“You loved every bit of it, you loved having griffons call you a prodigy, loved the attention you got. You have no idea how hard it was to watch you while the rest of the family pushed me aside.”
I looked at the arena as we walked closer to it, Aura slightly ahead of me her sister Fletch on my other side. I’d only gotten a glimpse of the arena when I was here last. Before I thought it had walls made out of sandstone, but I was wrong. The sandstone around it was just raised platforms for griffons to watch from. The arena had walls made out of scrap metal that only went a few feet high giving a good view into a sunken pit in the middle of it. There was loose sand scattered around the floor of the arena, making the ground softer than the canyons normal hard surface. It was also huge, giving enough room for other griffons to fight. Griffons had already started to surround the arena, either on all sides of it or on the cliff sides so they could look down on the action. At one end there was a raised platform that overlooked the arena.
As we drew closer to it I looked over at Aura and asked, “Do you really have to do this? I mean who cares what the rest of the griffons think here, you’re not part of the Red Talons anymore.”
Aura looked back at me, “I care, it’s not just about me Shadow. If it was, I wouldn’t be doing this. Honestly, I don’t give two shits about what Fletch thinks or what she wants me to do. I’m doing this for two reasons, first she needs to learn her lesson once and for all, second, if I back down I’ll look like a cowered and that reflects badly on my family.”
“I thought you said family is too much work, so why do you care?” I asked.
She sighed, “Family is too much work, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t care about them. I mean I’ve been enough of a disappointment to them.”
I put a hoof on her shoulder stopping her, when she looked down at me I said, “Aura you’re a lot of things, but a disappointment isn’t one of them. All you did was break a stupid rule of your talon company. So what, your family might have looked bad because of it, but that’s their problem for not accepting you for who you are. From what I’ve seen, most of them are trying to make up for that mistake. Hell, I’m sure that most of the griffons here don’t give two shits about what you did. I think Fletch is just angry because she thinks you don’t care about how she feels.”
Aura looked back at the arena where Fletch was waiting, “You might be right about that. I know it’s hard to believe, but Fletch and I used to be very close. Before I was with Trip Wire, Fletch was the closest thing I had to a best friend.”
“What happened?”
Aura sighed, “I met Trip Wire and spent less time with my sister. Over the years she grew angrier and angrier with me until she just flat out hated me. When she found out what I was doing with Trip Wire, she was disgusted with me.”
Fletch yelled over at us, “Hurry up Aura, or are you thinking about backing down?”
Aura looked back at me and smiled, “I love you Shadow.”
“I love you too, are you going to be okay?” I asked as she started to walk away.
“I’ll be fine, this isn’t a fight to the death or anything.”
I felt a hoof rub my mane a little. Looking up I saw Stardust watching her go as well, “She’ll be fine Shadow, you know how good of a fighter Aura is. Fletch doesn’t stand a chance.”
“I know, but I’m not worried about her safety, I’m worried that she’s going to hate herself after this.”
He looked confused, “Why’s that?”
“Because no matter what, Aura’s going to lose, even if she wins this fight. If she does win, she’ll make her sister look weak in front of all of the Red Talons. Fletch will have lost a fight against a disgraced griffon. If Fletch wins, Aura will have to leave her home for good and stop being a freelancer. It will screw with her way of life.” I said.
“I see what you mean, I wonder what will happen when this is over.” He said with a sigh, “Well we can’t change her mind, so all we can do is watch and hope that things work out for the best. Come on, Apollo said we can watch the fight from the platform overlooking the arena with him and Gigi.”
“Alright,” I said letting him pick me up and fly me over to the larger platformer where Gigi was waiting with Apollo and my friends.
When both Aura and Fletch entered Gigi stood on her hind legs and raised her talons to the sky, “Fighters, you both have shown your bravery by entering the arena today. Let no griffon here think that either of you are cowards. Now, as the challenger, Fletch Bloodtalon do you still wish to fight today?”
Fletch looked up at her mother and said, “I do.”
Gigi looked over at Aura, “Aura Bloodtalon, you have been challenged to fight today in the arena, in front of the Red Talons and your family against your own flesh and blood. You have accepted by entering, but I must ask, do you still wish to fight Fletch?”
“I do,” Aura said.
Gigi looked around at all of the griffons stating, “Both griffons have accepted,” Then she looked back at the sisters, “Fletch, as this is a fight with stakes, please state what you request if you win today.”
“Aura has to drop the name Bloodtalon and never return to our home. She disgraced our family by breaking one of our ten laws. The same laws laid down by Greta herself. Not only did she start a relationship with a mare, she also let it interfere with her work as a talon, once she was caught and banished she still stayed with this mare until her death. Aura was left with a way to get back in to our ranks, but she decided to instead find a new pony to be with, spiting on our way of life and our families honor. When she loses today, she will no longer be part of our family, she can no longer be a freelance griffon, and she must leave our territory forever. The banishment applies to her lover and friends If she does come back then she will suffer death for breaking the terms set down today by this fight,” Fletch said.
Gigi looked sad shaking her head, but she kept it held high as she looked over at her youngest daughter, “Aura Bloodtalon, do you agree with the terms set down today? If so, do you have any of your own?”
“Only one, if I win I want Fletch to be banished from the Red Talons like I was for a whole year. That way she will see how hard the world really is without the protection of our family,” Aura said.
“You do realize Aura that if you accept the terms of this fight you will be banished from anywhere the Red Talons call their territory? You will also no longer be allowed to be even a freelancer griffon. This will change your life forever, you would be considered less than a griffon to all of your kind across the Wasteland. With this in mind, do you still wish to proceed?” Apollo said walking over to stand next to Gigi.
“I do,” Aura said, “and yes I agree.”
I felt anger building as I looked down at her yelling, “If you lose this fight Aura, you’d be leaving me behind as well!”
Gigi pushed me back looking down and saying quietly, “Shadow you can’t interfere, trust Aura.”
“She’s right Shadow,” Stardust said wrapping his hooves around me to pull me into a tight hug, “Aura will be just fine.”
Aura didn’t answer me, but when I looked back at her I saw a tear running down her face. She knew what was at risk, she knew she couldn’t lose. When I finally calmed down Apollo looked at Fletch, “Fletch, you understand that if you lose you will be cast out of the Red Talons and unable to return home for a year. With this in mind do you accept the terms?”
“I do, and trust me I won’t lose,” Fletch said with a smirk.
Gigi spoke again, “Let it be known that both parties agree. Now as you all know this is a fight to prove who is the better fighter between two griffons. This means that no ranged weapons are aloud. Since this fight is not ‘to the death’ then only practice weapons are allowed. Aura what weapon will you use today? As the one being challenged you get first pick.”
“I’ll use a long spear…” Aura started to say, but Fletch cut her off.
“Aura I’m not going to let you fight me unless you are at your best, I want everyone here to know that I can win even against you with your best weapon,” Fletch said.
Aura looked over at her sister then sighed, “Fine, I’ll use twin forward facing Gurkha’s.”
Fletch smiled then said, “I’ll use a long sword.”
Two griffons entered the arena with a box as they did I looked over at Gigi and asked, “What’s a Gurkha?”
She looked down at me and said quietly, “The swords Greta used, the ones you see on her statue in the center of the Canyon. Aura prefers a spear, but she’s always been better with two Gurkha’s. The one’s she asked for, the blade turns forward making it easier to gut and slash. It’s also a very fast weapon.”
I watched as the box was opened and two silver swords shaped just like the one I had ‘Misery’ were taken out and given to Aura. Aura took both and twirled them around in her talons a few times. Fletch took a long slender looking sword from the other griffon and spun it around quickly. Once both had their weapons the other griffons left.
Gigi raised one talon to the heavens, “Fighters ready…and Begin!”
As soon as Gigi dropped her talon, Fletch attacked. She flapped her wings at the same time she jumped forward, giving her extra speed to charge Aura. That sword of hers gave her a much longer reach than the smaller ones Aura held. Aura didn’t look worried at all, as soon as Fletch’s sword came close Aura brought her left sword up blocking the attack and pushing her sisters’ blade to one side as she brought her other blade around to slash at Fletch.
Fletch twisted around following her blade around then spinning and trying to strike at Aura’s back. Aura ducked under the attack and kicked back with a hind leg, catching her sister’s stomach sending her flying back into a far wall. Aura twisted around and flipped her blades around in her talons again, “By now I thought you would have learned how to calm down in a fight sis, but it seems you still have some learning to do. You always rush your opponent, it makes it easy to predict your moves.”
“I’m not finished yet Aura, that was just a warm up!” Fletch yelled as she took to the air then dove at her sister.
Aura dodged to the right, but her sisters blade changed direction and she slammed the blade down on one of Aura wings. If the blade had been sharp, she would have just cut her sisters wing off. Aura swore then turned around and looked back at her sister, both her blades held up ready for another attack. As she did Apollo lifted a talon saying, “One point to Fletch.”
I looked over at Gigi and asked, “Point?”
“Since this fight isn’t to the death, that means we have to take each mortal blow as a point. Ten points wins the match, as it stands it’s Fletch one Aura zero.”
“Nice move sis, I guess you really have been trying to get better. Now let’s see how you do when I get serious!” Aura said flipping both blades back and lunging at her sister.
Fletch swiped her sword at Aura, Aura grinned and brought both her blades up to block Fletch, then she parried the blow and attacked. Fletch jumped back then slashed down. The next thing I knew, both of them were trading blows, the ringing of metal filling the air. The griffons watching the fight started to cheer for who they wanted to win. It was hard to tell who’s name I heard more, Aura’s or Fletch’s. I always figured that Aura wasn’t much liked in the Red Talons because of what she did, but from the sound of it, plenty of griffons really wanted her to win.
Aura black flipped over Fletch then stabbed down onto her, slamming her to the ground. Apollo put a talon in the air again, “One point to Aura.”
