Major Bolt sat in silence outside a hospital when Sergeant Major Storm approached him, “you ok sir? You still angry about what Commander Mist said?”
Major Bolt continued sulking as he replied, “He keeps treating me like a colt, I’ve been a soldier how long? And he still treats me like that little foal with amnesia. I’m tired of it…”
“He’s only worried sir, try not to take it personally.”
Major Bolt sighed, “Sure… like that’s easy…”
while the two ponies were talking, Sergeant Snow trotted up with a bunch of cuts and bruises on him. Sergeant Major Storm looked at him and spoke, “Snow, are you ok? You look like hel…”
“I’m fine sir… just my pride. If I’m not mistaken, your pride is also hurting Major…”
“CAN-IT SNOW!!!”
Sergeant Snow silenced himself after hearing Major Bolt’s outburst. Then Commander Mist trotted up to the group, “Storm… how are your wounds?”
Trying to forget the outburst, Storm replied, “Just a broken rib, it should be fine by the time we return to Canterlot. Congrats on beating the feathers off that griffin trash…”
One of the griffin soldiers was walking by when he said that, so the griffin gave him a dirty look while Storm shrugged his shoulders, “No offence…”
the griffin soldier shook his head as he continued walking by. Commander Mist continued, “I’m surprised word reached this far, the general escaped just twenty minutes ago.”
Storm smiled, “Actually the only word that reached us is that the war has just ended, we hadn’t heard anything about what happened at the palace. I only assumed you had something to do with it.”
Major Bolt stood up in irritation, “Wait… you mean the griffin general got away? Why didn’t you kill him?”
Commander Mist replied, “I didn’t see a need to end him so soon, besides he won’t get far. Eventually he will be found by one of the kings soldiers, and if not, then the cutters will catch him.”
Major Bolt tried to argue, “How are you so sure?”
“Because I know Traipse, he will get what he wants, you can count on that.”
Major Bolt sat back down and sighed, “Sure…”
Commander Mist gave Major Bolt a look of intrigue, “I’m detecting a hint of resentment major… anything wrong?”
Major Bolt replied, “… No sir.”
Trying to prevent a fight from breaking out between the officers, Sergeant Major Storm stepped between the two, “Um… commander? Do you have the reports of our remaining troop count?”
Completely sweeping the obvious tension aside, Commander Mist spoke, “Oh… that’s why I came to find you. I need a count of ponies involved in both the cannon teams and the castle defenses. We need a full count of our wounded and living soldiers so I can report to the king.”
Sergeant Major Storm nodded his head, “Sir we had zero ponies on the cannon teams, only the griffin refugees fought on the cannons.”
Sergeant Snow added, “We had a total of eight soldiers guarding the castle, counting me that makes nine… but when I was passing a message to the catapult teams I was attacked and knocked unconscious, so I don’t know their status.”
Commander Mist sighed, “I was afraid of that… I counted the number killed in the palace before I came out here, and all eight were identified as dead…”
All four ponies thought to themselves as Sergeant Major Storm sat down, “You… you mean to say that, we… are all that’s left of the Equestrian Forces?”
Commander Mist nodded his head, “yes… we are the last living ponies in Gryphus right now.”
Major Bolt sighed then mumbled to himself, “all of them… just like the colonel.”
Without hearing his comment, Commander Mist continued, “Well anyway, the king wants to see our remaining soldiers so we should go back to the palace and see him.”
Sighing as he stood up, Major Bolt spoke, “Well if his royal pain wants to see us I guess we better get going.”
As the annoyed major started leading the way back to the castle, the other three started following him as Commander Mist asked, “Major, I would appreciate it if you would stay quiet through this meeting, I’m not going to ask, but I can tell something is bothering you and I don’t want you to disrespect the king. Even if the war is over, we must still abide by their rules until we are back in Equestria.”
Though he was still annoyed, Major Bolt thought it was a good idea to take the commanders advice. He didn’t like King Harpy to begin with, so he knew that with his irritation, any word he would say to the king would be disrespectful.
The four ponies made their way through the calming city as the last few soldiers fighting for the Griffin Rebellion laid their weapons down and surrendered. When the Equestrian soldiers reached the castle and entered the Throne room, King Harpy was sitting in his throne getting information from his generals, “Your majesty, the main force in the front of the city have taken substantial losses, but we have regained control in the area.”
King Harpy replied, “good, what about the factories? Can we get them up and running soon?”
Another commander replied, “We can try, but most of the facilities are in ruins.”
“Then do what you can to get them working fast, I don’t want another nation to jump on us while we are weakened.”
The first commander spoke again, “Your majesty? What about the surrendering rebels?”
