And again special thanks for editing this chapter goes to RegretFearandRevelry.

After going through your morning routine, of dressing yourself in a bland combination of black shirt, black trousers and your trusty white veterinarian coat freshly cleaned and pressed courtesy of the ever flowing kindness of Fluttershy, you stop to help Gilda with her feathers something you've gotten really good at now maybe I should open up a shop or something and go pro you consider to yourself, as you preen both wings softly and carefully putting each feather back into place. You even catch a mild blush from Gilda as her wings stiffen slightly, the Griffon leans into you with more gusto. It was amazing how sensitive griffons and apparently ponies were to preening. Taking into account what you were able to do to the griffon with only a limited amount of knowledge on how to preen, that idea did hold some weight.

You shrug leaving the thought for a later time as you grab your bag of equipment and a heavy loaded saddle bag, attaching it around your waist like a tool belt however, instead of tools the belt bag filled to the brim with treats (and even a well concealed bottle of moonshine just in case) for the up and coming picnic before heading out towards the town.

The cool breeze married with the warm gentle glow of the sun seemed to of set a peaceful atmosphere around Ponyville. Atmospheres in which you try desperately to linger on as you press further and further into the small town. As nice as the day was this is shaping up to be a big step for both of you.

It’s ok just stick to the path and walk down the street it’s only a few blocks to Twi’s house, what could go wrong... Damn I hope Gilda doing better than I am you debate to yourself already starting to feel a small bead of sweat drip down your forehead. You cast your gaze down towards the Griffon who was actually looking surprisingly confident pressing forward with little to no apprehension in her movments and her head held high, as you both press forward she’s showing almost no signs of hesitation.

As the path became littered with the morning commuters more and more pastel coloured ponies make themselves known. You already begin to feel a little self-conscious even though most are only giving you and Gilda quick glances before pressing forward. Even that causes you to sub-consciously edge closer and closer towards Gilda until you’re basically pressed up against her wither. Thankfully Gilda doesn't seem to notice in fact it’s only after a few minutes that you begin to see a change in her attitude, as the she griffon begins to look around frantically through the market square.

"You doing ok there hun?" you ask giving the she griffon a concerned look.

"Yeah, yeah I'm fine but, ahh I need to use the restroom real quick" she frantically states looking around for any available area.

"Now!?" you stutter worriedly.

"Yeah, now! What’s the big deal?"

You give her a panicked look for a moment as you look for a viable excuse for her to keep going as your own niggling paranoia of the ponies around you begins to fester. "Oh uh, well I mean you already went before we left." you answer desperately hoping the dumb logic will somehow convince her to press onwards. You never really did tell her the extent of your problems with ponies, she knew you didn’t like to be around them but you didn’t exactly explain the true extent of why.

Some might call you stubborn but it was your own problem and you had to deal with them on your own. True you did have your moments where you would get some minor payback on them you even remember a particularly funny moment where a stuffy opinionated unicorn from Canterlot had gotten between you and a large dirty puddle whilst he belittled and mocked you. Let’s just say you didn’t care about getting more muck on you. After all, in your line of work you were pretty much covered in awful fluids most of the time, but oh boy did his suit look clean and expensive emphasis on the did of course. However staying here to long just made things more uncomfortable and this could be going a whole lot worse if you stuck around, you just hoped the loud mouths of the town were still asleep.

Gilda gives you a deadpan expression. "Yeah and if you hadn’t noticed I have a baby inside me that’s using my bladder as a punching bag right now so I need the toilet again." She argues turning on the spot and making her way across the street towards one of the public restrooms littered around the town.

“Shit…..” you quietly mumble under your breath before speaking up.

"Ok but don't take too long." You say in a rushed, panicked tone racing up beside her.

Gilda stops in her tracks and looks around at you with a concerned expression.

"What's up with you, you are acting weirder than normal, are you ok?" she asks putting extra emphasis on the last part.

You give her a forced smile trying to stifle her worries.

"Yeah fine hun, just we uh… we're going to be late for the appointment if we don't hurry." you finish stroking the back of your neck awkwardly trying not to meet her scrutinising gaze.

