Twilight Sparkle found herself in an unsavory situation. Moments earlier she was finishing off talks with the elders before they were drawn outside by the growing commotion. Now she was staring down the unhinged Shining Dawn, just a few paces away.
He was clearly unstable. Wide twitching eyes and sharp jerks from his head, neck, and shoulders, which shook the dust from his filth encrusted mane. He mumbled and ranted incoherently. The only words that made sense were his demands for the return of 'His Star'
It would have been easy for Twilight to subdue him. She had a myriad of spells that could do this, yet the current situation was making it impossible. He was loosing off numerous attack spells in Twilight's direction. These were easily repulsed by her shield spell, but some scared residents were now taking shelter behind it. With spells that burned, distorted, and outright destroy what it touched coming their way, she dared not lower her shield.
"Shining Dawn, please calm down."
"I am not Shining Dawn!!" He screeched. Shooting off another spell which crackled against the shield. "I've been in the dark depths for so long. Living off moss and hard water. That star is all that kept me going. NOW GIVE IT TO ME!!!"
He stepped up his barrage on the shield which was held firm. Twilight took a quick glance around, seeking options. The only viable option that presented itself was from above. Swiftsure and Dash, who had inadvertently lead Shining Dawn back to town, were circling overhead with a couple of griffins from the mines. All waiting for an opportunity to intervene. Distract him.
"Please, Shining Dawn. Listen to me."
"IM NOT SHINING DAWN!!!" He screamed. Launching more attacks.
From the corner of her eye, Twilight spotted the silhouette of another griffon entering the group in the sky. After looping around a few of times, it swooped down quickly and landed to their left.
Everything came to a standstill as Glare Wing presented himself before Shining Dawn. From his back, Fluttershy jumped down and started circling the deranged unicorn. He paid her no attention. Completely focusing in on the griffon, "YOU!!!" He turned to him with his horn glowing. "You made me wander alone in the dark and denied me my prize. Now you will suffer for it."
Glare Wing, however, didn't wait for him to make his move. Crouching low and showing off his wings.
Twilight was mesmerized. Whilst unnerved, she was more fascinated than scared. Witnessing magic from a griffon and all the potential it brought. A worthy study indeed. She was drawn out of this train of thought by the increased ramblings of Shining Dawn. Unlike Twilight, he could see nothing but the wings.
"Eyes!?! What!?! What!?! EYES!?!" He spat. Frozen still for a few seconds before turning to flee, only to be stopped by Fluttershy, who had moved behind him. Ensnaring him with her own stare. He then starting flip flopping back and forth between the two, whilst being slowly herded towards Twilight.
With his backed turned to her, the alicorn needed no further invitation and made her move. Lowering her shield, she cast a spell aimed straight at his horn and it struck home. Clear crystals started forming around its tip and expanded down to its base.
Shining Dawn looked up at his horn confused, clearly trying to cast his magic but failing. Before he could make another move, he was bull tackled in the side by Dash and Swiftsure and sent him skidding across the ground. He was then completely pinned down by the two griffon miners but squirmed and resisted nonetheless.
Dash sidled up alongside Twilight, who had moved up to look down upon the unicorn. "Red Hooves." The sudden regal tone in her voice got his full attention. "That is your real name, correct. I remember seeing it on a list of Equestria's most wanted that princess Celestia showed me." She pointed to his rump, "A red horseshoe cutie mark, a fondness for jewels, and the sudden cease in activities a few years ago. Am I wrong?" He said nothing, just eyed her with contempt. "You will answer for your crime, but I'll also make sure you'll get the help you clearly need."
"Err, I think he's too far gone, Twilight," Dash interjected. "I don't even think you wolf friend could help him." Twilight merely shrugged in response. Fluttershy then strolled over to them and asked if everyone was ok. They were about to say yes when they noticed Swiftsure frantically searching around. "Hey, Swiftsure," Dash called out. "Whats wrong?"
Her ears pricked up and she turned to them, "Where's Glare Wing?" The three mares started looking around for him but found no trace. Dash launched herself high above the town and scanned around, "He's gone!"
Fluttershy nodded slowly, "Yes, I didn't think he would stay."
"But weren't you just with him?" Swiftsure asked. Walking up to her. "Didn't you speak to him at all?"
"Oh, I did. However, his scars of that day run deep and it will take more than a stranger telling him to go home to make him stay." She placed a hoof on Swiftsure. "I'm sure he'll return and stay soon."
"How can you be sure?"
She gave her a warm smile, ". He wants to return' I could see it in his eyes. In time...." She glanced over her shoulder and for a second, Fluttershy thought she could saw a griffon disappear into the mountains in the far distance. Don't make it too long, Glare Wing.