An Extended Holiday

by Commander_Pensword

The Reason We Don’t Visit

Extended Holiday
Chp 30: The Reason We Don’t Visit
Act 3

Moonshade groaned as she woke up. Her muzzle was pressed against something warm, which was very strange as she did not recall leaving the library last night. Her eyes fluttered open in surprise as she stared downward. First thing she realized was that she could smell Pensword, and a second later as she realized that somehow, during the night, first she established that they were still in the library. Second was that she had somehow pulled Pensword into a hold and had now snuggled up against him. The warmth she had felt had been due to the fact that her muzzle had been on top of his right wing, it also looked like he was sleeping but had tried to pull himself out of her hold at one point only to give up and fall asleep. Also one of her forelimbs had fallen asleep and was shooting pins and needles through her body.

Her cheeks burned red as she released him and backed away quickly.

Her actions woke Pensword as he opened his eyes and blinked and to her confusion and maybe shock he spoke in something that was Dragonic. He blinked and opened his eyes fully and blinked as he began to stretch and pop his joints as he stood up out of the all night embrace. His next question confused her for a moment. “How do I wake you up if you fall asleep again? Also, I am sorry we have kept you up so much you sleep at night.”

“I’m sorry about there.” She squeaked. “They trained us to react in our sleep in guard training.” She explained.

Pensword only nodded his head. “Still, poke you with a stick?” He asked. “I tried to tell you that we were to going to bed, and, Grif just left the two of us with this infuriating smirk.”

“Orders.” She answered. “That’s what I’m used to, that or a bugle.”

“I shall keep that in mind.” Pensword muttered as he looked away. He must admit to himself it did feel nice sleeping, He cleared his throat. “Seeing as today is where the three of use seperate ways, what might be something on the agenda today before Discord’s minions mess it up?”

“If I recall, I believe House Hurricane wanted to meet with you.” Moonshade noted.

Pensword only blinked in shock. “H… House Hurricane?” he knew that first he was one of the six founders from the Hearth Warming Eve, as well as the house was considered one of the most important ones in Pegasi cultures. “When will we be meeting with them?” He asked as he looked towards the clock, and realized it was only oh six thirty in the morning.

“Not till before noon.” Moonshade noted. “If that is ok with you?”

“Sounds good. Anything for the early morning?” he paused and blinked. “In this time frame, do military units have any museums around? I recalled Matthew reciting that most bases from his homeland had museums open to the public to visit on base.”

“There are a few.” She noted. “Nothing fancy like the war museum in Fillydelphia.” The noted.

Pensword only looked at Moonshade with a slight smile. “I don’t care if it is a three room museum about lint. I want some history that is not in a book, I want to see displays, artifacts, information.” He sighed a little bit. “If Matthew does go home and we get to visit I think he would enjoy taking us to a museum on Earth.”

“Let’s go to the kitchens and get breakfast then.” Moonshade suggested.

Pensword only nodded with a smile. “Breakfast sounds good to me, am a little hungry at the moment. This will be nice to eat.” He paused a little. “So what do Thestrals eat for Breakfast?”

Grif smiled as he finished his breakfast. The chefs of the palace where surprisingly willing to give the egg mcmuffin a shot, and they had done really well. The gryphon swallowed the last of his third one as he strolled through the palace. He had gotten up early and started with his daily workout in the palace training grounds.

Now he examined the glass windows as he strolled through the palace examining the history that had been immortalized in said glass windows. He hadn’t noticed Celestia or the Delegates with her until they were right in front of him.

The Delegates themselves were from Gryphonia, and were currently in mid conversation, at least till they paused and blinked. It was the head Gryphon who spoke next. “Your majesty I do not recall seeing this Gryphon in your castle before, is he another of your charity cases?” He seemed rather dismissive and one could tell he did not think highly of the mercs who were currently living in Equestria. “Tell me, what is your name Fledgling?” He asked Grif, bypassing the honor of Celestia making introductions.

He shot Celestia a look, with a slight smirk he puffed up his chest and stood as tall as he was able. “Do not speak to me with that tone.” Grif growled. “Next time you will stop and wait for the princess to make the introductions as is her right. Still you wish my name then may it haunt you.” He leaned in close to the gryphon who had asked him and smiled darkly. “I am Grif, son of Graf, I am the quartermaster.” he smiled

The Delegates all stared in horror and one of them turned to Celestia. Interestingly enough it was the lowest ranking based on dress that asked Celestia the question.“What kind of sick joke has your sister put this honorless Gryphon to take or even dare speak that name and title.”

Grif smiled as he drew one of his sword. “Oh, but this is no joke my friend.” Grif flourished his sword carefully. “And you will show respect for both Princesses or I shall prove to you how I achieved such a title.”

The delegation of four gryphons seemed to scatter, or all but one seemed to turn and run as fast as they could. The head delegate with all the badges, ribbons and signs of both campaigns and high office only stood his ground and looked or tried to intimidate Grif in a glare. “How? You are dead, Died in the war.” He turned to Celestia. “Are, are you going to just stand there and let the demon of Gryphonia stand here? Do something or is he just another trick to remind us of how you control us at the neck?”

With two deft slashes the delegate was relieved of his ribbons, his medals and his uniform. “Rumors of my demise were greatly exaggerated.” Grif said internally holding back laughter from using that line. “Being frozen within stone inside a kingdom banished from time does wonders for one's youth.”

The delegate gulped and without wearing anything he turned and ran after his own men as he wanted to get away from the demon. He didn’t even know what to do next except inform his homeland of the situation.

“Think I overdid it?” Grif asked.

Princess Celestia only shook her head. “Maybe a little.” She frowned. “As long as you do not meddle too much with official business you can have your fun.” She paused and looked at Griff. “Just be careful, while many are protected under the Third Griffon War, you and your compatriots are not. So you could see assassins of Gryphonia hunting you down.”

“Assassins are they any good?” Grif asked.

Princess Celestia only shrugged. “I really don’t know, Equestria has not been subject to their attacks so I do not know how they have improved or slipped, Talk with either the delegates of Zebrica, or the Minotaurs Confederation.”

“So they sound like a mild annoyance at worst, a medium annoyance at best.” Grif shrugged.

Princess Celestia only nodded her head. “You got an interesting way of saying things, don’t worry I think I can hold off the Gryphons for any official meeting till you move to the Everfree, after that. I might have to summon you three for a hearing. Which I assure you Equestria will not be shipping you back to the Gryphons, you are a hero to the Ponies.”

“With all do respect princess, legally I am in a grey area as it is.” Grif shrugged. “Under the equestrian warfare act a person must be tried as a citizen of the country they were part of when the acts happened. The northern isles where not a part of Equestria yet having only just succeeded from Gryphonia fully.” Grif noted. “And with it’s joining to Equestria I essentially did everything under the law code of a non existent country.” Grif noted. “My papers for equestrian citizenship still need to be filed true but I am not a citizen of Gryphonia.”

Celestia only smiled, “Then you have the option of picking which land you wish to be tried under.” She leaned in and whispered in Dragonic her little piece of advice.

“i will stay with Equestria of course.” He smiled. “Though the best you could do was wag your finger and tell me what a bad eggchick I’ve been.” he laughed.

“A phrase you picked up from the humans I take it?” she asked with a grin. “Still, if nothing else, if it does go to trial, it might do well for the healing of Gryphon honor and pride to at least symbolically exile you and deem you guilty.”

“And there will be little love lost, I will not that is to say I did not side with Equestria out of loyalty or anger, my allegiance is first to my own heart second to Hammer Strikes needs. Gryphons were abusing their power, they were eating sentient creatures and for me it is something I cannot forgive.”

“A noble attribute, and why Equestria at least the house Galaxias will provide the best legal teams.” She turned and looked to the now silent hallways. “I can give you one thing. As sure as I shall rise the sun tomorrow, by next New Years they will have you on trial. Though what can they say, when their own people do not wish to acknowledge that they were eating my little ponies for food.”

“I thank you Princess Celestia. I hope the problems with the Changelings well go much smoother than it did with my people.” Grif said. “But if you’ll excuse me I am going to take a flight and think on everything.” Without waiting for a response the gryphon made his way to the door.

Princess Celestia only smiled before she turned to a mirror and with a look around she just walked right into the mirror and chuckled a little as she turned left in the passageway behind the mirror and walked towards where she knew her sister would be napping at this time of day to inform her that she won her little bet on how the Gryphons would react to seeing Griff alive.

Hammer Strike found himself deep inside the Canterlot Castle, in which he had found that they had a sort of gallery of aged paintings and other pieces of art. Surprisingly there were paintings from all different era’s, thankfully preserved by magic to last through the ages and survive the odds.

What caught his eye was a painting of two ponies, that seemed very familiar to him. The painting seemed to be after Pensword had been married, with his wife. Though now that he had a detailed painting sitting in front of him, he received a good look at Lunar Fang.

“Hello Luna.” He said, still facing the painting.

Lunas eye’s widened as she stepped from the shadows. “How did you know I was there?” She asked.

“The room is dead silent, making even the slightest noise, I was able to pick up on it.” He replied.

“Well…” Luna sighed. “Recognise anypony?” She asked him.

“I did.” He replied. “Very nice paintings, Moonshade and Pensword look very good in this one.” He said, looking to the painting again. However he noticed something odd, Pensword’s ears had been tuffed like Moonshades.

“It is the only one of them together.” Luna noted. “The war was so busy that getting them both to stay still long enough was a nightmare.”

“Makes sense, after all, they both seem to head to the action as soon as they can.” He replied, a small smile on his face. “Oh, and thanks.”

“For?” Luna raised an eyebrow.

“Giving me some information.” He replied.

Luna considered what had been said for a moment before face hoofing. “Our sister warned us about talking with you.” She sighed. “Still I suppose it’s good you’re in on the secret now, Taze has had to bite his tongue many times to keep the secret in.”

“In all honesty it is very obvious. But to confirm it, makes the information solidified as fact.” He chuckled.

“I was so surprised to meet her after my return, here was the very mare who had saved my life all those years ago with no recognition of me whatsoever.”

“Time is a very unstable thing, as much as others would disagree.” He replied, looking over at Luna. “Don’t worry about a thing, I can keep secrets under keep.”

“And have you been thinking of the battles in your future?” Luna asked. “Any questions you might have?”

He shook his head. “I wouldn’t want to spoil anything.” His expression turned blank, losing its smirk. “For that would fill me with dread for certain events yet to come.”  He said, gesturing his ear.

“I can only imagine, few have the burden of living with their timeline being all mixed up such as you.”

“It’s interesting how I haven’t run into myself yet.” He replied.

Grif walked carefully down the streets of Canterlot examining the large fancy noble houses. All were old and yet terribly hodgepodge with new additions. all except for the oldest and most honored families. He was just passing house cookie when he noticed Moonshade and Pensword walking down the street in the opposite direction. “Hey guys, what’s up?” He asked.

“Heading to House Hurricane. I believe they are up the mountain a little.” Pensword replied with a smile. “I was ask to meet with them, no clue why yet, but I felt it rather rude if I did not respond to them. What about you?” Pensword asked back. Moonshade only smiled a little as she shook her head.

“He just got done looking through a museum on the history of mining in the mountain. I had to talk him out of trying to access the mines that were reopened after the royal wedding.” She looked to the sky. “Appears to be ten thirty in the morning, so we got time to chat I think.”

“Oh you know just taking a walk contemplating possible trial for war crimes I haven’t actually committed yet and enjoying the fresh air.” Grif noted. “Oh and flying.”

Pensword only smiled. “Oh flying is amazing here. Why there is this perch where some of the younger pegasi go to where they will actually dropped down and speed to the ground it is a bit of a dare devil place that I want to try at least once before we leave back to Ponyville.” He suddenly paused and then he blinked and blinked again. “I take it you found the Gryphon Delegates?” He asked calmly.

It was Moonshade who was just staring in shock. “Wait, what?” She got out in a harsh tone before calming down. “Did, you mean they are still going to go after you after a thousand years?” She huffed. “Unbelievable.”

“Well in all technicality, Celestia can only allow them a symbolic banishment from a country I was never part of to begin with.” Grif noted. “So really just a long boring day of speeches and shouting.”

“Oh so like, what did Matthew say did that? A Parliament? Or Congress?” Pensword replied with a dramatic wink. “Also tonight is the night that she plans on the mind thingy.” He paused and smiled as he saw something coming from the third street that feed into this intersection. “Oh, look who is exploring as well, Hammer Strike is coming this way.” He smiled a little and laughed. “It looks like he spent last night making some breastplate armor.”

“Wow.” Grif whistled. “That is some nice armor.” Grif noted.

After a moment Hammer Strike finally made his way up to the group though it looked as though he muttered something to himself as he came to the group before giving a small smile. “Hello Grif, Pensword, Moonshade.” He said, nodding to each of them.

“Hello, so, got bored again?” Pensword asked as he looked over the armor. He smiled as he just kept looking at his friends face again. “Have to say you are getting better at the crafting in a single night.” He turned around towards the other two streets to make sure no other ponies were around. “So what have you been doing other than crafting?”

Hammer Strike chuckled a little. “In technicality, a lot of things, the castle has quite a variety of metals, got a bit bored.” He chuckled. “So, how is it going?”

“Oh just preparing for a war trial.” Grif smiled. “Oh the princess noted we may all need one of those.” Grif remembered.

“Might have to remind me about that later.” Hammer Strike replied.

Pensword paused. “Wait, what? Why would they demand my trial? I was part of the winning forces.” He looked to Moonshade with worry. “Did I do anything to warrant such a thing?”

“Gryphons are sore losers.” Moonshade shrugged. “I suppose they’d like to be able to feel justified.”

Pensword sighed. “Still, I do not like the thought of giving those old sore wings something to gloat about.” He glowered. “I highly doubt I was ever put on trial for my actions.”

“What are they going to do?” Grif asked. “They can only do some kinda symbolic gesture at best, anyway Celestia is just trying to keep the peace.”

Pensword only blinked. “I would rather have Princess Luna negotiate that. No offense to Princess Celestia, but, I when I hear those words, I have bad feelings.”

“What do you plan on doing?” Hammer Strike questioned

“Stand on trial, shame the representatives with the numerous accounts I’ll have of that time of what gryphons where planning to do to ponies, etcetera, etcetera.” Grif shrugged.

Pensword only smiled, “Well, most likely bringing up some talk about honor and maybe play up the part of the legends. After all I did face a Dragon with a Pitchfork.” His voice still was trying to come to terms with that legend. “Still, that is in the future, and as you keep on telling me to stop worrying about the future, I can worry about that, well later.”

“Worrying about the future is somewhat useless if your future heads to the past.” Hammer Strike chuckled. “If it has happened, it will happen just right.”

“So did you go see Fancy Pants yet?” Grif asked. “Or that trip to the Princesses armory you were planning?”

“Technically I’ve seen him already.” Hammer Strike replied.