Gilda looks you up and down suspiciously but after a few seconds the she-griffon thankfully drops the topic in favour of natural urges.

"Fine, but if something’s up you'll tell me ok." Gilda announces pointing a talon up at you.

"Yeah totally, but nothing’s wrong I promise." You pretty much mutter out still keeping up the nonchalant façade.

Gilda shakes her head slowly and proceeds towards a room with the symbol of a stick figure mare at least you think it’s a mare it’s hard to tell the stick figures apart in all honesty. You exhale softly slumping against a wall next to the restrooms as you survey the market trying not to meet the gaze of passing ponies as they go about their daily routine within the market square.

Most of them are doing their best to ignore you, which you are silently grateful for. For the most part as you predicted some were simply staring at you their faces awash with confusion likely trying to work out what you are and more importantly what your intentions were. You give them all a quick glance as you scan the busy market square before looking down at the floor trying to ignore the increasingly awkward situation as a whole.

Looks like things haven't changed at all, at least they’re leaving me alone. You concede allowing a brooding expression to descend across your face. Unfortunately even that doesn’t last as suddenly you hear a loud voice bellow from across the market.

"Hey Starblossom look! It’s the monkey I was talking about." The obnoxious voice announces.

Shit! spoke to soon, its fine just don’t acknowledge them, if you don’t do anything they’ll leave before Gilda gets back...hopefully. You sigh keeping your gaze firmly on the floor as you hear the trotting of hoofs move closer and closer.

"Wow it’s so weird looking." A female voice blurts out like a child would at a wildlife exhibit.

"Does it talk?" a curious masculine voice asks.

"Yeah I saw it talk last time, isn't that right monkey you can talk can't ya'?" The cocky voice asks as it trots closer to you.

You do your best not to rise to the bait knowing that it wasn't worth it, clench your fists slightly tighter you continue to burry your gaze into the floor. You want to show them exactly how well you can talk, starting with the list of profanities you’ve learned over the years, but the fear of stating trouble keeps the extent of you vocal onslaught at bay.
Don't cause a fuss, remember what Celestia said. I can’t risk doing anything, besides she’s much worse than these assholes. You bitterly argue and confide with yourself as you dispel the temptation of unleashing your anger out on the ponies.

"I thought you said it could talk Snowfall." The female voice wines in a nasally high pitched voice that grates against your ears, after a few moments you hear her stamp her hoof in annoyance.

"I know it can we just need to coax it with something, quick hand me the bag." The leader of the group demands, the area around you is lit up in a bright yellow light that engulfs your vision as you come to the realisation that your tormentor is a unicorn. You look away trying to focus your gaze on anything but the ponies in fount of you slightly hoping Gilda would finish up so you could get the hell out of here. But as you turn your vision in blurred by something yellow that you guess is a banana levitated directly in front of your face.

"Come on monkey say something funny and I'll let you have this delicious banana, you'd like that right?" the lead pony coo's levitating it around your field of view like a owner would to coax a dog with a treat.

"Haha I can't believe you’re doing this Snow, you’re going to scare the monkey." The male voice laughs.

"Nah its fine. Right monkey come on say something funny!" the voice calls out with more authority than before.

You bite your lip with as much force as you can allow, doing everything you can to contain the inferno of rage inside you at this time. You’ve tried explaining to other ponies before that you can talk and are in fact contrary to their popular belief not a monkey, but it falls on deaf ears every time. After a while you simply just let it happen no matter how embarrassing the whole ordeal is. But this was far more blatant than before and it was taking everything out of you.

"This is boring you said he would do something funny." the female pony moans again.

"He will, he will" the stallion hesitantly states. "Look you stupid monkey just do something funny or I swear I’m going to-" the stallion yells before stopping abruptly, you can’t help but look up to see why as your eyes shoot fully open in realisation as you stare at the scene you try and step in but before you can even say anything you realise what's going on.

