Griffon of Canterlot
Chapter 2 – Escape to Breakfast
The teenage griffon’s eyes shifted right and left, his heart pounding in his chest. He was scared, confused and trapped. His golden brown eyes searched for some way to escape from these strange creatures, holding the plush tightly while trying to back up with paws pushing and kicking slightly against the torn blankets and cardboard.
“It's okay. We won't harm you.” Celestia softly said, as she tried to reason with the young griffon.
“Princess, I believe it would be best to give the young griffon some space.” Shining Armor said in suggestion to Celestia.
Celestia could easily see the tension from him as he tried to back up further. “You are correct captain, all guards take a step back.” she ordered. They did as asked and the two princesses backed up as well.
The griffon relaxed a little, but that is when he noticed something just above him, a hole in the ceiling. Looking right at it, then back at them, he flared his wings open. With a push from them, he leapt up, grabbing ahold of the edge of the hole.
“Buck! He’s trying to escape!” Shining Armor exclaimed. By the time they could react, the griffon had already slipped through the hole in the ceiling.
Shining Armor used his magic to light up the hole, looking for any sign of the teenage griffon. “That can go anywhere inside the castle! All guards spread out and search every floor thoroughly for the griffon!”
“Yes sir!” They replied, then quickly split up to start their search for the young griffon. Shining Armor rushed to the princesses to join in the search for the griffon.
Luna and Celestia walked up to the hole, both looking up at it. “The young one is acting in fear, they could end up anywhere.”
Celestia kept looking at the hole in the ceiling. “This is my mess... I caused this problem unintentionally...” Celestia then walked away from the hole. “What am I to do Luna?”
“Walk Sister, clear your head. Rest. We will wait here.” Luna turned her gaze to the hole.
“Luna...”
“In thy state of mind, thou will try to do the right thing, but will not. Unintentionally or not, it is not your fault. Twilight Sparkle did not know, nor did you.” Luna stated without facing Celestia.
Celestia took in her words and turned to walk away. “If you find him-”
“We will inform you.”
“Thank you...” Celestia said, then left to go inside the castle.
Celestia walked towards her room, and with each hoof step her thoughts came back to those fearful eyes locked with her own. The way the teenager fled, and now guards rushing back and forth around her, searching for the griffon that was now in the castle itself weighing heavily on her mind.
Celestia stopped, looking out the window to the city of Canterlot. “How can I rest when my thoughts are stuck on that poor, terrified griffon? I know Luna means well, but how can I even think of resting?” She whispered to herself, while watching a few guards flying outside doing sweeps around the castle. With a few words exchanged between them, the guards parted ways.
Celestia shook her head softly, then turned to walk down the hall, but she noticed Cadance handing out some food to some of the guards. They thanked her with a salute of their free hoof before leaving to continue their search. “Cadance.”
“Aunt Celestia. Why are the guards searching every room from plant pot to ceiling lights?” Cadance asked, approaching Celestia. “I haven't seen the guard this tense in a long time. Even Shining Armor seems desperate to find whatever they are looking for.” Cadance added, as she turned her head to a guard passing by looking behind the drapes.
Celestia motioned with her head for Cadance to follow. “There is a young griffon and from the looks of him during our contact, he is roughly around late teens at my best guess. He is yellow, black and cream, with ill fitting scraps of clothing on, and he has a plush toy of himself.” Celestia described, as Cadance joined her aunt.
“The griffon is inside the castle somewhere. He quickly fled with fear and terror in his eyes, through a hole in the ceiling where we keep all the waste.” Celestia said, adding the finer details.
Cadance put a hoof out, stopping Celestia from walking. “Auntie, a griffon is a hybrid of two predatory species, raptor and feline. If any of the guards back him into a corner, you are going to have more than a terrified teenage griffon to deal with. He will lash out, clawing, pecking, biting to defend himself and whatever he feels the urge to protect, with every ounce of life he has in him.”
