//------------------------------// // The Truth // Story: Pipers Tale // by Saro0fdemonz //------------------------------// The pegasus gulped as he stared up at the black pillars, the figures merely silhouettes against the vast white void. "You have given much in your short time amongst the ponies of Equestria. But you have caused much strife as well." "Though you have been honest with your friends and attempted to right your many wrongs." "And at the risk of losing everything, even your entire existence itself, you still fought on." "Though you heart was once black and vile, it now holds light and promise." "For this, a chance to truly prove yourself shall be given." "A final test, to prove your Loyalty." each pony spoke in turn. Piper sat up, wincing in pain. "I'll do what I have to. You probably already know that." he chuckled slightly. A window opened before them, the pillars vanishing. "I am sorry Piper. But from this point on, you are on your own. I will be here when you sleep, but I cannot join you beyond this point." "Where am I going?" "Back to aid my daughters. They still need help. While peace has been restored, there is still much left to be done. Canterlot still needs to be constructed, peace needs to be made with the dragon clans and Gryphon tribes." "But...i'm just one pony...what am I suppose to do?" "One pony can make the difference Piper. Besides, who better to help than Loyalty itself?" she asked of him, resting a hoof on the element wrapped around his neck. He smiled a little and nodded. "Alright, i'll do whatever I can to help." He slid off her back and made his way to the opening. "One moment Piper, you'll need this." he turned, finding a hoofblade hovering in the air as well as wingblades and armor. As they touched his body they magically bound themselves to him, his Element shining against the armor he wore. "Be careful my dear pony and take good care of my daughters." He nodded. "I will." he leapt through the window, which quickly closed behind him. "Do you think it fair that we have given him this fate?" she asked the air, receiving no answer. She sighed and vanished. "Wow...Thats...intense." Penny said, her friends nodding. Piper chuckled a little, placing a hoof against the mentioned blade. "A large part of me wishes she never gave me this stupid thing. But without it i'd be dead and so would Tia..." "You keep calling her that. Just HOW close are you two?" Strawberry asked, jabbing a hoof into his side. "We're only friends Berry. She wanted more and...it was hard to tell her no. But I had to." Amethyst snorted. "How'd you manage that O great and wise Piper?" he asked. "Easy, I just had to stay loyal to a pony who was waiting for me." he said with a smile, making Strawberry blush as he rested a wing over her shoulder. Sweetie Belle came back into the room with some snacks and drinks, taking a seat and smiling at all of them. "Please continue Piper." she said as she lifted a drink in her magic, taking a light sip. He nodded after chugging down his own drink. They could tell he wasn't enjoying this. "Maybe we should call it a night..." Nova suggested. "Yes...Surely the princess' are wondering why we haven't returned."Emerald said softly. Amethyst put a claw against his stomach and belched, a letter unfurling in front of him. Dearest Emerald and Nova, we understand you wish to keep your friend company as he has only just returned. Do not worry about the matters you have to tend to in Canterlot. We shall handle them for you while you enjoy your stay in ponyville. - Sincerely, Twilight Sparkle and Luna PS: Try not to tell too many embarrassing stories about one another, like last week wh... Amethyst was cut off by Emerald snatching up the paper, her face burning red. "Um, so lets just forget about that!" she said, crumpling the paper. Amethyst grinned a little though, having already read it. "So how was the garden?" he asked, still grinning. The green kirin blushed harder, lowering her head. "um..i..it was great!" "Maybe we should go back to the story." Nova suggested quickly, bringing a laugh from everypony. Piper leaned back on the couch as he continued. Piper found himself in an empty field, or what he thought to be empty. A pegasus spotted him and quickly zipped away. "Oh great..." he sighed and chased after the pegasus, wishing he didn't have armor slowing him down. The pony looked over their shoulder, eyes wide as they spotted him chasing them down. No doubt the pony was a scout. He wasn't sure if he needed to be worried about who the pegasus planned to report to. Though a smile spread across his face as he spotted Celestia's banner flying high above a camp in the