//------------------------------// // Chpt 12: Blood and Vinegar // Story: Daring Do and the Sword of Excalibur // by Silver Malice //------------------------------// “Come back here you little brat!” Scootaloo flapped her small wings furiously for the extra sped as she just managed to dash from the swiping talons of an overly angry gryphon. Feeling the tips of his claws scratching her, she gave a flick of her tail which caught the simmering hybrid square in the eyes, making him yelp in frustration and surprise. Scratch nearly bit his own tongue in frustration as the slippery filly escaped his clutches. Watching her leap up the tower steps he snarled furiously in pain. He refrained from following her and instead put his talons over his smarting eyes, recoiling from the lashing her tail had given him. His partner Shekel ignored him as he sped past heading after the little brat as they had been instructed to do. The other gryphon faring little better as Scootaloo managed to dodge his frantic attempt to seize her and fled up the stairway leading to battlements on the top of the tower. Ever since the call to arms had been sounded Scratch and Shekel had been given the task of securing Scootaloo and keeping her away from the fighting. As soon as the filly had seen them coming she had bolted, heading up towards the upper chambers of the tower.. The thought of disobeying let alone disappointing Mordrue was the best motivator for the two unhappy gryphons, who were now giving their all to catch the little orange blur. Shekel panted heavily as Scratch finally caught up to him, glaring at his companion. “Couldn't even catch a little foal could you?” he accused. “You’re one to talk, where have you been while I’ve been chasing her?” snapped back the other. “She hit me in the eyes with her tail...that thing is like a whip!” Scratch hoped Shekel would buy that excuse because he didn’t have much better in his arsenal to work with. “Yeah, well just be glad she didn’t hoof you in the beak,” muttered Shekel clasping his smarting beak gently. The two gryphons huddled together as they scanned the upper causeways, trying to catch the smallest flash of orange and purple. “We have to get a hold of her quickly, or else it’s our feathers in the fire,” grumbled Shekel. “She’s faster than I thought she’d be. Given she can barely fly that’s saying something,” answered Scratch. Shekel clasped his talons to his beak as he grumbled. “Oh Tashar, are we stupid or what?” “Speak for yourself big beak.” “No...I mean fly, we can fly bird-brain, enough of this ground walker stuff!” “Ah, good point.” The two of them leapt off their paws and extended their wings as they flew up the open shaft of the tower, faster than their feet ever could. >(~:~)< Scootaloo raced up the steep steps etched into the side of the walls, her small hooves clacking upon the cold stone as she made her way up the tower. She wanted to see what was happening outside. Even if it was a bloody mess she had to see other equestrians. It was a deep need pulsing in her very heart. It was the desire to see other kind of her species, hooves not talons and muzzles not beaks. She felt like it had been seasons since she last saw her own kind, terrified and stuck here in this fortress of griffons. Being forced to experience nightmares every waking hour was bad enough, but she was also far from her friends and those who were closest to her. She skirted a rather unsafe and crumbling outcropping. Giving a rejoiced sigh when she finally discovered bits of light peeping in from several smaller battlements etched around the top of the tower. Natural daylight beat out faded torchlight any day of the week. Scootaloo was so excited that she sped up to a gallop until she was right under the lead battlements. Hopping up on her back legs Scootaloo scrambled to get her head and front hooves over the top of the stone. Grunting with exertion she shivered as the rock was cold and damp from the morning dew. The cold felt weird pressed against her dry body. The stone on her left side shook and wobbled from her weight, while another slipped off and clacked up on the railing beside her hooves. Scootaloo was aware that she had not touched that stone, deducing it must have been shaken earlier from its perch. To tell the truth the entire upper sections of the Spire looked like some sort of fire or big explosion had scorched them. Scootaloo could see definite signs of black residue from magical energy marks upon the stone. Many seasons trying for a cutie mark and hanging around Rainbow Dash, let alone Princess Twilight had given her a keen sense for spying these things. “Something sure did a number on this tower,” she whispered to herself, finally able to get her