First, a week within that horrible apartment. Then, a straight overnight flight to reach Spike’s cave. Sure, she got a nice rest within Spike’s cave, but right afterwards was a cold, damp hole accompanied with a pins-and-needles waking. Then, to top it all off, she had woken up in a cell after being beaten to unconsciousness.
Gilda pulled at the silken sheets tight, wrapping herself in a soft cocoon. Her claws were probably tearing holes in the fabric. Oh well. Give the palace servants something to work on. She had earned this.
After her brief panic attack, she had enjoyed the best slumber she had experienced in years. Dreams of chasing purple dragons down canyons, pulling off tricks with rainbow pegasi, and violently pranking a certain pink pony had guided her through the night, reminding her of fond memories and building excitement for things yet to come. She could get used to this, falling asleep without fear or doubts of tomorrow.
She remained in her dormant state, allowing time to pass by at a malformed, warped speed. How long had she laid there? Hours? Minutes? Seconds? No idea. She lay until her eyes finally opened on their own. The first thing she saw was the door. This sleep was great, amazing. But she wanted to get up. She wanted to see her friends.
Huh. Wanting to get up from bed instead of wanting to lie around all day. That was something new too.
Gilda cast off the covers and crawled from her bed. She stretched out her legs and rolled her neck, satisfied as the muffled pops uncorked the knots in her muscles. Now, one more thing before leaving
With a quick twist of the valve, the warm water fell upon her once more. Amazing. Maybe not quite the relaxing pulse of the river she and Spike had shared in the Central Wilds, but after what she had been through, she was more than content. She clawed off a bit of soap from the bar, scrubbing her bed-scrambled feathers and a few spots beneath her wings she missed the night before.
Alright. That was enough. Any more and Spike and Dash would come knocking out of concern. She turned the water off, shivering as the moist, warm air gave way to a gust of room temperature. Drying off, she found herself drifting over to the mirror. She looked... good. Yeah. Good. Fur was a nice light tan, her feathers radiated brighter than she could remember, and her beak and claws turned a soft orange-gold in their cleaned state. She leaned in closer to her reflection. Her purple colored chest feathers had tucked themselves away after her shower. Gotta fix that. There we go, that looks better. Maybe move around her head-feathers a bit...
She blinked, retreating from the mirror. What was she doing? What was she, some stylist now? She laughed. Way too much time spent among all of these upper class snobs. Was starting to affect her psyche!
She turned away towards the door, hesitating. She spun back around, finishing up the final touches of the feathers atop her head. There. Nothing fancy. Just want to look nice. Nothing wrong with that. Just another new thing to try out here in crazyland.
Let’s see, bag, and... that was it. Eh, she never was a griffon of many possessions. Giving the room one last scan, she opened the door and left, flipping the light off behind her.
The hall was dead silent. Of course she’d probably overslept everyone else. She made her way to the end of the hall, passing through the door. The only other person was the old butler Sovereign, resting upon the same chair she had seen him on the night before. Did he even move?
“Ah, mistress Gilda, it is good to hear you awake,” an old, gruff voice greeted. The butler turned towards her, nodding. Not that he could see or anything. Probably just a formality. “Your friends are currently all enjoying the pleasantries of Canterlot. Master Spike is still resting, I’m afraid.” He pointed a hoof towards the door leading to the grand hall. “If you wish, I can take you anywhere you desire within the palace. Even provide a tour, if desired. If you wish to leave for the city, however, I’m afraid you would find me more of a burden than an assistant.”
She weighed her options. On one claw, checking out more of the Equestrian capital would be pretty sweet. It had already admittedly surprised her in a few areas. On the other claw, if she went out into the city she’d be alone with thousands of ponies eyeing her with mistrust and suspicion. Not that she was afraid of being attacked or anything. She could break a few hundred ponies easily. It would just be... uncomfortable. She imagined the stares she had garnered in the palace magnified a hundred times over. Then she imagined weathering them without Spike or Dash with her. She shuddered.
“Nah, I’ve seen enough prissy nobles to last me the rest of my life.”
“A fair reasoning.” The butler let a small chuckle escape before he regrouped himself, motioning a hoof forward. “Might I interest you in a seat then as we wait for master Spike? Oh but I warn you, we may be here awhile. He’s always been a heavy sleeper.”
“Ha! Could have told you that the first few days after meeting him.” Gilda climbed up onto the couch, struggling to keep her claws from ripping at the soft fabric. She found the sweet spot, which allowed her talons to curve along the cushion’s edge. Satisfied, she returned her attention to the butler. He seemed quite peaceful despite the awkward silence between them. “So uh... you’ve known Spike since he was a fledgling? I mean a colt? I mean... ugh! whatever it is they call baby dragons.”
The butler bowed his head. “Indeed, even before that: since he was born. Ah, what a spark he was. Came during some of the most troubling times in my life.” He huffed, his mustache blowing outward. “‘Twas a day of happy sadness when he left for Ponyville. Even so, I still saw him often. Then this whole debacle with the council, I feared he would never return!”
“Yeah, those councilponies were making my beak grate,” Gilda seethed, clenching her claws as she remembered their stupid accusations against Spike. If she ever met Mr. Watergate in a dark alley... best not to get too worked up over it. She’d deal with him whenever he reared his ugly head again. “So what was he like when he was a kid?” she asked, trying to keep up the conversation.
“Much the same as he is today, if you would believe it. Quick-witted, sarcastic, mischievous, but in the end possessing a heart of gold. Even throughout his rebellious teen years he would return to Canterlot with nothing but accolade for his friends.” Sovereign’s brows lifted. “Speaking of which, he spoke quite highly of you the night before.”
“He did?” Gilda wanted to smack herself. Of course he did. “Yeah, well... he probably only told you the good parts.”
“You don’t think yourself worthy of his praise?” Dang, he cut right to the chase.
“Well, I mean, I did some questionable things.” Her attempts at sounding natural failed, the words coming out forced and strained. “And... I don’t know. It just seems weird. My whole life I’ve really only ever had one friend, Dash. Everyone else was... stupid? Uncool?” She grimaced as Pinkie Pie flashed through her mind. “Never really had more than one friend. Never really needed more than one friend. Then she told me to screw off and I thought that was it ya know? But then...” Her voice faltered as she hesitated. What was she doing, rambling on to some old geezer? Why would he give half a damn about her problems?
Gilda raised her claw and opened her beak to cut her story short. She stopped when she saw the butler. He appeared just as she had seen him last night, nodding intently with his hidden eyes fixed forward in concentration. She sighed. Might as well finish what she started. “But then all of a sudden Spike just comes up out of nowhere. “
“Mmmm. From what little Spike told me, it sounded like you found him.”
She snorted. “I found him all right.” For all the good that did him. “But that isn’t the point. Pretty much everyone I’ve ever met has steered clear or ignored me.” Wow, that came out whiny. Sovereign was probably thinking she was some loser. She doubled back in an attempt to save-face. “Not that that mattered or anything, most everyone else were complete idiots anyways.” She paused. That didn’t sound right either. “I guess I never thought some dragon raised around a bunch of stuck-up nobles would be the one to hang out with me.”
“Ha! I believe you just solved your own paradox!” Sovereign said, sitting up in his chair. “Think of it like this: Spike is a rather laid back dragon who has been raised amongst the most strict social group in Equestria, perhaps the world. And while the tales he has told me of his friends have been rambunctious at times, Equestrian society is quite passive, save a few pegasus sects. I imagine you, in your straightforward and blunt ways, are a breath of fresh air to him.”
His answer only troubled her, raising even more questions. “So is that all I am? A breath of fresh air?”
The question caused the old butler to shift uneasily. “I can only tell you that I have known master Spike his entire life and believe that he is not the type to fool around with his friends. He may come off as humorous at times, but you will find that he is fiercely loyal.” Funny. She’d have said the same thing about Dash. Sovereign coughed, relaxing back into his chair. “But I am no soothsayer or psychic. If you truly fear that your friendship with Spike is based on no more than a temporary exotic awe, you will have to speak with him yourself.”
Talk to him herself? Wouldn’t that be grand? ‘Hey Spike, I know we’ve been through hell and back together, but I’m having doubts about our friendship. Could you answer a few questions for me?’ She shook her head. So damn awkward.
Wait. Hadn’t she already been through this before? That morning at the mouth of the cave, spent worrying, feuding with herself. She had come to a single, clear conclusion: she trusted Spike. So why was she doubting her trust now, when they were safe?
Something had happened. Something had changed. Celestia? No. As much as she hated to admit it, the princess was cool. The collar? Sure, it was weird, but it didn’t really come in between them. Yet.
His friends. More specifically, Bucktooth and that pink one. There was no way things were going to go smooth with those two around, and if a fight broke out, who would Spike choose? The friends he’d known for years, or the griffon he’d known for a month?
She could picture it now. Another one of Pinkie Pies’ parties, having just told the moron how much of an insane idiot she was and how no one liked her stupid pranks or annoying attitude. Then Spike would turn on her and say—
“Morning Gilda, Sovereign.” Gilda nearly fell from the couch as a jolt shot through her body. She turned her head, spotting Spike emerging from the hall door. “Must have been nice, not waking up in a jail cell huh?”
She blinked, pulling herself from her imagination. Just Spike. No Bucktooth or Pinkie Pie. She was safe. “Totally! Best sleep I’ve had in forever. You?”
“Eh, the soft bed kinda threw me off after sleeping in a cave for so long. I got used to it though.” He looked between her and the butler. “Been chatting it up with Sovereign?”
“Uh, yeah. We’ve been talking about nobles and stuff and how annoying they can be.” Please catch on, please catch on, please catch on.
“Indeed. We both came to the consensus that they can be quite the frustrating bunch.”
She reminded herself to shake his hoof later.
Spike chuckled shaking his head as he stopped beside them. “Must not have been talking for very long then.”
“Mmmm yes. I do believe we reached our conclusion rather swiftly.” Sovereign waved a single hoof through the air. “But that is beside the point. On both of your calls, I will have a message sent out to your friends that both of you are ready for departure.”
“What?!” Spike reeled. “Already?”
“I am afraid so. Ms. Pie was the one to request that all of you return to Ponyville with haste. Something about a party, if I recall.”
A party. How could she not see this coming? Of course there was going to be some stupid ‘coming home’ celebration. She took a deep breath. Just relax, don’t panic. Act cool.
“What troubles you Spike?” Were you hoping to accomplish something here in Canterlot before leaving?” Sovereign asked.
Spike sighed. “No. It’s just... I’m worried about you, Gilda.”
Shoot, was it that obvious? Here Spike was having to deal with stupid collars and prejudiced councilponies and he’s worried about her? No way. Not happening. “Worried about me? Ha! What for? I’m doing perfect. You’ve got way more things to worry about than me.”
He frowned at her. Must not have been very convincing. “I wanted to make sure you’re totally ready for this. Don’t think I’ve forgotten what happened the last time you were at one of Pinkie’s parties. Not to mention, you don’t seem to be on good terms with Applejack.”
Once again, he knew her too well. Gilda jumped down from the couch. “Look, I’ll smooth things over with Bu—” Shit. That was close. “— with Applejack, as soon as I can. Just got off on the wrong claw is all. As for the party, I’ll chill out and coast through. It’ll be over in no time and we can get back to hanging out.”
Spike’s eyes narrowed, disbelief and worry still etched in his face. She stared back. If he truly knew her well, he’d back down right now. There was no way she’d let him win this fight.
Finally, he relinquished, his wings and tail drooping as his gaze cast downward. “Alright. Fine. Sovereign?”
“Yes, Master Spike?”
“Can you tell my friends Gilda and I are ready and lead us to the carriages?”
The butler slowly rose from his chair, nodding. A part of her wanted to help him, but the old relic had surprised her more than once. “If you would please follow me.”
