Dragon-guard

by Athlon2736

Chapters

• New Beginnings?
• Storm Front
• Sweet. Sweet Dusk
• NOTICE AND INFORMATION!!!

New Beginnings?

New Beginnings?

Two silhouettes appeared down the road to Canterlot's caslte, one a tall, and dark coated stallion, who was well built and intimating in nature, while the other, a mid size brown unicorn with a cutie mark of a scroll with magic seeming to leap from the page. The tall dark stallion, who's cutie mark was hidden from view by a large cloak that his all but his eyes and nose, marched and his sapphire blue eyes seemed to bore into the souls ahead of him, though few that was. A head, the path to the door stood four Royal Guards, each in their beautiful golden armour, the symbol of both Celestia and Luna adored to the center of the breast plates. Two Unicorns and two Earth ponys, all of which had their cutie marks hidden from view by the armor's enchantments. One of the guards, a unicorn named Odin, looked at the leading earth pony, watching, his emerald green eyes ever watching the pony.

For the most part, the only ponies moving were the two who were marching to the palaces great gates. Odin, who moved finally to stand in front of the gate to open it of the ponies, watch the dark charcoal grey pony, who looked back.

"The Princesses are waiting for you. Your late," the unicorn commented.

"The Imperial Guard is never, ever late, Captain Odin. We arrive when we find it fit," the pony replied, "Though I am sorry to have kept the moon and sun waiting for us. I will apologize when I meet them." His gruff voice echoed something he wanted to keep hidden, and Odin respected that, nodding to him.

"Agreed, and I will escort you to the council hall and will not leave the princesses unguarded," he stated, his voice commanding and great, as the royal guard must be. Both the earth and unicorn nodded to him, and followed. The great and grandiose halls of the palace we hallow, empty and abandoned, though live and powerful. The crisp red rug that ran down the center of the hall, while the stained glass windows let the sun princess's light in. Marble stone, dappled with soft blue and grey waves, made the floor sound and strong, with each hoof step filling the hall with a soft click, muffled when the pony was on the rug. On either side of the carpet stone pillars, each elaborately carved and filled with beautiful images of ponies, dragons, gryphons and more. Every second pillar stood a Royal Guard, the golden armor and white coats, eyes locked across to the other pillar.

The three stallions walked in silence, following the carpet gently down the hall, the brown unicorn looking and admiring the great works of the Equestrain ponies stone masons. He looked, feeling that this place was powerful, yet peaceful; grand yet quaint. Each guard was like a statue, both imposing, yet welcoming. He couldn't help but admire.

They walked for a good twenty minute through out the reverberating palace hall ways. They passed a good two dozen guards alone, each the same, staring and stalwart.

Slowly, the faint words of council, and other individuals rose up, softly at first but slowly became a roar. They neared the political hall, and by far, the number of individual increased dramatically. Unicorns, Pegasi and Earth ponies talked about land, treaties and other political matters. Things grew crazy, and the other parties, such as Zebra's, Gryphons, and some different ponies, hailing from different countries and kingdoms.

"MY LORD DEMANDS NEW CROPS!"

"We do not have enough land, and we must expand, so it is legitimized!"

"Invasion of our kingdom is never justified!"

Equestria, as large as it was, was the only country that had a guard and not a army or fighting force and as such, all pony kingdoms had considered it a neutral and to never be threatened.

In the past, Equestria once held several legions of ponies to wage war and bring smaller near by countries into its protected fold, often with little to no resistance. It was once it invade Galastria in the north did it meet its match, and it paid dearly for it. The invasion started swift, fast and strong, under the command of the earth pony General, Black-fire, who rushed north, trying to get to the capital of the megre sized country. But the Imperial Guard, the countries grand army of several thousand strong, pulled back, letting the enemy advance further and further into the cold and dangerous mountains. Finally, after several months of chasing them, Black-fire arrived at the capital and the Guard, only to discover the army to be three times the size, and that his forces were tired, almost out of supplies and with little unicorns and pegasi.

The general ordered a blockade of the fortress that was the capital, and stood there for two weeks, before he ordered his forces to retreat. His army, not even having fought their enemy yet, was decimated, having lost more ponies to the cold, starvation, and desertion then to having fought his enemy. The great Imperial Guard then marched south, smashing through castle after castle in just over four months, reclaim much of their lost land and cities. Each town they reclaimed, they were met with great parades and celebrations, and even after they pushed into the new borders of the Equestria, the citizens greet them politely and kindly, much to even their surprise. It was only when they marched towards Canterlot did they offer Black-fire, still the general, a chance to surrender.  He accepted, and Celestia, who was the princess, ordered the Equestrian Army to be dismantled and to leave only the elite core of the Royal Guard behind. This was just over 700 years prior.

The ponies continued on, leaving the bustling and crowded political hall for the politicians and diplomats, while the chattering sounds slowly disappeared, while several voices took over.

"Thank you Captain Windcutter. I appreciate the desire for you to find some protection from my-"

"Princess, I don't desire that. I demand some guards, at least several of the higher ranking men from the-"

"Captain. You out step your boundries. Again." A stern femine voice responded, silencing the Captain Windcutter.

"Yes... sorry m'lady," a soft, but firm voice responded. Odin, looking back at the two stallions smiling very gently.

"We have arrived. I guess that I will be attending this, if Captain Windcutter has his way," he said, before tapping the door, "M'ladies! The two guests you've requested have arrived!"

"Enter. And please, help me settle down Captain Windcutter," the voice commented back.

The door slowly opened to reveal a Royal Pegasus, his armor designed for a flight, with the silver inlets around the wings, while the helm cupped around his head and protected his eyes. In front of him stood an alicorn, one of only twenty known. She stood taller then the stallion Pegasus, and looked down at him, her magical hair flowing softly, the rainbow seeming natural to her, while the mark she bore was simply the sun that shone above, cutting through  tall and clear window's.

Across the room, sat a small, quite Alicorn, who's eyes softly shut and quietly slept on a small bed, gently as an angel on the world. The blue alicorn's mane, much like her sisters, flowed gently, though reflected the night sky, stars and a dark blue. She was smaller, clearly younger then her sister, much like how the sun is far older then the younger moon.

"Princess Celestia and Princess Luna," Odin stated, introducing them. The sun Princess smiled and nodded to them, to receive a bow from the two guests.

"Rise," she stated, watching to two ponies, the charcoal earth pony first stand at attention and head raised much like a solider. The unicorn followed, eyes looked on the sun princess.

"Good day M'lady Celestia. May I present Captain Blitz Krieg, Captain of the Dragon-Knights of the Galastrian Imperial Guard, previously dismissed by Empress Frostmane from the Imperial Guard for Valor and Honor in the line of duty in the name of her majesties," the brown unicorn stated raising a hoof to the tall stallion who bow slightly again, while the unicorn brought his hoof back to his chest, "And I am Mage Lieutenant Kleric Earthshaker of the Imperial Magick Branch, and present to assist Captain Krieg in his duty that he was assigned upon for the kingdom of Equestria."

Celestia bowed slightly smiling still, "I assume you both understand your tasks here, gently colts?" she asked walking over to her sister and gently nudging her awake. Her eye opened gently, the faint teal eyes looking at the two stallions and proceed to get up and bow slightly.

"These are the ones sister?" she asked, soft voice, both portraying that she was tired and yet still royal-like.

"Indeed they are."

"Captain Krieg knows, but I have yet to be informed," Kleric stated, eyes watching them with a pleasant glow to them. Celestia smiled, then walked over, Luna flanking her to the left.

"I've request Galastria to help me create a new unit of stallions to protect our borders from threats above ponies, Zebra's and Gryphons. I'm talking about...." she paused for a moment looking at the stallions, "Dragons and other beasts..."

Kleric flinched at the task, knowing now that she was not just dangerous, but possibly de-

"I understood the moment the empress read the request to me," Blitz stated bowing down, "I await your orders, Princess Celestia."

Kleric looked at him then back at the Princess's, then bowed with Blitz. He was loyal to his Empress, but also to his friend and captain. He stood back up in sync with Blitz again, and smiled, "As do I m'lady. What are your orders for me?"

Luna stepped forward, "I say we send them to Ponyville, sister. There they can start recruiting?" She suggested. Celestia nodded, "As well as gain some help from the elements of Harmony... including Twilight Sparkle, your apprentice?"

"Indeed, such a wonderful idea. I will inform her of their comming, as well as Captain Windcutter and Captain Odin."

"P-Princess?" Both Guards asked, stuttering loudly.

"All do respect Princess," Captain Windcutter started, "But would we, both Odin and myself, would serve better here then with these... outsider." Blitz could easily tell he was watching his words carefully, though still selective to degrading for himself and Kleric.

"My lady I do believe that I age-" Odin started.

"I will be attending this," Luna piped up. Both the guards looked over, eyes wide with shock and dismay, "And I would like some protection for anything. Am I not correct?"

"YES PRINCESS LUNA!" Both stated, cracking their hooves against the ground, taking a strong and powerful front, while their eyes reflect the unsure feelings they were having about this. Luna smiled and walked past the four stallions.

They all turned to follow her, leaving Celestia with some Councillors to come into the room and attend to her with details. As they walked, several more guards appeared, but with blue armor and sharper edges to them, and the crest was of the crescent moon, much like Luna's mark on her flank. Blitz, who was born under the full moon just over 25 years ago, admired her since in the Galastria culture, the moon was considered more important then the sun. Once, a past imperial lord was was asked which was more important, which he replied the moon, since the sun is out during the day, when it was bright out anyway, while the moon was out during night, when it was dark.

He watched her, eyes keeping moving and admiring her. The night and moon was important for him, especially since the moon was considered lucky and powerful when it was full, and when a colt or filly was born, they were considered to be blessed by Luna herself. Blitz, his father, and his grandfather were all born on full moons, and his mother was born on a day of the eclipse happened, making it all that more grand for her, though she had given up the ability to go into nobility to have him, something that was consider just as great in his country. Luna was their god, and Celestia, though the elder, was considered to be her equal, but less important by them.

