It had taken longer than Dusty liked, but the unit had finally been able to head south for the border. The situation they faced required them to stay hidden as much as possible, so the quickest route back, following the train tracks, was a no-go. They would be too easily spotted and the route was just too obvious. Instead, they would be keeping to the woods, where they would at least have cover and concealment.

One of the delays had been concerning what to take, and how best to transport it. The supply ponies had gotten together with the demolitions ponies from the Engineers unit, and managed to put together multiple travoises to make carrying the supplies much easier. An added bonus was that if they had any wounded, they could be carried on the travoises as well.

Fortunately, they should not have to make it as far as the border. As they were getting ready to move out, Dusty had a letter sent to the princesses explaining the situation. Princess Celestia had instructed him to lead his Guard ponies south towards the border, and that she will be sending him help. She had also sent a locator beacon to him, much like the one that she had sent to Spike, so that they could be easily found by the Equestrian forces which would be on the way as soon as they could be made ready for deployment.

One thing that displeased Dusty was the fact that they had to leave not only the dead from the train attack behind, but the chariot drivers as well. They just did not have the means to carry so many bodies as well as all their gear and weapons. This did not sit well with his platoon, but they also knew the situation, and understood that the needs of the living outweighed the needs of the dead. Dusty could only hope that they were able to retrieve the bodies somehow after all this was over.

They had left the site of the attack at dusk, and had walked for several hours. The five Wonderbolts provided a clear route past several Griffin patrols, and after about ten miles, they finally came to rest in a secluded valley where they would hopefully remain undiscovered. The First Sergeant made certain that guards were set to watch over them all, making certain that they would spot any approaching Griffin patrols before being found, with a rotation schedule to ensure that those guarding them would also get rest. Corporal Lulamoon assisted in this by setting up a concealment spell, making it much more difficult for them to be spotted. A Griffin patrol would literally have to walk into the center of the camp to spot them.

Once the guards were in place and everypony was settled in, Dusty and Silver walked among the platoon, checking to see how everypony was doing. They have all had a very busy day, having been up for over twenty-four hours now. They needed food and rest. Especially rest. The mares and stallions under his command were the very best that Equestria had to offer, but even the strongest ponies had their limits. And now they had wounded to tend to. The wounded was a major concern, because they would be slowed some by the wounds, They would not be able to travel as fast or as far as those uninjured, and their fighting abilities would be hindered as well.

The loss of the chariots and the drivers was a disaster for the unit. It was up to Dusty and Silver to make sure that this disaster did not demoralize the troops. Good morale would be critical in getting everypony home. Reassuring them all that Princess Celestia was sending a force in to get them out helped keep their moral high, even with how bad the situation seemed.

Eventually, the two of them completed their rounds and met up at the edge of their camp. Walking out a bit for privacy, Dusty asked for his First Sergeant’s honest assessment of their situation.

“Honestly, Sir,” Silver answered in his deep, gravely voice, “we’re wing deep in the shit, as Lieutenant Soarin stated. By morning, the Griffins will have probably a whole battalion's worth of patrols searching for us, if not more. And the advantage we had when we attacked Bloodclaw’s camp won’t be there for us now. If we can avoid Griffin patrols somehow, then we should be okay, but the odds are severely against us.” Silver reflexively reached into his saddlebag, then remembered that what he was looking for was the one thing he did not bring. “Damn, I could go for a cigar right now.”

“Don’t blame you one bit, Sarge,” Dusty says to him. “Sadly, cigar smoke would be noticeable to any passing Griffins, I imagine, even with their weaker sense of smell.”

“Did the princess give any estimated time for our exfil?” Silver asked.

“About thirty-six more hours, give or take a few. It takes a set amount of time to get something like that moving, so that was the best guess she could give.” Dusty turned back to the camp, saying, “We better get some chow and rest, Sarge. We have a lot of miles to cover come morning.”

The night was relatively quiet, with the camp settling down to rest before morning. Most had grabbed a quick, cold dinner from the supply of Meals Ready to Eat, also not-so-affectionately known as Meals Refusing to Exit, and now was a good time to let their bodies protest the invasion of what the Generals in Canterlot insisted was food fit for troops in the field.

Not all the ponies were resting at this time, though. Corporal Flash Sentry stood watch over the princess, having volunteered for the first shift. Trixie and Dead would have the next two watches before it was time for the unit to wake and get moving once more.

Right now, Twilight was resting. To Flash’s senses, though, it did not seem to be a very peaceful rest. She tossed and turned, scared and pain filled moans escape her lips as whatever was inside her dreams continued to torment her. He wished there was something that he could do to ease her dreams, so that she may sleep in comfort, but he was not the Princess of the Night, and, alas, was unable to enter her dreams to rescue her. Instead, he said a silent prayer to Princess Luna, that she may comfort the troubled princess.

With a fearful cry, Twilight woke from her nightmare, looking around in terror as she started to scramble away, the fading dream still fresh in her mind’s eye.

Flash was quick to respond. Kneeling down, he offered what he could to comfort her. “Sshhh… You’re safe, Princess. Nopony here will hurt you. We’re all here watching over you, Your Highness,” he said soothingly.