And off they went, beginning their journey to the wonderful land of stupidity. They both followed Sovereign into the grand hall, the corridor having reverted to its light-state. All she had to do was survive the party. As bad as Ponyville was or could be, there was no way they could ever hope to match the idiocy she had just witnessed over the single night she had spent in Canterlot.
Sovereign stopped a passing pegasus guard, speaking in a low, hushed tone as he pulled a slip of parchment from his suit. The guard looked over the slip for a moment before saluting to the butler and turning about-face back down the hall.
“You can just pull guards off duty like that?” Gilda asked.
Sovereign began leading them down the hall himself, giving a soft laugh.“You act surprised! In truth, I saved him a half-hour of attending his post within the inner palace. After spending some time with her majesty, you begin to see that the guards are more for formality than protection. As for being able to pull a guard from his duties? I suppose I do have a few select privileges here and there.”
They passed by the familiar entrance to the prison where she had reunited with Dash. There may have been over a hundred doors spanning this hall, but the prison’s was easily identifiable with its sick, wooden detail. Instead of leading them out of the main exit at the opposite end of the hall, Sovereign veered off to the right, holding the door open for them. A hallway. A really short, albeit wide hallway. Spike seemed to know his way now though, continuing on and motioning for her to follow. They entered into what she could only assume was a waiting room, the layout similar to what she had just seen back in the guest room’s lounge.
Sovereign trotted in behind them. “You may wait in here if you wish, but I am certain your mother is already waiting out on the platform. I... believe she could use your council.”
His tone was disturbing, weak, his usual soft voice fracturing. Spike seemed to have caught on as well, not hesitating as he turned towards the exit to the platform. “I’ll talk to mom. Gilda, do you want to come along or stay here?”
Hmm, more sob stories. “Ah sure, why the heck not. I’ve been by you through insane councilponies, family feuds should be a bit easier right?”
She got a laugh out of him. Good. That was one of his better traits, to be able to brush off his problems and push forward. A trait she envied. Sovereign stayed behind as they walked to the door. She instinctively took a step back as he opened it.
While the stone walkway to the platform was wide and had protective railings, they were high. The faces of adjacent large mountains spoke of their true height, their white-tipped snowy peaks closer to eye level than their bases. She stepped out with Spike onto the walkway slowly, more in pure awe than any sense of fear. Peering over the railing, she saw their position for what it truly was.
Where to start? Off in the distance was Ponyville. She might not have seen it for years now, but the specks of funny colored buildings were enough to convince her she was right. Past Ponyville was the Everfree, spanning off into the distance. Somewhere over that horizon, she knew, were the mountains and the plain that she and Spike had traversed until they were attacked. A massive cloud she could only assume was Cloudsdale hovered about an hour or two’s flight away from the small town. Below, a long ravine ran alongside the mountain the city was placated upon, a river snaking down its length.
Over the other rail, nothing but the tall slopes of the mountains. As far as she could remember from what had been drilled into her mind during training, Manehattan was somewhere over the opposite side of the palace. Then where was Fillydelphia? Trottingham? Wasn’t there a Hoofington? Damn. Should have asked Sovereign for a map.
While she had been occupied with the view, Spike had already begun traversing the walkway that stretched out to the platform. She dashed after him, falling back into stride at his side.
“Nice view huh?” he asked with a smirk.
She shrugged. “Eh. Nothing that I couldn’t see with a quick flight. I guess it’s pretty sweet for all the unicorns and earth ponies around here.”
A small flight of steps guided them up onto the large, circular platform that jutted out from the palace. At the platform’s center, a large, decorated chariot stood manned by four guards, with two separate guards unhitched and gazing at them closely.
Spike continued on, waving a claw at them. One of the guards nodded in approval, trotting up to him. “The princess is on the far side, past the carriage.”
“Thank you,” he said. Thankfully, Gilda made no remark about the guard’s venemous stare as she followed him around the carriage.
There she was. Celestia stood upon the platform’s edge, gazing down upon the large ravine that spanned below her. The slight breeze that whipped at Gilda’s fur and feathers had no effect upon the princess’ mane, its soft hues seeming to flow at their own, continuous pace.
Spike’s pace slowed until he came to a complete stop, eyeing the princess warily. Couldn’t blame him. Even if she was his mother, you don’t walk up to the goddess of the sun and slap her on the back in greeting. Wait. Her being his mother would probably make it worse... bah. She never was strong with the whole ‘parent’ thing.
“Please Spike, Gilda. Join me.”
Even with what Gilda would call a soft whisper, her voice carried an edge of ominous power. Together, they approached her, halting at her side. Gilda let her bag fall to the stone, rolling her shoulders as the weight fell from them. For a full minute she held the silence, continuing to inspect the land before her with great detail as if it might disappear in a moment’s notice.
“Beautiful, isn’t it?” Celestia broke the silence, tilting her head towards them with a sad smile.
Really, if Gilda were to be truthful, there were much bigger, cooler looking ravines back in the Empire and the Central Wilds. Still, ‘no’ probably wasn’t the answer the princess was looking for. Best to just keep her beak shut and let Spike do all the romantic talking.
“Only because it’s been so well cared for,” Spike said.
Celestia hummed, shaking her head as she looked back out at the landscape. “Thank you, Spike, but I fear you put too much confidence in me.”
Spike’s reaction was one of surprise. Why wouldn’t it be? Just last night she had seemed in control, winning over her son’s freedom and batting away the council. But he hadn’t heard what had happened between Twilight and the princess.
“Too much confidence? You brought me back home, convinced the council to let me go, and are trying to prevent a war all at the same time!” He shook his head in disbelief. “Not to mention you’ve been running the country during all of this.”
“Following the previous night’s dinner, I would have humbly agreed with you. But open one door...” she sighed, lowering her head. “Only for many more to close.”
“Did something happen? Is this about Twilight? What did she say to you last night?”
Celestia turned to them, placing a hoof upon Spike’s chest. “Spike, I only ask that you care and watch over Twilight during these times of conflict. Our relationship falls between us to repair.” She lowered her hoof.. “You have already endured so much in so little time.” She glanced between Gilda and Spike. “Both of you. Please, it is my duty to find a solution to these fractures.”
Gilda was no social expert, but the princess was holding back. Strained words, uncertainty biting at the end of every sentence. “Something is telling me Twilight wasn’t the only thing to be added to your list of problems last night.” Celestia paused, letting her eyes linger on Gilda. Hopefully a sign to continue. She pointed a claw back over her shoulder. “I happened to see another griffon back in the hall last night. Real prim looking fellow, weird for us griffons. Didn’t look too happy.”
The princess looked back to Spike with hesitation only to bow her head in defeat. “Quite observant of you, Gilda. If either of you may have noticed, my sister, Luna, was absent during last night’s feast. While I am certain she would have been overjoyed to help in your antics against the council, I had appointed a meeting with the Empire’s ambassador for the night.”
“And then we showed up...” Spike continued with realization.
“Precisely. The council was well aware of your arrival, and delaying our meeting would have only disturbed them further. Thus, I asked assistance of my sister. I provided her with some guidelines, requests, hints.” She drifted on, closing her eyes. “Luna, at her heart, is a peace-loving leader, but she has always been a mare of emotions.” Before Gilda could remind her of the guard from yesterday, the princess bowed her head at her. “Also a mare controlled by her own emotions, be it love or agitation or... loneliness...”
Her eyes opened again, and for a split second, Gilda saw not a goddess or a queen, but a simple, pained mare. Only for a moment, then it passed, as if an illusion. “Forgive me. As you may have already presumed, Luna’s council with the ambassador left much to be desired on both sides. From what she could tell me through her flustered words, the council ended in shouting and a reassurance that griffon aggression would continue.”
Spike growled, his face contorting into a snarl. “What the heck is going on here? What do they want? Does this have a chance of leading up to all out war?”
Instinctively, Gilda followed Celestia’s gaze as she she scanned Spike, her eyes dancing from scar to scar, finally resting on his face. The cut that had nearly taken his eye from wrestling with the empire soldier was prominent, creating a webbed white line from just above his right brow, skipping over his eye, and continuing a small ways down his snout.
“Spike, this is not your burden. Return to Ponyville and en—”
“Tell me!” he hissed, his wings flaring out. Gilda had to give the princess credit: she didn’t flinch, only took on a more subdued expression. Of course, it hadn’t affected her either. No way Spike would ever hurt either of them. She watched as realization dawned upon him and his wings folded back into place, hanging his head. “I haven’t come back just to go on vacation. When I return to Ponyville, Applejack will probably need some help on the farm, Pinkie will have her parties, Dash her tricks, Rarity will need help finding gems, I need to smooth things over with Fluttershy, and no doubt the library is a complete mess after Twilight has been panicking for three straight months.” He rotated, nodding to her. “Not to mention I need to introduce Gilda to everyone.” He returned to the princess, no longer slumping. “And you. I won’t step in between you or Twilight, fine, but please, tell me what is going on. Maybe I end this whole conflict with a simple thought. Maybe I can’t do anything but give a few words of support. But please, tell me so I can do something. Anything. I can either worry about you or a war, and I would much rather be thinking constantly about a war than just leaving you behind and pretending to ignore what’s going on.”
For a moment, Gilda thought the princess would keep up her resistance.Then, a great tension seemed to release from her, her rigid posture fading away and falling into a relaxed position. This was the princess she had seen after her reunion with Spike. This was Celestia.
“Forgive me. It was foolish to assume that you would just move on without being troubled by my conundrum. If you truly wish to know what is at the heart of this conflict, then I will show you.” The princess turned towards the center of the platform, taking a step forward. As Gilda and Spike followed behind, her horn lit up, a wave of multi-colored light spraying out in a sustained illumination against the platform’s stone floor. Gilda shielded her eyes until the glow from the horn faded, leaving only the stream of light cascading upon the floor.
“What is that?” Spike asked, lowering his own claws from his eyes and staring down at the square of light. “Wait. It’s a... map?”
Gilda looked over the patch of light, distinguishing three different main colors: gold, green, and silver. Starting from the left, the gold expanded outward until it halted at the green’s edge. The silver lay on the opposite side, divided from its shining counterpart by the batch of green in the middle. While it appeared to be primitive, a closer inspection revealed distinct landforms, cities, and natural landmarks. Spike was right, it was a map. A map she had seen many times before in training.
“It’s the Empire, the Central Wilds, and Equestria,” Gilda said.
“Correct. As you can see, our two nations are naturally separated. The Central Wilds serves as the perfect border, allowing each of us our own room to breathe and flow.” Celestia turned, the light staying in place as she rotated. She swept a hoof from Ponyville to Cloudsdale to the twisting ravine. “Today is a beautiful day for Equestria isn’t it? Did you know Canterlot was initially supposed to have a day of rain? I had the schedule changed to better suit your travel needs. For us ponies, this is natural. We suit the land to our needs, bend the weather to our will, and, in my sister and I’s case, change day into night and night into day at command.” She looked over to the west, fixated on the horizon. “To the griffons, these practices are abominations. I... I’m not quite certain why. The Empire’s ambassador has remained aggressive yet ambiguous. If I could just understand...” She turned to Gilda. Great. She could see where this was going.
She raised her claws defensively. “Look, I’m probably the worst griffon you could have fall into your lap. Any time history came up in flight training, I fell right asleep.”
“Flight training? Don’t you have any schools?” Spike asked.
Gilda scoffed. “Schools are for ponies. For griffons, flying comes first, learning mumbo jumbo second. Our boring lectures are usually during breaks from flight training.”
“Dang, when we get some free time back in Ponyville, you need to tell me more! Can’t believe I never asked you about griffon life and culture.”
She shrugged. “Sure, when we get some free time I’ll fill you in. Really, most of it’s boring, but there are a few cool things in there.”
Celestia was still upon her, an almost desperate aura offsetting her usual calm. “Forgive me for my intrusions, but, did you not go through the training for a soldier of the Empire’s army? Surely there were tidbits within there?” She had begun pacing only to stop and nod at Gilda directly. “I do not mean to press, but this ambassador is leaving me little choice.”
