Chapter seven

Robert POV

The human had been asleep for most of the night, the storm had provided excellent, background noise for Robert.

However, it wasn't made to last. Currently, he was in a state, between consciousness and sleep, Princess Luna didn't seem to intrude on his dreaming, but the fillies and colts had a different idea.

When the sun rose, the once quiet old throne room slowly moved to life, thanks to the four-legged multi-colored alarm clocks.

"Is he awake?" one filly inquired next to Robert's head, as another responded.

"I don't think so should we wake him?" said another.

Groaning, Robert slowly sat up while rubbing his face. "You already have. Who else is awake, at this time?" he questioned, seeing if it was just the two.

"Nope! We're all up and Adam!" Said Applebloom,
who seemed to be wide awake and full of energy.

Opening his eyes, Robert saw the current state of the throne room.

All of the kids were up thanks to Applebloom's persistence. However, a loud but familiar snore broke through the calm and slightly loud morning. The only one she wouldn't pester was the female Griffon.

Remembering his plan, the giant gave a tired sly grin. "You kids want to see a wet chicken?" he asked quietly, they all nodded eagerly, to see what the large human was talking about.

"Alright, but first I need you all to be very quiet." They nodded once more, getting up Robert made his way to the unsuspecting Griffon.

After scooping her up, Robert made his way out of the throne room and straight for the largest mud puddle outside. His entourage of fillies and colts followed close behind.

'Strange, where are Tank and Athena? Up to no good, if you ask me, those little shits are always trying to get in trouble.'

Shaking his head, Robert found a decently large pool of muddy water and without much issue tossed Gilda into it, resulting in a big splash and her sputtering to wakefulness.

"What in the seven Hells! I am going to claw your throat out Ape!" Said a very angry, but soaked Griffon.

Meanwhile, the children found Gilda's misfortune hilarious which added to her anger. "You know what? You're easier to attack than the youths! But now they will face my wrath first!"

"Youths? Look who's sounding like an old man. Or would it be an old hen?" Robert remarked smirking, which only pissed her off more, making the soaked multi-attributed creature go into a frenzy.

Getting out of the water, Gilda went straight for Robert, hitting and clawing his legs. It did little to harm him, but he picked her up once she started to draw blood from him.

Holding her like an ice cream cone, Robert held her with one hand. Watching her wiggle about trying to break free.

"You look like a wet dog," Robert remarked, while she attempted to free herself from the giant's clutches.

Seeing she couldn't escape or attack him she decided to shriek at him. "I wouldn't look like anything, but a Griffin If you didn't toss me into that puddle!"

Robert continued to hold the fuming Griffin, while she pecked at his hand, even going as far as to peck bite his fingers. In hopes of making him drop her.

Knowing Gilda by now, Robert spoke up."If I drop you it's going to hurt, there isn't any water here to break your fall." He warned but Gilda wasn't having it.

"I don't care if you shit gold! Put. me. down!" the wet Griffin demanded.

"As you wish." Leaning down, Robert plopped her down on the gravel path below, after getting back on solid ground she stormed off, meanwhile the kids had composed themselves from their laughing fits.

"Now! That was funny." Said the filly with a Diamond Tiara, on her head, seemingly pleased at one person's displeasure.

'Jeez, it wasn't that funny. I mean it was, but you didn't need to rub salt in the wound.' Dusting himself off Robert waved the kids over.

"It's time to leave children, prepare yourselves. Nothing has happened during my travels alone, but I am unsure of what might happen in a group."

Nodding the Fillies and Colts made their way toward the exit, Going back inside Robert had grabbed his Club, for protection.

Returning, Robert whistled to grab their awareness. He would need to go over some ground rules, for them to ensure their safety.

"Please, do not wander off. Stick with the main group, and if we run into anything please stay behind me, so I don't step on any of you by mistake."

The field trip of young ponies nodded in agreement. With that taken care of, Robert ducked down to leave threw the gate the group following close behind.

Twilight POV

The whole town of Ponyville was in shambles, Mrs, Cheerilee was currently having a breakdown over the potential loss of all her students.

"It's all my fault! I shouldn't have taken my class into the Whitetail Woods! We should have just gone to the zoo, or something else entirely!" Cheerliee sobbed.

While she wept, Pinky Pie and Fluttershy were by her side doing their best to cheer the distraught mare up.

"Don't worry, Mrs. Cheerilee! We will get them all back, I promise!" the hyper mare declared, however, this did little to calm her.

Twilight had been standing near the rest of her friends while they silently conversed. "If I'm being mighty honest with y'all this situation has me on edge."

Looking over, Twilight witnessed Applejack's tail flicking and twitching, if that wasn't enough she was hopping from left to right on her hooves. Turning her head right she saw Rarity wasn't fairing much better.

"Stay calm, Applejack and Rarity. I know Applebloom was on that field trip, same for Sweetie Belle. But we need to get ready to find them." Twilight proposed to her friends.

"If it helps you both relax the local, Royal guards have offered to help us find them. They also are bringing out some humans to assist in the search."

