> Dragoons
>  by Paintbrush235
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

> Fort Scott Kansas, Fall 1844
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Fall, 1844. Fort Scott Kansas Territory

The air was crisp and blew with a light breeze unabated over the Kansas prairie, whose grasses bended to the will of the wind. The wind swept towards the top of a bluff where a collection of white wooden buildings stood laid out in a rectangle. These buildings housed the men who had been assigned to police these plains day in and day out. This was the western post known as Fort Scott and the men stationed there were those of the United States Army. In particular they were the men of Companies C and D of the 4th US Infantry and those of Company A, B and G of the 1st US Dragoons. While the infantry was tasked with keeping the fort protected, it was the horse soldiers that patrolled the prairie for days on end, trying to both protect the hundreds of settlers on their way west and establishing good relations with the various native tribes that inhabited the area. These proud men and their mounts were growing tired of the daily routine of frontier life and were beginning to long for a chance to show their true strength and test their manhood in a great adventure worthy of dragoons.



Among the troopers who rode the black colored mounts of Company A was a young 18 year old Iowan with dirt brown flowing hair and a slight fuzz of a mustache, Private Patrick Harris, known to his friends as Patty. The young farm boy had recently joined the army two years ago to escape the boredom of life on the farm and the wrath of his father, who loved whiskey more than his own son. Patrick had thought that the dragoons were the perfect opportunity for adventure as all the tales that he had heard of the west had fascinated him as a child. The idea of galloping across this wild land was a great alternative to his current station. Also he thought that he looked quite handsome in the uniform when he put it on and saw himself in a mirror. 

He had proven himself a crack shot during the first weeks of dismounted drill with both the Hall Carbine and the pistol. Sergeant McMann had been quite impressed with his shooting abilities, which was a relief to Patrick as he had learned quite quickly to avoid invoking the tough Irishman's wrath. The moment that he showed that he was capable of a being a truly worthy Dragoon was during the mounted portion of his training where he showed excellent skill as a horseman, at least in the opinion of his commanding officer. In Patrick's mind, it wasn't that he was a good rider, it was that he had a superb mount. As with the tradition of the men of Company A, his mount was a big beautiful black mare with white socks on it's legs. When Patrick had first met the mare, it was almost like fate had a hand in their meeting. He was drawn to the mare and she had taken to him instantly. When Sergeant McMann had told him she was to be his mount, he couldn't have been happier. When asked by his fellow troopers what he was going to name his mare, he decided on the name Caroline, after the mare that his father had owned back on the farm that Patrick had absolutely adored during his childhood.

Caroline had served Patrick faithfully for the past two years of life at Fort Scott, from the expeditions down to the Santa Fe Trail to police against the Texas "freebooters" who had been raiding Mexican caravans, to the many journeys into the territory of the Pawnee Tribe in order to smooth out relations between the natives and the soldiers. All in all, he had seen much of the fabled west and the strange people that made it their home, but now it was starting to become a routine. A routine which dragged on and on for him and indeed many of his fellow troopers who longed for some form of action to break the monotony and present the opportunity for adventure, which many of had signed on to the dragoons for. But so far, that didn't seem to have any likelihood of coming to pass, especially not now in the cool autumn day in 1844. 

On that day, the men of Company A and of Company G had just finished drilling in formation on the parade ground for around an hour. For many, there were sore backs and legs when they finally led their horses into the stables for the night. Patrick was looking forward to a good nights rest back at the barracks though he dreaded that tomorrow would just bring with it more drill and boredom. As he lead Caroline gently into her stall, he almost thought he could feel the same frustrations that he was feeling in her as well. Both man and beast yearned for the chance at adventure.

"You and your mare performed well out there today Harris." 

Patrick turned around from the stall door to see Sergeant McMann standing behind him. The black and grey bearded Irishman stood there the perfect example of military regulations with his clean uniform and white leather belts and his polished saber and boots and spurs. Having been in the service for nearly fifteen years, the men knew not to question his judgement. 

"I can always count on Caroline Sergeant." Patrick smiled as he patted the black mare on the neck affectionately. Caroline gave a nicker in reply.

Sergeant McMann chuckled. "Hope she continues to perform." He said. "We need horses like her in this here army."

"I know she will sergeant." Patrick replied turning to face the NCO. "But to tell you the truth, I think she is growing restless of this place. And quite frankly so am I. We both need some sort of adventure."

McMann smiled and patted Patrick on the shoulder. "In good time boy." He said. "Be patient. Your time will come. Now back to barracks with you. I need you rested for tomorrow."





Later That Night

Patrick had by now retired to the dragoon barracks and was sleeping in the top bunk next to his good friend Billy Kirkwood. The beds were set up in bunkbed fashion with two men sharing a bed on each bunk. Because of this arrangement, Patrick was packed next to Billy sharing a single blanket. After a year or so at the post however, Patrick and the rest of the recruits that had joined with him had grown accustomed to it. So much so that now Patrick was nearly sound asleep in his bunk. It would not be long until daybreak when reveille would be sounded and the men would have to return to the daily routine of fatigue details and guard duty. 

However just as Patrick was about to slip into unconsciousness, he began to hear a strange howling noise slowly rise above the snoring of his fellow troopers. Leaning up in his bunk and rubbing his eyes, he looked out the window to see what was going on. He was surprised to see not the usual prairie storm that he had grown used to, but instead saw a rolling green thundercloud fast approaching the post. As it approached, the wind that blew it towards them blew louder and louder and louder.

"Billy!" Patrick shoved his friend slightly to awaken him.

"Huh!? What?" Billy awoke with a start. He looked up and saw that his friend was awake and became annoyed. "Patrick what on earth is...."

"Look!" Patrick pointed out the window. Billy turned and immediately went wide eyed at the sight of the storm clouds. By now, the noise had awoken every other dragoon in the barracks and many had climbed out of their bunks and made their way to the windows to get a better look. Suddenly, the door to the barracks burst open to show Sergeant McMann standing before them. 

"HARRIS! KIRKWOOD! LITTLE! BRYANT! GET YER ARSES OVER TO THE STABLES BEFORE THE HORSES GET LOOSE!! NOW! MOVE IT!!"

As soon as his name was called, Patrick leaped from the top of the bunk, snatched his blue and yellow fatigue jacket and threw it on, and ran out the door of the barracks and down the stairs with his friend Billy trailing behind him along with the other two who had been called out. When he reached the outside, his hands immediately flew to his cap to keep the wind from carrying it away. The wind was blowing so hard that it was stinging his eyes making it nearly impossible to see. It was only with the memory of routine that he was able to make his way to the stables at all. 

Upon reaching the stables, he and his comrades threw open the doors and shut them at once as to prevent the horses from getting out. After shutting the door, the men looked down the stables and saw that the horses were indeed frightened by the storm. None were still as they all were stomping and pulling at the stalls and making all manner of neighing and frightened whinnies. Patrick immediately ran to the stall that held his beloved Caroline and saw that she was well was frightened out of her wits. He ran up to her and grabbed onto her rope to keep her from hurting herself.

"Shh. Shh. It's okay girl. It's okay." He whispered to the mare as he patted and rubbed her back. His whispers began to calm her down as she stopped fidgeting and turned her head to face him. Outside however, nothing was calming down. The wind seemed to be getting stronger and stronger and now, flashes of lightning began to shine through the windows with great crashes of thunder. The noise was near deafening and was only getting louder until suddenly a single thunderclap louder than the rest crashed outside and sent Patrick to the floor. When he landed on the stall floor, his vision began to turn to black, and just before he fell unconscious, he hear a voice calling his name, only it was a woman's voice.





When his vision returned, Patrick found that he was still lying on the floor of the stall with his back against the wall. For a moment, his vision was a fuzzy cloud until at last it cleared up and he was able to see Caroline standing over him with her head bent down to his face level. As he awoke, Patrick rubbed his head and squinted his eyes as he realized that he had a near splitting headache.

"Oh dear lord. My head." He groaned.

"Oh dear! Are you okay Patrick?" came the woman's voice again.

"Umph. Yeah I'm alright Caroline. Don't worry about......."

Patrick paused when he realized how the voice that had spoken to him had sounded like a woman's. Looking up at his horse he saw something strange. While everything else about the black mare was still the same, her eyes were now slightly larger and were much more human like in appearance. Her face also seemed to be showing the human emotion of concern that was unnerving and comforting to Patrick at the same time.

"Uhh....C-Caroline? Was that you?" Patrick stuttered.

"Yes Patrick." Caroline replied. "Are you okay though?"

Patrick immediately sprang to his feet and scrambled to back out of the stall only to stumble and fall flat on his rear in the hallway. Caroline turned around in the stall and tentatively moved towards her rider with worry on her face.

"Patrick! Oh my gosh! Are you alright!?" She asked.

Patrick shakily pointed his finger at the black mare. "You....yo....y...How are you talking?!?" He exclaimed.

Caroline now looked confused. "What do you mean Patrick?" she said puzzled.

"You're talking!!" The young dragoon shouted. "You're speaking like a person!! How are you doing that!?!?!"

Caroline looked even more confused. "I've always been able to talk. What are you talking about?"

"No you haven't!! You only neighed and nickered every so often not talked!!!!"

"That was me talking Patrick." Caroline replied.

Patrick stood up and tried to wrap his head around the idea that his mount was now talking like a human. As he paced trying to figure it out, Caroline, seeing that her rider was in distress, walked up to him and rubbed her face against his cheek to try to calm him down. At first Patrick flinched at the touch but somehow the feeling calmed him down and he began to relax. He still was confused as to how his horse was now talking though, and there was still more confusion to come.

"Hey Patrick!"

Patrick turned around at the sound of his friend Billy's voice and saw the young red headed dragoon walking towards him leading his own mount, a jet black stallion that he called Coal. Patrick observed that the same changes to Caroline's face and eyes had also apparently happened to Coal as well.

"Oh don't tell me Billy."

Before Billy could answer however, another voice spoke up instead. 

"Hey there Patrick." Coal said in a deep southern drawl. "Glad to see that y'all are alright. You alright as well Caroline?"

"I'm fine. Thank you Coal." Caroline smiled in reply. "Though I think that I startled Patrick here."

Patrick could not believe his ears. Not only was his own horse talking, but so was his friends horse. It was then that he had a theory that he wanted to test. He turned around and faced down the hallway of stalls with the other horses. 

"Alright!" He shouted. "Sound off if you are alright!"

And with that 78 more voices began to rise up from the other stalls, both male and female. Now it was confirmed. Somehow, someway, whatever had happened last night had caused all of the horses of Fort Scott to now have the ability to talk. Whatever further thought he would've had on the topic was cut short when the doors to the stable were opened behind them. Turning around, he saw Sergeant McMann standing in the doorway in full gear with a serious look on his face. 

"Harris. Kirkwood. Get back to the barracks and get your gear. Then get back here and saddle up. The Captain is taking a patrol out."

"What's going on sergeant?" Billy asked.

"Something happened last night and we're gonna go find out what it was." McMann replied. "Just get your gear together and make sure your mounts are ready to go."

"We'll be ready Sergeant. You can count on it." Caroline replied with a smile.

Sergeant McMann paused for a moment to process what had just happened. "Harris. Did your mare just talk?"

"Yes she did sarge. And so can I apparently." Coal responded. At that the old sergeant began blinking his eyes in disbelief. 

"Ahh. A-Alright then. Get to it. I'm gonna go saddle up Old Bessie." McMann stuttered out before heading on further into the stables to find his mare, leaving the two dragoons and their own horses to get read for the patrol.





Soon, both Patrick and Billy had put on all of their uniforms and equipment needed for the patrol. Both had on their fatigue jackets of dark blue wool and yellow piping and their riding trousers of sky blue wool with a yellow stripe that they were proud to display. It was this yellow stripe that identified them as dragoons. Atop their heads were their fatigue caps with a brass letter A in the center front to show which company they belonged to. Strapped around their their waists were their white buff leather saber belts on which their sabers hung. Slung on their left sides were their white cloth haversacks that they had stuffed with four days worth of rations. Slung on their right was the white buff leather sling that carried their Hall Carbines. And tucked into their belts were their single shot pistols. 

