Chapter 3- Paradise Found

    “Only one fifth of your entire population is male? That’s… astounding.”

    Though it was not entirely surprising to Gaius, with as many females… err, mares, as he had seen so far. When the chariot had passed over the Equestrian capital city of Canterlot, he had noted the large amount of females in the city marketplace, as well as policing the outer wall and watchtowers. Many seemed to clump together in groups, usually surrounding a single or two males. It had happened with such frequency that Gaius had felt it was prudent to ask upon, and so far he had gotten a two pronged answer from both Celestia and Twilight. Luna was still quiet, eying him uneasily from the back of the group.

    Celestia nodded, “Indeed. We’re still not certain why that is, but pony society has worked with and around it for most of its existence. Mares have long since taken about many of the roles you seem to associate with males in your world.”

    Gaius chuckled faintly, nodding in agreement.

    “Quite. I am sorry, I am just unused to seeing it. In Rome, women are freer than in most of the barbarian states I have seen in my lifetime, yet they cannot vote or join the legions. But to find here they can do both, as well as run the majority of the state… it’s an interesting switch.”

    Twilight eyed him sideways, “An unwelcome one?”

    But the Centurion merely shrugged.

    “Not entirely. Women that I have met and worked with before have easily filled those roles. In fact, I helped a woman secretly join our cohort. Before she was killed, Keldrana was a well-disciplined legionary, and better than some of the men I led.”

    This got a small smile from the Princesses, and Gaius began to relax more. Honestly, this was going better than expected. They had showed him all over the castle, and… he was impressed. Deeply impressed. Not only was the towering keep a marvel of marble and granite beauty, with stain-glass windows that let in immense amounts of light, but it was as defensible a structure he could have ever wished for a city. Choke-points, killing zones, even collapsible bridges and walkways made it a hellish experience for any infantrymen, and Celestia said that even fliers had difficult time navigating the narrow corridors at speed. If Rome had defenses such as these, no general or Emperor would ever worry about losing it to any enemy. Hannibal would never have even tried to take her during the Punic Wars.

    “I have to admit, I am relieved.”

    The Princesses finally led him into a large throne room, settling down on three separate thrones. Celestia and Luna seemed to be quite comfortable on the seats, but Twilight was gently squirming and trying to get comfortable. A new ruler, then? So far, Gaius was rather confused on exactly how this nation was run. The three Princesses seemed to rule with as much power as the Emperor, but jointly and with little strife. A delegation of nobles seemed to act as a Senate, but with far less political power. It seemed that the three alicorns held absolute, totalitarian power, and were loved for it. So similar to his Rome, and yet…

    “Relieved about what?” Twilight asked curiously, tilting her head.

    Gaius stood at attention, thankful for strong legs and back, despite the burning pain of his healing wounds.

    “Well, when I awoke in the library, I was afraid I had been taken by barbarians and made captive. I’m thankful I had been found by a race of… civilized people. ...well, ponies.”

    Celestia gave him a warm smile, wings catching the light of the setting sun as they flared.

    “And we are pleased you did not attack my fellow princess and her friends. I would have hated to banish such an interesting creature.”

    They both chuckled softly, the last of the tension boiling away in the twilight hour. Deep within the castle, a bell tolled twice, and Luna got back to her hooves, “Gaius Marius. Follow me, if you will.”

    Obediently, he followed after the dark sister, hands keeping well away from his weapons. Gaius could feel the half dozen guardpony eyes following him from outside the windows, watching his every move around the princess. He didn’t blame them; if he could fly, he would have done the same to protect the Emperor when he treated with foreigners. Luna led him out to a large balcony overlooking the the countryside, and Gaius was struck by the serene beauty of the landscape. Sculpted farm-scape and forests melded with towns and cities; no forts or barricades blocked the skyline, nor did the smoke from fires or the burning of bodies. It was clean, clear… peaceful. A peace Gaius had never experienced before.

    With a soft pompf, the Princess’ wings extended, the last of the sunset trailing through them in soft rays.

    “Your land is beautiful, Princess,” he whispered softly, a smile creeping over his aquiline face.

    “It is. As is my night.”

    Her night? Gaius stepped back as Luna latched into the sky, deadly sharp horn glowing a midnight blue. Twin sets of clops spoke of the other Princesses behind him, watching Luna as well. Something told him this ceremony was an honor to witness firsthand. And then he saw it, the moon. So like Diana’s glorious chariot, the moon rose higher and higher into the sky seemingly… following… The realization hit him like a thunderbolt from Jupiter himself. Luna was guiding the moon into its place in the heavens. He was hardly in the presence of royalty; he was in the presence of divinity itself. His armor clanked loudly as he dropped to a knee, head bowed reverently.

    Something warm nudged his side, and Gaius found himself looking at a smiling Twilight Sparkle.

