Chapter Ten

‘With the evidence highly stacked on the former of the two conclusions, we highly recommended he be taken off active duty. The loss his team sustained on their latest mission is only further stressing his condition. If something isn’t done soon, he might do something drastic in regards to the issue he has been pressing for the past six months.

As Captain of the UNSC INFINITY any that get hurt due to any action of his will be your fault.

The second matter you addressed about...’

Captain Lasky took another drink from his whisky glass as he pushed the paper away. It had been two hours since Requiem was destroyed and it wouldn’t be long now before he got another message about his failure. Not only on Requiem, but in the case around the remnants of Fireteam Ghost, among other things.

Even as it was happening Tom couldn’t believe it. Three of the best spartans he had on the ship threw away their lives for a faint chance at finally regaining what they had lost. Erasing Roland's data on them, having a ship ready to take, and secretly rearranging the missions roster to give them multiple windows of opportunity to set up the portal... Secretly he was proud of them, that they would go to such links for the smallest chance to find their lost friends.

When Fireteam Ghost had came back to Infinity talking about a portal similar to the one they had encountered on the Gamma Halo, the three spartans and a few members from the other teams held a small celebration. Despite the minute chances of the portal being able to repeat what it’s counterpart on the Halo did, it was the greatest news to them in months. Something one member of their team imparticularly needed after the failed mission a month ago.

It was only a delay at first, but so many things happened so soon after, that the mission was scrubbed. After comms were lost with Fireteam Crimson, the Storm Covenant locked down the air space between the portal and any of the FOBs and worst of all, while unrelated, it was revealed that Doctor Halsey had been communicating with Jul ‘Mdama. Most missions were scrubbed and all teams got reassigned for security reasons.

Once the team learned of it, Chase was furious and had to be escorted out of the bridge by Hank and Ethan. Not a single person on the ship thought he was out of line, except Commander Palmer, and she kept a close eye on them after that. As the days ticked by, nothing seemed out of the ordinary. Teams went on missions and deployments and soon, Fireteam Crimson was found, that made a lot of people happier.

During that time though, Fireteam Ghost was actually hard at work on a plan to go AWOL. Under the guise that they were going on missions, the team must of returned to the Requiem portal at some point, it was the only thought that made sense. Fireteam Ghost was last seen flying into Requiem as it was on a collision course with the sun. Roland estimated that, even if the portal was open and waiting for them, it was a very small probability that they made it with how fast Requiem was falling apart.

A single message was left in Spartan Chase Blake’s handwriting on the console of the dock they flew out of. It gave their reason, what they had been doing on Requiem, their knowledge of what would happen if they came back, and how they did all of it. Now, with them gone, Lasky had to give his report on what had happened, and it would either end in his court marshal, their names on UNSC’s most wanted list, neither, or both.

Staring at the little whisky left in his glass, Captain Lasky shook his head and picked up a more recent paper. They had made their decision and they would have to live with the consequences. He just hoped that the move they pulled was worth it, if they survived at all.

****Red Thorn Bog****
9/13/Noon

The small campsite was quiet save for the sound of the fire crackling and lighting up the densely foliated area. The gryphon guard, Kaylon, sat near King Ashford and Princess Gilda while the only other occupant was cleaning his helmet of red marker lines. Hank was just finishing up getting rid of the clownish frown that Chase had put on his visor and would be able to move onto the last bits on the back.

“Can I ask you a question?” Kaylon broke the silence as he stared at the face of the man. Hank had buzz cut brown hair, cleanly shaven tan face, but the look in his grey eyes practically cut right through you. Easily being the biggest of the three spartans, he was quite the intimidating person.

“Go ahead.” Hank said as he scrubbed harder with the brush.

“You are a military outfit, right?”

“Yes, not the best disciplined bunch, but we are military.”

Kaylon scrunched up his face in confusion, “And your leader is Chase, the one that save us?” Hank only gave a nod and Kaylon continued, “He doesn’t exactly seem like the greatest leader.”

“He did save your life and your criticising him on his ability as a leader?”

