Hundreds of landing craft were launched from their respective air and sea battleships and began fly and move in formation toward the island. One by one, the Federation ships land on the beach at the entrance to a dense forest. Troop transports emerge from the landing craft as a half dozen griffin battle droids flew by.
A command droid was overseeing the unloading of the troops when a small crystal it was carrying started to glow.
"Yes, Viceroy?" The droid said as a small hologram of the Griffin Viceroy appeared.
"Captain, we've searched the ship and there is no trace of the Knights. They may have got on onto one of your landing craft." The Viceroy reported.
"If they are down here, sir, we'll find them." The griffin shaped battle droid reassured.
"Use caution. These Knights are not to be underestimated." The Griffin warned before fading.
Star Swirl ran through the forest glancing back to see monstrous troop transports, emerging from the mist as animals began to run past him in a panic. As one of the transports was about to crush him he suddenly tripped and fell into a small ravine. Picking himself up he stood and watched as the war machine turned and continued on it's way, disappearing into the mist. Satisfied that he wasn't being followed the elder unicorn started walking again to regroup with Clover.
Following the ravine he soon found himself in a small clearing by a cliff. In the distance, two Griffin droids burst out of the mist, flying at high speed, chasing Clover.
"Get back!" Star Swirl said too his apprentice as she ran past him and he activated his Crystal Sabre.
The two troops fired magic bolts at them which Star Swirl quickly deflected back at them and the two droids exploded, colliding into the side of the cliff.
"Thanks." Clover said exhausted, trying to catch her breath.
"Your welcome. Now let's go, before more of those droids show up." Her master said as they began walking north.
"Right." Clover said following him. "By the way, I managed to find find a city while I was looking for you."
"A city!?" The blueish grey unicorn said astonished.
"Yeah. It's a hidden city built into the side of a large ravine." She explained. "I was actualy going to investigate it when those droids showed up."
"All right lead the way." Star Swirl said nodding.
After about five minutes of walking the two unicorns had finally reached the ravine.
"Here we are." Clove said looking over the edge of the ravine.
"That's a city alright. A bit primitive but a city. Now how do we get down?" Star Swirl said looking around for a path or something.
"Hey You! Stop Right There!" A voice yelled at them.
"Huh?" The unicorn mare said looking up to see two stags running at them. She was about to activate her Crystal Sabre but Star Swirl put his hoof over hers, silently telling her not to.
"What business do you have in Hart City?" One of the Stags asked.
"We are trying to reach the Neighboo. We wish to enter your city to stock up on supplies and get directions." Star Swirl explained.
"I'm afraid we can't allow that." The other Stag said. "We have been given orders to not allow any out sides into the city." he said as a pulsating sound was heard in the distance.
"Do you hear that?" Star Swirl ask.
"Yeah." The first Stag said curiously.
"That's the sound of a thousand terrible things heading this way..." The elder unicorn continued.
"If they spot us, they will crush us, grind us into little pieces, then blast us into oblivion!" Clover finished, trying to intimidate the two guards.
The two guards looked at each other, trying to deside if it was worth going against their orders, in order to avoid their city from being discovered.
"Ah. You're point is well met." The second Stag said as the two deer cam to the same conclusion.
"Follow us. We'll see what the bosses have to say about this." The first Stag said before leading them over to large hole, hidden by a bush with stairs leading down it.
The two Crystal Knights were lead through the city, many of the deer scatter and said some things in hushed tones, not used to seeing outsiders. As the Knights were lead into a large building, one of the stags ran a head to in form their leaders of their arrival. They were then lead into a room with a long circular judge's bench where a group of elder looking deer sat. One of the guards signalled for the ponies to stand on a small platform facing the oldest of the deer who had large impresive antlers sat on a cushion higher than the others.
"You should not be here. The army of mechanical beings up there, is with you we saw!" The elder dear said, informing the two unicorns that they know that they arrived with droid army.
"That army is about to attack the Neighboo. We are trying to warn them." Star Swirl said trying to convince the deer to help them.
"We don't like the Neighboo! They think they're so smart. They think they're better then everyone else." The deer said getting a little angry.
"Once those droids take control of the island, they will take control of you." Clover explained stepping forward.
"I don't think so. They do not know of our city." He said proudly.
"You and the Neighboo form a symbiont circle. What happens to one of you will affect the other. You must understand this!" Clover said trying to reason with him.
"We no care about the Neighboo!" The old dear said angrily.
"Then send us on our way." Star Swirl said flaring up his horn a little.
"We going to send you on your away." The old unicorn said in an almost trance like state.
"We could use a transport." The elder unicorn said.
"You can use a Corbita. The quickest way to the Neighboo is sailing down the Gakaabikaa River. Now go." The deer explained before dismissing them.
"Thank you for your help. We leave in peace." Star Swirl said bowing, before he and Clover turned to leave.
"Master, what's a Corbita?" Clover asked.
"A boat of some kind, I hope." He said as they exited the building.