The Second Griffon War (Main Thread)

Tech grumbled to himself, sitting with a leg detached in the now abandoned Broken Blade Inn, completely engrossed in doing some last- minute modifications on his limbs before the battle. Of course, he had volunteered to join the battle. After all, Ponyville needed all the help it could get, and he wanted to try out a few newer spells he'd learned, especially against the unwelcome visitors. He didn't exactly know what to expect, but the thought of the battle had him both excited and frightened.

He'd been placed at the back of the very front lines, along with the crystal Unicorns, and wasn't all too happy about being so close to the fighting, but he wasn't one to argue with orders. With a sigh, he would add the last finishing touches to his leg, putting the tools back in a side compartment and reattaching his leg, getting up and leaving through the door. He wondered how long it was until sunrise, from the looks of the sky it wasn't long off. he hurried his way towards the front lines, not enjoying the idea of being too late to help.

He didn't exactly like the idea of wearing the armor what was given to him, but it would give him extra protection if he needed it, even if the metal in them were only a little stronger than what he was made of. And it wasn't the best fit for him, but he shook off the thoughts as he reached the other warriors, all preparing for the battle. With a sigh, he hoped he was as ready as the others were. He stood in the open, looking around at the other warriors, and wondering what to do while he waited for their precious few moments of peace to end.
 
With in the silent dark room of a sleeping soldier, a tall dark figure wearing a hood was sitting next to his bedside, The dark shrouded figure was the new dragon in the town of Ponyville, Cassian. He came into town out of the blue just yesterday, with a few mixed results. In such, he decided to keep his facial profile hidden under his hood and scarf, while keeping the rest of his body covered in a long brown coat. Within his claws was a medicine bowl he keeps with him to make various concoctions while traveling. Whether for first aid or cooking purposes. Right now, he was mixing a few supernatural reagents that help with pain and healing. He gave one last strong twist of the nub used to mix with and take a up some of the mixed medicinal solution in his talon. Gently, he smears it into one of the open wounds of the brave soldier pony without waking him/her up. The sleeping pony groans silently in his/her peaceful slumber in response to the mysterious helper applying the medicine. "Shhhh it's okay. You're gonna be just fine", he soothed the pony in a gentle swoon of a whisper. This helped calms the injured pony down and as he/she nuzzles his/her pillow from the sound of a kind voice. After spending the next several minutes applying the medicine in various open wounds large or small, he wraps and covers them back up with the bandages he took off earlier when he came in. He makes sure to make his movements very subtle as he rewraps the bandages tight, but not to tight over the wounded areas along the pony's body. Once finished, he stands back up on his feet, smirking down at his work. 'That should help some', he thought as he wipes off some of the sweat from his forehead. Its been a long night since he started collecting herbs and sneaking around helping with some of the brave soldier ponies injured from the war he found out about not long after he came into town. Which brought distraught and disappointment to the young dragon. Of all times to come to a well known peaceful nation, it had to be a time of conflict between races, which hasn't happened in centuries; according to the history books he read. His smirk under his hood dropped into a frown as his jade reptilian eyes watch the helpless sleeping form of the pony he just helped. For some reason, he wasnt surprised at the situation he found himself in. After all, he always end up finding himself in trouble. Or trouble always tends to find him like right now. The sound of hoofsteps were heard trotting on the hardwood floor outside the door. "Oh Crap!", he mouthes under his breath as he quickly snatches his things and leaps out the open window with a silently flap of his coat. He made sure to closes the curtains and shut the window before climbing his way up to the roof of the building where they were keeping the injured sheltered.

Meanwhile, the nurse walked into the room. She thought she saw another shadow from under the light of the door. Yet to her relief, there was nothing but the sleeping form of one of her patients. However, one thing did strike her as odd. All of the bandages were completely redone. Same as the other patients who were sleeping as well as several others resting in other locations around town. The nurses who noticed this would just shrug it off and assume that the stress of tending to so many patients was getting to them. While some others might have thought otherwise.

Leaping across the buildings silently under the shadows made by the moonlight, Cassian managed to remain hidden from the guards patrolling the streets. So far, he has been at this all night. Gathering medicinal herbs and sneaking around undetected while tending to the injuries of sleeping soldiers who needed it most. It may not have been much help, but every little bit helps in times such as this. Cassian had a long trip to Canterlot tomorrow, yet he couldn't bring himself to go to sleep with everything that has happened after his shocking discovery at the ruins of The Castle of the Two Sisters. And after noticing the stress this town has been having on taking care of so many injured, he took it upon himself to anonymously aid them. Hoping this picked up some of the slack for them.

After managing to slip past a group of guards talking amongst each other below from where he was looking as they passed, he takes another running leap with the sound of his coat silently breaking the wind. His claws latch onto the edge of a roof of the ponyville hospital, where started his little raid and pulls himself up. Turning his body toward the horizon, he positions himself sitting on the edge of the roof to watch over the town's moving lights from the lanterns the guards where carrying. Knowing he might have helped enough, he wasnt sure of what to do now since he had so much on his mind. His jade eyes gleamed under the moonlight when he set his gaze onto the golden city far off into the horizon. There, is where his primary goal was set. 'It wont be long now. Soon I'll have my answers....hopefully", he thought solemnly. His mind began to drift back into his past at that very thought. Again, he couldnt let his memories blind himself from his objective. So he took out his ocarina again and thought of a song to play for all those injured in this war.



The moment the tune passed from the hollow instrument, the invisible notes began to fly and echo through streets of ponyville as magic they carried flew where ever the wind took them.
 
