Guardians of Harmony: The Champion's Call

Chapters

The Call
Perfect Weapon
Hunger
Welcome to the Jungle
Thunderstruck

The Call

Twilight gulped nervously as she double checked the chalk diagram with the book. As Trixie set the crystals from the old mine in triangle pattern one the seal.

Twilight looked over to where Sunset Shimmer stood. "Are you sure you know the spell?" asked Twilight the young alicorn was worried the fate of Equestria rested on Sunset's skill as a summoner.

"Yes Princess I've got it, it's not that different from a regular summoning it just requires more power." Answered Sunset.

Trixie stood by her crystal and nodded."Yes and that why we are casting it barring the other princesses we are the strongest casters in Equestria. So you just cast the spell and we will give it the power to its job." said a confident Trixie.

Twilight shut the book "Right we can do this... NO! We will do this for Equestria!"Said Twilight as her horn started to charge up followed a moment later by the two unicorns.

They poured power in to the crystals and from them in to the summon seal as sunset guided the magic. The sky over the ruins of the castle of the royal sisters darkened as as clouds gathered and swirled in the center of the vortex a bright light formed, it was every color and no color all at once. The sound of deep rumbling filled the air, as sweat poured down the brows of the three mares. Then the light descended without warning with a twisting trail of clouds following it. Upon reaching the ground it released a massive burst of energy knocking the mares from there hooves and back to edges of the courtyard. As the smoke cleared the saw figures on the ground in clear pain the smaller of the two was emptying the contents of its stomach as the other larger one groaned in pain

As the smaller figure stopped retching, it stood shakily on it's legs to it's full height. The figure was a human female, standing a little over over five and a half feet tall, possessing a mane of shoulder length red hair, brown eyes, and smooth well kept dark tanned skin.

Clad in strange armor that seemed to be made of scales and carrying both a sword and a dagger made from a strange red metal. She looked to left where the larger figure stood and shouted "Dragon!" in her soft voice charged with alarm and determination. Her blades flashed from their sheaths and were at the larger creature's throat in less that a heartbeat.

The larger creature clearly still in pain, had just gotten to its feet when he herd the woman shout he drew his shotgun turning just in time to see the a human female with a sword and dagger to his neck as he set the barrel of his Claymore shotgun against her stomach.The larger creature was wearing strange dark red armor plate that seemed to have shifting patches of black that seemed to move to swallow up light reflection, with purple trim on it and a strange black padded under cloth could be seen. The creature stood almost a foot taller then Celestia would. It then smiled and spoke.

"What's wrong human? Never seen a Krogan up close before?" It chuckled a true smile on its orange-ish yellow face witch bore more then few scars three most noticeable as well as a burn mark mares it dark blue head plate.

She looked at the creature with puzzlement "Krogan?" she said appraising the seven foot being in front of her. "I have never heard of Krogans before, and the only beings I know of that are this tall are the Qunari." she looked him over carefully "You're no golem and you're to small to be an ogre, and you're most definitely no darkspawn." she lowers her blades re-sheathing them and looking around. "Where are we and what are you?"

"Hehehe, I'm a Krogan sweetheart, my race stopped the Rachni and drove them to near extinction, we survived nearly being exterminated ourselves only to be cured to raise up and save the galaxy from the Reapers who sought to wipe out all life. And I am Tops one of the most bad-ass, hard charging, living wreaking ball, unstoppable elite N-Seven Krogan soldiers you will ever meet!" He said with pride vigor and striking a pose resting his shot gun on his shoulder and the other hand on his hip.

He looked around "As to where we are fuck if I know. Hurt more then getting charged by a brute, getting here that's for sure. "He looked right at Twilight. "The wildlife here looks weird wonder if it's edible."

"I am Joan Cousland, the only daughter of Teryn Brice Cousland and Teryna Elinore Cousalnd. I am also a Grey Warden, the Grey Warden that slew the Archdemon. I'm not familiar with the N-Sevens you speak of, is that some kind of mercenary guild?" her gaze follows his and she lays eyes on a creature she has never seen before. "I wouldn't recommend trying that, we have no idea what that creature is or how dangerous it may be."

"Well the N-Seven is the Citadel counsel's new elite operation force, we where formed during the Reaper war, recruited from all races mostly mercenaries and other the like and trained to work in teams by the original N-Seven forces of oddly enough the human alliance military. The name passed over to us after the war. In recognition of our efforts." He turned away from Twilight and looked at the human."What I don't understand is how a human doesn't know about it or the Reaper war, after all your home planet was one of the hardest hit and was where the finale battle took place. Hell I was there on the ground for it!"

Joan looked her large companion over dubiously "Reaper? I've faced many threats in my time as a warden, but never have any of them been called reapers. There are also only four known races in the world Humans, Elves, Dwarves, and the Qunari. I can not speak of any of your race, nor have we suffered an invasion since the last bilght." she walks to the fallen creature to check on it and notices highly unusual features for an equine. She calls to the krogan "This pony has wings and a horn, Tops would look around and see if there are any more like this one please?"

"Never heard of those races, and all on one world? That's news, even spanning the galaxy it's hard for the few dozen I know of to get along when the each have there own world's.... Well except the Batarians they where nearly wiped out at the start." He said out load seemed to be more to him self then to her. As he looked to see to non winged horned "ponies" hugging each other. As he walked closer he heard whispering?

Joan continued to examine the strange equine "We really don't get along that well, the qunari landed on the northern island of Par Volin three hundred years ago and started a campaign of conquest, they were only stopped a century and a half ago." she thought about the dwarves and Prince Bhelen's ascension to the thrown of Orzamar. She shuddered at the overly bloody nature of the things she'd had to take part in.

"That big one wanted to eat Twilight!" Whispered a panicked Trixie

"Shhh it might hear you!" whispered Sunset as she watched the two creatures talk then the big one.... Tops it called its self, started walking to them.

Trixie tightened her grip as did Sunset. "This is your fault Sunset!" whispered Trixie

"My fault! I cast the spell as the book said! It's Star Swirl's fault he wrote it!" Sunset whispered back, slightly louder looking at Trixie

Trixie met her eyes, and hissed more then whispered "Don't you dare try to pin this on my ancestor!"

The krogen now standing over them cleared his throat as he looked down at the two mares. "Am I interrupting?" asked Tops, to which both mares screamed and fainted..... "Hey I'm not that ugly.... am I?" He asked staring at the passed out mares.

At the noise form the others Joan turned her head at Tops' response "I don't know, a face like yours could give a broodmother nightmares and a case of madness." she said dryly.

"What? I know my scars aren't that deep I know, but they are clearly visible.... at lest the ones on my face are. Right?" Asked Tops actually worried his scars had faded.

At this point Twilight's mind had rebooted and she noticed Trixie and Sunset unconscious at the krogan's hooves. She then quickly teleported to her friends and stood over them making a shield, and both creatures jump. "What did you do to them?" She demanded

Tops look at Twilight, "Never seen biotics that color before...."

"Tops wait!" Joan screamed to late as the smaller creature blasted him with a spell knocking him to the ground.

Twilight turned to Joan "What did he do to them!" she snarled.

Joan moved over to Tops to find him still breathing, but unconscious. Joan looked at the alicorn. "That was an impressive spell my lady." Joan said softly "I assure you he did nothing to harm them, he simply asked them a question and they fainted is all." She turned to Tops looking him over "I've never seen a spell like that before, the closest one I've seen was the sleep spell used by the mages from the Circle of Magi. I am quite impressed, but I think that we gain nothing by attacking each other and laying meaningless accusations, don't you think my lady?" she spoke with a respectful and gentle tone.

"You are right." Twilight replied while lowering her shield and checking on the two unconscious unicorns.

Tops shill shook his had a few seconds later "Ok that was one hell of knock out punch, it was a good one. What did I miss?" Asked Tops as he got back up a blue glow covered him as his left hand glowed orange. Trixie and Sunset had only fainted and woke with a few soft pokes.

"Oh not much," Joan said "I just resolved our little misunderstanding." she watched as Twilight woke the other two ponies. "I find this place, wherever we are to be interesting. These beings are different, talking ponies what's next? Talking dragons?" she mused

Twilight was gently prodding Sunset and Trixie "Sunset, Trixie wake up, we've done it! The summoning spell worked." Twilight squealed gleefully.

Trixie and Sunset facehoofed, "Please tell Trixie that the princess is not squealing like foal on her first date."

"Even I can't lie that well." deadpanned Sunset.

Then Tops looked at the human. "You sure their sane?"

"I'm sure that you aren't." Joan said with a smirk "You remind me of my friend Ohgren, he's a dwarf. Like you Tops he's really tough, I wouldn't be surprised if he had gotten up as quickly as you did."

Twilight blushed deeply and collected herself. "You two should be pleased we did it! Now we save Equestria."

"He he he he he.... I'm a krogen I can breath prison gas and keep going." Said Tops with a grin

"Maybe you should tell them why their here first? Princess." Said Sunset with a sigh

"Poison gas? You mean you can survive a Miasma?" Joan gasped "That's truly impressive" She turned to Twilight. "I know little of the summoning arts, but I've learned enough from my friend Wynne to know that our arrival is no accident. So tell me twilight why did you and I presume your friends here summon us? It can't have been on whim."

Twilight thought for a moment "You're right Ms. Cousland, we summoned you because we are in need of help. Our homeland Equestria is being threatened by other peoples from foreign lands. Specifically the races threatening Equestria are the Griffons and the Minotuars. They launched simultaneous surprise attacks on Equestria from the western and eastern seaboards capturing two major cities and several smaller mining settlements."

Twilight drew a breath "We were caught completely off guard, because of the sudden nature of the attacks. They knew they couldn't challenge us directly so they resorted to sneak attacks. The cities they've seized are both port cities Applewood and Baltimare. The minotuars attacked from the west and have taken some our land there but they have been stymied by the pegasus ponies in Los Pegasus, the griffons have met with less resistance and are on their way to Manehatten. So we need help from some other races, ones with more battle experience and ability that ours." Twilight looked at the two of them with pleading eyes.

Tops could not hide that smile if he tried. It was a smile larger then any seen on Pinkie Pie. "He he he he he he..... So let me get this strait you used some wired mumbo jumbo to bring me an the runt here. To basically pull a commander Shepard and whip your military in to shape and lead you to victory?" Said the towering and amused dragon like creature with the scariest smile in the world at this moment.

Twilight blanched at the implication "Well, sort of, the royal guard can fight. Really well in fact, but we're not very good when we're off balance. So maybe you can help buy us time by throwing our enemies off balance until we recover. Heck maybe you really can turn the while thing around for us, I'm not really sure."

Joan processed what Twilight had said. "As a Grey warden it is my duty to protect the innocent, and help those who are in need. I will help you Twilight, it's what Duncan would do, and Lelianna would be all for helping as well. So you have me. Tops, I would never presume to speak for you. What say you?" she said extending her hand to the large dragon like krogan.

