//------------------------------//
// 31 - Ring Out Wild Bells 
// Story: An Extended Holiday 
// by Commander_Pensword 
//------------------------------//

Extended Holiday
Chp 31: Ring Out Wild Bells
Act 3




“It has been four days since the whole deal with Canterlot. I am pretty sure I can walk around perfectly fine,” Hammer Strike said.

“Just do not overdo it,” Pensword muttered as he sat for Nurse Redheart to examine his wound. He smiled and looked over to Moonshade. “Are we packed for the move?” he asked, wincing as he turned away from Redheart’s probing hoof.

“The guards are sorting the non-essential equipment into wagons. We can’t afford to have them sort things we need until we get closer,” Moonshade noted as she fussed over the gauze padding against her barrel.

“So, we’re finally getting around to the move,” Hammer Strike said as he stood up. “Good. Good.” He sighed. “Well, I think I’ll head off now that I am done.”

“Only if you take two of your guards with you,” Pensword snapped.

“I’ll take the Shields. I’m actually pretty sure they followed us here.”

“Sounds good,” Pensword said as the Shield brothers entered. “Keep him safe, and by all means, drag him back here if needed.” He sighed and moved to sit again next to Moonshade. “I feel old.”

“Well, technically speaking, you are over a thousand,” she pointed out.

“Touche,” Pensword muttered with a slight smirk. “Still, well, back home, today usually was a day of reflection over the year that is about to pass and the year yet to be. A most interesting time to be alive.” Then he bit his lip as Redheart applied some sterile alcohol to another wound in need of redressing.





Taze groaned softly, the non-existent wound on his shoulder making his body complain as he worked to pull himself up on the branch. His usual morning workout had done a great deal for him, but it was only getting him so far. Currently, he was near the outskirts of Ponyville with Sylvio. The white Timberwolf pup played happily as he worked out, stalking an elusive stick while Black Rook watched over the pair.

“Sir, are you sure you should be doing that?” Black Rook asked.

“I’m only damaged as Grif,” Taze noted. He had shared his secret with Rook a while ago, so the two could speak freely about it when alone. “I need to be better, Rook.”

“Better how?”

“Rook, I failed back in the Empire, and I almost failed during that attack in Canterlot. I can’t have close calls when lives are at risk. I need to be better,” Taze repeated as he rhythmically pulled and depressed.

“So you plan on becoming a superhero? I mean, no disrespect, Sir,” he said, pausing to take a breath. “You can’t save every life. If anything, your actions are causing others in your training class to push themselves beyond their limits. Even if they’re trying to shave just half of a second off their times, or make another push-up. It’s good to exceed those limits, but not if it exhausts you in the process,” Rook said, his face wrinkled with concern. “Don’t push yourself too hard. The weather’s a little chilly for those without the fur.”

“Rook, where I’m from back home, this wouldn’t even be labeled as cold. This is maybe nippy at best.” Taze laughed as he set himself down. “Did you get those weights for me?”

“Well, yes, I brought them in the cart over there.” Rook paused as he saw a Pony already lifting the weights. “It appears that one Bulk Biceps is using them at the moment.” He blinked in confusion. “I recall he offered to help design a gym for the troops in the Everfree.”

“That might be a good plan.” Taze nodded, heading to the cart. “Frankly, Rook, I don’t know if I deserve to be here myself. Why are they pushing themselves for me? What did I do for it?” he asked, taking a swig from a bottle of water he had placed nearby earlier.

Rook looked like a deer caught in the headlamps. “Because they see you, a two-legged, furless creature that’s as weak as a foal, pushing for the protection of those around him without any natural defenses. And it might be due to the news of the third human slipping into a coma during your visit. You want to protect them, and they want to protect you.” He shrugged. “Welcome to a military herd, Sir.”

“I was the one who pulled them into the fight. I could have held the Black Tips off,” Taze grumbled. “I asked for their help, and because of that the three of them nearly died, and two guards did die. What's the point if I can’t defend anyone?” He asked, picking up a free set of weights.

“Held them off how?” Rook asked as he moved to spot the human. “Also, weren’t they specifically hired to target you anyways?”

“The others were in a carriage,” Taze said, “and there was something about the fight that… unsettled me. I knew how the Black Tips would attack. I felt it,” Taze admitted. “It was strange. It didn’t feel natural, but I knew how they would fight and I could have kept them off us till Hammer Strike, Moonshade, and Pensword got inside the warehouse. They didn’t need to fight.”

Rook continued to stare. “Sir, you need to know that when you’re a part of a herd, the ones who can fight surround those who can’t and face outwards to attack anything that might threaten them. I have to say, as a Gryphon, you act more like a Pony in many ways. However, unlike most Gryphons, who fight solo or in groups with individual plans, a herd moves more like a trebuchet set into motion. They’re smooth and quick. What you experienced was friends who wouldn’t run, knowing that one of their own was in danger. To us Ponies, you fought like noble Ponies fight: together and ever moving to a goal. In this case, that goal was covering you.”

“Tell me again how exactly I ended up your superior?” Taze chuckled. “But seriously, I’d die for my friends. I never wanted them to die for me.”

Rook smiled as he signalled the rep’s completion with an extended hoof. “Maybe they think the same way? They wouldn’t leave you to die to the enemy. If you’re really dead set on doing things yourself, you might want to consider leading your troops away from the same battlefield. Otherwise you’d race to cover each other's back every time.” He chuckled. “Sir, that may be a noble sentiment, but Pensword said something he heard from a human soldier: ‘Make the enemy die for his country, not you die for your own.’ Frankly, I’d rather not lose any more Humans. You’re all crazy, but that craziness is making this stagnate herd start to actually work for once. At this rate, we’ll be the strongest military force in Equestria.”

“You’ve heard of Luna’s bill then?” Taze asked, moving carefully to the larger weights and waiting for Rook to get in position to spot him.

Rook hastily complied. “Yeah, a little. Just rumors around camp. You know how much some Ponies love to gossip. I’ve heard just about everything from Luna becoming some General Princess over all military personnel to her just trying to put more money into the budget. Some Ponies even say she wants to put a battalion on the moon to protect it from aliens.”

Taze laughed through a grunt as he started his lifts. “Not quite any of those. You realize it took less than three hours for the Changelings to completely dominate Canterlot?”

“Yes. It was probably the most shameful moment in Royal Guard history. They used to bluster on about how we were the rejects, and look what happened to them.” Rook shuddered. “If that’s what the best of the best have to offer … I don’t know what’s kept Equestria safe till now.”
“Rook, a thousand years ago, in a similar surprise attack by the Gryphons on a simple bordertown, it took the attacking forces days to officially take the town, plus two weeks afterwards to root out resistance pockets. That was a town, and the fighters were Gryphons. This was the capital of the country and it was attacked by Changelings,” Taze pointed out. “You know what the difference was between then and now?”

“Pensword was there?” Rook asked cheekily, the beginnings of a smile tugging at his lips. Then he dropped back into his serious face. “To tell you the truth, I don’t really know.”

“Back then, Equestria had soldiers, not guardsmen,” Taze explained. “Soldiers trained for war and combat, conditioned mentally and physically before they were equipped. What Princess Luna wants is to bring that back, to give Equestria a military again so that the country that's seen a thousand years of relative peace and prosperity doesn’t fall in a day to a surprise attack.”

Rook nodded as they both turned while the large white Pegasus sat up with a loud, “YEAH!”

“... Sir, I have to say that even though I don’t have a vote, I hope the bill passes all the same.” Black Rook shook his head. “Still, I wouldn’t suggest using surprise attacks on towns as metaphors around Pensword. That could be considered insensitive.”

“Pensword will want Luna to use whatever examples are necessary to show the nobles what's needed.” He smirked at the black Pony. “You know nobles. They need pretty intricate proof to commit to anything.”

Rook nodded. “At least to vote for anything that doesn’t focus on their own well being. That opinion was strictly off the record, of course.” He smirked. “Sir, you did a half more of a rep than you planned on doing today. I think you’re good; your arms are starting to shake.”

“That’s a good idea, Rook.” Taze nodded, slowly setting the weights down safely before taking more water. “Tell me, have you ever gotten any training like what we’ve given you during your short time in the Guard?”

Rook shook his head. “No, Sir. This has been the most intense training I’ve had the entire time I’ve been in the Guard. I heard a rumor that Ponies in the Special Division might try and copy your training in the future.” He shrugged. “I thought you might like to keep an ear perked on the talk in the camp as well.”

