Chapters It was a dark and stormy night in Ponyville. Lightning cracked across the sky as rain lashed the windows of the Ponyville library. Inside Twilight Sparkle watched the storm beneath a furrowed brow.
"How long did the pegasi say this storm was going to last, Spike?"
The purple dragon shook his head in silent unknowing as he cowered beneath her wing, a blanket wrapped tightly around his scaly body.
The purple mare frowned as another bolt of lightning split the sky causing her friend to whimper softly at her side. She didn't mind the storm but she hated to see Spike so discomforted.
Suddenly a loud bang sounded at the library's door sending Spike scurrying to his bed in alarm.
Twilight rose and trotted to the door.
"Who could that be at a time like this?"
Just before she reached the door knob she paused and listened. Maybe a tree branch had broken off and hit the door? Before she could turn away however a faint voice cried out over the raging storm.
"Hello? Is anypony there?"
Twilight threw open the door and was nearly bowled over as a figure dashed in like a burst of wind, raindrops following quickly in its wake. Slamming the door just as quickly Twilight turned her attention to the stranger in her home. It was covered in a soaking wet traveling cloak though two pairs of hooves poking out from underneath confirmed it as a fellow pony.
"Umm, are you okay?"
Turning ,the pony tossed back the hood of its cloak revealing a young charcoal grey colored stallion. His aquamarine colored eyes darted back and forth over his freckled cheeks as he took in his surroundings. Finally his gaze settled on the purple alicorn that had addressed him.
"What? Oh, I'm terribly sorry! I was hoping this was an Inn..." his cheeks colored as he spoke.
Twilight smiled reassuringly at him.
"That's quite alright. An easy mistake to make in this storm. My name is Twilight Sparkle."
Between her smile and the kind, curious inflection in her voice the stallion visibly relaxed. Casting off his cloak and shaking the water from his body he responded, "Greetings Twilight Sparkle, I am Ares."
Twilight took a moment to surreptitiously examine this newcomer while ignoring the fact that he just shook water all over the library's floor. Of average height and with a physique showing the thin silver lines of scars through his fur, he cut an odd figure. His mane was a close cropped red with an ashen grey streak running through it. Where his mane was short and maintained his tail flowed free and wild, an interesting combination that lent him a sharp but untamed look.
"Ares? Just Ares?"
He nodded.
"Well welcome to the Ponyville library, Ares. I've never seen you before. Are you new in town?"
The stallion nodded, "I have, indeed, never been to this land before."
Twilight's head quirked to the side in curiosity.
"You certainly don't sound like you're from around here, Ares? You must have quite the story to tell. maybe you'd like to tell it over some hot chocolate?"
For the first time since his arrival Ares smiled and nodded his head.
*****
A short time later the two ponies sat comfortably in a pair of beanbags scattered around the library, sipping quietly on two mugs of hot coco as the storm started to abate in the night sky.
The silence was broken a few short moments later by the pitter patter of clawed feet on the wooden floor as Spike left his hiding place to investigate the rich smell of hot chocolate filling the air.
"Heya Twilight! I don't suppose you've got a cup for m-whoa...sorry I didn't know we had company. Hi I'm Spike!"
Ares stared wide eyed at Spike as he spoke.
"I-is that a d-dragon?"
Twilight giggled at his gawking as Spike rolled his eyes.
"Yes he is. Spike meet Ares. Ares meet Spike."
Slowly Ares brought his gaze back to the mare.
"Funny, I was always given to believe that dragons were bigger."
Spike huffed and turned quickly on his heel, marching off to find his own cup of hot chocolate. Twilight's giggle followed him out of the room.
"He's a baby dragon."
"Ah."
A moment passed as the two sipped their beverages. Twilight broke the silence before it became uncomfortable.
"So Mr. Ares, if you don't mind me asking, where are you from? You don't talk like any pony I know."
Ares considered his words before speaking.
"I hail from a very far off chain of islands called Xanthippos. Have you heard of it?"
Twilight shook her head.
"Few in this area of the world are likely to have I'm sure."
Twilight nodded at this and tried to covertly sneak a glance at the cutie mark on his flank in the hope of determining more about him.
Noticing her glance, Ares turned his flank to give her a better view. The grey fur of his flank was broken by the black and red of a crested military style helmet.
"You see, Twilight," he began unprompted, "the land I come from does not often know the peace you enjoy here in Equestria."
"So you were in the military?"
Ares eyes fell to his hooves as he sighed. "Not exactly."
Seeing that Twilight was politely waiting for him to continue, he took a deep breath and began speaking in a soft voice.
******
"As I said, peace does not often come in Xanthippos. As such, maintaining a strong military force is necessary to survival. In such an environment serving one's country under arms is of the highest priority and carries with it great honor."
His eyes searched hers for a moment to make sure she was paying attention.
"From early on a young colt is enrolled in the Cadet Corps where he learns the ways of marching and fighting. Then, when he comes of age, he is inducted into the army."
Bitterness edged into Ares' voice as he spoke.
"I was a good cadet. Not the strongest or the fastest, but a solid cadet brimming with espirit for his country. My parents gave me a strong name, I trained hard, earned a fitting cutie mark... my future was laid out before me ripe for the conquest. At the end of his training in the Cadet Corps a colt is presented with a series of final tests. Upon completion he is given a scarlet cloak and officially inducted into the army. What a grand day that is! Families prepare for weeks for the occasion, a feast is prepared, fillies weave flowers into their manes and blow kisses to the colts as they march past."
Twilight frowned deeply as she sensed where this story was heading. Ares' eyes lifted to meet her own and she found them hollow with pain and shame.
" On the final march up Mount Hippe I fell behind. I wept as the tails of my friends grew further and further distant. A storm descended on the mountain. I grew more lost and more afraid every moment. By the time I made it back off the mountain and into town, all was lost. The feasts were over. The fillies gone. The detritus of other colts' triumph littered the streets. I had failed... I came from a long line of soldiers... my brothers... my father... his father before him! I failed them all."
Twilight's heart broke with every tremor in the stallion's voice.
"My hooves carried me home. When I arrived I found the gate barred and no one would answer my cries. I was dead to them. Better had I never found my way off the mountain."
Tears rolled freely down his freckled cheeks as he lost his composure for a moment. Without thinking, Twilight rose and wrapped her fore-legs around this stranger in a tight hug. Ares stiffened at the contact but after a moment relaxed and took comfort at this kind mare's embrace. After a few minutes she pulled away and looked at him.
"Shall I continue?"
She smiled softly at him.
"Only if you want to?"
He nodded and, staring out the window, resumed his tale.
"I could've stayed and found a trade in the city. I could have lived a quiet life among my people. But how could I face the shame? How could I watch my betters march past in parade, laurels of glory around their ears as they fulfilled the duty I could not? And what if I saw my parents!? The pain would be too much. So I left. I hopped on the first ship I could and sailed into the rising sun."
"What happened next?" Twilight asked.
"Well without a bit to my name I had to find a way to survive. I knew no trade. I was merely an untrained back for labor. Within a week I had secured day labor at an olive orchard for a rich farmer on a nearby island. It was hard work under the blistering sun, but it kept my belly full. A few weeks passed uneventfully until, one day, black sails appeared on the horizon. And in our islands black sails meant one thing, raiders. They descended on the farm like locusts. The workers scattered as the orchards burned. A few raiders sought to abscond with the farmer's young daughters. As fate would have it I was the only one in a position to stop them. When the dust cleared I was the only pony standing. The grateful farmer rewarded me with silver, a small amount in hindsight, but more specie than I'd ever beheld. From then on my course was 'clear'. I took my money and set off to see the world, sleeping under the stars and selling my 'skills' as a mercenary. I traveled the world for three years fighting other pony's battles. I've served kings and merchants, I've fought pirates and raiders of kinds I never knew existed, and now my travels have brought me here..."
He trailed off under her gaze, unsure as to how she would respond. Twilight took a moment to digest his words before speaking.
"That... is quite the story, Ares. However, I don't think Ponyville has much use for a mercenary. There hasn't been a war in Equestria since Nightmare Moon was banished a thousand years ago."
"That's just as well, Twilight," Ares nodded, "I have grown tired of fighting. Being in near constant peril gets old quickly."
"Tell me about it," grinned the mare.
******
When Celestia's dawn broke the next morning Twilight woke early and quietly slipped downstairs. She couldn't in good conscience send Ares back out into last night's storm, so she had happily allowed him to sleep on a pile of blankets on the library's floor. To her surprise the stallion was already awake and watching the Sun rise through a window. His ears swiveled at the gentle clop of her hooves.
"Good morning, Ares" she said with a smile.
He nodded with a smile of his own.
"I was thinking I could take you around town and introduce you to some of my friends, we might even find you some work?"
"I would greatly appreciate that, Twilight Sparkle."
A few hours later Twilight Sparkle led her new acquaintance to Sugar Cube Corner. Its gaily decorated facade rose to the sky like a giant example of the scrumptious delicacies contained within. Ares had never seen anything so festive in his life. Twilight paused at the open door to allow a trio of griffons to exit before leading Ares inside. The two were instantly greeted by the ever bubbly Pinkie Pie.
"Heya Twilight! Ohmygosh! Who's tall dark scarred and mysterious!? I'm Pinkie Pie!"
The bubble gum pink mare's poofy mane bounced as she dashed up to Ares, her blue eyes taking in every inch of the new pony in Ponyville. Ares maintained his composure in the face of a pony who seemed to have no concept of personal space by bowing deeply to her.
"Greetings Pinkie Pie. I am Ares."
Pinkie giggled and threw her fore-legs around Ares in a friendly hug.
"You are adorable! A little formal but still adorable! You know what this means right?"
Ares' eyebrow arched in incomprehension.
"We get to throw you a party, silly," Pinkie beamed.
Ares' powers of speech failed him as he looked to Twilight for help. She merely rolled her eyes and grinned before dragging the still speechless stallion off to their next destination.
Their next stop was Rarity's Boutique. Once again, Ares was struck by the towering example of suave sophistication and style. The door's bell jingled as the ponies stepped inside and Rarity's crystal clear tenor rang out to greet them.
"Be with you in a moment, darlings."
"It's Twilight, Rarity, and I brought a friend."
Stepping out from behind a red velvet curtain that led to her workroom. Instantly her sky blue eyes lit upon the gray stallion.
"Twilight, darling, who is this tall drink of water?" Rarity asked, fluttering her eyelashes.
Ares' cheeks colored a little and he leaned in to whisper in Twilight's ear.
"Tall? I'm only a couple inches taller than her."
The purple mare giggled before turning to Rarity.
"Rarity meet Ares. Ares meet Rarity."
