“Aren’t they adorable together?” Sim commented, its tail lashing idly behind it.
They undeniably were, much to Twilight’s dismay. She and Sim were seated at a small covered table to one side of a training field for the royal guard. Instead of soldiers at work, however, the field was occupied by Spike, Iolite, and Gilda. Even as they watched, Gilda flew down and smacked Spike upside the head with her tail.
Spike growled in response and worked his brand new wings, trying to get enough lift to pursue. From beside him, Iolite offered advice and encouragement with a wide smile across her face.
Gilda made another run, but this time Iolite’s claw snapped out and she pulled the griffon to the ground. Twilight could just make out her words. “And so the mother dragon brings home a meal for her hungry young dragonlet.”
There was a squawk and Gilda pulled herself free, her feathers puffed up in agitation. Spike and Iolite burst out laughing and, after a moment, Gilda joined them.
“Well now they’re just rubbing it in,” Twilight grumped.
Sim laughed as well. “You could join them, you know. Though you would then have to forego my company to do so.”
“I wouldn’t mind that part,” Twilight snarked. Then she sighed and turned away from the laughing trio. “But I do want to give Spike the chance to form his own relationship with Iolite. I can’t hide my own discontent from him, but that doesn’t mean I should let my dislike of her affect him.”
Sim cocked its head. “Very wise and generous of you to give him that opportunity.”
“Yes it is. So, distract me before I change my mind. Surely there are diplomatic matters we should be discussing right now.” Twilight glanced down at the papers covering the table before her. There was nothing truly important in the pages, she just tended to carry paperwork everywhere in court as a kind of security blanket, albeit a productive one.
“Diplomatic matters, hmm?” Sim mused. “Isn’t there another pony who has a role to play in our diplomacy?”
It took all of Twilight’s self-control not to freeze at what Sim was implying. She made a point of shuffling her papers casually. “I can summon Luna if you have a serious matter to discuss. Otherwise, as Archmage I am fully empowered to represent Equestria on the diplomatic stage.”
“Yes, I’m sure you are.” Sim’s eyes were boring into her, but Twilight refused to give the game away. “But I suspect you know that Princess Luna is not the pony I was referring to.”
Twilight met its eyes and narrowed her one. “Let me be frank. You and the griffon ambassador arrived on the same day. You concocted an excuse to be here while they did not bother, but the obvious conclusion is that something else drew you both here. Given the conflicts between all of our races in the past, you clearly believe there is some new weakness at the heart of Equestria. I don’t know what you think you know, and I don’t care. Between Luna and myself Equestria stands strong and to imply otherwise is an insult to your hosts. Am I clear?”
Sim met her gaze squarely for a moment, taking her measure. Some part of Twilight’s mind noted that she must have made quite the comical image, staring down a creature twice as a tall and ten times as large. Size was no indication of power, though, and if push came to shove they were still within Celestia’s demesne and Luna was a shout away.
At last, the dragon dipped its head. “Once again, it seems I must apologize for an insult tendered,” it said. “I meant no disrespect. I understand you are an accomplished scholar of magic. If I show you a unique magical curiosity would you consider us even?”
Twilight wanted to say that, so long as it did not continue to press her, they would be square. However, she knew that to refuse Sim’s repayment would itself be an insult. “Alright,” Twilight said, letting her tone lighten. “I’m always interested in learning more about magic.”
In answer, a blue glow surrounded Sim. Twilight could feel it reaching for its magic. A low hum seemed to come from deep within the dragon’s long chest. After a moment, it opened its mouth and a blue glowing ball of something floated out.
It was magic; that much was trivially obvious. The exact nature of that magic, though, was not clear. Twilight peered closely at it as it hung above the table between them.
“This,” Sim declared proudly “is –“
“No don’t!” Twilight interrupted, shushing it. “I haven’t had a good puzzle in ages. Give me a moment to examine it.”
“Alright.” Sim nodded. “Feel free to take a look. Nothing destructive, though. It’s rather irreplaceable to me.”
Twilight couldn’t see magic directly the way Luna could, but any self-respecting Archmage mastered a suite of spells designed to analyze unknown magic. She reached for those spells now.
Frowning in concentration, Twilight began casting spells designed to tease out the types of magic that comprised the subject before her. That frown only deepened as answers began flowing in.