Starlight was in the library of Twilight's castle, surrounded by books, furiously studying offensive spells. She already had a magical edge of the Griffins, but she might be fighting a lot of them, and spells that would kill a few at once would be the most useful. It was scary how quickly she has slipped into a militant mentality. It was like plotting revenge against Twilight all over again, except this time she'd be fighting for Twilight. For her teacher and Princess. She was also fighting to protect Ponyville. She'd already lost one home town, and she wasn't about to lose another.

She still felt guilt about spending her time here instead of the hospital. She had tried to, for a few days. Healing magic wasn't her strong point but she had tried to help. Aside from occasionally making things worse, and even losing one or two lives due to her actions, she just couldn't handle the pressure. Being surrounded by pain and being trusted and expected to help and to lessen it....she almost had a nervous breakdown three days in, and hadn't tried to help since. Twilight was too busy to talk to her about this issue, so Starlight studied alone in the castle's library, feeling like a useless coward the whole time, but she'd be no use there, she kept telling herself. She needed to stick to what she was good at. Helping people and being a nice person were still lessons she hadn't passed the classes for, but fighting, and being a horrible force to be reckoned with against her enemies...that she knew how to do well.
 
Dreamweaver Dreamweaver
1. Princess Twilight
Twilight has been busy. As much as she wanted to worm her way into her old home in the library, she wasn't about to dispose Starlight from her own training and work. As such, she had set up shop elsewhere. Woe be to any griffon that decided to charge her residence, as they would find the pair of Magitek golem defenders blocking the door with their enchanted fists, and then they would need to contend with the princess herself, and the smaller of the three golems serving as Twilight's personal butler. Not exactly enviable odds.

2. Arctic Melody.
Elsewhere in town, in a small orphanage for those who lost their parents in the war, a young mare busies herself. She'd always lived here, or at least as far as she could remember. She'd been here even before the war began, but now she helped take care of the younger children. She spent her time now shoring up the defenses, boarding up the windows and teaching the young children about lights out for when the army came calling. They didn't have a place to hide more or somewhere to go. There was only one guard, an old soldier who by all rights should be retired now. Well... One guard, and Arctic's secret.
 
Galagus sat in the center of town. While he truthfully was appalled by this war, he had gotten to cuaght up in it to be able to run away. So the best thing he could do was help. So as he sat their in the middle of town, wearing some armor that had been givin to him, Flax patrolled the skies for him. With Flax in the air, Galagus would know exactly when and where the Griffions are coming from. "-sigh- Things are going to get bloody real soon. Or in my case, extra crispy."
 
Dreamweaver Dreamweaver
Adali Feuer was practising her magic nearby Lucian Lightsworn, far enough that he wouldn't get hit by any of the debris or back-draft from fire-based spells. It had been quite the trip to go from one side of Equestria to another, although to be fair nopony expected the Griffons to declare war so suddenly after so many years of peace. Had she known it was coming, she'd have made a beeline to the Equestrian-Griffons border before the war officially started.She thought the idea of declaring war somewhat silly, why would you tell somepony you're going to attack them and give them a chance to react before you attack them?

The sun had yet to be raised, Princess Celestia had to remain within Canterlot to direct the war effort and provide morale support for the civilian populace – it wouldn't do for them to know that both their Princess' life was in danger. “You ever fought a Griffon before Lucian?” She asked as she memorized some summoning magic, elementals only of course – she was trying to 'stay clean' and somehow she doubted anypony would be okay with some of her other form of summoning, war or no war.

That and Lucian would probably 'disapprove'.

“'Cause if you have, I'd appreciate the tips. Only Griffon I've ever seen is in books.” She added as she checked the blade she had been gifted from Princess Luna herself, a gift she believed it was, although Adali had been distrustful of it before, she wasn't so distrusting right now. She had heard some tales about what what a Griffon's claws could do to a Pony (although whether if that was truthful or exaggeration was unclear) and she resolved to not let that happen to her.
 
Anonmare Anonmare Avedon Avedon Cyan Hide Cyan Hide Dumbledoof Dumbledoof Assailant Assailant NevermoreStarsign NevermoreStarsign Latios Latios Sinensis Sinensis Wylfen Shepard Wylfen Shepard

Ponyville's defenses were set up. Earth pones and crystal ponies set up a defensive perimeter around half of Ponyville, facing towards the griffon army. They were set up in this manner to help diminish the ease and success of a possible flank by the griffons. Behind the ranks of earth and crystal ponies were unicorns, who could cast their deadly magic into the griffon army and support their troops where possible with healing magic.

In the middle of town were the pegasi. Their job was simple; make sure the griffons get nowhere close to the hospital. As a flight based race, the griffons could easily fly over the front lines of earth and crystal ponies, and although the unicorns could pose a threat with their explosive magic, enough of the griffons could get through to kill them all. So the pegasi had to contest them in the air, should the griffons decide to push. The pegasi were the only things keeping them at bay now.

Luna was standing in the front lines, surrounded by earth ponies and crystal ponies. It was easy to tell where she was at any given moment, due to her ethereal mane and the fact that she stood significantly taller than all the griffons and ponies. She was holding a spear and shield, and had silver colored armor on. "We cannot let them take the hospital! Stand tall and stand strong, Equestrians! Send these griffon bastards to Tartarus!"

She pulls out a black and white war-horn, and blows into it. It was magically enhanced to such a degree that the sound could be heard in Canterlot.