"Not to be rude, Twi, but how the hay are them, humans going to find my sister? Let alone a whole field trip! They should have brought bloodhounds!" Applejack reasoned, clearly showing, she wasn't thinking straight due to fear.

"Applejack calm down, we will get them home safe, ready to join the search teams? From what I was told they already began combing this side of the Ever-free."

Nodding they all entered the forest however, something seemed off. Her friends didn't seem to notice, so she decided to inform them of the issue.

"Girls, is it just me, Or does the Ever-free, seem? Bigger? It's as if somepony chopped the smaller trees but left the higher ones."

Slowing down, just a bit the main six looked about this made Rarity speak up. "Is that a bad thing, darling? The smaller the forest is the better." Commented, the elegant mare.

"Yeah, so what, Egghead? it's just a few trees, nothing more." Rainbow Dash tiredly remarked, having been woken up that early so she wasn't in the best of moods.

"U-um, Rainbow Dash. Many smaller woodland creatures use these trees for their homes. From what I could make out, from the critters, something Massive was tearing them down."

"Less talking y'all! More searching!" Said Applejack not wanting their time to be wasted, over the information she deemed at the current time pointless.

Following the route the field trip took, the main six including a few town residents, continued the search. Occasionally calling out names in hopes a response would be returned.

"This is pointless! Do you know how large the Ever-free is?" said a distant pony their friend shortly responded.

"True, but still we volunteered to help out. We can't just leave now just because the outlook seems bleak." Applejack and Rarity were on the verge of committing murder.

Their tails were lashing, along with their labored breathing. "Applejack, Rarity. Let it go, they are ponies, they have a right to mentally prepare, for the worst outcome."

"If they bothered you that bad, I can take care of it, Applejack and Rarity." Rainbow Dash offered but the farm pony shook her head.

"No, it's fine. I don't agree with it at all. But Twi's right about that."

Glancing towards Rarity, she finally spoke up. " It would be very unladylike, to attack somepony for their personal opinions, however. They did a poor job at picking the place, and time."

Twilight nodded, internally she breathed a sigh of relief, thanking Celestia for having her friends see reason instead of striking blindly.

"Maybe we should go even deeper! in the woods? Who knows! Maybe the Giant has them?" Asked Pinkie Pie.

Twilight nodded.

"I wouldn't go that far, Pinkie but it's the best we have currently. Does anypony have any objections?" Asked Twilight.

Fluttershy decided to quietly convey after all this time. "We really shouldn't go deeper. it's too dangerous for us, even humans wouldn't go there."

The shy mare muttered, not liking the idea of going into the heart, of the Ever-free, and neither did Rarity.

"Look, I know it's dangerous but I'll protect us," Twilight reassured while Rainbow Dash joined in to help sway the group.

"You have the fastest flier in all of Equestria helping you. I think we shall be fine!" The rainbow mare stated, her wings opened wide to prove her point.

Gulping, Applejack nodded. "Right, let's go then y'all." Gradually the group of six mares entered uncharted Ever-free territory.

Robert POV

Turns out, Applebloom had boasted about riding a giant weeks prior to the field trip. Which made her classmates jealous.

And what did they ask, the moment they left the castle of the two Royal Sisters, it was if they could take turns riding his shoulders.

The majority of them used their wicked pouting faces to force him to agree to it.

In the end, Robert agreed so for most of the journey he had either one or two fillies or colts, even three of them on his shoulder until they were satisfied.

"Are we there yet?" Asked a colt with brown spots around his body.

"No," Robert responded, while another spoke up.

"Are we close? We don't want to be here longer than needed, this place is eerie." This time, a filly with purple glasses spoke up, and again Robert answered.

"I am aware, you all find these woods scary but you shouldn't be so worried, nothing is going to attack any of you, while I'm here." The man reassured the field trip, which by this point did little to ease their nerves.

"W-what if something attacks us?" Asked Sweetie Belle. And again Robert answered.

"You have my word, nothing will happen to you all. I believe we all should play a game, wouldn't you children agree?" He asked as a small recourse of agreement was his answer.

"Perfect, how about the quiet game? The first err… Pony, to speak, will lose. Got it?" he asked and they nodded, however, Applebloom didn't agree with it.

"What do we win for staying quiet?" she asked, making Robert groan inwardly.

'For the love of all, that is holy. Just stop talking, how hard is it for them? I can't keep focused on keeping them safe if they keep on babbling.'

"I'll decide once we're out, until then please keep quiet."

Seeing that as reason enough, many of the fillies and colts. Kept quiet, making Robert celebrate his victory, of Silence. 'Thank God, I was about to toss these kids out instead of walking them.'

"Stay here, I'll just be over here for a moment to see where we are." Walking off from the main dirt path he found a ridge.

Robert simply walked up to it preparing to return to the main group, before he paused. something was off, a strange fragrance was in the air, it smelled like decomposition, mixed with the aromas of autumn.