Twilight’s head pivoted around as her panicked eyes searched for the enemy that haunted her terror filled dreams. But instead of a demonic Griffin coming to abuse her some more, she heard a calming, peace filled voice. It was one of the Royal Guards who had been carrying her, Flash Sentry. Twilight’s head dipped, feeling shameful at how she must appear before him.

Princess Twilight Sparkle, Princess of Friendship, former protegee to Princess Celestia herself, savior of Equestria multiple times over, and one of the most powerful beings in the world, reduced to nothing but a war-torn refugee. Instead of the proud Princess who stood tall before her ponies, she had been beaten, tortured, had her mane and tail cut off leaving nothing but short clumps, and finally, used like a two-bit whorse as a carnal toy. “I’m sorry that you have to be here,” she says to him almost at a whisper, unable to bring herself to look him in the eye.

The look on her face, the look of somepony who had been through too much, and had seen too much, tore a hole inside his heart. The hurt tone in her voice when she spoke, the tone of a pony who lived in fear of the next blow or hurtful bite, opened that hole even further. “Princess, every single one of us came here because we wanted to. We all knew exactly what we would be getting into, and would happily do so again, because we all love you. You are our Princess. We’d all march through Tartarus and back if it was for you. Please, I ask that you do not blame yourself, Your Highness. None of this is yours to blame,” he said to her.

“Please, just call me Twilight. I don’t feel comfortable being called a princess right now,” she asked of him.

Corporal Sentry felt a moment of hesitation. As a member of Equestria’s military, it would normally be considered a major breach in etiquette for him to refer to her in such a manner. She was royalty of the highest order, almost a goddess even, in some eyes. Right up there with Princesses Celestia and Luna. To be anything other than holding her in the highest respect was virtually blasphemy. But if this was the princess’ request of him, then he could not refuse her. “If that’s your wish, Twilight, I shall do so for you.”

“Thank you,” she shyly replied.. “May I ask you something, Flash? What’s it like, being in the Royal Guard?”

“It’s hard, at times. The training we go through is rigorous, and sometimes, the job can be scary, but it is worth it. The Guard has become my family, in a way. All these other ponies here, they’re my brothers and sisters, and our C.O. is like our father. I guess you could say our First Sergeant is like our grandfather, though I think only one pony ever called him that. I thought PFC Fogbank was going to die doing push ups that day,” he said with a soft chuckle. “There’s this feeling of honor serving in the Guard. A feeling that grants me strength, that I will be able to weather any storm, and get the job done,” he told her.

“I wish I was strong,” she said sadly.

He feels his heart reach out to her as he told her, “You ARE strong, Twilight. So many times, you have faced down impossible odds, and you came out on top. There is nopony better at using magic than you, and very few in this world can say they have done so much for Equestria as you have. Please, don’t sell yourself short.”

Twilight looked him in the eye now as she asked, “Is that Corporal Flash Sentry, dutiful Royal Guard saying that, or Flash Sentry, the pony that has had a crush on me ever since I was a growing filly under Celestia’s tutelage?”

It is a good thing that Flash was not taking a drink that that exact moment. Had he been doing so, the shock of discovering that the cat was out of the bag would have sent the water being drunk flying out his nose. His reaction was one of shock, realizing that the secret had not really been a secret. He felt embarrassed, and somewhat ashamed. She was an Alicorn Princess. Her station was so far above his, being a lowly Pegasus Corporal in the Guard, from some unimportant family, and nothing to show for himself. He was unworthy of any affection from somepony so regal and majestic. “How long have you known?”

“Ever since I was a teenager. But I was so into my studies, relationships were the furthest thing from my mind,” she admitted to him. “And, to be honest, I was kinda stuck up then as well, thinking myself to be above anypony else. I even had friends, but I had started to drift away from them. All because I thought that knowledge and magic was more important than anything else.” She looked towards the south, where her friends all waited her return, sighing. “I was a fool then. And then, once I learned to make friends again, I was too busy to consider relationships.” Her head came to rest upon her forelegs as she continued. “Now, I’m afraid that I’m too late, that any chances I’ve had have slipped past me.”

Flash did not know how to respond. He did the only thing that came to his mind. He gave her a hug.

“Thank you, Flash,” she softly said as her tears ran down her face.

Princesses Celestia and Luna had much they had to plan, and little time to get it all rolling.

The first and foremost priority they had on their plates was the situation with the unit they had sent into Griffica to rescue Twilight. It seemed that they had miscalculated on the size of the unit they should have sent. They should have sent at least two squads of Royal Guard just for the purpose of protecting the chariots and drivers. Had they done so, then the odds were that Major Spearhead’s mixed platoon would be soon crossing the border back into Equestria.

Because of that misjudgement on their part, more of her Royal Guard lay dead in a clearing within the woods of Griffica. They would NOT be left behind. The next forces that Celestia and her sister sent in would ensure that, if Luna had anything to say about it, and General Ironsides agreed with her.