“That’s why I keep you around, Rook.” Taze grinned. “And why I tell my guards to speak to me like they would anyone else unless the occasion calls for it. You all are my eyes and ears to what’s being said in hushed tones, as they say.”

Rook nodded and saluted. “Thank you, Sir. You should know they also respect and fear you both as a human and the quartermaster. They feel confused about why heroes would focus on a washed up group on their last legs instead of visiting the heart of the Guard in Canterlot.”

“Rook, which type of sword do you use, a stiff sword or one with enough give to bend when required?” Taze asked. “You and your group of so-called-washouts represent potential. You aren’t so set in a training course that is considerably past obsolete that you won’t adapt. A legend is forged through time and experience, but first you need to learn. A group of washouts who are willing to learn are worth more to me than the most disciplined diehards.”

Rook blushed at the compliment. “Th-thank you, Sir.” He chuckled. “Must be confusing living in a land of relative peace when you’re from, well, your world. You know, with all the monsters and humans fighting one another.”

Taze sighed. “Sometimes I think the humans can be more monstrous than the monsters are. But while we’re on the topic of discipline, Rook, talk to the men. We’re changing our salute. If we’re going to be together in battle, then we start saluting each other like brothers, not superiors.” Taze stood straight, his shoulders back, and banged his right fist to his left shoulder, wincing slightly at the phantom pain.

The Stallion smiled and tried to mimic the motion. His shoulder joint made it a little harder for him to accomplish the gesture as a Pony, but he managed. “A most interesting salute.”

“Now let’s get these weights back to base, Lieutenant. I promised Sylvio over there a walk today, and I think he’s been a good boy waiting patiently.” The pup in question barked happily as they packed up.





After finding the Shield brothers, who just happened to be outside the room, Hammer Strike decided to take a walk around the town, specifically to one of his favorite locations: the market.

“Um, Sir?” Blast Shield asked as they wove through the stalls.

“Yes?” Hammer asked, glancing back.

“We were wondering. Why didn’t you just use your other form? Wouldn’t it allow you to continue your daily routine unhindered?” Tower Shield asked.

“I would, but there is a slight problem with that,” Hammer Strike started. “One part being that there is still venom in my blood, and two, I’m still burning up. My core temperature is much higher than normal right now in order to help burn the venom out of my system.” He paused. “Both, in which case, could be extremely fatal to my other half, but I am still living now.”

“Oh,” Blast Shield said, looking down at the trail of watery slush and steaming earth behind Hammer Strike. “That explains a few things.”

“Surprisingly, I don’t feel like I’m burning up. It feels mostly normal at this point,” Hammer replied.

“Maybe you’ve found some altered form of wild magic?” Tower Shield offered.

“Oh, do I have a lot to tell you… later, of course,” Hammer replied. “For now, I’m curious to see what the market has in stock.”

“Of course.” Blast Shield nodded as they headed in that direction. “It’s good to know you’re safe, Sir.”

“Glad to know you care. A lot of Ponies would possibly rather have me disappear.” 

“No great Pony is without enemies,” Tower Shield said.

“Certainly,” Hammer responded. “Now, I think I have some really bad ideas, but I want to ignore that and just purchase something of use to either myself, Pensword, Grif, you two, the Guard, the smiths, or... for crying out loud, I need to shorten that down.”

“Well, Sir, I don’t really think you need to choose a single one,” Blast Shield noted, “seeing as your bounties arrived yesterday.”

“¿Qué?” Hammer Strike asked.

“In the last Gryphon war, Luna put a fifty bit bounty on every Black Tip killed. This bounty was never rescinded because everyPony thought the Black Tips were disbanded,” Blast shield explained. “On top of that, as their liege lord, you are awarded five bits off of every bounty gained by Grif or Pensword,” Tower Shield noted. “Didn’t you notice the large chest we placed outside your room?”

After a momentary pause, Hammer Strike finally found his words. “I noticed it, but at the same time, I think I have a few chests that I haven’t opened yet…” He paused again. “What was the total count?”

“Just over two thousand bits, Sir,” Tower Shield responded. “Not a bad sum at all.”

“If it was fifty per assassin…” He paused as he thought of something. “How many did I kill?”

“From what they could identify, forty,” Blast Shield said.

“Forty? I thought I was just drugged out on Manticore venom and seeing more,” he muttered.

“Yes, Sir. The guards noted it in their report,” Tower Shield said. “They’re terrified of how many you’d have killed had you been in perfect health.”

“In all honesty, I didn’t feel that bad until the end of it. Then again, at the end, I’m pretty sure there was enough poison in my system to be my blood.” He chuckled.

“Sir, most would have been dead in minutes. It took you over an hour to feel it,” Blast Shield pointed out.

“How long would it take for a Minotaur to feel it, or be offed from it?” Hammer asked. “Don’t know myself, but I know that the medic there seemed confused about how I was physically able to stand when I had enough in my system to halt one…”

“Ten minutes,” Tower Shield offered, “if it’s one of the larger ones.”

“Good to know I live up to one of my legends,” Hammer said. “Lets look around and see if there is anything that looks neat. And if you spot anything you two would want, tell me, as I now have, and apparently already had, quite a sum of bits.”





Pensword scowled at his new shared quarters. He was still not happy that he’d lost his barracks to the architects. Also, it was against regulations to turn part of his office into a place to actually sleep every night. It was okay to do so if the commanding officer was working hard and late, but not on a continued basis. He was momentarily distracted when he noticed the set of chests lined up on either side of the entryway. “Moonshade?” He asked turning to his left as he heard her hoofsteps on the stairs. He turned back and poked one of the chests with a hoof. On each chest, a brass plaque shone boldly at the front with his and Moonshade’s names engraved on each respectively, then Hammer Strike, then Grif.

The thestral mare made her way up the stairs slowly, still favoring the bandaged flank. “Yes?” she asked.

“Uh, what are these? ” He pointed to the chests with a hoof. “Also, it seems that Hammer Strike’s is the biggest of the chests.” He poked their two chests again. “What gives?”

Moonshade looked at the chests and smiled. “I didn’t expect these to be sorted out and calculated for another week,” she said, walking over to her chest and opening the lid to reveal many glittering gold bits. “Royal bounties.”

“Bounties?” Pensword balked as he tore open the lid on his own chest. “But bounties for what?” He froze and sucked in a breath with a loud hiss. “Black Tips?” he asked silently. “That... but...” He shuddered. “I really, really don’t want to meet any more of those. They... I have to admit they scare me.”

“Princess Luna put fifty bits on the head of every confirmed Black Tip kill,” Moonshade explained. “You don’t tend to take people trying to kill you kindly.” She smiled gently, doing her best to comfort Pensword with a distraction.

Pensword raised a skeptical eyebrow. “That was in the last war, but…” he paused and closed his eyes. “That was so close to the time that everything kind of blew up, wasn’t it? I guess it was still active?” He sighed. “Still, I can only think of one thing at the moment.” He pulled his own muzzle into a small smile. “Commissioning unit flags for the students.”

Moonshade looked puzzlingly at him before returning to the chest yet again. “Unfortunately for you, five bits on every head goes to Lord Hammer Strike, as he is your liege lord.”

Pensword laughed. “Even here I cannot avoid taxes on every bit that comes into my life.” He shook his head. “I guess they really are universal. So, uh, who pays my actual salary then? I do have a job, I think … don’t I?”

“Your salary is supposed to be covered by Lord Hammer Strike. Though, honestly, I think given the circumstances it’s been confusing getting things settled. Fortunately, the recruits are paid through Luna and Celestia.”

“I am glad to hear that the recruits are still drawing an income,” Pensword muttered. “Still, that is something that might need to be taken care of. After all, Hammer Strike now has a staff that needs to be paid as well. Then again, they get food and board, I think. But still, that is food to buy, and we have to rebuild the housing, and–” he shook his head. “Too much. Too much. Worry later. I can survive on little. Focus on the staff.” He almost looked like he was starting to hyperventilate.

Moonshade put a comforting hoof on Pensword’s back. “Everything will work out,” she promised. “Most of the servants are still riding off the thrill of being out of House Blueblood. The others seem patient enough. Hammer Strike will find a way to pay them, and they know that.”

Pensword fluffed his wings to vent his anxiety. Then he shook his head and sputtered before regaining his composure. “That is good to hear. It provides a little more relief. I was worried I would have to devise a counter-strategy for a servant uprising. That is something I would rather not do.”

“Honestly, most Ponies remember that House Strike is still being rebuilt from the floor up,” Moonshade noted. “They're not going to be pulling out their ledgers for settling debts and things like that for at least two more years.”

