The Lost Treasure of Glitterdust, Part one
Twilight Gets a Puppy
Season 5
By TDR
The Lost Treasure of Glitterdust,
Part one
[Griffonstone, capitol of the nation of Aerie]
“Wow.” Pinkie Pie frowned.
“I knew the place was bad, but damn.” Rainbow Dash offered.
Rahs looked out over the landscape around them with a frown of his own. At first glance this place looked abandoned with crumbling buildings, a ruined castle in the highest point, with weeds and garbage everywhere.
Even watching the ruined landscape for a while one could only see a few griffons even moving around the place. For a place that was supposed to be the greatest city of the Griffon race, it looked more like a run down slum on some backwater pirate island some where.
“Things have not gone well for the griffons since the reign of King Guto. The first King of Griffons united the race and raised Aerie into an empire equal to, if not greater, than Equestria back in it's prime. They held lands that were part of the Crystal Empire when it was still a Equss spanning nation and the two often fought. Then the Empire fell and the Griffons expanded their borders. The main drive behind all this was the fabled Idol of Boreas, a symbol of national pride, though no one knows what it actually was or even did.” Prince explained. “There are only a few records here and there and some of their old Jess coins show images of the idol on one side with former kings on the other.”
Rahs blinked as he listened, Pinkie Pie glanced back at him and Rainbow Dash sighed.
“Yeah and all that came crashing down due to the last King Guto. Careful mentioning him around here as his names sort of a swear word to Griffons.” Rainbow Dash added.” The castle was invaded by an Arimaspi, or maybe that was the name of the guy, whatever, it came in took the idol and ran off with it.”
“This was only a few years before the war of the night and the creature was possibly one of Solomon's followers.” Prince offered. “The king stopped the creature, but the idol was lost into the Abysmal Abyss, and since that point the downfall of the nation started. They joined the war, but they lost a lot of territory to the Empire before it fell and they never bothered to reclaim it. During the war many of the nations heroes were lost and just after the war the god of Griffons retired and passed the power on to another, the current God of Griffons, Lockheed. Lockheed was a warrior not a politician so while there was conflict, his leadership kept the griffons going. When the war of Night and the Equestrian civil war ended the army he gathered started to splinter into differing factions following their own motives.”
“Dude made a last ditch effort to attack Equestria to keep his forces focused because he thought Equestria had been weakened by the war. Princess Celestia bitch slapped him back across the border and decimated the forces he brought.” Rainbow Dash added. “After that a deal was struck and over time most of the griffons who could afford it moved to Equestria.”
“Actually a lot of them used political leverage to not only move to Equestria but to live on Celestia's bit with calls of diplomatic issues and ambassadorial duties. Griffonstone despite supplying nothing to Equestria had the biggest ambassadorial corps and budget until recently. Even the God of Griffons maintained a residence in Equestria.” Prince continued. “Three years ago my aunt had enough of it and banished all the nobles and griffons that were living on her bit back to Aerie. Of course having lived off Equestria's bit and ignoring their own people for so long, they were not greeted warmly on their return. Some fled after they were attacked and robbed of everything they brought with them, some had enough bits to hire their own personal guards to protect them, but all of them are in dire straights and there's not a single griffon that will listen to any of them without being paid.“
“So you can get anything you want with enough bits, but you can't get anything with a Jess any more. I think the current rate is something like ten thousand Jess to one Equestrian bit. Melting the coins down for the metal pays more than an actual Jess, so they don't even make them any more. It's better to just sell the metal than try and stamp it.” Rainbow finished.
Rahs and Pinkie Pie both stared at her curiously. Rainbow jabbed a hoof out pointing at Prince who simply smiled smugly.
“Well that's a great history lesson, but what are we supposed to do here?” Pinkie Pie asked with a sigh.
“That's rather what I hope you would tell me.” A large griffon demanded as he landed on the deck nearby with a heavy thud.
The griffon standing on the deck was not a pretty bird. The bird was scarred, with a oddly shaped beak and clearly carried a bit of weight on him though he wasn't fat. He seemed a cross between a tiger and cassowary with his black feathers and faded blue head, the feline part of him was a deep gray almost hiding the black stripes. He had a slight list to one side as he settled down ignoring the guards that rushed to intercept him. He stared at the ponies and moon dog before him with the air of some one who, when they asked a question, it got answered.
