Author's Notes:

Look, I made maps! https://www.fimfiction.net/blog/883250/hl-maps

Matriarch Astral, jerked awake clutching at her chest. Gasping for air, she felt the pain slowly recede as she stared up at the stone ceiling of her sleeping chamber. After a few moments of welcomed respite, it came again and she nearly screamed as claws gripped at her heart, squeezing it to near bursting. Then, as abruptly as it started, it ended, leaving her panting in relief. Clambering out of her bed, Astral lit her horn and rushed out of her chamber, stumbling as she made her way down the hall.

It was late and the tunnels and chambers were deserted with most of the ponies gone to their chambers to sleep. Making her way deep into the heart of the mountain, she came to an opening guarded by two Casters. Seeing her approach, the Casters quickly stepped to the side and bowed their heads down as she passed without challenge. Paying no attention to the pair, Astral rushed into the colossal chamber beyond.

Her hoofsteps echoed out into the darkness as she made her way across to the object set in the center of the chamber. "Is this your doing!?" Astral demanded, striking her hoof down in rage. "Answer me!"

Within the massive crystal, an unsightly form appeared from within and drifted up close to its surface. "Is this my doing?" Avarice repeated back. "Of course it's my doing. Who else holds your blood pact?" With a grin, Avarice held up a black orb and caressed it in her talons. "You haven't been visiting me anymore and I was starting to think that you might have forgotten about our deal."

"I have not forgotten!" Astral snarled. "I have my best Casters searching every Unicorn enclave for this magic user!" she asserted. "In fact I just received a report that they nearly had him!" A flash of anger surged through her at how they had managed to let the stallion escape their grasp.

"Ah yes, the Bicorn Stallion." Avarice nodded, a small smile coming to her lips as she made the blood-orb vanish. "Interesting that I've not heard of such a thing. But then, who keeps track of all you types of ponies anyways. Plan ones, horned ones, winged ones, ones with those adorable little flippers." She put her talons together and made strange swimming motions with them. "As interesting as it would be to have a Bicorn stallion, I'm afraid that he is not the one I seek."

Astral's blood turned to molten flame. "That is a lie! He's the one your flower led them too!"

"Was he really?" Lifting her talons, glittering fragments suddenly appeared over it. "Or was it to this, that the flower led them too?" Bringing her other mismatched paw up, she enclosed the glittering fragments inside. After a few moments she opened her grip and a crystal, whole and undamaged, appeared in its place, flickering with a soft lavender light from deep within.

"A glow crystal?" Astral said, perplexed.

"Indeed," Avarice said, examining the crystal. “It wasn't easy to collect I must say.”

Astral suspected that Avarice had Unicorn servants secretly helping her. That would explain how things inevitably ended up in her greedy grasp, including information like the Bicorn Stallion. Despite her ardent attempts, it had been impossible to keep ponies from sneaking into Avarice's chamber. Stationing Casters within the chamber in the past had ended in disaster as they inevitably fell to the Draconequus' tempting bargains.

"I always thought Unicorns were rather droll and unimaginative, but this," she held up the crystal. "was really quite devious."

"What are you getting at?" Astral demanded, irritated.

Avarice laughed, rolling herself into circles. "You really don't get it!?" Suddenly another Astral appeared sitting across from Avarice frowning down on a strange plank of wood with alternating colors set out on it. Carved figures were arrayed on its top, each one placed on one of the colors. "You've just been outplayed!" With an amused smirk, Avarice picked up a Unicorn figure with an eclipsed sun mark on its flanks, and moved it to another space on the plank. The fake Astral across from her scowled in sudden anger and flipped the plank over with a swipe of her hoof scattering the figures away from her. Avarice dismissed the double with a wave of her paw. "The Enchantress used the glow crystal to lead your elite Casters into chasing shadows like silly foals. A rather bold move I must say."

Astral summoned her magic and drew more from her amulet fastened around her neck until she felt like she was about to fly apart, the air crackled around her as he mane and tail flared into fire. "The Heretic was here, within my domain!"

"Indeed." Avarice nodded, her eyes taking on an amused glint. "A rather impressive mare. I would really like to meet her someday."

Astral was about to lash out at the Draconequus when something she said suddenly came to her. The Enchantress had used a glow crystal to deceive her casters. A glow crystal filled with the magic of the one who had defiled her night! The Enchantress knew who it was! The sound of laughter filled her ears, and she was surprised to discover that it was coming from her.

High up on the overlook to the Unicorns hidden valley, Hopper sat up and looked around. He thought he had heard something.

"What is it?" a distinctive feminine voice asked up at him from the soft bed of grass.

