//------------------------------// // Chapter 9 // Story: A New Life for Bloodthirst // by NgKQ //------------------------------// Bloodthirst was straining. He was wondering where his next enemy was. “Darn it, is he somewhere… here??” He turned around after hearing some suspected hoofsteps. But he was trapped in another dimension, and he was finding the final enemy in order to make himself safe and look for the exit. Just as he was surveying, he sensed something pouncing behind him. “Gotcha!” Using his eyes, he shot laser beams at his final target, incapacitating it. As he turned to look for the exit, suddenly the whole place changed, and all around him was the training yard outside Fluttershy’s house. “10 seconds faster, slightly better than the day before yesterday,” said Chaos Control as he landed. He was apparently setting up a virtual training field for Bloodthirst, as a purpose to train him against enemies. Bloodthirst had been training with Chaos for two months, and Chaos wanted to make sure he was well-defensed. “How’s it gonna work?” Bloodthirst asked Chaos when he first heard of it. “You know, I’ll be creating a dimension full of enemy monsters. All you need to do is defeat all enemies and the entire dimension ends. By doing this, you’ll get stronger and stronger and you’ll become faster and faster in defeating enemies. My dad used to train me like this before. It basically works like a video game, the longer you play, the more experienced you will be, and you’ll be better in clearing the game!” he explained. “Am I… better?” Bloodthirst asked modestly. “Yes, you are,” he replied. “Seeing you fully convicted to your battling skills makes me impressed.” “Thanks.” “Hey, don’t mention it, buddy!” Chaos wrapped his paw around Bloodthirst’s neck. “You’ve been training hard. You always deserve a little treat. Come with me to my dad’s old house.” Later Bloodthirst was in Discord’s old house in Chaosville. His house still remained the chaotic and messy appearance throughout the years, yet Discord still maintained it well. “So you’re going to be as strong as my son or Princess Twilight one day, huh?” Discord asked as he poured a cup of tea for Bloodthirst. “Chaos has been telling me how eager and determined you’ve been learning.” “Yes, sir.” “He’s been very modest,” said Chaos. “He doesn’t feel like being improved, but I’ve been encouraging him to make sure he doesn’t think that he’s weaker than he really thinks.” “You have the desire to achieve your goal,” encouraged Beryl, smiling. “With this I don’t think you can give up easily.” “I know,” he replied. “Though it’s still a long way…” “I know you’ll be great one day,” chuckled Chaos. “There’s still a lot for you to learn. We are an entire family for you. I’m your ‘brother’. Beryl, Prudence and Malinae are your ‘sisters’. Rarity’s gonna be your ‘mother’. We’ve talked about it with our friends some time ago, on how to make you feel homey. Does it sound nice?” “You’ve planned it all the time?” he asked, surprised. “It looks great!” “Glad that you’re happy to hear that,” smiled Beryl. “We’re going to make you feel warm.” The next day, Bloodthirst was at the outskirts of Ponyville, and Greenie Hats was training him on flying. “There you go!” praised Greenie as she watched him touching down. “A little more practice and you will be completing your overall lesson!” “Thanks, Greenie,” he replied. “Though I hope not to be engaged in a race one day.” “Don’t worry, I won’t challenge you,” she chuckled. “Bullies will do, and when that happens I’ll challenge them instead!” “You sure?” Before Greenie Hats could reply, Beryl appeared. “There you guys are!” she began. “Greenie, haven’t you told him about this yet?” “What?” “We’re off for an expedition to Griffonstone next week. Aren’t you telling him who’s going?” “Really? Griffonstone? Is that the place where griffons live?” Bloodthirst asked. “It’s got its own history too,” replied Beryl. “You can check out the history books in Princess Twilight’s castle. The history of Griffonstone is recorded as well.” “So yeah, ain’t just me alone. Mom, Thunder Clash, Chaos and Beryl are going. You