Mighty Wing, Griffonstone
Angry riffs and harsh vocal cries boomed out across the air as the four piece griffon metal band known as Blazing Beaks cracked into their third song with a thunderous roar. Flames licked at the sides of the sage and blasted into the night sky as the pyrotechnics crew went nuts. A roar erupted from the pleased, bloodthirsty crowd as many began to swish their heads around, feathers askew as they moved to the beats. Many of the headbangers wore longer feathers tucked into their crests that swished around like mini-tornadoes in the night.
Red shot his three companions's a smirk as he picked up the pace on his new electric guitar. Gryo was too busy headbanging as he played his bass to notice. Lynx smirked back as she smashed out the beat on her drum kit. Centre stage, Gerwalt stood tall and proud, wings erect. His red and black painted head and spiked shoulders shone deadly under the stage lights as he screeched like a daemon into the mic he held in his right foreclaw. His deep, coarse cries along with the thrashing beat drove the crowd into rage filled fits.
Squarks rent the air and feathers flew as a horde of griffons slammed against each other in the mosh pit directly in front of the stage. The song kicked into its next phase with a mighty crashing of cymbals. Those in the mosh pit grew even rowdier as Red joined in the singing.
A terrified young griffon stood, buffeted on all sides in the outer ring of griffons near the back of the audience. Glen jumped, his wings shot out and he took into the air as a claw slammed into his face. Those around laughed at the skittish behaviour of the young griffon. He rubbed the stinging area. This had not turned out to be a good idea. In fact, it was looking like a dangerous waste of thirty bits. He knew there was no way to get the money back. So, it was either stay and try to enjoy the show or go home and look like a total idiot. At least he had not wound up in the mosh pit filled with crazy griffons upfront.
A claw yanked at the brown tail of the young griffon. With a surprised cry, he fell from the skies and landed on another griffon. "S-sorry!" Glen was quick to stand but immediately found himself pinned against the ground by the griffon he had fallen on. She was ginning intently as though she knew exactly what she wanted from him. Whatever it was sent an excited chill down his back.
"Well! Aren't you a cutie!" Yelled the young female grey-black griffon over the booming music. She had her face painted half blood red and wore a tattered leather jacket. She looked rough and tough and ready for action.
Glen withdrew from the beak in his face. The female smirked and drew even closer. "Dance with me!"
"What?" Glen was sure his poor ears had heard wrongly.
But nope! The young griffon found himself dragged up and pressed against the crazy female. She began to sway wildly, wings out, one foreleg around her frightened companion as the song smashed on.
Glen held on for dear life as his companion thrashed around, completely immersed in the music. As one terrifying minute smashed its way into the next, Glen found himself wishing for release from this crazy chick! Despite his terror, Glen found himself roaring along with his bold companion as the final cries of the song faded and a blast of fire and light erupted from the stage.
The crowd cried out for more as the band members took a moment to recompose themselves in readiness for their next item.
"Alright, shuddup!" Red roared into his mic.
Many griffons in the mosh pit shouted abuse back at him as they demanded more.
"Do you want more!?" The guitarist cried out.
Affirmative cries, some more colourful than others, broke out in response.
"Then shuddup for a sec! You'll we'll get that blood pumping and ears bleeding again soon!"
Some fell quiet, eager for more action. The more engaged and enraged griffons continued to shout abuse back at the bandleader.
"We just gotta dedicate this next song, friendship is mighty, to our good friend Echo Scratch. It's because of that pony that we all are here tonight for our second concert!" Gerwalt took over with his deep husky tone, a grin on his black and red painted face.
The crowd roared, hungry for action at the conclusion of the painted speaker's declaration.
Lynx and Gryo shared a cautious look. They hoped that none of the chief's cronies were present. The magic of friendship and ponies were two things that were unpopular out in general society. However, this bunch looked so pumped for blood that they could sing about love and butterflies and none would notice. Hopefully, no griffon would attempt to cause any damage to them or their equipment...
Red spotted the looks, "don't worry. I'm sure those idiots won't be able to understand half of Gerwalt's singing!" The big tough griffon guitarist rounded on his lead singer, "alright let's see how many griffons we can put in hospital!"
His bandmates sniggered back.
"Here, watch this..." Gerwalt sniggered as he turned back to the rowdy crowd. "Friendship! Blood!"
"Friendship! Blood!" The crowd roared back.
Gerwalt noted his bandmember's pleased expressions as he took a step toward the crowd, wings extended in a show of dominance. He roared even louder into his mic; "friendship! Blood!"
"Friendship! Blood!" The roar of the crowd disintegrated into griffons shouting for blood and action.
"Yeah! Friendship! Blood!" The young female who tightly held onto Glen yelled out, totally pumped.
"Uh… W-what are you doing?" The tawny brown youngster timidly asked.
The lean young female turned to the griffon she held with an eager grin. "Call me Ripclaw. And who might you be, cutie?"
The tawny youngster stuttered she ran a claw slowly through his chin's plumage. "G-Glen…"
"Awww, my future mate should be bold. Especially around me."
"M-mate?" Glen could hardly believe what he was hearing.
"What else?" Ripclaw batted her eyes and nuzzled up to the shocked teen.
"B-but I'm only seventeen."
"Same. Looks like we got lots of time to get to know each other!" Ripclaw giggled as she pecked her proclaimed boyfriend on the cheek.
The opening note from Red thundered into a suspense-filled second. The whole crowd held their breath in anticipation. The skies turned red as fire erupted from the sides of the stage. The drums thundered and cymbals clashed violently before they were joined by the bass guitar, low and threatening. The ground vibrated with every booming low note infusing the crowd with its energy as they began to move to the beat.
With a twang of his new seven string electric guitar, Red joined his band members and the music took off with a series of complex low riffs that rose louder and higher till they dropped to a deep roar.
Cries of approval rent the air as those in the mosh pit led the action with this new song.
Gerwalt and Red began to screech out the lyrics, death growl style singing about the power of friendship. Their singing was punctured by the cymbals speedy clashing beats.
From their place near the back, the young couple turned to see the action as the song quickly picked up.
