Chapters Charles Pathfinder - A Gryphon in Canterlot
Charles Pathfinder - a gryphon in Canterlot
Canterlot’s streets were always crowded. With all the Ponies buying groceries, dresses and other fine products that Canterlot was know for. It made the main street look like an ocean made out of Ponies. It wasn’t uncommon that the main street was so overcrowded. After all Ponies from everywhere came here to buy Canterlot’s finest products. It was a wonder that anypony could get through this crowd. And it was getting ten times harder for me to get through all these Ponies. But I had to. As I moved forward through the ocean of Ponies, my feathers brushed against the passing ponies, and many shot me an annoyed glance as the black tufts dung into to their fur. I was on my way to the castle and nothing could stop me. I was determined to change what life I had into something better. If the princesses can´t help me I would be forced to leave Canterlot and search a place where I could live better and especially survive. While I was walking and passing Canterlot many ponies shot me glances of disapproval. They looked at my beak and thought how terrible sharp it is and who would be my next prey. My paws have some sharp claws. I could split a pony in two halfs with them but I just use them for killing my prey. Since Ponies aren't my prey I am not gonna use them.
They thought i don't know what they are thinking. Monster...That is a word i heard often enough. So many thoughts were in my head. What are the Princesses gonna say? What are they gonna do? Are they going to be as cold as the other Ponies? Now I was getting near the castle grounds. The gate seemed like it was made out of pure gold. The guards in front of the castle gates were looking like they were so concentrated on their job. Their fur and their armor and everything looked like the same way. I was stopped by one of the guards.
“Halt! Name yourself, age and state your business!” The guard on the left side nearly yelled at me.
“My name is Charles Pathfinder, I am 21 years old and I wanted to attend to Princess Celestias and Princess Lunas court. I have been told that I could take part in it and ask both Princesses for help.” I explained myself.
“Open the Gate!” The Guard on the right side yelled. “Private! I want you to accompany Mr. Pathfinder to the throne room.”
“Sir yes Sir.” The guard looked at me “Would you be so kind and follow me Sir?” I just nodded and entered the castle ground. As I entered the grounds I was surprised how many animals and critters there were. I was so interested that I nearly bumped into the Guard in front of me who was leading me to the Throne Room.
When we arrived there the heavy doors opened up and slowly I could see the faces of the Princesses. They were both sitting on two thrones, one looked like it was made out of marble. The light got reflected by Princess Celestia´s throne like the sun would be shining on the ground. Next to her was Princess Luna. Her throne was black coloured. Her throne gave the impression of calmness and it made me relax. But in the other side there was this dark and evil thin I couldn't put into a place. It seemed that she felt a bit of lonely. I was wondering how two simple thrones could give these feelings.
I snapped back to reality when Celestia started talking “Welcome and may I ask who you are?” her calmly and gentle voice caught me off guard. I was expecting a more hard and demanding voice.
“My name is Charles Pathfinder your Highness.” I said while bowing down. I felt really nervous.
“There is no reason to be nervous around us. So for what reason did you come here?”
“I wanted to ask you for help. You are my last hope.” I replied with a hint of needing help in my voice. “I have problems of finding a job because I lack of the education and most ponies here in Canterlot are afraid of a gryphon.”
“I see.” Celestia answered with a calm voice. Her horn started to flare and I could see her Magic grabbing a file which she floated to herself. She started reading the file. “So you have been in prison for two years Mr. Pathfinder?”
“I think we should offer him a job here in the castle. What do you think sister?” Celestia asked, sympathetic to my story.
“Art thou mad, sister?” replied Luna. “A pony he could slayeth with those claws. His mere presence hither frightens the ponies.”
Celestia remarked, “Oh and you were SO popular with the ponies during Nightmare Night.”
Luna blushed, “hush, thou shall not speakest of that night before me royal subjects... or... or I will...”
Celestia shook her head while smiling and turned her attention to me. Whatever nervousness I had when walking into the room with the two rules of Equestria was instantly gone. I tried not to giggle a little myself, and that's when Celestia brought up the issue of my past.
“You have been in prison for two years, were you not?”
It was a loaded question. I could either admit to her that I was a criminal who really committed theft, or I could imply that her justice system was flawed and her government convicted an innocent griffon. I just stared into her pink eyes while occasionally shooting a glance at her beautiful translucent flowing mane with a dumbfounded look on my face. What should I say in my defense?
“Princess, I...” As my sentence trailed off, Celestia seemingly recognized the quandary I was in.
“I will let what happened in your past stay in your past. Now, do you promise me with your honor, that you will not hurt another pony provided I find you a job?” The answer was obvious.
“Yes, your majesty.”
“Good. Any thoughts, Luna?”
“Perhaps the Canterlot weather team hath an opening for him.” My heart leap as I heard those words from Luna. If she was convinced that I was not a criminal at heart, then I would definitely get some sort of a job.
“Hmm, yes I do believe they are in need of assistance as of this moment.” Celestia teleported a blank scroll next to her and started writing using her telekinesis. “Charles Pathfinder?” She asked as she dripped wax onto a scroll and sealing it with a stamp. My wandering eyes once again met hers.
“Yes your majesty?”
“Take this to the weather team's office. I'm sure they will have something for you to do. If you work hard and prove your worth, perhaps one day ponies will view griffons not as dangerous creatures, but as a full fledged Equestrians. I'm counting on you Mr. Pathfinder, you could say... the fate of all gryphons rests in your paws,” Celestia smiled. I could not believe what I was hearing.
“The fate of all...” I whispered and I started to pale. My complete bod started to shake a little bit as I heared that.
“Oh I was just being melodramatic. Just do your part and I'm sure you will do fine.” I nodded my head before coming to my senses.
“Thank you, Princess Celestia and Princess Luna. I don't know how I can ever repay this favor.” I bowed my head.
“Do you need anything else Mr. Pathfinder?” Celestia asked with a gentle smile.
“I think you know that i actually don't have any graduation. But I am studying most of the time I can spare. And somepony helped me with what I need to know.” I sighed “No school accepted me because they thought that I would be like a wild animal and attack other ponies.”
“I see. But that is not an excuse to not let a gryphon into school. I will take care of that and inform you what I can arrange.” She smiled gently and nodded “I have a student living in Ponyville and she likes studying. She is really educated. I could ask her if she can arrange a test for you.”
“That would be pretty nice.” I beamed. Two things solved in one day. “Thank you Princess Celestia and princess Luna. I still don't know how to thank you.”
“There is nothing you can thank us for. We were just helping out.”
“Our sister hath spoken the truth. We are hoping that thou are going to make the best out of what we are giving thou.” Princess Luna replied with a stern stare.
“I think that I am holding you off your royal duties your Majesties.” I tucked the scroll under my wing like it was an treasure. My left wing nearly started to hurt because of how strong I hold the scroll in my wing. I was so excited. Everything's gonna change after that meeting with the two Princesses.
Author's Note
Thanks for Bronymaster and Creator for the help. I totall needed to rewrite this chapter.
If somebody wanna see the first Chapter just ask me :P
Charles Pathfinder - A Gryphon in Canterlot
Charles Pathfinder – A Gryphon in Canterlot
Chapter 2
When I finally left Canterlot Castle after my audience with the two Princesses, I was overjoyed. You don’t know how hard it is to find a job. But I think I have explained this.
“Hey miss, can you tell me where I can find the office of the Canterlot weather team?”
Seriously, I don’t know why everypony is afraid of me. Could it be that I have a really deep voice or is it the way I look? But that’s not what I was there. I decided to walk the rest of the way to the office. It only took me five minutes to reach the office but to be honest I asked a lot. And they all had fear in their eyes and stuttered when they answered. But I finally reached the office. And I thought about how the ponies here will be as I knocked on the door. ‘Knock, knock, knock.’
“Who’s there?” said a voice which sounded like it belonged to a mare.
She just walked into the house and waved with one of her hooves which gave me the signal to walk into the building. She showed me to a seat and told me to wait there. So I waited patiently. And I realised that there was a discussion in one of the rooms. I heard every word.
“He has a letter sealed with the sign of Princess Celestia herself!” a male voice commented.
“Sorry to interrupt, but I really could hear every bucking word your saying. You should not forget that I am a gryphon. I can really hear better than anypony else. So to say something about killing ponies...I don't do things like that.” I sighed “I was just thinking about leaving Canterlot because nopony wanted me here. You don't know how it is not to have a normal life. Have you ever been turned down by the whole city because you are different? I don't think so. But that doesn´t matter now. I believe I am not welcome here so I'm leaving.” I turned around and started walking away.
After the mare left the room he offered me a seat “So what is your name?”
“Drink this Charles.” he offered me a glass with some amber coloured water. I drank it and my throat started to burn like hell. I realised that he gave me whisky. Most things have been really new to me. Like alcohol or a place to stay forever. “I have some other questions for you. I read here that you have been imprisoned for theft. Is that true?”
“Hmm and you also don't have a school graduation. That means that you can't read is that true?” he asked worriedly.