body stabilized upon the shaky rock. Once she was sure she was secure she peered down to survey the grounds and land so far below. She could only gasp at what she saw... >(~:~)< The Equestrians had slowly begun to make their way through the undergrowth and trees towards the Spire. The flight squadron remained grounded not wishing to betray their presence until it was time, while the unicorns primed their magic and the earth ponies sharpened their steel and spears. They crept forward slowly so as not to jingle their armour. Their helmets had been covered in tree leaves and mud roots to hide the gleam from the sunlight. Their lines moved slow but in unison in a series of waves. Celestia and colonel Spit Shine followed up the rear, several unicorn personal guards sticking close to them. “Are you ready for this princess?” asked Spit Shine, the tall unicorn showing a bit more pale than usual himself. “I-I think so, is this usually how it feels before something like this?” Turning her gaze to the officer she hoped she wasn’t the only one on the verge of a heart attack. It had been ages since such a battle had been fought by Equestrians or herself. She had forgotten the stress and fear of anticipation, the smell of fear and way time seemed to slow down to a drawl. “Let’s see, are you feeling hot?” inquired the colonel. “Y-yes,” replied the princess hesitantly. “Heavily nauseous, your muscles feel way too tight, and you're heart is thumping a hundred beats a second?” he followed stoically. “Yes, to all of it,” she replied. “Well then your highness, yes this is perfectly normal. The key is to roll with it and not let anyone else know how far you are from slinging you lunch across the billiards table wot.” “That’s...helpful I-er think...thank you colonel.” “My pleasure your highness, now excuse me I think I’m going to hit that table myself.” Celestia looked the other way not out of disgust but because she feared her companion being so free with the contents of his stomach would cause her to follow in turn. >(~:~)< Up in the tower the griffons were waiting impatiently, crowded along the battlements and open entrances to the tower roost. Most of them were starting to prime their crossbows, while the others sharpened their long spears and pikes. Crouched beside them Dukat surveyed the rows of griffons waiting in hiding. Mordrue himself came up the steps and took a position alongside one of the large tower windows slit, peeking out of the slit with his green eyes. He beckoned Dukat over to him with a gesture, the captain nodding as he squeezed his way towards the black griffon. “Is everything ready?” asked Mordrue calmly giving Dukat a fierce glare as he did so. “Yes, the two upper sections above us have a perfect vantage point of the courtyard,” indicated Dukat, pointing up to two fairly sized buttresses above the entrance ways and battlements, sticking out of the side of the tower. “We’ve stocked them with archers chief; when we ring the horn they’ll start firing.” “Good, has Two-Bits and Tenner left yet?” “They’re just preparing to sir,” replied the captain. “Very good, send for Coin, now,” hissed the black griffon, “tell him to double time it!” Dukat nodded and grabbed the nearest griffon beside him whispering the orders right into his ears, that griffons himself did the same with the next and on and on it went as the crouching mass of griffons relayed the instructions through their ranks. Eventually the dark colors of the griffon in question came into focus as he passed alongside the rows of crouching griffon warriors. “Reporting chief, but I have to ask why you wanted to send for me to rabble rhyme and spit.” Mordrue ignored actually answering and simply grabbed the smaller warrior by the throat and pulled him close, their beaks touching, eyes staring into each other’s. “Enough of this clowning around bird-beak. Now you have proven yourself very adept at spying,” Mordrue made sure the other griffon was focusing solely on him while he directed them over towards the stairs. “I can use a spy right now.” Coin could only nod before trying to pull away from the tight grip. “I-I can d-do, t-that,” he gasped. Mordue only nodded as he continued on, “I need eyes and ears on the outside, so you're going to accompany the others when they slip out the back. Look for the enemy’s camp; it can’t be too far from the tower. Find it, and keep your eyes and ears open. When you have something to report return and notify me at once.” Coin hissed an agreement as Mordrue released his neck allowing the other to gasp for his air...It was always the throat with the chief. “It would be an honor my lord,” he saluted before slinking down the stairs to join with the raiding parties. Glancing back at Dukat Mordrue retook his position at the slit, peering back through it. That’s when he saw the outline of shapes moving slowly to the edge of the clearing that marked the beginning of the courtyard. “Here they come...get ready.” >(~:~)< 