Both fighters started again each attack getting wilder as the fight went on. I hadn’t seen half of the attacks Aura was using to fend off Fletch. Each blow got harder, each parry getting more desperate from each side. I wasn’t as skilled of a fighter as Aura, but I could tell just by watching that both Aura and Fletch were almost evenly matched. Fletch had more power behind her blows and better reach because of her heavier and longer sword. Aura on the other hoof was faster and watched each movement her sister made. From what little I learned from Yaksha, Aura’s fighting style was the better one to use. But also, even though Fletch’s style was more straight-forward, she could use it to overwhelm Aura over time.
“Two points to Aura,” Apollo yelled as Aura slammed her sister’s block to the side and pressed her other sword up to Fletch’s neck.
Aura pulled away grinning, “I thought you said you were going to beat me sis what’s wrong? From what I can tell you…”
Fletch moved even faster than she had before, her sword slamming into Aura’s gut before she could even put up a proper defense. Aura looked shocked as Fletch said, “Don’t EVER let your guard down remember!”
I watched as the fight got worse, Fletch got two more points putting them at Four and Two. Aura made a small come back when she used a faint to get a nasty blow against Fletch. Each blow got worse, every hit getting louder, by now they were both holding at seven to six in favor of Fletch.
“Every time they fight they get like this,” Gigi said.
“What do you mean?” I asked, keeping my eyes glued on Aura as she ducked under one of Fletches slashes then tried to stab her in the gut, only to have Fletch twist around the stab and kick her in the face.
“Every time Fletch and Aura fought they get more and more aggressive, it’s rare for them to ever make it to the end without one or both of them getting hurt. Last time Aura broke three of Fletch’s ribs, the time before that Fletch broke Aura’s left hindleg. When they fight it’s like it’s life or death,” Gigi said with a sigh, “This is why I didn’t want them to fight, but they are my daughters and they are all hot-headed, thanks to me.”
I jumped as Aura and Fletch met in midair, their swords connecting and sending out such a loud bang, it echoed off the canyon’s walls. They landed then attacked again only to block each other’s blows. Unlike before, neither of them broke away, instead they both tried to overpower the other. I could tell that both of them were exhausted, but neither would back down.
As Aura pushed her two swords against her sister’s long one she said, “What is your fucking problem sis, what’s the point behind this stupid fight?”
“I didn’t bring you here to talk Aura! We’re here to fight you now shut up!” Fletch said, her voice shaking slightly.
Aura side stepped twisted around and slashed at her sisters back. Fletch retaliated by looping her sword around and stabbing back into her sisters’ belly. As she did I heard Apollo yell, “Nine to Nine, the next point earned will be the winner!”
“Come on Aura you can do this,” I said watching as she panted looking across the arena at her sister who was panting just as hard.
“Why do you care so much about proving you’re a better fighter than me? You shouldn’t care one bit about if you can beat me in a fight, I’m not a Red Talon anymore. All you’d prove is that your stronger than some freelancer outcast. If you really wanted to prove your strength you’d fight Vi or one of the other top fighters in the Talons. This isn’t about proving how strong you are, so what’s the real reason?” Aura asked through her heavy breathing.
“You won your matches against Vi two years ago Aura, you took out Gus and Syn as well in multiple fights back when you still cared about your family,” Fletch said, “It’s always been about you Aura, every damned day of my life ever since you hatched. Aura the prodigy, Aura the griffon who would one day take over as leader, Aura the poor little chick who got to train with Gina when she was little, Aura, Aura, Aura, all the damned time it’s always about YOU! If I win against you, I’m proving that you aren’t the best fighter in our family, proving that I’m the one who should take over one day!”
She attacked again, Aura lifted her swords in an X to block as her sister started banging on her blades over and over again, “I have no idea what you mean. I didn’t ask to be the best fighter, I was just born with a lot of talent.”
Fletch screamed and slammed her sword down harder and harder with each blow yelling, “That’s the problem right there. I had to work my ASS off to get stronger. I spent hours every day training, learning, and watching so I could reach your level. For years I stood by your side and praised you as you pushed your way up our ranks. I LOVED you, I wanted to be just like you, I wanted that raw talent you had so bad. It was so fucking sad and pathetic, you’re the YOUNGEST of us. You should have been looking up to ME or to your other sisters, but no you just had a gift and EVERYONE KNEW IT!”
Fletch twisted around and tried to slam her sword into her sisters’ side, Aura just got her swords up to block, but the blow still sent her skidding across the ground. When she got back up and blocked another attack by Fletch she yelled, “I did look up to you, all of you. You wanted to be like ME? I hated my talent, all I wanted to be when I was younger is a medic like Syn. I looked up to her because she didn’t care about how good of a fighter she was, no she cared about helping others, Vi I looked up to because she was a good leader and the perfect role model for me when it came to taking command, Gus wasn’t strong or smart, but he was kind and caring, I looked up to him for that. Then there’s you Fletch, you have no idea how much I wish I had the ability you did to never back down from a fight, never care about what others thought about you, you’re brave, strong, and never gave up! I had to become what I am because Gina saw my talent and wanted to shape it to make me a fighter.”
Fletch attacked again, but Aura dodged it and flew to the other end of the arena. Fletch looked back at her sister yelling, “You loved every bit of it, you loved having griffons call you a prodigy, loved the attention you got. You have no idea how hard it was to watch you while the rest of the family pushed me aside. I was always second best compared to you, I never thought twice about it, because I loved you sis. So, what did I get for having your back for all of these years? You betrayed us! That bitch mare came into your life and took you away from us. Ever since you met her, you did what everyone else did, pushed me AWAY! When she entered your life, you treated me like dirt! To make it even worse, you hid your feelings about her from ME. I was your best friend, your biggest supporter back then, I wanted you to succeed, because if you did I’d be okay with you being better. Then you threw it all away, you know you could have told me and I would have kept your secret, but no you just lied and hid!”
Everyone was quiet now, as we all saw the same thing at the same time. Fletch was crying…tears running down her face as she held her sword up ready for another attack. But she didn’t move as she looked across the arena at Aura who looked dumbfounded by her sister’s rage. The quiet got so bad that you could’ve heard a pin drop.
“SAY SOMETHING!” Fletch screamed.
Aura hung her head and sighed, letting her blades rest at her sides as she stayed standing on her hind legs, “You’re right I did push you away, but not because I didn’t trust you, or because I was trying to hide from you. I did it because I knew that one day someone was going to find out about Trip Wire and me. If anyone found out that you knew as well, you would have been sent away too. I didn’t want that for you Fletch, I didn’t want any of my family to be brought down for what I was doing.”
“Then why didn’t you stop! She was just a fucking Pony, she wasn’t a griffon, it’s not like she was your soul mate. You just did what you always do, pushed the limits on what you could get away with. You didn’t care about what would happen to us, because if you did you wouldn’t have done it,” Fletch screamed, “You know the worst part? Even after you left, nothing changed here, it was still always about you. Dad making sure you had a way to get back into the talons, mom keeping an eye on you, Vi and Syn talking behind our backs on trying to find a way to help you find a job that would PROVE you belonged here. Always, it’s about precious Aura. Poor youngest daughter of the leader who made a mistake. If it was me who FUCKED a pony I would have been kicked out and forgotten!”
I saw Gigi get up as if she was going to say something, but Apollo put a talon on her shoulder, “Don’t…let her speak, you can’t help anyway, she needs to get this off her chest.”
Gigi sat back down looking at her daughters as they stood off, Fletch ready to attack, Aura looking sad and not defending herself. Aura finally looked back at her sister, “You’re right I could have stopped, Trip Wire wasn’t my soul mate, but I thought she was back then. I was young and stupid, I fell for her because I saw something in her that I liked. She may not have been a griffon, but she did have something that intrigued me. Yes, enough to risk my life and my possession in the Talons.”
“All for a fucking mare who DIED because of what you did!” Fletch screamed, “Tell me this Aura, why didn’t you try to come back after that huh? You know you could have if you wanted too. Why did you spend Six months alone as a freelancer when all you had to do was come home and beg for mom’s forgiveness?”
It was Aura’s turn to yell, “Because I was ashamed! Is that what you want to hear? I was ashamed of what happened, for what I did, for everything and yes, that includes Trip Wire dying. She loved me with all her heart, but deep down I knew I didn’t love her the same. It took me six months to even work up the nerve to even think about coming back, that’s why I stole the orders you had on you to find The Courier! I was going to take that bounty and get back in so I could try to earn everyone’s forgiveness for breaking our great laws.”
“Then why didn’t you do that when you found her!”
Aura slashed a sword upward in the air as she yelled, “I made a mistake and got hurt, Shadow saved my life because her friend Stardust nearly caved in my side with a kick. If she would have left me there I wouldn’t have been able to get to a safe place, I might have even died from internal bleeding, but…” Aura took the blade she had up and pointed it directly at me, “Shadow showed me compassion and kindness, she gave me a healing potion which I was fresh out of. I did what any self-respecting griffon would have done and followed her to repay her for her kindness.”
Fletch sneered, “And then you decided to stay with her even after you repaid your debt, because you saw a chance to have the same fun you did before with another fucking PONY!”
“It wasn’t about that at all, I never saw Shadow as somepony to have fun with, not like with Trip Wire. Yes, I had fun with Trip Wire and for a while I thought I loved her. It wasn’t until I met Shadow that I knew how wrong I was, because ever since I first met her I knew she was the one I was meant to be with!”
My heart skipped a beat when she said that and I felt a tear running down my face. Fletch however laughed, “She’s a PONY, you can’t have those feeling for a Pony!”
