11:24am Aephoceria Training Yard Tempest P.O.V.

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"AAAAAARRRRRRRGGGGGGHHHHHH!" I cried out as I made another swing with my practice sword but once again the only thing I could produce was a gentle breeze.

It has been a day after Hearth's Warming and right now I was trying out the Sword Technique that Ash gave me as a gift to transform my fighting spirit into a projectile to slice through a target, which was a log standing vertically, but the only thing I was making was puffs of wind.

"DAMMIT TO HELL," I shouted as I threw the practice blade down.

"You know no one ever gets it right straight away, most can't even produce wind," came a loving voice as the practice blade was levitated away from where I threw it, going behind me. When I turned around there he was, the being who made my heart melt every time our eyes met. The same one who made me feel confused, annoyed, excited and happy all at the same time and also made me feel like the luckiest mare alive.

"Ash," I said as I saw my mate approach with the practice sword in hand while he was fiddling with the tip. "Well that's easy for you to say, I bet you did it perfectly," I grumbled as I folded my arms and turned away but suddenly I hear him start to laugh as if I just told a joke.

"Far from it actually Tempest. When I started I couldn't even generate a puff of wind like you can, took me days to do that," Ash said.

"Still,"I sighed.

"Hey you'll get it, here," Ash said when suddenly I felt him press up against my back as he placed his arms over mine and he placed the sword in my hand. "Let me help you."

We then began to move in sync like how clothes move to match the wearers movement. Ash directed me to twist my waist and bring the blade up next to my head and point it towards the direction I'm facing, which was the log.

"Okay now breath in and exhale slowly," Ash said gently in my ear making me feel hot but I did as instructed. "Kay now focus on you're inner power, that feeling you get when you feel powerful...You feel it?"

"Y-yes," I said.

"Kay now I want you to channel that feeling into you're blade," Ash said when suddenly I felt his groin press against my butt causing the hot feeling in my body to grow hotter. "Keep going Tempest."

Refocusing on Ash's words I closed my eyes and focused on channelling the feeling into the blade when suddenly the blade began to glow brightly.

"Now," Ash said as his touch vanished. So with a cry I swung the blade and suddenly a crescent shaped blast of energy flew through the air and sliced through the log before I turned around to face him. "Well done Tempest, you did that fast- why are you looking at me like that?"

"You honestly think after breathing in my ear and pressing yourself up against me like that you're gonna walk away and leave me hot and bothered?" I asked as I raised an eyebrow at my mate before I dropped the sword and sauntered towards him.

"I don't know, can I?" Ash asked with a smirk before I used my left hand to grab him by the front of his shirt and pull him close.

"The answer is no buster," I said before I pulled him in for a kiss.

While our lips met I then brought my right hand up to caress Ash's face when I felt my hand brush against something metallic it was then I remembered Gilda's gift to Ash for Hearth's Warming Eve, a studded earring of a wolf's head holding a blade in it's maw. As we kissed I decided to fiddle with the earring causing Ash to smile before we pulled away for air.

---

Ash's P.O.V.

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"You mares seem to love playing with that," I said as I brought my hand up to the hand Tempest was using to fiddle with my earring before pulling her hand away.

"I can't help it it's like you're ponytail. I can't help but play with that also," Tempest said.

"When?" I asked.

"Hm in bed and I'm not the only one," Tempest said causing me to shake my head with a smile.

"Anyway it seems you don't need my help with this now so I'll leave you to it," I said as I went to leave but Tempest wasn't having it. I felt her arms circle around my neck and I felt her hot breath in my ear.

"Oh no you don't, not until you take responsibility for the state I'm in," Tempest purred.

Tempest then teleported us into the massive bathroom where she began to undress the both of us.

"You are getting better with you're magic," I said with a simple smile.

"Thanks, Twilight's been helping me a ton," Tempest said before I took in our surroundings.

"Why here?" I asked.

"Well why not? After all you did it with Luna in the shower," Tempest said.

"Hmph fair enough but aren't you worried someone could just walk in?" I asked.

"Not likely, I magically locked the door when we arrived. Besides everyone has a bath either early in the morning or late in the afternoon only Rainbow and Spitfire come here at midday to wash off any sweat they might have worked up. But because of the locked door there won't be a problem," Tempest said before she lured me into the bath with her.

Tempest then sat me down on one of the steps before she went and saddled my lap with my member sandwiched between her soft butt cheeks causing her to coo.

And despite what many think Tempest's butt actually has such an unique amount of muscle and fat. Reaching around I placed my hands on her cutie marks before giving them a squeeze causing Tempest to groan pleasurably before she brought her lips to mine in a passionate quiet kiss. No tongue and no moans just a kiss and as we kissed I ran my left hand up her back to the base of her neck while my right hand moved to her lower back before we pulled away for air.

"I'm all yours stud," Tempest said.

"Tell me Tempest, ever done it in the ass before?" I asked causing Tempest to blush and look away slightly.

"N-no, not really," Tempest said nervously.

"Are you up for trying it?" I asked as I gave Tempest a naughty smile while I aligned my manhood with her puckered backdoor.

“Just...please go slow...,” she begged.

I nodded as I still want her to have as much fun as I'm having. So giving her a quick kiss I began to push my member into her ass and I saw Tempest bite her lip as I slowly eased myself into her anal walls.

"Oh gods...from now on you're the only one allowed to do it in my ass," Tempest smiled seductively once I pushed my member all the way inside. “It belongs to you and you alone.”

I then went and locked lips with Tempest before I started a rhythm of thrusts into her tight ass before she began to loosen up and started begging me to ram her harder. So I re-positioned her so I could take her doggy style while leaning on her back and squeezing one of her breasts, leaving bites and kisses along her neck and driving the mare crazy with pleasure.

"Now that's a hot sight I wouldn't mind walking in on."

Startled both me and Tempest looked to the source of the voice and saw it was Spitfire leaning against the doorway on her right elbow while her head was propped up on her right hand and her left hand was busy fingering herself.

"Spitfire," I said with surprise.

"But how did you get in here, I locked the door," Tempest said.

"True but it locked after I walked in. At first I thought it was some automatic locking trick but when I finally undressed and walk in here what do I see; the King of Equestria taking the almighty Commander Tempest doggy style," Spitfire said as she pushed off the doorway and removed her fingers from her snatch before she sauntered over to us while licking her nectar from her fingers. She then sat on the edge of the pool and spread her legs, revealing her sexy body for us. "You both got room for one more?"

"Well it would be pretty selfish if I said no despite me wanting him all to myself for once," Tempest said as I pulled away so she could stand up.

"I have no quarrel as long as it's okay with the both of you," I said.

"Well then what are you waiting for, who do I get to play with first?" Spitfire asked as she beckoned us to come closer with a single finger.

With a devilish smirk I raised my right hand and slapped Tempest on the butt causing her to let out a squeak of surprise and make her jump forward...right into Spitfire's arms which wrapped around her and brought her in for a passionate, sloppy and steamy kiss. At first Tempest was surprised by the exchange of partners before she too wrapped her own arms around Spitfire before they began to play with each other's bodies. Tempest was busy fondling Spitfire's breasts and ass while Spitfire was fingering Tempest's marehood. Soon I couldn't take anymore of the hot mare on mare action and needed my own relief. So creeping up behind Tempest I spread her ass cheeks and rammed my prick back up her ass causing her to cry out in ecstasy.

"Oh she likes that and doesn't she make just the sexiest sounds when she's surprised?" Spitfire asked.

"Quite but...," I said as I leaned over Tempest's shoulder so I was looking directly at Spitfire who gulped at my gaze. "I've known you to also make sounds similar to Tempest as wall," I said before I reached forward and grabbed Spitfire by her right nipple with my thumb and index finger causing her to squeak in shock before I pulled her in close and began nibbling along her neck while I continued to thrust into Tempest's ass.

"Oh, oh, oh, oh yes harder fuck me in my ass harder," Tempest pleaded.

Granting her request I sped up my thrusts while my left hand snaked around and joined Spitfire in fingering Tempest's pussy causing Tempest to gasp before I felt both her vaginal and anal walls tighten around me before her juices drooled from her nether lips and because of the tightness of her anal walls I couldn't hold my own release in any longer and painted her asshole white with my seed. I pulled out of Tempest who removed herself from Spitfire before she went to rest by the side of the tub.

"You okay Tempest?" I asked.

"Hm just, let me, catch my breath," Tempest said.

"While she's doing that how about you tend to my needs," Spitfire said as she stood up before wiggling her hips.

"With pleasure," I said as I approached the flame colored stunt flyer.

I went to met her with a passionate kiss but she grabbed me by the back of the head and brought me against her lips where she tried to devour my lips with hers in a hungry kiss before we broke for air.

"Wow feisty today are we?" I asked with a smirk.

"I'm always feisty...and I like my rutting 'rough'," Spitfire purred before growling out the last word while she leaned back and sat on the edge of the pool. She then put her hands on the back of her head and spread her legs.

"Okay then baby, on you're stomach. You want it rough then you got it," I said as I made a twirling motion wih my finger.

With a saucy smile Spitfire seductively crawled on her stomach before she wiggled her fine ass at me which I couldn't help but spank causing Spitfire to moan in pleasure.

"Mmm...harder, do it harder," Spitfire pleaded.

With a shrug I fulfilled her request and slapped her ass harder and harder and harder until a red hand print could be seen on her ass. I then roughly groped her ass before I positioned my pole against her anus and rammed myself in causing Spitfire to gasp then groan in ecstasy before she looked back at me with those beautiful half lidded flaming amber eyes.

