//------------------------------// // Chapter 8 part 1: Party Crashing // Story: Daring Do and the Sword of Excalibur // by Silver Malice //------------------------------// “Alright, let’s go over the plan, one more TIME!” grunted Scratch as he held the pointing stick tight in one set of talons, the other set nearly ripping a patch of his head feathers out by the roots. Scratch, Shekel and the other Ponyville infiltrators had gathered behind the Sugar Cube Corner to go over the plan for the party, the beginning of which, was just an hour or so away. However, a little confusion over the exact flow of the plan still seemed to linger among many in the group. “Come on guys this is the third time we’ve been over this,” groaned Scratch. The exasperated gryphon was pulling his ears in frustration, even as he directed the stick to scratch some lines over a very crude diagram of the Town Hall drawn in the dirt. “What is so hard to get? First the party starts right at seven sharp so we need to quickly ensure that the delivery entrance for the Town Hall is clear. Got that? It has to be clear before we walk around and enter through the main doors. We mingle, we socialize, all the while positioning ourselves strategically around the room. Two-Bits! Pay attention dump feathers. You, Quarter, and Nickel cover the apple family, the last thing we need is that large red lummox or that walking orange kickstand interfering.” Scratch paused long enough to ensure that the griffons in question acknowledged their part to play. The nods he saw in response seemed to put him at ease. “Okay good. Now, when the party reaches its culmination-or-er-climax, they will bring out a cake for the young filly. This next step is essential, Moola, you and Loot must place a bang popper in the cake set precisely for five minutes. Got that? Five minutes, not two, not six, not four or three, five exactly.” “Aye we got it, five minutes, you don’t have to keep repeating it,” mumbled Loot and Moola together. “The pink whirlybird nightmare has placed several boxes about the ceiling filled with confetti and ribbons,” continued Scratch, pointing the stick now to an even cruder drawn figure that was supposed to be a pony. Sticking the stick violently into the center of the crude drawing again and again, the gryphon hissed out the rest of the plan. “They will start to sing happy birthday after they’ve brought out the cake, and once they get to the end, these boxes will be dumped onto the whole hall. This should coincide with the cake bomb, and that explosion should give us enough of a distraction to grab the brat.” “That’s all well and good Scratch,” complained Two-Bits, interrupting while hunching his hulking frame to peer at the dirt drawing. “But if the cake exploding gives us the key, how do we escape without all of Ponyville on our tails?” “Well we’ve added a few of these bang poppers to the confetti mix,” answered Scratch, hefting in one set of talons the small round crystal ball, the runes upon it dormant in inactivation. “Once they are dropped they should go off immediately; It will cover our escape out the delivery entrance. Once we have escaped the town, Mordrue should arrive to take possession of the key.” As he finished, he made sure to gasp for breath, having not taken any for the last few minutes. Saw-Bucks, one of Two-Bits bruisers suddenly held up his talons, “Hey wait a minute! Which one of us grabs the key?” he asked. “Shekel and I are in charge of that task,” answered Scratch coldly. “Why you?” “Because we are Mordrue’s lieutenants and we say so, that’s why!” growled Scratch. “Fine…point taken…” trailed off the griffon along with the last of the teams discerning voices. “Are we all good on the plan then? You’re all nodding so I’ll take that as a yes. Good lads, now let’s get ready, the party starts in half an hour.” As the griffons disbanded, Scratch shook his beak in exhaustion. “Oh boy, this mission is turning into one huge pile of…” ~ “...Crab Apples!” croaked Rainbow weakly, Hovering as much as she could with Twilight holding her dead weight. “Better than nothing Rainbow, just take a few bites and we’ll settle back down on the ground,” replied the purple Princess, huffing under the weight of the cyan mare. Both mares were hovering beside a hunched over crab apple tree, one of the few they could find that wasn’t buried behind a sea of barbed tree limbs, twisted branches, and spiked vines. It had been several hours since they had escaped the Spire due to the sacrifice of the two young griffons and Daring Do. Twilight had no idea if Daring or Buck or even Bones were even still alive. If they were, then had they been imprisoned as both Rainbow and her had been? There had been no time after the collapse of the roof to really think about that. So taking a play out of the Rainbow Dash playbook, Twilight made a split decision based on pure instinct. She hadn’t waited for the dust to clear before she was already hauling Rainbow and herself into the