Once again, Ares bowed deeply and Rarity swooned in response.
"Oh my, mysterious and a gentlecolt to boot." More fluttering eyelashes
Passing by a large group of griffins loitering outside the boutique, Twilight herded Ares onward to Sweet Apple Acres.
As they neared the farm, Ares seemed to finally relax. Being surrounded by acres upon acres of apple trees and the warm loamy scent of freshly turned earth seemed to refresh him and fill his lungs with soothing waves of days gone by. His eyes drifted over the hulking form of Big Mac as the red coated stallion pulled in the last harvest of the day before the final fingers of light disappeared from the horizon. His attention was quickly averted to the orange mare with a blonde mane who trotted up to greet them at the farm's gate.
"Well howdy, Twilight. Who's your friend?"
Twilight Sparkle smiled at her friend and inclined her head towards the stallion in her tow.
"Applejack this is Ares. He's new in town and looking for a little work."
Applejack smiled as Ares nodded his assent.
"Well gosh we're always lookin' for help around the farm. Do ya have any experience?"
Ares smiled confidently, "I have worked many an hour on an olive plantation, but that was a few years past."
"Well ah'm sure we can at least give ya a shot, sugercube," replied Applejack with a wink.
Ares smiled in return.
"Wonderful, but that can be for tomorrow," Twilight interrupted, "Tonight we need to welcome Ares to Ponyville the proper way. I'm sure if we head back now everything will be ready."
And with that the three ponies turned back towards Ponyville and headed towards the library.
*****
Less than an hour later, as Celestia's sun sank into the horizon, Ares found himself deeply ensconced in the whirling dervish of merriment and laughter that was a Pinkie Pie party. Balloons and streamers decorated the ceiling and periodically confetti fell like rain. Joyful music filled the air from an unidentifiable source and competed only with the laughter of the guests in volume. A long table of refreshments sat next another, equally long, table of sweets that Ares could never seem to get close to before another new face was introduced to him.
Between introductions Ares caught a snippet of conversation from Pinkie Pie and Twilight.
"Pinkie, have you noticed all the Griffins in town lately?"
"I have, Twilight! They've been in and out of Sugar Cube Corner all week."
"It's kind of strange don't you think? We never see griffins in Ponyville until a couple weeks ago. Now there's dozens in town."
"I know what you mean, Twilight! And the worst part is... none of them came to this party!"
For a moment, Ares' eyes narrowed before his concentration was destroyed as another face and another hoof to be shook was thrust his way.
*****
Over the next couple of hours Luna's moon rose into the sky and the party began to slowly break up. All of Ares' new friends bade him farewell with more smiles and hugs than he could count. Ares found that his cheeks hurt from all the smiling and he could not remember when he last had this much fun. Still, his eyes drooped and he was glad to see the last of the guests gone so that he could find a respite. At long last only he, Twilight and Spike remained in the library. Twilight loosed a wide yawn and blinked her bleary eyes. Turning for the stairs she ushered her dragon friend off to bed.
"Goodnight, Ares. I'm sorry you didn't get to meet Rainbow Dash or Fluttershy. I'm sure we'll see them tomorrow."
Ares met her tired smile with his own.
"Goodnight, Twilight Sparkle. And thank you so much... for all of this."
Twilight went to bed that night happy and content.
****
Twilight woke to the sound of screaming. At first her sleep addled brain didn't quite register what had disturbed her. Blinking in the dark she tried rubbing away the sleep from her eyes with her hooves. For a moment she sat in her bed listening to silence. Then another scream rent the air. Leaping from her bed she ran downstairs. A hellish orange glow illumined all the windows of the library. Dashing out the door her eyes widened in horror.
Rarity's boutique was in flames.
Smoke filled the air and burning embers rained down like the tears of falling stars. Dark shadows flitted about in the chaos, some appeared to be chasing others, and all around screams and cries of distress filled the air. For a moment, Twilight Sparkle was paralyzed with fear. Her mind spun in a thousand different directions at once.
"What is going on!?" she cried.
The urge to lend a hoof and help those in need reared within her breast and she took a step toward the chaos.
Then a pair of hooves wrapped around her from behind, muffling her screams and dragging her into the darkness.
Author's Note
I know I didn't put much effort into introducing the rest of the Mane Six, but seeing as how they play almost no role in the story I'll allow myself a pass.
2. Something Terrible This Way Comes
Twilight Sparkle screamed and screamed but the strong hoof over her mouth prevented her cries of distress from being heard. Frantically she squirmed and writhed, kicking her legs and beating her wings in an attempt to break free from her captor. No matter how hard she tried she could not break free from the steely grip.
"Be at ease, Twilight Sparkle" came a voice in her ear, "I'm going to let you go, please do not scream?"
Wide eyed, the purple mare nodded. Instantly the grip around her loosened and withdrew. Whipping around Twilight found herself facing the grim visage of Ares. Holding a hoof to his lips he motioned her to be quiet.
"Ares! What in Equestria is going on?" she whispered fiercely.
"I don't yet know, but we must stick to the shadows until we know for sure."
Another scream tore through the chaotic night air. Creeping through the shadows of an alleyway, Ares led Twilight to its source. Peering through a bush the two ponies came face to face with a terrifying sight. A trio of griffins stood around the cowering form of Mayor Mare. They laughed cruelly at the fear etched on her face. Stepping forward a powerfully built griffin pressed one of his fore-claws on the back of the Mayor's head, pushing her face cruelly down into the dirt.
"Tell us Mayor Mare," said the griffin, his voice dripping with malice "where is Princess Twilight Sparkle?"
Mayor Mare's wide eyes flitted about at the three griffins but she said nothing. The griffin ring leader grinned maliciously and dug his claws into the mare's head causing tears of pain to roll down her cheeks.
Unable to bear the pain the Mayor cried out: "The library!"
With an inclination of his head the ring leader sent his compatriots winging off into the night.
Twilight felt the ice cold claws of panic in her heart.
"Spike!"
For a moment Twilight turned back towards the library, but a tug on her tail pulled her up short. Turning around she found Ares' eyes on her.
"I won't leave Spike!" she hissed.
Ares stared back at her for a moment, his face unreadable.
"Stay here," he responded before dashing off into the night.
Tears filled Twilight's eyes as the enormity of the night's chaos crashed down on her. Standing in the shadows as Ponyville burned around her, she had never felt so alone.
*****
Ares reached the library first. Dashing upstairs he frantically searched for the purple dragon. Spike's bed was empty and the only light came from the burning buildings outside.
"Spike?" he called out into the darkness.
A soft whimper answered him. Looking under Twilight's bed he found Spike's eyes looking back at him. The baby dragon was clearly terrified and looked to be on the verge of tears. Ares smiled gently at him.
"Come Spike, I will take you to Twilight."
Spike sniffed quietly and crawled out from under the bed. His wide eyes stared silently up at Ares and the stallion nodded reassuringly. Before the two could make good their escape a crash sounded from downstairs as the front door was kicked in.
Peering downstairs, Ares found the two griffins had burst through the front door. Their talons glinted dangerously as the fire-light from outside gave their feathers a fierce orange glow. Ares knew he had to seize the initiative before their sharp eyes adjusted to the darkness. Leaping from the Twilight's upstairs room the gray stallion came crashing down hard on one of the griffins. Tumbling through the dark Ares wound up on top of his foe. Before the griffin could recover Ares brought his hoof down sharply on the back of the griffin's neck.
Stepping out of the darkness, into a shaft of light, Ares confronted the remaining griffin. The two opponents slowly circled each other, slipping in and out of the shadows. Suddenly the griffin leapt at the stallion, murderous claws extended. Ares rolled with the attack, using the griffin's momentum against him, his powerful hind legs propelled the griffin into a nearby bookcase. The fallen griffin barely had time to register what had happened before the bookcase fell forward, crushing him beneath its weight.
****
Twilight paced back and forth anxiously as the smoke filled air stung her eyes and the cries of Ponyville's residents assaulted her ears. Just when she was about to lose all hope Ares trotted up through the darkness, Spike safely carried on his back. Spike wasted no time in leaping from his savior's back and into Twilight's arms. The two shared an embrace, finding comfort in each other in the midst of so much evil.
"Oh Spike, I thought I'd lost you."
"Twilight what's going on?" Spike queried, wiping the tears from his eyes.
"I don't know Spike," the purple mare's head swiveled to look Ares full in the face, her gaze questioning.
Another series of screams rent the air and, wordlessly, the three figures crept through the shadows towards the town's center. Peering around a corner, Twilight's breath caught in her throat. It seemed that all of Ponyville's residents had been herded toward the town center where they now huddled, surrounded by a ring of ferocious looking griffins. Up on the stage, where so much joy and celebration had started in Ponyville, the griffins had arrayed a group of hostages for public viewing. Twilight's eyes widened as she saw the bound and gagged forms of her friends Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash. Both pegasi 's legs were hog-tied beneath them with their wings wrapped tightly in chains. Rainbow Dash squirmed and writhed against her bonds, her eyes stabbing death at her captors. For her part, Fluttershy kept her eyes tightly shut, trying desperately to disappear. Stepping to the front of the stage a massive griffin, covered in scars and missing an eye, barked at the terrified ponies before him.
"Citizens of Ponyville!" Silence descended as every wide trembling eye turned to him.
"Rejoice, for the eve of your liberation has come!"
He smirked evilly at the cowering ponies, his eyeless socket staring ghoulishly in the half light of burning buildings.
"In their magnanimity, the rulers of the Griffin Kingdom have seen your plight and have come to your aid."
Only questioning looks greeted his statements. He sighed a showman's sigh and shook his head as if trying to explain the plain truth to ones too dense to understand.
"For too long you have languished under the oppressive rule of twin tyrants! Immortal despots who peer down their muzzles at you as they control the seasons while you work to survive! And what do you get in return for your loyalty? Nothing! Mere scraps of smiles from your betters too far removed from your struggles to understand. No more! A new age has come."
He paused with a sadistic smile as he let his words sink in. From the front of the crowd a brave voiced rang out in defiance.
"We love our Princesses!"
Murmurs of assent rumbled through the crowd.
The griffin's smile faltered for a moment.
"And what has that love brought you? A thousand years of peace? HAH! A thousand years of the same drudgery. No progress. No change."
"Princess Twilight will stop you!" cried out another voice.
"Princess Twilight?" he sneered. "Princess Twilight will be found and her head put on a pike!"
Silence reigned for a moment before the original pony who spoke out stepped forward.
"You'll never win. Right now our fastest pegasi from Cloudsdale are probably on their way to warn Celestia of your treachery!"