Scootaloo gulped as she surveyed from her high perch the scene below. The Equestrians had left the cover of the woodlands to begin scraping across the open ground of the courtyard. What she could see but they could not however, was the dozen or so armed griffons below Scootaloo huddled together about the flying buttress. The young filly could make out what she knew to be crossbows and griffons themselves were ready and alert as if waiting for something. Scootaloo was no fool; she knew they were waiting for the equestrians. The whole thing was a trap. Giving a desperate neigh the orange purple maned filly scrambled to find a way to alert the equestrian soldiers, but there was no way to signal them, and she didn’t have any magic to spark up a flare. Scrambling atop the loose cropping she gave a small gasp as the rock beneath her began to shake and shift foreword. The little filly was holding herself perfectly still to maintain her balance. That’s when it hit her, the rock she was perched on was crumbling apart, and her voice was loud enough wasn’t it? The plan fell together in her mind after that as she hopped quickly off the battlements, careful to not slip herself. As she touched down on a more solid surface she planted her front hooves on the battlement stone and pushed as hard as she could. The stone moved but stopped as if it had caught on something. Giving a snort the little filly reared up and brought her hooves crashing into the stone feeling the rock give a little. Doubling her efforts Scootaloo struck again and again with her hooves, smacking the rock surface continuously with as much momentum she could muster. Finally she felt the rock give way and begin to crumble off the top of the battlements, as it began to fall she summoned her voice into one large scream and let loose. “Looooooooookkkkkkkkk Ooooooouuuuuttttt!” she screamed, just as the top of the battlement collapsed and plummeted down the side of the tower. >(~:~)< Time seemed to freeze still for all the different sides as Scootlaoo’s scream pierced the quiet day. Mordrue snarled as he realized in the moment, that the element of surprise was lost. He turned to Dukat signalling him to give the order to start the attack. But, before Dukat could give his war screech, the buttress above them shook as a loud crash echoed through the tower followed by a series of squawks of surprise and pain. The upper buttress seemed to practically shatter as it began to fall apart, several of the griffons stationed there falling with it. As the rubble and griffons caught in it passed in front of him, Mordrue closed his eyes in contempt. It was impossible to believe but yet again, another botched job. “Fire!” he screeched, his anger overwhelming his disgust as his warrior heritage took over. “Kill them, kill them all!” Despite their surprise at the collapsing buttress the remaining griffons heard their chief’s call to arms and immediately went to action, sounding their answer with the sound of crossbows firing and the whooshing whine of cross bolts flying. Mordrue took the opportunity to look up at the top of the tower, wondering what had caused the tower to break even further. The buttress that had once blocked the view was now gone, several surviving griffons hanging onto the shattered foundations, still dazed. From his position he was just able to make out one figure peering over the battlements back down at him...The little filly. >(~:~)< Scootaloo had watched as the falling top of the battlements had struck the buttress. The hard rock had struck right into the middle of the huddled griffons and shattered the already loose buttress from its moorings to the rest of the tower. A moment of dread caught in her gulped as she started to feel sick. It wasn’t usual for ponies to actually hurt anyone. Her intentions had been that the falling rock and her scream would be enough to alert the equestrian guard. She never meant to kill; she had only wanted to help her people. As Scootaloo watched the buttress shatter and carry several warriors with it to the ground far below she heard the chilling cry of her father echo through the tower. “Fire!” “Kill them, kill them all!” She peered over the side of the crumbled rock to see what was happening only to catch sight of the green fiery eyes of the black griffon, even as far below her as he was. Scootaloo decided she was better off inside the tower, away from the gaze of the terrifying griffon. As she turned to go she felt herself suddenly ripped