The Seven Tribes

by Scootaloo-009


Arc 4: Shattered Beak

The Seven Tribes

by Scootaloo-009, a.k.a. Mechsrule1

My Little Pony and related names, images, and scenarios are property of Hasbro Inc.

Arc 4: Family Time

Chapter 10

“Brace yourself, we'll be able to see Shattered Beak in a minute.” Rainbow Dash announced. She was still in bandages, but that wasn't going to keep her grounded. Scootaloo stood up on her cloud to get a look. They maneuvered over a mountain and the city came into view.

Before them stood a massive mountain that reached well above the clouds. The peak had several ridges running down the sides of the mountain, giving it a broken appearance. Around the point where it passed through the clouds, there was a wide plateau that circled the entire mountain. Parts of the plateau were above, and some parts were below the cloud cover. Built onto the plateau was a medium sized city of stone and wood buildings. It was large enough to house hundreds.

The pegasus pair flew into the airspace, but didn't encounter any trouble. Rainbow Dash led them to one area that seemed free of all buildings. As they landed, Scootaloo was amazed at all the sights around her. She had lived in a variety of places, but all of them were inhabited by ponies. Seeing none in sight was peculiar, but not unsettling.

“Stay close,” Rainbow Dash instructed.

“I'm tough,” Scootaloo replied, dismounting from her mode of transportation.

“You're a tough pony, but not griffon tough,” Rainbow Dash replied. “Not yet, anyway.”

“Okay...”

Together they walked through the streets of the city, getting the occasional strange look. Rainbow Dash ignored it, but Scootaloo couldn't help but look back at all the beaked faces staring at her. Rainbow Dash seemed to know her way around. Before long they reached the market. Griffons milled about the colorful stalls, haggling and conversing. Smaller griffons tugged at older griffons, begging them to buy them some toy or snack. It was a lot like being home, only with predators.

“Hey, it's my favorite customer!” a fat gray griffon said, waving to Rainbow Dash.

“Hey, Marv!” Rainbow greeted. “How's the hunting?”

“We had a good lamb harvest this month. Best in twelve seasons,” Marv replied. “Say, what's with the hatchling? Did you actually find a male that can put up with you?”

Rainbow Dash just rolled her eyes.

“Another female then? I’ve heard you ponies can do that.”

Rainbow Dash slapped her face with her hoof. “I am not having a foal myself.” She shuddered at the thought. “I’m just taking care of her.”

“Aw, you mean I won't have a brother or sister?” Scootaloo joked.

“Not a chance,” Rainbow said, making a face.

“Hey, what’s this?” Scootaloo asked, pointing to a wooden board on the market stall. It had a series of pictures of various objects, one of which was a couple bits, and a row of hooks next to them, holding up little blocks with numbers on them.

“That’s a price guide,” Rainbow Dash explained. “Griffons don’t have their own money so they use everypony elses. This just shows what each is worth in relation. Like one bit for two shells, but three bits for one strip.”

“So what would you like today? I have a special on turkey today, just four bits a pound," Marv asked.

Rainbow Dash made her selections and paid the merchant.

“Alright Scoots, I'm going to give you a tour of the whole city!” Rainbow Dash announced once her purchases were crammed into her saddlebags.
   
Together, they made their way through the winding streets. Rainbow Dash paused occasionally to point out landmarks. She talked about the history of the city, and told about the actions of various griffon heroes immortalized in stone.

On their travels, they passed a small open field of cloud. In the field several dozen griffons were gathered, cheering.

“What's going on over there?” Scootaloo asked.

“Dunno. Let's check it out,” Rainbow Dash said.

The pair walked over to see what all the commotion was. In the cloud field, there was a large depression with a series of ramps and bowl shaped depressions dug into it. Inside were a couple griffons standing on long flat pieces of hardcloud, sliding around. Scootaloo looked closer, and saw that they were actually skateboards made of hardcloud. As she watched, she saw several perform tricks as a griffon met a jump or a depression.

“What are they doing?” she asked a nearby spectator.

“Oh hey, a pony,” the griffon said looking at her. “It's called cloudboarding. It's only the second most popular griffon sport.”

Scootaloo watched in awe at the ease to which the griffons maneuvered around. She looked around, and saw a vendor nearby, cashing in by selling hardcloud boards to any fools who thought they could imitate the griffons before them. She rummaged around for her pocket change. She had spent most of the summer working her hooves to the bone doing odd jobs to earn some money. Now was the time to spend it.