"That's it stud ram me hard and deep like no other can. Use me however you want: spank my ass, grope my tits, pull my mane, plow...," Spitfire started.

"Whoa, whoa, whoa, pull you're mane...Spits won't that hurt?" I asked.

"A bit but in a good way," Spitfire said.

"Sorry but...I've...," I started before I looked down.

"Hey...what's wrong you can tell me Ash," Spitfire asked as she pulled herself off me, stood up and turned around to cup my cheek and get me to look at her.

"It's just...I've seen a lot of females and mares in my life who got dragged by their hair into places they'd rather die then go to and I'm just worried about hurting you. I want this to be enjoyable for you but...," I said before I trailed off.

"I get it," Spitfire said before she leaned close to my chest and nuzzled it with her cheek "And I love how open you are to our requests. Any one who could find a partner like that should be considered a lucky one and I love how you care for us and never treat us as if we're trophies or property like stallion's in the past have. But I promise you if ever any of us weren't sure about something...we'd tell you and I will tell you if things go too far, I promise," Spitfire said causing me to take a deep breath.

"Thanks Spits that helps a ton," I said.

"Good now get over here and shove that hard thick rod up my ass and make me scream. Then I want you to fuck my pussy nice and raw," Spitfire said before she got back on her stomach and pulled her ass cheeks apart, exposing her tight anus to me.

Taking one last deep breath I then lined up my spire with her puckered ring before I went and slowly reached for her mane. I grabbed it and pulled her onto my prick causing her to scream and causing me to worry and release her mane.

"Shit Spits I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm so so sorry," I panicked.

"What are you talking about Ash...that was amazing, can't believe I didn't think of having you do that," Spitfire said as she looked back at me with a seductive gaze.

"You're...not hurt?" I asked.

"A little but...I did say it hurts in the right way baby," Spitfire said as she cupped her hands under the water before pouring it over her face soaking her mane so it cascaded down just past her shoulders. "Now then, shall we continue?"

All I could do was nod dumbly at the unbelievably sexy mare before I grabbed her mane and pulled on it as I thrusted forward causing Spitfire to scream in pleasure. Soon I got over my fears and began a rhythm once I saw how she was enjoying it.

"Oh gods yes...Yes!...YES! RAM MY SLUTTY HOLES YOU STUD!" Spitfire screamed.

As I kept my grip and rhythm on Spitfire I had the sudden urge to try something. So leaning forward I began to nibble the base of Spitfire's wings using my canines.

"D-DAMN THOSE CANINE PREDATOR TEETH! You…. you're driving me crazy with those love bites!," Spitfire cried out with pleasure as I continued my onslaught on the fiery maned mare before I moved up to her shoulder and began to leave small nibbles. Spitfire reached back to hold my head in place. "Harder stud and while you're about it why don't you use that wolfish muzzle of yours."

Once again the suggested idea worried me and yet I couldn't help but feel the urge to do it so I changed my mouth to form a wolf's muzzle before I bit down on Spitfire's shoulder, causing the mare to cry out with pleasure and Spitfire to finally cum. I pulled away and released her mane but grabbed her hips before I speed up my thrusts till I finally shot my load into her ass. I then collapsed into the water and returned my mouth to normal but when I did I could taste something. Licking my teeth I realized whatever it was had a familiar iron like taste to it. That's when it hit me and when I looked back at Spitfire who had stood up she was nursing a bleeding bite wound on her shoulder. Now the wound wasn't serious but it was still there and before I could do anything Spitfire placed a finger over my lips.

"Relax hot stuff I'm fine and you, mmm, you did amazingly well," Spitfire said.

"Want me to heal that?" I asked.

"Nah I'm hoping it will actually leave a scar," Spitfire said.

"Why's that?" I asked.

"You honestly think I wouldn't notice those bites on Moon and Luna after all the love making we've done stud, if anything I've wanted one of my own to show everyone that I really do belong to you," Spitfire said as she gave the area around the bite a rub.

"That so," a familiar voice said as mulberry arms encircled my neck before I looked up to see Tempest smirking down at me. "Don't think I'm not gonna be left out of this party and if those three have one then I want one too."

"Y'know you shouldn't do something just because everyone else is doing it," I said before I got pulled into the water so I was floating on my back before Tempest straddled me with a seductive look on her face.

"Don't you try and use that line on me buster. I'm a grown mare and I can do whatever the hell I want," Tempest said.

---

Two Hours Later Aephoceria Castle Hallways

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"Aaahhh damn I swear those two are part griffon somehow," I said as I rubbed my shoulder from the pain of the rough session with the two military mares.

I was walking through the hallways on my way to grab some lunch when suddenly a perimeter alarm I set up in the forest after Nightmare Night went off inside my head. So summoning my harbinger armor along with Whispering Wind I teleported into the trees above the spot in the forest to see what was going on and low and behold I see swarms of changelings running through the forest. Now unlike my first encounter with changelings these guys came in a variety of colors and had a...softer and gentler appearance. They still looked like a hybrid of pony and bugs, some of them had horns and some did not, but they all had translucent incest wings like those of a dragonfly that could be hidden beneath a piece of their caprice like a winged beetle and a translucent wing like tail. Yes they all looked like a mix between pony and bugs but they weren't unpleasant to look at and at the head of the pack was Chrysalis and behind them, keeping an eye out for any stragglers or pursuers, was Apollyon and another changeling. With a quick nod I then teleported directly in front of the large mass causing everyone to stop and for Chrysalis to sigh in relief.

"Ash, gods you nearly gave me a heart attack," Chrysalis said as I approached the gathering causing every changeling to mutter amongst themselves.

"You're late y'know," I said as I crossed my arms.

"Yes, I know I'm sorry. It's just things took a bit longer then I anticipated," Chrysalis said.

Suddenly I see Apollyon and two changelings come out of the crowd behind Chrysalis. The two changelings stood taller then the rest and one was taller then the other. They both had a unicorn horn on their foreheads and stag like horns behind them. The taller changeling's colors consisted of a few different shades of light green and purple wings, tail and eyes. While the shorter's colors were a deep purple, light blue and red wings and tail with blue eyes. It was because of how the two looked I was able to identify them.

"We can talk about this later and Apollyon thank you for your assistance here," I said.

"I'm just happy I got let off the leash and personally that armor looks better on you then the other," Apollyon said.

"If you say so. Now King Thorax and Prince Pharynx I'd like to personally welcome the both of you and yours to Aephoceria which you will soon see once you leave this forest," I said.

"So...this is the great king of Equestria...I thought you were taller," Pharynx said.

"Pharynx! I'm sorry about my older brother," Thorax said.

"Older...hmph he's not exactly one to talk about size since he's shorter then his little brother," I said causing most of the changelings to snicker while Pharynx growled.

"Ash listen we're not safe still, the caribou are still coming after us," Chrysalis said.

As if on cue I heard voices deep within the forest causing me to nod.

"Alright lead this lot to the kingdom, I'll take care of this," I said before I began to walk through the crowd who made a path for me.

"Wait by yourself, there's dozens out there," Thorax said.

"I have my ways and believe me I've dealt with way worse situations then this, ask Chrysalis," I said.

"It's true he has. Now come on, let's go," Chrysalis said before she led everyone deeper into the forest.

Meanwhile I turned to where the voices were originating from before I went in search of them, using the trees to hunt from above till I found them. It was an entire fort worth of caribou with some of them riding War Beasts who were sniffing out the changelings trail. Suddenly my ears pick up on a conversation between two caribou.

"Hey you sure this is a good idea," one of the caribou ask.

"What are you talking about?" the other asked.

"It's just, you remember that army that was sent in here under the command of General Azur? All those bucks went in, only one crawled back out missing both an arm and a leg and muttering about this place being filled with monsters," the first caribou said.

"Quit being so scared. It's true that there's a forest few even dare to enter but that's the Everfree in the east of here. This place ain't the Everfree so relax, besides stories are often exaggerated on the battlefield. You shouldn't be so quick to assume stuff like that," the second caribou said.

"Yeah but what about those bodies we saw tangled in the tree trunks and branches or half buried in the dirt. Those bucks were definitely from the army under Azur and they were left like that as a warning or as they're leftovers from a meal," the first said.

"Stop it already, we're fine," the second said

"And what about the four harbingers," the first asked causing the entire force to stop dead in it's tracks and turn to the caribou who spoke.

"What do you mean, what about them?" the second asked nervously.

"You all know the stories as well as I do. First War, the Hellfire Knight and younger brother of our god, he who was one of two who was the first to enter the fray against Heartless. It was the same battle that created a new chasm in the earth and forever split the sky over that piece of land. They even say he bathes in the blood of his slain in pleasure and can you honestly say that he and his brother would fight on opposite sides if Ash were supporting us. Then there's Famine, stories say that one commands a swarm of locusts that can devour entire crops within seconds and when the locus have no more crops to eat they turn to eating flesh. Even Famine will not hesitate to pick the meat from our bones and Death, the one who spirts our souls to the other side with her scythe. All it takes is a single touch from Death's finger and the worst thing is, Death is a female. So what are the chances she will allow us passage into paradise after all we've done and Conquest...I dare not even imagine the stories behind him," the first said.

"I heard he was a king once but fell victim to a coup and then executed. Now he has returned and seeks to conquer the world," another caribou said.

"That can't be right. I've heard that he sold his soul to a demon for unimaginable power to crush any and all before him," another said.

