It’s been an a while since I’ve been searching for our supposed griffon allies, and not a single ship nor griffon soldier has appeared in my sight. Those scouts better be right better be right about the Griffon Leviathan they spotted, and if that is true I hope this Leviathan is for support and not an invasion I thought grimly to myself. For all I know the message could have been easily stopped by a changeling ambush, making this plea for assistance worthless. I might as well just give up while there is still-

While contemplating giving up I saw an enormous Leviathan from the distance aiming right towards Canterlot. From closer inspection I can tell this was no small scout ship, but huge transport build to carry a couple hundred battle troops from the air. Sigmar must really be pulling out all the stops for us, but why? While we never had negative encounters in hundreds of years with the Griffon Kingdom, we generally seemed to try to avoid contact in general

There was no time for deep thoughts now! I flew, with outward gittyness, to the hanger of the Leviathan. I could see about three griffons fly out of the entrance coming my direction. It’s now or never, don’t want to risk the entire nation for being too brash or loud now… OH GODS WHAT IF I MESS UP!? I was physically shaking from my worries, but was able to gather myself when the three griffons flew closer into proper speaking distance.

Their eyes bulged a little, and immediately bowed as the one in the middle said, “Princess Luna! We are glad to see such an important representative came to see the Griffon Kingdom’s battle-ship!” I was puzzled by this surprising amount of respect, although you must always be suspicious of a ruse no matter what. All three stood up and the middle one continued, “We request that you talk to our superiors about the details of this invasion Equestria is preparing for!” “W-I am glad you are prepared with such a large-scale force, the changelings should not be underestimated. I accept your request, let us discuss about this inside.” I replied with as much calmness as possible See I can do this!

And so, the griffons and myself hovered to the hanger, and I could swear I saw a huge, strange-looking bipedal form on the top on one of the balconies. I shook off this discovery I’m just letting the stress get to me, it could have just been a tall griffon.

As I landed inside the hanger, I saw about 50 or more griffons walking around the hanger, most of them were either conversing or inspecting parts of the ship. One of the griffons that landed with me spoke, “I must warn you about something Princess Luna, before we get to the battle room if you please?” I just nodded silently, but very curious about what could he possibly want to tell me?

He seemed to be…. shaking? But he still spoke, “Um well, we have two of King Sigmar’s highest ranking soldiers in this Leviathan. Elleanor the Swift of Sigmar’s personal guard, who is known for her informal and slightly immature nature at times.” I just giggled at this and responded with a slight smile, “You definitely don’t have to worry about me being offended about that. I have, this may be surprising to you, but I’m catching up to the times!”

Shockingly, he did not change his nervous demeanor despite my humorous reply, “Well…. she is not the griffon I have to warn you about know, but Sigmar’s other personal guard. He is…. ‘unique’ as he was not part of our nation before he became part of us, a… non-griffon I should say.” Well this is interesting I pondered The griffon military, and country in general, mostly frowns upon non-griffons in their military, even at the lowest ranks. While this was interesting, that was just it, it did not seem like a major problem just something interesting.

With a more confused look on my face I responded, “I still do not see the problem. While this is a unique thing to learn about, I fail to see the point in this.” He noticed my slight annoyance and continued, “Look, King Sigmar himself tries to keep his identity secret outside the nation as much as possible, but now that you have shown up, I do not honestly know what I can say without consequences.” He them stared directly into my eyes, “Sigh I’m just going to tell you anyway to avoid a misunderstanding, his name is Ga-” SLAM!

All conversation in the hanger immediately stopped, as one of its metal doors slapped open, making me physically jump. And when I recovered from my shock a moment later, I looked up to see something truly terrifying.

