It was the first thought Redwood got though his nightmare. He wasn't aware of how long he had been there, gawking at his talons full of blood, but he was finally out of the horror.

’It was innocent.’ he thought, the only thing he found in his mind. He acted recklessly, it was his fault. It wasn’t the first time he had killed, but it had been the first time he had killed because of sheer stupidity, something that had done nothing to deserve it.

‘It was innocent.’ Of course it would die, they were different species, did he actually believed possible to have the same ways of stopping it. Imbecile. He should’ve stopped, he should’ve waited, he should’ve stayed still, he should’ve negotiated, he should’ve just died before reaching it.

‘Innocent, innocent, innocent.’ Would things actually have been different? Would I have acted the same?

‘I should've.. why couldn't I just see- We could have just waited- before.”

When Redwood finally took a look around, he wished he would just slip back to the nightmare.

The bodies were everywhere. From the rocks in the shore, to the border of what was left of the ship. It was a horrible sight. A not so unusual smell of burned flesh flew through the air, even with his sense of smell he could easily recognize it.

The ship was absolutely wrecked, the once massive crack grew into a hole dividing the ship.

The bodies hanging in the side of the ship were the worst of them, from what’s left of their upper bodies that is, there was one looking straight at him, blaming him from the dead.

“What happened to you? You just froze there!” Yelled Moon Stone with what he could recognize as a worried tone.The rookie is not a rookie no more, if the blood not his on him had anything to say.

“I don’t know private, I... just don’t know...” Redwood lied, his mind leaving his reason slowly return, he asked.

“What happened when I...killed the creature?” The Sergeant was able to ask, Moon Stone’s face rose to a combination between sadness and pride.

“Well, the creatures attacked us as soon as they saw you killing it, so we retaliated.” Moon Stone said gesturing around him with his left talon around them, and began to report.

The things that they did because of him brought shivers down the Sergeant’s spine as he continues to hear Moon Stone’s report, as many battles he has done before, it was short. If he wasn’t in a state of incredible guilt and shock, he would congratulate the private in how he took action in his protection.

“And with the death of their last archer, we pretty much won this battle. With a lot of wounds though, their weapons are made of some incredibly strong stuff Sarge, the archers arrow literally went through the unicorns armor like it wasn’t there.”

“The arrows went right through armor Sarge, look,” said Moon Stone pointing his talon to the wounded unicorn as she tried a healing spell on the wound, but found it hard to concentrate with the intense pain, the spell only accomplished on making the pain more bearable, “the unicorn there.”

The Sergeant stood, noticing how stiff his muscles actually were, he shook, Private Moon didn’t notice. Going towards the unicorn felt like an impossible mission.

As he began to move closer , the pegasi descended from a cloud, his wounds were many. Redwood continued to move closer, Moon Stone not far behind, becoming nervous as they closed the gap between them.

“Let me see, let me see.” Said the pegasus he remembered to be named Keen Sight, his wounds were many and all in his hooves, how he was still active was maybe due to his uninjured wings that he was using to fly.

“I got this, just.. check on Stone Wall I lost sight of him in the fight.” Said the unicorn in a worried tone as she once again tried to concentrate, but the open wounds to the air were a continuous distraction.

“You two are doing no such thing,” Said Redwood in his usual hardened superior tone, basically on top of the ponies.

“Accidentally!” Screeches the unicorn interrupting the Sargent, feeling extremely insulted, “You call ripping somecreatures scruff, accidental. You actually-”

The unicorn stopped for a second making a double take in what he said, “What did you say?”

“I reached to stop it by its scruff. It had no Scruff.” Redwood repeated simply.

The unicorn remained in silence, contemplating that thought. Redwood didn’t even blink at her change as he reached for one of his patchbags taking out a long silk string and a round yellow spheres.

“You aren’t going anywhere until I heal you, or at least seal your wounds.” Said the Sergeant as he threw the sphere towards the unicorn. She picked it up with her good leg and took a preventive smell before taking a bite out of it, she scowled at the taste.

Picking one of the unicorns legs the Sergeant moved his talon to the wound, the unicorn quickly tried to move it away until she noticed that she felt nothing out of it.

The Sergeant used one of his talon to insert the string in one side of the wound, making sure one of the other side of the string was with a nod, he pulled, beginning to seal the entry.

“What is this?” The unicorn asked raising the sphere with real curiosity in her voice.

“It doesn’t matter for now,” Redwood replied, he turned his head at the private, “Moonstone go check on that earth pony, the pegasi is not going anywhere.”

As if to prove his point the pegasi fell to his flank feeling tired now that the heat of battle was over.

Moon Stone didn’t even have to confirm to the Sergeant that his orders were received, remembering something he flew of what remained of the ship.

The Sergeant did his job well, sealing the unicorns wounds quickly, they luckily didn’t lose too much blood, he then moved to the pegasi, which to the pegasus dismay, he had no more of the pain dulling yellow spheres for him to eat, so there was cursing.

After a couple of minutes, Moonstone returned with no pony, only a nervous smile.

“Uh Sarge I... I can’t move the pony.” Moonstone reported with a nervous chuckle.

“What do you mean you can’t move the pony, private?” Asked the Sergeant his voice dulled and full of patience towards the private, which for some reason felt worse than his usual mix of surprise and anger to undone orders.

Moon Stone was already out of his sight before he finished, Redwood simply continued sealing the pegasus’ wounds to the pegasus incredible displeasure.

After minutes of more cursing, a groaning and whining mass mumbling things about how ‘his mother shouldn’t wake him up so early’ being dragged by a griffon, which was struggling to pull the weight of the earth pony with no armor, was slowly making his way to the group.

“Stone Wall?” The unicorn questioned, the effects of the sphere still active as she didn’t run to the ball of mass, “what happened in there?!”

“So.. much... food...” Was the only reply Stone Wall could give before falling asleep in his back, a smile in his face.