distance. "WAIT! I'm a friend!" he called out to the pegasus. "Well I know that! I'm just shocked to see you here! The princess' said ya helped them ages ago." the pegasus slowed a little, the two gliding calmly along a few thermals. "So you're really the famous Loyalty?" the pegasus pony asked. "Famous? I wouldn't say famous. But yea, I'm that Loyalty. I'm actually here to help again. I heard something is going on with the Gryphons." the pegasus mare nodded. "They intend to start a war for these lands you snatched from Discord and his minions. They claim they have full rights to it and lost it to him. The Princess' are trying to make peace with them, but they are only giving us an all or nothing deal." Piper flicked his wings, letting the blades shine in the sunlight. "Maybe you just need a better negotiator." A group of ponies burst in through the front door. The first of which searched frantically for Piper, latching onto him as her eyes locked onto him. She held him close, still panting heavily from the flight. "P...Piper...please be real...please...tell me this isn't a dream..." she said as she clung to him. "mom...I can't...breath..." she chuckled and loosened her grip, though only slightly as she looked into his eyes, brushing a hoof over a scar on his face. "Oh Piper...my poor little Piper...guess your not so little anymore..." "What happened to your show?" he asked. She shook her head. "Post-poned due to the weather." she smiled as she held him. Strawberry cleared her throat, Scootaloo realizing she had pulled the two away from one another. "Sorry..." she sat down, wiping away a tear. Sweetie Belle smiled as the others made their way in, Pinkie Pie wearing a massive grin, Applejack and Rainbow Dash carrying boxes on their backs. Rarity and Spike came in together as well, though Rarity was dressed from head to hoof in winter attire, with sparkling gems along the hem, while Spike wore only a scarf she had made for him. He smiled as he sat, thanking Sweetie Belle when she offered him a bowl of gemstones. Once everypony had a mug of hot cider the room fell silent. "We had heard you were back but we weren't quite sure what to think Dear. Its been so long..." Rarity said, holding back a sob in her throat. Spike wrapped an arm around her and nodded. "Things just haven't been the same without you." He finished for the unicorn. "Its so good to see you again..." she managed to squeak out, spike wiping away a tear before it could ruin her eye-shadow. Fluttershy nodded as she entered with Big Macintosh. The stallion stepped lightly, a yellow bundle resting on his back. It took Piper a moment to realize the bundle was a sleeping pegasus pony. "So, who else was born while I was away?" he asked softly, so as not to wake anypony. Fluttershy gave no answer and nuzzled the sleeping form, the pony yawning as it sat up. Though it was a colt the pony looked every bit like his mother, though he had his fathers eyes and mane. Piper smiled, watching as the pony quickly fell asleep once more. "The guest room is still made up if you want to put him to bed." Sweetie Belle said softly, Big Macintosh nodded and walked past them to the guest room. Fluttershy took a seat with her friends, yawning a little. "Fluttershy dear, please tell me you've been getting some rest. You look absolutely exhausted." Rarity said, noticing the bags under her friends eyes. "Well, I've been sleeping alright I suppose, though he keeps having the strangest nightmares." "Well you really must get more sleep dear. Perhaps we should schedule a day at the spa?" "Oh...that would be wonderful" Fluttershy smiled. "Hey, thats great and all but Piper has a story to finish!" Strawberry fumed, muttering under her breath, making Pinkie Pie giggle. "She's so cute when she's angry." the party pony snapped a picture of the zebra, Piper's wing still wrapped around her. "Awww! Just look at them Braesy, before you know it we'll have little grandfoals!" Pinkie clapped her hooves, making the ponies blush. Braeburn chuckled a little, keeping his gaze on Piper. "Just so ya know. Ah don't care what ya've done, ya'll best take care of my girl." Braeburn said, though his tone was kind, his eyes showed the intention of his words. Piper stared back with a grin. "I'd give my wings for her." he said simply, making the zebra break out into tears as she hugged him. Braeburn nodded. "Good, thats what ah like t' hear. Though lets not start givin up anythin. How about ya'll go back t' yer story?" Big Macintosh entered the room, taking a seat near Fluttershy, smiling as she rested her head against him. "Ya'll get some rest Flutter, we'll take care o' Sunshine." she smiled, closing her