//------------------------------// // Chapter 4: Unfortunate Entanglements // Story: Daring Do and the Sword of Excalibur // by Silver Malice //------------------------------// Daring finished her story with a rack sob, still lying upon the floor of the private study. Around her both Dash and Twilight sat dumbfounded, completely floored by Daring’s tale. Dash looked as if she had a dozen thoughts and feelings ranging through her mind all at once, and was not able to decide which one was the most appropriate to use. Twilight--always the more sensible one, was bit more collected herself. Although her eyes were now glazed and her head tilted as if in deep thought. The purple alicorn contemplating an exact plan of attack given all this new information. Despite this however, it was clear that neither of the two mares, felt comfortable enough to actually comfort Daring, whose eyes were all red from crying. The adventuress looked so pitiful now, especially with her head laid low in shame. The silence between them, soon grew too uncomfortable to stand. So Dash being Dash had to break it before they all went nuts. “H-How…How could y-you?!” she managed to growl, finally falling upon anger as her chosen response. “I couldn’t take care of a child Rainbow, I can barely take care of myself! I travel most of the time, I also face villains, monsters, and danger on an hourly basis! What possible kind of childhood do you think that would be like? snarled Daring. “An awesome one,” retorted Dash snarkily. Daring could only give her a sour look, finally able to look into the other mares eyes. She flickered her attention briefly to Twilight, who was still lost in her own thoughts, not focusing on either of them. The golden-brown mare, then returned to staring at Rainbow Dash. “I think it’s a bit more complicated then that, wouldn’t you agree?” asked Daring. She had hoped that would be the end of it, but of course Rainbow couldn’t let the conversation end there. “Yeah let’s see, kill the kid or abandon her, very complicated huh?” shot back Dash. “Very easy to judge eh Rainbow, but tell me when was the last time you were pregnant with a child born of magic, pursued by ancient griffon mages, in search of a sword of world altering power?” demanded Daring. “Yeah well Daring, I might not know what that’s like,” replied Dash. “But when was the last time you checked up on her? Ever see how she’s doing?” “You think I never wanted too?! Every day I think of her, but if I was too go back there and Mordrue was watching, I’d lead him right to her!” Rainbow had no swift retort at hoof, and instead cast her eyes down, realizing Daring had a point about that. “Regardless of that, he’s found her anyway,” spoke Twilight finally. The purple alicorn was no longer sitting there lost in her thoughts. Instead she was standing now, and made her way over to Daring. Lending her a hoof, Twilight helped pull the golden-brown mare to her feet. “Daring, I cannot imagine how hard that decision was, so i cannot judge you for it. But we have to work together now, Celestia needs to be told and Scootaloo needs to be warned.” “You’re right Twilight, I need to do what I should have done then, tell princess Celestia what’s going on. If she was able to seal Mordrue away before, she can do it again.” replied Daring. The adventuring mare deciding they needed to get out of the ball as soon as possible. Checking to make sure the coast was clear, Daring led the other two mares out of the study and back into the main ballroom. Twilight now, was beside Daring with Dash bringing up the rear. The trio made their way over to Daring’s writers table, conversing silently with each other. “So Twilight, you go and tell Celestia what’s going on, while Rainbow Dash and I will go back to Ponyville and make sure Scootaloos alright,” laid out Daring. “Oh yeah we’re gonna kick that old griffons tail-feathers, if he even thinks of trying to touch her!” cheered Rainbow, her outburst causing several ponies to look over in their direction, causing Rainbow to lower her head once more. She suddenly wore a deep blush about her cheeks as she realized she had been too loud, again. “Sorry,” she whispered to the two glaring mares beside her. “With any luck then, we can have this conflict resolved by Scootaloo’s birthday tomorrow night,” furthered Twilight, flicking her mane back from her eyes. “I think everything is finally under control.” At that chosen moment, a resounding cacophony of breaking glass and panicked screaming echoed throughout the ballroom, as a dozen griffons smashed through several of the large glass pane windows. As the ponies below made quick pace to avoid the raining shattered glass, the terrifying forms of griffons in battle armor circled