“Sister, how is sending a reinforced brigade in to pull out Twilight and those Guard who went in and act of war, when Griffica has, for all tenses and purposes, declared war upon us? They have attacked an official diplomatic mission, and took one of our own hostage after brutally murdering nearly two dozen of our citizens. And it is plain as your daytime sky that they have every intention of invading the Crystal Empire with the intent of annexing it as their own. And you know damn well what Cadance and Shining Armor’s fate will be if we allow that to happen.” Luna was furious that her sister was even giving consideration to half measures in this. Given how many Griffins were now most likely converging in the rescue team, it only made military sense to send in a force of sufficient size that they would simply overwhelm any opposition. “I have read the history books, dear sister, as well as the history that did not make it into the books, and it is very clear to me that the only way we will be able to stop the Griffins from not only killing Twilight in the end, but taking the Crystal Empire as their own, and killing Cadance and Shining Armor in the process, is to strike back, and strike back HARD!” Luna yelled, stamping down with her hoof hard enough that the much abused Throne Room floor received further damage.

“Luna, what will our ponies think if we go invade another country?” Celestia asked with a sigh of exasperation.

“They will rise up in support of us, as we protect not only Equestria and her ponies, but our friends in the Crystal Empire as well. What do you think they will believe if we just let Griffica’s actions go unanswered?” Luna asked in return. “They will be demanding action, and if we wait, then the action our ponies will demand will only be that much more costly. And you know that they will be demanding action, once they hear that the Griffins have not only attacked and murdered their fellow citizens, but have also tortured a princess whom they all love.” Luna would not be surprised to find out in the morning that the word was already out. Secrets can be very difficult to hide from the populace, especially secrets as volatile as this one.

“Respectfully, Your Highness, I must agree with Princess Luna,” General Ironsides stated. “Virtually everypony in the Equestrian Guard will be begging for the chance to march on Griffica. They love this nation with every ounce of their souls, and they swore oaths to defend Equestria, the princesses, and the ponies of Equestria. And once the Guard knows, everypony will know, Your Highness,”

Princess Celestia turned to Star Caster. “Do you agree with my sister and the General, Captain?” she asked.

“While it is not my position to make political judgements, Your Highness, I do believe we must take decisive action, and to do so, it will have to be swift, using as much force we can muster in very short order,” the Captain of the Royal Guard answered respectfully.

Celestia thought for a moment, giving considering the words of her sister and her generals. In the end, she felt forced to agree with them. As much as he found the thought of war distasteful, Emperor Ironbeak had forced her into a corner, and if Celestia did not prove to the Griffin Emperor the error of his ways, then in the end, it would be a disaster for Equestria.

“Okay, tell me what you would recommend,” she says to them.

“I was thinking that the 223rd Equestrian Guard Regiment could be sent in to secure Twilight and the stranded team, along with a regiment of Royal Guard. The 223rd is a fast strike regiment, designed to move into a hot area quickly, and would be an ideal match working alongside a Royal Guard regiment,” Luna stated. “Captain, is it the 2nd Royal Guard Regiment that is currently in readiness for fast deployment here in Canterlot?”

“That is correct, Princess. Shall I give the word to have them load up to move to Fort Rockwall? They can be in place there in under twenty-four hours, once the command is given.”

“Do it. The command is officially given,” Celestia ordered Star Caster.

“Now the question is who will be in command of this mixed brigade? Both Colonels have about equal seniority and time in, and both are experienced in leading troops into battle,” Ironsides asked. This was a valid question, and one that might prove to cause tension within the brigade. The obvious answer would be to assign a Brigadier General to command the brigade, but then, which general, and would it be Royal or Equestrian Guard.

“That is simple, General. I intend on leading the regiment myself,” Princess Luna informed them all.

“Surely, you’re not serious, sister?” Celestia asked. “We have numerous officers of sufficient rank and experience for this operation. I am certain—“

“The benefits greatly outweigh any risks,” Luna quickly stated, holding up a hoof to stop any further objections. “Having a princess lead the troops into battle will bolster their will and determination way more than any General could, with the exception of Shining Armor, mind you. Also, it will send a clear message to the Griffins that we will be sending everything we have against them if one of us were to be at the forefront. Lastly, the Griffins know of the legends surrounding my past, and they fear me. That will only serve to strengthen our own force’s chances of a quick victory.”

“As much as I have reservations of placing Princess Luna in any sort of risk, I do have to agree with her reasoning, Your Highness,” Ironsides said.

When Star Caster nodded her agreement, Celestia sighed in resignation. “Just be careful, dear sister. I could not bear it if I were to lose you.”

“Tia,” Luna said gently, “we have both faced much worse in the past, and we have always come out together in the end. We’ve faced Discord and Sombra both and we’re still here. It will take more Griffins than they have throughout their nation to strike me down.

Celestia just nodded her head sadly. “Equestria needs you just as much as I do, Luna. Come back to us,” she said, fighting down her fears.

The sudden slam caused by the Throne Room’s doors being forcibly opened startled them out of their thoughts. Into the room was one of the very few ponies who could get away with such an entrance; Prince Blueblood. Though not an Alicorn, he was labeled a Prince by his position as the leader of the House of Royals, the legislative branch of the Equestrian government. Being the adopted nephew of Princess Celestia also helped here. He ignored the stares of protest that the Royal Guards stationed at the doors gave him, striding directly towards the ponies that had his full attention. “Auntie, I demand to know just when you planned to inform the House of Royals of Princess Twilight’s abduction!” he stated forcefully. “By Equestrian Law, it is the House of Royals which must issue any declaration of war, and Griffica’s actions DEMAND that we declare it!”