“There’s a huge number of spells in that thing, more than I would have believed was possible to fit into such a small space. I recognize a few as being similar to puppetry spells of all things, but there are so many more that the overall purpose is baffling.”
Sim was smirking. “Yes, it is quite grand, no?” it preened.
“”It’s not just spells either,” Twilight continued. “There’s free magic bound in with the spells as well. And I bet that’s not all.” On a hunch, Twilight cast a diagnostic spell she would not normally have used, one that could detect the presence of immortal magic. Sure enough, threaded through the spells and free magic were veins of immortal power. “Yep, immortal magic too.” She looked up at Sim. “This is you, isn’t it? This is your soulfire.”
“Correct,” Sim said. “If I may ask, what gave it away? You initially looked to be quite confused.”
In answer, Twilight closed her eye and focused on her magic. This would have been nigh on impossible a scant few days ago, but with the way her mind was running now Twilight thought she could handle simultaneously casting all the magic she would need. Slowly, a ball of power gathered in front of her and was shaped by the successive layers of magic and spells that were applied.
It took a few more minutes and no small bit of effort to complete. At last, Twilight let go of her magic, panting from the exertion. The ball of power she had gathered flashed once and then a small shape dropped onto the table.
“Dragon!” squeaked a tiny stylized replica of Sim. Twilight had managed to get its coloring correct, but the shape was barely more than an ovoid half as long as Twilight’s foreleg with four ovals for limbs and a sphere for a head. It wriggled in a circle in mimicry of Sim’s usual serpentine locomotion. Every now and again it emitted another squeak of “dragon!”
“How in Equestria did you do that?” Sim asked. It leaned down and peered closely at Twilight’s crafting, cast in a spotlight by the blue light of its own soulfire.
“The magic that comprises your soulfire wasn’t making sense. I suspected that it was your soulfire from the puppetry spells, but I knew that would only be sufficient to make something like that little guy,” Twilight said, gesturing at the small figure on the table between them. “I only understood where your spark of true life came from when I saw that there was immortal magic in there as well.”
Sim prodded the figure with one claw. “That is still a very impressive bit of magic to do on the fly.”
Twilight shrugged. “I was mostly copying what I saw and dumbing it down. A few crafting and puppetry spells for the body, free magic based animation for the mind. Keeping it all together was challenging but,” she hesitated, “I’ve been looking for ways to challenge my mind lately. And I didn’t put much power into it so I expect- ah there it goes.”
Even as she spoke, the little figure gave one last defiant “dragon!” before dissolving into the lavender sparkles characteristic of Twilight’s magic.
Sim blinked then lowered its head and placed one claw over its soulfire. “Goodnight, little brother. I hardly knew you.”
Twilight chuckled. “I could make it last longer with a little more power, but you know there’s no point. It’s just a puppet spell at heart, not something that’s actually alive.
Sim pulled its soulfire back within its body through its mouth and looked up at her. “I do know that. I can’t help but wonder, though, at that small spark of immortal magic that separates me from it. Tell me, Twilight Sparkle, when you looked at my soulfire did you identify the immortal that created it?”
Twilight shook her head. “I’d need more time and focus to identify the immortal magic. I do know the spell, though, I’ve had to use it recently. If you don’t mind my asking, who was it that created you?”
Sim looked away across the training field. Its eyes followed Spike and Gilda as the little dragon tried once more to follow her up into the air. “That’s just the thing, I don’t know. I told you that my full name is Simulacrum Seven. I am the seventh iteration of this dragon simulacrum and each iteration has been different from the last. I have been male and female, weak and powerful, sinuous and sturdy. The full memories are gone, of course, or I could not claim to be a new individual. But impressions of those past lives remain. When the time comes it will be me that remakes my soulfire in a new form and gives birth to Simulacrum Eight. This chain has gone on long enough that the identifiers in the immortal magic have worn away and with them any chance of knowing for certain who my original progenitor was.”
“You’re beautiful,” Twilight whispered, half to herself. She had remained silent while Sim was speaking, caught up in wonder at the magic of the being before her. A being crafted of pure magic. Twilight had never thought it possible, but the very concept seemed like the culmination of what magic could be. The ultimate link between the esoteric realm of magical theory and the practical world of real life itself. More, Sim was self-propagating. In a very real way Sim represented an entirely novel species, one whose very makeup was written in a language she could read. Twilight itched to examine its soulfire in greater detail and she very nearly demanded that Sim bring it out again so that she could do so.
