Fillydelphia: a monument in the Equestrian Wasteland standing both as a memory of an age forgotten and a reminder of the darkest depths that pony kind can sink to. As a place of unending sorrow and misery, most sensible ponies stay as far away as they can. Only the foolish or irrationally brave stray near.

That is, except for the griffons of the Equestrian Wasteland.

It's no secret that most of the griffons in Equestria put their natural physical advantages to their best use, becoming mercenaries for the highest bidder. Large, physically powerful and with the ability to fly, they make excellent soldiers and guards. When well equipped, there are no better warriors that can be bought.

The Talons are the best of the best, and when it comes to the security of the largest industrial complex remaining in the world, nothing less would do.

To the slaves of Fillydelphia they were a terror that kept them in line. To the those who would assault the city, they were an unbreakable defense. To the slavers, they were frightening and aloof hired guns that they avoided.

But to the Talons themselves? Some were doing the only thing they thought they could could to get by in an unforgiving world...