Their horses were also now kitted out in all of the necessary equipment for ride. Their saddles were strapped on over the horse blankets with the bedrolls and coats rolled up on the back. Patrick and Billy now realized that because their horses could now understand them, they only had to give a voice command like 'lets go' to tell them what to do. This had been somewhat awkward at first but they were starting to get the hang of it. As they trotted over to the rest of the company that was forming up on the parade ground, the saw that the rest of their fellow dragoons, who had by now figured out that their horses were now able to speak, were either remaining as silent as the grave unable to wrap their heads around the concept or were striking up conversations with their mounts as they waited for the officers to arrive. The majority of them were doing the latter. Caroline and Coal themselves had started a conversation with the mount of Corporal Jacob Walker named Sam. Patrick, Billy and Corporal Walker only looked at each other and shrugged as they really had no way to explain what was happening.

Soon, Sergeant McMann rode up on his old mare Bessie and rode to the front of the formation where the company flag bearer was located. Patrick chuckled to himself when he began to here the old sergeant apparently get into some sort of argument with his horse.

"Don't you snap at me mister." Came the gravelly voice of Bessie. "I know what I'm doing. I've doing it for years now."

Sergeant McMann groaned. "Heaven above. Yer worse than my ex wife."

"How anyone could tolerate you for even a little while is beyond me." Bessie snapped back.

Patrick and Billy could hardly contain their laughter, much less their horses who had also been listening, and the rest of the dragoons and their mounts. It took a quick glare from McMann to silence them, which they did immediately.

Soon they heard the sound of drums from the bottom of the stairs of the Infantry Barracks where they could see the company from the 4th Infantry forming up. Also coming from that direction they could see two more men on horseback cantering toward the company. As they drew closer the dragoons could see that the riders were the company officers Lieutenant Gordon and Captain Hamill. Both were riding on their own mounts, Lieutenant Gordon's white and gray mare Lucinda and Captain Hamill on his brown and black stallion Horatio. From what Patrick could see, they had also changed along with the rest of the post mounts. Horatio in particular appeared to have a snobbish expression on his face that made Caroline snort with annoyance. She had never gotten along with Horatio to begin with. Soon the two officers had ridden up to the front of the formation and received the salute of Sergeant McMann.

"Company formed and ready sir!" 

"Thank you sergeant." Captain Hamill replied in is distinct Pennsylvanian accent. He then turned to the company.

"Gentlemen. As you are now probably well aware, last night we were hit by a rather strong storm. And this morning we found that our horses have now obtained the ability to speak to us. However that is not all that has occurred."

He pointed off towards the north. "If you look to the north, you will see that there is the outline of what appears to be a mountain range. That mountain range was not there before last night. Therefore we shall begin a reconnaissance to see where exactly we are as quite frankly we don't appear to be in Kansas anymore. The infantry shall remain behind to guard the post. We shall commence at once. Stay sharp gentlemen."

Captain Hamill then leaned down to his horse's ear. "Ready Horatio?" He asked.

"Indeed sir." Horatio replied. He then turned around until he was facing the way the other troopers were facing. Captain Hamill then turned back to look at the rest of the company and the with a wave of his hand shouted. "FORWARD MARCH!"

With that the company formed into a column of twos with the officers at the head and they began the march off of the post. As they passed the officers quarters, they saw the many wives and children of the officers and men on the base watching them as they passed. Patrick was able to see Captain Hamill nod to his own wife and son who stood watching with worry. One little three year old girl, the daughter of Lieutenant Gordon, waved and said in the most adorable voice. "Bye bye horsies."

"Aww." Caroline cooed. "She is just the sweetest thing." Patrick only chuckled in agreement as he patted her on the neck as they made their way out of the fort and down the road that lead to the mountains and the unknown.





The dragoons had been riding for over an hour by the time that they reached their first land mark. The problem was that it was one that they again did not recognize. They had reached a stream that was about 5 yards wide. On the other side of the creek the road split with one branch heading off to the west and another heading off to the east. When the company had reached the other side they saw that a wooden signpost stood where the road forked with two signs pointing in each direction. What confused the men even more were the names on the signs. The one to the west said Trottingham 150 miles while the other pointing to the east said Ponyville 12 Miles. 

"Ponyville?" Captain Hamill said confused. "That's definitely not on any map of the Kansas Territory that I know of."

"Reckon so." Lieutenant Gordon replied. "So what do we do now?"

Captain Hamill paused for a few moments as he thought it over. "Sergeant McMann!" He called back.

A few seconds later McMann had trotted up. "Yes sir?"

"We shall continue on in the direction of this settlement called 'Ponyville'. Let's hope that there are some good folk there that will lend us some assistance."

"Yes sir." Sergeant McMann saluted and rode back to his place in the column of 60 horsemen. Captain Hamill gave the signal to follow him and the column began to move out, with many of the other horses splashing up onto the shore.

As Patrick and Caroline rode past the sign, Patrick could see Caroline perk up in excitement.

"Ooh! I do hope the people are nice in Ponyville." She said happily. "It would be nice to meet some new people for a change."

"Hey what's wrong with me?" Patrick said playfully.

Caroline looked back with a smile. "Oh you know I always enjoy your company Patrick."

Patrick smiled as they rode on.





It wasn't until about 25 minutes later that the dragoons found their second sign of civilization, or rather heard it. As they reached about halfway to their destination, as they determined from another reading that said they were only three miles away at that point, they heard a low whistle that sounded like a train. A few moments later, the distinct puffs of smoke from an engine's smokestack confirmed that it was indeed a train. About 300 yards to their west across the grassy plains they saw what appeared to be a locomotive pulling a short line of black passenger cars steaming past them and in the direction of this Ponyville. 

"It would seem that we are heading in the right direction." Coal said as the troopers watched the train pass.

Not too long after the sighting of the train, the column came within sight of a large forest to the west and a small mountain to the east. To their direct horizon, they could see columns of smoke that indicated chimneys, which therefore indicated houses. The men's spirits rose even higher when they finally crested the horizon and saw that below them at the bottom of a sloping hill was indeed a village. As they approached however, that jubilation turned to confusion and apprehension as they began to see the town's inhabitants and saw that they were not what they expected. 

The inhabitants were dressed similarly to American citizens, males frock coats and top hats and females in hoop skirts and bonnets. However they were only human in build but rather were equine in appearance. They were covered in various colors of fur that seemed to span every color of the rainbow. Some of them appeared to have pointed horns on their heads and others had wings on their backs while some had neither.

As the horsemen approached the entrance into the village, they found the inhabitants staring back at them. They appeared to be as confused and apprehensive as the dragoons were. It wasn't until they reached what appeared to be the town square that Captain Hamill called for the column to halt. For a few tense moments, the dragoons and their horses stared at the horse-people and the horse-people stared at the dragoons and their horses. Then Captain Hamill rode up to a crowd that had gathered before them.

"Greetings citizens of Ponyville." He said with authority, so that these horse-people knew that he was the one in charge of this strange group. "I am Captain Henry Hamill of the 1st United States Dragoon Regiment. My men and I mean you no harm. We only wish to possibly speak to whoever may be in charge of your humble town."

For a moment, nothing happened, until one horse-person turned to one dressed in a brown coat vest and black hat and covered in black fur with wings, whispered something into his ear, and much to the amazement of the dragoons, lifted into the air and flew off further into town. 

For a while again, not a sound was made as the two sides stared at each other. Patrick, sensing that Caroline was feeling tense, leaned down and rubbed her gently on the neck. 

"Don't worry girl. Everything will be alright." He whispered. 

"I do hope so." The mare replied. "I had hoped that they would be more friendly."

"Did somepony say that they are looking for a friend?!"

Both Patrick, Caroline, and indeed most of the men and horses in the column, jumped in surprise when a light pink female pony-person with curly pink hair and tail and wearing a dark pink and white polka dotted dress quite literally appeared out of nowhere next to them with arguably the biggest smile they had ever seen. 

"Ohmygosh!! You're new here! Which means you guys need friends! And I love making new friends and meeting new ponies! So that means that I need to get started on setting up you guys' 'Welcome to Ponyville Party'! WOOHOO!!"

"Hold on there sugarcube!" Came a new voice. The dragoons saw that standing behind the pink pony-girl now was another one except that this one had orange fur with freckles on her face and blonde hair ties up at the end similarly to her tail. She was dress in a brown skirt with a white shirt, carried a brown leather bag filled with various produce and atop her head was a wide brimmed brown hat. When Patrick had heard her voice, he had thought back to some of the girls he had encountered in Missouri on his travels.

"Don't scare them none Pinkie Pie." The pony-girl continued. "Why don't we wait for Twilight to come and see whats up first?"

"Yeah. Besides, I'm not sure if I like the looks of these things."

The dragoons turned to their left and saw that hovering before them was indeed another pony-girl. This one had sky blue fur, similar to the color of the dragoons' trousers but her hair and tail were shaggy and had streaks of every color in the rainbow. She had wings on her back which were flapping to keep her afloat and she was wearing black trousers with suspenders and a white shirt. Her hands were covered with what appeared to be black leather gauntlets, and her arms were now crossed in a sort of defensive manner. She glared at the dragoons in a way that convinced them that she had no trust in them. She actually now floated a few inches closer to Patrick's face.

"Make one wrong move buddy....."

"Oh come now Rainbow Dash dear." Another voice came from below the flying pony-girl. It came from another pony-girl, this one with pearl white fur and a horn sticking out of her head. Atop her head was some of the most fine curls of purple hair the dragoons had ever seen. She was dress beautifully in a bright blue dress with white ribbons and she had pearl necklaces and earrings adorning her to accent the garment. She carried a darker blue parasol over her head to protect herself from the sun and had a wide brimmed straw hat with a powder blue ribbon around the band and flowing off the back. She was the complete image of elegance and upper class.

"Don't be too hostile to them now." She continued. "Let us wait until Twilight arrives and then we can decide what to do. Besides," She paused looking at the dragoons. "Those outfits look absolutely stunning. Quite dashing if you ask me." 

Patrick could feel his face flush red as the lady's compliments sunk in. He tipped his hat in reply. "Thank you kindly ma'am." He said.

"Oh my. Such nice manners." The pony-girl smiled and batted her eyelashes. 

"Um. Excuse me?" Came a low whisper.

Patrick looked down and saw that below him was another pony-girl. This one had wings on her back which were yellow like her fur. The hair was flowing pink as was her tail. She wore a light green dress with a white bonnet that nearly covered her face, which she seemed to be hiding behind until she slowly looked up at Patrick. For a moment, neither of them said a word before Patrick finally ended the silence.

"Yes ma'am?" He replied.

"Is um..If I may ask." She said softly. "What kind of animal is your pet?"

Patrick chuckled at the idea of Caroline being simply a pet. "She's a horse ma'am." He answered. "And her name is Caroline. You can speak with her if you'd like." 

The pony girl hesitated for a moment before she slowly walked over to where Caroline's head was. "Um. Hi." She whispered.

Caroline smiled. "Hello there. My name is Caroline. What's yours?" She said cheerfully.

At this, the young pony girl's face lit up with a smile. "You can talk?!" She squealed. "Oh um, my name is Fluttershy."

"Pleased to meet you Fluttershy." Caroline replied. "I like your mane."

Fluttershy blushed at this compliment. "Oh thank you. I think you look pretty as well."

"Thank you Miss Fluttershy." Caroline nodded in return.

"Alright now quiet in the ranks." At that moment Sergeant McMann rode up to the group and the men and their horses fell silent. He then turned to the group of pony-girls that had approached the dragoons and tipped his hat. "Good day ladies."

