//------------------------------// // Nighmare Night and assault on Griffonstone // Story: A strange creature in Equestria // by sykko //------------------------------// As the days pressed on Harald began spending more and more time with Fluttershy when his duties on Sweet Apple Acres were completed. She would come by at midday bringing him lunch either in a basket or wrapped up in bundle, consisting of bread, cheese and fruit along with a bottle of juice or water. They would sit together under a tree or if the weather was bad, on the porch. They would converse quietly as they ate. When they had finished eating and had packed the belongings they would part with a tender kiss. In the evenings they would walk through Ponyville wing in hand. At first the ponies would gossip, but over time they lost interest in what became a common occurrence. On evenings when Harald wasn't needed for night watch, he would spend the night with Fluttershy, returning in the morning shortly before chores would start. After a few days Harald had his stitches removed from his old wound. One day a little over two weeks before Nightmare Night as he and Fluttershy were sitting under a tree eating their lunch as the chillier breezes of mid-autumn began to blow Harald asked, "Beloved, there is something I have been wanting to ask you." "Oh? What is it love?", Fluttershy replied back. "I have noticed you are you're very well muscled.", Harald said, "You're as muscled as the women of my land. You seem to possess physical strength on par with shield maidens. How did you build such strength?" "As you've seen, I take care of animals. Some of the animals I take care of are bears and sometimes they can be stubborn, especially when they don't want to do something. Sometimes I have to wrestle them down when I have to give them medicine or administer a shot.", Fluttershy replied, "If you don't mind me asking, what's a shield maiden?" "Shield maidens are women who choose to train as warriors and hunters.", Harald replied. The two continued talking softly as they finished eating. After they had finished putting away the remainder of lunch in the basket and parted with their usual kiss, Harald turned facing the distant mountains to the north seeing the snow falling upon their peaks. He decided that he needed to return to his strength and combat training soon. It would be odd to train, especially with weapons without another to spar with, but he was already laying out a rigorous regime. Rainbow flapped out to Harald seeing him staring at the distant mountains to the north. "The weather teams always bring winter to the mountains in the north first.", she said alighting next to Harald. Seeing the thoughtful look on Harald's face she asked, "You miss your homeland dontcha?" "A part of me will always miss it, but all that is left for me there is tears.", Harald answered, "It was there I had place the bodies of countless members of my country to the pyre. The ashes of my mother, father, sister and brother now sleep in the burial cave alongside those of countless generations of my family, the ashes of my betrothed sleeps with the ashes of her clan." Tears welled in his eyes before blinking them back. "It lays behind me now as I am now bound to this land by more than an ancient oath. It shan't be long before I must begin my training anew, the evil one still walks this land." Rainbow slapped Harald's thigh with her wing, "As much as I can appreciate a good training period, we've got the last of orchard to bring in before evening." As she began to flap off she said, "Don't tell anypony I've said that, I got a reputation to keep." "Your secret is safe with me.", Harald said a smirk. *************************************************************** It was dark when Sombra made his way to a cave high in the mountains where he knew a pool of dark magic laid. Outside the mouth of the cave a stallion waited with a heavy cloak pulled over him. Sombra sneered as he approached the stallion. The stallion bowed revealing a royal blue snout and greying mane. "Sire.", the stallion said with reverence, "My master sends his apologies for not being able to arrive in person, business in Canterlot has him indisposed. Fear not, I have been briefed on his business with you and my loyalty to him is unwavering." Sombra curled up one side of his lip in a sneer of contempt. "Your master disappoints me at his refusal to honor my summons. Am I to take this as a sign of his contempt for his future Crystal Emperor", Sombra growled as his eyes flashed red. "No sire.", the stallion said trembling, "His royal duties at this time would have made it difficult to leave at this time and it would have drawn the attention of the princesses." Sombra scoffed derisively, "Very well." He lit the magic in his horn and with a crackle of red electricity four jagged crystal daggers appeared on the ground. "Your master is to take these. He is to distribute them amongst himself and three of his most trusted servants. At the first opportunity he it to slay that upright, it will slay him outright. The other three are for Celestia, Luna and Twilight Sparkle, it