Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash are sent into the Yaket Mountains by the Cutie Map, to heal a town of its shameful scar.
Twilight Sparkle has been sent to the isolated town of Three Feathers Rise, on behalf of her mentor, Celestia. She is joined by Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash, who by chance have been sent to the same town by the Cutie Map.
However, the three mares, now lost in the mountains of the Yaket range, are being tracked....
Three ponies slowly made their way through the Yaket mountain range, in the northwestern corner of Equestria. Below its snow-covered peaks was a maze of valleys and ravines, often covered by thick low clouds. The path they trended on was unpaved and was getting rougher with each hoof-step. This was enough for Rainbow Dash to ask the leading mare, “Twilight, are we lost?”
Twilight lifted her head up from the map she had been holding in her magic and took in her surroundings, “Ermm….” -She turns to face Dash- “I’m gonna have to say that we are.”
She gave a nervous smile as Dash ran a hoof down her face, “Eurgh. Tell me again, why are we here again?”
“Well, I am here on official business,” -Twilight folded up her map gestured it at herself and then at Dash- “You two were sent by the map and…”
“It was a rhetorical question, Twilight.”
Twilight shot her a bemused look but was stopped from replying by the trembling Fluttershy, who had just caught up with them, “Girls, please. This is certainly not the place for two friends to be arguing.”
Dash glanced over her shoulder at the slowly approaching pegasus, “Hey, are you ok?”
Fluttershy shifted nervously on her hoofs, studying her surroundings carefully. Hard granite footing, flanked by sharp rocky spires and boulders. All obscured by the low cloud, creating scary shadows that loomed around her, “I…umm…. I’m just not comfortable here. I feel like we're being watched.”
The two mares gave have her a gently knowing smile, which Fluttershy knew well. It's one her friends always gave her when she panicking over nothing.
“Fluttershy, relax. We’ll be out of here soon,” Dash reassured. "I'm just annoyed that this cloud is keeping me on the ground. I mean there is a reason why Cloudsdale doesn't deal with the weather in these mountains. It's just too strong."
Fluttershy put on a false smile while still trembling Twilight shook her head, "Just breath, Fluttershy." She gestured her to copy her breathing exercise that she had learned from Cadence. Fluttershy did so. Closing her eyes and taking a deep breath before exhaling.
When she opened eyes again, the looks on her friend's faces were very different indeed. Rainbow dash was hunkered down in braced position, seemingly ready to repel an incoming attack.
Twilight, however, was far calmer but also readying a defensive stance. Both were focused on the thing casting a dark shadow that fell over the yellow pegasus. Fluttershy, now filled with dread and foreboding, turned to see its caster. A griffon.
Fluttershy cowered at the mere sight of him. His gray fur was dirty and disheveled. He was trim yet clearly strong, with a hooked beak of a buzzard. This along with scars on his face, chest, and forelegs, gave him a truly menacing visage.
Fluttershy, now totally spooked by his appearance, darted for cover behind Rainbow Dash, who rolled her eyes at her.
Before anything else could take place, Twilight placed herself between them and faced the griffon, “Hello there. I’m Twilight Sparkle.”
The griffon did not respond but instead studied the form of the pony that presented herself before him. It didn’t take him long, however, to spot her horn and wings, the sure sign that he was in the presence of royalty. Upon this realization, he immediately bowed his head in respect.
To which Twilight returned the gesture with a smile, “My friends and I are heading to the mining town of Three Feathers Rise. I have been sent by Princess Celestia to discuss the proposed new railway with the town's officials,”
The griffon retained his plan stare, but as Twilight could not feel any hostile intent, continued, “Do you know of this town?” The griffon slowly nodded as a response.
“Well, we are kind of lost,” Twilight explained, trying to break the awkward silence. “Is it possible that you can show us the way?”
He nodded again and then beckoned them to follow with a talon, moving slowly towards an adjacent path to the one they were on. Despite his size, he moved with a strange grace. As if he were continually stalking an elusive prey. Rainbow Dash with Fluttershy particle hanging on to her tail, sidled up beside Twilight, “Hey, can we trust him?”
Dash was not as quiet as Twilight would have liked, but the griffin did not seem to hear her, “Yes, he is a little weird but we have no reason to distrust him. Either way, we are going nowhere fast by ourselves.”
Twilight then moved after the griffon, who was now disappearing into the clouds. Dash shook her head with doubts but followed anyway, with Fluttershy still keeping in her shadow, “I’m just surprised that he didn’t ask for any bits.”
It took the griffon nearly an hour to get the three mares back on the right path. He said nothing during this entire time, just looking over his shoulder occasionally only to check that the ponies were keeping up.
The mares were slowly getting their bearings, as the low clouds thinned out considerable. Soon, Rainbow Dash was flying a small distance overhead.
Fluttershy kept her eyes firmly on the griffon. Her initial fears had died down but she was still unnerved by his presence. His silent, emotionless stance that made him impossible to read, wasn't helping.
Twilight was also pondering on the guide. His sudden appearance, his reason for being present so far into mountains.
