Canterlot Castle
The early morning peace was broken by the clip-clop of hooves as Luna strode out of the library, Twilight Sparkle half a pace behind. The beauty of the hallway was lost on the ruler as it sparkled in the sun.
Luna froze mid march. "Wait. Somepony is in need of me."
"What?"
Twilight turned just in time to catch the slumping princess in her magic. "What? Luna?"
'She must have gone into the dreamscape!'
The young mage suppressed her rather sudden eagerness, now was not the time to follow the princess of the night. If Luna had to help somepony with a nightmare now, then it must be a bad one!
The lavender unicorn carefully placed the princess down upon the cold hard tiles. Twilight did her best to position the regal alicorn so that the return to her body would hopefully not lead to her smacking her face into the floor or anything else embarrassing.
Once the majestic form of Princess Luna was laid upon the cold floor in a loose resting pose, Twilight took a deep breath. How long would it take to help somepony caught in a nightmare?
The studious unicorn allowed her gaze to wander the downed mare. It occurred to her that Luna was rather pretty.
Not that she was attracted to mares.
No...
It was at this moment that Twilight realized something.
Cute dark spots had appeared with a light dusting on the bridge of the princess's nose. The newly appeared freckles made her look adorable!
The young scholar suddenly noticed that more dapples had appeared between the mighty dark wings and the ethereal mane. With a slight blush upon her muzzle, Twilight lifted the princess of the night in her magic. Her inquisitiveness was sparked and she could not help but wonder if there were more of these cute spots. She slowly turned the alicorn over as one may roll a barrel. No spots on her tummy. However...
There were a few cute darker spots around the crescent moon cutie mark. These dapples bubbled up toward her back and tail. Because the dapples were lighter than the black around the moon, the new additions to Luna's flank were rather easy to pick out now that Twilight was looking for them.
The blushing unicorn levitated the darker alicorn further away from herself. She realized that Luna was sideways now and a few dark feathers were touching the floor. If she were awake right now, she would be in a very uncomfortable position. Yet she continued to hold the unconscious pony at eye level as her eyes continued to explore the new sights. Twilight could clearly see the dapples that meandered between the base of Luna's mane and her wings. The spots around her cutie mark didn't quite meet at the top of her rear.
It made the princess of the night look cute.
Yes, Twilight agreed with that statement and did her best to file it away in the archives of her mind with the rest of her scientific research. Because after all, that was all this in fact was.
Wasn't it?
With a gasp, Luna's conscious returned to her body and she lurched.
Twilight cried out in shock, her magic failed and the mighty princess of the night crashed to the floor with a loud thud.
Several expletives in old equestrian escaped the felled alicorn who rolled slowly onto her back, legs in the air and her wings splayed out either side of her. She glared up at the mare who had held her. "Pray tell why thou dropped this body of mine!?"
Twilight took a step back as the sheer volume of the princess's words hit her. "I- I'm sorry..."
The dark princess rolled over then staggered to her feet and flicked her wings in exasperation. She shot the smaller mare an annoyed look, "Why were thou holding us?"
"Uh..." Twilight faltered, her gaze locked upon the cute smattering of freckles that spread from the bridge of the dark blue nose to under those shining eyes.
"Do we have something on this face of mine?" Luna exhaled slowly.
"Uh... W-well, maybe. They look really cute on you."
"What?" Luna blanched. "They?"
Twilight was left alone in a puff of moon dust. She gaped at the empty hallway for a moment before it occurred to her where the majestic mare had most likely fled to.
Without a second thought, she felt an eruption of magic as her horn pulsed with power and she appeared in the bedroom of the mistress of the night.
Before her, the darker royal sister stood, her gaze transfixed upon the large mirror above her nightstand. "Um... princess Luna. Is something wrong?"
Stunning green eyes met light purple. The matron of the night lit her horn. Light blue magic cascaded down her form. Each dapple the light met vanished. The magic continued to work its way down till it met her tail and fizzled out.
"Like what thou seest?"
Twilight startled and realized her eyes had followed the trail of magic. Unfortunately for her, she had failed to remove her vision from the rear of the princess who stood with a rather pleased look upon her face. The two mares held each other's gaze in the mirror for a few long moments before Twilight, at last, managed a reply: "You hid your dapples? Why?"
The regal princess of the night stood tall, a pleased smile playing at the sides of her lips. "Why indeed. They are an insult to my image. Tis only because of the sudden, unexpected exit We made from this vessel that my cover failed."
"But they're cute!"
The coy smile slipped out of hiding, "thou thinkest them cute?"
"Well... I mean- objectively of course. Not that I'm trying to say- uh... well... yes. Fine. They kind of- really do look cute on you. Okay?"
