Chapter Eleven: Shock waves

Canterlot Palace

“So, then we shall report to our sister of our findings, it seems,” Princess Luna announced to Twilight, as if she needed to know.

Walking alongside her in the grand corridors of the palace, Twilight nodded, “It’s all part of getting you used to spending more time in the company of other ponies. And, well, being her student, I guess it’s no wonder she wanted me to help you and report your progress.”

“Thou art kind to help us, Twilight Sparkle,” Luna murmured, looking away from her, “We simply cannot thank you enough for your time. We are imagine it must be quite an arduous task for thou to endure.”

“Twilight. Just Twilight please.” The unicorn smiled.

“Er...yes, Twilight...” The Princess of the night repeated, sounding uncertain. “Well, then we suppose it is only proper that thou may address us as simply Luna.”

“Okay. That would be nice.” Twilight smiled, delighted with the way the conversation was traveling.

A small smile traced Luna’s lips, “Very well then. Do tell, Twilight Sp-....pardon, do tell, how art thou conducting thy studies in Ponyville? Thou never did explaineth thy assignment.”

The purple unicorn thought for a moment before she replied, determined to give the best answer possible to her new friend. “Well it’s really quite a simple assignment really once you get used to living with other ponies. I just have to report to Princess Celestia on my findings on friendship. There’s nothing to it.”

“On friendship, you say...” Luna repeated, dropping the olden Equestrian tongue. “...Tell us, Twilight, what findings hath thou discovered thus far?”

“Well... um the first joy was sharing your blessings and not just keeping everything to yourself. Then I learned that while friendship is about the giving of ourselves to friends, it's also important to accept what our friends have to offer. So far the lessons have been great!” Twilight had a slight spring in her step at the mention of her successes so far.

“It would seem, as we heard...” Princess Luna said thoughtfully. “Our sister receives thy reports by letter... We must admit, it certainly must be lovely to receive.”

“Well yes...” Twilight blushed slightly.

“May we read them?” Inquired the alicorn.

“Oh, sure! I don’t have a problem with it. I don’t think Princess Celestia will mind, either. Why don’t we ask her when we get to the throne room?”

“Thank you for your generosity Twilight. We will be sure to study your letters well.”

Twilight smiled a bit more as she looked at the midnight blue alicorn, “I don’t doubt that, Princess-...sorry, I mean Luna. I have to say it’s great how you’ve been studious and retaining the information we’ve learned so far as well as you have. I’m sure you’ll have a lot to learn as well when it comes to friendship.”

“Yes. And we hope that you will continue to grace us with your company. It...it helps, having somepony who understands.” The alicorn trailed off into silence.

“Well, then I’m glad to be of help to you in that also, Luna,” the lavender unicorn replied kindly.

“We must admit though... we are not normally able to study as well as we have today... Methinks it has to do with the company.” The alicorn brushed a wing against the mare beside her.

Twilight blushed a bit, especially when, to her surprise, the wing draped over her back. Much in the way Rainbow Dash draped her wing over Fluttershy’s back.

Luna smiled down at her blushing companion. “Is my wing appreciated?” She asked hopefully.

“W-Well... I never had this happen before... except when I was a filly, and Princess Celestia used to do the same to keep me warm and protect me.” Twilight admitted. “But...yes. This is nice, Princess.”

The royal mare smiled happily, so far things were going much better than she imagined they would. Here she was with a friend, who seemed to understand her better than anypony else, other than her sister. She was kind, powerful and had the most amazing- ‘Thou must stop there. Such inference has only led to trouble in the past.’

“Mayhaps I might be allowed to take you up and show you my night sky sometime?”

The idea immediately sparked Twilight’s interest as she looked at the midnight alicorn. “Really?! Wow! That would be wonderful! I’d love that! Oh, I’d have to bring my notes along, to document everything I find, and really see everything up a lot closer!”

“Of course. Anything that pleases thee.”

“Gosh, Princess...that’s really nice of you, I’d like that a lot, really! Thank you...!” Twilight’s excitement bubbled up inside and a slight blush coated her muzzle at the warm sensation that followed it.

