oaks Library was beyond him. Perhaps she was looking after it until a new full-time replacement arrived.

He gave a general shrug as he began walking again, taking in some of the sights of Ponyville. He figured he would have at least another ten minutes or so before he desperately had to be back at the library. Still, standing in the shadow of the castle did stir something in him. He wasn't entirely sure what it was but he could hazard a guess. Standing under Twilight Sparkles castle, he could definitely say he almost felt at peace.

Almost.

Chapter Five

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Battle blew a bored gust from his nostrils, his fingers drumming repeatedly on his stomach as his legs were draped languidly atop his desk. Having already finished Daring Doo and the Sapphire Stone, and wanting something else to do other than read, he found himself quickly stumped for ideas in this new setting. Having only just arrived, he didn't really feel comfortable to do anything other than what he was being paid for and wander about the town. He was therefore, stuck for things to do. He didn't know what Ponyville could really offer other than a rather enchanting view, the library he sat in, a crystal castle, a boutique with a rather high-maintenance unicorn and a sweet shop propriated by a pink mare with a severe case of ADHD.

All things considered though the town itself did seem rather pleasant. At the moment however it seemed there was very little to do in it. That wasn't to say it was a bad thing. The quiet life was something he had been looking for after all. Something to relax and calm him. But at the moment, Battle was bored to the back teeth.

The bell of the library gave a gentle chime as it was pushed open. In the moment Battle swung his legs off of the table, he heard a quiet squeak of surprise and the door snapped shut once again. He raised an eyebrow and got to his feet, walking swiftly to the door. Upon opening it and looking around outside, he saw nothing immediately nearby.

That is until he spotted a pair of teal coloured eyes peeking out from the bushes beside the door.

Battle blinked at the sight, stunned and utterly bewildered as to why someone would hide so abruptly. The someone in question gave another small squeak and retreated further into the bushes, shaking the leaves and the branches as they did so. Battle raised a confused eyebrow.

"Can I... help you?" he asked.

There was a quiet whimper from the bush. Battle rolled his eyes and crouched down so that he and the bush were on eye level.

"Look why don't we start from the beginning shall we? My name is Battle Ready. What's yours?"

The bush gave another shudder and issued another squeak. Battle dropped his head and gave an exasperated sigh.

"Can you say that again? A little louder please?" he asked. The same shudder and the same squeak. Battle dropped his head into his head. "Look," he said, impatience slowly getting the better of him, "I'm not going to hurt you, whoever you are. I'm just the replacement librarian here until Princess Twilight gets back and decides on a full-time substitute to replace her full-time. So I suggest we get this over with sooner rather than later. What do you say? Friends?"

He held out his hand for whoever was hiding in the bushes. This however proved to be the wrong move as whoever it was shot off like a rocket in the direction of the hills, leaving a gust of wind in their wake. Battle threw up his hands in exasperation as he straightened up.

"Don' worry 'bout it partner. It's just Fluttershy. She'll come around eventually. She always does."

Battle turned to face the smiling Applejack, who was watching the retreating mare with bemused indifference.

"Is she always like that?" he asked.

"Who, Fluttershy? Mostly. 'Less o' course she takes a like'n' to you. She gets remarkably chatty if that's the case."

"Uhuh," Battle said, looking back over his shoulder. "Somehow I don't imagine that happening."

"Most ponies don't," Applejack agreed. "She don't get too comfortable with lot's o' folk. 'Cept her critters. She'd bend over backwards if one of her furry friends got hurt."

"Furry friends?" Battle asked, confused.

"She's Ponyville's unofficial vet," Applejack explained. "She watches over all the little animals from the Everfree forest. And keeps an eye on that tricky little.."

She paused and took a breath, her smile having been replaced by a scowl for a brief moment. Battle wondered who the 'tricky little' somebody was for a moment before shrugging it off.

"Would you care to come inside?" he asked, gesturing to the open door. "It's not like I have anything to do at the moment."

"Well that's mighty kind of you to offer Battle," Applejack said, tipping her hat. "But I'm afraid Imma have to decline. It's market day today an' I've left Applebloom with the stall for long enough as it is."

"Applebloom?"

"Mah sis."

"Ah. Trouble maker is she?"

"Not so much a trouble maker... jus' things tend to get broken if she's left alone for too long. I jus' hope with Sweetie Belle there she won't get in too much trouble." She paused. "Aw heck who am I kiddin'? Those tow fillies'll have destroyed the town by the time I get back. Sooner if Scootaloo's with 'em."

Battle gave a chuckle at that."Begs the question why you left those two alone then?" Applejack shrugged before giving him a sly wink. "Well the door's open if you have time at the end of the day."

"Thank ya kindly," Applejack said, tipping her hat once more. "I'll see you later on then."

"I'm sure you will," Battle replied, smiling. Applejack gave a friendly wave and began making her way off to the centre of town. Battle watcher her go before looking back into the library. After a shrug, he decided the day had been slow enough for him to justify closing up shop for the rest of the afternoon. Reaching into his pocket, he withdrew the sack of bits from his pocket and pondered for a moment. When he had had the chance to examine what Princess Twilight had stocked the kitchen with before she left, he hadn't been too impressed. It was mainly filled with daffodils and daisies and other such flowers, not to mention the sugary snack foods. While that may have been all well and good for another pony in Ponyville, it certainly wasn't to his own dietary habits.

Setting off after Applejack, Battle headed into Ponyville. The market would certainly offer what he required. Plenty of fibre, vegetables. The works. He took a breath in through his nose and felt a certain, decisive spring in his step as he walked down the street. A playful smile wormed its way onto his face. It appeared that the town's cheerful nature was already proving infectious. Not that Battle was complaining. Battle had never been a believer in such things, but if he did, this place would perfectly match his ideas of Arcadia.

Battle stopped and scratched the back of his head, a skeptical scowl forming momentarily. He probably wouldn't want this place to be an actual Arcadia though. Non-believer though he was he knew what lay in Arcadia. In all variations of Paradise legends.

A serpent.

Battle resumed walking, scratching the base of his neck as a cold wind appeared from nowhere. Harmless, but ominous nonetheless.

He turned a corner and the smile returned to his face as he entered the market street. Quaint, rustic stalls lined both sides of the road. Ponies of every race attended their wares, and even more stood waiting patiently for what they wanted to buy. Pegasus ponies swooped in and out of the street whilst the earth and unicorn ponies came and went in drifts and drabs. Battle looked around, plucked the pouch of bits and began searching around the market for what he needed.

As Battle returned to the library forty minutes, laden with groceries, he spotted a butter yellow mare standing near the door. Her yellow wings folded across her back, labeling her a pegasus but face was hidden behind her bright pink mane so anything else about her was hidden from Battle's eyes. She looked up as he approached and Battle saw her teal shaded eyes and just caught the squeak of fear as he approached. On her cheek was a trinity of three pink butterflies for a Cutie Mark.

"I take it that you're Fluttershy?" Battle called as he approached, negotiating the bags of groceries into one arm and holding out his now free hand for Fluttershy to shake. She shrank back from the proffered hand and nodded her head. Battle slowly put his hand by his side. "Do you... want to come inside?" Again she nodded. Battle smiled kindly at her and opened the door to the library and let Fluttershy inside.

She stood close to the door as Battle walked into the kitchen and then returned a moment later, arms empty. He sat at his desk and swung his feet up to their usual perch. He smiled expectantly at Fluttershy, and was suddenly struck with how much he felt like one of those private detectives in the novels he liked to read as a young colt. The one who was always given the tough cases and worked outside the usual channels, tracking down witnesses who wouldn't talk to the police. The fantasy made his smile widen slightly. Being a detective would be a nice change of pace, and certainly livelier than what he was doing now.

"So," he said suddenly, making Fluttershy jump. "What can I do for you Miss Fluttershy? That's assuming you didn't come to the library today to try out a career as a coat rack?"

She gave a violent blush and took a few steps forward, wringing her hands together in worry. Battle waited patiently. If what Applejack had told him about Fluttershy earlier was anything to go by, he could be sitting here for a long time. She kept moving her head back so that her mane fell over her eyes, before stealing a quick glance at his face and starting the whole thing over again.

"H-hello," she whispered softly. A nice voice, though one that clearly wasn't used as often as it should be.

"Hey there," Battle said, smiling. Her worried expression gave was to a small smile. "Is there a particular book you were looking for Miss Fluttershy?"

"Oh please call me Fluttershy, i-if that's okay with you that is?"

Battle shrugged. "That's perfectly alright with me. So what were you looking for?"

"Well, um, see the thing is I was, hoping to get a book on animal tracks." Her voice tailed off towards the end.

Battle frowned at this. "Applejack said you were something of a local expert on animal?"

"Oh I am!" Fluttershy said proudly and assertively. "I just adore animals, especially the cute little baby bunnies."

Battle smiled at the little outburst, then went back to the heart of the matter: "Buuuuuuut?"

"Well, you see.... the little critters have been very unsettled over the past couple of days. I thought it was just something in the air, then I found a set of animal tracks that I had never seen before. It wasn't like anything I'd ever seen. I even asked Zecora this and she couldn't recognise them."

"And so you came here to find a book about what sort of creature could make tracks like that?"

"Yes."

"Well I'll have a look," Battle said, getting to her feet as the library door opened.

"Aww common Applejack!" cried an upset voice.

"I keep tellin' ya Applebloom we need that cart the way it is. Don't go tryin' to 'fix it up' as you always say. If we need a new one we'll get a new one, but the wheels have to fall off on their own before that happens."

Battle turned to see Applejack leading a very disgruntled earth pony a few years her junior, by the tip of one yellow furred ear. One of her amber eyes was screwed up in pain, her pinkish red mane was tied up in a pink bow and she wore similar clothes to Applejack. In fact the only difference between the two sets of clothing other than size, was that this new mare's shirt was dark green and she didn't wear a hat. On her cheek was a bright red apple, with a hammer and screwdriver crossed over it.

"Sorry 'bout this Battle partner," Applejack explained. "But I need somewhere where 'Bloom can't cause any trouble 'til I close up shop later today." She then noticed Fluttershy was in her presence. "Heya 'Shy! Whatcha think of the new librarian?"

Fluttershy blushed and mumbled something Battle couldn't hear, but caused Applejack to laugh. "Ah hear that!"

The young mare, who Battle assumed to be Applejack's younger sister Applebloom, extracted herself from her sister's grip and straightened her waistcoat. Battle frowned. For the second time that day, since he had seen Sweetie Belle in fact, he could have sworn he recognised the young mare before him. Indeed, as this thought crossed his mind, Sweetie Belle herself entered the library behind Applebloom. The excited grin on her face as she caught up to her friend, died the moment she saw Battle. For some reason, her eyes flicked to Battle's left hand.

Battle shrugged and ignored it and plucked a book from the shelves as Applejack continued to berate Applebloom. He walked over the room and handed it to Fluttershy.

"It's not much but I hope it'll have what you need," Battle told her. Fluttershy nodded her thanks and moved to leave, as Applebloom fell silent. Battle looked at her and she looked at him. Then she looked at Sweetie Belle.

"Hey sis' can we go to Fluttershy's?" she asked suddenly. Applejack looked slightly baffled, but before she could say anything Fluttershy piped up.

"Oh I would love to have you both round for a while. It's been ages since we got to talk properly."

"Great," Applebloom said quickly. "See ya later sis'!"

"Bye Applejack!" Sweetie Belle cried, and the two raced away.

"Hey! Wait for me!" Fluttershy cried as loud as her soft voice could manage.

Applejack blinked and looked at Battle. He shrugged. "I have no idea," answering her unspoken question.

Chapter Six

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Battle had not been aware that Ponyville had a spa. And he would have not minded in the slightest if he had continued his existence with the blissful ignorance that such a facility existed. Battle wasn't really one for 'spas'. He wasn't a spa pony. He didn't mind the odd bit of relaxation here or there, a lazy day in bed, a quiet moment of tranquil contemplation. But a spa? The thought was ludicrous to him. And he told Rarity as much when she invited him to join her and Princess Twilight's other friends at the spa.

She frowned at his blatant refusal to join them. "Come now Battle darling. It's the least I can do to repay you for the help you provided last week."

"Nope. Not doing it," Battle replied, replacing a book that lay on a pile by his knees.

"Can't say Ah blame ya partner," Applejack agreed.

"Applejack you are not doing a good job of helping our friend take a much needed break and join us at the spa," Rarity scolded.

"If he don't wanna come then he don't wanna come," Applejack said, shrugging. "'S all there is to it."

"The thing is though AJ you're forgetting that this is Rarity, we're talking about," Rainbow said, sitting on Battle's desk, reading Daring Doo, as she did most of the time she was here. "She always gets what she wants remember?"

"Windowsill or floor Dash not on my paperwork," Battle said, pushing gently at the pegasus' back. She stuck her tongue out before floating gingerly over to the windowsill. "So if what Dash says is true then I don't think I have any choice in this matter?"

"Well..." Applejack said slowly.

"Not much," Rainbow said, shaking her head, smiling. Battle rolled his eyes before checking his watch.

"I've got another ten minutes before lunch," Battle said, sliding another book into its allotted space on the shelf. "If we're going to go, we go then."

Rarity gave a squeal of delight and clapped her hands together. Battle gave another lazy roll of his eyes, but smiled nonetheless. "So this spa?" he said, speaking to Rarity without looking at her. "How big is the sauna?"

"Oh so Battle likes it hot?" Dash called from her new position, looking up from her book to waggle her eyebrows suggestively. Battle chuckled, pulling a book from the shelves and setting it down to be moved to the back room.

"Big enough for a good dozen ponies to enjoy it comfortably," Rarity said, giving Dash a stern look. "Why?"

"It's a cleaner atmosphere," Battle explained. "Easier to just... slip away."

"So you mean take a nap?" Applejack asked. "Heck Dash 'ere could teach everythin' you need to know about napping."

"Hey!"

"Well it's true."

Battle checked his watch again and sighed as the argument began to pick up behind him. "You know I might just take an early lunch."

The spa was manned mainly by two twin earth ponies. Aloe and Lotus. Battle could tell that Rarity and, surprisingly, Fluttershy were regulars by the way the two spa ponies fawned over the them. The two were surprised to see Rainbow Dash and Applejack and even more so to see Battle. However they were both consummate professionals, and instead of dawdling on such a trivial detail, merely remarked their surprise to see Battle, and welcomed him to the Ponyville spa.

Battle smiled at their welcome and gave the twins a two fingered salute in greeting. His eyes wandered around the establishment as Rarity began explaining to the Aloe what was required from today's treatment. It was obvious even to Battle, that the spa was not usually frequented by stallions of any race, given by the feminine nature of the decor. Awkward, therefore, did not even begin to describe how he felt at that instance surrounded by snow white and magenta walls and potted plants adorning every corner and available surface. Glossy magazine were crammed onto low tables beside the almost offensive lime green couch.

Battle was sure that a lot of ponies must find this particular... style was tasteful, possibly even alluring. But to him, it just confused him how anything in the room matched. It all seemed to clash horribly in a kaleidoscope of mismatched patterns and bad decisions. Still, Battle wasn't an interior designer, and by the looks of the place Battle was becoming more thankful of that fact by the second.

It took Battle a few moments to recognise the fact that Rarity was speaking to him and that the two of them were the only one's left.

"Sorry what?" he said shaking his head. "In la-la land. What did you say Rares?"

"I was asking what sort of treatment you were after darling," Rarity said, taking out her purse. "Just so I know how much I need to give the girls."

Battle blinked, realizing Rarity was offering to pay for his trip to the spa. "No it's okay, you don't have to pay for me."

"Nonsense. It wouldn't be much of a treat if you ended up having to pay for it would it?" Rarity said beaming. "Now what were you after?"

Battle Ready scratched his head, looking at Rarity awkwardly. "The sauna?"

"Oh come now Battle," Rarity chided. "This is my treat don't limit yourself."

"I'm fine with a trip to the sauna," Battle reiterated, smiling kindly. "I'll be quite relaxed by the time we leave."

"If you insist," Rarity said. As she spoke, Aloe and Lotus emerged by Battle's elbows and steered him away, all but dumping him into a small room that looked like it hadn't been used in a while. It looked like some kind of locker room.

Someone however must have been in this room mere moments before Battle, as a fluffy white towel lay folded on one of the benches, and on top of that, a pair of black trunks. A white fluffy dressing gown hung from a hook near to this.

Assuming he was expected to don these items, Battle began to carefully strip himself naked, folding each of his garments into a neat pile on the bench by the towel and trunks provided, until he was left only in his undergarments. With a sigh that signaled he was bound to his fate, he took those off as well.

"A little lower," Rarity instructed, her voice muffled as she was speaking into the towel her face currently rested on, as the masseuse ground her palms into her bare back. The earth pony obliged, moving her palms lower down Rarity's spine, as the unicorn cooed in appreciation.

"You know," Rainbow Dash said suddenly, stretching out on the table besides Rarity's, as another spa assistant preened her wings, "Paying someone to do this for me may cost a lot... but man does it beat doing it by myself."

Fluttershy mumbled her ascent from beside Dash, as she received the exact same treatment, her eyes closed in silent relaxation. Pinkie giggled to herself as she splashed about in the mudbath whilst Apple lay on the other side of Rarity, receiving the same treatment she was getting and smiling dopily into the table.

There was a quiet and subtle chime of a delicate clock somewhere in the corner of the room. The spa ponies looked up at the sound before each one took a step back from their respective charge, save for the assistant who attended to Pinkie who stepped forward with a freshly laundered towel and an outstretched hand. Pinkie grasped it, pouting that she had to leave the mudbath as she clambered out.

"Time for the sauna Miss Rarity," Aloe said, appearing apparently out of nowhere, smiling. Rarity stretched out her arms, yawning slightly, donning her bathrobe once again. Dash, threw her bathrobe over her shoulder as Applejack tied her own bathrobe as they began to leave for the sauna, Fluttershy following close behind. Pinkie stayed behind to wash off the excess mud.

Aloe led the four (soon to be five) to the sauna. Rarity sniffed the air as they approached and frowned, unused to the scent.

"What is that?" she asked, confused to no end.

"It's an incense," Aloe explained. "We've been experimenting with using incense burners in the sauna for a week or so now."

"Really?" Rarity asked intrigued. "Well, what's this one then?"

"It's called Manticore's Claw," Aloe informed. "It's supposed to be very effective for clearing out your sinuses."

"Yeah, I can tell," Dash said, feeling as though the scent was tickling her frontal lobe with a feather-like touch. An unusual sensation to say the least.

"I am glad you approve Miss Dash," Aloe said, as they reached the sauna. She smiled once more and opened the door for them to enter. Rarity nodded appreciatively and stepped inside, the warm humid air already clinging to her fur.

She took her usual spot in the sauna and leaned back sighing contentedly. When she opened her eyes again, she noticed Battle and she blinked as Dash, Applejack and Fluttershy all sat around the sauna as well. Battle was sitting cross-legged on the floor, eyes closed. His palms would've been facing upwards if his hands had not been arranged the way they were; left hand balled into a fist and right hand clasped over the knuckles of the left. Sweat was beaded across his body and the humid air had made his mane even more of a tousled mess than it already was. But what really drew Rarity's attention was Battles body.

She had taken measurements before when Battle had visited on his first day. But at that time she hadn't paid attention to the fine details. Like how sculpted Battle's body really was. For a temporary librarian, Battle was built like someone had carved his body from marble. While he was nowhere near as well built as Big Mac, Rarity could hazard a guess that, while Mac could probably lift more weight than Battle could ten times over, Battle would most definitely outrun Mac by a mile. He was leaner, more defined and obviously not as tall. Rarity had a sudden comparison of the two stallions to tools. Mac was more definitely a sledge hammer, something big heavy and destructive that would break anything in its path, but was also cumbersome and unruly. Slower. Battle on the other hand was more like a mallet. A big mallet mind you. While it would take longer to do the same work as a sledge hammer, it was sleeker and more precise.

And then she noticed the scars.

Thin strips where the fur had failed to grow back over the white scar tissue. And there were a lot of them. Some of them were smooth curves, other arrow straight lines. They crossed and intersected over one another, creating patterns that no one could define.

Rarity lost count after the first twenty, unable to decide where one scar ended and another began.

"Well," Applejack said, breaking the silence that had sunk in. Even Pinkie, who Rarity had not notice come in, was agog at the state of Battle's form. "Looks like you could tell quite the story eh Battle?"

Battle said nothing and Applejack looked rather sheepish. "Ah'm sorry if Ah offended ya partner."

Again Battle said nothing. It was at this point that Rarity noticed Battle was barely breathing, the soft eddies in the steam around his mouth and nose the only indication that he was actually still alive. Rarity peered closer. Battle's expression was an odd one to say the least. If she could hazard a guess at what she might describe it as, Rarity would have gone with, pained relaxation. The juxtaposition was not lost on her, though it was apt. Battle's face was calm for the most part, smooth and relaxed yes, but there was a tightness to the corner's of his mouth, as if his jaw were ever so slightly locked. His eyebrows were dipped together as well, nearly creating an unbroken, wavy line. His eyes weren't screwed up, but they definitely weren't in a state of rest.

"I think he's asleep," Rarity said, confused. Surprisingly, Fluttershy was the one who shook her head.

"Not sleeping," she corrected. "He's meditating."

"Meditatin'?" Applejack asked. Fluttershy nodded.

"It's a technique that used by all sorts. It's sometimes a method of relaxation, but other people use it to build their inner life-force or 'chi' as its called."

"You seem to know a lot about it 'Shy," Dash commented.

"I use to help out some of the animals in my care," Fluttershy explained. "Some of them get so tense."

"I've never heard of this practice before," Rarity said, sitting forward intrigued. "Fluttershy where did you hear about it?"

"Oh well, it was so long ago I don't really remember who I heard it from," Fluttershy said, curling up a little at the attention everyone was suddenly paying her. Fortunately she didn't have to answer anymore questions.

"It's a Chineighse practice," Pinkie said. They didn't ask how she knew that. It was Pinkie Pie after all. "They've got monks there that meditate for a number of reasons. Mostly it's a form of mind training. Those monks are so good they can do it without just sitting there."

"You mean when they're awake?" Applejack asked.

"They're aren't asleep," Pinkie reiterated. "It just looks like it. No doubt Battle can hear every word we say."

"Then why doesn't he respond?" Dash asked. Pinkie shrugged.

"Maybe he can't? I've heard that some ponies go into such a deep state of meditation they can't feel or control their bodies anymore. They're still aware of their situation but can't do anything about it."

"So he's been sitting there since he came to the spa?" Rarity asked.

"Most likely."

"Speaking of, Rares how long do we gotta be in here? I'm already feeling like peelin' off mah skin," Applejack said. Rarity looked at her arm and noted how matted her fur looked.

"A few more minutes at the most darling," Rarity said. The paused. "Actually I think one of the girls will be in to check on us any time soon."

No sooner had she said this, the door opened to reveal a smiling Lotus. "Miss Rarity, it is time for you and your friends to leave the sauna."

"Of course darling," Rarity said smiling.

Battle stirred from his seated position. It was a quiver of expression across his face, before his mouth opened and he smacked his lips together. His hands unclasped from their position and he slapped himself gently on the face a few times as he readjusted to the control of his body again. He opened his eyes, blinking in the light, before pushing himself to his feet, bones popping as he did so.

"That was a trip," he muttered to himself as he padded out of the sauna after Fluttershy, Lotus closing the door behind him afterwards. He looked at Pinkie. "How did you know meditation was Chineighse?"

"I dunno," Pinkie said merrily, bouncing away. Applejack stepped up to him as they made their way to the changing rooms.

"You mean you heard everything we were sayin' in there?" she asked.

"Bits and pieces," Battle said. "When a unicorn goes into meditation its a little different. It's a little offsetting for those who are unprepared. When a unicorn meditates they sometimes get in touch with their magic."

"How'd you mean 'get in touch'?"

"The way I look at is that unicorn magic comes from somewhere else. Not our own physical forms. Unicorns merely channel this magic through themselves when they what to use it. So when I say get in touch with my magic, what I really mean is more or less getting as close as I can to... well, the source."

"You mean where all unicorn magic comes from?" Applejack asked.

"Not all, unicorns. Just where my magic comes from. I think there is a place where unicorn's tap into for their magic, but I think their are different conduits and places where different unicorn's draw their magic from. That's my way of looking at it really."

"Maybe you should talk to Twilight about it. I may not have spoken to her about all your unicorn magic hoo-hah but I don't think she's ever mentioned that theory."

"Not many unicorns think of it like that," Battle said. "I've spoken to a fare few about it but they don't really like it. Most unicorns are... self-centred to say the least. They don't like the idea that their magic comes from a place they can't control. They like to think their prowess of magic comes from within. The powerful ones anyway. The ones who sit on their thrones of their own egos. Those that aren't so fortunate to have magic brimming from her fingers... well they'll leap to blame anything or anyone else for their lack of magical prowess."

"Ah guess," Applejack said. "Is that why you meditate? To get better at magic?"

