Griffon of Canterlot
Chapter 98: Best Griffish Night Ever
Two pinkish purple magical orbs dance around each other till they explode high in the sky setting off a chain of fireworks just as the musical magical number comes to the end, Spike slides in afterwards on his scaly knees in front of Twilight and her friends as they look around in awe in the castle grounds.
“Yeah this is going to be the best night ever, you know why because we all-”
Spike didn't get to finish as Luna's voice caught all their attention. “Hello Twilight Sparkle, Spike and fellow element bearers.” They turn to Luna, with the princess of the night were Gallus, Shining Armor, Cadance and Greystorm. “It is good to see you all once again.”
They bowed to her, than Twilight went to Cadance. “It good to see you again Cadance!”
“It is good to see you too Twilight!” She warmly said back. “Sunshine, sunshine, ladybugs awake, clap your hooves and do a little shake!” They burst into laughter afterwards.
Gallus frowned at the scene played out before him. “That just the weirdest and stupidest thing I ever seen...”
Greystorm also had a odd experience at what he saw. “I have to agree, that is very weird...”
As Twilight talk to her brother with her friends, Cadance spoke to the two griffons. “I use to be her foalsitter, we came up with that little dance and never really grew out of it.”
“Yeah... No.” Gallus blow up his head feathers. “Just don't do it again, like ever.”
Cadance giggled. “No promises.”
Spike pulled on Luna's dress to get her attention. “Is Gale here?”
“My nephew is, he with Gilda and Alpha, where? I can not say, but I have informed the staff to give you highest access to all areas of the Gala to find him.” Luna said back with a smile.
Spike smiled back. “Thank you Princess Luna!” He runs off to find Gale.
Gallus looked around the adults. “I think I'll join the dragon, that pink pony giving me the creeps as she staring at me like that.”
“Sure nephew, enjoy the Gala.”
“If I can with weird or snobby ponies.” Gallus leave to go after Spike.
Shining Armor finish speaking to his sister and her friends. “-and soon Princess Celestia with her daughter Nightingale will be making a announcement, things been crazy in the last 24 hours, can't say what it is at the moment because Princess Celestia wish to address it before the Grand Galloping Gala truly begins.”
“Indeed Captain Armor, we should head to the main fora of the gala, the announcement is due any moment.” Luna stated looked across the hallway of the castle. “Come bearers, what you are about to see is something my sister should of told you in advance, but choose not to...”
“Is it a big surprise?” Pinkie asked.
“Very.” Greystorm said bluntly.
Rainbow whisper to Twilight as they walk. “Isn't this suppose to be our best night ever?”
Twilight whisper back. “It still will be, just that Princess Celestia got some really important to share first, it best we go and see.”
“The way they spoke and the tone, ah think somethin' really bi' happened here recently.” Applejack said seeing the look on Luna's and Greystorm's faces, reading the tone of their voices.
Fluttershy spoke to Rarity. “What do you think Princess Celestia going to announce?”
“I do not have any idea, it seem all the ponies attending do not know either darling.” Rarity taking note of the many ponies walking up to the stage in the main fora for the announcement.
Raven Inkwell stepped up to the microphone. “Welcome to the Grand Galloping Gala, Princess Celestia will be stepping up in a moment, she will be very different in appearance to what you are use to seeing her.”
Many ponies talked to each other about what she just said, Twilight whisper to Shining. “What does she mean by different?”
“You about to see Twily.” Twilight didn't like how Shining Armor avoided the question, but she knew the answer was about to show.
Raven spoke into the microphone. “She will be joined with someone she lost over 799 years ago, someone very dear to her.” She turn to the left. “I present to you Princess Celestia and her daughter Princess Nightingale.” Raven step back.
All eyes turn to see a large white griffon with magical waving colourful furry feathered mane back of head down to neck, with tail feathers with a lion tail between it and flowing magical tail brush tip, wearing the crown, collar plate with talon gauntlets and a light blue dress with white stars on it. The eyes purple pink shift around taking a good look at the crowd in the fora.
