Guardian Chap 40

by ~Sunjian54

The Equestrian Guardian

Chap 40

Two months of hard marching had led David and his small band of 400 back to Ponyville. "Well, we've done all we can." He said to Bio as the both walked at the head of the force. David's mind focused on his mission in front of him. Slaying Nightmare Sol would not be an easy task, especially knowing that he would be giving up his own life to do it.

The thought crashed hard into his mind. He had forgotten that he would have to die to save everyone. The doubt then began to slowly creep its way in to his head. Dying… he would have never thought that he would die at the age 19. It seemed so depressing to think that it would end like that. He quietly shook his head and focused on the present.

(If I'm gonna win, I have to be prepared physically and mentally.) He thought as the clattering of armor and the stomping of hooves echoed in his ears. He knew he was physically prepared for anything… but mentally? He still had a lot of prepping for that.

Bio's voice shook him from his trance as they reached the edge of Ponyville. What once was a glorious little town that was always bathed in sunlight was now a desolate destroyed wasteland drenched in darkness. Nightmare's dark magic had cast red clouds over the town, meaning the sun hadn't been seen for months. David was concerned for all those who had seen him off that fateful day 2 months ago and he hoped they were still alright. As the army entered the town however, his fears were put at ease as the ponies of the town ran out to greet them.

There were cheers of "HOORAY" and "WHOOPEE" as the army marched through. David quietly broke away from the army and walked over to where Big Mac and the CMC were standing. Upon approaching them however David was shocked to see Big Mac in a suit of armor. "You been taking care of things while I've been gone Mac?" He said playfully.

"Eeyup." Mac replied with a smile.

"Big Mac got this armor made for him so when you came back he could join up!" Applebloom said jumping for joy.

David had to admit the sight of a big strong stallion in armor was always a good sign. It was at that moment however that a thought crossed David's mind. "Has anyone seen Spike?" He asked. He hadn't seen Spike since the day he and the others had left for Canterlot and fell into Nightmare Sol's trick.

"He's been helping out around town anyway he can." Big Mac said with a grin. "I reckon Twilight would be very proud of him, Eeyup." David sighed with relief, it was good to know that Spike was safe but he quickly refocused his mind on the matter at hand. "Alright Mac, get in line we're moving out." He commanded.

Mac did as instructed and moved into line along with the rest of the Earth ponies as they marched through the town and toward Canterlot. David constantly scanned the skies looking for Devin, the Griffins, or the Dragons that were supposed to arrive. Maybe that had abandoned him, maybe they had decided that he wasn't a cause worth fighting for. He pushed the thoughts from his mind. (I'm just nervous is all. They'll be here… I just have to wait.) He thought as the army stopped in the nearby fields.

"Tell everypony to sharpen their weapons and check their armor for weak points or broken plate. Tell them to get it fixed ASAP." David said looking out at the castle in the distance. Bio nodded and walked off toward the men. David then turned to see the familiar faces of Technia, Blank Canvas, and Primary.

"I want all of you to stay here in Ponyville. You're not fighters and I don't want any of you getting hurt." He said.

"Before we go though…" Blank Canvas started. "You guys might want these." Primary finished as he and Canvas opened a huge bag that was full of the flags David had asked for.

"We even made a personal size one that you could put in your armor, so everypony could know where you are." They both finished.

True to their word there was a flag with a small pole that David proceeded to place into his armor. The flag unfurled in the slight breeze and revealed itself to the eyes staring at it. It was the same silver background David had seen with the half sun, crescent moon design. Only now there was an image of the Guardian blade behind the two, and the words "Courage, Honor, Fortitude." Written across the top. He smiled as he thanked both of the artists for their hard work. As they turned and left however Technia rolled a small cart up from behind a nearby tree.

"I took the liberty of "borrowing" your pistol and sword when you didn't need them to make you some weapons and equipment you might want." She said pulling the tarp off of the cart.

"This is your pistol, but I've attached a magic channeler to it so you can shoot your bullets, along with elemental magic bullets!" She said with a huge smile on her face. David turned over his father's gun in his hands. It was the same gun, the only difference was a small clear gem attached to the handle.

"I also made you this replica of your Guardian blade. The only difference is that it doesn't have element powers, and the grip is hollow. You can slide your blade into this one and make a twin bladed staff." She said handing him the new blade. It was a good bit heavier than his, but true to her word his blade slipped right inside of the new one's handle and clicked into place.

"I also… made this…" She said struggling to lift a large circle device out of the cart. "For Capt. Bio… It's a battle twister." She said showing it to David. It looked almost like a yo-yo but at the press of a button 3 blades shot of the sides. "This thing will cut through any armor like butter." She said seriously. "So I better take it to Bio so he knows how to use it…" She said as she walked off toward where Bio was waiting.

"SIR!!!" A scout shouted as he ran toward David. "The… Western… Shetlands have appeared from the West and are… coming this way." He gasped at a loss of breath. Another soldier then appeared coming from the east. "The Gryphons are arriving in force sir. We've sent King Grypphos to your tent as instructed." He said saluting. David then began to walk toward his tent when a strange sound got his attention.