Anonmare Anonmare Sinensis Sinensis
That horn meant that it was time to raise the sun and let the battle commence. "Raise the sun now, dear. Please see to it that the wounded are transported from the train into the secret tunnels under the mountain. Keep Silvanus and Salacia close, and make sure Cadence and Shining Armor create a shield around Canterlot so that it won't be a target while our efforts are concentrated here. I will call you if I need help out here."

Lucian just chuckled and nodded his head. "I've fought a few. They aren't as scary as the books make them seem. They are our size, just with beaks and claws. But they don't really use their claws, they tend to use weapons like us. You've nothing to worry about Adali." He said with a smile, although she could tell it was a nervous one and he was only saying that to make her feel better.

At the sound of the horn, he leaned in to give the demonmancer a kiss and then put on his golden helmet, sliding it over his horn. "Come on, lets get near to the front lines with the other unicorns. I'm going to focus on healing for now." He said while running over and taking his place next to the thousands of other unicorns there on the open fields.

Sinensis Sinensis
Tech came near the front lines, and actually ended up beside Princess Luna herself. The alicorn looked over at him, arched an eyebrow, and smiled slightly. "... And what are you, exactly? Well never mind, that doesn't matter. Are you scared?"

Dumbledoof Dumbledoof
Having been working at the hospital for close to a year now, Trixie was a rather trusted cleric there. At the sound of the horn, she called out to Expellix. "Expellix dear, please begin readying the patients for evacuation. The train will be arriving in under an hour and we must fill it as quickly as possible. Take the least wounded first, those who can walk by themselves and prepare them for the trip to the train station. Keep the wounded here so we may continue working on them. We can expect 2 trains per day so we should prioritize who leaves at each time."

She went back to healing a patient who had his leg cut off. Right now she was just healing the wound and focusing on making sure the bleeding stopped.

Wylfen Shepard Wylfen Shepard
With the battle about to start, Cassian needed to decide what he wanted to do. Join the fight, or go to Canterlot away from the battle?

NevermoreStarsign NevermoreStarsign
Princess Luna would be paying Twilight a visit... But not quite right now.

Arctic Melody on the other hoof, had a rather different job; given by Luna herself. Prepare the children for evacuation. They would join the less-injured on the first train ride out of Ponyville. Ponyville was going to fall, it was only a matter of time. This was not a defensible position. So Arctic Melody needed to round the children up and prepare them for a quick trip over to the train station, where they would be brought to the safety of Canterlot.

Cyan Hide Cyan Hide
The horn sounded, which meant the sun was about to rise and the battle was about to begin. Did Star want to go help the unicorns on the front line, or help Trixie evacuate the hospital?

Latios Latios
Galagus was stuck in Ponyville now. The next train was for children and wounded soldiers, so he would have to stay and fight. The horn sounded, which signaled the rising of the sun. Where did Galagus want to go to lend his aid? The front lines, or where the unicorns were casting spells, or evacuating the hospital?
 
With his limited knowledge of spells Galagus was next to useless when it came to healing the wounded, so he was of no use there. Instead, he thought his fire magic could indeed lay much destrution to enemy troops. Until that time arose, he kept Flax up in the air to search for any griffons.
 
Expellix raised his head up at the sound of the horn, looking over his shoulder towards the sound of it. His ears were ringing considerably from how loud it was. His hearing was quite a bit more sensitive than the ponies, therefore, that came in as the loudest thing he had ever heard, making it difficult for him to figure out what Trixie had just said. Luckily, well, he already knew what exactly he was supposed to do when the horn went off. The dawn was coming, the battle for Ponyville was about to begin.

He would be joining them at the front lines, but first, he needed to get the wounded and sick out first, per Trixie's request anyway. Expellix began scrambling around, weaving between the other nurses and medics to inform each pony able to walk to get up and begin making their way towards the stations. He hoped to Celestia's and Luna's names that they didn't attack those trains, or they had a plan for if they did. This was a cruel move of the griffons to try and kill their weak.

This was most likely a fight they wouldn't win, but they can buy time. Time is everything right now.

Figuring while he still had the time to communicate, he may as well say something to Luna. 'Tell me if I'm needed anywhere if you aren't too preoccupied in the fight. I can help the unicorns if need-be.' He sent the telepathic message to her. He wasn't quite so we'll experienced with it but it would probably make it unless Luna straight-up blocked it. In which case... Fuck.

He returned to his previous tasks at hand. Healing any he could, moving those that could move themselves to prepare for boarding the train.
 
Dreamweaver Dreamweaver


Starlight looked up and her ears perked up as the horn sounded. Time was up, though the fight would currently be at the tightly held frontlines, and Starlight wasn't exactly a team player. When the formation breaks and the fighting spreads to the streets; that was when she would join the combat. Much less chance that anyone would get in her way, and the last thing Ponyville needed was friendly fire.

So Starlight left the book she was reading open at a page on torture magic, and galloped out of the castle and towards the hospital. Once there, she immediately tried to find Trixie. She eventually found her, tending to an amputee. Ears folded back nervously, she slowly approached Trixie. Starlight still felt guilty about leaving her friend in the hospital after three days trying to help, and not making an effort to help since.

"Hi, Trix...Is there anything I can do to help with the evacuations right now?"
 
Cassian was startled out of his musical trance from a loud sound echoing across town. "Was that....a war horn?", he says as he stands up on his two feet looking toward the direction where the sounds was echoing from the roof of ponyville hospital. He reaches into his small pack and pulls out a pair of binoculars to see what was going on. To his shock, thier were lines of guards and soldiers preparing for combat. And to his surprise, large groups of Pegasi too position in the middle of town. Possibly to prevent the enemy from attacking from the air.

