Dawn, Fyn, and Iril were almost back to the frontier. Only two days of trotting. The skies were clear and blue as ever. They were being followed, and Iril knew it. She didn't speak a word of it to them. She wanted to be sure of every little aspect of their pursuers before they reached the frontier. She knew they were griffons; were they enemies or allies?

"Dawn, you think you can use your magic to get us there more quickly. I'm worried about the princesses."

"I can but, I'm not used to teleporting more than one pony at once. So if I did I will be bedridden for a long time. Sorry."

"Oh, I guess its fine then."

"Don't worry, I'm sure the princesses can do fine without their maid."

"Iril, do you enjoy being their maid?" Fyn asked.

"Of course I do. I owe them so much."

"That doesn't mean you have to be their maid."

"True, I haven't really given much thought to my future. I've always been good at pleasing others. I never had any let me say 'unique' talents."

"You have to be good at something or like to do something."

"I've always wanted to be a therapist."

"Therapist?" Dawn exclaimed, "Interesting.

"I always liked talking to others about their problems."

"Ummm......cool." Fyn said.

"It's getting dark. Let's make camp." Dawn scolded."If we go to sleep early then we can set off early. Let's go off the trail. The forest."

They found a small patch in the center of some tall trees. The moon was rising and the skies were getting cloudy. It was getting cold, winter was close. The animals were preparing to hibernate so, they were out stuffing themselves. Iril snuck away. A few meters over were two griffons. One adult and one child. They were keeping quiet. The father was around 26. His feathers were clean from what Iril could see. He was wearing glasses with a strap so they won't fall off. The s

"Dad, where do you think they're going?"

"I don't know. I can't believe Talon trapped us inside that rock for so many centuries."

"We should've told the others."

"No, they will revolve against her for lying. When the time comes they will find out on their own."

Iril was behind them,"Revolve against who?"

"Please tell me I'm just hearing things." The child said trembling.

"Nope, I'm real. You two have been following us ever since we got out of the caves. Why?" Iril went around to get in front of them.

"We saw you three go inside a cave, we followed and we saw a different world. This is the first time we been outside. When we turned around we saw a mountain side. I didn't believe it. You three are the first whatever you are that we have seen."

"We are ponies. So you're saying you've never seen our kind before?"

The father figure was intrigued by her mark,"Why is there a feather on your rear?"

"That's my mark. Most say it represents our talents; others think it involves our destiny. I think it's a little bit of both."

The child asked,"Are there are more ponies with feathers?"

"I'm sure with similar ones. Okay, before I answer any more questions answer mine. Are you hostile?"

"No. We are just a father and a son. Okay, we held our end of the deal. You don't have a horn. Why is that?"

"I was born like this. My parents were both earth ponies."

"Earth ponies?" The child replied.

"What did I get myself into?"

The father chuckled,"We didn't even introduce ourselves. My name is Fawkes. My son is Condor."

"Oh well, hello. My name is Iril." she held out a hoof and waited for a shake. The father shook her hoof then the son. "Any more........" something caught her attention. She whispered,"Stay here. Keep quiet. Something is wrong." She disappeared into the bushes and sneaked back to her friends. She heard Fyn's voice.

"We swear, we don't know who you're-" a large griffon grabbed hold of her throat. He gripped it tight.

"Let her go!" Dawn shouted.

"Not unless you tell us where they are!" Fyn's throat was released and she was thrown to Dawn. A group of griffons were surrounding them."We have been informed that two of our griffons got out of the mountain. We need them back."

"Why? Why shouldn't griffons be able to leave the mountain?" Dawn scolded.

"That is not your concern. Tell us where they are. Or I'll take your friend and suffocate her until her body goes cold."

"How thick can your skulls be?" Fyn laughed. She was having minor breathing problems.

"What did the wretch say?!" shouted one griffon.

Iril went back to Fawkes and Condor. She was red with anger,"Your kind is here. They are searching for you two."

