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// Chapter 6: The Red Dawn  
// Story: The Return 
// by John 117 
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	Canterlot was quiet and still, not a soul moved through it’s streets. The banners of the Equestrian kingdom flapped through the bitter air as the guards stood on the battlements, watching out for the coming dignitaries. This day would decide whether or not Equestria would go to war once again in over a thousand years. A shout was heard from the eastern watch tower, and hooves clapped on stones as they went to see what was coming. What seemed to be a cloud from a distance was moving in formation with a few smaller clouds. As they got closer, one could see individual shapes and sizes within the clouds. A command was heard from the watch towers, and guards were sent back to their stations, readying for battle. One in particular handed over a spy glass to his commander next to him on the watch tower. He looked through hit, holding it with his telekinesis, and saw a large white flag with the emblem of the Griffon Empire on it; a golden griffon with a blood soaked sword in one claw and the head of a minotaur in the other. 

A patch of field was set aside for the arrival of the royal Griffon court, with a red carpet and everything. Marcus stood there with Princess Celestia and Princess Luna when the call went out about their arrival. Sooner his advanced optics in his HUD caught sight of the formation coming in. He shifted his stance, gripping his shotgun tightly.

“Here they come,” he said as guards ran out and formed a protective semi-circle around the trio. Banners went up, and horns were blown. The castle was fully aware of the griffon ambassador’s presence and on high alert as well. The formation of griffons closed in, their formation tightening as they came closer to the field on the castle grounds.  They landed with a cacophony of armor and weapons clinking and clattering against one another, their wings not helping the matter as they were ruffled and re-settled onto their backs. Most were armed with swords, but few who looked like ace flyers wielded lighter armaments such a daggers and light armor. The rest seemed to be regular foot infantry, if griffons could ever have such a thing; if needed any griffon soldier could, in theory, fight on both land and air. Whether or not they were good on both fronts was another matter entirely. 

As the end of the formation landed, a large carriage pulled by four griffons landed roughly, the wheels groining under the weight of whatever was inside. A griffon stepped forth, a purple and white crest on his helmet. The armor was a strange mix of feudal Japan and ancient Greece; the amour in the style of the Greeks, but from the light materials and makings used by the Japanese. The guards stiffened and looked at the griffons with anger. They all seemed to be staring at the crests on the griffon’s helms.  

Real horse hair? No way…. Marcus thought to himself. Then he felt a presence enter his mind, who then explained his thoughts to him.	

Griffons only use the best for their armor; and are known to be…unforgiving enemies. Celestia said to him through his mind. Marcus tightened his jaw and nodded. Soldiers who tortured and desecrated their enemies were not soldiers at all; they were a disgrace. A gruff voice rang out among them in some sing song language, and the griffons formed columns in front of the carriage, a line running down them towards the doors of it. A griffon soldier stepped forth and opened the door. A larger griffon, mainly in the belly, stepped forth, a robe of imperial purple and gold covering his chest and back, much like how ponies would were clothing. He had a long, slender face, and on his beak rested a pair of old glasses that had most likely seen better days. He took a few steps forward, and then looked back as if expecting someone. 

Surly he’s the ambassador…right? A large, metal boot found its way out of the carriage, followed back a long, thin leg that was also covered in the same metal. It was a faint greyish white, with streaks of blue thrown in around the thighs. Another leg and the whole form came out. Everyone came to a standstill, especially Marcus, when the being stood straight in front of everyone. It had armor much the same as Marcus’s but again, much more white, and was much more thine as well in general. In her hands was a S.A.W.

“H-how…?” Marcus stuttered. Her helmet was clipped to her side, and a DMR was clipped to her back holster. She had red, chopped up hair and a scar running across her forehead. She walked forward, a strong purpose in each step. She walked right up to him and the princesses and looked right in to his eyes, through his helmet.

“Hello Marcus,” she said to him.

“Hello Emilia.” They looked at one another for a short while, standing as still as statues. Everyone around them froze and watched the duo with interest to see what would happen. Something changed in Emilia’s stance, and Marcus noticed it. Then he smiled to himself and nodded. He put is shotgun away, and Emilia put her S.A.W. away. Marcus shoot up his arm in a straight salute, his finger’s barely touching the brim of his helmet as he stood as still as a rock. But he only looked the part. Emily shot out her arm as well, her fingers again barely touching her eye brow, but where you would only see the emptiness of Marcus’s visor, one looked on Emilia and saw nothing; no fear, pain, surprise. She gave nothing away and she was damned good at it; a Spartan to the core. She dropped her salute, and Marcus his after. They looked at one another, studying each other.	

“Princesses, may I introduce my squad mate and leader, Emilia 239.” They nodded their heads towards her, and she shot another salute towards them. Marcus then noticed the griffons behind her, all looking around them at the Equestrian guards. Marcus cleared his throat and nodded towards the two militaries. Celestia caught his meaning and nodded.

“May I presume you are the one that we will be treating with?” Emilia just stood there and shook her head

“No. I’m just here for Marcus. The griffon ambassador will speak with you.” At that she stepped aside and let the mentioned griffon step up. The Princesses bowed somewhat, and the ambassador did as well. They rose and began to walk towards the castle, not a word spoken between them. A bark of orders rose out from both parties, and they began to disperse, the griffons staying in the area while the guards went to their duties along the wall. Some stayed to keep watch, but at a distance. Marcus looked around and decided to take off his helmet. A hiss of air went out, the suit being pressurized at all times in case of chemical hazards, and Marcus shook his head free. Emilia hadn’t changed, but Marcus had grown shaggier. His face was covered in stubble and his hair grown long. The transformation seemed to work both ways. Whatever natural changes occurred on him, was transformed into the same thing on the different species. Marcus spoke up first.

“Guess we have some catching up to do then.” Emilia faintly nodded, her stoic appearance not breaking for anything just yet. The façade would drop once they were alone. 

“More then you know private.” Marcus raised an eye brow, but she didn’t say anything more. 

“We can talk in private within the castle then.” She nodded, and the two walked into the castle together, their strides matching as they moved. 

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The mist surrounding the castle was thick and heavy. Ponies moved into their homes for the day, waiting for the fog to pass so that they could start their days. But some never made it to their homes, for the mist itself seemed to move. In it, ponies disappear who were caught outside. None uttered a word. The mist drew up to the mountain, enclosing the castle in its thickness. Visuals were slim to none, and the guards were on edge. A horn rang out, one with a deep base. It carried through the valley floor, up to the top of the mountain. It slowly carried on until its sound died out. The guards looked around, not sure of what it was. The griffon’s bellow them seemed to not have noticed, none moving from where they were. The guards went on alert, many calling out to the other stations, asking for visuals and where that horn blast had come from. None knew, but then they saw it. Red light in the mist, spreading like wild fire. It carried on and on, until the valley below them looking like it was covered in torches. Then they began to move. The mist was clearing, the heat from the light making it disperse. In its wake was a small army. The Equestrian guards called out, manning the defenses, but they were caught off guard. The ambassador’s guards began to fight, and arrows hit their marks straight and true. Guardsponies fell from their posts as the castle garden was soon over run by the invading force. Another horn blast was let out, and the army moved forward quickly. 

Fights in the courtyard broke out, and the gates were sealed quickly. Screams were heard from bellow as the guards within the castle hurried quickly crush the invading force. But they weren’t enough. The griffons cut through many of them like ribbons. Those that stood a chance held their own, but there were few. Ladders made their way to the front walls, and soon griffons were climbing up, trying to take the outer defenses. Some flew over, dropping rocks or jars filled with flammable liquid; the griffons called it living fire. Soon the sounds of battle were everywhere.