Chapter 6

                                      "Show me a tool and I'll show you a weapon."        

                                                                            Apple Bloom

“Alright my boy the first item on our tour is the armor your ponies will be wearing,” Dr. Whooves said as he led Flash Sentry out of the war room. After weaving through the laboratories amid the ‘organized chaos’ as the Doctor so aptly put it they came to a large table with a series of orbs on it along with a sleek silver armor. It was made to give its wearer the likeness of a dragon and boor a the Houses insignia on the chest, a bright green flame with a red sun in its center. As well there were intricate runes that ran all long the armor’s frame. Flash Sentry simply stared at the armor unimpressed by the armor if anything the armor looked thin and looked as though it served a better purpose at ceremonies rather than on the battlefield. Upon noticing the pegusi’s reaction Dr. Whooves smirked mischievously and began.

“This armor is made of a special metal of my own make I like to call adamantine. It’s very tough and is also very light giving its wearer apt protection without diminishing movement. As well the draconic runes etched into it provide minor restoration aid. It heals minor wounds and numbs major ones. As well the insignia isn’t just for show in hold the rune matrix that powers the armor’s healing wards and hosts the armors comcrystal.” Flash raised his eyebrow at that. “The comcrystal is, I think, my greatest invention. It allows anyone who wears it to speak to another pony over a long distance so long as they’re also wearing one. Its range encompasses a three mile radius. You simply lay your hoof on the red sun there and anyone that is wearing a comcrystal can hear you. The final piece is here on the helm you notice how these blades run parallel to the head well once the armor is on you simply jerk your head down and the helm closes bringing both blades sticking straight out on either side and to retract the blades you jerk your head down again.”

Flash Sentry was for lack of a better word speechless. A lot of work had gone into this armor and it was only standard issue. The orange pegasus then gazed at the orbs on the table.

” What are those for?”

“Ah yes these orbs are flare bombs you twist one and toss it and it delivers a concussive blast of a five meter radius,” the Doctor then turned to Flash a proud grin on his face,” So what do you think?”

“I think you’ve had a lot of time on your hooves but otherwise I’m impressed.”

“Good glad to hear it old chap. Still working on a few things like the ballista and gravity orb but we’re making good progress on both.”

“What are those?”

“The gravity orb quite simply manipulates gravity within a given radius and the ballista is basically a giant crossbow.” The Doctor said matter-of-factly,” So my boy would you like to join me for a drink topside?”

Flash gave him a nod,” Sure besides I’d like to hear more about these synthwings you mentioned earlier.”

Inside the war room Moondancer and Snails had stayed behind to hash out the last details between them after the Doctor had basically drug Flash Sentry away.

“How is the southern pack coming along?” Snails said gesturing to the southern tip of the Whitetail Wood.

“So far so good should be ready in the next few weeks.”

“Good.” Snails was silent for a moment studying the map looking for anything he’d forgotten seeing he hadn’t he glanced up at Moondancer,” Did you meet any resistance on your way to Ravenhoof?”

Moondancer scowled,” Not on the way there but coming back we came across a Stormwing supply caravan that had been hit by a group of cultists. Sick fucks even went so far as to string up one of the poor bastards up by his own intestines.” The fuchsia mare grimaced before continuing.” Turned out one had stayed behind but we dealt with him.”

Snails nodded,” Hmmm interesting. How did Lord Pyrequill react?”

“At first he was disgusted. Hell I was too but when the corpses started rising he reacted as a trained warrior would. I can’t wait to see him on the battlefield.” The mare’s eyes shown with admiration at the prospect of watching her lord cut a swath of blood and gore through their enemies.

“Still don’t like the idea of our leader be on the battlefield,” Snails grunted. In his mindset important figures stayed of the battlefield and left the fighting to their subordinates. A mindset he picked up within Moon and Stars.  

“Our lord understands that a true leader faces death with the ponies under him,” Moondancer said solemnly which was rare for the unruly mare,” it was a rule Princess Celestia lived by during the wars all those years ago. Over the past seven hundred years Equestria was under the constant threat of war and Princess Celestia had always waded into battle with sword drawn obliterating her opponents and within the centuries Equestria had become a militant superpower under its ruler." The truth of the matter was that few wished to suffer the wrath of the solar goddess.

“Be that as it may my reasoning still stands,” Snails grumbled,” Do you think Flash Sentry can be trusted?”

The fuchsia unicorn nodded,” Yes he’s a good pony, which is rare in this day and age, and he’s cautious. Also he’s handy in a fight.”

“Good. Hope you don’t mind if I keep an eye on him though?”

“Our lord already has me on that just in case.”

Snails chuckled,” One step ahead isn’t he.”

“Always,” she sat up and rolled her shoulders eliciting several satisfying pops from her neck,” Well I’m off the bed. Goodnight.”

With that she trotted out of the war room toward her quarters for a long rest because the next morning the final phase of the preparations would begin.

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