Heart Path POV. Reincarnation of a stallion 700 years ago. Continuation of the dream.

Author's note: This chapter will contain many music tracks from the famous World of Warships game, since they are able to convey the spirit of the plot described well.

And so a reconnaissance team consisting of eight ponies, flying along a given route, detects the formation of thunderclouds and an impending storm. Which of course creates the first difficulties and interferes with the plans. No one expected that everything would be simple. But wartime requires all ponies to forget about fears and act confidently, literally, and most importantly, harmoniously!

Let's repeat the crew of the naval reconnaissance team sent on a night sortie.

Heart Path --- Unicorn stallion. Army rank Optio. Commander of the naval reconnaissance group. Responsible for surveillance and reconnaissance team.

Valiant Romantic --- Unicorn stallion. Army rank Decanus. First mate and deputy Optio. Responsible for surveillance and written submission of intelligence.

Night Flicker --- Earth mare. Army rank Legionnaire- orderly. A medic in the reconnaissance group.

Sandy Glow --- Pegasus mare. Army rank Decurio. The commander of a squad of mares aerial reconnaissance, but in this mission obeys Heart Path. Responsible for the timely delivery of messages to the flagship "Retribution Equestria", which will indicate intelligence information. She is also plays the role of an auxiliary shooter during this task.

Quick Strike --- Pegasus stallion. Army rank Decanus. Second mate and deputy Optio. Responsible for boat transportation and supervision.

Tango --- Pegasus stallion. Naval rank senior sailor. Responsible for boat transportation and supervision.

Tiny Tail --- Pegasus stallion. Naval rank sailor. Responsible for boat transportation and supervision.

Sky Chaser --- Pegasus stallion. Naval rank sailor. Responsible for boat transportation and supervision.

I turned my head towards the Tango, which, along with Tiny Tail, was tied with ropes to the stern of this boat. I spoke loudly and pointed with my hoof in the direction of the storm border. "Tango! It looks like you have passed this sea route more than once! What if we fly around this storm front and head northwest?"

Tango looked in that direction and furrowed his brows. "This can work, provided that the wind does not change its plans! But keep in mind, this will be a noticeable deviation from the route, which means we will need more time to arrive at the designated position for reconnaissance!" Shouted Tango.

We all looked at each other and nodded affirmatively. "It looks like we have no choice and will take the risk! Otherwise, we could get caught in a storm that will blow us to pieces and the mission will fail!" I went to the bow of this boat and stopped next to my friend Valiant and put a hoof on his shoulder. "Valiant. Be sure to write down our position in the log and mark the point from which we changed course on the map. Keep all the notes, it will be useful later when we report to the command of the fleet! Do it brother!" Then I went to the bow of the boat and stood next to Sandy Glow, who was seated calmly. "Sandy. I need your help. You will need to fly in front of our boat two miles away and watch this storm front! If you notice that it begins to change its course in our direction, come back and warn us about it! Go!"

"I understood everything, commander!" Sandy Glow responded and, hoofing to her helmet, rolled over the side of the boat, which made me chuckle at her mischievous behavior. And Flicker's frightened sighs!

When I looked over the side of the boat, I saw Sandy spread her wings and picking up speed flew along the indicated route.

"Damn! I like this mare!" Quick Strike said, which made all the ponies laugh.

"If you only knew how she was staring at your ass all this time! So I decided that now is the time for you to switch places. Now you will be watching her tail!" I answered in a joking manner and this caused another wave of hysterical laughter.

All the pegasus began to change their course according to the approved plan, and when I looked in the direction of the thunderstorm front, I saw several lightning bolts and heard thunder. Well, we probably got away from this danger in time.

Sky Chaser He looked at Quick Strike with a serious face. "Can you smell it?" Sky Chaser said.

Quick Strike shook his head. "Yes. It's the smell of ozone. And judging by how swiftly this storm is approaching, our fleet will be exposed to this weather element! But if Celestia gives the order, then a hundred pegasus will be able to take these clouds aside! True, this is very risky, and you like a pegasus, you understand me."

"That's right. I'm worried about our ships, but I hope that Princess Celestia can organize protection from the elements of heaven!" Answered by Sky Chaser.

While Valiant filled out the magazine and checked the map, Flicker sat quietly with her hooves on the side of the boat and watched the sunset. I decided to approach her again and inquire about her condition.

"Flicker. How do you feel about flying? After all, in fact, this is the first time you took to the sky! But you nevertheless handle it well, unlike us when we did this trick yesterday morning." I said in a worried voice.

But Flicker just smiled and continued to watch the sunset. "Sometimes ... I envy pegasus. Just look how beautiful it is!" Flicker said in a joyful tone and pointed her hoof towards the setting sun.

"Yeah. It certainly is. Celestia will be replacing the celestial bodies very soon." I said and looked at all the ponies again.

Here, in the sky, the wind stream was well felt, since my mane constantly climbed into my face, but Flicker had this problem too. Pegasus continued to labor with their wings and their faces were full of determination and fearlessness. It seems that with such guys you can go on scouting! Maybe I should ask them to join our squad? Okay ... when the time is up, I will try to take care of this.

Thus, our flight proceeded as planned, but with minor changes due to the storm front. Although I began to notice that it is gradually deviating to the east. And this was undoubtedly great news, since we did not need to make a big detour, but still our route was lengthened, although this should not be a big problem.

Sandy Glow, who had at first moved a considerable distance, now slowed down, and flew just twenty meters in front of the Quick Strike and Sky Chaser. And of course her tail fluttered in the wind, which did not escape the attention of all the stallions!

I just sat with a smile and watched this view until I was distracted by Flicker, who brought her face to my ear and slightly licked it, making me cringe in surprise.

"Heart Path! Of course I understand where you are looking now, but don't you think that this is too much for your heart?" Flicker whispered.

I just wanted to answer, but I heard Tiny Tail screaming from behind.

"HEY Sky Chaser! Let's switch places! I'm tired of carrying this boat in the stern, it's obviously heavier! At least for a while!" Tiny Tail yelled and it made everyone on the boat laugh again.

I decided to intervene a little in this conversation. "Okay guys, it's getting dark already. We sit on the water and take a short break. All the pegasus need to drink some water and "Blessing Celestia's" potion, as well as "Cat's Eye"."

"Hey! Sandy! Stop wagging your tail in front of our noses and jump into the boat! We're going to land on the orders of the commander." Quick Strike shouted towards the flying Sandy Glow.

Sandy Glow turned her head and looked at Quick Strike with a smile on her face. "Actually, I wanted to make your task easier! Well, I mean not take up space in the boat and thus lighten its weight. And of course, cheer you up during the flight!"

Valiant chuckled and waved a hoof. "Yes. Yes. We got it! By the way, you did manage to cheer us up a bit, but now it's getting dark, and therefore it becomes pointless! So get on the boat and rest a little. You really need strength to fly back to the ship and transfer intelligence." Valiant said in a serious voice and looked over the side towards the rising moon above the horizon. "Oh yeah ... the night is coming. From now on, we'll hope that the "Cat's Eye" potions will have a lasting effect. In fact, I've heard that they may have a side effect!"

These words from a friend of mine caught the attention of all the ponies, including me. But at that moment Sandy Glow jumped into our boat, and all the pegasuses began a smooth descent to the water.

"Get ready! We are lowering the boat into the water, so hold on tight and try not to fall overboard!" Quick Strike shouted.

A minute later, we were all sitting in this boat, which swayed on the waves, and the moon had already risen in the sky, which gave us a little illumination and glare on the water. As planned, Flicker distributed the necessary potions to all the ponies, after which we took a little rest and waited for the desired effect to begin. I looked around ... the sea surrounded our boat on all sides and I began to get a little worried, because at about this distance we should have already seen the island of the Royal Naval Hospital.

I walked over to the supply bag and removed the telescope from it, as the effects of Cat's Eye were already starting to take effect. But when I passed Valiant's, I almost fell from a strong sea wave that sprayed all the ponies in this boat.

"AAYI! Looks like these waves can be dangerous! We must probably move on!" Flicker shouted in a panicked voice and began to scratch out the face, from which the water was flowing, with her hoof.

"Looks like that!" Tango said and came up to me. "Heart Path. Flicker is right, we'd better move on, and the potions are already starting to take effect."

I looked into Tango's eyes and almost got scared! No, honestly! His pupils were like cat's eyes. "Umm ... yes!" Then I looked towards the grinning Valiant. "Valiant! So this is the side effect? My eyes are like that too? And how long will this effect last?" I asked my friend, and at that moment all the pegasus again began to take up their positions and fasten the ropes.

"Exactly. But don't worry ... the effect will go away in about a couple of hours, so we really better hurry up!" Valiant said.

