After of hours of waiting for Eleanor to wake up, she finally was opening her eyes to the afternoon sun. I decided to quicken this wake-up properly.

“Ohhhhh… gahhhh… where am I?” Eleanor groaned groggily sitting up from her bed, then she turned her eyes, still half-litted, to my face as I stared directly at her, “SWEET TARTARUS!” she cried out as she fell out of her bed backwards. “What are you doing Ira!? Can’t a lady get some privacy while sleepi-”

I stomped my foot with all my might on her floor, crushing part of the marble beneath me, promptly interrupting her “I've been waiting for you to get up for up to remind you of your improper behavior!” I then brought out my ‘Griffon Military Handbook’ (which I written myself since no such recording of it existed) and listed off her offences:

“Rule number 16-A2! No drinking of alcoholic beverages on duty! Rule number 48-B6! Destruction or misuse of uniform is prohibited! Rule number 24-I9! All military personnel must fill out a proper report of every completed mission immediately said after completion, and you have not even started after said mission today!....”

As I listed off every rule disregarded by her actions, I was annoyed by the blank look on her face as she interrupted, “Even after 1 year of living with us you still believe that these rules are all meant to be taken seriously?”

I immediately closed the book to denounce her foolish disrespect of discipline, “Fool! These ironclad rules are what make a military functional! Anything less than complete compliance leads to anarchy! That is why these rules existed for hundreds of years!” “Yeah, and those same rules have been ignored or simplified for actual use for hundreds of year too.” She replied with a uncaring stare, still tired.

We kept trying to stare each other down for a couple more seconds, until she spoke up again, “I’m aware that in your world, the furious glare you are making put fear upon those you commanded and maybe even most of our lower ranks too, but to me it just looks goofy, especially how your eyebrows twitch.” Eleanor laughed about her last statement until her hangover came back with full force, making her stop and put her claws against her forehead.

My face became red, but I still continued, putting the book back into my pocket, “Serves you right. A soldier that cannot even speak as much as fight while incapacitated with a drink.” “Oh shut up ya big lug, and let me recovery for a bit” Eleanor replied with annoyance.

Despite my inner protest, I decided she would pay for her actions later after she recovered. I was about the open the door from her quarters when a loud knocking came from it, and a message was rush-fully made, “ King Sigmar immediately requests your presence at his throne room Ellen! And if you see Gamagori, let him know he is needed too.”

As I opened the door to respond I found that the messenger was already gone, and I turned around to see Eleanor already putting on her armor, “Let’s get ready Ira, Sigmar would not call for me when he knows I’m usually having a hangover or passed out at this hour.” “Unfortunately” I mumbled to myself. “Oh stop your whining! Go ahead without me and see what’s going on early, I’ll be there soon.” I nodded at her request and rushed to the throne room.

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After a couple of minutes I reached the throne room, and saw King Sigmar talking with all of his highest ranking troops and advisers. Out of all the griffons in the room, King Sigmar looked like he was stressed the most, as he was looking at a letter and a map of Equestria and the Griffon Kingdom.

He looked up for a moment and noticed my presence, he smiled sadly and beckoned me with his claw, I assumed to converse with him on this unknown issue with me. “I’m glad you made it Gamagori, I’m guessing you were shaming Ellen again for her drinking habits?” I grunted in response when reminded of that griffon’s irresponsible actions, but then asked Sigmar while looking at the papers on the table, “What did Equestria send to you  that calls for this emergency meeting King Sigmar?” “Ah observant as ever Gamagori, well, it seems that the nation of Equestria has requested foreign military aid against a predicted ‘changeling’ invasion” Sigmar noted grimly.

One of the of the advisers spoke up loudly, “And it is my most humble request that we ignore such a message! How would we benefit from such an endeavor that sounds more like a false alarm? Or even a trap!?” This sparked an argument among the griffons in the room as a general spoke up, “In all my years of experience I have to agree! The changelings have not been seen for hundreds of years, and were reported to be wiped out by the ponies! They just we are so gullible to believe such a deadly enemy has returned again!” One of Sigmar’s more zealous generals spoke up, “So!? This gives us a proper opportunity to gain more power! We show that we are compliant to such a request, and when they think they have our forces in their grasp, we cut off the ropes of such an amateur trap! And in the moment of surprise, show them our strength as a force to be reckoned with!” “You're a fool! Even if we do succeed at such a campaign it would quickly be turned around in the favor of the ponies when their rulers fight! They have the power of the sun and moon behind them!”