Pensword nodded. “I am guessing that is some law as well, right? I need only say one word, Blueblood, and I think you might understand that not every house would wait two years to settle debts. Strangely enough, from what I’ve read, it was only in recent generations that House Blueblood took this turn.”

“House Blueblood also owes considerable debts across the spectrum,” Moonshade noted. “If it turned out they owed House Strike money and he tried to collect, the other nobles might follow suit and ruin them.”

“Great,” Pensword muttered. “This sounds like a mini financial system that could very well ruin the nation, or at least the nobility and a good chunk of the economy.” He groaned, putting a hoof to the bridge of his muzzle and rubbing between his eyes. “Moonshade, I want you to look into anything that foreign investors might be able to use as a financial weapon. I do not want to see the nobility suddenly crashing down due to debt collectors.” He looked back at the chest. “Not all wars are fought with blood and steel.”

“Equestria has had economic stability, if not superiority, for the past five hundred and fifty years,” Moonshade noted. “Somehow Celestia always seems to be able to pay for anything that comes up.”

“Still, I came from a nation that had a big economy and it tanked. It was only a brief recession, but it affected a lot of lives. My grandparents lived through what was called the Great Depression, where the entire nation went into a downward spiral. Only the income provided by a literal world war brought them out of that slump.” He sighed, examining the hoof he had rubbed his nose with, then shifted back to Moonshade. “It doesn’t matter how good an economy is. You could still end up having someone manipulate it for their own means.”

“I’ll keep my ears to the ground then,” Moonshade said.

“Thank you. I’d rather worry, have a plan, and never use it than not do anything and be scrambling for something at the last minute.” He paused and smiled. “Remind me to tell you about something Matthew had in his memory about War Plan Red.”

“So, is there anything you’d like to start with?” Moonshade asked as she began loading bits into the small bag she kept hidden in her armor.

“Start in what way? Also, do we have anything not armor related to wear to tonight’s party?” he asked as he began to put some coins into his own pouch. “I am thinking of opening an account in Ponyville, actually. Then I could use these trunks for other purposes, like storing armor, or weapons, maybe uniforms.”

“Then should we head for the bank?” Moonshade asked.

“Agreed.” He paused midway down the hall. “I should probably write a letter to see if I actually already have a bank account first,” he said with a shudder. “For all I know, I might already have one and not even know it.”





Taze casually entered the library after a few minutes of knocking with no answer. “Hello? Anybody home?”

“Yes?” Twilight called up from the basement. “Who’s up there?”

“Twilight? I was just coming to see if you’d finished with any of the chapters Shawn translated. I’d kind of like to start studying them myself.”

“Yeah.” He heard her voice getting closer. “Let me bring it to you.”

After a moment, Twilight emerged from her basement, the book in question hovering in her magical grasp. “Here you go, Taze.”

“Thanks. Anything interesting?” he asked, taking it and placing it in his bag.

“Uh…” she started as she closed the basement door. “Chapter five.”

“Okay, so… where’s Spike?” Taze asked.

“He’s over at Rarity’s.”

“Your tail’s a little singed,” Taze noted, “and you’re making yourself more suspicious by hugging to that door.”

“It’s, uh... I had a small accident down in the lab,” she said, laughing hesitantly.

“Yeah, yeah.” Taze rolled his eyes. “You obviously broke some rule. If you aren't fooling me, you aren't fooling Shawn.” Taze opened the book, scanned the page, and looked at her. “You were experimenting on this stuff alone, weren’t you?”

“... Alright, yes,” she shamefully admitted. “It just seemed so interesting. I mean, a whole new branch of magic I knew nothing about, and… well... I just really wanted to try it,” she said, her voice slowly fading, even as she reached the end of her pathetic sentence.

“I’d ask if the thought of Ponyville being a smoking crater seemed good to you, but honestly, that’s every third tuesday for this town.” Taze sighed, shaking his head as he turned towards the door, book in hand. “Just be careful next time.” Much to his surprise, he opened the door to face Hammer Strike standing with his typical blank expression. “Ooh, scratch that. You’re in trouble now,” Taze said, looking back at Twilight.

“Oh, uh. Hi, Sha-Hammer Strike.” Twilight eeped, obviously nervous. “Uh… h-how are–?”

“I heard the whole thing,” Hammer Strike said.

“Well, I’ve got places to be, people to kill, etcetera, etcetera. Have fun you two,” Taze said, quickly making his way out the door. The last thing he heard from the tree was, “We’re going to have a small chat about this…” As he ran, Taze felt a weight on his shoulder. Looking over, he found Renati resting there. “Didn’t want to be in the middle of that firefight either?”

The phoenix gave him a long blank stare.

“Wow, Shawn’s been teaching you well.” Taze laughed. “Pretty soon you’ll be telling Sylvio what to do.” Now, there were no witnesses, so it was Taze’s word against nature, but he was certain the phoenix shrugged as they walked on. “...Okay, I am losing what little sanity I’ve got left. I just hope my break’s not a psychotic one. You know, blood stains,” he said to himself as he walked towards the inn.





Pensword looked at the rather empty bank building, one of the few completely stone structures in all of Ponyville. Gazing up at the clock mounted over the clerk’s desk, he noticed it was close to closing time. “So,” he said, shuffling nervously up to the counter before smiling at the clerk. “I would like to open an account.” He paused and looked to Moonshade. “And if it is at all possible, I would like for you to make time today for Lieutenant Colonel Moonshade of the Lunar Guard to also take care of her transactions as needed.”

“Your name?” The clerk asked.

“My full legal name?” he asked with a raised eyebrow and a slight upturn of his voice.

“Yes,” she said. “I do have to have it verbally confirmed when creating an account.” She gave an apologetic nod towards him. “It helps with our security spells.”

Pensword sighed. “I will repeat if needed.” He took a deep breath as the clerk placed a large crystal paperweight with multiple flashing lights. The crystal at its core was dull and dead. “My full name is Sir Pensword Parchment Strike Hurricane.” The dull crystal glowed a dull light blue, joining the myriad of other colors as they pulsed together.

The teller nodded, satisfied. “And you are a citizen of Equestria, correct?” she asked, rolling her eyes as she read off the list.

“Yes, I am a citizen of Equestria.”

“Your approximate age?” She asked.

Needless to say, any real seriousness between Moonshade and Pensword broke at that. Between laughs, he was able to ask. “Which standard? Equestrian or my own biological reckoning?”

“As ridiculous as it’s going to look, we have to have your full Equestrian standard age on record. With yours, you’ll likely apply for all our senior benefits.”

“Yeah, that will be strange. Birth would be Spring, later picked to be April fourteenth of year 101. That would make me one thousand thirty years old.” He held up a wing. “I can only give you the season. Since I was found as an orphan, no one knows my real birthdate, only that I could walk.”

“Okay,” the clerk said. The blue-green Unicorn mare levitated a quill towards him and held out a piece of parchment. “If you could make sure the information is correct, as well as read the agreement before signing in the indicated areas, we can get started.”

Pensword nodded as he pushed an imaginary pair of glasses back up his nose. The document was surprisingly short. It told the interest he would incur every month, the lowest balance he could have before needing to close the account due to insufficient funds, etc. It was fairly cut and dry. Twenty minutes later, he took the quill and signed his name as well as the initial deposit of 250 bits, leaving him with one thousand bits left at his personal quarters. Then, to the shock of the clerk, he tipped the ink from the inkwell into a large square dish he had with him, dipped his hoof into it, and slammed the hoof down on the parchment. He then moved to the side as he cleaned his hoof and horseshoe. “What? You don’t stamp one’s hoof to seal an agreement anymore?”

“It’s not fully necessary anymore,” the clerk said, trembling slightly. A slight hoof-shaped indent had been left behind on the soft wood of her desk. “Only a few Ponies ever use it. Personally, I’ve never seen it done before,” she noted, taking the parchment. “Was … was there anything else you needed?”

Pensword smiled and nodded to Moonshade. “I think she wishes to do business as well.”

The mare immediately perked up. “Oh, hello, Moonshade.” The mare nodding her head as a sign of respect before beaming a smile shared between close friends. “What’ll it be today?” she asked.

Moonshade chuckled. “Another deposit, Penny.

“How much will you be depositing today?” Penny returned. “The usual salary?”

“Actually, I have two hundred and fifty bits this time, and I’ll be depositing another seven hundred over the next few days.”

Penny balked. “What did you do? Rescue Princess Luna?” 