They apporached a carriage and each got aboard after the princess of the night, which was proper and polite. Luna's guards, four of them, again 2 earth ponies and two unicorns, climbed aboard another carriage as the princesses took off, drawn by six Pegasus's. After two hours time worth of flight, they neared Ponyville.

Twilight looked at the scroll her mentor had sent her and raised an eyebrow.

"Princess Luna and some fellow's are on their way here," she said aloud, looking up at Rarity who was there getting a book on some sowing techniques she want to read up on. She looked at her and smiled.

"Well darling, at least you can expect some company, and Pinkie Pie will want to throw them a party, so we can expect a large crowd there, and since this is the third time she's come she will... be awkward, I assume," she said, her voice as fancy as ever.

Twilight looked back at the scroll and sighed, "They will be here in about an hour or so..." she said. Spike walked over with some books, mainly about Galastria, which she requested. She was interested in where these two hailed from for good reason. She knew of the country but was curious about what they were like up there.

The unicorn picked the scroll up and put it away, and looked at the Owl, Owlowiscious, who hooted at her and flew up and landed on her back. Twilight smiled and walked over and moved some books into a saddle back and got Owlowiscious to move as she paced the bag on herself and walked, Spike, Owlowiscious, and Rarity in pursuit. They walked down the road to the outer area and saw Applejack selling apples, and Rainbow Dash moving clouds. Pinkie Pie wasn't to be seen and Twilight considered that lucky, since she didn't want the hyperactive pony bothering her right now, since she was thinking about the new ponies. There was a town house outside of Ponyville for them but, that only just recently made available by a family moving away.

She walked to the edge of town, sighing as Rarity walked behind her.

"Is something wrong dear?" she asked, "Cause I know just the thing to help you feel comfortable!" Twilight rolled her eyes slightly, "Or is it not a good day for the spa?"

"No today is not a good day for the spa.. I'm just worried. Luna, the princess of the night is coming to town for no reason and.... arrrghh its gonna drive me crazy!" she shouted, face hoofing herself. She closed the book she had floating infront of her, which she had been reading but she couldn't really tell alot about the kingdom she was looking at. Most kingdoms had unicorns or an Alicorn at their head, as a king, queen or some other royal figure head, but this one was different. Yes there was unicorns and Pegasus, but no alicorn's. Not a one.

Though the Zebra kingdom and some other countries didn't have them, what made this different was the current Empress; Empress Frostmane, was a Pegasus, and a was weather Pegasi at that too!

'This kingdom, what ever it is, is backwards and strange....' she thought to her self. After some time, and still thinking on it, she decided to head to Fluttershy's house and talk with her, see if she could help calm her down. Rarity departed halfway there when the CMC's came up and told her about the task's she had to do, reminding her and making her rush off. Twilight continued to walked quietly still stuck in her deep and dark thoughts.

"Twilight?" Spike asked, his knowing eyes glazed with worry.

"Sorry.. I'm just... I don't know Spike. I don't like this situation," she said. Doubt.... she hated it, but it happened and there was nothing she could do about it.

She approached Fluttershy's house slowly and knocked on the door gently, the soft tapping meant to be polite. Fluttershy opened the door, the yellow pegasus looking out at her and smiling.

"Hello Twilight. How are you today?" she said, coming out and closing the door, and locking it.

"Hello Fluttershy. I'm... stressed about something, though I am now curious in why you are leaving and locking your door?"

Twilight reciprocated.

"I need to go to the next town, though I'll be back tonight... need to get some things for one of the animals I'm looking after as she's took sick even for my talents alone," she humbly said, walking down the path slowly, wings tucked against her sides, Twilight walking beside her.

"Oh... okay..." Twilight simply said, "I guess I'll let you go okay? I can wait til tomorrow to talk to you. Okay?" she asked, which Fluttershy nodded and took off before flying south. Twilight couldn't help but feel that she was going to get herself in trouble.

The two carriages landed, as the Mayor of Ponyville offered her a place to say but she turned it down, stating she was going to be staying for a few hours before returning to Canterlot and coming back the following days. And as she said, she took off in her carriage again and left for Canterlot. Blitz, Kleric, Windcutter and Odin all walked towards their new home being led by Twilight, who was nervous around the two outsiders.

"So Blitz. Tell us about yourself," Windcutter said, trying to make conversation, only to receive silence, "Well... then how about you Kleric. You are a Mage correct?"

"Indeed. I am Lieutenant at that too... I've been raised since I was a colt to be a mage of the guard, and I have achieved far beyond and above that call...." he said smiling, eager to talk, which he went on, until Odin silenced him.

"OKAY OKAY! We get it... your proud about you being part of the Guard... what about your home country?" Odin said, trying to change the subject, which made Twilight listen in.

"Well.... we live in the northern mountains, and our capital, Hoof Heights, is a fortress, with hundreds of thousands of ponies living there, and our queen, Frostmane, often keeps the winters warmer and more bearable. With that said, being that high up does make us have to grow more heavier coats of fur... as you can tell..." he said, moving his hoof and showing a soft curl of hair that seemed to be a puffed up sleeve above his hoof itself. Blitz was the same way, though his legs were stronger and heavier, and he stood a good two hooves over Odin.

Twilight listen carefully, as he described why their queen was a pegasus, and not something else. Pegasus were rare, only on in every two thousand ponies being one. Now Twilight understood.

'Unlike here in Equestria, which the average it as more earth and pegasi, and a fewer unicorns, its the opposite up there.... I get it now...' she thought.

"Indeed Twilight, its different up there for us and our iron wills and complete prowess," Kleric said smiling. Twilight looked at him and groaned.

"Great you can read minds too... not just a blabber mouth..." she commented. Kleric put a hoof to his chest, appualled and pretending to be hurt.

"My word Twilight, and here I thought that you would be kind, polite and smart... appearently I was wrong about the polite... and kind..." he said, hurt truthfully.

Odin smiled, "You know she's right... I don't think she knows how to read minds just y-"

"I know. I know... remember, I read her mind," He commented, making Twilight roll her eyes and groan. She already didn't like him.

Blitz walked ahead, seeing the house. His stride out paced everyone easily, and thanks to his Odin finally did something he wanted to do back at the castle and earlier.

"Whats up with Blitz?" he asked, watching him and slowing his pace down to a crawl. Kleric looked at him and looked down, then sighed softly.

"You remember how I said Blitz was a Captain?" he replied with, the two guards giving some soft nods, "Well... he was the Captain of the Dragon-Knights, which is a dragon hunter core in the Imperial Guard... and his last command end up getting twenty knights killed.... and he feels responsible..."

Twilight looked over at the charcoal knight, cloak covering himself. She wonder what pain he felt...

"I really consider this a new start for him..." Kleric said looking at the knight as well, "He's been quiet the whole trip... and very kept to himself.. Even I don't know why..."

"He lost twenty men.... to what?" Twilight asked, not even looking back.

"A Dragon... what else?" Kleric respond, walking forward.

Odin was quiet, and surprised by what he just heard. He figured Blitz was a noble, who didn't talk to anyone but nobles or officials, but now... Now he was just normal. He was a commanding officer, who commanded a group of ponies to their deaths, and felt he was responsible. What if he was, or what if it was something completely unstoppable and unpreventable? He started walking forward to the house as well.

"This is a new beginning indeed," he said softly. As the group walked to the house.

Storm Front

Storm Front

Blitz walked steadily in, quiet as ever. His eyes scanned the houses main room, as it was open, faintly red drapes and a dining table centered in the room, while the kitchen was just beyond it. The window beside the table illuminated the room gently, the red drapes being drawn back and allowing the light into the room. He walked to the table and looked it over as every other pony entered. Odin closed the door and turned the lights on to another room looking with in it.

"Seems nice," Windcutter commented aloud, walking over to the kitchen and examining it, smiling. Odin walked into other rooms as he examined them and proceed to move about the house slowly.

Twilight stood in the main room watching the four stallions examine their home for the time being. She moved to the table and pulled out a chair and took it, waiting and watching the four. Kleric seemed to moved slowly, before settling into a room with no windows and several selves visible from where Twilight was sitting. Odin, who was now taking off his armor and laying it down on a bed, which he unofficially claimed as his, seemed to be humming softly. She remember that hum from the time she was in the princesses castle in Canterlot, as it was something the guards hummed on long, tiring nights. She remember that it often comforted her when she was younger, scared of being alone in the dark, and terrifying castle.

She watched him until Kleric came out and moved around, having removed his cloak so that his chestnut coat was visible completely. She had to admit that he looked clean, well groomed for a soldier. He walked over to the kitchen and got a cup, filled it with some water and moved to sit across from Twilight. He smiled and floated over two books, a small poach and final a long quill with an ink pot. He looked down at one of the books and opened it, revealing pages filled with notes, and other secrets. The other was a spell book, and Twilight recognized it, being one of the most read books back in Canterlot, and there only being 18 copies in the world.

"Flash-suns Manuscript to Defensive Magick?" Twilight asked, looking at him to see him put some glasses on, and looking down at both books and reading.

"Indeed. I have to study, read and prepare, for what ever, and I recently got a hold of this book, so I want to learn its secrets and powers for myself, and have the ability to reference them somehow," he replied softly, reading as he wrote some stuff down. Twilight nodded, and couldn't help but smile.

"Ya know Twilight... we could lend him some books from our libary?" Spike suggested, with Owlowiscious gave a hoot to that, which made her smile softly at them.

"Maybe," she said looking back to Kleric, "How long do you intend to be in town for Kleric?" she asked. He looked up and smiled.

"Not too sure... maybe asked the Captain?" he replied.

