Chapter 6: Over hills once so green

The green hills of rural Equestria whisked past the windows of the shimmering train as it made it's way toward Canterlot. The letter had come right as Shining Armor and Cadance were having lunch together. While she made no apparent reason for alarm or urgency, a summons from Celestia was a matter of upmost importance and Shining Armor needed not insist to his wife a second time before she departed from The Crystal Empire at once.

As the green hills rolled by, Cadance recalled her distant past from when she was no more than a simple filly in a small camp. How much her life had changed since then, never in all her young life did she ever think her present lifestyle could have been her future back then.

Empress of her own Empire of devoted and beautiful subjects, married to a stallion more loyal, loving and dependable then a mare could ever dream of, and most importantly, being a part of creating Equestria's bright future in a way no pony ever thinks they could.

She loved making others happy and finding the good in others, she gave a soft giggle as she realised how simple her desires seemed to her, yet how a wide affect they could have on an entire nation.

The train's pace slowed as it neared it's destination, coming to an unusually quiet stop compared to other trains of Equestria. One might attribute this to it being the new and shiny train of The Crystal Empire, but the truth rested in the fact the train was actually aincent, being created in a time before Sombra's rule, rumor was the crystal ponies gifted Princess Amore the train. It would seem whatever crystal the brakes had been made of had endured the ages AND Sombra's misuse of it for his own ends.

The curvy princess of crystal made her way from the train as a guard of merely two stallions trailed her eminence closely. While they were indeed well trained guards, Any princess of Equestria needed them more for errands and message delivering then actual protection. Any creature that dare attack a princess of Equestria fared a far greater threat then their dedicated and well trained guards.

Cadance was happy to see her most beloved filly to set for, now a grown mare and newly crowned princess of Equestria in attendance. The two shared their trademark childhood greeting, causing a snicker from the eldest of alicorns as Celestia warmly greeted them both and asked them to acompany her. Twilight and Cadance shared another hug before following Celestia to Luna's royal quarters.

"We thank you both for coming with such haste." greeted Luna as she turned to face them as Celestia led them inside a room of many dark hues.

"Please, maketh thou selves comfortable as you please, We have much to speak about and I wish thee both much comfort. My dwelling is at thou disposal dearest friends." Luna insisted as Celestia set upon a cushion set next to Luna.

Twilight and Cadance agreed to share Luna's bed as they made themselves comfortable as Luna had requested.

"Can I have the staff get either of you anything to drink or snack on before we begin?" Celestia questioned.

"Yes, your travels were long and came at a time most inconvinent, we insist thou takest up thy sister on her offer, we doth not mind crumbs in thy royal sheets." Luna replied, finishing with a laugh.

After a few moments, two glasses of fresh apple cider, two slices of Celestia's own royal cake, and an assortment of fruits were whisked up to Luna's quarters for the two visiting princess.

"Now that we are all contented and hospitiable, allow us to speak of matters most important." Luna spoke before continuing.

"Whilst we are most certain you both art well aware that the Gryphon Kingdom hath been rebuilding since the elements bearers made their journey to the land of Gryphons, I must speak of matters concerning the gryphons you art not aware of." Luna took only a moments pause before mentally steeling herself for what she said next.

"Earlier today, we received word that the settlement of Manye hath been attacked by none other than the Gryphons." Luna finished.

Twilight and Cadance both gasped at this and a barrage of questions quickly followed before Luna raised her hoof dismissively.

"We expected thou both would have many concerns and questions, exactly why thy sister and I invited thou both, so we might come to an agreement as to what we think should be done to deal with this pre-meditated attack on our precious soil." Luna commented as Twilight and Cadance stared at each other with worried expressions.

"I don't understand, we've have peace arrangements with the Gryphons for generations, Why would they attack us in such an unprovoked manner like this?" Cadance questioned.

"We do not yet know, there were no reports of hostility from our last contact with the royal court, nor from young Rainbow Dash and Miss Pinkie's mission there recently. We art as confused as thou must be Cadance."