Moonshade laughed. “No, no. I just killed some Black Tips when they came after Pensword.” She let out a mock sigh. “Honestly, I can’t let this Pony out of my sight for five minutes.

Penny nodded her head, making a note as she collected the bits. “Will you be making your usual twenty percent donation to the Ancestral Ground Society?” She asked.

“Of course,” she said, signing the slip Penny slid her way. 

“Moonshade, you never change. You and I need to have a girl’s night out one of these days. I’ve clearly missed a little too much,” Penny said, smirking as she looked to Pensword, then back at Moonshade.

“Penny!” Moonshade balked. Penny just laughed as a blushing Moonshade stalked away from the desk with Pensword in tow.

“Call me, Mooney!” Penny shouted as the doors slammed shut.

“Um … what’s the Ancestral Ground Society?” Pensword asked, anxious to help get Moonshade’s mind off the embarrassing comment. His own cheeks were flaming, so they both needed the distraction.

Moonshade sighed. “It’s a society based around keeping Thestral culture and traditions alive,” she explained. “I donate twenty percent of my paycheck to it every few weeks.”

“... When I get an income, may I help donate to it as well?” he asked, examining his hoof. “It might be good to actually show that I accept both sides of my heritage.”

“They would appreciate that,” she said as she nodded. “Not many Ponies even think about it anymore. Since Thestrals came out of hiding during the Third Gryphon War, things have been tense with the tribes.”





“So… what did you try?” Hammer Strike started as he scrutinized Twilight. Taze had just left, and the Shield brothers were standing guard outside. 

“I… I was just trying to convert fire into it’s pure aspect form from a candle. There was barely a flame,” she said sheepishly.

“You do realize how dangerous that is…” he started. 

“I had several wards set up over the basement and twenty four on myself,” she said as they both glanced at her singed tail. “... Though maybe they weren’t exactly powerful enough.”

“Yeah, and the fact that it was that bad from a candle flame...” He sighed. “I put that warning in the book for a reason. Another thing is the fact that we don’t know how your magic would respond to it, or vise versa. Just messing with this power is dangerous. I used a flame smaller than that of a candle. I used an ember and nearly burned my hands from the failed outcome.”

“But magic is about experimenting,” Twilight argued. “If we’re not prepared to take chances, we won’t learn anything.”

“Why do you think I’m trying to work fast? Thaumic power is different from yours, an example being, scan me. Where is my source of power?” He ordered, tapping a hoof to his chest.

Twilight bowed her head and concentrated as a lavender glow surrounded her horn. The spell was relatively simple, and soon she could sense the magic inside the room. Her eyes widened as everything came into focus. With normal Equestrians, magic burned internally like a core. Scanning around, she recalled the usual locations for magic and how it was released from the standard equine: through the hooves in the case of an Earth Pony, wings for Pegasi, and horns for a Unicorn. The one time she had scanned princess Celestia during her lessons, it had felt almost as if the Alicorn’s magic had been compressed, rapidly streaming to all three focal points to leave her body. Then she ran her magic over Hammer Strike. Much to her shock, she could feel the Earth Pony had something different altogether. His magic wrapped around his body like a film or an intricate magical shield. Inside this film of sorts, a small spark of magic burned like a miniature furnace inside his body. Having seen what she was meant to see, she dropped her spell, speechless.

“I am infused with something different, and that makes it possible to mess with this field, and far more easily, because it was meant for it,” he said. “Also, Luna, come out already. I heard your hooves ages ago.”

Twilight was more than a little shocked as the lunar princess entered the room from behind one of the bedroom doors. “How did you hear me?” She asked. She checked her hooves. Her metal shoes were indeed off, as she remembered.

“Slightest difference in audio in the area. That combined with very good hearing,” Hammer responded as he turned back to Twilight.

“We are most disappointed in you, Twilight,” Luna said standing up straight. “Did our sister never give you spells only to practice when she was present?”

“Yes, she did. I’m sorry, Princess Luna.” Twilight’s ears fell as she bowed her head. “It won’t happen again.”

Hammer Strike’s stare altered slightly as his eyebrows sunk. However, he still maintained his gaze.

“And I’m sorry, Lord Hammer Strike,” Twilight continued. “I’ll make sure to heed every warning from now on.”

“... You’ll get that book back later, but not for awhile,” Hammer Strike said. “Plus, I have a feeling I’ll be having this talk with someone else in the near future…” He sighed as he turned towards the door before pausing. “Hey, Luna, what’s a good way to store bits?”

“There’s always your bank account,” Luna suggested.

“I have a bank account?” He asked, cocking an eyebrow. “Or do I need to make one?”

“You made one during the Third Gryphon War,” Luna noted. “By now, you probably own the bank itself.”

After a long pause, Hammer Strike found his words. “... I’m going to have to check that. Probably now.”





Having deposited the book back at the tavern, Taze stood in the range near the border of the Everfree, casually taking shots at the targets there. The bits he’d glimpsed at from the book on the journey had nearly left his head spinning, but he should have expected this. It was Leonardo Di Vinci after all, the guy was into everything else. Why not be into magic?

Still, the possibilities left Taze wondering what their future looked like. Back home he’d always found a fondness for researching about the mystery Humans labeled as magic. More often than not it fell under a scientific principle yet undiscovered, but there were always those few points that nobody could explain. He chuckled as he took another shot with the flintlock. His aim was slowly getting better. Here he was wondering about something as mundane as Human magic when he had spent well over a month in a world inhabited by myths, legends, and all types of arcane mysteries.

The idea of Thaumaturgy being a possibility for them had left him wondering about Equestria itself and its secrets. Thaumaturgy was, from his understanding, the manipulation of energies that Shawn had called aspects, which seemed to carry the quality of things the world was made from. But what if there was more to know? What other mysteries did this country hold, and could any of them help with this new venture? He smiled wider as he took a second shot. This time the ball buried itself within the inner circle. He knew one thing; once everything was stable in the castle, he was going to get better acquainted with Equestria. He’d seen Ponyville and Canterlot. It was time he saw more.





Pensword looked around the ordered chaos that he called party preparations. He had been overseeing the setting up and decoration of the tables that would hold the food and punch. He also was excited to reveal the training camp’s new official motto. The location might change, but the unit would remain intact. He looked to his left, where Moonshade was overseeing the DJ booth and helping direct the stage setup for anypony brave enough to try his or her hoof at showing off. It was New Year’s Eve, and it was a time to just relax and enjoy.

“Ooh!” Pinkie grinned, looking around wide-eyed at the arrangements. It was a rare thing indeed in Ponyville for her not to be in charge of party arrangements, and contrary to popular belief, it was these times she enjoyed the most, observing and learning from how other Ponies would plan a party. After all, laughter comes from many places, and if Ponies working hard to make others happy helped spread that around, then that’s what Pinkamena Diane Pie would stand for. “Wow, you’re good!” Pinkie said to no one in particular as she approached Pensword. “Super duper job. Everypony’s going to love it!”

For once, Pensword smiled at the pink party Pony, unphased by how she seemed to magically appear. “I hope they do. Then again, I also hope to show Ponyville that Guard Ponies are more than the stone-faced statues you usually see in Canterlot.” He chuckled and shook his head. “Those Ponies have my respect. I doubt I could stay that still for that long.” He paused and chuckled. “Listen to me. I’m rambling to you. You, of all people.” He chuckled again. A loud clatter broke the moment as he swiftly turned to face one of the soldiers, who now sat on his rump with a tablecloth over his head. Pensword sighed and shook his head. “Don’t try leaning on tables like that,” he chided. “Now come on, Pinkie, let’s see about pulling some tables together. It’s going to be rather rustic, but we’ll get to learn what works for our carpenters to create better tables once we move.” He opened his wings and flew to where two tables had collapsed. Thankfully, they hadn’t been set yet.

“Have you tried asking Big Mac to give them some tips?” Pinky asked. “He’s a real good carpenter when he needs to be.”

“After we settle in on Tuesday, he’s going to come by and teach a few classes. We will compensate him, of course.” He chuckled as he lifted one end and Pinkie lifted the other as two of the cadets rolled empty shipping barrels under the flat wooden board and tipped them up. The two Ponies then lowered the board and another cadet draped a white drape over the top. “Pinkie, if you do not mind, I shall go take a look at how the food is going. Could you help finish up with the table sets while I’m gone, please?”

“Of course.” She smiled. “This story needs to move on anyway.” She hopped away, still smiling as she approached another set of floundering guards and immediately proceeded to lay a perfect table in mere seconds.