"Better? No. I don't meditate to get better at magic. I meditate so I can understand it."

"What's to understand?"

A scowl flitted across Battle's face for only a moment as they reached the changing rooms. "The more you know Applejack, the more you realise how little you know."

Chapter Seven

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Drip.

Falling. Pain and agony, fear and shock. All emotions of terror. The expression floating before his eyes was one of undiluted horror.

Drip. Drip. Drip.

Wet. Rain. Heavy rain. Red rain. Was someone bleeding?

No longer a drip. More of a gush.

Blood. Blood and feathers.

Eyes of pain.

Battle woke with a start, sitting bolt upright in bed, cold clammy sweat clinging to every strand of fur on his body and plastering his mane to his scalp. He gasped for air, his throat feeling restricted, as though he had tried to swallow a golf-ball. He felt light-headed and dizzy. It was so hot in here. He couldn't breathe. He rolled out of bed, the bed sheets tangled around his legs and hi chin smacked against the bedside table. He ignored the pain and scrambled to the balcony, throwing opened the doors and leaning against the cold iron railing, drinking in the cool night air.

He slumped, his arms hanging over the railing, the only thing keeping him from falling flat to the floor. His legs felt weak and limp.

He was shaking.

He closed his eyes, trying to tap into the calm, peaceful place in the corner of his mind. Trying to reach that place he retreated to when meditating. He tried his hardest to calm his breathing. But that face swam just at the forefront of his memory. That horrified, agonised face.

His eyes screwed up, trying to blot it out, trying to make himself be calm. But it was no use. Nausea swirled around in his stomach and a deep, throbbing pain built up inside of him. A white hot agony that burned right through him. He pulled one of his hands from the railing and he spun, back pressed against the cold metal as he lay on the ground, left hand dangling in the night and the other gripping the space above his heart. He felt it trying to hammer a bruise on the inside of his ribs, beating wildly and erratically.

He lay slumped like that for several minutes, breathing heavily,as little by little the pain and the nausea seeped away. His breathing calmed and his heart settled. All that remained was a slight ache. He remained like that for some time, drifting into a sort of half-sleep. When he finally regained his sense of awareness, the soft glow of Celestia's morning sun bathed everything in a gentle yellow light as it began to rise over Ponyville. Battle grunted and got to his feet, the hand over his heart, tracing a finger lightly over the thin, pinkish scar that lay beneath his finger. There was no blood to his relief and he couldn't feel any dribbling down his back so that was a plus. He rubbed his eyes with his free hand and began to make his unsteady way downstairs.

He wasn't getting any more sleep that was for certain.

Battle gave a discontented grunt as he straightened up, having peered through each of the kitchen's cupboards and finding them lacking. He slammed the door shut, rubbing the corner of his eye to dislodge any sleep. It came away on his fingertip in small crusty clumps, which he flicked away in disdain. He heard the door open in the library and he rolled his eyes, looking down at himself as he did so. The library hadn't been open for more than ten minutes. He hadn't been anticipating anyone would be awake this early so he'd felt safe walking around in his baggy lounge trousers. Just the lounge trousers mind.

He sighed and walked into the library proper and felt a little glad to see it was only Dash and Rarity. Rarity cocked her head at Battle's complexion but Dash gave an appreciative whistle as Battled appeared.

"Dayum!" she cried, waggling her eyebrows suggestively. "Good morning handsome."

"Rainbow would you kindly not flirt this early in the morning?" Rarity sighed as Battle made his way to his desk. "I wouldn't mind except it's every time Battle takes his shirt off."

"Oh come on! Tell me you wouldn't jump that given the chance!"

"A lady doesn't jump! A Lady expects to be courted first."

"Like you'd have the patience."

"Right here girls," Battle reminded, resting his head in his hands, and his hands on the desk.

"Sorry Battle darling," Rarity said, giving Dash a glance, who gave an apologetic shrug in response. "You look dreadful by the way. I do hope you don't mind my saying so."

"Haven't had my morning tea," Battle grumbled. "Ran out last night."

"Goodness how awful!" Rarity exclaimed. "I sympathise with your position darling I really do. I can hardly get any work done if I haven't had my morning brew either. What blend was it? I might have it back at the boutique if you'd be willing to wait."

"Trouble is Rares," Battle said, setting out a copy of Daring Doo on the desk, which was instantly pounced upon by Dash, "I don't really know the blend. It wasn't anything branded I don't think."

Rarity frowned. "That's odd. Do you think you could describe it to me? I might be able to recognise it."

Battle rubbed the heel of his palm into the ridge of his brow, sighing as he thought. He blew air from his nose before shaking it lightly and offering his hands up in surrender. "It was... different I guess. Think I tasted some apple in there? Maybe some cinnamon. What can I say? I'm not really a connoisseur."

"That does ring a bell actually," Rarity said, resting her chin in her hand. "Though it isn't really truly familiar I have heard that particular sort of flavour for a blend of tea. It's definitely not in my assortment of teas that's for definite."

Battle waved it aside. "Forget it Rares. I'll just probably ask Princess Twilight about it when she gets back." He slumped over the desk with a pitiful sigh. "Which'll be another month... at least."

"Well when she does get back I'm sure the two of you will be able to discuss a lot more than tea," Rarity said. "I mean you clearly have an affinity for books and quite the grasp of magic."

"Just like egghead," Dash muttered, lazily turning the page of her book. Rarity spared her a withering look before looking back to Battle.

"Anyway darling I was hoping to ask you to come and assist me in my new line of clothes. You know? The ones you helped inspire."

Battle looked up slowly, the look in his showing exactly how reluctant he was to comply with her request. "Library's just opened Rares. Maybe after I close up tonight I'll stop by the boutique to see what I can help you with."

"Because you're just bursting at the seams with all the ponies who wanna take out a book," Dash chuckled. Battle's eyes flicked over to her.

"You want me to keep supplying you with Daring Doo?" Battle asked coyly. "I can easily cut you off and you know it."

Dash sat upright and looked at him appalled. "You wouldn't."

Battle waggled his eyebrows at her. Dash's eyes narrowed. "You know if you were trying to looks smug, it worked."

"Thank you."

"But I was too distracted by them pecs to notice."

Battle laughed and fell back in his chair, shaking his head in disbelief. Rarity also couldn't help but chuckle, though she did so only after a few moments staring disapprovingly at Dash. Battle got to his feet and began making his way to the stairs.

"Well take a good look then Dash because 'them pecs' are going away for the day," Battle said, climbing upstairs. "I know you like getting an eyeful but I need to be, presentable, as Rarity might say, for anyone else who comes through those doors."

"At least you're acting like a sensible adult," Rarity smiled.

Battle paused and looked back at her. "Are you suggesting you're not being sensible right now Rares? Maybe Dash had a point."

Rarity spluttered in protest, blushing profusely as Dash rocked back in her seat, laughing. Battle's smile widened as he climbed the stairs, stepping into his room and quickly fishing out clean (or clean enough) shirt to wear, before swapping out his lounge trousers for jeans and pulling on some socks. As he hopped about, pulling on his other shoe, there was a loud crash from downstairs. He looked up, pulling on his shoe swiftly and dashing back downstairs, all traces of sleep gone from his mind.

"What happened?" he asked, jumping the last few steps and vaulting over the railing.

Dash was sitting close to the window, eyes narrowed in suspicion. Her book lay discarded on the floor, where Rarity was now stooping down to pick it up, also looking slightly alarmed.

"Your guess is as good as mine," Rarity said. "All of a sudden Rainbow just... well... leaped."

"I saw something," she hissed. "Actually scratch that. I saw someone."

"And that someone made you jump like a filly at shadows?" Battle asked.

"Not just anyone," Dash growled. "Gilda."

"Gilda?" Rarity asked, surprised. "You really think she's be in Ponyville after what happened the last time she was here? I thought you never wanted to see her again?"

"I said some stuff I regretted," Dash admitted. "I went after her soon after though. I mean, you can't just end that kind of friendship like... that. You know?"

"Trust me Rainbow I understand. You don't have to explain yourself," Rarity assured. "I take it though Gilda didn't take too kindly to your attempts to patch things up?"

"She's even more stubborn than I am," Dash sighed.

Battle looked confused from Rarity to Dash. "And Gilda is?"

"One of my old friends from Cloudsdale Flight Camp," Dash explained. "We stayed close after we left. Then I moved to Ponyville. Me an' Gilda stayed in touch but I guess we kind of... drifted apart. I mean when she came to Ponyville she didn't exactly hit it off with my new friends. Didn't make her popular around town and didn't really get herself in good standing with me."

"And now she's back?" Battle asked.

"Yeah. I guess Gryphons hold grudges for a long time."

"Gryphon? This Gilda's a Gryphon?"

"Yeah," Dash confirmed. "Really flashy show-off. The arrogant kind too."

Battle walked over to the window that Dash currently looked out of and peered over her shoulder. "See where she went?"

"Nope. Saw her, took a look to make sure it was her, and by the time I got off the floor she was gone."

Battle remained silent.

"I'm not crazy! Okay? I saw her okay?"

"Never said you were crazy and never said you didn't see her," Battle said softly. "Whereabouts was she when you saw her?"

"By that building over there," Dash said, pointing. Battle nodded slowly and walked over to the door, stepping outside.

The air seemed a little colder now than last he was outside. Odd to say the least, but he paid it no heed. Walking over to the spot where Gilda had been sighted, Battle looked around with passive interest, not certain he'd find anything. He looked down at his feet, frowned, and picked up what lay there. A single, snowy white feather, tipped at the end with a violet hue. Definitely a gryphon feather.

Battle's mouth twisted into a scowl. Gryphon's were marvelous creature's. The biology of two beings seemingly fused together. Lion and eagle in the same form. They didn't malt of course. Feather's would come loose yes, but only exceedingly rarely. More often than not, a dropped Gryphon feather meant a challenge. At least, as far as Battle's experience went. He straightened up, putting the feather in his back pocket. He hopped he was wrong.

Chapter Eight

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Sweat dripped from his brow as Battle's nose touched the floor. With a grunt of effort, he pushed himself so that his right arm locked straight. As he supported himself on one hand, Battle levitated the apple that had been on his desk so that he could take a bite. After a moment's worth of chewing, he replaced the apple and began his controlled descent, and then return. The clock chimed half past eight in the evening. Battle looked up, surprised at how fast the time had gone, gave the best shrug he could in his position, and moved his left hand from where it lay on the small of his back and placed it on the ground, before putting all his weight onto it and moving his right hand into a similar position to his left one had been in moments before.

A knock on the library door interrupted him mid-press-up.

"Come in!" he grunted, grateful for a reason to take a break.

The door opened and Applejack stepped inside, closing the door swiftly behind her. She raised an eyebrow when she saw Battle, though she didn't repeat Dash's action to wolf-whistle at Battle's naked chest.

"Ah hope Ah didn't interrupt anything partner," she said, indicating Battle's position. Battle shook his head and got to his feet, a towel flying into his grasp as he did so. He dabbed at his forehead a little before draping the towel over his shoulders.

"You came just when I was getting bored," Battle shrugged. "'Sup AJ?" Applejack folded her arms and bit her lip slightly. Battle rolled his eyes and smiled. "There's some lemonade in the kitchen somewhere if you want a drink," he said, turning around and heading for the stairs.

"Thank ya kindly," Applejack said, smiling appreciatively. "I know Rarity likes an eyeful an' even Ah'll admit that I wouldn't complain first thing in the mornin' but-"

"But this is important I get it," Battle called over his shoulder as he climbed up the stairs.

Ten minutes later Battle stepped into the kitchen, yawning slightly, to see Applejack sitting at the table, twiddling her thumbs, shrugging her shoulders at him as if to say: 'Couldn't find it.' Battle rolled his eyes and opened one of the cipards, producing two glasses and a glass bottle. He filled both and handed one to Applejack.

"Thank you kindly," she said tipping her hat, before taking a generous swig. Battle tipped his glass to her before he took a sip of his own lemonade and looking at her.

"So what's the hoo-hah?" Battle asked."You don't normally come round this late AJ. I mean Dash crashed into the back door last night but still."

"She tends to do that," Applejack commented. "But you got a point partner. Usually putting 'Bloom to sleep 'round 'bout now."

"And tonight we're going down the library instead of diving under the blankets ready for the rooster to wake us up?" Battle asked, cocking an eyebrow.

"Rainbow-"

"Dropped in?"

"You could say that. Anyway's she started yabberin' 'bout somethin' going on down at Fluttershy's."

"And you came to me because?"

"Well Ah like to think you're a part of the group now," Applejack said, smiling kindly. "Ah mean Rarity already managed to drag you down to the spa. If that don't say you're one of us Ah don't what does."

Battle blinked and took a gulp of his lemonade. "Well... That's actually rather sweet." He smiled, and downed his drink. "I'll get my coat."

Applejack took a sideways glance at Battle as they walked to Fluttershy's cottage. Battle's coat was was a long black trench coat made of some material Applejack couldn't begin to guess at and was long enough so its hem could just brush the top of his boots. The collar was pointed and pulled up so that it covered his neck. It hung open, revealing the deep, navy blue lining within and the black buttons were polished to a gleam.

"Take a picture it'll last longer," Battle smirked, glancing sideways at her as he walked. She laughed at that, rolling her eyes.

"Well forgive me for having an interest."

"I thought Rarity had the eye for fashion?"

"Fashion and function are two different things sugar cube," Applejack corrected. "Ah'll be first to admit Ah don't know hooey 'bout all that fru-fru Rarity keeps yammerin' 'bout. But what Ah do know is that coat ain't thick enough for the winter."

"You'd be surprised."

"Ah sure would, but cold weather looks to be more an afterthought with whoever made that for you." Battle looked at her and smiled, giving an approving nod. "What?"

"You surprise me sometimes AJ that's all."

Applejack shrugged. "Ah surprise myself sometimes." She looked up as they approached a small, humped-back bridge that led over an equally small creek. Battle did the same and both stopped dead in their tracks.

"What the...?" Battle breathed.

The cottage was nice enough, though it looked like it had been made out of a small hill, with the roof covered in lush, green grass. Bird houses and other animal homes were dotted around the place. The little windows seemed to survey the surroundings like they were watching them, not out of fear but more out of a need to protect the surrounding environment.

The most distinctive feature however was most definitely the fact that the entire cottage was now floating thirty feet in the air.

Battle turned to Applejack. "Um... this... this isn't normal right? I mean I just got used to Pinkie, I don't think I could handle flying cottages right now."

Applejack tipped the brim of her hat low and furrowed her eyebrows, her jawline set. "What in tarnation is she lettin' that mismatched freak do this time?"

"Wait what?" Battle asked.

"Fluttershy's... roommate," Applejack said sourly. She strode over the bridge, followed by a very confused Battle. He was aware of someone hovering over his head. He didn't look up, but he had a feeling of who it was.

"Dash if you want to talk to me then you'll either have to come where I can see ou or confirm if you're wearing a skirt," Battle said.

"No skirts, no dresses," Dash said. Battle looked up, closed his eyes and sighed.

"And no shorts or jeans I see," Battle said.

"You asked if I was wearing a skirt. I'm not."

"Ah'm thinkin' Battle's a might uncomfortable with you flyin' over his head with you just in your underwear Dash," Applejack translated.

Battle could practically see Dash shrug. "He walks about with his shirt off and I don't feel uncomfortable."

"As Rarity would say Dash, Battle's a gentleman. You're hardly a lady."

"Thanks AJ."

"Can someone please explain to me why Fluttershy's house is in mid air at the moment?" Battled asked. "Also Dash put some trousers on I can't take you seriously if you're flying around in your underwear."

"I have a t-shirt on."

"Pyjamas then. The point remains however, why is Fluttershy's cottage in the air, what are we going to do about it and where the hell is Fluttershy anyway?"

"That's three points isn't it?" Dash asked.

"Shush."

Applejack looked up at the cottage and raised an eyebrow. "She in there Dash?"

"Nope," she replied.

"Is he in there?"

"Nope."

Battle looked up at this. "He? He who? Who is this he we're talking about right now?"

Applejack ignored him for a moment to look at Dash. "Well were are they? We can't do much if we don't know where he is and there ain't much point if she ain't here to go back inside."

Battle sighed and rolled his eyes, deciding to remain quiet until Applejack and Rainbow Dash chose to stop playing the pronoun game. He looked up quickly as Applejack gave an exclamation of 'Hey!' but was cut off as something was dropped on his head, hanging onto his horn and slipping down over his eyes. Battle grabbed whatever it was from his horn and unceremoniously ripped it off to inspect it. It took him a few moments to recognise Applejack's signature stetson. He frowned, confused. Applejack wasn't the type to just hand out her stetson, and he certainly hadn't heard her approach before or after she said 'Hey!' Battle looked up again after remembering that Applejack hadn't sounded endangered, but more annoyed and surprised.

Applejack was of course without her signature stetson, but not only this, she was also wearing a set of clothes that were several sizes to big for her. Rainbow Dash was now in a fine tree piece suit, much to her annoyance and Battle's confusion. Curious, Battle checked himself over and jumped when he saw his fur was now electric blue.

"What in the-" Battle's eyes widened as he realised is voice was now several octaves higher than before. "Okay really? Why do I sound like I just inhaled a whole lot of helium?"

"You sound ridiculous," Dash chuckled. Battle scowled at her and threw Applejack her hat.

"This better not be permanent or I will be pissed," Battle growled. A threatening act, if Battle didn't sound like Rarity's sister. A fact highlighted by Dash's uncontrollable howls of laughter. Battle scowled at her as someone landed behind her.

"Oh my, is everyone okay?"

Battle turned around and gave Fluttershy a look that screamed 'Do I look okay?' She in turn looked at Battle and gave a small, quiet chuckle at Battle blue visage.

"Yeah yeah laugh it up 'Shy," Battle grunted. "How come I'm the only here who ended up looking like a total pillock?"

"Oh, because wearin' clothes that're gonna fall off ya at any moment ain't stupid looking at all!" Applejack snapped, before looking over at Fluttershy. "'Shy what in tarnation are you lettin' him get away with now?"

"I'm not letting him get away with anything!" Fluttershy snapped (or as close as Fluttershy can snap). "He's been away for weeks, so I'm letting him get comfortable again in his own way."

"Uhuh?" Dash asked, arms folded, looking unimpressed. "Can you explain to me where you were then for the past thirty minutes when I came to check on you?"

"Or why Batle sounds like a munchkin?" Applejack called.

Battle rolled his eyes: "I'd settle for just what the hell is going on here."

Dash sniggered and he fixed her with an unimpressed stare. Fluttershy on the other hand seemed content to answer Dash's question: "Angel ran out when the house started lifting out of the ground, I just couldn't sleep without knowing if he was safe."

"And where's he in all of this?" Applejack asked.

Battle was now officially tired of everyone ignoring his question. "Okay, stop! Can someone please answer me right now! Who! Is! This! HE!?"

"Temper temper," said a voice right in Battle's left ear. Battle whirled around, spinning on the ball of his right foot, twisting backwards and flipping onto his hands to put some distance between him and the mystery speaker. He landed on his feet, resting one hand on the ground and prepared for a running start if need be. Dash gave a whistle at the maneuver and Applejack opened her mouth a little at the way Battle's body seemed to twist in an almost unnatural fashion.

"My my," said the same voice, in the same, condescending amused tone. "Quite an intriguing one you are." Battled looked up at the speaker to see something that at first glance might seem to be a pony. It had the same basic shape, with a muddy brown coat for its torso and slate grey over his head, aside from the fact it was twice as tall as Battle. However it was most definitely not any unicorn, earth pony or pegasus. Its right arm was covered in a thinner, golden fur, ending in a lion's paw, rather than a hand. The other arm, was spindly and thin, ending in an eagle's claw. His right leg was green, scaly and reptilian, whilst his left looked to come straight from a goat. From, what Battle could assume to be, the creature's shoulder blades, were wings yes, but they were mismatched as the rest of the creature, the right one being that of a bat and the left being that of a pegasus. Its tail was long and covered in red scales, ending in white fluff. The same white hair ran up the back of the creature's head and neck, created his bushy eyebrows and its equally bushy goatee. From behind the creature's ears were two horns. Behind the right, the antler of a deer, the left the bluish horn of a goat. A long fang poked out from beneath the creature's lip and his eyes were yellow, with red irises and mismatched pupils.

Battle straightened up slowly, regarding the amalgamation before him with curiosity and apprehension. He had never seen something so malformed, so conflicted and confused in his entire life.

"I know what you're thinking," it said, its voice revealing it to be a male. "You're enraptured by my beauty."

"Quite the opposite," Battle said slowly. "What are you?"

"A god to put it simply," Discord said smiling. Battle cocked an eyebrow. "Quite the cynic you brought dear Fluttershy."

"Battle," Applejack said grumbling. "This is Discord."

Battle looked at Discord, then at Applejack, then at the floating house, then back to Discord.

"Fair enough," Battle said, nodding. Discord blinked, then stared at him intently.

"Just that? Fair enough? Aren't you going to bow down? Grovel before me? You're talking to the God of Chaos and Disharmony."

"Ask me if I'm affected," Battle said slowly. "Actually better question: Ask me why I should care considering that you've A: turned me bright blue, and B: made my voice sound like a filly half my age?"

Discord snapped the fingers on his left hand. "Better?"

Battle looked at himself to see his coat had returned to its usual sleek black luster. He cleared his throat and, satisfied it had become its former bass he nodded in appreciation.

"Much."

"Good," Discord smiled. The smile disappeared when Dash shoved her snout into his face.

"Mind telling us why Fluttershy's house is floating in the air?" she snapped.

"Oh Dash I've told you I don't mind!" Fluttershy squeaked.

"Back! Right now!" Dash snapped again, ignoring Fluttershy. Discord rolled his eyes, one of the turning into a billiard ball for the briefest of moments before, with a snap of his fingers, Fluttershy's house returned to its usual place on the hill.

"You have no appreciation for modern home design Rainbow my dear," Discord sighed.

"Modern home design my hoof!" Dash snapped. "You've been terrorising Fluttershy's animals!"

Discord's irises became red crosses as he stuck his snake like tongue out his mouth and fell to the ground, grasping a daisy his both hands as he hit the ground. He sprung back up a moment later, paw on his chest, head held high.

"How dare you Miss Dash!?" he huffed in indignation. "I have done no such thing."

Dash gave a derisive snort before she relented, flying back down to the ground, her usual attire restored with a snap of Discord's fingers once again, Applejack's clothes also returning to their original size. He smiled before making his way to the cottage.

"Seeing as how we're all here, how about we all have some tea?" he suggested, a teapot and several saucers appearing and hovering in the air out of nowhere. Battle gave a yawn.

"Need to get back to the library," he said, the excuse sounding lame to him. Discord looked at him.

"Who said the offer was extended to you?" he asked.

"Discord!" Fluttershy gasped, looking furious.

"I'm sorry Fluttershy my dear but this dear stallion hasn't earned my respect as of yet," he said, not looking at Battle. "I'm sure he may be delightful but I simply cannot call him my friend." He paused. "Unless he can look me in the eye and say it."

"Say what?" Battle asked, folding his arms.

"Why that you'd like to be my friend of course," Discord said as if it were obvious. Battle looked at Dash who shrugged. Applejack gave and confused gesture. Fluttershy however looked at Battle with pleading eyes. He sighed.

"Fine," he said. "Come here then."

Discord leaned down, pressing his face almost directly into Battle's. Their eyes locked onto one another. Battle stared deep into those red eyes. He saw madness, devastation. Many things in those eyes he saw. All of them, watered down versions of the apocalypse. A child, playing with the power of a God.

"I think we should be friends," Battle said as sincerely as he could. For a long time, Discord said nothing. Then, he did something Battle found unexpected.

He blinked.

Battle was so shocked by this that he blinked as well. In that instanced before his eyelids closed however he saw something new in those red eyes: Respect. Or was it admiration? He didn't want to say it was fear.

Discord leaned back, arms folded, tapping his chin. Then he reached down with his lion paw. "Discord, a pleasure to meet you."

Battle grabbed the paw and shook it as well. "Battle Ready, likewise."

"I'd invite you for tea but you said something about the library?" Discord asked.

"Yeah," Battle replied. "Gotta make sure nothing's been nicked while I've been out."

"That wouldn't do at all," Discord replied. "Well off you go."

Battle nodded, slowly walking away from Fluttershy's cottage, Discord and the three confused ponies. As soon as Battle was out of earshot, Dash looked at him.

"What was that?" she asked, genuinely curious. Discord shrugged.

"I merely wanted to see if he would do it. Nothing more."

He didn't tell them of course. He knew what Battle had seen in him. The genius of evil, tempered by the comedy of a child and reigned in by the power of friendship.But he doubted Battle knew what someone like Discord would see if he stared into his eyes for long enough. And stare he had. And he had seen something he never thought a pony was capable of. No pony in Equestria.

As he looked back over his shoulder and watched Battle walk away in a distance, he wondered what the others might think of him if they knew. If they knew what lay behind those navy blue eyes. What would they see? Discord knew for he had seen it himself.