It was at that moment that a commotion came from the crowd as they began to part and make a path to Captain Hamill at the head of the column. When they did, they revealed walking towards the dragoons through the crowd was a purple pony-girl dressed in a bright yellow dress. Her hair was a darker shade of purple with a light pink stripe in it. The horse-girl also had both wings and a horn on her head. Walking next to her, about half her height and wearing pair of brown trousers, a grey vest, white shirt and red cravat and grey mechanics hat, appeared to be some sort of purple and green dragon boy. This surprised Patrick even more as he had only heard about dragons from the stories his mother used to read to him as a child when she could. The two creatures walked up to Captain Hamill, with the purple one bearing a smile while the dragon bore a cautious expression. When they approached, Captain Hamill, Lieutenant Gordon and Sergeant McMann all took off their hats in respect to the lady present.

"Good day to you ma'am." Captain Hamill said kindly. "I am Captain Henry Hamill of the 1st United States Dragoon Regiment. This is Lieutenant William Gordon and Sergeant Arthur McMann. Are you here to show us to the leader of this fine town?"

The purple pony girl giggled in response. "Actually, I believe that you have already met her. My name is Twilight Sparkle. Princess of Friendship and Lady of Ponyville." She then gestured to the dragon boy beside her. "This is my son and faithful assistant Spike. It is a pleasure to meet you gentlecolts."

The officers paused for a moment. They had expected the leader of this village to be a man and had certainly not expected to be greeted by a person of royalty. 

"Uhh..." Captain Hamill stuttered, much to the amusement of his horse Horatio, who smirked and then bowed his head in respect. The other two horses present did the same. Their riders, seeing this, blushed with embarrassment at the fact that their horses seemed to know what to do better than they did. They then dipped their heads in respect.

"Apologies your majesty." Captain Hamill spoke. "We had no idea we were in the presence of royalty."

Twilight giggled in response. "Oh that is quite alright." She waved them off. "I don't really like to advertise my position. And you don't have to call me 'your majesty' either." She then looked back at the column of horse soldiers and saw the group of pony-girls that had gathered by them and smiled. "Oh and I see that you have already met my friends." The group moved over to her. "These are my friends. Applejack."

"Howdy y'all."

"Rarity."

"Charmed my dears."

"Rainbow Dash."

"What's up?"

"Fluttershy."

"Um..Hello."

"And Pinkie Pie."

"Welcome to Ponyville you guys!"

Suddenly out of nowhere bursts of confetti sprayed the troopers causing both the dragoons and their mounts to flinch in surprise. To them, the confetti had seemed to come out of the pony-girl's hands but they had not seen any in her hands previously.

Twilight laughed at her pink friends antics. "Yes. Welcome to Ponyville. Though we certainly have never seen anything like you or your pets before. Tell, what did you say you were again?"

"Well ma'am. We are humans. And these fine beasts," He patted Horatio's neck, "are known as horses and they are our mounts. We are soldiers by trade."

"What army did you say you belonged to again?" Twilight asked.

"The United States of America ma'am."

Twilight now looked puzzled. "I don't believe that I have ever even heard of the United States of America." She said. "Is that somewhere across the Celestial Ocean?"

Now it was the dragoons' turn to looked puzzled. "The only Ocean that the United States borders is the Atlantic Ocean ma'am." Lieutenant Gordon now spoke up. He then turned to his superior. "Captain."

"Yes Lieutenant?"

Lieutenant Gordon turned around to look at the rest of the column of dragoons. "I do not believe that we are in Kansas anymore."

Looking around at the pony people standing before him, Captain Hamill simply nodded. "No Lieutenant I don't believe we are."
	
> Billeting
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	"Alright Caroline. Don't overdo yourself."

"Oh but Patrick! This is some of the freshest water that I have had in months!"

Patrick smiled and patted his mare on the neck as she drank from the fountain in Ponyville Square. She, along with the other mounts were watering themselves after being dismissed by Captain Hamill. He and Lieutenant Gordon were talking with Princess Twilight and her friends at the edge of the square while the rest of the dragoons, under the supervision of Sergeant McMann, tended to their mounts and stretched their legs. Patrick loved riding, but even he had to admit that after a while in the saddle, the seat of his trousers tended to get a little sore. Even now after the ride from the fort, he could feel it down below. 

As he went back to his saddle to make sure everything was still strapped down properly, he happened to glance down below Caroline's belly and spotted a pair of small black boots connected to two skinny grey legs. Patrick walked around to the other side of Caroline and saw who they belonged to. There, fiddling with some of the straps on his saddle was a little purple grey unicorn girl with soft blonde hair and a soft blonde tail. Patrick now knew that she and other pony people here with horns were called unicorns and the other two types were pegasi and earth ponies. The unicorn filly was wearing a little bright pink dress and a floppy straw hat on her head with a pink ribbon tied around it. Her eyes were large and golden yellow and Patrick could not help but smile when he saw them.

"Hello there." He said.

The filly jerked her head towards him when he spoke and suddenly began to look frightened as if she were about to get in trouble for doing something wrong. "I..I..I...uh...I didn't..." She stammered.

"It's alright." Patrick reassured. "Caroline doesn't mind to much and neither do I." He then stepped a little closer and looked at Caroline who was still drinking from the fountain. "Caroline girl. You've got an admirer."

Caroline lifted her head up and looked back at Patrick and saw the filly standing beside him looking a little nervous. She smiled when she saw her eyes. "Aawww. Hello there cutie." She cooed. "My name's Caroline. What's yours?"

"Dinky." The little filly replied. "My name is Dinky."

"Well it's nice to meet you Dinky." Caroline smiled.

Patrick squatted down until he was eye level with Dinky. "Caroline is one of my closest friends Dinky." He said with a smile. "She helps to get me to where I need to go. We're thick as thieves she and I."

Caroline smiled. "I wouldn't have it any other way." she said.

Patrick's smile widened at that. He then turned back to Dinky. "Now, where are your parents Dinky? Do they know you're over here?"

Dinky looked shyly down at the ground. "Um, well..."

"Dinky! There you are!"

Patrick turned around towards the voice and stopped for a moment when he saw who it belonged to. Walking towards him was another mare though this one was a pegasus. Her fur was slate grey and her hair and tail were the same color as Dinky's. She wore a pale green dress with a white apron ties and pinned to her and a simple white bonnet atop her head. Slung over her shoulder was a burlap sack and in her hand she carried a whicker basket with various produce in it. But the most striking characteristic that caught Patrick's attention was the fact that her own golden yellow eyes were out of alignment. While one eye was looking ahead towards the direction she was walking, while the other was pointing to her left. But despite this normally off-putting feature, Patrick could not help by stare at the mare's sun colored eyes in wonder.

"Dinky. Little muffin." The mare said as she finally reached the pair. "Don't wander off like that. And you shouldn't be bothering these soldiers."

"I'm sorry mommy." Dinky said looking down at the ground. 

"It was really no trouble ma'am." Patrick reassured with a smile and bow. "We were only having a friendly conversation. Dinky is quite the little girl Miss...?" 

"Oh, silly me." The mare responded looking much more embarrassed then Patrick thought was required. "My name is Bright Eyes. Bright Eyes Hooves. Dinky is my daughter."

"A pleasure to meet you Mrs. Hooves." Patrick said with a bow. "My name is Patrick. Private Patrick Harris."

"Pleasure meet you too Mr. Harris." Bright Eyes replied with a smile with suddenly faded into a frown. "Though it's not Mrs. It's Miss."

"Oh." Patrick said as he realized what she was implying. "Oh I see. Sorry for presuming ma'am."

Bright Eyes shook her head. "It's fine. It's fine really. You weren't to know." To Patrick's surprise, she appeared to be blushing slightly. "Well. We had better get going back to the house. I've got to get started on our dinner tonight. Say goodbye to Mr. Harris Dinky."

"Bye Mister Harris." Dinky said softly. "Bye Caroline."

"Bye Dinky." Patrick smiled.

"Bye sweetie." Caroline smiled.

With that, the mother and her daughter walked away and down the street until they were out of sight. The entire time Patrick stared after the mare until he was suddenly nudged in the right side by Caroline's rump. Looking back at her for an explanation, he was greeted by a sly grin.

"Someone was staring." Caroline said teasingly.

"Oh hush now." Patrick brushed her off with a chuckle.

"Oh I think you were Patty." Billy chimed in. He and his mount Coal were next to Caroline and Patrick. "You seem to be smitten with the lass."

"Oh shove off. Both of you."

Caroline simply looked at Coal next to her, who nodded in agreement with her opinion.

"Alright lads." Sergeant McMann came walking around with Bessie in tow. "Let's finish it up. Get your last drinks." He then continued on repeating the same words to the other troopers around the fountain.

Just after Sergeant McMann passed by, Harris looked in the direction where the officers were meeting with Princess Twilight and saw that Lieutenant Gordon was making his way towards the fountain with Lucinda following close behind. He went straight over to Sergeant McMann, who was talking with Private Webster.

"Sergeant McMann." The Lieutenant called out. Harris watched as the Sergeant snapped a salute to the young officer. 

"Yes sir."

"Pick at least six men and form an escort. Five privates and a corporal. The Princess has stated that her mentor shall be arriving to Ponyville tomorrow to meet with Captain Hamill. We are to billet here tonight. Select the men if you please. We can't do much about our appearances but we'll have to make do."

"Yes sir. Right away sir." Sergeant McMann replied with a salute, which was returned. Lieutenant Gordon then turned back and walked back over to Captain Hamill and the rest. Sergeant McMann then immediately walked over to Patrick and Billy.

"You two." He said. "You both are to be on escort duty for the Captain tomorrow. Make sure your kit looks as smart as you can. And make sure your mounts look smart too."

"Yes sergeant." Both Patrick and Billy replied.

"Good lads." He then went down the line and selected the last three troopers he needed. The last choice, however made both Patrick and Billy groan.

"Oh no." Billy groaned. "Not Jameson."

"Just what we need." Patrick chimed in. "Him pushing us around all night."

"I'm always sure that he is hurting his mount Sheila." Caroline said worriedly. "Though I have never been able to say anything before."

"Even if you did." Coal said. "You'd need proof. And he somehow is always able to cover it up."

"Well, hopefully he'll get what's coming to him someday if that is true."

"Alright you loafers!" Sergeant McMann came riding back upon Bessie. "Mount up and follow me!"





Soon the company had formed back up into a column behind the color guard and the company officers. They found themselves being led out of town by one of Princess Twilight's friends, Applejack, until they reached a large expanse of beautiful apple trees. Trees brimming with the fruit stretched as far as the eye could see. Soon the company was led through a white gate and down a winding dirt road until they reached one of the largest and brightest red barns and farmhouse that any man in the company had ever seen. The dragoons soon afterwards fell into a line in the yard in front of the barn and waited until Sergeant McMann rode in front of them.

"Mounts into the barn! Report to your corporals for billet postings! Supper is at 8:00! Corporals give me your reports as soon as your duties are completed! Company! Dismount and dismissed!"

With that, the dragoons dismounted and then led their horses towards the barn. As Patrick led Caroline towards the barn, he looked and saw Captain Hamill, Lieutenant Gordon, and Sergeant McMann talking to Miss Applejack. Captain Hamill was shaking Miss Applejack's hand and both were smiling. Patrick then turned back towards the barn where the rest of the company was leading their mounts.

Upon entering he found that the ground floor of the barn was nearly as spacious as the stables back at the Fort were and about 10 feet above him was the hayloft. There were no stalls for the horses though it seemed that the horses themselves were choosing the spot they would rest for the night so Patrick just left it to Caroline.

"Pick a spot Caroline." He said.

Caroline looked up above the crowd of equines and spotted the black form of Coal and his rider Billy. She smiled and trotted on over after seeing that there was an open space beside him. Patrick smiled as he followed her and approached Billy.

"Well it seems those two will be fine together." He chuckled.

"That's no joke." Billy agreed. He then sighed. "I guess we ought to go and report to Jameson."

