Chapter 8: Hasty Training

The Great Equestrian War

"Just what do you have planned?" asked Twilight.

"And, why are we doing it?" added Applejack.

I chose to answer the second question first. "As I have told you, I believe there may be changeling spies on this train. A Princess riding this train is no small matter, after all. Most likely, the Griffon Empire and Changeling Hives are unaware of our mutual defense treaty with the Buffalo Nations. I do not intend on tipping them off and blowing a major strategic advantage we have here. If you all could make it, we would have been been on hoof the entire trip, from Canterlot to the San Palomino Desert. However, I didn't think that you would be up to the three-week trek through backcountry, so I made allowances."

"Okay, so what are we doing?" Twilight pressed. I turned and avoided her gaze.

"I could tell you, but you'll hate it."

"Tell me!" "Is that an order, Princess?"

"Yes!" I sighed, then did an about-face and saluted sharply. "Yes, ma'am! We shall disembark from the train by jumping from the window."

There was shocked silence for a moment, then Rarity said, "That's your brilliant plan?"

"Do you have a better one?" I challenged.

She hesitated, then shook her head.

"Thought not."

"Daring, unexpected, and insanely dangerous," Rainbow Dash said. "I like your style!"

I ignored her and addressed Twilight, "It's your call. If you think there is a better way, tell me and I will gladly listen."

She hesitated, then said, "Do as the Commander orders."

"Okay. Now, ponies, the train will deaccelerate soon. When that happens, I need you, Rainbow Dash, to help me get flightless ponies, then Fluttershy and Princess Twilight. After that, we can jump."

"Now," I said turning to the rest, while strapping on a set of saddlebags, "when you jump, tuck your head into your chest and roll when you hit the ground. You'll hurt yourself less."

"Less?" I heard Fluttershy mutter, while she fiddled with the straps on her bags.

"As for you, Rainbow, keep low. Don't try for any altitude. There is one more car behind us, and we must avoid being detected by them in order for this stratagem to work at all. Understand?"

"Yes, sir," she responded.

"Ready?" I asked.

They nodded. "Ready!"

"Okay. On three:" I could feel the train slowing. "One, two, three!"

It couldn't have gone better if I had an elite squadron behind me. First, Rainbow and I threw Applejack and Rarity out relatively smoothly, followed by Twilight and Pinkie. Then went Fluttershy, who gave a gasp as she was exposed to the outside of the train. After followed Rainbow Dash, who jumped out gracefully. Finally, it was my turn. I jumped out, snapped out my wings and gave a couple flaps to propel myself away from the others before touching down.

"Everypony okay?" I asked after the train had passed.

"Couple bruises, but nothing serious," replied Twilight.

"Good. Well done, everypony. Let's move out."

"Night's starting to fall," observed Twilight about ten hours later.

I looked and judged the position of the sun against the horizon. "You're right," I responded.

I looked around, then saw a suitable spot. "We'll camp there."

"Camp?!" Rarity asked, half yelling, half gasping. "I despise camping!"

"Your preference has been noted, in case I ever care," I replied. "Now let's hurry and pitch tents while we still have the sun."

She glowered at me for a moment, then heaved a loud sigh.

"Sigh all you want, just remember that you signed up for this."

She trotted over to the place I had indicated, grumbling the whole time.

"Civilians!" I muttered under my breathe, turning away. "Let's move ponies! Things to do tonight! Our sleeping arrangements is thus: Fluttershy, you are tenting with Pinkie Pie. Applejack, with Rarity. Rainbow Dash, you're with Twilight."

"What?" gasped Rarity. "Why am I with Applejack?!"

"Oh, stop your whining," Applejack responded. "It'll be like our sleepover!"

"NOOOO!" Rarity yelled.

"And why am I with the bookworm?" Rainbow Dash asked.

"Because Twilight is the most important pony on this mission," I responded. "And I know that you are the strongest and fastest pony on this team that can fly and won't be standing sentry half the night. No offense, but in case you didn't notice, griffons can fly. That rules Applejack out because if they abduct Twilight and take to the skies, then Rainbow Dash can follow and fight them better than any earth-bound pony. And no offense Fluttershy, but you are too weak of a flier for that task."

