Gilda, the High Queen of the Griffon Kingdom, the Restorer of Griffonstone, receives Princess Twilight Sparkle of Equestria. This first diplomatic meeting after decades of animosities makes her realize the price that she had to pay to see her nation rise to its former glory.

It all came down to a choice between two great treasures.

Okay, so this is Griffonstone. Yeah, I know what it looks like. Shut up. You dweebs couldn't do any better. Anyway, I'm the griffon who's gonna make it like the big deal it used to be.

Written for the Writer's Training Grounds '15 #4.

A brief slice of life piece; just after the events taking place at GriffonStone. Gilda mulls over the turn around of her business, the restarting of life in Griffonstone, and actually feeling content.

Feedback, criticism, and any and all tips are welcome!

Sequel: The Third Nice Thing

Mis-communication has started many a war, but in this case maybe calling it a war was too generous.

The "war" is over, Twilight has successfully orchestrated a bloodless end to the Griffons' aggression, but only now does she realize that there is more to winning than she had first assumed, especially against a nation that holds war as a central part of their culture...

Now Twilight must deal with the aftermath while facing a challenge she never anticipated: being seen as a conqueror.

This can be read alone, but I recommend reading the letter that started it all for a chuckle and a little exposition. This series of expositional one-shots can also give some additional world-building.

Twilight is troubled to find an open book on Rarity's head when she goes to help Rarity fit a dress.

Should she tell her?

Lyra’s hunt for the supernatural in Ponyville continues unabated, and this week the object of her desire is not changelings, nor sea-ponies, but the rare and secretive human. With the help of her plucky (and irritable) assistant Rainbow Dash, Lyra is sure that this time she’s going to get to the bottom of a real mystery. However, the real question is why does Rainbow Dash hate humans?

With thanks to Thornwing, JCatt and Lord of Dorkness with their help pre-reading.

With being outcast from Ponyville and only feeling ill staying in Cloudsdale, Gilda has lived in the Everfree forest for over a year ever since she lost her friend Rainbow Dash. More than half her nest lays littered with crumpled and pierced letters she never sent, and the creatures of the forest have given up on comforting her. Gilda has never felt more alone in her life.

When the wandering Fluttershy happens upon her home, Gilda finds forgiveness in the last place she would ever expect. But will the rest of Ponyville forgive her?

And will that include a specific rainbow pegasus?

While relaxing on the beach and thinking of her past, Gilda encounters Scootaloo and the two agree to converse. However, their discussion takes an unexpected turn.

Thanks to HarmsytheWoonalova and Hianloland for pre-reading this story.

The real Gilda comes to Ponyville... but she doesn't get the welcome she was expecting. For some reason, everypony seems to already hate her... Will she ever find a place where her and her half-pony daughter can live in peace?

Also read:
Last Impression by Typoglyphic -- A wonderfully dark and morally ambiguous short story about what happened to Changeling Gilda.

Princess Twilight Sparkle wants Equestria to join the rest of the world and finally switch from measuring in hooves, pounds, and gallons to meters, kilograms, and liters. But not everypony is happy about her proposed change.

Now with dramatic reading. Thanks, scorpion1m!