Like a coiled spring the griffin pounced. His muscled bulk landed atop the defiant pony and driving it to the earth. One large clawed foot rested on the pony's head holding it immobile and helpless.
"Cloudsdale!" he roared in mock shock, causing the nearest ponies to step away in fear. Then, visibly calming himself, he reasserted his sneering smile. Bringing his head down to the trapped pony beneath his feet he whispered almost conspiratorially, but loud enough for all to hear.
"Where do you think we struck first?"
With a sickening crunch the pony's skull caved in.
*****
The screams... the screams...
Oh sweet Celestia the screams!
Twilight couldn't get them out of her head as she ran. Her hooves thundered over the turf, her heart pounded in her ears, tears ran freely down her cheeks, and Spike claws dug painfully into her neck as she hurtled over the earth.
"Twilight slow down!"
No matter how fast she ran she could still hear the screams.
Twilight Sparkle ran until she could run no more. Her shaking legs gave way beneath her and she fell to the earth. For a moment, the purple mare stared horrified at her legs and their apparent refusal to carry her on, then she too started to scream. She screamed out her fear, rage, and disbelief into the night air. She screamed as if to empty her soul from her body so that it could continue its flight from the horrors of this night.
No matter how hard she screamed she could still hear them. She could still hear the crunch and the screams so loud they had hit her like a physical wave.
A strong pair of hooves slipped over her ears and pulled her close to their owner. It was Ares. He had followed her in her flight from Ponyville. He hadn't left her and now he pulled her comfortingly to his chest as she vent her terror to the surrounding trees.
After what seemed an eternity she stopped screaming and an eerie silence reigned. Twilight had never felt so numb and empty. She just wanted to curl up into a ball and disappear from the face of existence. Then, like a hand reaching out to a drowning soul, Ares' hoof turned her face up to met his gaze. His aquamarine eyes held hers as if to give her spirit something to hold on to, something to drag it back from the brink.
"Twilight, I need you to listen to me" his voice was strong and steady.
"I know right now you want to give up. I know you just want to make it all go away, but we can't stop here."
"A-Ares?" Her voice quaked as it struggled to find itself. "I-I'm so scared. I've never seen anypony m-...murdered before!"
"This I know, Twilight Sparkle. I know you're scared, but if you want to survive you can't give up. Spike needs you. Your friends in Ponyville need you. You can't give up!"
Twilight's eyes seemed to come back to focus and a small spark of resolve lighted within them.
"Twilight, what are we gonna do now?" asked Spike from her back. He seemed just as shaken as she was.
"We have to get to Canterlot, Spike. Princess Celestia needs to know what's going on. Ares, will you go with us?"
Ares nodded without hesitation.
"On my life, I will see you there."
Thus began their lonely exodus. Three shadows in the night, fleeing the burning buildings of Ponyville. They walked for what seemed like endless hours, sticking to the cover of the forest as the shades of griffin patrols circled overhead.
"Something's wrong," Twilight muttered during a brief respite, "the sun should have come up over an hour ago."
Ares said nothing though a growing sense of unease began to worm its way through his gut.
With the mission to reach Canterlot in her mind, Twilight's shoulders were set in a determined stance. Ares marched a few steps behind her marveling at her spirit. Most ponies would have given in and cracked under the pressure. He knew the feeling only too well. Madness was a tempting fruit to the strained mind. Comforting in its siren song it would drive a pony to his knees and swallow him like the last precious drop of water from a canteen, leaving his soul bereft, naked, and alone against the elements.
But, somehow, this Twilight Sparkle possessed the will to stave off madness and keep putting one hoof in front of the other.
Ares' thoughts were interrupted as Twilight gave a shout and galloped ahead.
"Look Ares! Spike! It's the sun! It's rising over Canterlot!"
Sure enough a warm orange glow was becoming visible over the horizon. Sprinting up a hill with Spike clinging gamely to her back, Twilight's hopes soared. Upon cresting the hill's peak she came to an abrupt halt. A half second later, Ares skidded to a halt beside her. Twilight's mouth hung open at the sight before them.
Canterlot burned.
No rising sun greeted them, instead, the hateful fires of a siege surrounded the Equestrian capitol as far as the eye could see. Even at this distance they could smell the acrid smoke.
Shaking in fear Twilight turned to the stallion at her side.
"Ares... what is going on?"
Ares' eyes were hard as steel.
"War, Twilight Sparkle. War has come to Equestria."
3. Out of the Frying Pan...
"War? Ares, there hasn't been a war in Equestria in thousands of years!"
Ares paused to weigh his words as his eyes gazed at the smoke rising from Canterlot. The acrid grey haze rose over the capitol like a new set of battlements, grim and terrible they heralded the coming of a new kingdom of death, chaos, and despair.
"We do not get to choose the times in which we reside, Twilight Sparkle, but we do get to choose whether we rise to meet them."
Twilight stared at the charcoal grey stallion, her eyes pleading with him to say something more comforting. After a moment, she nodded. Turning back to the false dawn of Canterlot's destruction Twilight's mind began to race.
"Ares look!" Twilight exclaimed. "The castle still stands! Maybe Princess Celestia is still okay..."
The purple mare bit her bottom lip in worry. Or was it desperate hope? Maybe both? Stamping her hoof in fierce determination Twilight's voice took up a timbre she didn't think was possible on a night like this.
"We have to get in there."
Ares was surprised to see the fire in the young alicorn's eyes. In that moment, it rivaled the blaze consuming so many pony's homes.
Ares said nothing.
"Ares... I know you barely know me, but I need your help. Our lives, my friend's lives, the fate of ALL of Equestria hangs in the balance! Ares, please, I need you."
Ares lips turned up into a tight smile as he nodded his assent.
"I will do all that I can to see you there."
"Alright then, we need a plan," Twilight's eyes swept over the hellish landscape as her mind raced faster and faster. "I can't risk flying, there's too many griffins in the air and I can barely fly carrying Spike let alone the both of you, but I can teleport. I just have to get close enough and I can teleport us into the castle."
"How close is close enough?"
Twilight looked away and muttered under her breath, "Really close."
Ares chuckled darkly.
"Well that should be easy enough."
****
With Spike on her back and Ares leading the way Twilight Sparkle descended into hell. Or at least that was what she felt was going on. The outermost buildings of Canterlot village had been burned down to rubble and scorched frames. Like the skeletons of forgotten leviathans these broken homes stood silent sentinel to the devastation of Equestria's finest city. Through these ruins slipped the three silent refugees. Twilight's nose was assaulted by the scent of the acrid smoke of burned homes and the even more unsettling smell of charred meat. She did her best not to dwell on what might cause the latter. With nothing remaining to loot, the outskirts of the village were mostly deserted save for a few hollow eyed ponies who wandered through the wreckage of their homes like shades.
However, the infiltration became far more perilous with every step towards the castle. Though there were more buildings and alleyways in which to hide there were also roving patrols of griffins looting shops and terrifying whatever unfortunate ponies they found in hiding. Cries of distress and hoots of cruel laughter filled the air next to the crackle of still burning buildings. Creeping through an alleyway, Ares cautioned Twilight to hang back as he took a quick peek down the street. When he returned his face was grim.
"There are five griffins at a checkpoint up the street. We must get past them."
"How do we do that?" Came Twilight's harsh whisper.
"Well I--"
Before Ares could reply three griffins dropped onto the cobblestone street near their alleyway. Time stood still for a moment as Ares, Twilight, and Spike held their collective breaths . Twilight felt her heart stop as one of the griffin's sharp eyes met her own. For the briefest moment both parties gazed at each other in one part incomprehension and the other part fear. Ares broke the spell first.
"RUN!"
And Twilight did. The strike of her hooves caused sparks to fly from the cobblestones as she tore through the alleys, a half step behind Ares. Behind them, cries of outrage raised the alarm as the griffins leapt into pursuit. Alerted to the chase, ominous shadows arose all around the fleeing ponies. Skidding to a halt, Ares kicked in the back door to an Inn.
"Through here!"
Ducking inside, Twilight painfully bowled over tables and chairs before her eyes had a chance to acclimate to the darkness. Ares barely had time to kick a chair in front of the door before the hefty weight of griffin bodies slammed into it, forcing it open.
"Upstairs!"
Twilight's heart was thundering so loudly in her ears she barely registered the panic in Ares' voice as she fled up the Inn's rickety stairs. The purple mare dashed into the last room at the end of the upstairs hall and used her magic to slam and lock the door as soon as Ares was inside. The door had barely closed before a meaty 'thunk' rattled its hinges; followed closely by the distinctive sound of claws scratching at the wood. Twilight's eyes frantically swept the room, seeking a way out. The only other portal in the room was a large window that overlooked the griffin checkpoint.
"Ares what do we do now!?"
Before the stallion could reply, a particularly hefty blow rocked the room's door making the air resound with the loud crack of splintering wood. Wide-eyed, Ares threw himself against the sagging door in a final effort to brace it.
"Twilight," he cried frantically, "you have to teleport us!"
"I-I can't!" Twilight's eyes filled with tears of desperation. "I can't concentrate!"
"You have to!"
"I'm too scared!"
Another crack rocked the door and Ares sagged beneath the increased pressure. Claws appeared through the fractures in the door's frame.
"Twilight do something!"
"I CAN"T!"
With a final crash the door came off its hinges. In desperation Ares pushed off the failing door with his hind legs and charged across the room. Tackling Twilight's paralyzed form, Ares wrapped himself protectively around Princess and dragon as his momentum carried them through the window. For a moment, they hung in the air surrounded by glittering shards of broken glass, then gravity reasserted itself and the hard ground rushed up to meet them.
"TWILIGHT!"
Twilight Sparkle closed her eyes tightly and the world disappeared.
*****
In a loud pop and a bright purple flash the world reasserted itself and the three figures tumbled over the end of a feather mattress and onto a hard wooden floor. Shaking his scaly head Spike spoke up first.
"Twilight you did it!"
Picking herself up off the floor, Twilight Sparkle shook off the remnants of glass from the Inn's window. Trotting quickly to the window she realized she had teleported them into the upper room of a home across the street.
"We're not out of the woods yet, Spike."
Even as she spoke griffins spilled out of the Inn in pursuit, alerted by the bright flash of light from across the street. Ares' voice pulled her away from the window.
"Well done, Twilight. Perhaps you could do it again?"
The mare nodded grimly and closed her eyes, teleporting her friends from the room. Bright flashes and loud pops marked their progress as Twilight teleported them across the city. Half a dozen times the trio fled from room to room with Twilight's magic and half a dozen times the griffins barely missed their prey. At last, there were no more buildings to teleport into and the three fugitives found themselves staring at the distant gatehouse of Canterlot castle's outer wall, still some 200 meters distant.