Walking beside her was a blackish grey griffon with white head, her head feathers to neck feathers shimmering with flowing colours similar to Celestia's with the tail brush matching the magical flow, she wearing a gold necklace with a purple jewel in it and a gold crown with red orb jewels in it, she has matching light blue dress to Celestia. Her golden yellow eyes shifting around nervously.
Celestia stood before the microphone picking it up with a talon to raise it to her beak. “Hello my little ponies, I know this is a very unexpected sight to see me as a griffon, it wasn't by choose but I don't regret the actions I took to protect my son Gale.”
Many ponies speak to themselves with shock, Rainbow Dash staring in shock. “No way, is that really our Princess and not the inverted reality one?”
“It is her.” Pom-Pom stepped up beside them. “I was the one that turned her into a griffon to meant one of the created.”
Twilight turn in surprise to see her, but her attention was draw on what Pom-Pom just said. “What happened?”
“Princess Celestia about to explain.” Pom-Pom said sitting down, watching and listening to Celestia.
They all still in shock turn their attention back to Celestia. “Last night I requested for my form to be changed into one that I had over 800 years ago for almost a year, some of you may have records about the year of 200-201 CE when I never appeared in public, that was because I made a magical wish to be closer to the one I love.”
She felt tense and Nightingale put her talon on Celestia's foreleg nodding to continue.
“The only one I feel in love with was no other than the first king of Griffina, King Grover my late husband and father of my daughter Nightingale that stand by my side right now, she was taken from me over 799 years ago by forces we didn't even know till recently and defeated, thanks to the help of many.”
Celestia could see many were listening, others whispering.
“I know this is a shock, and a surprise.” She looked around. “I know that some may ask why I can't turn back, the problem is to do with why I had my form changed and went to the peak, up there a being that lived alone and watched for over 4000 years, I was asked to come meet him but, I and two others got jumped by a reality bending creature.”
Many ponies now looked horrified.
“The creature had us caught, defeated in moments, the creature was about to use a orb of magic to take our magic and life force from us, but at that moment my son Gale came and startling the creature by his sudden arrival, he took the orb and smashed it to pieces. In a heartbeat the creature went into rage and without mercy attacked Gale, I pleaded for the creature to stop but it didn't listen and in that moment I allow the griffon instincts with my motherly desire to save my child from this crawl thing unleashed.”
One pony spoke up. “Is that why the sun and moon were in the sky together?”
“Yes it is.” Celestia acknowledge to the pony. “I unleashed everything to make sure that monster wouldn't harm my little Gale, but at the moment of it defeat it did something to me that I couldn't undo, it took my pony form from me and left me stuck as a griffon, this is why transfiguration or transformation magic will not work on me, the risk of using them could end my life.”
Celestia could see many looked now shocked, anger or even unsure from what they were hearing.
“I didn't know when was the right time to reveal this to you my little ponies...” Celestia sighed looking over to Nightingale. “To tell you of getting my daughter back, to my griffish appearance that I am stuck in, so there wasn't a right or wrong answer to this... And I do hope you all still accept me as your princess, Princess Celestia of the Sun, I maybe different on the outside, but I am still that loving, caring princess in the inside.”
Nightingale reach for the microphone, Celestia give it to her. “H-hello... As my mum said, I am Nightingale, daughter of mum and King Grover, I never got to know the real them, never got to know live a life with her, I was taken and put into a world I thought was real, it felt real and all the ponies, griffons and other creatures that look very similar to many of you I knew personally.”
She saw many confused pony faces.
“My little brother Gale, and many others found their way to me, found out the truth of where I was, wasn't as real as I thought it was, that I was a prisoner... They saved me, brought me home, even if that world was created by wish magic and no longer exist, it was still the home I knew for 799 years.”
Nightingale step up to the front of the stage.
“I do hope in time that I can be accepted, I know it may take time, or even never be seen as the daughter to your princess, or even believe mum is Princess Celestia.” She saw some were as she said. “So without further adull, I wish you all have a great evening at the Grand Galloping Gala! Thank you for listening to us speak, enjoy your evening!”
Nightingale put the microphone back in it pole, the musician ponies start to play music, Celestia put a wing over her daughter. “I am proud of you.” Celesita said warmly to her as they got off stage.
