**********Meanwhile with Celestia and Luna********

Celestia began to pace a bit back and forth with growing worry and suspicion.

“Perhaps, it wasn’t a good idea to allow my sister to go and check up on him. The Griffon Ambassadors are almost here and they are expecting the both of us. Not to mention with the growing unrest with our neighboring -“Celestia’s verbal tirade was cut off as a burst of magic appeared without warning and vanished just as quickly as it came as Luna appeared in her full regalia before her sister.

“Hello again Dear sister, I trust the Griffon ambassador hasn’t arrived just yet?” Luna stated with tired but hopeful expression while Celestia gave a breath of relief.

“Luckily not yet, so is everything going well for Damocles’ Induction into the Lunar Guard?” Celestia relaxed herself as she stood waiting seeing an airship in the distance slowly come closer.

“They think so, He managed to escape the first wave, given our guest though I told them to utilize everyone including recruits. So it should only be a matter of time. Last they checked they were at the south wing heading west.” Luna stated slightly amused yet also concerned, it wasn’t often that somepony had escaped within the first few minutes, obviously they were one of three things: skilled, reckless, or lucky. Never more than a combination of 2 but usually only one.

“Hmm if that’s the case then, How about we propose to have breakfast in the east wing, then head north so we can explain everything there in the grand story hall? Oh will we be able to gather the Element Bearers?” Celestia inquired

“For breakfast I think that would be most appropriate. As for the Elements I believe he has them running around the city gathering those that our Nephew has insulted. Tell me, are we going to sanction this event dear sister?” Luna looked over at Celestia and smirked raising an eyebrow.

“That would depend my dearest Luna, who do you think would win? After all Blue Blood is training with Shining Armor and Troubled Mind is more than adept at his craft. And we both know how important Blue Bloods position amongst the nobles and military classes is.” Celestia turned her head away from the approaching airship to look at her sister with a slightly smug look.

“While this is true, I wouldn’t throw Damocles out of the ring just yet looking into his memories and considering how well he is adapting to his body its rather impressive, I wonder how long till he finds out that those new wings of his can do some amazing things.” Looking back innocently at her older sister with eyes that betray it. Celestia couldn’t help but laugh as they turned back to face the now landing Airship.

“Then we shall see Dear sister, for now though, let’s entertain our guest.” Celestia stated with a smile Luna nodding in agreement. A Ramp descended from the airship and coming down it were two Griffons. An older male with navy blue plumage as the base color and silver eyes and bit of a snow white accent. He wore a light piece of uniform that was a button up in Gray with red lining and yellow gold buttons with 2 Medals. One on blue and white left to right diagonal the cross its self was silver on the left and right arms of the cross were wings and in the center of the circle that connected the 4 segments was an angelic Griffon. The accents of the cross looked close to that of marble columns with a Fleur De Lis at the ends. The other hung from a ribbon that was woven into two copper bars with a simple flower accent pattern. The Ribbon itself had thin blue edges and Red. The Cross was White with an olive branch creating a circle and a crown inside it along the arms of the cross were Claret blades contrasting the white cross with azure handles.

The other was a younger female who seemed to be coming in to her adult years had Jade feathers at the edge of her wings and almost like a necklace around herself. The main body being a dark crimson and the feathers of her head being a shimmering sand-like color. Her eyes A dark Violet and the style she wore the feathers of her head into a style where a few stray stuck out forward the most of them coming up to two pointed tufts at the back corners of her head and her eyes a dark violet with slit irises. Using her claw she fixed the stray feathers back into place just before the two walked forward. The older male taking a glance at the younger one before turning to face the Alicorn Princesses. The Stopped just before them and bowed in respect before the older one spoke.

“Good Morning and greetings from Griffonstone, sent to Princess Celestia and Princess Luna. I am Ambassador Baron Rio Janeiro. This is my Daughter and student Belladonna.” He gestured to the young maiden to his side who simply rolled her eyes. “It is a pleasure to finally meet the two of you.” He smiled honestly looking at them. Celestia and Luna Bowed in return smiling at them. Celestia smiled at the two before she spoke.

“It’s an Honor that to have you both now I’m sure that you both are quite are hungry after your long trip here so please let us go and get some breakfast before we start to worry ourselves about the purpose of your visit. I would like to share with you some of our hospitality.” Celestia waited for the two griffons to nod in agreement before leading them.