As the stallion stops a scaly hand grabs into his shoulder, the stallion turns to see what was holding him when another scaly fist slams with the force of a speeding train raining down on the bridge of stallions muzzle, the blow launches the pony almost entirely in the air as he is effectively flung across the street. Rolling over a few times the body of the stallion finally come to an abrupt halt against one of the kerbs of the street.

"Don't you ever talk to my stallion like that you hear me!" Gilda roars ferociously at the fallen pony her face twisted in terrible anger.

"Snow!" the female pony worriedly yells towards this partner running over towards the downed stallion who is clutching the side of his head with both hooves and wailing in pain.

"Gilda what did you do!?" you worriedly yell out the Griffon still trying to make sense of what just happened, shaking in anger the Griffon snaps her rage towards you.

"You stay out of this, you’re in serious trouble bub!" She scolds with a burning rage as she fixes her attention back to the other ponies.

You open your mouth to reply but find no words to say, knowing how angry she is right now you don’t know how to even begin to reply to that, all you do is simply look down in shame.

"You bucking stupid feather freak! You broke my nose." the lead pony cries in rage and agony through his hooves small lines of blood drip down his hooves.

"I'll break more than that if you come anywhere near him again!" Gilda barked back.

By now the crowd has assembled all around you, some out of shock, others out of curiosity, as they begin to mumble worriedly at the scene currently taking place.

"You going to regret that, both of you." the pony weakly decrees pushing himself up on shaky legs as he attempts to walk back.

You peer around the market all eyes are on you and the group it’s as if someone left the pause button on the whole town. Both of his friends attempt to help him up, before he shoves them off glaring hatefully at Gilda taking an aggressive stance that’s undermined somewhat by his bleeding nose.

Gilda instinctively moves in front of you, her wings stretched out to their full span as she stares down the other three offending ponies.

"You're gonna get it." The lead unicorn growls moving slowly forward towards you.

You take a step forward making sure your almost adjacent to Gilda no matter what the child come before your own safety and you’re not going to let Gilda do this alone Celestia be damned. However before anything can transpire any further, a lone pony steps into the middle of the fray, holding up a hoof as the crowd of ponies part ways for the mare. Her brilliant white coat and dark purple mane jogs your memory somewhat as both the parties involved stare in mild befuddlement at her. It was only when she beings to speak with that undeniably upper class accent that you recognise the mare.

"Now now everypony, we really don't want to cause a fuss on such a beautiful morning do we?" The mare you know as Rarity diplomatically announces looking at both parties.
"Stay out of this, this loser threatened my stallion and called him a monkey. Nobody does that except me!" Gilda growls through clenched beak never breaking eye contact with the injured unicorn.

Rarity turns to him in mild shock. "Mr Snowfall how could you really be so distasteful as to call this gentle-colt a monkey?"
The stallion in question is taken back somewhat at the accusation no doubt confused by her choice of words before leaning forwards again gritting his teeth.

"Yeah so what if I did he is one isn't he!?" The stallion spat venomously.

"Yeah and a freaky one at that" one of the other members of his little group yells.

You hear Gilda growl in anger and stamps one of her claws down onto the ground "You come over here and say that I dare you!"

"Now now my dear there’s no need for that. I’m sure Snowfall and his friends will be leaving very shortly wont they?" she calmly declares turning back to the offending grey unicorn.

"Like Tartarus I will, now get out of my way, or are you with the freaks as well?" he says barging past her.

"Well I wouldn't exactly call myself a freak as you so crudely put it but I would say that unlike you I'm not so shallow as to look past who somepony is or how they chose to live their life. Something I believe you should take to heart especially." She states confidently you notice a mild smirk on her face as she utters the last part.

"Oh yeah and why's that!?" the unicorn states edging slightly closer to Gilda who's now in a pouncing position you mentally prepare yourself as well you’re not letting that ass get anywhere near the baby even if it means having to hold Gilda back.

"Well while we're on the subject of odd ponies I heard this absolutely juicy rumor from a fellow fashionista Crimson Blush, you may know her as she runs the mares lingerie shop near the west end of Ponyville"

Some of the crowd begin muttering immediately, confused as to what the mare was talking about, but you seem to clock on instantly this mare knows some deadly gossip.
It seems to resonate with the unicorn as well as he stops dead in his tracks. His attention diverts from Gilda to the white fashionista worryingly.