Keen sight was the first to move near the massive pony, his features deadpanned. He picked a small rock from the shore careful not to open his wounds, he left it fall to Stone Wall gut, waking him up with a groan.

In Stone Wall’s perspective it was as if waking up from a comfortable day of sleep only to wake up to tartarus itself, of course, the gates being a very pissed off mare.

“Oh, hi Lightning,” Begins Stone Wall with a very nervous smile, “how are you, I knew you would be alright.”

Lightning to her credit had been holding pretty well, Stone Wall wasn’t burned... yet.

“Give me one good answer as to why I was alone as the creatures attacked me?”

Stone Wall responded instinctively, “Food.” He knew the words that had gone out of his mouth were his death sentence.

The mare stared quietly, and then tilted her head to a side with a tender smile that sends a shiver up Stone Wall’s spine, at a first glance it looked sincere, true and full of forgiveness, but Stone knew better.

Lightning moved out of Stone’s sight, on the other side of his swelled belly, he knew he was in trouble, moving to look at the others he saw each male in the area slightly shrink and brace for an impact that they would surely feel. He felt his rear legs spliting slightly.

‘What is sh-OOOOOOOHHHHH’ Was the way Stone’s thoughts passed as his ‘stones’ got crunched.

“That’s for leaving us to die for food.” Said Lightning with a huff, as she walked towards Sergeant Redwood who merely shook his head, preparing some string to re-close the mares wounds that had opened from the buck. And with the recent pull of anger, Lightning was able to concentrate better in the healing of her wounds.

Stone Wall responded to the mares comment with vomit and a couple of words in between his howls.

“How much food was there? Or is left?” Said Keen Sight, not caring for his ex-friends suffering.

Stone Wall could only barely lift his head to look at Keen Sight in the face, “... loads... more... delicious.” Replied Stone Wall still clutching his crotch, groaning constantly.

“Yeah right,“ Lightning Strike snapped back, still close by to hear, “I’m sure you ate it all you beast, I doubt they would be able to transport that much.”

Lightning Strike gave a good look at the ship, ‘Might as well check what we almost died for’ she thought, she growled at the prone form of Stone Wall before proceeding to carefully move toward the broken ship, dodging the bodies.

Moon Stone didn't have to reply, only glanced his way and straightened his back in an obvious sign of attention

The question spread around Moon’s mind a little before his eyes grew wide as dinner plates. Redwood was going to say something if he wasn’t unpleasantly interrupted.

“By the creator this hurts!!!” Was the first thing said by Corporal Copper Spear as he fell unceremoniously on shore level, his groan of pain justified if the amount of stabs he had were to say anything.

The Corporal was a mess, his left wing had an identity crisis and tried to become a changeling as the amount of holes it had. Most of his iron armor was destroyed and he had lost his chest armor. His spear was the only thing he had in one piece and it was the only thing that maintained him on all fours.

“Where were you corporal?” Asked Sergeant Redwood, who quickly reached for his string which he only had the half of, and was about to proceed to heal. That was of course if the eyes of the Corporal didn’t shot opened in anger.

“While you just stood there, taking absolutely no harm, I actually fought and nearly died Every. Single. Time. I went down to the ground to pluck one of those things.”

“And only recently found out that their daggers can penetrate my armor like if it was NOT EVEN THERE! I just barely survived, and only thanks to the unicorn and pegasus, but that word ‘survived’ is not being used lightly, since I have more holes than any tunnel system any Diamond Dog could dig in their life!”

“And they’re also apparently just as strong as us if not stronger! By the way, the soldiers were able to survive a spear going through them and were still be able to fight till they finally bleed to death, fell or run out of energy, only then I could finish the job!

“And I don’t think I need to tell ya’ how powerful their arrows are, they sliced through our armor like it was target practice material Sarge, and we possibly only won due to them being because they were completely confused, like if they have never seen us before!”

Copper with a tired gasp losing his grasp on his spear he ended falling on his side, trying to cope with the amount of pain throughout his entire body.

Redwood remained with a static stare throughout Copper’s ramble, he was both listening attentively at what happened through another griffins peak and was too guilty to say anything, not that Copper noticed.

“Alright now hatching, where are your ‘Pain Leaves’” asks Redwood with an authority filled tone.

“I... ran out...” Was the simple reply Copper Spear could say to his Sergeant, his ramble took all of his energy.

“And its still not enough...” Commented Copper under his breath as he tried to get up again until his Sergeant placed a talon in his head, he sat down quietly, the Sergeant sighed, he moved to his side to close his wounds.

“How much blood did you lost?” Asked Redwood surprised when he took a closer look at the corporals armor, he wasn't exaggerating the amount of holes he had. If anything, he was dismissing half of them.

“More than... enough...” Said a very tired Corporal between breaths, his voice became heavy.

“Denied Corporal,” Redwood said quickly, Copper only groaned in response, “Private Moon Stone!”

“Move your flank and find me that unicorn!” Redwood said quickly hoping that the unicorn mare knew any magic spell that could help in the situation, he began to close wounds.

Moon Stone in his hurry tripped with one of the many bodies in the floor. Shaking his head he glared at what he tripped with. And immediately stopped glaring replacing his look with one of surprise.

The Sergeant groaned and turned irritated, only to match the look of surprise of the private.

It was a dead Zebra, it’s the basic color selection of any zebra, obviously male, what made him look different from other zebras Redwood has seen were the eyes, the brown eyes that continued to stare at the emptiness and infinity, it had a slim built muscles, which would not matter anymore. It wore a wicker light armor, which had a hole going right through, as it was covered in an exaggerated amount of blood.

‘How had he gotten there.’ Redwood thought, but before he could run into the thought somepony interrupted him.

“Uh GUYS, you might want to take a look at this.” Lighting’s voice resounded from inside the ship.

“What... is it now...” Complained Copper Spear in a tired voice clearly not in the mood to move, but before she could respond Redwood continued.

