Guardians of Harmony: The Champion's Call

   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.