“Shawn, what happened to your ear?” Grif asked as he blinked in shock as he looked up at Shawn, causing the other two to widen their eyes as they noticed the slight problem.

“I still find it odd how I came back for my records.” Hammer Strike said, still accompanied by Luna.

“Maybe you had something you didn’t think yourself ready to know?” Luna asked.

“Most likely, or I never got a look at it, and because I remember me taking it, I took it the day before so history would play out.” He replied with a shrug.

“Would you not read it then?” Luna asked.

“I possibly will, or am reading it.” He replied.

“I am still wondering how you got past the wards.” Luna noted.

“In the archives?” Hammer questioned.

“Yes.” Luna noted.

“From what I learned, it might be because of the slight infusion that happened between the field of magic around me and Celestia’s magic, from when she did, well…” He gestured himself with a hoof.

“Can that happen with this new school you're researching?” Luna asked.

“Apparently so.” He replied with a shrug. “I have yet to finish translating the, ‘unreadable’ book, but it does mention some things about infusion, which should be later in the book.”

“So I am guessing you are here for more the an idle chat about magic.” Luna smiled.

“Well, I am wandering around until it is time to head off towards Fancypants.” He chuckled. “I have been invited to many places today, but I think I would prefer a visit to one who is more relaxed.”

“The armory?” Luna asked with a grin.

“Oh you know me so well.” He replied, a grin forming on his face. “Shall we?” He asked.

“We old spectors of the battlefield often find comfort with our weapons and armor.” Luna laughed. “I don’t think Celestia visited it once while I was gone.” She noted as she led him to a large heavy iron door. “And of course it’s not usually open to the public.” Luna noted.

“Makes it all the more interesting.” He chuckled. “You surely have smiths keeping the equipment in check.”

“Honestly if I hadn’t requested the armory be looked over we wouldn’t have saved the pieces we managed too, some weapons sadly didn’t survive my absence.” Luna noted.

“Oh…” Hammer replied. “They were just left to decay?” He questioned.

“It seemed that in her push for peace Celestia did not think to ask that they be checked from time to time.” Luna noted. “It was truly a miracle the armor you made me survived.”

After a momentary pause Hammer Strike looked at her. “¿Qué?”

“Your Español is very good, not even an accent.” Luna noted. “During the third gryphon war you used a special material to create an armor representing my joining with the Thestral Tribes.”

“I shouldn’t see it.” He hummed to himself. “Whilst I don’t really feel bothered about the whole time travel things, I don’t know if this is would cause a problem, due to me not really making it yet, and if I were to make it as a copy of that, where did the original come from?” He muttered aloud. “Basically, I most likely can’t see it.” He said with a slight shrug.

“That is too bad, the smiths were not able to bring it back to it’s true splendor and I was hoping you’d have considered working on it. But if that is how it must be I understand.” She noted as she began to unlock the door.

“I can work on it after I technically make it.” He replied.

“I shall make sure it stays covered then.” Luna noted.

“Good, good.” He said, before stopping and humming to himself as he looked around himself with a questioning gaze. “I wonder what Pensword and Grif are doing.”

“Hopefully putting the fear of sleipnir into the gryphon delegates.” Luna laughed.

“Possibly. Though something feels off.” He said, giving up on his small search and turning forward again.

Luna opened the door and told him to wait a moment. Fifteen minutes later she returned, “I’ve hidden everything you’ve made.” Luna said.

“Alright. Let’s see what survived after all this time.” He replied.

Upon entering the room it was notable that most of the weapons racks and armor dummies were totally bare. Three standard weapon racks stood holding weapons and these were not totally full to capacity themselves.

“Not a lot of stuff made it?” He asked, looking to the racks before him.

“No but a majority of these places are empty because they contained things you made.” Luna noted. The lunar princess stopped. “I hope it is ok with you seeing Meteor Impact earlier as the design was based on one of your hammers.”

“Wait wait, so you are saying, all those covers, are stuff I made? And that hammer, Meteor Impact, is based off a design I made?” He questioned looking at her.

“Yes…” Luna answered somewhat unsure of his reaction.

He looked over to the amount of things that were covered around the room before looking back to her. “I did all that?” He said pointing a hoof towards the pile of covers.

Pensword only blinked as he shook his head to clear his mind over what he had just seen. So they survive the coming Gryffon War.  Still it was a little bit of a slight worry seeing his friend having a part of his ear tip missing. Still, it might be a good sign of why he would want ear guards. He was wrapped in his thoughts as he moved through a section of the Castle Gardens, using it as a shortcut to get to House Hurricane. “So, why can’t we fly again?” He asked Moonshade as he looked up to the air.

“Air Restrictions due to giving the air lanes to some airships coming in from Zebrica and Griffonia.” Moonshade replied as she looked to judge Pensword’s reaction who did what she expected. Giving a scowl at the thought of having to walk to the destination. “Look on the bright side you can enjoy the gardens from the ground.”

Pensword only smiled and nodded as he turned his head, leaving the path ahead of them unobserved as they turned around the corner as another group rounded the same corner. Thus a collision of Pensword and Moonshade occurred with the just now settling nerves of the Gryphon Delegates.

“Do they not teach manners these days?” One delegate grumbled. “Twice in a single day.” The gryphons grumbled in agreement as they stared forward.

Pensword only returned the grumpy look. “Only when it is not the cause of a lapse of sight on both parties, we both were engaged in other activities that led our eyes to stray from the path before us.” He slowly moved to the side that in Gryphon society was reserved to those of equal rank in military standards. Pensword did not fully know this, as for him it was just the side closest to him to let them pass by unobstructed.

“How dare you.” A delegate growled. “If we were back in Griffonia you’d be flogged for your blatant disrespect of a Flight General. You ponies and your pathetic softness, what is your name low born so we can report you for proper punishment.”

Moonshade seemed to bristle but Pensword held a wing out. He was bristling his wing feathers a little. “Punishment? Did we lose a war to you that I was unaware of? In Canterlot your showings of respect is done to show respect of your society, not for our softness, as for my name.” He drew his officer blade to first show his status and rank. “I am Pensword. As a time of peace stands in Equestria, I am only Captain of Lord Hammer Strikes Forces. You know however what can happen if things go into a tail dive.”

Upon hearing the name Pensword there were several gasps. In the back of the group one of the delegates fainted. “Guards arrest this pony.” One of the lead gryphons demanded. No pony guards moved. a armored gryphon who had been with the group moved forward.

Pensword only raised an eyebrow. “Really? You are going to try and arrest me on Equestrian soil in the gardens of Princess Celestia, and Princess Luna?” He asked as he moved to a defensive stance. “Do you really want to tango with me? Because I doubt my companion at the moment would stand idle nor the patrol of Pegasi that are outside of visual range at the moment due to the hedges but will be in another minutes.” He looked at the group. “Also I can see you have at least mellowed, you have one who faints, good to see your representatives are showing some sign other than wanting to attack all the time.”

Pensword meanwhile inside was utterly beside himself wondering how he was actually getting away with this and also a little happy with reading the history as that rage over the war events was also fueling his attitude towards them, which he was a little sick at himself for, by actually heaping attitude from the past on the present.

The delegate in the lead looked around cautiously. “Watch yourself commander.” The gryphon sneered. “There'll be a reckoning for you yet.” With that the armored gryphon scooped up the unconscious one and the group stalked away angrily.

Pensword only smiled a little before waiting till they were gone around two more corners. “Moonshade. Double time to Hurricane, now… before my legs give out.” He whispered as he had another look on his equine face. One of a ‘did I just back talk to a walking weapon?’

“You're not as hated as Grif or as feared as Hammer Strike but you humiliated them sir. HUMILIATED them. Gryphons can have blood feuds that span centuries” the thestral noted.

“Oh joy. Well at least I know one nation I will not be going on vacation to see.” Pensword muttered dryly. “I rather like the idea of having all my feathers and wings and body parts attached to myself.”

“Officially the emperor holds no grudges against equestria and it’s heroes, but as you know politics is more about what you can’t see.” Moonshade noted.

“Or who you know.” Pensword replied as they continued forward. “As you got the letter and made the appointment, just, what was the request about to see us about?” He shrugged with his wings. “I am only curious that is all.”

“You haven’t been reading on the after effects of the war have you?” Moonshade asked.

Pensword shook his head. “Well,” he lowered his voice. “I do need to know a bit about the war. It seemed my guy seemed to understand how the Gryphons were planning the war, hence why I got to humiliate them so much, so what happened?”

“With hurricane or with the gryphons?” Moonshade clarified.

“Well Hurricane first and then Gryphons if there's time. Most pressing items first.” Pensword responded as they passed the statue that they had landed in front of a few months ago. He could only sigh a little. “Still in stone, which is nice. I like the startled look.”

“Well if I understand it correctly, pegasi prior to Equestria had no form of religion or afterlife only the now. They had things called paragons, great ponies who set an example for what a pegasus should be. When Equestria was founded these were kept but with new meaning. and after you vanished… you were declared the paragon of strategy.” Moonshade admitted.

Pensword paused. “The, Paragon of Strategy, I am very worried. Great, mess with time travel and this is what you get, at least I am not the oncoming storm or something.” He sighed and smirked a little. “I guess this is what happens when you play grand strategy games most of your life.” He whispered that part to himself.

“Well apparently House Hurricane adopted you into their clan.” Moonshade said “By history’s note you’re Commander Pensword Hurricane.”

Pensword sighed. “This is what you get for picking up the story midway through, as well as no oversight for when a pony is considered dead.” He sighed as they reached the exit of the Gardens and into the roadway into where the founder families now lived. They could see that House Hurricane was on the other side of the mountain and out of sight of every shot of Canterlot in the cartoon, and what got him was how the stone had been carved to look almost like fossilized clouds.

“Casa de Hurricane.” Moonshade announced with a sweep of her hoof.

Pensword only nodded his head. “Very well. I guess we better ring at the front gate and wait for them to open the gates or something. I have too much respect to siege the front gate.” He moved up and used a wing to pull the bell rope. He stepped back and smiled as he waited.

After a moment the gate slowly opened, a pegasi stallion wearing what to Pensword or rather Matthew’s original mind as something that might come out of Rome. Polished to a gold like gleam bronze armor chestplate with a Centurian helmet complete with a blue hair type top, and at the stallions side an ornate looking short sword. He could only smile a little. He felt a little at home with the show of at least symbolic defense and offense.

“Commander Pensword is here as requested.” Moonshade spoke for Pensword.

The guard gave a nod, moving out of the way for them to head up the pathway with a fluid movement.

Pensword only gave a small salute as a sign of respect, something else he had read on Pegasi culture and moved to the front doors as he realized that he was now escorted with the guard from the gate in the back and a guard at the front doors leading them to what had to be a room that seemed interesting. It was a room with pillow and yet the round table in the middle of the room had a map of Equestria and the surrounding world on it. Pensword only raised an eyebrow as he recalled what he was seeing from the history books. It was a planning table.

“Something catch your eye?” They heard a voice call out.

“Hello sir.” Moonshade immediately saluted.

Pensword turned to look at the source of the voice. “A Planning table. I have not seen one of those since the Third Gryphon War.”

“Then you remember this one.” The larger stallion noted.

He blinked in shock. “Kept active? Kept in working order from that time? I am impressed. Still, I remember this one. I planned the big assault, as I called it, on this table.”

“Correct. It has been enchanted to last through the years, a family treasure.” The stallion responded. “A pleasure to meet you both, I am Storming Hurricane.”

Pensword only smiled. “It would have been rude to ask our guest their name. Seeing as you know my name. The second in command at the moment of the training camp in Ponyville outskirts Lieutenant Colonel Moonshade.” he introduced Moonshade. “I have a feeling you asked us here for more than reliving old memories?”

“It isn’t common for House Hurricane to have a Thestral inside their home.” Moonshade noted.

“It isn’t common for others to visit in the first place.” Storming replied.

Pensword just nodded his head slowly. “Hence the fact as well that many of the ponies will not speak that.” He stopped and smiled. “I thank you for the opportunity to get away from some of these, newer nobility.” He shook his head. “None of them, present company excluded, I think could even handle what I faced back then, let alone a new War. May it never happen again.”

“We came close with that whole Changeling fiasco.” Storming replied.

“Thank Faust for those three aliens. I was briefed on that situation. They performed amazingly and even though they could have been left alone and not get involved. They stepped forward. May they enjoy the rest.”

“Very brave of them indeed, this not even being their home and yet they fought for it.” He replied. “But, we aren’t here for that. I’m sure you would like to meet my father, Lightning Hurricane.”

“I would be honored to be introduced, only if Lieutenant Colonel Moonshade can join the meeting as well.” Pensword responded with a look that said he was not going to negotiate that statement.

“There’s no problem with that.” He replied.

“Thank you. I guess then it is time to move the meeting location?” he smirked a little as he looked at the map and had a feeling that by the time he sees it next time in this timeline he would know more about the features.”

“I’ll lead the way, follow me.” Storming said, leading the group out one of the doorways.

After passing down many corridors, they finally found themselves in a room. The doors were ornate carved wood with the crest, actually it was the cutie mark of Commander Hurricane which was a Hurricane symbol from the weather channel that had a Roman Short Sword behind it. This covered the front of both doors and with a flourish Storming Hurricane pushed the doors open to reveal of all things, a room that one could see the stone that it had been carved from. On the rock walls Pensword saw many different banners, swords, shields and along the walls on pedestals were helmets and a few items that looked like medals under glass. In the middle of the room was a large ornate rug that had many sturdy looking pieces of furniture for sitting. One thing he noticed right away was that the furniture was designed for ponies like he was at the moment, with a weapon at his side. He found in the middle of the room was Lighting Hurricane who only smiled.

Lightning Hurricane was well named considering looking at him reminded you of lightning no matter where your eye’s went; be it his electric orange eye’s, his grey coat that seemed to resemble a storm cloud, the way his black mane streaked with yellow bolts like a stormy sky or the crossed bolts of lightning surrounded by a tornado that made up his cutie mark. He was also a very large stallion, standing only a bit shorter than Big Macintosh himself.

“Lord Hurricane.” Moonshade gave a respectful if short bow towards the pegasus.

Pensword only nodded his head as he removed his sword and gave a salute with the blade. “Lord Hurricane.” he nodded with respect. He smiled inside his mind as he was happy for the book Moonshade had given him for Hearth Warming. He had learned that he would never really bow to any noble if he could get away with a military salute. He felt another small conflict in his soul slowly meld into place over his two parts, one from the United States, and the other being Sir Pensword of Equestria.

“You do not salute me.” Lightning Hurricane said to Pensword as he saluted him. “I am not your better Commander.”

Pensword only smiled. “I salute your title then. You are a Lord and still in the forms of Equestrian hierarchy politically, out rank me.” He smirked a little. He did return the salute so the two could drop the salute. “I hope you understand that this is to keep those wanting my head to just the Gryphons.”

