Twilight had arrived at the entrance of a tent early, she grimaced as she thought to herself (Can I really do this?) Several other creatures approached, a huge male minotaur , a female dragon and an arguing pair of identical twin Griffons. They all entered the tent

The massive red minotaur with a dark blue mane frowned “Who is this tiny pony and why is she here?!”

Twilight growled “My name is Twilight Sparkle and I am here to do mercenary work!”

The Minotaur burst into raucous laughter “Twilight Sparkle, what a pathetic name , you should go back home to play with magic while real warriors like me Stone Stature fight battles.”

The female dragon who had blue scales and a massive scar across her chest with a blue blade mounted on her back growled “Never underestimate anyone, I learned that mistake the hard way!”

Twilight frowned at the two yellow and blue griffons “Are you sure we can trust those two, they don’t look co-operative?”

Before she could get a response Steel Claw walked forward, he grimaced “I am here to tell you what you will be up against , we are marching through a hostile part of the desert full of bandits and other foul beasts, note you will all be paid in gold pieces after this. We will be leaving in a few hours.”

Stone Stature grinned as he hefted a steel axe over his shoulder “They will fear me the greatest fighter that has ever lived!”

Twilight grumbled to herself “I thought Rainbow Dash’s ego was large.” She then remembering her brother saluted “I am ready to serve.”

The Female Dragon nodded “I, Crystal Breath will guarantee your safety.”

The two Griffons grinned “We are the lightning twins and we are ready for anything.”

Steel Claw nodded “Good, Miss Sparkle I am putting you in charge of the mercenary contingent.”

Twilight galloped after him and frowned as she approached him before saluting “I don’t believe I can lead them sir?”

Steel Claw turned to her with a sigh “At ease, you are the only one who can, you obviously have some discipline and skill.”

Twilight frowned “Sir, I only copied what my brother would have done in the presence of a superior when on duty.”

Steel Claw nodded “Well then do what you think he would do and then work from there.” Twilight saluted as she left meeting with the ragtag group of mercenaries.

Stone Stature growled “Why should I take orders from you little pony?!”

She frowned as she thought about what her brother would do but in truth all the guards followed him with such loyalty, so she decided to take a simple approach, she slammed her hoof into his face before holding him in her magic as she snarled “I am in charge here and you will accept that is that clear!”

She dropped the huge fellow minotaur down, she turned to the other three with a stern glare “I expect you to be ready before we leave is that clear!”

Crystal Breath and the two Griffons saluted her she nodded to them “At ease and take of that idiot will you” the three of them took the foolish minotaur out of the tent.

A couple of hours past, Steel Claw approached them “Are you ready?”

Twilight nodded turning her glare upon Stone Stature, she commanded “I want the twin Griffons at the back, Stature and I will watch the front! As for Crystal Breath she will be our eye in the sky, now everyone get I into position!” They all instantly got into position at her command. Steel Claw was impressed at how this mare had gotten this ragtag group of mercenaries to follow her orders.

The group began to trudge through the the sweltering sands of desert, the multiple large wagons required careful movement to traverse through the harsh bumpy terrain. After about a day of two, The group had arrived a long path full of rocky outcroppings, the entire group heard voices as several ponies, griffons and dragons emerged. A rough looking unicorn with one eye grinned “Look what we have here, a bunch of merchants and a few mercenaries hired to guard them. You know what to do boys.”

Twilight shouted “Everyone protect the caravan!” Twilight grimaced as she swung her blade into a Pegasus’ neck before slamming her head into an Earth Pony before tearing them clean in half with a swing of her blade. The smell of blood filled her nostrils as clipped one of Pegasus’ wings before throwing him at a unicorn then sending a slash made of fire flying through the air tearing them both in half.

Twilight watched as their leader headed jumped down joining the fray, Twilight turned to the group “We can’t hold back these numbers, these are bandits the only way to win this is to take our their leader and they will lose all organisation.”

Stone Stature scowled ‘”And how do you plan on doing that?!”

Twilight grimaced “I’m going for him.” She teleported in front of him swinging her blade, he only barely managed to block it. Soon many of his men turned to her.

He commanded “Leave this one to me, she had earned the honour of fighting me!” He then swung his blade at her which she blocked with her own before head-butting him sending him stumbling backwards as she chased him preparing to swing again, she was interrupted as a corpse of one of the random goons flew past her face before her opponent swung at her “I am Storm Blade, head of the Storm Bandits the largest band of bandits in the land.”