Hopper shook his head. "It's nothing." Lowering himself back down, he resumed the rather serious task of exploring the most intimate and sensual parts of Flower Bud's body.

Unnoticed by either of the pair, dark forms rose up and silently closed in around them.

In the valley below, Snap, Jennet, and Wild were leaving the lake and crossing through a field when Snap suddenly paused to examine something that caught her eye.

"Hay look at this!" she called out, waving for the other two to come see.

Wild and Jennet both turned to look. "What is it?" Jennet asked.

"I've seen this butterfly before!" She exclaimed, pointing with her hoof at a butterfly with rainbow colored wings. "It's the same one that Soothing Melody used in the potion she made for mama."

"Oh?" Wild said, curiously watching the butterfly fly off.

"Come on!" Snap exclaimed, rushing after it. "Help me catch it!"

"Why do you want to catch it?" Wild asked, perplexed.

Snap didn't answer as she galloped over a rise in pursuit of her fluttery quarry, with Jennet trotting after her.

Letting out a sigh, Wild, sat down and leaned his spear back against his shoulder. There was no way he was going to waste his time chasing down a dumb butterfly. A glitter of color caught his attention and he looked down. There, a mere span from him was another rainbow hued butterfly, fluttering around a flower. Frowning down at it, Wild lifted his hoof and half heartedly swiped at it. The butterfly seemed to sense his lack of motivation and fluttered up around his head in an obviously attempt to taunt him.

Scowling up at it, Wild dropped his spear and swiped at it with more motivation. Dodging his hoof, the butterfly flew a few paces ahead and landed on a daisy. Furling his brows, Wild lowered himself to the ground and crept closer. With a triumphant cry, Wild leapt forward and pounced on the butterfly, clamping his hooves over it. Grinning at his victory over the simple creature, Wild slowly lifted his hooves away to look underneath. Wild's smile faded when he saw nothing there.

Suddenly, his vision was filled with color. Blinking his dazzled eyes, Wild saw the butterfly was now sitting right on the end of his muzzle! Wild quickly swung his hooves up at the butterfly, and with a flash of pain, he smacked himself across his muzzle as the butterfly flitted away.

Blinking tears from his eyes, Wild muttered curses at his stupidity as he searched for where the butterfly had gone, spotting it a few strides away sitting on a stem, its colorful wings fanning the air. Snarling to himself, Wild crept closer. He would get it this time for sure.

Suddenly, he heard Jennet scream in terror as Snap called out in alarm. Lunging around, Wild snatched up his spear and bolted over the rise to find Jennet pinned to the ground by a owlish looking griffon with a second one, resembling a desert runner, grappling with a struggling Snap as she fought to escape him.

Griffons!? How did they get into the valley!? "Stop! Let them go!" Wild shouted, leveling his spear.

"Oh look!" A shadow flashed over as another griffon, this one looking like a bluejay, swept in and landed. "It's another one! I told you we'd find easy meat out here."

"I want his liver first." The desert runner one said, licking his beak.

"We need to hurry before Shadowbeak notices we're gone" the owlish one said. "He'll be real angry if we're not there to help with the Unicorns. You know how much he hates those pointy headed ponies."

"I said to let them go!" Wild repeated firmly. What did he mean when he mentioned the Unicorns!? Were they going to attack the settlement!?

The bluejay griffon smirked down at him. "I have a better idea. Drop your pointy stick instead."

"No!" Wild snarled defiantly, stepping closer.

"I guess I'll have to phrase it another way," The griffon reached out to grab Snap. "Drop your little stick, colt, or I'll rip this one's throat out." he said, gripping his talons around her throat.

Wild hesitated, unsure what to do. With his heart thundering in his chest, his eyes flicked between Jennet and Snap.

Cackling in amusement, the owlish griffon drug his talon along Jennet's side, drawing a line of blood across her coat.

Images of a beaten and abused Jennet flashed through Wild's mind, then he remembered the last time he saw his mother. She was looking down at him with a scared smile as she assured him that everything would be alright, just as she hid him inside the crevice, the sound of the dragon’s roar growing louder behind her. No! He would not let it happen again! Not to these two! Something in him exploded and his vision went red. Throwing his spear up into the air, he spun and bucked at it as it came down, striking it with a solid crack, sending it streaking straight into the owlish griffon's chest. Blood spurted from it's beak as he collapsed to the ground dead. Without pause, Wild let out a furious neigh and charged for the other two.

The bluejay griffon's eyes went wide in surprise at the unexpected attack and he shoved the other griffon forward. "What are you standing there for!? Get him!"

Letting out a screech, the griffon lunged at Wild, swiping its claws at his face.

