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"It got even worse after that, as you would imagine," Dash said to AJ, sounding disappointed for some reason.
"I kinda figured that would happen," Applejack said, sounding equally concerned. "You can continya' if you feel comfortable."

Dash went on.
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Gilda wasn't the type to easily move on. She would hold a grudge for a very long time, if she needed to. She usually didn't like to show this type of behavior to other ponies, but sometimes something inside her would spike up and make the Griffon unusually jealous, sometimes for no reason at all. It seems that was what was happening to Gilda after Rainbow Dash got her cutie mark.

She didn't mind that SHE didn't have a cutie mark herself, obviously because she was a Griffon. But she at least wanted to feel special, like she could do something that would blow people's minds, especially coming from a very broken home.

Rainbow Dash was walking to her locker, as bubbly as could be, when the large Gilda appeared at her side. Gilda knew she couldn't take her anger out at school, so she improvised.

"Hey Dash," she proposed to her ex-best friend. "How about we go to the park today? We haven't gone there in a long while, you know. It would be fun, just to relive the old days?"

Rainbow turned to Gilda. "Well, sure! That sounds like a great idea, Gild. Meet you there in an hour?"
"Sounds good!" Gilda said, trying to sound as happy as she possibly could. Dash walked away to her locker and packed up her things. In a minute, she was out the door.

Gilda sure didn't know what to do when they got there, because she's only taken anger out of inanimate objects before, like pillows and things. She didn't really want to hurt Rainbow Dash, either, just scare her a little to stay away. It was tricky figuring out how to do so, but her brain told her that reasoning was the first step to go.

"Hey Dash, can I tell you something?" Gilda said, as the duo were eating apples at the picnic table in the park.
"Sure you can, Gild. That's what I'm here for!"

"Well, Rainbow," Gilda began, afraid to say more, "I have to admit I felt a little jealous when you performed the Sonic Rainboom. Is that okay? Am I still your friend?" Gilda had melted a little of the anger off before, so she approached calmly. But if Rainbow Dash tried anything, out came the talons.

The blue pegasus looked at her sincerely. "Of course you're still my friend, Gilda! Just because you haven't found your talent yet doesn't mean you have to be jealous of me. I'm perfectly fine with my Sonic Rainboom, you should be too."

Gilda lost her smile. How could she be fine? Rainbow Dash wasn't understanding at all. The time for talk was over. The time for action had begun.

Gilda let out a fake sigh, causing Rainbow to look at her, concerned. Gilda instinctively turned quickly towards her and swiped a razor-sharp talon across her face, knocking Dash to the ground.

"Gilda, what are you-"
Dash was cut off by Gilda swooping over her and dragging her hind-talons across the pegasus's stomach. To finish her off, the Griffon used her huge, strong beak to lift Dash up, to only throw her back down on the ground again.

"If you tell anypony, I'll do it again."
This, of course, left the rainbow pony bruised and bleeding, with a confused look on her face as Gilda sped off back into Cloudsdale.
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"Dash, that's terrible!" Applejack said, hugging the Rainbow Dash who was now starting to tear up. "Please tell meh you told somepony?"

Rainbow Dash shrugged. "I did once, but then I got this." Rainbow lifted up her left wing revealing a huge scar descending all the way to the tip of the appendage.

"Oh, Rainbow..." AJ said, covering her mouth.
"Every time I told, she gave me a new scar."

Dash preceded to point out every mark Gilda had ever laid on her body, ranging from burn marks around her neck from beak-piercings under her ears. Gilda wasn't afraid to hurt her at all. She knew she'd get away with it, because she'd been a good friend of Rainbow Dash for so long, and nopony would believe that Gilda, of all people, would do that to her. This went on for a few years until Gilda moved away again, and Rainbow Dash met her friends in Ponyville.