"Can you understand what they're singing about!?" Glen yelled at his companion as she pressed up close.
"Can't you!?" She cried back with a wild grin.
"This griffon's crazy…"
"What was that!?" Ripclaw yelled back.
"Nothing!" Glen was quick to yell.
A predatory grin ripped across the female's beak. "Then let's dance!"
A squark of surprise escaped Glen as he was roughly wrenched up onto his hind legs. His wings shot out to balance himself as Ripclaw held onto his foreclaws with her own as she gyrated and shook to the rapid beats.
With wide eyes and adrenaline coursing through his system like fire, Glen began to shake himself in time with the frantic music. His wings worked overtime as they batted against other bodies in the wild mix. The youngster was frightened of falling over or getting scratched up by all the claws that were everywhere. Just as he began to get accustomed to the crazy movements, Glen tripped over a fallen griffon. Ripclaw wrenched him back up quickly with a wild grin before she continued to lead their dance with reckless abandon.
As the chorus hit Gerwalt roared his deepest most bloodcurdling roar. It was mirrored thought the whole mosh pit. Talons and beaks shone in the light that ripped across the moshing griffons. Gerwalt was sure he even saw some real blood. He couldn't help but grin to himself as he continued to sing. What a shame their good friend Echo Scratch had to flee the city.
Hopefully, their music was at least loud enough that whatever scheming Grandeur had going on would be disrupted, even if only for this night.
Griffonstone
Echo Scratch smiled to himself as he hurried along through the dark bush. With Luna's moon hidden behind a bank of cloud, it was pitch black in the shadows. Dark enough that the unicorn had to be very careful where he placed his hooves. He was pretty sure he could very faintly hear the drum beats of the metal concert as it raged onward. Even from here he could tell his quick setup of the sound system was rocking the griffon world.
A dark shape dropped from above and Echo jumped, horn lit at the ready.
"Woah, there. It's just me." A black hippogriff with a silver-white mane landed within a few paces of the on edge unicorn.
"Silverwing?"
"In the flesh."
"I thought you lot had all fled to the bottom of the ocean over a year ago." Echo shot back.
The hippogriff scoffed. "And I chose not to."
"Oh. And?"
"I'm not allowed to discuss it."
"Storm King been that bad huh?"
The hippogriff nodded solemnly. "How do you know of the storm king?"
"Well, that sucks." Echo replied. He fell into silence rather than answer the question posed by his friend.
After several moments of just looking at one another in the darkness, Silverwing began to walk off. "Why's a pony like you sneaking about while there's music?"
Echo sighed softly as he trotted alongside his larger companion, "if the griffons find me, I'm dead. Or at least the band I started all say that."
"I would believe them, bro."
Echo searched carefully in the dark for details on his friend's face. Although it was very dark, the unicorn could still see his friend was as serious as his voice sounded. "Then I could use some help to get home."
"Think your daughter will still be there?"
Echo shrugged as the pair forded a stream. "Dunno. I hear-."
"Ssssh!" Silverwing hushed his friend and dived for cover.
Echo was quick to hide as best he could too.
Time crept by. The silence grew, penetrated only by the twittering of the few nocturnal creatures. Echo glanced over at his friend questioningly. Silverwing motioned for him to keep low.
Neither pony nor hippogriff moved. Echo's right shoulder began to itch. Just as he was about to raise a hoof to scratch it the soft sound of feathers on the wind broke the silence and he froze.
Voices. Griffons. The speaker sounded board. Then the voice fell quiet once more. All of a sudden there was a rustle above and Echo spotted four shadows of griffons as they winged it slowly overhead.
"Can't see shit tonight…" One of the patrol griffons mumbled angrily.
"Yea, how are we supposed to find those zebra if we can't even see anything?" Another complained.
"Shut up!" The griffon who sounded like the boss cut in. "We won't find them if you keep yapping. Now move your fluffy butts!"
"Whatever..." The first griffon replied sourly.
Echo grinned as the shapes vanished over the tree tops. At least there was one upside of the moon being hidden tonight. The unicorn glanced over at his friend who remained stone still.
Echo's right shoulder itched.
Very slowly the unicorn lifted his hoof and scratched the itch. Echo closed his eyes and suppressed a sigh. That was better…
When he opened his eyes, Silverwing was gone.
Echo frantically looked around. Suddenly he spotted movement and sighed. It was alright, Silverwing had started moving and was motioning carefully for him to follow.
With a smile, Echo Scratch trod after his friend. As he walked, he couldn't help but wonder… how did Silverwing find him and why did this hippogriff come into a place he clearly knew was not friendly?
Mighty Wing Streets
A lone figure snuck along in the night, the griffin stopped at seemingly random doors along the bleak road in Mighty Wing. Thanks to the rather loud music that echoed through the city the customary single knock was forced into several before the door would open and words exchanged. Sometimes the griffin inside would appear to dispute the orders given to them and a harsh, conversation would take place. Every encounter resulted in the lone figure strutting off successful.
As one particular piece of music begun, the lone griffon couldn't help but pause and thrash her head up and down in time to the beat. After a brief headbang she shook her head then took off into the night.
Galloping Gorge
Seven ponies tumbled into a forest cave. Dregs of moonlight lit the outside with an eery sense of dread as the moon peaked out from behind its cover. They were out there.
Changelings.
Griffons.
Rogue felines, minotaurs and more.
And they all wanted the princess.
After many painful moments in paranoid silence, a bloodied young colt in stained armour turned to his pretty pink fillyfriend. "Are you okay, Cadence?"
"I- I think so..." Her voice was very small. Afraid. She huddled up to her coltfriend, uncaring what the other five survivors may think.
One pegasus pony sat there preening his wings, the two unicorns and two earth ponies beside him watched the entrance to their little mossy cave carefully. Each pony was shuffled as far back as they could go, hopeful that any creature passing would miss spotting their battered group.
One of the two unicorns lit his horn and a light shimmer covered the cave entrance. "Since this is just small, that might make it look overgrown. I'm not very good at these kinds of spells, but it should keep anything dumb out as long as they can't smell us."