He had seen violence.

Chapter Nine

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Battle was a firm believer in gut feelings. Many decisions he made in his life, he made by what he felt. Sometimes his instincts led him astray, but more often than not, he was correct. He knew what he was doing. So when Battle sat up that evening as Carrot Top left the library, he knew something was off. His eyes flicked to the bookshelves as he slowly got up from his desk. Nothing was wrong with the books, nothing was out of place and nothing was missing that hadn't been checked out, barring the sneaky copy of Daring Doo he let Dash have on the slide. He scratched the back of his head, confused.

He felt a dull throb in back of his jaw. He frowned and held his hand out before his face. The hairs stood on end, bristling with something Battle knew not. The lights above Battle's head flickered and there was a crash from downstairs. Battle frowned. From downstairs? Downstairs... Downstairs.

Battle vaulted the desk and yanked the door to the kitchen open. The door to the basement was already open and a pulsing kaleidoscope of colour glowed from within. A wind blew past Battle as he took the stairs two at a time. He paused halfway down and looked into the room. The glass in the cabinet that held the Elements of Harmony lay on the floor, shattered. The Elements of Loyalty, Honesty and Laughter were glowing brilliantly with their respective colours. Magical winds whistled from where they lay, but there was a dark edge to the wind. There was a dull whine to it. Like a creature in pain.

Something was wrong. Very wrong.

The hammering on the library door did nothing to suggest otherwise, especially when someone burst through and began hollering for Battle. Taking a last look at the Elements, he ran back up the stairs and pulled the door shut. He stepped through into the kitchen to see a dishevelled and distressed Rarity spinning like a top and crying out as loud as she could. The fact that her mane was such a frazzled mess was enough to make Battle's concern turn to anxiety. Rarity never let her mane look like that if she was going out in public.

"There you are!" Rarity cried, racing to Battle and gripping his shoulders. "Quickly please you have to come now!"

"Why what's happening?" Battle asked. Rarity however shook her head gasping for breath and tugging at Battle's hands.

"No time!" she gasped. "We have to go!"

Battle nodded and Rarity turned and ran out of the library, Battle following swiftly behind. Rarity didn't waste anytime. She merely pelted down the streets of Ponyville, the yellow lights of the streetlamps not yet illuminating the streets, so Battle followed by the dwindling light of the sunset. His heart was hammering in his chest and his mind began to whirl through all the possible situations that could have caused Rarity such a panic.

She turned a corner and nearly fell over something- someone, curled up in a ball around the corner. When Battle reached where she fell, Fluttershy was already fussing over her. Her eyes were red and puffy, tear tracks marking her face as she sniffled.

"What's happening?" Battle asked, crouching by Fluttershy and Rarity. Rarity looked up the street and gestured. Battle looked up just as the lights turned on and his blood turned to ice.

Gryphons.

Had to be at least ten of them, all fairly young too, about Rarity's age, three female but seven definately male. They looked to be strong too, with powerful legs and even more dangerous looking claws. They were dressed similarly, black jackets - that Battle knew to be real leather and not some Equine facsimile - with metallic spikes on the shoulders, ripped black jeans with lots of zips and heavy looking black boots, most likely with steel toe-caps. In their midst Battle could see three ponies too and it was they that made Battle's blood run cold. Pinkie Pie, Rainbow Dash and Applejack.

One of the bulkier looking gryphon's had Dash in a full nelson, pinning her wings to her back with his bulk. From what Battle could see, Dash was bleeding from a serious of gash wounds on her torso and her head lay slumped against her chest. Pinkie lay on the ground, unconscious. Applejack was lying on the ground, hands tied behind her back and some sort of gag stuffed into her mouth to stop her from crying out.

"Gilda," Rarity panted. "She caught us off guard. She said she wanted to get even with Dash and Pinkie. Applejack tried to stop them but-"

Battle held up a hand to silence Rarity. He looked down at her and nodded before he began walking towards the group of gryphons. He rolled his neck once clockwise, once counter-clockwise. After satisfied with the 'click' he heard, he placed his left hand on his right shoulder and rolled it a few times, before swapping arms. By that time he was close enough to hear what was being said.

"... more from you Dash," said one of the gryphons. Battle noted the female gryphon in the centre was the only one to have blood on her claws. Gilda. She looked down at where Applejack lay. "The farm-pony put up more of a fight than you did." Gilda laughed a little. "But then it only makes sense. You always were fastest Dashie. Fastest to fly, fastest to run away from a fight."

Dash, to her credit, lifted her head to look Gilda in the eye. Her rosy eyes burned with defiance and she pulled her head back to spit at the ground in front of Gilda. "You make me sick," she managed to croak.

Gilda's eyes narrowed and she punched Dash in the face, making her slump a little in her capture's grasp before being yanked upright again. The pegasus grunted and let out a low moan of pain, blood dripping from her burst lip. Battle's eyes narrowed and his fist clenched, as he stepped into the circle of light around Gilda and her gang.

One of the leaner looking gryphon's noticed Battle's appearance and she straightened up at the sight of him. "Boss, company!"

Gilda turned around at the sound as did the others and watched as Battle approached. Dash too lifted her head up at the call and looked at Battle.

"Battle," she croaked, "Get help."

"Shut it bitch," Gilda growled, smacking her right hand across Dash's face in a smart backhand before looking back at Battle. "This doesn't concern you dweeb. Now beat it before my boys decide to introduce themselves."

Battle stopped. But he didn't walk away.

"Dweeb?" he asked.

"Yeah, dweeb," Gilda smirked. "Don't know what a dweeb is?"

"Of course I do," Battle replied slowly. "The last time I heard anyone use it was my grandmother though and here you are acting like it's the next hot thing, you must be ancient."

Gilda's eyes widened in shock and her cheeks flamed with anger. "You what?!" she snapped. "You wanna say that again punk?"

"Oh now we're onto 'punk' are we?" Battle asked folding his arms. "Are you just going through all the insults of the last thirty years or are you gonna use something current?"

One of the other gryphon's growled. "You gotta be pretty brave, or pretty stupid pal if you're gonna say shit like that to the Boss."

Battle didn't even look at him. "Seriously that's what you call yourself? The Boss? Damn how cliched could you be?"

Gilda's eyes narrowed. "Who the buck do you think you are!?"

"I'm Battle Ready," he replied evenly. "Ponyville's temporary replacement librarian."

Gilda blinked before she smiled, then she chuckled. Then she began to outright laugh. "A librarian?" she howled, wiping tears from her eyes. "Antonio, go show the librarian how the real world works."

The gryphon who had spoken to Battle smiled evilly, walking up to Battle. Battle turned to look at him, arms folded. Antonia stood before Battle, a full head taller than him.

"You wanna lay a few ground rules punk?" he smirked. Battle, still retaining his cool, smiled back at him.

"Three actually," he said. "One: no hair pulling, two: no biting and three: no tattling to mommy? You okay with that sweetheart?"

Antonio's nostril's flared and he pulled his right fist back and swung a punch for Battle's head. Battle, arms still folded, spun to his right, avoiding the punch and now with his back to the gryphon. Antonio staggered as Battle bent his knees and jumped up and backwards. Antonio's momentum carried him forwards whilst Battle's carried him back. The result was the back of Battle's head crunched into the base of Antonio's jaw.

Antonio cried out as the pain hit him, slipping over and past Battle's right shoulder and sprawling in the dirt. Battle for his part gave a wince of pain after his head struck the gryphon but managed to stay upright. He looked down at Antonio as he clutched his bottom jaw, rotating his beak to make sure everything still worked. Then he looked up at Battle, eyes narrowed in anger.

"Lucky shot punk," he growled getting to his feet. Battle rolled his eyes.

"So it was lucky that I managed to dodge you punch, fortunate that I positioned myself perfectly and chance that I managed to hit you in the chin?" Battle asked. Antonio looked at Battle with fire in his eyes.

"You got a lot of mouth on you," he said slowly. He spread his wings and dashed, hoping to use his speed to his advantage. Indeed, when Battle made no move to dodge he thought his surprise tactic had worked as he threw a left-handed punch with all the strength his could muster for Battle's kidney.

Battle moved his right hand slightly from where it lay as Antonio got within striking range. There was a brief flash of light and a horrible cracking sound, and Antonio fell to the ground for a second time in as many minutes. Instead of a cry of anger, he was screaming, clutching his hand to his chest, the fingers twitching spasmodically. Battle raised an eyebrow and bent over Antonio, looking at his hand, watching as tiny rivulets of blood began sneaking their way through the skin.

"Every one," he muttered, surprised with himself.

"The hell did you do to him!?" Gilda snapped. Battle straightened up to look at her.

"I just broke every bone in his damn hand that's what," Battle replied. His eyes were cold now. He was done playing. "You're friend needs urgent medical attention as do my friends you have there. If you go right now, this can stop."

Gilda snorted. "Now who's cliche? You think just because you floored Antonio I'm intimidated?"

"No, but the slight waver in your voice the fact the feathers on your neck are raised and your claws are no longer sheathed suggest you now consider me a legitimate threat and that I've rattled you some."

Gilda's eyes narrowed. "You don't scare me."

Battle shrugged. "Let's fix that."

Gilda looked to the six remaining males of her gang. "Teach him some manners boys. 'Chesca, watch the farm pony. Lou, you can put the trash down."

The bulky pegasus that held Dash, Lou, dropped her to the ground and stepped over her crumpled and bleeding form as the other five began walking towards Battle. One of the younger looking gryphon girls stepped over to sit on Applejack's bound hands. Battle looked at each of the gryphons in turn.

"Same rules apply to you pansies," Battle said. "No biting-"

He was cut off by a punch in the stomach from Lou.

"We get it cupcake," he snarled.

Battle looked into his face, smiled through a grimace of pain then spat right in his eye. Lou grunted and stepped back and Battle stepped in, a right hook cutting against lou's jaw, a low kick slamming against his shin. Lou instinctively reached down to grab at his injured leg and Battle gripped his head before slamming a knee into his jaw. Lou fell back against the dirt, unconscious.

Battle heard something move behind him and he flattened himself to the ground as another gryphon shot past over head, tripping over his prone form. Whoever they were curse as they hit the dirt. Before they could get back up however, Battle was there. He grabbed the unfortunate attacked by the wrist, twisted his arm back so that his face was pressed to the ground and his arm was vertical in the air and twisted hard. The snap of bones breaking told Battle all he needed to know.

He looked around. The other gryphons were wary now. They hung back, eyeing Battle with caution. Which was fine with Battle. Adapt.

He closed his eyes and suddenly his horn flashed, emitting a blinding white light. The grunts of surprise from around him told him all he needed to know. Four stunned gryphons were easier to take down, and they were more likely to hurt themselves and each other in their confusion.

He opened his eyes again and danced swiftly and stealthily to the nearest one, a skinny one to be sure. Battle felt a little sorry for him. It didn't feel right taking down someone like this while they were disorientated. A few thumbs jabs to the appropriate nerve clusters were all he needed and the gryphon hit the ground in a dead faint. He would be sore but not in pain. More than he could say for his comrades.

Something sharp raked across his back and he gasped, flipping forwards on his hands to put some distance from the one who'd attacked him. he looked up to see the gryphon who'd sat on Applejack, 'Chesca. She smiled, licking Battle's blood from her claws.

"Not so tough now are you dog?" she mocked, and lunged, claws outstretched. Battle threw his hand out and the dirt he'd picked up from the ground flew into 'Chesca's eyes. She cried out and Battle stepped into her, punching into her sternum, only stopping when he heard it crack before he whacked his elbow against he cheek, sending her to the ground cold.

The gryphons were down to half their numbers and Battle hadn't even broken a sweat yet. The five that remained were looking concerned, borderline scared. All except Gilda, who now looked more furious than ever.

"I ask you to do one thing!" she thundered. "Can't you take one stupid librarian? You're gryphons aren't you? Fly already!"

She took the lead in that sense, spreading her wings and taking flight, soaring high into the sky, beyond Battle's dome of visibility under the streetlights. The other four gryphons followed her example, disappearing into the dark. Battle stood in the middle of the street, looking up into the sky. Mentally he began going through everything he knew about gryphons as an enemy. They were hunters, powerful, with the tools for ripping and tearing in their claws and strong beaks. Their eyesight's were also second to none and wouldn't be hindered by the darkness like Battle. They were also wicked fast flyers. Battle couldn't rely on sight to track them and wouldn't be able to hear them coming until it was a second too late to dodge.

Battle was at a disadvantage he knew. And if there was one thing he loathed more than anything else, was having to admit he was at a disadvantage.

A gryphon burst from the shadows and lunged for him, slashing her claws into his shoulders and picking him up into the air: "You're a big one ain'tcha?"

She lifted him beyond the light and then dropped him, where a second gryphon grabbed him and pecked at his already wounded shoulder. Battle groaned in agony and the gryphon laughed. When he tried to drop him however Battle looped his arm around the gryphon's waist, lifting himself up with a Herculean effort to land on the gryphon's shoulders, where the surprised flyer gave a shriek of disapproval. Battle however smile, before slugging the gryphon between the eyes. He dropped like a stone but to his credit, remained conscious, flying wonkily to the ground where Battle jumped off. The gryphon turned and staggered towards him. Battle walked smartly up to him and punched him once again. He hit the ground snoring.

Battle looked into the dark sky again and scowled. There were four gryphon's left in the sky. They may have lost one to when Battle dragged him down to the ground again but he knew that gryphon's never gave up on a prey. They would try again soon he-

The gryphon from before lunged at Battle once again and he threw up his hand on instinct and a wave of silver light came into being between them. The gryphon's eyes widened in shock before she crumpled against the wall and dropped to the ground.

Battle dropped his hands as a cry came from above him.

"Pussies! Get your asses back here before I decide to come after you!"

Battle looked up as he heard the cry as something dropped down in front of him. Gilda, angrier than ever, and alone.

"If you want something done," she growled.

"Hypocrite," Battle muttered.

"What!"

"You heard. If that was truly your ideology then you would've challenged Dash on equal terms. You would've challenged her one on one in a situation where she could refuse. But no. You decided to fight three unarmed mares in the dark of dusk without warning. What did you think would happen?"

"I thought I'd kick her pale blue flank and get out of here," she growled.

"Well then guess what Gilda?" Battle said. "The only way your ass is leaving here is in a full-body cast."

She shrieked and threw herself at him, clawing downwards. Battle sidestepped and chopped her in the throat causing her to stumble and choke as Battle swung his leg at hers, sweeping her legs out from under her, causing her to land beak-first into the ground. Battle didn't leave her a chance to get up, deciding to instead kick her in the stomach, causing her to let out a horrible reaching sound and flipping onto her back. She shrieked a moment later however when Battle's boot crunched onto her face, twisting her beak violently. The same boot press against her shoulder and Battle gripped at Gilda's arm and wrenched, snapping her collar-bone.

Battle's eyes were cold as he leant over Gilda and gripped her by the collar. He backhand slapped her, causing her to groan and he snapped his fingers in her face. "You still in there?" She nodded. "Good. You don't come back here ever you understand? You don't come near my friends, you don't come near this town, and you pray you never meet me again. Got that?" Another nod. "Good." Battle's fist clocked her in the eye, sending her into oblivion. He quickly patted her down, finding what he was looking for in a small silver key.

Battle stood up and raced over to where Applejack lay, slipping the key into the handcuffs and releasing her. Instantly her hands whipped around to her face to remove the gag.

"Thanks there partner," she gasped, getting to her feet. "Am I glad you took care of that. Where'd you learn those moves?"

"Long story," Battle replied, racing to where Pinkie lay. There was a large swelling on the side over her head and there was a little blood, but her breathing was normal. "We need to get these two to hospital now."

"What about them?" Applejack asked, jerking a thumb at the gryphons, though the look of disgust on her face showed she was not happy she had to ask.

"What about them?" Battle asked, bending down to scoop Dash into his arms, gently given her condition. "Can you take Pinkie?"

The farm pony nodded, picking Pinkie into her strong grip and looked at Battle. "Ready?"

Battle didn't answer, jogging off into the dark, an unconscious Dash in his arms.

Chapter Ten

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Rainbow Dash gave a low groan as she stirred from unconsciousness. Hey body felt heavy and lifeless and her head felt as if her brain was made of a thick gloopy treacle. She struggled to remember how she had ended up in such a sorry state, which was hard to do considering her current condition. She frowned slightly at the texture beneath her. She wasn't sleeping on her cloud bed back home that was for certain. In fact the only time she ever slept in a regular bed was when she spent the night at a friends. Well, either that or she was in a hospital bed.

In a hospital bed.

In a hospital bed.

Dash gave another groan, this one of annoyance. It didn't take much to piece together she'd done something stupid and now she was suffering the consequences in hospital. She could even start to feel the drip in her arm, keeping her pain under control on some kind of anesthetic. She was surprised she didn't pick up on the fact she was in hospital sooner now, the beeping of the heart monitor omnipresent and constant. Strange though. She couldn't really remember doing anything crazy enough to warrant her bed ridden and hopped up on morphine. She hadn't come up with any new stunts recently she was sure of that, and she certainly didn't remember planning on trying out any of her more risky maneuvers this week. Maybe she was injured on weather patrol? A lightning strike was sure to boggle the mind for a few hours, and being blown off course by high winds was a common cause for some rather nasty crash landings. Ponyville had been due for a storm after all Dash conceded, at least according to the charts she picked up last night.

Last night...

Something about the night before seemed to spark a memory, if it even was the previous night anymore. She'd gone to receive the weather patterns for the next week from the Mayor's office, dropped by Sugar Cube Corner as Pinkie Pie was closing up, then she and Pinkie had bumped into Applejack, Rarity and Fluttershy and... someone said something about going out to Vinyl's new club and then... nothing. She couldn't remember anything after that.

Her nose started to itch and her face squirmed. She tried lifting her right arm to scratch it, only to discover she couldn't feel it. Immediately, panic filled her mind with horrific images of her arm being little more than a stump at the end of her shoulder, the heart monitor beside her beginning to increase its tempo to match her rapidly beating heart. She didn't know how she would cope living with one arm. How would she fly? How would she do anything? Her right hand was dominant!

Deciding her eyelids would be easier to open than lifting a potentially non-existent arm. Preparing herself mentally for the worst, she began to lift her head from her pillow and turn it slightly to the right. Taking a deep breath, she opened her eyes.

Her arm was still there, though it was in a plaster cast. She let out the relieved sigh that her arm was in fact still attached to her body. It had probably been on a much higher dosage than the rest of her body, and it was still working out the anesthetic from her systems and averaging everything out.

The door was flung open suddenly and Doctor Stables burst in, a frightened look in his eyes. When he saw Dash however, propped up slightly and looking at him, he relaxed slightly and walked over to her.

"Rainbow," he sighed, reaching her side. "You gave me quite a fright there. Your heart rate suddenly shot up. I thought it might have been cardiac arrest or something."

"Just couldn't feel my arm Doc," she said smiling back at him. "Started thinking you chopped it off."

"Keep livin the way you do and someday that might just happen," Doctor Stable said, a knowing look in his eye as he began checking Dash over. "Hmmm, still the same sorry state you were in last night, but I think you're stable enough to at least see your friends."

"You're bedside manners' still appalling Doc," Dash grumbled, though she did smile slightly at the notion of seeing some friends and potentially finding some answers to what exactly happened to her last night. Doctor Stables rolled his eyes, before walking over to the door and opening it and stepping through. A few moments later Fluttershy flew in and pounced on Dash, burying her face into Dash's neck and sobbing. Dash in the meanwhile stiffened eyes wide as pain suddenly reached her numbed brain.

"'Shy," Dash managed to croak out. "I know you're worried... but still kind of in pain here."

Fluttershy immediately snapped away from Dash, hands covering her mouth and repeatedly whispering apologies through her tears, as Rarity walked in, followed by Applejack, Pinkie Pie and Battle. Pinkie had a bandage wrapped around her head and her hair was arrow straight, the way it usually was when she was upset. Applejack had a few bandages wrapped around her wrists and a plaster on her cheek but seemed to be in a much better condition than Pinkie. Battle meanwhile had his coat draped over his shoulders, revealing the bandages wrapped around his chest and shoulders.

"Morning twinkle toes," Battle said as Dash manouvered herself into an upright position. He had a styrofoam cup full of some steaming liquid. Whether it was coffee or tea, Dash had no way to be sure.

"Nice to see you too Battle," Dash replied, rolling her eyes, before leaning towards the others. "So I take it that the fact four of us are in bandages that last night was a good night out?"

Rarity frowned. "You don't remember what happened?"

"That's kind of why I'm asking," Dash sighed. Applejack rubbed her wrists with a grim look on her face.

"Gilda happened," Applejack told her. "She jumped us with some of her goons, knocked Pinkie out 'n' started wailing on us two. Rares and 'Shy managed to slip away."

Dash looked at her blankly, blinked then slumped back, rubbing her eyes. "So... Gilda attacked us?"

"She didn indeed darling," Rarity confirmed, pressing a hand to Dash's shoulder. "She was most interested in you and Pinkie Pie. I think she chose to rough up Applejack because she decided to fight back."

"Meanwhile Rares went 'n' got help," Applejack continued. "Which Ah'll be honest, Ah'm sorta glad that Twilight wasn't here for that."

"Why?" Dash asked, confused and still trying to process everything that she was being told.

"Because if Twi had been here, Ah doubt things would've turned out the way they did," Applejack admitted. "Let's be honest, Twi's never seen a real fight an' Ah doubt she'd know what to do in one."

Dash turned her head to Battle. "So Rarity went to you for help?" Battle nodded. "And you got rid of Gilda?"

Battle cocked his head and wormed his lips as he thought of a way to respond. "Got rid of is a funny way of describing what happened last night," he said at last. "Made sure she'd stay away from you and the others so long as she lives? Yes, yes I did that. Actually got her to leave Ponyville with her tail between her legs? Kind of."

"Why kind of?" Dash asked, eyes narrowed.

"Because she's still in intensive care with seven of her gryphon buddies," Battle replied evenly.

Dash blinked, amazed.

"Seven?"

"Seven, not counting Gilda. Where the two little bitches who flew away are I can't say but the whole gryphon thing won't be a problem for you."

"You put eight gryphons down for the count?" Dash whispered, amazed.

"Down for the count does not describe what happened to those gryphons," Rarity interrupted, as Battle lifted his drink to his lips. "I believe a phrase you might be familiar with darling is 'He fucked them up.'" Battle promptly spat out the mouthful he had just sipped and began to laugh.

"Language!" he cried out, guffawing with laughter, Pinkie Pie smiling slightly and Applejack letting out a snort as Rarity and Fluttershy both blushed crimson. Dash meanwhile couldn't help but crack a smile of her own, before turning to Battle again.

"So, fucked 'em up did ya?" she asked, much to Rarity's embarrassment. Battle rolled the sleeve of his coat up his arm, presenting it to Dash. There they were again. The scars criss-crossing across Battle's flesh.

"They aren't for show you know."

Dash looked him in the eyes and smiled. "I never said they were."

Chapter Eleven

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The injuries were minor. Nothing more than feeble scratches, incapable of leaving scars. Still Doctor Stables seemed adamant on keeping Battle in the hospital for twenty four hours. Not that Battle minded. He got a chance to check in on Rainbow and Pinkie. He was thankful that the two were now conscious. Dash wouldn't be out of bed for a while and Pinkie would have to stay in the hospital, but they were both relatively unharmed. Dash seemed a little rattled by the experience she had forgotten and Pinkie definitely seemed less chipper, but Battle had a feeling the two of them would bounce back. Applejack's injuries were just a few minor cuts where the handcuffs had dug into her wrists, and was already hard at work on the farm. Only time would tell how Rarity and Fluttershy would deal with the events of the previous night.

His more insidious instincts had told him to also go see Gilda. The gryphon and her friends had been found in the late morning, and brought into accident and emergency. Antonio was awake when Battle had arrived, as was the unfortunate gryphon whom Battle had knocked out with the thumb jabs. Both looked petrified to see him.

At least he took some satisfaction in that.

When Doctor Stables did release him he found Mayor Mare waiting for him at the hospital entrance.

"An interesting night?" she asked as she and Battle began to make their way to the library.

"Just watching out for my friends," he replied as warmly as he could. Mayor Mare hummed slightly at that.

"According to Applejack there was ten of them?" she said.

"Ten of who?" Battle replied, trying to play innocent.

"Ten gryphons," Mayor Mare explained. "Apparently Gilda was one of them."

"I wouldn't know who that is," Battle replied.

"You know Rarity told me everything don't you?"

Battle said nothing for a few moments. "Does this mean I'm in trouble?"

Mayor looked to him, raising an eyebrow. "So long as I don't hear about you looking for a fight I'm willing to forget about this. Gilda was a bit of a pest. She didn't exactly leave Ponyville with the town's favour."

"And?" Battle said, knowing there was more.

"There were a few... complaints," Mare said at last.

"You mean crimes?"