"Damn it! Tango, can you tell me where we are now?" I asked and began to look around again while conducting observation through a telescope.

Tango approached Valiant and together they began checking the map and looking at the starry sky. "It looks like ... we have slightly deviated from the course, but it's not scary. It's just that we'd better take off again and return to the set route again, and only then land on the water again!" Tango answered.

"Well, since we have decided everything..." Quick Strike looked at me inquiringly. "Are we taking off?"

But at this moment, continuing to look towards the sea horizon, I noticed something ... some kind of strange point that floats on the waves. "Quick Strike, come to me and look at this!" I handed him a telescope and pointed in the direction of an unidentified object at sea.

When my friend took a telescope in his hooves and began to look in the direction of my hoof, his face became serious. He gave me the telescope and hurried to the bow of the boat, taking his partner with him. "Sandy Glow! You have to fly off and check that object, and for now we will pull this boat by water. Everypony let's go!" Quick Strike said in a commanding tone.

"What did you see there?" Almost simultaneously, two of our mares asked and all the ponies also began to peer in that direction.

"Damn it! Looks like this is some kind of barrel and someone is tied to it!" Sandy Glow said with a note of panic in her voice and immediately rose into the sky to fly in the direction of a strange object.

I was wary and excited about this event. Whoever is there needs help. My heart started beating fast again. At that moment, our boat began to pick up speed along these waves with the help of the thrust of four pegasus, and only splashes of water flew into my face, which made me close my eyes slightly.

I turned to Flicker and saw her frightened face, but when she noticed my gaze, she tried to smile. “Flicker. Be prepared for the fact that you need to provide medical assistance to this poor fellow! It looks like we will have a guest on board..." I looked at Valiant, who at that moment was diligently recording and marking on the map our location and the discovered strange object. He does everything right, as we will need these notes later.

Flicker quickly shook her head in agreement, and her light legionary helmet, which was given to her for this assignment, slightly closed her eyes. And it was funny, of course, but Flicker tried to collect his thoughts, her mane began to stick to the nose from all the spray of water flying from behind the side of the boat. All the pegasus continued to work quickly with their wings, maintaining a well-coordinated speed.

When we swam closer to this place, over which Sandy Glow was floating in the air, we saw ...

"What the hell are you looking at with open mouths!? Faster, swim closer, I can't lift this griffin!" Sandy Glow screamed and tried to push the barrel to which the griffin was tied ... with its wings cut off ...

"Damn it! Who could do such terrible things to this griffin?" I said I was completely confused and used my magic to lift the griffin with telekinesis just after Sandy cut the ropes on his body.

When we laid down the body of this griffin, Flicker immediately checked his pulse and breathing. “He's still alive! But ... he has no wings, and I cannot tell how fresh these wounds are!" Flicker said as she began to remove the bandages and potions from her bag.

When Valiant and I looked closely at the face of this griffin, we were able to understand something. “Looks like ... I recognized this griffin. It was he who was freed by Daybreaker so that he could return to his commanders!" I said and looked at the faces of all the ponies in this boat, while Flicker convulsively and out of fear began to pour the potion of restoration on the griffin's wounds. It started to help, but not immediately.

"Obviously this poor fellow got from his own commanders!" Sandy Glow expressed her opinion and began to look at her wings with a grimace on her face. "This is definitely cruel!"

Valiant's eye twitched at that moment, but he tried to be calm in his words. "Don't forget Sandy, we're at war. And there was a lot of cruelty from the griffins, I still remember how those bastards pelted our fleet with incendiary shells. Not without loss from the ponies. So save your pity!" Valiant said but there was tension in his last words.

Sandy Glow was a little angry, and she walked right up to Valiant and pressed her forehead against him. “You don't need to remind me of this! But one thing I know for sure ... Ponies will never have such cruelty in their hearts!"

I didn't like that my friends behave this way towards each other, but in my heart I agreed with both. I decided to intervene. “Stop both! We will have time to speak out on this matter, and now to the places!"

Quick Strike angrily slammed his hoof against the side of the boat and caught the attention of the other Pegasus. "We are taking off! Otherwise, we lost a lot of time." Quick Strike said in a loud voice and took to the air.

All the pegasus began their well-coordinated work again and our boat, slightly flapping on the waves, now took off again. And while Flicker and Sandy Glow were looking after the griffin, which had clearly endured over the past few hours, Valiant continued to keep records in the journal, and I monitored through a telescope. However, the night wind, as a consequence of the retreating storm, was still not pleasant and cool. And if pegasus are accustomed to such changes in temperature, as a result of their innate talent, then we are unicorns, a little more sensitive to the vicissitudes of weather and temperature.

"Kha... Kha..." I cleared my throat and shook a little from the cold. In addition, the water of the sea waves pretty wet my body. A few seconds later, due to the noise of the wind, I did not even hear how someone quietly approached me and hugged me with his hooves, pressing his chest.

I turned my surprised face to get a quick kiss on the lips from Flicker. "Mmm ..."

"I ... I think you need some warmth." Flicker said and smiled modestly as she continued to hug me and rub hard with her hooves.

This concern will definitely warm my body and heart. "Thank you ... I'm really getting warmer." I said in a low voice, but the pegasus flying behind looked at each other and grinned.

"Heart Path, when did you manage to befriend so many caring mares?" Tiny Tail said in a cheerful voice, and his words cheered me and Flicker a little.

"It is difficult to argue with fate ... and sometimes the call of the heart can lead to unexpected results on the path of your fate!" I answered and stroked the embarrassed Flicker affectionately on the back.

So we continued the flight for about an hour and a half, sometimes exchanging jokes and other conversations. Of course, after drinking the potion, we were in full vigor and were actively observing the sky and the sea horizon. Hope we don't have any surprises! One was enough for us, which now lies unconscious in our boat.

Another half hour of flight passed and I ordered the pegasus to transport our boat by water route again, right after we drank "Cat's Eye" potion again. Sandy Glow has been looking after the griffin all this time, sometimes replacing Flicker in this position. Valiant was vigilant and at some point decided to replace me in order to stand in the bow of the boat and observe through a telescope. I decided to check the map, as a large island appeared on the horizon on which the Royal Naval Hospital was based. And everything seems to be going according to plan, there is not even that nagging feeling in the heart that predicts anxiety and trouble, and yet the feeling that everything is not simple here did not leave all the ponies in our team.

"Heart Path! Come to me!" Valiant shouted and waved his hoof at me.

I quickly cheered up and went up to my friend, and our pegasus also felt that it was necessary to make a stop for a while, stopped flapping their wings and jumped into the boat, from which it began to sway from a sharp change in weight.

"Damn it!" I swore and took a telescope with a magic grip to look towards the port.

The fact that I could see only confirmed my long-held assumptions. The fleet of griffins was not visible, and perhaps they are sheltering their squadron behind the island, but this is not yet known. And the most important thing is ... numerous fires over the city and the fort! So the griffins, in their vengeful manner, made a massive air raid on the port city! They attacked the coastal fort, and most likely entered into battle with the garrison guarding the port. And this is about one and a half thousand legionary ponies, the fate of which we must find out!

"Maybe I should do some scouting? I swear I'll be neat and discreet!" The alarmed Sandy Glow expressed her opinion.

I exchanged glances with all the ponies and, without saying a word, took our map again, which caused bewilderment among my entire team. "Sandy! Now is not the time! Listen, all the ponies ... ”- I said and pointed to the map with my hoof. “We do not know the exact location of the griffins, but we can confidently say: our port has undergone a massive air attack by griffins! We also do not know the number of griffins and their fleet. Most likely, a fleet of griffins will be able to take cover behind the island to simulate a retreat! I propose to land in this bay called "Hope", which is located three kilometers from the port city, not far from the lighthouse. From here we will begin to conduct ground reconnaissance on the approach to the port!"

“Stop! What are we going to do with this griffin?” Valiant Romantic asked me and pointed in the direction of the wounded unconscious griffin, which was lying in the center of our boat.

I shook my head indignantly and looked at all the ponies again. “I don't even know what to do with him! Can he be considered a prisoner if his fellow tribesmen abandoned him? I suggest we carry his body with us! Otherwise, we have no other choice, since I do not want to leave someone to guard it, we are so few! But I also do not want to leave him in trouble and without help in such a state, this is unacceptable for us - ponies! Otherwise, we will be no worse than those griffin-commanders who treated their subordinates so cruelly!"

"I think this will be the right decision ... but ... who will carry it?" Flicker asked quietly and looked a little sadly at this griffin.

"I'll carry him ... on my back! And don't argue! I'm not waiting for questions and suggestions! This is an order, so go ahead!" I commanded in a serious commanding voice, which made Quick Strike's cat eyes widen and he almost took a stance, paying tribute to the commander.

