Equestria and The Land of Patriam

It's been 5 days since Twilight left for the unexplored west. As expected, Spike and the rest of her friends have become increasingly worried. They all decide to hold a meeting in the map room to discuss amongst themselves of what they should do. They all sat at their thrones around the map. Rarity uses her magic to zoom in on the unexplored west. The problem, since it was unexplored, the map was unable to reveal anything important about the west. The shape of the land and some mountains is all it had, no towns, landmarks, nothing.

"This is all the map is able to show us?" Applejack looks at the map in shock and distain. "How could we possibly look for Twilight when there is nothin to help us navigate?"

"It's been five days since she left, she could be anywhere in there. That is if the humans hadn't gotten to her first." Rainbow Dash furrowed her brow as she glares at the map.

"What do you mean by that, Dashie?" Asked Pinkie meekly.

"Ignore her sugarcube, she is already thinking of the worst case scenario. Twilight is just fine." Promised Applejack before shooting the rainbow maned pegasus a scowl. Dash in response rolls her eyes.

"If she has been gone this long however, there is a large chance that she isn't coming back anytime soon, we need to go in ourselves and look for her." Dash punches her hooves together for emphasis.

"Did you two agree that she could be anywhere in there by now?" Rarity shifts her eyes between Applejack and Rainbow Dash.

"We have to at least try, Twilight could be in a lot of trouble." Spike said sternly, placing his hands firmly on the map. The room grew quiet as the six looked at each other and then the map. The blankness of it did nothing to boost their morale, but one thing was certain, Spike was right. They needed to try, they needed to go into the west to find Twilight. The chances of her being in trouble was far too great to just sit on it in hopes she would return on her own.

"Alright everypony, show of hooves, who is willing to venture into the undiscovered west to find Twilight." Asked Applejack. Immediately Applejack, Rainbow Dash, and Spike raised their hooves/claws. Then one by one, Pinkie, and Rarity then rose hers. It took Fluttershy the longest, but eventually she raised her hoof as well. She had remained mysteriously quiet the entire time.

"Well, then I suppose that settles it. We are heading into the west, tomorrow." Applejack proclaimed loudly.

"T-Tomorrow?" Fluttershy stuttered, shrinking down in her seat and began to shiver.

"Yes, Tomorrow." Applejack reafirmed by looking at her. Fluttershy starts to shake and a look of fear is all over her face. "Y'all, get to packing, No telling how long we'll be gone."

"W-Wait!" Yelled Fluttershy. Everypony looks at Fluttershy, who then blushes upon yelling so loud. "Don't... don't we need permission from Celestia? By how dangerous the west is, it's illegal to go in without strict permission."

"No problem, we'll have Spike send her a letter. I can't imagine her saying no because she would be just as worried for Twilight as we are." Applejack answered.

"Yeah! It's no biggie Fluttershy." Pinkie cheerfully spoke. Fluttershy only gulps in fear.

"Spike, go write a letter to Celestia and then once you are done, you need to start packing." Said Dash. "Same for the rest of us, pack the essentials."

"Who will watch the castle while we are gone?" Asked Rarity.

"Perhaps Starlight and Discord could." Suggested Spike.

"Starlight won't like that." Dash snickered, leaning back in her throne.

"No, but she'll have to deal with it. Y'all, see ya tomorrow morning." Said Applejack. They all then step off of their thrones so that they may begin packing

.

Twilight had to of passed out, because when she raises her head and blinks, she is no longer next to the captured humans. She was in a very dimly lit room made out of darkened stone bricks. She tries to move but finds that she is chained to the wall. She then forces herself to move but she is only able to rattle the chains.

"Tu es réveillé. You are awake, good." Said a male voice. Twilight looks up to where the voice came from. She could see a large wooden door with metal bars. On the other side of the bars was a human male, he had short red hair, and he had brown eyes. He opens the door and steps inside. He had a large scar on the side of his head, going from his temple down to his chin.

"How are you feeling, pony? Comfortable? Non? Good." The human smirks at her.

"Oh great, another ponish speaking human." Said Twilight not looking him in the eyes.

"What's wrong mon amie? Patriam not what you expected?" Asked the human, placing his hands on his hips.

