-Chapter 2-

Masters

(~The Griffon Kingdom, inside the castle of the capitol city of Brisalzia~)

"What is the meaning of this!" Bellowed a large griffon as he pushed open the doors of the main conference room, marching in on his hind legs with his front claws curled up into fists..

The griffon in question is Chalizar Brownbeak the fifth, ruler of the Griffon Kingdom. He is about 150% the size of Gilda and is muscularly built throughout his body. He bears a scar over his left eye, a crack on the left side of his beak, and his right back leg has a bald streak on it where he was burned years ago.

He wears his royal crown, gold and pointy with an assortment of gems, his cape which holds the griffon colors of red, brown, white and yellow, and his bracelets made of hardened steel that he wears on his wrists at all times. The feathers around his eyes and protruding from his forehead are a dark gray with a hint of maroon. His claws are sharpened, his tail is long and braided at the end, and his wing tips are sharp and crisp.

Inside the conference room was a large oval table surrounded by an assortment of different chairs. There were were three other griffons inside, one was the captain of the royal guard, the second was one of his guards, and the last one was one of the King's most trusted nobles. All of them turned their heads as Chalizar Brownbreak stormed into the conference room.

"What is this I'm hearing about my son being lost!" He stomped on the ground loudly as he approached the group of three.

"My lord," the noble spoke up, "We tried searching everywhere for him but-"

"I don't want to hear it!" Chalizar growled. "I want to know what the hell was going on before he got lost, and then I'll decide what to do from there!"

"Sir," the captain spoke up. "We were last notified of his presence when he visited the Equestrian city of Trottingham. He was with his trainer at the time, and was also accompanied by what our informants say was a baby dragon. He should have arrived back at the village of Chardwort two days ago, but has not been spotted since leaving Trottingham."

"Trottingham!" Chalizar ignored the part about the dragon. "In Equestria... by the gods they've gone too far this time!"

"My lord...?"

"Those bloody ponies, always snooping around in our affairs! I knew they would try something like this, but with my own son..."

"S-sir, are you suspecting that the Equestrian Government had something to do with your son's disappearance?"

"It's the only reasonable explanation!" The king barked, balling his claws up into a fist. "I've had it! Captain, rally your guards and gather the council of nobles, we're going to Equestria to find my son by force if that's what it takes!"

"S-sir, are you sure that-"

"Do you question my authority!"

"Enough!" A feminine voice called out, silencing the individuals in the conference room. They all looked to the entrance to see Queen Melihana Brownbeak there, wearing her royal attire as she walked calmly into the room.

"My queen...!" The noble choked out, startled slightly by her entrance.

"That is quite enough dear, I do not think there is any need to jump to such rash conclusions..." Melihana spoke calmly as she approached her husband, who started to look as though he was calming down.

"B-but Meli... he was last seen in Equestria, surely that means that those ponies had something to do with-"

"I have another idea," she interrupted, holding up a claw to his beak. As the King finally stood back on all fours, she continued. "As the Queen, I have taken personal watch over our son's training these past several months. Up until a few days ago, things have been going smoothly, yet I still have my suspicions about his trainer..."

"Faratuchi?" The King's face was full of confusion. "But he is their trainer, a mere guide on their current training quest. He is a fellow griffon, one with an outstanding service record in our military. Are you proposing that-"

"It is not how things seem," Melihana spoke up, her eyes narrowing as she stared straight into her husband's eyes. "I was just informed earlier that they found Faratuchi's remains near the outskirts of one of our smaller villages, the second place your son went on his quest."

"What! But, he's already nearing the final few spots in the training program, months ahead of then! T-that would mean..."

"Farauchi isn't the one your son is with..." the seriousness in the queen's voice caused an uneasy still in the room. "Chalizar... someone else is with our son. And whatever they have planned, they're starting it now."

"No..." Chalizar looked down, his eyes peering side to side in thought. His claws bundled together in anger as he grit his beak. "I cannot accept this..." he turned to his captain suddenly, rage consuming his eyes and his voice. "Go to the barracks you! Get your finest men out to Trottingham and get searching for him, NOW!"

"Yes sir!" The guard said with a quick salute before his wings unfolded and he shot out of the conference room, flying through the halls as fast as he could.