Luna settled into a seated position upon her polished floor, her rear still faced her crush as she gazed at the cute unicorn behind her in the mirror. "May we continue this discussion in a few moments? I encountered something unusual in the dreamscape with Rainbow Dash."
"You mean it wasn't a nightmare?"
"Nay. It was. But it turned out to be more than a nightmare."
Twilight sat up, rather perturbed. "More? We should check on her then!"
"And we shall," Luna's horn filled the room with a flash of light.
The two mares appeared in the lobby of the royal hospital. Luna cast a quick glance around, "Rainbow Dash is in ward seven, correct?"
Twilight nodded. "We must check on her."
"Ooooh, sounds like a plan!" Pinkie Pie exclaimed as she popped up between the duo.
Luna's wings flared in shock and a strangled cry escaped her. "What unholy-! How did thou appear so?"
"Like this?" Pinkie effortlessly zipped around the alicorn and waved her forelegs, "easy!"
"She's just being Pinkie Pie," reasoned Twilight. "Where are the others? I think Rainbow Dash might be in some kind of trouble."
"They'll be here any moment, don't you worry," Pinkie grinned back.
"Thanks, Pinkie," Twilight replied as she took off at a swift trot down the hallway.
Luna slipped away from the party pony and hastened to her mare's side. She was quick to reason that Twilight was, after all, her mare. She gave the bouncing pony a cautionary glance as Pinkie kept pace.
Canterlot Castle, hospital
At the bedside of Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy sighed. The mare had no idea how long she had been sitting there, clutching onto her lover's hoof for dear life. She was sure the nurse had come and gone to check on them both. Other than that... life felt as though it had been paused as she waited in silence for her beloved to return.
Her tummy itched a bit and she rubbed a forehoof against one of the spots where the griffons had punctured her skin. She was reminded of how she had been told to be very careful. The buttery yellow mare sighed.
Fluttershy rose slowly. Her right wing itched from within its bandages. She grit her teeth and tried to fight off the feeling. The lonely mare stretched and a few light pops and cracks rang out. As she worked a few joints loose her mind wandered. When would Rainbow Dash wake up? Was she okay? Was she dreaming?
A knock at the door caused the timid pegasus to jump in surprise, "eep! Who's there?"
"Hiiiiii!" Pinkie Pie burst into the room in an explosion of party streamers. Two light blue and pink balloons floated in after her.
Fluttershy almost hit the ceiling from the sheer volume. How her Rainbow Dash remained out cold was a mystery.
"Pinkie, you were told to be quiet," Twilight's reprimand preceded the mare as she entered. Princess Luna remained at the rear of the small party.
"Sorry, I guess I was just really really really excited see Fluttershy awake," the party pony faltered.
"But still," Applejack spoke up from the hallway outside, "please try tone that down."
The somewhat annoyed farmer entered the room, "we do still have one unconscious pony here."
"Yep." Pinkie turned to recovering pegasus, "it's wonderful to see that you're awake. I'm sorry I scared you."
"Oh, it's okay." Fluttershy smiled as she leant against her fillyfriend's bed. "I've only been awake for a little while. Rainbow Dash might still need more sleep before she wakes up. She did... try and defend me... all by her self..."
Rarity paused in the doorway, Spike by her side as she digested the solemn words.
A few tears glistened in the bright green eyes of the animal caretaker as she tenderly beheld the face of her lover. "She was so brave..."
Rarity hastily approached and threw her forelegs around the quivering mare. The other three friends quickly joined in the hug.
Luna stood near the doorway, awkwardly watching the mob of ponies crowding the downed speedster's bed. Her gaze was fixated upon the mare who lay there, breathing slowly and ever so peacefully.
Spike glanced up at the powerful alicorn as he too hovered at the edge of the group. Seeing her transfixed upon the bedridden Rainbow Dash, he settled for slowly approaching Rarity and Twilight as they broke from the hug.
The mare of the night paid no heed to the chatter of the group of friends as they settled beside Rainbow Dash's bedside. The princess lit her horn and with a rush of magic, felt the downed pony before her. Her magic confirmed that the mare was, in fact, alive and recovering. The magically healed wounds had been accepted well enough that she should wake, well but weakened.
Yet something bugged at the princess of the night. She felt as though she had missed yet another important detail. Something. She huffed. Luna realized there was a lavender hoof waving in her face. She cancelled her magic and straightened up. "Sorry."
Twilight gazed up at her date in concern. "Are you okay? You seemed vacant. And why were you using magic on Rainbow Dash?"
"Is she okay?" Fluttershy spoke up then ducked back shyly as Luna paid attention to her. "Sorry, just that's my Rainbow Dash you were... um..."
Luna quirked a brow at the shy pegasus who had trailed nervously off. "Thou art within thy rights to ask. We were merely assessing her vessel. It appears that my sister's magic, along with the work of hospital staff is well received."