“Hey, I said I wouldn’t be your scout, but I’m no fan of anyone dying for stupid reasons like war. If I could tell you what you needed to know to turn this whole thing around, boom, I’d say it in a heartbeat but I really just cannot pinpoint a single fact that would help.” She spoke truthfully. As soon as she had passed her peers in flying and fallen behind in education, she bailed on those stupid flight training sessions. “As for training? They told us two things: The emperor is the gods’ gift to the Empire and that the Central Wilds are rightfully griffon territory that needs to be reclaimed.”
Spike looked back towards the map. “But why? I must be missing something here.”
“Look here,” Celestia said, returning to the now-transforming map. The golden edge expanded, eclipsing the green center until it bordered the the silver side. “Over four hundred years ago, the Central Wilds were indeed part of the Empire. With our borders so close, many conflicts arose between our nations, such as where the true border lay, the power of each other’s armies, and, most of all, arguments over the weather.” She paused, raising a hoof into the air as a small gust of wind brushed through Gilda’s fur. “Did you know that creating a hurricane here may cause severe weather as far as the Central Wilds? Needless to say, our weather practices had clear impact upon the griffon’s environment, and they demanded we cease and allow nature to take its course.”
“Well, you’re still at it today. Guess there was some war and you won?” Gilda asked, looking over the map. Despite her ignorance during her youth, her interest was piqued. Of course, back when she could care less, there wasn’t another war possibly lurking on the horizon. Ha! Wouldn’t that be something! But no. ‘War’ was just a word used to describe fights among rebel groups over in the zebra kingdom. This whole thing will just blow over after a few spitting matches.
Celestia frowned. “I suppose. The war that did indeed come was, as I now regret, terribly brutal. With our close proximity, once significant obstacles of battle were easily minimized. Supplies were only a short flight away, forward bases had only to be built a half-days flight from a nearby town, reinforcements poured in constantly...” The princess seemed to focus once more on the Everfree’s horizon. Gilda imagined pegasi and griffon alike fighting mid-air above the canopy, bodies dropping like flies down into the forest below to serve as dinner for a pack of timber wolves or a stray manticore. “The war was violent, but thankfully short. After only a year-and-half of fighting, Equestrian forces finally began to push into Empire territory. It was not long later, and after near-begging from me, that their empress agreed to halt all conflict and come to negotiate the situation. Eventually, after much struggle we reached a treaty: the Empire would fall back, allowing the creation of the Central Wilds to act as a natural barrier, thus avoiding weather conflicts.”
“No way.” Spike shook his head. “That much land? There’s no way they would allow that!”
“It was a struggle, and while it may seem as much, I came to the conclusion that I judged best to avoid future conflict between griffon and pony. Regrettably, my decision has seemed to come back to haunt me.”
“If there’s one piece of advice I can give you, Princess, it’s that we griffons are slow to forgive, especially for something on this scale.” Gilda inspected the map once more, realizing it had reverted to its original form. She pointed a claw. “This can’t be how it is now is it? The army was just entering into the Central Wilds when I first met Spike.”
The map transformed once more, the golden edge seeping out like a pool of expanding water. She heard Spike gasp in shock. “No way. Only a month and they’ve come this far!” He turned to her with hopelessness. “Gilda, you told me the griffon army was slow and unorganized!”
“Ok so I was wrong!” she said in defense. “But really, why are you surprised? There’s nothing stopping them. I caught a glimpse of one of the maps explaining stuff we had to clear out and you were the only dragon on there! The only thing stopping them is a bunch of stray wildlife.”
Spike only looked back at the map in worry as Celestia placed a hoof upon his shoulder. “Gilda is right, Spike. Being that the Wilds have only been unconquered for four hundred years, the wildlife is still quite tame compared to what you would find in the north or far east.”
“Right,” he sighed. “Sorry Gilda. I’m just shocked I guess.”
“Hey, I’m right there with you. If I were in charge over there, I’d have the army turn around today.” She turned to the princess. “But I’m not. So, you got a plan if they don’t stop?”
Celestia hesitated, staring down at Gilda. Was that a no then? Was she finally dying of a stroke from old age? What the heck— oh. “If you don’t want to tell me because I’m a griffon, that’s totally cool with me and everything. Won’t hold it against you.” She tried her best to defuse the awkward situation, but the princess only shuffled her wings and gave a slight grimace.
“I suppose it matters not. Even if you decided to leave and tell an Empire commander, it would only serve for them as one of many warnings I have spoken.” The map of light flowed down to her right hoof. She stamped down on the middle of the Central Wilds. “So far, the Empire has carved straight through the Wilds. From what my scouts have reported, I have judged that they intend to reach the Equestrian border before allowing their weaker, more untrained forces to spread out over their trail and slowly finish the job. There is a massive gorge at the heart of the Wilds. Should the Empire forces continue onward, I will have no other option but to meet them head-on there.” She raised her head, the glow from her horn fading as the map slowly phased away. “I cannot risk allowing them to reach Equestria.”
Gilda immediately looked at Spike, he looking back at her. She knew this Spike, the anxious, collapse-yourself-in-a-cave Spike. And didn’t he have the right to be like this? After all he had been through, now there was the possibility of war?
“So is there anything we can do?” He asked in desperation.
“You already agreed to it.” Celestia pointed a hoof back towards the palace. Through the seating gap in the carriage, Gilda could see Dash, Sovereign, and the rest of Spike’s friends stepping out onto the walkway. “Go home. Return to Ponyville. Nurse your relationship with your friends back to full health.” Gilda perked up as the princess nodded to her. “Create new ones. A large part of this conflict stems from confusion and uncertainty of each other’s race on both sides. Displaying that griffons are not the killing warriors our society makes them out to be will do its part in repairing relationships between the nations.”
Gilda laughed mentally. Sucks for Celestia. She really did get the worst griffon possible. But... a war. The laughter stopped. She’d have to try. It’s the least she could do. For Spike. For Dash. For all the ponies and griffons who would lose their lives over something so stupid.
“There you are!” Spike’s fancy-pants friend lead the pack, guiding them around the chariot. “Ever so sorry for making you wait. You know little old me, hit the streets of Canterlot and it’s almost impossible to tear me away.”
The rest of the friends came into view. While Bucktooth, yellow-scared-pegasus, and Dash were the same as ever, the other three mares held an assortment of items. Rarity levitated a shopping bag next to her, the annoying pink pony dragged a large bag in her mouth, and Spike’s sister Twilight had a large golden— wait. She had seen that before. Was that... Spike’s brooch? Gilda swayed from side to side in an attempt to get a better view, but Twilight seemed insistent to be hidden in the back, away from the princess.
“No problem! I had to talk to mom anyways.” Spike was doing his best to put on a fake grin, masking their grim conversation only moments before. He waved a claw towards their bags. “What did ya get?”
Rarity put a hoof to her chest. “Oh me? Nothing too spectacular. Just a few odd threads and cloths that would have taken dreadful weeks to import”
“Invites to the party!” Pinkie-Pie said through a mouth full of brown sack. Ugh. Gilda wondered if she could maybe slice a small hole in the back. Idiot would be too air-headed to notice that by the time they reached Ponyville, every single letter would be gone with the wind.
Before she could even begin to sneak around, Celestia stepped in front of her, taking her place in the gap between her and Spike and the ponies. “So it seems we separate once again.” She sighed. “As quickly as you came, you leave.”
“Hey don’t sweat it princess!” Dash jumped in. “We’ll make sure to drop by more often. Right Twilight?”
Gilda cringed. Dash, she admitted, was a cool pony. Could pull off some killer tricks, feared pretty much nothing, was a good friend. Well, most of the time. But Subtlety? Nope. No way. If Gilda wanted to play ‘relationship repairer’ she’d maybe, casually bring up the subject a few days later in a small conversation. Dash? Gilda was pretty sure outright dragging Twilight to the princess was her friend’s next step.
Of course, Twilight was taking Dash’s suggestion just as awkwardly and resistant as she had expected, averting her eyes and slinking even further back into the group.
“I appreciate your concerns, but please do not worry over me,” Celestia continued before silence could settle in. “You have all won a hard-earned rest in helping return Spike home. I trust that you shall all return to Ponyville and celebrate while welcoming both your returning friends.” Gilda almost scoffed. Almost. She had actually accumulated a bit of respect for the princess, as scary as that was.
Pinkie Pie dropped her bag from her mouth then threw her hooves over her head in a cheer. “Yep! Both of them! Don’t think I forgot about you, Gilda.” She pulled one of the hot-pink invitations from her bag, opening it up for Gilda to see.
Oh no. Why. Why? Not only was ‘WELCOME HOME, SPIKE!’ printed in glittery letters, but a cheery ‘+ GILDA’ followed right after. There was no way she could have done this unknowingly right? What did it take for this moron to get a clue? “Wonderful. Can’t wait.” She lied.
Celestia’s horn glowed, the carriage door swinging open invitingly. “I shall not keep you any longer then. Enjoy your celebration, and know that I am there in spirit and thought.”
Pinkie was the first in, chucking her bag full of invitations into the backseat before jumping in herself. One by one, the other ponies followed. Bucktooth tipped her hat to the princess, Rarity did some weird curtsy, Fluttershy skulked in after them. Dash stayed behind. Twilight hesitated, then made for the carriage.
“Twilight.” Spike’s call surprised Gilda. It was soft, almost desperate. It shook the mare as well, causing her to look back to them as she was half-inside the carriage. “Come say goodbye with me?” There was a moment. A pause. Finally, she backed away from the carriage’s steps. Cautiously, she made her way to her, Dash, Spike, and Celestia, her head bowed as if in defeat. Gilda caught the two share a brief smile before turning to the princess.
Celestia was gazing upon both of them, her eyes misting over as— wait. Tears? Gilda had to do a double take. “I cannot tell you how much joy it brings me to see both of you here, home again. It’s so strange...” She took a gasping breath, bringing a hoof up to her mouth, blinking rapidly. “During all these years, I took all of this for granted. Assumed that restoring my sister, defeating Discord... I assumed that you were untouchable. I grew lazy, and allowed all of these horrible, misguided thoughts and actions to fester until they finally snapped back and nearly destroyed both of you.” Her eyes locked upon the golden brooch that rested upon Twilight’s back. She squeezed her lids closed before lowering her hoof. When she opened them once more, the tears had vanished, leaving behind the same calm, resolute princess Gilda had been accustomed to. “I won’t allow this to happen again. I will sit still no longer. I will stop this war from ever occurring. I will rid you of that band. And when all is done, and I have finally achieved acceptance and harmony amongst our races, even then I will not rest. This is my promise, to you, Spike, Twilight, Rainbow Dash, Gilda. Please, accept it knowing that I shall fulfill and sustain it with all my heart.”
The princess’ soft words struck Gilda like a thrown brick. Yes, her plight was sincere, kind, loving... but... a promise? What was so big about a promise? A promise was just a few words. A nice, almost meaningless little resolution. At least, that’s what Gilda had thought a month ago. Then it had happened. That promise she and Spike had made together to get each other back to Ponyville. There had been something there, a sort of connection, an understanding and underlying power between them. Gilda had respect for Celestia, no doubt. More than that? No. Her promise may have been the truest in the world, but to her, it meant nothing.
Spike was the first to respond, giving a half-bow. “I believe you. I’ll do my best to keep Watergate satisfied.”
“Now that’s the princess I know and love!” Dash said. “If anypony can stop a war, it’s you!”
Twilight herself had finally dropped her cold shoulder, fighting back watering eyes. “I believe you too. But I can never forgive you.”
Celestia leaned forward, gently nuzzling Twilight’s bangs. “I’m not asking you to. I’m just begging you to trust me, as you did once before.”
Twilight wiped at her tears, fighting back short, choked sobs. “I’ll try. I won’t just say yes, but I’ll try.”
“Thank you.”
