Destinies Intertwined

Gilda was in the middle of feeding Garuda, for the umpteenth time. She started wondering if she was this much of a bottomless pit when she was a baby. She knew griffons were naturally good eaters...but this was insane! True, she was only giving him vegetables, but...why was he so hungry?

It wasn’t long before a certain blue pegasus walked into the bedroom. “So how’s Garuda doing?”

“Hungry.” Gilda replied.

“Still?”

“Yeah…”

“Where does it all go?”

“His diaper.”

The only thing to come out of Dash’s mouth after that answer was a small gag.

“You did it too, ya know.”

“But still, not a good thing to mention while he’s eating.”

“Well, he doesn’t really mind.”

Rainbow Dash started to say something, but decided to hold her tongue. “Anyway, do you remember Skywishes?”

“How could I forget her? Haven’t talked to her in years though...why?”

“Well, I found out that she is the legal guardian to a filly I hang out with.”

“Oh. She lives in Ponyville?”

“She does actually.”

“Wow. Cool, I really want to talk with her again.”

“Well, she wants to meet us for dinner tonight.”

“Oh...Hmm...I hope Garuda will let us visit a bit.”

“Hopefully he will. Besides, Skywishes would love to meet him.”

“Oh...you told her about my situation?”

“No, I just figured that she would.”

“Oh… Hey, do you know if she’s...married or dating someone?”

“She’s dating someone.”

“Ah...do you know who?”

“I have no clue who it is, but I’m sure he’s nice.”

“Better be, I don’t want Skywishes dating some creep.”

“Yeah. Especially if she’s watching a filly.”

“Well...Skywishes is a smart girl, she wouldn’t date a creep like some of the guys I...met.”

Rainbow’s eyes widened.

“What? It was before I had Garuda.”

“I hope so…”

“Anyway, where does she want us to meet?”

“Well, just to meet up with us again, and introduce us to her boyfriend.”

“Okay… And if things go wrong?”

“What’s to go wrong?”

“Anything…”

“Only way it could go wrong is if her boyfriend’s a Wonderbolt.”

“But wouldn’t that be a good thing?”

“I might start hitting on him.”

“Oh…” A small giggle left her beak.

“What?”

"Nothing… But I bet you're hoping he’s wearing one of those uniforms.”

“Yeah...better believe I am.”

“I see the problem…”

“And what would that be?”

“You tryin’ to steal Skywishes boy."

“Am not!”

"Not even if he's wearing one of those skin tight Wonderbolts uniforms that'll show off his butt real well?"

“It would make him look hot, but I wouldn’t go after him like that.”

"Sure..."

"I'm just not really into big guys."

"So you like nerdy, skinny boys?"

Rainbow shrugged, "I liked how they reacted when I talked to 'em in High School."

"Probably didn't help that you were the only girl who'd ever give them the time of day."

“True.”

"And you were one of the prettier girls back then, only behind yours truly."

“Yeah, but I was twenty percent cooler.”

Gilda rolled her eyes. "Everyone was a pony, if you went to a griffon school they'd be too busy drooling over me to notice you."

“But what if I did a sonic rainboom? I know griffons can’t do that.”

"Eh...you're too small for a griffon; griffon's like their girls big."

“What if one of those griffons happens to be a nerd?” Rainbow smirked at that comment.

"Do you really think there's be a nerdy griffon?"

“Every species has to have a nerd.”

"But a griffon...nerd... That's almost an oxymoron."

“I met one that was a pastry chef.”

Gilda gave her friend a look, "Please tell me you did not flirt with him."

“Hay no!”

"Good. That'd be weird."

“No kidding. On the bright side, his eclairs were good.”

"Uh huh..."

“I need to shut up about that now, don’t I.”

“Oh yeah.”

Rainbow sighed, "Well, we need to get over to Rarity's."

“What for?”

"We're going to a fancy restaurant and you'll need a dress."

“Oh. Well, as long as I don’t look ridiculous.”

******

Rarity was scribbling down Gilda's measurements. After she ran those measurements through her head, she had that feeling that she was going to need more fabric. Hopefully she’ll get lucky and finish both dresses.

Gilda meanwhile, was slipping back into her jeans. "Is this really necessary?"

Rainbow replied, “Do you want the dress to squeeze you to death?”

“Um… No…”

"Then it's necessary."

"Okay…” Once Gilda was dressed, she put Garuda back in her arms.

