Author's Note

Hey everyone here it is, the end of the arch. had to re-write it like three time because it stunk and I'm still not all that pleased with it, but I believe it's at an acceptable level (story wise at least) and I just want to get on with the story. Hope you enjoy

Anyway on a lighter side hope you enjoy, P.S I'm not sorry about the shipping, everybody gets one in fics, its the law... They made me do it!

P.S.S This chapter is the longest one written and is also without an editor (The previous one dropped off the face of the earth), I am sorry for the grammatical mistakes that most likely are in the chapter. I will as always in-devour to fix them as fast as possible. If they particularly bug you however, then please feel free as always, to let me know in a comment, then follow it up by making hurtful remarks about my weight/mother/intelligence/sexuality etc..

The 'The Parley Part Three' Part

You walk a respectable distance behind the white mare, who blissfully canters to the parley point. Her hoof making calculated bounds down the little dirt road, three hoofs then one, then three then one, a melodic rhythm like a practiced ballet dance subconsciously created a primal ease in your mind, as you follow slowly behind her, in tandem with your one and only Griffoness and her ever present little package, swaying lightly underneath her as she walked.

Wiping a bead of sweat from your brow, not attributed to the sun, you massage your eyes with both thumbs. It feels like forever since you enjoyed such a moment, even with the weight of things to come burdening your mind and weighing on your shoulders, you can find some joy in the walk.

Jumping out of the fire of mere moments ago, this quite march was as close to a blissful vacation as you had gotten these past few days and you were doing all you could to subtly enjoy it. Closing your eyes, as you walked the well-worn dirt road, you enjoy the warm spring breeze as the smell of new life, the blossoming flowers, the swaying of the trees, the scent of Mother Nature at her prime invades your nostrils and sending euphoric waves of tranquillity that left you wanting more.

There was at least one silver lining that others couldn't take from you. Ponyville for all its demented town dwellers and uncanny ability to attract the best and the worst on any given day, could not take away from the heart of what it was deep down. A beautifully harmonious settlement.

It would be a cold day in whatever wicked afterlife these ponies believed in before you would be cheated of it.

You peer down at Gilda as you travel that long gravel road. You chop it up to her (somewhat creepy) sixth sense like way in which she knows exactly when someone looks at her, which is proven almost immediately as she looks up confused somehow noticing your lingering eyes as you look down at the she griffon.

Gilda gives you a raised eyebrow with a cocky smile.

"Something on your mind big guy."

You don't know the half of it.

You decided that right now was not the best time to tell Gilda, what would or still potentially could happen if you had stayed at home. Like you, she hadn't seen much peace in these last few days, even with her dramatic and energetic aura she loved to parade herself around in, you know she could sometimes appreciate these moments of peace the same way you could.

And besides the third member in this party was still not someone you trusted with this type of information, not yet.

"Oh you know stuff." You say nonchalantly shrugging your shoulders.

"Yeah? Any of this ‘stuff’ on me because your eyes seem to think there is." She retorts back in a cocksure tone, using her wing feathers as quotation marks.

"Well you do have a lot of stuff in certain areas... Wait no! That sounded better in my head, give me a second!" You sink into your shoulders berating your awful ability to talk sexy. Like always it wasn't your fault. How were you supposed to just know that Griffons liked to be complimented on their wingspan and that you should never, ever, ever say they have a big beak!

Gilda just laughs at you swatting you thigh with her tail as you walk. "Always know how to talk to a gal huh big guy, jeez you're hopeless."

"Hey it worked on you didn't it?" You confidently quip back to Gilda.

"Yeah, I must be losing my game." She smirks again, looking down the road.

"Hey I'm not a bad catch, I got a good, if dangerous job, I’m fit and healthy again thanks to the dangerous part of that job. tall to boot and ruggedly handsome and if I may say so myself." You mockingly push your hair back imitating one of those girls in a hair product commercial "I'm a catch back where I come from, I work with animals darlin' you don't know how many times you can get a date for saving a girls puppy."

"Yeah I'm sure all the mares love a guy who can catch the attention of their guide dog." she laughs again racing forward towards Rarity before you can form a response.

"...Wait, they weren't blind! Oh you bloody walking quill factory!" You yell back chasing after her as she bolts faster away the echoes of her mischievous cackle ringing in your ear, catching the attention of your guide who looks back separated from her own day dreams.

"My somepony's energetic, do be careful dear, you don't want to harm the child. You shouldn’t put stress on your body like that." She lightly warns walking over towards Gilda who slows her pace next to the mare.

Gilda shakes her head at the mare giving her that trademark smirk "Relax Madam Frou-Frou my baby's fine. Griffons aren't as fragile as you ponies are. We still gotta' catch food and stuff when we’re with a kid. Not that I'm risking anything like that, but a short run or jump isn't going to do anything to my little girl."

"You sure about that?" Rarity asks hesitantly but a subtle undertone of anger laces her voice.

Gilda smile forms into a frown. "Yeah I’m sure! My big Monkey here and I have been doing research on this stuff, you better not be thinking I'm irresponsible enough to just go running around recklessly with my little chick in the oven!" She snarls back.

Woops time to step in.

"She right miss Rarity, she’s fine, believe me I've made dead certain to check the facts, as long as she doesn't do anything unnecessary like flying or climbing the baby's safe."

Rarity bites her lip an uncertain expression was plastered on her face. But after a moment she seemed sated by the confidence in your voice. "Well if you're certain. I'm sorry Gilda, I didn't mean to imply that you were irresponsible. It's just a bit of healthy concern for the child, after all if we’re to be friends, you can at least afford me to be a tad crude every now and then, especially if it comes to your own well being."