“Don’t get me wrong, he’s great, but he just doesn’t seem like the leader type. Like when you woke up and saw your helmet, he looked pretty scared after he got his laughs in.”

Finally finishing the helmet, Hank put it on and answered, “To be honest, he’s only been our leader for the past few months. Even then most of that was spent in the infirmary for him while Ethan and I got guard duty. When he gets back from patrol, we can move out.”

“W-wait! What about the King and Princess? Or the mage?”

“Ethan has been interrogating the other gryphon since he woke up an hour ago... I should probably go get him before he kills the poor sod.” Hank said standing up and walking towards the other side of the Pelican, “As for the King and Princess, they’ve been awake for a while now, so they’ll be fine.”

Kaylon looked surprised and turned to see both of the gryphons he’d been guarding open their eyes and weakly shuffle into a sitting position, “King Ashford, Princess Gilda!” he quickly turned to them and bowed to show his respect.

“Get out of the dirt, this is no time for such formalities.” King Ashford stated. Quickly his left Talon shot to his left side and he looked down to see all the bandages around his midsection, “Guard, what’s your name?”

“Corporal Kaylon Rucker, reporting for duty sir!” Kaylon said rather loudly snapping to a stiff standing position with his right balled up talon resting on his chest.

“At ease corporal, tell me, how long have we been out?” the King asked as gilda watched the spartan known as Hank disappear into the woods on the other side of the pelican.

Kaylon stood in a visibly more relaxed stance, “About four hours sir.”

“Do you know what these things are?” Gilda asked suddenly.

“No, mam.”

“Do you know why they're here?” the King asked looking around for any of the spartans.

“Their leader said he would tell me once you woke up, so he would only have to say it once.”

“Yeah, well I say we get out of here before that happens.” Gilda said stretching out her wings and looking towards the open canopy above the clearing.

“With how little we know of them it might be the best.” King Ashford said as he stood with his daughter.

“What of the gryphon mage they have captive?” Kaylon asked.

“He is a traitor and should be killed, but we should leave now while we can.”

“Wow, not even a thanks?” a new voice said causing all three to look over the fire at one of the spartans as they sat down, “Well, before you go you should be warned, there are a lot of air patrols to the west and more to the south. I’d recommend staying with us for a while, but do whatever you want.” the three gryphons exchanged a worried glance before Chase continued, “Of course, we could always make a deal and everything will be better for the both of us.”

Narrowing his eyes the King asked, “What kind of deal?”

“Well, my team and I can help you take back your kingdom and in return all we ask for is a safe place to stay while we brush up on this stuff you call ‘magic’.” Chase finished with air quotes when he said magic.

“Ha! There’s only three of you, how can you possibly help with our problem?” Gilda laughed.

“If all you’ve figured out from your two hours of fake sleeping is that there are three of us, then you are a failure of an information gatherer.” Chase said and continued before Gilda could respond, “To answer your question though, I was thinking a political assassination.”

“The guards are bound to be on constant patrol, you’ll never get close.” Gilda stated.

“Okay, what would showing the public you're alive do?” Chase directed the question at the King.

“We tried that a few days ago...” the King's left talon gave a subtle twitch, “It didn’t end well.”

“The public is split, half wants to go to war with the Minotaur Domain while the other half wants the peace to continue.” Kaylon said, putting in his two cents.

“So if we don’t do this right, it could cause a civil war.” Chase said nodding his head.

“Right, but if we can show in front of the Court of Nine that Black tried to assassinate me it would show he’s more coward than king.”

“So all we gotta do is get you in that courtroom, sounds easy enough.”

Gilda looked from her father to the spartan and back, “Uh, hello! We have no way of even getting into the city or the castle!”

“Hmm, you’re right...” Chase put his right hand to the bottom of his helmet as if stroking an imaginary beard, “If only we had two suits of magical armor that changed your fur and feather color to match everyone around you...” Chase trailed off before snapping his fingers, “Wait! We have exactly that.”

