After That Fateful Night- The Angel's Story.

Chapters

At First Glance
Small Town Blues
No Sides, No Problem
In Aid of Loved Ones
When You Fall Alone.
Trials

At First Glance

It was peaceful. Trees everywhere and such. He was in the woods obviously, but how he got there?

Of course, those damned ponies following him! Standing upright Loyal realized he stood near the corpse of a dragon. Giving the place a studious once over, Loyal quickled deduced there had been a battle here.

"Ah, so you awake my friend!"

Spinning around Loyal found himself staring at the two ponies that'd followed him.

The mare, a unicorn, white, but in a bleached bone colour stood smiling at him next to a rather serious looking black pegasi, not not quite black, if the sun caught right his coat shone red like blood.

"You two! I'm going to kill you, you've interrupted something quite important."

"Ah ah, easy there friend. You're fine. In your world mere nanoseconds are equivelant to years here. It's really quite remarkable!"

"My world?" Loyal repeated uneasily.

"But of course. I used an insanely powerful spell that fed off of this dragon's soul to find the most powerful undead creature. Turns out that it was you!" the mare said in an overly cheery tone.

"Necromagic? That was banned by Princess Celestia and Princess Luna!" Loyal's eyes glared threateningly.

At this the four eyed stallion spoke up. "Queen Nightmare Moon! Luna doesn't exist, and Celestia's banished. Time for your new history lesson." the stallion chuckled in a rasping voice.

"Oh yeah, by the way, we know you're Loyal. I'm Laryia the necromage and this is Thane!"

'Dear Celestia, it's like a serious, less physically active Pinkie Pie' Loyal thought.

Loyal sat as the two ponies regailed him about what happened when their timelines diverged.

Loyal listened in shock as he was told the Elements failed to stop Nightmare Moon. He continues listening, even more surprised, as wells as disgusted, to find that Twilight was her 'pet'. The recent battle that Laryia and Thane took advantage of to use the dragon's soul, and an explanation of the three opposing force(Lunar army, Solar Guards remnants, and Griffon's) as Loyal sat and absorbed it all.

"Well it's terrible what has happened, but why the buck am I here?!" Loyal shouted back.

'One hell to another!'

"Because you can tip the scales." Thane rasped.

"And your damned point is what!"

"You can't leave until you help us."

"Buck fine, but your time distartion idea better be DAMN right. I don't need to return to my home any more than seconds after I left it!"

At that the two ponies stood up and took off walking as Loyal grudgingly followed behind.

The guards were making their usual rounds when they noticed the three ponies. At first they thought nothing of it until they notice the size of the 'pegasus' following the other two, and his strange wings. He rushed back to inform the captin.

"Captian, there is a strange group of ponies have are walking by!"

"And that means what to me?"

"Well, one appears to be a young, poorly disguised Alicorn."

"Alicorn! How so?"

"Large for a pegasus, with a giant wingspan. He's also all white with exception of his mane and tail."

"Fine gather our scouting party. I would pay these three a visit."

"We are being followed, my two new 'friends'."

"That we are Loyal, any thoughts Laryia?"

"Of course, let's see what they want!"

The three stopped as they allowed the 20 strong party of Lunar army stallions to surround them.

Unpertrubed at their gear, as of it's similarities to Luna's gaurd, Loyal stepped forward and spoke.

"May we help you, sir?"

A regular soldier stepped out of formation to strike the stallion for speaking out of turn, but the look he recieved caused him to quickly back down.

"You will speak when spoken to, commoner!"

"Mmm."

Ignoring the stallions lack of a proper answer the captain stepped forward.

"Might I ask what three ponies are doing wandering through the woods so close to the Her Majesty's castle?"

It was a simple demand, and Loyal, being thoruoghly annoyed and filled with contempt for the haughty captian, did the only thing he could, he told the truth.

"So you see sir, after these two performed their spell i awoke here, where everything was different." Loyal said cheerily.

Throughout the whole story the captian's face grew redder and redder from indignation. Did this satllion think he was funny. He'd beat insolence out of his hide!

Realizing how badly he'd pissed the captain off, and knowing he didn't need to start off on everyponies badsides' Loayl quickly covered for himself.

Staring an empty spot next to him he pretended to be listening to somepony, then nodded enthusiastically like a foal.

"Squidgly also told me to tell you that you have funny wings!" sputtered Loyal, cocking his head sideways to stare at the batlike appendages that made the pegasi captains wings.

The captain stared at him, trying to figure what the buck the stallion before him was talking about when Laryia stepped in.

"So as you can see our friend here is adled in the head. He got out of his house and we tracked him down. I'm terribly sorry for the trouble we've caused."

Just wanting to get away from the 'crazy' stallion the captian shrugged it off, especially after the story he'd spun.

"It's fine. Be on your way commoners, and get him locked up again!"

"Say hi to Princess Luna for me!" Loyal shouted excitedly as they left as he bounced up and down.

"Yeah sure.....wait....what was that name?" the captain spun around.

"Princ... oh shit, well gigs up Thane, Laryia. Sorry 'bout that."

Loyal suddenly grabbed 4 Lunar soldiers closest to him with his feather-tendrils and hurled them into the trees.

Laryia quickly ducked behind Thane while tossing out some life draining spells.

Thane pulled a knife from his belt, a puny thing that could never peirce armour, but then it wasn't to be used against the enemy. Drawing it across his foreleg a red mist like aura surrounded him. The soldiers halted for a second, just long enough for the mist to dive into the orifices of 7 soldiers and turn their insides into ash.

Loyal stood astounded at the use of bloodmagic from a pegasi. He didn't even notice the captian run up to him until his throat had been slashed. Gasping for air Loyal turned to se his own blood on the captain...no wait....his blood was flying back into his throat as it mended seamlessly.

Angered beyond reckoning Loyal's eyes began to glow deep purple as he used a single feather-tendril to grasp the foalish captain be the neck.

"Can't you see captain. I can't die and there is nothing you can do to stop me." Loyal declared in a voice similiar to that of the ancient Royal Canterlot voice.

Struggling futily the captain shoved his blade in and out of the stallion holding him there. Screaming like a banshee the captain could do nothing as a second feather-tendril wrapped around his muzzle.

There was a sickening snap and for the brief milliseconds of life the captain had left, he found himself starring right inbetween his own two wings.

The threat to Dash's well being destroyed, Loyal's eyes ceased glowing and he gazed upon the carnage he'd wreaked in his brief state of power. Every Lunar soldier around him had been hurled into tree, rocks, or simply smashed into the ground by his feather-tendrils that hadn't been used on the captain.

"Damn son, you really don't like being attacked do you?" Thane raspingly chuckled.

"It's not that he attacked me, it the fact that if I were to die again, it would cause irreperable damage upon my mare."

Thane stood there slack jawed as Loyal trotted away down the path. Laryia bounding past him he faintly heard her giggle, "Told ya' love was powerful."

Shaking his head he made off after the two.

Author's note: Right so obviously if you start this story you're kinda like 'Wait how exactly did he get here?'

Well for that you need to read Sacrifice and Loyalty, but for that you also should read it's predescessor Loyalty and Sacrifice. Quite the clever bastardous little web I've spun huh? Anywho, this is jsut my start on a story that I realized could turn into something quite interesting. I ofcourse of my thanks to Peppy for allowing me to use his background, and to Tonto, whos assassin Tick Tock trained the apprentice that klilled the Dragon that Laryia andThane captured the soul of to find Loyal and drag him here. So yeah, woohoo!

Small Town Blues

The town was tiny. It was to Ponyvile what Ponyville was to Canterlot. Never the less it did have an inn.

As the three companions made their way towards said inn it was obvious the number of strange looks they got. Trepidation, suspicion, fear, they all sat in the callous stares of the town ponies.

Walking into the inn Laryia sidled up to the counter. "We'd like two rooms please."

The pony behind the counter eyed the cheery mare but after recieving the bits for the room she quickly handed over the keys.

Settling into their rooms the three eventually decided to exit the inn and head to a small eatery they'd seen coming into town.

"So Laryia, do you think they're staring at my extra pair of eyes or staring at us in general?"

Loyal listened to his comment and looked at Thane's eyes. He'd noticed it before, but never said anything about it. It was definitely stare-worthy, behind his normall eyes were a second pair that were half the size of the first.

"How did you come by that anyway?"

Thane glanced over at Loyal, "Well it was quite simple, to become a bloodmage you must absorb a daemonic entity. This is my price for my power. Honestly though I like them, and my vision range is far better than most."

The trio managed to get to the eatery easily enough. They headed in and were seated, each ordering something small and simple.

