“What are we doing here?” Anvil said as he walked down the streets of Prancy.  Hammer turned to him, and inspecting him over. He placed his spear in the ground and stopped in their tracks.

“Well Hammer, if I must explain to you the hundredth time already, I will repeat myself. We’re at war with the Griffon Empire for several years now, they attacked our ally of Prance and we're here to push them out. We’re winning this war but the people are still being terrorized in this region by the griffons and the town of Prancy is still contested with them. To top that off we must ensure the people are protected and, may I remind you, that it is our sworn duty as the royal guard to defend them and to value their lives above our own. That is why we are here.” Hammer said with confidence to his companion, the latter only raising an eyebrow and giving an unamused look.

“No Hammer, what I mean is, why are we on this patrol? Just look around us, the whole town is abandoned and desolate.” Anvil waved a hoof around them and Hammer inspected their surroundings, indeed the whole town was essentially abandoned and many homes were either burned down or had parts of the roofs missing. Hammer shook his head at his companion.

“Anvil, we are patrolling the area for any signs of the enemy. Lieutenant Quicksilver ordered us to keep watch of this part of town and to make sure no enemy gets past us.” Hammer tried to explain but his friend rolled his eyes.

“Please, spare me that. What we’re doing here is wasting our time.” Anvil said as he moved away from Hammer. “I wished I was back in Canterlot where the mares would swooning at us. I didn’t want to be cooped up in a war.”

“We are not the aggressors here, Anvil. The Griffons are too blamed and we're here to push them back.” Hammer replied back.

“Oh, such patriotism. Such loyalty and charisma. I’m already bored out of my mind already.”
“Shut it Anvil. I don’t want to hear any more of this.” Hammer stated as he tried to move on, but Anvil didn’t move.

“You know, if I was a writer I could make something that makes absolutely no sense that it may be deemed unreadable. You and me would be the main character, Hammer. We can confuse the reader and make the story so outrage or down right stupid that it will be think poorly on by the general audience. In fact, ponies wouldn’t read it at all due to bad grammar or shift tenses that wouldn’t make any sense. It would be a fail from the start and it will all be on you.” Anvil began aggregating and Hammer’s ears went down in annoyance.

“Anvil, be quiet.” Hammer said more firmly, yet Anvil drowned on.

“Oh don’t get me started Hammer. I could see us now, at the end of the line of the mess hall. Two Earth pony guards without a care in the world, and when we finally get to the end of the line tragedy will strike. All of the best dishes are taken and we are left with a few leftovers and using nothing more than wooden spoons to eat up the scraps. Also, in case you are wondering, I’m being sarcastic!”

Hammer turned around and grabbed his friend, pulling at his chest armor.

“Would you shut up and listen!” Hammer almost yelled, giving a stern look to his companion. Anvil blinked several times and took a breath, calming his nerves slightly.

“Hammer, you know I tend to go overboard you know. You should really…” he was cut off when Hammer placed a hoof over his mouth, silencing him.

“Do you hear that?”  Hammer said silently, his ears pointing at a nearby alley way. Anvil moved his ears in the direction of the noise and he too could hear something, a faint whimper. Their training kicking in, they moved cautiously forward, spears at the ready. They entered inside with the spears lowered, the whimpering getting slightly louder and a small voice coming around the corner. Hammer turned to Anvil and nodded to move on. They turned the corner, spears raised, and they froze at the sight. A small thin filly, hiding behind a crate, with fear deep in her eyes.

“It’s a little girl.” Hammer said as he relaxed slightly, staring down at the small white unicorn filly. She had a light pink mane that went down the side of her face and she had violet eyes. The more he stared at her the more frightened she became and she shirked away behind the crate.

“Well what is she doing here? This whole area was supposed to be deserted.” Anvil said as he lowered his spear, yet kept his guard up.

“There good have been stragglers, maybe she got separated.” Hammer suggested yet Anvil only shrugged his shoulders.

“Well what are we supposed to do, take her with us?” Anvil said as he moved forward to her, the filly squeaked slightly and tried to hide behind the crate.

“Anvil, don’t.” Hammer observed, yet Anvil shook his head as he moved closer.

“She’s fine, she has nothing to worry about…” he reached a hoof out to grab hold of her yet expected something else instead. She lunged her head and bit hard onto his hoof. He yelped back in surprise and held his hoof in anger.