"Must be under Gizzard's orders." Fawkes mumbled."I will go, Condor stay here."

"Dad, they won't take us leaving the mountain lightly."

"I know."

"Fawkes, I will go with. They have my friends captive." Iril and Fawkes split up. "I hope this isn't going to end badly." she thought.

"We need those two griff-" there was a noise that caught one of the griffon's attention. It sounded like flapping of wings, big ones. Luster crashed down, tearing down trees in her wake.

"Dawn. I have orders to get you and your companions home. Get on." she scolded fiercely. The griffons were shocked.

"We need to find Iril." Fyn replied.

"She's right behind me. Come on."

Iril crept out from the bushes,"There she is." Dawn answered. Dawn, Fyn, And Iril boarded Luster.

"Wait!" Iril cried,"I know the griffons they're looking for." she whispered.

"They will follow." Luster said. She took off unannounced, the three almost fell off."Dawn, Chronin wants to speak to you. She ordered me to take you to her."

"Where?"

"Far south. Land of Ice Dragons."

"How long until we get there?"

"By flight, 9 days. Mark bearers do not have the endurance of dragons; I will have to land for you three to rest and eat. But now it will be our first full day of flying. We will fly over an ocean to get there, it will be very cold there. So before we set over the ocean I will land to let you three find something to bundle up in. The griffons will stop following us as soon as we go the ocean."

Fyn thought in her head,"Land of Ice Dragons. Haven't been there in a long time." she was reminiscing pleasant memories. She laughed out loud out of nowhere.

Celestia was speaking with Luna in her room. Celestia paced restlessly in circles in the center of her room."Sister, we still don't know when this battle will be fought." Luna said. Luna was by the open window to the right of her sister's bed. She looked at her older sister,"There might not even be a battle."

"There will be a battle. Not just a battle. War. We need to stop this."

"We can't, it's not our fight. It's Dawn's now."

"It's all of ours. I am tired of having others do the work that is supposed to be our responsibility."

"If there isn't a place for us now, thee will be in the future."

Gandore came in running,"Quick, princesses! Follow me!" she panted. They ran over to Gandore's study room. "Look at the book on my pedestal, flip through the pages."

Luna did so,"It's blank. So?"

"Do me a favor and look up." Gandore replied. The princesses did and they saw something they couldn't explain."Those are the letters from that book. They just started coming off the pages and went straight up."

"What book is that?" Celestia asked still looking up at the letters.

"It's the book Six Flowers. It's an enchantment of some sort. I tried to figure out the type of magic it is but the magic is old."

"How old would say?" Luna said. Some of the letters came gliding down, the book went to the first blank page. Words were being made.

'You are not alone Princess Celestia, Princess Luna. In due time, we shall meet for the first and last time.'

"Threats?" Celestia chuckled quietly,"How am I supposed to take this seriously?"

"Umm, let's start by saying the book knows our name, sister."

The book flipped to the next blank page. 'Your sister is wise, Princess Celestia.'

It flipped to the next one,"Who are you?" Celestia questioned, she was looking through the small windows to see if it was a joke, if somepony was jut playing tricks.

More letters came down. 'You will find out. Soon enough.'

Gandore asked,"How do we know this isn't just a coincidence and you're just lucky at guessing our next words?"

'I am in the room.'

Celestia shouted to the shadows,"Come out!" She didn't realize how scared she was.

'You are not my superior, Princess. I do not have to obey you. The future in this book has changed.' The ink on the page smeared, then the book became dust. The letters above came down as ink and soaked the princesses and Gandore in black.

"What in Equestria was that?" Gandore exclaimed wiping the ink away from her old eyes.

"Blehh" Luna had some ink in her mouth and spat it out,"I don't have the slightest idea."

"Who ever it was, they're gone now."

"How can you be so sure?" Luna replied sternly.

Celestia answered,"The one who did this said he was in the room. That was a lie. No pony would be stupid enough to be in the same rom to be covered in ink. Well, we did find out something."