    “She is something, isn’t she?” she whispered, blushing beneath her dark fur, “Luna, I mean.”

    The centurion’s eyes slowly rose back to Luna, high in the sky. The Lunar Princess was concentrating now, horn glowing as familiar constellations began to glow above them like millions of torches. It made Gaius… nostalgic. Too many long nights on patrol, the night sky always in few. The one companion a barbarian blade could not cut down. He smiled, but stayed on a knee. Luna flew back down several minutes later, blinking in surprise at Gaius’ posture.

    “Rise, Roman. I do not seek your worship.”

    “But… the moon, the stars… you are a goddess incarnate, you-”

    But she waved a hoof dismissively, looking almost shy.

    “Nay. Ruling as princess is fine enough for me. We do not wish to be goddesses. To claim as such would simply set us far beyond our subjects. We have seen it before.”

    Celestia winced alongside her sister, a large, snow-white wing draping over Luna’s back.

    “And we do not wish to see it again,” Celestia finished.

    “I hope I never do!” Twilight added, physically shuddering, as if the idea terrified her.

    Gaius was… baffled. Any Roman worth his salt longed for godhood- the unachievable goal of thousands of men, climbing and striving for power. Some Emperors declared themselves gods, or heirs of Zeus Himself. Most extolled them in public… and mocked them privately. Since Hercules, no mere man had risen to godhood. And these ponies… ponies with power unfeasible to Romans, or Gauls, or any man… they were in the perfect position to declare themselves gods. They moved the heavenly bodies themselves! But they refused it.

    With a soft grunt, Gaius of Rome rose to his feet, removing his helmet and tucking it under one arm. Fifteen years of blood and service evaporated from his shoulders as he stood under the gaze of the not-goddesses. A smile cracked across a rugged face.

    “I do believe I will like it here, your majesties.”

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    “Gaius… put the sword down. It’s a party.”

    “Oh…”

    It had only been a few minutes since their return from Canterlot, and already these ponies were surprising Gaius. It had been dark inside the library (always a bad sign) when they entered… only to have the lights snap on with a bang. He hadn’t seen the magical lights the first time, so the shocking illumination and loud “SURPRISE” had done wonders for his soldiers instinct. You know, “stab first, figure out what you stabbed later.” Thankfully, Gaius’ sword had only managed to slice open an odd, paper-like horse… thing, stuffed with candy. A toy Trojan horse? Amusing. And it seemed to distract the crowd of ponies inside from the tall human with a deadly sword in his hand. It may be best for him to go armed with just his dagger, Gaius decided inwardly.

    Now that he knew a little more about this society of ponies, Gaius could study them a bit more closely. They tended to center in about groups of five or six, usually with a male in the middle, even when mingling. Touching was very common… hugs, nuzzles. He would have to remember to ask Twilight about that, what was expected or acceptable in social situations. Gaius was a soldier, not so much a socialite, but… his talents would not come as in handy in this world, it seemed. He hoped.

    “Thinking, Mr. Metal-Guy?”

    Gaius blinked, looking down in surprise as Pinkie Pie rubbed against his side, a glass of punch somehow balanced on her hair. This pony… he simply could not get her. Applejack was a farmer, a good, Roman profession that had produced a hardy, honest pony. Rainbow Dash was, as odd as it seemed, a Weather Captain, in charge of moving the very clouds and making the weather. An incredible job that had produced a proud, if loyal, pegasus. Twilight Sparkle and Fluttershy both were dedicated to their fields, the former, magic, and the latter, animals. This had produced soft, somewhat (or incredibly in the case of the yellow pegasus) shy ponies. And Rarity, simply put, was a mare who desperately wished to be a noble, and played the part well. Gaius had seen plenty of that in Rome, and it was hardly anything to scoff at. But Pinkie Pie… she was both a baker, and a party planner. But hardly formal senatorial affairs, and he had yet to see a noble “orgy of the senses” party that had been so prevalent before the Celtic campaign in Gaul. She seemed to just… want to party for… fun? Odd.

    “Er, yes, seems I am,” he replied sheepishly, picking up the glass, “Thank you.”

    “No problemo!” she replied with a toothy grin, “Whatcha thinking about?”

    “This world, mostly. How I might contribute.”

    He grinned down at her, “As much fun as parties may be, I won’t feel right unless I help in some way.”

    The pink party pony hrmmed and sat back on her haunches, hoof going thoughtfully to her chin. Gaius could not help but smile at the surprisingly cute scene.

    “Well! Could ask Applejack! Gonna be applebucking season soon, I bet she could use some help at the farm!”

    This only made Gaius smile wider. Ah, farming! That was work he could get behind. Maybe he could be more than a soldier after all. He leaned back against the wall, sipping softly at his punch. Before long, Pinkie Pie all but dragged him into the party, and Gaius resigned himself to a night of fun and drinking. What a world!