Gilda eyes the mare, demonstrably confused by her non-confrontational reaction to her own retort. She opens her beak a few times before speaking. "Heck don't sweat it. I guess I'm sorry for gettin' all up in your grill about it, I tend to be on guard around you types, it’s something I'm working on." She looks away for a second staring at the sky, though you suspected it wasn't to look at any particularly interesting cloud.

Rarity bemused by the humility of the griffon chuckles softly to herself shaking a strand of hair away from her eyes. "I hope I'm not going to be too much of my 'type' for you?" she asks.

Gilda seems to sink down slightly, embarrassed by the word she had chosen. "Gahh sorry even when I'm apologising I mess it up. It’s just that you have that Canterlot voice that just makes everything sound worse to me."

"Worse?" Rarity inquired raising an eyebrow.

"It’s kinda', uh how do I put it?" Gilda looks down at her talons for a moment in thought her posture changing to a more subdued position as she muses over the question. "Well my teachers and stuff talked down to me with that voice, they always seemed to be harder on me than the other kids, I'd say it’s because I'm a griffon but maybe it was more than that. They used to think I was dumb, 'an irresponsible hatchling' that's what they kept callin' me. It's kinda' why I act out, did bad things sometimes. I wanted to show that I could outsmart them every chance I could. Even if it got me in trouble more times than I wanna' admit."

Rarity gives Gilda a saddened smile looking into her eyes. "I'm sorry my dear I can't say I truly understand, I didn't have it as bad as you apparently did, but I can say that I at least sympathise, maybe not with your actions, but your reasoning." She finishes giving Gilda a caring smile that Gilda returns.

"Well that's all behind me now, I'm done caring what everyone thinks, I know I'm responsible and I'm going to prove it by taking care of my little girl here." She clutches her plump stomach smiling down at it. You stay silent but simply lean over and caress her side in agreement.
Rarity grins at the scene, looking down at Gilda's stomach before shaking her head playfully. "You know you're just like her. It’s such a shame what happened happened." Rarity mumbled mostly to herself just loud enough for you to catch.

Gilda snaps her head away from her stomach towards the mare. "What did you mean by that?"

Rarity stops in her tracks "Oh nothing darling it's simply that Rain--"

"Raires, Doc, that you!?" A southern voice bellows from across the way.

All three heads snap forward to the voice, a friendly wave from an orange farm pony adorned with her trademark Stetson you know well greets you at entrance into the farm. She chews on a long straight bit of orchard grass, letting it sit at the side of her mouth as she leans against a piece of fence.

You couldn't help but grin at the cocky stance of the tomboyish mare. She was as close to guy company as you got, besides Big Mac. But good luck getting more than a two word conversation out of him. You didn't even know that the answer to the meaning of life was a simple “Eeyep”.
Rarity seemed more than pleased by the sight of the mare as cantered quickly over to the work pony, who tipped her hat higher up from her face exposing her emerald green eyes.

"Well I’d be damned, I musta’ died and gone to the great plains above, cos’ I see an angel right in front of me, Celestia have mercy on ma’ honest soul."

Rarity giggled into her hoof slowing her pace in an sultry almost cat like walk until she was inches from the apple mare.

"Whomever said I was an angel darling? Devils wear new disguises every day and you aren’t as honest as you let on my dear." Rarity walks past pushing her muzzle into the other mare for a quick but passionate kiss, before moving around Applejack, hitting the farm pony lightly on the muzzle with her tail as she circled around her.

You move over to the side, slightly dumbstruck, looking down at Gilda who was in turn looking at you with a similar expression followed by an exaggerated shrug of her shoulders.

Wow that's a hell of a greeting, I need to get out more if that's how everyone says hi.

"Wow that got hot quick, these pony don't play around!" Gilda exclaims getting a brief but passionate nod from you as you look back at the mares.

Upon hearing that, both mares faces go as red as the apples on the farm.

"Uh sorry ya’ll sometimes I forget we got company." She moves the hat further over her face, covering her eyes.

Rarity coughs into her hoof, trying to rid herself from the discomfort of the scene. "Yes we uh, well it’s just that we haven’t seen one another in a while and uh..."

Gilda starts laughing at this point and despite yourself you can't help but join in, it was a little mean spirited sure, but a little teasing never hurt anyone and you and Gilda were pretty good at the teasing thing.

Gilda looks up at you moving her eyebrows up and down in a suggestive manner. and just then you know it was on, that was the code word and with a subtle nod you were in.

"You know." Gilda starts, moving further toward the couple, circling them in a sultry stance. "I've always been a fan of apple's, strong taste, sweet and juicy you know? I could get into this one." She leans into Applejack, taking an overly exaggerated sniff of her hair before looking back at you to tell you it was your queue.

“H-h-huh?” Applejack weakly mutters.

"Now sweetie you should treat yourself more often, you know that something more savory is better for you, how about this one?" You walk over towards Rarity kneeling next to her and cupping her cheek. "Soft as a marshmallow and just as sweet I bet, I think we can work with this one." You quickly wink back at Gilda as she bits her talon trying desperately to bust into a fit of laughter as Rarity’s entire coat turns into a fiery inferno of red blush that could match the very sun.

"You know big guy I can't decide maybe we should toss a coin over them." She faces her head towards you but her pricing amber eyes never leave the mares.

"I-I-I beg your pardon?" Rarity just about mumbles out.

You scratch the stumble of your chin in mock thought "Ooor, you know maybe we could try both? it looks like a two for one deal here anyway."

"Hmm maybe you're right sweetie." The Griffon purrs her head back to Applejack who was mouth agape and staring into the distance. Obviously completely unprepared for your two pronged attack. Rarity was faring little better.

Gilda takes both of their paralyzed muzzles and turns them to her own face, with a soft wicked smile. "If you want some real fun you know where to find us, I love a little wickedness and I bet madam Frou-Frou and miss Cowgirl here does to." She winks and gives both of their cheeks a quick peck.