The food arrived and they'd finished the main course without a problem, but of course something had to spring up.

It was as they started on their desserts that trouble showed up in the form of about 30 towns ponies(about the whole male population) armed with farming equipment.

The trio continued to eat their food ignoring the angry townsponies until their 'leader' spoke up.

"Is you's Lunars or is you's Solars? Eh say sum'in!"

Cooly finishing his shake Thane turned all four of his eyes upon the stallion. "We are travelers, we simply seek shelter."

"You's is just travelers huh? Well We thinks you's is trouble!" At this there were grunts of agreement from the other towns ponies.

"Well, then maybe we are strange and such, but that doesn't mean we're trouble friend!" Laryia giggled.

Slightly put off by the mare's cheery attitude the 'leader was about to answer when there was a scream behind him. Everypony rounded to see a mare clutching at a spear that's pinned her to the ground.

The towns ponies started scrambling everywhere as more spears rained from the sky.

"Well damn, son! You carry trouble with you eh?" Thane chuckled as he nudged Loyal.

The ensuing grunt was more from resignation than anything else.

Laryia quickly teleported them to their rooms as they grabbed their belongings.

As the three met back up in the lobby of the small inn they quickly realized it was chillingly quiete.

Stepping outside the devastation was apparent. It was your average storm trooper technique. Strike hard and fast and don't allow for any retaliation. The town populace was destroyed in seconds.

"Who could do this...." pondered the astounded Necromage mare, "I'm used to death but.... these were just.... oh dear Nightmare Moon!" Laryia sputtered as her gaze shifted across foal skewered by a spear thrust through his mother causing her to retch. Even Thane was disgusted.

Loyal was about to make voice of something when there was a scream off to their right.

"C'mon Thane, Laryia!" Loyal ordered as he took off.

The three dashed through a couple of space between buildings to find a colt, not even out of elementary age standingly defianlty, despite tears running down his face and a vicious spear wound in his flank, between a pair of griffons and a small bundle.

"I ain't lettin you's get me sissy!" the colt sobbed.

At this one of the griffons guffawed before ending the poor foal's life.

Moving to stand over the bundle the griffon shifted some blankets to reveal a small newborn filly.

Grinning maliciously the griffon lifted the wailing foal by its hind legs and opened it's beak hungrily. Mere inches from having it's delectable meal the griffon felt something wrap around it's upper and lower jaws, wrenching them open.

With the shock of the griffon having it's jaws pulled wide it Loyal easily took the infant from it's grasp.

He heard the second griffon screech in agony as Laryia and Thane took care of him. Grining evily as his eyes began to glow purple again Loyal stated a single question that sent the worst fears imaginable through the subdued griffon, "You must be really hungry, let me feed you, yes?"

The resulting screams shook Laryia and Thane to the bone, never thinking that the stallion before them could be so cruel.

As soon as Loyal had finished the deed Laryia rushed over and took the infant from Loyal, cradling it in her magic cooing to calm the poor filly down.

"I hate to be the pony who says it, but what exactly do we do with the infant? We aren't exactly prepared nor are we able to safely care for it." probed Thane.

"True but she is soooo cute, hmmm what's this?"

"What is it Laryia?"

"Shhh Thane, Loyal come over here. I think you may have over done it with the magic just about." whispered Laryia.

Trotting over Loyal looked at the foal to find that it had a pattern of purple and white upon it's cinnamon coloured back.

It was the outline of a pony, as if draped on the foals back with the same 'wings' as Loyal. The first two ran up the filly' shoulder around her throat, the second pair ran down the forelegs, the third pair ran around under her forelegs onto her chest the fourth and fifth wrapped around her stomach with sixth pair running down her rear legs and the seventh pair ran together to her tail where they melded into two stripes running through the foals blonde tail.

"That's powerful magic there, son. Did you mean to do this Loyal?"

"No Thane, I simply had it in my head that nothing would harm her." Loyal replied shocked.

"Well you have ensured nothing will, watch this."

To Laryia and Loyal's horror Thane drew his small knife and plunged it down towards the filly.

And it bounced off. Loyal felt a small tug in the back of his mind at this.

"Returned to Equestria from Heaven, and then protecting a small foal for life while doing what is right. I'd say that make you a gaurdian angel, son." Thane rasped.

The quartet as they now were left the town after Loyal uttered a prayer for the lost souls they continued on down the path.

Three hours later Loyal couldn't help but ask, "Where in the hoof are we. I'm tired of wandering around with my head up my plot."

Thane was about to answer when Laryia's horn glowed involuntarily causing the mare to twitch.

Thane immdeiatly took the foal out of the mare's hooves as Laryia forced a lingering spirit, one who refused to pass on after death for this reason or that.

It was a mare, sobbing against a tree. Laryia walked over and put her hoof on the mare's shoulder.

The mare stiffened from shock and faced Laryia. "Are you...are you dead too?"

Laryia shook her head and smiled warmly at the poor spirit.

"No, I'm just special and can see these things."

Loyal, also having a special connection to the afterlife, trotted over and wrapped the still sobbing mare in a winged embrace. "There, there. It's going to be ok, it'll all be ok. I'm Loyal, this is Laryia. That stallion is Thane, but I don't think he can see you. So what is your name?" Loyal soothingly questioned the light green mare as he brushed her bright blue mane out of her face.

'It's wavy, she mustv'e kept it in a braid before.' Loyal thought.

After about 30 minutes of continued sobbing the mare spoke up again. "My name doesn't matter, I let what i wanted get in the way of what was right. I'm a monster and I've wounded so many in such a horrible way."

"It can't be that bad honey." whispered Laryia.

"It is, I played with a poor girls heart when she needed me the most, I tried to kill a foal, I am Silent Brook, and I tried to kill the queen, but I was sooo wrong, I'm the monster!"

With this said the diminutive mare continued her sobs.

Using his feather-tendrils Loyal lifted the spirit up onto his back and the newly formed quintet continued down the road.

"So you were the 'Queen's' head maid?" quested Laryia.

Silent Brook nodded her head.

Loyal suddenly remembered about Twilight's position as the Nightmare's pet.

"How fares Twilight, then. Is she alive and well?"

This caused Silent Brook to curl into a ball and start to cry silently.

"Oh no.... I'm so sorry," started Loyal, wrapping the poor mare back up in his wings.

"No, no. Don't be. I am the one who is soory. I assume you are a friend, or were a friend, of Twilight's"

"Yes Brook, you could say that."

The mare suddenly began shaking and wrpped her etheral hooves around Loyal's neck begging for forgiveness.

Pulling her loose and setting her down infront of him he used a feather-tendril to clear the mares eyes.

"I cannot forgive you if I don't know what is wrong. I will not judge you, believe me when i say this. Now please, tell me what is going on."

Steeling herself, and silently wondering how much harm could be caused to her etheral form, Brook relayed everything to Loyal and Laryia. She relayed how she had set up assassination attempts, and how she had fooled Twilight into loving her. She began to cry, and it took her a few minutes to regain her composure. "Then I tried to kill them. the Queen and Moonbeam. I wanted Twilight dead aswell. I was so wrapped up in my own wants for revenge that I refused to see how wrong I was. Twilight wasn't bad, the Queen wasn't 'bad' per se, and niether was Moon Beam. They just did what they could with what they had in life. If you hate me I'd understand." the poor mare was shaking from fear and sorrow.

It was at this time that the previously rescued foal awoke and began to cry. On instinct from her time with Moon Beam Silent broke immediatly scooped the filly up and started cooing and shushing the tormented foal.

"I see that the foal has the same connection you do, son." said Thane, who had remained silent, unable to see or here Silent Brook.

Loyal wasn't listening though. his mind was reeling with the information that Silent Brook had told him. His eyes began to glow purple as his other side slipped through. A feather-tendril snaked towards Silent Brook while another pulled the foal from her grasp.

Silent Brook was shocked as the feather-tendrils from Loyal began to snake around her body. 'This is it, this is my punishment for my evil.'

Silent Brook couldn't eve bring herself to cry, she knew she deserved this.

Balckness enveloped her vision and everything went silent.

"What did you do!" yelled Laryia.

She couldn't believe what Loyal had just done. It was... it was, just....

Thane detected the rising power from Loyal. He watched as Loyal's wings envloped a small invisible pony shape.

There was a flash of light as Loyal declared in his otherworldly voice.

"IT IS DONE, JUSTICE HAS BEEN ATTAINED!"

Silent opened her eyes and saw white at first, but her vision began to clear.