Twilight nodded and got up, looking for Blitz, which surprisingly he had disappeared. She walked over to Windcutter, who had also gone to a room and removed his armor and had returned to his normal coat color, with was a crisp red. His mark, a curved white like, portraying the idea of a blade cutting the air, which explained is name.

"Miss Sparkle," he said, voice crisp and strong, as she had come to expect from the Royal Guard.

"Just looking for Captain Blitz, did... did you see where he went?" she asked, which he shrugged to her, which Odin, who was a beautiful golden yellow, with a spear with runes running up it.

"Blitz? No. You Odin?"

"No... maybe upstairs?" he commented pointing over to the stairs. Twilight looked and walked, followed by Odin and Cutter; who grumbled about having to find this outsider. They slowly walked up there stairs and looked around, seeing two more rooms. Twilight walked forward to the closest one, which was empty beside a small table, which made her sigh.

"Twilight?" Odin asked, looking in, and nudging her gently with his hoof. She looked at him, looking around, "Other then this room and the other one right there, there is no other place in this house."

"So he must be in the other room," Cutter said, walking to the other door and opened it slowly. Twilight and Odin came over quickly, but quietly.

Blitz stood in the middle of the room reaching down and taking off his cloak, which with a strong twist of his head did he remove his cloak, revealing something they had not expected. Armor. The Charcoal stallion stood with grim and powerful armor, which covered from his neck down to just above his tail, while the armor covered his sides, and chest, while not restricting his movement. Across it was runes, each different and meaning. The armour itself looks like scales, light rolling and reflecting off it, as if the armor itself was alive.

"A knock would be nice," Kreig asked looking back at them, eyes bearing into them. The three, closed their mouths, eyes still locked on the armor.

Twilight couldn't help put look at the symbols as she walked to forward, "I-I-I was looking for you... just c-c-" she stuttered, scared of what the runes meant, eyes locked on them.

"They are runes of the elements," Krieg stated, Twilight stopping and looking at him as he unclipped the armor, as he began to take it off, "Fire... Lightening... Earth." For every element he took another section off, making Twilight watch the armor, and walked over to the pieces and looked closely at them.

"Why didn't you tell us that you weari-" Cutter started.

"Because I am a dragon-knight. Does that answer your question. I bear the burden of the deaths of those under my command, and the ideals of what I stood for. I had a duty, and I failed in that," Blitz said as he removed the last piece.

No one spoke. Krieg moved away from the armor, laying on the floor in the sunlight, "My duty was to defend my home, to protect all ponies, pegusi, and unicorns. I took my oath, which was unbreakable, at age 15, and that's when I became a Knight. Knight Blitz Krieg."

"Well.. I am sorry. We didn't know..." Cutter stated.

"I don't mind. I figured that you should know of my past, how ever dark it be," his said, voice cutting into them with cold stings, "You were saying Miss Sparkle?"

"How... How long do you intend to stay in town," she asked, taking her eyes off the armor.

"Nine months. Possibly more," He said walking past them, "Now. Before I go eat, is there anything you wish to know?"

All them shook their heads no.

After sometime the sun began to lower, and Twilight, who had her doubts earlier on, was surprisingly sitting down and eating with the group. Kleric spent his time reading the book while he ate and apple, hovering the book infront of him, where as Odin discussed something related to the Royal Guard with Windcutter, and Blitz quietly sat there, eating slowly. Twilight just couldn't place it yet but, she felt that there was something he wasn't telling her.

'What is it.... the armor looks so strange and has runes on it... now, that only for protection spells, from maybe dragons of those elements... but what about the others?'  she thought to her self. A loud cough came from Kleric and she looked at him, his eyes looking up over the glasses and at her.

'Oh... sorry.... I'm just-'

'Lost in thought?' Kleric replied, sending the message mentally to her.

'Did you just... Nevermind. I think your Captain is hiding something, and you know what,' she said. He smiled and looked up at her, still eating.

'Indeed he is. But I have know idea what it is. What ever it is... its important to the Empress and the Dragon-Knights, so I can't help you,' Kleric responded with a unhappy tone. Now Twilight was really curious.

'Any chance your a spy?' she asked, raising eye brow. A mental snicker happened as she finished.

'If we were spies, then why would we present ourselves so openly?' he replied, cheeky as ever. Twilight sighed internally, her curiosity now drilling a hole into her sanity. What was so important? She looked at Blitz, who had finished eating and stood up. He took his cultery to the sink and placed them in, and then walked to the door, his sapphire eyes cool as they were earlier in his room.

"Pardon me... but I must think. I'm going for a run and will return in a while," he announced to everyone, and before anyone could protest, he walked out the door, and shut it softly.

"Okay... wants wrong with that guy?" Cutter asked, recieving a look from everyone, "What? You were all thinking it... I just said it..."

"True," Odin said, looking back at the door then to his food, "He seems so distant and cold. Heck, its even more so then what the Royal Guard was like when I enlisted."

"Maybe its just... his past bothers him that much," Twilight said, "He did get 20 stallions killed on their first mission. Maybe he doesn't want to get attached."

"Unlikely." It was Kleric. He took a bite of an apple as everyone looked at him, before he spoke, still chewing, "The Dragon-Knights, as I have been told, are selected."

"So? Each princess does the same for her royal escorts and personal guards," Cutter spoke up.

"No. I mean they are selected. Not appointed. Selected. There is a difference," Kleric replied, swallowing the bite he had in his mouth, "They are selected by the the Orders Grand Master, then drilled again... or thats what I've been told and heard."

"Okay... Do you know how many dragon-knights there are?" Twilight asked, an annoyed tone in her voice.

"Easy. One hundred, and twenty-three knights. Not including the grand master, and the last batch of recruits," he said taking another bite, closing the spell book and his note pad with his magic softly, "And that's only just been confirmed, as the dismissal of the captain had all the knights present."

"Okay... and what about the knights oath?" she asked. This time Kleric stopped, jaw open of another bite, and he turned to look at her.

"I don't know about the knights oath..... but the Mages of Magick branch take an oath... signed in magickal bonds and rites. Sometimes in runes. I only had to do a verbal, as that was my course to be a Mage of Guard. That's when I earned my name, Kleric Earthshaker, as I took to the earth element as my primary weapon," he said, "My oath was to protect the citizens of Galastria, my Empress of the time, and any pony who should ask for my help or protection, with my life.."

Twilight watched him, his eyes closed half way, making his emerald eye barely visible.

"So... you were bound for life?" she asked, Odin and Cutter listening fully, ears aimed at him.

"Not exactly. My oath was an oath of protection, meaning I would follow what ever I was told as long as it didn't break my oath. If it did, I would not follow it, or the moment I did, lets say kill a citizen or the Empress, my body would would take the death they would have," he said, "There's only one case where the Mage have ever killed the Emperor or Empress, and that when he changed the title to Tyrant."

Twilight looked down, "Interesting.... I'm sorry if I to-"

"You didn't. Just... something I would love to be able to remove, but hate to break," he said looking back at his apple, "Every pony, before they get their cutie mark always want it be something, but once they get their mark, they want it to be gone, or something else, but never want it to be lost or removed... that's what my oath is like..."

Twilight just nodded softly, looking down at her cutie mark. The mark was something she held pride in, but also desired it to be something different at times, but it also defined her, so in doing that it would cause her to change her personality.

Windcutter who had been listening the entire time, sighed, "Your kingdom.... sucks... no offense."

"None taken. It much the same as what Equestria is like, but a tad bit rougher. We do live where 'there be dragons' is mark on the maps," Kleric said smiling. Twilight giggle alittle, "But its a fine place. And if I could... I wouldn't live anywhere else."

Odin got up and sighed, "Welp. I'm gonna go and get some more soup and bread. I'm still hungry," he said walking over, followed by Cutter.

For a moment, though the others were still in the room, Twilight sat alone with Kleric, who looked down at the table. She knew he was an bright young colt who was good with magick, but for all the wrong reasons. She was taught magic was to help people, not destroy and maim and kill. She was shown that her element, the Element of Magic, was a powerful force, and dangerous, which could lead to greed, power and ultimately self destruction. He was just a weapon to a pegasus, and so was Blitz, and both were willing and able. She hated that. Using them for political gain or financial growth, which made her feel sick to think about it. This country, Galastria, seemed terrible, and from what she had read, every citizen served five years in the Guard. It was just... wrong.

Yet.

Kleric seemed happy about this, and though Blitz seemed distant, he seemed bound to the duty to his country and not his Empress. Sure, they were soldiers and weapons, but they were still ponies, which meant they felt and touched and had souls.

"Hey Kleric," she started, looking at him eyes loaded with something dangerous in mind.

"Hmm?" he said looking up. Twilight opened her mouth to speak but, closed it, knowing better to ask such a question.

"Nothing, just... thinking," she said. She looked out the window behind him and saw storm clouds slowly rolling in, and could faintly making out several pegasus ponies fighting to keep it under control. She sided and stood up, and as it was early evening now, she must be off home, especially with that storm rolling in. She was glad she sent Spike and Owlowiscious home earlier, just so they could be there in case one of her friends came to see her.

"I must be off, its getting late and I don't want to digress and I don't want to bother you with my prescence here for the night. Have a good evening gentlecolts," she said smiling. Kleric smiled at her, and nodded, while the other two came over and saw her out. The walk was quiet, and it gave her time to think on the days events. She saw Luna again, which was good, she had met the new ponies, and, though only lightly, gotten to know them. She had also discovered that Blitz was more of a silent pony  because of his past, though he was still off putting for her. Kleric was... Kleric, odd but knowledgeable, with his slight charm, and nice coat, and how his glasses sat on his face made him look so-

She stopped her self and face-hoofed, sighing, then continued on, "Idiot. That's what he is."

Blitz had run for a good twenty minutes before he slowed down. He panted softly, slowing to a soft trot, looking around. He past a sign that read Sweet Apple Acres. He sighed gently, his mind nagging at him, thoughts and memories flooding it roughly, tossing much like a storm at sea.

