Oh Fortis, where are you?

Before there was the Gryphon Kingdom, there were the Griffin Tribes.

Before there was unity, there was strife.

Before peace, there was war.

Blessed Arnau is the Last Lady of the North, facing an enormous task. The griffins face a seemingly unstoppable enemy tide—The Cloven of the Sun. Marching endlessly northwards, they hunt for the remnants of the griffin Tribes making their last stand in the stronghold of Falhstein, a stronghold that has not tasted war in decades.

With promise of support from Fortis, a mere commoner of surprisingly sharp mind and will, she is tasked to lead a defense that will mean the survival or end of her race.

This is her story.

This is my first official World Building Alliance prompt entry for May 2013. Word Count: 5,480

Scored 4.42/5. Second Place for May 2013 Prompt.

The story takes place in the The Gentlemanverse, predating the a time before Equestria opens a portal to Earth. It is an exploration of Gryphon Kingdom history before the events of Feathered Heart.

Yesterday, the Cakes put Pumpkin and Pound on the train to head off to their first year at college.

Yesterday had been a very, very hard day.

Today will be worse.

This story is a sequel to If You Came to Conquer

Princess Nightmare Moon had tried to keep it secret. She had suppressed her power, feigned ignorance, played the outdated fool at every opportunity. She should have known that something like this would happen. A threat that would reveal her, whether she played dumb or not.

If she had to reveal herself, then at least she could protect Equestria in the process. She nocked the arrow. The bow felt so flimsy, but she could not risk him absorbing a spell. She laced magic across the arrow and the string and the air, enough to make it fly faster and aim smoother. She sighted him easily; Tirek was a large target. Now he only had to turn around. An arrow to the spine would kill him simply and instantly, no matter how much magic he had absorbed.

Once he was dead, the hard part would come: explaining herself to Celestia.

Prereading thanks; Meta Four, Blank!, Yami Vizzini, and especially Craine

Russian translation by Doof
Chinese Translation by Dreams Set Free

Comments contain spoilers.

Princess Luna created me in order to make sure she never would forget the pain she caused Equestria.

But this? This is not the way to accomplish my directive.

If only I could let her know...

Featured in the Royal Canterlot Library
Russian Translation by Doof!

Nightmare Moon won. She defeated Celestia, broke the Elements, banished the sun. This all happened a very long time ago. So long ago, that she has had plenty of time to change her mind.

Of course, fixing our mistakes is never so simple, and never without consequences. Even with particularly potent help.

"If you came to conquer, you'll be king for a day. / But you too will deteriorate and quickly fade away."
— "No Control" by Bad Religion

A big thanks to Craine, Sorren, and Idylia for prereading and editing. If you enjoyed the story, don't forget to check out their pages.

Equestria Daily
Royal Canterlot Library (FIMfic version)
Russian translation by Doof
Chinese translation by Dreams Set Free

Kitsune Heart has done a dramatic reading of this story! Find it over here.
ObabScribbler has done a dramatic reading of this story! It includes a full cast of voice actors. Find it over here.

Comments contain spoilers.