//------------------------------//
// A Gathering Storm! - The Hunt For Pinkie - Histories Revealed! 
// Story: As Equestria Turns 
// by Meadow_Elune 
//------------------------------//

	Celestia sighed as she considered the request before her.  Just that morning the Equestrian ambassador to the Gryphon Kingdom, Pleasant Goodwill, had arrived bringing word of a military coup.  He had also brought a notice from the 'Gryphon Imperial Council', as the new regime was calling itself, formally announcing his expulsion from Gryphon territory and the dissolving of all extant treaties between Equestria and the Gryphons.  While not a declaration of war, it was damn close.  

Now she was confronted with a request by the now-former Gryphon ambassador to Equestria for political asylum.  Attached to the request was an article from a two-day-old Gryphon newspaper documenting the military coup, including some rather grisly information about the fate of high-ranking members of the old government.  After reading it, she really had no choice.  Granting the ambassador's request would only further antagonize the new Gryphon government, of course.  But, given what was happening to the members of the old government, sending him back would be a death sentence.

"Very well, Herr Stormwing.  I grant your request for asylum.  But I ask for your assistance in return.  I need any information you may have, any at all, about this new faction that has taken control."

"Of course, Your Majesty.  It so happens that I've been keeping tabs on them, as the movement was considered a dangerous one.  And with good reason, it would seem."

"Very good.  I'll have Captain Shining Armor go with you.  You can turn the documents over to him.  The entire Gryphon Embassy and its residence areas are forfeit to the Crown now, of course, but you and your family may continue to stay there as long as you need."

As Stormwing turned to go, Celestia pondered the situation.  If it came to a fight, things would not go well.  It had been 800 years since Equestria had last known war.   Canterlot had the well-trained Royal Guards, of course, and Equestria did have a standing army - but they dealt mostly with bandit clans and the occasional dragon raid.  The only other ponies who had seen anything resembling combat were the Element bearers.  With another sigh, she sat and began to write a letter.

"My faithful student..."



It was close to noon when Rainbow Dash arrived	back at Twilight's house with Applejack and Fluttershy in tow.  Twilight and Rarity were already there.

"Sorry I'm late.  I ran into a little trouble on the way to 'Shy's."

Applejack chuckled.  "Reckon it was more like a little trouble ran into you.  Or three little troubles."

Dash grinned and rolled her eyes.  "True enough.  Anyway, Twi, have you made any progress?  Can we find Pinkie?  More important, can we help her if we do?"

Twilight smiled.  "In fact, I've made progress on both fronts.  The Pie Family Rock Farm is about two days journey from here, in the Horstberg foothills to the northeast.  Now, we can't be sure she went there, of course, but it's still the best place to start."

"That's all well and good," Applejack broke in, "but it still don't tell us how ta help her cure her crazy."

"True.  I was just getting to that," added Twilight.  "This is where things get tricky."

Dash frowned in concern.  "How so?"

Twilight levitated a book off a stack to her right and opened it.  "If, as I suspect, Pinkie has created a separate persona as a shunt for her negative emotions and memories, she's going to have to mentally confront this 'other self' and reabsorb it into her own consciousness."  She paused and looked up.  "Trouble is, it'll likely be almost impossible for her to do that alone."

Dash's expression changed to one of confusion.  "Okay, so how do we help with something like that?  I mean, if the confrontation is in her mind, wouldn't she pretty much have to do it alone?"

Twilight shook her head.  "Actually, I've found a very old spell that can allow a pony to enter another pony's mind.  It was originally for use in espionage, but I believe it can be adapted to this situation too."

"I'll do it." Dash volunteered almost before Twilight had finished speaking.

Twilight addressed her cyan friend seriously.  "Dash, you should know that the spell is extremely dangerous.  If anything goes wrong, we could lose both of you."

"Twi, I'd risk anything if it meant I could get Pinks back.  If I get lost in her head, or her psycho self destroys me, well, I'm willing to pay that price."

"Then it's settled.  We just need to grab a few supplies and we'll be on our way."



As the group made ready to head out.  Dash tapped her hoof impatiently as Twilight gave some last-minute instructions to Spike, who would be minding the library.

“...And be sure to check on those past-due books while I'm gone."

"Sure thing, Twilight.  You can count on..." Spike paused, an odd look coming over his face, then belched out a rolled-up scroll with a small gout of flame.

Twilight picked up the missive.  "That's odd, I wasn't expecting any letters from Celestia."  She opened it and began to read.  As she continued through the letter, her expression grew more and more concerned.

Rarity noticed Twilight's growing disquiet.  "Is something wrong, Twilight?"

"There's been a military coup in the Gryphon Kingdom.  According to what the princess has found out, the new government wants to pursue a policy of aggressive expansion.  In short, Equestria is now on the brink of war."

This last elicited a terrified gasp from Fluttershy.  "W...w...war?  It won't come to that, will it?"

"I don't know.  Apparently not all gryphons support this coup, but a lot do.  The whole situation is precarious.  The princess wants us, the Element bearers, to report to the palace as soon as possible."