Charging out of the building that was their final hide they galloped towards the gate at break-neck speed. Spike wrapped his claws so tightly into Twilight's mane that tears stung her eyes, but she dared not slow down. All around the sound of beating wings and predator cries filled the air. They had fled as fast as they could, but the griffins were closing the distance. Ares was almost positive he could feel their hot breath on his flanks.
"Open the gates!" cried Twilight at the top of her lungs. Over and over again she cried out as the dark gatehouse rushed closer and closer. Despite her pleas the gate remained closed as they skidded to a halt in front of it. Beating her hooves against the immovable gate Twilight's cries fell on deaf ears.
"OPEN THE GATES! PLEASE!"
Whipping around, Ares planted himself protectively between the Princess and her companion. The pursuing griffins pulled up short as the stallion reared and roared his defiance. Nearly twenty feathered predators grinned wickedly at the trapped companions.
"Give us the Princess and we might let you live" barked one of the griffins.
The other griffins laughed cruelly and took another menacing step forward, their beaks and claws glinting fiercely in the moon light. Ares' snorted and pawed the cobblestones, kicking up sparks that reflected in his fiercely glittering eyes.
"Buck you!"
The griffin who had spoken stepped to the fore, mere paces away from Ares. His eyes dripped with malice as he licked his beak.
"Mmm I like it when they have a little fight in them. Make them all the more... delicious."
Ares blinked and straightened for a moment, a smile playing at his lips.
"I have a proposal, featherhead. If you surrender now I will conduct you safely to Princess Celestia. You have my word."
The griffin stopped in his tracks and stared at the insolent stallion then, with a roar, he pounced.
Ares and the griffin tumbled, claws and hooves flailing in a tangle of fur and feathers. With a snarl of triumph the griffin pinned Ares beneath him and plunged his talons into the pony's chest all the way to the bone. Ares cried out in pain and terror as the griffin raised his other claw for the killing blow.
A purple bolt of magic blew the griffin off of the charcoal colored stallion. Now it was Twilight's turn to stand defiantly between her friend and the wall of death before them. Bleeding and helpless Ares swam in and out of consciousness. He could see Twilight standing over him with Spike a few steps behind her. As the light of his consciousness began to fade Ares was witness to an amazing sight. A bright white light opened out of nowhere between himself and the griffins. From the light slowly stepped a midnight blue alicorn with a flowing mane that seemed to be made of the immaterial sky itself. She smiled gently down at him and he was barely aware of a flurry of dark shadows falling on the looming griffins behind her. The sounds of a struggle reached his ears but they sounded as if they were taking place deep under water. Comfortingly the alicorn spread her wings to shield him from the distant sights and sounds.
"Rest brave warrior," she said behind eyes that blazed with balefire. "Rest and all will be well."
"Rest..." he thought, "Yes, just a little rest then I'll rise... need to rest."
Ares closed his eyes and the darkness took him.
With a strangled gasp Ares returned to the world of the living. Sitting bolt upright he found himself laying on a luxuriously large bed replete with black satin sheets. A ring of lit torches lined the room providing a soft warm glow and allowing the stallion to better acclimate to his surroundings. The room was regally decorated with fine marble columns and enormous tapestries depicting various constellations. Slowly Ares clambered from the bed but pulled up short with a grunt of discomfort. Unbidden, the memory of the razor sharp claws buried in his chest and he winced. However, peering at his chest he found no blood nor even bandages, merely a new set of scars and a mild soreness. Ares' hooves clicked gently on the marble floor as he trotted to the room's only door. Opening it he was instantly confronted by two ebony black stallions dressed in heavy armor. Instantly on the defensive, Ares stiffened but both guards merely bowed.
"Please follow us, sir."
Ares quirked an eyebrow but said nothing, instead resolving to keep his muzzle shut and do as he was bade. Following behind the two guards Ares was shocked to see that the two stallions' wings resembled those of a bat.
"Surely I have died and gone on to a different world," he thought.
The guards led Ares down a magnificently appointed hallway, past vast stained glass windows which detailed events and ponies that he was unfamiliar with. At the end of the hallway a massive set of mahogany doors stood guarded by four more heavily armed guards who glared suspiciously at Ares as he passed. The doors swung open to reveal a large throne room, at the end of which were gathered a plethora of important looking ponies around a low table. At his entrance one pony detached from the group and came running to meet him. Ares was pleasantly surprised to find it was Twilight.
"Ares!" she cried, wrapping him in a tight hug. "I was so worried about you."
"And I you, Twilight Sparkle."
"Come on, I'll introduce you to the others."
Somewhat reluctantly Ares followed the mare towards the group of regal looking ponies, all of whom were staring at him. Ares found his heart was glad to see Twilight in such better spirits. Despite all that had happened she seemed greatly cheered to be in such company. Ares was shocked when the first pony to step forward was the same mysterious alicorn who had appeared to him outside the gatehouse. Up close she was no less magnificent though her eyes no longer glowed like the harvest moon.
"Ares, please allow me to introduce Princess Luna."
The charcoal stallion immediately fell into a deep bow, his head nearly brushing the floor.
"I am honored, m'lady, but I fear I thought you were a ghost come to take me to the grave."
Princess Luna smiled softly down at him before returning his bow.
"Please rise, sir Ares. It is we who should bow to you."
Ares head tilted questioningly.
"But what happened at the gatehouse?"
"You see, we are the Princess of the night. We have the ability to enter our subjects' dreams so that we may guide them. What most do not know is that we may also do the same when a pony is in the hazy lands between life and death. It was there that we found you and it was our guards that fell upon your attackers."
An even taller and equally majestic white alicorn stepped forward. From her kind, motherly visage to the end of her bright flowing tail, she exuded royalty. When she spoke her voice instantly put Ares at ease and he felt himself becoming endeared to her, as if she were a matronly figure speaking to a lost foal.
"And I had the honor of healing your wounds."
"Ares meet Princess Celestia," beamed Twilight.
Ares bowed deeply again.
"Then I am in both of your debts, Majesties."
Princess Celestia reached out with one hoof and gently raised his gaze to meet her own. Ares was surprised at her gentle touch and even more so at the gentleness in her eyes.
"No, Ares, it is we who are in your debt for bringing Twilight safely to us. Unfortunately I fear we cannot spend much time on celebrating."
Turning from the stallion Princess Celestia resumed her study of the low table which, on closer inspection, turned out to be a large map Canterlot and its surrounding areas, complete with topography and markers representing the location of griffin forces around the capitol. Ares suddenly found himself feeling very self conscious. All around the table, besides the Princesses, were various military advisers, consuls, and heads of state. The stallion turned to go before Celestia's voice brought him to a halt.
"Ares, Twilight tells me you... have experience in this types of situations. You are certainly free to do as you please, but we would greatly appreciate your counsel?"
The open ended sentence hung in the air for a moment as Ares hesitated. He had seen more than his fair share of fights, but he had never commanded a nation at war. Even still, he could not shake off the pleading look in Twilight's eyes. Nodding, he approached the table. Ares' eyes narrowed as they swept over the table; the situation seemed grim. Canterlot was laid out in painstaking detail, every street and intersection named and aligned perfectly. Currently all of the streets surrounding the castle were occupied by the angry red blocks of wax signifying the forces of the Griffin Kingdom. A single lonely ring of blue blocks formed a perimeter around the castle grounds.
"Why haven't you attempted to retake the city with your magic?"
Princess Celestia's gaze faltered for a moment and she looked away.
"The griffins told us that they were holding Twilight as a hostage and that any attempt to use magic would bring her death. We retreated to the castle and did our best to accommodate the influx of refugees. As we speak there are over a thousand ponies in the castle's lower levels."
"A commendable course of action," Ares said drily, "but now is the time to go on the offensive."
"Do not criticize our actions harshly, Ares. None of us have ever known war as you have."
Ares nodded in acquiescence and resumed speaking in a softer tone.
"Forgive me, your highness. I meant no disrespect to you or your valiant guards. However, you must understand that war is all about momentum, and, the longer we tarry behind these walls the longer the enemy has to consolidate his position. They must be driven from the city with all haste."
"Very well," Celestia nodded gravely, "I will lead the counter-attack personally. Captain, assemble your stallions and prepare to march. We will sweep the city clean of these traitorous creatures."
*****
Historians would later record what followed as the first great victory for Equestria in the Griffin wars. They would mark it as a strategic victory that greatly lifted the morale of both Canterlot's populace and the soldiers of Celestia's guard. However, as they say, history is written by victor, but what is lesser known is that what is written is often greatly embellished.
Princess Celestia did indeed lead her forces from the castle gates in a ground offensive to sweep the city's streets. Her sister Luna descended from the highest tower in the castle at the head of her winged Night Guards to intercept any griffins who tried to flee Celestia's offensive. Both sisters found only light resistance, however, as most of the griffin forces had withdrawn upon learning that Princess Twilight was safe in the castle, and that their ruse about her capture had been proven false. Knowing that they could not stand before the magical might of Princess Celestia the griffins had retreated enmass, leaving only a small rearguard force to burn as much of the city as possible before it could be retaken. After only a few shorts hours, what was left of Canterlot was declared liberated. However, even the most naive of ponies could see that the victory was a hollow one.
Victory brought no respite for Equestria's rulers as, once it was declared, Celestia reconvened her war council. Before retiring to the throne room and her waiting advisers, the Princess took a moment to survey her devastated city from the royal observatory with her sister Luna. Both Princess of the day and Princess of the night wept openly together at the fires that raged through homes of so many ponies. So many of their subjects and friends would never see another sunrise or another full moon, and even more had had their lives changed forever.
Standing once more around the map table Celestia did her best to rub the weariness form her eyes with her hooves. Gazing around the table she meet the eyes of her sister, student, counselors, friends, and a stallion from a far off land she barely knew.
"Do I look as tired as them?" she thought. Sighing deeply she squared her shoulders and resumed the posture of a monarch.
"My friends... my little ponies... we have all witnessed things today that we would never have imagined in our darkest nightmares. However, I fear that we will find no rest anytime soon. Now that we have retaken Canterlot we must, as Ares says, maintain momentum. What is our next move?"
For a moment, nopony spoke as each surveyed the map, lost in their own thoughts.
Stepping forward Captain of the Guard, Commander Fleethoof, spoke with a gravelly voice of what his scouts had determined.
"All rail lines from Canterlot have been destroyed, Majesty. From what we can tell the griffins struck in a four pronged attack seizing Cloudsdale first, to neutralize our best pegasi, before cutting off our government centers at Canterlot and the Crystal Empire. Lastly, they attacked Ponyville in the hopes of capturing Princess Twilight and using her as a hostage."