"Why Mayne, why us Luna? We provoked no such action that would cause such a violent and harmful reaction." Twilight added.

At this, Celestia stood from her place and sighed.

"As much as my sister might disagree, I feel we need to meet this attack without seeking equal violence, sisters of Equestria. Peace has gotten us this far and we must think of Equestria's young and her generations yet to be born, All we've built up to this point has been under peaceful rule and that peace must continue to prevail." Celestia spoke.

"What thy sister doth not understand is there cometh a time when peace must be enforced with conflict, Were we not to protect our freedoms and lands then we art more oppressed then free! This attack was unprovoked and these Gryphons hath violated a peaceful treaty, an example MUST be made hastily or other nations might see us as weak and attack as well. Equestria MUST be strong if she is to survive." Luna barked as she shook the floor with a stomp to express her emotion as she spoke the word "MUST".

Cadance and Twilight shared another look at each other as they relized there was more to their visit than they could have ever imagined. Celestia merely watched as Luna stood before the two younger princess and stared at them.

"We ask what you both feel on such a subject, tell me, what doth thou think of this matter young Twilight? Doth thou feel we should roll over for these war hungry Gryphons? Allow them course to launch another attack upon our peaceful nation and end the lives of more our own kin?"]/b] Luna questioned the young alicorn.

Twilight shook her head as she took a deep breath.

"No, Their leader signed a legal document of promise to maintain peaceful relations though all matters of strife and hardship. Did you ever manage to contact the Gryphon King for clarification if he knew of this attack?" Twilight questioned.

Luna turned her attention back to her sister as Celestia already knew what Luna was about to say.

"Dear sister, just what WAS their fair king's response to such questioning?" Luna nearly purred.

Celestia didn't so much as blink as she replied.

"There was no such response to our questions, I feel my communications were ignored." Celestia responded.

Luna returned her attention to Twilight after Celestia had finished.

]i]"So, whilest still under oath to maintain peaceful relations, it would seem their good king hath ignored a royal qwery upon matters most severe. What wouldst thou think we should take these decisions of the Gryphons as, Peaceful benevolence, or warring of the wits?"

Twilight wasn't one to rush into a situation without thinking it out first, but Luna had a point. There was no excuse for this attack upon Mayne and an example had to be made if Equestria wished to maintain it's image of a respectful but powerful nation.

"I agree with Luna, They need to be brought up on the crimes they've comitted." answered Twilight.

Luna's attention fell upon the other princess whom had chosen to remain silent so far.

"What say you Cadenza? Doth thou think likest thine sister doth? Would it be in our best intentions to re-apply a peace that was not held up on their end to beginst with?"

Cadance stood from the lunar diarch's bed and consoled her dear aunt as she replied to Luna's questioning.

"I have spoken many a time with the king of the Gryphons, he does not seem the kind to lash out like this at a developed ally. While the Gryphons do tend to be violent and quick to anger, they value respect and honor over all else. Something both our nations have spent generations proving to one another. This attack makes no sense to me, something just seems very off about it all." Cadance responded.

Luna set next to Twilight as she stared at her sister from her luxirous lunar perch.

"It seems we art at an impass yet again dear sister, one feels I am right, while the other disgraces a proud empire with pointless promises of peace."

At this, Celestia's wings flared open, her scornful gaze was likely capable of effortlessly drilling through the alabaster of Luna's place of resting and falling upon their target with wrathful intent.

"You will not speak of my neice or the prospect of peace in such a disrespectful manner sister! I respect Twilight's decision as much as I do Cadance's... Do not belittle my precious ponies based upon their choices Luna." Celestia warned, her anger evident but kept in check.

"Celestia, You're like a mother to me, but this is how you protect ponies. Cadance, Sometimes we have to fight to preserve peace. You should know that running your own empire." Twilight remarked.

"There is more to being a leader than choosing when to make peace and when to pick fights Twilight, Celestia taught you better than that sweetie, I just want you to know I'm not mad at you Twily." Cadance replied as Celestia drew Cadance into a motherly embrace with her wing.

