"Ya shoulda told us you was alright right away! At least AJ and young Bloom had the sense teh let us know they was fine! We was worried sick about ya the whole journey here ya rascal!" Granny Smith said practically beating the poor man over the head with her cane while Butter, Bright, Orion and Mac all consoled the two Apples that had attended the Gala.

Once news of the attack spread, any of the Element's that still had family rushed to Canterlot to ensure their safety. While Sunset was the first to make an appearance, the others followed shortly after. Each family had been taken to a separate room to let them have their privacy with their kin, both to check on them and also to allow them to catch up.

So this left Fendral with a highly annoyed and worried Elder, an equally worried Nephew and two highly concerned adopted siblings and parents. They were quick to check on their youngest, who, though still very confused, was well. Applejack was much of the same, though she was fully aware of what had happened.

Putting up his arms in a futile attempt to protect himself, he recoiled slightly as each bonk vibrated his helmet rather violently. It wasn't sore by any means, but it most certainly was not comfortable.

"Ok Mom, I think he's had enough," Bright said, lightly pulling the still-peeved Elder away from the man as he rubbed his unprotected forearms, feeling they were definitely going to bruise.

"I know ya would have done it regardless, but thank you," Butter said as she pulled him into a tight hug. "Ya alright?"

"I'm fine," Fendral replied, gladly returning the hug. "Nothing I'm not used to."

"Still doesn't mean we ain't worried about ya," Bright said as he too hugged the larger man.

"I know."

Letting go, he looked over and saw Granny approaching again, only this time she held a more sombre expression. Bright and Butter stepped to the side to let her pass and went back to the Apple trio a few paces away. He turned to her fully and knelt down to meet her gaze.

"Ah'm sorry young'in," She said quietly, keeping her head low but maintaining eye contact. "Jus' when we heard what happened and ya never sent fir us or nuthin', we git worried sick about ya."

Without a word, Fendral kneeled and reached up to his helmet and carefully removed it, placing it gently on the floor next to him. He took Granny's hands just as gently and gave them a soft squeeze and gently rubbed them, while Orion placed his head on their hands. Offering as comforting a smile as he could give, he cupped her cheeks.

"I not only made a promise to the trio there behind you, but I made a promise to all of you," He said softly. "I promised to protect you all to the best of my ability. Yes, that will often mean throwing myself into harm's way, but it also means I will ensure that I will continue being able to protect you."

"But who will Protect you?" Applebloom asked.

Looking past Granny Smith and to the youngest of the siblings, Fendral kept his smile.

"I have a few friends I can count on," He replied, giving Orion a healthy pet behind his ear. "Don't you worry about me."

"Too late," Applejack chimed in.

"Eeyup."

Fendral couldn't help but chuckle a little.

"It's going to take more than a few Griffons to take down."

"Jus' write teh us next time will ya?" Granny said. "Jus teh let us know yer ok."

"I promise I will."

"Good."

"This is all the intel we could get?" Celestia asked incredulously, looking at the small pile of papers Shining Armour had placed on her desk.

"Unfortunately your Highness," He replied. "This is all we could get under such short notice. However, given the earliness of the investigation, I am almost one hundred per cent certain that we will be able to obtain more intel further down the line. Hopefully sooner rather than later."

"Thank you, Captain," She said. "You are dismissed."

"Your Highness," Shining saluted before promptly making his way to the door of the Princess's study.

As the door closed, hearing the Captain's hoof falls fade, she unceremoniously fell into the chair's backrest, sighing heavily into her hands in a vain attempt to alleviate the very quickly building stress. After the Griffons had signed the peace treaty thirty-three years ago, she had hoped to maintain peace both in and outside her and her sister's borders for at least another hundred years before something was to disrupt it. But as it would seem, fate had other plans in store.

"Why couldn't things just be easy?"

Silence.

