//------------------------------// // Eight // Story: Fighting Back the Beast // by Mr Anomalous //------------------------------// EIGHT Marah was beyond the point of knocking. Now she would simply just walk in and would be welcomed. These days, she visited Vinyl and Octavia practically every other day, at least. And the two ponies didn't mind in the slightest. The three always had a fantastic time in each other'c companies. Something happened recently that made everything even better. Marah, always the humble woman, had not spoken about her talent with the cell or the bass until it slipped. She tried to brush it off, but the other two insisted that they hear her play. With Octavia's permissions, Marah took up her cello, which was a bit smaller but playable, and began to play one of her favorite classical songs: Bach's Cello Suite No.1 The Prelude. When she had finished, even Vinyl Scratch had seemed impressed. The next day, to Marah's surprise, the two ponies dropped by her house, though she still has no idea how they found her, and dropped off a present: a cello that was intentionally made bigger for her comfort, and some sheet music. Marah had been a happy woman. She was really quite glad that Lord Stromm had landed here of all places. She would live a happy life here, she knew it. Commander Stromm surveyed the area with his binoculars. His army was standing at the lip of a majestic valley, one that was filled with green trees and brush, and an all matter of other things. But it didn't matter how beautiful that it was if he couldn't cross it, now did it? There was something of a switch-back trail that was big enough even for the tanks, but it only lead down to the bottom of the valley, not up to the other side. Stromm sighed to himself and turned to the Helghast trooper standing next to him. "We make camp here for the night, then we will pack up in the morning and set out to go around." The soldier saluted and went off to spread Stromm's command. Again, Stromm looked at the valley, this time with his naked eye and then he turned away. As soon as he did so, a noise went off. It sounded like a gunshot, but very distant... Stromm didn't much time to think about it, as the grassy ground next to his left foot exploded in a plume of dirt and white smoke. "We're under fire! Take cover, take cover!" Several more gunshots sounded, and several more sections of ground disintegrated. No Helghast deaths so far. Soon, most of the men had taken cover behind trees, boulders, or tanks. Ah. The tanks. "All tanks, return fire!" There was a barrage of mechanical buzzing as the large machines turned their barrels to comply. Boom....boom...boom..boom, boom, boom, boomboomboomBOOM. As the tank nearest to him fired its round, Stromm turned his sight to the other side of the valley. It was being torn apart. "Snipers, get in position, execute plan A-2. Everyone else, return fire!" The flames were glorious. Stromm's lenses were ablaze with the muzzle flares and smoke reached out over the lip of the valley, and the other side was obliterated. The snipers were picking off Gryphons as well. It was then that Stromm noticed that some were attempting to retreat by air. "Don't let those ones escape!" There was more mechanical groaning and the anti-aircraft guns opened fire. The Helghast Leader could see the geysers of blood and feathers from all the way over there. "Cease fire!" The din was cut with a knife, and all noise save the breathing of the men and the screaming of wounded Gryphons ceased. This battle had been won with zero Helghast casualties. Oh, that was also quite convienient: all of the destruction of the ground had created something of a pathway. The path on Stromm's side was now connected with a large enough ridge of rocks that led to the other side. "Perfect. Soldier? Change of plans: we camp here for the night and then cross here next morning." Come to think of it, Armeen was kind of glad that his mother had swooped in and kept him from doing that wit the Cutie Mark Crusaders. That would've been...bad...very bad, in fact. But also come to think of it some more, he would much rather have done that instead of go talk to his mother's friends. He didn't think that that sounded fun at all. Last time he did that, it was nothing but tea and-and...gossip. "Move along, Armeen." The boy grumbled. It didn't take long, and they eventually reached the building. Armeen's mother just opened the door and walked in. "Uh, mom?" "Yes?" "Aren't you supposed to...knock?" "Well, normally I would, but we've become such good friends, I don't really think I need to knock." "Ah! Marah! So glad to see you!" Greeted one of the ponies. "Octavia, this is my son, Armeen." Octavia smiled and greeted the boy, who only rolled his eyes. "I'm going to have to apologize: Armeen doesn't really want to be here." "Oh, I know. After all, we're just a bunch of boring old ladies, are we not?" Marah chuckled. "Vinyl is anything but boring." "There's an idea! Armeen, go look for Vinyl. Maybe she can show you her gear or something." "Alright," Armeen mumbled. This was going to be boring. He knew it. The night was still, aside from the breathing and snoring of sleeping soldiers and the cracking of many fires. The only Helghast's who were still awake were either Stromm, or on guard duty. This was unusual, as Stromm was normally fast asleep by now. He liked sleep. Things tended to die when he was awake... But tonight, it seemed, would be an exception. As Stromm sat at his portable desk, pondering and planning, someone came into his tent. "Stromm, sir." It was Zyve. "Yes? What is it?" "We have a non-hostile Gryphon here to speak with you." "At this hour?" "It seems so, sir." "Alright, bring him in." Soon, Commander Stromm sat in his tent with a tall, muscular Gryphon. "Lord Stromm, my name is Lauded Blade, and I am with the Gryphon resistance." "Oh? There's a resistance?" "Yes sir. You are speaking with its face. I am wanted all over Gryphus for my actions against the king." Stromm stood. "We could use some help. Am I correct in assuming that that's what you're here for?" "Affirmative. I want to join my forces up with yours." "How many soldiers?" "I have over seven hundred Gryphons under my command, three hundred ready at a moment's notice, and one hundred to be ready if given some time." Stromm nodded thoughtfully. It was not the largest of forces, but it would still help. "We all have our own weapons, armor, and supplies and we can sustain ourselves. I only wish to merge our forces to make us appear stronger when we meet King Dim's lackeys in battle." Stromm was silent for a moment. "You know...this is all quite sudden..." Lauded Blade's eye ticked nervously and his posture became more unsure. "What...do you mean, sir?" "Well, you know, I've been in Gryphon territory for about a week, and you're just now hearing about me?" "Well...um...no, I just...decided to choose now to speak with you..." Stromm whirled around and glared the Gryphon in the eye. "Why?" There was a moment of silence as the two fighting beasts stared at each other. Suddenly, Lauded Blade shoved Stromm away and turned to flee, but Stromm grabbed his tail before he could make his escape. "Shit!" the Gryphon swore. "Yeah 'shit.' You have been caught. And now I want some information..." "Screw you!" Stromm was about to reply when Zyve came in again. "Um...sir? It seems that we have another resistance leader here to speak with you?" "Ah, that'd be the real Lauded Blade. Well, bring him in." The true Gryphon who entered was a bit smaller and darker than his impostor. "What's all this then?" Asked the Gryphon, a confused look on his face. "This Gryphon here was pretending to be you. I sniffed him out and now I got him." The impostor was still on the ground, swearing under his breath. Stromm looked up at the real Lauded and asked, "Would you like to help me get some information out of him?"