Pedal-Powered Hearts

Chapters

Chapter One: Falling with style
Chapter Three: Deadly Blizzard vs Hot Chocolate
Chapter Four: Certain Cave Calamities Create Copious Conversation
Chapter Five: Continued Caring Cave Conversations Created by Collapses
Chapter Six: Words of Two Hearts
Chapter Seven: Letters of a Feather
Chapter Eight: Delivery of packaged hugs
Chapter Nine: Tumultuous Times
Chapter Ten: Flying High
Chapter Two: Chilling Relations

Chapter One: Falling with style

Our greatest weakness lies in giving up. The most certain way to succeed is always to try just one more time. -Thomas A. Edison

The blanket of the morning was beginning to be pulled back by the ray-like fingers of the sun, Canterlot still shrouded with clouds. Spires pierced through the thick billows of moisture as a smaller shape slowly rose above them. The morning weather crew shift hardly paid mind to the event; for while such a sight had once been interesting and nuanced, it was now just a weekly occurrence.

In fact, a rather large betting pool surrounded the slowly-ascending pony, his gyrocopter powered by hooves and glowing crystals alike.

Music echoed from inside the unicorn’s helmet, each hoof pressing down on four pedals in time to the beat, head bobbing back and forth to the tune. If one removed the pedals, gears, and the gyrocopter itself, it would look like Aid Chaser was simply trotting in place while climbing straight up. It was an efficient system; keeping the turbine above his head spinning while latent magic from the unicorn’s horn was fed into the dozens of mana-gems embedded into the metal.

Shutting off the music player strapped to his left forelimb, Aid grinned through his crystal visor as a snow-white Pegasus flew close, his blue fetlocks waving in greeting.
“Hey dude! Another test flight?” Wind Shear called, slowly following the gyrocopter upwards.

“Yup! Pretty sure this one will be interesting. It took me a good four hours to recalibrate all of the movement gems.” Aid replied, not able to resist a smile at the amused Pegasus.

“Thanks again for letting me use you as a model like, a month ago. I still can’t thank you enough. Having the wire imitation move as I modified the harness really has helped.”

Wind Shear brushed back his grey mane, exaggerating the gesture with a wide extravagant wave.
“Well of course. Who better looking to do it?” The weatherpony chucked, eyes flickering over the unicorn in amusement.

The dark tan vest was a stark contrast against Aid’s dark blue fur, and even more so to the golden strand that stood among his black mane. The vest was even a further fashion statement (or eyesore, depending who you asked,) due to the dozens of hoof-sized crystals embedded into the thick material.

“So, what’s the betting pool today?” Aid asked, gold eyes looking around and flicking a large switch on the gyrocopter’s main mast, situated behind him.

“The usual, but quite a few in the weather team are changing their tune. A full five are betting it’ll be successful, and now only ten think a total failure.” Wind replied, not able to resist a smile as his best friend laughed in the clearing air.

“Not including you I hope?”
The Pegasus shot the unicorn an abashed look, swiping a hoof across his brow.
“The nerve!”
“Hey, you DID bet against me once!”
Wind laughed, nodding as he gestured to Aid’s machine and large backpack.
“Yeah, once, before I even knew you! And I quickly learned to never bet against a certain somepony, no matter how crazy his ideas may be! In terms of success, there’s varying degrees of betting. I’ll have you know I’m the only one betting a fully successful flight!”

The weather pony’s expression then shifted, concern entering his amethyst eyes.
“Hey, Aid. I won’t push, but you doing alright? You left early from that party last week.” Wind remarked, prompting a pleasant smile from his friend.

You probably don’t know how much that means to me. One of the few ponies to check up on me for those nightmarish six months…
Thankfully that was a year ago. I’m more than glad to move on from that.
“Doing pretty good honestly. That time…erm, well I honestly just had an idea I didn’t want to forget before I got to the workshop.” Aid Chaser replied with an embarrassed wince.

The answer quickly made Wind perk back up as he laughed, shaking his head slowly.
“Of course you did. Well good to hear it, just, y’know. Wanted to check.”

Aid smiled, shifting slightly as he glanced to a small watch on his right arm.
“Thank you though, really. Hmm.” His brow furrowed slightly in thought.
“I’d better get this done. Getting up here took longer- could barely see with this fog. Speaking of which….”

Wind waved a hoof dismissively, gesturing to the quickly-clearing sky, a few more members of the Canterlot morning weather team blowing away the thick mist.
“I got my section done first, so I could chat for a bit! But yea, best I get back to it too. Best of luck dude! See you tomorrow, hopefully not today!”

“Tomorrow, not today indeed!” Aid called.

With a wave, Wind Shear was off, helping a new member of the team with a particularly thick bank of fog off to the right, leaving the unicorn with a happy smile.The odd farewell was a common phrase uttered from the Pegasus- and it had spread to other members of their second job too.
I guess we never never do hope to be called up for an emergency- but we’re here just in case. I’d rather see him at times like this than in at a disaster zone.

Aid now looked at the small metal gauntlet on his left limb, multiple buttons and switches adorning the metal device. None of them were physically connected to anything- but each were toggled to an activation spell of some sort, as well as a few handy readouts.

I’m so happy to not rely on those cruddy old spells. The upgrade cost was totally worth getting an experienced mage to do them for me.
Funny, I suppose. The owner of my own enchantment shop going to another for spell help. But my life is certainly worth it!

Tapping a switch, the inside of Aid’s helmet lit up with a few simple graphs; altitude, speed, and how much stored mana was left in his crystals being the primary displays. They were all simple spells, but cementing a spell to an action, or readout, was a tricky business.
I don’t trust myself to perform those sorts of spells perfectly, not yet at least. But give me another year…
Pulling on two simple toggles that hung at his sides, Aid exposed what appeared to be a folded-up ladder on each side of his torso, hanging at his sides loosely. Also sparking with gems, each stone was expertly cut in a semi-long but angular shape.

If one looked close enough, the mana crystals would almost resemble feathers. Both imported and mined from inside Equestria, the artifacts were, in simple terms, magical batteries. One could dump raw energy into them, and the specially-cut minerals would retain the energy for a near-indefinite period of time. They could also be enchanted to work with various spells, as Aid eagerly utilized with most of his work.

Checking the time once again, Aid mentally ran through the morning flight schedule- and looked around to confirm his spot. The airspace around Canterlot could be crowded on occasion, so he had booked a certain time and area for his ‘adrenaline-junkie’ activities.
I mean, it IS a rush, and probably the best way to phrase it.
Speaking of which…

Flicking a final switch on the gyrocopter’s main panel, Aid set the machine to automatically land, the main turbines spinning just fast enough to set the craft down safely. A simple guiding spell kept it on track, at least enough to avoid houses and trees.

(Flight Music)

Tapping the music player on his arm, the stallion now couldn’t keep a silly smile off his face. Shifting off of the gyrocopter’s seat, he double-checked the readings on the instrumentation panel, as well as the bulky emergency parachute strapped to his back.
Thank heavens for lightening spells. This stuff must be a third of my body weight.
…Tally ho!

With a laugh, Aid Chaser dove off the now-descending machine, the wind rushing past the stallion in free fall. Quickly building up speed, the pony angled his flight to the south-east to avoid most of Canterlot’s spires. Leading him past the green cliff-side parks and then to the eventual rolling hills beyond Canterlot, it was the perfect path for a test flight. No trees to snag on, and the cliffs provided a nice landmark to guide him all the way to the landing site in the grassy hills.
And then a nice long walk back to my apartment, and then prepare for dinner with the parents.
Ugh.

Such thoughts were pushed out of Aid’s mind as he punched through the dwindling fog, the full expanse of Equestria now laid out before him. How Pegasi never marveled at the sight every time they flew, Aid didn’t know.
It never gets old.

The clear air filled the stallion’s lung with a chilly greeting, Aid grinning as the constant pressure of the wind against his chest began to level out. Up here, it was just him and the sky. Having wind for company and clouds for conversation was a strange but exhilarating freedom.

I could stay up here for hours, not these few minutes.
Eventually!

His speed stabilizing to near terminal velocity, Aid reached over and flicked two switches, then depressing a large green button on his gauntlet.
With a snap of magic, the metal bars at his side extended- crystal feathers shining brightly in the morning sun. Tendrils of awareness dug into Aid Chaster’s mind, the two new appendages feeling like two new limbs on his back.

That always is weird- feeling two new limbs.
But now…

Eyes narrowing in concentration, Aid guided the artificial wings into a gliding arrangement, slowly angling upwards. His display blinked, indicating a drain on the mana crystals above normal.
Still need to optimize the spells I see, but that’s better than before! Last time I nearly drained half my power just by opening the things.

A slight pressure began to build into his temples, the strain on the wings makings itself known as the unicorn settled into an even glide.
Ok, spells stable, glide achieved. Little to no drain just gliding! Is that right?
A double check on his helmet readout confirmed the stallion’s hopes, the unicorn laughing happily.

“YES!”
Aid’s voice was carried away by the wind as he soared along the cliffs, noticing only a few of the high-altitude parks being occupied.
Banking left and right, the stallion furled his wings, dropping sharply before extending them again with a joyous laugh.
Sudden drop and extend; passed again!

No doubt the cackling stallion that zoomed past a park was quite the sight to any early risers; but Aid couldn’t help but continue and laugh. Two successful maneuvers in a row, and the joints weren’t even straining!
They’d better hold! I spent five hours tuning them yesterday! Of course, now comes the actual test…
Well, in a bit.
Every flight was a joy- and not something he wanted to ever take for granted. How many unicorns were able to see this outside of an airship or hot air balloon?

Now passing over the outskirts of the city, Aid Chaser waved to a few curious royal guards flying nearby, the ponies stationed on one of the many perimeter gates at the base of Canterlot.
Focusing on his wings, Aid moved them forwards- willing them to move down, back, and then up again.
Not up and down. Forwards, down, back!

A strange ache spread through his back- like when nearing a hill on a marathon. The difference was that Aid’s physical wings had no muscle to become sore. This built up as a pressure in the stallion’s mind; the stubborn limbs refusing to move at first.
Come on!
The wings shuddered, then swept forwards and pushed the Unicorn up with a downward thrust.
“YES!”
One flap.
Then two.
The stallion couldn’t help but laugh, the wings pushing him higher as they continued to sweep back and forth.

TEN! IT WORKS!
Only now did a red indicator start to flash on the gauntlet- indicating a severe strain in the right-side joints. Even the warning failed to dim Aid’s spirits, the unicorn all smiles as he continued to descend.
More indicators now flashed- the wing now starting to move out of sync with the other. Aid barely had time to punch the red button on his panel before the appendage completely buckled as the magical joints failed.

Yanking the ripcord on his chest, Aid then punched the air triumphantly as he drifted down, one wing hanging limply at his side as a parachute deployed above his head.
“TEN FLAPS! How’s that for success!” he cried to the heavens, limbs still shaking from adrenaline as the stallion touched solid ground.
(End Flight Music.)

“Looks like you get that betting pool Wind. Ten flaps…I barely managed two a week ago!” the stallion said to himself, shrugging out of the harness and igniting his horn. A dull golden aura surrounded the wings, the mana-crystals slowly easing back into their retracted position.
“Oh. Right. After flight notes.” he muttered, activating a recording spell that led to one of the many crystals on his vest.

What would I do without these mana crystals? Well, I lived without it for years. But it makes things so much easier!
And to think, they thought this ‘handicap’ would render me magically useless…
Stubborn Unicorn, a million points. Totally wrong doctors, zero.
Gathering up his parachute and wings, the stallion packed them back onto his torso, beginning the trot back to Canterlot in the distance.

“After flight report, prototype eight, attempt one-hundred and five. Successful glide with minimal to no drain on mana crystals. Opening and closing maneuver was flawless. Managed ten flaps before right wing buckled due to strain. Odd out of sync motion was noticed beforehoof. I’m guessing there’s a joint spell not synced up correctly, the more I use it, the more disparate the issue becomes. But a complete success! Wind Shear will be happy- he bet on that today.”

Trotting along the increasingly well-kept road, Aid ran a cursory check of his mana crystals- noting their drain was significantly less than previous flights. Considering his own mana reserves were…unique, the vest and accompanying crystals were nothing less than an essential part of his wear.
I have to admit, being able to teleport and cast a big shield would be nice, but I’ll make do, as I always have.

Sweat dripped from his brow, black and gold mane sliding in front of Aid’s eyes as he trotted- the exertions of the flight finally catching up to him. Despite being in shape, the mental and physical strain of such an activity was always surprising.
At least I’ve got a while before meeting mother and father.
Even the thought put a sour taste in Aid’s mouth, the stallion shaking his head sadly.

I wish it was like before, when I didn’t dread visiting them. I don’t think I can keep doing this. It’s just not healthy.
No matter how much I hope to see change, it’s always the same thing, ten years of it. Ever since that scandal with grandfather…

The stallion’s cloudy thoughts were pulled away by a strange tingling that ran up his spine, the sensation then focusing on his cutie mark. The red medical cross enshrined by two golden wings began to itch- prompting the pony to look around.
Hmmm. Somepony’s in trouble. What could- oh.

Seeing a cart on the side of the road, Aid Chaser trotted over and looked at the tan earth pony sitting next to it.
“Hey there, everything ok?” he asked cheerfully- despite noticing the slight bruising on the pony’s front left limb.

The stallion nodded, wincing as he stood up and gestured to the cart.
“Yeah- ok no, not really. I tripped on one of those stupid raised stones back there. I thought I could walk it off, but my leg is not feeling so great.” The pony muttered with a shake of his head.

“Ah, mind if I take a look at it? I’ve got some medical training” Aid asked, and kept a positive expression on his face as he continued.
“You headed to Canterlot?” Aid asked, running a diagnostic spell over the pony’s limb.
“Y-yeah.”
Aid nodded, gesturing to the cart briefly.

“Well, looks like you’ve got a deep bruise, but nothing fractured. A few days rest and you’ll be fine. Being an earth pony, you’ll heal from it fairly quick. But walking on it, I wouldn’t recommend it for a time.” Aid then shrugged off his gear- the items hitting the ground with a thud.

“Want to climb on? I’m heading that way anyhow. You may not be able to walk, but I can pull.”
The stallion blinked in surprise, finally nodding and climbing into the empty cart.

“Seriously? Thank you- but you don’t even know my name.”
Aid smiled, hitching himself up to the cart and beginning to trot. A passive lightening spell helped the load a bit- the unicorn very glad it was only a few miles to the outer Canterlot sprawl. In shape or not, he just didn’t have the stamina of an earth pony.

“Well, I don’t have to know somepony’s name to help them. I’m Aid Chaser by the way.” The unicorn remarked, the tan stallion’s ears perking up.
“Trail Wheel here, and thanks again. Wait a minute, are you Bit Chaser’s son? Like, the big accounting guy?” Trail asked, prompting Aid’s ears to flatten slightly.

“Yep. That would be my father.”
Should have expected that I suppose.
“Huh. Small world. I use to do my taxes with his firm, back…eight years ago. But it changed, doesn’t feel the same.” The tan stallion mused.
Interesting…

“No slight against your father of course- but just a personal preference.”
“Of course- everypony has a preferred method or provider.” Aid replied, then hearing the shifting of metal.
“Whoa. Waaaaait a minute. You’re that unicorn who wants to fly? I guess I never connected the two.”

“Yup! Same one!” Aid replied cheerily- having long since gotten past any discomfort or embarrassment (mostly,) about his hobby.
“That’s really cool actually. What’s it like?” the curious pony asked, prompting a smile from Aid. It wasn’t often a genuine question wasn’t accompanied by a sneer or laugh- at least in Canterlot.
“Just…freedom. I don’t know how to describe it. It’s just you and the sky up there. It’s unforgiving- you make a mistake, and down you go. But it’s so worth it. I got farther along today than the past years combined.”

Speaking between increasingly raspy breaths, Aid still couldn’t keep a smile off his face as they continued down the road.
“So many failures, but when you’re up there with the clouds, it’s all worth it. The clean air, seeing all of Equestria spread out before you. It puts things into perspective- silly things I worry about just vanish into the wind.” The stallion continued, then heard a slight chuckle sounding from the cart.

“That sounds incredible- I’m actually rather jealous.” Trail mused.
“Well, keep it up, Aid Chaser. I’ve seen more than one colt in my village with cardboard wings on his back and intending to jump out of a tree. It’s become a game every now and again- a Pegasus helping the unicorn or earth pony. Rather adorable actually.”

Aid nearly tripped over his own hooves at that, drawing the cart up to a series of buildings at the edge of the road. The guard station served as one of many small outposts to assist visitors heading up to the main Canterlot Spawl.
“Wait what?!”

Hopping out of the cart with his injured leg held up slightly, Trail grinned and bowed his head in thanks.
“Yup. Quite a few have heard of the Unicorn who wants to fly, including the youngsters. Some scoff, but more often than not, it’s out of whimsical jealousy I think.”

Aid Chaser could only stare, a few guards coming out to check things out.
“Thanks again Aid, I owe you one.”
And with that, the injured stallion was taken inside by the medic, leaving a stunned Unicorn to gather his items from the cart.

As he trotted down the road towards the spires in the distance, Aid couldn’t shake Trail’s words from his mind.
The confusion slowly gave way to a warm glow that buoyed up his tired limbs, the weighty pack and wings seeming a bit lighter as he headed home.

Author's Note

Welcome to the adorable adventure that is Pedal Powered Hearts! This was just an idea that popped into my head and....well, just took off. Here we meet our stallion of interest, who is quite a unique pony indeed!

Chapter Three: Deadly Blizzard vs Hot Chocolate

Aid’s vision cleared into a snowy nightmare. Six familiar ponies were arrayed out in front of him; two Unicorns projecting a magical field around the other twelve creatures splayed out in the snow. Two Pegasi were busy shuttling clouds back and forth, using them as a sort of wall to stop some of the brutal wind.

The two Earth Ponies on the ground were darting from creature to creature, continuing to wrap each in blankets and make sure they were awake and alert. Snowflakes blew this way and that; their small dome of protection constantly under siege by the brutal blizzard that lurked just outside the cloud and magical barrier. A grey wall of ice and snow surrounded the group; nothing visible outside of their slightly-calmer dome.

Magic surged from Aid’s horn, the mana crystals igniting along his vest. Lines of arcane energy began to link each creature together, the unicorn skillfully sending multiple spells down each connection. Warmth flooded the bodies of everyone present, each breath warming slightly before it reached their lungs.

“Oh, sweet Celestia that is so much better.” Wind Shear called out as he batted aside a large cloud.
“Keep the victims warm and awake Aid. We just need to stabilize them enough to either ride out the storm or transport them out! Judging from the reports, staying put isn’t likely!”

Aid nodded; his horn still alight as he kept up the solid stream of energy. While a rather crude method of magic, the visible linking method had both the drawback of limited range and slight inefficiency. However, allowing multiple spells to apply to each individual along the chain was a valuable and worthy asset. With his mana reserves boosted by the high-quality mana crystals in his vest, the unicorn had more than enough to spare for every creature, especially in a short-term situation such as this.

“About time though! I was about to freeze my hooves off!” A massive Earth Pony called out through their communicators; his teal body shrouded in orange clothing.
“Good to see you, Aid. As the Monolith put quite well, it was getting pretty nippy here!” A purple Pegasus replied as well, prompting Aid to grin.

“Well glad to help.” he replied, looking over the other members of the team fondly. Fast Splint, (nicknamed the monolith,) was busying himself with securing up the last of the gryphons in heating wraps. One of the Pegasi, Cirrus Breeze, sped this way and that in the air to keep the cloud barrier in place, along with Wind Shear’s assistance.

“Where were you? I know it was your day off.” The second Earth Pony member of the team called out, her orange fur barely distinguishable from the similarly colored vests and bags. Tourniquet Wrap, or ‘Turny,’ was starting to check over the least-alert victims, even as Aid continued to pump magical energy to all present. The team was like a second family to him; and even in disasters like this, while focus was paramount, a bit of chatter was acceptable if not welcome.
“Parents.” Aid replied, prompting an understanding and immediate groan from the entirety of Team One.

“So, this is basically a vacation then? How did that go?” The other unicorn member of their six-pony squad asked. Blending in perfectly with the grey cloud that surrounded the team, Heart Shocker was busying himself with keeping a magical field in place. The second unicorn present had the markings of a Private in the royal guard; likely the nearest individual who knew a shield spell they could find. It would explain why he seemed rather off-put by their banter. He probably had no idea that this was just another weekday for the Team.

“A vacation? Basically. The ‘here’s what I actually do’ hammer finally dropped, so probably not going to stop by there as often.” Aid sighed, Splint then chiming in with his deep base rumble.
“Sounds like when I had to explain everything to my fiancé a few years ago. She was maaaaad. But she came around, obviously, and hopefully they do to. But with nobles…” his voice trailed off, prompting Aid to nod.

“Yup. That’s what I’m worried about. I don’t even know if they consider me a noble, family or not. I don’t know what’s more important to them anymore though. Is it the noble crowd, or their family? But enough about that. We still good here? Stabilization spell is going strong. I’ll start double-checking and marking them.” Aid replied, seeing the ponies present nod.

“Perfect. Start with the mare there, I haven’t gotten to the stable-looking ones yet. We only arrived about ten minutes ago. Some of them have broken limbs; I think they got tossed around by the storm’s leading edge.” Turny called out, placing a magical marker that showed up through the Team’s enchanted goggles.

“Roger that. Miss? Hey, Miss? Can you hear me?” Aid called to a slowly moving mare-shaped bundle of blankets and clothing wrapped up in front of him. The shape nodded, bright orange eyes looking up thankfully as he ran a cursory diagnostic spell on her.
Perfect. No broken bones, just slight hypothermia. Good pulse, good breathing, good temperature. The warming and stabilization spell will handle that.
Aid put a magical marker over the mare, indicating she was stable, and moved on to the next individual.

Uh oh…broken leg, moderate hypothermia…
A yellow marker went to this gryphon, Aid spending a short moment to affix a stabilizing splint to the broken limb and then moving on to the next. Magic had quite a few perfect uses in such situations; in this case, managing to retrieve a splint from Aid’s bag and apply it all within moments.
“Doing your job here Splint!” Aid chuckled, prompting an immediate reply.
“Yeah, yeah. Fancy unicorn magic! I’ve got frying pans for hooves!”

I guess even a ‘broken’ horn is a plus!
Heh. Broken. How has that turned out for me? I’d say pretty darn well!
Focus.

The next few victims were thankfully stable- but two more gryphons and a pony needed an extra infusion of warmth and a slightly enhanced magical stabilization spell. The simple arcane spell was a wonderful thing; it bolstered one’s natural body to a healthy equilibrium, providing the energy an individual wasn’t receiving from food or heat. A similar and opposite spell was available for heat stroke victims or those needing to prevent liquid loss.

In this case, they had far too much cold, and not enough heat. The continually dropping external temperature readout on Aid Chaser’s metal gauntlet indicated that much.
“We’ve got to move fast, Team One!” Wind Shear called out, ever creature turning to look towards the amplified voice.

“This is just the edge of the blizzard! Stabilize as many as you can, and get them closer together. We’ll go straight to Canterlot General Hospital! Teleportation runes have already been cleared for use. Aid! Can you do a final stability check before we initiate?”