"Well now, ah reckon that might jus' be a bit of a problem, seein' as how we're short by one," stated Applejack.

"Right," agreed Twilight.  "This just makes getting Pinkie back - and cured - more urgent.  Unfortunately, with the rock farm being so near the Gryphon border, we don't know what to expect now.  Things could turn dangerous quickly."

Twilight turned to Spike.  "Spike, send the princess a note letting her know what's happened and where we're going.  Tell her that if she doesn't hear from us in a week, we've likely run into trouble.  That goes for you, too.  If we don't come back within a week, I want you on the first train to Canterlot, okay?"

As Spike hurried off to write the letter, an increasingly distressed Fluttershy started to back towards the door.  "Um...  If it's so dangerous, maybe, um, I could keep a eye on things here.  Umm, if you don't mind, that is."  Her voice trailed off as her long mane fell forward, half obscuring her face.

Applejack rolled her eyes, then gave Twilight an apologetic smile.  "Would y'all pardon us for a second?"

As Applejack and Fluttershy stepped outside, Twilight, Dash, and Rarity just looked at each other and shrugged.  It was Rarity who broke the silence.  "So what do we do if we encounter gryphons on our way?  We're not allies anymore, but not yet enemies.  Surely there's some protocol or etiquette for this situation?"

Twilight's brow furrowed in concentration.  "I don't know.  Its not really something that's come up before..."

Rainbow Dash snorted dismissively.  "If they're on Equestrian land, they're probably up to no good.  I say we take 'em down!"  To accentuate her point, the cyan pegasus made punching motions in the air with her forehooves.

Twilight stomped her hoof and glared at Dash.  "That is exactly what we will not do!  I won't have us be the ones responsible for starting a war!  Is that clear?"

"But..." Dash protested feebly.

"IS THAT CLEAR?"

"Oh, alright."

"Still," interjected Rarity, "suppose the gryphons are the ones to start trouble?  They are a rather... ill-tempered bunch."

"If we encounter any gryphons and they start something, we'll defend ourselves, of course.  But we should try our best to avoid trouble.  Remember, we're going to find Pinkie and help her, not to be a border patrol."

At that moment, Applejack and Fluttershy re-entered.  Fluttershy spoke up somewhat timidly.  "Umm... if it's okay, I think maybe..."

Applejack pointedly cleared her throat.

With a nod, Fluttershy stepped forward and held her head up.  "I've decided I'm coming after all, and that's all there is to it."  As if to emphasize the point, she nodded her head firmly.

Twilight, Rarity, and Dash glanced at each other, unsure what to make of what they had just seen.  After a moment, Twilight spoke up.  "Okay then, we'd better get going.  We still have a few hours of daylight left."



The shadows were growing long by the time the group reached The Crossroads - a large town and trading center that had sprung up where Equestria's major north-south and east-west roads met.  To say it was different than Ponyville would be an understatement.  The Crossroads was a mix of ponies and other sapient races - zebras, donkeys, even the occasional buffalo or dragon (this last usually being given a wide berth).  Being a major stop - and the only settlement for miles - the inns charged outlandish rates.  Lucky for them, they had Applejack along.

"Lessee," Applejack whispered under her breath as she consulted a map.  "My cousin's house should be..." She glanced up as they approached a side street.  "... right down here."

As they made their way down the side street, Dash leaned in and whispered to Twilight.  "Say, Twi.  Notice anything unusual with the crowds back there?"

"You mean like how there were no gryphons at all?"

"Exactly.  What gives?  I mean, we're not at war yet, right?  I would've expected at least a few gryphon merchants or traders to still be here."

"I'm not sure.  But I don't like it anymore than you, Dash.  We better keep alert for trouble."

As they reached their destination, a small, run-down, two-story row house, the group (with the exception of Applejack) eyed it with some trepidation.  Rarity was the first to speak.  "Are you certain this is the right address?  There simply must be some mistake.  Maybe we turned the wrong way?"  She cast her gaze back down the street towards the other side of town.  The side with considerably nicer houses.

Applejack huffed irritably.  "This is the address and no other.  Ain't no Apples over with them uppity-ups where you're lookin'."  She eyed Rarity menacingly.  "And y'all best not be insultin' mah family's hospitality."

Rarity giggled nervously and took a step back. "Oh, I wouldn't dream of it, darling.  It's just that..."  She eyed the rather small-looking house again.  "Well, there's so many of us.  Are you sure we won't be imposing too much?"

"Now see here.  Ain't no Apple ever turned away kin or friend that was in need, and it ain't gonna happen now.  Now you just don't fuss no more about it, y'hear?"

Without waiting for a reply, Applejack turned and knocked on the door.

"Just a minute," came a voice from inside.  Shortly, the door opened and a smiling mare poked her head out.  Her coat was about the color of Applejack's hair, while her mane, which fell behind her ears in two long, braided pigtails, was a deep, bright red.  "Now, how can I help..."  The mare's voice trailed off as she recognized who was there.  Her face lit up and she popped out of the door, wrapping Applejack in an enthusiastic hug.  "Applejack!  Well if this ain't the donkey's britches!  How have you been?  How's everypony back at the Acres?  You've got to come on in and catch me up on things!"  It was then she seemed to notice Twilight and the others.  "And who's all your friends?"