from the battlements and hefted into the air by a strong grip. Dangling by her tail she came face to face with snorting faces of two rather-peeved looking gryphons. Scratch and Sheckle fastened each a set of talons about their charge, Shekel holding her by the tail while Scratch gripped her front hooves together. “Gotcha ya little b—“began Scratch. “Okay! Enough of that,” interrupted Shekel. “Let’s just get her inside and keep her quiet.” Scootlaoo could hear the sounds of battle as she was dragged kicking and struggling down the stairs of the tower, back into the shadows. She only hoped her warning had been enough. >(~:~)< The Equestrians had been startled like a deer in the firelight at the sharp scream of, “look out” above them. The shock coming from the end of almost constant silence had caught them off guard. As they had crept along the ground they had been mentally preparing themselves for a number of possible encounters that might await them below the tall dark tower, this had not been one of them. What snapped them out of the shock was the sight and sound of the buttress shattering and carrying with it nearly 9 screaming startled griffons, plummeting down in a sickening heap and crunch in front of them at the base of the tower. Almost immediately a fierce war cry sounded from the tower and the whistling of cross-bolts echoed in the sky as the missiles rained down upon them. The guard scrambled right away launching for whatever covers the courtyard could provide them with. Upon reaching such cover they began shoring up dirt and stone to act as a barrier and shield against further missiles. The cross-bolts showed no sign of letting up as the guard were showered with projectiles. Several of the unicorn soldiers charged their horns as they returned fire, launching several magical blasts back up the tower. The blasts exploded into fire and light showering the defenders in molten magical plasma. From their position at the edge of the forest, Celestia and Spit Shine watched the battle before them. Spit Shine was relaying orders via his horn while Celestia could only stand there, frozen in shock. Flashes of an age long long ago where she had been more...aggressive came back to her in sporadic spurts. Battling her sister for the throne, fighting Discord....sealing away Mordrue her head shook with pain of remembrance. That had been so long ago, she had almost forgotten how to be a warrior, the recent battles with Chrysalis, Discord and even Tirek had shown her that. From the moment she had heard the scream to seeing the piece of the tower collapse on itself, Celestia had realized the element of surprise was not only lost but there would be no negotiations to be had this day. She watched feeling helpless as the tower rained down a barrage of missiles upon the scrambling Equestrians, those capable of returning fire doing so, but it was a hard pressed battle. The griffons held the best position, not only did they have the high ground but they also controlled the battlefield. The main body of Equestrian forces had reached the midway point between the clearing and the tower, as mentioned several rock cropping and barriers allowed a respite from the constant barrage of projectiles from the Spire. From their vantage point the Calvary now could hurl their own missiles and magical blasts at the tower and its defenders. The blasts however were exploding prematurely before reaching their targets. Celestia focused her eyes as she peered at the tower. Something definitely was not right there. Then she saw the shimmering green glow that encased the entire tower. “A rune shield,” she gasped. Such things were uncommon relics of the ancient Griffon empires. They had been specifically created to counter-act unicorn (and alicorn) magic during the old conflicts between the species. No wonder none of their magic blasts could actually reach the tower. The rune shield was causing them to explode before hand, only allowing them a fraction of the damage they would cause otherwise. “Princess, our firepower can’t reach the tower through that barrier, and our flight squadrons are being grounded by that onslaught,” stated Spit Shine, his horn glowing as he tried to relay the tactics and strategy to his units in the field. “Can you do anything about that?” he finally inquired. Celestia didn’t know if she could, the shield was designed to counter equestrian magic. Even her power would not be able to dent the shield. But, she could draw the defenders attention long enough for their forces to mobilize. “Nothing against the shield, but the archers...yes,” she stated determinedly. Extending her large white wings Celestia began to draw her full energy into her horn. With a gust of wind she exploded