"I say point me at them and I show you why the krogan are the most feared soldiers across the galaxy! Harrrrrrrrrrr!!!" He said with almost a primal roar of joy and excitement. "A true krogan never turns down a good fight. The worst insult of my people is to say something or someone ain't worth killing." He stood at full height and saluted with a fist across his chest "N-seven captain Topsarcus Hardtherus at your service, I have lived for over eight hundred years as a mercenary and the last three as an N-seven. You need it dead I'll kill it!" The pride and joy oozed from his words like Pinkie talking about a party. It was clear he was from a different culture one that embraces war.

"Well then you two need to follow us to Ponyville so I can send a letter to Canterlot. Then we can begin to figure out how to go about turning things around." Twilight said "If you will all follow me please." she said turning to leave.

Joan puzzled at what she had just heard "Eight hundred years, you know enough to make a real difference then I'll wager. Let us go." she began to follow Twilight. As she went Joan was making sure to pay attention to her surroundings, she was not one to be caught off guard.

A shriek of a bird of prey was the only warning before twelve fully armored griffins broke through the the thick canopy of the everfree.

"I told you I saw a light in the old castle! The general will pay us well for capturing the princess of friendship and her high mages.!" Shouted one of the menacing birdcats holding what to tops looked like crude gun with a bayonet.

Tops stepped in front of the princess the griffins here just a few inches shorter then a human. He drew his shotgun from his back as it unfolded his left hand glowed orange as his body was coated in blue hexagons. "Sorry you winged varren ain't capturing nothing." His left hand glowed again as they charged him.

Then music stated to play. He swung his shot gun up and fired at the first griffon blowing it had clan of and tearing a hole in the chest of the one behind him. He slid back a mechanism on his shot gun ejecting a red hot object. Before using what was now clearly a range weapon like a club and hit the first of two more griffons in the head so hard that it pointed backwards. The second made contact his bayonet snapping on the Tops' armor before the fool fired a point blank shot struck him but just dropped smashed from the krogens armor.

Top grinned at the Griffin. "That sucks for you." He shouted over the music before slamming his head in to the griffins caving in his helmet and skull. The rest of the griffins bypassed the large beast that many now thought was a demon or deformed dragon. Aiming to grab their prey and flee.

Joan stepped in the way slashing two of the griffon's throats as she did. Their blood was barely fresh on the ground when she smiled at another of them. "You will go no farther!" she shouted. As the griffon started towards her a timberwolf leapt out of the forest clamping it's jaws around the griffon's neck.

The remaining griffons halted their advance as the timberwolf took it's place at Joan's side. Joan smirked "I guess this is your first encounter with a Ranger then?" she readied her blades "None of you will leave here alive." she pounced on two more griffons with great speed and drove her blades into their throats and then removing them with practiced ease. The timberwolf wasn't idle, it tackled another griffon snapping it's jaws and ripping with it's claws. Joan cast her now predatory gaze on the survivors.

There was a thick click then the sound of Tops..... hand cannon... And one Griffin was splattered across the land the group and ground.

"He he." Tops hand glowed as he stopped the music and ejected another glowing thing and replaced it with one that was black and red.Before pushing the grip thing up making the gun click again. "Joan was it, I don't know about you but I'm hungry." He grabbed the Griffin by the neck and lifted it of the ground. "What do you think these winged things taste like?"

"No please I surrender don't let the dragon eat me!" Pleaded the griffon as the smell of him pissing him self met everyone's nose.

"No Tops, eating another sentient being is wrong." she walked over to them and crouched down placing her dagger against his throat. "Now tell, why you want this nation so badly that you and your allies would resort to such craven ploys?"

"Equestria is the richest and most fertile land there is... And pony meat is a delicacy that the new king loves." Said the choking Griffin.

"He he he. And here you where chiding me for my joke." Said Tops.

Joan's expression hardened "Tops, make an example of him please, and don't be gentle. I want these monsters to be reminded of their place, on other words dead! May you find mercy in the next world, you find none here." She got up and walked away leaving the griffon to his fate.

"Oh it's been a long time since I was asked to do that. Now I wound how Aria is... Oh well. This is going to hurt you a lot." Said Tops as he dragged the griffon over to a rock as his hand glowed orange and a blade formed of his fist. Trixie and Sunset covered there eyes with Twilight's wings. As the krogen cut open the live griffon though his armor then pinned him to a tree with shards cut from the rock and left him hanging there alive.

"Al-ways loved human culture this one was called the blood eagle. Second time I used it. He will die in two hours thanks to a small dose of medi-gel." Said Tops admiring the unconscious but mutilated griffon.

Joan nodded and turned to the three ponies who agape with horror "I am honestly very sorry that had to be done. I however will not abide such things as what he said. Please understand that this will require great violence on our part to protect you people. I am so very sorry my princess, were there another way I would not hesitate to use it."

"Le-let's just go now." Twilight said shakily as she headed towards Ponyville.

Tops followed along looking at the wooden wolf, "What with Barkly? Is it a plant of some kind?"

Joan looked over the wolf for the first time "I'm not sure really, he's usually a Blight Wolf. I guess it works differently when I summon my animals here." she said as they followed Twilight toward Ponyville.

Perfect Weapon

As Twilight led them through the thick canopy of the Everfree forest she couldn't help think about what she'd seen and heard. "This is more dire than anypony realized. If Joan is willing to use such measures to make an example of an enemy. Oh Celsetia what are we up against?"

Joan who was following behind Twilight with her timberwolf at her side picked up on Twilight's distress."You didn't realize that it was this bad did you my princess?" Twilight nodded "I'm sorry, but these are probably the least of this king's atrocities. Have any of your people been captured?"

Twilight shook her head and replied "No, nopony has been caught. They all managed to get away so far." she sighed "This is a disaster."

Joan shook her head "I saw things like that during the blight, and there's likely worse to come. I have no words to help you my princess, I wish I did. We must put a stop to this as quickly a possible."

Tops sighed. "I've seen worse. Much worse. In the reaper war, the enemy would take control of people's mind turn them against each other. But that was only the start, there whole army was made of our dead. They take people dead, wounded, or captured and throw them one what humans called dragon's teeth. Then a large spike shoots up though them hosting them in the air and slowly makes them in to husks. Mindless puppets, undead that the reapers controlled. What they did with krogen was worse yet. But so few of us where captured or killed they only made about about three hundred thousand brutes. But yeah point is wars always get worse before they end. And you know your self the closer one is to loosening the more desperate measures they will take to win. Us being here is prof of that." Said Tops not noticing that the two ponies behind him look greener and paler from his little war story.

Joan shook her head "Tops you might want to show some consideration for the high mages, they don't look well." Joan looked at Trixie and Sunset. "Be at ease my ladies I'll not tell you tale of how Broodmothers come to be, nor will I say anything more of them as they are........... repulsive."

Twilight continued to lead them to Ponyville thinking the whole way

Joan looked at Tops "These husks you speak of sound similar to the Darkspawn, and these Brutes remind me of the Ogres I've faced. It sounds to me like the Reapers and the Archdemons have similar methods. This is most disturbing."

"I once saw in a old vid that there are constants and variables in all things. Hehehe. My last girlfriend loved human vids. So how much farther boss? Being out here knowing the enemy maybe too has my trigger finger itchy."

A group of griffons had found the seen in the forest including the still living victim of Tops torture. "Demons, as big as Celestia.... bullets bounce off them..." The griffon was sedated and taken back.

"It'll be a little while yet." Twilight replied "we'll be there in about the twenty minutes."

Joan arched her eyebrow "Vid? What in Andraste's name is a vid?"

"Ok now I know we are from different dimensions...." Said Tops with a shake of his head.

"Twilight you don't think seeing these two will cause a panic. I mean we are bringing them out of the Everfree forest in a time of war." Asked Trixie as she looked over the two.

"Trixie we know it will, I mean this is Ponyville, somepony in a hood and cloak will cause a panic." Said Sunset.

"Indeed." Joan replied "There is much we can all learn from each other. I shall be glad when we end this meaningless conflict. War has left me....tired, and wish to have a stable life. One with as little conflict as possible."

"I know Trixie," Twilight responded "But there isn't anything that can be done about it right now. Everypony is just gonna have to trust in the authority that was given to us in this matter." Twilight sighed.

"Let me guess that crown is younger then you are huh?" Asked Tops.

"Actually," Joan said "the princess and I may be the same age. Being a Grey Warden exacts a heavy toll on you, and I've seen the horrors of the Deep Roads more than once. Along with all of my other experiences I feel older than I am. You see I am only twenty four years of age, and if I can't remove Darkspawn taint somehow I won't have that many years left in me."

"Hehehe krogen die from battle more often then age. You know I don't really know how old we can get before we die I know I'm eight hundred and twenty nine, my mother is over two thousand and my father was older still.... guess that means no matter what I'll out live you then. Oh well comes with life." said Tops

Trixie and Sunset sheared a glance he is certainly easy going for one who is covered in blood.

Joan spoke up "I am wondering, since you know what we are. I would like to know just what kind of ponies are all you my ladies Twilight, Trixie, and Sunset? I've never seen ponies with wing or horns, let alone those with both." Joan looked at Twilight "Maker's breath lady Twilight is beautiful, as are ladies Trixie and Sunset." Joan thought

"Oh," Twilight said "well I'm an alicorn. All Equestrian princesses are. As for Trixie and her marefriend, they are both unicorn. Ponies." Twilight said.

"He he he why do all the blue ones like other females. First the Asari witch there whole race are bi-sexual females, now we got miss blue coat here shaking up with the red head.... That is another thing why do all the red heads get the blue girls? I mean I saw Shepard once she was a red head and she was said to have a Asari lover....." Tops at this point dissolved in to random mumbling.

Sunset rolled her eyes. "As that maybe besides unicorn and Alicorn there are Thestral or bat ponies, the Pegasus ponies, and the earth ponies. All have there own type of magic but unicorn and Alicorns are the only spell casters." Explains Sunset.

Joan cocked her head "Unicorn ponies? I've never heard of ponies like that before, nor have I heard of alicorns before. This wolf I summoned is different from the ones I'm used to, what kind of wolf is this?" Barkly barked happily.

Twilight laughed "That's a timbewolf they are native to the Everfree Forest." Twilight was thoughtful for a moment "I've never heard of summoning magic like that before, do you know anything about it Sunset?"

"Not that I seen it seemed more like how Fluttershy controls that manticore of hers..." Said Sunset.

"Timber wolf? Ponyville? Equestria? Did a comedian name most of your world?"Asked Tops trying to keep from laughing.

"Oh no," Joan says "I don't control him. You see we rangers learn to work with the flow of nature in all of it's forms. We are rewarded with the ability to gain cooperation from animal spirits like this one. All rangers can summon a wolf, a bear, and a spider, master rangers like me can call upon more powerful and capable animal spirits. Also I am a highly skilled Duelist, I've learned to fight with my sword and dagger in such a way that I'm all but untouchable by nearly any. Save the most skilled and accurate of enemies, I learned these skills from a pirate queen friend of mine by the name of Isabella. She a most, formidable woman in all regards." Joan was now sporting a fierce blush "I also have some other abilities I've learned, but I don't feel quite right talking about them just yet. They are considered to very unsettling." Joan said

"Fancy talk but ain't a creature alive that can dodge a mass effect round. And you see what they do to unshielded foes. Hell my face shows what my universe's weapons do.

