You slowly awaken; smiling to yourself as you contemplate the day ahead. Through the window beside your bed shone the rays of the morning sun, elevating your spirits as always. You make the decision to join Celestia for breakfast this morning. You didn’t need to eat, but it was polite… and of course, you were loath to give up Celestia’s company…

As always you don your armour barring your helm, still unaccustomed to the thought of going anywhere without it. You make your way through the palace to the dining hall where Celestia is sat, a number of scrolls surrounding her. She notices your presence and graces you with a smile. “Good morning Solaire!” She exclaims, seemingly more exuberant than yesterday. Perhaps in that lay the cause of today’s particular wonderful morning?

“And may yours be even better!” you reply.  Celestia gives you a smile, before motioning for you to sit down with her, which you comply with.

”I have held discussion with my closest advisors earlier this morning, with good reason. We have received words of correspondence from the changelings, whom have an appointed general as I expected.”

“What did the letter say?” you ask.

”The general agreed to meet up to discuss peace terms.”

“What else? I cannot help but suspect that the general has other plans.”

”I pressured him into meeting us in Dodge City, which is the closest pony settlement to the Badlands. Do not fear about security, Solaire. Ever since a roving pack of diamond dogs assaulted the town a few years ago, I have had troops stationed there, who will be performing patrols regularly. I trust in their discipline, so we do not have to fear a showdown in Dodge City.”

”It is not the destination of which I am wary. Rather, I am concerned about how we shall get there. Perchance might you have a map of Equestria?”

Celestia levitates a nearby map to you and you survey it intently.

“If I am not mistaken, it would take us days, if not weeks to reach this “Dodge City” on foot.” You mutter.

”Who said that you would be travelling on foot?”

“I cannot think of an alternative, given that there are no bonfires to warp from and to in this land.”

Celestia giggles. “What if told you that there was a way to get you and your soldiers across to Dodge City in less than a day?”

“I sincerely doubt that you are telling the truth, Celestia.”

”Hmm… I shall show you how we get around here in Equestria… but first, let us enjoy breakfast together.”

“Of course, Celestia.”

“By Gwyn’s great grey beard, what is that monster?” you exclaim.

”This is called a train, Solaire.”

“And, er… what does it do?”

”Trains are used to transport people and goods across great distances.”

“Is it… safe?”

Celestia laughs at your hesitation. “Oh Solaire, whatever happened to being a brave warrior?”

“I am not afraid of this metal monstrosity!” you bellow, taking a step towards it, cueing howls of laughter from Celestia. ”You are unbelievably gallant, you know that?” she splutters, face red from the strains of continued laughter. You yourself turn red from embarrassment, turning your back to Celestia and slowly walking onto the carriage.

As you enter and look around, wary at your surroundings, Celestia notices your discomfort and stands beside you.

”I presume you did not have such machines back in Lordran, no?”

“Nay. I have had my fair share of unconventional journeys though…” You think back to Kingseeker Frampt carrying you in his mouth, the giant crow, the winged demons of Anor Londo… “Indeed I have. I shall be fine, Celestia.”

”Good. I do not wish to put you under any discomfort. Now then.” Celestia steps back outside and you follow her, secretly relieved to be off the train.

“I take it there is more you wish to tell me?” you ask.

”The route that you and your soldiers will be taking will be a roundabout route, a route that’s rarely used at all. If the changelings were to try and ambush the train, which would be insanity, then they’d be unable to find it at all.”

“That quenches some of my fears, thank you. Another issue… you are implying that you will not be joining us on this journey. May I ask why that is the case? Surely you as the ruler of Equestria would be the prime candidate for negotiations?”

”You are most certainly right, Solaire. The problem is…”

“You do not wish to put yourself in harms way?”

“That is part of it, yes. I also wish to remain in Canterlot for the time being. The recent attempt on my life has unnerved me, and I do not wish to meet the changelings in person, so soon after the incident.”

“I understand. Do not fear about recklessness on my part. I may have been brash to the changeling assassin, but I realise this situation must be handled with precision and deftness.”

”It pleases me to see that you have come round to my way of thinking.”

You lay a hand on Celestia’ shoulder and give it a reassuring squeeze. “So, when I am leaving?”

”I have arranged for your departure immediately. I apologi-“

“Oh no, it’s not matter. I cannot blame you for wanting this issue resolved with the utmost haste.”

”Thank you, Solaire." I would advise that you inform your soldiers of the situation at hoof.”

“Very well. I shall return shortly.” After you locate and debrief your soldiers, including one scowling Ajax, you return to Celestia and give her a final hug. ”I shall keep in contact with you via the unicorn members of your troop. You’ll be back before you know it.” The Princess reassures you.

“I am only pleased to have the chance to assist you once more, my Princess.” You collect your sword, shield and helm from a helpful troop, sighing in relief as the helm rests into place.”

”And lastly, good luck, Solaire.”

You chuckle and gently cup your hand on Celestia’s face. “Everything will be fine, Celestia. I know it in my heart…”

You vomit out the window for the third time, ignoring the stares the soldiers give you. Whatever magic this speeding nightmare was imbued with was addling your senses. Not even watching wheel skeletons gave you as queasy a stomach as you had now.