"Maybe Garuda should get a tux, huh? You'd look pretty handsome, wouldn't ya?" Gilda said in a babyish tone.

Both ponies looked at her.

"What? You'll do the same thing when your parents."

Rarity glanced at Rainbow who shrugged.

“Anyway, do you think you could make him a small tuxedo?”

Rarity scratched her head. "Erm...I suppose...but I'll need his measurements, too."

“Alright.” Gilda handed Garuda over to Rarity. "Just be careful."

"I will, Darling."

Gilda shivered at the term, “darling.”

After a few moments, Rarity returned with a crying Garuda. " Gilda’s maternal instinct kicked in. “What did you do to him?!”

"N-nothing." Rarity replied nervously, "I was just taking his measurements, but I guess he missed you..." Rarity turned away, obviously upset. "I-I'm sorry..."

Once Gilda took Garuda, he started to calm down.

“Huh… I guess I better let him get used to that.” She looked at Rarity. “I’m sorry. I just don’t want him to get hurt.”

"I understand...he did a lot for you."

“More than you’ll ever know…”

*****

"Twilight?" Spike asked.

"Yes?" Twilight replied. Both were sitting in the living room. Twilight was reading a book, and Spike was laying on the couch.

"Is it wrong?" He finally asked.

Twilight raised an eyebrow. "Is what wrong?"

"That I...like ponies more than dragons."

Twilight marked the page in her book and closed it. She sat up and said, “Well,  that answer varies from one pony, or dragon, griffon, ect. In my opinion, I think that it should be the person herself that should matter over the species.”

"So... You're okay with me dating pony girls instead of dragons?"

"I am." Twilight smiled.

Spike heaved a sigh of relief.

“But I would be careful around certain people who don’t really think that it’s a good idea. Some ponies have more than one way of showing their opinions.

"Like that group your sister was dealing with?"

Twilight shuddered at the thought. “Yeah… That…”

"Well... Maybe I should stay away from unicorns." Spike teased.

Twilight gave Spike a look.

"Just kidding."

"Uh-huh..."

“Um...that reminds me of something else…”

“And what would that be?”

Spike was about to reply, but didn’t say anything.

Twilight gave him a look, “Are you gonna ask?”

“Maybe some other time…”

“Okay. Are you sure?”

“Y-yeah...I’m sure.”

“Well… I’m here to talk if you need to.”

“Okay...thanks…”

“Sure.” Twilight grinned.

Spike looked like he was about to say something again, but didn’t.

“Spike… What is it?”

“Do you think I’m doing the right thing by breaking up with Rarity?”

“Well… What do you think?” Twilight asked.

Spike sighed, “I...I don’t know… I used to think she was so beautiful and that she was the perfect one for me...but ever since the...changeling…”

“Spike… I’m pretty sure Rarity wouldn’t rush a relationship with you, especially with this...but… If Rarity really cares for you, she won’t force it on you.”

“Maybe but that moment...”

“I know that was really hard, and I feel partially responsible since I told you how ‘it’ works. And if a changeling pretended to be Com- someone I had a crush on, I would be scared, too.”

“I bet…”

“But at the same time… love is never an easy thing, ask anypony.”

“Do you think that could happen with Comet Tail?”

“I hope not, but the sad thing is that there could be disputes at the least.”

"Well, in my opinion, he seems like a nice guy."

“He is, but it’ll take a long time for me to know him entirely.”

"Yeah... And who know, maybe you two'll end up tying the knot someday..."

“Maybe, but right now, we’re just friends.”

"Uh-huh..."

“Well, technically boyfriend and girlfriend, but nothing more.”

"Right. But I'm gonna have to set a ten o'clock curfew for your next date."

Twilight looked at Spike as if he were crazy.

"What? I don't want you two doing anything crazy or anything."

“Spike, I’m a grown mare. If I wanted to do something crazy, I’d do it.”

“Exactly.”

Twilight signed, "Have I done anything crazy in the eighteen years you've known me?"

"Do you really want me to answer that?"

“Surprise me.”

"Well... Remember when you were fifteen and you drank three cans of Dr. Lightning?"

“Oh yeah…”

"And them when you were seventeen wanted to bungee jump off the castle balcony?"

“It seemed fun at the time.”

“Don’t forget when you made all of Ponyville fall in love with your doll.”

Twilight looked at Spike flatly. “Really? That again?”

"Yes 'that again', now I'm nervous about letting you even go on dates. Who knows what you'll do."

“I won’t.”

"How can I be sure?"