"Yes. A few thefts here and there, some property damage, and now this. Gilda's been on Ponyville's most wanted for a long time. As soon as she comes to, we'll be able to charge her, and cart her and her friends off to trial."

Battle nodded. "So this worked out for all of us?"

"Indeed. I just hope she doesn't come back for more. She does appear to have a vengeful streak does she not?"

"She won't come back. I made sure of it."

"I'll take your word for it. I took the liberty of seeing Doctor Stables about our guests. Impressive work might I say." She looked up at him. "Ex-military?"

"Kind of," Battle replied. "I don't much like talking about it."

"I understand."

They stopped as the library came into view. Mayor Mare turned to Battle Ready and looked at him over the rim of her glasses. "I'm a trusting mare Battle. I like to think I have a good sense of character. And from what I can tell, you're not a bad egg. You may have been a little overzealous but your intentions were good." She turned and began to walk away. "Just, don't go looking for trouble okay?"

"Why would I do that?" Battle called after her. "Trouble finds me!"

She laughed and Battle turned back to the library. He reached the door and placed the key in the lock before he paused, slumped his shoulders and sighed looking to the bush next to him on his left.

"'Shy I know you're there so I'm just gonna put the kettle on for when you decide to come inside," he said smiling and pushing into the library. He threw his coat off of his shoulders and onto the coat hanger, before striding over to the kitchen. He filled the kettle with water and placed over the hob to boil. He leaned against the counter and waited for the familiar clunk of the door as Fluttershy would walk in, meak and slightly embarrassed. Indeed as Battle reached for the mug he had claimed for himself and the one Fluttershy usually used, the library door closed and Fluttershy walked into the kitchen.

"Hi," she mumbled and sat down. Battle bit his lip slightly and sat opposite her.

"I assume that this is about last night?" he asked. She nodded and he sighed. "You wanna talk about it?"

Fluttershy took a deep breath and looked at Battle. "What you did to Gilda last night..."

Battle dropped his head and nodded slowly. "Right... yeah... look I'm sorry if I-"

"I want you to teach me how you did that."

Battle looked up sharply. Of all the reactions from all the ponies he'd met in Ponyville, this was the last one he'd expect from Fluttershy. Fluttershy herself turned red from embarrassment from what she'd just said just as the kettle began to boil. Battle, thankful for the distraction, got up to pour him and Fluttershy some tea. The silence filled the air for a few moments as Battle filled both mugs with tea leaves and hot water.

"You... want me to teach you how to do what I did last night?" Battle asked eventually.

"Not just that," Fluttershy muttered. "I... I think I recognised some of what you did. Sambo right? From Stalliongrad?"

"How... how do you even know that?" Battle asked, setting Fluttershy's mug in front of her. She blushed.

"I stumbled across it whilst looking for massage techniques to use on Harry," she explained briefly. "But that isn't the point. I want you to teach me everything you know about Sambo."

Battle took a sip of his own tea, mulling it over. "Two things. One, it's not Sambo. It's a mixed martial arts form known as Omniform, specially constructed so that any pony could pick it up. Omniform can get more complicated in later stages of learning which branches off into Magiform, Monoform and Aviaform, for unicorns, earth ponies and pegasi respectively. Two, why?"

"Why?" Fluttershy repeated confused.

"Yeah, I mean you're the kindest sweetest mare alive. Why would you ever need to kick some ass?" Battle sipped his tea. Fluttershy held her mug with both hands and took a sip. before putting down.

"Last night..." she said slowly. "I saw three of my friends get attacked and all three of them ended up going to hospital. Me and Rarity watched as they were attacked. What did she do... she went to go get help. She brought you. And what did I do? I just curled up in a ball. I didn't do anything. If Rarity hadn't been there..."

"You're feeling guilty about last night?" Battle asked. "'Shy that wasn't your fault it couldn't possibly have been your fault."

"I know it wasn't," Fluttershy snapped. "But what about next time? And the time after that? My friends are the first to jump into danger and I have to watch them get hurt, while I sit back and cry to myself because I can't even hurt a fly. I don't want to play that role anymore. I want to learn. The next time something happens I don't want to have to cower behind Rainbow Dash or Applejack!"

Battle remained silent for a few seconds and took a sip of tea. Then he looked at Fluttershy. "You feel you aren't contributing is that it?"

"My friends were in danger last night Battle," she responded. "I... I know I don't have to be stronger than them. We all do our part in our group."

"But...?"

"But I can't help but wonder," Fluttershy mumbled, "That if I had known something like what you do, whether or not things would have turned out differently."

"Who knows?" Battle muttered. "They might have."

"And I don't mean to say I would've ended up in hospital too," Fluttershy said sharply.

"Never said that's what would have happened," Battle replied. He sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose. "Let's say I did teach you Aviaform okay? You have to ask yourself if things would have turned out differently last night. Would you have been able to fight off Gilda with Applejack? Or would you have done the same thing you did last night?"

"Are you saying I'm weak? That I couldn't handle it?" Fluttershy asked.

"No, god no," Battle replied hastily. "It takes courage and character to admit to a flaw, strength to try and fix it. but as far as I can tell 'Shy, violence is not in your nature. I'm not saying you'd run away again, but you have to ask yourself about the possibility that you would. Would you be able to use what I taught you to help?"

Fluttershy bit her lip and bowed her head. She closed her eyes and sighed. "I'm not sure," she whispered. "But... I want to try all the same. If I don't manage, then you're right and I'm just the one everypony protects. But... if you're wrong... then there's a chance if something like that happens again, I'll be able to stand up for myself."

Battle sat back. He scratched the back of his neck and thought for a few seconds.

"Okay," he said at last. Fluttershy looked up, amazed.

"Really?" she cried.

"Really really," Battle confirmed. "I'm not gonna say it'll be easy 'Shy. That's not an insult to your capabilities. It's a fact. Aviaform is difficult to master for everyone. But I have every confidence that you'll be able to buck up and power through."

"You'll... you'll really teach me?" she whispered.

"The way I see it 'Shy you're sick of everyone treating you like some delicate little flower that has to be protected. And I like to think every flower has their thorns."

Chapter Twelve

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Battle placed his foot on the trunk of the tree at about waist height and, using his momentum to carry him into the wood, managed to run up the trunk for a few paces before, as he felt gravity beginning to call him back to the ground, he flipped over and landed in a cat-like crouch. He remained there for a few moments, palm pressed flat against the ground and eyes closed, before he straightened up to look at Fluttershy.

"You see?" he asked. "The idea isn't to take off straight from the ground but to try and get some room to maneuver and create an escape route if possible."

"Okay," Fluttershy muttered, scuffing her feet. Battle cocked his head.

"Something up?" he said. Fluttershy looked up and shook her head wildly from side to side.

"Oh no, it's nothing," she mumbled. Battle sighed and leaned against the tree behind him.

"'Shy we've gone over this, if there's something bugging you, you gotta tell me."

Fluttershy scuffed her feet and bit her lip. "Well, it's just... you seem to be... well not that I don't mind but... you're teaching me a lot of how to escape a fight, rather than what to do if I get in one."

"That is what you do if you get in a fight 'Shy," Battle replied evenly. "Look I know you want to help other ponies in need, but if it's just you on you're own I want to know you'll be able to get out of the situation. If running away is an option, more often than not it's better to sacrifice a little pride and run away then stand and fight."

"You said I had my thorns."

"And we'll get to that 'Shy. These are the basics of Aviaform. The Pegasus branches of Omniform are more focussed on the fundamentals of Pegasus physiology. Speed, acceleration, freedom of movement, space. It's about manipulating your opponent to fight on your terms."

Fluttershy paused. "Then what about Magiform? Or Monoform?"

"Monoform generally accepts that Earth Ponies are just a hell of a lot more powerful and durable then Unicorns and Pegasi," Battle explained. "Monoform is standing your ground. Like a rock. Like the earth. Magiform is all about adaptation. Understanding your opponent and getting inside their heads. It works off of the expectations that Unicorns are of quicker wit. It's all about flowing but also about patience. Magiform is like being a body of moving water. It's like being a river. You twist and turn, let your victims wear themselves out as they try and struggle against you before bam! They're pulled under before they realise what's happening."

Fluttershy nodded, finally getting at where Battle was headed. "So Aviaform is like the wind? To be free and always in motion, never in spot for too long?"

"Exactly," Battle said, smiling and giving her the thumbs up. "And when the wind does strike it's either in quick, sharp and painful jabs before it brushes by, or it's a heavy and devastating gale." Fluttershy nodded, showing she understood. "The early stages therefore are all about teaching you how to stay in motion no matter what. It's not that I don't think you're capable 'Shy, heck even coming this far proves you're more than ready for what comes later. We're simply laying the foundations for you to either find an escape route, or, if none exist, for you to make one."

"Okay," she said, smiling, reassured.

"Good!" Battle cheered, clapping his hand. "Now I want to see you do a bounce take-off from that treetrunk there. Got it? And don't come back down until you reach the first clouds 'kay? I'll be watching."

"Right!" Fluttershy nodded, getting into the sprint stance Battle had taught her a few hours earlier.

"Go!" Battle cried, and Fluttershy dashed at the tree Battle had been leaning against and ran up it the same way Battle had done. However instead of flipping off of the tree like Battle had done, Fluttershy pushed off of it with her right foot, her wings spreading out beneath her as she did so. With one final kick off from the tree, Fluttershy was in the air and soaring high above the treetops. Within a few moments she had disappeared, skyrocketing higher and higher with every beat of her wings. Battle smile, folded his arms and waited. He knew Fluttershy wasn't the fastest flyer in the world but then she never needed to be. It wasn't like these lessons were there to improve her wingpower, though that would be a positive bonus he knew. She'd never be as fast as Rainbow, not with the hours the prismatic wonder put into her training, but she'd be able to put some of the local weather team to shame after she was finished.

There was a cracking sound from overhead and Battle stepped back as Fluttershy broke back through the canopy and landed in the same position Battle had a few minutes beforehand, wings quivering with excitement. Her mane was a rat's nest by now and her feathers were in disarray but the warm smile on her face put Battle at ease. She slowly straightened up and got into her resting stance. Legs bent, weight on her back foot, one arm crossed across her body at jaw height and the other crossing over her torso.

"What's next?" she asked eagerly.

Battle opened his mouth to respond but a quiet chiming sound drew their attention. Battle walked back over to where his coat lay and pulled out the small glowing wristwatch that had been in one of the pockets. Fluttershy put her guard down, looking disappointed.

"Is it really that time already?" she pouted.

"'Fraid so," Battle answered, shrugging his coat back on. "Still we got a lot done today so that's something at least. More than I expected anyway."

"Because I'm a bad student?" Fluttershy whispered meekly, grabbing her own turquoise hoodie and slipping it over her head.

Battle laughed. "'Shy you really have to stop putting yourself down every time someone says something to you. It's a bad habit. I didn't say what I said because you're a bad student. This is a martial art we're talking about here, it's difficult to master. In fact you're picking it up at a record pace 'Shy. "

"Really?" Fluttershy asked amazed.

"Best student in the class," Battle said smiling.

"I'm the only student in your class."

"Mare, stop looking at the glass like it's half empty."

Fluttershy laughed, and Battle chuckled, before the two of them made their way back to Fluttershy's cottage for some tea and some polite conversation. Battle had seen very little of Discord since their first encounter, and when he had the God of Chaos was always very cautious around him. Battle wasn't ungrateful for this. Something about how Discord approached him put him on guard as well. It wasn't that Battle believed him a threat. He knew the potential threat Discord could pose, but he was also aware by now of how firm Discord's relationship with Fluttershy and the others was.

It took Battle a moment to realise they were already walking across the bridge to Fluttershy's cottage. She opened the door and walked inside, Battle following and shutting the door after he entered.

"Mind if I put the kettle on?" Battle asked. "You may want to go... clean up."

Fluttershy frowned and looked at herself in the hall mirror and gasped at her appearance, blushing profusely. Battle chuckled before heading over to the kitchen as Fluttershy walked upstairs. He filled the kettle with some water before placing it on the hob to warm. He mixed up some tea leaves into two mugs and waited for Fluttershy to come back downstairs. Whilst he waited, he reviewed the lessons they'd managed to get through so far. No doubt about it, Fluttershy was making excellent progress. He smiled at that. For one he assumed to be the permanent pacifist Fluttershy was taking to Aviaform like a duck to water.

He noticed one of her stray feathers on the floor. He frowned and blinked; shook his head.

When he opened his eyes again the feather was cobalt blue instead of butter yellow. His eyes widened. He was no longer in Fluttershy's kitchen. He was in the cold, in the rain. Lying down in fact. The feathers of such a brilliant blue were falling before his eyes, dripping with slick red blood. The rain filled Battle's eyes as he lay in the dank filthy water, listening to the anguished screams from nearby. He forced himself to look up and saw he who made the screams.

"Battle!"

Battle blinked, and discovered himself back in Fluttershy's kitchen, slumped against one of the counters, sweating profusely. His hand was clawed over his heart, which was beating like a wild elephant against his ribs. He gulped and looked up. Fluttershy was standing there, looking on the verge of tears.

"Sorry," Battle managed to pant at last. "Don't know what that was. Funny turn I think."

"Maybe we should get you to the hospital?" Fluttershy suggested meekly. Battle waved the suggestion off.

"I'm fine 'Shy," he said, climbing to his feet. He turned away so that Fluttershy couldn't see him wince in pain. He quickly poured some hot water into both of their mugs. He handed one to Fluttershy and smiled at her reassuringly. She took it, looking worried still. Battle sighed and rolled his eyes. "Come on 'Shy it was just a thing. Look if it'll make you feel better then I'll go to the hospital later on 'kay?"

Fluttershy still looked uncertain, but another look from Battle convinced her otherwise. As she turned away, Battle looked at his free hand. It unnerved him to see how hard it shook.

Chapter Thirteen

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Two months had passed since Battle agreed to take Fluttershy as his pupil. In that time Dash had returned to weather duty with a ferocity that bordered on obsession, determined to make up for her lack of input from her time in hospital. Pinkie seemed to have become her usual chipper self once again. Though she had spent the first week or so after the incident a little mopy, she was soon smiling again when she heard of the speed of Dash's recovery. Rarity had begun marketing for her new line, which she entitled the 'Rogue's Gallery'. While initially shaken from the events of that night, Rarity was a lady and maintained dignity in the public eye. In private she was privy to a few small 'what-if' scenarios at which she would faint onto the nearest chaise lounge. No change there then. And Applejack, the most rocksteady of all five of Battle's new friends was still hard at work on the farm, as per usual. She was admittedly a little glum for a while after the attack, which Rainbow Dash promptly whacked out of her with a pillow.

As for Fluttershy, Battle's secret pupil, she continued to astound and amaze Battle by her sheer determination and simply by being an incredibly quick study. Battle, like much of Ponyville, would have never picked Fluttershy to be a fighter, and yet she was flying quite literally through every lesson Battle could teach her. The pace at which she learned was simply phenomenal. She wasn't as shy anymore Battle noted too.

She was however still a scaredy cat, as evident by her paralytic fear of the upcoming Nightmare Night. Something Battle found out when she started shutting up earlier at night. Initially confused, as Battle often was still being new to Ponyville, he consulted the others one day about it. Well, he consulted Applejack about it. The farmpony had asked for Battle's help one Sunday as crisp golden leaves began falling.

"No seriously, how do you grow these all year 'round?" Battle panted as he pushed the heavy applecart back towards the barn.

"That right there is an Apple family secret," Applejack called from atop the cart. "Can't tell anyone 'cept mah kin."

"Yeah yeah I get it," Battle grunted. He took another step, pushing his whole weight against the wooden cart, muscles straining under skin. It wasn't the most strenuous mass he had ever been forced to move, but it was still a while since he'd had to use his strength. "What did you say you're brother did? Sprained ankle?"

"Shoulder outta socket," Applejack corrected, grimacing slightly. "Doctor told him not to put any stress on it for a while."

"You still haven't told me what these are all for," Battle pointed out.

"Apple Bobbin' sugar cube. What else?"

"You get a lot of cause for Apple Bobbing this time of year AJ?"

She frowned at him. "Well shucks, we do. It's Nightmare Night pretty soon."

Battle stopped pushing for a moment and raised an eyebrow. "Yeah... gonna have to simplify that for me."

Applejack stared at him. "Sugar Cube where are you from?"

"I get the feeling that's some common knowledge here."

"National holiday."

"Poop. Mind filling me in?"

"It's a celebration o' when Princess Celestia banished Nightmare Moon. Everypony gets dressed up so her ghost don't see us as ponies and eat us all up. So we all get candy. Some of which we use as an 'offerin' to appease Nightmare Moon for a lack of ponies to eat and the rest we eat."

"It sounds like the perfect way to promote tooth decay and type two diabetes," Battle chuckled.

"How do you not know about it?" Applejack asked. Battle shrugged.

"Guess I had strict parents."

Applejack glared at him. "Sugarcube, ya'll know you're talkin' to the Element of Honesty. I know when you're lying."

Battle sighed. "I guess you've made your point."

"Darn tootin'. You gonna start talkin'?"

Battle sighed. "You're getting the basics AJ. 'Kay? There are some things about my life I don't want to relive okay?"

"'M not askin' for you're life story. I just wanna know something Battle. You run Ponyville's library for Mayor Mare and you know how to kick some flank. That's 'bout all we do know about you."

Battle pinched the bridge of his nose, and looked Applejack in the eye. "It should come to know shock to you that I'm not Equestrian."

"Keep goin'," Applejack said folding her arms. "Where're ya from then if not here."

"A place called Warhorse," Battle replied. "It's a good country. Warhorse and Equestria have been good friends for many years now."

"Sounds like a... military state, or whatever it's called," Applejack said cautiously. Battle smiled.

"Not really. In Warhorse we do take pride in our military, but we don't technically give it the power. We still live under a monarchy. The current King, Veteran Centurion, he's a good stallion. Prefers to solve conflicts with words rather than steel. But that's been the trial of all Warhorse leaders I suppose. Diplomacy before military."

"The title sounds like it'd be the other way around," Applejack said.

"Well you can't be blamed for that I'spose," Battle admitted. "The Warhorse military however has a strict code. It may be strong, and recognised by the international community as such, but it's not in the war game for it's own gain. Warhorse has a thriving culture, fertile lands for farming and is stable in it's government. It doesn't need to attack others. Honor is what the Warhorse military is recognised for having. It believes in justice and peace, and that peace is to be achieved by any means. Be it diplomatic or not." He noticed the look AJ gave him and he blushed. "Sorry. It sounds bad I know, but Warhorse doesn't use it's military for it's own gain like I said. The Council of nations gives its orders to the Warhorse Military. They're kind of like world police I guess."

"Were you in the army?" Applejack asked.

Battle nodded, rolling up his sleeve and showing her his slightly scarred forearm. "How'd think I got these?"

Applejack nodded. "What're you here for then partner?"

A face flashed before Battle's eyes and he lowered his gaze. "I... I made a mistake..." he muttered. "And someone got hurt." A light way of putting it he knew, but it was the first he'd had to vocalise those events in a long time, and he wasn't sure if he would've told Applejack if he could. Thankfully, Applejack nodded, and didn't press the issue any further. She just looked at him sympathetically. Battle blinked and rubbed one palm into his left eye. "Look the long 'n' short of it AJ is I was deemed temporarily unfit for military service and was put on indefinite leave of duty."

"You didn't stay home?" Applejack asked, confused.

"My dad thought I should go out and see the world a little more," Battle explained.

"Didn't ya get out enough when you were a soldier?"

"Technically yeah. I was posted from everywhere from Zebrika to Griffinstan but I wasn't like I was sightseeing." He bite his lip. "Didn't see much but people in pain and lot's of sand."

"Aw sugarcube," Applejack said softly. Battle shook his head and smiled up at her.

"Hey it's not like I didn't know what I was getting in for. Why d'you think I have this?" He pointed to his Cutie Mark.

"Been meanin' to ask 'bout that. Just what is your special talent?" she asked.

"Perfect warrior," Battle said simply. "My special talent is to be the best fighter I can possibly become."

"So basically you kick ass and take names?" Applejack asked.

"That's the layman's way of looking at it I guess," Battle agreed. He breathed in through his nose and placed his shoulder back against the cart and began pushing it once more towards the barn.

"So you were posted in Griffinstan and Zebrika before, why not go there for your leave?" Applejack asked.

"I'm not going to dignify that with a response," Battle grunted.

"Point taken." Applejack muttered. "So... if you didn't have Nightmare Night in Warhorse, ya celebrate anythin' like it aroun' this time o' year?"

"Well..." Battle said slowly. "I suppose we did have The Masquerade."

"The Masquerade?"

"Yeah. I wasn't really a celebration, more like a ritual mourning. The sun would set and the moon would rise, and every pony would go out into the streets."

"What's the catch?"

"Every pony has to wear a mask on the night of the Masquerade. If someone you've loved or cared about has died you wear a black mask. If no one you know has died, you wear a white one. The first time a pony in white meets a pony in black, they offer them a gift in condolence. A pony in black may refuse the acceptance of a gift on the night of Masquerade, but a pony in white may give out more than one gift."

"What happens if you don't have a gift to give?" Applejack asked.

"You give them your condolences," Battle said simply. "You place your arms around them and say you're sorry for your loss."

"It sounds creepy," Applejack muttered.

"Some ponies do find it unnerving. But it's a way of lending support to those who've suffered loss and tragedy without avoiding some big wig noble trying t make himself seem overly influential as a PR stunt. It's a faceless, anonymous evening where those who've suffered can be comforted and reminded, they don't have to suffer alone and in silence." Battle looked at Applejack. "I think it's rather poetic."

Chapter Fourteen

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Battle let his head fall back as his eyes closed, sighing in contentment. The hot water of the bath seemed to sink into his aching body, soaking away the ragged and worn feeling that had settled into his bones. Training with Fluttershy tested both his skill as a teacher and his now potentially rusty skills as a soldier. She was quickly becoming adept in the style of Aviaform. So adept in fact that it only seemed appropriate that their lessons now together included an hour's worth of sparring. An hour's worth of sparring that reminded Battle of his own training, and left both him and Fluttershy exhausted.

Battle levitated a bar of soap to his hand, before sitting up in the bath and lathering up his arms. He looked at each individual scar he'd suffered, trying to remember where he got each one. To what weapon had his flesh been pierced? In what war had his body been wounded? After a few moments of studying his right arm he simply gave up. There were too many to count and too many battlefields to go through to find all the right memories.

He bowed his head slightly and began scrubbing away the dirt. As he did he couldn't help but notice how the skin on his hands and fingers yielded to the corded muscles in his arms. He noted how soft they were, how the calluses were beginning to heal. He held up his left hand to his eye, scrutinising it. It was truly beginning to look like a librarian's hand. The other one was probably in a similar state. He closed his fist and gave a soft chuckle to himself.

"So this is civilian life then?" he said to himself. "This ain't so bad. Not too shabby at all."

He returned to scrubbing at his upper body with the soap, before getting to his feet and lathering up the rest of his body, scrubbing away sweat and dirt and grime, and giving his coat a soapy finish to it. He doused himself back into the water once more and as the suds rose to the surface, Battle worked shampoo into his mane, careful to avoid getting any into his eyes. Rinsing his hair out, Battle pulled the plug out and stepped out of the bath as the water began to drain.

He dried himself off and slipped on a dressing gown, before opening the door to the landing.

"OMYGOSHTHEREYOUARE!"

Battle flew backwards as Pinkie screamed in his face. He took several panicked breaths, trying very hard to find the will within himself not to punch Pinkie very hard on the nose. He closed his eyes, pinched the bridge of his nose and took a deep breath in.

"Pinkie..." he said slowly. "What are you doing?"

"I came looking for you silly," she said as if this were obvious. "You weren't answering your door."

"Did it ever occur to you I might have been out before you decided to break in?" Battle sighed.

"Nope!"

Battled gave another sigh and slowly opened his eyes. "What do you want Pinkie?" He blinked. "And... what are you wearing?"

"Can't you tell? I'm an alligator!" she exclaimed excitedly, bouncing around to show Battle her apparel. Battle looked at her outfight in confusion. Pinkie had somehow managed to squeeze into what looked like a second skin of some green, scaly material, that shimmered and shone as the light bounced off of it. Indeed the outfit was so complete it came with clawed feet and hands. Only Pinkie's usual bright pink face and baby blue eyes were left intact, though Battle noticed as she giggled and bounced that she put in some odd gum guard that made it appear as if she lacked teeth.

"Of course you are," Battle said slowly. "You do know alligator's have teeth right Pinkie?"

"Yeah but if I'm gonna dress up like Gummy's twin sister I need to look the part!" Pinkie explained.

"Gummy?"

She stopped bouncing and looked at Battle. Battle for his part tried not to notice Pinkie was trapped several feet in the air as she looked at him amazed.

"You haven't met Gummy?" she asked incredulously. The long reptilian tail that trailed on the floor, something Battle hadn't noticed up until this point, suddenly flicked up so that it came up to Battle's eyes. Gripping onto the appendage was a small, baby alligator, with big, stupid purple eyes. It blinked at Battle slowly.