“Sure, but bring him here, I don’t want Stone Wall to get any ideas.” Replied Lightning Strike, her tone changed to mad at the mention of the groaning earth pony.

“Alright, alright... if its sooo important.” Copper Spear said as he tried to get up, failing miserably.

Redwood, using his wing under Copper, moved the injured griffin to his back, he moved quickly and steady to the ship.The pegasus named Keen Sight was having trouble helping his fat friend move after that brutal display by the mare. But after trying three times he whispered something to his ear, which made him stand up right and move at a slow pace to the broken ship.

A lot of food everywhere was an understatement, Stone Wall was true to his word and a feast true to its name, spread throughout the floor and making piles on the side of the walls, the food was even dripping from holes in the ceiling. Cabbages, beans, celery, kurd meat, bread, grapes and some liquid that smelled as if some of the grapes had spoiled... there was wine!

“There is enough food to feed all of Equestria and then some more” Moon Stone said in noticeable dumbfoundment, his peak could hit the floor and dig a tunnel to lands beyond with the sight.

“Sarge, if we turn in all this food, we could get promoted for sure!” Said Moon Stone with a huge grin, everyone else were hit in a special place.

“Hatching, if you breathe one word of what happened here today, I promise you a quick execution by the monarch himself.” Said the Sergeant seriousness could never be more clear. Everyone else in the room agreed if their stares were anything to go by.

“W-why? I don’t get it, Sarge, why would we get killed for finding all this food?”

“New as they can come I see.” Redwood muttered under his breath, “We didn’t ‘find’ the food, Private.”

Realization finally hit Moon Stone like a well aimed rock to the head, his showing fear made everyone give a sigh of their own.

“We ain’t gonna breathe a word of this to anyone, ya hear? We will all be hanged if the equestrian officers hear this, or worse, the new ‘princess’ could make some new ‘punishment’ for us.” Said Redwood with seriousness at first moved into an uncomfortable thoughts of what might happen to himself to the wrath of the princess.

“Yeah its best if we kept quiet of this.” Said a very frightened Moon Stone.

“Alright... I’d had it.” Copper Spear shaking his head, laughing quietly, “I’m done.”

“What do you mean Corporal?” Asked Redwood worried of what was Copper to say now, quickly shaking his head, he remembered why he was carrying Copper in the first place, he looked at the unicorn.

“Ma’am I require your assistance.” Redwood tried to say with as little stress as possible.

“You haven’t figured it out, have you Sarge?” Copper said his laughter still barely heard, the Sergeant ignored the Corporal as he lowered him to the floor, the unicorn was now close.

“Wow,” the unicorn commented, giving a good look at the injured griffins wounds, “what did they do to you?”

“Arrows ‘did’ me, but Sarge did you hear what I said?” The corporal began speaking normally, but it was clear by the unfocused of his eyes that he wasn’t going to last long.

“I-I can try.” The unicorn answered, tilting her horn to the injured corporal, she gestured with her hoove for the Sergeant to begin sealing his wounds, which he bagan easily, now noticing that most wounds have clogged.

The whole room was in silence, Copper laughing was the only sound, which also died down eventually. Every face in the room was at complete surprise, and they all moved to a worried frown.

“So, what are we going to do with all this food.” Said Stone Wall as he moved closer to one of the barrels at the sides breaking everyones thoughts of the implications of what Copper said.

“Keep it away from you and hiding it from everypony.” Said Lightning Strike sending a glare at Stone, she was actually relieved that the subject changed so quickly.

“Then how are we going to hide it, look at it, anyone with a pair of eyes can easily spot this.” Said Moon Stone, desperation made its way to his mind.

“If I remember correctly there is a small cave near here where turtles go to sleep,” Said Keen Sight still trying to remember the location, “We can move all the food there and its small enough for any other monsters beside timberwolves to enter, and its pretty abandoned.“

“Then what are we waiting for? Let's begin.” Said an excited Stone Wall even with his shaky rear-legs he was able to stand.

“Ohh no Stone Wall, you abandon us for food and we are not going to give you the location to this, you’ll just pull the barrels outside of the ship with the griffon Moon Stone, and the rest can transport it to the cave.” Lightning Strike said logically and angrily.

“Well, he did kill a lot of them making him more responsible for the amount of trouble we gave to New Equestria.” Said Stone Wall in which receives a grip of a talon to the head from Moon Stone in response.

“Shut up, ‘Wall’ we have been shot near death fighting those creatures while you just sat here and ate.”

“Uhhh,” Worried to receive another prize for his decision, Stone Wall quickly thought of something, brilliant, “actually I finished off the giant over there.”

The group slowly turned their eyes to what they saw made their jaws hit the deck of the ship. There laid the giant, its feet comically sticking out of the pile of debris concluded to be dead. Nothing could survive that amount of punishment.

“What do you mean finish off I got the thing with one of the destruction spells I used to kill that manticore a couple of days ago, remember.”

“Then why did I hear it groan when i got in here? It tried to move but I heroically killed it.” Replied Stone Wall puffing his crest.

“Heroically? Stone Wall you're just itching for another meeting with my hoof.”

Stone Walls began to sweat he closed his hindhoofs involuntarily for some comfort.

“I’m actually being serious, it wasn’t dead until I killed it.” Defended Stone Wall.

“Now, our time of mourning is done. It’s best if we collect some of Silent Trots belongings to bring back to his family and inform them of the tragedy.” Said Swift Hooves shaking her head.

“My main question is how he thought he could stand a chance against the largest creature like he is some kind of invincible hero?” Said a very depressed Stripped Grillis as he shakes his head of the first dying under his watch.

“My question now is, what is taking the ponies and griffons so long to-” Swift Hooves was interrupted by what came out of the ship.