“You’re wrong Fletch, you know as well as I do, a griffon’s soul isn’t bound by their race. Souls are not bound by gender or race, when two souls meet and they are meant to be together, it doesn’t matter who they are or what they are. I love Shadow, I’d die for her, just like I’d die for you because you’re my family and she is as well. When I look at her I don’t see a pony, I don’t see the Courier Mare. When I look at her I see the one who is light to my darkness, that half that makes me whole, she is my life and I’m hers. If you don’t like that then fine, I don’t care, because I don’t need The Red Talons, I don’t need to be a Freelancer, I don’t even need my family even if I still love all of you with all my heart. All I need is her. I don’t even need this fight and do you know why? Because I don’t care if your stronger or if I am, if you win, your stupid terms won’t keep me from her, it won’t bring me back to the Red Talons in the future, it will only push me farther away from you. My life isn’t in this fucking canyon anymore trying to find a way to make more caps or to become stronger. I’m a free griffon and I always will be, no matter what you say, or what you try to do,” Aura said.
Fletch looks lost for a moment as Aura spoke, then she said so quietly that no one would have heard it if it hadn’t been so quiet, “You’d give up everything…for her?”
Aura sighed, “I already have. Now let’s finish this Fletch, you’ve said your peace and so have I. If you really need to prove that you’re the stronger griffon then so be it. I don’t care anymore.”
Fletch screamed again and charged at Aura, her long sword held high as she flew across the Arena. Aura jumped into the air again and charged Fletch. Fletch looped her sword around into an upper cut slash, Aura started to bring her left sword around to block, but then Fletch twisted around looping her sword back the other direction going for a downward slash instead. Aura saw this, moving her other blade up to block. Then I saw Aura change her block, letting it slip to the side of her sister’s blade giving her an opening. It was right then that I knew what Aura was doing, she was throwing the match so her sister could win. She was giving up her future and happiness so her Sister could have a better one. She was doing this so Fletch could finally be happy.
Fletch’s sword slammed down on Aura’s shoulder, sending my loving, wonderful, stupid griffon slamming into the soft sand. Aura laid there moaning in pain as she held her shoulder with a talon. Fletch landed next to her looking shocked at what just happened right as Apollo said, “Ten to nine, Fletch Wins.”
Those words felt like a knife being driven into my own heart. Because of the terms Fletch had set up if she won, Aura would be banished from the Marejave, because The Red Talons territory was huge. She’d have to stop taking contracts, she’d no longer be a normal griffon ever again. If I wanted to stay with Aura we’d all have to leave and never be able to come back here. I’d have to say goodbye to the land I’d started to call home, give up on finding out more about The Children of the Night, Aquila, my mom, everything I’d been working at for weeks now. All because Aura let that last attack make it through, she’d had the block, could have used it to get her own hit in so she could win. She hadn’t, because Aura just wanted to give something back to her sister.
I felt Stardust pull me close again saying quietly, “It’ll be okay Shadow, we’ll figure something out.”
I couldn’t say anything back to him, I was watching as Fletch looked down at Aura, confusion written on her face. Gigi got up and said in a sad voice, “The winner is Fletch Bloodtalon, Aura this means that you will have to do as was requested by Fletch. You will give up the name Bloodtalon…leave our lands forever…and give up your right as a freelancer…”
“NO!” I yelled pulling out of Stardust’s grasp and jumping off the platform. I ran over to where Aura was still laying in the sand looking up at the clouds as tears ran down her face. I moved in front of Fletch saying, “You can’t do this to her Fletch! I know you don’t approve of Aura’s way of life, but you can’t make her leave everything she’s known for her whole life just because you’re angry!”
Fletch looked over at me, but she didn’t look angry anymore, she looked sad, “She knew what she was getting into when she accepted.”
“Horse apples, Aura only did this for YOU, can’t you see that? She’s risking everything so you can feel better about yourself. She cares about you so much that she’s willing to give up even ME so you can be happy!” I yelled, “If that’s not a good enough reason for you to take back your terms then how about this. I’ll fight you here and now, if I win you take back what you said. I’M NOT GOING TO LET HER BE FORCED TO LEAVE OVER YOU!”
Gigi landed next to me and put a talon on my shoulder trying to pull me away, “Shadow, it’s done, you can’t change that.”
I pulled away then took hold of both blades Aura had been using with my magic and pointed them at Fletch, “Fight me!”
“Step aside Courier,” Fletch said lifting her sword a little.
“NEVER!”
Fletch sighed then said a word I thought I’d never hear come from her beak, “Please.”
Not knowing why, I back up a little so I was now standing on the other side of Aura. She looked up at me and said in a tired voice, “I’m sorry, but I had to do it.”
I didn’t get a chance to answer as Fletch knelt next to Aura and asked quietly, “Why did you do it?”
Aura chuckled then winced in pain, “Do what?”
Still keeping quiet so that no one could hear Fletch, “You had that block, I saw it, you could have easily taken the last point for yourself, but instead you let me win. Why would you do that? To show other griffons that you had to give me a victory?”
Aura looked up at her sister again, “Because, I know that no matter what, no matter where I go or what I have to do, Shadow will still stay with me. That’s all I need in life, you however needed this win, you can’t handle being alone, trust me sis, it’s not easy.”
“All you did was show that you’re still better.”
“Fletch, why can’t you see what I see huh? I’m only better than you because of things I learned outside of Crimson Canyon. The wasteland made me a better fighter than I already was before. I’m still better then you, but not by a lot, if I stayed here, you would have ended up being better than me by now, because you care about how strong you are and I don’t. All I ask is that once I’m gone for good, you’ll try to calm down, learn more control, and be happy. If you do that then I can handle losing today. You need to stop living in my shadow, and come into the light so everyone can see how wonderful you really are.”
Fletch got back up then looked at her mom who was still standing a few feet back, “I’d like to retract my earlier terms and only ask for one thing, that is if Aura will agree.”
Gigi looked shocked for a moment then said, “You may, but only if Aura agrees to your new terms.”
I saw another tear run down Fletch’s face as she spoke, “All I ask is that Aura gives up her right to ever rejoin the Red Talons. I still believe that she is no longer worthy of being one of us, but I’d like her to still come see us as much as she wants, not as a banished griffon, but as a Talon of her own small group. I don’t want to not see my little sister. Ever again”
Aura got to her talons, “I’ll accept, since you won I give up all rights to ever joining the Red Talons again.”
And to mine and I think everyone’s amazement, Fletch and Aura hugged, both dropping their weapons as they both broke down. I walked back over to Gigi asking, “What the hell just happened.”
Gigi smiled saying, “Sometimes the only way you can fix something that’s been broken is by fighting it out.”
“How does fighting fix something?” I asked.
She looked down at me smiling, “You’re still young and inexperienced with real life, one day you’ll understand,” She walked forward as Fletch and Aura separated, Gigi took one of Fletch’s talons in the air saying, “The winner is Fletch, let it be known that as of today she has shown that she is stronger than Aura. Fletch has taken back her earlier request for the terms of the duel and with Aura agreeing they have come to a new agreement. Aura Bloodtalon has lost her right to ever rejoin our company, therefore as the Leader of the Red Talons, I have decided that since Aura has given up her rights to ever become a Red Talon again, she is no longer banished from Crimson Canyon. I now recognize Aura Bloodtalon as a separate Talon company. Aura and her team have full rights as all Talon groups that we work with do. Visiting rights and inter-territorial workings.”
The sounds of cheers were deafening. Griffons and the Ponies from Cartwheel were screaming, cheering and applauding in approval of Gigi’s announcement. I looked back at Aura who looked like somepony had just slapped her. She looked over at her mother and asked, “I’m…not banished anymore?”
The cheers started to die down as Gigi lifted a talon, she said, “Aura, my daughter, as everyone here knows you broke one of our laws. Rule seven which states that Griffons of the Red Talons may not be in any kind of relationship with a pony unless that relationship is friendship or as a contract holder. You broke this by being with the pony Trip Wire. I think that rule Seven is unfair, but I can’t change that rule without agreement from most of the griffons that are part of the Red Talons. You paid the price for what you did and still are in a small way, but since you no longer can rejoin the Red Talons, then you can no longer be held down by its rules. We do not force our way of life on other Talon groups as you well know. That means that you may pursue a relationship with any griffon or pony you see fit. We will no longer force you to be someone you’re not. With that said, Welcome home,” Gigi hugged her youngest daughter, something I sure she has wanted to do for a very long time, Aura hugged her back. The cheering started up again and it took a lot longer to die down.
After some time had passed and Aura was finally able to make it past the griffons who rushed into the arena to congratulate her and Fletch for the amazing fight, She came up to me and hugged me tight, “I can’t believe that worked out so well. I wasn’t expecting mom or Fletch to do this for me.”
The rest of our friends had joined us just outside the arena, alone with Vervain, Gigi, and Fletch. Vervain smiled saying to Aura, “I’m sure your mother’s been trying to find a way to let you come home for a while now.”
Gigi smiled, “As I told you when we talked the other day Aura, I never wanted to send you away. Being the leader is hard, I had to do what I had to do, but I’ve always wanted you to come home, just not as a part of the Red Talons.”
Fletch was still wiping her eyes a little as she said, “I’m really sorry for making such a fuss over you leaving Aura and for treating your friends so badly. Even if you are my younger sister you still proved you were stronger than I.”
Aura laughed, “Don’t’ worry sis, I’ll pay you back for that later. For now, I’d like to talk with you more and hear what I’ve missed in the past few months.”
Fletch looked up at her then said, “I have time now, that is if you can get away for a little while.”
Aura looked at Wingnut who shrugged, “I’ll be fine, Shadow and I wanted to go talk to that old griffon Tonto.”
I nodded my head, “I’ve been wanting to talk to him about a few things for a while now and I wanted to show him this,” I pulled out Misery.
Gigi saw the blade as it slipped out of my saddle bags and took a step back, her eyes wide as saucers, “Shadow Star, where in Equus did you find that!?”
“In the Absent Ruins near The Kingdom, I think Greta left it with a friend of hers,” I said.
“Did you find Joy as well?”
“No, I didn’t see it there. I was being attacked by Wrath at the time so I may have just missed it when I was there, or Greta still had it with her. I’ve been meaning to look into it more when I have time. I learned a little about it recently and I know how important this is to your family. Once I talk to Tonto I wanted to give this back to you,” I said slipping the Sword away.