"You think she might wake up soon?" Fluttershy replied hopefully.
"That is not for me to say, We do not wish to get thy hopes up."
"But she is okay?"
"Correct," Luna affirmed. "Weakened, but okay."
"Thank you," Fluttershy breathed a sigh of relief and gave her fillyfriend's hoof a light, supportive squeeze.
Twilight leant in closer toward the dark alicorn, "is something wrong?"
"Tis nothing. Just something I wish to discuss with mine sister."
"Oh," Twilight accepted.
"Want us to bring you something nice for breakfast?" Pinkie Pie enthusiastically offered the yellow pegasus.
"Um... I guess. I'm pretty sure I have to stay here all week and I want to be here, right next to Rainbow Dash. I want to be right here for her when she wakes up."
"But what if it isn't until tomorrow, or two days later that she wakes up?" Rarity asked. "If you need rest, surely you should be on your own bed resting. You don't want to be a mess when she wakes up."
Fluttershy turned to her mare, "I might ask if it's okay to have our bed's moved close together so I can hold her hoof."
"We can ask a nurse to do that," Luna offered.
"That would be wonderful if you could, thank you."
"In that case We shall visit the nurse, then we must see Celestia," Luna replied then set off out of the room.
"Want to have breakfast with us?" Pinkie offered Twilight.
The lavender mare hesitantly shook her head, "sorry. Luna needs me."
"Okie dokie,"
"Go on dear," Rarity spoke up as she noticed the uncertain look cast their way by her fellow unicorn. "We can stay with Fluttershy for a few more minutes before we head off to breakfast."
"Okay, thanks, girls."
Canterlot Castle, Throne Room
Two mares appeared in Celestia's throne room with a light twinkle of moonlight that dissipated in a soft cloud into daylight.
Two regal looking unicorn stallions span around to face the pair who had appeared behind them.
From her throne, Celestia eyed her sister inquisitively. "Yes, sister?"
"We must speak with thee immediately," The dark alicorn announced.
"Is this matter unable to wait until after court?"
"Nay sister."
"Understood." The solar alicorn turned to the two nobles who sat before her. "I am sorry, but I must speak with my sister. If you could please wait outside while I speak with her. Our session shall resume once I have spoken with her."
"Yes, princess." The pair bowed low then strode out. As they passed the two newly appeared mares, one of the stallions shot Luna a reproachful look.
Twilight noticed and tracked the haughty stallion's progress right up to the door. She relaxed as the large doors slammed shut.
"What's wrong, dear sister?" Celestia spoke as the echo of the door faded.
"Rainbow Dash vanished from the dream realm."
"When?" The concerned solar princess hurried down to meet her sister and student.
"About ten minutes ago."
"But we left her in a stable condition at the hospital yesterday."
"We know, but that's not all. On the way here, she had a nightmare. We entered the dream realm to help her and as we fought to enter her dream, her door faded and the connection to her soul disappeared. As we tried to find out what happened, she reappeared, her soul quiet and still. I returned to my body then Twilight and myself rushed to her bedside. She is alive and recovering but not awake."
"I have never heard of ponies souls disappearing from your dream realm unless they are deceased. Please, correct me if I'm wrong." Celestia replied sternly.
"Never," Luna confirmed. "Except it has. One other dreamer this morning."
Celestia cast her sister a guarded, inquisitive look.
"Thy daughter."
"What happened?" Shocked and concerned, Celestia towered over her sister. It felt like the mighty alicorn gained an extra hoof or more in height.
"I didn't- I thought..." Luna stuttered.
"You have a daughter?" Twilight exploded, her eyes wide as she gazed up at her mighty mentor.
"I do. Although I have kept her a secret for many years... until my sister announced it."
Luna shrank back a step from her older sibling, "I'm sorry, but-"
"Is she safe?" Celestia once again rounded on her sister who shrank back.
"Yes. I think so. She was dreaming of-" Luna shot Twilight glance. "Chaotic... We only noticed because I was passing her spirit. The door to her dream grew dark then vanished. I- I had no idea what to do. While it is most unusual for her soul to be hidden from me, her soul reappeared before my panic grew enough for me to seek thee out."
Luna sighed, her head hung low. "I was unsure how to pursue the matter further. But when Rainbow Dash's dream did the same just now... We realized... some creature may be invading my dreamscape."
A tense silence filled the throne room.
Celestia's mighty wings flexed. The largest wingspan in all of Equestria extended to full display then settled. The intense solar princess stood tall, "Luna, I want you to find out why my daughter and Rainbow Dash disappeared from your dreamscape. Then I want you to find the creature responsible for invading your realm and I want them in my throne room for judgment. You have my permission to seek Twilight's help but please don't let this news spread further than us three."
"Yes, sister."