Barrels after barrels were rolled outside the ship, a very fat earth pony and griffin pushing them outside, only to enter and pushing even more outside. When they thought they thought they saw enough they kept taking more out.Those have to be important.

It was until the fat one accidently rolled a barrel badly making it pop ope-FOOD... Swift Hooves mouth began to water and she finally saw real food, not berries and roots, which were the kind of ‘food’ scouts tend to eat.

“Stripped, am I imagining the barrels of food that the ponies and griffons are moving or is this a nice dream?” Asked Swift Hooves thinking she is dreaming of food... again.

“I’m really hope we ain’t dreaming, because of what they have done, we have leverage to use against them.” The Zebra commented as the gears in his head began to turn, Swift Hooves looked at his wary.

“I’m thinking of our survival.” Stripped said as he moved forward, outside their cover.

“Grillis!? What are you doing!? Grillis get your striped flank over here before I smack the white off you.” Whispered an angry Swift Hooves

But Grillis said nothing, and he couldn’t go back, he was already in the sight of one of the griffins, the one with the white feathers. His eyes grew wide at the sight of the Zebra.

Grillis didn’t move, the griffins dashed forward into him and quickly placed themselves in both his sides.

“Hello,” Grillis commented his self assurance grand as he didn't even flinch at the griffons movement, “ I’m here to negotiate.”

“About our share of the food.” Grillis responded simply, his face calm, the smirk he was trying to hide failed miserably.

“And why the hell we would do that!?” Yelled Moon Stone, but before the Zebra could respond Redwood spoke.

“Because we have done something wrong that no one should know, and he will use the information against us.” Redwood said his features calm as he huffed at the Zebra.

“Huh, you’re more smarter that you look,” Commented Grillis, “So, here’s how we’re going to do this, you-”

“But before we continue,” Interrupted Redwood, face perfectly stoic, “why wouldn't I kill you now and have no issue in the first place.”

“Because he’s not alone!” Swift hooves yelled from the bushes, “We are about five, one of our own saved your sorry flank when you paralyzed in the fight, he’s now dead!” Said Swift Hooves with a nervous voice, but moved to anger when she said of Silent Trots sacrifice.

Redwood flinched at the mention of another dead because of him, he cursed under his breath.

“And why should we negotiate with someone who obviously stayed behind the bush while we did all the work ” Replied Moon Stone

“Fine,let it be Private, it doesn't matter if they’re cowards, they can still hurt us.” Confirmed Redwood as he turned towards the fat earth pony that was taking more barrels out of the ship, he was being closely watched by the pegasus, “Sir Keen Sight, look for your friend the unicorn, there is a problem.”

Keen Sight didn’t have to ask, he saw the Zebra the moment he got out of the bush. Redwood was clearly showing his annoyed with this in.

“You will have your share... And also my despise.” Commented Redwood as he turned towards the unicorn that was moving quickly towards the group. As quickly as she could move with an injured leg that is.

The negotiation finished in a mutual agreement of secrecy for food, the Zebras had said that, because of their distrust, they would only send two of their own to help them move the food. The group saw nothing to it and got themselves on the move.

It took hours to move it all, and more to do it without showing the location of it to the Zebras or Stone Wall, the cave they placed it wasn’t so far, and the Zebras simply took it and placed it on the bush where their supposed reinforcements were waiting.

The last barrel was moved, given to the Zebras, they left without a word. They hoped to never see them again.

Copper Spear, Lightning Strike, and Stone Wall were in from of the ship moving the bodies, while Moon Stone, Redwood, and Keen Sight were looking for anything that they could use inside the ship.

“What do you think these are for?” Asked Moon Stone holding a piece of a combination of small rings, it looked like a joke of silk clothing that the griffins were accustomed to.

“It looks like the caravan was transporting a lot of wedding rings, how much do you think we could get for it?” Asked Keen Sight looking at the ‘ring silk’ closely.

“Only if we find a way to separate them, how did they place it like this in the first place, really?” As Moon wondered Redwood, who looked around the rest of the ship moved closer to the two.

“Private, where’s Copper?” Redwood asked simply, Moon confused responded quickly.

“That soldier has... a particular problem with anything that is identifyingly female.”

As the Moon did what he was told and flew through one of the several holes in the roof of the room, Keen conversed with Redwood walking to the exit. Meanwhile Copper was speaking with the unicorn mare Lightning outside.

“So, what spell is it called? The one you used with me?” Copper commented as he dragged another body with his talon.

“It was called Restoration, you should be fine if you continue to receive it once or twice a day for the next week...why do you ask?”

“Oooh, that’s nice where did you learn it?” Asked Copper swiftly dodging her question.

Copper was full of wounds, that much was obvious, his injured wing was encased with a white silk which was tainted red in some spots, the injuries of his legs were clean and the even with some of his feathers gone of his side, he was still as much of an active griffin as he always was.

“Uh, I learned it from my instructor when they taught unicorns some healing spells to be used as doctors if need be.”

Lightning Strike was suspicious of the griffin, she deduced he was thankful for her barely saving his life, but now she suspected that he was ordered to keep an eye on her.

“That must of been hard of ya, if griffon training is the same for you ponies.”

“Not really, I was trained as a mage so the only physical exercises I did was training my stamina.”

“Your stamina, huh? You could have kept up with that pegasus friend of yours easily when you were chasing the fat on over here. Or me...” Copper said, whispering the last part.

“He may be selfish and annoying pony, but he was still a good friend until food was involved,” Simply replied Lightning Strike, “He became less than a friend that is...”

Before Copper could continue he was interrupted by Moon Stone, who flew down to them.

“Hey guys, the Sergeant said it’s time to leave, there’s nothing more here for us.”

“Come on Copper fun time is over.” Deadpanned Moon Stone at the injured griffin.

“Yeah, we already checked everything we could, there’s nothing we could use.” Commented Lightning completely unaware of why was the griffin so disappointed of them leaving so quickly.