King Harpy thought to himself then replied, “Find out who the officers are and execute them all. As for the other soldiers, give them a choice, either they will pledge eternal loyalty to me… or life imprisonment, however every ten who choose imprisonment, I want executed… to maintain control over all, I must make an example of some.”
“Spoken like a true monarch…”
Silence grew through the room and Commander Mist turned back to Major Bolt and shook his head, “Was that really necessary?”
With an unamused stare, Commander Bolt shrugged his shoulders, “Sorry… it slipped.”
King Harpy looked back at his commanders and spoke, “Go see to your orders and don’t let anygriffin in here. I wish to speak with the ponies alone.”
As the griffin commanders walked by the pony soldiers, the king looked at Colonel Orem, “The same goes for you too Orem… go see to your wounds, I’ll call for you when I need you.”
Feeling a little disappointed that he was being left out, Colonel Orem bowed as he replied, “As you wish your majesty.”
Orem then walked past the pony soldiers and out of the room, closing the doors behind him. The griffin king smiled as he spoke, “Commander Mist… and other ponies whose names escape me at this moment. I must thank you for your support during this war. As much as it pains me to admit it, you and your soldiers proved your strength in battle and I am pleased you were here to support me. Are the rest of your soldiers waiting outside?”
Commander Mist sighed as he stepped forward and replied, “No your majesty… they aren’t. We four are the last of my soldiers.”
King Harpy showed little interest in the commander’s comment as he continued, “Really?... what a shame… well, I suppose it’s good to see that your dog survived, despite his capture.”
Knowing that the king was referring to him, enraged Major Bolt however, he just held his ground and his composer as King Harpy waved to the commander, “May I have a moment of your time commander? I would like to discuss something with you?”
Feeling a little awkward about the request, Commander Mist trotted up to the young griffin as he stood up from his throne. The two leaders then started walking along the side of the room as King Harpy looked over the paintings of the past kings.
As the two traversed the side of the room, King Harpy spoke, “Commander, I am not my father, in any way. I will never share the same mercy for his enemies that he had, nor will I ever command an army like he did, and no matter what, I will never be as strong, and as great a king that he was. However, I still would like to know myself, and to show the rest of the world, that I am his son, and I will never let an opportunity to make my kingdom great, slip through my talons. Do you know what I’m talking about commander?”
Commander Mist had an idea, but out of curiosity, he replied, “Your majesty, the key to being a good leader is understanding the wellbeing of those you’re leading, not leading like the one before you.”
As the two stopped in front of a painting of King Harpy’s father, he shook his head in disappointment, “Well, spoken like a true pony… but I wouldn’t think that a simple pony like yourself would understand it anyway. What I’m getting at is that when I see something that will greatly benefit my kingdom? I seek to keep it close and make it benefit the future of my kingdom, now do you understand?”
Commander Mist didn’t like what the cub was starting to say, so he looked back at the young king and replied, “Your majesty… your subjects needs should come first, and I can tell tha…”
The young king put his talon on Commander Mist’s shoulder and sighed, “Pony, pony, pony… what I’m trying to tell you is that it’s not my subjects I’m concerned with, but my military might. And I think my military will greatly benefit, with you training them.”
Commander Mist took a step back from the young king in shock, “What? Me?...”
King Harpy replied, “Don’t be so surprised commander, I’ve seen you in action, and I know your strength. Your princesses are wasting your talent, while I seek to use it properly. I request that you defect from the Equestrian Royal Guards and become a Commander of the Griffin Royal Army. If you accept, you will be given anything you want to include property, wealth, and a position where your only duty will be to train soldiers. And to show you that I can be reasonable, I will allow your dog, and your other soldiers into my army as well, and I’ll even give them officer status and rank to match so long that they remain under your supervision.”
Commander Mist was shocked at the offer, not only did it seem exceedingly generous, but it went against everything he stood for, “You… want us to defect?”
Thinking this was already settled King Harpy smiled, “I think it’s a crime to let a soldier with your skill, was it in a nation that doesn’t even fight in war. A soldier like you should be spreading that skill to others, increasing military might, and making your home safer for those around you. It’s a shame to let such talent fade away with age. So commander… do we have a deal?”
Commander Mist looked at his soldiers who didn’t hear the conversation, then he looked back at the king and replied, “Though I appreciate the offer your majesty… I must respectfully decline. Equestria is and will always be my home. And I will always be loyal to my princesses. So thanks…but no thanks your majesty.”
King Harpy was annoyed with the ponies answer but he tried his best to hide it while nodding and replying, “So… you wish to waste your talents on pony princesses hm… Very well then. May I ask what you will do now that the war is over?”
