"ONE-FIFTEEN... ONE-SIXTEEN... ONE-SEVENTEEN... ONE-EIGHTEEN...." The three of us chant as we do sit ups. The past three days have been mind numbingly boring, but we've kept in check by doing our work out regiment... sometimes just to pass the time. Every now and again we would get others to join us, but right now we're the only ones awake. Well... us and a few of the female passengers.

"OOOW, keep it going big boy!" Yells one of the female royal guards. Storm and Big Mac's asses have been on assault the entire trip, something that's been bugging them like fucking crazy.... I love it.

"LAND HOOOO!" Yells some griffin from above. We all stop and run to the railing to see the land mass approaching. Everyone gives a cheer as they lean over the edge to take a look.

"Regina!" I yell as I run over to her. "How long until we make it to Flionence?"

"It should only be a few hours." She says with a large smile. "Get ready for drop off and meet me at the bow, OK?"

"Got it. Spartans!" I yell, getting Storm and Big Mac's attention. "Suit up and report to your stations!"

"UH-RAH!" They yell back before we all head to the barracks. The barracks room is alive with everypony getting ready for the drop. Putting on armor, grabbing supplies, talking to others about what they expect to have happen. As the three of us start getting ready, I notice that Storm seems a little distracted, so I give him a little nudge.

"Huh?" He says as he snaps back into reality.

"Everything alright?" I ask as I start to latch on my grieves.

"Yeah, just thinking about what Twilight told me." He says as he continues putting on his armor.

"What did she tell you?"

"... well... I told her that I'd keep it a secret. Mainly because she isn't one hundred percent yet. But... you guys are my best friends she said..."

"Hold on." I interrupt as I look back around the room. Everyone was trying to listen. The room had fallen completely silent as they tried to hear what he was about to say. "A little privacy?" I ask, getting most of them to go back to their own business.

"Look, I'll tell you guys another time. Lets just focus on the mission." He says before sliding on his armor. Big Mac and I look to one another before continuing to put on our armor.

Once we were ready, we spent the the rest of the trip on the deck, silent. Most of the other passengers were fairly quiet, murmuring to one another as we all watched the land mass pass below us. Soon we were back over water, getting everyone to murmur even more. I look to Big Mac and Storm before heading to the bow of the ship, finding Regina and True Will.

"You ready for this?" True Will asks.

"I was going to ask you the same thing. How about you Regina? ..... Regina?" I look over to Regina to see that she's staring out at the horizon, trying to get a better look at something. I look out to where she's looking and try to see what she's seeing.

"What is it?" True Will asks as he looks out with us. Is that...

THWACK

SHWSHHHHHH

From out of the clouds shot two massive bolts from another air vessel. The first one buried itself into the bow of the ship while the other one shot right into the forward balloon, making it lose air quickly.

"ABANDON SHIP!" Lars yells, getting every winged person to fly off the deck and and every unicorn flash away.

"STORM! GET BIG MAC!" I yell to him before launching myself off the edge of the falling ship.

THUD

I hit the ground hard and roll forward. Even though I used my magic to soften the fall, that still fucking hurt. I look back up to see the enemy vessel; one similar in design to our's, firing their large crossbows at not only the falling ship, but its escaping crew as well. It seems that they have some kind of explosive projectiles, blowing the ship to bits and any unlucky person that couldn't fly away fast enough. I find Storm and Big Mac making their way through the air, being shot at. I pull my rifle out and take aim at the enemy ship, sending my magic through my rifle.

PATPATPATPATPAT

I send a quick burst at the enemy ship, punching a row of holes into their forward balloon.

"Miles!" I look back to see Regina landing behind me. "Good shooting. Now lets get to Flionence."

FLASH

"There you are." True Will says as he appears beside us. "We good to go?" I look back to the falling ship and watch them for a second, watching the two ships collide to the ground. "Miles..."

"Lets get going." I say as I turn around.

"Right, just follow me and we'll be there in no time." Regina says as she leads us through the brush. I glance back to all of the scrambling people trying to avoid the falling ship, trying to see Storm and Big Mac.