"No, it's exactly what I expected." Said Twilight turning her head to look at him. "Humans are nothing more than stupid brutish bastards!"

"Comment oses-tu me parler comme ça! (How dare you talk to me that way!)" The human backhands her hard across the face. "You will learn respect!" Twilight kept her face to the side as she was slapped. Her cheek stung and grew warm, the human slapped her hard. She could feel a tear form in her eye. "You do as we say, you will find comfort, if not, you will stay here till you rot."

"Pierre, que fais-tu à notre invité? (Pierre, what are you doing to our guest?)." said a familiar voice. Twilight's ears twitch recognizing the voice. Soon the door opens, and stepping through, was a familiar female knight, with the skull shaped helmet.

"Ma matriarche, vient de casser le prisonnier. (My Matriarch, just breaking in the prisoner.)" Said the human supposedly named Pierre, bowing his head to Léone.

"Ne lui fais pas trop de mal, je veux qu'elle garde assez longtemps l'espoir, comme ça ça fait plus mal quand elle le perd. (Don't hurt her too much, I want her to keep her hope long enough, so it hurts more when she loses it)." Said Léone. Twilight again doesn't turn her head, she didn't want to look at Léone, the human she trusted.

"Princess Twilight, I apologize for my Subordinate's behavior." Said Léone, Twilight doesn't react. "You must know that I could not allow you to leave. You are far too important to me."

"...So why treat me like this?" Twilight looks up at Léone with pleading eyes.

"Because, there was no way I could get you to do what I want willingly." Said Léone as she approaches Twilight. "But If I break you, You will sing like a canary."

"...What is it you want?" Twilight lowered herself closer to the ground as Léone stepped closer.

"It's simple really, I want to find a way to siphon your magic, use it to crush my enemies and form the Trompeur Imperium! And Empire in my name." Said Léone. "Then once Patriam is taken, then Equestria, Yakyakistan, The Changeling Hive, The Crystal Empire, Mt. Aris, The Dragon Homelands, and Griffonstone. All the lands will bow before me." Twilight grew much more fearful of Léone, her plan is pure evil.

"Why... Why do you want to do all that?" Asked Twilight.

"My dear poor little pony. It's because it's my birthright, OUR birthright. Take a good look at all the races, who stands out the most? Humans." Léone's lood down her nose at Twilight as she begins her rant. "We are taller, stronger, and more superior in every way. You are below us, and we deserve to rule over you all. Ponies and Yaks would work well in our society, pulling our wagons and tilling our fields. Hippogriffs and Griffons, the perfect construction workers for assembling our houses and war weapons like the marvelous trebuchet... Mon Dieu... It shall be glorious. " Twilight couldn't believe what she was hearing, Léone wanted to enslave all the other races to benefit humanity. How could anypony, or anyone, be so cruel?

"You're... you're insane!" yelled Twilight.

"No my little pony, I am resourceful." Said Léone, before looking at her jailor. "Pierre, laisse-la tranquille ici. Affamez-la pendant un certain temps et voyez si elle est prête à parler demain. (Pierre, leave her alone here. Starve her for a while and see if she's ready to talk tomorrow.)"

"Oui ma matriarche." Said Pierre as he and Léone turn their backs on Twilight and close the cell door, leaving her there, chained, alone, and cold. She hangs her head, and then begins to sob silently to herself. All she wanted was to see her friend's faces again.

The next day, a train stops at a train station in the white tail woods, around 30 minutes from the border between Equestria and the unexplored west. That's when the 5 counting Spike hop off the train. Spike takes out and looks at a paper version of the map they were able to make before they left. Rarity had on a huge hat with a mosquito net hanging from it, and pinkie pie had so many balloons tied to her saddlebag, that she was just barely hovering off the ground, while still acting like she was walking.

"Alright everypony. We go this way to enter the unexplored west." Said Applejack. "Spike, can you read off Celestia's response one more time?"

"Of course." Said Spike, reaching into his bag and pulling out Celestia's letter she sent back. "Dear you six, I give you my utmost permission to venture into the west to retrieve Twilight. She must be recovered at all cost if she happens to be in danger. To assist you in your journey, I am also sending in my most loyal guards in case you all run into the same kind of danger, they will meet you at the border. Keep me updated. Sincerely, Princess Celestia." This news sent relief to all of them. Some of the Royal guard will be going in with them.