He stood there for what felt like an hour before a voice spoke up. "G-giant? Are you ok?" Scootaloo asked, making him snap back to his current situation.

"Nothing, just something that caught my attention that is all." Robert dismissed, not wanting them to worry over that little issue.

Slowly, his knee began to hurt, not excruciating pain mind you. But just enough to be noticeable, the smell of rot was starting to make him light-headed. Turning towards the children he kneeled to be sorta eye level with them.

"Children listen closely to the message I am about to impass onto you, this is serious. Ok?" he asked, they of course all nodded showing they understood. Just how serious, this was. Even Diamond Tiara, and her friend named 'Silver Spoon.' had been listening to him not like they had a choice in the matter.

"Winter is coming. This one will be long, and dark things will come." Robert warned, which confused the young fillies and colts.

Luckily, Applebloom spoke up to ask the question they all had on their minds. "What do ya mean by that? Not trying to sound rude but winter isn't going to start for another month or so. Fall is already here. But how can you tell this winter will be bad?"

"I can feel it, even smell it on the wind; If I am telling the truth, I can not give an exact time of when it will transpire but tell them to be ready."

"I doubt they will listen to us, maybe you can talk to them instead?" Applebloom reasoned, however, Robert shook his head.

"They will not listen to me, so I ask you all to be my voice of reason." He asked, seeing that he succeeded this time Robert got back to his feet and waved for them to follow.

"What do we call you when they ask us about your identity?" The same filly asked Robert yet another question.

Thinking for a moment; Robert's brain received an idea. "Tell them, a Pony warned you all, of course, you all can decide, on the description of this pony but please. Keep it, realistic at the very least."

Eventually, they all nodded.

"Thank you, children, we are almost free of these woods." The human answered, carrying on the trees around him were starting to shrink.

Once above his head, the trees grew smaller and smaller till finally, he needed to bend down slightly to exit the forest. "As I promised, you all are out of the forest."

Glancing around, the young ponies seemed to be unsure of which way to go, this made Diamond Tiara speak up.

"Hey, meat for brains we don't see which way is Ponyville. How in Celestia's name, does that help anypony?" Applebloom and her two other friends were going to gang-tackle the filly for expressing her irritation.

"Not going to be a problem."

Looking around for a short moment Robert spotted the town before pointing in its direction. "Go that way, you'll be home by noon." He offered before waving them farewell.

"You all should be safe now, nothing should follow but to be safe. Stay ten steps away from the forest." After saying their farewells, the young ponies left the giant human. Watching them for a decent while to make sure nothing attacked them, Robert gradually turned to leave and headed back home.

"I don't get paid enough for this shit," he said, reaching up and wiping his eyes. Robert was famished, no doubt Gilda was too. They hadn't eaten anything since two days ago.

'At least she had the courtesy of not trying to eat me in front of those children. Or my fingers, these hands never get a break. I'm surprised she didn't even try to eat those Ponies.'

Making it onto the many unmaintained trails, the Ever-free had, Robert went in the same direction he led the field trip from. 'Finally, I can eat something, that won't frighten those um; fillies and colts. It's been too long since we had some meat.'

Traveling back at a brisk pace back towards his home. 'It's still coming along, after all this time I doubt it will ever be finished solo.'

In the distance, northwest of his position something was coming. 'What the hell is that?' entering some wilting shrubbery and standing beside a few trees Robert waited wanting the element of surprise for whatever was on its way.

"Admit it, Twilight we're lost!" roared a furious, but regal fashion designer who was standing beside her friends.

Groaning, The mare in question responded. "Rarity were not lost, the exit to the Ever-free is that way." she pointed back with a hoof, but it only made the situation worse.

"You said that last time and in a different direction! Darling," Rarity hissed as Rainbow Dash decided to pipe in.

"I'll get us a sense of direction, Don't kill each other while I'm gone."

Doing his best to stay perfectly still, Robert held onto the surrounding trees to steady himself. While the cyan-blue Pegasi, zipped past Robert, roughly a few minutes later.

Applejack called out to her blue friend. "Do you see anything up there Dash? More importantly the field trip."

"All I see is dying leaves and trees, and guess what Twi? We're lost. Near the middle of the Ever-free no less!" Rainbow Dash answered, trying to make the bookworm admit she had gotten them lost.

"You're not helping the situation Rainbow!" Remarked a slightly annoyed Twilight.

'Jeez, these Ponies argue a lot for being friends. I'm doing great, just keep still and they will trout right on by.' Robert's plan was simple, avoid them then stroll off.

'This is the longest game of hide-and-seek, I've ever played. It doesn't help that these Ponies suck at being searchers.' Robert inwardly commented until a familiar barking caught his awareness.

'I hope that isn't who I think it is.' he hoped the ponies who were currently trotting by. Didn't hear the Timberwolves

"Twilight, Darling. We got filthy Timberwolves on the way!" Rarity warned as Fluttershy uttered.

"Maybe we could A-avoid them?" She offered not wanting to harm them, regardless of the barking becoming louder.