In particular though his gaze was focused on Rahs.
Prince blinked a moment in confusion not recognizing him, though Pinkie Pie spoke up.
“Hi Mr. Thunderbolt.” Pinkie Pie waved, having thrown a party for all the former prisoners back when the Crystal Empire had been freed.
The griffon blinked. “Miss Pie was it?”
“Yuppers. I haven't seen you in years!” Pinkie Pie chimed up. ”How have you been?”
Thunderbolt blinked, completely thrown off his angry looming by the cheerful pony.
“Thunderbolt? Prince Thunderbolt? Of the Fairchild Republic?” Prince asked in surprise.
“Pfft. The republic no longer exists and hasn't for nearly eight hundred years.” Thunderbolt huffed. “ And I can hardly be a prince of nothing. Now then, why is an Equestrian ship coming towards Griffonstone? This city may not be much anymore but it's still my home and I will defend it.”
“To be fair we don't really know, we were sent here by a tree.” Pinkie Pie explained.
“What.....?” Thunderbolt raised an eyebrow.
“It's a bit of a story, but we can catch you up on it if you like.” Prince sighed trying to be diplomatic as he waved the guards back. ”Though first introductions, you seem to know Pinkie Pie, she is the Element bearer of laughter.”
“She is not some one easily forgotten.” Thunderbolt sighed.
“This is Rainbow Dash, bearer of the Element of Loyalty.” Prince continued.
“I question that, given the stories I've heard.” Thunderbolt snorted.
“What was that? Who do you think you are?” Rainbow huffed tensing up before him.
“The one who bore that Element before you.” Thunderbolt stated making Rainbow blink and step back with his glare.
“Yes, well. I'm Prince Blueblood...” Prince offered moving between Rainbow Dash and the griffon.
“A Prince?” Thunderbolt raised an eyebrow.
“No, that's my name, Prince.” Prince offered with the long suffering air of someone having had to explain this all his life.
“And the Witch Wolf?”
“Woof.” Rahs responded.
“He says he's a moon dog.” Pinkie Pie adds in.
“I fought and killed your kind for years.” Thunderbolt frowned. “There isn't a difference as far as I care.”
“Perhaps a thousand years ago this was true Thunderbolt. “ Prince placated. “ But this is Rahs Sparkle, one of the four who was primarily responsible for freeing the Crystal Empire when it returned.”
Thunderbolt blinked raising an eyebrow at Rahs who returned the look impassively.
“Hmmph.” Thunderbolt offered. “ Tell your pilot to set down in the courtyard of the castle ruins. No one but me lives there now and if you land any where else some griff is going to charge you a stupid amount of bits to park.”
Thunderbolt pointed to the ruins of the castle before taking off again. The large bird seemed rather ponderous as he took off but once in the air seemed much more comfortable.
“Well. This could be useful for information.” Prince smiled.” Perhaps we can figure out why we were sent up here sooner than I thought.”
Aria sighed dropping down into the deck of the boat and rubbing her temples with her hooves as she stared at the sky.
The Song Fishies had been parked in a cove a few miles from the main city of Griffonstone and was hidden well enough that even had they the inclination, the griffons wouldn't find it. She didn't want to get any closer to the city as the river turned harsh and fell into a massive gorge that she hadn't been able to see the bottom of from the top. So she had parked much further up river having come in from the north.
While they had made it to where their father had put a mark on the map, there was nothing here.
As far as Aria could tell this entire country was one big run down slum. Hell, she had gone through slums in the human world that were less slummy than this place.
Adagio had of course set herself up almost instantly even without the stone she easily could control the griffons around here and get them to do her bidding, rather impressive for how greedy they tended to be with their bits.
Sonata had gone out and made a friend.... sorta. Aria found she had been hanging around with a griffon hen who was selling scones, and she had some how convinced the griffon to let her help make them, which had some how improved the former rocks into something that was at least edible.
Sonata had claimed her goal was to teach the griffon to make proper cakes and such as well so she would have a source of sweets while there.
Aria figured her sister was just bored and didn't want to get in the way of her and Adagio's fighting.
