//------------------------------// // Chapter 12 // Story: My Little Pony: Retrieving the Elements // by BlackFeather //------------------------------// Chapter 12           Black Feather drew his sword over his back and Gabriel pulled his morning star from his side. His weapon was short and held it in one hand. Gabriel then closed the front lapse on his helmet to cover his face and made a stance. Black Feather then did the same. After a minute of both watching the others stance they charged at each other.           Black Feather swung his sword as Gabriel ducked to the side. Gabriel then kicked Black Feather in his back. Note that Gabriel was wearing steel armor boots so that had to hurt. Black Feather then turned and swung his weapon again. Gabriel blocked it and punched Black Feather in the face. Black Feather rubbed his cheek and went in again. Gabriel swung his weapon and Black Feather blocked it but Gabriel kicked Black Feather in the shin this time.           Black Feather stumbled back and rubbed his shin. Twilight was worried that they would lose the Elements again but Flutter shy was worried that Black feather would get hurt more. Black Feather stood up and regained his balance. After taking a bit of beating he then turned the table. He ran and jumped at Gabriel before kicking at him. Gabriel of course blocked it but Black Feather then twisted and sliced Gabriel’s leg.           After another seven minutes of fighting each only doing bruises or cuts on the other they both stood opposite each other panting from exhaustion. Thought for one final sweep Black Feather brought his sword up and ran towards Gabriel. Gabriel readied his morning star and ran for Black Feather. Only a few meters from each other they readied in striking positions. Just two yards from each other Black Feather bended his knees and slide on them towards Gabriel. Said Griffon caught un aware of the action had to move his momentum. One foot away Black Feather then swung his sword as Gabriel swung his morning star. Black Feather ducked his head as the morning star passed it and moved his sword forward more.           As Black Feather passed and stood up he looked behind him and saw Gabriel with a cut from his chest to under his armpit. Gabriel was bleeding and he fell to one of his knees. Black Feather sheathed his sword and walked towards Gabriel. Black Feather offered his hand and Gabriel took it.           “You have skill in your moves Eagle, I will give you that” Gabriel said. “Yeah, and your kicks were powerful” Black Feather said. Both men shook hands and Gabriel faced the Princess’s. “I have lost so there for my army will not enter Equestria” Gabriel then bowed and returned to a slightly saddened yet smiling Griff Beak and a furious Iron Wing. “What do you mean you won’t enter Equestria” “I lost a Monomachía Iron Wing, I will honor our terms” “Aw well, you can’t win them all can you” Griff Beak said.           Iron Wing was in furious rage. He then reached towards a Legionnaire and grabbed the spear he had. Iron Wing then proceeded to throw it at Twilight. “Iron Wing no” Gabriel shouted. Too late. The spear left Iron Wings hand and it raced towards Twilight. “TWILIGHT” What no one expected happened. A small green and purple blur came out of nowhere and swatted the spear out of the way. Spike then blew fire out and burned Iron Wings left hand. “AHHHHHH” Iron Wing screamed in pain. “Spike, what was that” Twilight asked. “He threw a spear at you” Spike said. All the Equestrians looked towards Iron Wing and saw Gabriel and Griff Beak in his face furious with rage.           “Your majesties, my humblest apologies one Iron Wings behalf” Griff Beak said. He then turned to Iron Wing. “You imbecilic, A Monomachía was in place, have you no honor” Griff Beak Yelled at him. After Gabriel, had taking Iron Wing back to tend to the burn Griff Beak faced the Princess’s. “After very unexpected actions I will take my army and leave for a while so I can deal with this honor less pig” Griff beak said. “However, we will be back Celestia, remember that and prepare your people”           With that Griff Beak left and the Princess’s, the main six, Spike, Black Feather, and the guards went back to their side. “well sister now I believe we must prepare for a war between us and the Empire” Luna said. “yes, indeed Luna, Twilight I’m afraid you must prepare as well” Celestia said. “Huh” Twilight said. “Twilight, we believe that Iron Wing wont attack alone, he will have help and the Royal Guard will hardly be if able to stand against Iron Wing alone. Twilight, my faithful student you must assemble an army for Ponyville” Celestia said.           Twilight was in shock. It was scary enough to fight in battle, and now she must raise an army. “But, I don’t know where to start” Twilight said. “Don’t worry I’m sure a certain Eagle knows how to get started” Celestia said. Black Feather was in shock himself now. “I believe that you Black Feather can be a good General for Twilight” “General, oh wow” Black Feather sank to his knees in bewilderment. “But a good general must have a good weapon, let me your sword” Celestia asked. Black Feather stood and gave his sword to the Princess.           Celestia then used her magic on the sword and it shined. After the light simmered down the sword was anew. It was now a one-handed blade. The hilt had a fine purple colored leather grip to it. The blade had a lighter purple coat to it and a small darker purple line down the center of the blade. Black Feather took the sword from Celestia and examined it further. On the hilt laid four small holders. Three on the hand guard of the sword and another on the circular end of the hilt. All of which were empty           Black Feather stared at it in awe. “It’s amazing, thank you princess” Black Feather then bowed and continued to look at the sword. “with this sword, Black Feather I, High Princess Celestia of Equestria, name you Sir Black Feather, Knight of Friendship. And with a title so should his partner have one” Celestia revered to the sword at this point. “Amicus. It is Eagle for friend” Black Feather said proudly. “Then Twilight I wish you luck. Gather willing men and women, protect Ponyville and the southern towns and farms where the royal guard cannot. Then with our trust we can save Equestria” Celestia said. She and Twilight embraced and then Celestia motioned towards the royal guards that went with Black Feather to rescue Flutter shy.           “I must say that you men have shown great bravery in your rescue” Celestia commented. “It was nothing your majesty” Glass Horn said as he and his squad bowed. “Almost like the mythical Flugel’s that can best any challenge. I know you just graduated from the royal guard academy, but how would you like to be the first enlistments in Princess Twilight's army” Celestia asked. The squad looked up in some shock but then all agreed to do so. Celestia than nodded and walked off with Luna in toe.           “Well then looks like you Flugel’s will be helping me train the new soldiers we get” Black Feather said. Cloud Kicker perked up at something and said. “hey sergeant, aren’t we still mission a squad name” Glass Horn thought then nodded. “Yeah, why” “Well what about the Flugel Squadron” The men quickly agreed taking a liking to the name and Twilight said. “Very well, may I be the first to welcome Flugel Squad to the army of Friendship, and may it be known that you aren’t guards, your Knight of Friendship as well”           The squad cheered and clasped arms with each other and had a mini celebration. Twilight looked over to her friends and now her new friends and said. “Let’s get going, we have a lot of work to do” Twilight and the girls started walking. Spike, Black Feather, Glass Horn followed with the newly formed Flugel Squad close behind.