The Great Gryphon Adventure

Jacob was helpless to resist the urge to comfort Rainbow Dash. The sadness that seemed to come over her had caused her to start to shed tears. The pegasus had seen the horrors of war, seen her friends and family be slaughtered. Jacob knelt down, resting an arm over her equine shoulders and hugging close as Rainbow finally let loose and sobbed uncontrollably as she fell on her belly. Gilda came next, wrapping forearms and wings around her dear friend, the two simply holding Dash as the emotions washed over her.

It was a quiet scene for the three. They could hear in the distance the firing of shells and machine guns. Overhead aircraft from the human world soared over in tight formation, heading into the distance. None of this seemed to faze the moment. Eventually Jacob calmed the pegasus down enough to where she could stand again and Jacob looking her straight in the eyes. He carefully wiped away at her tears, the pegasus looking down with a slight flush on her cheeks.

"It's okay to cry," Jacob said as calmly as possible. Dash looked at him then. "I know what it feels like to lose everything, to see death, but I promise you this isn't the end."

Dash merely sniffled in reply. He could tell she was about to cry again. Quickly he continued. "Listen to me Dash. The best thing we can do right now is be strong for those we have lost. I know it's hard, trust me I do. But what we can't do is allow all this to bring us down. We have to fight back."

It was then that an AH-1 Super Cobra flew over, the sound of which caused all three to look. Rainbow Dash and Gilda had a look of wonder in their eyes while Jacob felt comfort. On the side of the tail was written in bold letters 'CS MARINES'; Jacob knew he wasn't alone anymore. Two more helicopter gunships followed, an Apache and another Super Cobra. Jacob looked back to Dash whom in turn looked at Jacob, wide-eyed. Jacob smiled, "Everything is going to be okay."

"W-what are those things?" asked Dash out of wonder.

"Those are the war machines of my people. With them we can fight these monsters that did this." He smirked, confused as they were how they go here. "I'm not really sure how they could get here, but they are here. I can assure you they're here to help."

Dash sniffled. "Okay," she said. Then she seemed to perk up a bit, the confidence in her stance appearing again. "But they better watch out for me! I'm going to take the fight back too!"

Jacob grinned, "We all are." He looked to Gilda, whom in turn gave a cocky grin of her own. He looked back to Dash, "You okay now?"

She scoffed, "Okay?! I'm better than okay! With your machines here, we'll have everything back to normal in no time!" She turned to spread her wings, about to fly off after another flying machine that flew overhead when something stopped her. It was Jacob's hand, she looking back to him with an angered look but then seeing why he did it. She folded her wings, turning as did Gilda and Jacob to face Burning Eyes and another soldier from Jacobs world standing side by side.

Jacob gave a swift salute to the other soldier, whom returned it. "At ease Colonel," the man said. "I see you three are in good spirits. I'm Lieutenant General Alexander Molokov, in command of the Confederate Liberation Force here in Equestria. I believe we all have a lot to catch up on, so if you'll follow me we have very little time to prepare for what's next."

Behind Burning Eyes and Alexander a Huey Helicopter had landed, the side panel door opening. At Jacob's insistence Gilda and Dash followed the two commanders into the helicopter. Once they were secured it lifted off and headed away from Ponyville. They could all see from this vantage point in the air the flames and broken buildings. When they looked away to where they were heading, Dash and Gilda were left speechless.

• • •

The Huey had landed in the center of the temporary Forward Operating Base that had been constructed with haste. It was a flurry of activity of both equestrian and human running side by side to different parts of the base. War machines unlike anything Dash had seen before were rolling out, later explained by Jacob to be tanks and transport trucks. The five were quickly directed into a larger tent structure near the center where once inside Gilda and Dash were left dumbstruck. Jacob, who was naturally accustomed to everything, continued to follow Alexander as he unstrapped his helmet and rested it on a table.