"This here's Twilight Sparkle, Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy, and Rarity.  Everypony, this is mah cousin, Red June."

After the introductions were made all round, Red June invited the whole group in.  On finding out they had been on the road all afternoon, she insisted on making them dinner.

"So," Red June inquired between mouthfuls, "what brings y'all out this way?  Ah'm sure ol' Jackie here didn't drag you halfway to Canterlot to see little ol' me."

"We're on our way to visit a friend over in the eastern farm district." said Applejack smoothly.  "The day kinda slipped away on us, and I got to thinkin' that maybe my dear cousin could put a group of weary travelers up for the night."

Twilight always marveled at how skilled the bearer of the Element of Honesty was at prevarication.  Honesty was apparently a rather fluid concept in Applejack's skilled hooves.  Still it was good.  Pinkie's instability was a rather private matter.

As Applejack and her cousin caught up on each other's lives, Twilight pondered the situation.  There was always the chance that Pinkie wouldn't be at the rock farm, of course, which would leave them back at square one.  The only thing she could think of in that case was to head on to Canterlot and hope Celestia could figure something out.

Then there was the mindlink spell.  If they did find Pinkie, somepony would need to get inside her head.  Twilight was certain she could cast the spell, and Dash had already volunteered to be the one to help.  Still, the mind was a dangerous and unpredictable place, especially in a pony as unhinged as Pinkie apparently was.  Twilight wasn't sure she could deal with the guilt if something went wrong.

As if all that weren't enough, now there was the gryphon situation, and the very real possibility of war.  Twilight had read about war, of course, but cold descriptions of the lives and deaths of ponies who lived centuries ago did little to prepare one for the reality.  She remembered images from the history books of battlefields littered with the dead.  This time, though, she saw, not the nameless soldiers of centuries past, but ponies she knew and cared for laying broken amid the carnage.  She shuddered and her eyes snapped open.  Only then did she realize she had drifted off in her musings.

Applejack eyed her with concern.  "You all right, Twi?"

Twilight yawned.  "Oh, I'm fine, just a little tired."

Rarity caught herself stifling a yawn as well.  "I think we're all a little tired, darling.  Maybe we had better turn in for the night."

Red June facehoofed.  "Of course!  Y'all have come all this way and you must be plumb tuckered out and here ah am just chatterin' on.  Ah'm such a silly pony sometimes.  Now then.  Ah got no problem sleepin' on the sofa.  Jackie, you and Fluttershy will have my room..." she held up a hoof as Applejack seemed about to protest. "...and Ah'll have no argument.  You're guests and kin besides.  Now, as for the rest of you, mah spare room ain't got but two beds, but ah think ah got an old cot somewheres..."

Dash interrupted.  "Actually I can just fly out and grab a cloud and sleep outside.  That would save the trouble of finding the cot.  Besides, a cloud would feel more comfortable to me anyway."

Red June looked hesitant.  "Well, if you're sure.  It really wouldn't be too much trouble to find that cot."

"I'm sure.  Really."

"Well... okay then.  But you feel free to tap on a window and come back in if'n you change your mind."

In short order, everypony had settled in for the night.  While their minds still raced, the exhaustion of the day quickly overtook them, and the settled into sleep, though some more fitfully than others.



In the darkness of the night, only the faint pale glow of Luna's moon light the form of the lone pegasus sleeping in a tuft of cloud above the poor quarter of The Crossroads.  The gryphon watching the scene noted that the pegasus slept uneasily, tossing and turning.  The gryphon's eyes, sharper than those of any pony, could easily pick out the rainbow-colored mane and cyan coat.  For the briefest of moments she hesitated.  Then, steeling her resolve, she swooped down towards the lone figure.



Dash shifted uncomfortably in the small cage.  The heat from the roaring bonfire nearby made her feel like she was being roasted alive.  As she watched Pinkie dance around the large iron cauldron, giggling madly and chanting nonsense, she couldn't help but wonder if that was the point.  As she kept watching, her deranged marefriend suddenly produced a long, pointy stick.  Still chanting gibberish, Pinky commenced to poking Dash with the stick.  Dash swatted at the stick as she tried to figure out this new torture.  On the whole, it was more annoying than painful.



"C'mon, wake up already," muttered the gryphon under her breath as she continued to lightly poke the sleeping pegasus.

Dash stirred, swatting away the offending talon.  "Mmmph.  Stop it."  Something clicked in her brain.  Talon.  Gryphon.  War.  DANGER!

In a flash, Rainbow Dash was on her hooves, causing the intruder to take a step back.  As her eyes adjusted to the dim moonlight, Dash could hardly believe what she saw.  "Gilda?  What are you doing here?"

Gilda cocked an eyebrow and grinned.  "At the moment?  Waking you up."

