SWWC: Something Wrong With Canterlot

by Lighttone GryphonStar

File 11: Month 13-Part 1: Best Mates

Thirteen months after the fall of Canterlot, the outside of Equestria had yet to be fully hit by the hellish evils within the borders. Griffinstone was the nearest country to the east and even it didn't know the truth of it all. Instead, any trade between the two countries halting was barely noticed. Rather, they just chose to increase trading with other countries like the Dragon lands.

This was the main reason that Garble was here. But he didn't care as he would give anything for more rematches with a certain griffin. The two clashed again in the capital's town square. Griffins on all sides booed at the might of Garble as he walked to the stage. They switched to cheering as his opponent arrived for another go.

Gilda jumped out with beers, muffins, and rocks for her fans. Her dragon opponent couldn't help but admire her joy in the grand entrance. His eyes hovered over her green skirt jumping around her wide hips, the sleeves bouncing over the powerful arms muscles, and her wicked sharp beak that could match any dragon's teeth.

Garble flexed back in return, bending his back all the way, showing off his long lane of spines. He threw his head up and spat fire over the feather of every griffin. Ending his show with thick reps of his arm muscles. Moving like a serpent over the chairs and the rings to the stage.

Both stopped at a table in the center of the arena as an old griffin approached. They placed their arms in position, waiting for him to press them together. "Okay, this is round thirteen. Our Gilda has six wins, tied with the opponent, Garble. After an hour's break, this final one will decide it."

"Yes!" Garble laughed as he locked his hand. Gilda winked back at him and pushed back in return.

"Okay... And go!" With that the old griffin jumped back and let the two begin.

The arm-wrestling matches between these two were always so fearsome. Garble and Gilda had no equal, except in each other's eyes. Their might grew with each passing second.

They pushed against the table as their bodies twisted. Both growled and grunted as they both pressed together. Garble held up, keeping the table in place with one claw while his other one pushed the opposite way. Gilda struggled against his might, pulling her entire upper body back, and pressing Garble's claw toward her end of the table.

The crowd gasped in amazement at the power of the two as they kept pushing. Gilda's eyes were closed, holding back a powerful roar of victory as Garble's eyes were watching the table. He couldn't help but enjoy the view of her body pushing against her tight vest, her white mane swaying across her face when frustrated.

Gilda saw her opponent staring deeply into her. She loved how much he admired her roughness, but she didn't want him to know this either. Keeping a stern face and breathing harder to push him back. She hid her own view of his impressive form.

Garble didn't let her see him smirking in return. He played back just as hard, stretching the muscles of his body. His eyes still focused on the table as the strength built between them. The cheering got louder and louder as their arms flipped back and forth between victory and loss.

With a roar, Gilda braced Garble's claw back down to the table, pushing him mere centimeters in her spot. Flames built up in Garble's mouth as he tried to hold her back and regain control. The griffin licked her beak as the taste of victory was so close.

Without warning a loud bell echoed in the back of Garble's head. Gilda's eyes widened in return as she felt his lose of concentration, unable to hear the noise echoing in his head. This single flinch was enough to break the contest for both of them and Gilda claimed victory.

The audience was left in utter shock but cheered regardless at the sheer excitement. The old griffin ref announced his granddaughter the winner. Garble had to admit defeat to her and clap at the fight they put up for the crowd. Gilda tried to laugh it off only to stop as the dragon winced from the bell noise again.

This time it was so loud that it brought him to the ground. He grabbed his chest and gasped for air. The rest of the griffins around him cheered at his triumph, not seeing or hearing what he was.

Gilda glared at her opponent and swung away from the audience with her wings. "Okay, what just happened?" She rushed over and grabbed him by the collar.

"You can't hear it!" Garble finally screamed in pain. His reaction pushed them all back, except for Gilda. The griffin sat down beside him and wrapped her claws around his head.

"What's happening?" Gilda's voice was suddenly so soft.

"If I'm the only one that can hear it then there's only one thing it could be." He broke the embrace and looked toward the border of Equestria. "The sound is a warning, aimed at the source of danger..." He pointed at the edge of the two kingdoms.

"What do you mean? Who could have sent this warning?" Gilda helped him to stand. "Rainbow Dash, Twilight Sparkle, maybe Spike."

"No, only one can send this kind of warning..." He turned toward his country's border, in the south. "The Dragon Lord."

"What?" Gilda laughed at his words, breaking the mood of everything. "That old giant monster dare to interrupt the best fighters in all the lands."

"Fighters as in plural?" Garble raised an eyebrow at her words.

"Did I stutter?" Gilda crowed at him. "That guy wants help then he better expect the full force of the best!!" She raised her claw at the audience. They cheered in return, even louder than before.

Garble growled, knowing his pride wouldn't allow him to accept any other option. She was just as stubborn as him, maybe more so. It was a part of her that he enjoyed the most. She never backed down from anything and stood her ground. But there were details that her kind was unaware of, so Garble stopped her. "Are you sure? None of the spies we've sent into Equestria have returned lately."

"Sounds like they were cannon fodder compared to us." She wrapped his claw in her, forcing him to hide his blush. "We'll rip those problems apart with these claws!!" She held their intertwined claws to the cheering voices. "I'll be damned if I let you go alone without another rematch."

"Right." His eyes softened at her words. "Let's get this over with and have another thirteen matches when we return!"

"That's the spirit!"

******

Author's Note:

This one might seem the most seperate from the nine characters, but remember Stone is a dragon hybrid. This detail will making this chapter very important when he arrives in later chapters.