Around them were maps. On one side were maps of Equestria with marks on designating where units were deployed to. On the other, to Jacob's surprise, were maps of Anagonia with the same markers. He could only gather from this that the war against whatever enemy they were fighting against was on two fronts. He had no doubt that the Confederacy was more than capable of waging such a demanding battle. Wide-screen panels and computers were scattered through out with human operators concentrating on their tasks at hand. They seemed to be relaying orders and directions to the continuing liberation effort.

Burning Eyes gave one last look to Gilda and Dash before excusing himself. He walked over to another portion of the tent almost entirely occupied by ponies in the same guards armor as himself. They seemed to be working with their human counterparts in directing their offensive.

Alexander looked to Jacob as the two stood across from each other at the table. Jacob gave a smirk. "Damn good to see you here, General."

Alexander chuckled. "Damn fine to see that you're safe, Colonel. You gave us a scare disappearing like that. I suppose it was for the best." He rubbed a hand across his shaven head. "Whatever forces were at work in bringing you here were apparently the cause of this mess. A few days after your disappearance Regus Maxim made a formal military announcement that Anagonia was about to be invaded and we should go to Defcon Delta. I personally thought the man was full of shit until portals started appearing everywhere." He rubbed his eyes. "It's been one thing after another since then, but we managed to fight the Nightmares back in force. Once that was secure my army was directed to a spot in Arkansis where we were suddenly teleported here. Regus had given us instructions and maps, so here we are."

Jacob nodded. It sounded like the work of Melkos in having Alexander's army appear here. He wasn't surprised, just thankful. The Dark Lord had given his people a way to fight back. In this he was thankful. He had also taken note of the term the General had used for the enemy. It was odd, but from his experience quite fitting.

"So I take it we're making progress here and at home?" Jacob asked.

Alexander nodded. "Damn right. In the beginning we had our pants down, but Regus had thankfully given us advanced warning to prepare and we had forces to combat the Nightmare invasion." He shook his head with a shocked expression, "Don't get me wrong now, Colonel. They had one helluva fight to give us with the types of monsters at their disposal. It was bloody and from the current estimates over five hundred thousand civilians were lost in the first few hours of the war."

"Jesus Christ!" Exclaimed Jacob. "Five hundred thousand?! What's the loss of our military forces?"

"Very little, maybe under a thousand ground troops and a couple hundred assets." Alexander responded in a quiet tone. "It appears that whatever the Nightmares were after they weren't expecting to fight against technology like our own. Once we started pounding their sorry otherworldly asses we instantly gained the upper hand." He motioned back at Burning Eyes. "Our Equestrian Commander here didn't fare as well. From what we observed the Nightmares are completely immune to their form of warfare, which appears to be of a magical nature. But against our standard methods? They were crushed like ants under a boot. So he's there helping us direct our forces where they're most needed at the moment. Progress is slow here, the Nightmares are putting up a bigger fight than back home, but it's progress."

Jacob looked down. He remembered he had Gilda and Dash with him, turning around to see them concentrating on the conversation he was having. They both had a hopeful expression from what the General had said. He gave a smile to both, having it returned, and then looked back at Alexander.

"So what can we do to help?" he asked, mentioning the three of them.

"Now that's a question I can't answer," stated Alexander bluntly. "Regus just told me to find you three and bring you here." He then stepped to the side, motioning his head towards a man who approached. "However, I think he can."

Jacob was floored. His expression turned from slightly confused to shock. His face paled white, eyes wide. He was looking at a walking dead man. He tried to speak, but couldn't. Everyone had witnessed the moments before this mans death. It was public knowledge. There was no way he could be alive. Still, here he was, either in the flesh or by some divine method of Melkos. From Jacob's personal experience, it had to be from the Dark Lord Himself.

Oscar Vladinchi merely smirked at Jacob's expression. Behind him Gilda and Dash merely looked on as if nothing was out of place. He briefly nodded his head at the two, they greeting him in the same manner. His eyes then went back to Jacob who had somewhat recovered from his initial shock. "Don't worry, Jacob Regulus, I am not here permanently."

"S-sir?" Jacob said in confusion. "B-but how?"