“So I hope you don’t mind if we talk while we eat but I’m sure you know that the new Griffon in charge was starting to worry with progressed increase in magical capabilities from your kingdom and when that surge of power that you caused nearly a week ago even had lasting affects for us and its rather… annoying. It would also display Belladonna’s rather sour mood.” The Griffon just gave an annoyed huff as she passed a window trying to fix her feathers when she heard some kind of high pitched noise in the distance. Turning her head to stare in the distance of the opposite one.

“Excuse me, Princesses, but what is that sound I just heard?” Luna stood still for a moment the fur on the back of her neck standing a bit. As she turned and looked. It was coming from the Night Guard Barracks direction luckily.

“Oh that? That would simply be our Thestral alarm I must’ve forgotten that the Night Guard were doing an ‘All-to-Arms’ Scramble alert Drill today. Meaning both the Day Guard and Night Guard would be more active than normal to find our ‘Target Villain’ who would be attempting to usurp the throne. It’s nothing to worry about they usually do this when a new recruit tends to think he is above our Military group in terms of skill.” Belladonna’s eyes seemed to shine with some intrigue.

“So how do you know who has won the exercise? Because this sound like it would be fantastic to incorporate into our new guardsman training.” Belladonna seemed to have picked up the pace staying next to the princess with a smiling Rio Behind her watching the 3 females converse.

“Well,” Celestia Began “Depending on the Species of the pony, whether if they are Unicorn, Pegasus, Earth, or in this case Thestral, we mildly handicap the defense group. We normally attempt to keep them in play with only their own kind, however should they prove to be truly evasive within in the first few minutes the guard slowly ups the ante by including various other methods. To even the full squadron. Usually that only happens when the person in question who only has the weapon he chose to train with has defeated in combat and wit several of our Elite Guards.” Belladonna gave a nod of approval but then a look of confusion crossed her face.

“So if they get lucky it counts? And has anyone succeeded and what does the villain need to do to ‘succeed’ at their mission?” Belladonna added air quotes as necessary. Which drew Luna to continue.

“Luck is always a factor in combat regardless of everything. Something I remember from when we… interviewed the newest Recruit was this quote, ‘the best need not fear the 2nd best in combat, but to fear the worse because it’s that ‘worse one’ would do something unconventional or something nobody would think to try because of how stupid it might be. And that’s where the win will come in because the best won’t know how to adjust properly without potentially ruining everything he was taught.’ And to succeed at their mission they simply have to make it to myself or my sister. Once they reach one of us they can choose to continue to attempt to approach the other but if they do then all of the guard including other recruits and elites are called to action. If the assailant can make it to us both we can offer to have him instructed privately and for him to develop what he thinks are his strongest and weakest with adjustments to cover what is necessary to be a field or home agent. As for anyone succeeding?” Luna paused for a moment and stopped as if trying to think about it.

Celestia began to think about it as well closing her eyes as she opened the doors to dining hall to reveal an excited Pinkie Pie and Rarity putting up a poster and Rainbow dash being given a saddle with some of the Wonder Bolts all with posters and Spitfire in the middle of a speech.

“You all know the mission, I want everyone to make sure each of these posters are at your local hotspots you all have been assigned to the areas you know the best thanks to that new friend of Dash’s ‘Officer’ Blue Blood will finally be getting what’s coming to him and all of you, I know for a fact have at least one close friend or family member that Blue Blood has messed with and that his Partner Troubled Mind has more than made afraid and break down. Honestly I’m surprised that nobody else has challenged him yet but I suppose that’s more out of fear, and as we all know, Fear can lead to great or terrible things from a person. Just like lack of information.” She stopped to look Soaring who was holding his hoof up. “Yes, what is it Soaring?”

“Well, I was just thinking about this but why don’t we start a betting a pool? To bring in extra money, Damocles should still be doing his test if the increased sightings of Thestrals means anything so after he’s finished we can come to a decent conclusion and start up a win ratio from there. And knowing how most nobles and ponies are considering its 2 on 1 they will probably bet on Blue Blood to win.” When he finished his explanation there were murmurs of agreement until rainbow stomped her hoof.