"And if they ain't dumb?" The earth pony guard with a black mane in stark contrast his bloodied white coat and silver armor quietly asked.
The caster chuckled darkly, "you really don't wanna hear an answer to that, Buckshot..."
"Hey, I know it's a bit late, but can everypony please whisper the passphrase in my ear?" Shining spoke up.
Buckshot nodded. He led the five as they one by one whispered the passphrase into the ear of their colonel. Shining Armor's horn glowed a faint blue as each spoke, creating a tiny bubble around their faces that cut off any chances of the words being overheard. After the five had passed, the young officer settled back. "Thank you."
"What about Cadence?" Buckshot asked.
"What about her?" Shining replied defensively.
"You gotta ask her too, right?" The pegasus's reply was more of a statement than a question.
Shining Armor opened his mouth with a retort but was silenced by Cadence's horn as it lit with a flash of green. The dragonfire letter spell!
Everypony cringed, both unicorns swore quietly.
"Dam your horn, princess." The pegasus hunkered down, his hoof blade out and ready for trouble.
"I know, I'm sorry... I'm-"
"Ssssh..." Shining Armor nuzzled his fillyfriend comfortingly. "That proves you're you. And besides... I think we're safe this time. You might want to open the others too and see what has gotten Celestia writing us so many letters."
Cadence nodded. With her magic, she pulled out a crumpled letter from her torn saddlebag and cringed. "Um... I think I lost one of them while we were running..."
A sigh escaped Shining Armor, "well... I hope they don't find it. Do you mind if I read the ones you have with you?"
"Of course. I really hope there wasn't anything important on that other scroll..."
The couple began to read quietly and Shining Armor's gaze hardened as he read.
Cadence pressed nervously up against her coltfriend. "Poor Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash..."
"Yeah..." Shining Armor mumbled. "What does the new one say?"
With a deep breath to steady herself, Cadence opened it and the couple continued to read in silence.
"Poor Auntie... I wonder what she could want to talk to me about?"
"Well, whatever it is... it will be very important if she's asking to see you as soon as you arrive back." Shining Armor finished he tore his gaze from the letter to his fellow soldiers. "This isn't good. Celestia says two of the element bearers have been attacked by griffons and were nearly killed. They also found a dead and half-eaten zebra in the wake of the griffon attack. All griffons are now barred from our lands and any who refuse, we have the authority to lock up and deport. She also asks us to make haste back to Canterlot as safely as possible. Our mission out here is aborted."
"Those sickos eat meat?" One of the unicorns recoiled in disgust.
"Griffons?" Buckshot asked. "We had better tell the princess about the scumbags we saw today. We don't have a hope in shifting them outa here."
"Not since the last attack, no." Shining Armor agreed softly.
"Do you think we should write back to Auntie now?" Cadence spoke up quietly.
"Yes, I think we should tell her everything," Shining agreed. "I'll help you write it."
Equestria...
A small ball of light flickered softly as it hovered in the air. It illuminated a draconequus, a pure white alicorn with a flowing pink mane and a very young, bright pink alicorn filly. The flickering illumination touched tall ancient trees that spread out into the darkness beyond. No movement was seen or heard in the night.
The forest was dead silent.
The filly hugged the pure white alicorn's forelegs. "I don' want to go Mom..."
"We know honey." Celestia softly tried to placate her daughter. "But this is the only way to keep thee safe. We could not bear to have thee suffer like thy sister."
"Daddy..." The young filly turned to the patchwork creature as he stood awkwardly beside Celestia.
"Mothers right." Discord cut any further pleas off. "But tis just a quick snap of my fingers. I promise thee, the next thing thou knowest, thou will be in a new age, safe from all this."
"But what if the mean old baddie wins?" The pink filly's lower lip trembled and tears threatened to escape from her eyes as her gaze hovered between her parents.
"He won't," Celestia softly spoke up once more. "Cadence... honey, close thy eyes."
Discord's lion's paw hovered in readiness to snap.
The eight year old alicorn rushed under her mother's wing and nuzzled up close. "But I don' wanna go..."
"Honey, We shall find thee."
"But I want to say here with thee..."
Tears began to trickle down the muzzle of the white alicorn as she turned to her lover and nodded. "Now, before I change my mind again."
Discord hesitated.
Celestia saw him glance at their girl as she trembled under her mother's wing. The young lord of chaos sighed. He began to focus and Celestia could feel the levels of chaos in the air rise. There was a loud snap as finger met thumb. Celestia's wing shot up and she jumped away from her daughter as though blasted by a lightning bolt. A black hole appeared in the air where the young filly had stood. With a crackle of chaos magic, the hole in reality began to mend itself. Discord slumped against the nearest tree.
"Well... I'm not doing that again..."
"Art thou alright?" Celestia rushed to her lover and carefully scooped him up with a wing.
"Yes, yes... Just drained. You know..."
Celestia nodded in understanding as her companion began to wrap himself slowly around her for support. She had no idea how much energy was required to send another being forward in time. "Does thou know where our daughter was sent?"
"That-" A grin tugged at Discord's lips. "Is the fun part. I don't know."
"What?" Celestia rounded on her partner. "What does thou mean?"
Discord laid a comforting hand on his lover. "I used all the power I could to get her out of here safely my love. Don't worry. She will be safe. She should appear in this location... but... uh... the use of chaos means that I don't know when that might be. She might pop up in five years time, but it also might be six hundred and thirty-two years. All I know is she will not be coming back until this war is over."
Celestia groaned softly. That was not the answer she had expected. Typical Discord. He always left something out until they had committed to a given course of action and it was too late to pull out. "But she's safe?"
"That she is... she might forget a day or two if she's put far enough forward in time, but apart from her little filly memory, nothing should happen to our little princess."
"Thank you." Celestia hugged her draconequus as best she could, given he was still mostly wrapped around her.
With a flash of hot angry white, Celestia found herself on scorched earth.