won't kill them, but it will leave them weakened." He raised his head up high, bearing his fangs. "Now off with you and tell your master that next time I summon him, he had better show himself or I may consider changing the nature of our deal" The stallion quickly gathered up the daggers, dropped them into a pouch and took flight off into the dark sky. Sombra gave one last scoff at the pegasus flying off into night. As he entered the cave and approached the pool of dark magic, he froze at the sound of rattling bones. Out of the shadows a skeleton of a ram walked out wreathed in green flames. Two green flaming pin points formed in the empty eye sockets, glaring disapprovingly. From behind Sombra a voice rumbled, "Sombra, your puny power plays disappoint us." Turning his head Sombra saw an oily black shadow that looked like a twisted and warped alicorn flow across the wall. As the shadow flowed past him, it felt as if icy daggers were dragged across his coat. As the shadow formed into a three dimensional shape next to the skeleton Sombra bowed trembling to the cave floor. "Lord Grogar! Lord Nightmare!", he said in terrified reverence. The skeletal ram gestured with its hoof lifting Sombra off the floor and pinning to the cave wall with an invisible wall of force. "Did you think you could hide from us Sombra?", Grogar's skeletal form croaked, "Your narrow view and insignificant gambles for power have put our centuries of planning on a knifes edge. When I sent you to the land of the Rimewalkers you were supposed to find the heir of Irontooth and guide me to him so I could corrupt him, not slaughter his people in droves. He possesses a magic beyond that is beyond your reckoning. And now the magic of his blood mingles with that of a princess and her family." Reaching out his hoof, he began to strangle Sombra with an invisible line of force. "Give me one reason I shouldn't kill you here and now." As sombre writhed and gagged under the force strangling him he said between gasps, "I have changelings *urk* to steal griffon chicks and eggs. *urk* My agents are close to *urk* close to Celestia and Luna *urk* all I need to do is order them to strike and kill the upright *urk* at the winter gala. *kkggghhkk*" Grogar released his magical stranglehold dropping Sombra to the floor. Sombra gasped for air as he rubbed his neck a hoof. Grogar and Nightmare looked at each other before nodding in silent agreement. "Very well.", Nightmare rumbled, "We shall allow your power games persist as it entertains us for now." Nightmare cast pieces of itself onto the floor before Sombra, they transformed into various gems. "We have altered our agreement with you. Take these to the diamond dogs, they will twist them to your cause. It will further amuse us. Do not fail us or plan on reneging on the agreement or we'll rescind our agreement and bring it to your servant." "We now depart to find where we may find the place to summon the brother of Lord Nightmare, do not fail me again or you will find out that there are fates worse than you can imagine.", Grogar croaked. "Yes Lord Grogar. Yes Lord Nightmare.", Sombra said as his two masters faded into the shadows. Gathering up the gems, he lowered himself into the pool of dark magic. *************************************************************** As days stretched on Harald would begin his strenuous training regimen. Each morning he would rise before dawn, refusing to eat or drink anything for breakfast. He would always start out the same way, a run to the farthest parts of the orchards and back to the farmhouse in the chill of the autumn mornings. After returning he would help out with the morning chores. After finishing the chores, he would do inverted push-ups, stopping when too much blood rushed to his head so he wouldn't pass out, after his blood pressure would equalize he resume his reps. At noon when Fluttershy came around, he would stop to eat with her under their usual tree. After they would finish eating and part with their usual kiss, Harald would continue his training with somersaults on the ground followed by weapons drills, stopping when it came time for the evening chores. At dinner time he would wave off the food only drinking a few cups of water. For a week he would continue the same training regimen rain or shine, stopping to rest and eat when Fluttershy came by at noon. As Fluttershy and Harald were sitting down for their noon meal, Applejack hastily trotted out to them with Rainbow quickly flapping behind her. "Look AJ, I know you're worried about him.", Rainbow said fluttering up next to AJ, "But take it from somepony who's been in the military for over twenty years, I know strength and endurance training when I see it." "Ah know yer military trainin' says he's doin' strength an' endurance exercises, but Ah'm concerned about him sugarcube.", Applejack said stubbornly, "Ah'm concerned that he's runnin' himself ragged. From sun up tuh sun down he's excercisin'. He only stops to rest an' eat at noon when Fluttershy comes out. Yuh know as well as Ah do that he's only sleepin' a coupla hours a night." Rainbow flapped in front