Gilda guessed Fluttershy was back home, at least from the sound of the front door opening and closing instead of someone just showing up.
Not that her, nor Diamond Tiara, could get up to see. They both decided to try and put a dent into the ever-cake. It now stood triumphant above them, as they had both been eaten themselves under the table with a bad stomach ache.
Fluttershy looked surprised to see the two of them on the ground looking more than full. “Um, how much did you eat?” she asked from above the pair.
“Ugh,” was Gilda’s answer, lying on her back. A similar groan came from the filly next to her.
Fluttershy sighed at the scene.
“Even Mr. Discord didn’t think you would eat that much,” She said as she struggled and got Gilda back on her feet. As she got to helping Diamond, the kid let out unpleasant sound.
“Ah crud…” Gilda chimed in.
“Oh my!” Shy was quick at getting the kid to the sink. After the sound of some thrown chunks latter, Tiara was up for speaking again.
“That was a stupid, stupid, stupid idea Gilda,” she groaned weakly.
“Cake still tasted good,” Gilda replied back, and she then let out a loud belch. “It still there?”
The foal groaned again as the she looked. Sadly, the cake wasn’t there and the table was empty. “Awwwww,” she groaned.
“You suck as a mom….” Diamond groaned at her. Shy looked on with a bit of shock, raising an eyebrow at that comment.
“I know,” Gilda nicely replied as she picked the kid up from the pegasus and putting her on her back. “Need a nap?” The kid didn’t respond verbally, but hugged Gilda’s back, which she saw as a yes.
Carrying Diamond Tiara, Gilda walked past the still kind of shocked Fluttershy that wordlessly watched as the griffon got the pink filly upstairs.
She put the kid to bed, and did her best not to laugh when the filly let out her own unlady like belch.
Heading back down, she could see Dr. Shy reading a book.
“What cha reading?” Gilda asked in good spirits.
“Uh, a psychology manual?” was Dr. Fluttershy’s nervous response. “Just...checking a few things.”
“It’s over rated,” Gilda added and the pegasus apparently agreed, closing the book with a look of annoyance and defeat. She got up and trotted up to her.
“I heard from mister Discord, it sounds horrible,” Shy said with concern. “Are you two ok?” She rubbed her mane looking aside. “I mean, aside from all that cake…”
“Kinda shook up, but yeah,” Gilda replied, looking down. “That thing wants under everyone's skin I guess.”
“I know,” Fluttershy sighed.
“Walrus also said you guys were doing something about it,” Gilda added. “Is it working?”
Despite the griffon hoping for some matter of a sure thing, the pegasus pony looked down. Still scratching her hoof into the floor.
“Kinda…” Shy said as she looked back to Gilda. “I’ve never saw Twilight working so fast on so many things.” She looked ponderous. “Well…recently anyway.”
“The ponies in town calm down?” Gilda asked, but knew was going to dread the answer. She just knew it.
“Um, no?” Fluttershy answered. She could see Gilda’s nervousness at that, so she trotted over before the griffon fell over with dread. “It’s just after what’s already happened everything is last minute.”
“Can they do it without the bells and whistles, boxes or bags?” Gilda asked, feeling a bit distant. “Is that a option?”
“It could be,” Fluttershy said with a hoof to her chin. “I hope it comes to Twilight soon.” She then guided Gilda to the living room couch where they both sat down.
“I’m also a bit surprised,” Shy added. While the griffon was feeling exhausted enough to want to just sit, she continued to speak. “I know what you told me about that dream you had, but then I saw how you reacted when Tiara spoke to you.”
Even if the pegasus saw this as a thing to be proud of, she could see the look the griffon was giving her.
“Uh...yeah?” Gilda said with a raised eyebrow. This was going to get awkward wasn’t it?
The griffon could almost feel a reason to cringe right now. Fluttershy seemed to realize it, and attempted to put a reassuring hoof on her. Now it was awkward.
“I’m really glad you’ve been able to bond with somepony like that,” Fluttershy said to the awkward griffon. “It’s nothing to be ashamed of.” She then fidgeted a bit as she noticed the hoof wasn’t helping. “I’m still a bit surprised on how far it went.” She gave Gilda a serious look, like this was some kind of test. “Did you ever wonder why?”
Gilda sighed, but at least she knew that part. “Kid told me it’s been nerves,” she stated like it was obvious. “I mean Package Deal scared the crud out of her, then I showed up.” Then that next part, the part she liked. “Apparently, she was one of those ponies who thinks griffons are awesome. Then we got to talking and…” While she felt pride in this, that enthusiasm only lasted so long as she shook her head.
“It’s mostly kids stuff, ya know?” Gilda said. “Me keeping the monsters away and stuff.”
“It still mean something to her, Gilda,” Fluttershy said, using her hoof to brush Gilda head feathers. “And she saw you as someone who deeply cares about her.”