So now it was her turn. Really, she should just accept the promise. Fit into the crowd. Leave the entire affair in Canterlot ending on a happy note. That’s what she did back in Flight Camp. Promises were just another toy to screw around with. Promise to help someone, forget about it an hour later. Promise to not be late, never show up. Promise you’re telling the truth when you’re actually lying between your beak. Promise to safely bring your downtrodden friend back to his home...
“Save your promise for someone else princess. I don’t want it.”
Twilight and Rainbow sounded as if they had just witnessed verbal murder. Celestia remained silent, but gave her a curious look. Spike nodded slowly.
“Look, what you said was good, and I can tell you really care for Spike and his friends, but promises...” Gilda looked between the staring faces, lingering on Spike. “Promises aren’t just something I throw out or take anymore. I don’t want to have to put my belief and trust into someone I barely know.”
To her surprise, Celestia did not question her further, instead extending a hoof. “Perhaps, then, you may accompany Spike when he returns to visit Mr. Watergate and I? I feel there is much we can learn from each other.”
Gilda paused on the hoof then gave the princess a wry smile, accepting the hoof-claw shake. “Yeah. I think I can do that.” She released the shake then punched Spike lightly on his stomach. “Besides, Spike here needs someone to protect him from all of those councilponies.”
“What! No I don’t,” he said, crossing his arms and shutting his eyes. After a moment’s consideration, he cracked open an eye. “Not that I wouldn’t mind the company. You know. Just in case.”
Celestia, Twilight, and Rainbow laughed. Spike just smiled back at her, very softly returning the punch to her side.
The princess’ laughter faded. She trotted past them, to the nearby edge of the platform. Off in the distance, Ponyville appeared as a small carnival against the landscape. She turned back to them. “There is no use waiting any longer. I must continue with my negotiations and all of you must return to your lives in Ponyville. While it pains me to say goodbye to all of you after only a days reunion, I may rest easier tonight knowing you are all safe for the time being.”
Dash, Twilight, and Spike bowed. Gilda gave a short nod.
“Hey Twilight, I’m going to fly down with Spike and Gilda. Tell the others I’ll catch em back in Ponyville okay?” Dash said.
“I’ll make sure to tell them,” Twilight said as she made her way towards the carriage. Her voice was shaky, her steps fidgety and uncertain. Before she could make the final steps up into the carriage, she suddenly turned back around, pinpointed directly at Celestia. “I’ll have a letter sent by next Tuesday.” She began to scramble back up the steps before freezing and turning back once again. “But it might not be a friendship report. Or maybe it will, with Spike coming back home. I might be able to come up with something with everything that’s happened so far but—”
“Twilight,” Celestia stopped her, suppressing a cheerful smile. “Any letter will be fine, friendship report or not.”
The student turned red with embarrassment. “Right.”
“Also, take as long as you need. I’d rather you collect your thoughts and pace yourself than you panicking.”
“And endangering the entire town again...” Spike grumbled loudly enough for everyone to hear.
Twilight opened her mouth to fight back only to turn an ever deeper shade of maroon. She quickly leaped up the last few steps, disappearing into the carriage and shutting the door behind her.
“That went a lot better than I thought it would.” Spike said.
Couldn’t deny that, especially considering the scathing conversation that Gilda had overheard the night before. But what did she know. Maybe Twilight was just some over-emotional toy.
Celestia left her spot at the edge of the platform and rejoined with her, Spike, and Dash. “I must echo your sentiments, but I am wary. Twilight no doubt still has her worries and restless thoughts.”
“Then I guess I’ll have to watch out for her and reassure her that everything is alright.”
Celestia smiled. “It seems things are already beginning to return to normal then.” The princess and Spike shared a small laugh before Celestia returned to her usual, calm state, looking between him and Gilda. “But even the watchers need watching. In only a day’s time of observing you both together, it is clear that there is a strong friendship that has budded and is even now growing. I cannot stress how vital this is. Keep it. Treasure it. Your friends in Ponyville may be kind and caring, but the situation, the bond you both share is unlike anything else, different even from your best friends or I.”
Gilda tried to say something, anything. A quick glance at Spike told her that he was in the same situation. Of course, they had both known everything she had said already. Friends? Bond? No shit. Maybe it was finally hearing it from someone else that made both of them stop, made them realize how far they had come from wanting to kill each other to watching each other’s backs as they returned to a town full of ponies.
“Do not look so deterred, Rainbow Dash.” Celestia said. Her friend had been moved by the princess as well, shuffling her wings and hooves. “You, more than anypony else share a close friendship with both Gilda and Spike together. Watch over and protect them as well.”
Dash looked up in surprise then immediately dropped her awkward stance, giving the princess a salute. “I’ll keep ‘em out of trouble princess!”
Gilda looked to Spike, happy to see she wasn’t the only one trying to contain her laughter.
“Thank you.” Celestia bowed her head towards the pegasus. “I won’t keep you waiting any longer then. Remember my words, and Spike, if anything, anything...” a fire lit up behind her eyes “foul comes from the band you now wear, tell Twilight and I immediately. Do not hesitate.”
Spike took a step back, as shocked as Gilda was at the princess’ sudden ferocity. “Uh... don’t worry. I won’t.”
The princess relaxed, satisfied. “Very well. I will be there when Watergate calls for you.” Celestia stepped forward, sharing an embrace with Spike. “Until then... farewell, and welcome home.”
--
For three months he had dreamt of this moment. Flying, Equestria opening up before him as he descended towards Ponyville. Heck, it was even better now. He had Gilda, and, as much as the band made him uneasy, it slightly alleviated his fears of turning... primitive.
He scowled. Come next dragon migration, he was getting some answers. Really, should have gotten them years ago, but it was too late for that now.
“Got something on your mind?” Gilda asked.
He snapped out of his grim thoughts, quickly shaking his head to regain focus. The pegasus-drawn carriage lingered off to his left, while Gilda and Dash flew beside him to his right. His friend was giving him a curious look as she matched his speed, drifting lazily beside him.
He pulled off the best mid-air shrug he could. “Oh, me? Nah. Not much. I’m more interested in what you’re thinking, moving into a completely new town and all.”
She scoffed. “Moving from town to town is nothing new for me, so don’t worry. This one’s just a bit more, uh, cheerful?” Gilda cast a scowl towards Ponyville. “Griffon towns aren’t so colorful. We prefer not having our eyes burnt out by constant rainbows.” She sighed. “Guess I better get used to it.”
Maybe he should bring up how her only pony friend was literally made up of every spectrum of color there could be? Eh. Better to just let that one rest.
“By the way, what’s up with that brooch of yours? I saw that Twilight was carrying it around back in there. Did it go out of fashion or something?”
“Heh, I had Sovereign give it to Twilight when she woke up.” He looked down at his chest, the dull, gray band cresting his collar in place of his usual golden, rainbow-gemmed brooch. “Let’s just say fashion has taken a minimalistic turn.”
Gilda appeared confused before realizing what he was staring at and implying. She brought a talon to her face and groaned. “Shoot. Just when I almost forgot about that stupid thing. I guess there’s no way I can convince you to ditch it as soon as we get to Ponyville?”
Spike chuckled. “If only it were that easy huh? But no. I’m going to see this through to the end.” He looked back. Canterlot was shrinking behind them, and the massive platform they had departed from was now bare. “Besides, my mom has enough to worry about for now.”
“Ponyville ho!” Dash cried out, flying in front of them. They were almost to the town, the ponies below clearly visible from their distance. “Hey, Gilda, how about a race for old time’s sake? First one to the town center wins!”
Gilda perked up, then quickly fell back again, falling back alongside him. “You don’t mind do you?” She asked hesitantly.
“Mind?” Spike laughed. “Heck no! I get to see two of the greatest fliers in existence duke it out! The pleasure is all mine!”
“Ha! I like the way you think dude.” She left his side, picking up speed as she drifted off towards Rainbow Dash. “See you down in Ponyville?” She called out.
“Meet ya there!”
“Awesome!”
Gilda flew to Dash’s side, saying something to the pegasus that the wind drowned out. Dash bristled up, then, in the blink of an eye, they both shot off, rocketing towards Ponyville. The sound of laughter tickled his senses as they shrunk into the distance. He smiled. Gilda was in for a surprise. While she had tried to hide it, the way in which she had described her past, lonely life in the Empire was drenched in sorrow and hopelessness. Here, she would be happy. His friends would be her friends. Yes, there would be those same ponies who had come to fear him that would no doubt give her the same problems, but he would be there to protect her.
He almost smacked himself. Protect? Gilda? He’d be better off trying to keep her from trashing any pony who gave her trouble.
Spike joined the carriage as it began its descent, admiring the architecture and population below as if it had been years since he had last seen them. Weather pegasi were busy picking out the last stray clouds that lingered amongst the blue, ponies conversed, trotted, and tended to their gardens below. Some looked up and waved. Others grimaced. A few fled into their houses. Doesn’t matter. Nothing could knock him out of his good mood now.
He and the carriage reached the heart of the town, now only barely matching the height of the buildings around them. The town square towered above every other building; multiple levels, spires, and attributes having been added over the years since his childhood. In front of its steps, Gilda and Dash stood, waving their talons and hooves in the air at each other. Of course. He wouldn’t have expected to find them any other way after a race.
“I touched the steps first!” He heard Dash shout.
He landed in front of them. Neither acknowledged his presence.
“Steps?! You never said anything about steps!” Gilda fought back, butting heads with her friend.
“Yeah? Well maybe you should listen to the rules next time!”
Spike stepped forward, smiling as he took a deep breath. “Glad to see some things never change.”
She snorted, backing away from Dash and turning to him. “You’re right about that. Dash is still the same lame-excuse-making machine she’s always been.”
“Hey!” Dash shouted.
Gilda ignored her, walking to his side. She swiveled her head, taking in all of the scenery. “Looks like things have changed a bit since I was last here. You’re gonna have to give me a tour some time.”
“Ha! Me, give you a tour?” Spike himself was busy glancing about, admiring all of the new buildings that had popped up during his absence. Mr. Breezy’s Wind Emporium now had a fresh, new, larger sign hanging above its doors, Sofas and Quills had finished its construction that had been underway when he had left, adding a second floor and changing its name to ‘Sofas, Quills, and Camping Supplies’, and even the Sugar Cube Corner had gained a small new cupcake-shaped hut that sat near its front door. “I’m almost as confused as you are. Maybe we can get Twilight to—”
“Hey Spike! Hey Dash! Hey Gilda!”
He and Gilda turned towards the shout. The carriage had landed across the town square from them, Pinkie stumbling out as she dragged her large sack of invitations behind her. She trotted towards them, somehow managing to maintain her signature smile through the cloth in her mouth. He heard Gilda give a low, frustrated groan.
“Have a nice flight down?” she asked, spitting the sack out of her mouth.
Spike made to answer her, but Gilda stepped forward, snorting. “Yeah. Wonderful. Did you want something or what?”
“Yep! Just wanted to say that the party is in an hour at Sugar Cube Corner. I wanted to have it as soon as we got back but...” She looked back at the bulging satchel, giggling “I need some time to get everyone in the town an invitation! Oh well. See you all in an hour!”
Gilda grunted as Pinkie Pie dragged her satchel off, flagging down random ponies. “I’m impressed. She actually got straight to the point instead of spouting out some random annoying junk.”
Spike didn’t even try to respond. He could agree to satisfy her, but he would be lying. Pinkie could be a little too outgoing at times, sure, but he never really minded and usually found her funny most of the time. He could go against her and try to talk her into warming up to Pinkie, but she was already in a conflicted position with moving into a new town, the war, ponies... he didn’t want to make her more uncomfortable than she might already be.
Twilight answered for him, being the last of his friends to leave the carriage. While the rest called out their farewells and split off, his lifelong friend and sister approached him with a smile. His golden brooch rest across her back. “I guess Pinkie told you what she was up to? Why don’t we head back to the library? There’s something I wanted to show you, and an hour would be just enough time.”