Rainbow Dash, of course mentally scarred from Gilda's beatings, was afraid to tell anybody again even though Gilda had long moved away. Dash was paranoid, up until this moment when she had built up enough courage to tell her friend Applejack.

"Dash, we can't let her go unpunished," Applejack said, as the two were walking from the cellar into Ponyville to fetch something from Sugarcube Corner. Dash immediately looked at her with a worried face.

"No, no. We absolutely CANT do that." She said.
AJ shrugged. She had something else up her sleeve.

When they got to Sugarcube Corner, they were greeted by the ever-happy Pinkie Pie.
"Oh Goodie! I've been waiting for someone to come by AAALLLLLL day!" The bouncing pink Earth Pony exclaimed.

"We're here now, Pinkie!" Rainbow Dash said, now bubbly and normal from telling Applejack everything. Applejack couldn't help but feel that her friend was unsatisfied with what she just confessed to her. She wanted to do something about it.

"What can I get for you two?" Pinkie Pie said, folding her forelegs on the counter and resting her head atop.
"We'll take some good 'ol fashioned Pinkie Pie cupcakes. Am I right, Applejack?" Rainbow Dash stated, turning her head quizzically to AJ. She nodded. The orange pony was still deep in thought.

I bet Rainbow would feel better if she were to see Gilda one more time... to tell her what's up. Applejack thought. But how could she arrange for Gilda, a mean, strong Griffon to come back to Ponyville all the way from where she had originally hailed? It would take days, maybe weeks to get to Ponyville by train from there. If only there were some other way.... A spell! Applejack immediately thought of Twilight. She was great at spells, surely she could find one to transport Gilda from there to here? She'd have to see.

After they had eaten at Sugarcube Corner, Rainbow Dash said she had some things to do at home, so Applejack went over to see Twilight. She didn't want to confess Rainbow's secret, but it was for good in the end.

"So that's why I came to see ya, Twi," she said. "I want to reunite Gilda and Rainbow."
Twilight looked shocked at first, but understanding. "I understand, AJ. But a spell of that magnitude would require the magic of TWO ponies at rank of myself. It's not possible without the help of another unicorn."

Applejack thought. Rarity was a unicorn, but could she pull that off?
"How about Rarity? I hear she's been'a practicing magic on the side, too. Should I ask her?" Applejack asked.

"Did someone say Rarity? Where is she?" Spike burst in from the other room.
"She's not here spike," Twilight informed him, comically rolling her eyes at Applejack.

"Darn..."
"You can ask her if you want. I think she would love to help." Twilight said to Applejack, smiling.

"Thanks Twi. I'll see ya tomorrow, it's gettin' pretty dark."
"Goodnight, Applejack!" Spike and Twilight said as their friend walked out the door to the library. She would ask Rarity first thing in the morning.

The journey home was long in the night, but worth it. Applejack got a good night's sleep and she was off that day, so she had plenty of time to figure out matters with the Gilda and Rainbow Dash situation. On her way to Rarity's Boutique, she saw Rainbow Dash clearing the clouds. Again, she didn't look satisfied. Or maybe that was just Applejack. She also saw Fluttershy, who was on Fog Patrol clearing the park of mist that had rolled in this morning from the north. The weather pegasi were sure good at their jobs.

"Helloooo? Anypony home?" Applejack said rather loudly, tapping her hoof on the door of the boutique. A few moments later, out peeked Rarity, still in her morning robe and facial mask.

"Oh, hello Dear! You surprised me there for a second, please do come in!" The Unicorn said, still with curlers in her mane.

"Sorry I've caught you at a bad time," Applejack said, "But I just had a really important question to ask 'ya."
"That's quite alright dear," Rarity said, pulling the curlers out of her mane to reveal the usual, poofy style. "You can ask me anything you need!"

Applejack told her about what Gilda had done to their friend Rainbow Dash in past years. "Oh that's simply awful!" Rarity would respond with. She agreed to help in any way she could. When Applejack told her about the transportation spell, Rarity held a perplexed look on her face and used her magic to flip open a book on the kitchen table Twilight had leant her. She flipped far and wide, looking for the spell her friend was talking about.