“We have some rooms here...We call it the shack. Its just a small bed and some place for yourself. We normally rent them to ponies who only stay one night but I thought since you don't have a place to stay, I am gonna rent a room to you. I will take the rent from your payment if thats ok with you.“ I was completely stunned. I found a job and got a place to live with it. “There is a shower and a toilet inside. Follow me.” I just nodded and followed him. “Here is the kitchen. You can get coffee and tea here. You can make your breakfast and everything else you might need here as well.“ I was still following him. I thought why doesn't he fear that I might ambush him? I think he knows that I am not the type of gryphon to attack anypony.
We arrived at a door. He opened it and inside was a small bed. I was really happy to see it. I don't remember when I last saw a bed. I think it was when I was in prison. This bed was so fluffy. I mean come on. I've never seen a bed as fluffy as this one. The cushion was white like the rest of the bed. It reminded me of sleeping on a cloud but this cloud is gonna be on the ground. I just smiled. White Quill saw this and laughed.
“So you feel like a kid again hmm?“ he commented and I just nodded “Wait till you see the bathroom.” he was beaming because he knew what was going to happen.
The warm water felt great. This was the first time I had relaxed after the orphanage and the prison. In the orphanage we only had one shower for 10 fillies and one gryphon. And you can guess who wasn't able to get into the shower...Yeah it was me. In the prison we had a shower in every cell but we had to share it with the other prisoner in the same cell. Better than in the orphanage but still pretty bad. It took me twenty minutes to finish with my shower and i looked much better. When i got to the kitchen White Quill took one look at me and said “Damn you look really stunning and I am not a coltcuddler.” I blushed a little bit and said something like thanks. “But you have to get to know the rest of the team and honestly, I'm afraid of what their reactions will be.“ he sighed. “Follow me. I told them that we are going to get a new member in the team but I didn't told them that this new member is a gryphon.“ I followed him and then he suddenly signalled for me to stay there.
When I entered the room there was silence. They stared at me like they thought i was going to attack them right then and there. I was really nervous. My feathers on my neck have stood up because i was so nervous. I looked like a nervous, fluffy ball. Ok not like a fluffy ball but I looked fluffy. And it seemed that they just ignored myself being a gryphon.
“Do you have something to eat Charles? I mean you need something to eat. And you don't have any bits. And that means you can't buy anything. I have something you might like. How about some apples from Sweet Apple Acres?“ he asked me.
“I understand” he smiled back. “I hope you are going to finish your graduation soon.”
When I reached my new home, I put all the books on the desk I had in my room. I brushed my teeth and looked at myself in the mirror. What I saw was different from what I saw when I was in the prison. I was happy. I had a home and I had an opportunity to earn myself a place in Equestria. A peaceful place with no slavery and no aggression against other races.
Author's Note
Yeah new Chapter after a thousands of years^^
Charles Pathfinder - A Gryphon in Canterlot
Chapter 3
I awoke at the crack of dawn. Damn, I was tired. Not being able to get up early in the morning is not a good thing. Especially when the alarm starts to ring like tartarus and you have to stand up, walk to the alarm and turn it off. I decided to take a shower to start my morning. I am still not used to having a shower. It is really hard to believe but it’s true. Hey, if you never used a shower before, you would feel the same.
I came out of the shower feeling refreshed. Oh sweet Celestia, a shower wakes you up. Especially when the shower is really cold. I left my room and went to the kitchen to make myself some breakfast. When I entered the room I saw her. It was the mare who didn't want me to get this job. This was like a bad beginning for a long day.
“Good morning, miss. How are you doing?” I started the conversation with doubts as to how it would end.
“Good morning, Charles. Sleep well” She replied.
“Yeah this was the best sleep I've ever had. Stones are not really what you would call a good place to sleep.”
“Sounds like it.” She replied curtly.
Then there was silence. Just silence. Some noises from the coffee machine, but nothing more . It was just like being watched by a timber-wolf. She drank her coffee and just looked at me. It was as if my being alive was a mistake. I turned myself to her and looked deep into her blue eyes. I could see it in her eyes that she wanted me gone.
“If you don’t mind I would like to ask you for your name.” I broke the silence.
“My name is Free Spirit, and I am kind of the secretary here. I help the boss with paperwork. I also organize the daily schedules.” she explained.
“So can you tell me what I have to do today?”
“Ehm...I think you are paired with two pegasi to clear the sky. Today should be a sunny day so you only have to clear out the clouds. Just make sure that the sky stays clear.”
“Ah, I understand.” I took a sip of my coffee to wake myself up a little more. “And is there nothing else to do?”
“I don’t think so. But be prepared to help the other weather teams out. Sometimes they need help, so you might have to fly to some towns like Ponyville.”
“I have been there once. it was rather funny.” I giggled. “They are a very closed community.”
“So what are you doing here in Canterlot Charles?” I was surprised by her question.
“Ehm...I am trying to live a normal life like everypony else here. But just to say it the easy way it’s rather difficult. If you have a life like mine it's really hard to get a job.” I put on a fake smile and take another sip of my coffee which was starting to get cold. “Damn...next time I should make myself some tea.”
She giggled a little bit and smiled. This was the first time since my arrival that I've seen her smiling. Maybe she isn't that bad. So I tried something new.
“What about you? Why are you living in Canterlot?” I asked her straight out.
“I came here to get this job. I was used to living in a small town. After I hit eighteen I decided to get a job and live on my own. That's why I moved to Canterlot and got this job.” she explained.
“Sounds quite interesting.” I said honestly. “Ehm, when do I have to start working? And to whom am I paired with?” I also asked her.
“I am going to be your partner for a while now and I am going to teach you how to make rain and snow. I am also going to teach you how to make a dark cloud and a normal cloud. You also have to learn how to destroy clouds to clear up the skies.” she explained briefly. “To make them disappear you have to kick them really hard.”
“So when do the lessons begin?” I asked her excitedly.
“I think now is a good time to start them.” Free giggled. “Let’s move” she said as she gestured for me to follow her into the meeting room.
When we arrived at the meeting room, she told me to take a seat.
“Now welcome to our boot-camp, recruit!” she yelled at me “I am your drill sarge. But for now just call me Free. Your first task today is going to be learning how to move a cloud. So lets start.”
“Here's the cloud you have to move.” she pointed to the cloud in front of me. “You have to feel the cloud. You can walk on them. But as a normal pegasus who isn't shown how to move one can’t move a cloud. Now come on and try to move it.“
I grabbed onto the cloud with my claws but as I tried to move it I just flew through the cloud. That made her laugh at me. I was like Buck why can't I get that cloud to move? I tried again and put my claws into the cloud, but my claws just went straight through the cloud. It was like tartarus. I tried it for two more hours and I still couldn’t figure out how to move this damn cloud. On the last try I can't quite recall but I felt the cloud. There was water in it and it was just like a container. So I thought about it as a container and grabbed it again.
I flapped my wings and the cloud moved forward. I was really surprised at how easy it was.
“Move the cloud out of Canterlot and meet me there.” With those words she flew out of the city and I followed her. After I reached her I watched her sitting on a cloud. Then she started hopping on it and suddenly the cloud became black.
“Now I am going to show you how you can make rain.” She said. “Okay here we go. Its really simple. You have to touch the water and set a timer like progress. That's how we make rain. At first I want you to make it rain in 5 minutes.”
“Okay and how am I supposed to do that?” I said, a bit annoyed. It took me at least two hours to get this freaking cloud to move out of Canterlot.
“It is like telling the water the time you want for it to start raining. Sounds easy enough, but I think you should try it.” She explained and sighed.
“If you say so. I'll try that right now.” I sighed in frustration and tried to feel the water. The first thing I felt that the water inside the cloud waited for something. So I told the water to fall in 5 minutes. After waiting for five minutes, it suddenly started to rain.
“Nice job Charles. You made it rain.” she giggled. “To be honest it took me one year to get to that. Now that we are finished with that, just let the cloud disappear. Just kick it with your claws.”
I did what she told me and the cloud disappeared with a poofing sound.
“Now we are going to take a break. It took you long enough to learn how to move clouds. So what do you want to do Charles?” she asked me.
“Normally I would go hunting. But I don’t know. Since you are here I think we could try some small talk.“ I replied.
“You go hunting?” She asked surprised
“Yeah I am an omnivore. I eat meat and vegetables. But I prefer eating meat. Don't worry, though. I only eat small woodland critters, like squirrels and rabbits.” I explained to her. “If you want to eat something vegetarian, I'd love to join you. I think it is better to talk to you instead of hunting, but I don’t have any Bits to buy something to eat.“
“Ah, it’s no problem. I think I can pay for your food if you tell me something about yourself in exchange. Deal?” she asked me.
“I think it's okay.” I replied.
“So let's get going.” she said as she started flying back towards Canterlot. I followed her. After a couple of minutes she landed in front of a small building. There was a sign which showed that it was open. Free Spirit opened the door and gestured for me to follow her in.
]
Author's Note
Authors Note: This time it took me not too long :)
Charles Pathfinder - A Gryphon in Canterlot
Charles Pathfinder
Chapter 4
So we took a place for two. I don´t know why a place for two, but yeah I didn't care at this moment. At first it was really uncomfortable, but then she started to ask the first question.
„So why Canterlot Charles? I don't know how long you have been here but it is a really uncommon place for a griffin.“ she said with a curious tone.
