Months after the start of the war between Equestria and the Griffon Empire Twilight and her friends must move fast to put the finishing touches on her own personal army.
Some months after Black Feathers duel with General Gabriel at the Great Plains Twilight is still creating her own army. after learning from Black Feather that there are some very skilled fighters in a village to the south east Twilight and friends go to recruit them. none do they know that an unforeseen and new enemy has entered the board, and with his eyes set upon Ponyville. Twilight will need speed and effort to recruit the new fighters and make sure ponyville is saved. or whats left of it.
Emperor Griff Beak was in his living quarters of the palace of Griffonton. He was reading a book and had a cup of tea next to him. A knock on the door had taken his attention from his book and to the one at his door.
“Enter” Griff Beak said. An Imperial Courier entered the door and saluted to Griff Beak, then kneeled before him.
“Your majesty, I have news from the front” the courier said.
“Oh, well then tell me” Griff Beak said motioning for the courier to rise. The courier than rose and proceeded to tell him the news.
“General Iron Wing’s forces have swept the two Guard Fortress’s on the way to Cantor lot. Griffin Stone has now been filled with our wounded and sick, the watch tower to the north has been recaptured by Equestrian forces but we suspect that they will use it to hold their wounded. Intelligence, however believes that Princess Twilight Sparkle has been rounding up volunteers for a make shift Militia, we however cannot confirm that information. Last thing is that General Iron Wing has requested reinforcements to the southern front because he believes that our presence there is not big enough” The courier finished.
Griff Beak heard the news and began thinking. He couldn’t just send some soldiers to the south, he had very little reserves left. If Gabriel hadn’t lost the Monomachía to that meddle some Black Feather than this wouldn’t have been a problem. However, the ante for the Monomachía was that Gabriel’s personal army couldn’t take any action in the war what so ever. The Imperial Guards could do it but they weren’t tough enough as the Legionnaires. His personal battalion wasn’t enough to get a strong presence in the south so.
Griff Beak then got a devious grin and turned towards the courier. “Go and fetch me the Colonel the Vector Brigade. Tell him I wish to speak to him immediately” Griff beak said.
“Yes, my Emperor” the courier kneeled and left to follow his order.
Griff Beak stood and walked towards the window and evilly smirked. “Now Princess we’ll see if you are ready to go through what It takes to fight a war”
A woodland path along the southeast Equestrian/Griffon boarder walked a party of ponies. However, ponies that had transformed into some other type of creature unbeknownst to the entire world of Equis. Hoping down from a rock onto the leafy ground, a figure with a black shirt, pants, and a purple sword hanging on his waist scanned the area for either dangerous wildlife or dangerous inhabitants.
Black Feather motioned behind him and continued walking. From behind him came two girls. One had light pink hair, wearing a yellow sweater, and pants and had three pink butterflies on her left hand. The second had purple hair wore a purple shirt and vest, with purple jeans. She had a rapier at her side and had a purple star on her left hand.
Twilight and Flutter shy followed Black feather down the path and motioned to the others behind them. One with an orange woolen button up shirt with the sleeves rolled to the elbow, pants, cowboy boots, and a cowboy hat came following next, she had a big hammer on her shoulder and three apples on her left hand. The one next to her had a silk white sun dress on with stylish cowboy boots of her own, with a bow and a quiver of arrows on her back. She also had three diamonds on her left hand.
Applejack and Rarity were monitoring the areas to the side of them to look out for any ambush they might walk into. The final one next to them, with her frilly pink hair, pink shirt, pink jacket, pink pants, her pink colored knives, and her three balloons on her left hand, was just playing with said knives.
Pinkie pie had then hopped over to Twilight and said. “Hey Twilight, does Black Feather know where this town is”
“I hope so pinkie because I’ve never been down this south before so I’m not sure witch town he was talking about” Twilight answered Pinkies question.
“Okie Dokie Lokie” Pinkie said and hopped back to Rarity and Applejack.
“Hey guys” everyone looked up and saw someone flying with a spear over her back. Her mesmerizing rainbow colored hair flying in the wind, her light blue shirt and athletic shorts gave her off as the athletic type that perfectly matched her rainbow lightning bolt on her left hand.
“Whats up Rainbow” Twilight asked.
