It was a few weeks after the plans have been made that the ships are finally set and ready for their first naval engagement. Chris was on the lead flaghship, inspecting the cargo and weaponry before the seaponies were allowed to get on board.

"Looks like everything is in order. Get the stallions on board. We make way now." Chris ordered as his second in command, a stallion by the name of Bow String, his cutie mark a bow and arrow, nodded as he blew on a whistle around his neck.

"All stallions board your ships and prepare to launch!" He issues out the order as mass numbers of ponies run out of their formations to their designated ships. Princess Celestia and Princess Luna watch from a pavilion, Chris then turns and makes eye contact with the Sun Goddess as he bows in respect, holding his newly made Equestrian helmet, made specifically for a human of course. The design was different from all others as he had this custom made. A steel top tested to withstand a arrow and heavy material flaps to protect the sides and back, layered with overlapping metal shingles.

"Is everypony on board?" He turns to the ships captain and his trusted friend, Capt. Blue Star, dressed in a blue thick cloth like material with metal studs placed in a pattern, ever since Chris took control of the nations military he had everything changed to get an edge on the enemies of Equestria.

"Yes Supreme Commander. All ships are ready to launch." He salutes as Chris nods.

"Signal the ponies to depart." He orders as the captain nods and walks out to the middle of the deck.

"ALL SHIPS DEPART! ALL SHIPS DEPART!" Blue Star yells out as the signal flag colored blue is hoisted up high and the rowponies down below start to move the oars, with a big sized pony banging a drum to keep them in a beat.

"This is it! Lets show these gryphons whose boss!" The stallion yells out as the ships start to slowly leave the docks, turning and finally heading out to open sea.

"Do you think they will win their first battle sister?" Luna asks, with a voice filled with worry as Celestia looks out and mentally wishes them good luck.

"With Chris as their commander, I have no doubt in my mind they will succeed. I just hope this is the right response." Celestia says with a bit of anxiety.

At a port of a newly conquered gryphon harbor, the nearby port bar

"I am starting to doubt whether this Celestia whore will send her small army to stop us." A gryphon by the name of Sharp Beak taunts as he takes a long drink from a wine bottle as a trembling mare, positioned near the war gryphon doesn't make eye contact as the biped bird finishes up and sets the bottle down.

"Well not after what happened close to about a year ago... with that new ape... or human as they call it. Killed our assassins and threatened our King." replied another by the name of Light Feather as he sharpens his sword.

Sharp Beak scoffs at the mention of the human, "This human is probably nothing... what can he do?"

Light Feather shrugs his shoulders not caring until suddenly the door to their bar bursts open and a armored gryphon, probably the leading commander steps in, his sharp talons click on the wooden floor as the gryphons in the bar stand up quickly.

"Gryphons! There has been a report from a scout of a massive fleet of Equestrian ships, size unknown, they are heading this way so off your asses and get to your ships!" The war gryhpon orders as they all run out, joining with the rest of the sea gryphons to board their ships quickly to meet the enemy.

"About time! Was starting to get bored of conquering port after port with little to no fighting. Its no fun slaughtering stallions, cooking the little fillies and colts and having fun with the mares before killing them off." Sharp Beak whispers excitedly to his friend as the gryphon nods in agreement.

"I still feel full from the last colt I cooked for myself." Light Feather says with a laugh as they make it to their ship.

Every gryphon grabs a crossbow and readies themselves on their ships, after getting the all clear signal, the lead flagship blows the horn and the gryphon rowers moved the ships out of the beach and heading out to meet their enemy.

At the entrance to an unnamed strait

Chris was waiting patiently for the enemy to make their approach, since they arrived at the evening hours, it was a perfect strategic advantage to hide near the mountains at the entrance so as to not let the enemy see them. With the pegasus cooperation and Luna raising the moon with cloud cover, it gave just enough light for the ponies to see their enemy. Along with strong winds to prevent the gryphons any scouting advantage, the human waited for the moment of truth to arrive.