Wild's blood raged like a fire in his veins as his heartbeat thundered in his ears. Throwing his hooves up, he caught it's paw, halting it mid-strike. The griffon blinked down at him in shock at having been stopped. Letting out an enraged whinny, Wild shoved the griffon back, driving his paws to into the dirt as he struggled against him.

The griffon’s sharp beak snapped at him, just missing his muzzle. Snarling, Wild reared his head back and slammed it into the griffon's forehead with a thunderous crack that sent his opponent reeling. The griffon, looking a little dazed from the blow, snapped at him again, ripping a chuck out of Wild's ear. Ignoring the searing pain as blood flowed down the side of his head and neck, Wild circled around to the side. He wanted to fight that way? Fine. Lunging in close, Wild savagely bit down onto the griffon's shoulder.

The griffon let out ear splitting shriek as he frantically clawed at Wild Bolt, throwing him off with a strike of his paw. "You bit me, you dirty mud pony! I'll rip your guts out for that!"

Spitting out blood and feathers, Wild Bolt blocked a swipe at his head then turned and bucked his hooves into the griffon's beak, knocking the surprised griffon's head to the side from the blow. Pressing in, Wild leapt onto the dazed griffon's back and wrapped his forehooves around his neck. Pulling back as hard as he could, he forced the griffon's head back with a strangled gurgle.

The griffon reached up and grabbed at his forehooves, trying to pull them away from his stranglehold, but was unable to match the Earth Pony's strength. Harder and harder, Wild Bolt squeezed, his muscles straining from his grisly effort. Flinging himself about, the griffon grew increasingly frantic as he fought to throw him off, struggling to draw in a breath through his crushed windpipe. Collapsing to the ground, his claws scoured at the dirt as he let out a long gurgle before finally falling still.

Panting from the effort, Wild Bolt released his hold on the now dead griffon and turned to meet the last griffon's stunned gaze. A dirt pony had just killed two Griffons, one using nothing but his own hooves!

"You're no pony!" The last Griffon exclaimed, pulling Snap back with him. "Stay away! You're some kind of monster!"

Wild let out a snort. Just one more to go. No problem. He'll just break this one's neck and be done. He started toward the bluejay-like Griffon.

"Stay back, or I'll tear this one's throat out!" The Griffon warned, wrapping his talons around Snap's throat.

Lost to his burning blood, Wild continued without heed or care. His only focus being to destroy his enemies.

The Griffon's talons closed tighter and Snap cried out as blood appeared.

"Wild stop!" Jennet suddenly appeared and shoved her hooves against his chest. "He'll kill her!"

Wild heard her voice, but only distantly as he forced her back.

Desperately, Jennet reached up and grabbed his face with her hooves, her eyes filled with worry as she gazed directly into his own. "Wild, please listen to me. You need to stop, or Snap will get hurt."

Blinking his eyes, Wild stopped and looked down at Jennet. The red fog that filled his mind slowly began to lift, allowing reason to return. All at once the pain of his injuries slammed into him. Numerous slashes and cuts covered his body, and his left ear throbbed from where the Griffon had bitten him. The metallic taste of blood still filled his mouth from when he had bitten the Griffon.

Jennet smiled in relief when she saw his eyes finally focus down on her.

"You surprised me," the Griffon said, watching Wild wearily. "I never expected a mud pony could be so strong. With that big one gone away with all those pointy sticks, Shadowbeak said that taking the rest of you wouldn't be much of a fuss."

Wild figured he was talking about Hoof Strike leaving with most of the spear-ponies the previous morning on a training patrol. Now was the worst time to be raided by Griffons! They needed to warn the others! "Trust me when I tell you that you'll be biting off more than you can chew if you go against us, now let her go and leave now before I decide to kill you too." Wild warned.

"No, I don't think so," the Griffon said, pulling Snap back with him. "She'll be coming with me. I'll let her live long enough to show her your heart after I rip it from your chest. Perhaps I'll even let her watch while I do it," he said, his beak cocked in a grin as he grabbed Snap's mane and dragged her around.

"I'm warning you!" Wild snarled, feeling his anger surge up again. "Let her go or..."

"Or what!?" the Griffon sneered. "Sure, you may have killed two Griffons, but you're pretty much half dead on your hooves! I doubt you have the strength left to be a threat!"

"Then I will give him my strength!" Jennet chimed in as she moved to stand beside him.

"And mine!" Snap added, biting down on the Griffon's arm.

Letting out a screech of anger and pain, the Griffon struck Snap across her cheek with a blow that crumpled the young mare limply to the ground.

"You dirty mud pony! I'll make you regret that!" the enraged Griffon roared down at Snap as he lifted his bared talons to slash her throat open.