“I think I saw the town Black Feather talked about, it’s only another mile or two that way” Rainbow Dash pointed down the road heading right.
Black Feather nodded. “Ok let’s get going then” Black feather said.
“So Black Feather, how did you come by this town anyhow” Twilight asked.
“when I was still a courier, I had made none official state tasks. One of which was delivering letters back and forth to someone in this town and someone back at Griffonton” Black Feather said.
“So, you know this guy then” Rainbow asked next.
“Yup, I’ve gotten to know him and his friends after visiting so often” Black Feather answered.
After another fifteen minutes of walking they reached a small clearing in the trees and took a short rest for water. “So, you really think that many people in this town would join or army” asked Applejack.
“Yeah, they would create their own army just to defend their town, so I think we have a good shot” as Black Feather said that something decided to fall from the trees.
Everyone was surprised to see a Griffon Legionnaire fall from the tree right above them with an arrow in his back. That’s when the weirdest fight of the main six’s lives happened. Legionnaires ran from the trees but past the group as if they were running away. They watched as a Griffon who just entered the clearing took an arrow to his back and he fell face down. “Ahhh” they turned and saw a Griffon was hit hard by a man in a cowboy attire with a big hammer in hand. He had smacked the Griffon over twenty-five feet.
Some tried to fly away but were blocked by two Pegasi in the sky attacking them with short lances. A man wearing all pink from his pink shirt, short sleeved unbuttoned button up shirt, pants, and hair started to throw knives into the Griffons. The two coming into view were also men. One held a bow and had arrows on his back while the other one held a one-handed sword while firing magic at the Griffons. The one with the sword had Purple hair and whore a purple button up with the sleeves rolled up with a purple vest and purple pants. The one with the bow had magickly enhanced his arrows as well. He had a stylish shite coat on with purple pants and a purple scarf around his neck. His purple hair was well maintained and very elegant looking.
Soon only three Griffons remained and were surrounded by the new party of men. The two Pegasi landed on the ground and a clearer look showed one with a light blue muscle shirt, even though he had small muscles, and black pants worked well with his rainbow-colored hair. The other Pegasus had a tallow shirt on and blue utility pants with his light pink hair.
As the new group held the Three griffons in place the one with the sword walked forward, he was probably the leader. “Alright, now for the ninth time stop coming to our town. This will only happen again. Now beat it” he said in a threating tone. The three griffons needed not a second telling as they spread their wings and flew off heading north-east.
The six boys turned around to see the group of girls they rescued only to get widened eyes at the sight of a friend. “Black Feather” the obvious leader said.
“Dusk Shine” Black Feather and the now named Dusk Shine embraced in a man hug and released each other so Black Feather could greet the others.
After a minute or two of hellos Black Feather introduced both parties. “Girls this here is Dusk Shine, Elusive, Rainbow Blitz, Butter Scotch, Bubble Berry, and Applejack. Just call him Jack” Black Feather introduced the Unicorns first, then the Pegasi, then the Earth Ponies.
Black Feather then introduced the girls and they gave a welcome smile and introduction. “Wow, the Princess of friendship and the friendship council, to what do we owe the pleasure of this visit” Rainbow Blitz said.
“We are here to on a special recruiting errand for princess Celestia” Rainbow Dash said.
“Wow, the High Princess is recruiting for something huh” Said Jack with a deep southern accent.
“Eup, and it is more specifically designed for Twilight here” Applejack said.
“well then why don’t we head back to town and head to the Tasty Cake Shop, they have a delicious chocolate parfait” Elusive said with a high sophisticated voice.
“Oh, that sounds wonderful darling” Rarity agreed.
“CAKE” both pink haired knife throwers yelled as one.
“Guess they agree” Said Butterscotch.
“Seems they do” Said Flutter shy.
“Alrighty then let’s go, this way your highness” Dusk Shine said.
“Just call me Twilight” Twilight asked.
“Oh, man I haven’t had one of those Parfait’s in a while” Black Feather said.
After another fifteen minute walk the thirteen members entered a dessert shop and most spent their time eating and talking. While Twilight, Dusk, and Black Feather began talking about the recruiting. “So, you are making a militia to help fight the Griffons in the south” Dusk asked.