Celestia looked to her nephew, frustration plainly visible on her face. “As you can see, dear nephew, things have been rather hectic here, with this current crisis. You and the House would have been informed of the situation come morning,” she informed him.

“There is no longer a need to inform the House of Royals, Auntie. We already know. We have also come to a decision that an official declaration of war shall be issued, and that you will have our full backing in this matter.” Blueblood turned his head and beckoned to two figures standing just outside the door for them to enter. “I also am here to inform you that I have been approached by a couple individuals. They come offering any assistance you might need.”

The two individuals walked into the Throne Room, with Royal Guards surrounding them. One of them would not have needed such guards, but the other one was lucky that she had not been skewered outright already. Sir Rufus was the Diamond Dog representative to the Equestrian government in Canterlot, and had been recently working to build ties with the ponies of Equestria. The other one, the one that the guards deemed a danger to the princesses, was none other than Queen Chrysalis.

The Royal Canterlot Voice boomed throughout the Throne Room, as well as much of the castle itself, as Princess Luna demanded, “WHAT IS THE MEANING OF THIS?!? WE DEMAND TO KNOW WHAT SHE IS DOING IN OUR PRESENCE!”

Princess Celestia stepped forward, placing a wing in front of her sister, signalling for her to hold off attacking. “Please, sister, calm down a moment, and let us find out why she is here in a manner that is less likely to cause massive destruction to the castle.” Turning to Chrysalis, she then asked, “Why is it that you have come here, Queen Chrysalis, knowing that we have placed a bounty on your head, FOR your head, to be specific. And if my nephew is to be believed, you come here with the offer of assisting us somehow.” Her hoofsteps echoed softly through the Throne Room as she slowly, regally, approached the Changeling queen to stand nose to nose to her. “Tell me, Chrysalis, why would you come to us offering help in dealing with our troubles?”

Chrysalis’ head bowed in sorrow and supplication as she began to speak. “My hive is dying, Princess. Our numbers grow fewer with each passing year, and weaker as well. The Hive has been in a slow but steady state of decline for centuries, since the time of Discord. Only in the past few centuries has the decline quickened, and now we have reached a point where we are but a few years from the point where we would no longer be able to recover.

“This is true with the other two remaining hives as well. One in Mexicolt, and one in Zebrica. As you have been hunting us down ever since we attacked Canterlot, so have the other Hives been hunted in their own lands. There was a small fourth Hive, eeking out an existence in the Crystal Empire, but they were wiped out… exterminated by Shining Armor and his Crystal Guard army.”

Celestia and Luna had known about that hive’s destruction, having been informed by Cadance and Shining Armor personally. It was not something that she had took pleasure in, knowing that her former Royal Guard Captain had committed such an act. But considering what the couple had gone through at the hooves of Queen Chrysalis and her changelings, Celestia had difficulty placing blame on the two of them; Shining Armor for the act, and Cadance for condoning such an act to occur.

Chrysalis laid down before the princess, her grief heavy upon her as she continued. “It is not just my hive that I speak for, but the entire Changeling race. We are facing extinction, to cease to be. I come before you to beg that you may help save us from that fate.”

“Why should we believe what you say is true? What reason would we have to offer you help?” asked Luna coldly. “It was your hive that attacked our ponies here in Canterlot, imprisoning them in cocoons, and causing the deaths of more. You kidnapped an Equestrian princess, and used forbidden magic upon our ponies as part of your plan. You assaulted my sister in her own Throne Room, and imprisoned her as well in one of your cocoons.” Luna stepped forward, her ire quickly rising. “And now, you believe that you can just walk in, ask for forgiveness, and all will be fine?”

“We were desperate, Princess Luna, when we attacked Canterlot. My plan was to be able to harvest enough love for my hive that we might be able to survive a little longer, to give us at least a chance for survival. But that failed, and now, my hive is facing its darkest hour. If we, as a species go extinct, it is not like the fate that you ponies would face,” Chrysalis replied, frustrated. “When you die, you go to your Elysium Fields to be with your Goddess. When a Changeling dies, their memories, and all the emotions, their thoughts, their very souls, become part of the Great Hive. But this Great Hive, it is a part of us Changelings, and exists in all of us. But if we all die, then the Great Hive ceases to be. If ponykind were to become extinct, then your whole species would still be together in your Elysium. With us Changelings, extinction means oblivion, complete and total. It is even worse than simply dying. We simply cease to be, everything that was us will be gone, as if we were never in existence in the first place.

“When Queen Vibrunum’s hive was attacked in the Crystal Empire last spring, I was connected to her through the Hive Mind, which is a part of the Great Hive that all living Changelings can connect through. In the end, it was only through that connection that her hive was saved from eternal oblivion. But to do this, I had to experience each and every Changeling’s death,” Chrysalis explained. “But if there are no more hives, then when the last one finally dies out, there will be no other Changeling to keep the Great Hive in existence.”

The thought of her hive’s, and her very race’s, end was more than she felt she could bear. “I would give anything to prevent that fate from happening,” she said forlornly. “Even my own life, if it were to save my race.”