"It's too late Fluttershy, they have our scent, and we have no choice but to fight." Twilight, determined before a blast of magic, rushed forth hitting the Timberwolf, causing it to howl in pain.

"S-stop Twilight!" Fluttershy pleaded.

However, the shy pegasi's plea was soundly denied, While another shot rang out.

'The hell is going on out there?' Peeking his head out of the trees Robert bumped his noggin against Something soft.

"Hey! Watch it." Yelled the Element of Loyalty which made her pause in trepidation.

Robert looked down; the cyan mare turned her head upwards to see what bumped her, spotting her magenta eyes shrink from their normal size down to pinpricks.

"T-twilight." Rainbow Dash faltered, attempting to grab her attention about their giant resident.

"Not now Rainbow, I'm trying to get a sense of direction. Because somepony made me forget where we were heading."

Before she could get another word out Robert nabbed the rainbow pony from the air. "Twilight!" She shouted this however grabbed the other's attention.

"It's the filthy Giant Brute! And it has Rainbow Dash." Rarity exclaimed, making Twilight finally look over.

'I have been spotted, I might as well get out of these trees. I also cleaned myself yesterday Rarity.'

Pushing through, Robert saw their faces once again.

However, a strange musk was in the air which gave him pause.

'So that's what a group of sweating mares smell like, their fragrances are Sweet? Odd.'

"Hello again. Do you remember us?" Twilight attempted the diplomatic approach, meanwhile, Rainbow Dash was thrashing about against his chest and hand.

"D-don't let him rend me in half!!" Rainbow pleaded while Twilight continued.

"Rainbow, it's kind of hard to do that when you're shouting," Twilight said with a forced smile, hoping her yelling wouldn't set him off.

"Uh, Fluttershy? Ya think you can use your way with animals on him?" Applejack asked, taking a few steps back from him.

Seeing that most of her friends were still wary of him, Fluttershy gracefully took to the air and shortly arrived in front of his face offering a small smile.

"H-hello again Giant, it appears we are lost and can not find our way back home; would you mind taking us back? If that wouldn't be too much trouble." The shy cream-colored Pegasi asked.

"And maybe put me down?" Rainbow Dash added with a huff, her hind legs, and tail being the only thing visible to her land-bound friends.

"Could you possibly put my friend, down as well? She doesn't like being held." Fluttershy softly reasoned.

Looking towards Fluttershy, he sighed gently, lowering Rainbow Dash down before plopping her down with a thud.

"Thank Celestia, I will never get used to that thing picking me up," Rainbow confessed, shaking out her cyan coat like a dog before troting back towards her friends.

Gently, Fluttershy landed on his shoulder going in for a quick nuzzle, not before long Robert took them out of the Ever-free forest.

'I'm not a taxi service, I doubt these Ponies have realized that.' Making it back home with a Sigh, Robert remembered how he cautioned them off.

grabbing a young tree and pulling it from the earth, and making a line border. 'I think I need to make it even more clear but first let me feed Gilda.'

Entering the old throne room Cragadile in toe, while the Griffon in question released a war cry and then slammed herself against his head.

"You Better tell me next time you bring strays in here!" Gilda warned while he rolled his eyes.

"This is technically my home, Gilda, you're just living here," Robert recalled making her hiss.

"Just shut your mouth and feed me, you oversized varmint." Gilda insulted him; however, it did little to bother him.

'Good to know she hasn't changed in the slightest.' Gently grabbing her with his free hand Robert moved her off before doing what she requested.

"Is this animal meat any good?" he asked her, making her look over towards it, shuddering slightly. Finally realizing what Robert had brought home,

"Only if you want to break your teeth! Cragadile meat is tough to eat, It takes hours before it can even be chewed. And don't get me started with the taste!"

'I need to prove her wrong. I can tenderize it no problem but I doubt there's much to do for its taste.'

Grabbing his club, Robert got to work breaking down the long-dead Beast.

General POV

Within a tavern far from Equestria and the Ever-free, a Minotaur was sitting at a table surrounded by his crew of mercenaries.

"You got a job for us, boss? The others are getting anxious." Asked a male Griffin this made the battle-scared bull chuckle, "I don't but our guest does."

Turning towards the far side of the old rundown tavern he waved over a cloaked figure. "Now tell me and my crew as to why you wish to, 'hire.' Our services? Make it quick, or I'll be painting my ax red with your blood." Asked the mercenary boss,

Unfazed, the cloaked figure removed their head cover revealing a gold necklace and other expressive jewelry, along with the owner of such wares, a female griffin. "We have heard you're the largest mercenary group within the whole Griffin kingdom."

Nodding the minotaur grinned while retrieving a dagger to begin shaving in front of her. "We sure are lassie, but what is a pretty little thing like you, needing our services for? If you wanted a night in the sheets you could have asked~" said the leader of the Mercs.

"I am not interested in your kind of ilk. The job is simple: travel to Equestria, burn the Ever-free till nothing remains. But ash and Cinder" This annoyed the merc, but he spoke up.