Patrick only groaned in agreement. They made their way to the entrance to the barn where they found a neat line of the men from their troop in front of Corporal Jameson who was sat at a table with a quill and paper. The short little man with shaggy black hair and mustache was the arch nemesis of almost every man in the company. While Sergeant McMann was firm but fair, Jameson was likened by the men to a tyrant. He overworked the men on fatigue details, wrote them up for the most petty of infractions and even went so far as to read some of their mail whenever it arrived at the fort. There were even rumors that he blackmailed some of the married men into letting him enjoy the company of their wives. There was no definite proof but neither Patrick or Billy thought that it would be unlikely.

Soon Patrick and Billy had reached the front of the line. Jameson looked up and smiled his evil little smile that was so characteristic of him. He particularly enjoyed tormenting the pair of friends whenever he could.

"Ah. Harris and Kirkwood. You both are up in the loft. You better be looking smart tomorrow or you'll both be on latrine duty for two weeks."

"Yes corporal." Both troopers replied. They then turned back around to tend to their mounts and remove their saddles and other trappings. As they approached their horses, they saw that they were not alone. Standing in front of Coal was a large and obviously muscular red earth pony stallion with dirty blonde scraggly hair and tail and dressed in a checkered tan shirt and a brown waistcoat and brown trousers. He had a wheat stalk in his mouth and a worn out black faded wide brimmed hat. slung on his shoulder was a burlap bag full of bright red apples. One of which was in the hands of a small yellow earth pony filly with bright red hair tied up with a large pink bow. Her tail was the same color and she wore a bright blue dress with muddy boots on her feet. She stood in front of Caroline with a large smile on her face as she fed her the apple she had in her hand. Caroline was enjoying herself immensely from the look of happiness on her face as she chewed on the juicy apple.

"Hope y'all enjoyed the apples." The little yellow filly said with a smile. "They're fresh from the orchards this mornin'."

"Oh they were so delicious Applebloom!" Caroline replied happily. "I haven't had an apple that good in a long time. Have you Coal?"

"Can't say that I have Caroline." Coal replied after he had swallowed his last bite. "Thank you very much little miss."

"Aw shucks, it weren't nothin'."

Caroline then turned her head and perked up in surprise when she saw Patrick approaching.

"Oh hello Patrick. This little darling is Applebloom, and this is her older brother Big Macintosh. They own this farm along with their sister Applejack."

Patrick tipped his hat and smiled in greeting to the young filly. "Hello Miss Applebloom. As Caroline said I am Patrick."

"Nice to meet you mister Patrick." Applebloom smiled in return.

Patrick then looked up to see the red stallion Big Macintosh looming over him. If the stallion had seemed intimidating from a distance, if Patrick hadn't known he had nothing to fear he might well have soiled his drawers. He could see even more clearly up close that the muscles on this creature could tear him in half. Patrick had never felt so small.

"Um, and you must be Mister Macintosh, am I correct sir?"

"Eyup." The large stallion replied slowly. "Though there ain't no need for that sir business. Call me Big Mac. I suppose I ought to call ya Patrick?"

"Alright then Big Mac. And yes it is Patrick. Patrick Harris."

"And my name is Billy. Billy Kirkwood. Pleasure to meet you Big Mac." Billy came around from Coal and took Big Mac's hand in his and shook it. Patrick did the same next.

"Well I suppose y'all got a mighty lot of work to do. So we'll let y'all get to it. C'mon now Applebloom." Big Mac began to usher his little sister out towards the door.

"Alright Big Mac. Goodbye now Caroline! Goodbye Coal!"

"Goodbye sweetheart!" Caroline called back with a smile. "Oh she is just a darling!"

"She sure seems that way." Patrick agreed. He then set about to unloading the rest of his gear.





Later that evening

By nightfall, the company had settled into their temporary billets. Captain Hamill, Lieutenant Gordon and Sergeant McMann were quartered in the Apple Family House while the rest of the company had spread out their blankets in the loft of the barn. At that moment, Patrick, Billy and the rest of their squad mates were huddled around a campfire that they had set up outsider of the barn and had just finished cooking their supper of salt pork and hardtack. Patrick himself had just finished chewing on his last piece of pork and was about to wash it down with his canteen.

"Still can't get used to that taste." Patrick said after swallowing the last bite.

"Same here." Billy replied after gnawing on a piece of hardtack that he had been working on for ten minutes. "This here bread is as hard as rock. Can't bite to hard else I might break my teeth."

"Pour water in your cup and put your bread in it." Patrick offered. "Should soften it up."

"Well howdy fellers."

All six men gathered around the campfire turned around to see the figure of Miss Applejack walking towards them carrying a basket in front of her. The dragoons immediately got to their feet and removed their hats out of courtesy, revealing their heads of shaggy hair.

"Miss Applejack ma'am." Patrick nodded in greeting. "Good evening."

"Good evening to you to darling." Applejack replied. "And no need to go on with the whole 'Miss' thing. Just call me Applejack. And I was thinking that y'all might like a little bit of this."

Applejack reached into her basket and pulled out a large glass jug that was labeled Apple Family Cider on the side. 

"Thought you boys might like a nice drink after a long day. I certainly would."

Patrick grabbed the jug as it was handed to him with a surprised smile on his face. The rest of the dragoons upon seeing the jug were already thirsty to taste it's contents. "Thank you very much ma'am." Patrick said. "We should pay you though. How much would this be?"

Applejack shook her head. "Don't sweat it dear." She smiled. "It won't cost y'all a single bit. This is just being a good host. Hope y'all enjoy it. See you tomorrow." With that she left the group in search of other campfire circles that night.

The rest of the dragoons looked at each other for a moment before gathering their tin cups together and passing them to Patrick. Patrick filled them up one by one and handed the cups back to their owners. Soon, each dragoon took a sip from their cups. The flavor was amazing! To Patrick it was almost like drinking the milk of heaven. He had never had cider that good before.

"Sweet Jesus!" Billy cried out. "This here is the best cider I've had in my lifetime!"

"Me too!" Patrick agreed. He then looked off in the direction of another campfire where Applejack was repeating the same delivery. He then smiled and raised his cup up.

"To Miss Applejack. A gracious and kind host." He said.

Every other dragoon raised their cups. "To Miss Applejack."

They seemed to be taking a liking to this new world and eagerly awaited what fate had in store for them next on this adventure.



Meanwhile back in the barn among the sleeping mounts, Caroline, half asleep next to Coal, began to feel a slight tingling on her back. She ignored it though after it went away with a twitch. Little did she know that the rest of the horses in the barn felt similar passing tingles though some were on their heads or in their legs.
	
	
> Update with pictures!!!
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	So guys. I am finally done with the semester and I am ready to start writing again! As I have written already in a blog post, I have come up with a new direction that I want this story to go and I have actually started to come up with illustrations to go along with it. Read the blog post to get what I am talking about. I just wanted to write this quick update to let everyone know that I will be writing again and to also give you guys a little glimpse of some of the characters who may or may not appear in the future

Hope you all enjoy and I'll see you in the next chapter!!

And here is the preview image.

> Royal Visit and News from further North
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	Slowly but surely, Patrick opened his eyes to a face full of hay. Slowly sitting up and brushing off his face, he looked around the barn where he and his comrades had taken up residence. For a moment he forgot why he was in the barn, but then all at once it came back to him, the storm, Caroline talking, the pony people, and Miss Applejack's cider. That hit him the most. Right in the head.

Before he could fully wake up though, the blare of a trumpet began to pierce his eardrums and within seconds, the rest of the troopers laying around him began to groan awake. Patrick even heard the groans of the horses that were below them on the ground floor. As the bugle began it's repeat of reveille, the doors to the barn were thrown open and there standing in the door was Sergeant McMann already fully dressed and kitted out for the day. 

"Alright yah ladies!" He shouted. "Wake up the lot of ya! Lot's happening today and I want all troopers out for assembly on the double! Move yer arses!"

As he finished his commands, the dragoons heard the bugle now call out the assembly and the men began to move with much more haste. They threw on their jackets, tied up their boots, and grabbed their caps as they made their way down from the loft towards the door. As they did, Patrick nodded towards his mount Caroline with a short 'see you at stable call' to her. The dragoons soon reached the outside where Sergeant McMann continued to bark commands in his thick Irish accent.

"Form two ranks on Corporal Jameson on the double! Move it!" Then all 48 men soon created two ranks of 24. Standing in his place in the line, Patrick could see Captain Hamill and Lieutenant Gordon standing nearby with the Apple Family close behind them. Captain Hamill appeared to be talking with Big Macintosh and Miss Applejack who both seemed very curious about the whole proceedings, while Lieutenant Gordon was bent down talking to little Applebloom. Patrick smiled. He always liked seeing that side of the young Lieutenant when he was with his daughter Julie.

"Quiet in the ranks!" Sergeant McMann's shout caused Patrick to return his attention to the roll call that he knew was coming up. This was confirmed when he pulled out his clipboard and pencil and began to list off the names of the company. Each man when called responded simply with here, which Patrick did when his own name was called. Soon all 48 men of Company A were listed as present. As soon as Sergeant McMann tucked his clipboard under his arm, he turned and walked over to Captain Hamill and saluted, which was returned.

"All men present Sir." McMann stated. 

"Thank you Sergeant." Captain Hamill replied. He then turned and nodded to the bugler, a young 16 year old lad from St. Louis Missouri whom Patrick knew as Private Thomas Crane dressed in his red jacket, who then in response brought the bugle to his mouth and played out stable call. The men soon fell out of line and made their way back to the barn to feed and water their horses.





By around 9:00, the men of Company A had fed their horses and fed themselves and were ready for the days tasks ahead of them. For Patrick, his friend Billy, and the rest of the dragoons chosen to receive the Equestrian Royal Entourage later that day, the morning was now being spent polishing and cleaning their uniforms and equipment. Patrick himself at this point was just finishing up cleaning his white buff leather saber belt and polishing the brass buckle to the point where it gleamed in the sun as he sat against the outside wall of the barn with his fellow troopers. He was proud of his appearance as a dragoon and therefore took great care to show it whenever others came to observe him and his fellow comrades.

Out of the corner of his eye just then, he saw a large pink bow peak around the corner. Looking up, he saw that it was little Applebloom dressed in her bright blue dress and bonnet standing their peaking at him and the other dragoons as they cleaned their equipment. He smiled when she ducked back behind the corner when she saw him looking at him.

"Hey now,"  he called out. "We won't harm a hair on your head." She peaked out again. He then held up his belt. "Would you like to take a look?"

Applebloom smiled and walked over until she was standing in front of Patrick. She then pointed to his belt in his hand. "What do those letters stand for on that buckle?" She asked.

Patrick looked down then brought the buckle up closer so that she could see it better. "It stands for 'United States'. Thats the country we live in, the United States of America."

Applebloom nodded in recognition. "What's the belt for? Y'all don't where them around your trousers."

Patrick chuckled. "They are used to hold our sabers up." He answered.

"Whats a saber?"

Patrick paused for a moment considering whether or not he should show her his primary horseback weapon, but decided it wouldn't be harmful as long as only he held onto it. He therefore grabbed the weapon and brought it up to his lap.

"A saber is like a long knife. We use them to defend ourselves against enemies. It's one of the things that sets us apart as dragoons."

"What else makes y'all different?" Applebloom asked.

"Well..."

"Applebloom!"

Patrick looked up to see Big Macintosh making his way over to where he and Applebloom were. As he approached Patrick quickly stood up. However Big Macintosh didn't even pay attention to the dragoon, and rather focused on his little sister.

"Now y'all now we got chores to do today. We can't have ya bothering these soldiers here when theres work to be done."

"Aww. But Big Mac!"

"No buts young lady." Big Macintosh said sternly. "Now go on out and find yer sister in the south fields. She'll be needing help collecting the apples for today. Now get along."

Applebloom sighed and walked off towards the fields, leaving Patrick sitting there smiling. He would've liked to talk more with Applebloom but he understood that her family needed her help.