"THIS IS THE PRICE OF YOUR TRANSGRESSIONS, YOUNG ONE. YOU WILL NOT WALLOW IN PITY, YOU WILL NOT FEEL BAD FOR YOURSELF. NOW RISE AND OBSERVE YOUR NEW RESPONSIBILITY!"

The soft green mare rose up from the grass to find Thane and Laryia staring at her. But it was what was before her that struck her the most.

Wreathed in otherworldy light was the foal being cradled infront of Loyal, his eyes still glowing purple.

"YOU HAVE DONE WRONG IN YOUR LIFE. YOU WERE ABLE TO ADMIT IT, AND WHILE YOU NEVER ONCE SAID IT I KNEW YOU WOULD DO ANYTHING TO FIX THE DAMAGE YOU HAVE DONE. WHILE YOU CANNOT GO BACK TO TWILIGHT OR NIGHTMARE MOON, YOU CAN GIVE THIS ORPHANED FOAL A NEW LIFE! DO YOU ACCEPT THIS RESPONSIBILITY?"

Standing silent for a moment, Silent Brook finally manged to squeeze out a yes.

"WHY DO YOU ACCEPT THIS RESPONSIBILITY YOUNG ONE?"

After a few moments of thinking Silent Brook sobbed out, "Because I do not want this foal to grow up like me! I want her to be happy, I don't even know her, but I want her to be happy and have a good life!"

Voice no longer overpowering Loyal spoke softly to the mare, "You are ready young one. Welcome back."

Silent felt a shock of electricity run through her and blacked out again. When she came to Loyal Laryia and Thane stood off to the side holding the foal.

Feeling Thane's gaze upon her Silent Brook knew she was infact returned to the land of the living. Standing shakily she rushed forward and threw her forelegs around Loyal crying her thanks.

"Why do you thank me, because I brought you back?" probed Loyal.

"No Loyal, thank you for allowing this foal a chance for a better life than I had!" Brook cried happily.

"And the young one understands." Loyal smiled as his mark appeared on Silent Brooks back. It was just like the one the foal had on her own back.

Touched at this scene, but wondering never the less, Laryia stepped forward and questioned, "Brookie, do you have a name for this foal?"

Giving it mere seconds to mull it over, Silent Brook absolutely beamed as she said, "Yes, she is Beatha, my Beatha!"

"Life and Existance, in one name. I wish you well in your new land, I will return there to you eventually and check on you." stated Loyal as his eyes glowed once more.

A purple magic bubble enveloped Silent Brook as she held her filly Beatha. With a flash of light the two were gone.

"Where did you send them, and how."

With a confident grin Loyal replied, "To a place where they can spend their 'beatha' in cofhurtachd and sabhailteachd. I sent them to my home. Now come, there is much more to do!"

Surprised at this stallions power, Thane and Laryia shared a knowing look. Loyal was definitely going to be of use here.

Author's note: I had some Scot Gaelic at the end there. Beatha- Life/Existence, Cofhurtachd-Comfort, and Sabhailteachd- Safety. I couldn't help but feel that Silent Brook was a good mare, but was too criven for revenge and for what SHE wanted rather than realize that Moon Beam and Twilight didn't really have choices in the matter. She figured it out thouhg and she's fixing it now. Oh and Loyal is turning out to be more of who I wish I could be. sure he is understanding, loyal and tends to be a bit selfsacrificial, but he can use magic to fix shit. I have to talk to people and convince them, to talk back. Loyal is def. cooler than me. Oh and the 'feather-tendrils' suddenly came to me where I got the idea, it was back from Diablo 2, ArchAngel Tyriel. didn't remeber where I'd gotten the idea til I saw a Diablo 3 commercial lol.

No Sides, No Problem

The Solar Guard was patrolling the area heavily it had been a few days since the first griffon strom strikes, and while the Lunar army didn't realized what was happening yet, the Solar guard surely knew.

"It's a true shame really." whispered Thane.

"What's that?" asked Loyal.

"Well it's quite simple really silly. The Solar guard is focused on the bringing back the good things from Celestia, while the Lunar Army aprecciates the more authoratative role that Queen Moon plays. If the two would mix this together they's have quite the rule."

"I know they would, that's where I came from..." Loyal grumbled.

"We're really are sorry about that, son. But do you see what you're doing here. You've already rescued a foal from certain death, you brought a repentant soul back from the dead to right past wrongs! You have power, you can do things for these ponies that they can't do themselves!" encouraged Thane.

"And this is why you brought me here?" Loyal replied in a slightly more understanding tone.

Thane shuffled nervously at this, waiting for Laryia to answer instead. The bone-white mare cleared her throat and chuckled a little before explaining the what had actually happened.

"Well, no, and yes. It's complicated. We meant to find the most powerful undead being, expecting a lich. And maybe we planned on a coup. But watching your world, watching you and what you fight and live for. This world doesn't need rule through and iron hoof, it needs it's people to understand that they are not alone, and that their ruler or rulers will not falter and leave them to squalor. You have already changed us, friend, and you have already altered this world. We need you!" Laryia passionately spoke.

"I see, I've had quite the effect haven't I, and what is it you believe Thane?"

"I agree with Laryia whole heartedly, while this wasn't out intent, it is far better than what we set out to do. You have proven that you can leave whenever you want though, and we can't stop you. That being the case, what holds you back? If you don't mind my asking of course."

"No, not at all. The truth is, despite my want to return, Rainbow Dash wouldn't approve of it. She'd stay and help, so through her I will too. You're right, I have shifted fate thrice from just being here, nevermind what I did back home. I can help, and I want to help. And not to go off topic, but there's a break in the patrols we can slip through."

Thane and Laryia turned to see that Loyal was right. As they made to slip through the opening, screams cut through the air.

"Buck it all to Tartarus!" Loyal growled as he saw griffons raining from the sky.

"C'mon Laryia, Loyal, we can still slip out."

"Not Thane, Loyal's right, we can help this!"

Loyal grinned upon hearing this and slipped into his other self, allowing his power to flow through him. His eye glowing purple he took to the skies.

"Rain down upon these poines, let them know that we are the true power over Equstria. We are the dominant species!" cried the War chieftan. He grinned evilly as he watched the Solar guard attempt to put up a meager defence. He made to join the fray when a spear flew past his face. "Who threw that!" he sqauwked, turning to find that it wasn't a stray spear from a foolish recruit, but instead a spear thrown by a stallion. The stallion eyes glowed purple and in what seemed to be appendages from his back he held three other spears while more appendages flapped behind him, holding him aloft. "Griffons, stop that pony!"

Six griffons broke of thier attack to assault the stallion.

Thane slashe open his forelegs and let his powers flare. Ruching forward he threw up a shield to prtotect two Solar Guard mares. With a second spell he used the same technique as before to turn 5 griffons' insides to ash.

Being a Necromage, Laryia could on control things recently departed, thankfully there were two griffon and 9 Solar Guard corpse laying upon the ground. Imbuing them with her Necromagic she raised these corpses and set them upon the griffons with gusto.

Up above Loyal faced off against the six griffons and their leader.

"YOU SHOULD LEAVE NOW, FOALS. THIS IS NOT YOUR LAND. ONE WARNING, LEAVE AND YOU WILL BE SPARED!"

"Git 'im!" roared the griffon war chieftan.

Loyal spun, going into an impressize flurry of movement before coming to a sudden halt, his three spears gone from his grasp, now lodges into three griffons' throats.

After watching the three comrades fall gurgling through the spears in their throats, the other three made to attack, only to have their necks snapped.

Rounding on the war chieftan, and securing him with his feather-tendrils Loyal said deceptively soothingly, "There there, it'll be all right.....NOW PERISH!"

The blood curdling squawks that tore throught the air drew the attention of both griffons and ponies alike.

Both parties stared in horror as the war chieften caught flame in a blaze of white light.

Loyal coursed power into the helpless griffon until he held little more than ash. Releasing the ash and letting it drift away in the wind, Loyal turned to watch the remaining griffon troops tear into a retreat.

Landing next to Laryia and Thane Loyal turned his attention to the remaining Solar Guard. There was one survivor standing there shaking at what might happen next. A brave one, mare, snowy blue coat with a turqoise mane stepped foward defensively.

"Hold fast. I will not allow you to harm me!" the mare declared, fear apparent in her voice.

"Easy young one." Loyal soothed, eyes still glowing, but softer and seemingly more friendly.

"You... I don't know what you are, but those other two! They practice dark magics, they can't be trusted."

Giggling at the thought, Laryia bounded up next to the mare, "Silly, if we are so evil why did we save you then? we're the good guys, friend!"