A giant, bipedal, dark-skinned…. THING! Was stomping down the line of griffon soldiers that lined up, with most powerful glare any living monster I have ever seen plastered on its face. Is-is this the creature that griffon was speaking of! I have to stay calm! He may look intimidating, but me of all ponies knows how looks can deciv-

“NOW! WHO IS THE REPRESENTATIVE OF THE EQUESTRIAN NATION!?  IF YOU ARE HERE TO FIND JUST A LITTLE SUPPORT! THEN YOU ARE WRONG!” I GOTTA GET OUT OF HERE! I GOTTA GET OUT OF HERE! I GOTTA GET OUT OF HERE!! After hearing that voice from the depths of Tartarus itself, I immediately ran behind some storage boxes despite my ability to fly out of the hanger. I cannot let that… that… giant get to me!

I could only panic and shiver in fear as the beast continued, “I THINK I CAN SPEAK FOR ALL OF MY SOLDIERS HERE THAT WE ARE READY TO SHOW YOU OUR RESOLVE IN BATTLE!” I could only hear noise as he spoke, with barely any understanding to what he was saying, but maybe that was from me yelling in fear inside my head trying to block out the outside world.

I could only panic as I could hear its massive footsteps get louder and louder as it got closer to me. While I was praying to ever god I knew, I felt a shadow loom over me. Still shaking, I looked up to get a good look at the thing. It stood tall and great more than any mountain, it had a body that looked harder than obsidian, and worst of all, its face, OH GODS ITS FACE! If I was told it was the face of the ruler of Tartarus itself, I would believe it with no hesitation.

After hours of staring at the worst nightmarish creature I have ever seen, though it might have been a couple seconds, I was able to stutter out one thing to the giant, “Wh-what are you!?” After a couple of more dreadful seconds, it opened its mouth to speak again:

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

After that, everything went dark as I felt myself fall to the floor.

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(Gamagori’s perspective)

The current situation could’ve been better, although we are merely hours away from our destination Canterlot, our “ambassador” seems to be under the weather. Right now I just finished explaining what happened those hours ago to Eleanor, and she seems to have the unique mix of shock, fear, and…. laughter?

“So snort let me get this straight: you, slammed open the door of the hanger, proceeded to declare your “resolve” to the heavens themselves, got right up to PRINCESS LUNA’S FACE! The Princess Luna! And stared at her with extreme intensity and “subtly” told her your position in the Griffon Kingdom?” I stared blankly at Eleanor, I had no idea what was so funny and wrong about the situation I described, and just nodded. Eleanor seemed to just sigh and pressed both claws to her faced in frustration.

Currently, me and Eleanor were conversing in her quarters in the Leviathan after she woke up, while Princess Luna, as I was told by a panicking medic while putting her on a gurney, was going to recover in the medical facility. Even though I knew that I made a proper introduction for any dedicated soldier for his superiors and visiting foreign superiors, I also knew that I must has told the Princess at a stressful time. My passionate speech must have been too much for her to take after such a long flight, I understand such stresses. I must find a way to correct my mistake.

After she finished rubbing her head, Eleanor was about tell me something, probably to mock me, a knock interrupted her. “Report for Gamagori Ira and Eleanor the Swift! Princess Luna has recovered for her shock, and immediately requests to see all griffon superiors!”

This is my change to redeem my actions! I bolted to the facility as fast as I could, while a incoherent noise of Eleanor yelling emitted from her room. I have no time for petty conversation now! I must make a good name for King Sigmar!

I burst through the door of the medical facility, ignoring all the faces of griffons and the Princess staring at me, and got on my knees, “As a loyal soldier to the Griffon Kingdom! I: Gamagori Ira, request your humble forgiveness upon my foolish self!”

There was only silence for a couple of seconds, until I heard Eleanor enter the door, “GAMAGORI YOU LUG-HEAD! Don’t you know that you might be a least bit intimidating as an unseen giant for the ponies of Equestria!?” I looked up to glare at her for her disrespectful interruption, when she just put her claw over my mouth.