With Jennet's scream ringing in his ears, Wild lunged forward, his hooves feeling like they were moving through mud as he watched the Griffon's talons start to descend towards Snap. Even the air seemed to drag at him as he strained to move fast enough. Time seemed to slow as he watched the griffon's talons slowly fall. He was too far away! He wasn't going to make it!

Suddenly, a large shadow appeared over the Griffon and a heartbeat later, a massive golden form of teeth and claws, crushed him to the ground with a shattering thud that shook the earth. Before the Griffon could so much as cry out, massive fangs closed around his throat and tore the life out of him.

Dazed from the blow she had received, Snap blinked her eyes and looked up, slowly focusing on the large form above her. Her eyes shot wide in terror when her sight cleared. Sitting on his hunches, grooming itself with his great bat-like wings tucked up along his sides, was a massive Manticore.

Wild stumbled to a stop, surprised at the unexpected arrival. "Ardor?" Hearing Wild's voice, the great cat rushed forward to greet him, rubbing his oversized head against Wild as the air filled with the deep rumbles of his purring. Bewildered at the unexpected assistance, Wild scratched Ardor behind his ears and mane.

Jennet rushed over to Snap to help her up. "Wild! What are you doing!? Get away from it!"

"It's alright," Wild assured the two. "This is Ardor, he's a friend."

"A friend!?" Regaining her hooves, Snap eyed Wild and the Manticore. "Have you lost your senses! That's a Manticore!" Her eyes suddenly flashed with suspicion. "Wait! Is that the same Manticore that tried to eat you!?"

Instead of answering, Wild turned and swept both Snap and Jennet into a crushing hug, relieved that they were safe. He didn't know what he would have done if either of them had been killed. He had nearly lost himself to the fury and the overwhelming need to utterly destroy his enemies. It had never come over him that badly before. It was frightening the sense of power it gave him. It felt like he could overcome anything standing before him, no matter the price it took from him.

"Wild, your crushing us." Snap complained, gasping for breath.

Wild quickly released them. "I'm sorry. I'm just so happy that your both okay."

Snap reached out and seized his head with her hooves and pulled it down. "Oh, Wild. Your ear. It's nearly torn in half!"

Wild was trying to ignore the throbbing pain of his injury and attempted to jerk his head free of Snap's firm grip.

"We'll need to clean it," Jennet added. "Perhaps if we tie something around it to hold it, it'll heal back together."

"It'll be worth a try," Snap agreed. "To bad Dove already left with Dark. She might have known what to do."

"Oh Snap! Look!" Jennet exclaimed, pointing at Wild's flank.

Snap released Wild's head and moved around and gasped. Looking back at himself, Wild saw that he now had a cutie mark of a lightning bolt splitting a trunk down the middle. He had a cutie mark!? But when!? The only time it could have appeared was during his fight. Examining it, the meaning seemed obvious. A lightning bolt splitting a trunk. It fit so well. Like a lightning bolt seeking the ground, nothing would stop from what he needed to do.

"It's amazing how you ponies can get cutie marks." Jennet said, with a note of envy.

"There's not much difference between donkeys and ponies," Snap pointed out. "Perhaps you can get one too."

"I've never seen a donkey with one." Jennet said, shaking her head.

"Well, perhaps you'll be the first," Snap said, affectionately wrapping her hoof around Jennet.

Wild was still stunned at the discovery of his new cutie mark, but quickly turned his mind to what he needed to do next. Griffons where in the valley and the settlement was in danger! With Starless gone, and with Hoof Strike away on a training patrol along most of their warriors, their timing couldn't have been worse. Most of the Unicorns that remained in the settlement only knew how to use their magic for crafts and tasks, not for battle. Wild blinked. No, that wasn't entirely true. There were Unicorns that knew how to fight with their magic.

"Ardor, this is Snap and Jennet," Wild said, introducing the two. "They're special to me." Ardor moved closer to the pair and butted his head against them, the air filled with the sound of his deep thrumming purr.

"Ah... hello, ah... Ardor," Snap hesitantly greeted the Manticore, reaching out her hoof to lightly pet it's fluffy mane. "Thank you for saving me."

Jennet's ears quivered as she reluctantly patted the beasts head. "He's... ah... not going to eat us is he?"

"He's a good Manticore now," Wild assured her. "He doesn't eat ponies."

"But, I'm not a pony," Jennet pointed out, flinching when Ardor began licking her.

"I think you're close enough that it doesn't matter." Wild reached out to pat Ardor's neck. "Ardor, I want you to watch over Snap and Jennet and keep them safe while I'm gone."