At the end of the dusty book, she found the right page.
"This the one you're talking about dear?" Rarity set the book down in front of Applejack for her to read.

Applejack read the page out loud.
"Long Distance Transportation: A Spell for Advanced Magic Users. This spell may require the magic of two beings capable of producing magic nearly equal to a magical being. To perform the spell, hard concentration must be indulged by both beings, concentrating specifically on the object or being they want to transport directly to them." She Continued. "For the spell to work, a magical being has to be present to provide extra support if anything goes wrong. If the spell works correctly, both beings' auras will be fused together to zap the thing or being they want present." She closed the book.

"Do you think you could do that with Twilight?" Applejack asked, excited to hear an answer.
Rarity thought for a few minutes. "I'm quite certain, yes."

"WOOHOO! Let's go tell Twi!" Applejack burst out, hugging Rarity.
"Whoa whoa, let me get decent first," Rarity Chuckled. She preceded to wipe off her face mask and tidy up a bit. Then, the two walked to Twilight's library with the book in hoof.

Rarity tapped on her door. "Twilight? We have exciting news!"
The excited Twilight Sparkle opened the door. "Please, come in come in!" She said, motioning the two inside.

They sat down at her table in the library.
"So Rarity, what did you find out?" The purple unicorn asked immediately.

"Well, I've predicted we are both capable of performing the spell." she said. They all celebrated.
"But we need one of the princesses to be in attendance," Applejack said, now more disappointed. "Don't we?"

Rarity and Applejack sighed. But Twilight had an idea.
"I could write a letter to Princess Celestia, maybe her or Princess Luna could come and assist us, and some guards too, in case Gilda gets a bit out of control" Twilight said.

"Wonderful idea, Twilight! Shall we get started?" Rarity asked.
"Yeah, let's write that letter now!" Applejack said encouragingly.

"Alright alright, Spike! Take a letter."
Spike the dragon appeared from upstairs, pen and paper at the ready.

"Dear Princess Celestia," Twilight said clearly, "I am sorry to approach you without further attention, but my friends in Ponyville and I find ourselves in a troubling situation." She went on to explain the past situation with Gilda and Rainbow Dash. "For the spell to work, we need at least one Celestial Being to attend. Also, some of the royal guard to take Gilda away for what she's done. All I ask, is if you or Princess Luna were free either today or tomorrow, to come to Ponyville with part of the Royal Guard. You may do what with the Griffon what you wish. Your faithful student, Twilight Sparkle."

And they didn't have to wait long for a letter. They all assumed the princess wasn't up to anything busy, because they received a letter almost instantly from Spike.

"Applejack, shall you do the honors?" Twilight said, giving her the letter.
"Certainly." She cleared her throat. "My Faithful Student, I appreciate the need of you calling upon me for assistance in this spell, and I would gladly accept. However, I have royal matters to attend to here at the castle, and I am unavailable. I have spoken to Princess Luna, and she said she would love to help your friend reunite with Gilda. Surely, I would send the Royal Guard for further punishment. Rainbow Dash needs to make ammends, and I understand. Princess Luna will be in Ponyville shortly. -Princess Celestia."

They all gasped.
"We need to round up everypony!" They all said at the same time. They all ran out of the library.

Once they had all of the Mane 6 gathered around in Twilight's library and they were notified of what had happened, Princess Luna had arrived. 10 members of the Royal Guard had come along with her. They lined up the walls. and everypony but Twilight and Rarity were in the middle of the room.

"Applejack, what's going on?" Rainbow Dash said to her in the small group where the rest of the Mane 6 were seated.
"Shh, it's 'yer surprise." AJ hushed her.

"Princess, please have a seat." Twilight said, bowing as the rest of the room bowed with her. Princess Luna took a chair at the Library table facing the unicorn duo.