Eleanor with more calmness, while I was struggling to get her off, told the Princess, “Princess Luna, I apologise for Gamagori here scaring the living magic out of you when you got here. There was no way to immediately warn you about who he is and his…. unique stature.” I looked up to see the Princess with a relieved, yet still shocked expression.

Though she was still able to speak again, “Um, thank you…” “Eleanor the Swift, but please call me Ellen” “Thank you Ellen, I’m also sorry for causing a panic among the Leviathan after my….experience with  ‘Gamagori’” Some of the griffons in the room backed away for the Princess to stand up and look at us, with a more seriously expression.

“Gamagori Ira, you may stand up if you wish” Elleanor was hesitant to let me go, but I was able to push her away, and stood above everyone in the room, casting a giant shadow upon the Princess. She seemed to be unnerved by this, but still stared intensely again, “Yes, well um, I request Gamagori Ira that you first explain who and what exactly are you? I’m sorry, but I’ve been around all of Equine and no such species has looked like you”

I was very hesitant about this reveal of information, as I know how most griffons react, but how the ponies would react is a different question. But like King Sigmar said, we must show our trust for our allies now. I told Princess Luna about the general information about humans, my original planet, and my integration into the Griffon Kingdom.

It took awhile, but I could see that the Princess was very interested in my people and my journeys. I ended with the explanation of my part with the Griffon Kingdom’s mission to help her nation. Princess Luna noticed I had finished and responded with respect and wonder, but maybe a little too much though, “WE ARE ASTOUNDED BY THEE GAMAGORI IRA! WE MUST DISCUSS MORE ABOUT THYSELF AND WORLD LATER WHEN THIS CONFLICT IS SETTLED!”

Strangely enough, Luna seemed to change from proud ruler to embarrassed child in an instant, “ Oh Tartarus I used the “Voice” again didn’t I? My most sincere apol-” She then noticed me and the griffons’ confused expressions as she was stuttering, “But-but, how did you resist the power of the ‘Royal Canterlot Voice’. Did I break your hearing!?” she squeaked the last part, while Elleanor just giggled at this outburst.

“Princess Luna, although it is true we know of the infamous ‘Royal Canterlot Voice’, you have to understand that living with Gamagori, will griffons immune to any loud noise that can be made by anything ever created in Equine” The other griffons in the room just nodded and grunted in agreement to this. Although Eleanor may have twisted it into an insult, my voice is the sound of power! And it is a sign of resolve when my voice cannot cow a fellow soldier!

Luna just stood there shocked, yet relieved by what just transpired, “Well… that is wonderful news! I am relieved by the lack of panic caused by my distress. Though Gamagori, I would like to request to try not to act so…. ‘expressive’ when you meet the other Equestrian citizens. It could cause a panic to see a ‘unique’ creature like you yell in the middle of a town that never seemed your kind. Would you kindly?” I could that this was no request, but an order, as seen from her stature. Although I am loyal to Sigmar, I wish no more civil unrest for the Equestrians, so I just nodded in reply, “Yes Princess Luna, I will set a good example for the Griffon Kingdom!”

Luna just signed in content, “I am glad you understand Gamagori. Well! Now that this drama is out of the way, may I request how far are we from Canterlot?” One of the griffon technicians responded to this, “We are about one hour away from reaching our destination while going by our current speed Princess Luna.”

Luna’s expression turned grim, “Then we must hurry to plan strategy my griffon allies. There is a reason why the letter sent was urgent, it is today on the day of the wedding between Captain Shining Armor and Princess Mi Amore Cadenza, that the prediction of the changeling invasion was predicted. Now show me to the war room.” All the higher-up griffon leaders responded to this, and silently guided Princess Luna to the war room, while me and Eleanor followed suit.

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(approximately 1 hour later)

For the entire hour that we had to plan defense against the invasion, Princess Luna had told us about the current state of Canterlot at this point. The entire city is uninformed about the predicted changeling attack, to prevent panic to spread among the country to such a reveal of such  an infamous foe. Next, although there is a magic shield covering the entire city to prevent specifically changelings from entering, the citizens were informed that the purpose for it was to avoid interruptions to the wedding.