"You already know the answer to that," Oscar said. "For now, let's just say I'm needed here. Especially considering the importance you three will play."

His eyes looked to each. Gilda and Rainbow Dash were quick to give quizzical expressions. They looked from each other then back to the man. "Excuse me," said Dash, "but what in the name of Celestia are you talking about?"

Oscar laughed. "Ah, Rainbow Dash. Your spirit has been an inspiration for many in my world. All that will be explained in due time." He smiled. "Right now though you three are the only hope of restoring the balance to our two worlds. Well, you three and two more." He smirked, looking at Dash. "Do you remember your role as the Element of Loyalty when you defeated Nightmare Moon?"

"Well, yea, but what does THAT have to do with anything?" Dash was hovering above the ground now, inching closer to Oscar. "If you're saying that somehow we can defeat these nightmares, as you call them, with the Elements of Harmony I got bad news for you." Her expression softened to that of a sad one. "All the others are dead and I'm the last Element left alive. I'm no more useful than a tree trunk against whatever you humans already have."

"True," said Oscar. He walked around the table, now only feet away from Jacob and Dash as he crossed his arms. "It was already predicted long before that the Elements of Harmony would be useless in this battle. Now that the others are gone, I can only attest to the accuracy of this prediction. That does not mean, however, that your spirit of Loyalty is useless."

Dash looked confused, looking to Gilda as she walked closer to the three. "Are you saying that we are the new Elements of Harmony?" she asked.

"Very good!" said Oscar. "I wasn't sure if you would get that and I'd have to explain it." He smirked at Dash's glare to him, continuing. "It's close to that, Gilda, but it's different. You see, the Balance of our two worlds was undone thanks to the elements coming from my world. That means that no matter what you do in this world, it must take something from our world to fix it." He looked to Jacob. "And that means?"

By now Jacob had grasped the full meaning of everything he had experienced. From the start of things with Gilda to his experience in the afterlife with his fallen brethren. He looked to Dash and Gilda, both staring at him as if expecting an answer. He looked back to Oscar, having a good idea of what he meant. "That means that we are the Champions of Balance," he said.

"And how did you come to this conclusion, Colonel?" said Oscar. He looked genuinely interested.

"I suppose from my experience in religion. I mean I know from my youth that the teachings of the Drekamythian Church surround that of Balance. Melkos Unchanos is the God of Balance, chief among that pantheon." He shrugged. "I gathered we were Champions of this Balance because everything that has happened so far. We've all been left alive for some grand reason. Balance is the only way to restore order."

"Very good," Oscar said. "I'm proud of you Jacob." He looked to Rainbow Dash. "We already know that you're the Champion of Loyalty," he said as Dash seemed to perk up and grin. He looked down at Gilda. "And I think this may be a surprise to you, but you're the Champion of Compassion."

"What?!" Gilda said. It was a surprise! Though, as she blinked and her expression calmed, it did make sense.

Oscar chuckled, looking at Jacob. "Then there is you. Champion of Courage." He reached out and patted Jacob's shoulder. "You are the embodiment of a true warrior and your strength knows no bounds." He lowered his hand and looked at them all. "Together you three could easily defeat a great evil, but this evil requires two more Champions. They are the Champion of Wisdom and the Champion of Order."

"Where will we find them?" Jacob asked, still assimilating everything.

"The Champions of Order and Wisdom are already together, just south of here." He stood back a step. "Soon all five of you will be united and together it will be your mission to defeat the greatest evil either of our worlds has ever encountered. I know it sounds impossible, but trust me. All of you are now endowed with the powers of both Balance and Harmony. With only one side of these great forces, you would surely fail. Combined, you become something truly amazing."

Oscar stared hard at each, making sure his last words went home. He smiled, seeing the three look between each other then back at him. They would understand soon enough. They had to. What he revealed would not hamper their evolution as heroes. It would only quicken their resolve. He regretted forcing the titles on them without allowing them more time to discover it themselves, but the balance was already being torn asunder and they had little time as it was. He sighed, the three noticing and staring at him.