“Like a cat backed into a corner...” Celestia muttered, eyes drifting left and right, watching the guards rushing around them in groups of two. “I see your trip to Trottingham was a worthwhile trip.”
“It was auntie.”
Celestia turned her gaze to one guard that was sitting down, while eating the meal Cadance had given him. “Hmm...”
“With griffons and ponies living together on the Griffish Isle, you have to pick up on a few...” Cadance noticed Celestia wasn't paying attention. “Auntie are you liste-” She noticed where Celestia had her eyes locked on. “Ooooh.”
Both princesses walked up to the guard as he was in the middle of chewing a bite of the food. He didn't notice either of them now standing only a few feet from him, until he looked up. The guard swallowed hard, seeing that both princesses were looking down at him. “Erm... Am I in trouble your highnesses?”
Smiles crept onto their faces, making him feel even more nervous. “Why would a genius be in trouble?” Cadance asked, turning to Celestia. “Right?”
“Indeed. Why would we? And Breaker.”
“Yes?” The confused guard responded.
“Expect a raise.” Celestia told the guard, as she and Cadance walked away. “Cadance, find Shining Armor and bring him to my private dining room.” Celestia said. Cadance nodded, turning to the right as Celestia headed onwards down the hallway.
Breaker looked down at his meal and where the princesses went. “Genius? Raise? I'm sooooo confused.”
Cadance found Shining Armor brought to the private dining room to find Celestia at the table with blueprints of the castle rolled out. From hidden passageways, to each and every room throughout the ages, from construction to recent upgrades to the castle. “Where did all these construction blueprints come from? I have never seen these before.” Shining Armor asked, looking at each of them.
“These are my own personal blueprints of the castle. I gave them to the construction crews to build and improve the castle through the many years I've ruled.” Celestia replied in a calm manner. “Cadance brought you here because we both agree that searching high and low for the griffon in such an aggressive manner will result in many getting hurt or worse if they find him.”
“He will react badly.”
Shining Armor removed his helmet, placing it on the table. “I had that feeling myself. What do we do? He is inside the castle right this second. I am the captain of the guard, and have to do my duty Princess.”
Celestia looked over the plans. “That is why you are going to do your job with Princess Cadance's help.”
“With what exactly? All I have heard is that food is going to win him over.”
Celestia walked around the table looking over the blueprints. “I've got a plan that should work, if the pieces are in the right place.” Using her magic, she moved chess pieces onto the blueprints.
“Your guards going to focus on the far side of the castle and thin out towards here where we are right now.”
Shining Armor stared at the blueprints in confusion. “Princess, that would lead him right here. Is this what Cadance meant? You want to feed this griffon?”
“In a way, yes.” Celestia replied as she sat down on the far side of the table. “I know it will take most of the night to pull this off, but I believe we can do it. Princess Cadance will make sure to help create a channel that will lead the griffon to here. You and I will be waiting for him here after you have given the orders to the guard.”
Shining Armor was confused more than ever while taking note of the chess piece locations. “Princess with no disrespect but this teen, this griffon has been on the castle grounds for two weeks from what we know.” Shining Armor said as he walked around the table. “We do not know how he got here, or why he lived behind those dumpsters. But he has fled into the castle and-”
Cadance cut in. “Shiny, what did you see in his eyes before he fled?”
He turned to Cadance. “What does this have to do with the intruder?”
“Oh he is an intruder now?”
“Yes, for the last two weeks!” Shining Armor countered.
“Let me guess... your pride is damaged because the youngster been able to avoid you and the guard until now. Hmm?” Cadance mocked, now right in his face.
Shining Armor looked into his special somepony’s eyes and gulped. “M-maybe... No...” He nodded slightly. “Yes...” He finally said his true answer.
Cadance walked around him. “Shiny I love you, but you need to use that head of yours.” She tapped Shinings head with her hoof. “Now close your eyes think back to when you met him. What did you see?”
Shining Armor closed his eyes, thinking about then opened them in realization. “Terrifying fear...”