And there it was, mission accomplished. Now for the best part you and Gilda walk around the stunned mares, you grab onto Gilda's flank as she wraps her tail around your leg.

From any other perspective it looked like the deal was deadly serious. But from the front you were both scrunching your beak and mouth collectively doing absolutely anything you could to not break down then and there.

"Oh dude, I can't hold it any longer, are they still looking!?" Gilda holds her breath as a chuckle escapes her beak.
"Shh this is the best part, don't look, wait till we get to the other side."

"Okay okay I'll uh, just think about unfunny stuff like paint drying, uh grass growing, ah and...oh heck I can feel the white one staring at my flank right now!”

That was it, a little giggle escaped your mouth which caused Gilda to chuckle which in turn caused you to fall down laughing and for her to promptly land on you both yours and her cheeks filled with tears of joy and laughter those therapeutic tears of pure laughter washing as sweet as any candy, it only got sweeter when you and Gilda managed to catch the punch line you were waiting for.

A southern voice shaken but not as stirred as the other mare finally questions to her significant other in a fairly curious tone. "Y-You think their serious?"

It took several minutes for you two to breathe right.

After a while you finally collect yourself, rubbing your eyes, letting the droplets of joy wash off your cheek via your sleeve. You pick Gilda back up from her prone position as a pair of angry blushing faces stare down at you, you mumble apologies between breaths.

You hope they didn't take it too badly, you and Gilda had done far worse for lesser reasons, not that you were going to let slip that piece of information.

It was all in the name of fun anyway. A healthy way for you and Gilda to let out a bit of frustration and get your own back every now and then and unfortunately right then it was on your new friends this time.

Both tails intertwined, Rarity and Applejack walk off ahead of you as Gilda leans against your leg her beak splitting her face in a massive grin, you know a proper apology was in order, but for now you were happy to let her have her fun.

Squinting your eyes after, walking up another seemingly endless ocean of green, you shield your vision with a hand, peering through Celestia’s rays of light. Spotting the group across the field next to a simple watering hole, that Applejack used to let her animals drink when she would let them roam and graze. The small party seemed to be in full swing, the colourful figures conversing together happily on the other side of the field. You even spot two fillies running off towards the water’s edge, a small purple drake running quickly after them as the echoes of their childish laughter ricochets off the many farm hills that encircle you.

Moving closer to the groups you feel Gilda tail constricts further around you. Taking the obvious sign of nervousness you reach down softly stroking her wither. You don’t want to address her apprehension out loud, you didn't want to take away from the confidence she normally tries to put up as a front to hide any real emotion she might be feeling.

Simply happy that she would share this subtle message at all, you do what you can to comfort her as she slows her walk leaning into your lower hip with more gusto while simultaneously keeping her appearance of nonchalant bravado as she scans the party.

Twilight is the first one to pick up on your imminent approach. Waving happily to all four of you, she stand up from the other group subtly flanked by your demure little boss, who leaves the two elder Apple family members on the red and white tartan blanket as they meet you halfway.

"Hey AJ, Rarity, how are you?"

"We’re fine Twi, though I think our guest are more comfortable then I took them for, Their a might playful, you coulda’ told me they were swinge--" Applejack tried to finish her sentence but found a swift and not to subtle kick to the ribs from her significant other made her words much harder to voice.

"We are fine darling, nothing to worry about, I told you a little sweet talk would coax them out of that hermit cave of a home." She coughs putting on an air of grandeur as she spoke next. "With that said, I present to you our guests of honour."

All four of the pony's turn to you and Gilda. It seems silly in retrospect, you’ve both meet all four of them at least once before, but seeing them all together was created a completely different perspective. It almost felt like some sort of intervention, then again you most likely won't going to start your introduction with 'Hello I'm a human and I'm an alcoholic.'

You throw out a soft “Hello” instead, Gilda simply nods at the group as they move closer towards you.

"My o' my Doc y'all a little soft spoken now ain’t ya’, that's a change?" Applejack retorted ignoring the glare Rarity was going her.

"Are you both doing okay? We were starting to worry you two wouldn’t show up." Fluttershy asks, ignoring her Apple picking friends question.
You sigh "We had some... things that came up, as it happens."

Fluttershys face lights up in concern as she lifts off from the ground up to your face. "Oh my what happened to your eye, it’s all swollen!" she squeaks out, already fussing over you.

"Buck heads happened!" Gilda growls, looking at you the rage in her eyes returning.

"What do you mean?" Twilight questions moving closer to you as you softly take Fluttershys hoof away from your eye, as she continues her concerned examination.

"Nothing, nothing just an accident, you don't need to concern yourself with it." You answer back in a monotone and tired voice.
Rarity tilts her head to the side butting her lip in thought. "I certainly hope you’re not referring to the Princesses my dear? That whole situation did seem a bit tense when I came by."

You open your mouth to speak but are quickly cut off.

"Wait, the Princesses are in Ponyville!?" Twilight yells with complete (and loud) shock and a bit of crazed glee causing all around to shield their ears from the high pitch squeal.

"Yes darling, calm down, they said they would be around shortly as it happens.” Rarity answers removing her hooves from her large equine ears.

From the insane twitching look in her eye that you had already come to recognise as her 'crazy face' you could tell this wasn't exactly good news.

"They’re coming here!" She screams.

"They said they'd be over in a bit." You answer resentfully, brought back to that moment with Luna not too long ago.

Twilight looks back at the farm frantically. "Why didn't you tell me they were coming, we can't bring them here looking like this, this place looks horrible!"

"Hey!" Applejack growls.

"We can't just let the princess's walk in here like this we need banners, decorations, oh horse apples Spike, Spike!" Twilight yells her hair already frazzled as she flies up racing towards the group of little filly’s.