"Wait! You're leaving us alone with him!?" Snap exclaimed in alarm. "Where are you going!?"

"To find the shepherd stallions," Wild said, moving to collect his spear. He had learned what it was like for them to have lived in the Unicorns stables. Driven by hunger and the need to raise their status, they were often pitted against each other in savage magical combat for the enjoyment of the watching mares. Sometimes, even to the death. Those who were too weak to even compete, were rejected much like Shadow Play was, and gelded to prevent them from passing on their weak blood.

"But your still bleeding!" Jennet complained.

"It's not that bad," Wild assured her with a shrug. "I'll take care of it when this is over. I want you two to go and hide in the forest. Ardor will keep you safe until I return."

"No!" Snap shook her head with a firm stomp. "We're going with you."

"Yeah," Jennet agreed.

Wild turned to argue, but froze under the directed gaze of two mares boring into him. He tried to say something, but for some reason he couldn't make his mouth work properly.

Moving forward, the two mares flanked around him. "Don't just stand there like a log. We need to hurry," Snap said in passing.

Wild let out a sigh of resignation. He was such an idiot. "Come on Ardor."

The four of them hurried to the west, moving across the rolling grasslands at a steady trot towards the center of the valley. Periodically, Wild would look up to scan the skies above them, searching for any signs of the Griffons. Ahead of them, the stacked stone fencing of the sheep pens came into view, their gates open as the sheep were let out to graze in the valley's open fields. Next to the pens, low, lean to shelters had been built into a hill, their roofs covered in a thick bed of moss that made them almost disappear into the land.

Sitting around a small campfire, five Unicorn stallions laughed and talked as they ate a meal of dried oats and berries. "Keep Ardor out of sight until I come back," he called out to Snap and Jennet, gesturing for them to take him into a small thicket of trees. Leaping into a gallop, Wild rushed ahead. "Up spears and make ready! The valley is under attack!"

The stallion's reaction to his cries of alarm were slow, and lackluster. A few of them looked up at him curiously, while the others kept talking and laughing.

Anger suddenly burned through Wild as he skidded to a stop. With a furious swipe of his spear shaft through their campfire, he sent embers and ash flying into the air. "I said up spears and make ready you moss eating slugs! I will strip the hide off any stallion that isn't moving by the count of five!"

A light green stallion named Emerald Spark leapt up, his face scowling in anger. "Hay! What do you think you're doing!? We're not due for any more training until Hoof Strike returns from patrol!"

Flipping his spear around, Wild leveled it to Emerald Spark's nose, it's copper point flashing in the sunlight. "One," he started counting.

Emerald Spark's eyes widened in shock when he suddenly noticed Wild's injuries for the first time and the dark blood that stained his coat. Turning, he quickly rushed to collect his spear along with all the others.

In short order, all the stallions were assembled into a raged line. Wild frowned as he looked them over. Only five stallions. "Where are the others?"

"Plum Notion went with six others with Hoof Strike on patrol. The rest are out watering the sheep in the back pasture," Emerald answered, gesturing over his shoulder. "Wild ah... what's happened to you!? Why are you injured?"

"Griffons are in the valley." Wild answered, his voice surprisingly steady.

A note of shock ran through the gathered Unicorns. "Griffons!? Are you sure?" Emerald asked.

"We just killed three of them by the lake." Wild answered grimly. "So yes, I'm sure."

A look of fear passed through the stallions. "But how!? Three of them!?"

"Which way are the others?" Wild asked, scanning the land around them.

"They're in the back pasture over there.' Emerald said, gesturing off to the south west.

"Good." Wild said, turning to go. "Take me to them."

"What are you planning to do?" Emerald asked, hurrying to keep up with Wild's long strides as the other Unicorns fell in behind.

"We need to hurry," Wild said over his shoulder without slowing. "I have some friends waiting for us. Try to not make a complete foal of yourselves when you meet the big one. He may look scary, but he's a big softy once you get to know him."

Emerald gave him an odd look, but said nothing as he followed along.

After crossing through a long field, they brought him along a path that came out next to a pond. There they found four more stallions watching over a herd of sheep that milled around the pond. Now with nine stallions, Wild led them back to where Snap and Jennet were waiting. Coming into the thicket, he came to a stop when he noticed that Ardor was nowhere in sight. Where was he? Jennet, noticing his concerned look, let out a giggle and pointed at a nearby bush. "I think he wants to surprise you."

Wild let out a relieved breath. It always amazed him at how well Ardor could conceal himself. The bush hardly looked large enough to hide a pony let alone an entire Manticore. "Ardor, we don't have time to play right now. Come on out of there."

"Wild, who are you talking to?" Emerald asked.

