"What are you doing here?"

"Damn Changelings." Shadow thought, he said to them," I am here looking for your leaders direct me to them."

They were speaking to one another, surrounding Shadow, "Isn't he the one of the positive factors of the powers?" "He is." Why should we take you to them?"

"If you value your lives you will."

"We can just strike you down where you stand."

Shadow was observing his area. One Changelings turned to one hundred. Completely surrounded.

"ENOUGH!" somepony shouted,"Let him through."

Shadow walked through an aisle the Changelings made for him, at the other end Lacoden was waiting; still wearing the tattered hood.

"Shadow what a surprise."

Shadow threw the blade in front of her, she flinched a little and that surprised him,"This is the blood of one I have betrayed to get here."

Lacoden lifted the blade with her magic,"Who's blood does this belong to?"

"The main commander, Knight Black Soul."

Lacoden put the blade up to her mouth and licked it."It tastes of confusion and sorrow. How exactly did you kill the guards at the warehouse? Certainly you couldn't have gotten past without killing some of them."

"I snapped their frail necks to avoid blood spilling onto the blade. I wanted to tell you I see who really is responsible for my wife's death."

"Who is it you blame?"

"My own daughter."

Lacoden rejoiced,"Fantastic! You finally see the world the way I do! Did you realize she was responsible for Zaz's death as well?"

"It was hard for me to not go back and kill her myself."

"Because you left her for me?"

"Of course Lacoden." Shadow walked closer to her,"You were, at heart, my true daughter. I want to watch you tear my blood daughter apart." there was no hesitation in those words.

"Surely you want to spill blood also. Who will fall under your power?"

"The fools I called friends and the fools I called princess."

"Garren may want to spill his own."

"I'm sure Garren wouldn't mind watching his two students destroy his enemies for him."

Lacoden turned to Shadow, dropped he blade, and hugged him,"Welcome back."

"Good to be back. Now, where is Garren?"

"We can catch up a bit. Garren can wait."

Shadow and Lacoden walked into the thick forest.

"Do you wish to see what we did to those griffons?"

"Show me."

"It's going to be a sight you never want to forget." They walked straight for about two hours, a horrid smell went into Shadow's nostrils. They walked into a clearing and a large pit in the middle; one with no trees or grass. "Beautiful isn't it." Lacoden said,"Bodies everywhere!"

The pit was deep and littered with the bodies of griffons. Some of the heads were stuck up on pikes and the bodies were decaying. Maggots poured out of there exposed necks, crows and vultures pecking at the bodies, feasting. Flies their young in their bodies so when they are born they will have a meal ready. Some of the bodies were charred so none of the scavengers didn't touch them.

"We just killed some more yesterday. They just don't fight anymore it's no more fun." Lacoden saw movement coming from the pit and stopped talking. A small griffon was trying to get itself out from under the body of a headless griffon. It got out and tried to climb up the pit, it had broken wings. Lacoden jumped down the pit laughing and grab the griffon. She teleported back to the top by Shadow. The griffon was crying and it smelled of corpses. It's wounds were deeply infected. It's right claw was rotting, it swelled up. The other had a hole with a small amount of pus seeping out. The face of it was blood spattered. Lacoden let it go but it didn't bother to move. "You're dying my dear."

It spoke,"You're lying." it was a girl.

"Oh no. Why would I lie after all the promises I kept to you and your family? Remember I said that your father will be above you, watching you." Lacoden used her magic to turn the griffon's head to one of the pikes."See your father is watching you."

Shadow spoke,"She is not lying. You have a flesh-decaying disease. Probably from all the bodies you were around. Even if you escape us, which you won't, you will die not too long after."

"So how do you want it dear? Do you want a fast death or slow one?"

It started crying some more.

"A slow one then." Lacoden lifted her.

"Wait." Shadow scolded,"Let us see what she can tell us about the other griffons and where they came from."

"You're right. When she tells us we can head there and eliminate there whole existence. Now tell us where you come from."

Shadow knew where they already were he was just trying to find a way to get this griffon out alive,"She can tell us after she has recovered. She can't tell us if she's dead."

"You're lucky my friend is here. You would be back in that pit if he wasn't here. Changelings!"

"Yes Lacoden."

"Take her to the ship and give her medical attention. Make sure she lives. After leave her in the brig for interrogation."The Changelings obeyed."Now back down memory lane shall we."

Lacoden started walking and Shadow followed by her side. She cleared her throat,"50 years after the siege and these griffons made a mess of everything. Garren took the northern part of the island, it was heavily populated. I ook the southern part. Orcusin took the west and east. I had my joy killing them slow and painful."

