We headed straight to the armoury, on our way to gear up for the first venture into the Griffin Lands. Here was the basic plan; we would first head to Baltimare, a civilization by the sea, and see if we could hire a ship, possibly one selling and importing goods to the Griffins. To be honest, if we were conspicuous in the Griffin Lands, we’d likely be thrown in jail, as the import and civilian laws were very different (very few people not from the Griffin lands rarely got in as the Griffins made one thing clear in their badlands and plains; Griffins rule, and other species do not.)

We all decided to go together to the armoury, mainly due to the fact that Hammerfist had a strange and slightly psychological love of battleaxes.

As we passed through the hallways, we received some odd glances from the Guards and Staff of the castle; I mean, it’s not every day you see a robot and a minotaur tagging along with three humans, is it?

After a while, we had reached the armoury; before us lay a huge, ornate door, which loomed over us, like a giant that stared down upon a human.

“Impressive” Hammerfist grinned “But...”

We all looked at him and rolled our eyes as he barged through the door to the armoury, finding dozens of large weapons, small weapons and everything in between. Hammerfist grinned a grin which bordered on happiness and the psychotic.

I had to admit, for an industrial age kingdom, this armoury had it all. Well, for us, anyway. Pistols (flintlocks), rifles (muskets) and small cannons lined the walls and floors, along with a wide range of melee weapons; from daggers to Minotaurian Battleaxes, some in cases, some hung up on the armoury’s weapon racks.

“Alright, I’m ready” Hammerfist grinned, as we rolled our eyes. The armoured minotaur had two battleaxes strapped to his back, a sword at his side, and three daggers strapped to his shoulders. I looked at him pointedly and chuckled.

“Hammer, we aren’t going to need that many weapons” I explained, trying (and failing) to keep a straight face “Griffins may be a little hostile, but if you come in waving those weapons around and looking like a walking and talking battleship, they may not take too kindly to us.”

Hammerfist groaned, putting away the sword and daggers as he glared at me, making me chuckle; Hammerfist; One, Zero; 1.

Vinyl and Octavia were on the other side of the Armoury, where the pistols and rifles were, chatting quietly, while I waited (What, I already have everything I need with me; Plasma cannon in one wrist, Portal gun in the other.)

Meanwhile, Trixie had picked out a small few select items; some easily concealable daggers, and a small shortsword. Clever girl. I walked over to her, leaning on the wall nearby.

“So” I asked “How do you think this whole thing is gonna turn out?” I gestured a hand absently to Hammerfist, who had began to casually swing a battleaxe around in front of him. Not only this, but he managed to knock over a sword stand, said swords clattering to the floor.

She watched the spectacle, rolling her eyes as she replied “Tri- I mean, I, think that it will go well, after all you are leading this mission, right?”

I nodded “From what you’ve told me about Equestria’s geography, Baltimare should be to the...” I wracked my brains for a moment “east of Canterlot, right? Then we can get a carriage to Baltimare, and take a ship to the Griffin Lands.”
Trixie nodded in confirmation, and smirked “You’re not entirely useless then.”

I laughed, and stroked her cheek “Nope.”

She blushed, before Vinyl interrupted with a loud “HEY, LOVEBIRDS!” which knocked out of our harmless flirting.

Trixie instantaneously jumped, which made Vinyl laugh uproariously. I looked at her with a raised brow, as Octavia and Hammerfist walked over. Octavia rolled her eyes, obviously used to her blue-haired friends antics.

Trixie glared at Vinyl for a moment, before she sighed resolutely and explained the Plan to everyone present. Octavia nodded to Vinyl, who returned the gesture, and also grinned under her purple sunglasses.

Hammerfist grunted, still slightly angry at me for my reprimand on his weapons, while I nodded, already knowing the plan.
We headed out of the armoury shortly after, weapons ready and on hand, pistols loaded and daggers sharpened, ready for the first journey we were to take to get to the Griffin Lands.

Before long, we had reached the east gate, and hired a carriage (a flight one, of course, as Canterlot IS on a mountain), and set off towards Baltimare. Little did we notice a shadow that slinked off back to the streets of the great, bustling city.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Blueblood paced back and forth in his room, angry and impatient as his feet made contact with the floor, over and over.

“Damnit, where is that emissary?!” He growled to himself, his blonde hair dishevelled from the past few days of constant planning to get back at that... that... freak, Zero. That... that bastard who took away his honour by defeating, no, befriending his champion.

His anger bubbled as he smacked a fist against the wall, only hurting himself in the process. He yelped in pain, holding his hand, seething with pent up anger.

A shadow entered the room, pooling onto the central carpet; it was like a pool of tar, but smelled like a bad sewer, of rotting corpses and dung.

Blueblood turned around, his dark scowl turning to a triumphant grin. He walked over to the pool of shadow as it receded, and a man ascended, cloaked in a black robe, complete with cowl and a silver trim.

“Good of you to finally arrive, Fenrir.” Blueblood remarked sarcastically, before pulling a small pouch of coins from his pockets “The information. Now.”

Fenrir chuckled “Straight the point, eh? I like that. They’re heading out of the east gate, and are quick on the way to Baltimare, via air carriage. Now, about that pay...” He quickly received the pouch of coins, checking to make sure they were Equestria’s currency of bits.

“Glad we could do business, my Prince.” He bowed elaborately, and walked to the door, only to be stopped as an ice blue aura stopped it, forcing it closed.

“Actually, there is one thing I need done... Fenrir.” Blueblood grinned evilly and walked towards the hooded man, explaining his meticulous and malicious plan.

Author's Note

Oh look, a new Major Story Arc has begun >:) excellent. But seriously, this took a bit of planning to do :3

Please put your thoughts/opinions/emoticons about this chapter (and the story so far) into the box below :D *flutteryay*. Not only this, but if there are any mistakes still there (possible, being me XD ) please point them out so I can get rid of them.

Many thanks to the ever Illusive one known as Fluttershy Auditore for proof reading my chapter.

Signing off for now,

Axton