“Actually, I was thinking maybe you could show Gilda and—
“That’s a great idea!” Dash interrupted, jumping forward to Twilight’s side and turning back towards Gilda and him. “Twilight can go get you all caught up on all of the craziness you missed back at the library while I get Gilda all moved in back at my place?”
He and Gilda shared a glance. She shrugged. Well, so much for that. “Uh, yeah. That can work.”
“Great!” Twilight wrapped her hooves around one of his arms, hugging his side. She waved over to Gilda and Dash as she began tugging at him. “See you at the party Dash!”
“Catch you both at the party then,” Spike called as he gave in to the pull of Twilight. Dash waved him off as Gilda gave him a nod. They took off into the sky, heading towards Dash’s house on the edge of town.
Twilight led him through the familiar streets, sometimes looking back and asking him a common question. He answered as best he could, but the more they traveled, the more uncomfortable he became. The same distant, awkward stares that had plagued him in Canterlot had returned, only now within his own hometown.
He ignored them. It didn’t matter. He was home now. So what if a few ponies threw some questionable looks his way? He’d weather them, just like he had done before.
“...While you were gone, the girls were constantly trying to get me out of the library.” She sighed. “It’s not like they weren’t my friends anymore or anything like that but... I just didn’t want to do anything.”
He opened his snout to respond, to comfort her.
A scream. Loud. Feminine.
Was someone in danger? He and Twilight both turned towards the sound. A brown mare stood at the corner, frozen in fear as she gaped at him.
He shied away. This wasn’t the first time something like this had happened. Ponyville was a quickly growing town, and no doubt many ponies had moved in over the past three months.
Many ponies that had no idea the town housed a fire breathing, carnivorous winged lizard.
Every pony in the streets had stopped as well. Some grumbled and moved on, others quietly shook their heads, and most just stood where they were, watching the scene with uncertainty and morbid curiosity.
Twilight stepped forward, an urgent, strained smile across her face. “Don’t worry! He’s with me! He’s really—”
The mare fled, disappearing behind the same building she had passed.
“—nice... ugh.” Twilight growled, twisting back to him. “Come on. Let’s get to the library.” He bowed his head, staring down at the cobblestone as she led him away. Maybe he was embarrassed. Maybe it was something else. He kept his eyes down. He didn’t want to see them there, staring at him. Twilight’s back-right hoof came into vision. She had fallen back, taking her place by his side. “I’m sorry Spike. I wish I could tell everypony in Equestria, and that they’d all understand.”
“Sorry about what? I’m perfectly fine. Honest.” He did his best to sound truthful. Heck, he wanted to believe it himself. Even so, his composure staggered, birthing cracks and blemishes in his mirage.
Twilight stopped, narrowing her eyes. “Spike. Stop.”
“What?” He said defensively, finally looking up. They were in front of the library now, the only building that seemed to have remained unchanged over the years. Around them, ponies would stop to stare at him. He turned away.
“Ever since you’ve come back you’ve had this... this... ‘unstoppable’ attitude. I mean, before you were ba- had to leave, you never talked to anyone besides your close friends and you stayed inside the library pretty much all day!” Twilight walked into view again. Wait. When had he started looking back down? She placed a hoof in his chest. “Then you came back and stood up to all of those nobles, the council, and even shrugged off nearly dying.” Twilight frowned at him. “You almost had me fooled.”
“Huh?”
“Spike, you don’t have to hide anything from me. You don’t have to put up this ‘tough guy’ image in front of me. You’ve been holding up all of these fears and worries, only for them to snap back at you!” She backed away, inspecting him from spine to foot. “Just look at yourself! I haven’t seen you this distressed since the night you had to leave!”
He made to argue, then froze. He had come back from near death, endured the whispers, stares, and paranoia of hundreds of nobles, and stood up to the council. But now he breaks? One scared pony? Maybe Twilight was right. Maybe he had been lying to himself.
Still... it had felt... seemed so real.
“Come on Spike. Let’s get inside.”
Twilight led him inside. He nearly smacked his head against the top of the door, having to duck and squeeze in his wings to fit through the small aperture.
The sight was horrific, to say the least.
Books. Books Everywhere. A sea of them. Some opened up on tables and chairs, a few shoved back into their respective shelves, most scattered across the floor. At the center of the room, a table had been dragged into place, an enormous sheet of parchment sprawled out across its surface. Twilight was shocked, observing the horrible wreckage with as much confusion as he was.
“I don’t remember leaving the library like this,” she whispered.
“And you were afraid for me? This is insanity!” He breathed out the last few words. That did not come out as softly as he had hoped. Twilight hung her head, brushing her hoof against one of the many books that littered the ground. He felt so stupid. He placed a claw on the back of her neck, running his claws through her mane. “I’m sorry. I...” he faltered, unable to continue.
Twilight leaned into his side. “Its ok. Its just, while you were gone, all I could think about was you. Alone. In some damp, dark cave.”
“You’re right. I’m much better off here, in this dark library,” he said in a playful tone. His joke payed off as Twilight giggled. He knelt down, surprising his sister with a nuzzle. “With you.”
She let out a deep breath as she returned his affection. “You’ve grown so much. A few years ago and you would have been pushing me away in embarrassment.”
“Because now I understand what I have to lose, and how precious every moment is.”
Silence. Twilight’s breaths came in relaxed waves now, a relaxing, gentle beat that calmed his senses. If it weren’t for what would surely be a manic party in only an hour, he would have fallen asleep right then and there.
“Oh! By the way.” Twilight perked up, leaving his side and wading through the ocean of books. She stopped at the table in the center of the room, waving him over. “Come on, there’s something I want to show you before we have to leave.”
Curious, he carefully followed the path she had swathed through the books, coming to a rest slightly behind her. She stepped to the side a bit, sweeping a hoof across the parchment that rest upon the table. It was a map. He had seen it before, the night he had to leave Ponyville. Much like the map his mother had used before, Equestria encompassed the right side of the map while the Empire took up the left. The main focus was the Central Wilds, every major landmark inked in with precise perfection.
What caught his interest the most, however, was a small, glowing purple dot that sat directly on top of the letters ‘PONYVILLE’. He pointed towards it with his claw. “What is that? Is that just to highlight Ponyville? Or something else?”
Twilight twisted her neck, reaching behind her back for his brooch. She placed it upon the table, focusing upon it as her horn began to glow. As if in perfect synch, the purple dot upon the map intensified, pooling out a soft violet across the rest of the room. The moment Twilight released the magic, the dark light receded back, reverting back to an innocent purple blot.
“So... that... the brooch...” he stuttered, picking up the same precious relic he had worn since the day he left. Those three months. Until Gilda had shown up, he thought he was alone.
“As soon as I found out you were being banished, I started researching tracking spells. I tried to learn how to track actual living beings, but that was much more advanced than I could've hoped to teach myself in only a few days.” She nodded towards the brooch. “Tracking inanimate objects, on the other hoof, was beginner level magic that I learned in only a few hours. At that moment, I was considering maybe giving you one of your favorite books as a ‘present’ that I could enchant, but when Rarity revealed she was working on your brooch to us, I knew it was perfect for what I had in mind.” She looked to the map, her hoof tracing an invisible line across the parchment. “I saw you settle down, move, and then move again, and finally, when Celestia told me she had sent a letter for you to return... you stayed.” Twilight gave a half-hearted, weak chuckle. “I know it sounds crazy, but I thought that maybe... maybe you had found peace out there. No ponies always watching you, screaming in fear, questioning everything you do—”
“Twilight.” He stopped her. “A million ponies could be constantly screaming, staring, throwing rotten fruit at me, whatever, and I would still stay here with you.”
She smiled at him, a sad, longing gesture. “I know Spike. I just hope that, one day, everypony will see that you’re not some monster.”
He scratched at his back spines, shuffling his wings. “I don’t know about that. I mean, with all of this war stuff, everypony seems even more afraid of other races. Take Gilda for example, she...” Twilight had hung her head once again, despair clear across her face. Once, again, he felt stupid. He had spent so much time with Gilda, who could take the truth no matter what. “Twilight?”
“Yeah?”
“How much do you think I can clean up before we have to leave?”
Her frown faded away, replaced with a knowing smirk. “Depends. Mind if I help out?”
“Hmmm.” He dramatized, raising his claw to his snout. “Don’t suppose I can say ‘no’, can I?”
She laughed as books from all around the room began to lift, a soft purple glow wrapping around them. “Come on you. Let’s get started.”
He laughed with her, reaching for the nearest book on the table. Before he could even check where to file the text, his eyes froze on the cover. A gleaming, golden pony head stared back, surrounded by a leathery dark brown. He knew exactly where this book went. He scanned the room, finally settling upon Twilight’s familiar book-carrying satchel, hanging hazardously off one of the many chairs. Carefully, he tucked the book into the folds and hung the satchel in its rightful place, smiling as he returned to work.
--
“And we’ve known each other for years! Right Gilda?”
“Yeah. Sure.”
“Yep! Ever since we first met and pranked that annoying prissy filly together back in flight camp.” Rainbow Dash clapped her hooves together. “Oh man, I still remember the look on her face, covered head to hoof in tree sap!”
“Wait, you two went to flight camp together?” The mare’s uneasy expression slowly turned into a look of horror.
Gilda knew it. She had told Dash that they should just get to her house as soon as possible. But no, she had to stop and introduce her to her weatherpony friends. The conversation was already starting to go over like a lead balloon.
“Sure did! We were by far the fastest in our division, heck, even the whole camp! Every time a race started it up, it was just me and—”
The mare had ceased listening, gasping as she turned to her stallion partner that flew beside her. He shared her shock, turning back to them with distress. “They allow griffons into our flight camps?!”
Don’t explode Gilda. Just two stupid ponies. Not worth your time. Just ignore them, they’ll freak out and you can keep moving on like nothing happened.
“Well, yeah, but I talked to our old instructor a few months ago and they haven’t had a griffon for years now but that doesn’t—”
“That’s ridiculous!” They both said in unison. The mare continued on, panicking. “Does Celestia even know? We have a colt we just sent off to flight camp and now we find out about this?”
“And what the hell are you afraid of?! Scared your little foal is going to get owned by some fledgling?” Gilda shot back. Forget subtlety. These ponies obviously couldn’t keep their stupid thoughts to themselves. Somebody had to tell them they were wrong.
“Gilda...” Dash tried pleading, but she ignored her. Her fault in the first place for leading her to these idiots.
The two morons went from flat out shock to anger. “Looks like somepony hasn’t been paying attention to what’s going on! If you haven’t heard the news, your precious Empire is on a beeline straight to Equestria!” The mare brought a hoof to her head. “Could you imagine all of the violence and conflict that could occur amongst griffons and ponies together in those camps? Especially in times such as these.”
“You don’t need to worry about that.” Gilda seethed, glaring daggers at the two ponies. “If your colt is anything like you two, he’s already experiencing his fair share of violence from other ponies, griffons or no griffons!”
“Why you...” the stallion growled through gritted teeth, advancing on her. Gilda readied herself, bringing up her claws.
Dash immediately flew in-between them, holding up both her hooves. “Whoa you two! That’s enough!”
They both ignored Dash, keeping their eyes locked on each other. She wanted him to fight. Push Dash out of the way. Let her pummel him.
Whether through sheer intimidation or Dash’s presence, the stallion threw up his hooves in annoyance, snorting in disgust. “Fine. Whatever. Come on Blossom, lets finish up weather duty instead of wasting our time here.” The stallion gave her one last glare before backing away and joining hooves with the mare. As he flew off, he glanced back over his shoulder. “And Dash, make sure you keep that griffon of yours on a leash!”
She made to tackle him out of the air before Dash grabbed her, pulling with all her might. “Let me go! I need to teach that idiot a lesson!”
“Gilda, what the hay is the matter with you?”
She stopped immediately. The tone was too familiar, almost identical to the one she had heard years ago. As Dash released her, she turned back around, shivering slightly at her friends furrowed eyebrows and harsh frown.