"Blast this wind!" The lead commander of the gryphon fleet growls as he leaves the canopy and walks down the short steps. Looking around as they approach the end of the strait he can only see darkness and the black sea.

"Where are they?" He asks himself as they continue to sail out towards open sea, but no sight on the Equestrian navy.

The Equestrian ships positioned on both sides of the strait wait with growing anticipation, Chris feels himself start to sweat nervously, as this was his first battle, his first time ever commanding a large force. His hands to his side, his left hand gripping his sword, his rifle and pistol stored in a nearby box in case things went south which he hoped to god nothing of the sort would ever happen.

He took deep breathes to calm his nerve as he sees the first gryphon ship sail out of the strait, the ships were sailing quickly as more followed behind it.

The ponies watch with restlessness, some looking up towards Chris wondering when he will give the order to attack. What seemed like an eternity was only a minute as Chris finally moves his head towards the captain and issues out the fateful command.

"This is it, open fire." The captain unsheathes his sword and yells out the command as loud as he could.

"OPEN FIRE! ALL SHIPS OPEN FIRE!"

The ponies take the hot torch and light the fuses, the seconds seem to tick away, the two gunners hold the cannon for stability as the fuse reaches the end, the cannon fires with a loud boom. The cannon flies through the air, arcing over the waters as it finally found its mark, the mast of a gryphon ship, the gryphons look up in surprise and screech as the mast falls over them and slides into the water.

Commander High Fire who was positioned on the other side of the strait, unsheathes his sword and orders his ponies to fire, "OPEN FIRE! OBLITERATE THEM ALL!"

Every cannon that was facing the enemy boomed, unleashing heavy 15 pound cannonballs towards their unfortunate enemies. The gryphons looked out the side as flashes of fire danced across the waters as the gryphon fleet was getting hit from both sides. The water next to the ships splashes as well as the ships themselves as the incoming fire was tearing them up.

The lead gryphon looks around, shocked by what he is seeing till he realizes he's been ambushed, the thought angers him as he screeches loudly and raises his claws then slams them down on a wooden beam in his canopy. Chris watches from afar, his facial expression was one of pure concentration but anger towards these savage birds.

The gryphons were running around trying to return fire but was getting thrown around by the constant explosions the cannons were giving as the cannonballs struck their ships, sparks and wood were flying everywhere. Since they were so tightly clustered, the casualty rate for the gryphons were rising rapidly.

The gryphon commander, Iron Claw covers his face and slides his paw down as he looks to his lieutenant, "How did we get to this? I want every gryphon up in the skies and returning fire!"

Capt Blue Star was giving orders, motivating the stallions until something caught his eye, he quickly trots up the steps to report to the commander.

"Sir, ships coming in from the open sea." Chris looks out then turns to face the captain, "Have the ponies know that those are our ships and to not engage them." Blue Star salutes as he trots down to relay the word.

Iron Claw surveys the battle as he thinks of what to do next, "Issue the command to head for open sea as quick as possible!"

The lieutenant nods and was about to head out until the gryphon stops and points out, "Commander look!"

Iron Claws eyes widen as he sees another fleet of Equestrian ships approaching, the two stallions leading the charge, two unicorns by the names of Shock and Thunder, brothers by blood. Shock unsheathes his sword and makes his first order, "Prepare the heavy cannons!"

The seaponies load up the cannons with what looks like a non explosive rocket, a metal dart to be precise, they aim it and make sight adjustments before lighting the fuse and fires. The darts launch from the cannons and connect with their targets, hitting the lower decks of the gryphons ships. The water pours in disabling the ship as the gryphons below try to escape, but to no avail as the oncoming water makes them fall over.

"Open fire!" Thunder yells out as the gunners fire the rest of the metal darts at the Gryphon Navy.

Gryphons were tumbling, flying and being thrown all over the place as the cannons and darts hit their marks. Iron Claw couldn't believe what he was seeing, he turns to grab his lieutenant, raising his claw in frustration but not knowing what to do.