“You mean my dead squadmates' armor?” Kaylon asked and Chase nodded in confirmation.

“It’s a solid idea, but I still have a few questions about you and what you’re doing here.” King Ashford stated before a loud grumble came from Gilda’s stomach.

“... What? We haven’t eaten in a few days ya dweeb, got any grub around here?” she said.

Chase struggled to hold back a laugh as she said dweeb, “I think we got a thing or two you can eat. Then I can answer your questions while we eat.” Chase finished with a happy tune before walking towards the ship.

The gryphons’ eyes watched as chase climbed the back ramp and started digging through the crates. King Ashford whispered to the others, “We trust for now, but be ready for the dagger.”

Chase looked up from one of the crates and stopped looking through it and loudly said, “You could of told me you were getting lunch Ethan.”

The gryphons looked back towards the fire to see the spartan with his helmet off roasting pieces of meat over the fire. His almost completely white face was perfectly calm as put more fish onto sticks and put them in the ground leaning over the fire. To Kaylon Ethan’s sneaking skills were amazing but he had gotten somewhat used to never knowing where the spartan would show up.

His recently awoken compatriots however... “How, in the name of the ancestors, did you get behind us so silently?” the King asked.

“Well you see, our entire group is based around stealth and staying out of sight.” Chase said as he sat down across the fire from the gryphons.

“Hey, dweeb, aren’t those the same thing?” Gilda asked while eyeing the roasting fish with hunger written across her face.

“In most cases, but when we put you three into the castle tomorrow, you’ll be stealthy and in plain sight for all to see.” Chase picked out one of the roasted fish and handed it over to Gilda, “Now I believe you had some questions for me?”

“Yes, first I would like to say I am very grateful you saved not only my life but my daughter’s. For that alone you will always have my thanks, but that leaves the question of why you were here in the first place?” the King asked as Gilda tore into her fish.

“Oh you know, the usual in these types of situations. We disobeyed orders and barely made it through a highly advanced alien portal to your world to look for the lost members of our team that came through a similar portal six to seven months ago.” Chase explained just a bit too quickly.

“... Dweeb, say that again but slow enough so we can actually understand.” Gilda said as she finished her first fish.

“Long story short we disobeyed orders, went through a portal, and wound up here where you found us.” Chase said leaning back against the tree with his real hand and robotic hand behind his head.

“Aren’t you going to eat?” Kaylon asked as he began eating the fish he just got.

Chase shrugged his shoulders, “Eh, not that hungary.”

The king took a piece of fish from Ethan before addressing Chase once more, “It just dawned on me that we never got your name.”

“Kaylon didn’t tell you?” Chase asked with a little bit of surprise in his voice, “Anyway, I’m Chase Blake and I’m the current leader of this team of pure awesomeness.” though just a slight bit, Chase noticed that Gilda flinched when he finished his sentence.

“I am King Ashford Talon, this is my daughter Gilda Talon, and Corporal Kaylon Rucker. We are all apart of the Silver Claw Clan and current leading Clan of Griffonia.” the King said as he gestured to his daughter and Kaylon.

“Well this guy over here,” Chase raised his hand to Ethan, “Is Lieutenant Ethan Smith, the big guy who was here before was Lieutenant Junior Grade Hank Hunter, and I’m a Lieutenant Commander myself. Anything else?”

“Who exactly are you looking for?” the King asked as his fish rested on a large leaf near his talons.

“To be specific, we’re looking for my brother, my brother’s friend, and my best friend.”

“You say they’ve been here for six or seven months, but I’ve never heard of them. Can you explain that?” the King asked as he finally took a bite out of his fish.

“Well our entire group is focused on stealth and my brother Leon has Pathfinder training. That type of training means he can be out of touch with command for months at a time and still be able to operate and complete his mission. Then our entire group specialises in stealth with two only being good, not amazing like Ethan here.” Chase finished with a hand gesture to the black haired spartan currently eating one of the roasted fish.

“You said your brother can still complete his mission, what is his mission here?” King Ashford asked as he tore off the last piece of his fish.

