Guardians of Harmony: The Champion's Call

        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.