“If you want to do that go ahead but if any of you end up betting for Blue Blood, when you lose you forfeit all that you would’ve won if you bet for Damocles into the Wonder Bolts Funds! DO YOU HEAR ME!?” Rainbow Roared making while stomping her hoof more than mad as she pulled down her goggles. Spitfire nodded in agreement.

“So there you go feel free to start a betting a fund, someone tell Damocles once his training is over to find out how much he wants since this is his fight and also someone find out if he has any fight music requests. A good Fight deserves a good song and something tells me he has at Least some decent music. Pinkie Pie, Open the windows. Wonder Bolts I want to see some storm clouds today! Ready!” As spit Fire raised her hoof, Pinkie had opened the windows and the wonder bolts lined up in rows of 3 facing the windows with Rainbow in the center lead. Celestia, Luna, Baron Rio, and Belladonna all stood watching the spectacle as they flew out the window with the bags then Fluttershy to close the windows. Rarity holding her mane in place only then noticed the sisters and their guests.

“Oh my, Princess Celestia, Princess Luna!” Immediately she gave a light bow before going over to them. “How are you both and to the two of you welcome.” Celestia and Luna both smiled with a nod as Baron Rio bowed in turn to Rarity. Belladonna just rolled her eyes before moving to take a seat.

“Baron Rio de Janeiro, these are two of our Elements of Harmony, Generosity and Laughter.” Celestia explained as Pinkie Pie began bouncing to them before gasping then dashing off leaving a pony shaped pink cloud of smoke. Celestia watching the puff of smoke dissipate raised an eyebrow. “You will have to forgive Pinkie Pie she is very excitable.” She said as she turned her head to rarity. “Now Rarity will you join us for Breakfast?” Rio stepped forth bowing and holding out his left claw. Rarity blushed a bit but held her hoof out onto his claw which he took gently before giving it a kiss.

“It would be fantastic if one such as radiant as yourself dined with us.” The Baron said with a voice that gave a sense of interest, and romantic desires. Rarity couldn’t seem to find her words as her cheeks became a light shade of rose pink. “After All maybe you could enlighten myself and my dearest Belladonna exactly as to what that was just now?” he eyed the saddle bag holding several rolls of paper. Rarity nodded in agreement as they walked and take their seats. Rarity sitting next to Luna and Celestia, while the Baron and Belladonna sat across from them, opened one of the rolls of paper to reveal the poster.

“‘Damocles, The Centurion versus Prince Blue Blood. Will the Pride of the Royal withstand the Wrath of the Loyal? At the coliseum on July 4th starting at 11:00 am. Mares that have been insulted will be given an invitation courtesy of the Elements of Harmony and Dragon assistant Spike.’ I’m sorry but I don’t understand something. Who is this Vampire looking pony, and what is a Centurion.” Rio Looked up confused as flash of light staggering him for a moment.

“And isn’t Blueblood your nephew and the Military frontline tactics prodigy? With staggering offensive and defensive spells? But isn’t a part of the royal guard?” Belladonna chimed in looking at poster before noticing two stamps on the poster. “‘Sanctioned and promoted by Princess Celestia and Princess Luna.’ You are promoting this?” Luna laughed softly as Celestia took the tea that was placed in front of the three mares while Belladonna gripped her coffee.

“You see, Blue Blood is indeed one of the strongest Ponies we have here his defensive spells are second only to Shining Armor. His offensive capabilities as well as immediate response and planned tactics are the best as I’m sure you remember from our last friendly mock war.” Celestia said sweetly pausing for a moment to close her eyes to enjoy the flavor of the tea she sipped from. While Luna continued.

“Damocles however, has some kind of former training we are unfamiliar with and is not from Equestria, no documents on him or his parents. He only recently got his cutie mark as well despite being a young adult. You will learn more about him later, but from what we gathered, he has a level of respect for most mares lost on Blue Blood. Now that’s not to say Damocles did not know about Blue Blood. In fact it’s because of this that He grew to hate Blue Blood, and their first encounter was less than a pleasant. Now Damocles is taking initiation into the Royal Night Guard, and he is equipped with a present that I gave him. My sister and I have a little wager going between each other on who we think will win their match, I’m betting on Damocles and she for Blue Blood. And please Baron Rio, do not call him a ‘Vampire Pony,’ he is a Thestral and a strange one at that.”