"We'll have some of the guards with us? What a relief! We'll have strong, handsome stallions taking care of us." Swooned Rarity.

"Awesome, We'll have a fighting chance if we encounter those violent hairless monkeys." Rainbow Dash boasted loudly.

"Our goal isn't to fight them Dash." Applejack nudges Rainbow in the side. "Twilight wanted to make peace with them. I Believe she would still like to keep that plan. That would be much harder if we just haphazardly attack humans."

"We won't have a choice if they attack us first." Rainbow Dash countered. Applejack rolled her eyes as they continued to walk. Not too long after, they begin to approach the board fence that separates the west from Equestria. As stated by Celestia, lounging around a campsite were some of the royal Guard, at least 10 of them . They begin to approach them as the guards notice them, quickly standing at attention. One of the guards they recognise immediately, It was Twilight's brother, Shining Armor.

"Whoa, hey there Shining Armor! What are you doing here!? You're supposed to be in the Crystal Empire." Rarity spoke first as the group met up with him.

"Hey girls, Hi Spike. Celestia informed me and Cadence of what is going on with Twiley, I had to come with you to go get her. I can't stand the thought of her being alone in there with those brutes." Shining Armor puffs his chest out a bit. He was wearing his purple royale armor.

"Wasn't it a long trip for you?" Asked Dash.

"Of course it was, but it didn't matter, I need to be here. I can't just sit on my butt knowing Twily isn't home safe. I promised Twily when we were little kids that I would always protect her." Shining Armor had the look of determination in his eyes, he meant every word he said.

"That's very noble of you Shining." Rarity swooned a bit. "Are you and the others ready?"

"Almost, were waiting on Professor Feather Quill." Said Shining

"Who?" Asked Pinkie.

"Me dearie!" Said a voice behind the girls. Behind them, an older unicorn stallion with a white mane and mustache steps out of his tent. He had a maroon coat as well as a brown tartan tweed hat with a black bowtie. His most distinct feature was a feather pen in an inkwell which made up his cutie mark.

"Cool, we got that guy coming with us!... Uh, who exactly are you?" Pinkie scratched the back of her head with her hoof. Feather Quill rolls his eyes.

"My dear lady, I am a scholar. I was appointed by the princess herself to assist you in your daring venture." Feather Quill spoke sophisticatedly.

"Scholar of what exactly?" Rainbow raised an eyebrow.

"Hmpf! I will be acting as your interpreter." Said Feather Quill.

"Interpreter, well, That would be useful." Applejack smiled, offering the professor a hoofshake.

"So you speak Human?" Asked Rarity rubbing her chin with her hoof.

"Nonsense, Humans have at least 3 different dialects. French, Italian, and German. These three languages are all different. I am one of the only few who knows all three." Feather Quill boasted as he straightened his bowtie.

"That's good to know..." Said Dash unenthusiastically with an unamused face.

"Are you ready to go Feather Quill?" Asked Shining Armor turning his head to the professor.

"Yes, I have gathered my books, and re-read through my notes. Tally-Ho! As the adventurous ones say now-a-days." Said Feather Quill turning towards the forest. Shining Armor looks at the rest of the knights who then stand at attention.

"Alright, Listen up. Just because I have sat my flank up in the Crystal Empire doesn't change anything. I was head of the guards once, and I still have a lot of experience under my saddle. I still have my way around a battalion and I will not tolerate any cowardice. So If you feel like leaving now, The train station is that way!" Yelled Shining Armor to the guard ponies. He points in the direction of the train station. "But before you step away, I want you to keep this in mind, It's my Baby Sister we are after. Not only will you be turning your back on one of your princesses, you are turning your back on me. No, if you can't handle this and have no problem sleeping at night with all of that on your conscience, you may leave now." Thankfully, no one stepped away "Very well, then let's go in there, and bring Princess Twilight Home!"

"SIR YES SIR!!!" All the guards yell in unison before turning and crossing the border into the west.

"Alright ladies, and Spike." Said Shining Armor.