"I heard he feasts on the corpses of caribou for every meal and writes using caribou blood for ink," one caribou said.

"What makes you say that?" the third asked.

"Well my cousin who is stationed in King Diann's castle said that every time one of his sons has been killed a package is delivered somehow to the king and in each package are the severed horns of his slain son and a roll of parchment detailing a message to the king of his sons death. My cousin got hold of one letter and he said the letter was written in the son's own blood," the caribou finished causing the group to pale.

"Well these are all stories as you said," the second said trying to regain his composure.

"We have to turn back right now, lets leave the prisoners alone. We lost them as soon as they entered this forest," the first said.

"Enough!" a caribou on the War Beast shouted and the caribou also appeared to be an officer. "Listen we're here now and there's no turning back. Besides, we've been in here for some time now and no one has shown themselves and I doubt they even know we are here cause if so the War Beasts would have sensed something was wrong."

"Yeah and if Conquest was here we would have heard him play something," the fourth caribou said.

"What are you talking about?" the officer demanded.

"Well I heard from General Servius that when the rebels first hideout was attacked the outlaw Bones, or Conquest if the rumours are to be believed, played some kind of melody before he ambushed the general's patrol," the fourth caribou said.

"So he wants a little music huh...well I don't see why I can't give him a little performance but first," I said before I focused on the War Beasts and used my magic to make the beasts see what it is they fear most.

And just like that the War Beasts began to thrash and try to kick off their riders causing the troops to panic before the War Beasts ran off into the forest. While the caribou tried to figure out what was happening I summoned my flute before I began to play a familiar melody.

As the haunting music filled the air I saw the caribou begin the quiver and shake in fear.

"Hold you're ground, it's just something to scare us," the officer yelled.

"Yeah well they're doing a good job," a soldier said before I took out a rope dart.

"Pull it together, the lot of you. We came here to get what's ours and we're not leave-gakk!" the caribou shouted before my dart pierced his neck. I then leapt from my perch and into the bushes below while the officer was pulled into the trees.

With a predatory growl to make blood run cold I stepped out of the bushes. My presence terrifying the caribou beyond all measure. Some of them even dropped their weapons and fled in terror while the rest appeared to be too stunned to move.

"You have no business here, leave," I said before I channelled my magic into my right hand to call upon the power of the forest.

Suddenly there was a great boom deep beneath the earth when geysers made of dirt burst open from the ground and out of the ground appeared humanoid figures made from root and stone. Next to appear out of the trees were Timberwolves and Elder Rhinos. Suddenly out of the ground came a massive serpent like creature made from tangled roots with a pointed arrow like head and a downward curved horn on the end of it's face just above it's mouth. Finally the trees creaked and groaned and swayed as a massive wind appeared when suddenly a Forest Wing appeared overhead and let out a massive roar.

"-or you shall die here," I said.

And just like that the caribou dropped their weapons and high tailed it out of the forest before I turned to the creatures I summoned.

"I thank you all but may I ask that you make sure they all leave before returning to you're slumber?" I asked to which the creatures all bowed to which I bowed in turn. I then left but not before disposing of the body of the officer and retrieving my rope dart.

Walking back through the forest I didn't stop till I arrived at the outskirts where I saw the changelings being tended to. I saw Thorax was talking to Celestia and Luna, Chrysalis seemed to be getting an earful from Faust and Rage seemed to be talking to Pharynx.

"Ah I heard a commotion in there and was wondering if I should go in to see if I could lend a hand," Pharynx said.

"Did you kill them?" Thorax asked.

"A couple, the rest just scared themselves off. Talk about wimps," I said as I banished my armor and weapons.

"Those wimps had kept us in cages, forcing the females to change into whatever they felt appealing. You should have killed them," Pharynx said.

"That...is not your call Pharynx," I said.

"Why not, it would be better if they were all just wiped off the planet," Pharynx said.

My gaze then turned cold as I glared at Pharynx while the sky darkened with clouds.

"Ooooh dear," Rage said backing off from us while I walked forward and stared Pharynx down.

"You know nothing about what you're implying boy and even if you did I doubt you could live with the guilt. So the next time you think of saying something so wrong keep you're mouth shut and for you're information Pharynx, we actually have a couple of caribou here that are were actually trying to flee from Diann's rule, even Diann's former queen. If I hear you cause a problem for them you're gonna wish you were still their prisoner," I said before I walked around him to head back. I heard Pharynx about to come over and have a go with me but I know it was Rage who stopped him before I teleported back to Aephoceria.

---

Some Time Later Aephoceria Map Room

---

The room I was in was an oval in shape with maps and images of structures and weapons and in the centre of the room was a oaken rectangular table and on the table was a projection showing the layout of a fortress and around the table stood Rage, Elisa, Evan, Kamau and myself.

"The Citadel, the largest and most secure prison in the world, said to be impregnable," Kamau said pointing at the map that showed high walls in a rectangular shape on an area of land mostly surrounded by steep cliffs that dropped into the ocean below. The high walls also surrounded a luxurious garden and at one end of the rectangle was The Citadel itself. The building formed an octagon that shrunk in width as you ascended and around it were several towers. The entrance of The Citadel was a courtyard with high walls on either side.

"This place looks more like a palace then it does a prison," Rage said.

"It is in a way," Kamau said causing us to look at him for an explanation. "Local lords who own the surrounding lands pay taxes and homage to the one who oversees The Citadel to keep their lands safe from bandits. The guy in charge is a griffon called Razor Beak, guy lives like an emperor because he thinks he's one," Kamau said as he handed me a photo of Razor Beak just as I remembered him. He was a male griffon with fur that was a dark purple and his feathers were silver in color. He had amber eyes and a brown beak and his attire was an old military uniform. It was then I handed the photo to Rage.

"Shit, Gilda is not going to like this," Rage said.

"Yeah no kidding, but I'm kinda surprised he was once a member of the griffon military," I said.

"You know him?" Elisa asked.

"He's Gilda's father, he even attempted a coup almost eight years ago now before we met you guys. But when the king fled here Razor Beak brought an army to invade us, with the king's family as hostages as well. But because of Rage and myself he was defeated," I said.

"So what happened after that?" Evan asked.

"Once the battle was over the king took Razor Beak back to Griffora to face his crimes, I don't know any more beyond that," I said.

"Now the bastard is made a lord and warden of this place, that's great," Rage said with a roll of his eyes.

"That's not all, the one they call The Bear operates there regularly as well," Kamau said.

"You're kidding," I said as I looked at Kamau.

"Another of the Apex Predators?" Evan asked.

"Yeah Giff The Bear, leader of the Heavy Assault corp for the Predators...*chuckles*," I laughed

"What's so funny?" Rage asked.

"It's just...both Giff and Mac remind me so much of each other both don't speak much but are pillars of strength and muscle, before he joined the predators Giff worked on a farm as well," I said as I remembered the smiling giant of a man.

"The more you know, but anyway back to this. What do we actually know of The Citadel?" Evan asked.

"Well for starters the main gate," I said as I pointed at the entrance on the opposite side of the fortress/prison/palace. The main gate was guarded by a watch gate and behind it was a deep trench manually dug by workers before you could enter the main compound. "The only point of direct access is a drawbridge here that must be operated on both sides in order to raise and lower it and behind the drawbridge, one of three barracks all able to hold at the most a brigade of three=thousand, who are fully armed and ready and willing to fight within a moments notice."

"Makes sense to have a barracks at the gates so they'll be ready in a moments notice to defend the front gate in case of a siege but why can't we just fly in and bust some heads that way?" Rage asked.

"All aircraft is diverted around this place, so if you did fly over they have a specialized air radar for any flying vehicle and individual along with AA weapons," Kamau said as he gestured to the radar dish and AA guns.

"Teleport?" Elisa asked.

"Spells on the walls, nothing gets in or out that way," Kamau said

"Razor Beak is not taking any chances here he knows what we're capable of and is set to stop us by hiding himself and holding the King and his sons in a place designed to keep us out," I said.

"Well shit...So what do we do?" Evan asked.

"Well under normal circumstances nothing but thankfully thanks to a massive storm we have a way in and I know how to do that.

---

2:00 am 10 days Later Below The Citadel

---

*CLACK* *CLACK* *CLACK*

The sound of the ice picks being embedded in the rock and the howling wind and crashing waves below filled my ears with deafening sound. I was wearing my assassin robes and was accompanied by Tempest, Rainbow, Spitfire, Gilda, Rarity and Pinkie Pie as we climbed our way up the steep cliffs towards the Citadel. Finding suitable climbing spots was difficult because of the moonless night. The only light the sky provided was of the twinkling stars.

"Dammit this sucks why can't we just fly our way up even teleport in instead of this crap," Rainbow groaned.

"Rainbow Dash, in case you forgot, this is a fortress and fortresses are things designed to keep everyone out. So teleporting and flying in is out of the question. Besides you're the one who wanted to come along with Ash," Tempest said her tone indicating she was at wits end with this.

"Yeah because I thought we were gonna be doing some serious ass kicking not sneak in. I mean why do we have to climb up anyway," Rainbow said.

"To stay off their radar. Anything that's using any form of flying magic will be detected. Now RD quit you're griping and focus on where you put you're picks, lot of loose stones around here," I said before I pulled one pick out, reached high and slammed it into the cliff face.

"Oh how much longer, this wind is ruining my hair," Rarity whined.

"Really Rarity we're hundreds of feet above the ocean, trying to sneak into a fortress and you're concern is you're hair!" Gilda shouted.