“Oh that was just a slip of the tongue, they came here because we had our backs to the wall and it was either death or going through the portal.” Chase said as he spotted Hank dragging a tied up gryphon through the water to them, “Hank about time you made it, what took you so long?”

“Found something you’re gonna want to see.” Hank said as he dropped the rope and brought his left hand out from behind his back and tossed something at Chase.

Having only a second to see the giant spider flying at him, Chase’s eyes grew wide as dinner plates under his helmet. As the thing landed and stuck to his visor, Chase let out a girlish scream and rolled backwards into the bushes, “Oh god, get it off! Get it off! Get it off!”

Gilda started laughing out loud while Kaylon tried his best to hide his laughter from the smirking King. Hank took a spot near the fire, taking off his helmet, and grabbed one of the fish, “You season these yet?” he asked Ethan as the two ignored Chase’s cries for help.

“No.” Ethan said simply while a large ‘thwack’ sound was heard behind them.

“I think I got it!” Chase yelled triumphantly as it sounded like he was walking back to them.

Chase walked into the little campsite and plopped down onto the ground between Kaylon and Ethan before taking off his helmet and looking directly at Hank, “I hate you.”

Hank cracked a smile and passed Chase a roasted fish still on the stick, “You should’ve known I’d get you back.”

“You know I hate spiders man.” Chase looked over to the gryphons to see them all staring at him, “... What, I may be a soldier doesn’t mean I’m not scared of somethings.”

Gilda and Kaylon stared at him still while the King asked, “Just how much of you is robotic?”

“Oh! You mean my eye.” Chase said tapping the metal exterior of his left eye. It was a dull silver in color with a small green light in the center and seemed to fit well in his eye socket as he was still able to blink with that eye. Though it was creepy as you could still see the green light when he did so, “Well this happened the same time as when the other half of our team went through the portal.”

“Could you explain just what happened that caused your team to spit up?” the King asked while raising a claw to literally shut Gilda’s beak.

“Well, I could tell you, but we need to get on the move so I’ll just show you on the way to the castle.” Chase said taking one last bite of his fish. He stood up, put his helmet on, and began walking towards the ship, “Come on we’re burning daylight.”

Gilda bursted out laughing while Hank called after him, “Hey Chase, you’ve got something on your back!”

Stopping mid stride, Chase straightened up, “Is it the fucking spider?”

“Yes!” Gilda shouted as she continued laughing.

Once again freaking out, Chase flopped down into the water shouting, “Get it off!” repeatedly. Hank chuckled as he began pushing dirt over the fire with his boot. Ethan calmly walked over to where Chase was flailing in the water and, with a swift arm movement, removed the spider from his armor. Chase, unknowing that it was gone, continued to flail in the water while Ethan walked to the water’s edge and sat the spider down on the bark of a large tree.

“So we’re taking that thing to the castle?” Kaylon asked Hank as he finished with the fire.

“We’re going to be setting it down in a forest clearing a few miles away from the outer walls of the city.” seeing the confusion on the gryphon’s face Hank answered his next question, “Ethan and Chase already did some recon on the area while I kept an eye on you three.”

“Then who was watching the mage?” Kaylon asked as Chase finally seemed to realise the spider was gone.

“They took turns scouting the area. First Chase then Ethan, but when the mage woke up we were able to get a good bit out of him about a few key locations and a small bit of knowledge about magic.” Hank used his knife to cut the binds on the gryphon before leaving him and walking to the pelican.

“What are you going to do with him?” the King asked as Hank walked past Chase as he tried to get out of the water.

“He’s a traitor of your people, but we’ll be done with our job before he’s able to tell anyone what happened here.” Chase said, shaking his arms to get off as much water as he could.

“He’s unarmed and has a broken wing. None of us would kill someone that’s unarmed and injured.” Hank said as he walked around to the front of the Pelican where Ethan was climbing into the front cockpit.

“Of course, he’s still a traitor to your nation and potential rapist.” Chase said while walking around the Troop Hog attached to the Pelican, “So his fate is ultimately up to you.”