Lightning trotted over to the far wall feeling around until his hoof sank into a sheet of well hidden cloud that covered that part of the wall. Which as he pulled away to reveal a long steel closet like door. “When last you spoke to my ancestor Tiberius Maximus Hurricane, you gave him something with specific instructions that it be returned to you should you ever return.” Lightning explained as he worked the locks carefully. Finally opening the door to reveal a very long wooden case. “I hope you don’t mind my family has had it well maintained but I understand a few changes may have happened over the years.” he said handing it to pensword.

Pensword only raised an eyebrow as he took the long wooden case and placed on the floor like most military commanders would do in the field. He opened the latches and pushed open the lid to look at what sort of treasure he had given the Hurricane House.

“This has been why the Hurricane House has always taught our children that your encounter with the dragon was no mere myth.” Lightning noted as the case opened to reveal what at first Pensword assumed was a bronze trident only to realise that it had four spiked prongs and no barbs. Each tong had apparently been carefully reinforced with a metal that Pensword, not being quite the metallurgist the others were, couldn't identify. Each prong had been added a set of short nasty looking spiked about halfway down their length. Where metal metal wood Pensword’s cutie mark had been carefully emblazoned into the metal, that of a sword and a quill pen crossed. The handle was made from fire hardened red oak and easily a good five feet long. both at the end and in the center a modified bit had been added to make using the thing in a ponies mouth easier. however it was still shaped easily enough to run through both the hooves and the wings.  Carved lovingly into the wood near the bottom was the name ‘CONCORD’ in english lettering.

Pensword just blinked in shock, first over the ornate design, and second. The fact that English Lettering was on an Equestrian tool turned. “Oh my.” He blinked and looked up with a chuckle. “Well, I can see what you mean by a few changes. It is,” he lifted it up and blinked. “Nice, while fancy it is still a usable weapon. I picked a proper home to store Concord, others would have gilded it up or something. You only did something better while making it unique. You upgraded it as well. Thank you. When I heard your words I feared it would be good for display only. Here, it can still be displayed but if needed I can take it down and fight with it. Thank you. I also approve of the addition of my Cutie Mark as well as the name of the weapon.”

“War has been in our blood for as many generations as anypony remembered, even in times of peace we are always vigilant.” Lightning noted. “A weapon that can’t fight isn’t much of a weapon, of course as you liked to say to my ancestor, concord is able to create as much as destroy. it can help or hinder because it was created to do what was needed.” Lightning noted. “I never thought it would be me relinquish it back to you.”

Pensword only nodded. “Then let it be known that if I do fall in battle, or become lost as I have in the past. Concord shall pass back into the stewardship of House Hurricane.”

Lighting bowed his head. “You honor me paragon.” He said. “I hope that my ancestors adding you to our family was not too… forward of them.”

“It was if anything a means that protected the seat of Lord Hammer Strike.” Pensword replied diplomatically. “It is I who was honored. To be considered adopted kin to one of the founders of Equestria, as well as a great military commander in his own right. I must admit, it still feels like a dream when I hear those words for I looked up to Commander Hurricane as I grew up in Mountainside Falls.”

“And we put you are a rolemodel almost as much as him.” Lightning Hurricane laughed “Though personally I feel as though your example with interactions with the other tribes may be somewhat better.”

“After the defeat of the Windigos, he did get better.” Pensword replied but bowed his head at the compliment. “Still, thank you for the kind words, and I hope to continue being a role model.”

“Naturally a thousand years would be a long time to keep anything preserved. So I hope you aren't offended my ancestor decided it best to liquidize your assets at the time should you rise again.” Lightning noted.

He laughed a little. “Not all of them.” he put a hoof on the pitchfork. “Also I am sure I stashed things around Equestria for this or that. Still I do not mind. It has been a thousand years and that is a long time to hold on to every little thing someone owned.” He blinked a little. “I have started with nothing before, and will do so again now.” he took a steady breath in and out.

“Well then” Lighting noted as he handed a scroll to Pensword. “This note gives access of the sealed vault within canterlot over to you to do with the contents as you will.” Lightning Hurricane nodded.

Pensword only blinked as he took the scroll. “Thank you. I will take inventory, and see what is there.” he looked to Moonshade. “But I shall leave it in the vaults till I am settled in a more permanent location.”

“It is my hope my friend that relations between Hurricane and Commander Pensword of the Hammer Strike army well continue to be good relations, sleph knows we need pegasi skilled in the old ways more than ever now.”

Pensword only nodded his head as he frowned as he thought about that. “Trust me when I say that not even barbarians at the gates would keep me from continuing the relations between our two houses, give me a little bit of time and I shall have an officer corps school set up. One that would teach the old ways, to all races. I want leaders who can lead forward, not hold the line.”

“So Commander is there anything in House Hurricane you’d like to see?” Lightning smiled as he gestured with a hoof. “My home is your home and I invite you to see anything you would like.”

Hammer Strike found himself leaving the armory quite early, due to the fact that a majority of the things that survived were apparently made by him, as Luna stated he made his equipment to last through time.

He found himself wandering the halls, looking for something to preoccupy his time until the time for his visit to Fancypants. With a sigh he continued down the halls, taking turns at random, the only problem to this, was someone else seemed to take a sharp turn as he was about to.

There was a pained squawk. “Three times, THREE TIMES! Do these ponies have no manners? Let me guess this time we ended up walking into death himself?” The voice said as a group of gryphons came into Hammer Strikes view… and stopped.

Hammer Strike only looked down towards the Griffon that ran into him. Surprisingly, or in this case, not so surprisingly, he had only a blank expression on his face. “Funny, coming from the one that rounded the corner at a sharp pace.” His brow raised as he looked towards them. “Trying to get away from something?”

“That’s none of your concern.” The gryphon said standing up. “Watch how you speak to me, Earthbound.”

“I will speak the way I want, you shall accept it or deal with it.” Hammer replied to him.

“I’ve had just about enough of you ponies lately and my patience is wearing thin.” The gryphon growled as an armored one began to approach.

“Do you plan on doing something then?” Hammer questioned, noting the movement of the griffons around him. Lowering his head slightly he simply looked to the griffon with a slight glare. “Try.”

“Lord Hammer Strike is there a problem?” The all too familiar tone of the guards asked as two armored earth ponies approached.

“Not that I know of.” He replied. “On patrol?” He asked rather calmly.

The demeanor of the gryphons had quickly done a one-eighty upon hearing this name. There were hushed whispers in the group as the gryphons began backing away cautiously like a predator who just found itself facing down a much larger one.

The guards only blinked a little before looking at the other group. “Is there a problem Flight Commander Scale Blade?”

“N… Nothing.” The gryphon responded. “We were just taking our leave.”

“You sure?” Hammer Strike said with a subtle dark grin. “I was sure we had much to talk about.”

“No, nothing.” The gryphons said turning around and rather quickly walking away.

The Guards only nodded their heads in polite farewell and they began to walk along their patrol route.

As soon as the groups were out of ear range Hammer shook his head. “Ah, and here I was wanting to test that…” He muttered to himself as he continued his walk.

“Test what?” A maid asked as she poked her head from a hidden door, she looked to the side and down the hallway that the Gryphons had just went done. “I have not seen that delegation in such shambles ever, they think they control all the diplomatic discourse between Equestria and the Savannah Nations.”

Hammer Strike hummed in thought. “Interesting. Any other bits of info that I could use or any random facts?”

The maid blinked in confusion. “Well, I think..” She paused and looked at Hammer Strike. “Who are you? Any other bits of information? Well, at the moment they are in an economic battle between Equestria and some coal fields that were discovered in the Desert region that is a buffer between their colony, our colony and Zebrica. They claim that the coal is in their territory, Equestria says it is joint between Zebrica and Equestrian, Saddle Arabia is keeping neutral and the Minotaur Confederation is currently threatening to naval blockade the Colonial ports of both nations to keep a war from happening.”

He hummed in response. “Interesting. But, to answer you question, A pleasure to meet you, I am Hammer Strike.” He grinned a little. “And may I know yours?”

She looked shocked at the name. “Lord Hammer Strike?” SHe blinked before doing a equine cursty. “I am Lily Pad, I help water all the plants in the castle.”

“From what I have seen you do a very good job.” He replied.

She only smiled a little. “Thank you milord.” She only looked around. “If you can, keep up the work, I like to see the Gryphons rattled.”

“Oh that is easy. Apparently just hearing my name is enough.” Hammer Strike chuckled. “And here they were about to do something to who they thought was a random stallion. I was tempted to see how far they would go.”

She only blinked and shivered. “I rather not think of what would happen, even today most stallions would not dare tangle with a Gryphon, usually if they start making a fuse the Pony will back down. From what I heard they have meet two other than yourself that have not backed down?”

“Oh.” Hammer chuckled. “Pensword and Grif perhaps.”

She blinked in shock. “They, they are here as well?” She just blinked in shock. “My younger brother Ancient Text would love to meet you three. He, he actually wished there were more of your type today.”

“Well I got quite a bit of free time.” Hammer Strike said seeming to offer to go.

“Well, uh..” She just stared. “He is actually on holiday at the moment to Fillydelphia to look at the museums, maybe later this month? I can give you the mailing address to stay in touch.”

“Sure. In all honesty I was headed to Fillydelphia soon, after the move to the Everfree Castle that is…” He muttered the last part.

“Well, maybe you will run into him.” She smiled and pointed to the hallway. “I think FancyPants is in the public art galley down the hall, down the side staircase and around the corner to the left. You might get some early meetings done.” She smiled and turned around and slipped back into the secret door.

“Clever idea…” He replied, thinking on it. “I hope he doesn’t mind an early meeting then.”

“So that’s the story, Joe.” Grif finished slurping his coffee. “What do you think about that one?”

In response Joe was laughing a bit at the story. “Those delegates have been asking’ for it. Should have seen them in here yesterday.” He shook his head.

“They’ve been causing you trouble?” Grif asked.

Joe shook his head. “Tried, until they realised that I was the one serving them.”

“You know Joe, life really has a sense of humor.” Grif laughed. “Raised a warrior and probably killed more of my own kind than anything else.”

“With your history, I’m glad you’re on our side.” Joe laughed a little.

“Joe there is nothing acceptable about eating an intelligent being, heck I couldn’t even eat Dolphin or Otter as a chick. It was too weird.” Grif said borrowing from his human beliefs as well as Grif’s history.

“Besides Thestrals, most ponies don’t really have to really think of that.” Joe replied. “No meat and all that.”

“Be glad you don’t.” Grif laughed. “All veggie diet except milk and eggs and maybe fish for pegasi and you all grow up sturdier than a brick outhouse.” Grif laughed. “If a gryphon doesn’t eat his meat he ends up sickly and small.”

“Jeeze.” Joe replied. “At least you got something to keep you going, I won’t ask, I’d rather avoid that.” He chuckled lightly.

Grif pulled out his sack of bits and placed it on the counter. The sound of the door opening behind him was not unnoticed. Nor the muted sound of grating metal. “Now I hope what happens next doesn’t put anything between us, and if what's in there doesn’t cover everything just make sure to get ahold of me in Ponyville. Now if you’ll excuse me a moment.” The gryphon turned around and slammed the mug into the face of the gryphon that had been approaching behind him. a small dagger falling to the ground where it was dropped. Grabbing the gryphons head her proceeded to slam it’s beak into the counter. “Okay first off obviously you were contracted outside of Canterlot or you’d have tried this already. So let’s cover this once. who sent you, the gryphons? Yeah I figured who in particular, can’t tell me they’ll kill you? I figured. Well thanks for what you could tell me.” Grif got up and as he did so sunk his talons into the assassin's neck as he left. “Like I said Joe if that doesn’t cover everything just let me know.”

“You’re getting the guards to clean this up.” Joe stated.

“They should be down within the hour. If they ask he killed himself.” Grif noted walking out the door.

Donut Joe’s had been empty when Grif got in so fortunately all Joe had to do to avoid a scene was switch the sign to closed and pull the curtains. Inside his mind Grif or more importantly Taze was trying to figure out what he just did himself. The human had no idea about the politics of battle and assassinations and so he hadn’t figured the delegates would be so bold as to put a hit on him. Grif however had not only saw it coming, he had counted on it. For Taze the two were weird there were points where it was hard for him to tell where either started or finished. In other cases the traits of one clearly ruled over the other. It was like some kind of sadistic alter ego. Grif casually strolled up to some guards. “Donut Joe’s is in need of your assistance gentlemen.” he explained.

The guards only looked at the Griffon and looked at each other. “Blood feud?” One asked as if this was somewhat of a common question. “I would ask you to stay with us at least at the Guard Post down the street for questioning, If you have one, I advise you to call a lawyer as well.”

“Species feud.” Grif answered. “I defended your race, they didn’t like it. I will go quietly if need be but I am staying at the palace so it would not be too hard to find me. Still if I must go please inform Princesses Celestia and my lord Hammer Strike.” Grif said.

The Guards only nodded as they wrote the information down. “Please give us your name at least before we move forward. Then after you have given us your name, please report to the guard station at the Canterlot Castle gate house. We will be there in half an hour to question you.”  They both waited to the Gryphon to state his name.

“I am Grif son of Graff.” Grif said. “I hope this matter will be settled shortly.” He said before taking off in the direction of Canterlots gate house.

The Guards only wrote the name down and as they walked towards Joe’s one of the guards turned to the other. “Why does that name sound familiar?”

“No clue, must be part of some of  those Gryphons coming in today on one of their mixed civilian military crafts.”

“I’m very glad we could meet Lord Hammer Strike” Fancypants smiled genuinely at the earth pony as he entered. “I have been looking forward to this meeting since I heard of your resurfacing. Do you need anything? Sherry? Tea? Water?” He asked.

“I’m perfectly fine, thank you.” Hammer replied as he walked up towards Fancypants. “So, I heard you were located here, and although our meeting is not for another two hours, I caught wind you were here and thought perhaps I could meet you early.”

“Well I’m glad you agreed to meet with me at all after the fiasco last night.” He noted. “Sorry, I pay various sources to keep me informed on things of note going on in Canterlot. And Prince  Blueblood’s…. Unique viewpoint is always of note.”

“Indeed.” Hammer replied. “Certainly… something.” He sighed. “Rather, insulting, especially to those who came along side me.”

“I hope you would not take his words for the entire nobility.” Fancypants said. “We are all not so ungrateful.”

“I do not, trust me. For even in my time, there were still the… Unsavory ones.” Hammer replied. “But, enough about that, how goes it?”

“Currently I have managed to raise enough money to put a new addition onto the Canterlot Home for Needy.” Fancypants said. “The day could little go so well.”

“Things tend to find a way to happen.” Hammer replied.

“Lord Hammer Strike?” A voice asked behind him.

Turning towards the voice, Hammer Strike found himself looking at a guard. “Yes? Something happen?”