from the forest edge, Spit Shine ducking his head in a hurry as several of the nearby trees nearly collapsed from the resulting shockwave. Hurtling through the air Celestia extended her magic from her horn to cover her entire body shooting across the sky like a bolt of sunlight. Several barrages of cross-bolts hurtled towards her only to burn up or deflect off her own barrier as she finally hovered right before the spire. She could now practically see the gleaming beaks of the griffon defenders before her, their smell and even the sound of their breath stiff within her nostrils and ears. Celestia however, was not daunted by these factors. Her will already was determined to help her people below. Swirling magic into her horn she glared back at the spires inhabitants as her body began to glow. Her body exploded into a vast brilliant light that extended its blaze across the entire sky, showering the Spire and its defenders in the blinding unblinking light of the sun. The griffons gave a united caw of surprise and pain as their eyes were blinded by the strength of the light. Focusing her piercing gaze down towards the huddled forms of the Equestrians below Celestia made her intentions to them clear. “Quickly, move all of you...now!” She cried, her body radiating another blast of bright light. Below her the Equestrian soldiers who had been propped up against their motley bits of cover responded to their monarch. “You heard her lads,” cried one of the officers. “Up and at em!” several of the earth pony guards pushing forward at their officer’s charge. Their eyes fixed upon heading for the closed off entrances to the griffon tower. From their crouched position the grounded pegasai finally had the room and cover to pull themselves out of their makeshift fox-holes. The commandant and Rainbow Dash in particular at the head of the squadron, shaking the dirt they had been buried under from their fur and wings. “Oh finally, we get to fly,” snorted Rainbow hotly. Being cooped up on the ground was not her thing and her desire to kick some feathers and get her adoptive sister back fueled her fearless drive to get going. Rainbow turned with her trade-mark smirk to her male companion giving the commandant a wink. “Ready to go soldier?” she asked coyly. The flight commander blushed slightly as he straightened his own body his armor clinking along with his movements. “Ready when you are Miss Dash.” “Great,” smiled Rainbow. “Then let’s burn ozone!” she cried as the two exploded from the ground, followed closely by the rest of the pegasus squadron. >(~:~)< Stuck on the spire Mordrue shielded his blazing green eyes from the blinding light of the alicorn princess. His warriors were also unfortunate enough to be caught in the brilliance, collapsing to their haunches and or shielding themselves behind the safety of the stone battlements. Peeking over the edge Mordrue could just make out the shapes of equestrians reaching the bottom of the Spire. 'Why would they go there? The lower entrances were blocked and sealed. They couldn’t climb the tower, nor fly up here so what was the point? It couldn’t be could it?' Turning his gaze over to Dukat who was shielding his face and eyes with his wings, Mordrue clacked his beak. The other griffon looked over at his chief from behind his wing shield. “What is it my lord?” he squawked. “Below us, the equestrians are trying to dig the lower entrances out. Take some warriors and shore them up!” shouted Mordrue in a panic. Dukat was only too glad to get away from the piercing light, but if the ground forces had reached the spire it wouldn’t be long before the pegasai followed them. “What about the sun princess and the pegasai?” replied the captain worriedly. “Leave them to me,” answered Mordrue. Dukat nodded, he was in no hurry to deal with an alicorn princess himself. Signalling several pike and spear wielding griffons to accompany him he started down the towers steps. “You lot with me, down the stairs on the double,” he growled hurrying the griffons into following him with obvious aggression. As the captain went about his duty Mordrue prepared to do his. A clenching feeling of impending closure gathered up in his gut while he readied himself to fly. This would be the second time he faced the equestrian princess...and he didn’t intend for there to be a third. >(~:~)< Arriving at the bottom of the spire Dukat and the collection of griffon soldiers stood facing the blocked entrances. Even here they could hear the sounds of digging coming from their enemies on other side. Dukat pointed his claws towards the blocked entrance. “Quickly, start shoring up this passageway, I don’t want those Equestrians breaking through!” he snapped. As the griffons set about piling