An Extended Holiday

by Commander_Pensword

42 - The Salmon of Knowledge

Extended Holiday
Chp 42: The Salmon of Knowledge
Act 5: The Case

---

Grif sat back on the chair in his room. His stay at Canterlot had been decent, all things considered, until the couriers had come into the room with several small packages and a letter from the Gryphon kingdom. The letter itself held a seal similar to a few Grif had seen when raiding outposts during the Third Gryphon war, though it seemed slightly altered now. Before it had been crossed claws with a crown and a sword imposed. Now the sword was absent and the claws were open in a almost welcoming gesture. The seal was imprinted in ornate gold wax: the imperial seal. After a moment’s hesitation Grif broke the seal with a talon and opened the letter. It was written in Gryphic which, fortunately, had not changed much in the past millennium.

To Grif Bladefeather, from the table of the holy emperor, Daedalus VII

Before we start, let us assure you this letter, should you choose to read it - and believe us when we say we understand should you choose not too - contains no malice or demands regarding you and past actions. That was a different time, and we are pleased to assure you a much different Gryphonia.

First off, let us congratulate you on your recent return. We hope adjusting to the modern times will be easy for you and we pray your life now to be much easier than it was. Yes it has been a thousand years and we have learned much about your life before the war.

As a show that we wish to extend our wings in peace, we have sent to you books covering various social changes to the Gryphon structure. It is to our hope you will make good use of these.

It has not gone without our notice that you were noted to have taken on the name ‘Bladefeather’ as if to be a clan name. As you may or may not be aware, there have been numerous attempts to establish a Gryphon clan within Equestria’s borders. These have usually ended in failure due to unforeseen complications. Therefore we should like to aid you in this venture. It is to this end we have also included several tomes on the clan law and tradition our grandfather set down with Princess Celestia during the first attempt. We do hope to hear of the Bladefeather clan’s success in the future.

You may have noticed that amongst the things delivered is a small wrapped package. We would appreciate it if you would kindly open that now.

Raising an eyebrow, Grif did so, carefully removing the wrapping on the small oblong container. Beneath the paper wrapping an ornate black velvet box lined with silver was revealed. Much to Grif’s shock, a great emerald stood mounted and etched to form the shape of crossed swords with blades shaped like feathers. Opening the box, several rings in varying shapes and sizes met his gaze, all bearing the same crest. The largest ring, which Grif guessed was meant for him, was made of three separate bands fused together. The two outer bands were made of gold and fused to a central band made from ebony. The three rings closest to it were each made from pure gold and set with a small stone opposing the crest. The last three were forged from simple silver with no embellishments. Grif turned his attention, albeit slightly unwillingly, from the rings back to the note.

As you may have guessed, we have included a set of signet clan rings for you: one for yourself, three for your pride mates, and three more for your heirs.

Had Grif been drinking he likely would have done a spit take as he read the words ‘pride mates’ again. Looking to the other packages he noted he should probably read those books A.S.A.P.

We do hope they are acceptable to you. And should they need resizing we are sure we can have one of our best jewelers out there to complete the task. Ponies, we understand, are as woefully inadequate with finger jewelry as we are with magic.

We have also included hidden amongst the books a small sum of imperial beaks in hopes of wiping away the terrible business with the Black Tips. We had every reason to believe they had been exterminated and shall be arranging a thorough investigation into the matter.

Now, on the matter of the ‘Fortress of Arcanium’, it has been to our understanding for quite a long long time that your friends discovered a tomb under the fortress belonging to the legendary Grask Grimfeather Dragonfeller. Our historical society has been attempting to get access back to the fortress for literally one thousand years but has been told again and again that the fort was taken essentially by you, and therefore is in your name until you either give it back or give it away. So we would like to request we be allowed to send our historians on an expedition to see the tomb. We shall pay whatever price you deem necessary and follow whatever rules you deem appropriate. You may even have guards present during the expedition if necessary.

Sadly, our time for this letter is running short. So we would like to finish with first saying that it is quite an honor to contact you. What you may not have been told is that in the last thousand years you have fallen quite mysteriously between villain and hero. After your aid in fighting off our armies during the Third Gryphon War, some parties who had been against the idea of consuming intelligent prey gained favor and, as such, many things changed in our society. Depending on the teller your story goes from a bloodthirsty rampaging demon to the most altruistic gryphon in recorded millenia.

With that in mind we would like to inform you that within the coming months a delegation will be arriving in canterlot for various reasons, including Gryphonia’s invitation to sponsor a team for the Equestria games, which we will most unfortunately be unable to attend. Amongst this delegation are our closest cousins, many of whom are from lines which have been sadly less successful in the last few decades. It is to our pleasure that we request you to meet with some of our female cousins in the hopes one may be added to your pride and we may create a strong tie through blood.

Please do not mistake this as some form of political hounding and note these females all have the choice to be present or not. The laws for female gryphons as you’ve known them have been adjusted since the rule of Holy Empress Warbeak I. Until this time we offer our best wishes and pray on the winds that your wings fly well and your hunts be plentiful.

His holiness
Holy Emperor Daedalus VII of Gryphonia.

Grif sent for Shrial immediately.

---

The court waited in front of the courthouse for the great dragon to make his appearance. The general atmosphere lay somewhere between fear and anticipation upon seeing the dragon in question.

Far off in the distance, many screams echoed as a golden gleam shone on the horizon. The shining speck slowly grew as it approached, becoming a shadow as it flew under the cloud cover. The great creature roared, filling the air with his cries and causing many a small forest animal to flee into its den. Flocking to either side, hundreds of Thestrals flanked, soaring on his tailwind. The dragon fired a gout of flame into the air, showing off as his scutes and scales were briefly dyed a fiery orange. Then he flapped into a landing, his massive form causing all of Canterlot to shudder against the mountain face. The Thestrals soon alighted behind him, several bearing the white mark of the Moonkissed. A light of recognition glinted in Pensword’s eyes as he looked on the Thestrals. They in turn, gave him a Thestral salute.

“I tried to leave them behind, but they insisted on accompanying me.” the dragon informed them. “Something about seeing Pensword in the dream realm. I did not believe it myself, and yet, here we are. It has been a long time, Pensword. Yet you do not seem to have aged a day. You must tell me your secret some time.” The dragon smiled wickedly, his eyes glinting as they locked their shimmering golden gaze on the pegasus and the other ponies and gryphons present. “I came here to fulfill a contract to testify truthfully as a witness to the events of the Third Gryphon War, of which I was briefly a part. By this contract, I have sworn a dragon's oath to speak truthfully. You have no need to fear me, nor my words. They shall be what they shall be.”

“Mr. Haymin,” Miles looked at the dragon as best he could, mustering an almost convincing unbothered gaze. “Before the war you were contracted by Commander Pensword for the killing of Gryphon soldiers, were you not?” he asked.

“Yes, I was indeed. Though that is not the whole story, mind you. My original contract was to protect his kind from any threats or violence, be they gryphon, pony, or otherwise. A general protector, if you will. Pensword renegotiated my contract after our … first encounter, and I agreed to defend Equestria’s outmost settlements from further gryphon attack. This was, if memory serves correctly, after your war was officially begun. Any further actions I took were on a contract by contract basis as they were proposed to me.” The dragon absently polished his claws against his scutes, looking rather bored.