“It’s just Luna,” Said alicorn smiled kindly down at the pretty mare who kept pace alongside her.

“Right! Of course, Luna.”

The two found quickly themselves at the throne room. It was an average day at work for Princess Celestia who was seated at her throne, overlooking a few samples of paperwork she would later be taking into her private study. But when Twilight and Luna entered, she lowered the papers down with her magic and smiled warmly.

“Ah, there you two are. How did it go?” The princess of the sun enquired.

“It went really well, Princess!” Twilight said eagerly. “We had a pretty good time just studying and even talking about things!”

“Thy student has the most divine flank.” Luna commented, as a delighted grin emerged across her muzzle.

Celestia’s eyes went wide for a fraction of a second, before her lips curled into an amused smile. Twilight, on the other hoof, looked completely shocked and slack-jawed. Where had that come from?!

Noticing her student’s discomfort, despite how amusing it was for her sister to say such a thing, it was then that Celestia returned to stern mode, “Luna... While I am glad you finally managed to express levity, I will say that that was highly inappropriate. I do apologize for your discomfort of that, Twilight.

“...We are sorry Twilight. Could thou ever forgive us?” Luna asked, blushing, despite how truthfully she had meant it, the princess realized it was entirely out of place to publicly announce such facts.

“I-it’s okay... I’ve just never had anypony say such things about me before. I’m only an average unicorn.”

Luna’s eyebrows rose. “Never? Thou art serious? ...Hmm....We can only wonder why nopony has noticed.”

“Um... yes.” Twilight replied, still shocked that anypony could think her good looking.

Celestia spoke up, “I think it’s because she has only ever lived in the library or around ponyfolk who are too reserved to talk so openly about such matters.” The princess looked thoughtful for a moment. “Hmmm... The moon and her stars... That could be delightful...”

“Sister, surely this must be changed! For dear Twilight Sparkle is but a lovely specimen and should not-”

“A-Anyway!” Twilight interrupted, clearing her throat. “So, uh, I do have a friendship report!”

“That's good, Twilight.” Celestia accidentally let out a little giggle unbefitting of royalty. “Would you care to share it with us?”

“I would,” said the unicorn, looking relieved to have the subject veered away from her...apparent attractiveness. “I learned that sometimes, when you make a new friend, they can sometimes need a little help with certain matters. But when you be patient, work with them, meet them halfway and just be there for them, you can really see how much of a good friend they can be. Because you gave them a chance and helped them when they needed a little nudge in the right direction.”

Twilight jumped as a midnight blue wing ruffled her mane affectionately. “Thou art a great orator too, Twilight.”

“Sister... sometimes some ponies need to learn when to hold their tongues or keep their wings to themselves. Now is such a time...” Celestia required the alicorn before her with a light, amused smile upon her lips.

Luna exhaled, but nodded, “We suppose you’re right, sister. We do apologize Twilight Sparkle.”

“Once again... it’s-” Twilight was cut off by the doors to the throne room as they burst open.

The trio turned, looking to see the surprising sight of Fluttershy as she rushed into the room with an injured and bloody Rainbow Dash on her back. The yellow mare looked panicked and weary, while Rainbow Dash appeared lifeless and limp, which was worrisome. The guards around the pair appeared to have been in a fight and many bore claw marks where they had been raked by attacking griffins.

Twilight gasped and rushed to her aid. “Oh my gosh, Fluttershy! What happened?! Who did this?!” Twilight wanted to know, growing worried.

“G-g-griffin... in the city... attacked... Rainbow... is gone now...” Fluttershy collapsed beside her partner.

“We fought them off your highness, but they got away.” Added one of the guards with a grim look upon his face.

Immediately, Celestia rose from the throne and strode over to the group, she bore a grave and serious expression, “Fluttershy, first you must calm yourself. I will take her to be healed and cleaned up. Twilight, Luna, please stay with Fluttershy and bring her to a room so she can rest and recuperate.”

“No!! I must stay with her! Please!!!” Cried the hysterical pegasus. All she could think about was to leave Rainbow Dash all alone would allow her to die and she found the thought terrified her like nothing before.