As the King walked by the knocked out mage he drew his sword and cut the gryphons throat with precision, showing his years of sword handling. Kaylon walked past the body after the King and Gilda followed slowly behind them. Chase made a note at Gilda’s sick expression as she passed the body of the dying gryphon.

Chase handed the King an old rag to wipe the blood off his blade with while the Kaylon asked, “How are you going to show us what happened at the portal?”

Shoving a few boxes of ammo out of the way, a small table raised up out of the floor of the Pelican while the back doors shut, “Our helmets constantly record what we’re seeing on a mission.” Chase explained as he ejected a chip out of the back of his helmet, “These small little chips can hold up to two hundred terabytes of information... I think? I never did get an actual number from a technician I asked, I just know it’s a lot.”

The gryphons watched as the spartan inserted the chip into the side of the table and a holographic image appeared. Multiple folders with labels appeared varying in size the three largest were labeled ‘Music’, ‘Youtube’, and ‘Missions’. The one labeled ‘Missions’ opened up and the others disappeared, replaced by pictures with time lengths under them.

The pictures moved up and more replaced them before one was selected and enhanced to fit the entire holographic screen, “Okay while you guys watch this, I’m going to be taking a nap.” Chase said as the video began to play with him, Leon, Alfred, and Josh all in the armory on the Gamma Halo ring.

'Huh, I wonder what Leon and them are up to right now?' Chase thought as he laid down across the seats on his side of the pelican.

****Canterlot Dungeons****
9/13/Noon

Leon thought over the information that Twilight had given them as Josh and Alfred continued their ‘fighting’. The guards up at the top of the stairs failing to realise that once again his team was listening in on their gossip. With the information Twilight had given them, she had unknowingly sealed their escape plan.

Four hours and through the use of seemingly meaningless questions and leads, Leon was able to get Twilight to divulge where they were keeping his groups armor, what kind of magic their cell has on it, and that the Night Guard roam the main halls at night. Other information she gave them was useful, but it wasn’t necessary to escape the poorly built prison.

The other unicorn Rarity, seemed to notice what he was doing and ushered Twilight and the pegasus, Rainbow Dash, out before she could say anymore. Near the beginning of the conversation she was nice enough to let Alfred use her scarf and get them all some more blankets since he was ‘cold’. Blankets that were now stacked in a corner beside Leon to resemble the spartan covered up and sleeping.

Leon didn’t know who designed the cell, but they were down right stupid when they made it. The door itself was well maintained solid steel, but the hinges were on the inside of the cell meaning the door swung open to the inside. They had to wait for these two guards especially though, because they noticed just how undying their loyalty was to the Princesses.

Leon snapped his fingers causing Josh and Alfred to stop their verbal assault of one another almost instantly. The guards were talking pretty loud now about something regarding the Princesses, but Josh got their attention and started their escape plan.

“Hey! Moron and Stupid, you two seem to love your Princesses quite a lot, right?” Josh said while Alfred crouched down behind where the door would stop once it was open.

“Just ignore him Shield.” the Night Guard pegasus said to the unicorn.

“Hey, all I want to know is, have either of you two fucked those fine gals.” Josh said with a suave sounding voice.

“WHAT!” they both shouted back down the stairs to the cell.

“Well I thought if they were slutty enough to let us three have at them then you guards must get-”

“You will shut your filthy mouth this instant!” the Day Guard shouted, “Princess Celestia would never do such things with you vile creatures!”

“Hey bro, it’s okay. She was real classy about it, and didn’t spit out my first load, though she cough up my second when I accidently broke her horn.” Josh said chuckling a bit as if remembering the moment.

“You will be quiet or else!” the Day Guard shouted with a slightly less pissed Night Guard next to him.

Noticing the Night Guard Josh switched it up a bit, “Hey Celly wasn’t as big of a slut as Lulu, damn, she took both my buddies at once. One in front, one in-”

“You don’t want to finish that sentence creature.” the Night Guard said in a very serious voice.

