Twilight and the Spartan Stallion
Part 7: CMC Warriors, Yeah! (I of III)

THRUM-thrum-thrum-thrum.
THRUM-thrum-thrum-thrum.
THRUM-thrum-thrum-thrum.

The Spartan Stallions craned their necks, Spartan Shield among them. Something was rhythmically shaking the ground ‘neath their hooves. This was not the chaotic rumblings of a charging attack wave. This was something different. They strained to see through the slowly falling dark. The hay they’d laid out to keep the battlefield lit was all gone, only a body or two still burning. The moonlight, accursed though it was for being from Nightmare Moon, was all they had to see by. Scowling at the blackness, they waited with lidded eyes.

The Royal Sisters fought ever onward in the sky, a titanic battle that nopony present could hope to help with. Whichever sister won, would win the war entirely. It mattered not if the Lunar Stallions prevailed, or if the Spartan Stallions still stood when the alicorn battle was over. But, until that fight was decided, the solar guards would have to defend Canterlot from the endless hordes.

THRUM-thrum-thrum-thrum.
THRUM-thrum-thrum-thrum.
THRUM-thrum-thrum-thrum.

Somepony gave a shout when he saw them. It was a battalion, a large group, of Lunar Stallions. Their armor looked sleek and thin, perhaps black leather or chain. Their helms were aerodynamic. Ah. At last. Nightmare Moon’s best. The Lunar Stallion pegasi.

The Lunar Stallion pegasi had served Princess Luna slash Nightmare Moon since the dawn of Ponydom. She had always insisted that her best guardian force be flight capable, to rain death from the skies with the fewest causalities. The taming of magic and the invention of the bow and arrow had ended such invincibility, but the legacy remained. They were the oldest standing army in the world, the elite and most feared fighting force ever assembled. Some called them immortal, for the silvery masks they were always hid their faces and made them look like demons. Who knew what they really looked like. All that could be seen were their serpentine golden eyes, and their gnashing, piranha-like jaws. The rest was covered with black cloth, armor, and other vestments meant to keep their entire bodies protected and under wraps. Even the Spartan Stallions, in all of their massive egos, saw them as a great threat.

THRUM-thrum-thrum-thrum.
THRUM-thrum-thrum-thrum.
THRUM-thrum-thrum-thrum.

They marched like a true army, not a chaotic charge like the other forces the Spartan Stallions had seen thus far. The phalanx closed, shields forward and spears at the ready. Spartan Shield clenched his teeth, looking to his left and right. He knew among the Spartans that he was only as strong as the pony next to him, or the phalanx would come apart. He checked his fellows. They were marked up, a few cuts and bruises and a bit of dried blood. But, for the most part, they seemed okay if not tired. Three hundred and thirty seven would not last forever against such sheer numbers. Thank Faust for Soresaddle Canyon. And, thank Faust for Princess Celestia, who fought for them every step of the way. Spartan Shield hoped she could defeat her sister soon, for he and his stallions were all the that stood between Canterlot and annihilation.

The thrumming sound stopped. The battalion came to a halt as one. Their leader stepped forth, exactly identical in garb to all the rest. He drew out a long wing-sword in his teeth. As one, all of the others followed. They crouched, waiting… charged! “Earn these shields, boys!” Captain Slate roared, pressing his shoulder up into his.

“HA’OOH!” roared the Spartan Stallions. They stood close, side by side, for a stallion's strength was only as good as the pony next to him. Twas the entire logic of the Spartan way.

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
1,002 Years Later…
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

“You sure this is a good idea, Applebloom?” said Scootaloo as the Cutie Mark Crusaders made a little ramp with a long piece of wood they’d carried from Sweet Apple Acres. “Don’t seem right to just go into somepony’s house like this.” The three fillies had stealthily gathered outside the Ponyville public library, and were pressing themselves down and out of sight when anypony wandered by. It was early morning, but there was still risk.

“It’s a public lie-bary! Don’t worry about it!” Applebloom grinned as her friends steadied the ramp for her. Travelling quickly up it when she was sure nopony was looking, she gave the window a push. Sure enough, it wasn’t locked. She lowered her voice to a whisper. “’Sides, I just know this’ll be the best, most uh-riginal way ever to get our cutie marks!” she peered into the great room of the library, squinting in the morning light. Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle nodded enthusiastically. “Y’all wait out here for me, okay?” she said. “I’ll sneak in, grab ‘em and come back out again.”