"I hope she wasn't bothering y'all too much now." Big Macintosh addressed the dragoons.

Patrick shook his head and smiled. "No harm done Mister Macintosh. She was really sweet actually."

Big Macintosh smiled and looked down the path that Applebloom had disappeared down. "She's a sweetheart alright. But sometimes she and her friends get into heaps of trouble. She wants to grow up too fast." He then looked back at Patrick. "How old are you Mr....?"

"Patrick sir. Private Patrick Harris. And I am 18 sir."

Big Macintosh's eyes widened slightly at this. He then nodded as he began to walk away. "Take care of yourself Mister Harris."

"You too sir." Patrick replied. As soon as Big Macintosh was out of sight, he went back to his task.





Ponyville, Later That Day

By around mid day, the men selected to be part of the guard receiving the leaders of Equestria, who Princess Twilight had referred to as the Royal Sisters, was spit polish as much as they could be in their fatigue gear and had formed up in the town square. Standing in line sitting atop their horses, the dragoons waited in anticipation. They had never received any sort of dignitary at Fort Scott before so they wanted their first time to be the absolute best. Standing in front of them were the six ponies that Princess Twilight had referred to as the Elements of Harmony, Miss Applejack, Miss Fluttershy, Miss Rarity, Miss Pinkie Pie, Miss Rainbow Dash, and lastly Princess Twilight herself, with her son Spike by her side. Around them at the edges of the square, Patrick could've sworn that the entire population of Ponyville had turned out to greet their princesses. Captain Hamill had sent the rest of the company back to Fort Scott to inform the fort of the current situation and to prepare the post for the arrival of the royal party. 

After about a five minute wait since they had formed up, a little calico earth pony in a mechanics hat came running around he corner of the local bakery that Miss Pinkie Pie had called Sugar Cube Corner. 

"Their coming!" He shouted. "Their here!"

Every pony in the crowd began to murmur in excitement at this announcement and Captain Hamill gave a nod to Lieutenant Gordon. Lieutenant Gordon then turned back to the line of dragoons.

"Dragoons!" He commanded. "Draw Sabers!"

With a metallic ring, Patrick and the rest of the troopers drew their sabers from their scabbards in almost perfect unison. Looking back town the road that the little colt had come from, Patrick began to hear what sounded like the rumble of a horse drawn carriage. Within seconds, the source of the noise appeared around the corner, though what Patrick was expecting was not what appeared. He certainly expected the bright white and yellow trimmed coach that appeared, but the four gleaming white six point bucks with golden antlers pulling the carriage he certainly did not expect. He had hunted dear before back home, but nothing like these deer. Along with their unusual color scheme, the bucks were massive, slightly larger than the dragoons' own mounts. Walking ahead of the coach were four similarly sized brown bucks with four white unicorn stallions riding on their backs dressed in golden trousers and tunics with silver armor chest plates and helmets upon their heads with blue crests. Each stallion carried a wooden lance with a blue pennant on the top of each. Four more guards on bucks followed behind the coach which were then followed by a tall blue alicorn mare with a mane that seemed to flow with the wind and sparkle with stars. The mare wore a bright white double breasted short jacket with bright gold epaulettes on her shoulders. She also wore dark blue trousers tucked into knee high riding boots. Slung across her chest and hanging down her left was a black leather baldric with a silver crescent moon plate on the front carrying what appear to be a cavalry saber. To top off her whole ensemble was a black tiara sitting atop her head above her horn with a white crescent moon in the center.

"Present! Arms!" The command from Lieutenant Gordon to salute snapped Patrick out of his concentration. As soon as he hear the order, he and the rest of the dragoons brought their sabers up the the faces with the blades facing flat. Within seconds of the motion being completed, the coach came to a halt in front of the dragoons. As soon as it did, the driver, a light grey unicorn stallion dressed in a top hat and black coat with a white cravat around his neck and white gloves, jumped down from his seat and walked over to the door to the coach and pulled it open. Out stepped a tall white elegant alicorn mare dressed in a gorgeous gold and white dress. The dress was simple in that it was solid colors with no patterns but grand in it's beauty. The bottom hem of the skirt was trimmed gold along with the area around the neck. The mare's hair was similar to the one who rode atop the buck, except that hers was rainbow in appearance. Atop her head was also a tiara, but this one was gold with a purple diamond in the center. For a moment, Patrick almost broke composure in his salute at the beauty this mare radiated.

As soon as the white mare stepped out of the coach, Patrick saw Princess Twilight Sparkle run up to her with a huge smile on her face, and wrapped her arms around her waist in a hug. This seemed out of turn until he heard the following exchange between the two mares.

"Oh it's great to see you Princess Celestia!" Twilight exclaimed.

Princess Celestia smiled and returned the embrace. "Twilight Sparkle, my dear. How have you been? You look lovely."

Princess Twilight blushed at the comment. "Thank you Princess. And I have been doing well. It's been quite exciting recently actually as you can see behind me." She gestured to the dragoons behind her. "These are the visitors I told you about."

Princess Celestia looked back at the horsemen with a curious smile. "I see. And do they have a leader among them?"

"Ah yes they do. Captain Hamill?"

Captain Hamill took this as his cue to sheath his sword and dismount Horatio. "Stay put old boy." He said to the brown stallion.

"Yes Sir." Horatio replied. Captain Hamill then made his way over to where the two alicorn mares were standing and bowed and removed his cap when he stopped in front of them.

"Your royal highness." He said as he came back up. "Captain Henry Hamill of the 1st United States Dragoon Regiment."

Celestia smiled and dipped in kind. "It is a pleasure to meet you Captain Hamill. I am Princess Celestia. And this is my sister Princess Luna." She gestured to the blue mare, who had by this point dismounted her buck and was now standing beside Celestia. Captain Hamill turned to bow but was caught off guard when Princess Luna snapped her hand to her head in a salute, which after a few seconds of obvious confusion, Captain Hamill returned.

"A pleasure Captain." Princess Luna nodded. Patrick noticed however that she appeared to be staring at all of the dragoons with what appeared to be, suspicion? Patrick really couldn't tell. Any further thought on this however was cut short as Captain Hamill continued speaking with Princess Celestia.

"My faithful student and peer Twilight Sparkle has told me that you all have not arrived in our land alone."

"That is correct ma'am." Captain Hamill nodded. "The night before last our post experienced a most severe storm. When morning came we found that our entire post and all of it's personal and buildings had been transported to a field about 15 miles from here. We also found that whatever had brought on the storm had also caused all of our horses to gain the ability of speech. After we had collected ourselves and secured the post, our commander ordered us to conduct a patrol to see if we could establish any sort of contact with any settlement we could find. It was then that I led A Company down what was the Military Road and we came upon this village, who showed us much hospitality, for which we are grateful."

Celestia nodded as she took in the information. "And where did you say your post was before you arrived? Where was it that you came from?"

"Fort Scott in the Kansas Territory of the United States of America ma'am."

Celestia shook her head. "I am afraid that I am not familiar with that nation." She said. "Though we shall do everything in our power to help you in returning to your homes. Won't we sister?" She finished turning to Luna.

"Of course dear sister." Luna nodded. She then turned back to Captain Hamill. "If it would be alright though Captain Hamill, would you and your soldiers please show us to your post so that we may assess the situation first hand. We are also quite curious to view the operations that your military performs under."

Captain Hamill nodded in response. "Of course ma'am. If you will permit us, we shall escort you back to our post, though I ask that I send a fast rider back ahead of us to inform the commander of your arrival."

"Permission granted Captain."

Captain Hamill nodded then walked over to the line of troopers. He then moved straight to Patrick.

"Private Harris." He said as he scribbled a note onto a small piece of paper from his pocket.

"Yes sir." Patrick responded. Captain Hamill then handed him the paper after he had finished writing.

"Please deliver this to Colonel Matthews with haste." Patrick grabbed the paper and shoved it into his pocket.

"Yes sir at once sir." He said with a salute. "Let's go Caroline!" He said with a smile. Caroline herself smiled as she pushed off from the ground and galloped down the street towards the rode. As they passed the crowd of ponies, Patrick could hear some oos and awes at the display of power from Caroline. Patrick even thought he could make out the familiar voice of a girl who said.

"Wow mama. He sure is fast."




Fort Scott

Within the hour, Patrick and Caroline had returned to Fort Scott. When he arrived, he was challenged by the guard, before he and Caroline were permitted onto the grounds. He found that the fort had been quite active while he and the dragoons had been away. The infantry that weren't on guard or fatigue duty were out on the parade ground drilling with the sergeants commands echoing around the post. Other soldiers walked to and from the Quartermaster's shop carrying the days supplies back to either the barracks or to the stables or to the hospital. Patrick however was heading to one building in particular though. Next to the officer's quarters was a single white house that quartered the post commander, Colonel Richard Matthews and his wife and three children. It was there that the guard had told him that the Colonel was at the moment. 

Riding up to the steps, he pulled Caroline to a halt and dismounted. After telling Caroline to stay put, he made his way up the steps and approached the guard posted outside the Colonel's door.

"State your business." the guard challenged.

Patrick reached into his pocket and produced the message from Captain Hamill. "I have this message for the Colonel. From Captain Hamill."

The guard took the paper and looked at it for a few moments. He then handed it back to Patrick. "You may enter." He said. Patrick nodded then entered the front room of the house. Upon entering, he then encountered another soldier dressed in an infantry uniform. This man was the Colonel's aide of the day, who he chose each day at random.

"I have a message for the Colonel." He said.

"Wait here one moment." The soldier said before he turned around and walked to the door to the Colonel's office and opened it. After a few moments, Colonel Matthew stepped out from behind the down in his double breasted dark blue coat. The Colonel had dark black hair and thick muttonchops. His face was aged from the years that he had spent in the service of the USA. Coming from Pennsylvania, he had an understanding with many of the farm boys and immigrants under his command and his soldiers appreciated him for it. Even now, Patrick was proud to salute him as he approached. The salute was returned as the Colonel reached him.

"Sorry to disturb you sir." Patrick apologized.

"It is fine Private." Colonel Matthew reassured the trooper. 

"A message from Captain Hamill sir." Patrick said as handed the Colonel the paper. The Colonel took the paper, read it for a few minutes before folding it back up and turning to his orderly.

"Private Hatch."

"Yes Sir."

"Please find Major Latham and inform him that I wish to see him in my office at once."

"Yes sir." Private Hatch replied with a salute, then made his way out the door. Colonel Matthews then turned back to Patrick.

"Thank you for delivering this Private." Colonel Matthews thanked. "I suggest you go and report to Lieutenant Rogers over at that barracks. You are dismissed."

"Thank you sir." Patrick replied, also giving a saluted before turning around and exiting the building. He then made his way down the steps to Caroline who still stood where he had left her patiently waiting. As he approached she had the most excited smile on her face.

"Well?" She asked eagerly. "What did he say?"

Patrick smiled as he took hold of her reins and began to lead her towards the stables. "He didn't say much to me. But I have a feeling it's about to get busy here real soon. Now come on. Let's get you watered and fed. You need it after that run."





Later

Within the hour, the rest of the dragoons under Captain Hamill had returned to Fort Scott along with the royal entourage that included both Princess Celestia and Luna, Twilight Sparkle and all of her friends. When they arrived in the coach, they were greeted by Colonel Matthews and a fully dressed honor guard. Both companies of the 4th Infantry had turned out in their full battle kit for a salute. After Colonel Matthew had been introduced to the Princesses and the other mares and been notified of the situation at hand, he offered to give them a tour of the post, which they accepted. As they went from structure to structure, Colonel Matthews explained each building's purpose and the history behind them. Miss Fluttershy took particular interest in the post hospital while Princess Luna payed close attention to the barracks and magazine. All the while Miss Twilight was asking extensive questions on American culture and society, which Colonel Matthews tried his best to answer. After a while, the group found themselves back on the parade ground.

"We are most intrigued by the system that your military operates under here Colonel." Princess Luna commented. "Perhaps sometime in the near future, you could give us a demonstration of your tactics?"