rocks and dirt across the collapsed tunnels, Dukat prepared to return to the battlements to conduct the remaining defenses. “But captain,” interjected one of the warriors, the young griffon just standing there gripping his pike. “What if they do get through?” Dukat stamped over to the griffon and grabbed his loosely gripped pike, shoving it back into his chest. “If they break through, then run them through,” he growled indicting with his eyes the pike in the griffon’s grip. “Oh...right.” >(~:~)< Celestia had been holding her position for the last several minutes watching as the Equestrians on the ground began excavating the lower tunnels while the flyers pelted and bombarded the spire’s upper defenses with rocks and magical popper explosives, the same kind used in parties but with bigger bangs and filled with irritant powder. Her blinding light made sure to keep the defenders in the spire pinned down or risk going blind. She had begun wondering how long the battle could go on at this rate, when she shivered as a dark presence filled her senses. The hair across her withers and tail suddenly standing on end at the force of the presence itself. Celestia stiffened as she felt that creeping presence move from her heckles and withers and into her mind. It was a familiar sense of magic, one she had not felt since...Mordrue. Every magical user had their own signature and unique magical feel, Celestia had spent enough time with the griffon to recognize his magical signature. Before Celestia could even react in defense a shattering boom echoed across the clearing as a black ball blazing with green energy rocketed from the spire directly at her. Bracing her body the princess increased the energy through her horn to reform her light into a shield about her body. The impact of the black and green ball against her own bright one flung her backwards causing her to lose her momentum and concentration, Celestia’s blinding light dimming until it was absorbed into her body, leaving just her. Across from her, the black ball hovered where she had been, before it too began to diminish and shrink until all was left was a black griffon, glaring with bright green eyes. He still looked exactly as he had so long ago, still the same as Celestia remembered. He was adorned in his battle armor, the embroidered chest plate glinting in the sunlight while his razor sharp metal claws glistened as did the war helm that adorned his head and ended upon a metal sheath fitted over his beak. He championed the visage of the ancient warrior griffons, a throwback to a more violent and warring time. Celestia was not impressed, though she had to admit that he was daunting in his visage. “Mordrue,” whispered the sun princess. “Celestia...”he answered back. “Give back Scootaloo, and surrender Mordrue. End this now, the sword must remain lost.” Celestia made sure to keep her voice strong and commanding even despite the butterflies building in her stomach. It had been a while since she had confronted someone who had once meant something to her...a friend. “Excalibur belongs to me Celestia...as does the filly,” replied the black griffon, his own voice unwavering and his determination evident. That burning gaze of his much like his voice never wavered either. “You will not deny me my right this time...my old friend.” “Yes, we were friends once,” pleaded Celestia her own voice wavering for a second. Shifting her gaze, the princess brought herself to meet the dark griffon’s eyes head on, her amber gaze locking onto his bright green. “Don’t make me have to finish it this time,” warned the princess, once more charging her horns power. “Oh dear Celestia, “mocked Mordrue his own large wings billowing about himself as he started to circle her in the air, the sun princess responding to his movements with her own, shifting her body to protect her now exposed flanks. “If you ever had the guts for that kind of horse-play, you would have done it by now...I on the other claw.” Even as he finished he brought up his front legs, each adorned with the terrifying metal talons. Celestia shivered at the sight of the metal claws, knowing the danger she was in. Mordrue was more than just a mage, he was a warrior. Celestia was not a traditional soldier; she could blast someone with her magic but at actual hoof on hoof fighting she was less than a novice. “Finally Celestia, I’ve waited for this moment for so long,” growled the black griffon. His body starting to wind itself up, his muscles bulging as his wing beats grew sharper and he scrunched down ready to launch. “This moment when we would meet again, but this time...daddy isn’t here to save you!” With a terrifying screech the griffon launched forward his large wings giving several