“Thank you mum.” Nightingale softly return a smile, stomping of hooves soon followed in cheers to Celestia and her last daughter, the reaction was surprising to Nightingale. “Wow...”
Pom-Pom's tails twitched. “That Shal-Quz should have been named...” She grumbled walking away to mingle with the crowd, many of the ponies now talked to each other breaking away to do their own thing at the Gala.
Twilight turn to Shining Armor. “Shal-Quz?”
“How about we go to Princess Celestia and I'll tell you all about it okay?”
“Okay Shiny.” The other ponies went off in their own directions through out the gala.
Twilight friends also agreed to find out later since Celestia kept them in the loop for the most part, they believe shouldn't have kept the Gala going if anything was seriously wrong at this time, they went off to have their moment at the Grand Galloping Gala.
Gallus and Spike walked towards the VIP cordon, they had seen and heard the what Celestia just said as they were looking around for Gale and Gilda. “Princess Celestia is one scary griffon...”
“If something happen to me, Twilight could go all out too.”
“Right...” Gallus thought about his parents. “Even risking their own lives...” He whispered.
Spike didn't quite hear what he said. “What did you say?”
Gallus saw Gale and Gilda with a yellow pony in a blue and yellow flight suit. “Look we found them!” He point a claw at the table. “They with a pony wearing something I never seen before, what is that?”
“That Captain Spitfire of the Wonderbolts, what she wearing is a flight suit, all of the Wonderbolts wear them during performance.” Spike explained walking up to the cordon. “Hi, Princess Luna said I got access and Gallus with me.” He hint to the blue and cream griffon.
The pony bow his head slightly. “Of course.” He unclipped the red rope, pulling it back to allow them through.
They walked by and he re-clipped it. “That just weird and strange, I don't get it at all.” Gallus said staring at Spitfire and other Wonderbolts at different tables.
“Don't griffons have something like that?” Spike asked.
Gallus shrugged. “Maybe about 150 years ago or so, if we did it went with the rest of Griffina when Guto decided to go power mad after losing a hunk of gold, and attacking the Finch Griffons at Flaputa.”
“Oh that...”
“Yeah that... Grandpa Gruff told me and Nightingale what that feather brain did...” Gallus gave a cold deadpan response. “Moving on.” Gallus changed the subject. “Hey Gilda, Gale.” They walked up to the table.
Gale turn to them. “Spike! Gallus! Happy to see! After mum talk, we only talked, music slow and boring, but we talking, we laughing! It good!”
Spitfire chuckled. “It sure is Gale, it saving my rump from those ponies, and that diamond dog with the one eye looking out for Gale, really creeping them out too, so a win win tonight so far!” She pat Gale on the back with a hoof. “Got to admit hearing how he smashed that orb to save his mum, it was reckless but pretty brave at the same time, with my mum if anything happen to her I would do the exact same thing if it mean saving her life.”
Gilda drunk a bit of her drink. “I was there, I saw the whole thing, never seen that side of Celestia and don't want to see it again.”
“Yeah it crazy! Magic, kicking, clawing, all of it! Mum went all fiery!” Gale said while he did actions with his talons with movement of the forelegs, wings opening with short flaps to shifting them in motion.
“Sound really awesome!” Spike said with glee. “I knew Princess Celestia was strong, but hearing how she fought some creature to protect you and Equestria is epic! Princess Celestia doesn't seem phased she a griffon too! Who would of knew she was married to King Grover! I bet Twilight really freaking out on the inside right this second!”
Gallus nodded. “Got to admit it sound really awesome, wish I saw it myself! And the purple pony having a freak out?”
“Dweeb, Purple was Princess Celestia's former student.” Gallus didn't need to say anything back to Gilda on that remark.
“Same here.” Spitfire raise her glass. “Probably be the most excitement tonight at this table, other than the nobles and ponies wanting their photos with us or asking for the best seats for our performances.”
Gilda rolled her eyes. “I already knew this was going to be very lame, thanks for making that super obvious you dweeb!”
“No problem Gilda!” Spitfire laughed, she noticed Soarin coming up with a pie in his muzzle. “If you excuse me, got a flight colleague to talk to.” Spitfire got up to great Soarin.
Gallus sat at the table with Spike. “So... What do we do now?” Gallus asked.