"Tell me.. tell me who is the bastard responsible for humiliating me like this!??" He asks with a panic, something he has never done in all his years in service.

"Tell the ships to press forward and fight! We will destroy these ponies once and for all!" He yells out.

-

Chris watches the battle from his flag ship, the cannon fire resonating through the wooden boards and his body. He felt that this has gone on long enough, now was the time to make it personal, he wants to see these birds roast.

"Order the fleet to charge forward. I want these bird brains at the bottom of the ocean." Chris growls as Blue Star nods, he trots out to the middle of the deck and yells out the command, "Full speed ahead!"

The commander of the other ship High Fire raises his sword, "Forward! Full speed ahead!"

All Equestrian ships start plowing through the waters, charging forward and closing the distance between them and the gryphon ships.

Shock holds out his sword and orders his seaponies, "We can't let the commander beat us! All ships charge!"

Chaos ensued as ponies braced against the wooden frames of their boats, cannons firing, the cannonballs showing their path as the heat leaves tracer like appearances as the gryphons try to fire their crossbows only to miss by a wide margin, still getting tossed about and flung into the air from the explosions on deck from the cannonballs.

High Fire points to the closest gryphon ship, "Stallions throw the hay! Its time to burn the birds!"

The sea ponies were throwing hay over to the gryphon ship, exposing themselves as the gryphons were able to take aim and fire their crossbows, hitting ponies left right and center. Hay was still being flung over but with more ponies getting hit, Chris knew picked up a bow and arrow, lights the tip on fire as he takes aim and shoots.

"Give covering fire! Fire everything you got! Cover the stallions! Fire the arrows!" Blue Star yells out as he waves his foreleg over to the gryphon ship, the sea ponies take aim with fire arrows and unleashes a barrage of fire, engulfing the gryphons. Gryphon numbers were being shortened as the arrows hit their targets, wooden beams and the hay that was thrown over before.

The birds tried to take aim but a massive flurry of fire arrows rained across from the other ship, some being knocked back, the others falling over into the water. The gryphons were able to make lucky hits, knocking down ponies as stallions raised up metal shields, the arrows being deflected as Chris yells out orders and encouragement.

"Give these fuckers everything you have! Remember the innocents murdered! Attack! Kill them all!"

One pony was struck by an arrow, his fire bolt and bow was dropped, Bow String notices the downed pony and takes up his bow and arrow, finds his target and takes aim before letting loose the arrow, striking a brown feathered gryphon dead center and knocking it down.

Stallions lined up and let loose their arrows as gryphons dropped by the numbers. Fire arrows were flying across the sky, it was a beautiful sight if one were to observe the battle. One gryphon was engulfed in fire, flailing its arms screeching loudly from the pain as its feathers were being burned, it ran to the edge of the ship and flung itself over, along with another fiery gryphon as they both hit the water.

Chris stares out at the wrecked enemy fleet, "Raise the command flag. We are spearheading this attack." He orders Blue Star as he takes out his modern weaponry and charges his weapons, loading a round in the chamber.

Bow String looks at his lord with wide eyes then looks away, sensing something was wrong with this manuever.

"B-but sir? That will make us a target for the enemy." The captain explained but Chris cuts him off.

"That wasn't a suggestion Captain. Do it." The captain was speechless as the command flag was raised.

A sea stallion announced to the fleet, "The command ship is spearheading the attack!"

Everyone cheers except the lead stallions, they immediately rushed to the sides of their boats, shocked.

A comical stallion by the name of Punch Line with a cutie mark of a jesters face grips the railing, "What is he doing? Is he out of his mind? Huh??"

-

A gryphon lieutenant slams his claw down on the wooden railing of his ship as Iron Claw walks over, "Sir the command ship has been spotted! It looks like they are spearheading the attack!"

