As he sat at the edge of the glowing crater, Major Bolt couldn't help but wonder what's next. Looking at the glowing zap apple tree of his past was the only way he could feel at ease. It was here almost eleven years ago that he first created the Lightning Orb... It was here that every aspect of his foalhood from his parents, his home, his age, and his existents was erased from his memory. As he tried pondering his actions, he heard a gentle sound of hoofprints approach from behind. "Star Bolt? Are you ok?"
Major Bolt didn't turn around as he replied, "Luna? What am I supposed to do? I... I don't know what to do next."
Princess Luna smiled as she sat down beside Major Bolt, “Do what you think is best, I'm sure you will make the rig..."
"But I don’t know what's best!... Commander Mist is gone. Our numbers are down, my soldiers don’t trust my guidance, and the enemy is hovering just outside if Kestrel... I don't know what to do."
Luna thought to herself for a second then playfully leaned against him, "You know what? I saw a similar incident here a number if years ago... There was a young colt who had just earned his cutie mark, this stubborn little guy didn't know his name, his city of birth, or even his age..."
Major Bolt rolled his eyes, "Oh great, here we go..."
"And despite all of that, the foal made his choice. To grow up and become a young, strong, noble,..."
"Handsome?..."
Luna giggled as she continued, "Ego enriched soldier. And since then it was his choice that made him into what he is today. And I believe that this soldier can make the right choice if he decided what he wanted most of the soldiers under his command."
Major Bolt looked back at the tree and smiled, "I want to bring as many back as possible. I know I can't save us all... But they deserve to come home alive."
Princess Luna smiled, "Then give them an order that can help them do so."
Major Bolt smiled, “You always seem to know how to help me Luna."
Luna smiled, “It’s my duty to help all my subjects when needed. Besides you always come to the thunder grounds when you're troubled... Even in your dreams. But that's not the only reason you’re here is it?"
Major Bolt sighed, “I’m thinking about the lives I took today. I... I don’t like it... I only killed a hoof full... But those griffin didn't deserve to die. I don't want to kill... I can't stop thinking about it."
Princess Luna looked at the tree and replied, "In war... We all have to make tough choices. Whether its civilians deciding to abandon their homes, soldiers deciding to kill, or even a princess deciding to send her soldiers to die on battlefields... But if I didn't send you... Then the enemy would meet us here in Canterlot. If you don't kill, then you yourself will be killed, and if the civilians don't abandon their homes then they risk losing their family. We must do what must be done, that's all there is to it."
Major Bolt replied, "I'm not proud of the lives I take... I'm proud of the ones I save."
Luna looked back at Major Bolt, "what?"
“Sergeant Major Storm gave me some advice before the battle, I understand it, but what I don’t understand is; why don’t the griffin appeal to the same logic? I just don’t understand why they choose to fight the way they do and still survive the challenges that life throws at them.”
Luna smiled, “Griffin base their life on war... Though it seems barbaric, many life lessons are easily learned when faced with life threatening situations."
Major Bolt sighed, “So... I'm going to have to kill again... Aren't I?"
Luna nodded her head, "You still have a mission Star Bolt, but remember, we want you to come home alive so if worst comes to it. Don't be afraid to run away."
Major Bolt nodded his head, "of course your majesty, I understand. Do… I mean, have you been able to find out where Commander Mist is?"
Luna sighed, "No, something is blocking my magic so I can't go into his dreams. Wherever he is, I hope he is safe."
“I hope so too Luna… I really do.”
Elsewhere Commander Mist slowly regained consciousness to find himself hanging from the ceiling upside down with all four hooves chained together. He also noticed that they placed some kind of harness around his head that covered his horn. As Commander Mist looked around the room he was in, he could easily tell that it was a cave that was turned into an underground hideout. In the corner of the room sat a griffin with a very unamused look on his face. Commander Mist couldn’t pass up this opportunity to become an unruly prisoner, so he smiled, "So... Who did you tick off to get placed as the pony's guard?"