.................................................................................................................................................................................................

"WHY ARE YOU SO BULKY!" I yell as I try to maneuver through the rain of falling debris and bolts trying to kill us as I carry Big Mac towards the ground.

"YER ARMOR HAS A STRENGTH BUFF, DEAL WITH IT!" He yells back as I fly towards the ground as quickly as possible.

CRASH

We slam into the ground and roll for a bit until finally coming to a stop. We look to one another from the ground before we both get up and start running.

KER-CRUSH

We barely made it out of the way of the ship before it slammed into the ground, making us fall from the shaking. We quickly push ourselves up and continue to run as the second ship nears the ground.

KER-CRUSH

The ground shook again as the second ship hit the ground, only we were able to stay standing this time. We stop running and look back to the wreckage that we just escaped.... and start chuckling to each other.

"Whats so funny?" Dust Devil asks as she lands beside us, along with Camo Flash and several other mercenaries.

"Nothing. We need to find any survivors and move to our objectives. Head north west and try to find as many griffins as you can. I'm heading northeast to find the Equestrians. Good luck."

"EEyup." He says before we run off towards our objectives. I look back to see that half of the mercenaries are following me while the other half are going with Big Mac.

"Any idea where to meet up with the Equestrians?" Camo asks as he runs along side with me.

"Sure. The right flank of Flionence. Where else would we..."

"DIE!" Yells a griffin from above as he tries to get the drop on me. With a flap of my wings I shoot forward and avoid his sword. I spin back around and draw my sword as the four mercenaries surround the griffin. They all at once try to stab him, but he just jumps into the air, avoiding their blades easily. I shake my head at them as I fly after the griffin. I can see why Miles doesn't like contractors now. I chase after him for a bit until I catch up enough to make an effective swing. I spin around and slash at him, sending a gust of wind that rips off one of his wings...

"Oh shit." I mumble as I watch him fall to his death. How did I do that? I sent a gust of wind that was able to tear flesh and bone....

"DIE BASTARD!" I push myself back as another pair of griffins swing at me I twist back and slash at them, sending them reeling back in the air. Hmm... it seems when I point the blade narrowly at them, I can cut them... interesting. I bring my blade up to block the griffins attack as the other one reels back to...

"AAAAHHH!" Camo Flash yells as he flies past me and tackles the griffin, driving his blade into his stomach as they tumble through the air. I push the griffin before me back and slash at him, tearing a strip of flesh from his chest and sending blood flying out.

FOOSH

"AAAAAHHHH!" I turn around in time time to see a griffin behind me fall from the sky as a ball of fire. I look down to see Big Mac standing there with his halberd, swinging his weapon around to send balls of fire out at any unlucky adversary.
I look around to see that almost everypony is fighting in the air. Groups of fighting ponies and griffins are either locked in areal combat or are falling to the ground. Screams can be heard from all around as blades cross blades. Bolts of energy shoot from the ground as the rest of the Equestrians show up and start taking shots into the air. There's only a few enemy troops left, so I turn around and fly down to Shinning.

"Bout time you showed up." I say as I land beside him as he fires a bolt of electricity into the air. "Status."

"Well... from the fall we lost a few unicorns, plus with the fighting we're down a total of... six ponies. Where's Miles?"

"He jumped off the bow of the ship and took off for Flionence, so we need to get moving. Where are the griffins?"

"I saw them west of here heading towards the city. Go ahead and take a few of my guards and head to our objective. I'll meet you there." He says as three unicorns come before me and salute.
"Big Mac, go ahead and find the griffins. They've got it here."

"Eeyup." He says as he sends one last ball of fire and runs off towards the west, snapping his halberd to his side as he does. I look back to Shinning and nod to him before running off with the Equestrians, sheathing my sword as I go. I look back to see the remaining mercenaries split up and follow after each of us, giving me a total of seven ponies with me. That'll have to do, hopefully Big Mac will have enough support from the griffins.

FLASH

I look around and realize that one of the unicorns teleported us ahead, though they are now passed out on the ground. The area around us is mostly open fields with tall brush. In the distance I can see Flionence ahead of us and a small forest far to our right. One of the pegasus decides to stay behind to watch after him, so we moved on.