The sun hung low, huge and bright in the sky. The very hairs on Celestia's back felt like they were drying out from the sheer heat of her celestial body in such close proximity. Her normally multi-coloured mane burned like fire, hungry and alive. Before the sunny alicorn, smoke rose into the hot sky. Fires big and small urged on by the continual heat of the sun burned throughout what was left of Griffonstone. A griffon ran screaming as the last standing watch tower of stone fell. The creature caught fire as they took wing and fell. The ball of fire and feathers landed with his fellows, blackened bones upon the scorched earth.
Yet this fiery alicorn stood tall and proud as the world continued to burn around her. Celestia knew she had to do something. Something to save her little ponies. Something to stop the rest of the world burning too. Yet the darker side of her simply stood and watched as though everything was right in the world.
Power.
All that power.
It was all hers.
Her sun burned sharply at her irises. It was so intense that she could feel herself slowly going blind to its rays. There was no way any normal creature could retain their sight for long under such intensity.
The fiery alicorn watched as black smoke rose in the heat of her day.
She slowly pushed at her sun and felt it respond in kind. If she asked, it would withdraw.
Instead, she drew it a little closer.
Her mane burned brighter and angrier. It felt so good…
The mighty ruler of the sun stood tall and proud over the land she had conquered.
It would become a dessert. Nothing could live here anymore. Her ball of fire in the sky had seen to that.
Celestia watched the heatwaves rise. They mixed with the smoke into an endless haze that stretched out to the horizon.
There was no night. Night had fallen, overthrown.
Daybreaker reigned.
Celestia shot up in bed with a sharp intake of breath.
"No!"
Not again!
Her back was drenched with sweat and her chest heaved violently. It took several moments to regain control of herself as the feeling of dread seeped out of her body like poison.
With a heavy sigh, she fell upon her soft bed.
Not again…
'I hope Lulu didn't feel that. Hopefully, Luna was too busy with Twilight to notice I suffered another nightmare.' A shudder wracked the powerful form of the alicorn.
'But it would be easy… unleash the power of the sun. Burn them to the ground!'
'But surely not all griffons are evil. Nor do they warrant an immediate death sentence!' Not to mention it would kill all life in a massive area and make their homeland uninhabitable. It could also cause a great deal of damage to Equestria too. The sun, while a giver of life and mighty weapon, was not subtle.
'think of all your little ponies… do you want them to die in a war that you can prevent?'
Celestia rolled onto her side did her best to look out the window and enjoy her sister's night sky. It was nice. It was-
'Just bring it closer!'
"No!" Pure white wings shot outward as the large white mare rose. Bedsheets fluttered down to the floor as she stepped out of bed but paused as her chamber doors opened.
"Princess! Are you okay?" Two concerned guards stood in the doorway, their horns lit and spears ready.
Celestia turned to her faithful guardians, "I am, thank you. You may resume your duties."
The pair bowed, "as you wish." With a care laden glance back they both exited the room slowly.
Alone again, the ruler of the day trotted to the balcony. She stepped slowly out till she was looking right over the edge at her palace grounds and the city beyond. It was ever so peaceful down there. Celestia could picture it, little fillies and colts all tucked up in the beds, resting peacefully. Adults doing what stallions and mares did at night; resting, reading, eating, partying, copulating…
White cheeks tinted pink. Yes… Discord did have a way of making her feel… rather special in their younger days. Even when he turned into a pony for fun. Scenes of the many chaotic ways she and Discord had become one flashed through her mind like pleasurable lighting. Her wings fluttered. She forced them back to her sides. Those days were long gone and their only surviving daughter, evidence of such escapades was out there somewhere in the wilds of Equestria… not responding to letters.
The sunny ruler's gaze fell upon the lone statue far below. Large wings fluttered to life once more and she took flight. Celesia floated down, down, down. A lazy, large corkscrew that ended with hooves touching down directly in front of the cold hard statue. A sigh escaped the lone pony.
Why did she bother to come down here? It wasn't like he would speak with her. Or cuddle or even fight her. He could not interact with her in any way.
But this was her Discord.
Celestia lent against the statue. He was as she expected. Cold, hard and unmoving. The lonely mare sighed. Tomorrow was going to be a long day. She really should get back to bed.
Moments slid into minutes and a chill slowly spread up the large pony's spine as she continued to lounge against the still cold statue. Despite the creeping cold and boredom associated with not doing anything when one should be sleeping, Celestia did not move.
'You could bring him back you know...'
Suddenly her horn lit up golden and a scroll smacked her on the muzzle. The startled alicorn found herself clinging to her old flame, halfway up his cold sinus form.
Since when did she get so antsy?
With a dry laugh, Celestia released her hold and with open wings, descended softly to the ground.
Dragonfire spell.
Cadence.
The princess ripped open the unsealed scroll with all haste. She was greeted by the horn writing of both Cadence and Shining Armor.
Dear Auntie
I am sorry to have taken so long to write back to you. Shining Armor and I have been on the run for our lives.
It was here the horn writing changed and Celestia could tell it was now Shining Armor who was writing to her: Since meeting the three units you asked us to, we have come under attack by Changelings, rogues from Kludgetown and griffons. We have suffered extreme casualties and are down to seven, Cadence and I included. Since the mission is full abort, I will lead us to the closest train stop between the Galloping Gorge and the Unicorn Ranges in the hope that we can hail a train and sneak abroad the soonest one bound for Canterlot.
Auntie. A bittersweet smile split Celestia's muzzle. It was clear her daughter had claimed the quill once more: I will gladly speak with you privately once we are back about whatever this important matter is. I was going to do this in pony, but would you allow me to marry Shining Armor? He has been amazing and I would not be here without him. It's so scary out here and he's been so brave.
I know this might be rather sudden, but I feel the need to know now.
Cadence.
White wings twittered with joy and Celestia couldn't help but spring up and down then do a little dance of joy. She had called it!
They were perfect together! Of course, she would allow the two of them to marry.
Then the rest of the letter sank in the mighty wings sagged as the alicorn hurried back to her letter. 'I would not be here without him.' A dead weight settled on her heart. She head nearly lost her only remaining daughter. How many times, Cadence did not say. That was probably for the best though. Celestia was not sure how much her poor heart could take in a day.
And more griffons attacking ponies?
How many attacks had gone unreported?