“Well, we found a lot of grey rings up there, but they're stuck together, those will be hard to take one by one.” Moon Stone said happily.

As if to show his point, Redwood and Keen Sight came down the ship, with the supposed rings inside a bag.

“This is the more weird way of transporting rings I have ever seen.” Said Copper Spear looking at the gray rings hanging outside the bag.

They were ready to leave, just about to too, they advanced towards the forest, to their new lives of secrecy.

“Keen Sight?” “Moon Stone” Asked both Redwood and Lightnings Strike at the same time noticing their missing partners.

They looked back and noticed them both paralyzed, looking at the ship. They were looking at something. They were shaking.

One of the creatures was standing in the middle of the ships crack, looking at the fallen.

They turned and ran, the creatures yell would hunt them to their dreams, to their death.

It was a bright day, a ‘Sun’day, and the recently re-established Equestrian Capital, which was transformed into the New Equestria capital, was in a struggle. This city has seen it all, massive monstrosities, incredible magic, beautiful creatures, horrific magic, and just recently a war.

But the city wasn’t at a struggle because of battle, far from it, this was the most peaceful day it has had in years. No, the city was at a struggle because of the massive amounts of creatures in its floors, in its buildings and in its roofs. All of them scared of what the future was to held for them.

“Princess calm yourself, the whole realm flocked into Equestrian lands when they heard of us saving ourselves. It was to be expected.” Repeated the newly placed advisor, which was doing his best to ‘advise’ the very inexperienced ruler.

Celestia was in a hard spot, the crowds were hard to control, and the number of refugees rose every day, they just kept coming! Food was hard to distribute and much harder to grow, they’re lucky the ones that can eat meat hadn’t gone feral because of hunger, or the population would’ve been in a panic.

And that was just the food, what about housing? It was impossible, there was no city in Equestrian history to be able to hold this many citizens.

And what about Health? Only highly skilled unicorns could do any good medical aid, and only when the earth ponies helped is that they could cover those inside the city.

And Security? She didn’t know what was going on outside of the city borders, they have sent many patrols, and most of them still only gave their reports to the old leaders, or those that were high rank that survived, some she was sure that are hiding information.

And those are just the issues now, it would expand and expand, become harder and harder, it would never end. And if they ever could get out of the basic needs, what was next was worse, Jobs and-

“Princess don’t overreact, this can be handled, we need to take it one step at a time,” plead the adviser, as he touched Celestia’s leg to reassure her,“the King himself had to pass through the first combination of the three tribes, and he could only do so one step at a time.”

“Yes, but he didn’t have to do it with griffins, minotaurs, zebras or dragons!” Celestia rises her voice, clearly upset, too much was given to her.

“No, he didn’t, but he still had to deal with them, and these are in your command and are allies. Before, those savages would’ve attacked a pony on sight.” Said the Stallion in the same deadpanned tone used each time he spoke.

“We do not call our citizens savages, Starswirl the un-bearded.” Said Celestia seriously at first but ended jokingly. The stallion only frowned, rubbing the spot where his characteristic beard died due to the excessive amounts of magic he used which almost burned him alive.

“You know princess Celestia, it was a great tragedy that my lovely beard was lost,” said Starswirl in an almost depressed tone, which changed as he continued “but not as much as the loss as your once impressive flank.” He finished with a smirk.

Celestia froze completely; face was a perfect representation of a strawberry, as she turned to the stallion. It was actually smaller due to the lack of ‘supplies’ to make her favorite food... or in this case dessert.

“Shut it the unbearded, you will never know the true despair of losing a valuable piece of cake, until you eat one.” Huffed Celestia sounding actually serious.

“What It is, is actually a very big waste of supplies to make such an extravagantly and useless food, eat hay, since hay grows everywhere.” Said Starswirl while he add under his breath “Stupid Earth ponies and their frivolous food ideas are corrupting the nobles.”

“Your highness!” Yelled a pegasi messenger entering the recently made throne room in quick haste, the guards in the side of the walls were quick to stop him. Frightening the messenger several times more than what he already was.

Celestia gave Starswirl a look before moving towards the messenger, Starswirl followed close behind.

As Celestia closed into the messenger he tryed to control his shaking, but it was impossible, first Celestia thought it was of the guards but she soon saw the guards shaking slightly but still being able to maintain their stoic expression.

‘They’re still afraid of me’ thought Celestia as she closed in, she had learned to her dismay that the way she handled everything in the battlefield had scared everyAlicor- creature to a point where it was affecting the information she received by them. And so with that information she did what worked best.

“What is it?” Celestia asked calmly, her face was weeks of practice in remaining as unemotional as possible but still give a sense of security, motherly even. It was obviously not the most believable but it did its job, as the stallion was several times calmer in his presence, shaking barely noticeable .

“Your highness, I come from the countryside near the Enchanted forest, there was to be a massive group heading towards us.”

“Must be more refugees.” Replied Starswirl with a slight hint of annoyance and Celestia couldn’t agree more, they just kept adding up. She needed something to happen, anything.

“N-no, sir, a-archmage,” the pegasus answered stampering, Starswirl and Celestia rose a brow at this, “they looked different, unknown, they walk upright and have 2 legs-”

“Must be minotaur or diamond dogs, we must be ready in case they do something to warrant a rebellion, or it could be possible that some of Discords wards remain.” Starswirl interrupted quickly, ready to take action. Celestia was ready to open her wings.

“No!” The messenger yelled, and quickly regretted it when both Celestia and Starswirl looked at him waiting for an answer, “I-it’s n-niether, we are sure they are not diamond dogs, nor minotaurs, they wore some kind of armor, one that covered them top to bottom, so we couldn't get a clear look of what they look like exactly, but we are sure they are nothing we have encountered” Explain the pegasi messenger making sure each word he used was well selected.

The three, plus two guards, remained in silence; the only thing heard was the kirking of the messengers legs together. Celestia moved slowly closing in to the pegasus.