Suddenly a conflict between the girls started and they went on until I couldn't take it anymore.

"Would you lot cut it out already cause your attitude and complaining is seriously starting to get me down!" I shouted.

Suddenly the stone one of my picks was lodged in came loose and I started to plummet down towards the sea. Before that happened however my leg was grabbed by Tempest but because of the sudden added weight Tempest's picks came loose and we fell down some more only to be grabbed by Rainbow, Spitfire, Gilda, Rarity and Pinkie Pie. But like with each other we all came loose but Pinkie just managed to save us by grabbing hold of a root with her teeth. While Spitfire despite us all being tied together by a rope grabbed onto Pinkie's tail.

"You just had to say down, didn't you," Gilda said.

"Yeah apparently Murphy just decided to be a prick today," I groaned.

"Who's Murphy?" Tempest asked.

"Mmmmnnnneeeeehhhhmmmm," Pinkie mumbled.

"What's Pinkie saying?" Rainbow asked.

"I said don't pull on my tail so hard guys," Pinkie said after letting go of the root only to realize what she just did.

"Crap," I thought before we all began to plummet downwards.

Thinking quickly I changed my left forearm into a demonic arm and grow out the curved spikes in my forearm before jabbing them into the cliff. I also changed my legs as well as my feet to have four claws that pointed in four directions when spread out, kinda like an X shape. Both my feet and legs, all the way up to my thighs, were covered in the same red plate/bone/skin as my arms and my legs were shaped like the legs of a pony's. I was using the claws on my feet to dig into the rock to stop us which worked.

*Phew* "That could have been ugly," I said as I used my free hand to wipe some sweat from my brow before looking down at the others who were dangling off the rope. "Ya'll okay down there?"

"Oh we're just dangling by a rope over certain death Ash. How do ya think we're doing!" Gilda said calmly before shouting the last part.

"Okay, okay sheesh just give me a few minutes I'll get us back up there," I said before I changed my right forearm to match the left and began to use the claws on my hands and feet to climb up.

The climb was slow and agonizing and above all painful. But I managed till we reached the top were I saw the high walls of the Citadel before me. Before the walls were a set of scaffolding and on top of the scaffolding was a guard, it looked like he wasn't looking in our direction. So putting my arms over the edge of the cliff I summoned my bow and took aim. I loosed my arrow, striking the guard through the heart and causing him to tumbled off the scaffolding. I then pulled myself over the edge of the cliff were I spread myself over the soft grass and let my body return to normal and took deep breaths while the others climbed up.

"Damn that took a long time. I thought you would have gotten us up here sooner since you're a god and all," Gilda said.

"God or not I'd like to see anyone make that climb while their limbs are like this," I said as I held my forearms up while keeping the elbows connected to the ground. Upon looking at it my hands they were covered in my blood; the liquid silver glistening in the starlight but my left arm was worse off then my right.

"Shit are you alright?" Tempest asked in concern.

"I'll heal," I said as I began to get up and noticed my feet were in a similar situation of being covered in silver blood.

"What happened?" Rainbow asked.

"When we were falling I had to jam my arm spikes into the wall to slow us. The result was me ripping several spikes out of my arm and then using my claws to punch through the rock to climb. I may be immune to most attacks from others but I'm still vulnerable upon attacks to myself," I explained as my wounds began to heal and my body absorbed the blood.

"You gonna be alright?" Spitfire asked.

"Yeah, the hard part is over at least. Now follow me," I said before I got up and ran towards the scaffold before pressing up against it..

"Now what?" Rainbow asked.

---

Flashback

---

"A storm?" Elisa asked.

"Yeah normally the walls are too smooth to climb at all but because of the storm many of the smooth walls had been damaged and there is one section that had been damaged so badly they need to use a scaffold to fix it. This will be our entry point," I said.

"But if Razor Beak is taking us seriously what makes you think that he won't have it heavily guarded," Rage asked.

"Ah, I was hoping someone would ask that," I said as I pointed at the northern wall of the map. "You see, when the storm hit, it was through from the north thus damaging the walls to the point of collapsing. The east and western walls had damage as well but not enough to be considered severe while the south got hit by a single lightning bolt resulting in the least amount of damage. Also the cliffs on the southern edge of the spot of land are known for their frailty; so climbing up is considered too dangerous a risk which is why they are the least guarded and that will be the entry point."

"Climbing up the most dangerous side of the cliff to reach the least guarded point of the fortress huh, and who will be partaking in this mad strategy?" Rage asked.

"I will be leading a small infiltration team. Once we have neutralized the guards, we will make our way along the walls towards the drawbridge without sounding the alarm and lower it for the three platoons we'll be taking with us, which will be led by Apollyon, Shining Armor and you Rage but only one platoon can cross the garden maze at a time to avoid being noticed where I will provide over watch to alert the platoon of any incoming patrols in the maze," I said.

---

End Flashback

---

"Now we climb skittles, c'mon," I said as I began to climb the scaffold till we reached the top of the wall. I checked for any incoming guards before I turned to the others. "Okay ladies head to the drawbridge and remember, no hasty kills. Make sure you secure that bridge till the last platoon crosses then join the rest in the barracks at the opposite end of the gardens," I said as I pointed to the building that guards the main and only entrance to the keep.

"Got it," the mares said before they took off. But before Spitfire left I grabbed her shoulder and gave her a message in sign language to keep an eye on Rainbow and Gilda causing Spitfire to give a nod knowing exactly what I was talking about before she left as well.

---

Flashback

---

"Why three don't we need an army you said there are three barracks that can hold up to three=thousand soldiers," Rage said.

"The first part of the mission is stealth Rage. Small numbers mean we will be harder to notice. Once all platoons are inside the keep it won't matter but we have to get inside the keep first," I said.

---

End Flashback

---

As I watched the mares take off I headed in the opposite direction; running along the walls to reach my spot and using my bow to shoot every guard that was standing guard on the wall. Once there I turned my gaze towards the maze below watching the patrol's movements for any last minute changes they may have made. I didn't have to wait long, soon I saw the first platoon led by Apollyon appear at the entrance barracks before making their way across the grounds and through the maze before making it to the second barracks without problems. The next platoon was Shining Armor's he made it into the maze easily but suddenly I saw a patrol make a turn that it wasn't scheduled to take. So quickly drawing my bow I fired an arrow in Shining's path which landed right at his hooves causing him to look at me while I just pointed at the coming patrol. Shining then grabs the arrow before he and the platoon hide in little alcoves along the walls and wait for the patrol to pass before making it to the barracks. Finally Rage's platoon and joining him was my team. The platoon cleared the grounds and most of the maze and were at the exit when suddenly I heard an alarm bell coming from the main barracks this brought all the guards onto high alert. I then gestured to Rage to get to the building while I readied my bow and started taking shots at enemy soldiers. I then leapt off the wall and rolled as soon as I hit the ground before making a mad dash for the second barracks located at the entrance of the keep.

---

Flashback

---

Why do we need to rely on stealth till we get to the keep?" Evan asked.

"This would be why" I said as I pointed to the keep's entrance. "Before we get into the keep we need to raise the portcullis absolutely impossible to open from the outside and it's made from anti magic metal. Even if it wasn't, breaking it is a no go as well because if or when the alarm is raised we will need it to hold back the soldiers from escaping or entering the keep. With the prisoners in the keep we'll have a force to overwhelm the soldiers inside and outside the keep and also the walls on the sides of the entrance will be mounted with archers and riflemen. The only cover there is the barracks and the soldiers in the barracks will make a headstrong push to get us out of cover and into the shooter's crosshairs."

"If we can't open the portcullis from the outside someone will have to do it from the inside," Rage said.

"So we need someone on the inside to open it," Elisa said.

"Indeed and I've already picked out two two people for this," I said.

"What, already?" Rage asked.

"Yeah, as we speak my four Greeks we put inside a 'Trojan Horse' are being delivered to The Citadel. For this mission I needed two people who could open the portcullis quickly as well as defend themselves from the soldiers that will try to stop them when they realize what is happening and more importantly they need to keep a level head while there because of what they may hear. Example females being raped and cruel treatment of prisoners, stuff they may hear that will encourage them to expose themselves and kill anything in their way."

"Not many that fit in those categories; but what makes you think that they'll bring you're so called Trojan Horse within the keep?" Rage asked.

"Ah well it turns out Razor Beak is actually part peacock, guy just love preening himself in front of a mirror. Seriously, total narcissist that could give Narcissus a run for his money," I said causing a few to snicker before Kamau forced himself to stop and clear his throat.

"And going by this fact we made our...Trojan Horse as you put it, in the form of a large scale mirror. The mirror is held inside of a large stand that hides a hidden compartment behind the mirror. This is where our infiltrators will be till we're ready to move and they have enough supplies till it is time to attack. How they get out is by smashing the mirror which is actually a plastic mirror that shatters like glass when broken; like those props the movies used when they want to break something without permanently injuring someone, like how a glass breaks in one's hand when they crush it," Kamau said.

"Kay but how do you get it inside?" Rage asked.

"Our delivery system is a griffon noble who is sympathetic to our cause. His only child, a daughter, is being kept as Razor Beak's whore because of her beauty. Her farther refused to give her up at first but when Razor Beak threatened to let Giff and his soldiers loose upon his land and just take his daughter anyway she gave herself up to save them," I said.

"Brave kid," Rage said causing Elisa and Evan to nod.