„I didn't choose Canterlot. It was rather on my way. I was really young when I was sent to an orphanage. That’s why I started living here. I could imagine living in another place but now that I have a job to do I am going to stay a little bit longer.“ I explained to her „I also didn't want to stay that long in Canterlot. I want to explore the world and see what the world has to offer. I had a little accident in the Everfree Forest. I wanted to explore the world but without bits I didn't come to far.“
„What happened to you in the Everfree forest?“
„Ehm yeah Timberwolves.“ I replied quickly. „I hate them they hunt in packs and I didn't stand a chance against five of them. Thanks to Zecora I am still breathing“ I laughed „I still have some problems with my flying because they hurt my wings really bad.“
„Ouch that sucks. I mean I can´t imagine how it would be not to fly normally. I mean how did you came back here to Canterlot? You couldn't fly when you had been attacked. And I think Zecora – this was her name right?“ I nodded „She said you shouldn't fly back to Canterlot.“
„Yeah it was a long walk. Just telling you I like the ground more then the air. When I go hunting I do it the hard way. I am like a spy. I am very silent when I don´t want to be heard. I just have to train flying too now that I am doing a job in the weather patrol.“ I laughed.
Then the waiter came and asked us what we wanted to order. She ordered Hay Fries and Orange juice. When the waiter looked at me and asked what I wanted he looked at me like I was an alien from another world. I order a salad and some black tea. Then the waiter disappeared as fast as he came to us.
„You drink black tea?“ She asked surprised.
„Yeah it is a leftover from my childhood. My parents made the best black tea I knew.“ I looked sad when I said that. „But what is in the past is over. I mean they gave their lives to free me. And I am sad that they died but they did it for what they thought was right.“
She didn't reply on that. She looked like she was thinking about something but I don’t realize what it was. Then the waiter came back with our order. Our meals have been placed in front of us and we thanked him. I started eating. But when I looked at her she was still thinking.
So I asked her „Hey what’s on your mind Free?“
„I don´t know. It´s just I didn't realize how bad griffins are doing out of Equestria. I mean how many griffins are there left?“ she wanted to know.
„I don't know a current number but I think there are only five thousand left. That’s not that many“ she looked really shocked as I said this „I mean through the danger of dragons and slavery through the diamond dogs we don´t have the time to make love or time for growing children. I mean working till death and only living to the age of forty is not that good.“ I explained.
„Did you get into slavery or did dragons kill your parents?“ she asked with a look I didn't recognize.
„I got into slavery when I was twelve.“ I sighed. „I was only there for 6 months. And that’s not a long time. I spoke to griffins who were there since they were born. I was lucky that my parents managed to get me out of there.“ I sighed and took a sip of my black tea. „Ah the tea is good but not as good as my parents used to make.“ I giggled.
„You always see the positive sides of your life, don´t you?“
„I have nothing left. As I said what happened in the past stays there. I forgot to tell you that when I was younger the trip to the Everfree Forest was my last one.“ I added.
„Why didn't you get a job? I mean you don´t seem like a bad griffin.“ she said rally interested.
„Okay at first you have to know I tried getting a job. But the first problem is I don´t have an education. And that's because no school wanted me there. They said I was to dangerous. I was much more mature then most of the other fillies. You know bad past, and the slavery of griffins. The second thing is that I was arrested for being at the wrong place at the wrong time.“ I sighed „Just imagine a griffin with no education and he stayed in the prison. I don´t think getting a job is your first problem. I tried to survive and nopony realized that. So I went to the Princesses to ask them for help. And that's how I got this job.“
„Wow.“ was her only reply.
„Yeah I know. But now lets start eating before the food is gets cold.“ I giggled and she just nodded.
So we sat there just eating for about fifteen minutes. I was kind of really surprised how good
„Why did you start laughing Charles?“ She asked as if she was wondering if I went insane.
„I just thought about the salad I make all the time. I was on my way. It was just simple and not that, lets say luxury. That's what I thought about.“
„So what are you going to do today after we finish?“
„I think I am going to study again and ask the princesses for a little favour. Okay to be honest I want to ask them for two favours.“ I said „The first one would be if I could try and do the final exams for school. I am nearly finished with everything a normal pony knows. The second one would be if I can start a self defence course in the Royal Guard. Just claw to claw fighting or in this case claw to hoof combat.“ I explained.
„Why do you want to do such a thing?“
„It´s just because I got attacked several times and I was beaten near to death. I want to defend myself. When the spirit is really good then you can fight without your body. But in my case I have a natural agility. It would be really stupid to ignore that. My agility saved me from the Timberwolves. I just want to expand my knowledge on that basic things.“ I sighed after that long explanation.
„Okay now I am finished with my questions and our food is finished too.“ she giggled „So let's pay and get back to work. Waiter we want to pay.“
The waiter heard that and came to our place „That will be eight bits“ he said curtly. Free handed him the bits out. After that we left the restaurant. I only heard that the waiter said to another pony „I have never seen a griffin here in Canterlot and I don't like him. He seemed friendly but I still think he is a threat. I hope he isn't coming here often.“ I just sighed as he said that. Another place where I wouldn't want to go. Free recognized that and asked me „Hey something on your mind Charles?“ I said nothing and then we started flying back and grabbed a cloud on our way out of Canterlot.
When we reached the place we did the training in the morning we started again.
„Now that you know how to move a cloud and make rain I am going to show you how to make lightning and thunder. I am also going to show you how to make it snow.“ she giggled. She is kind of cute when she giggles. But what am I thinking? Okay forget it Charles.
„Okay lets start.“ I replied quickly.
„The first thing to know about thunder and lightning is that it's really hard to learn how to make thunder and lightning. There is a little bit of electricity in the cloud. You have to expand the electricity that is in the cloud and then the lightning is created.. The thunder is not much of a problem. It happens just after the lightning.“ she explained. „Now try it.“
The first thing I did was think about the cloud as a container again. But not for water this time. I thought about it as a container for electricity. And after several tries I made lightning followed by thunder. It only took me one hour to figure it out this time. I was surprised how fast this worked. I heard some claps from Free and I smiled. That was the first time I smiled truthfully.
„I think we are finished.“ She said happily „I am going to show you how to make snow tomorrow. You are learning really fast do you know that Charles?“ I just nodded and was still smiling. „lets head back to the HQ. I think you need some rest after everything that happened today and you also have to do some preparations for tomorrow.“ She smiled and giggled.
So we headed back to HQ or more like she flew with me as kind of an escort. That thought was kind of funny. When we reached my flat in the HQ we said our goodbyes and she flew home. I went into my flat and grabbed my library card and walked to Canterlot castle to make a appointment with the princesses. As I reached the palace I talked a little to a mare who made the appointments with the princesses. As I turned I faced princess Celestia.
„Oh hello Charles Pathfinder. How are you doing in your new job?“ she asked with a really smooth voice.
„I am doing really good, Princess.“ I beamed „I am happy now that I have a job. I also got a flat in the HQ. Never had a home for myself but yeah.“
„And I heard that you want to talk to me?“ She asked.
I was really surprised and thought about what to do now. She was listening the hole conversation with the mare behind me. „Yes Princess Celestia. I wanted to ask you about two favours.“
„Since I am here now you can ask it now.“ She giggled a little bit.
„The first thing I wanted to ask you if I can try the final exams. I want to make my graduation.“
„I am going to send a letter to my student Twilight Sparkle. I am going to ask her about taking the test with you. And the other favour?“ she asked interested.
„My second question is about getting a self defence course at the Royal Guard. I have been attacked sometimes by ponies who don´t appreciate myself being here in Canterlot.“ I said really nervous because this is a little bit dangerous to ask her.
„I am going to ask Captain Shining Armour about that. But the first one is okay.“ She said.
So I thanked her and said my farewells to her. I have a library to visit. When I reached the library I walked into it. Still the place I liked the most. I waved at the librarian and she smiled when she saw me there „Ah still want to gain more knowledge Charles hmm?“ she asked me.
„Yeah I asked Princess Celestia if I can take my graduation exam and she said yes.“ I beamed again „I just need some books to prepare for that graduation. Kinda hard if you want to do that when her protégée is going to do the test.“ I giggled.
„Ah so you are going to meet Twilight Sparkle?“ she said interested „Can you tell her hello for me? She doesn't really visit this library any more.“
„I can do that for you.“ I smiled to her. After I said that I grabbed some books and said my farewells to her too. I have a really long evening if I want to get ready for the test. When I reached home I got into the shower and then made some black tea. After that I started studying and after the hours went on it got really dark. When I looked at the clock it was near midnight. `Damn I have to go to bed if I want to be fit for training tomorrow.´ I thought. And after fighting my mind for rest, I fell into a deep sleep. I had a bad flashback about the past in the mine.
Author's Note
I am going to releas chapters like I want to :)
p.s.: Don´t mind my bad grammar being german don´t help
Charles Pathfinder - A Gryphon in Canterlot
The next morning was like hell. I looked like I died. I had never imagined that you can look like dead. The first thing I had to do was take a shower. I was really exhausted from yesterday. All the new stuff to learn and then learning for my final exam I was going to write as Celestia’s personal Protégée. I think I am going to visit Ponyville one time. Maybe the weather patrol in Ponyville needs somepony to help out? I thought about all this when I was in the shower. It just came to me. I mean I thought and thought and I came back to my past. But I stopped thinking about that and I finished my shower.
