The Magic In Us

"Courage is not the absence of fear; it is the ability to move forward in the face of it. There is beauty in this definition because courage can exist in the decisions we make every day. Courage exists in the individual who accepts who they are and openly lives the life they want in the face of rejection. Courage exists in those who challenge their own perceptions in the face of accepting they are not infallible.
~Staff Sgt. Ryan Pitts

"Maybe we should stop for the night," Izzy said, her voice trembling as she looked into the surrounding fog with fear.

"It's okay, Izzy," Sunny said, nuzzling Izzy a bit. "There's supposedly an abandoned town up ahead. Zipp showed us on the map. We're going to crash there, remember?"

Izzy swallowed nervously. "I know but this place has bad vibes all over it. Maybe we should stop now and resume when it's light out."

Misty stopped next to Izzy, nodding in agreement. They had finally left the scorching desert a couple of days ago, soon finding themselves in the middle of a Savannah. For the first day or two, Izzy and Misty were totally fine. But now…not so much.

It wasn't the crazy spooky fog that was so thick you couldn't see through it, or the few trees they'd see in the distance that looked like grasping shadowed figures, or even the unnatural silence that permeated the air, though, those things certainly didn't help. It was a feeling, deep down inside their gut that scared the two unicorns. Something that screamed danger to their subconscious minds. That made them want to stop right now and turn around, preferring to find another way to the changeling kingdom.

"Iz, a lot happened in the last six months. Maybe your mind's just playing tricks on you." Sunny said, trying to reason with Izzy and Misty.

"Yeah. Maybe you're just both on edge after everything that's happened." Hitch added. On his back, Sparky yawned before laying his head back down and falling asleep.

Zipp nodded in agreement. "Trust me. I scoured this place with my pony drone for the next fifty miles ahead, just in case the abandoned town, isn't really abandoned. This place is clean. Nothing here whatsoever besides a few buildings that look like they'll fall over from a wind stronger than a breeze."

"You sure?"

Zipp nodded. "Totally."

Izzy swallowed nervously before nodding, not sure she exactly agreed.

"I am not stepping hoof in that town," Izzy said sternly, planting her hooves into the ground, with Misty standing firmly behind her.

They had been walking for about another ten minutes before they finally got to the entrance of the abandoned village. They couldn't see much since there was a thick, heavy fog surrounding the place, but all Izzy knew was that there were bad vibes all over this place.

Zipp groaned while Sunny Gabe her a warning glare. "Izzy," Sunny said, a comforting smile on her face. "Instead of us telling you not to be afraid, why don't you tell us what scares you so much."

Izzy tapped into her sixth sense, the one that allowed her to see a pony's sparkle. She couldn't place her hoof on it, but there was just something that was off about this place.

"I don't know. I can't place my hoof on it. I just know this place is bad news and there's something that doesn't want us here."

"Wow. Your powers of perception are truly frightening." Zipp stated sarcastically.

"Look, Iz, we're all exhausted. It's just your brain playing tricks on you," Hitch said with a yawn. "Maybe, once you've gotten a good night's sleep, you'll realize how there was nothing to be afraid of in the first place, okay?"

Izzy clenched her jaw. She wasn't exactly convinced, but she knew there wasn't anything else she could say to convince her friends not to go into that town. If her friends were going in there, she was going with them. She sure as heck didn't want to be out here alone. And anyway, maybe Hitch was right. They are all exhausted. They've been traveling since dawn and it's almost midnight. They would've stopped earlier, but seeing as the abandoned town would've been the perfect rest spot since they could potentially restock on supplies, they wanted to make it there before they set up camp. They definitely traveled longer than they normally did.

Izzy and Misty both took a deep breath before following the other three in. Zipp had to admit that the smallest voice in her head was telling her that something wasn't right here, but her more logical part brushed it off as simple exhaustion and being on edge from everything that had happened. Zipp saw the live footage from the pony drone herself. There was nothing out here other than the frail-looking buildings for the next fifty miles. They were good.