“If you saw an opening to escape would you take it?”
“Yes...”
“Now be a dear and tell the guard so I can do my part.” She kissed him on the snout and put his helmet back onto his head. “Please.”
Shining Armor rolled his eyes. “Fiiine...” Shining Armor said in resignation, then turned to Celestia and saluted. “I do not like this plan, but Cadance managed to sway me.” Cadance smiled slyly, just to the right of him. “I will inform the guard of Operation Bait and Breakfast.” He said, as he left the room.
Celestia raised an eye. “Bait and Breakfast? Interesting off the top of the head name for this operation.”
“It is a Sparkle Family thing.” Cadance replied with a smile. “I will do my part, and tell Shiny to enjoy his breakfast.” Cadance said, turning to leave the room too.
Celestia started cleaning up the table and looked back at the door. “I wonder when Shining is going to drop the question.” Celestia smiled, shaking her head. “Better get everything set up and ready for our young griffon friend.” Celestia hummed to herself as she started to get everything set up for breakfast, using her magic moving sheets over the table top and put the chairs in place.
Shining Armor walked back in, seeing Celestia setting everything up. “I've informed the guards of the plan, and they will make sure to not go after him if spotted. They will make openings that should lead him here...” Shining Armor paused. “...If it goes to plan.” He said as he finished reporting to Celestia “I still don't understand this plan of yours Princess...”
“I am trying to make up for the mistake that I made when rushing to send those letters off. If I thought before I had, the young griffon wouldn't be in the castle running around and hiding from all the guards...”
“Also I think he'd be sick of eating food waste by now.” Celestia said without looking at Shining Armor, but turned to him to ask a question. “Pancakes with syrup and whipped cream. How does that sound?”
“I do have to admit, it sounds tasty.” Shining Armor replied, using his magic to help prepare the table. “I never thought being captain of the guard would lead to directing an intruder to your private dining room to have breakfast...”
“I have to agree with you on that part. Think of him as a scared and terrified guest.” Celestia replied with a laugh.
Shining Armor had confusion once more written on his face. “Urm... Sure your highness...” Shining Armor had to press on with the subject at hoof. “In all seriousness your majesty, why are you taking such a keen interest in this teenage griffon? I don't see anything special about him, apart from carrying a plush toy of himself and wearing what looks like ill fitted clothing for a griffon to wear.”
Celestia simply replied with “I believe you've just answered your own question captain.”.
The captain closed his eyes once again, picturing the griffon’s, his clothing and plush. His eyes opened as he realised that he'd overlooked a few minor factors about the griffon. “That plush... It looked too well made.”
“Exactly. The clothing and the plush are two parts of the question that has been building. Another is why was he so terrified of ponies?”
Shining Armor took off his helmet and placed it on the side table by the wall. “He was wasn't he?” Celestia nodded. “Why?”
Celestia brought a mixing bowl over with her magic and gave it to Shining Armor, who took it with his magic. “Two questions I can not answer. Maybe... Just maybe having breakfast with us might allow him to relax and not be so fearful of us, to the point we can get answers.” Celestia picked up her own bowl. “Now follow my instructions and we will prepare breakfast.”
He look at the bowl, floating in his magic and back to Celestia. “Princess I-” She gave him a stern look. “Okay... Don't demote me if this goes wrong.” He muttered as Celestia started to show and tell him what to do, as she did it herself while hinting at him to follow.
Not paying much attention to what Celestia said, he stared at the inside of the bowl. “I'm doomed...” He whispered.
Deep in the castle catacombs, the young griffon flapped his wings as flew. Landing on the ground, he looked around for where to go next. He looked at the burning torches above him, around the stony ceiling and down to the floor. The sound of hoofsteps nearby got closer, and with a soft squawk the griffon walked backwards while trying to find a way out, bumping into a pressure switch.