Breakfast was okay. I made nothing special. Just some coffee and buttered toast. I really don’t know what I made. And then Free Spirit entered the room.
“Good morning Charles. What are you doing?” She asked in a happy mood.
“Nothing. I am just wondering what we are going to do today.”
“You know today is Saturday?”
“So I should probably go hunting today.”
“Before that you should speak with Rainbow Dash in Ponyville. You are going to be there from Monday ‘til Friday. So you also need a place to stay there,” she said to me. “You have to help them out next week, and then you can go hunting. I think she is still sleeping.”
“Okay I am going to talk to her about that.” I took a sip of my coffee.
“How was your meeting with the Princesses?”
“I asked them about my exam and I can do that with her Protégée,” I answered in a happy tone. “And she said I can probably take some lessons in the royal guard for self-defence.”
“That sounds good.” She smiled. “And when are you going to fly to Ponyville?”
“I think in about one or two hours. I will pack some books to read and I will probably visit Zecora.”
“The one who saved your life?”
“Yes that’s her. I think I am gonna ask her if she can make some Black Tea for me and some other potions.” I groaned a little bit.
“Oh okay. Why do you need those?”
“I have epilepsy. And only Zecora knows the medicine for that. And I am running low of it.”
“Oh that sucks...I am sorry.”
“Why are you sorry? It’s not your fault that I am born with it.” I just replied.
And then we just chatted a little bit. She was really talkative and I just listened to her.
In the Royal Palace in Canterlot, Celestia was writing a letter to Twilight and sent the letter to her protégée. After that, Celestia was seeking the Captain of the Royal Guard, Shining Armour. She had a big issue to talk to him about.
“Can you tell me where Captain Shining Armour is?” she asked one of the Guards.
“He is checking out the new recruits Princess. He should be in the barracks and probably is shouting at them.”
“Thank you. You should go back to your duties.” she said kindly.
“Yes, Your Majesty,” the guard replied.
Celestia went on her way to the barracks and she found Shining Armour shouting at some recruits.
“Captain Shining Armour, you don’t have to shout at the new recruits,” she said with a calm voice.
“Yes ma’am. But I don’t think you are here because I am shouting at the recruits are you?”
“No I am not here for that. I am here because a griffin asked me to give him some self-defence Lessons in the Royal Guard and I wanted to talk about that with you. So what do you think about that, Captain?”
“I don’t know. I probably wouldn’t be able to find a fighting partner for him. The problem is that he has claws because he is a gryphon and he could injure one of the recruits or his training partner. But on the other hand I think it would be probably interesting to see how our soldiers will stand against a gryphon,” he thought loudly. “I mean, yes. I am going to train him in self-defence,” he finally said.
“Okay I am going to inform him about that. And thank you Captain,” she said with a small smile on her face.
After the conversation with Shining Armour, Celestia was on her way to her personal Chambers. She wrote a letter to Charles, in which, she informed him about what had just happened. Charles was surprised how the letter was sent to him.
...and then I got that *burp*. “What the hell just happened?” I said. “Oh seems like a letter.”
“It is not a normal letter. It’s a letter from Princess Celestia herself. Look at the seal!” Free Spirit told me excited, and nearly jumped from excitement. I just smiled and opened the letter.
Dear Charles Pathfinder,
I talked with Captain Shining Armour and he is willing to give you a self-defence course. He will also let you fight against some of the recruits just to see how they are going to fight against a gryphon.
I also informed Twilight Sparkle that she is going to hold your final exam.
If you want to write a letter back just use these pins to mark that these are letters for me.
Sincerely, Princess Celestia
I looked at the letter and there were about one hundred pins with an emblem of Princess Celestia’s cutie mark. These pins had a beautiful golden colour and they looked really expensive.
“So what did Princess Celestia tell you in this letter?” Free Spirit asked really eagerly to know what the Princess wanted from me.
“She told me that I am going to have the self-defence course. And the Captain himself is going to train me. I am also going to fight against some of the recruits.” I sighed and smiled a little bit.
“Sounds difficult if you ask me,” she sighed.
“That’s what I was thinking too.” I sighed, “But now I have to pack my things together and find a place in Ponyville to stay. We see each other in about a week.”
“Before I forget it Charles, here is your pay check. Your first week of work was about 100 bits.”
“That sounds good.” I smiled. “So I can probably stay in a hotel if there is one. But for now you’ll have to excuse me. I have to pack some small belongings. As I said, see you in a week, Spirit.”
“See you, Charles.”
And that’s when I moved myself into my own room. I didn’t realize that she gave me a look. I just packed an old picture of my family into the bags and some books for studying. And then I made my way to the bank and got the money from my pay check. After that I started to fly towards Ponyville. The flight took me about four hours. I mean it was totally worth it. When I arrived there I landed on the marketplace. I walked a little bit through the marketplace to find a restaurant. I found Sugar Cube Corner: a little sweet house where they sell all kind of sweets and also some non-alcoholic drinks.
“Hello Sir. Welcome to Sugar Cube Corner. What is your order sir?” was asked by a cyan mare with a swirly mane and tail with two different shades of pink. She also had pink eyes and pink pearl earrings. Her eyes have fancy long eyelashes and a cutie mark that consist of three cupcakes with pink frosting and a cherry on top.
“Hello ma’am,” I replied. “I want some cupcakes with blue frosting and a hot chocolate.”
“That will be 5 bits then, Sir.” I handed the 5 bits to her and got my order. And then I took a place while I balanced my food on my wings. I placed my food on the table and started to eat the cupcake. A short time after I started eating, I heard a gasp in the background. I eyed into the direction where the gasp came from. The gasp came from a mare which had a mane which looked like cotton candy. Maybe it is cotton candy but I don’t know. Her coat was pink. Everywhere you looked at her there was pink. Her cutie mark was symbolized with 3 balloons. I don’t know what this means. When I “observed” her, she was bouncing in one place.
And then she took a deep breath and started talking. “Hello my name is Pinkie Pie and you are new here in Ponyville, because I know everypony in Ponyville and I should give you a party because you have to know everypony in Ponyville so you can get so many friends here in Ponyville.”
“Hello Pinkie Pie. I don’t need a party.” her hair just fell flat as I said that. “I am just here to find a place to stay for a whole week. I am supposed to help the weather patrol here. Do you know a mare called Rainbow Dash? I need to talk to her.”
“Oh my gosh!” she gasped. “You are the one that is going to help out here. I am going to find Dashie and bring her back.” She saluted and dashed away like a pink blur.
I was done with my food and drink as I heard Pinkie Pie returning.
“You have to talk to him Dashie. He is only here because it is his job.” Pinkie said with her energetic speaking.
“Yeah but I think he is supposed to be here at Monday, not today. And I wanted to train on some of my tricks to go to the Wonder Bolts try-outs. I don’t have the time to talk to him,” she denied Pinkie.
And then both mares entered the shop. I saw Pinkie Pie and the other mare, who was supposed to be Rainbow Dash, I think. Her mane was rainbow coloured, which I found rather interesting. Her coat was light blue. Her cutiemark was a cloud where lightning went out in three different colours. I think she was a mare who liked sports.
“Hello, my name is Charles. Charles Pathfinder. I am here to help out at your department, Miss Dash,” I explained shortly to her.
“Oh yeah I heard that they were sending somepony here. But I never thought it would be a gryphon.” She laughed, or tried to, in this case. “And stop calling me Miss. I get twenty percent cooler when you don’t call me Miss.”
“Yeah I was just here to go hunting in the forest and then it turns out I am going to stay for a week here.”
“Um, yeah...So what do you want from me?” She asked rather bluntly.
“I just wanted to know if there is a place I can stay for one week. Normally I stay at the base and I have my own room there but as it seems I have to find a place where I can stay.” I sighed “Do you have an idea?”
“Hmm we have a motel here. It is near the train station. You can’t miss it.”
“Thanks for the information Dash. I am going to see you on Monday.” Then I left the building and started flying into the direction where the motel should be. And I found it. It was a rather old building. And then I entered it. The motel looked really nice. There was this wooden floor which looked really nice and reflected the sunlight. There were several flowers I couldn’t name. I moved to the receptionist and asked if there is a room for one. She asked how long I am going to stay and I told her that. I got room thirteen. Rather funny if you ask me. And that’s how my day ended: a hot shower and then just deep sleep.
Charles Pathfinder - A Gryphon in Canterlot
Charles Pathfinder – A gryphon in Canterlot
The next morning was the usual. Get up at 6am get a shower and eat breakfast. I really didn't have a plan what to do so I decided to study first and then go hunting. Maybe there would be something happening today. I didn't know. So I made some tea and started reading Equestrian history. Yeah, I know history, but I have to be well prepared when it comes to the test I have to take part in. But I think that's okay if you want to get your graduation.
So I went left the motel after I studied history for about 6 hours with some breaks. You know some parts of the Equestrian history are really interesting, like the great wars that started millennia ago. I mean what they used for weapons. Then, the Elements of Harmony used by the two Princesses brought peace into Equestria. After that Luna got jealous on Celestia's sun because the ponies enjoyed staying in the sun and only slept while the moon was up. So Luna became Nightmare Moon and then was banished to the moon after a fight with her sister. Thousand years later and so on. I probably think you know how the story goes on then right? I hope so, because if that's not the case you didn't listen to your History teacher.