I asked about the possibility of just moving the wedding to another date after being informed of such a threat, but Princess Luna just shook her head and said that if the wedding was canceled the enemy will immediately know of their suspicion, and commence the attack while they were not ready. As she later explained, our reinforcements are the backup planned to be arriving at the day of the invasion to increase the chance of success without suspicion of knowing about it.

Soon battle plans were made, Princess Luna said she planned to stay with the Leviathan to protect it from the changelings as additional fire-support, as although she expresses her acknowledgement of the griffon military power, both she and the griffons know of the lack of anti-aircraft weaponry on the transport ship. Secondly, she said the bulk of the griffon soldiers need to focus on defending the citizens of Canterlot in the residential area. All and all, I found this to be the best means to control the invasion and prevent the most casualties, although there's one problem that I’m dealing with now….

“WHY MUST I BE PREVENTED THE GLORY OF BEING THE SHIELD TO PROTECT MY MEN!” I stomped my foot furiously on my quarter’s floor while dealing with this foolish order. “Now Gamagori, you have to respect the command given by Princess Luna right? You did say you would show Sigmar how your resolve is unlimited?” Eleanor said while patting my shoulder, failing to calm me down. Currently a battle was going to be fought with spilled blood and destruction, and I have to stay in the Leviathan to prevent panic!?

“Don’t try to use my own words against me Eleanor, I know what I said, but how can I keep my word while confined in this ship!?”

“Do you have no faith in us? In your men? Look, I understand, I have to stay here too, but that’s because I have a responsibility to protect this ship, and to keep lug-heads like you from doing something stupid to ruin the mission.” I pondered this, True, she does enjoy the sting of battle, way more than I ever will, and she is pushing that aside just to accept her responsibility, but that does not change one thing though…

“Yes Eleanor, you and Princess Luna I know can keep this Leviathan from taking even a scratch of damage, a moon-rising demi-god and a powerful warrior capable of flight can surely do that…” I paused and turned my head to look her in the eyes, “How can I defeat an enemy I cannot confront? I’m basically a waste of power, waiting to be send surging through the enemy on the ground.”

Eleanor just closed her eyes and sighed, “Well if you're going to think like that then-” The sound of a enormous glass structure breaking could be heard outside. Me and Eleanor immediately got up to rush into the closest look-out.

What we saw below us, was complete chaos; a giant pink magic-made shield covering the entire city of Canterlot was shattering, as swarms  of insect-like pony shaped creatures by the thousands rushed to attack the city inside the broken shield. A cackling laughter could be heard emanating from the creatures as they started dive-bombing the city and using their magics to destroy anything that got in their way. Me and Eleanor could here the commanding voice of Princess Luna, “YOU KNOW WHERE IN THE CITY YOU ARE ASSIGNED SOLDIERS! NOW PROVE TO EQUESTRIA YOUR STRENGTH AND PROTECT THE CITIZENS!”

A battle-cry emitted from the griffons could be heard as they charged in battle formation towards the enemy focusing on the city.  But eventually, I noticed that the changelings saw the presence of the Levitation, and many of them charged directly at it.

Before the two armies could collide in the sky, a great laser, from what I can I assume was magic, vaporized a chunk of the changeling charge, and turned to the culprit: Princess Luna, standing on top of the ship with a piercing glare at the changling army, with what I can guess was her battle armor. This distraction allowed for most of the griffon forces to attack the changelings on the ground, as the ones in the sky focused on the Leviathan itself.

I could only stand there and watch as Eleanor took off to support the princess, dual-sword equipped and charged at the enemy. Already faithful in the resolve of Eleanor I focused on the Princess with amazement as, with great skill, used her magics and physical kicks to knock the swarming changelings from the air unconscious or as charred lumps to the ground. It was truly a sight to behold, now I can say for certain the Princesses are not a force to be messed with, but I soon turned my head from the display to the ground below.