That Geth pyro almost killed me when my shields broke under that flamethrower of his. Luckily my M300 claymore dose more damage at once then it did." Said Tops subconsciously rubbing the burn mark on his head plate.

Joan looked at Tops dubiously "I have a sense for impending attacks, it's developed through a process that involves some magic, that allows me to react much faster than any non rogue. So I could likely dodge even that kind of weapon, I am not however eager to find out. One could always be wrong of course." she wore a puzzled expression "Tops what is a Geth? For that matter what is a flamethrower? Is it like a dragon's fire breath."

Twilight froze in her tracks and stared at Joan "You know about dragons? How?"

Joan studied Twilight intently for a moment "I know quite a bit about them yes, though it was not by choice that I learned. When you have to fight them for your life and kill an number of them, you learn or you die. My armor is made from the scales of a dragon that friends and I killed in the Frostback Mountains. Master Wade crafted it in a matter of hours, it was quite something to behold really."

"Well the standard firestorm flame thrower shoots out a forty foot wide cone of fire at around twelve thousand degrees Kelvin. So if a dragon's breath can melt armor then yes. As to the Geth they are a synthetic race created by the Quarians, and until about three years ago they where at war with all organic life. Then the reaper war happened then Shepard did what she dose and now the Geth and Quarians shear a planet hell I knew a Quarian merchant that had a Geth consciences in his suit. I get the benefit of a AI in your weapon or armor but it looks weird when they talk to them." Tops said

"Yes a dragon's breath can indeed melt armor, I've actually seen it melt solid stone. Their claws are as sharp as scythes too, they can shred through most kinds of armor. All in all they are very dangerous animal that sometimes take sentient prey." Joan said

"Wait," Twilight said "dragons are animals? That doesn't make sense!" Twilight exclaimed

"Is it different here my princess? Joan replied.

"Well yes." Twilight responded "Spike can talk and think like everypony else, and the breath of dragons certainly can't melt armor or stone. There has been no proof of that even happening. And they don't prey upon sentient beings either."

"Spike? Like the name. Might name a son that if I get back.... can we even go back?" Said Tops

Sunset flinched "No the spell was not the same as regular summons. While a normal summoning would shift a creature to our plane, the one we used acutely 're-anchored you existence. A normal summon will time out and return or return when killed, to there home plane. This is do to them being anchored there. You two are stuck here for the long term. I'm sorry to say." Said Trixie

"That's Trixie's ancestors fault. When he made the spell he felt that by shifting the dimensional anchor would give the summon more incentive to help cause this is now there world. The last time it was used was when he was still young. And from that we have the stories of Megan the mighty who was the first human ever met by ponies. She not only saved us long show but she taught us everything she could. It's cause of her we have airships, trains, and hundreds of other innovations. Trixie's guess is that Mister Tops is from a world that is many times more advanced, then both hers and ours... also a popular myth that no one has confirmed or designed, is Princesses Celestia and Luna are her daughter's that's why there immortal. But like Trixie said they won't tell if it's true or not." said Trixie

"So if I have kids they have to be with locals... I'm ok with this my Aunt is a Asari. And so is my cousin. So this is no big.... wounder what the children of krogen and pony would look like? Hehehe. It might be the start of a new breed. Given my race evolved from herbivore herd animals as well. So it's not a big difference... well size wise but then again I'm a krogen. We're always the biggest in room." said Tops with a shrug

Joan sighed "it's just as well, with what happened Leliana will have assumed that I am dead. So it's really for the best. Of course if I don't cure the taint within me I'll die soon anyway."

"Taint, you've mentioned that before Joan. What is it?" Twilight asked

"I will explain it my princess, but this neither the time nor the place. We really need to leave this forest first, I will explain when we meet with the the other leaders in your nation. I wish only to tell the story one time." Joan said

"Oh, well that's sensible. We're getting close we'll be in Ponyville soon." Twilight said.

They exited the forest by Fluttershy's cottage where the mare was having a picnic tea party with Harry the bear, Angel the demon from the darkest pit in rabbit skin, and Chewy the Manticore.

Twilight saw Fluttershy and said to her "Oh hello there Fluttershy, as you can see we've accomplished what we've set out to do. Now we need to take them into Ponyville so I can send a letter to the princess. So we'll see you later." Twilight said "Come on everypony we need to get this done." she said marching towards her castle.

Joan looked at Fluttershy for a moment, nodded and followed Twilight.

Tops watched as Shy quietly waved along with the three animals....

After he was sure they where out of ear shot. "Is it me or was the fact she was having a lunch with what look like dangerous animals unnerve any one else." Said Tops glancing back the way they came.

Sunset chuckled, "I be more scared of that rabbit. I still think it's not really one.

Joan looked at Tops "I've got a dangerous animal right here Tops." she shook her head. She then turned to Sunset and said "What do you mean Sunset? It certainly looked like a rabbit to me, though the ones I'm used to are grey not white."

Twilight giggled while trotting onward.

"Most animals are smart but that 'Angel Bunny' as Fluttershy calls him is smarter then a lot of ponies I can name, and is almost abusive with Fluttershy to get his way. Also he got one he'll of well aimed carrot throw. The little monster also seems to know just where to aim to make it hurt too." Said Sunset clearly holding back but there was still more then a little venom in her words.

Joan winced "That is most disturbing Sunset. I'm glad I don't have to deal with that."

Twilight shook her head "I doubt he'll ever do anything really out of line, he really does love Fluttershy." Twilight paused "Ah here we are." she made a sweeping gesture with her hoof towards a large crystalline castle/tree hybrid structure. "This is my castle and where we start to turn the tide of this war. Follow me please." she said trotting inside.

"Sparkly.... But good tactical point, clear view of the sky, one of the four tallest building, large open kill zones from any angle... I like it, this shows you ponies have more tactical sense then you let on. If it wasn't so shiny it be perfect. What are the defenses?" Said and asked Tops showing he was not quite the dumb brute he appeared to be. Tho most ponies seeing him and blood on his head, chest, and arms gave him a wide birth.

Twilight's ears flattened against her head "There aren't any defenses," she said blushing in embarrassment "I only just got it. We haven't had any time to deal with things like that. We were starting to....."

"But then the attacks came." Joan finished for Twilight "I see, they took advantage of a transitory state in your nation's history and attacked in the most cowardly fashion imaginable. All for thing that could have been obtained through trade and peaceful negotiations, and coexistence. This is true barbarity in it's highest form." she shook her Head while trying to contain her rage.

"If resources where the only reason I doubt the would attack. There is more to every war and battle then what's in fount of you. War is a tool of politics. Even a soldier like me sees that it's more then just how many you can kill. If that's all war was I doubt even my people would have them." Said Tops..... who then looked at Twilight. "After you send that message to whoever you need to. We are drafting a militia force the enemy had troops in the woods so that most likely means they want this town and maybe you."

"So there's another agenda here." Joan said "After my experience with Loghain I'm not surprised. I never once thought that resources were the real motive here to be honest. Simple trade would have been enough were that the case."

"Wow," Twilight said "we're really lucky to have you here Tops. You really know what you're doing." Twilight look thoughtful "Trixie, Sunset I'm beginning to think that our actions were the right ones indeed."

"Just remember my princess, we are not here to turn your nation into a world dominating power. We are here only to defend it from an unnecessary act of war from aggressive nations." Joan warned.

"Speak for yourself. We are going be here for the rest of our lives, and I'm still considered a young krogen by my race we live for thousands of yeas. So we are fighting for our new home as match as they are. I plan to make sure that by the time old enough to be called a warlord among my people that only dumbest pyjack will mess with Equestria. After all its our home too now. And I have more then just krogen culture I can share." His hand glowed then a window of scrolling text appears above it. "I may not be a engineer, or a doctor, or scientist but I have some data files in those fields learned the hard way the a little knowledge in the omni tool can help. Let me disarm a bomb that was set to take out a whole city. Though the timer said one milliseconds till boom. I won't lie I was worried I was going to meet my ancestors that day. But my point is, this Megan you spoke of before was right can't just let thing stagnant. So after this war is over. I'll help reform your armies and advance you technical level. Who know maybe I see you ponies build a city on your moon in my life time." He smiles at her as the glowing thing vanishes.

Joan shook her head "Tops I know that this is our new home, but this is a non aggressive nation and should remain so. What you propose will change the nature of this culture for the worse and what's more....... wait did you say the moon!" Joan stood there her jaw agape from this revelation.

"Le-let's just go inside." Twilight replied nervously as she entered the castle.

"Yeah I mean I've set foot on more then a dozen planets, moons, asteroids and seen star systems with not one, not two, but three Suns. It was pretty cool. The only planet was tactically caught in between all three so it orbit the any of the suns but was locked in place by their combined gravity wells. " Said Tops nonchalantly as he followed Twilight in.

Discord was at a chalk bird with betting stats for.... who will fall in love with the summon, what gender it would be and what race?! Also Dash, Pinkie, AJ, and Rarity seemed to be there discussing it......

Joan said nothing and simply followed them into the castle.

Pinkie looked over the chalk board "Oh, oh, oh I know, I know. Joan's gonna fall in love with a mare! Maybe more than one." Pinkie squeed.

Tops blinked.... "How she does know your name?" He asked amusement in his voice. As everypony stairs at Pinkie.

Discord just chuckles "That's two different bets. My dear Pinkie."

Twilight simply shrugged and replied "She's just being Pinkie Pie. We really have no idea how she does it, but she does it."

"Well duh." Pinkie said "Of course I know that Dissy, what kind of pony do think I am? The kind of pony that doesn't remember where she put her mane?" Pinkie giggled.

Joan stood there dumbfounded. How could this mare know her name! Barkly in the mean time simply hid under his front paws.

"You know what I ain't going to question it." Said tops raising his hand defensively.

"There thing you don't try and figure out, why the biggest thresher maw lives on Tuchanka, why Salarians can never just give a yes or no answer, Why krogen females have to discus everything for hours before they act. So why question the pink one. I mean would understanding make the fact she knew any different?" Said the krogen as he walked to discord's betting board. Looked him the eye... which was unusual given most beings are smaller then him.

Discord grinned "care to settle any of the bets?" he asked.

"I'm a omnivore but my race evolved from herbivores, I have had 4 ex's of 3 races, I'm male, strait, single, eight hundred and thirty seven years old, and I have four testicles. Did that settle enough bets?" said Tops with smile

As Rainbow hoof pumped in the air having won one of the bets. As Rarity and Applejack facehoofed.

Discord grinned "It does thank you."

Tops lumbered over and sat next to spike who just starred at the krogen in awe.

Joan shook her head and walked into the room and looked for somewhere to sit down.

Twilight bristled at what she'd seen and heard "What! Why are you all doing this! It's just.....just wrong!" Betting on someponies love life is unacceptable. I want you all to this at once!" she demanded

"I don't see what's so bad about... Hay snake thing you take credit chips? I so one hundred and twenty thousand says that the pink maned yellow coated winged one we passed to get here gets laid before the princess." Said Tops the hint of joy in his voice was clear to all.