With a start, Twilight realized what she had said to the dragon ambassador and she hastily tried to correct herself. “I mean, that is quite a story. Your soulfire is an incredible piece of magic and I am very grateful that you showed it to me.”
Sim laughed. “I am glad you think so. The mystery of my soulfire is part of the reason I joined Iolite on this quest. Oh, there is an official mission from Queen Tiamat, which I’m sure you’ve guessed at and which I will carry out to the best of my abilities. But I’m also here because I wondered if Princess Luna might have been the immortal that first created me.”
“Luna?” Twilight asked in surprise. “Why would you think it would be her? Surely Queen Tiamat would be the more likely immortal.”
“Princess Luna is the most creative of the immortals,” Sim said frankly, turning to face her once more. “Her music, her art, her crafting, all are the stuff of legend. She has been rather restrained for the past thousand years or so,” it said with a pointed look, “but dragons have long lifespans and long memories. We do not forget what she has made.”
“She would be pleased to hear that, I think,” Twilight said slowly. “If you get the chance I suspect telling her that would make her more likely to answer your question honestly.”
“Indeed? Well, thank you for the tip. I will keep that in mind if the opportunity arises.” It stretched its arms overhead and then rose up into the air. “This has been an interesting conversation, but I’m afraid we really do need to get back to the embassy.”
Twilight rose as well, taking a moment to admire the seamless levitation spell Sim used to slither through the air as an alternative to an ungainly walk on its relatively short legs. “This has been interesting. I’d like to think we understand one another a little better, and I would enjoy a chance to examine your soulfire more closely once things calm down a bit.”
“Did it win you over by showing you its soulfire?” Iolite snorted in derision. She, Spike and Gilda had walked over to the little table when they’d seen Sim stand up. “It loves to show that thing off, takes it out every chance it gets.”
“It is a unique magical artifact and one that I was sure a scholar such as the Archmage would appreciate seeing,” Sim said primly.
Iolite rolled her eyes. “If you say so.” She nudged Spike with one foot. “Go on Spike, don’t you have something to ask the Archmage?”
Spike took a step forward and looked up at Twilight. “Hey, Twilight? Can I go with them to the embassy? Iolite says they have some equipment that’ll help me train and strengthen my wings. And she said she’d lend me some books on dragon physiology that even the Royal Library doesn’t have.”
Twilight had to bite back a swift no. That was the fear talking, she knew. Instead she forced a smile that fooled nopony. “Of course you can! I want you to get answers to all those questions you’ve had that we never could figure out. Make sure you’re back before nightfall, though. I think it’s still a little early for sleepovers.”
“Thanks Twilight!” Spike skipped forward and gave her a hug. “You’re the best.”
Twilight ruffled his head spines. Then she shot a glance at Iolite that clearly said ‘bring him back safe or there’ll be Tartarus to pay’.
Iolite met Twilight’s gaze and nodded her understanding. “Come along now Spike. We’re wasting daylight.”
As the three dragons left, the fake smile slide off Twilight’s face only to be replaced with a melancholy expression. Gilda took one look at her and made an effort to cheer her up. “So, how’s about you and me go find something fun to do, eh Sparkle?”
Twilight sighed and made her own concerted effort to push her funk away, with mixed success. “Not right now Gilda. I’m afraid this consumed all the free time I budgeted for today. Lots of research and paperwork to be done. Equestria doesn’t run itself after all. Please do come by again though. I’ve long since learned the importance of mandatory breaks and I’d enjoy the chance to get to know you better.”
Gilda shrugged. “Sounds good to me. Turns out being an ambassador is pretty easy so it’s not like I have anything better to do. I even get credit for spending time with you, so that really works out. Anyway, catch ya later, Twilight.” Gilda took to the air and Twilight watched as she winged her way toward the Griffon embassy’s eyrie.
Twilight looked around the empty training field and raised a hoof in sarcastic celebration. “All foes are vanquished and the field of battle is all mine!” She let loose a mad cackle that she definitely hadn’t practiced in front of the mirror.
“Did you need something Archmage?” asked a passing guard Twilight had overlooked.
She jumped and blushed. “Ah, no. Thank you sir. Return to your post.” The guard diplomatically choose to simply nod and continue on his way.