"Damn it, Heart Path! You must be one of those commanders with whom I am glad to serve together!" Quick Strike said in a respectful voice and looked at all the pegasus. "Well? Let's do as our commander orders, GO!" Quick Strike commanded, after which all the pegasus rushed to take their positions.

About half an hour passed.

Pegasi tirelessly dragged our boat through the water, and I could see our cherished bay through a telescope. The landing site, as it was assigned by our plan. Only my heart began to warn me again about possible danger and I again looked at all the ponies in my team. Sandy Glow was the most sympathetic in the observation, but it was clear from her that she was also worried about something, so I decided to put down the telescope and go to her. Gently stepping over the body of the griffin, which was looked after by a caring Flicker, trying to dry and warm his body by covering it with two cloaks.

Valiant continued to watch and he noticed my excitement, so he decided to cheer me up a little. "Heart Path. I believe in the correctness of your decision, but I just hope that we do not make a mistake, and we will not be late with the transfer of intelligence to our fleet. According to my calculations, our fleet will approach this port in 7-8 hours." Valiant said in a low voice and looked at me expectantly, as it was obvious that he was also worried.

I shook my head, and it was already clear that the effect of the "Cat's Eye" potion was gradually ending. I smiled, patted my friend on the shoulder and decided to calm him down. “I think we should be in time! Otherwise, we'll send Sandy Glow with incomplete intelligence and other information about our plans. Celestia and the fleet command must know what happened here. But, as we already understand, they attacked our port! Only griffins cannot lead a full-fledged assault with ground support, unless, of course, they took minotaurs and artillery with them. And all because of the coastal fort, which houses a garrison of one and a half thousand legionary marines. Our legionnaires simply will not let the enemy occupy the port without resistance ... but there is a problem ... this fort can only protect the port itself, and at the same time excludes the possibility of controlling the disembarkation of sabotage groups of griffins! That is why we need to provide assistance to the port garrison. While Sandy Glow flies away with a message to our fleet, we will reconnoiter the area and enter the city itself. Then we will need to find the commanders of the garrisons of the fort, and then provide them with any support until our fleet arrives. In addition, they must know where the griffin flotilla has gone. But something tells me that the griffins will not just give up their plans. They lost many soldiers in the battle against Daybreaker, and for this they will avenge. More precisely, they have already done, judging by the puff of smoke over the port! So be on the lookout!"

Valiant narrowed his eyes and made an angry face. “Knowing all this, I have a great desire to personally give a shit on the throne of King Grover!” Valiant said angrily and turned his head to look at the sea horizon. I can understand his emotions at this moment.

When I approached Sandy and slightly disturbed her with my hoof, she looked at me with a serious face. This face foreshadowed a lot of personal investment in what would punish opponents. I decided to ask about the emotions of our friend. "Sandy ... How are you?"

But at that moment we were distracted by a cough from the middle of the boat where the griffin lay, and Flicker was sitting next to it. "Kha ... ooh ... my pain is gone..." The griffin cleared his throat and raised himself slightly and opened his eyes. "Pony!?"

Flicker hurried to calm him down by lightly stroking his head with her hoof. What a kind mare she is. "Hush ... calm down. We will not harm you. We pulled you out of the sea and provided medical assistance ... Sorry ... but I'm sorry ... Your wings..." Flicker spoke in a soothing voice, but the griffin distracted her.

The griffin took Flicker's hoof with his bird's paw and gently pressed it to his cheek, which frightened me and all the ponies a little. You never know what he can do!?

But that was not the case. He closed his eyes and ... began to cry. “You ponies ... are always kind. Thank you for not letting me die, although at that moment I did not refuse such a fate. After all, my commander saw a coward in me when I returned alone and brought him a message from your ... fire princess! Of course, it was a shock for the commanders! They were furious because they did not yet know that your princess would personally take command of the fleet. They treated me very harshly, as my message greatly influenced the morale. This caused a lot of despair, and the discipline in the navy was shaken! Half of the commanders rebelled, as they decided that it was better to save the fleet and lift the blockade. They decided that it would be better to go to our kingdom and prepare the coast for the defense. But I do not know what happened next ... Since they took me to the deck and with the whole team of griffins, they cut off my wings. They gave me a healing potion to keep me from dying right away. After that I was tied with ropes to a barrel and thrown overboard. They hoped that I would feed the sharks ... but time passed, and my body was carried by waves into the sea. I was on the verge of losing consciousness from pain when I saw a flock of dolphins. The dolphins swam up to me and began to push this barrel in an unknown direction, but after a while, trusting in this fate that this sea was preparing for me, I lost consciousness. I don't know how much time I spent in the water, but accept my thanks. I will not forget your kindness.” The griffin said in a fit of emotion and lowered his head sadly.

Flicker pressed the saddened griffin's head to her chest with her hoof and stroked it in a soothing manner. “I ... my name is Flicker. What's your name?" It was right for Flicker to show concern for this griffin, but all the ponies were curious.

“Attention to all ponies! Pegasi jump into the boat! You all need a little rest." I gave command and went to this frightened griffin along with Sandy Glow and Valiant. All the pegasi at that moment jumped into the boat.

“My name is Sullivan. I was a simple soldier in the griffin fleet. And I may have already survived twice in recent times thanks to the ponies. But I could die, although now I ... cannot fly..." Said the griffin in a sad voice and raised his eyes to meet with his gaze with all the ponies in this boat.

We all looked at each other and each had a lot of emotion on our face. But the sympathy and understanding of the griffin's misfortune was even greater, so I decided that perhaps we just need to take a ten-minute respite. Maybe we will find out useful information, in the end this crippled griffin looks at us with gratitude for our salvation. It can be understood.

I went over to the bags of our food and fresh water and began to take out the ready-made portions, which were neatly divided into camp pots. I took out one pot and a spoon, a piece of bread and handed it to the griffin, who looked at all of us in surprise.

"What? We need a little snack before we can continue our journey! So I announce ten minutes for us to replenish our strength." I looked into the griffin's eyes and pressed my pot of field porridge to his chest. "Eat! You need to gain strength. And then you will tell us everything you know if you want to help save many lives with your information!" I said in a serious voice, to which the griffin smiled happily and gratefully. I took a bottle of water and a bag of oats, went to the bow of the boat to have a quiet snack. Yet our centurion is a great guy! He took care of the ponies that went on reconnaissance.

All the ponies nodded in agreement and proceeded to the meal, although of course, due to such a number of ponies and one griffin in one boat, it was a little crowded for us, although this could not be a big problem. Our boat was quietly rocking on the waves, but the light of the moon began to fall on us, which naturally slightly reduced our stealth at sea.

Quick Strike just grinned at my behavior. "I think this is the right decision, Heart Path!"

But when the griffin heard my name he put the food-pot aside and looked at me carefully as I calmly sat down in the bow of the boat. "I ... I remembered you! But do you remember me four years ago? We met in a tavern one weekend, you were still with that white mare with a long pink mane and tail!"

His words made me stop when I brought the water bottle to my mouth. "This ... really a surprise meeting! And of course I remember everything..." But my words caught the attention of all the ponies, especially Flicker.

"Oh, is this the mare I'm thinking of?" Flicker said in a serious voice, causing Valiant to gag slightly and chuckle.

"Hahah! Oh ... Flicker! Of course this is the mare we all found out about recently. And of course it was a big surprise!" Valiant said with a laugh and continued his meal.

Sandy Glow raised an eyebrow and looked at me. "Hmm ... You have to tell me this story somehow, because I'm really interested in knowing that."

I pressed my hoof to my forehead and shook my head indignantly. "Oooh ... Sandy ... If we all survive, then I promise to treat us all with wine in the tavern! Then I will tell you my story. Now ... calm your curiosity and eat! We must arrive in this bay no later than twenty minutes." I said seriously and looked closely at the griffin, from which he was a little frightened. "Sullivan. Can you tell us if there are any detachments on this coastline or possible patrols? Trust me, we really need to know this or we might be ambushed."

Griffin narrowed his eyes but shook his head. “Give me your map. I cannot promise much, since during this time, most likely, the plans of our command have changed! Although I also see that your Royal Naval Hospital has been attacked!"

Valiant laid down his food and handed over the map. "Listen Sullivan, can you see well by the light of the moon? Because unlike you, we are under the influence of a special potion that gives the ability to night vision. For obvious reasons, we cannot light a torch or give the magical light of our horn."

The griffin shrugged slightly, but squinted at the map. "I ... I will try." Sullivan studied the map for a minute and poked his paw at the places in the area of our landing. "As far as I know, in the area of the "Bay Hope" there is a small forest. And it is obvious that our command sent a patrol squad there. But this may be outdated information, so I warned you."