A reply was in order. Celestia lit her horn. With a flash, the mighty alicorn appeared in her room in front of her writing desk. She hoped that her daughter, Shining Armor and the other survivors were in a safe location. She worked quickly to write up a reply. With trepidation, she sent it off. Hopefully, it would find her daughter before any enemies would.
Celestia felt her eyes drawn to the scroll on her desk. Changelings, rogues and griffons. The changelings were bad news. Rogues were likely involved because of money, but who could pay them? The Changelings didn't deal in bits and the griffon folk were too stingy to let go of their money without great reward.
With a sigh, Celestia plonked herself on the side of her soft bed. 'How deep did this alliance run?'
It was too much for griffons to attack both zebras, her own element bearers and assault her niece in one day without something dangerous afoot. The griffons and likely the other groups too were planing something. The ancient alicorn could feel in her bones that there was no longer a real chance for peace. Spitfire and Soarin were wasting their time. They would either get attacked or be told no, the griffons would not withdraw peacefully.
Time to contact her allies once more. It was time to defend her own land. Her ponies.
Equestria.
Fragments of her dream returned, unbidden to mind. Celestia shook herself. No. She would not burn the griffon kingdoms to the ground. She could not risk the lives of innocents along with the wider lands of the planet.
Griffonstone, Mighty Wing
The dungeon-like room was lit by a single candle in the middle of a simple black circular table. A small group of seven griffins sat around the table. At the head sat the leader of the group, Chief Grandeur. He appeared as smug as always in his better than thou manner that left the others in the room with no question of who ruled the roost. There was a distant rumble of bass alongside screeches from the metal concert that raged onward outside someplace not all that far away.
A single long talon traced along the table as the chief continued to talk, louder than normal to be heard by every grif. "...I would very much like to see them after this meeting," requested Grandeur. "I have some missions in mind for your operatives, Lynx."
A hooded griffon in black with a dull black and brown face bowed low. "As you wish, my lord." The dyed red beak gleamed in the candlelight as the operative smiled with pleasure.
"So," a gruff bass voice spoke up. "We are halfway there. But are you sure now is a good time to start the war? We would look like fools if our plan were to be revealed too soon and Celestia prevents the summoning." A dark grey and black griffin with deep blue wingtips scowled at his leader. He was the only best in the room who could compare to the mighty chief in size and strength. He stood a full head taller than his lord, a true giant of his species. Upon his strong shoulders, he wore black and dark red armour that snaked round to cover his muscular chest and sides. Upon the shoulders of the dark metal, there sat a winged shield insignia, the sign of the black guard. Grandeur's personal armed forces had been ordered to cease operations many times in the past, yet here stood the commander of the forbidden unit, ready for action.
"Commander Dark Wing... now is the perfect time. I am well aware of the risks. But should we assassinate several of the members of the pony bearers of harmony, we shalt be well on the way to victory. That tree and those artifacts are a bigger danger to us than the pony sisters. At this very moment, they will be in Canterlot, summoned by their princess to see their friends whom a captain of mine either killed or injured."
"Wait. Celestia isn't the biggest threat?" Spoke up one of the hooded griffons near the back.
"How do you know this?" cut in a snow white female with a black beak. "And isn't Canterlot too well guarded for any assassination attempt? ...Especially now they know we are hostile?"
"Sasha," smiled Grandeur. "Good question... yes. And that is aided by an insider or two I know of. Seeing the developments, I hope to use them to our advantage." Claws clacked against the hard surface of the table as the leader of the meeting took his sweet time.
"We all suspect that Celestia hid several of our talismans of Warbeak. Now that my captain has so dumbly alerted her to our search I am sure she shall send scouts to check on any talismans she personally knows of. The element bearers too shall be used. Should she send them out without their two downed companions, I wish for them to be killed. As brutally as possible then left, half eaten for her dumb guards to find."
"You want them to show us where the last of our Warbeak talismans for us?" asked Lynx. "My fellow operatives will love this..."
"What?" One of the other hooded griffons asked rather loudly. "Speak up idiots!"
"Precisely," the soft reply was accompanied with a nod. Chief Grandeur smirked to himself as he completely ignored the griffon who had just spoken up. "Then your scouts will kill them!" The griffin chief smote the table then turned to his faithful blackguard who stood at the table on his right. "Commander Dark Wing, while the assassins keep silent watch, I wish for your griffins to make themselves seen once the council is underway. That way, they will know I still hold the true power of the griffin colonies. Volibeak, my captain who is not here, will see to the scouts. They will side with me. Sasha, we shall require thy services. Every important griffin under my command will need armour and weapons imbued with the zebra's potions and magics, fit for war." The snow white female griffin grinned with pride and nodded in reply, allowing her leader to continue. "Fowl Claw. I need you to make sure that your fellow commanders in the guard do not try and stop the black guard's entry into Primal Beak. The meeting between our colonies chiefs must not be disrupted, even if it tis me who is under attack."
"Yes, Chief." Bowed the chocolate brown griffin, his red stained beak curled open in pleasure.
Chief Grandeur turned to the dark grey hooded griffin to his left. "I want you, unknown, to do what you do best. I want thou to become active in Equestria once more. Join our spies... find out when it is that Celestia is to send her elements in search of our talismans and where they are destined to go. Immediately inform Lynx and his assassins for they shalt be waiting in the wing to strike."
"I shall venture forth with pleasure..." the slimy voice of Unknown cut through the deep rumble of the concert as deep scarlet eyes gleamed with dark pleasure from within the hood unnerving every beast around him.
"Good. Depart now," the chief dismissed his chief spy with a casual wave of his claw.
"What of the changelings? How goes progress in the west?" A rich brown griffon with a spiky tuft on the top of his head spoke up.
The chief sighed. "I had hoped no one would mention them."
"But we gave them assistance!" Another griffon spoke up.
"As have some from Kludgetown and the surrounding badlands." Grandeur reminded his fellows. "Those... bugs are attempting to set up for an attack on Canterlot, with or without us."
Murmurs of displeasure ripped across the room loud enough to compete with the light thunder from the metal concert that continued outside in the city beyond.