"What is that?" Luna questioned.

"The book said,'the future in this book has changed.' And the book said that four of the six will die. That is good. That maybe means less, or maybe none of them will die."

Luna argued,"Or it could mean they all will die."

At Shining Water, Soul, Storm, and Blossom were headed back to the frontier. Blossom was being held captive by Storm. Storm wanted to know why his parents died. Soul knew when she finds out why her mother had to die she will look at the peacekeepers differently.

"So Storm, you want me to help you figure out why your father was forced to abuse you?"

"Blossom, we went over this. You are a suspect as well. I will find out why my mother and Athen had to die. If you are innocent then I will let you live."

"And if not?"

"I will end your life quickly. This goes for Mend and Delta."

"Storm, we should go to Fort Reiner." Black Soul suggested.

"Why?"

"My uncle, Holt, he deserves to know why as much as we do."

"Ugh, fine. When he see a trail headed there we will make the turn."

"You know that will take us a few weeks possibly to get there. The trail closest to here will lead us straight to Fort Reiner." Blossom said.

Storm answered,"Okay, let that be our route then."

Knight Mist and Knight Randall were ordering the recruits to bed. Knight Tal and the others were patrolling the frontier's perimeter.

"We have a long way to go Mist." Randall sighed happily,"Hopefully this business with Dawn and the others will resolve itself soon."

"Ha, we can only hope. Where's Dust? She said she'll be back with the mission list."

"I'm right here!" Dust shouted. She ran up to Mist,"I counted the missions on the way here. 7 of them." she panted. She got herself together and spoke normally,"Do you really think these kids are ready to take on real missions?"

"I spilt them up in groups of....How many do we have? 81. Let's see.... 25 to one group. That's 50 for two groups. The remaining will form the third. Seng, Lancer, and Randall will go to one."

"Hey! I don't have my own vote or something?" Randall exclaimed.

"Yup." Mist replied laughing."Cloudfire, Flood, and Tal will go to another. Dust, Hail, and myself will form another. Bladedancer, Flood, and Tint will stay here with Delta and the Peacekeepers. Mend will later come here and take command until either Soul, Storm, Tal, you(Randall), or myself return. Dawn won't be here anytime soon probably. Wrench and Wither are still finishing up their miniature foundry so they won't bother us." she turned to Dust,"Don't worry about the missions. One more year and I'll let them do them. Alright? For now we need to figure out who is going in which team and with who."

"Who do you want in yours?" Randall questioned.

"I'm thinking about it. Let's head inside house." The three headed toward Dawn's house by the Everfree. They called it Dawn's because, Shadow was no longer with them. The recruits were all sleeping in rows. The fireplace was lit. A few were still struggling to get some sleep. Few were chattering quietly. Mist let them be, after all they were still were children. Mist was looking for somepony."Randall, stay here with Dust. I need to check on something." Mist went upstairs and looked in the doors. All the lights were out. The only light came through the windows from the moonlight.

Each room was occupied by at least 5 recruits. She went to the balcony. Flake, Ms. Grazer, and another were chatting. Mist snuck up on them quietly,she wanted to eavesdrop.

".....We've been training so much. My body is sore and I know it. Just can't feel it though." chuckled the other pony. This pony was male and was an earth pony. He had a tan color scheme throughout his body. He was short and stocky compared to Flake. He leaned over the balcony.

Flake replied,"We're so used to the soreness that we can't feel it anymore. That's not a good thing either."

Ms. Grazer added,"But it's also not bad." she sighed and then frowned,"I miss teaching."

"I miss sleeping in class." chuckled Flake.

"I miss not preparing to fight at 14."

"Just a few days, even a day of a normal-ish life will rejuvenate my mind." Grazer exclaimed.

Mist thought of doing something nice for them the next morning. She only had a few hours left until Celestia raised the sun, she had to rush. She paced quickly downstairs and called Randall and Mist outside. "How would you two react if I let them be themselves for a long period of time?"