Twilight gazed between the pair of alicorns, wide eyed. What just happened?
Celestia relaxed as she turned to her loyal student, "Twilight, please come and see me at lunchtime in private. There is something I must tell you."
"Okay, sure." The young unicorn apprehensively replied. "But there is one more thing."
Celestia sighed. "Is it about the griffons, or another missing artifact?"
Canterlot Castle
"Well... that went well..." Twilight huffed as she walked along through the palace hallways toward the library. A dark blue alicorn walked in step alongside her, a concerned look upon her muzzle.
"Surely thou realized before that thy pegasus friend, Rainbow Dash was unlikely to awaken so soon." Luna offered softly in consolation. "At least your other friends were there to visit too?"
"I don't mean that. It was wonderful to see Fluttershy awake." Twilight groaned as she shot her friend a pointed look. "I mean Celestia."
Luna nodded stiffly, "oh. Yes. I do wish the topic of divergent personalities had been kept till later."
"How was I supposed to know she would ask me something like that? We can't just lie to her, can we?"
Luna's head sank with shame, "No. We- I... guess not."
Twilight sighed. "Now, thanks to my big mouth she wants to speak to me alone and I feel as though I just failed something important."
Luna slowed to a slow walk, her gaze fixated upon the pretty unicorn at her side. "Pray tell why thou thinkest this way?"
Twilight shot a pointed look at the dark alicorn at her side as she slowed to match the alicorn's dawdle. "I don't know. It might have had something to do with your wing when it settled on my back as though I belonged to you. Or maybe it was the whole, losing an artifact thing. Her first question was direct enough. Or maybe it was the inner nightmare, or even whatever is going on in your dream realm."
Luna wilted under the annoyed glare of the young scholar. She faltered to stop and Twilight was forced to calm her marching pace.
The purple unicorn sighed as she realized her words probably caused a great deal of hurt to the sensitive alicorn. Luna was not her sister... 'Sensitive matters with her clearly require somepony with a lot more tact than me. Could somepony so touchy really be right for me?' Twilight forced her doubt aside as her eyes rose to meet the distraught alicorn.
A hunchbacked Luna was sullenly looking out the window toward the gardens below.
"Look, I'm sorry... I'm still working on this whole, talking to other ponies thing. I- books are so much easier." Twilight spoke softly as she tentatively approached the sad alicorn.
"We understand. But tis I who should be sorry is it not? We lost one of the few safe artifacts and there is darkness inside me..."
Twilight's heart broke at the hurt tone and the way Luna sniffed and stifled her tears. Without a second thought, the lavender mare closed the distance between them and delivered a firm hug to her companion. "We all make mistakes Luna, many of mine are marked out in ink. Black and white... friendship reports to Celestia haven't always been all that flattering."
"As are my own mistakes," Luna added solemnly.
"How- how about we go and study?"
The dark alicorn nodded briskly and wiped her muzzle with her right forehoof. Both mares shared a quiet moment before Luna stood. She continued resolutely toward the library, Twilight in tow.
"Tis a shame we will only get a few hours before my sisters' summons take thou away."
"Hey..." Twilight awkwardly leapt at the larger mare and hugged her as best she could. "I'll be back. You could even join my friends in the city this afternoon."
"And have everypony fall prone at the mere sight of me? I thinkest not."
The lavender unicorn huffed. "Fine. Stay in the library then."
"Twill give me time to plan."
"What for?"
"A date with the most amazing mare I know."
Twilight eyed the alicorn at her side. It was clear from the sudden burst of joy along with the way Luna almost seemed to be prancing on air that truly was looking forward to the date. "Just one, remember."
All swagger vanished from the delighted mare. "But- it could lead to more?"
Twilight sighed. "Yes. It might, but I don't want to promise you anything." 'You've already made this hard enough for me...'
"We understand. I- I guess, the best we could ever hope is the promise that thou shall try. We shall also be keeping a keener watch over the dream realm I wish to discover who has broken in."
"Do you want my help?" Twilight tentatively asked, a hint of bubbling excitement in her voice.
"Tis dangerous."
Twilight shrugged, "so are a lot of the other things I've done."
"Then we shall be glad of thy help."
Mighty Wing, Chief's Nest
Under the brilliance of Celestia's noon day sun, seven tough griffins sat impatiently around the round table in the Chief's Nest. This was their parliament house, the place where all major decisions were made. Decisions that would have implications across the whole of Griffonstone. The sturdy sandstone walls were bare. It was a bunker. Near impenetrable save for a small, slitted skylight above and the solid front door. Mid day sun shone through the slits above, a reminder that time was moving on.
Grandeur strode from the freshly closed door to the large table. He casually took his place at the head where he faced the seven other chieftains.
"You've got some balls showing up like that," growled Chief Stewie, a short creamy brown griffin with a light purple mane. He placed a claw on the table and looked ready to pounce on his fellow chief.