Both of them were drawn out of their thoughts by Dash’s call. She had landed on top of the rise ahead of them and beckoned them to her. “We’re there!!”
With a sudden burst of energy, Fluttershy and Twilight raced past the still silent griffon and joined Dash up on the rise.
From their new vantage point, they were able to see the wide and largely flat valley. Comprising of various plowed fields, a small river, and some small woods. At the far end of it, was the small town they had been seeking, Three Feathers Rise.
All of this was covered with a thin layer of mist, giving the area an almost holy appearance.
“Well there's the town,” Dash commented. “So why is this place important enough to get its own railway?”
Fluttershy rolled her eyes, “Rainbow, did you listen to Twilight’s explanation at all?”
“In my defence, I listened to at least three words.”
Dash brazenly flashed her trademark grin, bringing face-hoofs from her friends.
“Well, Dash,” Twilight began, still digging her hoof across her hoof across her face. “The towns gem miners have discovered a large vein of wolframite. An ore which makes a very strong metal that we make, amongst other things, armour with.”
“Armour, huh,” Dash pondered. “That's pretty neat but is it really worth building a railway through these mountains for it?”
Twilight nodded, “Normally we have to import it, making it very expensive.”
“You can see the mine now,” Fluttershy indicated with a hoof.
The mist had rolled on, revealing the whole town and its mine entrance at the base of a mountain.
“It looks like a pretty homely place,” Fluttershy chimed. “Like something from Spike’s game, erm… Ogres & Oubliettes.”
“Yeah,” Twilight agreed. “Pity he’s sick, Spike might have liked it here.”
“Are you kidding,” Dash chuckled. “He’s being looked after by Rarity.” She gave Twilight knowing look, which brought a chuckle from her as well.
“He still thinks we don’t know,” Twilight added, bringing a collective chuckle from the three.
“So, we heading into town or what?” Fluttershy asked dryly.
“Yeah,” -Twilight nodded- “We have wasted enough time already, getting lost and all. First, however, we must thank our guide…..” Twilight turned around to face him, “…And, he’s gone.”
The other two spun around. Their eyes, along with Twilight’s, scouring the path the had just come from and the surrounding mountains but the griffon was nowhere in sight.
“He was quiet,” Fluttershy remarked.
“No kidding,” Rainbow Dash added. “He makes Big Mac look like a public speaker.”
Fluttershy put a hoof over her mouth, trying not to giggle. Twilight, however, was deep in thought, “Did you see that scar on his neck?”
Dash raised an eyebrow, “How could you not see it, Twilight?”
“I might be wrong but I think it was inflicted by a magic spell.”
“From a pony?”
Twilight nodded, before turning back to the town, “Come on. The town’s residents might know who he is.”
“Yeah,” -Dash took off and beckoned the other two- “C’mon, I’m starved.”
Twilight followed her but Fluttershy lingered for a bit, staring back into the mountain path. After a few seconds, she trotted after her friends.
The three mares stared up at the banner they were about to pass under. The message ‘WELCOME, PRINCESS TWILIGHT’ was written in white letters on a violet background. It was crudely made but was clearly put together by the town's young ones.
“Well, that's a nice banner” Fluttershy chimed. Dash nodded nonchalantly. Twilight, however, had to take a moment to calm herself.
Their journey into town had been quiet up until they were in the midst of paddy fields. It was being attended by earth ponies and a couple of griffins, one of which was a young cub. Who, raced up to three newcomers to greet them.
Despite being younger than any of the Cutiemark Crusaders, he recognized Princess Twilight Sparkle at first glance. His ecstatic welcome drew the attention of the others in the fields, who quickly gathered around them to offer their greetings. Soon, they had a large group following in their wake.
Twilight had been hoping that these talks were to be a low-key affair. The banner, the welcome in the fields, and the gathered crowd in the town square ahead of them made it clear that her arrival was gonna be anything but quiet.
Now Twilight laid her eyes on the two induhviduals she had come to see. Unlike other towns, Three Feathers Rise didn’t have a single mayor. Instead, it had two elders, who oversaw the town's Council. One was an old, gray griffon, with a long whispery beard. The other was an equally old, light yellow unicorn. Both waiting eagerly in front of the town hall.
These two elders, along with the council members, moved up to meet Twilight. Bowing in a customary manner. The griffon elder cleared his throat, “Welcome to Three Feathers Rise, Princess Twilight. I'm elder Jagged Claw. Allow me to introduce my counterpart, Elder Sunny Peak." The unicorn bowed her head, “Welcome, Princess Twilight.”
“Thank you. It's good to be here,” Twilight smiled, before gesturing to the ponies by her side. “Let me introduce my companions, Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash.” The two mares gave the elders a wave. Fluttershy’s wave was meek, keenly aware of the many eyes upon them. Dash, however, was wearing her trademark toothy grin and had no trouble addressing the elders, “Hi. Sorry, we’re late, We kinda got lost a little.”
“Yes, those mountains can be tricky at the best of times,” Jagged Claw chuckled. “But you made it here by yourselves in one piece.”