This was something that Princess Celestia had never considered would happen. The Changeling Queen who had attacked her ponies and her city on the day of her niece’s wedding now knelt before her, begging for her help and mercy. Celestia could not just sit back and let the entire species die out, but could she trust this Changeling who had once caused many of her ponies to suffer? There was one way to find out.

“Queen Chrysalis, you said that you would give anything, including your own life, to save your Changelings. I shall offer you a chance to prove to me that your word is truthful.” Celestia randomly plucked a spear from one of the gathered guards and levitated it before the queen. “Fall on this spear. If you are truly willing to give anything for your race, then make the ultimate sacrifice, Queen Chrysalis. If you show me that you speak the truth when you say that you would sacrifice your own life for your Changelings, then I will do everything within my own power to save your race from extinction, and maybe even be able to find a way that they may prosper and live among us in peaceful co-existence,” she offered.

Everypony within the Throne Room, as well as the lone Diamond Dog, looked on in shock as Celestia did this. In all their years, centuries in the case of Princess Luna, they have never seen her act in this manner.

“Auntie! I must protest this madness! What right do you—“

He was silenced immediately with a single raised hoof and a glare from the solar princess. “Nephew, I strongly urge that you do not interfere with me in this matter.” Looking back down to the Changeling Queen on the floor before her, she continued, “She has come before me, in front of my throne, making a request that she has no claim to make. Her fate is mine to decide, and mine alone.

“Rise, Queen Chrysalis, and do as I have decreed, if you wish to save your race,” she instructed.

Chrysalis rose in resignation to her fate. This was something she was willing to accept, and would do so with no regrets, if it were to ensure the survival of her species. “Do you swear, Princess Celestia, that if I do this, you will save the Changeling race? Swear it, and I shall do your bidding.”

Celestia nodded her head, saying. “You have my oath, as co-ruler of Equestria, that I will do everything possible to keep the Changelings from extinction. This, I decree to you, Queen Chrysalis.”

The Changeling queen took the spear in her own magic, levitating it so the point was mere inches away from her chest, pointed directly to her heart. She felt fear, but she also felt relief, knowing that this would bring about salvation for her Changelings. Closing her eyes, she whispered a soft, “Thank you,” and then with a strong burst of her magic, plunged the point home. She felt a small stab of pain in her chest, but no more than that. Definitely not the cold burning pain that would cut to the very center of her being as the spear’s razor sharp blade pierced her heart. Opening her eyes, she looked down to see the spear point had only dug into her chest a minute amount. A small trickle of her blood seeped out around the point, and not a pouring out of her lifeblood that she expected to see. More so, she had not expected to see Celestia’s magic glowing around the spear. She looked up to the princess as the spear was levitated away from her.

“I see now that you have been truly honest with me, and that your intentions are pure in coming to me, Chrysalis. It seems we have much to discuss, and little time available for talking.” Beckoning for the Changeling queen and Diamond Dog representative to join them at the planning table, she said, “Let us see what you two can do to help Equestria win this fight we face.”

They gathered once more at the planning table. General Ironsides started out with asking Rufus what he had to offer.

“We Diamond Dogs have long anticipated that the Griffins would bring war to Equestria. In preparing for this, our engineers and diggers have constructed many tunnels crossing the border without the Griffins suspecting a thing. Most of them lead under major military bases inside Griffica. We have Diamond Dogs in place to collapse the ground underneath various structures important to them, or to sabotage their supplies and equipment with explosives,” he told the Princesses and generals as he pointed out a half dozen Griffin bases on the map. “We also have numerous snipers with crossbows available, as well as infantry armed with bows and swords. I have also brought something new, which I would love to show you, Your Majesties.”

“Along with the Diamond Dogs, I have around a hundred changelings ready to infiltrate each base. They can remove key Griffin personal, and sabotage their supplies and equipment as well. Also, they would be able to restrain the enemy forces using their adhesive spit, reducing their ability to fight even further,” added Chrysalis. “Another advantage is that they can communicate through the hive mind, and coordinate with the Diamond Dogs and Equestrian forces, further increasing the effectiveness of our attacks against the Griffins.”

The concept of the hive mind struck Luna as intriguing. “Chrysalis, is it only between Changelings that the hive mind can be used?” she asked. When Chrysalis answered, Luna asked, “Would you be able to communicate with a Changeling half the way across the nation, and coordinate communications between us here, and the generals in the field?”

“Yes, it would be a simple matter.”

“That is most fortunate to hear. It would be of great assistance in helping assure our victory, being able to coordinate in this manner,” Celestia said, nodding at the information she had just heard.

“You mentioned something about having something that you wish to show us, and also snipers armed with something you refer to as a crossbow, Sir Rufus,” Star Caster inquired. She was unfamiliar with what a crossbow would be, and the mystery of the other item had her intrigued as well.

“The Griffin Empire has never been on the best of terms with the Diamond Dogs,” explained Rufus. “They have caused trouble for us in the past. Several years ago, we decided we needed to be better able to fight back, should the Griffins decide to cause us further trouble. We designed and built new weapons. Would the princesses like to see what we have?”