Discord just smiled. "I'll take that bet though it might be a while before ether of us collects knowing both Twilight and Fluttershy." Said discord as he stroked his beard.

Twilight exploded "STOP THIS RIGHT NOW DISCORD!!" she fumed

Joan sharped her gaze "This is insane! Do not one of you have a trace of dignity? You are all vulgar, there are dwarves in dust town that won't do something like this. Have you so quickly forgotten that we're in the middle of a war?" she fumed along with Twilight.

Applejack rubbed the back of her neck nervously, while Rarity's face turned red, and Rainbow actually hid behind Applejack. Spike coward behind Tops, seeking to avoid being cough in the shit storm that had suddenly materialized in the castle.

"That's why I joined in. Things like this, silly pointless and often money wasting help raise moral. Back on Tuchanka I had a prize fighting varren Snagle Fang won me more money on a good day then weeks work paid and when the war broke out I donated him to the varren breeder to help with breeding attack varren..... Any way you need to let loose some times, drinking, gambling, and dancing are most popular. Middle of the war I herd the Hero Commander Shepard bought every trooper in the bar purgatory a round of drinks one night. With out reminders of fun or what there fighting for soldiers will quickly loose there will to fight and maybe there lives...." Tops opened a hard pouch on his hip.

Pulling out a flask. "Here princess. The drink may match your coat but it's good and not to strong. Have a sip and settle your nerves." He said holding out a flask of what is presumably alcohol.

"No way!" Twilight shouted "I have to be responsible, I am a princess. Joan if you'll come with we shall have some tea." Twilight left the room to head towards the kitchen

"There is a difference between keeping morale up and being offensive Tops. This," she said waiving her hand around "Is offensive and inconsiderate on a very high level. There are better ways to do this, ones that don't toy with something that I thought you of all people would have a proper appreciation for." She got up from her seat and followed Twilight.

Tops looked to Discord. "Clean this up and pay the blue one I'll talk to them...." Said Tops before following.

He closed the door behind him self and looked at the two females. "one in ten thousand. That was. The odds of me being born. After the Rachni war my people where spreading to fast do to our aggressive nature and high birth rates. To stop the war that broke out they sterilized us... Well not a one hundred percent but made it so only one in every ten thousand is born the rest die before taking a breath. The plague was cured three years ago. But it still doesn't change the fact that my vary birth was a lucky die roll. The little bets they where doing may have been in poor taste. But there small compared to the ones my race took every time a female was pregnant or the chance your troops face in this war. Hell they where probably doing it to take there minds of the fact they will be losing friends and family before this is over. So sorry that betting on hopeful things is in bad taste in war around here!" Tops was close to shouting but held it down to a rumble.

Joan glared sharply at Tops "Anyone's birth is a matter of luck Tops. What was done to your race is terrible, but it in no way excuses having no taste. There is a line. Bad circumstances do not excuse crossing it, beside it's just toying with something that unlikely to even happen. Even with all we can do it's far more likely that we'll both be dead before this is over." her Brown eyes her cold and hard "It seem to me that you really should know better, of all people you should know better. It's a disappointment to say the least that you lack discipline on this matter." she stormed away

Hunger

Tops sighed "Your to high strung human, a good time with a consort would do you some good." Tops took a swig from the flask. Before setting down at the table the chair creaking. He brought out the orange thing again. As spike walked in. As a song started to play, though not as loud as the one in the fight. "Ok about that letter?"

Joan cocked her head "It's not high strung when others are being disrespectful about something so private. It is not fit for any public arena Tops."

"Spike," Twilight said "we need you to take a letter."

Spike saluted "Yes Twilight."

============================

Griffon camp med tent

A vary bloody sergeant sighed As he stepped out from behind the curtain. Waiting was the Lieutenant General in charge of the Griffin third army assigned to attack the town of Ponyville by surprise.

"How is he?" Asked the gray headed armored Griffin with black wings.

The blue headed red furred and winged doctor sighed. "Da he vill live but he can never fight again. He's lucky they found him vhen they did. Vho ever did this used a heated blade to cut him open. I mean it was the worst I seen in my vhole life."

The General nodded. "Is he able to talk?"

"Nine, he lost a lot of blood. It will be days before he is awake." said the doctor

The General sighed. "He said the ponies are now using demons from Tartarus to fight us. After seeing what was left of his team, I hoped to get more from him directly."

The doctor nodded. "Had the king been informed?"

"I sent his nice Gilda as a messenger to tell him hopefully he won't kill her over bad news." Said the General.

The guards lead Gilda down the hall her uncle was in the royal pool apparently when the doors opened she saw the pure black twin of her father relaxing in the pool with several mollies, He looked up to her and smiled. "My favorite niece. I hope your here to bring news of the capture or death of the young princess ahead of schedule, am I right?" He asked before running his claws over the flanks of two separate mollies.

"The scout said some thing about demons from Tartarus. Said they were immune to bullets and some crap like that. Apparently the whole group was slaughtered by something. Oh yeah, and the dumb ass that lived through got some really weird wounds." Gilda replied bitterly.

The king launched him self from the pool and landed right in front of Gilda and grabbed her by the throat. This close it showed his true size three times the size of a normal griffon King Winchester Sky claw was able to lift Gilda of the ground by one claw.

"What you mean the scouts were slaughtered!? Were they spotted, do the ponies know the attack is coming!" Shouted the irate king before tossing Gilda in the water. "ANSWER ME NOW!"He shouted what would be a Griffon version of the Royal Canterlot Voice.

Gilda emerged from the water coughing "Yeah they know it's coming. I bet those demons find the camp before I even get back there, so Ponyville's a lost cause. There's no way way they're taking it now, and those pegasus ponies have really laid into the minotuars. They ain't gonna be meeting our forces in Ponyville." Gilda climbed out of the water and shook herself dry. Deep inside she was glad that this stupid plan of his was so easily destroyed, no one could ultimately challenge that kind of magic, not to her mind anyway.

"Gilda when you get back to camp, tell the General to attack the instant his reinforcements arrive. Tell him I'm sending our two new air battle ships to aide in the attack. The Nemesis and her sister Vendetta." He smiled as turned to his dripping niece. "They just finished their attack on the lonesome dragon that dared nest in our lands, true we have one less usable mountain now, but we also have one less dragon and gain one large horde of treasure."

He walked over and set his claw on Gilda's shoulder. "They where your late father's gift to his people. And with the birds we have three more under construction. Even if they have demon, the legacy of your father, my twin brother, will be what leads us to victory over the stupid and weak ponies, then the minotaurs that assume to be our allies. Be strong my niece soon the world will be ours, and our people will flourish and prosper." He gave her a hug and went back to the pool.

Gilda snorted derisively "Yeah cause this isn't going to go wrong at all." she mumbled sarcastically as he walked away. As she left the palace she couldn't help but wonder why her uncle would insist that this plan was feasible. All she could see is this revenge motivated assault ending in ruin. These newcomers were to much of an unknown to try and take head on! Even she knew that, even the dullest of minotaurs could see this. She continued to mumble and grumble as she left.

Outside the ship's where passing over it was Gilda's first time seeing her father's ships. Two nine hundred foot long monsters lined with broad side cannons and bomb bays in there bellies. Each had six boilers and four steam engines, and iron plated hauls. It be a three weeks wait before they got to Ponyville.

Gilda shook her head knowing that the ponies would be ready. They'd lost the element of surprise so what chance did this have? And if the ponies had really summoned demons from Tartarus they were in even more trouble. And yet the followed her uncle, why? she wondered. "This is going to end badly." she said bitterly as she took wing to return.

The ship's Captain of the Nemesis watched Gilda take wing. "The know we are coming but not the force we bring. The ponies are week lacking the training and experience we have, as well as the weapons. Gilda youngest of the royal blood line watch the battle is to come. We lost surprise but we still have the advantage in this battle.

============

It had been three days since the letter and there arrival and still no response from the royal sisters about ether the griffons in the forest or Twilight's success with the summon.

Tops was playing chess with Spike. And losing at lest by number of pieces spike had won. "This is bad sign thing might be worse then we suspect maybe they can't send troops or maybe she's to busy with running a nation in war." Said Tops

Fluttershy was next to Barkly examining him. While his mistress watches.

"Not at all." Joan said "If the respective races are what they appear to be. Predators and prey that is, then their will a much greater number of ponies that griffons. The griffons will try to use surprise to imbalance the ponies and the ponies will use their numbers and magic to combat the griffons. Remember what Twilight told us Tops, the griffons can't stand against the ponies in open warfare." Joan stood "We need to seize the initiative and wipe out that encampment. The griffons will have camped in the forest because they can't take the risk of being tracked down all that easily. The sky offers them no cover because of pegasi anyway."

"And then there's their guns even if we have numbers I still felt that hit it only scratch the armor at point blank but ponies don't yet have my armor. And if you had been in my place you would have a hole through you the size of my thumb. And if those scouts have that whose to say the whole army doesn't or worse remember the pink ones party cannon? Imagine what that would do with a iron ball inside it instead of party supplies. Now think what say one hundred of those fired on mass would do. Also I have only so many heatsinks. Sooner or later I'll run out and my guns will be useless attacking a camp we know nothing about could kill us both." He moved a piece then Spikes eye's widen. As his princess falls and he loses.

"Also they might try to set a trap expecting us to attack them. We go charging in and find our selves looking down there cannons. Even my armor would not stop that. Rushing in is fun when you know what you face. Rushing in blind only gives you nice new scars and a hard lesson. I seen it happen too many times in my life. Brash action leads to a bad choices. So as much as you and miss guts and glory want to we wait to here from the higher ups. If we get troops we can take them and do tactical recon. If we don't we evacuate those to young or old to fight and fortify the town and turn those left in to a militia. If the enemy is to much we pull out burning the crops and blowing the train tracks behind us, so they can't use ether. It's a hard tactic on both sides but it will make them reliant on food from home not local supplies." Said Tops.

Rainbow and Applejack who are tied up with AJ's own rope after they tried to force there way past Tops to go looking for the Griffon force themselves. Looked up at him with shocked expressions. From there spot as his foot rest. AJ's hat Sat peacefully on Tops' head.

Joan laughed "My armor is made of dragon skin, those weapons can't pierce it. I'll still feel the blow, but not by much, those guns of theirs are barely better than crossbows, they aren't threatening to me anymore than a crossbow. Besides they aren't the only ones who can ambush, I am very good at it as well." Joan smiled.

"Oh and if they hit in the gaps or your face? I have seen what that dose. And my shield and fortification covers my head. So even without a helmet I'm so what safe. And a cannon shot would still smash your ribs in to your lungs." Said Tops.

"That's why I ambush them, to negate those advantages I'm not stupid Tops a fireball from a mage is little different than a cannon. Although I think the fireball covers a wider area." Joan replied.