eyes and quickly dozing off. "Now ya'll can git back t' yer story. T' be honest ah don't want Shy t' hear any o' this." Piper nodded in understanding. "To be honest...I'd rather nopony knew about it at all. But I can't just leave you guys without an explanation." he took a deep breath. Piper walked into the camp, the Princess smiling as she spotted him. "You came back!? Are the others with you?" Celestia asked. He shook his head sadly. "No...I'm the only one. Its a long story..." "The others...they aren't...d..de..." Luna couldn't bring herself to finish the sentence. Piper shook his head realizing what they must have thought. "No, they aren't dead. Thanks to everything that happened we were able to defeat Discord in our time. Though I paid a heavy price..." he lowered his head. "Do you want to talk about it?" "Its complicated to explain. All that I can really say is your mother is involved. All I know is that you need my help. There is a lot to be done, the treaties with the Gryphons and the Dragons. And most importantly, Canterlot." "Canterlot?" he nodded. "It is a grand city with a palace standing tall at its center. You two are the ones meant to create it." "Thats right, you did mention something about that when you first arrived. You called yourselves 'Knights of Canterlot' didn't you?" Luna asked. Piper smiled and gave a small nod. "Yes, it was your future selves that gave us the title. Well your future selves that I know. According to The Doctor anything could change the path this time will lead to. There are infinite whatevers." this made both alicorns laugh. Though a messenger entering the camp removed the smiles from their faces. The pony carried a letter that held the seal of the Gryphon King Monoclos. "Princess, the king seeks audience with you." He said, letting her hold up the letter in her magic. "What do you think of this?" she asked Piper, holding the letter in the air for him. Dearest Princess, I understand we perhaps got off on the wrong claw, or hoof rather. I hope that you understand that we Gryphons had claims to these lands long before your birth and were forced out by that monster Discord. While we respect you for removing him from our lands these are still our lands and we wish to return to them. We shall discuss this within my camp in two days time, you may bring a small escort if you please, but no more than ten soldiers. Piper didn't even bother to read the rest. He scoffed and shook his head. "Its a trap. It has to be. I don't know much about the Gryphons, but this seems too carefully planned out. On top of that he is inviting you to the camp so that you can return the land to them. Most likely they will ambush you and subdue your soldiers then hold you hostage so that Luna will be forced to hoof over the land." "I was afraid of that. But we cannot refuse this oppurtunity." Celestia sighed. Piper stretched his wings a little. "He said you could bring ten soldiers. So who are your top nine fighters?" Luna smirked as she caught on to the pegasi's plan. "Perhaps we can turn the trap back on him!" She exclaimed, quickly running off to fetch who she believed to be their best. Piper walked along the line of ponies, finding not only ponies but wolves and a manticore. "Hm...Two wolves, one manticore, two pegasi, two unicorns, two earth ponies. Step forward." they did as told, holding their heads up high. "We've got two days to turn you into soldiers, lets get to work." "Are you kiddin me? Ya'll were really gonna go into that camp with jus' ten soldiers?" Applejack asked "We didn't have a choice. If we tried anymore it could've broken into war." "But...there was a war between the Princess' and the Gryphons." Nova pointed out. "Yea...but we didn't know about that..." Piper said softly, his head down. "Oh Piper...I...i'm sorry." Nova apologized. "No. Its alright." he calmed himself and continued, smiling slightly as Strawberry nuzzled his neck. "We spent the next two days training as hard as we could. It took a while but I finally broke the manticore down as well as the others. They were ready to quit, but I needed them. I couldn't protect Tia on my own." Piper panted heavily, watching the Manticore fall to the ground. "Enough...I can't..." its rough voice shaking as it huffed down gulps of air. "Come on! Get up! Do you think they will go easy on you?! Do you think they will spare you!?" Piper yelled. "STOP IT!" A pegasus yelled, rushing to the manticore. Piper took a few calming breathes and nodded. "Alright then, take a break. But remember what I said. The Gryphons are rutheless. They won't go easy and they won't show mercy. They like to kill their enemies slowly or to do it instantly