“I would recommend you to rest, my dear little pony.” Celestia tried to convince the distressed mare with her calm, soothing voice. “I will allow you to see her once the shock has worn off. By the looks of things, she will require immediate attention and we can not afford any interruptions. Okay?”

Fluttershy whimpered, but conceded as she allowed her mare to be lifted up by the Princess’s magic. Twilight went over to her friend and gently patted her back in comfort. Princess Celestia gently carted Rainbow Dash out of the room with her magic as she headed off to heal and examine her, leaving the other three in the room to do as she had instructed.

Wordlessly, Luna stood up and motioned for Twilight and Fluttershy to follow her. The two mares did so, to which the midnight Princess draped a wing over them both as a way of comforting them. Fluttershy simply didn’t care and simply allowed it, what with how terrified and grieved she felt at the moment.

Twilight bit her lip, looking to Luna with nervous eyes. “Luna... do... do you think she’ll be alright?”

“We are unsure. It would seem that it all depends on how her rainbow-maned companion does.” The night princess replied softly.

Fluttershy trembled as they walked, crying softly to herself.

“...I hope so... she looked pretty beat up...” Twilight murmured, biting her lip again.

“R-Rainbow....” Fluttershy murmured as if in a tearful trance, the harsh images of her attackers still all too clear in her mind.

“Do not worry yourself, young Fluttershy,” Luna assured her. “Your marefriend is in safe hooves with my sister, that much you can be assured.”

Small tears continued to run down yellow cheeks as Fluttershy walked along, too choked with emotion to utter any further words. Her whole world had shattered in minutes after what had started out as a perfect afternoon.

Twilight peeked around Luna’s form to look at Fluttershy, feeling her heart sink. She had never seen any of her friends this upset, or scared before. It was almost terrifying, and she couldn’t possibly imagine what Fluttershy was going through. This was Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy’s longtime best friend, and her lover. They had been through so much together. And the prospect of losing her had to be something horrible.

Luna led them to a suite, to which she opened the door and allowed them entrance. Using her magic, she gently set Fluttershy onto the bed so that she could rest. Twilight jumped up onto the bed next to her friend to keep her company and soothe her as best as she could.

Fluttershy wriggled away from the unicorn and cried softly, burying her muzzle in the bed sheets.

“Shhh...” Twilight rubbed her back soothingly, using her magic to settle Fluttershy down as best as she could. “Calm down Fluttershy, it’s okay. We’re here with you, you’re not alone. You’re going to be fine.”

“B-but what if... what if... she doesn’t make it... We’ve always been together...” Fluttershy continued to cry as her mind reeled.

“Twilight Sparkle, it is best if we keep her warm and safe. She is in shock.” Luna told her unicorn companion gravely.

The young scholar nodded and shifted her position to accommodate for the alicorn as well. The two mare’s sat by the poor pegasus who was cried for her loved one.

After what felt like forever for the pair, their charge finally fell into fitful slumber. Twilight breathed a sigh.

“So...what do we do? Do you think she’ll be all right?” Twilight asked, worried for both her friends.

“We will wait until our sister reports back to us, Twilight,” Luna told her softly. “Until then, we are to do what she says.”

“Okay. Well what would you like to do while we wait?” The lavender mare asked her new friend.

The alicorn princess sighed heavily, draping her wing over their charge once more to keep her warm. “I do not know, Twilight Sparkle... It would seem that this grievance makes it hard to think of anything else, does it not? Perhaps thou may haveth a suggestion?”

“Yes... Um...” Twilight’s cheeks heated as she thought of one idea... “M-may I...um... well you see your other wing... and it was so comforting before somehow...” She trailed off awkwardly.

A small smile overcame Luna’s face. She lifted her free wing, motioning for Twilight to come to that side.

Twilight complied, moving over to snuggle into the larger mare’s hold. She sighed with relief as feathers enveloped her, soothing her mind and allowing her to finally relax. With a blush still covering her face, she nuzzled the alicorn in thanks.

With her wings draped over the two other ponies, Luna settled down as best she could, and lent gently against Twilight. Despite the tense situation surrounding her sister’s student and her friend, she felt a faint warm glow inside at the purple unicorn’s touch. She even smiled a little at Twilight’s close snuggling, and offered a hint of a blush on her dark cheeks as she reciprocated.