midst of the Everfree. Her main goal was to put as much distance between them and the griffon spire as she could. She knew they needed to move quickly, for she had no idea how long it would take for the griffons to send scouts after them. Of course diving headfirst into the Everfree with no map or sense of one's location, was a mad-mares dream, and they had gotten lost quite easily. Eventually they had stopped trying to find any known landmarks and had decided to instead alter their search patterns for wherever they could find abundant food. Crippling hunger was now driving their actions rather than a sense of escaping this tangled hellhole, though that was Twilight's next step. This crab apple tree had been the first real sign of edible food for at least a mile. The cyan mare bit into half of one of the dangling golden orbs, nearly spitting out her mouthful at how sour it was. “Ah yuck that tastes like sh— heh heh,” she trailed off with a chuckle and humbly swallowing instead after a glare and growl from Twilight. The princess was clearly in no mood for Dash’s typical behavior, not with something this serious. Rainbow sheepishly looked down to the ground before trying to take another bite, only for her teeth to miss completely. Looking with surprise Rainbow suddenly noticed that both of them were starting to slowly descend towards the ground. Twilight it seems was no longer able to hold them up on her own. “Can’t hold it Dash! My wings are so tired and my body is weak,” she spluttered, flapping even harder to trying stay afloat. “Just lower us slowly Twi, but be gentle. If you just drop you risk breaking both our wing-bones,” advised Rainbow bracing herself just encase the egghead couldn’t hold it. Twilight however, managed to lower them safely to the ground before she collapsed into the dirt. Rainbow refused to let go of Twilight though, and managed to pull the princess up and towards her, sitting cross legged on the ground with the purple alicorns head in her lap. “You rest Twilight, I’ll get enough apples for the both of us,” declared Rainbow, lowering Twilight’s head to the soft dirt gently before staggering to her own hooves. “But Rainbow, you’re even weaker than i am, how will you get those apples down here?” inquired Twilight her voice soft in it's soreness. “I’m going to use my head of course!”” cheered Rainbow, right before she head-butted the trunk of the tree with one massive blow. The entire tree quivered and lurched upon the impact but still held onto it’s golden treasures. “Okay, gonna try that again!” she called out before giving the tree another powerful head-butt, this time causing several of the golden apples to drop to the ground. Rainbow smashed her head into the tree several more times, until a large pile of crab apples had collected on the ground. Gathering up the pile of apples in her wings and hooves Rainbow stumbled over to the purple alicorn, dropping the apples to the ground. Moving her head she nudged a hoofful of them them over towards Twilight. “How’s your head Dash?” asked Twilight, taking a sour bite of one of the apples before her hooves. “I won’t lie Twi, it’s aching something awful, but at least it’s taken my mind off the pain in my body.” Twilight smiled at her friend's words, even as she dove into the apples, eating as much as she could to get her strength back. Across from her, Rainbow joined in her enthusiasm with her own pile. “We have to get our strength back Rainbow,” mumbled Twilight with w mouthful of apple, the justice and skin of one such victim hanging from her lip. “Once I have enough stamina and energy back, i can start using my magic to get us out of here.” “How Twi? You said you so yourself, you can’t teleport if you have no idea where you are, and aside from blasting apart the whole Everfree, how else can we find our way out of here?” demanded Rainbow haughtily. “I don’t need to know where I am if I use a locator spell. All i need is an accurate mental picture of the one I want to find, such as let’s say, Spike. Who should be still in Ponyville. That way the locator spell will guide us to him and take us out of his place.” “Will that actually work?” asked Dash. “We’re going to see aren’t we? Scootaloo and everyone else are counting on us.” ~ Scratch and Shekel led in front of Two-Bits, Quarter, and Nickel as the group of griffons quietly made their way behind the Town Hall. “Quietly now, the last thing we need is for any-pony to see us and get suspicious,” cautioned Shekel, the griffons feeling a bit bare without their armor or their metal talons. “Thanks lieutenant obvious!” snorted Quarter, the grey furred griffon growling through his sharp beak. His talons were so big Shekel didn’t think he even needed the metal ones in a fight. “Don’t make trouble Quarter, our lieutenants need to maintain their concentration, right boys?” jeered Two-Bits, his own massive frame dwarfing those of both Shekel and Scratch. “Shut it Two-Bits, and pass it on to the other two