without warning." As Piper turned his back the Manticore leapt for him. His ear flicked as he heard the creature roar and he spun, ducking under its claw as it swiped at him and drove his practice wing blade into the creatures gut, knocking the wind out of it. The beast collapsed, clutching its side and gasping for air. "Anypony else want to try something stupid like that?" Piper asked them. They all shook their heads. it was quite a sight, seeing such a small pegasus take down such a large manticore in one fell swoop. The full gravity of the situation now dawned on them. "We've got less than half a day left and we aren't ready. Maybe Luna was wrong about all of you." He sat down, watching the pegasus attempt to help the Manticore again. "She wasn't wrong about us." A pegasus stepped forward, gripping a blade in his mouth. He grinned around it and Piper couldn't help but smile. The pony before him was the spitting image of chrome mist, though he was quite younger. "You must be Chrome mist, or his son." "I'm both actually." "This should be interesting then." Piper pulled out his hoofblade, flaring his wings as the pegasus rushed him, their blades bouncing off one another again and again. Piper ducked under a swipe and spun, bucking the pegasus into the air and quickly taking off after him, laughing as the pony spun in the air, throwing out his wings and quickly regaining himself, knocking away Pipers swipe. "You have his skill, but I take it you can't use a hoofblade yet." "maybe not, but I don't need one t..." Piper slammed a hoof into the ponies jaw, making him drop his blade. He quickly placed the hoofblade against his throat, making the pegasus gulp. "Now, without a hoofblade, how would you get out of this?" Piper asked. The pegasus had lost his confidence after the blow and loss of his weapon. "Think, there is always a way out." Piper said. The pegasus smiled and closed his wings, falling backwards into a dive. As he rolled he quickly opened his wings and pulled himself up, snatching his blade off the ground as he passed by it. Piper smiled and gave a small nod. "Good, looks like we've got one soldier. Now, lets try to get the other eight." Chrome saluted and together they returned to the others. It would be hard work, but they would be ready. "Dontcha' think ya might've been a little hard on that poor Manticore?" Honeycrisp asked. "The Gryphons are cruel Honeycrisp...they took my friend and..." tears welled up in his eyes as a sob unexpectedly split his words. Strawberry pulled him into a hug, everypony in the room sat there heartbroken as they watched the pegasus cry his heart out into the zebra's coat. Eventually his cries broke into quite sobs, dragging on into an uncomfortable silence. "Perhaps we should call it a night. The storm is suppose to grow quite a bit, if need be I can teleport everyone home." "No need fer that Emy, ya'll can rest in the barn fer tonight." Applejack said with a smile. The kirin nodded with a smile, only half noticing as Big Macintosh gently shook Fluttershy awake, the two leaving for a moment to fetch their sleeping son. "Thanks Applejack" she said. Strawberry clung to Piper, pouting a little. Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo smiled. "You two can take Pipers room." Scootaloo said. "Just try to keep it down in there." Sweetie Belle teased, making them both blush. Before Piper could even act embarrassed he was being dragged by his wing to his room. The others giggling as Emerald teleported them to the barn. Scootaloo smiled a little, wrapping a wing around Sweetie Belle. "Ya know Belle...we've been through a lot together...I gotta say, I never thought our lives would end up like this." "Me either." Scootaloo kissed her cheek. "But i'm glad they did." Sweetie Belle grinned and nuzzled her marefriend. "How about you get some rest in a real bed tonight. Not those painful cots you keep with you when you travel." "I wasn't actually thinking about the bed. Not too much anyway." She smirked and nipped at her ear. Piper gasped as he was flung onto his bed, the zebra leaping into the bed with him, pinning him by his wings and blushing as she stood over him. "uh...Berry..." "shhhh, I don't care what your gonna say. I don't care if you are gonna argue. I waited five years for this and i'm not waiting any longer." They lay there in silence for a moment, neither really looking at the other as they blushed. "Piper...did you...do anything with the Princess?" she asked quietly. "No." he said without hesitating. She sighed in relief and kissed him, jumping a little in surprise when she felt something against her. She turned her head and blushed, grinning like a