The marching 2nd Legion spoke no words to no one as they arrived at the fortified outskirts of the city of Seaddle. There were no cheers nor a sign of celebration, instead, the sight of a defeated and given up 1st Legion that looked smaller than how they looked before. Far to the left side of the fort, Cohort Six, or what remained of those who remained behind, arrived dirty, bloody, and exhausted as the non-pony century pulled behind them two of the four newly developed breech-loading cannons, and their own two they were given in the forest. Farther behind, an open carriage of what looked to be the piled bodies of the slaughtered cohorts of four and five. Of who they were able to get at least.
The 2nd Legion looked towards those who sat idly by their campfires, most frowning and upset, some voicing their desire to go home. Coming out from inside the trenches, Sunshine looked towards the marching legion, searching for Althalos who should be marching alongside the many stallions and mares. There was no sight of him anywhere. She was called back inside; she had to continue to plan out with the medics and doctors who were discussing the course of action to take regarding the wounded. As she went inside, Althalos appeared within the line looking around to see if Sunshine was around.
"Who are you searching for Althalos?" Asked Silver.
"A friend of mine who should be here. I can't seem to find her," replied Althalos.
"Her" she emphasized.
"You have a marefriend and you didn't tell us!" Thunder said, slightly shoving Althalos.
"Relax, she's only a friend of mine that I grew up with," he said. Actually, I'm not sure what we are, he thought.
"Who is she like," asked Silver.
"Concerned much, Silver?" Teased Cinnamon.
"Ah think she got competition," said Golden.
"Competition?" Questioned Althalos.
"Ignore them," said Silver. "Is she nice?"
"Very. Always happy and looking forward to the day. Pretty too," he smiled for a moment. "Though I don't know how she is now since she would have been the very first ones to see actual combat."
"Well, it would be great to meet her," said Silver.
"Don't scare her away now Silver," laughed Thunder.
"I may scare you off first if you keep talking like that," she threatened.
"I would love to see that," said Cinnamon.
"Hey y'all, the Legatus is ahead looking at us," warned Golden.
All of them remained silent as they marched past Legatus Forged Hammer and into the fort which led to the border of the city. All but Cohort Eight who took a sharp right towards the outer fields for an experimental military exercise. Forged watched as the 2nd Legion entered the fort, not too far behind the remnants of Cohort Six of the 1st Legion. He turned around and walked back into the large tent with all the remaining centurions of the 1st Legion. "Now, where were we. Dull Copper."
"Right." She looked across the table looking at the remaining, surviving centurions. "Do you know when Threaded Rope will be arriving?"
The centurions looked at each other, not knowing the answer before the senior centurion, Lucky Little, entered the tent. She saluted both Forged and Copper, she being asked the same question. She took a breath before answering. "Unfortunately, our commander hung herself a day before your arrival. She left a note saying that herself will be repayment for her failure."
"Tartarus," said Forged. "Losses are expected, but taking your own life without leaving any plan behind. Shameful. She should have found death with honor in battle and not by her own hooves. The coward."
"She is not a coward!" Yelled Lucky.
"You watch your tongue centurion, you stand in front of the Legatus," said Copper.
"To Tartarus to your position! You both weren't there when it happened! How can you speak as if you were!?" She sat down crying.
"How dare-" Copper started, but Forged placed a hoof in front of her.
"The blood. The bodies. How did our ancestors fight such a horrid battle such as this?"
Forged sighed, walking over to Lucky and helping her up. "I apologize for my words. However, it does not excuse her negligence of her command." He walked over to the table, picking up a letter with his hoof and giving it to Lucky. "This is a copy of a letter of plans that were to be followed. Something she failed to do."
Lucky read through it, seeing the drawn description of it. "So this…"
"The catastrophe was preventable if the orders were followed. From my understanding from the centurions here that were there, including yourself, the plans were never followed."
"What is happening?" Celestia said, entering the tent. All the guards saluted her as she entered.
"Our Praefectus Castrorum of the 1st Legion took her own life after the brutal defeat by San Pranciscolt. Lucky Little is next in line for the position upon your acceptance. But moving on from that, all of us are here to discuss our course of action to take now that we are pushed back to the last major city of western Equestria," explained Forged.