"You!" He pointed to the noble next, who jumped slightly as he looked back at him. "Get in contact with our police force and alert them of the situation! Get everyone in and out of the country looking for my son, right now! I will personally head to Canterlot and demand they do something about this travesty!"

"Y-yes my lord!" The noble stuttered, but also left the conference hall in a haste similar to the guard captain's.

Chalizar stood there, his eyes still wide open as he began to think about what he would do to the perpetrator once he got his claws on him. He stared there for a few more moments before he felt two arms slide around him from behind, a body embracing him. He calmed slightly, but internally his rage still burned. He closed his eyes and held onto his wife's arms around him with one of his own.

"Chalizar..." the queen whispered softly as she buried her beak into his neck. "I fear for our son... I am afraid of what might happen..."

"As am I..." he replied before turning to fully embrace his wife. "As am I..."

(~The Dragon Domain, inside the mountain palace of the capital city of Belrock.~)

"Lord Talranis!" A dragon clad in light armor shouted as he burst into the main throne room dug into the rock of the mountain. "I bring dire news of your son!"

The dragon in question, Dragon Lord Talranis Mith, was in the middle of eating through a large platter of assorted gemstones. His scales were a a dark red with his middle scales along his belly up to his chin and down past his legs were a dark gray, almost black.

His spines were long and curved, their tips as sharp as pinpoints as they traveled all the way down his back to his tail, which had two spines running straight out to make a forked end. His elbows had smaller spines protruding from them while his wings had sharpened tips at every end.

Talranis looked up at his guard, chewing through the gems he had taken in and swallowing before standing up in front of the stone table in front of him. He licked at his muzzle while looking at the dragon, staring straight into his eyes for a few moments, examining him carefully.

"So then..." He said just above a whisper of his level, but his voice was as loud as war drums and just as deep, reverberating through the halls. "My son is missing after all, isn't he?"

"I, y-yes! How did you know my liege!"

"I could see it in your eyes," Talranis explained as he walked around the table to approach the guard. "After all the years I spent ruling this kingdom, I can tell many things just by the looks that are given to me, and to others."

"Well, that's not everything sir..."

"You know where he was last spotted?" Talranis asked, his voice unusually calm. "Tell me, so then we might go to wherever it is and burn it until we get some answers."

"Well, as you know, your son was taking lessons under a trainer of the Griffon Kingdom," Talranis nodded. "But the last place he was seen before his disappearance was the Equestrian city of Trottingham. After they left the village to head back to one of the outlying griffon towns, they never reported in. Furthermore, our informants never even saw them enter the village!"

"Hmph..." Talranis turned around, making a few slight flaps of his wings as he contemplated his next moves. "As your leader it is my job to assume the worst, while still wishing for the best. The griffons have had a steady alliance with us for some time, but the ponies have been... somewhat resistant."

"My liege...?"

"I see the main issue leaning on the Ponies right now. But I know Celestia, and I know she would not do anything without probable cause..."

"Should we send a diplomatic force to Canterlot to see what we can gain from the princesses there?"

"No." Talranis turned back around, breathing once through his nose and sending a small flurry of golden flame out. "I will go there myself. This is a matter directly associated with my line, with my blood. It is only fitting that I go there myself."

"And what of Trottingham? We may be able to find something useful there if we investigate!"

"Indeed we may... send a small group of smaller dragons there, preferably ones that are still in their schoolings. Send a group of guards as their escorts, and begin gathering what information you can. By the time they arrive, I should have already made it to Canterlot and begun discussions with Celestia and Chalizar."

"Chalizar? Chalizar Brownbeak? Why would the Griffon King be in Canterlot?"

"The trainer was teaching the Griffon Prince as well, and if they all went missing, then Chalizar is obviously going to have a fit..." Talranis walked towards the door, shoving the guard out of his was as he expanded his wings. "So I expect to see him there soon, assuming his hot head hasn't already ordered an army against the ponies by this time." Talranis took a few more steps before stopping, waiting another moment before turning his head. "Well, get moving! Get those groups I just mentioned out to Trottingham right now!"

"Yes, of course my liege!"

(~Back in Ponyville, inside Sugarcube Corner~)

"You two are leaving?" Pinkie Pie asked, her voice almost saddened as she looked at Shuske and Tazer.

"Yeah, sorry," Shuske apologized, scratching the back of his head. "But we're scheduled to meet back up with out master pretty soon, and he doesn't like to wait."