morons!” quipped Scratch, his voice strong and unwavering though deep inside he was shaking with terror. It wasn’t usually healthy for a gryphon of his size to antagonize griffons of their size. The group managed to find their way to the delivery entrance, the back passages of Ponyville being hard to navigate in the dark. The delivery entrance however, wasn’t that hard to miss. The entrance had been designed to allow the passage of large crates so the large barn like doors stood out to any passerby. As of now they were tightly closed as usual among the off hours. The plan was to unlock the back doors, make sure no-pony was around to see them or get in the way, then finally meet the rest of the troops inside the Hall. It was a solid plan, it was a clever plan, it was going to be a successful plan…or else it would be if not for the two ponies laughing at one another right in front of the entrance doors. Scratch seized up in fear as he wondered if the ponies had been expecting some kind of ploy? Were they betrayed? would Canterlot guards be coming soon, and them without their armor or weapons. Although while he was happy to freeze in place, Two-Bits and his two brothers, pushed him forward, the group now heading straight for the pair who just now were noticing they had company. “Dammit! here put it out,” stated the lead pony feverishly. dropping what appeared to be a small light to the ground before stomping it with his hoof. He was a golden furred male earth-pony, his fur wavy and frizzled like taffy. The other was another earth-pony, this one a mare. She was colored lime green with a two-tone cerulean mane. “Come on Tea, get that out of here,” demanded the male, his own hoof stamping impatiently as he nervously caught the gaze of the griffons. As the griffons approached their nostrils flared as they caught the unmistakable whiff of Las Pegasus Buzz herb, a powerful yet largely harmless intoxicant. It was soon clear what these two ponies were doing back here. Sighing in relief, Scratch retook the lead, pushing himself forward and giving the two ponies a friendly smile. “We…we, w-weren’t doing anything illegal here,” stuttered the male his eyes flashing every-which way they could. “Oh grow a pair Caramel!” growled the lime-green mare haughtily. “We weren’t doing anything but having a bit of fun griffon,” the female pony calmly stated. “Oh that’s fine my dear, we have no intention of pursuing any legal matters on this subject, we’re just uh…security—yeah that’s it. We’re just doing some routine checks on the doors. In regards to that, can I ask how you got out here?” answered Scratch, the speed of his voice making him sound more like an auctioneer than a security guard. The lime green pony smiled at that, shaking her head towards the doors. “We kind of… found the chain lock on the inside of the door unlocked, and here we are.” Two-Bits strode forward passing by the two ponies who stood back as the massive griffon hulk moved past them. Pulling the doors open he picked up a long silver chain from the floor and hefted it in his considerably sized talons. “You found this, unlocked?” he questioned, chucking the chain over to Quarter who grabbed it in mid air, tucking it to his side. “W-w-well, I may have picked it a bit,” mumbled the golden furred stallion from behind the green mare, his eyes wide with hesitation and fear. “Who are you two anyway,” asked Shekel, pushing past Scratch to take his place beside his companion. “My name is Tealove, I own a cafe in Canterlot, and am here just because Caramel over there invited me to the birthday party,” answered the mare stoically. “Is that so?” answered Two-Bits, the hulking griffon winking to his two brothers. Quarter nodding as he slowly angled himself until he was now behind the pair. Nickel’ acknowledged the hint as well and took a look-out position alongside the wall. Two-Bits himself pushed right between Scratch and Shekel, coming to rest beside the two ponies. “Seems to me, you and Golden Shower here, are breaking and entering. So hemp-head what’s the deal, smoking some herb while violating building safety procedures?” “His name is Caramel, and no we were not! What is this, an inquisition?!” demanded Tealove, her pink eyes nearly going flaming red as she glared at the griffons. Caramel also looked like he was getting his courage back for he now stood his ground. He no longer was keeping his head down as he he glared defiantly back at the griffons. “You might want to watch your tone around us, we’re the security here, female!” hissed Scratch angrily, his own eyes shooting daggers at the uppity mare. “And you better not be calling me female, griffon!” spat back Tealove with just as much passion. “Hey Tea come on now this isn’t like you to be so angry, and please not around security, you know how mad Applejack gets when she has to bail us…er well, me and you by extension, out after we end up in prison for the night,” moaned Caramel. “Applejack be damned Car, these guys