Dash rolled her eyes.  "You know what I mean."  She paused for a moment, then continued in a more serious tone.  "I was worried, you know.  When I heard.  You're the ambassador's daughter, after all.  And revolutions mostly get rid of the other guys when they take over."

Gilda waved a talon, dismissing the idea.  "Pssh.  You should know I'm too cool to let myself get captured.  Besides, dad requested asylum from your princess."

"But why are you out here?  Wouldn't it be safer in Canterlot?"

"You know that's not our way.  We gryphons don't run from danger, we face it."

Dash looked confused.  "But you just said you..."

Gilda held up a talon, forestalling the inquiry.  "... requested asylum.  Yes, but only so we could be in a better position to get to the bottom of things.  There's things that just don't add up about this coup."

"Like what?"

"This faction that took over - the Gryphon Imperialist Party - they were just a small group of radicals until about a year ago.  Then, all of a sudden, their membership started exploding."

Dash shrugged.  "Not too strange.  I dunno much about politics, but it seems like some group or other is always getting popular, then fading out.  It's like the wind, really."

"True," Gilda agreed, "but here's the funny thing.  None of the other major political factions saw their membership drop.  And then there were the rumors."

"What rumors?"

"About six months ago the G.I.P. really got busy - terrorist attacks started happening left and right.  Officers and soldiers tried to apprehend the terrorists, only to have them literally disappear - or so they claimed.  Some few officers even claimed that suspects would change form - turn into completely different gryphons."

Dash drew in a breath.  "Changelings..."

"Dad and I thought so too.  We even looked into it and found that a skyrocketing amount of new relationships had started forming around the same time that the G.I.P. had started rising - consistent with changeling influence.  But no one would listen.  They all said the same thing - changelings are an Equestrian problem.  Changelings had never attacked the Gryphon Kingdom before.  They had no reason to.  Their grudge was with ponies."

Dash blinked in astonishment as everything fell into place.  "And now they have the gryphons ready to attack Equestria.  Wow.  This is serious.  But you still haven't said why you're here."

"Assuming my theory is right, I'm here to try and capture a changeling."

Dash looked at her quizzically.  "You think they're here?  In Crossroads?"

"Not in the city.  On the roads.  That's what I wanted to warn you about.  The G.I.P. has secret patrols moving between Crossroads and the border day and night now.  I think they've even taken over one of the outlying farms as a base."

Dash frowned worriedly.  "Pinkie...  Damn!  Gilda, you didn't happen to see a hot-air balloon go through here recently, did you?"

"There was one last night.  It came through in the middle of the night, and was heading right for the outlying farms.  I thought I recognized it.  A friend of yours?"

"Pinkie.  She's the one who had the party, where I set up those pranks..."

"Ugh, don't remind me," Gilda interrupted with a snort.  "Hmmm...  She may be in danger, if the G.I.P. actually has a base out there."

Dash gave Gilda a look that was half invitation and half pleading.  "You could come with us.  Might be a great chance to see if these guys really are changelings and maybe capture one."

Gilda looked away.  "Do you think your friends would really want me around?"

Dash sighed.  "G, we've been through this before.  They would forgive you in a heartbeat.  I forgave you a long time ago.  Why can't you forgive yourself?"

"Because we had a pact, you and I.  I know you forgave me.  But I still feel like I broke that bond..."

Dash looked Gilda in the eye.  "The blood oath?  That's what's been bothering you?  G, listen.  That oath - and all it stands for - was never broken in my eyes.  You and your family took me in when I had no one else.  Without you, I'd have never stayed in flight school.  Who knows where I'd have ended up.  Maybe on the underground racing circuit in Cloudsdale, working for some crime lord.  Or worse.  You probably saved my life, G."

"Dash, I..."

Dash gently placed her hoof on Gilda's shoulder, then continued, this time in Gryphon.  "Gilda. Du bist meine Schwester.  Immer.  Nichts wird jemals ändern."



Behind closed palace doors, a less peaceful scene was playing out between another pair of sisters.

Luna slammed her hoof down on the documents Stormwing had provided.  "Changelings!  Dost thou not yet see, sister?  Hadst thou but listened to us, none of this would be happening now!"

Celestia stopped pacing and whirled to face her sister.  "What would you have me do?  Kill her?"

"Yes!"

The arguing sisters were practically face to face now.  "NO!  I tell you, Luna, she can yet be healed!"

"Still thou clingst to that fantasy!  How many lives wilt thou pay for her healing?  She who was is already dead.  Only that beast, Chrysalis, remains."

Celestia backed away from her sister's fury.  "No.  There is still good in her."  Even as she said the words, though, she felt uncertain.  Maybe Luna was right.

As Luna turned to leave her sister's quarters, she made one final statement with a cold certainty.  "Mark our words well, sister.  If thou wilt not do what must be done, we most certainly shall."



The following morning, after a hearty breakfast, Dash and company prepared for the last leg of their journey.  As they were getting ready to go, Dash took the group aside and filled them in on what Gilda and her father had found.

"Changelings?!" blurted Twilight in astonishment.  "Is she sure?"