"You... you have a pet alligator?" he said slowly.

"Yes indeedy!" Pinkie exclaimed wildly as she brought gummy to her face and rubbed him lovingly against her. Battle blinked. Then he nodded.

"Okay... so you're an alliagtor. I feel like I'm opening a can of worms by asking this but... why?"

"Duh silly! It's Nightmare Night!" Pinkie cried, as if it were obvious.

"Oh.... that was tonight?" Battle asked. Pinkie looked at him like she was about to slap him.

"You didn't know?" she asked, amazed. "How could you not know? Surely someone must have mentioned it when they came in here?"

Battle shrugged. "Must have slipped my mind." Or Fluttershy knocked it loose with that right hook from yesterday, Battle thought to himself.

"Well you can't just sit in here all night and do nothing!" Pinkie Pie exclaimed. "The whole town is gonna be out tonight. No one does nothing on Nightmare Night. There's games, candy, dancing, candy, drinking, candy, Princess Luna's gonna be showing up and did I mention there'd be lots and lots of candy?"

"Several times Pinkie," Battle confirmed. He sighed. "Look Pinkie, it's not that I don't want to be part of tonight's festivities. It's just I don't have a costume to come out and-"

He blinked and in that instant Pinkie was gone. He did a very confused double take and as he blinked again, there was a crash from downstairs as Pinkie rocketed back upstairs with a very confused and surprised Rarity.

"Rarity we have an emergency!" Pinkie screamed. "Battle doesn't have a costume for Nightmare Night!"

Rarity gave a dizzy shake of the head, trying to get to grip with her sudden relocation. Battle couldn't say he blamed her. He had experienced first hand what travel by way of Pinkie Pie was like that one time she needed a taste tester for a new batch of cakes. All it had taken was a single look to make sure she never did it again, which Battle felt guilty for afterwards. At the time though he had been trying very hard to not throw up the half-finished lunch he had been eating.

Rarity swiftly got ahold of her bearing's and after giving Pinkie Pie a quick scolding, turned her attention to Battle. She hadn't changed into her costume for Nightmare Night yet, still wearing her work clothes. Battle knew Rarity would be dressing up. She never missed an opportunity to create something fabulous for herself to wear.

"So. No costume for Nightmare Night?" she asked. "Well what can we do about that?"

"Can we just stop with the fashion critique and just remember that we three are all currently in my bathroom and I'm wearing nothing but a robe," Battle grunted. "Could I at least get the chance to put some pants on?"

About three hours later Battle stepped out of the Carousel Boutique dressed in a sharp black tuxedo, with designer black sunglasses to match. His mane was slicked to the side in an elegant yet impressive fashion and his Cutie Mark had been covered with a temporary replacement, a red classified stamp. Under the black jacket was a waistcoat made of some fine material the shade of dried blood and the look was completed with a finely crafted black bow-tie.

"I'm surprised you put this together so quickly," Battle muttered. "What's the costume again?"

"Don't tell me you've never seen a Con Mane movie before either Battle?" Rarity sighed, closing up shop behind her and Pinkie.

"Oh this is Con Mane," Battle sighed in clarity. "One of the newer actors then? I stopped watching them after Player Arch."

"Really? Well some of the later ones are quite excellent, especially the ones with Detail Clash. Definately my favourite. That rugged jawline."

"Let me guess," Battle said smiling, plucking at his collar. "Detail Clash?"

"Oh yes indeed. He wore it in Cloudbreak. It's really worth the watch, especially considering it was made for the fiftieth anniversary of the first Con Mane film."

"I'll give it a look," Battle said smiling. He noted absently that Pinkie had rushed off somewhere. Most likely to top up her sugar tank to make sure she kept at tip top speed for the whole night. "So what's on the activities list tonight?"

"Well that depends on what you feel like doing," Rarity answered for him simply. "I suppose we could find the others and see if there's something we can all do as a group."

"Sounds good," Battle said, smiling.

Chapter Fifteen

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"I actually didn't think you'd come out tonight Fluttershy darling," Rarity said as she observed Fluttershy carefully. "I think this is the first time we managed to get you to come out and enjoy Nightmare Night."

"Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to be such a bother," Fluttershy muttered meekly.

"Nonsense darling," Rarity said, waving away Fluttershy's comment smiling. "It's not a bother to get your friend out to enjoy herself. And I must say I love your costume."

"Oh what? This? Well it's um, it's nothing special," Fluttershy muttered.

"Oh come now Fluttershy your costume is simply adorable," Rarity insisted. "I think you make a lovely bunny."

Fluttershy beamed from beneath hair and hood of her snow white onesie/snuggie.The outfit was rather adorable, especially given Fluttershy's rabbit like tendency to run and hide at the first sudden noise. The single fitting garment was all white save for the pink patch on her stomach and the pink little spots on the palms where the pads of a rabbit's foot would be. The hood came complete with two floppy ears, each covered with an inner pink material and at the small of Fluttershy's lower back was a fluffy rabbit's tail. Indeed, it was rather cute all in all.

"Well, thank you Rarity. Your costume is just lovely too," Fluttershy said at last, returning the compliment.

"Oh I know," Rarity sighed, beaming. "I have to say I think Sweetie Belle tied the corset a little too tight but I think it works."

Rarity was wearing a rather risque all black ensemble. A tight fitting black corset, a black frilly skirt, black knee high boots, fishnet stockings and very snug black leather jacket. She had even, much to Fluttershy's mock shock, taken her mane and tail out of their signature curls and instead straightened them to a razor sharp edge. Even more daringly, she had sprayed black highlights into her mane and tail as well as added deep purple eyeshadow and black lipstick to replace her usual makeup. To finish the daring look, if she were to smile, one would see she had added false incisors to her teeth, giving them a distinctly deadly look.

"You look... um... nice," Fluttershy said at last, smiling, but blushing as well for the sake of Rarity's modesty. Rarity herself gave a small laugh and looked herself over again.

"Yes I suppose it is a little more dangerous than I'd planned but you can't hold back with Nightmare Night can you darling? I mean let's be honest, Princess Luna's going to be coming as Nightmare Moon after all."

"I guess," Fluttershy muttered, smiling as the smooth figure of Con Mane sidled up beside the two of them.

"Your drink your highness," Battle said as he handed Rarity a slender (and plastic) champagne flute, filled with a bubbling liquid of solid red.

"Oh thank you Mister Mane," she said, winking playfully. "What is tonight's drink then?"

"Cherries from Tartarus," Battle answered, handing Fluttershy a plastic bottle of Coke.

"Shaken, not stirred?" Rarity asked and took a small sip.

"The opposite in fact," Battle corrected, taking a sip from his own bottle.

"It's simply divine!" Rarity exclaimed. "Battle you certainly know how to spoil a lady. Fluttershy do you want a taste?"

"I'm fine thank you Rarity," Fluttershy declined politely. Battle smiled and took a deep glug from the bottle in his hand before looking around.

"So any sign of the others then?" he asked, looking around. As he did so he removed his sunglasses and slipped them into the front pocket of his suit jacket.

"I've seen Pinkie Pie doing her usual thing here and there that's for certain," Rarity said, checking in a small hand mirror that her makeup was still spotless, "Other than that, no. I haven't seen hide nor tail of Applejack and Rainbow."

"I swear to god if Rainbow's decided tonight to play hide'n'seek I will be pissed," Battle sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. "Won't be able to see the sneaky minx until she's-"

"Right in your face?"

Battle flinched but didn't react more than that as he slowly opened his eyes. "Dash. I may not be able to act so calm, and thus won't be held responsible to the bloody nose you will get if you do that again."

"Lighten up would ya tall dark and broody?" Dash laughed, taking a bite from an apple. "What's Nightmare Night without a few pranks?"

"Slightly less hazardous to your health," Battle retorted, smiling nonetheless. "Nice Daring Doo costume by the way. Haven't seen that half a dozen times already tonight."

"Thanks," Dash growled, sticking her tongue out at him before she finished off her apple, giving a sideways glance at Fluttershy and Rarity. "Aren't those your pyjamas 'Shy?"

Fluttershy gave an embarrassed squeak and hid behind her mane as Battle shook his head. Rarity set her now empty 'glass' down on a nearby stool and gave Dash's costume a once over, giving her a scathing look.

"Rainbow Dash did you buy that costume from one of those cheap and tacky costume shops?" she asked with disdain.

"What!? No of course I didn't!" Dash exclaimed indignantly as Battle hooked a finger around something in Dash's collar. "What the heck do you think you're doing?"

With a quick yank, Battle pulled the tag from Dash's jacket and handed it to Rarity. "Seriously, Applejack could have done better with that lie."

"Party Planet?" Rarity said quietly.

"Weather patrol's been busy okay?" Dash mumbled. "Didn't have to time to really make a costume and then wham, make or break time. I couldn't exactly have asked Rarity to make me a costume a day before Nightmare Night."

"She threw this together for me in about an hour," Battle commented, pulling at his lapel. Dash stared at him.

"I hate you."

"I know."

Rarity rolled her eyes and threw the tag over her shoulder. "I don't suppose there's any chance you've seen Applejack tonight Rainbow darling?"

"She's taking a bunch of Hunted around Ponyville," Rainbow Dash explained. She checked her watch. "Matter o' fact she should be almost done. She's bound to be heading' off to the Candy Offering any minute now."

"Candy offering?" Battle asked.

"It's where all the foals-

"And Pinkie."

"-And Pinkie thank you Dash, give up their candy to Nightmare Moon," Rarity explained. "They used to do it in the Everfree forest but last year we had a close call with some Timberwolves."

"Princess Luna sure scared them away though," Dash smirked. "Did kind of ruin the whole Nightmare Moon image but I think the kids had enough nightmares from that night."

"Yeah that sounds about right," Battle agreed. "Is that where we're going then? Meet up with AJ and Pinkie at the Candy Offering?"

"Sounds like a plan," Dash nodded.

"Agreed," Rarity said. "We should spend Nightmare Night together and fun. Wouldn't you say so Fluttershy?"

Fluttershy didn't respond verbally but nodded her assent with a small smile.

The moon was getting higher in the night sky, and yet the lights of Ponyville refused to dim. The pair walked through the throng, looking nervously at each other every once in a while. They stayed slightly back from the dark stallion who had emerged from the now empty library. They had been assured that the Princess of Magic lived in the tree, yet this new stallion had emerged instead. She was convinced that it was merely a small blip in their plans. He on the other hand was worried.

"Perhaps we should turn back?" he whispered. "We can blame our failure on poor information."

"You're a fool if you think she will forgive us!" she snapped back.

"She is not here though!" he hissed. "I heard from one of the townspeople she is in Zebrika and has been for several months now!"

"Have no fear, I have been doing reconnaissance of my own," she said slyly. "I heard that Princess Luna makes an annual visit to the towns of Equestria and that Ponyville is her first port of call." He didn't respond, but she could imagine him biting his lip behind his mask. She sighed. "What is troubling you now?"

"Would we be able to do it? She is immortal after all."

"She is immortal too. And she will not let us enjoy a quick death is we don't bring her an alicorn of great power for her arrival."

He shuddered at the thought, before nodding. "Okay. We take Princess Luna."

The sky darkened slightly and a powerful wind began to blow around the town square. A cloud passed over the moon. Battle looked up from his conversation with Dash.

"This is supposed to happen right?" he asked uncertainly.

"Oh yeah," Dash assured him. "Princess Luna has a thing for dramatic entrances."

"Pot, I'd like you to meet my friend kettle," Battle muttered.

"Haha, funny guy," Dash stuck her tongue out at Battle again.

"I am a very amusing guy," Battle agreed.

A hole was suddenly opened in the clouds, a single shaft of moonlight spilling through as a dark silhouette began to descend through. A black metal chariot, being pulled by two bat ponies in the armour of the lunar guard. A halo of more bat ponies flew around the chariot as it came towards Ponyville. In the chariot itself was the tall, imposing figure of Nightmare Moon, her astral mane of inky night dotted with stars, her black coat darker than the night's sky and her turquoise eyes burning with a passion that radiated from her cat-like pupils. Her armour was black and silver, a long flowing gown of midnight blue silk clasped to her shoulders by glittering sapphire broaches.

"Impressive," Battle muttered.

"Like the entrance I see?" Dash said.

Battle elbowed her gently as the chariot landed on the stage. The guards all stayed above keeping their eyes peeled for a threat as Nightmare Moon stepped from the chariot and looked out over the gathered children of Ponyville.

"And here I thought I would find some delicious young foals after such a long journey from the castle!" she called in a powerful voice. "I have been so hungry all evening."

Someone shoved into Battle from behind as they walked past.

"Excuse you," he muttered under his breath.

The figure paused and turned to look at him. Battle felt unnerved as the figure was wearing a black hooded jumper and a white mask, a grotesque harlequin smile stretched over the mouth. The eyes set under the mask studied Battle for a moment. Battle stared back. He saw nervousness, uncertainty and fear all jumbled together in those eyes. But then there was determination too.

A second figure joined the first and grabbed then by the hood of their black cloak. Whoever this newcomer was, they were dressed similar fashion, black hood and white mask but instead of a smile there was a frown.

And like that they were gone.

"Freaks," Dash muttered in his ear.

"Definately," Battle said, slightly distracted. The foals were giving up candy to Nightmare Moon, who made a great show of throwing back sweets at certain intervals, laughing maniacally at the taste. Applejack and Pinkie Pie were standing on the ground in front of her, helping the foals give candy to the alicorn, with Pinkie sneaking the occasional sweet for comedic effect. Several of the bat ponies had become grounded and were starting to mingle with the crowd.

"Battle?" Fluttershy asked.

The hairs on the back of his neck began to stir. There was a tingling sensation in the pit of his stomach and mind jumped into full throttle. His gut feelings were rarely wrong, and right now his whole being was screaming at him that something was about to happen.

One of the few remaining bat ponies frowned and reached for his crossbow. There was a commotion towards the front of the stage.

Someone screamed and Nightmare Moon instantly jumped down from the stage and ushered the foal's behind her as two figures burst from the crowd. The Lunar Guard leapt into action to defend their Princess as frightened and panicked parents tried to get their foal's to safety. Chaos spread and spread quickly.

And in the midst of it all, Battle had no idea how he'd reached the stage so quickly. The two figures he'd seen before were wrestling and grappling with the guards and they were winning. They were good. Stronger than Battle would have thought for the size of them. The guards were too close together for them to try their swords and the fight was moving too quickly for them to dare and use their crossbows.

Princess Luna had dropped her guise of Nightmare Moon and was still shielding the foals whilst Pinkie Pie and Applejack ran small groups of them away to the safety of their parents. The Princess herself was defended by a wall of bat ponies who kept trying to bundle her into the chariot and take off.

One of the two figures, the one with the sad face, threw his attackers to the ground and leapt towards Princess Luna, only to be met halfway by Battle Ready stepping in front of them. Sad Face looked at him and snarled.

"This does not concern you!" they snapped. Female. "Stand aside."

Battle didn't respond with words, simply taking up a defensive stance, his eyes cold. Sad Face sighed and lunged. Battle sidestepped her attack and slammed his elbow into the back of her neck. She hit the ground and grunted, but rolled before Battle could get his hands on her. She quickly jumped to her feet Battle could practically hear her smile.

"You are good," she admitted. "But you will have to do better than-"

Battle's fist shattered the porcelain mask and her nose in a sickening crack. She cried out and staggered back her hands reaching up to her wounded face. She shrieked in pain again as Battle kicked her right knee, popping the joint and cracking the bone. Her hands shot down to her injured knee on instinct and Battle grabbed her by the sides of her head and slammed his own knee into her jaw, sending her rocketing back on her heels and to the floor, out cold.

Battle looked over at the other attacker, to see him disappear into an alleyway followed by a troupe of Lunar Guards. He looked down at Sad Face and straightened his bow tie, before reaching for his sunglasses and slipping them on.

"Good enough?" he asked his unconscious opponent.

Chapter Sixteen

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Battle stayed close to the group of Lunar Guard that were hunting down Happy Face. He kept them in sight but not close enough to be noticed; a shadow pinned to its caster, yet just far away enough not to be noticed. He wasn't exactly interested in fighting Happy Face, though he knew if he followed Happy Face he would most likely end up having to fight him, if it even was a he. No fighting the second attacker was not hi intent though he knew very well that it would come to that.

He wanted answers. He wanted to find out who these two attackers were and he had a feeling he wouldn't be getting any answers unless he followed Happy Face. Sad Face was down for the count and probably half way to a jail cell in Canterlot by this point. If he was going to get any answers it would have to be before Happy Face was locked up or killed. Given how he had been rag-dolling the Royal Guards with his companion however, that clearly wasn't going to happen. And it was also one of the reasons he was so interested in the pair. They had fought with a fighting style Battle did not recognise; with a strength that was unbelievable for ponies of their size and stature.

That was the first reason. The second was how it had felt when Battle fought Sad Face. Battle had fought a number of different opponents in his time: Earth Ponies, Pegasi, Unicorns, Griffins to name a few. He knew and remembered what it had felt like to physically strike one of each of those races. But when he fought Sad Face he knew that she was no regular Pony. The way her flesh had yielded to his punch; the vibrations of her skeleton... it was like he had punched a manticore.

The guards were leaving Ponyville now, and judging from the direction they were heading straight for the boundaries of the Everfree forest. Happy Face was probably banking on the innate fear every pony around Equestria seemed to share about entering the dense foliage. As it was he was in luck and quite right given how the Lunar guard were slowing down as they neared the edge of the tree-line. They looked to each other in slight hesitation as they tried to discern what exactly they were expected to do. Battle sped up as he saw this; if the Lunar guard were unwilling to find the assailant they would be unreliable to track it.

The guards were talking amongst themselves; muttering nervously about how to proceed. They didn't notice as Battle sped towards them or indeed as he raced past them and plunged headlong into the trees and the shadows. Blackness pressed in on him from all around even from above. His horn flared into light, casting a silver glow between the trees and lighting his way. He blundered through the undergrowth as fast as his legs would allow; ducking branches and dodging trunks along the way.

He had no idea how far his target had gotten away from him and no idea which way they were heading. They had been running for much longer than Battle. He would probably be worn out by now. He must nearly be on top of him.

As Battle thought this he broke from under the canopy and out into a clearing, the hunched up figure of Happy Face on his hands and knees, gasping for breath. At the sound of Battle's entrance he turned around and got to his feet, backing away slowly as Battle slowed to a stop in the centre of the clearing.

"You can try running," Battle said to Happy Face, who looked sharply up at him. "Really it'd be simpler to answer my questions. Like who and what are you."

Happy Face muttered something to himself before shouting at Battle: "Parmab wiavh lat ukavupid horuke!"

Battle blinked. The language was guttural, rough and cruel. Like his voice had been dragged over broken glass and hot coals. But it was a language Battle recognised. And that's what unnerved him even more. He shook himself and cleared his throat.

"Nalal avhaav wauk julneceukukarausan," he called back.

Happy Face froze, stunned. Battle fell back into an offensive stance. "Well at least I don't need to ask what you are any more," he said, eyes narrowed. "Chimera."

Happy Face ripped off his mask and opened his mouth. He opened his mouth to an obscene degree, his jaw unhinged and his throat bulged like he was forcing a football up from his stomach and out his mouth, a gold light burning through his skin. Battle's eyes widened and dived the side as Happy Face unleashed a ball of golden fire at Battle, or where Battle had been had he not dived to the side. Battle came up on his knee and frowned.

"Okay, so that's a thing," he mumbled.

Happy Face closed his mouth and rolled his bottom jaw, his eyes narrow. "You know I have to kill you now right?" he asked. "There's no way I can let you go knowing what I am."

"Well that's a bit extreme," Battle said slowly getting to his feet. Happy Face shrugged and rolled his neck.

"Sometimes extreme measures have to be made."

And he lunged for Battle. The unicorn side stepped and Happy Face shot past him. He twisted around and spat fire and Battle ducked, coming up on his left and punching him in kidney. Again, like when he'd punched Sad Face, that heavy resonance of punching something much heavier than it's size let on. Happy Face grunted and cracked his elbow on the top of Battle's head and Battle's world rocked. His head swam and he dropped to his knees. He spluttered at the heavy impact and shook himself, just in time for Happy Face to kick him in the stomach, flipping Battle over and sending him sprawling.

He grunted and retched, clutching his stomach eyes screwed up in pain. His ears twitched when he heard the 'clack' of Happy Face's jaw dislocating again. His eyes opened and he forced himself to roll quickly as Happy Face incinerated the grass where Battle had been. Another ball of fire followed and another followed that and Battle pushed himself to his feet and jumped behind a tree, panting as he caught his breath.

"Lat saib noav defeaav alnej!" Happy Face called after him. Despite the situation, Battle smiled.

"I'll admit you hit like a train," Battle replied, smirking. "I've fought tougher though. Ma inavelligenav auk nalal!"

He danced behind another tree, circling around Happy Face as the chimera stalked over to where Battle had been moments before. A voice from Battle's teenage years called back to him and he smiled as he remembered a younger, bloodied and bruised Battle Ready in the Academy. 'If you're opponent's bigger or tougher than you, outsmart the bastard! Honour's all well and good but it won't keep you alive against a guy with a fist the size of your head. Sneak round him and club him in the back!'

"So elegant aren't you Juggernaut?" Battle muttered, echoing his words of his youth, stooping low and picking up a fallen tree limb. It was heavy which was good but not so heavy that Battle couldn't use it effectively. He sneaked out from the trees and came swiftly up behind Happy Face, raising his makeshift club high and smacking him firmly around the head. Happy Face cried out in pain and he lashed out wildly, long clawed talons sliding from the ends of his fingers.

Battle jumped back to avoid been lacerated and Happy Face stumbled blindly for a few moments. When he turned he was bleeding from his burst upper lip and he looked furious. His blood was a dull copper in colour. Battle rested his club over his shoulder like it were a baseball bat.

"You feel like telling me what your plans are yet?" Battle asked.

"Jiak liwo pi mausan armauk'uk gijak auk ukarukaparilla!" Happy Face roared.

"You'd have to kill me first," Battle smirked.

"You have no idea what you're messing with Equestrian," Happy Face snarled, "You meddle in affairs beyond your comprehension."

"Try again dii fahdon," Battle called. "I'm from Warhorse." Happy Face blanched and Battle's smile turned cruel. "Now who's out of their depth?"

Happy Face turned to run and Battle threw his club in a perfect one handed arc, smacking it neatly between Happy's shoulder blades. Happy stumbled and grunted, ran face first into a tree by mistake. By the time he tried to correct himself, Battle was there beside him, hand on the back of his head. Still dazed, Happy had no idea what was happening until his nose met the tree again with a sickening crunch. He screamed as blood spurted from his nostrils.

Battle threw Happy backwards so that he sprawled on the ground. He strode over to him and picked up his fallen club. He whistled a jaunty tune as Happy tried to get up. Suddenly he swung down, the wooden branch crunching onto Happy's left hand. He screamed again and snatched his hand to his chest, falling flat on his back.

"Oh come on you're a big guy," Battle said nonchalantly. "It should've taken way more than that to shatter every fucking bone in your hand."

Happy whimpered and Battle smacked the branch down on his right kneecap. Another scream and Battle raised the branch again. This time he brought it down with such force that the club split into and there was a crack like a gunshot as Happy's knee cracked. It was almost drowned out by his scream of pain. Almost.

Battle threw the remnants of his club away and he crouched over Happy's torso, picking his broken hand away from his chest, squeezing it gently and causing Happy to wince.

"Right here," Battle said, squeezing tighter, causing a yelp from Happy. "Focus on the pain right here. You focussing?"

Happy nodded, tears streaming down his face, mixing with the blood from his nose.

"Gooooood," Battle sang gently. "Now you're gonna tell me what the fuck you were doing tonight and what the hell you were planing on doing with Princess Luna."

Despite the pain he was in, Happy Face managed a bitter chuckle. "I won't..."

"Oh I hate to use clichés but I have ways of making you talk."

"Not in the next minute," Happy gasped. Battle frowned.

"What happens in the next minute?"

Happy laughed and jerked his head upward to where Battle had found him. "See that plant up there?"

Battle looked and his eyes widened. "Hemlock..." He looked back at Happy. "You poisoned yourself..."

"Just stalling for time I'm afraid," he grunted. "Should be dead any second now... Sorry. You're not getting anything from me."

Battle scowled. "Suicide is the way of the coward."

"Compared to what they'd do to me if they knew we'd failed? I'd rather be a coward."

"Who's they?" Battle growled, squeezing Happy's hand tight. He gritted his teeth in pain but still smiled, froth bubbling from between his teeth, his body convulsing sickeningly beneath Battle. He stiffened, then collapsed onto the ground, a sigh leaving his lips. Dead.

Battle got to his feet. He let his hand go. His face was a mix of disgust and fury. He kicked Happy's body. He felt better. He kicked it again.

"Stupid fool," he growled, readjusting his collar.