Her eyes were still wide as she said, “In all my life I never thought I’d see even one of my great grandmother’s swords. Shadow, you have no idea how much it means to my family and to the Red Talons that you found that. I agree, you should go talk to Tonto and show it to him. He will know what is best for what should be done with Misery.”
Viridiana had walked over while I was showing Misery to Gigi, once her mother stop speaking she said, “Good luck finding him, he wasn’t in his cave earlier and I didn’t see him during the fight.”
Vervain said, “He was in the town we are using right now, helping some of the others with cleaning up. When I left to watch the fight, he said he’d stay behind to oversee things.”
“I guess we’ll go head that way then,” I said looking over at Byte, Stardust and Wind Thrasher, “You three want to come?”
“Nah, I’ve been wanting to check this place out. I wasn’t with you all when you were here last and I’ve heard so many stories about this place,” Stardust said.
“I’ll stay with Stardust, I also want to look around more and talk to Gigi later to see if she found out any more about that bounty on me,” Wind Thrasher said.
Gigi seemed to perk up, “Oh yes, I have some information, it’s in The Den at the moment, just stop by later when you two are done looking around.”
They both nodded, as they did Byte yawned, “I guess I’ll go with you Shadow, Rusty wanted me to stay by your side when I could and I’d rather meet with some old griffon then hang around this old place.”
Wingnut seemed to sag a little as she said that, “Damn it, I was hoping she’d stay behind.”
She glared over at him, “What was that Bug?”
“STOP CALLING ME THAT!” Wingnut yelled.
“Bug, bug, bug, bug, BUG!” Byte yelled back.
Before I could stop them, Wingnut and Byte were both wrestling each other. I was about to step in when Vervain walked over in front of the twirling mess of Colt and Filly. She cleared her throat then said in a commanding voice, “Both of you stop that right now!”
Oh shit, those two are about to find out first hoof why you don’t act that way in front of Auntie Vervain. Both of them stopped what they were doing in mid-struggle, both looking up at Vervain. Byte had one of Wingnut’s ears in her muzzle, a hoof wrapped around his neck, and one of his rear legs trapped between her own. Wingnut was wincing as he held on to her trying to make her get off.
“Both of you let go of the other and stand up straight!” she said, both of them did looking up at the older mare, “Much better, now tell me why are both of you acting like foals?”
“She started it!” Wingnut said pointing a hoof at Byte.
“Did not!” Byte retorted.
Vervain looked at Byte and asked, “What’s your name young mare?”
“Byte…Cookie Byte I mean.”
Vervain lifted an eye brow, “Cookie Byte…Ma’am. Speak to me with respect young mare.”
Byte’s eyes narrowed a little, “Why? You aren’t my mom.”
I chuckled a little, “No, but Vervain here is like a mother to me and she’s the one who raised me. You were put under my care by Rusty and he told you to listen to me. That means you should also listen to Vervain as well, trust me you don’t want to get on her bad side. She’ll mess up your shit.”
Vervain looked over at me, “Sit down and shut up Shadow.”
I sat, “Yes ma’am!”
Byte and Wingnut started to chuckle a little until Vervain looked back at them, “I’m waiting.”
Byte hung her head a little, “Yes ma’am, sorry ma’am.”
“Much better, now let’s try this again. Why are you two fighting like foals?”
Byte looked over at Wingnut then back at her hooves, “He made me mad because he said he doesn’t want me around.”
“That’s because you’re mean,” Wingnut said.
“I…I don’t mean to be,” Byte said still looking down, “You still didn’t have to say that though, you’re the only pony my age, apart from Shadow and she’s more of an adult than a filly like me.”
Vervain looked over at Wingnut, “Wingnut, you really shouldn’t act so coldly toward Cookie Byte, from what I can tell she’s away from home for the first time. She may have an attitude problem, but that doesn’t give you the right to say hurtful things,” Then she looked back at Byte, “Cookie Byte, I don’t care what Wingnut said, you look like you’re the older one here and should set a better example. You shouldn’t go around calling him or any other pony a Bug.”
“But…” Byte started to say but she was cut off by Vervain.
“No buts young filly! In the short amount of time I’ve seen you, I’m guessing you haven’t had a parent around to keep you in line for most of your life.”
She shook her head, “I’ve only got my uncle, he’s always too busy with running Trotston. So, I kept to myself mostly with my tinkering and gadgeteering to keep me busy.”
“I see and I know you haven’t had any adults to help you with your own attitude problem Wingnut. So, while you are both here I’m going to try and fix some of what’s wrong with both of you. Starting with this, I want you two to both say you’re sorry to each other.”
They both looked at each other then said, “Sorry.”
“Now was that so hard?” She reached into her saddle bags and pulled out a set of hoofcuffs with a long chain between each cuff, moving forward she put a cuff on Byte’s left foreleg and the other on Wingnut’s right, “Until tomorrow morning you two are stuck with each other. I don’t want to hear about either of you starting something with the other, if you do your punishments will be worse. Do I make myself clear!”
They both said, “Yes, Ma’am.”
“Good, now you may continue on with Shadow,” she said smiling and walking back toward me.
Gigi and the others had been watching, once Vervain finished she said, “Damn Vervain, how’d you do that?”
She grinned and looked back at the white griffon, “Easy, I raised Shadow, she was a nightmare to deal with when she was younger too.”
I laughed, “Yeah, but I mostly got into fights not arguments.”
“Yes, you did, and you snuck into the Overmare’s office eight times, stole from the kitchens more times than I can count, glued your teacher’s rear to her seat seven times, and much, much more,” she said with a huge smile.
I blushed then laughed too, “You’d think that she’d learn to look before she sat after the third time.”
“That’s what I told her.” Vervain said, “Well shall we head over to the town, I’m sure a few of the ponies there would love to see you.”
“Yeah, just let me say good bye to Aura,” I said walking over to her.
She was still waiting with Fletch, “You going to be okay while I’m with my sister?”
“I’ll be fine, where do you want to meet up?”
She pointed toward the caves that were over the large hut that made The Den, “Last one on the right is where I used to live when I was still a Talon, I’m sure it’s big enough for us all.”
“Sounds good to me, so what are you two going to talk about?” I asked.
Aura smiled and looked over at Gigi, “Well I do have an idea for tomorrow I wanted to see if mom would let me do, but now that Fletch and I are on better terms I have an even better idea. That is if my sisters and mom are okay with it.”
Gigi, Fletch, and Viridiana looked at her confused, Gigi asking, “What idea is that?”
“I’ll tell you when we are alone, I don’t want to ruin the surprise for the others,” Aura said, she looked excited.
Gigi smiled a little, “Sounds fair, let’s head to The Den and we can talk there.”
“Works for me,” Aura said turning back to me then hugging me, “I’ll see you tonight okay.”
“I look forward to it,” I said turning to follow Vervain out of the canyon, as I did Syn flew over me and landed next to her sisters.
As I walked away I heard her saying to Fletch and Aura, “I swear every time two get into a fight you both end up with a load of injuries! If either of you broke the others bones this time, I’m going to break the other’s bones!”
“Let’s go, before we have another sister fight to break up,” I said laughing.
With that Vervain led Byte, Wingnut and myself out of the Canyon. Wind Thrasher and Stardust flew off to explore as we walked away. While we walked I asked Vervain, “So how are the survivors doing?”
“Quite well, the trip wasn’t that bad, though I think that was because we had a lot of help from the Red Talons. They kept us guarded for the entire trip. The main problem we’re having right now is cleaning up The Sandstone Ruins. Most of the buildings are intact, but there’s a lot of mess and rot to clean up, I think the ponies from Cartwheel want to try and make this town into a new home,” she said.
“Don’t they want to go back and fix up Cartwheel?” Wingnut asked, then almost tripped as Byte walked a little too far away from him, “Hey Byte don’t do that.”
She looked back at him, “Then keep up Wingnut.”
Vervain glared at them again, making Byte slow a little so Wingnut could catch up to her before saying, “Cartwheel will take a lot of time and skill to fix. Honestly, I think the real reason they don’t want to go back is because my father is gone. He was the life and soul of Cartwheel, with him gone it’s not the same place, even if the buildings were still standing.”
“I guess I can understand that, personally I don’t really want to go back there either, to many painful memories,” I said.
Vervain gave me a knowing smile, “I understand where you’re coming from Shadow. Aura told me about Silver when you were training with Yaksha and the Stranger. I remember when you first met her so many years ago, I think she was your first friend in the wasteland. I’m sure with the memories of her, my father and what you did with your mother while you were there is too much.”
Wingnut finally caught up to Byte and Vervain, he looked up at her saying, “Oh, you don’t have to call him the Stranger anymore Vervain. We found out who he was the other day. He’s Shadow’s father, Nightshade.”
I facehoofed, “Wingnut!”
“What? He is.”
“Wait a second, isn’t Nightshade the stallion who took over the council recently,” Byte asked, “You mean he’s your dad? You’re Enclave Shadow?”
“How’d you know who he was?” I asked Byte.
She smiled, “Rusty keeps up on all the politics going on around us, that includes Enclave politics.”
“I was born in the Enclave, but I’m not Enclave. Mom left it a long time ago,” I said before looking over at Wingnut, “And The Stranger’s identity was supposed to stay a secret Wingnut,” I glared at him
He just shrugged, “It’s not like you’re going to run into Enclave here who’d know who he was.”
“Still, we need to be careful about talking about him like this. When you are entrusted with another’s secret you need to keep it, isn’t that right Auntie Vervain?” I said then looked around, “Vervain?”
Looking back down the road I saw that she’d stopped, “Did…you say Nightshade?”
Trotting back toward her I said, “Yeah, why?”
“But, he’s your father’s best friend, that’s what Grim told me.”
I sighed, “She lied, I don’t know why you’re surprised.”