“Mister Haymin, you are aware the declaration of war wasn’t officially made until Commander Pensword was already on the march for Fort Triumph?” Miles Highworth asked.

“Formally, perhaps. I don’t know how it is in your creatures’ cultures, but in dragonic society, if one dragon attacks another’s territory, it is war, whether an official declaration is made or not. Many times, your imperial soldiers attacked my charges without warning long before war was declared on either side. And I still have the armor to prove it. As for the other villages, as much as I did itch to kill more of your kind for what they did to my people, I had no contractual obligations and it would have been a waste of my energy and time. I did, however, smell pony blood and see quite a few battalions flying through the ranges.”

“That will be all, Mister Haymin.” Miles said hastily, turning to Celestia. “No further questions, Your Highness.”

“Would you like to cross examine the witness, Mister Roost?” Celestia asked.

“I think the witness has said all that was necessary, your highness.” Phoenix nodded.

“Very well. We shall have another ten minute recess and reconvene back in the courthouse. Thank you for your time, Mister Haymin.” Celestia nodded respectfully to the dragon.

The bailiffs worked hard and swiftly to escort Pensword and Hammer Strike back inside before they had a chance to talk to any ponies.

---

Two large gryphons and two unicorns stood sentry outside the door to Grif’s waiting room, looking as imposing as they could. The gryphons stood guarding the door to the prisoner while the unicorns seemed more determined to guard the door from the gryphons. One unicorn nodded with respect as Shrial approached the door. He and his companion moved swiftly aside to allow her through, even as the gryphons’ weapons crossed.

Shrial looked at the gryphons in disbelief. “What is the meaning of this?” She asked, keeping her tone level.

“No one is to see the prisoner until after the trial,” one gryphon said.

“And why, pray tell, should that be? There are no windows in that room for him to fly out of. And if he wished to escape by now, we all know he could have done so.” She paused a moment, looking deeply into the gryphon’s eyes, then smirked triumphantly. “So tell me, which of your ancestors did Grif kill for being such cowards in the first place?”

It brought a smile to her face as one of the two faltered for a minute. “Orders from prosecutor Highworth”

“On what grounds?”

“He’s plead guilty to all charges. He’s waiting to be sentenced by the appropriate powers,” the guard answered.

Shrial’s eyebrow twitched spasmodically. “He did … what now?” Her talons scraped ominously across the floor, the light from the torches causing them to glisten as they left their marks.

“He put himself at the mercy of whatever power the courts give the right to choose his fate.” The gryphon sneered.

“Gentlemen, a word to the wise. Your mothers taught you never to get in the way of a gryphoness and what she wants. And better yet, never to cross one in ire.” She chuckled darkly, her talons glinting as she unsheathed her sword. “I am going to give you to the count of ten, no, five; ten is too generous. To get out of my way. I will have words with Grif. And the council will be lucky to have even pieces of him left over when I’m through with him. Now … stand aside.” She growled, her eyes burning.

The guards shook as they lifted their spears and parted for her. “B … be quick about it then,” one said, trying his best to sound brave.

She silenced him with a glare, then looked to the ponies. “What are you smirking at?” She snarled. The two cringed, no longer so smug.

“Truly, Tartarus hath no fury like the wrath of a woman scorned,” the pony guard said, gulping as Shrial entered the room. The door slammed violently behind her with a force that shook the wall.

“Faust help us all.” The second pony prayed. And for once the two sides were in agreement. A fervent “Amen” echoed through the halls as the ponies prayed for Grif, while the gryphons prayed Shrial to kill and satiate her fury on him rather than them.

Grif casually looked up from the book on gryphon clan law. “Well, I see you made it,” he said. “Question: were you going to warn me about this?” he said pointing to the page in the open book.

Shrial was too upset to process what had just been said. “Grif Graffson Bladefeather! You have some explaining to do!” She shrieked as she pounced.

The air in the room instantly whipped up into a small but powerful vortex, catching her launching form and pressing her to the wall. “AND YOU, SHRIAL BLADEFEATHER, HAVE INFORMATION I NEED TO KNOW! NOW!” while Shrial held fire within her eyes, she could see within those blue pools a maelstrom of emotions: fear, rage, uncertainty, all battled within them. She was mad, but currently, the storm inside Grif was stronger. It would not be stopped.

Grif’s eye’s widened as he saw her pressed against the wall. Instantly, the wind died. “Oh Faust, what have I done?” He shrank back as the realization of his lashout hit him and Shrial dropped to the floor.

“Made an already very angry gryphoness livid.” Shrial growled. “You gave yourself up, just like that? You plead guilty? Are you insane? What in the nine levels of Tartarus were you thinking?” Her voice swelled in a grand crescendo that could ride on the very winds themselves. “I did not go through all that effort of watching over you at the hospice, fighting at your side, saving your life, and coming to the future with you, just so I could lose you now.” She approached the gryphon, stubborn as ever, despite the injury. The fact he had used the wind against her was beside the point.

“I… I lashed out… at you. How… why… I...I…” Grif seemed to be ignoring her as he sat. His eyes, wide with horror were locked on the abrasion on her shoulder.

“Snap out of it!” She slapped him again, the memory of the hospice flashing in Grif’s mind in a curious sense of dejavous. “I want answers, Grif. And they had better be good ones.”

“They… can’t touch me” Grif said, still trying to get over what he had done.

Shrial’s eyes narrowed, the injury negligible at best compared to what she had faced in the war. “Explain.”

“The Isles surrendered to Equestrian control a century or so after the war,” Grif told her, moving to her side to check the injury over. “As my Equestrian Citizenship papers are still wrapped up with bureaucrats and I’ve never been an imperial citizen, I am currently only liable to the power of Lord Hammerstrike. My fate is his decision,” Grif said.

“And that’s official?” Shrial asked, her breath quick.

“As official as it is that Shrial, the Gryphon Slayers, and Lunar Fang are legally dead, and thus cannot be held accountable for their ‘crimes,’” Grif said. “Does it hurt?” he asked, tenderly testing the area with pressure.

In response, Shrial grabbed Grif as strongly as she could. This time, not in playful battle, not in sparring or training. No, this strength was borne of something else. Tears stood in her eyes. “Don’t you ever do that to me again. I want you to tell me next time. It’s the least you can do for me.”

“I’m sorry.” His breathing finally slowed as he realized she was fine. “I will tell you everything, but you can never forgive me for this,” Grif said. “That was unacceptable.”

“That was fear, Grif. Something that you are going to have to reconcile yourself with. I assume it’s something that comes from your human side. If you two are going to combine like you plan, you will need to accept that aspect of your personality and reconnect it.”

“I… I really don’t deserve you,” Grif said, taking several deep breaths. He handed her his letter from the emperor “I received this today.”

She perused the contents, speeding to the important details with a trained eye as she kept one arm lazily wrapped around Grif’s neck. Her father’s training in the office had served her well. “You’re worried over a little thing like this? I thought you knew the laws for establishing clans already. I’m actually rather surprised Celestia got them this low. The requirement used to be at least ten.”

“Graf was never married,” Grif reminded her. “Aside from the talk of the private interactions of a male and female, I wasn’t given an education in courting or the forming of a clan,” Grif explained. “And for my other self such a number is still higher than normal.”

“Well now, that settles it, doesn’t it?” She asked, kissing him beak to beak. When they parted, she looked deep into his eyes. “And no more talk of being unworthy of me. We were made for each other, so quit being so worried after every little mistake. I’m not about to leave you anyways, no matter what you say or do. You’re stuck with me, you old wind bag.” She said, teasingly as she played with his crest feathers.