Princess Celestia nodded. She had been able to communicate with Princess Cadance via magic throughout the siege. So far Cadence and her husband had been able to fend off the griffin attacks with magic, leaving the griffins to lay siege in the harsh wilderness that surrounded the Crystal Empire.
"At least that's some good news," she thought. An army caught in that wilderness would have a hard time remaining effective. Still, the Crystal Empire and its inhabitants were on their own.
"As you can see," Fleethoof continued, gesturing with his hoof, "the main force of the enemy that attacked Canterlot are camped on the plains a few miles west of here..."
His voice trailed off as he suddenly came to the realization that he had nothing left to contribute and that what he had contributed amounted to very little.
Celestia nodded and smiled gently to reassure him as he stepped back into place among the others. Once again, silence reigned.
"We must take the fight to them."
All eyes swung to Ares.
"We must march out and take the fight to them," he repeated.
"Our forces would be heavily outnumbered." Came Princess Luna's response.
Shaking his head, Ares would not be dissuaded.
"We must either march out and meet them or we will die slowly here in the castle as they attack wherever and whenever they wish."
Next it was Celestia's turn to question the mercenary.
"How will we overcome their superior numbers?"
Ares hoof slammed down onto the table causing all gathered there to flinch.
"No! As brave as your citizens may be they will be no match for trained soldiers. At worst they would break and run, leaving our formation vulnerable. At best, they would wear out the enemy in the same way that the harvesting of wheat tires the farmer's hoof."
Ares paused to let his words sink in.
"We must march out and meet them. Griffins are formidable foes, one on one, and will hold the aerial advantage, but we can neutralize that with stout hearts and discipline. We will force them to fight us on the ground where we will have the advantage, and with your magic supporting us, we will carry the day."
Ares could see the battle playing out behind his eyes as he spoke faster and faster. His hooves gestured and pointed all around the mapped out battlefield, driving home his points and setting up a strategy for the army. For more than an two hours he went back and forth with Commander Fleethoof and the royal counselors over the details of his plan. When the conversation ended every pony stared at the map and its colored representations of the battle lines to come. Every assembled pony knew what was required of them and fear threatened to undo their knees. Ares meet every fearful gaze with the fire burning behind his own.
"We must do this," he concluded, "If we stay here behind the walls all is lost. We can afford no other course of action than to march out and meet them."
At last, every pony nodded grimly to him and the meeting broke up to allow the ponies to prepare and take a few hours of rest before the battle ahead. As he was exiting the throne room beside Twilight, Celestia, and Luna he turned and addressed the Princess of the sun.
"Princess, when we march tomorrow raise the sun. Raise the sun and make it a dawn to remember. Let every pony under your rule that their Princesses live and that the dawn of their deliverance has come."
Princess Celestia felt determination swell in her heart.
"I will make it so."
*****
A few precious hours later the forces of Equestria marched. True to her word, Celestia raised the sun in a dawn that would not be seen again in another thousand years. All over Equestria ponies raised their heads to the east and felt hope swell in their breasts. The night had lasted far too long.
The assembled griffins on the plains west of Canterlot stared into the rising sun and felt the icy tendrils of fear teasing their hearts. Marching with the sun at their backs the ponies of Celestia's army raised a cloud of dust high into the sky by the tramp of their hooves. They had polished their armor and spear points to a mirror-like gleam; these now caught the sun light and flashed dangerously in the eyes of the watching foe. The griffin commanders barked orders at their soldiers and rallied them to battle formation. Hundreds of griffins leapt into the air and began circling above the massing forces like carrion birds.
At the head of the Equestrian forces marched Princess Celestia, Princess Twilight, Commander Fleethoof, and Ares. Despite his lack of experience, Commander Fleethoof would lead his stallions from the front. For his part, Ares had pledged himself to defending the two Princesses and lending his strategic input where needed. He grunted slightly in discomfort as his armor chaffed him. There had been no time for a custom set to be made for him.
At three-quarters of a mile Celestia halted her army and began to survey the two armies. The griffin army stretched out in front of her like the ocean's tide, filling the plain with its malicious intent. High above circled even more griffins merely awaiting the order to descend like heaven's wrath on her ponies. Looking back at her forces, doubt began to claw at her heart. She had mustered her entire royal guard, nearly 500 stallions. They were outnumbered by more than two to one. Seeing her hesitation Ares stepped forward to whisper in her ear.
"Princess, you must be strong. Your stallions need you now. You must speak to them."
Cinching up her courage, Celestia nodded. Beating her wings she lifted off the ground high enough that all her soldiers might see her.
"Stallions of Equestria," her mighty voice boomed out across the armored helmets of her soldiers. "Stallions of Equestria...my soldiers... my friends, our nation has been struck a mighty blow by a traitorous foe. We were caught unawares by their surprise attack and many an innocent life has been lost. Will we let these crimes go unpunished?"
From the massed ranks came cries of "No!"
"Never before in Equestria's history have we known such tragedy, but I have come here today to see justice done. Will you fight with me?"
Now more cries rose from the ranks in the affirmative. Celestia allowed herself a slight smile, she was beginning to get their blood up.
"I will not lie," her voice dipped lower in an remorseful tone, "there is a chance that many of us will not see the end of this fight, but great victory does not come without a price. I promise you that I will do all that I can to see you back safely to your homes. These are terrible times for us to face, but we must meet them head on with all the courage in our hearts. When we march, I want you to remember what you are fighting for. You are not fighting for your Princess, you are fighting for your homes, your families, your very way of life! Colts a hundred years unborn will curse bitter fate that they did not march with us today, for today, we fight for the future of Equestria. March with me brave soldiers... march for Equestria!"
The stallions of Celestia's army roared and reared, a mighty cry of courage rising from their throats to shake the very foundations of the earth. The rolling roar hit the front ranks of the griffin army like a physical wave, making many flinch and step backwards.
Resuming her stance on the ground, Celestia dismissed her commanders to their units and marched to the center of army's formation with Twilight and Ares. Once in place, the Princess nodded the signal and, with a might blast of the horn, the army began to march. From across the plain a higher pitched horn wailed and the griffins too began their advance.
Princess Celestia's forces marched in a large almost box-like formation. The leading ranks were formed into a triangle ranks by company, giving the formation's front a serrated edge. Marching in close ranks the ponies marched slowly to the steady tattoo beat of drums. Peerless in kit and discipline they were a magnificent sight. In the formation's center were Princess Celestia, Twilight Sparkle, Ares and twenty of Canterlot's most powerful unicorns. Behind these came the reserve companies of Canterlot's royal guard. These last would serve as a rear guard against any griffins who might seek to attack the formation from behind.
As the armies closed, the griffins who had been circling high above now fell to the attack. From staggering heights they folded their wings and dived on the ponies below. Fearless in their aerial superiority they sought to swoop down and pick off any unaware ponies in the ranks. They met with a nasty surprise. Once the falling griffins were in range they were met with blasts of energy from the horns of Celestia, Twilight, and the unicorns surrounding them. Griffins fell from the sky in droves, those few that made it through were unable to come to grips with the stallions below due to the tightly packed ranks and the spear points that bristled from them like a forest. In mere minutes the number of circling griffins had been reduced by a third.
At the front, the two armies came together with the heavy weighted crunch of bodies slamming into each other. Because they fought as individuals the griffin ranks were loose and disordered. When hit by the tightly packed ranks of stallions they folded like wheat before the scythe. The front ranks of Celestia's soldiers merely ran them over, crushing the griffins beneath their hooves. Then the killing began in earnest. Spears flashed downward like a great milling machine of murder. The serrated front of the Equestrian formation allowed it to "bite" into the griffin army. Those griffins caught deep in the serrations found themselves beset on two sides by stabbing spears.
However, momentum will only carry an army so far. Before long the Equestrian's advance ground to a halt as warriors on both sides grappled and fought, seeking any kind of advantage to bring down their opposite number. The air filled with the horrifying symphony of murder; razor-tipped claws screeched as they scraped across armor, spears plunged into breasts with a sickening crunch, and screams of terror and pain rang out loud and long. Twilight Sparkle did her best to shut out the sounds of murder and focus on her job of protecting the soldiers from aerial attack. However, as time wore on the sounds began to overpower her senses. Tears streamed freely down her face at the horror of it all. Her world shrank smaller and smaller under the strain until all she could do was focus on one action at a time. With a powerful purple blast she brought down another griffin before he could attack the stallions. Twilight forced herself not to follow the body as it fell to the ground. Out of the blue, Twilight felt a presence at her side. Looking over she found Princess Celestia's wing gently draped across her back. After a moment, Twilight returned the gesture with her own wing. Together the two Princesses took solace in one another amidst the madness.
Suddenly a runner galloped up, out of breath and covered in sweat. His wide eyes flashed frantically as he gave his report.
"Princess Celestia, our right flank is crumbling!"
The white alicorn's head snapped to the right though she could make out little through the dust raised by the throng. Before she could give a command a blur shot past, heading for the danger.
"Ares!"
*****
Dashing through the madness, Ares sped toward the endangered flank. All around him ponies reeled backwards from the front, their eyes rolling in terror. Bounding up onto a rock Ares cried out to them.
"Stallions of Equestria! Why do you run?"
They halted but refused to meet his fierce gaze.
"There are too many!" one cried.
"Would you abandon those who still fight?" Ares voice boomed as he gestured to the front lines with his spear.
The stallions still remained rooted in their places.
Snorting in disgust, Ares turned his back on them.
"When your foals ask you where you abandoned Celestia, where you choose a fate for them of slavery and death, tell them it was here!"
Leaping from his perch, Ares waded into the fray. Tearing its claws free from the throat of a stallion a griffin turned to face him. With a mighty roar Ares buried his spear into the griffin's throat before savagely wrenching it free and turning to find another foe. In the space of a few heartbeats three griffins fell before his steel. The fearful stallions felt unspeakable shame as this foreigner fought their battle for them. Summoning their courage they formed ranks and marched back into the chaos. So ferocious was their counter attack that they passed Ares by and surged forward, driving the griffins back. Covered in sweat and gore, Ares turned and galloped back to the center.
On reaching the Princesses he paused to survey the battle. All around the air was charged by the chaos of mortal struggle. Then he saw what the Princess and her commanders had been waiting for. Slowly, the Equestrians were pushing the griffins back. The foe was desperately digging in their heels, but cracks began to appear in their resolve. Here and there griffins began to take flight to save their own skins.
"Princess!" cried Ares "Give the signal!"