“Well, truth be told, we had help” Twilight corrected. “A griffon showed us the way.”
“Ahhh, I see,” Sunny Peak beamed. “Who was this griffon?” She The followed Twilights gaze, as she, Dash and Fluttershy peered around at the crowd for the griffon.
“I don’t know,” Twilight replied, returning her gaze to the elders. “He didn’t give us his name.”
“Actually, he didn’t speak at all,” Dash interjected. “He was kinda weird.”
The two elders exchanged a look before Jagged Claw carefully asked what he looked like. Twilight gave him a general description but when Dash spoke of the horrendous scar on his neck, the gathered crowd erupted in chatter. From the murmuring, one name was bounced about.
“Glare Wing?” Twilight echoed. Jagged Claw looked past them, towards the mountains, “So he is still up there.”
“Who’s Glare Wing?” Dash asked impatiently. Sunny Peak let out a long sigh, “Glare Wing was a magically gifted individual, who used to live here up until three years ago. Until that day…” Her words trailed away as old painful memories resurfaced. Twilight raised a curious eyebrow, “A griffon that's magically gifted? How so?”
“On the underside his wings, there are two spots that change shape when he donned a defensive pose,” Sunny Peak explained, While Jagged Claw demonstrated the pose. His head was crouched low down with his back arched up but his wings were stretched out wide. “In this pose, does spots change shape. Making his wings look like a pair of menacing eyes that captivates all who see them. Even at an early age, his gift was clear. And when Glare Wing came of age, he became our guardian.”
“Guardian?” Dash quizzed.
“These mountains are home to many a creature that would do harm to pony or griffon, given half the chance,” Jagged Claw explained. “Chimera’s, Bugbear’s, and the occasional Manticore. All of whom would take several residents to repel them, yet Glare Wing could send them fleeing by himself. They were terrified of him, so we started calling him the town's guardian.” Twilight's interest was peaking, “So, why did he leave?”
“Because we forced him out.”
From the crowd stepped a young hippogriff of evergreen. She walked over to them, much to the disapproval of Sunny Peak, “Swiftsure, please control yourself.” She spoke her head vigorously, “No, Elder. They need to know what happened and what we did.”
Before another word could be spoken, Twilight raised a hoof to calm things down, “Ok everypony, just tell us what happened. Jagged Claw let out a long sigh, “We best go inside..” He then beckoned them to follow him into the town hall.
Twilight took her seat with the others at a solid oak table. The room was filled with the warming smell of herbal tea that was being poured out.
She sat opposite the elders with Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash, with Swiftsure standing off to the side.
The three mares eyes, however, couldn’t help be drawn to a large star shaped white opal, that was suspended from a blacked roof beam above the elder's heads.
"Where do I begin?" pondered Jagged Claw. "It all happened three years ago now when that unicorn came to our town," -he spoke through gritted teeth. "He called himself 'Shining Dawn', if this was his real name, and said that he was hiking across the length and breath of Equestria. He was friendly enough and showed no sign of malice or reason to mistrust him. He stayed around for a few days and took in the sights, and then departed but was he was not gone for long."
Twilight, Dash, and Fluttershy leaned in and listened intently as he continued, "He returned within a day of leaving in a panic. He told us that he had just encountered a whole heard of hydra and that they were coming here, to Three Feather Fall."
"Hydras? This far north???" Twilight said confused. She turned to Fluttershy, who was bearing unconvinced look on her face.
"Hydras almost never travel together in groups, let alone herds."
Jagged Claw nodded to these comments, "Yes, we were also skeptical of what he had seen but he was insistent. Glare Wing surmised that he had more likely seen a group of chimeras then hydras but ultimately believed his warning, as did we all. He quickly gathered up together several volunteers, including myself and Swiftsure here, and stationed us as lookouts on top of the hills and mountains that overlook Three Feather Rise, in an attempt to spot the herd approaching."
"But there was no herd, was there?" Dash asked, already knowing the answer.
"No," Swiftsure shook her head. "I was with Glare Wing when we realized. Our attention had all been so focused on what might be approaching the town that we didn't the rising smoke until we heard a large bang. Shining Dawn had set fire to half the town. Then we all raced down to help."
"He'd set the town on fire!" Fluttershy exclaimed in horror. "Why did he do that?"
"As a distraction," Sunny Peak answered. "With most of the remaining residents busy putting out the fires, Shining Dawn came to this hall in order to steal this." She indicated to the opal hanging from the roof.
"The Blizzard Star, created by both pony and griffon jewelsmith's not long after the founding of Three Feathers Rise as a symbol of unity," Twilight said, clearly reciting a book she had read recently.
"Indeed," Sunny Peak continued. "I caught him in the act and challenged him. However, he was not above using violence to get what he wanted.." Her words trailed off again, rubbing the side of her neck where an injury had been. "And he would have gotten away with but he had wasted too much time."
Swiftsure chuckled, "Yeah, Glare Wing spotted him gloating and rammed into him hard. With everyone else returning and he losing possession of the star, he cut losses and tried to escape with his magic but Glare Wing was not willing to let him go. I, along with everyone stayed to put out the fires, while he gave chase."
