It was a calm and starry night. The wind blew gently upon the tree tops. A light mist covered the based around the Hyperborean mountain, where the once great city of Griffonstone was build on top of. Little Squick was just a wee cub who would one day be a great Griffoness. She was perched on a tree branch, watching what the beautiful night has to offer. The moon casted quite a pleasant light, shimmering upon the great mountain. Her keen eyes, which has a mixture of yellow and orange colour, glowed slightly in the shadow of the tree. The soft wind brushed her white feathers, making her crest flow along. The chill that the air carries gave a slight shiver down her brown fur. Her tail wagged lazily from the branch. She let out a yawn, her eyes squinting in the process.
After her yawn, she spots a strange light coming from the high heavens. A bright light drove down from the night sky and fell nearby. She perked up, her tail twitched enthusiastically. She glided down from the tree and flew close to the ground as she made her way to the crash site. The sleepiness from before replaced with an eagerness of discovery. Up ahead she saw smoke coming out of the Abysmal Abyss. There was light coming from the chasm, the flames that was engulfing a weird looking gigantic thing. A few parts of it was scattered along the site, others fell dangerously close to the tree line. A thunder signified a coming storm not far from where she now stood. Hopefully the rain it carries would put out the fire but not slid the unknown contraption deeper into the chasm. With a news to tell, Little Squick hurried back to Griffonstone to tell her sister about what she had discovered.
The door bursted open, Little Squick went in, soaking wet; the storm had caught up on her. She took a few step inside, leaving a few puddled in her trail. She vigorously shook the water off of her.
Big sis will shout at me for this, not like she ever say anything calmly.
Little Squick continued her way inside, their little home in Griffonstone was gently lit by a lantern in the living room. Her Grumpa Gruff should be asleep right now, but she was unsure about her sister, Gilda. Oh, she would be so furious. Gilda was not really fond of her going on her little stargazing at night. So, Little Squick tiptoed her way to her room.
I should just go back tomorrow then tell her.
Her sneaking skills were extraordinary. Thanks to being a predator on both half: an eagle and a lioness. Although, most Griffons are a lion on the rump, they are quite different when it comes to their top side, it varies from all kinds of bird species. Her Grumpa Gruff was a vulture, she and her sister, Gilda, was the same; an eagle.
Little Squick was just about to leave the living room when a voice made her freeze on her tracks.
"Where have you been?" The voice was stern and familiar. The combination of both brought bristles upon Little Squick's back. She turn around and saw a very angry Gilda sitting on a couch.
"I was just gone for a stroll sis." Little Squick smiled sheepishly.
"You've gone and stargaze again, haven't you?" Said Gilda with narrowed eyes.
Little Squick knew she was caught and that there was no way to escape it. But could she persuade Gilda to come and search to crash site? Her gaze shifted towards the window. The storm was clearing, clouds were parting to make way for the moon's light to pierce the quiet land. Her eyes snap back to Gilda when she heard her stand up.
"Didn't I tell you to stop going on nightly trips?"
"But sis, I saw something tonight."
"And what is it now, huh?" Gilda spat.
"Uhhh... It's.. ummm.." Little Squick stammered, with her head down, rubbing her arm with her other talon.
"That's what I thought." Gilda took a deep breath and smacked a talon over her face. She sighed tiredly as she turned to the kitchen. "Have you eaten yet?"
Little Squick shook her head. Gilda sighed again, making her way into the kitchen. She paused and pointed at the dining table, before she rummaged through their cabinets. "Go sit and don't go anywhere."
A couple of minutes later, Gilda came with a plate with a bit of rabbit meat and some beans. "Here, eat up." Said she, reclining on the couch. She had an arm over her eyes and letted out a tired groan.
Little Squick took a few bites, pondering whether to tell Gilda or not. Finally after one last bite, she took a deep breath and asked.
"Gilda?"
"Hmmm?"
"Can you accompany me back to the Abysmal Abyss?" She said hesitantly.
"What?" Gilda cried, sitting up right and looking at her sister with disdain. "After I told you for the fifth time not to go stargazing so late at night, and sixth time not to got near Abysmal Abyss. You'd still ask me to go there with you? Late at night?"
Little squick gulped and nodded.
Gilda narrowed her eyes with a frown. "What have I ever done to you for you to disrespect me so?"
Little Squick's eyes was starting to water, she started to sniffling. "But there was something there! Y-you'd have to see it."