The wall to his right opened up, causing him to jump and turn around. Standing on two paws and one talon, with the other holding the plush tightly to himself, the passageway opened up and gave him the chance to slip through. As he did, the wall closed up as the guards entered. The six of them looked around with one noticing a feather by the wall. “Sir.” He said as he showed it.
The other guard replied with a nod. “Nothing here, let's move on.” They left, to keep searching.
The wall opened up with the griffon looking around seeing they had moved on. Breathing in relief he quickly moved off in the opposite direction of them, heading up some stairs to find himself in a large and open corridor.
Red carpets with white pillars. Violet tapestries hung from each pillar. Large, white windows, with the view of the city, with lamps between to light up night time activities. The griffon looked around then he squawked in fear, seeing a few guards nearby.
Quickly moving towards a pillar, he hid behind it as the guards turned in his direction. They walked until they were near him, one pointing to the tail. Another nodded and they moved away, the griffon peering around to see them walking away. Not waiting around he ran the opposite direction, away from them.
Throughout the hours that passed, the griffon kept playing hide and seek with the guards. When saw him, the guards kept creating openings for him to take. Cadance watched from a tower with two guards, seeing him heading in the direction they planned for. “Princess I am very surprised this plan is working.” A female guard stated with surprise.
Cadance used the telescope watch him through the windows as he passed them. “He has been on the move for hours. He is scared of us ponies for some reason, and must be tired too, so he may not be thinking very clearly.”
The other guard in dark grey armor spoke. “Why is he scared of us?”
“That I do not know.” Cadance replied as she turned away from the telescope. “Continue playing our part of the plan, and let my auntie handle it okay?” Cadance looked back into the telescope. “The final act is a go. Make the final push.” She raised her hoof to give others the signal too, from a distance.
They saluted. “Yes princess.” Then the two guards left the balcony.
“Okay auntie, the ball is in your and Shiny's court...” Cadance said to herself, having lost sight of the young griffon. Looking out to the land far and below, she watched the sun start to rise. “As the sun rises, a new morning comes. Shall we start a new and start fresh...”
The young griffon noticed the sun starting to shine through some of the windows. This gave him the warning of shadows from the guards nearby. He ran from them, noticing more in front. Sliding to a stop, he turned to the only path that was left...
...and rushed right down the hallway towards a set of large double doors.
The sound of hoof steps got closer from behind. He pushed at the doors that easily opened and turned around to close them just as the guards came into view. He let out a breath of relief, having escaped the guards, but when he turned a surprised squawk came from him, seeing that he was not alone.
Celestia warmly smiled and pointed a hoof to the far end chair. “We have been expecting you young one. Come and take a seat, there are some freshly cooked pancakes for you.” Celestia said making the offer to the young griffon.
He stared at her and Shining Armor sitting at the table. One thing that confused him at the sight of this was Shining Armor was covered with cream coloured pastry stuck on his fur, mane and armour.
Even with that he wanted to run, but looked back through the crack of the door to see the guards now present at the end of the hallway.
Closing it back up the griffon looked to the table in the middle of the room again, the smell of fresh food and general welcome from Celestia, with the messy state of Shining Armor now muddling his mind.
Sit at the table and eat with these strange creatures, or flee to try and escape though the maze of hallways. One thing that was weighing more to the first option, was the delightful smell of a freshly cooked stack of pancakes.
He was trapped in a conflicted state of mind.
The doors in the middle far side opened with Luna walking in, using her magic to pick up a few apples from the bowl. “Morning sister. Care to join us?”
“Tired... Smell of trash... Griffon not found... Going to have a bath... Then bed...” Luna muttered, biting into the first apple and walking towards the griffon, who quickly shifted to the wall, pinning himself to it.
The door opened with her magic, his eyes widening from the glow from her horn to the door, but Luna completely ignored him, or didn't even notice him as she walked through. The doors closed with the same magical glow.
Shining Armor and Celestia stared at the closed doors with dumbfounded looks upon their faces.
The young griffon blinked a few times, unable to process what had just happened...