“Because this time I’ll be more careful.”

"Well...you'll have to prove it."

“I will.”

"And no kissing till you're forty."

“Hey!”

"Do you know how easy it is to get sick from just a simple kiss?"

“Not unless you’re careful.”

“Uh huh…”

******

Gilda looked at herself in the mirror while wearing her new dress. It was made of black silk with a few rhinestones dispersed throughout the dress. “I feel ridiculous.”

“But at least you look nice,” Dash commented.

She sighed, “I suppose… But I’d feel more comfortable in my jeans.”

“It’s just for one night. after that, you can wear jeans all you want.”

“Good. Cuz this thing’s killing me. And I can take it off as soon as we get back, right?”

“Hey, Garuda’s not complaining about his tux.”

Gilda glanced over at her son, “Yeah, he’s asleep.”

“So he’s comfortable…”

Gilda rolled her eyes, “It’s still a while before we have to meet up with Skywishes, right?”

“Well, we need to get going pretty soon.”

“So you’re not wearing anything special?”

“No, I was just gonna break out the dress I wore at the Grand Galloping Gala.”

“WHAT?!” Rarity called out from another room. She dashed in with a white dress. “But I made you a new dress.”

Rainbow glanced at it, unsure. “Then again… I guess I could try that one on…”

*****

Rainbow looked at herself in the mirror. “I feel ridiculous.”

Gilda laughed at the irony. “And what were you saying about looking better?”

Rainbow shot Gilda a glare.

“You don’t like it?” Rarity asked.

“I didn’t say that, I just…” She was trying to find the right words to say.

“Uncomfortable?” Gilda asked.

“Well… kinda…”

“Is it too tight?” Rarity asked.

“Yeah, it’s a little tight around the waist.”

“Well...they’re the old measurements…”

“Then we might want to do those measurements again.”

“Uh-huh…” Rarity went back and got her notebook, pencil, and glasses.

Rainbow looked back at Gilda. “Looks like I won’t be able to wear the dress anyway.”

“So guess I’ll switch to my regular clothes.” Gilda pointed out.

“My, you’re both sooo grateful that I’m making you these free dresses.” Rarity noted.

Rainbow sighed, “Fine...we’ll wear the dresses.”

“Thank you,” Rarity smiled sweetly.

******

After about half an hour, Rainbow, Gilda, and Garuda were on their way to the restaurant in Rainbow’s Camaro. Gilda was still a little wary of being out in public considering what happened the last time she was in Ponyville. Hopefully no one would remember the incident...and that no one would ask about Garuda’s father.

“Ya feelin’ okay there, Gilda?”

“Y-yeah… Just thinking…”

“About what?”

“Garuda… I’m just really hoping nothing comes up about...his dad…”

“Ah. Yeah, that would be a hard pill to swallow.”

“Yeah… and it…really wasn’t my proudest moment…”

“Well, just imagine everyone in their underwear.”

Gilda shot Dash a look.

“Oh wait, that’s for public speaking.”

“Not to mention that were not the best words to say considering that-”

“I know.”

Gilda sighed, “Dash?”

“Yeah?”

“Thanks for not giving up on me…”

Dash smiled, “No problem.”

*****

Skywishes and Scootaloo were waiting outside of the restaurant. Skywishes was wearing a black evening gown that reached her knees, heels, and a silver necklace. “Do you see her car yet?” She asked.

Scootaloo, wearing a pink, long sleeved shirt, pink skirt, and purple shoes, replied, “No, not yet.”

“Okay… She said she’d be here right about now.” Skywishes took a deep breath.

“Are you okay, Auntie?”

Skywishes forced a smile, “I am...just a little nervous is all.”

“Trust me, you have nothing to worry about.”

Skywishes ruffled Scootaloo’s mane. “I’m glad you and Rainbow hit it off so well.”

“I still can’t believe you two were friends in school.”

“Yeah…” Skywishes thought back to her school days with Rainbow, “We did have some good times.”

“What was she like back then?”

“Well...she was a lot like you.”

“Really?”

“Uh-huh. She also had another friend who will be meeting us soon.”

"Really? Who was she?"

“He name is Gilda.”

Scootaloo paused for a minute. “You mean the griffon that…”

“Yep…”

"I don't think I want to meet her..."

“Don’t worry. According to Rainbow Dash, she’s different from the griffon you saw back then.”

“Still…” Then… “I think I see them.”

"Oh? Which car is her's?"

