The Last of His Kind

Celestia flew through the night air with a great sense of urgency, going as fast as she could towards the mountain ranges that were home to the proud Gryphon race. Her sword was secure at her side, and she was dressed in armor befitting a Princess of Equestria.

Her Pegasi honor guard followed her closely, trying to keep up.

They were only ten in number. Celestia wasn’t intent on a battle; she was hoping to stop one.

The Gryphon King, Red Feather has been having a problem with a strange race which had taken residence within his borders.

Celestia hadn’t the chance to meet any of them, but from what the Gryphons would say, they were a barbaric people, who raided the countryside, stealing livestock to live off of before moving onto a new location.

She was also told of the ferocity in which they fought, fending off ambushes by even the most cunning of Red Feather’s soldiers.

The Gryphon King has been going through great hardships to be rid of these tribal people which he called ‘a Green Menace.’

But what he was doing now was….

Celestia narrowed her eyes, and flew low as she neared the location she was told they’d be.

She could already smell blood on the air.

The sight which greeted her over the next ridge was defiant of description. The bodies of the creatures were strewn throughout the pass. Many covered in crossbow bolts which had been shot from above.

Mixed in with the dead were gryphons, struck down by arrows fired from the green skinned creatures.

The Princess landed in what was likely the only clear spot around, her guard landing behind her.

The Princess of the sun clenched her eyes shut, trying to maintain her composure.

She looked out at the mass grave again.

There were so many that they couldn’t possibly be counted.

In the distance she could spot large figures stalking the bodies, checking them while hauling around massive axes. She could tell by the horns that they were Minotaurs.

Celestia looked down and realized that she was too late to stop this.

Red Feather had requested their help, as he had also requested of Equestria to destroy these creatures, completely and utterly. He had asked for aid from all across the continent. From Minotaurs, Diamond Dogs, and even Changelings, though only the Minotaurs were close enough to aid such an immediate request.

She heard the flapping of wings approach and look to see King Red Feather and two of his guards, holding spears, landing nearby. He stood tall, and crossed his clawed arms over his armored chest, “You’re late,” he told her.

“I can see that,” she shot back with venom lacing her words.

He seemed to pick up on her tone, “Judging by your sour expression, and how you only brought a handful of soldiers, I take it you’re displeased with this,” he said calmly.

Celestia didn’t look at him, only once again at the sea of bodies, “All of them,” she said. “Every man, woman and child,” her voice was calm, almost frighteningly so.

Red Feather responded callously, “They were little more than beasts, Celestia, attacking my villages and killing my people to steal their food,” he told her. “You should be thanking me; they were likely on their way to Equestria,”

“You killed them all!” Celestia shouted angrily, her horn flashing as he did her best to contain her boiling rage. “Whatever their actions, they do not justify yours,” her teeth clenched.

The Gryphon King narrowed his eyes, and was about to respond to her, before a gargled cry sounded, gaining the attention of both monarchs and their guards.

Celestia was the first to respond, and quickly dove to where the crying came from, finding a bundle held by a female of the green skinned creatures, her body punctured by many crossbow bolts.

She lifted the crying baby and held it protectively to herself as her guard placed themselves between her and the Gryphons who had been also moving towards the infant.

Red Feather glowered at Celestia, looking at her passed her guards. He held out his clawed appendage, “Give it to me, Celestia,” he said.

The Sun Princess stared defiantly as she held the baby to her breast, “You won’t have this one, Red Feather,” she told him.

“It is likely the last of its kind,” the Gryphon King growled, “Give it to me so I can put an end to its monstrous existence.”

Celestia’s horn glowed dangerously as did her eyes as she stared him down, “This child is under my protection now,” she declared, “I may not be able to save the rest of his race, but I can save him.”

The Gryphon King’s beak tightened in a grimace, “It’s a Monster, Celestia,” he said. “His kind knows nothing but brutality, and taking what they want.”

“The only Monster I see here is you, Red Feather!” she shouted back.

It was then that she noticed that whatever Gryphon soldiers were around were now all looking at the exchange. Her body tensed, as did her wings as she prepared for what may become a fight.

Red Feather noticed this too, and though his expression never changed from anger, his posture relaxed somewhat, “Fine,” he told her. “Take that Orc from my lands, and never let him set foot in them again.” He motioned to his soldiers to disperse. Which they did, taking to the skies and flying back to their homes.

“When it’s slaughtering your ponies, don’t expect me to send you aid.” With those words, he too took flight with his guards, leaving Celestia and her own behind, ankle deep in the corpses of the exterminated race.