Pensword only stared and looked after Pinkie Pie. “Uh, okay…” He paused and shook his head. “I didn’t know she was writing a story.” He walked away, muttering with a confused look on his muzzle. In doing so, he didn’t see where he was going and bumped into Moonshade, who was walking out of the kitchens with a clipboard that most likely had a list of the dishes to be served during the course of the meal. “Oh, sorry, Pinkie Pike derailed my mind a second.”

“I’ve heard that's a thing with her.” Moonshade giggled. “So, how’s everything looking?” She asked

Pensword looked around one more time. “I think we can be ready for the start of the party at sundown tonight. Also, the entire town is invited, but they won’t all show up since many have private gatherings planned. The musicians will arrive in another hour, and,” he paused and knocked his hoof on the wooden floor. “Well, knock on wood that all of this goes off without any attacks or destruction of property. Also, I am mentally prepared for pranks, shenanigans, and other forms of mischief the troops may have planned tonight. Oh, and I think a few of the Humans got fireworks to set off at midnight.”

Moonshade snickered “What’s wrong with that? I thought you’d enjoy a little action in the middle of everything.”

Pensword looked flatly back. “I do not want any big events. I already went through that in Canterlot, thank you very much.”

“From the records, you seemed to enjoy the Thestral roughhousing at your wedding.” She laughed.

“Oh?” Pensword asked as he arched an eyebrow without realizing it. “Tell me, what is Thestral roughhousing? You’ve piqued my interest.”

“Our kind have always been ‘hot blooded’ as they say. In times of celebration, it’s common for some of us to wrestle or participate in other forms of hoof-based combat.”

Pensword smiled. “Then I’ll have to join in once I change out of my wedding tux. I have to admit Matthew never learned to wrestle, but he has seen it, so I think it might be fun to learn some of that during the new year.”

“So what is this tradition like in Matthew’s world?” She asked

“Weddings? Well, no roughhousing for one. Usually the celebration ranges from simple to grand. The kinds Matthew is most familiar with are ones where you stand in a church, and a religious leader marries the two in the sight of God. There's a reception afterwards and well wishes and gifts given to the new bride and groom to help them create a new start as a brand new family. Also, the religious leader signs a certificate that the state needs so that government can also recognize the wedding.”

“I kind of meant New Year’s Eve.” She laughed. “But that is informative. Traditionally, Thestrals come to the wedding bearing arms. The elder says a few words and then the bride and groom make their life oath to one another. Then they share a meal cooked from something they hunted.”

“Wow,” Pensword replied. “I like the armed part.” He chuckled as he closed his eyes. “As Matthew’s memories showed me, it is similar to this type of gathering. People come together; food is served with a little bit of alcohol, though non-alcoholic beverages are also provided for those who prefer it; a countdown leads up to midnight; and when midnight comes, fireworks and noisemakers are utilized to bring the new year in. Sometimes folks stay up later while others celebrate New Year’s on an earlier time zone so they can sleep. When all's said and done, I think it could be said that humans have diverse dates and methods of celebrating based either on the lunar or gregorian calendar. Traditions can vary from giving money and new clothing to what we are doing here tonight.”

“The Minotaurs believe the new year is a time for the renewing of old bonds and the forgiving of disagreements. It is generally a law of their people that wars between tribes must be settled before the new year,” Moonshade explained.

Pensword smiled. “Those must be short and brutal wars then. Still, I guess there were exceptions in the past. Still, it is nice to hear that the New Years is like that: strong enough to stop wars for a time. That triggered another memory from the human world. They hold a series of competitions every four years between nations. These games are called the Olympics. In the past, they were able to stop wars and conflict in the name of peace and friendly competition.”

“Personally, my favorite beliefs are those of the Zebra,” Moonshade said. “They believe New Years is a time to look back and appreciate what you’ve been given; to draw all into your home that you can, especially the poor, the sick, or the unfortunate. They do not let a single Pony leave their home without a pouch of food and a small monetary gift.”

Pensword blinked in surprise. “That... that is rather nice. I can see why you would favor it.” He sighed and looked to the ceiling. “I hope the other two are staying out of trouble so they can show up early to help start the party. I heard we are doing an opening ceremony.” He winked playfully at her.

“Last I heard, Grif was in his room reading while Taze went to the range,” Moonshade said. “As for Lord Hammer Strike, I haven’t heard anything about him or his whereabouts.”

“Oh, I’m sure he’s up to something somewhere.”





“And… the bank’s closed,” Hammer Strike muttered to himself as he turned back towards the Shields. “Looks like we’re headed somewhere else.”

“Shouldn’t you be be getting ready for the ceremony?” Blast Shield asked.

“Ready how?” Hammer returned. “I’ve pretty much got everything I need on me.”

“True. You don’t really wear much else.” Tower Shield nodded. 

“So, rather than wander around for awhile, let’s head back to the tavern and, I don’t know, rest, talk, or do whatever, especially since Pensword is keen on keeping me out of the forge,” he said jokingly.

“Very well, my lord.” Tower Shield nodded. “To the tavern it is.”

Hammer Strike froze mid-step before looking to Tower. “Two sentences in a row. That’s a rare one from you two.”

The two shield brothers looked at each other for a moment before shrugging as they turned back to Hammer Strike. “It happens sometimes,” Blast Shield said.

After a short trip, they found themselves back at the tavern.

“You realize if chests of bits keep appearing outside your doors, they're going to start getting lighter, right?” Berry asked. “To pay for floor damages, of course.”

Hammer Strike chuckled. “I’ll get it moved soon. Nice to see you, too, Berry.”

“By the way, her ladyship's waiting in your room,” Berry said as Hammer Strike approached the stairs, causing him a brief pause before he continued up the stairwell towards his room.

Opening his door, he was greeted with the sight of Rarity.

“Oh, darling, I came over as soon as I could.” Rarity immediately jumped off the edge of his bed, where she had been sitting patiently. Next to her, several coats nigh identical to his own lay polished and pressed in various color schemes. “You simply cannot do the new years ceremony in your usual coat. It’s simply not right for a noble. I’ve done the best I could with what I know about you and your preferences. Hopefully we’ll be able to find something new for you.”

“Wonderful,” Hammer Strike said in his typical bored tone. His eyes roamed idly over the coats. The first was a bright (near blindingly so) orange with blue trim on it.

“No,” Hammer Strike immediately said upon seeing it as his eyes began to water every so slightly.

“Admittedly, I’m not sure what I was thinking with that one.” Rarity sniffed in disdain, swiftly tossing the offending argument away.

“What about this one?” Rarity offered a black coat with an almost blood-red lining to it. Gold buttons were sewed onto the front alongside Hammer Strike’s cutie mark embroidered in gold thread by the flanks.

“It looks quite nice,” Hammer responded.

“But what does it make you feel, dear?” Rarity asked. “Does it speak to you?”

“It makes me feel that others will not want to bother me, which is something I rather enjoy.”

She levitated it over to him. “Let’s see how it looks on you.”

“You do realize that will take awhile, right?” he questioned as he slowly began to remove the coat.

“Oh, I’m so sorry, darling.” Rarity's eyes widened as she remembered. “I completely forgot about your bandages.”

“No worries. They mainly restrict movement. I don’t honestly feel much of the pain anymore.” He finished pulling off the coat to reveal numerous bandages wrapped around his chest, upper legs, waist, and other parts.

“You look like you tried to take on a chimera bare-hooved.”

“I don’t know if I would come out this bad from that,” he chuckled in response. “Had I been equipped, that is.”

“You’re right. You probably could have brought down a chimera without getting so much as a scratch.” She laughed as she helped him into the coat.

“Who knows?” He smiled a little. “Who knows?”

A few minutes later, Hammer Strike was finally settled into the new coat, his other one having been set off to the side. “Comfortable,” he commented.

“I was doing some research on armor over the last few days,” Rarity said. “I believe I managed to not only cushion the coat, but by using the shaped leather I added in certain areas, it should be able to keep you somewhat safer in combat.”

“Comfortable and functional. Very nice. I’m impressed. Thank you, Miss Rarity,” Hammer Strike said.

“Well, there’s no reason why a stylish garment can’t keep you safe now, is there?” Rarity asked, her cheeks flushed with pride.

“It is surprisingly rare from what I have seen,” Hammer responded.

“If this proves successful, I may see how much farther I can go. Why, I’m sure a few heads of state would appreciate something safe they could wear to important events.”

“I’m certain of that happening, though some may be stubborn, as usual.” Hammer Strike replied. “But on to another matter. Rarity, would you be willing to accompany me to the New Year’s Party?”