"The recruits? Well, how long are you talking about?" Randall asked.

"Two years." Mist answered in a firm voice.

Randall looked like she was about to pass out,"Whoa, that's a very long. Why?"

"If they're going to war, I'm sure they want to live their lives first."

"I'm up for that." Dust said,"Tired of watching them 24/7 anyways."

"I didn't say anything about that. Remember, almost all of these kids have no parents. We have to be their parents now." Mist added,"Ugghh, I'm not ready to have kids."

"I think having kids is fun." Randall said happily. Mist and Dust looked at each other, then Randall,"No, no, no! Not making them!" she started to blush,"I think parenting is cool." she whimpered.

Mist replied slowly,"Okay. Well, get some rest tonight. Tomorrow is when we will stop being their C.O.'s and start being their parents."

The next morning was cold. Snow had fallen and had laid a thin blanket of white on the ground. The recruits assembled as they did. In front of the orphanage and in rows with the Peacekeepes to their left. Delta was at the top of the steps leading to the orphanage's front door. Mist and Randall came next to him. Seng and the others were on their right.

"What's today's training, Knight Mist?"

"You'll see." Mist stood tall,"Do I have your attention?"

In unison they answered,"Sir, yes sir!"

"Sir?" Delta asked Randall.

She whispered,"I think she likes being a stallion, sir."

Mist continued,"Today, you are no longer recruits!" They muttered,"Let me finish, please!" They quieted,"Thank you. Last night we, your commanding officers, decided to end your training for now." Mist saw little grins come up on their faces,"You are free to act as you normally would." They deformed the rows and met their friends,"Hold on, wait! I still have a couple of things to say!" she watched them even smile bigger,"You have to attend school, like in a normal life of a child. Ms. Grazer will be one of your teachers. Another one will be Gandore."

Seng asked Lancer, who was to his right,"Do you think Gandore knows about this?"

"Nope. She's going to be surprised when she has a bunch of kids at her door."

"Hey, shut up!" Aero to the left interrupted. Aero, Seng, Lancer, were quiet for a moment.

"We, your C.O.'s will be your parents from now on as well."

"Hey Seng." Hail whispered over.

"What?"

"Do you like dares?"

Mist was still talking,"I will be one of your mothers and Delta here will be one of your fathers." They recruits started walking away."Hey, where are you going?!"

One recruit answered,"Bye, mom!"

Another,"See you at dinner, mom!"

Flake stood still quietly and went to her 'mother',"So, umm...mom...What is going on?"

"Nothing. Make sure tomorrow you and your brothers and sisters go to school tomorrow." she smiled."Go on! Enjoy today."

"Okay! Thanks mom!" she ran off to play in the snow.

Randall went to Mist and Mist said,"Please tell me I didn't just make a big mistake."

"Okay. You didn't just make a big mistake."

Mist stared at her and she shrugged,"Two years of being mothers." she sighed,"I hope I don't end up killing myself." Seng came up to Mist,"Yes?"

"Can I ask you a question?" Seng looked over his shoulder and saw the others snickering.

"Sure."

"Umm..." he was laughing,"So mom, how do you have this many kids and still look good?"

"Like this." she turned around and bucked him with both of her hind legs."You and your friends are still under my orders!"

Seng's face was buried in the snow. He voice was muffled,"I think she broke my face." Hail and the others laughed.

Bladedancer said,"That looked like it hurt."

Seng lifted his face,"No, it was painless." he put his face back in the snow,"I'm gonna lay here for a while."

"Alright. Let's leave him to wallow in his shame." Cloudfire chuckled.

Later that day, they had a feast in the frontier's courtyard. Most of the Peacekeepers didn't attend. Some did. Even Dali, the mailmare, was there mingling with the RAK. The children were all talking about what they had done earlier in the day. They were enjoying themselves. Seng was covering up, he was getting sick since he laid in the snow for a good thirty minutes. The older kids made their own group in a separate table; Flake was part of that table. The younger ones were in the center of. They were well behaved for being so young. The next day was the first day of school. It went well considering that Grazer hasn't taught in a few months. Gandore was practically forced into the situation but by the end of the day she was content with teaching and decided to come back.