"I don't believe it. There's actually an attack starting already? ", he stressed his tone. This put him in quite a position. He was just finished with gathering supplies for his trip to Canterlot and the Griffons decided now to attack ponyville of all places. He was hoping he would avoid seeing any conflict during his stay in this quaint town. Unfortunately fate had other plans, which didn't surprise him. Now the only question was, what should he do?

Just when he was about to figure out a why to take off before things get ugly, his conscience somehow disabled his legs from moving. Looking down at the scared heads poking out and pulling into the Windows of the hospital, he could tell they were all getting pretty scared. While he was confidant that maybe the armies of equestria might have a fighting chance to win this fight from what he read in the history books, he was still concerned of the risk that they still might die in the crossfire. And there was the fact that if he stayed to help, there might be a chance he might not be able to find what he is looking for in this land if he ends up dead. Which would be quite an inconvenience for him.

But still.....just seeing those looks on thier faces. The mare's and stallions. Possibly even any colt's and fillies staying in this hospital were more afraid of losing thier lives and thier loved ones than Cassian ever was. After all, they have plenty more to lose compared to him. And just realizing that leaving things like this would only bring more nightmares into his life. He's never been in a war before, but he has fought plenty of times for survival. And that alone was enough for him to know that killing wasn't an issue as long as you have reason. And to know he'd be killing to save those who cant fight back gave him some ease. Yet still, his emotions are internally war at such a preasured moment. Time was of the essence and he had to decide now. What was more important? His quest or thier lives? When he thought about it, neither choice had a pleasant outcome. So what would be the point? Besides, he doesn't even live here. So what's the point of fighting for a world that's not your own.

Suddenly, a voice rang in the back of his mind. A voice full of love and kindness, then turned hurt and abandonment. A voice he loved so much, yet he left behind in her time of need.

"Sometimes all they need is a friend. Show them that. Promise me you will", it said.

"Cassie please.....dont go. Please....i don't want to be alone. I don't want you to be alone.", it echoed.

At that moment Cassian growls, "Dammit! He knew she wouldn't have hesitated for a second. So he unholsters his how and slowly takes an arrow from his quiver. "I promised....." , he said as all his hesitation was all burned away by the determination in his jade eyes.

Dreamweaver Dreamweaver
 
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Tech would turn to the princess, giving a slight shrug "If i were there wouldn't be much point in me being here." He'd reply, quickly adding "I just hope we can hold them back for long enough to evacuate everyone" Gazing to look out to the horizon, keeping an eye out for any sign of the griffons on the horizon. "I'd suppose you've had the very same doubts, though." He'd mumble absentmindedly as he looks to the distance.

"So, are you going to burn Ponyville down before the griffons can use it, like the last two that we were pushed back from?" He'd ask out of nowhere, looking back to Luna. Even though he hadn't been there to see it, he'd heard of what had happened from other soldiers. "It would be a shame to see what was once a growing community burned to ashes, though it's pretty much vital to remove the foothold..." he'd add, trailing off as he realized he was mostly saying his thoughts aloud rather than having a conversation.
 
Dreamweaver Dreamweaver
Twilight was staying put. She was best in a defensive position rather than leading some kind of charge. She knew this quite well, and kept up the wards. If the army ever needed a safe place to fall back to, well, Twilight would be there and waiting...

But meanwhile...

"Alright, younglings, time to go! We're going on a trip, alright?"
Arctic didn't quite know what to make of today. First, the Princess showed up. She'd never met a princess before, but the storybooks said they were very very important. And she'd given the young orphan an important job.... Wartime always created orphans like an anteater produces empty anthills. Where one goes, the other follows. So followed her duties as one of the older orphans to look after the others.
"I don't know where we're going, but it's not here! Grab your things, it's going to be an amazing adventure!"
It doesn't take her that long. She rounds the youths up like a professional. Most of the adult staff had evacuated already or abandoned their position to run for their lives. So the mare with the ice-blue mane starts leading the children towards the train station by her lonesome.
 
Dreamweaver Dreamweaver
Celestia was still within Canterlot, not too far from Ponyville and where the battle would be at its closest to the heartland of Equestria and with any luck that would be as close as it would get. In the distance, Canterlot would be surrounded in a deep, magenta purple shield that signified that Cadance and Shining Armour were doing their best to fortify the capital city – hopefully it would all be unnecessary.

Luna would soon hear a response, a response that only she would be able to hear of course – it was the quickest way to inform one another and it had the added benefit of not being interceptable by anything short of a concentrated effort by a group of Equestria's most powerful mages, and even then it would be lucky to last for more than a few moments. “They're safe sister, no one is going to get within these walls without our express permission.” Was the first response and, after a moment's hesitation, the second soon followed. “... I'm raising the Sun now. Stay safe, if the tide turns – fall back to Canterlot, I don't want anything happening to you, keep our Ponies safe.”

And with that, the sun began to rise in the sky as Equestria experienced another late dawn in a very long time.

Adali saw the first break of the new day and knew that it was a silent signal to all who saw it; the battle was to begin soon. She blushed at the kiss, quickly coughing and wiping her face in case anypony saw she let out a harrumph. “Speak for yourself, my only weapon are the gifts life bestowed upon me.” She said, tapping her horn for emphasis.
“Just so you know, if you die – I'm going to kill you.” The charcoal grey mare warned as he ran off to join the line of other Unicorns. She followed after him, taking a position closer to the front and more closer to harm's way. Her spells required a good degree of line of sight to be effective.
 