Colonel Matthews nodded. "Of course ma'am. Perhaps sometime...."

"Rider coming in!"

All heads in the group turned towards the shout and saw that it came from one of Celestia's guards. Looking down the road that he was pointing at they saw a cloud of dust trailing behind another Equestrian Guard riding on the back of his own brown buck. After a few moments he finally reached the group and came skidding to a halt. He quickly dismounted his buck and came up to the Princesses and bowed before them.

"Your Majesties." He gasped as he reached into his brown leather satchel that hung on his left side and produced a tied up scroll. "A message from Captain Strongback at Fort Redoubtable along the Tranquil River."

Celestia took the scroll while casting a perplexed glance to her sister. She then unrolled the scroll and read it over along with Luna. As she did her eyes grew slightly wider. After she had finished reading it, she turned to Colonel Matthews.

"Is there something wrong your majesties?" Colonel Matthews inquired.

Celestia paused for a moment before responding. "We don't know whether it is wrong or right Colonel. What we do know is that our own military post along the river that leads past Canterlot straight to Ponyville has reported sighting six large riverboats all bearing the flag that flies above your Fort steaming down the river."
> Troop Movement
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Aboard the Natchez

For the young 24 year old second lieutenant of the 4th Infantry Regiment, life aboard the paddle wheeler Natchez the past two days had been cramped and uncomfortable. The steamboat was packed with the men and equipment that made up the regiment he belonged to and due to this there was rarely an empty spot to rest oneself. The young Illinois native had experienced much of the discomforts of army life, from his time at West Point to Jefferson Barracks Missouri, but this was new. It was only made worse by the sad thoughts that clouded the young officer's mind. For at that moment, he was thinking of his beloved Julia, who he was engaged to, waiting for him back in Missouri while he traveled to what many observer reports had described as the dirtiest place on earth.

"Lieutenant Grant!"

The young officer turned around from the railing he was leaning on to see who had spoken to him. He found himself looking at another young officer, from the shoulder boards a second lieutenant, with a 4th Infantry Badge on his cap, standing before him. The young man had perfectly trimmed sideburns that matched his perfectly trimmed red hair. The man was also the same age, and the face was instantly recognizable.

"William Aldrich?"

"Ulysses Grant!"

Both men smiled and clasped hands in a handshake.

"It is good to see you." Grant said cheerfully, his mood raised slightly now. "What are you doing here though? I thought you were still stationed at Fort Brooke!"

"I was." Aldrich replied. "But the swamps were not to my liking. And when I heard that General Taylor was taking the 4th Infantry down with him to Texas, I saw a chance for some action, and a chance to see an old classmate and friend."

Both men chuckled. Grant had been a shy cadet at West Point. This was partly due to his reluctance to even attend. His father had secured him his place at West Point without even telling him until the day it was secure. He was never studious, and due to his shyness he made few friends. Though Aldrich was one of the few. Together the Illinoian and the Massachusetts native had become firm friends with their mutual interest in farming and horses. The two had always hoped that they would end up in the same regiment with each other, but as Aldrich placed higher in the graduating class, he was selected for the engineers to help construct coast fortifications in Florida. Grant had thought for a long time that he would never see his friend again.

"Well you won't be seeing too much action if you stick with me." Grant sighed, leaning against the rail. "I am the regimental Quartermaster."

Aldrich smiled. "Well at least you'll be spending your days handling your favorite among God's beasts." He chuckled. 

Grant smiled in kind. He did miss his horse. He had always had a fascination with the breed of animal. He was quite unhappy to leave his mare behind. Though he wasn't as unhappy as he was to leave Julia behind. He suddenly realized that he still held in his left hand the letter that he had received from Julia before he had left St. Louis. Just as he was about to try and hide it, Aldrich pointed to it.

"Whats that in your hand there?" He asked.

"Oh...uh...." Grant stammered. "Its...uh...."

"Oh." Aldrich said as realization struck him. "I won't press if it is personal."

"Oh no it is alright." Grant reassured pulling the letter out. "It's just a letter from a girl."

"Oh I see." Aldrich said with a sly smile. "And may I ask just who this girl is?"

Grant chuckled at his friends teasing. "Her name is Julia Dent. And she is my fiancé."

Aldrich's eyes lit up. "Well congratulations!" he exclaimed. "Have you set a date yet?"

"Not yet. Sometime after I get back I suppose. Her father does not particularly care for me though. Nor would my father care for her."

"And why on earth not?" Aldrich questioned.

Grant hesitated for a moment. "Her family lives in Missouri. They own a plantation called White Haven."

Aldrich stayed silent for a moment before a look of recognition came across his face. "Slaveholders?"

Grant nodded with a sigh. "Yes I am afraid so. I do not hold it against her. They are her fathers. But I am sure my father will hold it against her."

"Well from what you have told me I quite agree." Aldrich said. He and Grant both held the similar view upon slavery in America, that there was something about it that just didn't fit with American ideals. Though they both admitted that two young Army lieutenants were not the ones who would ever be able to get the question answered.

"But she is beautiful Aldrich." Grant smiled. "Some men can't see that, and sometimes neither can she. But I can."

Aldrich smiled and placed his hand on his friends shoulder. "I am sure that you will be happy together."

"I hope so." Grant sighed. "My only hope is that wherever we are going I may prove myself a worthy husband in the eyes of her father. That is my only...."

His statement was cut short by the sudden sound of thunder that reached their eardrums. Looking up, the two men found that the beautiful sunny day had turned dark and cloudy, much like the storms that often rolled through Missouri. But this one seemed to roll in much faster than normal. The sight caught the attention of every man on the steamboats who began to crowd the railings for a look. Soon, the wind began to kick up and the river began to churn, reaching the similarity of rapids. The steamboats and their passengers began to rock about in the wind and waves. Grant and Aldrich found themselves holding on for dear life in fear of falling overboard.

"What in God's name is happening?!?!" Aldrich shouted above the wind. Grant was about to shout back before a sudden jolt knocked his grip loose and he tumbled forward, smashing his head against the wall of the ship. After that all was quiet and black.





When Grant came to, his head pounded like a drum. He felt like he had been bucked by a mule. He was dimly aware of the presence of someone though he did not know who until at last his hearing returned.

"Sam!" Aldrich was standing above him with his hand on his shoulder. Grant slowly opened his eyes to see that he was still on the steamboat, sat up against the wall where he had hit his head, and it was now bright as a new morning.

"Oh dear lord." He groaned. "What happened last night?"

"You took quite tumble lieutenant." A gruff voice answered. "I hope that you are still fit for duty."

Grant looked up at the source and froze. Standing before him, dressed in a simple dark brown coat and white muslin shirt and worn out brown trousers tucked into dirty riding boots, and with a frayed straw hat atop his head was a man with shaggy grey hair and sideburns with a face marked with years of service and age. Grant immediately stood up, ignoring the pain in his head as he quickly snapped a salute.

"General Taylor sir!" He said.

General Zachary Taylor, commander of the U.S. Army of Observation, returned the salute sharply. "Stand easy Lieutenant. You've had quite the knocking. Hell I'd say that this whole damn army has taken quite the knocking. That there storm was damn near deadly. For a moment thought this entire army was going in the drink."

Grant looked back and saw that the rest of the flotilla that carried the army was still trailing behind their boat, though he could see men walking about trying to repair any damages sustained during the storm.

"From the sound and look of it all last night," Taylor continued, "I'd say that storm was mighty similar to the one that the locals in Kansas reported around Fort Scott last fall."

Grant nodded. He had heard about the storm that had somehow stolen away the military post in the Kansas territory. Two companies from his own 4th Infantry had been stationed at Fort Scott, when they and all the rest of the fort personal and all of the fort just up and vanished. No one had been able to explain it. A search had been sent out all over the territory, but with the increasing tensions with Mexico, the search had to be called of, especially when President Polk had ordered Taylor to take his army down to Texas.

Taylor looked around the river and shook his head. "I don't know what in the holy hell that storm was all about. All I know is that I don't know where in the holy hell we are now. By my reckoning, we should've been at the mouth of the Mississippi by now. Now it looks like we're halfway between there and St. Louis!"

Grant looked around and noticed that the landscape surrounding them and bordering the water indeed looked less swampy than it should've. Something was definitely wrong, but before he could think any further, Taylor's voice cut into his thoughts.

"Lieutenant. Go down to the hold and make sure our supplies aboard this raft are still intact. I'll be damned if we get to Texas or wherever the hell it is we get to next now with no supplies to sustain ourselves."

"Yes sir." Grant saluted. He then made his way down the deck to the door that led to the hold of the steamboat.





Grant sighed as he stood in the musty hold as he tallied the bags of cornmeal, the boxes of musket cartridges and the barrels of salt pork that had been packed away aboard the steamboat. So far nothing had been damaged, though on the part of the food, if it had been perfect before was debatable. He was just about to finish tallying the last items on the list, when he heard the stomping of boots coming down the ladder into the hold.

"Sam! Sam!" He heard the voice of Aldrich, who suddenly appeared on the ladder in the most excited state. "Come on up quick!"

"What's going on?" Grant asked confused.

Aldrich paused to catch his breath before answering. "I really can't explain it. You just need to come up and look quick!"

Grant sighed, placing the clipboard on a nearby barrel, before he followed his friend back up the ladder.

When Grant reached the outside, he found soldiers completely lined the railing obviously trying to get a look at something. Grant pushed his way in between two soldiers and looked over the side, pausing as he saw that the men were looking at.

Up ahead on the west side bank of river, Grant saw what appeared to be an earthen fortress, much like the ones described on the coast of Florida. He could see gun port along the tops of the wall and could even see cannons sticking out of them. Flying above the fort was a strange flag that Grant did not recognize as being either American, Texan or Mexican. He could also see what he assumed to be soldiers running about the fort and outside the walls. He could even see some running down to a small dock at the edge of the bank. But as he looked closer, he was astonished by what he was seeing. The soldiers weren't humans but were rather human like equines. They also carried no firearms but rather what appeared to be short swords. They also were donning golden armor plating and helmets. Grant knew that the Mexicans had lancers in their army that were dressed quite lavishly, but nothing like this. And they certainly did not have pony people in their ranks. 

He then noticed that the pony soldiers were racing to what appeared to be some sort of winch on the dock. When they reached it, they began to turn the crank, and suddenly, 30 yards in front of the steamboat, Grant saw a long metal chain shoot up and stretch across the river, blocking the boats path. Almost instantly, Grant heard the steamboat's whistle blast and felt the boat lurch as the captain obviously threw the engines into reverse. Just a yard from the chain, the boat came to a stop. The men murmured amongst themselves about the situation as some even clutched their muskets tighter in fear of something drastic occurring. Grant left his place at the rail and pushed his way through the crowd to make his way up to bow rail. He soon pushed his way in not noticing just who he had pushed.

"Good enough view lieutenant?"

Grant paused and paled. He remembered that voice. Turning to his left he saw that the man he had shoved was none other than General Taylor, now dressed in the uniform of a brigadier general. Grant stammered as he tried to find the right words to apologize but General Taylor only chuckled and held up his hand.

"Calm down Lieutenant." He said with a smile. "I can see your just young and curious. I'm curious myself as to just what in the hell is going on here. What is obvious is that these fellers, whoever they are, don't want us to go on."

Just then, the men could see a rowboat was being launched from the dock with four plain clothed pony people as rowers and two soldiers as passengers. The rowboat began to make it's way over to the Natchez. Grant could hear the sounds of musket hammers being cocked followed by the hushed hold your fire commands from the officers. Soon the boat came alongside of the Natchez and a light grey pony with a black mane and tale stood up in the boat.

"Who among you is your leader?" He called out.

Grant looked to General Taylor who stepped forward slightly. "I guess that would be me." He said gruffly. "I am Brigadier General Zachary Taylor, United States Army."