Celestia raised her head to the sky. Her eyes flashed with power as her horn sent a powerful crimson bolt of magic into the sky. Upward the blood red light soared, climbing high above the clashing armies, before it exploded like the birth of a new star. Now the ponies sprung their trap.
Falling from their concealed position in the clouds Princess Luna and her bat-winged guards attacked. Diving straight down they gained momentum; at the last possible second they pulled up, mere feet above the ground, and sped towards the griffin army's left flank. Lances leveled into the attack position Luna's guards hit the griffins with the force of a meteor. All around griffin flesh was run through by razor sharp steel and even more were knocked flying by the force of the charge. Planting herself in fearlessness of her power Princess Luna began strafing her head from side to side, blasting griffins at close range with bolts of magic.
Under the surprise assault the griffin army broke.
With cries of terror griffins abandoned their comrades and leapt into the air, seeking to save themselves from the slaughter. With a roar of triumph the stallions redoubled their efforts and cut down the griffins in droves. Bolts of magic and thrown spears knocked griffins from the air as pegasi flew in pursuit. Celestia's army gave no quarter.
*****
At long last, the battle came to an end. All around the detritus of battle spread like a blanket over the earth. Spears were spiked into the earth at crazy angles and blood ran in streams over the turf. Worse still were the bodies. Dark shapes lay scattered over the terrain in clusters where they fell finally finding peace and rest in the silence of death's embrace. The groans of the wounded serenaded the end of the day's carnage as dazed stallions supported wounded comrades, or worse, nosed through the bodies of the slain seeking a friend.
In the middle of it all stood Princess Celestia. Her pink eyes swept over the battlefield again and again, too stunned to fully comprehend the slaughter. Her army had won a great victory, completely routing the enemy army while inflicting heavy losses on the same. By comparison her army's loses had been relatively light, still, she knew that many stallions were dead by her command, and many would be forever scarred.
One by one her surviving commanders reported their unit's losses. Each number seemed so clinically detached that it stung all the more knowing each scratch on a wax tablet was a life snuffed out. Next came Ares, Twilight and Luna. Ares' hooves were stained with mud and blood and he was covered in minor wounds incidental to action. Princess Celestia turned away from them so they would not see her eyes.
"Sister, Twilight, please see to the wounded. Ares please have Commander Fleethoof begin forming burial parties."
Ares voice was hesitant in reply.
"Majesty... Commander Fleethoof did not survive."
Celestia's eyes closed in pain at his words.
"I see. Then Ares please see to the burial of the dead."
The three ponies hesitated but nodded and left to fulfill her orders.
Slowly, Princess Celestia raised her head and lowered the sun on a day she wished had never come. The sunset over the western horizon cast a blood red glow to the hellish landscape soon, she hoped, the coming of night would bring solace to those affected by the day's slaughter.
Then, alone at last, Princess Celestia, ruler of Equestria and raiser of the sun sat down and wept.
"Dang griffins," Applejack cursed, "if ah get half a chance ah swear ah'll strangle one with my own two hooves!"
Big Macintosh silently met her gaze and shook his head.
"What? Ya don't think ah could do it?"
"AJ," he spoke calmingly, "Ah know ya could do it, but ya got a family ta think of."
Applejack hung her head and kicked at the hay strewn floor of the Apple family barn. She knew Big Mac was right, but that sure didn't make her feel any better. Up in the barn's hayloft were exactly those ponies that the red stallion was talking about. When the griffins invaded a week earlier they had kicked the Apples out of their home, forcing them to sleep in the barn with only each other and the hay for comfort, while the griffins took up residence in the home they had worked so hard to maintain. Applejack worried terribly for the oldest and youngest members of her family. She decided to climb up to the hayloft to check on Applebloom and Granny Smith.
In a corner, far away from the barn's doors, sat Applebloom and Granny Smith on a large pile of hay. The young filly was curled up in the older Apple's embrace but she smiled weakly at AJ when she approached.
"How y'all doin' up here?"
"Oh we're jus' jawin' at each other ta pass the time," Applebloom said, trying to put on a brave face.
Applejack knew that wasn't exactly the case. She had no doubt that Applebloom was talking with Granny, but she knew the geriatric pony wasn't talking back. Since the invasion, Granny Smith didn't do much talking. She simply stared off into space as if her mind had simply shut itself off. The griffins had tormented her mercilessly when they first arrived until they grew bored and decided to find other targets for their cruelty. They had even taken Granny Smith's walker forcing Big Mac to carry her when she needed to go more than a few steps.
"Alright then," replied Applejack, "y'all hang in there. Ah'm sure this'll all be over soon."
Applejack said that so often these days that the others merely went through the motions of nodding their heads, not believing a word of it. With a heavy heart Applejack trotted back down to the barn's front doors and cautiously peeked outside.
The night air outside carried a slight bite of cold with it causing Applejack to wince. The barn wasn't very warm at night. Outside the doors three griffins lounged around a roaring campfire, laughing raucously and drinking from a large barrel of the Apple family's famous cider. Applejack's heart burned furiously as she stared at the griffins, wanting nothing more than to beat the tar out of them, but she knew she couldn't risk putting Granny Smith and Applebloom in any more danger than they were already. Sighing, she turned and went to sit by Big Mac.
"Ah jus' don't get it Big Mac. A few days ago Princess Celestia raised the sun to be such a sight as it warmed ma heart. Now the dang sun hasn't risen in two days!"
Applejack spoke the truth. Since Celestia's triumphal raising of the sun a few days prior the dawn had come sporadically and seemed far more dreary than a sunrise should be. Of course, none of the residents of Ponyville knew about the goings on in Canterlot or the battle that had been waged there. All they had were the cycles of day and night to speculate on.
"Heck, it seems like both Princess Celestia and Princess Luna have givin' up."
Outside the barn, night reigned heavily over the land. Luna's moon was a mere sliver in the sky and only a hoof-full of stars glinted dully to match it.
Suddenly, a series of taps at the front door broke the barn's baleful silence.
"What in tarnation was-..." Applejack was cut off as two dark figures slipped into the barn.
Instantly she and Big Mac where standing, ready to meet the new threat to their family, but a feeling of familiarity drew Applejack up short. After a heartbeat she recognized one of the figures.
"TWILIGHT!?"
Twilight Sparkle didn't, at first glance, look anything like the Princess AJ was used to seeing. Her entire body was blackened, leaving only her eyes and horn as identifying features. She held a hoof to her lips to quiet her friend.
Trotting closer, with Big Mac a few steps behind, she whispered happily through her teeth.
"Twilight we thought you was dead! The griffins said you had run away and that Canterlot was under siege. What's going on?"
Twilight embraced her friend quickly before nodding to the pony with her.
"Applejack I would never abandon my friends. I don't have time to explain everything right now. Ares and I have a lot of work to do."
Applejack turned to Ares, who was casually leaning against a spear, and gave him a friendly nod.
"Whatever you're doin', Twi, Big Mac and me can help."
"Eeyup" Big Mac grunted.
Twilight Sparkle shook her head instantly.
"No Applejack. I won't put you in danger. Ares and I can handle this."
She turned and headed back towards the door with Ares at her side.
"Wait, Twi! What in hay are we supposed ta do?"
Twilight stopped and turned back to her friend. Applejack felt her blood run cold at the sight of her friend's eyes. She had never seen a look like that before on the face of the quiet bookworm she knew and loved. It was the hard, unforgiving look of a beast set on the bitter road of revenge.
"Applejack, in four hours the sun will rise. If Ponyville is free, when it does, you will see my signal."
"What if it ain't?"
"Then take your family and run as fast as you can."
****
Ducking back out of the barn, Twilight and Ares approached the griffin campfire. The three griffins who had been enjoying the evening around it lay still and cold, never to rise again. Ares nodded to the stallions standing by the slain foes.
"Give the signal, Twilight."
Nodding, Twilight raised her head to the sky. Her horn began to glow with a soft white light. Three times her horn flashed before she severed the flow of magic. A few moments passed as the ponies stared heavenward, then one of the stars winked back the same three flashes. Ares raised his spear into the air before bringing it down sharply to point at the sleeping town of Ponyville. All around, dark shapes rose from the ground as if they had been birthed by the earth itself. A hundred hoof-picked stallions, their coats blackened with soot and devoid of armor (lest it rattle and give them away), began to creep through the orchards of the Apple family farm. With nearly no ambient light they were impossible to see from a distance. A small detachment broke away from the group and snuck towards the Apple family home. The Apples would not have to continue living in their barn for long.
Far above the creeping army, dark shadows drifted through the sky as another death dealing force winged towards Cloudsdale.
The liberation of Equestria had begun.
****
In Cloudsdale the occupying griffins had grown complacent and lazy. Thanks to round the clock Equestrian aerial patrols no griffin messengers had arrived to warn them of the defeat of their army on the plains outside of Canterlot. As a result, the griffins slept soundly assuming that their strategic plan was still well underway. Little did they know that death incarnate was winging its way towards them.
At the head of her bat-winged guards Princess Luna glided silently between the clouds high above Equestria. Her guards were arrayed into two flying Vs with one a hundred meters above the other. After receiving Twilight's signal on the ground, she began her two pronged attack on Cloudsdale. The higher formation fell silently on the upper reaches of Cloudsdale's spires as Luna and her company gently landed on the lower fields. They trotted quickly over the cloud fields where so many pegasi would, in happier times, spend their leisure time basking in sun or enjoying picnic lunches. Now the fields were littered with the loudly snoring forms of griffin soldiers. One by one their snores were cut off by thrust of spears and the crush of hooves. From there her guards swarmed through the vats were rainbows were made, and up the causeways that led to individual pegasus homes. Said homes were occupied by griffins who had imprisoned Cloudsdale's inhabitants in hastily improvised barracks. They would free the ponies after the fighting was over. With one force infiltrating from the top and the other from the bottom, griffins died in droves, their bodies cast out into Cloudsdale's streets or out of Cloudsdale entirely, falling to the earth like marionettes suddenly devoid of their strings. Blood flowed through Cloudsdale's streets to drip off the edge of the clouds in a hellish rain.
Princess Luna watched this all with cold detachment. Her time as Nightmare Moon, though in the past, had inured her to such things. She did not revel in the slaughter, but she knew that it must be done to see the freedom of her subjects achieved. However, the Princess of the Night was not without sadness. She knew that for many years to come the ponies affected by this war would probably never again know untroubled sleep, and as that was her domain, she would be the one to provide them succor. They would dream of flashing talons and rivers of blood before waking up, screaming in the night.