“Celestia has her reasons for inviting all of us here to this lame dweebish party, I bet she knew this was lame to begin with and hoping with us being here it be spiced up a bit.”
Gale thought about it and blurted out. “Trollesetia!”
Many ponies looked at them oddly before going back to talking about day to day stuff, all the way to what Celestia said to them recently.
Suddenly catching the griffons and dragon attention was a cry. “MY PIE!” They watched it fall towards the ground for Rainbow Dash to catch it. “And here comes the fireworks.”
Gale gave her a confused look. “Fireworks inside? That not safe!”
“It a figure of speech Gale...” Gilda groans.
Alpha gave a snorted laugh from where he stood by a column. “Maybe being in the physical plain won't be that bad afterall, I look forward to seeing how this evening unfolds.” He said under his breath.
Blueblood picked a rose with his teeth outside in the Canterlot Gardensand Greystorm walked up to him. “Looking for the perfect rose once again for your neck collar?”
Blueblood turn around to the Mayor of Trottingham, he bit off the steam and put it on his neck collar. “Of course, it always been a tradition of mine to take the most perfect rose possible.”
“As always.” Greystorm sniffed some of the roses. “Pleasant as always.” He said. “Not going to ask about the way I look?”
“The fact you look twenty years younger to last time I saw you?”
“Yes.”
“Greystorm, Aunt Celestia told me to expect this new davish look, results from the pure magic punch from my cousin Gale.” Blueblood start to walk, Greystorm walk beside him. “I may not be directly involved with the in and outs of what been happening in the last few months, but I am kept in the loop.”
Greystorm noticed Rarity was following not to far behind them. “Octicovix doesn't care, and at first I did, but I grew to accept that I am like this, she would have been here, but duty calls.”
“Quite so, on the hunt for Shal-Quz if I am not mistaken.”
“Correct Bluey.”
Blueblood notice his glances to see who he was glancing at. “I see that mare been following since I locked eyes on her, do you know who she is?”
“Rarity Belle, one of the Element Bearers and a very good dress and suit making, the best out of all I ever used, she good at value, very generous, charming, a bit of a chatter box and times, love her work, care about her friends and family. And a bit of a drama queen when things go a bit south, personally effected by words directly at her, also not to be messed with or she will turn the tables on you pretty fast if you take advantage of her kind generosity.” Greystorm informed Blueblood about Rarity.
Blueblood blinked. “How the blazes you know all that?”
“I got to know her through out the last five years when I come to collect my suit at night, she know I have a image to keep and understand that I can't be shown to be too soft but fair, so we agree that I come around when the suit made at specific times when I am hardly seen. Also she makes good tea, Trottingham is known for it tea and if she can make good tea, she good.” Greystorm explained how he knew. “Well have fun.”
Blueblood quickly turn to see Greystorm was gone. “I hate when he does that...” Blueblood muttered as he saw Rarity approach, taking a deep breath the price prepared himself for this encounter best he could. “Just don't be a ass Blueblood and you will be okay...” He whispered to himself.
Fluttershy saw the bird a Meadow Lark, hear a whistle and hummed it back, she followed it deeper into the garden to find a whole heap of the animals Fluttershy wanted to meet, they all were around something snowy grey with black spots and large, suddenly some of them instantly turn to Fluttershy and quickly run off.
Fluttershy put a hoof out. “W-wait!” She cried as they all now ran off in different directions.
The large furry one they were all around turned over to sit up on the hunches, Fluttershy was staring at a very big griffon, flexing it wings slightly without moving any leaves turn the purple eyes upon the timid Pegasus. “Hey, your that Fluttershy Pinkamena spoke of in her letters, nice to finally meet ya dude, I'm Sunflower.” She raise a forepaw giving a short wave.
Fluttershy remembered Pinkie Pie speaking of a massive pen pal she finally got to met. “Oh my, you are really-”
“Big?”
“No of course you are, but I was going to say as Pinkie Pie described you.” Fluttershy walked up to her. “I thought you didn't like to be seen?”