"Intended," grinned Chief Grandeur. "That's why I have two children and thou have none."
A venomous hiss escaped the chief of the southern isles beak. "What did you just say?"
"I said..." With a loud slam, the mighty claw of the city's chief hit the ancient circular table.
All eyes settled on the proud beast as he rose. "I am here to claim what is mine... I expect you all to give thy allegiance to me. I call for a vote. Let us vote for who shalt take the mantle of high chief."
"Well you're stupid then, aren't ya," scoffed a grey griffin from the only other major griffin city. "I will never vote for ya, or my name's ain't Zeke the Untamable, chief of all who live in East Wing."
"I had hoped for as much..." murmured Grandeur to himself. He smirked arrogantly back at his fellow chieftain.
"An' what if I say you can go to Tartarus. Right now?" Zeke the Untamable challenged. He kicked aside his stone seat and rose tall and imposing, ready to pounce.
The supremely confident tawny brown griffon settled into his seat. "What was that? All I hear is a coward mewing like a little babe."
Zeke squawked angrily, "your dead meat Grand-dad."
Chief Grandeur grinned smugly at the angry beast before him. He rose regally and placed his foreclaws on the stone table. "Try me, deadbeat."
A screech erupted as the grey griffin of East Wing leapt across the table, propelled by mighty wings.
Claws clashed and beaks snapped as the two chieftains tore at each other. Loud squawks rent the air as the pair battled for supremacy. They fought with raised forelegs, vying for an opening against each other. Claws ripped at the air as they circled each other on the table that suddenly felt far too small for the two large male griffons. After several more quick swipes, the pair of adversaries leapt away from each other, panting lightly.
Five of the six other griffons in the room unleashed various cries for blood. Squarks and cheering echoed around the small room as the battling chieftains circled each other on the tabletop.
Grandeur lapped up the racket as though it were the highest of praise. He stood tall and proud. Confident, despite the fact that more than half the griffons present were calling for his death.
"I'll get ya' this time!" Zeke the Untameable cried as he lunged at the ruler of Mighty Wing.
Claws met and quickly locked, wings flared and a brutal struggle for dominance began as both griffins attempted to push the other over. All the while beaks zipped around, seeking an entrance, to rend and tear flesh.
Despite his bluster, Grandeur found himself tiring under the constant assault of the younger and fitter griffin chieftain. Suddenly his back paws slipped on the hard stone. Distracted by his traitorous hind legs, the mighty griffin used his wings to steady himself. In the split second required to regain balance, his adversary's beak found its mark on the soft neck tissues of the cocky ruler. Once, twice, a third time the predatory beak lashed out. Each time the surprised Grandeur took the blows to his face and neck. He swiped madly and grinned maniacally as his claws cut flesh.
Chief Grandeur unleashed a squawk of pain and fell back upon the hard floor. His forelegs curled reflexively around his neck, ready to shield from further assault. He could feel his rage settling upon him. Rage was good, it was powerful. He loved the sense of power it gave. He smiled up at his opponent as Zeke strutted toward his fallen opponent as if he were prey.
Zeke the Untameable scoffed at his downed opponent. "Come and get me you pathetic excuse for a city chieftain."
Chief Grandeur continued to lay on the ground grinning like a cheshire cat.
One claw slipped into the small bag the chief of Mighty Wing had tied to his side. "Try me."
Two Wonderbolts touched down in front of a pack of griffons.
The leader of the five griffons, a lightly armoured beast, strode up to the two ponies. "And wot are youse two doing in our lands?"
"I didn't know there was a law against ponies in Griffonstone." Spitfire scoffed back.
Soarin's wide eyes levelled on his wife who delivered him a deadpan look back.
"Fiesdy ones, huh?" The lead griffon laughed. "Look, we have no problems wid youse kind visiting. I jus' ad no idea wot youse are doin' here."
"That's easy," Spitfire replied cooly. "We are the personal emissary of Princess Celestia, here to deliver a message to the griffon council."
The patrol leader laughed, "an' wot could be so important as to needs their time, huh?"
"We were instructed to deliver this message directly to your leaders. Now please take us to them." Spitfire requested as she took a step toward the lead griffon.
The patrol leader scoffed. "Youse do know dat only chief Grandeur live 'ere right? Da uver chiefs 'ave der own flocks."
"Yeah, but the other chefs are in town for a big meeting of the tribes." Another griffon piped up helpfully.
The leader slapped the offending speaker with his tail. "Shut up, ijjit. I wos dealin' wid the horses."
"Can we please talk to them?" Soarin spoke up. He noticed the sour expression on his wife's face and pressed on, "I promise we won't take much of their time."
The lead griffon sighed. "Whatever. If youse got bits, I'll take youse."