"Please no more." the griffon cried.

"Oh we just started. When your kind invaded you had joy killing our parents in front of us. I will return the favor and slowly sever your head in front of your child."

"Please our attack was-"

Lacoden walked up behind the griffon and grabbed a firm hold of head and used her magic. Lacoden started sawing the neck of a father. Slowly with a serrated blade. He gurgled, tried to yell but, Lacoden prevented his cries from being heard. She enjoyed the sound of flesh tearing slowly and the rush it gave her to kill. The sound the blood made gushing out was like a perfect symphony to her ears."Well isn't this boring." Lacoden finished the griffon off and rolled his head to his family. "Who's next?" she laughed.

"Monster!"

"Oh child, I'm not a monster. I'm something worse. I am myself."

"Get behind me."

"A mother trying to protect her child. You know my parents tried to save me before they were torn to pieces. I'm going to be generous and not separate you limbs."

"I will die before you touch them."

"That's the plan." Lacoden grew a evil smile and stabbed the mother in the throat. She then took the blade and shattered the upper part of the mother's beak."Now child how should I kill you?"

"Shadow do you remember me before this shit? Before the griffons came and fucked everything up?!" she was raising her voice.

"Yes. You wouldn't even hurt a fly."

"Do you remember my parents?"

"Your father was head of security of this island and your mother stayed home to watch you. You all resided together on the west side of the island."

"What was it you said about my father? Head of security? He didn't do a good job at that did he?"

"Honey hide her, hide Lacoden!"

"What's happening?"

"Griffons are invading! They're coming from the north, south, everywhere! They are killing us!"

"How many?"

"A lot! Come on hide her!"

"Okay. Lacoden, sweetheart hide in the cupboards! Quickly!"

"Mom come with me!"

"I can't! You need to stay here until dad makes the bad guys go away!"

"Shhh......they're here." the dad whispered and marched over to the cupboards to shut it. He said to Lacoden,"I love you. It's just a game, if they find you you lose. You don't want to lose don't you?"

Lacoden was frightened and confused,"Y...yeah."

"Okay. Shit, they're outside. Dew get away from the cupboards. They will check there if you stay in front of it." the father ordered.

The mom turned to the cupboards and said her last words to her daughter,"Wait here. Shadow and Dawn will come for you. Goodbye." the mom was sobbing."Barrier how many are outside?"

"Two I think. These griffons are not easy to take down. Hide!"

Barrier and Dew went behind some furniture and used them to conceal their vibrant colored coats and hairs. A griffons crashed through the door shouting,"We know you are here! Come out and we will spare your lives. If you resist we will have no choice but to kill you." there was no answer,"Come in!" those words were a signal for the second griffon to come in and rummage through everything to find them. He went by the cupboards knocking all the utensils and pans down, slamming plates on the ground. He went to the cupboards and yelled,"Show yourself!" he heard a whimper coming from the cupboards. He turned and saw a cupboards was slightly open, he saw a glare possibly from dark-green eyes. He went to it.

"Stay away from her!" Dew shouted.

"Ah so there is something in here. You fool you revealed her yourself. You aren't even gifted with a horn or wings."

"No she isn't but I am. Fight me you swine."

"I will." the griffon shot himself at Dew and tore through her chest."Your turn."

Barrier levitated a piece of a porcelain plate, it was jagged, and struck it down the griffons head."If you are wise you will leave."

"You killed my son." The older griffons anger shot sky high."

"He killed my wife."

They rushed to each other. Barrier's attempt to kill the threat failed. The griffons were stronger in melee combat. The griffon grabbed Barrier's head and smashed it on the ground, repeatedly. He turned his eyes to the cries coming from the cupboard. Lacoden fell out crying,"Dad! Mom!"

The griffon threw Lacoden to the walls laughing while doing it. Lacoden was in critical condition. She was bleeding internally and externally. The griffon stopped all of the sudden, Barrier had jabbed the piece of plate into it's heart before he died. The griffon descended to the floor pulling the plate out, when he did blood came out pouring. The griffon died. Lacoden crawled to the bodies of her parents.

"Dad, dad don't go to sleep. I'm wide awake! Play with me some." Lacoden shook his body relentlessly with no result. She saw her efforts for her dad were futile so she crawled to her mother,"Mom!" Lacoden turned her mother's head to see her face. Dew's eyes were rolled back only the whites of her eyes showed. Lacoden cried over her. She heard movement outside and weakly looked to the door.

