We opened the gate to find...
Nothing, absolutely nothing, which means there is definately something out there...
"Be ready, stay close and don't wander off girls, I don't want to have to either drag your corpses to your rulers or deliver them in cardboard boxes, are we clear?" I asked.
"Crystal. if thats ok with you..." said Fluttershy with a shy nod as I reassured her with a smile.
"Indeed." said Rarity.
"Yeah yeah." said Rainbow.
"Yeah, I hear ya." said AJ.
"Okeydokie liddely wokie!" exclaimed Pinkie.
"Yes sir! I will protect these fair ladies with all my might!" said Spike and saluted next to Rarity who giggled at his display and I rolled my eyes, I'd teach this kid about romance later, god knows I've seen enough of it to know what to not do...
"Hear that girls? be ready for a fight, except for you Fluttershy." said Twilight with a roll of her eyes as Fluttershy 'eep!' 'd when 'fight' was mentioned.
"Hey Castro, look out for Fluttershy, yeah? protect her." I said, he did a sorta salute with his wing and perched on her back... is this place making him more intelligent or am I crazy? both options are possible at this point...
I shook my head and walked out the gate with the 6 mares and the dragon, I really hope he can breathe fire...
My two guards flanked our rear sides, hanging back a meter or two to keep an eye on us from the back.
-Meanwhile above the forest-
"The meddler is leading the mares out of the forest sir, what are our orders?"
"Do not engage, we will prepare for the arrival of Lord Jacken first, he will give us our directive."
"Yes sir, as you command. he won't know what hit him..."
-Back at the edge of the forest-
"That went better than I expected!" said Twilight as we exited the dense woodland.
"Yeah, strange, then again, Niskaru Lords tend to make their minions smarter, likely their biding their time..." I said.
"You could be doing the same!" said Rainbow Dash.
"I agree, I could be." I said.
"In any case, we'll head back to Canterlot for now." said Twilight.
"Castro, you know you need to stay." I smiled at my bird who cooed in response.
"I'll see you tomorrow Twilight, until next time girls, give my regards to your rulers and adieu!" I said as I trudged back through the forest, back to the Keep.
-2 hours later in Canterlot-
Twilight Sparkle walked through the door to Canterlot Castle they were met by Princess Celestia and Princess Luna.
"Twilight Sparkle! finally! I thought something had happened to you!" exclaimed Celestia, the girls had gone back to Ponyville but Spike had stayed.
"No, in fact the prisoner from Tartarus helped us and saved my life! he is expecting you both and me tomorrow morning, the girls have gone home but he brought his bird companion." said Twilight, as if on cue Castro flew in and perched on Twilight's back before giving a bow to the Princesses.
"Such a regal bird..." said Luna.
"Yes, he is certainly majestic." smiled Celestia as Luna and her both bowed back in respect.
"His name is Castro, and the Castellan would like you to give up your magic when you enter his Keep as we will he along with any weapons."
"If he thinks-" started Luna.
"We will do as he says Luna, in his Keep we entertain his preferences." said Celestia.
"Very well sister." smiled Luna.
"What is he like Twilight?" asked Celestia.
"He is very heroic, he saved me from some creatures that tried to... get me, and carried me to his Keep, where he healed me, fed me and its as if he 'cleaned' my magic, it feels a lot smoother to use now, he is also very disciplined and disciplinary, he has a force of guards, that are... almost automatous, they follow only his orders and patrol his Keep, he is a part of a band of warriors that protect the land he is from." said Twilight.
"He saved you? from what Twilight Sparkle, please elaborate." said Luna.
"They are called Niskaru, they are very aggressive and cannot be reasoned with, he told me to warn you about their threat and that they may attack Canterlot, their leader looks like you a little Princess Celestia, except his neck bones are different colours and transparent and he has a longer muzzle, his name is Jacken." she said.
"I see, tomorrow, show us where it is Twilight." said Celestia.
"He had guards to guide us through the forest, which is there to protect the Keep." said Twilight.
"What type of bird is Castro, Twilight?" asked Celestia.
"He is a Crowned Eagle, he may look nice, but the Castellan told me he is a bird of prey, and has took down things the size of Timberwolves." said Twilight.
"Wow, so beautiful... yet so dangerous." said Celestia, who noticed Philomena had stirred and was watching him.
"Very well, tomorrow we shall depart, get some rest for now Twilight Sparkle." smiled Luna, Twilight headed to her old student dorm and Castro perched next to Philomena who seemed to take an instant liking to him.
"They make such an adorable couple." said Celestia and Luna chuckled at her sister, who had wanted Philomena to have a... male friend for a while.
"Sister, we should get to bed, we have a long day ahead of us tomorrow..." sighed Luna.
"Of course, lets go." she smiled as they walked to their chambers.