“What are you waiting for?” Celestia said calmly, motherly, this surprised the pegasus as he asked.

“Are you going to lead the way, or shall I ride you all the way.” Celestia said smirking as the face of the stallion couldn’t have gone redder. But Starswirl wasn’t having any of that.

“Excuse me your highness, but I do believe we must finish these ‘political’ matters first before we go off on some useless adventure, let one of our commander’s deal with it.” Said Starswirl in a snobbish manner, giving a sigh of relief to the pegasus stallion.

“Yes, but if it’s unknown creatures it could be necessary for the ruler to represent her people on the first meeting with a different race, if that’s possible, especially if they are hostile.” Replied Celestia in a way to overcome Starswirl‘s logic.

Starswirl closed in to the princess gesturing her to move closer, as if to tell her a secret, Celestia did so.

“So, your judgment could be corrupted by the needs of your body when talking to the creatures.” Starswirl answered, obviously irritated.

“Oh, ho ho no ho no, that was a nice one Star but I’m only attracted to my own, I’m not that kind of mare.”

“We shall see.” Said Starswirl, moving a hoof to dismiss the messenger, “Find General Sparkle he was in charge of the area surrounding, especially the Enchanted forest.”

“Y-yes, sir, Archmage!” Answered the pegasus as he quickly looked at the princess, face growing red as he tried to look stoic and intimidating, failing badly, “F-follow m-me princess.”

“Oh ho ho, quite a gentle stallion aren’t you? Would you like to show me how gentle you can be?” The princess continued to tease the stallion giggling quietly as they continued towards the hall, the messenger was extremely uncomfortable, Starswirl could only shake his head.

“Mares in heat... please creator, let the unknown creatures be peaceful.” He said under his breath as he moved towards Celestia’s next suppose meeting.

“Mi’lord, we’ve been marching for hours and there’s nothing in sight, let us rest.” Complained one of Ermo’s knights as he walked beside him.

“Quiet fool, I’ve been marching more before you were born.” Replied the Templar Veteran, pointing with his hand towards the young knight.

“Don’t worry my good knight, if we spot a creek or a river we will rest and have a meal.” Said Ermo in a calmed tone.

“Aye mi’lord but, why do we have Templars in our company?” Asked another knight, behind the lord.

“Well, informing your capital of an adventure towards the unknown flash does get attention with the pope’s spies,” Answered lord Ermo very light to the importance of the matter and with Christendom's best warriors. “also the Knight orders are under the Pope’s command, so it gets hard to disobey; and I got paid quite a loan of gold to help secure the island for future crusades on the infidels.”

The lands were vast and plane, the forest clear as they come, the sky was unnaturally clear, and the mountains strangely shaped. The land was a marble to look at, but it had its dangers. Thanks to Jacque, better known as the ‘Steel Giant’, they were aware that the creatures in the sky were not simple birds, but creatures to be careful around.

They were always on the move, always on foot, not stopping for the moment. Ermo, his personal guards and friend Jurian at his side, with many Templars were always alert. And because the knights of Christendom, who fought under the sign of the cross and preferred to die than to disobey an order, the order was of Ermo, it was that they didn’t kill each of the creatures at sight.

“Mi’lord look a river at last we can rest.” Said one of the younger knights, clearly relieved of a breaking point of the constant walking.

“Don’t get so calm here boy, these land are cursed with demons of many kinds and faces; there are legends roaming the very sky above us, so I know well, as of Gods mercy, that in these accursed waters are to be many demons of many sizes.” Said exaggeratedly the old knight, obviously happy to be able to ramble on about monsters; now that they could prove their existence.

“...Uhhh... mi’lord, let us continue... I’m suddenly not hungry nor tired.” Corrected the young knight, his unchanged voice was the only part of him calm.

“Let us stop the rambling of monsters and sit for rest, pray to God for his divine protection from the monsters if that’s what you require for bravery.” Ermo said, quite tired of his soldiers paranoia about ‘demons’ and monsters. But he himself was also afraid, he was but a man, he believed in the method to pray to God in stressful times, they’re now placed for hoping that these monster were actually able to communicate like civilized people.

Jacque’s story did not help. Even less than the fact that Jacque wanted nothing more than revenge on those mythical creatures and showed he won't listen to Ermo’s orders of wanting to talk to them first, and thus had to leave him, the Templar priest, and a couple of the more overzealous soldiers at the Bay. Just for good measure.

The prayer to God, if they were able to rest, would also somewhat calm the group and allowed them to eat with some less worry.

They arrived rear the river, at least that’s what Ermo said even if only him was next to the water. He laid down his bags and closed into the water for a drink, using his half empty canteen.

He noticed how as he closed into the water, the knights reached for their swords. ‘At least they don’t lower their guard.’ Ermo thought.

Filling his canteen Ermo stood, looking around he noticed the warriors were not resting, mainly the Templars. Jurian was speaking with a group of scouts. Drinking from his canteen Ermo moved to the group, as Jurian spoke in a commanding tone.

“You do not attack, you do not go close and you do not messed this UP!” Jurian roared faced incredibly red, the scouts, to their credit, didn’t waver at Jurian’s intimidating introduction to the scout rules.

The scouts without another word moved quickly towards the bushes of the forest nearby, they would not be seen for days until they had a general map of the area.

“So Jurian, sending the scouts I see?” Began Ermo in a joyful tone. Jurian was not amused.

“‘Mi’lord’.” Jurian said as recognition of Ermos presence, making sure to scan the skies for any of the creatures, to his discomfort there wasn't any. ‘What are they planning.’

“Jurian, lighten up a bit, we are with an army here, if any of the flying creatures tries anything we have very good marksmen to go against them, heh?” Ermo said his smiling expression didn’t waver any of Jurians thought, worse, it uplifted them.