Iron claw stares out to find the ship with the red flag billowing from the mast, "Get us close to that ship. This will be my moment when I, Iron Claw, Admiral of the Gryphon Navy slays the pathetic human and his Equestrian Navy!"

Chris unsheathes his sword and points it at the enemy fleet, "All ships charge the enemy!"

Iron Claw raises his arm and motions it forward, "Get us next to the command ship, this is our chance! FORWARD!"

The gryphon ship was seen turning towards Chris and his ship, the screeches of the gryphons commanding the ship could be heard as gryhpon crossbows were heard firing from across the waters as the fire arrows were seen arcing towards the ship. Chris and Iron Claw were both within sight of each other, glaring and ready to fight to the death.

A pony was loading the cannon when he was struck by a bolt, then two more were hit, the stallion medics grabbed the downed ponies as more grabbed the metal shields and moved in to protect the gunners. Chris watched the gryphons able to take to the skies, he quickly motions for the rounds to change, from cannonball to grapeshot.

The ponies loaded their cannons with dozens of metal ball rounds as they aimed it high to hit the gryphons that were swiftly approaching as well as the ones on the ship. The stallions lit the fuses and waited till it finally went off, the results were devestating, the birds were instantly torn up and fell as well as the gryphons on the ship. Multiple clusters were taken out as more cannons fired, the first wall of gryphons went down, then the second then the third before two black armored gryphon guards moved in to protect their admiral, but he moved them out of the way as he screeches out loud, "Prepare to board!!!"

The command ship was extremely close to the enemy command ship as fire arrows and crossbow bolts were flying across to both sides. Shock was leading his troops and issuing commands, he then saw how vulnerable his Admirals ship was, Chris was still issuing orders. He looks over and grabs the sea pony who guides the rudders, "Take us next to the enemy ship!"

"But that will put us on a collision course with the Admirals ship!" the pony objected but Shock didn't care, "DO IT NOW!"

The battle still raged between Chris and Iron claw, but suddenly an Equestrian Ship appeared and moved in between, Chris was rocked back and looks at the ship in shock, "Who the fuck is that!?!? Tell them to back off!"

Blue Star looks on and tries to assess who is in command of the ship, Iron Claw looks surprised as to who would want to join the battle.
Shock gets his stallions ready, "Prepare to board!"

As soon as the stallions were ready to jump, the gryphons attacked with their crossbows, hitting a few stallions but most managed to jump over, one was unfortunate as he hit the side of the ship and fell into the water. Shock leaps across and immediately kills a few gryphons, it was chaos as ponies and gryphons were being killed on both sides, but the gryphons were winning as more appeared from below decks. A few ponies tried to kill Iron Claw but was slashed and killed by his bodyguards as they jumped in to join the fight.

Shock blocks a few strikes as he swings and kills three in a row, he rolls and slashes one gryphons legs and stabs it before blocking another sword attack, only to grab its knife and stab it in the stomach and kicking it away. By then there were only three ponies left but they were immediately killed by gryphon spears.

Chris watches and was about to rush in, he climbs over the boat and attempts to board the enemy ship but was grabbed by the ponies including his bodyguard, "Sir no its too dangerous!"

He tries to shake them off, "Get off me! He needs help!"

He watches as Iron Claw and Shock start to fight, only ending with Shock having his sword broken in two. Iron Claw then strikes, crippling Shocks rear legs. Shock was struggling to stand on his forelegs as he looks up to see Iron Claw ready to execute him, but he wasn't going to die on that bird brains terms.

"GYAAAAAHHH!!" Shock yells out and charges at Iron Claw, which shocked him as he impales the stallion with his sword, Chris watching on as he could do nothing to help his friend.

Shock looks at Iron Claw as he moves forward and holds on tight, "Get off me you filthy horse!" Iron Claw yells as he tries to pull Shock off him, but was quickly pushed to the edge as Shock yells out and has both of them fall overboard.

"Shock! The rope! Somepony save the commander! Now!"