"The noble has agreed to help us by delivering the Trojan Horse and instructing his daughter to break the mirror when it is time, under the condition his daughter is returned to him safely," I said.

"No problem on that," Elisa said

"Sure but might I ask why not use a real or one sided mirror?" Rage asked.

"One of our inside guys is a little...superstitious when it comes to that stuff and the second reason is to make sure the daughter is not harmed when breaking the mirror and finally, to make sure there are no checks from any guards to see if it's a one way mirror," I said.

"Ah," my fellow harbingers said.

"Alright any other questions before we get started?" I asked.

"Yeah Giff, what's happening with him?" Rage asked.

"I'll take care of Giff when the time comes but for this little trip we don't have to worry about him. Giff is out doing something somewhere to someone else for either Diann or Geralt and won't be back for awhile so this is the perfect opportunity to go in and fuck some shit up," I said.

"Cool but one last question what happens if our cover is blown before we get into the keep?" Elisa asked.

"Trouble," I said.

---

Flashback End

---

I made it to the barracks and I saw a row of guards in line barricading the entrance, who let me in when I approached, while others were working to barricade doors that had caribou soldiers on the other side who were disturbed from their slumber while the harbingers and platoon leaders were arguing.

"Hey!" I shouted getting the group's attention. "What happened, it was supposed to be stealth not storm."

"That's what we want to know," Shining said.

"You're group was the last to arrive," Apollyon said as she looked at Rage.

"Oh yes blame it all on me why don't ya," Rage said before they all began to argue again.

"Enough!" I roared, almost blowing the group over with the power of my voice. "None of this matters at this time. Right now we need to focus on not getting pushed out into that courtyard until that gate is up."

"Hey Shining Armor, you're speciality is shields right? Can't you just create a shield over us while we're out there?" Apollyon asked.

"If that was possible I would have asked him to do that in the first place," I said.

"What do you mean Ash?" Shining asked.

"While the gate is down it activates an anti shield zone around the courtyard. The only shield one can make is one that is as useful as wet paper," I said.

"Shit we're fucking rats in a trap," Elisa said.

"Not yet," I said as I looked at the portcullis. Suddenly I saw movement on the other side and when I squinted my eyes I saw Eli, Jabir, Rawlin and Spike were there and working to open the portcullis. As soon as it began to lift I felt what felt like a block on my magic break. "Shining, shield over the courtyard now!"

As soon as I gave the order Shining's horn lit up and a magenta shield covered the courtyard while I raised my right hand and created a barrier over the doors and main entrance to keep the guards out.

"Move, get to the keep!" I shouted and like that everyone obeyed my orders and made a dash for the portcullis while I stayed to hold the barriers. Looking back to check to see if everyone made it and once they were in I gave a nod before looking back at the barriers I was holding.

"Conquest we're all in, let's go!" Rage shouted.

"Kay get ready to drop the portcullis," I shouted as I reached over my head for something just below my neck.

When I felt what I was looking for, I gave it a tap before the sound of clicking and shifting metal came from behind me. I felt something covering my chest before it moved to my limbs and when I looked at my right arm I saw my normal armor shifting over and covering my arm before I felt my helmet enclose over my head. Before I knew it, I was fully decked out in my armor with both my shield and swords in place before I ran for the gate dropping my barriers in the process.

"Now drop it!" I shouted.

Just like that the portcullis began to drop and with a quick dive and roll I made it inside just before the portcullis slammed down behind me and the guards caught up. Getting up from the roll I turned around and stuck my middle finger up at the guards before we made our way deeper into the keep.

Once we arrived in the main lobby we saw the room was like gold with pristine white tiles upon the floors and flawless details carved into the walls and on several staircases leading to different places. But that wasn't all, the stairs railings were studded with jewels and miniature statues of Razor Beak stood on the ends of the railings. Braziers hung from the ceiling casting the room in a golden glow but I didn't have time to gaze for long because suddenly several enemy soldiers ran into the room in an effort to stop us and above us, on a balcony, was a caribou dressed in armor with the rank of colonel on it.

"We have come for Razor Beak's head and the true king and princes of this land and we will not leave without these. You're forces...they need not die despite how much they deserve it," I said stepping forward to grab everyone's attention.

"I can no more back down then you but if it means anything I applaud you're integrity of making it this far but I'm afraid you will not be leaving here alive," the colonel said.

"So be it then," I said.

Suddenly I heard an arrow had been launched and when I looked to my left I saw it flying at me but I did nothing as before it could hit me a blade knocked the arrow out of the air and to my left was one of my Immortal guards and judging by the cutie mark on the shoulder it was Swift Spear soon my other Immortals had gathered around me and I noticed each of them now wielded a kite shield with spikes along the edges much like the ones wielded by the Black Prior.

"Swift you know that arrow would have done me no harm, your interference was not necessary," I said.

"Forgive me my lord but anyone who has the balls and audacity to try and attack you must first deal with us. These...pests do not deserve to die by you're sword," Swift Spear said causing me to laugh.

"If I were to let that thinking go on Shadow then I wouldn't get a chance to fight myself," I said.

"As you wish my king," Swift Spear said causing several caribou to mutter about what Swift Spear said.

"Nice one dumbass, way to spill the beans," Nocturnal Shadow said.

I then decided there had been enough talking so I reached upwards for my helm and removed it from my head causing the enemy to gasp at my reveal.

"Never get's old," Rage whispered only to be elbowed by Elisa.

"I-It's not possible," a soldier said.

"So many say but I'm afraid now...there is no mercy for any of you here right now. No caribou is to know my secret until the appointed time," I said.

"What?" the colonel asked.

Suddenly war cries in the form of a chorus came from stairs leading downward growing louder and louder when suddenly a horde in the form of prisoners all armed to the teeth and beaks charge/flew up the stairs. At the head of the horde were the stallions of the brotherhood who began to do battle with the guards and jailers. The former prisoners joined in before I gestured to my own forces to have at them while I teleported up and behind the colonel who slowly turned to face me.

"I'll only ask nicely once...where are King Dawnclaw and his sons and where is Razor Beak?" I asked making my voice cold and intimidating.

"Will you grant me a quick death if I tell you?" the colonel asked causing me to only nod before he got on his knees before looking me in the eyes "Dawnclaw and his sons are being held in the highest tower at the very top. Razor Beak is most likely in his personal residence at the top of the entire structure."

"Thank you," I said before I gripped Hingure by the handle and with a quick pull I decapitated the colonel as I drew the blade before sheathing her and went on my way.

The trip through the keep was impressive. I hate to admit it but the scum bag had taste, it was such a shame I had to spill a lot of blood on everything. I soon made it to the tallest tower and even sooner I reached the cell which was as cold as ice. I then kicked the door down before stepping inside and saw I stepped into a small circular room with a massive barred window that offered little to no protection from the freezing winds outside. Huddled against the wall opposite the window I saw Dawnclaw with his sons huddling beneath his dirty wings.

"So Razor Beak couldn't be bothered to show up so he sends one of you things to do his dirty work. You disgrace the one who originally owned that face and armor," Dawnclaw spat causing me to tilt my head in confusion.

I then remembered the God Hands. I approached the family before the king held his sons close and the the two princes buried their faces into their father. I then kneeled down before the family and summoned a blanket for the shivering group before I wrapped it around them shocking the family.

"Y'know I think talking to one of those cheep copies is a waste of time. I mean sure you can vent you're frustrations but expecting a response is the same as expecting one from a brick wall," I said as I finished wrapping the family up in the blanket.

"What...," Dawnclaw asked completely stunned by my words and actions before I removed my helm to show the three my face.

"It's been a long time old friend," I said

"Wait ain't you a God Hand?" one of the princes asked. He was like Gilda and his dad in the body department part eagle part lion and I believe he was the older brother Adrien.

"Don't compare me to those bucket heads. I'm more flesh and blood then then metal Adrien," I said with a fist banging against my chest before I looked at the two boys and saw the smallest Griffon. He had the eagle part but his body looked like a snow tiger and his name was Erebos "Can't believe you grew up so big Erebos. Last I saw you you came up to my thighs and you grew too Adrien."

"You speak like Ash and you sound like him but what proof is there that you are him," Dawnclaw said.

"Our first meeting, when you and I first met face to face, was when I confessed to being the rouge fighter in your arena and removed my helm and put on a ring that turned me into a black unicorn. It was then you called me one of the Equestrian Enforcers. After both me and Rage saved you're family, where your people would build statues of both me and Rage out of solid gold and sing songs of our deeds, I said 'Jeez you keep complementing us we'll probably get big headed' and then-," I said but stopped when I Dawnclaw brought me in for a hug which I returned and I could hear the griffon crying.

"I-It is you. I can't believe it but it is," Dawnclaw sobbed.

"Yeah it's me old friend," I said before we pulled away.

"You look good for a corpse," Dawnclaw teased.

"And you got old for someone who said who was in his mid twenties four years ago," I shot back causing us both to laugh.

"Ash!" the two princes cheered before they tackled me in a hug but to my credit I stayed up and ruffled the boys feathers.

"Good to see you as well you two. Now I believe it is time to get out of this dump but first what's say we go say hi to Razor Beak," I suggested.

"Yes let's do that," Dawnclaw said as he cracked his talons.

"Uh oh Razor Beak is in big trouble now," Erebos said.

"Yeah when dad does that it normally means someone is in some seriously big trouble," Adrian said.

"Well I believe there is good reason for that. Now come on I'm sure you're all freezing up here," I said.