"AHEM!" Feather Quil cleared his throat loudlyl.

"...And Feather Quill. My Guards will travel ahead of us, and scout for danger. You all will be safe with them." Said Shining. Armor.

"Thanks, Shining." Said Applejack with a grateful nod. The guards were only a few feet up ahead as the group moved deeper into the west, hoping to find any traces of Twilight. It was mostly a quiet trip till Spike, who was walking next to Feather Quill decided to speak up.

"So... Are you able to speak all 3 of the human languages?" Asked Spike with genuine interest.

"I may be exaggerating a bit, I know all 3, but I am not fluent in all 3. But I know enough about all of them to be able to help you out in any situation we come across." Feather Quill assured with a smile, patting the small dragon on the head.

"Can you give an insight into all three of them?" Asked Spike.

"Of course, always a pleasure to lecture." chuckled Feather Quill. Spike as well as the others could see Twilight getting along great with this guy. "A long time ago tere were two human tribes who had two different languages. When they united, they decided to use one language to communicate with each other. This language is now refered to as the 'Old Language' . It is considered dead and none of the humans use it in everyday speech. The Language died a few hundred years after the collapse of the first human empire, at that time there were three distinct human kingdoms. The first two took the Old Language as their base for a new language that they developed. These Kingdoms are Italia and Gallia, The languages would become Italian, and French. Then the third group decided to use the second long forgotten language that was native to only their ancestors for the base for their new language, the kingdom of Germania would develop German."

"Wow... Interesting. One question however. Why would any pony study this? We never interacted with humans until recently. Why spend your time studying their language when exploration for their land would take decades?" Spike's question drew in the interest from the others who began to listen more closely.

"Throughout my Life, many explorers have tried to come out here. Those who were able to come back brought enough material for the creation of the study of Human Culture to be form in case of future human explorations. Not to mention, many of us who study the Language specifically have made a shocking discovery. All three Human languages, despite being so different, all seemed to have influenced Modern Ponish!" Said Feather Quill. Many look at Feather Quill in awe and disbeliefe by that statement, especially Shining Armor who lets out a quick chuckle.

"You mean to tell me, professor, that our language came from the humans?" Asked Shining Armor sarcastically.

"I cannot say for certain my dear boy, but the facts do not lie. Many language experts have been studying this theory for years. It's almost jarring when you notice how some words are practically the same. The word "Interesting" bares a striking resemblance to the German translation "Interessant." Then the italian translation is "interessante." And finally the french translation of "intéressant." The theory has not been confirmed, but the evidence is building day by day." Said Feather Quill.

"Humans would have had to of spent a lot of time with ponies in order for the languages to cross." Shining Armor said sternly, not believing the theory at all. "History says otherwise."

"Remarkable critical thinking my boy, but this counter has already been brought up in my field of study. The most common response to that is simple. Do we truly know ALL of our history?" Asked Feather Quill. Shining armor turns his head about to respond when one of the guards from up front quickly makes his way to the group. It was a female pegasus with a light dark green coat and a white mane.

"Sir, important update sir." She saluted.

"What is it Corporal?" Asked Shining as he and the group quickly stop.

"We discovered a clearing not too far ahead. It looks to be an old campsite, the Sarg believes it is worth taking a look at." She informed to which Shining nods his head.

"Very well, go on up ahead and let him know that we'll be up there shortly." Said Shining. the Corporal salutes and quickly rins back up ahead. Shining then looks back at Feather Quill. "We'll finish this talk later." As the group catches up to the guards, they have seemed to have cut through a bush which lead to a huge clearing. It was obvious that it had indeed been used as an old campsite. It had old fire pits filled with ash, The earth had been eroded as if used as foot paths and old clothes for tents were strung all over. After a short look around, Shining calls over the Sargent. The Sargent was a large earth pony with a white coat, and bright blood red mane and eyes.

"Reporting Sir." Said the Sergeant, saluting Shining.

"Sargent Crimson, I have to insist that this little side trip was a waste of time. This is obviously not Twily's camp. It's much too big" Said Shining.

"My apologies sir, I simply thought Princess Twilight, if she came through here, would have investigated this place as well." Sargent Crimson stated his reasoning.