above them, exploding with the ferocious shrieks of the predator birds they were. Daring reacted on instinct, grabbing Twilight and Dash by their hooves, and leading them towards the rear exit of the ballroom. Both mares allowed themselves to be taken, too surprised to take the initiative. Above them several of the griffons began making diving runs on the guests, while several others made for the exits to cut off any of chance of escape. The privileged and rich ponies of high society were unused to such barbarity and began a massive panic. Rushing back and forth and crying out like mad, they created the perfect distraction for the trio, cluttering up the ballroom, and distracting the horde above. Daring brought the two of them to the side entrance to the ballroom, running through the corridor they passed several of the gala’s bouncers who were racing to the main room. The sound of cawing and fighting soon wafted down the halls as the bouncers came upon several of the griffon soldiers. “Quickly we have to get out of here now!” cried Daring. Twilight and Dash followed her closely neither of them really interested in facing a gaggle of griffons armed to the beaks. Rainbow Dash and Twilight prepped their wings, ready to launch as soon as they got outside, Daring already had her wings raised. They passed through the corridor and into the front entrance; Finding it all empty. All the bouncers had all gone to face the griffons, who had routed them easily, what with the bouncers being unarmed. The griffons had decided soon after, to give their search and destroy mission an intermission. Currently they were taking the opportunity to rob Equestria’s finest elites of their valuables. As soon as they met the fresh night air of outside, the trio set off, their wings flapping and carrying them off the gala steps. Once more thrown into the night sky, they directed their way back towards the castle. Just as they thought they were home free, a terrifying eagle shriek came from behind them. The three mares looking behind only to see several more griffons in hot pursuit, the metal of their talons glinting in the moonlight. Daring dropped back a bit until she was flush with Twilight and Rainbow. While wanting to keep them all together, Daring could sense that the other two mares were clearly distressed and worried. “Sticking together might not be the best solution here!” considered Daring. “We have to split-up!” She hollered over the wind as they sped along. “They’ll follow me, Twilight you get to the castle and the princess, they won’t follow you there!” Twilight nodded in agreement, having just thought the exact same thing. She took the initiative herself and prodded Dash towards the adventuress. Twilight’s own wings flapping as fast and as hard as they could, as she pulled away from the other two. “Dash go with Daring Do! Go help Scootaloo, I’ll get Celestia!” Twilight called to her. The rainbow pegasus nodded and took herself a position beside Daring, just as Twilight began to drop lower towards the street. Daring and Dash watched her go, maintaining their altitude; turning instead to face the oncoming griffons. The griffons themselves stopped mid-air, unsure if they should stay on the pair or follow the purple one getting away. Both groups now entered an intense stare off. Deciding to make the griffons minds up for them, Daring looked over to Dash. Making sure she was able to see into each others eyes, both mare’s lips curling into a grin as they turned back to face their attackers. Daring lifted one of her hooves and took Rainbow’s own outstretched hoof in turn. That’s when they both launched themselves towards the griffons, both mares accelerating so fast, their rainbow trails mixed together forming a colorful ball with a blazing tail. The pair together were like a multicolored wrecking ball, smashing into the startled griffons like a tidal wave. Their combined impact sending the soldiers careening through the air like bowling pins. Breaking apart the two pegasi spun around and darted right back where they came from. They had successfully made themselves the full attention of the griffon soldiers. Daring and Dash zoomed over the top of Canterlot, heading for the edge of the mountain, several flights of enraged griffons now following close behind, having been joined by the group from the ball. The commotion above had set the streets of Canterlot ablaze with activity, the pony citizens looking up with surprise and shrieks at the horde of griffons flying above them. As they were nearing the edge of Canterlot, a brown blur dropped from above and slammed into Daring, dragging her down with it to the city street below. Rainbow was taken by surprise preparing herself to follow, when she