Twilight trotted into the room "I have the reply and they are organizing a defense force to come to Ponyville. Princess Celestia wants your help in organizing the defenders Tops. She says that since you're such an experienced soldier you might have some useful ideas." Twilight looked over Tops awaiting his response.

"Ok let me see what we're getting." He said before taking the letter. "one hundred and seventy troops? No artillery just soldiers? Let's hope it's a small enemy force.... but just in case. Tell the mayor to start a draft and get anyone too young or too old out of town."

Dash and AJ start squirming.

"Oh and Joan.... take the cowgirl and gay pride flag with you to scout the enemy numbers. And only scouting last thing we need is to lose people before the fighting starts." He takes AJ's hat off and drops it on her face.

"I'm going out I need to see a pony about a cannon.... And another about a hat." He walks out the door.

"I think these unicorns are the artillery Tops, a mage with enough experience and ability can cast fireballs. At rage such spells can devastate even a fortress. I can't take those two on recon Tops, they aren't suitable for the job. The blonde one is to temperamental, and Rainbow there is far to twitchy and rash. If I'm to do that job I need ponies who are capable of the job, and they are not." Joan said pointing to the two of them "I'll need some one who know the meaning of subtlety, and they don't." Joan huffed as they started to berate her even though their muzzles were tied shut.

Tops looked over his shoulder at her. "I know but there the only ponies we got that aren't scarred to point of wetting them selves about going alone in the Everfree with one of us. So you just have to make do with them. I find headbutting idiots works wonders on them." with that he was gone.

AJ finally got the rope off her muzzle. "You mind untyin us, so we can track them feathered varmiets down." said AJ as her and Dash squirmed in the ropes.

Joan sighed and unsheathed her dagger "Don't move." she said firmly and with a flick of her wrist she cut the ropes. re-sheathing her dagger she just looked at them "Come along then, but do not do anything irrational I will not save your lives if you needlessly endanger them. Am I understood?" the nervous mares gulped and nodded. "Good then let's be off, Barkly I'll need you too." She cast one last look at Twilight "I hope you can plan for what they might have in store for us, I get the feeling that aren't taking this seriously. There should be ten times that number of troops at least." she left remembering the last time someone pulled this kind of cowardly act.

Tops walked in to Sugarcube corner. Every pony froze at the sight as her hunched in though the door way. "Morning." said Tops to the ponies. He walked to the counter. "Hello Pinkie."

Pinkie bounced out from behind the counter and up to Tops "Hiya Tops what did you need?" she scrutinized Tops' face "Hmmm, from the expression you are wearing I would say it's really important. So what is it?" Pinkie asked

"The town is getting troops but it's to few... So I need two things, one we need to, and I know you won't like it, weaponize your party cannon to defend the town. The other is I need you to bake a around six hundred cupcakes of all types to give the troops to lift there spirits. I'm sure this war has been hard on them and the small things can give them strength and boost there moral." Said Tops he scratched his head... "Also can I get a plain doughnut with chocolate icing and sprinkles." every pony in the room just looked on as the giant dragon like thing talked to Pinkie.

Pinkie gasped "Weaponize my party cannon, " Pinkie then scratched her head "how would you even do that? Oh and how are ya many gonna need?" the other ponies in the room looked at Pinkie and then decided that they didn't want to know. She's just being Pinkie Pie after all "Hmmm," she pulled a pencil a and pad out of her mane "Ok you said you needed six hundred cupcakes and you wanted a plain doughnut with chocolate icing and sprinkles. Okie dokie loki, is there anything else I can get you Tops?" she asked sweetly

"That's all just leave the cannon at Twilight's castle with instruction on loading I'll do the rest, as to the cupcakes take them to troops when they get here. I'll have doughnut now tho, always loved the things." Said Tops.

Pinkie retrieved the doughnut and said "Ok I'll have them taken to the castle."

"Thank you." Tops turns and leaves munching on the Doughnut. After a short walk he reached Rarity's shop he walks in making the bell ring.

"Welcome to the Carousel Boutique where everything chick, unique and, magnifique how may I help you you today. Oh hello Tops darling so what brings you in today?" Rarity asked. Sweetie Belle came trotting down the stairs and froze in place.

"Looking for a hat actually. Lots of humans had them and some ponies I seen never saw to many of people with one on beyond battle helmets so I figure I'd get one.... After I tied up Dash and AJ for being inpatient about finding the Griffins in the Everfree, and spending three hours wearing the farmers hat while playing chess with Spike. The kid's better then he lets on.... or I'm not as good as I think. Still won tho. So yeah about the hat?" He looks at Sweetie Belle. "Didn't know you had a kid, she definitely has your looks. In few years she'll be real heart breaker." Said Tops smiling at Sweetie Belle.

Rarity smiled at Sweetie Belle who's cheeks were pink at Tops' statement "Sweetie Belle, darling don't be rude come and introduce yourself to our friend Tops. I take it," Rarity said "that Rainbow and Applejack were being stubborn again? Well no matter, now what kind of hat were you looking for exactly darling? Oh and don't mind my little sister, she can be timid around somepony she doesn't know."

Sweetie Belle trotted nervously up to Tops "You-you're not a dragon are you?" she squeaked.

"He he he he he, no little one I'm something much more dangerous I'm a krogan. And Princess Twilight and her mages summoned me to be the worst nightmare of the Griffons when I'm done it will be another ten thousand years before any race will think of invading Equestria." Said Tops as he knelled down and patted sweetie's head. He stood back up. "Well I like Applejack's hat but I also want it in read and black to match my armor but I thought you might have some other kinds I could see. I remember a human said it's not cool to always wear the same thing. That reminds me all I have is my armor... think we can measure me for a dress uniform if I have to attend anything formal? Maybe some day cloths to for after the war? I like my armor as much as the next krogan but even I need to get out and relax and its hard to do that in battle armor."

"Are you gonna really make the bad griffons go away?" Sweetie asked "I want the nice griffons back, like mister Gustav. Not these griffons."

Rarity smiled at Sweetie Belle "Now darling this will get better, it's just going to take a little while longer. Now run along and go and do your homework so Mr. Tops and can take care of his hat and clothes."

"Ok sis." Sweetie said and trotted back up the stairs

"Cute kid, I had just heard from my mom a week before I got here. She just had a clutch hatch, which means I know have one thousand little brothers and sisters myself. Shame I'll never get to see them. But in my line of work that was always a chance." He gave Rarity a smile. "Enough mushy stuff so first thing first about that hat?" Said Tops.

Rarity blanched at this information "I'm sorry darling, did you say one thousand? I can't even imagine such a thing. Now what kind of did you have in mind, other than one like Applejack's?" Rarity gave him an appraising look "And you'll simply have tell what I need to know for you dress uniform and clothing darling. This is going to be an interesting challenge for me. but I can assure the finest quality when I am done."

His hand glowed as a few picture popped up showing a krogan in what would best be called cloth version of there armor. As well a set of numbers. "These are casual wear for krogan mostly you only see doctors, traders, merchants and mechanics not in armor. The numbers are my measurements. As to the dress uniform I guess something between what these look like and the ones used by your army.... what I liked about the hat was the large brim keeps the sun out of your eyes and rain out of the caller of the armor if it was in my size that is. It does need to be a large brim like hers had it was nice."

Rarity floated a notepad and pencil over to them with her levitation and began writing down the numbers, blushing slightly at some of them "All right now I think I can handle the hat you like rather easily. I have after made a few for dear Applejack in my time and it shall be no trouble at all. Now you're going to have to that lovely Joan in here sometime Tops, I simply must create some fine beautiful things for her to wear, I very much doubt that will wish to spend all of her time in that armor of hers as well." Rarity turned to set to work on Tops' requests.

"You need her measurements? I also have some pic of the clothes humans wear in my world." said Tops as the images and information changed with a few taps...he gave a naughty grin as he did.

Rarity turned and looked at Tops "Now Tops darling I think we shall leave this to Joan herself. It simply won't do for a lady such as myself to make presumptions about what a lovely creature like her would wear. Off with you now I need to work, and I'm sure that you do have important matters pertaining to the defense of Ponyville do you not?" she said with a smile.

"Yes and I'm happy your not asking how I got her measurements. Just don't tell her I have them." The orange glowing wrist thing vanished. As he got up to leave.

"Tops darling, a lady is always discreet. She would lose all of her customers otherwise." she said with a wink.

===============

Applejack and Rainbow Dash were showing that both could be sneaky when they wanted to be as they followed along behind Joan, it unnerved her a little that the ones with hooves could be walking and be so quiet in their steps. And despite her color Dash could just vanish among the trees. Both gave Barkly a good deal of room though and some stink eye every time they thought she wouldn't notice.

Welcome to the Jungle

As Joan slowly crept her way through the dense undergrowth of the Everfree forest she quietly contemplated the events that brought her here. "The is so fantastic. I can't believe I'm here defending a race I had idea could exist." she thought to herself. She paused and listened for the sounds of predators, or enemies and heard only the eerie silence that had met them when they had entered the forest. "We need to end this as quickly as possible. The losses on both sides will be to great otherwise." she silently stalked through the woods and came to a stop beside Applejack. She quietly asked Applejack "I've never tracked griffons before do you know what to look for?"

AJ looked around. "Ain't too sure ma' self. I only met a hoof full. Dash you grew up with that one. Ever have to find her in hide and seek?"

Dash dropped from the trees with barely a rustle. "Scent ether there's or the sent of cooked meat, pig or chicken, most the time before the war. Fish was the one common food for pegasi and griffons. Beyond that claw marks in branches and a loose feather or two here and there. If wounded look for blood. Most likely they will keep to the upper branches." Said Dash slipping in to her soldier mode. Dash had mentioned being in reserves for a elite Pegasus unit. And it was showing. She even had on light padded armor. That had blue with lightning motif.

"Ok so if this place is so nigh fatal why would they risk camping in here? It would be a great way to loose half your troops in a matter of days." Joan replied showing her own military experience

"True. But timber wolves are the only pack hunters in the Everfree. There are larger predators but they ain't to bright. And most won't attack a large grope unless it's really dumb or really big." Said Applejack

"Also some ponies and dragons chose to live in here. The zebra alchemist/enchantress Zecora, and last count I heard two dragons one is a friend of Rarity's. So despite the danger and reputation, it more the fact that ponies can't control the place." Said Rainbow Dash

"That and there's the critters like Hydras, Cockatrices, Cragodiles, and star beasts like that Ursa Major and her cub. Also the gate to Tartarurs is some where out here guarded by Cerberus. So while there is dangers a plenty. It could be done if you had the guts to try." Said Applejack looking nerves as Barkly got closer to her.

"Also those same reason make it a ideal attack rout. Think about it, you go through the last place that they would expect you to come by, take a unguarded farming town with a one day train ride to the capital. Also one of the nations three rulers lives their and has yet to set up her own guard. Looking at it now this is probably there mean attack plan distract us with open attacks on our borders get the meat head minotaurs to help make it look good. Then strike us in the heart when we are not looking. I mean they would roll over Ponyville in a day, two at most. And then ship there whole army in by train before the guard in Canterlot knows what happened. They would have hard fight from there but it would completely destroy the ability to coordinate our defenses on the borders as well so even if they have to pull back the other force will have pressure pulled off them allowing for a push from three sides. Triple envelopment if the first attempt at a hay-maker fails. If not for the fact we are the ones in trap I'd say it was vary masterful plan. Right up to when those scouts blew there cover." said Dash her voice showing a grudging respect.