“Message from the Canterlot gate house.” The courier pony offered him a simple scroll.

Taking the scroll he told the courier guard his thanks as they left, he turned towards Fancypants, with a subtle raised brow. “Sorry, one moment.” He said, opening the scroll, his eyes trailing over the message for a moment before he paused and rolled the scroll again, his expression flat as he gave a soft sigh.

“Something wrong? Is someone hurt?” Fancypants asked.

“Possibly.” Hammer sighed. “It appears Grif had a bit of an incident, and I was requested for.” He turned towards Fancypants. “I’m sorry, but it appears I have to cut this meeting short, but I shall still be around for your invite.” He smiled. “Have a good day Fancypants, and until we meet again, I bid you adieu.”

“If you need any legal help just send me a message.” Fancypants offered as Hammer Strike left.

Hammer Strike gave a small smirk as he exited the room before his face fell back to flat. “Now…” He turned towards one of the guards stationed around the area. “Excuse me, could you by chance give me directions to the gate house?”

“Just follow this hallway to the front door. Exit those doors, continue down the main cobblestone path to the gate and it is on the left.” The Unicorn guard replied as he pointed a hoof to his left.

“Thank you.” Hammer replied as he followed the instructions, soon finding himself at the gate house. It seemed that somepony had told the guards what Hammer Strike looked like as they stepped aside to let him enter and their in the front room sitting at a table was Grif as he looked directly across the table at what had to be the Chief of the Guard House.

“So, what happened this time?” Hammer Strike asked casually.

“These ponies seem to have mistakenly believed I killed another gryphon in cold blood.” Grif shrugged.

“Did you kill another griffon in cold blood?” He asked, still casually.

“No.” Grif answered. “He tried to kill me and I reacted. there were witnesses.”

The Guard sighed. “Until we can verify just who the dead Gryphon is, we have to deal with this in a civil manner. At the moment it is not cold blood, but we frown upon Gryphons continuing blood feuds within our borders.” He paused as he blinked and turned to actually look at the two. “Uh, Lord Hammer Strike, as in Lord Hammer Strike of the Empty House?” The guard asked as he posed a quill over parchment.

“Not so empty it seems.” He chuckled. “Yes.”

“Oh boy, so while the investigation is in process, I think I can let you go for now, you will just be going to Ponyville right?” He asked both of them. “We have two Shields there if we need to call you in for more questioning.” He turned to another guard. “Find out all the feuds that are active against Grif and the nobility that is connected to Hammer Strike’s name.” he paused. “Look in the ancient inactive lists as well.”

“Every family within Griffonia royal, nobel, major, minor, commoner. Pretty sure the emperor keeps my picture on his dartboard.” Grif said. “Oh and apparently all the non-sentient penguins in the south… don’t ask.”

The guard who had been asked just stared. “How do you know this?” He sighed and blinked. “Okay Grif, gives a week notice so we can beef security if you visit. We don’t want a dead gryphon every time you visit.”

The Guard Chief sighed. “We can’t just ban you from the capital, so we need more security.” He paused and thought over something. “Goes for the entire house. They might go after you to get to Grif.”

“I highly suggest you have your men study, “Ramifications of the Third Gryphon War”, by Purple Pansy, it has lists for each of us, names of sworn blood oaths even a graph to show the approximate hatred we have amassed.” Grif noted.

“Not sure if I am proud or… worried…” Hammer Strike commented with a thoughtful gaze. “Nah, I don’t feel worried.”

“I must say gentleponies you handled yourselves incredibly well and I shall be sure Celestia only lectures you on your negligence mildly. Until then I bid you adieu.” Grif said with a bow.I

“We are only doing our job, At least I do, I wouldn’t care if you were a High House member you break the law you will have a visit from me. The rules are there for all. Even Princess Celestia.” The Guard Chief replied with a nod as he nodded his head that they both could go.

“Yes but you didn’t send a message to the princess as I asked.” Grif noted. “And also I gave you my name spelt it out for your books and it also happens to be on the plaque on the statue not thirteen feet from your door in plain sight.” Grif noted. “History should never be ignored lest you are forced to repeat it and your country can scarcely afford to repeat anything.”

It was actually the guard who had the task of compiling all the lists they had who spoke up. “In the last decade, we had six killings all using your name or bloodline to try and keep the charges small. Not only are you as you said despised by the kingdom, your name has become a word to condone some of the attacks of Gryphon on Gryphon. So we had to take the grain of salt here first.”

Grif smirked. “Then I will bear that badge proudly.” Grif laughed.

“Bear what proudly my little Griffon?” a voice asked from the doorway as Celestia walked into the room with a scroll under her left wing. “My apologies for not coming sooner, I had to deal with greeting the incoming Zebrica Delegation for some trade discussions, so only my sister shall be returning to Ponyville for the New Years Eve celebration.”

“The matter is at hand my dear princess.” Grif smiled. “The assassin has been dealt with and your guards have investigated the matter. I must ask when an eye witnesses was not enough to ward of suspicion in Equestria? Your flair for the judicial system seems to be slipping.” He laughed.

Princess Celestia only smiled a little. “The past has shown at times witnesses to have been bribed. Rise my guards I have asked that in official matters like this one does not need to bow as it takes away from your duties and tasks.” She smiled as the guards rose a little as they looked confused at the two. “Now,” Celestia continued. “I have the report that Doughnut Joe was not lying nor bribed. Also, I assure you that these two, and the rumors of Pensword returning are the real deal. While I commend you for following the rules, I shall overlook this as we are all still on higher alert since the invasion. Still I guess the need to the legal staff of the Royal Family is not needed.” She smiled a little at the two. “Come, I invite to your afternoon tea.” She looked to the guards. “Please return the weapons as well to our friend and removed the locking talon guards.”

Fifteen minutes of re-equipping later, the gryphon walked out of the gatehouse smiling. “Well glad thats over”. he said.

Hammer Strike only gave a shrug.

“So, that means I got one up on you.” Grif smiled.

“Give it a day or two.” Hammer Strike chuckled.

“How long you figure they keep trying?” Grif asked.

“For awhile, without a doubt.” Hammer replied. “Now I wonder who is next, as it is probably coming up soon.”

“Guess we better find Pensword and Moonshade.” Grif noted. “They're not going to take a shot with an alicorn less than two meters behind us.”

“Certainly, but he is at House Hurricane if I remember correctly.” He replied.

Pensword looked to Moonshade as they stood on one of the many streets of Canterlot. “So, where would you like to take me next?” he asked with a slight teasing tone of voice. “After all Canterlot, this was just a mountain last I remember, is there a colony of thestrals around I could visit or would that be a later visit?”

“There are no thestrals in Canterlot.” Moonshade answered. “You should realise that much.”

Pensword raised an eyebrow. “Matthew met you in Canterlot.” Pensword countered as they continued down the street. “Maybe lower Canterlot?” he asked raising an eyebrow.

“A few smaller families yes, and any stationed night guards but no colonies, not after the fall of luna.” Moonshade said

Pensword only nodded softly. “Very well.” he admitted. “It will take time I guess for the clans to emerge?” he asked as they continued before turning to a left. “Also, you think we are being followed?” he asked as he noticed something else. “Also the guards appear to be in another part of their patrols.”

“Oh we’ve been followed for some time now.” Moonshade noted. “I didn’t want to say anything so you wouldn’t react and give away that we know.”

“Ah,” Pensword replied. “At least I have the officer blade if needed.” he looked ahead. “Well I see the Gondola Station to Lower Canterlot.” He smiled a little. “We can rest when we get there I think.” He looked to Moonshade and smiled a little.

“Except the paths blocked.” Moonshade noted. “We’re being herded.” She concluded a few minutes later as they found themselves detouring a few times.

“Okay, I think this is a place to break the fly zones and get out of here.” He muttered as he didn’t like the feeling. “I just hope this is some Noble wishing to make a point or a offer to us.” Pensword sighed as he opened his wings a little as a stretching of his wings. He could see warehouses around them.

Quite suddenly both where shoved to the side and behind them a metal door slammed shut as they realised they were inside an empty warehouse.

“Joy.” Pensword muttered under his breath. “Did we run into the Mafia or something?”

several cloaked figures surrounded them each armed with a variety of weapons. They were slowly encroaching on his space as he looked at each of them.

“Moonshade, take my blade, I think I can fend for myself.” he whispered as his eyes locked onto something on the ground. “I see a weapon I can use.” He mentally know that the box containing his pitchfork would not be able to be opened in time. The robed figured moved and in one fluid moment Pensword dove as Moonshade took his blade and both attacked. In Pensword’s hoofs was a Pony Crowbar. The First of five robed figures did not get to lift its arm from under the robe as the crowbar connected to the side of the head before Pensword used his wings to dart low to the ground and tripped the robed figured to his left.

One dove at them with a spear attempting to impale Pensword ignoring Moonshade altogether. Another swung down at him with a broadsword.

Moonshade seeing that she was ignored, most likely for easy pickings afterwards charged forward with the blade and the robed attacker that Pendsword had knocked to the ground was wounded on her own charge to the attack. the blade connected and actually broke the old looking broadsword. Moonshade had a brief moment of shock before realized that this was a Hammer Strike weapon. She smiled as she reacted before the owner of the broadsword could react and another dropped. There were now two robed figures left as  they pulled out small miniature crossbow. Here they could see that they were facing Gryphons.

“Assassin's.” Pensword hissed as the two of them charge the other two. Moonshade screamed in terror as one crossbolt sailed over Pensword making a part in his mane, the other embedded grazed Pensword’s side leaving a streak of red before the two flyers dispatched the assassins.

Pensword hissed in pain as he sat down and winched. Moonshade heard a groan as the robed assassin that Pensword hit with the crowbar slowly moved. With a growl of anger and fury she actually dropped the blade and picked up the box of the pitchfork and slammed it on the robed figure. the box actually cracked a little, and a little bit later a dark pool slowly seeped up from under the crumpled body.

Moonshade did one quick check to make sure that the enemies were not going to attack anytime soon and was then at Pensword’s side as she looked at the wound that he had tried to cover with his wing. Without another word she tore off the cloak that Princess Luna gave her to show her rank of a Lieutenant Commander and used the fabric after ripping it to create a temporary gauze and bandage. She turned and picked up the blade as they heard the metal doors being opened. She even opened her wings and crouched to give her a jump if needed for attacking.

“Lieutenant Colonel are you okay?” Two thestrals asked as they approached. “we heard there was a commotion and came to check”

“We have wounded.” She hissed in anger. “We were attacked by hired claws.” She used a term that was maybe not the most flattering towards clanless Gryphons who take that profession. “They attacked Sir Pensword.” She would have to write a report to Princess Luna about the destroyed item of rank in the line of duty, but it could be replaced, Pensword she knew could never be replaced.

“Medical pegasi are already on there way.” A thestral said as he walked over to the one Moonshade had struck with the box. Pulling the cloak away to reveal a large female gryphon with black tipped feathers. “Dead.” He declared. “She’ll be the fortunate one if Princess Luna has her say”

Pensword hissed as another of the Thestral looked at his wound. “That will leave a scare in the fur.” The Thestral turned and saw the Gryphon and Pensword knew he heard a curse that must have been in the native Thestral tongue. “Okay this is going to be taken over by Princess Luna. These are Black Tips, last time they were in the city was the star…” he trailed off and looked at Pensword. “Last time you were in Canterlot.”

Moonshade on hearing the name quickly helped to remove the robes and every one of the five dead were black tips, all of them were dyed black at least. “We.” She spoke in shock. “We survived a Black Tip attack.”

“There operating in Equestria at all goes against the sanctions Griffonia is currently under.” One Lunar guard noted.

Pensword only looked at them. He tried to speak but the first words were in actuality a hiss in pain. He moved a wing to press against the wound as he spoke. “Then this goes right to the higher ups. I can walk I think to the clinic or hospital.”

“You’re not leaving here till after dark sir.” A lunar guard noted. “As far as the Gryphons well know you had to be taken by ambulance to intensive care. Hopefully we might be able to draw them out and get a prisoner out of this.”

Pensword only nodded. “The same tactic I used with Princess Luna to draw the war to a quick close. With them thinking they succeeded they moved their time tables up. Allowing all of us the chance to catch them.” He smiled and moved to sit down with a grimace of pain. “It just looks worse than it is. Trust me, I have been through worse.” He looked to Moonshade. “Sorry your cap got ruined.”

“It can be repaired.” She shrugged. “The important thing is we’re alive. Black Tips are skilled killers they must not have sent their best tonight.”

Pensword only looked at Moonshade with a are you kidding look. “More like this was thrown together.” He blinked, how did he know that? Maybe that Sombra attack was coming in handy for the moment. “Let’s look at this logically. They just learned about it today. So these might not be the best. Also I think they were expecting ponies like Granny Smith with how long ago our actions happened.” he smirked a little. “We got lucky this time, next time they won’t under estimate us. Next time we most likely will lose some men on our side.”

“We really need to move up our time table now.” Moonshade nodded. “The Everfree will slow down any attempts at us but not much else will.”

“Right, Day after New Years Day. We move. As one unit advanced guard, We can create the path from the castle back to Ponyville. Also the sooner we move the sooner Ponyville drops off the target hairs.”

“Oh they can’t touch Ponyville.” Moonshade shook her head. “Celestia personally promised to raise half of Griffonia if they go anywhere near her student.”

Pensword only paused as he blinked. “That is a little scary. I must admit I have never seen Celestia in full on battle rattle.” he paused and blinked. “Has anypony seen her in full battle rattle?” He laughed a little as one of the medics rolled him on his side and began to battle dress the wound. There were now eight Thestrals in the warehouse. Two of them were placing the dead bodies onto stretchers, while another two were creating what must be the stretcher that would be the decoy. He had a medic looking over his wounds and he sucked in his breath as he felt the sting of some type of disinfected on the wound. “That always sting.”

“You're lucky.” The medic said. “A little higher and you may have lost the wing.”

Pensword only looked on in shock at his left wing as he raised it a little. “That would have caused problems. I love flying.”

“As most winged creatures do.” The medic nodded. “It’s going to be sore for a few days but it doesn’t look like you’ll have to worry about scarring.”

Pensword looked to Moonshade and then to the other Thestrals. “So, how am I going to getting out of here? Seeing as that is suppose to be me.” He asked as he pointed with a hoof at the stretcher made up to look like a patient in need of medical attention.

“We’re bringing in some spare guard armor, it’s just going through a few tweaks to the enchantments.” A lunar guard approached.

Pensword actually looked at the guard with a curious look. “Are you saying that you are going to make me look like a Thestral?” He laughed. “if only Mom could see me now.” he whispered with a downcast look.

“Princess Luna send her apologies she couldn’t oversee this personally but she has many false leads to establish in the media.” The guard nodded.