But back now to the past. I flew into the forest to hunt some small animals. Sometimes you know predators need meat too. I mean I can eat vegetables too but I am so happy to be able to go hunting. I connected a very happy memory with hunting. It was just like walking through the desert after my parents freed me and then I started hunting. I mean I was only about ten years old and I started hunting. The pure adrenaline you get when you kill your prey is awesome. But I never thought about killing a pony because this would not feel right for me. So I landed in the forest and started sneaking, looking for everything that I could see as a prey. And then there was a group of deers. I watched them turning around as I stepped on an branch and broke this one. I cursed myself because they were alerted now. The adrenaline kicked in and the hunt started. I chased the deer through the hole Everfree Forest but I couldn't get one into my paws. I decided then to go fishing. I mean what else to do with the rest of the day when you got nothing to do. Go fishing old-school style.
I reached the small river which came from a small cottage. The cottage was a place where many animals are around there. I thought maybe I can get one of them but then a cream colored pegasus with a pink mane and three butterflies as a cutie-mark came out of the cottage and started feeding the animals. So I thought it would be a bad idea if I kill one of her animals. I sat myself in the river and waited till a fish came over. And picked with my beak after it but I missed it. This went on like for hours like that. And after hours of waiting I got the first fish then the second and then the last one I needed. I ate all three of them just like that. I have to say that I normally don't like fish. I only eat it when it is necessary. She realized that I was there and watched what I was doing out there. I mean it is not everyday that you see a gryphon hunting and normally I don't like it to be seen when I am out hunting. After I finished my meal I cleared my throat and walked to her. She instantly shied behind her mane and I started introducing myself into her.
“Hello, Miss. My name is Charles. Charles Pathfinder. May I ask you what your name is?“ I asked her in a friendly tone and tried not to look as threatening as I normally look.
“My name is Fluttershy” she said extremely quietly.
I didn't catch that Miss.“
“My name is Fluttershy,” she said more quietly.
“Okay I think we forget about that.” I looked nervously around her. Maybe I frightened her. I started scratching on the ground which made a really uncomfortable sound. “I think I am flying back to the hotel. Maybe we see each other again Because I am staying in Ponyville for a week.” I waved a goodbye to her and started flying into the town again.
When I reached Ponyville I wanted to go to the local library there. So I had to ask where it was. I asked some of the ponies who were living there and they said it was the tree where the local librarian lives. And they told me that the librarian was Twilight Sparkle. So I was going to meet the pony who is doing the final exam. I walked through the town and watched the ponies doing her daily routine, like talking to friends or visiting their family. I think it is ironic that these ponies don´t know what is happening outside of the borders of Equestria. I mean how can they live in peace when others have to work till they are death? I mean look they only care what they do now and in the future or the fillies care about what their cutie-mark will be. I had to care about how I will survive the next day. Everyday could be the last day for a young gryphon like me when I worked down in the Diamond dog mines. Okay worked is the wrong word. I think being in slavery would do a better job then `work´.
I was so deep into my thoughts that I arrived at the library and stood there like a tree. Funny staying like a tree in front of a library that is in a tree. I realized that and knocked at the door. I heard a female voice saying “Spiiiiikee! Go to the door please.”
“Ugh. Fine, Twilight,” said a rather young male voice.
And then a dragon answered the door. A little purple dragon with green spikes. I don't know what made me angry in this moment. I think it was that this dragon opened the door and dragons are the problem why gryphons have to dig for diamond dogs. Dragons need to eat diamonds and they blackmail diamond dogs to give them their food. So you probably know how I came into slavery.
I started growling at the little dragon. My claws got ready to attack him and thats what I did. He was really defenseless against a raging gryphon. I mean I sliced through his scales like they were butter. He never had a chance. I mean how would you feel when a 200 kg heavy gryphon lands and you and start clawing you. Okay I never thought about his past and his future but I was angry at this moment okay? A dragon is a dragon, in my opinion. Every one of them will be a beast in some time and they get greedy. So they are going to kill and destroy. I wanted to prevent that but Twilight Sparkle heard the screaming dragon and ran down to see what is happening. She just stopped me. Okay she put me in some magic bandages and trust me this mare is really stong. You should never underestimate a mare. Especially not her.
“Whats wrong with you, Mister?” she asked angry.
I tried to speak but my mouth was covered with a bandage made out of purple magic. I looked like a small package with feathers and all the gryphon things you know?
“Oh yes I forgot you can't speak because I put the ball in your mouth.” She giggled and levitated the ball out of my mouth. “So what can you say in your defense, Mister?”
“He's a dragon!” I shouted at her. “He is the reason why I lived most of my life in hatred and slavery! You'll probably forgive me if I kill him.” I growled.
“But Spike has nothing to do with that what you are talking about. I mean he always lived here. I hatched him since he was a hatchling. Since he came out of his egg.“ She explained.
I was still angry and I wanted still to argue with her that dragons are the root of all the evil that happens out in the world. I mean I looked really terrible and this dragon looked even worse. He needed some medical help. But not from me. In my opinion he didn't even deserve to live.
“Are you going to help me?” She screamed at me in anger. As an answer I just shook my head to signal to her that I am not going to help her. So she teleported the dragon into the hospital and materialized again . She was still glaring daggers at me. Okay I can probably understand her. If she would have attacked somepony I knew I would be glaring the same daggers but at this moment I was just so angry that I saw this dragon.
“So what have you to say to your defense?” She asked me with a very angry tone.
“Hmm If you would have seen this things that I have seen. You wouldn´t think the same about dragons...” I just sighed. I felt so numb. I mean I probably could have killed him. I was just so in my rage that I nearly killed somebody.
“So this is all you have to say?” She was probably still angry. I mean yeah she was still angry. But you know how mares are. They can probably have the best pokerface. “I am going to tell that to Prinncess Celestia. I think she knows what to do with you.” There goes my first impression I thought defeated. “When the guards arrive here you will go with them. Is that clear?” I just nodded and accepted that I am going to be thrown in jail again for attacking a dragon. I sighed again but this time I just sighed because it was dumb what I did.
I still couldn't move because Twilight levitated me into the library and put be down somewhere where I can´t move or do something bad. After about one hour Princess Celestia and two of her guards entered the library. She didn't look like she was foinf to discuss with me.
“Hello Princess Celestia.” She said and bowed her head.
“Hello Twilight my lovely student. What mattered that you asked me for your help?” She looked at me and saw that I couldn't move.
“He attacked Spike and that's why I called you here Princess. I wasn't sure what we are going to do with him so I decided the authorities should decide what to do with him. After all the doctors said that Spike wasn't that badly hurt.” She sighed in relief.
“You know I wanted this gryphon to do the test I asked you for. And his name Is Charles Pathfinder. I want that you prepare the test for him.”
“But he just attacked Spike.” She said really surprised. “I mean he just could have killed him easily.”
“That's why I want you to teach him something about dragons while he stays here in Ponyville and I also want you to rent him some of your books about dragons. He has been enslaved by diamond dogs and had a rather bad life. I wanted to change that because everypony or in this case gryphon needs the same chances.” She explained in her beautiful voice to Twilight.
“Ah that's why he attacked Spike.” She realized now. “And now what are we going to do against that Princess?”
“We have to be patient and let Spike and him talk to each other to sort things out.” She said. “I am going to send him back to his place where he stays at the moment. I think he has enough to think about a lot of things now.”
“Yes Princess as you wish.” I know she wasn't really happy with what the Celestia said but that's what the Princess said. So she let me go and I flied back to the hotel. I took a shower to wash the blood out of m feathers and laid down in bed. I needed to think that's right. So I fell asleep and had a terrible flashback.
Author's Note
Sorry for the long wait...I know it should have taken shorter but I was relly busy with studying. I try to bring out a chapter every first or second week a new chapter and please leave comments here. I need that really to improve myself.
Charles Pathfinder - A Gryphon in Canterlot
Charles Pathfinder – A gryphon in Canterlot
I was dreaming...I mean, I was 5 years old again and working for the diamond dogs in the mines...Nopony complained, nopony talked...The sound of metal crunching stones could be heard all over the tunnels. I looked to my right side to see my mother and father working really hard. But they were both getting tired. They know they can't allow the diamond dogs to see that, so they just worked. I could see many scars on my dad’s back. It was a wonder that he was still standing. Most ponies would have died because of these scars. Blood could be seen on his feathers. His eyes were just tired.
My mom didn´t look any better. She was tired but didn’t have the same scars on her back, but she was worried about me and I knew this. She was worried that I would not have a good future and that I would have to work here until my dying day. I saw her crying every day after we were brought to our cells.
The days passed and I knew this was a dream and I knew what was going to happen in my dream...And I know it has to happen. But I didn’t want it to happen because, I would have to see my parents die. But then the day came. My mother told me that I should run when they say it.
So we got to work and began like normal. 5 minutes later the first guard approached us and started saying bad things to my dad. I couldn’t hear them because there was a loud boom and a bright light. After some time the light faded away and I could see dead ponies, gryphons and diamond dogs lying everywhere. After some time my mom said I should run away quickly. And so, I did. I ran for my life, I didn’t stop running till I crashed into something big with gray fur.
