Level 4 Compromises

Griffons aren't friendly creatures. In fact, they're known for being brash and arrogant, and there isn't much you can do that'll really impress a griffon. Their nation borders Equestria, and at the time, tension has been at an all time low. Between Twilight's coronation, banishing King Sombra, and just generally happy times, the two haven't found a reason to fight in a long time, which is always nice.

Philip's little pod hurtled through space, clearly on a set course for whatever planet he was heading towards. He couldn't tell how fast he was going, but all he wanted was to go back home. Space is fun until you're being pulled towards an unknown planet with no knowledge that it existed in the first place. And on top of everything, you can't move. They really don't want you getting hurt in this thing, he thought.

A crowd had gathered in a little griffon town, and for whatever reason, they looked terrified. Absolutely terrified of whatever they were looking at. You'll never guess what they wer- oh, it's obvious. But no matter how simple it is for us to understand, they didn't know. They'd seen foolish members of their town light fire to themselves and fly around before, but this wasn't a griffon. It was a steel ball, full of mystery and intent.

Sheriff Blackclaw hated his job. Like, really, really hated his job. Of all the griffons that had wanted to become the sheriff, they chose HIM. When he was told, he wasn't happy.

"I didn't even sign up for this!" he bellowed. But it wasn't like he had a choice. He was the single toughest griffon out there, and there really wasn't anyone more qualified than he. Although he hated it, you couldn't argue with his results. Less crime in the town wasn't something that had been matched by any of his predecessors. He'd seen it all, and today was no different. Every living thing had decided that there was something that he needed to see. His assistant rushed in, a small, perky griffon who had been nicknamed "Litty". She was carrying a clipboard and a pen, typical of her.

"Lit, I swear on my wings, if this is about that pod, I'm going to-"

"Then I'll bring the scissors. Just get out here, already. I'd love to leave you alone about it, but this is really important." Blackclaw sighed. EVERYTHING was important in this town. There was very little to surprise him, and this wasn't going to be any different.

"Fine, I'll come look at it." He stood up, stretching his legs before finally walking out of his little office and out into the town square, where a steaming ball of steel had landed. Many griffons stood around it, poking at it with their claws and trying to push it over.

"Ok," the sheriff started. "It's a giant yo-yo? What was the fucking point of..."

Inside the "giant yo-yo", Philip sat, in pain and confused. His medication had begun to worn off, and the rash had continued to spread, even in his mouth and extremities. This man had flat smallpox, which is usually fatal, but can spread like wildfire, especially in urban areas. One breath of it is enough to infect you. Philip's fever had skyrocketed, and he felt close to death. He was weak, nauseous, and sick to his stomach. But what he saw scared him. He was surrounded by a mixture of lions and eagles, and they seemed pretty aggressive. Luckily enough, he could see them, but they weren't smart enough to look inside the bubble. He had heard of mythological creatures like this before, but of course he never knew they existed. He decided he had had enough. Slamming the red button on the inside of the pod, the top slid open slowly, revealing the horrifying image within.

"I can't believe you brought me here just to look at a fucking-" The sheriff stopped complaining at the sight of the pod opening. He was in no way ready for what he saw. It was utterly strange. The creature stepped out of the bubble on two weak legs. It stood straight up. Blackclaw took time, with his mouth gaping wide, to analyze it. Instead of hooves, it looked like it had broken his claws, but he noticed how he moved them with ease. Oh, but the eyes. Griffon's eyes are piercing and challenging, but this alien's eyes seemed deceitfully innocent, as though they hid a deeper evil. Its eyebrows furrowed; it didn't like the feeling they were giving him. Everything within 5 feet of him backed away.

"Y-you. What the hell...?" they said in unison. Both were very confused with the other, but they had different reaction. Blackclaw screamed, running to his office to phone whoever could help. He'd seen things, he'd seen it all, he thought. But he hadn't seen this. Philip, on the other hand, fell on his knees, falling face-first on the ground. No one knew it, but that area would become a veritable ground zero for smallpox. It was only a matter of time.

Celestia sighed. This wasn't the first time she'd heard a griffon scared out of his wits. When the two nations had threatened war on each other, Equestria showed its full military power, forcing peace for a while. But this time, it was something different entirely.

"Listen, Sheriff. I am very busy right now....I know it's important, but you still won't tell me what you're....A what? Two-legged alien? Are you......Alright, look. I'll send somepony over there. You'd better hope this is important."