Three weeks later Knight Black Soul and Knight Storm returned with White Blossom and Holt. Holt brought along a friend by the name of Mirage. She knew Holt by the school they both taught at. She was a pale looking unicorn. She was built though, she was almost the same height as Holt. And he was tall.

They walked through groups of children acting normal. Soul didn't know what was going on. They were greeting them as if they were just neighbors. She wasn't concerned much with it though. She wanted to see Mist. Soul was told by Flake that Mist was at Dawn's house. They arrived there. Soul, Storm, holt, and Blossom went in. Luckily, Mist and Randall were the only ones there. Mirage waited outside. Holt didn't want to deal with witnesses. Holt dropped his satchel and stomped his way to Mist.

He rammed Mist into the wall and yelled,"Where is he?!"

"Who?" Mist got up.

"Mend!"

"He just arrived. Leave her alone." Randall went to shield Mist.

"Where is he?!" She didn't answer. Holt went them both ready to harm them.

"Stop!" Soul darted between Holt and them. She knelt spoke to Mist,"Please. Where is he?"

"The orphanage." Mist answered quietly. When Soul turned around Holt was already gone with Storm."Shit!"

"What's happening?"

"Holt and Storm are pointing heavy blame toward Mend and Delta for what happened twenty years ago at Green Fawn. Blossom I want you to stay with them."

In front of the orphanage stood Holt, he was shouting angrily,"Mend! Get out here!"

He came out and stared him in the eyes,"Holt? What're you doing here?"

"Storm, is there a secluded place around here?" Storm nodded,"Show me." he ordered. "If you want to know why I am here, Mend, you will follow."

Holt was following Storm with Mend right behind. Mend asked,"What's going on? After all these years and those were the first words you gave me?"

"Remember, on the way to Fort Reiner how we got word of a disturbance at Green Dawn and you told me to go on ahead while you checked on it?"

"How can I not remember it? We couldn't get anyone out there until the storm calmed down. And when we did get ther-"

"All of them were dead. Except for Storm and Soul." They walked in between some trees and found a place in the snow that was clear."The storm that had suddenly hit that week wasn't natural was it? Artificial. You see, Storm and I believe that someone close to," he didn't want to say his name. It just made him angry just thinking about him but he did anyways,"Thorn was aiding him in the attack. Because there is no possible way Oless would do something that terrible to his old friends. Someone had to feed him information from inside the Peacekeepers." Holt whistled. Soul came out from some shrubs dragging a gagged and tied Blossom."I think Blossom was the one behind it. Quake was kind enough to let me see his father's notes and journal entries." He raised his voice,"They all point to her! Storm, blade!" Storm kicked over a hoof-sword to Holt. Holt strapped it on. He went over to Blossom and put the sharp blade up against her throat.

"Wait!" Mend cried out."There's no way it could be her."

Holt lifted it away,"You're right. She couldn't have done it. If she did she wouldn't be stupid enough to get caught, but she did." He placed the sword back by her throat.

"Please, Holt!" Mend was panicking.

"Why so nervous? I would expect you will be.....happy that we caught the one responsible for Athen's death. Unless, you don't think she's was responsible." Holt turned his attention to Mend.

"No, I don't think she did it."

"I agree, because....." Holt loosened the strap on the blade."You did!" he flung the blade toward Mend's horn. His horn was hurt so he couldn't defend himself easily. He was stunned with pain, Holt used this to his advantage and closed in on him. The sword that had struck Mend was at Holt's hooves. He strapped it back on. "I thought we were friends, Mend. Why did you do it?" he asked softly.

Soul said,"Please, uncle. Show him mercy."

"I will as soon as he answers me."

"I had become clouded with greed. Greedy with power, with money. Delta was involved too Holt, he did most of the planning and collected most of the bribe money."