As they walked in, they all realized pretty early that there wasn't exactly much here. Sunny realized Zipp was right about how frail the buildings looked. If anything, Sunny thought Zipp was even downplaying it a bit. Not to mention most of the buildings looked as though they were tree houses, with ramps leading up to them. Sunny looked for any ground buildings, but couldn't see much past all this fog. They looked like one wrong hoofstep would break a hole into them. She wondered if they'd be safe enough to sleep in.

Other than that, there was nothing that stood out to the five ponies as being dangerous. Sure, the whole town looked creepy as hell, and some of the buildings creaked as they swayed a bit in the very light breeze, but other than that, there was nothing that screamed red flag. Still, Izzy and Misty did not like this place one bit.

"See? What'd we tell you? Nothing to be afraid of."

"Exactly. So, I was thinking, we can pick a building to sleep in tonight and forage for supplies tomorrow. That way we can–"

"ZIPP! LOOK OUT!!!" Izzy yelled before she charged at Zipp, ramming herself into her and knocking Zipp to the ground.

"Izzy! Zipp!" Sunny called as the rest of the ponies ran to their friends.

Zipp groaned as Izzy rolled herself off of her, groaning herself. "Izzy…" Zipp muttered, sitting up and rubbing her head. "What in the hay was…"

Zipp trailed off when she saw the arrow that was pointing out of the ground where she had just stood before Izzy pushed her out of the way, saving her life. Where did that come from? Zipp opened her mouth to ask just that when they were suddenly assaulted with hundreds of arrows raining down on them.

Izzy yelped as she jumped out of the way just in time to avoid about five arrows implanting themselves into the ground where she just sat. "Okay! There's something to be afraid of! Definitely something to be afraid of!"

Zipp jumped to her hooves, avoiding arrows left and right. Sunny and Hitch ran against the wall of one of the buildings, Hitch holding Sparky close to him, in hopes of making it harder for the archers to aim at them, whoever they were, or at least lessen the amount of arrows being shot at them by being out of sight of a couple of archers, but the amount of arrows didn't seem to lessen. In fact, they seemed to grow.

"Okay! You can cease fire now! Please?!" Sunny yelled, hoping the archers who seemed to have pretty good aim would hear her cries. However, the arrow assault refused to relent.

Misty never thought she'd think this in her life, but she was actually grateful for the training Opaline forced her through which included obstacle courses and surprise attacks. It made it easier for her to avoid the arrows, despite how clumsy she could be sometimes.

"RUN FOR YOUR LIVES!" Izzy screamed before she bolted as fast as she could in the direction she came in from, avoiding arrows left and right.

The rest of the ponies were on her tail, trying their best not to get hit with an arrow. As she ran, Zipp tried to glance around at the rooftops of the buildings, but the fog was much too thick for her to see anything. Whoever these were, they had the tactical advantage, and they knew it.

Suddenly, Hitch felt an arrow graze his cheek. He yelped, his pace only quickening, desperate to get out of there as he sheilded Sparky with his body. Finally, they bolted out the way they came, the arrows following them. They ran for a good mile or so, despite the arrow barrage stopping a while ago. After about ten minutes of running, they all sputtered to a stop, out of breath and scared out of their wits. What in Equestria was that all about?

"Is everypony okay?" Sunny asked, panting heavily once they were sure nothing was following them.

"I just got a small scratch on my cheek from one of them, but once we bandage it up, it should be fine. Other than that and being terribly confused and terrified, I think I'm okay." Hitch answered after examining Sparky.

"I told you! I told you we shouldn't go in there! I told you there was something in there that didn't want us in that town!"

"Izzy, we get it. You were right," Zipp said flatly, trying to control her rapid breathing. She never wished for the ability to fly so much as she did now.

"But what was that? And why would they attack us?" Misty asked. In the week since her talk with Hitch Misty's been talking more and more. She still didn't talk as much as she used to, but she was talking, and that was progress. And she didn't have those nightmares anymore. It was as though her chat with Hitch was as healing for her as it was for him. "We didn't do anything wrong."