We then left the cell and into the main part of the keep before going up to Razor Beak's personal chambers and when we arrived the doors were being guarded by a pair of elite caribou guards but were quickly disposed of. I then told Dawnclaw and his sons to wait outside before entering to discover a lavish bedchamber reminding me of a Saddlearabian palace bedroom. The place even had a small rectangular pool in here and a gold bed veil and a plush royal purple bed. I walked deeper into the room with Whispering Wind in hand and at the ready. Suddenly I hear a cry and when I turn around I saw Razor Beak rushing at me with a blade in hand. I just stepped to the right and with an elegant twirl of Whispering Wind I sliced off Razor Beaks arm. I let him scream in pain as he collapse to his knees while holding his bleeding stump that his arm was once attached to.

"My arm!" Razor Beak cried before I held the blade of Whispering Wind to his neck and 'persuaded' him to lift his head before I looked at him and saw he was only dressed in a bathrobe and underpants.

"Well, well, well the traitor himself. How's it feel to be brought down for the second time?" Dawnclaw asked.

"Fuck you Dawnclaw. I don't know how you reprogrammed this God Hand but it won't do you any good. My guards will be here soon when they deal with the intruders," Razor Beak spat causing me to punch him across the face.

"And who said I was a God Hand. If I remember correctly the last time I saw you I asked you to give me an excuse to not rip your wings off with my bear hands and toss you over the edge of Canterlot. But now maybe I'll do it here," I said as I pushed the blade closer to Razor Beak's neck, cutting him in the process, while realization crossed the Griffon's face before he looked at me in fear.

"Oh hey."

Looking at the source of the voice I saw it was Rage and he looked out of breath.

"The soldiers give you a hard time Rage?" I asked.

"Nah just the climb up, too many stairs in my opinion," Rage said.

"Well anyway what should we do with this one?" I asked.

"There is no punishment I can think of that would be suitable to this worm," Dawnclaw said.

"Well then...please allow me to tend to this matter then you're Highness. I have an...art for this sort of thing and if you're not squeamish then please feel free to watch. C'mon sunshine you're going to play the role of a lifetime with quite an audience; every single prisoner you've kept in you're dungeons," Rage said as he walked over and picked up Razor Beak before he began to drag him out of the room followed by Dawnclaw.

It was then I decided to call in a ride out of here before I looked down at my blood stained blade and tsked. With a quick twist of the wrist I flicked the blood from my blade leaving it spotless before sheathing her and going to join the others downstairs. As I went down I hear what sounded like a movie being played and when I followed the sound into a room I saw Pinkie was sitting down inside the room munching on some popcorn while wearing a pair of those red and blue 3D glasses.

"Pinkie," I said gaining the mare's attention.

"Oh hey Ash wanna join in? Got an extra pair of glasses but you'll have to get you're own popcorn," Pinkie said causing me to shake my head at the mare's antics.

"Pinkie we're about to leave pack it up," I said.

"Aw but we're just about to get to the good part," Pinkie whined.

"Now Pinkie," I said before I walked in and began to drag Pinkie out by the tail.

Not to long later we made it out of the keep where I saw the prisoners and guards were mopping up the last of the enemy soldiers and I saw Rage had given Razor Beak the same treatment he had given a caribou soldier back in Cloudsdale. Shoving a spear made of burning embers up his ass before ripping his cock and balls off and shoving them down his throat. He even ripped off Razor's wings and tied them to his head making it look like some kind of head dress. Standing before the lifeless body was Gilda and she...was smirking at her farther's death. Not an evil kinda smirk more like one of satisfaction, not that I could blame her after what he did to her. It was when I saw this I saw the Pale Horse arrive and land in the gardens before everyone began to get on board but Rawlin wasn't having it, he was surrounded by my fellow harbingers.

"What's going on?" I asked.

"He's not a fan of flying apparently," Elisa said.

“I see and the noble’s daughter what happened with her?” I asked.

“Hm…Oh her you’ll have to ask Spike that one,” Rage said.

Nodding I then made my way to where the soldiers were boarding the ship when I saw Spike tending to talking to a female griffon in her early twenties.

“Spike!” I called out earning the attention of the dragon and griffioness. “This the daughter?”

“Yep this is Garuda,” Spike said before the griffioness rushed over and wrapped her arms around my waist in a hug before she began to sob.

“Thank you…thank you so much,” Garuda cried.

“There, there…Hey wipe away the tears,” I said as I tilted her head up to face me before I brushed away her tears. “You’re safe now and you’re going home now.”

With a nod Garuda released me before Spike escorted her aboard the ship. Suddenly, I heard several booms come from behind the Pale Horse before I saw the side of the Pale Horse shatter but thankfully the ship has thick armour.

"Fuck captain take off, me and the others down here will draw their fire and see you back in Aephoceria!" I shouted into my helmet's radio

"Understood sir, good luck," the captain said before the ship's doors closed and began to take off.

As the ship began to ascend I then saw rows of armoured cannons all taking aim at the ship before I drew Damnation and charged it with unholy magic. I then pulled the trigger launching the bullet at one of the cannons causing it to explode. Soon we had all the other's attention who began to fire at us.

"Shit now what?!" Elisa shouted.

"We're sitting ducks here Ash!" Rage shouted.

"Follow me!" I shouted before we ran to the right towards a small building that sat up against the wall with a side door, one I kicked down before going inside and saw we were in a garage with several vehicles.

"Now what?" Rawlin asked.

"I'll drive," I said as I picked up a key and walked over to a Humvee with a mounted Gauss cannon on it.

"Gunner!" Elisa shouted.

"Damn," Rage muttered.

"Hop in you guys, girl and mare. Wait what," I said before I looked and saw Pinkie was still with us. "What are you doing here?"

"Oh I though you guys were doing something fun," Pinkie said with that innocent smile of hers.

"How can this be fun?!" Rawlin shouted.

"Hey enough, everyone get in!" I shouted before I got in the driver's seat which was on the left of the car.

rage then got in the passenger seat while Evan got in the seat behind me and Pinkie got in the seat behind Rage while Rawlin was in between the two and Elisa was the gunner.

"You stare or grab my ass, I'll skin you," Elisa growled out to Rawlin.

"Yes ma'am," Rawlin said.

"Kay Elisa, open the door for us," I said as I started up the tank/car.

"Wait!" Pinkie shouted.

"What?" the rest of us asked in sync before Pinkie's arm stretched over and towards the radio before pressing the on button

"Of course," I said with a roll of my eyes but before a song could begin Elisa fired the cannon and blew open the door. It was when I put the peddle to the floor and drove out of the destroyed door that the song began to play over the radio.

"What the- Pinks?!" I shouted.

"What, it seems fitting," Pinkie said causing me to shake my head but smile before we charged at the line of cannons and soldiers.

"Eat this assholes!" Elisa shouted as she fired the gun blowing the soldiers away.

"You guys should see these bullets in 3D," Pinkie said who had stuck her head out the window and was wearing those 3D glasses again.

"Pinkie get you're butt back in here!" Evan shouted.

"It's like we're actually being shot at!" Pinkie cheered.

"We are getting shot at you crazy ass mare!" Rawlin shouted before he grabbed Pinkie by the tail and pulled her in which resulted on her landing on Rawlin with her butt in his face.

"Hold on, we're going for the draw bridge!" I shouted before making a hand break and turning towards the entrance where I saw several guards coming in but it didn't matter to me. Picking up speed the caribou had to either dive out of the way or get run over. It was then I saw the draw bridge was still down because reinforcements had been coming in from the outside before we made it out and onto the main road were we all began to enjoy the music Pinkie selected

"War! huh yeah...good God ya'll what is it good for~," Rage sang.

"Absolutely nothing~," Elisa, Pinkie, Evan and myself sang

"Say it again ya'll~," Pinkie sang.

"War! Huh...what is it good for~," Elisa, Evan and I sang.

"Absolutely nothing...listen to me~," Rage sang.

"Hey where the hell are we going!" Rawlin asked.

"We're going to secure a ride out of Griffora, just relax," I said as I took us to a place we can get transportation.

After a couple of minutes of driving we arrived at what looks like an airfield and thanks to our little stunt at The Citadel it looked like the place had little to no defences so we smashed through the gate and down the runway where I saw a C-130 at the end of it.

"What about that?" I asked.

"Big and slow, isn't there something more speedy?" Rage asked.

"Not a lot of time to look so quit griping and let's check it out," I said before I drove around the colossus and saw the guards had left the door open and even left a tank in there of some kind which I've never seen before and it was armed with a mounted machine gun.

"Hey what is that thing cause that thing looks like it flies," Rawlin said but none of us answered him because we all got out and went to check the plane to see if we were alone and once we were all done we met back in the cargo area.

"Ain't no one here but this thing has a full tank of fuel and ready to fly," Rage said.

"Wait fly on no this is a bad idea. The only thing that's supposed to fly are those with wings," Rawlin said as he tried to back out but I teleported us into the cockpit, sat him in a chair and strapped him in.

"There is nothing to worry about Rawlin," I said as I took the pilot seat.

"You even know how to fly this thing?" Rawlin asked which made me want to mess with him.

"Rawlin the buttons are confusing me here, which one blows up the plane?" I asked causing the others to laugh.

"Shut up you asshole. Just someone knock me out here," Rawlin said.

"Sure thing," Rage said before he hit the guy over the head knocking him out.

I then began to flick some switches to close the doors. The engines whirled to life and pushing a few levers forward the plan began to move forward before we took off into the open skies

---

5 Hours Later Over Equestria

---

The flight was calm as expected a bit of turbulence but nothing major till suddenly alarms started going off.

