>The ride to Canterlot was calm for the most part. 
>There were a few bandits who had put on their big boy pants that day, but they had been taken care of by the security detail.
>Now you find yourself in Canterlot. 
>A large city filled with ponies who seem to take offense at your ensemble of tattered adventure wear and bandages.
>Oh well, you have things to do. First of which needs to be a way to clean up.
>You find a spa not far from where the wagon dropped you off that is within your budget.
>They offer to fix your clothing while you are taken care of, and as it's not too expensive, you take them up on the offer.
>As you sink into the tub you can't remember the last time you felt relaxed. 
>Sitting there, you find yourself thinking about Echo.
>You try to convince yourself that she's okay.
>They probably had the best doctors in Equestria here.
>You shake off those thoughts before you get too worried.
>Finishing up your bath, the spa ponies bring in your cloths.
>They have done a fine job, although they smell a little too feminine now.
>Oh well, better than what they smelled like before.
>You leave, giving them thanks and a tip, as you head towards the hospital.
>It wasn't hard to find, thankfully, and you go up to the front desk.
>The nurse at the counter seemed happier than most nurses you've met, must be new.
"Hi, can you tell me where this pony is?
>You hand the nurse Echo's old Guard ID tag.
>She looks it over and leafs through their records.
>"Are you a relative of the patient?"
>Yep, she's new. Clearly you're not, guess she doesn't know what else to ask.
"No, but I'm a friend and was really hoping to see her."
>She gives you back Echo's tag and points to a waiting room.
>"I'm sorry, sir. Only family is permitted in at this point, if you want you can wait here we'll call you when visitation is allowed."
"How long is that going to be? Is she alright?"
>The nurse looks through another pile of papers.
>"She was in bad condition when she arrived, and is still in intensive care. It could be a few hours or even days. There is no way to know, I'm sorry."
>It felt like you just got punched.
>That is not what you had wanted to hear. 
>You thank the nurse and step outside.
>As you stand there wondering what to do, a Royal Guard pony walks up to you.
>"Are you Anon?"
>You nod, unnerved with having the Royal Guard looking for you.
>"Could you come with me, we have some questions."
>You follow him, not as if you had a choice.
>Looking back over your shoulder at the hospital, you get a bad feeling.
"I'll be back, Echo. I promise."

>You find yourself in a dark room with nothing more than a table and a flickering light.
>Could they be anymore cliche?
>The door opens, and a pony enters.
>He's not wearing armor, but has a badge with a symbol you don't recognize. 
>Not really surprising though, you don't know all of Equestria's various organizations.
>"Rough going up in those mountains I hear. Handled yourself well for someone who just showed up out of nowhere.
>Great, this is starting to sound like it will be very unpleasant. 
>"Turns out little is known about you, and despite your appearance you don't attract much attention."
>Why does the universe enjoy validating your bad feelings?
>"I've read your discharge papers, and we have a job we'd like you to take care of."
"Sorry, but before I do anything else I have to see Echo."
>"Echo? Oh yes, the scout that was sent in for medical treatment. She is still under close watch from what I understand."
>You have to be careful, they can still call you in and order you to do this. 
>Need to come up with a reason to postpone whatever crazy job they have.
"I'm not agreeing anything to right now, but what is this job?"
>He slides a folder over to you, it's filled with maps and pictures. 
>"We need something recovered. It is very important that it is returned, but if we send in the Guard we would have to acknowledge that it was stolen. That's why we need you."
>He has you flip open the folder to the bookmarked piece of paper.
>It's a map of the Griffin kingdom, and it has a picture clipped to it.
>Looks to be a gold amulet with jewel inlays.
>"That is an important antiquity from very early in Equestria's history. We can't let anyone know it was taken without showing weakness, so you have to go in and get it for us. With your appearance, no pony would suspect you of being one of our agents."
>This is ridiculous, first you get drafted and now they want you to play their little shadow game.
>You think for a moment, and hope they buy what you are about to shovel. 
"Fine, but I'm not going anywhere without Echo. She knows more about covert operations than I do, and I'll need help with this mission."
>The pony scratches his neck, and seems to be trying to stare right through you.
>"I'll tell you what I can do, I can give you a few days to think about it. We'll pay for you to stay at the Econo Stable hotel, it's close to the hospital, and after a few days we will come for our answer. Good day Anon, and please give this serious thought."
>With that you were ushered back outside. 
>You walk around the city for what seems like hours before sitting down on a park bench.
>What are you going to do?

>This hotel sucks. 
>You can see why they were willing to pay for you to stay here. 
>It's been about three days. 