became aware of the fifty odd griffons bearing down on her. Despite her sense of loyalty to stay and help Daring, Rainbow knew she couldn’t help now, not with fifty of them at her back. Although while she might not be able to help Daring directly, she could however, lead these fifty griffons on a chase far away from her. Turning her back on the approaching horde she gave a loud shout of teasing. “Come on you bunch of shiny looking rejects, let’s see which one of you can catch me!” she cat called before speeding off, leaving the rest the griffons panting behind. The flying soldiers practically strained themselves as they pursued her with all their might, many of them laden down with the valuables they had stolen from the high class ponies. ~ Daring had been winded when the brown blur smashed into her, a pair of sharp claws fastening about her shoulders before dragging her down. She had tried to brace herself against the impact of the cobble street, but being sucker punched had shaken her. Landing hard on the pavement she rolled into a ball, rolling away from her attacker. Despite achieving distance from the unknown party, she was having trouble catching her breath as her ribs ached from the impact. Leaping to her feet as fast as she was able, she turned her gaze back to the mysterious attacker. Giving a cry of surprise to find herself staring at a familiar brown and white griffon, with a metal beak and pair of burning red eyes. “Dukat?!” exclaimed Daring in surprise. “Pony, so we meet again. And this time my family isn’t here to save you!” snarled the ferocious looking warrior. “I don’t need them to kick your tail,” retorted Daring. The griffon gave only a wild shriek before he launched himself towards her, slashing with his metal claws at her face. Daring easily dodged the blow and brought her own hoofs to bear in retaliation. The two of them swatted and struck at one another back and forth, each one blocking or dodging the others blows. As both of them kept at it, they carried their dance over the cobble streets of Canterlot’s town center. The pair and their dual was an unavoidable sight for the masses of Canterlot citizens watching from the safety of their shops and doorways. Dukat was an adept warrior, never using the same attack twice. As he pressed his attack, he was certainly giving Daring a run for her bits. Every-time he tried one tactic, he would switch to another, or diversify his blows. Sometimes he would aim for her flank, other times her head, she had even had to start looking out for his beak. The metal tip narrowly missing her neck on several occasions. Daring had to give the griffon credit, he was truly an impressive soldier, she hadn’t faced off against such an opponent in an age. Daring however, had her own strategy for such opponents. While Dukat was adept, he was also big, his thrusts and blows carrying with them a lot of strength and energy. This meant he was expending quite a bit of his strength in trying to cut her down. Daring only had to make sure he kept using up that energy to get her chance. For she had been growing angrier and angrier as they went back and forth. Daring was tired of fighting griffons, she was tired of having herself and her friends in constant danger, and she hated having to fight once again. Her hatred for the situation slowly mutated into hate against Dukat, the griffon becoming the physical representation of all that tormented and threatened her. After a few more minutes of their violent dance, she began to see her strategy work. The bigger and heavier griffon had begun to falter. Each of his blows became slower and weaker than the last. Daring could now see more openings in his defenses, the faltering of his advance, and so began to press her own attack. Her hooves were like bee stings, striking the griffon warrior in his chest, stomach, and sides. They were sharp short blows, quick and forceful, leaving a sting and mark, with the aim to cause pain and disorient her foe. He weakly swung his talons which Daring easily ducked, now able to unleash her wrath upon him. Her blows rolled off one after another, delivering a series of brutal strikes and raps against his body, driving him back again and again. Daring was only seeing red now, her only desire to pummel this griffon into the ground. To make him hurt, to make him pay for all her hate and anger. Finally she had scored enough hits that Dukat was barely able to stand on his own feet, swaying back and forth. This gave her the leeway to roll onto her back, making sure she had enough strength in her hind hooves. Like a coiled trap she drew back her hind legs, then delivered a whack that struck him hard, sending the griffon flying backwards through one of the shop windows. The