The griffin sneered at Commander Mist but didn't reply. Just then, Traipse entered the chamber and smiled, "Well good morning commander. I hope you had a nice sleep.”
Commander Mist just shrugged his shoulders as he replied, "Considering the nice head piece you gave me… I found it to be rather peaceful.”
Traipse smiled, “that harness around your horn will prevent you from using your magic. So don’t waste your energy.”
Commander Mist sighed, “Well that explains why the princess never approached me in my dream… I wish I knew that sooner… then my dream would have been a little more enjoyable if you know what I mean.”
Traipse smiled, “I see your sense of humor has gotten better.”
“Soldiers are getting younger as the days go by, I gotta appeal to them somehow… or maybe the blood in my head is making me feel loopy.”
Traipse started pacing around Commander Mist as he spoke, “I'm sure you'rewondering by now what’s become of Kestrel, right?”
Commander Mist tried to act uninterested, “Sort of… why?”
Traipse replied, “Don’t worry; the city is still under your control. But we are setting a stage for the next attack soon.”
Commander Mist tried to act unamused, “So… you’re going to keep at it till all your griffin are dead aren’t you?”
Traipse replied as he started pacing away from Commander Mist, “Your numbers are down and we will gain more soldiers by this afternoon so don’t think your army will win a second attack.”
Commander Mist sighed, “Why are you doing this anyway Traipse? Money, revenge, or is this all just for some sick thrills?”
Traipse looked back at Commander Mist and replied, “We all have our purpose… our reason for existing; mine is war, but since I can’t fight for my nation anymore… I might as well fight for others.”
Commander Mist spoke up, “Not all soldiers are meant solely for war. I know that someday I will retire, settle down, and have a family. So what will you do when you become old and decrypted?”
Without considering his options, Traipse replied, “I'll die in battle… may not be today, tomorrow or anytime within the next decade. But mark my words… I will die in battle someday. If it takes until I’m old and decrypted, then so be it. I don’t carry a weapon so I don’t need to be strong enough to carry a sword… I only need to stand stra…”
Commander Mist interrupted him… “You stubborn fool! Ponies weren’t born to spill the blood of others! Not continuously like you do!”
Traipse sneered at Commander Mist and replied, “And what about you Commander Chrome Mist! You give your loyalty to two princesses who do nothing but corrupt the dreams of others and sit on their throne while they send their soldiers to die! YOU’RE NOTHING BUT A HYPOCRITE!!!”
Commander Mist Sneered at Traipse, but he didn’t reply to the insult. As Traipse stood in front of Commander Mist, he felt the presence of another so he asked, “Why don’t you just settle down now Mist? Surrender your army and leave the Griffin Kingdoms. I bet that cadet of yours is still waiting for you to come home, right? What was her name again? Dirt?... no, it was Dust wasn’t it?”
Commander Mist sighed, “Why is it that everypony thinks that Major Dust and I had a fling? She was just a student!”
Traipse smiled, “So… you didn’t marry her after all? Funny the way you two acted last time I saw you, I figured you’d make an honest mare out of her.”
Commander Mist replied, “No… she just likes to flirt. Besides she was married not too long ago… she just likes to keep her home life and work life separate.”
Traipse continued, “So the great Commander Mist has nopony waiting for him back home then?”
Commander Mist sarcastically smiled, “Nope, still single… why?... are you interested? Sorry but I'm not… that way. Though I respect your boldness.”
Traipse smiled as he trotted close to Commander Mist and punched him in his gut as hard as he could. As Commander Mist coughed in pain Traipse replied, “Don’t flatter yourself, even if I was that way… I could do better.”
“Ouch… two low blows in a row… that hurts.”
Traipse replied, “a little advice… don’t get too comfortable. Once your army is finished off, then I plan t…”
“TRAIPSE!!!”
Traipse turned towards the entrance as the angry griffin general entered the room, “Why is he still alive?! I want him dealt with NOW!!!”
Traipse casually replied, “Any prisoner of The Cutters… Belongs to the Cutters! You have no place to order me to do anything with him! Understand?”
The annoyed griffin sneered at Traipse as he walked by him, “Fine! I'll do it myself!”