But before any of them could say anything, one of the scouts Jurian sended out, came out of the forest in clear sight. It was obvious they were not supposed to, if the clearly angry face of Jurian was to any prediction. But before Jurian could scream to the idiotic scout, the scout spoke.

“Sire! something’s coming due east!! IT’S COMING THIS WAY!!!” Yelled the scout showing great hurry and worry.

“The thing is moving towards us, but it’s far within the sky, we only saw it due to basic sun exploration.” Answered the scout, clearly regretting being the one to bring back the news.

“How much longer till it reaches us?!” Ermo asked, his gleam of excitement darken with a hint of worry.

“Uhhhhh, I am not sure, but I know it will reach here soon if the fires is any indication to our location when the get close enough.” Replied the scout

“GO, DO YOUR JOB!!!” Yelled Jurian to the scout who quickly obeyed, Jurian turned towards the knights to calm a panic that he was sure that would come.

“Men form ranks, men-at-arms at front, archers in back, leave the rations where we are going we don’t need food, protect the lord at all cost from the demons.” Yelled the veteran who as many others overheard the entire conversation.

No one argued with the logic in the veteran’s order, so everyone formed rank with Ermo in the rear clearly showing himself to be the commander with his elaborate helmet.

The silence was deafening, no one spoke or move, all looking at different directions in the sky, ready for anything.

“There it is!” Yelled one of the marksmen as he pointed to the sky. The yield spread like a wave, and in less than a second the warriors had reformed into the direction in a defensive posture.

There was a dot in the sky, barely visible to the eye, the fact that the scouts saw it was clearly amazing, the dot moved in circles around the spot as they noticed several smaller dots coming out of the clouds, ‘They were there all the time!’ thought Jurian.

The smaller dots recollected around the arriving dot, as if they were communicating. After several agonizing seconds, the dots began to move... to their position.

"Da pacem, Domine, in diebus nostris

Quia non est alius

Qui pugnet pro nobis

Nisi tu Deus noster."

And, as if planned, at the end of the chant the dots’ details began to show, and it stunned the men.

Jacque's description of one of most of the creatures was accurate, incredibly so, the creatures that looked like horses with wings.

It looked like the other horses were protecting it, the one in the center which was completely white, with both impressive jewelry and golden armor from top to bottom.

“And the devil will come with luxuries and pleasure, to draw the men astray...” Began to whisper the veteran Templar, more to himself than to others, but his words were heard nonetheless, and some warriors began to grind their teeth.

“Can you shut it Templar, we are going to try diplomacy with them first and if they prove hostile you can kill them.” Said Ermo annoyed, he moved forward against the shouts of his men, towards the flying chariot that descended with the creature.

Celestia had heard the descriptions from the pegasus, but seeing the creatures herself, she still couldn’t believe it.

First was the size and strength, they were actually small for a bipedal creature, they were of the size of herself if they stood upright; the creatures wore complex armor throughout their body, covering it fully, even in their articulations! And with that they somehow still stood upright, and that was without counting swords, shields and bags they carried.

The second thing was their vision, they had spotted her from the moment she was near them, if their movement into a semicircle to greet her was to any indication, some of the pegasus said that they even saw them as they stealthily moved between clouds until they hid inside of them.

Third was the fact that they actually didn’t attack her upon arrival, this was actually the first group of individual bidets she would ever meet that were actually somewhat civilized!

Her mind of course wasn’t full of positive thought of course, she needed to be cautious.

The creatures had comed with an army, and that wasn’t a good signal, they could be confident of their superiority and couldn’t reach her in the sky so they were planning to give her fake security before striking her.

The creatures also began to sing in from the moment she was getting close, this disturbed her. ‘Were they chanting magic? Preparing a spell?’ She thought as she was a couple of hoofs above the ground.

And before she could say anything else... she stopped thinking... and smelled the air.

She looked at the direction of the smell, and there laid, away from the creatures. Apples, potatoes, pears, cabbage, beet. Food of all kind but not everything... cake for example.

In time of incredible hunger, not even a fight would stop you from making sure you had food for the next day, especially since she came so slowly moving towards them.

The moment she stepped out of the chariot the supposed magic chant ended, the guards of her chariot tensed.

Celestia left a breath that she didn’t know she was holding, leave her. ‘It was not a spell for attack, maybe for protection?’ Celestia thought.

Then one creature that wore black cloth and some kind of shining armor in the group walked slowly and confidently towards her, leaving the group. The other creatures made incoherent sounds as a response.

The creature continued to confirm her thoughts as it began to speak in incoherent sounds that obviously had meaning, their language.

Concentrating, Celestia picked the sounds of the creature with her mind, taking them in, looking at the creatures intentions and posture, movement and purpose. But she couldn’t, as much as she tried to tamper with the creature, her magic halted. She almost unconsciously tried to use her magic, which in a first meeting would be very very bad idea, her father had told her so.
.

But it would be worse if they couldn’t speak with each other. It could bring trouble.

Celestia’s silence makd the black dressed creature more paranoid, as it stopped speaking all altogether, she needed to make the spell work now. But as much as she tried, the creatures language was just out of reach.

‘There must be a way to do this! Without spooking them.’ Celestia thought as she concentrated even more.

And as she did, her guards and the creatures in armor tensed even more, if it was possible. They didn’t know what to do or what to think. It was torture.

Celestia did what she could, but it wasn’t enough, she needed to actually touch the creature to make the spell possible. Which was very dangerous, if the things she had read that had happened to a brave unicorn in the first meeting between griffins and ponies was to any guess.

As soon as she began banging her armor the creatures turned to her, swords at ready, the black dressed creature closed in to another of his species with an impressive hammer in his back. ‘What kind of homes do they make?’ Celestia thought as the black creature made a quick sound as to signal his attention.

Celestia pointed to her horn towards the creature, the gesture was nice and slow, the creatures reacted with a subcontious step backwards when she touched her horn.