He looked up to see at least 2,500 pegasi coming out of the clouds being led by Devin. Devin landed right next to him at full speed and offered a quick salute. "Got as many as I could David. 2,500 at the very least, hope it's enough." He said looking back at his small pegasus army.

"It'll be enough Devin. I need you to go to my tent and get your plan ready. The other Generals will be here soon." He said pointing Devin toward the tent. He then resumed his walk to his tent only to be stopped by a massive shadow passing overhead. (Well I guess Draconis is here. He'll know where to find me.) He thought as he walked toward and entered his tent. He was greeted by familiar faces around a large round table that had been set up. He nodded at both King Grypphos and King Stallonis in turn as he sat down at the table while Devin rolled out a large map.

"You didn't start without me Guardian did you?" Draconis's booming voice said as he stuck his head through and into the tent since it was the only thing that would fit. "No we haven't forgotten you Draconis." David joked as Devin cleared his throat and began the briefing.

"Operation New Sun has to go off without a hitch for it to work. The first step of the plan will be for half of the Dragons, Griffins, and Pegasus to launch a small distracting attack on Canterlot castle itself."

"What for?" Draconis interrupted.

"The distraction will get the Eclipse army to scatter their Pegasus in response and will give us the chance to knock them out of the sky." Devin answered. Satisfied with the answer Draconis bid Devin to continue. "As our air forces clear the skies, the remaining forces will fight against the Eclipse Army that has been deployed in front of Canterlot Mountain. This attack will give General Bio and David time to infiltrate the castle and slay Nightmare Sol." Devin finished.

"So our troops will just be a distraction?" Grypphos said concerned. "No your majesty. If possible we will drive the Eclipse forces from the field, but they do outnumber us 11,000 to 30,000 in total numbers."

"Even more when you take out our air cover." Stallonis added. David slammed his fist on the table.

"It doesn't matter if they have 30,000 or 300,000. We know this battle will be difficult and we know that some of our soldiers will die, but that won't stop us from winning." He said letting his inner fire burn through him.

"The first sign of weakness is fearing your enemy. I may respect their numbers but I DON'T fear their troops. We have nothing to fear gentlemen, because if we fail then nobody will stop Nightmare Sol's plan." He said standing up. "None of this leaves this tent understood?" He said walking outside. They all nodded and began to return to their troops.

"Bio…"

"Yes sir."

"Tell them they have 4 hours of rest. After that we're marching toward the battlefield." Bio nodded and ran off. David sat down under a nearby tree and started praying. He didn't care who saw, and he didn't care what anyone thought about it. All that mattered was that he put himself at ease. His prayer completed he stood and walked back toward his men.

4 hours later…

The army marched forward at a steady pace. The flags had been handed out to specifically chosen Stallions and other soldiers so that everyone could see them. As the army approached Canterlot mountain the sun began to rise behind David and his troops. Feeling the need to inspire his army, David ran up to the top of a nearby hill, unsheathed his sword, and holding high over his head cried out.

"OUR ENEMY… IS IN CANTERLOT!!!!!!!!!!" The army roared with approval as they cleared the hill line and lined up on the plains below facing the now fully aware Eclipse Army. As the two forces fought in the sky David could see the fear on his own army's faces as the enemy moved closer.

"HOLD YOUR GROUND!! HOLD YOUR GROUND!!!" He cried to get their attention.

"DRAGONS, GRIFFINS, STALLIONS!! I see in your eyes… the same fear that would shake the heart of any warrior. A day may come, when the ways of peace and loyalty are tossed aside for the ways of tyranny, but it is not this day. A day may come when the echo of firm resolves and the strength of bonds gives way to the evil around it. BUT IT IS NOT THIS DAY! THIS DAY WE FIGHT!!!!!! By all that you hold dear… on this good world."

He paused and took a deep breath. "I BID YOU STAND!!! FORCES OF A FREE EQUESTRIA!!!!!!!!"

His battle cry was met by the sounds of swords being pulled from their scabbards and the roars, screeches, and hoof stomps of his army. He turned to see the enemy had stopped some 100 yards away from his army. The whole world slowed down as he looked upon the enemy and could see the eyes of Nightmare Sol staring back at him. He slowly turned to see the faces of Bio, Devin, Big Mac, Braeburn, and the kings of the allied lands.

"For Freedom…" He said as he turned and ran toward the enemy. At first it was only him… but then Bio followed, then Big Mac, Devin and Braeburn, followed by the stallions, then the unicorns, and the dragons until the whole army was rushing forward in a frenzy of battle cries and thundering hooves. David's whole body burned as his army followed behind him at full speed and closed on the Eclipse army. The battle between Light and Dark that would decide the fate of Equestria, was on. Next Chapter: Chapter 41 Estimated time remaining: 1 Hour, 8 Minutes