As the griffin approached Commander Mist, he drew his sword and swung it, aiming for Commander Mist’s neck. Commander Mist closed his eyes expecting the worst but the next sound he heard was the sound of metal on metal that echoed through the rest of the cave. When he opened his eyes, he was surprised to see Blade standing between them, with her wing held up blocking the sword. Blade glared at the surprised Griffin as she spoke with a terrifying rage in her voice, “Lay one talon on him… and I will remove both your wings by slowly sawing through them so that you feel every bit of pain that my blade has to offer.”
Blade pushed the sword away as she flung her other wing around cutting the griffin on the side of his face. The Griffin general took a few steps back as he covered his cut and sneered at her, “You!!!… You bi…”
“Consider that a warning… you know just as well as I do that she will do what she says she will. Without hesitation… and without mercy.”
Commander Mist just hung there enjoying the show as he looked at Blade and spoke, “Well hello again beautiful… I know this is an unusual place for a third date but I'm not picky.”
Blade turned and looked back at Commander Mist, then without any expression, she bashed him across his face knocking him unconscious. Traipse spoke to the griffin general, “If you want him… you’re going to have to buy him from us.”
The griffin general replied, “Keep your little trophy… it makes no difference to me. Just be ready to send my troops back into Kestrel to finish the job.”
As the griffin turned to leave the room Blade spoke, “You’re not going in with us?”
The griffin replied, “No I'm moving south to gather even more reinforcements. I just dropped two hundred thirty five outside, they’re a rowdy bunch but they will prove useful.”
Traipse mumbled to himself, “Coward…”
The Griffin heard the insult, but rather than test Traipse patience, he just ignored it at he left the room. Blade approached Traipse and spoke, “should we move out then?”
“Yes… it’s time to take kestrel.”
“Were you really going to let him kill Mist like that?”
Traipse turned to Blade and replied, “No… I knew you were there; you’re not as stealthy as Scy was. Either way, I hope you like his answer to my question.”
“Question?”
Traipse didn’t reply, instead he just smiled as he left the room. After Traipse was gone, Blade looked back at the unconscious Unicorn and smiled, “Thanks… I did.”
Back in Kestrel, Major Bolt was trotting through the streets looking at his soldiers who were enjoying their downtime. Some chose to write letters home knowing full and well that they may never reach home, some chose to sharpen their weapons, some were sleeping while the rest were talking about where they are from in Equestria. Nevertheless no matter what they were doing, each one who looked at Major Bolt, gave him a look of distrust, and why wouldn’t they, it’s unheard of for a leader to tell his soldiers he didn’t know what to do. Major Bolt trotted all the way to the city wall where Sergeant Major Storm was standing with Major Gill looking at the enemy camp. Sergeant Major Storm continued looking at the camp as he spoke, “They’ve begun regrouping… The soldiers will need their orders, have you figured out what you want to do yet sir?”
Major Gill and Sergeant Major Storm looked at Major Bolt as he lowered his head, “yes… I know what to do now… and… I want you to promise me something. If this battle doesn’t work in our favor, then whether I give the order or not… I want you to retreat.”
“But, sir…”
“That’s an order, sergeant!”
Sergeant Major Storm smiled, “There, now you’re sounding like a leader.”
Major Gill spoke up, “I'm going to gather my troops, like before we will post a perimeter outside the city. Hopefully we can hold them there, but be ready just in case.”
Major Bolt replied, “Understood, we will continue to defend the city from the inside. I wish you luck Major.”
Gill smiled, “You know what Bolt, for a pony, you’re alright.”
Star Bolt could only smile as he turned to Storm and gave his orders, “Gather the soldiers, I need to speak with all of them before this battle begins.”
Outside the city, Traipse was standing with Blade as she read the wind, “have the trebuchets adjust their aim three degrees east. There is a strong head wind today, but it will die before this evening.”
Traipse looked at one of the griffin soldiers and spoke, “You heard her. Pass the word.”
The griffin replied as he flew away “Yes sir!”
