A/N: Well this chapter isn't that exciting but it should show some character traits if nothing else. Please review.
Chapter 9: On the edge.
Striker approached Princess Celestia and Princess Luna. She bowed before speaking. "Your highnesses. I have come here to ask something of you." The throne room was empty besides the three ponies present. The princesses waited for Striker to continue.
"I want to change our tactic for finding the unicorn who helped my scouts." Celestia didn't see why this had to be brought to her. "Striker. You are in charge of the matter. What you do is your business. There is no need to ask our permission."
Striker did need to ask. "I want a full scale invasion of Ponyville. I want an army to take it. I want help from the unicorns and earth ponies as well." Luna thought this action was uncalled for. "Why do you need an army to find one pony?" Striker had her reasons and She planned to shared them.
"I have lost too many ponies searching for him. I have sent out multiple groups. Every time they come back with heavy casualties. The first one lost six ponies and one was injured. The next group I sent more ponies. I sent twelve. This group didn't get ambushed like the last but through the course of there search four ponies were killed and two were injured. I continued to increase the size of the group. The last one I sent was twenty ponies. They didn't have as much trouble because the bandits wanted nothing to do with such a large group but they failed to find the pony either. If I send such a large group then they will be avoided and the pony we are looking for will more than likely hide and not be found. I want an army to surround Ponyville so that we will not lose as many ponies and no pony can escape. We are looking for one pony but it wouldn't hurt to capture Ponyville. If we continue with my current tactic more ponies will die and I don't want that on my conscious." Striker waited for a response from the rulers.
Celestia thought it over. "I say yes. I don't want any more ponies getting hurt than is necessary." Celestia looked to Luna. Luna nodded showing her approval. Celestia began to write letters to the other generals. "It is settled. Ponyville will be the first town of many to be reclaimed. It shall know order once again." Celestia set a date for a meeting to discuss the specifics then Striker left to make sure everything would be ready to go.
Transition.
Cutting Edge and Golden Eye had postponed going to the hospital. They had enough food for a long time and had even gone back to get more from the store. They were set for a few months. Which was good because winter was rolling around and they would need it if they couldn't make it to Canterlot. They sat in the living room of the house they have been staying in. Gold had been pestering Cutter about the uniformed ponies. "Why is there so many? In the past few days we have seen so many dead. They are all in this part of town too. What does this mean Cutter?"
Cutter had thought about this and didn't have an answer for the mare. He was frustrated because he didn't know what to do. "I don't know! Stop with the insistent questioning. I don't have an answer for you. Now change the subject."
Golden didn't like his attitude but knew nothing good would come of upsetting him further. She had nothing important to talk about so she went with some simple what ifs. "What are you going to do if we get to Canterlot?" Cutter wasn't expecting to be questioned on it and hadn't thought about it himself. He thought for a few seconds before answering. "I'm not sure what I will do. Maybe I will slit Celestia's throat. That would be satisfying." Cutter had a dark grin on his face.
Golden wished he was joking. She changed from this subject. "Let's move onto something else. Would you rather have a filly or a colt?" Cutter didn't get it. "What are you talking about?"
"I am talking about children. If you had a foal would you like a boy or girl?" Cutter had thought about this. "Neither." Gold was surprised. "So you don't want any kids? Why not?" Cutter was quick to answer. "I will not bring life into this world. That would be torture. I will not be responsible for another's pain. I would rather not see something that I am responsible for die before my eyes. That is what would happen. It would die. No matter how hard I tried to keep it alive. This world is too dangerous. So no. I would never help bring a foal into this world. It would be cruel."
Golden had one more question. "Would you ever marry then? If you found the right mare that is." Cutter huffed as if about to laugh but stopped. "Stop with the questioning. We need to go look for medicine. I hate it but we have to go check out that hospital." Golden nodded knowing Cutter did not want to share his opinion.
Cutter and Gold left the home. They had been in the home for the morning and didn't leave 'til noon. Only when outside did they realize what was happening around Ponyville. Soldiers were lined up surrounding Ponyville. Pegasi hovered above guarding the air. None of the ponies were close enough for Gold to see the faces.
Transition.
Celestia stood with her army near Ponyville. A soldier walked up to Celestia and told her that everything was ready. Celestia moved to a podium. She used a spell to amplify her voice. She could be heard clearly across Ponyville but did not yell. The spell made her voice carry but the soldiers next to her heard her voice at the same volume as usual. "Ponies of Ponyville. This is princess Celestia of Canterlot. I am here to reclaim this town. Do not run. Do not hide. You have nothing to fear. I will restore order. You will once more know peace." Celestia addressed her troops. "Noble soldiers of Canterlot. Today marks the beginning of a new era. You shall be the force that restores order to our lands. No more shall we cower behind a shield. Today we return Ponyville to it's former self. Tomorrow we restore all of Equestria to it's glory! March!"
On queue the soldiers of Canterlot moved forward. They closed in on the town. Hundreds of soldiers stopped any pony from thinking of leaving. Fear got the better of some ponies in the town and stray pegasi flew up from the town. They were caught by the waiting soldiers. After being caught most of them stopped resisting but a few fought for their freedom. Some soldiers were injured as bandits escaped. Only a few bandits escaped though.
The ground was more secure. Any bandits who tried to harm any of the soldiers were dealt with quickly by skilled unicorns. It doesn't take a lot of electricity to kill a pony. Celestia watched as her army contained and secured parts of the town. They would choose structures to contain and process every pony in Ponyville. Bandits would be forgiven of their crimes unless a witness stepped forward to accuse them. There would be fair trials for any accused. Celestia would show these ponies how life was meant to be.
Transition.