SMACK

We had made it a total of four feet before I had run into something. I back up and rub my nose as I try to see what I had ran into, but there isn't anything here. It should just be more open fields, but as I stick a hoof out, I can feel some kind of barrier stopping me.

"Well... what do we do now?" Camo Flash asks.

"I Could try to blow it open." Boomy suggests.

"No, they would plan for that. We need something more powerful then..."

KRA-BOOM

I look over to see a massive explosion send dust and debris into the air. That must be Miles. From there the barrier starts to shatter, revealing a massive fort behind the invisible veil. The fort is made of grey stone and stands three stories high. One massive round tower takes up the center of the structure as four smaller guard towers make up the corners. I can see dozens of archers take aim at us from slits in the walls, the guard walks from the top, and a few from the air.

"GET MOVING!" I yell as I run for the wall. At the same time, a volley of arrows shot down at us. I look back to see the
unicorns make small shields as the pegasus try to hide with them. Sadly, the pegasus watching the down unicorn in the back didn't get any cover and was peppered with large arrows. When I make it to the wall I press myself as close to it as possible, trying avoid the incoming arrows. I look up to see the flying griffins moving to get better shots at me.

PATPATPATPAT

From the distance I hear Miles's rifle ring out, killing the air born assailants. The rest of the other ponies make it to the wall beside me and provide cover.

"What now?" Camo Flash asks as I look up.

"Boomy, think you can blow a hole in this wall?"

"Pfft. Do bears drink too much Vodak?" He says as he starts to charge his horn. "Just say when and I'll make an entrance big enough for a dragon."

"Great. Camo and I will fly up and draw their fire, once you have enough room, blow a hole and get inside, we'll follow after you."

"Wait... what?" Camo asks before I take off into the air as fast as possible. Instantly, arrows start to fly past me in an attempt to kill me, but I fly too fast for them to get a good shot. Once I make it to the top I flip back and land right next to an orc. He tries to take a shot at me with his bow, but I had swung my sword at him, blowing him back into another orc.

BOOM

I glance down to see Boomy had blown a hole in the wall, gaining access. I fly over to the downed orcs and finish the job by stabbing them both in the gut. They let out small screams before falling back and dying.

BOOM

I look over to the far corner of the fort to see another hole blown in the wall, revealing Big Mac and a group of griffins charging into the compound....

.................................................................................................................................................................................................

"Eeyup." I say before running off, dropping my halberd to my side and running on all four towards the west. I push myself to run as fast as I can, trying to group up with them as fast as possible. After about ten minutes of straight running I see a group of twenty griffins up ahead, entering a random forest.... that doesn't make sense. Those are broad leaf trees and this is a coastal region. Unless they planted them here and want them to die, they shouldn't be here.

"Big Mac." Lars yells as I trot into the group. "Glad you could make it. Lets get moving." I just nod to him as I walk in with the group, eyeing the trees as we go.

"Don't you think we should of helped? I feel bad leaving it to the Equestrians." Says one of the griffins as we march through the trees.

"They had it covered. We would just get in the way at that point. Though I wouldn't mind some of their unicorns with us... no offense." Says another griffin as he glances to me. I ignore them as I continue to watch the trees. They don't sway correctly... it doesn't seem natural.

"Everything alright Big Mac?" Lars asks as I stop and rear back, pulling my halberd out as I do.

"Nnope. We're surrounded." I say as I continue to look around. The griffins all turn around and look around with me. I can't help but think that the trees have moved closer.

"Are yAAAAHHHH!" As soon as the griffin had turned to ask me something a branch had came flying down and crushed him.
All of the trees started to move around as they pulled their own roots out and advanced on us. The crooks and crannies of the trees started to glow green, making the outlines of their faces. They seem to use their lower branches and arms and turn the bottom of their trunks into legs for walking.

"TREE FOLK!" Lars yells as another branch crashes down and kills another griffin. I roll forward to dodge an incoming branch and begin to run at one of the trees. With a quick spin I slam my halberd into the trunk of the closest tree, making a huge fiery explosion that blows splinters back and forces the tree onto its back.