Then Traipse looked back at Blade and spoke, “I planned the last attack, so it’s your turn… what’s our plan?”
Blade replied, “The gate, if we focus our strategy on opening the gate then once we get it open, the city will fall.”
Traipse nodded his head, “That sounds good, either way this time we won’t stop till the city is in our control. Where will you be once the attack begins?”
“I'll join the griffin attacking the gate, just be ready when the gate is open.”
Traipse nodded his head, “Aren’t I always?”
Back in the city, Major Bolt stood on top of a few crates addressing his soldiers, “I know you’re all unsure about me taking command over you, and I don’t blame you. I can never be the leader that Commander Mist was, I can’t look anyone of you in the eye and say with confidence that we will win. But I won’t say we will lose either. The only thing I will say is this. I won’t run away, when this battle begins, I plan to fight, but I won’t retreat. Even if I'm surrounded with no way out, I’ll fight until it’s no longer possible. But I won’t ask that from you. If at any time, anypony sees me fall, or if it seems that there is no way you to win this battle, I want you to retreat.”
Sergeant Snow stepped forward, “But a noble soldier never retreats!”
“This is an order! If I fall… you run! I’d rather you tell your foals of your defeat, than to have them find out when you don’t come home.”
Major Gill landed in front of Major Bolt and yelled, “Major! The enemy has begun their approach!”
Major Bolt nodded his head then called out “Our priority is to defend Kestrel from the inside! We need to prevent the griffin Rebellion from taking this city! I wish you all luck in this battle. All soldiers to arms!”
as Major Bolt jumped down from the crates, he approached Sergeant Major Storm and spoke, “Storm can I trust you to lead the soldiers in the streets?”
Storm was confused, “The streets? But where will you be sir?”
“I'm leading from the city wall. I have to prevent the gate from falling, I can’t keep hiding back here.”
Storm smiled, “You know… I don’t know what Princess Luna told you last night… but whatever it was, it helped. Commander Mist wouldn’t approve… but he would be proud.”
Major Bolt put his hoof in Storm’s shoulder and spoke, “You’re a good friend Storm… it was an honor fighting beside you.”
Storm smiled, “What, am I going somewhere? Your talking like this is going to be our last battle… we still got a whole war to fight y-know, so I’d get that out of your mind if I were you… besides, we still have to save Mist right? I’ve been waiting too long to find a reason for him to owe me one. I can’t let a chance like this pass me by.”
Major Bolt smiled, “You know something… you're right! That stubborn old blowhard owes me a lot… so I think it’s about time I give him reason to pay up.”
“That’s the spirit sir! I'll see you after the battle ends!”
Major Bolt couldn’t agree with that, since he didn’t know how it would end… but he didn’t want to show it, so he smiled and nodded his head as he continued towards the city wall.
Once he got there, he saw a number of his soldiers standing there observing the enemy formations as they moved closer to the city, “Sir, the griffin royal army has already begun the battle.”
Major Bolt replied, “Keep your attention to the sky… most likely they will do the same thing they did yesterday, and attack from the sky.”
“Yes sir… um… sir? did you mean what you said back there?”
Major Bolt nodded his head, “I can’t be afraid anymore… otherwise none of us will make it back.”
The soldier smiled, “I have to admit, I feel a little better about following your orders now sir.”
Major Bolt nodded his head and replied, “good, then follow this one, SHIELDS UP!!!”
The soldier looked up to see a thick cloud of arrows slowly climb into the air over them. Major Bolt and the rest of the soldiers on the wall raised their shields as the arrows begin raining on them like a metal storm. Like the last battle, Major Bolt felt a large amount of fear, however, this time he was able to keep his senses and watch what was happening around him. As he looked around from behind the protection of his shield, Major Bolt could see the arrows glazing off the outside and fly completely around him keeping him safe. After a while, the arrows started to let up but Major Bolt still felt like he was in danger despite the decreased number in falling arrows. Major Bolt didn’t know what was approaching but he still decided to peek out of the corner of his shield so he could be ready.