“Still pretty sure I make a crummy mom…” Gilda added.
“I know,” Shy giggled. “But you tried, I know you’ve tried.”
“Uh...on being a mom?” Gilda asked and missed the point. Seeing as the pony was still giggling, it was pretty clear. She looked aside, now uncomfortable. “Ok. Soooo, what? Me being a kid then?”
“You’ve been empathizing with other ponies,” Fluttershy said with a smile. “It’s how you’ve changed.”
“Oh…” Gilda replied, somewhat off. “I didn’t expect a lot from all this stuff. Anyway…” She twiddled her talons. “I got invited to that party Diamond was going to.”
“You were?” Shy answered with a smile. “Does Apple Bloom know?”
“Yeah, it was kind of her idea and the kid said she’d feel better if I came with,” Gilda said as she scratched her neck nervously. “Don’t know about how the sister she talked about feels though…”
“I’m sure it will be fine,” Fluttershy replied softly. “It’s Hearth’s Warming eve, isn’t it?”
“Yeah…” Gilda said as she continued to scratch her neck. “This season has had me bond with the last ponies I would have expected.” She let out a sigh. “Still no clue on Dash…”
“Time can change, you know that,” Shy said as she rubbed the griffons shoulder briefly. “Don’t worry.”
“Still pretty vague,” Gilda said, but still couldn't relax on it “For all I know, Apple-whatever is going to outright make me unwelcome too regardless, and Dash...”
“It’s dwelling on that which caused much of this, Gilda,” Fluttershy added, shaking her head. “Mr. Discord told me that windigo had been feeding on you because of that.”
“I know,” Gilda replied sadly. She sighed, putting her head on the couch. “What if you guys can’t stop what's coming because of me?” Shy looked a bit worried on that. “Not doubting you guys and what you do, just...what if?”
“Have you had faith in others?” Fluttershy asked.
“I lost the element of loyalty, remember?” was the Gilda’s word on that. The hopeful pegasus was at a loss for words, the mares jaw even dropped. Gilda herself didn’t feel good that her counterpoint was the powerful. “Guess it’s all a trick question at this point, sorry.”
“I remember someone said that friendship wasn’t easy, but it was worth fighting for.” Fluttershy finally said after a pause. “That means something to me.”
“It also means when it really screws up like it has with me, what do you do?” Gilda replied feeling hopeless. She already knew what Shy was about to add, so she added it herself. “After I lost Dash, and all this, I got to know this new stuff. I even got better from it, sure. I wouldn't even be talking to most ponies if it weren’t for that.”
“So why are you afraid?” Fluttershy asked the griffon. “You’ve learned a lot.”
“What if it doesn’t matter in the end?” Gilda sighed and just lay on the couch as the pegasus looked sadly at her.
After a moment of it, she promptly helped the griffon up off of it.
“It does Gilda, it does,” Fluttershy said firmly, and she could see the griffon was a bit teary eyed now. “It make you a better person.“ She then nuzzled Gilda’s face.
Despite the fact a griffons beak is quite sharp or hard, it budged softly like lips would. Much like hooves snapping or Pinkie, this mystery of logic was lost on Gilda’s mind. She was currently too wide eyed and shocked to notice either. Even if the pony wanted to help the griffons mood, Gilda’s face was now beet red.
“It’s why you aren’t as bad as it keeps saying you are,” Shy continued after pulling herself away. “Also, did you know your brother has high hopes for you?” she added with a smile.
“Buw wha?!” Gilda said mostly to herself. She couldn't believe she heard that. What had that runt been saying? “Oh no, not the mock turtle story!” she yelled.
“What?” Fluttershy said with low shock.
“Nothing!” Gilda said as she tried to calm herself before saying anything more. “J-just a thing.” Despite being taken off the couch, she still felt a lack of energy. Opting to sit back down again. “Besides, I’m a bit too tense for any more surprises right now.”
“...Do you think a wing massage might help?” Fluttershy innocently asked. Gilda’s wings popped up in surprise much like her eyes did.
“Uh, no?” Gilda answered, now more than nervous.
“Maybe a belly rub?” was Shy’s second idea, with Gilda’s wings were still in the air from the first suggestion as she looked at Fluttershy with an look of some outrage. “I-I mean if you're ok w-with…” she looked down, scratching her leg. “M-maybe to c-calm you down, because…”
Gilda sighed again. “It’s the air in this town that makes you ponies like this, isn’t it?” she said with a groan.
Fluttershy had a funny, if coy, smile. “The air here isn’t that bad, Gilda, if you're ok with it.”
Gilda grumbled and mumbled for a moment. “A wing massage is fine…” she groaned. She then laid on the couch as Fluttershy got on top. ”Eeek!!” she now yelped loudly at the first bit of pressure.