"Wait, you let Glare Wing go after him alone!?!" Twilight butted in.
"In hindsight, yes that was a mistake," Jagged Claw nodded. "One I take personal responsibility for. And it may have avoided what happened next." This was followed by a long pause, as it was clear that none of them wanted to finish the story. Dash, however, moved things along by asking 'Which was?'.
Jagged Claw sighed before continuing, "When the fires were put out, I gathered together most of the adults and set off after them. By this time sound of their battle which had been echoing throughout the range, had long since ceased. As we cleared over the low mountains to the east, we found Glare Wing walking in our direction." He looked off into the distance, "I can still see him in my mind's eye. He was in right state. Bruised, battered and badly cut up. But he was also alone and we demanded to know where Shining Dawn was? We did not answer, we assumed the worse. We assumed he'd lost him. Then, in our anger, we..we..."
"We turned on Glare Wing," Swiftsure finished. The Elders confirmed this with by nodding.
"You turned on him!" Fluttershy exclaimed, learning forward. "Why would you do that!?"
Swiftsure looked away ashamed, leaving Jagged Claw to continue, "I regret to say that there is worse to come. After Glare Wing continued to say nothing when we demanded an explanation, I told him that it would be better if he didn't come back with us. Then we left him there."
This left the three mares stunned, not that Jagged Claw saw this. His eyes were firmly on the table, "It never occurred to us at the time that he didn't speak because he was exhausted. It was not until we arrived back in the town that we calmed down and realized what we'd done. It went back immediately for him but he was gone and we haven't seen him since."
After this revelation came a period od silence. Everyone was shifting about in their seat or trying to think of something to say. Of all the ponies there, it was Fluttershy who was first to speak, "So he's, umm, still up in those mountains?"
"It appears so," Swiftsure turned back around. "We've always suspected he was still up there. For you see, we haven't had any incursions into our valleys by any creature since that day. And we, ve heard tales from traveling traders of a lone griffon who wandered the mountains."
"Haven't you tried to find him and apologize?" Twilight asked.
Swiftsure nodded, "Many times. After each sighting we go, hoping that I'll get to see him. But after the way we treated him, I wouldn't be surprised if Glare Wing was avoided us."
Dash's eyes lit up with an idea, she left her seat and hovered above it, "Well he didn't avoid us, so we'll find him!"
The Elders, Swiftsure, and Fluttershy looked at her bewildered. Twilight on the over hoof, looked at her flatly, "Dash, what are you doing?"
"Don't you see, Twilight?" Dash said, grabbing the alicorn's face and looking their eyes together. "This is why the map sent us here! We're here to fix this rift! C'mon Fluttershy!" Before anything else could be said, Dash did a loop in the air before grabbing the yellow mare's hoof. Yanking her off her seat and flying to the hall's main entrance, bursting through the double doors and ascending into the sky.
"Dash!!!" Twilight run to the now open doors and stopped its, quickly joined by Swiftsure. Both in just in time to watch her disappear over the nearest peak with Fluttershy in tow. Twilight ran a hoof down her face, "She's gonna get lost within ten minutes, isn't she."
"If even that," Swiftsure remarked, shaking her head at Dash's less the subtle approach. From Behind Her, Sunny Peak called her name and she turned to face her, "Be a dear and make sure they don't get lost." She nodded and turned to the door, only for Twilight to place a hoof on her shoulder and warned her that Dash was fast. "So am I," she replied confidently, before shooting off skyward in hot pursuit. Twilight was quietly impressed by her turn of speed and watched the hippogriff until she to disappeared over the misty peaks.
Twilight shook her head and walked back inside. The Elders were still at the table and Twilight addressed at them, "Well, while we wait for that disaster to unfold, shall we begin talks on the proposed railway?" Then, copying her mentor perfectly, she gave them a smile that was strong and confident yet kind and had a calming effect on the Elders. With the three taking back to their seats, the talks began.
Fluttershy was struggling to keep up with Rainbow Dash, who was essentially jumping from peak to peak of the many mountains and tall hills that surrounded Three Feathers Rise. Reaching another peak, Dash once again bellowed out Glare Wing's name.
"Dash, I pretty sure that Glare Wing won't respond to his name. I mean he must have heard it been called by the townsfolk and..."
"Well, he must be deeper in the mountains. C'mon," Dash Beckoned her to follow and took off. Fluttershy Sighed and followed. Unaware to both of them, Swiftsure was catching up to them from behind.
Leading the way, Dash flew between two of the taller peaks and headlong into a low cloud. Fluttershy followed and immediately regretted it. She couldn't see a thing. Her vision was less than five paces. "Dash!?!"
"This way, Fluttershy!" came Dash's echoed response. Fluttershy flew to where she thought the voice was coming from and angled towards it. This, however, put her in a current of strong wind that buffeted her about as if she were a leaf. She flailed about in a mini panic, as she tried to break free. Diving straight down to get out of it, she didn't see Swiftsure ride the winds and overtake her. She, in turn, didn't see Fluttershy and flew on.