"Thank you, Mend." Holt stuck the sword right into his heart. Mend gasped for air,"There's my mercy." Holt slowly pulled the sword out, then threw it away. He trotted to Soul and ran one of his hooves across her cheek,"I'm sorry." He frowned and continued on into the forest alone. The ropes that had been tied on Blossom faded away and she got up. Blossom's color changed and a horn appeared on her head. It was Mirage. She used her magic to only look like Blossom.

She sighed,"Poor guy. I'll talk to him." As she started to follow, Soul stopped her.

"Let him be. He'll be fine. He just killed one of his only friends left in the world." She looked at Mend's body,"I thought I would be happier that he died. But it's just......it just hurts." She flew over to the body."Storm, help me hide his body. The Peacekeepers will be searching for him." His blood was turning the white snow, to crimson.

Storm flew to her,"I thought I would be happy too." He looked at the sword."Hold on, don't touch him yet." Storm fixed the sword to his hoof, he used the sword to part the snow apart. When he saw bits of grass he started stabbing the dirt. He loosened the dirt so that he can then use the sword as a shovel. It took him until late afternoon to finish digging a sizable grave. He and Soul pushed the body in and got rid of the sword. They kicked the dirt onto his body.

By nightfall, Soul's prediction came true. Delta came to the door of Dawn's house asking for him. Holt was upstairs still crying. Soul didn't know what to tell him. She simply said that Mend had to go back him. The next morning was interesting enough. More newcomers came to the frontier looking for a place to live. There were many vacancies. Celestia saw this as a opportunity to find an income for the future. She taxed them. They were allowed to choose any open house or building. Celestia charged them by the location of their unit and the size of it. Her taxes can help the frontier thrive. The Knights and the RAK had no problem with it either. The frontier was lively and full of neighbors.

Now since the frontier was full of ponies the following two days, they needed a guide to consult the princesses whenever needed. A meeting for the new arrivals was called in the town square. They called for a mayor. Since no pony in the military authority wanted to lead and since no high ranking officer in the Peacekeepers wanted to either. Instead they got a volunteer, a traveler from where no pony knew where he came from. He was cool-colored but looked happy. His mane was short and neat, his tail was long and straightened. He didn't plod around like some of the others did. He had with him only a ripped grain bag he used to hold his belongings. And he also had a daughter. Her name was Cira. She was only 4. She looked shy. She cowered behind her father. Her hair was pale pink and had a little ponytail, her hair didn't looked like it had been cut before. It was long. As long as her mane was, so was her tail. Her beautiful dragged along the ground which made it rough.

An election would've been held if only this traveler had a competitor. He was confident and by the way he spoke everypony knew he was educated to a high standard. He was the fort mayor of the frontier, which he declared to be called, Lalifong. A very unusual name. Knight Black Soul saw her own opportunity. They needed soldiers for the upcoming war. She didn't want to drop the announcement on them yet. She waited patiently until the right time.

Dawn, Fyn Cour, and Iril were in a land made entirely of ice. They were cold, but their coats made from wool kept them warm enough. They wore undergarments that kept them from getting wet. They were riding on the back of Luster. She was walking against the cold gales without struggle. The sun wasn't up even though it was early morning which made it even colder. They three ponies huddled around each by Luster's lower neck for warmth and for protection from the winds and dragons. There were water dragons to their left and right occasionally. Some young ones even tried to consume the three, luckily Luster was there to protect them. Another hour before they come in contact with Lord Chronin, Luster told them. And an hour later they did. Lord Chronin had formed a barrier around herself. An orb shaped barrier. The wind and the snow hit her barrier and bounced back off. Her time magic made this possible. She used it to stop warm air from who knows how long before; the warm air forced the cold away from her, When they entered the barrier Chronin said,"No need for your covers here."

The three jumped off of Luster and bowed before Lord Chronin. Dawn then responded,"You summoned us."