“You are saying I should go ahead with this then?” he asked.

“Either you go ahead with it and form the clan legally, or you don’t and we remain clanless. Either way, I’m still not letting you go. I’ll keep following you and supporting you, whatever you decide.”

“I want to help the clanless,” Grif said. “To bring them honor and give them pride again. If I am to do this, I want you to know I will strive to never love you less.”

“I know. You needn’t fear any from me … well, not without just cause anyways.” She paused a moment, then chuckled. “I would love to see the looks on those guards’ faces when they see this.” She smirked, motioning to the room. Papers, ink stains, books, furniture, and various fragments lay scattered around the space, making it a living work of art painted by the inks, shards of glass, and splintered wooden furniture. “You certainly know how to bring the house down.”

“Well, you bring out the animal in me.” He smiled, opening the case of signet rings. “I know technically we’re not engaged yet, but would you wear one?” he asked.

“Maybe after a proper proposal. I’ll give you time to plan it.” She said, winking as she swished her tail under his beak again and brushing it beneath before strolling for the door. “If you have any troubles, I recommend speaking with Taze. From what I understand, he’s quite the romantic at heart.”

Shrial opened the doors, looking happy as ever. “Good afternoon, gentlemen. Remember, take good care of my Grif.” She beamed a smile at each of them before gliding her way down the hall and out of sight. The gryphons and ponies both peered into the room briefly before the door shut, balking at the damage.

“Those two will be the most dangerous couple in the history of Equestria,” one of the ponies muttered.

“In the history of Equis.” The gryphon retorted, gulping. “I don’t know if she’s scarier when she’s angry, or when she’s happy.”

While the guards continued their discussion over their new common ground of intimidation from Shrial, Grif found himself sinking back into his chair as the gryphoness walked away, the smile on his face seemingly carved in stone.

---

“Order!” Celestia banged her gavel to silence the courtroom, then turned to Miles Highworth. “Please call your next witness to the stand.”

“The prosecution calls Commander Moonkissed Pensword Hurricane of the Equestrian Armed Forces,” Highworth announced, almost sneering at the titles.

Pensword stood calmly and walked to the witness stand. He turned around and faced the courtroom waiting to be administered the oath before speaking.

“Do you swear to tell the truth the whole truth and nothing but the truth, Faust help you?” the guard asked.

Pensword rose his right wing, an archaic move for a pegasus to add weight to his word. “I swear it,” he spoke solemnly.

“Now, you were Commander during the Third Gryphon War, correct?” Miles asked him.

“That is partially correct. I was promoted to Commander part way through the war. However, there were no Commanders for the war until my promotion.”

“You were the commanding officer at the siege of fort triumph, were you not?” Miles asked him.

“That is correct.” Pensword answered. “It was what propelled me into the Commander’s chair, as the modern history books say.” He shook his head. “I only was securing the flood gates to prevent Gryphons free access to the heart of Equestria.” His eyes hardened and his lips grew thin as he relived the past.

“But it was not your first field command, was it?” Miles asked him.

“That is correct. I do want to point out that there is a big difference from being a Captain or Colonel of a single army and Commander of the entire Equestrian Armed Forces.”

“Why don’t you tell everyone here about your prior field command?” Miles asked.

“I started as a full commander of the opposition forces in the Training Command post under Commandante Supreme Sunrise. I then took my cadre of forces in a quick march to retake the town of Mountainside Falls. It was there that we meet up with House Strike’s Mercenaries and marched to Unity.” The courtroom buzzed at the name of the first capital of Equestria. A bang of a hoof on the floor silenced the courtroom. “It was after regrouping and organizing that I was tasked on a mission by then Princess Luna, with a female Thestral of the name Lunar Fang.” He said with a wistful smile. He saw the look Celestia gave him and carefully resumed his narrative. “However, the details at this time are still classified by orders of the crown. We returned with the pledge of support of the Thestral Tribes. It was here that I was tasked once more to move out with House Hurricane and march to Fort Triumph. It was here that I was placed in charge of raiding parties and small tactics. Duke Hurricane was asked to support Commandante Supreme Sunrise and left his son and I in charge. It was here that we planned and I implemented the plans to take the fortress. The fortress was taken with zero deaths on the side of the Equestrian forces.”

“You say you marched to retake Mountainside Falls? Retake from whom?” Miles asked.

“The One Hundred First Emperor's Beak.” Pensword answered. “Under the Orders of the Gryphon King Comedius the sixteenth. With the Emperor’s blessing as well.”

“And you have proof they were not simply scouting to see what had happened to the unfortunate town?”

“Does a group who scouts stay to EAT the corpses?” His quivered in rage. “when I arrived, the town was burned to the ground. Anything of value was gone: chairs, tables, maps, documents. The Hooves Estate was gutted by fire. Foals were eaten…” He stopped and swallowed, cutting off his narrative. “I shall not speak more due to the fact there are mares and foals in the courtroom. They need not let their imaginations run wild.”

“Your Honor, I object. He’s badgering my client,” Phoenix Roost spoke up.

“Quite right, Mister Roost.” Celestia responded, looking to the judges. Both nodded in agreement. “Mister Highworth, the attack on the Emperor's Beak was sanctioned and recognized by the Crown of Equestria and the emperor after Gryphonia’s surrender. If this was your case, then I must say you should have studied the details better. Now do you have any legitimate questions, or are you simply blowing smoke?”

“Only a few more questions, Your Honor.” Miles said, turning to the witness once more. Commander, the records state you were at Mountainside Falls within less than a week after the attack. In fact, this report by Commandant Supreme Sunrise,” the gryphon said as he produced a document. “Which will, of course, be presented as prosecution’s exhibit C, states you left the very same night. So how did you know of the attack?”

Pensword eyed the prosecutor with a stony gaze. “I shall answer, but only if I am not interrupted.”

“An unusual request, Commander. We shall see based upon your answer,” Miles said with a lofty tone.

“Fair enough. I suppose I can expect nothing less in a court of law.” Pensword sighed. “You see, the mythology of the Thestrals shall answer.” He closed his eyes as his ears twitched. “There are three gifts the Moon gave to the Thestrals; three tools to help to protect them. The power to walk through dreams, the power to foresee future events, and lastly, the power to speak with those who have died.” He opened his eyes and Highworth could see the pain and anger burning.

“I bear the third gift, the power to speak with those who have departed this life. The night that the Gryphons attacked, I experienced a powerful event that few Thestrals, even those who bear this special gift, ever have before. I lived other’s lives, or more accurately, I lived their deaths. The deaths of every pony in my home town. The death of Mountain Side Falls.” His voice shook, along with his body and tears stood in his eyes as a haunted look came over them. “I knew the cruelty and barbarism that was reaped upon my town because I experienced it. I am the sole survivor of a total population of three hundred forty eight mares, stallions, and foals. Ten of which were unborn.” His words spoke to a silent courtroom. “One hundred troops under the banner of House Hooves were slaughtered. The entire Hooves estate including his servants, maids, and family were also taken, adding eighty more lives. I lived each one of those deaths.” He slammed a hoof down. “Tell me. What would you do if you saw your hometown wiped out and you knew how to get there. Would not thou hast gone as well?” He asked, the fact that his voice dropped into the older, more formal mode of speech spoke volumes of his distress.