Fluttershy had almost gotten clear from the current when one last mighty gust threw her hard into a cliff face. Pain emanated from her left wing and she started spiraling down to the ground. Her landing on loose gravel was rough and undignified but she rolled out the worse of it. Coming to halt on her belly, "Ouch."
Getting to her hooves, Fluttershy checked her new surroundings. The low cloud almost blotted out the sun and was just touching the ground, giving everything a dark, foreboding visage. At least to Fluttershy. "Oh dear, this is not a good place to get trapped," -She glanced anxiously- "With not being able to see the jagged rocks, deep ravines, hidden cliff edges, possible landslides and all mana of nasty..."
She stopped herself, taking in a deep breath and reminding herself that Rainbow Dash could still be nearby. She looked to the sky and called out for her in her meek way. Unsurprisingly, there was no response. With this, she filled up her lungs and tried again, "Help!" This call, however barely echoed once in the valley she was in.
"A pony!"
The voice was coming from behind. Just down the valley, in the low cloud."Erm, hello," Fluttershy called.
"It ssssounds like a pony!"
Fluttershy strained to see where the voice was coming from, "Hello! Can you help me?"
"Oh, it is a pony-y-y. And it seems to be-e-e in trouble. How unfortunate."
A second voice. This one was sounded like it belonged to a sheep. It was soon followed by a third, far more growly voice, "Then we should Help her then." A silhouette appeared in the low cloud, filling Fluttershy with hope but as it came into view, fear gripped her. It was a chimera, a young adult with three menacing heads of a tiger, a goat, and a snake. All staring at her with a mixed look of surprise and ill-intent.
Fluttershy tried to unfold her wings but the left one was painful to move, making her wince. This did not go unnoticed by the head of a tiger, "Ohh, is the little pony hurt?".
The goat head giggled, "Unable to fly-y-y, I think."
"Um, yes, kinda," Fluttershy responded, trying to exclude confidence. Wich, the chimera wasn't buying. "Um, could you be kind enough to tell me how to get back to town?"
The heads looked at each other before returning their gaze to her. The tiger chuckled, "Why we would love to show you the way but first, we would be remised if we didn't invite you," -it licked its lips- "To dinner."
Fluttershy started to back up but the beast kept pace. She almost jumped when she backed into a small boulder. She attempted to regain her composure, "Oh, that's alright. I'm not really hungry."
"Oh, but we inssssssist you join us." the snake hissed. They collectively chuckled and licked their lips, toying with her. Fluttershy continued to back up with the chimera drawing closer.
Bump. She backed up into something again but this was no rock. It was soft and had some give to. Fluttershy twirled her head around and locked eyes with a griffon. Glare Wing.
Fluttershy almost turned white. He was just as intimidating as before, despite his complete lack of menacing action or any action for that matter. His eyes, in particular, were not filled with any sort of malice or emotion but they seemed to peer straight into her soul. Fluttershy felt very small in his shadow.
"A griffon!" The goat cursed under its breath. The three heads growled at the newcomer.
"Move along my friend, if you know what is best for you," the tiger demanded, as Glare Wing Raised his eyes to meet theirs. "We will not share our meat with you!"
Glare Wing narrowed his eyes and donned the defensive pose that Jagged Claw had demonstrated to Fluttershy earlier. He unfolded his mighty wings and stretched them out wide. For a moment, Fluttershy the two black dots on the underside of his wings. They were circular and benign, and not at all scary but in an instant, they changed to a sharp oval. And with the upward curve of his wings gave them the look of a pair of threatening eyes of a large predator.
Fluttershy couldn't stand to look at it a second longer and hunkered down low to the ground, covering her face with her hooves. However, the incomprehensible ramblings coming from the chimera drew her intention. Its three heads were all in a state of panic and confusion. Thier eyes were glazed over, indicating the presence of a hex.
Glare Wing slowly took a step forward beside Fluttershy with his wings still outstretched. The chimera took one step back. He took a couple more steps forward. The chimera matched his movements. Then he dashed forward three paces, causing the beast to jolt back and tripping over himself. Now fully panicked, the chimera turned tail and ran into the gloom.
It was not until he could no longer hear the beast that Glare Wing folded up his wings and turned to Fluttershy, who was getting back to her hooves. She breathed a sigh of relief, "Thank you ever so much for saving me." Glare Wing acknowledged this with a nod.
Fluttershy rubbed her hoof, trying to think of what to say, "It's...It's Glare Wing, isn't it?" The griffon was surprised that Fluttershy knew his name. "I've just come from Three Feathers Rise," She explained. "And I learned of what happened a couple of years ago."
A wave of shame washed across Glare Wing's face as his bitter past was brought up. This caused Fluttershy to clam up somewhat, seeing her words inflict pain.
"I can't go back."
It was Fluttershy's turn to be surprised. She was expecting his voice to be strong and prideful, or deep and intimidating. Glare Wing's was low, raspy and laced with pain. "I just can't." -He turned around and started walking- "Come. I'll guide you back to town."