Rarity blushed and backed into the bed frame, jumping slightly. “I-I’d be delighted to, darling,” she said behind her hooded eyelashes.





Grif checked himself carefully. The opening ceremony was supposed to be handled by the three heroes, so Taze had taken on his Gryphon form for the party. Rather than the whole set of heavy armor, he had decided on wearing a simple chestplate and pauldrons. On his back the two swords that Hammer Strike had made for him sat in their usual place. It had taken him a long time, but he’d finally settled on their names. They were now to be called Blood for the left one and Vinegar for the right one. He checked again that his throwing blade harness was secure and his ammo pouch and holster properly strapped. Lastly, he strapped his stilettos in place before he left the room.

Moonshade and Pensword hadn’t left the party site, Hammer Strike and Rarity were leaving as he’d arrived, and even Berry Punch and Ruby were gone. The tavern had an almost eerie feel to it as he left the building. With a grin he took to the air in the direction of the party. He flew towards the wooden walls of their makeshift fortress. In fact he saw that the main building had been spruced up. Well, at least the windows were open and freshly cleaned. He nodded approvingly as he eyed the tables that had been set out in the field. If anything, it looked like Ponies were making their way towards the building in a steady line, guided by the cheerful flicker of lanterns and torches strung up around the dining area. Everything was ready. He managed to land just a few feet outside the entrance.

Walking casually in, Grif saw Pensword standing near the stage as he stepped away from an old styled microphone. Clearly, he must have just performed a sound check. The Pegasus was dressed in a dress uniform, and as he stepped onto the floor Moonshade and Silver Spear stood up on either side as they talked. Behind the stage Grif saw a white banner with big red letters spelling out Ex Flammis Resurge.

“Evening, Pensword.” Grif nodded to various party goers and troops as he approached the Pegasus. “Everything looks very nice. You must have worked hard.”

Pensword only smiled. “We all worked hard. It was a team effort. I’m just glad we are ready with thirty minutes to spare.” He sighed. “One time we were preparing up to the last minute.”

“And where is our lord?” Grif asked. “He was already leaving the tavern when I entered it.”

“Right behind you.”

Grif was a Gryphon warrior trained for the most hazardous of situations. He jumped and made a sound not unlike a startled cat before turning around, finding Hammer Strike right behind him with his famous blank expression.

“Hello, my lord,” Grif said, straightening himself up. “You startled me.”

Hammer Strike chuckled a little. “I noticed. Glad to see you finally made it.”

“I had many things to think over and a chest of bits I had to move to a safer location,” Grif said. “Taze was nice enough to leave the manuscript with me, and I have been contemplating the first chapter carefully.”

“It is a lot to take in,” Hammer Strike admitted.

Pensword only blinked. “Well that is good; however,” he leaned in. “It feels like I am finally beginning to understand weather control. I created a cloud nest for fun yesterday. Also, I almost set off a lightning strike.”

“I must admit I find that magic has truly taken leaps and bounds since the trenches of the Third Gryphon War,” Grif said. “And yet the technology has suffered greatly from the empire’s fall.”

“Yes, but at least the medical field improved,” Pensword replied with a small smile. “I do not know about you, but I believe that we are where we need to be at the moment. We can improve things if we need to as time goes on.”

“So I understand you have acquired quite an entertainment list for tonight. Something about this new music. I believe you called it dubstep?” Grif asked.

“It comes from Pinkie Pie’s recommendation. I did invite a Canterlot Cellist as well for some classical music, but I must admit I am somewhat anxious about this newer style. I worry that it might not be good,” Pensword muttered.

“You never know till you try it,” Hammer Strike responded.

“Too bad we won’t be able to get any Minotaur folk music tonight,” Grif said. “They always have such a way with the guitar.”

“Maybe next year,” Pensword replied with a shrug of his wings.

“Perhaps Applejack can be persuaded to fiddle for us?” Grif asked.

“That would be interesting to see,” Hammer Strike said.

“And food, Pensword? I dare not hope you managed to sneak some meat in with the vegetable dishes?” Grif asked.

“The meat dish is in the kitchen for the Thestrals and yourself. Also myself and any Pegasus that might like to try something fishy,” he admitted. “I heard Princess Luna likes some of the meat dishes as well.”

“Thank you for your consideration, my friend,” Grif said, nodding.

“Of course. “To be honest, I have a bit of a love for meat as well.” He pointed a hoof to his fangs. “So I wanted to include all here. I also wanted to be prepared just in case a traveling Gryphon does pop by as well.” He winked. “I read that Gryphons do respect the New Years tradition. Assuming we live through the partying, we should have tonight and tomorrow to live without fear. Something about honoring surviving another year.”

“I’d rather hope not myself, my friend,” Grif noted. “I do believe that the temperature in the room would drop very quickly.”

Pensword nodded. “Yeah, still we have the clanless traveling through this area at some point, so I would rather be prepared than not.”

“When should we be kicking things off?” Grif asked.

Pensword looked to a wall clock. “Twenty five minutes from now,” he replied as they saw a certain Unicorn finally getting around to setting up a sound system . She didn’t even seem fazed that she’d arrived so late.

“And Pinkie Pie?” Grif asked. “I am rather shocked she’s not vibrating at the door.”

Pinkie Pie appeared out of nowhere, showering them with confetti and streamers. “Happy New Year’s Eve!” she shouted as she bounced to another group to do the same thing. She was vibrating, but doing so in a way that she got to meet every Pony to enter the grounds.

“Ask a stupid question ...” Grif mumbled under his breath. “And where is your lady, my lord? I know you left with her.”

“She is sitting down over at that table over there,” He said, gesturing towards Rarity. She was daintily sipping a cup of punch.

“So do we announce the move tonight?” Grif asked.

Pensword nodded. “I gave a warning yesterday for something tonight. After the midnight rockets fly we will announce that we move January second and third.”

“Then we’ll be there by January tenth, supposing everything goes smoothly.”

Pensword nodded. “Yes. Now if any of the other residents wish to give a hoof in blazing a trail, I wouldn’t mind, but we will eventually have to turn the trail we use into the main avenue into the settlement. I would rather not have to go back and create another one. Once is enough for the moment, especially with that forest. We can build it to branch off into other directions like a compass once we get to the old castle, but that is about it.”

“Probably a good idea,” Hammer Strike commented. “Making a good path to travel.”

“Honestly I wouldn’t want civilians mixed into this unless necessary,” Grif said. “Timberwolves bite hard.”

“I never said I would have them on the front lines, Grif. I thought they could be the ones to hold the deterrents, the smoked woods, fires, that sort of thing. It gives the guards more freedom to be on the perimeter to defend instead of taking those that know how to fight away from the sides and front and having them hold the items.”

“No one who can’t fight,” Grif said adamantly. “If they’re going to be out there, I want them to have a buck as strong as a bear.”

Pensword looked to Grif. “I guess, but we will have to talk more about this after the party. We, and I mean all four of us, need to open the festivities tonight. It is time.”

“After you.” Grif gestured with a sweep of a talon.

Pensword shook his head. “Right, no offense to you, Milord, but this is my domain as you placed me in, so I guess I shall lead us to the stage, where it will fall to Lord Hammer Strike to give the welcome and a few short words. Grif, Moonshade, you two will lay down any ground rules for sports and wrestling and other physically related activities. I shall start the meal with the official toast. Also, just to let you know, Princess Luna just arrived by way of the kitchens to allow a graceful late entrance. She wishes not to detract from our first opening ceremony in over a thousand years.” He gave a light chuckle before turning around, and started to walk towards the stage. The party soon faced a rather sizable crowd as they waited. After a time, Hammer Strike stepped forward and the chatter died down.

“Hello, and welcome to our first annual House Strike New Years celebration. It is an honor to see so many faces here tonight. I want to thank you all for coming, and I hope you all enjoy yourselves.”

Next Grif stepped forward. “Hello, everypony! Now I’m not really one for words, so how about a trick?” Grif looked into the crowd as a few called out and one or two stomped their hooves in excitement. Grif looked to Moonshade, who began tossing apples above the crowd. With a careful eye and a quick flick of the wrist, Grif sent a blade impaling the fruit sending it off course and landing in the hooves of different Ponies in the crowd. He gave a short bow as the crowd stomped and casually stood back.