"Maybe we should surrender," one of the centurions spoke.
"You dare speak with such a defeatist tongue," said Copper, walking up and back-hoofing the centurion. "You should receive lashes for such language coming from your mouth!"
"Dull Copper," Forged calmly spoke up, "Princess Celestia is here, please control yourself."
"It is alright," said Celestia. "I understand the frustration. All we need to do now is set up our next course of action for our defense."
Soon, Sterling Silver entered the tent. "Legatus, Tribune, I apologize for my language but what in Tartarus happened to the 1st Legion?" Sterling asked, now noticing Celestia. He saluted then bowed. "Apologizes, your highness, I did not mean to speak with such vulgarness."
"All is forgiven. Please, join us," asked Celestia.
"Are you sure? I'm not a Lead, your highness."
"You wish to not accept my invitation?"
"Not at all! Again, I apologize." Sterling soon joined the other centurions before the other lead centurions of the 2nd Legion entered the tent.
"Now that we're all here," Forged spoke up, "As you can see, we have heavily defended the last major city of the west, which is here. Other than the other more northern towns, losing this will put us in a disadvantage that is not recoverable." Forged pointed towards the map with much description placed down, his scouts having made a detailed report of the raiders' whereabouts.
"From the looks of it, they are marching here but have stopped by a nearby village far from here in order to resupply from their ships at San Pranciscolt. Also I want to bring this up, but I saw Cohort Six of the 1st Legion bringing back much of the new equipment and our dead back. May I remind you all, this was the non-pony cohort who did this. One century which I assume from the four cohorts assigned in the forest made it back." He looked angrily towards the 1st Legion centurions. They have shown more sacrifice to hold their ground than any mare or stallion who was in the fight that stood idly only to leave when the retreat was sounded."
"In our defense-" One centurion spoke up.
Forged slammed his hooves down onto the table. "I don't care! That was to be where we would stop them to give us more time! Regardless if the plans were changed without a second thought of consequences, regardless if we would have lost both of cohorts four and five if the plan was followed or not, our enemy was to not leave without suffering losses as well. Not only are we low in morale, now we're in a disadvantage of losing this city and western Equestria. Our sacrifice here determines the fate of Seaddle and all of Equestria, centurions." He cleared his throat, calming himself.
"I have given instructions to my cohort, Cohort Eight of the 2nd Legion, to be ready in the trenches and also assist Cohort One of the 1st Legion with the cannons," said the lead centurion. "After our final testing, of course."
"That is smart of you, centurion," Celestia spoke up. "If there's a need to test our newly formed Cannonponies, this upcoming battle will be the best possible option. Risky, however, but a need."
"Agreed." Forged looked to the map, then back to the centurions. "We are to not give up. Do we understand centurions?"
"Yes Legatus!" All spoke up.
"The lives of all Equestria rests on your hooves," said Celestia.
"My sister is right," Luna said, entering the tent. "No more retreats. We make our last stand here or make our nation a conquered state."
"Lulu-"
Luna raised up a hoof, stopping Celestia from approaching. "All of you, leave. I wish to speak to my sister alone."
Celestia was confused as she watched all the commanders leave the tent. "Is there-"
Luna did not let her sister finish as she slapped her across the face. "How dare you...how dare you!"
"What is the meaning of this Luna!? You've never struck me like this before," Celestia rubbed her cheek.
"Why did you not tell me? Why did you leave me in the dark!?"
"What are you talking about?"
"Do not lie to me! Tell me the truth!"
"Luna! What are you talking about!?" Celestia shouted.
"Aniketos. Does that name remind you of somepony?" Said Luna.
Celestia was silent, her eyes widening. "How did you remember?"
"Once I saw who their commander was. Do you wish to know who it is? Do you want to know what the 'mysterious figure' was?"
Celestia didn't know how to respond as she saw her sister being to tear up. She couldn't hold back her own. "I'm-"
Again Luna slapped her sister. "Deimos! My son! My own child who is filled with hate and is looking for revenge for you murdering my love! My only love!"