“Yes, and we have had a good turnout already but our current number of trained soldiers aren’t enough, so when Black Feather said he knew some talented fighters I had to come and see” Twilight explained.
“Well, Black Feather isn’t wrong you won’t find any better trained muscle here except in the Royal Guard” Dusk said. “there is just one issue though”
“What’s up” Black Feather asked.
“Many people here in town wont willingly leave with the constant attacks by the Griffons we’ve been having. If a detachment can be posted here at town half the young men in town will head straight over to Ponyville” Dusk explained.
Twilight went over the thought and found it acceptable. “Alright Dusk Shine we have an accord” Twilight and Dusk shook hands and Dusk added.
“Me and my friends will gladly accompany you back to Ponyville. We can get stationed and help with the training and all that”
“I think the men could really benefit from your exercises Dusk. That and Jacks pushup regimen” Black Feather said.
The trip back to Ponyville was a quick and swift one with the main six getting to know the new training officers that they recruited for the militia that Twilight was assembling. Though not everyone got along.
“You should just run on back to Cloudsdale and stay in your nice baby bed” Rainbow Blitz yelled.
“You should go and tie yourself up and hang yourself by the legs into an Ursa cave” Rainbow Dash yelled back.
The two had been going at it since they left when they both claimed to be the best flier in Equestria. Dash took it personally when Blitz boasted about it to Flutter shy and Applejack that he was faster that lighting itself. Blitz was insulted that Dash told him he wasn’t even fast enough to beat an old grandma earth pony. After that insults kept flying back and forth.
“You two need to shut up” Black Feather yelled back to them both they were on opposite sides of the group but it was even more annoying because they had to be louder to make sure that they both heard each other.
Rainbow Dash looked to the side and said. “Sorry Black feather” Blitz did the same thing.
”Yeah sorry man” silence came for a little bit then Blitz said. “I’m sorrier then she is”
Dash took that as in invitation. “You are not you yellow lip pansy”
“Stop it” Pinkie screamed. “Look there’s someone coming” She said and everyone looked ahead. It was flying and before long Black Feather recognized Cloud Kicker, one of the Flugel squad members.
“Cloud Kicker, what news” Black Feather called. “General, your highness urgent news” Cloud Kicker landed before continuing. “Ponyville came under attack”
The Legionaries stopped their pace and relaxed for a good minute or two before they set out again. They had been marching for two days and Ponyville was another half day away. With a little more push, they could be there within the next three hours but then the men would be exhausted. Colonial Windger of the Vector Brigade of the third Griffon Legionnaire army had walked up to the hill not thirty yards away and used his spyglass to scout ahead.
Through said glass he saw towards the north burning smoke and knew it was Iron Wing’s work. to the west on a mountain side he saw Cantor lot, the Equestrian Capitol. To the south, he saw Ponyville, his target and home of the Traitor who helped the Princess of Friendship in retrieving the Elements of Hierarchy or whatever is was. He was to cause disrupting acts in the south to keep Princess Twilight focused on them and not Iron Wing. He had free rein to do whatever he thought necessary to do so.
“Colonial sir” Windger looked to his side and saw his lieutenant, Gorgan. An able bodied and trustworthy Griffon if there ever was one. “The men are ready to proceed with marching sir”
“I think we shall make for the northeast side of the Everfree forest and make camp there” Windger said with an alluring voice.
“Why not engage the town now and cause the Princess some trouble” Gorgan asked.
“I want to know how strong the militia is before anything. They have trained soldiers training them and that is an issue”
"So what is your proposal” Gorgan asked.
“Send in squads S1 and G3, have them cause panic and then tell them to fall back here on the southern side of the Everfree forest”
"yes sir” Gorgan left to rally the said squads.
The way squad designation worked in the Vector Brigade was that scout teams were identified with an S, a Guard squad with a G, an Assault with A, and Ravagers with R. that and numbers differed up the squads in that category. Scouts were agile and quick and good at getting info and caused harassment to the enemy. The Guards gave a bit of muscle and were trained to stay awake for two days straight for long night hours of guard duty. The Assault Teams were good at attacking in ranks and good for sieges against enemy forts or castles. Ravagers were only told to kill and make it look bad. If the enemy could fear a Ravager than they had done their work. a Ravagers offense was on point and his defense was even pointier.
