//------------------------------//
// Chapter 13 
// Story: Resistance: Remain Human 
// by Hurgusburgus 
//------------------------------//

Jennifer’s POV

As soon as we went through the doors to the throne hall, we were treated to a thronging mob of ponies, all milling about, dancing. Music was playing along at full blast. Everyone was singing, too. Even Celestia was bouncing around happily. Applejack ground to a halt at my side as Fred followed suit. They’d been able to sell all of Applejack’s merchandise, in large part due to Fred’s expert advertisement.
“So, what did we miss?”
“Ah have no idea, Jen.” Applejack muttered, nonplussed. Fred waddled away, grinning as he began to hum good-naturedly. The orange farmpony soon followed suit. I sighed, wandering outside in the castle gardens. After a couple of minutes of wandering about, I became aware of being followed. I knew who it was.

Blueblood.

The word alone brought a fanged smile to my face. That pudgy bastard’ll get his due. And his thugs and cronies as well, while I’m at it. I walked slowly, careful not to give myself away. I’d have to do this somewhere quiet and distant. So further into the gardens it was.

Dead end.

Blueblood’s hired muscle closed in around me. The idiotic noble in question smirked at me, overly self-confident.
“You should’ve apologized when you had the chance, beast. Boys! Show it what happens when somepony crosses Prince Blueblood!”
“Well, since you’re too big of a coward to face me on your own, I guess I’ll be snacking tonight. I know I’m being a hypocrite here, but I’m curious to know what you all taste like. Anyone bring barbeque sauce?” They snarled angrily, lunging at me. They outnumbered me, seeing as there were five of them.
But I was faster. Stronger.

A true predator.

My reflexes and senses ever razor-sharp, I punched the first one out mid-leap, backhanding the second one in turn. The third one tripped over his own legs. The fourth one managed to get through; stabbing his shortsword through my stomach and everyone fell silent. The thug’s victorious leer changed to an expression of terror as I grabbed him by the knee, dragging him closer. The sharpened blade stuck out from my back, but I paid it no heed, fired up as I was by the rush of adrenaline.

I was going to let these arseholes off easily. Slap them around a bit and call them names. That idea died off very quickly. Seizing the offending stallion by his throat, I roared as loudly as I could in his face, punching him viciously. With a sickly crunch, his jaw shattered and I tossed his limp form aside. Number Three scampered away, limping. I guess his ankle was twisted. So I turned to Number Five. He was a kid. I guessed he was barely adult. Well, time to use my womanly charms. Or what was left of them.
“Do you really want to be here, kid? You’ve seen what I can do. Do you want to end up like these sods?”
“N-no.” He stammered pitifully.
“You’ve got your whole life ahead of you. Be a shame if I cut it short, eh? Run along now.” He sighed explosively, turning about and galloping away as fast as he could. I returned my attention to Blueblood. He gasped in shock as I pulled the sword out of my stomach. Blood dribbled from the wound as it slowly healed, soaking into my suit. I tossed the sword aside. I didn’t need it. Blueblood’s girlish squeal of horror didn’t last long as I leapt at him.

It was a very bloodied and bruised me that dragged Blueblood’s fat arse back to the castle. Every animal is dangerous once cornered. Still, he put up quite a fight. Magic’s handy that way, it seems. The castle guards gasp in shock as they see me come near, dragging an unconscious unicorn with me. Of course, I was soon detained and Blueblood’s carted away to the infirmary.

Three hours later
James’s POV

We followed Celestia through the halls towards, well… somewhere. She was quite annoyed by something. I guessed it was me. I was wrong, as it turned out.