"Another war against the ponies I see; fine this is gonna cost you five hundred platinum coins." He offered grinning.

"Why are you price gouging? I've noticed, and heard you do jobs for way less." The female griffin snapped while he simply shrugged.

"Now, I've increased it to eight hundred platinum coins for your attitude. Come back with the money or don't come back at all," that was her ultimatum.

Growling, she stormed off leaving the tavern and re-equipping her head cover to hide her identity.

"Damn, mercenaries, the Prince was a fool to trust them." Reaching over she slightly grabbed her hidden blade.

"If he didn't need their aid, I would have sliced their throats out and fed their testicles to wild dogs for disrespecting a Knight of the empire."

Releasing her handle, she entered a hidden room connected to the Royal castle.

The unmistakable sounds of lovemaking were heard; not wanting to interrupt the Prince she knocked in the method he instructed her to follow before it slowed and eventually stopped, then a muffled voice spoke up.

"take your scraps of food back, Hen, I have some business to conduct." A few moments later the same male voice spoke up.

" 'The White Death' I've been waiting for you~ have the mercenaries agreed to the contract?" the Prince commented, all manner of Feathers all over the room, the room reeking of sex.

"My lord, they have not. Those filthy lowborns demanded more than the standard cost because I wouldn't 'amuse' them." She answered truthfully while the male griffin arose from the bed giving her a view of his physique.

Compared to a regular male griffon the prince was scrawnier looking and physically weaker. "What is the new price they request?"

Without missing a beat she answered. " They want eight hundred platinum coins as if we would pay for them."

"The king; My father is perishing, and I don't want my younger half-brother to steal the throne from me. Just because I was born out of wedlock. Pay them their damn coins, and I'll have the troops for what I plan to complete."

"My Lord, what that might be? Forgive me but you have left me in the dark about what you have planned. Why do we need to burn a forest that is so far from Griffonstone? It shouldn't be our hardship, if anything it is the Ponies."

Grasping, a golden engraved goblet the tiny male took a long hearty drink of its contents; with a content sigh, he looked back giving her a wicked smile, wine dripping off his beak.

"Very well I suppose I shall fill you in." Moving back towards the bed the bastard prince laid upon it stretching.

"Rumors claim the fallen Princess summoned a Giant to fight for her. This proves that their kind survived the mass slaughter in the very lands of their birth. Equestria, my plan is simply to burn the only place it could be hiding, and once the Ponies catch it. I'll steal it right from under their snouts. And that's when I can begin breeding Giant humans for war!"

The griffin knight wasn't a fool if she was, she wouldn't be a knight in the first place, but there were so many holes in the heir's plan. She thought about objecting but held her beak shut knowing he would throw a hissy fit for her simply showing he isn't a master strategist.

"Your Will be done, my Lord."

She answered bowing slightly, 'After I become his king's guard I can leave this fool and return to my father. This plan couldn't be more than ridiculous last I recall destroying a Giant's grove will attract their wrath; the last thing we need is an angry Giant tearing apart the capital.'

To be honest, she was only serving him to earn her White Cloak, and then depart, as agreed upon by her father.

"What are you waiting for? Give them their money so I can begin my master plan!" he demanded, making her sigh before nodding.

"As you command." Stepping over numerous piles of varying feathers to leave the room.

The White furred Griffin sighed, before leaving to acquire said money.

Robert POV

"What in the name of all the divine gods!" Gilda began chewing on the meat she found most unfitting to eat.

Giving a soft shrug he continued to cook his half. "No meat is impossible to loosen up, given time," Robert answered watching Gilda tear into her food with ravenous hunger.

"If I return home I'm taking you with me," Gilda mandated, through her chewing of the meat. Sparking the human to answer her,

"You'll need to run it by me Gilda, last I checked, I'm sorta not welcomed in a city especially those who have stone walls and iron gates," Robert answered truthfully while she made a sound of annoyance.

"Who said you needed to agree?" she snapped, looking over towards him grease and other meat fluids dripping down her chin and beak.

"I did; you forget Gilda If I say no, how in god's name are you going to make me? I'm far larger than you and stronger than you. Do I need to continue?"

Robert asked, showing how little control she had over him.

Thinking for a moment she spoke up. "I have wings so therefore flight!" Gilda beamed with pride even unfurling her large brown wings to prove her point further.

"Congratulations Gilda you have one thing over me. Which is flight," looking over towards her he clapped slowly to prove his point.

Huffing she went back to eating, seeing that argument as a fool's errand.

"How is the food?" Robert asked, bringing the hot metal container over and leaving it on the marble flooring next to his griffin companion.

"You have truly surprised me, I bet not even the royal chefs of Griffonstone can compete, Against your culinary ability."

This made Robert pause in slight confusion. 'I guess Griffin's never heard of tenderizing meat before. Then again why would they need to? Sharp claws and a hard beak work just fine, but would ruin the meat. For anyone else who wants any,'

"It was just a simple concept that me and others have agreed on, for making the most undesirable of meats more desirable."