“What is a little cub doing here?” The Diamond dog guard said. “You work in the caves to get diamonds for us!” I started to back away. I was still small and couldn’t stand my ground against a full grown diamond dog. He started pointing the spear in my direction and started poking me. The poking got more intense and the spear started to hurt my throat.
“Hey guard!” I heard my dad yelling and he sounded really angry. My mom looked enraged. I don’t know but she got pretty beaten up. She had deep cuts that were still bleeding. Blood was everywhere on her body. My dad didn´t look any better than her. The scars he had before, and the new ones he got today, were bleeding really bad. My mom didn’t look good either. Both of them looked like they would collapse soon. I mean I don’t know how much blood they’d lost but it looked terrible. As soon as my dad finished shouting at the diamond dog guard he charged at him. My mom did the same. They started attacking him with everything they had. They slashed with their claws and started to attack his eyes. Their attack was successful after the diamond dog hit the ground dead. There were only holes where his eyes had been. This neck was cut open by my dad and the eyes were poked out by my mom.
I was shocked so I didn’t know what to do. My dad came to me and said I should follow him. I mean I was still a kid and not used to that kind of violence. Okay that kind of violence was what I saw everyday in the mines but not directly. I saw some ponies in a really bad shape and that but nothing compared like that.
After 10 minutes of following my parents we arrived at the entrance of the cave. They told me to run. I didn’t want to leave my parents to their fate because I know what the diamond dogs are going to do to them when I leave them. What kind of son would I be if I left them. But they insisted that I should leave. They wanted me to be happy wherever my travel is going to lead me. Then there were Diamond Dogs everywhere. They attacked us. A pack of Diamond Dogs who attacked three gryphons. My parents stood their ground. They told me to run but I wanted to do something. I wanted to make myself useful. But they shouted I should run. When my dad got distracted while he was yelling at me. He got both wings cut off by a Dog and I had no choice but to watch as he screamed in agony. He knew he was going to die here. So, he tried to take a few more of them out before he reached his last breath. After killing two or three dogs he collapsed and didn’t get up again... ever again. My mom fought desperately to give me time to escape. After that... All I know is that I ran as hard as I could trying to get away, then I heard my mom scream in agony. I know what happened to her. They Sacrificed their lives for me so that I could be happy.
... and then I woke up. I don’t know what time it was. All I remember is, that it was early, and I had a job to do. I also had to visit Zecora too, so I decided to head there first to ask her if she can make the medicine for me. I took a shower to get the feeling that something awful is going to happen today. I don’t know why, but it’s a strong gut feeling. The shower felt amazing. I mean it is possibly thats the best shower I’ve ever had since... Well, ever. After that I had to go to Zecora’s hut.
A short flight and a terrified pony or two later I arrived at her hut . Not that the weather was bad or anything like that, but I don’t like the Everfree forest. I mean, nevermind. I had to go there and ask for the medicine.
I wiped the negative thoughts from my head as I knocked on her door.
Zecora opened the door and asked “What brings you here my dear friend, we had not spoken in a long time.”
“Yeah, I have no medicine at the moment so I came here to ask you if you would wouldn’t mind making me some medicine for my epilepsy?” I asked her.
“Ah, that would be no problem my dear friend.”
“Something’s odd Zecora. Why are you not rhyming?” I asked her out of curiosity.
“If I meet somepony whom I’ve saved enough I tend to let the rhyming go. I mean it is not necessary to rhyme every time. And it is also extremely difficult.”
“Ah, I understand what you mean.” I nodded in confirmation and spoke “So what do you need for the medicine?”
“Everything I need is here.” She said with her zebra accent. “I just need to brew it and put it in a bottle then it’ll be ready. Onto a more conversable topic, how’ve you been faring Charles?
“A lot has changed recently. I got a job in Canterlot, I am going to be trained in self defense, and I am allowed to go through with a graduation. I also have my very own flat!” I cheered.
“That´s a lot of new developments happening in your life Charles.” She smiled at me as she put the ingredients for the medicine into her brew and started mixing it.
We talked about casual things. How the ponies treated her when she first showed up. I think being seen as a threat to everypony is a little bit racist. It happened to me too when I was younger. Ponies can be very judgmental if they don´t know what they are dealing with. My medicine finished, so she bottled it up and gave it to me. I said my farewells and I went back to Ponyville. Suddenly I saw a grey blur which crashed into me.
“Oh I don’t know what went wrong.” I heard a mare sigh and then her voice got higher because she saw me lying on the ground and groaning in agony “OH MY GOSH! Are you okay?”
I grunted back “Yeah, I’m okay. But why didn’t you see me flying right there? I mean a gryphon like me isn’t that difficult to see.” I started to get up and looked at her. Her coat was grey and her mane was a really nice yellow. But what caught me off guard was that her eyes were kind of looking in two different directions. I kind of felt bad that I grunted at her.
“I think that you can see why I wasn’t able to see you in time.” She explained “By the way my name is Ditzy Doo. But my friends call me Derpy.”
“Pleased to meet you Miss Doo. My names is Charles Pathfinder.” I replied back politely. I looked around and saw many letters scattered around our landing zone. “Oh I guess you are the mailmare then Miss Doo.” I started picking up the letters and giving them to her “I think you’re a bit happy that somepony is helping you.”
“Actually yes I am. I’m used to doing everything on my own. All the ponies here try to avoid me.” She said with a deep sadness in her eyes. “By the way you can call me Derpy. I feel kind of old when you call me MIss Doo.” She giggled; trying to lighten the.
I found a picture of her and a small foal. “Is this little cute unicorn filly your child?” I asked out of curiosity.
“Yeah I had to raise her by myself.” She sighed “My colt-friend left me when I got pregnant. He was just a jerk who couldn´t take some responsibility.”
“Ah it’s okay Derpy. I don’t want to bring up some bad feelings.” I smiled at her “And I have to go again..” and then I started daydreaming and thinking about the medicine “Ah shoot...I hope my medicine is not broken.” I started to take my saddlebag and open it. As I saw that the medicine is okay I sighed in relief. I didn’t want to risk falling out of the sky just because I get an epileptic attack.
“Hmm is something wrong?” She asked me.
“No I just checked on my medicine and it´s still okay.” I sighed in relief again.
“Ah thats good.” We finished putting the letters bag into her mailbag. “I have to go. The mail doesn’t deliver itself.” She giggled.
“Thats okay. See you later maybe.” I waved a goodbye to her.
“See you later, Charles.”
Now I had just to survive my workday.
Author's Note
Okay sorry for the late update but I hadn´t enough time to do a lot of things lately...
Oh and don´t mind the bad rhymes...I tried that but I am not that good soooooo just forget whatever i wrote there xD
Charles Pathfinder - A Gryphon in Canterlot
Charles Pathfinder – A gryphon in Canterlot
Not long after I had arrived, I realized I was a little bit too early. I mean I could go drink a tea and be back in time, yet even then I’d still have probably five minutes left. So I laid down and relaxed. My unconsciousness left me unaware I had fallen asleep, but the realization quickly dawned on me when Miss Dash prodded my sprawled body awake on the bench.
“Hey dude are you gonna wake up right now?” She poked my belly and smiled a little bit. “We have a job to do, a big one, especially since we’re only three ponies...er...two ponies and a gryphon,” She giggled catching herself mid-sentence.
“Okay Miss Dash, I’m awake,” I replied while grabbing her hoof to stop her incessant poking, and lumbered off the bench, stretching my wings and shoulders. “So what do we need to do today?”
“Today’s scheduled to be cloudy with a little rain. We need to gather some clouds, put them together, and clump a few a little closer together so they rain. It’s also important to give Sweet Apple Acres a good downpour so the trees get enough water.”
“Not that much to do,” My mind spoke aloud. “We should be finished really fast. The only thing we have to wait on is the last member of today’s weather patrol.”
“Yeah. We have to wait till Cloud Kicker is here and then we are going to get started.” She said and looked for Cloud Kicker in the sky. She arrived later as expected. But she arrived.
“Hey everypony. What's up?” Cloud Kicker asked.
“We were waiting for you.” Rainbow Dash answered angry “You just missed the briefing but I guess you know what to do CK.”
“Yeah kind of. So should I work with this guy here?” She asked.
“Yes you are supposed to work with him. Okay everypony so lets get started. I am going to take care of the rain over Sweet Apple Acres and you two are going to do the clouds about Ponyville.”
“Roger that.” CK answered shortly and I just grunted that I got what we have to do.
After Rainbow Dash flew away to take care of the rain over the Apple farm we decided to start. We gathered some clouds and put them together. Cloud Kicker tried to talk to me to get to know me better but I just responded in short sentences. She looked like a nice mare but I just came to Ponyville because I was asked to do my job here and help the weather team. I don´t remember how much time we spent on creating the weather but it was late afternoon when we finished.
“Okay guys. We are finished.” Dash said “was a lot of fun. And Charles?”
“Yes Miss Dash?”
“Do you mind going to Sugarcube Corner at nine pm?” she asked me with a little smile.
“Hmm I don't have things to do so yeah I think i am free. But why do you want me to be there?” I asked curious.
“Let´s say it is a surprise.” She giggled.
“Okay so see you later Miss Dash and Miss Kicker.” I waved both of them goodbye and flew to my room in the hotel, grabbed something to eat and got a shower. After that I grabbed a book about Equestrian history and started to learn. I know i didn't have that much time to learn all this stuff but I already know most of that.