“You expect us to believe that the dead told you about the attack?” Miles asked. “Your Honor, we all know such things are not a viable defense in any court.”

“What are you implying Mister Highworth?” Celestia asked.

“I think it is rather obvious that Commander Pensword was trading information with the enemy,” Miles Highworth replied. An immediate uproar rose in the courtroom.

“Objection, Your Honor.” Phoenix cried, but over the tumult of the massive group of ponies gathered, he could not be heard. He sighed, shook his head, then braced himself for the worst. “OBJECTION!” rang through the halls, once again causing ponies and gryphons alike to cover their ears. He coughed, cleared and rubbed his throat, then continued in as seamless a manner as possible. This is mere speculation, your honor.” Phoenix said, stamping a hoof.

“I will overlook your … enthusiastic remark since you calmed the court, Mister Roost. Just this once. With regards to the objection itself, I am afraid you're right. And I believe that my colleagues agree.” The two judges nodded, the gryphon judge looking disappointed and just a little disgusted. And with good reason. To attack another’s honor, even if it is not a gryphon, is not something taken lightly in Gryphon culture.

“Mister Highworth, if you cannot come up with something concrete right now, we will be throwing this case out” Miles flinched visibly at the judge’s announcement. The princess and pony looked on in shock. Then the attorney snapped out of it, his expression cool.

“Very well, Your Honor. There is still one last matter to address. While Grif has been covered in this trial, there is the matter of Commander Pensword sending him on a bloody vendetta.” Miles turned to Pensword, “And you cannot deny that, can you commander?”

“That was, once more, not just for my own desire or purpose, but also to satisfy the needs of those whose blood the Gryphons had spilled. As I said before, I communicate with the dead. I was hounded by their spirits day and night as I sought to put them to rest” He looked at Phoenix. “If the Prosecution would have noticed, that evidence submitted to the court was a list of names that were connected to the slaughter at Mountainside Falls. Each and every gryphon on that list killed and ate my family and those I called friend.” His eyes darkened.

“The blood of the innocent cried for retribution. I-” He took a deep breath. “I ordered it because the Gryphons felt secure that they could get away with anything as long as they returned to their forts and outposts or walled towns. This was as much to sow fear as it was to have those butchers reap what they sowed. As you will see on the list, each one of those was an officer or enlisted soldier of the Gryphon Military. My orders were solely against the military of Gryphonia. Never her civilians.”

“Nevertheless, you sent a soldier behind enemy lines to complete a vendetta, which is still a breach of the warcode as agreed between Equestria and Gryphonia hundreds of years before.” Miles countered.

“Those soldiers threw away their protection the night they refused six surrenders and consumed the the flesh of their conquest.” He snorted steam from his nostrils. “Do I have to be a scratched gramophone? They killed and ate the citizens of Equestria, of my home town. Not only that, but before Mountainside, there was the mysterious ‘abandonments,’ as they were called, of six frontier towns. Boulder Ridge: two hundred lives missing. Salt Lake: one hundred missing. Silver Plum: two hundred eighty. Gold River: three hundred. Cloud Valley: two hundred twenty five. Twin Pine: one hundred and fifty one.” His expression was hard. “The treaty was broken long before I started this vendetta. I only went after those responsible for Mountainside Falls.”

“That is enough.” Celestia banged her gavel, strain and pain visibly showing on her face. “We will retire to discuss this.” She announced as she and the other two judges left the room quietly. They returned ten minutes later. “Prosecutor Edgeworth, we find Gryphonia’s case against Commander Pensword to be flimsy and transparent. As a unified body, we hereby clear the commander of all charges. He is free to go.” Celestia was answered with cheers amongst the guards and ponies which drowned out what few low boos came from the gryphons.

Pensword moved slowly and walked from the stand. On his way to the defense’s table, he paused next to Miles. “Your grandfather is pleased at how you are doing your best with this case, even though you are wrong.” He walked two steps more before pausing and turning his head back to Miles and spoke. “Justice lies with the Feathers.”

Miles’ eyes widened. “How did you …?”

All he got from Pensword was a cryptic smirk before he continued and sat at the table with his friend. “I do not abandon my men. Seeing as I am still technically the military leader for Lord Hammer Strike, my place is at his side for this trial until said trial is concluded and somepony is found to take my place.”

---

“That had to be one of the shortest trials I have seen or even heard about.” Pensword muttered as they left the courtroom, a grin plastered on his face as he looked to the ponies outside. He turned to Hammer Strike. “What say you?”

“I’m trying to understand why they even bothered that last attempt at showing that I was guilty. Tt backfired horribly.”

“Agreed.” He paused. “Uh, Hammer Strike, I think I shall catch you later. I have an old friend and a clan to reacquaint myself with. A thousand years is a long time to catch up, and with this trail done, I think Lunar Fang and I have someplace we need to show up to later this week,” he replied with a knowing smile.

Hammer Strike simply nodded as he walked off to do whatever it was he was going to do.

“I think Grif will be happy to hear we can go home soon” Lunar Fang noted as she trotted next to them.

“Agreed. That will be nice. To get back, I mean. It feels like a month since we saw New Unity, what with Shawn’s week trip and this trial. Still, how are you feeling about meeting the Dream Clan again?”

“Nervous.” Lunar Fang admitted. “Much has changed since we last saw them.”

Pensword nodded as they approached the guests who had flown with Haymin. He clopped slowly towards the one he hoped was their leader. “Greetings.” he said, giving a Thestral bow. He rose and looked at the Thestrals. “It,” he smiled, “It is good to see that my clan lived and did not die out.”

The Thestral nodded slowly, staring at Pensword with wide eyes.

“Uh...” Pensword looked behind him. “What is it?” He turned back. “Is somepony showing themselves to thee and not I?” He looked around before realizing something. “Uh, it is just, uh, you are going to be okay?”

“You’re actually him.” Another Thestral, a mare this time, walked up beside the dumbstruck stallion. “You're the real commander?”

“Are you trying to inform me that there have been imposters in the past?” he asked, looking a little sick at the thought that folks would try to impersonate him. “Still, yes I am the commander. I, I slipped through time, in a manner of speaking.”

Pensword had little time to prepare himself as a veritable mountain of Thestrals rushed and engulfed him in possibly the largest group hug imaginable. He was bombarded by welcomes and questions about the past.

“One at a time. One at a time,” he called out, laughing merrily. “I have to ask questions as well. I have to know what happened to the Dream Clan since ... since-” his voice caught. “Since Grandma…” he found his wife and hugged her as he realized that his grandmother had been dead for a long time now as well.

“We’ve thrived for the most part,” the same mare responded. “Most of us stay within Mountainside Falls while others stay with Haymin.” she explained.

Pensword paused. “Mo.. Mountainside…” He did not know what to think. “You, you live in… my.” He began to blubber. “My… my family, my home.” He cried. “My clan lives in my old childhood lands.” He did not know how to feel, but in a way, it seemed that time was trying to heal what once had been broken. “Haymin. Is Haymin good to the clans? To those he protects? He only takes ten percent? If he has started to take everything, I will have to get Concord again.”

“He protects us jealously,” the mare said, laughing. “He calls us ‘Pensword’s hoard.’” She smiled as the family moved in to hug him tighter. “When Luna fell, it seemed to be the safest place for us.”