"I need to meet your friends! Who knows what else you and your companions can achieve for Griffin Culinary! I could make a fortune from their work." Gilda mumbled the last sentence regardless of Robert hearing her.

'Guess I can add money motivated, for the Griffins of this world.' Picking up a decent-sized piece Robert took a bite of the oversized alligator meat.

The taste was indeed similar to Alligator but wasn't as chewy or hard to eat as his companion mentioned earlier.

Consuming it without much difficulty he and Gilda ate in relative silence;

Finally, the female griffin spoke up. "I might as well ask now because why not, but do you have any family?" her completion showed she didn't care but he knew on the inside she did.

At least somewhat.

"I do, well I had family, it was me, my three brothers, and our parents."

"Mm. How are they?" She asked, giving him a side-eye stare, her golden orbs looking him up and down.

"Well for starters, my father is no longer living, including my mother and two older brothers."

"Which means my grandparents took me in. I had to learn to read and Write back then."

'Crap should I even bring up the fact that I am speaking English? Or should I take a shot in the dark and call it Equestrian?'

She narrowed her eyes and that was enough to make him continue.

" I couldn't speak Equestrian well, neither and it didn't help living in a house and community where they spoke another language; But In the end, I learned."

"You didn't know how to read and write?" Gilda inquired.

"I did, but when I moved in with my grandparents they didn't understand the Equestrian language. I more or less had to teach them but I only managed to get a few words to a sentence before they gave up; both in speaking and penmanship."

Thinking for a moment Gilda grinned furtively, before speaking again. "Tell you what, if you can speak your primary language again I'll stop calling you ape, varmint, and cattle. Do we have a deal?"

Thinking for a moment Robert nodded and offered her his large hand.

"We do indeed." She took to the air and made her way over to him before shaking his larger hand.

"Just one issue, I might be a little rusty. I haven't used it in a few months."

She rolled her eyes and waved him off, "That's fine deewb, as long as it's understandable it counts."

Moving back toward her food she lay down watching him intensely.

"Testa di piume." He said simply making her tilt her head.

"What did you call me?" She asked not sure how to take it.

"I called you a feather-head."

She puffed her cheeks out somewhat proving his point but ultimately sighed in defeat.

"A deals a deal; By the way, a word of advice. Don't go around speaking both Equestrian and that language you have no idea how many hens and mares will be after you."

'Like that isn't already happening, don't forget most of this world's governments and science institutes. Wanting to do god knows what to me.'

She stayed silent for what felt like an eternity before Gilda finally spoke up again. "My apologies for your loss,"

Giving a soft grin Robert spoke up. "See? I knew you had a heart past all that toughness."

A blush appeared on her white feathered cheeks before she uttered. "S-shut up deewb!" the hue remaining on her face.

"Thank you for showing you care enough to ask."

Reaching over Robert gave her head a few gentle pats before finishing off his meal.

'Maybe not all griffins are bad. Maybe the same with Ponies? Still, I would rather avoid them all if possible.'

"Are you done eating Gilda?" he asked looking over, seeing she had eaten nearly half the cooked Cragadile.

"Hells No, I haven't eaten all day yesterday or it's dusk I will eat till my stomach hurts!" As if on cue she grimaced, moving a claw toward her stomach making Robert raise an eyebrow in amusement.

"I think you reached your limit," he warned but Griffins will be Griffins, and she kept trying to eat the meat she was given.

'Damn she's stubborn, but credit where credit is due. I did starve her for a day or two, so I'll take the fall on that one.'

"Once you're done, clean up after yourself I'm off to bed." Getting up Robert went outside to find some water to clean himself with.

Leaving the half-rebuilt stone gate he began cleaning himself up in the moat water a voice piped up from behind him.

"Ah, the Giant-folk I seek your assistance once more." Turning to look he spotted Zecora,

"Hello, what has happened for you to grace me with your presence Zecora? Do you have more errands you need to run in Ponyville, or do I need to gather herbs and plants from the heart of the Ever-free again?"

Shaking her head she moved closer.

"No Giant-folk, this trip was not about some endeavor."

"Then what was it about?" he persisted, making her sigh.

"The locals of Ponyville, wish to offer you tribute for being there during their time of need."

This made Robert hesitate thinking this was a form of trickery and they would track him because of it.

"Why didn't they come here and offer it in person? Or leave it at the edge of the Ever-free?"

Giving a soft giggle she answered. "They do not trust the forest's wildlife as predominantly compared to you, the gifts are at my humble abode, pick them up any time Giant-folk."

Nodding, he moved toward the entrance of the old castle and pointed inside towards the courtyard."If you want, you are allowed to stay with me. I just wish that you're not afraid of meat and wooden wolves."

She showed a face of surprise at the fact of him taming a Timberwolf, let alone two of them.

"You truly are full of surprises, Giant-folk. But nay I can not enter your dwelling for I have business back home." Zecora answered moving closer she nuzzled against his leg.

"Not a problem Zecora, remember you are welcome here anytime." Nodding, she conversed again.