have no right to fling these accusations around.” “I’d listen to your boy-toy cream cake,” growled Quarter, his talons crunching as he cracked them. “You don’t scare me chicken-wing, I’m from Canterlot, I face bigger tough guys then you all the time!” replied Tealove. Scratch decided they were wasting too much time on this pointless argument (time they did not have), and so decided to try and calm down the situation. “Okay we apologize miss, you and your friend can be on your way while we…secure the door.” Tealove and Caramel both seemed to share a look of content as they realized they could go unscathed, both ponies nodding towards Scratch as they made their way to leave. “Not so fast Scratch!” grunted Two-Bits. “There’s still the matter of the chain lock.” “What about it,” muttered Scratch not appreciating the other griffon butting in and ruining the plan. “We got to put it somewhere other than the door,” answered Two-Bits. Tealove only looked puzzled at this, while both Scratch and Shekel stood there, wondering what their compatriot was getting at. In the end it was Caramel who broke the silence and took the bait. “Did you have a place in mind?” he inquired, his general curiosity peaked. “Actually yes I do, right Quarter?” replied Two-Bits. “Yeah be my guess Caramel!” hissed Quarter before he wrapped the chain around the golden stallion's neck, pulling fast and lifting the pony right off the ground. Caramel’s eyes bulged as he was hefted off his hooves, the chain cutting of his oxygen while the griffon behind him chuckled in psychotic glee. Tealove gave a shriek of surprise and anger before she was cut-off, as the the talons of a large griffon settled about her neck and head. Two-Bits holding the struggling mare close as his talons rested upon her mouth and around her shoulders, holding her steady in his powerful grip. “Not so fast big mouth, we wouldn’t want your screams to alert the others now would we?” growled the large griffon into her ears. Shifting her so she was forced to watch as the other griffon slowly choked her friend out, the chain pulling taut as it crushed his wind-pipe. Tealoves’s eyes grew wide as she saw how purple Caramel’s face had gone, numerous veins exploding across his neck and face as he groaned and struggled. His hooves feverishly shook back and forth trying to gain any average they could, unsuccessfully as Quarter only hefted him higher, the massive griffon's strength too great. “I hate you ponies with a passion,” growled Two-Bits in her ear, his beak resting alongside her cheek as his grip forced her to look on, not allowing her to even look away. “You are always so happy, so full of yourselves.” Tealove could only widen her eyes unable to look away from her friends plight, the sounds he was making were so horrid she wanted to close her hears. Her own hooves as well as her body was shaking in the griffon’s powerful grip. “My brothers and I were abandoned in the wilderness,” hissed Two-Bits into her ears once more. “Left to fend for ourselves and guess what, no magical kindness or friendship came to the rescue, no pony held out a helping hoof, or even gave a damn about us! I lost three brothers to the cold, another to timber wolves, before we were picked up by the legion. Their deal was simple, we keep our lives in exchange for a lifetime of service. That was long before our new lord set up his high class rear-end as our leader, fat lot of good it has done anyone of us. But our lifetime of misery taught me all i needed to know about this world. It’s cruel, it’s dark, and the only time anyone cares for another is if there’s something for them in return. You ponies deny that reality, you fool others into having hope for a better world. Unable to see the truth before your very eyes, so now I’m going to show it to you personally!” At that moment Quarter gave a contented sigh and chuckle as the sound of a windpipe shattering echoed across the group. Caramels eyes had bulged half way out of his head, his neck already showing massive bruising from how hard Quarter had been pulling. His face having turned a horrific combination of purple and blue, veins bulging or exploded across his face and neck, his hooves having stopped struggling ages ago. Quarter let go of the chain, watching with amusement as the lifeless stallions body thudded to the ground, the chain and Quarters strength being the only thing holding him up. Tealove sobbed, tears pouring down her face as she watched her friend die, his body unceremoniously dumped like trash on the ground. “Don’t be sad little mare, death comes for us all,” snarked Two-Bits, his talons holding her shoulders steady while the other gripped the side of her head and with great force snapped it like a twig. “Only In your case, it’s sooner than later,” he quipped as he dropped her lifeless body on-top of the other. Scratch and Shekel stood as they had for the last few minutes with utter shock, the level of violence even for them being too sadistic and