“On it!” Aid called, their amplification spells barely able to keep up with the howling winds and swirling snowdrifts. Despite the efforts of the Pegasi and Unicorns, the storm was starting to break through the cloud and magical barrier around the group. An angry grey wall eclipsed everything outside of their dome, the blizzard swallowing everything in a blanket of snow and ice.

All individuals stable- mostly green, a few yellows. Double checked stabilization spell to ensure teleportation compatibility. All set!
“They’re ready for transport!” Aid called out as he levitated a few of the individuals closer to the center of the protective dome, the other victims following suit as other rescuers retreated slightly.

“Looks like we’re doing one giant teleportation, we can’t wait to re-cast!” Wind Shear bellowed.
Aid joined the other members of the team as they encircled the victims, a magically-inscribed rune in the snow beginning to hum around the group.
“Stand by!” Wind called out.
As the teleportation spell activated, Aid saw the magical and cloud barriers collapse as the blizzard’s fury began to hit full force. As white magic began to fill his vision, something walloped the stallion right in the chest, sending him tumbling head over tail into the snow.

*WHUMP!*
…Ow.
Shaking his head, Aid saw neither Team nor magical markers in his vision, leaving him to grumble under his breath.
Crud.

“Aid?! Where are you?!” Wind Shear called out, his voice blaring from the embedded communicator in Aid’s helmet.
“I’m good! I think a piece of the cloud barrier broke and walloped me out of the rune just as the spell began to activate. It also hit with enough force to also knock one of my packs out with me.” The stallion replied, casting a simple spell that let him see a short distance through the snow. It wasn’t so much as a visibility spell as it was a tracing one. It allowed the user to see and follow the ‘ground’ or surface, in this case, the snow. It was quite handy when you couldn’t see your own hoof in front of your face.

Snagging the duffel that had likely taken some of the cloud’s wrath first, Aid took a quick look around and frowned.
“I have no idea where I’m at- but there’s some trees close to me! If the compass in my helmet is right, there was a mountain to our east, literally within a stone’s throw.” Aid relayed as he looked at the magical display still pulsing in front of his vision.
“That’s right- keep heading to your east. I saw a rocky outcropping at the mountain base when we first arrived.” Turny’s voice piped up in his ear.
The magical display began to waver however, something beginning to disrupt the spells in the emergency gear.
Uh oh.

Thankfully, the large mouth of a cave opened up to Aid’s magical and then biological vison, the unicorn scrambling inside the double-door sized opening.
“Team Leader, I’m safe! I found a cave, but something is disrupting my gear. I’ll wait out the blizzard in here, and try to contact as often as I can!”
“….firmative…careful….zard…agic….safe!” Wind’s voice became increasingly choppy before the display died completely.

“Well, at least it’s a cozy cave.” Aid Chaser muttered, taking a quick look around. The formation tunneled deep into the mountain- but there was no reason to go further. He’d just wait here, around a bend or two from the entrance. That would shield him from the wind and ice, and still let him be close enough to hear any creature.
At least there’s not going to be any predators out in this.
The stallion shrugged off his emergency pack and the ‘lucky’ duffel bag, frowning as an attempt to cast a magical portal spell fizzled out before it even completed.

Odd. Something is dampening my magic.
“Eh, I’ve got enough. Best warm some water and such. Time for a meal.” he mused, pulling out the small emergency kit and setting some packed water to boil. The air was still frigid- enough so that Aid began to stack some stones in a small semi-circle around himself, extending the natural curve of the tunnel outwards. The crude wall would reflect and trap at least some of the heat from his stove or body, and also shield him from the worst of the wind. Perhaps not a lot, but maybe just a bit.

At least I’ve got an emergency blanket in here. I’ll probably use two or three of the things.
As the water began to steam, Aid poured out one of the few hot chocolate packs in the ration kit, enjoying the wafting fumes as he cut off the stove. This was the sort of thing he’d actually do for fun, with a few obvious changes. Go explore a cave, live out of a backpack; a rougher version of camping. Just him, nature, and one’s own thoughts.
And yet….
As the weight of the past hour or two now fully settled in Aid’s mind, the stoic stallion’s demeanor shifted, shoulders sagging slightly.

Straight from having that confrontation with my parents to being alone in a cave. Could be worst, but still not the best place to be, in a physical or any other sense.

As Aid sipped on the hot chocolate, the waylaid rescuer watched the steam rising off the collapsible cup in thought. He enjoyed solitude such as this, and certainly sought it out. Being alone was a time to recharge, while being around other creatures was an expenditure of energy. It certainly wasn’t a negative thing though- going out with the Team to a café or with Wind to go exploring, or browse odd knick-knack stores among the Canterlot crowd. But it was still tiring, and therefore Aid would enjoy a few hours relaxing in his apartment or the back room of his small shop after such an outing.

Solitude was nice, a powerful thing to embrace and enjoy.
Loneliness, however…

Aid shook his head, refusing to go down that mental rabbit hole. He still had to make sure everything was set before he went to bed in a few hours, and such distractions would not increase his chances of survival.
And yet with pleasant solitude came the other side of the coin that one couldn’t escape- the challenges born from one’s own fears and doubts.

“Walking on suuuuunshiiiine…” The gryphoness hummed to herself as she bounced down the rocky tunnel, occasionally stopping to scratch a tally mark on the wall with her talons. Shaking her head, Gabriella paused as she reached a fork in the cave system, claws fidgeting with a blue bow tying some of her grey head feathers back.

“Left? Or riiiiiiight?” she mused, retrieving a smooth rock that had been procured on entering the cave an hour ago as the blizzard hit on the opposite side of the mountain.
“What do you think Jeffrey?” she asked the rock, tossing it towards the middle of the fork. Her keen light blue eyes watched the rock as it bounced off a rough bit of floor, ‘Jeff’ then settling towards the right side of the tunnels.

“Right it is!” Gabby giggled, retrieving the rock as she continued down her merry way. As a courier, rough weather was to be expected as part of her job. This freakish blizzard however had forced the gryphoness to dive to the nearest shelter available. It had been a wall of ice and snow that had instantly coated her dark grey wings and was a non-negotiable change to the courier’s plans. Considering her only cold-weather gear were some blue gloves and a matching scarf in one of her side satchels, a full-blown winter storm was a bit out of her league in terms of comfort.

“Flying in a blizzard, baaaad idea. But at least I got all those letters delivered! That’d be even worse, having to deliver stuff still instead of being on my way home! Still, I probably should have stopped when I saw that giant wall of clouds. Ah well!” she chatted happily to herself. Her job took her all over the gryphon kingdom delivering various parcels and letters- and occasionally Equestria. Always in her side satchels was the small cutie-mark crusader’s symbol, even though it had been a few years. Aside from the worn wooden carvings, a canteen and some snacks were all that resided in her mostly-empty bags.

Maybe it’s silly to keep those carvings after all this time, but I like them! Just a reminder to always help somecreature! I wonder how they’re doing after all? I really should visit them sometime. It has been quite a while…

Gabby had a feeling the three fillies would be tickled to know her efforts hadn’t been totally in vain. As Griffinstone slowly pulled itself from squalor, more and more creatures had been less ornery to her attempts to help. Gryphons were still proud and generally rough around the edges, but there had been more and more creatures returning her cheery waves or comments with the hint of a smile at the edges of their beaks.

Hey, it’s progress! And that old gryphoness finally let me help her cross the street the other week!
The gryphnoness’s eyes then dilated slightly, a familiar smell reaching her senses. It was not something she’d expect to find in a cave however.
“Chocolate? Huh. Well, time to follow that yummy smell!” she remarked, trotting off down the tunnels, and unable to restrain a giggle.

“If in doubt, Gabriella, always follow your nose.” she said, trying her hardest to speak in a deep base tone.
“I mean, I guess that quote doesn’t apply teeechnically to me, because I’ve got a beak, not a nose. But I have nose holes! Sooooooo sorta? I mean, they were also in a mine, and this is a cave, so I guess it works!” she mused with a grin, rounding a few more corners.
“Huh. Slight draft. Maybe another entrance? No scratches on the wall, so I haven’t been this way before…”

Climbing up a slight incline, Gabby rounded a few more corners and then was greeted by a rather odd sight. A lone unicorn was settled against one of the walls, a few rocks piled up in a half circle around himself and a small camp stove. The source of the lovely smell was currently floating in his telekinetic grip, the stallion seeming focused on the wisps of steam emanating from the cup. Clad in a strange orange vest along with some matching warm wrappings around his limbs, the Stallion’s black mane instantly drew Gabby’s gaze as a few stranded of gold peeked through. His brilliant golden eyes seemed to light up the cave itself, the captivating orbs turning her way in surprise.
A pony? Huh!

“Hey there! You stuck in here too?” Gabby asked cheerily with a wave.

Blinking in surprise, Aid Chaser set his cup down as the gryphoness waved to him. Of the things he expected to find in a cave, a cheerful gryphon wasn’t one of them

It was a nice surprise though. Most weren’t nearly as pleasant, and that was putting it mildly.
“Hello to you too. And yep- not by choice obviously.” Aid remarked calmly, rather enjoying the distraction from his own thoughts.
“I’m Aid Chaser by the way. May I ask your name?”

“Gabriella! But that’s a mouthful, so you can call me Gabby.” The gryphoness replied with a smile, her own attitude already causing Aid’s spirits to lift as she walked a bit closer.
“Well, nice to meet you Gabby. How did you end up here? And would you like some hot chocolate?” Aid asked, now not able to resist a smile as Gabby let out a happy nod.
So cheery for a gryphon…I like it. Such an odd demeanor for one though- just happy
Huh. She’s also a bit smaller than other gryphon’s I’ve met.

“Oh, I’d love some! I smelled it from down the tunnels, and just followed my nose! Well, nose holes, beak, y’know.” she giggled, then gesturing down the tunnel. “How I got here? Well, I’m a courier! I just finished delivering some packages and letters to the nearby settlement and was on my way back. Mister Blizzard had a different idea though, so I found this cave after my wings nearly iced over. What about you?” she asked, taking the newly-boiled cup of hot chocolate and sipping on it with a sigh of enjoyment.

“Oh, that’s so good….”
Aid smiled, gesturing to the two bags and his helmet set next to them.
“I was part of a rescue team. There was a group lost in the nearby slope, so me and my team were making sure they were warm and safe. They were able to transport out, but I got smacked by some dense cloud. So, here I am. It’s odd, my equipment isn’t able to function very well, so I’m just riding out the storm.” he explained, head tilting curiously as Gabby’s teal eyes seemed to light up.

“You help ponies?” she asked, and Aid could feel a boundless amount of energy behind the question, as though there was a barely hidden well of excitement behind the topic.
“Yep. As best I can, any creature really. Thankfully my cutie mark helps with that.” The stallion couldn’t help stare as Gabby immediately let out a squeak, wings flaring slightly.

“I love helping creatures too! Your curie mark helps? How so? I was really focused on cutie marks a while ago actually. I even painted myself one, but I had tooootally the wrong idea about them! I thought I’d have to earn one to help creatures more, but that was completely wrong! Thankfully the crusaders helped me with that! I just try to help anycreature I come across! It’s kind of hard since everygriff is usually pretty grumpy, but lately it has been getting easier! I always-erm…oh. Sorry…” her voice trailed off, light grey face lighting up in a blush as the gryphoness’s feathers fluffed slightly.

Aid chuckled, shrugging as he leaned back against the lumpy duffel bag with a wave of his hoof.
“Sorry for what? Sounds like it was something you were excited about- shouldn’t be sorry about that.” He mused, not able to resist a smile at his own words.
I’ve been on the giving end of that whole ‘word vomit’ deal far too many times. Getting excited about something is a good thing, and if I can make anycreature not feel bad for being passionate about something, I know that’s a nice feeling indeed.
Well, and that blush is pretty ador-

“Erm, well, thanks.” Gabby mumbled bashfully, then refocused and gestured to Aid’s own cutie mark. “But if I may ask, what do you mean that your mark helps? It’s really cool looking; a first aid cross and two wings?” she asked, apparently toning down the bounce-off-the-walls excitement a bit. It didn’t seem to be in response to anything Aid said, but more of a self-regulation.

“Oh, simply put, it lets me know when some creature needs help in a medical way. It’s a weird buzzing tingle, like when your limb falls asleep. Sometimes it’s just helping with a cut, other times it’s full-blown CPR. It’s pretty much the reason I had to get training and be part of a rescue team.” Aid mused.

What else could I do? Just let a pony suffer because I wouldn’t learn? I suppose it could seem like it was forced. But I never found a creature outside my expertise to help. Some strange magic with cutie marks I guess- I’ve always been able to help, never not known what to do…
No, not never. But those cases are rare…
Aid then noticed that after speaking, his shoulders had slumped slightly as the stallion’s vision had shifted to stare at the wall behind Gabby.
Whoops. Zoning out.

“Huh. That sounds pretty interesting.” Gabby mused; eyes narrowed ever so slightly, but not saying anything about the change in the Stallion.
“Well Gabby, I know this isn’t a five-star hotel, but I’ve got plenty of rations, water, and some blankets if you’d like to wait here or nearby.” Aid offered, digging out some of the mentioned supplies.
“The blizzard was barely getting to full strength when I got in here, so it’s probably going to be a long night or so.”

Gabby smiled, taking the offered supplies with a happy chirp.

“I’d like that! Having some-creature to talk to other than Jeff would be nice. It’s a pretty one-sided conversation.” she giggled, digging the stone out of her pack and showing Aid. “Jeff, Aid. Aid, Jeff.”

The amused stallion waved, then gesturing to the pile of rocks to his left.
“Nice to meet you Jeff- I have a rock hotel here if you’d like.” Aid Chaser chuckled as Gabby tossed ‘Jeff’ near the pile.
Ok, I like him. A pony with a quirky funny side? Bonus friend points.

“But yea, I’d deeefinitely prefer staying put than wandering those tunnels for another hour. It’s getting kind of late though, isn’t it?” Gabby mused, checking a small watch strapped to her left wrist, somehow still functioning. In the brief time they had spoken, the light in the cave had significantly dimmed- an intimidating darkness now wrapping around every nook and cranny. The lantern Aid pulled out helped somewhat, but it was still a bit eerie.

“I think I’ve got a gryphon sized blanket…ah!” The stallion mumbled, then pulling out two large foil packages. “No sleeping pad though- feel free to use the duffel bag. I can use my own pack.” Aid offered, scooping out the contents of the container and offering the three items to Gabby.

She blinked, taking the empty bag and two blankets with a genuine smile. Moments where she was rendered speechless were more uncommon than not; but finding a creature who just helped without a second thought…
I know it’s his job, but still. It’s just such a strange thing to me. After being the only one in Griffinstone for years who just…
“Gabby?”

The gryphoness blinked, shaking her head and shrugging her wings.
“Bwa? Sorry. Lost in thought! Thanks for these. I assume they’re just…” she mused, unfolding one of the blankets and examining it curiously. “Ooooooh it’s a giant sleeping bag! Neat! Never used one of these before!” The gryphoness munched on some of the grainy ration bars and took a swig from her own canteen, then settling down on a semi-flat spot. Most gryphons could tolerate some grains- and she was one of the types that could actually subsist off them. It made eating much easier when fish wasn’t around.

And so much more food to enjoy too!
“The blankets may be thin, but you’d be surprised how warm it keeps you. It just reflects your own body heat back in on itself- and being a gryphon, you’ve already got fur and feathers, so a double bonus.” Aid explained, settling down after a small snack and drink as well.

“Well, thanks Aid. Can I call you Aid? Or Aid Chaser?” Gabby asked, sliding inside the foil blanket with a happy hum.
Oh that feels…weirdly soft! Huh!
“Aid is fine. And…nah, nevermind.” The stallion mused, and Gabby’s ears perked up as she looked over to him curiously.
“Whaaaaaat?”

“It’s really not any of my business.” Aid replied, prompting a grin from Gabby.
“Well now I’m really curious. What is it? I promise I won’t get mad!”
Aid blinked, brushing a stray golden strand of mane from his eyes with a sigh.
“It’s just nice to meet a gryphon who isn’t terribly grumpy, that’s all.” he remarked, trying to phrase his thought as nicely as possible.
That’s a nice way of putting it!

Gabby let out a soft ‘pfft’ and giggled, waving a set of talons at the pony.
“Oooooh. Yeah, I’m not really a grump, unless I wake up super-duper early. But I understand, and am glad you find it nice! I just am who I am. And who I am doesn’t usually include nasty, pouty, or grumpy! It makes talking to other gryphons interesting though.” she grumbled, prompting a grin from Aid.

“Sounds like me and the nobles. Personally, not a fan of stuffy-stuff.” The stallion mused as Gabby tilted her head curiously.
“Hmm?”
Aid shifted to glance over the interested gryphoness- Gabby’s eyes widening slightly. Contrasting from his dark blue fur, the pony’s golden eyes sparkled with life, seeming to give the cave a bit more warmth. It was only now, when Gabby was close enough, that she noticed a ring of deep blue surrounding the gold in Aid’s eyes. It was almost like a gem set within a precious metal- the darker color making the lighter jump out even more.

Ok, golden eyes ringed in blue, and that matching gold strand of mane? Gotta say, not a bad look at all.
“I’m technically a noble, but not a fan of ‘noble-y’ things. Big parties, trying to climb a ladder of ‘who talked with an important pony today’, everything just based on who you knew, not what you did, if that makes sense.” Aid mused, waving a hoof dismissively.

“Sorry. My turn to ramble- it’s a bit of a sore spot today.”
“Nah, it’s fine. I don’t really know much about all that; but sounds rather similar to gryphons.” Gabby mused, thoroughly enjoying the conversation more than she’d care to admit.

How long HAS it been since I’ve talked to a creature for more than a few sentences?
Deliveries to Griffinstone, the other settlements…other than Gilda…huh.
“Well I’d be happy to educate you in the boring and generally mind-numbing ways of Canterlot nobility when we wake up, but as you said, it is a tad late.” Aid remarked, then seeming to remember something. His horn lit up- teal magic floating a helmet and strange mask over.

“Dispatch? This is Aid Chaser, come in?” He called into the mask, then frowning as the attached earpiece only crackled softly. “Weird. This blizzard seems to have shorted out all my gear, or at least jammed it. I’ll try again in the morning. At least I’ve got plenty of food, water, shelter, and pleasant company.” he mused, apparently not noticing a certain gryphon’s cheeks warm.
Ok is this guy trying to be charming?
…if so, it’s working, oddly well.

“Well, we’ll just have to see tomorrow? I’m just happy I found somepony to talk to. The chocolate and supplies are a bonus too!” Gabby chirped, prompting a rather sly smile from Aid.
“Are you sure it wasn’t just the chocolate?”
“Well the chocolate led me here and the blanket is nice, but the company is why I’m staying.” The gryphoness replied with a giggle.

Ooooh wow. I didn’t know a blue pony’s cheeks could flush that fast!
Heh, too easy. I could have some fun, especially since it’s a good look. But not TOO much.
Serves him right for making my feathers fluff though!

“I-erm, glad to help.” Aid mumbled, then settling back down and turning off the lantern.
“Well, nice to meet you Gabby. I do hope the cave hotel is to your liking. Sleep well.”
Gabby smiled, snuggling inside the emergency foil blanket further and fluffing her feathers out a bit.
“Nice to meet you too Aid. It’s great- certainly beats being curled up in some corner alone. Hopefully it’ll be clear in the morning. I hope you can get some sleep too!”

The comfort of not weathering the storm alone quickly lulled the two creatures into a blissful slumber, even as the winds outside continued to howl. The blizzard was only now unleashing its full wrath on the mountain, yet the two individuals inside were shielded from its icy fingers, at least for now.

Author's Note

Gabby and Aid meet! Huzzah! She's a fun one to write; just happy and excitable. Not quite to Pinkie Pie levels, but just a bundle of joy.
I certainly would love feedback if anything seems a bit out of character! I plan on certainly fleshing our her character more however- (all stemming from her official character description.)
Also, I'm hoping the PoV switches are easy to follow (using the page breaks)

While not main characters, here's the members of Aid's Team, to better keep track of.
Team Leader: Wind Shear- Best friend
Earth Pony: Fast Splint (Monolith), Tourniquet Wrap (Turny)
Pegasi: Cirrus Breeze
Unicorn: Heart Shocker
Basically, two of each pony race, so strengths and weaknesses can balance out.

(Fun fact; those foil blankets actually DO feel kind of soft.)

Chapter Four: Certain Cave Calamities Create Copious Conversation

*CRACK*

Tears dripped from the stallion’s eyes, barely missing the old spell book splayed out in front of him as the blue magical field collapsed. Massive book-cluttered library walls rose on every side, the pony sitting at the table then slamming a hoof down in frustration. Dampening crystals placed around the table hummed softly, encasing the unicorn in a protective shield- or rather, making sure every creature else was safe from the attempted spells.

I’ve scoured the Canterlot Library, and all of the smaller ones, and these two volumes are all there is. I can’t be missing something, I’ve looked for a solid WEEK on one spell!
The activation phrase I picked is solid; Aut viam inveniam aut faciam tibi.
‘I will find a way, or I will make one.’
A suitable quote for my life, I think.

The unicorn stared at the page in front of him, a hoof shaking with frustration. The spells he was embroiled in attempting were ancient, older than any living pony. Gone was the modern way of casting, using only one’s heart and mind. No, these spells relied on spoken words to initiate the ancient and powerful tie to the leylines of the world. Similar to runes, they were a direct connection with the magic that flowed through the land. Even initiating a connection was wrought with trial and error. Everything had to be in place to not cause a catastrophic failure or severe harm to one’s self.

Hence why I’m attempting the spell on a pebble. Even if it detonates, it wouldn’t be more than a few firecrackers.
And there was nopony who Aid could ask for help, nocreaure still alive that knew how these spells worked. There was no living individual to instruct on why the spells were failing, yet considering Celestia’s elite guard used a version of the spell, Aid knew it had to work.
Now for the spell words themselves.
Ignite.
“Ignium.”
One of the small pebbles in front of him burst in to flames, yet the fire didn’t produce any heat.
Flow.
“Influunt.”
The pebble began to vibrate, as though eager to break free from the stallion’s telekinetic grip in mid-air.
FLY!
“Volant!”

The pebble promptly fell to the table, the fire sputtering out as the stallion let out a hiss, hot tears burning in his eyes.
“Why. It should move. Why isn’t it working?”
“Perhaps because the spell is incomplete?” A voice piped up from Aid’s left, the stallion then shaking his head.
“No, I’ve double checked, triple checked. That’s all that is in the- Princess?” His voice hitched, Aid scrubbing the tears from his vision as the stallion nearly fell from his chair.

“I…sorry, I didn’t-”
Letting out a soft titter, Celestia waved a golden-shod hoof dismissively, then gestured to the spell books.
“Be at peace, Aid Chaser. I am not here on official business, only taking a stroll and finding a subject of mine in distress.” She remarked, eyes softening as she looked at the stallion.
“My sister tells me that your nightmares have been improving slightly?”
Aid didn’t respond for a few seconds, lest he completely lose composure, but finally nodded.

“I can’t thank her enough for that- trying to say such at the Night Court was all I could do. I wouldn’t have been able to sleep if not for her…” The emotion that clogged Aid’s throat refused passage to any further words, the stallion shaking his head.
“I’m just so very thankful, and wish I could tell her that myself, more than a few mumbles at a court. May I request that you could let her know, if that is appropriate?”
Celestia smiled, knowing such a request would bring her sister more joy than sorrow indeed.