“Can I have a board?” she asked the griffon merchant.

“Sure hatchling, if you got the bits,” the griffon said. “It's twenty bits for a basic board. Deluxe ones are fifty.”

“I'll take a basic one,” Scootaloo said, placing most of her money on the counter. “Can I have a spare bit of hardcloud too?” The merchant counted the coins.

“Sure hatchling. Is this enough?” He asked pulling out a long strip of hardcloud out from under the counter.

“Perfect!” she replied, trotting off happily.

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"Howdy, Apple Bloom! How are yah feelin'?" Applejack asked entering the hospital room. On the bed her sister was awake, sipping at a cup of water.

"Like Ah got eaten by a shark," Apple Bloom joked.

"Don't yah joke about that; we almost lost yah. Ah've never been more frightened in mah life," Applejack scolded.

"Ah know... yah did lose me...."

"If we lost yah, yah wouldn't be here, now would yah?" Applejack said trying to comfort the filly.

"Rainbow Dash told me what happened. Ah wasn't just bit and tossed around, Ah died. Whah wouldn't yah just say that?"

"When Fluttershy said yah were dead... Ah just didn't know what tah do. Ah didn't know how yah would feel knowing yah had died."

"Ah think it's cool! Ah'm the first pony ever tah come back from the dead! Ah'm a zombie! Rar!" Apple Bloom said, giggling.

"Good thing yer in bed, or Ah'd be in trouble!" Applejack said, joining in the fun.

"Rar! Ah'm hungry fer brains! Diamond Tiara, yer safe."

“Ah'm glad yer takin' it so well."

"How's the farm? Am Ah missin' anything?"

"Everythin's fine. Just focus on gettin' better, yah hear?"

"With Sweetie's singin', Ah'll be outta here in no time," Apple Bloom cheered.

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“Scoots?” Rainbow Dash called, looking around. She was so busy watching she hadn't noticed the filly wonder off. “Scoots, where are you?”

“Hey look, a pony who thinks she can board!” a griffon nearby shouted. Rainbow Dash turned to see Scootaloo walking into the arena carrying something.

Scootaloo placed her hoof made scooter on the edge of the arena, and climbed on.

“You're out of your league, pony,” one of the griffon boarders taunted. Scootaloo just smirked, and tipped the scooter forward. At once the outside world ceased to exist. It was just Scootaloo, her scooter, and the cloud before her. When retelling the story, she would later find herself unable to remember exactly what happened. It was all a blur of spins and flips.

The next thing she remembered clearly, was the last move she did. Going through a half-pipe, she built up as much speed as she could going down. She jumped off the other side. The half-pipe was placed at one side of the arena, so she managed to jump over the entire thing, aided only slightly by her wind powers. Only enough to push her in the right direction.

She landed and ground to a halt. The world returned. All she could hear was cheers. She looked around at the griffons cheering at her performance. Rainbow Dash among them. One of the griffon boarders skated over and dismounted. The griffon bowed to her. She didn't understand what it meant but was shocked anyway.

“That was some of the best cloudboarding I've ever seen!” the tawny winged, hazelnut colored griffon praised. Scootaloo could tell he was about her height. “You have got some sweet moves!”

“Uh... thanks,” Scootaloo stammered.

“You should enter the junior tournament,” another griffon, reddish brown with slate gray wings, said, walking over as well.

“Wait, there are tournaments for this?” Scootaloo said surprised.

“Well duh,” the second griffon said rolling his eyes.

“This was just exhibition,” the first griffon explained. “I'm Rriz of the Mouas(moe-as), by the way."

"Trundent (truhn-dent). Liaq (lie-ack) clan," the other griffon said.

"Scootaloo," Scootaloo said simply.

"There's tournaments all the time. The next one's happening over in Blood Crest next month," Trundent explained.

"Cool. I'll have to check it out."

Trundent walked off and returned to boarding.

"Scoots, that was awesome!" Rainbow Dash praised, walking over.

"Really?"

"Totally," Rainbow Dash replied, "who's your friend?"

"Rriz of the Mouas clan," Rriz said.

"Rainbow Dash of the Qnak clan," Rainbow Dash said. Then she did an odd movement where she bowed her head slightly, but kept it level. Rriz quickly returned the gesture, looking embarrassed.