When Celestia nodded her approval, Rufus called a guard over to make a request. The guard nodded and stepped outside the Throne Room, to reappear a moment later with another Diamond Dog in tow. The Dog had a long case strapped to her back, which she set upon the table in front of the princesses. Flipping a couple of latches, she presented the contents to the ponies present for them to view.

Lifting one object from the container, Princess Celestia studied it with an experienced eye. It looked similar to a bow which a Royal or Equestrian Guard may carry, if only that it seemed designed to launch an arrow. The bow portion was attached to a long wooden piece, with a flattened, paddle-like end. Rotating it in her magic, she noticed what looked like a trigger mechanism underneath. Comparing the dimensions of this bow-like weapon to the two Diamond Dogs in her presence, she surmised that the back end must fit up close to the shoulder, and that the trigger device was designed around a Dog’s paw. Further examination revealed a long tube on top which had glass pieces at both ends. Looking through, she found that it magnified the view much like a telescope, and even had aiming crosshairs inside.

“Princess, would you like a demonstration of what one of these can do? I assure you that there will be no risk to anyone in the room, if you allow it.” Celestia nodded to him, passing the object to him in her magic.

As Rufus’ assistant set up the target, he pulled several times on a lever on the side, which worked back the bow string. On the fourth pull, there was an audible click as the string was set in at full draw. “This is a crossbow, Your Majesties. It fires what we call a bolt, which is very much like a shortened arrow,” he told them as he lifted one of the bolts from the container. He set the bolt into a groove in the top of the crossbolt, and took aim at the target, an old piece of damaged armor. When he pulled the trigger, the bolt flew towards the piece of armor, penetrating it easily. The bolt bounced off a pillar on the opposite side of the room, having spent most of its energy punching through the steel plate.

“As you can see, Your Majesties, this weapon has considerably more power than the typical bow. It also has a much further range, and is accurate out to about a hundred and fifty yards. Two hundred, in experienced paws.” Rufus set the crossbolt back down on the table as he continued, “If would wish it so, I have been authorized by the Confederation Council to assign as many Dogs as you would need under your command. As of right now, we have about twelve hundred Dogs already in position to join your forces.”

“Make it so, Sir Rufus. The backing of the Diamond Dog Confederation is greatly appreciated,” the Solar Princess said to him, grateful for such an allegiance.

“What of this other object?” asked Ironsides. “You’ve indicated it is a weapon. Please explain and if the princesses are willing, demonstrate.”

“Ah, yes.” Rufus pulled out the object in question. It was shaped very much like the crossbow, though it lacked the crossbar and bow string. “We have yet to come up with an appropriate name for this, where it is still in development.” He reached into the weapons container, and opened a small lid, pulling out a large, oblong crystal.

“Is that a core?” asked Captain Star Caster, the surprise in her tone matched the look upon her face. Cored weapons were rather uncommon, due to the difficulty of finding suitable gems to use as cores. The core would store magical energy to be released in a controlled manner as designed by the one who made the weapon it was inserted in. They had the potential to be among the most powerful weapons on the battlefield.

“Yes, it is, Captain. It fires a blast of magic energy in three forms at once. Direct concussive force, electrical, and heat. At close range, it is simply devastating, but the force dissipates over distance. at fifty yards, it would knock an opponent back, and cause injuries, but would not be fatal. This is better for close range fighting,” Rufus explained to the gathered ponies. “The reason this is not yet ready to be sent to the field is due to being able to come up with cores. We have found several deposits, and have gathered enough core blanks, but setting the spell matrix to the cores to hold the charge is proving problematic. It seems that the pair of Unicorns we hired to do that job were not as capable as they tried to sell to us.

“That is something I am certain we would be able to help you with. Both in setting the spell matrixes, and the charging of the cores,” Celestia stated, nodding. She knew just the pony for this job.

“How long would it take to modify such weapons so that a pony could use them?” asked Luna.

The early morning sun had not yet cut through the morning fog as the platoon traveled south once again through the forests of Griffica. Tall conifers had coated the ground with pine needles, making for a quieter walk, but that just meant that the enemy could be just as silent. They would have to be watching for the least little detail, if they were to go unseen.

They’re luck did not last. After a half hour’s march, a Griffin patrol spotted them. One of the Griffins flew off to get their platoon, and in moments, they attacked the left flank.

They started with a single volley of arrows. Two ponies went down immediately with fatal wounds, but the Royal Guard was ready to immediately retaliate. Three griffins were shot from the sky as they closed with the Royal Guard platoon. Before they could completely close the gap, Corporal Bang threw several of his claymare mines into the enemy Griffins and detonated them. The resulting casualties to the Griffin platoon reduced their numbers by half, but it was only a matter of seconds before the remaining enemy closed to fight claw to hoof with the Guard ponies.

At the center of the Guard’s formation, Corporals Dead, Sentry and Lulamoon stood guard over their charge. They would defend Twilight to the very end, even with their own lives, if need be. They were the very last line of defense. It was fortunate they were there, because a few of the Griffins managed to get past the Guard ponies on the left flank, and charged towards the princess’ litter, intent on capturing a very high value target.