wanna join?” “Um, well,” decided Bloodthirst. “I think I’ll give it a shot. Time to put my stamina to the test.” “Yeah, that’s the spirit!” beamed Greenie, her hooves over Bloodthirst. “Mom will be leading the expedition. Besides, she’s visiting an old friend, too!” “An old friend?” “Her name is Gilda,” replied Beryl. “Mom remembers her as a meanie when she came to Ponyville, but after Rainbow Dash and Pinkie Pie came back from a friendship mission she told us that she was very sorry for the trouble she caused to everypony.” “Aha, so she has quite a history, too…” “We’ll try to introduce you to her,” said Greenie. “And you’ll show her what you can do!” On the day of the expedition, Rainbow Dash and the group all assembled at the train station. “Don’t push too hard, okay?” Soarin said to Rainbow Dash. “And you kids take care of yourselves, too.” “We know what to do, Dad!” replied Thunder Clash. “Bring us back souvenirs, if you can,” Fluttershy told her children. “Pinkie tells me that there are scones to be enjoyed.” “Understood, Mom,” said Beryl. “Don’t let anyone get hurt, okay?” Melody Aurora asked Chaos. “I will, sweetheart. I’ll make sure Bloodthirst is in save hooves.” He kissed her on her forehead, making her giggle. “Take care, Bloodthirst,” Platinum Royale told him. “Listen to Rainbow Dash, okay?” “You always advise that. I know what to do,” he replied. She only giggled. It was a two hours’ train ride to Griffonstone station. Along the way, Rainbow told them on the history of Griffonstone, and the story on how she and Pinkie Pie were sent to solve a friendship problem. “Wow,” gasped Bloodthirst. “So the loss of an artifact led to the demise of a town’s former glory! And even the lightest job like telling a story needs to be paid? That’s lame.” “Definitely, then we found out friendship was the better solution,” Rainbow replied. “She’s the mayor of Grriffonstone now, and nowadays writes to me on how Griffonstone has developed, thanks to what we did many years ago.” “Oooh, I can’t wait to get a good look on the new Griffonstone!” said Thunder Clash excitedly. Soon the train reached the station. When they left the station, Bloodthirst was surprised by the rocky mountain trail. “My, that was long…” he gasped. “Well, we have to walk through that,” said Rainbow. “Pinkie and I did this, too.” “Anyhow we need to take precautions,” said Chaos. “Any mistake in your hoofsteps can be dangerous.” Soon the group started their hike. The trail winded and twisted all along, and there gaps where they had to hop across. It was windy along the way. Just then, Greenie Hats spotted something. “Do you see something?” asked Greenie to Beryl. “What is it?” replied Beryl. “Something flying in the air.” “Really? Where is it?” asked Thunder Clash. There was indeed something flying in the air. And it looked like flying uncontrollably. “There you go, Bloodthirst. You’re seeing a griffon now!” said Rainbow Dash. “But I feel there’s something wrong with it,” said Bloodthirst. “And I don’t think we’re quite close yet.” “You’re right, there is something strange,” agreed Chaos. As the griffon figure approached them, they could hear it screaming. “Help… help me!!!” “He looks like he’s in trouble!” cried Thunder Clash. To make matters worse, the griffon was heading straight towards them! “I’ll save him!” exclaimed Bloodthirst, and took off towards him. “Bloodthirst, watch out! I haven’t taught you that before!” Greenie shouted. But it was too late. Bloodthirst stretched his hooves, but just as he was about to catch him, he collided straight with the griffon, sending both spiraling down. “Get them!” ordered Chaos, and he and Thunder went to the rescue. Instantly they saved them. Chaos got hold of Bloodthirst, while Thunder got the griffon. They all returned to the group. “There,” said Greenie. “You can’t go straight and act without thinking further.” “I’m sorry,” said Bloodthirst. “But there’s someone I really need to save!” “Forget about that. We need to help our victim,” said Chaos. They all went to the griffon, where Beryl was tending to him. He appeared to be a teenage griffon, and had a dark brown head, had