Upon hearing Apple Bloom's decree, Gilda smiled to herself. This was going to be too damn easy.
The griffon was going to be so goddamn rich.
Gilda flew into the Everfree Forest. If Zecora was in her hut, this would be extra easy - especially with the stun potion her almighty ruler had created. Pour it on the fucking zebra, thought Gilda.
She could see two creatures bickering amongst one another - two who were quite lame and loud.
Gilda recognized them from afar. One of them was Trixie, a unicorn far too overconfident in her magic abilities, and the other was Iron Will, a minotaur far too overconfident in his persuasion abilities. Gilda was better than both of them in most areas of life. Were they trying for the reward too? Gilda figured it wouldn't be too hard to whack the both of them before going on her way to collect her deserved money.
Gilda flew down behind Trixie and Iron Will. She then roared loudly, causing the both of them to shut up. Trixie shrieked. Iron Will turned around.
"Iron Will knows who you are. Gilda, the failure of an assassin. Trixie, there is nothing to fear. It is only Gilda."
"The Great and Powerful Trixie was not scared, she was simply preparing for her acting gig when the even more great and powerful Apple Bloom provides her with a reward."
"Ugh, I can't believe I had to run into you two nitwits."
"You work for the Great and Powerful Apple Bloom, do you not", asked Trixie.
"I do", said Gilda with a grunt, "I know exactly where Zecora is."
"This is not fair", pouted Trixie, "the Great and Powerful Apple Bloom tells the great and Powerful Trixie that there is a reward to be have upon the capture of Zecora and her griffon lackey is going to take the reward."
"Iron Will has an idea", said Iron Will, "why don't the three of us split the reward of $100,000."
"$100,000 isn't divisible by three", said Gilda, "we should let Princess Apple Bloom decide how the reward is split up."
"Of course", said Trixie, "the all powerful and wise Apple Bloom would certainly come up with the most fair solution."
"Indeed", agreed Iron Will, "our leader is a one-of-a-kind genius. She will certainly make sure that we each get what we deserve."
Split the reward? Yea, right. Gilda would rip both of their hearts out as soon as they weren't expecting it. She might even be able to get the murder-happy Apple Bloom to kill both Trixie and Iron Will.
Gilda sprinted over to Zecora's hut with Trixie and Iron Will trying to keep up. Maybe one or both will die from exhaustion? Gilda took pride in her high level of physical fitness whether in the air or on the ground. She arrived and was surprised at what she saw. Zecora was standing in front of the hut with a smile on her face.
"My griffon friend, you certainly have reached the end", said Zecora, "I will save you the trouble from going into my room, you shall take me to Apple Bloom."
"I received an extra order of the princess", said Gilda, "all of your voodoo and witchcraft must be destroyed."
Zecora began to laugh and then said, "Let's go without a hitch, don't you want to be rich?"
Gilda snarled. She could perhaps make Trixie and Iron Will useful. The two finally arrived, each one panting with exhaustion.
"Dudes", said GIlda, "so, I have Zecora. I will take her back to Princess Apple Bloom and you two can go into Zecora's hut and make sure that all of her witchcraft is erased. It is dangerous and the Princess wants to see it gone."
"The Great and Powerful Trixie does not trust you!!"
"Apple Bloom is all-knowing and all-powerful", said Gilda, "she probably knows of your efforts already. If you do not receive any money, it is no fault of mine but our almighty leader."
"Ugh", groaned Trixie.
"Fine, Iron Will shall do what you ask, Gilda", said Iron Will, "but if you screw us over, I swear you are going to be in a world of pain from me."
Gilda did her best not to laugh at such ridiculousness. She could kill that overcompensating minotaur without even trying.
"C'mon Zecora", said GIlda, "we're going now."
"Yes yes."
Zecora and Gilda left the Everfree Forest to see their almighty ruler.
Trixie and Iron Will went inside Zecora's hut.
"Hmmph", complained Trixie, "the Great and Powerful Trixie does not think she has to do this."
"Iron Will knows that there are some things inside which are dangerous to our almighty ruler."
"Yes, but the griffon shall cheat the Great and Powerful Trixie out of her money."
"If you're so great and powerful, why don't you do something about it if that happens?"
"The Great and Powerful Trixie shall, she is simply disgusted with the griffon and her disrespect of such greatness."
Iron Will groaned.
The two searched the whole hut, but couldn't find anything.