Some time later, after what could have been hours, Princess Celestia entered the room, looking grim.

“Well, with the help of our best medical team, I managed to stabilize her condition. However, she is comatose at the moment due to her severe injuries and has suffered a concussion. She fractured a few bones, especially in her wing, and has internal bleeding. It is hard to say whether or not she will arise from the coma any time soon, but at the moment, I have managed to heal her as best I could.”

Twilight breathed a sad sigh of relief. Despite all those injuries, her friend was still alive. That at least meant she could heal.

“Twilight, I have written a letter to your friends, so that they may come to be with you two while Rainbow Dash recuperates.” Celestia continued, still in a steady calming tone. “Luna... thank you for taking care of Fluttershy and Twilight, your help was greatly appreciated.”

“You’re welcome sister. We... we must now awaken Fluttershy now mustn't we?”

Celestia looked down at the sleeping pegasus, nodding, “I suppose that would be best. However, we must tell her this lightly, and make sure she will not react harshly. I can see that she was in shock, almost to the point of delirium earlier, was she not?”

“Yes, she was...” Twilight sighed. “It took us a while to get her to sleep.”

“Well. I trust you two to act with caution. She will likely still be broken inside after what the griffins did to her. But if she asks to see her fillyfriend then I welcome her to do so in a few hours time.”

“A few hours time?” Twilight repeated. “...Okay, I just hope that’ll sit well with her. But okay, Princess, we’ll make sure she’ll be all right.”

The alicorn of the sun nodded her thanks before leaving. The room quickly became deathly quiet once more as the two mares watched over the sleeping form of Fluttershy.

“....Luna?” Twilight spoke up softly.

“Thou would like to request something of us?” Luna asked solemnly, with a hint of hope in her voice.

“N-No...not at the moment,” the unicorn shook her head. “I guess I just... wanted to say that I’m glad you’re here with us, Luna. I...well, I’m not sure what I’d do if I was all by myself in this. You’ve been really helpful to me, too...”

“We... I have been greatly appreciative of thou too Twilight. I am glad we had each other for this task.”

A small smile traced Twilight’s lips. “Me too... I’m glad we had each other... and I’m glad we could be here for Fluttershy. ...She really needs it.”

Luna softly rested her head onto of the unicorn next to her. “Yes... we feel she does.”

“...I hope she’ll be okay... Rainbow Dash means so much to her, and she’s one of my best friends, too,” Twilight sighed, looking toward the window with a faraway look in her eyes. “I never went through this kind of thing before. It’s kind of scary. I can only imagine how Fluttershy feels.”

Luna held her silence, unwilling to add to the downtrodden mood in the air. Even Twilight took a page from her book when she too fell into a soft silence.

The next few hours fell by as Twilight too allowed herself to fall asleep, awaiting the moment to deliver the bad news to the sleeping pegasus.

The sun rose the next morning, it cast light into the otherwise dark, downtrodden room. The rest of Twilight and Fluttershy’s friends arrived, along with Spike. Now Applejack, Rarity and Pinkie Pie sat on the floor by the ornate bed, while Twilight and Luna remained with the still-sleeping Fluttershy. Since the bedchambers were so spacious, there was more than enough room for everypony. Yet, despite the size, the newly arrived ponies kept together to better help each other over the rough surprise. In the interim, Luna quietly informed the rest of the Elements of Harmony about what had happened along with Rainbow’s condition.

Pinkie Pie, trying to be cheerful, could only sit in stoic silence most of the time. Rarity was crying, but softly so as not to disturb the mood, while Spike tried to comfort her. Applejack looked grim as she sat there, hat against her chest, not saying so much herself.

The solemn mood was softly broken by the entrance of Celestia. The princess nodded to her sister who gently nudged the sleeping Pegasus.

Fluttershy stirred slowly. “D-Dashie?” She reached out in her waking moments for her loved one to find nothing.

Panicking, she jumped up to find all her friends seated on the floor in front of her. Her ears drooped, yesterday had not been just a bad dream.

“No, it’s us, Fluttershy. We’re all here.” Twilight told her softly.