“Of course. Now if I may ask, what are you doing dabbling in such ancient arts? With a unicorn in your position, I can’t imagine it being used for recreational material. And I mean no offence, only stating of fact.” Celestia said, causing Aid to nod slowly.
“You’d be right of course. I don’t have the mana pool to sustain any of these spells, not without crystals. But I just might regenerate it fast enough to complete, if for but a moment. And that’s all I need. Just thirty seconds, if that.”

Celestia’s keen gaze looked over the spell, then flickered over to Aid Chaser once again. A bit of suspicion entered the ruler’s expression, but was tempered by a millennium of diplomatic experience.
“This is a flight spell, correct? It appears to be a version of the one my legionaries use in emergencies. It lets them fly like a meteor, reaching their destination within moments. My sister and I know of your hobby, Aid Chaser, so you must understand my skepticism concerning such advanced and dangerous research.”

To her utter shock, Aid promptly deflated, ears flattening to his skull. His hooves shook, and the stallion seemed to be on the verge of a breakdown before he took a shaky breath.
“Your Highness, this spell isn’t about my dream. Is this forbidden magic?” he asked, staring at his hooves for a moment. Aid then raised his head, managing to meet Celestia’s gaze for a moment.
“If so, I will gladly cease my research. But my interest in this spell is only to save ponies. Because I…”
Celestia didn’t respond for a moment, even after Aid stopped speaking.

“It is not forbidden, but it is warned against. You know how powerful these ancient magics are. If you would like to explain your intentions, I would be very interested.”
Aid let out a slight huff, the absurdity of the situation not escaping him.

“It’s not everyday a pony gets a chance to converse with you, your Highness, much less about magic that perhaps only you and Luna know of.” he mused, then sitting up and nodding.
Nocreature alive- that’s wrong. There are a few who are very much alive and know of this magic. And one of them is right here with me.

“May I explain my intentions with a question to you? And may I speak somewhat freely?” Aid asked, Celestia nodding simply as she sat down.
“Of course; I’m quite interested, and I’m sure my sister would be too. I have a few moments.”
Aid paused, biting his lip in thought before nodding.
“Thank you. My question may seem odd though.

Is this what it’s like, being immortal?”
Celestia stared, blinking in surprise. It was not often a response could catch her off guard, but this one…
“What do you mean?”
Aid gestured to his cutie-mark, then to Celestia’s.

“I am guided towards a path, your Highness. I could ignore it, and others would suffer, just like you could to a much greater extent, or so I’ve deduced. I know you are powerful, much more than you let on, and I’m not saying any of this for mere flattery. I’ve read some of the old history; things long buried, hints at horrific battles won and mentioned again. You have the capacity to save a lot of creatures- you have saved countless ones. But even with your power, your long life, your influence, you can’t save them all.” The mortal stallion stated.

“I don’t know if it’s a blessing or a curse right now, but I am guided to help ponies. I am not deluded enough to think I can save them all either, because I haven’t. But Princess, this s-spell.” Aid gestured to the book, and Celestia’s eyes widened as tears burned down the stallion’s cheeks.

“I know that if I had this spell two months ago, I could have saved one more. Just one more.” he whispered, head shaking slowly.
“All of the training I’ve gotten, it’s all to help as many as I can. I can’t leave here until I know how I could have helped her, because I know I could have. Maybe if I had known about the spell earlier, I-”

A kind wing draped over his shoulders briefly, prompting Aid to look up in shock. Celestia’s face was caring, but a strange understanding shone behind her eyes.
“You are a curious but caring stallion, Aid Chaser. My sister presumed as much when she began to follow your flying exploits.” Celestia mused, then retracting her wing.

“You are right though. We cannot save them all despite our power, be it on the scale I dwell on, or yours. In that, the answer to your question is a simple ‘yes.’ Do not dwell on what you could have done, because you did not know and could not have known. Such reasoning is how I myself push onward at times.”
She then paused, casting a silencing field around the pair.

“I am sorry for pressing so much, but I had to be certain. Luna was quite adamant that your intentions were noble, but considering how dangerous these spells could be if used incorrectly, I needed to double check.” she remarked calmly, prompting Aid to look around curiously.
“Double check for what?” he asked.
“Your intentions of course, before I told you what you’re doing wrong.”

Aid’s jaw dropped open as an ancient and worn parchment page materialized in the air; the numbers in the spell book rearranging for a few seconds. The entire volume shifted, words shuffling about as the manuscript had been re-written to mask the removal of a single page.

“You are missing the ending phrase; such information and the existence of such is what I give to my legionaries once they demonstrate their ability to use such a spell. If I give this information to you, Aid Chaser, you must promise to never use it unless in dire emergency, nor disclose it to any creature. That is a formal decree.” Celestia warned as Aid stood up a bit straighter.

“I promise. If there’s such a thing for a form to sign, I’ll gladly do so.”
The Princess let out an amused laugh, shaking her head simply.
“No, your word is enough, unlike many nobles. Now then, begin the spell please. Do not say the final word with such finality, but as another sequence in the spell”
Aid nodded, levitating a small pebble over the table and focusing.

“Aut viam inveniam aut faciam tibi. Ignium, Influunt, Volant,” he said, then looking over to Celestia as she watched in approval.
“As I said, Aid Chaser, this is the spell used by my legionaries- sometimes called the Warriors of the Sun. Therefore…

For a brief moment, Celestia’s frame shifted. The regal regalia seemed to vanish- and a breastplate burning with the noble fire of an entire sun encompassed her chest, eyes aflame even as a bit of sly mirth crept into her expression.
“Tota die salutare Celestiabus!” Celestia bellowed, Aid’s eyes lighting up as the sun itself seemed to fill the library around him.
All hail the Heavenly day!

“Tota die salutare Celestiabus!” he whispered- and ducked as the pebble rocketed towards his head, embedding itself into the wood of a bookshelf behind Aid.
Celestia smiled, the library’s original light and atmosphere returning as quickly as it had changed.

“And there it is. You will, however, need somewhere to practice such an advanced spell. You will be hearing from the Pegasi school of Search and Rescue shortly. I believe they have an advanced aerial retrieval course which is perfect for this.” She mused, then levitating over a paper and parchment.
“And the official part of this matter, of course.”

As she nearly wrote a form and put her royal stamp on it (the item appearing from nowhere and vanishing just as quickly,) Aid read over one of the copies the Alicorn provided for him. His eyes misted over, and he bowed his head in thanks.
‘The writer further wishes to commend this pony for his unfailing desire to pursue a dream…’

“Your Highness, I…” Words failed him, and the stallion simply shook his head.
“Thank you.” he managed to whisper, a caring hoof giving Aid a pat on the shoulder.
“You are most welcome. And do keep following your dreams, Aid Chaser. Your best friend isn’t the only one with a betting pool by the way. Luna has made quite a bit of bits off your successful flights.”

Aid’s head shot up, mouth dropping open as Celestia laughed, making her way towards the entrance.
“WAIT, WHAT?!”
“Take care, Aid Chaser!”

The pleasant atmosphere then began to disintegrate, the scene falling to pieces as darkness crept through the diseased holes in the library. Pink eyes began to appear across all of the walls, a shrill voice screaming as the entire scene was sucked into a vacuum. Aid struggled to stay above the floor- churning through it with his hooves as through it was a raging rapid.
No. No no no no no…

The shrill scream continued, a blurry face now filling Aid’s vision as wind rushed past his fur, own hoof outstretched.
I’m so close!

Pink eyes met his, surging with hope, even as a distant ground grew in size, faster and faster. They were but moments from impact-
“Forgive me, Aid. I was not quick enough this time. Wake now, and then sleep peacefully later.”
A familiar and sorrowful voice penetrated the dream, but before Aid could wake, the pink eyes returned in full force. The scream now resolved into words-
“Why didn’t you save me?”
“NO!”
Aid to snapped awake, hoof outstretched in front of him. His sides heaved; a cold sweat plastering Aid’s fur as pink eyes refused to leave his mind. Tears traced their way in rivers down the stallion’s cheeks, breath misting in the frigid air as a gryphoness stared at him in shock.

Gabby awoke with a start, a yell piercing through her dreamless sleep. Scooting out from under the foil blanket, the gryphoness stared at Aid, the stallion sitting up and holding a hoof stretched out in front of him.
“What are….oh.”
I know that look.

Aid’s eyes were a thousand leagues away, focused on something far from the icy walls of the cave. Tears ran down his cheeks, hoof slowly shaking as it was lowered. Aid slumped forwards, sobbing softly into the crook of his forelimb.
What have you seen, Aid?

Without a word, Gabby edged out of the blanket, walking over to sit next to the stallion. She hesitated, but finally just put a set of talons on his shoulder. The contact seemed to snap the stallion out of his stupor slightly as he looked over at the gryphoness.
“Hey, you alright?” Gabby asked cautiously, wings drooping as Aid shook his head.
“Not currently. But in a bit I will be.” he muttered, voice a strange and rather unnerving monotone.

“Anything I can do to help?” Gabby asked, frowning as the stallion simply shrugged.
Hmmm.
Gabby simply sat next to Aid, scooting a tad closer but not saying anything else.
I mean, if he wants to-
The stallion sagged slightly, leaning his head over on Gabby’s claws. The gryphoness tentatively spread a wing over the distraught stallion, a mental sigh of relief going through her mind as Aid seemed to relax slightly.
Half hugs for the win!

The stallion actually leaned against the gryphoness ever so slightly; a surprising but not unwelcome gesture.
Poor guy.
“Thanks Gabby.” Aid whispered, taking a few deep breaths and shaking his head. “I hate those…”
“Bad dreams?” Gabby asked, prompting a nod from the stallion.
“In a manner of speaking.”
She didn’t press the matter, Aid finally letting out a sigh and shrugging his shoulders.

“Well…best we try to get a bit more sleep. Thank you though.” he murmured.
“Sure thing! Helper ponies need help too sometimes.” she remarked cheerily, scooting back to her own emergency blanket.
She saw the stallion toss and turn a few times once he settled down, but sleep was also quick to claim the gryphoness, even with more than a few questions on her mind.

With a yawn and a grumble, Aid opened his eyes to a dimly lit cave, the stallion scrubbing a forelimb across his face.
Well that was horrible.
…other than the hug. That was surprisingly nice, really nice actually. I need to be sure to thank her for that.

Said gryphoness was starting to stir, yawning as she turned this way and that. Aid set a pot of water to boil, trotting his way to the entrance with a shiver.
It’s still freezing!

…oh. That’s why.
The blizzard appeared to be still in full force, if not worse. Snow was slowly piling up at the mouth of the cave, even as biting wind sought to pierce into the heart of the mountain. A brief check of Aid’s equipment indicated it was still being jammed somehow.

Ugh. Wait, what’s-
A low rumble began to build, even as the ground shook. It reached peak- and then stopped with a sudden *WUMP!*
The cave entrance promptly disappeared, snow and ice flooding inside even as Aid scampered backwards.
An avalanche. Of course. It’s not surprising with the wind and snow though.

Making his way back to the makeshift camp, the stallion waved to the now very-awake gryphoness, Gabby blinking at him curiously.
“Uh, what was that?” she asked cautiously as Aid hoofed over some ration bars.
“Well, do you want the good news, or the bad news first?” Aid asked, prompting a shrug from Gabby.

“Uh, bad news? To get it out of the way?”
Aid then gestured to the mouth of the cave, just around the bending tunnel.
“Well. An avalanche just buried the way out under a castle’s-worth of snow, so we can’t get out that way. We’ll need to navigate through the mountain, either to where you came in, or to some other exit.”
Gabby frowned, nodding slowly.

“Alright, and the good news?” she asked, smiling as Aid levitated a cup of hot chocolate over to her.
“The good news, is that I have more than enough supplies for the both of us, easily enough to last a week if we stretch it. That’s plenty of time to find our way out, even dig our way out of an entrance if we don’t have a choice.”
Gabby giggled, taking a sip and then gesturing down the dark tunnel nearby.
“Sooooo we just eat and then start walking?” she suggested.

“Yup. Probably best we head to your exit if you can remember where it is.” Aid added, prompting a proud smile from the courier.
“I can! I made marks on the wall, so we follow those, and eventually we’ll find the exit. I do think it was on a lower part of the mountain though, so it wouldn’t surprise me if it’s buried.” she mused, wings ruffling slightly.

“At least I’ve got some pleasant company; that’ll make the trip a bit nicer.” Aid said softly, a tender smile easing onto his features for a brief moment.
“Thank you, by the way.”
“W-welcome.”

Gabby felt her face light up; busying herself with sipping her hot chocolate. Usually such things wouldn’t phase her- but having a nice individual to interact with did wonders for highlighting how much she missed such interaction.

Aid smiled, not missing the blush but at the same time not thinking too much of it. He wasn’t a total flirt like Wind Sheer, but certainly wouldn’t miss a chance to compliment an individual, much less a lovely female, gryphoness or not.

She’s a lot less intimidating than other gryphons though- now that I see her, she’s about as big as me. Maybe a bit more, but not much.
Lovely eyes too. Wait. Did I really think about a gryphoness in terms of-

Their meal of ration bars, water, and hot chocolate was quickly finished, and the two began to pack up their simple supplies. Aid set aside a portion of the items for Gabby; mainly some food, water, first aid kit, and a useful tool or two. The rest went into the duffel bag and Aid’s personal pack. After looking around for a moment, they set off down the dark grey tunnel, Gabby taking the slight lead. A lantern was levitated along by Aid, and the gryphoness had a small emergency flashlight strapped to her shoulder to light the way.

“So Gabby, mind if you tell me a bit about yourself? Otherwise it’s going to be a long and quiet walk. Which is fine if you’d prefer.” Aid asked. He assumed by the excited chirp that such silence was not going to be commonplace.

“Sure! Whatcha want to know? I grew up in Griffinstone, back when it was still even more of a dump. It’s getting better, but still not great. Anyhow, I’ve been delivering stuff as long as I could fly, and even a bit before that! Small items when I was a hatchling, bigger stuff when I was older. I don’t run the post office or anything, but I’m the one who delivers the majority of items! After meeting the cutie mark crusaders- OH! You don’t know about them, huh?”

Gabby took a deep breath, then regaling Aid Chaser with her quest to find a cutie mark those years ago, prompting the stallion to chuckle softly.
“I have to say, your intentions were noble indeed. I’d say it sounds silly, but I’d be a total hypocrite.” the stallion mused, Gabby smiling as she led him along the tunnels. The bland walls would have blurred together if not for the occasional claw-marks, of which the gryphoness followed, keeping them on her left.

“It was silly though, but just because I couldn’t understand. Thanks to them, I did find out I was good at a lot of other stuff! Like, stuff I never thought to even try! I learned to play the clarinet, bake, make a few potions…I even built a boat and learned to sail! They even let me try my claw at dental work and hoofball! Somehow, I just picked it up really fast, but like, who would have thought? I certainly didn’t know, but I tried it and it just clicked! But along the way, I was helping creatures all the while, and that’s what I didn’t understand. It just feels right, so it’s what I try to do! We need more helpers in the world anyhow.” she now took a deep breath, a slight flush on her cheeks. “Erm. Sorry.”

“Nuh uh. No saying sorry for happy word vomits!” Aid retaliated, still musing over Gabby’s excited explanation with an amused smile.
Quite a multi-talented creature you are, Gabby.
“I’d really like to hear about all of those interests sometime, if you don’t mind. I don’t know much about them.” Aid admitted, prompting a certain gryphoness’s feathers to fluff slightly.
“Really?”
“Really. I’m genuinely interested, if it’s not too much trouble.”

In the short time Aid had know Gabby, ‘speechless’ wasn’t a word he’d use to describe her. Yet somehow his words seemed to cause that effect, the gryphoness refusing look at the stallion for a few moments other than nodding. Yet it didn’t seem to be in a bad way…
Huh. Wonder if she doesn’t get asked that much.

One set of Gabby’s words seemed to stick in his mind however, causing Aid to stumble, the stallion’s brow creasing in thought. Gabby paused, head tilting curiously, teal eyes slightly narrowed.
“Aid? What’s up?”
He shook his head, waving a hoof as they continued to walk.
“Sorry. Just- what you said. About helpers.”
“Yeah?”

The stallion sighed, staring at his hooves for a moment before looking over to the cheery gryphoness.
“It’s really similar to something I heard when I was young. It stuck with me, and I guess I built part of myself around it. It was a local performance for children- the stallion toured around everywhere with his shows. They were always happy, comforting things. All I really remember is that he had a calm, nice voice, wore a rough sweater, and had lovely puppets.” Aid explained, a bit of wistfulness entering his voice.

“I was lucky enough to see one of his shows live, not a recording of one on an old film reel. When talking about the news, and hearing scary things, he said to everypony; ‘my mother would say to me, ‘Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.’” Aid nodded to himself slowly.

“I wanted to be a helper, Gabby. I didn’t really understand that back then, but as soon as I got my cutie mark, it just clicked. My talent is more of a sense, not a specific skill. I had to develop all of that on my own. It’s kind of nice in a way; I was left to pursue whatever I wanted, but all the while knowing I had to help creatures.”

Turning to look over again to the courier, Aid was surprised to see her attentively listening as they walked, sparking eyes occasionally flickering over to him. The gryphoness’s gaze was brimming with curiosity, but also shone with a unique understanding. Such attentiveness nearly made the stallion stumble again- because there was not even a hint that Gabby was humoring him, like many other creatures. She genuinely seemed to understand.
You’re a lot more than meets the eye, aren’t you, Gabby?

“Not sure what I can say to that, other than I can’t agree more.” Gabby mused, her usual bounding energy seeming to reined in slightly.
“How did you get your cutie mark, Aid? If I may ask?”
Aid couldn’t help but smile, looking at the odd mark on his flank briefly.
“So, I guess that fascination hasn’t worn off JUST yet?”

“Quiet, you.” Gabby grumbled- but Aid didn’t miss the blush on her features. It was accompanied by a slight smile, so that was a plus.
“Well, I was being watched by a foal-sitter. My parents were out and about, and wanted to make sure I was going to be alright. I was just drawing, and there was just this really weird itch, but not that I could scratch. I knew something was wrong, so I just began to look around.” Aid explained, letting himself become lost in the memory ever so slightly.

“I went to the hallway and found my foal sitter, Mint Pick, breathing rather heavily. All I heard her say was something about finding her bag, and I felt like I needed to get it.” the stallion let out a slight shrug at that.
“I brought it just before she collapsed. Apparently, it had an emergency inhaler for a lung condition. If I hadn’t been able to get it….” he shook his head.

“Anyhow. When I got the bag itself, and was bringing it back, that weird itch was just focused on those actions. Somehow just feeling ‘yes, this is what I should be doing.’ And then once she was breathing easily again, the itch stopped, and left this mark on my flank. I think that’s about-GAH!”
The stallion failed to pay attention to his own hooves, stumbling over a set of uneven rocks and nearly faceplanted onto the cave floor-
If not for a strong limb that halted his decent, Gabby grinning as she helped him back up.

“Thanks for telling me, really! I think that’s tooooootally awesome!” she exclaimed as they continued to walk, the courier paying no mind to Aid’s tumble, nor the slight embarrassed flush on his cheeks.
“So, like, you are told when a pony needs help? That’s. So. COOL!” She squeaked, hopping into the air briefly.
“Pretty much. I just get a sense when a pony needs help. Not sure how they’ll need it, but I’ve tried to be trained to respond in a variety of ways.” Aid explained.

“Makes sense- and smart of you! Hmmm.” Gabby mused, then glancing to Aid’s cutie mark again.
“…What do the wings mean?”
Aid couldn’t help but smirk, trying his hardest not to chuckle.
Well why not. Would make for more conversation, and I think she’s one of the few who just might not laugh.
“Honestly, I don’t know. Maybe a fast response time? Or maybe it’s because I love to fly.”
“WAIT. YOU WHAT?”

Author's Note

A bit of backstory for Aid. Poor guy...
They begin their cave journey! And a certain spark seems to be kindled...

Chapter Five: Continued Caring Cave Conversations Created by Collapses

“Fly?”
“Yup.”
Gabby blinked, staring at the unicorn in surprise.
“Ok, now you’ve got to tell me more!” She bubbled, not able to resist an excited squeak.
A unicorn who likes to fly? Oh my gosh I’ve gotta know more!
Aid shrugged, a smile quickly dawning on his features as Gabby showed nothing but excitable curiosity at his words.

“It started as just a silly interest, wondering about the sky. Then I convinced my parents to let me go skydiving as a colt as soon as I was safely allowed to. After that…I was hooked.” The stallion chuckled, the pair continuing to walk down the frozen stone halls of the mountain. The granite tunnels were likely carved by ancient underwater rivers, much of the wall and ceiling alternating between solid stone and streaks of ice.

“Then came paragliding, and then a ride on a gyrocopter. After that, I got certified to do my own base jumping and gliding. This was not exactly endorsed by my parents, but that was low on my list of reasons not to do something. Especially if the reason is only ‘it is not suitable of a noble to do such activities.’” Aid remarked, turning his nose skyward and injecting a snooty tone into his voice, prompting a pleasant giggle from the gryphoness.

“After opening my own enchantment shop, I began to explore other avenues now that I had more funds. That shop also allowed me to get into contact with a ton of different ponies, individuals I’d never have met being isolated in the noble section of Canterlot. Blacksmiths, enchanters far above my own skill, welders, electricians…” Aid let a determined grin slip onto his face, nodding slowly as he spoke.

“Over one hundred tries, and I finally got a prototype that worked. I wasn’t born able to fly, but I created a way to! My own wings!”
“You WHAT?”
The high-pitched squealing emanating from Gabby’s beak just might have caused the walls themselves to crack, the stallion looking over to the excited gryphoness. Her eyes were wide in wonder, the courier all but bouncing excitedly on her claws and paws.

“You made your own wings?! Really?! How? Are they like real feathers? OH! Are they steam powered- no wait, that wouldn’t work. Are-”
Aid smiled, holding up a hoof to forestall the inevitable tidal wave of guessing.
“They’re powered by mana crystals, mined from…well, everywhere. Instead of feathers, they’re thinly-sliced minerals, and the joints are both crystal and magical too. The main ‘bones’ of it are metal though, lightweight stuff of course.” he explained, then gesturing to his horn, still alight as he levitated a lantern in front of the pair.

“I charge the crystals up with extra magic, and then I have a huge reserve to work with. That’s why my vest has these big bumps on them; embedded crystals to let me cast spells for a longer period of time, and cast things I’d otherwise never be able to. Small stuff I can keep up indefinitely though, like holding the lantern.”
So. Cool!
I don’t really understand some of it, but WHOA!

Gabby’s head had begun to tilt as Aid talked about the magical side of things, the gryphoness now having a furrowed brow as she thought.
“I really don’t know much about magic.” she admitted with a shrug, then perking back up and looking at Aid. “But I’d really like to know! What do you mean ‘never be able to?’ Does the vest have like, a how-to manual for spells? So, you can only know how to cast them when you’re wearing it?” she asked excitedly, prompting a chuckle from the stallion.

“Oh, nothing like that. The vest literally just offers storage capacity for magic, which is kind of essential for me since I’ve got a handicapped horn.”
Now the gryphoness paused, looking over at the unicorn in confusion.
“A what now? You’re holding a lantern just fine- how is that ‘handicapped?’” She asked, genuinely interested before she took a sharp breath.
WHOOPS! I hope that wasn’t insensitive!