purple eyes and had a golden yellow body. “Do you feel better now?” Beryl asked him. “I… I do,” he responded after appearing stunned for a few moments. “Thanks for saving me guys. I… I didn’t know what to do… The wind was blowing fiercely and I couldn’t keep myself balanced.” “What’s your name, lil’ griffon?” asked Rainbow Dash. “Call me Gilbert,” the griffon replied. “Are you ponies from Ponyville or something?” “Yes, we are,” said Rainbow Dash, and they all introduced themselves. “You know, I’ve never been outside Griffonstone before,” explained Gilbert. “I decided to just fly on the outskirts and then the sudden wind carried me away and I don’t know what to do!” “So you wanted to do some exploring, huh?” asked Greenie. “Gilbert! There you are!” Suddenly, another griffon appeared. Everyone gasped. He looked exactly like him! “What are you doing? Out exploring again? Come on, are you gonna do that childish dream again?” the griffon questioned him. “Come on, this ain’t a dream!” Gilbert retaliated. “Besides, you should thank them.” “Them…?” He turned to face with the ponies. “You… saved my brother?” “We saw him flying out of control, then,” said Greenie Hats. “I flew to save him” continued Bloodthirst. “But I can’t catch him in time and-” “We still saved him,” finished Chaos. “So you’re his brother?” “He’s my twin,” replied Gilbert. “He’s several minutes older than me.” “I’m Gibson,” the griffon said. “Are you all coming to Griffonstone?” “Yes, for some expedition,” said Rainbow Dash. “Oh, come with me,” said Gibson. “I can take you to see my mother, who’s the mayor!” “Oh, I know her!” “Wait, you’re… Rainbow Dash?” asked Gilbert, surprised. “As in the best flyer in Equestria???” “Now you know it, huh?” grinned Rainbow Dash. “Show us the way!” The group continued, led by Gibson and Gilbert. Soon they could see the arch, signaling the entrance to the town. “It’s so… huuuuuge,” gasped Greenie Hats. “It was added ten years ago, when we suggested something to signify visitors our town,” replied Gibson. They passed the town. Unlike how Rainbow Dash and Pinkie Pie last visited, the griffons were now friendly and helpful. It was like the previous glory of Griffonstone’s old days. They then encountered a pink-headed, brown female griffon. “There you guys are!” she called. Then she noticed the ponies. “You’re the ponies from Ponyville?” “Are you Gibson and Gilbert’s sister?” asked Bloodthirst. “Call me Chrissa,” the female griffon introduced. “Well I’m supposed to be expecting you all so that I can take you to meet my mother.” “Show us where she is, please,” said Rainbow Dash. They went to a large, sturdy building, and once they entered and passed some doorways, they met Gilda, who was waiting in her room. “Rainbow Dash!” Gilda greeted. “Glad to see you’re here.” “Glad to see you, too,” replied Rainbow as she introduced her expedition team. “As for this one,” she said as she introduced Bloodthirst. “He’s a vampire pony, he’s new to Ponyville and he needs to learn.” “I see,” said Gilda. “Has Rainbow Dash or anypony else told you about Griffonstone?” “Err, yes, Madam,” he replied sincerely. “He was once somepony living in misery and agony. He came to us and we tried to offer help and advice to him so that he can live happily,” explained Chaos Control. “I see about that,” declared Gilda. “Who are you staying with, little buddy?” “Umm, Rarity. She takes care of me… well.” “Very well,” concluded Gilda. “I will get a nice place for you to rest your hooves. After your lunch my children will take you on a tour around Griffonstone.” “Understood, Madam,” complied Beryl. “Err, one question,” said Thunder Clash. “Is this town famous for scones?” “Of course it is, you dope,” chided Beryl. “Haven’t you read that in the history book?” “Y’know, I’m too excited about the expedition to care about anything else,” he replied embarrassingly, which made Beryl glare at him hard. “Never mind about that,” chuckled Gilbert. “We’ll assign you all in an inn before giving you a tour. You can buy the scones all the way.” “I know the best inn in town where you can rest your hooves,” said Chrissa. “Come with me!”