“What if he misses ‘em?” Sweetie Belle wanted to know, looking around in concern.

“Aww, I’m sure he doesn’t wear ‘em all the time! “Sides, if we put ‘em right back where we found ‘em, he’ll never know the difference!” Applebloom shook her head before turning and daintily hopping into the window. She looked around quickly, ever the diligent little ninja. The bow on her head flopped back and forth as she took in the dark library. Looking up the stairs, she moved quickly and quietly… minutes later she was gone, and the CMC were off into the Everfree Forest for their latest adventure.

Twilight awoke with a soft and miserable moan. She had a head-pounding headache, and the light coming in through her bedroom curtains was like a focused laser on her eyeballs. Turning over she buried her head under her pillow with a grunt. There was a silence, then she sat up. She didn’t remember coming home last night. Her eyes widened in horror. Had she done anything embarrassing?! Had she said anything wrong, done anything wrong?! She didn’t know! She peered blearily across the room at Spartan Shield, who was splayed out on his back like a sun-worshiping dog. His blankets were kicked off, and with his armor gone he looked like a relatively normal pony despite his size. Holding her temple a little, she righted herself and got out of bed. She studied him a little, not for the first time admiring his barrel chest and large hooves. Crossing the room, she peered about for signs of any funny business. She remembered the party… she must’ve drank too much. Well, she didn’t wake up with a lampshade on her head in a back alley or anything, so… “He must’ve brought me home.” she mumbled, then looked down at her legs. She was wearing her purple socks. She blushed a little. Turning, she briefly checked that Spike was still asleep, then went over to Spartan Shield’s side. “Spartan.” She said softly, leaning over him. “Spartan, it’s time to get up.” She nudged him a little.

Spartan Shield’s eyes snapped open. He looked over at her blearily, then quickly tugged the sheet over his front. She averted her eyes with a mild smirk. He was splayed out on his back, but it wasn’t like she was looking at anything she shouldn’t. (Well maybe just a little, but that wasn't the point) “Twilight.” He croaked, taking a deep breath of waking. “Are you well?” he turned on his side and heaved himself upright onto his hooves.

“A… little hung over.” Twilight admitted. “I don’t drink. Like, ever.” She smiled a little bashfully as he began to get dressed. His chest plate clanked into place and he struggled only briefly with the clasps. He worked his wrappings around his belly and withers. He tied his helm with a strap to his side so he wouldn’t lose it, and threw his crimson scarf-cape around his neck. “Nothing… bad happened, on the way home, right?” she fished for what she didn’t remember.

He smirked just a little, pausing. “Well, I had to carry thou home upon my back. But you weigh so little, Twilight, it was no burden.” He offered a slightly more genuine smile when her cheeks colored. She went quickly to her vanity to brush her mane rather animatedly. He walked over to stand behind her, cocking his head. “There is a reason the traditional drink number is three and not ten, mage.” He said a little playfully. Twilight looked away, embarrassed. “But I would not hold it against you. It was your first symposium, clearly.” He offered, then turned to go find his legplates. Where were they? He peered around three sides of the bed, then under the bed, then checked the chest of drawers… where had he put them down? He was very careful with his armor pieces, he only took them off for sleep inside.

“What’s wrong?” Twilight asked when she saw him rummaging around.

“My legplates are g--” he paused, for he’d found one under Twilight’s bed. How had it made its way over there? His eyes strayed around the room a little more carefully. The door was ajar. He remembered closing it the night before, for greater quiet and security. He stomped over to it and threw it open with a growl, peering outside into the great room.

“What is it?” Twilight asked, craning her neck to see.

“I closed this door last night.” He growled angrily. “Somepony has been in here.”

“Oh don’t be silly!” Twilight smiled a little nervously. “Somepony didn’t come into the library, pass up all the valuable books downstairs and then come up to steal three of your leg plates!”