Sunflower lay back down pulling out her tablet flipping a paw tip over it. “Yeah, well Nanny Maple had a ticket for this Gala and since I was in the neighbour hood doing some work for a client, she happen to message me about it this morning of all times and said it was in my bag.” Sunflower put the tablet down to pull out from her bag a small gold ticket. “So... Yeah I'm here and keeping as far from it without not being in it.”
Fluttershy nod as she now stood only a short distance from her. “I noticed all the animals were gathered around you, I didn't mean to spook them like that.”
Sunflower shrugged. “It fine, but also kinda weird.”
“Why do you say that? If it okay for me to ask.”
“It is okay and dude all animals run from me, this is a very FIRST these animals don't.” Sunflower said picking up her tablet. “I haven't got a clue to why they like me.” Sunflower looked up to see one land on her head.
Fluttershy moved a little and the bird got spooked flying away. “It seem I am having the opposite effect, I am usually really good with animals but they seem very scared of me...” She sat down in front of Sunflower. “Pinkie said that you make yourself so light that it feels your not even here.”
Sunflower smirked. “Oh that true all the way, even showed it off it the Crusaders sisters and aunts, they were impressed by my show, it also why all-” She quickly paused seeing the Meadow Lark back on her head again nuzzling itself into her feathered head. “Well most animals flee, I think they don't like that they can't sense my presence.”
“Yet these don't and fear my presence.” Fluttershy took note of it. “I really came to the Grand Galloping Gala to meet them, be my friend.”
Sunflower hummed a little. “Hmm... I might have a idea.”
“Oh?”
Applejack stood behind her apple stand with pride after her first sale of her produce, she now waiting to make another sale of her finest apple foods at the Gala, Luna and Cadance approached the stand. “You must be Applejack, I heard about you from Shining Armor.” Cadance said looking at the apple foods.
“Howdy Princesses, Ah met the unicorn, he and ah couldn't agree on a lick of thin's till young prince managed to strike a deal with mah brother and granny.” She bow her head slightly to both of them. “And howdy to you Princess Luna.”
“Hello dear Applejack.” Luna looked at the food. “Are you offering tasters from your farm at the Gala?”
Applejack gave her a odd look. “No, ah'm sellin' mah produce princess.”
Cadance gave her own odd look. “Applejack, you are aware there are free food and drink hoofed out to the guests do you?”
Applejack blinked as she took in what Cadance just said. “Are ya sayin' that nopony gonna buy mah food?”
“Maybe one or two, but most won't cause they wouldn't have brought any bits to the Gala.” Cadance confirmed.
Applejack took a deep sigh. “Ah didn't know.”
Luna frowned. “Is there not a leaflet about the Gala?”
“Yes aunty there is.” Cadance now turn to Applejack. “You didn't read the leaflet did you?”
“Eenope...” Applejack pulled her hat down over her eyes. “Ah feel like a foal...”
“Well why not just offer them free of charge to the guests, if they really like them, they'll order them from your home of business or wherever they are sold from” Cadance suggested.
“Indeed.” Luna agreed.
Applejack nodded. “ah'll do that, might not get the bits today, but maybe get them later, thank ya.”
They were about to say something when Gabby lands before them. “Applejack Apple?”
“Eeyup?”
“I got a package from Gilda to you.” Gabby pulled it out her bag handing it over to Applejack.
Applejack opened it up. “Scones?” Applejack noticed a letter with a leaflet. “Hey AJ, Dash said ya gonna to try and sell ya stuff at the Gala, ya a dweeb and should of read the leaflet, give out yur food as tasters and give them a try of my scones too, ah bet mah scones are better then ya apple fritters.... Gilda.”
Gabby giggled. “That her way of saying she like your apple products and challenging you against her scones.”
“Funny why of sayin' it.” Applejack muttered. “Well ah guess ah to that then.”
Gabby saluted. “Well my job done, going to the hotel and getting some sleep before my flight home.”
Luna put a hoof up to Gabby. “Why not stay?”
“I don't have one of those fancy tickets, I only got in for delivery.” Gabby hint to the guards hovering near by. “Sorry I can't.”
“Well I say you can.” Luna said and turn to the guards. “Is there a problem with that guards?”
“No princess!” They saluted and flee off.