Chapter Seventeen

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Battle was fairly sure his head might have actually split open from the pain as he walked back into Ponyville. The Lunar Guard were patrolling, making sure no one else was going to be attacked. The fact that they were still there told Battle that somewhere in Ponyville was Princess Luna. The fact didn't really change his first port of call. He passed one of the drink stands, the pony attending to it apparently nowhere in sight. Taking advantage of this, Battle snatched up a linen napkin and the ice scoop. Filling said scoop with ice, he made a small bundle with the napkin before quickly applying the makeshift icepack to the egg sized lump on the back of his head.

Relief would be the wrong would to describe the sensation that came to Battle at that moment. His head felt cold and his mane felt damp but the pain slowly ebbed away, the numbing effects of the ice doing wonders to take his mind off of it. It was also doing the wonderful effect of making him of think nothing else other than: 'Damn my head is fucking cold.'

As he walked back through the streets he saw only a few civilian ponies still out on the street. The noises from 'Sugar Cube Corner' and 'The Record Label' (a night club Battle had been dragged to by Dash one evening) indicated the location of most ponies after the event. Battle smirked. There were two types of ponies when it came to dealing with stress. Those who drowned it with sugary crap and those who drowned it in hard liquor and loud music.

He wondered where his friends might be. He thought about it for a long moment. Knowing Dash's reckless nature and bombastic attitude she'd probably go for the latter. Applejack was one not to be out done so she'd probably end up trying to drink Dash under the table. Pinkie Pie and Fluttershy would be extremely rattled but they were too innocent for drinking to even be a possibility as far as they were concerned. Then there was Rarity the anomaly. She wasn't the type to go partying at such a rowdy place as the Record Label, but her stringent diet would't allow for a lapse in Sugar Cube Corner.

Battle's guess? The unicorn would have found her way home and opened her private liquor cabinet and poured herself significant glasses of wine.

He reached up to his cheek and pulled off the fake Cutie Mark that'd been part of his costume and yawned. He wasn't sure if him being tired was a result of him having been clonked on the head, the ice pack numbing his brain, him being awake for far too long today, or a combination of all three factors. The fact of the matter was, he wanted to curl up under his duvet for the next few hours in blissful unconsciousness.

Walking back through the streets of Ponyville, Battle reflected on the last two hours. Chimeras were common occurrences in the wilderness in the typical combination of lion, goat and serpent. Slight variations in the formation or combination from time to time, such as maybe being part tiger instead of lion, but they mostly followed a similar pattern. But this? This was something he'd never encountered or expected to encounter.

He stepped up to the door of the library and fumbled in his pocket for his keys with one hand. He needed a clear head to properly sort through these matters and possibly arrange for some time off to visit Canterlot. He'd heard of the Day Court Celestia held to deal with the issues with the common people and the nobility alike though he wasn't entirely certain if she did offer private audiences for more sensitive issues. If possible he'd like to avoid have a bunch of snooty nosy nobles listening in to his conversation. He didn't want to start a panic, even though going to see Celestia might well cause some tension in Equestrian Royal Guard.

The door swung inwards suddenly, before Battle could even slide the key into the lock. He blinked confused, before he was greeted by the equally startled expression of Rarity and Rainbow Dash on the other side.

"My goodness darling," she exclaimed. "Where have you been? We've been looking everywhere for you!"

"Yeah we were about to go out and see if we could find you," Dash elaborated.

"I'm fine girls," Battle reassured, stepping past the two of them. He saw the other girls were all sat around the table in the kitchen, each with a steaming mug in their hands, two more abandoned on the counter. "I see you all made yourself at home," he muttered.

"Sorry darling but we knew if you were showing up anywhere it would probably be here," Rarity said, closing the door. "So we let ourselves in."

"And made yourselves a brew while you were at it," Battle muttered, before turning to Rarity.

"How are they?" he asked quietly, jerking his head back at the other three, then wincing at the throb from the lump.

"They're all a lil rattled," Dash said. "Not surprising to be honest. I mean I know Shy's been getting a lot better with this stuff but I don't she really expected the panic."

"Yeah I get what you mean," Battle nodded slowly. "And the other two?"

"What do you expect?" Rarity sighed, "Two thugs tried to attack Princess Luna. The danger was real darling and I think that's starting to sink in. And that's not counting the stress we've all been under worrying about you."

"Sorry about that," Battle mumbled. "How are you two holding up anyway?"

"Can't say I'm not a little shaken darling," Rarity admitted as Dash waved the question off. "But I'm just glad everyone came out more or less unscathed."

Battle looked at her and saw the trembling in her left hand.

"You made a pot of tea right?" he said at last.

"Yes. Hot, strong and sweet. Good for shock," rarity said proudly.

"After tonight tea's not gonna cut it," Battle told her. "Come on, let's get sat down. My head's bloody killing me."

The three of them moved into the kitchen. As Rarity and Dash took their seats at the table, Battle walked over the farthest cupboard. Opening it, he reached inside. There was the clink of glass before he closed it again and moved back to the table.

"So where'd ya disappear off to Battle?" Applejack asked. "We were worried about ya."

"Rarity's just said," Battle replied, setting six small glasses onto the table, followed by an almost full bottle of some amber liquid. Rarity blinked and looked at the bottle in confusion.

"Um, darling... what's this?" she asked tentatively.

"Parting gift from home," he explain, uncorking the bottle and filling each glass with a shot of the contents. "Flippendo* single malt whiskey from Warhorse." He slid a glass to everyone around the table.

"Um... any reason?" Applejack asked.

"Good for shock," he replied bluntly.

"Who told ya that?" Dash chuckled.

"Are you really gonna question free alcohol?" Battle asked, looking at her with an eyebrow raised.

"You make an excellent point," Dash replied, raising her glass. Battle did the same and nodded to her. They bumped glasses and threw back their respective shots. Upon slamming their glasses back down on the table, Dash promptly wretched and snatched up her mug and took three swift gulps of tea. Battle laughed and shook his head.

"It does sting like an angry hornet if you're not expecting it I agree," Battle chuckled. Dash scowled at him as the other girls all gave little giggles themselves. She looked at her empty glass before sliding it back to Battle.

"Hit me," she grunted.

"If you say so," Battle shrugged, pouring himself and Dash a second glass. He looked around the table and saw the other girls still looking at their shots. "Girls things are gonna go south very fast if it's just me and Dash drinkin' this."

"Sorry Battle," Applejack muttered, picking up her glass. "But... are you sure you wanna share this? I mean, ya said this was a gift from your home."

"Aye," Battle nodded. "And if you're wondering why I'm bringing it out now, A: like I said, it's a remedy for shock which is something you need right now. B: It's better than a poke in the eye with a sharp stick. C: Honestly, right now there's no one else I'd rather share it with. And D, which is the most important, drinking whiskey on your own is just fucking depressing." He lifted his second shot. "Cheers."

He fired back the whiskey in a quick gulp and was quickly joined by Applejack and Dash, both of whom ended up coughing and spluttering for a second afterwards. Rarity tentatively brought her glass to her lips but was stopped by Dash shaking her head at her.

"This isn't some of your fancy smanchy wine Rares," she said, wiping a tear from her eyes as she stopped coughing. "You don't sip whiskey. You throw it back and swallow it all at once. Ugh, fuck it, let me show ya." She held her glass out to Battle. Or she would've done if she'd held her grasp on it. Instead the glass slipped from her glass in mid air, sending it cartwheeling through the air before Battle caught it. He looked at her and raised an eyebrow.

"Not exactly one to hold your liquor are you Dash?" he smirked Pinkie giggling and rocking in her chair.

"Shut up!" Dash snapped. "I can drink you under the table!"

"To be honest I have had years drinking this angry bastard," Battle admitted, filling his, Dash's and Applejack's glasses once again. "This is not Apple Cider."

"You can say that again partner," Applejack said, taking her glass back. "Ain't felt a kick like that in a long time."

"Pfft, lightweight," Dash muttered, rolling her eyes. "Anyway, Rares. You take a shot like-"

The 'clack!' of a glass hitting the table caused everyone to turn to Fluttershy sliding her glass back across to Battle.

"Like that," Fluttershy gasped in between coughs.

Pinkie gave a whistle of appreciation. "Was that your first ever shot Fluttershy? I'm impressed! Oh! I should throw a: 'Fluttershy just took her first shot of whiskey like a boss!' Party!"

"Pinkie," Battle interrupted.

"Yeah Battle?"

"Drink."

"Okey dokey!" Pinkie cried and picked up her glass and knocked it back. of course, Pinkie being Pinkie, she didn't hack, wretch or cough as the liquid fire slipped down her throat. However as she slammed the glass back on the table her arm gave way under her and her face met the wood. She effectively smacked into the table and stuck, out like a light and snoring. Battle stared at her in shock, before looking at the bottle in amazement.

"This is the answer to all life's problems," he whispered to himself.

Chapter Eighteen

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Mayor Mare opened the safe door and Battle quickly snatched up his pack and slung it over his shoulder. She looked at him concerned with the severe expression on his face. The moment was gone as soon as it came however as Battle turned to her and smiled politely.

"I'm sorry to have to drag you to city hall so early Mayor but really I don't think this could've waited," he explained.

"It's," Mayor Mare began to say, but ended up stifling a yawn before she continued. "It's fine. To tell the truth I haven't been able to sleep all that well since Nightmare Night. I can't imagine how all those poor little foals must have felt."

"I'm sure Princess Luna's helping them cope with it," Battle reassured her smiling gently. He paused at that and looked at the floor. "Any chance the one they caught said anything?"

Mayor Mare frowned. "I wouldn't know. The Lunar Guard took her away pretty quickly whoever she was. I doubt they'd tell us down here in Ponyville if she's said anything, much less the specifics."

"I dunno, I think the people of Ponyville deserve some sort of explanation," Battle shrugged.

"I agree, but this was an attack on the Princess Battle," Mayor Mare reminded. "A very severe political move. It's a shame Princess Twilight wasn't here. She might've been able to catch those fiends."

Battle blinked; he'd realised something. Something awful. Something that made his blood run a little cooler. Something that made him thankful for the fact that Princess Twilight hadn't been present for the Nightmare Night fiasco. After all... attacking a Princess completely surrounded by her royal guard in the middle of a public festival... seemed a lot more difficult than abducting one in the middle of busy crowd...

"Battle?" Mayor Mare tentatively interrupted, "Are you quite alright?"

Battle shook himself and looked back at Mayor Mare and smiled. "Sorry just a few thought running around. Must've zoned out. Need this holiday more than I thought I guess."

"You never told me where you were going," Mayor Mare said. "You'll pardon my curiosity surely?"

"Of course," Battle agreed. "I'm just going away to catch my breath. A walking holiday," he explained, then, seeing her confusion, "They're quite popular in my homeland as a way of clearing one's head from a busy time in one's life. Ponyville might just be a little rural town but life never stops moving around here does it?"

"I understand," she said, nodding in agreement. "I don't blame anyone for wanting to take a brief vacation. Any plans?"

"Exploring mostly," Battle responded. "Get some fresh air, calm my nerves you know? Take in some of the countryside."

"And the bag is for?"

"Oh." Battle's smile dipped a fraction. "Safety. In case I run into Timberwolves," he replied, his voice with and edge to it now. Or something worse.

It took him a while but he managed to return to the place where he had fought Happy-Face in the Everfree Forest on Nightmare Night. The fact that the body had barely been touched by the local wildlife was both a testament to the amount of hemlock he'd consumed, and the true nature of his physiology.

"I hate being right," Battle muttered to himself. He sighed and knelt down, setting the beg on the grass before him. His ear twitched as he heard something rustle in the trees but he paid it no head. Within a moment his bag was open and the contents splayed out before him, and he began taking an itinerary of what lay within. First was a standard issue Warhorse field medicine kit for self-application. It was comprised of an anti-septic balm, needle and thread, painkillers and disinfectant alcohol. Beside that was a Warhorse standard issue combat knife, a simple blade with one side serrated along its edge where it met the handle. This was accompanied by an officers hunting knife; a more severe affair that was longer and shaped more like a claw than a standard straight knife blade.

He put these into their respective sheaths and buckled them around his waist. He then buckled a belt round his midriff and slid five throwing knives into place along his torso. Said throwing knives had a small navy blue gemstone studded into the base of the handle. A set of brass knuckle dusters was slid into place on both fists, before he threw on his long coat. Over that he fastened another harness around his torso, sliding the crossbow into its clasp, the quiver beneath it across his spine; filled with twenty bolts. He then grabbed two glass bottles and stuffed one into each the pockets of his coat. Smiling gently to himself he grabbed a packet of matches and shoved that into the left pocket. Finally there were two more sheaths buckled to each hip. He filled one with a machete, the other a combat axe.

Battle straightened to his full height and breathed in deep through his nose, eyes closed, tension leaving his body in a great wave as his entire body shuddered. The feeling that rocked through him was one of pure energy. It was like his arm had been taken from him and now he'd been gifted it anew. Truly he had felt naked without his weapons. He felt strong again, he felt energized. He was pumped. He was ready. He'd forgotten the sense of being fully armoured and ready for combat; the adrenaline surging, coursing through every vein in his body, the rapid pulse of his heart.

Something rustled in the bushes and growled threateningly.

The throwing knife left Battle's hand faster than Rainbow Dash on a cider run. The pitiful yelp of a timber wolf was all the confirmation Battle needed to know he'd hit the unfortunate beast right between the eyes.

Battle's eyes opened with slow deliberation as his horn glowed with the silver magic. The bushed rustled as the timber-wolf was lifted through the air before it was dumped at Battle's feet. Battle reached into the left pocket and unscrewed the cap as he yanked the throwing knife out of the beast's forehead. He quickly splashed the timber-wolf with the contents, careful to use as little as possible before recapping it and sliding it into his pocket. He picked out the box of matches and flicked it open.

"Could've given me a few more you cheapskate," he chuckled to himself and picked out one of remaining half-dozen and proceeded to light it. "Ah well, can't be helped." He dropped it onto the timber-wolf and watched as the concentrated alcohol caught alight and spread to the body of the timber-wolf itself. "This one's on you Arson."

The light of the flames danced in Battle's eyes as the Timber-wolf slowly began to blacken and turn to charcoal. Once he was fairly certain that the beast was dead and wouldn't be coming back he started to stamp out the flames, sending ash and sparks everywhere; splitting cremated wood into black chunks. Pleased with his handiwork he looked over the throwing knife he'd used and inspected it. Timber-wolves had no real blood to speak of, their bodies being wood and plant-matter bound together and driven by the will of dark spirits. Still, there were those that secreted tree sap as if it were a vital fluid. This one was not one of those, the only remnant of it lingering on the blade being a few splinters which Battle blew a way with a sharp huff before he replaced the knife back into its sheath.

"Alright then," he murmured to himself, pulling his combat axe from it's sheath.. "Let's get moving."

It was a long while later and Battle Ready was crouched over a small fire, a few wild carrots and mushrooms cooking on a stick he'd planted leaning into the flames. He hadn't stopped walking for most of the time since he'd donned his old weapons, finally taking heed of his weary feet and empty stomach. He's gathered some edible fungi and root vegetables from nearby and made a small fire to cook them on in a secluded corner of a dark cave. He'd taken a note of the time before he'd set up camp. It had been difficult, he hadn't had to calculate time from the setting sun in quite a while and with the sun setting beneath the canopy, he'd had to have climbed a nearby tree. He estimated it to be around 6 in the evening, perhaps even seven. When he left Ponyville it had been nearly half past 6 exactly and it had taken him an hour to find where Happy Face lay dead.

He'd had to have been walking for ten hours straight at least.

He smiled at that thought. True he was sweaty, sore, tired and hungry, but hadn't this been what he had trained for? All those years in the academy weren't going to waste that was for certain. True he'd packed light with no food and water, but that had been for the sake of speed and stealth. Not that he'd needed stealth.

He'd seen many creatures from the Everfree Forest that was true. But only glimpses as they'd turned tale and ran from him. He was certain they hadn't seen or heard him. But they didn't have to. They'd have sensed him. They sensed the aura of a new, lethal predator in their midst. Not that Battle was hunting the likes of them. Game wasn't part of his diet.

Battle began eating his now thoroughly charcoaled dinner. It wasn't good by any means, but at least it wasn't poisonous.

"Tastes like rancid dog piss but at least it's fucking edible."

Battle threw the stick and the food away from him and he scooted back as fast as possible from the fire, eyes wide, breathing shallow, heart throbbing painfully. He clamped his hands over his ears and shook himself violently, trying to rid his mind of the memory, of the voice that pierced his mind like a drill slamming into his brain from both ears.

It was a long time before he jolted from his still position. The fire had burned out hours ago and the moon was high in the sky. He must have fallen asleep, or had slipped into a catatonic state. If it was the latter... it had been a long time since he'd suffered from the latter.

He shook himself a little and reached into the breast pocket of his jacket and pulled out the only item he held there. A feather. A feather about as long as the heel of his palm to the tip of his index figure. A brilliant cobalt blue feather, with the edges tapering off into a shimmering, brilliant black. Battle looked at the feather for a long time. He hadn't seen the feather since he'd last taken off his coat. Looking at it filled him with mixed feelings. It eased the raging pain in his chest and the rapid heartbeat, but filled him with a sense of dread, guilt and a sickly, uncomfortable notion in the pit of his stomach. It reminded him of happier, less troublesome times, but also reminded him of his recent awful past.

He closed his eyes and his fist, his hand clutching the feather tighter. He took in a deep breath through his nose, before letting out slowly and gently. He opened his eyes again, his mind a little calmer, feelings more organised. He smiled as best he could at the feather.

"On my ass as usually am I right?" he murmured to himself as he got to his feet, tucking the feather back into his pocket and striding off into the night; combat axe in his grasp in a flash. He wasn't getting to sleep that was for sure.

Something rustled as he strode through the dark of the Everfree. He didn't flinch at the sound of it though, nor did he cast a spell of illumination to try and find it. It had been a while but his eyes were still well accustomed to moving in the dark. He didn't need illumination to guide his way. Conjuring a light would do nothing put alert every hostile creature in the Everfree to his presence.

And something huge barrelled out of the darkness and and slammed into Battle Ready. He cried out, a shoulder the size of a young foal forcing all the air from his lungs as it crushed against his abdomen. Before he could readjust himself, his attack slammed him back against a tree. The back his head struck the bark as he was pinned to the tree by the monster that had erupted from the shadows. Dazed and confused, his brain sluggishly began to process the facts, assessing immediate damage from his surprise attack.

The sharp pain in his chest indicated two damaged ribs, both at least cracked one possibly broken. He'd received whiplash from the moment when his head was thrown back against the tree, only to snap back as it bounced off of it hard. The back of his skull was most likely cracked and possibly bleeding judging from the warm feeling down the back of his neck and the way his left arm was aching he estimated he'd pulled a muscle in the way that his arms had splayed out when he'd been pinned. Disorientation and a limitation to his possible responses were not set-backs that were greatly appreciated in a surprise attack in the dark.

Falling back on instinct, Battle raised his axe hand high and delivered a heavy blow to the back of his attacker, aiming for the neck and a quick finish. The axe stuck with a sickening 'thud' and the attacking beast roared in anger rather than pain. Battle gritted his teeth and twisted the shaft, trying to drive the blade in deeper. The creature snorted and pulled away, taking the axe out of Battle's grasp before slamming Battle against the tree again. Battle let out a strangled cry, his axe hand falling to his side, his brain dimly noting his assessment of two damaged ribs had now gone up to five, the possibility of only two being cracked rather than broken, on top of a bloody nose for some odd reason.

His right hand slapped against something hard in his pocket and Battle quickly fumbled with the glass bottle, his other hand reaching into the left pocket with some considerable pain and effort. As the beast pulled back again for another slam, Battle shoved the glass bottle with as much strength as he could muster into the shadow mass. The glass shattered and the creature roared in pain this time, pulling away completely. Battle pulled out the matchbox as fast as he could, lighting and throwing the match as fast as he could. The small flame tumbled through the air before bouncing off the monsters nose, setting ablaze to them in an instant.

The beast roared as orange and yellow fire sprung to life across the skin, throwing the dark of the Everfree Forest into sudden shocking yellow brilliance, the sound of rustling leaves and cries of alarm from the nearby inhabitants of the trees and undergrowth. In the sudden light of the fire Battle could see the creature for what it was.

At first glance, it appeared to be a manticore. But that wasn't true. For one thing it had no fur, and it's skin was thick and leathery, like the hide of a full grown hydra. A long barbed tailed swished out from behind it, instead of the scorpion sting they were known for. The most prominent detail however was that this, thing, was bipedal, standing on its hind legs, the front paws more like hands with long, razor sharp talons.

Battle know he'd found what he was looking for and smirked, wiping the blood from his face on the back of his sleeve.

"You're a long way from home aintcha big guy?" Battle asked running up to the blazing 'manticore', kicking off from its shin and grabbing his axe, pulling it free as he rolled over the big monster's shoulder and back to the ground. The 'manticore' was no longer flailing, but the fire was still eating into his skin. It no longer care about the searing fire. It simply wanted to crush Battle's skull.

Battle rolled under a backhand strike and came up just behind the legs of his opponent and slashed at the back of its left knee with all the might he could muster in his broken body. The creature screamed as the axe struck the joint, cleaving halfway into fleshed and jarring against the bone. Battle yanked the axe back and roared in pain, the effort tearing his pectorals with the exertion. As his arm came free his hand let go of the axe and bunched up at his chest, as he hissed in pain.

With his eyes screwed up in agony, he summoned up his focus, blocking out all pain and he threw himself at the injured leg, a magical shield coming into existence and snapping away from him with the force of a cannon blast. The creature screamed and roared as, with a wrenching tearing snapping sound the carved leg was completely severed from its owner. Battle slumped into place, both arms in seething agony and almost immovable, pain rocketing from horn to toes, the last of his strength gone into the spell. Tired from a day's hiking, exhausted from agony and no food, Battle collapsed onto his stomach, unconscious before his face met grass.

Chapter Nineteen

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Don't you dare look at me like that. Don't you dare stand there and pity me! I made my own choices damnit! I didn't do what I did so you'd stand there and pity me!

...

You've got a job to do damnit...

...

Let me move on Boss... I'm finished...

The echoes of that conversation slowly faded to be replaced by a soft gently humming. A gentle soothing voice, humming a soft, peaceful tune. He felt a damp cloth mop the side of his face. Dumbly he was curious as to why he wasn't in searing pain, or, why he was awake at all. He remembered the attack dimly, though he didn't dwell on the thought much. His brain felt like a thick, gloopy soup and processing anything except that soothing tune was difficult for him.

There was a pause in the tune and Battle became aware of voices exchanging words that to his brain felt alien. One voice belonged to the person who had been humming moments before; the other, totally foreign to him. Something moved beside him, and he became aware that there had been a pressure on his right shin since he'd been awake. The sudden absence of it was disconcerting for a moment.

The voices became clearer but for a moment Battle couldn't understand. His mouth felt dry as he tried to speak.

"Úbi sum?" Battle slurred, shifting slightly where he lay. The voices stopped speaking and he heard them shift closer. He became aware of someone leaning over him, a light blocked out by someone or something.

"I'm afraid you do not make sense," said an unfamiliar, accented voice. "But understandable in your predicament."

Battle's mind was slow but it began processing the information as fast as he was able. First of all the speaker was a mare and her accent was Zebrikan that much was definite. He was however unable to pinpoint a region purely based on that. The rhyming tongue was a good indicator but his brain was too sluggish to remember in his current predicament. He couldn't remember however ever meeting a Zebra in Ponyville before, and there was no chance that one would live out in the Everfree forest. Then again he had met Zebra's living in more dangerous places and conditions. With the weapons and skills to handle the rough conditions. And kill anyone stupid enough to come blundering into their homestead uninvited.

They could make a brilliant coffee however.

Battle decided it was time to open his eyes instead of just relying on vague inputs from his sluggish brain. He was greeted with the pale blue eyes of, as Battle had guessed, a zebra mare, so adorned with golden hoops and rings he thought she was the living embodiment of the expression: 'feel like a million bits.' Her mane had been styled in a tall mohawk to reveal the white and black fur of her head beneath. There were tribal markings etched into the golden rings around her neck, identifying her as some sort of healer or potion brewer. She blinked in surprised when she realised Battle was looking back at her, then she smiled softly and pushed some of Battle's mane back from his forehead, like a mother would do for a sickly foal.

"I am glad to see you are awake," she said soothingly. "We feared you had met with a terrible fate."

There was a scuffling sound as someone tried to move closer but the Zebra looked up and shook her head. There was a sound of protest but the zebra shooed whoever wanted to come closer away. There was the sound of footsteps and the zebra returned her attention to Battle.

"I shall not mince words with pointless prattle," she said slowly. "So can you tell me how you're feeling Battle?"

Battle screwed his eyes up slowly and began to push himself into a sitting position. The zebra placed a hand delicately on his chest. The gesture was light but the effect was intense as Battle hissed in pain as the slight pressure was enough to send lances of pain from his broken ribs. He fell back instantly, a thin film of sweat already forming on his forehead. The pressure on his chest was gone, but there was another pain. A sharp, familiar throb coming from inside his chest. The zebra's expression was touched with sudden concern at Battle's emission of pain.