"Not 100 percent sure, not yet.  She's here to try and capture one of the patrollers along the road.  She also thinks the may have set up a base on one of the outlying farms."

Applejack snorted.  "With our luck it'll be the Pie Family's."

Dash paused, nervously rubbing the back of her head with a forehoof.  "There is one other little thing.  I, um, kinda asked her to go with us."

Rarity gasped in astonishment.  "What?!  You actually invited that uncouth barbarian along?  Well, I think its a dreadful idea."

Applejack added her own reservations.  "Look, Dash, what makes you so sure we can trust her?  Maybe this whole thing about changelings is some way to lure us into a trap."

Dash sighed.  Despite what she had told Gilda, she had figured the others might not be keen on the idea.  "Guys, listen.  I know you have no reason to trust Gilda, but trust me, okay?  I would trust Gilda with my life.  I believe her."

"But why do you trust her so much, Dash?" protested Twilight.  "She wasn't any better to you in the end, after all."

Dash sighed again, hanging her head in defeat.  "Okay, look, I've never told anypony else this, except Fluttershy, but... have you ever heard of the gryphon ritual of a blood pact?"

Twilight's brow furrowed in concentration for a moment as she tried to recall any information she had read about Gryphon culture.  "Blood pact...  blood pact...  Ah!  I remember.  It's a ritual between two parties signifying a mutual oath of some sort.  It's considered one of the three most sacred and unbreakable types of agreements in Gryphon society, the others being marriage and vows to the gods.  As such, it's used mainly for two things - agreements between great houses and adoptions.  Adoptions can be initiated by any gryphon that has passed their first hunt, but have to be approved by the clan patriarch before the oath is considered binding."  She paused, putting this information into the context of the conversation.  "Wait, you mean you and Gilda are..."

Dash nodded.  "Gilda and I are blood-sisters.  We took a pact together.  Her father approved it.  We're family.  That's why I trust her."

Twilight looked puzzled.  "But, wait.  That would mean...  The clan patriarch would never approve an adoption of a minor who already had a family.  Which means..."

"Yes, it means I was an orphan."

There was a collective gasp from the others (except Fluttershy - none of this was news to her) followed by the expected chorus of "I'm so sorry.", "I never knew.", "You poor dear", and the like.

Dash blew out an irritated snort.  "Stop.  Okay?  Just stop.  See, that's why I never told anypony.  I don't want pity or sympathy.  Really.  I'm fine.  I got over it years ago."

Applejack could tell Dash was lying, maybe even to herself.  You didn't just 'get over' losing your parents.  It had taken her years to come to terms with her own parents' death and there were times it still hurt.  She was first to voice her support.   "Sugarcube, if it means that much to ya, ah'm willin' to give her another chance."

"Perhaps 'uncouth barbarian' was a bit harsh," conceded Rarity.  "I, too, would be willing to let bygones be bygones, as it were."

"Um... I guess I could, um, try to be friends with Gilda.  If she wants to, that is." added Fluttershy, somewhat nervously.

"Then it's settled."  said Twilight.  "So, um, where is she?"

"She's going to meet us just outside town," replied Dash.  "She wanted to check the gryphon patrols and be sure nothing had changed."



After saying goodbye to Red June (with repeated assurances between her and Applejack that each would have to visit the other more often) the friends set on their way.  It didn't take long to reach the edge of town, and it was not entirely unexpected when a brown and white figure emerged from the nearby trees.

"G!  What's up?" called Dash.

Gilda shook her head, frowning.  "Patrols have picked up.  If they've got Pinkie and they've figured out who she is, they may be expecting you to come after her."

"Damn!  Is there a way around them?"

"None that I've seen.  I had been counting on avoiding their timing, but they're too thick for that now."

"I may have something," Twilight broke in, rummaging in her packs.  In short order she produced large map and unfolded it.  "According to this copy I got from the Records Office, there's an extensive system of caves and mines in the high foothills."  She gestured to a point on the map near Crossroads.  "It should be possible to enter here and make our way through, coming out right at the rock farm."

"But, um, couldn't they be patrolling the caves too?" wondered Fluttershy.

"Not likely." said Gilda.  "My people won't go underground if we can help it.  Now changelings could, but that might risk blowing their cover.  No, if they know about the mines, likely what they'll do is have armed guards at the entrances."

"Then Ah reckon this just might work," commented Applejack.  "So what're we waiting for?"

"There is just one small problem," admitted Twilight.  "The maps of the mines haven't been updated in almost a decade."

"Oh, yeah.  I remember now," remarked Gilda.  "Those mines closed down after a big cave-in.  It was about eight years ago.  I was down here to buy some things when this stallion came running into town talking about a cave-in at the mine.  Big news.  Apparently the mine owners were killed but their daughter, who was just a couple yards away, survived."

"Oh the poor dear!" exclaimed Rarity.  "That must have been awful for her."

Dash and Twilight exchanged a worried glance.  Somehow, they just knew.  But they still had to ask.  Twilight spoke up.  "Gilda, you wouldn't happen to remember the name of the family involved, would you?"