"Luna, please understand-"
"How can you live with yourself knowing that you destroyed Deimos life and filled it with hate? How you erased the legacy of my dead husband who helped us in a time of such need like this? How you…" Luna struggled to talk as her emotions were too much for her to bear. "My only sister, how could you keep this a secret from me knowing that I have been struggling in understanding what I lost? What I couldn't understand until I learned the truth."
"I'm sorry. I am so sorry. Please forgive me dear sister. I did not know how to reveal such truth without harming you so," said Celestia.
"My own sister who betrayed me. Who took my life away in order to make sure Equestria remained as if no human set foot in our world and helped." Luna wiped her tears. "How many more after my love appeared when I was imprisoned?"
"Luna-"
"Tell me! Explain the edited information I found long ago that you did not speak of!"
"Lulu, please understand-"
"I cannot! You do not have to decide whether or not to take your child's life because he is the enemy of Equestria. It is always about you in the end, you bitch."
"It was for the safety of all of Equestria! Humans back then were a danger to all the ponies. Until…"
"Until?"
"Until I realized the fear I had gotten from fighting Aniketos clouded my judgement for others. Until I realized how much help they were to our world, such as Althalos. Until I had fallen in love with a human...until I understood what you had felt when you were with Aniketos."
Luna was silent, sniffling but calming down. "What happened?"
"Upon your return, as Nightmare Moon, he gave his life to protect me. You killed him the same way I killed your love. He didn't have a chance yet he still fought."
Luna kept silent, vaguely remembering but shook off the memory, anger consuming her. "Good. It is your punishment to suffer as much as I am now."
Celestia soon grew angry. "How dare you-"
"Princess Celestia, Princess Luna?" Althalos called out.
Celestia took a breath before responding. "What is it Althalos?"
"Come in, it is alright my friend," said Luna.
Althalos soon entered the tent, noticing the two looking distraught. "Did I come in a bad time, your highnesses?"
"Nonsense, you came in a perfect time to walk with me," Luna said, turning and making her way out of the tent, holding his hand with her wing and pulling him along. Soon enough, the commanders returned inside the tent. All stood around the table in silence, hearing the yelling done by the two princesses but not hearing what was discussed.
"Here is the plan," Celestia spoke, "Cohorts Five and Six will march with me north towards Tall Tale. I had received reports of our enemy sending ships up north to squeeze us in and assure we have no way of controlling the west. The rest of 2nd Legion will remain with my sister in defending Seaddle. Cohort Eight will be the first to contact the enemy to see the capabilities of the hoof-rifle. Once you see them at risk of being overrun, you may take control after. I will leave you to deal with such details as this is what I wish. Any questions?" She looked around, seeing none speak. "Alright, I'll leave the rest to you."
"Thank you, your highness," said Forged Hammer.
Celestia smiled and soon left the tent, quickly teleporting herself to her carriage where she lost control and began to weep once more. "Oh how much of an idiot I am!"
Meanwhile, Althalos and Luna walked around the outskirts of the fort, the two not saying a word ever since they left the tent. Althalos had actually wanted to speak to the two but from the looks of it, it was best to ask later. Until Luna brought up his reason for being there.
"So, what brought you to the tent?" Asked Luna.
"It was nothing. I could have come back later seeing how serious you and your sister were but here I am speaking with you. Honored to say the least that you both enjoy to speak with me," said Althalos.
"We both want to assure that you are doing well, since you are the only human here in Equestria. And also, for me at least, a breath of fresh air to speak to somepony else other than my sister."
"Again, honored, your highness."
"Luna. Please call me Luna. Didn't I say that before?"
"Sorry, I had forgotten." Althalos soon couldn't help but ask what he wanted. "Did you happen to meet a mare named Sunshine Petal? I haven't seen her anywhere and I wish to see her."
"I have actually. Is she a friend of yours?"
"Yes, a very close friend of mine that I grew up with. The only one I had before joining the Guard."
"She should be here somewhere. She was reassigned into Cohort One since her own was destroyed. She didn't come along the others to San Pranciscolt if that is what is concerning you."
Althalos sighed out in relief. "She is busy somewhere then. Hopefully I get a chance to see her before I move out with your sister." His mind soon went back to how Luna and Celestia looked. "Forgive me for prying, but what was it that you two were disagreeing about?"
