Equestria was amongst the finest countries in all the land. They boasted one of the grandest armies that had ever walked the planet’s surface, fighting off foes that would make lesser nations break in half. They had secured their borders and fought for them fiercely. For the most part, the inner parts of the nation were safe. Aside from occasional monsters or a bandit or two, ponies could live in peace. At least, as much peace as the world allowed.
Yet even with this perceived safety, a large column of guards trotted through the dark forest with general unease. The soldiers didn’t much care for how the night blanketed everything in pitch black. Equestrians knew the night was filled with evil intent. It’s why ponies didn’t do a lot out after dark. This was especially so after what happened a few weeks back.
So the guards were understandably armed and ready to fight. The group mostly travelled on their own hooves, with a couple of Gallimimus riders riding along. The elegant, bipedal dinosaurs carried their riders well. Their blue and red plumage, almost hidden underneath their light golden armor, was only seen when their torches cast their gaze at them.
In their midsts was the prize. It was a steel carriage. Driving in front of it was a hooved hadrosaur. A Six horned Saurolope. The beast’s front forelegs ended in hooves just like ponies, while the back were more akin of their other hadrosaur cousins. It had a crown of spikes running behind its head. The large beast pulled the metal carriage along with ease.
The old driver wasn’t all that bothered by the cold night as many of the rest were. One of them sat beside him. He eyed the mare’s hooves as they held fast to her crossbow, “Easy there. Any tighter and you might shoot somepony.”
The mare snorted, “If it’s my enemy then it will be a bolt well used. Are you not afraid of the wretched night?”
The stallion shook his head, “I’ve travelled these parts so many times over the years. Many of them happened at night and never once was I in danger. I don’t care how much that damned bitch from the moon put a fright into the nation. Equestria is safe within its borders.”
“Aside from the occasional monster.”
“True.”
“And rogue chaos cultists.”
“Very rare, mind you.” The stallion sighed as he was ousted. “Well none of that really is of concern. The monsters stay to the old forests and rarely come about. The insane Discord hooligans are never in numbers that would threaten even five trained soldiers. Having this many is killing it. We took care of Nightmare Moon and her followers. We are safe within Equestria. Isn’t that right, Cave?”
“Right, sir.” A soldier shouted back.
“Not so loud,” the mare hissed. “We could alert the enemy.”
“What enemy?” The stallion rolled his eyes. “I keep telling you, there isn’t anyone else out here.”
Everyone went silent as one of the bushes ahead started to shake violently. The mare fumbled with her crossbow. The soldiers tense and tightened their formation. The esteemed soldiers of Celestia prepared themselves for what could possibly be the defining moments of their lives…
“...You know, I never understood how cats can shake up bushes so much.” The stallion chuckled as a small family of cats walked out in the path before them. “See? Your enemy flees before you.” He slapped the reins on the hooved hadrosaur, spurring it onwards.
The mare grit her teeth, “Stop joking about this. Something could happen.”
“Like what? A large mammal-like reptile might attack?” The stallion snorted. “Those sail-backs might kill an unarmed civilian, but we are a group of highly trained soldiers. They don’t hunt in packs. They aren’t smart and I haven’t lost a pony to them thus far in my travels. Before you start on the cultists, I’ve checked. No activity here. It’s safe travels to Haycolt.”
There was a small thud to their right. The two of them looked over to see one of the Gallimimus riders had fallen off his mount. “Will someone pick up that foal?” The stallion snorted.
Before he could say anything more, one of the other soldiers spoke up. “He’s dead. Enemy arrow.”
The mare glared at the stallion, loading a bolt into her crossbow. “I told you.”
“Form up!” The stallion shouted as another soldier dropped to another arrow. “Get the shield up. Get the shield up!”
“Shield bearer down, sir.”
The stallion snarled and snapped the reins, “Go you daft dino.” The creature didn’t need to be told twice. Honking as loud as it could, it started to run. For a moment, he thought he could make it. His soldiers could hold off whatever was attacking them. No one could lay their hooves or whatever they had on their cargo. So he’d escape, or so he thought.
An arrow pierced the dinosaur’s skull. It briefly glowed red before exploding, sending bits of brain and skull fragments everywhere. The metal wagon lurched forward violently as the creature started to tumble. The stallion pushed his fellow soldier off it as he jumped to safety.