cruel. “What in Tashar’s name did you do that for?!” demanded Scratch. “They saw us here, they could have warned the others,” muttered Quarter. “They didn’t know what we were up to…they were more scared we might arrest them! They wouldn't have said anything!” screeched Shekel, his eyes glued to the lifeless bodies of the two innocent ponies before them. “Why take the chance?” answered Two-Bits. “We needed this area cleared out for our escape, we cleared it out. We needed no witnesses that could alert any pony to the plan before it goes off, we got rid of them. Play the semantics all you want lieutenants, but these kids were simply in the wrong place at the wrong time.” “That’s right!” came Nickel’s reply, having kept guard the whole time. “We’re killers Shekel, that’s what we do.” “You may be killers, we are warrior and murder is not one of my hobbies!” hissed Scratch, reaching past Shekel in his anger and slashing his own curved talons across Nickels ears, raking them good. The larger griffon erupting in pain as the other two just looked on with amusement. “You aren’t much of a soldier Scratch, but you do have some fight in you,” laughed Two-Bits, sharing a grin with Quarter. “One reason we haven’t folded you in-half like a cat-toy yet!” Scratch could only glare back at them, his heart pounding as he felt Shekel grasp his right paw with his own. “Forget it Scratch, we need to follow the plan remember!” the urgency in his voice was enough to bring Scratch back to reality. The lead gryphon blinking as he looked down at his companion, noting the fear in his eyes. Scratch gave a nod in response, looking down at the two corpses in front of him. “Right then, we can’t risk them being found, dump these two behind that trash bin and let’s go.” He gave the two bodies one final glance and muttered, “sorry” under his breath before walking away. ~ The party was in full swing by the time Scratch and shekel made their way inside, Two-Bits and his brothers following close behind them. Scratch gave a shake of his head as he tried to get the image of the two ponies deathly stares out of his mind. Catching sight of the dozen other griffons station about the main floor, he quickly gave them an assuring nod, a sign that everything was okay. The town hall’s main floor was alive with activity, the entirety of Ponyville mingling about one another. All the three races of equestrians present be they earth pony, pegasai, or unicorn, everyone getting into the feel of the party. The earth ponies and unicorns hassled the dance floor, while a group of them operated the buffet tables and punch vats lining the side of the walls. Berry Punch having been put in charge of catering and refreshments had quickly organized a collection of earth ponies to help stack the food trays and pour the punch for the party-goers. Meanwhile above them the pegasai flew about in their own form of dance, twirling about each other while avoiding the rafters and banners. The festive atmosphere was coming into its full swing as the hall was lit with flashing lights from the rigging above. From the center stage came Vinyl Scratch with her ULTRA wub sound system, blasting it’s loud techno music across the hall from several large speakers. Pinkie’s decorations were all lit up by the flashing strobe lights, the light itself better revealing the exact amount of balloons and streamers hanging everywhere. Scratch upon taking this all in was almost reminded of the Griffon Prom, the celebration which corresponded to the gryphon entry into full adulthood. Like this party it too was a large festive event, however, it was used to commemorate an entire generation’s maturity, not a single member. Pinkie hopped about the dance floor doing her dutiful rounds, making sure every station and every pony was in the party spirit and satisfied. Passing right by Applejack and Rarity she gave both her friends a greeting bump on the shoulders before continuing on her party pilgrimage. “The party seems to be going quite well so far Darling,” spoke Rarity softly, peering over to her golden furred colleague. “It sure is, I just hope Caramel and his mare-friend get back here before the cake comes out, the two of them spent all day helping bake it, it’d be a shame if they missed its unveiling,” replied Applejack. “Any word from Twilight or Rainbow?” asked Rarity in a hushed yet concerned voice. “Nah, not a darn thang, Ah’m beginning to get a bit worried tah be honest,” answered Applejack, the same concern in her own voice. “But, surely they must be busy trying to figure all this mess out. Perhaps they’ve involved Celestia to help them?” wondered Rarity. “Ah don’t know, but ah think after the party, we go and get Spike and send old Celestia a hoot and holler, and just ask her.” “Agreed,” answered Rarity, both mares bumping each others shoulders in a dutiful pact. As they did so both separated, each going their own respective ways, Applejack taking a moment to stop beside her younger cousin, Apple