red veil across her eyes still stuck with her, having not ended with the griffon going through the window. Daring’s desire for more burned bright in her as she hopped through the shattered opening and landed beside the whimpering griffon. Dukat was definitely out of the fight, the glass had not cut him that bad, but the force of the blow had taken all the strength out of him. This was not enough for Daring, she didn’t want him hurt, she wanted him dead. The mare glaring at his prone body, the anger and hatred growing hotter inside of her. With a haunting smirk, she brought one of her hooves across his chest and forcefully pressed it to the griffons throat. The warrior’s red eyes widening as her hoof cut off his source of oxygen, his weakened body barely able to struggle as the adventuress slowly killed him. Daring paid no heed to the frantic flopping of the large griffon beneath her, the hoof on his throat only pressed harder. She began staring with him eye to eye, wanting to watch him die, to see the life fade from his red eyes. She just wanted all of this to be over; thirteen years of worry, pain, and heart-ache blinding her to her current actions or the consequences. As she watched his eyes starting to bulge from the lack of air, that small voice of reason, the one she had been ignoring up till now, came back into focus. This was not her, it went against everything she believed in and stood for. She was not a murderer or a killer. Dukat was no threat now, and even if she killed him, it would not stop the hundred or more griffons still after her. “It wouldn’t stop the ones searching for my daughter either,” she thought. What finally made her mind up was the flashing image of Gilda that kept breaking through the barrier she had erected in her mind. Remembering, that this griffon was her father, and his life was not hers to take. The red mist slowly left her vision as she came to that realization, and her rationality soon returned. Lifting her hoof away from Dukat’s throat the golden-brown mare stepped back, watching as the griffon sputtered for breath and filled his needy lungs. “That had been too close,” she thought to herself, a look of horror and regret across her muzzle. She had almost crossed a line she could not come back from, and it truly scared her. As she turned to leave the shop through the window, she could hear the groan of the fallen griffon behind her. “W-why?” he hoarsely grunted. . Daring hung her head in thought, would a warrior like him understand? Would he even know the difference between murder and self defense? Stumped, she just stood there, wondering to herself how to answer him, or even if she should. Finally she came upon a solution that felt right, that she felt needed to be said. “Because of Gilda,” she replied, before leaving through the window, not waiting for his response. Although, as she left she could have sworn she had heard a stark sob. ~ Twilight fled along the cobble streets, her wings keeping her just above the ground, not willing to go any higher in-case she was spotted. She hated having to leave daring and Dash alone back there, the sound of a sonic boom and loud cluttering of armor ringing in her ears. However, she saw no other alternative, she needed to get Celestia’s help, that would be the only way they’d be safe. She could now see the main gateway of the castle looming ahead. Of course that’s when a pair of sharp talons dug into her wings, lacing a sharp pain through her entire back as she felt the pressure of another body slam on top of hers. Unable to maintain flight Twilight hit the ground hard, lighting her horn up violet, she launched a blast of magical energy around her, catching her assailant and sending them flying. As she pulled herself up she saw that one of her wings was badly torn, while a sharp cut across her back poured blood down her fur, to drip onto the cobbled steps. The griffon who had attacked her lay a ways away, having landed in an empty fruit stand out cold. Beside him landed another griffon, checking his friend before he turned towards her. Twilight’s first instinct was to run, but she knew if she did, the griffon would have a shot at her already wounded back, and she was not sure she could fly with this wing. Instead she brought her magic to bear and focused her attention on her newest assailant. The first blast she fired at him, he dodged, the second was closer but still not accurate enough to hit him. A third fired out at him, but he managed to dodge that one as well. Twilight then decided to try something new, a restraining spell, this one curling like a snake from her horn. The magical chains flew outwards and managed to snare the griffons back paws, bringing the warrior down to the ground. Glaring