“The little runt bit me!” he cursed, ready to pounce, yet Hammer put a hoof in front of him.

“Stop it. You’re scaring her.” Hammer said as he turned to the filly once more and he could clearly see that she was visibly shaking. He slowly approached her, placing his spear on the ground and slowly removed his helmet.

“Easy Hammer, she might turn and bite you.” Anvil warned yet Hammer didn’t listen, instead, he slowly placed his helmet down and allowed his blue mane to hang low over his head.

“It’s okay little one. See, I’m just like you.” He said as he tapped his chest with his hooves. He gave a warm smile and the filly stepped out slightly from behind the crate. His eyes widen in horror to see that her body had little cuts and bruises and he could clearly see her ribs on her sides.

“Poor thing is half starved.” Hammer said as he turned to Anvil. “Hey you still have some rations on you?” He asked, to which eyed him warningly. Without a reply Anvil hoofed in his saddlebag and pulled out an apple, grumbling as he hoofed the apple to his companion. Hammer turned to the filly with the apple in hoof and he offered it to her. She eyed it hungrily, her eyes widening slightly at the food before her. She quickly snatched it up and began devouring it immediately. Hammer could only show pity as the little filly ate through the apple. Every bite she took was pure bliss to her and he could see a bright smile on her face as she finished the small ration. She then pointed her hoof at him.

“Frère. Frère.” She then pointed at Anvil, using the same word. Anvil only shrugged at what it meant but Hammer felt a warm smile tug at his lower lip. The moment soon passed when Hammer was nudged by his partner and he turned to see him staring back out of the alley way.

“Daylight’s burning Hammer. We can’t stay here.” He looked up in the sky and it was already in the afternoon, it would be another hour or so before the sun would go down.

“Oh, so now you care for the mission?”

“No, I just want to get back before the captain decides to ring us in for being late.” Anvil deadpanned as he headed back out of the alley.

“What about the filly? We can’t just leave her.” Hammer stated as he picked up his gear and followed him out.

“Look, she can’t understand us and she should be fine on her own. She’ll probably run into some of her neighbors or something before this town is secured. Besides, it’s best that the people stay out of our way.” Anvil stated to which Hammer could only shake his head at him.

“That’s low Anvil. We’re supposed to help everypony, not push them aside.”

“Yeah, well I’m more interested in keeping us alive. Since we’re already deep in enemy territory and we don’t know if they are watching us so having more numbers will make us out. Now let’s get this over with.” Anvil began walking down the road again. Hammer sighed and turned back to the alley way, and saw that the filly was standing right behind him, her eyes inspecting him curiously. He could only give a small smile before saying sorry to her. He then turned and followed his companion down the main road, a feeling regret going through him as he walked on. It was only when he started hearing tiny footsteps behind him that his heart was at ease.

                                                                                                 ****

“She’s following us.” Anvil stated as he and Hammer kept on walking down the road. For the past ten minutes the little filly kept following them, hiding behind the nearest cover of debris or empty crates before moving on to a new location.

“I know Anvil. Just keep moving on.” Hammer stated as he kept his pace. Anvil narrowed his eyes at him and turned his attention to the filly. When he did she quickly hid behind a crate to avoid his gaze.

“Oh great Hammer, that’s wonderful. Now we have a young filly that were going to have to look out. All because you offered food. What consequences will be brought on us I wonder?”

“Oh shut up Anvil. She’s not a liability, she’ll need food and proper lodgings when we get back. We could also try and find her parents, if they are alive that is.” Hammer said as he kept his attention forward.

“Yeah, but that is a big if, and I don’t see why we have to… where did she go.” Anvil asked and the two stopped to and saw nothing behind them. The filly was nowhere to be seen. Hammer eyed the surroundings, and worry began to build inside him.

“Ici… frère.” A soft voice came from behind them and the two turned to see the tiny filly standing right in front of them. Hammer could see a small smile on her face and her tail shook slightly. His smile grew and he lowered himself until he was in front of her.

“Now how did you get in front of us?” he said as he raised a hoof and booped her nose. She giggled slightly and Anvil breathed heavily in annoyance.

“Great, now we're babysitting a filly that can’t understand us and will not leave our side. This day is going grand.”