"I told you not to go there! And not to go out at night!" Gilda argued. "Why can't you listen to me for at least once! Am I not like Grampa Gruff? Can't I have your respect as he? Tell me, you Twerp! Mom and dad left us and I started to care for you ever since till we met Grampa Gruff, yet how can you disrespect me? Are the things I have done nothing to you?"
Gilda was cut from her tantrum by a loud thump. Little Squick ran out of the house, her tears that fell glistened from the night. Gilda gasped, her eyes widened.
"Oh, Goddess," said she, "what have I done?" She ran after her younger sister. Spreading her wings and thrusting herself up in the air. She could see her sister, flapping her wings for speed, headed for the Abysmal Abyss.
"Oh, no."
Little Squick stood by the edge of the rock that was preventing her from falling into the chasm. The Abysmal Abyss, they say that the Idol of Boreas is in there, many have tried to reclaim it. All ended up the same. But, now, there's this huge contraption, now wet and less smokey from the rain, was threatened to fall in at any moment.
The wee cub was curios, she wanted to find out what lays inside the object that has fallen from the sky. Although, now that it's not burning, being wet and slippery made it as dangerous as before, by sliding into the Abysmal Abyss. Behind her she can hear the beatings of her sister's wings. Little Squick has no time for this right now, she wanted sometime alone. She jumped onto the metal thing, making a loud thump that echoed through the chasm. Little Squick cringed, the sound piercing her sensitive ears. There was an open hatch just a few feet from her. She walked to it and carefully step down the ladder, sparing a glance at her sister, who had caught up, before continuing down into the belly of the metal beast.
It was dark. If one looked close enough they would see two glowing orbs of orange-red floating about as the little Griffon cub explored the dark labyrinth. Little Squick had her eyes squinted, trying to make lighter of things as she walked by. She stepped on something leather over a squishy stuff. She cringed, letting her tongue out and saying "eck!"
She hopped over the weird leather thing and continued onwards. She doesn't really know where she was going, but she knew going on a straight line would eventually lead her somewhere. And she was right, it lead her to the bridge of the wrecked ketch. There she looked around curiously, tapping buttons and pulling different levers. Until, finally pressing a light switched. The light blinded her, making her hiss in pain. When the white vision subsided what she saw made her reel back. Dead bodies, dead bodies was scattered along the metal floor. They were bipedal creatures clad in alien armour. Their skin was pale and their fur only affected their head. The image made her think of that old minotaur who visited Griffonstone once.
Lost in her thoughts, Little Squick did not notice one of the creatures standing up. It had a soft-short blonde hair and a pair of glowing blue eyes. Those eyes that was staring at her. As she stared on with the creature, it filled her with something.. loyalty. It's making her trust the creature with its every decision. Making her want to make it safe. Caught off guard by the new sensation, Little squick staggered back, accidentally pressing buttons the she shouldn't have. Quickly, explosions rang through the whole ketch, making it rumble and shake. Little Squick saw the creature lost balance and fell, its head hitting one of the railings on one of the platform, making it unconscious. A few seconds later, the ship continued to shake violently, Gilda came from the door.
"Little Squick!" Gilda cried.
"Gilda!" The Griffon cub called.
"Little Squick, we need to get out of here now, come on!"
"But, sister wait! We need to help her!"
"What do you mean her?" The ketch lurched a bit forward.
"That weird minotaur at the platform over there!" She spread her wings and perched upon one of the railings. "Come on!"
"Goddess help me with this cub." Gilda muttered, flying towards the spot her little sister was pointing at. She had the creature on her back Little Squick holding it down. A boulder slid off from the cliffside and fell into the ketch, piercing the bridge and falling into the Abysmal abyss. From with in the hall from once the came, came clinking sound. The source of the sound soon slid onto the glass of the observation deck that was threatened to break any moment.
Gilda gasped. It was the Idol of Boreas! The Griffon was torn between immediately escaping or grabbing the Idol and endangering her sister's welfare. Little Squick noticed this and was also making a decision, but hers was quick. Her loyalty was greater than that of her pride over the Idol of ancient times. The loyalty that was taken by the creatures eyes. She tap on her sister's shoulder and said,
"Gilda, please, we need to get out of here!"
Gilda hovered the for a second, unsure of what to do. The ketch shook again, it was about to fall. Gilda shook her head then nodded at her sister. She flew out of the whole that the boulder made, just in time as the whole ketch fell into the Abysmal Abyss.