back at her, the griffon tried his best to struggle. Sensing this, the magical bonds extended up his form and fully chained him. Twilight now limped her way over to the restrained warrior and glared back at him. She couldn't help but notice he was very young, with a strong chest and was well built, but his yellow eyes burned angry and hot and the sneer on his face dripped venom. “How many of you are there?” she demanded from the prisoner, ignoring the smirk he gave her. “Wouldn’t you like to know Princess?” he snarled back at her. Twilight had to ignore the growing voice in her head that was telling her to constrict his magical chains and improve his manners. She couldn’t help but think however, that that was the wrong course of action. She needed his trust, not his contempt. Reaching forward she lifted her hoof to his forehead, the griffon recoiled as if expecting a blow, only to go wide eyed as she only wiped a smear of mud off his forehead from when he fell. Twilight's hooves petted over his face and shoulders, cleaning the grime from his fur and feathers. Her eyes were stern, and her mouth was curled into a frown, but the young warrior could see very little malice in her features. It clearly surprised the griffon boy because his eyes remained wide and what appeared to be a mild blush shone from under his fur. “You’re a real tough guy aren’t you, attacking defenseless ponies, terrorizing all of Canterlot, well you’re at my mercy now griffon...remember that.” “You don’t look so defenseless from down here alicorn,” retorted the griffon. “And you’re still breathing, a courtesy I highly doubt you or your friend would have extended to me.” She replied. The griffon only turned his head away at that, confirming the princesses suspicions. “Ah so you’re a killer on top of the rest, give me one reason I shouldn’t hang you from the nearest pole?” The griffon turned his eyes away for her, as if he was resigning himself to such a fate. “Kill me, it matters not. The others will finish our mission, and I’ll finally have my honor back.” Twilight frowned at this, it made interrogation harder when the suspect was actually willing to die. Inciting her magic she started to drag the chained griffon towards the castle gates. “Where are you taking me pony?” he hollered at her. “Just taking you to see princess Celestia, she can get you to talk,” replied Twilight, a tremor of malice in her voice, hoping it would be enough to scare the griffon. Unfortunately for Twilight she had been too focused on her quarry, that she had forgotten about his friend. The other griffon having awoken and taken stock of the situation as Twilight addressed his companion. Creeping up behind her, the other griffon brought the back of his talons down hard on the back of the purple princesses head. A satisfying crack echoed across the empty street as the alicorn collapsed onto the ground, and with her incapacitated, the magical chains binding the other griffon dissipated. “It would seem princess, that this tough guy is the one who has you now,” bragged the newly freed griffon warrior. The pair descending upon Twilight's unconscious form. ~ Rainbow Dash was having a bit of fun leading the griffons around the streets of Canterlot. The griffons were fast but their armor was heavy and it slowed them down, whereas Rainbow was free balling with style. She was also keeping them on their talons, often zooming right into the flock, dodging between them and causing them to crash into each other. Every-time they tried to capture her, she was able to duck and dodge their attempts. However, as the chase lingered on, Rainbow was slowly growing tired. While she could dodge and out-fly a dozen or so of the griffons, there were at least ten times that number chasing her. What’s more, she was starting to run out of tricks to use against them. Rainbow also couldn’t stop worrying about Daring and Twilight, hoping her friends had managed to escape safely. She was left with very few options, either run for the hills, or go lower where there were more obstacles. She decided to drop low to the streets, not willing to leave without knowing if her companions were okay. Her pursuers were quick to follow her, only to find they could not stick together in a spread out formation, the streets too narrow and filled with objects. Several of the griffons crashed into food stands, or closed street kiosks, the rest having to fall into a single line formation. Rainbow laughed as she saw the griffons calamity, ducking through a side alley and giving her pursuers the slip. Finding herself exiting the alley into another street, she decided the next best course of action, would be to make her way back to where she left Daring Do. As she made her way