I approached the map and began to assess our chances of sailing to this bay unnoticed. “Damn it! It might not be pleasant. But we have to use the advantage of the night, so that…” But I didn’t have time to finish, as someone's hoof patted my shoulder.

When I turned around, I saw the serious face of Sky Chaser. "Commander ... It looks like we're all going to take the risk and do reconnaissance before we land in this bay. Let me do it!"

"No! I have to do it!" Quick Strike said and stood next to us looking at the map. "And don't argue. I have combat experience in reconnaissance, unlike you."

"Well, no! Who's the main mare from aerial reconnaissance here?! So it must be me!" Sandy Glow said and it certainly surprised all the ponies.

"Umm ... Are you kidding!?" Valiant asked whose eye were already starting to twitch.

All the ponies looked at me, even the griffin became curious, since the last word would be mine. I am still the commander of this unit. But I silently walked to the bow of the boat and again began to look through the telescope to explore the coast of the bay.

"Heart Path, you're acting strange again, and I remember that it always leads to a crazy plan!" Quick Strike said and, coming up to me, he put his hoof on my neck and pulled on my head. “You may be angry with me, but this time I won't let you think too long! Wait for the signal from that beacon from me. If I light and extinguish the fire again, it means danger, then wait for me near the coast. But if the fire burns steadily, then everything is fine and you can land in this bay. Then I will come to you." Quick Strike yelled and pushed me towards the center of the boat, causing me to nearly drop the telescope.

But after that, he checked his sword in its scabbard, took off sharply into the sky and flew towards the coast, trying to hide in the clouds.

I stood on my hooves with an indignation on my face. "Damn it! This pegasus once broke his centurion's nose, so I won't argue with him. I believe in him after all." I said trying to calm myself, but when I turned my head, I saw how all the ponies were looking at the flying pegasus. "Valiant! Write to the journal: Quick Strike has gone out to reconnaissance "Bay Hope", on my orders. Sandy Glow, you will replace Quick Strike, so hang on to the rope. Everyone in their places, if necessary prepare for battle. If Quick Strike will give us a signal, we will immediately come to his aid!" I gave commands loudly and waved my hoof.

All the ponies immediately rushed to obey the order.

Sandy Glow, however, stopped next to me, and looked at me slightly narrowing her eyes but with a slight smile. “It is right that you take responsibility, but I still think that it was me who should have gone to explore this bay. I fly faster and more agile than Quick Strike. He just decided to show off!" Sandy said and started tying the ropes.

However, Valiant decided to cheer us up a bit. "I bet he wants to show off in front of you, Sandy!"

"For some reason, I also do not doubt it." I said and looked at the griffin with a serious look. "Sullivan! So you are our friend?"

The griffin was struck by my words and began to look a little nervously at all the ponies, but did not hesitate to answer. "Yes! I owe you my life! But what are you up to?"

"You will have to go with us to the end! Which means that you will probably have to kill griffins or minotaurs! Are you ready for this? Or do you still have sympathy for those who sentenced you to painful death?" I said and slowly approached this griffin, after that I took out my bow and quiver with arrows. I no doubt put my weapon on the chest of this frightened griffin. "Your help will come in handy and I hope you are good at archery."

The griffin looked seriously at the weapon that I was giving him and pressed it to his chest with his paw, and then slowly raised his head to meet my eyes. "I will not let you down!" Sullivan said in a serious voice and began to hang a quiver of arrows on his belt.

"It was on these words that I was counting." I said and looked at Flicker, who looked with kindness at this whole scene unfolding. "Flicker, would you be so kind as to give Sullivan "Cat's Eye" potion. We need a good shooter with night vision."

Flicker hurried to open her bag and slowly raised her head to look at us with her mouth open. "Oohh Celestia! We only have eight bubbles of Cat's Eye and eight bubbles of Blessing of Celestia! Someone else must lose the potion. Perhaps it will be me, because I ... although I am not a bad archer either, but still..."

But I didn’t let her finish by rolling my eyes. "Flicker ... Give Sullivan my potion. After all, he now has my battle bow!" I said and seriously looked at the admiring griffin. "But when we finish our work here, I will take my bow back, and you will go with us to Princess Celestia. You will tell her about your fate, and I suppose she can help you."

Sullivan, who at that moment was checking the tension of the bowstring, suddenly stopped and looked at me with fear. It could be seen that even the feathers on his head were starting to rise. "Um ... do you think this is a good idea? I still have her hoof print on my tail! I ... I'm honestly in awe of her!"

I shook my head and sighed. "Listen buddy ... now you're with us. You should trust us. I already trusted you, and gave my battle bow. Now it's up to you!" I said, and without waiting for an answer went to the bow of the boat.

The night could still hide our boat, and we were already gradually approaching the coast of the bay. But now we need to wait for Quick Strike and then make further decisions based on his intelligence. Somewhere in the distance a lighthouse was visible, and everyone was waiting for it to give us its signal.

We stopped about three hundred meters from the coast, and to be honest, it was suspiciously quiet here. Although clouds of smoke still rose over the port city. Our pegasi at that moment were quietly sitting in the boat and looking around the area, waiting either for the enemy or for the appearance of our scout.

It took about ten minutes.

I looked through the telescope in the direction of the lighthouse again and decided to get the attention of the rest of the team. “Something Quick Strike is delaying! And I don't like it anymore ... I'm afraid the worst. There is still no signal at the lighthouse ... I hope our friend is not in trouble!" I said with alarm in my voice.

Time passed alarmingly, and all the ponies checked their weapons and continued to gaze intently at the lighthouse and the sky.

After about three minutes of alarming wait, the signal on the lighthouse lit up and began to illuminate the sea horizon. We looked expectantly at this cherished fire ... The signal did not go out!

"Hurray! Quick Strike did it!!!" All the ponies screamed and happily hugged each other.

Finally, at least something on our not easy path gave us good news and I hastened to attract the attention of all the joyful ponies, and one griffin. "We need to get ashore as soon as possible! Quick Strike must be waiting for us there!" I shouted with a wide smile, because I did not hide my mood.

All pegasi started pulling our boat again along the given route.

"Oohh ... Celestia, I love you!" I said quietly, but it seems it did not go unnoticed.

Valiant came up to me and also began to peer intently at the approaching shore, but nevertheless decided to talk to me a little. "I bet my monthly salary that you always remember your mares. I have such a friendly feeling ... I am beginning to understand how you see this world. I want to confess to you my friend." Said Valiant Romantic and with the last words drew my attention even more.

Effect of the "Cat's Eye" potion passed, and I again looked at this darkness, illuminated only by the moon, stars and a lighthouse standing on the coast of the bay.

I narrowed my eyes to look closely into the face of my friend. "I think ... we'd better leave these conversations until better times. When we have dealt with this assignment. Because I also have a friendly feeling and many thoughts in my head. This concerns our friend we love."

"Yes! Exactly! Because I also feel ... mmm ..." Valiant said in alarm and began to draw the attention of the flying pegasi Sandy Glow and Sky Chaser, as they looked at us in surprise, but noticing my strict eyes, immediately turned away and continued to flap their wings. That's why I covered his mouth with my hoof!

"Then. All later! I remember how a few days ago, after the battle, we miraculously survived, and you admitted that you do not like this war with changelings, because they are not to blame .... mmm ..." My eyes widened a lot when my friend put a hoof in my mouth too!

"Don't be an idiot, Heart Path ... and although you are really right ... and you know what? We need to finish this mission, and then we will discuss these issues in the port tavern. Provided that the griffins did not destroy it with their air attack. Now..." Valiant said it in a whisper, but didn’t have time to finish.

Sandy Glow decided to get our attention by splashing water on us with her hoof! I've already seen this behavior from a famous pegasus! Sandy Glow spoke in a loud voice and pointed her hoof towards the shore. "Listen, guys, you probably spend so little time with each other that now you put hoofs in each other's mouths! But I want to please you, we are approaching the shore and Quick Strike is already waiting for us! See for yourself!"

There, on the sand, a completely carefree and relaxed Quick Strike lay on its side and propped its head on its hoof, as if it was enjoying the scenery. He seemed to enjoy the sea view and did not feel any anxiety or sense of danger. I must express to him for such behavior, just not in front of everyone, but when we are alone. After all, now he is my brother with whom we share at least the heart of one oriental beauty! Oh yes ... Amira. She became the one who brought us closer together. Therefore, it is difficult for me to even take offense at my brother.

But at some point, Quick Strike took off again, screaming curses, and most importantly on time! Because at that moment he was almost covered by a sea wave, which helped our boat to quickly moor to this shore.

"Finally, the earth again!" Valiant said and jumped out of the boat to start kissing the sand.

"Oh yeah! If you only knew how glad I was to finally fly more freely and walk on the ground again!" Quick Strike said and waited for us to jump out of the boat.