"Any proof she was here?" Asked Shining.

"No Sir. Yet" Responded Crimson.

"Then let's get moving again. The sun will set in a few hours." Shining tapped Crimson's chest Armor as he spoke.

"Hey! I found something!" Said the Corporal who was in the center of the site. Shining and Crimson move to her position so that they may examine what the Corporal had found.

"Corporal Swift Strike, What is it?" Asked Crimson.

"Look at these, in the hardened dirt. it appears to be hoofprints." Said Swift Strike. Both Shining and Crimson look at it. Immediately, Shining recognises them.

"Yes, those are Twileys! She was here!" Shining's eyes light up upon seeing them.

"Are you absolutely sure sir?" Crimson looks down at the prints before turning to look at Shining again.

"I'm positive, I just know that they're her's." Said Shining. As they were talking, two more guards approached, and they saluted quickly.

"Sir, we found a village not too far from her, just more west to our current location." Said one of them.

"What's our next move Sir?" Crimson asked Shining.

"We keep moving Sargent, into the village. But keep a low profile, and do not enter the village directly. We don't want to spook the humans." Shining ordered.

"Very well, Allow us to move in first, gives us some time before moving up yourselves so we can guarantee your safety," Crimson saluted again.

"My safety is of no concern to me, it's the others I am worried about." Said Shining.

"Of course Sir." Said Crimson before trudging off with his fellow guards ponies. Shining returns to the group who had been looking for clues as well.

"Well, What did we find here?" Asked Dash impatiently.

"We found evidence of Twily being here, we found her hoof prints." Shining stated to which the group all smile at this news.

"So she was here, at least we know we could be on the right track." Applejack looks to her friends with the biggest smile on her face.

"Yes. Now I need you all to follow me, we found a village not too far from here. Professor, stay up front with me, I may need you for negotiations if we are compromised." Shining points to Feather Quill.

"Very well." Said Feather Quill, stepping forward. The group then turns and follows the path the guard took to scout the village. Luckily for them, they didn't had to sneak, for upon entering the village, it had appeared to be abandoned. Well, not just abandoned, but abandoned for a reason. Many houses had burned down, and the whole place looked like a wreck. The air even stunk with the smell that smelled... rotten.

"Eugh... what is this place?" Rarity covers her muzzle with her hoof to block out the stench.

"I don't know, Professor?" Shining turns to Feather Quill, hoping to get some input from him.

"I am at a loss, the sign was damaged on our way in. Couldn't make a lick of it." Feather Quill was looking around, feeling a bit sad at the shables the houses were in.

"You think Twilight has been through here?" Asked Fluttershy meekly.

"No idea Sugarcube, this place looks awful." Applejack takes her hat off to show some kind of respect.

"I wonder if this place was like this when Twilight was around here." Pondered Shining.

"Sir, I do not believe we should stay here. We need to keep moving." Said Crimson approaching the group once again.

"I believe you to be right Sargent, the last thing I want to do is stay-" Said Shining before being cut off by something terrifying. A hatchet had been thrown and stuck into the wall the was to the side of both Shining and Crimson, as if it had been tossed and went between them. They both slowly turn to look at it. before their mind could process it, loud screaming could be heard from the tree line. A small army of Humans emerged from the trees, yelling battle cries and swinging their swords. They were cladded in full armor with white cloaks with a very noticeable black cross on it.

"SHIT!!! We're under attack! Protect the unarmed!" Shouted Crimson as he quickly picks up his spear. Shining quickly turns and darts for the group so that he may protect them. A small skirmish breaks out between the humans and the guards. The guards mostly play a defensive battle as the humans quickly step in with a quick strike before backing off. Shining armor Stood next to Swift Strike as he uses his magic to hold a sword as she uses a spear. The unarmed group quickly hides in one of the burnt houses to watch the fight. Two Humans approach them Shining and Swift Strike, one who holds a long sword and shield, and the other with a large morning star.

"Stay back you hairless ape!" Shouted Shining, pointing his sword at them with a scowl on his face.