Anonmare Anonmare Avedon Avedon Cyan Hide Cyan Hide Dumbledoof Dumbledoof Assailant Assailant NevermoreStarsign NevermoreStarsign Latios Latios Sinensis Sinensis Wylfen Shepard Wylfen Shepard
The air was still and not a sound whispered from either army as the sun began to rise. Both sides had seen bloodshed during the past few months, but the rising sun always brought with it a fear set into both armies. With each rising sun, there was one simple question on every soldiers mind; 'will I die this day?'.

Ever so slowly, the black of night was replaced by the orange and yellow light of day. As the sun rose, the massive griffon army came into view for the majority of the pony soldiers. Even with all of the fighting that had already taken place, the griffons still numbered over one million strong. Their army stretched out as far as the eye could see. Each griffon was relatively poorly equipped, usually wearing no more than leather and using some kind of feeble weapon, but their number alone made them a terrifying force. Plus they were generally stronger and tougher than a pony, despite being of similar size.

As the last of the darkness faded away, the two armies shuffled slightly in anticipation. You could have cut the tension in the air with a blade.

... And then a rallying cry came up from the griffons, and they began to charge as one. The majority of their army was land-based right now, simply because their wingspan made charging while flying next to impossible without bumping into one another. A large portion of the military stayed back in order to assist from the air.

"Ponyville will not fall this day! Take no prisoners!" Came the rallying cry from Princess Luna, who took a defensive position with her shield out in front of herself. Beside her in the thousands were earth and crystal ponies, each equipped with metal armor, a spear, a shield and a sword for close quarters.

The griffon horde was quickly advancing. The ground shook with the size of their military, almost like an earthquake. "Unicorns... Open fire!" Princess Luna commanded, at which point the war wizards in the back lines began to lob destructive spells over the ranks of Equestrian soldiers and into the charging griffons. Explosions of fire and crackling electricity burst into the griffon lines, killing hundreds. The Lunar Goddess sent in her own spells, blasts of cold that left a dozen griffons turned to ice with each spell... Yet it felt like every griffon that fell caused two more to appear.

The line of griffons quickly closed in. "Brace yourselves!" Princess Luna cried out, moments before the griffon army clashed with their own.

The sound of griffon bodies slamming into Equestrian shields was nearly overwhelming. The griffons momentum made the front Equestrian lines skid back on their hooves nearly 3 feet, though not many Equestrians were killed in that clash. There was a moment of silence as the Equestrians came to a sliding halt... And then all Tartarus broke loose. The Equestrian front lines began to slam their shields into the griffons and stab with their spears from behind the safety of their shields.

The griffons which stayed behind now took to the air and were met with fierce resistance by the Pegasi in the skies. That was a more brutal and chaotic conflict as in the air, ranks were quickly outflanked and adapted. It was a chaotic yet strangely beautiful sight.

(Music for the fight: )

Latios Latios
Galagus could certainly serve well by simply throwing fire magic into the enemy hordes. There would come a point soon where the pegasi would have to retreat, and some griffons would land in the city. When that happened, his phoenix would be invaluable in hunting them down.

There was also a large group of patients making their way over to the train station, led by Trixie. They would need help when the griffons attacked from the sky...

Dumbledoof Dumbledoof
"Will do!" Was Luna's only reply. Had they been fighting a magical race, her mental defenses wouldn't have allowed any telepathy... But luckily, griffons were not magical. But right now she was a bit busy on the front lines and couldn't much answer his replies.

Dumbledoof Dumbledoof
Cyan Hide Cyan Hide
Trixie turned to Starlight and simply nodded. "Yes, yes hello Star! I do actually need something of you. Both of you!" She said while pointing at Expellix too. "We are too valuable to be here. Instead, we will have another job. We will escort each group of patients to the train, and keep them safe before it arrives. The trains are equipped with defenses, but right now the griffons will be able to dive bomb in. Our magical talents will be helpful in keeping them safe! The train station is completely under guard right now, but there are no unicorns stationed there."

The first group of patients was quickly assembled and ready to go. Trixie was leading them across to the train station, and the train should be here in an hour. It was a 15 minute walk from here. Were Star and Expellix going to join her to keep the patients safe?

Wylfen Shepard Wylfen Shepard
It wasn't long before the fighting in the air between griffons and pegasi reached a chaotic frenzy. Pegasi and griffon bodies fell from the sky, littering the streets with blood, gore and lifeless husks. A group of three griffons broke away from the fighting and flew into town, looking around for victims before spotting Cassian. They charged...

Sinensis Sinensis
As the first wave of griffon troops slammed against the Equestrian soldiers, Princess Luna simply chuckled at his comment. When the pushing finally stopped, she slammed her shield out and sent the griffon in front of her flying backwards nearly 20 feet, taking out a number of his companions on the way. "I no longer have doubts..." She muttered to him in passing as yet more griffons flooded in front of them. Luna's gleaming silver armor was quickly speckled with griffon blood, and a bit of her own as the griffons managed to get in lucky cuts.

NevermoreStarsign NevermoreStarsign
Arcus came into contact with the group of patients that Trixie was leading from the hospital. "Greetings!" The cyan colored mare said happily while looking up into the sky. It was only a manner of time before some griffons broke away. "Can you fight?" She asked while they group made their way to the train station. "The griffons will come for these injured patients. We need to defend them."