“I didn’t misplace them.” He pointed at her angrily. “Spartan Stallions treat their armor like a second skin, like our shields and spears, extensions of our legs.” He gestured to where both leaned against the wall at the head of the guest bed. He rustled around the room, opening drawers and peering behind furniture. He even lifted up Spike’s basket, Spike still asleep in it, to peer underneath. But, it was no use, three of his four leg plates were gone. He scowled a bit angrily. It was too early for such problems. Leaning, he strapped the one he’d found onto his front-right leg and shined it with his front-left leg.

“I wonder what happened to them…” Twilight mumbled, brushing her mane more. Her memory of the night before was very fuzzy after a certain hour. She set her jaw, trying to concentrate. “Hmm.” She said in mild frustration. “Oh, by the way, I’m supposed to have tea with Rarity today. Would you like to go?”

“What’s a Rarity?” Spartan Shield asked, thrusting up his mattress to check for his leg plates.

“She’s a unicorn.” Twilight chuckled.

“Oh. Er… sure.” He looked down at his one leg-plate. He couldn’t go out wearing just one, he would look ridiculous and shabby. Leaning down, he took off the one he had and put it into one of his pillowcases. “I just wish I knew what sort of thief would take three of something and not the fourth.” He shook his head. “Are there any three-legged ponies in Ponyville?”

“Not that I know of, no.” Twilight shook her head. “The only thing three-oriented would be,” she stopped to give a little snort of laughter. “The Cutie Mark Crusaders! But they wouldn’t--” she gave pause, looking over at him with a sudden icy feeling going down her withers. Spartan Shield had been rough with Applebloom recently. What if she’d taken something of his to get even? Did the little foal have the capacity for such a thing? Going over to the pillowcase and taking out the leg plate, she turned it over and over in midair. How would a little filly… oh. She face-hoof’d a little. “I think I know who has your leg plates.” She mumbled into her hoof. “You were right. We’ve probably had visitors.”
Spartan Shield eagerly leaned forward. “Who?”

=-----=-----=-----=

“Cutie Mark Crusaders warriors! Yeah!” The fillies did a three-way high-hoof. They’d journeyed into the Everfree Forest, Spartan Shield’s leg plates in tow. Well, they certainly couldn’t wear the massive things on their legs, but… they made excellent back armor! The long, bowed shape of the massive stallion’s armor bits fit snugly over their backs and jutted out to press over the root of their tails. With the strap going under their bellies, it fit just like a single piece of perfect armor! Why, combine that with a sharpened stick, and they looked just like Spartan Shield did! Well, they didn’t have chest plates, but it still counted. They looked pretty dang impressive! The trio stopped in front of a river to look at themselves in the water’s reflection.

“Well, we do look pretty cool.” Sweetie Belle admitted, turning sideways so she could admire the shiny golden armor strapped to her back. She lifted her stick like a spear, “Hwah! Hwah-hah!” she danced about with it, showing her friends a sure-looking thrust. They bobbed their heads, smiling in approval.

“Yeah! We’re sure to get our cutie marks if we go on an adventure with this stuff on!” Scootaloo adjusted herself back and forth to try and free her wings, but they were too small and the plate on her back too heavy. Ah well. She couldn’t fly yet, so she didn’t really need them out in the open. Her armor might protect her from thorns getting in her feathers or something, anyway.

“So whut should we do for an adventure?” Applebloom looked skyward for inspiration. They planted their butts at the shore of the river, thinking hard and rubbing their chins. “Oh! Ah know! Let’s go all the way to Zecora’s and back! That’s a good distance, might-could count for an adventure!”

“Walkin’ around will makes us warriors?” Scootaloo pondered.

“Granny Smith says that the royal guards in Ponyville do lotsa walkin’ around. S’called patrollin’!” Applebloom nodded in confirmation. “That way if they see somethin’ bad happenin’, they can go help, ‘stead-ah sittin’ in one spot all day.”

“All the way to Zecora’s hut, though? Isn’t that a long way?” Sweetie Belle whined.

“And we aren’t supposed to go all the way out there with no grown-ups around.” said Scootaloo, looking unsure. “We could get in trouble and stuff.”