“OH! Erm, if it’s not a sore subject that is! I really don’t want to make you uncomfortable.” Gabby added, wincing slightly.
She sighed in relief as Aid laughed, shaking his head casually.
“Oh goodness, it’s fine. But thank you, Gabby.” he replied.
“Hmmm, how can I explain this…” Aid mused as they continued to walk. Gabby guided him down a fork in the halls, the lantern continuing to illuminate their path down the frozen bowels of the mountain.

“I’ll tell you how the doctors explained it to me. So, imagine every unicorn has a bathtub full of water, except that water is Mana; raw energy and the buildings blocks of a spell. Each spell you cast takes an initial scoop of that water. Sometimes it’s a little sip, other times it’s a huge bucket depending on the spell. That container the amount required to start up the spell, and sometimes have it complete fully. You follow me?” he explained, Gabby nodding eagerly.
This. Is. So. COOL!

“So, almost all unicorns have the faucet running constantly; they refill their mana reserves steadily, and if they cast too many big spells, big buckets, they have to recharge. That’s things like teleportation, a big shield, or lifting a heavy item.” the stallion continued.

“The smaller the item, the smaller the bucket. As the weight increases, the magic needed quickly increases almost exponentially. So, while most unicorns have a bathtub that’s normal sized, I’ve got a different one.” Aid then paused, then gesturing to Gabby.

“The bathtub I have is only as deep as one of your claws, but I’ve got a waterfall filling it up. All that extra just poofs away though. I can’t use a bucket, or even a really deep cup. So, the mana crystals are like other bathtubs I scoop the water into; they let me cast those bigger spells, and I can constantly siphon the extra magic into them. But because of that waterfall, I can keep up smaller spells up for much longer than a normal unicorn, and also multitask with magic much easier. I just never run out if I’m using a smaller cup.” he explained, looking over to see if Gabby had fallen into a stupor.

Checking to see if I was listening? Of course I was! That’s SO AWESOME!
And I totally get it. This guy is good at explaining stuff! Not too far out there, but in a way I can actually understand.
Magic is neat!
“That’s…huh. That’s so cool! I had no idea!” Gabby chirped happily.
“So big energy spells you can’t do without a vest, and you just siphon off the extra waterfall of magic into the crystals? Dunno if I’d even call that a handicap…just different. So, you can do stuff other unicorns can’t?” she asked, trying to be as sensitive as possible.
Last thing I want to do is offend a guy as nice as him!

“I suppose that term is only partially fitting. And yes. I can’t cast a big bubble shield, not even close, nor teleport even a pebble. But I can create a dozen smaller, dinner-plate sized shields. I can then form those into a dome shape. For multitasking, I can keep up certain spells for hours, and covering a dozen creatures without much thought at all. Apparently other unicorns can’t do more than one or two at a time.”

“Well, sounds more like just being different than a handicap, especially if you can do stuff others can’t.” Gabby proclaimed with a happy chirp.
“Thanks for explaining all that. That’s the first real talk I’ve had concerning magic- but it makes total sense now! Huh. I never knew that about magic” she continued to muse.
“So even with that limitation, you just found a way around it? That’s awesome! How well do the wings work? Have you flown yet?” Gabby bubbled before reining her excitement in. The fact Aid simply laughed eased her embarrassment a tad.
The fact he’s ok with me just blathering sometimes…
It’s really nice; doesn’t make me feel as tense; I can just talk, just be me.

“Just before this rescue mission actually- so yesterday. I had one of my first totally successful test flights. I got ten full wing beats in before the wings collapsed, double what I had even come close to before!” Aid proclaimed happily.

“See, as you’re flying, each wing joint has to be matched up perfectly. If something is even a teensy bit out of alignment with one of the joints, the more you use it, the more it’s going to show up. So, it might be fine for a few strokes, but then the gap or discrepancy just gets wider and wider, and causes the whole wing to eventually lock up. But now that I know exactly what joints are problematic, I can refine the spells and double it again! Oh, but when it worked, it was fantastic. It felt just natural, soaring and gliding and, erm…” Aid rattled off, his own blue face now tinging a bit purple with an embarrassed blush.

What the unicorn probably didn’t notice was of how Gabby had gotten a wider and wider grin on her beak as he talked; soaking in his excitement of the subject.
“I…erm…so-”
“Nope!” Gabby interjected, putting a claw on Aid’s nose.
“If I can’t say sorry about happy blathering, then neither can you.” she stated, Aid’s nose twitching at her touch
“Ok, that’s fair.” he said as Gabby retracted her claw.

“I usually have only Wind Sheer to bounce ideas off of, and he can only tolerate being a wall for my ideas for so long. He’s a Pegasus actually, my best friend for years. I actually used his wings as a general model for mine, even though they’re probably about as big as yours. But that helped a ton. He’s actually one of the Team leaders- when another isn’t available. It’s nice talking to someone who doesn’t mind a bit of excited ramblings though.” Aid mused, prompting an agreeing nod from Gabby.

“No arguments here! Gryphons are toooootally boring in that regard. Gilda is nice though- my only friend really, but she’s got her own baking life in Griffinstone. There’s not too much time to just chat though, especially since I’m out and about. Oh, and she actually found a nice guy, so that cuts down on chatty time too.” Gabby added, letting out a laugh.

“I’m glad though. Of like, ten nice gryphons in the entire city, she finds one who likes her. He seems pretty neat too. He’s a total bookworm, oddly enough.” The gryphoness mused, then pausing as the tunnel ended abruptly.
“…uh, this wasn’t here before.”
Rocks were piled high to the ceiling, and Gabby gave them a few firm pokes before shrugging.
“Avalanche?” she asked, and got an affirming nod in return.
“Avalanche. Plan C, we wander for a bit. Can you make marks on the wall as we go?” Aid asked, getting an ever-cheery nod in reply.
“Sure thing! Where was I…”

“Gilda? Found a nice guy? Apparently, they’re rare?” Aid suggested, immediately putting Gabby back on track without skipping a beat.
“Ooooh. Yeah and they are. Gryphons are naturally grumpy and unpleasant. Well, most of us, but we’re getting better! Obviously helping others isn’t really a normal thing, let alone not being a grump. So, trying to find friends is kind of hard, especially when most gryphons don’t understand what a good friend is.” Gabby then winced and stuck out her tongue.

“Bleh. Probably why the nation is such a mess. It’s rare to see even a happy family together in any way shape or form.” she mused, even as Aid’s ears perked up again.
“Hmm. What do you mean?”
Gabby shrugged her wings, her usually peppy mood getting doused with a bit of sad reality.
But, it’s my past, and my home. Life is life.

“Ponies are really neat, and lucky. Most of you have a mom, a dad, or combination of those, and maybe siblings. Sure, you might not always eat together, or talk often, but you can talk to someone in your family, at least most of the time. If not that, you can reach out to others for help. In Griffinstone and other provinces, none of that stuff is that common. In a few areas it is, but mostly…not.” she sighed, kicking a pebble along the tunnel.

“Very few even know who their parents are. I mean, we have one holiday where we try to be pleasant, but even then, it’s just faked. Most chicks grow up on their own, and never really learn what a friend is, let alone a family. I certainly didn’t.”

A gentle nudge to her shoulder caused Gabby’s thoughts to shift, the stallion next to her having his hears slightly flattened in worry.
“I’m sorry to hear that, Gabby. Really. I can’t understand fully, but I can at least understand it must have been hard, even if it was common.” he mused, prompting a very strange warm glow to briefly ignite in the gryphoness’s chest.
That’s so sweet, and a nice way of putting it.

“Thanks, but it’s ok. As you said, it’s common, and we make do. I got lucky though- somehow I didn’t let myself be a grump. I’ve just always tried to find the good in things, despite the not so great situation.” Gabby chirped, shrugging her wings.

“You’d think we’d learn to get our act together. So many parentless kids…but in a nation where the second main sport is one-night stands, who would have guessed?” Gabby sighed. She was completely caught off guard as Aid let out a soft ‘snrk,’ shaking his head in reply.

“S-sorry. I was not expecting that.”
Gabby grinned in reply, rather enjoying the surprised stallion’s reaction.
“What? It’s true! What’s even sadder is that stuff is about as close to a friend in terms of gryphon relationships. But I think that’s changing though, at least I hope it is.” she let out a wistful sigh.

“It’s pretty much impossible to find someone to just talk to, to just have fun with- not just that other type of fun. Relationships don’t really exist there, not like in the old times. Knights, ladies, nobles, dating in any way shape or form; all that was gone generations ago. I guess that’s also part of the problem. I’ve always really envious of ponies and how that all goes, relationships with families and otherwise.”
Aid let out a soft hum in thought, then nodding his own head slowly.

“I mean, it makes sense. You don’t have any sort of family to keep stuff together. No mothers, fathers, any combination of the two- it just falls apart. I didn’t know any of that; so thank you, Gabby.” the stallion remarked sincerely.
“I visited Griffinstone when I was younger, and saw the horrid conditions some of the time. It really helped push me to help other creatures. Just because I was on the other side of the world didn’t mean I couldn’t help others.”

Gabby smiled, letting out a soft ‘oooooooh’ as they paused at an icy section of a wall.
“Oh this is neat! Look at all those swirls and patterns!” she exclaimed, fascinated by the sight.
“Looks like someone froze a wave just as it was about to crash.” Aid mused, looking at the interesting dips and weaves of the ice.
“It does!”
Huh. He likes random oddities too. That’s nice.

After regarding the interesting formation for a while longer, the pair continued on their journey, Aid piping up first.
“If I may ask, since you said pony relations are a definite thing you’d enjoy having- erm, friends and stuff, do you have any other friends that are ponies, Gabby? Sounds like these crusaders are.” the stallion asked, shrugging his shoulders.

“I only bring it up because I don’t really know any other gryphons, and you seem like the type of creature to attract other nice individuals.”
“Awwww.”
I totally saidthatoutloudohno.
Gabby’s face fluffed with embarrassment, the gryphoness not able to look at Aid for a few moments.

“Sorry. Not used to those sorts of things.” she mumbled, prompting a curious head tilt from Aid this time.
“Huh? Compliments? Blunt compliments?” he replied, and only grinned as Gabby nodded.
“….is it a bad thing? I don’t mean to make you feel uncom-”
“No! It’s just…well, new. Good new. Gryphon’s don’t really compliment each other, not normally. Even being in Equestria a fair amount doesn’t lessen the oddity fully.” The gryphoness explained, doing her absolute best to ignore the blush under her feathers.
It's just a compliment. My gosh, why are my cheeks so flushed.
A compliment from a really nice stallion.
Ugh.

“E-erm, I kind of…don’t, to answer your question.” Gabby continued.
“I haven’t talked to the Crusaders in a while, and other than Gilda back at home, there’s nobody really to chat with regularly. That’s both because of the grumpy factor and how my job keeps me moving a ton.” Gabby explained, heart starting to sink in her chest with the words.

That sounds really depressing now that I actually put words to it.
“So, circumstances make it difficult to make friends?” Aid asked, prompting a slight nod.
“Yup. Really stinks.”
“Well, I’ll join that club, but for slightly different reasons, but perhaps not totally.” the stallion mused.
“How so?”
Aid shrugged, indicating the bags on his back with a toss of his head.
“My job is…unique, and the fact I’m technically a noble makes it doubly difficult.” The stallion’s shoulders then slumped, a sad sigh leaving his frame.

“I can easily make a dozen acquaintances within a single night. But of those ponies, all are vying for power or influence, so no actual friends. Likewise, trying to make friends that aren’t just the first group masking as such…” Aid shook his head, a sour expression worming its way onto his face.
“I am a bit gullible, and have learned that the hard way.”

Gabby let out a humorless chuckle, not able to resist a sigh of her own.
“Y’know, for all the high-nosed noble stuff I’ve encountered, they sound a lot more like gryphons than I think they’d ever admit.”
Aid paused, a smile quickly dawning on his previously overcast features.
“I think you’re very right on that.”
The two continued to walk, and Gabby finally ventured a question.
I know some ponies aren’t as open or such, but maybe…

“Hey Aid?” she asked, her usual enthusiasm dampened by a bit of nerves. While the stallion was one of the nicest she had met, he was still mostly unknown to her. That said…
“Maybe we could be friends?” she suggested, nerves vanishing like smoke as a genuine grin plastered itself onto Aid’s face.
“I’d like that a lot. Unless of course, this is just a way to get more hot chocolate.” he joked, causing Gabby to giggle.
“I think if it was any other gryphon or noble, that’d be a valid question! But no, I’m just after the company!”

“Well, I’d say the reason is mutual then.”
Gabby knew her grey feathers couldn’t hide the slight flush to her cheeks this time.
Since when has anyone, let alone a guy, made me blush this much? It’s maddening!
But in a weirdly good way.

Aid couldn’t get the smile off his face a good few minutes after Gabby’s suggestion, the gryphoness’s cheery mood rather infectious.
Finding a new friend was always nice, and the stallion could certainly relate to Gabby’s predicament. He honestly haden’t really interacted with that many creatures like this before, just walking and talking.
Walking and talking alone with a lovely gryphoness.

The fact that Gabby had suggested being friends only made Aid smile more. Unlike nobles, where every possible positive interaction was a veiled request to get something, nothing could be gained by Gabby’s requestother than pleasant company.
And that’s a rare thing indeed.

“…uh oh.” Gabby muttered, slowing to a stop. Aid blinked, noticing the path in front of them lacked a very crucian ingredient.

“Where did the floor go?” she whispered, the answer not visible in the inky darkness below them. It wasn’t a massive hole- but definitely too large for a simple hop, skip, or jump. A steady wind blew up from beneath, indicating some sort of tunnel system that connected the sinkhole to the outside world.

“I guess the avalanche shifted things, including the floor. At least it collapsed when we weren’t on it!” Aid remarked, a cheerful grin on Gabby’s beak as she nodded.
“True! So how do we get across? I mean I can just glide over, hmmmmm….”
Aid crept forward, lowering the two large bags to the ground as he peeked over the edge.
“Maybe ferry the bags over, and I’ll see if I can-”

His words cut off as a blast of wind hit Aid’s face, the stallion’s eyes dilating fully. Two pink eyes surged to the forefront of his mind, and the stallion’s limbs immediately began to quake. Scooting back to press against a wall, Aid heaved in breaths as his eyes darted around, caught between the nightmares of his mind and the calm reality.
No. Not again.

“Whoa, Aid? Aid?” Gabby called, immediately walking over and sitting in front of the distraught pony.
Aid barely heard her; words rushing past his ears like the now imagined wind that pushed against his face and fur.

Gabby’s own eyes widened as tears began to stream from Aid’s eyes, the gryphoness recognizing the cloudy gaze in the stallion’s eyes from before.
Not responding to a few more calls, Gabby decided to chance it, and promptly leaned forward to wrap the pony up in a feathery hug.

For a moment, Aid didn’t respond, instead simply shivering in her arms. That alone was enough to prick at the gryphoness’s heart. Seeing such a sudden change in the previously upbeat stallion was unnerving to say the least- yet not unexpected from what she had seen earlier.
To Gabby’s surprise, she felt Aid lean forwards after a moment, sobbing into her feathers softly.
What happened to you?

His breathing began to slow, and the stallion quickly seemed to regain his faculties. Pulling away, a purple blush now began to creep up his face.
“Thanks, erm, again.” Aid mumbled, head shaking back and forth slowly.
“I really don’t know why that…it’s been over a year.”
Gabby shrugged her wings, excitable energy dampened for the moment.
“Trauma does that, and correct me if I’m wrong. Seen it in gryphons plenty of times, just well hidden.” she stated, feeling a bit of relief as the stallion nodded in agreement.
Seen it, and been there.

“Well, you’re right. I suppose you’re never cured of such, but it has been months since something like that set me off.”
She didn’t say anything for a few moments, then looked up to Aid as he scrubbed away the dampness still remaining on his cheeks.
“I’m certainly curious, but it isn’t my business. I know better than to push, especially on stuff like that. I’m just glad I could help.” she whispered, a smile now making its way back onto her features.

“Considering that’s twice you’ve helped, I think you deserve a bit of an explanation.” Aid replied, ears perking up in surprise as Gabby shook her head.
“Deserve? I don’t think that’s the right word. For stuff like that, an explanation isn’t really a deserved thing. A helpful and clarifying thing maybe, but I don’t see it as deserved. I guess that’s a view many would have though…”

Apparently, that was not the reply Aid was expecting, because he stared flabbergasted at the gryphoness until he was able to speak again.
“You are the most fascinating and kind gryphon I’ve ever met, Gabby. Thank you for that- it’s a lovely and fresh perspective.”

Gabby’s cheeks instantly ignited, and she mumbled something containing the word ‘welcome’, at least she thought she did.
Ugh. Why do I get thrown off by compliments STILL? I mean it doesn’t help that it’s from a really neat guy.
….hmm. I guess I’m starting to get a list of reasons why though. I wonder-

“All I’ll say about the matter though is this. With my work, I try to save every-creature. That’s just not possible sometimes, and last year was a really bad one. I almost didn’t make it either.” Aid whispered, head shaking slowly.
Oh wow…I can’t image-
No. I pretty well can. Not exactly, but pretty close. I’m sure you did your best Aid.

“Well, back to the immediate issue, how do we get across this thing?” Aid asked, prompting Gabby to perk back up and giggle.
“Well, I can fly the bags over, and maybe carry you. It’s not that far- just a few wing flaps.” She mused, causing a certain stallion to shrug.
“Huh. Really? I know it kind of varies on how much one can carry, so I wasn’t going to suggest it.”
Is that his way of not wanting to mention I’m a bit small?
…That’s actually rather sweet.

“Heh, well considering I’m not the most beefy gryphon around, it’s a fair assumption.” Gabby replied, spreading her wings for emphasis.
“I mean, I’m deeeefinitelly on the small side, but I can still carry a fair amount, especially for a short distance.” She added, another blush dawning on her cheeks as Aid glanced her way.

“I wasn’t sure if it was a sore topic.” The stallion mused, then looking away.
Wait. Is that a blush?
IT TOTALLY IS!
“Aaaaaiiiid. Whatcha thinking?” Gabby asked, not about to let the pony get away with a possible juicy bit of insider information.
“Nothing important…”
Oh that means it is!

“You know, blue fur makes seeing blushes rather easy.”
TOTALLY PURPLE NOW!
I’ll be sure to make it up to him, but this is too much fun, and it’s all in GOOD fun.
Gabby picked up something along the lines of ‘grey makes it easy too,’ (which immediately made her own feathers fluff rebelliously,) but the gryphoness then turned her attention to Aid as he began to speak.

“Just about size.” he mumbled, now appearing to be genuinely bashful as the stallion kicked at a small pebble.
“It’s just rather nice, not a bad thing at all. You being smaller I mean.”
“…Huh.”

The blush on Aid’s cheeks deepened, Gabby then letting out a soft laugh and waving her claws.
“I don’t mean that in a bad way! Just- I’ve never had the topic come up and it end so nicely.” she explained, the bashfulness apparently finding a new home in her heart.
“It’s new that being smaller is a good thing. With gryphon’s it definitely isn’t. So, thank you, Aid.”

Seeing a genuine smile on his face, the gryphoness decided to press her luck a bit further. It would either make things a bit more simple, or really complicated, depending how the conversation went.
I am curious though.

“Y’know, I’ve never seen someone blush as much as you do, and I have to say, it’s a good look. Is it something I’ve said or did? And before you say anything, I knooooow my feathers don’t hide mine well. I’m just not used to compliments.” Gabby remarked, watching the stallion out of the corner of her eye.
To her surprise, Aid Chaser’s brow simply furrowed in thought.
“It’s a new thing, actually.” he muttered, apparently not having thought about the issue much before.
“Oh?”

The stallion toyed with a pebble in front of his hooves, magic pushing it this way and that.
Quite a loaded question- what answer are you looking for, Gabby?
…Or are you looking for a specific answer at all?
“Just, erm, Gabby, I am walking the line between being professional and not. I’m technically working, but this is a rather unique situation.” he explained with a sigh.

“You’re quite a charming gryphoness, and that’s something rather impossible for me to ignore, nor would I want to in any situation. Does that answer your sort-of-question?” he asked, fully aware of the blush on his face but deciding to glance over to her regardless.

Seeing Gabby’s entire face puff out was well worth the effort, the courier staring at him for a few long moments. Apparently, words completely failed her, because the gryphoness quickly ferried the two large bags across the gap and then sat down to look at Aid.
“Erm, sorry. I wasn’t expecting that. Well, not totally, but not like that.” she muttered, prompting Aid to tilt his head curiously

“Huh?”
“Let’s cross the gap first?” she suggested, prompting the stallion to wince.
Did I overstep things? Ugh. I’ve always been so good on being professional.
…But I’ve never been stuck with an attractive female twenty-four-seven before.
Not that I’m complaining, but hopefully that didn’t ruin anything.

Aid nodded, letting out a soft yelp as Gabby yanked him into the air. Her wings beat visibly faster as she heaved the stallion across the crevasse, safely depositing him on the other wide.
“Huh. That was easy.” The unicorn mused, picking up his bags and glancing back to Gabby.
“Shall we continue?”
She nodded, still staying silent for a time. That alone was enough to put the stallion on edge. Usually, when you give a hint that you find someone attractive in any sense, and they clam up, that’s an uh-oh.

“Do you really find me charming? Erm, offthe record if you’re on the job, if that helps.” Gabby asked, voice strangely subdued but still carrying with it an underlying perkiness.
“Yes, very.” was Aid’s quick and sincere answer, prompting a slight sniffle from the courier.
“Nobody has ever said that about me b-before.”

Pausing on hearing Gabby’s words stutter, Aid sat down and looked over to her, the usually peppy gryphoness staring at her claws.
Uh oh.
“Gabby? I’m sorry, did I say something wrong? I really didn’t mean to cause-”
A giggle reassured him that she was alright; even though her teal eyes were damp and brimming with a storm of emotions.

“Wrong? Aid, you’ve said so much right, that’s part of what’s a bit hard to process.” she sighed, shaking her head.
“You’ve been to Griffinstone- that’s what you said. How well do you think somegriff like me fit in there when growing up, let alone got complimented?” Gabby asked softly, her wings drooping ever so slightly.

“The closest thing to that I ever got was a few guys making a remark about my figure. And I won’t repeat those things. Even ponies just see me as another gryphon, but just an odd one. S-so, you didn’t say anything wrong. If anything….well, thanks.” she whispered, tracing the ground with a set of claws.
Aid blinked, then letting out a shrug as a smile spread to his features.
An interesting change- I guess she’s not all infinite energy and a boundless well of happiness. There’s another gryphon underneath that, maybe one who could use a hug a bit more than me.

“Well you are most welcome. Now, I don’t know about you, but I think we should get out of this cave before we run out of hot chocolate.” he quipped with a smile, words eliciting a slight giggle from Gabby, ears perking back up.
“Agreed.”
She seemed a bit more at ease as they walked now, a bit of pep returning to her step. Oddly, Aid felt a strange warmth prickle along his spine when the unicorn caught Gabby’s gaze flickering over to him, the action causing her to smile just a bit more.

Well, she knows I find her charming, so I guess that’d make her feel better.
Wait.
WAIT.
What if it’s not that, but actually just-
…..Naaaaaaaah.

Author's Note

*Gestures to a small container* anti-fluff formula shots are complimentary upon reading the story.
Looks like both these individuals have an interesting past...
AND THE BEGINNINGS OF THE FLORF!
(Fluff + Lore, Character Lore in this case) = Florf.