The bush suddenly exploded as Ardor leapt out, playfully pouncing at Wild, his massive claw filled paw lightly swiping at him.

Letting out a terrified scream, Emerald fumbled with his spear. "M-monster!"

The other stallions echoed his cry as they moved to defend themselves, their horns crackling with magic. Wild had been watching their reaction and was pleased to note that none of them had tried to run. Good. "Be at peace!" Wild said, raising his hoof. "This is Ardor, he won't hurt you."

A look of uncertainty passed through the stallions as they stood poised to fight for their lives.

"It's true" Jennet said, stepping in beside the great beast to give him a scratch. "There's nothing to be afraid of. He's as sweet as a foal."

"You didn't warn them about him?" Snap asked, her eyes flashing in anger as she marched over to Wild. "What were you thinking!? They could have hurt him!" She cuffed him with her hoof.

"It was necessary. I needed to find out if they'd run or stand their ground," Wild said, fending off another swat from Snap. "Also, I did warn them! Well... sort of."

The Unicorns looked completely confused at this point and slowly lowered their spears, It took some time to assure them that Ardor was friendly, even going so far as to have Jennet ride around on his back. Once the stallions were finally convinced that Ardor wouldn't eat them, Wild told them his plan.

"Are you serious!?" Emerald exclaimed. "You want us to help you fight Griffons!?"

"You are the only ones that can," Wild said, meeting his gaze levelly. "Griffons have come to the valley, and the settlement is in danger."

"But were not warriors!" Emerald complained. "We don't know how to fight griffons!" The stallions behind him nodded in agreement.

"Nether did we when we had to fight three griffons," Wild pointed out, his ear still throbbing from where it was torn.

"You Earth Ponies are used to fighting monsters," one of the stallions called out. "You even made friends with one!" he indicated to Ardor.

Wild noticed how scared the stallions looked. For their entire lives, their every decision had been dictated by mares. Now, he was asking them to make one of the most difficult decisions of their lives. Even their decision to leave the stable and come live here was simply following mares that promised to give them a better life and food to fill their empty stomachs.

"I know you're all scared," Wild said, looking out over the gathered stallions. "I'm scared too, but I know that if I do nothing, ponies I care about are going to get hurt, and I won't let that happen if there is something I can do to stop it. You have all been in duels before in the stables and know how to fight with magic. You have the power to save ponies lives. We can really use your strength."

Emerald glanced back at the others stallions before nodding. "What do you want us to do?"

Wild let out a relieved breath. He'd been unsure if his words would be enough to sway them. "I need a fast runner."

A young stallion not much older than Wild stepped forward. He had an orange coat with red spots running along the side of his neck and up into his cheeks. His yellow mane and tail were cropped short giving him a rather lengthy appearance. "Sir."

Wild had to search through his memory for his name. "Solar Blitz, I want you to bring a message to Hoof Strike as fast as you can and tell him that Griffons are in the valley."

"With him out on patrol," Solar Blitz said, shaking his head. "How do I find him?

Wild reminded himself that the young stallion had lived most of his life in a stable and had never learned to read tracks.

"I think I can help," Jennet said, stepping forward. "I overheard Hoof Strike telling Tiger what route he was going to take. I believe I can use that to find him."

Wild turned to Jennet. "Are you sure?"

"I think so." Jennet nodded confidently.

Wild considered Jennet's offer. What she was asking was dangerous. They didn't know what was outside the valley, which was why the patrols were being implemented in the first place. There was no telling what monsters she could run into before finding the patrol. Despite his misgivings, Wild knew how important it was to get a message to Hoof Strike.

Letting out a breath, Wild turned to Solar Blitz. "I want you to keep her safe. No matter what. Do you understand?"

Solar thrust his head up and touched his hoof to his chest. "My blood given before hers."

Wild blinked in surprise at the young stallion, before awkwardly returning the gesture. Turning back to Jennet, he moved in close to speak to her more privately. "Are you sure about doing this? I mean..."

Jennet smiled warmly and affectionately nuzzled the side of his muzzle. "Don't worry. I may not be as fast as a pony, but I'm rather sturdy."

Snap moved in close and embraced Jennet. "Be careful out there, sister of my heart. I want you to come back safely."

"I will," Jennet assured her, embracing Snap back. "And while I'm away, try to keep Wild from doing anything stupid like losing another ear."

Snap let out a giggle. "I'll do my best, but you know how hopeless he is."

With their goodbyes finished, Jennet joined Solar and together they set off.

Wild felt a coldness in the pit of his stomach as he watched Jennet and Solar vanish to the south. Would he ever see her again? "Let's get moving."

"What about our sheep?" Emerald asked.