"Uh what's that?" Pinkie asked causing me to look at the radar and see what's up.

"Oh great we've got Hornets inbound with missile lock ya'll better hold onto you're asses," I said as I flicked a few switches to ready our planes counter measures.

"Ash we've got limited counter measures here and those guys seem pretty eager to kill us," Rage said.

I knew Rage was right but right now I was trying to think of a way to get out of this till I remembered the tank in the back.

"Rage listen to me. Take Rawlin and get to the tank in the back. Elisa I then want you to follow him then Evan and then you Pinkie. I'll meet you there when I've got this sorted.

"Wait Ash what the hell are we doing?" Rage asked.

"Trust me," I said.

Suddenly I saw rockets approaching so I flipped a switch and launched some flares to distract the rockets which worked.

"I can only do that one more time go!" I shouted.

Rage then got out of his seat and grabbed Rawlin while I focused on the Hornets coming at us making several swerves to lose them before Elisa and Evan made a dash for the tank suddenly one of the Hornets launched a missile at us giving me no choice but to launch our last set of flares before I switched the plane on auto pilot.

"Let's move Pinks!" I shouted as I got out of my seat and grabbed the mare who made a squeaky toy sound when I grabbed her before making a dash for the tank and once we were the I tossed inside before jumping in myself and closing the hatch inside.

"Now what?" Rage asked

Suddenly, the tank was shaken and began to spin. Me and the others were sent into a free fall zero gravity while our surroundings spun around us, often leading us to something hitting us before we all fell to the ground when gravity kicked back. I landed stomach first on the back rest of the tank commander's seat before I hit the ground.

"Oooowwww," Rage groaned.

"Everyone alright?" I askedwith a groan of pain from my landing.

"Hey what are the chances they think we're dead here," Evan asked when suddenly bullets rang against the outer hull.

"I'm gonna go with not good," I said.

"Tell me we still aren't on that plane," Rawlin groaned as he awoke from his nap and I could see he was tied up just so he didn't cause any problems with his fear of flying.

"We ain't on that plane anymore," Pinkie said as she dawned a tanker helmet complete with radio set.

"Hey Ash?" Rage asked.

"Yeah?" I asked.

"If we're under 20'000 feet everyone can still breath right?" Rage asked with a smirk one that I couldn't help but share.

"What are you all going on about 20'000 feet?" Rawlin asked.

"Alright kids looks like we're firing up the old weapons system," I said as I rubbed my hands together causing Elisa, Evan and Pinkie to share in our grin.

"What the hell you lot?!" Rawlin shouted.

"Hey Rawlin it's a little stuffy in here I'm gotta pop a window!" Rage cried out before he opened the hatch and I heard him cock the MG before firing it. "What you got bitches, what you got!? hahaha yeah come on!"

"Let me have a turn up there too would ya!" Elisa shouted.

"What the hell is this thing!" Rawlin shouted.

"We're in a falling tank because the plane exploded," Pinkie explained.

"What!...What when?!" Rawlin shouted.

"Recently the Hornets shot it down!" Pinkie shouted.

"What Hornets!" Rawlin shouted.

"The same ones that are still trying to kill us!" Pinkie shouted.

"I blame you for this Ash!" Rawlin shouted.

"Technically we're not flying," I said.

"I know, we're falling. That's worse ya damn fool!" Rawlin shouted.

"Holy Shit!" Rage shouted when suddenly our surroundings became horizontal before Rage crawled back inside. "Ash we're in some serious shit here!"

"You get them?" I asked while Elisa and pinkie we're cheering in excitement.

"One but it cut two of our chutes off!" Rage shouted.

"This is awesome!" Evan cheered.

""You're all insane!" Rawlin shouted.

"Rage get onto the main gun, Evan loaders chair. I know where we are and that there is a lake half a mile away from where we are," I said causing the two to do as I said as I looked at some screens that allowed me to see outside even looking through the gun barrel of the main gun.

"Just what the hell am I trying to hit Ash!?" Rage shouted.

"Just trust me rotate the turret 82 degrees," I said causing Rage to do as instructed.

"Done!" Rage said

"Ready to rock and roll!" Evan shouted.

"Fire!" I shouted.

"Boom baby!" Rage shouted firing the gun rocking the interior and I saw our position shift.

"Reload...Fire!" I shouted as I watched our position shift again. "Again!"

"On the way!" Rage shouted.

"Haha he's flying the damn tank!" Pinkie shouted.

"You can't fly a tank, you crazy mare!" Rawlin shouted.

"Rotate 16 degrees now!" I shouted.

"Done!" Rage shouted

"Fire!" I shouted before hearing the cannon boom. "Reload and fire again!" I shouted and after firing two more rounds I saw the second Hornet closing in. Rotate 34 degrees now and wait!"

"Ash...this is getting dicey," Rage said.

"Wait...Fire!" I shouted before I looked to see the second Hornet go up in a ball of flames. "Bring turret full front and hold for further orders!"

"Got it!" Rage shouted.

"Elisa close the hatch!" I shouted.

"Hatch got it," Elisa said as she climbed up to the hatch to close it.

"Ash!" Rage shouted with worry.

"Come on baby come on," I muttered to myself as I watch us moving over the lake but not enough yet.

"Hatch closed!" Elisa shouted.

"I don't wanna die like this!" Rawlin screamed.

"Ash I'm aiming at nothing here!" Rage shouted.

"Come on," I growled out as we were almost there.

"It's been an honor you guys. They say the greatest ride is the last ride, hey Ash!" Evan shouted.

"Fire at will!" I shouted.

"Come On Baby!" Rage shouted out before pulling the trigger.

With a massive boom I felt our plummeting speed slow down before it speed up again and it happened again and again with every shot fired.

"Get right with God this is it!" Rawlin shouted.

"Yee-ha!" Pinkie cried out with joy.

"Brace yourselves!" I shouted as I saw the ground coming up before I used my magic.

There was a massive jolt and our surroundings were then set right side up. There was a groaning sound around us as well and I knew immediately we were on the ground.

"Am I dead?" Rawlin asked and I could see his eyes were shut tight.

"No but it was a hell of a shot," I said with a laugh

"Whew that was one hell of a ride," Pinkie said.

"So now what?" Elisa asked.

"The engine in this thing working?" I asked.

"Uh yes," Evan said.

"Good but first le me survey the area," I said as I went to the hatch.

"Aye-aye sir," Rage said with a salute.

I opened the hatch and let fresh air seep in before climbing out and just sitting on top of the tank. Next came Rawlin who scrambled out of the tank and onto the ground where he began to kiss the dirt much to me and my fellow harbinger's amusement, who came out for air as well, followed soon by Pinkie.

"Why is he kissing the dirt? I mean, I know dirt is fun and all but it's kinda...dirty," Pinkie said causing Rawlin to pause in his make out session before he began to spit and splutter causing us to laugh harder.

That's the last time I'm riding with you lot!" Rawlin shouted.

"Oh relax we're alive aren't we? You should have a wee bit more faith in me Rawlin," I said as I got off of the tank and stretched myself out.

Hey how did we get right side up without going smash first anyway?" Pinkie asked.

"Simple I had the cannon help slow our floor while I made a ramp with my magic once we were close to ground," I said.

"Oooo neat," Pinkie said.

"Well which direction to home Ash?" Elisa asked.

"Why you gotta ask him all the time maybe I know," Rage said.

"Well then indulge me," Elisa said.

"Ok uh...um...uh," Rage trailed on as he looked around.

"Northwest of here," I said as I pointed in the direction of where we need to go.

"Yeah northeast now let's move," Rage said before he hoped back inside causing me to roll my eyes.

And so we got back in the tank and rolled across the plains till we arrived at the forest and with a simple spell the trees parted to let our tank through and just like that home was in sight.

"Well it was one hell of a trip but we're home safe and sou-," Rage said when suddenly the tank felt like it was thrown forward and we were shaken around like a box of marbles before we came to a stop. Hitting the hatch control I then crawled out of the tank and saw behind where we were was a massive smoking crater with a familiar yet unreal amount of power coming from it. Through the smoke I saw a hulking figure making their way out of it.

"Shit," I said as I saw the figure become larger and larger the more he walked towards us and I finally recognised the power.

"Ash what's going on?" Rage asked as he crawled out of the tank soon followed by the others.

"We were followed and not by caribou, by The Bear," I said as the figure stepped out of the smoke to reveal a massive thirteen foot tall behemoth of a beast that walked on two legs and had the body of a man that wore Giff's armor. But the head, shoulders and arms were those of a bear and the arms ended with hands with two foot long claws on them and a jaw with teeth like kitchen knives.

"Wow he's gotten bigger since I last saw him," Red said before Giff summoned a massive war mace that reminded me of a kanabo which was the same one that was used by the shugoki and let out a roar. "And quite ill tempered too."

"I just hope he isn't as fast as I think he is," I thought.

"Is...Is that really Giff?" Rawlin asked.

"Unfortunately...you lot get out of here, I'll take care of this," I said as I drew Whispering Wind and turned the dial on my shield before pushing the button. Out unfolded a kite shield in the shape of a Nether Malice styled kite shield before I ran Whispering Wind along the spikes of the shield, creating a shower of sparks.

"Come on you!" I roared.

With a roar of his own Giff charged at me and tried to bring his mace down on me before I dodged the blow causing the mace to hit the ground and shatter it. I then backed away a few steps before looking at where the mace struck.