"Maybe it was just because they saw us as trespassers and they didn't know whether or not we were a threat? Maybe if we just talked to them…" Sunny trailed off, hoping the others were picking up what she was trying to put down.

"You can try, but I'm not going back in there without some kind of protection. I mean, we just got our flanks handed to us back there. Multiple times. It's a death wish to go back there without…something."

"Zipp's right, Sunny. Whatever those were, they didn't seem in the talking mood." Hitch agreed. "Maybe we should all just find someplace safe to sleep tonight and then tomorrow, go around them."

"Sounds like a great idea." Zipp agreed, a plan even Sunny could agree to. Before they could do anything, they needed their sleep.

After a while of wandering, they finally found a cave inside a small hill in the Savannah. That was where they decided to make camp. Tomorrow, they'd try and go around the village of death, making a wide berth. They'd have no reason to attack then, right?

Zipp woke up to the sound of chanting. She opened her bleary eyes, looking around to see her friends still asleep. Still foggy-brained from sleep, she slowly crawled out of the small cave they were sleeping in, peeking out to find torchlight in the distance.

Slowly, Zipp crawled out of the cave, keeping low to the ground so that the long yellow grass hid her. She slowly crept closer until she could see individual figures all holding torches and spears. However, the fog was much too thick for Zipp to clearly make them out.

Suddenly, one of the figures turned around and Zipp could hear below all the chanting, "Look! There's one! Get it!"

Zipp's eyes widened before she bolted back towards the cave, forgetting all thoughts of cover. Zipp sprinted as fast as she could, her heart racing, adrenaline pumping through her veins. She had to warn her friends. She had to tell them they were in danger.

She could see the cave from where she was. She pushed herself harder than she ever had before. Her lungs burned, and her breath was heavy. Her heart felt like it was going to beat out of her chest, but she was gaining, she was getting closer. She could hear them behind her, but she dared not look back. She was almost there. She was so close. She was going to make it. She was–

Suddenly, something landed in front of her. She skidded to a stop, falling on her back. She looked up at it, her breath heavy, her racing heart coming to a stop right along with her. She looked up at the thing that stopped her in her tracks. She looked up at the thing that stopped her with wide eyes. It had an eagle's wing and head and front claws, while the rest of it resembled a lion. It looked familiar, but Zipp read so many Mythology books back at the Zephyr Heights library in search of any info on the changelings, they all seemed to blend together.

Zipp only stared at it for a moment before she saw it raise its spear. Thinking on her hooves, she thrust her back hooves up, targeting right under the creature's chin. Stunned, it stumbled back a bit, seemingly in a daze. Taking advantage of the distraction, she jumped to her hooves and sprinted towards the cave like her life depended on it.

She racked her brain for the lightest sleeper and when she found it, she called at the top of her lungs, "MISTY! MISTY! WAKE UP!"

After a moment, Misty peeked her head out of the cave, her eyes half-lidded from just waking up. When she turned her head towards Zipp, her eyes widened with fear.

"MISTY! WAKE EVERYPONY UP AND GET YOUR FLANK OUT OF THERE!" Zipp yelled, refusing to slow her speed.

Without a moment to lose, Misty popped her head back into the cave and within five minutes, all four remaining ponies were bolting out of the cave, their saddlebag on their back.

Zipp followed them, gaining more and more from the creatures. Suddenly, her friends disappeared in front of her. Zipp continued to run, hoping they were all right. Suddenly, something grabbed Zipp, pulling her to the side.

Zipp was about to scream and raised her hoof to punch whatever was trying to keep her there when she felt a hoof on her mouth. She looked up to see Hitch staring at her with wide eyes, slowly shaking his head. She looked around and saw Sunny, Izzy, and Misty all there was well, tears of fear in Izzy's eyes.

They had found a small cave. Well, it'd really be better described as a small hole in the side of the hill. It was barely big enough for the five of them, and not tall enough for any of them to sit up as they all crouched as quietly as they could.