large beats as he hurtled into the white princess, the two of them flinging through the sky. Celestia felt the griffon’s blow well before he struck her, the impact tremor from his movements winding her before his actual impact. Extending her horns power she cast her magic about herself to lessen the blow and to hold off the claws from reaching her skin, Mordrue himself growling as he bit at her neck with his beak. Meanwhile down below the Pegasai were confronted by the near impossible task of getting into the spire. Not only were the griffon crossbows still proving a dangerous hindrance several walls of pikes and spears ensured that none of the flyers could gain any ground upon the spire itself. Rainbow Dash had tried several times to break into the tower only to have a cross-bolt or spear point get too close for comfort. Instead she had been forced to circle the tower chucking rocks or some of the magical poppers at the heads of any unlucky griffin to show themselves. Her anger and frustration at not being able to get in only added to the power with which she chucked her arsenal and it was many a woe griffon that got knocked by one of her missiles. She scanned the sky above her at the sound of a massive boom, only to watch as Celestia struggled with a billowing black griffon who could only have been Mordrue. Rainbow’s memory of the imposing griffin making her shudder as the two figures bashed into one another. Celstia’s body was encased in a solid ball of energy while, Mordrue held a black and green smoke like aurora, which slathered over her shield like an octopus’s tentacles. “Nope not touching that,” muttered Rainbow, focusing her attention back to the spire. Taking her place back up with the pegasus squadron as they made another bombing run on the tower. >(~:~)< Dukat ducked his head as the pegasai led another bombing run on their positions, the magical poppers exploding on the tower’s shield but raining fire and noise upon the defenders. Clutching his ears the captain doubled over and cursed in griffon. “Curse those damn flyers! We can’t keep taking this punishment.” Dukat spat out, grabbing the nearest griffon to him. “Fire the signal flare now, we need back up!” Nodding the griffon in question lifted his crossbow and fitted a bolt tipped with a small green vile to the string. Aiming it high he fired it into the air, the bolt speeding up into the sky before finally exploding into a cloud of dark green mist. >(~:~)< From the security of the tree line Two Bits had watched the entire battle take off, maintaining an observation of the battle throughout. His squad of twenty or more griffons held their ground waiting for the signal to make their move. Across from them on the other side lay Tenner and his party as well, the two groups preparing to launch their pincer movement. The mirror piece held in his talons allowed Two-Bits to converse with Tenner, the two officers coordinating their movements. “As soon as the signal is set we both move, we’ll meet in the middle and then scatter their flanks,” advised Two-Bits. Waiting for an answer he began to lose patience. “Do you read me Tenner!” he growled. “I...Read you,” answered the other, the older griffon had been slacking in his duties of late, heading into a downward ride of despair and depression. “Get it together mate, you got to stop pinning for that idiot son of yours,” answered Two-Bits hotly. “If he isn’t back by now, he’s not coming back, focus on the task at hand or Mordrue will be sending you to join him!” “I...just wish I’d been there for him, as a father should,” came the weak reply. It was starting to make Two-Bits sick. “Oh for the love of Tashar, act your age Tenner, deal with it!” Two Bits was too excited to allow the other officers melancholy to distract him. This was his first real command and the thrill of battle (especially against a weaker enemy) was making his blood bubble. He longed to finally sink his talons into Equestrian flesh, but he didn’t want to ruin this. While he had little respect or even fear for Mordrue, the black griffon was still a formidable enemy and not one Two Bits wanted to antagonize until he was in a better position. The battle seemed to be going on in the griffon favor that is until the blinding light of the sun goddess exploded upon the tower. Even as far back as the tree line Two Bits was almost blinded by her light. From that point the battle had been less one sided, and question of victory no longer so assured. Even when the clear form of Mordrue had confronted the princess, the equestrians had managed to turn the tide more to their favor, even as far back as here it was clear that the fighting was slowly going against them. From his perch Two Bits grimaced as