"KEEP MOVING!" Lars yells as the rest of the griffins try to keep out of the trees grasps. I duck back as a branch flies past me, barely escaping. I twist my halberd around and chop the end of the branch off, setting it ablaze. I keep backing up as more and more branches shoot at me, trying to impale me. But I keep chopping away at them, slowly setting all of the trees around us on fire. "STOP SETTING THEM ON FIRE!" Lars yells as the remaining griffins run past me.

"AH CAN'T HELP IT! MY WEAPON DOES IT!" I yell back as I continue to hack away at the incoming branches. The trees don't seem to care that they are on fire, they just keep coming at us. Sending branch after branch at me. Soon I chop the last branch, leaving all of the trees topped. They pause for a moment to look at each other, giving us a moment to regroup.

"They're distracted. Lets make a run for it." One of the griffins say.

"Do you really think we can out run them?" Another one asks.

"Beats having to fight them claw to claw. I've already snapped my sword." The first one says before making a run for it. One by one they all turn tail and run... only to all slam into something together as they hit... nothing.

"How was that plan ta run?" I ask as the trees start to advance again...

KRA-BOOM

Only to stop again. I glance back and watch as the invisible wall shatters like glass. A massive fort is revealed from this, with guards now pointing bows at out backs. Before anypony could say anything I twist my halberd around and send a ball of fire at the closest tree folk, knocking it back and into another one. "GIT RUNNIN! AH'LL COVER YA!" I yell before charging at the remaining burning trees.

"Are you nuts!?" One of them yell at me as I jump and and slam my blade into another tree, knocking it over with a burst of fire. As I yank my blade out I watch the other trees start to split apart, making arms from their trunks. This might of just gotten harder...

"DEATH!" One of the trees yell as they try to slam both of their fists onto me. I jump forward and roll to avoid the attack, but get kicked back by another tree folk.

THUNK

After I slam into a stone wall and fell to the ground I pick myself up slowly. That... hurt.

"You alright?" Lars asks as the rest of the griffins run up to me, being chased by the rest of the trees.

"Yeah... why aren't..."

PATPATPATPAT

I look up to see a bunch of griffins falling from the sky as Miles' rifle rings out.

"BIG MAC!"

"We need ta get inside where the trees can't get ta us. Think ya can cover me fer a few seconds?" I say as I pick up my halberd and face the wall.

"You got it." Lars says as he pulls out his sword and flies off to the fight. I hold my weapon tightly as I get ready to....

BOOM

I shake my head to refocus on making a hole. I'm not entirely sure if this'll work, but its worth a shot. I pull my blade back and put all of my strength into slamming it into the wall.

BOOM

In a massive fiery explosion the wall before me flies back, making an entrance for us to get through.

"We..."

"MOVE IT!" Yells a griffin as the remaining griffins run past me. I was about to charge the tree folk when Lars pulled me inside as well. We enter the square where I can see whats left of the Equestrian forces running. We all meet up in the center of the open square.

"Where's Storm?" I ask as I look around.

"BIG MAC!" I look up to see Storm flying towards me. I turn back and...

SHINK

"NNOOOOOOOOOO!"

................................................................................................................................................................................................

Once we made it far enough from the fight we had slowed down. As we walked through the tall brush I pull out my rifle and keep my eyes open for anything.

"Miles, we need to speak real quick." True Will says as they follow closely behind me.

"Kind of a bad time right now." I say as I continue to scan the area.

"I lied about my employment. I wasn't hired by Celestia." I stop in my tracks and face him.

"I'm listening." I say as I keep my finger on the trigger. Regina steps to the side and puts a claw on her sword as she watches the two of us.

"Originally I was hired by Celestia, but a bidder came by and offered more for us, so we went with them." He says as he eyes the two of us. "Princess Luna, or Queen Luna would be more correct, hired me to watch over you. She also request that you take my outfit with you to these secret cities of yours. Oh, you're also picking up the bill."