>Echo is still touch and go, and you haven't heard anything from the pony with the badge.
>You've been over the dossier over and over, and it seems simple enough.
>You would meet an informant in a border town, then be taken to where the relic is being kept.
>Then it's as easy as getting it and getting out.
>However, things such as this always have a way of going sour.
>That, and something is gnawing at you. Something is off about this whole thing.
>Nothing in the file says what the relic is, who stole it, or why it's so important.
>You take a look at the clock, just about time for visitation at the hospital.
>The last two days you've been at Echo's bedside for as long as they let you stay.
>She hasn't woken up yet, and doesn't seem to be getting much better. 
>There was no way she was going to get better in time for this little errand, not that you expected it to work out that way.
>Just a stalling tactic that didn't pan out, you never could think of a plan.
>As you ready yourself to go see Echo, you hear a knock at the door.
>You open the door, and what do you know, it's the pony with the badge.
>"Afternoon, Anon. I hope I'm not interrupting anything."
>Bullshit, he knows exactly what he's doing.
>"Might I come in?"
>You stand aside to let him in, then hang your coat up and sit down.
>"We've given you all the time we can, we need an answer now."
"Doesn't seem that I have much of a choice here, but I need more information."
>He looks out the window.
>"You have all you need to know. Just be prepared to leave within the hour."
>He walks to the door, and tosses a ticket on the table.
>"You wouldn't want to miss your ride, now would you?"
>After he leaves, you're left with many feelings.
>The most prominent is the urge to sock him right in the face.
>You sigh to yourself, they've got you by the balls on this one.
>You pack, grab the ticket, and head out the door.
>Before you catch your ride, you need to make a few stops.

>When you get back you are going to have a few choice words for that badge wearing dick.
>You had naively thought you would be riding a train, but no, that would have been comfortable.
>You find yourself riding in the back of a long wagon filled with bat pony gypsies. 
>Not they aren't good company, it's just the ride is aggravating your wounds. 
>Some of which had almost healed.
>The one driving said they have a boat to take them to the Griffin Kingdom as part of their yearly round the world road trip.
>They have made this trip many times before and are known to the griffins.
>Despite the rough ride, the ponies are very amiable towards you.
>Especially after one recognized you.
>Turns out some had relatives in the Equestrian Guard, and had visited them while in Canterlot.
>They had made mention of a crazy biped who braved the mountains to save a bat pony.
>That's all it took for them to consider you family. 
>At first they wanted to know all about you, and you told them as much as they wanted.
>After a while, you began to ask some questions of your own. 
>You were curious, because Echo never liked to talk much about herself.
>The first thing you noticed was that some of them had accents.
>They reminded you of old vampire movies, but were less cheesy and more subtle.
>It also turns out the old tale of bat ponies sucking ponies dry in the dead of night was a complete falsehood. 
>Bat ponies had a very varied diet, depending on which line they took after the most.
>Some ate mostly fruits, and sometimes vegetables.
>Others ate meat, and some even ate insects. Though insects were an acquired taste apparently. 
>They even confided in you that some did drink blood, but it was a more intimate thing nowadays, not related to feeding.
>It was a sign of closeness between ponies and was not done lightly.
>Though the ones that have tried it love it, they say it's like drinking wine.
>Every pony has a unique and evolving flavor. It depends on mood, appetite, and a multitude of other variables. 
>You learn that they have a very rich history that dates back before Celestia and Luna's reign.
>They have been warriors, poets, travelers, artisans, intellectuals, and even a few politicians.
>Unfortunately, ever since the Nightmare Moon incident they have been viewed with contempt and distrust.
>The only reason being that they were sworn to Luna during the incident. 
>Ever since they have taken to wandering, as most ponies still harbor feelings of mistrust due to ignorance.
>Funnily enough, the smaller towns have been more accepting after Luna's return.
>You reach the boat just before sundown, and prepare yourself for the long journey.
>As you get ready to load your bags, a little bat filly trots up to you.
>She is clearly nervous, and stammers out something about her big sister and a thank you.
>She lays something at your feet before scampering off to her parents.
>Something was familiar about that little pony.
>Picking up the parcel, you untie it and remove the wrapping.
>It was a scarf, of a beautiful and deep violet. It had the initials G.S. embroidered in gold.
>As you unfolded it, a letter fell out.
>You pick it up and read it.
>"Dear Anon, You are one hell of a fighter for such a funny looking thing. Thanks for the letter, hope to see you again one day.  Glitter Shine."
>You can't help but grin, it was good to know she was okay. 
>And now you had a piece of clothing that was actually nice to look at.