he waited, longing to finally get in there, but reserved to wait. Until finally above the tower the speckled green mist exploded in a clear sign to move. “All right lads there’s the signal, let’s show those four legged fools whose the real soldiers here!” snarled the burly griffon, a roaring cheer of squawks and screeches joining him. The flock of griffons practically exploded from the tree line and headed straight for the Equestrians unprotected and unsuspecting flank. From the other side of the clearing Tenner also marshaled his group and sent them towards the other flank, the pincer movement now fully launched. >(~:~)< Rainbow and the Commandant, High-sky looked totally disheveled as they crouched on the ground, desperately trying to catch their breath and recover from the latest bombing run. They were successfully hammering the griffon defenders but still had not been able to breach the spire. Beside them lay a dozen or more of the earth pony and unicorn guards, the unicorns hurtling magical blasts up at the tower trying to breach the shield. The earth ponies tending to the wounded and shoring up the cover to protect from the still deadly missiles raining down upon them from the tower. And it was upon these tired, wounded and occupied members that the fierce brutality of two griffon war parties broke. Two Bits and Tenner together arrived at the same time, flinging their forces into the flanks of the Equestrians. Both on land and air the griffons hurtled into the ponies catching them off guard and scattering their already ragged formations. Pony and griffon now were entangled hoof to talon in close quarters fighting all across the open courtyard of the Spire. In the air pony and griffon zipped back and forth in brutal dogfights, metal talons and metal horseshoes clanging together as the sky literally rained blood down upon the equally red stained ground. >(~:~)< A flash of light and a sounding boom echoed across the camp as Twilight Sparkle and her entourage exploded out of thin air in a flash of purple magic, landing in the center of the burning clearing that had once been a portion of the equestrian camp. Dripping with sweat from the exertion of her magic Twilight almost collapsed only to be propped up by both Buck and Gilda. Across from her several of Gilda’s gryphon companions, Fiver, and Applejack groaned in unison having landed hard on their rears. “Gosh dar`n it Twi, could yah have made that experience any more painful?”groaned Applejack fixing her crooked Stetson about her brow. She was currently sitting right on top of Fiver, the griffon spy still bound. “S-Sorry Applejack, teleporting myself is hard enough, b-but all of you was...” trialed off Twilight, still supported by the two gryphons beside her. “Easy there Twilight,” cooed Buck gently holding the purple princess up. “You don’t want to burn out there.” “He’s right Twi,” added Gilda. “Take a rest.” The gryphon hen helped Twilight to lower herself into the grass to catch he breath. Buck joined her on the other side, sliding a calm set of talons across her back. Twilight had been adamant that they get moving immediately to Celstia and Rainbows aid, deciding that there was no time to wait for the gryphons to meet them. The only option had been to teleport the whole lot of them to the camp. Applejack had originally intended to stay behind in charge. Next to Rarity, Applejack was the only mare Twilight trusted to be mature enough to handle the burden of leadership in her absence, mayor mare having lost her confidence when she lost her heart with Scratch’s betrayal (a relationship that still creeped Twilight out). However, Applejack upon learning Twilight was going alone with only a few gryphons to be her companions had pledged herself to stand with her friend and princess. Twilight having caught her breath stood shakily on her legs, the two gryphons beside her letting go but staying close to the purple princess. She quickly scanned the area and saw she had been almost right on her mark. They were in Celestia’s camp all right (give or take a few feet) but neither the sun princess nor a single equestrian could be seen. “We’re too late!” cried Twilight, frantically scanning her eyes around the clearing. “They’ve already started the battle.” Fiver groaned as he tried to shake the apple mare off of him. “South...look south, the Spire is in that direction.” The tied up spy nodded his beak in the same direction before spitting out a clump of dirt and grass. Twilight turned southwards, straining her ears. There she could make out the sounds of screeching and metal clashing faintly but definitely in that direction. “We must hurry,” she impressed with urgency. “Celestia, Rainbow, and the others need our help.”