"Captain..."

The voice echoed out, soft, but there. It was feminine...

"Captain... Help us..."

This time there was more voices. Many masculine and stronger voices. Some screamed, other moaned, and others seemed to whisper it. The words were playing with his head.

"Captain... Help us... Please..."

They grew again, louder.

"You did this to us... You have to help us..."

Now they grew angrier, growling. Blitz closed his eyes, still panting as he came to a complete stop. Faces appeared, each different yet the same.

"You're to blame!" They called out. He could feel them placing their hooves on him, trying to harm him, but not having the strength to do that, "You're to blame! You;re to BLAME! YOU'RE TO BL-"

"Ello there? Ya'll okay?" a voice called out, making Blitz open his eyes, and looked at the young tanned pony standing in front of him.

"I... I am," he said, looking away from her and at the tree's, "Its a beautiful Orchard..."

"Well a' course it is! It's ma pride and joy there boy!" she said, "I'm Applejack. Nice to me ya."

"Well its good to meet you Applejack, and I hope many good years of good uh applefarming too come," Blitz said smiling genuinely

"Well thank ya sir! And who might you be?" she asked, raising the an eyebrow to him.

"Oh sorry. I am Blitz. Blitz Krieg. I'm... new in town," he said mind going back to the ghosts or things that he heard.

"Well mighty fine to meet ya Mister Krieg. Um... ya like to stay for some food, ya look like ya've seen a ghost been runnin' from one.." she asked, eyebrow still raised in curiosity.

"No... No I was just out for a run. I took a break from here that and I'd like to get back to it.... sorry," he said turning down her offer.

"Nah its understandable sir. Swing by if ya ever want to have dinner of say hello," Applejack said walking off and going down the road further. Blitz just stood there for a moment longer.

"Help us..."

He started to run again, as the storm arrived. A flash of lightening lite the sky up and it began to rain. Its started soft at first, but slowly began to picked up.

Another flash. He continued to run, undeterred. He ran, the thoughts drowned out by the thunder. He continued on his trail and planned to finish his run, to help him take his mind away from the ghosts.

Fluttershy flew back towards Ponyville slowly and softly, humming as her wings gave soft flaps into the air. She smiled as some birds flew past her, heading away from her. She loved this, though she was not that high off the ground. It was going to be a good day, and she had just gotten some herbal medicine for a small snake that she had found out in the forest while letting a bird go after taking care of it. She was worried about ti being a poison or something of its equivalent to it.

"I hope the little snake is okay..." she said softly, before looking ahead, seeing large black cloud, filling the sky over Ponyville. She eeped alittle as she landed gently, "Oh no... I should be careful. It looks like a pretty big and dangerous storm a head of me..." she took off, flying slowly again.

For the good while she flew, eyes watching, flinching ever so often at thunder or lightening. She continued to fly straight towards Ponyville, towards her home and friends. The rain started. It started softly, and she didn't mind, but after a few short minutes, it picked up, becoming near maelstrom, and it forced her to land. He eyes were softly open, trying to keep the rain from her water from getting into her eyes. She ran, trying to get home sooner.

She was scared, almost terrified.

She stopped, catching her breath under a tree, panting and heart racing beyond what it had ever done before. Something didn't feel right, and that made her even more so worried, heart beating just as fast.

Crack.

"Who's there!" she called jumping and turning around, eyes wide, looking around, heart having skipped a beat.

Nothing replied, and she squinted into the darkness of the forest, the drone of the rain cutting out her thoughts. She was scared, wet and now hearing things. She turned around and looked out, the rain now having now lighten up, which made her smile. Sure it was still raining hard but not as hard as it-

CRACK!

She spun around eyes locked into the darkness again. Nothing. Or...

She looked up and around. No, all the branches were fine, the wind wasn't that strong.

She looked back down to the darkness. Except it wasn't completely black anymore. A bunch of yellow and red eyes started at her, and she stared back. She gulped softly.

'O-O-Okay F-F-Fluttershy! Its just some little new friends... nothing more. Come on. Its not like they're here to hurt you...' she though to herself.

Another set of eyes opened up, a crisp green, and malice like.

"Get her... I want her for my experiments," a dark and grim voice said, the eyes closing. Immediately something leapt out and she screamed, not caring what it was. She ran out into the rain, eyes closed and running to towards safety. Or what she begged for to be safety.

She could hear it. Loud, vicious and dangerous growls and grunts. They were following her, and she screamed, trying to run faster.

'FASTER!! PLEASE LEGS FASTER!!' she screamed at herself. She ran hard, the wind howling, screaming at her as well. Her heart raced with her, trying to keep her going, pumping blood to her legs, with adrenaline on the side. The sounds started to get closer. She could almost feel their breath on her rump. She pushed harder, but wasn't going any faster.

'This is it.' Fluttershy thought, tears welling up in her eyes.

Moments later she felt the beast swat at her and knock her down, making her tumble in the mud, and onto the side of the road. She cried out in pain as the something snapped, but the pain was somewhere. She wasn't sure where. But it was there.

Then her eye opened slightly, as two creatures, something between a horse, dog and something else walked over, something like toothy grins on their faces. The larger of the two leaned down to her, and sniffed at her, its hot breath rolling on her soft butterscotch fur. She just closed her eyes, waiting, tears welling up again. Sharp dagger like teeth suddenly touched her neck, and gave a soft squeeze.

Suddenly the other grunted as something spooked it and it took off. The one around her throat looked up and took off, scampering into the forests darkness. She opened her eyes and tried to raise her head, but couldn't. She looked, around, tears in her eyes, before she closed them. Slowly, but surely darkness enveloped her, and cold began to over take her.

Blitz raced to where he saw the creatures. They looked dangerous, and after something. He rushed forward, the beasts disappearing.

He slide to a stop and looked around, before seeing what they were after. His eyes widen, and she could see a butterscotch pegasus laying on the ground in front of him sprawled out. He rushed to her, placing a hoof on her chest, then placing his ear to it.

"Come on. Come on!" he said breathing heavily. He felt something, then felt again. Her heart, beating. but faintly, and slowing, "Oh no oh no oh no oh-"

He moved closer to the looked her over, hoof feeling her body gently. Two broken ribs, at least, and he moved to her left wing, which he could tell was broken as well. He could see her face, covered in with mud and tears, seemed fine, besides some small cuts and scraps. He moved his hoof to her front legs, checking them as well. No harm it appeared.

Then he cautiously moved to her hind legs, checking them as well. He felt nothing wrong and quickly moved back up to her head and moved her pink mane for her face.

"Hey.... if you can hear me. Everything is going to be alright. I live near by. Hey... stay with me okay?" he said, before moving and lifting her softly and gently, trying not to touch her wing and her ribs. He could feel her slow and soft breaths as her chest rose and fell. He slowly walked, rain washing over them, as the flash of lightening struck out, before the great clap of thunder. He was scared for her, and his oath prevented him from leaving her, and even if he didn't have the oath, he wouldn't want too.

It was slow, and the weather didn't help out much. He grunted as he moved her to sit more comfortably on his shoulder, while he walked, eyes watching forward. He could see the house, the lights on and ever present, being the light at the end of the tunnel for him.

"Hey. Come on, keep with me. Keep breathing..."

Pain. Pain in her body, and around her mind. That's all she felt. Intense pain.

Fluttershy whimpered internally, scared for herself. What of Angel? What of the other animals? What of her friends? Twilight? Applejack? What about the Cutie Mark Crusaders? What her death do to them?

That didn't matter now though.... she was going to die on the side of the ro-

"Come on... Come on!"

'What was that?' she thought looking around. No one was in the darkness with her. She was alone and forever forg-

Then a warm touch on her chest. It was softly, but firm. Some one was there with her. Some one who was there to keep and help her to the light that was.

"Oh no oh no oh no oh-"

The warmth grew closer, moving to her the side and to her ribs-

'OW hey watch where you-' she said, then realized that she was alone. No one could hear her. The warmth moved around her, checking and feeling her. It was soft and gently, tender as well. Almost as if the warmth knew what it was-

Then it moved to her hind legs and she wanted to move away, but was unable. She was scared again, not knowing what it was going to do to her. The warmth was just as tender as before, but quicker then before, as if it didn't want to be there as much as she didn't want it there.

"Hey.... if you can hear me. Everything is going to be alright. I live near by. Hey... stay with me okay?"

The warmth was alive. And going to help her! She felt like she was going to cry again. The darkness grew deeper, the light fading away in the distance. She felt herself being moved around, and then pain came back, making her breath sharpen for a moment. She wanted to cry again as the pain welled up. There was silence for a long time, almost as if the warmth was focused on saving her.

"Hey. Come on, keep with me. Keep breathing..."

It was the warmth again.

Blitz was close to the house when the door swung open. Kleric and Cutter rushed out, eyes wide.

"WHAT HAPPENED!?! WHAT DID YOU DO!?!" Windcutter barked. Blitz ignored him.

"Help me get her to my room. She needs to-"

"NO! You will answer my bloody Celestia damned questions! WHAT HAPPENED!" He snarled.

"I found her on the road, after chasing some beasts off. I don't know what they did but... we need to get her looked after," Blitz replied, still walking to the house. The rain raced down his face and past his nose to his mouth.

Cutter looked at him as he walked past him, Kleric panicking and asking what Blitz want him to do.

"Just.. get me some where to lay her down and get ahold of Miss Sparkle," he growled, Kleric taken back and rushing back inside call Odin to him, who rushed out as well.

"She's breathing, wing broken, and cuts and bruises. Anything else?" Odin asked looking her over.

"Ribs. Several broken. I couldn't tell how many, but at least two," he said, as Odin suddenly took the pegasus's other side and helped her into the house. Cutter had disappeared, but Blitz didn't mind, since he was probably taking to the skies to get to the hospital.