The pony stallion nodded. "I am Colonel Strongback, Equestrian Royal Army. Garrison Commander of Fort Redoubtable. I am sorry to say that  I cannot let you pass any further. Their is dredging going on further downriver and traffic has been halted. Though I am willing to allow you to come ashore while I contact my superior."

General Taylor was silent for a moment before he at last nodded. "Alright. But I insist that my men be unloaded from these ships. They have had a long trip and damn well could use some time on land."

"Very well." Colonel Strongback agreed. "If you would like to come with us General."

"Very well." General Taylor agreed. He then turned to the officer next to him. "Colonel Graham. Please let the other ships know of our intentions and see to the offloading of the men. We may be here for a while I'll bet so in an hour let's have some drill going."

"Yes sir."





Grant was glad for the chance to stretch his legs. Even if that was just overseeing the supplies for the regiment offloaded from the Natchez. By now, almost all 3,000 men of the Army of Observation along with their supplies had been offloaded onto the shore and was being stationed in front of Fort Redoubtable. Grant had had the most curious of mornings so far. He had met with a young junior officer from the fort named Pike Shot who had helped with the offloading and had also provided him with some answers to some questions. They were in a nation called Equestria, the main race were ponies, there were three species of ponies; earth, pegasi and unicorn, and they had magic. The last one Grant had laughed at until he saw the stallion's horn light up and one of the crates of hardtack also light up and begin floating. That had caused quite a laugh from some of the soldiers when Grant had fallen flat on his behind from shock. This revelation actually made the task of offloading much easier.

By now Grant was sat on a small stool as he went over his checklist of all the items that were aboard. Around him, men were beginning to set up campfires to cook rations while some officers were drilling their men in the manual of arms while the artillery crews were running through the loading of their 6 pound howitzers. They had had the most shock waking up after the storm because apparently, whatever had caused the storm had now given the horses that pulled the guns and caissons the ability to speak. Many had been afraid that this would be awkward when they hitched them up to pull the carriages, but in the end the horses had been fine with it and had even begun to suggest future races between gun crews to see who could deploy fastest. It had been quite amusing to say the least.

Just then, as Grant went over the checklist again, he began to hear the distant rumbling of horses. Others around him began to take notice of it and he stood up to look for the source. Looking ahead into the distance, he began to see a cloud of dust rising and getting bigger and bigger with each passing second as the noise got louder and louder. Soon he could see the distinct shapes of horses and riders coming down the road at a gallop and as they got closer he began to see their forms with more detail. He couldn't believe his eyes when he realized that they were United States Dragoons. He could tell by their yellow trimmed uniforms. At the head of the column rode a tall and handsome looking officer with shoulder scales marking him as a captain. His chin was covered with a grand beard and long flowing black hair came down from under his cap. He rode up to Grant as it appeared that Grant was the only officer around. Grant saluted, which was returned.

"I am Captain Charles May. 2nd United States Dragoon Regiment." The officer spoke. "Where is General Taylor? I must speak to him at once."

"Right here Captain." Both men turned to see General Taylor come walking up with his staff and Colonel Strongback following behind him. For a moment, when Captain May caught sight of Colonel Strongback, he paused in disbelief. He then realized who was standing before him and saluted General Taylor who saluted right back.

"Sir. We are glad we have found you." Captain May said. "Last night we were a days ride from the Texas border when our camp was overtaken by a most fearsome storm. When we awoke the next morning we found ourselves in a field that we didn't recognize. We traveled along a nearby rode for some ways until we found a sign that led us to this place." He paused to glance at Colonel Strongback again. "General Sir. Do you know what's going on?"

General Taylor was about to answer when Colonel Strongback suddenly pointed back down the road. Grant looked back and saw another rider coming in, only this one was an Equestrian soldier and his mount was a gigantic six point buck.

"Captain." General Taylor said. "Something tells me that were about to find out."
> An Army of Observation Under Observation
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

November 10th. Fort Scott. Equestria. 1845

Quite a lot had happened in the past two weeks for the young Patrick Harris and the rest of the Fort Scott Garrison. Indeed quite a lot had happened for the U.S. Army in general. Only a week had gone by since the storm had carried off Fort Scott from Kansas Territory and plopped them in the prairie 12 miles from a little village called Ponyville. Now, almost the entire prairie was filled with the blue uniforms of United States soldiers and the white shapes of their tents and the grey columns of campfire smoke. 

Patrick himself was now sitting outside his and Billy's tent with all the members of their squad as they prepared the squad breakfast of skilly gally, salt pork and hardtack all fried together in a pan. He was looking forward to what came after the concoction, for tucked away in his haversack was a fresh red apple from Sweet Apple Acres. When Colonel Matthews had heard of the farms bountiful harvest, he had sent the fort quartermaster to procure enough of the fruit for the garrison. The Apple Family had obliged and now several crates of delicious apples sat in the storehouse. 

Patrick looked up from his pan to take in the mass of humanity that surrounded him. As far as he could see were the tents of fellow dragoons. And not only those of the garrison at Fort Scott, but also those of the 2nd Regiment that had arrived with Captain May. And what was even more surprising was that they were not alone in arriving either. Only five days ago, another report of a strange appearance had reached the soldiers at Fort Scott. Apparently, further north in an area that was referred to as the great Equestrian Plains, another military post had appeared. A quick investigation into the matter had led to the realization that the post that had arrived was Fort Leavenworth, along with the rest of the 1st US Dragoon Regiment under Colonel Stephen Watts Kearney. Like the men at Fort Scott, and those under General Taylor, the mounts at Fort Leavenworth had also gained the ability to communicate with the riders. Questions again were raised to the Royal Sisters of Equestria as to what exactly was causing all of this, though they admitted that that knowledge was beyond them. They only promised that they along with Princess Twilight would continue to search for answers.

In the meantime, General Taylor, who had established himself as the most senior officer present among them and therefore the de facto commander, had set up all of the units that had arrived in a single camp around Fort Scott. The barracks were emptied out to make room for senior officers, which the enlisted men of the garrison didn't appreciate, and the rest of the army was now camped in the fields surrounding the post. The 1st US Dragoons were camped with the 2nd Regiment closest to the fort as the men needed to be near their horses. It was a dramatic change to go from barracks and bunks to canvas tents and ground cloths, but luckily for the dragoons, they were much more accustomed to living rough from their expeditions into the Indian Nation. The infantry and artillery regiments however, who spent most of their lives quartered up in the barracks of their posts had yet to get used to the sensation, though many elder sergeants soon put a stop to any complaining.

"I think it's done."

Patrick's thoughts were cut short when Billy cut in. Looking back at his friend he saw that he had his fork up to his face and it appeared that he had tasted the stew. No words were needed as Billy was the trusted cook in the squad. Plates were soon brought up and forks pulled out to stand ready for the unsavory yet long anticipated breakfast. Billy then pulled the pan off of the grate and began to use his wooden spoon to shovel the stew onto the awaiting plates. Soon, each soldier had a full plate and was beginning to shovel the food into their mouths.

The warm food was actually quite welcome that morning for the weather had started to turn cold with the season. Even now Patrick and the rest of his comrades were dressed in their greatcoats that had been unpacked at last after being stowed away for the summer. It made sleeping out in the field slightly more uncomfortable, but Patrick could manage. The weather however did not help in preventing jealousy arising among to the enlisted men over the fact that the senior officers were quartered in the barracks. Cups of warm coffee helped to sooth any hard feelings though. The cold weather also made men welcome drill as it meant they were up and moving around keeping warm. 

"Having a good breakfast lads?"

Patrick and the rest of the men around the fire looked up to see Sergeant McMann standing over them, sword belt fastened tight around he buttoned up overcoat. Sticking out of his mouth was his clay pipe with wisps of smoke wafting about his face.

"Fine meal sergeant." Billy replied with a mouthful. "Would you like a bite?"

"No thank you Kirkwood." McMann smiled. "I already ate. Though I do have an assignment for you and Harris."

Patrick looked up at that.

"The Captain needs you two to escort a supply wagon into town. To pick up an order of fresh vegetables. Though no dawdling."

"Yes sergeant." Both Patrick and Billy said together as they stood up and went back into the tent to fetch their gear.





Patrick enjoyed the ride into Ponyville. He had grown to do so after the many supply runs that he had been assigned to escort had taken him into the little village. Over the course of two weeks, the citizens of Ponyville had warmed up to the soldiers and were happy to see their appearance in the village. Even now, Patrick was busy tipping his hat and waving in return to similar gestures from the citizens as he, Billy and the supply wagon rode into town. 

Patrick and Billy soon halted their mounts when they arrived in front of store owned by a Miss Carrot Top. It was here that General Taylor had established a supply deal for vegetables for the army. The wagon stopped just behind them and the infantry teamsters put the brake on and hopped down. The leader, a young black haired corporal grabbed a packet of papers that contained the list of supplies and knocked on the door. Patrick looked away at this as it had become routine. He began to look around the street at all of the Ponyville citizens going about their daily routines. Mares walked about with their baskets of purchases and talked in pairs or even trios about the latest gossip. Stallions in this frock coats and wide brimmed hats exchanged news as they themselves ran their own errands in town. Behind several couples walked children with springs in their steps that made Patrick smile. Though everyone was still somewhat on edge after being transported to this strange land, he found it comforting to know that there was such a kind and vibrant settlement near the fort now.

His thoughts were interrupted when the sound of what appeared to be a child's cries reached his ears. Turning his head he saw that they were coming from an alley between Miss Carrot Top's shop and the building next door. Curiosity getting to him, he made a snap decision in his brain.

"I'll be right back." He said to Billy before he dismounted Caroline. "You stay here as well girl." He said with a smile before turning back to the alley and making his way over to it. When he reached the entrance to the alley, he was greeted with a quite unpleasant site to say the least.

Three teenaged colts dressed various vests, trousers and hats were standing over a little unicorn filly dressed in a now dirty pink dress and bonnet. All three of the colts were wearing the most evil smiles that children could make on their faces, and two of them held pieces of what appeared to be a stuffed teddy bear. The little mare was crying her eyes out as tears seemed to pour down her cheeks and stained her dress as they fell on to the fabric. Even worse, Patrick recognized the little unicorn filly, which made him all the more angry at the sight. The little filly sitting on the ground crying was Dinky.

"...w....w....w..wh..why!?" She sobbed. "Wh-why did you d-d-do th-hat?!?!" Her cries nearly shattered Patrick's heart.

" 'Oh why did you do it? WAH WAH WAH!' " One of the colts, a brown pegasus with black hair mocked. "Why do you think? Because you're a dumb little filly with a dumb little toy!" 

"Yeah." The colt standing next to him, a light grey earth pony with shale grey hair smirked. "You and your clutz of a mother! Why don't you and that whore just pack up and move on out of here anyway?! You're both giving this town a bad name!"

With that all three of the colts started laughing, and with that Patrick had had enough. He marched right on over and cleared his throat. The three colts looked behind them and saw a tall human soldier standing before them with his arms crossed and a deep scowl on his face.

"What's going on here then?" Patrick growled. For a moment, the bravado in the colts faded, but when they saw that the human was alone, their smug expressions returned and they all took a step towards him.

"What do you want monkey?" The grey earth pony asked. Patrick ignored the obvious insult and continued.

"Where are your parents?" He asked.

"Get out of here you ape!" The brown pegasus shouted. "This ain't your business!"

"No." Patrick replied. "I think you three need to get out of here right now."

The grey colt stepped forward. "Oh yeah? And who's gonna make us? You?! All alone?!"

"He's not alone."

Patrick looked behind him to see Caroline, Billy and his mount Coal standing behind him with angered expressions. Turning back to the colts, he saw that the bravado had well and truly gone as they dropped the remnants of the teddy bear and took off down the alley. Patrick bent down and picked up the teddy bear and walked over to the still crying Dinky.

"Hey. They're gone now." he whispered soothingly. "It's alright."