"Oh, I guess that makes sense," Pinkie said with a small smile, and then perked up suddenly in excitement. "Oooh, maybe we should throw a party for your trainer guy too! Wouldn't that be great!"

"NO!" Both Tazer and Shuske suddenly yelled, causing half the party to fall silent. "Uh, I mean," Shuske started up. "It's okay, really. We're really busy, and we normally don't have this long by ourselves. This whole visit here was more or less like a mini-vacation."

"Oh, well then we need to give you a proper goodbye then before you go, like a going away party!" Pinkie hopping in place as she thought about another party.

"Uh, no thanks, I mean, we really appreciate it but it just can't happen, sorry," Shuske backed up a bit, slightly uncomfortable with the pink pony's obsession with parties.

"Hey, you guys are leaving?" Rainbow Dash asked as she floated over, accompanied by Twilight Sparkle, Applejack, Fluttershy, Rarity, and Spike.

"Yup, sorry, but we really gotta get back to our master. I hope you all don't mind."

"Oh, not at alll," Twilight replied with a reassuring smile. "We know you have an adventure to go on, so it wouldn't be right to keep you waiting."

"Why of course, in fact, we sincerely wish you two the best of luck in your travels," Rarity added.

"Kick flank you two!" Rainbow Dash smirked with a swing of her hoof.

"Ya'll be safe now, and don't get yerselves into any trouble," Applejack tipped her hat slightly.

"Make sure you treat all cuts and abrasions with the proper ointment, and try to be careful of the wildlife," Fluttershy added.

"Thanks, we will," Shuske smiled back at them while Tazer simply gave his usual apathetic look before they both turned around and headed for the door. "Take care!"

"You too!" Twilight Sparkle said as she and her friends waved. "Hope to see you soon!"

"Oh, you will..." Shuske spoke quietly after turning back around to exit through the door.

The two walked through town together, their bellies filled with sweets and punch and their focus set on returning to their master. Shuske however appeared to be in deep though, and as they reached the outskirts of town, he decided to bring up his questions with Tazer.

"So we're sure about this then... right?" Shuske asked as he glanced towards Tazer.

"I'm positive... I mean, where else would he be? You got the elements of harmony and some random dragon... it's gotta be him! It's fate!"

"Hey, you know what Master says about fate..."

"Yeah yeah, but I mean, c'mon... there's gotta be some other force making all this happen. It can't be just coincidence."

"No, it can't..." said a voice from nowhere, making Shuske and Tazer stop just as they reached the Treeline to the Everfree Forest.

Just then a cloaked figure dropped down from the canopy before them, its glowing yellow eyes visible past the shadow over its face. Shuske and Tazer immediately dropped to their knees and bowed in respect in the presence of their master. The cloaked figure approached, but stopped at the edge of the shadows created by the trees.

"You two seemed to have found what we were looking for..."

"We believe so, Master," Tazer spoke up as he kept his head down.

"Tell me what you have discovered then, I'm all ears."

"Master," Shuske spoke up as he raised his head to look at him. "The elements of harmony are here, all 6 are ponies, just like you said they would be."

"And they're not alone," Tazer said as he raised his head as well. "They are accompanied by a dragon, one that goes by the name of Spike."

"Hmm..." The Master looked up for a few moments, and then back down to the two before him. "Tell me more about this dragon then."

"According to what we learned from the ponies, he is the assistant to a pony by the name of Twilight Sparkle, and-"

"Twilight Sparkle!" The master blurted out suddenly. "That is the Element of Magic, there is no doubt... is this pony a lavender unicorn mare with a cutie mark that looks like a purple and pink star?"

"Actually, yes, that's exactly what she looks like," Shuske spoke up, a bit surprised at the Master's ability to describe the pony.

"Then there is little doubt... I have seen this mare myself, I watched from a distance as she and her friends returned Discord to his stone prison."

"Master..." Tazer spoke up. "If I may, what is the significance with Discord and powers of balance?"

"That, my young student, is a tale for another time. For now, let us focus on the task at hand..." The upper right half of the master's cloak shifter, and he then reached out one of his arms to bring out a large, old book and held it in front of the two. "Take this tome, and bring it to Twilight Sparkle." The two took the book from his claws as he continued. "Tell her about your quest to find the diamonds, and how the elements of harmony are needed to avert a major crisis..."