"I will not overlook this proposal in the future, farewell friend." The zebra waved and Robert returned the gesture, he watched her walk off.

Robert kept watching till she disappeared into the darkness of the Ever-free.

Reaching up he gave his beard a once over, looking at it in the reflection. 'Jesus, I have an insane Santa Claus beard, going. I still have those Bandit Ponies weapons thankfully. But my beard will be handled tomorrow,'

Getting back to his feet, Robert went back inside.

Finding Gilda unconscious, her abdomen was bloated. 'She was acting like I was going to take it from her.'

Picking up the sleeping Griffin, he gently dumped her into her mattress of feathers and dead grass.

Laying down to sleep, Robert got comfortable as best as one could lying on a solid marble floor before sleeping;

Waking up the next morning he sat up stretching. 'Shit I need a real bed, this floor is killing me.'

Getting up and ignoring his sleeping companion Robert began his trip toward Zecora's home to retrieve these gifted supplies.

Walking towards the zebra's tree hut, he couldn't shake the feeling of being observed. 'This doesn't feel good, someone or something is watching me.'

Staying on track, he kept traveling with the sound of bug wings near him. 'How close to my ears is this insect? There's no way it can be that close but if it isn't close to me how massive is it?'

Moving faster the flying sound stayed right on his tail but never showed itself.

'Is there a goddamn massive hornet nest?! Oh hell no! I would rather fight that massive star bear. Over a Giant hornet's nest!' Deciding on sprinting, to save himself from being stung, Robert stomped through tree branches, and bushes, and almost crushed a family of field mice in the process.

Stumbling into the zebra's front yard made her appear. "What has you spooked? If it terrifies the Giant-folk I must certainly worry." Zecora piped up, her ears on a constant swivel listening for potential threats.

The buzzing had long since stopped, had the wasp lost interest? Did something else get close towards its hive? Regardless he was hiding behind Zecora despite the size difference.

"Who the hell was going to tell me Giant hornets live in these woods." He hissed trying to keep his tone low, so the flying hellspawn didn't hear him.

Giving a confused glance she spoke up. "Have you consumed purple or blue plants? I have dwelled in these woods for many a year and not once have I caught a glimpse of a Giant flying bee."

Looking down he scooped her up, making the zebra produce a sound of surprise. "I'll prove it to you," Robert decreed taking the annoyed Zebra toward this supposed massive hornet sighting.

Dropping her off at where the noises first began the zebra flicked her short tail, before looking around to find what frightened him so much.

"You followed this direction only?" she asked, looking towards him.

'Can't she see the snapped tree branches and the holes I left?'

Giving a nod she hummed, following the path glancing up trees and checking places here and there.

Zecora repeated this process until they finally arrived back at her tree hut.

"A conclusion I have made."

Looking down, Robert watched her as she was still trouting, not even looking back in his direction.

"Your hysteria is built on unsolid grounds. And you, are the only one who can stop it."

Stunned he opened his mouth to speak but stopped, she was right if nothing attacked him what's the point in freaking out the way he did.

"You're sure there's no Giant wasps or bees of any kind in these woods?" Sighing Zecora stopped then turned to face him.

"Raise me, with your hand."

Kneeling Robert gave her his hand, hopping up she pointed upwards with a single hoof; lifting her she stopped him upon reaching his face.

Standing up on her hind legs she attempted to squish his face. "There are no wasps of that size here. The only place that something similar may reside is in the jungle lands."

'Right, so avoid any jungles.'

Robert didn't mind bees or hornets despite their aggressive or curious nature but he honestly thought a Hornet the size of a two-person vehicle was chasing him, making him nearly crap himself.

Setting her back down she walked towards the side of her home. "Now that you have seen reason come and take the offerings of Ponyville."

Following her he discovered what the town had amassed to offer him.

Most of the goods were sealed in wooden boxes and barrels. "What is all this stuff?" Robert inquired while she simply shrugged.

"I do not know I hadn't emptied their items."

Moving over and kneeling Robert pulled the covers off revealing grub that was sealed and packed safely in the box.

"Expecting a food deposition mm?" she inquired, plopping down onto a rug that was hoof-made.

"I was not. Zecora, do you have enough food to last through winter?" looking back toward her she smiled.

"Most definitely, I Admire your consideration, my friend. But please take it all the town Ponies claim more is on the way and it is becoming an annoyance to stare at."

"This will be gone by today Zecora, you have my word."

Getting up she left tail swishing, "Then I should not worry." She responded, heading inside and leaving him with his small hoard of food.

'I should hide this where Gilda can't reach, true she's warming up to me but that griffon is a glutton through and through. Maybe somewhere in the castle; no she most likely wanders around it constantly; How about the tree cave?' Thinking for a few moments he shook his head.

'Not secure enough to store food or supplies no doubt Wildlife use that cave when I'm not around, especially in the colder months to hibernate. That leaves the mine I constructed. Animals, especially the predatory ones, probably have avoided that place like the plague. Because of my scent; just the scavengers are the issue.'