“He has the eyes of a killer… they are dead inside more than veteran who survived the front lines.” Belladonna said calmly this made Rarity shudder as her eyes shrunk to pinpricks. The rest of the room fell quiet as tension filled the air making it so thick you could cut like it was a slice of cake.

“But it’s not cake silly. It’s air, unless you want to make an Air Cake, which would be really cool. Or really bland… what would an Air cake taste like? You know what? I’m making you an Air Cake now. What type of icing do you want? I know you don’t like chocolate so strawberry? Or Vanilla?” Wait… what? Pinkie? “Yessss?” Ok three things. One: I don’t think it’s possible to make a literal air cake. 2: while I appreciate the thought it’s not necessary, but it was my girlfriend’s birthday recently care to make her a cake? And three: how did you know I hate chocolate. “One: You should know better than to challenge me. B: I will see if you promise to try and upload a nightmare night chapter since that’s also the day of her birthday and it’s a deal. And finally, I was on your Facebook. Your Girlfriend sends you a lot of pictures….” Pinkie not now please, and I’ll try it’s hard to write without a computer. And the story is nowhere near Nightmare Night but we should get back to the story. “Okie Dokie Lokie, and I know its not Nightmare night in the story, yet silly but when it does please make it scary? I just love it a good Scare!” If your giggling right now fine, how can I resist your adorableness but I need to go back to the story. We will talk later…. Pinkie? Huh guess she’s gone.

“Well I’ll be off now got more posters to put up. Thank you for approving the posters, Princesses I’ll Return later tonight.” After Rarity rushed off, The Baron snapped his wing open hitting Belladonna on the back of the head making her grumble as she rubbed it.

“We have to stay in town to watch the fight. I want to see what Ponies are capable of. If that’s alright with you sir.” Before The Baron could speak two plates with biscuits with sausage, egg, cheese, and bell peppers were placed in front of the Griffons.

“The Chef would like you to try these under suggestion of Damocles they both hope you enjoy the dish. Damocles would like to apologize for not being able to meet the two of you as his….” The pony paused for a moment eyes flicking towards the princesses. “Training program is preventing him from doing so… I can only assume that this means he has no idea what he has to do yet. But he hopes you enjoy the food.” The servant who gave them the dishes walked away slowly. The two griffons looked at the food unamused as another server came with the same thing to be plated before Luna and Celestia.

“I hope I’m not being too rude when I say this but ponies, don’t eat meat. So I know this is not actual meat, as Griffons we need that.” Belladonna stated flatly as she looked Celestia directly into her eyes before taking a drink of her coffee.

“I assure you if Damocles made them then they are real meat. Unlike most of our… other Night Ponies, he has more of an omnivorous to carnivorous diet. He made this clear the first time he sat with us. It was quite amusing really when he suggested this.” Celestia paused giving a coy smile to Belladonna who looked at the breakfast sandwich with growing curiosity

She began to think to herself as she shared a knowing glance with her Mentor and ‘father figure’ who in turn gave a soft nod allowing herself to smile, she looked around the room acting as if stretching her neck allowing a few pops into to place before her eyes shone for the briefest instance and both of the griffons proceeded to take a bite of their meal taking a look of shock as the flavors melded together.

“My, what an exquisite taste, it’s unlike anything we’ve had before.” Rio smiled as he tore another bite before briskly finishing it off. Belladonna didn’t say anything as she ate it with a look of enjoyable confusion.

“I am very happy to see you enjoy the meal, would you like more? Or would that hold you till the main dish at dinner after a light a lunch?” Luna was beaming with excitement as she inquired upon them. Rio nodded as Belladonna Replied.

“For now that will hold us till a light lunch. But you haven’t answered my previous question Has anyone ever beaten this exercise that Damocles is doing?” Belladonna’s voice was serious with interest. Celestia put her teacup down and gave her, her signature look, the all-knowing mother’s smile.

“Yes one unicorn has succeeded in the distant past to get to both myself and my sister. He was possibly one of the most adept students I have had in the past. But he should be of no concern to you he’s no longer with us.” Luna replied rather curtly before they continued. “Perhaps it’s time we shed light onto the situation at hand. Please follow us, we will take you and begin explaining exactly what has been happening as of late.”