"Sorry. Um, is she in your clan?" Rriz asked.

"Not yet," Rainbow Dash replied.

“She should join one of the big sports clans. She'd fit right in," Rriz said.

"That's for her to decide in her own time," Rainbow Dash replied.

"I'm so confused," Scootaloo said, rubbing her head.

"I'll explain on the way home," Rainbow Dash replied.

"Do we have to go now?" Scootaloo asked. "I wanted to scoot some more."

"Alright, just a few more minutes," Rainbow Dash said.

“Yay!" Scootaloo cheered. She got back on her scooter and beat her wings, propelling herself forward. Rriz followed behind.

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"Still no progress on getting to Steelmane?"

The alicorn asking the question was seated on a massive gold throne. His mane moved on it's own, just like every one of his predecessors had. Upon his head sat a gold crown. Before him stood his top military leaders, each in gold armor. And poking her head in the door to listen, was a tiny white filly. Tiny was an overstatement, she was nearly the size of an adult member of an offspring tribe, but still small for her own tribe.

"No, my king," one replied. "We cannot pierce the bunker, despite our best efforts."

"Has there been any sighting of Discord?" the king asked.

"No. Despite our best efforts the demon cannot be found. He seems to be suppressing his influence so we cannot locate him."

"That's very strange. Last time, he stormed right in here. What could he be up to?" the king wondered out loud. “Pull out troops back from the bunker and have them focus on locating Discord. Leave just a few sentries to watch Steelmane.”

“Yes sir.”

At that moment something pulled the filly away from the door.

"Celestia, what are you doing?" her mother hissed. "Your sister is busy keeping the rotation. You need to be resting."

"I'm sorry momma, I just wanted to hear what's going on. I am going to be queen like you one day." Celestia replied.

“Not for a very long time," her mother told her softly. "You leave the silly court business to your father and I. You have your sister to worry about."

"I know," Celestia grumbled.

"That's important. It's the job of the older sister to take care of the younger sister. Don't ever forget that."

There was a flash and the world changed. A mad, pitch black pony was where her mother had been.

"This is the end sister. The night will last forever," Nightmare Moon snarled.

"I'm sorry Luna. I'm sorry mom," Celestia said, crying. Then she released the power of the elements.

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Scootaloo loved it. It felt so right. The wind rushing past her, the calming feel of wheels rolling beneath her. It was like her whole world was at peace in that moment. Like there was no where she would rather be than on that scooter in that moment. Before she knew it, Rainbow Dash called her name and she stopped.

"Aw, already?" Scootaloo whined.

"It's been two hours," Rainbow Dash replied. "You may not have have school tomorrow, but I have to work."

"Okay..." Scootaloo said sadly. "Bye Rriz."

"Come back soon," Rriz said, taking a break from boarding.

"I can't. I've got school coming up soon. I won't be able to come here then," Scootaloo replied.

"Well, do you live nearby?"

"Ponyville," Scootaloo replied.

"I think I know where that is. I'll stop by sometime," Rriz said.

“Okay," Scootaloo said with a smile. Something made Rriz stare at her for a moment.

"Hey Itra!" he shouted into the crowd. A female griffon similar to Rriz turned towards him. "You owe me five strips!"

"What?" the griffon asked after coming over.

"You said those pictures on their plots are tattoos. Well, ha! They're not! Now pay up!"

"What, a cutie mark?" Scootaloo asked confused.

"What does that prove?" Itra asked, pointing to Scootaloo.

"She didn't have one earlier," Rriz said simply.

"I-" Scootaloo stopped and stared at her flank. The formerly white flank, now was adorned with a dark blue tire speeding down a ramp. "I got my cutie mark! I got my cutie mark!" she cheered.

"Huh. So they're not clan marks or tattoos? Weird," Itra said.

"They're kind of similar," Rainbow Dash said. "It's a sign they're growing up, just like a first flight or first hunt. They appear when a pony discovers what their special talent is."

 "And they just appear? That's so weird," Itra said.

"Yeah, like mine appeared when I discovered racing."

"Yeah, now pay up!" Rriz jeered.

"I'll pay you at home, downy-brain. Come on, it's getting dark," Itra snapped.

"Fine. See ya, Scootaloo," Rriz said before taking off into the air with Itra.

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"So.. Apple Bloom?" Applejack asked.