Twilight growled blocking his blade “I don’t care who you are, I’m not going to give up!”

Storm Blade grinned as he leapt back before launching a thrust “Who taught you how to fight you are a natural.”

Twilight swung her sword sending the sword into the ground “I was taught by Tempered Steel three weeks ago!”

Storm Blade grinned “The blade-master, no wonder however it won’t be enough.” He flicked her sword pushing her foreleg into the air then delivered a large thrust into her chest, she coughed out blood onto the dusty sand.

Then he tried to pull the blade out only for it to refuse to move, he then looked up to see her horn glowing and the blade was glowing the same colour. He looked up to her scowling face as she swung her sword lopping his head clean off “Checkmate Bastard!”

The bandits realising their leader is gone immediately dispersed. Twilight smiled as she falls backwards “I did it.” She hit the ground quickly losing consciousness.

Twilight was laying there being tended to by the healers of the caravan as the group continued, with the largest band of bandits defeated not a single bandit band attacked them as they made their way to the destination.

She was rushed into the local hospital by Steel Claw, Stone Stature watched the mare closely every day as she slept.

The twin griffons who he learned were named Lionheart and Bladewing pestered him “Leave her and come with us, we should have some fun.”

He ignored them as he watched the injured mare sleep “You have guts, more than I gave you credit for I’m afraid.” He sighed “I’m sorry, I have been told my entire life that ponies were weak useless creatures incapable of fighting as you did, you proved me wrong that. I would not have the guts to let my opponent stab me to get an advantage.”

Crystal meanwhile was grinning as she whispered to herself “ He does have a soft side after all, I’m so going to tease him about later.”

Twilight meanwhile was in a dark abyss with her five friends around her, Applejack shouted “Leave us alone you liar!”

Rainbow Dash growled “How dare you do that to Cadence!”

Rarity turned her back “That’s not how a lady should behave.”

Fluttershy simply glared , Pinkie scowled “Why did you make Cadence cry?!”

The her teacher glared at her “Leave this place before you shame us further.” Stone meanwhile watched as Twilight began to writhe, he placed his hand on her hoof “Twilight Sparkle don’t give in, you are stronger than this you have proved it to me.” Twilight calmed down settling into a calm sleep.

Days past and those days turned into weeks, Stone Stature was sleeping on the chair when Twilight opened her eyes and looked around the plain white room. Crystal walked in with a smile “You saved us back there, you certainly impressed someone.” Crystal pointed to Stone Stature with a claw, Twilight looked at him with a frown.

Crystal giggled “He stayed here the entire time you were out, you earned his respect and believe me that’s hard to do.” Crystal smiled “See ya hero.”

Twilight looked around confused, she then looked down to see bandages on her chest. She forced herself off the bed and stood up, she was grateful that standing up put minimal stress on her chest although she knew she would not be able to swing a sword for a while.

Stone Stature awoke and shouted “Twilight you’re awake!”

Twilight nodded “Yes Stone Stature, I need to return to Klugetown. I was staying with a cat named Capper and knowing him” she paused for a second “he has probably run into trouble.”

Stone Stature smiled “Please call me Stature I’ll escort you home.”

Twilight shook her head “I need to get my payment.”

Stature smiled as he held two bags of gold coins “I was holding onto yours for you, for now I’ll carry it as we head back to Klugetown.”

Twilight blinked “You coming with me?”

Stature nodded “Yes and to be honest you are a great commander, your really did put me in my place. If you created a band of mercenaries I’d gladly join.”

Twilight grimaced “That does sound like a good idea.”

Crystal teased “You do have a soft side don’t you.”

Stature shrugged “Yeah so.” Crystal muttered under breath about his lack of reaction.

Stature pointed to the Griffons “By the way they’re names are Bladewing and Lionheart, don’t ask which one is which they keep changing it.”

Twilight frowned as she thought about it and began planning out her goals, one of the big things that irked her was this Storm King who ruled this area, she wanted to take him out but how she knew what would be a good start. Twilight looked at them “I intend to start a mercenary band when I return to Klugetown, would any of you wish to join.”

Stature nodded “You have my answer.”

Crystal smiled “You are a good commander, very well I’ll join you.”

The two twins grinned ‘”We will as well.” Twilight smiled as she looked to the horizon she felt things were looking up for her.

Author's Notes:

A lot happened in this chapter, I hope it doesn't feel like to much