The Princess also feared for her guards. They performed their duties bravely and without hesitation, yet, she worried for them. Although fighting for one's homes and future was as justifiable a cause for violence as one could hope for, she knew that justification rang hollow when faced with the end results of war. Her guards would bear their share of nightmares, and many of their loved ones would shy from their embrace because of what they had justifiably done. No, justification could never cover the wounds of the heart and mind caused by war.
Princess Luna was surprised to find her cheeks wet and, seeing no one around, she gave in to the flood of her emotions.
Whereas Princess Celestia had wept for the lives of the ponies affected by this war, Princess Luna, ruler of the Night, sat down and cried for their souls.
****
"So these are the famous former wielders of the Elements of Harmony? HA! What a joke" mocked the leader of Ponyville's occupying forces.
Strutting around the Mayor's office he grinned wickedly at his captives with his one good eye. Pinkie Pie, Rarity, Fluttershy, and Rainbow Dash all glared back at him, powerless due to the heavy metal collars that chained them to the floor like dogs. Rainbow Dash strained at her collar for the thousandth time, but it still failed to grant her any freedom. She was the only who made the effort any more.
Pinkie Pie hadn't been the same since that first night's terror. It seemed as if her normally bouncy, unkempt mane had been deflated. She still tried to smile at her friends, to keep their spirits up, but her eyes were hollow behind that smile.
Rainbow Dash's heart broke for her friends. The griffins had learned to leave her alone after a few had wandered into the range of her bucking hooves and went away with bruises for their trouble. Her friends weren't as lucky.
The griffins loved tormenting the yellow pegasus, Fluttershy. Being timid and kind hearted she had little resistance to the griffins torments. It seemed that whenever they were bored they would tease her mercilessly, snapping their beaks at her face and trailing their razor sharp claws over her coat. All Fluttershy could do was curl up into a ball and cry until they went to find better sport.
Rarity too suffered under griffin imprisonment. Being of surpassing elegance and beauty she was under constant threat of their lascivious leers and jests. When they ran their claws over her it was for entirely different purposes.
"You'll never get away with this, you big meanie-butt!" yelled Pinkie Pie.
The griffin leader merely laughed at her before sauntering back behind the Mayor's desk and plopping his muscular bulk in her swivel chair.
"I won't will I?" he thundered. "I am Thrakka, first of my name, son of King Dyaros, and heir to the throne of the Griffin Kingdom. I have never been beaten. Face it, your Princess Twilight abandoned you, and in a few days time Canterlot will fall to our forces. Your Princesses will be tried and executed and you will take your rightful place underneath the heels of your betters!"
From there Thrakka dissolved into a fit of maniacal laughter. The other three griffins in the room joined in his dark mirth.
"BWAHAHAHAHAH-"
All of the sudden, Thrakka's laughter was cut off sharply. Every eye in the room swung to him and an audible gasp filled the room. None was more surprised than Thrakka, had he still possessed the ability to gasp he might have joined them. As it was, all he could do was stare in shock at the razor sharp spear point that had sprouted six inches out of his chest. With a sharp rasp blood frothed from his beak and his one good eye rolled back in his head before he pitched down on to the mayoral desk. Behind him stood the hard eyed form of Ares.
The other three griffins leapt to their feet, but before they could move dark shapes fell from the rafters and, in the flash of downward spear thrusts, they too were cut down.
The captive ponies watched in shocked silence as they were freed. In the space of a few heartbeats they had gone from prisoners to freed, but more shockingly they had witnessed the ending of four lives. Fluttershy stared at the cooling bodies and the growing pool of blood on the floor. Her mouth trembled as a silent scream built in her throat, before it could become reality Rarity's hoof slipped over her mouth and pulled her into a comforting embrace. Together the two took solace in each other's embrace.
For her part, Pinkie Pie seemed surprisingly unshaken.
"I knew you guys were coming... ya know with my Pinkie sense."
Ares stared at her for a moment before he was pulled away by Rainbow Dash.
"Whatever you guys are going to do, I can help."
"No, Rainbow Dash, it is too dangerous."
"But I'm the fastest flyer in Ponyville! I can help!"
Ares eyes locked on hers and Rainbow Dash felt her bravado wither.
"If you want to help, stay here and hide your friends. When the sun rises, fate willing, Ponyville will be free."
Turning sharply, Ares and the other stallions ducked out the door.
*****
In the first hour Twilight's liberation force had infiltrated and secured half of Ponyville. However, their good fortune was not to last. Within moments the entire liberation turned into slaughter.
Approaching the 70th minute of the operation a squad of stallions crept silently towards Sugar Cube Corner. Their leader, a young corporal named Bright Star, waved his soldiers forward. In twos they slowly advanced up the street, alley by alley, shadow by shadow. Holding up a hoof he brought them to a halt as he studied their target. An open space of 20 meters surrounded Sugar Cube Corner and, even more troubling, every light in the building blazed. With a final direction he and his stallions broke cover and trotted quickly and silently across the open ground.
Suddenly the front door burst open and a pony tumbled out in a heap, the shapes of several griffins following quickly behind. Bruised and bleeding the pony got to his hooves as the sounds of cruel laughter resounded through the air. Each of the griffins bore a loaded crossbow.
"Dance!" one cried, before launching an arrow at the poor pony's hooves. A quick, panicked shuffle spared the pony from any harm but only redoubled the griffins' cruel laughter.
Caught in the open, halfway over the open ground, Corporal Bright Star and his stallions were spotted.
The Equestrian soldiers leapt into the attack and were met by a volley of bolts. Corporal Bright Star stumbled in his charge and dropped his spear. Shaking his head he took another step before a wave of pain brought him up short. Glancing down he found the broken shaft of a crossbow bolt in his chest. He hadn't realized he'd been hit. Taking another drunken step he found it increasingly hard to breathe. Blackness began to creep in around the edge of his vision as he slumped to the ground. He was dimly aware of his stallions locked in combat with the griffins outside Sugar Cube Corner. One of the griffins broke free and leapt into the air, crying out the alarm. Bright Star wanted to help, wanted to fight, but he felt so tired.
"I'll just rest awhile," he thought, his eyes closing, "then I'll get back up..."
*****
Ares ducked instinctively as crossbow bolts thudded into the produce cart he was hiding behind. Peeking around the cart's wheel he took in the situation and grimaced. Thirty meters ahead was the Ponyville library, every window and balcony of which was occupied by a griffin sniper.
An hour earlier a griffin had winged through town raising the alarm. It seemed as if every light in Ponyville had come on and griffins poured from the buildings in numbers beyond what the liberators had expected. Perhaps more troubling was the plethora of griffins that were armed with bolt throwers. Crossbows were a rare and very expensive weapon, but it seemed that Prince Thrakka had spared no expense for his forces. The deadly weapons could pierce the heaviest of armor at 100 paces. Against unarmored stallions it seemed like overkill. What had started as a silent infiltration devolved into bloody house to house fighting as the griffins dug in against the invaders, only giving ground when they were forced out of a position or overrun.
Ares said a silent curse as more bolts hissed overhead. Already the open space around the library was littered with the forms of fallen stallions. Looking back he could see Twilight and several unicorns fire beams of magic at the griffins in the library. Pinned down in the middle of the kill-zone there was little the earth pony could do. Suddenly, an idea began to form in his mind. Signaling frantically to get Twilight's attention he did his best to pantomime his plan. Twilight Sparkle cocked her head in confusion which only made Ares signal more frantically. Finally nodding, she backed away from the firefight and slipped into the shadows.
Ares waited a few minutes, which he passed by counting the number of bolts that thudded into his hiding spot. Taking a deep breath he grabbed the produce cart and began to slowly wheel it towards the library's front door. He had to push the cart in a serpentine fashion to prevent himself from becoming a pony pincushion. At last he reached his objective and, leaping over his cart, kicked in the library's door. Rolling inside the stallion dove behind Twilight's writing desk as bolts chased his every move. After a few moments a griffin voice hailed him from the library's upper level.
"Hey 'my little pony'" the voice sneered derisively, "come on out and we'll make your death quick."
Ares cinched up his courage and did his best not to tremble as he sauntered out from behind the writing desk with his spear held jauntily over one shoulder. Above him, six griffin crossbows tracked his movements as he came to a halt in the center of the library's ground floor. Doing his best to appear nonchalant, he plopped down in a sitting position to face his firing squad.
"Any last words, pony?"
"None," he smirked, "just waiting for some friends to drop in."
The griffins looked to each other in confusion a mere moment before Twilight and half a dozen pegasi burst through the library's upper windows. Ares had to duck to avoid a griffin that Twilight blasted from her former bedroom with a bolt of magic. The fight was over in seconds. Still sitting, Ares waved to Twilight as she trotted over to him.
"Are you okay, Ares?"
"I am well," he smiled.
He didn't trust his legs to stand until after the Princess had left.
*****
When the first light of Celestia's dawn illumined the sky, Ponyville was free.
Twilight Sparkle gazed sadly around her home town. The bodies of friend and foe lay together in silence as if having finally quit their fighting in life to embrace mutual peace in death. Broken glass glittered like countless stars in the grassy streets as the rising dawn revealed the extent of the night's devastation. Slowly, Ponyville's inhabitants crept into the street from their homes. Many wept openly though whether it was because they were free or because of what they had witnessed Twilight couldn't say. Maybe it was both.
Twilight turned her head to find Ares at her side.
"Ares, we won."
Ares nodded though her statement hadn't been a question.
"But what did we win, Ares? All these broken homes and broken lives, will things ever be the same? Will we ever find happiness again? Why did this have to happen?"
"Twilight, why this happened matters little. The Kings and rulers will have their reasons that will go down in the history books, but it truly matters very little. To these ponies, who have endured so much, knowing the cause will not bring back their loved ones or fix their homes, to them all that matters is the end result. A new war is about to begin, Twilight Sparkle, a war to return to normalcy. It will be fought in their hearts and minds and you must be the one to lead them."
Ares motioned to the ponies emerging from their homes.
"Your example will lead them. You must do your best to be happy and they will follow you. You have won the right to return your lives to how they once were, as best you can."
"I'm not sure that I can do that, Ares. I'm not sure I can just forget about all this."
"You must, Twilight. If you do not then these stallions will have died in vain."
Twilight grimaced, not quite believing Ares' words. Then, raising her head, she fired a bolt of magic into the sky. Up and up her magic soared until it burst high above Ponyville like the birth of a star. All over the town and in the surrounding country side ponies who saw the signal knew that freedom had come to Ponyville and raised a cheer.
Peace. Peace at last.