"Oh my gosh! Lacoden!"

"D...Dawn."Lacoden was out of breath.

"I'm here. DAD! In here!" no response, Dawn shouted again,"DAD!"

Shadow came inside to the house and saw the two bodies. He started to whimper a little,"Dawn we need to leave."

"Lacoden is-"

Shadow walked to Lacoden and knelt down, he said in the most comforting way he could,"There's nothing I can do for you. You are losing too much blood. I'm...." Shadow choked up,"I'm sorry. Dawn the griffons are swarming here! We need to leave."

"but dad-"

"NOW!"

"You left me to die Shadow."

Shadow was shaking a bit,"I had no choice. I used my strength to save my pathetic daughter."

"We're here." Lacoden and Shadow arrived at

"Garren's house. What are we doing here?"

Garren's house was at the east side of Fallen Star. Lacoden's was in the west. Shadow's and Dawn's was south. Shadow came in from the mirror. The mirror was in the south beach and they went up north to the pit. Garren's dwelling was well maintained surprisingly. They entered the house. Garren was waiting at the center of the room as if he knew Shadow was coming. The house was well lit and clean, Garren always liked his living quarters presentable.

"Make yourself at home." he said with a smirk.

Shadow was devising a plan for the next phase in his infiltration. He can not execute his finale it until they got back to Equestria. He needed to hold this act up. For how long? He did not know.

"Garren Shadow here claims to have betrayed his friends and even his daughter to get here. He wishes to destroy Equestria as well."

"Really? How would Dawn react Shadow? When she finds out?"

"Weak like she always is."

"Hm. Tell me, who is the one hat discovered your betrayal? And how did you react when they did?"

Shadow knew he had to pass this test,"I was speaking to Knight Black Soul, alone, I said too much. She found out and I struck her down with a blade."

"No hesitation, no hard breathing, no sweating, and you made eye contact. Lacoden did you see this blade he claims to have used against her?"

"Yes I did. The blood had been about 14 hours old. Still moist against the cold metal surface."

"Impressive Shadow. You are telling the truth. How do you feel about hunting down some more griffons tonight?"

"I thought you eliminated them all."

"No. There are still a few more left, how about it?"

Shadow thought,"Is this an initiation? It may be." Shadow said aloud,"Give me a sword."

"Changelings, give our new friend, Lacoden, and myself hoof-swords."

"Garren you offend me. I do not need anything to kill them, my magic is enough."

"Oh that's right Lacoden. Nevermind on her request. Shadow do you know how to track those vile beasts?"

"Not much no."

"Tonight is the night you learn. Griffons are comfortable on either the ground or on a elevated surface. Not many mesas or mountains near here except for the crystal's mountain but we control that. Griffons on our island have adapted to living on he ground, they are smart they know we hunt them. They will hide in the homes of our kind and expect not to be searched but we order routine checks on the villages all over the island. Each family left take shifts, switching between two or three members keeping their eyes peeled for us. We spot them one night and kill them the next. Luckily for you tonight is the night we kill. As for any winged prey, the predator must disable the main way for that prey can evade, fly. Take the wings out and it's done. Being half-lion griffons are also great on the floor but if they can't see you they can't kill you. That is why we hunt at night."

"What about their sense of smell?"'

"Ah good question Shadow. We camouflage our scent with the scent of grass and any vegetation. I will stand outside for a few minutes and then find the dirtiest place to throw myself in. The smell can fool them. Once your close enough go for the wings. Good our tools are here. Lacoden are you coming?"

"Not this time. I have personal affairs to tend to."

"Have it your way then. Come Shadow, let's kill us some griffons." Garren was joyful.

"Yes my old teacher."

Shadow and Garren exited the house, Lacoden stayed behind. Lacoden went upstairs and found her a room with a mirror. This room was the guest room, it had everything somepony needed for a night or two over. Sheets folded and windows shut. Lacoden didn't like it being quiet, she liked the howl of the wind. She opened a window."A storm is coming." She blew out the candles and made sure the room was dark and the only source of light was the moon. She removed her hood and stared blindly into a cracked mirror. Lighting, then a thunderclap. The thunder triggered her voice, the lighting triggered her sight. The rain that followed woke a monster. This monster was Lacoden, she dubbed her monster "The Hooded One". She spoke to herself.

"You haven't spoke in awhile. Did you give up? Did you finally realize you can't win against me? I don't know why you want out, You're doing just fine with me in control."

"I'm sorry. Dawn the griffons are swarming here! We need to leave."