"The red Camaro."

Skywishes saw the car, and soon spotted her friend's trademark rainbow mane. "Yup, that's her, alright."

"Should we go meet them? After they park?"

“No, I think it might be better to wait for them.”

Scootaloo sighed, "Okay..."

Both girls waited for Rainbow and Gilda. Skywishes was still feeling nervous. This wouldn't be easy.

Soon, Rainbow Dash, Gilda, and Garuda, in Gilda's arms, emerged from the muscle car. The first thing Skywishes noticed was what they were wearing.

Rainbow was wearing a white, sleeveless dress, and gold, wrap around sandals that almost reached her knees. Gilda, meanwhile, was wearing a black strapless dress, black heels, and a black necklace. And Garuda-

Skywishes looked again. Was she really seeing a baby griffon wearing a small tuxedo?

"Hey, Skywishes," Rainbow greeted, giving her friend a quick hug.

“Hey Rainbow Dash. How have you been?”

“Well you know… Still trying to get in with the Wonderbolts. Nothing new.”

"Ah. And how are you, Gilda?" Skywishes gave her griffon friend a small hug.

"Doing pretty good, making sure this little guy doesn't get into trouble, mostly."

“I hope he doesn’t. He is just too cute!”

“Yeah, but try putting him down for a nap.”

“That bad?”

“Yep, and I’m sleeping right next to him. Imagine how it would be if I put him in a crib.”

"Wow, that bad?"

“Oh yeah.”

“Wow… Hope it’s not as bad with me. I ended up with Scootaloo when she was four.”

"Wow, weren't you still in school?"

“Yeah, but with some help, I was able to balance it out.”

“Well Sky,” Rainbow said, “There is so much that we need to catch up on, but first, where is this ‘prince charming’ that you told me about.”

"Uh..." Skywishes saw her boyfriend behind Rainbow.

"Hey, Rainbow," The man greeted.

A chill went down her spine. That voice sounded all too familiar, for that was the very same voice that she heard on the day she was assaulted. She turned around and saw that it was the same man who violated her. Citrus Rush was a yellow pegasus with a green mane. He was wearing khaki pants a collared shirt, a black belt, and brown dress shoes. Rainbow stood there in absolute shock while memories of the day that he showed his true colors flowed through her head.

Gilda was just as shocked, but she held Garuda protectively in her arms. "What are you doing here?" Gilda demanded.

“Why about to have dinner with my girlfriend and her friends,” he answered. “Is that a problem?”

Once Rainbow got her wits together, she said, “Gilda, hold me back.”

“Can’t, I’m going to be too busy breaking every bone in his body!”

"Girls, stop!" Skywishes exclaimed.

"Give me one. Good. Reason." Gilda replied, still glaring at Citrus.

“Because he changed.”

“Oh really?” Dash replied, “Is that supposed to take away the fact that I was raped by him?!”

"Dashie-" Citrus started.

“Don’t ‘Dashie’ me. YOU should have stayed in that cell to rot! I’m surprised she let you hang with her around a filly.”

"Stop it!!" Scootaloo finally shouted, the girl was in tears. "Why- what-?" Scootaloo bolted towards her aunt's car.

Rainbow glared at Citrus… then Skywishes before walking back to hers. Garuda finally started crying loudly, scared from the near-fatal argument. Gilda didn’t even face Citrus, but rather looked at Skywishes and asked, “Why? Why did you decide to date him after what he did to your best friend?”

"Maybe cuz he changed, and he's sorry for what he did, and I just wanted to give him a second chance." Skywishes replied.

“Oh really… What? Is he sensitive to a slap on the wrists. Meanwhile, I was on the streets having to sell myself to survive, have a baby whose biological father is a spoiled prince, AND have to go to jail for assaulting another pony who was insulting me and my baby in order to learn my lesson; and you expect me to believe that he changed out of the blue?”

"Well, you went from a nice girl in school to a jerky prostitute, then back to a nice girl. What do you think?"

“Well at least the people I was with did it willingly. Rainbow, on the other hand is STILL traumatized.”

"What more can he do? He's apologized, he spent some time in the army, and he couldn't go to college."

“Still sounds like a slap on the wrists. At least he didn’t have to give birth on the streets. Can you imagine how painful that is without medication?”

"He can't, cuz he’s a male for one thing, but he also can’t imagine me having kids because we can’t have any.”

"Serves him right." Gilda said, before going back to Rainbow's Camaro while trying to calm Garuda down.