After the liberation of Ponyville and Cloudsdale the surviving griffin forces in Equestria's country side capitulated to Celestia's patrols without a fight. Consolidating on her victory the Solar Princess marched the majority of her army north to break the siege of the Crystal Empire. Hard eyed stallions marched through the snowy wilderness expecting a protracted fight. What they found instead was a bedraggled and weary force hardly worthy of the name "army." Kept out of the Crystal Empire proper by Cadence's magic the griffins had been forced to camp in the harsh terrain and weather surrounding it. Coupled with lightning raids led by Prince Shining Armor had cracked the besiegers morale. Griffins had deserted in scores and those that remained to face Celestia's relief force surrendered without shedding a drop of blood.
With no cohesive forces standing between him and the Equestrian forces, King Dyaros, ruler of the Griffin Kingdom, quickly sued for peace.
A week later, the King marched stiffly down the magnificently appointed length of Princess Celestia's throne room. All around his carpeted approach was flanked by armored stallions in parade formation. Although arrayed as an honor guard there was no mistaking their glittering spear points or harsh gazes. Even in defeat the Griffin King maintained a regal air. Surrounded by advisors and generals, the absence of his only heir was conspicuous, King Dyaros came to a halt at the bottom of the stairs leading to Celestia's throne. Facing him from atop the marble stairs were the four Princesses of Equestria. Giving a shallow bow, he addressed them as one.
"Princesses of Equestria I, King Dyaros, first of my name and ruler of the Griffin Kingdom, do come before you seeking a cessation to the fighting between our forces."
Princess Celestia frowned down at him. He clearly wished to save some face in front of his advisors. The way he worded it one would think that the two nation's forces were locked in a stalemate, not that he no longer possessed a credible fighting force and was completely at the Equestrians' mercy. Still, the white alicorn knew that provoking him would only serve to leave a bitter grudge that might become cause for another conflict at a later date.
"And we receive you to those ends, King Dyaros," Celestia's mother-like voice rang through the room, "Too many lives have been lost. Now, if you will accompany us we will discuss the terms of this peace."
With that the assembled delegates turned and walked into a small side room together.
*****
Several hours later the ruler's of Equestria emerged together onto the dais overlooking Canterlot Castle's grounds. Every square inch of real estate was packed with pony citizens awaiting the decision of the rival monarchs. Stepping to the front, Princess Celestia spread her wings and gazed out over the mass of her subjects. She was bone weary and her heart was heavy. Yes the war was now over and peace was promised, but would it last? She had done her best to outline a peace that was strict but would not lead to lasting animosity. Was that enough? Would King Dyaros invade again? What if he sired another heir? Would the coming years see cooperation between ponies and griffins, or would hatred simmer until it finally boiled over into another bloody conflict?
Celestia shook her head as if to clear it. She could worry over those questions later. For now, her ponies needed her words to steady them.
"My little ponies," she began, " We have lost so much; friends, family, lovers... but through our loss we have secured our future. The cost of this war has been great, so great that to make it through the night, we had to set aside a part of ourselves to see through to the dawn. We set aside the part of us that takes joy in the sound of music, that savors the taste of our lover's kiss, and that clasps our dear children to us. This part, our best part, we set aside, guarded in a safe part of our hearts so deep as to wonder whether it should ever be seen again, but it must be seen again. Now we must shed the iron visage of war and rekindle that which is our best. Once more we must sing and kiss and love if we are to ever feel some measure of distance from our nightmares. "
She paused, panning her head from left to right; it was a technique she had perfected long ago that made it seem as if she was briefly making eye contact with every pony watching.
" Together we have seen the darkness, darkness we never dreamed of in our deepest of nightmares, but together we have overcome it. The wounds of war run deep and I do not know how long we will bear them, but I promise you, that we will bear them together. Together we forged victory and together we will safeguard peace."
It wasn't her best speech. The cheer that rose from it felt muffled and discordant. Still she smiled her most winning smile and held her wings and head high for all to see. She knew that they must see her strength to find their own. So she smiled; merely another mask on the face of Equestria's greatest actor.
*****
Two weeks later, after most of the war's debris had been removed from Canterlot's face, Princess Celestia hosted a magnificent ball for her soldiers and their families. Banners, flags, and streamers sailed through the heavens of Canterlot castle's vaulted ceilings while, far below, a veritable army of cooks, bakers, servants, vendors, singers, dancers, jesters, and troubadours laid out an atmosphere of delectable delicacies and joyous joviality the likes of which had never been seen in the castle's great halls.
A massive banner hung over the castle's main gate proclaiming: "The Festival of Life."
Princess Celestia chose the title herself. The festival was not to commemorate a mighty victory, she explained, but to honor the fallen by celebrating their lives. The wives, partners, and lovers of every fallen soldier were invited to the ball and the ruler of Equestria sought out each one for a few solemn words, shared tears, and more than a few embraces.
The festivities began with a formal ceremony of awarding medals of valor to soldiers in Celestia's army. Dozens came forward with tears in their eyes to accept the trinkets for their own heroism or in place of a friend who was no longer able to do so. The latter, Celestia felt, looked as if a millstone had been placed around their necks. Their pain was plain in their eyes. Why had they survived where their friends had fallen? The Princess had no answer.
Once the ceremony had concluded, Princess Luna and Princess Cadence stepped forward with a goblet of the finest wine floating before themselves in magical grasp. Raising hers on high the Princess of the Night titled the glass forward until it's blood red liquid poured out over the steps leading to her and her sister's throne.
"To our honored dead!"
Then the Princess of Love raised her own goblet and cried: "And to the lives they lived" before tilting her wine to her lips and drinking deeply from it.
A mighty cry rose from the throats of the soldiers as they too toasted their friends for the last time.
And then came the dancing. Mares and colts in their finery danced and twirled around the magnificently appointed ballroom in time to a lively string quartet. It was at this time that Princess Twilight Sparkle found Ares firmly rooted to a pillar near the palace's open bar. A faint tinge of red colored his cheeks as he sipped wine from a crystal glass. He had been fitted for a dress uniform befitting an officer in the Canterlot Guard and he cut quite the dashing figure, though it was plain to see that the high starched collar annoyed him.
"Hello, Ares. Are you having fun?" she smiled.
"I am, Princess," he replied, "and I confess I have never seen such a gaily appointed room."
The purple mare hid a smile at the slight slurring of his words.
"Well why aren't you dancing?"
Ares' face colored even more and he glanced pointedly down at his hooves.
"I-um wel-I, I've never been a very good dancer, Twilight. Nor do I have anyone to dance with."
Feigning shock, Twilight seized him by the hoof and dragged him to the center of the dance floor.
"Nonsense! I'll dance with you!"
Ares quickly found that he wasn't the only one who would not be known for the elegance of his dancing, but for what Twilight lacked in skill she certainly made up for with gusto. And, after a few more drinks, he started to think her dancing was rapidly improving.
All of the sudden, the lights dimmed and the quartet fell silent. At the back of the room a large curtain was raised to reveal a recently erected stage replete with a full orchestra. All eyes turned to the stage as the lights dimmed and the lone form of a brown pegasus climbed up the stage and took position in front of the orchestra. The maestro's red and black mane rested upon his head in a thick, almost unkempt mop, clashing marvelously with his sharp tuxedo and vest.
"Who is that?" muttered Ares out of the corner of his mouth.
"That's Dal Segno. He's the newest composer from Trottingham who's taking Canterlot by storm."
All muttering in the audience fell silent as the conductor rapped sharply on his music stand. With a snap his wings unfurled and, with a motion, waved the orchestra into their ready positions. For a heartbeat the room seemed to hold its breath before the first lilting notes rang out from a solo violin.
Soft and delicate notes rose quickly into a trill that sounded sweet and sharp like bird's song before falling into a steady and beautiful melody that was quickly picked up by the remaining strings. Together they wove a golden tapestry of euphonious major chords, telling a story of life and harmony. All too soon the happy song was cut off by a deep and resonating roar from the timpani and bases. Like the cascade of a waterfall the song fell from its lofty heights into an abyss of minor notes so deep as to be almost overwhelming. The maestro's tail swung like a metronome as once more the song changed its pace. Resounding drums beat like a heart as sharp violin trills chased each other through the listener's ears. It was the sound of darkness, madness, and struggle. Just as the notes settled into a low rhythm a horn cried out through the veil in a bright and piercing tone. Hope blossomed in the heart as horns and drums rose in cadence, answering the low tumultuous tone beat for beat. Both sides of the song pitched and rolled together, rising higher in their clash until at last silence fell like a curtain. For a brief moment the sound of silence reigned, leaving the listener on the edge of suspense, wondering how the story would end. Then, slowly, sound returned. Martial tones swelled in the sound and beat of a victory march clad in the passionate clang of bells. All ponies assembled there felt their hearts swell near to bursting with feverish pride. Note by note the music faded like the morning mist until once more silence was the only sound heard. At last, the solo violin cried out again playing the same song as before, but now major and minor notes sang together. The song was the same, and yet, it wasn't. One wondered if the song would ever be the same again.
As the last notes died out every pony rose onto their hind legs and applauded for all they were worth. Ares was surprised to realize that tears flowed freely down his cheeks, and he was not alone in that regard.
The maestro pegasus turned to his audience and bowed deeply a small smile on his lips. The orchestra too made their bows before carefully casing their instruments and descended to mingle with the crowd. More drinks and hors d'oeuvres flowed through the assembled ponies and a feeling of happiness and merriment reigned to the rafters.
As the night hours began to grow long ponies slowly started taking their leave. The four princesses of Equestria made sure to stand by the door and wish them all the best as they returned to their homes. Princess Celestia smiled softly as Ares approached.
"Ares, our country truly owes you a debt of gratitude."
Ares dipped his head humbly.
"You owe me nothing, Majesty."
"So you say," said Princess Luna, "but you may ask anything of us. It is the least we can do as friends."
The charcoal pony shook his head.
"You have given me a home and friends. I could not ask for more."
"Does this mean your wandering days are over, Ares?" Twilight asked.
With a deep blush Ares looked over his shoulder towards the bar where the composer Dal Segno was chatting amicably with a few of Canterlot's socialites.
"I may have found a reason to stay."
Twilight's head tilted to the side in confusion before realization dawned.
"Oooh," she laughed, "Rarity will be heartbroken."
"Well I've always enjoyed music more than fashion."
Together the two ponies laughed and Ares knew that he had finally found a place where he belonged.
Author's Note
So there you have it! My first pony story and no one with a name died. And yes, I know that the concept of a war between griffins and ponies has been done to death. Hopefully, if you made it this far you found some small measure of enjoyment from it.
I started out with the intent of writing a story about my OC: Ares. In the end, I think the story was just as much about the rulers of Equestria than anything else. And Dal Segno is my partner's OC so I had to throw him in somewhere.
Thanks for reading!