Realizing she was alone, she reached over and opened the small cabinet door of her desk and pulled out a rocks glass and a half-empty bottle of Smoking Gun Whisky. Pouring herself a glass, she swiftly knocked it back, savouring its taste. Though it was a comparatively cheaper whisky than what the vast majority of Nobles would choose, the grains distilled with smoked tea that blended its leather and tobacco notes and rather signature smoulder was something she preferred over most other options she came across.

Just as she was about to pour herself a second glass, the door to her study opened, Luna walked through and quickly closed it behind her, spotting her sister about to pour her glass.

"Normally I would say something about drinking on the job, but given the current circumstances, I would say it's warranted," Luna said, removing her crown and placing it on the small table next to the large couch in front of the fire. "Is that all?"

"Unfortunately yes, this is all they could gather," Celestia said as she poured her glass, downing it as soon as she finished.

"That's almost nothing."

Celestia could only nod as she took a clean rag from the desk's cabinet, wiped the glass dry and placed everything back inside and closed the door.

"With how quickly everything transpired, I don't think we'll be seeing any fruit for our labour anytime soon."

"That's an awfully defeatist attitude, especially for you."

"Luna you saw those Griffons, they were like nothing we've seen before," Celestia said rather pointedly. "Even Fen and Vixen, who need I remind you are some of the most experienced people we know, have never seen anything like this."

"Alright Tia," Luna said softly. "Understand I am stressed as well, but taking it out on me won't help."

"I-" Celestia sat forward, leaning her elbows against her desk, lightly rubbing her eyes before looking back to her sister. "I'm sorry Lu, I didn't...I...I'm sorry."

Striding over to her sister's side, Luna wrapped her arms around her distressed sibling, lightly rubbing her arms and placing her resting her head on her own, being her to avoid her horn.

"I know Tia, I know," Luna comforted.

Cupping her cheeks, Luna looked deeply into her sister's firey orange eyes, watching them flicker almost akin to fire, she pushed aside a lock of her bright red mane away from her face.

"We will get through this, as we have gotten through everything before, together," She said, placing her forehead against her sibling's, again making sure to avoid her horn. "But we're not in this alone. This is not just your, or my, burden to bear. We have those at our side, happy and willing to help us. We are not alone."

"I know sister," Celestia said, hugging her sister tight, as though she'd never be able to again. "I know."

"Speaking of," Celestia said, letting go of the hug, Luna following suit. "Where are they?"

"Fendral is spending time with his family," Luna said as she leaned against the desk. "And I believe Vixen is with them as well."

"They seemed to have hit it off fairly well," Celestia commented, leaning her elbows on the desk.

"I had a strong feeling they would or at the very least will," Luna replied, a big smile spreading across her muzzle, flashing her pearly white canines. "The little sparring session definitely helped put his mind at ease."

"Oh speaking of which, you still owe me ten bits."

Luna sighed. "I still think he let her win."

"Oh as do I," Celestia replied, letting a fairly smug smile cross her lips. "But a wins a win."

"Sometimes I wish you inherited Father's disposition to winning," Luna laughed.

"Oh and not rub it your face when you lose?" Celestia laughed as well. "Never."

The two sisters giggled to themselves, letting the worries and stresses of their lives wash away, letting them be themselves and not the personas they act and letting them let go. It was moments like this that the two always cherished more than others. So few and far between were there times they could let their hair down and act like everyday ponies, just enjoying life and being with family. Where they could be normal. For even the briefest of moments. Such is the life of Monarchs.

Luna opened her mouth to speak, but as she did, a sudden flash appeared at the centre of the desk's surface. Momentarily blinded, they blinked away the trails left behind by the light and saw a scroll where the flash appeared. Reaching over, Celestia picked it up.

It was a simple parchment, wrapped and bonded in a fine red silk ribbon, an unmarked silver wax dried and hardened to keep it in place.

Curious, she broke the wax seal over her thumps, unravelling the scroll and reading through its contents.

A couple of hours had passed and all the families had caught up with their kin and made sure of their safety, leaving them to simply talk amongst themselves for a while in a common room. No one topic was held for very long, one often leading right into another that would keep for twenty minutes before promptly leading into the next. With all the families gathered, mingling together, Fendral decided to hang back, happy to let them chat and chat up on the lives of their friends.