I looked at the clock and realised that I was going to be late to the meeting with Rainbow Dash. So i made myself ready and went to Sugarcube Corner. The house looked like a Gingerbread house. I just wanted to bite into the house and look if it is really made out of gingerbread. I waited not all to long for Rainbow.
“Hello there Charles. Do you wanna go inside?” she asked me.
“Sure why not.” I nodded and soon we walked into the gingerbread house. It was dark. It seemed like someone...
“SURPRISE!” The light turned on and all ponies in the room started to cheer at me. Suddenly a crowd of ponies stood there. Mz heart stopped beating for a second and mz claws cut into the wood where I stood. A pink blur appeared before me and asked “Did I surprise you with my party? Did I? Did I? I hope you are going to enjoy this party I did all this just for you. Because you just arrived here and if you just arrived here you don´t know somepony and that made me sad. So I thought it would be the best if I throw you a Welcome to Ponyville party so that you are going to know everypony. And I don't think that you are a meanie pants like the last gryphon. Soooooo what do you think?”
How was she able to talk so much and don't breath once? What the heck? And why is she grinning like a madpony? There were so many questions that I thought my head would explode but then Rainbow whispered to me “It´s just Pinkie being Pinkie. You don't have to understand her. just enjoy the party and you are going to have a great time and probably get some new friends.” she giggled “She did that with everyone of us. You should have seen Twilights face when she did that.” and finally she couldn't hold back anymore and started laughing.
“Okay I get it” I said to Dash. “Yeah you surprised me Mrs Pie. I didn't want a party because I am only going to stay here till the end of this week. But thank you for this surprise.” I smiled at her “i think i am going to enjoy this party.”
“Sooo let´s get this party started.” She pointed at the DJ and this pony started playing music. This is the first time I had a party and I decided to enjoy this one. I got to know many ponies this evening. There was Carrot Top, Applejack - the producer of the best cider I have heard - her brother Big Mac, Fluttershy, Rarity -which I didn't like because of how she thinks she can behave like a freaking noble - Roseluck and many other ponies.
After that party complete Ponyville got to know me. I told them stories about my journey. How I met an eternal dragon and many others. I think I drunk a little bit to much that evening because i can't remember how I ended up in my hotel room the next morning. And especially with one of the mares. Especially Roseluck. I mean they are cute but not that cute. I was even terrified and frightened that we did something that night. I hope you understand. But she explained that we didn't do anything and said that she was really tired after bringing me to the hotel room. I was really ashamed that I took advantage of a mare. She just said that she snuggled up on me and that I am really fluffy to sleep on. like a pillow. We had breakfast together and then ou ways separated again. She had to go to work and I had to work too.
The rest of the week run as fast as sand through one of my talons. And at the end of the week there was again a party. But this time I had to fly. I said goodbye to all of my new friends in Ponyville and hoped for them that we would meet each other again.
“Wait Charles!” I heard a familiar voice behind me. I recognised the voice as Roseluck.
“You couldn't wait any longer or?” I asked her and waited for her to arrive.
“I am going to be in Canterlot Next Saturday and I thought...that you...you would be kind a-a-and meet up with me?” She blushed and looked down.
“Are you saying you want to go on a date with me dear lady Roseluck?” I asked her in a mocking way but laughed “Yes that would be really nice of you. But on one condition.”
“And that would be?”
“I am going to pay for you.” I smiled at her.
“I think we can arrange that dear Sir.”
“But now I have to go. The light is going to take a while and I need to rest when I am getting home.” I hugged her and waved a goodbye to her. “See you next week.”
“See you next week Charles.”
Author's Note
Okay guys here it is Chapter 8
I have a lot of stress atm...our college is prepearing a big lanparty and we had to find sponsors and plan everything. And next weekend it´s ging to be a big partey :D
Charles Pathfinder - A Gryphon in Canterlot
Charles Pathfinder - a Gryphon in Canterlot
The next morning was just as usual. But something was still different. I mean waking up groggy is just usual when you fly that fast. I was greeted by a really happy Free Bird. I mean it is really interesting that you see a mare that happy. It is just a sight for itself. So that means something really really good happened to her. I didn't ask her what happened to her. We just talked about what happened to me when I was in Ponyville. I told her about how frumpy I was at the beginning but then I started opening up to the ponies in this town. I told her about the visit of Zecora I did. I actually told her everything that happened in Ponyville. After that I got into my room and found a scroll with a seal of Princess Luna? I was really surprised. I opened the scroll and started reading.
Dear Charles Pathfinder,
If thou are reading this thou are already back from Ponyville. I hope thou enjoyed you stay in Ponyville. So we asked thou to meet us in Canterlot Castle for a casual get together and talking about different topics and what happened to thou. You should visit us in thee evening.
We hope that thou are going to visit us soon.
Sincerely Princess of the Night Luna
I was really surprised that Princess Luna requested me at the Castle. I mean I haven´t seen them in about two or three weeks. I don´t know why she wants to see me as soon as possible.But I decided to go and pay Princess Luna a visit in the afternoon. She is an really interesting pony.
Still I had the rest of the day to with nothing to do then learning maybe getting outside but meh then I have to see the nobility with their nose so stuck up that they could touch the sky. And everypony who have no relations to nobility they feel like they have to look down on them with pity and shame. Thats what I am thinking about those bucking nobles. That´s why I decided to stay in the house and should finish learning. You know repeat all those things that you learned all thise days ago. That´s what I did till it was eight o'clock in the evening. I made myself ready to leave and get to the Royal Sisters Castle. I arrived there after five minutes of flight.
“Halt! Who goes there?” asked one of the leather winged ponies who are the Night Guard of Princess Luna.
“My name is Charles Pathfinder and Princess Luna wanted to talk to me.” I held up the scroll so he could read it.
“Okay you can pass Mr. Pathfinder.” He waved a hoof as a signal and the gate oepened. “Princess Luna is in her private chambers.” he looked to another Lunar Guar and comanded him “Private escort Mr. Pathfinder to Princess Luna´s private chambers.”
“Sir yes Sir!” the private saluted and said “If you would follow me Mr Pathfinder?” and took the lead.
After about 5 minutes of randomly walking in the castle we stood in front of a night blue double door.
“We are there Mr. Pathfinder.” the guard knocked on the door and said “Princess Luna your guest is here.”
“Ah. Come in Charles.” a feminine voice answered. I thought since this is the chambers of Princess Luna it would be Luna herself. I entered the room and the first thing I saw was the nice decorated ceiling. I mean come on nopony has a room decorated light the night sky. This was just stunning. Thats one of the reasons why I like the night better than the day. There are more details than when the sun is out. just imagine the force you need to put every star into its position.
Whatever I was just standing there with my jaw wide open till Princess Luna said “Are you gonna say something or are you gonna stare at my ceiling?”
“I..uh..yeah I wanted to say something else but I just forgot what I wanted to say.” I said while scratching on my head.
“that was the same reaction I had when I entered my dusty old room after a thousand of years of absence.” She giggled at her own remark that she has been Nightmare Moon.
“Yeah it is just so stunning to see the night sky in all its beauty in a room.”
“Oh thank you for the compliment Charles” She blushed slightly. “Whatever how was your week in Ponyville?”
“Hmm my week was okay. At first I didn't want to open up to them because I thought the were like these stuck up noble ponies but after the last day I realised that not every pony is like those nobles. The nobles here don't even know what it means to be noble. I would like to kick their flank and show them how to be noble.” I giggled.
“Nobles thousand years ago were different thats true. They helped everypony in help or need. But that changed in a thousand of years.” She sighed.
“By the way Princess Luna. Your modern Equestrian has improved.” I remarked. Not long ago her Equestrian was like meh. But now I could understand her pretty well.
“You can call me Luna, Charles.” The Princess of the Night commented “At the moment I am just a pony with a horn and some wings with the ability to control the night. I also watch about the dreams of my subjects. But we got a little bit off topic here I think.”
“You could guess that. Whatever I worked and hunted for the most time of the week. I should add learning to that. That was the only things I did till i got to Pinkie pies Welcome to Ponyville party. I mean this mare know how to party.” I smiled. “The next day I had to go back here because I finished my job in Ponyville. Maybe I am gonna be there again maybe not.” I remembered these days with a smile that wasn´t fake “But I know I am gonna visit them again.”
“That´s nice to hear.” she said. “Do you mind if we play a game of chess? normally I would be in the night court but since today nopony is going to be here today I have nothing to do.”
“I would gladly play a game of chess with your Highness.” I remarked and made a bow.
Luna levitated a board of chess and the figures to the board. So we started playing this game and it took us about 2 hours to finish that game. Luna won but just with not that much difference.
“you are a really good strategic player Charles. Nopony..I mean nogryphon could challenge me in chess and also entertain me that long. You made some nasty traps there Charles.” She complimented me “Just too bad that you are not in the Guard.” Luna sighed.
“Hmm maybe, maybe not. But at the moment I am happy to just have a job.” I replied in a sing sang voice. “But now i have to head down to my own house Luna. I need to be in a good condition tomorrow because of my work. I have to thank you for your hospitality.”
“No I have to thank you for ou spending the time here.” We both bowed before each other and bumped our heads. Both of us broke out in laughter. “Okay but now hush. You need to work and I have to watch out what maybe happens at the nighttime.”