“Sorry, sorry.” Fluttershy said as she stopped her hooves. “How long have you been-”
“A long time,” Gilda cut her off. Even she had no idea how long, just that she now knew her wings hadn't been touched in some time. “Just be gentle, alright?”
As she lay there, somehow hearing the sound of hooves cracking, somehow, before the shy pony put her hooves back to the gryphon's wings, Gilda let her eyes wander the room. Still, the silence was a bit much for her.
“So, what has Edward been doing?” Gilda asked as she felt her wings relax.
“He’s helping take care of the mayor after she was frozen yesterday,” Shy answered, keeping a relative pace. “I told him about how you’ve been doing, and he told me about how you used to be around him.” She paused, looking away from her work, looking to Gilda’s face for a moment. “He’s happy you became less….um, unfriendly.”
“He would,” Gilda replied as she rolled her eyes. “Who’s the mayor here anyway?”
“Mayor Mare,” Fluttershy said as she resumed her task.
“That’s a stupid name,” Gilda stated the obvious. “Eeeeee!” And another sore spot was felt.
“Sorry, sorry!” Fluttershy yelped as she moved to a better topic. “Anyway, are you ready for that party you're going to?”
“Nope,” Gilda said honestly. “How long do I got?”
“Might still be awhile yet,” Shy answered back. “Applejack and Big Mac are still helping with the town.”
“Just wondering, but what’s gonna happen to me later on?” Gilda asked the big question. One that still loomed since her confession some time ago.
“Twilight and the others have been too busy for me to ask,” Fluttershy replied, but she still tried to reassure. “Don’t worry about it, they know about “The Snark”. They won’t be too hard on you.”
“Dream on!” said a voice out of nowhere in Gilda’s head. Shy didn’t hear it, so the pegasus was surprised to she Gilda looking around in a panic.
“Hey, hey,” Fluttershy used her weight to keep the griffon from getting up. “It’s going to be fine!” Dr. Shy mode was back, already with a hoof on the shaken griffon’s shoulder. “We’ve been over this, you aren’t just a villain. At least, not to me.”
“Then...what?” Gilda added, and felt scared of what the answer was going to be. Especially with the fact it was going to come from a soft pony working on her wings with soft hooves.
“A griffon with insecurities,” she stated. “Being unsure how or what your place in life it, you react with aggression to keep an illusion of control. You’re afraid that if you aren’t, things around you will overwhelm you. With that control being something you cling to even to the point it begins to cause problems to other people around you.”
“...Uh…” was Gilda’s reaction to that long description.
“A doctor need to know these things,” Dr. Fluttershy clarified. “That was the initial part though.”
“I’m going to hate the rest, won’t I?” Gilda groaned back.
“You won’t,” Fluttershy answered with hope. Finally, she took her hooves of Gilda’s wings. “How do your wings feel now?” The griffon tried a few wing flaps, accidentally bopping the pony in the head.
“Heh, sorry,” Gilda said with a sheepish look. “But aside from that hole in my left wing, everything feels loose. Not half bad.”
“That’s good!” Shy said, still holding her head with a smile.
As Gilda enjoyed the limber feeling in her, she made the mistake of looking out the window. It was dark outside, with snow falling and the wind outside she could hear blowing heavily.
She gulped, something just told her that darkness was from the clouds blocking the sky.
“It still doctors orders to do nothing,” Gilda asked as she looked on uneased.
“No, not nothing,” Fluttershy corrected, trotting next to her. “There’s a lot you can do.”
“I mean about the thing,” and Gilda hoped Shy knew what she was talking about as she pointed to the window. “What if I could fight that thing?”
“Oh no,” Shy said as she shook her head. “There is nothing you can do about it here, and you might just make it stronger.”
“What...if I got an idea?” Gilda added. She had one, a crazy one.
“I wouldn't advise it,” Fluttershy replied as she shook her head. “Please don’t do anything drastic, ok?” She put a hoof on Gilda’s claw for a moment. “I don’t want to lose you.”
“You think you can tell this Twilight princess about that minimalist idea?” Gilda said and changed the subject. “Like the spirit of the thing, or something?”
“I guess I could,” Shy said with a nod. “Are you sure you are ok? You still look shaken.”
“Yeah, yeah I’m good,” Gilda answered, hoping it was truthful sounding. “Maybe that weird idea I had could help, that whole spirit and all that. Go tell her.”
“Um, Gilda?” Fluttershy asked with a funny look. “When was the last time you mentioned the spirit of things? That’s kind of new for you.”
“It’s been an odd week,” Gilda replied, holding her head. “Were pals now, right?” She looked to Fluttershy, somewhat hopeful before giving her a hug. “Just don’t let this guy win, alright?”