Despite the embarrassment of being caught monologuing, Twilight perked up slightly at the thought of all the research she was going to get to do and trotted off to see what could be accomplished with the rest of the day.
***
The next few days passed as normally as could be expected, considering the bizarre light that still lit up the northern horizon. After court the next day, a Friday as it happened, Twilight busied herself with her appointed tasks. Her own inclinations led her to prioritize the research into potential cures for Princess Celestia’s situation. Since it was tangentially related, she also began organizing the ponies and equipment needed for a trip to the Crystal Empire. It needed to be ready to depart as soon as the light faded away. As a break, she’d spent a small amount of time looking into magical artifacts with an eye toward building a replacement for what she’d lost.
Gilda also came by, more than once, and while Twilight wasn’t sure if it was due to genuine friendship or an interest in being seen visiting the Archmage, she still enjoyed the visits. In part, because they helped take her mind off of Spike’s conspicuous absence.
With Twilight’s blessing, Spike continued to spend his every waking moment with Iolite, drinking in everything she could tell him about what it meant to be a dragon and practicing with his new wings. From her tower study, Twilight could often see him down on that same training ground where he’d first attempted to fly. Every time he flapped his wings enough to hover, Iolite would sweep him up in her claws and take him on a quick flight around the castle, both of them laughing the whole way. Spike being happy was good, but Twilight couldn’t quite put away the pangs of worry she felt every time she saw the two of them spending time together.
Luna, meanwhile, continued her own research, aided and abetted by Sunlit Rooms. While useful, Luna was also keeping Sunlit nearby in the hopes of determining if the pegasus was in fact her sister’s wayward body. That particular project went nowhere, but she made good progress on her own personal research and found herself nearly ready to propose to Twilight for feedback.
Despite her best efforts, Twilight’s research over the weekend proved rather fruitless. Between the continual absence of success and the irritant of Spike’s absence, Twilight found herself rather frustrated as she opened court on Monday. She settled into her not-quite-a-throne on the dais, prepared for a cathartic court session of being strict to the nobles and kind to everypony else. The court usher was sent out to retrieve the first petitioner and then the door to the court slammed open. Again.
They promptly rebounded off the springs she had placed behind them and smashed back into the offenders face. The usher peaked his head through the door and waved in gratitude, evidently tired of ponies disrespecting his job and his doors.
The door itself swung open more slowly this time and a familiar pink shape, squished flat by the rebounding door, slowly peeled off of it and pooled onto the floor in a goopy puddle, blatantly defying pony anatomy.
A twinge of guilt ran through Twilight as she recognized the shape or, at the very least, recognized the antics. “Pinkie? You alright?” she called down the hall.
“Twilight!” Pinkie Pie zipped upright, immediately reforming, though her face remained oddly flattened. She rushed down the hall and dove onto Twilight for a fierce hug. “We were so worried,” she sobbed.
Taken aback, Twilight slowly brought her forelegs up and returned the hug, awkwardly patting the other pony on the back. “I missed you too, Pinkie.”
“And the rest of us, darling? Or must we continue that dreadful fight?”
“Rarity! Girls!” Twilight exclaimed as Rarity led the rest of her friends into the hall. She rose from her seat on the dais and ran to greet them. Pinkie, whose forelegs were still wrapped around Twilight’s neck, flapped behind her like a flag as she ran. Reaching out widely she wrapped all five of them up in a big group hug, paying no mind to the disapproving sniffs from the nobles.
“I missed you all so much! There’s so much to tell you. Once court’s over we can spend the rest of the day catching up.”
“Neigh, Twilight Sparkle,” Luna said, having trotted over to join the happy group. “There is no need to wait. I know this weekend’s work has been sorely trying for you. Go, enjoy yourself. I suspect you will work better for it.”
“Are you sure, Luna?” Twilight asked worriedly. “Court can be pretty tricky, as you’ve recently seen for yourself.”
“Uh, Twilight? She been the Princess for a pretty long time,” Dash pointed out. “I think she can handle court for one day without your help.” At that, Twilight’s concern only deepened.
“Explain the full situation to them,” Luna suggested. “We might need the Elements of Harmony to resolve all of this anyway. Besides,” Luna laughed, “the court will not fall apart without you in a single day.”