back she recognized the spot where she had lost Daring, turning around the corner only to come flying straight into a large net, which had been re-purposed from the local tennis court just down the other street. Caught in the net she dropped to the ground skidding along the stone, until she came to halt at the talons of several glaring griffons. “Told you guys, we needed a net,” boasted one. “Ah shut up!” replied another. “Uh, would you two quit that rot and help us? This blue one’s struggling like crazy over here!” hollered the griffon sitting on Rainbow Dash’s back as she struggled and kicked like mad. The rest of the griffon troops landed on top of the cyan pegasus with a vengeance, tying down the net and securing her in the tethered prison. Another griffon swooped in to hover in the air above them. “Hurry the guards are coming!” he called. The remaining griffons each grabbed a piece of the net and took off from the ground, their metal braced wings clanking loud and fierce as they spiraled into the air. Rainbow Dash suspended below them, trapped in the net, and unable to barely move. She watched as the griffons lifted her into the sky, and struggled to try and free herself, or at the very least, a hoof. A series of neighs and cries of alarm drew her attention to behind her, turning her head as far as she could, to try and catch what was going on. In the distance, coming from the direction of the castle, a flurry of golden helmets approached, the Canterlot royal guard out in full force. Dash could sense the anxiety of the griffons as they sped off in the opposite direction, not wanting to tangle with the Equestrian guard at the particular moment. Most of them were still exhausted from chasing and chaining Rainbow. The group soon joined the main flock, a variable mass of griffons hovering over the edge of Canterlot and above the valley below. That’s when one of the group pulled out a strange orb like device, Rainbow just able to catch the glowing runes etched over its surface. The griffon, chucked the orb towards the oncoming pon guards, the sphere exploding in a brilliant light that blinded Dash and made her head spin. She felt the wind accelerate around her as her captors all of a sudden erupted into movement. The cyan mare could only guess where they were going given she was still seeing stars and bright lights every time she tried to open her eyes. Her only concern was not for herself, it was for Daring, and Twilight, hoping they had made it out okay. ~ Daring indeed had made it out okay, hanging from the roof of a small clock tower in Canterlot’s main square. She had watched as the griffons carried off Rainbow in the net, she had watched as the royal guards poured from the castle gate and she had watched although briefly when the sky erupted into an explosion of noise and colors. Luckily for her she was far enough away that she was only momentarily blinded, rubbing her yes and blinking with surprise. The pony guards had not been so lucky, caught right in the main blast radius of the stun bomb, most of them now plummeted from the sky to crash onto the streets and houses. They were grabbing at their eyes, or holding their ears. She could hear them groaning and crying in surprise at their blindness even from this distance. Daring couldn’t help but feel sick, her senses returning to normal after a few minutes. Rainbow Dash was captured and she had no idea if Twilight had even made it to Celestia. The griffons were gone, having escaped under the cover of their device. Daring was now conflicted with what she should do. She could go to Celestia herself? But that would mean Dash could be left to torture and or death in the meanwhile. She also had no clue if Twilight was already with the princess, or of the princess could even see her, if she went to her. If only there was some sort of way to get a message to the princess that could not be stolen, delayed, altered or even intercepted? Wait! Didn’t Twilight once say she had a dragon for that? Yes of course, S-stan, Spork? S-Spike, Spike, that was it, yeah back in Ponyville. Daring now had a plan. It was off to Ponyville to warn the princess then she’d track down Dash and those griffons. If she could find Mordrue’s lair, all the better for when they were ready to finally take him out. A small part of her brain also chimed in; she might finally be able to see her daughter. The very thought of such a meeting gave her shivers, whether out of fear or anticipation (or a mixture of both) she could not tell. ~ Meanwhile back in Ponyville the griffons and the ponies had finally gotten the Town Hall ready for Scootaloo’s birthday. It had taken all day, working around the clock, with little rest and few breaks until they had finished