A/N: I'm getting very positive reviews and criticism as well as many people favoriting the story which only gives me more encouragement to continue writing. Here's chapter 10 for you, enjoy!
Chapter 10: Defection
Twilight was sent back to Canterlot under the Princess's orders to take a week off and see Rainbow Dash, who was transferred to the Palace hospital along with the gryphon. Twilight was grateful for the time off, but the thought still loomed in her mind: They were now at war. The gryphons had invaded the east and undoubtedly more would be on their way. Last time she heard, Celestia had told her that they had reports of an invasion force of about 50,000 with well more than that on the way. So far, they were holding their own but the eastern attack was a surprise as few major cities were there. As a result, there was a lack in organization due to the speed in which was necessary to counter on the respective front. No matter. Right now, the most important thing on her mind was to see Rainbow Dash and talk to the gryphon… maybe drop by and see Celestia who was also back at the castle for a little while. Her thoughts continued to jumble themselves as she walked the castle corridors to the hospital. She was glad to be out of her armor, which was under maintenance from her operation with Dash, which went on both their records as a success. The fact that they were both promoted as a result, Twilight from Captain to Major and Dash from Lieutenant to Captain, brought a small smile to her face. Either way, she was happy to just be walking around with nothing but her own coat like normal times.
As Twilight entered the double doors of the hospital, the nurses immediately looked up and recognized who she was, as they were told to expect her.
"Ah, Miss Sparkle! The rooms are that way" one of the nurses pointed. "They are the only patients here, so you'll find the rooms" The nurse continued with a smile.
"Thank you, nurse. And please, call me Twilight" Twilight answered over her shoulder with another smile as she walked through the set of doors she was shown.
The first room she came to was listed as Dash's room. Twilight took a deep breath and went inside. Upon entering, she found Dash dozing off a bit from boredom and her foreleg in a sling with lots of bandages by her upper chest where she took the projectile. As soon as she saw Twilight, she sat up with a great smile. Twilight no longer could suppress a smile herself.
"Hey there!" Dash shouted as she opened her arms. Twilight trot up next to the bed and gave her a tight but gentle hug, finishing off with a peck to her cheek.
"How's the foreleg?" Twilight asked with slight concern, but still very happy.
"A bit of pain, but the quick thinking on your behalf on the field was a big help" Dash replied. "I should be out of here in about a day or so, the wound is healing nicely" she continued.
"Well, you won't be going anywhere for a little while. Celestia gave us a week off from any operations after two nights ago" Twilight responded, and Dash was thrilled at the news.
"Well this week just got twenty percent cooler. That means we can spend some time together" Dash said as she pulled Twilight into another hug.
"You bet your flank it does" Twilight responded, eliciting a chuckle from the two of them before they turned to face each other and locked lips for a good ten seconds. Once they separated Dash chimed in:
"What do you say we go check on our 'prisoner'" Dash said with a smirk.
"He's not a prisoner, Dash" Twilight responded with obvious sarcasm in response to hers. They both laughed as Twilight helped her off the bed and they walked to the next room. As they neared the door, there was no name on it. Probably didn't have time to get it or the gryphon didn't tell them. Twilight lightly knocked at the door, and a stern but sweet sounding voice emanated from the other side:
"Come in" he said, to which the two ponies entered to find the gryphon lying down with his leg in a brace and bandages over his torso. He was a bit bruised on his head but nothing major. Other than the obvious physical injuries, he was in good health. Upon seeing the two ponies, the gryphon mustered a weak smile, but he still held some fear in his eyes. This was to be expected. They both sat next to the bed and Twilight spoke first.
"How're you holding up?" Twilight asked in a sweet tone, still holding some resentment for how she treated him on the battlefield.
"Alright, I suppose. I'm healing well and will be able to walk again, so that makes me happy" the gryphon said with a weak smile, still a bit tired. The gryphon had a slight accent and Twilight couldn't pin it. She made a note to ask him about it later.