"I must go now." Oscar turned to Alexander. "General, make sure you get them united. Bring them to the enemy's stronghold. Make sure they make it inside." He turned to them all, giving a bow of his head. "May Melkos guide you and may Celestia be with you."

• • •

Events were quick to progress. Jacob, Gilda and Rainbow Dash were given some time to prepare for what lay ahead. Jacob grabbed more supplies and refilled his ammunition while Gilda and Dash silently stretched while watching their human friend. He kept smiling to them, they smiling back. It was starting to hit home just how close they had all become in this short amount of time. Dash secretly hoped that after all this was over she could get to know Jacob more, rather than having the rushed greeting that had fallen over her.

Gilda had remembered the dreams she had of Melkos, knowing that everything that had happened from the point of Jacob's appearance and on was the cause of all this. It was a great burden on her, but somehow the Dark Lord had known this and reassured her in his own way. She was more resolved than ever to fix the trouble that was now breaking her world in two. To know that she had some power over the forces of darkness spreading across her lands and that she had the help of all these individuals beside her as her friends made her confident that things would work out.

Jacob was deeper in thought than the other two. A few days ago he was a normal soldier with a depressing life. That had all changed when he had saved Gilda's life. From then on he had more purpose to his existence than he had ever could hope to achieve in his past life. It all meant something to be here, beside his two friends, to know that they played a part in the salvation of both worlds. It was a great burden, sure, but one he was used to. He loaded a fresh clip into his assault rifle, looking to the other two.

"Let's go save the universe," he said with a smirk. Gilda and Dash responded with the same smirk, nodding as the three went from the tent and to a waiting helicopter.

• • •

A giant dust storm had appeared from nowhere as Kromulus and Zecora struggled to continue on their journey. Zecora took shelter behind Kromulus as he trudged forward and placed his tower shield to protect them both. It was vicious, purple lightning bolts streaking from above as the cloud grew darker in color. It was if something didn't want them to come any closer. That was when they heard the roars, thousands of them. The wind suddenly died and the dust scattered, revealing to their relief they were only a mile from the castle. To their shock, however, there were thousands of creatures. Dragons, wolves, lion-bears, everything you could imagine from a horror story. Right there, drawn in a line blocking their way.

There was no possible way even with his new capabilities that Kromulus could face this alone. He lowered his shield, grasping his longsword and drawing it as it literally thundered to life, sending an echo for all to hear. Zecora came from behind him, seeing for the first time the extent of how hopeless their situation was. It was a remarkable feat to kill one dragon. But hundreds of them? She gazed up to Kromulus as he looked down to her. She nodded briefly, he nodded back.

"Till the end?" Kromulus asked.

"Till the end," she confirmed.

No other words were said. They both looked back to their foes. Kromulus stanced himself properly. His shield coming up in a defensive fashion while he prepared his sword to strike. Zecora took a stance as well, preparing to battle with her bare hooves. The loud screams and roars of the unholy army assembled before them sending shivers down their spines as they started to rush towards them. In the distance they witnessed an ominous vortex reach down from the heavens into the castle, dark energy pulsating from it. This was it.

• • •

Regus Maxim looked up into the heavens. There it was, the sign. He saw an explosion in the sky unlike any he had seen before. The shock wave from it starting to lower in a spherical fashion around the army he had assembled. He took his weapon, now in a battle dress uniform in proper gear, screaming "Forward!" to his commanders. The word was sent out, troops rushing in formation with Confederate Battle Flags waving high. In the distance he could make out clearly the War Song of the Confederacy. He heard the tracks of tanks rattle to life, rushing towards the slowly opening portal in front of his army. Helicopters and fighter craft of all sort starting to fly forward, the first to enter.

It was an epic scene, one giving homage to the battles of olden days. Lightning streaked from the portal as man and machine entered. The thunderous cry of thousands of soldiers rising about even the scream of jet engines.

This was it. The last stand of two worlds.