Commander Mist could see that the young griffin was angry but he ignored it and replied, “We will take the night to rest and resupply then we will return home in the morning.”
The griffin king sighed and turned towards his throne as he replied, “I see…”
As King Harpy walked back to his throne, he sat down and spoke aloud so that all four ponies could hear, “Since this war is over and your orders were to support me until it ended, then I would say you are no longer welcome here… So I think it would be best if you take your soldiers and leave The Griffin Kingdoms immediately.”
Commander Mist was stunned as Sergeant Major Storm tried to argue, “What? Your majesty, we have sustained a number of wounds and we need time to rest…”
King Harpy interrupted them, “You are Equestrian soldiers and are in my nation with no further reason to stay! Your welcome has been officially overused and now with my nation in dire need of recovery, I will see any and all foreign soldiers as hostiles when they are within my borders!”
Major Bolt lost his composure, “YOU CAN’T DO THA…”
“SILENCE DOG!!! Who are you to tell me what I can and can’t do in my kingdom!!! Have you forgotten who you’re talking too!?! I AM KING HARPY THE FOURTH!!! SON OF KING HARPY THE THIRD AND KING OF THE GRIFFIN KINGDOMS!!! My word is law, and you will obey my law as long as you remain in my palace, city, AND KINGDOM!!!”
“YOU LITTLE…”
“BOLT!!!”
Major Bolt silenced himself when he heard Commander Mist yell at him. Then Commander Mist turned to the griffin king and replied as formally as possible, “We understand your concern your majesty…and we will leave your kingdom at once.”
Commander Mist then bowed to King Harpy and turned to leave the room with his soldier following closely behind him. However, before he reached the door King Harpy called out, “Oh, and commander? You have twenty four hours… at night fall tonight, I will order my soldiers to seek out any foreign soldiers that may be in my kingdom and kill them on sight.”
Sergeant Snow yelled, “But we won’t make it to the border for two days. Even if we travel nonstop we wouldn’t reach it till tomorrow ev…”
“Then I suggest you move quickly!”
“Yea but…”
Commander Mist stepped in front of his soldier, “Understood… thanks again for your hospitality your majesty.”
Continuing to act uninterested in the king’s cruelty, Commander Mist led his soldiers out of the throne room and into the hall.
While making their way through the hallway, Major Bolt complained, “Who does that little feathery puke think he is? I say we should go back there and show him who really won this wa…”
“That’s enough Sparky. While we are here, we are still at risk. The best thing we can do is leave as quickly as possible.”
“Really and why is that? We won this war for him, if it wasn’t for us he would be bathing in his own blood right now.”
“Yea… but it doesn’t matter to him. That king only wants power, and if he doesn’t have it then he seeks it from others. The only thing we can do now is get as far away from here as possible. I wouldn’t put it past him to send troops after us sooner then he said.”
Sergeant major storm asked, “What did you say to annoy him so much sir?”
“He wanted us to betray Princess Celestia and join the Griffin Royal Army.”
Sergeant Snow spoke, “… But, we aren’t griffin, so why…”
“Because he wants to know that his army is the strongest in the world. Like I said before… He just wants power. Either way let’s just leave the city from here.”
Major bolt asked, “From here? What about our stuff in the tower?”
Commander Mist shook his head, “That tower is laying on its side, we don’t have time to sift through the rubble, we will leave from here, it will at least buy us some time.”
Back at the cave just outside kestrel, Traipse stood in silence as he stared at the wall that he leaned the scythe against before leaving, “… Gone… I knew it. I knew that was her… and I knew she was involved in this somehow.”
Blade rushed into the room stumbling as she entered, “Tri! Did you see her! Did you see Scy! She is he…”
Blade dropped to a knee as Traipse helped her back up, “Calm down… you’ve been unconscious for hours. The war is already over.”
Blade rubbed her head and replied, “What?... the general lost didn’t he? Should we go after him?”
Traipse nodded his head and replied, “Soon but for now you need to calm down and rest a bit. From your injuries, I can tell you took a nasty fall. You’re lucky I found you when I did.”
Remembering what she saw before losing consciousness, blade spoke, “Traipse… I saw her. I saw the boss! She was standing there right in front of me before I passed out.”
Ignoring what he already knew, Traipse replied, “Are you sure? It was a griffin wearing a gray cloak that told me where to find you right after I started to leave the city. She even gathered all the pieces of your weapon that broke when you fell.”
Trying to think hard about what she saw, Blade mumbled to herself, “A… a griffin… but I’m sure it was the boss. It had to be.”