"Shit...this is gonna be fun," I said.

I saw Giff charge so I got low with my shield held in front of me ready and waiting. Once Giff's mace came down I tilted the shield back towards me and as soon as the mace made contact with my shield I tilted the shield back further and, using Giff's momentum and the shield, I pushed Giff over me and slashed him across the face with Whispering Wind while he was in mid air. I then slammed my shield into his face sending him tumbling across the ground before he got up. I saw a slash upon his muzzle, Giff must have noticed this too because he put a hand on his muzzle and saw the blood before he snarled at me.

"Well, if he wasn't mad before he certainly is now with that stunt," Red said..

"Well he's gonna be ballistic by the time we're done," I said.

Giff then let out a roar before he slammed his mace into the ground before him causing the ground in front of him to form a wave of spikes coming at me, forcing me to dodge the attack and when I recovered I saw Giff was in front of me.

"What!" I shouted before Giff sent me flying with the mace and into the dirt. After sitting there for a few seconds I went to get up but felt my ribs had been completely shattered from the blow, but fortunately my body was already working to repair the damage. "Ow...his hits are stronger then I thought."

Suddenly Giff was in front of me again with his mace raised above his head. So quickly I raised my shield and just managed to block the blow before I pushed his weapon away before I charged Whispering Wind full of holy magic and used the same sword technique I was teaching Tempest and launched the projectile at Giff, knocking him back while covering the sizzling wound I left in his chest with his free arm. While he was distracted I ran up to him but he noticed and went for a low horizontal swing at me. So I dropped down onto my knees, leaned back and slid beneath the attack. I rhen quickly got onto one knee and reeled forward my left arm and flung it backwards using the downward facing point on my shield to strike Giff in the side of his knee. When the point connected I heard the joint snap like it were a twig causing my friend turned monster to roar in pain. But that didn't stop Giff from using his mace to pin my shield arm down and causing me to cry out in pain. He then released his mace used his claws to impale me in the chest and because of his strength and the weight of his weapon, he ripped me from my pinned arm and brought me up to his face and opened his maw to bite down on me.

But like hell I wasn't going to let that happen. I was still armed with my blade so charging it up with holy magic I went to strike him but suddenly the area surrounding his body where I went to strike him was coated in darkness and my blade just...bounced off it, leaving barely a scratch on him. Looking back at Giff I could see the monster smirking before he went to clamp his jaws down on me when suddenly Giff roared in pain from something before dropping me. When I sat up I saw Rage was standing before Giff with Blood Ruin plunged into his gut.

"Try this on for size," Rage said before his blade was engulfed in flames, cooking Giff's insides and causing the being in question to roar in pain.. "Pinks now!"

Just like that I heard a boom come from the now righted tank before Giff was sent sailing from the tank round while Rage ran over to help me up but not before retrieving my missing arm.

"What are you doing?" I asked as I got up with Rage's help.

"Tch some thank you and to answer you're question, helping you save your friend while saving you're sorry ass," Rage as he held my arm in place while I worked to re-attach it.

It was then I saw both Elisa and Evan were engaged in fighting Giff but he was using that darkness to withstand the blows but they were only on his hands which he was using to block the attacks meaning he could only use this technique in a limited area.

"Rage do you think you and the others can distract Giff while I work to help him?" I asked.

"Sure thing," Rage said as he grabbed Blood Ruin and went to join the fray and with a roll of my arm I went to join them.

"That's not going to work y'know," Red said.

What?" I thought.

"As soon as you get close to him to purify him he'll block you out with that darkness of his. Geralt is no fool, once you purified Rawlin he took precautions to protect the others from you," Red said.

"So what can I do?" I thought.

"Nothing...at least not in the way you are or with the tools you're using," Red said.

"What?!" I shouted aloud.

"You know exactly what I'm talking about," Red said.

"You and I both know what kind of can of worms we'll be opening if I do that," I thought angrily.

"Hey it's not like you're already a target and also what's more important here saving your comrade or the other thing?" Red asked causing me to look and see the others were struggling against Giff.

"Fuck!" I shouted.

I with my right hand I tapped a rune that was engraved upon the front of my armor that was just above where my heart was and with several clicks my armor began to retract itself behind me before I reached behind me and removed a piece of metal from my back. It was thin both in length and width kinda like a board of wood and it was short enough to be concealed beneath my favourite coat. So with a deep breath I held Whispering Wind before me horizontally and began.

---

Third Person P.O.V.

---

The beginning of the day was the same for everyone no matter the species. For example a boar was out and about in a far off forest looking for a meal but little did it know he was a target for another creature's meal. A manticore, who was slowly creeping forward towards it's unsuspecting victim while licking it's lips. When suddenly one of the creature's paws landed on a twig causing it to snap and causing the boar to spin around to see the massive cat like creature behind him before jumping back in fright letting out a squeal of terror. But this mattered not to the manticore who had already raised it's paw to strike down upon the boar when suddenly the world froze as if it were stopped in time but not quite. Leaves still fell, the sun's heat continued to beam down upon the land and the wind still howled through the air. The only thing is something had drawn the attention of the manticore and the boar making them forget about their hunger and their terror. They couldn't see what had their attention but they could feel it and it was powerful, more powerful then the power they felt five years ago when the sun was hidden behind the moon. In towns and cities across the world every creature could feel the awesome power coming from somewhere far away to the mares imprisoned by their so called 'masters'. When they first felt the power they were comforted by a strong feeling of hope and the same could be said for the males who had been freed from their brainwashing. But to the rapists and ones who sided with Diann's rule they only felt fear and speaking of Diann.

"GERALT!" Diann roared as he gazed out of a window that was facing towards the horizon were a great power was coming from.

"No need to shout, I'm already here," Geralt said as he appeared in the room out of nowhere also gazing out of a window that was next to the one Diann was looking through.

"What is this power and where is it coming from!" Diann demanded.

"Honestly I have no idea," Geralt said with a knowing grin that was unseen by Diann before looking back out towards where the rush of power was coming from. "So you do have access to that power Ash."

Meanwhile, back in the plains surrounding the proud city of Aephoceria, the fight between the three Harbingers and Giff had come to a halt as they stared at Ash as they felt an intense amount of power coming off him like nothing some of them have seen before. The powerful aura surrounding him didn't help either along with several small stones slowly floating upwards into the air before the aura disappeared and the rocks all fell to the ground with a clutter. If anyone were to look closely Ash now stood at eleven feet tall. Suddenly Ash then lowered his blade before he began to walk towards Giff and it was then the other three harbingers backed away, all of them unsure of what was gonna happen next.

Giff then suddenly roared sending out a shockwave that cleared the entire plane of all grass and vegetation before he charged at Ash with his claws out intending to impale him. But when Giff thrust his arm forward he suddenly jerked to a halt because Ash had raised his left hand and caught the the longest claw between his thumb, index and middle fingers as if it were the easiest thing to do. While behind Ash windows began to shatter from the shockwave Giff created with his attack while everyone who bore witness was stunned by the action. While they were all shocked Ash waved his hand over his IPod before a song began to play.

Ash then released Griff's claws by tossing it to the side before he reeled back his left fist and punch Giff in his chest, sending the monster flying back past where he was battling Rage, Elisa and Evan. But Giff wasn't done yet. He soon stopped and growled at Ash when suddenly what looked like a bright light was coming from Ash that shone like the sun. If one were to look past the light they would see it was actually coming from Whispering Wind. The blade itself was a translucent golden light and was longer then the original blade. The wings for the cross guard had become larger and were full feathered wings with gold instead of white feathers and the body of Ash was covered in golden markings. His eyes glowed like a pair of miniature golden suns and finally his coat had several runes inscribed along the bottom and if anyone looked around them they'd see the grass was growing. Soon covering the plane in lush green grass and flowers and you may even see the land was...applauding Ash; even the creatures of the forest had emerged to gaze at the spectacle.

Giff then roared in defiance before a massive dark red summoning circle appeared above him with many runes around it. Suddenly thousands of humanoid shaped monsters who wore broken armor and bear skins as capes appeared in a burst of shadow and smoke who let out war cries before the small army charged at Ash. But Ash did nothing except ready his sword and when the army was a few feet away from him, he just flicked his wrist and suddenly there was a gust of wind that kicked up a massive cloud of dust. Once the dust had settled Ash now stood amongst the army all of them laying dead before the whole army disintegrated into stardust, leaving nothing behind. Ash then began to walk forward towards Giff who growled at the approaching warrior before he went to try and charge him. But he couldn't even move anything besides his head. He looked and saw several runes made of light circling him, each one different but the purpose the same, to trap whoever was surrounded by them.

Upon looking back at Ash, Giff saw Ash was actually in front of him with his left hand moving towards his chest and was glowing brightly just like his sword.

"It is time you left this body creature you are banished back to the void from whence you came from! Ash spoke in a barrage of voices before his hand touched Giff causing a pillar of light to come down from the heavens and engulf Giff. So much magic had never been felt in one place before and the magic itself was blinding. After a minute the pillar vanished and Ash, along with Whispering Wind, had returned to normal. Before Ash, laying in a circular bed of flowers the same diameter as the pillar from before, was Giff, returned to his true form but without any clothing as Rawlin was. Ash then summoned a blanket for the large man and wrapped it around him before Ash sat down on the grass and relaxed.

Next Chapter: Chapter 44 School Life of A God Part 3 Estimated time remaining: 12 Hours, 22 Minutes