I waved my goodbye to Luna and left the castle after that. After i arrived at home - yeah home sweet home - I cleaned my beak with the toothbrush since i realised that I don´t have any tooth. But then i decided to go for a flight. I took of and started flapping my wings. The night sky was shining above me and Canterlot in all its glory was under me. I enjoy the wind brushing against every feather on my body and the chilly night air. Thats why I like the night sky. Luna does really make a good job. Ever star is set into the night sky with a kind of beauty and kindness. But without the day we wouldn't be able to survive. But after some time i decided to go to bed. it was really late and I needed to work tomorrow.
Author's Note
So yeah here it is Chapter 9.
Charles Pathfinder - A Gryphon in Canterlot
Charles Pathfinder
Chapter 10 (finally)
Just the normal morning routine to wake up. Get out of the bed shutting down the the alarm getting into the shower and eating breakfast. I was getting ready for work when I suddenly remembered that I live where I work so I had a lot of time to do nothing probably learn a little bit more till I have to work. The hour passed and I heard a knock on my door.
“Charles are you in there?” White Quill asked.
“Yeah i am in there. What time is it?”
“Time for work but not here Charles. Miss Dash explained to me that you did are really good job in Ponyville so she wants you to work there permanently. So you are going to work in Ponyville. We organised a house for you and it is already paid. I made a bank account for you there too so you don't have to do that. If you need anything else just speak with Miss Dash. So you can pack your things and leave whenever you want.”
“Okay? Why are you placing me into Ponyville? I am fine here. I have my home here so why do I still have to go there?” I asked.
“Because I think that a change of scenery would be good for you and you need to get to know other ponies then these stuck up nobles which don´t care about the rest of the ponies when they aren´t nobility.” he shook his head “That´s why I said yes. You lived too long on the streets here and you should get a house for yourself.” White Quill looked to me with a friendly smile.
“I understand that but I am still not happy with that. But how do I get there? I am still exhausted from the flight in the night back from Ponyville. I don't think I can handle another flight back to Ponyville yet.”
“We already took care of that. The Cloudsdale weather factory is paying for your train trip and you can take whatever train you like. So you can finish whatever you still have to do.” White Quill told me “I am sad that you have to go but I think you are going to have a better time there than here in Canterlot.”
“Why do you say that?”
“I am originally from Ponyville. I was born there I lived most of my time there and I had a lot of friends there too. My childhood was pretty normal compared to yours. I think you need to go there because everypony is nice there and the town itself is better than Canterlot. After everything you have gone through you need a peaceful place to live.”
“Yeah I already realised that. The town itself is pretty nice too.”
“So you can do whatever you have to do but you have to be till tomorrow in the morning. You already have to work there tomorrow.”
“I am going to pack my things as soon as possible and that would be right now. But I am still going to visit you.” I smiled at him and gave him a shake with my paw.
He left my room after that was said. I started packing my things which are not that many things considered that I am an orphan I just packed the books and the essentials into my bag. I still have to bring them back to the Canterlot Archives. I just realised that White Quill put a small letter on my desk. I opened it and saw that this was about my bank account in Ponyville which he said he opened for me. I started flying to the Archives. When I landed there I walked inside the building and looked for the librarian. When i found her I walked straight to her.
“Hello Velvet.” I greeted her with a faint voice which was pretty low for library standards. “How are you doing?”
“Oh hello Charles.” She smiled when she saw me “I am doing fine. You know a lot of books to sort and categorize and I have to deal with these stuck up nobles who don't come here for the books. They just wanna look like they have an idea who is related to whom. But thats a diffrent story. So what brings my favourite gryphon back here to little ol me?”
“I have to move to Ponyville and I wanted to give back some books I lent here. I really don't want to go to Ponyville. But my boss thinks that I am going to feel better when I am going there” I sighed “i am just used living here that I actually don't want anything else.”
She just stood there and stared at me and then looked me into the eyes and made a ‘hmmm’ sound, she formed a smile to me and said to me in a soft and calm voice “You know Charles I remind me of somepony.”
I tilted my head in confusion “Who?”
She tilted her head with her eyes closed and a with a soft smile she uttered the words “My daughter.”
“What?”
“She used to live in Canterlot and just like you books mean a lot to her and are a big part of her life. Because of that she never really had friends. She was reading so many books that her only friend was her brother and her foalsitter. That was until her teacher sent her away to Ponyville to learn how to make friends. She only had a few friends until she moved to Ponyville.” Velvet sighed but a small smile started to form on her face before she continued “But now her life is filled with friendship. And I think if you go you will find something worth keeping that will make you stay in Ponyville.”
“That sounds good but I still don't know. I lived here my whole life. I had many downs here but at the moment I am having so many good times that I don't want to move out from here. Everything turned better after I talked to Princess Celestia. Now I have a place to stay, some friends and a work where I am pretty good at. Now I have the feeling that I am worth something. And then they asked me to move away from everything I have gained? How can I leave this? How can I move aways just like that? HOW DO I KNOW THIS IS GOING TO BE OK!?”
Before i could say anything else closed my beak with her hoof and said “You know it better than to yell in here Charles.”
I looked away in embarrassment and when I noticed that ponies who were reading started looking at us before they finally returned to their books. “Sorry…”
“It’s okay Charles. I understand that is is hard for you to let it go after you finally found some happiness in your life.” She took the books I held and started stamping them off and while she did that she said “I think you are going to have it better there than you will get in this place.”
Then i noticed something small on her chin. A tear? Why is a tear rolling down from her eyes? Before I could ask anything else she said to me in a gentle voice and a smile on her lips “I wish you good luck Charles and I hope you will find the happiness you deserve.”
I suddenly felt something on my beak. It seems like she was not the only one that had tears rolling out of her eyes.
“Charles what's wrong?” Velvet said with a concerned voice.
“It is difficult to explain Velvet...” I tried to say with the most composed voice i could muster but failed miserably to keep my shivering voice in check “I have lived most of my live here. I have seen ponies doing all horrible things both to me and each other which I can never forgive nor forget. I have dreamt about leaving this place since I have been living here, but as I found some friends i finally feel at home. for the first time in my life Everything has gotten better for me and even I am the only gryphon here I gained some friends who like me the way I am and I...”
Before I was done with my sentence I was caught in a warm embrace. It seems like the time I had used to talk about my feelings she had moved around her desk and now she is giving me a warm hug. The feeling was weird. It was a feeling that i don't understand. A feeling that i couldn't fully comprehend. It was warm and felt like all the sorrows have been washed away from me. This feeling made me feel relaxed. It felt like the first time I slept in my bed in my old living place. But it was warmer and in the end it made my tears roll out faster.
______________________________________________________________________________
We arrived at the Canterlot train station. Everywhere were ponies in a hurry to catch their train or wish farewell to their loved ones. We arrived at the platform for the train to Ponyville. The train was already waiting for the passengers to get into the train.
“Velvet are you sure this is going to be okay? Don´t you have to watch over the library?” I asked her with a guilty smile on my face. I wasn't sure if I am yet ready to move to a different town.
“It´s going okay Charles. My assistants have the library under control and today is no such a busy day. And I also thought you could need my support.”She said with a smile on her face that did in fact boosted my confidence. As we moved to the platform where my train is waiting for me to get in and bring me to my new place where I am going to live. The train station was crowded as usual. Ponies were busy going to their trains - not really paying attention to what is happening around them - or going back to their loved ones after a long trip.
“Here we are Charles are you ready for this?” She looked at me with a honest smile as we reached the platform
“Do I actually have a choice? “ I gave a stiff laugh as I looked sheepishly at her, earning only a small grin for my second-rate performance.
“I wish you good luck on your future life.” She hugged me and hold me a little bit longer. Out of everything in this place this is probably the thing that I am going to miss the most. I silently thought to myself. “Charles I am going to be here no matter what. So if you ever have problems just visit me in the library okay?”
“Thanks Velvet for everything you have done for me.” I smiled at her and returned the hug. “So I guess it is time for a goodbye?”
“Goodbye Charles.” She simply said and waved at me while having that ever lasting warm smile on her face that I loved so much.
“Goodbye Velvet.” I just replied with a small simple smile that I would be never able compare to her warm loving ones.
I entered the train. The train was like everything ponies made pretty colourful. Everything in there was comfy and there were also some other Ponies sitting on there. Some would go to other cities but most of them would visit Ponyville. As I took my seat - which was close near a window - some ponies moved away to other seats that were far away from my own and gave me odd looks. Thats just as I am used to that kind of behaviour. The train started pulling out of the train station I looked out of the window to give the city one last glance Some things won't change hmm? I thought to myself. I just realised after the train started to move slowly that my work colleagues were waving like maniacs to me. I just thought ‘They should be working these idiots and not waving goodbye to me’. A smile made its way on my beak maybe some things are changing. The next thing is that the train reached the end of the platform and started pulling into the direction of Ponyville. I was thinking about what is going to happen in this small little town. I looked out of the window into the direction of Ponyville which you could see What will await me when I get into that town hmm? It can't be as bad as what I experienced in Canterlot I stated to myself as I stared into the direction of Ponyville which is going to be my new home.
Author's Note
So Fucking finally it is out!