of AJ landing and placing a hoof on her chest stopping her momentarily in her tracks. "If you saw how hard Wonderbolt training is, you'd think the same.", Rainbow argued, "I push the ponies under me as hard as Spitfire pushed me saying the same mantra to them that she would say to me, 'the more you sweat in training the less you bleed in fighting, the more you hurt in training the less you die in fighting'. For all we know he's his tribe's version of a Wonderbolt or Royal Guard." Sighing, she lowered her hoof letting her wife pass, "But I know as well as anypony that once you get something in your head you're gonna see it through come Tartarus or high water." Applejack with Rainbow in tow approached Harald as he cut a slice of an apple."Harald, Ah'd like tuh talk tuh yuh real quick like.", she said. Harald slid the slice of apple in his mouth as he turned to her. "Here goes.", he sighed, "I already know what you're going to say. I've been seeing you practice this speech for at least two days and the answer is no, I will not stop my training for at least another fortnight." AJ was taken aback for a second before recovering mentally. "But Harald,", she plead pushing any indignant feelings down, "yer only eatin' when Fluttershy comes around an' barely sleepin'. When you ain't helpin' with th' chores, yer runnin yerself ragged with all that exercisin. Ah'm worried yer gonna hurt yerself or make yerself sick." "Is it true Harald?", Fluttershy said placing a hoof on his arm, "Are you starving yourself, pushing yourself hard with exercise and denying yourself sleep?" Laying his hand on her hoof, Harald looked Fluttershy in her sapphire eyes. "Fluttershy beloved, I will not lie.", he said passionately, "I have been denying myself food and rest as part of my training. It may seem excessive to those who aren't trained as a warrior and it may seem like madness, but there is method. My training is to teach my mind and body how to operate when tired and hungry. When one is in combat, you may not have time to ear or rest, so I train myself so my mind and body can keep going giving me an advantage over my enemies. As my father said, the more you sweat in training the less you bleed in combat, the more you suffer in training the less you die in combat." "That's when I told ya AJ!", Rainbow said loudly, "Standard military endurance training." AJ plopped down on her rump and said, "When yer right Rainbow, yer right. But that don't mean Ah gotta like it none." "I'll exercise with you.", Fluttershy said, "If it will give Applejack some peace of mind, early tomorrow morning I'll join you." "Huh!", AJ mused, "Jus' when yuh think yuh know a pony they can still surprise ya. Aw heck! Ah guess Ah can join yuh tamarrah too." "What the hay!", Rainbow said, "I could join in too. It might be nice to get some light exercise in for a change." "Well then it's decided then.", Fluttershy said, "Tomorrow morning, bright and early. But no more exercising for you today Harald. Gather your things and come along to my cottage. I'll need you to preserve your strength." She batted her eyelashes. Harald stood and bowed. "I must bid you farewell for now Apple family. Apologize to the honored elder for me as I will not be able to stand watch tonight." "I'd honestly be surprised if you're standing tonight.", Rainbow snickered. Applejack elbowed Rainbow in the ribs. Waving to Harald and Fluttershy as they walked down the path. "Bye! See y'all tumorrah!" Rainbow rubbed her ribs. "You didn't have to hit me so hard.", she grumbled. The next morning Harald and Fluttershy made their way to the farmhouse just as the sun was a sliver above the horizon. Rainbow was in the yard stretching her legs, she rubbed her wing while looking at the clouds gathering over the Everfree forest. "Looks like some weather is going to blow in from the Everfree this afternoon. I might have to take off this afternoon to help the weather team if it gets too rough.", she grunted while flapping out the stiffness in her wing. "A bit of bad weather just makes the exercise more challenging.", Harald said breathing in the brittle chill of the autumn morning. AJ came out onto the porch and yawned. "No breakfast, no coffee. Woo howdy, this is gonna be a rough start.", she said jogging in place to get her blood flowing, "So how we gonna get started this mornin'?" Harald laid his weapons on the porch then pointed to the far end of the property. "We start with a run to the edge of the river and then back, no stopping for breaks until we get back here." He drug his toe in the dirt making a line to emphasize his point. "Remember, this isn't a race. We go as one group and we can only move as fast as the slowest of us." The four of them set out running to the edge of the river on the far end of Sweet Apple Acres. When they returned to the farmhouse, they stopped long enough to wipe the sweat from their foreheads before going into long hours of squat thrusts, sit-ups and push-up or in the case of the two pegasi, wing ups. They then switched to doing inverted push-ups, stopping their reps when the blood rushed to their heads. At noon they stopped