"We'll need to leave them," Wild answered. "We can't stay here and trying to bring them with us would slow us down too much."

Leaving the thicket of trees, Wild led them east across the rolling grasslands, heading for the forest that ran along the eastern edge of the valley. Scanning the skies for any signs of Griffons, they hurried as quickly as they could, not stopping until they were finally safe under the concealing branches of the forest.

Panting for breath, Wild called a halt and let the exhausted stallions rest as he considered what he should do next. No matter what plan he tried to think of, he kept coming to the same problem, they had no idea what they were up against. "Snap, I want you to wait here. I'm going to go find out what's happening at the settlement."

"Oh, no you don't," Snap stomped her hoof. "You're not going anywhere without me!"

"Just so you know." Wild gave Snap a sidelong look and pointed up to the top of the cliff. "I'll be going up there."

Snap turned her gaze up and her body began to shake. She was absolutely mortified of heights. "Perhaps it would be best if I stayed here and watched over the stallions."

"That's a good idea," Wild agreed. "Have them stay out of sight until I get back."

"How...?" Snap started to ask, hesitating. "How ah... are you going to get up there?"

"Simple," Wild said, turning. "He's going to take me." Wild gestured to Ardor, who was busy trying to get a terrified Emerald to rub his belly.

It was nearing evening when Wild crawled out onto the ledge to look down at the Unicorn settlement. Ascending up to the ridge-top had been a terrifying ordeal that had nearly stopped his heart. He discovered that Manticores didn't fly like birds or bats, instead they used their wings to help them leap and scramble up the heights. He didn't fly up the cliff, as he rather leapt up its face with his wings beating at the air. Riding on his back, Wild was forced to cling to mane for dear life.

Below them, Wild saw a shimmering dome encompassing a large part of the settlement, obscuring it in a glittering haze. He had seen Unicorns cast shields before, but never one so large! Most could only manage a simple flat shield if any at all. Who was strong enough to cast one this large!? Peering more closely, Wild noticed figures gathered outside the shimmering dome. By their size and distinctive shape, there was no mistaking it. They were too late. The griffons were already here.

A large black griffon resembling a raven, was angrily yelling orders at the others. Was this the one the other griffons were worried about? Shadowbeak? A griffon suddenly took off and flew up high over the dome and released a stone the size of a pony's head, dropping it onto the top of the dome with a reverberating knell that shook the air. Another griffon flew up and dropped another stone on it followed another. Fine cracks began to appear on the shields surface, slowly growing larger with each impact.

Held off to the side was a cluster of ponies, guarded by several griffons who constantly nipped and swiped at them. Wild's heart clenched at the sight of them. Not all the ponies had gotten to safety under the magical ward. As he watched, a griffon flew down and snatched up one of the ponies and carried the captive up and over the cliff side on the far side of the valley.

Why were they taking captives, when there were plenty of sheep in the lower valley for them to eat. Do the griffons not like the taste of sheep, or perhaps their wool just got caught in their beak or something. Griffons were a scourge to the land, usually coming in small raiding parties to snatch up ponies to vanish with their catches moments after. This didn't make sense, why were there so many and why were they trying so hard to break through the Unicorns magical barrier when they already had captives to take? Then it came to him. The Unicorns! They were after the Unicorns!

Suddenly he noticed a distinctive figure among the captives. The figure was smaller than the other ponies and was clutching something to her chest as she confronted one of the griffon's guarding them. The griffon abruptly reached out and seized the pony, jerking her off the ground. Wild's heart leap in fear as the griffon suddenly flung the captive mare high up into the air. Just as she was starting to plunge back to the ground, another griffon swooped in and snatched the mare and the wailing foal clutched in her hooves, and carried them off.

Backing off the edge, Wild slipped off with Ardor. Working their way back, they had to stop and hide several times as griffons flew past overhead. It was sunset by the time they returned to their drop off. Climbing back onto Ardor's back, Wild wrapped his hooves around the Manticore's neck and held on as tightly as he could as he silently dropped off the ledge. The air roared by them as they both plummeted down. Ardor held his wings out to help steady their decent until the last moment, he suddenly flared them wide and furiously backpedaled them with powerful strokes that halted their fall. Landing them safely on the ground.

Feeling his legs shivering under him, Wild climbed off Ardor's back and was enormously relieved to feel the solid earth under his hooves once again. The sound of rushing hoofsteps announced Snap's approach as she hurried over to him.

"Well?" she asked as the Unicorn stallions all hurried over to join them. "What did you see?"

"The griffons are already there." Wild reported, meeting her worried gaze.

A sound of dismay passed through the gathered ponies.