All of them stared at the entrance, which was covered by tall grass. They all held their breaths as the creatures ran to the hole and stopped for a moment. None of them even breathed as they stood there for a moment, all of them praying to anything that listened that the grass was enough to cover the whole from the sight of the eagle–lions.

Eventually, the creatures moved on, running in a different direction. After about ten minutes of not hearing their running steps, all of them breathed a sigh of relief, still refusing to climb out.

"What were those things?" Hitch asked, holding on to Sparky for dear life.

As one, everypony turned to look at Sunny. Sunny blinked once in surprise, then again, wondering why everypony was looking at her. It's not like she knew what they were. "What?"

"Argyle's journal? You brought it, right?" Zipp said as though it were obvious.

She blinked again, her brain still foggy from just waking up. Then her eyes widened and she reached back into her saddlebag, bumping into Izzy in the process. In an attempt to avoid getting bumped by Sunny, Hitch leaned back, only to hit his back against the wall and yelped in pain.

"Oops," Sunny muttered, turning back around to see if Hitch was okay, only to accidentally whack Misty in the face with her hoof. There was zero room for any of them to move. "Oh my hoofness, Misty, are you okay? I'm so sorry."

Sunny was about to turn back around when Zipp grabbed her. "Sunny. Before you move and pummel somepony else in the face, maybe we should all leave the hole before one of us ends up with a bloody nose."

Sunny chuckled nervously before they all left in the opposite order they came. Zipp, then Sunng, then Izzy, then Hitch and Sparky, and finally Misty. Once they were all out, Sunny pulled out her journal and started flipping through the pages.

"Hmm…I didn't get a good look at them, but I did see something like feathers and claws. Let's see…umm…" Finally, she stopped flipping, finding something. "Uhh…what about Hippogriffs? Part eagle, part pony?"

"Affirmative on the eagle, negative on the pony," Zipp said.

"You're right. Hippogriffs live on Mount Aris." Sunny said, too distracted to fully register what Zipp just said.

Hitch, Misty, and Izzy looked at Zipp confused. Zipp shrugged. "I saw one up close."

Hitch opened his mouth to say something when Sunny interrupted him. "A‐Ha!" Sunny exclaimed. "Griffons! Part eagle. Part lion."

Zipp nodded. "Sounds about right."

"Well, it says here that they're warriors…"

"Clearly," Hitch muttered.

"And that they're not very social…"

"Well, that's one way of saying that they greet visitors by shooting a barrage of arrows at them and then chasing them all over the prairie." Zipp deadpanned, earning a glare from Misty.

"And that they're allies of Equestria. Maybe they just didn't realize we're ponies." Sunny said with a smile, looking up at them hopefully.

A hope that Zipp quickly extinguished. "Uh…yeah, no. That griffon clearly saw I was a pony and then he still raised his spear at me."

"Maybe this whole Savannah is their territory?" Izzy suggested.

"Well, if that's the case, then we're screwed." Zipp said. All four ponies looked at her with confusion and nerves. Zipp rolled her eyes, grabbed her saddlebag from Misty, and pulled out the map, laying it out in front of them. "Here we are, almost to the halfway mark. And here is where we think Pipp is. If this whole Savannah is their territory, we'd have to backtrack all the way we came, past the Equestrian border–"

"Why? Can't we just backtrack a bit?" Hitch asked.

Zipp shook her head. "Nope. The Savannah isn't cut and dry. It goes in and out like waves. And in some parts, it goes in pretty deep. If we want to avoid those raging maniacs, the safest bet would be to go back to Equestria. I have a feeling the only reason we survived the first attack was through pure luck. I doubt we'd survive a second." Zipp then went back to the map. "Now, once we get back to Equestria, we'd have to go up north pretty far and then go around here, then come back down and continue on."

Sunny breathed in through her teeth. "That could take months."

"So, in other words, not an option." Hitch concluded.

"Basically. But there is one more option. A frontal assault."

