//------------------------------// // I made your Mark! // Story: Gift of a Griffon // by DragonflyDreams //------------------------------// (There is a picture of the Cutie Mark at the very end, drawn by me. Just so you're not disappointed ) "It... it's... PERFECT!!!" Gabby flew into the air and did a quick loop of excitement. "It sure is." Grace beamed at her friend's newest creation. The two marveled at the magnificently shaped and masterfully painted wood that rested in Gabby's golden eagle claws. They both agreed that it was the most wonderful cutie mark of all, and definitely suited for a very special griffon. "The colours!" Gabby cupped the two identical pieces of the cutie mark proudly. "And the shapes!" Grace placed her claws gently around those of her friend, "and the design... it's just so..." "Amazing!" Gabby finished the sentence. The ecstatic grey griffon continued hopping up and down, hovering in the air and fluttering around. She wanted nothing more than to happily celebrate her newest creation, but her cheering came to an abrupt end when her long furry tail was lightly yanked by the short, sandy feathered griffon below. "Gabs!" Grace pulled her close, and whispered, "Lets go take it to Gilda." At those words, Gabby's sky blue eyes sparkled brighter than ever before. The two friends carefully placed the cutie mark in a rustic satchel to keep it safe and hidden - Gilda had to be the first to see it. ~*~ Gabby and Grace soared all over Griffonstone searching for Gilda. It was a beautiful sunny morning with hardly any clouds in the sky at all. The weather made them feel even more blissful as they scanned the area in search of their brawny friend. They soon located Gilda; she was walking through a quieter area of town with Greta at her side. The two of them were chatting away, deep in conversation once more. As they approached, Gabby could hear that Gilda was telling Greta all about the buildings in Ponyville. The tomboyish griffon was describing everything she could recall about them; the colourful rooftops, the chic architecture, and the decor displayed elegantly upon each house. Some ponies lived in trees, others in clouds, and Princess Twilight lived in a magnificent giant castle. Greta listened on in awe, asking questions about the local stores and scenery. "The castle must be fantastic!" Greta sounded impressed, "I can't believe you got to visit it." "Yeah," Gilda acted as though it was nothing, "me and Dash sometimes go to hang out with Princess Twilight. We look at stars, talk about history, read Daring Do books..." "It sounds really fun!" Greta smiled, but there was an unmistakable hint of envy in her voice. "Yeah... but I don't think I could hang out with the princess without Dash. It would be kinda weird ya know?" Her companion added sadly. There was a moment of silence, and Gabby considered this her cue. She took Grace by the claw and the two of them flew over and approached Gilda and Greta. Greta smiled politely, but Gilda seemed unsure of how to feel, which was understandable considering the events of the previous day. "Hey guys, whats up?" Greta greeted them. The pretty griffon looked more glamorous than ever. Her coat was brushed to perfection, her body slim and in shape, and the mint green feathers, which formed the markings on her face, shined delicately in the sunlight. "I don't even wana know." Gilda sighed, noticing Gabby's beaming smile. Gilda was a little scruffier, particularly in the mornings. The rugged griffon had always favoured brawn over beauty; looking glamorous had never been a priority of hers. Her lack of enthusiasm didn't stop Gabby however. The optimistic young griffon knew she had no time to waste. "Don't worry! I'm not here to ask you about your cutie mark." She explained in a hurried manner. "Thank goodness for..." Gilda was relieved for a second, but then Gabby continued; "Becauussseee....I've already made you one!!" She hopped about in overwhelming excitement. "What?" Gilda was a little skeptical, "a cutie mark for me? B... but I told you... I don't have anything specia...." However, the impulsive griffon chimed in before she could finish the sentence. "I've been wracking my brain over what would make the perfect cutie mark for you, Gilda. What I didn't realise, is that the answer was right in front of me the whole time. You see, when we heard you talking about your Pony friends to Greta, you seemed so happy! And she seemed really interested in hearing all about them." "You... you've been eves-dropping on me again haven't you?" Gilda didn't even sound phased by the realisation. Gabby blushed a little, but continued anyway, "It made me sad that you were missing your pony friends so much, but I also felt glad that you have a best friend like Greta to talk to about it. That's when it hit me!" She tapped her head with her claw, a little too rough due to the excitement, but gave it a quick rub and continued. "Gilda, ever since Rainbow Dash and Pinkie Pie came to Griffonstone, you've been a whole new griffon! You've been really considerate and kind, and tried your best to make friends. It's almost as though meeting ponies changed your life... and that's when I realised; that ponies changed my life too!" "I guess you could say that." Gilda agreed, "Rainbow Dash was the first real friend I ever made. Friendship was pretty much an alien concept to me before I met her... but what does this have to do with...." "Friendship is an alien concept to a lot of griffons." Gabby seemed sorrowful for a moment before adding, "but it doesn't have to be! You see Gilda, your relationships, and your strong desire to become friends with the ponies, could actually benefit all of griffon kind!" "What are you saying?" Gilda raised an eyebrow in confusion. "Gilda, you can help the other griffon learn about friendship, and you can visit your pony friends. Your purpose in life is to help