Pensword only nodded his head as he looked at a clock on the wall that one of the guards had started up again. It had been half an hour since they were attacked it seemed. “Makes sense, I don’t expect the rulers to just show up at every small hiccup in our lives, I just hope this can be used as some leverage.” he chuckled at the looks he got from the other guards. “I was almost killed by a group said to be disbanded inside Equestrian borders, I think things could be used a little to further one of Equestria’s causes. That is politics and I rather have them pay in some other way then sanctions or military actions.”

“Princess Luna plans to add this incident to the list of things showing the necessity of her bill being past.” The guard said.

Pensword only smiled. “Good. She has my blessing for the bill.” He did not know if that carried any weight but he had to give something. “Frankly I am a little tired of seeing Gryphons that are not Grif at the moment.”

“Your friend is of a rare kind, but would you believe he isn’t totally unique?” The guard asked.

Pensword narrowed his eyes. “What do you mean by that?” he was a little confused by what the guard meant with what they had said. “Each Pony and Gryphon is unique in their own unique way.”

“Gryphon culture has become to be mildly ….unkind. When the Northern Isles succeeded to Equestrian control they set a principle for some gryphons. They didn’t have to adhere to the code. Many of them left, of course most of them formed wandering mercenary bands but there are a few who set a different standard to what we know of gryphons. there is even a gryphon chef who never grew up within the empire, he’s a top rated dessert specialist.”

Pensword only smiled a little. “Makes sense now.” He looked to the Medic. “Can I get up now? I am getting a little antsy.” He looked to Moonshade who had just come back from a window. “Anything to report? Or say, I mean you have been a little quiet now.”

The medic nodded as the door to the warehouse was opened quietly. Two thestrals entered carrying what looked like a investigation kit from the Department of Investigative Magics.

Pensword only moved to stand on his four hooves and smiled to the two investigators. “Good luck on your search and may you find out a little more than what we know at the moment.”

The ponies smiled opening the case and began to remove plates of armor. “Horseradish, Sugar Cane well be over with his crew later.” One of them laughed. “This was just to keep the suspicion away.”

“Ah right. Well, I, I guess I get to see what an enchanted Lunar Guard Armor will feel like.” Pensword laughed a little. He paused and laughed again at the word used. “Horseradish what a interesting word.” he paused and blinked as he realized something. “Wait, you are calling me Horseradish?” he asked in shock.

“It’s a name.” The guard shrugged. “Don’t ask me I didn’t name him.”

“Not a problem. Well, let’s get this armor on shall we?” He paused and looked at the armor before closing his eyes. “This is… Princess Luna does plan to have better armor crafted right?”

“She’ll need to if the bill passes.” The guard nodded.

Pensword only smiled. “May it pass then.” He moved a hoof to touch the helmet. “Well, I guess I might need a little help in putting on the armor.” He looked to Moonshade. “Would you help me put on the armor?”

“Of course.” Moonshade nodded.

“Very well, I am ready when you are.” He blushed a little as he looked to the wall. He knew he needed help and out of all the ponies in the warehouse, he trusted Moonshade the most.

It took several minutes but eventually pensword stood covered fully in the armor of a night guard. A cold shiver ran through him as his fur turned dark indigo blue while his eye’s became slitted. His ears grew tufts and his wings became bat like.

Pensword paused and looked to his left at one of the broken mirrors on the wall and blinked. The Thestral in the mirror blinked in return and he only smiled. He actually moved his wings a little before making a face. “Way too open.” He muttered before blinking, he then paused as he turned as he froze at what he saw in the corner of one of the mirrors.

He turned quickly around him to find the corner empty and he turned to Moonshade. “Did, What do crime scene skechers wear?” He asked rather suddenly.

“We try to keep everything uniform.” Moonshade noted. “It’s harder to tell who does what so no one can tamper with anything.”

“Oh.” Pensword muttered. “I think I saw a Thestral in a Painter’s smock but she is gone…” He trailed off as he blinked. “She was only in the mirror and she was smiling at me, hard to make out the details but almost like pride.”

“...Strange.” Moonshade noted before giving her head a shake. She quickly swapped her armor out for a regular set. “Now we’re going to walk out as casual as can be.” She said.

Pensword only smiled as he nodded. “Of course Lieutenant.” he smirked as he recognized the rank on the helmet. He laughed as she smacked him in the face with her wing. He turned to the mirror and just stared as he saw the same female Thestral as he passed by the mirror when he noticed a light brown Pegasus with a dark brown mane and a cutie mark of a Pocket Watch with a inkwell on the cover as a cutie mark. As he walked out he saw the Pegasus give a wing hug to the Thestral as the two nodded before…

“Moonshade.” He harshly whispered… “That thestral I just told you about.” his voice she could hear, and she could tell it was scared. “She, just vanished into…. something mist like.”

“I think the excitement may have given you a slight case of shock.” She said with a little concern in her voice. “We’ll definitely have to get you checked out.”

Pensword only nodded as they had paused before they exited the warehouse. Pensword followed Moonshade as they just walked calmly towards what was Canterlot Castle. He did not speak during the walk, trying to look imposing and not in a talkative mood for anyone that might be watching.

“Oh you gotta be kidding me.” Hammer Strike called out as he read the message in his hooves.

He paused as he looked to Celestia who had a scroll in her own magical hold and she only raised one eyebrow as she learned from Shawn and only nodded her head. “I’ll carry the tea set for the both of us. I think we all might like some tea at the moment.”

“And here I was wondering why we don’t visit Canterlot often.” Hammer Strike commented before shrugging. “Most likely would happen anywhere actually. Alright, let’s get moving.”

Celestia only smiled a little as she picked up the tea set. “I shall led the way, I know a few short cuts.” Before Lord Hammer Strike could ask what they were, her horn brightened and they were both teleported out of the room and they ended up in the Guard House that had earlier today held Grif. In fact they both teleported in as Pensword was slowly removing the helmet. Only to have him jump in shock at the teleport causing the helmet to slip from his hooves and clang to the ground. Moonshade had been helping to remove the chestplate. On the table one could see the horseshoes already off.

“Short cuts between reality it seems.” Hammer commented before turning towards the two. “Hey.”

Pensword only smiled. “Hi.” He blinked as he noticed the others looking at him. “Uh why are you all looking at me?”

“So, I’m not the only one, well, mine is going to happen later in the future.” Hammer commented as he pointed towards his ears.

“Uh wait? I lost part of my ear?” he asked in shock as he moved a hoof to his ear. “Why didn’t they bandage it then?” he asked in shock. He looked to Moonshade as it to ask her why she was not saying anything.

“No, as in something happening to your ears.” Hammer replied with a blank look. “I am pretty sure you would feel it if you lost part of it.”

“You have…” Moonshade started. She flicked her own ears unconsciously.

Pensword paused as one of the guards pulled out a mirror and placed it on the table for Pensword to look at and he only paused and stared as he flicked his own ears. To see the pony in the reflection flick ears the same color as his own coat before the armor, only it was tufted still. “Uh, I guess another part of my heritage showing now?” He asked with a small smile. Not knowing that he was looking more like the paintings or drawings of him from the third Griffon War.

“Certainly interesting. Glad to know you turned out fine, for the most part.” Hammer Strike said to Pensword before turning towards Moonshade. “Both of you, as you were with him.”

“Huh…?” Was all Moonshade could currently respond.

“Are you almost entirely distracted?” Hammer asked.

Finally the thestral seemed to processes everything. “Wait, what do you mean I’m with him?” she asked.

“Wow, you are completely out of it.” Hammer commented. “I said, “Glad to know you both turned out fine, and mentioned the fact that you were completely distracted and listened to about an eighth of my sentences.”

“I’m sorry I was… shocked.” She answered.

“No worries, I would be, but I got over it quite quickly.” He replied.

Pensword blinked as he sat down suddenly. “Mommy.” he whimpered. “I, I killed three Gryphons... Why are they coming after me now? The war is ancient history.” He shivered as he moved a hoof to the tuff and his ear flicked as he touched it. “What is happening to me?” he asked softly.

“Plenty of things. And sadly there is more to come.” Hammer Strike commented. “They went after you due to what you have done, past or present it doesn’t matter, the three of us are the only ones, minus the princesses, that are around still that had major roles.”

Pensword only sighed as he looked at the room before looking at Celestia. “Uh, Your majesty, I am sorry I have not said anything in your presence or saluted or bowed.”

She only nodded softly. “It, it comforting to see that even a Commander will weep for the enemy. Yet you did the right thing, just let my lawyers handle the details over what is clearly a self defense move.”

“So, what’s next?” Hammer Strike asked the group. “I might just go get lunch before I head to Fancy Pants’ place.”

“Are you sure you should?” Moonshade asked. “You’re obviously next.”

“Oh, I am one hundred percent certain I am.” He replied.

Pensword paused. “You want any of use to come with you?” He asked as he raised a hoof. “I am sure Celestia or Luna could make us look like ghosts?”

“Nah, it’s alright.” Hammer replied. “You’ve already dealt with enough.”

Later, Hammer Strike found himself at a random restaurant in the same general direction as Fancy Pants’. Having randomly selected something equivalent to a sandwich, his lunch was pretty short. His eyes shifting around keeping tabs on those around him.

After finishing he simply paid for his food and started off towards Fancy Pants’, though on his path he seemed distracted, lost in thought as he walked, through paying enough attention to notice where he was headed, and enough to avoid bumping into others.

A throwing blade embedded itself into the wall several centimeters away from Hammer Strike’s nose, causing him to stop in his tracks and look towards the knife before quickly shifting his view towards where it came from.

There was the sound of grating metal as five cloaked figures approached him brandishing swords.

Hammer Strike only gave a quick glance around him to notice there were no civilians around. “Huh.” He hummed. “Must have wandered into that odd part of town again.” He said before looking back to the group. “I know there’s bound to be more than just five of you.”

Without an answer two gryphons rushed him both slicing diagonally. One upwards towards him, the other downwards both going right to left.

Hammer Strike found himself reaching inside his coat grabbing one item that he knew to keep on himself. Taking the dark blue blade from out of its sheath he directed it towards the center mark, colliding all three causing them to halt, while he himself, shifted to one side.

The gryphons each performed a quick 360 sweeping their blades as another lunged forwards. Causing Hammer Strike to jump back, keeping them a bit further from himself.

“Okay. Things are going to be interesting…” He muttered to himself as he focused on any open points on the griffons, finding that there wasn’t much really noticeable with their cloaks.

Giving in to a little risk, he found himself waiting for the slightest opening to charge forward himself.

The three swords clashed together in a shower of sparks narrowly missing Hammer Strike. In that slight moment, while they were trying to shift back together or, whatever they had planned, he found the opening and took it. With a strong wide arc he took his chance at hitting them.

The Gryphon that had lunged creating the opening kept moving forward due to the momentum as the clock just collapsed to the ground even as the Earth Pony spun to keep the blade from the second Gryphon from getting him in the back the last three tried to circle him as well. Now that their were only four of the five left. They were going to try and finish him off in one go. In fact one of the Gryphons was able to get first blood on their mark as they nicked him in the hind quarter where his cutie mark was located. It was not deep, yet it would still need a little looking at.

What happened next was a bit of a mystery, as an earth pony, there is no visible magic, but the fact that embers started to, somewhat burn off him, there were some questions. Hammer Strike on that note seemed to squint ever so slightly, taking charge of the situation, and turning to the offence stance against the four Gryphons who gave a momentary pause at seeing embers and heat radiating off an Earth Pony.

As was the nature of heat the blaze radiating off him was transferred to his sword causing the blade to start to glow in an eery dark light due to the properties of the metal. The blade caught a gryphons sword and ate through it like butter, not stopping when it hit the gryphon on the other side until it finally stopped against the ground. The partially bisected gryphon fell dead in front of him.

The three remaining all screamed at once as they charged him at once. It didn’t last as they all fell to the ground dead with the quick flash of flames and metal. He looked up as he saw five more shadows closing in on him from above as he saw more cloaked Gryphons charging down at him.

“You’re going to make me late for my meeting.” Hammer commented darkly as he quickly moved out of the way.

Hammer Strike stood amongst the carnage panting, not heavily. The blade gently cooled in his hooves as his temper began to cool down. Strewn around him where the battered, decapitated, disemboweled or in one case eviscerated bodies of his would be assassins. Hammer Strike’s coat was red with a good deal of blood, a mixture of his own and the gryphons. Cuts and bruises covered his body though only two or three of them seemed to be deep including a set of three scratches on his front where one gryphon had attempted to claw him desperately, this was the currently eviscerated gryphon. One gryphon lay not too far off purposefully left alive though death probably would have been a mercy at this point. His right hand was gone, as were his wings. His left hand was devoid of talons. nineteen gryphons dotted the area around him and he’d left the twentieth alive for questioning. The only thing that could be seen undamaged and nor bloodstained was the sword itself.

“Now.” He said, his gaze turned towards the griffon. “Now…” He started walking towards the griffon. “Let’s see...” His eye’s seemed to resemble those of a predator playing with it’s prey. “So, we can do this the hard way, or the hard way. Either way, at this point, you lost the easy route.” He said. “Let’s start simple. Got a name?” He said with a dark grin.

The gryphon stared at him. It’s eye’s a mixture of dread and anger with little shards of defiance burning within. The gryphon refused to answer him.

“I mean…” He turned towards the others, laying across the ground. “I could just add you to the list like the rest, nameless.” He glanced back at the griffon, then to his blade, still steaming as it cooled. “Fine, fine.” He said rolling his eyes. “What about who sent you. Keep in mind, I could add to the list of what happened…” His expression seemed to darken as he said this.

“I tell you.” The gryphon spat. “And I’m as good as dead anyway.”

“But at least you have a last choice, fast and painless, or slow.” He replied. “So. I’m sure I can take a guess at who, but, I want to hear it for myself.”

“We were hired by a patzy, knowing the targets probably came all the way from emperor Augustine himself.” The gryphon spat blood. “Paid five hundred gold beaks up front, promised a shipload more when the job was done.”

“Interesting.” Hammer said. “For all three of us together, five hundred and a shipload?”

“Five hundred for the pegasus, a shipload for you, the traitor is worth a kings ransom if he’s brought to the empire alive.” The gryphon clarified. “All the money goes to the leaders anyway.”

Hammer Strike hummed in thought. “Contracts on the three of us. How many assassins before they realise they need to stop?”

“As many as it takes.” The gryphon sneered before coughing up more blood. “If there’s any kindness in you just finish it already.”

“Answer me one last question, and I will give you this. What’s your name?” He questioned.

“Argos.” The gryphon answered. “Argos Rainfeather.”

“Argos.” Hammer said with a sigh. “I’m sorry to have met you on these terms.” He said pulling his blade up. “Your request is granted, may your gods grant you peace.” With one swift movement he brought the sword down with enough strength to cut clean through.

With a heavy sigh he turned away from the griffon and looked at the bodies around him. “You know, you can come out now.” He called out. “I’ve dealt with them.”