“Don’t ya worry, sugarcube. We’re here fer ya,” Applejack assured.

“That’s right, darling... you do not need to worry about a thing.” Rarity murmured, wiping her eyes with a handkerchief.

Pinkie Pie smiled, but said nothing. As did Spike, who had now taken to sitting with the normally cheerful party pony and played with her curly mane.

“H-hi everypony... w-why are you all here?” Fluttershy asked, frightened by what the answer might be.

“Fluttershy,” Celestia said softly as she approached the mare in shock. She bent low to the level of the bed to look her in the eye. “I wish to tell you what is going on, and I’m going to need you listen to me, and to remain calm. Can you do that, my little pony?”

Despite the panic in the yellow mare’s eyes she nodded.

“All right, good. First of all, I think it is best that I tell you of the straightforward factors at hoof. Rainbow Dash is still alive. She is currently recuperating in the hospital wing of the castle under intensive care. Her condition has stabilized, and she has made a tremendous recovery over the course of the night.”

“D-does this mean... I can see her? I...I must...” Fluttershy gazed up at the royal pony pleadingly.

“You may. But I ask that, for the time being, we allow only one pony, and given that you are closest to her, Fluttershy, you may see her. But do keep this in mind. Rainbow Dash is currently comatose, and it is uncertain how or when she will come out of it.” The princess added gravely, but softly.

“I will,” Fluttershy whispered softly as a tear escaped.

The distraught pegasus shyly got up from her resting place and after feebly hopping off the bed, she stood before the mighty princess of the sun.

“You may follow me, then.” Celestia turned to leave. “Luna, please take my student and her friends to the dining hall for something to eat. I’m sure they must be hungry.”

A few growling tummies confirmed her suspicion.

Pinkie giggled at this. “Yay, food fight!” She grinned inappropriately, eager for something fun to break the downtrodden mood.

“Ah could use food in mah tummy...but Ah cain’t help a food fight...” Applejack chuckled a little.

“Honestly, a food fight? At a time such as this?” Rarity rolled her eyes, sighing.

“I’m up for that!” Spike said, getting up onto Twilight’s back.

“Yes silly... We need something fun to get our sad faces turned upside down.” Pinkie did her best to smile happily as she got up, ready for something to eat.

Luna took her place by Twilight’s side, placing a wing over the unicorn, careful to avoid the dragon on top.

Celestia smiled warmly at their moments of levity before she led Fluttershy out of the room, Luna did the same in leading Twilight and her friends out as well.

Eastern Foothills of Foal Mountain

“Gee bird brain. Why did you have to go start a fight? Now those guards are out looking for us.” Muttered one of the griffin patrol as they flew along at combat speed toward home.

“Yea, ya’ just made it harder for all a’ us.” Added another annoyed scout.

“I’m in charge here. You fools didn't get to me in time! Ok? Now, we’re landing!” Commanded a highly annoyed Captain Volibeak.

The small group landed quickly, but before Volibeak could issue any orders one of his less than pleased followers spoke up with a sneer. “Oh yea, and you forget the council... they are gonna skin you alive when they find out you almost started the war already.”

“I give the orders here. Now shut your taps! No one is to say or do anything without my permission.” The wounded leader paused to fight off a wave of pain that hit his system.

Oh, how he would have loved to continue the fight and teach those pesky ponies the meaning of pain. But being outnumbered, even with his patrol of 9 griffins at his back, had left no option to retreat. As he glared around his small party, he noted that most of them had sustained injuries of some kind. For the pathetic, insolent little creatures that they were, those pony guards had put up a greater fight than Volibeak had imagined they would. They had even forced him to drop his lunch. And he had so been looking forward to the taste of pony ever since he had been introduced to the illegal delicacy by his superior, the chief, Grandeur.

“Why did you have that pony in your claw boss?”

“What pony?” Volibeak snapped to attention, stiffening, ready for an all on verbal war.

“We saw you with that pegasus in your claws. Why did you kill it? Were you going to eat it?” An older griffin asked, advancing on the captain.

“Look... she attacked me.” Captain Volibeak replied to his inferior, scowl met scowl as eyes locked in a battle of wills.