griffon become friends the way ponies do, and what better way to do that than to bring both our species together?" "What?" Gilda almost chuckled, "griffon can barely stand each other, they wouldn't want to be friends with ponies." That's when Greta stepped up, "Actually Gilda... that's not entirely true." She shuffled her rear lion paw as all heads turned towards her. "See, before... I wouldn't have even considered associating with ponies. They just didn't seem all that special to me, especially not compared to us." She gave a cheeky wink and flapped her large mahogany eagle wings before continuing, "but after hearing you talk about them... well, I kinda want to meet them myself. That's part of the reason I offered to go with you to Ponyville earlier." "R...really?" Gilda felt a little bad that hadn't picked up on that at all. "She's not the only one." Grace suddenly announced, "see, after Gabby told me about Ponyville, and how all the ponies get along with one another and treat each other with respect, I kinda got a little curious myself. I've actually been working on some pegasus style vases recently." Even Gabby was unaware of this, despite being close friends with Grace. However, the news delighted her, and caused her to become even more confident that she had made the right choice for Gilda's cutie mark. She put a wing around her small friend, to thank her for her input. "You see Gilda, griffon can be stubborn, but Pony-Griffon friendships can be beautiful, even life-changing!" She explained. Gilda pondered for a moment, "Dash and Pinkie did say that I should help spread friendship throughout Griffonstone, and I seem to be doing okay with that..." She smiled at Greta. "passing on what I've learnt about ponies seems to be influencing those around me, who knows what could happen if they saw it with their own eyes.... still...." "What's wrong Gilda?" Greta put a comforting claw on her friends shoulder. "I can't just go back there and drop all of this on them, and I don't have any reason to go back to Ponyville when Dash isn't there. My friendships with the others aren't all that strong just yet... at least, I don't think they are." Suddenly Gabby piped up, "Knowing ponies, I think that Princess Twilight and the others would be just as happy to see you as you would them, Gilda. Buuuut just in case I'm wrong.... Tadaaaa!!" Gabby reached into her satchel and pulled out the cutie mark. It was a beautifully carved horse shoe, with large griffon wings and a griffon tail wrapped around the center. Upon the surface, were six coloured circular markings, the center one was light blue, and the others; pink, yellow, purple, orange, and white. "This cutie mark symbolizes your close connection with pony kind. I hope you will wear it with pride so that your friendships with ponies and griffons continue to blossom, and that you continue to influence other griffons and encourage them to open their minds!" The sight of the beautifully crafted symbol made Gilda and the others both stunned and speechless, and for a moment, everything was silent. Gabby continued to beam proudly, until she realised the lack of reaction she was getting. "Well... what do you think?" She waved her other claw in front of Gilda's eyes, "Hello???" Finally, Gilda spoke; "Gabby... I don't know what to say... it's just so..." She sounded incredibly impressed, "perfect." The four griffon smiled at the wooden cutie mark, as Gabby gently hooked it onto Gilda's satchel. She had no doubt in her mind that this was by far her greatest accomplishment. "I... I have to show Dash before she leaves!" Gilda suddenly started to hover, "I was going to post her the paintball tickets but... she just HAS to see this! And the others too! Twilight is gona want to hear all about my destiny!! Thank you Gabby! Thank you so much!" Even Gabby was shocked when the bulky griffon embraced her. The hug lasted a few seconds, before Gilda let go and tried to maintain her cool posture. Greta and Grace giggled, and then, Gabby started to sing: Song is a Parody of "We'll make our Mark" (Give the original a listen if you aren't familiar.) Gabby: See I was struggling with your cutie mark, for a while there! Couldn't think up one to suit you right! To find the perfect mark for you, Who knew all I had to do, Was to follow you and stalk you, day and night! Gilda: Wait, what? Gabby: Now I know what it took all along! And because of you, my greatest work is done! And this is more than just a mark, It's a place for you to start Uniting us with pony friends, and having fun! I made your mark! Now all Griffon-kind will thrive! I made your mark! With the ponies by our side! 'Cause we all will learn from you, And your cutie mark! That very day, Gilda hurried to Ponyville to show off her mark to her pony pals. Rainbow Dash was incredibly happy to get to see her friend again before she left. The colourful pegasus announced that her cutie mark was "awesome" and immediately rallied the others to see it. Each of them congratulated Gilda and told her she was welcome in Ponyville any time, along with her fellow griffon friends. Rainbow Dash: I'm so proud of you, Griffon buddy! Pinkie Pie: Can't wait to spend more time with you! Greta: You've inspired all of your fellow griffon! Twilight: And you've inspired us too! All: She made your mark. We know you're gona make us proud! She made your mark! And we're here to sing it loud! 'Cause we can't wait to learn from you, And your cutie mark. Gilda: Guys you really don't have to sin... Gabby: It's all become so clear. The reason why you are here, Your destiny is linked, With all the ones you hold dear! Hanging with your best friends, Being united again, These are friendships that never will end! I made your mark! Now the rest is up to you! I made your mark! And we know that you'll come through! We can't wait to learn from you, And your cutie markkkkkk!!!! The End.