“Oh c’mon Anvil. She only wants a friend.” He said as he gave a small smile to the young filly, who was eagerly returning a smile of her own. Anvil could only shake his head in defeat.

“Fine Hammer, but we got to hurry back. Daylight’s burning.” Anvil said as he turned to head back in the other direction. Hammer went to follow but was stopped when he felt a pull from his leg. He looked down to the little filly who was already running off into an alley.

“Suivre frère. Suivre.” She said as she went into the alley.

“Wait! Come back! That area is not safe.” He went to go after her but Anvil quickly shouted back.

“Hammer! You can’t go in there!”

“I’m not going to leave her here!” Hammer yelled back and headed directly into the alleyway. Anvil only slapped a hoof to his head and followed after his companion.

“I’m just trying to keep you alive!” Anvil said as he caught up with Hammer, the two keeping pace as they ran through the alleyway. They watched as the little filly scrambled in and around obstacles that got in her way and easily maneuvered the large debris that was in her way. Despite her thin body that was malnourished she was quite a runner. Hammer and Anvil kept on following her, kept yelling for her to stop. She did not listen and just kept going.

Where is she taking us? Hammer thought as he picked up his speed and leapt over a large crate, slowly closing the distance to the filly. After several more minutes of running the exited the maze of alleys and the filly stopped dead center in a three way street. Hammer and Anvil caught up behind her, panting slightly from the distance but were otherwise okay. Anvil looked around and cursed under his breath at their predicament. Hammer only chuckled as he went to the fillies’ side.

“Heh, you gave us a scare little one. You’re quite a runner.” He said, knowing that she didn’t understand him. He raised a hoof and gently patted her on the head. Yet she did not respond to his touch, not right away at least. Hammer looked at her in concern as Anvil was ranting behind him.

“That’s just great. We’re off the trail and we are unknown territory. Oh curse this bad luck, I should never joined the guard.” Hammer rolled his eyes at his friend’s ridiculous notion. He turned his head and gave his friend an amusing look.

“What’s wrong Anvil. Little tired? Your hooves sore?” Hammer chuckled as Anvil gave him a stern look.

“No! We could be back to camp right now and near an open fire.” Anvil groaned as he lifted his head up in the air. “Oh, what I give to have a happy mare with me right now.” Hammer shook his head at him and went to say something else when he felt another tug at his left hoof. He froze as he looked down at the filly and she was holding onto him. She pulled slightly, pointing a hoof forward, begging to be followed. Instinctively, he followed her. She was walking toward a large house, or what used to be a house. The roof was partially caved in on one end and the house was cracked and stone pieces were lodged out of its foundation. As he followed her he could see strange markings on the side of the house. As he inspected them he couldn’t quite make up what they are, but he got the distinct impression that it was a flower of some sort. As the filly pulled him toward the open doorway he could hear Anvil grumble behind him.

“What are we even doing here.” He said in a low grunt.

Hammer remained silent as the filly entered inside the house. She let go and slowly went into the center of the house. Hammer inspected his surroundings. Most of the place was abandoned with only a few overturned chairs and broken windows. He took off his helmet and rest his spear on the side as he observed the place around him. Anvil did the same, allowing his red mane to follow out on the side of his head. They remained silent and were unsure why they were brought here.

“I could guess that this was her home.” Anvil said as he sat on his haunches, keeping watch of anything outside. Hammer looked at the filly and she remained still, looking up at the hole in the roof of the home. He took a few steps forward towards her when something caught his eye in the other room. He saw a large pile of rubble in the center of the room, most likely from the roof collapsing. When he looked down below the rubble, however, he saw something that he wished he didn’t see. He saw a white hoof underneath the rubble, with dry blood scattered around the base. He swallowed the lump in his throat and took a step back from the sight. A squeak came after when his hoof came down. He looked down to see a small doll of a stallion, a button was missing on its eye. He picked it up and brushed it away the filth around it with his hoof, sending away the dust into the air. He then turned to the filly who was still looking at the hole, and not at the rubble to his side. A pang of guilt hit him and he felt the need to comfort her. He moved forward to her side and offered the doll to her. She turned her head and looked at the toy. She took it out of his hoofs and sat on her haunches, inspecting the doll. Hammer could see her eyes begging to water and a small hiccup was coming from her. She closed her eyes and the tears began rolling down the side of her cheeks.

