//------------------------------// // Chapter 53 - Sir. Gideon Apesworth. // Story: Ark: Friendship is Survival // by Pomp-Neigh //------------------------------// -INSTALLATION: THE ISLAND- -Redwood Biome- Twilight’s mane flutters in the wind, and her prehistoric transport’s flapping rhythmically sounds off, its claws gently yet firmly latched onto her shoulders. All while Skitters held onto her mane while mounted upon the base of the alicorn’s neck. From what Twilight could see, the group of flyers steadily gained altitude before giving her a fine view of the island’s centric biome - her eyes widening in wonder.  But even from above the collective of monstrous-sized redwood spires and greenery, the sounds of multiple lifeforms greet her ears - a fantastic ecosystem just waiting to be explored, not to mention the rest of the island. That is, of course, if this meeting would go as she’d hoped. “No,” Twilight comments while shaking her head, trying to push away those lingering doubts. “It’ll be OK. I have to trust my instincts, and remember everything my fellow princesses and Granny has taught me.” The flight progresses further, as does time on the Ark, to which Twilight proceeds to check via her implant with a lowered gaze toward her flank: 10:34 am     -It’s already a little past ten am?- She starts internally. -Come to think of it: it has always stuck out to me since we got here, but the night and day cycles are much faster than Equus’. But, considering how the Arks work, I suppose it’s natural that each one would have its passage of time.- “Oohoohoo!” Skitters suddenly exclaims while pointing downward, which causes Twilight’s gaze to follow his gesture, and she takes in the newfound splendor before her eyes. “Wow.” Twilight stares in amazement as she sees a collective of Gigantopithecus individuals traveling below her in what seems to be a caravan. She makes out that some are mounted upon the backs of prehistoric creatures - a single Stegosaurus, four Parasaurolophus, a Triceratops, and an immense mammal that hauled this caravan’s largest of effects.  If Twilight recalls correctly from HLN-A’s bestiary, this would be the island’s largest of mammals, rivaled only by the mighty Wooly Mammoth: Paraceratherium. “There it is, Mejoberry!” Granny exclaims from the rear. However, Twilight couldn’t help but be impressed by that blue Ptera’s capability of even lifting the older Gigantopithecus; she’s pretty sure that should be impossible. “Just ahead of us is by rights the heart of this forest. But it’s also where the soul of our tribe resides.” Naturally, and having noticed the residence with a shifted gaze, Twilight remains speechless and dumbfounded by an enormous fortress of stone positioned on a mountaintop with both active and stationary lifeforms littered about.  “Welcome to Maimuță!” Granny cheerily shouts.   ………. The Sky Bats soon land within several stalls located around a building positioned at the end of an elongated bridge-shaped foundation. Each rider begins to dismount their prehistoric companion while Twilight and Granny Pithecus are set down gently as their transports release them from their grasp. Skitters dismounts Twilight and proceeds to run away, leaving behind the puzzled alicorn. “King Grok should still be inside his residence,” Kerchak began as Twilight’s attention was glued to the nearby structure. “Thanks for the heads up,” Granny responds with a tip of her hat. “So, how’ve ya been, ya little turd?” “Eh.” Kerchak shrugs, “So and so, I guess. But we recently chased off an Argentavis being piloted by one of those damned Yetis.” One of the other Sky Bat members scoffs as they pass by. “They should stay in their little tundra, where they belong.”  Twilight observes the building’s architecture as the apes converse, and a sense of familiarity overcomes her. “It’s very similar to the buildings of Cloudsdale,” She assesses. “Granted, it’s not actually made of clouds like the pride of the pegasi, but everything else is fairly accurate.” She places a hoof to her chin in thought. “It’s been a while since I’ve read up on it, but I believe the pegasi refer to their crafting motif as Greek. But this… it’s similar, but there’s also a sense of uniqueness to it…”    “Great jumping apes…” An elderly male voice comments in wonder, causing Twilight’s ears to twitch as she turns towards its source.  Twilight’s gaze rises, and her mouth nearly falls agape at what she sees. A being of gray fur and scholar-like attire stands before her. As the slimmer ape adjusts their glasses and hat, which practically screamed exploration, their blue orbs repeatedly blink before the ape seems to regain their composure. “My word… I’ve never before seen an Equus like yourself,” The ape clears their throat. “Forgive me for being taken aback, but what you said is very well assessed, my dear. Oh!” He emphasizes with a raised index finger. “I simply must document this!”    The ape conjures forth a notebook via his implant and inventory. He opens the book and holds it in the palm of his right hand before plucking off a pen from his shirt’s breast pocket. With a resounding click, the pen goes to work as the ape jots something down and mumbles in tandem. An Equus Speaker with wings and a horn, just like the fabled Unicorn that’s been sighted by my great ancestors. Could this be a sub-species?    “Uhm, excuse me?”  Twilight’s words cease the ape’s actions, his gaze meeting her own after peeling it away from his book. Realization dawns on him, and he swiftly closes the book before mounting his pen in his breast pocket. “Ah, innumerable pardons, madam,” He places a hand to the back of his neck, “You see, I’m a proud scholar. And I tend to get lost in my findings. Ahahaha!” Twilight giggles. “It’s quite alright.” She brushes the stone foundation with a forelimb and a sheepish expression. “Actually… I can relate to that. Heh.” “Oh?” The ape inquires with a raised eyebrow. “What do you mean?” “I’m a bit of a scholar, too,” The alicorn answers. “So trust me, I know exactly what that’s like.” A purple forelimb is offered. “My name is Twilight Sparkle.” The ape simply stares at her for a brief moment of stunned silence. Then, he breaks the mold as his arms suddenly spread apart swiftly, with a vibrant smile plastered onto his features. “Great jumping apes! Does a fellow scholar truly stand before me?!” He lowers himself and grabs onto Twilight’s appendage, giving it a gentle shake. “I am Sir. Gideon Apesworth, extravagant explorer and gentleape extraordinaire. I also happen to be a teacher at our local school for the children of our tribe.” The duo parts from the gesture as Gideon rises to his full stature, a whopping 7ft tall if Twilight’s measurements are correct.  “Minds like ours aren’t exactly numerous on this island, but it’s an absolutely smashing delight to meet you, my fellow seeker of knowledge.” “You too, Sir Gideon!” Twilight happily responds. “However, if I may, why are ‘minds like ours’ as rare as you insinuate?” Gideon sighs. “It’s relatively straightforward. Now, I’m not calling anyone dimwitted, and nearly every living thing on this island possesses a reasonable level of intellect. But many apes favor brawn over said intellect. I tend to hear the good old ‘Brains won’t save you from the jaws of a Rex’ excuse. But maybe, just maybe, if they approached the situation a bit smarter, then they wouldn’t be in those jaws, to begin with!”   Twilight couldn’t agree more as her eyes sparkled in wonder, her mouth opening slightly. Come to think of it: the alicorn realized that, given the circumstances, not even HLN-A had any information on these Gigantopithecus. More specifically, how much they’ve changed over the years. Helena’s dossier on these apes is outdated, and the alicorn saw the opportunity.  -Oh my gosh!- She screamed internally with glee. -I could add my own findings to Helena’s dossiers! In fact, even that Spinosaurus we faced showed capabilities that her dossier hadn’t mentioned at all!-         “Yo, Mejoberry!” Granny calls out, Twilight jolting to attention. “Get on over here! You wan’ta meet Grok ‘r not?!” A sense of disappointment grew within the alicorn as her ears folded against her head.    “Schooling can wait, egghead!” Granny exclaims as her gaze shifts to Gideon. “She and ah’ve got some business to attend to.” “‘E-egghead’?!” Gideon responds, offended. “Why - I never!”  “Hah!” Granny barks into the air with her head leaned backward. “Picked that one up from one of Mejo’s friends!” Gideon rolls his eyes before his and Twilight’s gaze meet again. In truth, both are disappointed by the timing of their situation, and an unfathomable amount of questions surely festered on both sides. But before any words could be spoken, an innocently young and feminine voice calls out. “Grandpa! Come on; school is going to start soon!”  The ape scholar turns around, and his arms part as a small yellow-furred member runs towards him happily, leaping into his embrace. Twilight was interested in the scene but was also here for an urgent matter. Sighing sadly, she turns away and ventures toward Granny Pithecus. It wasn’t the way she wanted to part from Sir. Gideon, but consideration for the family’s moment beckoned her to leave, not to mention her current objective. ………. “Grandpa, you had us so worried,” The little ape comments while sitting behind Gideon’s head, her hands resting on his hat. “Class can’t exactly start without you, ‘teacher.’”    “My apologies, sweet Grunda. I was just chatting with a potential colleague.”  “Colleague?” Grunda inquires as she looks around. “I don’t see anyone around.” With a smirk, Gideon turns in place - offering Grunda a perfect view of Twilight’s lavender form in the distance. And upon seeing the youngster’s eyes widen in absolute wonder, Gideon chuckles before setting his sights on the distant alicorn. “I never stopped believing, granddaughter. I’ve never doubted our family’s stories, and there it is, in the distance,” He raises a hand and forms a fist. “A so-called myth has been brought into the light of science!”  A moment of silence ensues. “Uh, grandpa?” “Yes, my sweet?” “That was cool and all, but class still needs to start...” Gideon’s eyes widen. “Right!” He turns in place and holds onto Grunda’s legs.  “Come, Grunda! A new mystery is crying out to be unraveled! I dub it: Twilight Sparkle!” He points forth, “To the classroom!”   The elderly ape kicks off and jogs merrily in the assumed direction of the classroom.