to drink water, eat a couple apples each and take a quick rest. They spent the rest of the afternoon alternating going between tumbling reps and pairing off to spar. When evening came, they finally broke to go inside and eat. "Whew pardner!", AJ said between mouthfuls of food, "Ah never knew exercising could be so exhausting." She rubbed her shoulder with a hoof. "Ah'm gunna feel that in th' mornin'" "Eat hardy and rest well.", Harald said shoving food into his mouth, "We do the same in the morning." "Well I'm up for it.", Rainbow said confidently, "The only part I don't like is no breakfast, lunch or napping." After dinner was finished and the dishes were put away, Harald gathered up a couple of blankets and his cloak. "Where ya goin'?", Rainbow asked. "I'm going to sleep on the ground under the sky.", Harald replied. "I know a nice hill you can lie down on.", Fluttershy said. "Go on Harald.", AJ said, "If'n we need ya, Ah think Ah know th' hill y'all be at." Harald and Fluttershy made their way to a hill at the very edge of Sweet Apple Acres that overlooked a pond. Laying out the blanket, Harald laid down and Fluttershy cuddled up next to him. He laid his cloak over her before settling down to get some rest. "You're not cold?", Fluttershy asked him. "In my homeland this is late spring. Besides I have you to keep me warm if I get cold.", Harald said kissing her gently. Fluttershy cooed softly as she nestled up closer to him. *************************************************************** Sombra made his way along a narrow path up a plateau. Reaching the top he stopped to sneer at the moon before transforming into smoke and slipping down a diamond dog hole. Drifting through the tunnels he stopped when he arrived at a small warren and transformed back into his physical form. He clacked his hooves loudly on the stone floor to announce his presence, his efforts were rewarded with sounds of yipping from the shadows. "Come forth! I have a deal to make with you.", he said letting his eyes gleam red. Several diamond dogs came out of the shadows. "What you want pony", the largest diamond dog said. Lighting the magic in his horn, he manifested a gem pulsing with malevolent magic on the floor, using his magic he concealed the dark magic in it. "I come to recruit you for my war. If you accept, I can assure that you ample wealth and slaves to suit your needs." "Or we take your shiny gem and make you our slave to get more shinies!", the large diamond dog said gesturing with his paw. Three diamond dogs started walking towards Sombra, two with crude iron spears and the third with a length of rope. Summoning his dark magic, Sombra melted the two spears and ignited the rope, he then fired a dark blast of energy turning the largest diamond dog into a smoldering skeleton. "Join me and I can magnify your wealth, oppose me and you can join him, the choice is yours.", Sombra snarled. He then summoned more dark magic gems on the warren floor. "Yes yes!", a scraggly diamond dog said scrambling forward, "We'll take you deal!" As it picked up one of the gems, veins of red and black ran up its forelimb and across its body. "Come brothers!", the newly corrupted diamond dog said, "Accept our new friend's offer!" Soon dozens of diamond dogs were corrupted and Sombra began weaving more dark magic to corrupt the whole warren. Sombra began laughing wickedly. "Go forth and carry out your new King's commands. Go forth to the warrens and convert those you can, slaughter those who resist!" He blasted a shallow pit in the floor and filled it with dark magic. "Baptise yourselves in my new sacrament. Bring my sacrament to all your brethren!" He threw his head back with wicked laughter as the diamond dogs prostrated themselves before him in worship and lowered themselves and their pups into the pool of dark magic. *************************************************************** The weeks went by as Harald, Fluttershy, Applejack and Rainbow Dash continued their training regimen. Harald's muscles became bulkier and ropy as he built lean muscle. AJ much denser muscle mass more akin to Big Mac. Rainbow's lean athletic build became more well defined as her muscles became more like bundles of steel cables. Fluttershy gained greater muscle definition while maintaining her graceful form, more akin to a ballerina crossed with a soldier. Their training had ended a few days before Nightmare Night. Rainbow had to leave early that morning for maneuvers with the Wonderbolts. "I'll be back the evening of Nightmare Night.", she said kissing AJ goodbye. "Stay safe and Ah'll see yuh in a few days.", AJ said squeezing Rainbow tightly. As Rainbow flew off, Applejack turned to Harald and said, "So Harald, have yuh ever done Nightmare Night before?" "What's Nightmare Night?" "It's a hoot an' a half.", AJ said, "Everypony dresses up in costumes an' all the foals go house tuh house asking fer treats. There'll be food an' games. Princess Luna comes down dressed as Nightmare Moon an' all the foals scream an' squeal as they run away while she pretends to try an' gobble 'em up. An' at th' o' th' night all th' foals leave