“Maman. Maman.” She quietly sobbed, hugging the doll close to her chest. Hammer again felt the need to comfort her and he quickly moved in to stand in front of her, placing a hoof onto her shoulder.

“It’s okay. We’re here to help.” He spoke calmly, trying his best to reassure her. He lowered his hoof and sat down as the little filly looked up at him with tear filled eyes. She rubbed a hoof in her eye, wiping away a few tears. Then she went into him and rested her head against his chest, crying once more. Hammer was stunned, unsure of what to do as the filly cried into his chest. He looked at Anvil, who was equally as stunned. Having no best way to respond he simply wraps his hooves around the tiny filly and embraces her in a warm hug. As he continued to embrace her he could feel her tiny body shake, tiny shivers rippled up her as she cried. She spoke softly in her language, muffled by her own tears. Hammer could only hold on as she cried her heart out for her parents. Anvil walked up to both of them and kneeled down until he was at her height. She opened an eye at him as he gave a sympathetic smile.

“We’ll protect you little one. We promise.” Anvil said, feeling easing to showing some affection. The little filly left Hammer’s embrace and went into his. Anvil had his hooves out and he gently patted her back with his hooves, albeit having an unsure expression on his face. As the three remained where they were for several minutes, a strange noise was coming from outside.

“Do you hear that?” Hammer said as he went for his helmet and spear.

“I do.” Anvil gently lets go of the filly as he went for his gear, and quickly peering out the window. He cursed slightly under his breath and hid behind a wall. “Griffons.” He spoke softly as he held his spear to his chest. Hammer joined on the opposite end and peered outside. There were three griffons that were outside in the middle of the street. Two were heavily armed, carrying large halberds, while the one in the middle carried a short sword. The one in the middle wore a light uniform. A he looked at them he could see that they were clearly on the run, but from what, he was not sure. The one in the middle kept speaking softly to the others, he couldn’t pick up what they were saying.

“Mal oiseau frère. Mal oiseau.” He heard her say behind her. He turned around and saw the filly was scared, holding onto her doll and baking up near a corner of the house. He turned to the side and looked out the window, the griffons were still conversing, speaking low, however, they were slowly coming toward the house.

“Frère.” The filly spoke softly and Hammer turned to see her pushing a large rock. Before he could say something to her he notice Anvil backing away from the wall.

“They’re getting closer. We can’t go against that armor, not out in the open.” He said in a low tone, trying to keep himself hidden. Hammer back away from the wall and went to the corner of the room with Anvil and the filly.

“Frère.” The filly spoke again and Hammer looked her in surprise. The large rock she pushed earlier revealed a ladder. She already was climbing down, leaving her doll behind as moved. Both Hammer and Anvil looked at each other before turning back toward the approaching griffons, their voices coming much closer. Without a second thought, they quickly went down the ladder. It was a short descent, but they quickly were down at the bottom. It took one whiff to guess where they were.

“Ah the sewer, now that is just dandy.” Anvil said as he shook his head of the noxious smells. Hammer looked back up the ladder and he could see a shadow just above them.

“We got to move now.” He whispered quickly and scooped up the filly in his hoofs. She squeaked slightly as she was placed onto his back. They began running down into the sewer, the voices above amplified, they were found out. They kept running down the sewer system, hoping to stay far enough away from them before they caught up with them.

“Were losing light down here fast.” Anvil said as they continued down the route in front of them, the only light source were from the open holes above their heads. As they pressed on they could hear the griffons enter inside sewer and following them. He hoped that they will get lost in the sewers, however, the further they went in the more sealed passages they found. There was no way to avoid them without getting into a fight and Hammer knew it was only a matter of time before they were caught.

“Anvil. We won’t be able to shake them. We got to face them head on.” Hammer said, pulling Anvil into a dark area of the sewer.

“You nuts? Against their armor?”

“We’re out of time Anvil! We can do this as long as we concentrate on their weaker points. Neck and wings. Remember.” Anvil pondered over this for a moment before finally giving in.

“Right! Text book stuff! How very original! If we die because of this I’m going to haunt you!”