"Indeed, I did. Dawn, I've sent for you because, I wish to do you a favor."

Iril felt like making a smart comment to her like,'How about doing us a favor by coming to us?' But she didn't. She respected Chronin too much. Dawn replied respectfully."What is it?"

"I want to give you a chance to relive."

"How?"

"I am a Time dragon. Not only can I manipulate time to weaker beings, I can access memories of locations and minds. In fact, I am watching listening to a memory as we speak. A memory of Fyn's family."

"Mine? What is it?" Fyn asked.

"Your parents sealing you in their body heat, your only, eldest, brother next to you inside the huddle. You and him talked, laughing at one another's jokes."

"Rin Cour." Fyn muttered,"He and I had fun here. But before we left for the mainland he froze to death. That's history. Dawn, today is about you now." She stripped herself of her coat.

"Okay." Dawn bowed and said,"I would like to begin immediately, Lord Chronin." She raised her head,"How do we start?"

"Iril, Fyn, Luster. I need you all by me." Chronin scolded,"Dawn, for this I need all your focus. All your power. This process may bring back unpleasant memories. Do you understand?"

"Yes."

"No matter how you appear on this side of the world, I nor your friends can help you. Do you understand?"

"Yes."

"It may starve your physical body here."

"I understand."

"I do not know how long you will back in memories. Could be days, weeks, months. You must understand, you are simply reliving the past. You will have no knowledge of any of this, or anything after you had your memory wiped out. But, when you return you will be able to remember everything. Prepared?" Dawn nodded. "Take a deep breath." She did,"Good. Close your eyes." She did. Chronin placed one of her claws on Dawn's forehead.

When Dawn opened her eyes she was in a wooden house. She yawned and got out of bed. She called out,"Mom!"

"Out here Dawn." she heard.

"Hi mom."

"Good morning, sweetie." Starflare smiled at her daughter.

Shadow was back at the building that contained Canon. Retina and Hagger were chained up next to him. The bodies weren't decomposing fast since they were inside. The warm air made their stench even more unbearable. Lacoden let Canon free of his chains. "If I am too keep you alive, you will work." she simply said. Being chained up for so long affected Canon's ability to walk. He was like a newly born foal.

"Thank you, Lacoden." he said to her lying on the ground.

"Don't give me your gratitude, slave. Shadow, make sure he is able to even stand on his own legs before I return." Lacoden added,"Before you hang from those chains again." She left the rear side of the building but before she did she ordered some Changelings,"Purge this place of those bodies. Immediately!"

Shadow flew to Canon, who was struggling to get up. He assisted him,"She's changing."

"I know, and in a good way too. She doesn't know it yet."

"Let's hope she doesn't find out, who knows what she'll do going through denial."

"I think I can help her."

"She isn't her old self, your going to have to be careful around her." Shadow heard Changelings coming,"Hurry, get up!" Shadow shouted. He whispered,"I can't be too nice to you."

"Agreed." Canon shouted back,"Fuck you!"

Shadow forced him up. He whispered to Canon,"You're going to help us get Cerberus. You know that right?"

"Oh yeah." He chuckled,"I really hope to get out of this situation alive."

Three months later. By this time it has been a full year ever since Shadow first joined the military academy. Cerberus was out of place, but no creatures from the Underworld haven't come out. Shadow thought there had to be another barrier keeping them in. He didn't care much for it though, if he found out what was keeping them in Garren might want to take them out. Three different creatures have been herded out the Underworld by Lacoden. Vulture-like birds that have the most irritating screech and terrifying flight capabilities, along with superior vision and sharp talons make for the perfect bird of prey. Lacoden brought a total of twenty-one of these, she called Banshees.

Banshees look like to be solitary creatures, but in a flock they do just well. The had ash-colored feathers that were black at the tips. Their backs had light colored diamonds on them. Their eyes were large and had oval shaped pupils, their eyes were dark brown. Not only did their air superiority make them feared, but also their size were surreal for a bird. These birds were so tall, Garren had to tilt his head almost all the way up to meet one in the eye. Their length wasn't so long, their wingspan made up for that. Some measured up to 20 feet, others to 40 feet. The other species she brought were equally as fierce.

