The War of Ferus Island

Chapter 8

Enter Griffons

Nightmare Moon looked into the hole. She had it nearly half filled. The small pocket of stones she had found nearly five months ago was but one of numerous small chambers full of the glowing beauties. She was quite happy with how it was going. She needed the stones here, on the surface, to aide in the teleportation back to Equestria. It was a far distance, and being able to see it would help.

Sighing, she lay down and began charging the stones. She had done this each day, bringing them up to their full capacity. They fascinated and enthralled her. She would be free. Free! Looking up at the sun, she scowled at the fact that it was visible. Days on the moon lasted 28 Equestrian days, and sometimes it was hard for her to get through the light without vomiting at the memory of her greedy sister.

She picked up one of the stones she had refrained from casting into the depths of the pit. Gazing into it, she drifted off to sleep...

Luna opened her eyes and ran through her memories of the dream, trying to shove the feeling of revulsion out of her mind. She recalled nothing of the stones from Nightmare Moon's time imprisoned! It was as if it had never happened. But if that were so, where are these dreams coming from?

Trotting to her room's balcony, she looked down at the farm. Applejack and numerous others were hard at work cultivating soil and examining the sprouting plants. She had told Luna that growing on the moon was significantly different from growing in Equestria, and she would need some time to adjust, but the plants were coming along beautifully. Applejack had a true talent for farming.

Luna stepped back inside her room, walking to her desk. Frowning, she looked at the unopened letter on her desk. It must have arrived while she slept. Opening it, she saw her sister's grand flowing script.

Luna,

I request a direct letter to my throne room outlining your intentions regarding the stones, Ferus Island, and Canterlot for verification purposes.

Celestia

Luna blinked and reread the short note. Celestia was never so brief. Pulling out her quill and ink, Luna began writing.

* * * * * * *

Rainbow Dash drifted about the cavern, surveying the Guard. The first attack of the dogs had been fought off, but subsequent invasions came frequently. They had begun storing their defense stones in another container above-ground, to make them more difficult to swipe, but the Diamond Dogs seemed to have an insatiable appetite for collecting the glowing things, and a deep hatred for anypony else in possession of them.

All was calm now. There been nearly ten casualties in the past four days in Diamond Dog attacks, and Rainbow was done fooling around. She had ordered the guard to attack on sight, and use any force necessary.

Four days! Where is Twilight? Rainbow worried about her friend. The only thing Spike knew was that she had teleported to the moon. Coupled with the threats from Luna...No, Rainbow could not allow herself to believe that Luna had taken her prisoner.

Flying up out of the mine, Rainbow spotted a scout she had sent to the east approaching. As she neared, panting, she said, "Commander Dash, there is a large mass of Griffons approaching. It appears to be an army."

Rainbow raised her eyebrows. "What do they want?" she asked.

The panting Pegasus shook her head. "I don't know, I came to you as soon as I saw them. They are headed right for our position."

Rainbow groaned. "We have no forces here! We'd better hope they're not planning anything stupid." She saw the Pegasus still panting there, waiting for orders. Rainbow still hadn't gotten used to being in charge. "You go rest. Take the day off. You did good." The scout saluted and flew down to the fortress. Rainbow flew to the west. Perhaps Fluttershy and Rarity would be able to do some good here after all.

The Peace Hooves' camp was set up only a mile from the fortress. It was comprised of tents. Rainbow had offered rooms in the fortress for them to stay in, but Rarity and Fluttershy said they didn't want to be directly associated with any one party or some such rot.

Trotting into the Main Office--which was a slightly larger tent than the rest--Rainbow saw Rarity and Fluttershy drinking tea on the floor. "Hello, Rainbow Dash," Rarity said. "What brings you here this fine day?"

"There's an army of Griffons coming this way. We don't have nearly enough forces to try to fend them off, and I have no idea what they want."

Fluttershy and Rarity stared at her blandly, still sipping their tea. "And?" Rarity replied finally.

Rainbow sighed. She suddenly regretted being so rude about their Peace Hooves idea when they arrived four days ago. She couldn't recall exactly what she had said, but the phrase 'Diplomacy is for little fillies,' came to memory. "I guess I'm asking for your help."

Rarity smiled. "But Rainbow--"

"Save it, Rarity. I'm not in the mood. I lost two ponies today to Diamond Dog attacks. If you want to play your little head games then forget it, 'cause I don't have time for them." She turned, heading for the door.

"Wait, Rainbow. I'm sorry, I didn't know. Of course we'll help. We'll head west as soon as we can." Her voice carried a hint of sincere sorrow.

"Fine. Let me know when you go. I'll come too." Leaving the tent, she took to the sky.

* * * * * * *

Garron was... large. He was significantly larger than the average Griffin. He was dark black with a white head. His magnificent wings were spread in a show of strength. He sat silently and stared at the three ponies standing in front of him. They seemed rather small to him, as all ponies did. Well, all but the Alicorns. He frowned, trying to decide how much information to give them.

"You want to know why we're here? Alright, I'll tell you. We are here because our informants tell us that you have a cure for the plague. Some sort of rocks. As you likely know, the Griffin population has been affected by the sickness as well. We are just as anxious for the cure, and if you get it, we should get it as well. So we are here to take out fair share of the cure and then be on our way."

"That's not exactly how it works," the light blue pony with a rainbow mane said. "The stones aren't a physical cure. They have to do with magic."

Garron spat. "Magic is for the weak." Ponies were only as far advanced as they were because of magic. Griffins had gotten to their current impressive status by hard work and dedication, rather than having thing handed to them supernaturally. However, Garron reminded himself, Magic was what helped defeat Discord more than a thousand years ago. Griffins owed that to Celestia and Luna. Discord had hated the griffins. For some reason, he found them repulsive, and had taken it upon himself to punish them all. Garron had not been there himself, of course, but Griffin heritage was always pure and true.