"Okay. Come on to the couch, lay her on her right side, so we can lay it out and get a better look at it," Odin said, leading them to the couch, but Blitz shook his head, then motioned to the bedroom.

"No. Bed. She's hurt pretty badly, and it need to be able to let us roll her with out risk of more damage, while also being comfortable for her," he said. Odin was surprised, both by how much as he had said in the past few minutes and the expertise he was showing about triage practice. Then again, he was a knight.

"Okay... lets get her to mine, we need to be-" he said when Kleric came over.

"Okay, I have clothes and towels and bandages and-" he said barely breathing as he spoke.

"Lieutenant shut up and get them over to Odin's room and then get ahold of Miss Sparkle. I can ONLY assume that Windcutter as taken to the skies and gone to the Hospital, and I can ONLY PRAY TO LUNA THAT YOU WILL GET TO IT!" Blitz growled, making the unicorn jump to it going to the bags they had brought while him and Odin moved her quickly but softly to the bed room. They laid her down, with Kleric moved to bring the bandages to them, then left for hot water and towels, returning with them in magickal hand.

Now that she was down Blitz fell down himself, tense and drenched in rain. He was in agony.

"Blitz? You okay?"

"Fine. No time for me to rest," he said getting back up moving about, "Odin, give her a look over, magick or otherwise, Kleric jump too, I want you talking to Miss Sparkle five minutes ago"

Both nodded, before Kleric left and Odin began to look her over. Blitz looked at her and leaned up to her ear, "Stay with us. Come on you, your gonna make it cause your tough. Come on..."

Fluttershy could hear a door open, and she wanted to open her eyes, but still couldn't. Then she heard angry yelling, most likely at the warmth beside her. It wasn't angry, it was furious, and she felt herself shrink. The warmth tried to justify it but was cut off again by the angered voice.

Then the warmth explained what happened. She felt it play out in her head again the visions blurred and filling her mind. The green eyes of that... thing wanting to experiment on her. She wanted to break down and cry. Another voice piped up, scared, shakin' and worried for the warmth beside her.

"Just.. get me some where to lay her down and get ahold of Miss Sparkle," the warmth said. Twilight! They knew Twilight. She wanted to cry for joy, praying to the sun above, though hidden from her sight for it to happen soon.

Another voice. This one came over, and she could hear that one tell warmth what was damaged. She heard her wing was broken, and felt her spirit crumbled down as well... the warmth said other thing, her ribs.

A new warmth pressed to her other side as they carried her some where.

Then a new discussion broke out, this time, where she should lay. She didn't care, she just wanted to be put down, the pain announcing itself again. There was that other voice, panic and worried, and if she was there with them she would have calmed him down. But she was there... and she was what they were worried about.

"Lieutenant shut up and get them over to Odin's room and then get ahold of Miss Sparkle. I can ONLY assume that Windcutter as taken to the skies and gone to the Hospital, and I can ONLY PRAY TO LUNA THAT YOU WILL GET TO IT!" The original warmth growled, which scared her, as well as startled her. She wanted to let them know she was fine that she was okay but... she wasn't.

The bodies that carried her, suddenly moved quicker, and she felt a soft, welcoming embrace of a bed.

"Blitz? You okay?"

"Fine. No time for me to rest," the voice seemed familiar to her now, almost was unstoppable, as it was concerned and just wanted to help her at what ever cost, "Odin, give her a look over, magick or otherwise, Kleric jump too, I want you talking to Miss Sparkle five minutes ago"

She smiled mentally, then felt the warm breath against her ear, softly, and gently rushing onto it, "Stay with us. Come on you, your gonna make it cause your tough. Come on..." as if the voice, which she believed was named Blitz, seemed to want to say her name. But he didn't know it, and Fluttershy wanted him to know it.

"Fluttershy..."

"Fluttershy..." the pegasus breathed out. Blitz couldn't help but smile.

"Come on, Fluttershy. Your strong and tough and you won't let something like this win..." he replied to the name.

Twilight walked up the stairs to her bed room. Owlowiscious was up above teh bed, asleep its self while Spike was gently snoozing on his little bed. She yawn and stretched alittle, smiling.

"Time for sleep. I think thats what I need is a good nights re-"

"TWILIGHT! CAN YOU HEAR ME!!!" flooded her mind and echoed out. She jumped and put her hoof to her chest, the heart pumping as if it was on a marathon. She slowed her heart down, as Kleric called out to her again. She sighed and coughed gently.

"Yes I can hear you Kleric. What is i-" she started to reply.

"Someone was attacked and we need help. Can you make it here! Oh Luna," Kleric replied, panicked. This wasn't the Kleric she had met, and she couldn't help but want to chuckle alittle. Then she thought about it, and facehoofed herself. That was what she was like.

"Kay. I'm gonna come. Have you got anyone going to the hospital? Have they told you their name?' she asked getting up and walking down the stairs getting a cloak on for the rain.

There was a long pause. He must be checking, that or he's been swept up in something thing that had to take his attention away from her.

"Her name is.... Fluttershy, do you know her?" he finally replied. Twilight's heart jumped several beats before she opened the door and took off to the house they were in. Fluttershy was... no it couldn't be. There was just no way.

Blitz had been kicked out by Odin so he could let the patient rest. Odin came out and walked out side looking for Cutter. Blitz, being the knight and somewhat superior was nervous, and he couldn't put his hoof on the reason why. He sat on the could, just waiting to do something.

"In here!" a voice ehcoed from outside as Cutter raced in with a green unicorn in tow, its cutie mark that of a needle and bandages. They went to the room and the doctor pony disappeared into it, Cutter coming back around and looked at Blitz. His eyes seemed to beam at him and try and figure him out, which didn't seem to be working.

Blitz really didn't think to it, ignoring it.

"Captain Windcutter. Good to see you have returned," Kleric said, "Miss Sparkle is o-"

"HERE! Wheres Fluttershy?" Twilight said running in. She was a mess, soaked and by far wide eyed with fear for her friend. She promptly looked at Blitz, who looked just as bad, with mud on his hind legs and seemed to just be a husk sitting and waiting for something to happen.

"Doctors already in there with her, giving her a look over," Kleric said looking at her. She sighed and sat closed her eyes.

"Do any of you know what happened to her?" she asked gently, eyes reflecting concern and fear.

"Mr. Krieg, why don't you tell her what happened," Windcutter said, moving away and back to the door, "After all, you did find her.

Blitz was quiet Twilight watching him carefully, her eyes seeming to do the same as Windcutters eyes had attempted to do a few moments earlier. This time, they succeed.

"I was gone for my run, running back from Sweet Apple Acres, and continue the route that i had just made and stopped to let the rain lighten up and I..." he paused thinking of something that had happen. Those voices again.

"And?" Twilight asked.

"And I heard a scream, and I started to run towards it. I saw something, beasts maybe, two of 'em, and they fled as I approached. I planned to chase after them, but, I saw her," he said motioning to the room where Fluttershy was being checked up on by the doctor, "And my oath prevents me from not helping a pony. So I checked her, told she was going to be okay, and... well brought her here."

Twilight looked at him and sighed softly, then let out a faint groan, "So... twilight was attacked by a group of animals?"

Blitz shook his head and looked at her, "IF they were animals, they would have defended their meal. Not just fled. They were something... else..." he said, "I really didn't get a good look at the... things."

Windcutter was quiet, eyes watching Blitz as he talked. Twilight was the same, but she paced alittle thinking.

"It... that can't be right. There's never been an attack like this before..." she said. She was going to continue before the doctor came out of the room.

"She'll be alright. We'll transport her to the hospital and get her into care there. No real damage was done, but I sound a set of small and what seemed to be the beginning of punctures around her throat, almost as if-"

"A mouth of teeth had seemed to begin to clamp on?" Blitz asked. The doctor nodded, concerned.

"Yes.. nothing serious though, but the ribs need to be looked at the hospital. Five seem broke badly, two fractured and the other side seems to be completely unscathed. The wing though..." he trailed off, then looked back at her, "She's gonna need surgery for that..."

Blitz nodded and Twilight walked over, "I can teleport us to the hospital, if that okay?" she offered, worried for her friend. The doctor nodded gently, then let her in. Blitz just sat there, listening in on Twilight ask questions and the doctor answering them to the best of his ability. Finally a sudden and great noise came from the room and it was silent. Blitz sat on the couch lost in thought.

Kleric moved back to his room, calming down now and passing out on his bed. Odin came back in, scraping in his hooves on a mat to clean them, before going to his room and sighing loudly. Windcutter however just shot that look at Blitz and left him be. They left him alone.

"Captain... help us... you led us here!"

The voices wouldn't though.

Sweet. Sweet Dusk

Sweet, Sweet Dusk

A road rolled up a mountain, towards a dragons cave.

"KNIGHTS OF THE DRAGON! YOUR EMPRESS IS WITH YOU!!!" a stallion called from the rear of three tightly pack pones. Captain Blood Drake, great grey eyes, and his bloody red mane flowed through his armor as the wind swept up and kissed it. His armor, a deep blue with silvered accents on it, glimmered even in the dull cloud covered day. Snow, though soft, fell onto the group of knights. At the head march several unicorns, their horns glowing as the walked.

"Captain Drake if you please! The Knights and Errants are fine so they do not need your yelling to spook them into rushing up the hill!" another voice called out, from a crisp green pegasus, who walked beside some other knights.

"Captain Thunder-ice I say that to give them their blessing! What else," the earth pony replied, "Why else would I-"

"Both of you quiet," a bearded Stallion said, his icy snow mane and soft grey fur making him blend if he wasn't in heavy and brutal armor.

"Sorry Master," both Captains replied.

The snow gently swept over the march of horses as the four captains; Captain Thunder-Ice, Captain Drake, a unicorn towards the front followed behind the mages he commanded, and another earth pony, his armor hiding his charcoal coat and his deep navy blue mane.