"None taken."

"Now, if we are done with useless questions, let's go! Lots to do, not much time to do it in!"

Setting up camp was an interesting exercise in logistics and problem-solving.

"What now?" I asked, irritated.

"How do you set this thing up again?" asked Rarity.

"And, if you're not busy, can you help me with these stakes?" Fluttershy asked.

I sighed, then said, "You know what? We can worry about this later. Maybe we will sleep under the stars. In the meantime, gather around. It's time to see if you know how to use those overgrown toothpicks you all are carrying."

"I thought that you said we should 'hope we never have to learn,'" Rainbow Dash pointed out.

"Changed my mind," I replied. "I am not about to let one of you go and die on me because you lack experience. Now draw your weapons."

While they fumbled, I took a sheet of paper out of my bags and showed it to Twilight. "Here, cast this on our weapons."

"What is it?"

"It is a spell that will cause our blades to stop before they hit us and make a dinging noise. That way we can tell when we hit each other without cutting or maiming, which is something I'd like to avoid."

"Alright," she responded, closing her eyes and frowning in concentration. A spark appeared on her horn, and then beams of light shot out and connected with each of our swords. After a second, the light faded. "It is done," she said.

"Alright. First, so I can get a feel for your abilities, all of you face me."

"All of us?"

"All. Don't worry, you can't chop too much off of me." Suddenly, Rainbow Dash shot forward. She was fast. I was faster. I blocked her cut to my side and replied with a blindingly fast slash towards her wing. I felt my sword bounce of a invisible wall and heard a loud ding! that indicated that I had "hit" her.

I had no time for celebration, though. Following her came Applejack, striking forward with a thrust towards my chest. Thinking fast, I somersaulted forward, tripping her as I rolled past her. She fell hard on her face. I completely dodged Pinkie's sloppy strike and engaged Twilight head-on. She actually wasn't bad, though she obviously had never practiced much. After trading a few strikes, I sneaked past her guard with a little hoofwork and brought my blade in a would-be devastating strike at her head.

"Right, that will do," I said, making eye contact with each of the five. They nodded. I turned to Fluttershy. "Why didn't you join? Your team needed you."

She avoided my gaze and muttered something.

"I'm sorry, what? Speak up."

She spoke again, just loud enough for me to hear, "I thought they had everything under control."

"That's not good enough. Just because they seem to have things under control does not mean that it will stay under control. I have learned this several times over."

I turned to the rest. "Now, that was all very well and good, but you need to think on your hoofs and improvise."

"You just flat-out cheated," responded Applejack.

I snorted. "There is no such thing as cheating. The only thing that matters is what a pony can and cannot do. For example, I can disable an attacker in any means I see necessary, or I can't. The problem here is if I can't, I may just forfeit my life. Don't come at me one at a time. Abuse the fact that there are more of you. Trip, feint. Do anything necessary to win, and don't worry about honor. That all goes to Tartarus when battle is joined. Now, here is a few basic maneuvers. Practice them."

I showed them a basic drill: Right cut, left cut, parry, and chest thrust. Gradually, they started to improve, but very slowly. Finally, tired of seeing an incorrect execution of a forward thrust for the billionth time, I held up a hoof.

"Alright, stop! Stop!" I bellowed. I sighed, exasperated. "It's no use. It would take years for you to use a sword effectively, and we don't have days. Go to bed."

I walked off to the edge of camp, yelling "I'll take first and third watch. Somepony, relieve me at 1:30."

"Wake up! Let's move!" I bellowed. "Celestia's sun is rising, we don't have all day! Let's go!" Groaning and moaning, they roused themselves from their bedspreads and started to pack up.

"You seem to have recovered from your meltdown," grumbled Rainbow Dash. I flashed her a smile.

"You have five minutes!" I told them. "Let's move!"

Rarity threw a brush at me.