“Are you really mad that a couple of ponies are freaking out? You almost attacked him for Celestia’s sake!”
Gilda hovered there, stuttering out her words. “He attacked me! Plus, were you watching that? They were treating me like I was some Empire spy or something, like I was going to attack at any moment!”
“And that’s enough to make you verbally and almost physically thrash somepony? Gilda, you can’t let it bother you that much!”
Gilda held her claws to her head, clenching her beak. “Forget it! I’m not upset. Let’s just get to your house. No more stops.”
Dash stared her over. Dear Andune she hated that stare. It was uncertain, suspicious. The same one she had been enduring ever since she got back to Equestria. At last, she turned around, flying off in the direction of the rainbow-spewing cloud house in the distance. Gilda followed behind, struggling to withhold her anger. She had told her not to flag them down. Just keep moving. But no, now she looked like an ass because Dash couldn’t take a hint.
A lingering silence still hung between them as they arrived. When they both stood before the front door, Dash stopped suddenly, looking up at the massive cloud structure. “Well, here we are!” She said, glancing back at her.
Once again, Dash being obvious. At least she was trying to keep things cheery between them. Might as well play along. “Still as cool as I remember. I still say the rainbows are a bit overkill though.”
“And I still think they’re totally rad!” She fought back playfully. “Should probably add a few more actually. Pah! Whatever, let’s go inside and get you settled in.”
The door didn’t so much as ‘open’ as it did poof away at Dash’s touch. When Gilda had fully entered the main living room, the clouds gathered back behind her, sealing the entryway once more.
Dash’s place hadn’t changed much, not that Gilda was surprised. Dash wasn’t really much of a decorator. She put something where it would be efficient, then was done with it. Even with so few changes, the environment still awed her. It was amazing, how something so miniscule to the ponies could send her into questioning everything she had ever known. How the hell was this platform and the couch on top of it not falling through the clouds to the earth below? Griffons could walk on clouds. That was it. Any attempts at mimicking the architecture of the pegasi had resulted in failure. As far as she could tell from what she had heard and seen, it wasn’t some secret formula they were missing. It just wasn’t possible.
And yet here it all was. Clouds purposefully crafted to be at freezing temperatures, thus allowing the sustenance of food. Clouds used like building blocks, unaffected by the wind around them.
She had asked Dash back when she first visited. The only response was a shrug, a snort, and ‘magic’.
She struggled to imagine what it must have been like, hundreds or thousands of years ago, when griffons realized they simply couldn’t craft the skies like their pegasi neighbors. Did it shatter them? Jealousy was almost certain. That would explain growing tensions, a war... maybe it explained a bit of what was happening between Equestria and The Empire today.
“You actually came back at the perfect time.” Dash had trotted across the room, passing into a small corridor. She hoofed the door at the end, causing the cloud to scatter. “I was just about to turn my guest room into a trophy room.”
Gilda walked up to her side. She peeked through the passageway, nodding. Just like the rest of the sky-house, nothing had changed much from her last visit. It was much like the room she had stayed in back at the palace, albeit without the awesome shower. She poked her head back out, smirking at her friend. “Good thing I showed up then. Wouldn’t want such a nice room being wasted.”
“Hey!” Dash scowled, staring her down.
Gilda was too busy already laughing to pay her any attention. “Come on dude, you gotta admit that was a good one.”
Dash cracked, chuckling along with her. “It was decent. Now come on. Throw your stuff in here and I’ll give you a rundown of the whole house.”
She obliged, parting with her brown satchel with a bit of disappointment. Would she still be here if it had simply never existed? Would Spike have waited for her if she had never left the bag behind? She didn’t really give him much else to put faith in. She peered inside, a small, blue glint winking back at her. Sighing, she placed it down upon the bed, turning away. It was safe here, more secure than it had ever been. No use slinging it around with her like some moron.
The ‘rundown’ was more or less exactly what she had shown her years ago. Here’s this, here’s that, oh-look-at-all-the-awards-I-won-while-you-were-gone, Isn’t-my-room-awesome, blah blah blah. Gilda found herself almost passing out as Dash began raving about her Wonderbolt posters.
“Tryouts in two months baby! I’ve already talked with Spitfire, Soarin’, and Fleethoof and I’m almost sure I’ve got a 100% chance to get in! Wait... oh shoot! Gilda!”
“Huh? Wha?” Gilda shook herself, rubbing her eyes.
“Party! We’re gonna be late for the party! Come on!” Dash dashed past her, breaking for the exit.
Gilda wheeled after her, stuck between half-sleep and confusion. It had already been an hour? No way. She was not ready for this, especially after her encounter with two of Dash’s acquaintances. If something like that happened with actual friends, would she tell her off again? At least she had Spike. He was her only anchor. She needed to talk with him before the party.
They retraced their original path, heading back to the center of Ponyville. Sugar Cube Corner stuck out like a sore talon, impressive considering the entire town was a vomit of assorted colors. The building itself already made her uneasy, her stomach knotting tight the closer they flew. Just stay calm. How long could a party last? A few hours at most. Ha! She had just blazed through one, how hard could three be?
She scanned the ground as they passed over the top of the pink building. Where was he... where was he... ah! There he was, coming down one of the backstreets with Twilight by his side. She had to catch him before he went out into the open. The ponies pouring into the Corner below were most likely all his friends, and as soon as they started talking, she’d never get the chance.
“You ready Gilda?” Dash asked, pointing a hoof down at the current of ponies flooding into the party.
“Actually Dash, you go on ahead. I need to uh, get ready, you know? Before I go in,” she said. Dash cocked an eyebrow at her. Come on. Just take it. Go.
To her relief, her friend gave a sad shrug. “Alight then. Catch ya inside?”
“Definitely.” Gilda raised up a claw to the mare. Her dark mood vanished as she grinned, returning with a hoof bump.
“See ya then!” she called out, dipping out to join the crowd below.
Gilda breathed a sigh of relief. Thank Andune. Good. Spike was still unnoticed. She flew off to the street he and Twilight were walking down, landing at the junction between the road and Sugarcube Corner’s square. Spike and Twilight both snapped to attention at her abrupt landing. Spike continued walking towards her with a smile. Twilight followed closely behind, wearing that same, stupid stare every other pony had when they saw her. Apparently helping a best friend return home wasn’t enough to rid you of suspicion.
“Hey Gilda! You ready for this?” Spike asked, coming to a stop in front of her.
She hesitated, glancing between her friend and the drilling eyes of Twilight. “I need to talk with you. Alone.” It was blurted out, sounding a bit desperate.
Spike was only momentarily thrown off by her sudden demand. His sister, however, raised her brows and glanced between the both of them. Spike grinned sheepishly at Twilight, pointing towards Sugarcube corner. “Twilight, mind going and telling Pinkie that Gilda and I will be there soon?”
She pursed her lips. Before the silence could take over, she nodded her head, an obviously-forced smile sprouting up. “Yeah, I’ll go on ahead. Make sure not to keep Pinkie waiting too long. You know how she can be.”
“Thanks Twi! See you in a bit!” Spike waved her off. Gilda caught the mare glancing back. A quick, strained grin, then she swiftly turned back, cast her head to the ground, and picked up her pace. Gilda grunted as she returned to Spike. For Andune’s sake, what did she have to do to earn a ponies trust around here? It seemed like the only ones backing her were Dash and Spike. Spike ceased his waving. When he looked back at her, his face contorted in concern. “Is something wrong, Gilda?”
Yes Spike. There are so many things wrong here. Go on, tell him Gilda. I can’t take these ponies treating me like I’m some Empire spy, like I’m some outcast. I don’t even know why I care. Maybe I’m going soft. Spike, have I seemed softer? Don’t lie to me now. Tell me the truth. She sucked in a breath. “Spike, I can’t go to this party.”
Ok. Nevermind. Don’t tell him. Just run away like you always do. Coward.
Shock, of course. He reeled back. “What? Why?!” He recovered, regaining his footing. As he looked her over once again, his eyes widened slightly. “Gilda, did something happen when I was gone? When you were with Dash?” He began to scan her body once again, seeming to inspect her entire physique. “You weren’t hurt were you?”
She guffawed, the laughter escaping her beak before she could even stop herself. Even when he was concerned, Spike was still funny as hell. She sucked in air, cutting her laughter short and giving her friend a serious eye. “Spike, hear me out on this one: If you ever start to worry about me getting into a fight, worry about the ponies health, not mine.” She paused. “Don’t get me wrong, they may all be idiots, but I don’t want to have to hurt any of them. But those two pegasi... they treated me... my whole race, as if we were some animals or something that would attack them at a moment’s notice.”
“Gilda...” He took a step forward, hesitated, then, as if hit with a sudden weakness, dropped to all fours and slowly lowered himself into a sitting position. It was strange. She was used to his tall, strong, fierce looking figure. Here, now, he looked different, withdrawn. “I don’t know what to say about those ponies. I could make up some stuff and say that the dispute will end in a few months and they’ll forget all about this stupid junk, but I don’t want to take the chance of lying to you.” He brightened up a little, shuffling his wings. From here, they appeared as two elegant drapes caressing his back. “But I want you to know that me, Dash, and eventually all of my friends will be here for you. Believe me, I know how you feel. All of the ponies that are in the Sugarcube Corner are ponies that have accepted me, who are my friends.” He clasped his claws together, shaking them slightly. “Please, give them a chance. Dash and I aren’t the only cool ones in Ponyville.”
She did not want to go to this party. Just minutes before, she had been shaking at the thought. Now? She felt relaxed. Spike’s talk had soothed her, reassured her. Damnit. He was too good at that. Thank Andune he was a dragon. If he was a pony, he’d have been one of those corrupt council members. She looked back at her tirade, bringing a claw up to her face and shaking her head. “Sorry about that Spike. I hate whiners, yet here I am pouring out my guts to you.”
“Believe me, I know how you feel. Heck, when I was on my way to the tree house with Twilight...” He smiled, giving a sad laugh. “Now look, I’m starting to whine!”
“Wait, no, what happened?” She knew Spike too well to ignore the small movements he made when he felt uneasy. Clenching and unclenching of the claws, rustling wings, a swishing tail. To hell if he thought she was just going to ignore his problems.
He relaxed a bit, but his expression only hardened. “While Twilight and I were heading to the library, there was this pony and she... she screamed. Screamed and ran.” As if to try and cover up his distress, he gave her a big, goofy forced smile. “It’s nothing really. It was over in a second. We just headed into the library after that.”
“Thought you just said you wouldn’t lie to me.” Gilda bit back, adding a playful tone into her words. “I’ve lived most of my life on my own dude and even I’m getting a bit cranked by this whole ‘outcast’ thing. Think you might be rubbing off on me.” She walked over to his side, rotating and sitting down beside him. While they were on a backstreet, the occasional pony would still pass by, half-trotting half-galloping off at the site of them. Spike seemed to notice with her, laughing in unison as a passerby pegasi mare let out a yelp after spotting them, leaping into the sky and disappearing into a batch of clouds. She turned to him. There was a smile now. Not a fake one, like only moments before, but real, genuine. Of course, she was grinning as well. “Funny isn’t it? How the moment we get split up, we both get into trouble?”
“Ha! Are you kidding me?” He stood up, returning to his proud, stout draconic figure. he smirked down at her, offering her a claw. “Did you forget The Empire? The council? Every single pony besides my friends in Canterlot? We’ve been getting in trouble every moment since we got back. They’re just a lot easier to bear when someone who could care less about what you are is there to watch your back.” She took his claw, rising to her feet. “Also helps that you’re a good friend.”
That was it. Such a simple solution. From hanging your head awkwardly to simply laughing off the situation. A friend by your side. And as good as a friend Dash was, she couldn’t understand or share the situation they found themselves in. No fault of hers. It was facts. She puffed up, newfound determination filling her. “Alright. Let’s go to that party.”
Spike did a double take. “What? Really?!”
“Yep. I’m ready. Let’s do this.”