"Pumpkin you know I love ya, but you know how she gets with the princesses, couldn't ya’ have said that a little more, I don't know, subtle like?" Applejack turns back to Rarity who laughs sheepishly, a blush comes to her face.

"To be fair, I sort of did something like that when I found out." You add diplomatically.

Rarity sighs, "I'll go calm her down dear, why don't you and the rest go over there and settle down, this might take a while."

"Sounds good pumpkin." Applejack pecks her on the cheek, before untangling her tail from Rarity’s as she begins to race after the crazed Alicorn.

You, Gilda and Fluttershy follow the farm mare back towards the group, as you exchange pleasantries with Fluttershy who still hadn’t stopped fussing over you. As you walk you begin to talk about her animals to stop her fussing over your face. As predicted it works almost instantly as you asks how some of the ones you had worked on were doing, now that they were beginning to recuperate back at her cottage.

As you approach the large quilt that comfortably housed the other guests and refreshments you choose to sit on the corner close to but not in the middle of the group. Crossing your legs Gilda slump down at your side, resting diagonally against your side so as not to put too much pressure on her own stomach.

"Granny, Mac, ya’ll know Doc here, but I'd like ya ta meet his other half, Ms Gilda." Applejack points a hoof over to you and Gilda as you nod and express pleasantries.

"Hooooey! My eyes must be getting’ rusty, is that gal a griffon." Granny Smith inquires with unrestrained enthusiasm.

Gilda raises an eyebrow turning to the apple family matriarch "Yeah I am, you got problem with that?"

The group takes an awkward pause as the old mare leans back in surprise blinking a few times before erupting in a loud cackle. "Haha shucks, she's a feisty one ain't she, reckon she's a handful in the hay, ay Doc?" Granny cackles again as the rest of the group goes a subtle but noticeable red.

"Granny!" Both Mac and Applejack yell collectively.

"Why does everyone keep saying that?" Gilda muses to herself.

"I honestly have no idea." You reply earnestly.

Granny Smith waves her hand lightly back at Gilda "I'm messin’ with ya dearie', I’m just a little surprised is all, we ain't never seen a griffon in Ponyville, let alone on this humble apple farm."

"Actually Miss Smith, Gilda here's been living in Ponyville for two years and a bit years now." Fluttershy states quietly, with a welcoming smile.
"Truly? well I'll be a zebras uncle, why ain’t you shown yourself around girl I ain't heard nothing about ya till just now."

A sigh leaves both your and Gilda mouths as Gilda responds "It’s a long story, maybe I'll tell it later." She answers solemnly.

Applejack places a hoof gently on her grandmother gaining her attention. "That's what we're tryin' to do now Granny, same with Doc here, both them want ta’ go out more now that Gilda here and the Doc are havin' a foal."

"A girl to be specific." you add, with a touch of glee.

Granny Smith shakes her head in amazement even Big Macs maw is fully open which you add to one of your list of achievements. "You don't say! just how in the hay is that supposed ta’ work then, less Doc here's been puttin’ up a disguise all these years."

You jokingly ponder that thought for a moment before dismissing the idea. "Ha, no me and Gilda are just as surprised as you are, believe me it was quite a shock."

"Yeah something to faint over." Gilda chuckles as you give her a deadpan glare.

"Who’s having a filly?" A loud childish voice calls out behind you. You turn around seeing two small filly’s with quizzical stares look back at you. One you know fairly well, stands in front with a large red bow on her head a smile plastered on her muzzle. Her other white and curly haired companion seems far less enthusiastic, hiding behind her friend trying shrinking down, trying herself as small as she could. Even though with your height advantage you could have seen her even if she was in a five foot hole in the ground.

"Hey Applebloom, how you doing?" You ask happily.

"I'm as good as can be Doc, who's your friend, are ya’ll both having a baby filly!?" she states enthusiastically wagging her tail.

You lean down ruffling her hair playfully as she giggles and tries to swat your arm away from her head "As a matter of fact we are, Applebloom this is my girlfriend Gilda." you gesture over to Gilda who shuffles slightly next to you to get a better view of Applebloom.

"G-Girlfriend?" The shyer pony behind Applebloom calls out.

Gilda smirks "He means marefreind kid, monkey keeps putting human words when he means other things, trust me it's cute at first but it gets annoying real quick."

You cast your gaze back down to Gilda with a mocking harrumph "Well excuse me princess, you get thrown into a different world with talking ponies and see how well you adjust to their Lexicons after only two years."

Gilda rolls her eyes looking back at the filly's. "Well my chicks at least gonna’ be easier to understand than he is, nowhere near as annoying either." She smirks before grimacing slightly. "Though she's been kicking pretty friggin’ hard right now, she hasn't stopped since we left."
"Has she now?" You smile down to her stomach. "You take it easy on Mama now you hear? She only pretends to be tough sweetie, so don't go hurting her."

"Like heck I ain't tough!" Gilda yells at you.

"Can I touch it?" Applebloom asks innocently up at Applejack.

"Don't look at me sugarcube it's up to her mama." Applejack replied with a bemused smirk, tilting her hat up.

Applebloom flicks back to Gilda with pleading eyes and a pouting bottom lip. It was perhaps one of the most adorable sights you saw in a long while. You probably would have given her your wallet if she asked you with that look.

Gilda looks hesitant for moment, never one for being touched, you can see in her eyes, as she begins to weight the thought in her head before sighing quietly. "Sure kid, just be careful okay."

"Yes ma'am" Applebloom salutes walking over to Gilda side as she lifts up her wing for better access.

"I can't feel anything" Bloom bemoans after a few seconds.

Gilda chuckles "That's because you're on my liver kid. You need to move lower down like this." Taking the filly's hoof in her claw, she guides it down towards the lower end of her stomach leaving it in what you surmised was the most prominent area.