>Wrapping the scarf around your neck, and pocketing the letter, you haul your luggage on board.
>Maybe things will turn out okay this time.

>You hate boats, you hate water, and you hate rain.
>At least you've reached to shores of the Griffin Kingdom.
>As you stagger down the plank, trying not to throw up again, you thank Celestia that the ride is over.
>You follow the bat ponies as they make their way inland.
>The leader knows where you are to meet with your contact, it's only a little ways off from the village they will be staying at.
>Despite the fact it was almost midnight, none of the bat ponies had any trouble navigating the darkness.
>You, on the other hand, was bumping and stumbling into every branch and bush on the trail.
>You could hear the little fillies and colts giggling at you.
>Even some of the adults were having a hard time not laughing.
>Eventually your night vision gets off its ass, and you can make your way without running into everything.
>You make it to the village at what you estimate to be three in the morning.
>The leader, whose name is Dusky Breeze, says you should just stay with them tonight. 
>The contact won't be available at this hour.
>You concede and accept the generous offer.
>All of the beds are taken up in the hotel, so you make due in the wagon, despite some generous offers from some of the bat ponies.
>You settle in and try to get as much sleep as you can.
>Your sleep is restless for most of the night, but at least the last stretch was comfortable.
>As the roosters wake you, you notice a small warm lump snuggling up to you.
>Moving the blanket away you see the little filly who had given you the scarf, Glitter Shine's sister.
>You smile, and carefully get up and tuck her back in. 
>Dusky walks up behind you, careful to be as quiet as possible.
>"Looks like you have a new friend there. She sees you as a brother because of what her sister told her about you."
>It's sweet, too bad you can't stay with these ponies longer. 
>"Come on, I need to get you to where you're going."
>You grab your things and follow Dusky into the woods.
"So what do you know about this informant?"
>"Not much, just where he is and that I need to get you to him. I didn't ask for details."
>You can't blame him, if the Griffins found out any of this, all of the bat ponies could be at risk.
>He must have been pulled into this like you were, left without any options.
>You reach a clearing with a log cabin, and Dusky turns to leave.
>"You'll find whoever it is in there. Just promise me one thing, don't let any pony know I brought you here. For the safety of the children."
>You swear on your life that not matter what happens, no one will know anything about their involvement. 
>Seeming satisfied, he leaves. He is eager to to get his people back on the road, they have many places to be.
>You walk up to the door and knock as you were instructed.
>The door slowly creeks open when you knock, giving you a great view of the darkness inside.
>The place has no windows, and with no candles lit, it is an eerie sight in the daytime.
>You decide to go ahead and enter, when the door swings shut.
>You're left in darkness, wondering just what you are in for now.
>Unknown to you, a pair of bright eyes watch you from the ceiling, unblinking.

>Before you can move any further, you are tackled to the ground.
>You hit the floor hard, and a stitch pops.
>As you lay there, you can feel something sharp pressed into your chest.
>The only thing you take much notice of, however, is two bright glowing eyes.
>The attacker speaks, with a strangely sultry and velvety voice.
>"I want your name and a reason not to turn you into a rug."
>You have to play this carefully, no stupid remarks.
"My name is Anon, and I was sent to reclaim the Golden Talisman. Also, I wouldn't make a very good rug. No fur."
>You are an idiot.
>The weight on your chest lifts off you, and now the eyes are floating just above you.
>"You can stop with the nervous jokes there big guy. I guess that you are the one who is to help me then. I was expecting more."
>The eyes float up to the ceiling, where a lamp is suddenly lit.
>The room is bathed in warm, low light.
>The interior is not what you expected.
>It is beautifully decorated, with exquisitely made furnishings that are full of bright color.
>Delicate bedding with intricate designs, magnificent upholstery on the furniture that repeats the same design. 
>Masterfully crafted chairs, with a matching table. All with amazing carvings of flora and fauna. 
>As you remain awestruck by the lavish furnishings, the owner of the glowing eyes gently returns to the floor.
>She's a bat pony, a very elegant one from the looks of it. She is sporting some kind of blade attached to her front hooves.
>"If you're this easily impressed just by this old furniture, I can't wait to see your face when you see the castle."
>You snap back to reality, feeling somewhat embarrassed.
>You also need a name to go with your new partner.
"We'll see. What's your name, the dossier wasn't very detailed." 
>She flits around your head, clearly having fun at having someone to toy with.
>"Oh you needn't worry about that honey. You can just call me Mistress."
>Well, there's that feeling again. 
>"And you don't have to worry about any of the little details, Mistress has it all under control. We can get going tomorrow, today is for rest."