“Can I talk about how they both cried in pure ecstasy as they gargled our-”

Josh was cut off as the Day Guard teleported to the bottom of the stairs and threw Josh against the back wall with his magic, “You still want to talk creature!” the night guard flew down the stairs and put a key in the door.

“Keep a shield up behind him so the other two don’t interfere.” the Night Guard said calmly as he opened the cell. As the two of them walked in with evil looking grins on their faces, they didn’t see Alfred behind the door they just opened.

“My god, are you two recruits straight out of training or something because you are hella stupid.” Josh said as Leon calmly stood up behind him in the barrier.

Before they were able to answer, Alfred darted out from behind the door, grabbed the unicorn’s horn, and yanked it backwards making him break the spells. Leon tackled the Night Guard to the ground while he was beginning to look at his buddy and delivered a quick series of punches to his throat and chest. Josh fell to the floor and quickly delivered a nasty left hook to the unicorn’s jaw making his horn break off in Alfred’s hand.

Before the unicorn could scream for help or in pain, Alfred wrapped his right arm around his neck and used his left to lock him in a headlock. Doing so cut off the blood flow from his heart to his brain and after ten seconds he was unconscious. Leon was pushed off the Night Guard as he rolled over and began gasping for breaths. Not missing a beat, Leon sweeped his back legs out from under him and brought his left arm around his neck and locked with his right arm in the same way Alfred did with the Day Guard.

After the Night Guard was out the spartans gave a nod to each other and moved the unconscious guards up against the walls and covered them with blankets. They kept the small bundle of blankets in the corner and locked the door as they proceeded up the stairs. They stayed silent and alert as they stalked their ways out of the cell area they were in and continued to the brighter colored area that was the castle interior.

A spiral stairway led them from the dungeon into the west wing of the castle. They stuck to the walls as they heard a guard patrol walk by and down the direction they needed to go. Leon gave the hand motions to stay low and stay outta sight, also made a small note that Alfred still had the scarf Rarity had given him. When Twilight entered lecture mode last night and mentioned the entire west wing was off limits to everyone but the guards, Princesses, and them was strong evidence that they’re armor had to be in this wing. That and that the entire east wing was were the diplomats and guests rooms where.

They followed the guards as silently as they could with the wind from the open windows helping a little bit as it muffled their own sounds. Soon the guards turned right at a ‘T’ intersection and sounded like they stopped. Leon quickly motioned for the spartans to hide and they did so just in time as the sound of hooves started coming back and two guards walked back down the corridor. Josh was hiding behind a statue of one of the Princesses while Leon and Alfred had hidden at the top of a large banner that draped from the top of the wall to the bottom.

Staying put till the guards were out of sight, Leon looked out the window and could see the area to the right of the intersection was a tower, so the guards must of swapped with the current ones guarding the door. In a stroke of luck one of the windows in the tower was open and Leon could see a table holding a lot of papers and Josh’s EOD helmet. Carefully getting down from the banner, Leon motioned to the window and began to climb out of it when Alfred pulled him back in.

Staying low to the floor Alfred held up two fingers and jerked his thumb out the window. Leon got the meaning that two of the pegasi guards were outside and looked over to Josh who was in the shadows in between the wall and the statue. He had his eyes fixed on the window and his hand was flat and low to the ground. After a few tense seconds of Leon holding his breath Josh gave the thumbs up sign and Leon hopped onto the window sill.

Keeping an eye on his target and not looking down, Leon put his teenage years of parkour to use and jumped to the window. His left hand slipped off as his body swung to the side, but he quickly got a better grip and soon poked his head up to look at the room. The inside was filled with all kinds of equipment and tables filled with paper work, but there was no one inside. Not questioning the streak of good luck so far, the spartan hoisted himself into the room and immediately went for his Pathfinder helmet.

Taking off the cloth that had been covering up his dignity, Leon placed the helmet on his head and thought about it being on his body a small few seconds later he felt the armor suddenly cover his entire body. He looked down at his armor and thought, ‘Thank you gossiping guards.’