Finding it hard to argue with the giddy mare, the Solar Guard introduced herself, "I'm sorry, I'm Snowberry. I was just a little.. unerved by your performance."

"Not a problem, lass. Loyal here is a class A good guy, he's just a little overprotective of other ponies in trouble." chuckled Thane, who got a rather curious/fearing stare from Snowberry.

"Before we continue, I must ask, what side are you with?" probed Snowberry, trepidation creeping into her voice.

"The right side, silly. that's why we saved you!" guffawed Laryia.

"Well it's just that, there are alot of definitions to 'the right side'." Snowberry pushed.

Chuckling, Loyal stepped forward and took over, "I am on the side of what is right for everypony. The Royal Guard is not wholly right," This earned an uneasy look upon Snowberry's features. "But neither are the Lunar Army. We cannot allow you to go running your mouth off of our existance either though. I have been around for mere weeks now and already have found trouble. i do not need more neither to my compan....ahhhhh!"

Loyal broke off as his eyes began to glow purple again, every m,uscle in his body growing rigid as he saw an otherworldy scene.

It was Twilight, being followed by Thanatos, a being who tried to force souls of those who wished not to move on. The scene shifted as he saw Nightmare Moon herself leading Twilight away from Thanatos.

The spirit of Death reared back to take a swipe that surely would destroy the two mares.

"Thanatos! HOLD FAST!"

Thanatos found himself held still by Loayl as Nightmare Moon disappeared from his realm with Twilight Sparkle's soul in tow.

"I will not stand for this Loyal! Do you think that because to defied death itself that you can stop me from claiming souls. You dare defy me like Luna did. I will have the two of you suffer!"

"Thanatos, I understand your anger, but look at my actions. I cam back to save a life and have started the spark of life anew. I saved a foal, and then offered both the foal and Silent Brook a second chance. I DO NOTHING BUT WORK FOR A GOOD CAUSE!"

"Really?! Then why did you not allow me to reap Nightmare Moon. She can nevr be a good cause as you called it!"

"THAT IS WHERE YOU ARE WRONG! WHY, THANATOS, DO YOU BELIEVE SHE CAME FOR TWILIGHT SPARKLE. SHE CAN ALWAYS GET A NEW PET, OR A NEW SLAVE. NO, SHE PUT HER EXISTANCE ON THE LINE FOR THAT MARE!?"

"That's ridiculous Loyal! You can't mean that Nightmare Moon actually..."

"She does, Thanatos. That little puprle mare has been slowly pulling Nightmare Moon from her pain and suffering. Twilight Sparkle could very well be her one chance at redemption."

At this Thanatos nodded and turned to leave, "I accept this, but do not make a regular habit of it, Loyal!"

"Loyal, Loyal! You okay, Helloooo?"

Loyal shook his head, finding himself staring up a Laryia.

"How long was I out?"

"Five minutes, and that seemed like quite the conversation there, son." Thane chuckled.

Standing up Loyal found Snowberry to be staring at him incredulously, "You? Who were you talking to? And what is going on with Nightmare Moon!"

"How do you know I speak of Nightmare Moon, young one?" quested Loyal.

"Nevermind that, and what of Silent Brook! You said you saved her?! Twilight treacherolousy struck her down as she tried to rid the world of Nightmare Moon! Who are you!"

"Calm yourself. Allow me to explain."

Loyal went throguht the whole tale for her. He started in his own Equestria, and explained everything since from his arrival to Silent Brook's apology and reprisal up until they came acroos Snoberry's group being attacked.

"So as you can see, I am merely aiding in pushing those of importance towards their goals."

"If everypony you save does something important, what am I supposed to do?! I'm no hero!" Snowberry sputtered.

"You don't need to be honey." started Laryia, "But you can warn the Solar guard of the griffon's increasing hostilities, and you can also start convincing the Solar Guards to ally with the Lunar army. The two sides cannot win alone, silly."

"But I'm a coward, I only survived the sttack because I hid!" Snowberry exclaimed, tears springing into her eyes.

Thane brought her out of it , though.

"Enough crying, lass! Silent Brook had her second chance and has done good with it. Loyal has saved many with his second chance. Even Queen Nightmare Moon was given a second chance, and she chose to save her 'pet'! You have a second chance Snowberry! You can aid in the saving of not one or two ponbies, put all of Equestria. Now Buck up, put a smile on and get out there!"

Snowberry's features lit up, "You're right. Everypony is relying on me, they need me! Your secret is safe with me, but I need to go warn the Solar Guards!"

"Atta gal!" giggled Laryia as she watched Snowberry run off, "And Thane, what you said..." Laryia broke off as she trotted over and gave him a peck on his lips, "It was inspiring."

Loyal merely chuckled, knowing that if it weren't for Thane's coat colour his face would be obviously red.

The three companions set up yet again, wandering and wondering.

Queen Nightmare Moon stood motionless. Her spell would not pull her and Twilight from Death's scythe in time.

Feeling fear, regreat, and sorrow Nightmare was seconds from closing her eyes when a blindingly white stallion wife glowing purples eyes appeared behind Death.

"Thanatos. HOLD FAST!"

Then she teleported Twilgiht and herself from that realm.

The scene shifted, and she saw herself, standing over a beaten and bloddied Twilight. Nightmare's heart ached at the sight.

She watched helplessly as her phantom body raised a sword above Twilight, ready for the killing blow.

"NO!" Nightmare screamed as the sword flashed down for the killing blow when there was a blinding purple flash.

Nightmare found herself secured by the white purple eyed stallion from before.

"YOU CARE FOR THIS PONY? SHOW IT AND ACCEPT THE SECOND CHANCE YOU HAVE BEEN GIVEN!"

With a second purple flash, Nightmare Moon awoke in her bed, laying next to Twilight Sparkle. Smiling to herself, she resolved to be better to this mare whom she loved.

In Aid of Loved Ones

The pain was unbelievable.

Loyal could hear the griffon War Chieftan cackling loudly as he had a spear withdrwn from his chest. Of course the wound sealed rather quickly with no mark at all so the Chieftan did the only thing logical in his head, he drove the spear right back in.

Thane watched in horror as the Chieftan drove his spear in and out of Loyal's chest while the stallion grimaced in pain.

"Hullo ass! Why don't you try that with me, eh? I think you're too much of a lass to do it!"

Thanes smart remark only achieved a backclaw from his own guard.

'An' that just proves they know I'm a blood mage.'

"Hurts doesn't it? Hahahaha, I love it, I have a never dying toy to play with, oh what fun you shall bring me as you feel my tools peirce your hide!"

"You sure do take a lot of pride in your strength, for a patsy griffon that can not even full peirce my body." Loyal grimaced.

The chieftan took the challenge as such and rammed the spear fully through the stallions body.

"Ahar! and how was that meat?" the Chieftan cackled.

"That was the most disgraceful attempt I've ever seen. I know filly's that have more strength!" growled Loyal through a face contorted in pain.

The Chieftan flew intopa rage and started to skewer the stallion repeatedly until he heard an odd snap.

"Guards, what was that?"

The answer became clear as Loyal took hold of the Chieftan's neck and throttled him.

"That was the rope, the one that kept me from you!"

Laryia shook tears from her eyes as she lifted herself from the cold stones that made her cell. The only source of light was a small window cut into the stone above her.

"Ah, so this is one of the three trouble makers that interrupted our assault on the pony caravans. You saved how many? Regardless we still destroyed three of them." gloated a rather proud looking griffon.

"Oh, you must feel really tough then, you took down three caravans out of 30, and lost over half your force to 3 ponies. Yes, I must say I'm quite impressed." Laryia shot back sarcastically.

Reaching through the bars of the cage the griffon gripped Laryia by the throat and dragged her to the edge of the cage bringing the two face to face.

"Watch your tone, meat! I have full control over you and I will not take any of your lip!"

"Fine! Take this instead!" Laryia shouted as she slammed a hoof into her captor's face.

'I'm going to die anyway, why not make it fun?'

The enraged griffon ripped the cage door open, intent on beating the foalish mare to death, when a second pair of claws gripped him and pulled him right back out.

"Brother! You are not to be here! Remove yourself before I have you reported!"

The saviour griffon turned to Laryia and uttered a simple command while securing her with a gag, "Come with me."

Shaking her head, and realizing she didn't really have a choice in the matter Laryia trotted after the griffon.

She followed him up a flight of stone steps and out into a griffon village. She continued trotting behind him keeping her eyes on the ground, but still caught the looks of the other griffons they passed.

"Ignore them." the leading griffon told her.