Our pegasi pulled the boat, a little further ashore and with a sigh of joy began to help pull out all our equipment and weapons. Even our new friend Sullivan was actively involved. Although he is still weak, he seems to us sincerely grateful. I even noticed that he occasionally glanced at Flicker, who had donned her medicine saddlebags and checked all the straps and buckles on her armor.

Heh ... fate is sometimes so unpredictable. I'm not a changeling, but I feel that this griffin seems a little interested in the mare who gave him first aid and then warmed him with her cloaks. Well, in the end, she was just kind and affectionate with him. It's actually good.

When I helped unload our equipment, I decided to get my attention again and called all the ponies and griffins. We stood up in a semicircle and looked at each other, I suggested Quick Strike to start first.

"Yes ... I was able to conduct reconnaissance and even more. I went a little deeper. In the end, I can say with confidence that the enemy was not found in this part of the coast. The enemy fleet was also not noticed, and this can mean two options: first this is that the griffin fleet completely retreated and of course hastened to lift the blockade (thanks to our Sun Goddess Princess). The second option is that the griffin fleet hid behind another part of the island, but since there was a storm in that direction that we were able to bypass, they This means that the griffins have only one possibly correct move. They completely retreated before the storm was approaching, but finally struck a massive air strike on the protected port. But this is what we need to find out!" Quick Strike said and carefully examined our entire reconnaissance team.

"Valiant, write down Quick Strike's reconnaissance in the journal. Flicker distribute the remaining "Cat's Eye" potions to everyone. Check your combat gear again! I have a feeling that it can't be that simple..." I gave commands, but Valiant continued to write in the magazine, also decided to express my opinion.

“Quick Strike! Are you sure you checked this cove well? Because I also have a little doubt that the griffins will simply abandon their plans. An air attack on a port could have been a well-planned diversionary maneuver. This is how our mutual friend would say: my heart tells me!" Said Valiant with anxiety in his voice and put the magazine and map in the saddle bag, looked at all the ponies, waiting for their opinion on this matter.

But while Flicker carried out my order and approached everyone to hand over the coveted potion, Sullivan moved a little away from our group and began to peer into the night sky, right after he drank his potion. Sandy Glow was nervous all this time and also could not be calm, she went up to Quick Strike.

"Quick Strike!" Sandy spoke in a serious and even commanding voice. And when our friend pegasus drew attention to her to look at her with a questioning look, she continued. "How high did you fly into the clouds?"

Quick Strike's ear twitched and he began to scratch his neck with a hoof. "Well ... actually not that high! Otherwise I would have had a hard time seeing what is happening on the coast ... damn it ... I ... What have I screwed up?" While our pegasus was answering this question, I noticed how he began to get very nervous.

I noticed Tango and Tiny Tail also began to peer into the sky.

"Damn it! Hurry up! Let's run into the forest! We need to hide, there is a monster flying between the clouds in the sky!" Sullivan shouted and pointed his paw at the sea horizon and sky.

All the ponies were distracted and began to gaze intently at the sky. There, from high clouds with a noticeable flap of a wing, a huge dragon was flying! Everyone had a lot of questions in their heads, but now there was no time to look for answers. We are in a complete ass if this beast gets to us or worse ... he will go to the port and arrange a real Tartarus there. And I fear the local garrison at fort will not be prepared for this turn of events. And without this, there are enough problems.

I froze in place in horror looking at this beast in the sky, which approached this bay with a menacing look. I didn’t even notice how all the ponies and one griffin ran past me, screaming curses at all living things, including the mother of this dragon.

"AAAH!" I screamed in pain and angrily turned my head to look at the one who hit me on the cheek with a hoof, which made my helmet ring. But at the same moment, my face lit up with gratitude.

Flicker cracked my body, and shouted to me in an alarming voice: "Heart Path! Have you never seen dragons !? We need to save our asses! And you are standing here as if under hypnosis! Rather, we need to catch up with our team!"

I shook my head and, having looked at this dragon for the last time, ran with Flicker towards the forest. But I'm afraid this may not help us. The dragon saw us anyway. And the fact that his intentions against the ponies were hostile was proved by his terrifying roar and a fireball released in our direction. And glory to Celestia ... Flicker ... She was the only one who didn't leave me while I stood in a daze. From this, my frightened heart was greatly filled with even greater love, from gratitude to this mare. A mare that I love without a doubt. And now she has proved once again that she is not indifferent to me, and fear has faded into the background when her stallion may be in danger.

We ran at such a speed that I think our hooves will hurt a lot after that, but our LIFE depends on it! And everyone understood this, even the griffin. When Flicker and I caught up with our team, I heard Tango, who was running the fastest next to Sandy Glow, turn in our direction. "Hurry! I see a ravine ahead! Let's jump into it and hide!” Tango shouted, continuing to run and grazing bushes and branches from trees.

I didn't even have the strength to answer anything, I just trusted our friend's proposal, just like all ponies. After a few seconds, all the ponies, reaching the edge of the ravine, stopped abruptly.

"Damn on the our poor heads!" Valiant swore in indignation. "It's very deep here, we'll just break our legs!"

All the pegasuses, without hesitation, looked at each other and grabbed with their hooves every wingless in our team, including the poor disabled griffin. After we heard the familiar roar of a dragon and a bright light from an approaching fireball that fell into a tree. A fire started from burning dry bushes and nearby trees.

I and Quick Strike were the last, continuing to stare with fascinated eyes at the ongoing horror. We both knew perfectly well that our entire mission was at stake.

"What the hell are you standing like a moron!?" Quick Strike shouted in my ear and with a sharp movement of his hoof pushed me off the edge of the cliff.

"AAA-AAA!" I screamed in flight and looked down with fear, shaking my hooves in panic. But after three seconds of flight, Quick Strike caught me with his hooves and pressed me tightly to his body.

When we landed at the bottom of this deep ravine, all the Pegasus immediately began to breathe deeply and heavily. This is understandable, because it is very difficult to carry a pony in armor and other equipment. But they understood that they had to surpass their strength and endurance.

Somewhere high above us, the very same dragon flew by and continued to burn this forest with random volleys of fire. Apparently he pulled us out of sight and was clearly angry at this moment. But we hugged each other, wiping the sweat from our faces and restoring our breathing.

"What are we going to do now?" Flicker asked and pressed closer to my body.

"Damn it! Where did it come from?" Tango asked with indignation in his voice and kicked a stone with his hoof. "Our entire mission is under threat! And now this dragon will fly towards the port!"

I jumped up from my seat and faced my friends with a serious face. "That's the problem! Sullivan! Do you have any useful information? Because the appearance of a dragon on the lands of a pony is clearly someone's idea! Besides, he deliberately attacked us as if it was his goal!"

Sullivan began to shake with fear and Valiant, noticing this, approached this griffin menacingly, after which he took out his gladius and sent it to Sullivan's breasts. "Answer immediately! What do you know!? Otherwise, I swear by Celestia's ass, I will become an omnivorous pony from today! And I taste the meat of poultry and cat meat!" The distraught Valiant screamed.

This behavior of my friend surprised all the ponies, but most of all me, because I had not noticed it in Valiant's emotions before. He is becoming more and more obsessed, and all this is certainly connected with the enormous influence of all these events that have happened to us in the last days. There is simply no rest for us...

But when Flicker saw what Valiant was doing, and how the griffin began to cover his face with his paws and, trying not to fall into the confusion, began to stagger, she ran up and stood between Sullivan and the gladius Valiant hanging in a magical aura. It definitely reminded me of that tavern event.

Flicker pressed her chest against the edge of Valiant's sword and looked seriously into his eyes. "Stop it now! Can't you see that Sullivan is scared?" Flicker growled and narrowed her eyes.

The whole scene started to create a lot of tension and everyone rushed to intervene. Valiant lowered his head regretfully and sheathed his gladius back. "I apologize, my friends. I do not know what came over me..." Valiant said and with a sad look moved away from our group to the side to look at the sky, turning his back to us.

"Damn! Valiant! I didn't know that you could be like that..." Quick Strike said with a grin in his voice, but did not have time to finish his words.

Valiant turned his head sharply and looked into the eyes of Quick Strike with anger, from which our pegasus began to back away a little. "Shut up Quick Strike! Better yet ... go and kill that dragon! Maybe that'll be much more useful than your sarcasm!" Valiant said in an angry voice and turned away again.

"Hey guys! Shut up all of you! We have a lot of problems here without this, and you still decided to make a discord among yourself!" Sandy Glow shouted and it certainly caught our attention. "Heart Path! What will be the orders? You understand that we cannot sit here with folded hooves, and how the last cowards wait for the dragon to destroy our port!"