‘Are they scared of my magic? Or my long horn?’ Celestia thought, the last comment bringing a blush to her face, ’May the heavens damn you forever, mind.’

The creature moved slightly closer, but it was too far away for the spell to work. She gestured him with her head to move closer.

‘Move over here!’ Thought Celestia, patience for some reason wearing thin.

In her sudden stride forwards the warriors, knights and ponies became more ‘jumpy’, reacting to even the slightest twich of each other.

‘COME ON!’ Celestia’s patience was about to break, she just needed this meeting to become somewhat productive, and her limit would be met.

Yells of horror from the creatures in front of her spread through the uncomfortable silence like rusty knife through skin.

‘Great. Celestia thought,... wait... it is great! The creatures would be too distracted by the hydra to pay any heed to me!

Celestia smiled and galloping forward, her guards followed closely. It took only a second to reach the black clothed creature, the guards setted a perimeter to protect her. She quickly lighting up her horn, “Help the creatures,” she said as she placed her horn upon the creatures head.

As she fell into concentration, she was sure of her guards to protect her easily.

She didn’t notice the fact that because of the creatures yelling, her guards didn’t hear her command.

The First thing was that the old knight was actually right about something, there was some kind of monster in the waters.

The second thing was that the veteran wasn’t right, was its size. Its wasn’t of any size measurable, it was huge.

'It looks like it was able to destroy all of Rome! The most protected city in all of christendom!’

’It is in command by the devil! It will wreak havoc upon the entire civilized realm!'

'It came from the river so It could easily invade through sea! It could sink entire armadas!'

'What damage this creature can do?! It could go against every creation of God and rise victorious, it is dead!’

'I must be hallucinating, or can it pretend of its own death to surprise? Oh, the horrors of what such a creature can do!’

“I killed the mighty creature!” Cried one of the many crossbowmen in the army.

“No you just shot your bolt, I delivered the fatal blow that took down such a demon!” Cried one of the few Templar crossbowmen.

“No, all of you just filled its heads with bolts, I am the mighty archer who killed it!”

The boasting spread throughout the entire crossbowmen formation and due to Jurian still thinking he has gone mad one group of soldiers had turned their eyes to what happen to their lord.

‘Yes, I’m going mad.’ Was the only thing Jurians mind could think of as he repeated his thoughts over and over, as he found his way to a tree.

It took a whole minute to complete the spell. With the spell done Celestia mind was clear with new knowledge of a new language. But as her mind became clear, she became aware of her situation.

Celestia saw herself surrounded neck to hoof with the creatures weapons, obviously not found of her blunt move. The black clothed creature stumbled on its two legs, rubbing its head complaining of the pain... in her language!

’The spell was a success!’ Celestia thought triumphantly as she was sure the creatures were going to be at least thankful of her guards for taking down a such a huge hydra... that was her logic up to the point at least.

'I really need to check on how the hydras are getting bigger lately, maybe it could be of discords old doooo...' Celestia silenced her mind as she noticed something.

’...Wait... why are the guards right next to me?’ Celestia thought ’They didn’t even mov-. wait! Did they take out the Hydra? By themselves?!’

Ermo shook his head, “That was a ride.” He said as his stomach had a disagreement with his lower organs and fought for glory. His legs were barely in control of the situation as they allowed him to stand.

In front of him the winged horned horse, who was surrounded by the smaller winged horses, which were surrounded by his men weapons at the ready.

At his left there was the once alive humongous demon/monster, he was incredibly confused.

Looking to his right he saw last but not least his friend Jurian, repeatedly hitting his head at a tree saying ‘I must be going mad’ every time he struck his head against the tree.

“I am looking at it you fool we are at a scouting mission not some kind of frivolous expedition for furry creatures. also you don't even know what they are!”

The sun was at evening, the night was close, the night guards had at last arrived at the supposed lands, and to their surprise, especially to Wadi they were unknown and appeared from nowhere.

The fact that they had found land had turned Wadi’s plan upside down. His plan was to become of rank by ‘volunteering’ into a mission for the sultan, but with no real mission or dangerous to speak of, because he was sure there was no monster or nothing to speak of, because if the light was of a creature, it would have disappeared by then.

The ships were easily placed to shore and secured. Made so they could easily board them and leave the shore if need came to be. The small expedition was becoming of importance as the men became high in morale, while other did the contrary, this was an actual mission that didn’t involve war which was a great boost for some and to others a disappointment.

He wasn’t as sure anymore of the land, but it was still of tactical importance near the other lands and kingdoms. So he would be of importance later to the history of his nation and his home.

“Asad, let that thing be, we don’t know what it is.” Wadi said looking at the little creatures that seemed to try to hop and... smell? his legs. He simply footstepped away from them.

“Oh, you’re just scared of the little things aren’t you Wadi?” Said Asad with a smirk as he hold one of them in his hands, the little things were basically on top of Asad, covering him like a blanket.

The thing was mostly a ball of fur, which varied from white to dark, eyes from clear to dark eyes, its small legs made for jumping if the way they walked was to any indication, their tiny paws were what made Asad his annoying self. They were just so... incredibly small and suspiciously friendly.

“Just leave them be, we need to be unnoticed by any wildlife we encounter, including your little ‘friends’.” Wadi said emphasising on friends.

Wadi was in a serious issue, he had actually found the land that he was sure not to be here, he needed to document it entirely to fulfill his mission, and make sure to check, each and every creature, or if not he would really have a problem.

“Wadi come, even more of the little creatures have arrived and... it... looks like they brought a friend.” The first part came excitingly but then became slow and tense which got the soldiers attention. They yelled in surprise.

Wadi, who had turned away from Asad, noticed the tone he used as well, and quickly drawing his sword he turned.

Tall, furry, horned, standing on two hooves with two hands and the face of a bull.

My Little Crusade

by Inquisitor-Awesome

Chapter 3: New Equestria?