The griffon lead the bone-white mare up to the main house, obviously belonging to a war chieftan. Leading her inside the griffon ushered her up a flight of stairs and into a hall way. He stopped at a door and pushed it open.

Laryia watched him push the door open and motion for her to walk inside. Glancing into the room the first thing that caught her attention was a large bed. Her mind flashed back to the looks many of the village griffons had given her, alot of them had been suggestive.

Laryia's body froze up as her mind started racing. She shook her head and took a half step back when the griffon spoke up.

"It'll be easier if you just step inside."

Shaking her head even more Laryia tried to take another step back when the griffon grabbed her and threw her inside to land on the bed.

The griffon stepped inside afte rher and shut the door. He walked up to the bed and got half way onto it when he reached out towards the mare, who's eyes were threatning to spill over with tears as she layed shaking on the bed.

Putting on a nice(r) looking smile the griffon shushed her, "Shhh shh relax, I'm not here to hurt you." as he reached back and removed the gag from Laryia's muzzle.

"I'm Chavon, eldest son of Elder Lyons. You are?"

Laryia stared at him as her mind recovered before realizing that she needed to answer.

"I'm Laryia."

"That can't be all, you are a unicorn, you've got to have something special, am I right?"

"Well, yes... apart from average magic, I specialize in Necromagiks."

"Hmmm, I've not heard of that before, what is it?" inquired Chavon while he seated himself on the floor, leaning against the bed.

"It is the magical control of death and the recently deceased. I also am skilled with illusion magics."

"And Illusion is, hmm, the ability to alter what others percieve, am I right?"

"Yes." Laryia reponded, still rather on edge.

"Relax, like I said, I won't hurt you. And illusion magics, huh? That'll come in handy since I've laid claim to you."

Laryia gulped, mind quickly moving back to previous undesireable scenario's.

"No no, not like that, well, sorta like that. Let me explain. As being a prisoner I've laid claim to, you are expected to do everything I say. On that note I, as a male, am expected to do what all males do," seeing the poor mares eyes widen he quickly recovered, "but I don't wish to do this with you. This would seem odd to most. If I can trust you enough, I can remove your anti-magic halter at night. If anyone notices it, I can say you were magically stimulating me, but in reality you can cast a spell that makes it appear we are sleeping together and such."

"You...you would do that? Why, I'm just a pony... not that I'm not grateful I mean, it's just... odd." Laryia finished lamely.

Smirking at this Chavon replied cooly, "I don't agree with this war. You ponies have as much right to life as we do. Ife we griffon say that we have more of a right to life than the ponies, then what's to stop dragon's from coming to a similar conclusion?"

"That makes sense."

"Yes, now come it is time for dinner. Here are your rules, you do not speak unless I give direct permission. You will sit behind my chair on the ground, for that I will apologize now. You will eat only what I specifically hand to you, and most importantly, you will warn me of anyone who harrasess you in any way with the exception of physically pushing you out of their way. Do you understand?"

"Umm, yes." replied Laryia cautiously.

With that Laryia followed Chavon out of the room.

"You're going to tell me where they went!"

"Please, please no more!" came the strained response.

"Then answer me!"

"Griffonia, a village just inside the borders noth east of Stalliongrad!"

"Good."

"So you'll let me go?"

"From this world? YES!"

The last thing th captive griffon say was four glowing eyes.

"You're feeding that one a bit much, don't ya' think Chavon?"

The griffon in question looked at the perfectly appropriate amount of food to fully fill Laryia's stomach.

"Nah Barkus, she's kinda bony."

Barkus grinned at this and replied, "Well I'm sure you'd know!"

The table of griffon's guffawed, and so did Chavon, while Laryia blushed at the insinuation and munched at her meal.

"So what was she like? Did she cry, did you have to force her?"

"Nah, she teared up a bit, but I explained the situation and she just went along with it. And as for what she was like? Like she'd never been touched."

Laryia couldn't help but admire how slyly Chavon told the truth without allowing others to discern what he truly meant.

Dinner continued without incident until the 'most delectable meal' came out. Laryia started retching and threw up her dinner as she saw what was brought out. It was a Solar Guard, still wrapped in his armour.

Laryia suddenly felt a stinging pain as the griffon, Barkus, backclawed her. He made to do it again when Chavon bowled him over and threw him against a wall. Rising to his feet, Barkus roared at Chavon, "That little bitch puked on my back, how dare you stop me!"

"Do not presume to yell at me Barkus, I DO out rank you. WOuld you have responeded any differenlty if it was one of us brought out as a meal!" suddenly realizing how his reply might have sounded Chavon quickly added, "Besides, I wish her to make use of her mouth tonight, and I don't want it damaged!"

Thinking he'd avoided having the mare harmed further, Chavon made to leave when he heard her yelp. Looking over his shoulder he saw that Barkus had simply kicked her in the side.

"I'm soorry about that Laryia." Chavon apologized when they were in his room.

"No, I did puke on his tail alittle."

"I meant I'm sorry you had to see that. I don't partake of that kind of meal myself. Now ready yourself, we are going out tonight. I have something that you will find interesting."

"Easy, we cannot rush in on this group. Besides, they appear to not started their event yet."

"You're point?"

They await somepony, obviously of importance. We wait for the important one to arrive, then we attack.

"Fine then." came the annoyed response from the darkness, only broken by four glowing eyes.

"Where are we going Chavon?" Laryia yelled through the air, trying to make herself hear over the rushing air.

"To meet friends. I'm not the only griffon of the world to find this war a waste of time!"

After another 10 minutes of flying Chavon landed just inside a clearing filled with about 25-30 other griffons.

Laryia immediatly dropped off Chavon's back and followed after him, staring at the ground.

"Da', great to see you!"

"And you, Chavon!" replied a age worn voice, "Oh, what's this, you've got a friend? Well then little miss, what is your name?"

Remembering protocol Laryia made to look to Chavon for his say-so when she felt a claw gently move her head to face the wisened old griffon, who was smiling warmly.

"You do not follow protocol here little miss, I am Elder Lyons. This is my group of rebels against this war. Now, I ask again, what is your name?"

"I am..." the rest of Laryia's response was cut off as a pair of ponies dashed into the group, obviously battle ready.

Out of pure instinctual protection for her new found allies Laryia magically secured the two stallions and brought them to the light to find....

"Laryia! You're ok!" Thane shouted with unreppresed glee.

"Yes I am Thane, but what are you doing here?" asked Laryia, still holding the two stallions aloft.

"We came to free you from these monsters! Now let us down so we can help you!" Thane shouted.

"Well well, little sir," spoke Elder Lyons, "I take it you two are friends of Laryia. Well she's perfectly safe with us."

"Mmm? So who are you exactly?" quested Loyal.

Chavon answered with pride, "We are Lyon's Pride, we disagree with this war, as I'm sure you do. Can Laryia let you down without you attacking?"

"'Course."

Laryia lowered her two friends down when a Solar Guards spears went flying past them.

Loyal spun around and dug into his other side immediatly and erected a shield for all in the clearing as hordes of ponies came pouring out of the woods.

Attacks rained down upon the shield constantly as minutes went by, and Loyal felt his hold of the shield begin to slip.

As the shield broke open directly infront of Elder Lyons, Loyal looked on with horror as they saw a spear hurled by a Lunar soldier. Just as the spear left his hooves there was a familiar yell as a mare in Solar Guard armour stepped forward screaming, "Hold fire, HOLD FIRE!"

Everything froze as the Solar Guard stepped past the Lunar soldier and removed her helm.

"Snowberry!" cried Loyal, who was about to greet her more warmly when a god awful, heartwrenching cry tore through the air. It came from the direction of Elder Lyons. Everyone, both pony and griffon turned to seek out the cause of the uproar.

What was seen was Thane, tears pouring from all four eyes, as he sat with Laryia's head in his lap.

That errant spear thrown before the ceasefire had found it's mark, not in Elder Lyons as planned but instead firmly planted in Laryia's side, nicking her heart.

"Please, no, WHY!" Thane cried out.

With volume little more than that of a breath Laryia whispered to him, "I'm sorry Thane, I've always wanted to.....*cough*... to tell you...." Laryia stretched her head up, and as Thane leaned down to hear her better, thier lips met. With that last, and first, true kiss, Laryia's flank stopped moving, and she became motionless.

"NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!" Thane screamed as he pulled his knife and drew it sharply across his right foreleg. The red mist tell tale of his magic started working on Laryia's body, trying to start her ruined heart. Desperation flooded through the pegasu as he drew the knife across his other foreleg, but still to no results.