their task. Once it finally was done, both pony and griffon collapsed totally exhausted from their labor. Big Mack himself, was slumped awkwardly against the finished stage. One of the larger griffons, leaned himself on the large red ponies side, both panting and barely able to move after such an ordeal. Others had slumped down on the ground or laid on the stage to take a well deserved breather. From their vantage point at the front of the Hall, Scratch and Shekel watched their fellows, as they helped the chirpy pink pony put up the last large banner, the words Happy Birthday Scoots! written across it in big red flowery letters. “There we go, okay dokey all done!” cried the pink bouncing mare, her smile and her eyes equally as big, making her quite a sight. She clapped Shekel on the shoulder rather hard and pushed past Scratch to talk to her fellow earth pony, the orange one they called Applejack. The two mares became lost in conversation, while the pair of griffons, quickly scanned over the rest of the hall, noting that their fellow spies were all as exhausted as the ponies themselves. “This is a set back, I think we're a bit too convincing. They’ve actually physically tired themselves out,” moaned Scratch, clapping his talons across his face. “It’s not like we’ve had anything else to do though. The little filly hasn’t been around here at all , not for the whole day,” replied Shekel. “True, and of course we know now, the best time to snatch her will be tomorrow night at the party,” followed up Scratch, his talons moving from his face to stroke his chin thoughtfully. His bird-brain turning like a grind stone as he planned out their strategy. “Of course we’ll need to find a place to stay tonight, then tomorrow we’ll let the others know how we’re going to do the kidnapping.” The other griffon nodded in agreement before a look of puzzlement crossed his face. Looking about Shekel tapped Scratch on the shoulder repeatedly. “Uh Scratch, where are we gonna stay for the night?” he asked questionally. Scratch had no immediate answer to that, but the conversation was left silent as both the pink and orange mares finally made their way towards the griffons. “We’d like to thank y’all fer all yer help today,” started the orange mare, the pink one beside her bouncing with joy and wearing her most unusual constant smile. “We sure would, so much thanks with tons of whipped cream and icing and chocolate, and sprinkles and cherries and nuts and just about everything else you could think of on top!” cried Pinkie Pie, hopping around the griffons who were so alarmed they gripped each other reassuringly. “What Pinkie means is that we would like to thank y’all proper,” added Applejack. “So tell your friends over ‘er that they’ll be welcome to stay at our barn t’night.” Pinkie stopped hopping beside Shekel and took one of his talons in her hooves. “You two can take my room over at the Sugar Cube Corner too, if you want. I’ll just stay with Fluttershy at her cottage tonight.” Both griffons were taken aback by such offers, their more aggressive griffon side was telling them to be suspicious, while their kinder gryphon half told them this was an offer of good faith. Ignoring both their dueling natures, both griffons took a second to reflect on the fact this was one of the first generous and kind things they had encountered in a long time. Unaccustomed to such responses, the duo were almost at a loss for words. Scratch however, had built a talent for saying things even when he had nothing of value to actually say. “That’s most kind of you, but why would you offer us that?” he asked, the genuine concern in his voice making him sound over sincere. “Well when you first arrived, ay thought y’all were gonna be more of a burden than any’thang else. I only went a’long with it, sicne it was Twilight who sent ya, but, ya’ll proved me wrong. That was some maghty good work there.” answered Applejack, a bright smile across her face as her genuine words washed over the kindness-deprived griffons. “And I was so worried that I might fall and break my hooves using that ladder, until you arrived and took care of that!” chimed in Pinkie. “Well that’s, that’s...very decent of you,” sighed Scratch. “We’d be honored and appreciate it.” The two mares gave the surprised looking pair, friendly smiles before turning around and going on their way, leaving the confused griffons alone. “Some might say this was a most fortuitous turn of events,” muttered Scratch. “But it makes my stomach turn,” answered Shekel. “We’re supposed to stab these ponies in the back tomorrow night, it doesn't make me feel right Scratch.” “No Shekel me boy, in fact the thought makes me damn sick, but we have no choice do we?” “This sucks.” “Agreed.”