It takes a moment but you can tell by the look on Applebloom face that she felt something. "Wooow!" Bloom exclaims almost retracting her hoof out of shock causing a round of laughter from the group as they watch the little filly face fully light up with wonder.

"You want a feel as well kid?" Gilda asks to the other filly who hasn't stopped staring at you.

"N-no thank you." She answers weakly.

"Common Sweetie Belle ya’ll gotta’ feel this it’s real nifty." Applebloom encourages.

"I-Im good." The filly answers looking once more back at you as she circles around you towards the apple matriarch and Big Mac.

"Common youngin’ ain't like ya'll get another chance like this." Granny states encouraging the foal with a hoof.

Thy filly only whimpers lightly never taking her eyes away from you. You breath lightly huffing through your nostrils, that was a look you've seen before, it wasn't Gilda that was causing the filly to hesitate.

"Its fine Miss Smith, let her be." You say to her, more too end the conversation, for both your sakes.

She scrunches her face up, before shrugging "Fair enough Doc, but stop callin’ me Miss Smith ya’ll known me long enough to dispense with that kinda’ formality.”

You smirk “alright uh G-Granny?” you say, a little weirded out by referring to her like your relative, even if it was her real first name.

“Okay Bloom that's enough give the Missy some personal space." Applejack calls out to Bloom who moans in disappointment, moving her hoof away reluctantly causing another round of chuckles from the group.

A good time passes and the (parley) picnic seems to be going well in your opinion, once Twilight, Spike and Rarity re-join the picnic that was. A sheepish apology from Twilight and the group seemed content. Caught up in the prospect of the other princesses visiting they all seem to have forgotten about your black eye thankfully. For the most part you kept quiet, observing from the side lines. Occasionally cracking out a few stories, one liners or answering some questions directed at you.

However despite the pleasant atmosphere everyone around seemed to emit you couldn't find the enthusiasm to join in. Constantly looking over your shoulder at the horizon you were waiting for the figures to cross the hills to take away all that you had worked for over such a wicked misunderstanding.

Never had you thought you would have to be afraid of Luna. She was your first real friend here in this world after all, after you came here and she evidently returned a mere week before, both of you were pretty much fishes out of water in this world. It had given you something to bond over that was for sure. Though she did still treat you more like her beloved pet than a friend, it was something you were working on.

But now her misguided ideas would spell doom on your happy family. Biting your lip you decided that now was the time to tell Gilda. You had given the others enough time that leaving now wouldn't seem to odd or suspicious. You needed to explain everything quickly in a secluded area, it was like a plaster it needed to be ripped off quickly to ease the pain, it was the best line of defence you could have at saving Gilda. if you could tell her you could prepare an alibi, you just needed somewhere quiet to do it. That was the first obstacle.

For the most part the group was fixed on its new member. Though Gilda was obviously hesitant at first she quickly warmed up, after seeing the genuine nature of the mares and with encouragement from her friend Fluttershy, she quickly became the focal point of the group, becoming more adventurous and bold as the minutes pressed on.

It impressed you to no end how the group could forgive the problems that had arisen from Gilda’s first trip to the town. Though Applejack seemed a little more reserved around the griffon she was at least keeping any hostility out of the conversation, perhaps out of politeness to you. But like everything else it was a start.

After a while the fillies were off playing with Spike again somewhat thankfully in Sweetie Belles case you consider. You decide at that point you could break out the moonshine from the bottom of your saddle, fishing the corked bottle from the bag you pick up a few glasses from around the blanket and ask each member individually if they wanted a glass.

The ever proud Apple members presented with their own creation were more than happy to sample the bottle they sold you.

Nothing seals bonds like a drop of liquid courage.

Twilight Rarity and Fluttershy declined instead opting for a glass of wine that Rarity had in her terms 'Scandalously snuck out from her home.' Gilda obviously opted for a simple glass of apple juice instead.

You thought maybe it was a little insensitive to drink when Gilda couldn't even if it was to calm your shaking nerves, but she none the less insisted, explaining that you don't relax enough anyway and maybe it'll in her words "get the stick out your butt." Not that she ever drank anyway she said it makes pony's idiots. But you know she was sort of talking from experience, because to say she was a bit of light weight was an understatement.

Or feather weight haha, man I need to call her that more often. The other quips are getting a bit stale.

As you look down at your wristwatch you are reminded of the time limit you were afforded, already you thinks it’s time. You turn back to the group as Gilda come to the end of her story. A story you probably should have advised her to keep under her hat around the more faint hearted party goes.

"So how did you get out!?" Rarity asks leaning forward towards Gilda along with Fluttershy and Twilight who were both enraptured by Gilda’s tale.

"Well we were surrounded by the two lugs, but while they were too busy arguing about which one would take the money, I managed to flip the table sending the cards and chips flying everywhere. Everyone around was too busy trying to pick up the poker chips that fell off the table at that point and the bouncers got swarmed by the other casino goers. Got out by the skin of my beak thanks to these wings I can tell you."

Gilda gives a cocky laugh at the memory before looking down at her wings stretching them out to their limit. "Heck, I can't wait to use these puppy's again."

"So they tried to arrest ya, and ya, bolted is what ya’ll were sayin?'" Applejack sums up clearly not impressed.

"Well duh! you see what they do to pony's that get caught, I wasn’t gonna’ be on the blunt side of a hammer to the claw that was for sure!" Gilda argues back.

"Well I can't say that I agree with your actions, but that was a truly scandalous tale." Rarity adds clearly not sure whether or not to be impressed or disapproving.

"Hey I needs the bits I was broke, Los Pegasus is a pretty rough place and I wasn't exactly doing anything wrong I was just the look out, Lucky Strike was the one that was supposed to count the cards." She folds her claws into her chest with a huff.