Fluttershy, still frown off by his voice, watched him walk away. She quickly followed him, not wishing to be left alone in this place. Slotting in behind him, she pondered how to approach the thorny subject of ending Glare Wing's exile.
Dash landed on top of a small slab of granite and filled up her lungs, "Glare Wing!!!" Her voice echoed almost without end.
Dash had stopped going from peak to peak and had descended to the valleys between, reasoning that he would more likely be down here. She rubbed her chin and pondered where this elusive griffon could be.
"There's no point calling to him, Miss Dash," Swiftsure said as she landed beside her. "He doses not respond to them." She was a little out of breath but smiled at her, "You know, when Princess Twilight told me you were fast, I didn't imagine that you would give me this much of a run for my money."
She grinned, "Well they don't call me Rainbow DASH for nothing." The two shared a chuckle before Swiftsure looked around and asked where Fluttershy was. Dash looked all around, only now realizing her absence, "Where'd she disappear to," -She turned back to Swiftsure- "You didn't pass at all?" Swiftsure shook her head. Dash face hoofed, "Well great, now we have two to look for."
It was at that moment that the rock beneath her hooves began to move. It moved gently at first but it quickly jolted and bucked. "Wow and now an earthquake!"
Swiftsure took a step back and looked at her perch, "No, Miss Dash. It just that slab your on." Dash jumped up and hovered beside the Hippogriff and they both watched it. The rock jostled about until it lifted up and a hoof emerged from underneath.
"There's a pony under there!" Dash Exclaimed, as she and Swiftsure shot over to the slab. Between the two of them and the pony below, they managed to flip the rock over and exposed the hole beneath. Dash then helped the pony out, a male unicorn
"Thank you, young one." His speech was jittery and his eye kept twitching, still adjusting to the light. Dash eyed him up and down, noting his cream coat and black mane were filthy and covered in cuts, nicks, and cobwebs. "How long have you been down there?"
"Way too long," He chuckled. This quickly turned into a full-blown laugh. Dash looked at him with concern before noticing that Swiftsure was slowly backing away. Her face filled with dread. "It's Him!!" Dash mouthed 'What?' at her.
"It's him, Shining Dawn."
Dash's ears dropped and she turned back to see him staring both of them down with what she could only describe as the eyes of an unhinged mind. "Now then, young ones," He giggled unsettlingly. "Where is my star?"
Fluttershy was relieved to see the town, as the two of them crested a wooded hill that Glare Wing called the "deceiver', for it was far steeper than it looked. As her wing was still hurting, they had walked the distance. To Fluttershy relief, the journey was relatively easy up until 'the Deceiver'. Glare Wing clearly knew of these mountains like the back of his paw.
"Well, there it is," Glare wing nodded. "Three Feathers Rise."
Fluttershy could see the sadness in hidden deep in his stoic eyes. Up until now she had held her tongue and said little. Partly for not knowing what to say but mostly to avoid attracting any more hungry creatures. But now on the edge of civilization and Glare Wing surely about to depart, she went for it, "You could come back to town with me." To her dismay Glare Win shook his head.
"Even if I could return, I'm no longer welcome there."
Now Fluttershy shook her head, "That's where you're wrong, Glare Wing." She positioned herself between the griffon and the mountains that he sought to return to. "They're sorry. Jagged Claw, Swiftsure, they all are." The mentioning of they names stirred some visible emotion in his eyes, yet they also gave Fluttershy a skeptical look. "They've been trying to find you since that day. You can't tell me that you never noticed them."
He did not argue that last point but was still not swayed, "Be that as it may, I still can't return. Not after my actions on that day."
"You mean falling for Shining Dawn's deception? But everyone in Three Feathers Fall fell for it. There are few I know who wouldn't fall for it. And your actions from the moment you realized was nothing but admirable. You Stopped him from stealing the star and chased him away. Yes, he got away but he has never returned."
"But he didn't get away..." Glare Wing interrupted, trying to stop himself but revealing too much. He sighed and quietly cursed at himself for what he was about to tell, "I killed him."
Fluttershy couldn't hide her shock at this and waited silently for him to explain. Glare Wing looked away from her and towards the town, "I was determined to drag him back to town and make him answer for what he did. We battled for hours on that day. A battle that ended in the mouth of a cave not too far from here. I had charged him but he hit me with a blast from his horn." He rubbed the large scar on his lower neck and glanced at Fluttershy, "Even now, it still hurts to talk for too long."
She grimaced a little at this but gently pressed him to continue. "He then built up power for a spell to finish me off. So I grabbed the nearest rock to me and threw it at him," -Glare Wing gestured with his paws- "It hit him in the snout and bucked his head back. He loosed his attack into the cave roof and it started to collapse. I raced out of the cave to escape the falling rocks, he ran further in. The cave completely collapsed. You wouldn't even know one was there now." -He rubbed the back of his head- "I looked around the area but there was no sign of him. Then I headed back to Three Feathers Rise."
Fluttershy tapped her snout in thought, "So, he buried himself alive."