After a moment of dead silence, two Lunar guards revealed themselves from out of the nearby shadows.

“What’s done is done. What now.” He said aloud. “I’m sure I probably already missed my meeting, or am running late to it.”

“Are you alright?” One guard asked. “You just slew twenty highly trained gryphons in a single fight.”

“I feel fine.” He said giving himself a look over before removing his coat and folding it up onto his back, his white shirt underneath having a couple of spots of red on it from cuts in the coat, and himself. “Nothing life threatening, unless uncared for. I don’t feel weaker or slowed, so I don’t see signs of a paralysis or some sort.” He shrugged.

“Do you at least want us to send for some fresh clothing?” A guard asked.

“Depends, what time is it, or how long did the fight last, and how fast can somepony get it?” Hammer Strike asked.

“I can get it to you in under five minutes.” One of the guards offered. The guards looked around for a clock.

“I am probably late already, if you could, would you please get me one of my coats?” Hammer asked. “I can just wait here for the next batch of guards to ask me questions.”

“Of course Lord Hammer Strike.” The lunar guard nodded respectfully before taking off.

Several minutes later a new group of guards did arrive as well as a medic. The unicorn coming up to him almost immediately and did a quick scanning spell and her eye’s widened. “Wha… but… how are you still standing?” she asked.

“Because I did not really injure my legs.” Hammer commented, looking to his legs. “No, wait, I did…”

“I just did a toxin scan, you have enough Manticore Venom in your blood to bring a minotaur to his knees.” She said.

Hammer Strike only hummed in thought as he shrugged. “I don’t really feel that different. Interesting.”

“Nothing else seems serious.” The medic noted as her magic attempted to heal his wounds, the aura surrounded him momentarily and then fizzled out.

“Yeah, that most likely will not work.” Hammer said. “The manual way will be your best choice unless you want to get Celestia herself to come here.”

“I will have to inform the princesses.” The medic said. “You should probably see them tonight.”

“I’ll get to them before I head to bed.” He replied before turning towards the bodies. “Any news on them?” He questioned the guards.

The guards lifted a cloak revealing more black tipped feathers. On each gryphon a mark was burnt into where the fur met the feathers resembling a raven. “These are the black tips Elites.” The guard noted.

“Ah, wonderful.” Hammer said. “So, how dangerous were they?”

“They are one of the most dangerous sects still operating.” The guard said. “It’s been said they once killed a dragon before it even realised they were in it’s cave.”

“So they were pretty good?” He replied. “For a second I thought they were going to send better ones.” He commented. “They were decent, but had some flaws. Though when I hit the thirteen mark I was questioning if I should have continued by myself.” He hummed.

“This isn’t likely to be over.” A guard noted.

“Might be a pause, after all, apparently I should be dead at this moment.” Hammer replied. “Even if they failed, the higher ups could see it as if they even got a hit, I would be done for.” He looked to one of the many cuts on himself. “Though oddly, I am fine.”

“Lord Hammer Strike.” The night guard from earlier returned with a new coat and offered it to him.

“Ah thank you very much…” He paused. “What is your name?” He asked.

“Night Scope, sir.” He answered.

“Thank you for getting this for me.” He said giving the coat a quick look. “Ah the black one, good grab.” He said, placing his now red coat on the ground for a second as he put on the black one. “Is it possible to put this in my room?” He asked, gesturing the bloodied coat. “I have to hurry, but if you can not I can figure something out.”

“We’ll see that it’s done sir.” The guard answered.

“Thank you.” He said giving his neck a quick pop. “Now, if you excuse me, I have a meeting with one of the rare nobles I can not only tolerate, but consider a friend.” He paused. “If any of you have questions about this to question me about, I’ll be back to my room by five.”

“Lord Hammer Strike.” Fancypants greeted his guest as he was shown into the dining room. “We were worried something had gone wrong.”

“I guess you could say something did but it has been, taken care of.” Hammer replied.

“Please, sit down.” Fancypants gestured. Rather than the massively long tables many nobles seemed to like dining on, Fancypants had only a modest rectangular table set up. He sat at the far end with Fleur sitting at his left. “Anything you’d like to drink before dinner is served?” Fancypants asked. Clearly by the time they had waited for him.

“If anything, water would be welcome.” Hammer replied.

In short order a cool glass of water was brought to him. “Allow me to introduce my wife Fleur De Lis.” Fancypants gestured with a hoof.

Fleur nodded her head graciously. “Charmed.” she noted in her rather thick Phrench accent.

“A pleasure to meet you.” Hammer said, nodding his head as well.

The table was set carefully. “I hope you do not mind a simple meal tonight. My servants have heard of several commotions around Canterlot and they wish to see to their families so I thought it best to lessen the load.”

“Yes… I’ve heard about some of these.” Hammer said, pausing. “I heard one happened recently...”

“Oh my.” Fancypants said. “You must be terribly well informed.”

“I guess you could say that…” Hammer replied.

Fancypants’ horn lit as he lifted the salad bowl. Carefully giving it a few tosses he moved to serve Hammer Strike, who seemed to be a bit distracted, or lost in thought.

“Is everything okay?” Fleur asked there guest.

“Huh?” Hammer looked up, blinking a couple of times. “Sorry, I…” He paused. “I sort of, blanked out there for a moment.” He said, giving his head a light shake.

“It happens to the best of us.” Fancypants said as he served Hammer Strike salad. “I must say you didn’t have to change simply for us.”

Hammer Strike paused, thinking for a second. “My other coat had been... Stained I guess you could say.” He shrugged. “I thought it best to swap into an alternate one.”

Fancypants served Fleur next and then himself. Casually he talked business with Hammer Strike. Asking about if investments or anything of the sort was required for their campaign into the Everfree Forest.

“There are plenty of supplies and troops prepared for this thankfully. We are going to begin our move soon, most likely after New Years.”

“That’s is good too hear.” Fancypants nodded. “I hope that everything goes smoothly for you, and how are you liking Ponyville?”

“A very nice town I have to say.” Hammer replied with a small smile. “Everypony there has been very kind.”

“It is such a sweet town, non?” Fleur asked.

“Very much so.” Hammer agreed. “Quite eventful, as well.”

“Yes. Lady Rarity…” Fancypants trailed off for a moment. “Forgive me Lord Hammer Strike but you seem to have something on your coat.” Fancypants pointed near the right shoulder.

Giving a glance over, he found himself looking at a darkened spot on his coat, a darkened wet spot near his shoulder, which was an obvious sign of a problem. “Well…” Hammer Strike started. “It seems we may have to cut our meeting short once again, or this may become a bigger issue, as I’ve noticed from how I have been feeling recently.”

“Excuse me sir, but I just received an urgent message that Lord Hammer Strike was atta…..” The butler who entered trailed off as he caught sight of Hammer Strike.

“Yeah…” Hammer Strike started. “Didn’t want to miss the meeting, but…” He shifted the coat he was wearing to reveal a small glimpse near his right shoulder, his white dress shirt underneath stained red. “I appear to have lost more than anticipated.” He said with a sigh. “That, combined with the fact there is apparently enough venom in my system to halt a minotaur…”

“Quickly, get the professionals.” Fancypants ordered the butler who ran out.

“If you plan on having a unicorn medic attempt to heal me, you will have some issues.” Hammer said. “Not from me, but the inability to heal. Celestia herself has to output quite some power to even heal me slightly.” He sighed. “I should head back to the castle, I need Celestia to clear the Manticore Venom out of my system anyways.” He paused. “Those, events, were the assassination attempts, of Grif, Pensword and myself.”

“One doesn’t always need magic.” Fancypants said. “If we can get some bandages on those wounds it should keep you well enough to travel at least.”

“This may take awhile.” Hammer said, removing his now, stained black coat, folding it and putting it onto his back as he stood up.

“Last I checked I had your attention for the evening.” Fancypants noted.

Hammer Strike laughed a bit. “You do, I’ll give you that.” He finished, chuckling a little. “I’ll try not to stain your furniture.”

“Things are not more important than ponies my friend.” Fancypants said as the sound of many hooves coming towards them was heard. “Besides it’s not all that expensive.”

“This is why I enjoy your company.” Hammer said with a small smile. “You are part of the rare few that don’t seem to flinch at a majority of the things I do, or deal with.” He said, looking at his right shoulder for a second.

“Some of us are too quick to think themselves better than others for their lot in life.” Fancypants noted. “I believe it’s the duty of the nobility to aid those who don’t have what we have.”

“Wise words to live by.” Hammer said with a soft smile.

“So I head to the arcade for an hour and you get attacked?” Grif looked at Pensword. “Seriously what is up with today?”

Pensword only looked to his friend and moved a hoof to the tuffs on the top of his ears. “I do not know. but the magic seems to be slowly making me appear more and more like my past self.” He shivered. “I, I just did not expect to be the target of assassination attempts,” he paused and frowned. “Did I mention how much I hate time travel?”

“You're acting like your past self? I ambushed my attacker. I knew where he was when he came in, I knew he was coming how do you explain that?” Grif shook his head. “When we get back I think I’m going to change back for a few hours, whatever Sombra tried to do seems like it’s leaking.”

Pensword only looked at his friend. “Good, I rather not have both of us become lost to our ponsonia or whatever it is that Sombra did.” Pensword whispered this and the next part softly. “Also, can I be honest with you on something I did not include to the guards on something I saw?”

“Have I not always kept the secrets you tell me?” Grif asked. Realising how he just said that he shook his head.

Pensword only laughed a little and smiled before looking out the window of one of the hallways in the castle. “I think I saw something. A female Thestral in a paint smock with the, the same coloration as my own fur, only full thestral features. As well as a male Pegasus with the same light brown coloration of the Doctor and dark mane. Only the Cutie Mark was that of a pocket watch with an Ink Well on the front of the Pocket Watch, and I was the only one to see them, not even Moonshade who was looking in the roughly same location saw them.” he paused and turned to look at his friend. “Am I going mad?”

“Maybe your mind is trying to tell you something?” Grif shrugged. “As far as I know you haven’t done any mad things yet.”

“Mad things? Just what would my mind be trying to tell me?” He asked as he wondered what might be what his mind trying to tell him. “I think this is going to be, I want to save up my madness until the past.”

“I think we both need a vacation.” Grif sighed.

“Maybe the Daoi Islands of the coast of Down Unda?” Moonshade suggested

“Down unda?” Pensword asked before trying his best to pronounce the new work Moonshade had just said. “Do-aye?” he slowly spoke with a grin. “Sounds like an interesting place.” Any further discussion was cut off as they noticed a guard quickly moving down the hallway carrying something in his magic in front of him. Pensword turned to Grif. “That looked like Lord Hammer Strike’s jacket.”

“That is Hammer Strikes jacket.” Grif said as he concentrated on it. He made his way over quickly entering the room he examined the jacket carefully. “Can you smell that?” he asked.

“Yeah,” Pensword wrinkled his nose. “Smells like blood.” he paused and looked startled. “I can, I can actually smell that? Wow.”

“Two separate sources.” Grif said pointing to a stain. “This is gryphon’s blood” he pointed to another area “And that’s Hammer Strikes.”

Pensword looked to Moonshade and Grf as the two it seemed were already nodding at the declaration. “How did you come up with that outcome?” He asked as they followed behind the guard who ducked into Hammer Strikes room before exiting with another clean outfit in seconds. The three quickly snucked into the room to talk more openly.

“The smell.” Moonshade said. “Pony noses weren’t made to distinguish but thestrals and gryphons need to be able to tell what their hunting. This stain gives off a kinda mixture of fowl and feline. well the other smells much like pony blood, given the owner of the coat it’s easy to guess whose.”

Pensword only shook his head. “No clue blood itself would have their own unique scent.” He however sighed. “Let’s get our armor and find out where Hammer Strike is, knowing him, he is going to go to that meeting anyway before getting treated.” he turned around. “Moonshade, I might need some help, and no I am not hiding that they missed me. I am wearing my armor the rest of my visit, even if it scares the rest of the nobles.”

“I’ll go now.” Grif said. “I can fight fine in what I’m wearing.” He smiled a bit. He had worn a set of simple leather armor he had purchased the other day. “You come when you’re finished.”

Moonshade and Pensword left ,and it was about thirty minutes later that the three met up again at a side entrance to the castle. In fact it looked like the two had dressed to be ready for an outright assault. Still Pensword smiled a little. “Well, ready to go tromping through Canterlot?”

“He’s at the pants estate, someone saw medical ponies headed inside a while ago.” Grif answered. “No reason to tromp when we all have wings.” With that he took to the air.

Pensword and Moonshade looked at each other before launching into the air. “So you got permission to fly?” Pensword asked while moonshade chuckled as she hoofed over a piece of paper in mid flight.

“We all were, kind of to keep another attack from happening around populated regions, here, the only ones in the air are the guards, us, and if any attacks happen they will be swarmed with reinforcements.”

Pensword only smiled. “Nice, so how long is the flying permits last for us?” He just smiled as he enjoyed the wind on his muzzle, and in fact just the sensation of flight in general.

“Pensword, you slaughtered one hundred and twenty gryphons personally and fought a dragon with a pitchfork for this nation, no ones gonna question you now come on we have to move.” Grif shouted.

Pensword only chuckled. “Right, and yeah, just keep an eye out all around us okay? I rather not be attacked from below or above us.”

“You realise you have the advantage in the air right?” Grif asked “A good buck can turn a charge into a deathblow.”

Pensword only smiled. “Which is why most aerial combat after the first air war I fought in was soon replaced with arrows.” He sighed. “So I think only dumb attackers would attack me straight on without something ranged.”

“Mine attacked me with a knife.” Grif pointed out. “To their merit they were expecting an aged gryphon.” Grif stopped as they came across an area blocked off by the guards below them. after confirming who they were they were allowed to enter as Hammer Strikes proxy’s. Grif gave a low whistle at the pile of bodies. “Someone was busy.”

“What did he do to cause them to send twenty after what they thought would be an aged and feeble old man?” Pensword only looked to Grif. “I mean, they sent one to you, six to me, and, okay I am worried, we need to move out of Ponyville to protect them.”

“I’ll be honest, I’m curious myself.” They heard someone say from behind them. Upon turning, they found themselves facing Hammer Strike, his black coat on his back, while he seemed to be wearing his blood stained dress shirt, mixed with some wrapping to help with his bleeding.

“How are you standing?” Grif asked after a few minutes.

“I’m not that injured.” Hammer Strike replied before pausing for a moment. “Well, I technically am.”

“And only carrying enough Manticore Venom in your blood to bring down a Minotaur.” A passing medical pony scoffed.

“What?” Pensword hissed in shock and horror. “Medic get a chair now.” He looked to “Hammer Strike, You sit down now, you can talk but I am not going to have you passing out on me again. Carrying you once was hard enough on my back as is, just.” he paused and looked nervous. “How are you standing? That venom, you should be Dead with that much venom.”

