It was still dark when Spirit, Rainbow Dash, and Fluttershy left Canterlot and headed toward the gryphon home of High Perch.
“I don’t why we have to ride in this thing” an upset Rainbow Dash said as she hit her hoof on the side of the carriage being
pulled by other pegasus’ “I can fly you know”
“It’s a long way to High Perch I don’t want you to get tired before we get there” Spirit answered as he looked up from a book.
“What are you reading Spirit?” Fluttershy asked as she looked over his shoulder
“It’s a book about the customs of the gryphons. They are a very proud species according to this they don’t like to follow
anyone they don’t respect.”
“You sound like Twilight, Well when they get a look at me and my amazing skills they will have no choice but to want to join
us.” Rainbow boasted
“Don’t go challenging them just yet Rainbow” the Spirit pulled a scroll from his pack “The Princess wants us to give this
scroll to the gryphon leader. Hopefully we can simply ask for their help and don’t have to spend any more time there than
necessary.”
“Ugh that’s so…lame” Rainbow said
“I don’t know” FLuttershy began “I like the idea”
“You would” Rainbow said as she fell back into her seat “Are we there yet?”
“It’ll be awhile.” Spirit said still looking at his book “Get some sleep if you want I’ll wake you when we get there.”
“Whatever” an already bored Rainbow said
“What about you?” Fluttershy asked putting a hoof on Spirits book
“Huh what about me?”
“You don’t look like you’ve slept the past three days”
“I did” the Spirit said “I took a nap…I’m sure I did” Spirit said thinking back
“Here just relax a little” Fluttershy placed a pillow behind the Spirits head
“I don’t have time to…” The Spirit was already asleep before he finished his sentence
Spirit stood in the same room where Sir Lance fought Shadow.
“How did…” he said aloud
“Knight” an evil voice said
Spirit quickly turned to see the black orb hovering silently in front of him.
“You!” the Spirit grabbed for his sword.
“That will not be needed” the orb said. Magically throwing the sword from Spirits hand, it stuck into a nearby wall. Spirit drew
back his fist to deliver a blow to the orb. His hand passed through Shadow unhindered.
“Be still” Shadow said as he knocked Spirit back and pinned him to the wall.
Spirit struggled to free himself. The orb approached the trapped knight.
“I have a deal for you knight” Shadow said as he released him
Spirit stood staring at the pulsing orb. “I won’t deal with you”
“Then I shall leave you with my offer. You cannot defeat me and you know it. Abandon your efforts and I shall send you
home.”
“Home?” the Spirit asked
“Earth” Shadow responded
“How do you…”
“That is my offer”
“Spirit wake up” a soft voice called
Spirit awoke back in the carriage a concerned Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy staring at him.
“Are you alright?” Fluttershy asked as she put a hoof to his head “You were muttering something and covered in sweat.”
“I’m fine” Spirit said catching his breath “just a nightmare”
“We’ll get ready I think we’re almost there” Rainbow said looking out the window.
“Home…” Spirit muttered to himself
Spirit moved next to Rainbow to look out the window “There it is” he pointed
“Woah” the group said
The gryphon home of High Perch consisted of many nest shaped buildings that jutted out from the side of a large mountain.
At the very top was a castle. Two gryphons approached the carriage and spoke to the pegasus’ pulling it.
“Strangers you are to go directly to the castle we will escort you.” One of the gryhons said.
The carriage was guided to a courtyard in the High Perch castle. Spirit, Rainbow and Fluttershy departed the carriage and
were met by a gryphon wearing a crown and surrounded by several royal looking gryphons.
“Welcome to High Perch travelers” the crowned gryphon boomed “it has been ages since we have had visitors.” He began
walking toward the group
“Sire” one of the gryphons called out
“You are the king gryphon I assume.” Spirit said bowing at the gryphon approached.
The king chuckled “You are correct stranger I am King Odam and I would have to assume you are the Knight of Equestria.”
The group looked at the king with a slight surprise. The king began to chuckle again. “We may be far in the mountains but
the news of your actions even reached us here and you match how other have described you. Come your journey must
have been long my advisors will see to your friends.” The king gestured to the tired pegasus’ standing by the carriage
The king led the group to a large dining hall. The king took his place at the head of a table. “Sit I’m not sure what the cooks have prepared but I’m sure you will find it to your liking.” Spirit sat in the set by the king with Fluttershy and Rainbow opposite him. Servant gryphons entered the room and placed silver plates with food in front of each of them. The king’s plate was filled with various seeds. The ponies had oats and apple themed meals. The Spirits plate was the same as the ponies. He let out a little sigh.
“Not hungry?” the king said looking up from his meal
“It’s not that it’s just that we do not have much time to linger your highness.” Spirit said pushing away his plate
“Hmmm I figured as much” the King said sadly “We never get visits during good times”
“I don’t see why” Fluuttershy said “You have a very beautiful city.”
“Why thank you” the king perked up “Now then what can I do for you?”
The Spirit handed the scroll from Celestia to the king. The king broke the seal with his sharp talon and read to himself.
“I see…” he said with the smile gone from his face “as much as I would like to help it’s not up to me.”
“What!” Rainbow Dash said as she began to hover in the air “You’re the king aren’t you?”
“That’s correct my multi colored friend.” he said
“The why can’t you help?” she said as the Spirit pulled here to the ground.
“It is the way of my people we will not follow those who have not proven themselves in our eyes.”
“A challenge then!” Rainbow yelled as she began to hover again
“Rainbow” Spirit said
“I challenge you...to whatever!” She continued
“Um…Rainbow I don’t think” Fluttershy whispered
Rainbow Dash was hovering over the king bringing her face to his.
The entire room was looking at the king and the blue colored pony. Fluttershy had sunk low in her seat, slightly peering
over the edge of the table. The Spirit was holding his head in his hand.
The king let out a loud laugh “I like you girl” he said looking at the feisty pony. “Very well tomorrow you and your friend there
will go up against our best gryphon in the Egg Migration race.”
“Alright” Rainbow said doing a loop in the dining room
“Wait I didn’t…but” Fluttershy said as she ran to the king
The Spirit was standing on a balcony at the castle that overlooked the region below.
“There you are” Rainbow called “What are you doing here the king is having a celebration for the race tomorrow”
“Just thinking” he said as he looked at the moon and Equestrian night sky
“About what?” Rainbow hovered to face the Spirit
The Spirit thought for a moment. “Rainbow what would you do if you could never return to your home?”
Rainbow Dash landed next to the Spirit thinking hard “Nothing is impossible I would do whatever it took to get back.” She said proudly
“Whatever it took huh” the Spirit said looking at her. He pulled the glowing element of hope from around his neck and
looked at it. “I’m heading to bed” he left the confused Pegasus standing in the moon light.
He passed Fluttershy as he entered the castle.
“Oh hello Spirit” she said as Spirit passed her. He didnt respond as he walked out of sight.
“What’s his problem?” Rainbow said approaching Fluttershy
“He’s homesick” Fluttershy said sadly
“What?” Rainbow said
“Think about it he’s the only one of his kind here.”
“Oh…” Rainbow said thinking back to their conversation “We have to try our best tomorrow. He is trying his best.”
“Agreed” Fluttershy told her friend.