Cutter saw the approaching soldiers, as did Golden. Gold was intimidated by the soldiers. "What do we do Cutter?" The stallion thought about what to do. "There is not much we can do. Let's go inside. Stay out of the way of chaos." Cutter walked back into the home with Gold and waited.
"What do they mean by restore order?" Cutter could only guess. "Well we know they want t control Equestria again so I guess they are taking Ponyville first. I thought we had more time but it seems they are planning to move fast." Cutter looked Gold in the eyes. "I guess you get your wish Gold. You will be safe."
"What about you? You will be too." Cutter wanted no part of this. "No. As soon as I can I am out of here. I won't let that bitch be my ruler. If I wanted weak leadership than I would join a bandit camp."
Cutter chose a bad time to speak his mind. Soldiers poured in the door right as he finished his sentence. "How dare you speak of the princess in such a manner." There was five total. Three earth ponies and two unicorns.
Cutter smiled. "What you going to do about it? I will say whatever I want about that whore." A earth pony charged at Cutter. "You will pay for those words!" Cutter saw it coming. He did not want to die so he did not draw his sword. Cutter did shove the earth pony's head to the floor and held it there. The hot blood earth pony was under Cutter's hoof, immobile.
The two unicorns aimed their horns in preparation and spoke in a stern tone. "Let him go and lay all weapons on the floor. Gold immediately did as the said and took off her bracers. Cutter looked to the pony on the floor and then back to the unicorns. He shrugged and unclipped his sheathe. It dropped to the floor. Cutter lifted his hoof off the solders face. "Let the tyranny begin."
One of the unicorns sent a spell to Cutter. Cutter saw it coming but did nothing about it. It made contact and Cutter's body went limp and dropped to the floor .Gold was about to rush over to him but a earth pony stepped in front of her. "Don't think about it."
The soldier that had been knocked to the ground stood up. He looked at Cutter. "You piece of shit." He kicked Cutter it the gut. One of the unicorn walked over to Cutter. "Wait… Is that the?" He pulled out a piece of paper from a small satchel. "It is. This is the pony we are looking for. We need to take him to the princess."
The soldiers picked up his gear and started to walk out the door. The earth pony who had kicked Cutter guided Gold. They followed as the unicorn levitated Cutter away.
Transition.
Cutter woke up in a makeshift bed. He felt out of place. He looked around. He moved his head to fast and became dizzy. "Where am I?" He slowly scanned the room. It was dark and he could smell mold. There was a window nearby. He stood up and looked out. He saw ponies being guarded by Celestia's soldiers. 'I guess that answers my question. I am caught. A bunny waiting for a hungry fox to come around.' Cutter looked to see if anything useful was around him. He spotted his sword lying on the floor next to the bedding. He picked it up and hooked the strap around his body.
A guard walked in from a door hidden in the darkness. "Cutting Edge is it?" Cutter was surprised that this mare knew his name. "Yeah. What does it mean to you?" The unicorn turned and walked. Away. "Follow me."
Cutter didn't know what was going on and didn't want to cause a fight so he followed. He came to realize that he was in town hall. He guessed this by the paintings of mayors that had lead Ponyville. He then saw what the mar was leading him to. He saw Golden Eye sitting on a podium. Next to princess Celestia. They were talking. Gold didn't seem to be upset. She was actually smiling.
Cutter eyed his blade and then looked around the room. Guards lined the walls of the huge room. Every one watching Cutter like hawks. He was being lead closer and closer. The mare stopped right in front of Celestia. "Your highness. Cutting Edge." The mare stepped out of Cutter's way. Celestia turned to Cutter. 'It will be worth it.' Cutter jumped onto the podium. He drew his blade and held it to Celestia's throat.
Gasps echoed all over. Guards rushed to surround Cutter. Cutter looked into Celestia's eyes. They held not fear but shock. "Hello dear princess. How has Canterlot been? I bet just dandy huh?" Celestia answered. "It has been safe yes. Can I ask why you are holding a blade to me?"
Cutter smiled. "I don't know. I guess I just wanted to give you a proper welcome. Now how about you tell me why I shouldn't slide my sword against that beautiful pampered neck of your's?" Celestia was calm. "Because I am hear to restore Equestria to peace."
Cutter laughed. "Oh that is hilarious. You mean you are tired of not controlling it? Maybe you miss your fancy cuisine. Or do you not have enough ponies to kiss your ass? Oh, oh, oh, I got one. This is a far fetched one, but not completely ridiculous. Maybe, just maybe. You wanted to see some ponies bleed for you so you decided to basically start a war with the rest of Equestria. Because that is just the kind of COCK SUCKING BITCH YOU ARE!"
Celestia closed her eyes. "I have done nothing to you. Why do you threaten my life?" Cutter grinded his teeth. "NOTHING!? You have done EVERYTHING to me! You left us all behind! You left us to die! You are a coward! You hid behind that shield. I don't remember but my father told me what it was like. You held ponies back while they ones you selected entered Canterlot. When they became restless your guards cut them down. You could have let them in but you didn't you did nothing. That is why I will never follow you. You are no leader. You are worthless."
Anger left Cutter. He sheathed his blade. "And that means you aren't worth wasting my life on." He started to walk away. Soldiers rushed to grab him. Celestia spoke up. "No. Don't touch him. He is right about some things." Cutter stopped and listened. Celestia continued. "I was a coward and I should have let those ponies in but I didn't. That is my fault. I am trying to make this right now. I need your help Cutter. Help me make this right."
Cutter shook his head. "No." He walked away.
A/N: Hate me if you like but that is where I am ending the chapter. I think it is short but I can't tell I don't have a word count on this program. I will be able to tell when I upload it but then it will be uploaded and I don't feel like going back and editing a dumb author note. I originally was going to make this longer but I like where this stops so yeah, you get this. Also tell me what you thought of the transition thing. Happy thoughts on yall.