Traipse continued, “Maybe your vision was blurred a bit and you mistook her for Scy.”
Starting to doubt herself, Blade sat down, “I… no it had to be her… it just had to. The cloak, her face, I didn’t see her scythe… but it just had to be her. It couldn’t be anypony else… could it?”
Traipse continued, “Well it wouldn’t matter anyway. When I got here, the surviving griffin refugee’s had already raided this place. Everything to include Scy’s scythe and needles were taken. All I managed to find were a couple bundles of hay. Get yourself something to eat then get ready to go. We have a general to track down.”
Feeling disappointed, Blade nodded her head, “Ok… I guess I’ll do that then.”
Traipse felt guilty allowing blade to believe she imagined it, but he knew The Reaper better than anypony, and if she kept herself hidden from them, then she had good reason.
About an hour later in Gryphus, King Harpy and Colonel Orem stood on a balcony of the tallest tower looking at the damage his city sustained during the battle. “Um… Your majesty? May I ask why the Equestrian forces left in such a hurry?”
The king replied with irritation in his voice, “The pony commander was worried about matters at his home, so he took his soldiers and left as soon as I told him his job was done. Why do you ask?”
Colonel Orem replied, “Oh… um… no reason your majesty, just curious.”
King Harpy didn’t react to the remark, he just looked into the city as one of his commanders walked up behind him, “Your majesty… we have the total count of soldiers lost in battle.”
King Harpy replied, “I don’t care how many are lost right now… what I want to know is how many are still capable of fighting?”
The soldier thought to himself for a second then replied, “I'd say about a quarter of our main force your majesty, easily fifty thousand troops in Gryphus alone.”
King Harpy smiled and looked at his personal guard, “Colonel Orem… what do you think of Commander Mist and his pony soldiers?”
Colonel Orem replied, “Commander Mist is a hero to the Griffin Kingdoms. Not only did he save my life, but also he saved the kingdom from the rebels. As for his soldiers, I didn’t see any help from them during the battle, so I can’t say.”
King Harpy nodded his head and replied, “I'd suppose it’s time I reward you for your actions in the heat of battle. Take half of the remaining troops and begin recovering as many facilities in the kingdom as you can. Ill expect a full report from you by sundown… Commander.”
Commander Orem was honored to be promoted directly from the king so he bowed with respect and replied, “Yes your majesty, and thank you for your generosity. As usual, I will do my best to please you.”
As Commander Orem left the balcony, King Harpy smiled, “I know you will… and I expect good things from you in the future.”
When Commander Orem was out of sight, the king turned to the other commander and spoke, “take the remaining twenty four thousand soldiers and…”
“Twenty-five your majesty…”
“Whatever! Just take them and hunt down those Equestrian ponies… if you find them before they reach Equestria… Execute them.”
“But what about The Equestrian princesses? Won’t word reach Equestria that the pony commander ended the war?”
King Harpy looked back into the city and watched as Commander Orem left the tower and started giving orders to the troops below, “Yes… in fact word that Commander Mist is a hero will reach as far as the great sea… but we all know that the greatest of heroes die in the most horrifying of ways. This one, helped end the war but was wounded in combat. His wounds were so fatal that he died shortly after, leaving behind no soldiers that survived the great battle of Gryphus. It will be a touching display, when the king of the Griffin Kingdoms shows his gratitude by placing their great weapon in the plaza to commemorate the lives lost.”
The soldier smiled as he bowed, “Understood your majesty, I will gather the troops within the hour.”
King Harpy replied, “No… Now, and be smart about it. Commander Mist isn’t dumb enough to take the simplest path out of the Griffin Kingdoms; he may travel an uncommon route.”
The griffin nodded his head, “Understood your majesty, I’ll split my soldiers into groups and scatter them along the southern portion of the kingdom.”
As the griffin left to follow his orders, King Harpy looked into the horizon, “Check-mate commander… check-mate.”
Hours later in a remote area of the Griffin Kingdoms, Commander Mist, and his soldiers were traveling along a narrow valley while avoiding detection from the griffin royal troops. While traveling Major Bolt was doing nothing but complaining, “If you ask me commander we should have shown that little brat whose stronger. I can’t stand that little coward. Why is it that he decides to act like a little foal when he doesn’t get his way?”
Sergeant Snow replied, “Bad upbringing… if he were raised by my father, he would have received such a scolding…”
Major Bolt sighed, “Says the multi-billionaire who grew up in luxury…”
Commander Mist added, “You grew up in luxury too Sparky… remember that?”
“I grew up in a boot camp! Remember that?... you only gave me luxury for the first few weeks with you.”