Anonmare Anonmare
With their place in the back lines, there wasn't much for Lucian to do. He had no knowledge of offensive magic... But Adali would certainly be able to help! Lucian simply focused on healing any Equestrians he saw get injured. "If I die, just let me rest in peace. No deals with devils to bring me back!"
 
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Upon the noise for the clash Galagus immediately drew fire to his horn from a nearby sorce. It stayed there as he ran to where Flax had seen the enemy appear. Once he was at the front lines he let the fire spew from his horn, an endless flamethrower brining all in front of him. Flax also began to help. By igniting his body in flames, he speed through the middle of the enemy forces. It left burns on whoever it touched but te important factor was the well of fire it had created. Now the ground troops were cut in half from each other. He flames would go out soon, but for the time being it left the sheer numbers on the ground easier to deal with.
 
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Glad that his message had gotten through to Luna, he refocused on his task at hand. It wasn't going to be a cakewalk getting all of the injured ponies to the trains unscathed - especially since he just heard the yells of battle. They were deafening to him, and he wasn't even there yet! He could doubly feel the vibrations in the ground from all of those bodies running across the ground nearby. That was a bit frightening, but if he was anything, he was brave.

He turned around when he was suddenly addressed by Trixie again. "Huh?" He uttered smartly. After listening for a moment, he nodded, his face steeling. "Of course! Let's hurry before they can attack any of the groups that have already gone."

With that, he quickly began making his way through until he was at what he deemed an 'optimal' position for himself. His ears were raised, pricked, and listening intently to the sound of wings. There was a distinct difference in sound between a griffon's and a pegasi's, oddly enough. He was watching the sky as the dogfight in it began. Pegasi and griffon's of all kinds dropping out of it, wounded, most likely dying instantly upon impact with the ground. Unfortunately, there was nothing he could do about that.

When one of the griffon's manage to make it through the swathe of flyers to the group of injured, they immediately dived towards them, blades or just their talons poised to strike. He never got the chance. Expellix caught him in a telekinetic group and threw him harshly to the dirt, head first, knocking that particular griffon out cold, leaving them to be finished off by whoever saw fit. His eyes and paws glowed with magical energy.

"Eyes peeled, everybody!" He yelled. "That's only the first of the company we're going to get soon! Keep them off anyone that's hurt!" He could really use something sharp right now...
 
The sound of a powerful clash from both colliding bodies of the combatants. The dragon felt the impact hit him all the way into his belly before his ears began hearing the roaring of both armies tearing into one another through flesh and steel. For now all he could do is watch from up top the roof of the hospital. He knew it wasn't a wise idea standing out there like a sitting duck, yet he had his own reasons. Out in the corner of his eye, he spots a large group of patients being escorted out the building, head right for the train station. Just then, he heard a clash and cry of a griffon from the air. A line of griffons began descending from the skies as they began to knock themselves right into the fray of the pegisi guard. He nearly hesitated from the horrific sight of the lifeless bodies dropping like flies and into the dirt of the town.

He sees a griffons preparing to divebomb toward a guard from behind when his hands quickly reacted to it's movements. Quickly, he brought the arrow of his bow back and let his eyes and instincts do the aiming. In that moment, his arrow immediately flew into the griffon's wing, causing it to stagger, miss its target, and crash at neck breaking speed into the side of a building. "Nice", he smirked. His bow training with Zahiri actually came through as always. Along with his keen dragon sight that helps him aim at long range. He started following up his next several shots by helping some of the guards gain advantage in their aerial conflicts. He mainly went for the wings and sometimes the torso area for more surface. His attempts where rewarded with several griffon's wings shot through, causing some to fall or lose balance in staying in the air before getting nailed by the Pegasus they were facing. A few others would have ended up with an arrow to the lung or the throat.

While the draconic archer prepared to load up his next shot in helping the Pegasi, his ears heard a loud squawk along with the breaking of wind. His attention direct toward a group of three griffons breaking away from the fight and charging right at him. "Here they come...", he mutters to himself, aiming his shot at them now. He knew it was a matter of time before he was spotted. They were part eagle after all. However, Cass had this planned out. In that moment, Cass let his arrow fly at them, regardless of assuring it would hit them or not. With him standing on top of the hospital, he had to make sure the first thing the griffon would see was his hooded figure firing them down with his arrows. He had to get them to believe he was guarding the hospital so so the enemy couldn't get in. But what he was actually doing was gaining their attention so the group of patients could have enough time to escape on the train.

Their speed and momentum would undoubtedly have the dragon skewered into their spears, yet he remained still bracing for impact. Once the bladed tips of the spear where at arms reach, the young dragon would quickly duck his head down to avoid the tips. He would quickly raise back up with fast timing with the aid of his keen eyes, reach out, grabbing the spear of the griffon in the middle and would forcefully jerk it right off the handle the spear, stealing it's weapon as it flew to the other side. As Its body would fling over Cass, it would crash right into the concrete surface of the hospital roof with a hard impact from the combination of its momentum and Cassian's strength of his powerful yank.

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Starlight nodded, in a slightly better mood now that she saw Trixie wasn't angry at her, or at least to busy to be angry at her right now, and if she helped her out now, any ill feelings might have gone by the time they reached the trains. "Of course, Trixie! Any way I can be useful until the front line's broken, and I'll take it!"

She then turned to Expellix and offered her hoof. "I don't think we've met before. I'm Starlight Glimmer, Princess Twilight's student. Nice to meet you!"