Windger would not give the Equestrians the fear that Iron Wing probably used already so he would wait and see. He had a good five hundred and fifty Legionnaires in his Brigade and he would use then swiftly and efficiently.
“Sir I send the squads forward to the town, they will arrive in a few hours” Gorgan said.
“Good, well then let’s continue forward ourselves. Forward Men” Windger yelled his order to his Brigade and they all began marching.
The thirteen Equestrians and one Eagle ran back to Ponyville as fast as they could and when they got there they saw some buildings to the south of town were burning. Immediately all fourteen rushed into town to give aid where ever they could.
Legionnaires were everywhere and the already trained and currently trained militia were fighting to keep them at bay. Everyone split up and went to do different jobs. Dusk followed Twilight, Black Feather and Cloud Kicker to lead the militia against the Griffons. Black Feather ran Amicus out of its scabbard and sliced a Legionnaire threw the chest. With a cry of pain the Legionnaire fell to the floor. Twilight used her magic to push a Legionnaire off his feet before rallying the nearby militia.
The Pegasi headed to the east side of the town, specifically towards the school area. Many of the kids would be in school now so they headed over to give them aid. On the scene, Burst had thought of the same thing and had a squad of fully trained knights easily repelling the Griffons away from the school yards.
“Burst” said Pegasus heard his name and turned to see Rainbow Dash and Flutter shy approaching.
“Councilwoman Dash Councilwoman Shy, we have formed a wall preventing most of the Griffons from getting near the school”
“most” Dash asked.
“Y-yes two Griffons made it passed us but I sent two men to get them” Rainbow Dash looked back at the other three Pegasi that accompanied her.
“Blitz Butterscotch you stay here with Burst and hold off the Griffons Flutter shy come with me” Flutter shy nodded and followed Dash as Blitz and Butterscotch stayed and readied their weapons for further combat.
The knight stumbled backwards and fell to the ground with a hole in his chest. The Legionnaire killed both when they caught up with him and his partner. He was supposed to cause mayhem at the school yards. “Come on let’s hurry some of the kids would have already hid when the battle started, and we may need hostages to get out of here alive” The Legionnaires partner said to him.
“Got it” He wiped his sword to get blood off and then continued away.
Unbeknownst to the two Legionnaires a group of eyes had been watching them. “Are they gone” asked Scootaloo.
“Yeah, their gone, let’s go” Apple Bloom opened the door to a small tool shack on the school grounds and out came the Cutie Mark Crusaders, Diamond Tiara, Silver Spoon, Pipsqueak, and Snips and Snails.
“Ga, what are we going to do” Snails asked.
“Yeah, they’ll come back” Snips said.
“We should go to my father, he will know what to do” Diamond Tiara suggested.
“Ah think we should head to our clubhouse outside of town, that could be a safe place to stay” Apple Bloom said. The High schoolers agreed and left to head to Sweet Apple Acres.
As the group was passing the high school a hand reached out and grabbed Sweetie Bell by the arm. “AHHHHH” Sweetie Bell screamed.
“Well, well we got a group of little pony brats to help us” A Griffon Legionnaire said holding onto Sweetie Bell.
“Alright kids come with us, now” a second Legionnaire said with authority in his voice.
“No, you can’t make us” Scootaloo said.
This raised an eyebrow from the Legionnaire. He then proceeded to take a step towards the pony girl and smacked her across the face. “Scootaloo” Apple Bloom cried in fear.
“Anyone else” the Legionnaire said branding his sword this time.
“Duck” someone yelled and all the ponies ducked and a green flame came from out of nowhere setting the Griffon on fire.
The screams of the Griffon were like a Hydra roaring. It was loud and full of pain. The first Legionnaire let go of Sweetie Bell to face his new foe with his sword drawn as well. Out of nowhere again Spike dropped down and tackled the Griffon. Spike then punched him in the face and commanded to the others. “Go” he yelled as the Griffon threw him off. Snips and Snails grabbed Scootaloo and ran after Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon. Only Sweetie Bell, Apple Bloom and Pipsqueak remained to help Spike.