They were a land animals though. They couldn't fly, they could run and swim. They were larger than most large cats but not the biggest. They seem to rely on their big ears, to hear their prey. And their smell since they had a large nose. Their eyes were large, but they didn't use them much. They were nocturnal, unlike the Banshees that were diurnal. Their movements were quiet, swift, and fast. Even though not as strong compared to Banshees, they did have one thing the Banshees did not. Poison claws. The tips of their claws excrete venom. This venom made the victim scream, hallucinate, vomit, and caused a dangerous fever. These same effects were the ones exactly like Lacoden's uncle had experienced before he died. Lacoden might've forgotten about that. The cries of their victim will be picked up by their great ears, the vomits smells will be picked up by their sensitive nostrils. Lacoden called these creatures, Amaroks. Also solitary hunters. They had a rough dark tan coat and long legs. There were 9 of them. Lacoden's intentions were to scatter the Banshees and Amaroks all over Fallen Star.

Lacoden was able to control them with a spell she made. They will not attack her or Garren, they will attack anyone else though. She didn't care about Orcusin one bit. She just saw him as an extra body. the only creature brought out that the spell didn't work on was Cerberus. Unlike Banshees and Amaroks, Cerberus could be reasoned with. In this situation, Cerberus wanted to leave. He is very resistant, and extremely powerful. His is immune to the Amaroks venom, and can kill Banshees with one swipe of one of his giant paws. Cerberus did not obey any orders given to him. Garren had to force him to do his bidding. He asked Lacoden to cast a spell that would scratch Cerberus' mind every time he disobeyed; he had to remain obedient as long as this spell was active.

Canon, Retina, and Hagger were still prisoners. It were allowed more privileges than before. Lacoden didn't have them chained up like she did before. Shadow and Canon were right, she was changing. Shadow had to be harsh to them occasionally to adjoins being found out. He blocked off his communication to Dawn and Excaelum. Orcusin was gone. He and his followers spent all their time plotting how they wer going to take down Chronin and Excaelum. Excaelum and Kishi were on their own. They traveled all around Equestria in search for Gravity dragons. Since Excaelum was able to control a bit of each force, he practiced each of them trying to master each and every little aspect of their power. His main goal was to master Gravity. Orcusin was his main enemy, and if he was going to fight him he would have to be at his strongest. Excaelum and Kishi both grew in size within this time period. They were both getting stronger and faster. Kishi still didn't speak a single word. He was still smaller than his younger brother but he could fly with more agility, and evasiveness. No matter, Kishi won't be the one fighting Orcusin.

Shadow discovered that Lacoden found out she has changed. Since they were at Shining Water, Shadow set out to find his friend. When he found him, Shadow consulted him into heading for the eastern ports. His friend Longbeard, captain of the Dutchcolt, also brought along with him his family, and a pegasus named Quake. Each of his children had their own ship. Shadow knew Lacoden was going to do something, he just didn't know when. He got out any one he knew personally away from the western ports.

Dawn, Fyn, and Iril finally came back to the frontier. They arrived on the back of Lord Chronin. When asked what happened on their journey they all frowned. Chronin too was blue. As soon as the three got off her back she set off. No pony bothered the three since talking to them would be futile. They wouldn't answer any questions about the Land of Ice Dragons. Black Soul was still strict as ever, but she didn't interfere with Mist's methods of training. Whatever idea Mist came up with, Soul followed and so did the others. The foundry was finally complete and the newcomers, to the newly named Lalifong, found work there. Everything was going on more peacefully than expected. This short calm time will soon come to its end.

Author's Notes:

I may need to change the rating of this story to 'mature' due to the future descriptions and language. So, if you want to finish reading my story make sure your profile is set so you can view mature content.