Hammer and Anvil readied themselves behind the corners of the sewer. Hammer had the filly behind him. She was shaking, speaking low in her language that he couldn’t keep. She knew the griffons were coming and there will be a fight. Hammer readied his spear and waited for them to come. He could hear them coming, their claws scraping the floor and their wings flapping in the distance.
 
They were closing in on them.
 
Hammer looked to Anvil and nodded to him. His companion looked back and gave a small smile. Hammer leaned down near the sewage, his hoof grabbing a large pile of muck. Anvil did the same, gaining a large pile as well. They waited a few more moments longer, the griffons were closing the distance. Hammer took a deep breath and slowly breathed out, his only thought was protecting the filly.

“Frère.” She said as the griffons turned the corner and saw them.

The moment the griffons passed the corner they released their trap, throwing their filth projectiles into them. Their bile hit their mark and the griffons squawked and scrambled, running into each other. Hammer and Anvil cried out and charged them, Hammer raising his spear and thrusting straight at the open neck of the griffon. The tip hit its mark and the spear went clean through the open gap in the armor. The griffon fell back within seconds, however, it brought him down with it. He scrambled as he turned to see Anvil handling the second armored griffon while the one with the sword was clearing the bile from its eyes. He rushed forward, leaving his spear in the dead corpse and rushed into the sword wilder. The two hit the ground hard from the blow, its head submerged into the water. Hammer went to keep its head down but the griffon kicked up with its legs, sending him to the wall nearby. He fell down hard and he quickly scrambled back up. The griffon in the water was struggling to breath and was coughing up sewage, while Anvil was wrestling the halberd away from the armored griffon. The griffon clawed at Anvil, and he was sent flying, but not before yanking the weapon away. Hammer rushed forward again, sending his weight into the armored griffon. The griffon slightly budged as Hammer’s  weight was brought into him. The armored griffon sent a fist into his side, while Hammer sent a flurry of blows with his front hoofs. The two exchanged blows for a few seconds before the griffon screeched, and sent it’s beak down towards his neck. However, he quickly countered with an upward headbutt to its face. The griffon cried out in pain as Hammer held him up. Another cry came from his side and he saw Anvil rushing forward with the halberd in hoof. The blades tip ran straight into the center of the armor and the three crashed into the wall nearby. The griffon squawked again before its head slumped down to the side, the halberds tip had penetrated its armor. The two looked at each other, both breathing heavily from the scuffle, and both were smiling at their victory.

“Die you mongrels!” A loud voice came from behind and the two turned to see the third griffon charging them, his sword raised high to come down upon them.

“Frère!” Hammer heard the filly shout and the two saw something they did not expect. The filly had flung a large pile of sewage and it hit directly on the side of the griffons head. It squawked in rage as it flung its sword wildly, and missing them completely. Hammer and Anvil took no chance and the two rushed the griffon with clench hoofs. The two hit their mark on its, with such force he sent back into the wall nearby, creating a small crater upon impact. It slumped to the ground and was silent. The fight was won.

“You alright?” Hammer asked as he looked at his friend.

“Got a scratch on my face. I don’t think it's life threatening. How does it look?” Anvil asked as Hammer inspected the wound. Hammer chuckled slightly as he looked at his partner, seeing only two small cuts just underneath his left eye.

“You still got your looks. You may get a mare now with that.” Hammer stated and Anvil chuckled in response.

“Alright. Check that griffon out, see if he has anything on him.” He pointed to the uniformed griffon as he went to see the filly. The filly smiled at him as he approached and he placed a hoof on her head.

“You did good little one. You did good.” She smiled at him and wrapped her hooves around his neck. He hugged her back in response and nuzzled her head with his own.

“Hey. This feather head still breathing. What should we do?” Anvil said as he held the unconscious griffon in hoof.

“Take him with us. If the uniform distinguishes his rank then he might have some info we can use.” Hammer said as he picked up the filly and allowed her to rest on his back. He could hear Anvil grumble behind him as he lifted the griffon on his back.

“That’s just great. You get the light load and I get the heavy load.” Anvil chuckled as he moved to Hammer’s side. “I guess it’s just one of those days.” He added and the two companions continued their way down the sewage system. They didn’t have to go far as they soon spotted a sewer hole leading to out. Light shined directly down on them as they looked up at the open skies. Hammer looked at the filly behind him and gave a small smile.