Now directly below the Leviathan, I saw with pride as griffon warriors fought with all their might back to back with the guard of Equestria, but it soon turned to worry as I saw how outnumbered even with our reinforcements they were. It almost seemed impossible with the numbers of changelings kept arriving to the city, slowly diminishing our numbers.

What made watching this even more unbearable, were these barbaric creatures, changelings, method of defeating a foe, citizen or soldier. Once they outnumbered someone, they would rush to… drain the energy of the fallen griffon or pony. I was soon tired of this, the screaming of good men and innocent citizens going through my head started a rebellious spark, and grew rapidly into a flame.

I gripped the railing, bending the metal as my glare intensified THAT. IS. IT! I threw myself off the railing with not a single second of hesitation, to meet the enemy with open arms! IT IS TIME TO TURN THE TIDE!

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(3rd Person Perspective)

Things were not looking good for a certain trio of royal guards, for they were currently backing up into a street corner with changelings surrounding them. “This is it men! Let’s show them why backing an animal in a corner is grave mistake!” One of the three declared while preparing a charged spell, the other two just grunted in agreement, but with significantly more fear in their eyes, as they followed the same with their horns. The changelings approaching them just grinned maliciously while getting ready to swarm the guards.

A sound getting louder by the second, distracting both the changelings and the guards, it sounded a lot like… laughter? “hahahaahaHAHAAHAAHAAAHAAH!” They all looked up to see their sight of daylight blocked by a massive figure dive right at them.

When they were recovering from such a shocking image fall from the sky, an earth-shattering explosion smashed through the ground, throwing changelings in every direction away from it. The changelings still conscious from the attack, rushed to surround the crater to see the attacker.

All the angry chattering of the changelings immediately stopped, as so did all sound in the area as massive towering figure rose from the center of the crater. All present could only stare as the dust cleared to reveal what they could guess to be a giant, with the most ferocious glare imaginable. The silence was palpable as it stood, staring down at the changelings with both analytical and piercing look.

It shattered when it spoke, “FOOLISH INVADERS! YOU HAVE UNLEASHED THE POWER OF THE GRIFFON KINGDOM UPON YOURSELVES WHEN YOU TOOK A SINGLE STEP IN CANTERLOT! REMEMBER THIS WHEN YOUR WILL IS BROKEN: I AM THE SHIELD OF SIGMAR! AND YOU WILL FACE HIS JUDGEMENT THROUGH ME!” It proved those words to be true, when all hell broke loose.

All changelings immediately swarmed in defiance against his words, despite the slight hesitation it did cause, and charged the giant with fangs bared. The guards still in the corner could only look with awe and fear as the massive giant, with impossibly accurate speeds, used the whips on his apparent uniform to strike down every changeling that got a couple of feet from it.

Eventually though, the changelings, even with their one-track minds, could see the inevitability of their attack and retreated to another part of the city. The giant merely glared at the retreating changelings, and proceeded to turn the three guards who were approaching him cautiously. Before the guards could say anything to the uniformed titan that saved their lives, with a speed seemingly impossible for its size, started to climb up the building walls to reach the noise.

The ponies could only stand there and stare blankly as the giant jumped, until one of them spoke up, “Someone kick me because I’m pretty sure I’m in one of those changeling cocoon harvesters.”

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Things could have been better for Twilight, for she and her friends were surrounded by all sides by changelings (she could also swear she had heard a loud screaming from the distance) . Even though they could outsmart and overpower the changelings, their seemingly countless numbers are what are really was draining them, though not surprisingly Pinkie seemed to have no signs of exhaustion apparent on her.