This whole environment affected my emotions, but Sandy's words helped me a lot. I felt determined again. I shook my head and sighed, then looked at all the ponies with a serious and confident look. "Valiant log the time and place the dragon appeared. I can still hear the roar of that bastard somewhere nearby. Today he made a big mistake and I intend to put an end to it! And you Sullivan, don't worry, you won't be harmed, but you just owe us say everything that can help us!"

While Valiant took notes in a journal, and the rest of the ponies sat down and watched the sky and the erratic flight of the dragon, which was apparently having fun by setting fire to this forest and trying to find us as if we were the ones who took away him treasure ... Treasure!

Sullivan came up to me with Flicker and sighed, but at the same time he boldly looked into my eyes. “I don’t know much, but I could only hear that this dragon had to play a role in an extreme situation. As far as I can imagine, the command of my kingdom secretly stole all the jewels of this dragon from the nearest cave in our lands! Supposed to transport some of this gold to this island. All this is possibly a planned action, and I think ... that in this way King Grover wanted to bring trouble to your kingdom, namely to this port! But I do not know the details ... and honestly when I heard this gossip from the crew of military sailors on our ship, it seemed to me that this was all a crazy joke of these drunken griffins! Forgive me for the fact that maybe I did not tell you important information, but I thought it was all jokes..." Sullivan said and sighed again to look sadly in my eyes.

"Hey! It looks like the Dragon flew towards the port!" Tiny Tail shouted, pointing his hoof into the sky, where the body of a large dragon could be seen flying by.

"Oh HELP US CELESTIA! Sandy Glow, listen to me." I said in a confident voice. I almost began to touch this pegasus with my nose from which she began to look around in confusion and backs away a little. "You must fly back to our fleet! Valiant will give you our journal, and you will hand it over to Celestia personally! Tell the command about everything you saw here! We will go to port and try to provide any assistance." Then I suddenly hugged her with my hooves from which she gasped and her eyes widened from understanding the possible fate of all the ponies who are now next to her. I kissed her hard on the lips and after that I looked closely into the eyes of Sandy Glow, who was trying to catch her breath ... but she understood everything perfectly and did not resist. "And this is for your luck! And perhaps ... as a gratitude for everything that you mean to us. I have always appreciated our friendship, and now I ask you ... eh ... FLY IMMEDIATELY!" I yelled and turned her body around and then slapped my hoof lightly on her ass.

Sandy yelped, but didn't show much emotion at my insolent antics. She ran to Valiant and took off his bag with a magazine (where the data of the reconnaissance was recorded). "Well, you impudent! I will follow your order! Wait for me with reinforcements in the port!" Sandy Glow screamed, and flew up from this gorge.

All the ponies watched as Sandy Glow flew away, and then came up to me. "This is the correct decision Heart Path!" Quick Strike said and, adjusting his helmet, looked seriously into my eyes. "The reconnaissance team is ready to move at your order to the port, Heart Path!"

"Valiant, look at the map and tell me how far can we be from our port?" I said and went up to my friend.

Valiant quickly took a map out of his saddlebag and looked from the map to the sky, staring at the stars. "About two miles. If I'm not mistaken ... we are somewhere at this point. This gorge should lead to this lake." Valiant pointed with his hoof on the map. "It will be about ten minutes from this lake at a quick gallop to the "Orange Coast Fort"! If we don't hesitate and run now, we will be at our destination in about twenty minutes."

"Yes, that's right, my friend! If the Fort is still capable of resisting, then I am sure that this dragon, if he is not stupid, will first try to attack the garrison! This fort must have artillery capable of inflicting damage on this monster. I hope we won't be late. And now, follows me, medium gallop!" I commanded and ran along this ravine.

All the ponies, without hesitation, ran after me, including Sullivan. This griffin now well understood the horrors of this war ... in his gaze there was complete determination to help us in our trouble. And perhaps no one doubted that our path would not be easy. Each of us understood that we would be faced with many horrors in the coming hours. And I'm just sure that it will be so.

We ran as fast as we did in the forest where I was wounded. Looking at the sky, I realized that dawn was already approaching. I ran in front of the whole group with Valiant. "Do you remember how we ran in that forest?" I asked my friend, and jumped over some kind of hummock.

"YES! I won't forget that!" Valiant shouted back.

About half an hour later, our reconnaissance group came running to the fort. The rising sun was already visible over the horizon. Large clouds of smoke billowed over the fort itself. From here one could see the port itself, which was still burning. Fires were everywhere.

Well, the ruthless dragon sitting on the coast grinned. "I will punish you all for stealing my treasure! You will be killed! And your houses will burn to the ground!" The dragon roared and launched another volley of fireball with its breath towards the port. "Hahaha! I haven't had that much fun for a long time! And I have to admit I'm grateful to PONY for that!" This distraught dragon screamed, and then flew up into the sky and began to fly in circles.

Help us Celestia! In the fort itself, there were no signs of life! The gates were open, and the bodies of the slain legionnaires lay nearby. Part of the wall was destroyed, and the hooves of the defenders of the fort were visible on the rubble. The southern tower, which was supposed to shell the port's coastline, was destroyed.

"Just look at them!" Valiant said with panic in his voice as he ran past the slain group of ponies.

"It looks like these guys got badly from the air attack of the griffins, but they could not withstand another attack. Because the dragon attacked!" Quick Strike shouted in an angry voice. "Look! It looks like the gun positions towers may still function!"

"I see! Go! We have three functional ballista towers! We'll split into teams, Valiant come with me!" I shouted an order and ran into the territory of the fort and saw many dead ponies.

"Yes, commander! Go ahead! Now is not the time to lose snot on the go!" Quick Strike shouted trying to cheer each of us and ran with his partner.

Poor Flicker ... in that short time she stopped several times to make sure the legionary pony's corpse lay in front of her. Sullivan decided to show his custody of her as a sign of immeasurable gratitude and therefore almost did not leave her, but tried to help. He helped to clean up the rubble by throwing stones from the bodies of dead ponies, which were stacked on top of each other.

Flicker tried very hard, and did not even follow my order, ran and looked for possibly surviving soldiers! But when she found a barely alive officer who handed her a hoof, she burst into tears and began to take the medicine out of the saddle bag, while Sullivan, who was squatting next to her, cheered her all the time. A minute later, as they looked up into the sky at the approaching dragon, Sullivan carried the body of this groaning officer on his back. Then they ran towards the open door to the inner premises of the fort to find the infirmary. We were all given little time ... this dragon had already noticed our movement and flew in our direction ...

Several volleys of fireballs flew into the inner courtyard of the fort and began to set fire to the warehouse buildings.

Author's Note: This music track comes from a truly legendary game! It also fits the spirit of the scene being described.

There was a spirit of death! As I climbed this circular staircase in the tower, I hardly heard or saw the living. The corpses of the killed defenders of the fort lay everywhere. Someone had no limb, and someone was badly burned. There were also officers, judging by the helmets on the heads of the slain ponies. My insides tightened with fear and the vision of the whole picture of the event that had happened. It was no less horrible than the battle I went through a few days ago. But there was one obvious observation: there was no active garrison in this fort. And apparently only a few dozen ponies remained in this fort. Perhaps the rest of the garrison went to port to provide any help! Including extinguishing a fire.

Dragon began to fly up to this fort, as soon as he saw that we were entering its territory, and then released a couple of volleys of fire that damaged the gate of the fort. A few seconds later, with a whining grinding, they fell to the ground.

The first rays of the sun had already begun to appear in the sky, but it was a total chaos, given the many fires. Our group was able to properly divide into gun crews.

Sky Chaser and Tango ran towards the East Tower. Tiny Tail and Quick Strike took off towards the North Tower. Valiant and I were already on our way up to the gun position on the West Tower.

"Oh ... I hope they still have ammunitions!" Grumbled Valiant Romantic as he walked up the tower after me.

Running along this spiral staircase in the tower, Valiant and I stopped more than once to look into the embrasure, in order to determine where this fire-breathing monster is now. But its roar and the flapping of its large wings created a terrifying background sound, given the multiple fires and smoke in the fort. When we reached the top floor, we saw ...

Next to the ballista lay one legionnaire with an arrow in his neck, and near the battlement a still living stallion was sitting and snuggling against the corner. He shook with horror and covered his face with his hooves.

"Oh ... Celestia! Why did you leave us at such a difficult moment!?" This legionary spoke in a low and indignant voice. But when he saw me and Valiant, his bloody face gradually lost its distraught outline. He started smiling and ran up to us to hug as if we were his family! He burst into tears ... "You ... you are our reinforcements? We have been holding the defenses of this coast for several hours! We were fired at from naval artillery! Then the griffins made an air raid and pelted us with burning shells! We withstood one attack after another ... but none of us expected ... that we still have to fight the maddened dragon, who constantly shouted that his treasure had been stolen! At some point he was simply tired and we had a break... I hope there are still survivors among our guys?" This legionnaire spoke in a sad voice sometimes sniffing.