>She saunters over to the kitchen, brushing her tail under your chin, and pulls a lump of meat from a cooler.
>"Come now, honey. You must be starving, take a seat while I fix this up. We can talk while we eat."
>You still have a strange feeling in your stomach, yeah that's it, stomach.
>Figuring that you are at the whim of this pony, you decide to just go with it.
>Besides, it's been a while since you had a good piece of meat.
>You sit down to take advantage of the generous offer, and try to enjoy the conversation.
>Hoping that it stays professional. 
>Too bad those hopes are quickly dashed.

>You awake the next day feeling refreshed, and still embarrassed from last night.
>You may not know a lot about good manners, but you know that wasn't proper dining conversation.
>At least she didn't try to crawl into bed with you, or kill you in your sleep.
>She was hard to read.
>It turns out the talisman was being held in a castle of a local warlord.
>Mistress says there is an old access tunnel left over from when it was constructed that could be used to enter unseen.
>After that, it would just be a matter of staying hidden.
>Once Mistress wakes up and gets ready, while toying with you the whole time, she leads you out into the forest.
>About an hour into the hike, you get a strange feeling.
>Like you are being watched. 
>And not in the same way as last night when you took a bath. 
>This was menacing, and you could swear you kept seeing blurs out of the corner of your eye.
>Mistress didn't seem to be bothered by anything though, so you just kept going.
>You reach a grass field with a stream you will need to cross. 
>As you are crossing a bridge that seemed to be decades old, Mistress shouts out to you.
>"Get down!"
>It was too late. 
>Before you could react, a griffin had swooped down and grabbed you by its powerful claws and hauled you into the sky.
>Mistress tried to follow, but was blocked by another griffin. It said something, but you could not hear.
>You try to struggle, but it was all for naught. The grip was too tight.
>You begin reaching for your knife, your sword being to large, but you are stopped.
>Stopped by a crack to the head that blacks you out.
>You are jarred awake by an impact with stone.
>Shaking off the blurriness, you can see you are now in a dungeon.
>Magnificent, just the place you were hoping to visit.
>The griffin that had thrown you in was an imposing sort.
>Large, muscular, and looking very unhappy.
"What have I done to be brought here?"
>"Silence! You are in no position to be asking such questions. The chief will see to you soon enough."
>He turns and leaves you alone to imagine what things await for you when you meet this chief.
>Instead, you find your thoughts turning to Mistress. 
>Was she okay, and a more confusing question, why was she left untouched?
>You gaze out the bar filled window, gripping your scarf tightly.
>You think of Echo, and are filled with a gut-wrenching feeling.
>That you may never get to see her smiling face ever again.

>You aren't sure how long you've been down here, but it has at least been a few days.
>Every so often a guard brings you some slop and tosses it in your cell.
>So much for the chief seeing to you soon.
>At first you had held out hope that Mistress was going to try and get you out.
>That thought hadn't taken long to vanish however.
>She didn't know you, and she had no real connection to this operation that you could see.
>All that she was from what you could tell was an expensive guide to the talisman.
>Anymore thoughts you may have entertained were quickly interrupted as a guard entered the dungeon.
>Opening your cell, he grabs you and hauls you out.
"Put me down, I can walk!"
>All that little outburst got you was a punch to the stomach.
>Might be better to just keep quiet for now.
>You are brought to what looks like a throne room.
>Tossed onto the floor like a sack of potatoes, you right yourself as best as you are able.
>Before you is a throne, and sitting upon it was an older griffin.
>He had a crown of bone upon his head, and the tips of his feathers were colored a deep red.
>It matched his brown coloring very well.
>He was an older griffin, but was clearly the most well built of those you had seen thus far.
>His gaze seems to pass right through you, as if you weren't even worth seeing.
>"I have few questions, and if they are answered you may leave unmolested. If you refuse, your will to resist shall be tested. Is this understood?"
>You nod, knowing that he will ask only what you cannot answer.
>"Who sent you?"
"I cannot answer that, sir."
>A nod from the chief has a guard step forward with a wicked looking knife, while two more hold you in place.
>As you are held in place, the griffin with the knife rips your shirt open.
>You return his hate filled stare with one filled with quiet determination. 
>His grin drips with malice as he draws the blade across your chest.
>The blade cuts deep and the wound runs freely with your blood.
>But you do not cry out. You will not give them that satisfaction.
>"Who allowed you to cross into our lands?"
"I cannot answer that, sir."
>Another nod, another cut of the blade. 
>This one was longer, and deeper. The guard was clearly upset at your lack of vocalization.
>You hold back the urge to scream, desperate not to give in.
>"What is it that you are here for, boy?"