Little did they know that Pinkie Pie had stopped by earlier to take all of Zecora's things and hid them in Sugarcube Corner.
Gilda didn't want to carry Zecora, so they had to walk the way there. Gilda was unnerved by Zecora's patience and lack of resistance. The zebra obviously had a trick under her sleeve, but if any pony could outwit Zecora, it was Apple Bloom. Apple Bloom would have some tricks under her own sleeve which would lead to a well-deserved death for Zecora.
"So, you are one of the four back from the dead? I am surprised that you want me dead."
"It doesn't matter. I have the trust and love of our almighty and benevolent ruler. That will be the thing which will save me from death."
"Are you sure? I mean..can you trust the unicorn and minotaur?"
"Of course not, but like I said..I have Apple Bloom to help me out."
Apple Bloom was ready for full domination. She would destroy any weaknesses. If she could kill Zecora, Equestria would be more likely to stay under her rule. Zecora always seemed to be a step ahead of Apple Bloom. Bloom actually regretted making the search and the reward so public. Zecora probably packed her bags and ran away by now.. but someone would have to find her eventually.. alive or dead.
Apple Bloom heard a knock on the door. She ran to get it and smiled when she saw that Gilda had Zecora.
"At your service", said Gilda with a bow.
Apple Bloom was happy to see that Zecora was now at her castle but the alicorn filly did notice that Zecora seemed too calm and unfazed. Zecora was always like that.. but that was because she had been prepared for Apple Bloom every time so far, this was probably one of those times.
"Gilda", said Apple Bloom with a grin, "ah knew ah could count on you. You shall be rewarded as promised."
"Thank you, my princess", responded Gilda, "I am honored to serve you."
"Were there any others who assisted you with the capture of Zecora?"
Gilda knew better not to lie.
"The Great and Powerful Trixie and Iron Will were both with me upon capture of Zecora, but neither one actually did anything useful to get her."
"I swear upon my pouch, this is something for which I can vouch", said Zecora.
"Hmmm", said Apple Bloom, "well, ah suppose that they don't deserve any money then."
"I have one reason to object", said Zecora, "they are your loyal subject."
"Ideally, everyone should be my loyal subject.. no matter what happens."
"You must be having a ball", said Zecora, "I have noticed Tirek is building the wall."
"It is to keep the undesirables away from my kingdom.. unless I desire to kill an undesirable of course."
"Of course", said Zecora, "you are as strong as a horse."
"Can you stop the rhyming shtick, please", said Apple Bloom with irritation, "it really annoys me. Ah have decided. Gilda gets 100% of the reward. The other two get nothing."
"Thank you", said Gilda with a bow, "may your reign be one of longevity and prosperity."
"It shall be", said Apple Bloom.
A giant sack of money appeared from thin air. One hundred thousand bits. All for Gilda.
Gilda grinned and flew away with the sack.
"So, it is now you and me", said Apple Bloom, "you showed me some scary things back at your hut."
"Tirek? Oh yes, I have shown you the truth. Your father has done some awful things."
"I know.. but aren't I even worse?"
"You can still do the right thing."
"I am beyond that, Zecora."
"Your blood may have evil inside, but you are more than your blood. You can control your own destiny."
"Oh no", snarled Apple Bloom, "you want me to give up my power and let the fucking undesirables roam free again. You are disgusting, you know that."
"But you know what you're doing is hurting others?"
"Of course, but ah am an alicorn princess now. The end justifies the means."
"Just remember.. Tirek killed your mother in a fit of jealous rage. What would stop Tirek from doing the same to you?"
Apple Bloom sighed. She knew that Zecora was right about that, but was that a chance Apple Bloom should be willing to take?
"Daddy", shouted Apple Bloom.
Tirek appeared from outside and said, "yes, my Princess."
"Please take Zecora to the dungeon. She will stay there until ah decide her fate."
"Good filly", said Tirek, "you have kidnapped the one who has been making your life miserable. Always destroy those who opt to do such things."
Tirek picked up Zecora and took her to the dungeon which was in an underground cellar towards the back of the castle.
Apple Bloom facehoofed. How the hell could she let Zecora engage her in a conversation like this? But how could Apple Bloom trust Tirek? Would her own father try to kill her? Tirek killed somepony else he "loved". Apple Bloom was so confused. Did she even really want to be an alicorn ruling all of Equestria? It was what her father wanted for her.. Apple Bloom needed some time to reflect to figure out exactly what she wanted out of life.