Moonshade only smiled a little. “Seems you are using the Ponyville Library nicely it seems.”

“Unless you plan on finding a way to manually get the venom out of my system, it seems the only one who can do it magically, would be Celestia, as the medics here have already tried.” Hammer Strike replied. “As for how I am still moving, I don’t know, I just am.”

“Maybe you’re burning it out slowly?” Grif asked. “I mean you did scorch pavement the other day.”

Hammer Strike only shrugged in response. “I don’t know. But I do know, I would prefer to get this out of my system before my blood has enough power to do the same.”

Pensword only looked nervous. “Great, just great.” he sighed and shivered a little. “Can we get to someplace secure? Like the barracks?”

“I’d prefer the throne room, or wherever Celestia is.” Hammer said.

“Get on.” Grif said dropping down and lowering his wings. He looked back at Hammer Strike.

“You do realise you could barely lift me with both of you doing it.” Hammer replied. “I can still walk perfectly fine.”

“And if my friend dies because he was being an idiot I will carve it into his tombstone.” Grif said.

“Then lets get walking, shall we?” Hammer said.

Moonshade only shook her head. “Are you, at least let us call a carriage for you to ride in.” She looked at the group with annoyance. “Are all of you going to just be mule headed?”

“I haven’t lost my legs, and I am not feeling weak in the slightest, I can still walk. I swear, if I start to feel weak I will warn you.” Hammer replied.

Pensword sighed. “We don’t care,” he leaned in and glared at his friend. “This is just policy, in the Army,” he used a tone that he knew would convey that it was his home Army. “The soldiers are not this thick headed, you might be fine but we still want to make sure no additional harm occurs, this is for the protection of all of us.”

“Fine, fine.” Hammer Strike replied. “I’ll wait here, surrounded by what guards are here.”

Moonshade only nodded and moved to give the orders, only to have  a medic who moved away at a high speed to get said carriage. It was here that the three noticed that a Gryphon they had all seen from the delegate earlier was frozen staring in wide eyed terror at the three. They also noticed that this Gryphon was dressed in a new outfit. Whereas before they saw him in the background and appeared to be small, somehow he just appeared larger now. He also was wearing a very noble looking outfit of silks, along with a ceremonial sword at his side.

“You move you die.” Grif said talons already moving to his throwing blades.

The Gryphon only paused and looked at them. “I only need to move to confirm the horrible stories,” he spoke as he moved to one of the bodies and lifted a part of the robe and shook his head. “I thought they were disbanded.” He turned around and paused. “Be careful you three, while I can’t say this around the others, you did the right and honorable thing to do, may you outsmart those in my group.” He started to walk away and paused at one of the guards and handed the Pony guard a slip of paper.

The guard blinked and after the Gryphon pointed behind him to the three. The Guard only blinked and moved to hand the paper to the three. On the front of the paper was something that Grif would have seen in the History Books, it was the symbol of the Northern Island militia.

“Wait a minute, he was from the northern isles?” Grif raised an eyebrow. “Things really have jumped over the years.”

Pensword only blinked as they saw the carriage pull up with a few guards around the carriage to protect it. “Well, shall we ride back?” Pensword asked with a smiled as he flexed his wing blades a little. “I hope we don’t need these, rather have dressed for show then use them at the moment.”

“I’d prefer that as well.” Hammer said aloud.

“I’ll ride in the front.” Grif said. crawling up near the driver.

“Whatever you feel like.” Hammer replied. “I don’t expect us to have to do this often.”

Pensword only nodded. “I get one of the side doors in case.” He got in and moved to the other side, and Moonshade only indicated Hammer Strike to get in next and she would sit in the next chair next to the other door. Inside they found crossbows for their use for a just in case event. They soon settled into the seats as the carriage lurched forward and they all could see they they were being taken to a back alley system to try and keep things discreet.

“In trying to be discreet, this seems a bit obvious…” Hammer noted quietly.

The sound of a click echoed from the front of the carriage as Grif drew his flintlock.

“Look this carriage has a red cross on the roof and is white. It is protected from…” At that moment an arrow flew right through the open window at Moonshadow's left and broke when it hit the roof of the carriage at a shallow angle. A split second later the flintlock discharged before the entire carriage tipped to the side that Pensword would land against the ground as the carriage tipped over, most likely in hopes of crushing them maybe.

The sounds of blades clashing erupted from the outside as the door was wrenched open. “If you three wouldn’t mind our driver is dead and, well, there is only about fifty of them I can’t keep you all alive and defend myself at the same time.” His entire sentence interrupted by sword swings and axe’s that he needed to dodge.

“Why do I keep near you ponies?” Moonshade asked.

“Don’t know.” Hammer replied, giving a light stretch as he pulled himself out of the carriage. “But it seems you’re needed again, so let’s get to it, we got a battle to fight!”

Pensword shook his head to clear a little of the ringing from his helmet hitting the side of the carriage and the ground he only smiled. “I think because you are doing what your ancestors did a lot of?” he smiled as he climbed up out of the carriage only to have three arrows hit and the shafts snap from hitting the armor. He only turned and opened his wings as he pushed himself from the carriage and engaged the enemy. “We are going to draw the guard to us. I hope it’s the Lunar that respond.”

“Draw them to us?” Hammer called out as he jumped back into the carriage, grabbing onto his coat and throwing it on. “I think I might have something…” He pulled himself out and quickly started to check the pockets.

“What are you planning?” Pensword yelled as he finished with another of the Robed beings attacking them. “And draw them to us? They are attacking us without need to drawing them closer.” He turned around and kicked one Gryphon only to hear his iron shoe hitting iron. “Okay, they are wearing armor under.” He stopped talking and ducked as another blade hit his armor plating. “Just how many are there and why such a blatant attack?” Pensword asked the air as he continued to fight. “I mean, wouldn’t this just backfire on relations to the Gryphons?”

Meanwhile Hammer Strike had pulled out a blue crystal out of his pocket. “This!” He held the crystal close to himself. “Find a heat source!”

Moonshade only turned as she attacked one of the assassins with a spear from one of the dead pony guards with a grunt. “The carriage is on fire you know, seems they attacked with fire arrows.” She turned around and held up an armored leg to take the blow of a sword before she pushed with the leg at the enemy, before taking the fallen sword to attack another assassin.

“Wonderful!” He threw the crystal into the carriage, near where the flame was spreading. “Give it a minute, the guards should hear this.”

Grif through one gryphon on the ground kicking away a rather elaborate sword he tore away the hood and confirming the face he impaled his blades in the ground crossed over it’s head. “Call them back or I take it off” he growled. grif let out a set of loud screeches at the enclosing gryphons who backed off.

The captured gryphon proceeded to say something to the gryphons in a series of odd chirps before looking at Grif and squawking. Then looking at Pensword and chirping.

“He says this is every black tip in Canterlot here to bring the high head of Hammer Strike and Pensword along with the traitor bound to the emperor.” Grif translated.

Moonshade only made a snort. “Over my own dead body.” She flexed her wings and stared at the remaining black tips which were a lot more then either what she and Pensword faced, as well as a lot higher then what Hammer Strike faced.

The captured gryphon let out a few more loud clicks and chirps.

“He says black tips are making a one time offer. Give the traitor to them and they will tell the gryphons you two are dead. Attacks stop you live in peace” Grif translated.

Pensword did not know why but those words just burned at him. As he he had to clench his jaw from the anger that flared in him. He finally shook his head in anger. “I don’t believe you.” he finally spat out as he moved to an offensive aggressive stance.

A rash bunch of chirps and squawks followed. “Not the place of a crow to speak amongst raven and eagles.” Grif translated “He means as Hammer Strike servant you have no right to decide.”

Pensword seemed to roar. “Servant? I am no servant of him, I am his leader of the military, you attack me for actions taken not as his Captain, but as Commander of the Northern forces of Equestria. I know the laws and you attack me as the Commander of those forces, not as a Captain of a Noble House.”  He stepped a little away from the carriage. “I stand by my friends and the last vestige of my home.”

“I’d prefer death over giving a friend up.” Hammer Strike called out. “But you have failed three times already, what makes this so different?” His expression grew dark, a small smile growing on his face as he mouthed out something. ‘Five’

There was a series of angry chirps. ‘Four’

“He says Black Tips will come from all over even strictly from Gryphonia even the ones with whom there is no names in Equestrian the ones the dragons are wary of.” Grif translated. ‘Three’

Pensword only growled. “Then you will spell the doom. Already we are building the forces. We old specters of your past shall not die. All you shall do is sow your own defeat. We have knowledge that can change the world.” He had seen the mouths moving and smirked as he stomped his hoof at ‘one’ only smirking.

A loud explosion ripped through the air, the nearby carriage combusted, thankfully the shards seemed to have missed the group, but had hit some of the assassins in the process. Hammer Strike only gave a dark grin as he gave his neck a pop. “Time is running short, we’re still standing, so come, come to your demise.”

With a nod to Hammer Strike, Grif grinned as he shrieked towards the black tips while bringing the cross down. There leaders head rolling away from his body with no ceremony. As a final insult Grif drew his swords and hacked the body into four parts. “Well gentlemen, looks like deaths on the wind.” He smiled and charged ahead.

Pensword only growled and shouted in Dragonic something that Grif and Hammer Strike understood. “Redwall.” Was the cry as he turned around and dispatched two assassins that had tried to sneak up behind him, and blocked a third he sighed in his mind as he was rather shocked in how he knew how to move and he was just attacking to survive, he bet anypony or Gryphons that were watching would be appalled at his techniques.

Hammer Strike quickly unsheathed his sword and quickly sliced at the Griffon to his left, cutting through its forelegs. Before it could call out in pain he brought his sword back and throwing more strength into it, aimed for the Griffons head. His eyes squinted as he cut through, the air around him seemed to become warmer, his blade began to glow, and soon following the embers began to follow. “You want it!? Come and get it!”

It was soon apparent that what had started as a quick attack was not going so great, especially after Moonshade was able to join in watching Pensword’s back. The two quickly began to compliment each others attacks and were throwing weapons at one another to keep things going. Already they broke two crossbows, three swords and buried six knives into enemies as they continued to attack.

Grif impaled one gryphon on his sword flicking his wrist out killing another one as it approached with a throwing blade he drew his stiletto and stabbed the one on his other side through the neck before turning back and retrieving his sword.

Meanwhile back at the guard post at the main Canterlot castle gate. The guards were slowly settling down into their routine. The Chef had just retired for the night as the next shift started on a normal note. The new shift leader looked at the report and paused. He looked up. “I want guards watching these three, I,”

The room rattled as they heard an explosion as the new shift leader looked to his left. Some of the others only looked startled, in fact one actually spoke aloud what they were thinking. “What now?”

A pegasus landed at the entrance and one thing they could tell was that their was an arrow sticking out of his side. “We were ambushed, Black,” he didn’t finish as he slumped down to the ground. The medic was already moving and shook his head. “Manticore venom, he was dead midflight already.” The medic only turned around as from the castle itself streamed guards and staff as they looked for the source of the noise. Celestia and Luna at the back looking worried.

“Where did that explosion come from.” Celestia called out.

Luna only turned Celestia’s head with a wing towards where a black pillar of smoke was rising into the air. “That is in the old district.” Luna began before looking to the Thestral at her side. “Activate all guards on standby to take to the air.” She shivered as she looked to the sky. “I fear something is in the air.”

One of the staff members only looked confused and looked at the sky. “Wouldn’t the police or fire departments be better?”

A guard at the side kept looking. “If it was a fire, yet with three attacks today, we rather play it safe.”

“That, combined with the fact that the three who were attacked are still out in the city.” Celestia noted.

“Guardsmen.” Luna spoke getting to her feet. “Get my hammer, I’m going to be present at this one myself.” The lunar princess said as she hurried back into the castle.

“Are you sure about this?” Celestia asked.

“Sister, I would not have black tips in Equestria during the third gryphon war, and I will not tolerate them now.” Luna called back.

“Do you wish to call up any of your Guards?”  Luna’s Senechal asked as he turned around to follow Princess Luna inside. “Do you wish for me to done my armor as well?”

“Stay here and be prepared.” Luna ordered. “Send the flights as soon as they are ready.” With that she vanished down the halls.

“Of course.” They heard in response as they both disappeared through the doorway.

“Moonshade, I am taking the first train home TONIGHT!” Pensword yelled the last word as he drove another blade from the enemy claws before dispatching another. “How many are there anyway?” he gasped as he winched from being hit with a broken tree limb into the side that was still hurting. He was happy for the armor, only it was dented, and he had, or could feel blood clotting the fur where his wound had reopened. The cloaked figure that hit him was hit in return from an armored hoof. He jumped over the body of a guard that had died from the air, the decorative armor doing little protection. “Form up, form up.” He yelled as he turned to face away from a burning structure. An empty warehouse he hoped. “We have to move away from this place, civilians could get harmed.”

Grif tossed what was left of the gryphon he had just raked with his talons aside. As he reached for his impaled swords he shrieked as a dagger dug into his shoulder. Turning quickly he sliced the gryphons neck before turning back to the fight. Not even paying attention to the knife still in his chest. “Go I’ll cover you.” Grif yelled sending another blade into a nearby gryphon.

Pensword only nodded as he turned around and bucked another enemy and brought them down only to hear a screech and he turned around to see Moonshade fall from an arrow that had found a chink. All present seemed to freeze for him, to his own mind and body it felt like the bottom of his heart just dropped. That he had fallen into an abyss so fast he left his stomach behind. A second later, he roared and charged the group, actually plowing through a few robed figures on the way, and once more he took to the air like he did at charging the gate house, and it seemed like something else had taken form or hold and he just attacked from the air.

“Pensword, we have wounded exposed and too many numbers.” Grif shouted. “Get inside the warehouse and we can bottleneck them.”

Pensword turned and the fire and hate that Grif saw in those eyes just stopped him. “Get them in, I’ll hold them off… I will not leave any more to become the dinner of victory.” His voice was low and he turned around a split second to return to the battle. “GO, that is an order from your Commanding Officer.” The Flying Death from the Crystal Empire had returned.

Grif decided not to point out his oath was to Hammer Strike alone. Moving quickly the gryphon lifted the thestral Moonshade onto his back as he grabbed Hammer Strikes hoof. Using all the strength he could muster in his wings as well as his legs he pulled the two figured, who were not quite unconscious and fiercely protesting. Towards the warehouse. Somehow every step felt a little easier. Almost like there was no friction against the earth pony and the ground.

Hammer Strike soon found himself inside the warehouse as Grif turned around and he mimicked Grif as he ducked as Pensword swooped in. As he ducked he had to move his hoofs out a little to keep from swaying on the spot. Which he was starting to see in his vision. A second later he saw Pensword pulling the helmet off Moonshade as he was starting to babble incoherently as he was showing another emotion, sorrow.

“Grif.” Hammer called out. “Come here.”