"Or you can just take us ponies there," Spitfire shot back.
"Dat not how it works 'ere. Bits. Now. Or piss off!" The griffon clicked his claw and motioned for the money to be deposited upon it.
"Just... pay him, I guess." Soarin shrugged.
"Are you sure?" Spitfire turned to her husband.
The blue colt nodded. "Yea, I guess. I'll do it." He hoofed over a couple of bits.
The griffon snatched the offering, felt the coins, pecked at them, then briskly pocketed the lot. "Foller me."
"You murderer!" Chief Phaethon roared. The large tough griffon stood, shocked that anyone present would dare kill another member of the council in their special meeting space.
Crackling dark red magic receded from the master of Mighty Wing as he stood tall over his fallen foe. He flicked at his fur, dispelling droplets of his own blood. His neck was already scabbed over and looked right ugly on the grinning beast. "What was that? Oh, I'm sorry. But I have the talismans of Warbeak."
The other griffons in the room glared at the delighted chieftain as silence descended upon the room.
Chief Grandeur continued, filled with confidence: "Therefore... As his heir by blood and a chieftain on the council of the eight tribes, I hereby claim the title of high chieftain over all griffins. Now, you can either vote me in or I'll collect the other talismans from whence I have hidden them and show you why I claim to be lord of all Griffonstone."
"Was this why you summoned us? To just take control?" asked Chief Patrick. The council elder sounded really miffed off and dug his claws into the round table in anger at the seemingly careless attitude his fellow chief had chosen to display. "You. Can't. Just. Do that…"
"Why yes... thou art right," nodded Chief Grandeur smugly. He tucked the two talismans in his left claw safely away once more. "You all know what the confirmed existence of the six talismans of Warbeak mean. It is our duty to sweep aside the weak excuse for creatures that is ponykind and claim the lands in this world that are rightfully ours. Now is the time I tell thee. Rise up... Support me and I will see to it that griffins emerge victorious. As you all have just witnessed... I, as heir of Warbeak the mighty am able to use his talismans. Therefore... I speak truth. Join my cause, dedicate your clans to me and together we shall not only cleanse the ponies from this land, but all others as well. It has already begun with the zebra tribes who live closest to our borders. We also have a ...pet... If you will, almost ready to be used in aid of our cause to wipe out the weak ponies."
The soft clack, clack of a single griffin clapping rang out across the stunned room. Chief Harrison continued to applaud Grandeur as a highly awkward atmosphere settled upon all. "You finally have my support for supreme Chieftain of all the eight griffin tribes."
The tough brown and black griffon had a face so tattooed and covered in blue and red warpaint you could not tell its original colour. He dragged a blood red claw across the stone table. A painful screech, like nails across the chalkboard, echoed around the bunker. Everygrif present cringed. "Well played. You scheming flankhole…"
"And Ah too," added Saxon, a brawny brown and black griffon with a strong northern accent. "Ah will vote for ye. Oh Grand master."
Chief Ebonfeather, a tawny brown and black griffin who had remained silent chose to speak up too. "Alright... You have convinced me. My tribe is yours o merciless Grand Master…"
The quiet leader's glare betrayed his sour feelings as he settled back. "You had better not get my tribe killed. We have little interest in your squabbles."
At the conclusion of a third vote of confidence in the ruthless chief, Stewie unleashed a throaty growl. "Screw you. Neither I, nor any in the Southern Isles will support such scum. Can you not all see? He will get us all killed! I want a war, but not one that we will lose."
Grandeur simply smiled back at the antagonistic griffin. He expected the short creamy brown griffin to reject his authority.
"Phaethon?" asked Chief Grandeur as he turned to the tribes' law keeper.
All eyes turned to the black griffon with a white striped head. The chieftain sighed, "I won't condone your actions... but you leave my tribe no choice. I will allow you to be high chief on one condition. You leave me in charge of my own tribe at all times. If I am to follow, I demand this of you."
"Fine. Thy wish is granted," shrugged Grandeur.
"And you will not get away free with the murder of one of our eight," added the master of the law as he paged through an ancient looking tome. "In fact, if you give me a minute, I'm sure I can find an entry in here that dictates your sentence for fighting in this room."
Grandeur shrugged. "Save it for after we win against the ponies. Then I don't care what you do with me."
"Thou is a liar and a cheat and a murderer... What a sorry arse of a ruler we have," Chief Patrick muttered.
"I'd burn thy tail and skin the feathers off thou wings if I were able. I see thee only have two of the six... Does this mean we are to be set on a wild goose chase? Or do you actually have more?" The council elder leaned forward intently, his gaze bored into the griffin who was about to become high chief of all Girffonstone.
"Yes, I do have more," Chief Grandeur smiled keenly back.