The chief turned to his father, who sat at his right claw. "Thou art been oddly silent father. Is there something on thy mind?"
"Speak up!" Rasped the elder.
"What are you thinking, old beak!?" Powerful wings flared slightly as the chief loudly addressed his sire.
The elder griffon rammed his beak up close and personal in his son's face. "I'm not deaf! It's that stupid concert, it makes it hard to concentrate when you talk soft! Do you want me to bash your beak in!?"
Several griffons exchanged looks in the dark, candlelit space. None dared speak up, for they knew how quick to anger the old griffon was.
Grandeur eyed the raised claw then lifted his own to carefully force his father into submission. "Do you have something to contribute, or shall we continue to talk too soft for your worn out ears?"
The elder griffon scoffed at his son. "Kill the element bearers! Should we succeed in removing their elements... nothing will stop us... that includes Celestia and her precious partner of old, Discord!"
The mention of the lord of disharmony caused everyone to fall into an odd, uncomfortable silence. The faint clash and boom, boom of the metal concert filled the space. While the draconequus had focused his threat upon ponykind, all griffins present knew the kind of chaos that came from the one known as Discord. Although he was merely a story to most griffins, the more learned knew of his past deeds and what he was capable should he be freed from his stone prison once more. The only escape in history had led to a very strange day to night cycle and many other problems that no griffon wished to have visited upon them again. No griffin warrior wanted to be forced to fly upside down in battle or worse.
After a few moments of catching his breath, Chief Gigan continued. "I am sure thou all remember the stories I have told thee... Celestia is not the only reason we lost last time. However, should he return... We have answer! No more element bearers! No more alicorn magic! No more Discordian chaos!" An ancient gnarled claw reached up and dug into the table in malice. "But, I wilt personally oversee the execution of any who hinder our quest. That includes any of thee."
The elder's words rilled several griffins, all of whom considered themselves forever loyal to the chief and his father's cause.
"Give me the three..." commanded the ancient griffin. His claw opened, demanding payment.
His son, Chief Grandeur turned to face the elder griffin. "What are you going on about, you old fool!?"
"I said, give me the three!"
"Father, thou sure about this? Surely it should be me to-"
"Mine!" raged Chief Gigan, completely intolerant of his son's objections.
"Why?" asked an annoyed Chief Grandeur, angered that his father was standing him up in front of his most important followers.
"Because..." The grey with age beast took a deep breath to steady himself as adrenaline surged through his ancient system, fuelled by his own anger toward his hard headed son. He decided to drop a bomb in the form of information no other beast had been privy to as of yet. "The one who bears the six must give his life that his lord may return. Thy talismans do grant power... but the only true control any have is the power to summon the griffin of war. They only have one master and he wilt not relinquish them. This is my dream!" Bloodshot eyes pierced the gloom as the aggravated elder glared at the younger griffins.
In response to the unexpected information, the golden tail ring of power was hastily tossed to the elder griffin who snatched the offering without thanks.
Gigan turned to his son. "Well?"
"Well what?" Grandeur shot back, his feathers ruffled. He towered over his father and did his best to look intimidating to his elder. "I will look after them until it is thy time. Don't you think I too have heard stories? I know what the talismans can do."
Without warning, the ancient griffin lashed out at his son. His right claw struck the bigger griffin right on the bottom of his muzzle and left a gash all the way up the side of his face. Grandeur held his ground as his father left with his single acquired talisman of Warbeak.
"Dam, boss. You okay?" asked Dark Wing, his gruff bass tone brought everyone out of the shock of seeing their master attacked by his own father. The monster of a griffin took a step toward his Chief, left foreleg outstretched to offer help should it be needed.
"I'll be fine," insisted Chief Grandeur bitterly. "This shall make me look nice and pretty for tomorrow." A cruel grin appeared on the face of the chief as he imagined the impact his latest scar would have on the council tomorrow.
The larger griffin took a step away from his dangerous boss. He nodded respectfully as he sat at his place once more. "I never said a thing. Continue, chief."
"I think I've told you all enough for one night. You lot know what you need to. The final pieces are now set and we are ready to play." The leader's face hardened. "Final question... Who art with me?"
Squarks of support and approval rang out across the dungeon like room. The Chief smiled, delighted that all his followers were still so readily on his side. "And now... I shalt see thee all tomorrow at noon for the next phase." The only griffin who wore a suit then turned stalked moodily out as blood leaked down his face. Lynx, Sasha and Fowl Claw were all quick to follow.
The clashing music erupted in volume as the bloodied leader left the sanctuary of the stone building and strode out into the street. "I may yet have a use for that bloody racket!"
"Are those nuances playing, the ones who opposed our movement?" Sasha asked loudly.
"Yes, sir." Lynx was quick to answer. "Shall I have them silenced?"
"No. I think I have a better idea..." Grandeur smirked darkly.
"Oh? Do share..." Sasha couldn't help but find her leaders smirk infectious.
"It goes like this..." Grandeur began.
Equestria
A watcher in the night looked over the griffon camp with beady red eyes. At the sound of rather loud squawking, the creature's gaze was torn toward two griffons some way off. They were busy ...probably mating. With a shake of its head, the watcher turned it's gaze back to the main camp. As the griffon on guard duty strode to the side of the camp closest to the watcher in the trees, the creature vanished into the branches. A hint of a sharp beak could be seen under the starlight, but it too vanished as its owner quietly soared off. The watcher pulled out a vial filled with a dark liquid. The griffon played with it in it's claw briefly before it landed, threw the vial on the ground at it's feet and in a puff of black smoke, vanished into the night.
Mighty Wing, Chief Grandeur's mansion
Gilda walked along the passageways of her home, alone. She was tired from playing messenger and her legs had a dull ache in them from all the walking in confined areas. Claws clicked against the solid stone as she made her way up toward her father's study. The passageway was poorly lit, only by the occasional candle. After all, this section of the house was off limits after dark. Between the darkness and the rugged hallway, a hostile atmosphere hung in the air. It was as if the walls themselves were telling Gilda to turn back for fear of death. While the sense would scare many creatures away, this young griffin was on a mission and she was determined to see it through.