“We ain’t supposed to be in the Everfree Forest, neither.” said Applebloom with a conspiratory grin. “But here we are, right?” she looked to her two friends, and they nodded slowly. “Just to Zecora’s and back. We can say hi to her, stay a minute, then head back!” she said convincingly. It DID sound tempting. None of them but Applebloom had seen the mysterious Zecora outside of Nightmare Night, and that had been ages ago. Why, if they showed up with no grown-ups she was bound to be impressed with how adventurous they were. They could earn their cutie marks for trail-blazin’! Or for bravery in general! What a ‘brave’ cutie mark might look like, none of them could decide, but Operation: Trek to Zecora’s sounded more and more like a good plan as time went on. Brandishing their sharp sticks like Applebloom had seen Spartan Shield do with his spear, they started down the path and into the underbrush. It only got more exciting when Ponyville went out of view and they had to focus to stay on the path.

They walked for hours, sticking to the path as best they could, doing a few loops in the foliage. They stopped to pick berries to eat, frolicked in the shallower parts of a creek, and even stopped to catch frogs for a bit. They were just foals after all. It was easy to get distracted from their big mission. A shiny piece of quartz they found in the creek was a subject of grand interest for over half an hour, and they spent a long time searching for more. They didn’t find any, but decided to keep the crystal for their stash of fun treasures back at the clubhouse. Over time they made a meandering line for where they thought Zecora’s hut was supposed to be. They ended up emerging at a cliff face and a clearing.

“Well this don’t look right.” mumbled Applebloom, looking around with a frown.

“Are we lost?!” Sweetie Belle was the first to panic.

“No no, we jus’ got turned ‘round somewhere. We can go righ’ back the way we came till we find the path again.” Applebloom shook her head quickly, tapping the butt of her spear-stick on the ground. This seemed to bolster her two friends, who smiled and nodded. They turned about to go find the path again, and jolted to a stop.

Timberwolves.

Eight sets of glowing green eyes peered at them from the darker areas of foliage and shade, where not even the noonday sun could get to them. They must’ve walked right past them and into the clearing. The fillies gaped, open-mouthed, and started walking slowly backward. There was shuffling movement as the elemental dogs stirred, bearing their oaken fangs. They looked like broken piles of limbs, wooden debris and moss when they lay still. The monsters were only revealed when they rose and started walking around on four legs, snarling. The Cutie Mark Crusaders shook and trembled, backing up against the face of the sheer cliff behind them. The pack of timberwolves slowly emerged from the underbrush, snarling and slathering sap from their open maws.

“Th-this isn’t what I thought we’d be doing!”

“W-we’re cutie mark crusader warriors! We gotta do somethin’!” Applebloom gulped, then bravely stepped forward and threw her sharpened stick like a spear! It whistled through the air gallantly— only about halfway across the distance to the nearest Timberwolf. The projectile simply didn’t weigh enough to fly very far or do any damage. “Uh oh…” she mumbled, wilting and stepping backward. “Okay uhhh… new plan?” she asked her friends.

“Ruuuuuun!” Sweetie Belle bolted, dropping her stick.

“Ruuuuuun!” Scootaloo bolted the other way, dropping her stick too.

Applebloom stood rooted to the spot with fear, shaking and whimpering as the timberwolves closed in around her in a semi circle. Her butt pressed against the cliff’s face behind her, and she looked around fearfully.

They licked their slathering sharp fangs. Their eyes were alight with hungry intent. They didn’t need to chase down all three ponies. Just one would do. This one was apparently too stupid to run. Fine by them. They watched her quake and whimper and pee herself as she tried to look for a way out, the stench of urine stinging their noses. But no, she was surrounded and had her back to the cliff. They didn’t care. She was fresh meat. Dead meat. Edible meat. The alpha of the pack started forward, jowls lifting aggressively and a loud, barking growl issuing forth.

Applebloom watched him lean back—

Coil his legs—

LEAP upon her!

Applebloom was knocked onto her back by the savage predator’s charge, squealing in terror. All four of her hooves were in the air and her soft underbelly was exposed. Her little golden armor did no good if she was flat on her back! Birds for miles around cawed and startled out of tree branches as the little filly’s bloodcurdling screams echoed over the forest. The timberwolves rushed in around her, barking and snarling, eager to feast. The spray of blood would make even a hardened Spartan Stallion wince in pity.

End of Part 7