As he looked around his shield, he saw Blade diving from behind the rain of arrows. Thinking fast, Major Bolt jumped back just in time to dodge her blade when she attempted to attack around it. After dodging what could have been a fatal strike, Major Bolt held his weapon at the ready as Blade landed and smiled, “hello again handsome… I see you're still alive, good. Now you and I can have some real fun. Let’s just hope this proves to be more interesting than last time.”
Major Bolt sneered at the mare, “Where is he?”
“He who?”
“Don’t give me that… Where is Commander Mist?”
Blade braced herself to attack as she replied, “He’s a little tied up at the moment…”
Blade charged forward and started swinging her weapons at Major Bolt as he blocked each swing with his shield. As Blade continued attacking, Major Bolt continued to block each attack leaving a gash in his shield with each passing swing. Major Bolt tried all he could to find an chance to counter attack, but Blade continued her barrage of attacks leaving almost no time to react. Finally, Major Bolt saw the pattern in the way she swung her weapons, so while timing it right, Major Bolt parried her next strike and lunged his shield forward in an attempt to stab her in her neck. Seeing the attempted strike, Blade leaned her body away from the shield and only sustained a small cut on the side of her neck as she jumped back and felt the newly acquired wound, “Well, well, it looks like I underestimated you colt… I won’t do that twi…”
Before Blade could finish her sentence, the wall that the two ponies were standing on started to shake. Looking further down the wall revealed a large number of boulders crashing down either hitting the wall directly, or hitting the ground in front of it and rolling into the side. Seeing that they were in the line of fire from the long-range trebuchets, both Blade and Major Bolt looked into the sky to see a boulder heading right for them. Thinking fast, Blade rushed towards the edge of the wall and flew off and out of the way. However, with his inability to fly, Major Bolt chose instead to turn and galloped down the wall to escape the incoming projectile. However, this proved to be a big mistake.
The incoming boulder collaged with the top corner of the wall right in front of Major Bolt sending stone debris, and a powerful shockwave right into him tossing him from the top of the wall, and causing him to crash through the roof of a shack inside the city. After falling through the roof of a random building, Major Bolt struggled to pick himself up as he looked around. The room was full of dust, and his weapon was nowhere to be found, as Major Bolt stumbled to the closest object that he could see. It was a large furnace meant for heating molting metal. He was in a blacksmith’s shack, but as the dust cleared, there was still no sign of his shield, only farming equipment. As Major Bolt tried to keep enough balance to trot, could hear the sound of crumbling stone, and calls for retreat outside the shack. Dazed, confused, and concerned for the sounds around him, Major Bolt stumbled to the door of the shack and opened it to reveal a surprise
Outside the old shack, Major Bolt saw that the wall he was standing on had already collapsed and there was a large number of enemy griffins, all staring directly at him, and all with their weapons at the ready. The unarmed stallion shook off his dizziness and looked around for something to fight with, but the only thing within his reach was an old farming scythe, so he quickly grabbed it and held it at the ready as he yelled to his enemies, “COME ON!!!”
Most of the griffin leagued as the rest could only smile in amusement at this stallion’s hopelessness. So to homer him, one griffin stepped forward, “If you’re so interested in death, then allow me to send you there.”
The griffin charged forward and swung his sword at Major Bolt in an attempt to strike him vertically from above. Seeing the griffins opening already, Major Bolt completely turned his scythe around and blocked with the underside of the shaft, then quickly turning the scythe back and flinging the griffin’s sword out of the way Major Bolt dug the sharp blade into the griffin’s side just below his right shoulder.
The stunned griffin dropped his sword and started to fall to the ground as Major Bolt pulled the blade from his opponent and yelled, “WHO’S NEXT!!! I GOT ALL DAY!!!”
Major Bolt couldn’t believe what he was saying, it was as if somepony else’s rage was being channeled through him. he wasn’t even afraid anymore the only though he had, was which side would they attack from next… and how can he counter it? Next two griffins charged him, one from the front and one from behind. Dodging the first griffins horizontal swing, Major Bolt also attacked horizontally digging the blade into the griffins body, the continuing his swing picking up the griffins body and flinging it around to hit the other griffin before he got close enough to attack.