“I am glad. But why Mountainside Falls? What about the passes? Fort Triumph? Or the old Thestral meeting caves?” He asked as he looked worried. “Surely you have those places as well?” He looked ashen. “Did we lose a lot when Luna fell?”

“Not so many. But the dream clan did not wish to hide in the caves. we chose to be the sentinels of your return. As for Fort Triumph, the Lion Tribe left a clan of their own to guard it.” she explained.

“Good,” Pensword muttered. “That means that the Thestrals have a little more movement than before. They only had two valleys aside from the caves if memory serves correctly.” He looked to his clan and distant family. “Please, tell the others that once we are ready, High Chieftess Luna shall return to once again integrate the Thestrals into Pony society.” He looked at the group. “Who is the current clan leader? How has the land treated thee these last thousand years?” He kindly ignored a historian hanging to the side eavesdropping. He didn’t care about anything but learning about his family.

“The land treats us well. Our leader, Moonkissed Whirlwind, was unable to make it here today,” the mare responded regretfully. “She had other duties”

Pensword froze. “Did…. Whril… Moonkissed?” he stammered. “You, do know who that is? Who I think of when I hear the name Whirlwind?” He asked. “So she had the pure white mane and tail as well?”

The mare nodded. “The trait has become much more common amongst the dream clan” she explained.

“It has?” Pensword asked. “How? The moon must be pleased with the clan then.”

“That’s what we like to believe.” the mare said as she nodded. It was about this time Pensword finally was able to move enough to notice the small foal nervously hiding behind the mare’s and stallion’s legs. His coat was a dark black and he too carried the white mane and tail.

Pensword smiled and got low to the ground to meet the eye level of the foal. “Hello.” He spoke softly. “What’s your name?” He asked with a small smile. “You are special. You have a moonkissed mane and tail and you are still very young.”

The mare blushed. “That is my son. His name is Pensword.” she squeaked out.

“I am not surprised, to be honest.” he replied with a laugh. “It has been a thousand years. I surely would have met another with the same name.” he looked at the foal. “A full blooded Thestral by appearance.” he began to chuckle. “Oh the portrait we could have; dressed in guard armor and…” he began to laugh. “Come now, why dost thou fear me?” At the moment he was acting very much unlike the hero he was painted to be in history.

“Did… did you really scream like a manticore when you attacked Haymin?” the foal asked nervously.

Pensword actually snorted with laughter. “Are you kidding me? It was more like I charged him with a knot in my stomach. Dragons are not a pushover.” He shook his head. “I doubt that I could ever reproduce the sound of a manticore roar.”

The foal just stared at him, still incredibly nervous. “My sister said you sent us away when Luna fell. … She said it was ‘cause you didn’t like us anymore.”

Pensword paused at the comment and something clicked. “My dear foal, I was trapped in stone when that happened.” His expression was pained as he looked on the young one, “But know this. If I did have to send thee away, it was to protect thee. To protect my only kin left alive.” His eyes filled with tears. “Thou knowest what the legends said about what the Nightmare did to her most loyal of guards that night. How could I allow her the chance to do that to an entire race; to an entire tribe of ponydom?” He shook his head. “Nay, I could not let that nightmare do that. I sent thine ancestors away to protect them, and give them sanctuary from those that might lash out at thee.” He moved the touch noses with the foal. “Thou art in me, just and I am in thee.” he spoke, quoting a line of old Thestral wisdom.

“Promise?” the foal asked him.

“Promise upon my fangs.” He responded. He was surprised to find that he had been given more room to breathe as he spoke with his namesake, or rather, as his namesake spoke with the one that he was named after. The foal smiled at him for the first time and rushed forward to hug the older stallion.

Pensword smiled and embraced the foal into a hug. “Tis good to have family, is it not?” he asked.

The foal nodded happily. The crowd around Pensword all grinned happily at him, each face reflecting traits he remembered from his aunts, his uncles, cousins, even a few from his mother and grandmother. He paused as he looked at the slightly larger Dragon. “So, did you gain more wealth than you thought with the percentage deal I set up?” he asked with a chuckle. “Also, thank you for protecting my clan and the Thestrals after ... after that dark night.”

Haymin chuckled deeply. “That was a rather interesting conversation. But your hoard are certainly entertaining when they are young. I humor them occasionally if they are brave enough to visit my den. I think I may be getting soft in my old age.” He laughed again. “As for the wealth, I would say it has been a fair enough exchange. We had a few mobs that tried to break through and restrain me magically. I showed them I do not take kindly to such rude guests.” He grinned, baring his fangs. “After that, they tried to bribe me. Me! The sheer audacity. Though I do admit, it was quite a sum. Still, the Thestrals more than made up for it over the years. I have kept our contract honorably. And made a pretty penny too.” He winked. “Moreso in the recent century or two after the Thestrals started to come out of hiding. All of that aside however, I must say it is good to see you again, Pensword. It pains me to say it, but I missed your boldness. There aren’t many ponies like you left nowadays. They just don’t make them like they used to.”

“I assure you that there might not be a single Pony just like me in all of Equestria.” he replied with a chuckle as he shot a knowing look to Lunar Fang. Haymin did not yet know the full history of Pensword’s past. “It is good to see you, and just as a warning, I still have Concord for any Dragons that might come after me. I am just happy that I could see what we built, and hopefully what shall come.” he grinned. “You are welcome to visit New Unity, the old capital that we are rebuilding. There is a dragon hatchling who might do well to learn from another Dragon.” He slowly laughed. “Just let us know before thine arrival. The town is prone to panic attacks.”

“You don’t mean that young upstart who tried to claim this land as his territory a few months ago, do you?” Haymin struggled to hold back his laughter, tears standing in his eyes. “Ah,” he sighed. “To be young and in puberty again. Those were the days. So much conquest. So much gold.”

“I think he is going to need a teacher to help him through this age or when he starts to have them again.” Pensword shuddered. “I do not want to use Concord on a friend, so a little help on that front would be appreciated. Mind you, he lives with one Twilight Sparkle, the wielder of the Element of Magic in the Elements of Harmony. So be warned, she might be asking questions as well.” He shook his head. “Still, it is just so good to see you and not having to order you against armies of Gryphons.” He smiled, then paused as he noticed chairs and a table being brought out. “It appears we have a night to regale stories and tales of the glories from days long past. Wouldst thou like to join us as a friend?”

“I think I have the time. My hoard is well protected by your hoard. They seem to view it as a personal favor after all these years. An entertaining lot, you Thestrals. I never know just what you ponies are going to do next.”

---

Grif sat before Hammer Strike in a room full of armed guards mixing between gryphons and ponies. The gryphon rolled his eyes casually as he waited while the acting captain gave a rather long winded speech regarding the charges and Hammer Strike’s role in choosing the Gryphon’s punishment.

“And so,” The gryphon said, finally coming to his conclusion. “What would you do with him Lord Hammer Strike?”

Hammer Strike looked towards Grif and shrugged. “I’m disappointed in you, Grif.” He then turned back to the other gryphon. “There. You can all go now.”

The gryphon stood there, dumbstruck as the ponies snickered. “Come along, captain, I believe it’s time for you to be making your arrangements to travel home,” he said, patting the gryphon on the back. The guards proceeded to escort the captain out, the gryphon troops following after. The gryphons grumbled as they made their way out while the guards that flanked them smiled as they marched. The door closed behind them with a bang and Grif leaned back in his chair.