"Then you have been doing a lot behind our backs..." muttered Patrick. Murmurs of agreement followed his comment.
Grandeur solemnly, "yes. War is upon us. Changelings, dragons and more have turned their eyes upon Equestria and the lands around. If we do not act, we will lose what is ours. I am coming down with an iron claw on rogue griffons who raid our lands, loot nests and kill for riches. I am making use of such beasts. Our internal strife is coming to an end. With me, we shalt rise. We can claim everything from Manehatten to Cloudsdale for ourselves."
The mention of the magical city in the clouds spiked a positive response. Many a griffin had visited the cloud city. Everyone loved it. The only problem was its inhabitants.
"I offer thee it all," added a victorious Grandeur.
"Buck it. You've got us. No wonder I saw a changeling so close to home." Stewie stalked over to his new boss and glared up at the scarred face before him. "Because you're workin' with them, aren't you?"
"Oh council..."
Creepy laughter rang out across the room. It echoed in a surreal way that caused all present to stiffen up at the unwelcome sound.
"Hello griffins," the alien voice of the queen of the changelings rang out across the room once more. It sounded almost double pitched and full of mocking glee.
Fur bristled and feathers stood on end as everyone turned to face the intruder from above.
A guard flew down from the skylight. Somehow this creature had fitted through gaps too small for a chick to fall through. He stood before all, proud and tall on the sacred round table. The creature quickly morphed into the alien form of the changeling queen. Queen Chrysalis stood before all, her jet black form held an unreal sheen to it that unsettled the council even further.
"So nice of you all to welcome me here on such an important day." Her condescending tone remained as she addressed the chiefs.
"What is she doing here?" demanded Chief Patrick.
"Well she wasn't invited..." muttered Chief Grandeur. "State thy purpose. For no one is welcome at a council of the tribes save for the eight who rule.
"I've come regarding the war." At her words, almost half the griffins in the room tensed, the impending war wasn't the most popular topic in the roost.
"Then speak of this to me later. For soon this shall be over." The mighty chief of the griffins motioned to his fellow griffins in the room.
"Oh, but I think now is a perfect time..." Chrysalis almost purred with glee.
"I'm so delighted you failed to tell your fellow chieftains of our agreement." The changeling sadistically smiled at the new ruler of the council. "May I enlighten them?"
Chief Grandeur felt like ripping the changeling to shreds. Just as he had won his fellow chieftains over, his secret ally was about to damage his already shaky reputation. "Fine!"
Insect like wings buzzed as the queen of the changelings fluttered over to the grand master's side. "As you all should know. We all are about to invade Equestria. I need their love, and-"
Before the queen could continue, the front doors burst open to reveal the blackguard. Two masked griffons dressed in black advanced quickly toward the changeling queen.
The changeling shrieked in surprise and fear. Her form flickered briefly.
"Stop all of you!" ordered Grandeur before any could reach his temporary ally.
"Chrysalis... Queen Chrysalis, is a friend... Our… ally." He spat the word out as if it were poison. Then the grand master griffon noticed something was wrong.
Grandeur slowly rounded on the lone queen. "Where's the real queen?"
"What do you mean?" Chrysalis asked.
A tense silence filled the room. Chief Grandeur stood tall and wiped at his bloodstained face. The guards who were now in the middle of the cramped room hesitated as they stared at the creature who for the briefest of moments, had been a much smaller changeling.
The other chieftains in the room wore various scowls and glares. Chief Phaethon clutched his precious lawbook, clearly at a loss over what to do.
Chief Harrison rose slowly, his wings erect in surprise. "I am sure I saw you flicker. Little changeling."
The tattoed warbird strode up to the now quivering 'queen' and sneered at her. "Well?"
"S-she is busy. I... Ocellus am her protege... I was told to deliver her message while she captured and impersonated the princess of love."
"She's doing that already?!" Chief Grandeur roared.
"Yes. We tracked her down and found her ahead of time. Chrysalis has ordered us to move forward with our plans and I was to tell you all that we attack at the end of the week. The timing with events in Canterlot is too perfect."
"I told her to wait! We need another two weeks!" Grandeur exploded.
The figure of Chrysalis flickered out and warped into a meek looking young changeling, who was at most in her early teens. Several griffons in the room sneered at the poor youngster who cowered under their combined scathing gaze.
"She told me you were too slow. We... the mighty-" Her gaze flickered nervously around the room of bloodthirsty looking griffons. "Changelings will take Canterlot and remove Celestia from power by the end of this week. Um..."
"That was not the plan... We still have three more weeks. Not five days. All things are not in place yet." Chief Grandeur seethed as he took a rage filled step toward the small changeling.
Ocellus turned into a rat as a stone seat was thrown at her. It crashed into the wall and fell to the floor cracked. The bunker bore a few minor cracks but was otherwise unharmed by Grandeur's rage. The young changeling shifted back into herself as the fuming master of the roost strode up to her.