She took in a deep breath then let it out slowly, “It’s not easy to hear all the lies your best friend told you over the years. Sometimes I wonder if I was ever Grim’s friend at all. Maybe I was just a mare she knew she could trust with her daughter when she had to leave. I put so much faith in her mission and our friendship that I gave up twelve years of my life for her. Now I’m getting old, I have no stallion to go home too, no children, no work and nothing to show for the years I spent helping Grim. All of those years spent waisted for a few lies.”
I put a hoof on hers and looked up into her eyes, “Auntie Vervain, she may have lied to you about what she was doing, and about who my father was. I’m sure she told a hundred other lies as well, just to keep her true motives safe, but you didn’t waste your years away for anything. You may not have a stallion in your life, so what, you have a lot of ponies that care about you. As for a foal that’s a lie, you have me. Grim may be my mother, but you raised me, taught me how a good mare should live. I am your daughter in all but blood. As for work, you have the ponies of Cartwheel to help, you have become a leader to them and before that you were the mare who kept Stable 28 running. You’ve done a lot of good things in the years you spent helping mom, I’m living proof of that. If it wasn’t for all of the lessons I learned from you, I wouldn’t have ever made it this far. So, forget about the lie’s mom told you, forget about the pain and hurt and start looking at the good things.”
She smiled softly, “When did you get so smart and wise dear?”
I hugged her, “I had a good teacher.”
Byte yawned saying, “Boooooriiiiing! Are you two done yet?”
Vervain pulled away from me looking over at Byte, “You know, I think this one’s going to be a hoof full.”
I just rolled my eyes, “Yep, I’ve learned that if you just ignore her, it makes life easier. Plus, she hates it more than anything.”
Byte stuck her tongue out at me, “Hey Shadow, stop acting like you’re all wise and shit, you’re way too short to be playing at being an adult.”
I just walked past her with Vervain following, “You know it’s funny, I swear I heard something that sounded like a bug.”
Wingnut chuckled to himself walking past Byte as well as she yelled, “Don’t call me a bug…YOU’RE A BUG! Hey I’m talking to you!”
Vervain looked around, “You know I think I know what you mean. It has a high-pitched annoying tone to it as well. We really should talk to the Red Talons about getting somepony out here to rid the ruins of them.”
Byte screamed, but didn’t say anything else as she followed Wingnut. When we finally made it to the other side of the entrance that led in and out of Crimson Canyon I looked back at Byte who was looking down at her hooves, her ears were down and her tail dragging on the ground. I smiled then looked away. In that moment I realized that I learned something, you didn’t always have to yell or make yourself heard to win an argument. Sometimes you just needed to ignore the other pony all together, either way, one of the ponies would give in.
Luckily Byte was the one who did, when we reached the first house just outside of the Canyon Vervain turned toward Byte and Wingnut and asked the young filly, “Tell me Byte, did you learn anything during our walk?”
For a moment she looked ready to say something rude, then her face fell again, “Yes ma’am, it doesn’t feel good when somepony calls you a name like Bug. Even if you don’t mean it to be a bad thing, it can still hurt when you say it in a certain way.”
“Very good, now are you going to think before you speak in the future?” Vervain asked.
“Yes Ma’am,” Byte said looking up again then letting her eyes fall on Wingnut then myself, “I’m sorry I called you a bug and yelled at you Wingnut. I’m sorry for being such a bitch Shadow.”
Vervain looked at Wingnut, “Did you learn something Wingnut?”
He smiled, “Yeah, Byte doesn’t like being ignored.”
Vervain gave him a brain duster, “I guess not.”
He rubbed his head as Byte did her best to hide her giggling, “Hey, what was that for!?”
“Trying to knock some sense into you, now tell me if you really learned something. If not, I’m going to leave you two chained together all night and you’ll be staying with me until I say otherwise,” she said.
“Fine,” Wingnut replied, “I should take other’s feelings into consideration, especially when it’s ponies I’m traveling with, happy now?”
She looked them both over for a long moment, “I’m still not convinced Wingnut.”
“Seriously? Vervain you’re so cruel.”
"That’s Miss Vervain or Ma’am to you young colt. Convince me that you learned something.”
“Yes Ma’am.” Wingnut said crossing his hooves. He thought for a moment. His looked changed “I learned that, it’s easy to hurt a pony’s feelings when it’s not meant to. To be more careful with what to say to another pony, and be respectful towards them.”
Vervain Smiled, “Very good, I’m still not taking the cuffs off though, not until after Shadow’s done meeting with Tonto.”
They both stamped a hoof saying, “Damn.”
I just chuckled then looked around for the old griffon. He wasn’t hard to spot, he was in the middle of the road talking with one of the Ponies from Cartwheel. Figuring Wingnut and Byte would be fine with Vervain I headed toward him, “Hey Tonto.”
He looked over at me and gave me a soft smile, “Good evening Courier Shadow, I’m very happy to see you again.”
“Same here, so how’s the restoration going for the Sandstone Ruins?” I asked.
“Very well I’d say, the buildings around here are mostly dirty, some are rotting away, others falling apart. But with so little ponies making it through the attack on Cartwheel, there is more than enough space for them here. The ones that made it, have worked hard to fix this place up over the past few days. If you would like to help contribute to the restorations of this place, I’m sure the ponies here would be very appreciative,” he said, “So how can I help you?”
“I would be happy to help out now and again, but for now…” I pulled out Misery with my magic and showed it to him, “I found this in the Absent Ruins, both Gigi and Aura said I should bring it to you, they both think it’s…”
He reached out and took the sword with trembling talons, “Misery, in all my years I thought I’d never see this beautiful weapon return home to Crimson Canyon. I hoped that one day Joy would make it back here, but never this one.”
“Why did you think Joy would have been found over Misery?” I asked.
“Because Greta still had Joy when she left to follow that pegasus she was helping. From what I know about her son, he said that Misery was stolen by that Pegasus. We never knew what happened to him, but Greta I know was last spotted in The Crystal Empire before she vanished from the face of Equus. I always figured that The Enclave had Joy and they might for all I know. I believe that she was killed when she went there. Absent Moon however, the Pegasus that stole Misery we never heard from again,” he said as he looked closer at the blade.
I pulled the letter I’d found with Misery, “He didn’t steal it, Greta gave it to him. The Absent Ruins outside the Kingdom were named after him and I think he died there or close by. He must have known that Greta was following him because he left this for her in a building along with a memory orb.”
He took the letter then read it quickly, “I see, it’s strange that she’d give Misery to him like that. From this letter it seems like they were close, but I don’t see how that could be. The only pony Greta knew so well was Night Stalker and they never spoke again after she left The Enclave and started The Red Talons.”
Getting closer to him so no pony would overhear I whispered, “Absent Moon was Night Stalker, that’s his real name. From what I can tell, once he became a Dashite he started using it again so no pony or griffon would know who he was.”
Tonto smiled a little then chuckled, “Well that would explain a lot, I don’t know why I never knew. Maybe because we don’t have much information on what happened during those times. Absent Moon stayed in Crimson Canyon for four months while he healed. He never let anyone get pictures of him and he didn’t talk to many of the griffons here. Grey, who was Greta’s only child, didn’t like him at all.”
“I’m just glad that I was able to get this back to where it belongs. Misery has served me well over the past few days.”
Wingnut finally caught up with Byte not far behind, “Yeah, she killed a couple Steel Rangers with it.”
Tonto looked at the blade again, “Tell me Shadow, do you know the history behind Joy and Misery?”
I shrugged, “No I don’t apart from that they used to belong to Greta, and I believe I heard that Night Stalker gave them to her.”
“That’s kind of a strange gift to give to somepony…griffon whatever,” Byte said.
Tonto looked down at her then showed her the sword, “Tell me young one, does this sword look normal to you?”
She looked closer at it her eyes going wide, “No, it doesn’t. what kind of metal is that?”
“The base of the blade itself is one of the hardest metals on Equus, that however doesn’t make it special. No, it’s the spells that were put into it as it was being made and the edge of the blade itself which is made from Star Metal. This makes it so that this blade can cut through almost anything,” Tonto said pointing the tip down and pressing into the hard ground. Misery sank in like it was butter.
Byte watched saying, “Wow, that is so cool. Shadow how’d you end up with such a cool weapon?”
I shrugged, “I have a knack for finding strange weaponry. Anyway Tonto, I wanted to give this back to the Red Talons since it belongs to you anyway.”
He looked back at me, pulling Misery out of the ground, “Why would you want to do that? If Misery stayed here it would just sit on the wall of my cave or in The Den collecting dust, no that’s not right, this weapon was made for killing. I want you to keep it Shadow, it will serve you better than me.”
I took the sword back asking, “Are you sure? I mean this belongs with The Red Talons, not with me.”
He started to laugh, “It belongs to a descendant of the Children of the Night, from what I heard you are descended from Minuette. You see Night Stalker commissioned the Sword for his best friend after the battle of Las Pegasus. Minuette was the mare who helped place the spells on the sword while it was being forged. I believe that this Sword was meant to be found by you. All I ask is that you take good care of it.”
I slide the Sword back into my saddle bags, “I’ll take good care of it Tonto, thank you.”
He smiled, “No Shadow thank you for showing it to me.”
“Tonto, what else do you know about the Children of the Night and about Greta?” Wingnut asked.
He chucked, “I know a great deal, I have an idea, how about you three come back to my cave and I can answer anything you want to know. That is if Vervain here doesn’t need me anymore?”
Vervain laughed, “We’ll be fine Tonto you’ve done enough today.”
Tonto smiled, “Well then let’s go.”
“Tonto, as much as I’d love to sit and talk with you, I want to relax before everything starts,” I said.
“I understand Shadow, you go rest up, I can look after the foals for a while. That is if they want to go see an old Griffons cave full of old-world Tech and listen to his stories,” Tonto said.
“OLD TECH!” Byte said jumping up and down.
“HOW OLD!?” Wingnut said, jumping up and down as well.
“Follow me children, while we walk I’ll tell you the story of how we settled in the Crimson Canyon,” Tonto said as he walked off with the two foals.