Gilda paused, thinking.  "Hmmm...  It's been so long.  I think it was..."  Her eyes suddenly widened in surprise as the name came to her.  "Pie.  It was the Pie family.  Isn't that your friend's name?"

"It is." Dash confirmed, somberly.



The sun was high by the time they made their way to the town-side mine entrance.  A heavy silence had fallen over the group after hearing of the accident.  Twilight had found some silver lining in that knowing the likely source of Pinkie's psychosis would help when the time came to deal with it.  Still, that didn't make the fact any easier to take.

As they neared the mine entrance, which was surprisingly unguarded, Dash noticed Gilda's wings fluttering nervously.  She moved up alongside the agitated gryphon.  "You sure you're okay with this plan, G?  If the caves are too much..."

"No!  I mean... I'll be fine, Dash.  Really.  I said I would help you and I'm gonna see that through.  No matter what."

When they arrived at the cave mouth, Twilight called a halt.  "Okay, we don't know what we might find in these mines, so here's the plan.  We'll go in two abreast.  Applejack and I will take point, Gilda and Fluttershy can be next, and Dash and Rarity can cover our six."

Dash raised an eyebrow at the terminology.  "Point?  Cover our six?  Twi, have you been taking lessons in military slang from your brother?"

Twilight grinned sheepishly.  "Just some terms I remembered.  With the situation as it is, I thought it might be good to brush up on it a bit."



Princess Cadance hummed softly as she went about her morning routine, trying to shake the ominous feeling that had been hanging over her since she got up.  Shining Armor had left the previous day on an urgent summons from her aunt Celestia.  She had wanted to go with him, but the Crystal Empire wouldn't run itself, after all.  Somepony had to deal with the endless parade of bureaucrats and petty nobles.

She sighed, looking once more over the day's agenda, and wondered, not for the first time, how her aunt had done this job solo for a millennium without going completely mad.

It was at that moment that she felt a disturbance in the atmosphere of the room, like a dark void.  She whirled around, and felt her blood freeze in terror at the figure before her.

"Hello, Cadance.  It's been awhile.  Miss me?"

"H... How did you get in here?   GUARDS!"

"Oh, please.  You think I would just pop in without incapacitating your pathetic little guards?"

Cadance's expression hardened in resolve.  "Why are you here, Chrysalis?  Come to try taking over the Crystal Empire now?  I defeated you once, I can do it again!"

Chrysalis snorted.  "Come now.  We both know that trick of yours takes two.  But I'm not here for your little glass ponies.  No, all I want is the Heart."

Cadance faced her opponent squarely and began charging a spell.  "Oh, is that all?  And should I just hand you the world on a silver plate while I'm at it?  I don't think so, bitch!"

Chrysalis sighed dramatically before her horn started to glow with her own spell.  "Fine then.  We do this the hard way."



A few miles from Hoofington, another changeling inspected his disguise.  Finally, satisfied that not a feather was out of place, he emerged from his tent, to be greeted by the crisp salutes of a dozen Gryphon company commanders.  Most knew him as General Swifttalon.  Three, fellow changelings, knew his true identity as Vice-regent Kak'thel'ix.  All of them knew that this would be a historic day.  He stepped up to a small hillock to address all the assembled gryphon (and changeling) soldiers and cleared his throat dramatically.

"Soldiers of the Empire.  This is a glorious day.  Today we begin to reclaim our glory and our power among the nations of the world.  Too long have we been held powerless while our emasculated leaders kowtowed before lesser species.  Now we rise to our proud heritage.  We rise to fill the role given us by nature and by the gods.  For we are the predators.  We know that supreme law - that struggle is the father of all things.  That without struggle, life cannot be won.  The weaklings of the world have forgotten this law.  We must teach them.  Onward, to victory!"

The entire body of assembled troops shouted the response as one: "Victory or death!"

Kak'thel'ix stood for a while, basking in the nationalistic pride and fervor of the crowd.  Love of country was a indeed a strong love.  Queen Chrysalis had been wise to make this move.  Finally, he stepped forward and gave the orders to prepare for the assault on Hoofington.



It was several hours before Twilight and company began to notice a faint breeze coming towards them, signaling that they were nearing the exit.  Traversing the mines had taken longer than they thought, due to having to make some detours.  Luckily, they had still managed to make it through.  As they pressed forward, the began to hear a faint whimpering noise.  Rounding a final corner, the exit came into view in the distance.  There, halfway up the tunnel, was the source of the whimpering.  A pink figure sat rocking back and forth before a collapsed side shaft.  The group approached her slowly, unsure of which persona was in control.  As they came closer they could see that she was bespattered with blood.  A lot of blood.  She turned to look at them and they could see the raw fear in her eyes.

When Pinkie finally spoke, her voice was little more than a whisper.  "H... help me.  Please.  I can't stop her."

Gilda, who had made her way to the cave's entrance, called out.  "Um.  You guys had better come take a look at this."