"Yeah?" Apple Bloom replied, surprised by how serious her sister was talking.

"Do yah.. do yah remember anythin'?"

"Do Ah remember what?"

"Do yah remember bein', yah know, dead?"

"Ah remember the shark bitin' me. Then Ah remember wakin' up in the hospital. Everythin' in between is blank. Ah'm sorry."

"Yah ain't got nothin' to be sorry for. Ah was just curious. A lot ah ponies will wanna ask if yah saw anythin'. No pony knows what happens when yah die, and since yah did and came back... well they'll wanna know what happened."

"Ah hadn't thought ah that," Apple Bloom admitted. "Ah wish Ah could now."

"Ah'd better head home soon; bahfore dark," Applejack said. "See yah tomorrow, Apple Bloom. Ah love yah."

"Ah love yah too, sis."

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“What was all that about?” Scootaloo asked as they flew home, her new hardcloud scooter secured to her regular cloud.

“You'll have to be more specific,” Rainbow Dash replied.

“All the bowing,” Scootaloo replied. “When you greeted him you did a bow, and when he came over he did a different bow.”

“Respect is important to griffons,” Rainbow Dash replied simply. “Things like that are just customs, like how we shake hooves. Since we were both strangers to each other, we bowed slightly to show mutual respect for each other. The deeper the bow, the more respect they feel is due to the one they are bowing to. Griffons don't bow to anything they perceive as below them. Basically all non griffon. That's why he didn't bow before I did.

"If I knew him, we might not bow either, because the slight bow is meant mostly for first time greetings. It’s like a ‘hi, fellow griffon’ sort of bow. If you’re not really introducing yourself, don’t bother, like if you bought something at a shop.”

“But when he came over, he bowed before even saying hi to me,” Scootaloo pointed out.

“Bowing is a showing of respect. He was just showing he respected you for your performance,” Rainbow Dash explained.

“And you said I'm not in your clan. But I thought you adopted me.”

“Right. If you were my biological daughter, you would automatically be a member of the clan. Since you're adopted into the family, you have to prove yourself like I did. It's not a bad thing. It means you can join any clan you want and not have to get a second mark. They hurt enough the first time, I don't want to know how it feels to remove one.”

“This is confusing,” Scootaloo said, rubbing her head.

“If any griffon asks your name, just say Scootaloo, no clan,” Rainbow Dash instructed. “And remember to bow like I did when you introduce yourself. They should return the bow, but probably not very deeply. Not a lot of griffons have respect for ponies, but showing that you understand their culture can help.”

"Say, can you take me to this city called Blood Crest next month?" Scootaloo asked.

"What for?

"Trundent said there's a cloudboarding tournament there."

"I suppose, seeing as it's your special talent and all but, you'd better practice. I don't want to take you all the way there if you're not going to mop the floor with the competition," Rainbow Dash said.

"I'll definitely win!" Scootaloo said with a smirk.

"That's what I like to hear."

“Can you take me hunting some time?” Scootaloo asked after a while.

“What brought that up?”

“I don't know. You’ve mentioned it a few times, and I just thought I'd might like to try it,” Scootaloo said. Rainbow Dash laughed a bit.

“Maybe some time,” Rainbow Dash said when she was done. “You'll need the right tools though.”

“Tools smools, I have magic,” Scootaloo said, flashing her wings.

“Your spell would shred prey. The idea of hunting is to not do that. Try working a spell that is more precise. Biting would be a very bad idea.”

“All the spells I've learned so far have been accidents. I've never tried to learn a specific kind of spell.”

“You don't need magic you know,” Rainbow Dash said pointedly.

“Then what do you use?”

“I made myself a set of claws when I was a filly,” Rainbow Dash answered. “I was at a huge disadvantage when my family had talons and I didn't, so I adapted. They’re basically some knives I strap to my leg. Maybe you can do something similar.”

“I'll think of something.”

“I still remember my first hunt,” Rainbow Dash said fondly.

“Story time!” Scootaloo cheered.

"It's not a story for little fillies," Rainbow Dash replied, shaking her head.

"If you tell me, I'll tell you how I got my name," Scootaloo offered.

“What, Scootaloo?” Rainbow Dash asked.

“Yup. I wasn’t born Scootaloo,” Scootaloo said. “But I’ll tell you how I got the name if you tell me your story.”