"It was not my intention to agitate your wounds," she reassured. "But be assured the pain shall subside soon."

Battle nodded to indicate that he understood. His mind was now operating at what he would consider at very slightly hungover functionality, and was therefore now better suited to take stock of his current wellbeing. His ribs had certainly seen better days that was for certain, but whatever the healer had done to him in his sleep had clearly done some serious overtime. They were still cracked he knew for sure and debate was still out on if any of them were still broken of course, but they were in a lot better condition now. He could feel some sort of soothing ointment on his upper body that was marvelous for his torn muscles. He was now fully aware of a lump on the back of his head from where it had bounced off of the tree but it was only throbbing with mild discomfort. All in all he was simply glad he was okay.

"You did not answer to how you feel," the zebra said. "But do you think you could stand a meal?"

Battle licked his lips absentmindedly before his lips tweaked into a small smile before he managed to croak out a hoarse whisper: "Well, if you're offering."

The zebra gave a small chuckle at this and moved away. She was however quickly replaced by someone Battle hadn't expected to see. He smiled up at her in his battered state and managed to wriggle out the tip of his tongue in what might have been considered antagonistic.

"'Ello Princess."

Twilight Sparkle looked down at Battle with a mixture of disapproval and concern. She looked as if she hadn't been sleeping well, with deep shadows and heavy bags under her eyes. She wasn't wearing her signature glasses Battle noted dully and her hair which he'd usually seen tied up in a tight bun, was tied in a very loose and messy ponytail. Her wings were folded neatly at her back to conserve space, and she was wearing very informal clothing. All in all she looked a bit untidy Battle thought, before smirking as he realised she was probably thinking the same thing.

"You look terrible," Twilight said simply and Battle barked a laugh, which caused him to wince shortly after.

"Well, can't look any worse than I feel," he managed to wheeze. "How was Zebrika?"

"Fascinating," she said curtly. "How's my library?"

"I perfect working condition m'lady," Battle joked. "And strictly speaking it's my library until such a time as the Mayor kicks me out, at which time I will promptly crash on your brother's couch for the next seven months."

"You will do no such thing, he has a kingdom of his own to run thank you," Twilight snapped. Battle smirked.

"I know."

Twilight narrowed her eyes at this.

"How does Veteran put up with you?" she asked simply.

"My charming wit?" Battle suggested. "Which I might add goes completely above your head."

Twilight threw her eyes up in frustration and turned away, stepping through a beader curtain hung in the only doorway. Battle watched her go before finally began to take stock of his surroundings as Twilight began talking to the Zebra and someone else in the other room. It wasn't like most pony homes, but Battle had been hosted by Zebra's before so he'd expected this. The whole structure had a warm earthy, wooden smell about it and he saw that the room he was in had walls of compacted dry earth, clay and sticks. The ceiling also shared the motif of earth and clay, though small tree roots poked through the ceiling. Understandable Battle thought as certain zebra tribes made their homes inside and beneath hollowed out trees. No windows down here obviously, the only light source being a small hanging jar filled with fireflies. A real fire would be too dangerous even down here.

It was clear Battle wa sin zome sort of spare room as his bed was a rather firm cot with a half dozen furs haphazardly thrown on top of him. He saw his shirt, coat and weapons had been laid out on a table on the other side of the room. As he mentally took inventory of his equipment the beaded curtain was pushed back and the zebra stepped through, carrying a small wooden stool and a wooden bowl full of a steaming liquid Battle assumed to be soup, a wooden spoon sat in the bowl.

"Surprised you're helping me if you're friends with the Princess," Battle said. "She can not have given me a good character reference."

The zebra shook her head as if to agree. "It is true she spoke of you with a terrible wrath," she said as someone else pushed their way through the beader curtain and Battle felt his face split into a wide smile. "Fortunately a friend of ours spoke on your behalf."

Fluttershy stepped up behind the zebra and hung over her shoulder, wringing her hands in distress. The zebra took notice of this, smiled and walked away without saying anything. Fluttershy smiled back at her friend before picking up the bowl and sitting on the stool, scooching it closer to the bed with the bowl in her lap. Battle smiled at her warmly.

"Please tell me you're not going to eat that in front of me," he joked and Fluttershy hid her blush behind her mane. She took the spoon and stirred it around the bowl a few times before lifting it and blowing on it gently. Battle cocked an eyebrow at this and Fluttershy blushed again as she lifted the spoon to Battle's mouth, which he graciously accepted and swallowed promptly.

"What..." Fluttershy began, and battle cocked an ear to listen and she went silent. She lifted another spoonful to Battle's mouth, without blowing on it this time. A few more mouthfuls of soup were transferred to Battle before she spoke again.

"What happened to you?" Fluttershy asked at last. Battle swallowed his mouthful and looked up at the ceiling.

"I got my ass kicked," Battle said simply. "Stuck my nose into business it shouldn't have been in, looking for answers to questions I apparently shouldn't have been asking and got a clobbering for it."

"What answers were you looking for in the middle of the Everfree forest?" Fluttershy asked, pausing with the spoon still in the bowl. Battle looked at her out of the corner of his eye.

"Why somepony attacked Princess Luna," Battle said simply. Fluttershy looked at him sharply.

"But... but... why do you even need to know?" Fluttershy whispered. "I mean, they got one of the ponies who did it. And the other one hasn't been seen since that night."

"The other one's dead."

Fluttershy blinked at the coldness of Battle's words, staring with eyes wide at his face.

"Did... did you...?" Fluttershy whispered, unable to articulate herself properly. Battle smiled warmly at her.

"Would that upset you?" he said quietly. She looked down at her hands and hid behind her mane.

"I... I don't know," she whispered. "Have... have you ever...?"

Battle sighed and looked directly at the roof.

"Way too many times 'Shy," he said at last. "That's just something that comes with being a soldier, doubly so for a soldier from Warhorse. Sure we try and find other ways to solve problems but at the end of the day there's always going to be times when diplomacy fails." Fluttershy was staring at him Battle knew but he didn't want to look at her. "Truth of the matter is 'Shy the world's not as sunny and breezy as it is in Equestria. There are a lot of bad people out there, and the unfortunate thing is the worst of them are in a position of power." He closed his eyes here and let out a deep breath through his nose. "Believe me... there is nothing I wish for more than a day when I can say we don't need soldiers anymore but right now, they're needed."

Silence met his words few a few moments. Then Fluttershy spoke again.

"Would you have killed Gilda?" she asked and Battle snorted.

"Gilda was a punk. A jumped up little shit yeah but I wouldn't have killed her. She needed to be scared not beaten to a red stain." He suddenly remembered who he was talking too and looked apologetically at Fluttershy. "Sorry... probably a bit too graphic."

"It's okay," she said quietly. Another pause as she began to lift the spoon out of the bowl. She bit her lip and looked down. "Do you enjoy it?"

If Battle were surprised by the question he gave no indication of it. He sighed and closed his eyes.

"Not an easy question to answer 'Shy," he muttered to himself. Fluttershy watched him for a few moments and as she was about to open her mouth to apologise he continued. "I don't enjoy killing if that's the question. I accept that sometimes it's the necessity of war and it is expected of me to take a life as willingly as I ready to surrender my own." He sighed. "In battle I don't think about it though. I don't recognise who I've killed from who I've wounded." He opened his eyes and looked beyond the ceiling, as trying to gaze at the heavens. "Death brings me nothing but revulsion at myself." A small, cold and malicious smile tugged at the corner of his mouth. "I won't deny though that the act of combat is what I live for." He looked at Fluttershy and gave her a pleading look. "It's my destiny... fighting is to me what looking after animals is to you. It's why I'm such a good soldier. Why I know how to fight. Why I felt like I had to find out who tried to attack Princess Luna and bring them to justice." He grunted and began to push himself into a sitting position, despite Fluttershy making numerous frantic gasps and squeeks to try and force him to lie down again. Battle ignored these protests and reached over for the wooden bowl, wincing with every movement and tipping the contents of the bowl down his throat, gulping huge mouthfuls of the hot broth.

"You should not get up so soon," said a voice as Battle set the bowl in his lap. He looked up to see the Zebra standing there in what was the doorway to the rest of her home. "You will only agitate your wounds."

"Ah what else is new?" Battle asked throwing back the various furs and swinging his legs out of bed. "My body's fucked up enough already what's a little more permanent scarring?"

Chapter Twenty

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"Wondered when you'd drag yourself up here," Twilight said continuing to read her from one of the low stools arranged around the central room of Zecora's home. She didn't look up as Battle pushed his way through the beaded curtain leading to the lower rooms. Battle didn't mind. This was the dynamic he and Twilight had fallen into after their few meetings face to face. She liked Veteran Centurion, the King of Warhorse, that much had been confirmed to him by Shining Armour, but she apparently thought Battle was unprofessional as a member of Veteran's royal guard due to his observed behavior over a few diplomatic summits. Battle found this disapproval amusing.

"Twilight by a useful mare," the zebra said as she came up behind Battle, Fluttershy close behind. "Helps us get him back down there."

Twilight sighed and closed her book as Battle stretched, a tight look of pain on his face as he did so.

"No point," Twilight told her as Battle popped the knuckles in the bones of his hands. "He's up now. He might as well help us."

"Oh it's my help you're wanting eh Princess?" Battle chuckled, rolling his arms in circles to loosen up his shoulders. "Sure you're not gonna nag me?"

"I can have you arrested you know that right?" Twilight pouted.

"Oh yeah that'll really go down well in the newspapers," Battle snorted. "'Princess Twilight Locks up Foreigner Because of Undisclosed Personal Biases.' How's that gonna make you look?"

"You... you two know each other then?" Fluttershy mumbled through her mane as Twilight ground her teeth against one another as Battle checked his reflection in a mirror to see if his face had been injured in the fight.

"We've met prior yes," Twilight sighed, looking at Fluttershy. "On certain diplomatic summits. Battle was a member of the King's Royal Guard on a number of those occasions. We met then."

"You've been to Warhorse?" Fluttershy asked meekly. Twilight went a delicate shade of pink and adjusted her shirt.

"No," she said simply. "No I have not. Princess Celestia hasn't taken me to Warhorse before."

"It's a pity too," Battle admitted straightening up from the mirror. "Pretty sure you would like it over there. Legion is lovely this time of year."

"You say that every time we see each other," Twilight sighed. "Do you get some kick out of teasing me about that?"

"Nope, just proud of the home counties," Battle said spinning around and walking to the center of the room. He paused for a second before walking swiftly to the zebra mare and sticking a hand out smiling bashfully.

"Sorry, stupid me, I've been rude, never caught your name," he said, his smile becoming apologetic. The zebra looked at the proffered hand and, after a nod from Twilight, took it gingerly and shook hands with Battle.

"You could not have asked before," she said, "But I am called Zecora."

"Lovely to meet you Zecora," Battle said, as he finished shaking hands and turned to the room at large, before turning back to Zecora. "Thanks for, yknow? Patching me up." Zecora smiled warmly and made a movement to suggest it was nothing. He smiled too and looked across at Twilight, his expression suddenly very cold. "You said you needed my help?"

"Finally something sensible," Twilight sighed.

"Come on princess if you want me to talk sense you should know I respect the chain of command," Battle said, a wry smile on his face. "Right now the way I see it you're my commanding officer."

"And here I thought you were on leave of absence from the Warhorse Army," Twilight asked, cocking an eyebrow. "Isn't working for another military whilst on leave considered an act of treason?"

"Warhorse military doctrine dictates that a soldier of the realm may submit their services whilst on leave to any allied armed force at said soldiers sole discretion," Battle reciited. "Now however much you and me don't get on Princess Equestria and Warhorse are very much allies and as such, I submit my military service to your command."

Twilight nodded respectfully before folding her arms and turning to look out of the nearest window. "I don't need to tell you how much the recent attempted attack on Princess Lana has rattled the country."

"Mass panic and uncertainty, ponies seeing enemies everywhere they go, a bunch of politically charged tabloid press stirring up trouble even more?" Battle listed off a few things he'd seen and heard as a direct result of an attack like this.

"Precisely," Twilight confirmed. "And those are the problems coming from within Equestria. External political interference is also a factor to consider. No one outside of Equestria knows if this will be isolated to us or if other allied nations are to be subjected to similar attacks." Twilight turned to him. "And I get the suspicion that you have an idea as to what's happening here Battle."

"I have my theories," Battle admitted. "I haven't really been able to confirm any of them however. It's not like I can jump on the train to Canterlot and ask to pummel the information I want from the one in the cell now can I?"

"And yet you came marching straight into the Everfree forest?" Twilight said, resting her palms on the rim of the central cauldron looking directly at Battle.

"I had a few suspicions," Battle said shrugging. "Especially after the other attacked ran headlong into the Everfree on Nightmare Night."

"I'm assuming you caught up to them?"

"Naturally."

"So what you're keeping them locked up in your basement like some reverse boogeyman until he talks?"

Battle clicked his tongue lightly and looked over at Fluttershy and Zecora. He had told Fluttershy that the attacker who got away was already dead. He wasn't sure if Zecora knew yet though he was inclined to believe she did. That left Twilight alone the only one unaware of what had happened to the attacker that Battle had dubbed Happy Face.

"I followed him to a clearing about a hundred yards from the edge of the Everfree," Battle said slowly. "I hadn't noticed when I reached him that the clearing was bordered by various poisonous plant-life." Battle watched Twilight's face for her reaction, whilst also listening intently for Fluttershy and Zecora's audible tells. So far Twilight merely furrowed her brow, so Battle continued. "In the wild those plants would have most likely taken a few hours to take effect maybe. But from what I've heard the Everfree has some... negative aura that surrounds it. He was dead within a matter of minutes." He bit his lip here as Twilight's face turned to look of horror at the implications of what Battle was telling her. "I must admit there is the possibility that the adrenaline spike of having been discovered hastened his... premature demise."

Fluttershy and Zecora looked at each other in discomfort and Battle felt his soul cringe a little at the look on Fluttershy's face. Zecora in the meantime seemed to be holding up with this information rather well.

"I... I see," Twilight said slowly, swallowing a few times and gripping the edge of the cauldron. Battle raised an eyebrow. For all he had seen of Twilight before now she had been the symbol of constant professional. Maybe a little over-eager to please Princess Celestia and in her earlier meetings she was a little nervous sure but this was something else entirely. Battle's shoulders rounded slightly and his expression softened as he took Twilight in for a moment.

She was still young. Only a year or so younger than Battle but she was still so young when it came to the nature of war. The concept of death, murder, suicide; they were still almost alien to the ponies of Equestria. Twilight had fended off the return of Nightmare Moon, Discord, Sombra, Tirek and fought off an invasion of Changelings attacking the city of Canterlot. But all of these feats she had achieved with her friends by her side and without resorting to violence. Without a drop of blood ever having been spilled.

Zecora cleared her throat and Battle looked her way.

"That explains the end of the pony who died," she said slowly. "But what of that creature of impossible size?"

Battle cocked and eyebrow and Twilight cleared her through, shaking herself a little before she turned to the door of Zecora's hut and pulling it open. She turned to Battle and gestured for him to walk through the door first. Eyebrow still raised, Battle led the three other mare's out into the forest.

There, slumped on it's side, was the 'manticore' Battle had fought in the night. It's leathery hide was charcoaled and crisp, the scales burnt away to reveal white pulpy flesh underneath, thought blackened by smoke and flame, blisters like burst and whole angry red bubbles rising from the surface. There was a deep gouge in its neck on the right hand side from when Battle had hit it with his axe. The face of the creature was cut up and covered in its pinkish coppery blood, a few shards of glass still embedded in the flesh. It's left leg was severed at the knee. The cut wasn't clean and wasn't pretty. The stump was still bleeding. Battle pondered whether the bleeding or the fire had killed the creature.

"We found him about thirst paces from where we found you," Twilight muttered, looking everywhere but the mangled remains of the monster. "Your handiwork?"

"I'd like to think I gave as good as I got sure," Battle shrugged.

"He is an ugly one to be sure," Zecora muttered. "Quite the beating he did endure."

"Where's his leg?" Fluttershy managed to squeak out.

"In the undergrowth somewhere probably," Twilight muttered. "How did you get it off?" then as if realising the grisly implications of whatever answer might come she stuck her hands up and shook her head. "Actually no forget I ask. Let's focus on the question of what this... thing is."

"It looks like a Manticore," Fluttershy suggested.

"I must agree, though not like one I have seen," Zecora chimed in.

"He's a chimera," Battle said simply. "But a type I thought went extinct long ago."

"A type?" Twilight repeated. "What exactly do you mean? There's only ever been the one kind. Sure you might find one with different elements but they're usually a hybridisation of the same three creatures."

"Big cat, snake and goat right?" Fluttershy listed off.

"Wild Chimeras," Battle said in answer. "Chimeras that are little more than the beasts that they're comprised of. They weren't always like that though." He stepped up to the chimera and looked in its dead lifeless eyes. "A long time ago they were a race of creatures. Powerful and dangerous, their strength was in their ability to assimilate certain physiological aspects of any living being they came across." He absently pulled a shard of glass from its face and slid it into his pocket. "They were... envious creatures. But like I said I thought that they'd died out ages ago, reduced to wild monsters roaming the countrysides, their kingdom long since rubble."

"Their kingdom?" Twilight said. "They had a monarchy?"

Battle's mind retreated to a childhood memory at the question. A memory filled with ghost stories and the nightmares of a child about an evil queen. An evil queen with acid green eyes and skin an alabaster white. Towering, imposing and terrifying with huge leathery wings that blocked out the sun. One who could breathe fire, summon lightning and even cause earthquakes with even the gentlest stamp of her cloven hooves.

"If you believe the stories," Battle whispered to himself almost. Before anyone could press him for more details hower, Battle turned away from the chimera and rubbed the bridge of his nose, wincing slightly as the movement agitated some of the injuries he had sustained fighting the beast. He waved off Zecora however as she began to move toward him. "The point of the matter is there are going to be more of them in this forest. This bastard here all but confirms it and for whatever reason, they want an Alicorn."

"What?" Fluttershy whispered. "They want an Alicorn?"

"Reasoning?" Twilight said, folding her arms.

"They attacked on Nightmare Night," Battle replied. "I think they must have been doing reconascience for a long while on Ponyville. But when they went to the stage to capture Princess Luna they looked nervous, unprepared, like capturing Luna was an improvised plan b."

"And what would plan a have been?"

Battle looked at Twilight with an eyebrow raised, the word 'Seriously?' practically written on his face. Twilight blinked and pointed to herself.

"Me? Why?"

"Youngest and most inexperienced Princess of Equestria, Ponyville is pretty much your town so it would have been a safe bet you'd been there, you have a history of attending these sorts of things, it would be much easier kidnapping you say in the middle of a festival than assaulting Princess Luna in front of a massive crowd, relaxed royal guard presence around Ponyville at your insistence," Battle said listing off each of the various reasons on his fingers. "Really the only reason you weren't kidnapped Princess was because they didn't realise you had buggered off to Zebrika." He closed his fist and put it on his hip. "How was it by the way I never asked."

Twilight blinked and sighed putting her face in her hand. "It was fine, research was good look getting back to the matter at hand." She pointed at the chimera behind Battle. "Is there a chance that these will try the same sort of stunt again?"

Battle looked at the chimera and held his chin in thought. "It's hard to say really. The one who killed himself seemed to do so out of fear of punishment for his failure to kidnap an Alicorn. They immediately switched to a plan that they weren't prepared for when they discovered you weren't in Ponyville. So on the one hand fear and desperation could factor in to them trying something even more drastic in the near future. On the other hand we don't know how many they number so we can't really be sure if they'd risk more of their forces being killed or captured."

"So we don't know?" Fluttershy whispered. Battle shrugged.

"Time will tell."

Chapter Twenty One

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"So to recap," Twilight said as Battle paced around the library, "There is a previously thought to be extinct race of creatures from a otherwise forgotten kingdom, who have apparently made camp in the Everfree forest, the one place that ponies in Equestria fear to go I might add, and who have previously made an incursion into Ponyville in an effort to kidnap A: me, or B: failing that another alicorn, with the only known living member of this race currently locked up in the deepest dungeons of Canterlot and all other living members potentially having skills and abilities otherwise unidentifiable and unpredictable to us, with the potential combat prowess to make you, one of Veteran Centurion's royal guards and if rumour has it one of the most decorated soldiers currently enlisted into the Warhorse military, look like an actually ragdoll after they're done with you." Twilight clicked her tongue and Battle turned to face her, his expression one of an utter lack of amusement.

"You done?" he asked.

"Depends. Am I missing anything?" she asked in return. Battle grunted.

"No," he replied begrudgingly.

"Okay," Twilight said slowly coming out from behind the librarian's desk where she had been stood. "So with all of that information in mind, my question to you is: Why instead of handing off most of this information to Princess Celestia and the royal guard and letting them handle it, did you decide to go on your own with the only armour in your possession being a leather coat?"

"Because I needed evidence of what's happening here," Battle muttered. "It's all well and good going up to the Princess saying: 'Hey, here's my crackpot theory about why someone might have wanted to attack your sister!' I needed something to show I'm not a loon. A body, singular, won't be able to cut it. I need to find where the Chimeras are building their nest or hive or den or whatever the fuck they call it. If I can find proof that they're a legitimate culture and or threat, then I can present my findings to Princess Celestia."

"And what if I tell her what you've already told me?" Twilight asked. "I'm her fellow Princess I should be able to convince her.

"But are you convinced yourself?" Battle asked turning to face Twilight at last. She raised an eyebrow.

"What?"

"It's easy enough to say you can convince someone of something, but if you don't believe it yourself then it won't matter how much you want to convince them, it'll just sound hollow." Battle looked at Twilight dead in the eye. "I know for a fact that if I were listening to my theories back in the Everfree I wouldn't believe them at face value. Fluttershy seems to believe me and Zecora looks to be taking this threat seriously enough. But you're a mare of science as much as magic Twilight. Someone who needs to see ink on a page before she'll believe what's right in front of her." Battle sighed. "So I wouldn't blame you if you didn't believe me that's for sure."

Twilight looked at him for a long while.

"I think there was a compliment in there," she said almost to herself. "And for what it's worth... I think what you said about Chimeras might be true." Battle looked at her surprised but she was busy re-tying her ponytail. "In any case proof or no we can confirm that there are more individuals related to the ones that tried to attack Princess Luna right? That's worth something at least surely?"

"Yeah maybe it'll convince you to get a fucking patrol around that crystal eyesore of a castle maybe," Battle sighed rolling his eyes.

"I didn't design that castle and you know it!" Twilight snapped.

"Uh-huh, sure," Battle sighed rubbing his eyes and wincing slightly. His body still hadn't fully recovered from his fight with the Chimera a few days ago and the salve Zecora had provided him with needed to reapplied at dawn and dusk to do the most good. He looked out the window and sighed. This time on any other day he'd be wrapping up a sparring session with Fluttershy by this point. Maybe enjoying one of her home cooked scones with a cup of tea maybe.

But no. Now after his stupid fight with the Chimera she insisted he be house bound until he completely healed. Battle vented his frustration at being cooped up like this by sharpening his weapons and distilling more super concentrate incendiary fluid to make up for the bottle he smashed. He point blank refused to hand them over to Mayor Mare again, now he knew there was a legitimate threat nearby and given what they had been subjected to, he wanted to make sure that they were ready for next fight.

Twilight noticed Battle's slight motion of anguish and let his jab at her castle slide. She checked her watch and moved over to the hatstand by the door to grab her jacket as she prepared to leave.

"If it's that time I should be getting home," she said to Battle. "Unless you need any help applying Zecora's remedy?"

"I'm good," Battle said as he pulled his shirt off. "'Sides you have the worst healing hands ever. Like don't ever become a nurse you will kill someone with those hands."

"Thanks Battle, I'll keep that in mind," Twilight replied with a voice that oozed sarcasm as she adjusted the cuffs of her jacket sleeves. "I'm gonna check the castle library to see if there's anything on the Chimeran Kingdom. There's got to be some reference to its existence." She paused with her hand on the doorknob. "The girls have asked if you'd like to join us for a picnic tomorrow. They'd ask themselves but Fluttershy insisted that in your condition it'd be too much for you."

Battle though about it for a few minutes before clicking his tongue. "So long as I can bring real cooking instead of flowers and sugarcubes I'll be there. What time and where?"

"There's a spot in Sweet Apple Acres that should be good. You okay to meet Spike at the orchard's boundary at say one?"

"Good with me. Might be a chance to get the know the little bugger better barely see him when Veteran comes to visit."

"Just don't be a bad influence on him," Twilight sighed as she opened the door to leave. "See you tomorrow."

"Wouldn't dream of it Princess!" Battle called after her. The door clicked shut behind Twilight and Battle locked it with a small exertion of magic. Alone in the silent library he pulled out the jar of Zecora's salve and began to apply a fresh layer over all the aches in his body with one hand. He set the other on the librarian's desk where his open equipment bag lay. His hand fell on a small black tube, sealed with red wax.