At this, everypony gasped. Zipp had just said a moment ago that they most likely wouldn't survive a second attack and that they just survived the first one by pure luck. Now she wanted to do a frontal attack? Was she crazy?

"Zipp, you just said we wouldn't survive a second attack. Are you sure that's a good idea?"

"You're right, Sunny. We wouldn't survive another attack. If it were by surprise. But, if we take the fight to them…" Zipp trailed off, a small smile on her face.

Hitch gasped as he realized what Zipp was trying to say. "We have the advantage."

"Exactly."

"Are you sure? I mean, we're going to be outnumbered." Misty pointed out.

"Yeah, I'm sure. We totally got this. We just need some...weapons...and maybe armor."

"How do you expect us to find that in the middle of nowhere?"

Izzy gasped. "I got this. I'll just need fifteen hundred gooey bunnies, five wooden boards, five poles, and five pieces of sharp metal. Oh, and glitter. Lots of glitter."

Zipp swallowed nervously as the five of them slowly walked into the "abandoned" town. She could feel her hooves shaking, but she knew she had to do this, lest she have to wait another six months to save her sister.

"Zipp, are you sure this is a good idea?" Sunny whispered nervously.

"No. But I think we can take them. There weren't more than fifty griffons in that group. If we just stick to the plan, we got this."

Suddenly, an arrow was shot and landed in one of the ponies' shields. Hitch swallowed nervously as he glanced at the arrow in his shield before looking straight ahead of him, seeing a huge crowd of at least five hundred griffons.

"There are more than fifty…" Hitch muttered, looking at the crowd in complete fear.

Zipp turned to Hitch who was looking ahead of them. Zipp turned around to see the crowd of griffons slowly walking towards them. Her eyes widened as reality began to set in.

"We so don't got this..." Izzy said as she looked at the army of griffons.

Hitch thought about Pipp and Sparky, weighing the pros and cons before finally concluding. "I think we ought to retreat," Hitch said, taking a step back.

"I…I think you're right, Hitch." Sunny quickly agreed.

Four of the ponies began to slowly walk backward as though making slow deliberate movements would avoid upsetting the griffons. There were a couple more arrows shot, making the four ponies turn and start running in the opposite direction. However, Zipp stayed where she was, watching the griffins closely. They slowly approached, one step at a time, as if in a warning. She narrowed her eyes at them. Sunny's words rang through her head.

"And that they're allies of Equestria. Maybe they just didn't realize we're ponies".

Zipp bit her lip, trying to make a decision. It'd be terrifying, and maybe even stupid, but it could work. She'd do anything to save Pipp. Zipp took a deep breath and stood her ground.

Sunny skidded to a stop when she realized Zipp wasn't behind her. "Zipp! What are you doing? Let's go."

Upon hearing Sunny, the other three ponies skidded to a stop.

Zipp shook her head. "No. I wanna try something."

"Uh, death? Cause that's exactly what'll happen if you keep standing there." Hitch said desperately.

"I don't think they want to fight. Sunny said herself they used to be allies of Equestria. Something tells me they can be so again. Maybe if we just talk to them…"

Zipp watched as the griffins slowly approached them, only shooting arrows once in a while, as though giving them plenty of time to get out of there. An arrow landed deliberately right beside Zipp into the ground. Something told her that it wasn't that they were horrible archers. That if they really wanted to kill them, they would've been dead last night.

"They don't exactly look like they're in the talking mood," Izzy said, fear filling her voice.

Zipp turned to look at Izzy and Sunny. "Is that what you two thought when my mother put you in the dungeons three years ago just for being a unicorn and earth pony?"

Sunny and Izzy opened their mouths to protest, only to realize they had nothing to say to that. Izzy and Sunny looked at each other. No, they didn't believe Queen Haven was in no mood to talk that fateful day. They simply assumed she was scared and confused. And that she wanted to protect her subjects. Not once did they think Queen Haven actually wanted to hurt them.