“It doesn’t have to do with your scooter?”

“I got the name first.”

“Okay then, deal," Rainbow Dash agreed, curious, "it was during the second month I spent with Gilda's family. I was practicing my maneuvers...”

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“Hey, Dash,” Gilda greeted as she landed nearby. Rainbow Dash was currently racing around the clouds to practice.

“Do you think I’m getting any faster?” Dash asked absentmindedly.

“I can't tell,” Gilda replied. “Dad wanted me to ask you: Wanna come hunting with us tonight?”

“Hunting?” Dash asked. She stopped her flying, and hovered to listen. "What's that?"

“It's where we go out to get food,” Gilda replied.

“Isn't that just shopping?” Dash asked, having heard the term at school.

“No. We go out and kill the food,” Gilda answered. "Buying it all the time is expensive, so we hunt a lot."

“Oh.”

“What, is the pony a chicken?” Gilda taunted.

“No!” Dash protested. “I've just never done it before.”

“It'll just be you, me, and dad. He'll teach you.”

“Well okay,” Dash said reluctantly. Eating another creature was one thing, but killing was something else. Still, she wanted to fit in, lest she be kicked back to the streets.

"Here, you might need this," Gilda said, pulling out a small dagger.

"Why would I need that?" Dash asked, balking at the sight of the metal weapon.

"Well, you don't have talons like us, so you need something sharp, or are you planning on kicking the animal to death?"

"Good point," Dash said, taking the dagger. She held it loosely. It felt so cold in her hoof. The smooth steel gleaming in the late afternoon sun. Her own reflection in it stared back at her. Judging. She blinked and put it away.

"I'll let him know you want to come. We'll leave soon," Gilda said, flying off again. Dash stayed there thinking about what she was going to do. Actually killing something with her bare hooves. She was still surprised she had hooves and not bestial claws yet. She was quickly losing her ponyhood to the griffons. Was that such a bad thing?

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"Are you ready Rainbow Dash?" Gilda's father asked. Clance was a massive griffon, though looked a lot like Gilda. Standing beside him, Dash barely rose to his knees. A veteran of at least one of the griffon wars, as well as a respected patriarch, his bore simultaneously, the air of one not to be messed with, and a source of great wisdom, like he could just as easily kill as discuss philosophy. Upon his back were the griffon equivalent of saddle bags to carry what they caught. Dash was quite put off by the deep red they seemed to be stained.

Rainbow Dash, Gilda, and Clance hovered over the forest below. Night was falling but there was still enough light to see by for about an hour. They had flown far from Crouched Back, their home, and Dash had no problem keeping up with the larger griffon, though she suspected he slowed down for her and Gilda.

"I'm not sure what to do," Dash admitted.

"The key to hunting is surprise," Clance instructed. "Once you spot your prey, get as close as you can without it noticing you. Then when the moment is right, strike. Since we are in the air and the prey is not, diving at it quickly is also a decent tactic, but there is the chance it could see you coming, and hide before you get there. You must strike quickly, because the more it struggles, the more chances it has to get away, so go for fatal injuries. A slice to the throat, or breaking the neck will work."

"Okay..." Dash said, still unsure. Unsure because I am unable or unwilling?

"Watch me," Gilda said. She flew off, scanning the forest below with Dash in pursuit. Something must have caught her eye, because in a split second she dove into the tree cover. She flew back up a moment later, a woodchuck struggling in her beak. "Seh?" Gilda mumbled. The wiggling thing seemed to annoy her, so she bit down harder. The movement stopped, and she deposited it in her father's saddlebag.

Dash nearly threw up right there. Ponies are friends with nature. They don't eat other creatures. Or kill them except in self defense. But I’ve eaten meat. This was the next logical step. A battle was waging inside her mind, but the griffons seemed oblivious.

"Go ahead, Dash," Gilda said, motioning. Dash couldn't help notice her beak was still red.

She couldn't let them down. What if they kicked me back to the streets? Gilda's dad had practically said as much, She didn't want to even think about going back there. With a half hearted sigh, she began flying over the forest as her friend had done. She silently prayed to Celestia that she wouldn't see anything. "Damn Celestia," she swore under her breath.

She had just noticed a rabbit below the tree cover. It was oblivious to her presence. Knowing they were watching, she closed her eyes to prepare herself. It didn't help, but she dove anyway.