Pip jumped on the Legionnaires back as he tried to stand up, Apple Bloom sat on his legs and Sweetie Bell grabbed the sword and taking it out of the Griffons reach. Spike got up again and ran to hold the Griffon down. If maybe one or two more helped with this they would have succeeded but the Griffon was too strong. He pushed the kids off him and stood up and grabbed Spike by the neck.
Spike remembered what Black Feather had told him about the Legionnaires training and how tough it was for them. The Griffon took a dagger and went to stab Spike but failed from a surprise. “NOOO” Sweetie Bell screamed and took the Griffon sword and stabbed the Legionnaire in the back and out threw the chest. The Griffon dropped Spike and fell limpness to the ground.
After regaining his breath Spike went over to Sweetie Bell and saw the horror in her eyes. Spike then gently took her hands in his and took them off the hilt of the sword. She then fell back on her bum and began crying with Spike holding her hands, Apple Bloom rubbing her back, and Pip putting his small hand on her shoulder. Sweetie Bell continued to cry even as Rainbow Dash and Flutter shy arrived.
The casualties weren’t as bad as Black Feather feared for the Militia. His fear was how many innocent people had been hurt in the fight. Twilight, Dusk and himself rallied several knights and militia trainees and pushed the remainder of the Griffons out of Ponyville. A massive amount of them managed to escape to the south and he sent Cloud Kicker to follow them. The town square was the new command area for a while as Twilight and Glass Horn, who they ran into during the fight, set up field medic tent’s, because the hospital was full, getting concerned questions from parents, and helped distribute some blankets and medicine to some people hurt or cold.
“Well whats the report Glass Horn” Black Feather asked as he arrived at the command tent.
“Well so far seven knights are dead and three wounded, twenty-one militia trainees are dead and thirteen wounded” Glass Horn took a pause and gulped. “nearly fifty-five civilians are confirmed dead and more are being tallied” Black Feather looked in complete shock. So many people had been killed by the attack that rage was sent threw him.
“Twilight, Black Feather” Rainbow Dash called walking with Flutter shy and Spike and the kids from the school yards. The fillies and fouls sat down in one of the tents and Apple Bloom and Scootaloo sat with Sweetie Bell after the incident.
“What happened” Black Feather asked.
“Two Griffons got through the lines. Two more knights are dead and Sweetie Bell is in shock” Dash replied.
“Who did she see die” Twilight asked. But Dash shook her head.
“No, she killed a Griffon that was attacking Spike”
“The nerve of those cowards, attacking innocent people” Black Feather yelled. It was over two hours after the fight had ended and the council were gathered to discuss plans. “they fled and camped in the south of the Everfree Forest, we can take them by surprise” Black feather said.
“Yes, we will pursue them but some of us will stay here to help” Twilight said.
After a few minutes of discussing, Twilight, Black Feather, Applejack, and Pinkie Pie would go off and pursue the Griffons. “Yes, well that is heroic and all but you at least should go with some favorable fashion on you” Rarity said.
“Rarity, I mean no offense but now isn’t the time for any clothing show” Black Feather said.
“Nonsense you silly Eagle, besides you will like what I have designed” Rarity said.
Rarity had lead the council and the attacking party to a warehouse off radar near the edge of town and gestured to it. “I bought it a while ago to help with distributing clothes to the shops in Cantor lot and Manehatten but it now has had a different use” Rarity said. She opened the warehouse and everyone looked inside and was astonished by what they saw.
Rarity cracked a smile and said. “Now everybody get dressed”
Around eighty griffons were sent towards Ponyville to do a harassment skirmish and the sergeant loved the results. Nearly one hundred Equestrians where killed and he only lost seventeen. Not a bad take at all. Colonial Windger would be pleased. Maybe there was a promotion in his future. He and the rest of his men had fled to the southern border of the Everfree Forest to lie in wait until Windger gave his next orders.
“that was too easy” said a Legionnaire who sat down next to some comrades by a fire.
“Yeah, I thought they would at least put up more of a challenge” said a second Legionnaire.
“Wonder if they will get wise and throw something more dangerous like horse shoes” a third joked. The group around the fire laughed.
“Who knows if any of them can actually swing a sword correctly” said the first.
“I’d wager that none of them can even shoot a bow” said a fourth.
Just as the Griffon said that an arrow came out of nowhere and stuck the second Griffon in the neck. As he fell on his back it took a second for the other Legionnaires to understand what happened. They jumped up and raised the alarm. The third Legionnaire was then shot in the chest and fell to the ground next to his already dead comrade.