"Yeah I may have heard of it, what of it?"

"Well" Rarity begins loud enough to get everyone's attention. "As it happens she was telling me about a particular client who frequently visits alone and here is the truly scandalous bit he, yes he has been doing so for some time now even going as far as to order custom made outfits, Oh blast but I forget his name, what was it again..." Rarity trails off lifting a hoof to her chin and tapping in mock thought.

The stallion’s eyes snap open as he begins sweating profusely. "You know what you freaks aren’t worth it. I'm out of here c’mon guys." The stallion harrumphed as he turned, lowering his head slightly as he walked past Rarity and back towards the group.

"But I want to know who the stallion was." The other apparently more dim-witted stallion whines.

"I said we’re going, now!" Snowfall yells pushing through the crowd that already begins to disperse as the actors leaves the metaphorical stage.

You let go of a breath you didn't know you were holding as the situation whined to a close. Gilda relaxes her posture slightly her eyes now fixed on Rarity as she trots over with a cocky smirk.

"Some ponies simply have no class." she states looking at you. Her smile diminishes somewhat as she notices your defeated features; you can't even muster the enthusiasm to look her in the eye for more than a second.

"It’s alright dear you did the right thing you shouldn't feel ashamed, those brutes were completely out of order. I would have stepped in first if it wasn't for Gilda here." she states pointing her hoof idly at the Griffon.

"Hey how do you know my name?" Gilda states narrowing her eyes suspiciously.

"I was at the party dear the one a few years back, and before you state yes I do know the whole story as it happens I seem to be invited to that little picnic you have on the farm."

"You were there and you still helped?" Gilda questions disbelievingly “Not that we needed it I could have taken those dorks without you stepping in."

"Gilda I--"

"I don't want to hear another word from you until we get somewhere quiet." she threatened back at you, you shoot your tired eyes up before gulping and nod your head weakly.

"Well of course I was going to help, I know you and some of my friends don't see eye to eye, but what type of pony would I be if I just stood there and let three thugs converge on a pregnant griffon."

Gilda looks the mare up and down before lowering her wings and turning back down the road.

"You! here now!" Gilda growls looking down at you.

You look up at the mare nodding in thanks before slowly traipsing to Gilda.

"Oh and thanks whoever you are, my stallion may be an idiot, but he's my idiot." Gilda affirms looking back towards Rarity.

"Don't mention it darling. I was just doing what I thought was right I shall see you two later then tata." She smiles confidently before trotting off to her complete her morning stands.

You both subconsciously decide to cut through the park where the chances of meeting more belligerent ponies would be slim to none.

As you drag yourself you can't help but feel tired. Tired of the actions from other ponies, tired of having to be so god damn defeated all the time. Tired of the weight of the world that seems to always bear down on your shoulders. In summary you were tired of everything.

You try and press forward but the path is blocked by a feathery wall looking down you see Gilda's extended wing she looks up at you and points to a park bench before walking over to it and taking a seat.

"Gilda what are you doing we’re going to be late." You groan tiredly.

"Let them wait, we need to talk!" she demands pointing to a space next to her on the bench.

Instead of fighting the she griffon like you want to you simply slump next to her staring off to the distance a moment passes as you continue to stare off into the litter down bellow seeping off into the depression and stress you’ve come to know well.

"Now are you going to tell me just what the heck that was or am I going to have to beat it out of you."

"What do you think it was that you saw!" you bitterly growl.

"I thought I saw a bunch of buckholes ganging up on the father of my child as he just stood there and took it!" She yells back moving her face closer to you.

"And what was I supposed to do yell, scream? Give them what they want or should I of lashed out at them and maybe hurt one badly, and be considered dangerous to live among ponies and if I'm lucky just be sent back to Canterlot never to see you or my child again, and thats not even counting the fact they might just throw me in some godforsaken dungeon, is that something you wanted to see Gilda!" you yell at your griffon as she winces and moves backwards.