“Yes!” Spike threw a claw into the air with a cheer. “Watch Gilda. The ponies at this party are nothing like the rest in the town. They’re awesome.”
“Alright alright.” She waved a claw at Sugarcube Corner. “Hurry up, before I change my mind!”
“Right. Make sure to brace for Pinkie Pie. I know how you feel about her, and she’ll be in full force here.” Spike reminded her as they began towards the food-adorned structure.
“Ugh. Thanks for reminding me. I’ll try to ignore her.” That annoying pink demon was chaos ponified, sure, but there would be no way she could bring her down now. Pumped up? Check? Spike? Check. Dash was in there too, so she was doubly set. Now there was only the subject of Spike’s other friends. Always fun to have a wild card in the situation right? Unless, of course, they were pink and squeaked out garbage all day long.
They stopped in front of the door. They looked at each other in confusion. Gilda watched Spike reach for the door then retract his claw, hesitating. Couldn’t blame him. Do you just walk into a party? Knock? Say something? ‘Hey everypony, it’s us, we’re—’
The door burst open, a pink head popping out from within.
“ABOUT TIME!”
Before she or Spike could even back away in shock, they were grasped and quickly pulled inside. As the world stopped spinning around her, her eyes adjusted and she suddenly became aware of the mass of ponies that surrounded them. Her knees locked. Her breath stopped. Someone say something! Anything! Oof. Something squeezed in between her and Spike. She turned and caught an eye-full of pink.
“Everypony, after three months of unfun, Spike is back in town!” If Gilda’s talons weren’t restrained by Pinkie’s strangely long legs, she’d be using them to cover her ears from the horrible screeching. “Even better, he brought an old friend back with him!” She felt the hoof squeeze her closer. Her smell almost made Gilda puke. It was the kind of smell when you take too many nice, sweet things and swirl them together to get a disgusting monstrous heap of foul-scented sugar. “Now come on! I’ve got enough games and food to last us for days!”
Days. Wonderful. Both she and Spike were shoved forward cast into the spotlight as ponies began to spread out. Some went to the various little activities spread around the corner, others to the nearby food counter. Most began to advance on Spike, skating gingerly around her. Fine by her. Go talk to Spike. He’s earned the right to see all of his friends again. She began to back away slowly...
Right into Pinkie Pie. She felt herself being pushed back forward, towards the crowd. “What’s the matter Gilda? I didn’t set all of this up just for you to sneak off!” Gilda ground her claws into the floor, trying to fight back against the abnormal power. It was official. This... thing was trying to humiliate her. She wouldn’t be surprised if this was all some elaborate trap to have her snap again. She had to escape from her at all costs. Employing an old-as-dirt technique, Gilda suddenly released her tension, lurching off to the side. As she rolled back to her feet, she caught a glimpse of Pinkie stumbling forward, disappearing into the crowd of ponies that now swarmed Spike.
Perfect. She skated the crowd, keeping an eye out for any blip of pink. Finally, she had traversed the admittedly large room, ending up right next to the food table. She made sure to stand off to the side, away from approaching hungry ponies. It was the same process for each: approach, eyeing her like she was a lion about to pounce, realize she was staring back, avert their eyes, grab their food, leave. So predictable. These were the ponies Spike called his friends? Speaking of Spike...
The sea of ponies that swarmed him kept their respective distance, asking him questions in rapid succession. Some were on his thoughts, most of what the Central Wilds were like. He looked... happy. He answered their questions with a smile, waved back to friends excitedly, and overall seemed to be having a good time. Of course he deserved it, but Gilda couldn’t help feel disappointed. She always thought what they had was unique, was special. Sure, she was friends with Dash, but there was something else there that made it different.
Dear Andune it was such a selfish thought. Maybe the sergeant had been right. Maybe she was just some parasite. Maybe she had been hanging out with Spike all this time just to feed herself with attention. She had finally found someone else who appreciated her and all she wanted to do was tell off his friends.
Maybe Dash realized this years ago, when she told her off.
She suddenly felt alone. She wasn’t hungry, didn’t want to talk, and definitely did not want to play any little games. So she stood there. Eventually the ponies began to simply ignore her. That was fine. She could live with that. Just don’t talk to her. Don’t stare at her. She had been able to stare back and laugh before. Where had that gone? How long had she stood here? Mere minutes? Hours? Where was Dash?
So she stood some more. The longer she lingered, the more heavy and hot the air seemed to become. Each breath was laborious, as if trying to breathe normally on a hot summer day. Her head began to spin and a strange exhaustion began to set in. She had to get out of here soon. Or at least talk to Spike or Dash.
“Hello.”
Gilda nearly jumped at the sound. She jerked her head towards the direction, her blurred vision settling upon a magenta mare. She wore a strange smile, unlike any Gilda had seen before. While it wasn’t quite awkward, it wasn’t very sincere either. Gilda struggled to recover, trying to control her erratic breathing. “Uh, hi.”
The mare extended a hoof. “Name’s Cheerilee! Nice to meet you!”
Gilda hesitated, then put her talon out and shook the mare’s hoof. “Name’s Gilda, as you probably heard.”
“Of course! Pinkie always knows how to make a nice introduction.” Gilda had to stop herself from scoffing. “I’m the local teacher for Ponyville. Well, one of them. We’ve gained a couple more over the years, but I’m still the head of education.” She suddenly grinned sheepishly, bringing a hoof up to her head. “Not that I’m better than anypony or anything, it’s just that... oh look at me, drawling on about nothing! Anyway, What brings you to Ponyville? I’d think that someone foreign would want to visit a place such as Canterlot and not our little old town.”
“Oh, I’m with Spike here,” she said, pointing at the dragon. To her frustration, the crowd had only grown from when she had last seen him. “We met up while he was out of town and I decided to come back with him. I’m old buds with Dash as well.”
Cheerilee gawked, then smiled again. “Well isn’t that something? You’re already a part of the Ponyville family it seems.” Once again, Gilda almost snorted. Cheerilee seemed to have her heart in the right place, but she obviously wasn’t too bright.
Guess it was her turn to continue the conversation. As much as she appreciated an actual talk with someone other than Spike or Dash, it came off as slightly forced. “So what is your relation to Spike? Were you his teacher or something?”
“Oh no, not at all. As far as I know, Spike received his education from assisting Twilight in the library. We were mostly just friends, simple as that. Nowadays...” She glanced over to the dragon. “Well he’s grown.”
Gilda’s eyes widened. Was she trying to say something with that?
Cheerilee seemed to pick up on how she had worded her statement, waving a hoof in the air. “Dear me, I meant grown up of course! I mean, uh, he has so many more responsibilities now! Yes, that’s it! We don’t really have time to see eachother anymore.” She seemed satisfied with her excuse. “Still, he used to be such a cute little thing. Not that it matters or anything! He’s still the Spike we all know and love, just a bit taller.” She reassured herself.
“Yeah...” Gilda faltered, too distracted by the way Cheerilee was staring over at Spike.
Too distracted to notice the pink pony quickly advancing on her position.
“There you are!”
No. Hell no. She spun away from Cheerilee, giving out a choked cry at the sight of the insane mare. There was nowhere to run. Cheerilee and the food table were to her right, the wall to her left. She had literally cornered herself. She rose up her claws in feeble defense as Pinkie neared her. “Pinkie, I don’t want to—”
“I have been looking all over for you! Come on, it’s time to party! I’m going to introduce you to everypony and show you every. Single. Game!” Pinkie wrapped her hoof around her front leg, jerking her forward.
Gilda fought her, holding her ground. “I don’t want to play any of your games!” She hissed desperately.
“No need to be shy! It’ll be fun!”
“Pinkie... stop.” Gilda growled. Ponies were beginning to stare at them now. Gilda lowered her head in embarrassment. She wanted to leave. Right now. Get out of here, away from all of these ponies.
“There’s no danger, no need to be a stranger!” She paused, raising a hoof to her mouth and giggling. “Listen to me, I sound just like Zecora. Oh well!” She shrugged, then jerked at Gilda once again. “Now hurry up, some ponies are already starting to leave!”
That was enough. Whether it was the onlooking ponies, Pinkie’s squeaky voice ripping apart her ears, or the insistent non-stop jerking, Gilda snapped. “STOP!” She roared, pushing back with all her strength.
The mare yelped, her grasp tearing from Gilda as she stumbled back from the sudden force. All conversation in the room died out the moment Pinkie slammed onto the floor. Gilda froze up, slowly looking up from the grounded pony. Everyone had turned completely still. Every eye in the room was on her. She crouched slightly, withdrawing into herself. All she wanted to do was leave. Escape. Almost as if to scorn her luck, Dash had finally showed up as well, her brows furrowed and her mouth gaped open as she glanced between her and Pinkie. Applejack stepped from the crowd, glaring at her as she helped her stunned friend from the floor.
She dared not look at Spike.
The murmurs started and ponies began to shift in place. Pinkie herself began to rise from the ground, rubbing her head. Gilda made for the door. She didn’t want to hear what Pinkie had to say, what Dash had to say, and definitely not a word from Spike. She spotted the dragon walking towards her as she neared the exit.
“Gilda...” He reached out with a claw.
She bolted the rest of the way, throwing herself out the door. The moment her talons hit the ground, she slammed her back paws against the pavement, launching herself straight into the air. Her mind had turned primitive. Up. Away from the party. Away from all of the staring ponies. Away from her friends and that stupid pink idiot.
She had no idea how high she had flown. Only a few wispy, thin clouds surrounded her. Her breaths came in strained, gulping heaves, signifying that oxygen was lean. Perfect. She hovered to one of the clouds, flopping down upon it. To her surprise, the weak structure did not fall apart around her, but instead served as a sort of hammock, holding her in a nice meshy embrace.
She closed her eyes. Everything had gone just as planned hadn’t it? It was awkward, forced, Spike had been swarmed and too occupied, and of course, the big one, Pinkie had completely and utterly humiliated her once again. Everything was thrown to the wind now. Applejack was more confident than ever that she was an ass. Dash? Ha! The next time they met could be a complete re-enactment of the party years before.
And Spike... She rolled over, keeping her eyes sealed shut. She had assaulted one of his friends. No way in hell he wouldn’t be more wary of her than ever before. All he had wanted was to come back home to his friends, and yet here she was assaulting one of them. But it wasn’t her fault. That moron had been asking for it. In fact, screw all of Spike’s friends. They were no different than anypony else. If it was up to her, she’d keep Spike, Rainbow, and throw everyone else out. Just three friends hanging out without any other stupid people.
How selfish. How parasitic. She should just leave. Rainbow was already becoming questionable again and Spike didn’t even need her. The party may have not been swarming with ponies, sure, but there were a healthy amount there. He had enough friends. He deserved a relaxing, fun life with them after all the hell she had put him through. Instead, she just made everything awkward.
“Mind the company?”
Her eyes snapped open. A mass of purple and emerald rose into view, two massive wings supporting a serpentine body. Spike panted just like she had before, his tail and arms drooping. He wore a sad smile and pleading eyes.
Gilda scrunched her face up, unable to move. A smoldering anger built up in her stomach. What was he doing here, now? He had lied to her. His friends were not her friends. She had told him she didn’t want to attend the stupid party, and now look.
Tell him to leave. Tell him to leave you alone.
“How did you find me?”
“Would you believe me if I told you it was the power of friendship?”
Ok, she smirked. She fought back the urge to laugh as well and returned to her angry frown. “No.”
Spike sighed. “Didn’t think you would. You left a huge hole in the clouds when you flew up here.”
She rolled away, sweeping him from her vision. A sea of clouds soared out below her, merging with the horizon off in the distance. If it wasn’t for the thin air, she’d fall asleep here, letting the scene feed her fascinating dreams. “Go away. I don’t want to talk.”
“Say it again and I’ll go.” There was a pause. “That’s a promise.”
A promise. He would leave, no doubt. She opened her beak.
“You lied to me.”