He froze when his fingers touched it and he looked down. He saw the sealed tube and for a fleeting moment he was tempted to break the seal and tip the contents into his hand if just for a sense of comfort. Indeed, hids fingers did move to grip the tube instead of rest upon it, but he steadied himself and moved his hand away from both tube and the small glass vial that lay next to it. The vial was also sealed with red wax and was filled with a shimmering black liquid with flecks of gold. Both vial and tube seemed to call to him with a keening longing even as Battle rebuckled the flap that kept them tight and secured in his bag, before strapping the bag closed again and throwing it across his shoulders.

With one hand he resealed Zecora's jar of healing salve, picked it and his discarded shirt up and headed upstairs. Halfway up Battle had to pause and curse himself for his own stupidity as he made the rest of the way up to his room.

"Forget to ask where she got that bloody tea from," he muttered.

He sighed and dropped his bag at the foot of his bed before tossing his shirt over the shoulder into the laundry basket in the corner. He stifled a yawn and sat on the edge of the bed and rubbed the bridge of his nose, his brow furrowed. Twilight was right of course. The Princesses had to at least be informed of what was going on, that there was a potential threat sat on the edge of Ponyville that could come barreling out of the Everfree at any moment. But at the same time what could he do about it? Where were the Chimeras coming from, what were they planning, and why were they interested in kidnapping an Equestrian Princess?

He sighed and reached into his pocket and pulled out the feather that had been in his coat and gripped it tightly.

"Come on buddy," he murmured. "Give me one of those oh so eloquent nuggets of advice you always seem to have for me... prick." He chuckled bitterly. "I feel like I'm missing something here. Something obvious and I can't figure out what it is because this village is so... quiet."

He set the feather down on his bedside table and rolled onto the covers of his bed, staring up at the ceiling. He clicked his tongue in an almost bored fashion and stared blankly into nothingness for the longest time. He blinked away a blurred vision for a moment and realised that it was dark now and that night had fallen. He wasn't entirely certain when and for how long he'd fallen asleep for.

He looked at the knuckles of his left hand in the darkness. He usually slept poorly on his first week back at home after a deployment. The shock of civilian normalcy jarring against his finely tuned nerves of war.

He could do without the nervous knot in his belly though, keeping him on edge.

He blinked again and sighed, giving up sleep for now and throwing on a shirt. A few minutes later he was strolling out into the night of Ponyville, hands stuffed in his pockets. He wasn't entirely certain where he was going but he knew sleep was almost impossible for him right now. His brain was alert, over-clocked, and yet he still couldn't think of a solution to the problem that was the Chimera.

He stopped suddenly and took stock of where it was he'd walked to and smiled stupidly to himself, shaking his head. He'd somehow found his way to the dirt track that led up to Fluttershy's cottage. He sat down on the low stone wall at the side of the humpbacked bridge that led over the creek to her cottage. He ran his hand through his mane and wondered again what he was going to do now.

This wasn't a straight up fight where soldiers were deployed into a hot-zone and beat the enemy to a red stain. The chimera's worked in smaller units with diversified skill-sets, deployed using hit-and-run tactics that made them hard to predict and more over hard to defend against. This sort of attack was usually what Tactical and her Black Hand dealt with.

Battle blinked at the thought of his sister then and wondered how she would deal with this. Knowing her there was a very real possibility that she might just offer Twilight up as bait to try and lure out another potential attack from the Chimeras, something Battle knew Twilight wouldn't go for. Even if she were inclined to follow through on such a plan, her friends would skin Battle alive.

"And what are you doing out so late huh Mister Angel Bunny?"

Battle's ear twitched at the sound of Fluttershy's voice and he looked over his shoulder to see her just outside her front porch, dressed in a fluffy pink bathrobe and kneeling down to offer a handful of chopped carrots to the furry menace that was her pet rabbit. He smiled softly then pushed himself to his feet. He didn't want her to worry seeing someone outside her house so late. Even worse if she recognised him and she would be unable to stop worrying about Battle potentially injuring himself in his 'fragile' condition.

The walk back to the library was a much longer one now that he was paying attention to it, his mind no longer turning over so many potential ideas and merely alert for any sound or movement out of the ordinary. Though in the back of his mind there was still the idea of attempting to lure the Chimeras into a trap. Or at the very least bait them into acting in some small way. It was still in his head as he pushed open the library door and stepped through into the dark of his small corner of Ponville.

As he locked the door again, he noticed something on the floor. A golden shiny something the glinted in the half life. Something that, given how thin it was, had clearly been pushed under the door. He frowned and picked it up to exam it. It was a ticket of some kind. A wafer thin sheet of solid gold that moved like paper more than metal. As Battle looked he noticed the words written upon it. Words that made his mind race with a mix of emotions and made the nervous knot in his stomach twist even more uncomfortably.

Written on the golden ticket in words of the finest deepest black ink:

"Princess Celestia offers her highest greetings and extends an invitation to you as an honored guest at this year's Grand Galloping Gala."

Chapter Twenty-Two

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The soft breeze brushed the fringe from Battle's face as he lay under the shade of an apple tree. He lay with his arms folded behind his head, eyes closed, trying very hard to not think of anything much. His ear twitched as a sudden gust of wind blew into the shell but he didn't react other than that. One might even assume he were asleep. Fluttershy at least seemed to think so and had convinced the others that he must need to rest in order to recover from his injuries.

He didn't mind. He was enjoying their company, and this moment of tranquility. He tried very hard to push the idea that this would be the quiet before the storm. Instead he tried to focus all of his attention on the conversation the girls and Spike were having.

"Magic is just so different over there," Twilight was saying. "I think that's what was the most unusual thing."

"Zebras are almost always Earth ponies aren't they?" Rarity asked. "I mean that's at least what Zecora says. It's hard to imagine a culture where unicorns and pegasi don't really exist."

"Oh believe me guys, they thought the idea where ponies could fly was bizarre," Spike chirped up. "They think flying for a pony is unnatural. Actually in Zebra culture a long time ago being born with wings was often believed as a sign of godhood."

"Oh really?"

"He said a long time ago Dash, don't mean they'll be worshiping you any time soon," Applejack chuckled.

"Oh come on, ponies already worship me," Rainbow Dash chuckled.

"I think worship would be overestimating it a little Dashie," Pinkie said. "I know that a lot of ponies really really really admire you though if that makes up for it."

"You put that many reallys in front of admire Pinkie, you might as well say worship. Wanty another apple juice 'Shy?"

"Oh, thank you."

The sound or a bottle being thrown caused Battle's ear to twitch. Given Fluttershy's squeak and the sound of the bottle hitting the grass, Battle could only assume she had fumbled the catch. An issue given that the patch where they had set up for a picnic was on an incline.

"Wait I'll get it for you Fluttershy," Spike cried as Fluttershy apologised for messing up a simple catch and Rainbow Dash reassuring her that it was okay.

"So anywho Twilight," Applejack said trying to restart the conversation, "Zebrika."

"Oh come on it's not like I'm the only one who has anything to say about Zebrika," Twilight laughed lightly. "I mean I'm sure Battle could say a thing or two."

"But Battle's asleep and you're not sooooo."

"And Battle darling still needs to recover from his excursion into the Everfree," Rarity chimed in. Twilight snorted and Battle could imagine her rolling her eyes.

"Please he's probably listening to every word we say right now," she said evenly.

"Yeah, sure, he's just 'resting his eyes,'" Dash muttered with as much sarcasm as she could muster.

"Not all of us use resting one's eyes as a euphemism for sleep Dash," Battle muttered opening his left eye a crack. Rainbow whipped her head around to look at him and he poked the tip of his tongue out at her.

"You wouldn't have been trying to bail on conversation there would ya partner?" Applejack smiled, though with a reproachful stare. Battle rolled his visible eye.

"I had nothing of interest to contribute to the conversation," he shrugged. "And besides." He opened his other eye and shot Twilight a quick glance. "I'm pretty sure no one... wants to hear my experiences of Zebrika." He closed his eyes and breathed in through his nose before sitting up and clapping his hands. "And that's my contribution to the conversation aren't I a delight to have over for dinner?"

There was a small, awkward pause for a moment as Battle reached into the hamper and pulled out a few bread-sticks.

"Well there's plenty more I'm sure I'd would like to hear about on Zebrika," Rarity said at last reaching for another sandwich from the hamper. "I think Battle's made it clear that topic of conversation is over with."

"You're welcome," Battle sang.

"Well then, if we're done with Zebrika," Twilight said straightening her glasses and looking at Battle. "And since he's elected to rejoin the conversation, I'd like ask Battle about his goddess."

Battle cocked an eyebrow. "You say that like I'm religious and that there's only one."

"Whoah whoah whoah what's this goddess Twilight's talking about?" Rainbow asked, confused. "Warhorse has that sort of thing?"

"All cultures have some sort of deification with which they worship or fear," Battle replied. "Just look at Equestria and Discord the Lord of Chaos."

"That's very true. I would like to hear about all of the gods of the Warhorse pantheon but for now I'm more interested in the one called Antares? Am I pronouncing that correctly?" Twilight clarified for Battle. He nodded slowly and licked his lips.

"Antares. The goddess of Peace and Victory."

"Yes, that one."

"Why is there a goddess for peace and victory?" Rarity asked. "That sounds antonymous."

"It is the will of Antares that following the blessings of her victories, then peace shall be sown," Battle explained, crossing his legs unconsciously in the lotus position. "The soldier's of Warhorse pledge their lives to the hope that no war need ever be fought again. And so the soldier's of Warhorse pledge allegiance and show faith to Antares to guide them to victory and usher in peace behind."

"Do you... um... worship her too Battle?" Fluttershy asked timidly. Battle lightly clicked his tongue and reached beneath his shirt collar and hooked a delicate golden chain on his thumb and pulled it up for the girls to see. On the chain there was a small charm hanging on it; a small ball of alexandrite encased in a golden cage. A series of intricate and tiny symbols was engraved into the bars of the cage.

"One of the more common vestures for followers of Antares," Battle explained. "It's not much but I'm not much of a believer if I'm honest with you. Not many soldiers are true believers. But we believe in what Antares stands for and recite her prayer the night before battle."

"I don't think I ever seen you wear that before Battle," Applejack muttered.

"I keep it hidden," Battle shrugged, tucking the charm back underneath his shirt. "I don't like to make a big thing about it anyhow."

"There was writing on it if I'm not mistaken," Twilight said, leaning forward. "Though I couldn't make it out."

"Sharp eyes Princess. The symbols on the charm of Antares is merely a simplified version of her prayer."

"Which is?"

"No glory. No riches. My life for peace in our time," Battle recited.

"Always with the whole self sacrifice," Rainbow Dash sighed rolling her eyes. "Come on do none of you want to make it home?"

"Wow Dash that's a great deal of tact ya got there," Applejack whistled. "'Sides it's not like any of them want to die fightin'. It's jus' an expression I reckon."

"You'd reckon correct," Battle confirmed.

"This adds some context," Twilight muttered and Battle looked at her confused.

"Context to what?" Battle asked.

"The Warhorse army battle cry," Twilight elaborated. "What was it again?"

"Victorium omnibus modis," Battle recited in the foreign tongue of ancient Warhorse. "In the common tongue it roughly translates to-"

"Victory at all costs," Twilight finished for him. "You know, that expression made me wary of Warhorse for the longest time."

"Because it makes us sound like all we care about is winning the fight," Battle conceded nodding his head slowly.

"But after hearing what victory means for Warhorse it's less intimidating," Twilight admitted. "Still extreme but... less intimidating at least."

"An improvement," Battle agreed.

"Gotta say though Battle yer people have a way with words," Applejack said. She tried working her mouth around the Warhorse call to arms a few times and shook her head in defeat. "Can't do it. Sorry if I butchered yer language there partner."

"None taken," Battle reassured. "It's not even the language anymore. Was sort of eclipsed by the more common languages. Most Warhorse soldiers are multilingual these days anyway. Helps with negotiations if we don't need to be running around looking for an interpreter."

"But you speak it?" Rarity asked.

"Not fluently," Battle admitted. "I know a few phrases here and there."

"Let's hear one then language stallion," Rainbow Dash smirked leaning forward. "Impress us."

Battle chuckled and clicked his tongue as he thought of something to say. "A tuam spinis rosa est pulcher adhuc," he said at last.

"Sounds pretty flash," Spike said, crunching on a gemstone. "What does it mean?"

"Rose is derived from rosa so it's something about roses," Twilight said chin in her hand.

"A rose with thorns is still beautiful," Battle translated, a small flush rising in his cheeks as he saw how Fluttershy immediately ducked behind the curtain of her hair.

"A nice sentiment," Twilight admitted.

"There's something of a romantic emerging in you Battle," Rarity said smiling broadly, before clapping her hands together and turning to the group of gathered friends. "Speaking of romance: the gala!"

Battle felt his chest constrict a little. The Grand Galloping Gala. He hadn't told any of the girls he'd be attending the Gala himself, and he hadn't told Twilight about the potential danger she might be walking into. He knew Twilight had put stock in his theories about the chimeras, yet he had no proof that they would attack the Gala. He might just be paranoid for all he knew. He couldn't put stress like that on Twilight's shoulder's if he was wrong, but he couldn't send her into the Gala unprepared if he was right.

He bit the inside of his cheek. What was Celestia thinking throwing the Gala on like this? Even if she didn't know the exact circumstances that surrounded the events of Nightmare Night, she must have extracted some information from the female chimera they'd captured. Then again, Equestria didn't have the same interrogation tactics employed by Warhorse. He glanced over at Twilight for a moment. And even then Celestia had no reason to tell him her reasoning. If she had asked Twilight to keep her thoughts between the Princesses, who was he to comment?

"Um.... Battle?"

Battle blinked and looked up. The girls were all staring at him, Fluttershy looking a bit concerned.

"You... you alright there buddy?" Spike asked. "You kinda looked like you had something on your mind."

"Sorry," he muttered, scratching the back of his head in what he hoped was an embarrassed manner. "Just, some stuff on my mind from back home y'know?"

"I feared we had lost you with talk of the gala," Rarity sighed, breathing easy with relief, before turning to Twilight. "Do you suppose as Princess you could issue Battle with a ticket to the Gala Twilight darling? I feel as though Battle has truly become a member of the group and the evening wouldn't be quite complete without him."

"Not necessary Rares," Battle said before Twilight could reply. "Special delivery came the other night. Ya boy is an honoured guest of Princess Celestia."

The group all stared at him again before Rainbow whistled. "Kept that quiet didn't ya Battle?"

"Kinda took a while to process it myself if I'm honest," Battle admitted shrugging. Rarity squealed in delight and started clapping her hands delicately.

"Forgive my excitement darling but I simply must start the design of your suit immediately! The gala is nearly upon us and I will not forgive myself if you and Spike are not cutting the most dashing figures of the whole evening!"

Battle looked across a Spike and popped a grape into his mouth. "You heard her Spike. You better be on the pull." The young dragon cocked his head.

"I don't get it."

Battle smirked and gestured for Dash to pass him some apple juice. "Warhorse expression don't worry about it."

"But what does it-?"

"He said don't worry 'bout it Twilight," Dash sighed cutting Twilight's inquisition off as she tossed Battle a bottle. "Probably doesn't mean much anyhow. Big question is, anyone got a plus one to their tickets?"

"That ain't how they work Dash 'n' you know it."

"Which totally ruins the party atmosphere! I mean the gala would be so much more super duper fun if you could bring a date with you!"

"I don't think the Grand Galloping Gala is really a date kind of event Pinkie," Battle said sympathetically. She stuck her tongue out at Battle, but when combined with her usual beaming smile, any potential malice was immediately lost before she turned to Fluttershy.

"Is Discord coming this year Fluttershy? it was super duper fun when he came to the Gala last time!"

Fluttershy smiled sadly and shook her head. "He said he wasn't feeling up to it this year. Said he'd be watching with some popcorn if something weird happens."

"Oh boy, that can't be a good sign," Battle sighed. Spike chuckled at this, before his cheeks suddenly ballooned outwards and he belched in a cloud of white-grey smoke and glittering green ashes that fell into Twilight's lap as a rolled up scroll.

"That could be jus' as bad knowin' how Celestia drops things on us out of nowhere," Applejack muttered as Twilight broke open the wax seal holding the red ribbon in place and unfurling the scroll. As she began to read, Battle cracked open the seal of his apple juice and began to drink. His mind wandered back to the Gala for a few moments, trying hard to force negative thoughts out of his head.

Twilight meanwhile had finished reading and wound up the scroll again before setting it aside, leaning back on one hand and readjusting her glasses with the other. "Princess Celestia updating me on the foreign dignitaries coming to the Gala," she explained to the girls. "A lot of guests are thinking of pulling their attendance after the events of Nightmare Night."

Battle nodded slowly at this as the other girls began talking about the gala again. Rarity was talking about the exotic guests that might be at the gala. Applejack was talking about how much of her family's new and improved sparkling apple wine Celestia wanted for the Gala. Rainbow Dash was postulating on the possibilities of doing a late evening lap around Canterlot if things got too predictable. Pinkie Pie was simply excited that all her friends were excited. Twilight seemed happy to be home again. Spike was smiling and laughing with his friends with childlike glee.

He looked across at Fluttershy who was quietly nodding with something Rarity was saying. She noticed Battle looking, and was just about to say something when there was a high pitched shriek of a bird of prey from overhead. Everyone looked up sharply, and Battle got to his feet in surprise as a bird dived from overhead and began circling the picnic area.

"What in the hey is that!" Applejack shouter getting to her feet.

"I think it's a falcon of some kind," Fluttershy muttered. Indeed she was correct as the bird appeared to a very large falcon with a snowy white plumage. "I don't recognise the species though."

The falcon shrieked again and suddenly dived, though not as if it had spotted prey. Fluttershy held out her fist up high for the falcon to perch on, making soothing calls to try and gain the bird's attention. Its attention however was not on the pegasus. The falcon made one pass over the group before it swooped around and landed with grace on Battle's shoulder.

"Oh Battle don't startle it," Fluttershy whispered as Battle looked at the bird, edging close toward Battle with her hands up in a peaceful appeasing manner. "it might attack and hurt your shoulder."

The other girls and Spike looked between Fluttershy and Battle in a concerned wary fashion. Battle however was looking at the falcon. In particular the plumage. The markings were instantly recognisable to Battle and he smiled suddenly as a warm feeling of familiarity and home swelled within him. As the bird began to preen itself Battle reached up with his other hand to stroke the feathers on the back it its head.

"Oh oh Battle be careful," Fluttershy whispered.

"'Sokay 'Shy," Battle murmured as he moved to sit back down, "This lil guy is mine." He turned to face the girls and Spike as the falcon turned to affectionately nip at Battle's finger. "This is Ryuk."

"Since when did you have a pet bird?" Dash demanded, looking at the falcon suspiciously.

"Since I enlisted," he muttered smiling as Ryuk made his way across his back to perch on his other shoulder. "Dad thought a messenger bird would help." Battle affectionately stroked Ryuk's beak. "Lazy lil bugger though aren't you Ryuk? Did you fly all the way from Legion?"

"He's beautiful," Fluttershy whispered as knelt down next to Battle to be on eye level with the Falcon. "What breed is he? I've never seen a bird like him before."

"He's a gyrfalcon aren't ya buddy?" Battle said proudly. "Imma have to get some treats for you. Didn't think you'd be joining me out here in Equestria."

He suddenly noticed that there was a light shimmering in Ryuk's eyes. Not so bright that it was obvious but bright enough that he knw it was not a product of his imagination. Gently he pressed the tip of one finger to Ryuk's forehead. At once the spell in Ryuk transferred the message that had been dictated to him back to Battle. The voice of a mare not much younger than himself sprang into his mind.

"Battle, it's Tac here. Ryuk's been making a racket since you were sent on leave and frankly I'm sick of cleaning his shit up. I've sent him to join you wherever you are. Honestly Dad reckons you'll be a little homesick and seeing Ryuk so you've got a bit of home with you might cheer you up. And... no one's expecting you to recover from what happened instantly. I miss you sure but, you need to heal. Spiritually more than anything else mom says, but she also says if... if... that starts bleeding again that you're to go to the nearest hospital and get it look at... Um... Blackbird's finally up and walking again if... you know it doesn't matter. Fuck I can't erase it. Um... okay look Battle... just... relax okay? And goddamn write okay? I'm not having you sending Ryuk at stupid o'clock okay...? Love you Battle. Alright how do I-?"

The message cut off abruptly and Ryuk flapped his wings to balance himself as Battle removed his finger. He could feel the beginnings of tears form in his eyes and he quickly wiped them away. Ryuk leaned in to nip at his ear in affection before he took off again as Battle took a deep breath in through his nose and looked after Ryuk.

"Ahhhh you bitch making my cry out of nowhere like that," he whispered chuckling. The others were looking at him with concern, and at each other in a clueless fashion. Finally Twilight cleared her throat.

"Did... Ryuk give you a message Battle?" Twilight asked.

"Yes," Battle said quickly, trying to divert his attention. "Yes, he did."

"Well... how'd he deliver it to ya partner?" Applejack asked. "Ya'll just looked at him for a while and then he took off 'n' you started crying."

"First of all I don't cry," Battle replied sticking his tongue out. "And second of all it's magic. Physical messages are deemed an unnecessary security risk as Warhorse lacks a medium through which to transport messages near instantaneously." He nodded at Spike before adding, "Not for lack of trying mind you. Anyway messenger falcons are enchanted with a spell that allows them to store verbal communications in a small mental reservoir for single use replay. As you all saw only the recipient of the message hears it so even if a falcon is captured no one but the designated recipient may hear the message. Even if recipient and bird were captured it still wouldn't do any good to whoever wanted to listen to the message."

"How can you be so paranoid about post?" Rainbow Dash snorted. Battle smiled at this and began to climb to his feet.

"Paranoid or not, I think it's time I head back to the library," he said. "I need to make sure Ryuk will be settled anyhow. He's probably dying for a decent kip." He picked up his jacket and looked over to Fluttershy. "Is it alright if I bring him around later for a check-up? Make sure he didn't do anything stupid on the flight over?"

"Oh absolutely!" she beamed. "He's such a gorgeous bird. I'd hate to think that he was injured in anyway."

Battle gave her the thumbs up and threw his jacket over his shoulder and said goodbye to each of the girls. As he began to make his way towards Ponyville, he looked upwards and whistled a single high-pitched note. In response, Ryuk shrieked again and circled over head, before landing on his other shoulder. Pinking sniggered and looked at the others as he walked away.

"He is so anime right now," she giggled.

Battle walked through Ponyville, several ponies looking at him curiously. More over they were staring at Ryuk. The falcon was gently preening himself on his shoulder as he walked towards the library. Battle himself was thinking. Thinking about his home in Legion. About his family. About his... his friends.

He opened the door to the library and let Ryuk fly off around the tree searching for a perch. Battle went straight to his equipment bag and reached into one of the pockets for a crumpled up page torn from a book. On the page were seven etchings of Cutie Marks. Two in particular stood out to Battle as he looked at the crumpled paper. The first was a sword and battle axe crossed over a blizzard, both weapons glowing in a blood red glow. The mark had been marred by a much later pen that had crossed over it.

The other was a thick heavy book, bound in chains, locking it closed. The chains glowed with a sickly green aura. Battle looked at this mark for a long time before he pulled a fresh piece of paper from his desk and, with magic, affixed it to the wall behind his desk. He quickly drew a hasty sketch of the green hued Cutie Mark as throwing knives from his arms beg began to float from their bindings to Battle's hands.

He stepped back from this and turned, walking across the room and pulling ten knives from the air as Ryuk settled on the windowsill above him. He cocked his head as he watched Battle inspect his knives, then squawked loudly as Battle spun on his toe and threw each knife with perfect accuracy into the marking he'd quickly sketched, the blade tips sinking through the paper into the wood of the shelves behind it.

The knives flew back to his hands, pulling the paper from it's magical mooring. Before it could start to float down to the ground however it was pinned in place again by ten throwing knives once more. Battle's combat axe flew from it's sheath in the bag into his hand and he threw it with all his might into the paper and the shelf behind it. Battle's crossbow flew into his grasp and he fired one bolt, two bolts, three, four, five into the paper before he dropped it.

His eyes were filled with a deep fire that burned like a star at the bottom of the ocean. He was glaring at the now ruined drawing he had made of the Cutie Mark and he knew that he would do the same to she who bore it. Knew that no matter what happened he would bring ruin to her and stop her from hurting his friends.

Battle gripped his necklace tight.

"Victorium omnibus modis," he muttered to himself.

Battle Ready: The Rising of Sin

by D101 Reviews

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Fourteen

Chapter Fifteen

Chapter Sixteen

Chapter Seventeen

Chapter Eighteen

Chapter Nineteen

Chapter Twenty

Chapter Twenty One

Chapter Twenty-Two