foal who just got the biggest present on Hearths Warming Day. She giggled, turning her gaze back to the flustered pegasus beneath her, rubbing a hoof against his chest slowly. "I love you..." she said softly. He smiled and rolled, easily pinning her to the bed. "I love you too." Piper didn't get much sleep that night. He often tried to avoid sleep altogether if he could. Even now as he lay there in the darkness with Strawberry clinging to him in her sleep he could hear it. The sounds of war, of blades cutting into Gryphon flesh, cries of agony and death filled his mind. He could see it all as if it were happening right then. Every single life he had taken, every single life he had failed to save. He closed his eyes for a moment, seeing her face. She was just an innocent pegasus, a kid really. And the Gryphons had taken her from him. He looked down at Strawberry as she nuzzled his chest. "I can't fail again...I can't..." As the suns light made its way into his room Piper awoke. Though he had tried to fight it he had still fallen asleep and had to face his nightmares. The pain weighed heavily on his heart, though as he opened his eyes that pain vanished. His eyes met those of the mare of his dreams, a smile on her face as she nuzzled his neck. "Did you sleep well?" he asked, she blushed and gave a cute nod, her mane bobbing up and down a little. "What about you?" she asked worriedly. "I slept fine." he lied. She pouted, jabbing his side with her hoof. "Piper..." she said sternly, to let him know she wasn't playing around. He sighed and closed his eyes for a moment. Letting that face reach him again. "I failed a friend Berry...in the worst of ways...I promised to protect her...and instead I got her killed...tortured to death by the Gryphons as an example...and I couldn't do a bucking thing to save her..." tears welled up in his eyes, drenching his cheeks and pillow. Strawberry ignored the jealousy welling up inside of her and held him close. "She must have been really important to you..." Strawberry bit her lip as the words left her mouth. Here she was being jealous when he needed her. He chuckled through his tears. "It wasn't like that...She was scared Berry...scared of the war. It took everything from her. Her family, her friends, her life. She needed someone, anyone, to watch over her. At the most I was a big brother for her...and I failed her..." "Piper...I know you. You did everything you could for her." he shook his head. The zebra sighed and sat up in the bed, placing her forehooves underneath him and in one quick movement flipped him out of the bed and onto the floor. The pegasus reacted faster than she thought he would, easily landing on his hooves. She pouted a little, drawing a small grin from him. She sighed and walked up beside him, nudging him out of the room. "Come on, i'm gonna make you breakfast and you're gonna relax if I have to make you relax." The pegasus had no time to argue as he was pushed into a chair, the mare tossing on an apron and quickly grabbing things to make pancakes. Piper sighed, watching the way she moved. The zebra must have known he was watching her because she began to sway her hips, lifting her tail slightly, a small smile on her face as she continued. Scootaloo cleared her throat, making them both jump in surprise. "Didn't Belle tell you two to keep it down last night?" She teased. They both tried to argue that they had been as quiet as they could be, the older pegasus laughing a little. "I'm just teasing you two." she sighed happily. "Its so good to have you back Piper..." he smiled, his troubled memories fading as he sat there with two of the most important mares of his life. Scootaloo took a seat across the table from him, grinning as she caught him staring at Strawberry. "Hey squirt, keep those eyes up or she might get mad at ya." the pegasus blushed and chuckled a little, bringing a smile to his mothers face. She had truly missed this, though something in the pit of her stomach continued to tell her it was all too good to be true. "Piper, i'm sorry but I really have to know...your back for good right? Everything is gonna be ok now?" she asked. He lowered his head. "I'm back for good...but..." "But?!" Strawberry and Scootaloo said together. He sighed and looked at them both. "You guys need to know the truth...of why i'm really here..." He took a deep breath and stopped himself as the yawning form of Melody made its way into the kitchen. She smiled at everypony and took a seat, taking a deep whiff of the air. "MMMM, Pancakes!" She smiled as Strawberry sat a plate down in front of her, happily munching on a pancake. Piper felt his words freeze in his throat. He