The sergeant, hearing the commotion, rallied his men and formed a defensive line to meet the new enemy. Just before he could get organized. Several men came out of the forest armed with swords and shields. Some had lances and short spears. A small amount had bows and where shooting at the Griffon line.
The ambushers whore purple painted armor with a light purple as the outline and a darker purple as the base color. The armor style and helmets used where totally Equestrian, no doubts there. What was doubtful was if this was who the Sergeant thought they were.
The battle line was formed and split a second later as it was ramped into by the Equestrian attackers. Several Legionnaires were pushed over and the line immediately broke. Fighting then started as the Griffons to shocked and unprepared to fight quickly fell by sword or spear or by tripping on a rock as they tried to flee. Those who tried to flee were met with Pegasi in the air or by a shield on ground.
The Legionnaires where surrounded with nowhere left to go but by fighting. The Sergeant and his most confident men held their line as best as they could but with the heavy charge plus arrows showing up instantly that moral fell. Less than half of the Sergeant’s men still fought or tried to escape. The majority were dead or surrendered. Seven men with him and a hoard of swords, spears, and arrows approaching the Sergeant saw one thing that stood out. A flag.
The flag matched the color of armor with light purple background and a six pointed purple star in the center. The Sergeant knew that star. It was the same star as on the Princess of Friendships hand. This was her army. Not some lazy town militia, this was the true army she had gathered. Hidden all along. What a fool he had been. He stared at that flag till something hard hit his head knocking him out cold.
Twilight stood a good couple of yards away from the fighting dressed in her purple painted Princess armor that Rarity showed them. She had her rapier at her side and Glass Horn by the other. Black Feather lead the charge on the ground and Cloud Kicker in the sky. After tallying up the count two of her militia were wounded but no deaths. Out of the sixty-three Griffons twenty-one where alive and captured.
Some steal caged carriages came up the path and stopped to get Prisoners inside for the ride back to Ponyville. “Alright, lets load up the prisoners and get going” Black feather shouted as he took off his helmet. He walked back to Twilight who stood and smiled as he approached. “Well this armor looks good, follows my body movements, and is extremely comfortable” Black Feather said.
“Rarity will be glad to hear that” Twilight said.
“I’m just glad the charge worked. Our main force is full of militia who haven’t even been training that long” Glass Horn said.
One hundred and ten was Twilights number and only half were used. Seventy-seven percent of the force was still untrained militia that wanted payback for Ponyville and everyone who died.
Pinkie pie and Applejack walked up and joined the chat with the others. Pinkie still had her helmet on and her knifes on her belt. Applejack didn’t want a helmet and had a big hammer over her shoulder. “Well that’s done and over with” Applejack said. “I also managed to knock the leader out so we can talk to him later” Black Feather looked pleased.
“Alright, let’s head back, Cloud Kicker can hold things up here”
Back at Ponyville Rainbow Dash had been watching the new guys train some of the Militia that hadn’t gone with Twilight on the hunt for the Griffons. She was now walking around Sugercube Corner taking a load off from what had happened today.
After a few minutes of walking later Rainbow Dash saw Scootaloo sitting on a bench. Dash went over to her to try to spark a conversation. “Hey squirt, how are you doing” Dash asked. Scootaloo looked at Rainbow Dash with teary eyes.
“Rainbow Dash” She said with a rough throat. She grabbed Rainbow Dash and held her tight.
“Hey whats wrong kid” Dash asked holding her to.
“I-I just learned that both my parents died today”
Dash looked horrified. She had meet both of Scootaloo’s parents before but now that they are dead means that either Scootaloo will have to go live in the Orphanage that Cherrilee put together or find someone to care for her. She was only starting in high school this year and didn’t know how to fend for herself completely.
“Hey if you want, I could possibly adopt you if you have nowhere to go” Dash said. Scootaloo looked up at Rainbow Dash with some surprise. She always thought of Rainbow Dash as a big sister but this was something else. Scootaloo just cried some more and nodded her head to Rainbow Dash.
“Don’t worry squirt, everything will get better in the end” Rainbow Dash said as she held a crying Scootaloo for the next while.