"I don't think so." Joan replied "This plan was reckless and desperate from the start. They took an unnecessary risk to gain a fleeting advantage that no longer can help them at all. With the unknown now going against them they will lose the upcoming conflict, and they will lose badly. They are now rushing into a trap, and from what I saw of those scouts Princess Twilight and her high mages would have annihilated them with barely any effort." she paused to think for moment "They have completely misjudged this entire affair based solely on a fleeting moment of victory." she resumed her trek to find the enemy now knowing what to look for she set to work.

"Except that the standing guard force of Equestria is only five thousand ponies. And three of that are reserves like me. The griffins army is last I heard ten thousand strong and that was before they started calling griffins back to the homeland for a draft. So throw in Celestia know how many conscripts. And we are out numbered. Add in that ninety percent of ponies will run instead of fighting and the guard is a tenth of our population. Not to mention Griffin are more advanced in weapon sciences." said Dash

"The war was not just two nations fighting it was two cultures, the ponies peaceful to point of nearly neglecting there army save fore some skilled fighters and casters, and the griffons who seemed to look for deadlier weapons. Populations are vastly different too while the Griffin over all population numbers are a third that of the ponies, the ponies by in large are to put it bluntly cowards on average, with only a twelfth of their population kin there military, to the griffon possible eighty percent. If it is just numbers the griffon have advantage in the battlefield if the ponies don't step up.

"It's shame too, I mean heck the other farmers have already started to pull up roots and run. Those that ain't been fortifying their homes, ever since you all mentioned griffons in the Everfree." Said Applejack

Joan shook her head "Those numbers no longer have any meaning, and it's no longer a fight between your two races and cultures. Now the human and krogan cultures are involved. The griffons know nothing about that, this places them in danger that they do not understand us. That lack of understanding will be their downfall." Joan continued to scan the surroundings for signs of the griffon presence.

She bent down to see some out of place feathers, and a small trace of blood. She listened intently and sniffed the air. detecting nothing at the moment she spoke one more time "All right we appear to be on the right track. From now on we stop talking start doing, are you two with me?" she asked

They both nodded before Rainbow vanished in to the canopy.

Applejack followed closely but she seemed more concerned about the timber wolf then anything else.

Barkly Just started sniffing around and crouched down low while moving forward. Joan took these non verbal cues to follow him as he was on the scent. While she couldn't be sure it was the needed scent it was better than nothing. Once they had knowledge of the enemy numbers they could arrange a suitable and fatal surprise on the day of the battle.

In a clearing they find the griffon army.... it was a army thousands of griffons and they where setting up camp for the night. There was also slaves cows or ponies in chains hulling cannons large ones as well as other devices that she found not identifiable. By some posts there stood large lion bat scorpion things at lest a dozen she could see.

Applejack leaned in and Whispered "I reckon this is not what you hoped we find?"

Joan nodded "We can't risk trying to disrupt their activities however, we don't stand a chance. Our only mission now is to return to Ponyville with the information. It's all we can do." she faded back into the dark shroud of Everfree to return to Ponyville, the griffons would never be the wiser. They slunk away in silence to alert everypony.

After they where clear, Rainbow spoke up. "Ok I'll give Tops credit. He knows how to read an enemy. Every big wig in the guard assumes that the forces attacking all ready is the mane body. But this I mean are wars always this bad?"

Applejack jumped a few feet away when Barkley snuck up or her. "Why y'all bring this varmint any way." she asked.

"Barkly is an integral part of position as ranger Applejack, I will admit I don't want to try to summon another forest spirit until I have a better idea of what it might be."

She turned to Rainbow "The blight was actually far worse than this. But yes Rainbow Dash, it is often this bad, and this isn't the worst of it." she started back towards the castle "It can be much worse than this, if all had had to face the blight or these Reapers Tops keeps referring to you'd likely all have been wiped out." a small smile crossed Joan's face "Tops will no doubt be able to give us a way to beat them, and I'll get to show some of skills. Let's go!" she said resolutely and broke into a run.

Dash followed from above with AJ hanging back to keep Barkly in sight..

When they returned to the castle and were inside Joan grinned as she saw Tops. "I have news, the enemy force is larger than we though. No effort could be made to disrupt there activities as a result however. I can only estimate their numbers, but they seem to be between two and four thousand, maybe slightly more. they also have some of those Manticores is what Lady Fluttershy called them as well. They are also as you anticipated have cannons too, but there were not to many. All in all they would have made some progress were it not for the blunder of their scouts."

Joan looked at the krogan "I think that with the right approach we can very forcefully repel them, there will be some injuries and one or two deaths. But we have them at a disadvantage still, even with them more than likely sending in more troops we can bleed them badly if we do it right." she awaited Tops' assessment

Tops sighed. "I agree but we are not getting as many militia as I hoped. Half the weather team, the more stubborn farmers, and about a dozen others. All total one hundred ponies in the whole town will stand and fight. That pulse the guard we got.... It's a uphill battle. They could simply swarm us and over run the town with numbers..." explained Tops looking at a map.

"Our only option is use the town it's self as a weapon. At lest though that aren't fighting are leaving all ready. How far out?" said Tops looking to the ponies.

"I recon' we got three to four days before the hit the tree line." answered Applejack.

"I swung by Zecora's home and told her. She said she'll fight. She is going to set some traps in the everfree and let us now when they reach her part of the wood. So knowing her, we can count out at lest a few hundred." said Dash

Spike saw the seriousness and spoke up. "What about the local dragon's? I mean there is a at lest two in there." said Spike.

Joan smiled and walked to the map, after a few moment's study she spoke "Their numbers will be their end Tops." she started marking several point on the map after picking up a quill and ink "You see," she said "we can funnel them into choke points by using their naturally aggressive behavior. Using traps, ambushes, and the advantage of magic we can winnow their numbers down greatly. The real concern is the cannons, not their numbers."

"Oh I can take care of that." Twilight said trotting into the room "I can shield Ponyville with a spell I've seen my brother and Princess Cadence use. And with the smaller area around Ponyville it won't be a strain at all." she said resolutely

Joan turned to Spike "There are dragons in the area?" she thought for a moment "I think that lady Fluttershy and I can forge an agreement with them." Joan's face reddened a little "The thing I am most well know for is not my prowess in battle, but my ability to influence others to see my way. I can with lady Fluttershy's help convince these dragons that it is in their best interests to ally with us. It is in their best interest after all."

"Your forgetting they can fly its a three dimensions battle field......which gives me a idea. I need to ask Rarity about this dog tunnel in the gem fields." said Tops with a twinkle in his eye that said he had a plan.

"Spike you and Joan get, Fluttershy and go find those dragons I got a itchy hump and that always a sign of something we aren't expecting will happen. Last time I felt this my team barely avoided be a thresher maws lunch." He said as he walked out.

Spike looked at Joan "I know the river Dragon Steven Magnet, will not take much to convince. Rarity cut off half her tail to help him. The green Dragon in a cave won't be happy to see me tho. We had a miss understanding. And well he tried to barbecue me.... I kind of accidentally stole some of his hoard.

Joan looked at Tops as he left "I wonder what's on his mind?" she looked at Spike " Ok Spike let's go and get Fluttershy, come Barkly. I think that we can smooth things over, the truth is Spike that if we can gain allies we have a better chance." she left with Spike to get Fluttershy and see about these dragons.

Rarity's shop.

Tops walked in making the bell chime. "Rarity I need to ask you about the gem fields and something on the map near it called dog tunnels." called out Tops as he walked over and sat down on the sofa.

Rarity looked at the krogan "What do you need to know about that darling?" she said as as she trotted out of the kitchen "Do you have something in mid for the defense of Ponyville?" she queried.

"I remembered Twilight said there was a race called Diamond Dogs. And these dog tunnels on the map. Are they there home?" Tops asked.

"Why yes." Rarity responded "Do you think they can help defend Ponyville Tops? They are rough around the edges but there are quite a few of them." Rarity was thoughtful "Well darling we can go to them right now if you like, their numbers are great and would be very helpful I think you'll find."

"That's just what I want to hear. If the griffon forces take the town. They will obviously use it as both a staging ground and resource hub. They would strip mine the gem fields and probably attack the dogs too. So it will be in their best interest to help. And with the enemy having the sky and numbers. The dogs give us a way to both balance and the numbers and give us the advantage of surprise. So if you know there leaders I would ask you make the necessary introduction." said Tops.

Rarity's face was sporting a wicked smile that Tops couldn't help but love "Why my dear Tops you've come to the right unicorn, just give me a few minutes to get ready and I'll take you straight to them." she said before trotting up the stairs to retrieve her saddlebags.

Fluttershy's cottage.

"NO! ABSOLUTELY NOT! ADULT DRAGONS ARE BIG, SCARY AND BIG! AND VERY VERY SCARY!!! shouted Fluttershy from inside what turned out to be a hiding cubby in her sofa.

Joan carefully approached Fluttershy and crouched down so that she would be looking her in the eyes. "Please lady Fluttershy, I know that dragons are very frighting but I need you help to convince this dragon to fight with us. It will help your little friends to be safer, I know you worry for them my lady so please, help us." Joan's tone was soft and warm. She had experience calming and soothing hysterical individuals and was hoping it would help here.

The cushion pops up to show Fluttershy, a blanket, a teddy bear, and one rapidly face pawing Angel Bunny.

Joan looked into her soft teal eyes "Please my lady, your help in this matter will save a lot lives. And we can use this to free the ponies and others the griffons are using as slaves. They all need you my lady Fluttershy." she pleaded softly.

"B-B-but Dragons are scary." said Shy.

Joan continued to look into Fluttershy's eyes "I know that, I have faced a few dragons myself, and not once did I I fail to feel fear. But," she said "I never once allowed it to compromise who I am. I know that you have faced a full grown dragon once before my lady. Princess Twilight informed of this earlier, I know that we're asking you to do something difficult and dangerous." she gently reached out and caressed Fluttershy's cheek "But only your unique gift can help us in this way. We need you, I need you if I'm to achieve this alliance. Please lady Fluttershy, help me."

She hugged her teddy bear tighter. "O-ok." She mutter softly. As she slow climbed out of her hiding hole.

"Alright, I understand that this is hard for you. But I admire your courage and dedication to your loved ones lady Fluttershy. This is indeed by far one of the most courageous acts I have seen." she smiled warmly at the shy pegasus "You have my undying respect and admiration my lady." she said with a courteous bow "Now," she said turning to Spike "Where is this dragon young Spike? We must proceed swiftly."

"Right follow me." Spike said heading off.

=====================

Diamond dog tunnels

"Wow they sure dig deep don't they and its all by hand? This kind of gift would make their race rich where I'm from. Mining corporations would pay them there weight a hour in credits. " said Tops as he followed Rarity deeper in.