"Yes, Master." Shuske said as he looked down at the book that he and Tazer both had a hold on.

"And what of the dragon Spike, Master?" Tazer asked.

"He is the one, I have no doubt about it. Ensure he joins the element bearers on the quest, and make sure he comes in contact with each diamond at least once during your travels... do you understand?"

"Yes, Master," They both said in unison.

"And one more thing," The master said as he stared at each one of them intensely. "In order for the diamonds to be active, either the Elements or that dragon must touch it first. Once they have touched it, then you can handle it yourself, and remember..." He leaned his head forward, bringing it out of the shade parts of his face visible, and his eyes momentarily turning to a shade of red. "Do not fail in this mission. Use whatever means necessary to achieve your goal, or neither of you will escape the coming shadow. Do I make myself clear?"

"Yes master," they both replied, visibly shaking as their eyes were wide with fear.

The Master stared for another second before rearing back and taking a couple stacks back further into the shade of the trees. He then crouched down and jumped straight up, disappearing into the branches.

Shuske and Tazer turned to each other, a nervous look in both their eyes. Shuske then proceeded to take the book and place it under his shoulder as he flapped his wings to get into a hover.

"Let's get going then," Tazer said as he looked at the book, and then back at the town.

"Yeah, we got a long road ahead of us. I just hope we don't run into too much trouble."

"Don't worry. The master will watch over us and help if we really need it... the only thing that worries me is Spike..."

Zecora cantered through the forest at a steady pace, her wicker bags filled with berries on both sides. She had a content smile on her face, pleased that she had gathered so much in such a short amount of time. With the sun still relatively high in the sky and enough berries to last her past dinner, Zecora began to contemplate going out again to gather ingredients for a new potion she had been reading about.

A noise was heard and she stopped, recognizing it as the sound of something falling to the ground. She stood still, listening closely to her surroundings before she heard another noise, able to pinpoint its source to be just beyond a small line of bushes. Curious, but weary that it might be a dangerous creature, Zecora slowly and quietly poked her head through the bushes, being careful not to make too much noise.

Hey eyes widened as they fell upon a figure covered in a shroud. It was large, about the size of an adult griffon, and the cloth surrounding it was old and tattered, bearing little color other than what had come in contact with it as it traveled through the forest. What startled Zecora the most was its eyes, she could see into the darkness covering the head and at the glowing yellow orbs. It seemed to look around momentarily, as if making sure nothing was watching it before it lout out a deep sigh.

Zecora continued to watch, her face shifting to a look of horror as she watched what she thought was a griffon change. A dark purple mist had begun to seep out from under the cloak when it began to change shape, its limbs retracting and being replaced by some sort of fleshy appendage. A few tentacles were seen slithering out around where the head was, but the same glowing orbs were still visible throughout.

The area around the creature grew unnaturally dark, as if the mist it produced was absorbing the light around it. The grass immediately in the vicinity of the creature turned brown and then to a black charcoal color in a matter of seconds. The air was ghastly, it smelled like something that had been dead for years, mixed with with a heavy charred odor like the same thing that had died was smoldering. Little whisks of the mist reached Zecora and seemed to drain the light around her and the life from the bushes that concealed her slowly.

What she saw next almost made her blow her cover. The figure took off its cloak, revealing its true identity. Zecora could not look any longer, unable to gaze upon such a horrific scene. She quickly pulled back and ran in the opposite direction, quietly and carefully at fist, but then as fast as she could as she gained distance. She needed to get home, she needed to get to safety and wait for this thing to pass.

If she was lucky, she thought of how she would be able to get to Ponyville later to tell the ponies of what she had just saw, hopeful that they would know what it was. She sincerely hoped they knew, for a creature of such composition was nothing like she had ever even heard of in the wildest tales from her homeland.

She reached her home and slammed the door behind her. She then set the berries down and turned off all the lights and closed all the windows except for one. The one window was left cracked as she peeked out of it, her body shaking as she kept watching for the creature, hoping it didn't follow her. She could still feel its presence, the mist that radiated from its body. There weren't many things that spooked Zecora too much, but what she witnessed had her bones chilled and her heart feeling like it was about to burst from it beating so hard.

She waited there for a while, still looking around for the creature from her window. Whatever it was that she saw, it must not have noticed her, and by then, was probably gone.

Author Note:This is all I was able to write before going back to BCT. Hope to see you all when I get back!