"So, art we at war or shall we donate thy sheets for our glorious white flag of submission?" Chortled Luna.

Celestia proceeded to plant her sister's face into the bed's mattress so forcefully that the lunar diarch bounced from the impact, launching the princess of Friendship into the air in the process, Celestia huffing out of her sister's room as the princess of the night landed back upon her bed before it too waved the white flag and collapsed to the floor.

]i]"War! What is it good for!?" exclaimed Celestia from outside in the hallway.

. . .

The moonlight shone from above as a wind rather unplesantly cold blew across the lands. Not too far off a Yellow throated Yarper, an avian native to the equis Valley, made it's drawn out call.

It was not this wind or bird however that sent a tremor across the land as a sizeable creature stirred, causing nearby wildlife to flee and scatter from the scene with haste.

Goliath stood amongst a slowly spreading ocean of warm, red, vicious liquid. The thought of what he was standing in should have mortified him, but his eyes were locked straight ahead of him, an ear involuntarly twitching as he focused intently. Cassandra's motionless form lie quietly nearby.

Goliath stood as if he were made of stone, his pulse hammered in his ears as his eyes scanned the horizon, enhanced vision and hearing combing the landscape for anything remotely hostile.

Beyond the now still winds, calling wildlife, nearby stream and the slow but steady pulse of the resting mare's heart nearby.

Something else had tripped his senses into full alert.

. . .

The wind carried a very familar smell.

. . .

Goliath sensed something beyond his explination, perhaps a sense developed from surviving years in this wasteland, perhaps further defined by a purpose, a living part of the past was relying completely upon his protection.

Goliath couldn't say what it was, but SOMETHING was certainly out there.

The mountain of a stallion made his way out the back of the shack without a sound, moving with fluid and precise purpose.

The winds continued to bring the foul scent of evil with them, so his well-honed mind established the odor was being brought from the Southeast, along with the wind, back in the direction of Canterlot, back where Goliath had last seen her...

She had followed them...

Goliath knew all too well how Far-Eye engaged in combat, from a cowardly distance, blowing the brains right out of her target before they even had the chance to consider they might be a target.

The shack Cassandra lie in would offer her next to no protection from the evil that lurked out amongst the darkness. Even with his enhanced senses, this was still all wrong, Cassandra and he would be dead long ago if that were Far-Eye's intentions. From their short introduction to each other, Goliath was left to believe Far-Eye intended to take the crystal mare alive, a fate worse than death likely awaited the innocent mare.

As Goliath continued to scan the horizon slowly, his mind continued to attempt to distract him with the unnerving reality of just what that wicked whorse likely had in mind.

Capture the crystal mare alive, run a shiv through my heart and drag Cassandra back to Canterlot, likely selling her off to Acid or Musky perhaps. From there, Acid and Musky would both sell her off to what remained of Equestria's "citizens", all would have their way with her and slowly but surely destroy the last breath Equestria gave.

Goliath suppressed an urge to blast the countryside with horn-fire, keeping his horn dark and silent as he continued to watch toward the Southeast. Two bushes had moved recently and in a most peciluar pattern, it could have been just another critter, but those don't typically move in a zig-zag pattern.

In a matter of miniutes, the disturbance had made itself known, though the amount of her stench in the air was unmistakable over half an hour ago.

Far-Eye crept across the land more like a snake than an equine, her direction heading straight for Cassandra, her senses alert and ever vigilant as she had obviously yet to spot the crystal mare's protector.

Goliath watched from a short distance away as Far-Eye approached Cassandra with dead silence. Goliath had to gave the whorse credit where it was due, she was silent death incarnate with a soul to match. Goliath's horn hummed with energy void of light as the winged assassin seemed to silently admire the crystal mare.

As Far-Eye put the bore of her shotgun to this cunt's head, she tried to think of something badflank to say,

"Looks like it's your time to shine."

"Your shiny ass is all mine."

"It's crystal clear I win."