I tried to revive him when I spotted a flying dragon in the direction of the North Tower. I shook his shoulders with my hooves. "Calm down Soldier! Better bring us shells to this ballista! Faster my friend, this battle is not over yet!" I shouted orders in the face of this legionnaire.

"I will obey your order, but I am afraid that there are almost no shells left! There are only four Bolts near this ballista, there are still reserves in ..." When the legionnaire saw a burning warehouse near our tower, his face drooped in complete despair. "We have no more ammunition ... Lie down!" The legionary shouted and pulled Valiant and me with his hooves just as a ball of fire flew over us.

The dragon roared in pain and we raise our heads to see how a ballista projectile was fired into its body from the direction of the North Tower. The dragon turned its head furiously and flew towards this tower.

"Valiant! Charge this ballista, fast!" I shouted, and my friend and I began to twist the levers of the charging mechanism.

The poor legionnaire, who had already endured for these few hours, gathered his last strength and took a projectile with his hooves in order to install it in the ballista's groove. "These are special anti-ship projectiles. They are quite heavy, and therefore not very suitable to shoot at aerial targets! But the dragon is huge, so I don't think it will be difficult to hit it." The legionnaire explained.

When we loaded our ballista and aimed this weapon in the direction of the dragon hovering over the northern tower ... my eyes widened with the horror of what I saw!

The dragon released a large fiery jet into one of the tower windows, as it was already clear that Quick Strike and Tiny Tail hurried to leave this position to hide in the tower. They wanted to save their lives ... but I saw two pegasus with flaming tails and wings fly out of the opposite window. Their bodies began to fall and it was clear that they were unconscious. Quick Strike fell face down on the roof of a small warehouse next to the tower and did not move any more. Tiny Tail fell to the ground near the entrance to this tower and struggled to his feet, but he had no strength. He fell.

"Oh Celestia!" Valiant said slowly as he continued to stare at the unconscious bodies of our friends.

At that moment, my heart began to squeeze with pain and many overwhelmed feelings. A tear flowed from my eye, but I began to aim my sight in the direction of this dragon. "Valiant! You must run to our friends and find out their fate! Maybe they can still be saved! RUN FASTER! We can handle it ourselves!" I shouted with complete determination in my voice and pulled the lever.

Shot ... the whistle of a thickened, anti-ship projectile, suddenly cut the air from which I was slightly deaf in my right ear. After about two seconds, the projectile hit the dragon in the back, causing it to roar with rage again. Two seconds later, a shell from the East Tower flew into him. So our friends, Tango and Sky Chaser can still resist.

Valiant looked at me with distraught eyes. "Do you want me to go check on our friends? Are you out of your mind?" Valiant shouted and cocked the ballista's loader levers again.

"Please! Please Valiant do it! Just be careful." I pointed my hoof in the direction of the fort's surviving battlements that connected the North and West Towers. "Try to run at a fast gallop along this part of the fort and walk to the burnt tower! There you can jump to the roof of the warehouse where Quick Strike's body lies! Do your best, I believe in you brother! Now run faster, we will distract this dragon!" I shouted back to my friend.

My friend looked in the direction of my hoof and then again at the dragon, that which at that moment flew towards the West Tower. "Oh no ..." Valiant rolled his hooves over the edge of the battlements and shouted towards the West Tower. "Tango! Fly away from this tower! ...." But it was too late.

With a wild roar, the dragon flew up to the West Tower and swung its tail against the roof. The crash began to fall apart and stones and other debris flew in different directions. Pegasi managed to fly from this position, but the dragon decided to pursue them.

Valiant, screaming curses, hurried down the spiral staircase and ran to our friends. At that moment it was difficult for me to aim the ballista at the flying dragon, but a legionnaire helped me.

Shot ... and again the whistling sound of a ballista's projectile cut through the air and headed towards the hovering dragon, which went mad with our impudence and began to release large jets of fire, trying to set fire to the Tango and Sky Chaser flying around him.

Ballista projectile hit the dragon's paw and he slowly turned his angry gaze in our direction. This distracted him a little and our pegasi began to fly away from this trouble to a safe distance. They shouted something and showed their hooves towards the sea, but I was afraid to turn around.

I looked into the eyes of this dragon and a mental duel took place between us. "Charge faster!" I screamed and my eyes began to widen in horror.

"Done! Ballista charged!" The legionnaire answered me in a hoarse voice, and after that I heard the clatter of his hooves as he ran in panic down this spiral staircase.

I do not blame him for this, but I was left alone ... The dragon roared again and flew towards me on the way, releasing a fireball into my position. The feathers on my helmet emitted a magical hum and began to glow with Celestia's aura. I sighed and tugged at the lever with my hoof.

Shot ... But behind all this moment, I did not notice much. Puffs of smoke from a burning warehouse below obscured my view a little. It was good and bad at the same time. I applied my magic and started loading the last projectile ... But I didn't have time ...

The dragon crashed into this tower from which it began to collapse, and I flew down, hitting the ground painfully, from which my hooves emitted a crunch from fractures. With difficulty and overcoming the pain, with a grimace on my face, I rolled over onto my back, but I did not feel my hooves, only pain throughout my body and ringing in my ears. I stopped hearing the sounds of the chaos around me, but I could still see.

Several stones and part of the structure fell on my body, but some of them began to evaporate into the air, as Celestia's magical aura on the feathers of my helmet was still doing its job. It was hard for me to breathe.

The dawn was already clearly visible in the sky, but it began to darken in my eyes.

Time has slowed down for me.

The dragon, reeling from the received wounds, began to creep up to me, but at that moment in the sky above the fort flew a hundred praetorian pegasus, at the head of Celestia herself. But they did not dare to go down to this fort, as this could threaten the princess. One brave praetorian separated from this group and flew to the place where I lay near the wreckage of the tower.

My eyes started to widen from what I saw!

Pegasus approached about a hundred meters and during the flight it was enveloped in a green, magical glow. I slowly turned my face to look at the center of this fort's courtyard.

"AARRRHHAA!" The second dragon screamed and landed next to the crawling wounded dragon.

Yes, I already understood who it was. Princess Emerald, having gathered all her will and magical energy, took the form of the same dragon. My heart beat faster from what I saw as these two dragons grappled with each other and began their paws and teeth fight. I saw how (Emerald), in the form of a dragon, grabbed this hostile dragon with his teeth by the throat, which he began to wheeze painfully and sank his claws into her stomach. They both began to fall with a heavy crash and clouds of dust all over the courtyard. Once again, a greenish magical glow enveloped the dragon's body, turning it into a princess of changelings.

I couldn't speak much, but I stretched out my numb hoof towards the two lying dragons. "Emerald..." I said in a hoarse voice.

But when the dust began to settle, I was finally able to see how the exhausted Emerald was crawling in my direction, all this time she was holding onto her stomach, but there was not that wound on it, but only a few green scratches. She saw me and, smiling, gained strength to get to her feet and flew up to my body.

I would like to say something at this moment, but I could not. I saw the Praetorian Pegasi and Celestia fly quickly in our direction. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Flicker and Sullivan run out of the fort and run in my direction. But I could not see any more, since turning my head was very painful for me, and ringing in my ears did not stop its effect, which made me feel sick.

Emerald ran up to me and bent over me, and after that she began to hug my neck, but when I screamed in pain, she began to kiss me lightly. But my strength began to leave me ... Emerald began to lick my face and cry as my eyes began to close smoothly. My heart had already begun to slow down and I felt that my end was probably approaching. But I never saw my daughter ... I didn’t have time to do much! I had to help my beloved Emerald, but ... now maybe I will die.

Gathering my last strength, I said loudly: "Emerald! My love, goodbye!" I said and tried to stroke the princess Emerald's cheek with my numb hoof, but I had no strength, my limb fell again with a thud, and my eyes began to focus on the face of my beloved.

Emerald pressed her side against me and rested her chin on my chest. "You won't die ... I promise you! You just got a lot of injuries and you still have a lot to do ... like getting some interesting news." Emerald spoke in a low voice. And at that moment Celestia and several of her guards landed next to us.

My eyes closed and I began to plunge into the world of dreams, from the use of Celestia's magic, but I felt a strong hoof hitting my armor in the place where my heart began to stop its life, and thereby giving an opportunity to rest. But I could still hear the crying voice of my beloved Emerald.

"I ... I carry the fruit in my womb! Valiant..." These were the last words I could hear before I finally passed out.

Time stopped.