He grabbed Josh’s EOD helmet and Alfred’s SCOUT helmet and moved towards the door. Activating his Promethean Vision he could see there was only two unicorn guards and the other, unused, corridor was empty. His team was still in their hiding spots in the other one, waiting for his orders.

Leon moved to the window and motioned his hand for them to advance on the guards from the front and get their attention. Leon pressed against the door and waited for-

“Hey! What are you-” the guards was cut off as Leon opened the door and slammed his fist into the right guard’s horn, breaking it off instantly. The other guard looked at Leon, his horn lit up with a spell, but Alfred slammed into him and quickly put him into a headlock. Making sure that the horn wouldn’t be used, Alfred put all his strength into snapping the thing off before locking his headlock. Leon did the same for the first guard as Josh kept a look out for more.

After a few seconds the guards fell unconscious and Leon dragged their bodies into the room that once held their armor. Tossing the helmets to their rightful owners Leon watched as a small flash happened before the armor was on the spartans. Leaving the pieces of cloth they had used before in a trash bin nearby, the three spartans now had to find a way out.

“I’ve got a lock on the tags we put on the weapons, they’re still in the forest thankfully.” Josh said through their private radio channel as they began to move down the unused hallway.

Alfred carefully put Rarity’s scarf into one of the pouches that usually contains the ammo for his sniper rifle, “I’ve still got a reading on the markers we put up in the tunnels under Canterlot.”

“Then that’s our target. Let’s move out and stay quiet.” Leon said as an objective marker appeared on all their HUDs. It wouldn’t be long now and they would be out of the castle and after that out of this country to the place Twilight said was out of all the nations control, The Badlands.

****Canterlot Castle****
9/13/Noon-ish

“Twilight, I really don’t think we should go back there darling. I think those spartans are just using us to get information. Or at least Leon is.” Rarity said as she and Rainbow Dash followed Twilight down the corridor to the west wing of the castle.

“I think you’re just over reacting Rarity. They don’t have very long left if the Princesses can’t find a way to take back control of their case from Blueblood.” Twilight said as the three rounded a corner, “Besides they’re in the deepest cell in the dungeons with guards being the only ones who can open the door without tripping an alarm. It would be impossible for them to get out and that’s not even taking into account the guards patrolling the halls.”

“Yeah yeah yeah, it’s impossible we get it egghead, but this same thing happened in one of my Daring Doo books. Daring had trusted the police to keep Dr. Caballeron locked up in his cell for his crimes and he escaped in less than a day.” Rainbow says stopping Twilight.

“I’ve read them too Rainbow, and the only reason he escaped in the book was because he bribed the police. The spartan’s have no money and can’t do that.” Twilight said walking past her hovering friend.

“Darling will you at least be more careful of what you tell them.” Rarity asked as they approached the last corner before the stairway to the spartans.

Twilight sighed in defeat, “Okay Rarity, I’ll watch what I say and if I start to say something you don’t think I should, you can stop me.”

“Thank you darling that’s all I ask.” Rarity finished as they turned the corner. There they stood with their mouths open at the site of at least twenty guards, both Day and Night, as they looked and scanned with spells the surroundings of the stairway leading to the dungeons. In the middle of the chaos was Princess Luna, who was holding up a paper and seemed to be reading it closely.

“Princess Luna,” Twilight said as she approached, “What’s going, what happened?”

Luna turned to the ponies and her hard glare softened, “Twilight, I asked you to call me Luna, don’t make me order you to.”

“Sorry Princces- I mean Luna. Why are all these guards here? Did something happen?”

Luna’s glared hardened once more as she looked over shoulder at two guards that were sitting against the wall. They quickly looked away from her and pretended they were in a conversation of their own. With a sigh she turned back to Twilight and answered, “Somehow the guard roster got messed up and two rookie guards ponies were assigned to the spartans. They tricked them into opening the cell and knocked both of them out before escaping.”

“What!” Rainbow yelled as Rarity teleported her favorite couch to her and fainted onto it.