“I did.” Just two words. They stung her yet were relaxing at the same time. He had lied, sure, but to hear him admit it was soothing. “I’m sorry. I thought... I thought if they could talk, be around me without being afraid, they would accept you even easier. I was wrong.”
Gilda said nothing. She could continue, scolding him for getting her to even think of attending that doomed party. But she didn’t want to. She was satisfied. She had forgiven him. She chuckled at herself. How new. How different.
Something still ate at the back of her mind though. It was such a sensitive, strange topic. Anyone else and she would simply let it rot and eat away at her. Then again, anyone else and she wouldn’t even be in such a situation.
She rolled back over. He was beating his wings and panting a bit faster now. The cold that would usually nip at her from such a far height fell away as warm waves of air washed over her face.
“Spike, why did you wait that week? Why did you bring me back with you?”
He recoiled a bit at the question. Instead of blurting out an answer, he hovered there, his head lowered in deep thought. Good. She wanted a sincere answer.
Finally, he raised his head.
“Because you’re my friend and... Because I’m selfish.”
Gilda nearly fell from the cloud. “What?”
Spike huffed. “My banishment was terrible. It took me from my friends, my family, my home... everything. But it gave me one thing: I could be myself. I could hunt, fly, breathe fire, search for gems, do anything I wanted without anyone giving me a strange look or screaming or murmuring behind my back.”
“What about your best friends?” Gilda butted in, unable to stop herself.
Spike shook his head. “You were there last night when they saw that boar. Even Twilight sent Dash to the princess out of panic when she first heard of my hunting from Fluttershy.”
Gilda cringed. She had seen how close he was to Twilight. To have your closest friends that you’ve known all your life suddenly fear you...
“But see, even if I could be myself in the Wilds, it was still lonely. At first I flew around a bit, explored... but then I started staying in my cave.” He snorted. “I would do nothing for days but lay around. I started oversleeping and having these horrible nightmares.” He shuddered then looked to her. “Then you came. You were the first person that I could ever just be myself around. You thought hunting was cool, weren’t afraid of what I was... I didn’t want to leave that behind.”
“And what happens when everypony accepts you? What does that leave me as?” The questions poured from her beak without a single stumble. No restraint now. These were questions that had been eating away at her for weeks. She had let them sit, but now, after what had happened below, she needed them answered, begged for a small conclusion.
“It would make you Gilda. My friend.” Spike said the words, not hesitating a moment. “The friend who would go out and hunt with me. The friend that actually wasn’t crazy. The friend that would always have my back no matter what.”
She lay there, silent. The drumming beat of his wings washed over her ears.
“Oh, and don’t worry about what happened at the party. I’ll let them know it was an accident. They can’t hold what happened against you.”
His voice was calm, worried. It relaxed her. No, relaxed wasn’t right. Her body was locked with tension, unable to move her legs or turn her head to look at Spike. Her breathing was faint. Must be because of the thin air. Definitely.
“Gilda...?” Spike reached out to her with a violet claw. She had never realized just how big his wings were. Now, at full expansion, their warmth almost enveloped her on every down thrust. His emerald belly rippled in the sun—
She yelped as his claw touched her shoulder, backing away further on to the cloud. Spike himself fell back, horrified.
“What’s wrong? Did I hurt you?”
“No!” she shouted, wanting to slap herself for the small laugh that came out after. “I’m fine. Perfect. Amazing.”
She wasn’t lying, but Spike seemed unconvinced, his green eyes scanning over her chest, running down her side, grazing over her haunches...
“Did I say something wrong?”
“No, Spike!” There was the laugh again. Her friend was in shock before her and all she could do was giggle like some pony. “You did nothing wrong.” Everything right, on the contrary.
Spike grimaced. “Do you need some time alone? I can head back to the party if you want.”
What kind of question was that? Hell no! Stay here! Screw that party and everyone in it.
But she couldn’t say that. She had just gone over why. Selfish. She couldn’t cling to Spike like some parasite. Her giddy, ecstatic attitude dropped as she gazed sadly back at Spike. “Yes, Spike. You should go back to the party. I’ll be fine.”
He looked upset, beginning to drift away. “Alright then.”
He was folding his wings. Only a few seconds before he would disappear beneath the clouds, leaving her here. Alone. Spike began to descend.
“Wait!”
The violet wings reflected light wildly as they snapped back, sending him rising back to her. “What’s wrong?”
“When will I see you again?” It was blurted out, hasty. Also a stupid question. “Like, you know, when can we hang out again? Tomorrow? It’s cool if your schedule is booked in all. But still, I could come with you if you have to help with something. Except Pinkie. Well, maybe—”
“Gilda.”
“What?”
“Rarity and I are going gem hunting tomorrow. Wanna come? I was going to ask you tomorrow morning, but now is a better time anyway.”
She was nearly hopping on her claws in excitement. “When? Where?”
“The rock fields we always gem hunt at are right over... uh...” He looked about, the sheet of clouds below completely blocking any vision of the ground. “Well, they’re straight ahead from Dash’s front door. If you get lost, just chill out at the Ponyville Town Center. I’ll come and get you. As for the time, ten o’clock should be about right. Rarity takes her time though, so don’t feel too rushed.”
“Ha! You know me, I’ll be there on the dot, no sooner, no later!”
“Can’t wait!” He flew forward, raising up a balled claw.
Bump it. Bump it. Her claw had retracted, gluing itself to her chest. What the hell was wrong with her? Bump it!
It was too late. Spike was already slowly lowering his own claw, retreating. His eyes were a mixture of hurt and confusion. “I’ll see you tomorrow then. If you need me, don’t be afraid to come and find me.” He paused, then tucked in his wings. “Bye.”
He disappeared, leaving a small hole in the cover of clouds as he plummeted below.
She fell back. Exhaustion ate at her body and mind. She had done it. Spike was there, all to herself, and she rejected begging for him so he could return to his other friends. Sure, it was only one small action, but it was a beginning. As much as she trusted Spike, he was only one dragon. It simply wasn’t possible for him to be there for her every step of the way.
The sun was just peaking over the horizon now, turning the clouds a light orange.
She tried to relax, enjoy the last few minutes of sunshine.
Why hadn’t she returned the claw bump? Why had she nearly screamed at being touched? The way he had left, looking so confused, so hurt... she’d get this all sorted out tomorrow. As soon as they met back up, she’d apologize, claw bump him, and they’d dig up the biggest batch of gems ever known. Tomorrow.
The clouds were a deep shade of blue now. Stars began to pop up overhead. She began searching for her old familiar constellations. There was... no that was nothing. Maybe...? She growled, sitting up as if to tear down the heavens themselves. She couldn’t find a single one. Something was wrong with her.
She looked back down, the solid wall of clouds below giving her a sickly feeling. She felt exposed, vulnerable. Laugh it off. Just a bunch of clouds right? Just a vast, empty...
Her stomach turned over. She had to go find Spike. No, not Spike. Can’t go to Spike. Who else?
Dash. The party had to be over by now. Go back to Dash’s house. Who cares if she’s upset at you. Anything was better than this, here, now.
She lept from the cloud, breaking through the thick layer. Ponyville loomed below, the lights in every window giving way to the cover of darkness. She made a straight beeline to Dash’s house, throwing open the front door.
“Dash? Daaash?”
She waited. Nothing. Taking a cautious step forward, she poked her head inside. Empty. She tenderly stepped in, making her way across the living room and into her own guest room. There was her bag, still lying on the side of her bed. She slowly crawled onto the bed, pulling at the sack. She put her claw in. Map. Photo. There it was. As she pulled her claw back out, the sapphire within her grasp seemed to illuminate the room itself.
So many memories. Only a little over a month. Just one object.
She growled at herself, pushing the gem back into its bag. Getting clingy again. Weak. She had been fine on her own for years. Surely she could spare a single night?
She scoffed at herself. Dagger Fels. Lionsberg. She couldn’t imagine going back to that now.
“Gilda?”
Dash’s voice nearly made her fall from the bed. The clouds made no sound as they appeared and disappeared, so her entrance had been completely silent.
“Uh, hey. How did the rest of the party go?” Gilda asked sheepishly.
Dash frowned, stamping a hoof down. “Forget that, what the heck was up with you and Pinkie? Why did you knock her down like that?”
Gilda recoiled. This had been coming, but now, hearing it from Dash made her sick. She raised her claws up in defense. “Look, everyone was staring at me and then Pinkie... she came over and started pulling at me.” Dash’s frown didn’t fade. Gilda lowered her head. “Look, I won’t apologize for yelling at her, but I did push her down, and... I’m sorry about that.”
Dash had traded in her frown for a gaping mouth. “You’re... sorry?!”
“Yeah, I am. She can be annoying, but she didn’t deserve that.”
Her friend closed up her mouth. “Are you feeling alright Gilda? I mean, you’re apologizing! And you look tired.”
“I’m apologizing because I mean it, Dash.” Gilda made to continue her aggressive tone only to falter and weaken. “But tired? Yeah. I’m exhausted.”
“Well, make sure you get some rest ok? Can’t be cool if you’re sleep-flying!” Dash said playfully, a hint of concern eating at the back of her words.
“Good night, Dash.”
The mare backed out of the room, giving her one last look. “Good night, Gilda.”
The cloud closed behind Dash. Gilda didn’t lie down.
She didn’t know how long she sat there. Sleep wouldn’t come. She could lie down, sure, but she already knew it wouldn’t change anything.
She rose to her feet, swatting the clouds to her room’s exit aside. The living room was even worse, its emptiness causing her to shift uneasily. She continued on, escaping onto Dash’s front cloud.
Ponyville opened up before her, only a few distinct buildings still illuminated. Sugarcube Corner, The Town Center, and the Library.
The Library. She looked away. Don’t think about it. You’re independent. He’s a friend, not some constant pillar of strength.
She fell back onto her haunches, looking up at the stars.
Not a single one.
--
All of them slipped his mind. It annoyed him, made him angry with himself.
A hoof on his side. He looked down. Twilight looked back at him with concern. “Spike, you’ve been stargazing for awhile. Aren’t you going to get some sleep? It’s been a long day.”
He sighed, returning to the stars. “I’m worried Twilight. About Gilda. I talked to her after the party and she seemed... not herself.”
“Come on Spike, you know her more than any of us,” Twilight said, turning to leave the balcony. “She’s tough. In fact, she’s probably already fast asleep, like you should be.”
Twilight began tugging at his arm. Perhaps she was right. Maybe Gilda had only been a bit anxious after all that had happened. She turned him away, didn’t claw bump him because she needed some space and time alone. Tomorrow she would be healthy and relaxed. Spike gave in to Twilight’s pull, following her inside.
Just as he began to close the paned door to the balcony, he stopped. It wasn’t pain, shock, or even suspicion. It was a feeling in his mind, his gut, his whole body, that screamed for him to rip from the balcony and soar into the air, and roar. It sounded perfectly in his ears. No malice, no challenging, no opposition, just a simple, desperate call.
He trembled, having to withhold every muscle in his body as he stepped back out onto the balcony. He looked about. The town Center, Sugarcube Corner.... of course. Dash’s house was behind the library.
He had to look. He had to get one glance. His wings shout out.
“SPIKE!”
An invisible force dragged him back. Twilight’s magic. The balcony drifted away from him, the paned doors slamming as he passed into the library’s interior. He could break from this magic easily, but the thought of fighting her horrified him.
“What is the matter with you tonight?” His sister asked with worry, stepping in front of him. He was sitting on the floor now, a sudden daze overcoming him.
“Something is wrong Twilight. I just... can’t shake this feeling.”
She gave him a sad smile, trotting forward and nuzzling him. “You’re still running from patrols, Spike. You’re home now. You’re safe. You can rest.”
He struggled to accept her conclusion as he returned the embrace. He struggled to accept it as he promised her he would get some sleep. He struggled to accept it as he sat there on the library floor, still trembling.
It wasn’t patrols.
As his vision finally blurred over and he fell back, his instincts burned at him, scolding and growling at him as if he had missed something immense, important.