While I could keep patient even among this bickering, I had the proper experience to such noise in a war room, I could tell that King Sigmar’s patience was running thin extremely fast. As such, he pulled out his ‘Silver Hammer’ CRASH! and smashed the table in front of him, properly shutting the griffons in the room up. “YOUR A BUNCH OF FOOLS!” Sigmar declared, making the griffons slightly panic realizing they angered their king. “WHEN IN THE HISTORY OF EQUINE DID THE SISTERS EVER COME UP WITH A TAKEOVER OF ANY NATION!?” Sigmar then breathed in, and calmed down a little. “Yes, it was reported that the changelings were wiped out ‘IN EQUESTRIA’, NOT in other lands! And you all have read about their amazing ability to repopulate extremely fast, right!?” The griffons nodded slowly in agreement. “Lastly, do I have to remind you even after our invasion upon Equestria that slaughtered thousands of military and innocent lives of the same lands, that they immediately forgave such foolish actions after eventually defeating us?” Once again, all the griffons shook their heads in agreement.

After calming down some more, Sigmar continued while looking at the letter, “We have been in neutral terms with the ponies for a long time now, even reaching trustworthy, and looking at this letter, that has been quickly given by the pony messengers I have heard, I can say for certain that Equestria is in need of dire assistance from the words of their princess, and we are the only close neighbor that can give such powerful aid.” He stood up proud and finished, “So that is why I say we prove our might as a nation by showing those ponies the griffon might! We must repay their trust by showing them trust ourselves! All support to the decision to give immediate military support to Equestria say ‘I!” And all griffons around him, including me, cheered “I!”

After that whole debate was settled, me and the other high ranking military officials with King Sigmar discussed plans for a military campaign in Equestria. All heads were raised when the noise of Eleanor rushing in panting for breath, “Hey pant pant what did pant I miss Sigmar?” I could only grip my face in frustration at this much of a late entrance. Although Sigmar madly grinned, “Pack your bags Ellen! You're going to war!” Eleanor, for the second time that day, promptly passed out on the floor.

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Once again, I find myself having to wait for Eleanor to get up! She has passed out from her shock and exhaustion for the rest of the day and night, and we have to prepare for King Sigmar’s plans! Although Eleanor is quite efficient when it comes to the execution, it takes her too long to prepare and to recover!

My inner rant is interrupted by the noise of Eleanor slowly getting up and stretching, while I stood there tapping my foot waiting for her to turn around. “Oh come to ‘politely’ inform me of my misconducts again Ira?” she replied said with obvious sarcasm. I ignored this to focus on more important matters.

“Because of the recent desperate letter from Princess Celestia requesting assistance to prepare for a predicted encounter with the changelings, we have only till the afternoon to prepare for such an endeavor, and I need you up and ready to join the rest of the forces.” “Straight to business huh Ira? Well I guess I’m glad you let my ‘foolish actions’ aside so we can focus on this, because I know this will be your first real war.” I shook my head, “You forgot about my experience fighting a war on my world Eleanor.” “Yeah yeah, you don’t have to brag about that again” I would never brag about such a thing! She smirked at my frustrated look, “Don’t get your uniform in a twist Ira, what I meant was that you are fighting a completely different enemy, one that even griffons and ponies have not encountered for generations. Even if you did read about them, we all have to be on our guard.”

I smiled softly at her concern, “ I have to admit Eleanor, you are correct. This will be an enemy that I have no experience or knowledge of besides in history books. I am glad you take such concern over my well being for the upcoming battle.”

After finishing putting on her armor, she walked up and patted me on the back, “Hey! Don’t get too soft on me just yet! Keep up your enthusiastic and compelling attitude to show it to those ponies how tough you really are!” “OF COURSE! I must prepare a speech to make to griffons and ponies about our upcoming battle! They will stand alert for battle once I show them the resolve of an elite three-star!” She just giggled at this, “Yeah they’ll definitely be alert for something - probably a certain human - but anyway! Let’s hurry to the Leviathan!” We started to sprint to our destination.

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Ah the mighty Griffon Kingdom Leviathan! Truly a construction to strike fear in the enemy, and put confidence in the troops! Unlike most blimp-like transports on Earth, the ones here on Equine are all powered by a special fuel-magic that both lifts aircraft up and increases their flight speed. The Griffon Kingdom Leviathan is specifically built to contain 200 griffon troops for battle, armed with few magical cannons and mostly archer posts, the standard model focuses more as a transport that an air-battleship. Yet its armor should not be taken lightly as even the heavy cloth holding the magic-fuel is enchanted to be as powerful as the metals that cover the ship as a whole.