a big ole pile at th' statue o' Nightmare Moon tuh bribe her to not eat 'em up this year." In Ponyville made her way to Carousel Boutique, turning more than a few heads as she passed. Opening the door, she walked in. Hearing the bell jingle, Rarity turned her head and said, "Welcome to Carousel Boutique. How may I help- why hello Fluttershy! How can I help you?" She looked Fluttershy over. "Wow Fluttershy! You look amazing!" "Good morning Rarity!", Fluttershy said looking over the various costumes on the ponyquins. She walked over to an elegant form fitting black dress with jeweled mask. "I'd like for you make me a Nightmare Night costume. Maybe something like this?" Rarity wiggled her hooves in her ears and blinked a few times. "I'm sorry, I think I misheard you. Did you say you wanted me to make you a Nightmare Night costume? As in you're going out on Nightmare Night rather than staying in your cottage?" "Mhm.", Fluttershy said while smiling, "This is Harald's first Nightmare Night and I'd like to show him a good time." Rarity took the dress off to ponyquinne and tried it on Fluttershy before taking a few measurements. "It should only take me a day or two to adjust this to your new measurements. I would have figured that you'd be staying at your cottage and have Harald over for company.", she said writing down the measurement adjustments and helping Fluttershy out of the dress. "Well Nightmare Night is a long night.", Fluttershy said raising her eyebrows several times. Rarity gaped at her friend's almost lewd comment before recovering her composure. On the day of Nightmare Night Twilight walked to the grave of Flash Sentry under the willow tree and laid some flowers on the grave. A tear rolled down her cheek as she spoke to the grave, "I still miss you so badly Flash, I would trade my immortality to be able to hold you in my forelimbs again and raise our foal together. I will always come to put flowers on your grave, but I must move forward for my own sake as for my friends and all of Equestria. I will always miss you until the sun dies, the stars burn out, the moon no longer shines and the world dies." Out of the corner of her eye she thought she saw Flash Sentry standing by her smiling, but when she turned her head she found she was alone. Twilight turned, wiped the tears from her eyes and walked back to her castle. That evening ponies gathered around Ponyville for Nightmare Night celebrations. Applejack was dressed as the headless horse. Pinkie was dressed in a purple suit, wearing a green wig, her face was painted white and she had bright red lipstick on her mouth in an exaggerated smile. Rarity was wearing skin tight black dress and a massive black bouffant wig. Twilight wore a green cloak with a green clover pendant. Fluttershy and Harald walked side by side, she was wearing the form fitting black dress with jeweled mask, he wore his damaged chainmail jerkin and weapons, he had painted his skin black with blue lines. Rainbow was wearing her general's uniform, flanked by several of her officers as they passed out candy, Wonderbolts poster and plushies to the foals. Twilight worked up the courage and talked to the barrel chested Wonderbolt officer standing to the left of Rainbow. "Um, hi!", she said nervously, "I'm Twilight Sparkle. But you probably already knew that." Twilight winced and thought to herself, "Crap Twilight, don't blow it." Regaining her composure, she said, "What's your name?" "Lieutenant Cumulonimbus princess", he said bowing. "I was wondering if...", twilight sighed, taking in a breath to calm her nerves, "...if you'd like to walk with me?" "Go on ahead soldier, we've got this tied down here.", Rainbow said smiling, "Go get 'em Twilight and good luck!" Looking around she caught sight of AJ, she waved her hoof and called out, "Applejack! Hey Applejack, come here!" AJ came over and kissed Rainbow hard on the mouth. "Ah've always been a sicker for a mare in uniform.", she said parting from the kiss. "Look AJ!", Rainbow said pointing a hoof to Twilight and Cumulonimbus walking off together. "Well Ah'll be!", AJ said smiling. Twilight and Cumulonimbus sat on a bench a ways off from the celebration. She leaned over and gently pressed her lips into his. Cumulonimbus at first started at her forwardness before pressing back into the kiss, wrapping his hooves around her back. Parting from the kiss, Twilight stood and gestured for Cumulonimbus to follow her, they began walking to the castle, her tail entwining his. As they entered the castle, they passed Starlight Glimmer and Trixie Lulumoon sitting at the map table sipping on bottles of hard cider. Going up the stairs, Twilight said, "Starlight, don't get too drunk tonight. Inform anypony who comes looking for me tonight, I'm not to be disturbed for the rest of the night." "Will do Twilight.", Starlight said raising her bottle in a toast, "Good luck and trottzle too!" As Twilight and Cumulonimbus entered the bedroom, she closed the door with her magic and locked it. Laying on the bed, she patted next to her beckoning for him to lie down next to her. When he laid down next to her, she began