Right now they were deep into a game of Monopoly, laughing, cheering and groaning as the game progressed. A smile crept upon his face. After the events of the previous night, he was happy to see them all relaxed, not letting the experience take over what was a good time. Fendral sat near the back, idly playing Orion's ears, the Timberwolf thoroughly enjoying the attention he was receiving.

"It's nice isn't it?" Vixen said sitting next to him, idly stirring a hot, steaming mug of coffee in her hands as Orion placed his head on her thigh. "To see them all happy, having quality time together."

"Fendral, can I ask you something?" She asked, stroking Orion's head, the Timberwolf humming in enjoyment.

"Hmm?"

"Why did you never settle?"

The man had to stop and think, the sudden question momentarily catching him off guard. Folding his arm across his large chest, he shifted from one foot to the next, sighing, before coming to a stop.

"How long have you been a mercenary?"

"About thirty years, give or take," She responded. "Why?"

"I've been in this business for almost forty-five years," Fendral said, resulting from a swift double take from the Reindeer beside him, a look of surprise taking over her face.

"FORTY-" Catching herself, she briefly looked over the amassed group, though thankfully, none had caught her outburst, except for the wolf at her side. Not that he cared much. "Forty-five years?"

"I have been doing this far longer than I haven't," He responded, not really replying to the question directly. "Whether it be when I served, bounty hunting or...."

He trailed off.

"The thought of stopping now is...it feels unnatural," He continued. "Foreign almost."

"But that's not really it...is it?"

He did respond for a moment.

"No." He said, almost at a whisper, Orion left Vixen's side and came up to comfort his old friend.

"Has it something to do with-"

"I'd rather not talk about it."

Vixen looked at him for a second, his voice was more rigid, monotone when he replied. His shoulders tensed and his head was held slightly higher, his back straightened and his legs locked. It was clear to her that this was a very, very touchy subject. One she would probably benefit from not bringing up again soon. Not that she was worried he'd do anything, she didn't want to ruin what friendship they had built and were building, slowly but surely.

"Alright," She said softly, nodding her head before turning back to the group in the middle of the reasonably well-sized room.

Fendral remained silent, his mind currently a whirlwind of thought. Thoughts of the night before. Why did they attack? Who or what might be behind it? When might they straight again? What will come after as a result? Will anything happen? How could they prepare?

How can I protect them?

Thoughts like this flooded Fendrals head, swirling around like a torrent threatening to burst the dam of his mind. But before he could dwell on them any further, there was a knock at the door. The door opened to reveal a Day Guard Unicorn, who stepped through into the common room, giving a crisp salute upon seeing the Mandalorian.

"The Princesses have requested the presence of Fendral Marika and Vixen Ragsdill in the Throne room at your earliest convenience."

Sighing quietly, Fendral stepped up, Orion as close as always. "We'll be there shortly."

"At once Sir," He saluted before he left closing the door behind him, teleporting away a second or two later.

"No rest for wicked huh?" Bow Hothoof, Rainbow Dash's father, said.

"So it would seem," Fendral said as he made his way to the door, Vixen not far behind. "We'll be back as soon as possible."

"Well, ya better hurry up!" Rainbow exclaimed. "Cuz I'm so gonna kick your butt at Uno!"

"Yea!" Scootaloo jumped up with her older sister, the small drake fluttering her wings as she did.

~~

The two stopped in front of the Throne room's large, ornately designed double doors, the structures standing a solid twenty feet above their heads. Glancing over to a Guard on his left, he gave Fendral a solid nod, stepping up to one of the doors, giving it a few hard knocks and stepping back, the sounds echoing through the long and winding hallways before falling silent. A few seconds passed and the doors began steadily opening, revealing a pair of large earth ponies tightly gripping the door handles.

"Ah, thank you for coming," Princess Celestia said as they stepped their way into the Throne room, clapping the Timberwolf as he was the first to get to them. "We apologise for taking you away from your family and friends, so we'll make this as quick as possible."