"I counted about twenty of them," Wild continued. "The Unicorns are holding them back for now with a barrier, but it won't last long. The griffons are already working to break it down."

"How long until the breach through it?" Emerald asked.

"I'm not sure. Perhaps a day." Wild shook his head.. "Probably less."

"But that's too soon!" one of the stallions exclaimed. "Hoof Strike and the others won't be back by then!"

"That's not the worst of it," Wild continued. "Some of the ponies didn't make into the barrier in time, and they were taken by the griffons."

Snap suddenly jumped forward. "What about my mother and the foal!? Did you see them? What about Journey!?" she asked, her eyes nearing tears.

Wild took a moment to answer, his gut tightening into a ball. "I'm sorry. They took your mother and little West. I saw them being flown out of the valley. I don’t know about Journey, but knowing him, he’s probably somewhere where he’d be able to cause the most trouble."

Snap let out a whimpering wail as her face crumpled into worry and grief. Wild moved in closer and silently wrapped his hooves around her, letting her cry into his shoulder. As he felt Snap's body shivering in his embrace, Wild's whirling thoughts solidified onto what needed to be done.

Once Snap had cried herself down and regained her composure, Wild called the stallions to him. "Okay listen up. If you have any fears or doubts, bury them here and leave them behind. We are going to have a busy night and I need you all to be at your best."

"What are we going to do, sir?" Emerald asked, looking to him.

Wild turned to the young stallion. "We're going to raid the griffons and take back what is ours."

Luna let out a squeal as she dashed through the play yard. It felt amazing being out of that stuffy longhouse. The air was cool and a gentle breeze carried the fresh scent of grass to them as they played. Aurora was right behind Luna, her squeals of laughter just as exuberant as her hydra tooth necklett bounced loosely around her neck.

Doubling back, Luna leapt onto a young colt named Acorn, and tackled him to the ground.

"Hay's, no fair!" Acorn complained, struggling to push her off. "You's supposd ta run away's."

"Luna! What have I told you?" Mustard called out as she comforted a crying filly that had been pushed down during a squabble. "Please don't sit on the colts."

Luna sighed and climbed off Acorn. "Yes’m, Mami Mustard."

Suddenly, there was a warning cry from one of the watch ponies, and immediately Mustard began calling the foals to quickly come inside. Curious about what had caused the warning, Luna rushed to the fencing to look out through the narrow slats.

"Lulu!? Mami Mustard is calling!" Aurora said, pulling at her tail.

"Can't see!" Luna complained in annoyance. Stupid fence. "Hay Aurora, gives me up-up." She gestured upward.

Aurora looked back to check on Mustard and saw that she was busy ushering foals out of the pen with several other mares, and hadn't noticed them yet. Summoning her magic, she wrapped it around Luna and lifted her into the air.

Clear of the fence, Luna saw ponies looking up over the trees to the north west. Turning to look, Luna saw something flying towards them over the forest. It was hard to make out at first and Luna thought that it might be a Dragon. She had always wanted to see a dragon. As it got closer she was a little disappointed to find that it was two pegasi flying in close formation while pulling something behind them. Squinting her eyes, she thought she saw two ponies sitting in some kind of sled, no, there was a third smaller one crammed in between the two.

Luna let out an excited cry and kicked her little hooves, startling Aurora, who lost her hold on her and dropped her to the ground. Landing on her hooves, Luna bolted for the gate and passed under a surprised Mustard.

"Luna! Get back here this instant!" Mustard called after her, then let out another exclamation when Aurora also dashed past her.

The two large pegasi stallions circled around to the south and came in at a shallow approach, letting the sled drag across the ground as they landed. Luna's little hooves carried her quickly through the settlement, ahead of her she saw the occupants of the sled climbing out.

"Papa! Papa!" Luna cried out as she heedlessly leapt onto her father.

"Whoa! Hello, my little moondrop!" her father said, catching her up in his hooves. "What are you doing out here without your mama?"

"Mama's busy helping ponies," Luna explained.

"Aurora!" Dove exclaimed in joy when she saw her daughter rushing to her and hurried to sweep her up and give her kisses. "I missed you so much!"

Luna saw Ash stepping out of the sled. He seemed distracted as he walked by, hardly even noticing Luna's presence as he gazed out in a sort of daze. "Ash?" Luna called down to him with concern.

"He's been like that since we left," her father said, watching the colt.

Luna wiggled in her father’s grip, gesturing for him to put her down. Once her hooves touched the ground, she rushed over to Ash and she threw her hooves around his neck, hugging him as tightly as she could, hoping to make him feel better.

"I can’t feel her," Ash murmured, staring out dully. “I can’t feel her at all, anymore.”