The Griffons and Alicorns all got up from the table and walked out of the main dining pavilion as a maid came to begin cleaning. Once she reached the griffons plates however she jumps in surprise as she stepped on a sausage link. Confused she went and got a dust pan and broom and began to sweep underneath the table near the sausage. What she pulled out from behind the table cloths however were the Griffons breakfast sandwiches.

A Few Hours Later

"And that is how, according to my faithful student, Twilight and the other Elements of Harmony were able to defeat Lord Tirek. I do apologize that we haven't been as so attentive as we used to be in regards to letting you all know about what’s been going on Rio, but since finding and restoring those lost artifacts our kingdom has been kind of crazy. No pun intended in regards to Discord." Celestia smiled warmly towards the two the older nodding in kind and the younger rolling her eyes.

"It's quite alright, I just wanted to be sure there was nothing wrong going on, after all some of those ponies in these murals have visited us. We just wanted to make sure everything was ok as well as introduce the leading potential Griffon ambassador. Isn't that right Belladonna?" Rio looked over at the Younger looking Griffon who was wandering over to a curtain.

"Yeah, sure, whatever. I have a question though Princess Celestia. Why is this one still covered?" She said pointing at it as she looked back at the approaching group. "It's the only one in this entire Story hall covered." Luna approached smiling as her horn began to glow. Her magical aura taking hold of the curtain.

"Before we show it I feel it would be best to warn you the story of this one is still incomplete yet the beginning deserved to be told. As you are well aware, my dearest sister Celestia has occasionally premonitions of what is to come. Recently in the month prior to her student gaining a student of her own, she had one of a creature that wishes only to see destruction of all life. It was neither pony nor monster but unlike anything we have seen before and it knew she was watching at that moment. But the darkness it gave off was stolen into a dulled light. This Reveal of the second creature was a champion who might be able to stop it." Luna spoke recalling the events.

"Yes, however in that vision I have had, I saw and heard them speak but something the creature did has effectively erased my capability to remember what they looked like properly or even said. It's, if I'm to be honest worse than a hangover from drinking for three weeks straight as my own suns light penetrates to the eyes." Celestia stated in a flat tone, annoyed more that she allowed it to happen than not being able to get over it. The statement however made Rio Cringe and Belladonna look in surprise.

"So then my sister along with, Princess Twilight Sparkle, Princess Cadence of the Crystal Empire, Discord and myself, combined our magic and used a summoning spell to bring forth what is hopefully the champion and not the creature." Celestia nodded to Luna who then pulled away the Curtain to reveal its image.

The top half of the window showed a white Thestral falling through a ring head first with marks to show its eyes are closed as a skull with a smile and red dots for eyes holding in its hand a red heart. Upon closer inspection it shows a black heart in the Thestral. The bottom Half showed a storm and the same Thestral chained as fire and lightning struck his wings with a Yellow eye with a shield in its Pupil and a red eye with a Sword in that one’s pupil in the background behind the pegasus.

"One who is denied Death to the very meaning of it by a contract," Luna continued a smile fading.

"Ripped from his home." Celestia added her voice was laced with detest towards herself as she remembered her first encounter with the pony in question.

"To fight and live as an agent of something that he had nothing to do with," Luna appeared regretful over his forced hand into the matter.

"Harming himself to be ready for a fight with anything." Celestia closing her eyes to keep from remembering the details of the augmentation and Luna cringing a bit.

"With a mind that rivals Discord's chaos," Luna noted rolling her eyes as she recovered.

"But a tormented soul like that of one who wishes to protect others even if it means losing everything else." Finished Celestia with a saddened expression.

"Just what kind of Pony is this guy? And did he really change his wings?" Belladonna looked at the Window in confusion, her mind racing with questions, among them being 'why would anyone risk so much, why would they bother helping others, why would they torment them self.' Baron Rio began to sniff the air confused as if smelling something that he recognized but was trying to remember exactly what. Realizing what it was his eyebrows furrowed in confusion.

"I'm sorry but should we be worried Princess Celestia? I smell blood." Rio spoke with concern as rubbed his chin while looking at the window. Upon hearing this Luna's eyes shrunk to pin pricks

"Oh No." Luna spoke with concern causing everyone’s head in the room to turn to her with raised eyebrows. “You all might be meeting Damocles sooner than…. Expected.” She gave a sheepish smile.