“Thanks Princess Luna. But I don't have anything fancy!” Gabby gestured to herself.
Cadance smiled. “Oh I can help with that, care to help aunty?”
“Gladly.” Luna smiled back.
Gabby blinked. “Errr... Why are you two looking at me like that?” She nervously backed away from the two princesses.
Applejack wasn't sure to either step in to protect the grey blue griffon or say something, all she could do was watch in stun expression as the two princesses walk Gabby away. “O...kay... Ah'll pretend that never happened and ah'll give out this here food...”
Ponies gave Pinkie Pie annoyed anger looks as she finished singing and hugging tightly two of the ponies, Nightingale could see the sudden sadness from the party pony. “Not the party she thought it be, seen that face many times over.” She said to herself. “Best break the ice to Pinkie Pie.” Nightingale walked up to Pinkie Pie sitting at the table.
“I am at the Grand Galloping Gala~” She sang in a depressed tone resting her muzzle against the table.
Nightingale sat down on the opposite side of the table. “This isn't the kind of party you make back in Ponyville Pinkie Pie.”
Pinkie Pie looked across the table at the griffon. “Oh hi Princess Nightingale, I don't get it...”
“It maybe the grandest party in Equestria, but not the funnest party.” Nightingale said calmly to her. “Before I knew the place I once called home wasn't my world, I attended a lot of these Galas with the Inverse Reality version of mum, we would bet what kind of thing we could get away with ruining the Gala without being caught.”
“Ruining it?” Pinkie blinked. “Why ruin it?”
Nightingale looked around. “You see almost all these ponies around?”
“Yeah?” Pinkie now looked around.
“They all high end types, nobles, CEOs and so fourth, they wouldn't know true fun if it kicked them up the rump.” Nightingale giggled. “They always so serious, never finding time to share in that moment of joy, I know they have things to run, make bits and so on, but sometimes you need to live a little to get a smile, I should know.” She hint to the crown on her head. “I was born into royalty, and knew of my responsibilities, yet I knew how to have fun and the inverse mum taught be a thing or two about pranks.”
Pinkie Pie blinked. “Princess Celestia pranks?” Than she remembered Gilda calling Celestia. “Oooooooo that what Gilda meant!”
Nightingale gave a sly smile. “I got a idea how to really give this party a real jump start to enjoy it.”
“Oooo tell me!”
“Gladly!” Nightingale move a wing over in front of their muzzle and beak.
Twilight and Shining Armor made their way up the stairs to Princess Celestia, she was currently greeting a few ponies to the gala with Pom-Pom standing by her side and saying how good to see them again, they arrived at the top of the steps to Princess Celestia, she warmly smiled at them both. “It so lovely to see my star student and you Captain Armor, I gather you have much to ask about what happened on the peak and my sudden somewhat permanent new appearance?”
“I do Princess, also why didn't you send any letters about it either?” Twilight asked right away.
“I've been somewhat distracted with what had happened to me, also with getting things ready for the gala, I couldn't cancel it at short notice.” Celestia responded calmly as she gesture for them to stand by her.
Shining spoke in response. “I know from what you told me why you did it, but couldn't you have taken a few guards?”
Pom-Pom answers for Celestia. “We were only going up to the peak to talk, there was zero signs of any danger awaiting for us.”
“Indeed, Shal-Quz caught us all by surprise, even with a guard there. Do you think there would have been any different outcome?”
Shining Armor tied to think of a response to it. “No... The way you spoke of her getting the jump on all of you seem to be a trap of her own making, one that we only know after the fact.”
“Exactly.” Celestia said now looking to Twilight. “I know what happened to me may have changed what I look like on the outside, but inside I am the same princess that taught my favourite student for many years.”
Twilight felt relieved to hear it from Celestia directly. “It good to see that Princess, but I feel what been happening in Ponyville for me seem so small...”
“Nonsense Twilight, everything no matter how small you think it is I like to hear.” Celestia said in a motherly tone to Twilight. “Please tell me.”
Twilight felt good to get to stay by Princess Celestia's side to talk about what been going on in Ponyville, Shining chuckled lightly as they got talking. “Well so far so good.”
Pom-Pom put a paw to her forehead. “Any now you've jinxed it...”