Fritter. “Hey Fritter Dar’ln, could you go find Caramel and Tealove? Knowing them they’ll be out back smoking some of that stupid plant again.” “Got it Applejack, I’ll find them right quick!” Applejack gave the younger pony a thankful grin, as she immediately sped off. After Fritter disappeared into the crowd, Applejack returned to trotting past the dance floor and over beside her brother, watching over the the rest of the party with sharp eyes, just as both Scratch and Shekel made their way through the mass of ponies staggering around the hall floor. The griffons made sure to see that the others had followed the plan: Loot and Moula were standing together by the back door leading to the inner kitchens, while Two-Bits and the others had made their way to stand just behind the Apple Family themselves. Both Big Mac and Applejack were standing together hooves tapping to the beats blasting around them, as they watched with careful eyes over the party. Apple Bloom and Sweetie Bell suddenly ran past the apple siblings legs as they headed off to find Scootlaoo in the midst of the throng of ponies. “That was insane,” spluttered Shekel, beads of sweat appearing about his feathers. “I mean they just killed them, snap! Just like that, no questions, no problems, at all!” “Keep your damn voice down!” growled Scratch as softly as he could, the sound still coming out like a ragged growl. “They’re right, we couldn’t risk those two sounding the alarm, or raising any suspicion.” “We could have dealt with them besides nearly taking both their heads off let alone leaving them dead behind a dumpster!” hissed Shekel. “Ever since we joined this legion, it’s been nothing but trouble.” “Suppose you blame me for that as well?” mumbled Scratch, rolling his eyes in indifference. “No, to be honest i don’t, but we’re not cut out for this work Scratch. Like you said, we’re not murderers, you know it, they know it, even Mordrue knows it.” “So what? We’ve never slit a throat or snapped a neck, what does it matter? Mordrue might not count on us to wield a weapon, but he can count on us to get a job done. That’s all that matters.” “Really?” questioned Shekel. “He hates us more than he hates the ponies, cause were’ half-breeds. We have the social skills of a pony, but not the physical or aggressive attributes of a pure griffon warrior, we’re too civilized...to pony for his liking. You've heard him, you've been around him, he doesn't want civilized gryphons, he wants pure unquestioning warriors.” Scratch stopped all of a sudden, letting Shekel crash into his side before turning and rapping his friend across the ears, making the other growl in pain. The action itself was fast enough that none of the ponies around them really took notice over the excitement of the party. “That might be so, but we’re in it now, we have no choice. If we leave, we’re fried chicken wings, as good as dead. We are bound to these brutes until we restore our honor, and Mordrue is the only way we get to do that. Once we’re free, we will leave, we will fly and we will never look back, let him do what he wants with the sword, to whoever he wants, it will be none of our concern.” “Do you actually think they’ll be any place to run too once he gets that sword?” asked Shekel incredulously. “No,” replied Scratch slumping his shoulders in defeat. “We’re with them for life and we shouldn’t ask for anything else. Now is everyone in position? We got a plan to execute.” “Everyone’s in position, and we’re just on time,” whispered Shekel into Scratch's ear in order to be heard over the music, both of them scanning the crowds to see several talons in a claws up gesture. “Good, then all we need to do is find the little brat and we will be golden,” chuckled Scratch. “What if we can’t find her in time?” answered Shekel in a panic. “We will find her, remember she’s the center of the party. We’ll find her eventually,” answered Scratch reassuringly. Just then one of their troop stumbled his way across the dance floor, panic set about his features, sweat slicking down his feathers. He nearly knocked over one of the numerous punch vats along the wall, costing him a very haughty look from Berry Punch. Picking himself back up the griffon strode right over to Scratch. “What is it Tenner?” demanded Scratch, giving the curious glances of the ponies around them a rather forced smile. “It’s Fiver sir, he’s missing!” squeaked the other griffon, only to have Scratch quickly grab and hold his beak shut. “Calmly Tenner, calmly. This panic does nothing to help us.” spoke Scratch slowly and meaningfully into his subordinates ear. The other griffon nodded slowly, his eyes for the first time looking to see the spectacle they were making for the gathered ponies. Taking a deep breath as Scratch released his beak, he calmly turned his back on the ponies leaning up to whisper into Scratch’s ear. “Okay-okay, it’s just that he hasn’t reported in and no one has seen him.” “If he’s not here already then he must be watching