"I do not see why it is a concern of yours."
"Usually talking about it helps, from what I've learned at least."
Luna remained silent for a moment. "Tia kept a secret from me that is rather important. You see, when I had returned back to my current state from the help of Twilight and her friends, my memory of the past was not available to me. I didn't think I had forgotten until I saw you for the first time. After that, I looked around many books from the archives and started to piece together back my once forgotten memories. Soon after I had fully recalled them, I learned that Tia knew all along about what had happened. It was the reason I was upset with her."
"And you have every right. Keeping such a thing hidden is uncalled for. There had to be a reason though."
"It is something I have yet to hear. Maybe she'll tell you since she also enjoys talking to you if I understand correctly."
"Really?"
"I assume so. I heard around the camps of you entering her carriage for long periods of time. Either that or it could be another rumor of you two being intimate."
"I'll go with the first one."
Luna smiled. "So be it."
Reaching the other side of the fort, the two watched Cohort Eight line up in formation, their newly issued hoof-rifle with a triangular blade, or bayonet, attached and locked on the end of the muzzle, all of them at attention. What was different was their uniforms. No longer did they wear the same attire as Althalos and everypony else, instead wearing a wool jacket and a cocked hat. They also wore a holster which had the same action of the armor of lowering and raising a spear, only this time adjusted for the rifle. To the opposite side, two pouches for their ammunition and gunpowder. They looked more comfortable with their new weapon and new attire, the only thing that remained being the hoof-dagger around such revolutionary changes.
Far in front of the cohort, many makeshift dummies representing the enemy were all scattered and lined up. Soon the orders were being yelled out. With a quick adjustment, their rifles pointed straight in front of them towards the dummies. Another order was given, and with the strike of the hammer holding the flint, the volley of rifle fire tore up the dummies in front, those that fired being left with smoke. The first line soon rotated allowing the next line to await orders and fire while those in the back reloaded. Such ferocity volley after volley made Luna slightly jump with each shot being given. Soon enough, a different order was called out, and the next line with their rifles straight in front marched forward, the rest following behind with their rifles angled on standby. The weapon, the formation, the aftermath of nothing left standing of their target reminded her of the first introduction of the cannon back in the Equestrian-Empire war. Now more compact and in the hooves of the Guard who are able to reload as quickly as they fire and rotate.
"Are you alright Luna?" Asked Althalos.
"Yes, quite. It just frightens me a bit of how far technology has gotten, and instead of being used for good, we're using it to cause more death," she said.
"Are you tired of conflict?"
"Very. I had fought much in the past. I had thought after the war against Sombra ended that we would see long-lasting peace because of how much we lost."
"And thanks to you and your sister, there was for all Equestria. Until now, this time not against our own neighbors."
"Surprised you knew that I participated in such a war, considering that the historians left or edited much of myself out."
Althalos took a breath. "My mother made me promise, but she has a couple early editions she had gotten from the Griffon Kingdom that are banned and are to be destroyed. Only difference is that there's details about yourself included."
"Is that it? It doesn't list anypony else?"
"Not that I recall. Should I have known about it?"
So he doesn't know about Ani. "No, I was just curious if there was more information."
"Do you know why they are banned?"
"To be honest, I don't know either." But I have an idea, she thought.
Althalos looked down to the cohort ahead of him. "I guess all the others will soon be replaced once they're successful in their first battle."
"Come now, don't say that."
"You know it's true, Luna."
This made her sigh. "Yes, you are right. I dislike it for it lacks honor, but better to be the first than the ones to be conquered by such a weapon."
"Understandable," he replied.
"For now, however, still do your best."
"Of course. I still have a nation to serve," Althalos said. Soon he and Luna started to walk once more. "Luna," he asked.
"What is it?"
"Was there another one of myself before? Like, another human before I arrived."
He still doesn't know? "Only from folktales long ago," she said.
"I see. Kinda unfortunate to know that. Would have been great to hear that there actually was another human from the past."
"How about this, I'll look into this and see if there's anything regarding a human." Luna disliked lying, she felt no different than her sister. Right now, however, wasn't the best time. Especially since her memory had returned.