“Hold on tight.” he said as he began his ascent up the ladder. The little filly held tight around his neck as he climbed up, her arms wrapped tightly around his neck. He soon reached the top and began pushing on the cover. With a  few good pushes he was able to lift the cover off and get himself out, only to meet a few pairs of spear pointing at him.

“Hey stop, he’s one of ours!” a voice broke out and Hammer could see more than two dozen royal guards surrounding him. The one’s up front lowered their weapons as a pegasus in silver armor approached him and Anvil, who was already dragging the unconscious griffon out of the sewer. As soon as the pegasus was close Hammer could already tell who it was. It was their captain Silver Wing.

“I see that you are late. Corporal's Hammer and Anvil. You were suppose to get back an hour ago. Care to explain yourselves, along with that griffon behind you?”

“Well captain, we were going to head back to camp.” Anvil started but Hammer waved a hoof at him and gave a small smile.

“We just got a little...sidetracked.” He looked down at the filly, who was hiding behind his leg. Silver Wing saw this and gave a small smile of her own to the filly. 

“I see.” She said as she lowered herself to her level. The next thing she did surprised both of them.

“Souhaitez-vous voir ton père?” The captain said, speaking in near perfect prench. The little fillies eyes widened to this and a smile was present upon her face.

“Oh oui oui.” she said through tears as Silver Wing parted, revealing a white stallion with a violet mane behind her. The stallion's eyes were filled with tears as he saw the filly before him.

“Fleur, vous êtes en vie!” he said as he ran over to her.

“Papa!” the filly cried as she ran from Hammer’s side and held her father in her arms. The two embraced each other and cried into each other's arms. Hammer and Anvil could only watch as the two reunited. They both did a good deed this day. Silver Wing soon went before them and beckoned them to follow.

“C’mon you two. We'll get you cleaned up and fed up. Also good job in capturing our feathered friend here. I’ll make sure when he wakes up he will give his unconditional surrender.”

****

It has been nearly an hour since back at camp and it was nearing sundown. The two were already stocked and ready. Apparently a lot of things happened since they have been gone. The Royal guard and Prench forces have cleared out the town but not before getting a hit and run by the griffons. Their commanding officer, Quicksilver, was captured as a result and was whisked away by the retreating griffons. The griffon they had captured was the right claw of the enemy leader in this territory, and was easily persuaded by Silver Wing’s ‘kind’ words. To top it off the filly they saved was the daughter of the mayor of Prancy and they had searched for many days looking for her It was only pure luck that they both found her when they did. Indeed, today was a good day.

Hammer and Anvil soon readied themselves and met their captain near the edge of camp. where she was surrounded by a dozen of her guards. She smiled at them as they approached.

“Hammer, Anvil, you will be assigned to me from this point forward. Were going to retrieve Lieutenant Quicksilver back before the enemy takes him away. Understood?” 

“Yes Captain.” They both said in reply. She nodded and soon began addressing the rest of the squad. As she did this the mayor approached them with his reunited daughter at his side, behind him were multiple citizens from the town and it’s militia. 

“Merci pour sauver ma fille, je suis dans votre dette.” he said to them. Even though they couldn’t understand it, they knew the message behind it. They both nodded to him and Hammer leaned down to see the little filly before him, patting her head with his hoof.

“You take care now, alright?” Hammer said as the filly giggled in response. Hammer and Anvil soon departed, following their captain as she lead the squad out of the town. As they left citizens behind they heard the young filly raise her voice.

“Frère. Frère...frère.” Hammer and Anvil turned to her and saw that she was waving her hoof at them.

“A captain, what is that word she keeps calling us?” Hammer asked as he looked at Silver Wing for an answer. She chuckled slightly at this and made him perplexed by this.

“It’s a word that you two share in common.” she said with a wide smile.

“And what word is that?” Anvil asked. Silver Wing looked at them both and turned around to continue walking.

“Frère. It means ‘brother’.” she simply replied and leaving the two stunned in their tracks. The two looked at each other and both had wide grins on their faces. They both turned back to the filly and waved back at her. Her smile widened at their reply and they watched as her father wrapped a hoof tightly around her, knowing that they were a family again. The two soon departed, leaving a reunited family behind them, and heading toward the setting sun with passion in their hearts.