Shock was floating in the water, blood pooling around him as Chris yells for the ponies to pull him onboard.

-

Shock was coughing as he looks to Chris, "Sir, you need to leave this place, you're not safe here! Lower the command flag! Retreat!"

Blue Star looks at the pony who was about to carry out the order, "Don't listen to him you fool! Attack!"

Shock looks to Chris and puts his hoof on his chest, "Why sir? W-Why did you take the spearhead??"

Chris shakes his head, "Shock... this is something i have to do myself."

Shock slowly closes his eyes and coughs blood, "Admiral..."

Chris' eyes widen as he grabs hold of the stallion and shakes him awake, "Hang in there Shock don't you die on me!"

Shock opens his eyes and breathes heavily as he looks to his admiral, "Do you know who I fear most sir?"

Chris looks at him as the tears start to build up, "Its you sir."

"Do you know who I admire the most?" Shock asks as Chris tries to hold back his tears, "Thats you as well sir."

"I always wanted to be like you sir..." Shock admits to him as Chris shakes his head with tears streaming down, "Commander Shock!"

Shock coughs and chokes up as tears were pouring from his eyes, "Forgive me sir... for failing to see this battle to the end."

Chris wipes away the tears as he holds up Shock to look him in the eye, "No... Commander of the Aquastria garrison Shock you are an outstanding soldier!"

He cradles shock in his arms as the pony goes into labored breathing, Chris sets him against the mast, taking off his helmet as Bow String looks on, wide eyed wondering what his admiral was doing. Chris sets down his helmet as he unties the front of his armor, taking it off and about to put it on Shock, the crinkling of the shingle pellets has shock looking towards his admiral, his hoof reaches out and grabs Chris by the collar.

"Admiral..." He tried to speak but no words were able to come out as he finally lets out his last breath and goes limp.

Chris looks at his fallen stallion, he covers his face as he takes a deep breath and cries, his shoulders shaking as he grieves. After a few minutes he takes his armor and gently drapes it over Shock, honoring him by a battlefield promotion in death. The twangs of multiple arrows were heard as flaming arrows arced across the night sky, Chris gets up and regains his composure as he turns to walk out to his troops. Bow String moves in front of him to stop him, "Sir..."

Chris doesn't look at his guard but continues to look out to the enemy fleet, "Take care of Commander Shock." He moves out of his way as he stands at the front of the ship, "The enemy is before us! Do not let them retreat! Fucking kill them all!" He raises his sword as his troops yell in motivation.

Chris ship continues to sail through the burning wreckage of enemy ships, cannons blazing and fire arrows still firing across the waters.

"The Admiral is out of his armor! Admiral!" a pony announces as many stallions quickly rush to the side as Thunder gallops from the canopy and moves through his troops.

"Oh no... thats suicide!" He watches as Chris was seen directing his ship towards the enemy, cannons still firing as the war drum was being beaten, letting the others know the battle was still going.

"What the??" A decoy admiral pony named Titanium unsheathes his sword and points to the command ship, "Quickly! Protect the command ship! Bring us close!"

Chris holds his sword as he looks out to the ocean as he sees the sun rise, "What a radiant sun... how bright it is."

Chris picked up the drummers mallet and continued to beat on the war drum, keeping a steady beat as the stallion archers continued to fire their arrows.

"After them! Do not let the enemy retreat! Now! Fire everything! Destroy them all!"

The cannons were firing, arrows being launched, the battle was nearing its end. As Chris' ship approached a nearby enemy ship no one noticed a small gryphon, aiming its crossbow bolt at Chris, who was still beating his war drum. Chris continues to watch the battlefield, not noticing the gryphon till the bird caught his eye, he looks and stops beating the drum as the gryphon lets loose the arrow. Chris moves to the side, barely missing the arrow as it penetrates the canopy beam.

Chris picks up his M9 and fires a few rounds, hitting the gryphon and killing him. Seeing no other targets, Chris holsters his side arm and continues the battle.