The young griffin soon reached her destination. She carefully pried open the door. "Where are you...?" she muttered, unwilling to be kept out from her father's room and true plans for much longer.
Sure enough, the intimidating office was deserted, just as it should be at such a time. Given his workaholic ways, he was definitely still out, running his mouth while his cronies listened. Gilda had no idea how long the meeting would take or what kind of information her dad would hide from her upon his return. The cool youngster sighed and quickly moved over to a few filing cabinets behind her father's desk. She rifled through several, muttering to herself about papers.
One file in particular, which she had to wonder why it wasn't stored in a secret place, labelled GRIFFIN COUNCIL, DIE, she pulled out.
"Same old Dad. Secretive, impossible to nail down... but... I know how your mind works..." she smirked as she flicked through the contents.
The papers inside consisted of information regarding, as she discovered, the treaty between the Griffins and the rest of Equestria itself.
"Wait... There's a treaty like this?" She questioned out loud. "I thought that was just some dumb story dad fed me when I was a chick to make me go into dweeb land..."
The youngster pulled out the first paper to better read it. Her eyes travelled quickly down the page, then onto the next. "No way... Dad... you sneaky griffon." Gilda stared at the section in shock. No such treaty was taught at any of the schools in the griffin tribes. Aside from the odd mention by her father of a treaty that was supposed to bring false peace between all species in and around Equestria, nothing had ever been mentioned. She smiled.
"Why would they hide this, I wonder..." she mused.
She carefully repacked the treaty and placed it away in its place. As she was about to shut the draw she spotted something else of interest to her keen eyes. She always had known her father must be hiding something. But it was beginning to appear as though she had just walked in on a treasure trove. She pulled out the second sheet.
This was a rather torn piece of paper. The scrawling upon it was clearly her father's claw. Some blurb around infiltrating a boring pony city.
She moved on.
Her claw reached another piece of torn paper. As she skimmed it, she spotted mention of the talismans of warbeak. 'No wonder he was always pushing for me to find another talisman of Warbeak. Those things must have some serious power. They sound cooler than the ponies lame elements of Harmony too...' Another search of her father's desk drawers led to the discovery of one particular notebook. Which had a lock on it. Where the key was, she didn't know, but this had to be some top secret information all the more. Her nose could also faintly smell something. It smelt like salted meat. Of course, her father may keep an emergency stash of food up in his study. He did spend all day in here sometimes, after all, Gilda reasoned to herself.
Gilda shook her head, her father needed to learn to be more subtle sometimes. Then a thought struck the searching griffin. If her father kept all this information hidden away, maybe he kept his talismans somewhere dumb too.
With a grin, the cocky youngster began a new search. She shoved the drawer closed and began hunting through other draws on her father's work desk. The solo griffin's claws made quick work of sifting through the rubbish and random papers that littered the insides. After several tense moments of wondering if the items had been taken out by the Chief himself when he went off to his meeting, her thoughts were halted. Gilda's claws scraped the bottom of the right hand draw and felt a small steel hook. With a grin, she grasped the hook and slowly forced the hidden compartment up. It was empty!
Most likely her father had taken the artifacts with him this night. A shame. Gilda had almost hoped to steal one of them.
A muffled slam of a door echoed down the halls. Gilda jumped, wings out in shock.
'Dads home? Already!?'
Gilda frantically shoved the secret compartment closed, jammed the rest of the papers back in then fled the study as quietly as she could in the opposite direction to the sounds of the incoming griffon. Hopefully, her father would not notice anything amiss.
Dreamscape
Twilight lay on a soft cloud under a bed of stars. Little tiny dots covered her vision, each and every constellation had come out to greet the unicorn, led by the moon which hung centrally in the young mare's vision. The night sky was perfect. Not even another cloud. Twilight was sure Luna had set her up with a dream specifically to please her. Hopefully, she was not still trying to actively win her over. That would sour an otherwise sweet gesture.
After an unknown amount of time, Twilight stretched out a bit and felt feathers brush against her barrel. The young mare leapt up in surprise. Two magnificent purple wings burst open.
"What the-" Twilight gazed in wonder the feathers that were apparently hers. "But if I'm dreaming... I'm supposed to be how I see myself. I don't see myself with wings. As... an alicorn..." She lit her horn and yes, it still functioned. So... alicorn.
Why was she an alicorn in her own dream?
Or was she an alicorn because Luna had crafted her dream? But... why would Luna view her as a young alicorn?
Had Luna's obvious infatuation led to this change in perception? It wasn't because Luna viewed her as an alicorn in the hopes for an eternal partner, was it?
The beautiful stars twinkled overhead. Twilight sighed in frustration as the moon captured her attention once more with its stunning gentle rays. "Luna."
No reply.
Of course. She was probably off tending to other dreamers. But could Twilight summon her, or trick her into thinking she was suffering from a nightmare?
The studious winged unicorn awkwardly unfurled her wings and settled them at her sides. She then closed her eyes and began to focus on less peaceful thoughts.
"Think bad things..."
'Discord. Mean griffons... Missing griffon artifact... My library burning down!?' As a mental image of her library on fire filled her mind, she lit her horn and projected the fear outward into a state of reality inside the dream. She held onto the terrible vision for an agonising moment after moment as horror filled her being. Just as Twilight was about to cancel her spell she heard a poof.
"Twilight art thou alri- Twilight?"
The young mage jolted out of her horror inducing magic and collapsed upon the soft cloud. The sky immediately returned to its peaceful setting once more as Twilight collected herself. She rolled over to face the stunned matron of dreams, "what aren't you telling me?"
"How didst thou turn my peaceful setting to one of such horror and why?" Luna demanded.
"To see you."
Luna took a step back as though struck. "But we thought thou wished for time apart?"
"Why are there wings on my back?"
"Because in this dream thou art an alicorn. Is that not clear to thee?"
"It is." Twilight agreed with a straight face. "But this is not how I see myself."
The purple mare noticed her companion appeared suddenly nervous, although Luna was quick to hide it. "Well?"
"Did thou at least enjoy the dream I crafted for thee?"
