One day after Chosen attack
Everfree Forest Clearing
====

The ground shook as a horde of Warborn, led by Stigandr and the Raider, marched towards the prison camp. The Chosen and Legion were elsewhere, occupied with other battles.

"Good." Stigandr thought. "We will unleash Hell on these monsters."

As the Warborn approached the cliff overlooking the camp, the Raider walked forward.

"We are ready, Chieftain." he said, drawing his Long Axe. The many other Men-at-arms and Warborn fighters readied their own weapons. From what Stigandr could see, the camp had just woken up, and the prisoners were marching to assembly.

====

Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy marched with the other Equestrian prisoners to roll call. They expected it to be another day of back-breaking labor under the sadistic Griffons. Chopping trees, clearing roads, mining ore.

They certainly didn't expect to hear a war-horn bellow through the trees. The Griffons looked to each other, not sure what was going on. The prisoners started to become nervous. Then came the scream of war.

"VALHALLA!" came the Viking war-cry, as everyone in the camp saw the Warborn stream out of the forest like a torrential flood.

"TO ARMS!" a Griffon lieutenant cried, just as the Warborn breached the gate.

====

The Raider smashed through the gate through sheer strength, and rammed a Griffon's head into the earth. The men-at-arms streamed in, their blades clashing against the Griffon armor. The Raider knew time was not on their side, and he hurled himself into the fray.

====

Rainbow and Fluttershy broke ranks and hid themselves behind a pile of crates as they watched the Raider enter combat. His axe shaft smashed the skull of a Griffon, before he hurled a shortsword into another's chest. The Raider was relentless, killing without mercy, as Griffon after Griffon fell to him.

"You! MONSTER!"

The Raider turned to see the Camp Commander, Gesher, stride forward with a polearm. The Warborn scoffed and readied his axe.

"I will make you all pay!" Gesher screamed as he lunged. However, due to his error, Gesher leaped into the air, giving the Raider plenty of time to adapt and defend himself. He sidestepped and landed his axe blade into the Griffon's back, hoisting him up. The battle ceased as the Griffons, viewing the corpse of their leader, fell in surrender.

The Raider laughed as he kicked the body off of his weapon's edge. He then roared a victory cry, echoed by the Warborn. The Raider turned to see Rainbow and Fluttershy huddling together.

"Come out, little ones." Raider said. "We come as friends and kin."

Rainbow took a defensive stance, but she and Fluttershy came out. The Valkyrie Runa stepped forward.

"I'll take them to Ponyville." she said, shouldering her spear. "Let's go."

The three of them, with Fluttershy still shaking from the carnage, left. Raider turned to the crowd of Griffons who had surrendered.

"What now?" he asked himself. "We're Warborn. We don't take prisoners."

"Correct." Faust said, through his mind. "You may dispose of them as you will. They took the Elements of Loyalty and Kindness, and you will show them none."

"With pleasure!" Raider said out loud. Stigandr looked at him, and the Raider nodded.

"Faust says kill them." Raider scoffed. The Chieftain gave a smile and the Men-at-arms descended on the terrified prisoners.

====

As the Warborn returned with their plunder, and news of their success, Twilight, Cross, and Ayu greeted them.

"We've got good news." the Equestrian Princess said. "The Crystal Empire is sending reinforcements to us."

"And we've managed to cause quite a stir among our enemies." Cross laughed. "They are in fear of us."

"Let them." Stigandr said. "They will grow to embrace that fear."

====
Canterlot

Lord Blueblood, Ruler of the Equestrian Domain, marched into the Iron Pact's chamber. Garble, Greisen, and Iron Will looked at him, as if expecting something.

"They captured the camp." Blueblood spat. "And two more of the Elements of Harmony."

"This is impossible!" Garble growled. "And just as the time comes to reclaim my right as Dragon Lord!"

"We all have our responsibilities." Greisen said. "Blueblood, you will lead an army to Ponyville and kill every last one of these invaders. They have gained too much ground. They only have two Elements left to find, and once reunited, they will destroy us."

"As you wish." Blueblood said. He departed, and Garble flew off towards the Dragon Lands. Iron Will looked at Greisen angrily.

"You said there would be no chance of resistance." the Minotaur said. "You said it would be easy to conquer Equestria."

"I did." Greisen said.

"And yet these warriors come and decimate us!" Iron Will roared. "My forces are longing for home! We did not want conquest!"

"And yet you shall have it!" Greisen roared. "Our pact is eternal!"

"And yet I see otherwise." Iron Will said. "If they are not defeated by Blueblood, I and the Minotaur Kingdoms will desert the pact and you cannot stop us."

"You would betray us?" Greisen asked.

"Yes, if my demands are not met." Iron Will said. "I am no warmonger, unlike you."

Greisen scoffed.

"We will see." he sighed. "We will see."

====

The Raider walked through Ponyville towards Stigandr's tent, when he saw the yellow Pegasus approach him.

"You are the frightened one from the camp." he said.

"Yes." Fluttershy murmured. "I wanted to say thank you."

"You are welcome." The Raider replied. "The Chieftain requires me. Farewell."

Fluttershy smiled slightly as the Raider proceeded to the tent, where Stigandr was waiting.

"Ah, just in time." said the Viking leader. "Our next raid is to the north of here. Towards a large supply fort we need to feed our ever-growing army."

"Good." Raider said. "We shall send them to Hel."

"Hel is too good for them!" Stigandr laughed. "Gather the men! We leave in two hours!"

As the Warborn assembled, Cross and Twilight watched from afar.

"Cross, are the Vikings normally so eager for battle?" asked Twilight.

Cross smiled.

"Yes." he said simply. "Yes, they are."

Author's Notes:

Update!

Next time-Blueblood's attack on Ponyville.