A few feet away, Traipse had just climbed to the top of the wall’s rubble and was watching the standoff as it was taking place on the streets of kestrel. As he watched, he couldn’t help but think to himself about seeing this exact scene somewhere before. As he continued watching, one by one the griffin started attacking the lone pony only to have the long scythe blade strike them down until finally Major Bolt glared directly at him then held the scythe at the ready. Traipse froze, “No… it… it can’t be… Those eyes… they’re… Her eyes… S-Serenity?”
While glaring at Traipse Major Bolt didn’t notice that a griffin was approaching from behind and was about to stab him in the back so Traipse called out, “STOP!!!”
As his voice echoed through the street, the attacking griffin stopped in his tracks, only to have Major Bolt realize he was there. Major Bolt swung around and dug the scythe blade into the griffin’s neck, then pulled the blade out as the unsuspecting foe fell to the ground. The rest of the griffin where frozen in place as they cleared a path for the feared mercenary to approach Major Bolt. As Traipse made his way into the circle of griffin, he started to pace around Major Bolt as he asked, “Your name… What is it?”
Major Bolt didn’t reply, instead out of rage he charged forward and swung the scythe at his enemy. However, his rage clouded his concentration so it was easy for Traipse to step closer and catch the scythe by its shaft. Still holding his enemy’s weapon in place, Traipse punched Major Bolt in the side of his face, causing him to let go of the weapon and fall to the ground.
Traipse then tossed the scythe away from him and continued, “I ASKED YOU A QUESTION COLT!!! WHAT IS YOUR NAME!?!”
Major Bolt wiped the blood from his mouth as he stood up, “Bolt… Major Star Bolt…”
“Star Bolt huh?... Pick up you weapon!”
Major Bolt didn’t trust Traipse at all, so he ignored the comment and just stood there glaring at him. Traipse stood there eying Major Bolt down, as he repeated himself, “What are you, deaf? I said pick up your weapon and face me!”
Major Bolt continued glaring at Traipse as he slowly trotted to the scythe and picked it up. Traipse smiled, “Now… Show me what you can do… colt.”
Major Bolt held the scythe at the ready then charged forward, and swung at his enemy. Traipse ducked and dodged the first attack with ease, then when Major Bolt attempted a second swing, Traipse jumped out of the way then lunged forward punching Major Bolt in his face. Stunned and angry, Major Bolt attempted a third swing that was vertical, however like the first two Traipse stepped out of the way and smiled as the blade got lodged in the ground beside him, “PATHETIC!”
with one swift uppercut, Traipse punched Major Bolt sending him into the air, and hitting the ground a few feet away. Major Bolt laid there stunned at the punch he just took to his jaw as Traipse yelled, “GET UP!!!”
Major Bolt rolled to his side but remained on the ground as Traipse trotted next to him and kicked him in his gut, “I SAID GET UP!!!”
Major Bolt coughed in pain as he laid there on the ground. Traipse shook his head, “You call yourself a soldier? You aimlessly trot onto a battlefield and expect mercy from your enemy? YOU’RE WEAK!!! YOU’RE PATHETIC!!! YOU HAVE NO PLACE IN BATTLE!!!”
in a fit of rage, Major Bolt swung his wing in hopes of tripping Traipse, only to have it caught in midair. As Traipse began squeezing his wing, he could see the pain in Major Bolt’s eyes, “Desperate enough to attack with a wounded wing? Well at least you have the spirit of a soldier… But that doesn’t change a THING!!!”
With the emphasis in his last word, Traipse flung Major Bolt through the air by his wing and slammed him into the wall of the blacksmith shack.
The griffin watching the fight where all silent, as they continued watching with great anticipation. Trying to prove Traipse wrong, Major Bolt stood up and glared at his enemy, now his wing was completely lump. Traipse smiled, “Ignoring the pain of a dislocated wing? Maybe you do have what it takes to be a soldier… but this fight is over. You have been tested and you have failed. Better, stay off the battlefield from now on. You may live longer.”