Gilda stood by the edge near the chasm, panting heavily due to the sudden adrenaline. Her sister was no better. They both shared a look that translated as 'we should go home and rest.' In which both nodded in agreement. Although, Gilda was not sure what to make of the creature they had saved from the crash. Hopefully, she's right in saving her bum and get some answers as to what and who the paw is she.
Rey felt heavy, her eyelids were barely open. She could feel someone gently, but frantically, slapping her cheeks. It was a light slap, one could call it a tap by the use of someone's palm. She must be laying on the floor as she could see the ceiling and its blinding light in front of her. She heard a few sobs and felt a few cold drops of water on her face. She moved her gaze a bit and saw a woman, her pale skin filled her with joy that reminisced the feeling of playing with snow in the early days of winter. The woman's auburn hair made her remember looking up from her book and seeing the leaves fall, in autumn, from their trees, plastering the sidewalks where people merrily walked. And that cool guy who brought newspapers, rang his bell as he drove with his bicycle pass the falling leaves.
"Please, please!" The woman cried. "Please, don't end up like my brother. Don't disappear, Rey. Not you too."
The woman letted out more sobs, holding Rey close to her. Rey could see the grief in her green eyes as they sparkled with tears falling down her cheeks.
Why is she crying?
Rey felt her hand lifted itself up, trying to hold the woman's cheek, but failed halfway. Her hand fell onto the russet carpet, the cool air felt like its engulfing her; getting cooler by the second. She couldn't hold her eyes open. It feels like sleep was every inviting and inevitable. The woman jerked, sobbing more loudly than before.
"No, no! No! Please, Rey, please!" She cried.
Rey tried to, just to relinquish the woman's distress, but couldn't. As she felt her consciousness fading into sleep, she heard a deep chuckle coming from a man as she inhaled her last cold breath.
It was early in the morning in GriffonStone. The light from the raising sun had only covered the city, the top of the Hyperborean mountain, while the lower parts were shadowed by the ground structures around them. Griffons were going around their way, either going into other cities through train or opening shops, Griffons are moving around in hopes of acquiring bits.
Grumpa Gruff sat on his red coach in the living room, browsing the daily newspaper of Equis Time. A morning cup of coffee sat on a little table beside him. He took it with one talon and took a nice sip as his half opened eyes read the through the paper.
'Princess Celestia of Equestria has been reunited with her banished sister after a millenia!' it says.
Gilda got out of the kitchen and placed the plates upon the table. She let out a yawn, the events of last night still left her quite exhausted. Grumpa Gruff spared a glance at her direction but then shrugged, her granddaughter had been in various kinds of jobs. Turning a page on the newspaper, Little Squick came from her room, rubbing her eyes as she lazily walked towards the kitchen.
Grumpa Gruff raised an eyebrow. Was his wee Squick out last night? Her sister would have probably been furious but both seem to be quite tired. He's mind was filled with a few questions.
Little Squick sat on her chair, pushing it forward the table, as Gilda poured some food on her sister's plate. The older Griffoness went back to the kitchen to attend her Grampa's meal, sizzling on a hot stove. The Griffon cub's thoughts wandered back to the creature they took from the wreck last night, who now rested in one of Grumpa Gruff's old guest rooms. There was something weird about it, it affected her like when she set her eyes upon the lost Idol of Boreas; her sister had to choose from a conflict of emotions, but her? When her eyes caught the creature's, she felt loyalty swelling inside her, just like the Idol did for her pride. So it was easy for her so choose.
Little Squick continued to eat her breakfast: rabbit meat, beans... oh look! Green peas.
It was some time later that Gilda called Grumpa Gruff for his breakfast. Little Squick just happened to finish up that moment and was ready to go to school. She was by the door when Gilda approached her.
"Listen, kid," said Gilda, in a stern voice. "don't tell anygrif about what we have in the guest room, alright? Not a word about last night's event too. Don't go against me this time."
"I– I won't, " replied Little Squick, her head downcast. "I–I'm sorry, sis, about disregarding your orders. I didn't mean to disrespect, I just really, really love the night."
Gilda groaned. "Come here." She gestured with a talon.
Little Squick moved forward and hugged her sister tightly. Her head half buried in Gilda's feathers. The older Griffoness patted the cub's head, brushing her crest from time to time.
"I love you, sis."