”Are you alright, Sir?” asked Lightweight nervously.

“I’m q-quite alright… I’m just not used to… this…” You spit out the last remnants of the bile and retract your head from the window, resting uneasily into the seat.

“How long is this journey expected to take?”

”Another 6 hours, Sir.” Lightweight replies.  

You groan loudly, wiping sweat of your brow with a gauntlet-clad hand. With a shaky hand you open your bottomless box, retract a piece of purple moss and chew on it slowly, wincing at the bitter taste. This type of moss was adept at curing poison and its symptoms, which you hoped would help alleviate your stomach pains. Why could Celestia not have just come along… at least you’d have enjoyed the journey then… Ah well. It is not in the spirit of the sunlight warriors to complain about one’s misfortune. You will just have to put up with i-

”What in Tartarus are those things?” cries a soldier, motioning anxiously at the window. You bound over and gape at the fast approaching formation flying directly for the train.

“Enemies imminent! Everyone prepare for battle!” you yell, heart beginning to pound. You had no doubt to who exactly the mystery assailants were. The question remains though; who alerted them to your presence? Celestia said there was little chance of being found… Stop it Solaire! Now is not the time for what-ifs. Now is the time to fight!

“All pegasi, give me your attention!” The winged guards who were gearing up glance at you fearfully. “Engage with the changelings outside the train! They’ll try and disable the source of our motion. If that happens, we’ll be painted targets at an archery range, do you understand? Unicorns! Support the pegasi with magic projectiles! They’ll be outnumbered in the air and need all the support possible!” Your orders are met with a loud and clear “affirmative!” from the soldiers.

“All others take up arms and stand in formation!” You quickly assemble yourself and the remaining soldiers into a makeshift phalanx formation, with some ponies equipped with sturdy shields in their mouths, protecting the ponies behind them armed with long-reached spears. Much to your surprise, Ajax joins your side, levitating his shield and spear into place.

“May I ask why you are going against my orders?”

”I’ve never been a good shot. Besides, I’m famous for my spear, which involves getting close and personal.” He mutters, venom dripping off his every word.

“Very well… and it is but trivial talk at this stage… but what manner of spear is that?” You point to the glowing runes on the barbed spear head, and Ajax laughs. “This thing? It’s called a Scraping Spear. Nasty piece of work, I enchanted it myself with a spell that breaks enemy apparel upon contact.” You store that piece of information away for future. Sounds like something that would be worthwhile to remember…

Your train of thought is broken as changelings burst through the windows in front of you, hissing. “Stay in formation!” you yell as the changelings pour in, throwing themselves against the makeshift wall of iron. You thrust forward with your sword, feeling it connect with flesh and bone, and you involuntarily roar as the rush of battle begins to take over. More changelings throw themselves at you, hurling barrages of green magic and pounding at you with their hooves.

However, their attempts are feeble in the face of your discipline and formation, and slowly, but surely, you begin to push them back along the train. From outside came screams, the furious flapping of wings, the whine of magic as it streaked through the air. Inside the train, there were only the death moans of the changelings and the shouts of you and your soldiers as you battled your way down. As you transitioned between one carriage and another, you and Ajax stayed side by side, charging forward into the baying beings and clearing the path for the other soldiers. You notice that the changelings seem surprised at Ajax, and almost reluctant to engage in combat with him. That does not stop him from plunging his spear into their cuts and battering them with his shield, however…

”Ponies! Fall back and make sure no other changelings breached the cleared carriages! Now!” Ajax yells, and the soldiers obey him, too caught up in the heat of the moment to discern between you and Ajax.

“What is the meaning of this, Ajax!” you yell, ducking under a hovering changeling and driving your sword into it.

”The changelings are backing off and will most likely try pincer attack us!” Ajax replies.

“So do we press onwards?”

”That we do!” Ajax yells, and the two of you step up the attack. By the time you drive the dwindling numbers of changelings to the back carriage which was called the “caboose”; your sun-emblazoned armour was splattered with sickly green blood. The remaining changelings throw themselves at the reinforced back door and windows, but to no avail.

“I am afraid it is too late for mercy, changelings. You have chosen your cause, and now you will die for it.” You say as you enter the caboose.

”As will you, Solaire” Ajax chuckles. You hear the malice in his voice and spin round as an aura surrounds your hands. Your sword and shield are ripped out of your grasp and you gape at Ajax.

“What is the meaning of this?”

”I am sorry Solaire, but it is too late to discuss these matters. I shan’t keep you waiting for the afterlife…” Ajax’s horn glows yet again and you see the mechanism connecting the two carriages snap and buckle. Horror grows in your stomach as the caboose becomes detached, with you stranded without shield and sword, as the train quickly begins to make distance on the now-slowing caboose.

“I’ll kill you for this, you treacherous hollow!” you roar, a feeling of utter helplessness overwhelming you. A hiss brings you back to attention and you turn round slowly to face the changelings, now approaching you slowly, eyes filled with anger and hate.

So this is how it ends… being stabbed in the back like a hornet… very well. There is one last thing you can do… you can have an honourable death… fAs the changelings pounce you rush forward to meet them, fists raised in defiance. A single tear falls down your cheek, as you momentarily think of Celestia. You hope she’ll be safe…

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