Vervain laughed, “Funny how they both seemed to have forgotten about the cuffs holding them together.”
“Nah, those two both seem to forget about everything when Tech comes into play.”
“Well Sweetie, I need to help the ponies here finish up more work. I’ll give you the key for their cuffs. Take them off when they fall asleep tonight, that is if they stay good,” Vervain said giving me a small key.
I hugged her, “It’s good to see you Auntie Vervain, have a good night.”
“You too sweetie.”
“Love ya Auntie Vervain.”
***
The cave Aura used to live in was quite large. It had been set up with three rooms set off the main chamber. Even though Aura’s been gone for eight months now, the cave was still set up for a griffon to live in. Either they set it up for guests after she was banished, or Gigi couldn’t find it in herself to take down Aura’s place. I made my way over to the larger of the rooms set off from the main room where a bed was set up. On the night stand next to it there was a picture with five griffons in it. Laying down on the bed I looked over at the picture. It was Aura and her siblings when they were all a lot younger.
I sighed then lifted the Mark II in front of me starting to look through the files on it. Mom’s files regarding Stargazer seemed to go on forever. I started to look through them, but it seemed like a hopeless task. Each file I tried to read mostly revolved around what she was able to find regarding the Project itself. A few times I saw files mixed in regarding Project Aquila. Mom must have thought it was a different project when she first started looking into it. Later she must have realized they were the same thing. Even the stuff I could understand was things I already knew. Aquila was a power created by The Children of the Night in a hope to give Luna the power of Nightmare Moon again without turning her mind back into the Queen of the Night. Every file ended with the Project being a failure. I could understand now why Mom didn’t know what would happen when she found the Project. All the notes and information she was able to find about Stargazer listed the power as a creation. Aquila wasn’t a creation, she was a living being from beyond Equus. She is light magic, but also has her own mind, feelings and power. Mom’s attempts to save me, were in reality a curse.
I backed out of her notes about Stargazer and moved to what she had on Falling Shadows. Sadly, it wasn’t much, the most she heard about it was that it was a second project started by Minuette to recreate what they did with Stargazer. The difference was that Aquila’s power was needed to fully activate the second Project. There was also notes about there being four points in Equestria that Falling Shadows was a part of. Those points were New Pegasus, The Crystal Empire, Baltimare and somewhere near the Bad Lands. Nothing in the notes said what exactly the Project did or why it was named Falling Shadows. Some of her notes speculated that it was a super weapon of some kind, others said it was meant to make Luna or Celestia more powerful or any Alicorn that it was used on. The last was said that it would give great power to whomever it was used on.
Mom wasn’t looking into it for power though, she figured that if she found it and activated it, she could use it to pull Aquila out of me. She wanted to use it to keep me alive and get rid of Aquila for good. That became even more apparent when I read her last note about Falling Shadows.
Looking into the files I’ve found about the project I figured out a few things about how I can use it to keep Shadow alive and rid ourselves of Aquila at the same time. Everything I’ve seen shows that her power is necessary to make this project work. There’re only a few things standing in my way however. First of all, I need to get into the Lucky Horseshoe and use the Mark II to remove the lock Sweetie Belle put on the tower. Second, I need to find out what happened to the Project in The Crystal Empire. That task will be the hardest I think. From what I’ve found, Somepony did something to block the tower there so that even if I unlock the tower in New Pegasus, Falling Shadows can’t be used. Last, I can’t do anything until Shadow’s older. She needs to get stronger and be able to handle the power required to remove Aquila. I’ll need to risk her getting her memories and power back. It’s the only way she will live through what needs to be done. My time is limited in this Stable and I can’t risk bringing her with me. If I do she’ll be used as a pawn to control what I do by either The Steel Rangers, The Enclave, or The Director herself.
I have a plan, it’s risky, but it should work if I set everything up right. Shadow will need to stay here in Stable 28 until she comes of age in the stable. That should be one week before they do the Pip-Buck Ceremony. I’ll be setting up spells that will draw her to The Mark II the night before the Ceremony happens. This will ensure she has to leave the Stable and head to Cartwheel like I’ve discussed with Vervain. That is where I’m most worried about her. The best way for her to get stronger is to travel the wasteland looking for me. If I know my daughter as well as I think I do, she’ll be able to handle the trials I’ve set up for her. Once she does find me, she should be strong enough to deal with what has to be done. That is if Aquila doesn’t get free first or Nightshade doesn’t get in my way. Once Aquila is out of here I should be able to overload the Project and destroy it, putting an end to Night Stalker’s plans and Aquila all at once. Then finally I’ll be able to go home and hopefully find forgiveness from Nightshade and my Daughter. If not, at least she’ll be safe. I’ve risked everything I have and everything I am for her, for my only child, my beautiful Little Star. I can’t fail, I just can’t because if I do, everything will be lost. She is the only pony who can fix the mess I’ve started.
I closed the notes and sighed, “Are you just lucky mom, or could you really predict everything perfectly? What I don’t understand is why this mattered so much to you. I know I’m your only daughter, but why risk so much?”
I sighed and decided that it wasn’t worth worrying about right now. I wasn’t going to figure out mom’s motives anyway. As Aura would put it, it doesn’t matter and you shouldn’t worry so much. She’d be right too, why did I care so much about what mom wanted when she didn’t remember any of it right now. Really the only thing that was of any use to me at the moment was the information about how I could get rid of Aquila. The problem was that only mom knew how she could do it. Unless…what if she left information in that shack she was living in a few months ago, before she lost her memories? I’ll have to look into it soon, right now all I wanted to do is sleep so I could enjoy my time here with my friends, and Aura.
“Tomorrow’s another day,” I said as I laid my head down to sleep.
What felt like seconds later I was woken up by Wind Thrasher who was slowly shaking me, “Shadow it’s time to get up, the opening ceremony is about to start. Aura said I should come get you.”
I yawned, “What time is it?”
“Half hour to midnight, she said the Rebirth Celebration starts at the beginning of the new day. We should have just enough time to get you ready before it starts,” she said as I slowly got up.
“Can’t I sleep a little longer? It only takes me a minute or less to get into my barding.”
“I know, but Aura said you should dress up for this. You still have that Dress Sheena gave you right?” Wind Thrasher asked. It was then that I noticed that she was already dressed in a nicer outfit similar to what she wore during the Ball in the Kingdom.
“Fine, I just hate wearing dresses,” I said pulling my Saddle Bags closer and looking through them to find the silvery dress Sheena gave me.
“I don’t know why, I mean you look really pretty in one.”
“So what, I don’t need to look Pretty. I mean you don’t need to look cute because you’re already cute to begin with.”
“Oh my gosh Shadow, shut up,” she blushed “Besides don’t you want to look pretty for Aura?” she said giving me a toothy smile.
I couldn’t help laughing a little, “Fair point.”
I heard a snore and looking at the other side of the bed I saw that Wingnut and Byte were passed out there. Wind Thrasher chuckled to herself, “They both wanted to be close to you I think. They got back an hour ago and since they can’t get free of those cuffs they both decided to stay near you so they wouldn’t get into trouble.”
Byte was nuzzled up against Wingnut with her head against his chest curled into a ball. Wingnut had one foreleg over her like he was protecting her as she slept. I couldn’t help smiling, “Those two are cute when they aren’t’ fighting.”
“I agree, I think they make a good match even if they are both young. I think that if we left them alone for a while and stopped teasing them, they’d start to show each other how they feel.”
“Awww, but it’s so much fun to tease them about them liking one another,” I said as I slipped the dress on.
“True, but you should also want them to see what happens. Don’t embarrass them anymore okay?” she said.
“I guess I can do that, I kind of understand.”
She poked my nose with a hoof, “You should understand, I mean how would you feel if everypony made fun of your for being with a griffon?”
“I wouldn’t like it at all and I would have most likely tried to hide how I felt so the others would stop making fun of me.”
“That’s right.”
I looked over at her and gave her an evil smile, “You should take your own advice sometimes Wind Thrasher.”
She blushed, “What do you mean?”
“Don’t worry about what others think about you, if you like Stardust then tell him.”
She looked away blushing harder, “I said we aren’t talking about this anymore. I’ll tell him if I know he likes me the same way.”
I jumped on her back, knocking her to the ground as I hugged her from behind, “If you say so, that just means I have to work on Stardust so he sees how amazing you are.”
“NO, don’t do that!” she begged.
I jumped off her moving toward the sleeping colt and filly, “Sorry Wind Thrasher, but that’s what friends do. They help you when you’re too scared to do something yourself.”
I pulled the key out of my saddle bags, which were still on the bed and unlocked the hoof cuffs for Wingnut and Byte. Byte twitched in her sleep, then nuzzled closer to Wingnut when I pulled the cuff off. Wind Thrasher just watched me saying, “You know I really can’t wait to see what happens when they wake up like that. Also, you’re not being fair, I don’t want you telling Stardust anything. I’ll talk to him when I’m ready.”
“You’ll never be ready Wind Thrasher, but I’m not going to tell him that you like him. I’m just going to see if he feels the same by talking to him a little. You’d be surprised what I can figure out with a few simple and harmless questions.” I said as I walked past her, “Come on, we shouldn’t be late, we’ll let those two sleep.”
She just sighed, “Fine, you’re impossible sometimes Shadow, but I’ll trust you on this.”
***
When we walked out of the cave I stopped, my eye’s going wide as I saw what the Griffons were able to do in the last few hours. A Stage was set up not far from the arena. Griffons and ponies from Cartwheel were starting to gather in front of it. All around Crimson Canyon as far as the eye could see, sparkling colored lights were set up. They looked like small gems that had been hung from the balconies of each griffon’s homes on the cliff sides, there were lights on the roofs of the huts, lights along the canyon walls, even at the tips of the swords on the Statue of Greta. The statue itself had lights set under it as well illuminating the Statue so that no matter where you were, you’d see it. The wall behind the statue where the ten laws of the Red Talons stood, had been left in darkness so that the rules couldn’t be read.