Blitz looked at the eight earth ponies under his command, all errants and new to the order. Their first field mission, and as he remembered his, they were either terrified or prideful. The terrified had a higher chance to survive since their eyes were twitching and looking around.

The march continued in silence, starting to round a bend to a small evergreen tree forest, the route widening up.

"SPREAD OUT!" came a call from the rear. Blitz rolled his eyes and nodded to the stallions around him.

"Sargent Amp, take three and spread out ahead, make sure the errants keep their cool," he ordered, a kngiht nodding back.

"Aye Captain, I 'ill 'eep in lione, sah," the mare replied before barking out orders at three errants, who turned and followed her out. She was the musician of the group and she had a beautiful voice, if Blitz had ever a choice to say. But then again, that would be a little bias, since she was his filly friend. What made it better for him and her, was he proposed to her before they were assigned to this. She had accepted and it he was hoping this was going to be quickly over with, so they could be wedded on the next full moon celebration.

The march again, though calls and shouts now common, was relatively peaceful, and Blitz enjoyed it. During his first mission as a errant, his master, barked out orders the entire time, making the stallions grumble and groan. To make it worse, they were marching through a valley with a blizzard.

"SIR!" a stallion called, making Blitz look at him, a smaller earth pony with a worried look on his face, "Sir, Tomes saw something move in the tree's sir. Will you please come look?" Blitz raised and eye brow and looked at the ponies worried eyes.

"Alright, errant, I'll come and-" he began turning to walk towards the bush.

A scream cut him off as something dove out of the trees and landed on a unicorn at the front. There was a rush, as everypony grabbed their weapons, and surged forward.

Blitz reached for his when the errant was in front of him was crashed into by a shape, wings and talon's, beak and feathers dove in on the young one. A sicking crunch and cracking of bones made Blitz cringe for a moment, drawing his sword, rushing to the aid of his duty. The errant screamed for a moment until the beast cracked his neck with a strong twist.

"Defend yourselves!" came a call, Blitz rushing to the beast and cutting at it, making it leap back and jump to the air. As it did so, it was cut down by two bolts of red energy, impacting its body and crushing its rib cage and the sickening pop and crackle of them imploding.

"CAPTAIN KRIEG!" called a unicorn coming over, "We need to get back into a ri-"

"I know! Get your errants to Sargent Amp," he said to the knight-captain, "Gryphons? Out here?" he asked nodding to the fallen one.

"Aye. I'm just as curious," he said, twisting away and rushing towards his charge.

Blitz spun around when another Gryphon leapt from a tree, killing two errants in one jump. He called out for his ponies to pull together, which they did. Even ones he didn't command.

He raced to Amp, who stood next to Captain Thunder-Ice, who was laying on the ground in pain.

"Where are your flyers Captain?"

"All dead. LUNA DAMN THE BEASTS!" he roared, getting up and coughing roughly. Blood spat from his mouth, then eagerly bleed from the side of it, "They took us all out so fast," he said between some more coughs. The eyes looked around at the captain.

"Amp, get any one you can to find the Master. Captian Thunder-flare, your charge is to cover the sky with magick. The rest of you, hold your spots. Captain Thunder-Ice, just... lay-"

"No. I'm dead anyways, might as well as making it with the young ones," he said walking past him. Blitz could see the crumpled wing, a broke bone stabbing outwards through the flesh.

"Okay. Where's Drake?"

"I don't know.. the Gryphons grabbed him and took off."

Blitz nodded slowly, then turned to the last of his group. Of the twenty three, only three Captains, and twelve knights.

"Captain. Any idea on how we're going to live through this?" Amp said, her knowing eyes looking at him as eh walked to some of the errants.

"Amp. If I knew that.... would we be here?" he asked. She smiled and shook her head, turning and walking away. The unicorn, Captain Thunder-flare walked over and looked up.

"They seemed to have stopped for a moment Captain. Any suggestions?" his voice not wavering in a single moment.

"Maybe... how many of you unicorns are left?" he asked, looking around.

"Two, plus myself. Any those two are barely experienced in this kinda combat," he said looking around as well, eyes looking on the forest edge. It was dark, and ever expanding backwards.

"Move us to the middle of the path. Its safer there. They have to travel further to reach us," Blitz said, watching, "And keep your eyes on the skies."

"Understood," he said rushing off. After a few moments they moved to the center of the road, a ring of earth ponies around the unicorns, all their blades drawn.

Blitz stood at the right looking. The attack had lasted less than a minute, and yet it had killed just about ten ponies, all the Pegasus's and several earth ponies. That was worrying.

"Captain..." a voice creeped up, one of the younger errant's voice shaking violent.

"Yes, errant?" his strong firm voice reaching his ears. The errant looked at him, knowing with his eyes could get him killed if he was in the guard.

"We're going to die here. Aren't we?"

Blitz looked at him, and smiled, then back to the forest edge.

"If we do, then lets see how many of them can we make die," he said smiling of the old battle cry of the knights. A solid cheer went up from several of them. He smiled. That cheer drew out several gryphons in front of him.

"KNIGHTS! Surrender! And you will live!" a taller gryphon called out, "Our lord seeks us to let you live! But only if you give in to us!"

"Who is your lord?!" Blitz called back.

"The dragon?" Thunder-flare called out as well. The gryphons laughed, then grinned at him.

"That monster is not our lord. It is dead itself," the leader called back, "So surrender. And we'll see to it that you can leave with no harm to you."

Blitz looked at Thunder-flare and smiled, "Hear that..."

"Ya..."

"TO THE DEPTHS OF HELL WITH YOU! YOU YELLOW-BELLY BASTARDS!!" Blitz called back. The gryphons seemed to smile and walk back into the forest, before one dragged out a bearded knight.

Voices murmured, and Blitz walked out of the circle and forward to a point.

"You know him?" the Gryphons said smiling. The master's gaze slowly climbed up, claw marks crossing his face, the canyons bleeding gently down his face.

"Captain... Krieg..." a soft whisper crawled out threw his lips. Blitz stared gently, watching this little show the Gryphons putting on for them. He felt something inside him. Anger.

"Krieg..." the voice whispered again, "How many..."

The gryphon looked down and smiled, "No? Captain?"

"Silence, Gryphon...." Krieg stated, eyes still watching the master.

"How many.... of them..."

"Can we make die." the Captain finished, the master nodding.

"Enough of this!" the gryphon said reaching down and killing the master with a strong and vicious twist. The shattering bones echoed out, making the knights behind Blitz.

"Will you surrender now!" the Gryphon called, looking at them, but Blitz had turned around and walked back to the group of knights, "FINE!! KILL THEM ALLL!!!"

From the trees leap a good dozen Gryphons, who dove at the group. A few magic bolts stopped some, but the majority reached them. It didn't matter to the circle formation they had taken, as the gryphons crushed the knights in claws and beak. Screams of terror and blood curtailing cries of anguish filled the skies. Blitz rushed back, slamming into a Gryphon and thrusting his sword into its gut. Around him, the knights fell. A errant, broad and strong, was picked up by a Gryphon and thrown at a tree, his body twisting around the trunk and cracking his spine. Blitz rushed another Gryphon, cutting into it again, and killing it, as it crushed the windpipe of a knight under its talon fill claw.

"KEEP FIGHTING! DON'T STOP!" called Thunder-flare, but he knew it was a losing battle. Blood wept from a scar across his forehead, making him grit angrily at the few knights around him.

Another knight dropped, and on it a Gryphon and it tore at its body and armor, killing him completely.

Amp finally made her way to Blitz, both them pressed side to side.

"Ell of ah way to 'ay 'ood 'ight, eh sah?" she said smiling. Blitz nodded, as Thunder-flare and two other moved close to them.

"Five Knights against a dozen gryphons? Doesn't seem like a fair fight, right Captain?" Thunder-flare asked smiling, the blood now turning his soft brown first a dark sticky red.

"No. They need more Gryphons.." Blitz replied. A gryphon leaped forward, to have Thunder-flare shot him down, grabbing at its chest.

"Blitz... something I have to tell you," Thunder-flare commented, looking at him.

"Oh please, you have a wife and kids, come on now," Bltiz teased.

"Not that! Ew no! I'm... I'm gonna put a spell on you," he said, shooting down another Gryphon, its head smoldering on the left side as it fell into the red snow.

"Why? What is it?" he asked, looking at him.

"Its ta get ya out of 'ere sah! One of us needs ta tell the Empress wat 'appened 'ere! Nawt ta let us die of ta 'old and Gryphons sah!" Amp said.

"I am not le-" Bltiz didn't get to respond as a Gryphon jumped at him and Amp stepped in the way and was cut down, "AMP! NO!" he surged forward, thrusting the blade through its chest in rage and let it go as he shoved it back, and dragged her back. Her neck was cut greatly, and it bled roughly, seeping into the snow below her. He looked at her and smiled, "Come on you... Stay with me..." Her eyes stared softly at her, and she coughed smiling.

"Orry sah... Nawt tis time.... 'Aptain...." she said, blood draining down her mouth, "Oh 'aptain... my 'aptain..." she groaned out.

"Don't say that... You're gonna make it..." Blitz said, Thunder-flare standing over them, holding back Gryphons. The others stood behind them blade keeping the Gryphons back, "Come on.. we... we were going to see the Full Moon Celebration in a month.... we... we were going to.." A tear welled up in his eye.

"Captain its now or never!" Thunder-Flare barked.

"Transport us all if you can!" Blitz ordered. A swirling angry vortex appeared around him and Thunder-flare, with Amp in Blitz's hooves, while one knight was dragged away by a Gryphon. A powerful swirling light surrounded the four, before peeling off into a towering entry way to a castle. Knights, all dragon-Knights rushed forward, errants and even some guard ponies rushed over. Blitz kept looking at Amp, smiling.