“If you’re sure,” Twilight said doubtfully.
“I am.”
“Then alright, I guess I could use a break and some time with friends.” Twilight smiled. “And come to think of it, I’ve got a pretty good surprise for you, Dash.”
***
“So let me get this straight, you were actually right about the Princess?” Dash asked incredulously.
The six ponies had departed the castle and made their way into town. With the ease of long familiarity they had slipped back into following Twilight’s lead and they listened attentively as she outlined the situation while they walked. Considering how often some combination of the six of them happened on some adventure, they were a well-practiced audience. They gasped in all the right places and looked suitably horrified when Twilight explained how she’d lost her eye and what had happened to the princess they couldn’t remember. The morning sun rose toward noon as they walked, heralding the bustle of a city come to life. Despite the sensitive information she was conveying, Twilight didn’t fear being overheard, at least not for long enough for it to matter. The hustle and bustle of Equestria’s capital city kept everypony moving quickly past, intent on their own business.
“I was more wrong than right about the princess,” Twilight admitted. “I was right that something strange had happened to ponies’ memories, but I was wrong in blaming Luna.” Twilight stopped walking and sighed sadly. “That actually makes it harder in a way. If Luna had been responsible then we could have just used the Elements of Harmony and fixed everything in one go. Instead everything’s so tangled I’m not even sure if there is a solution, much less one I can actually find. Most of the problems we’re facing now haven’t happened before, so its not like I can just find the answer spelled out in a book, you know?”
“I hate to interrupt your moping, Twilight, but where are we going?”
Twilight looked up. “Oh right, sorry, Dash. I forgot you girls didn’t know where we were going. Actually, we’re here.” She raised a hoof, gesturing to the building beside her. The three story dark stone building was a grand affair, even for Canterlot. The top floor was open to the elements with an arching red roof over the whole structure, allowing fliers easy egress and ingress. The other two stories were more traditional but strange grotesque statues ornamented the corners of each floor, glaring out at all who passed.
A plaque on the side of the building declared ‘Embassy of the Griffon Empire’ in large block letters.
“Griffons?” Fluttershy meeped. “I’m not sure I want to meet any more griffons… not that they’re not perfectly nice… probably…” She trailed off, but the nervousness on her face was at about a seven, where one was cuddling with Angel Bunny alone in her cottage and ten was ‘fainting goat noises’.
Protective, Dash stepped in front of Fluttershy. “Fluttershy’s right. In case you’ve forgotten the last time she met a griffon it didn’t go so well, and that was one we knew.
“This time will be better,” Twilight promised. “Besides I happen to know that there’s a griffon who would like a word with several of you. Wait here while I bring her out.” Without giving the others time to object, Twilight slipped inside the embassy.
The inside of the embassy was cool from the bare stone walls. Directly before the entrance waited a griffon guard in full armor, wingblades extended and ready to deal with any intruders, like, say, Twilight.
She quickly held up a foreleg in an open gesture, demonstrating her peaceful intent. “I’m here to talk to Gilda. Is she around?” she asked.
“Pinion Gilda is not available,” the guard said brusquely, though he did relax his stance slightly so that he no longer giving the impression that he was on the verge of attacking. “I’m afraid you’ll have to come back some other time.”
Twilight rolled her eye. “The flag of your king is flying outside, which is only permitted if a member of the royal family is present, ergo she is here. Now, I am the Archmage and as such I expect to be permitted to speak with the diplomats in my own city, not get held up by minor functionaries. You will go get Gilda immediately and perhaps I will be kind enough to forget exactly which guard was foolish enough to delay me. Clear?”
The griffon, perhaps recalling the rumors that the Archmage had dueled with an immortal and lived to tell the tale, elected to make a noise of acknowledgment that in no way resembled a chicken squawk and proceeded to scurry from the room. A few short moments later the guard, his head slunk low in shame, returned trailing behind Gilda.
“Twilight, good to see you.” The griffon lifted her claw for a hoof bump and Twilight returned the gesture. “I thought you’d be too busy for visiting today. What brings you to the embassy?”
“I was persuaded to take the day off against my will,” Twilight said wryly. “But an interesting opportunity presented itself and I thought it would be worth involving you. Are you free?”
Gilda shrugged. “Like I keep telling you, I’m really just a figurehead. Talon Grist does all the real work. I’ll come along. What’s up?”