"Yes, I did." Twilight cast her gaze to the stars beyond. "But, I believe I would only be an alicorn right now if the one who made the dream saw me as such and their will was stronger than my own."
"Mayhaps... tis close to the truth," Luna admitted softly. "Will has less to do with it, for I doubt I could match thy will."
Twilight scrutinized her companion. "Seriously?"
"Does thou trust thy brother?"
"Of course." Twilight quietly wondered where such a question came from, unless it was a way to lead into-
"My sister..."
'Right...'
"Although We have returned, there have been many days where it is hard to forget the past. Hard to forget how I have hurt her and she me. We worry that the nightmare was not entirely vanquished and what my sister may do if she ever found out. Twilight... We do not wish to ever be banished to our own moon ever again. Yet when I first checked on this artifact, it called to me in a way that made me realize... the nightmare is me... a part of me. No matter what stories may say... Nightmare Moon is... me..."
As silence fell between the duo, Twilight sat in contemplative stillness as her brain raced. Celestia needed to know this! Celestia could fix it! They could work together to find a solution
"Why couldn't you have just told me this while we were awake? I want to help you!" Twilight leapt up, wings out, into the night mare's face.
Sheepishly Luna turned away. "We know- it's just... hard. We are used to being alone..."
Twilight sighed. "Well, you're not alone, not anymore." She leant in and hugged the lonesome alicorn, noting how they appeared to be of almost the same statue here in the dream world. "I'm here for you and I will be for as long as I can. Okay?"
Luna glanced at her dreamscape companion.
The silence stretched out into many awkward moments as Twilight continued to loosely hug her companion. "Luna?"
Finally, the mare of the night broke out of whatever trance she was in. "Sorry... what was that?"
Twilight broke her hold on the pretty dark blue alicorn and seated herself on the soft cloud. "Do you see me as an alicorn? No- wait. I think we've already established that by your own admission. Why do you see me like this?"
"I... really can't say..." Luna faltered as she sat down.
Twilight groaned softly, her companion had better not be obtuse. "Why?"
"I... I think thou- you... Twilight make a very pretty alicorn." Luna tentatively replied.
A louder groan of annoyance broke from the younger alicorn's muzzle. "I thought I told you... you're not making it any easier or better by doing any of this. You can't make me love you. In fact, you're making me even more annoyed at you!"
Luna's head sunk low then she began to fade from the dreamscape. "Then I shall leave thee be."
"No wait!"
Much to Twilight's surprise, her companion did, in fact, listen this time.
"Look. Please... just see me in the morning. I need to think. Thank you for coming into my dream, seriously. And thank you for sharing your problems with me."
Shock flashed across the mare of the night. "Thou art not off-put by the burden I shared with thee? Nightmare Moon is both a great shame to all I am and a threat to Equestria."
"Then why don't you tell Celestia? I'm sure she can help."
"As We have said... We- I... have not reconnected well with my sister. We both are haunted by events over a thousand years ago. We have also grown into two very different ponies..."
Twilight picked herself up, closed the gap between the two and awkwardly laid a wing over her darker companion. "Look... uh... I haven't read many books on romance... so I have no idea how to approach us... but, if you are okay with me continuing to treat you as my best friend, then I want to help. Please, let me think for the rest of the night. I'll do some research in the morning to try and help, you're even welcome to join in while I research and try figure out a plan on what to do about finding this artifact and quietening this part of you that you say is the Nightmare. Okay?"
Luna nodded solemnly. A tear escaped her eyes and fell to the cloud underhoof. "Thank you so much... I shall go now."
Unsure what else to say as panic continued to rise deep inside, Twilight nodded briskly.
With a flash of moonlight, Luna was gone.
Feathers brushed against Twilight's side. She quickly turned only to be reminded of the wings attached to her body. "Right. I forgot to ask her to change the wings thing. Guess one night as an alicorn should be okay though... What to do about the Nightmare and this artifact?" A sudden burst of anxiety overtook the young alicorn. A sudden burst of anxiety overtook the young alicorn. The artifact! Nightmare Moon! Luna's sanity! What to do... what to do..?
Several deep, nervous breaths later and the young mage was no closer to her answer. She was however, somewhat calmer. Maybe the dream was helping calm her down? Twilight knew such moments usually lasted a lot longer. What else had Luna done to her dream in attempt at pleasing her?
The purple alicorn sighed.
Both problems would have to wait till morning. Twilight turned her gaze to the heavens. She had a dream to enjoy. Or at least, to try and enjoy. She flapped her wings once. Maybe she could even attempt flight?
Without her books? Or any reference material before her first flight? Nervousness welled up inside. Maybe she should just stay here?
Her wings fluttered to life. It felt like a good time to try and fly. At least any accidents here would be harmless to her real body.
Decision made, Twilight took off into the beautiful night. Maybe some flying might help clear her head too.
Luna's eyes shot open as she sent herself into the waking world of the night. She was in her own bed in her personal chambers. Everything was just as it was when she had left the waking world. At least that meant the Nightmare was probably not taking hold of her body when she was absent from it.
Twilight's words came, unbidden to mind; 'Do you see me as an alicorn?'
'Yes.'
Of course she did. Deep down, Luna wished to see her precious pony transform. Did Twilight not know Celestia was planning to help her become a princess too? That Twilight had been groomed by her sister to one day take over the ruling of Equestria? That it was in her future to ascend. Luna snorted to herself. No. Of course not. Celestia loved her little games far too much to tell anypony anything more than what she felt they needed to know. Despite this, the prospect of a lover who would not leave her due to old age and death was a temptation all of its own. Far too many ponies with promise had faded, yet here and now she had a chance with somepony who would not grow old and frail.
The mare of the night lay down on her soft bed once more and closed her eyes. A smile cracked at her lips as she remembered Twilight's request to see her in the morning. They could still study together! Twilight had also called her... her best friend!
Maybe, even despite the griffon attack, she might have a chance. Luna felt a tug from the dreamscape. Another poor pony was suffering a nightmare. Time for action!
With that, Luna's body relaxed in bed as her mind entered the realms of slumber.