The Princesses smiled before their expressions darkened slightly.

"Firstly, we want to apologise for last night," Princess Luna said, her ears falling near flush to her head. "It was supposed a night of celebration, a night to forget and enjoy life. But it was ruined beyond anything and your and their lives were put at risk."

"You had no power over it," Fendral said quickly. "That was out of your hands, you were not aware of it. You couldn't have prepared for it."

"Exactly," Vixen replied. "We understand the role of Princess is hard as it is, nobody blames you. Least of all us."

Orion barked loudly in agreement.

"There wasn't any more that you could have done," Fendral said, coming up to Luna's side, putting his hand on her shoulder and giving it a reassuring squeeze.

"Your words are reassuring," Celestia said. "But lives were at risk and more were lost. We can't forgive ourselves for that."

The man nodded and let his head hang a little as he squeezed Luna's shoulder ever so slightly tighter.

"Be that as it may, we know you did everything that you could," Vixen reassured.

"But we also want to thank you," Celestia continued. "Though we know you both would have done it regardless, you not only saved the lives of several Nobles and many civilians but you also saved the Element's lives and we cannot thank you enough."

"I have a duty to Equestria and its people, especially my friends and family," Fendral said quickly. "And I will be damned if I fail now."

"I may be new here, but I also have a duty to protect the nation and its people."

Without a word, the Princesses pulled the two into a tight hug, Orion placing his forehead on Luna's thigh to join in, tears threatening to fall but the two composed themselves quickly. After several seconds, the Princesses let go, grateful smiles across their face.

"Thank you," Celestia said. "But unfortunately that is not the only reason we called you."

"Thought so," Fendral chuckled slightly. "So what you call us for?"

Luna subtly waved her hand, the Guards stationed at the nearest set of pillars seeing the signal and nodded their head and left their posts, the other Guards leaving with them as they passed. The double doors closed soon after, leaving the four alone in the room.

"We also called you for this," Celestia said holding up the scroll they had received earlier.

Fendral took the scroll, unrolling and skimming over the words held within, his eyes landing on the name at the end, the one who had sent it.

"Discord."

As soon as the name left his lips, there was a blinding flash of light, an almost cartoony sound of confetti and party poppers popping and the sound of two voices laughing joyfully. Blinking away the light smear in their eyes, all four present looked to the source of the commotion.

Discord and his daughter Eris floated a little above their head, Hawaiian shirts hanging loosely from their shoulders and straw hats atop their heads. The two Chimeras were still laughing, an arm draped over the other's shoulder as their laughter slowly died down. Once it was, Discord let go of his near-identical daughter.

"Oh, honey! I'm home!" He shouted in an almost sing-song manner.

"Yes Discord, hello," Luna replied, fighting back the encroaching grin.

"You're hard to miss," Celestia added, not fairing much better.

"Why Tia, Lu," Discord said, turning to the Princesses, and placing a paw on his chest. "It's almost as if you're not happy to see your dear old brother."

The two sisters laughed, as Celestia pulled him in. "We're happy to see you Discord."

"Hey, what about me?" Eris guffawed.

"As if we'd forget you dear," Luna said, pulling the young Chimera in with her wings, Eris laughing gleefully at the gesture.

The four laughed amongst themselves as they embraced each other. Vixen, Fendral and Orion looked at one another as they all stepped back a little, letting the four have their moment together. Eventually, they let go, and the atmosphere instantly darkened, Discord and Eris gaining a knowing look.

"We heard what happened," He said, the God of Chaos unnaturally serious. "We dropped everything as soon as we heard."

"Literally," Eris said, brushing small bits of glass from her hair. "Don't think I've seen him move that quickly."

"Well, the same could be said for you little misses," Discord shot back. "But seriously, we were worried."

"Brother," Celestia took Dicsord's hands, giving them a reassuring squeeze. "We are ok. It takes a lot more than that to put us at risk."

"Oh I know, but it doesn't stop me from worrying."