open mouth kissing him as she unzipped the front of his uniform and gently ran her hoof across his chest. Parting from the kiss she said, "I've been hurting for too long. I need to make me feel good, even if it's just for tonight." As she gently pushed him back on the bed, he began kissing her neck. Celestia walked in wearing a pink poof wig, her coat enchanted to the color pink, balloon stickers on her flank and a confetti cannon on her back. Starlight and Trixie took on look at her, they started snickering that quickly devolved into riotous snorting laughter as tears poured out of their eyes. Celestia chuckled looking at her coat. "Yes I do suppose I look pretty ridiculous.", she said, "Is Twilight in her room, I need her for something." Starlight teleported in front of Celestia. "Twilight left specific instructions not to be disturbed for the rest of the night.", she said gesturing to the table, "Come have a drink with us, maybe she'll come down in a few hours." "Nonsense, Twilight has always had time for me.", Celestia said as she gently pushed past Starlight and up the stairs. When she reached Twilight's door, she raised a hoof, but stopped when she heard soft moaning and the bed creaking. Teleporting down to the map table, she sat in on of the thrones and said, "I guess I'll have that drink after all." Starlight levitated a bottle of hard cider to Celestia. "Here ya go...", she snickered, "...Princess Pinkie Pie." Trixie fell out of the throne she was sitting in with gut busting laughter. *************************************************************** In Griffonstone Gilda was walking through the streets. An uneasy feeling churned in her stomach, something was wrong on this night. She knew the ponies in Equestria were celebrating Nightmare Night, but here the griffons had celebrated mid-autumn quietly. Something felt off in the cold night air and she couldn't quite put her talon on it, but she was determined to find out why. As she turned the corner she saw a twisted and warped changeling pulling a griffon chick out of a window to a small hut. Roaring a battle cry, Gilda leapt at the changeling, ripping its throat out with her talons before catching the chick. Taking a quick look inside the window, she saw two other changelings gnawing on the remains of its parents. The two changelings looked up seeing Gilda and they leapt at the window. Taking to the air, Gilda shrieked out several warning cries. Soon all across Griffonstone there came sever warning shrieks and battle roars. As she flew to the main building where multiple griffons were gathering with chicks and eggs when a changeling tackled her midair. "Get off!", Gilda snarled as she raked her hind claws disemboweling it. Landing, Gilda placed the chick on Gabby's back with four others she already had. "Any griffon that is able, rally our forces and spread the word, they're going after the chicks and eggs.", Gilda snapped orders. Chrysalis landed on the roof of a nearby building and started laughing. "Such a valiant effort.", she sneered, "Just surrender and maybe we'll let some of you live. Though I do have a lot of hungry grubs to feed." Flitting down to the ground, snapping the spine of a retreating griffon. "Chrysalis!", Gilda snarled as she charged roaring a battle cry. Chrysalis reared up struck Gilda hard on the cheek before pinning her to the ground. Chrysalis ran her black tongue across Gilda's face, licking the blood from the corner of her beak. "I prefer to make my victim suffer before consuming their flesh. It makes their meat much sweeter.", Chrysalis mocked clacking her fangs, "But I think I can forgive OOF!" Gallus roared as he did a swooping tackle, knocking Chrysalis off Gilda. They tumbled on the ground before he pinned Chrysalis under him gripping her neck in his talons. Four changelings tackled Gallus off of Chrysalis, allowing her to take to the air. Gilda helped Gallus fight off the four changelings. They killed three changelings before the fourth flitted away. Gilda took to the air and shouted, "Any griffon that is able gather up as many chicks and eggs you can carry, then scatter. Take them to our allies in Equestria, Mount Airis, Yak-yakistan and Thorax's hive!" Landing she helped load as many chicks on the backs of Gallus and Gabby. "Head to Ponyville, I'll be right behind you!" Gilda loaded four chicks on her back before red streaks of forced her to take flight. She she'd silent tears for the chicks and eggs she had to leave behind, she didn't let it slow her as she flew with haste. She flew next to a griffon carrying six eggs. "Go to Canterlot and tell the princesses what happened!", Gilda shouted. She flew next to a griffon with a dozen chicks on its back and shouted, "Go to Coudsdale and get help!" Gilda flew over a nearby mountain peak and killed several changelings flitting about. Landing she found Gabby and Gallus hiding amongst the rocks. "Let's go!", she whisper-shouted, "Once we get the chicks and eggs to safety, we'll rally any available griffons. If Chrysalis wants a war, a war she'll get." The three flew off with two dozen chicks and eight eggs between them.