"......... dammit Luna." I say as I continue to walk off. Of course she would hire some contractors... but, if she out bid Celestia to do that, then what did Cele...

SMACK

"Aw... what the fuck." I says as I step back and rub my face.

"I think it was a force field." Regina says as she sticks a claw out and feels the barrier. "This is a pretty powerful barrier, think you can destroy it?"

"Step back." I say as I sling my rifle and power up, sending the archaic lines up to my shoulders. They run behind me as I bring my hands before me and start create a ball of soul fire. I hold it there for a moment before pushing forward, sending the ball flying at the barrier.

KRA-BOOM

A massive explosion erupts the moment the ball makes contact, shattering the barrier and revealing a massive fort. I shake my hands and pull my rifle back out as I look over the large structure.

"What the... that shouldn't be here. What's going on." Regina says as they walk up beside me.

"Lets find out." I say as I march forward. I look forward to see the oddest thing imaginable, an open doorway. Right in the center of the wall of a passageway. No guards, no door, just a stone doorway. The only thing that I can think of as a deterrent is possibly a trap, but that's still not going to be enough to stop me.

"Hold on." True Will says as he steps in front of me and eyes the doorway. "You can get up now." I look around for anyone that he could possibly be talking to, but there isn't a soul in sight. "I said get up."

"Uh... there isn't anyone here." I say as I try to see anything to look at. I look up to see a bunch of griffins in the air, shooting arrows at what I presume to be Storm. I line up my rifle with the closest griffins skull and...

PATPATPATPAT

After my first shot I immediately lined up with the next air born griffin, taking him out with the same kind of deadly precision. I turn to the entrance as the sound of crumbling earth draws my attention. The large stones from the side of the entrance are starting to pull themselves off the wall.

"Earth elementals." True Will growls as the two beings step towards us. They seem to make out the skeletal form of a creature that stands a little taller then me, with a thick skull, sharp teeth, and large claws.

"Is that suppose to be a bear?" Regina asks as she backs away from the creature. I raise my rifle at them, stopping them as they tilt their heads to me.

"Do...."

"RAAAAAAWWWRR!" They both screech as the one closest to me bites my rifle. The other one just chases after True Will as I try to wrestle my rifle back. I pop off a few rounds into the back of it's skull, making it pause. I look back to see the hole in its skull start to regrow... so this is kind of pointless. I let go of the rifle and squirm out from the strap as it starts to shake its head from side to side.

"AW FUCK!" I yell as I finally get away, but manage to get headbutted by my own weapon. I shake my head as the earth elemental tosses my rifle aside and charges at me. I flare my magic and take a hold of it, lifting it into the air as it tries to squirm out of my grasp. I take a breath as I start to crush the creature into a ball, finding it difficult to do with a living creature. I step back as I drop the large earthen ball, sighing as the lines start to drop from my shoulders.

BOOM

"MILES!" I look back to see Regina and True Will up a tree as the other elemental tries to climb up after them.... I don't have time for this. I thrust a palm at it and send a beam of soul fire its way. When it made contact I saw the energy coarse through what might of been its body before fading away. As it faded, the stone skeleton fell apart, dropping to the ground.

"GRRRRRRR." I turn back to see the other elemental starting to change into a new form. Soon, a human earth elemental stands before me as it closes its fists and begins to advance towards me.

"What are you waiting for! Kill it!" Regina yells as I lift my hands and stare at it. How could it be human? Can they take form of any creature or was....

BOOM

"MILES!" True Will yells as he drops down and blasts the elemental away. I shake my head and shoot at it, hitting it in the rib cage and making it fall to the ground. "What the hell was that about?" True Will asks as I shake my head and refocus.

"It was nothing. Lets get inside and get this over with already." I say as I walk over and take my rifle. I sling it to my back as we walk through the entrance and into the open square. I look out to see about ten of the griffins and Big Mac out in the center as the five of the Equestrians run towards them. Big Mac is looking around as Lars approaches him from behind... dagger drawn.

"BIG MAC!" I hear Storm yell as Lars thrusts his dagger into his gut.