We arrived at another somewhat spacious room, so Fred had no problem fitting inside. We stared surprisedly at Jen, who was covered in splatters of blood. Her suit was torn and ragged.
“Hey, guys. How was the party?” Alice was the first one to talk.
“What th’ hell have y’been up to, Jen?” Celestia answered her question.
“She beat up my nephew.”
“No way. Y’mean that stuck-up snob guy? What was his name, again…?”
“Blueblood.” Jen pitched in helpfully. “I don’t want to sound like a petulant kid, but he started it.” Celestia sighed, trying to remain calm.
“Jennifer, be glad I do not hold that much fondness for him. He has been a constant source of trouble for me. But violence is not the answer.”
“Right.” Jen simply shrugs, picking at her teeth.
“He had it coming, sister. He is a grave insult to the nobility of Canterlot. But you are always so tolerant towards the greedy and vain.” A new voice joined and I saw that midnight-blue alicorn again. She was grinning, at hearing Blueblood’s predicament, I suppose. Nevertheless, she walked over to Jen.
“Other ponies are always wary of Blueblood. But I can see you’re not afraid to confront others. That will be useful.”
“Okay, Celestia. What did you want us here for? You said you’d explain it to us.” I took control of the conversation then. “So how about you go ahead with what you wanted to say?” She glared at me for a moment before turning to face us all.
“You may think that Equestria is a land of constant peace and happiness. That is not so. Our northern borders are always heavily guarded. The Badlands that border there are full of beasts that would seek to ravage our lands.” Ted snickered and that earned him a glare.
“It is by the efforts of our militia and our griffon allies that we have this utopia to live in. Recently, a matter has arisen that we have been requested to help with. A rogue griffon general has defected from the Griffon Empire. Empress Arienda seeks our help to help bring him to justice. So far, we have had no luck. He is heavily dug in at his fortress. Conventional methods have failed to dislodge him. So I turn to you for help. I believe that your weapons and machines will help in this situation. So, what say you, James?”
I turn to face others. Jen’s grinning widely. So is Ted. The Yanks are looking at me expectantly as well. Fred seems to be agreeing with me as well. I turn back to Celestia.
“We’ll do it. Point us in the right direction.”
“Go to the Griffon Embassy tomorrow. Ironbeak will fill you in on the situation. I wish you luck.” With that, she nodded to us all and left.

As I walked down the hallway – others had again taken the train, leaving me to get the Kingfisher back to the farm - I became aware of being followed.

Welp.

I went around a corner and immediately hid behind a pillar, waiting for my stalker to show up. The clip-clop of hooves drew closer with every passing second as I prepared my ambush.
*pounce*
Something slammed into my back, pinning me to the ground.
“I win.” Someone announced, out of my field of sight. I roared in frustration. I was hiding behind a pillar of marble! There had been no one behind me! The weight on my back lessened and I darted to my feet, whirling around to face my assailant. It was that blue mare again.
“What do you want?” I snarl, already annoyed. She chuckles before answering.
“Do not be angry. I only wish to talk to you. I was merely jesting. It is commendable, that you could hear me approaching.” She stuck her foreleg out at me. “I am Luna. May I know your name?”
“James.” I shake her han-er, hoof and she smiles.
“So, what are you doing?”
“Going to the VTOL.”
“Pray tell, what is that?”
“A flying machine.” I’m slowly getting more annoyed by her cheeriness as I walk away, with her in tow. Why can’t you just get the idea, lady? “Look, I gotta go. I’ve got a busy day ahead of me. So, if you don’t mind me, I’ll be going now.” Quick as a shadow, she moved in front of me, her affable cheeriness fading away in an instant.
“My sister may trust you, but I do not. It is by her grace alone that you are not sitting in a dungeon cell. So tread lightly, James.”
“You don’t scare me, princess. Don’t try to intimidate me.” I growl lowly as I lean closer, holding her gaze. “I’ve seen nastier things than a bunch of ponies. Just so we’re clear.”
With that retort, I brushed past her, once more heading towards the Kingfisher.

Next morning

I thumped my fist twice on the large, gilded doors. Mere moments later, it was pulled open by Ironbeak himself.
“James.” He was utterly serious this time. No beating around the bush today.
“Ironbeak.”
“Come in. We can get right to it, then. As you may know, we have had little success in the task our Empress has given to us. Even unicorn mages have failed to smash the walls of the traitor’s fortress. He was wise in his choice of fortifications.”
“Care to elaborate?” He nodded as we walked through stone corridors.
“General Steelclaw. He went rogue recently. No one knows why, but there it is. Whatever we try, we always fail. Diamond Dogs cannot burrow through the granite. Minotaurs always get picked off before they get into range.”
“We can help, then. How soon do you need us?”
“As soon as possible.”
“Hmm.” I rubbed my chin thoughtfully. “Jen’s almost finished with that power core of hers. She’ll stick it in the Kingfisher and thin down the remainder of the avgas for the Sabertooth. Methinks we’ll be able to go by the end of the week.” Ironbeak sighs, like a weight had been removed from his shoulders.
“That’s good to know. Once you’re ready, let me know.”
“Will do, mate.”

This was going to be good.
Finally, some blood to spill.