"Ich werde dich bluten lassen, Pony! (I'll make you bleed pony!)" Said the human with a sword as he quickly steps forward and swings his sword. Shining twists his sword sideways and blocks it. The human with a morning star then goes for a killing blow on Shining while clashing with the first human. But Swift Strike uses her spear to strike the Morning Star before the human could bring it down, knocking him off balance. Shining glides his sword to the side and then goes in for another swing, the human blocks it with his shield.

"Raus aus meiner Heimat! (Get out of my homeland!)" Shouted the human in anger. Shining says nothing in response. Swift Strike is able to hold her own with the human with the morning star. The weapon was heavy and slow while she was quick and agile. She had many opportunities to land a fatal stab with her spear, but she finds herself hesitating too often. As the human goes for one more overhead strike, She sees an opportunity to disarm him. She thrusts her spear upward to try and knock the weapon away, but the human side steps and turns the overhead swing into a side swing. This throws Swift Strike off guard and he lands a hard hit to her side. She cries out in pain as her armor is crushed and she is knocked to the ground.

"Corporal!" Yells Shining, Still locked in a battle with the human with a sword. As The Human goes for another swing of his sword, Shining ducks and tucks into a roll to where the Corporal laid. The Human with the Morning star was about to crush her head with one final smash, but Shining slices the back of his leg with one swipe. The human cried out in pain as he dropped the morning Star, Shining gets in front of him and bucks hard, kicking him in the chest and sending him flying. He lands on his back as the human with a sword approaches. The human had an anger in his eyes which almost seemed to glow out of his helmet. He raises his sword and points it at Shining Armor.

"Bete deinen Gott Pony! Du wirst ihn bald treffen für das, was du hier getan hast! (Pray your god Pony! You shall be meeting him soon for what you had done here!)" The human spat his words out like venom depsite Shining being unable to understand him.

"Where is Twilight! I know you have her monster! Give her to us!" Yelled Shining hopping in vain the human would understand him.

"Das ist dein Ende! Bekämpfe mich! (This is your end! Fight me!)" Yelled the human as he charged Shining Armor. Once again they clash swords as they continue their fight. With each swing was met by a clash, each one trying to get the one up on each other. Shining instead of fighting defensively, fights aggressively. He backs the human up quite a bit with offensive attacks, the human using his sword and shield to block the incoming attacks. Just as Shining had the advantage, the human ducks under a swing and bashes Shining with his shield, causing him to stumble. The human then kicks him hard, knocking him to the ground. The Human then stands over the top of him ready to stab him. "Stirb Hund! (Die dog!)"

"WARTE!!!" Yelled Feather Quill as he quickly steps out of the house. The human stops and turns his head to Feather Quill, puzzled by his ablity to speak German.

"Entschuldigung, hast du gerade Deutsch gesprochen? (Excuse me, did you just speak German?)" Said the Human, slowly lowering his sword.

"Jawohl! Steh unter! Das ist ein Fehler! (Yes indeed! Stand down! This is a mistake!)" Said Feather Quill. Before another word is said, Shining quickly trips the human, kicking him hard in the knee. He uses his magic to take the human's sword and then he stands ontop of his sheild.

"Got ya you dirty piece of Shit! Now Where is Twiley before I kill you!" Shining growled, pointing his sword at the face of the human.

"Arschloch! (Asshole!)" Yelled the Human in response.

"Shining, Quit being a brute for one second!" Yelled Feather Quill as he approached.

"I'm the brute!? These bastards ran out of the tree with weapons clashing before we could even say a word!" Shining argued, never taking his angry eyes off the human.

"Get off of him now son." Feather Quill spoke calmly trying to defuse the tension.

"Tell him to call off his soldiers and then I Will let him up!" Said Shining. Feather Quill rolls his eyes.

"Mein guter Mann, bitte stoppen Sie Ihren Angriff, wir sind kein Feind. (My good man, please stop your attack, we are not an enemy.)" Said Feather Quill. The human merely looks at Feather quill, still shocked how he is able to speak his language. He ponders for a moment before stopping.

"...Halt! Halten Sie Ihre Waffen! (Stop! Hold your Weapons!)" Yelled the Human. Almost immediately, the humans freeze in place before looking at the downed human. He must be the one in charge for all the knights to have listened to him. "hör auf anzugreifen! (Stop Attacking!)" Shining then slowly gets off the human's shield and allows him to stand up.