“Let me show you.” Twilight turned and gestured, leading Gilda out of the embassy.
The sudden light of the noonday sun blinded Gilda for a moment and she shaded her eyes with one wing. As her eyes adjusted she could just make out a familiar blue pegasus. Other ponies, less familiar but still recognizable stood there as well, but Gilda only had eyes for that one.
“Twilight, what is she doing here?” Rainbow Dash asked sharply.
“Gilda, I want you to meet my friends,” Twilight said brightly. “From left to right that’s Applejack, Rarity, Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy, and Pinkie Pie. Girls, this is Gilda, the lead ambassador from the griffon empire.”
“We’ve met, as you know” drawled Gilda, taking refuge in sarcasm while she tried to process the unexpected meeting with her old friend. “It didn’t exactly go well.”
“That’s why I thought starting over again might be a good idea,” Twilight said doggedly. “You can’t tell me you don’t wish last time had gone differently.”
“I…” Gilda trailed off, not knowing what to say.
“Exactly.” Twilight nodded, freely interpreting Gilda’s noncommittal response in the best possible way. “What do you say girls? Are you willing to give Gilda a second chance?”
When no other pony was willing to speak up, Applejack offered her opinion. “Way I see it, if somepony is being straight ‘bout startin’ fresh, then it’s worth givin’ them a shot.” Applejack glanced over at the other members of the group. “Fluttershy and Pinkie Pie are the ones she was mean to before. If they’re ok with it, then it’s all good with me.”
“Yay! I love making new friends.” Pinkie hopped forward and slung her hoof around Gilda’s shoulders, proving once again that in her mind personal space was something best shared with others. In an undertone quiet enough that only Gilda and Twilight were close enough to hear she whispered, “I’ll become quite the frowny face if you make Dash sad again. I don’t think you’d like that.” Her smile never wavered as she removed her foreleg and hopped back to the others, humming lightly.
Slightly unnerved, Gilda turned to Fluttershy and waited for her verdict.
The yellow pegasus shrunk back from all the attention suddenly focused on her. She visibly took a deep breath and gathered her courage to say what she wanted to say. “We never really got along, back at flight camp, did we?”
“Not really, no,” Gilda acknowledged.
“But even back then Dash would come tell me stories about how you and she had gotten into another fight with the bullies. And I was glad she had somepony to watch her back and to do the things with her that I never could. It wasn’t perfect, but it worked, and we each took care of our part.” Fluttershy paused and gently pushed back her mane so she could meet Gilda’s eyes with both of her own. Not quite to the level of The Stare, but with an uncharacteristic edge for the kind pegasus.
“And then you came to Ponyville. You yelled at me, which was fine. Well not really fine, please don’t yell at me.” Fluttershy seemed in danger of clamming up but with a supporting nudge from Rarity she managed to continue. “I get yelled at a lot and I’m scared a lot. I can forgive you for that. What I can’t forgive is that a few party pranks were enough to drive you away from Dash for good. I mean, what kind of a griffon up and abandons their fillyhood friend over a few jokes. Even I wouldn’t do that and I’m such a scaredy-cat they don’t even prank me because they don’t think I can handle it!”
Fluttershy was practically shouting by this point, for her, which meant that Gilda no longer needed to strain to hear her. The fact that it was Fluttershy scolding her and she was standing there and taking it would have bothered the griffon a lot more before she found out that the timid pegasus had done something similar to a dragon.
“You’re right,” Gilda said simply as Fluttershy finally ran down. “I never should have let myself be driven away from Dash that easily.”
“That’s what you’re apologizing for?” Rarity exclaimed. “Not your poor manners or horrid behavior but that you had the good sense to leave when you weren’t wanted? That was the one thing you got right!”
“Okay,” Fluttershy said.
Gilda blinked. “Okay what?”
“Okay I forgive you. I’m sorry, but I don’t think we can be friends. Not that you’re not a wonderful griffon, I’m sure, to other ponies anyway. I just don’t think we’d get along. You and Dash got along just fine, though. And I know,” she nudged the frowning Dash forward a step with her wing, “that even though she won’t say it, she’d be happy to have you as a friend again.”
Rarity shook her head. “Fluttershy, dear, you really are too trusting.”