over the dragon,” answered Shekel from beside them. “That was his duty.” “Yes but that was ages ago and he hasn’t been seen by anyone not even the other watchers,” stated Tenner in a worried tone. “As of now we have more important things to worry about,” growled Scratch. “If we don’t find the key before the distractions go off, we’re dead ducks you understand?” “But he’s supposed to tell us the orders from Mordrue, where to meet up and when? If he’s not here…” muttered Tenner. “Well you have the secondary mirror shard do you not? Good! Now use it and you contact Mordrue,” finished Scratch pushing the other griffon away. “Got it lieutenant, it shall be done.” As Tenner pulled away towards the back of the hall, Scratch and Shekel made there way into the center of the pony mass. The earth ponies and unicorns started to co-mingle, forming groups which were engaging in full-on dance and social interactions. The gryphons soon found themselves swirling around these collection of energetic groups. “There she is, right over there with those other two fillies,” Shekel observed gripping Scratch’s shoulder to direct him in the right direction. The orange and purple form of Scootaloo was clearly visible from beside two other fillies, one a white unicorn and the other one, one of the young Apple family. “Let’s get into position,” answered Scratch, pushing Shekel forward, both gryphons content that they were finally going to complete their mission. Of course the world could never go entirely in their favor and before they had taken three steps towards Scootlaoo… “…Hey there, Scratchy and Shackle!” came the loud bouncing voice of a familiar pink prancing pony. Both gryphons recoiled back in horror, Scratch placing his head into his talons, while Shekel folded his wings across his face to shut out the pink nightmarish horror before them. “Oh no…she’s back,” hissed Shekel from behind his wing shield, Scratch nodding in agreement even though his friend could not see it. “As if there’s not enough trouble around here,” grunted the older gryphon, his own wings and shoulders slumping in defeat. “Just thought I’d come say hello and…” trailed off Pinkie Pie, her hyper active body hip hopping around both gryphons as what she was about to say was lost even to her. Bouncing around Shekel who cringed away from her, just as Mayor Mare sauntered up beside them as well. The mayor had seemingly dolled herself up for the night, wearing a long grey silk dress that flowed behind her, she had also let her mane down and combed it into a fine wave of tangled curls. Around her neck was a fine diamond stringed collar, while the tips of her hooves had been painted the most alluring red. All in all, her usual reserved appearance had been transformed into a diamond wearing, hair flowing, gorgeous bombshell. Both ponies stared at the two gryphons, smiles equally present on both their faces as the music stopped, a slow silence greeting Vinyl Scratch’s changing of her records. The momentary pause in music was breached by the sound of cameras going off as Photo Finish and her entourage did their job. Snapping pictures of everything and every pony they could, Photo herself trying the hardest out of all of them to get the best angle and most artistic shot possible. The two gryphons in the meantime could only look nervously at the two mares in front of them. Shekel was still trying to hide himself behind his wings, while Scratch was engaged in a very uncomfortable staring match with the mayor--her change in appearance not having escaped his notice. Meanwhile, Vinyl was beside herself as she frantically hoofed through her vast record collection. Normally she had her entire playlist for whatever gig she was playing, ready and waiting. That way the transactions between records could be far quicker, but this time a spark of inspiration had struck her. Deep down the DJ pony knew that this would be a most memorable celebration, if only she could find the record album in question. Vinyl gave a chuckle as she found the record she wanted to play. Of course here it was, right beside Van Dragon and The Breezies Comeback album. Pulling it out of the dusty old box with her blue horn magic, she quickly shed the record itself of it’s cover. Giving a quick blow to score off any lasting dust, she bought the record over to her turntables. The record was something that Princess Twilight had given her, a gift brought back from her time in the other world, the human world. She had told Vinyl to keep it for very special occasions and that the band who had made it was very special. What better time than now to give it its first Equestrian premiere? Slapping the record on the turntable she began to play the music, the most charming and upbeat tempo playing as the song Shake Your Tail, blasted across an Equestrian audience for the first time. A resounding cheer came from the ponies in the hall as the party exploded into a full on dance-a-thon- every pony enamored with the music. Pinkie