Chapter Six: Words of Two Hearts

“Apple pie, or blueberry pie?” Aid Chaser asked, prompting a nostalgic sigh from Gabby as the pair continued to traverse the winding tunnels of the mountain.
It had been some time since they had crossed the sinkhole, the two having taken a break from talking for a while as they focused on a section of precarious footing. Now that the floor had stopped undulating up and down over slick rocks, their conversation began to return.

“Oooooh. I do haaaaave to pick? Both are so good, and it depends on the mood. I’m in a blueberry mood today I think.” Gabby mused, Aid nodding in agreement.

“That is a fantastic answer. Most fruit pies are great, but not a fan of nutty pies personally."

“Blech, same. Just doesn’t taste right.”

The stallion couldn’t help but smile, Gabby’s continually peppy mood refusing to be doused by either the cold or their predicament. It wasn’t to say the gryphoness was putting up a front; Aid had seen what was behind her ever-cherry demeanor for a few moments. Every creature had life challenges, and Gabby was no exception.
The softness in her eyes when she had comforted him during his panic attack however…
“Aid?”

The unicorn found himself not moving, apparently having stopped mid-thought.
“Sorry, was just thinking.” he mumbled, a strange tension closing his throat.
Who else has ever offered that same level of comfort when I was in desperate need of somepony, some creature. Anyone…
Luna, Wind Sheer, the Team when they could, a few others. Not my parents though, not for over a decade.
But who ever did in a way like Gabby-

“You alright?” the curious courier asked, causing Aid to nod.

“Y-yeah. Just, thinking.”

“Uh huh, you said that a few moments ago, and then stared at the wall.”

Aid didn’t say anything for a few moments, a smile then edging onto his features.
“Never really had someone be there for me when I had one of those episodes, that’s all.” he kept his voice even, a small but comforting flame of warmth blossoming in his chest.
“It’s-”
His voice cut out, a strange itch working its way along his flank.
This is different.

As they walked into a large open chamber, a strange rumble shook the rocky space. It sounded suspiciously like another avalanche and Aid’s vision was drawn upwards. The same magic that guided the stallion to those in need now drew his attention to the ceiling-
Specifically, the sharp stalactites that shivered, cracked, and fell.
“GABBY!”

The gryphoness only caught a glimpse of the massive stone formations falling towards them. Easily as large as a full-grown pony, each stalactite was sharpened to a needle point by a century of creeping minerals from the ceiling.

And now a dozen of them hurtled towards the pair- too close to dodge or run back to the tunnel behind them.

Gabby was suddenly slammed into the wall, Aid shoving her aside as the unicorn’s horn ignited with a bright navy-colored flame. Barely able to take a surprised gasp, Gabby’s eyes widened as a light blue mosaic spread out above them. Firmly pressed against Gabby’s right side, Aid’s golden eyes were narrowed in concentration as the multiple shield spells wove together, sending the dangerous rocks slamming to either side of them.

One large chunk of rock refused to fall to the side however, pressing down on the center of Aid’s shield. Larger than all the others, this rock appeared to be a piece of the ceiling that had detached with the other projectiles. The magical entities began to crack however- and then Gabby heard the oddest sound.

The rumble rang up from Aid’s throat, the growl escaping through his teeth as the stallion glared at the rock pressing down above them. Gabby’s own eyes widened in surprise as she caught a brief glance of Aid’s gaze. His previously calm eyes seemed to now blaze with an inner fire, the blue edge of his cornea ringing a molten ocean of gold. It was as though a different stallion was now powering these shields; a pony refusing to cede his will to the deadly forces that towered above them.
This was a pony devoid of hesitation, doubt, and driven by pure will.
Whoa…

The shields bent and angled upwards, the arcane energy punching through the stubborn rock above the pair with a surge of power. The shields then expanded, easily deflecting the final smaller chunks that rained down around the pair, before then sputtering out.
Aid’s chest heaved, a bit of sweat dripping from his now ragged mane. The unicorn shook his head briefly, seeming to come out of a daze.

“Oh, erm…” he mumbled, scooting to the size and letting Gabby remove her self from being plastered against the stone wall.
“You alright?”

Gabby couldn’t help herself, scooting forwards to sweep the pony up in a brief but tight hug.
“Alright?! That was AWESOME!” She squealed, swinging Aid around and then putting him back on solid ground. The stallion’s face immediately lit up in a blush, Gabby blinking and trying to restrain a few more giggles.
“Erm, sorry. But yea, I’m fine. That seriously was the COOLEST. THING. EVER!” She chirped; Aid now not able to resist a slight laugh.

“I’m glad to hear it- I was a bit worried there.” he added, head tilting to the side slightly. The stallion didn’t say anything though, despite it being rather obvious that something was making the stallion smirk.

“What?” Gabby asked, only then realizing her feathers were completely puffed out, a pink flush on her cheeks starting to warm.
Oh.

“Nothing. Shall we continue?” Aid asked, trotting alone as though nothing had happened. Gabby nodded, walking alongside the stallion as her thoughts began to spin.
Those eyes, I can’t get them out of my head. Just golden fire…
The courier was hardly a damsel in distress type of gryphoness- you couldn’t be like that if you wanted to survive in Griffinstone. Yet feats of strength were a common way to impress the opposite (or same,) sex.

Gabby hadn’t really understood how that all worked, not until now at least.
But it’s not just ‘oh yay strong guy’, there’s something else. That fire in his eyes- there’s a deeper pony in there, driven by something. He did all that so casually, is that how it always is for him? Just stepping in to help another creature without a second thought?

Those final words echoed though Gabby’s head, a comforting glow spreading through her chest.
I guess that’s part of it; he just jumped in to help. And he’s kind, likes weird things, totally built his own wings and follows his dreams. No wonder I find him…
That was where Gabby’s thoughts screeched to a halt, her ears flattening ever so slightly.
Uh oh. Find him what? That can’t ever work, can it?
Do I even want to explore that train of thought?
For all I know this might just be all business to him, I just don’t know.
Well, at least it’ll take a bit longer to get out of this cave. Maybe I’ll know what to say, if anything, by the end.
Maybe.

Aid trotted along happily, the exertion of producing a dozen shields now starting to sink in with a pleasant ache that seemed to spread throughout his entire body. It had been some time since such a spell was needed- but practice indeed made near-perfect in this case. The small dinner-plate-sized shields had formed together flawlessly, and adjusted faster than Aid had thought possible.

I’ll be feeling that tomorrow- or later today, but I’m safe, Gabby’s safe, and I got a mental workout! Win win!
And a hug. I got a hug too, so that’s a total plus.
…why is that a plus?
He knew of course- Aid wasn’t an idiot. Being a bit more eccentric and emotionally introspective had been a downfall in terms of relating with others, but now produced its positive fruits.
At least, Aid thought they were positive.
Are they?

Like many matters, it was a simple self-acknowledgement, but a much more complex series of emotions and thoughts that followed. In this case, the ‘lot’ was best described as a ‘building-full.’
I know why a hug is a plus, I like Gabby, that’s obvious. But to what extent?
Do I even want to know? She’s a gryphoness, not a pony.
A caring, nice, bubbly, cute, and slightly eccentric gryphoness.
….oh.
Oh boy.

Aid Chaser’s thoughts made his ‘decision’ for him, which was both a relief and a bit of a tumultuous realization.
I guess I’ll confront that possibility once we’re out of here. One of the bonus’s of being an adult.
…if only that diminished the anxiety about a relationship, whatever type it may be. Last thing I want to do is lose a friend.
It was then that Aid noticed a pair of teal eyes looking at him- Gabby apparently lost in her own thoughts.
I guess she just zoned out looking at me?

That thought was quickly dashed as the gryphoness noticed Aid’s own eyes glancing her way, and she returned to staring at the floor as her facial feathers fluffed up slightly. That too was becoming an increasingly common event.
Not that I mind. She’s got quite lovely eyes.
…and, well, everything else.
The stallion blinked, brow furrowing in thought. As far as being attracted to a gryphon, Aid would have put that possibility in the ‘don’t worry about that’ category.
Yet here we are.

“H-hey Aid. What’s something you’ve always hoped would happen, or want to try and make happen? No matter how crazy.” Gabby asked, the stallion easily picking up the slight hitch in her first word.

Odd. Wonder what’s on her mind?
“Hmm.” he mused, finally nodding slowly as a thought coalesced.

“Start my own company, some sort of organization to help creatures. Not like the force I’m a part of- that’s more specific. This would be broad spectrum of aid; food, water, shelter, doctors…but I’d need a lot of funding. It’d basically be like the EDRF, erm that’s the Equestrian Disaster Response Force, but instead of sending a small team, a couple airships of supplies would be dispatched. I mean, there’d be teams too, but it’s be a biiiig operation.” Aid rattled off, ears flicking back slightly as Gabby laughed happily.

“Wow, someone has thought it out! Seriously, have you? Because that sounds pretty in-depth.”

Aid nodded slowly, not able to resist a smile as the cheery gryphoness continued to poke him for answers.
“I’ve actually gotten all the paperwork done, how it would be structured, legal documents, taken classes on how to run a company, everything like that. All I need is the millions it would require to start it up. I might have enough in a decade, so there’s hope.” he mused, a thought then souring his previous disposition.

“I mean, I could cash out a lot of stuff now and maybe have enough, but no.”

“Huh?”

Aid sighed, ears flattening as his head shook back and forth.
“I’m the son of a very rich noble, Gabby. The accounting firm my Father runs is extremely well-known and widespread. As his son, I would be set to inherit it- but I’ve since pushed off that idea. Thankfully he realized that to at least some extent, but still set me up with a sizable portion of the company, trust funds, and all sorts of accruing stocks. It’s enough to finance a company, at least partially. But I’d need a much larger sum for the initial upkeep. And then there’s the other matter regarding bits…”

Whoever thinks money buys happiness deserves a punch in the teeth, at least to some extent.
The stallion shrugged again, not able to resist another sigh.

“I will not use funds gifted to me just because I’m a noble to start such an enterprise. Well, not directly. If I did, that’d set up the company for a nightmare of a reputation. If this organization is to survive, it has to be built from the ground up and not related directly to nobility, at least as removed as I can make it.” Aid continued, letting his thoughts run free. It had been an eternity since he had even mentioned this idea to any creature.

“So, I’ve purchased probably a dozen farms, mines, and other production facilities with those funds to start building the foundation. With a bit of luck, those properties can supply my organization eventually. My other funds are mainly used to upkeep those properties, since my shop and other salary is more than enough to live on. But why would I sit on all that money when I can start building something? That’s my way of thinking at least.”

The look on Gabby’s face gave Aid pause- the gryphoness staring at him curiously before looking away.

“That’s…I’ve never heard of any creature wanting to do something like that before.” she mused softly.

“Griffinstone certainly needs something like that, all the gryphon provinces do. And then there’s the smaller towns in Equestria that fall through the cracks…I’ve seen too many of both.”

The stallion nodded, eyes narrowing with determination as they continued to walk through the dimly lit ice and granite tunnels.

“Someday though, I’ll make it happen. What about you though?”

At his question, Gabby immediately blushed red, beak opening briefly before the gryphoness shook her head as though refusing a mental suggestion.

“Erm, something kind of similar. I’d love to find a job where I can help creatures, but also keep my courier position. I enjoy delivering stuff and meeting all sorts of creatures. Honestly, just having a simple home, a job I enjoy, and someone to come home to is what I want.”
Aid didn’t say anything at first, then looking over to the still-flustered gryphoness with a bit of amusement in his golden eyes. She had spoken just a bit too quickly for him to take that answer totally as truth.

“That doesn’t sound bad at all- quite nice actually. But, if I may ask, Gabby, was that what you were going to say at first?”
A slight grumble reached Aid’s ears; the stallion mentally chuckling.
Gotcha.
“Soooooooooooo?”

Gabby sighed, head shaking as her feathery ears flattened.
“It’s really stupid and cheesy. It’ll come out all wrong.”
A quick glance over, and Gabby saw Aid was still looking at her expectantly, a cheesy grin on his face.
“UGH. FINE.” she grumbled, not able to look at the stallion as he pumped a hoof in the air in victory.

“It’s just part of what I said before. Having someone to come home to. I’d…like that.”

“Like, finding a guy? Or girl.” Aid asked, an affirming grumble leaving Gabby’s beak.

“Just guys for me please…But see, that sounds so shallow and simple! Like ‘Oh no, I need a guy to be happy’ sort of thing.” The gryphoness explained pausing to trace on the ground with her claws.
“Gryphons…finding a special somegriff just hasn’t been a thing. I just don’t know what that sort of support from that relationship is like.”
Gabby paused, Aid sitting down as he saw her usually perky demeanor more subdued, a bit of vulnerability shining through her teal eyes.

“I don’t know what it’s like to have a family, or a relationship where somegriff is supporting me. I mean I have Gilda, she’s a good friend, but she’s got her own life, and I’m often busy. I’ve never had someone be there to bounce ideas off, hug me when I cry, or let me help them if they’re having trouble. Just having someone be there for me, liking me for me, regardless of it all, and me being there for them. It’s so alien to what I’ve grown up with…and I just want that.” she whispered, her damp eyes shining slightly.

“It’s normal for ponies and other creatures to want that sort of relationship and support, from what I’ve gathered. But for gryphons, that’s just not the case anymore, and it’s pretty weird to even bring up to others. Even though Griffinstone is improving, that stuff just doesn’t exist much at all. Gilda got lucky and found a decent guy, but she said he was adopted by a pony couple, which explains his view on relationships. Griffin’s don’t date anymore, at least not in a usual sense.” she explained with a shrug of her wings.

“There used to be stuff like that, ages ago. Knights, ladies, relationships, getting to know each other, and then that stuff all fell apart when the kingdom fragmented. It’s coming back, but not that fast.”

Aid nodded, frowning slightly as his brow furrowed.
“Huh. Wanting that sound rather beautiful honestly. I guess gryphons really don’t do the whole ‘dating’ thing much, huh? Or at all from what you said. I didn’t know it was that bad.” he mused, ears perking up in interest.
It sounded bad from what she had said- but this is so much worse…

“Nope. That’s why it’s so weird to bring up. Most creatures just assume you want one thing…which doesn’t require you to know the other very well.” she grumbled, head shaking slowly.
“I tried having a few dates with griff’s, but all of them ended the same way. All were roundabout ways to have a one-night stand. I know it’s not everygriff that’s like that, but it’s still frustrating. The dates with ponies actually were nice…for a while. I kind of learned as I went, and was nice when it happened.”

“You met a few stallions? I take it those didn’t work out?”

“Yup. And I really thought some would work out. Each ended for a different reason though. One couldn’t get past that I was a bit bigger than him, another was only dating me because he had a thing for gryphons- didn’t matter who I was to him. Another just didn’t feel safe around me because of my ‘predatory nature.’” Gabby used her claws to give the terms air quotes, prompting Aid to laugh.

“R-really?” he gasped, not able to resist a few more chuckles of mirth.
“I’m sorry Gabby, but you’re probably the least predatory gryphon I’ve encountered, and I mean that in the nicest way I can, because it’s a good thing. Unless you’re stalking someone to hug, I just can’t see it.”

A smile did edge onto Gabby’s beak, the courier shrugging in agreement.
“Eh, I can be scary if I have to, but you’re right. Let me see; Oh, there was the guy who was embarrassed to introduce me to his family because….”
Oh.

“Let me guess. You’re a gryphon.”

“Yep. Oh, and then there was the guy who just thought I was ‘too quirky.’” Gabby paused, ears and wings drooping.

“That one hurt, honestly. But yeah. It’s rough. Between gryphons not even wanting that sort of relationship, and the bad apples among ponies I ran into, not too fun.”
Ouch…
Aid reached over to give Gabby a reassuring pat on the shoulder, the gryphoness smiling slightly at the gesture.
“See? I can’t be cheerful the entire time.” she sighed, head shaking as they started walking again.

“Well, I think you’re just as good company, cheery or not.” Aid replied, not missing a slight fluffing of Gabby’s feathers.
Hmm. I guess it’s only polite for me to…
“Not too much success in dating here either, honestly. Between having a dream of flying and being a noble, it’s a minefield.” Aid remarked casually.

“Most mares in nobility only want money, an heir, power, reputation, or a combination of those. And many are willing to go to extreme lengths to obtain it. Being a bit gullible and wanting to help creatures has not ended well a few times. Is she confiding in me because she wants some support, or wanting to build my trust to then weasel her way into my life for power? Suddenly she’s interested in a third date after finding out who my father is, or after discovering what company I’d inherent.” the stallion grumbled, surprised to hear a slight hiss escape Gabby’s beak.

“That’s horrible, and sounds a lot like some gryphons, honestly.”

“No arguments there. So that eliminates a lot. But there’s plenty nobles or not who are decent ponies. It’s just difficult due to my location. Then in the pool that are nice…having non-mainstream hobbies can be a pretty big turn off. Not that I blame them though.”

The pair hopped over a slight gap, then continuing on through the tunnel, which was beginning to slope upwards.
“I know I’m eccentric and have weird ideas, and that’s not for everyone. But, as you said…it can hurt when said in a criticizing manner.”

“But you’re got such GOOD ideas! And neat! How- erm…sorry.” Gabby mumbled, Aid not able to resist a smile.

“Well thank you, but some certainly can’t imagine ‘putting up with’ such quirks for a lifetime. But to each their own, and so I’m still looking.”
Ok. Her ears DEFINITELLY perked up at that.
I mean, mine did too, when she mentioned not seeing anyone.
…seriously. Is she actually-

“Well, nothing to do but be yourself. Being happy as you is the first step, and if you aren’t, and try to use someone else to be happy, it doesn’t end well.” Gabby mused, letting out a slight huff.
“Gryphons take that and flip it on its head. Trying to ignore the wreck of our society by escaping for a few moments with some stranger. Bleh.”
Aid couldn’t help but smile, Gabby’s sour expression too much to ignore.
“In terms of Gryphon culture, Gabby, you are the most non-gryphon gryphon I know. And I think that’s a fantastic thing.”
The gryphoness was quiet for a moment, her voice returning softer than Aid had ever heard her speak, but also genuine and caring.

“Thank you, Aid.” she whispered, ears then perking up.
“Hey, is it lighter up ahead?”

Aid looked over, and saw that the tunnel was in fact shifting to mostly ice, leaving the granite behind them. A few more twists and turns….
“Whoa…”

The pair were blasted by a bright white spectacle, the snow-covered mountain slope below them shining with freshly-fallen powder. There wasn’t a cloud in the blue sky, and Aid’s communication crystal began to crackle. Putting on his helmet, Aid grinned as a familiar voice called into his ears.
“Hey, Aid!? We just got a secure location from your beacon, you alright?” Wind Sheer asked, prompting the stallion to nod.

“Yep. Safe and sound, I’ll initiate the transport shortly.”

“We’ll stand by. Dispatch could track your general location, but that was about it. Something about that weird magically charged blizzard. See you soon!”

The communication then cut off, Aid turning to Gabby who was starting to look at bit down.
Well. Now’s a good a time as-
“So…” Gabby said, toying with a bit of snow with her claws.
Aid opened his mouth, and finally just chuckled, shaking his head.
What am I, a schoolyard colt?

“If I may be blunt, Gabby?” he asked, pushing aside the butterflies that decided to arise in his stomach as she nodded curiously.
“Would you like to stay in touch? Write letters that is. You’re quite an incredible gryphoness, and I’d really enjoy writing you, if you’d like.” Aid asked cautiously, and hopefully not overstepping any boundaries.

Such worries were dashed as he was swept up in a happy hug, Gabby then letting him go to hop up and down in the snow briefly.
“YES! I mean…erm…” she giggled, then nodding excitedly, fishing out a bit of charcoal and parchment from her satchel.

“And of course, I’d love to catch up if you’re in Canterlot anytime soon.” Aid remarked, the joyful smile on Gabby’s features making his own heart warm.
I guess I wasn’t imagining things…

“I’ll probably have to make a delivery there within a week- there’s a usual customer that pops up around now.” Gabby added, having scrawled a post office address and taking Aid’s own piece of parchment back.

“I look forward to it then, maybe I can show you around?” Aid asked, prompting a happy chirp from the gryphoness.

“I’d really like that, actually. So…see you later?” she asked, Aid nodding with a wave.

“See you later Gabby, and it was really nice to meet you.”

“Y-you too.”

As she hopped into the air and waved with a slightly-stammering chirp, Aid replied with a similar gesture, watching as she dipped and soared into the distance. Sketching a rune on the ground, Aid tapped the required symbols and waited to be yanked back to Canterlot.

Well, I made a new friend, and an incredible gryphoness at that! I haven’t had that much fun being around somecreature in a long time. I wonder what she’ll think of Canterlot when I show her around? Hmm, I wonder what I’ll write her about first?
That visit though, it’s not a date though, not this time at least.
…I hope that will change.

Author's Note

:pinkiehappy: Need I say more?

Chapter Seven: Letters of a Feather

‘Dear Gabby,
I hope this letter reaches you- I know the postal system (other than you of course,) can be a bit hit or miss.

So, that freaky blizzard apparently was a DOOZY! Somehow it became magically charged and just spun out of control, kind of like if it was over the Everfree Forest. Oh, that’s a place where ponies don’t control the weather. It’s one of many odd events that have been cropping up lately.

Staying sort of busy here. My enchantment shop has a steady flow of customers, and I’ve been repairing my wings in the meantime. How are things in Griffinstone?

Your friend,
Aid Chaser.’

‘Hey Aid!
Um, I haven’t written that many letters, so I guess this is how it goes?
That blizzard stuff sounds crazy, and would explain it, I guess! Weather isn’t really controlled here, so it seemed pretty normal to me. Well, there was an odd tingle, but I guess that was the magical part?

Anyhow, got your letter, (duh) and you are right though. Postal service other than yours truly can be a bit tricky. But so far so good!

Things are…well, doing ok. The town is slowly (like, lazy turtle slow,) becoming more passable as a, well, town. So that’s a plus! A new eatery opened up that actually serves nice food. Oh! Speaking of shops, you have an enchantment shop?! I know you mentioned it once in the cave, but how does that work?
Sincerely,
Gabby.

“Whatcha writing?” Tourny chirped, the mare munching on a large apple fritter as the team sat around the ‘dangerous’ bonfire they had been dispatched to.

The impromptu party had been in full swing when they arrived, and Dispatch had given them the evening off- especially since the ‘urgent’ call had been on everypony’s overtime.

“Gabby, that nice gryphoness I mentioned.” Aid replied, rolling his eyes as Wind Sheer drifted over with a grin.

“Uh huhhhhhhhhhhhh.”

“Wind, if I look over there, and see that massive grin on your face-”

Sure enough, a completely unashamed smile was dominating Wind’s features, the Pegasus poking his friend’s shoulder.

“Soooooooo?”

“What? She’s a friend! Not often you meet a gryphoness who’s so nice!”

“Possible special somegriff; good for you. She sounds nice.” Fast Splint rumbled, the massive pony prompting a round of chuckles from the other members of the team.

“SHE’S NOT-”

“Exotic tastes, can’t say I’m surprised though. I can imagine a certain allure…” Heart Shocker added, the unicorn poking a bit of the bonfire with a stick.

“So, when can we meet her? We did the same thing when Splint got his then-marefriend!” Tourney chimed in as Wind Sheer let out a laugh.

“Let’s not overwhelm the poor guy!” the Team leader proclaimed, then flying close to Aid’s ear.

