My Little Griffon: The Red Paw

Harmony
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“...the most powerful magic known to Ponydom, the Elements of Harmony.” ~Reference Guide to the Elements of Harmony
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“She received a few broken ribs, some bruising, especially around the neck, and a mild concussion,” The doctor said, looking over his clipboard, “She’ll be witty as wind in a few days, but she needs her rest now. Visiting hours are almost over so if you must then be quick about it, okay?”

Clive nodded and started down the hallway of the hospital. He had an eye for one room in particular and he soon found it. He pushed inside and immediately the griffon in the sick green smock on the bed looked over at him.

“I was wondering when you were gonna drop by,” Gilda smiled and cringed before rubbing her head, “What’s new?”

“His majesty trusts Ales, but I still have my doubts. He’s assigned her to our pair until a replacement can be found and assigned us to study some files to learn more about what Fulton may have stolen. Fulton is desired alive and in mostly one piece, he must’ve done a lot more than we knew because his majesty really wants to treat Fulton to some torture.”

“Who doesn’t?” Gilda chuckled to herself, “You forget that that fucker killed me. Speaking of which, thanks again for bringing me back.”

“You know I’d never let you down,” he said, giving her a fist bump before smiling idiotically, “See any bright lights? You know that I warned you about going near those things when your heart stops beating.”

Gilda rolled her eyes and would have given her fellow griffon a punch to the shoulder or a slap upside the head if she weren’t confined to bed.
“No really, what was it like being dead for about two minutes?” Clive asked, getting serious.

Gilda shrugged, “I dunno. It felt like a second between blacking out and you telling me to breathe, if I didn’t know better I’d say that I was only gone for a second or two.”

Clive sighed, “Well then I’ll just have to wait and see for myself then,” he chuckled and nudged her with an elbow, “Get well soon, I need to get back to egghead paradise and study the stuff with Ales.”
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(One week later)

“So let’s go over what we’ve got,” Clive said, looking over the documents in front of him.

Huntley, Ales’s new pair, spoke up. He was a slightly older veteran with an odd voice and a scar to explain it. At one point in his career, Huntley had been captured and a sick mobster with an odd fetish had removed the griffon’s larynx, “Fulton took all the files based on different failed missions which have all been linked to him,” Huntley said in a slow and deliberate monotone, “As well as some documents that showed money transfers and his own file. We can assume that he did this to cover his tracks and deny us any way of tracking him down,” Huntley stopped, allowing Ales a chance to speak.

“Even with the assembled information, we can get little. But,” she picked out a file and opened it, “We were able to trace some of the money transfers to an organization that was funded by the target that gave us the drop on Fulton, the reason that Fulton sabotaged that mission to begin with. We’re still working on cracking down on the name. We do know, however, that this organization is not solely griffon, there are some equines and even a dragon who are in on it, maybe more,” Beside her, Huntley nodded in approval.

“So now we’re cracking down on this organization to find it out and destroy it?” Gilda asked, looking from the papers before the four griffons to the two opposite her. The two nodded, “How close are we?”

“Well we have some account numbers, but they’re encrypted. Intelligence is still working on cracking them. When we have the numbers, we can match them with names and start breaking down doors and poisoning wine until we wipe this organization off the face of the earth and bring Fulton to justice,” Huntley explained, “So until intelligence cracks the codes, there is little we can do for this case. When I explained as much to his majesty, he said for the four of us to meet him once Gilda was up and about,” Huntley gestured towards Gilda, “Seeing as that is the case, I suggest that we go and see his majesty.”

“Wait, a walk-in?” Clive asked, both afraid and enthusiastic about it at the same time. Whenever his majesty asked for a group to come in off appointment, it meant either something truly awful or something very important for the attendees.

Huntley nodded, “In the light of everything, I would expect this to be of great import to us and not great harm. Either way, now that Gilda is here we should see the king about this. Come.” With that, Huntley got down on all fours and began towards the door, the three others following him.
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The four griffons had to wait a while before they were granted audience with his majesty, being as they didn’t have an appointment. However, they were pushed ahead of a few scheduled visits, much to a certain waiting salesgriffon’s silent displeasure.

After bowing, they awaited the king’s explanation.

“At least two of you here will remember Operation Harmony,” Gilda and Clive perked up at the mention of that mission and the king noticed, “It was an utter failure and only with my infinite mercy were those held responsible spared. Something has arisen, and Operation Harmony is once again active,” Gilda was unable to hide her surprise, why was the king telling some SpecOps griffons this? Operation Harmony dealt with outside issues, Red Paw territory, “And you two pairs have been selected among a few others to take up this mission. Seeing as the organization that you have discovered is mostly outside of my jurisdiction, you will eventually need to be promoted to Red Paw anyways. Seeing your accomplishments, it was also noted that you might come in handy for Operation Harmony and therefore, you are here,” Not even Huntley could hide his surprise when he was told that he’d be getting promoted to Red Paw. Gilda could hardly contain herself, the thoughts of Operation Harmony being the only things that kept her in check, “For now, tracking down Fulton is on hiatus, Operation Harmony is far more important. You will meet up with the other Red Paw pairs and get the briefing, Dismissed.”

With a bow, the four newly christened Red Paw griffons left the massive and luxurious room.
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“Why am I not surprised?” A stuck-up griffon named Kyne asked as Gilda and Clive entered after Ales and Huntley.

‘Because you’re a fucking asshole,’ Gilda wanted to say, but bit it back as Huntley spoke up.

“If you could kindly fill us in on the situation?” The older veteran asked, cutting right to the chase.

Zephrine answered before her rather stuck up pair could, “As you all know, Operation Harmony revolves around the equinian ‘Elements of Harmony.’ However, different aspects have changed. A year ago, the point was to draw one of the Elemental bearers away from the rest to deny the Equestrians a weapon that might be used against us should we decide to invade. As of now, it has changed to ponynapping all six and pilfering them away back to the Kingdoms so we might be able to harness their powers,” She held up a paw to hold off questions and comments, “We have received word that in four weeks there will be a large wedding in Canterlot and that the Elemental bearers will all likely be there. The fastest way from Ponyville to Canterlot is via train. On the way back, we are going to intercept this train, capture the Elemental bearers alive,” As Zephrine stressed the last word, Gilda could have sworn that she glanced at her deliberately, “and force the train into a catastrophic accident. We make it appear as if the Elemental bearers died and are able to take them back here for whatever his majesty wishes. For the in depth details, we have files that you can go over. Any questions?” Zephrine looked at the four newcomers, awaiting a response.

“So the order is still that the six are to be taken alive, nothing else?” Gilda asked, already forming plans of revenge in her head.

“Alive, with no irreparable damage, and only injury with just cause. I know what you’re thinking, Gilda, but the king wants the Elemental bearers alive and mostly well. A little roughing up will be all that he won’t question and I doubt that your reputation will keep you alive if you disobey orders on this mission. I hope that I’m clear.”

Gilda grumbled to herself but otherwise remained silent. She’d get even with those ponies who made her look like a fool one way or another, she knew it.