"Come on you... you're.... you're a tough girl... come on.." Blitz said, trying to keep her going. She smiled at him gently, the blood on her lips still present.

"'Aptain.... we 'oth know I ain't gonna be...." she said, which made Blitz shake his head, tears starting to well up again.

"Don't you dare do that to me... please..." he said tears rolling down his cheek softly, "You can-"

"'Litz... I 'ove ya... And I'm 'orry... I 'on't be makin' it ta that date..." she said, eyes starting to become cloudy. Blitz shook his head, crying, not accepting her statement to him. She leaned up and kissed him, "Ah present 'efore I go..." she said, a soft smile on her face. She slowly laid back down, eyes staring gently to the distance.

"I... I love you to ... Amp..." Blitz said, tears gently rolling down his cheeks. He sighed gently, eyes staring at hers. He knew it was over, and he would never hear her songs again, hear her lovely voice against his ears. To hear her say those three words again. Or the two I wanted to hear.

"Knight-Captain Blitz Krieg..." a voice came from behind him, which jarred him back to the reality around him. He looked up slowly and turned his head. In front of him stood a board, tall and great stallion, his armor a soft black with bronze edgings. His eyes locked to Blitz's, seeing his sadness that was swallowing him.

"Grand-Master Hawk... I..." Blitz began, before receiving a gentle smile from the Grand-Master.

"Relax.... I can understand right now... Lets get her to some where more respectful then a floor in our Orders halls," came an assuring statement from him. Blitz looked down and nodded, getting up and letting some other knights pick her up and take her to another area. He followed behind them. The Grand-Master and Captain Thunder-Ice in pursuit behind him, discussing what happened, and possibility of who led them. Blitz didn't care though, as they came to a room, which they left her body in the center of it, atop of a stone table. His eyes washed over her, pain filling them, while the tears slowly pulled from them. He gently removed her helmet and moved her mane from her face. He pressed his head to her's and gasped, feeling the tears on his eyes again.

"Blitz?" A voice came, making him stand up and wipe his tears and cough gently.

"Y-Yes?" he said looking back at his Grand-Master again. Behind him stood two Guard Ponies, form the countries Imperial Guard.

"I... I've heard Knight-Captain Ivan Thunder-Ice about what happened. I understand that you took commander after Master-Knight Vancer Cane was.... taken?" he asked. Blitz nodded gently, "And you led, as you commanded, fifteen knights, many too their deaths?"

"U-Unfortunately sir..." Blitz said, giving another nod, this time to his own imitate death.

"Then... You did well Captain. Many would have just ran at the first sight of this, even Captains. We have reason to believe, that, we have some one coordinating events in other countries..." Hawk said walking forward. Blitz looked up, eyes watching his Grand-Master, "The Empress Frostmane is on her way here... though I will give you the time to clean up, and see to your love's burial..." he said walking up to her body, reaching into a small pouch and pulled out two bits. He brought them to his lips and kissed them, before placing them beside her softly.

"May Luna, and Thanatos guard her soul..." he whispered. He turned and walked off. Blitz looked back at Amp, sighing gently. He stood for what felt like an eternity. Then she screamed and leaped up at him, her hooves changing to claws.

"YOU GOT ME KILLED!!!"

Blitz shot up in his bed, sweat beading down his body. He looked around, then found the clock on the wall where it had been placed. Eight-forty in the morning. He had been asleep for less then 4 hours. How could he sleep after finding that filly on the road? Why would he even want to?

He thought back to the dream, and remember that day. The Empress met with him, the Grand-Master and a few other knights, and explained what was being asked of her. The cyan Pegasus smiled as she found that Blitz would do it, but when she learned the reason, the smile disappeared. She looked at him, eyes gentle as he had ever knew them to be. She walked over and embraced him, apologizing for asking this of him, even though he had volunteered. Frostmane would see to Amp's burial for him, and make it a grand burial, while also giving a reason for a knight to be leaving on this kind of mission. It was as they said, to be a 'banishment' in the eyes of the Galatrian's, while they were to still treat him with the respect that a Dragon-Knight was given.

He got up slowly, looking at his armor. It made him disgusted to have worn it, but he knew he must. It was his oath, and its command drove him to protect everyone. He walked slowly down the stairs to the main room, eyes drawn to the couch. It was dirty, mud caked and disturbed by the events of his night. He wanted to cry, thinking that he was the fault of her injuries. Twilight had kept them up-to-date through either Odin or Kleric. She had gone into surgery, and around three in the morning was brought out of it. She was in intensive care now, which made him happy, but also worried.

"Blitz?" Odin groggily said as he stepped from his room. Blitz looked at the unicorn, who groaned and stretched softly, a pop and crack as he stretched his back. His coat, a gently orange-red was marked by a spear surrounded by runes. He walked over and groaned, "Your up so early. I figured you would have slept in. I guess the Dragon-Knights don't do that often," he said with a smile.

"Ya... we tend to work a lot and rise with the sun," Blitz replied, smiling. He hid what he could with his exterior, as best he could. Odin smiled and nodded.

"Luna and Celestia have their own guard units, but the Royal Guard tends to be up twenty-four, seven. So... its hard work at times for us too," Odin said, walking over and sitting down at the table, "So Blitz... we gonna be recruiting today?"

Blitz smiled, having him know what the plan was good. This new unit of ponies he was creating was going to be interesting, cause unlike Galastria, many of these ponies had not been trained or even thought of martial service. He shook his head no.

"Not for you and I. We are going to be investigating after we visit Miss Shy," he said, "I want answers." Odin just nodded and looked at Klerics room.

"Leaving Kleric and Windcutter to recruit? That sounds like it will go swimmingly," Odin said. Blitz nodded, knowing how Windcutter seemed to disapprove of outsiders. He sighed gently walking over to the table as well, sitting down with Odin rubbing his head.

There was silence for a long time.

"Blitz. I'm curious... What kinda name is Blitz Krieg?" he asked. Blitz shook his head with a soft chuckle.

"I don't know. Why not ask my mother and father?" he replied, getting a soft laugh form Odin as well, "I could ask you the same thing. Odin? Really?"

"Odin is a nickname that is stuck with me for my life. My parents originally called me Rune Staff, then when my cutie mark turned out to be a spear, and I wanted to be a Royal Guard, it got change to Rune Spear.... then when I anounced I like poetry, I got the nic-"

"Poetry? Really?" Blitz asked trying not to laugh.

"As I as saying, I got the nickname Odin, after a poet unicorn call Odin Runemane," he finished, sighing, "Its been stuck ever since."

"Sounds grueling," Blitz commented, smirking. Odin just smiled and got up, ignoring the idea that he was never going to live down the poetry part.

Twilight and Applejack sat out in the main lobby, worried looks on their faces. Rarity was on her way, Pinkie Pie was getting balloons and Rainbow Dash was out in a furious rage looking for Fluttershy's attackers. She hoped that Dash wouldn't get herself into trouble.

"Twilight Sparkle? Applejack?" a soft voice came, as a nurse pony walked up and looked at the two ponies, "Fluttershy is awake now, and she can be visited. Though... try to keep her from moving too much okay?"

Both ponies nodded and got up following behind the pony. It was oddly peaceful to be here, Twilight couldn't help but enjoy how quiet it was here, as only a few coughs and groans could be heard once and awhile as they walked to the room Fluttershy was in. They walked in to see Fluttershy laying on her belly, bandages wrapped around her rib cage and an out spread wing with casting around it. Around her neck was some bandages, maybe to protect it from something, but Twilight wasn't too sure. She looked up at the too and smiled her soft smile.

"Hi Twilight, Hi Applejack," she said in her quiet soft voice, as it would be normally. That was a relief of both the two ponies.

"At least your okay..." Applejack said walking up with a sad little smile.

"Oh the doctor said I would be fine. Two days here then another two weeks worth of bed rest in the lower wards, and then I'm out," her gentle voice wafted through the air, making Twilight nod gently.

"Fluttershy... um... I know its soon but... what do you remember?" Twilight asked, concerned for her friends safety. Fluttershy's eyes, which had been friendly as ever, switch from that to stern and worrisome at the same time, then to doubt and looking down at her bed.

"Not much... I remember running... running away from somethings... then... being hit onto the side of the road and this Celestia-aweful pain, that just shot through me... now I know it was my wing and ribs," she said, before thinking for a brief moment, "And... green eyes... they just.."

"What?" Applejack said looking at Fluttershy closely.

"I don't know how to explain it.... they just seemed to bare into me... and he mentioned," she started looking up at them, " that... 'I want to use her for my experiments' and then the eyes just disappeared into the darkness..."

"Okay... anything you remember after you got knocked unconscious?" Twilight asked sitting down next to her, while Applejack did the same. Fluttershy smiled again, eyes returning to her shy but fun selves.

"Oh I do indeed. I remember this warmth finding me... he seemed so soft and caring, strong but... different.." she said, "He knew you.... He called you Miss Sparkle. His voice was commanding at times too..."

"Blitz Krieg..." Twilight said smiling, "He chased off the beast and saved you. The doctors said that you would have been killed out in that rain storm last night..." Fluttershy looked down and smiled.

"Blitz Krieg..."

"What was that?" Twilight asked, raising an eye brow. Fluttershy eeps a little and looked at her saying it was nothing. Twilight bought it, but sighed as someone poked her head in.

"FLUTTERSHY!! ARE YOU OKAY!!!" Pinkie by came in bring in some balloons and some chocolates. She rushed over and bounced in front of her, which made her smile nervously.

"Hello Pinkie...." she said quietly.

"How you feeling? I hope its good enough for a party!" she says, grinning like crazy.

"Um... Pinkie.. Doctors orders are not to move around too much," Twilight said, smiling.

"Ya. She's did go through a surgery last night. So she needs time to rest... we just came to see how she was," Applejack said. Pinkie Pie seemed to deflate so what before smiling evilly.