Please, little bunny, hear me coming and run she pleaded in her mind. It was not to be. It was almost too easy as she pounced on the rabbit and pinned it to the ground.

"Alright, Dash!" Gilda cheered from somewhere up above. .

"What do I do now?" Dash shouted back.

"Break its neck!" came the reply.

Dash stared at the rabbit. It stared back. She grabbed its head with one hoof, and the rest with another. She couldn't do it. The rabbit slipped from her grasp and was gone.

"Aww tough break," Gilda said, landing beside the filly. She put a talon on her friend’s shoulder. "Don't worry, not everybeing gets it on their first try."

“I'm sorry," Dash said, shrugging the talon off.

"Hatchling, you have nothing to be sorry for. Lack of experience is nothing to be ashamed of," Clance said, landing as well.

"I couldn't do it," Dash muttered.

"Dash it's not the end of the world because one rabbit slipped from your hooves," Gilda said, trying to console her equine friend.

"I let it go!" Dash shouted suddenly.

"Ponies are not known for being bloodthirsty. I am not surprised you couldn't do it," Clance said calmly.

"Maybe hunting isn't your thing," Gilda suggested.

"I'm just a weak pony!" Dash shouted. "I'll never be anything more!"

"Dash..." Gilda murmured but the filly didn't hear her. Dash took off galloping into the trees. Gilda moved to follow but was stopped by a massive talon on her own shoulder.

"Let her go," Her father said.

"But she could get lost or hurt!"

"She won't get lost as long as she has wings," Clance said simply. "She will return when she is ready."

"I hope she does come back," Gilda whispered.

"Come daughter, we must hunt some more if we want to eat tomorrow." With that the two griffons took to the skies.

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"I'm weak. I'll never be tough like them," Dash grumbled. She wasn't sure where she was, and didn't care. She didn't want to be around the griffons. She was a failure. She couldn't even kill a rabbit. She had stopped galloping, and was merely dragging her hooves.

Something fell to the ground by her side. The dagger. It sat there taunting her. She picked it up and threw it. It hit a tree and clattered to the ground. All she had done was startle nearby wildlife.

"I'm a failure," Dash said, lying down. Then she stood back up. Something was coming through the undergrowth. Something very big. It wasn't headed straight at her but it was definitely getting closer.

It came into view. A large boar easily four times her size. She might have been a filly, but it was still huge to her. Then it saw her. The two stood there staring at each other, daring the other to move. Dash was now deeply regretting tossing aside her only weapon. Slowly, she positioned herself to grab it. The boar noticed and charged with a squeal.

Dash jumped for the dagger. Rolling to the side to avoid the charging boar, she felt the handle meet her hoof and grabbed it tightly.

Idiot, just fly away! the rational side of her mind screamed. It wasn't any good. Her wings were clamped to her sides. Her fear stole her ability to flee. She couldn't run. But she could fight. Dash stood her ground, dagger in one hoof, and glared at the boar.

With another roar, the boar charged again. Dash dodged again, but into a tree, unable to move farther out of the way. The boar skidded to a halt and rose up before her. It was going to stomp her to death! Dash gripped the dagger in both hooves, and thrust it forward, looking away. She felt the flesh give way to the metal and heard the pained cries of the animal. Metal grated against bone. Warm blood spilled out on her. But she didn't think about it. She didn't notice.

Dash pulled the dagger back, then rolled to the side as the boar came crashing down. The boar, bleeding from the ribs, got back up. The fight wasn't over yet. The boar scrapped the ground in preparation for another charge.

Then her wings unlocked. She could run away. But she couldn't. She wouldn't run. Not anymore. She unfurled her wings and took to the sky. Below the boar bellowed at her. It didn't have to worry the fight was over. She wasn't going far.

Dash rose high above the trees. High enough the boar became an ant below her. Then she dove. She flew as fast as she could, back down towards the animal. It quickly grew in size as she returned. Once she broke tree cover, she tilted her wings back, causing her to spin forward. One hoof outstretched, she crashed down onto the boar's head.

Her leg burned with the pain of impact. It didn't feel like she had broken anything, but it was close. But her attack had done what she intended. The boar crumpled before her. It didn't squeal or twitch. It just fell to the forest floor; its skull crushed. Rainbow Dash landed a few hooves away, panting.