“Wonder what they thought was going to happen?” Grif asked.

“Considering I spent the last week sparring with Celestia, possibly something along those lines.” Hammer Strike replied with a shrug.

“I keep my weapons and armor in reasonably good condition.” Grif noted with a nod. “Other than that, I’m not sure what I could do to earn that kind of reprimand.” he laughed. “So, happy it’s all over?”

Hammer Strike shrugged in response. “Somewhat. I want to get back to work. My equipment wasn’t taken care of in a thousand years. And worst of all, the armor I made for Luna has deteriorated.” He sighed.

“The Ursa set?” Grif asked with a raised eyebrow, to which Hammer Strike responded with a nod. “Well, at least they're not making you tailor nemean lion skin.” He attempted to laugh before his face dropped. “Listen… Shawn,” he started. “We need to talk about something.”

“And that would be?”

“There may be a time, and that time may be soon, where you come to talk to me and I don’t seem like the same person as I was before. I might be talking differently, possibly even acting unlike myself in some areas.”

“The reason for this?”

“You know very well there is more than one person running around up here.” Grif tapped his head. “And the both of us have decided that it can’t stay that way. But neither side is planning on simply giving in to the other one so… something different is going to happen.”

“Well, things will at least be interesting.” Hammer Strike shrugged.

“I have no idea who we’ll be, who I will be. Grif and Taze are going to break down and someone new is going to be coming in: a compilation of the two parts. I just wanted you to know. Whoever takes over, he’s still going to be your friend.”

“It’d be odd if you weren’t.”

“And… TARDIS.” Grif said as a familiar groaning sound began to echo into the room. Gradually a silhouette appeared and slowly began to fill in as the blue police box materialized into the room.

“And here I was wondering when that was going to happen,” Hammer Strike commented.

The doors opened as the familiar stallion entered the room, this time followed by a familiar pink unicorn mare. “There you are! Come on then, we have to hurry. Timey wimey things to do and all that,” the doctor said moving to Hammer Strike, attempting, and failing comically, to push the earth pony along.

“Welp, if you will excuse me for whatever amount of time I vanish for,” Hammer Strike said walking into the Tardis.

The blue doors closed and with the same groaning sound the box was gone. Grif stared at the spot for a moment with a raised eyebrow. “Was I just...ditched?” he wondered out loud. Shrugging to himself, he headed for the door. “Time to start Rarity’s lessons anyway.” he said with a sigh.

---

After getting his documents from the Canterlot Archives Hammer Strike found himself pushed out into another point with one of his chest plates shoved on by the Doctor. The stallion told him to ‘go wander for a bit.’

Shaking his head, Hammer Strike found himself looking towards a group of familiar figures in the distance. They soon took notice of him as well. “Oh, wonderful.” He muttered to himself.

“Hello Grif, Pensword, ... Moonshade.” He said after a pause to keep himself from saying Lunar Fang.

“Hello. So, got bored again?” Pensword asked as he looked over the armor. “Have to say, you are getting better at the crafting in a single night.” He looked around for a moment. “So, what have you been doing other than crafting?”

Hammer chuckled. “In technicality, a lot of things. The castle has quite a variety of metals. Got a bit bored.” He shook his head. “So, how is it going?”

“Oh, just preparing for a war trial.” He saw Grif smile. “Oh, the princess noted we may all need one of those.”

Thinking for a second, Hammer Strike responded. “Might have to remind me about that later…”

And they talked and talked, Hammer Strike finding it very odd how they were ignoring or missing a major difference between him now, and then.

“Shawn…?” He heard Grif ask. “What happened to your ear?”

Hammer chuckled. “It took you long enough to notice...”

“So how far in the future?” Grif asked.

“Far enough.” Hammer Strike responded. “I can’t, or shouldn’t say that much. But honestly, whatever I say and do now already happened, so…” Hammer Strike shrugged.

“So, what brought you back to this time period? I mean, something has to happen to cause you to come back here.”

Moonshade looked at Hammer Strike for a second. “Will Pensword be okay with Lunar Fang?”

“Things turn out for the better.” Hammer responded cryptically.

A snort came from Pensword’s nose. “Always cryptic with you time travelers.” He shook his head. “Yet, here I speak when I had to be that once already.”

“Well, excuuse me.” Hammer responded. “If you want, I’ll tell you your whole future. Do you want me to start?” He grinned with a mischievous glint in his eyes.

“I’ll wait, I think.” Pensword muttered. “I know enough already from the textbooks.” He looked to Moonshade with a blush.

“Trust me. Textbooks don’t give you all the details.” Hammer Strike said grimly, gesturing towards a few of the scars on his face.

“Can’t think of any safe questions.” Grif said as he shrugged. “Do we give worse then we get?”

“Considering what I did to a Gryphon fortress…” Hammer Strike nodded. “Oh yeah, we do.”

“Well, is it a pleasant trip back?” Moonshade asked. “We do have time to prepare for it, right?”

“Oh yeah. We had plenty of time to prepare.” Hammer Strike said.

“I want to ask questions,” Pensword muttered slowly. “Yet, the fear of messing up the timeline prevents me from asking anything that would be intelligent. But I will ask one. Is the food okay for us back then?”

“As good as it can be for the time.” Hammer Strike shrugged. “You can ask anything, technically. Anything I say has already happened for me, so it should all be fine.”

“Well that is good.” Pensword paused. “Do, do I make a good first impression on Lunar Fang? Or the Princesses?”

“The best.”

“That is good to know.” He let out a breath. “I am pleased to know I do not stick my hoof in my mouth. Which I seem to do time and again.”

“Am I going back as well? Tell me that at least. I am not letting you out of my sight, so AM I Going back?” Moonshade asked.

“Yeah.”

“Care to elaborate?” She asked, her tone growing a tad more dangerous. “Because I am going to make sure history stays intact. You know how flighty and distracted Pensword, or Matthew’s mind can get at times.”

“To elaborate, no.” He responded.

She growled and face hoofed. “Great. So, yes or no. Do I maintain my goal?”

“Better than maintain it.”.

“So you're not going to tell us about ...” Grif mimed the missing ear piece.

“Nope.” Hammer responded. “In all honesty, it’s better you don’t learn now about this.” He shrugged. “On the upside, I learned a few new tricks.”

“Tricks such as?” Grif asked.

He raised his hoof in front of his face. “Spontaneous Combustion,” he said as his hoof ignited in a blue flame. He shrugged amiably.

“GAH!” Pensword sputtered as he jumped back, raising a hoof to his eyes. “What in Mother Russia?” he asked in Draconic. “Mother Mew.” He sputtered. “You, you almost gave me a heart attack.”

Moonshade stepped back, but her response was nothing near as dramatic. “You, but, that, how?” She shook her head. “I know you have bits of strange magic, but an Earth Pony shouldn’t be able to do that.”

“There’s a lot of things I shouldn’t be able to do.” He grinned. “Trust me, things go farther than just this.” He said, lightly stomping his hoof, extinguishing the flame. “But know this. Who I am to you now doesn’t change. We all go through events that I wouldn’t wish on another and we come out on top. This is our story and we will live through it.”

“Well, from what you say, we all live to see the present again.” Pensword replied with a smile. “That makes me happy to know that the ending of our story up to your point is a happy one. We live to see modern Equestria again.” He frowned a little but did not say anything more.