>You choke out your reply, it is getting harder to concentrate.
"I cannot answer that, sir."
>The chief gives another nod, but this time the blade is not just drawn across your chest.
>Seeing your stitches, the guard gets an evil glint in his black eyes.
>You are unprepared for what happens.
>He plunges the knife into you, reopening your old wound.
>Unable to be silent, a sharp intake of breath is followed shortly by pain filled moans and grunts.
>"This is your punishment for disobeying me. You will be returned to the dungeon and we will repeat this little play until you are willing to answer my questions."
>With a wave of his claw, you are taken away.
>First to the apothecary, then back into the dungeon.
>It's night, and you can see a full moon through the barred window.
>And you begin to weep.
>Not for the pain, or for whatever fate awaits you, but for Echo.
"Echo, I'm sorry I could never tell you how I felt. I... I love you."
>You pass out into a nightmare fueled sleep, to be tormented by visions of those you care for being ripped away from you.
>Unfortunately, this was only the beginning.

>You've lost all sense of time, having been subjected to the chief's questions so many times.
>Resembling a mummy in places, and butchered meat in others, you wallow in the dungeon waiting for the next questioning.
>Your ability to remain silent during the torture had long since gone. 
>Screams can still be heard echoing throughout the castle, and they only serve to further haunt your dreams.
>At least you are still able to resist answering the questions.
>You have to, for the bat ponies sake.
>The afternoon sun is beaming through the bars in your cell.
>Strange, they usually come for you before now.
>You hear a door swing open, there they are. Late today.
>They open the cell and take you to the apothecary.
>He looks you over and, for some reason, fixes you up.
>You are then taken back before the chief.
>"You have proven an honorable sort, unwilling as you are to betray your own."
>This is not what you expected, then again, maybe he's just tired of you and is going to kill you.
>That's probably it.
>"Our traditions state that I must now give you a chance to free yourself. If you can defeat one of my warriors in single combat, you are free to go."
>Not the best news, but it was better than execution. 
>"Select a weapon from my own keep and I shall call upon your opponent. He is a novice, but in your condition, it would not be fair to pit you against a real challenge."
>That's a little insulting, but the truth is undeniable. You were in rough shape.
>You look over the weapons before you, not many are built for hands your size. They are much to big.
>Eventually you spot a smaller, curved blade that looks to be about the right size.
>Picking it up, and giving it a few practice swings, you choose this blade as your weapon.
>You see the griffin's warrior enter the room, and the two of you are surrounded by the crowd in the great hall.
>He was smaller than many of the others in the hall, but no less muscular.
>Wielding an axe he poses an intimidating figure, but you have been given a chance.
>And you were going to take it.
>The chief enters the circle and speaks to you both.
>"There are no rules save one, if you attempt to leave the circle your life is forfeit. This fight is to the death and there will be no mercy given. You may begin when ready."
>As he steps back out of the ring, the griffin warrior is already upon you.
>He brings his axe down in a mighty swing. 
>You barely manage to sidestep it in time, the axe chipping the stone underneath it.
>As fast as you can manage, you exploit the opening and attempt to slice his arm.
>He takes the hit and simply brushes it off with a sweep of his claw.
>It strikes you and sends you flying, the impact flooding your body with pain.
>Your adrenaline surging, you get up and drop into your stance.
>This will not be the end of you. You will escape. You will see Echo again.
>As he charges, you look for any gap to exploit. 
>He swings, attempting to cut you off at the waist.
>You get inside of his swing and plunge your sword into his abdomen. 
>As he screams in agony, he grabs you by the throat. Lifting you off the ground.
>You squirm in his claws trying to free yourself.
>His claw tightens around your throat, and you vision begins to blur.
>With one last burst of strength, you drive the blade of your sword deeper with a hard kick.
>As the blade pierces deeper into his flesh, he releases his hold on you and you fall to the ground.
>You fumble for something to grab hold of, your hands finding purchase on the axe handle. 
>Pulling yourself up, using the axe to help you, you level the blade over the griffin's neck.
>For a split second a voice seems to scream for you to stop, but it was to late.
>The axe comes down with a brutal crash, separating the young warrior's head from his body.
>As he falls limp, the axe drops from your hands. An overwhelming sense that you had lost something precious overwhelms you.
>It doesn't last long, as your recently opened wounds combined with the draining adrenaline causes you to pass out.
>The crowd is stunned silent. Unable to believe what they just witnessed.
>The chief retrieves his sword, and dismisses the massed griffins. 
>He orders you healed and your possessions returned. 
>You had proven yourself in the eyes of this tribe and lived to tell the tale.