"Ever the protective elder sibling aren't you," Luna stated. "But Tia's right. We're big strong girls, we can take care of ourselves."

"Ain't that the truth," Fendral muttered, Vixen giggling in response.

"Don't think we forgot about you, ya big lug," Eris said, suddenly appearing behind, locking the man in a headlock.

Vigorously rubbing the top of the man's head as he vainly tried to escape the Chimera's vice-like grip, he could almost feel his hair being tussled as Orion jumped around his feet yipping. Eventually breaking free, he couldn't help but laugh at her antics.

"It's good to see you both," Fendral said. "Fluttershy will be happy to have you back Discord."

"Speaking of," Discord started as he appeared floating beside him. "Tha-"

Fendral reached and wrapped his hand around Discord's snout faster than anyone could react, clamping it shut before he could get another word in. Not that it stopped the Chimera, as he continued to ramble his muffled thanks, seemingly unbothered by the hand gripping his mouth shut. A full minute and a half later, he finally stopped.

"Oh, you were right," Vixen whispered to Celestia. "He really is stubborn."

"Like I said," She whispered back, "As stubborn as they come."

"So what now?" Vixen asked.

"Now, we go unpack," Discord said, lifting his and Eris's suitcases, both of which were fit to burst. "Then I go say hello to some friends and we try to find out who's behind this little scheme we have on our hands."

"I'd hardly call it 'little', brother," Celestia sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose before looking at the man, his companion and the Reindeer. "In the meantime, you three head back, I'm sure your family and friends are eager to have you back."

Out of the palace grounds and in Canterlots public park, a rather large light grey earth pony sat on one of the many benches looking towards the castle proper, admiring the high towers that stood the test of time for many centuries. He admired the near-perfect masonry of the beautiful stonework, the impeccably designed glass windows that littered the tall spiralling masts, and even the roof with its neatly placed tiles that met at a seemingly perfect point. Mostly, however, he admired the work of the countless individuals who put their blood, sweat and tears into this gargantuan passion project, and the pride they must have felt when it was completed, their predecessor's work finally seen through. That was what this stallion truly admired.

Letting his head rest momentarily on the bench's headrest, he let out a content sigh as his breath escaped through his nose and dispersed into the cool air. Looking around, he noticed he was seemingly alone, not a soul was anywhere near him, and not even a City Guard could be seen from where he sat, with the exception of a couple of ponies on the far outskirts of the park, but otherwise, he was very much left to himself.

Sitting up, he rested his below on his knee, leaning to his side and placing his hand on the other, letting the chilly wind blow his thick shaggy, deep auburn mane. Just as he was about to get up and leave, a sudden caw caught his attention. Looking to his left, he saw a rather odd-looking crow.

A pair of bright cyan-blue eyes looked back at him as it slightly hopped in place. The same blue covered its body, tracing its form in a smooth, almost runic-type pattern that seemed to have a rather healthy glow to it.

Looking around, the stallion double-checked he was alone before turning his attention fully to the crow in front of him.

"Dominus," His voice was low, raspy and gravelly, practically rumbling in his throat, reinforcing his uniquely large size.

The crow fluttered its wings and gave a quick series of low squawks and grumbles.

"The attack was completed and the ponies have been left clueless," He said. "It was a success."

The crow hopped again, tilting its head around, readjusting its wing and staring back at the stallion, squawking again.

"Gladly."

Sitting back and resting his arms on the bench backrest, the crow shook itself, the blue runic pattern across its back and wings brightening slightly before going back to there previous state and it looked to the stallion with a tilted head, cawing again, this time in a much higher, more natural tone.

"Oh, I'm sure we'll find plenty to talk about soon enough."

Author's Note

Well, first full chapter I've written by myself. A decent start, but there's room to improve I think.

I've managed to get some time to sit and write something and I was able to pump this out fairly quickly, hope you guys enjoyed it as much as I enjoyed writing it.

Please point out any mistakes I may have made
Constructive criticism is always appreciated
Until next time, TTFN!