None of them noticed as Hammer Strike’s eye twitched. “I should leave. Celestia might have noticed the bit of power I just used. I don’t know and I don’t want to stick around to find out.” He nodded before leaving in a random direction. The Doctor would find him eventually.

---

“So Rarity, you came here to learn how to use a sword. And I think I’ve made you wait long enough.” Grif smiled as he walked around the training area. “For starters, take the sword in front of you and let’s see your stance.” Seeing Rarity’s horn light, he grinned. “Ah ah ah. I said no magic.” He said, wagging a finger.

The light fizzled out as Rarity comically attempted to pick up the practice sword. Grif had cut a soft wooden pole with his talons to vaguely resemble a sword. Rarity continued to fumble with her hooves, resulting in much comedic fumbling and a few cases of tripping. “I think it might be broken,” she said at last as she picked herself up.

“For starters,” Grif said, picking it up with a single talon. “It’s a one hoofed blade. You pick it up in one hoof.” He pressed it into one of her forehooves till she gripped it. “Now widen your legs, back legs spread apart with your weight slightly to your right. That’s it. Now, right foreleg splayed out forwards and several degrees to the right. Your sword hoof needs to be bent upwards holding the sword either vertically with the blade pointed forward or horizontally with the edge pointed away from you” He said, giving her basic instructions while adjusting her positioning physically.

“Stance displays power. It commands respect and it shows your opponent that you respect him as well.” Grif smiled as he finally got her into a somewhat acceptable form. “There, like that. Now remember, your weight should be fluid. Swordplay is primarily about speed. Speed of body and speed of mind,” he explained. Without a word he swung around, sending his back left paw into the mare’s right foreleg and knocking it out from under her.

“Well, that was rude,” Rarity said, picking herself up and brushing some dirt off her fur.

“Your opponent likely won’t be caring how rude he appears while your blades are locked,” Grif explained. “Back into form,” he ordered. He smiled when it took rarity less time to find the form from before. “Don’t rely on your eyes. Every sense should be your tool in battle,” he explained as he repeated the action. Much as expected, Rarity reared up before he could make contact. She smiled, but only for a moment before he swept her back legs out from under her. “Small victories mean nothing,” he explained as she got up again. “Until the battle is done you are always in danger. Keep your body moving and your sword ready. Sword maneuvers vary from the cultures who use them, but in many places they are often referred to as dances because the movements must be swift, fluid, and elegant, just as when one performs a dance. In much the same way as dancing, you must also be able to read your partner’s movements before he or she makes them. keep an eye on them. Look for odd habits, twitches, anything that might be a tell.”

Grif sweeped again and Rarity reared. She avoided the second attempt by kicking her rear legs up. The moment her hooves met the ground, she brought the sword up to smack away Grif’s wing, which had been coming to buffet her side. “Thats more like it.” Grif smiled in approval.

Over the next hour Grif schooled Rarity on the four principal movements within fencing: block, slash, thrust, and parry. He explained the strengths and weaknesses of each before going into the examples how these may be combined or re-interpreted. Years of designing and creating had sharpened Rarity’s mind and Grif could not hold back a smile as she grasped the concepts quickly. She was only just starting, but he could see that she would be an impressive swords pony one day.

By the end of the session Rarity was tired, bruised, dirty, and had gone the longest Grif could think of without complaining about the dirt. With a grin, grif told her to return to her room and rest. Rarity left the training ground quickly, her new practice sword strapped to her back. With a chuckle Grif began writing up notes and mapping a lesson plan for the future. Who would have thought that Rarity, of all ponies, had a knack for swordplay.

---

Hammer Strike sighed as he sat in one of the forges in Canterlot, waiting for Luna to bring the decayed Ursa Armor. He was in for plenty of work just trying to fix the damage time had caused.

Luna entered the forge, two lunar guards trailing behind as they hauled a cart that held the armor. Both were red in the face and sweating. The weight must have been immense by normal pony standards.

“Sorry I’m late,” she said.

Hammer Strike shrugged in response. “No worries. It’s going to take ages anyways to repair it.”

“I’ve done my best,” Luna noted, showing him her work. It was not much in comparison, but the patch jobs seemed to have kept the armor from falling apart at the very least.

“At least you did that. Otherwise you wouldn’t have this armor anymore.” He sighed. “I have no idea how long it will take to repair this.”

“I don’t expect a miracle overnight,” Luna said. “Thank Sleipnir that Equestria isn’t at war currently” Luna sighed. “That was my best armor.”

“It also took the longest to make.” Hammer replied. “Well, I guess I’ll get to work. Unless you have something you want to talk about before you go?”

“How did this happen, Hammer Strike? Equestria is standing on imagined power at her best.” Luna sighed.

“A thousand years of peace.” He replied. “And the fear that Celestia will burn any enemy that stands in her way. Still, even then, that notion is fading.”

“I guess I injured Equestria a lot more than I intended,” Luna said. “Even saying it like that sounds bad. Hammer Strike, you always told me those who are thoughtless are unworthy. Is that me? Am I thoughtless?”

“Considering you were the one trying to fix these problems, I doubt that,” He replied. “You and your sister have had control over Equestria for a long time. It will never be easy and it will never be perfect, but you both strive for the best you can.”

“I just hope one day everypony will see that,” Luna said. “Anyway, I must be preparing. I need to attend to meteor impact before we set out for the Thestral colony. if you need anything, just ask.”

“I’ll be here for the next week. As long as I have the required materials I should be fine.” He sighed. “Perhaps shorter, perhaps longer…” He shrugged. “Have fun with your meeting and preparations.”

Luna nodded to Hammer Strike before leaving.

---

Pensword and Lunar Fang both sat in a room that Pensword had not seen for a very long time. It was the same meeting room where he had once stood as a human, asking, nay, petitioning Princess Luna for help against the Changelings. Only now he was sitting as a pony with a wing over his mate as they waited for High Chieftess Princess Luna. Pensword looked to Lunar Fang. “A lot has happened since we last stood in this room, Lunar-” he broke off in his muttering. “Or should I say Moonshade?” he asked.

She laughed “You probably wanted to say ‘Lunar Fang’ before saying that last part” she said.

“Yeah, I thought it, but I only said half of it.” He frowned. “My Dad did that a lot. He always spoke in half sentences and expected you to know what he was saying.” He sniffed a little. “My brother was perfect at understanding what he meant. I always got frustrated by that.”

“You’ll see them again,” she assured him, nuzzling him gently.

Pensword returned the nuzzle. “I hope they get to see their daughter in law.” He paused, then began to laugh. “Who would have thought their daughter in law would be a Thestral and that they would be grandparents to a foal?” He shook his head at the strange twist in his life. “I know my parents would love you no matter what. As for the relatives … that I do not know.”

“The point is that you love me,” she said. “Anypony else can burn for all I care.” she laughed.

“Anypony else?” a voice spoke up from behind them. “And here I thought I had garnered more respect from you than that.”

Pensword froze as he turned his head towards the new voice. “I think she was referring to any of my relatives back on Earth.” His voice was a little weak and nervous now.

“Yes, High Chieftess? Princess? I’m still not sure how we are supposed to address you now.” Lunar Fang said.

“For you two, you will address me as Luna. I think you both have earned that much.”

“Of course, Luna,” Pensword replied. “Does that cover outside in public as well?” He smirked. “Imagine the scandal that would cause.”