As they headed out, escorting the group consisting of the young and the sick, Starlight scanned the skies. Most Griffins were preoccupied but she was one in the sky that had seen them and was advancing towards them. Even in war, Starlight knew she'd have the good grace to let them save the lives of the vulnerable before she fought them. She definitely wouldn't have targeted them. The griffin was far enough away that it wouldn't be a concern for a minute or two, but Starlight wasn't going to wait until then. With no warning, she teleported to in the air, above the Griffin. When it opened it's mouth in surprise, she fired a red, glowing magical ball into it's mouth, then immediately teleported straight back to Trixie's side. The whole process took less than two seconds, and Starlight quickly glanced over at the Griffin as it fell to earth, screaming, it's skull burning from the inside out.
 
Dreamweaver Dreamweaver
Arctic nods.
"That depends on what you mean by that! I can't exactly swing a sword or hold up a shield, but I can do this!"
Arctic's eyes narrow a little bit, and little flames spontaneously combust around her head. Arctic, notably, has no horn to conventionally do this sort of thing.
"Lead the way, I can cover our butts with a firewall!"
 
Dreamweaver Dreamweaver
Tech would simply nod in reply, not entirely sure if she'd seen it or not, as he made himself busy with his own sword and shield, holding one back with a shield and thrusting at them with a sword. He'd quickly duck below a shoddy looking spear that was aimed at where his head was a moment earlier, replying with a concussive blast in the direction of his assailant, returning to holding the shield in front of him, slicing and stabbing at the masses in front of him and blocking as several stabs and slices were aimed at him at any one time, headed his way with varying degrees of success.

Of course, the sheer amount of griffon soldiers, constantly filling in any spots where others have fallen made it hard to hold his position, the constant assault from all directions had already left him scratched and dented a few places where he'd failed to defend himself, though the armor proved to be useful as it helped block a majority of attacks that passed his defense. Between swings and whenever he had the chance, he'd let off a few blasts into the crowd, though there still seemed to be endless amounts of them. If he was a normal pony, he'd have no doubt that he'd be exhausted by now, but he fought on, determined to hold the line and defend the injured ponies in the town.
 
Dreamweaver Dreamweaver
Celestia was far below the front-lines and knew that the act of raising the Sun, she had silently signed uncountable numbers of death warrants for many Ponies and Griffons – The majority of whom wanted no part in this and to simply live their lives in peace, but, the ambitions of those in power had placed them in harm's way. Canterlot only had a skeleton garrison working it, everypony else was out at Ponyville and the only input she had from it were what her sister could tell her, and the messages from observers to the Generals who would counter with their own messages.
The Sun Goddess had sought to end this whole bloody affair peacefully but the price of peace without war was too high to accept, not without also dirtying her conscience. Perhaps it was selfish of her but...
She couldn't help but preoccupy herself with the fact her sister was on the front lines, silently wishing it was her and not Luna that lead the charge.

Meanwhile, miles away...

Adali saw the mass of Griffon bodies move like a tidal wave of devastation, feathered bodies meeting Equestrian shield and even the toughest shield-bearers struggled against the sheer weight. But regardless they held, despite the Griffons' best efforts and the charge was repelled by spear on the ground, and Pegasi in the sky. It was an organised chaotic mess of shouting, clashing metal and screaming but the red-maned Unicorn hardly noticed it at all really, simply focusing on her own spellcasting.
Lucian's voice broke through the cacophony, everything else seemingly becoming naught but drowned out background noise like the rushing water of a waterfall. “I make no promises!” She simply smugly shouted back as she conjured a medium-sized fire elemental into existence; the burning sentient flame roaring like a blazing fireplace as it swatted aside any Griffon not quick enough to fly out of the way. It took no small amount of willpower to keep it under control and to keep it on this plane, as well as ensure it did not harm her fellow Equestrians - as is the want of a flame to consume all it could.
 
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For the moment, Equestria was holding their ground. The earth and crystal ponies on the front lines were doing an incredible job of keeping the griffons at bay, killing twice, three times and sometimes even four times their numbers before succumbing to their wounds. Crystal ponies especially proved to be extremely valuable as front line fighters. Their crystalline bodies made it nearly impossible for piercing and slashing weapons, like griffon claws, to really hurt them. Only blunt weapons seemed to do any damage.

But there was no telling how long this would last. The griffons numbers were far too great to hold in a position like this. And while the front lines were doing well, they couldn't keep this up forever. Soon enough the carnage would spill into the streets and then it would be a brutal chaotic frenzy, until it was time for the moon to rise and the griffons once again made their retreat.

The chaotic clash of steel and screams of pain stopped when the sound of a loud horn tore through the air. For the moment, everything was still and quiet. Directly following the sound of the horn was a louder chugging sound, and the train meant to carry the injured appeared on the horizon.

This thing was fast. It'd be to the station in under 15 minutes.

And then the fighting broke out again, but more intensely this time. The pegasi in the air were putting up a good fight, but they were simply overwhelmed and couldn't do much to combat the hordes of griffons. "Pegasi, fall back to the station!" Came Luna's cry from the front lines. The pegasi disengaged from the griffon hordes and sped back to the station. They were far faster than the griffons and made it there in but a few minutes.

The pegasi took their places in front of the station and around the air surrounding it. While the earth and crystal ponies held the front lines, they would fight the griffons who no-doubt would dive-bomb into the station in order to kill the injured who took refuge there. The unicorns would assist both sides where they could with their magic.

Anonmare Anonmare
Lucian couldn't just sit like this, he needed to do something. "Adali, come with me!" He said while grabbing the mare and forcibly yanking her away. His plan was to go assist at the train station; there was more than enough soldiers at the front lines here, that the two of them wouldn't make a massive difference. But at the station? Well, that was only pegasi and a handful of unicorns stationed there.