"Then how about after you get out? Like a 'Getting out of the hospital' party!" she said throwing her arms up in there air. For a long time they just talked, Fluttershy softly putting her imput. After a while Rarity showed up with Rainbow, who was incredably worried.

"I'm sorry Fluttershy, I couldn't find them," Rainbow said, completely disappointed in herself. Fluttershy smiled at her.

"Really I don't mind Rainbow. You did your best," she softly said, being reassuring to her. Dash smiled, sitting down. After a while they had all settled in watching Fluttershy and talking about what had happened. Fluttershy questioned about her place, and her animals and Twilight said that she and Applejack were going there afterwards. She seemed happy to hear that.

Then came a soft knock.

"Miss Fluttershy? You have some more guests," a nurse pony said looking into the room. All the mares had puzzled looks on their faces. Odin poked his head in first, smiling softly.

"Hello..." she said walking in and moving to one side, unintentionally standing next to Rarity, who smiled at him and curled her hair.

Then a charcoal hoof stepped in, and in stepped the stallion who saved Fluttershy.

"Hello, Miss Shy," he said looking at her, a gently, but nervous smiling appearing on his face. Her eyes widened at the voice, raised her head and her ears perked forward. She knew that voice, and she smiled brillantly.

"You... You we-" she started.

"He was the one who saved you yes..." Odin said, "Captain Blitz Krieg. From the Dragon Knights." Blitz nodded and smiled, which was a soft and reassured on for her.

Fluttershy smiled and wanted to get up to just hug him. She was grateful to him for saving her, and for taking care of her. Dash stepped forward.

"Why didn't you get the guys hurt Fluttershy? HUH!" she asked getting angry, getting up infront of the taller stallion.

"Rainbo-" Twilight started.

"No. I want answers. I can't find them, and he has them.WHY DIDN'T YOU!?!" she yelled at him. Blitz looked down and sighed, before Dash started to growl, "Oh come on Knight boy. Too scared? Or just not gonna tell me?"

Applejack got up and walked over too, "Actually ya! Why didn't you??" she asked with Dash. Blitz stood there and looked at the two.

"G-Guys... I really do-" Fluttershy started to say.

"No. We all want answers for this. Be honest, cause you ain't gonna be lyin' to me, mister! I'm the element of honesty to don't even try it!" Applejack said, staring at him. Blitz looked at Applejack then back at Dash.

"Fluttershy is fine guys and right now we should be worried about her he-" Rarity said walking froward to try and defuse the situation.

"What. HAPPENED?!" Both the girls asked.

"From what I can tell right now," Blitz said looking at the two, "She was attacked. I intervened and carried her to my residence. That's all I know." The two watched as he spoke firmly to the two, eyes locked to theirs. Applejack leaned back and smiled, but Dash didn't.

"Why don't I believe you? Really?" she said still locked onto him. Odin stepped forward.

"He's speaks the truth. He maybe new this country but he's truthful," he spoke, eyes calm as ever. Everypony but Twilight looked at him then at Blitz.

"Another country? Really?" Rarity asked, before Pinkie Pie grinned stupidly.

"That deserves a party!!" she called out, to be shushed by Applejack.

"Wait. I met you yesterday and you didn't tell me that you were from another country," AJ said raising an eyebrow to him.

"No way. You're from another country?!" Dash said, "See! He can't be trusted and he's foreign!"

"DASH!" all of them said at once.

"What? I'm serious. I don't like him at all. For all we could know is he could have been the one to hurt Fluttershy!"

"Dash... that is absurd! How could you even-" Twilight stated standing up.

"She's right Miss Sparkle," Blitz said, looking at Dash, "I am an outsider. I am foreign. I am a possible suspect. But one things for sure. If I wanted to hurt her, why would I even attempt to harm her?" he asked her. Twilight perked up at this.

"Oh right your oath!" Twilight exclaimed.

"What does that mean? Its just an oath. Doesn't mean he would follow-" Dash said looking at her.

"Its a magical one. He's not allowed to harm a pony in anyway, and if a pony is in need of help, he is forced to help them. Correct?" Twilight asked looking at Blitz. He smiled and nodded, gently raising an eyebrow. Dash fell silent, then tapped her hoof against the floor.

"Oh... I'm... I'm sorry," she said, "I'm just mad about not being the-"

"Its okay Miss Dash. I can understand," Blitz replied with a solid voice, "Though..."

"What?"

"Odin and I are going to investage to see if we can find them," he said, "We can use a flyer. Just to be eyes and ears in the sky."

"O-"

"Before you jump the rock, listen to all of this," Blitz said smiling, "If you come with us, your enlisting in this new unit Celestia has created."

Dash just dropped her jaw. She wanted to help but, not at the cost of her freedom as a flyer. Her loyalty to her friends, or to her freedom. What was more important to her?

"Can... Can you give me some time to thing about it?" she said nervously. Blitz nodded to her, then walked ot Fluttershy smiling.

"Miss Shy. How are you feeling?" he asked, being polite. Fluttershy smiled, her gentle lips curling to that beautiful smile.

"Well thank you... I feel great... all thanks to you," she softly said, looking at him with soft eyes, "I owe you my life I guess..."

"No. You don't," he said smiling, "However... I need your help. Anything you can tell me?"

Fluttershy seemed to shift uneasily about that and told him everything she remember. She went through several times, trying to remember anything that she had yet state. Every time she repeated, she seemed more scared, as if reliving it. Finally in the third time Blitz put his hoof on her shoulder gently, stopping her.

"You can stop. I can tell your not enjoying the experience... I don't want you to work yourself up," he said, pulling his hoof back and looking around. Blitz could see their expressions were not that of happiness but more of concern for their friend. He planned to do help her out, no matter what it took.

Fluttershy nodded and looked down, "I hope that can help you..." she said returning to her quiet self, before laying her head down on a pillow. She sighed softly, eyes closing. Blitz looked at Odin and motioned his head that they should leave.

They walked out, Dash following a few moments later.

"Um... Blitz?" she said speaking up, making both turning around and look at her, "I'm gonna take you up on that offer. I'll go with you too help Fluttershy. I owe her that..."

"Okay. Come on, " Blitz said smiling, "And Welcome to the unit Dash."

They walked down the road to where Blitz found Fluttershy the night before. The forest seemed friendier then last night, as Blitz looked around, examining the scene.

"Odin... can you do a tracking spell?" Blitz asked looking at the unicorn.

"Yes... but I need something related to the creatures or Fluttershy and even then it would have to be fresh..." he replied.

Dash, who was hovering above them, looked around and then flew to a tree. She plucked something off it and flew back over, handing it to him and looking at the tuff of fur, "This good enough?" she asked.

Odin looked at it and smiled, "Should be enough... though don't expect much though." For a while he did nothing before his horn began to glow, and he started to walk along a soft path, leading into the forest. Dash flew slowly above them, Blitz meandered behind Odin.

Rainbow Dash finally sighed after twenty minutes. It was going to be a long day...

Kleric sat behind a booth, and sighed softly, looking at the list. Out of the towns population, seven earth, two unicorn and five pegasus's had signed up for this new unit. Of those fourteen ponies, most of them were young Stallions, which he figured was a good thing, but the few mares there were...

"Kleric?" Windcutter said nodding to another pony, a big, red and strong stallion. Kleric smiled and leaned forward.

"Hello. Going to join us in the new Equestrain unit?" he said, keeping a happy tone to his voice, "Good bits and lots of adventures!"

The big pony, a hay straw in his mouth switching from one side to the other, then nodded, "Eeyup. I reckon we could do some things that seem dangerous and 'fun'." he said, his voice very slow and purposeful.

"Okay. Anyponies in town who should b-"

"Big Macintosh what in tarnations are ya'll doin'!" an orange pony yelled coming over. He rolled his eyes and looked at her, Kleric and Windcutter turned and looked at the mare as she walked up, "Ya're nawt joinin' nah unit ta get yaself killed!"

"Applejack, I know ya don't want me to go but, you and Applebloom an-" he started, voice slow and gentle.

"NO! You are ta stay 'ere and look after us!" She said, putting her head to his and looking at him in the eye, "Ya promised Ma before she died! So w'y s'ould ya get to go and do t'at if ya 'ave t'at promise ta keep!" she said. Big Macintosh was about to speak when Kleric stepped in.

"Miss... Apple I presume? Well... I can promise the won't have anything happen to him... I'll watch his back," he said. Applejack shook her head no, "Miss Apple, how old are you? I take a guess around twenty or so.... Do you not think that she would be proud to see him do something like this, to be able to better protect you?" She looked down, and sighed.

"Honestly.. I'd rather 'im not go... but he does 'ave his own choice..." she said looking at him. Big Mac smiled and looked back at Kleric. A few moments later he received some papers and left with his little sister, Kleric hearing her complain and telling him new rules and items, especially to take care of himself. Kleric looked at Windcutter, whowas leaned back and hooves up on the desk, eyes faintly closing. Kleric rolled his eyes and looked bakc at the papers going on to write some notes about Macintosh.

"They split here..." Odin said, looking around, middle of a large field. They had walked all the way around Ponyville, past Sweet Apple Acres and towards a dark and dank forest.

"The Everfree forest..." Rainbow Dash murmured, before thinking gently. She looked up and thought gently, then at Odin, "Where does the trails lead?"

"One into the forest about west, north-west... why?" he said looking up at her. She took off, speeding away.

"Zecora... she lives there!"

Blitz didn't wait, rushing after her, "Odin, mark the spot and lets get going!"

NOTICE AND INFORMATION!!!

I, as an author, am not continuing this, and I am instead restarting it as the Equestrian Grand Knights.

This will be a redo of this story, and will be done properly. On Word Document.

Thank you to those who read this and I hope you like the new series, and I look forward to writing it!