"Wie heißen Sie? Warum kommst du hier rein?" The human began asking.

"What did he say, Professor?" Shining Armor turned his head to the professor.

"He is speaking in German, he wants to know who we are and why we are here?" Said Feather Quill.

"He doesn't need to know." Shining shot back, narrowing his eyes.

"I would say he does. We are in his homeland remember? We're trespassing." Feather Quill stated a matter-of-factly.

"Unbelievable." Shining Armor threw his head back in annoyance.

"Ich heiße Feather Quill. Das ist Shining Armor. Wie heißen Sie?" Asked Feather Quill.

"Ich heiße Gerhard." The human responded.

"His name is Gerhard." Said Feather Quill.

"I don't care." Shining narrowed his eyes, turning his back on them. Shining approaches the corporal who was still on the ground but thankfully still alive. However, the side of her armor was crushed, and she appeared to be in pain.

"Swift Strike, are you ok?" asked Shining, helping her up.

"I think so, just bruised, really." Swift Strike rubs her side, causing her to wince. As Feather Quill and Gerhard get more acquainted. it is soon discovered that no side suffered any deaths, just a bunch of scratches and bruising. Even the human who had the morning star only had the cut to his leg. Eventually tension dies down as Feather Quill is able to talk the humans down to where they all seem to sheath their weapons. soon the rest of the group stepped out of the burnt house as all fighting seemed to have ceased.

"Is everypony ok?" Asked Applejack as she and the others approached Shining Armor.

"Yes, everything is fine, no casualties." Said Shining.

"Oh Thank Celestia! I didn't want to see anypony die." Rarity barely peeking out of the rubble.

"What about the Corporal, is she ok?" Asked Spike.

"Yes, just a bruised wing and a small cut. One of the spikes on that weapon did pierce her armor a bit, but it's nothing serious." Shining gave him a reassuring smile.

"I didn't know humans could fight like that. I can see a whole army taken on Equestria. I can see why Twilight wanted to make friends so badly." Rainbow had her eyes locked on the humans as she spoke.

"Yeah, it would be a horrible war." Said Shining. "Where is Fluttershy?"

"She is fine, just awfully scared." Said Pinkie Pie pointing behind her. Hiding behind Rarity, Fluttershy had her face buried in her hooves.

"Take care of her. This was only day one of our journey." Said Shining.

"Shining Armor, Come here please." Shouts Feather Quill. Shining looks over at Feather Quill, who was still standing with the human who called himself Gerhard, he now had his helmet off. He had gray hair with a short full gray beard. He looks over At Shining as he approaches them.

"What is it, professor?" Shining was barely giving him his attention, not wanting to associate with these humans.

"I have just been conversing with our new friend Gerhard here, and he-" Said Feather Quill before being interrupted by Shining Armor.

"He is not a friend, he attacked us." Said Shining sternly, stamping his hoof for emphasis.

"I promise you my boy, it was a misunderstanding. He thought we were a part of their war." Feather Quill had his hoof outstretched towards Gerhard.

"Their war!? Tell me, professor, do we look like humans!? Last time I checked I walked on 4 legs! I'm not wasting my time with this!" Said Shining as he turned and was about to walk off.

"The reason why he thought we were involved was because his men had seen another pony with the army that destroyed this town!" Feather Quill called to him, causing Shining to freeze in place.

"Another pony? Was it Twiley?" Asked Shining turning his head. "Ask him!"

"Können Sie das Pony beschreiben, das Ihre Männer gesehen haben? (Can you describe the pony your men saw?)" Asked Feather Quill turning his head to Gerhard again.

"Ja, das werde ich, es war lila. Es hatte ein Horn sowie Flügel an seiner Seite." Gerhard explained, also using his hands to try and describe her.

"Purple, it was purple, with a horn, as well as wings. It was an alicorn." Feather Quill translated.

"Twiley!" Shouted Shining. "That matches Twiley to a T! Ask him where they seen her!"

"Wo war sie, als Ihre Männer sie gesehen haben? (Where was she when your men saw her?)" Feather Quill urgently asked.

