Summary/disclaimer: Time for another chapter of Heart of the Storm. Enjoy the 1100- word chapter. I don't own MLP, Lauren Faust and Hasbro do.

(Jungles of Equestria, 50 miles from the badlands.)

"Well, that was…. Interesting considering the fact that we found the Zebras and were able to get them to sign an official peace treaty so quickly… By the way, how did you know where the Zebras were if the princesses didn't, Sabre?"

Windblade asked as she and the rest of the Elite began their walk towards the clearing they had used to land Sky Skiffs in.

Windblade looked at Sabre as the armored Unicorn spoke.

"I'm afraid that's something I can't say for now… But it does make me feel a little better to have the drama over with, Zebras aren't usually this… Open with Ponies like us."

Sabre replied as Granite chose this moment to speak up.

"So, where are we going now that our work here is done?"

Granite asked as Sabre opened his mouth to speak before Tempest cut him off.

"We're going to renew the peace treaty with the Griffins and then traveling south… I have some unfinished business to finish down south."

Tempest put in as Sabre nodded before a laugh cut the group off.

"Oh, that's nice, does that mean you get to fight a lot of bad guys, because I want to fight a lot of bad guys!"

Sabre, Tempest and the rest of the Elite turned to see a cloaked Zebra with piercing jade eyes, spiky hair, a scar on one cheek and what looked like vials and a pair of daggers on a belt across his chest and waist.

He smiled like an insane warrior before leaping down and landing in front of Sabre and Tempest.

"Hiya, I'm Zaccon… But, you can call me Zac, you guys are the Elite, right, that special military group?"

Zac asked, looking back and forth between Tempest and Sabre.

"How do you know about the Elite? Wait, don't tell me, you eavesdropped on the entire conversation, then chased after us… Right?"

Sabre asked as Zac nodded and grinned like a madman before speaking up again.

"So… Mind if I join? And maybe that Changeling wants to join as well."

Zac said before Sabre whipped his head around as a massive, black, spiderlike creature rose up and 8 jagged, pointy and hole filled legs before lowering himself down as Tempest's horn sparked as Sabre looked back and forth between both of them.

"Wait… What!? What the buck is a Changeling?!"

Sabre asked, confused as the Changeling spoke up.

"Well, at least one of you knows what they're doing…. And insect shapeshifters that feed on love… I'm Metamorphosis…"

The Changeling said as Sabre nodded slowly, processing the information before speaking up.

"I think Meta works better… Anyway, Zac, you wanted to join the Elite, right? Come with us… Meta, did whoever send you know that we're going somewhere?"

Sabre asked, looking back and forth between the two before Tempest spoke up.

"Meta, you can tell us your message back on the Stormfront…. Now, can we please get moving before anyone else jumps out at us?"

Tempest asked as Sabre nodded.

"Yeah, I have to agree with Temp, we have things to do so if that's all… Let's get going."

Sabre said as the Elite turned and started walking away with Meta and Zac following as 2 Sky Skiffs landed to pick up the Elite as Windblade, Cyclone and Meta flew towards the Storm Fleet overhead.

"So, first we deal with the Griffins and then we head south? That mean you guys are getting ready for a fight?"

Zac asked as Sabre and Tempest gave a 'so, so' gesture with their hooves as the Sky Skiffs pulled up to the Stormfront as Sabre and Tempest climbed aboard followed by the rest of the Elite as Sabre turned to Meta.

"What I think my Marefriend and I were trying to say is this… did your boss say its ok to give us the message then leave or…."

Sabre said, trailing off at the end while motioning for Meta to continue as the Changeling spoke up.

"My King only suggested I go as a messenger… But, I'll join you if that's ok… There's a certain Queen I want to return a favor to…"

Meta hissed as Tempest started giving orders before Sabre could open his mouth, causing him to smirk.

"Windblade, Cyclone, you're going to stand guard out here, Granite, Hiker, you're going to keep watch with them, Meta, you can tell Grubber or me your message and I'll tell Sabre when he's free… Zac, go find a room and relax… None of us know anything about you yet and it's nearly nighttime… I'm going to get some sleep in my stateroom, my soldiers can show you to your rooms… Night."

Tempest said as the Elite scattered to do their assumed duties, leaving Sabre and Tempest on the side of the ship.

"I love you, Temp."

Sabre said with a smile as Tempest rolled her eyes, a light blush on her main as she laughed.

"Love you too, doofus… I'm going to sleep, let me know if you need to talk, Sab."

Tempest said with a smiled as she walked into her room as Sabre turned to Grubber at the steering wheel.

"Grubber, you know where to go, right?"

Sabre asked as Grubber gave him a thumb up as 2 of Tempest's Storm Creatures walked over, Sabre could see a streak of pink in their hair as Sabre looked between the two soldiers.

"I wish Equestria had more soldiers like you and your commander… It'd be a safer place with you guys around."

Sabre said as one of the Storm Creatures grunted something that sounded like a 'thank you' before they walked around the ship as two more Storm Creatures walked out of the lower levels, making sure the ship could fly and readying it for flight as Sabre looked over to see a few Storm Frigates and battleships closing in on the flagship.

"Commander wanted us to have some backup when we head out, she hasn't met the Griffins yet, boss."

Grubber said as Sabre nodded, knowing that talking to the Griffins wouldn't be easy, especially with an expired peace treaty meaning anything could happen.

Author notes

Ok, Meta and Gus have joined the Elite! The treaty with the Griffins is going to be an arc because it introduces one of the Elite's villains… The first chapter of the Arc will be tomorrow. Until then, Lighting Wolf out!