********************* At that Moment: Damocles**********

"Get back here you insubordinate, vile, being!!" Midnight could be seen screaming at me as I throw Dusk blade away from me to the ground while flying backwards. Turning around I see lots of colors before I fly into a hallway shattering it cutting myself a bit and landing using my wings to stabilize myself by thrusting them into the ground tearing some of the concrete and tile in two parallel lines. To my right I see Luna, Celestia, and two Griffons. All of which are staring at me with shocked expressions. Looking back at the window I just crashed through I see part of an image of a purple dragon holding something blue. Then I see two dark Thestrals charge me, one with a dive kick and the other with a straight punch causing me to dodge left making them strike the ground.

"Piss OFF Already!! I already took down the Zodiacs how much longer is this going to go on." I scream in frustration as I charge at them jumping into the air spinning into an axe kick which Dusk Blade Catches with his hoofs holding his ground before grabbing me and spinning before throwing me into a pillar. Midnight, not wasting his time, moves in for a move I can only describe simply as this: Midnight used Seismic toss... It’s super effective. Coughing blood from the impact I get up and they proceed to go close range with a multi strike combo, Using my wings and hoofs to guard as many attacks as possible I find myself being backed away grunting in pain. Till both of them stop and I trip backwards and find myself looking up at a mad Luna and miffed Celestia.

"Hello Sunbutt, Moonbutt. I miss anything Important?" This rewards me with a dark blue hoof coming down onto my muzzle and suddenly I'm seeing stars then darkness.

***************

Rio began Laughing as Dusk Blade and Midnight approached slowly. Belladonna looking at the ponies then to her mentor.

"We apologize for this Princess Luna, he was… more difficult to apprehend then we originally had anticipated… he just kept resetting himself whenever best justified him and those wings of his he kept changing their form into some weapons and forms we have never in seen before.” Midnight and Dusk Blade both saluted the Princesses. “However the Target has been captured.” Luna smiled cockily as she looked at Celestia.

“I wonder about that. After all dear Sister,” she put heavy emphasis into the ‘dear sister’. “After all, a Thestral and non-unicorn who wasn’t even military using only the weapon you approved of had not only gotten past my most skilled regiment, but even our entire military when given the option for lethal force had still gotten his way to not only you but me in roughly half a day.” She then held out her hoof. “I do believe that means I win the first half of our bet. So after that battle I expect to see a strawberry triple decker cake.” Celestia huffed annoyed but then sighed.

“Sister there is still the other half and that determines to eats the cake.” Celestia added annoyed before her eyes went open all the way. “Wait a moment… Commander Dusk Blade. Did you just report that he came up with weapons you’ve never seen before?”

“That is correct Princess.” He answered standing at attention.

“Can you describe it?” Luna inquired.

“I’ll do my best at first it seemed like a larger hoof shoe that covered the hoof itself and left a whole in the center of it but that was before the whole started to glow.”

Belladonna spoke up intrigued stepping forward, “It glowed? Like what a flashlight? Or lantern?” Dusk blade shook his head no at the questions.

“Closer to when a unicorn readies a magical blast. Then he did something similar as he adjusted the way his wings looked and added what I could only describe as an over fed trains smoke stack to both of them which increased his flying speed greatly.”

“Those are called turbine engines…” Damocles sat up rubbing his head. “So I made it to Celestia and Luna before being apprehended and bonus Griffons...are…here…” His eyes halted as he looked at Belladonna for the first time. His face expressionless for a few moments as she stared back at him as he stood. The two stepped closer to each other as everyone just watched in silence, Dusk Blade and Midnight standing ready. Then as if a pin dropped onto a frozen mirror that shattered it the silence broke in rage. As the two instinctively jumped at each other. Belladonna claws drawn, Damocles wings changed to blaess

“MOTHER FUCKING DEMON PONY!”

“TRICKSTER DEMON GRIFFON! ILL KILL YOU!”

“NOT BEFORE I EVISCIRATE YOU, YOU ABOMINATION TO NATURE.”

Author's Note

whew... sorry this took so long to update... again... life happens and my laptop decided to blue screen me. Hope you all enjoy this nice.... break from insanity.