"Don't make me shatter your ass."

At first she thought the process was leaving her breathless. It was when the mare attempted to take in a breath that she realised it wasn't her train of thought that left her breathless, she simply couldn't breathe.

Far-Eye was frozen in place as her throat was compressed viciously, instinct was to kick and flounder in some attempt to re-establish resperation, but her hooves merely kicked in the air, her wings plastered to her sides with agonizing force as she was now held aloft in a softly glowing magical aura.

Even with her mind cursing for air, she could still put two and two together and four eyes locked with each other in silence. Goliath stood in silence as his horn's aura now cast across his features, the light casting long shadows on his face as she drew near him. She didn't care how creepy he looked, when they came within close proximity, she would have spit or pissed on him if her body was able to do so.

Far-Eye could do nothing but glare at him as her lungs burned with fire only fresh air could hope to extinguish. As the moments ticked by like hours, Far-Eye began to believe Goliath was just going to stand there and watch her slowly die.

The world was starting to lose focus as Goliath's voice came though a lead wall.

"You deserve much worse than what you were going to submit that sweet mare to." Goliath spoke, his vision looking toward the crystal mare nearby, unaware of the invisable dome of magic around her, protecting her from the world and all it's noises.

Goliath's focus then returned to Far-Eye as he gave a smirk.

"Never before have I relished the thought or act of killing, but hearing that wicked heart of your's giving out brings me a sense of peace I've never felt before." Goliath looked straight into the eyes of the dying mare as he contemplated how the next few moments should go.

"I could just watch you slowly die right here like this." Goliath spoke, his arcane hold on her suddenly growing immense as her skeleton strained under the force placed upon it.

"Then again, I COULD just crush you like the cockroach you are Fritz." Goliath then gave the mare sour frown, his magical aura loosening it's hold upon her throat only as he drew her closer.

"Maybe I could get creative, what do you think hmm?" Goliath spoke, his eyes hiding no lies of his willingness to destroy her by any means necessary.

Far-Eye spat at him fully in the face, to which Goliath wiped the stringy, blood laiden mucus off his face calmly.

"Go on then you bucking stallion, rip me wide open from the rear! I don't give a damn, but don't let that Crystal cunt see what you really are! Wake up you stupid shiny whorse!" Far-Eye bellowed, blood streaming out the side of her muzzle as she saw the glimmer of magic around said mare, whom was still sleeping peacefully, unaware of anything that had happened, unaware how close she came to losing her life.

"Why my putrid lady, it seems I might have hurt you a bit." Goliath smirked as he motioned at her muzzle.

Far-Eye spat at him again, missing this time, due to her body's needs for air coming first.

"So who were you going to sell her off to? How much did they offer for this mare's life? What was her innocence worth to you?" Goliath questioned, his aura torquing and compressing her experimentally, seeing how far the mare's body could bend this way and that, compressing and stretching her limbs till his enhanced hearing picked up the sound of her tendons succumbing to the torture.

"Why do you ca..ahhh..re? Maybe I was just ...enh... going to rend her apart my ...mmmh... self hmm? You know i'm into mares Gol... Ow! I'm not you Faust damn play thing! ...engh... STOP IT YOU DAMN SADISTIC UNICORN!" Far-Eye spat, cringing though her punishment.

Goliath shrugged and ceased his torture upon her, confident he knew a fair deal more about how much punishment the equine muscular system could handle from this handy horn-on opportunity.

"Do me a favor and just kill me already pebble nuts, You might be getting your rocks off here but I'm already bored of this." Far-Eye coughed, feeling as if she'd just fought off a pack of Timberwolves with bare hooves.

Goliath checked the sleeping mare nearby once more, confiriming she was still very asleep. For a moment he wished he could see what beautiful dreams she might be having of an Equestria he would never know of.

"Your secret's safe flankhole... she sleeps deeper than I do, maybe you'll take advantage of that one night stalagmite dick?" Far-Eye smirked, genuinely not afraid of her coming demise, her only regret was not getting a piece of that mare, a bloody one preferably.