Loyal, unable to stand watching the stallion's suffering, started tyo dip into his power and go fetch Laryia from Thanatos' grasp when a scythe sliced into the grass before him.

"NO LOYAL! I will not allow you to take another soul from me!" Thanatos roared as he stepped out from a portal he'd openned. "I am more than tired of having you come and steal back souls that I rightfully hold claim to reap! I am more than tired of souls escaping my grasp! More than that though, I am tired of the influx of souls caused by this senseless warring!"

With this Thanatos flung his cloak wide, and from the dark abyss inside, Laryia stepped out, rushing over to Thane's side.

"Loyal," Thanatos replied more calmly, "Consider this my peace offering, as I have decided to join your cause."

Smiling to himself, Loyal stared at the awestruck faces all around him. Slipping into his power, Loyal rose into the air and yelled out in his booming voice.

"MY BRETHREN, BE YOU PONY OR GRIFFON, WE STAND, ALL FOR THE SAME CAUSE. WE STAND NOT FOR OURSELVES, WE STAND NOT FOR WHAT WE WANT! NEIGH! WE STAND FOR ALL OF THOSE AROUND US, WE STAND FOR THE HELPLESS, CAUGHT BETWEEN SIDES. LOOK AT WHAT WE HAVE ACHIEVED IN SUCH A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME! LUNAR SOLDIERS AND SOLAR GUARDS TOGETHER,AS PONIES!" Loyal yelled, motioning to the mixed rebel forces, "AND GRIFFON AND PONY, GIVING LIFE TO SAVE ONE ANOTHER! WE ARE NOT A FORCE THAT SEEKS CONTROL, BUT ONE THAT SIMPLY SEEKS PEACE."

Lowering his volume, Loyal continued with a final statement, "Now let us make camp, for at first light we make our plans!"

With that everyone set off in different direction, ponies and griffons intermingling. Snowberry was talking to Chavon and Lyons, while Loyal trotted off to find food.

Thane and Laryia disappeared into a newly erected tent as she saw to his wounds.

"You silly, you could've hurt yourself trying to bring me back, what were you thinking?" Laryia fretted as she aplied bandages.

Words thick with emotion Thane leaned in to her and replied, "Don't leave me, I'm sorry, I'll fix this if it costs me my life. That's what I was thinking."

Tears of pure joy slipped from Laryia's eyes as the two ponies lips connected. Guiding her down to the ground gently, Thane and Laryia found themselves realizing that there was nothing else in the world better than the pony in the their hooves.

Author's note: Gragh, damn this took me all day. You know what got me through this, good music. SoundoftheAviators, 'Flower of the Season' by Bronyfied, PrinceWhateverer, and other brony music artists. Anyway this one took me most of the day to get done so sorry for the later post up time. Oh and for anyone wondering about the time line of this. Pay close attention to Chavon's younger brother yelling at Laryia, then pay attention to the chapters right after Nightmare brings back Twi

When You Fall Alone.

Loyal was out on patrol, unlike usual though he was on patrol alone. His plan was simple and sound. Go to Ponyville and see how his friends(despite the fact that they won't know me) are doing.

He'd had sent his own group, Chavon, Elder Lyons, Snowberry and her second in command Summertides, and Thane and Laryia to seek out the leader of the Minotaurs. They were fearsome beasts and would be a boon to the cause.

"Mmmm, foul weather ahead, what fun." Loyal grumbled to himself.

He looked down at the qaint town below him. It was small, not much bigger than Ponyville and not too far from New Mareland. He looked down at the tree filled orchard far below him.

'Looks just like the Apple's farm.' Loyal reminisced.

Not being as in tune with the weather, Loyal didn't even contemplate why the storm clouds were moving so fast, despite the lack of wind.

"Thane, you do realize it's be easier if it was just us and we teleported, no?" giggled a evercheery Laryia.

The black-red stallion couldn't help but chuckle as a twinkle flashed in his four eyes.

"Of course love, but then the minotaurs might think of our allies as bad guys when we arrive. Or without us our allies would probably get into trouble." Thane replied unconvincingly.

Laryia knew that he was full of it, since trouble seemed to so thoroughly seek out the two ponies, but seemed more settled. She sidled up next to him rubbing their flanks together before he initiated a long, passionate kiss.

"At least we get to go together." the mare sighed.

"Always."

Loyal was fighting a losing battle. It was another stormtroop technique, rush in, rush out, no survivors. He silently berated himself for not realizing that he wasn't seeing clouds earlier. Staring at the two griffons before him Loyal chuckled maliciously, "Right then, let's have you two join your friends!" Motioning to the ground the griffon pair saw the broken forms of seven other griffons on the grounds.

Shrieking, the griffon on Loyal's left charged forward, elliciting a deft spin to his right and forward, bringing Loyal on par with the second griffon. Whiping out one of his combat knives Loyal drove it into the base of the stunned griffons skull. Spinning around Loyal faced the first griffon that's charged at him. "Oops, look at that, Bye Bye Birdie!" growled the stallion.

Earning a second shriek of out rage the griffon chraged forward, only to find a throweing knife driven into it's eye, and thus entering its brain.

Loyal looked about for more trouble, only to realize that there was another survivour. It was the mare in the orchard earlier being chased by 5 griffons. Taking off in an intercept course, Loyal launched off his six other throwing knives. They weren't long enough in blade to kill any, but it certainly got their attention. Two broke off their assault to take down the interferring stallion, but Loyal would have none of it. Deftly ducking into the orchard he managed to get past the pair and intercept the other three. He managed to kill one right off the bat, coming upo from below, driving a knife into it's throat. Grasping the other two with a pair of feather-tendrils he slammed them into the ground. He heard the snap of one's neck, so he turned to focus on the last of the trio. No coward, but an unskilled fighter, it was easy for Loyal to dance around him. With a couple of deft slashes the purple eyed stallion hamstrung the griffon before driving a devastating blow from his well muscled fore leg into the griffons temple.

One of the twon griffons that had broken off originally burst from the tree barreling into Loyal. it would've been a sound plan for dealing with most, but Loyal had the advantage of 14 'prehinsile limbs'. Grappling the griffon was easy, with the first casualty being it's broken back, follwed by strngulation that was finished mercifully fast when Loyal sanpped it's neck.

It was then that the final griffon came in, throwing a spear tha drove through Loyal's back and into the ground.

Grimacing in pain the stallion reached out and grabbed the griffon with a feather-tendril. It scream confusedly as it saw that the white stallion was still alive. With no better thoguht other than 'kill this demon' the griffon grabbed a second spear and drove it into Loyal's shoulder and out his chest, it's head also burying itself in the ground. Enraged at this Loyal constricted the poor griffon tighter and tighter as he heard every bone in it's body sanp and giveway to his unrivaled force.

Finished with the now pulpy, bloodied mass at his hooves, Loyal looked out to see the farm mare far out in the distance. The skies around her were clear.

Loyal tried to move at all, but quickly found that the contradicting angles of the two spear forced through his body refused to give way to the other. He was trapped.

Left to nothing but his thoughts, Loyal sighed and fell into slumber civing the sky one more glance.

'The skies are clear.'

It was tense. Griffon and pony stood side by side before Jahurl as he appraised the scene.

"Ohohoo, well this is certainly quite the circus group you've got here, eh?"

Thane nodded respectfully. "Yes Jahurl. Eqeustria needs you, you do realize this no? If we fall, you could very much become the next target."

"Oh but of course, but for the moment we should feast. I'm sure everyone here is quite hungry!" shouted Jahurl.

The uproar that ensued was obviously one of approval.

"Celestia Breach! Even when you try to do shit right, you still get yourself into a mess! Can't you do anything right! You're bucking useless!"

Shut up dad! Why can't you just accept that I did something good, even if it got me into a predicament!

Because being in a predicament isn't succeding, now is it. It just means you failed after the fact!"

Whatever, I'm sure mum has more to say on the matter.

Breach found his cheek stinging terribly.

Don't bring her into this!

A second sting on the cheek.

Shaking away obnoxious amounts of pain, Loyal opened his eyes to find a carrion crow pecking at his face. Growling at the thing he shook his head enough to get it to fly away. Slipping back into sleep, Loyal found himself tormented again.

How dare you! I do everything I can to make you grow into a fine young stallion and you throw it in my face!

No you do everything in your power to make me grow up to be nothing like dad!

Well is that really a bad thing? I thoguht you didn't like your father. What do you want to go live with him and your brother? They can both beat the crap out of you every day?

No, of course not. I just think you need to lighten up a bit.