“I’m sure she did. Right guys?” The only female in the group spoke up as she trotted to Volibeak’s side. “Come on, drop it before a fight starts.”

Several murmurs passed through the small company as they stood in stand-off, none of the guttural murmurs were nice and all were directed at the two griffins up front.

Captain Volibeak turned to face the only griffin who stood with him. “Thank you Mia. Good to know one griffin is dependable.”

“Why don’t you just buck each other and get it over with already.” Snarled the oldest in the pack, his deep, raspy voice full of hate toward his fellow griffin. “I’m sick of your antics. You keep overstepping the line. If it weren't for Chief Grandeur, you would be dead meat... although, as war approaches, I’ve heard that he is becoming less popular again these days. So maybe your time will be up soon.” The older griffin prowled up to the younger, wounded captain and glared up at him.

“Shut it, private Chein! If I wanted your opinion on something, I would have told you what it was!” ordered Volibeak.

“Whatever. After you have reported your failure to the council, I will be challenging you for command of this scout group. And you will lose to me.” Chein declared before he rammed his beak into Volibeak’s.

“It’s you who’s dead.” Snarled the captain as he did his best to forget his still open wounds. “Soon as I see the hospital, you are done.”

The older griffin chuckled as he turned away. “Sure. Soon as you’re gone though... I can stop listening to those schemes of the grand master and I won’t have to obey that Gilda either.” Relished the older scout as he strutted back to his place amongst his loyal companions.

Before the cocky griffin could reach his comrades, a claw latched into his side and flipped him on his back. The larger Captain Volibeak was on his challenger before anyone else could respond. With harsh deep breaths he leered down at his smaller companion.

“No... I don’t think I will be going anywhere.” With a vicious swipe he knocked his struggling opponent out with one mighty headbutt.

To add to the wound suffered by the downed beast, the lead griffin raked a claw through the primary flight feathers on his foes right wing. Stunned silence rang out across the camp, you could hear the faintest insect noise above the hushed breaths of the stunned group.

“I might be h’injured, but I’m not weak...” spat the captain as he glared down at his downed challenger. The leader of the small scouting group turned to face his other companions. “Look here. I’m still stronger than all of you, I’m the boss, you will do as I say and no griffin will argue. We camp here for the night. I’m off to make a decision. We might fly home, but I suddenly find appeal in the challenge of breaking back into Canterlot. Am I understood?” The iron tone of the commanding griffin ran out across the clearing, the only answer he received were muted nods from all those under his command.

Satisfied, Volibeak stalked off. As much as he would have prefered to have run his unit with no internal conflict, he was sure they were loyal to him again; at least for now. How those ponies managed to seemingly live in complete peace was beyond him. At least brute force was an ever successful way of retaining command.

Moments after her leader’s departure, Mia picked up the only bag of healing supplies they carried and sauntered after her boss, happy to leave her fellow scouts in preference of her captain’s company.

Tense, quiet moments passed as the small company prepared to camp for the night. The odd griffin shot dirty looks toward where their captain had disappeared off to, while others contented themselves with the fact of his iron beaked leadership.

Several griffins burst out laughing as squarks rent the late day air. “Looks like ol’ Chein was right!” Screeched one of the scouts as he fought back his hysterics. “It’s gonna be a long night for those two!”

Laughter followed, then near silence as the unit calmed down once more. Apart from the odd cries of a complaining griffin getting his wounds tended roughly to, the silence persisted.

“I hope she mauls him. Then we are sure to go home. I’m getting sick of these woods. Equestria makes me sick.” Spat another of the small party as he tended to Chein’s wounds with concern.

“Well, you're paid to think. But not like that. So shut it.” Advised another as he settled down for the night. “

“Snoopeh, your watch.” Commanded the griffin who continued to slowly care for his fallen comrade.

“Fine. But ya’ is second.” The griffin in question took off to find a nice vantage point to keep guard from, his tawny brown wings propelling him upwards with expert ease.

Mighty Wing, Chief Grandeur’s mansion

“Come in.” The voice of Chief Grandeur rang out loud and clear in the otherwise quiet mansion.