While the others tried to comfort Pinkie, Twilight and Applejack trotted to the entrance.  When she looked out, Twilight felt her lunch threatening to return.  She could hear Applejack having the same problem.  There, scattered between the mine and the farmhouse, were half a dozen mangled, bloody corpses.  When the initial shock wore off, Twilight noticed that Gilda was pointing out something more.  While most of the bodies were gryphons, one of them was clearly, unmistakably, a changeling.

A commotion from behind caught their attention and they turned to see Pinkie, a maddened look in her eyes, wielding a sharp stone and struggling with the others.  Dash was already sporting a gash on her shoulder.  Reacting quickly, Twilight fired off a tranquilizing spell, and the crazed mare collapsed to the ground.


Dash carried the unconscious Pinkie on her back as the group made their way to the farmhouse, trying to ignore the bodies.  As they approached, two ponies, one dark grey, the other light grey, came running out of a nearby silo.

"Thank Celestia you're here!"  exclaimed the darker one.  "We... We tried, but we couldn't stop her.  We had to hide in the silo."

The light grey pony looked at the unconscious Pinkie with concern.  "Is she okay?"

"She's fine, just knocked out,"  replied Twilight.  Then a thought occurred to her.  "Stand still," she commanded.  The pair complied and Twilight quickly did a magical scan.  Satisfied, she addressed them again.  "Okay, you're not changelings, but who are you?"

The lighter-coated one spoke up.  "We're Pinkie's sisters.  My name is Inkie."

"And I'm Blinkie." stated the darker pony.

Twilight introduced herself and her companions.  The Pie sisters eyed Gilda dubiously, but made no protestations.

Inkie continued.  "I think there are some things we should discuss.  About Pinkie's... condition."

"I agree.  But first...," she grimly indicated the bodies, "We may be on the brink of war, but we should still give them proper respect."  She turned to Gilda and Dash.  "If I recall, Gryphons generally cremate their dead?"

"Traditionally, yes," responded Gilda.  "Though there doesn't seem to be much around here to build a pyre with."

"We could get one of our old farm carts," volunteered Blinkie.

Gilda studied the cart that was brought up, noting that it was quite wide.  "Hmmm... ideally each gryphon would have a separate pyre.  But things are not ideal.  This will do.  Thank you."

As Gilda and Dash set about gathering the bodies, Twilight spoke up.  "Is there anything we can do to help?"

Dash looked at Gilda.  "What about the runestones?  I know they're traditionally talon-carved..."

"...but things are not ideal." Gilda finished.  "It would be acceptable."

Dash nodded.  She removed some metal tags from around the necks of the dead gryphons and brought them to Twilight.  Indicating the writing on the tags, she explained: "These are their names written in ancient runic Gryphon.  If you guys could find five nice, good-sized smooth stones, which should be easy enough around here, and then you could magically carve their names on them, that'd be great.  Oh, and we'll also need a torch.  And, do you have paper?"

"I have some scrolls.  I always carry some."

"Good," Dash replied.  "I want you to write this down."  She recited a few lines.  "That's traditionally recited by all those gathered after the pyre is lit.  Share it with everypony else, okay?"

Twilight could hardly believe it.  She had never seen her cyan friend give so much attention to detail.  "Wow, Dash. You really take this seriously."

"Of course I do.  Twi, I was practically raised by gryphons for half my life.  Gryphon culture is as much a part of me as..."  she struggled to find a comparison, "as, well, flying.  And this is one of their - our - most important rites."

Twilight rested a hoof on Dash's shoulder in reassurance.  "We'll be ready.  I promise."

Dash smiled.  "Thanks, Twi."



After about half an hour, the stones were ready and the bodies were neatly arranged in the cart along with their weapons.  Six somber ponies sat on the ground as Gilda and Dash began the ceremony.  Twilight and Applejack both kept a wary eye on the still unconscious Pinkie.

The ceremony began, with Gilda and Dash reciting a funeral blessing in Gryphon.  As they finished, Dash thrust the flaming torch into the makeshift pyre.  As the fire took hold, all present recited the verse Dash had given Twilight earlier:

"Lo, there do I see my father.  Lo, there do I see my mother and sisters and brothers.  Lo, there do I see the line of my kin back to the beginning.  Lo, they do call to me.  They bid me take my place among them in the halls of Valhalla, where the brave may live forever!"

To close the ceremony, Gilda and Dash moved the runestones Twilight had inscribed and arranged them in front of the pyre.



As the flames rose into the night, Twilight pondered what to do with the dead changeling.  It still didn't seem right to just let the body lay there.  She had no idea what changelings did for their dead, though.  At the moment, there were more important matters at hoof.  With a sigh, she turned to Pinkie's sisters.  "So, um, what exactly happened here?"

"Well," began Inkie, "It all started when the gryphons showed up, about a week ago.  Blinkie and I were out in the north field at the time..."

"North field?" interrupted Dash.  "So you actually do farm rocks.  I thought that was just a local term for a mine."