Rainbow Dash looked at it. Then the dagger in her hoof. Then at her hooves themselves. They were not blue anymore. They were deep red. She could feel the warmth through her skin. It didn't feel wrong. Not in this moment. They weren't claws. They were still hooves. Numbly she limped over to the fallen beast. She stared at what she had done for a long time. She had taken life. Even if it was in self defense. But it hadn't been self defense, had it? She could have just let it go and flown away. But she hadn't.

Her grip on the dagger loosened. Then tightened. She brought it up over her head. She stared at the stained steel for a moment. Then she brought it down into the boar's flesh. It didn't move. She carefully released her grip and stepped back. She couldn't stay there. She needed help.

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"Dad, we should have gone after her. Now it's almost dark and there's no sign of her!” Gilda shouted.

“You were the one who insisted she come,” Clance reminded her.

“And you said I had to get her used to the griffon way of life.”

“I meant our diet and roughhousing. Both of which she has adapted to just fine.”

“What if that boar we heard got her?" Gilda said, worried. Since Dash had run off, they had moved around the forest until they had heard the distinct sound of a boar attacking something. The sound had ended before they could pinpoint its location, but they got as close as they could and continued the search on foot.

"Then what is that?" Clance replied, gesturing with a talon. Gilda looked and cried at the sight of her friend. The filly's cyan coat and multichromatic mane were now various shades of red. The filly staggered about.

"Dash!" Gilda cried, racing over to the pony.

"Help...." Rainbow Dash croaked. "I need help...."

"I'll say!" Gilda replied. "What got you? And where?" she asked, searching the pony for injuries.

"No, I'm okay...Just a sprain..." Rainbow Dash weakly pushed the griffon away. She turned and limped off. Gilda tried stopping her, but Rainbow Dash kept pushing her off. She led Gilda and Clance through the forest for a few yards. The corpse came into view. "I can't lift it myself," she said simply before fainting.

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"And that was my first hunt," Rainbow Dash finished. The telling had taken them half of the way home.

"Cool!" Scootaloo said in awe. "So what happened next?"

"Her dad carried the boar, and Gilda carried me back home. It wasn't a giant thing; you have to remember I was pretty young, so it was huge to me. They were still impressed I had killed it myself," Rainbow Dash replied.

“Was it hard?" Scootaloo asked. "Killing?"

"It always is at first. Ponyfolk aren't normally that way. It gets easier," Rainbow Dash told her. "It shouldn't, but it does."

"I wasn't even thinking about what would happen back in Barrier City. I just wanted them gone," Scootaloo admitted. "I wasn't worried if I killed them or not."

"It's always different when you're protecting somepony," Rainbow Dash agreed.

"Does that make me a bad pony?" Scootaloo asked looking down.

"Did Twilight get to you?" Rainbow Dash asked chuckling. "There's nothing wrong with protecting your friends. Don't let any pony tell you otherwise."

"I won't," Scootaloo replied knowingly.

"You can wash away the blood, but you can never wash away the shame of letting a friend die because you didn't act," Rainbow Dash was quiet for a while.  "Your turn," she said finally.

Scootaloo sighed, then began her tale in return.

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The most popular griffon sport is called Griffon Ball. It plays a lot like a sort of team wrestling match, but in the air. The object isn't to get a ball into a goal area, but to force the other team's captain to land on the ground by just about any means necessary. Killing is an automatic loss for the perpetrator but maiming and other permanent injuries are allowed. It's quite brutal and the average career length is two seasons.

Cloudboarding was originally created by former Griffon Ball players who had been rendered flightless due to injuries. It started as a way to stay active, but quickly grew in popularity, though for many years only flightless griffons were allowed in tournaments. Some would intentionally maim themselves just to compete. They removed the rule to stop that.

If anyone's wondering how Scootaloo can manage to fly by herself with magic without resting but couldn't move the balloon very far, it's because she needs much less power to move just herself. So little in fact, it's close to the amount her body generates so she can fly by herself almost indefinitely. That makes sense right?

        If you like this story, you should check out some of my other works:

        My tumblr, an alternate universe mixing MLP and Cyborg 009.
        Forever a Changeling, my new story starring Rainbow Dash as a changeling.
        Samurai Applejack, a drastically different kind of story. It’s rated mature for violence and some suggestive lines.
        Night of the Werepony, what I consider to be my worst story, but it’s my most popular. It’s just one chapter long.