“Yes?” Grif hurried over. “What do you need?”

“Major problems, inbound.” Hammer answered, taking a breath. “I’m starting to feel it.” He said.

“Lay back, try to stay calm.” Grif said. “I’d try to do more but anybody that comes to that door is being put on my asses to kick list.” Grif said as a gryphon’s head popped inside, Grif drew his swords and charged.

Three seconds before Grif could reach the Gryphon. Said Gryphon seemed to stiffen, the eyes rolling back into their head and then they collapsed to the ground as they began to twitch and by the time Grif reached the door, the Gryphon was thrashing about as if having the worst nightmare possible.

“Who’s out there?” He shouted.

He got the answer when he saw Meteor Impact burst through the doors to reveal Princess Luna in the same battle armor she wore at the Changeling invasion. She dropped the hammer an inch from the Gryphons head as she smiled. “A Nightmare come real.” Her eyes were slowly fading from being pools of pure white. She slowly smiled. “Something I dare say was therapeutic, even if it was using what was left from that Nightmarish creature. Don’t touch them anymore, let their minds play their worst dreams. I can find out more information about this new black tips this way.” She had a very unprincess look about her.

“Oh we know everything we need.” Grif said. “Is that the last one alive?”

Luna only lowered her head. “No more killing you have done your duty and fulfilled your oath for today. Let me have him for what they almost did to me a thousand years ago. They will learn that almost killing me was the worst thing they could have done.”

“Moonshade and Hammer Strike need healing, Pensword probably needs some to a lesser degree.” Grif said.

“What about you?” She asked, Grif could tell she was trying to practice modern Equestrian. “You have a blade in your shoulder, you wish to have one of my medics look at it?” She paused and looked at Moonshade. “What happened?” She asked.

“Blade in my shoulder? What do you mean there is no blade in my….” Grifs gaze turned towards the blade sticking out of his shoulder. “Ooh what do you know, there is a blade in my shoulder.” Then Grif did what most medical professionals would call the stupidest thing you could do in this case. He grasped the handle and yanked the blade out. “... OWWWWWW”  The gryphon shouted dropping the blade and grasping his shoulder. With a wince, he looked at Luna. “Maybe I’ll see that medic but look after them first. Moonshade took an arrow to the side, likely poisoned. Hammer Strikes body is probably starting to shut down do to the poison in his blood, and Pensword I think opened up an old wound.”

The light currently in the warehouse seemed to flicker for a moment, like the flame of a candle. Tracing the light to its source they found Hammer Strike still standing, though his posture seemed slouched, the embers around him seemed to be slowly shrinking, the light they had provided with their growth fading with them as Hammer Strike lost his anger, the adrenaline working its way out. He seemed to have taken notice to the embers and how they had been different from the day before, as he was looking towards them.

Luna’s eyes widened and looked at all those around her, she closed her eyes and Grif had a feeling in his feathers that she had sent some type of magical burst into the air to signal something, she then walked quickly to Moonshade, lowered her horn and closed her eyes as she slowly worked to try and remove the poison from her system using the magic of a medical field technique. She did not mean to but seeing Moonshade like this was causing small trickles of tears as she needed to return the deed she had done those many years ago.

“Heh…” A weak chuckle came from Hammer Strike. “heh…” The embers around him flickered once again as he seemed to place his hoof off to the side to try and steady himself. “heh…” He exhaled as he lost his footing and fell off to the side, the embers extinguishing themselves as he fell over. His eyes still open, barely, as he looked at those around, he was still awake.

Luna turned around at Hammer Strike, then to Moonshade as she continued to work, to Pensword being an emotional wreck at the moment before looking to Grif. “Today is the day I see heroes remind me they are just mortals and not like my Sister and I.”

“Even mortals-” They heard Hammer Strike breathe in. “Even mortals can perform great feats.”

“No offense princess, but all the best heros are mortal.” The gryphon said pressing a cloth to his shoulder.

Luna only raised an eyebrow. “Maybe from Earth, but on Equestria, Celestia and I are considered heroes.” She only turned and winked to show she was trying to make a joke in the situation. “Still, one trait I learned was healing from my time as a Warrior Princess before the banishment.” She sighed as she shivered. “Always hurt to take the poison of one into one’s own system, still Celestia has been notified for Hammer Strike’s safety.” She smiled as she softly lowered her head and touched a horn to Pensword’s head, a few moments later Pensword had fallen, scaring Grif till he heard steady light breathing. “I placed both of them in sleep at the moment.” She smiled as she turned to Grif as she teleported in some medial cloth. “I also place a word into them both that they both will live.”

“Well I think I’m going to have to step things up.” Grif said. “I can’t be sloppy like I was out there.”

Luna only smiled. “I believe you shall step it up,” She replied with a cryptic smile. “Still, I can see what led you to be the Gryphon you were in the past,” She smiled a little as she helped wrap his shoulder. “Fascinating to learn that you learned you skills in a time of peace, and used them to fight a war.” She looked to the ceiling, “all I shall say, is that you do well in the past.”

With a sudden flash of light, Celestia teleported herself into the room near the group. After a second of scanning she spotted Hammer Strike on the ground and moved over to him. “We must stop meeting like this.”

Hammer Strike only raised a brow in question. “Wait.” He said. “We’ve met like this before?”

“For the most part, but that was in the past, or, your future that is.” She replied as her horn lit up. Her face scrunched up slightly as she scanned him over. “I know one method that can work, but…”

“If it doesn’t kill me, you, or anybody around us, go for it.” Hammer replied. “I’d love to be able to move again.”

After a moment she nodded and picked him up in her magic, moving him away from the group before putting him down once again, a little further away.

“Now, based off how my magic seems to be the only one that works, and in fact, seems to be within your own, there are a couple of things I can do to myself, that I can do to you as well, one, is a way to get the poison out of your blood, but, there is a problem.” Celestia stated.

“And that problem is?” Hammer asked.

“It isn’t exactly painless.” She finished.

“Oh, wonderful.” Hammer said. “At least I’ll be living, go ahead and do what is needed.”

With a nod Celestias horn lit up once again, a dome of magic surrounded them, encasing them. After it was sealed she turned towards him and soon his body was surrounded by her magic, the golden hue soon grew brighter around his form. He felt an energy seeping into him, growing as well as the heat around him. Embers soon started to burn off his form, growing in intensity as did the glow.

Soon following, the embers began to grow, their heat building as they ignited into spheres of fire. The two outside of the field, Luna and Grif, noted that the room began to become more and more illuminated.

“The rooms not gonna start melting is it?” Grif asked Luna.

Luna only chuckled. “No, it is just going to be very hot, say Badlands heat, she does this if she gets a bad virus she will literally burn it out.” She laughed a little at the expression on Grif’s face. “Just enjoy it, and for some reason ponies around when she does this, say it brings happy memories as well as warmth.”

“These the same ponies who claim one day she will drop the sun on the unfaithful?” Grif chuckled.

Meanwhile, on the inside of the dome, Celestia was still pushing energy into Hammer Strike, the orbs of fire seemed to grow until the only thing visible on the outside of the dome, was just that, fire.

Hammer Strike could feel the heat building to the point where it felt like he himself was burning alive. Every point of his body felt as such, burning. And yet through all the energy being put into him, he still could not find enough to call out his pain. And so he stayed on the ground as time went on, seeming to go on for hours. Soon though, the energy was gone, the flames extinguished themselves, and soon the dome of magic vanished, his mind too preoccupied to notice as these things took place, only the small things as he stared blankly forward. His mouth moving slightly as words tried to say something.

“Ex… Ex Divina etiam.” He muttered, barely audible.

Celestia looked down to Hammer Strike. “Do you think you can stand?” She was met with a groan as he slowly moved a hoof.

“So Hercules, princess, having lost his sword grabbed a nearby log and with his incredible strength he lifted it and used it to beat the remaining hydra heads to death. And with that he started a lifetime of heroism that would be unlike any other in human mythology or history.” Grif explained to Luna.

Luna only smiled at the story. “Amazing, we shall endeavor now to learn more about this human. Sounds like he had the strength of a couple Minotaurs.”

After a painful moment Hammer Strike was back on his hooves, though he was being helped by Celestia.

Seeing the dome way down, Grif got to his feet and moved to help Hammer Strike, only to stop when the heat got too intense. “On second thought maybe not.” Grif said.

“Is there, a problem?” Hammer Strike questioned.

“Well, you’re giving off a lot of heat, and I’m not even sure how your coat is surviving that but I’d rather not see the inside of another fireball.” Grif said unconsciously rubbing the back of his talons.

“I think it’s time to go home.” Hammer Strike commented. “That is, as soon as I can leave without melting, and or, scorching anything, and as soon as they are awake” He said, noting the fact that he seemed to be scorching the ground beneath him.

“Honestly, after four attacks in one day I just want to disappear for a bit.” Grif nodded.

Luna only nodded. “Very well, in fact I think I shall join you four on the train back to Ponyville, I would like to hear your thoughts on a bill I am writing.”

“Luna!” Celestia gasped. “A bill? You know I don’t like imposing our will upon all of Equestria.”

“Princess you have three guards you are going to have to inform their families that they were killed in the line of duty.” grif said “you can’t honestly tell me it is better they were ill prepared for this”

Luna only smiled. “We are writing to present to the House of Lord’s session in a month’s time. I am not making an eidetic, I learned the difference now.”

Celestia only solemnly nodded. “That shall be taken care of this afternoon. I shall not ask you to attend if you do not wish to, their funeral shall be in one weeks time. After New Years Day.” She slowly smiled at Luna. “I am happy to hear you shall be using a little bit of the legal system and to be honest sister.” She paused and looked around the group before leaning in and whispered something to her sister that none of the others could hear. Luna only smiled and looked a little smug as her eyes twinkled.

“I am glad you see my logic, and thank you for you well wishes for my Bill.” Luna only smiled. “Shall we surprise these two by having them waking up on my back? Or thrown together in a cart?”

“I’ve had my fill of carts and carriages for today myself.” Grif noted. Remembering something he withdrew his flintlock and began the process of cleaning and reloading the barrel.

“Whatever is more amusing.” Hammer Strike said aloud.

Luna only smiled. “As payment for their actions I shall personally guard them, and to make a show that they are under my personal wing of protection.” She added as she lifted up the two ponies. “Along with the fact it will be fun to see, I believe that one Rainbow Dash and Pinkie Pie wished to teach me more of these Pranks and Puns that have modernized.” She turned to her sister. “We shall have to have a time again to prank one another.”

“If you could be so kind Princess Celestia.” Grif turned to her. “Have our things taken to the station and alert Lady Rarity we are leaving? We’d prefer to be on the train before sundown.”

Celestia gave a look to Hammer Strike, who was still using her to stand before he gave a nod. “I’m sure I can stand on my own.” He said. With a nod she teleported herself away in a flash of light.

A thud followed afterwards as Hammer Strike hit the ground. “Nope. Still can’t.”

“Princess do you think you could place the cloud walking spell on Lord Hammer Strike?” Grif asked.

Luna only smiled as her horn lit up and a bit of magic glow sank into the hooves and body of Lord Hammer Strike. “Done, what is it you plan on doing?”

“I might not be able to control the weather like a pegasus but I can move a cloud.” Grif noted heading for the door. “And he’ll be much lighter on one of them.” With that the gryphon took off. Returning moments later with a medium sized cloud. placing it carefully beside Hammer Strike he started the careful process of lifting the incredibly heavy earth pony onto the cloud bed. Fortunately the heat had dispersed enough to cause no significant damage.

“Cozy.” Hammer said aloud.

“Less than twenty four hours and you three have gotten into four fights!” Rarity’s current tone was a mixture of so many things grif couldn’t really pick out one.

“They started it.” Grif shrugged as he maneuvered Hammer Strikes cloud.

“You act as though we almost, I’m going to stop there as I actually was pretty close to that…” Hammer Strike commented.

“Is it too much to ask that you go for a week without putting yourselves in mortal danger?” she sighed.

“I need a week off anyways.” Hammer Strike said from his spot on the cloud.

“Well, look on the bright side.” Grif smiled. “The unicorn medic said the wound on my shoulder is gonna leave a jagged scar where the knife entered.” Grif smiled

“How is that good news?” Rarity asked.

“It’s gonna look awesome!” Grif chuckled.

Pensword blinked. “Uh… Moonshade and I might appear in one of those tabloid papers?” Pensword offered weakly. “Also, I am just happy they thought I was like Granny Smith.” He shivered. “How I was dressed back then. I might not be out of armor for a while.” He looked at his hooves. “Also they did not use poison on me.” He looked to his side at the still sleeping Moonshade and he looked back to the window and sighed. “Don’t tell Lunar Fang, please.” he muttered to his friends before his kissed Moonshade on the head lightly, showing that he was relieved that she lived through that battle.

“Somehow I think it won’t matter when you meet her.” Grif smiled. “The neat thing? We know we can’t die until after the third gryphon war.”

“I’d prefer to be alive after that as well.” Hammer noted.

“You know what I mean, no matter how bad things get we will survive until thats over at least.” Grif nodded.

Pensword only sighed. “Yeah, and… can we retire after that? Two wars in one life is a little much, don’t you think?”

“Don’t worry, we got another three to four to go.” Hammer Strike noted.

Pensword turned to looked at his friend. “Please tell me you are joking?”

Rarity only looked at the group. “So,” Grif could tell she was trying to change the subject. “When do I show up for measurements for this armor you are making?” Pensword could tell that she had literally picked the first thing in her head.

Luna actually smiled and asked something that caused a rather long pause. “So, same thing next year?”

Grif pushed the cloud out of the train as he left. Hammer Strike had attempted to get off the cloud only to be toppled over with a simple push. As the cloud descended several of Hammer Strikes servants approached them.

Polished Brass looked shocked. “Milord we heard word you had encountered and an altercation in Canterlot, we thought it was just a shouting match between yourself and House Blueblood.” he shook his head. “Feather Duster, Light Mist please let Sir Grif with the cloud and Dusty Bunny, Fancy Plate please inform Miss Berry Punch that we will require a spare room on the third floor. I shall not put him in his current room for fear of messing with his organizational projects. See if their is a room in the back on the first floor we can use for the day.” He looked to Hammer Strike. “Leave the chores and cooking to us for the moment. We will make sure that your heal up first.” He looked to Grif. “Can I count on you and your friends to keep him off his hooves till New Years Eve?”

“Brass, listen closely. You’re going to post Tower Shield and Blast Shield in his room for tonight. In the morning two nondescript ponies will relieve them. Don’t ask their names and give them whatever they need. Neither me or Pensword is in any shape to keep him off his hooves.“ Grif motioned to his shoulder. “If you guys can take the cloud I have to go see a friend of ours.” With that the gryphon took to the air.

“And I feel like I am going to be stuck inside for awhile, specifically, against my will.” Hammer noted with a sigh. “For the best I suppose.”