“Besides, he did just find his special somegriff!” the cheeky Pegasus whispered.

Aid let out a groan at the round of chuckles, glaring at his teammates over a bite of an apple fritter.

“I hate you all.”

Such words had no venom of course, especially since there were smiles all around as Aid returned to writing before they headed back to Canterlot.

Dear Gabby,

Got your letter, and it looks good! Not like there’s a ‘right’ way to write a letter anyhow! Well, maybe in school, but bleh.
Looks like it takes about three days for a letter to be sent and received- that’s a lot faster than I thought for cross-ocean! I guess there’s an airship that ferries supplies then, if I had to guess.

Anyhow, glad to hear Griffinstone is slowly being built up! More good eating locations is always a plus! Do they still have that hole-in-the-wall pastry place on the main street? I was hesitant to buy a roll from there when I visited, but WOW was it good!

My enchantment shop? It’s really just a hole in the wall on one of Canterlot’s streets. I can’t do really energy-intensive spells, but I specialize in smaller, more complicated ones. Like I can enchant a broom to sweep a hallway once a day for a week, or a pen to dip into ink whenever it’s low. Little things like that which require regular recharges. It’s kind of fun having all sorts of little challenges and creating magic for such tasks.

How goes the postal delivery stuff? No big jobs here for the EDRF, only had to scramble once for a big smoke report, which ended up being a false alarm.
Well, there was a fire, but it was a festival and the apple fritters are fantastic. (It’s where I’m writing this actually.)

Your friend,
Aid Chaser.

Dear Aid,

Three days? Wow! That’s pretty fast indeed! And I’m glad I’m doing this right, I really enjoy writing a friend! Well, having a friend too of course!

Oh, that shop isn’t a hole in the wall anymore! It’s the top producer of pastries other than Gilda’s shop. She specializes in scones though- they make an amazing fish pastry. Probably not the best for ponies, but they have vegetarian options that taste really good and still pack a punch with the spices!

That sounds AWESOME! I’d love to see how you did that sometime. Magic is just something so…interesting. We obviously don’t have much of that here other than few gifted gryphons now and again, and it’s nothing like unicorn stuff.

The postal stuff is going well! Steady work, but it does get a bit boring sometimes. I guess that blizzard made me appreciate a bit of excitement!
Ooooh. Apple fritters sound good.

Talk to you soon!
Your friend,
-Gabby

p.s. It’s later than normal, but I think that Canterlot delivery is coming up! I’ll let you know more!

Dear Gabby,

Huh. Two days this time! Not that I’m complaining of course. Maybe they’re sending bulk batches by magic?

Whoa! Really? I’d love to try some of that food. I don’t think mailing one would be a good idea, otherwise I’d totally send you some bits for it! I’ve always enjoyed the spices Gryphons put in their foods. Just not the fish, obviously.

I’d be more than happy to show you around whenever you visit! Let me know about that possible trip, and I’ll schedule a day off for a tour. I’d love to see Griffinstone too whenever I can get some time to get back there!

Talk to you soon,
-Aid

p.s. I was about to send this, but heard some news about Griffinstone. Is everything ok? Something about a big fire? We weren’t called in, so maybe not that bad?

Dear Aid,

Sorry for the late letter, its been a bit crazy here. Shorter note this time, sorry. There was a fire- and it swept through dozens of houses within moments. Nogriff was hurt, incredibly enough, but there’s hundreds of gryphons now homeless, and we’re about to get a nasty cold snap next week. Just trying to find a place for everygriff to stay, especially the hatchlings, but there’s just not enough space. The council has asked for aid from Equestria- but I don’t know if it’ll come in time. Do you know any creatures who could help?

Still working on the Canterlot job date, gotta go though.
Your friend,
-Gabby.

Aid stared at the letter on his small workshop desk, re-reading it a few times. His eyes narrowed, flickering over to a massive stack of papers, barely held together with twine. Ever since talking with Gabby in the cave, Aid had poured over his future plans and re-packed it all, the idea refusing to leave his mind. Aid wrote a hasty reply, putting the simple letter in the mailbox before returning upstairs to think.
I just lack the money to start it all up, there’s no getting around that.

Reading the letter again, Aid took out a communication’s crystal, tapping it with a specific magical sequence.
I don’t have the means to start helping everycreature, but I can do something about a couple hundred cold gryphons. The government won’t move fast enough; they’ll freeze to death.

“Aid Chaser? Its been a while! How have you been?” Crowbar Stash’s voice echoed through the crystal, the cheery earth pony always seeming to have time for Aid’s odd requests.

“This a friendly call, or do you have a job for me? I love searching out your contracts, I have to say! An entire warehouse? Pile of tables and chairs? Whatcha got for me?”

Aid stared at the note, a determined smile meandering onto his features.
“I’ve got an anonymous job, a few stages to it though. It has to be done within a few days. Find me the fastest ship to Griffinstone first, and a lot of cargo pallets.”

“On it! I’ll call you later today with an update if it takes that long!”

As his supply agent cut the communication, Aid looked over to the pile of papers, shaking his head slowly
If I can stop a few deaths here…

Gabby wiped off some sweat from her brow, taking into the frigid air and looking around after dashing to nearly a dozen houses to check on their occupants. The sudden cold front was nearly here, and they still were trying to find homes for the displaced gryphons. Even if every shop and house was doubled or tripled up, there still wasn’t room- and that was forgetting building codes. Many dwellings were barely standing as it was, let alone insulated for the cold winters.

And that’s why every year, we lose…

She shook her head, the gryphoness refusing to think about the morbid truth. The numbers were going down, but it was still far too many lives lost to the brutal winters in Griffinstone. A nation with shoddy infrastructure and negative temperatures just didn’t mix without yearly casualties.

With a sigh, she fished out the latest batch of letters, having been more preoccupied with trying to find shelter than delivering the mail at times. She still delivered the post of course- but it had been a tad late.
“Wait, this is…”

Unrolling the scroll, Gabby’s ears perked up as a single line dominated the parchment, hastily scrawled across the letter.
‘I know somepony. Help is coming.’
-Aid’

As though spurred by some cosmic cue, a faint rumble caught Gabby’s attention. A black dot was drawing closer with every passing moment, prompting the gryphoness to land on the nearest roof.

Her eyes widened as vaguely-Equestrian airship roared towards Griffinstone, then neatly parking at the main gates as large gangplanks thudded to the ground. Appearing to be a refitted Storm King vessel, ponies quickly flooded out from within, levitating massive boxes and bound packages. Members of the Griffinstone Council were already there, Grampa Gruff apparently rendered speechless for once in his life. Gabby landed nearby, hearing the brief exchange between the gryphon and large earth pony in charge.

“What is this!?” Gruff squawked, as massive pallets began to be levitated down the side ramps.

“Supplies, rush delivered.” The pony replied, reading from his clipboard.

“Let me see here….You’ve got a lot of military surplus items from the Equestrian Royal Guard and their training camps. A few hundred cots, a metric ton of heavy blankets, clothing, spare blanket fabric, tents, some basic medications, basic woods stoves, oh, and some emergency rations. There’s some bits and pieces added in there, but here’s the total list.” The pony rattled off, handing the list over to Gruff.

“We never ordered this, nor paid for it! Wait, is this from the Equestrian Government? They barely had processed our request last I checked.” The gryphon grunted, eyes widening as he saw the itemized list, including the cost.

“The government? No, it has all been bought and paid for by a private party. I can’t say who though, because I don’t know. I was just told to say it’s from ‘a friend.’”

Grampa Gruff stared at the checklist and then the supplies, waving to some guards lazing around near the entrance to the city.

“OI! Get your feathery butts over here! We’ve got supplies, and if I catch you skimming any off, I’ll strap you to the airship and send you back to Equestria!” he crowed, Gabby stepping in to start help carry the items into the city.
Thank you Aid, whatever you did.

As the winds began to howl the next evening, not one gryphon was left out in the cold. The supplies ensured not one hatchling needed to endure a cold night alone, and Gabby made sure to pen such in her latest letter. Snow swirled outside her home as the gryphoness wrote, Gabby not able to resist a smile.

‘Dear Aid,

I don’t know who you talked to, or what you did, but thank you. The supplies arrived just in time; and I was right, the government barely got approval for the stuff by the time the cold hit. Everygriff is safe and sound- and we’ve got enough supplies for winters to come.

I don’t know what to say other than thank you. Whatever you did made sure we didn’t lose anygriff to the cold- which happens every year.

Thank you, Aid. I think I’ll be visiting at the end of next week.

Your friend,
-Gabby

p.s. Can you tell me who sent the items? I guess the pony didn’t want to know though, so I can understand that if that’s the case. I’d just like to thank them personally, as would the Council. (Well, other than the resident Grampa Grump, but he is thankful)’

Aid’s eyes teared up, the unicorn taking a shaky breath. Putting aside his lunch, Aid swiped away the moisture at his eyes. An image from his first visit to Griffinstone surged to the fore; a simple snow-colored alleyway with a few lumps under the white powder.

The guide Gryphon had hurried them along, casting a pitying look to both Aid and down the alley. He explained that it was just piles of clothing somegriff had left out.

Aid wasn’t stupid though, and that moment had further shattered his view of the perfect world of Canterlot Nobles as a young colt.
Piles of clothing didn’t have frozen feathers and fur.

He took a shaking breath, brushing some more tears from his eyes as one dripped onto the parchment.
Not today; they’re safe.
I wasn’t too late for them, not this time.

Aid wrote a quick reply, marking on his calendar the end of next week. He then returned to his work- in this case, wrenching a stubborn bolt onto his mechanical wings. The unicorn’s gaze drifted to a set of smaller mechanical wings hanging on the workshop wall, the creative pony letting out a sigh.

I suppose it’s time to file that patent for sale again. But the likelihood I can get the specific buyer….
He busied himself with his work, focusing on the task at hoof.

‘Dear Gabby,

Knowing the supplies got there in time makes me happier than you can imagine. Just- I visited Griffinstone in the winter. So, I understand what happens. I’ll be sure to pass along your thanks for sure. I don’t know if I can tell you, honestly. The pony I spoke with doesn’t want to be seen any differently, so they’d prefer to remain nameless. I’ll ask though.

Next week? I look forward to it! How are you holding up? Sounds like it was a really stressful moment there.

Your friend,
-Aid’

“So? Who’s it from?” Gilda asked with a grin, prompting Gabby to grumble as her friend sat down next to her. Frequenting Gilda’s scone shop was a regular occurrence when in Griffinstone, at least when things weren’t too busy. The recently-built wooden shop was one of many that had sprung up on Griffinstone’s cobblestone streets, and certainly one of the most popular.

“Just a note from a friend.” Gabby replied, Gilda raising an eyebrow.

“Uh huh.”

“What? He is!” Gabby remarked, head tilting out of curiosity.

Gilda casually reached over and poked Gabby’s cheeks.

Her very, very fluffed-out feathery cheeks.

“The fluff doesn’t lie. Soooooo?” Gilda teased with a sly grin, prompting another grumble.

“I…erm…I dunno, honestly. I mean, maybe I know?” The gryphoness stammered, still holding the note in her claws.

“Oh, uh sorry to push, I was just having some fun. Greta totally teased me when I realized things about Gelvin.”

“Realized what?”

Gilda sighed, sitting down next to Gabby on a stool.

“What I actually felt, even though I didn’t even really know how to feel it. And also understood that it was ok to feel stuff.” Gilda said, shrugging her wings.

“Growing up in Griffinstone, or anywhere near here messes with your head. But I’m guessing you already knew that. I’m here to talk if you want…which is a weird thing to say now that I think of it.” the gryphoness continued to muse, then shrugged again.

“Is this that pony you got stuck in a cave with? The same one who got us those supplies?”

Gabby nodded, rolling the scroll up and leaning on the counter with a huff.

“Aid Chaser. Yup, same guy. He’s just…he’s nice, funny, quirky, just fun! I dunno.”

A sly grin slid onto Gilda’s beak as she looked over to Gabby.

“I think you do know. This is the guy you’ve been writing every other day for two weeks now? The same one you would not stop talking about when you first came to visit me last week?”

“….yes. Huh. This is weird.” Gabby mused, looking at the parchment.

“Huh?”

“Wet spots. Like the roof was leaking, but only a bit. And I guess we don’t know who sent those supplies.”

Gilda looked at the spatters on the parchment, the gryphoness then sighing.

“You really haven’t figured it out yet, huh?”

Gabby blinked, staring at the letter and then her friend.

“What?”

Pointing to the parchment, Gilda let out a slight huff to her slightly oblivious companion.

“You’re talking to a pony, one who has seen what it’s like in the winter here. Said pony also has a compulsive urge to help anycreature he can, and seems rather sensitive. Supplies show up just after you mention a crisis that basically mimics a rough Griffinstone winter?”

Shaking her head, Gilda sighed sadly.

“That probably scarred the poor guy. We grew up with stuff that’s a lot harsher than ponies ever had to deal with.”

Gabby didn’t say anything for a moment, finally letting out a slow breath.

“I always suspected it, honestly. I’ll ask him when I visit. But I wonder why he’d hide it?”

There was an audible ‘smack’ as Gilda slapped her talons to her face, the gryphoness letting out a groan.

“Oh boy. Gabby, you basically told me how you two were blushing messes in that cave, right?”

A fluffy nod was the gryphoness’s reply as Gilda continued.

“So, let’s say for a bit, he think’s you’re pretty neat. I’d bet money that’s the case by the way. Now, there’s a chance that if he told you, you might now see him in a different way of how he acted instead of who he is. The guy’s a noble! You told me he’s trying his hardest to break from that stuff. So, of course he isn’t going to tell you he sent the supplies! That’d be the noble-like thing to do, after all, a sort of low-bragging. If he likes you, or at least wants to get to know you, that’s the last thing he’d want to do!”

Gilda couldn’t help but cackle at seeing the look of realization that dawned on Gabby’s features, nor the blush that reddened her grey cheeks.

“Theeeere it is. The moment where she gets it!” Gilda crowed.

“So, go get your feathery butt ready to go to Canterlot! I wonder if I was this dense….” The gryphoness mused.

“You were, very much so.” A deep voice called out from behind an open door, a certain gryphon entering from the rear shop entrance.

“Shut up Gelvin.” Gilda muttered, her own face feathers fluffing as Gabby couldn’t help but grin.

“Welllllll I’ll leave you two alone. Gotta get ready and pack and stuff!” Gabby exclaimed with a smile, her usual peppiness returning in abundance.

“Talk to you later, Gabby.” Gilda replied, giving her a pat on the shoulder. She was quickly crushed by a hug from her close friend, Gabby not able to giggle as she darted off.

Meandering towards her simple home, Gabby began the mental checklist in her mind.

Let me see. It’s a job for a few days, so I’ll need some snacks, the packages of course, clipboard and such….

Throughout her checklist, and as Gabby began to pack, a pair of golden eyes refused to leave her mind.

That, and the anticipation of a hug.

Author's Note

:pinkiehappy: These two are just too fun. Different format this time with the letters, and I hope it turned out alright, easy to read and follow and such.
Now we're able to get a bit of insight of both Gabby and Aid's past....hmmmm.
Poor Aid needs all the hugs Gabby can give him, it would seem.

Chapter Eight: Delivery of packaged hugs

Huh. I’ve got some time before I need to head out for these deliveries…and Aid. Gabby mused, taking off from the inn she had stayed at in the Canterlot suburbs.

I’ll need to double check the directions, and make sure I don’t- Oh…what’s this? A small, almost military-compound caught Gabby’s attention, the gryphoness flying down to read the sign. Pegesi mid-air rescue testing and training facility… Huh. May as well take a look….

Poking her head inside, Gabby was greeted by a light blue Pegasus receptionist, sitting behind a large wooden desk occupying the massive if not immaculate entry room, which was dotted with various glass cases, charts, and pictures.

“Hi there! Erm, I was just curious what this place was.” Gabby admitted, the mare perking up to trot over and gesture around the wooden building, the room painted a muted off-grey.

“Oh! This is where guards and first-responders train for mid-air rescue. We offer classes for concerned citizens and such too. Basically, if somecreature is falling, we help train others, mainly pegasi, to make sure they are caught!”

Gabby nodded, her gaze then being drawn to a set of pictures on the wall, the main title of the exhibit reading ‘Best graduates, in order of time.’ All were of Pegesi; save one.

“Huh. Who is this?” Gabby asked, feigning ignorance as she gestured to a familiar horned face, golden eyes blazing with a fire of determination that brought the gryphoness back to the icy cave weeks ago.

“That? Oh. Now that was a unique one.” the receptionist mused, sitting down in thought.

“I was there watching the entire thing, as were quite a few others. The only unicorn to take our mid-air rescue drills about a year or so ago. Then again, no other unicorn made their own wings.”

“What?”

“I know, right? This guy had some metal-ish wings on his back that let him glide around, and he passed all the needed qualifications. That wasn’t the reason he was here though. Apparently, he was on orders from the Princess, at least that’s what my superiors said. He ran the mid-air rescue drill over a dozen times before getting it right. But it explains some stuff though….”

“Explains what?” Gabby asked, trying to not appear too excited about learning facts concerning her currently favorite unicorn.

“This guy was a mess, honestly. I don’t know the specifics, but something happened, something bad, because the few times he failed at first to catch the dummy I’m pretty sure he was sobbing. He then got up and did it again, and again, and again. This guy was a machine; the instructors basically carried him up to the cloud one time after the next…and then after failing again, that unicorn used a spell, as though the times before were proving something by not using magic.”

“A spell?”

The mare sighed, nodding her blue head in awe. “I’ve never seen anything like it. This guy lit up like a torch, and his speed must have tripled, sending him blasting forward. The first few times he missed, but then he got it, catching the dummy successfully five times in a row, and then again the next few times he visited, until he didn’t fail at all. He went through dozens of variable tests at different heights and speeds…all ended in success.”

The receptionist then frowned, head shaking slightly. “The first time he caught the dummy though, he had a death-grip on the thing. I’ve never seen somecreature’s eyes so focused; another Pegasi showed up to help us snap him out of it actually, Wind something or other. His picture is up there though, because he’s the only unicorn to complete the course and, he did it in record time; top fifteen. If that’s not worth remembering, I don’t know what is.”

The mare then looked to Gabby, a slight wince dawning on her features. “His eyes, this almost unnatural look that sent a shiver down my spine, honestly. Well, that and the fact….”

Gabby waited, the mare’s own eyes actually tearing up as she took a shaky breath.

“And the fact he insisted on using a filly-sized dummy for the test.”

Gabby’s heart fell through her chest, nodding slowly as she thanked the mare for her time, then resuming her flight towards the main sprawl of Canterlot. Letting out a long breath, Gabby’s expression saddened briefly, head shaking slowly as she flew. Aid, what have you gone through? I can already put the pieces mostly together…

If anything, the new knowledge made the gryphoness respect the pony all the more; and added another interesting side to her favorite unicorn. And definitely, definitely made him more deserving of a hug.

-Two Hours Later-

“Street-oh dangit. What was this one called again?” Gabby muttered, flying down to look at the street sign at the end of a seemingly-identical area of Canterlot.

“Oh. So this is Tie Street, and the one next to it is, Bowtie street. Really!?” she then couldn’t help but giggle. The weight of her morning realization had since faded, and while lurking at the back of her mind, refused to bring down the peppy gryphoness as she neared her destination.

“That’s pretty funny though. Ok. Sooo. A left here, and then two streets to Second Main street, and then look for the shop!”

She had given up asking for directions, since apparently nopony wanted or cared enough to help. But Aid had warned her about that in this section of the city. Gabby’s heart was fluttering in her chest as she flew along, having completed her deliveries a good half-hour prior. Now, it was just the task of finding Aid Chaser’s shop.
I just hope he’s happy to see me.….but why wouldn’t he be? That’s a silly thought. Why am I worried about that?

“Did I give her wrong directions?”

“Dude.”

“Ugh. I know how snooty this area can be- did they purposefully tell her wrong street names?”

“Duuuuuuuuuuuuuuuude?”

“Seriously, I wonder if-”

“Aid!” Wind Sheer sighed, smacking his own head onto the wooden store counter.

“She’s fine, and delivers mail for a living. Pretty sure she can find her way around a city she’s visited before. Besides, doesn’t this give you more time to figure out if a kiss is in order?”

“But what if she gets lost and-WAIT WHAT?!”

Wind grinned as the cheeky comment snapped Aid out of his worried repertoire, the Pegasus letting out a chuckle. “Welcome back to reality. Now then, if you’re done fretting about whether a competent gryphoness can find her way here, do you have that enchantment for me done?”

Aid shook his head as though to clear it, nodding as he retrieved a small stone. “Thanks, not sure why I got into such a tizzy.” he muttered, sliding the stone across the counter.

“Because you obviously like her, duh. Just because you’re fun to tease about that sort of thing doesn’t mean we don’t notice, or care.” Wind added with a genuine grin. “Seriously. The entire team has noticed you light up whenever we ask about Gabby. You’ll be fine. Oh, so this stone, erm, how does it work again?”

Aid couldn’t help but give his best friend a light whack on the shoulder in solidarity, then gestured to the stone as he walked around the counter.

“Alright. So, tap it three times quickly to activate the warming spell, and then four times to deactivate it. That prevents accidental starting and stopping. It should last you the entire week, and then I’ll enchant it again for you. If it’s too cold when you’re busting those clouds, let me know and I’ll up the magical power a bit.”

Wind Sheer nodded, testing the spell with a few taps and then letting out a pleasant moan.

“Oh, sweet Celestia that feels amazing. It’s like sitting in front of a fireplace all over.” he whispered, then looking over to Aid.

“I might want a few more of these.”

Aid chuckled, gesturing to the general price board behind him. “I’m fine doing a few for free, but I do have to cover costs of materials. These stones are tricky to find.”

Wind Sheer nodded, shaking Aid’s hoof as he headed towards the door. “Of course, I’m not about to take advantage of your generosity.” he added, then getting a rather cheeky grin on his face.

“Take care Aid! Oh, by the way, Gabby’s here!” The mischievous Pegasus was off like a flash, a familiar gryphoness then poking her head into the shop.

“Is this the right…AID!” She chirped happily dashing inside and then skidding to a halt, face feathers fluffing briefly as the gryphoness awkwardly held out a set of talons, as though mentally catching herself.

The stallion couldn’t help but chuckled, shaking her outstretched claws but grinned mischievously. “I wouldn’t have objected to a hug, if that was your intention.”

Apparently it was, because Gabby immediately yanked the stallion into an embrace with a happy chirp, apparently not expecting him to hug back, due to her face blushing about as bright as Aid had ever seen her.

“That’s better, I was hoping for a hug at least.” The stallion quipped, now awkwardly staring at the floor briefly. “It’s good to see you, Gabby. As strange as it is, I’ve found myself missing you. I really have enjoyed our letters, but it just isn’t the same though. Sorry if that sounds a bit odd.”

The gryphoness shook her head, and Aid thought he saw the barest hint of dampness in her eyes.

“N-not odd at all. I’ve missed you too, in a similarly odd way I guess. It was really nice to have someone to talk to often, even if it was just for a day or two."

Aid knew his ears perked up at that, but couldn’t care less as a grin plastered itself across his features.
She missed me? SHE MISSED ME!