“Hang it all,” Luna said “I only have my trusted commander and my faithful protector at this time with whom I can share this level of familiarity. Let the papers print what they will.”

“As you wish, Luna.” Pensword replied. “How long til the bureaucrats recognize that Lunar Fang is alive? I received two letters today asking for courtships in a few minor noble houses.”

“You know the curse of bureaucracy,” luna sighed. “It is amazing they get anything done.”

“It will be settled in time,” Lunar Fang said. “If need be, we can get a marriage certificate signed under Moonshade until this is all settled.”

“I like your thinking. It would look well, and reintegrate my loyalty to the Thestrals. At least until the news learns that Moonshade is Lunar Fang.” Pensword shook his head. “A herd of aliases,” he muttered with a laugh. “Would satisfy some of the older houses, including House Pudding. I do not have the time to take care of all the letters that might flood my inbox. I need to really think of hiring a secretary or something.” He looked at his wife with starry eyes. “Not thee. Thou art the second of the herd house. And the apple of my eye,” He whispered.

“Well, it should be fun for the media at any rate” lunar fang said, flustered as her cheeks burned a fiery red.

“So I have heard your clan thrives, Pensword?” Luna asked.

Pensword nuzzled Lunar Fang’s ear before returning to look at Luna. “Indeed. It seems they are taking care of my ... of my home. They thrive and it appears that over the years the trait of moonkissed has appeared more often. I almost want to say that the gifts have shown just as widely in the clan.” He closed his eyes. “The House of Lords will need to recognize that I am ruler of those lands,” He said as he opened them again. The fires of determination burned brightly in those orbs. “For I shall not let any other Pony save I or my mare become owner of those lands. The Hooves House was over Mountainside Falls. I have heard Fort Triumph is also taken care of by the Lion Tribe.” He bowed his head. “If it be thy will, I will submit a right of claim by blood and conquest to the House Lords for those lands.”

“And I will most strongly back you,” luna nodded. “It is time the Thestrals had places of their own to settle.”

“Hear, hear. They have already settled Mountainside Falls, as well as the Gryphon Pass. What became of the town that we took without loss of life at all? I have not found it in the books. Then again, with the trial I have not had the time I had hoped for a thorough examination.”

“Remember, Pensword, that the gryphons were pushed back across the sea. The buildings of that town have since worn to nothing and other buildings have been built and fallen over them.”

“I thought that surely the Thestrals would have made it another refugee town.” He shook his head. “Still, the lands have changed. I am sure things have become interesting with the invention of airships. the pass has lost importance, I would think.”

“Much has changed in a thousand years, Pensword. Even I am still attempting to get resettled,” Luna offered.

He let out a small laugh. “Then we can work together on resettling. How long til the armor is done and we can reclaim thy seat on the Thestral Council?” He looked at his wife. “It is interesting. A thousand years ago we did this. Now we are repeating a little history. Hopefully not all of it.” He grimaced. “I would rather not fight Sombra and be encased in stone again.” His laugh sounded hollow as he tried to forget the other event from a thousand years ago. He may have survived with only a scar from the events at the Crystal empire, but there were scars far deeper that had yet to heal from the war.

“I could not tell you,” Luna said. “It was hard enough for Hammer Strike to make the armor. Repairing it will not be easy for him.”

“We waited a thousand years. A little longer is no sweat.”

Luna sighed. “The Thestrals shouldn’t have had to wait at all. Truly, I wonder if I am worthy to be the High Chieftess,” she admitted, eliciting a gasp from both ponies present.

“What is the meaning of this?” Pensword cried out. “Not worthy? Thou didst slay an Ursa Major. How art thou not worthy? If needed, I will come and we shall fight to prove you are still High Chieftess.” He shook his head. “I may be stuck on the traditions, but if it means losing thee as High Chieftess, then I say we just march there and reassert thine authority.”

“Whatever is bothering you, you are still the one the Thestrals respect,” Lunar Fang said. “You shouldn’t doubt yourself. It makes it look like you doubt us.”

“Look at what I have done to you. Is that worthy of respect?”

“Done to me?” Pensword asked in a confused tone. “What hast thou done to me?” He paused. “Or art thou talking of Lunar Fang?”

“To the Thestrals,” Luna clarified. “Barely a century out in the light and I forced them back into the dark.”

“Humanity has had a lot more missteps. We are here. And today is a new day.” Pensword looked to the walls of the meeting room. “I assure you, if you wish to learn how the Thestrals feel, the Dream Clan is still in Canterlot. Go and ask them.” He spoke with a hopeful tone. “Ask them what they think.”

Luna paused for a time, pondering the proposal. “I may just do that, Pensword,” she said, not entirely convinced. “But for now, we have preparations to make.”

“Very well.” He paused. “I have a question. When dost thou wish us to be present for the presentation of thy bill?” He shook his head. “My apologies, Luna. It appears I slipped into the old language there.”

“You are currently Equestria’s highest ranking officer,” luna noted. “Should the military be reinstated, you will be the one to lead it.”

“Correct.” Pensword muttered. “With Lunar Fang as second in command.” He paused. “I shall take it that we shall be incorporating the Gryphon Slayers into your example? How much time do we have left?”

“Months at the very least, Pensword,” Luna said. “This is not a fast process and I must have my supporters identified before I proceed.”

“I understand. I take it that the Gryphon Slayers are a boon to the project? Also, if I am to create a working example, shall I have the authority to field promote at the time I deem necessary?” He frowned. “If thou wishest, I shall report. It seems that I have been delivered this morning, an invite with one Baron Blueblood, Prince Blueblood’s father, to meet later this evening. I shall report back to thee on how the meeting goes. I fear that his faction shall be opposed to thy plans.”

Comments

[Dream Seeker]

The Salmon of Doubt reference... I like it...

[BronyofMeddlers]

I have some chuckles from this, especially that objection scene, I do wonder though, what might happen without grif, or hammer to be there to calm pensword down?

[Hard Cider]

Attempting to charge hammer strike of war crimes is like trying to teach an outer god peace and kindness.

[Booster Spice]

I wonder what the reasoning of the Griffon Emperors gifts were, like accepting the Kings Shilling? Blessed under the Empires law, you accept the empire and what it wishes to do?

A real pity that the Doctor dropped Hammerstrike a bit too early, or juat after Luna was banashed, he could swap out her then good quality, with a lighter copy, that would then be more suseptible to decay etc?

And the Objection rings out loud and proud

[Bast]

Did not expect that kind of letter from the gryphon emperor , great chapter and full of surprises.

[Grif_Bladefeather]

5635877 gryphon culture has undergone several revoloutions in the time they've been gone, (yet proof to gryphon stubborness the goverment always has the same structure) daedalus grew up with stories of grif like a young boy might grow up with stories of robin hood of ivanhoe, or for a real example william wallace or bennedict arnold. this emporer is 15 or so so he's not above hero worship and is trying to mend fences in hopes of making good ties to both equestria and his hero.

[Vital Spark]

5634386
For the answer to your quesiton, you just need to look to Tealspeckle's response to Bast. I think that summarized it well enough.

[dargonax]

How hard did you work for the Court scene?

[Icy Creation]

“And… TARDIS.” Grif said as a familiar groaning sound began to echo into the room. Gradually a silhouette appeared and slowly began to fill in as the blue police box materialized into the room.

Of course! Why not?