Zipp sighed. "Look. You get out of here. I don't want you ponies getting hurt if I'm wrong. I'm a princess. My mom trained me in making diplomatic relations. This is my job. If I get hurt…I don't want to drag you into this."

Zipp turned back around to face the griffons, putting her shield and spear down in a show of surrender. Her heart raced, and her fear was palpable. But something told her she needed to do this.

Suddenly, she felt somepony beside her. She looked to see Hitch standing next to her, a soft smile on his face as he looked at her, dropping his shield and spear. "I'm not sure if you're incredibly brave or incredibly stupid, but, well, I am Sheriff. Seeing as your princess, I'm sure it wouldn't hurt to have a guard at your side to make sure things go smoothly and everything stays diplomatic. Plus, I'll do anything to save Pipp. Even if it means facing a rampaging army of griffons." Sparky made a small sound of agreement.

Zipp softly smiled back. Zipp was on the fence about forgiving him after his heartfelt apology a week ago, but now this just solidified it. Zipp could hear the griffon army getting closer.

Suddenly, Zipp felt somepony else on her other side. She turned to see Misty walking up beside her. "If our parents marry, I am going to be princess of Zephyr Heights. I might as well start learning this kind of thing. What better way than real life experience?"

Suddenly, Sunny was right beside her. "We may not have magic, but I'm still the alicorn. If Equestria's making new allies, I ought to be present."

Then, Izzy appeared next to Hitch. "I can add creative contributions in making deals and stuff. Besides, I'd never leave my friends hangin'."

Zipp felt her heart warm. She was scared to death. She was terrified. But it was easier to face that fear because despite facing almost certain death, she had her friends by her side. Sure, her idea was crazy and probably was going to get them all killed, but she knew she had to do it. She had to face these griffons head-on. Something deep in her gut told her so. And even if her friends didn't agree with her, they still wouldn't let her face it alone.

The griffons came closer, walking slowly. All the ponies had dropped their shields and spears, facing the army of griffons with no weapons or protection whatsoever. Zipp took a step forward, stepping in front of her friends. If things didn't go right, she'd be the first to take the fall.

That was when Zipp's cutie mark began to glow softly. To their surprise, the arrows had stopped flying, however, the griffon army did not. They continued marching towards the five determined ponies. Zipp watched them with determination, her entire body full of fear, telling her to flee, but she resisted and stared at the griffons with a determined expression.

Finally, the army stopped just inches away from the five ponies. Four of them took a cautious step back, ears flattening a bit. However, Zipp stayed rooted to where she was, staring at the griffons. They simply stared back. Then, the griffon in front, who had golden armor, a head of dark brown feathers they almost looked black, and a dark brown furred body raised his spear.

Zipp squeezed her eyes shut, bracing herself for the blow that…never came? Zipp opened her eyes to see the spear pointing a hairwidth from her forehead, but remained where it was. The griffon glowered at the pony, staring at her for a long moment as though sizing her up.

Finally, he spoke. "Who are you?" The griffon's voice was deep, and it resounded through the entire town.

Zipp felt her whole body tremble, but she refused to give into fear. She took a deep breath and opened her mouth, speaking loud enough for most of the griffon army to hear her. "My name is Zephyrina Storm, princess of Zephyr Heights and these are my friends. Back in Equestria, we're known as the Guardians of Unity."

At those words, Guardians of Unity, a wave of whispers began to transcend the griffon army. The griffon with the spear aimed right at Zipp's forehead, who seemed to be the leader, narrowed his eyes at Zipp. "Tell me, what are you doing here in Griffonstone, Princess of Zephyr Heights and Guardian of Unity?"

"We hadn't realized this was your home. We didn't mean any harm–"

"That is what you say. However, when we ran you out of our territory, you came back with spears and shields as though to attack us. Why should we listen to you?"

Zipp opened her mouth, a million reasons forming in her mind, but she realized that none of them mattered. This is what they should've done, to begin with. The griffon was right.

Zipp sighed, looking the griffon in the eye. "You're right. We were wrong. We shouldn't have come here with the intent to attack you. So, no, you have no reason to listen to us."