• • •

Burning Eyes snorted as he prepared for the signal. He didn't have to wait long. The sun in the sky blazed and seemed to explode with the most amazing display of beauty. Before his makeshift army of Elite Guardsponies and human soldiers and their machines of death, a giant portal of light suddenly opened. Without hesitation he rushed forward in full gallop, his pony brothers and fellow comrade in arms following suit. They all screamed their respective war cries, knowing this was the decisive battle for the fate of their worlds.

• • •

Kromulus felt the ground tremble beneath his feet. He could make out the massive cloud of dust the enemy was bringing up in their wake. He could see the vicious crimson eyes of the war beasts as they flew and ran towards him. His natural instinct was to run. But he didn't. He felt his armor glow, felt an otherworldly power start to flow through it into his veins. He felt stronger, faster, more capable. He looked to his side to see an aura of light surrounding Zecora, she too feeling the same as Kromulus.

With a mighty shout for victory he rushed forward, Zecora following as armor replaced the aura around her body. She now held within her mouth a staff of some sort, it glowing with the intensity of the sun. The two were about to concentrate on who to kill first when suddenly explosion eminiated all around them. The world shook violently as the sounds of the explosions was outdone with cries of thousands upon thousands of voices echoed from behind them.

They dared a glance back, gasping in awe. Two massive portals had opened up and were letting out the forces of both their worlds. On one side came through tanks, soldiers and aircraft. On the other a mixture of Elite Guardsponies and more soldiers, tanks and aircraft. All rushing forward to meet the threat ahead. When they looked back they saw to both their amusement and astonishment the beasts of nightmares starting to try to turn back.

The dragons were the first to try to turn. They found themselves incapable of anything but the feeling of fear as the human aircraft rushed forward and fired their weapons of destruction. Hundreds fell in flames in the first moments as the jet fighters rushed overhead, many more started to fight for their lives in epic dogfights with helicopter gunships.

The tanks on the ground, numbering most of the M1 Abrams, fired their first vollies nearly in unison at their targets as they continued on their course. Hundreds of the enemies war beasts fell to the onslaught, spreading more fear among the enemy ranks. The Bradleys and their bushwhacker cannons continuing to fire at smaller targets and literally creating holes in the enemy lines.

The only creatures of darkness that didn't stop were the wolves. They continued on, ignorant to their own fate as the foot-soldiers of both Equestria and Anagonia met them in mortal combat. Guns were fired but swiftly replaced with knives and machetes. The battle was fierce as the howls of the demon wolves cried loud in despair and pain, mixing with the cries of the fallen on the human and equestrian side.

Through all this Kromulus and Zecora was forced to stop their rush forward by a single Huey helicopter that landed quickly in front of them. Without delay Jacob, Rainbow Dash and Gilda exited the helicopter as it quickly rose to escape the battle. They rushed to unite with each other, somehow knowing this was destiny, all five silently nodding to each as they looked towards the castle that loomed ahead. There were no words of greeting spoken. Only the raised sword of Kromulus and the return to his rush to victory signaled they should follow. In an instant the Gilda and Dash's body glowed, replaced with armor similar to Zecora's. Jacob's battle dress uniform seem to transform into something similar, his clothing turning to armored metal and his weapon transforming into a mixture between a gun and sword.

The opening they needed to get to the castle was granted when a squadron of tanks sped past them. Their cannons firing in unison and downing several enemies. The Champions did not hesitate to take advantage of the situation, rushing through the gap and past the armies of the enemy. Helicopter gunships overhead followed their route and turned only when they fired their missiles and gun turrets at persuing wolves and lion-bears. They swiftly departed to return to aid their comrades, leaving the five to bridge the distance as the castles gates opened.

They thought themselves in the clear, pushing themselves harder as man and equine both flew, galloped and ran. Then a loud cackle of laughter could be heard, followed by a sudden bolt of lightning striking each of the Champions in unison. In a brief flash of light their world disappeared, bringing them all to face the enemy leader for the first time in final combat.