Ponyville
Warborn Camp
====

As Twilight and Cross headed through the Warborn camp to find Stigandr, they were curious at the lack of Vikings moving about.

"Where's Stigandr?" Cross asked. "Where is everyone?"

"No clue. Pinkie's missing, too." Twilight said. "Applejack also said three crates of Cider are also gone.''

Then, shouts of laughter and raucous chanting came from the central area. Cross and Twilight entered, and both could not help but do two things.

Cross snorted in amusement.

Twilight did the same, but with less enthusiasm.

The Warborn were reveling in the missing cider, and at the high table, Pinkie and Stigandr were engaged in what was most definitely a drinking contest.

And neither one seemed able to give in. A ever-growing pile of frothy mugs lay beside each of them, and Runa, standing next to Helvar, were roaring with laughter.

"What's going on here?' Cross asked Runa.

"Just a bit of friendly competition, Cross!" Runa laughed. "I never thought someone could out-drink the Jarl!"

"Neither did I!" Helvar roared. "And look at the Raider!"

Cross and Twilight saw the Raider standing nearby, sipping Cider and chuckling occasionally.

"He's never been like this before!" Runa chortled. Cross rolled his eyes and pulled up a chair.

"You're going to watch this?" Twilight asked.

"It's at least entertainment." Cross replied, taking a drink. "Gods, this is very good. No wonder the Vikings are drunk as lords."

Twilight rolled her eyes and sat next to Cross to watch the match. Stigandr and Pinkie had their eyes locked in a mutual respect, and they interlocked their arms before they both downed an entire glass of cider in one gulp.

"Hah! Nobody out-drinks a Viking! Especially not a Jarl!" Stigandr said.

"We'll see about that!" Pinkie retorted playfully. "I've won Ponyville's Cider-drink off for the last five years straight!"

Cross looked at Twilight with a raised eyebrow.

"It's true." Twilight shrugged. "Pinkie loves her cider."

"Hey, Jarl!" said a footsoldier. "We're almost out of cider!"

There was silence, until Twilight stood up with Cross.

"We'll get more." she said, rolling her eyes.

There was a roar of approval and cheer, and the Raider came forward.

"Let me aid you." he said. "Those hooligans have had too much to drink."

"Oh, don't you know it." Twilight said. "Place your bets."

"Jarl Stigandr, of course." the Raider replied.

"Pinkie." Twilight said. "She's even more of a cider addict then Rainbow Dash, and she could drink the town dry."

"What about you, Cross?" the Raider asked.

"I wager they'll tie." Cross said. "Frankly, I can't decide."

"Fair enough." the Raider said. "Let's go get that cider."

====

By the time the three of them came back with whatever Cider Applejack could spare, it seemed that Pinkie had finally gained the upper hand. She was ahead by two mugs, and Stigandr seemed to be slowing down.

"You'll...never...urp...beat me!" Stigandr said with a slurred voice, just as he collapsed into a heap. Every Warborn froze, and looked Pinkie with stunned eyes.

"I win." she said. "Drinks are on me!"

The Warborn gave another roar of pride as they began carting Pinkie's chair and Pinkie herself around the room.

"I'll handle this." Raider said. "You two head on out."

Twilight rolled her eyes as she left with Cross, back towards Ponyville.

====

"Twilight?" Applejack asked on their return. "What did you need all that cider for, anyway?"

"The Warborn." Twilight said. "They seem to enjoy it."

"Too much." Cross added. "We'll compensate you for it."

"Eh, not a problem." Applejack shrugged. "One more question. Did you give them the ones from the red shack?"

"I think so, why?" Twilight asked.

"And that's your problem." Applejack said. "That cider's been ageing in there for as long as I've lived, possibly longer. Cider like that would knock Bic Mac out cold with a few sips."

"Apparently not the Warborn." Cross laughed. "Your friend Pinkie out-drank Jarl Stigandr with that stuff."

"That's nothing new." Applejack said as they walked with them. "Pinkie could out-drink Rainbow Dash, and she's addicted to the stuff."

As the three of them headed to Town Hall, Ayu and the Orochi headed to the Chosen Camp.

"What's the plan, Ayu?" asked the Emperor's Champion.

"We need supplies to feed our armies." Ayu replied. "This depot here in the valley should serve our needs."

"We'll leave immediately." the Orochi replied. "Have Hayato come, too. I want to test him."

"As you wish." Ayu replied. "He is a capable warrior."

"I don't doubt it." the Orochi replied. "Not at all."

=====

By the time Jarl Stigandr and the Warborn had recovered from the Cider, Twilight had summoned them to her castle. By this time, it was now late evening.

"What's the matter?" Stigandr asked.

"We need more allies." Twilight said. "My brother and my sister-in-law at the Crystal Empire should be able to aid us."

She pointed it out on the map.

"Princess Celestia sought refuge there, and we need her help." she continued. "I've gotten a train running to take you here."

"The hell's that?" Stigandr asked. Twilight sighed, remembering the warriors of Ashfeld had never seen a train, let alone think of one.

"I'll show you." Twilight said. "It's a large series of metal carriages that can move like one of your horses, and even faster. We use them as transport."

"I see." Stigandr said. "Show us."

====

As the Warborn arrived at the Train Yard, Stigandr smiled at the express train.

"This thing moves on its own?" he asked.

"Yep." Twilight said. "We've been developing technological marvels while you've been away."

"Well, here goes nothing!" Stigandr laughed as he got on. Sitting down, he smiled.

"Come on in, boys!" he said. "It won't bite!"

The Warborn filed in as one, the Raider taking the helm.

"I'll also be coming." Twilight said. "Mostly to make sure nobody panics."

As the Train sounded a whistle and lurched forward, Stigandr looked out the window.

"By the gods, she's right!" he laughed. "We could use these back home!"

"Oh, you can use them in a lot of situations." Twilight said. "Let me tell you, Jarl Stigandr."

As the Train proceeded towards the Empire, the sun began to fully set.

Author's Notes:

Next time-The Chosen raid the supply depot, and the Warborn arrive at the Empire.