The pressure of Goliath's aura forced down around her neck again, her head feeling as if it were swelling as Faust knows what began to pop inside her neck.

"It's true, I DO wish to kill you, my instincts say it would be the best way to protect Cassandra from you, a better part of me thinks I should take you as a prisioner. Should any part of her Empire yet remain, allow them to decide your punishment for threatening one of their own." Goliath let his thoughts play war inside his mind as the mare's supply of oxygen in her bloodstream begain dropping below life sustaining levels.

Fear began to rear it's head in Far-Eye's mind as she felt something wrong in her neck, a lack of feeling creeping over her body as the vertebre in her windpipe began to crumple.

"I would never be able to take my eye off you however, you'd wait for that one opportunity to kill us both, you'd live for that one moment." Goliath finished, turning his attention back towards the sleeping mare.

"She's going to make it home, I'll give my life to see to that. Should it be gone as the rumors say, I will not abandon her. I swore an oath to her majesty and this mare is the last of her kingdom, so honor bound to her I am until I am dismissed or expire."

Goliath sighed as he looked into those closing bloodshot eyes of Far-Eye.

"I knew I had to be there first when the system of our stable registered a failure on caspule number 26. We'd already lost one, I reffused to allow Sweetie's death to be in vain." Goliath explained.

Far-Eye would have just spit at him again if her body still could, she merely hung limply in his magical aura.

Goliath used his aura to dig a shallow trench and laid the mare in the ground, burying all but her head in shallow dirt. A weak pulse still fed blood to her vitals, he would leave her fate in a higher power's hooves if she awoke from her sleep or not.

. . .

"I spared you only because I still remember the mare you one were Featherfall... Let Fritz Far-Eye never leave this place again, I don't regret whatever harm I caused you and I shall not regret crushing you should I ever see you again."

. . .

Goliath bowed his head and perhaps paid his last respects to the past memory before him, making his way back to their camp, fully confident the mare he'd just "buried" would not wake until mid-day tomorrow at the earliest, if ever again.

Goliath was admiring the stars above when Cassandra woke up in most rapid fashion.

Goliath tilted his head as he heard her awake with a start, given how her pulse had recently become elevated, he figured she was having a nightmare and would wake soon.

"NO!! Wha..What? I... Oh thank goodness..." Cassandra looked around sheepishly with wide eyes fresh with tears.

"Bad dream I assume?" Goliath replied, inviting her over to his side calmly.

"Uhm, yes actually... It was about that one mare from yesterday, the one who acted like she wanted under my tail..." Cassandra replied meekly.

Goliath raised a brow from within his helmet in surprise. "Really now? Did you have a nightmare about her horrid breath? I wouldn't be able to sleep for weeks after a nightmare like that."

Cassandra shook her head slowly, still wiping away a few tears.

"No, she put that weapon to... my head... I was terrified." Cassandra whispered.

Goliath was no longer watching the stars anymore at this point, only watching her in placid interest.

Cassandra closed her eyes and rested her head against his side.

"I don't think I've ever thanked you before, for just being here... I'm still so scared by everything, even you scare me sometimes Golem, but you're all I've seen I feel I can trust to any extent. Please don't leave me, I... Can I sleep a little bit longer?" Cassandra asked quietly.

Goliath nodded and gently wiped her tears away with the best cloth he had.

"Nothing will hurt you as long as I breathe Cassandra, no more nightmares now, you will need your sleep for tomorrow, we make our approach to dangerous territory tomorrow." Goliath responded as he returned to watching the stars.

Goliath felt the mare exhale and lay her head down, a soft voice from below spoke.

"Thank you..."

. . .

The rest of the night was quiet.

Author's Note

Aaand that's all I had saved to a usb drive,
The other nearly dozen chapters were saved on my computer's hard-drive.

That computer has been no more for years now, I don't know if I have the time in life anymore to re-write this story or not however.

My apologies for not getting those last few chapters up at least...
Sincerely,
Awwdumb.