My spirit flew out of the body of this stallion and, as already in the usual manner, a fog surrounded me, which gradually began to dissipate. I found myself close to the stallion hanging in the air due to the magical aura of Celestia, who was nearby and her appearance was very sad. She lowered her head, as did the Emerald. In this position they stood. The whole world around me stopped its life. But since I had not had the opportunity to express my thoughts for a long time during this mysterious dream, I decided to look around.

"So what the hell is going on now? Luna! Celestia!?" I shouted to myself ... but no one answered me.

I began to worry about this stallion. "Is he dead?" I asked myself and came closer to touch the cheek Heart Path (stallion) with my hand. I heard the familiar voice of a stallion behind me! But I was very surprised when I quickly turned my head and saw my friend!

"No. He's not dead..." Said Valiant Romantic and smiling slowly began to approach me. "I understand that this is an unexpected meeting for you!? A man named Heart Path!"

I grinned and ran up to this stallion to hug him by the neck, which made him scream in surprise, but in the end he laughed and patted me on the back with his hoof.

Tears of happiness flowed from my eyes and many emotions began to overwhelm my mind. But I had a lot of questions. "But how did it happen? And how ... you are my friend in my dream ... 700 years after this event?"

Valiant sighed and slowly broke our friendly embrace, and then looked merrily into my eyes. "I am afraid that I will not have many answers to all your questions, my friend! But ... in fact, I am very glad to see you again, after so much time ... I see that higher powers gave you a new shell and again called you into This world. Well, this is a plan and a mystery that you have to learn over time. Eh..." Valiant said and was a little saddened, then squatted down.

I sat on the ground and attentively examined the body of my friend ... "But, can you tell me at least something? I don't understand a lot."

"Yes. I can say with confidence that this is not the end for you. The Higher Forces ... or as we call them "Keepers of the World", called me to accompany you throughout this journey. Therefore, there in in the real world, I will be your guardian angel and your inner voice. You can also talk to me, but you will not be able to see me until you fall asleep again. In this dream, you could only see part of the events, but I assure you. So, the next time you fall asleep, you can see the continuation of this story. You yourself will understand everything when the right time comes, and if it is so pleasing to the Higher Forces. But this is not my idea..."

"Keepers of the World! I already realized that I am a doll in someone's game ..." I answered and looked again at all this morning landscape in the Fort and several ponies of the guards who surrounded Celestia. "Something worries me..."

"What exactly is my friend?" Valiant asked me in a worried voice.

"The fate of all my friends from this historic event ... Why was I able to get reincarnated after 700 years, and you didn't? Although I already met Quick Strike. Damn me! I even met a daughter ... um ... my last reincarnation. Chrysalis! I wonder how she will react to the fact that I know her parents? ..... Oh, and by the way, I heard something interesting from Emerald ... In this world, in this event 700 years ago, you must become a father! So ... did you manage?"

Valiant chuckled slightly ... "I'm afraid if I tell you a lot it will just kill the whole intrigue! But I will briefly answer, to calm your curiosity a little. Yes. I managed to see the birth of a lovely filly, who received from me the same pinkish color. But this is a very amazing moment that happened in my life. I will not tell you any more about it. You will see everything yourself. I promise you, you can even see the continuation of this story, through my eyes..." Valiant said and stood up to slowly approach to me.

"Oh Valiant! I can't forget a friend like you." I said and hugged my friend's neck again.

"My time has not come yet! But I know that the "Keepers of the World" promised me to be reborn in this world again! But first, on their instructions, I must accompany you a little and help you with everything I can! And I have no doubt that it is so and it will be ... I just hope that our friendship is still as strong as it was 700 years ago, so you can see me again ... Now, it's time for us to say goodbye for a while. You need to wake up!" Valiant said in a soothing friendly voice and patted my neck with his hoof.

"I also hope that we will definitely meet again!" I answered and closed my eyes, because again it was difficult for me to hold back tears ...

The fog began to envelop our bodies again and Valiant disappeared as suddenly as he appeared. And I suddenly flew my spirit into the stallion's body again! But for what?

"Hey! Don't you dare die, Heart Path!" Princess Emerald screamed in a tear-stained voice, and again hit my chest with a hoof, from which my eyes suddenly opened and I looked at the surprised faces of all the ponies around me.

"If you hit me like that again, you will definitely kill me!" I said in a serious voice. "Aah ... my whole body hurts. Thank you for your help."

Celestia came over to me and slowly lowered my body to the ground. "Calm ... you don't need to worry. We'll help you. My guard has already started helping all the surviving ponies in this fort ... So we have to say thank you." Celestia answered and looked towards the Emerald. "And you, Princess Emerald, thank you very much for being able to intervene in the outcome of this battle in time."

Emerald wiped the mane from her face, wiped the tears with her hoof, and then bent down and kissed me lightly on the cheek. "Thank you Heart Path for not leaving us. But you ... moron! Why did you pretend?" Said Emerald in an indignant voice.

"Ahaha! I ... don't know ..." I wrapped my numb hoof around the Emerald's neck and slightly curled my face in pain. "You see ... I fell a little from that tower, and I got a painful shock. Apparently I have fractures."

Celestia used magic again and lifted me into the air, and then looked at her guards. "Hurry up! Find me the best medics! And keep helping all the ponies in need in this fort! After that, we'll go to the port ... it looks like the city is still in chaos and a lot of fires." After that, she carried my body, and I closed my eyes and slightly grinned at my luck.

"My friends ... what's the matter with them?" I asked in a painful voice...

But I never got an answer, the fog appeared in my eyes again.

In real time.

POV Chrysalis. Continued from Chapter 14.

I slid off the body Heart Path, continuing to stare into the man's eyes with fascination. A man who was able to touch the depths of my heart and at some point awaken a feeling in me ... I pushed aside, let Heart Path get back on its feet, but it was clear that he was still weak and probably very hungry. I could see it in his eyes, as those warm feelings with which he selflessly continues to feed me. I am afraid that my gratitude will know no boundaries.

But ... I perfectly heard the familiar name that this man shouted out when he woke up abruptly. When Heart Path got to its feet, it continued to look at me with love and I had a serious question in my head. An awkward silence formed between us, even Discord and Autumn Blaze calmly stood to the side and watched us closely.

I felt embarrassed at such a moment. I shook my head slightly and one of the curls of my mane fell over my left eye. I caught my breath a little and decided to ask my question, but to be honest ... I was a little afraid to hear the answer, since this memory takes me back to the past. In my difficult childhood ... "Tell me Heart Path, how do you know this name? Emerald! And why, when you woke up like a distraught, and apparently did not yet realize reality, said that you love her?"

Heart Path staggered slightly on his legs, walked over to the chair by the table and looked at us with a slight smirk on his face. "I ... will tell you everything. But ... can we eat something? I honestly feel weak in my human body and hunger." Said Heart Path and listlessly put his hand under his head to rest his elbow on the table. "Why are you looking like that?"

Discord and Autumn Blaze looked at each other, and after that in the direction of the burning stove on which there was a saucepan with some kind of porridge that Autumn Blaze was preparing.

Autumn Blaze smiled cheerfully and ran to the stove to check the readiness of the food. Discord also grinned and sat down next to Heart Path.

"Welcome back, my friend! And for some reason it seems to me ... that your story will be very interesting, so I'm not in a hurry, at least for now!" Discord said in a cheerful voice and raised his wrist watch paw. "Hmm ... it seems my watch is broken ..."

I grumbled to myself and rolled my eyes at the antics of all the idots in this modest house and decided to go up to Autumn to help her set the table. After all, even though I am the queen, I’m on some sort of vacation right now, which means I don’t have to pretend to be the upstart and angry ruler of my hive all the time.

"Oh thank you for your help, Chrysalis!" Autumn Blaise answered in a kind voice and used her magic to empty the bag of herbs into the pot, where the water was already boiling.

While we were busy, and Discord conjured up a deck of poker cards, he decided to arrange a little relaxation with Heart Path before breakfast. Honestly, these men are the same! We cook breakfast for them while they have fun! And then we have to educate the children with whom they reward us in the process of living together ... What am I just thinking about?

"Your mom ... Emerald, a very interesting mare and very passionate. Probably you have this in common! And you have the same eyes as hers." Said Heart Path in a calm voice.

I dropped the ladle back into the pot and in surprise, slowly turned my head to look at someone who knew my mother ... perhaps even more than myself.

Author's Note

I was finally able to finish this chapter!

And of course, in this chapter it becomes clear that there is still a long way to go, and there will be many surprises and secrets.

This is where the first part of this mysterious arc ended. A dream is a memory of the past reincarnation, in which Heart Path learns a lot of new things and experiences various emotions. But first of all it is Friendship and Love.

Thank you all for your attention, and I say goodbye once again to continue writing the next chapter!