"Eechk." Gilda grumbled with faux disgust. "Too sappy." They both giggled. "You best be going now. Don't go wandering about, go straight to school, a'right?"
Little Squick nodded. "Right." She twisted the doorknob and pulled the door in. She waved goodbye to her sister and flew to class.
Seeing her sister off, Gilda went back to the kitchen to clean the dishes. Grumpa Gruff sat on his chair, a half eaten meal of medium rare pig meat and beans lay on his plate. His face buried behind the newspaper that he had been reading from the coach. His coffee, which was turning less hotter by the minute, was half empty, positioned to the right of his plate.
"So," said Grumpa Gruff. "How long did the lecture last this time?"
Gilda sighed. "It was the shortest."
Grumpa Gruff lowered his paper a bit to look at his eldest granddaughter. He raised an eyebrow. "How come? Your lecture always grow longer than the last."
"She went to the Abysmal Abyss."
"What!" The old Griffon exclaimed. Standing up and pushing his paper against the table.
"I lost it, I was succumbed by disdain and went into a tantrum." She replied, placing a cleaned plate back into the cabinet.
"You didn't hit her, did you?" Grumpa Gruff said in a low voice.
"What?" Gilda stopped her dish washing and turned to look at her grandfather. "Of course not!"
"Then what happened."
"She bolted out and I followed her." She continued to clean the dishes.
Grumpa Gruff could feel something was being kept from him. He could also feel something odd in his house, like something was out of place. He pondered about what her granddaughter said about last night, both seemed exhausted so something must have happened.
"That's not all is it?" He asked with suspicion. Gilda caught wind of it and she knew Grumpa Gruff would eventually knew, he will just give her a hard time for lying. The Griffoness gulped, a trickle of sweat ran down her forehead. Gilda's face turned to that of a worry and seemed hesitant on answering.
"You promise not to tell anyone Grumps?" He nodded.
Gilda sighed. "When Little Squick came home, she wanted to tell me something, say's she 'found' something in the Abysmal Abyss. But I heard non of it as I was disappointed about her nightly shenanigans. I followed her after she flew out of the house during my unnecessary out-burst. I caught up on the Abysmal Abyss, the wind current there wasn't as strong as usual, rather nonexistent. I saw Little Squick went into this huge, weird, metal contraption. I went after he of course, then after a while there was a series of explosion. The thing began to jerk and rumble, it was probably sitting there, unstable, in-between the cliffs. I worried for Little Squick, knowing her, she probably went in a straight direction, so I quickly dove there. I found her in a place which resembles a bridge in an Equestrian Airship, she pointed at a weird looking minotaur, asking me to save it. So I did. A large boulder pierced the deck straight through and made the fall of the ship to 99 percent. We were about to fly out when we heard a clanking sound... it... it was the Idol of Boreas."
"The Idol!" Grumpa Gruff exclaimed. "Where is it now?"
Gilda shrugged. "Gone. Nowhere, the Idol fell into the Abysmal Abyss, forever lost."
The old Griffon sighed in disappointment. "And the minotaur?"
"As sleep in one of your old guest rooms."
Grumpa Gruff stood up. "Show me."
"That is the weirdest minotaur I have ever seen." Said Grumpa Gruff as he stared at the weird looking, shaved, pale minotaur with short blonde mane; wearing what seems to be are combat breastplate. A pauldron hanging by one of its shoulders. The minotaur was fast asleep, her face was filled with calmness and serenity, which it also emits on its surroundings.
Turning his head towards her granddaughter, Grumpa Gruff asked, "Are you sure she's a minotaur? Doesn't look like one."
Gilda tapped her chin and has an eyebrow raised. "I don't know what it is." She turned to her Grumpa. "You called it a she?"
"Aye," he pointed at the creatures chest. "see those bumps on its chest?" Gilda nodded. "Females of minotaurs and other mammals have those."
"What are they for?"
"Feeding their young."
"So what can you tell me about this alien of yours?"
Gilda blinked. "Nothing."
"Nothing?" Gilda nodded. "Ya brought an alien creature to my house without knowing what it can do?"
"It seems harmless enough." Gilda replied.
Grumpa Gruff was looking at Gilda, Almost beak to beak, with narrowed eyes. "I've seen cute things turn a town into ruin and they're call parasprites. They thought me not to judge innocent looking creatures to be harmless. Now go to the Abysmal Abyss and look for clues!"