The wonders went on however, because as I started to walk down the path that would lead Wind Thrasher and myself back to The Den, I saw griffons dressed up in all kinds of things. I saw a group of griffons in a group, all wearing shiny leather vests, bright pink feathers were set into head bands around their heads, and the tips of each wing feather matched the head dress. One griffon who flew over me was dressed in an old tux that went well with his smoky grey and white coat and feathers. I saw two griffons who had to be twins wearing matching dresses that made them look like they came from royalty. As I walked, the colors of each griffon and their outfits started to mix together until I felt as if I’d walked into a sea of rainbows.
Then I noticed that a lot of the griffons had arm bands with different symbols on them, identifying them as belonging to another talon company. The Red Talons were the most common, but I saw at least ten others as I walked. I only saw a few who didn’t have anything on them to show what talon company they belonged too. I took that to mean that either they were freelancers or were kicked out of their own talon company and wanted to join the Red Talons.
“There has to be five hundred griffons here,” I said to Wind Thrasher as we got closer to the Stage where I could see Gigi standing. She was wearing a red leather vest with a gold choker around her neck, the Red Talon’s symbol on the left side of her chest, on the other side of her vest there was a symbol I’d never seen before. It was two crossed swords inside a set of griffon wings with the letters R.T.L. on it.
Wind Thrasher had her ears folded back, “I think it’s closer to Six hundred, and it’s loud here.”
“I think you’re hearing is too good for this kind of thing,” I teased.
“It’s a blessing and a curse,” she said with a laugh, “I’ll get used to it though. We should find Aura, she said to meet her by the stage.”
“I wonder what that patch on Gigi’s vest means,” I said as we pushed our way past griffons and a couple Cartwheel ponies so we could get to the front.
I got my answer right away, because Syndi moved closer saying, “That’s mom’s rank as the leader of the Red Talons. She’s only wears that when we do the Rebirth Celebration or if she’s meeting an important client.”
“Oh, I guess that makes sense, so Syn where’s Aura she said she wanted us to meet her here?” I asked as we finally made it to the front of the pack of Griffons.
“She’ll be here soon, first let’s wait for mom’s announcement for the start the Celebration,” Syn said.
“That’s a great idea,” I heard Vervain say as she pushed through the crowd next to us, “Hello Shadow and Wind Thrasher.”
I smiled, “Auntie Vervain, I’m glad you made it. You look tired, are you okay?”
“I’ll be fine sweetheart, just a long day that’s all. I just finished up with the last of today’s work and rushed right over. Well after I found something nice to wear,” she said indicating a simple violate dress that matched her eyes.
I was about to say something when Gigi cleared her throat then moved closer to a microphone that was set up on the stage, “Thank you all for being here tonight. As you know tonight marks the one hundred and sixtieth year of the Rebirth Celebration. As in years past as marked down by the griffon who first started this Celebration, today and the following two days the rules of the Red Talons will be hidden away. This does not mean that any Red Talon can out right break our laws, but some things can be looked over for the next seventy-two hours. The important thing about the laws being hidden in darkness is that all banished griffons from our lands may return to either see family, friends or to try and rejoin us. Also, griffons from other Talon companies are allowed in Crimson Canyon as well and if any griffons want to join our ranks they may if they can prove themselves in battle.”
A lot of griffons all around us started to cheer, “With that said let me add that even though we will overlook some rules and laws, that does not mean that we will tolerate Murder, theft, rape or assault. Any griffon or pony that does this will be executed on the spot by myself or Apollo. Now, as you all know I am Gillion Bloodtalon leader of The Red Talons, I welcome you all to my home and hope that you enjoy your time here. So, with our further ado, I declare the Rebirth Celebration officially Started. As a special surprise for you all, this year’s opening entertainment will be different.”
More griffons start to cheer, as they do I look back at Syn asking, “Where’s Aura? Shouldn’t she be here for this?”
Syn just smiled, “Don’t worry Shadow, she’s already here.”
“What do you mean…” I started to say but Gigi’s voice echoed thought the Canyon again.
“Most years our opening entertainment would be either a story of our past from Tonto, or a performance of strength and skill from our younger griffons. This year I had a request to do something else. This year you all will witness something that hasn’t happened in Crimson Canyon in almost a decade. My three youngest daughters will be putting on a show for you all. So please give a round of applause for Viridiana, Fletch and Aura Bloodtalon!” Gigi said as each griffon walked on to the stage from the other side.
My eyes got big as I looked at them all. Each one had on an outfit like none I’ve ever seen on a griffon or even a pony. All three were wearing a tight-fitting shirt with loose cut sleeves running down their forelegs, making the cut parts look like ribbons flowing onto the ground. They also had on headbands pulling back their head feathers. On their rear paws I saw some kind of sleeves or socks, but their paws were poked through the bottom. On their slightly open wings long tassels had been tied all along them. Aura’s outfit was a brilliant icy blue to match her eyes, Vi’s was a dark pink and Fletch’s was a brilliant emerald green. I couldn’t take my eyes off Aura, she looked more beautiful than I’d ever seen her before. I’m not sure if it was from the outfit, or just because of how happy she looked.
The griffons felt silent as all three walked up to three microphones that had been put on stage. Aura was in between her sisters, she moved her beak closer to her mic saying into it, “Hello everyone, it’s been a long time since the three of us sang for you all.”
Vi said into hers, “Damn right it has, what do you say should we show Crimson Canyon that the Bloodtalon sisters still know how to party!”
Fletch laughed, “Oh yeah, let’s do it!”
The griffons from the Red Talons cheered louder as the lights around the canyon started to dim and all three sisters hung their heads. While I had been watching them, a band made its way onto Stage. A pony and two griffons playing the instruments. As the cheering started to die down and quiet fell on the canyon, a deep boom filled the air as the music started. A slow steady beat reverberated around the walls of the Canyon.
Boom…Boom…Boom
The drum’s beat continued as the griffon playing it started to tap a cymbal to match each deep thrum. Next the pony started to play his instrument, adding another base like thrum. Then the other griffon who was standing on his hind legs ran his talons up the guitar he was holding his other talon coming down to bring a beautiful strumming note to mix with the others. Together all three started to play a song, as they did Aura brought her beak to the mic and she started to sing. My first thought was that voice coming out of her wasn’t that of the griffon I loved. When Aura spoke, she had a hard edge to her voice that rasped a little. When she sang, her voice didn’t rasp, it was beautiful.
“Ooooooo take a look at me, see me for who I am, my soul is crying out for somebody. It’s crying out for a life away from this pain, from this world, from the horrors of being alone!” Aura sang her sisters humming into their mics as she did.
Then Fletch started, her voice just as beautiful as her sisters. She continued on from where Aura left off, the song speaking about a griffon who’s lost in a sea of darkness and pain. Vi took up after Fletch singing about the griffon wading through the darkness to find the light of her one true love, the soul she’s meant to be with. Then all three joined their voices together and the music got faster. I noticed that the griffons around me had moved away from the stage and were starting to dance. Then as the song came to an end Aura said, “Alright, let’s turn it up!”
The music got faster and a lot louder as the lights around the canyon blazed brighter. I felt Syn take hold of my hoof pulling me away from the stage. I looked up at her as she laughed saying, “Don’t just stand there, this is a party!”
I couldn’t help laughing as well. I started to bob my head to the beat, moving my hooves and swaying my body. I twisted around and just let my body do as it wanted. I didn’t care if anyone was watching, didn’t care if I was good at this or not, didn’t care about anything as long as I could just be carefree for once in my life. As time went on and the songs continued, I found myself laughing with griffons I’d never met, dancing with Stardust, dancing with Vervain, I even found myself being spun around by one of Fletch’s minions, Gouger. He was a really good dance partner, we danced through two songs and half of a third before Arys cut in.
I was a little surprised at first, but she just smiled and said, “It’s a party, right? I want to see how good of a dancer the pony that Aura likes so much is.”
“Okay, just try to keep up,” I said as I twisted around her shaking my body back and forth as she kept in step with me.
The night went on, after two more dances with Arys I was starting to run out of breath. So, when the song finished I excused myself and walked over to Stardust who was sitting next to Wind Thrasher just away from the dancing hoard of griffons. He saw me coming over and held up a bottle of Applebuck Rum, “Want a drink?”
“Sure why not, a few sips can’t hurt,” I said as I took the bottle and drank a couple of mouthfuls then winced, “This stuff is nasty, how do you drink this?”
He shrugged as he took the bottle away from me then passed it to Wind Thrasher, “Wind Thrasher seems to like it and it’s my favorite liquor.”
If I had my saddle bags with me, I could have pulled out the bottle of Wild Pegasus I had, but sadly I didn’t, “Maybe it’s a pegasus thing,” I noticed that Wind Thrasher was looking a little drunk already, “Is she okay?”
Wind Thrasher looked over at me with a dreamy expression and hiccupped, “I..I is finnnne, I can…something,” Then she looked over at Stardust, “Chu, have purity eyes…boff of youuuu.”
Either she’s talking to both of us or she’s seeing two Stardusts, “I think she’s had enough,”
Stardust chuckled, “She’s only drank five sips or so. She’s a big light weight.”
Wind Thrasher’s eyes went wide then she glared at Stardust…at least I think she’s looking at him, “Di…(Hiccup) did…chu call me…fat?”
“Nope I just said you’re a light weight, means you can’t handle your liquor.” He said taking a sip from the bottle, “I on the other hoof can.”
“I can…dink, as mooch as chu!” Wind Thrasher slurred taking the bottle away from him and downing more.
“Wind Thrasher you’ve had enough,” I said pulling the bottle away from her with my magic.
She hissed, “Noooo is mine!”
“Not anymore,” I said as I held the bottle up high.
“I…want…” she lunged at me, tripped over her own hooves, fell flat on her belly and didn’t get back up.
Stardust looked worried, “Wind Thrasher, are you okay?”
I moved closer to the bat pony right as she said quietly, “Da world is spinny…weeeeee”
“What do we do now?” Stardust asked.