Trixie braced herself for the attack. Four Griffins were coming at them, and the odds were not looking good. She was unable to use her flash-bang spell, because it would blind her and her fellow guard members with the Griffins being mixed in among them. All she could do is pull out her machete with her magic, and engage them hoof to claw. One of them rushed forward to engage Trixie, his spear flashing by her head as she ducked down and swept her blade up to cleave off one of the Griffin’s arms.

With that enemy down, she turned to see a Griffin on top of Dead, struggling to kill the stallion as a third was exchanging blows with Flash. Before she could render any assistance to either, a cold burning pierced through her left side, straight through her barrel. Her breath seemed to escape her as her legs collapsed under her.

Dancing Dead saw the spearpoint burst out from his friend’s right side. Even as he struggled with the Griffin on top of him, he watched a small spray of blood escape her mouth and then she fell. The scream of rage he let out deafened him, and he kicked his rear hoof down to trigger the hoof blade, which he used to disembowel the enemy fighting him. Getting up, he prepared to tackle the Griffin who had just ran the spear through the mare next to him when Spike jumped out from his hiding space behind Twilight. As small as Spike was, one would think that he would not be able to do anything against a trained and brutal warrior five times his size, but Spike apparently did not care about that fact. He jumped onto the Griffin’s back, and let loose with his Dragon fire. At a range of about three inches, the flames incinerated the Griffin’s head, instantly turning it to ashes which blew away in the morning, scream filled air.

The two of them turned to tackle the Griffin that had been fighting Flash, but discovered that was unnecessary, whereas Flash was pounding his forehooves into the Griffin’s now ruined face. They had no warning when another Griffin jumped out of the melee around them, dagger in talon, charging straight for Twilight.

The Griffin leaped, and landed chest first on a Griffin spear in the hooves of Sergeant Sunny Hearts. She let out a strangled gurgle as she stared into the terrified eyes of the mare that had just killed her. Nopony, or Griffin for that matter, would have suspected a medic willing to kill to save another life.

The battle ended quickly when the platoon’s Wonderbolts flew in, attacking the remaining few Griffin soldiers. They had been scouting ahead, but had not been able to spot the Griffins who had been waiting to attack from the side. When they heard the explosions from the triggered mines, they knew immediately that the unit was under attack, and hurried back. Their return to the platoon only hastened the Griffin’s journeys to the afterlife.

Dusty and Silver scanned the immediately area. All around them, ruined bodies lay, their blood soaking into the undergrowth of the forest floor. The biggest majority of them were Griffins, but there were a few ponies mixed in. Damn! They had hoped and prayed that they could make it out of here without losing any ponies, but it seems that the Mare of Fate was not looking down upon them with fortune in her eyes. Pointing to Healing Touch, Dusty ordered, “Check the wounded, and do what can be done for them. I’ll need a report on our casualty situation.” Dusty then turned to the First Sergeant, telling him to get status reports from the Squad Leaders, and assess the situation. With those instructions given, Dusty went to check on the princess.

He quickly found Twilight in the center of the platoon. Relief washed through him once he ascertained that she was physically unharmed through the fight, though her eyes told him that the emotional and mental scars would take a long time to heal. His other charge, Spike, had also come through the fight unscathed. Apparently, he had joined in the fighting, if the lack of a certain Griffin’s head and charred stump was any indication.

What tore his insides was the ponies that had died this morning, and it looked like they were about to lose another one. Corporal Lulamoon had taken a spear through the chest, and the Griffin who had stabbed her had ripped it out violently, from how the wound looked. Sergeant Hearts was fighting to save her, using everything she had in her medical kit to try to stabilize the dying mare as she attempted to stop the blood from pooling out of her. From the frothy, bright red look of the blood coming out from both the wound and from her mouth, Dusty knew that the spear had torn through her lungs.

“Stay with us Trixie! We still have that date at Oatfield’s Burgers we’re goin’ on when we get home. Don’t you dare make me go there solo,” Flash told her as his tears fell into her mane. He had been holding her head in his lap as Sunny made every possible effort to keep her alive. Trixie shifted her head in his lap, looking to him for comfort as the fear within grips tighter. “Just don’t give up, you hear me, do not give up, dammit!” he told her, gently stroking her mane.

All of their efforts were for naught. The damage was just too great. She let out a rattling breath, then one more, then Trixie was gone.

Flash sat there, still gently stroking her mane as Dusty knelt down beside him, and with his hoof, closed her eyelids. This was not the first time a guard had died on his watch, and it would not be the last. Of that, he was certain. It never got any easier, losing those who trust you to lead them through hell and back. Each and every pony in his command was his responsibility, and each time one of them died, it was his failure as their commander for him to bear.

“We were supposed to go out for hay fries and drinks when we got home, Sir. She wanted to take me to a place on Royal Avenue…” Flash was unable to continue past the tears that wouldn’t stop. He had come to consider Trixie a friend, and had been hoping that maybe he might get to know her more.

Turning to Sunny, Dusty checked to see if she would be okay. When she nodded that she would be, he told her to go help Touch tend to the rest of the wounded. Once she left to help her fellow medic, he turned to Dead. “Can you go find something to wrap Corporal Lulamoon in, Corporal Dead? And we’ll need to wrap others as well.”

“Yes Sir,” he replied, heading off to take care of the job he had been given.