"Well, it's the only way to stop the plague, so..." The rainbow pony scratched at the ground with her hoof impatiently.

"Um.... If I can.... um.... say something..." The nearly inaudible voice came from the yellow pony, who seemed to be in a constant state of cowering. "Well, if you... um... just wait for us to... um... gather the stones... then we can heal your... um... plague as soon as we finish healing... ours..."

Garron frowned at the yellow pony. "Why don't I just take them all and use them to heal our people myself?"

"Commander Garron," the White Unicorn said. Garron frowned at her, but she didn't even blink. "The stones require somepony skilled in the art of magic to use properly. Using enough of them to cure the plague will take somepony incredibly talented. We already have somepony like that. You simply don't. It just wouldn't work."

Garron scowled. To suggest that magic was required for anything was considered crude and vulgar in Griffin society. Furthermore, Griffins despised it when the term 'anypony' was used. "You lie! I have reports of non-Unicorn ponies using the stones!"

"Ah, yes well--" the white one began.

"No!" Garron shouted. "I'll hear no more of your falsehoods. The Griffins will end this plague without lies. We have no secrets from anyone. I'll give you until dawn tomorrow to evacuate your troops."

"But if you'll just let me explain!" the Unicorn shouted as they were pushed away from him. Garron sighed and watched them be thrust away, until finally they turned and left on their own. Why must Ponies be so difficult?

* * * * * * *

Pure Corruption watched the purple pony through the bars of the cell. She was merely standing in the middle of the cage, brow furrowed, examining everything around her. She was not a normal pony; that was for certain. She took no notice of Pure whatsoever, her eyes just passing over him as she scrutinized every nook and cranny. She was still wincing in pain from the headache occasionally, so she wasn't likely to be able to cast any spells more complicated than producing a little light. That was good news. Also good news was the fact that the stones were not able to be magically moved. If she got her hooves on one of them, she would likely be able to escape, but for now they were safe.

"Is there anything I can help you with, Twilight Sparkle?" he asked mockingly.

She managed a little smile. "Yes. I'd like to know how and when you got us back to Equestria."

Pure frowned. He had been hoping the Unicorn thought they were still on the moon. That was why they were in a secure underground cell. The move was one of the first tests of the stones that the Unicorns performed. Sighing, he said, "What gave it away?"

Twilight laughed. "I can't tell you all my secrets, now, can I?"

A messenger came in, and handed Pure a letter.

Pure Corruption,

The time is upon us! Celestia has moved most of her forces out of Ferus Island! Move in, and strike! Gather as many stones as you can get your hooves on and secure them underground! Move with haste, my servant!

Shadow Light

"Unfortunately, my dear Twilight, I cannot stay to chat. I have business to attend to." Trotting through the doorway at the far end of the room, he walked through several hundred feet of hallway before coming to the main stairway. It was long, and tiresome, but he was used to it. Upon finally reaching the top, he poked his head up and looked about, squinting in the low light of evening. Hundreds of ponies stood in armor, ready to move out. They saluted as he rose above the surface. He walked along the front line, examining the troops. He sighed and began his speech.

"This is the time, my friends! For over a thousand years we have been under the suppression of Order that Celestia, and now her sister Luna have pressed upon us! Some ponies say it is Order which makes the world go round, but I say differently! It is Order which limits us! It is Order that keeps us from reaching our full potential! It is Order which keeps the higher-ups in power, and pushes the low into the ground! Well I tell you today, I will not stand for it! The Great Lord will rise again, and his release begins with us!

"The ponies have mistakenly recalled most of their forces to Canterlot! This will be their downfall! They shall be overrun and crushed by us! Their desperate grasp on reality will slip from their hooves! Order shall be a mere memory! A stain on the course of pony history!

"And now we go. We go to fight for freedom! Freedom from this painfully restricting reality! It shall end in Chaos, my friends! Justice shall be served, and I swear on my life that it shall be us, the Minions of Discord who serve it!"

* * * * * * *

"We are not retreating." Rainbow's voice was calm. "The Griffins have us outnumbered, sure. They may be irrational and insane. But we represent Princess Celestia, and we shall defend her honor. The Guard feels the same way."

"But Rainbow," Rarity pleaded. "You are all going to be crushed! The Griffins have a large enough army to overtake the fortress with two hooves tied behind their backs!"

Rainbow turned and started walking away. "We have no choice, Rarity. I'm staying. You and Fluttershy should go back to your camp. I doubt they'll attack the Peace Hooves, but with Griffins you never know."

Fluttershy took a step forward. "I'm staying wherever you are."

Rarity followed in suit. "As am I."

Rainbow turned and smiled at them. "We'll be fine. Trust me." She leapt into the air and flew toward the pit.

* * * * * * *

Chrysalis frowned. She could feel animosity on the island. According to her scouts, it was from the Griffins and Ponies not getting along. It was bad news. To make it worse, these fools calling themselves the Minions of Discord were preparing to attack from the south, taking advantage of the lack of troops Celestia had on the island. The lack of troops that she had arranged.

Why must everypony take the spoils of my work at once?

A messenger entered the room. "My Queen, the troops are ready to move in." The feeling of animosity was ever growing. This was not good. As a creature who fed on love, Chrysalis didn't like fighting a battle where so much hatred reigned.

Frowning, she sighed. "Call them back. Tell them to get some rest tonight. The assault will have to wait." The domination of Equestria would have to wait. Sighing disappointedly, Chrysalis trotted to her bed and collapsed, falling asleep.