“S-sure.” Fluttershy replied, somewhat taken aback by that sudden hug. “I’ll be right back, so don’t worry.” The griffon nodded and let go, and without much more ceremony the pony left again.
Gilda was alone now, and she looked outside again. It was getting darker and the snow was still looking heavy. She could guess why, heck she knew why. While she could have just sat back down, and put her hopes in the others, she only felt more ill.
“She will share Ponyville’s fate, don’t worry,” The griffon turned to glare at the cloudy form of the Snark. He looked like a pony still, but his body shifted ever so slightly, bending at odd angles with not solid form. But his main remained black even as his eyes were now white. “Oh, that wasn’t what you were worried about. My mistake…” His laugh was more distorted now, she guessed it was due to the fact he wasn’t trying to be subtle now.
“Her and the others are working to stop you,” Gilda said, looking away. “Now stop bothering me.”
“Really now?” was all the Snark answered from behind her. “After all that’s happened and will happen, do you really think things will work out for you?”
Gilda still found herself feeling more and more anxious. She knew the stakes, how she was part of them. All she was in it was a small cog that was going to end the world, and a bunch of little ponies were going to pay the price for it. Even as she tried to figure there was reason to hope, the uncertainty still ate at her. But what she did know, knew for certain, scared her.
She found herself pacing again. Maybe it was “The Snark” behind her, but her ears could hear the whispers. His kin were standing room only and filing into town one by one, and it all hinged on her again.
She knew the price of failure, the price of defiance, and the price of success. How was she going to save pony kind if in the end most would see her as a bad guy for her actions?
She wanted to save them, they didn’t deserve to be ruined by her. Likely, if she fought back, the Snark would find new ways to hurt her.
And if she won? How was she going to live with what she had done? Not just what was on her own mind, but the minds of the ponies were an issue she couldn't avoid. She could hear “The Snark” silently whisper to her the anger of the town ponies, of Dash. It wasn’t going to end well for her either way.
So she headed down to the basement. If it wasn’t going to end well for her, she go down swinging.
“What cha doing?” asked the Snark as she left the living room.
“Had a thought,” Gilda said simply, not even looking back to the now cloud like pony. As she walked down the steps “The Snark” still spoke to her.
“A dangerous pastime, did it hurt?” The griffon didn’t answer him as she just kept going down. She got to Dr. Shy’s desk and opened the drawer. The pills were still there. “You honestly think you can fight me?” he asked, drifting in front of her. “You?”
“Why not?” Gilda dismissed the comment, popping the bottle open.
“Oh really, wow,” the Snark replied with sarcasm. “And you think some bitter griffon will stop some creature that’s powered by hatred. I mean, really?” He had the logic down, that’s for sure.
Gilda looked at the contents of the bottle. Several of them were there. If one gave a good dream, what would several at once do?
“Die horribly?” the Snark added, but Gilda still ignored him. She got three, maybe four, it didn’t matter. She carried them by wing and went back up for a glass of water.
“You realize, there is no way back if you do that, right?” the Snark said with no fear, nor uncertainty to its voice as the griffon filled a glass. As she looked at her options of where to lay down she figured, again in the spirit of things, to lay herself near to the fireplace hearth. It could help.
“You already know how I feel,” Gilda said as she popped the pills and drank. “You won’t win and I won’t give in.”
“We’ll make a day of it,” the Snark said happily, patting her head. “You, me, and the gates beyond.”
Gilda wasn’t sure how long till the effect came, especially with her gamble. She had gambled that effects of these pills could stack, maybe make a more happy dream too. But there was just one more thing. She grabbed “The Snark” by his neck in a headlock and pulled him close to her.
“Oh, and what will that do?” he asked her with some comical insight.
“I keep thinking of you as a stupid pony who can’t escape my claws,” Gilda replied.
“Oh, so I don’t just shift into something else!” the Snark mock gasped. “Clever! Then what? Make me cry uncle?”
“We’ll see,” Gilda said.
And the world melted, where Fluttershy’s living room was there was now that yawning void. Everything broke apart faster than she had expected with everything dissolving into mist and fog in an instant. It was then she could see the other windigos. They looked restless, eager to tear into something.
“Let me guess, if you were gone, they’d eat each other?” Gilda asked.
“Oh, did you think of that on your own?” the Snark cackled, still unafraid. “You deserve a fish, shame I don’t have one!” She didn’t answer his joke as she waited for her stop, keeping a grip on him. “You are really banking on some happy dream to be my undoing, aren’t you?”
“Yep.” was all Gilda said.
“Don’t you want to be my friend?” the Snark asked with a mock sad voice. “We could make beautiful music together, get a little house with a little while porch and…” He paused and smiled wider, wide enough to split his head. “Certainty, I can get you that and more. But well talk on that later.”
The light came. Now it was just her, him, and a happy dream-scape.