and Mayor Mare exceptionally seemed to be affected because both ponies slid themselves along the side of their respective gryphons. Shekel coming face to face with the bright eyed Pinkie Pie, while Scratch was once again supporting the slender frame of the older mare. Both gryphons gulped deep and started to sweat as their respective partners both whispered into their ears. “Want to dance,” both mares said at the same time, the gryphons barley having a time to even answer before the ponies took their hesitation as a yes and pulled them onto the dance floor. Scratch and Shekel were not alone, aside from Two-Bits and several others,the unique music and the lyrics of the song itself had stirred something in the griffon infiltrators, something they had not felt since their younger days if they could remember such feelings at all. A sense of fun and relaxation. Tenner made his own way to the back of the party, while he had to admit the song was catchy, it held less sway over him than the younger griffons. Being one of the oldest of the legion, he was far less prone to the passions of youth, however, he was quite alarmed to see that the music had seemingly hypnotized half of the younger troops. “Darn kids and their pop music,” he thought, even as he was digging into his vests left pocket for the mirror shard. To be truthful he had intended to contact Mordrue himself, but his warrior nature and his panic around his missing son, had made him ask permission first. Pulling out the smooth piece of glass, he held it tightly to his chest, making his way through the prancing, dancing, and hopping mass of ponies. Above the pegasai were flipping and somersaulting in the air, carrying out their own form of aerial display and dance. Finding a rather surprisingly secluded spot, the older griffon held the shard out in front of him, clicking it with his talons, small ringing sounds echoing every time he tapped the glass surface. Using his talons he began clicking a harmonious pattern. “Trapper reporting to Home-base, Trapper reporting to Home-base, come in Home-base,” repeated the griffon again and again, trying to speak over the blasting music reverberating throughout the hall. The mirror shard all of a sudden glowed bright white, the once still reflective surface shimmering and clouding over until it revealed the reflection of Mordrue’s sharp face and gleaming green eyes. “This is Home-base, report Trapper, where in the name of all powerful Tashar have you been?” demanded the griffon mage. “We’ve had a bit of trouble finding Fiver sir, he’s the one carrying the primary mirror shard, I only just now activated the back-up,” replied Tenner, giving the reflection of his master a salute merely out of habit. “Well he had better hope he hasn’t lost it, those shards are extremely valuable and rare, so be careful mind you!” snarled the back griffon harshly. “Now report, what is the status of the mission?” Tenner leaned in closer to the shard in answer, his beak right along the cold surface. “The foxes have sealed off the chicken coop, and the eggs are ripe for poaching,” he muttered using the official code words. “Not another one, what is it that you are SAYING!” demanded Mordrue, his eyes practically burning in frustration. “Sorry chief what about the sheep are in full swing and the lambs are ready to be led to the slaughter?” “Enough, speak normally or I’ll deep fry you in batter and serve your hind legs on a plate with fried butter!” finished the black griffon coldly. “Umm r-r-right then…uh chief. So we’ve entered the party, and are prepared to snatch the key very soon.” “Good, but there’s been a change of plans, the Princess of friendship has escaped so most likely Celestia herself will be interfering soon, not only that we’ve had some setbacks here at the Spire, so you’ll have to make it all the way to the Everfree on your own before we can meet up,” stated Mordrue. Tenner could only stand there looking shocked, this was definitely not turning out to be such an easy assignment. “Uh yeah got it chief, I’ll be sure to let Scratch and Shekel know once they’re done dancing.” “Once they’re done WHAT!” screamed the other griffon, the mirror shard even vibrating from the tremors in his voice. “Oh you know dancing, most of the group is, here take a look,” spoke Tenner holding the shard out and high above so that Mordrue could catch sight of the dance floor. As of now most of the griffon troop was participating in the dance off, the shake your tail chorus line corresponding with both pony and griffon literally shaking their tails and moving in synchronized dance step. “This is insane, the ponies have fried their minds!” yelled Mordrue as his cheeks blushed red in embarrassment for his species. “Tell Scratch and Shekel to stop prancing about like some air-headed pony trash and get them foccsued. If you idiots screw this up, you'll be dancing all the way to fiery pit of Tartarus courtesy of my personal claws!” “Eh-ugh umm, sure, got it boss."