Me and Eleanor at this moment were standing patiently with the other griffon soldiers to be sent off by King Sigmar, to then go on the Leviathan. She was currently nudging me with her elbow trying to get my attention, “Hey Gamagori! psssst! Hey! I need to ask you something!” she whispered, failing to not annoy the griffons around her. “What is it Eleanor! We have to wait patiently for the King! You can pester me later!” I whispered back, not moving my head to acknowledge her. “I’m sorry, but… I need to know something. Do you feel even a bit nervous or even anxious about having to quickly go into another country you never been in? To see another sentient species you have never seen in person before?” I could tell she was rather serious about this, so I turned my head to face her, “It does not matter. As long as my resolve is strong, I am ready to face any new challenge that this world will give me. I already have to work with you, so I pretty much have faced the worst.” “Well I still think that-HEY! I've been nice and helpful to you since we first met!” “And you have always been sabotaging yourself, the rules, and my uniform ever since we met too!”  “AH HEM!” A loud cough echoed throughout the hanger and interrupted our bickering.

King Sigmar, upon a stone podium, was looking rather annoyed by our actions, “If Gamagori and Ellen are done arguing like children, I think we are ready to set you into battle!” He declared raising his hammer, while me and Eleanor made one final mock glare, but looked back on Sigmar soon enough. Everyone in the hanger cheered loudly at this. “Good then! Let me first remind every and each one of you that this will not be a gang of bandits, criminals, or rebels, but an enemy we have not seen in hundreds of years: the changelings! Be ever on your guard from this cowardly creatures of disguise, and make sure the griffon next to you is who he or she seems to be!” Another cheer responded from this. “That is all! I know you will all prove mighty in battle! And I leave you with my blessing” Sigmar then proceeded to slam his hammer down on the ground making an echoing slam, the soldiers only cheered louder at this, and headed in the Leviathan.

Before I turned into to enter the Leviathan, I saw Sigmar look directly at me with a sad smile, and salute me. I knew what he meant, and saluted back. King Sigmar. I will once again prove that you made another right choice, for I: Gamagori Ira will bring the resolve of the Griffon Kingdom crashing down against the enemy!”

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Currently, it has been a while since the Leviathan had taken off, on top of the construct I am observing the beautiful setting sun of Equine. Specifically on one its many look-out decks, and it felt great for the first time looking upon up high at the clouds without falling while barely conscious. Eleanor, to my displeasure, has decided to sleep pretty early, but that does not matter for now our predicted time for reaching Canterlot will be somewhere close to a day. Despite the calm feeling of the wind and the gigantic size of the ship, it is reaching high speeds without it feeling like it  because of another magic enchantment on itself. I question the complexity of such a spell, but I am still impressed by what magic like that can do for efficient needs.

My calm mood caused by the sky was instantly interrupted by a griffon soldier rushing out in the balcony, “Gamagori Sir! There is a representative of the Equestrian nation wanting to meet all high-ranking soldiers in the hanger! Immediately!” I snapped out of my euphoric state and switched to a proper military attitude, “Well then! It’s time to show this representative our readiness for battle!” “Um, sure sir, but there is something you should know about who-”  I was too focused on my mission to hear what the messenger was saying as I rushed to the hanger with gusto.

I eventually reached the large metal door to the hanger and slammed it open, marching in a straight line.  “LINE UP!” All griffon soldiers in the room immediately stood in military formation, giving me a path assuming to the representative. “NOW! WHO IS THE REPRESENTATIVE OF THE EQUESTRIAN NATION!?  IF YOU ARE HERE TO FIND JUST A LITTLE SUPPORT! THEN YOU ARE WRONG!” Some griffons in the room were noticeably sweating and looked visibly worried, but I assumed they were not prepared for my sudden entrance, Amateurs! They must always be ready to witness their uppers declare their strength, and must always show readiness for such an event! “I THINK I CAN SPEAK FOR ALL OF MY SOLDIERS HERE THAT WE ARE READY TO SHOW YOU OUR RESOLVE IN BATTLE!” Now most of the griffons in the room were starting to physically shake. What’s going on! Is there some doubt to our ironclad strength! Disgracef- Just then, as I reached the end of the formation, I noticed a blue aura hiding behind a box of supplies, I shoved them immediately out of the way to see a quivering four-legged, horned, winged, and dark blue furred creature with a symbol of the moon on its flank. It saw my face and cried out:

“Wh-what are you!?” as it started to stare into up into my face. I could tell that this pony, I can assume that it is one, does not recognize me, so I decided to properly introduce myself to calm it down:

“I’M GAMAGORI IRA, MEMBER OF KING SIGMAR’S PERSONAL GUARD!”

The pony then proceeded to pass out, much to my confusion. Next Chapter: Chapter 5: First Encounter Estimated time remaining: 50 Minutes