Moonshade smiled as she took the stage. “So we have some ground rules tonight for those of us used to different traditions. First off, I’d like to remind the Thestrals in the crowd that meat will be served separately so as not to disturb any of the Ponies who may not be used to our customs. Secondly, any bouts, be they for fun, honor, or settling disputes, are to be handled within the designated areas. If fighting breaks out beyond those designated zones, the consequences will be decided either by your commanding officer, or in the case of civilians, by one of us. And finally, I would like to make you all aware that Pegasi and Thestral pranks involving rain, wind, or thunder clouds will not be tolerated this evening. Anypony found guilty of these offenses will be immediately barred from the celebrations. Thank you, and please enjoy yourselves.”

Pensword smiled as he stepped forward to join his friends. “Military custom states that I give some final orders. Tonight any challenges of lore or holdings of unit coins are not to be done. I do not want to find out that you used those rules to have civilians buy or pay the loser’s wage. Now, if the civilians ask, and wish to egg on the egos of knowledge, lore, or the like, far be it for me to say no to that. Also, as tomorrow is a day that Celestia has outlined for our unit to be off, the usual limits on number of drinks shall be dismissed. Mind you, I personally shall remain dry tonight. With that said, I do hereby give the first toast of the night to Princess Luna, Princess of the Night and patron of the celebrations held this evening all over Equestria.” He held up his glass of grape juice, raised it to the roof and took a sip. “Toasts are open now for the rest of the night till the stroke of midnight. Fall out, everypony. My last orders to you are to enjoy the night.”

A loud cheer arose from the crowd as the Ponies dispersed to their various activities of games, dancing, eating, drinking, and much more besides.

“Well, now that that’s done, I think I’m going to go get some food, then maybe I’ll find something to entertain foals or something,” Grif said, turning to leave.

Pensword nodded. “I shall mingle a little with troops.” He looked at a clock on the wall. “We’re at twenty hundred hours now, so yeah, have some fun. See you in four hours.”

“I’ll possibly stick with Rarity until she gets tired of dealing with me,” Hammer Strike said. he chuckled as he walked off.

As they left the stage, Grif casually passed by a grey mare with a purple treble clef cutie mark. Unseen by his friends, he casually gave her a wink before heading towards the kitchen.

Fifteen minutes later, Luna took the stage as the band finished setting up. “Good evening, my little Ponies!” she called to the crowd, who bowed graciously to their princess. “In honor of this new year, which has marked us with many great returns, mainly the Crystal Empire and our three great heroes. Because of this most rare of occasions when Gryphon, Unicorn, Pegasi, Earth Pony, Thestral and even a Zebra,” Luna said as she nodded towards Zecora, who lowered her head respectfully, “can sit together in peace and look forward to a new year, I have taken it upon myself to look for only the best of entertainment this year. As such, I have arranged a surprise tonight, a rare treat of a traveling Gryphon singer accompanied for one night only by the Canterlot Quartet, including the one and only Octavia Melody. Accompanying them tonight will be the famous DJ P0N3.” Luna gestured to the band, all of whom were currently dressed in black. “Now, it is my pleasure to present, for tonight only, Tobias Songbird!” Luna smiled, raising a hoof high as she backed to stage right. A spotlight shone on the parting curtain, revealing a grey Gryphon with a white head wearing a black suit and a fedora with a blue ring on it. The band began playing a surprisingly non-classical jazz themed number as the Gryphon walked to the end of the stage and took the microphone in his talons.

“Fly me to the moon,” he sang out out to the crowd.

Pensword’s ears perked up in shock and he jerked his head to the stage, riveted by the familiar lyrics. “That is a song from Earth,” he muttered.  “What are they planning?” He noticed Princess Luna walking toward their group. Her presence caused a stir amongst the crowd as the guards stiffened to attention before a casual stroke of the princess’ wing released them. The civilians bowed or started before Princess Luna motioned with her hoof to have them stand again. 

“Taze was nice enough to play it for me a while ago,” Luna explained to Pensword. “I find it a rather enjoyable song, what with the theme of the cosmos and its beauty. I hope that it is not against Matthew’s taste?” She asked apologetically. Her eyes were bright and shimmering, though they also showed just a hint of vulnerability that would make any Pony’s knees buckle.

Pensword shook his head and tapped his skull with a hoof. “He enjoyed Frank Sinatra. He actually enjoyed this era of music over that of his own modern generation. I take it you enjoy it as it celebrates your own night sky?” he asked.

Princess Luna’s eyes sparkled. “It is traditional to dance on such occasions, is it not?” she asked. “Perhaps you would take the Lieutenant Colonel for a few steps to help other Ponies break the ice?” she suggested, motioning with a wing to a somewhat startled Moonshade.

Pensword blinked but realized that as the band wrapped up Fly me to the Moon, no Ponies were dancing, most likely because of the foreign music. “Of ... of course.” He gulped before turning to face Moonshade, who still looked just as shocked by the request. The two slowly moved to the middle of the floor. As they began to dance, Pensword pondered where Luna could have found this strange Gryphon. And why did his eyes seem so familiar?

The Gryphon smiled as he gripped the microphone. “Blue moon,” he crooned as the quartet broke into a slow ballad.

Pensword’s eyes widened in surprise. He smiled as he began to lead Moonshade around the dancefloor. Looking into her eyes, he smiled as some few bolder Ponies slowly joined in.

“I do find it fascinating how the Humans have applied their romance rituals to the sky,” Luna noted to Twilight quietly as they watched.

Twilight nodded in agreement. “It does kind of make sense  when you think about it. From what Taze and the others have told me, Humans were once little more than hunters and gatherers during the day, so any social events would be around the dawn, dusk, and night times when they would cook and eat the food they gathered.” She gave a light smile as she continued, “It is interesting to see a society focusing social events around the night while Ponies grew up–” she trailed off as she realized where she was going. “Sorry, Princess Luna.”

“It is a pleasant change nonetheless,” Luna said with just a hint of a smile. “I see Ponyville has not found you a suitable mate yet, Twilight Sparkle,” Luna teased.

Twilight stared, completely taken aback. She stammered and stuttered as she struggled to regain her composure. Unable to find the words, she finally settled on focusing on the dancers and letting the comment drop. She could practically feel the satisfaction radiating off of Luna as they watched together. Her cheeks still burned.

Meanwhile, Hammer Strike and Rarity were sitting on the sidelines watching Pensword and Lunar Fang dance. Hammer Strike let his usual flat stare relax into a smile as he looked at the two.

“I’ve never heard music quite like this before, but I can see why Princess Luna enjoys it,” Rarity noted.

“Certainly a good choice,” Hammer replied.

“It is good to see those two in a bit closer proximity. They always seem so formal with each other. Seaswirl has been positively swooning over their love story for weeks.”

“I can picture others talking about it. They are rather close.”

“It’s the way they move, really,” Rarity noted. “They seem to always be in some kind of dance. First it starts with the way she reacts to his words or his movements, and then the cue returns to his side before he pushes things back over to her. It’s quite fascinating to see from a third Pony perspective.”

“I can agree with that.”

“I almost feel like this evening was being set up.” She chuckled, continuing. “Is someone playing matchmaker?”

“You would be surprised. Or not. Depends on what you expect for an answer.” He chuckled, smirking as he replied.

“I sense you know more than you’re letting on,” Rarity said.

“I know more than I technically am allowed to know.” He smiled as he turned towards her. “You just have to ask the right questions at the right time.”

“So you do know what’s going on then?” Rarity asked, raising an eyebrow.

“More than I should.” He chuckled, his attention shifting to Luna.

“Is the princess behind this?”

“Just remember. We have things yet to come, but is past for you,” he replied.

“I feel like I’m talking to Pinkie Pie whenever I ponder that, darling,” she admitted.

“Let’s just leave it at this then. Time is being a pain, and the three of us are traveling across it,” he answered back with a shrug.

They were silent for a time. Then Rarity broke the silence.

“So, how are you feeling, darling? Your wounds still tender?”

“Feeling better than I did after getting the toxin mostly cleared from my system.” Hammer Strike shrugged. “The only problem is restricted movement, really, though it can flare up sometimes.”

“Is there anything you need?”

“I feel as though I should be asking you that.” He chuckled a moment. “I am fine, thank you.”

“Nonsense, darling, you’re injured. I should be attending to you tonight,” Rarity said, shaking her head.

It wasn’t that noticeable, but his smile seemed to grow a little. “Thank you.”

Pensword and Moonshade continued to dance as another song ghosted through the clearing and into the night. Yet again, Frank Sinatra’s music sang full throated. 

“I hope I haven’t been too much of a klutz with my dancing skills. I am still a little weak on dancing with four legs,” Pensword said with a chuckle.