"Thanks to me, yes"
"Well, no, actually," Fluttershy pointed at him, putting on her sterner voice. "He, choose to attack your town. He choose to engage you in combat when his plans failed, rather than surrendering. And he choose to finish you off when you were down when he could have easily used the opportunity to run." -She placed a gentle hoof on his shoulder- "In short, he brought that on himself."
Glare Wing nodded but was still not entirely convinced. Before he could dwell on it though, Fluttershy interjected, "If you still feel you are to blame, then come back with me. Tell your story and we'll see if anypony or griffin agree."
"You're going nowhere!"
The chimera's return had taken them both by surprise. It stood on the path behind them that ran through the small wood. It's three pairs eyed them with rage from the humiliation it had just suffered. The eyes of the tiger were particular searing, "We will have that pony, Griffon. Hand her other now!" Glare Wing rolled his eyes and stood between Fluttershy and the chimera. Unfolding his wings and prepared to reveal his stare.
It was at that moment that a patch of grass between and off to the side of the beaten path began to rustle. From it, a strange gray rabbit with the horns of a deer hopped out and stopped dead. Right in the shadow of the chimera. Completly oblivious to its presence.
In a flash, Fluttershy dashed in front of Glare Wing. Eyes wide with delight, "A jackalope!" -She was almost jumping with excitement- "One of the rarest creatures in all of Equestria! And it's so much more adorable than books said it was!!" The jackalope looked at Fluttershy and pointed at itself as if to say 'What, me?', which made her squeal a little.
The chimera, however, had already grown tired of its interfering presence. "Get lossssst!!" With one swipe of its paw, hurled back to the edge of the tall grass, to which it quickly scampered.
"Why?" Fluttershy growled. Raising her sights to the chimera. "Why did you do that!?!"
The chimera was taken aback by this change in the mare. Only the head of the tiger dared to speak, "It was in the way.
"So you swatted it away!!" She slowly marched up to the beast, maintaining eye contact all the while. "How would you like it if you were swatted aside like that. You wouldn't like it, would you?" The snake's head shook. "Would you!?!"
All three heads shook. "Didn't think so." -She looked down at the chimera, who was now cowering in her presence- "Now then. I want you to go find that jackalope and apologize to it." The heads now nodded vehemently. Fluttershy responded by impatiently tapping her hoof, "Well? go!" She pointed to the patch of tall grass that the jackalope had run into and The chimera wasted no time at all rushing in after it.
Fluttershy took in a couple of breaths, calming herself from the outburst. When the fleeing beast could no longer be seen or heard, she turned back to Glare Wing. The griffon was eyeing her, both surprised and impressed.
"Are we related?" He asked. Gesturing between himself and Fluttershy.
"Erm, no. I don't think so."
"Yes, yes. I was just wondering." They both shared a small chuckle.
This moment was interrupted by a sound of a far off explosion coming from Three Feathers Rise. They both looked in time to see a small dust cloud ascend from the outskirts of the town. This was followed by a series of lesser bangs and puffs of smoke. Glare Wing stood bolt upright, "Well that can't be good."
Twilight Sparkle found herself in an unsavory situation. Moments earlier she was finishing off talks with the elders before they were drawn outside by the growing commotion. Now she was staring down the unhinged Shining Dawn, just a few paces away.
He was clearly unstable. Wide twitching eyes and sharp jerks from his head, neck, and shoulders, which shook the dust from his filth encrusted mane. He mumbled and ranted incoherently. The only words that made sense were his demands for the return of 'His Star'
It would have been easy for Twilight to subdue him. She had a myriad of spells that could do this, yet the current situation was making it impossible. He was loosing off numerous attack spells in Twilight's direction. These were easily repulsed by her shield spell, but some scared residents were now taking shelter behind it. With spells that burned, distorted, and outright destroy what it touched coming their way, she dared not lower her shield.
"Shining Dawn, please calm down."
"I am not Shining Dawn!!" He screeched. Shooting off another spell which crackled against the shield. "I've been in the dark depths for so long. Living off moss and hard water. That star is all that kept me going. NOW GIVE IT TO ME!!!"
He stepped up his barrage on the shield which was held firm. Twilight took a quick glance around, seeking options. The only viable option that presented itself was from above. Swiftsure and Dash, who had inadvertently lead Shining Dawn back to town, were circling overhead with a couple of griffins from the mines. All waiting for an opportunity to intervene. Distract him.
"Please, Shining Dawn. Listen to me."
"IM NOT SHINING DAWN!!!" He screamed. Launching more attacks.
From the corner of her eye, Twilight spotted the silhouette of another griffon entering the group in the sky. After looping around a few of times, it swooped down quickly and landed to their left.
Everything came to a standstill as Glare Wing presented himself before Shining Dawn. From his back, Fluttershy jumped down and started circling the deranged unicorn. He paid her no attention. Completely focusing in on the griffon, "YOU!!!" He turned to him with his horn glowing. "You made me wander alone in the dark and denied me my prize. Now you will suffer for it."