At this point Twilight seems to be looking in the same way as Rarity and Fluttershy was just starting with her mouth agape. However a chuckle from Granny Smith breaks everyone’s attention away from griffoness as the old mare spills a bit of her drink that she had been chugging a little to liberally in your opinion.

"Ah that ain't nothin', you should have seen me and Vine back in the day, we could clear out a poker table in our sleep."

Applejack stares wide eyed at the mare." Granny, please tell me that's the shine talking!'"

"Ah lighten’ up Applejack it ain’t illegal, The Missys right Los Pegasus is a mean old place. Those crooks a'll take ya for the whole pot ‘iffin’ you ain't careful."

"I can't believe what I'm hearin’ right now, what would Granpappy say if he heard this, he'd be spinning in his grave!"

Applejacks anger was meet with another cackle from the tipsy mare. "And just who do ya’ think taught me to count cards Missy?"

You cough uncomfortably putting your glass down. Okay this is just getting weird, now's probably the best time to slip away.

You lean down to Gilda ear. "Sweetie I need to talk to you about something important, you mind?"

Gilda who was busy laughing at the mare and the uncomfortable reaction the group was having from it, turned back to you with a befuddled expression. Obviously reading the serious undertone in your voice, despite your best efforts to disguise it.

"Uh, sure big guy." she answers uncertainly.

"Hey everyone we'll be back in a minute, me and Gilda have to talk about something. "

Twilight was the first to speak while the others were still busy with the old mare. "Is everything okay?"

God I hope so.

"Don't worry about it just uh, baby stuff, kind of personal if you catch my drift."

"Do you need any help?" Fluttershy asks politely, being Gilda's new midwife it wasn't that weird that she would be inclined to help, even with something that would be deemed personal.

"No thanks Shy, it's nothing too big we can't handle, don't worry I'd let you know if it’s something big." You reluctantly lie to her.

That seems to sate everyone baring one slightly drunk mare.

"Now ya’ youngin’s better not be trying no funny business on this farm, that hays for Eatin' not sleepin' on."

Your eyes shoot open as you blush lightly, Gilda seems far more amused than that probably wanting to start another game off again.

"Granny! Stop your fussin’, sorry Doc that's the moonshine talking.” She apologises before turning back to her elder You need to slow down."
The enormous red stallion know as Big Mac steps in, taking the glass away from the elder mare.

"I ain't as think as you drunk I am Big Mac, now gimme back that glass!"

"Eenope." Was her only response.

Applejack face hoofs before looking back at you. "Ya'll better get now while the gettin’s good, if you need to do uh whatever you need to do you can go to the barn you ain't gonna’ have any trouble there Doc."

"Thanks Jack it won't take long."

I hope.

============

Walking towards the barn you muse over exactly what you were going to say to Gilda. Its been at least twenty minutes since walking but the idea formed was still solid, but without any evidence you didn't know how you were going to convince the monarchs that she was innocent. Luna thought that your love for Gilda had left you delusional at best, so simply explaining the situation was pretty much out.

Celestia was less likely to see reason either. Though she was the more rational sibling, you always felt some sort of an inherent bias from her. Call it paranoia you just didn't think any good would come from pleading your case to her either.

Then there was the ponies themselves. The princesses were always so proud of their charge, ever so far as to refer to them like her children "my little pony's" she had called them many times in your presence. Would she even begin to believe that some of her little ponies were not the four legged angels she had been lead to believe?

It stood to reason that most were nice or at least neutral as far as you could tell, most were simply fearful of what they didn't understand, a certain Zebra would testify to that point. It was understandable, even spending two years in this town one did not simply accept a new sentient life form off the bat. Perhaps it was your fault, spending all your time locked away working, reading or sleeping you didn't exactly do everything you could to accept the new location and acclimate with its residents that had occupied your new home town.

Even with Gilda it had taken the better part of a year to work out her intentions were not just platonic. Fair enough, the girl had a funny way of showing her affections, but the point still stood. There had to be a balance and right now things were nowhere near harmonious.

It doesn't matter you thought. Right now all that matters is that she's safe, both of them.

You reach the other side of the field relatively quickly. Gilda had been rubbing up against you all the way to the barn, her tail lifting the back of your shirt and vet coat so that she had a better grip on your back, you don't feel the need to question the caressive almost suggestive touches she is giving you. You're too busy in thought to really be distracted by them anyway. Gilda detaches her tail from you as you pry open one of the barn doors.

However she playfully shoves you out the way quickly, just as you get enough of the door open to fit through.

"Jesus girl take it easy, you nearly took me out." you yells slumping against the door as she rushes into the darkness.

"Oh take it easy buddy, you aren't the only one who's been waiting for this!" The disembodied voice calls back as you lose sight of the griffoness.

What? she knows about Luna!?

You peer into the blackness, a large stack hay bales and farming plows are stacked neatly around the room and on the floor like a mini labyrinth. You push the door open slightly more to let in as much light as possible.

"Gilda what are you doing? Can you come out where I can see you please."

"And give up the hunt? I thought you knew me better than that." she purrs, the disembodied voice seems to echo all around you not giving you a particular location to focus on.

"Gilda don't play around, this is serious!" You yell into them darkness getting more than a little frustrated considering the time restraint. Taking another step you vault over one of the stacked hay bales.

"Oooh serious, I like it! You want to be the dom for a change? well you got to find me first my dorky monkey." The disembodied voice chuckles.

You focus your senses, waiting for her to give away her position. But as you do this you begin to hear one of the many farm tools chink and cling together on the opposite side of the barn.

Taking the initiative, you race over to that side. However the darkness stops you from keeping a real footing and you manage to just about catch you balance on another stack of hay bales as they wobble unsteadily above you.

At the peak of your tolerance you finally snap. "Gilda for fuck sake stop playing around! I'm not trying to fuck you, you're in danger, please come out no--"

However before the rest of the words leave your lips your draw to a hushed and frantic conversation at the other side of the barn wall, and you know instantly that its not one of the girls.