“Maybe. But I’d be sad if Dash couldn’t see her friend again because of me.” She turned with the others to watch Dash and Gilda. “It’s okay with me and Pinkie. The rest is up to you, Dash.”
Rainbow Dash scuffed a hoof against the ground and studiously avoided looking directly at Gilda. Gilda, for her part, tried to look at Dash but the awkwardness of the pony overcame her will and she ended up dropping her gaze as well, a light blush staining her feathers.
“Come on Dash, say something already.” Her words were pleading but her tone sounded angry instead. It appeared that griffons did not do pleading.
“You know I’m no good with this touchy-feely junk,” Dash muttered. “I’m just good at… Wait, that’s it!” She perked up, the fire returned to her eyes. “Let’s race, Gilda!”
“What?”
“Yeah!” Rainbow Dash started pacing back and forth in her excitement. “We’ll have a race. If you win then we’re friends again and we forget about all the stupid stuff before. And if I win…” she trailed off, thinking.
“Gilda has to dye her head feathers pink!” Pinkie Pie shouted.
“What?” Gilda said again.
“Oh that’s a good one, Pinkie. You lose, you dye your head feathers pink.” Dash got right up in Gilda’s face. “That’s the bet. Unless you’re chicken.”
Gilda’s eyes blazed, inflamed by the challenge. “You’re on, Dash. Name the course, I’ll show you who’s faster.”
“How about the royal pegasus guard obstacle course,” Twilight suggested. “That should be tough enough for the two of you, and it’s well marked so there wouldn’t be any doubts about the winner.”
“Perfect. Race you there!” Dash took off in a flash of her prismatic mane.
Gilda watched her go and turned to Twilight. “Does she have any idea where the course is?”
“Nope.” Twilight grinned. “She’ll be back. Follow me everypony,” she called to the group, setting off back toward the castle.
“That’s so Dash,” Gilda sighed, a slight smile on her face. “At least she hasn’t changed with all the world-saving she’s been doing lately.
As the five ponies and one griffon made their way back to the castle, Rarity trotted up beside Twilight. “Is this really a good idea?” she asked in an undertone. “Surely there will be problems at court if the griffon ambassador turns up with a pink head. Which Gilda might realize if she spent any time at all thinking this through.”
“She’s been blatantly meeting with me privately to play up her connection to the six of us. If she frames it as a way to draw herself closer to the heroes of Equestria and the Archmage the fallout shouldn’t be too bad. Besides, I suggested the royal pegasus guard obstacle course because it was designed to be run by ponies in full armor. Gilda should have at least a fighting chance since she’s heavier,” Twilight responded just as softly.
Rarity nodded, well understanding the political situation and willing to accept as given the intricacies of flight dynamics, though she still looked concerned. “On the personal side, Dash has a tendency to fly away from emotional problems, though usually not so literally. Is this really the best way to get them back together?”
“Look at the outcomes,” Twilight pointed out. “Either all is explicitly forgiven or they have a fun race, dye Gilda’s feathers pink, and enjoy watching the courts reaction. Seems like Dash has already decided to forgive her and just can’t say it outright.”
“To err is equine, to forgive is divine. We could all use a little more forgiveness in our lives, wouldn’t you say, darling?” A slight inflection on the word ‘forgiveness’ lent Rarity’s words an extra layer of meaning.
Twilight glanced over at the other pony. In many ways Rarity was the subtlest of the six friends and even now Twilight wasn’t quite sure if Rarity was asking for forgiveness or signaling that she was willing to offer it if Twilight apologized for their earlier fight. Or perhaps there was no double meaning and the word had been stressed by happenstance. Regardless, Twilight suspected that this was Rarity’s way of offering to let lie their own squabble over the existence of Princess Celestia, something Twilight was more than happy to do.
“I agree,” she said carefully, watching for Rarity’s reaction. “It’s best to let bygones be bygones.” When a bit of tension relaxed out of Rarity’s shoulders, Twilight knew she had made the right call.
“Quite right,” said Rarity, smiling. “Well it’s been loving chatting with you, but I really must make sure Fluttershy is alright after that meeting with Gilda. The poor dear is so easily frightened. Do make sure Gilda and Dash don’t kill each other, will you?”
“Will do,” Twilight confirmed. Rarity nodded back and dropped back to talk with Fluttershy who was, unsurprisingly, bringing up the rear.