“Well, want to take a look around? Shop, then a short tour of the local area and some lunch perhaps?” Aid offered, Gabby nodding immediately. The shop they were in was a neat off-blue rectangular room, the check-out counter to the right of the door, and shelves of various labeled magical items adorning the center, while glass counters lined the other walls, save a door that led to the back rooms.

“This is, of course, my shop.” Aid began, gesturing around at the room and then to a few odd items here and there. “A few of the best sellers; self-refilling quills, heating and cooling spells, oh, and the ever-popular one among the kids…” Aid levitated a small, seemingly innocuous pen over.

“Tasty ink and matching paper. Write a secret letter to your friend, and lick away the evidence after!”

Gabby giggled, head shaking at the pure absurdity of it.

“I know, right? But apparently it’s fun. In the back here….”

Leading her to the back room, Aid grinned as the gryphoness’s eyes lit up at seeing the workshop. A good forth of the entire building, the room was dotted with workbenches, prototype wings, and all sorts of paraphernalia, both in large cabinets, tool boxes, and shelves.

“This. Is. So. COOL!” Gabby squeaked, hopping over to gesture at a specific set of wings on the wall. She seemed to focus on the item briefly in thought, then perked back up to her usual self. “These look done though!”

“Yep. Those are actually. They’re gliding wings, enhanced with spells. I’m hoping to sell the patent to someone who can both commercialize it for fun use, and deploy it through rescue squads and perhaps the guards. They’d be handy for reaching stuck ponies on ledges and such, or as an emergency option if visiting Cloudsdale or the like.” Aid replied, prompting an excited hop from Gabby as she dashed over to another, larger pair of wings.

“Ooooh. That’s a lot of crystals…”

“That is my current prototype. Metal and mana crystals. I’ve gotten up to about ten flaps, but then the spells give out. Getting all the joints right is hard, but that’s my current project.” Aid explained, the gryphoness’s head quite literally on a swivel.

“Aid, this is incredible! I was expecting like, a shed and a workbench! This is like a toolbox room!” Gabby exclaimed, looking at all the various types of welders, chisels, measuring devices and even large wrenches scattered about in semi-organized wooden boxes.

Aid could only stand and smile; the fact Gabby found his workshop that interesting made a warm glow ignite in his chest something fierce.

After a few more questions concerning various odds and ends, the pair made their way down the streets, Aid pointing out notable locations. Some hole-in-the-wall eateries that still served some of the best food, antique shops that always had unique items, and then other similar locations he had known when he was a kid.

Gabby couldn’t resist though, and finally had taken a look inside an antiques shop- And thus a new game was born.

“I’m betting….minotaur back-scratcher?” Aid mused, eyes narrowed as he and Gabby stared at the odd metal device.

“Ooooh. I’m also betting minotaur something, but I’d say it’s a surgical tool. Like, if their hooves needed fixing.” Gabby added with a smile. The game had been born completely by accident, but now the two had spent the last hour in the various antiques shops, not looking at the description of an item until they guessed its intent.

Gabby was, admittedly, having trouble focusing on just the item. Just being with somecreature who was fun, put her at ease like nothing else. Gone was the grumpy replies of gryphons, as well as the exasperated sighs from those who grew tired of her peppery demeanor. Instead, Aid just seemed to enjoy being around her.

It was all the gryphoness could do to not hug him again.

“And the winner iiiiiisssssss…” Aid began, brow then furrowing as the stared at the description.

“Ok, how?” Gabby asked, staring at the neat writing as Aid gaped.

“A tongue depressor for kirin? W-why does it have clamps?”

Gabby shivered, shrugging her wings. “I don’t want to know, honestly. Let’s call that one a draw.”

A loud gurgle from her stomach made the gryphoness blush, but only earned a chuckle from Aid.

“Lunch time it would seem. Hmm. There’s an eatery near here that’s actually really good. They serve fish too, and have some other options!”

Following Aid down the street, Gabby occasionally caught her gaze drifting to the stallion before snapping back ahead. What has gotten into me? I guess I know the answer, but it’s a nervous thought… And yet through the nerves, she couldn’t help but just feel happy. She had a friend who enjoyed being around her, giddiness and all.

Considering that now both of their stomachs were rumbling, she and Aid quickly arrived at the eatery, picking up some freshly made pastry delicacies. The dough was apparently wrapped around a variety of fillings, and you could pick as to which type of spice was kneaded into it. For her, a fresh fish pastry, while Aid naturally picked up the vegetarian option.

A happy hum reached her ears as Aid munched on his lunch, the gryphoness giggling at the absurd noise until she too took a bite. “Ohmygoshthat’sgoooooooood…”

“Mmmhmmm.”

Gabby frowned as she finished her meal far too quickly, but then perked up as Aid levitated a paper bag over to her. “I got us each an extra. They seemed a bit tiny.”

You. Are. The. BEST!”

“You did?” she squeaked, happily munching on the second serving with a wide grin. “Thank you! You just keep getting better and better!”

The stallion blinked, a slight blush rising to his cheeks at her cheery remark. “I erm…” he quickly shoved another bite of pasty to hide any further stammering’s, but unfortunately the blush persisted.

Dangit Aid, are you trying to stay adorable? Because it’s working!

As the pair meandered down a street towards an afternoon market, Aid could barely focus on his hooves. Goodness, it’s like I’m a teenager again….

He finally couldn’t take it anymore, pausing as the traffic on the street slowed, leaving them relatively alone. “Hey Gabby?”

“Hmm?”

Aid’s heart fluttered when two curious and cheery eyes turned his way, the stallion not able to keep a smile off his face.

“So tonight, for dinner…” Just say it, you indecisive stallion! You’ve literally stitched ponies together, you can ask…

“Would you like to make dinner a date?”

For a moment, Aid thought had made a grand mistake. Gabby’s eyes widened as her feathers fluffed, a pink tinge standing out on her cheeks as she blinked in shock. Did I lose a friend?

“I’d love to.” Gabby whispered, her tone soft and calm, immediately drawing the unicorn’s attention.

Wait what.

“Really?” Aid asked, noticing how Gabby’s beak appeared to be trembling ever so slightly. An excited nod was her reply, the unicorn taking a cautious step closer.

“Erm, Gabby? You alright?”

The gryphoness nodded, managing a smile but then let a slight sniffle escape.

“Are these good sniffles or bad sniffles?” Aid ventured to ask, eliciting a slight giggle. Not able to resist, Aid opened up a forelimb with a shrug. “Oooorrrr are these ‘I’d be fine with a hug’ sniffles?” Judging by how the gryphoness wrapped him up in a tight embrace, Aid had guessed correctly, happily hugging Gabby back. Very different from pony hugs…soft feathers, and a bit leaner. But much warmer.

Gabby let him go after a moment, swiping something from her eyes with an embarrassed blush. “S-sorry about that. Not sure why…I guess I’m just glad, really, really glad.” she admitted happily.

“I wasn’t sure if I could ask you, if that’d be appropriate, and I didn’t want to lose you as a friend, but I really do think you’re an incredible guy, but-”

A hoof gently placed on Gabby’s beak interrupted her thought waterfall, Aid simply smiling.

“I get it, Gabby. I’ve been wondering how to ask you all day, to be honest.”

“Really?”

“Uh huh. But I’m sure glad I did. Erm, I have a few ideas for where to go for dinner, but how about we explore the market first? Usually there’s some neat odds and ends there.”

Gabby nodded happily, an extra bit of pep in her step as they walked along. Now, Aid couldn’t keep a smile off his face as he glanced over to his date, not refusing to meet her gaze when she turned to look at him as well. Those eyes; happy, peppy, and just caring…And that blush too.

A single thought however caused the stallion to grin, not able to help himself.
I have a date!

Author's Note

:yay: Enough said. The adorableness continues!
Slowing down updates on this and other fics; trying to whittle down the number of active stories...work + masters + three stories = :pinkiecrazy:

Chapter Nine: Tumultuous Times

“Ready to go?” Aid asked, opting for a simple bow-tie to dress up for the occasion as he closed up his shop. Gabby had stopped by the local inn nearby to drop off her few items, then returning to meet in front of his store.

“Yup! Where to?” the peppy gryphoness asked as they walked along.

“Well, I thought we could get some dinner and then just talk? Maybe take a look at some of the neat attractions that are only open in the evening?” Aid suggested, and was relieved to see Gabby nod.

“Sounds good!”

The restaurant was but a short walk away- and thankfully had seats open (to which Aid had double checked a few hours prior.)

“They’ve got a few gryphon dishes mixed in with pony ones, so I figured it’d be nice. It’s not too fancy, but not a simple street vendor either.” Aid explained as they walked into the neat red-painted restaurant, oak tables scattered about with some soft music playing the background. Voices hummed in the air as various patrons enjoyed their meals, the smell of a dozen different spices lingering in the air.

Being seated at one of the side table, Aid glanced over the menu with a smile.
“Hmmmmmmm. What looks good? First date, I pay.” the unicorn remarked, eliciting a giggle from Gabby.

“Ok, but then I pay for the second date.”

Aid let out a soft squeak that would have better been suited for a mouse, his ears perking up.
“S-second date?”

A mischievous gaze was Gabby’s reply, the gryphoness nodding as she looked over the menu.
“I might try this shrimp dish…oooh and it has a spicy calzone-type thing with it? Deeefinitelly.”

Aid looked at the menu and nodded, setting aside the waxy paper.
“A calzone-type thing sounds good actually. There’s one with roasted vegetables and cheese.”

The waiter took their order before trotting off, leaving the two to sip at large cups of water.

“So, how’s the weather?” Aid asked, not able to resist a chuckle as Gabby giggled at the bland ice-breaker question.

“Pretty good actually. So, I’m curious…what are your plans, Aid? That shop is really neat! Do you like the idea of working at that for a while? You mentioned some other dreams in that cave.” Gabby asked, prompting Aid to nod.

“The shop is fun, as is working for the EDRF. I would like to try and jump-start my own organization though. But that would require a lot of money, more than I’ve got. I’m kind of just working towards that goal though, so that’s kind of the plan for the next little bit.” he explained. “What about you?”

Gabby now blushed, the gryphoness toying with a napkin on the table with her talons.
“Well, apparently they could use some help in the post office in Canterlot, so I was thinking of giving that a try for a bit, and see how I like it.”

Aid could only stare in shock; of the things he had expected, that was not one of them.
“Gabby, I didn’t expect-”

“Well of course you didn’t.” she said with a tender smile. “But I’m not about to let something, somepony really attractive get away. I’d…erm…like to see where this goes.” Gabby’s voice drifted off into a whisper, prompting the blushing stallion to blink.

“I just didn’t think you’d consider that already…”

Gabby shrugged her wings, then wincing slightly.

“Did I make you uncomfortable with that?” she whispered, eyes darting to the tablecloth. “I didn’t mean to overstep stuff, I just thought….”

“Gabby.” Aid said softly, shaking his head. “I’m not uncomfortable, I’m just surprised. I didn’t think I meant that much to…erm…”

The slight smile on Gabby’s features cut off any further words, Aid shrugging his own shoulders.
“I guess I was wrong about that at least.”

“Not so much wrong, as just, it’s not as big a deal as it may seem.” Gabby replied. “I think you’re super interested, and is why I was so happy you asked me on a date. If you didn’t want to see where stuff went, I’d just work here for a month and then head back to Griffinstone.”

“Smart gryphon…”

“Silly stallion.”

The two couldn’t help but smile, Aid’s initial surprise fading into a warm glow of affection.
“If today is any indicator, I really would like that second date option.”

A claw reached over and booped Aid on the nose, Gabby all smiles.
“How about first date first?”

“Wait, but you’re the one who said-”

“Can’t hear you. Reading the menu again.”

Aid let out a chuckle, shaking his head.
“I’m not even going to try to respond to …oh, hello food!”

The calzone-type-things were placed in front of them, the pair taking a bite and melting into their seats.

“Cheesy.”

“Shrimpy.”

“Goodness.” They finished in unison, digging into their meals. A soft huff caught Aid’s attention- the stallion glancing over to see a well-dressed mare and stallion glaring their way.

“Huh.”

“Oh, yeah, they’ve been like that for a bit.” Gabby mused.

Aid took another bite, shrugging in indifference. They seemed familiar somehow…
“Probably just bummed that we got our food first?”

Gabby nodded, the pair enjoying their meals for a time. Aid’s ears perked up as another similarly-dressed couple began to act in a similar fashion.
Oh.

Gabby seemed to pick up on his unsettled nature; and voiced no objection to paying and then heading out into the street.

“Hey, you ok?” she asked, prompting Aid to nod.

“Yeah. I just figured out why those nobles were acting so stuffy, and it’s frustrating.”

“It’s because of me, huh?”

Aid’s eyes widened to the size of saucers, the stallion shaking his head as they paused, sitting on the cobblestones briefly.
“No, it’s because they’re intolerant buffoons; very different. I was worried about this though, especially since I recognize them. They’re popular customers of my Father’s firm, so that’s a whole different issue. But it’s something I expected and am alright with. The question is…are you ok with that?” he asked cautiously, not able to look at Gabby as they walked a peaceful side street.

“I’m kind of used to such treatment, honestly. Other gryphons aren’t exactly the nicest creatures, and I’ve dealt with some nobles before.” Gabby replied, her wings sagging ever so slightly. A touch on her shoulder perked the gryphoness up, Aid smiling gently.

“That doesn’t mean it’s ok though.” he remarked. “I just- if a second date and…such happens, those type of nobles are going to be a common thing.”

Gabby now smiled, looking over into the stallion’s caring eyes.

“Aid, I’m ok. It’s a bit saddening, but not a deal breaker for me, if that’s what you’re wondering. Is it for you?”

Aid shook his head, gesturing down the side road. “I already live a life most nobles turn their noses up at; I’ve stopped caring what they think as long as I’m happy.”

Gabby’s heart fluttered in her chest as Aid glanced her way, a tender smile on his features. “And being with you, as a friend or otherwise, makes me happy. So…shall we?”

Walking alongside Aid, Gabby was all smiles as they meandered the streets; and the few glances that were tossed their way slid off her feathers like water. “So, what type of attractions are there to see in the evening?” she asked.

“Well, there’s this twisty tree in a park nearby that just got some new lights; that’s one stop. Then there’s a neat area in a garden where the cobblestones light up when you step on them. If… that sounds ok?”

Gabby nodded, taking a chance to briefly nuzzle her cheek against Aid’s. “Sounds good!”

She had never seen the stallion turn so pink so quickly. The affection in the stallions’ golden eyes refused to leave after that, never wavering even as he bid her a good night at the inn hours later.

*The Next Morning*

“So, I get to see these things work?” Gabby asked, looking at the odd contraption strapped onto Aid’s back, loose-fitting bags hiding the wings from a casual glance to either side of a bulky parachute.

I still can’t believe he MADE those!

“Yup! It’s a short walk to the cliffs, and then there’s a small platform underneath the tourist viewing area you can hop off of. It’s used by weather ponies and the like.” Aid explained, a slight blush now dawning on his features.

“Then I thought we could snag lunch? Second date?”

Oh Aid, I’m hoping for third and fourth dates too!

“Sounds good!”

Gabby’s immediate reply only made Aid smile wider as they trotted along the cobblestones, the stallion levitating his flying helmet alongside the pair. A brief explanation had the gryphoness in excited squeals, looking at the helmet excitedly.

“So that thing tells you the status of your wings? That’s SO. COOL!” Gabby squeaked, examining the piece of equipment.
So intricate. There are little strands of crystal that run along the inside and outside…I wonder how he made it? Making taking an existing bike helmet and adding to it?

“Yup! Magical displays and crystals let me know…if…” Aid’s words trailed off, a disturbingly familiar tingle seeming to run down his spine.
“NO!”

The scream that rang out from ahead of the pair made Gabby’s hackles immediately rise, the gryphon looking around for the source of the shout.

A blur of movement made her jump, and Gabby’s eyes narrowed as Aid galloped towards the tourist railing ahead where a few ponies were gathered.

Oh no…
Her own limbs forced the gryphoness into action, but Gabby knew she was too far away to help.
Go Aid!

Save Her! (Music)

Sparks flew from the stallion’s hooves as they pounded the cobblestones, Aid Chaser’s golden eyes narrowed in concentration. I know that scream.

His helmet was slid onto his head, the display immediately snapping into focus. Another spell left his horn- summoning a strange rectangular crystal. Please let me be wrong- but if I’m not… The spare manna crystal attached itself to his chest with a few sparks, Aid now close enough to see the source of the exclamation.

A light-pink unicorn mare still had two hooves outstretched, as though still trying to catch something…The look in her eyes made Aid’s blood run cold, the scream surging back to his memory.
The cry of a mother who was watching her world fall away….

“MOVE!” Aid bellowed, the smattering of ponies in front of him diving aside. Punching a set of buttons on his gauntlet, spells swirled around the unicorn as he aimed for a slightly-lower section of the guard rail; broken and worn from disrepair.

Without a moment’s hesitation, Aid dove off the cliff, the loosely-fitting fabric covering his wings ripping away. His breath came in short spurts, limbs threatening to shiver as he saw a small blue dot in the distance, now halfway between him and the rocky ground below.

Arcane energy surged through the wings, raw magic sending the unicorn rocketing downwards. A quick turn of his head indicated a few other Pegesi were following- as well as Gabby… They’re too far behind, and too slow. Aid’s eyes narrowed as his speed peaked- his jaw clenched in frustration. They’re too slow, I’m too slow!

He could see the pony now; and Aid’s heartrate doubled as two peach eyes looked at him through the magnified visor view. The unicorn filly’s horn was sparking in terror, her magic going this way and that. She would hit the ground before anyone could get her.
Just like before…I can’t grab her with magic.
No. Not like before!

Cutting the thrusting power to his wings, Aid wrapped the appendages around his body, hope cutting off the dread that began to rise in his throat.
“Aut viam inveniam aut faciam tibi. Ignium, Influunt, Volant, Tota die salutare Celestiabus!”

Arcane power wrapped around the unicorn’s frame, flames igniting around Aid’s entire body. His wings hummed with power, the spell draining half of his energy reserves in but a second.
I don’t need long!

“Volant!”

The spell activated, throwing out a flaming trail of arcane energy behind the unicorn as he sped downwards; a small meteor streaking down from Canterlot. The parachute on his back stretched, and the bag was torn from his body as Aid’s velocity continued to increase. Yet the filly continued to draw closer.
Faster!

Pressure began to build in his temples as the spell continued to drain his magical reserves, the ground still growing in size and detail. Aid was close enough to the filly to see every detail now; her eyes wide in hope, even as the unicorn flailed about.
FASTER!

They were seconds from impact now; and as the rocks and trees began to resolve themselves in detail, Aid wrapped a hoof around the falling filly.

GOTCHA!

Magical straps snaked around the filly’s frame, Aid’s wings now snapping out with a roar of power. I can’t stop- not with the small emergency chute I have. And even so, the wings would tear themselves to shreds…I can’t go down, so I guess there’s only one way to go!

Temples pounding with strain, Aid angled the wings upright, sending them rocketing laterally across the rocky water and small trees. The filly was now all smiles; clutching the harness with all her might.

Now, UP!
The wings were angled further, sending the unicorn soaring back towards Canterlot. His helmet flashed red; the reserves of magical energy reaching critical levels
A little more!

Aid could see the other rescuers now- all still plummeting down towards them.
If I can’t make it back to the platform, at least they’ll catch us when we fall!
The pressure on Aid’s mind now shifted, his display indicating a complete depletion of power.
No…NO!

Yet the spell continued. There was a spike of pain at the back of Aid’s skull; and their speed began to slow…And then held steady. The Unicorn’s breath caught in his chest, still flying upwards as the displays indicated he should be plummeting down.

The spell…
The pain faded, a strange sense of equilibrium spreading through Aid’s frame.
Did…it adjust? Is it using up my magic as fast as I can produce it?

The barest hint of a smile spread across Aid’s features, the unicorn aiming towards a secluded area of the tourist skyway, the smaller ledge underneath far too precise a target. His hypothesis seemed to hold true; even as exhaustion began to creep into the unicorn’s limbs. He was above the walkway now-

Cutting off the spell, Aid noted how his magical reserves jumped ever so slightly- his wings humming with power as he spread them wide.
Just enough to land! Up, out, down….

Crystal wings flapping slowly, Aid lowered himself and his precious cargo to the cobblestones, molten mineral now starting to drip off of the strained contraption.

As his hooves touched down, Aid slammed the harness release, gently helping the filly onto her hooves with a telekinetic touch. Two royal guards trotted over; and Aid waved them off, watching as the filly was swept up into the arms of her parents.
Safe and sound…and now I take my leave.

(end music)

As his sides heaved, the unicorn shrugged off the wing harness, only now aware of the glowing pieces of metal that were almost touching his skin.
No, HAD touched my skin. That’s going to hurt…

The wings then slumped to the ground; their magical energy completely spent as they splayed out into an undignified pile. It took the last of Aid’s strength to drag them out of the prying eyes of the slowly-gathering crowd and into a small alley behind some walls, the unicorn then flopping to the cobblestones with a gasp.

“Not bad…” he gasped, thanking the stars that the current alley was empty, hidden from the crowds with a twist and turn or two. Stars began to creep into his vision, and Aid let himself slump, trying to catch his breath as adrenaline left his body. His hooves now shook violently, the unicorn only barely managing to stay upright.

Two familiar feathered arms now wrapped around his exhausted frame, Aid letting out a sigh of relief into Gabby’s feathers. “She’s safe…” he whispered, a few tears now starting to trickle from his eyes. “She didn’t fall. I didn’t-it didn’t happen again. I got her…”

Gabby held him close, Aid’s side shaking as emotion continued to flow from his closed eyes.
“You saved her, Aid. You did it.” Gabby’s affirming words yanked Aid back to reality, especially as she pulled away slightly to look him over. “Are you ok? After I saw the parachute rip away, I thought…”

Aid swiped the tears from his eyes, nodding as he then took a moment to enjoy the feathery pillow under his cheek.
“Just…adrenaline crash, and then dealing with stuff from before. I’ll tell you later.”

“Well, I kind of put it all together, at least mostly. That’s for later though, right now, I just want to make sure you’re alright.” Gabby replied, letting out a gasp as she looked at Aid’s back. “Oh! We need to get those taken care of…you look like a grilled steak!”

“That bad?”

Gabby’s wince was all Aid needed to sigh, nodding slowly.

“Well, it’s starting to hurt, so that means only first or second-degree burns. I guess our second date is to go to the doctor first. Then lunch.” He then looked at the pile of metal and mana crystals, shaking his head slowly. “I’ll just…hold on.” Aid murmured, pulling out of Gabby’s continued embrace to draw a simple rune around the wings, sending them to a magical storage portal with a slight glow of his horn.

“Ok. Ow. Stupid.” he muttered, flopping against Gabby’s shoulder. “Magical burnout, but I couldn’t just leave those there. Can…um, you help me” he asked sheepishly, Gabby gladly supporting the exhausted unicorn as they walked.

“Of course. Speaking of leaving…why did you run off? Maybe the guards could have treated you?”

“Didn’t want the press, the questions…it’d turn into a big hullabaloo. It’s easiest if the headline is simply ‘oddball unicorn saves a filly and then vanishes.”

Gabby was quiet for a moment, then tentatively nuzzled Aid’s ears briefly.
“I think being an oddball is pretty great. I think it is at least. And I’d say a certain filly would agree with me too.”

Aid could only smile, the unicorn catching sight of a doctor’s office down the street.

“Thank you, Gabby.”