Lighten up? I come home from work everyday, worn to the bone, to find that you've had more trouble with the colts at school, and your sister never has her homework done!

Well I have my own work to do, and when I'm done i'd like to rest, not help the filly with her work, besides she never makes it easy.

Wow, really, time to yourself! You really are selfish. I have to go to work extra hard bacause your father's not around and you complain about helping your little sister do her homework! Welcome to the real world, growup.

Loyal shook his head again, there seemed to be a large fire in town. The pain unbearable it was seconds before he slipped under again.

Hey loser, whatcha doin' readin' books again? Celestia, you need to get a bucking life! Hahaha/

Oh yes, because tormenting other due to ones insecurties is sooo much more appealing.

what's that supposed to mean!

Well if you actually paid attention in class, it would mean 'your life sucks so you treat others badly'.

You peice of shit! I'll show you a sucky life!

I don't care if he had to go to the doctor for his nose. He swung at me first!

It doesn't matter Breach. Fighting is fighting and all of the colt's friends say you started the fight.

Really now, you mean that his friends are all telling the truth because I beat him up, and that none of them could possibly be lying because they want to keep him happy. That'd be utterly preposterous.

With that Breach stormed out of the principals office.

Two scouts came flying into the midst of Snowberry and Summertides panting heavily. One was a pegasus while the other was a part of Lyon's Pride.

"Ma'am we've got a problem!" started the pegasus.

"Queen Moon is on her way in this direction, but my kind have a trap set for her!"

"Shit!" snapped Snowberry as she took of to warn Thane, Laryia and Jahurl. "Summertides, get the camp packed up pronto!"

Snowberry came skidding into the group and immediatly shot out the knews, "Lord Jahurl you may have to meet Queen Moon halfway," at this she earned an inquisitive look from all around, "There is a trap for her set by the griffons!"

Jahurl set about while Thane Laryia and Snowberry made to take off.

"Are you not coming with us brethren?" quested Jahurl.

"Ahh, no, we are a more splinter group. Unlike the Solar Guard or Nightmare Moon, we have differing views. We are not known to any side other than you Lord Jahurl. We aim to stay that way at the moment."

"I understand Thane. Stay safe brethren!"

With that Jahurl lead his force off towards the Queen.

Foal. Still he seems to have been better than the rest.

True look at this, it's disgusting what he's done here.

Ugh yes, lets get his fat plot down.

'Odd, what is this memory?'

Geez, he must've really pissed them off!

Look at this mess he's in, you're obviously right.

Loyal felt tugging, quickly realizing her wasn't hearing a memory. It was two Lunar soldiers trying to unpin his body.

the second he felt the first spear come loose Loyal ripped himself from the second. Looking at the stunned stallions Loyal spun a spear he'd retrieved and struck the blunt end across the two stallions heads, knocking them unconcious.

Taking off through the town he looked upon the destruction around him.

Memories off his former life filled his mind as tears threatened to overcome him. Speeding out of the town he topled a sign but paid it no heed. He was leaving to mourn.

Dodge Junction

Population:*bloodsplatter*

Trials

Loyal was going to Ponyville. His thoughts were a myriad of cruels taunts and jibes. He may not know the Rainbow Dash of this world, but watching her always calmed his thoughts.

Thane and Laryia talked to Snowberry and Elder Lyons. The plan was to get a spy into the castle and see what was happeining. It wouldn't be easy of course, but it would be manageable if they were cautious.

"Summer, if we sent one of us in as a soldier, yould that work?"

"No, Snowberry. The soldiers go through rigorous mind scouring." wheezed Elder Lyons.

Loyal mingled in the crowd, amazed at all the hubbub. From what he understood, there was a draft in place to pull together as many soldiers as possible.

He eventually found his Dashie in line, waiting with a pony he recognized from his own world as Raindrops. She was a kindly mare, hard worker, pretty fun at a party.

Dash was fidgeting before whispering something to Raindrops and taking into the sky. He looked at Raindrops eyes as she followed Rainbow mentally.

'Ah yes, 'that look', I had one of my own with that same mare Raindrop. At least this Dashie has someone to love her as I love my own Rainbow.

Loyal watched as Rainbow soared around, just doing everything she knew how to do with her usual style. It brought a wave of calm over the haunted stallion, forcing the slaughtered from his mind and bringing up all the good things he's done. Lost in his own thoughts, Loyal didn't even realize what was happening until Raindrops tore into the sky after Rainbow. Following her trajectory mentally Loyal gasped in horror as he saw a griffon ready for the attack.

Raindrops slammed into a griffon as all Tartarus broke loose. Griffon's began to pour from the sky.

Loyal immediatly took up an assault. He flew straight into a group and stalled three of them. Working hard to dispatch them he felt a burst of pain erupt from his back and out of his stomach.

'Damn, again!' he mentally growled. Pulling the spear throguh his body he found it was not like the conventional spears meant for throwing. It was a well made, balanced melee spear. Twirling it in his feather-tendrils for a second, Loyal dropped the three stunned griffons before him. Finished with that he quickly scanned for the tell tale chromatic mane of Dashie. When he caught sight of her his heart felt as if it was being ripped from his body.

Rainbow stood over Raindrops, who had a lance driven through her. He saw the hurt on Rainbows face, it was similar to what he'd seen of his own Dash before she attempted to take her own life.

Roaring in anger Loyal tore into the nearest group of griffons.

"I WILL NO LONGER TOLERATE YOUR FILTH!"

Loyal struck with skilled precision, dropping two griffons that had arced down to follow Dash. After removing them from the equation he turned in time to see a cowering stallion take a spear through the plot, pinning him to the ground.

'Foal!" Loyal mentally spat. Sharging the griffon that had done the deed the slashed it's wing, shearing half of it's length clean off. the griffon dropped to the ground, immediatly rounding upon the stallion before finding it's throat torn open by a furious slash from his spear. He turned to aid Big Mac, who was fending off two griffons on his own, when a third sharged in with a halberd. Loyal was seconds from taking off when he realized it was Dashie's friend Gilda.

With brute ferocity that could rival himself, he watched her tear another griffons face open with her claws.

'Good girl, she joined the right side.'

It hadn't been much longer before the griffon's tore off into the sky in full retreat, only a hooful left to tell the tale of thier defeat. Hitching his spear on his back Loyal started to trot through the crowd, aiding where he could. It was gruesome work moving bodies. The griffons were being sepperated from the ponies, and the ponies were obviously being handled with more care than the griffons. It didn't bother him too much until he saw two Lunar soldiers urinating on a griffon corpse laughing.

"Hey, the eck are you two doing!" he shouted. The two soldiers in question froze, thinking that they'd been discovered by a superiour officer. When they noticed it was 'just' a regular stallion they yelled right back.

"We're having fun, what, you feel sorry for the birdies?"

"No. the 'birdies' don't respect the dead! And look at what your doing!" Loyal yelled right back.

At this point they'd drawn a rather large crowd of ponies, not that Loyal noted their presence until on shouted out.

"Yeah those griffons don't care so why should we!?"

"Simple, because we aren't griffons! We are ponies, we know better than this! I myself saved an infant from a griffon, but does that mean that I would turn around and strike down and griffon hatchling?! Would any of you dare strike down a griffon hatchling?! Would you?!"

The ponies all around him froze, the soldiers, the civilians, everypony froze. The only noise to be heard was the moans of the wounded and screams of the dying.

"Now stop staring at me! Get help to those that need it and do it now! And you two!" Loyal roared as he rounded back upon the soldiers desecrating the corpse, "Take this body CAREFULLY to the rest. If I catch you doing this again, I'll kill you!"

The two soldiers left him, thoroughly ashamed of their actions. Loyal made to leave when he heard a voice behind him.

"Well I guess you aren't as lame as most of these ponies, where are you from?"

It was Gilda of course. Still covered in gore and looking rather edgy at that.

"I simply corrected thier errors. It shouldn't be a problem anymore."

"No, it shouldn't. But that still doesn't answer my question. You're a fighter obviously, you aren't with the rest of the drafted dweebs, you yelled at my squad like you earned their respect, and you're carrying a High Chiefs war spear. So then, who are you, and what are you doing here."

"Ahhh, Gilda, and yes I know your name. Chavon Lyons speaks of you highly..."

"What do you know of Chavon!"

"And Elder Lyons Agrees with Chavon. They told me that if i met you to tell you, 'The Pride hunts'. I'm assuming you know what that means."

"Heck yes. Good old Lyons has got the Pride together! We are so kicking some griffon butt! So when are they joining us?"

"Ahh yes, well, they aren't."

"What!" Gilda snapped.