I shrugged as Wind Thrasher said, “It’s all about the pink bombs and weasels.”
“Well at least that time I understood her, though I have no idea what that means,” I said trying not to laugh at my drunk friend.
“For the goddesses sake Shadow, please don’t tell me you let Wind Thrasher get drunk,” I heard Vervain say from behind me.
Turning around I saw her walking toward us. I pointed a hoof at Stardust, “It was him! I took the rum away from her!”
She ignored me and walked over to Wind Thrasher helping her up, “Come on sweetie, let’s get you to bed.”
Wind Thrasher swayed a little, “I…I’m fine.” then she belched.
“No, you’re drunk, and from the look of it your body doesn’t handle alcohol very well. Come on, I’ll help you out,” Vervain said looking over at Stardust, “You’re coming too, this is your fault.”
“But, I don’t want too, I didn’t know she’d get drunk so easy,” Stardust complained.
Vervain glared at him, “Come with me and help or you can deal with me later.”
Right as she said this Wind Thrasher turned away from them both and threw up. She swayed then smiled, “I feel… better,” then she passed out.
Vervain caught her sighing, “Come on Stardust, help me get her back to the cave, please.”
He sighed, “Yes ma'am,” Stardust picked her up and put her on his back, “I just hope she doesn’t hurl on me.”
As they started to walk away Vervain said, “If she does, then that’s what you get for letting a mare like her get drunk.”
I watched them go still trying to hold in a chuckle, then I looked over at the mess Wind Thrasher left and shivered, “Gross, I think I’ll go back to the party.”
I started walking back, but stopped a little way away as Aura and her sisters finished one last song. It was a slow song and griffons were dancing slowly back and forth. I didn’t feel like joining them, the song was for couples and seeing how the griffon I loved was on stage, I had no one to dance with. I wondered to myself if Gigi was dancing with Apollo, then I saw her next to the Stage standing with Syn watching the rest of the griffons.
“I wonder where Apollo is,” I said to myself looking around for him. It only took me a moment to notice him. He was walking toward the west entrance to Crimson Canyon, the same one we first used the first time we came here. Before he walked into the narrow entrance he looked behind him making sure no one was following him, then he continued on.
“What could you be up too,” I wondered to myself, something about the way he was acting felt off. So, I followed.
I teleported past the rest of the griffons who were still dancing then ran over to the west entrance. From what Aura told me when we first came to Crimson Canyon, this entrance wasn’t used much since nopony lived on this side of the Canyon. Keeping as quiet as I could, I slowly made my way down the narrow passage keeping an eye out for Apollo. It didn’t take me long to find him, he was just down the way and around a bend in the rocky passage way. He wasn’t alone.
I hid myself behind a rock as Apollo said quietly, “I told you to wait until tomorrow night or the next day. If Gillian sees you here, everything we’ve been planning will go to shit.”
Whoever he was talking too, their voice was hard to make out, as if her face was covered by something, but it sounded familiar, I just couldn’t put my hoof on it, “I told you I don’t care. What does it matter if we show up today or tomorrow? She can’t do anything during the Rebirth Celebration, you know that.”
Apollo raised his voice, “It matters because I need to finish up on my end, Gillian will be hard enough to take care of in two days when we are ready. If we move now, it won’t work out in our favor. You know how hard it is to hide things from her, she’s not a stupid griffon.”
“I’m tired of waiting Apollo!” the other voice said, sounding irritated.
“You have your orders; do you really want to disobey me now!” Apollo retorted.
“No…fine I guess we can wait another day or two if we have too, but that’s all. You better have everything ready then, if not, we won’t wait any longer,” the voice said.
What the hell are they talking about? Was Apollo planning on doing something? It sounded like it, but what could it be? I wanted to turn and head back so I could talk to Gigi, but when I moved my hoof slid on the sandy ground a little. A small scratching noise echoed off the red sand stone and I heard Apollo say, “Get out of here now! I’ll contact you tomorrow.”
Fuck, they heard me, I was about to teleport away, but I wasn’t fast enough. Apollo rounded the corner and slammed me against the rock yelling, “Who the hell…oh Shadow it’s you,” He set me down, “My apologies, I thought someone was trying to sneak up on me.”
My body was shaking at how fast he moved and how powerfully he slammed me against the wall. Backing up some I said, “What were you just talking about and to whom?”
For a moment he looked worried then he chuckled, “How much did you hear?”
“Enough to know that you’re planning something.”
“I am, but from the look on your face I’m guessing you think it’s something bad,” he said still chuckling a little.
“Sounded like it from where I was sitting.”
“Shadow, it may have sounded bad, but I assure you it’s not. You see my wife’s birthday is on the same day of the last day of the Rebirth Celebration and I’m planning on surprising her with something. She never gets to enjoy her birthday and I want this one to be special for her.”
I wasn’t sure why, but it sounded like he was lying, so I pushed on, “Then who was that other voice I heard? She sounded like a griffon I’ve met before but it was hard to make out.”
“Oh, she’s just one of the griffons I use to send messages to some of the factions we have contracts with. She’s the one getting things set up for Gigi’s birthday. It’s so hard to surprise her,” Apollo said.
“If that’s so then why did she said ‘we don’t want to wait any longer.’ What are you planning?” I asked keeping my magic held just in case I needed to use a spell.
“Calm yourself Shadow,” Apollo said, noticing my glowing horn, “Like I said it’s a big surprise, my griffon and her Wing are good friends of Gigi’s as well and they don’t want to wait longer to give my wife her gift. We’ve been planning this for a while now and the suspense is getting to us all.”
What am I doing? This is Apollo, Aura’s dad, he’s always been a kind griffon to me. Apart from that time he tried to kill me for a fake contract, but that wasn’t his fault. I guess being in the wasteland so long has made me paranoid. I sighed and let my magic fade away, “I’m sorry, I just thought something was going on, and the way you were talking to her I thought you were planning on doing something to Gigi.”
He laughed, “It’s quite alright Shadow, I understand. You have good instincts, if you were born a griffon, you’d have made a good Talon. I can see what my daughter sees in you. Well everything is just fine, don’t worry.”
“Okay, sorry I followed you.”
He patted the top of my head and started to head back toward Crimson Canyon. He stopped then turned back to me, “Oh and can you keep this between you and me, I don’t want my surprise ruined.”
I nodded, “Sure thing…Apollo.”
He smiled, but I noticed it looked forced, like he was relieved about something, “Thank you, how about we head back to the party, it sounds like Aura and her sisters are finished.”
“I’ll be right there.”
“Don’t take too long,” he said as he started walking away again.
When he was gone I turned back to where he was talking to that other griffon and walked over to the place. I don’t know what I was expecting to find or learn, but something about the conversation and the way he attacked me wasn’t sitting right. At first when I looked around, nothing seemed to be out of the ordinary. I took a few minutes to look around, but there wasn’t anything to see. I turned to head back to the party when a spec of color caught my eye. Looking over to a rock that sat next to the cliff side I saw something red laying there, almost out of sight. Walking over I picked it up in my magic, it was a small fire red griffon’s feather.
“Gina?” I wondered to myself, but then I thought about it. That couldn’t have been her, Apollo out of any griffon wouldn’t have been talking to Gigi’s sister, she was the one who killed Gale, the griffon Apollo had been in love with. That’s what Aura said at least. Still wondering who it could belong too and with that nagging suspicion in the back of my head, I put the feather into the folds of my dress and headed back to Crimson Canyon.
I was just getting out of the passage when Aura flew down and pulled me into a tight hug, “There you are, did you like the show!”
She sounded out of breath, but excited at the same time. Smiling I hugged her back saying, “It was a blast, I had no idea you could sing like that…or at all.”
She blushed a little, “Well I used to sing with my sisters a lot when we were younger, that was until Fletch and I started having problems. Who would have thought we’d make up in such a strange way and then put on a performance a few hours later?”
“So, is that what you were thinking about doing on our way here? Putting on a performance?” I asked.
She shrugged, “Kind of, I didn’t think Vi or Fletch would be up to it, but I wanted to do something. It was my way of thanking mom for talking with me and convincing me to come here for the Celebration. Making up with Fletch was just a bonus, we had a good long talk in The Den.”
“I’m glad to hear it, so do you want to head back to the cave? Wingnut and Byte are sleeping on one side of our bed, but I think we can manage if we cuddle,” I said with a wink.
She looked back at the entrance I just came from, “Why were you down there?”
“No reason, just wanted to take a walk, didn’t even think about where I was going.” I said, putting on a smile so she wouldn’t think I was lying.
She looked at me for a long moment then shrugged, “Well okay, to answer your question, I’d love to get some rest. Tomorrow we’ll be up early, knowing Mom or Dad, they’ll have something for us to do and it’s always fun to watch the fights.”
I smiled and pulled myself onto her back, “Then let’s go hon.”
She laughed and took to the air, “Too bad the squirts are sleeping in our bed. After all the excitement I’d love to relax in a more private way, but I really don’t want to wake the kids up with something like that.”
“I’m sure I could move them,” I said winking at her.
She just laughed, “Nope, you’ll just have to wait till tomorrow now. It’s the price we adults have to pay when there are kids around.”
I huffed, damned those two, even in their sleep they still find a way to fuck with me. Oh well, there’s nothing I can do about it now. As Aura flew back to her cave, I pulled out the red feather I found out and looked at it. I still couldn’t shake the feeling I was getting. Was I really being paranoid or was something else going on that I was choosing to ignore? Whatever it is, I’ll have to figure it out before the last day of the Celebration. I wasn’t going to let something happen if I could help it, if I’m wrong then at least it’s better than the alternative.
[FOOTNOTE: LEVEL UP!]
NEW PERK ADDED!
Dancing Queen: Has anyone ever told you that you’re really fun at parties? No? Rude, all of them, because when you dance with your significant other you get a temporary +30 HP boost for the next six hours. There’s also the added bonus of getting to dance!