As the two run towards the train station, two griffons land in front of them. "Finally..." Lucian muttered while drawing his greatsword and charging at the first one. The griffon was not prepared for that and raised the handle of its spear to block. The enchanted greatsword cut straight through the wooden handle and deep into the griffons neck, killing it nearly instantly.

The second griffon turned to slash at Lucian, catching him just on the shoulder but not overly badly.

Sinensis Sinensis
Princess Luna looked over at Tech, and was impressed with what she saw. He was holding his own on the front lines, but she knew he'd be better suited somewhere else. She reached out and spoke with him mentally, as not to alert any griffons around; and also because it was difficult to hear in the chaotic clamor. "You can hold your own well, but we need you more at the train station. It will soon be attacked and has only pegasi to defend it. Meet me there." She said, before vanishing in a puff of smoke.

Latios Latios
... And the Princess reappeared beside Galagus! That wall of fire had certainly caught her attention and she intended to make the most of him and his phoenix. Since they were further away from the fighting and it wasn't quite so loud, Luna could speak normally rather than use telepathic communication. "I'm impressed by what I've seen you accomplish so far. If you could please go to the train station on the other end of town, we could use you and your phoenix's abilities to defend that location." And with that, she disappeared as abruptly as she had shown up.

Wylfen Shepard Wylfen Shepard
The one griffon was just dead. It was flipped onto the building at a very quick speed and simply broke its back from the impact. The other two however, were ready to avenge their fallen comrade. They circled Cassian, one landing on each side of him, and then stabbed at either side of him in unison.

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Trixie grimaced at what Starlight just did to the griffon. Trixie had done far worse in her time as a necromancer, but it wasn't really the act that made Trixie uncomfortable, it was how casually Starlight had done it. "Could you perhaps... Be a bit more civil next time? A lightning bolt or something would do just fine, you don't have to torture the thing to death..." the cyan colored mare said with a shake of her head and a frown.

Right now, Trixie didn't comment on Arctic's use of magic without a horn or Expellix's impressive telekinetic kill. They had far more pressing things on their mind. They needed to get these patients to the train station, still 10 minutes away, and with the horn having signaled its arrival that meant it was very close to arriving at the station.

As they all walked, another griffon landed in front of them. This one was wearing full plate armor and looked a lot tougher than the others.

... Princess Luna appeared in a cloud of darkness beside the griffon, before promptly slapping it upside the head, breaking its neck in the process. She watched it fall, and then looked at the group. She nodded at Expellix and Starlight. "Greetings you two. Hello, new pony." She said to Arctic with a salute. "We have to get to the train station immediately. That train will be here in under 15 minutes. Move out!"
 
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Expellix had been spending the rest of his time after dealing with that one griffon unmaking sure they didn't leave any stragglers behind. As in, ponies that were having trouble keeping up. His goal was to make sure that they saved every pony that they could, which meant they had to get everypony to the station in time before it got there and then left. This was probably going to be close and the griffin's would be pushing hard to reach the station. He imagined it was going to be close.

He had to deal with a couple more griffons that didn't get the memo that it was unwise to try and attack the station currently. One was left burning alive by just simply being tossed into a fire, another one had tried to shoot an arrow at him. It now had a very wooden and blunted horn with little feathers at the end, perfect use of an object with a pointy end. The next one he didn't really see where it went, a pegasus got it and knocked them down somewhere.

When he thought he fit them all, he paused when Luna appeared and then bitch slapped the griffon in armor. He chuckled. "Hello, Luna. I heard." That horn was really loud. He moved past her in the direction of the station. "They're breaking through the dogfight in the air really quickly. We'll have a ton of new friends that wish to put our heads in pikes. We need to hurry these guys along, not much time left."

An arrow embedded itself in the ground next to Expellix. He glanced at it, a little surprised. Without a moment's notice, though, he pulled it out telekinetically, looked at the sky behind him for a griffon, and hurled it at them. He managed to hit that one in the leg with it. "So do you have any plans for the fight at the station, Princess?"
 
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A loud snap was heard as the Griffon Cass knocked down went limp like a dead branch. Knowing that the first of the three assailants has met it's end, he directs his gaze at the remaining two encircling him. And they did not look happy. Preparing for the next assault, he remains in position while staying on guard with his spear held up. In that moment, he hears the sound of a train born booming across the town. The train picking up the injured has finally arrived at the Nick of time. But this also brought up another problem. The enemy is now gonna direct thier attention toward the train station. So much for the plan on guarding an empty hospital to keep the enemy's attention. Suddenly another sound was heard. This time it was a voice. A female voice with a booming echo, making itself known to be strong and authorities, as it gave orders to the Pegasi to guard the train station. He didn't know who it was, but that voice had the right idea. Clearly she must be unicorn captain making orders through a sound amplifying spell or something. Yet unbeknownst to the young dragon, the voice actually belong to somepony higher. Much higher.

While hearing that voice, he kept his focus on the two Griffons getting ready to strike him from both sides. They must have noticed he was slightly distracted from the voice and found the opportunity to impale him from both sides.

Fortunately for thier target, this was actually an advantage for him. With thier movements in sync on both sides, he quickly backsteps and avoids the thrust of the bladed heads of the spears. He quickly drops and swipes the entire length of his spear into the one on the right, causing the Griffon to trip. This would potentially make the Griffon tumble forward completely off balance and accidently drive thier spears into each other.
 
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