At this, the four ponies behind Zipp gasped quietly, eyes widened in shock. The griffon's eyes barely widened before his face became a stoic mask again. However, he said nothing, allowing Zipp to continue.

"But we're sorry. And we ask that you have the mercy to listen anyway." When the griffon didn't say anything else, Zipp took that as her cue to continue. "My sister, Pipp…she's been captured. By the changelings…" Zipp trailed off, not sure how to continue. However, Zipp didn't have to because Hitch began talking.

"Hey, umm…" Hitch began to take a step forward but stopped when the griffon switched his chilling glare to Hitch, who chuckled nervously. "Umm…hi."

"State who you are before you speak, pony."

"Right umm…I'm Hitch Trailblazer and I'm Sheriff of Maretime Bay. What I was going to say is that we had the chance to trade Pipp for Sunny, who's an alicorn, and–"

"You have an alicorn. Pray tell, who is this Sunny you speak of."

Sunny took a step forward. "That's me, good sir. I'm Sunny Starscout."

The griffon narrowed his eyes. "You do not look like an alicorn."

"Well, physically, no I'm not. At least since magic disappeared. You see, the changelings wanted to trade me for Pipp, but Zipp here found out that we're useless to the changelings without magic. So, she sacrificed her sister and in a great act of courage shattered the Unity Crystals…" Sunny trailed off upon seeing the griffon's confused look. "They were the source of all magic. So, in order to save Equestria from the changelings, she risked everything, including her sister by destroying magic to make us useless to the changelings. Then she and Misty Brightdawn," Sunny gestured to Misty. "Worked tirelessly for six months to find where the changelings are, so that we can rescue her. Which is why we're here."

"You dare ask us for our assistance?" The griffon asked.

Zipp shook her head. "No, sir. We just…we just ask for passage through your territory. That's all. All we want is to pass through. You see, if we were to go around, we'd have to backtrack all the way to Equestria, go north and around, then come back down. That would take months and we're not sure how much longer Pipp will last."

The griffon was silent as he examined the pony. Griffons hadn't seen ponies in centuries. Not since it foolishly divided itself. But it seems now ponies were no longer divided. He had no desire to ally his griffons with the ponies of Equestria, but he had to admit that he felt a growing respect for the pony princess.

The griffon caught sight of the glowing symbol on the pony's flank, though, the other ponies were too busy keeping an eye on them and trying to not show their fear to even notice. Perhaps the ponies had more magic than they believed.

The griffon pulled back his spear, setting the butt end of it on the ground, much to Zipp's relief. "I will allow you passage through my territory."

"General, are you sure–" The griffon next to him started to ask, but stopped when the general snapped his head back to look at him.

"Yes, I am sure. You question me, your leader? This princess has shown much courage and has gained my respect for the time being." The griffon turned back to Zipp with a cold glare. "However, if I see you in Griffonstone again, I assure you I will not be as merciful. You are allowed passage on your way to the changeling kingdom and back. However, after you cross our territory a second time, if you come again, consider it a decoration of war. Do I make myself clear, Princess?"

Zipp quickly nodded. "Crystal. Thank you, general."

"Courage is something we griffons respect, despite the creature showing it. You have shown great courage to save your sister as well as keep your subjects safe if what you say is to be believed. Now, go, before I change my mind."

"Of course. Right away, general." Zipp did a quick bow. "Thank you."

Zipp bowed again and with no time to waste, the five ponies sprinted across Griffonstone, continuing their journey.

Queen Vespula groaned in exasperation as she watched the five ponies continue their journey through her crystal ball. Why did these ponies get through every trap she threw at them? She thought for sure that the griffons would kill them if one of her drones disguised themselves as a griffon scout, declaring that those five ponies were coming to attack them.

She took a deep breath to calm herself. They may have passed one obstacle, but they were still a long way from the changeling kingdom. And still plenty of time to stop tthem. And those little ponies were going to pay. She was going to make sure of it.