Glare Wing, however, didn't wait for him to make his move. Crouching low and showing off his wings.
Twilight was mesmerized. Whilst unnerved, she was more fascinated than scared. Witnessing magic from a griffon and all the potential it brought. A worthy study indeed. She was drawn out of this train of thought by the increased ramblings of Shining Dawn. Unlike Twilight, he could see nothing but the wings.
"Eyes!?! What!?! What!?! EYES!?!" He spat. Frozen still for a few seconds before turning to flee, only to be stopped by Fluttershy, who had moved behind him. Ensnaring him with her own stare. He then starting flip flopping back and forth between the two, whilst being slowly herded towards Twilight.
With his backed turned to her, the alicorn needed no further invitation and made her move. Lowering her shield, she cast a spell aimed straight at his horn and it struck home. Clear crystals started forming around its tip and expanded down to its base.
Shining Dawn looked up at his horn confused, clearly trying to cast his magic but failing. Before he could make another move, he was bull tackled in the side by Dash and Swiftsure and sent him skidding across the ground. He was then completely pinned down by the two griffon miners but squirmed and resisted nonetheless.
Dash sidled up alongside Twilight, who had moved up to look down upon the unicorn. "Red Hooves." The sudden regal tone in her voice got his full attention. "That is your real name, correct. I remember seeing it on a list of Equestria's most wanted that princess Celestia showed me." She pointed to his rump, "A red horseshoe cutie mark, a fondness for jewels, and the sudden cease in activities a few years ago. Am I wrong?" He said nothing, just eyed her with contempt. "You will answer for your crime, but I'll also make sure you'll get the help you clearly need."
"Err, I think he's too far gone, Twilight," Dash interjected. "I don't even think you wolf friend could help him." Twilight merely shrugged in response. Fluttershy then strolled over to them and asked if everyone was ok. They were about to say yes when they noticed Swiftsure frantically searching around. "Hey, Swiftsure," Dash called out. "Whats wrong?"
Her ears pricked up and she turned to them, "Where's Glare Wing?" The three mares started looking around for him but found no trace. Dash launched herself high above the town and scanned around, "He's gone!"
Fluttershy nodded slowly, "Yes, I didn't think he would stay."
"But weren't you just with him?" Swiftsure asked. Walking up to her. "Didn't you speak to him at all?"
"Oh, I did. However, his scars of that day run deep and it will take more than a stranger telling him to go home to make him stay." She placed a hoof on Swiftsure. "I'm sure he'll return and stay soon."
"How can you be sure?"
She gave her a warm smile, ". He wants to return' I could see it in his eyes. In time...." She glanced over her shoulder and for a second, Fluttershy thought she could saw a griffon disappear into the mountains in the far distance. Don't make it too long, Glare Wing.
Twilight stood patiently in the audience chambers of Cantalot Castle. She had stopped off in the city, while Dash and Fluttershy continued onto Ponyville. At the station, she was joined by Spike, who had traveled up. In front of them was Princess Celestia. She was looking over the documents that Twilight had brought back from Three Feathers Rise. Looking up from them she gave her former pupil a smile, "Thank you for doing this for me, Twilight. I'm glad to read that at least the talks went smoothly."
Twilight half chuckled, "Yeah that was a somewhat strange trip. I just hope that ....Red Hooves gets the help he needs."
"Oh, he will," Celestia smiled. "Construction of the branch line will start soon."
"And Glare Wing?" Spike asked. "How do we get him to come down from those mountains."
The two mares exchanged a glance before Twilight answered, "We don't. At least, not for now anyway."
Spike raised an eyebrow, "Why not?"
"We can't force him to return, Spike. He chose to leave the town after Red Hooves was subdued. Why I can't say, but that was his desition to make and we can't change it."
"At least not directly," Celestia added, drawing Spike's attention. "From what you have told me, Twilight. I would wager that our dear Fluttershy has planted in Glare Wing mind, a seed which will erode away that what holds him from returning." Celestia then turned her gaze to a north facing window from which she could just make out the Yaket range on the horizon. "I believe that you'll be hearing from them sooner than you think, my dear Twilight."
The sun slowly set over the mountain tops, casting long shadows over Three Feathers Rise. From a ledge high on Mt. Tall Fang sat Glare Wing. It was a spot he used to come to daily, however, this evening was his first visit in years.
He watched the town prepare for the coming night. Shutting up businesses and lighting street lamps.
Glare Wing's mind was buzzing with Fluttershy's words. He'd always been tempted to return home. Now it was greater than ever. But just as loudly, a voice of doubt battled against Fluttershy's. Each producing counterpoints to each other arguments.
So lost in his train of thought was he, that he failed to notice that he too was being watched. Nor that he was no longer alone on the mountain. Being approached from behind.
"Glare Wing."
The sudden call of his name caused Glare Wing's feathers and fur to stand on end. He knew this voice well and had longed to hear it again. The griffon turned away from the town and locked eyes with a Hippogriff of evergreen. The doubting voice immediately started screaming for him to go but this, for once in a long time, was ignored.