At first, the Griffons and Minotaurs stared at the being. Then, they noticed the bodies of their allies, arrows in their necks.

That particular image sent the whole group into a frenzy of rage. They drew their swords and axes, and prepared to kill...whatever it was.

Except this was no ordinary alien. This was a Tenno, master of the Warframe, a being who had seen far more formidable foes than them. To Gheren Prime, their belief that they could kill him was nothing, if not completely…

...pitiful.

Gheren landed at a slant, two Minotaurs ready to behead him as he landed. He seamlessly drew his dual Skana blades and sliced through their chests, before landing the killing blow to their throats. As the two fell, dead before they hit the ground, Gheren decided to have a little fun with his adversaries.

"Is that truly all you have?" he taunted, assuming a combat stance. The scream of rage coming from the combined attackers was not only fulfilling to the Tenno, but exceptionally pleasing to hear. Five or so of the group stayed back to protect their leader.

The rest charged straight to their deaths as Gheren's Skana carved through each of them. Throats were opened, limbs slashed, chests cut apart. Even when one did manage to get in close, Gheren simply knocked his legs out and impaled him as he fell. The remainder were not so lucky as to have their lives ended so quickly, as Gheren hacked them apart with ceaseless slashes.

Twilight and Rainbow had been roused by the screaming, and now they were getting a front row seat to the Tenno's experience in battle. The remaining five paled and let their legs shake with fright as Gheren approached, his Skana dripping blood.

"Yield." Gheren said, his voice of authority clear. "and I will give you mercy. Resist, and face your death."

The five remaining attackers immediately fell to their knees. Gheren scoffed as he sheathed his Skana…

...and then drew his Aklato Prime sidearms, one to a hand. Each pistol carried a fifteen-round magazine, and were capable of piercing nearly any type of armor or defensive shield. They were light, quick, and deadly.

Just how Gheren liked them. As he approached, he slowly chambered the first rounds in each pistol.

Then, he cut the five down with a burst of gunfire. As the ponies whimpered and screamed, Gheren seized the lead Griffon by the collar.

"You killed them…" he moaned. "You said…"

"I said I would show mercy." Gheren replied. "I did. My mercy is death."

And with that, he dropped the Griffon to the ground, who coughed and looked up weakly.

"But I leave you to answer for your crimes." Gheren said. "I know not why you have committed your deeds, but I do not care. You will face your judgement, whether it be mine...or theirs."

Gheren holstered his Aklato pistols and drew his Skana, advancing on the bound beings.

====

Twilight, Spike, and Rainbow saw the being approach and closed their eyes, expecting it to kill them like he did the others.

Except he did not. There were three gusts of wind, and their bonds were cut. Twilight opened her eyes to see the being picking up the pyramid that the lead Griffon had with him. He eyed it for a few moments, then he placed it in what was most likely a pouch on his waist.

Then, he started to walk back towards the Everfree, completely oblivious to the stares and whispers pointed at him. Twilight then found her voice.

"Wait!" she cried. The being stopped, and turned to her. It then spoke again, but not what Twilight was expecting to hear.

"If you came to offer me pleasantries and mere gestures of gratitude, I merely reply with this. I did what had to be done. Nothing more."

"You saved my life, though." Twilight protested. "That has to mean something to you!"

"It means nothing to me and what I have accomplished." the being replied. "I have faced far more dangerous threats than those I who ended today. I did not come to be held as a savior. I am already a savior to those who know me and my kind."

Twilight was speechless. She had been prepared to offer whatever the being wanted for its actions, yet...it just brushed off her gratitude like it didn't even care.

"Why?" she said, pleading. "Why are you just acting like...this?"

"I act like this because I have knowledge of what you do not." it replied. "Now, if you will excuse me, I have work to do."

Before it could walk off, an astounded Rainbow flew in front of him.

"You can't talk to Twilight like that!" she cried. "Are you that rude?"

"I am not being rude." it replied. "Further, she has not earned my respect, nor my favor. Until that happens, I will speak to whoever I wish, however I want."

"You!..." Rainbow cried before she was dragged back by Twilight's magical aura.

"I'm sorry." Twilight said, approaching. "I suppose we started off on the wrong hoof. I am Twilight Sparkle, Princess of Magic. May I ask your name and who you are?"

The being was silent for several moments. Then, it spoke.

"I am known as Gheren Prime, Tenno of the Lotus, master of the Excalibur Warframe. My pleasantries, Princess. Forgive me, but I have work to do."

Gheren said "Princess" with such a tone that made Twilight flinch. He started to walk off again, and Twilight started to follow with a pleading look.

"I would suggest you stop." Gheren replied. "I will return when I am ready."

"You can't!" Twilight replied. "I have so much to do! I have so much to learn about you and your kind…"

"You will learn nothing. Not yet." Gheren spat. "I am no diplomat. I also have no time to discuss my origin with a being who has not proved herself capable of such knowledge."

Gheren again started to walk off, silencing Twilight's pleading with a glare. As he was about to reach the forest's edge, she cried out.

"I order you to stop! Right this instant!"

Gheren turned and eminated an aura of frustration.

"You have no power to order me to do anything." he replied. "The last being who dared control me met his end at my blade's edge."

He started to approach, crossing his arms.

"Until I know what I must do, I will not consort with a species I have no knowledge of. How do I know that you will not force me into a position that is harmful to me, Princess? How can I trust you?"

Twilight stopped speaking as she realized his words.

"I am correct, I see." he replied. "I will return when I am ready. Until then, farewell."

Twilight watched, astounded, as the being entered the Everfree to an uncertain destination. She could only sigh and turned back to the crowd.

"Let's just send a message to Celestia." she sighed. "Until then, let's just keep this quiet and clean all this up, okay?"

There was murmured assent from everypony present. As Twilight returned to her Castle with Spike, she rubbed her hoof, exactly where she was bound.

====
Canterlot, Royal Palace

Office of Princess Celestia

Celestia, Princess of the Sun and ruler of Equestria, stood stalwart as she felt the magic-induced headache pass.

"It seems my system worked." she murmured. "I do hope Twilight is alright."

Celestia sighed, knowing that what she had done would most likely earn her Twilight's slight ire. Celestia had recently learned that Twilight's Castle came with a unique security system. Whenever Twilight or the Castle itself was in danger, a signal would be sent to Celestia herself in the form of a headache and a vision of the threat appearing in her mind. Celestia herself had seen the Griffons and Minotaurs attack Ponyville, but the vision had also revealed a strange figure as well, colored blue, white, and gray. This figure had all but slaughtered the attackers and was advancing on Twilight, but that was the moment the vision ended.

As a result, Celestia had sent an message to Shining Armor in the Crystal Empire, telling him to check on Ponyville and Twilight herself, and he had sent an immediate reply.

On my way.

Celestia knew that whatever the being was, it was skilled in combat. Skilled enough to take on the attackers by itself and win. It also boasted weaponry of an unknown origin. Now, she could only hope that the Crystal Guards would not meet the same fate as the assailants did.

With luck, Celestia thought, all will be well and there will be no more bloodshed.

Author's Note

Yep, Shining v. Gheren Prime next chapter.

Place your bets.