Canterlot, after the battle

The officers table was silent, after Chris notified Shocks wife, the light orange mare named Sunny Side about her husbands death in battle, she went out to the beach to have a moment to herself. With Chris standing a few feet behind her, he watches her as she was silent and listens only the crash of the waves in the distance as the sun was setting.

"So this is the sea.... the sea of Aquastria... that my dear husband wanted to protect." Her voice started to falter as she slowly walks to towards the water but couldn't go any farther as she lays on the sand and cries.

Chris bows his head low, the tears streaming down as he remembers the words from a famous admiral he most deeply reveres, "In life there is certain death, and between life and death there is a journey. Hence in truth, nothing is lost in death." - Admiral Yi Soon Shin

The next day

The flag covered coffin of Commander Shock, draped with the flag of the two sisters, was being carried down the steps by six of Shocks sea ponies. Ones who deeply cared for their commander, some were silent as others were crying, not loudly but can be seen. They carefully held on as they made the approach to the end of the steps, leaving the gates of Canterlot as Sunny Side was sitting next to a carriage, being flanked on both sides by Princess Celestia and Princess Luna as they maintained their regal composure, but this was hurting both sisters as they lost a loyal subject.

The Royal Security Ponies crossed spears to honor the passing stallion as the sea ponies slowly trotted to the end of the procession.
The ponies gathering for the procession were silent as some mares were crying, the stallions trying to stay strong. They finally approached Shocks wife, her eyes shimmering with tears as she looks at the coffin where her husbands body lay. The stallion officers were staring straight ahead at attention as they watched their friend pass by them, most of them passing thoughts off for Shock as a form of a final eulogy

Sunny Side turns to face Chris, she looks at him with a heavy heart and bows her head low, as a sign of respect to her husbands commanding admiral. He straightens up and tilts his head down to return the gesture, Chris then turns to Shocks six ponies and nods, with the signal given they lift the coffin and set it gently in the carriage. The mare looks over to the stallion driver and nods, "Lets go.

A pony yells out, "Atten-Hut!" everypony stands at attention as Sunny stops the carriage, "Present arms!" Everypony salutes as she turns around to see everyone give her and Shock the final respect. She bows her head to return the salute, the carriage starts to leave again as Chris takes a deep breath and cries out as he staggers over to the coffin, "Shock! Please don't leave us! Im so sorry, please don't go!"

Sunny slowly looks to the human, his hands gripping the flag as he was crying over her dead husband. The officers softly cry as Princess Celestia and Luna let the tears fall, their hooves covering their mouths as they cry as well. Some of the Security ponies covered their faces as they also grieved, the human admiral, showing his emotions for his fallen officer moved everyone as they all shed tears and grieved.

"I should've been there to save you! Why did it have to be you?? Commander Shock!" Chris wailed loudly he buried his face into the coffin of a fallen friend.

"You gave your life for your country with rare devotion, and though you are gone, you are alive." - Admiral Yi Soon Shin

A few months earlier

"You bumbling idiots!" Shock chides the sea ponies as they fail a cannon loading sequence, kicking one over as they yell out in surprise.

"How are you going to be gunners if you can't even memorize the correct loading sequence??"

Garrison commander of Aquastria Shock. He was a stallion of exceptional valor who knew no retreat on the battlefield. Rendering outstanding services in Canterlot, Aquastria and Equestria, Shock was undoubtedly one of the warriors who spearheaded the fight to win the war. History will never forget his patriotism.

The day Shock died was designated Canterlot Citizen's day, and in the next millenium, the Royal Equestrian Navy named its 1st Celestia class battleship after Shock.

Author's Note

The ending was pretty emotional for me, as I was inspired to do it after watching a few scenes from the drama the Immortal Yi Soon Shin. Chris has a strong connection with his ponies, and Shocks death was very painful for him. So I hope you enjoy this story. I'll be making more soon.