"I'd be most grateful, thank you," replied Althalos.
Soon the two stopped by where the 2nd Legion was setting up camp within the fort. "I'll leave you to be with your contubernium Althalos. I still must meet with the commanders who are to remain here if my sister is leaving with your cohort."
Althalos looked to the sky, seeing the clouds parting revealing the sunset. "Have a good evening, your highness."
"Thank you." She soon turned away, walking in the opposite direction while Althalos walked towards where his group were.
It was past midnight while Althalos sat in front of the fire taking first watch while the rest of the group slept. He along with the others were scattered around, acknowledging each other but too far to be able to speak without waking the others. The rest of the day after separating from Luna, he still didn't see Sunshine. Time remaining here was running out as his cohort and another was to depart in the morning north to meet with a supposed enemy that made its way there. And if not, at least have to guard Tall Tale. He looked up to the sky, taking in the many stars that were scattered across the sky. One in particular shined brighter than most, that he regarded as his old home. Something he thinks God allows him to see. He looked down and closed his eyes, again praying to himself. "...Christ avec moi, Christ devant moi…"
While he prayed, Silver exited the tent sneaking up to Althalos, soon stopping as she listened to him speak in another language that sounded much like what she would hear if she walked around eastern Canterlot.
"Je me lève aujourd'hui par une force puissante l'invocation à la Trinité…"
Silver continued to listen before silence was made. This was the perfect opportunity to scare him, but she failed as he turned around to face her. "Hey Althalos."
"How long have you been standing there?" He asked, again failing to keep aware of his surroundings.
"Long enough to hear you speaking another language," she said, sitting by him by the fire. "I didn't know you can speak the eastern Canterlot language."
"I didn't know that my birth language even existed in this world," said Althalos.
"Only a small part of the city can. It's not an easy language to learn from my understanding."
"I see. What are you doing awake? You should be asleep resting."
"Can't sleep. Too much on my mind about all this. Besides, Fire Clay making you watch all night without somepony giving you time to sleep is a dick move."
"You realized that now?"
"Shut up," she replied quickly. "All cause you're not a stallion."
"It's expected you know," said Althalos.
"Yeah but…" she sighed. "It just reminds me of when I was younger and how I would bully those that didn't have a cutie mark. I was such a bitch."
"But now you're not. You're proving to yourself and to others of what you can do and how much you've changed."
"Yeah. I forget that sometimes." Silver laughed a little. "And you're much more of a stallion than Fire Clay is."
"Thanks for the compliment."
The two went silent, watching the wood crackle as the flames slowly burned it. They soon heard something coming from their right, Althalos soon being wide-eyed realizing who it was. "Sunshine!" Althalos called out, running towards her.
Sunshine gasped and quickly flew towards her human, the two quickly hugging once they both were within reach. "I missed you so much," she said.
"So did I, Sunshine. I'm glad that you're fine," said Althalos.
Silver walked up being them, clearing her throat loudly. Althalos heard her and released Sunshine, who then saw Silver. "Who's your friend?" Silver asked.
Althalos was about to speak, but Sunshine interrupted him. "Sunshine Petal, a very close friend of his. Who are you?"
"Silver Spoon, his very close friend as well," she said.
"Oh nice."
"Very."
The two stared at each other intensely while Althalos stood in the middle, not understanding what was happening. "Is there something wrong?"
"No!" The two said simultaneously, looking to him then back to each other.
Sunshine cleared her throat. "Well Silver, it was nice meeting you but Althalos and I have catching up to do so if you'll excuse us," she said, pulling him away with her wing.
"You can't take him!" Silver ordered.
Sunshine turned around, "Excuse me?"
"He has nightwatch with me, so he has to stay with me," said Silver.
"I completely forgot," said Althalos.
"Then allow me to join you then," said Sunshine.
"Oh, but you must be tired. Maybe you should go to sleep," said Silver.
"And who are you acting like you're my Centurion?" Sunshine angrily said.
"She's only looking out for you Sunshine," said Althalos. This made Silver smirk, but it quickly faded away as he continued to speak. "But I wouldn't mind you staying if it's okay with you."
"Not at all. Like I said," Sunshine smiled, "We have much catching up to do."