"Well their claws do allow them to move rather quickly through the dirt, and they are quite good at breaking through stone. They are very strong, and I'll warn you quite unhygienic." She shuddered somewhat as she used her gem-finding spell to help them locate the central chamber more quickly "AH HA!" she exclaimed "Right this way darling we are almost there." she sing-songed.

"Unhygienic isn't as important as what they can do. After all you haven't seen a Vorcha. Their race was by in large considered a pest. But when they stood up to fight the reapers many people started to accept them as another equal race. I even heard a rumor that they where going to be given a world of there own. That would be something." Said Tops his way of making conversation not related to the war had been telling stories about his home.

Rarity smirked "Well I can assure you darling they are quite capable, and when it comes to using their number they are quite adept." she continued to follow the trail "Ah here we are darling. Now their leader answers to Rover so all you should need to do is gently explain to them why it's in their best interests to help defend Equestria. Were I you I would emphasize the loss of the gems they treasure so much should the griffons win. I think that should quite do it." she smiled as she spoke.

"Ok I guess I'll knock-" He walks to the large iron door leans back then slammed his head in to it denting it and sending it flying in wards. "The door in." Said Tops as he did so. Before walking in to see a line of guards and three other dogs behind them.

"Ok which one of you mutts is Rover!" shouted Tops.

Two of three dogs standing in the back suddenly jerked away form the one in the center and both pointed nervously to him.

Shaking he spoke in a shrill gravely voice. "What do you want pony, and why is there a dragon here?"

Rarity snorted "I said that you were to address me as a lady! Not as pony, do you really remember nothing?" she huffed indigently.

Tops walked right up to him till his shadow covered Rover. He then leaned in and grinned. "First I'm something much worse then a dragon. I'm a krogan. Second the griffon army is a few days from attacking the town of Ponyville. And with your pack living so close to the gem fields. Well how long before they start tossing bombs down your tunnels? Or worse. After all they are eating and enslaving ponies. What would they do to your dogs?" Said Tops in voice so calm it was more frightening then if he showed emotion in it.

Rover cocked his head and them looked to Rarity.

"I am afraid that he is right, the griffons suddenly decided to attack Equestria along with the minotaurs. And they are determined to remove anypony that could threaten them, even you Diamond Dogs."

Rover's eyes grew wide with comprehension "What do you want us to do?" he said blankly. He did not want his pack in the sights of the griffons without being able to fight back.

Tops backed up. "Ponyville is out numbered we need troops willing to fight as well as defiance treacherous pit traps and hidden tunnel network through out the town. Griffons fly so we are going to move the fight underground where there numbers and wings won't help them. And we need all this set up in only days. Also we have trains to evacuate those that can't fight to Canterlot for safety if my plans fails so we can in return for your help offer food and safety for your family till the war is over. And maybe if you all show just how strong you all I can talk the princess in to a reward or maybe mining rights to other areas as well as trade contracts. It's been my experience that friends in war make profit after. So think you can do it?" said Tops sweetening the deal a little.

Rover's face was curled up in a nasty smirk. "Ok krogan we help you. We will not allow those ugly griffons to attack our packs. Diamond Dogs rule themselves, the pony princesses don't interfere in diamond dog business. So we stand with you."

"Glad to have you on our side. Those stupid cat birds won't know what hit them. Meet me at princess Twilight's castle tomorrow. With you digging teams and we will build the defenses. You can't miss it it's a giant crystal tree thing." said Tops He turned to leave and smiled at Rarity. "And my father said I didn't have what it takes to be a ambassador like him." he said to her.

Rarity smiled "Well I think your father was clearly being short sighted darling. You seen to able to get your point across quite well. And you're ever so intelligent as well, I can't wait to what brilliant ideas you'll come up with next." she said somewhat starry-eyed. as she left with Tops.

Rover tuned to his pack and began barking orders, he didn't want the griffons taking their territory.

Thunderstruck

Everfree Forest

Spike was nervous, Fluttershy was terrified both where being ether carried or dragged towards a cave by their human friend. The scent of sulfur and burned flesh was in the air.

Joan dragged the two them while shaking her head. "What in the name of Princess Twilight are the two of you doing? We need to stay clam and focused to make this work. I know it's frightening, but we can't allow that fear to control us." she said "I know we can do this, just be strong and remember those who are depending on us to succeed. There are many lives at stake here, we can't afford to fail." she said strongly. Joan noted these new smells, she was all to familiar with the sights, sounds, and scents of a battle with a dragon, she'd fought them a number of times and there was no mistaking it.

"Something is not right why is there so much brunt here?" said Spike.

As they cleared the last bit of burnt foliage. They see bodies, lots of them, some thirty griffons burnt or crushed. And in the center blood dripping from many wounds and his jaws he a was a green color, and barely hanging on. Fluttershy was barely able to keep from a full panic attack, Spike was now emptying his stomach.

"Lady Fluttershy I need your help to save this dragon's life." she said as he began removing some injury kits and healing potions from her pack.

"Oh! Right!" She fluttered over to inspect the wounds... "I'm not familiar with these wounds... it must be hose weapons the griffons have."

The Dragon coughed. "My horde... they took... " He is interrupted by a fit of hacking coughs blood splattering across the ground along with a black goo.

"Don't speak," Joan said "you'll need your strength to repulse the griffons that are invading. The ensuing battle may yet give you your chance to retrieve your treasure hoard." she said opening one of the potion bottles and pouring it into the dragon's mouth. "This is a very strong potion, it may cause you a slight shock when it kicks in." she said as quietly handed the bandages from the injury kit to Fluttershy. Joan turned to Fluttershy and spoke "You don't know the weapons that the griffons used but Tops does understand them. Will you go back to Ponyville and find him so that he can help us Lady Fluttershy? I can keep him stable for only so long."

Fluttershy nods and grabs spike before shooting of at a impressive speed. Especially for some pony scared to fly...

The Dragon coughs again more of the mix of black goo and blood. "Why are you trying to help me. I already failed to stop th-" he is interrupted by another cough " from stealing my hoard, what use could a weakling that is getting weaker by the second be?" That's when she saw it, she saw the black goo seeping from wounds and in his blood.

"Be quiet for now." Joan said firmly. "Not only did they shoot you with those weapons of theirs, they used a poison to weaken you, I'll bet that Lady Zecora can undo that, but we have to get you in better shape first." she went about applying the bandages and using another of her strongest healing potions to help the dragon survive. "We are going to need the fearsome strength of a dragon to help defend Equestria, and my friend Tops has some kind of plan for the enemy's impending attack."

Then as if on cue the krogan in question comes in smashing thorough trees leaving a clear line of destruction. "Someone say my name?" He said while holding one of his weapons.

The dragon coughs again.

Joan was utterly stunned, this kind of timing was unbelievable at the least. That is unless that pink pony was behind this, then she could believe it very easily. Shaking off her confusion she explained to Tops about her suspicions about the black substance. "Also I know you have some medical know how," she continued. "So I think you can better tend to these injuries than I can."

"Ok let's have a look." He mumbles. He removes one bandage and frowns. "Ok yeah this bad, and you half right I can do some basic stabilization. But we've got three problems. First we have to dig out all those poisoned rounds from his body. Second their is both the poison and the bleeding. Third we have no clue how deep the wounds go. So here is what I'm going to do. I'm going to have to use ALL of the medigel I have left. It will stop the bleeding and numb the pain so you can move. But it won't stop the poison or heal major damage to your insides. So once I inject it. We have thirty minutes to get you to hospital before it ware's off. After that you be back to this if not worse. So before I do this give me a answer if we save you will you help us fight?" asked Tops his left arm glowing orange.

"Tops I am certain that this dragon doesn't need this kind of motivation. He has every reason to fight the griffons, they stole from him and tried to kill him." said Joan softly.

The dragon chuckled. "Your female I-" coughs " -bad as a pony. You have a deal. What ever you are. Save me and I'll fight for you." He starts coughing again.

Tops walks over. "Thought you see it that way. This will sting." He puts his glowing hand on the open wound there was strange noise and the dragon yelped then staggered to his feet.

"Sting my tail! That burnt, it actually burnt! What was that?" asked the dragon looking at Tops.

"Best battle field medicine ever made. Now come on we have to hurry you still have that poison and bullets in you so we have little time." said Tops as pointed down the path he made that led straight to Ponyville.

"Alright," Joan said, "we need to move quickly." she says turning in the direction of Ponyville.

Later Ponyville Hospital

Tops could not stay having other matters to attend to leaving the dragon in the hooves of the ponies and Joan hands.

"Yhaaaa!" Shouted the dragon before falling in to another coughing fit. As a unicorn slowly removed another poisoned bullet from it's body.

The x-ray had shown fifty of the evil little things inside of him. As well as a sword with its owners arm still attached to it.

Joan stared at the offending appendage blankly. " I really don't want to know how this happened. So how bad is the damage?" she asked the unicorn doctor.

"Well he'll live once we get the antivenin from Fluttershy. I think Tops medigel what slowed it's spread. The griffons are using enhanced manticore venom on their weapons projectiles and Fluttershy has is the only pony that can get the venom for the antidote cause she has a tamed one." said the doctor.

"They are very desperate then, I wonder why. This kind of all out warfare is not normal even in Thedas, they are concealing something, and if we can discover it we may gain an advantage. I shall remain here until Lady Fluttershy's return then I will go and give report to Princess Twilight. I think she'll want this information, to give to the capitol." she said thoughtfully.

"Ok here take these things with you that Tops fellow might have a use for them." he floated a bucket full of metal balls to her.

Joan smiled "Oh I'm sure Tops can use these alright, he seems to be the innovative sort. Really it's like the enemy just gives him ammunition, that is a fatal mistake." Joan puts the bucket down out of the way and continues to assist while awaiting Fluttershy's return.

Fluttershy came up with a cart of milk tanks with black liquid in them. "Sorry I took so long but when I told Chewy about what happened he insisted I we have enough of his to make as much anti-venom we could need. He really is a sweetheart."

Joan simply decided to take Fluttershy at her word "Well I would remain to help out, but Princess Twilight needs to be informed." she looked at the pretty pegasus "I would like to get to better know you Lady Fluttershy, I do hope that we will get a chance to know each other a little better soon." she picked up the bucket and left to return to the castle.

"Oh, um sure...?" said Fluttershy missing Joan's meaning altogether.

================================

At the castle an increasingly common sight greeted her.

Tops in a argument with Applejack and Rainbow Dash, and Princess Twilight was rubbing her head.

Tops points at the dam on the map. "What if we use a water attack on them draw them in to tunnels look them in with grates pull our troops clear then blow the dam."

"That will wreck the town!" shouted Dash

"And destroy the crops we ain't harvested." said A.J.

"This battle is not a matter of wining but burning out their forces. They outnumber us as is. If or more likely when we have to abandon this position we would have had to torch the crops and the town any way to cut them off from using any of the resources it could have offered." argued Tops.