Laying on the ground, he looked over to the downed wagon. ‘Who could have done this?’ It just didn’t make sense. He looked around and none of the soldiers were coming after them. Hay, he couldn’t hear anymore fighting. Which either meant they had just finished fighting or…
Something pushed him to the ground. He tried to push against it, but the clawed foot hit him smack between his shoulders and he was face first in the dirt. The stallion breath caught in his throat as he heard the cretan above him load a crossbow. ‘I’m not dying today.’ He snarled and used his back legs to kick the cretans other leg. This sent his assailant stumbling and allowed him to roll over on to his hooves.
This didn’t really amount to much as he soon found himself staring down the sights of a crossbow, held in the talons of his assailant. He even had a front row show to the release…
_______________________________________________________________________
Coco Pommel wasn’t the most sociable of ponies. If it was up to her, she’d have spent most of her time at the Carousel Boutique with Miss Rarity. She made her feel safe, but she had friends now. She had to go out with them on occasion. She did enjoy herself, but it was uncomfortable being around so many ponies. This is why Pizzelle would take her out to see the town. The talkative mare really wanted Coco to start socializing more often.
Unfortunately, today of all days was a rather busy place to be at the market. So Pizzelle had accidently gotten herself sidetracked with buying a few things for Hikaru. This left Coco on her own. The young mare shivered slightly in fear.
A large gruff salespony brushed past her, knocking her to the ground. “Watch where you’re going.”
“I’m sorry,” Coco spoke up before accidently bumping into another pony. “I’m sorry.” And again. “I’m sorry.” And again. “I’m sorry.” That is until she felt a hoof stop her from moving, “I’m sorry.”
“What for?” The mare asked. She was a pink earth pony mare with a short purple mane. Her fierce brownish eyes bore into her. The mare was garbed in what looked liked leather body armor. Her posture was similar to that of a trained soldier and something about her sent chills of fear down Coco’s back.
“F-for bumping into you?” Coco squeaked out and held herself close to the ground.
The mare rolled her eyes, “You didn’t hurt me so don’t apologize.” She pulled Coco up to her hooves. “Names Suri Polomare. You?”
“C-coco Pommel,” the timid mare gulped. ‘Does she work for my mother? Is she going to drag me home or something?!!’
Suri offered a small smile, “You don’t look like the type of pony who likes being out and about with so many ponies. You lost?”
“Not really,” Coco murmured. “I got separated from my friend.”
Suri nodded, “That happens on occasion. Though to be honest, my master is hard to lose in a crowd.”
“Master?” Coco blinked in confusion. That is until some ponies started to scream and run past. Several others quickly moved out of the center of the market place. Coco didn’t know why until she saw him.
He was a griffin. His more feline body was lithe and slender, yet seemed to hold quite a bit of power. His bird aspects were similar in build. His white plumage contrasted well with his yellowish fur. Of course this was all under leather armor similar to Suri’s. On his head was a helmet she had seen foreign legionaries from Trotingham use. “Top of the morning to you.” He even had a Trotingham accent.
Coco eeped and fell to the ground. She covered her eyes. The sharp beak had sent her mind into overdrive, “P-please don’t eat me.”
“Hey,” Suri roughly picked her up and glared right into her eyes. “He won’t eat anyone, you hear me?”
The griffin pulled her back, “Let’s not scare her more then she already is, Suri.”
Suri bowed, “Yes Master.”
The griffin sighed and took off his head to bow. There was several long feathers that fanned out like a crown of sorts. “Crowland Tempo, at your service.” He pulled up and put his hat back on. “Excuse my assistant. She tends to act before she thinks.”
“I-it’s no problem,” Coco started to calm down, though she did her best not to stare at his talons or his sharp beak. “I… I was rude.”
“It happens,” Crowland shrugged.
“Coco,” Pizzelle rushed over and looked the timid mare up and down. “Are you okay? You have to tell me if you’re okay. Ponies just came rushing by and I needed to know. Ponies just don’t run away like that in fright normally. Well, sometimes actually. A lot of are skittish, but you know what I mean.”
“I’m fine, Pizzelle.” Coco pointed over at the new duo. “They were keeping me company.”
Pizzelle turned around and without breaking a sweat, held out her hoof to Crowland. “Oh thank you so much for looking at her. I always said you could trust a griffin, but nopony ever listens to me. What do they know? I’ve travelled more than most.”
Crowland chuckled and took her hoof in his talon hand and shook it, “I’m glad to see a pony who doesn’t just scream in my face. This town especially.” He withdrew his hand and rubbed his ear-hole. “I sometimes think you’re trying to make me bloody well deaf.”
Pizzelle giggled, “Oh you just have to tell me about yourself. We don’t get that many visitors these days so I appreciate a new bit of info from such fine people.”
“I’d like that,” Crowland smiled, tugging on the strap on his back that held his crossbow...