Adagio was still pissed at her, and while the eldest siren was the best at magic, Aria had been the bruiser of sorts for all the plans Adagio had ever made, and was a decent enough fighter she probably could have joined the Neighlantis guard if her mother had allowed it. Which she hadn't. Still it was enough to make Adagio pause before trying to confront her on something. This wasn't the first and it would doubtfully be the last time the pair fought. Aria went along with things easily enough usual, though if something got her worked up she wasn't going to be moved.
At the moment the pair were not on speaking terms and while that was fine with Aria, it was also boring as fuck.
There was nothing for her to do in this place, the griffons didn't have any tech worth a damn and there was no use for her engineering skills, so for the most part she stayed on the ship to guard it. Adagio occasionally popped in to see if anything had changed before going back to her minions. Sonata at least came back every night to sleep before running off to harass that Gilda griffon or whoever it was.
Aria wasn't dumb enough to tempt fate by saying anything out loud, but damn was she bored.
[ Ponyville Sweet Apple Acres]
“He's gone?” Twilight gasped.
“Yup sorry bout that Twi.” Applejack offered as she checked on a tree that was blooming despite being the middle of winter. The crystal tower barn was still somehow keeping off the worst of the winter weather despite it having been years since the spire landed on the farm.
“He, Sunset, and Granny headed up to Canterlot today to talk to a few folks about the zap apple production. After all that went on with the Richs we got a bunch of other folks who want ta buy inta tha stock. We're still the only farm in Equss that produces zap apples so it's a pretty big deal.” Applejack concluded.
“ Oh.. well do you know when he's supposed to be back?” Twilight asked.
“He didn't tell yah?” Applejack frowned at that oddity. “ They're gonna be up there a couple of days with how many folks want a cut of the crop. Prolly gonna be negotiating fer tha whole time. Princess Celestia's letting them stay in tha castle so we dun have tah worry bout hotel costs. Granny could use a little pampering ah suppose.”
“Yeah okay...” Twilight sighed and vanished in a flash of teleportation leaving Applejack to wonder what was wrong.
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Uh oh, I'm sensing a potential breakup in the later future.
I'd imagine not
Relationship troubles
And 3...2...1.... Ent're Rahs Sparkle
I wonder what's up with Big Mac
*Meanwhile in the Crystal Empire*
Chrysalis: “Cadance, honey, would you please stop pacing. You’ve been at it for three day—“
Shining Armor: “Non-stop.”
Chrysalis: “—and are wearing a you sized groove in the Crystal floor.”
Cadance: “Something. Is. Wrong.”
Chrysalis: “You’re scheduled to meet with your—“
Cadance: “Not with that! One of my ships!”
…
Chrysalis: “Do I want to know where this red hot righteous fury is coming from?”
Twilight and Mac are on the outs... Did he not know she was working towards making him immortal?
Also, that was some good world building at the start! Also, RD getting called out... Oof. Deserved? We will see.
I'm not sure what's up with Mac and his resistance to immortality, but my relationship drama meter is burying the needle in the "lack of communication" wavelength.
10800671
the Bunny has flat out said that THAT is not the case in his Discord, any Foals (or hatchlings/pups whatever) r going to be a long time coming if they ever come at all
Oh crap, I forgot this is where the Sirens went
10800638
Deep in thought I bet. Your girlfriend suddenly come at you and said 'Let's become immortal' is enough to make most sane men in a daze for weeks.
10800792
It's not exactly sudden. Searching back, they discussed it as far back as Indonesian damsel manifestation, part 2, in the middle of last season.
10800825
Did she actually talk to Big Mac about it? I don't recall. Because if she did, there is no reason to ask his permission now since he already gave her an answer.
10800835
Yes she did. it's not mentioned whether he gave a definitive yes/no though.
Why do I so imagine random griffins seeing sombra and then try to sue him for damages during his reign of the crystal empire
10800904
They tried to do that with Luna when she came back. It didn't work.
10800930
I know lol but bits will be bits though defo dash and gild as argument will be brought up as to why the Griffin prince dislikes her as loyalty
It's not really all that hard to see the reason for his attitude AND it isn't baseless at that considering that the "Republic" isn't even a proper slum as it's to run down to the point of ruins.
To be honest, Gilda was the ONE that was trying for anything even in the cartoon.
The 8th Rank Is a good story of what the cute little cat-bird can do
I figure that Granny will have words here soon enough
Also,
There is NOTHING wrong with world building IF done correctly or thorough enough to make up for that when it helps the story
"And that's just the way we like it!"