“I saw it go in here!”

“Are you sure!”

“Yeah that freaky thing went in with the griffon.”

“I bet it’s trying to eat it too.”

“Nah I’m certain that Griffon is helping it out I’m sure, come on we can deal with it when we capture it!”

Whatever your previous thoughts were they were gone now, it didn’t take much guess work to figure out that ‘it’ was you and by the tone of the groups voice and numerous sounds of hooves rushing to the barn you suspect the group to be very large indeed.

You don’t take your gaze away from the origin of the noise, eyeing the barn door you begin to walk backwards facing all the while searching for a weapon or a decent hiding place, preferably both

“Gilda, Gilda where are you.” You harshly whisper, frantically turning towards any unseen spot you had yet to inspect.

However before you could back away further something grabs your shirt. The surprise of the action taking you completely off guard and causes you to lose your footing, falling back into whatever had grasped you.

Landing behind a few bales of hay, you spin around to meet the instigator, hand firmly clenched into a fist ready to grapple the assailant down. However you stop instantly as the feathery figure comes into view.

“Oh thank god Gild-“ you pause, looking at the figure, this wasn’t Gilda the lower contents of its face were masked by a grey and tattered bandana that covered its features. Its bronze armour placed around strategic points on its body giving it just enough room to make quick evasive moves if it needed to. You look up to the top part of its face, also concealed by an angled bronze helmet that hid everything but its amber eyes. The wear and tear marks on its helm looked akin to the tattered bandana it used to hid its features. But you knew that figure well enough from your time with her to know immediately what you were looking at.

It was another Griffon.

You open your mouth to speak but the griffon grabs it before you could, bringing a claw up to the beak it shushes you before pointing to the barn door. Turning back you catch a glimpse of the group, fifteen, you count fifteen ponies, a myriad of Unicorns, earth and Pegasi ponies, each one entering the room with a determined and sullen expression as they peer into the barn.

Frantically turning back, you stare at the griffon. “Tell me where Gilda is now!” you venomously hiss.

The griffon turns around looking across the top of the barn, taking a few seconds before turning back to you, only to point to the top of the barn. Above you see a landing inside the barn just atop of where you and this griffon were, instantly you spot her. You question how the griffon had spotted her so quickly but the answer comes quick, Griffons could of course see very well in the dark, once again you had worked that out with Gilda, it was how she had been able to so expertly grab you in time before those Timber wolves did all those months ago.

Squinting your eyes you see the panicked gaze of your other half peers down at you. She looks scared not just for her but for you, you imagine your expression isn’t much better as you watch her flick her gaze from the group back to you constantly.

“Okay be careful everypony, it could be anywhere!”

“What if it's above use, monkeys are really good at climbing.” One of the stallions panicky yell, before being shushed.

“Quite Green, that filly-nabber could be anywhere, we can’t let it get the jump on us.”

Filly-nabber? Wait were they talking about Scootaloo?

“I don’t think this is a good idea Snow, maybe we should go back and get more ponys.”

“No, we can’t go now, if we leave it, it could take more children, you want it taking your colt, you saw it with that orange filly if we don’t get it now, it could escape!”

A sigh is heard in response. “You're right, Snow, if the town isn’t going to help then it’s up to us.”

“That’s the spirit, if we cripple it and get it away from town they’ll eventually realise that we were doing them a favour. This is for the greater good. Now come on that monster could be anywhere!”

Okay, so diplomacy is out…

Now it had happened, the worst case scenario. In taking the filly into town you had given them the evidence needed to finally convict you. You knew you should have woken her and avoided the centre of town but she looked so peaceful and vulnerable, curled up in your arms. On the one hand you kick yourself for not seeing something like this. But then again, you never expected that they would act like this. You truly had become the Frankenstein’s monster of Ponyville.

You only hope it didn’t end the same way.

The griffon shakes you away from your thoughts, grabbing you roughly by the arm pulling you towards the edge of the hay bales towards the landing. You have no idea why you were following the Griffon having literally no idea if you should trust, he, she…it? But at this moment you had no choice in the mater and the simple act of the griffon hiding with you made you surmise that for now at least it was on your side.

You hear some more hoofs go around the barn, as the more courageous ponies begin to excavate the crevices of the barn. Ducking down further, you try to work out just how you could get out of this. It seems the griffon is doing the same thing, both you and the griffon were still far too far away from the ladder to the landing. Even with a quick dash only one of you would make it up in time.

You needed a distraction, you could throw something to distract them but that would only last for a few seconds what you needed was something to temporarily incapacitate them, something large and heavy like the…

That’s it!

You begin to stand up, but the griffon pulls you back giving you a look like you just went insane. You point to the stacks of hay bales you were hiding behind, and then give it a light shoulder barge hammering home your plan. it just about went over your head but to the griffon and the pony’s it was a good three or four feet taller

The griffon examines the hay for a second and then back at you before raising a claw giving you the universal ‘one second’ action. Turing behind itself the griffon grabs what looks like a old lantern. Snatching it into its grasp the griffon turns and slams it onto the floor creating a enormous smashing sound that echoes across the room.

“There, I hear something!” A pony bellows, rushing over to the area with his compatriots.

As the numerous sounds of the hooves grow ominously louder, you turn back to the griffon and nod, simultaneously both you and it shoves into the hay, feeling it dislodge slightly, again and again you both strike the hay with your shoulders as the noses get closer and closer only at the precipice of the situation does the hay finally collapse. The panicked shrieks from the ponies behind the bay confirm the success of the plan. You almost pat yourself on the back for that one but now was not the time for self-congratulations.

Hearing the groans of the group that had been trapped under it you waste no time rushing over towards the ladder. The griffon launches itself up past you flying over to the landing and next to the wall.