"You may begin the spell, now." She said in a thoughtful voice, ready to observe. Rarity and Twilight stood in front of the open book, restudying the words.

"Ready?" Rarity asked her.
"Let's do it. For Rainbow Dash!"

The two unicorns sat down in the middle of the room with their eyes closed. Everypony was completely still, not moving a muscle and anticipating something to happen. After a few moments, both of their horns started to glow with their auras. They grew stronger and stronger after every minute, the two beams of unnatural light getting closer to touching together with every pulse. Soon after, the auras finally touched together. A purple-blue glow filled the room, and magic was emanating from their horns like never before. A beaming white outline appeared in the center of the two of them, in the shape of a Griffon. It was working, Gilda was appearing before their eyes.

"Ponies? Wha- where am I?" the familiar throaty voice rang out. The magic stopped flowing and Gilda was in the middle of the room.

Rainbow Dash backed away into her crowd first, but then stood up proud. She had figured out what they wanted to do for her, and she appreciated it. It was time to show Gilda who's boss.

"Gilda, don't think I don't remember what you did. I still have the scars. Just because I've built up the courage to stand up to you now, doesn't mean you should be any less afraid. It's not cool to be jealous, okay? Just be thankful for what you have! You don't need anything else. I know I should've said all this a long time ago, but here it comes pouring out." She said confidently.

"Gilda, I never want to see you again."
The Griffon tensed up her talons but had no response. "So, can I go home now?"

Princess Luna stepped in from where she was sitting. "Gilda the Griffon, for performing countless acts of beating and disregarding and slaughtering the true meaning of friendship, you are being banished from Equestria. Your punishment remains uncertain, but it will not be merciless. Guards!" The Alicorn said in a stern voice.

At her command, the 10 strong stallions hoisted the Griffon with a confused look on her face outside and threw into a caged cart and locked the door.

"Dash, that was long ago! You can't do this, I'm sorry!" The Griffon Pleaded.
Rainbow Dash walked right up to her and stuck her face right next to hers. "What do I know," she whispered, "I'm just a stupid pegasus pony."

The cart rattled away in the direction of Canterlot. As she saw her helpless ex-best friend struggling and cursing in the tiny cage, Rainbow Dash let out a true smile for once in her life. Pinkie came up behind her and put an arm around her best friend's neck. "What a meanie."

"Thank you so much Princess," They all mentioned to her at one time, bowing.
"It was my pleasure taking that monster out of Equestria," she said in a regal voice. "We won't be seeing her for a LONG time." Rainbow had noticed a few ponies in their windows and on the street had been clapping and cheering as the cart rolled away.

As everyone else was talking, Rainbow Dash walked up to Applejack.
"Thank you.." she bursted out, slinging her arms around AJ's neck, crying.

"It was no problem, Sugarcube. It's all brighter skies from here, don't you worry."
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Epilogue

Rainbow sat on the balcony of her cloud house that night, enjoying the wonderful nighttime stars. She really appreciated all of her friends banding together to let her stand up to her fillyhood bully. It made her feel whole again, like there wasn't any emptyness inside to speak of. And there wasn't. She could live her life now, with everyone knowing what she's been through, also knowing that she stood up to it, and that Gilda was long gone. But that night, she noticed something odd in the night sky. The moon didn't quite look the same as it had before, it seemed as if it had gained a new crater. But then Rainbow Dash noticed what it was. All of the craters had formed together in the shape of a Griffon. Yep, the wouldn't be seeing Gilda for a while.

Author's Note

Here it is! I was going to separate these two parts but I figured the second part was just too short to be a chapter itself, so I combined them. It's a little longer than the others, but that's okay. Don't worry, I have more work planned. To see what I've been up to lately, go to my latest unpublished story at my profile and put in the viewing password: unpublished!
That story will probably be out by next Tuesday or later.