"You get back there and tell your queen to wait. We agreed to coordinate our efforts! Can't you love hungry slime balls wait? There are some dangerous ponies that we need to kill before we can have a serious chance."
"I-I can inform the queen..." Ocellus shook fearfully before the enraged griffon, her body quivered tense and expectant that he would lash out again.
"You do that. And-"
"Wait, wait wait!" Cheif Stewie cut his fellow chieftain off as he strode up to stand beside the tattooed warbird, Harrison.
"You know what. I think I like that idea. I want to hear more. You sneaks take Canterlot... get rid of that dammed sun horse. We get slaves, more land for our broods and even better, Cloudsdale!" Chief Stewie replied, a sadistic grin on his face.
"What?" Several shocked griffins turned to the usually antagonistic griffin leader.
"That bug will make our war easer… Then I presume that our giant cunt Grandeur has a plan for moon pony and the six element bearers. Kill those seven and its game. We win!" The short, creamy brown griffon cheered. He relaxed against the cold stone wall, grinning at his fellows.
Chief Phaethon sighed. "It's not quite that easy. But... Oh my lord, high chieftain... do you, in fact, have a plan to remove the lunar princess and the six element bearers from power?"
"I do." A grin spread across the mighty griffon lord's beak as he withdrew the claw talisman. "We are well placed to collect the last two talismans. Then we can summon Warbeak. "
The hackles of most griffons in the room rose at the sound of that name.
Chief Saxon relaxed back against the cold stone wall of the bunker as he pointed at his long time accomplice with a sharp foreclaw. "Ya sneaky lil' shit. Ah' only knew of three of them."
Several griffon chieftains shot the grinning brown and black griffon surprised glances.
The relaxed catbird laughed, "what? Ya all knew I worked with Lord Asshole. What's th' shock? Oh... this is prime comedy this is... What's next? You managed to tame that dragon Ah helped you catch?"
"As a matter of fact... I did." Chief Grandeur replied, his left foreclaw pressed against the chitin of cowering changeling. "Now... before this little sneak hears too many of our plans..."
Anger flashed through the high Chief as he rounded on the poor young changeling once again. "You get back out there. You tell that queen of yours to wait two weeks or I will leave her to burn when she gets beaten by the very ponies she is trying to steal love from. You got it!"
The roar of the angry grand master echoed around the small bunker. Chief Grandeur backed the small princess shapeshifter into a corner, his tail lashed like a whip while his wings stood erect, ready for action. He pressed his beak against the cowering creature's forehead as she nodded briskly. "Good... now get out of my sight."
With a fearful 'eep!' the young changeling shapeshifted into an eagle and fled the room with frantic flapping.
Chief Harrison broke out into laughter, followed by the other chieftains. "Good one. I wanted to skin her alive. But I think you got the message across."
The smirking lord of all Griffonstone rounded on his now lesser chieftains, "yes. I did."
Chief Ebonfeather spoke softly as he found his place at the table once more; "what's this about a planned strike against the ponies? I want you to tell us everything."
"Everything?" The high chieftain replied coyly. "Do you doubt me?"
Silence. Rough, angry silence took over in the absence of the changeling messenger.
"Looks like someone has to come clean…" stated Chief Phaethon. "And I don't care if I just voted you as my leader, I will gut you like a fish if you are found to be lying to us again!"
"Yes. Tell us everything." Ebonfeather spat. "And I can't help but wonder why your so-called ally decided to try and move the attack forward..?"
From the immediate physical response by his fellow chieftains, it was clear they all wished to hear what had been hidden.
"I shall… after thou all swear allegiance to me," replied Grandeur as he brushed more blood off his coat. He tenderly felt at his neck where the now dead chief of East wing had attacked him. It hurt, but somehow was not bleeding. He grinned. That was a nice surprise. This was certainly a moment to remember.
As his fellow chieftains continued to talk around and to him, the new lord of all griffins congratulated himself for such a perfect plan. Nothing could stop what was about to happen. A sharp claw found the corpse of Zeke, the chieftain truly had been untamable. Grandeur took a moment to consider the best replacement for the deceased chief of the city, East Wing. Whoever they turned out to be, they would just so happen to be a loyal supporter of their new master.
The greying beast smiled to himself. The next few days were sure to be a lot of fun. "Do any of you know how our ancestors killed alicorns?"
The six other chieftains in the room stared blankly back at the grinning high chief. "No?"
"What do you mean, killed alicorns?" Harrison spoke up, a growing smile spreading across his beak. "I thought the sun horse was forever."
"Now there, you are wrong..." Cheif Grandeur smiled back. "The royal sun horse was not always the one to raise the sun. Allow me to give you all a little insight..."