Awwww,come on!!!! I know it makes sense for Prince to know all this but... but.... Grandpa Gruff!!!!!
"We export diplomats. Because we don't want to deal with those pompous twits either."
Ponkers gonna be Ponkers and that is why we love her.
That's just because as the splinter of the consciousness of an eldritch being that your mind gives the form of a pony to spare your sanity, she tends to leave lasting marks on the bit of your brain that needs to make that swap at the last second.
We knew the guy was badass..... but hearing he's point blank to a Sparkle and not blinking really sells it.
The fishies just cannot catch a break!
Hi Gilda! So totaly skipping that part of the plot?
Fate has been dealing with the Sparkles for years... it's gotten cagier about this stuff.
Melancholy Book Horse is sad. And has no big pupper to give her comfort hug......
10800703
He knew, but he doesn't want it.
I don't really see there necessarily being any real issues on his end, she offered, he said no, and she took it really badly. Likely not telling her about the trip and heading off is his way of giving her a few days to work this out and deal with it.
Thunderbolt has gravitas, but because of the rules, he cant nip down the Abyss to grab a shiny?
I'm kinda curious about what's up with Big Mac... He's not the kind of guy to just run off without explanation. He's gotta be thinking through some stuff... Really looking forward to his speech when he gets back!
10800835
Big Mac was actually somewhat in Favor of the spell in Season 4
10801188
10800840
I see. So we have to wait for his explanation then.
10800638
He said no to the immortality granting familiar spell so Twilight is a bit off right now.
10803211
Well that's good, because if the Buffyverse taught me anything, the Powers That Be are a-holes.
10803165
See, this is the attitude that I don't like, and does come through in the parts I'm picking at most of the time.
Events changing just cause, well things are rather massively different in this timeline, and these characters have marked differences in both past and just overall personality. Yeah that is natural and going to happen.
But then you have cases like here, where that attitude of "Canon was a bunch of stupid idiocy, here's how a non-idiot would deal with it." takes center stage, that is where I find fault. Especially since the vast majority of the time, that founding idea of how 'stupid' the events were in canon ends up being faulty to begin with. Which is not to say that there aren't points where... yeah characters get idiot balls crammed down their throat for the sake of the plot, but they are neither as prevalent as the jabs the story tends to make would have them seem, nor often a case of "Things had to be dumbed down because it's a kids show". It's just plain old, regular bad/lazy writing. Which again, is not all that often.
The point I was bringing up with that issue of Fluttershy just skipping right to knowing the moral without having to learn it and missing the whole point of the ep, was not being salty, or upset, or anything that the story didn't follow the events of canon, it was the way it brought up those events, seemingly just to dismiss them as pointless that was the issue. It was the execution of things, not the change itself. It just took me out of the story for those lines because it felt like the story was just taking time out to pat itself on the back over how much better it is and rubbing in how it 'fixed' issues that were never issues in the first place.
I mean it's bad enough to have that attitude that being aimed at kids automatically means it can't be as good as more 'mature' stories implied by that wording.... Sir Pterry's Tiffany Aching books would like a word about that... but I'm not really seeing where the story being more 'for adults' discounts the stuff it brushes off since that aspect mostly falls to a lot more cracks, jokes, innuendos, and references to sex, and the occasional swerve into super dark moments... which we've already covered I don't think the story really handles as well as it does other things.
Okay getting long-winded.... core point is, it's not the changes happening that I'm pointing as being issues, it's when the story does so in a very mean spirited, 'there we avoided that idiocy' feeling way.
At first, I was thinking the ‘intense’ sixth interest of Rahs’ was going to be Tempest. Then, Aria showed up. Now we are in Gryphonstone, and I recall a certain gryphoness eyeing up the moon dog before she left Ponyville. The potential is everywhere!
Trouble in lovetown... To be fair... Its a big decision!
Lore and world building i love to read and re-reading
Lockheed should really pass on his God status on Thunderbirdy because as a mortal he kicks ass. As god he might even trump Celestias mighty Equestria!
Tbe plot thickens... it should probably lay off the cake before it becomes li- *explosion*
Big Mac was already a hulking stallion, if he get any more jacked than he will transform Twilight into a cocksock the next time they party hard.
Maybe Big Mac and Flash Sentry meet now and negotiate how to make a cream filled purple Sandwich?