"Sie war im feindlichen Lager. Wir haben sie mit dieser verdammten Fotze Léone gesehen, bevor sie den Angriff auf unser Dorf befahl!" There was some bitterness in Gerhard's speech.

"They saw her next to a... nope not repeating that... Anyway, they saw her next to i guess the leader of the camp as she ordered the attack on this specific village." Said Feather Quill. Shining was now smiling, His sister was spotted here, but as the bigger picture started to become clear, Shining now understood the situation.

"Since he saw Twily with the people who attacked this village, I can understand now why they attacked us on sight." Said Shining rubbing his chin.

"I believe I do too." Feather Quill began nodding in agreement.

"Tell him we are not here to fight, but to recover Twily. Ask him where he may believe Twiley will be now." Said Shining.

"Haben Sie eine Ahnung, wohin diese Gruppe jetzt unterwegs ist? (Do you have any idea where that group is headed now?) asked Feather Quill.

"Meine Vermutung geht auf ihre Heimatstadt in Blackstone zurück." Said Gerhard.

"He believes they headed back home, in Blackstone." Said Feather Quill.

"Then that's where we are headed. Tell him to give us directions." Said Shining

"Wie kommen wir nach Blackstone? (How do we get to Blackstone?)" Asked Feather Quill.

"Tut mir leid, ich habe keine Ahnung." Said Gerhard, causing Feather Quill to let out a sigh.

"He doesn't know." Said Feather Quill looking to Shining.

"What? Then how do we find out?" Asked Shining.

"Wer kennt den Weg? (Who knows the way?)" Feather Quill relayed his question.

"Mein Monarch, Johannes Drachenkopf." Gerhard responded

"His monarch knows. Fellow by the name Johannes Drachenkopf." Said Feather Quill.

"Great, now we need to appear before a human king just to get the information we want! What makes you think they'll even take us to their king?" Shining was getting more and more frustrated with his talk with the human. He felt if they were to be taken to a human king, they would be arrested on the spot.

"Du würdest uns in Frieden zu deinem König bringen? (You would take us to your king in peace?)" Asked Feather Quill.

"Dafür, dass ich mein Leben verschont habe und dass ich das Leben meiner Männer verschont habe, werde ich es tun." Replied Gerhard.

"Shining. These humans have indeed agreed to take us to their king." Feather Quill was smiling, but it quickly fades when he sees Shining's scowl.

"And how do we know this isn't a trap!?" Shining barked at him.

"He gave us his word, for sparing his life and leaving them with no casualties." Feather Quill turned his whole body to look at him as the two began to argue.

"I'm sorry, but I don't think i trust his word." Shining huffed loudly.

"What other choice do we have at the moment my boy! Think! We may have an exact idea where Princess Twilight is, and you are just going to ignore it!?" Feather Quill snapped back. Shining grits his teeth, in his gut he felt like this was wrong, till he felt a hoof gently touch his back. He looks behind him and sees Applejack and the rest of the group.

"Shining, I know this is risky, but we have been listening to the entire conversation. If this the only way to twilight, we need to take it." Said Applejack. Shining looks at her and the rest of the group and then sighs heavily.

"Fine, We'll go. but one wrong move and I not hesitate to cut him down." Shining narrows his eyes at Gerhard, who gives him a hardened look back.

"Bitte bringen Sie uns zu ihm. Bei uns werden Sie keine Probleme sehen. (Please take us to him. You won't see any problems with us.) Said Feather Quill.

"Sehr gut, wir werden morgen früh aufbrechen." Said Gerhard as he then turns to join his men.

"We leave tomorrow." Said Feather Quill. By now, the rest of the guards join up with Shining to fill in on their next move.

"Alright, everypony settle in. We will be sharing a campsite with our new... acquaintances. They will aid us in finding Princess Twilight on the soul reason that no lives were lost today. You don't have to nice to them, but you must get along for now. Hopefully tomorrow we will know where Princess Twilight is. Start setting up camp!" Said Shining to the guards. They all then break away to set up their own tents. The rest of the group does the same, leaving Shining in alone. He places his hoof over his face and sighs heavily. "Wherever you are Twiley, I hope you're safe. Big bro is coming."