“You’re doing fine,” she assured him. “I’m the clumsy one. This music is new to me.”

“Which is funny, because in world that Matthew is from, this is old music. This is music that…” he paused and seemed to ponder before bowing his head. “Cheeky little fellas,” he muttered before shaking his head. “No, they wouldn't do that.” He looked back up and at Moonshade. “Frank Sinatra, the singer that sang these songs, is usually associated with romantic style music.” He laughed softly. “However, if I know my friends, they would want to have at least one of his songs sung tonight.”

Before Moonshade could speak, the music had faded again. The Gryphon on stage spoke into the microphone in a deep voice. “Now fillies and gentlecolts, we are going to try a song that’s a little different. I hope you enjoy this. And you stallions out there, remember, you won’t know till you try.” As he spoke, the curtain pulled away to reveal a full band and orchestra waiting in perfect silence on their chairs.

“Percussion.” At the Gryphons words, the band began to play, each starting a different section of the music based solely on his words. “Strings.” The stringed instruments began their cue. “Winds.” The music really started going as the instruments blended. “Words.” With that,  the Gryphon took a breath and started singing. “There you see her...”

Pensword widened his eyes in shock before smiling as he looked to the stand, but before he had a chance to say so much as a word, Moonshade took the lead and pulled him further onto the dance floor. She smiled a little at him. Pensword looked back at her. It was almost subtle as they switched leads while the tempo picked up. And as the music shifted, so too did their dancing. They slowed their pace again as the wind instruments took over.

“More Human music?” she asked as they moved.

Pensword nodded his head. “Yes, from a movie. Something a lot newer than Frank Sinatra.”

“It’s an interesting choice,” she noted.

Pensword nodded, not sure what music would do in this situation in Equestria. “Agreed. Now be ready, the tempo will slowly pick up once he starts singing again,” he warned.

“Well I hope you’ll be able to lead me through it,” she said as she smiled at him.

He only nodded as the singing started. True to his warning, the music picked up. While other Ponies tried to keep up, it seemed the couple were the only ones truly able to stay in rhythm with the music. Their dancing grew more feverish as they swirled and twirled until the song reached its final crescendo. Matthew and Pensword saw a small boat with a pair of figures beneath a sea of fireflies. Both knew that the small boat would capsize and the kiss would not happen.

Neither side had noticed, but as the song had been going on, their faces had drawn, ever so slowly, closer together. Both responded with wide eyes as their lips met quite suddenly, though Moonshade quickly melted into the kiss.

Pensword didn’t know why, but after a moment, he let it go. Things may be crazy, and he may very well be trapped in this shape for a while, but for now, with Moonshade, with those lips and those eyes, everything paled into utter insignificance. It was a moment that he would later admit that all worry, all fears about the future, his role in the war, just melted away. He wasn’t Pensword. He wasn’t Matthew. He was just there. He was being, and so was she.They didn’t notice as the music had faded to silence. They still didn’t notice as the Ponies began to stare. They were in their own little cosmos, and it was right.

On the stage, the Gryphon looked to Luna with a wink, mouthing, “mission accomplished.” Taking a gulp from a nearby glass of water, he went once again to the microphone. “Well, looks like we have some love in the audience, everypony. Ain’t that a kick in the head?” With that, the music kicked off again. “How lucky can one guy be?”

The two Ponies slowly pulled back from the kiss and without a moment's hesitation, they quickly took off on a fast swing dance. In fact, a few times the two commanders actually bucked in time. For the first time in a long time, the two old friends saw the worry and concern melt away from Pensword’s face, and he actually started to look younger during the music. Pensword and Moonshade both stood panting. Sweat had grown to a lather on their flanks, and they decided to duck out as the Gryphon came to the mic one more time.

“Well, everypony, it has been fun, but unfortunately I’m going to be leaving you. I have a long flight in the morning, but I’ll leave you with one last number.” He smiled, cueing up the band. The rhythm started slow with a more relaxed pace than usual. “And now the end is near,” he started.

Pensword and Moonshade sat at one of the tables as the song played through the open door. Both smiled as they listened. Pensword sighed as he drank deeply from his cup of punch. “I wish Grif or Taze were here. Not only would they meet another cool Gryphon, but I think they would enjoy the music that has been played here tonight.”

The Gryphon tossed his fedora into the crowd before vanishing backstage, and the band began to play something simpler. Several minutes later, Grif approached the two Ponies from the left carrying a piece of red velvet cake. “Hey guys, did I miss much?” he asked.

Moonshade blushed as she responded. “The musical entertainer was quite something,” Moonshade said. “A Gryphon like you, as a matter of fact. Sadly, he had to leave before you could see him.”

“Probably for the best.” Grif shrugged. “I don’t seem to inspire the best in other Gryphons.”

Pensword blinked in confusion. “Is it not okay to let a Gryphon enjoy the passing of one year to another? Or was that Minotaurs I am thinking of with the New Year’s event?” he asked. He shook his head. “Still, the crazy thing is this Gryphon knew music from Earth.”

“Earth music?” Gif raised a brow. “I’ve only ever shared a few songs with Vinyl and Octavia, but I don’t know any Gryphons.”

“Well, it has spread. Seems that the music is going to be the next hot thing. Music from an alien world, translated into Equestrian. Though I wonder how the Dragons would react to us singing Hakuna Matata in their noble language.”

Grif barely suppressed a snark. “So, did anything else happen in there?”

“It was so romantic,” a light purple Unicorn said wistfully as she walked by. Her mane and tail was two toned with light purple and dark blue and her cutie mark seemed to be a set of dolphins. “They kissed at the end of a song.” With that she wandered away from the party.

“Ooh.” Grif grinned at them. “So the dam finally burst, huh?” he asked.

Pensword could only blush and look down at the table. His cheeks flushed a bright red through his fur, even as a light smile tugged at the edges of his mouth.

Moonshade seemed unable to speak as she fiddled with her hooves. Grifs eyes could just pick up her blush under her dark fur.

“Heh. Well, congratulations you two,” he said, smiling as he took a forkful of cake.

Pensword only blushed more at the compliment. A small part of him was shocked he was having this reaction. Another part was outraged over the fact he could have kissed a Pony. After all, he was a different species from her. Well, he was a different species from her. Another part was afraid of Lunar Fang and what she might represent for him and his future. The last part of him, surprisingly, was actually okay with what had happened. With all these different thoughts running through his head together, he could hardly think, so he decided to do the one thing that made sense and focused on the sensations he’d felt when the kiss happened.

“Well the countdown should be starting soon,” Grif noted. “I’m heading back inside.”

They both jumped to their hooves. “We’re coming with you.” They both stared at each other and couldn’t help but smile sheepishly before looking to the doors. “Well I guess we should head in,” Pensword finished for the two of them.

They entered the room just as Luna stood up at the front and unfurled her wings. “Now, I shall start off the countdown.” She smiled. “TWENTY!” she shouted. Much of the crowd was pleasantly surprised to find she had toned down the Royal Canterlot Voice.
 
Grif chuckled uncontrollably as he looked up at the rafters. A walkway had been set up on the second floor to allow for extra seating. It was the perfect place to mingling after a ceremony. The two looked up. The crowd shouted, “FIFTEEN!”

Hammer Strike and Rarity smiled as they spotted Moonshade and Pensword together. They both could see something hanging from the ceiling and Hammer Strike leaned in to whisper something into Rarity’s ear. She smirked at Hammer Strike as her eyes focused on the two Ponies frozen in the entrance as they, too stared up. “TEN!” Rarity broke her gaze to steal a glance with Hammer Strike as he did the same to her.

Rainbow Dash and the other Element Holders were all gathered around the room as they raised almost empty mugs of cider and cheered out the numbers. Somewhere along the line Luna and Twilight had constructed a magical orb that was ticking down the wall towards the floor. “FIVE!” The ball had nearly reached the floor.

Hanging innocently from the ceiling was a single sprig of mistletoe dangling from a thread just over Pensword and Moonshade. Pensword blinked and smiled. He shouted, “ONE!” Immediately after, he leaned in and kissed her once more on her muzzle. They ignored the fact that the string hadn’t been tied to the rafter. The dim sheen of a coal black tail flicking over the edge of the rafters told exactly who Grif had entrusted this most important of tasks to. Locked in their kiss, Pensword and Moonshade hardly noticed as the ball touched the ground and exploded into a series of magical streaks of light and color. The loud whistle of fireworks accompanied the display, melding with the cheers of the crowd. The new year had come.