You don’t risk looking back, but already you can hear some of the stronger Earth ponies push the bales from their bodies with deep grunts. Almost slipping on the wooden steps you finally reach the top.

Immediately Gilda is on you pulling you into a bone crushing hug, which you return.

“Oh thank Griffonia, you’re okay, what going on, who are they, who is that!?” Gilda accusingly yells pointing to the Griffon, who isn’t paying either of you any attention, as it surveys the landing for any escape route.

“No time to explain, but the griffon helped me and it's obviously not with them, so I’m inclined to trust it.” You answer back, looking down to the group who are slowly but surely freeing themselves from your improvised trap.

The armoured griffon rushes over to your side pointing to a part of the wall. Instantly you see the rays of sunlight coming from behind the stacks of barrels; it was the upper barn window. However it was blocked by the barrels, six large ones to be specific.

The griffon takes the indicative walking towards the barrels, grabbing the top one and like the hay before shoving it off the top of the other one to the floor. You rush over to its side, straining with all your might against the barrels. They were beyond heavy each one felt like you were ramming against a wall and with the same effect. However like the hay before, the barrels slowly begin to tumble down.

As the last of the top row of barrels cascades to the floor with a enormous thud. You want to cheer but suddenly you hear Gilda behind you.

“Guys, we got company!” Gilda yells by the ladder.

Both you and the griffon look back to the position, before turning back to each other.

“Ill deal with them, get her out of here, I don’t care where but get her to safety, please!” You beg to the griffon, who nods in agreement, redoubling its efforts to open the way to the window. It was your only real exit you all had, especially once those unicorns were free. You were certain that Gilda and the griffon couldn’t fly around them, this was your only way out for certain.

Racing forward you stop by the ladder. Most of the ponies were now free, helping the ones still trapped and the ones that were not were now climbing the ladder, it would not be an exaggeration to say they were visibly pissed off now.

You first thought was to try and shove the ladder down but immediately give up on the idea once it was clear it was bolted to the wood.

“Here!” Gilda yells at your side.

You turn round just in time to catch a bucket she had thrown your way. Catching it you immediately throw it down at one of the assailants, wincing slightly as it slams against the stallions head, sending him tumbling back down onto the hay, unconscious.

Another pony takes his place instantly, again another Earth pony. Once more Gilda throws whatever she thought would help and once again you throw it down at the pony stifling him but not dislodging him like before.

Again and again Gilda throws down heavy farming tools and you launch them at any pony stubborn enough to try climbing or any Pegasus attempting to fly up, the attack goes on for what feels like minutes as time losses meaning. However as you turn back towards Gilda once more, you find her nowhere to be seen. Pancaking and thinking that perhaps one of the Pegasus had reached her, you frantically turn to the armoured griffon.

However as you do you see it dragging Gilda towards the window, with her fighting the griffon all the way.

Gilda pulls the Griffon's claw away from her beak, “Get the buck off me, I need to help him!” She screams turning to you with pleading eyes the panic in her face sending an almost palpable shock through your body.

“Go Gilda save the baby, I’ll keep them occupied get away now, trust me I'll be fine, I promise.” It was a lie to be sure, you were unsure of any outcome where you came out of this fine, but right now it was your job to get her the hell away from here. You were not going to let any of those ponies near here, even if it meant forcing her away.

Once again Gilda fight the griffon who is dragging her towards the now open window screaming in protest the entire time

"Gilda you don't have time, get out, save the child I'm not important! "

You can already see the tears in her eyes as she wells up.

"Don't you dare say that!" She screams back.

You feel something grab your leg one of the ponies on the ladder grabs onto your foot pulling you down you land on the floor quickly managing to kick the pony in its muzzle as you fell. Grabbing for anything to give you leverage you pick up a rake by your side and swinging it into the pony's flank driving it from the ladder and onto the floor.

“You don’t have time, go!” You yell back grunting as you feel one of the Pegasus land on your back. You turn, throwing it off and flinging it onto the ground at your side. Not wasting any time you place it into a headlock using your body as leverage over the Stallion, you slam the Stallion's head a few times onto the wood stunning the stallion enough for you to look back up.

You see the armoured griffon had had enough of Gilda struggling. Jumping onto her and locking all four of its appendages around Gilda it lifts her into the air with its powerful wings before descending off the windows edge.

“Nooo get the buck off me!” Gilda screams again but to no avail.

Another pony lands by your side, bucking you in the ribs, you grunt as the electrify agony of the blow goes through your rib cage, almost knocking the air from your lungs. Struggling still you keep your hold of the top of the ladder grabbing the rake and spearing the blunted wooden end of it into the pony’s chin and down it goes with a painful thud. You quickly turn to the pony below you and repeat the action landing right between its eyes you achieve similar results.

However despite your best efforts to get up another force grabs your boot, the tingling of the ponies magic tendril instantly informing you that the unicorns were now free. Straining with all you might, you begin to pull away however another tendril latches onto your clothes and soon another joins onto your other leg and then your coat. Slowly, inch by inch you feel your grip loosen on the wood as you grit your teeth and feel the burn of each muscle desperately clinging onto the wood.

However despite your best efforts you begin to give, still kicking and punching the ponies below you see a Pegasus lands next to you, a sickening smile on his muzzle as he rears his hind hoofs and turns "I'm going to enjoy this monkey." He whispers before slamming them into your chest, sending you flying off the ladder.

Even in this moment the only thing that is at the forefront of your mind was the strained cry and angered grunts of Gilda as shes was pulled away from you, it was beyond heart wrenching. That very well could be the last time you ever hear here again. It was a bittersweet feeling, at least they were safe. The baby still had a chance even if there was a chance you wouldn't ever see it. She would still have her mama.

You could live with that.