Commander Mist continued, “When a foal asks me to train him to become a royal guard… I take it seriously. If you want to blame anypony, blame yourself. Now will you stop your belly-aching, you’re getting on my ner…”
As they continued, Sergeant Major Storm stopped and leaned against the a boulder, when Commander Mist saw this, he cut his sentence short and asked, “Storm? You gonna make it?”
Sergeant Major Storm nodded his head, “Yea… I’ll be fine sir. My side is just acting up on me, that’s all.”
Seeing this as a good time to rest, Commander Mist Spoke to his soldiers, “Let’s find some shelter and take a break… we can’t keep going like this.”
Sergeant Snow nodded his head, “My thoughts exactly commander.”
Not far down the valley, sat a canopy made from the rock that formed over the ground. Seeing this as a good place to take over, the pony soldiers quickly went inside, and sat at the very far back so they would be hidden. As soon as Storm sat down, he laid his weapon on the ground and sighed, “Unless I leave this thing behind, we aren’t going to get back in time.”
Major Bolt sighed, “We won’t get back in time anyway. It took us almost four days to reach Gryphus from the border. And even though there are only four of us. It will take us easily two days. Maybe less if we go nonstop, but it wouldn’t help much… What now commander?”
Commander Mist gave Major Bolt an unamused look, “Watch your tone.”
“Oh, I’m sorry… does the Great Commander Mist not have a plan for getting us out of this mess? I thought he knew everything there was about war.”
Commander Mist got irritated, “Alright Bolt, that’s it! What is your problem! This morning I thought you were dead, then when you show up, you argue at the first order I give you, then since then you’ve done nothing but pout and complain. What’s wrong with you?”
Major Bolt looked Commander Mist dead in the eye and replied, in a rage-filled voice, “What’s wrong with me? WHAT’S WRONG WITH ME!”
“Um... sir, try to calm down…”
Ignoring Snow’s advice Major Bolt continued, “I’ve survived two battles, I’ve been captured and held against my will by The Cutters, survived an attack from an unknown beast, and made my way all the way back to Gryphus, and FOR WHAT!!! To be told to stand aside and watch as my fellow ponies fight in one of the most crucial battles of the entire war. When will you stop treating me like a foal!”
“WHEN YOU STOP ACTING LIKE ONE!!! You’ve been pouting all day for that! Any other pony would have realized I was trying to protect you like a good father should!”
“YOU’RE NOT MY FATHER!!!”
“GOOD REASON TOO!!! My son wouldn’t act like a foal in a time like this!”
Major Bolt slowly stood up and glared at his commanding officer as he unslung his shield and strapped it on his hoof, “Go ahead old pony… call me that one more time…”
Commander Mist glared back and replied, “You heard me… foal.”
Almost immediately, Major Bolt and Commander Mist changed their stances from casual to offensive while Major Bolt held his shield at the ready, and Commander Mist used his magic to raise his spear, also at the ready.
Trying to prevent the imminent fight, Snow held Major Bolt back while Storm did the same with Commander Mist, “Calm down major, he didn’t mean it, it was just frustration and stress commanding his words.”
“Sir, just let it go… we’ve been traveling without rest and we are all just a little dehydrated. Commander, we need to keep moving, this isn’t the time to lose your head.”
Considering his options, Commander Mist lowered his spear and replied to Storm’s words, “You’re right… he isn’t worth the time anyway. Get ready to leave! We need to get to the border as soon as possible. And you Bolt… You’re done... as soon as we get back, your service in the royal guard is over, so follow behind us, and keep your mouth shut, am I clear?”
Major Bolt lowered his weapon but didn’t reply, “ANSWER ME MAJOR!!!”
Major Bolt slung his shield as he answered with a disrespecting tone, “Yes… sir…”
Commander Mist then turned and left the cave following the path they were traveling before. With the concerned soldiers standing there in worry, Major Bolt continued showing his frustration, “Well… MOVE IT! If I’m following behind you two, then you had better keep up with our… Commander!”
The two looked at each other then began traveling behind their leader while major bold followed them.
Up the ridge behind them sat two griffin scouts watching their movements, “Well… it’s good to see they still have energy.”
“If they were any louder the rest of the kings army could hear them bicker and fight.”
“We should alert the rest, have them swing around and cut them off at the pass.”
The second griffin smiled then replied, “You know… if our squad happen to catch them first, the king would probably reward us somehow.”
The first griffin smiled, “You know what… that’s a good idea, you go get the squad, and then when they arrive we will send for the rest of the army. I’ll stay here and keep an eye on our prey. The sun will be setting within the next hour so go fast. I'd like to get them before nightfall.”