Joan walked up to them "Actually that is not an option here," she sighed " the griffons have many ponies captive. That kind of attack will only succeed in killing innocents. I suspect they may have done this in part to hinder us and make life harder for us, we need to find a way to drive them back and free their captives. Until then we can't fight back very hard, or so they think." Joan said with a sly smile.

"Fire attacks then? Set up burn spots in the tunnels, trenches and some of the houses? We have to kill them in large numbers with as few losses. And if what thy said a about eating ponies is true... Well if it was me I'd prefer to die mercifully in attack from my allies then just waiting to be eaten. By the way what's in the bucket?" said Tops

"The projectiles from the griffon's weapons that were removed from the dragon, the doctor thought you might be able to use them. Also I've been thinking about what that griffon scout said, and I don't believe it. It sounds more to me like an attempt to scare the ponies into submission. Griffons are predators by nature and ponies prey, therefore spreading such information would frighten a lot ponies into complying for fear of being killed and eaten."

Joan looked over the map "With the proper help I can't set devastating traps all over Ponyville that will badly compromise the enemy forces, I can even show the Diamond Dogs how to rig rock fall traps in their tunnels that will winnow the griffon's numbers and keep them from being able to retreat. All we need is for them to enter the tunnels." she continued to look over the map evaluating the best and most effective places for her traps.

Tops picked up one of the iron balls and licked it. "Wow still a strong toxic coating to them. They know there poisons. And this gives me idea. Any of you heard of grape shot?" said tops with a cruel smile.

"No, Joan said "but there is a kind of magic arrow that fracture on contact with an enemy and projects the shards to all nearby enemies. the damage is limited but it produces a stunning effect that can render large group of enemies incapacitated. That's similar I suspect, but not the same. As for poisons let me know if you would like any for yourself, I can make whatever is needed with the right ingredients."

Tops nodded. "That's close grape or canister shot is tight packaging made of wood and paper, with iron balls in them. Divided in to tiers by more thin pieces of wood. When fired from a cannon, it acts like my shotgun only bigger spread, spraying the enemy ranks with burning wood and metal balls. I'm thinking of using these poisoned balls of theirs and sending them back at them in loads of grape shot. Given how sick they made that dragon, and how strong it's taste is I think the would probably kill most ponies and griffons in about twenty minutes. So have a party cannon at the end of a tunnel loaded with these little toys and given them some payback with burning interest." Tops was a nice krogan but like all krogan he took great joy in combat and whatever was going on in his mind gave a vary scary smile on his face.

Joan just stared blankly at Tops for a moment "That is brilliant! They would never expect to have their own innovations turned against them!" Joan was loving this, it was clever, unexpected, and going to be absolutely devastating in it's effectiveness. Those enemies not killed by the immediate blast would be in a very desperate fight with time, a fight that time always won.

"I know right old human weapons are always interesting, but modern combat you can't use them. So I have been going through old earth history and that of other races to see what I can apply here. I only wish I had some toxic waste to dip the rounds in now. They got banned not too long ago but toxic rounds where a fave of mine during my mercenary days. Nothing like putting a bullet in someone and watching them dissolve from the inside out in to a bubbling pile toxic burning goo. Not even the were bones left." he said with glee. Then there was the sound of hooves and the distant sound of puking in the distance. Tops blinks.... "Was it something I said?" he asked looking confused.

Joan's palm promptly met with her face, her suspicion in that moment is that this would happen again. "Tops that was vastly more information than any of us needed." she replies sharply.

"Really? Must be a cultural thing. Well you come up with a plan to get the enemy where we I can set up the cannons let me know I have a surprise to build. Heh heh heh." He picks up the bucket and walks off with a smile.

Joan simply looked at Tops. "You krogan are different to be sure tops. I need to speak to Princess Twilight about meeting Lady Zecora, I am hopping she can help me with supplies for my trap making and my alchemy as well" she says leaving the room to find the mare in question.

Twilight was just coming out of a bathroom. "Tops needs a social class."

Joan laughed "I fear he would cause no end of frustration to the teacher my princess. Anyway I need you to take me to meet Lady Zecora, as I understand it she is an alchemist of formidable ability and could help me greatly with securing what I need to make my traps, poisons, and potions. I can even give her and you the recipes for the potions to make them yourselves if you'd like. I'll just need to know what around here causes the effects I am looking for, also i will need to find a place to obtain lengths or wire and scrap metals for my traps." she said "Also I need to know if you have an alchemy lab in your castle as I will need somewhere to work on all of this."

"Well my last lab kind of got wrecked, and I haven't yet set up a new one." She said taping her hoof. As to Zecora we haven't spoken face to face seance she told us she has seen griffins near her place. She lives in the Everfree, so given its dangerous normally we really can't go see her. Best we can do is see what alchemy books I have in my library. We will have to go to Barn Yard Bargains to see what the have we can use. " said Twilight.

Joan blinked "Barn Yard Bargains? What my princess is that exactly? Some kind of shop?" she asked

She giggled. "You can say that come on I'll show you." She said after a short walk the reach a large building near the train station.

The building was two story and it was wide and long as most castles. "This is Barn Yard Bargains. The head office and flag ship store of the company a local stallion named Filthy Rich own it and some two dozen other smaller ones across Equestria and even in some other nations. His grandfather started the company I'm told. As this is the main branch he prides him self on having anything and everything. With the promise that if we don't have it we can get it. He is basically the biggest competition to the local markets but if you want anything exotic in bulk or from far away you come here. Fresher or home made goods are what the local markets sell. But his supply has dropped some from the war." she explained.

"Well let's see what they have." Joan replied.

They walked in the store and well it was more impressive inside some of the shelves where bare but others where packed to bursting with products.

Joan was overwhelmed, she had no idea that a store could achieve such a thing. It was simply remarkable to her that all of this could be in one place! She was struck speechless as she looked around the store and following Twilight in a daze

Twilight was pulling a shopping cart. "We will need some alchemy tools, probably some building materials too. Oh look the weapons section." She pointed to sign that said hunting and defiance tools. "Think Tops would like a sword? After all his weapons have limit of how much he could use them." asked Twilight

Joan nodded "Yes I think that he could make use of a sword, he seems adept in melee. That strange tool of him can produce a blade, but we don't know what the limits of it are." Joan followed Twilight's lead and made note of anything she could make use of.

The weapons where of varied types of weapons some where made fore ponies others are clearly not. "What you think he would like? I mean other then big?" she asked.

Joan was thoughtful for a few moments "Tops is probably as skilled as he is strong, in truth it would be a shock were that not the case given the long life of his race. It will need to be durable as well as sharp and flexible, any really good sword will be trust me. We will have to make a carefully considered choice, we don't want the sword to break when he strikes the enemy's armor, that would be bad." she replied

"Or just brakes in his hands. I swear that when he hog tied Dash and A.J. he wasn't trying. He is stronger the most anypony I've seen, maybe even some dragons." said Twilight as she looked at some weapons. "Maybe something minoturain made would fit best. They are larger then ponies as well having hands. But with them attacking us I doubt there be much in stock from Labrintha." said Twilight as she looked around.

Joan nodded "Yes from what Tops is indicating all Krogan are this strong, it's a little hard to imagine honestly. So what works here for causing healing, explosions, and besides Manticore venom what could I use for poisons. Normally I'd use Elfroot, Deathroot, and Fire Shards for such things. I don't think those exist here." Joan said

Twilight levitates a large ax in to the cart. "Well I don't know the magical plants that we'll but I'd you want a boom Tops was cooking up what he called krogan noise makers. With some minerals the dogs gave him. As to healing we have a few plants but poisons one's are almost never sold and not grown in gardens."

Joan sighed "That's why I need to speak with lady Zecora, there is much I can offer in defense of Equestria and it's citizens, but I need to use some means that many of you might not like. The griffons are already resorting to methods that the Antivan Crows would find reprehensible, and they are a group of assassins."

"Tops said he thinks they are to be commanded for playing of natural fears like that. He also sees how it can work saying his people evolved from pray animals of his world like the ponies. Though the predators of his world are bigger and dumber. Oh look chemistry sets are on sale two for one deal!" she squealed and trotted towards the sale display.

Joan shook her head and and followed Twilight as they continued their shopping.

After three hours getting a copy of "Death Touch's 1001 deadly poisons you run in to in every day life." two sets of Alchemy tools and a heavy battle Ax made in Neighpon though of Minotaur design, and a lot of tools including some griffon made animal hunting traps. (Insert irony here) They started home passing several dogs digging some of the trench works.

As they entered the castle they overheard Tops and Pinkie talking. Joan wondered what was going on as she opened the door to the room they were in. "Tops, Pinkie we're back, and we've got somethings that will help us. Oh and we got something for you as well Tops, I think you'll like it." she said announcing their presence.

"Oh hay, there welcome to the party!" shouted Pinkie. Tops' arm thing was playing music and there was a board game on the table. "Discord and Alicorns" (pony version of axis and Allies if Hasbro sees this make it happen). Pinkie, Discord, spike and Fluttershy Sat with tops seemingly happy Rarity Sat net to tops clearly not play but just watching. A.J. and Dash where having a cider drinking game with Spitfire Sorin and the unicorn and earth pony captains. A.J. was winning. The Banner that hung in the room Read "Happy eight hundred and thirty fourth birthday Tops!"

"I am as surprised as you are Joan." he said seeing Joan's face. "She walked in fired her party cannon and well instant party. I can't figure out how she learned it was my birthday? But hay it's nice to relax a little even with a battle looming. And while it's more tame then a krogan party. It's nice helps lift the mood a little. She did bring a strategy game to play tho, and little Fluttershy would make a great General. She has stopped my advance cold and managed to force Discord here out of his capital."

Discord spoke up. "In my defense I can't actually fight in real wars because Conquest is my big brother and spirit of war, but he dose let me play war games. But that dose not mean I'm not as good at them as he is. Never could beat him at them but Fluttershy could teach my brother a thing or two."

Fluttershy just blushes.

"Well then I guess I when I give you this I should say happy birthday. We thought you might need it when we where out shopping and got it for you." said Twilight floating a large Ax to him.

Tops tilted his new hat up that Rarity had made him as he looked it over taking it in one hand. He took a feel of its weight then gently set it down. He stood up walked over to Twilight and Joan. Then hugged them ho the tight as he started Crying. "Ahhh. You guys are the best! I never had such a great birthday! My new hat, the party, and then you two give me a new weapon! Your all are just the best!" he said crying tears of joy.

"Well'" Joan began "I am very happy that we could get you such a thoughtful gift." Joan was stunned, yet again Pinkie had managed to do something that seemed impossible. She shuddered to think what would happen if Pinkie actually got involved in the fighting to come. She was also beaming with respect for the ever surprising timid yellow pegasus, Fluttershy was a force to be reckoned with to be sure. Tops released the hug.

"Come have some cake. Careful though it's so surgery it might give me diabetes. Heh heh heh."

Twilight laid her ears back. "Tops that's nothing to joke about."

Joan cocked her head in confusion "Diabetes? What's that?"

Tops started laughing, as Twilight sighs "I'll explain latter. Let's just enjoy Tops' party.

Joan nodded and joined everyone.