"That's good to hear" Dash said with a genuine smile which was surprising, considering she was looking right at her shooter. Twilight then began to speak:
"My name is Twilight Sparkle, and this is Rainbow Dash. Despite the odd circumstances, it's nice to meet you" Twilight said, trying to be very friendly. The last part of her comment got a chuckle out of the gryphon, who in turn responded:
"Helmuth. Helmuth Nightwing. And likewise, Twilight Sparkle and Rainbow Dash" he acknowledged with a smile to both of them. Twilight then leaned forward and had to say something that was bothering her:
"I just wanted to say that I'm sorry for how I acted out there. It goes against our own laws of war to treat wounded soldiers like that and-" she was stopped by Helmuth holding his hand out, palm facing toward her.
"There is no need for apologies, Twilight. You acted out of passion and it was normal, considering I was the one who…" he hesitated a bit "shot your friend here" Dash then chimed in
"We were both belligerents of two warring nations. What choice did you have?" Dash said with a very forgiving tone.
"Trust me; there was no choice in this matter. No choice from me at any rate" he replied.
"How so?" Twilight asked. Helmuth then sat up in his bed and faced the two mares, prepared to speak.
"Gryphonia, although very stable and orderly, is a very restrictive society. The government recently put a draft into place in preparation for war with your country, which apparently I was one of few who did not support it. I just happened to be in the country at the wrong time when the draft was implemented. And so, there you found me" he explained.
"What do you mean 'in the country at the wrong time'?" Twilight asked him.
"You mean you're not from Gryphonia?" Dash also asked him. In response, he shook his head.
"Not exactly" he reinforced.
"Well, what does that mean?" Dash asked him.
"He means that he is a citizen of Equestria" another voice popped into the room. Everyone turned and recognized Celestia's figure.
"While I was in the castle I came to check on you two and our guest here. But he is quite right. Helmuth was actually born in Equestria to legal immigrants from Gryphonia. I have his documentation on file. He's as much of a citizen as either of you." Celestia proudly stated with a warm smile on her face. The two other mares had wide eyes.
"A gryphon with Equestrian citizenship. Now that's something you don't see every day" Twilight said, rationalizing everything. Helmuth smiled back
"Guilty as charged, but I actually hold dual citizenship to both nations. It was necessary to prevent much hassle in going back and forth visiting family that is still in Gryphonia." He said a little pensively.
"Well, you'll be out of here soon. We can allow you to go back to Gryphonia to check on your relatives" Celestia said with a smile.
"No." Helmuth replied very sternly. "I don't want to return. Ever" he continued, much to the shock of the three ponies.
"You don't want to go back?" Dash asked him.
"If I go back, all they'll do is thrust me back into the army against all of you. I foresaw this war years ago, and I knew that if I was in the country at the time Gryphonia mobilized, I'd be forced into the army, against you all, against Equestria… against my home" Helmuth responded. Celestia was taken aback by his loyalty to her nation.
"I may be a gryphon physically. But mentally, I'm as much of a pony as any of you. Equestria is my home, and you, Princess, are my leader. My loyalty is to Equestria and you. And on that note, Princess, if I may make a request…"
"Of course" Celestia responded, eager to hear his words.
"I would like you to please nullify my dual citizenship with respect to Gryphonia" he stated. Celestia could feel tears pooling in her eyes by the sheer patriotism and love for her and her nation this gryphon, not even a pony, emanated from his very being.
"Are you essentially asking to defect?" Twilight asked him, to which the gryphon turned to her and nodded his head very matter-of-factly
"I'll do it at once, Helmuth" Celestia said warmly as she went up and gave him a nuzzle of appreciation.
"Feel better, alright? And just bear in mind, the gryphons in the country are under much scrutiny, naturally, because of the war. As a full citizen of Equestria, you live under my rule and as a result, the laws and rights. You have every right to defend yourself if attacked" She explained over her shoulder as she proceeded to walk out.
"Thank you, Princess. Oh!... and Princess, one more thing?" Helmuth beckoned for her
"Please, call me Celestia" the other two mares went wide-eyed with happiness, as very few were personally given permission to call her by her name "And yes, what is it?"
"If you would allow me, I would like to enlist in the Equestrian Army"