“Bu-bu-but... How?” Twilight asked, trying to wrap her mind around how they were able escape.

“They piled blankets in a corner and made it look like one of them was sleeping while the other two were in plain sight. The one called Josh then antagonised the guards enough to make them come into their cell and try to teach him a lesson. Alfred was hiding where the door would open and stayed concealed till both guards were in. Once Leon stood up Alfred took off the Day Guards horn and the three of them knocked the guards out.” Luna looked at the three ponies shocked expressions before walking down the hall, “Follow me, it gets worse.”

After Rarity sent her couch back to her home, the three ponies followed the Princess through the corridors and Twilight noticed where they were going, “Pri- Luna, please don’t tell me they-”

“I’m afraid so Twilight.” Luna said as they rounded the last corner to the room that held the spartans armor, “With what the guards reported here one of the spartans was able to get to their armor and ambush them from behind while the other two attacked from the front.”

“How did they get to the room without going passed the guards?” Twilight asked as Rarity looked at one of the closed windows.

“Well they had to use the windows, there absolutely filthy.” Rarity said looking at the small dirt marks on the window sill.

“Yes, that is what we believe happened, but after the spartans got their armor it’s like they just vanished.”

Twilight looked at Rarity then at Rainbow Dash and they both nodded to her. She turned around and said, “Okay, Luna, what do you want us to do.”

Luna smiled at them as she knew, without a doubt in her mind, if anypony could bring these three to justice it was them, “I want you three to return to Ponyville by train and get the other Bearers and the Elements. From their I want you to go into the Everfree and find a zebra name Zecora. She helped us find the spartans the first time, hopefully she can lead you to where they made their hideout in the forest.”

“Don’t worry Luna you can count on us.” Twilight said triumphantly before taking off back down the hallway with Rarity and Rainbow right behind her.

“I know you’ll make the right decision Twilight.” Luna muttered watching them go.

****Tunnels under Canterlot****
9/13/Noon-ish

Celestia walked with her contingent of guards down the tunnel that led from the waterfall exit of the caves. It seemed the most likely one that the spartans would chose if they chose to get back to their hideout in the forest. Though why Celestia was with the guards was a completely different than what her guards thought she was there for.

As they came to another intersection Celestia spoke up, “Guards continue up the path, I’ll be along shortly.”

“Yes, your Highness.” the lead guard said as he continued down the path.

As he continued Celestia let out a sigh as she thought of how to phrase her next words. Once Celestia was sure the guards were out of hearing range she began, “I’m sorry things had to turn out this way. When my sister and I first heard my nephews verdict we were shocked, but to us then you all were still the monsters that put our little ponies in comas.

“Then, late last night, Twilight brought me the papers containing your side of the story and we saw how foolish we had been. You were victims in the beginning and it was through my actions and my sister’s, that you were forced to hurt our ponies in order to survive. I can’t call off the search for you unless they have found no evidence of your whereabouts in a week.

“Be warned though as we have to make it looked like we tried everything to get you back. Twilight and her friends will be coming after you, I suggest you make it to the Badlands before then. You have yet to permanently hurt anypony, I’m putting my trust in you that you won't hurt them.

“I wish you luck in the land’s beyond Equestria. Hopefully when we meet again, Blueblood will of tried his coup attempt and failed, leaving me in charge of your case once more.” Celestia began walking down the tunnel after her guards, having said her piece.

Behind her, out of the darkness, Leon looked after her and quietly said, “Thank you.” before the three spartans continued down the tunnels to freedom.

Author's Note

Okay, longest chapter yet and chapter ten, I feel like that's a milestone I never thought I'd reach. Anyway lot to digest this chapter so be sure to comment your opinions below and good comments get me to write more, just sayin.

Also, while writing this chapter I learned that apparently a lot of people don't like it when a gryphons don't have names that begin with 'G'... weird right? Only now do I realize the missed opportunity to name the King Godric like from Harry Potter... moving on.

Community Question: Who is your favorite background character?

My answer: Gilda, cause gryphons are awesome.