Dusty went to find Silver. He needed to have his First Sergeant’s report on the exact status of his platoon. He knew it would not be good news, but not having the knowledge would only make it more likely that he would fail to make a correct decision and get the unit killed. “What’s the status?” the Major asked once he found Silverwing.

“Sir, we have six dead, and a dozen wounded, with two of those unable to walk on their own. We lost one of the demolitions ponies, Corporal Big Bang, to be precise. Seems the Griffins took offense to him taking half of them out with his claymares. Damn shame, because his quick thinking saved us, Sir,” Silver reported as they walked over to where Dead and another guard were busy preparing to wrap a body. It was Corporal Bang. When the Griffins converged on the platoon, several had focused on him and tore him apart. Still, he went down fighting it looked, if the blood and feathers on his forehead and horn was any indication. “Corporal Touch told me that PFC Bright Star probably will not make it past today. One of the Griffins was carrying a light axe that sheared off his horn at the base, along with his scalp and severely fractured his skull. Private Rosemary lost a foreleg, but Touch was able to stop the bleeding and stabilize her. If we can make it back, she’ll live, Sir.”

“And the rest of the wounded?”

“A couple minor stab wounds, a broken wing, and a missing ear, along with various cuts and other minor stuff. The Medics are patching them all up as we speak.” First Sergeant Silverwing paused when he saw a Guard pony with a lit cigarette. Smoking in the field was a violation of military regulations, but if it in any way, shape or form helped morale right now, Silver was not about to stop him. “Got one you could spare, PFC?” he asked.

The young guard looked up, the realization that he had just been caught in his eyes, but relaxed when both the Major and First Sergeant nodded their okay. Handing one to Silver, he says, “I have a few spare packs on me, if there are others who could use one right now.”

Major Spearhead felt pride, knowing that even in the worst of it all, his troops still thought about and cared for one another. “Do that, son, and thank you,” the told the PFC.

“Silver, if we can keep their morale up, we can survive this. We need to make certain they know that help is on the way,” Dusty said.

“Yes Sir. I assume that we’re not leaving our dead here behind? Seems that if they know we’ll get them home no matter what, they feel encouraged.”

“That's the plan, First Sergeant. As long as we’re able to, anyways.” Dusty was no fool. It would tax the platoon greatly to have to carry eight more on stretchers or travoices, especially with less ponies able to do the carrying. And they still had their supplies to consider as well. But it would quickly kill their morale if they left their dead behind. It had been hard enough for them to do so back at the train attack site. But they would not have been able to carry them all, even if they left all their supplies.

“I need to talk with our scouts, and make certain that they continue doing as they have been doing. It is only through their efforts that we made it this far. Faust be willing, we’ll be able to make it through till tomorrow without being spotted again. As soon as we have everypony patched, and the bodies secure, we’re moving out,” Dusty stated before moving to find Spitfire and Soarin.

Six Equestrian Guard divisions had been selected for the purpose of elimination of six key Griffin bases on the other side of the border between the two nations. The 3rd, 7th, 17th, 18th, 20th, and 21st Equestrian Guard Divisions were going to war, and they were rushing to complete preparations for their invasion.

They would not be doing this alone. Hundreds of Diamond Dogs and Changelings had met with them at their respective bases, after Princess Luna and General Ironsides had sent advance messages informing them of the newly formed alliances.

The Diamond Dogs had already dug the tunnels which the divisions would move through, and once there, the Guard units would surface, and prepare to attack. Ahead of the Equestrian Guard, Diamond Dog sappers would be tunnelling under key locations within the Griffin bases and setting explosives to blow the foundations out from under the enemy. They would also set up snipers in hidden spots to wait for the Equestrian Guard to get there. Lastly, hundreds of Changeling drones made their way to the bases, and infiltrated themselves in, disguising themselves as Griffins, so they may sabotage Griffin equipment, and be in position to take out key enemy personnel.

The plan was simple and brutal. Completely destroy any ability each Griffin base’s capability to wage war against Equestria, and then prepare the captured bases to be used as staging points for continued warfare against their foes.

In northeastern Equestria, Fort Rockwall in Marelone prepared as well. This was the home of the 223rd Equestrian Guard Regiment. The 223rd was a fast strike unit, equipped and trained to quickly move in and take locations that needed capturing in a hurry, or to go in and wipe out major units that have proven to need being destroyed overnight. They would be joined by the 2nd Royal Guard Regiment out of Canterlot, who was now boarding their trains to head north to meet up with their brothers and sisters-in-arms at Rockwall. Their job was simple. They would go in, rescue Twilight and the trapped platoon, and annihilate any and all Griffin forces that made the unfortunate mistake of getting in their way. They would be led by Princess Luna herself, and they were determined to save their comrades and their princess.

Lastly, in the Crystal Empire, Prince Consort Shining Armor was gathering all available Crystal Guard units for his own attack. The Griffins had lain siege to his nation, and he intended to bust through the siege and make certain that the Griffins paid dearly for assuming that they could just take what they want. His drive for retribution against the Griffins was further fueled by the fact that they had dared to attack his sister. Well, a few thousand Crystal Guard ponies would take care of whatever the chickenheads would toss their way.

Author's Note