"Oh, no.  Mining is just the first step in the process.  Rock farming is actually very careful, delicate work.  At any rate, you can imagine our surprise to return to the house for lunch and find it occupied.  Apparently, the gryphons thought the place was abandoned.  We took them for a band of brigands at first, and tried to run, but they caught us pretty quick."

"That's when we noticed the uniforms," interjected Blinkie.

"Exactly," continued Inkie.  "Their outfits were far too regular for brigands.  And when they addressed each other, I could pick out Gryphon words for military ranks.  They said something about an invasion."  She paused.  "I thought we were at peace with the gryphons.  Do you know why they would attack?"

Twilight gestured toward the changeling corpse.  "Changelings have infiltrated the Gryphon Kingdom and overthrown the government.  They seem to be driving the gryphons to war with Equestria."

Inkie's eyes widened in alarm.  "This is terrible! There are dozens of small farmsteads along the border.  They could be in grave danger."

"No more danger than anyone else," interjected Gilda.  "Besides, this... incident has probably bought a few days.  We gryphons may be warriors but we don't rush headlong into unknown situations.  And this would be... unexpected.  No offense but most of my people think of ponies as rather... weak."

Blinkie spoke up.  "How'd you come to be fighting with ponies against your own people, anyway?"

"My father is... was the Gryphon ambassador to Equestria.  Which makes me part of the aforementioned government that was overthrown by the changelings.  A government I intend to see restored, if possible."

The Pie sisters seemed somewhat reassured, and Twilight urged them to continue with their story.

"Oh, right," Inkie continued.  "As I was saying, we were captured fairly quickly.  After that they pretty much locked us in the storm cellar and held us as prisoners.  Pinkie arrived the evening before last.  Apparently she had come by hot air balloon, but she said she was spotted not long after landing.  That's when she told us that her... problem had come back."

Twilight interrupted.  "About that.  We're all at something of a loss, though we have pieced together a few things and come up with a theory.  What exactly is Pinkie's condition?"

Here Blinkie jumped in.  "Well, you see it all started eight years ago."

"When your parents died?" asked Dash.

"So you heard about that?  Yes, that's what we think triggered it.  About a month after our parents death, on what would have been their anniversary, Pinkie wandered off.  We found her later in one of the far silos, with several household objects, two of which she insisted were mom and dad.  She said it was an anniversary party."

"Not only that," interjected Inkie, "but her whole demeanor had changed.  Her hair had gone flat and she looked... darker.  She kept insisting to be called Pinkemina, which was odd, because she usually couldn't stand that name."

"When we took her to a doctor," continued Blinkie, "they said she had split personalities.  The shock of seeing our parents die right in front of her had triggered it."

"To make a long story short, it seems that 'Pinkemina' became a channel for all Pinkie's negative emotions.  We've always been able to suppress her when she showed up, by cheering Pinkie up.  This time was different, though.  When Pinkemina surfaced this time, she actually tried to kill us.  She kept saying that she would be Pinkie's only true friend and she had to get rid of her 'fake friends'.  For some reason we can't figure out, the gryphons actually tried to stop her.  And, well... the rest you can guess."

"Wow," said Dash, quietly.  "She's farther gone than I thought."  An expression of mingled pain, worry, and grief crossed her features.  "Twi... we can still save her, can’t we?"

Twilight was stunned herself.  The gryphons could have been perceived as aggressors, obviously.  But that Pinkie had tried to kill her own sisters...  "I'm going to do everything I can, Dash.  I promise.  But I won't lie.  This is far worse than I imagined."

"Slaves," put in Gilda, seemingly out of nowhere.

"Say what?" responded Dash.

Gilda turned to the Pie sisters.  "You said you didn't know why the gryphons tried to save you.  I've figured it out.  The new government the changelings installed must have revived the practice of slaving.  Earth ponies especially would be valued for their strength.  They tried to save you because they didn't want to lose valuable property."

At that moment, a noise could be heard on the wind, growing louder.  The sound of wingbeats.  A form could be faintly seen in the sky, approaching at a rapid pace.  The group tensed, bracing for the worst.

As the form grew, it took the shape of a group of sky chariots.  Before long, they could see the chariots were being pulled by bat-winged ponies, and in the lead chariot was none other than Princess Luna.

The ponies bowed as Luna landed and disembarked.

"Your Highness..." Twilight began.

"Twilight Sparkle.  I have found thee at last.  Hast thou found thine friend, the holder of the Element of Laughter?"

"We have," confirmed Twilight, "but we have a bit of a problem."

"We shall have to discuss it on the way.  My sister hath most urgent need of thee and thy friends.  Lady Stormwing, and you others shall come as well.  This place is not safe."

As they began to board the waiting chariots, Twilight turned toward Luna, who was looking more solemn then the purple unicorn could ever remember.  "Princess, just what is going on?"

"Commencing about noon, and continuing since, there hath been a stream of refugees arriving in Canterlot from Hoofington and the surrounding environs.  As I was leaving, some were even bringing word that the city had been completely overthrown.  In short, Twilight Sparkle," Luna paused, looking Twilight directly in the eyes, "the war has started."