couldn't bring himself to say anything, not in front of Melody, not while she was so happy. He silently stood, shaking his head as Strawberry offered him a plate. Just the sight of his happy little sister had taken away any appetite he might have had. Piper took a deep breath and made his way outside. Melody watched in confusion as she swallowed her pancake. "Is big bwother ok momma?" she asked. Scootaloo bit her lip. "h...He's fine kiddo, finish up your pancakes k?" She nodded, Scootaloo chasing after her son. Strawberry kept her smile so as not to worry Melody, though on the inside she was a nervous wreck. Piper sat outside, holding his head in his hooves, shaking with silent sobs. Scootaloo slowly approached him. "Piper?" she spoke softly. The pegasus jumping slightly, relaxing as he recognized the voice. He had spent too long fighting. The comfort her voice held was dangerous. She placed her hoof against his shoulder gently, wrapping her wing around him. "Piper...I know it must have been hard for you...but please...I need to know whats going on." He nodded. "War is coming...thats why they finally let me come back here...so I can fight in the coming war with the Gryphons...they are afraid of me...I was a monster on the battlefield...just seeing me on the front lines...hopefully it will be enough to make them resign the peace treaty with Tia..." "So...your only here...for the war?" Scootaloo asked. He lowered his head, his muzzle nearly touching the ground. "I'm so tired...Tired of fighting...tired of killing...tired of lying and telling myself things will be better..." he spoke softly, so softly that it took Scootaloo a moment to realize he was crying, letting out all of his pent up agony as the snow drifted down ontop of them. "Lets go back inside..." she said softly, curling her wing around him tightly and guiding him back inside. Moments later Emerald and the others appeared, their warm smiles fading as they spotted Piper with his head down. "We need to talk..." he said quietly. "I'll take Melody upstairs..." Scootaloo said, kissing his forehead before leaving with the filly. "Piper...you alright?" Amethyst asked. "No...listen...the real reason i'm here...why i was able to finally come back...is because a war is coming..." Strawberry gasped, dropping the tray of freshly made cookies she was holding. "P...Please tell me its not true...please..." she said with tears in her eyes. "Its the only reason they let me come back to this time. Depending on how things turn out...I might have to leave forever...but its a very slim chance. After all I have done, Harmony has told me she will do whatever it takes to ensure I stay with all of you, especially you Berry." The zebra clung to him, blushing as he placed a kiss on her cheek. "Piper, I think you should finish your story...so we know what we are dealing with here." The pegasus nodded and continued his tale. "I trained them as best I could and we set out the next day, dressed from head to hoof in the best armor a princess could afford. Our weapons were of the highest quality, forged from diamonds and steel." Pipers eyes scanned the ranks of Gryphons as they entered the camp. Celestia surrounded by him and the others as they made their way to the king. He wore a small smile on his face. "I am glad you decided to come Celestia. I had feared you would refuse." "I only wish for peace great king Monoclos. There has been enough bloodshed upon these lands." "Indeed there has. If you wish for peace then kindly hand over the land and remove yourselves from it." He said, Piper noticed the Gryphon ranks had shifted a bit closer to them. He nodded to the others who lowered themselves slightly, ready to protect the princess if need be. Piper spread his wings wide and stood by her side, letting the sunlight reflect off the blades in his wings. "I cannot merely hoof over the land which we fought so hard for. While this land was once yours, you gave up all claims to it when you abandoned it. While we fought against all odds for the peace we now have. The land is rightfully ours but I am willing to share it. There is no need for either of us to go without." Celestia said, holding her head up high. Again the ranks shifted closer, the sounds of weapons leaving sheathes putting everyone on edge. "Great King Monoclos, I highly suggest you agree with the princess. We would not want to turn this land into a battlefield." Piper spoke up. The king looked at him for a moment and burst into laughter. "This matter does not concern you child! You are but a soldier. Hold your tongue." Monoclos growled at Piper. Celestia glared at him, quickly calming herself lest he notice her rage. "This