Dinky looked up and began to slowly stop crying as she took in the familiar face of the trooper. The kind smile soothed her worries and slowly but calmly, she reached out and took the teddy bear from Patrick's hand. Clutching the stuffed animal to her chest, Dinky stood up and looked at Patrick with her wide eyes, causing his heart to melt nine times over.

"Are you ok?" He said softly.

Dinky attempted to blink away her tears, but found that her efforts weren't necessary because Patrick took that moment to softly wipe away the clear drops away with his thumb. Looking into his warm smile, Dinky's breaths began to settle until she was breathing regularly again. Patrick looked down at the torn teddy bear now clutched tight in her hands. Looking back into her eyes, he whispered again.

"Your mom nearby?" 

Dinky shook her head. "No." She said silently. "I was on my way home from school. Didn't see the boys. They dragged me into the alley and grabbed Fluffles from me." She stopped and looked down at the bear.

Patrick sighed. Understood what Dinky was going through. Had seen in before back home before he had run off to the army. The boys in his hometown roaming the county searching for girls to tease and for boys they thought too weak to fight back. One of the few times that his father had been proud of him was when he had knocked one of those boys down with his fist after he finally decided to stand up for himself. Though the next day he had felt the sting of his belt after the school had punished him for the fight. Looking at the now shivering unicorn filly, he put his hand on her shoulder, causing Dinky to look up from her teddy bear again.

"Would you like me to walk you home?"

Dinky nodded. "Yes please."

Patrick smiled and looked back at Billy and Caroline, looking on with sad eyes at the poor child. Getting up and taking Dinky by the hand, he walked the filly over to his fellow trooper and mount, stopping in front of him.

"Watch over her for a second." he said. "I'll be right back."

He then made his way back to the wagon where the soldiers were already loading the vegetables by the crate. He walked up to the Corporal who stood there keeping track of each item as it was loaded.

"Permission to speek Corporal?" He asked as he approached.

"Permission granted." Came the reply.

"We found a young Equestrian child back in that alley that has lost her way home. I know who her mother is and I request permission to escort the young lady back to her home."

The Corporal looked over Patrick's shoulder at Billy, Coal and Caroline standing several feet behind Patrick with Dinky close beside them. He took a quick glance back at the wagon still being loaded with produce. The black haired soldier shook his head before turning back to Patrick.

"Fine. Permission granted." He said sighing. "But be quick about it."

"Yes Corporal."

Patrick turned back towards his friends and knelt down to Dinky.

"You want to ride up on Caroline with me to your Mother's house?" He said.

Dinky's eyes widened in surprise. She looked up at Caroline's smiling face, then turned back to Patrick with an enthusiastic smile and nod. Returning the smile, Patrick grabbed Dinky's waste gently and lifted her up onto his saddle. Dinky briefly became nervous at the hight she had not anticipated from the top of the horse. This quickly faded however when Patrick joined her, sitting behind her to help secure her to the seat. Patrick took the reins and looked down at his passenger.

"Would you be my guide Dinky?" He said.

Dinky nodded and pointed down the road. "My house is down the road that way. It's a little white house."

Patrick nodded. He signaled to Caroline, who began to make her way in the direction that Dinky had pointed towards.





After about a ten minute ride, the white house that Dinky had said was her home came into view. The structure was familiar to Patrick as he had seen many similar houses on his trek through Missouri on his way to the Army. There was a simple porch on the front of the house which contained a simple rocking chair to the right of the front door. Off to the right of the yard was a simple outhouse of grey faded wood. Off to the left were the doors to a root cellar. A few wisps of smoke came from the simple mud and log chimney connected to the house. And coming around from behind the house carrying a pile of wood, dressed in a simple green dress, was the mare Patrick knew as Bright Eyes. As they approached the house, Bright Eyes looked up from her woodpile in their direction. Upon seeing her daughter with one of the new soldiers that had arrived recently, she paused, set her pile down and made her way over to them. Meanwhile Patrick had dismounted and helped Dinky down from Caroline's back onto the ground. 

"Dinky dear!" Bright Eyes said in surprise. Dinky ran over to her mother and wrapped her arms around her waist, which Bright Eyes returned. Patrick took off his cap and slowly approached the pair with Caroline's reins still in his hands.

"Good afternoon ma'am." He greeted. Bright eyes looked up at the smiling face, and upon recognition, widened her eyes.

"Good afternoon Mister Patrick." She replied in wonder. "What brings you out here and where did you find Dinky?"

Patrick sighed before answering. "We were on our way to gather supplies for the post, when we found your daughter in an alley being harassed buy who I am guessing were some local boys. We ran them off. I offered to bring Dinky home."

Bright Eyes looked down with sadness before releasing her grip from Dinky. "Dinky, Muffin. Why don't you run inside and get yourself washed up for supper ok?"

"Yes mommy." Dinky replied before running to the house and closing the door behind her. Bright Eyes turned back towards Patrick with her arms wrapped around herself and her head hung low. A moment passed before she looked up at Patrick.

"Thank you for bringing her back home." She said quietly. She looked back at the door quickly. "I uh...should go and see if she is getting herself clean."

"Do you need any help ma'am?" Patrick asked quickly.

"No I'm fine." Bright Eyes answered quickly. "Thank you again."

Patrick nodded. "At your service ma'am." He replied before turning back Caroline. After mounting back up, he saw Bright Eyes quickly entering the house. As he turned back down the road, he swore he heard the sound of a sob come from the house. Though when he turned his head to the house, all he heard was silence.





After returning to the camp at Fort Scott, Patrick and Billy had found the camp in an uproar with men rushing about to and fro. When they asked what the fuss was about, they had immediately joined in the rush as they were told that Princess Luna was returning to the fort to observe the army, and the commanders had only gotten word from her that day. Now there was a scramble of men to clean the buff white belts, polish the buttons and boots of their uniforms to make themselves presentable. However that effort was soon cut short.

Just as Patrick and Billy had grabbed their polishing paste, Sergeant McMann came jogging into the row of tents that made up their company street.

"Get your assess up to the parade ground now!" He shouted. "The Princess is here now! Captain wants all you mongrels up at the parade ground now!"




Luna looked around from atop her stag Gladius at the sprawling city of canvas that stretched around her. Behind her trailed her entourage of personal squad of six Lunar Guard Stallions, mounted up on their own stags and decked in their midnight shaded armor and black cloaks while grasping the pennants that bore her insignia. As she passed the various tents, she could see the soldiers dressed in their sky blue coats staring at her, some pointing, some whispering. She could sense the awe and confusion radiating from them as they followed her through the tents. Clearly, they had never seen anything like her, dressed in her full Commanders Uniform, sporting her midnight black cloak. This idea both filled her with confidence, and oddly curiosity. A desire to learn just why these soldiers were so stunned at her appearance.

Before anymore thought could be put towards this subject, the sound of fast approaching hooves hit her ears. Turning to her front, she saw a group of five humans riding upon their horses making their way towards her and her guards. As they got closer, she could see that the head rider was the man that had called himself General Taylor the last time she and her sister had met him. The other officers that were accompanying him were unfamiliar to her. Halting her stag she gave the signal for her guards to do the same. A few seconds later, General Taylor and his group came to a halt in front of her.

"Princess Luna." General Taylor greeted with a nod. "Apologies. We did not expect you to arrive so soon after your letter reached us. We would've prepared some sort of reception for you."

Luna tilted her head up. "Quite alright. Tis precisely what we expected. We wished to view your troops exactly as they are." She nudged her stag forward at a slow walk. "We have found that parade inspections fail to display the full potential of soldiers anyway."

General Taylor smirked at that comment, before turning his mount to ride alongside Luna, his officers falling into place behind them. "As you wish ma'am. Did you have anything in particular that you wished to view."

"When we were last here, the commander of this post mentioned the role of artillery in your military. As this is something that our forces also possess we wish to see how it compares."

General Taylor nodded. "Of course ma'am." He turned back to the group of officers. "Major Ringgold!" 

An officer in a double breasted coat with gold oak leaves on his shoulder bars rode up and saluted. Luna looked at the officer and studied the man. His face bore the signs of wisdom and Luna could sense a great intellectual mind in the man.

"Prepare one of your battery sections to perform for the Princess. Inform them that this is no dress parade. Strictly a display of our arms. Clear?" 

"Yes sir." The man replied with a smooth accent that seemed to Luna to be a more refined Appleoosan accent. After the man saluted he signaled to his mount, who with a smile and whiney galloped off towards another end of the camp.




Arrayed before Luna, she had to admit, was an impressive sight. She had not known what to expect but what she was given was much more than that. The human soldiers and their beasts moved with a precision that she had not expected and now with their guns arrayed before her, it was clear that these soldiers took pride in their duty. Right now the man called Major Ringgold was beginning to explain to her how the crews operated their artillery.

"You see your Highness. The gun is positioned in front and is serviced by four crew. Fifteen yards behind the piece is the limber, which contains fifty rounds of ammunition. Another ten yards behind the limber would be the caisson with extra limber boxes. Behind the caisson is the team of horses." He then began pointing to the individual soldiers around the gun and other vehicles. "The number one of the front right is the one who rams the round home with his rammer and sponge. He also cleans the gun between firings. The number two on the front left is the man who receives the round and places it in the barrel. The number three on the back right punctures the powder bag of the round with his priming wire and helps to prime the piece. The number four on the back left uses his lanyard to fire the piece with the friction primers. The number five carries the round up in his haversack. The numbers six and seven work the box and give the round to the number five. The gunner directs the crew and gives the commands."

Luna peered at the display and found her focus directed at one officer standing back and between the two cannons. 

"Who is that man and what is his role?" She pointed.

Major Ringgold looked in that direction and nodded. "That is the section commander ma'am. He is in command of the two pieces of his section. A typical battery in our army consists of three two gun sections."

"Call him over. I wish to speak with him."

"Yes ma'am. Of course." Major Ringgold turned back towards the officer. "Lieutenant Thomas!" He called.

At the calling of his name, the officer moved quickly over to the group of officers and saluted swiftly. Luna studied the man. He wore a single breasted dark blue coat with red shoulder boards. His face was square but firm and the rest of his body was quite stocky as well. The man breathed an air of confidence. Major Ringgold gestured to Luna, causing the young officer to turn towards her and bow slightly.

"What is your name soldier?" She asked.

"Second Lieutenant George Henry Thomas ma'am." The man spoke in an accent that was like a deeper version of Ringgold's. "Battery D, 3rd U.S. Artillery."

"And you command this 'section' as your Major puts it?"

"Yes ma'am."

"How long have you been a soldier?"

"Six years ma'am. Graduated from the Point in the class of 1840."

"And are you proud of being a soldier?"

Lieutenant Thomas paused for a moment before straightening up.

"Never have been more proud to serve my country ma'am." He replied with confidence.

Luna smiled. "Very well Lieutenant Thomas." She nodded. "Please demonstrate what your men can do."

"Yes ma'am." Thomas replied. He then saluted Ringgold before turning around and moving back to his original place.

"Cannoneers! Post!" He called out. Each crew member straightened up in response.

"With one round! Case Shot! Five second fuse! At 800 yards! Load!"

The men began to go through their jobs. The number one sponging the piece, the number five bringing the round up, number two placing the round in, number one ramming it home, all the while Lieutenant Thomas went up and personally adjusted the aim of each gun. Luna was impressed at the mans meticulousness. Finally the guns were loaded.

"Ready!"

On that call, the numbers four and three primed the piece with the number four stepping back until their lanyards were fully extended. The signal that the guns were ready to fire came when they brought up their left hands.

"Firing by piece! Number one! Fire!"

The number four of the left gun yanked on the lanyard and with a boom, the gun fired. A great cloud of smoke blew back towards the crowd of officers and Luna could smell the rotten odor of sulfur. 

"Number two! Fire!"

The right cannon discharged creating the same results. Luna could clearly see through gap in the smoke the burst of the "case shot" about 800 yards down range. Lieutenant Thomas had been spot on the mark.

"This is interesting." She said to herself as the crew began to prepare another round.