"Hold fast young one! The Pride wishes for the war to end, but like I, they do not feel that Princess Lu- I mean Queen Moon, is fit to safely lead us. I feel that she can find her way to become a proper leader eventually, but now. Well even you must see it."

"Yeah, I do. Commander Hardass belts me if i ever bring it up though. Well tell them I said hi, but I gotta go deal with the rest of the losers."

"Of course, and Gilda. You never saw me."

"Saw who?"

Loyal smirked as the young griffon took off towards the airships.

"We've been debating the subject for most of the day now. We need to find somepony, er yeah actually, somepony that can get close to the queen." growled Summertides.

"Well we've discussed this long enough for one day, but I have a new question. Where is Loyal?" Elder Lyons wheezed.

"Ohmigosh! You're right, we're all so silly. We've been trying to get close to Queen Moon alllll day long and Loyal isn't anywhere around. Who saw him last?"

"I did Laryia, he went out on a scouting patrol and sent us to find aid from the minotaurs." piped Snowberry.

"Ah yes, you're right lass. So then that means he's been gone for a few days. You don't think he went home do you Laryia?" quested Thane.

Suddenly the air fell cold as Thanatos drifted in. "He did not leave us. I would've felt the rift in your worlds barriers. I have a good guess though. You say he tends to be at the center of the action. That means it would not surprise me in the least if he was in Ponyville today."

"Silly Death, what would Loyal be doing in Ponyville, nothing ever happens there!" giggled Laryia.

"Alas it is not so. Ponyville was attacked earlier today. Out of my realm I couldn't garner an accurate count, but the losses we just over one hundred dead. More trickle in as some of the wounded don't make it."

This earned a gasp from all in the tent. Thane was quickest to recover.

"Well the good side is we all know Loyal can't die, so atleast that's going for us. Any other knews Thanatos?"

"None of too much importance Thane. I suggest we all get rest, or atleast you guys get rest. We will need our strength in the near future, of that I am sure." Thanatos drifted back out of the tent.

With him gone the chill lifted from the air as the others set about getting up to go about their business.

Laryia and Thane did what they'd done every night since her return at Death's hands(hooves, whatever). disappearing into their private tent they caught a glimpse of Snowberry as they closed the tent flap.

Snowberry trudged through the camp, making her way towards a small hill at the eastern side. Her thoughts were racing at the possibilties of who was harmed in attack on Ponyville. Making a slight detour she found herself wlaking up behind Thanatos. She was about to open her mouth when he spoke. "I know what you want me to answer. I don't mind helping you but.... I can't garauntee you will like what I find out."

"I....I know Thanatos... I don't want to bother you, but.... I need to know."

"I understand. Give me a moment." Thanatos cut a portal open with his scythe and stepped through. He returned mere moments later, but left the portal open.

Something in his demeanor, not that you could see his face or anything else, but a sagging in his cloak, told Snowberry all she needed to know.

"I can give you one last goodbye though. Would you like this?"

Snowberry nodded silently as her sister Raindrops stepped out from the portal. Snowberry immediatly broke into sobs as Raindrops came to sit by her.

"Big sister. Please, don't cry for me." sniffled Raindrops.

"I'm sorry, I shoudl've been there for you, I should've done something."

"No Snowberry. You did what you felt was right, and let me tell you something. That was the best thing you ever did. You were my inspiration 'Berry. You allowed me to do something that I'd never had the courage to do!"

"What was that?" Snowberry cryed.

"I saved somepony! Somepony special. You remember that other pegasus, head of the weather team, Rainbow Dash?"

"Yeas, you had a crush on her right?"

"I loved her 'Berry, and because I used you as a role model I saved her! I saved somepony I love because you taught me that! I love you 'Berry, and I want to to always remeber that."

"But can't you come back?"

"Ahhh Snowberry. Coming back is for ponies that didn't achieve what they needed to. Me? I'm content. My big sister is safe, and Rainbow Dash is safe. I love you 'Berry. Stay alive, fall in love, and never ever forget that I'll have your back."

With that Raindrops walked back through the portal as it shut behind her.

Something snapped in Snowberry's mind as she suddenly flushed with fury. She threw herself upon Thanatos, striking and biting and wanting to hurt him, all the time screaming. "You could've saved her! You couldv'e saved her!"

Thanatos merely let it happen. Usually he yelled at the ponies that acted like this, but he felt differently about this one, as if he couldn't let her down. Shifting into the form of a unicorn stallion, black as void, he stood and let the beating continue. Eventually Snowberry fell to the ground shaking from the sobbing. Thanatos merely drew her into a hug.

They sat like this for roughly an hour before Snowberry spoke up.

"Why do you do this?" she whispered.

"Do what?"

"Why do you do this 'job', or whatever you would call it."

"It was a long long time ago."

"Can you tell me the story?"

"Well it's not a happy one."

"That's ok, I want to hear it." Snowberry smiled up at him.

"Ok. Well it happened back in the time where unicorns still raised the sun and moon. Back before Princess Celestia and Princes Luna, Nightmare Moon that is, ever existed."

The colt stared at the edge of the cliff his only remaing family member fell over. "Brother!" the colt yelled, watching in horror at the scene before him. His brother had fallen fifty feet to the ground and laid in a reddened mess. The colt's mind numbed and he sat like that for days before being found by some stray hikers.

It was three years later that it had happened. He was watching guards chase a thieving street urchin when the urchin slipped and fell from the parapets. The fall was fatal, and the memories that it brought back caused a now young unicorn stallion to remember the fall of his brother so many years ago. Magic building up along with memories, the young unicorn stallion let out a scream as he released his magic.

Everything was suddenly different. the world was in more monotone colours and there were a few odd looking ponies trudging around.

One stood out more than the rest, it was the unicorns older brother. Ecstatic the unicorn rushed over to say hi, only to earn an unintentionally dirty look. His eyes teared up as his older brother screamed and screamed at him. It was all his fault that he was trapped here. Because his younger brother wnated him so badly, it had scrambled his senses and he'd missed his chance to go to heaven.

The young stallion was horrified of course, and in a nother burst of emotion and magic he tore a pair of portals open. One led to Heaven, the other to Tartarus. Using his powerful magic the unicorn filed each spirit he could find into the portal they belonged to. It pained him to see ponies that went to Tartarus, but there were not many, and the elation of the tormented spirits fianlly getting to go to heaven raised his hopes.

The Unicorn then set out to find more and more spirits that needed his aid. What he didn't realize was the more time he spent inbetween worlds the more he changed. His colours darkened to all black, as well as his eyes. His power's grew exponentioally and almost all semblance of time disappeared. He lost love for his job, the number of scared ponies he'd forced to move on wore heavily upon him. Eventually he'd had Princess Luna steal a peice of a soul from him. She hadn't specifically done it on purpose, but it annoyed him. After another unspcified amount of time the stallion found a spirit that had battled his way back through his realm to save the mare it loved. That spirit regained its life, and annoyed poor blackened unicorn greatly.

After another set of time the blackened unicorn found a chance to take down the Queen, at the cost of a second mare. Ofcourse this was Queen Moon and her slave Twilight Sparkle. The spirit from before stayed the unicorns hand though, angering it greatly. After stealing another two spirits from the blackened unicorns grasp, it came to a shocking revelation. It was tired of it's existence. It wanted to help ponies live! Not help them die. When presented with a chance to save one of the troublesome spirits friend the blackened unicorn did so with haste. Thus Death himself battled his own nature and saved someponies life.

"That was Laryia, wasn't it?"

"Hmm?"

"It was Laryia, you saved her and stayed here."

"Yes it was Snowberry. I'm sorry i couldn't do more for your sister."

"Don't be," Snowberry replied a bit more upbeat, "You made sure she was happy. You made sure she could move on without worrying about me. I'm sorry I hit you, and that I yelled at you. It wasn't your fault."

For the first time in a millienia Thanatos found himself fighting back tears. "It's ok Snowberry, it's rough losing family."

Snowberry nodded solemnly, then spoke up, "Thanatos?"

"Yes Snowberry?" he replied looking down to the mare, only to find her lips planted firmly upon his.

At first unsure of what to do, Thanatos suddenly found himself kissing Snowberry back. The two broke off their kiss, and Snowberry led him to the top of her hill. Kissing him again, Snowberry murmured into his mouth, "Time to live."

Loyal was tired, exhausted really. Sure he didn't have to eat or sleep, but he did still get hungry, and he sure as Tartarus still wanted to sleep. Loyal barely made it back to the camp, scaring the crap out of the griffons and ponies in the immediate vicinity, before collapsing.