pegasus is no mere soldier. He is the embodiment of Loyalty and a hero of the war against Discord. He may appear to be a child but he is far from it." The Gryphons eyes were wide as he looked between Piper and Celestia. "Surely you jest Princess. Unless he is ageless as you are." "I make no jokes Great king." "Well, this is interesting. Perhaps your sister will take action now that I have not only you, but Loyalty itself." "PLAN B!" Piper yelled as the Gryphons leapt for them. The ten soldiers surrounded Celestia, unicorns tossing up barriers around them to hold them back. Piper placed a wingblade against the kings throat. "STAND DOWN OR I TAKE HIS HEAD!" Piper called out to the Gryphons. The king laughed, grabbing hold of Pipers throat and flinging him away. Piper hit the ground and rolled, gasping for breath as he pushed to his hooves. "Get the Princess to safety!" Piper yelled to the unicorns, they nodded, teleporting themselves and Celestia away, the barrier falling and leaving the remaining seven to fight their way out of the camp. "They jus' abandoned you?!" Hayseed screamed in shock. Piper shook his head. "No, that was Plan B. The Unicorns magic wasn't that strong and Celestia was still figuring out how to properly use the business end of her horn. We couldn't let her be captured. So if things got bad they would combine their magic to teleport the three of them away while the rest of us fought our way to freedom." "Thats crazy..." Amethyst said. Piper only smiled as he continued the story. The gryphons stumbled backwards at the roar of the manticore, the equally menacing growls of the wolves making them question their decision to fight. Their hesitation left an opening for the group. "Go now!" Piper yelled. The wolves leapt at the nearest Gryphons, fangs tearing into throats. All Piper could hear was gurgling as they drowned in their own blood, his wingblades unsheathing as he took to the air, several gryphons chasing after him. He rolled in the air, slicing through them with the wingblades. He felt a sickening satisfaction as his blades cut into their bodies and sliced clean through their wings, the two creatures plummeting to their deaths. Down below the others cut a path to freedom, Piper keeping the skies clear, Gryphon after Gryphon falling to his hoof and wingblades. It was all too easy for him to end their lives. He was becoming a monster. "No! You aren't a monster Piper! You aren't a monster..." Strawberry said, holding him tightly. The pegasus gently wrapped a wing around her. "I am a monster Berry..." he said softly. "I killed those Gryphons without a second thought or a hint of regret and I killed even more on the battlefield...and if I had the chance i'd kill them all again..." he chuckled and shook his head. "Kinda funny that i'm getting that chance being here..." Amethyst placed a claw on his shoulder, Piper rising his head in time for Amethysts fist to smash across his face. The pegasus shook himself, having no time to react to the second punch or the third. Though he was ready for the next one, catching it with his hoof. His face was bruised from where his friend had struck him though he ignored it. "See? Monster. Any normal pony would've crumpled from a punch like that." "Piper, call yourself a monster again and I'll tear out your wings. Doing what has to be done doesn't make you a monster. I know that! You know I'm telling the truth!" The kirin yelled at him. Piper saw it then, the hurt in his friends eyes. The memory flooded back to him of Amethysts Spell. All he could hear at the time was his own screams, though now as he looked back on it he saw tears. Tears that weren't his. They were Amethysts tears... "Amethyst..." No...this is who I am. I have to be cold, I have to be this monster to protect everyone. I can't let myself be blinded again "I'm Sorry. But I am a monster. Its like Chrome Mist Said ' We all have our roles to fulfill.' Well this is my role Amethyst. I'm a Gryphon Killer and a War Hero. Its just who I am and its who we are going to need if we want to survive this war." Sweetie Belle paused as she reached the bottom of the stairs. "w..war? Piper what war?" she asked. He sighed and explained it over again. His real reason for coming back and what was coming. Sweetie Belle turned to Amethyst, the Kirin understanding instantly and sending a letter to the Princess'. The group found themselves inside of the Throne Room, the rest of their friends looking around confused. Though they all realized what had happened when they spotted Celestia, her horn still glowing dimly from summoning them to her. "Piper...my friend...I believe you have something to tell us all."