Traipse then turned around and began trotting away as Major Bolt attempted one last charge. Expecting the pegasus’s persistence, Traipse waited until Major Bolt was close enough before he used all the force he had to kick backwards with both rear hooves, tossing his enemy through the air and causing him to crash through the wall of the blacksmith shack.
Traipse turned and smiled as Major Bolt used all the strength he had left to stumble to his hooves, but before he could take a single step, the battered blacksmith shack collapsed on top of the proud soldier. Major Bolt climbed partially out from under the rubble, as Traipse kneeled down to speak to him, “You’re pretty good Bolt, I'm impressed, but now is the time to admit defeat.”
Major Bolt tried to speak, “D-do what you want with m-me… but… allow my soldiers.. to retreat…”
With no strength to wait for a reply, Major Bolt passed out, as Traipse stood up and replied silently, “Anypony else could make that offer and I would refuse… but I can’t say no to those eyes.”
Traipse then turned to his soldiers and called out, “PUT HIM IN CHAINS AND GIVE THE ENEMY A PROPER ESCAPE ROUTE!!! Let them run away with their lives!”
“WHY!!!”
Traipse looked over at a griffin who stepped out of the formation as he continued, “Why are we letting them go! Griffin Soldiers never took prisoners before you ponies were appointed over us, so why are we now?”
Traipse sighed, “You should know by now that a soldier never questions his superior’s orders.”
“You’re not my superior… the general is. He only told me to follow your order, but so far, all I’ve seen you do is spare pony lives. This is not how the griffin kingdom does battle!”
Traipse smiled, “correct me if I'm wrong… but your enemy is the griffin kingdom, so you have no place to criticize how differently I command you.”
“Oh really? And what will you do abo…”
The griffin froze as he felt the cold steel of the Cupid’s Kiss across his throat. Traipse only smiled as he replied, “Oh… I won’t do anything… Blade on the other hoof, will be very creative on what she will do about it.”
The nervous griffin looked down to see Blade glaring at him as she spoke, “Your commanding officer gave you an order… and you will follow that said order… am I clear?”
The griffon nervously replied, “Y-yes ma’am… It won’t happen again ma’am.”
“No… it won’t.”
Blade quickly ran her weapon’s edge across the griffin’s throat cutting deep, and causing the soldier to fall to the ground wheezing and flapping his wings in a manner that was hard for the surrounding griffin to watch. Completely ignoring the dying griffin, Blade trotted out in front of the nervous griffin soldiers, “Let this be a lesson to you all!!! We are the cutters! And anypony, griffin, minotaur, zebra or even dragon who wishes to challenge us… will meet his fate! Unless, you have value to us alive… then and only then will you be spared. NOW FOLLOW YOUR ORDERS AND PROVIDE THE ENEMY WITH AN ESCAPE ROUTE!!!”
The surrounding griffin broke off and did as they were ordered, while Blade trotted up to Traipse and spoke, “Good catch Tri… but I think you only lessened your chances of convincing him to join us.”
Traipse replied, “Good… because he won’t.”
“What? Why?”
Traipse replied, “Because he is still just an immature colt… He doesn’t belong on a battlefield.”
Blade stepped up to Major Bolt as the griffin soldiers pulled him from the rubble, put hoof cuffs on his hooves, and doped him in front of Traipse, “I'll agree he has a lot to learn… but you see it don’t you? He is very skilled and fearless. I mean, look at my neck! It’s been decades since anypony has even so much as glazed my feathers, but this colt managed to break the skin. I don’t know about you… but the boss would agree when I say he should joi…”
“No she wouldn’t!”
“Really? And what makes you say that?”
Traipse didn’t know how to reply, instead he just turned and trotted away, “Finish the battle Blade. There is still an enemy to defeat.”
As Traipse continued further into the city, Blade opened Major Bolt’s eye to look at his eye color, then she closed it, and sighed, “I just don’t see what his problem is… something is up with him… Tri would never pass up this chance to recruit another. I don’t know what’s going on, but I'm going to find out.”