After giving it much thought, Robert had decided to use his mine as a Primitive underground storehouse until Gilda had agreed to cut down on her overeating.

Picking up the supplies all in one go was a pain but Robert had managed to balance it all in his arms. 'Why are there so many barrels of fluid? Do they think I can't find clean drinking water? If I couldn't find any I would be dead by now.'

Finally approaching the hill that held his excavation site, Robert placed the gifted materials outside of the giant mine before going in;

Confirming it was vacant of any Ever-free Creatures both Predator and prey, minus a few bats.

Spooking them off, Robert went outside to check what he had been gifted by the Equines. "Three wooden crates of dried apples, two Crates of hay, and five barrels of fluid. And one crate of dried flowers,"

Opening one barrel, a sugary yet sweet smell reached his nose, lifting the barrel he poured a small mouth full into his mouth tasting the sweet beverage. The taste was pure apple and natural sugars, and hardly enough alcohol contents to affect him.

"The hell is this stuff supposed to be a children's drink? Thank god I'm not diabetic, I hope they don't give this stuff to children this shit will make them into literal rockets for days."

However, an idea popped into his cranium. 'Sugar, plus yeast ferments into Booze."

Grinning, he sealed the barrel closed.

'I'm going to get shitfaced this winter, guaranteed. However, I'll leave those boxes in the field in front of the forest because I refuse to eat flowers and I would rather cut my hand off before I eat hay.'

Searching for something to cover the crater with Robert used some dirt and fallen trees, 'That is only temporary I'm going to need a big rock to seal it off. But first, I'm giving this back to the ponies.'

Twilight POV

Looking over the letter one last time, the lavender mare did a retake of what she wrote in her mind.

'Dear Princess Celestia, I wish to inform you that the Field trip has been found on the outskirts of Ponyville all of them claim different accounts some claim the Giant saved them. Others say a Pony Stallion saved them and a small percentage of the group have refused to say anything.

I have no idea what the Royal Guard report will state, but I wanted to tell you that in the event of it being the Giant, I have already taken the incentive and convinced my good friend Applejack to give some of the stores for winter to him. My goal is to try and lure him into town with food. I ask that if you can assist us in the matter we would greatly appreciate it. But I believe it was a Stallion or even mare, as humans and Giants aren't capable of speaking.

Signed your faithful student Twilight Sparkle.'

After verifying it was all factual the powerful Unicorn sealed the scroll before floating it off to Spike for him to send off to Canterlot.

With her ears, she heard her number-one assistant breathe his fire breath.

"Spike! Did you read that book I provided you?" Twilight called out to the other room. However, the baby dragon had snuck off not wanting to receive her wrath for not reading a book.

'Sooner or later he will read that book about obscure Unicorn history. Maybe I could lock him in the basement to read it?'

Rubbing her chin with a hoof she shook her head a few moments later seeing that as too extreme, true she never had any real reason to punish Spike.

The idea never really appeared in her mind. She did get irritated by his decisions at times but Twilight could never stay mad at him. He's at that stage in his life where dragons and juveniles make mistakes, it happens.

Sighing, the lavender mare went outside. Maybe a night stroll will clear her mind while she walked her hooves crushed dried brown leaves.

'I think this could have been a Stallion this whole time, Giants and also humans are incapable of speech.'

Entering the Park with Luna's moon lighting her way and the cool night air flowing through her coat made her sigh, she spoke the same words this stallion told the foals. "Winter is coming. This one will be long, and dark things will come. I can feel it, even smell it on the wind; If I am telling the truth, I can not give an exact time of when it will transpire but tell them to be ready."

Furrowing her brow, Twilight became even more confused by this pony's actions. Why wouldn't this stallion tell them directly, instead of using fillies and colts as a go-between?

What was coming?

Regardless of what it was, this Pony had stumped the prodigy mare. Sitting down on a park bench, made for Ponies in mind, she just decided to do some stargazing trying to decipher the message mentality, along with occupying herself.

By this point, the town of Ponyville had fallen silent and many homes were dark with the occupants asleep inside.

Getting to her hooves, Twilight began the walk back home Spike by this point was most likely asleep.

Stepping onto her welcome mat of the library, she magically unlocked the front door before entering, closing, and locking the door behind her.

Finding the baby dragon fast asleep on the first step going up towards the restroom and their bedroom.

Looking more closely at him Twilight discovered Spike had knocked out reading a book, upon closer inspection she found out it was the book she told him to read.

Giving a soft smile, she placed a green bookmark inside the book to show where he left off before putting it back on its shelf.

"It's time for bed, Spike." Twilight softly said lifting him in her magic and taking him to his bed to sleep.

Author's Note

This story lives!!!

I'm terribly sorry for leaving you guys hanging I just to move to my new place that alone took six days (just got wifi yesterday.)

And immediately began working on this!

I am also sick with a fungal infection so wish me luck on that. 🤧

Next chapter is going to be a bloody one! So I hope you guys like a Giant kicking some butt and taking some names! And maybe a equestrian space program.