Eventually though, as the dust cleared from the fight, the only obstacles in their way were the many unconscious changelings twitching on the street. She smiled sadly, as did her friends, from the fight finally being over, and eventually collected their breaths.

The Mane 6 immediately started running toward the castle. We have to make a run for it! It’s our only- “Hey Twilight! Can changelings turn into enormous naked minotaurs!?” Pinkie asked loudly, interrupting Twilight’s thoughts. “Pinkie this is not the time to ask hypothetical questions! We have to go save the prin-” “Um Twilight, I think that might be something we need to know. Look.” Rainbow Dash stated while turning Twilight’s head to atop a tower, as she and the others also stopped to turn their heads as they could only stare in both fear and curiosity.

“What in all of Equestria!?” Twilight screamed, as the Mane 6 continued to stare at the gigantic uniformed beast, Fluttershy whispered with hope, “Ummm… maybe it could  be a friendly- EEP!”  “AHH!” The group exclaimed as the giant suddenly appeared right in front of them, without them even noticing. Wha-what is this species!? It’s clearly not a minotaur, monkey, diamond dog, or any other bipedal creature seen in Equine! I must also concur that it must have sentient from the appearance of the uniform it wears, and… is that a…. Griffon Kingdom Emble-

“Equestrian citizens!” The unknown giant yelled, causing the group to recoil. Twilight was able to respond eventually before anyone else did, with a little hesitation though, “Ye-yes sir?” “I demand to know why non-military personnel are located in the middle of an invasion! Those who cannot fight must stay indoors to avoid the fight!” Before Twilight to could answer the glaring creature, Rainbow Dash was unnerved by this, and flew right into its face and jabbed it in the chest, “Hey! Where do you go off making false statements like that!? Me and my friends can handle these bugs just fine!”

“SILENCE!” the creature yelled out, officially making Rainbow Dash sink to the ground, “AS MY KING’S LIVING SHIELD: IT IS MY DUTY TO PROTECT HIS PEOPLE AND ALLIES!” He stomped closer to the Mane six, speechless from such a passion filled proclamation, “As you must know! I have been given orders from your rulers to protect Canterlot and its citizens from any attacks! So I must ask again: why are you out here!?”

Eventually recovering from shock, Twilight cleared her throat loudly and spoke to the titan, “I am Twilight Sparkle, student of Princess Celestia, and the Element of Magic of the Elements of Harmony, who are behind me. I must request you allow us to get the princess, as she is in peril um…”

She then noticed the hulking mass got on its knees in… apology? “My name is Gamagori Ira: Member of the Personal Guard of King Sigmar, and I beg you to forgive my foolish actions!” The Mane Six all backed up as the giant proclaimed Gamagori slammed itself to the ground. “Umm I did not expect this to happen. I’m sure it was just an honest mistake-” “NO! I must be punished for my actions verbally or physically! I request you do as such!”

This was just getting weirder and weirder for Twilight to comprehend, a hairless minotaur that is part of the Griffon Kingdom Army, is loud as Luna (if not louder), loyal as Rainbow Dash, and dramatic like Rarity. Before she could recover from her mental breakdown of the situation, Pinkie Pie ran in front of her to Gamagori, “I know what you can do! Because you are big, scary, and super fast! You can carry all of us the castle faster than any of us can do! Huh huh!? Can ya can ya!?” She bounced in anticipation from this request until Applejack placed a hoof on her back to calm her down.

“Hold on there sugarcube! We ain’t going to take advantage of somepon- uh some-creature like that. And he may look like he could lift a barn, I don’t thank he can carry six full grown-” “AHH!” All six girls screamed as the suddenly found themselves in vice-like hug by Gamagori. “YES! I must retake my honor by assisting such great Equestrian heros!”

All they could do was protest futilely, besides Pinkie who was cheering with glee, as Gamagori ran in  the direction of the castle, hopefully. Next Chapter: Chapter 6: Craved Punishment Estimated time remaining: 31 Minutes