With a deep breath to stabilize himself, the young scout stepped into the room of his master. He felt ready. Ready to admit yet another of his rare yet annoying failures. Now was as good a time as any to simply get it over with.

The door creaked open to reveal his master. The massive griffin appeared as well groomed as usual, yet it was clear from the scowl on his face that he was already displeased with his servant.

“What is this? Why are you hurt?” Demanded Chief Grandeur as he eyed up one of his prized servants with distaste.

“I have a mate now. Okay?” smirked Volibeak back at his master. “It’s nice to finally have one of those...”

“So... she’s one of the rough ones?”

“Yea. Kept standing up for me, even when the other subordinates got mutinous. Then last night I found out why... she also tried to fix me up a little. But she sucks real bad as a medic.” He smirked across at his boss.

“And... thou has them under control?” Chief Grandeur had become impassive once more and regained his usual, impenetrable cool.

“Yea. That is why I have so many injuries.” Nodded Volibeak, his golden eyes gleamed in the weak light of the study room.

“And I take it you failed to find the relic.” It was more of a statement than a question, after all, the elder already knew the answer.

Volibeak nodded mutely, his presence alone should have been enough to make that fact crystal clear. He now wished he was back in Equestria, still trying to find a way back into Canterlot.

“Ah well... at least thou and Gilda managed to retrieve another of the six. That is still one closer to our goal.” mused the big boss as he toyed with the items on his desk.

Silence settled in; uncomfortable silence that left the younger griffin squirming as his boss’s predatory eyes shifted around, examining every little detail on the wounded hide of the young scout captain.

“Those are spear wounds, are they not?” asked Grandeur, almost absentmindedly.

“Correct sir.”

The Chief sighed. “Thou got into a fight with guards?” Again, it sounded more like a statement and Volibeak felt like he was receiving a telling off already. This was not going to be fun.

After a moments contemplative silence, the forthcoming answer breached the young captain’s beak. “Yes. One of them stupid pegasi attacked me.”

“Oh...?” Grandeur eyed his servant with a suddenly amused gaze. “I’m sure you just had to attract attention when you were getting close, did thou not?”

The young captain cursed under his breath before replying with trepidation. “I did my best sir. If you still think the item is in Canterlot, send me out again. I shall not fail you this time.”

“No!” Sharp claws dug into the desk the grand eldar sat behind. The mighty griffin quickly rose, glaring down at his young faithful servant. “No...”

The old griffin stalked slowly toward the young captain who he quickly pinned against a wall. The fire in his old eyes told Volibeak that the calm exterior was only a false wall, projected outward for others to see. Then, the old griffin spoke, his voice as sharp as a keen blade. “Thou are one of my best. But you shall not fail me again.” His bloodshot eyes traveled the scout’s muzzle before drilling into the light blue eyes of Volibeak. There Chief Grandeur held him captivated. “You know... the way to succeed here? If a part of our empire does not work, swap out the maimed and dysfunctional limb for a new one. Sever it off with beak and claw if I must. This I have done each and every time it has been required thus far and you know what... it works perfectly. Your bickering party of fledglings will serve from home now. Your captaincy is hereby revoked and I remove you from your pathetic squad. I want both you and your new missus to see me at dawnbreak tomorrow for your new assignments. Thou are hereby dismissed... my faithful servant.”

“But... but... You can’t do this to me! You need me out there!” The claws of the young angered griffin sank into the hard floor, grinding in a surreal way as they forced their way through hard stone. There was nothing Volibeak could do about his change in rank, especially with his master towering above him.

A cruel grin settled over Grandeur’s face and he settled back as if easing from one state of mind to another. “I just did. And I know thou wilt obey. I already have another unit of scouts on their way into Equestria. The council commissioned them to venture forth alongside our allies as a way of building our trust between the two. You are dismissed. I shall see thee in the morning.”

With a growl, the young captain stormed out. His one consolation was that he would not have to put up with his unwilling rabble for days on end anymore. As he burst out the front door and barged into his new mate who had been patiently waiting for him, he decided it was probably best that he calm down at some point.

Maybe.

Either way, those ponies were in trouble next time. Volibeak was sure of it.