You stare back into the distance before covering your face with a hand letting out slow angry breaths as the exhaustion of it all eats away at you.

"Sorry Gilda, I didn't mean to yell at you, it’s just, I'm a little bit stressed right now, it just feels like everything's out to get me. It’s one problem after another. Fuck I'm the one who’s supposed to be taking care of you not the other way around"

After a moment you feel a soft wing slowly descend over your back causing you to look back up at the Griffon oddly she didn't seem angry or upset in fact the opposite she was giving you a gentle smile.

"Look doofus. I may be pregnant but that doesn't mean that I'm not the only one in this relationship who gets to freak out from time to time.”

"Yes it does, you out of us both should be freaking out and you'd have every right to, but you’re keeping everything so calm and collected and I'm at my Witt's end. I don’t know what to do Gilda I mean with the baby and the other ponies and even that..." you trail off as you almost accidentally let slip the part about the other Griffon you could't bring yourself to bring that up at this moment as you bit your lip stopping yourself for finishing the sentence as you stare desperately at Gilda.

Despite everything that transpired today you were truly ready for anything to happen but you were not prepared for what came next. As you turn back to Gilda before feeling an open palm slap across your face painfully you flick a hand up gasping in shock and pain but don’t get time to comment before the griffon launches into you throwing you down on the park bench and moving her head inches away from you even with the baby she was surprisingly agile.

As she pins you down she turns her head and presses her beak against my your lips interlocking them in a moment of bliss the perplexity of the opposite actions stopping any form of protest as the act of kissing take your focus. You simply let the primal reaction take over as you quickly join the griffons kiss with more vigor as the rest of the world seems to melt away feeling only her long agile tongue wraps and interlocks with your own.

The kiss presses on for some time you hear trotting and even a few exaggerated huffs from passing pony but for once you don't care too busy socking up the moment.
Gilda finally pulls away with a heavy pant that matches your own.

"Dweeb, I love you but things aren’t going to get any easier. You and I both know that, but you can’t let those losers beat you around I won’t have it. So buck what other ponies think, buck everything so long as it’s me you and the baby well get by, so stop being such a filly about everything and pull yourself together because I want the stallion I fell for back, got it?"

You blink blankly taking in Gilda’s words. You know it’s funny at that moment a realisation come to mind as you stare into those determined amber eyes. Through everything that had and still could go wrong, you can’t find fault with Gilda’s words, you were getting so worked up putting the weight of the world on your shoulders despite the help you have around you. You come to realize just how little that it all mattered at least right now. It never was quite like the movies sometimes not everything can be wrapped up into a neat little package with everyone riding off into the sunset.

Obstacles where always going to present themselves it was life, the only thing you could do was not allow them to trip you up or chain you down but persevere through them and not look back. Maybe it was just the confidence in her voice or the firm tough love that now left a pretty red mark on your cheek, but you couldn't help but give a small smile at your stubborn tomboyish Griffon as you take a deep breath and step away from the abyss of your downward spiral.

Gilda turns her head to looking at you with a soft expression "There’s the dweeb I fell for."

"Yeah, thanks feathers, I guess...I needed that."

"Yeah well don't make a habit of it you still got me to worry about, and if you think you’re not still in trouble for not telling me about those punks and how they treated you, you’ve got another thing coming." she smirks lightly prodding you with a talon before leaning into your chest, softly leaving the two of you to rest on the bench as the warming sun touches you both.

Author's Note

There you go an equal opportunity beat down, you can't say I'm sexist.
Cheers for reading; Please Like, Comment and all that other stuff that tragically validates my existence.

Ps: My fine editor RegretFearandRevelry has taken his own shot at writing a story inside the wonderful/terrifying world of Fanfiction.
Taking a more realistic/ dark comedy approach to the world of Pokemon. (I know its rather bias of me to say but I found it to be rather good and pretty funny in places.)
So If that tickles your fancy at all, please take a gander.
Link = https://www.fanfiction.net/s/10441512/1/The-Long-Road-to-Number-One

Anyway I'm off to pad out this story even further until the anticipation kills even me, have a good one guys.