"but dad-"

"NOW!"

Her two friends left her to suffer a slow death."Dawn........*cough*.....come back." Lacoden crawled to the doorway. By the time she reached i, they were long gone."Come back.....please....I'm scared." Lacoden was crying as hard as she could. Her faint cries attracted unwanted attention, griffons. Around six went to her cries and saw her dying.

"Shall we finish her?" one asked.

"She's dying already. Her nation wishes death upon all others. She deserves this."

Another said, "Commander she's just a child. Show mercy."

"Showing mercy is showing weakness."

"I won't let her die." that same griffon went to Lacoden and started to examine her body,"Oh sweetheart. I'm sorry I wasn't here. I could have saved you from my kind." the griffon was petting her head giving her something to feel before feeling nothing. The griffon looked up and down her bloodstained bright yellow coat and her bright violet mane. "You very pretty." Lacoden's heavy breathing calmed down and her sweet voice found it's way out.

"Thank......you."

"That griffon was weak. Showing affection to her enemy. Why do I remember the feel of her touch? Why? Why?!"

"Stop treating her kindly daughter!" the commander's daughter muted him,"Talon!"

"She was not responsible for this!"

"You are only 10 years of age, you know nothing of responsibility!"

"If I didn't why did you bring me?!"

"I wanted to show you how power hungry these mark bearers are! They activated the crystal threatening the whole world!"

"How do you know if it was them that activated it?! You just built up a stupid assumption that-"

The commander smacked his daughter down,"I am tired of your back-talking." he kicked Lacoden back in the house. Lacoden stopped moving and ceased to make anymore noise.

"Commander this may not be the best way to teach her lessons."

"She is my daughter. I can teach her anyway I see fit. We must catch up with the rest of the-"

"My mom and dad always taught me manners." Lacoden rose up with her head hanging low and looking down,"I never thought I'd have to teach an elder manners." she laughed softly.

"Kill her!" the commander ordered.

Talon yelled,"No! Stop! Father!"

"Ignore her! Go!"

Two of the other griffons went inside the house not expecting a fight. As one of them walked closer to her Lacoden's agility sprang up and she moved away."You can do better." her head was still hanging down. Her laughs was growing more dynamic. The griffon was agitated and sped to her. Lacoden lifted a plate and smashed it against th griffons head sending him across the room. When the griffon hit the wall his neck broke. "Come on now. I can teach you how to play."

"I will kill you."

"Do it." said Lacoden,"Come on. You don't want to be slain by a kid do you?"

He charge, Lacoden charged back. She killed him in the most strange and brutal way. She stabbed the griffon with her horn. Lacoden pulled herself out and slowly crept outside. Her horn was bloody. She looked up, the corners of her eyes were bleeding and the corners of her mouth also bled."Three more." she laughed.

"Get her!"

Two more charged and she lifted two wooden stakes just as they were about to make contact with her. They ran straight into them.She stepped out into the light. Talon noticed something different about the filly she had thought just died. Her coat and mane darkened. Lacoden jumped onto the two bodies, laughing and smiling.

"Don't treat them like your playthings."

"But these toys give me so much happiness." she said.

"It is your own fault. You sent them after me."

"The crystal. Why did your nation activate it?"

"What damn crystal are you blabbering about?"

"You don't know? A crystal in the center of the island?"

"No. Is this why you attacked our land?"'

"Commander it seems none of them know about it."

"So it seems. Are you certain you no one you know knows about it?"

Lacoden's volume rose,"As certain as I know your kind killed my parents!!"

"It is located in the center of the island. You are saying you haven't been there?"

"There was a strong gravitational force present there, it prevented anyone from entering."

"Can you show us?"

"I can show you your insides. Leave before I change my mind about sparing you two." Talon got up and went to her father,"Wait there is something I want to give you." Lacoden reentered her house.

"Get behind me Talon."

Lacoden came back out,"Here." She threw a doll to their feet. The doll was made of yarn and filled with soft beads. It was Lacoden's childhood. She named the doll, Rex. It had spots of blood on it, her parents blood. It had buttons for eyes, a smile stitched on it, and the mane was made out of silk. "Something to remember me by. Remember my mercy today for in the future I will have none."

Talon grabbed it and went off.

"You remember her because she showed compassion to me. Her enemy."

"Shut up!"

"So did you. You showed mercy to the commander that ordered the holocaust upon our friends. To my parents."

"They were my parents as much as yours!"

"They are not. They wouldn't raise a serial killer like you Rex!"