"NNOOOOOOOOOOO!" I yell as I watch Lars pull back and stab him again, blood pouring out as Big Mac just stares at him in disbelief.

FOO-CRUSH

A powerful gust of wind came crashing down towards Lars, hitting one of the other griffins as they push him out of the way. I sprint out there and head straight for Big Mac, getting my magic ready to heal him. As Storm flies over head to chase after Lars I slide to my knees and immediately put my palms onto Big Mac.

"You're good, you're good. I've got you." I say to him as I start to send waves of healing energy into him. The griffins that were around me tried to attack me, but the remaining guards and mercenaries caught up and fought them off.

"He.... he stabbed me." Big Mac grunts as he winces from the healing magic.

"I know. We'll get him, don't worry about that, just try to stay still." I say as I continue to heal him. Why is this taking so long! I should be done by now, but I'm no where near...

"Lars!" Regina yells as she runs in and watches Storm and Lars fly around the compound. "Why are you doing this!? I thought you were my friend, I thought I could trust you! Why!?" He does a few loops before landing on the other side of the square, dozens of reinforcements backing him up as they pour out of the center building. I look back to see griffins, orcs, ponies and a few dragons take posts around the tops of the walls as charred trees come in from the west side. Soon, we were surrounded.

"My dear ambassador, I'm sorry to say but I think Lars Sharpbeak is a little busy at the bottom of the Great Lake." He says as he moves his claw to the top of his chain mail....

"STEELWING!" I yell as I stand up and go for my pistol, only to get a warning shot from one of the archers.

"Hehehe... I wouldn't do that again. Now I have called you here to answer a very important question Miles..."

"EAT SHIT AND DIE!" I yell, getting another arrow fired at me. I ignore it as I step out from the group and walk towards him. "Do you really believe I would tell you anything after everything you've done?!"

"Yeah..."

"I am going to fucking destroy you. Make you suffer and beg for a death that will never come to you..."

"All in good time." He says with a smile. "But right now someone wishes to speak to you, now just hold tight while I go get them. Oh, and unless you want your friend there to die, I wouldn't move him too much. You don't want the toxin moving around now do you?" He says as he walks happily into the main structure. It takes every fiber of my being not to chase after him or to just start shooting at him.

"Miles, we need you over here now!" Storm yells, making me walk back to the group. Right now its just me, Regina, Storm, Big Mac, Dust Devil, Camo Flash, True Will, Boomy, two guards I don't know and a mercenary I don't know. "What's the plan?"

"..."

"Sir?"

"..."

"MILES!"

"We need to fight our way into the main structure. They won't have their archers there, so we'll have the advantage." I look around the top of the walls when I notice one of the orcs fall over and be replaced with a night guard. "And now we've got back up." I reach into my pockets and pull out the four grenades, giving one frag to True Will, the other to Regina, and one archaic to Storm. "Just squeeze the handle, pull the pin and throw it. Once we have an opening I'll provide cover as we make our way inside, got it?"

"Uh... what pin?" Storm asks as he looks his over. "I thought you said not to let this touch your flesh."

"Yeah, skin doesn't count. Just do what I do. On my mark." I say as I stand up and face the mob before me. "I've got eleven. Storm, get one. Regina, get eight. True Will, get yours at twelve high, got it?"

"Right." They all say together.

"You, mercenary, shield Big Mac until we get back." I say, getting a nod in response. "Ready, set, MARK!" I say as I snap the top off and toss the grenade into the mass of enemy troops. A few seconds later everyone else throws their grenades and I raise my arms, putting a dome shield around us.

KA-BOOM

As the two back grenades went off the two archaic grenades sent out their blue flames, covering the mass before receding back. As they all start to fall to the ground I take off, having everyone follow after me as it starts to rain arrows all around us. I drop my shield as soon as we all make it inside...

FOOSH

I stagger back as a wave of green energy hits all of us. I cough a few times as all of our stomachs growl at once. Why am I so hungry all of the sudden?

"Hello Miles." I look over and... "I, am Famine."

Next Chapter: Chapter 123 Archaic Deals Estimated time remaining: 57 Hours, 18 Minutes