With the Gryphons leaving, Celestia relaxed and let free a breath she had been holding, and then looked to the green creature she had been keeping to her chest, now getting a good look at his appearance.

He was certainly stockier than a pony baby would be, and his face would be reminiscent of a monster.

His nose was flat and wide, and his ears were pointed. Most drawing though were the tusks which protruded from his bottom jaw.

He almost had a pig like quality to him.

She then saw his yellow eyes which stared up at her curiously.

He had stopped crying, being comforted by her protective embrace, and was now just trying to make sense of who and what she was in what was likely the same manner as she looked at him.

She smiled at the infant, and reached with her finger to playfully tickle his chin. This got a smile from him as he wiggled in her grasp.

She then looked to her guard, who were all standing attentively. Her face was once more serious, “Check the bodies, try and find someone else who may be alive,” she told them.

They saluted her and went about the task of trying to find another survivor of the massacre while Celestia tended to what may have been the last of his kind.

Sitting on a nearby rock, she cradled him in her arms. “What should I call you little one?” she wondered, more to herself than to him.

As if to answer her, the baby little out a gurgling noise, which sounded like, “Grar.”

She giggled, despite the scene around her, “Grar, an unusual name, but it seems fitting somehow,” she laughed.

She looked sadly at her guards who had gathered around her after a short time. She looked at them hopefully, but knowing that not one of them wanted to answer the question she wanted to ask.

One of them just shook his head solemnly.

She looked down at the baby sadly, “I’m sorry, Grar, I promise I’ll do everything I can to make sure you won’t be lonely growing up,” she said, standing up and spreading her wings, nodding to her guards.

They all took flight with her as she held the baby close to her protectively as they glided back to Canterlot.

For the duration of the flight, Celestia’s thoughts were focused on how she may care for such a creature. The weight of the task she had taken up was starting to be realized.

He was most likely a carnivore, with those tusks of his. But Equestria has had to cater to the diets of meat eating races before.

She just hoped she wouldn’t accidentally feed him something that would make him sick.

It was already nightfall when they arrived at Canterlot. They landed in the courtyard of the castle, and the Pegasi looked to Celestia, awaiting her next orders.

Celestia looked to her guard and said, “Go and rest,” she said. “Thank you for coming with me.”

The guards saluted her, or some bowed, and they left as she carried her young charge into her castle.

She called a young maid over to assist her, “Find a crib, and put it in my quarters,” she told her.

The maid was somewhat confused, but didn’t question when she saw Celestia holding an infant close to her.

In moment, Celestia was already in her room, a crib fit for a Prince was assembled.

The infant Orc, now known as Grar was sleeping already.

The Princess laid him down in the crib and covered him in the blanket, and then looked to the maid, who, upon seeing the strange creature she had gotten the crib for, seemed to be a little uneasy. “I know it may seem an odd request, but can I ask that you help me with caring for him?” she asked her.

The maid steadily came closer to the crib to look at the sleeping creature, before nodding, though she was obviously unsure about it still.

Celestia nodded back in thanks, “What is your name?” she asked her.

“Violet, your Majesty,” she replied shyly.

“Well, Violet, I’m sorry to ask such a thing of you, I assure you, you will be compensated,” she said.

Violet tried to muster up a smile, “i-it’s nothing your Highness, I have a filly of my own back home, it’s nothing I haven’t done before.”

Celestia nodded, and turned her attention back to the sleeping baby.

“Princess,” Violet started, getting her ruler’s attention. “Wh-what happened today?” she was afraid to ask.

Celestia frowned, “The Gryphons destroyed his entire race,” she said softly, touching the forehead of child. “He’s the only one left that we know of.”

The Maid’s breath caught in her throat, “I see,” she choked out, as she looked upon the creature with pity now.

“His name is Grar,” Celestia told her, “And as far as anypony is concerned, he is the Prince of the Orcs, under our protection.”

Violet nodded, “I understand your Majesty, but….. Maybe you should tell it to a noble instead of a silly maid,” she joked playfully.

Celestia found herself chuckling, “I suppose you’re right, but for now, it’s late, and we should all rest,” she said. “Go, I’ll send for you if I need you again tonight.”

The maid nodded, and excused herself, closing the door behind her.

The Princess went to her own bed as she shed herself of her armor and weapon, setting them aside in the corner of her room.

She changed out of her clothes and put on a soft set of nightwear and lay down in her bed.

Before drifting off into sleep, she took one last look at the crib, hoping that she could indeed help the poor child who resided in it.

Author's Note

Here's to the launching of a new fic. Lets hope it doesn't sink.

edit - just cleaned up a couple mistakes.