Author's Note

GO AID GO!
And yay adorable date times! Things are winding down for the concluding chapter!

Chapter Ten: Flying High

“Ow.”

“Well hold still!”

“Easy for you to say!”

Gabby let out a grumble as she spread some thick ointment on Aid’s back, the stallion then letting out a sigh of relief.

“Ok, that feels good.” Aid remarked happily, then standing up and tentatively taking a few steps.

“Well, I can move around without too much pain, so that’s better than yesterday!”

“Aid, you got burned yesterday.”

“Exactly!”

Aid chuckled at hearing Gabby’s partly amused chirp at his words, the chime of the shop door drawing his attention.

“Sorry folks, we’re closed for a bit.” Aid, called, standing up with a wince. His eyes widened as an alabaster stallion and light-pink mare looked back at him.

“My name is Cheesecake Tart. Y-you’re Aid Chaser, the unicorn who makes his own wings, right?” the mare asked softly, prompting Aid to nod. Aid jerked slightly in surprise as the mare trotted forward and swept him up into a hug, tears streaming from her eyes. “Thank you for saving my daughter, thank you…” she whispered, the stallion shaking Aid’s hoof as his own lips quivered.

“You are most welcome, is she doing ok?” Aid asked, Cheesecake nodding briefly.

“She’s with a sitter; and keeps asking about you actually.” the mare remarked with a sniffle, letting Aid go to wipe her eyes.

“I’d-we’d love to have you over for dinner or something. It’s the least we can do. I don’t know what we could to do pay you back for…”

Aid waved off her words with a hoof, shaking his head. “I don’t want any payment of the sort. But I will gladly stop by to see her though.”

The stallion set a small business card on the table, shaking Aid’s hoof again as the mare gave him another hug. “W-we have to get going, but we needed to find and thank you first…”

Aid could only smile, bowing his head as the pair took their leave.
“We’ll be in touch, take care you two.”

As they left, Gabby walked over to Aid and gave his shoulder a nudge.

“I had a feeling something like that would happen.” she mused, then spied the mail on the counter. “Huh. That paper looks odd.”

Moving the newspaper over, the stallion’s eyes widened in shock, promptly sitting down.
“Uh, Gabby?”

Looking over as well, Gabby’s own eyes widened, the gryphoness then letting out a pleasant giggle. “That’s awesome. You look pretty good!” she replied, eyes then focusing on another photo underneath- the pair of them shoulder to shoulder as they walked towards a doctor’s clinic. “Hmm…”

Aid could only stare; the photo carrying with it a simple title.
Hero.

Apparently, a photographer had been nearby when he landed yesterday- because the photo emblazoned across the front page was in perfect clarify for all to see. Crystal wings spread wide, the pony in the photo was holding a hoof across a filly strapped to his chest, sun rays beaming through the gaps in crystal feathers as his helmeted head looked down at the ‘viewer.’

I mean, I look pretty awesome, but this is going to open up a whooooole can of worms.

“Ok, I do look pretty great.” Aid admitted, then scanning the article briefly. It was, thankfully, sparse, just as he had hoped. They only suspected he was the pony; Cheesecake must have asked around to find him specifically. However, the small blurb about possibly courting a gryphoness raised his eyebrows slightly.
“Gabby, I didn’t mean for them to-”

“Aid, shush. We had a lovely date yesterday in the park for lunch, and then dinner in the evening again, and I didn’t care about the odd looks any more than before. Do you really think I’d start to care now? Ok, maybe that’s a bad way to say it, but it’s ok, really.” Gabby butted in, reaching over to give Aid’s hoof a pat.

Her touch brought another topic to the fore, and Aid’s cheeks flushed with a slight blush- sending the gryphon into giggles.
“You ok there, Aid?”

Aid put the paper down, turning to face the cheerful gryphoness with a happy but still slightly nervous smile on his features. “Just…a thought.” he mused. “I mean, we’ve been on a few dates, and have more planned. So…I guess I was kind of wondering, am I your special somepony? And you my special somegriff?”

Gabby paused, head tilting slightly, and a wide smile dawned on her beak.
“I sure hope so…because I thought that’s how it worked.” she admitted, Aid trotting over to sit in front of her.

“Some ponies make it a bigger deal, others, not so much. I just wanted to make sure we’re on the same page.” Aid replied, and his heart fluttered as Gabby nodded eagerly.

“S-sounds like it.”

Aid picked up on the slight stammer- and judging from the blush on Gabby’s grey cheeks, it was a positive sign. Oh, why not. Aid stood up, walking over and planted a simple kiss on Gabby’s beak; immediately making her feathers stand on end.

“I’m glad to have you as my special somegriff, Gabby.” Aid said quietly, golden eyes shining with genuine affection. “You’ve been a fantastic friend, and definitely something more. I’m glad to have you here.”

Gabby wrapped up her coltfriend in a hug, the gryphoness letting out a slight sniffle, then busied herself with nuzzling the top of Aid’s head.
“There’s nowhere else I’d rather be.”
As they pulled apart, Gabby hesitated- then reached down and gave Aid a brief kiss, her own eyes flickering to the floor and then back to him, the stallion blinking in surprise.

“Hmm. This is new.” he mused, then looking to her with the most cheeky and roguish grin Gabby had ever seen. “You know, I’m not too used to my special somecreature having a beak. So, I really might need to practice kisses sometime…”

Gabby’s face lit up, the gryphoness letting out a soft squeak as Aid cackled.
“Aid! Really?!”

The stallion chuckled, letting out a content sigh as he looked at the remainder of the mail, and promptly froze.

“Aid? You alright?” Gabby asked the now stunned stallion; a single piece of parchment having been opened and levitated. “What is it?”

Aid plopped down onto his seat, but the look in his eyes indicated that it wasn’t bad news at all, especially as a quivering smile spread across his face.

“We, at the Royal Canterlot Finance sector, wish to inform you, Mr. Aid Chaser, that your request for alternate payment for patent number 49263 has been accepted, and would like to meet with you at your earliest convenience.” Aid said, his breath then catching in his chest as a hoof-written note caught his eye on the bottom of the declaration.
“W-well done, my little pony. I knew I could trust you. -Princess Celestia.”

Gabby was nearly tackled to the ground by Aid’s hug, the stallion’s carefree laughter echoing off the small shop walls. She returned the gesture- even though the gryphoness had no idea what the parchment was saying. But if Aid was happy…it had to be good.

The stallion let go of the flustered gryphoness, then gestured to the parchment.

“Gabby, I’ve submitted those smaller wings for sale to the royal office for years. What I did also, was include an alternate form of payment. Instead of selling it for money, I’d sell it for something of different value.”

Gabby’s head tilted, Aid rushing upstairs with a few winces to retrieve a stack of papers.

“Gabby, remember what I told you? My dream?” he whispered, gesturing to the pile. “The alternate payment is to let me run a new organization, subsidized by the crown and other sources, as an emergency-response organization. To compliment the ERDF…basically my dream.” Seeing Gabby blink, Aid hoofed over a single sheet of paper, prompting his special somegriff’s eyes to widen.

“Wings of Aid…” she whispered, promptly giggling softly. “Really Aid?”

He blushed, tracing the floor with a hoof.
“I like it….”

Gabby reached over to give the stallion’s shoulder a squeeze, her wings ruffling in thought.
“Hey, if you like the name, I like it. I think it’s cheesy and adorable, and so it fits the founder.”

The pout Aid shot her was enough to send Gabby into giggles, the gryphoness then looking around. “So, you’re the president of a company? Or rather, will be? In addition to this shop?”

Aid nodded, taking a deep breath and sighing.
“Yep. My life just got a lot busier; but in a really good way.”
A thought seemed to cross his mind, and the stallion’s ears flattened.

“Aid?”

He mumbled something, but then finally nodded, looking at the floor.
“I really don’t want to, but I feel like I should at least talk to my parents briefly. I’m dating you, starting a company…I may disagree with them on a lot of things, but they’re still family.”

A soft feathery side pressed against his, and Gabby nodded slowly as he leaned on her shoulder.

“As someone who never knew her family, I’d say that’s a really wise decision.”

Aid winced, getting up and stretching with a grumble.
“Well. Want to come with me before I change my mind about this?”

Gabby was at his side in an instant, the pair making their way down the street towards the high-end residential section of Canterlot.

“I’m already regretting this.” Aid mumbled as he stared at a familiar house with ornate decorations. “I told you how we left things last time? Not exactly on good terms….”

Gabby nodded, sitting next to Aid on the doorstep and looking around.
“Yup. But as you said; they’re family. Maybe they’ll listen, maybe they won’t, but that’s on them. Not on you.”

Aid now managed a smile, head shaking as he glanced over to the thoughtful gryphoness.
“Another reason I like you. You’re just as smart as you are pretty. Well, and happy too.”

The blush on Gabby’s cheeks and a happy chirp that left her beak buoyed Aid’s spirits, and he knocked on the door a few times.

“Well. Here goes nothing.”

The door opened; and instead of a butler, Bit Chaser stood stock still, looking at his son in surprise. As Chenille made her way to Bit’s side, the older stallion nodded slowly.

“Son.”

“Father.”

There was a moment of silence, but Aid finally shook his head.

“There have been some changes in my life, Father, Mother. I thought it proper to inform you myself, rather than let some tabloid or rumor do that for me.” Aid began, then sighing. “I do not regret my last words however; as harsh they may have been.”

Bit stared, the stallion’s lip forming a thin line- and then starting to quiver.
“T-there are many words I regret though.” the proud stallion whispered, gaze sinking to the floor. “You are right not to take back your words, and I…” Bit Chaser raised his head; and for a moment, the pony Aid had grown up with shone through.
“I’m sorry, Son. Your words made me realize quite a few things…”

“We are sorry. I pushed you in all the wrong ways…” Chenille piped up, her own head shaking sadly.

Aid only blinked for a moment- apparently rendered speechless by his parent’s admission.

“I-” he managed to start, then a slight smile managed to edge onto Aid’s features. “Thank you, that’s-I didn’t expect....”

“And yet it shouldn’t be.” Bit’s voice was now bitter, the stallion shaking his head. “It should be normal to converse with one’s child, to recognize a mistake you’ve made, yet all I’ve-”

“We’ve.” Chenille darted in.

“We’ve done is discourage you to do so on all fronts. You were right to pull away.”

Bit managed a slight smile now, looking to Gabby who had remained silent.
“If I may ask, who is this?”

Aid gestured to Gabby, his smile growing noticeably softer.
“Mother, Father, this is Gabriella; She’s…my special somegriff.”

Gabby shook the outstretched hoof of Bit, nodding in greeting.
“Nice to meet you, Mister Chaser, Miss Chaser.”

Bit was now smiling, head shaking slowly back and forth.

“Well, I am pleased to meet you Gabriella. I…am ashamed to say you may know my son more than either of us.”

Gabby saw Aid’s mouth drop open, and the gryphoness nudged him briefly.

“I…would like to remedy that however, even if only marginally.” Bit continued. “I…we don’t understand some of the things you pursue, Son, things that make you happy. But we’ve realized; we should try to understand, even if it’s enough to support you in them.”

Aid recovered enough to nod, still stunned by the change of events.
“W-well, part of the other news is that I now am going to be starting a company. I would greatly appreciate any advice on the matter; and perhaps to catch up as well.”

Bit nodded, weathered features wrinkling slightly in a grateful smile.
“I would like that, Son. Perhaps day after tomorrow for lunch? And of course, Miss Gabriella is invited.”

Aid shook his father’s outstretched hoof, Gabby doing the same.
“I’d…like that.” Aid admitted, his father then looking at a pocket watch and coughing, prompting a smile from the younger stallion.

“I-we won’t keep you; I imagine you have a busy day ahead?” Bit remarked as Aid resisted a wide grin.

“A few things, yes, but I wanted to make time for this. So, day after tomorrow at noon?” Aid asked, pausing as they turned to leave.

Trotting over, he gave each of his parents a hug, leaving them blinking in surprise as Bit nodded.
“S-see you then, Son.” Bit managed to say, Aid and Gabby making their way back to the main street.

“So, not too bad?” Gabby asked as they munched on a pastry, the pair having sat down in a nearby park after grabbing some lunch.

“I’m still in shock, honestly. Of the things I expected, that wasn’t even top fifty of possibilities.” Aid murmured, then looking over to Gabby with a cheeky grin.

“Then again, I wouldn’t have thought a gorgeous gryphoness would be interested in me either.”

Gabby nearly choked on her pasty, her feathers fluffing in a blush.
“Aid. I-I….” she only managed to grumble as the unicorn reached over to rest his head on a feathery shoulder.

“So, maybe we go play some antique shops games before you go run your routes? I then have to stand in line at the Palace for a meeting while you’re doing that.” Aid mused, feeling Gabby nod in agreement.

“And then dinner?” she ventured, prompting an immediate reply.

“Of course.”

Aid was quiet for a moment, then reached over to rest a hoof on Gabby’s claws – which she immediately held.
“And for dessert, some hot chocolate. It’s not in an icy cave, but still….”

Feeling Gabby nuzzle his cheek briefly, Aid couldn’t help but let out a content sigh as the gryphoness’s soft voice reached his ears.
“Icy cave or not, as long as it’s with you, I’d say it’s time well spent.”

Aid was quiet for a moment, then pausing to reach over and give Gabby a kiss on her blushing cheek.
“And I look forward to spending a lot more time with you, however that may be. Be it antiques, hot chocolate, or…” Aid gave her claws a squeeze as best he could.

“Or just like this.”

A happy chirp was Gabby’s reply, the pair relaxing underneath the noonday sun.
And to think, I met you in an icy cave those months ago. I have to say; your company was much more lifting than any cup of hot chocolate…and it still is.

-The End-

Author's Note

And so this story comes to a conclusion! I hope it doesn't come off as too sudden, but if so, I apologize for that. I feel like I COULD drag it on out for the overall idea I had, but I feel it'd be better to end in a concise manner, especially since my focus on this particular story has waned. But I didn't want to just cut off Aid and Gabby's adorable times together!

And so I left it with a nice little inkling of what can come next in their lives, while still having the elements of what I had planned in the future (starting his own organization while dating Gabby.)

Hope everyone has enjoyed this adorable jaunt!
-RB

Chapter Two: Chilling Relations

Taking a deep breath, Aid Chaser looked at the massive grey stone house set among other similarly-extravagant dwellings in one of the many Canterlot Noble districts.
It’s too big, too much wasted space, but if it makes them happy…

Gold gilded both the windows and soaring cream-colored roof edging, drawing attention from the slightly-aging silver paint. The sight of home should have prompted feelings of security and comfort, yet only balled up into a metal orb of anxiety that plopped to the bottom of the stallion’s chest.
I guess that’s how I know it’s time; you shouldn’t feel like this when visiting family.

A simple brown saddlebag hung at Aid’s side, having exchanged the vest back at the apartment. He wouldn’t need the mana crystals, not for this. If he did need such equipment, he knew a few small ‘always-carry’ spells. Magical at-will storage portals were a wonderful, if not expensive thing. Thanks to Discord’s dimension, they were an increasingly common reality, but for Aid’s purpose, they were used specifically for his job.

Well, except for one or two; the result of scrimping and saving a few paychecks.
And to think, I almost didn’t grab the files…

He had been halfway out the door when the impulse was too strong to ignore. Dozens of times had Aid left the packed vanilla folder on the desk- but not today.

I have my own legacy, and if my father refuses to accept that…
The worst part of such a rhetorical question, was that the stallion knew full well what the answer would be.
And yet there was some hope.
But perhaps it’s a fools hope. No, just the hope of a son…

“Ah, Chaser Junior. They’re expecting you.” White Glove greeted Aid at the large wooden door. A simple tunic adorned the grey butler’s barrel, the black and white complimenting the individual’s lighter fur.

“Just aid, Glove. How are you? How’s your son by the way?” Aid asked, walking inside to look at the massive entry hall.
The wood paneled room was easily one and a half stories tall, elaborate paintings of place never visited decorating the cream walls. A few elaborate wooden doors on either side led to the different and smaller wings of the mansion; the dining room and lounge lying dead ahead as a white crystal chandelier dangled near a staircase to their left.

“I’m doing well, Sir. And my son…I can’t t-thank you enough.” The experienced butler’s voice cracked; twenty years of service not able to mask the relief emanating from every pore.

“If you hadn’t insisted he go to the doctor, Pebble wouldn’t have lived through the night. He’s still at the hospital, but should be released within days. It was a sudden onset, if we had been at home I-”

The butler swiped a tear from his brown eyes as Aid gave his shoulder a pat- a far cry from the colt he helped raise on and off for a decade.
“I’m just glad to help, Glove. Now let’s go see my mother and father.”

The butler’s eyes widened as he saw the edges of a stuffed folder peeking out from the saddlebag.
“You meant to go through with it this time?” he asked, receiving a curt nod in reply.
“I can’t delay any longer. This home used to be comforting- but now it is only a place I come to hear my failings. And catch up with an old friend of course.” Aid added, managing a smile to the butler.
“Well, Sir, you have my support of course. I do hope to see you occasionally however.”

Walking into the dining room, Aid’s eyes narrowed slightly on not seeing food already prepared and on the table. That was the unspoken code for ‘we have things to discuss.’

Namely, that would fall into three categories.
Why am I not married to some noble socialite.
Why am I not enrolled in a prestigious school.
Why do I continue to pursue my ‘ shameful’ hobbies.

His parents sat at the end of the rectangular wooden table, the entire room dotted with chairs, couches, and miscellaneous small marble and metal sculptures to project an air of wealth to visitor or business opportunity alike. Aid made his way to the seat to the right of his father, keeping a pleasant expression on his face nonetheless.
Aid took a deep breath, shaking off the depressing tendrils that threatened to invade his thoughts.
I can’t succumb to this shadow any longer. I am not my father….
And perhaps he needs to hear that, concerning Grandfather too.

“Father, Mother. You are looking well.” Aid opened, smiling pleasantly at the pair. He still loved them- but it was a harsh pill to swallow. Having fond memories of a family that no longer existed was a wound that refused to heal.
Maybe I can pull them back to that, eventually.

“And you too, Aid.” Bit Chaser replied, blue eyes scanning his son briefly. The purple stallion was a fit figure- tall and lanky with a long black mane, his build not showing the time usually spent behind a desk and forms. Chenille, Aid’s mother, sat to his right. Her slim white fur still shone with a luster that never seemed to fade- her bright blue mane making her green eyes jump out.

“I hear you had another one of your…hobby excursions.” Bit mused, looking over a notepad in front of him.
“That is correct, and quite a successful one at that.” Aid replied smoothly. Dodging an issue others found to be odd or embarrassing was merely ammunition for opponents.
I suppose all those ‘societal’ classes did pay off.

“I don’t suppose you’ve given any thought to re-enrolling? I know a few academies that would take you in a heartbeat- maybe get another degree in addition to that…other one you have.” Bit continued, not seeming to noticed as his only child looked on sadly.

“No Father, I haven’t. We’ve been over this.” Aid sighed, noticing that while at previous times his mother had clearly been annoyed at Bit’s pressuring, she now only looked on passively, if not a bit curiously.
“Not over it enough apparently. You clearly don’t have your goals straight. You refuse to go into an academy, and every time I mention a favorable mare, you brush me off! That’s hardly the priorities a member of the Chaser family should have!”

Aid’s golden eyes narrowed, a furious fire squashing the submissive retorts that usually would leave his mouth.
“My priorities, father?” he gritted out. A strange tension filled his being; like looking over the edge of a cliff. This was the social plunge per say.
I’ve been expecting it, but that doesn’t make it any easier.

“Yes, your priorities! Why do I have to be the one to explain why my son is galivanting out pretending to be a Pegasus, when he should be helping bolster our family’s name?”
Aid didn’t respond for a moment, a chill almost causing the stallion to shiver as he finally managed to ask the next question.
“Father, do you want me to be happy?”

Bit Chaser stared, completely caught off guard by his son’s genuine words.
“W-what?”
“Do you want me to be happy? Yes or no.” Aid asked, voice now dropping to a whisper. He saw White Glove ease out of the room with a wince.
He knows, as do I.

“Every parent wants their offspring to be happy! I also want you to make our family’s name memorable again!” Bit replied with a dismissive wave- but Aid didn’t notice how his father refused to meet his gaze.

“That’s not a direct answer, father.” Aid continued, now getting out of his chair. If he stayed seated, he wasn’t sure if he’d be able to get up afterward

“Do you want me to be happy, even if that means not making our name known among noble circles?” he continued, looking at both of his parents as they stared back at him in shock.
The silence was as deafening an answer as any yell or scream.

Reaching into his side bags, Aid Chaser pulled out the large folder and walked over to place it in front of his father. Taking out the top sheet, the grown stallion felt his limbs shaking as he slid the sheet over. Emblazoned on the front was the golden seal of the two sisters, along with a formal signed certificate underneath a short few written sentences.
“Would it memorialize our name, father, if you knew that your son had received the blessing of Princess Celestia herself?
An admission of what exactly that entails- but that’s not necessary for this.

Looking over the sheet briefly, Bit let out a loud laugh, demeanor completely and abruptly shifting as he nodding his head and grinned wildly.
“This is real?! My goodness son, why didn’t you say anything sooner? I had no idea- a royal certificate from the Princess? I want to know everything! How did you get this? No matter how you did it, I’m so proud of you for it!”
Of all the things you could have said, why that?

What should have been pleasant validation rose from Aid Chaser’s heart, turning to ash in his chest.
“Is that what it took, Father?” Aid asked, feeling a bit of emotion begin to choke his words and threatening to rise up to the stallion’s eyes.
“Hmm?”
Pointing a hoof towards the paper, Aid’s eyes narrowed as anger began to mix with grief, the volatile mix making his stomach churn.

“Is that what it took, for you to say that you’re proud of me? A signed piece of paper from a princess? I would have gotten it earlier if I had known that. There were so many times I could have used those words.” The stallion replied, his parents staring at him curiously.
“What are you talking about?” Bit asked, even as the nervous twitching of one of his ears signified an inner realization.

“You’ve changed, Father.” Aid growled, horn sparking with a bit of latent magic as he spoke.

“Did you even realize your own loyal butler of twenty years has a son who was near death but two weeks ago, now currently in the hospital? Do you even know what your son does for a living?” Aid asked, voice rising slightly.

“Do you lump all of my actions into a bin, labeling it as ‘shameful son,’ to all of the fellow nobles you talk to? Running an enchantment shop, helping ponies; I am not carrying on this family’s legacy, not in the way you want to. You chose to try and climb out from Grandfather’s shadow instead of making your own- and that has consumed you.”

“Now just wait a minute!” Bit called out, standing up and staring down his son.

“No, YOU listen! For one time when we meet can you listen to what your son has to say? I have listened quietly long enough!” Aid replied, glaring at his father. The older pony’s eyes widened in shock as he sat back down- never having heard his son speak in such a manner.

“Just because you cannot leave the shadow of your father’s actions, doesn’t mean I have to follow in your hooves. I have my own legacy, Father, one of which I am proud of, and that you helped start me on.”

Bit, now clearly angry as his cheeks lit up with a flush, stabbed a hoof towards his son accusingly.
“Legacy? Of what? Helping commoners? Enchanting pencils and charms? Pretending to be a Pegasus? That is not the sort of legacy I want for my son!”

The last piece of hope fell from Aid’s heart, the unicorn opening the vanilla folder and scattering the dozens of documents across the table.
“But that’s the legacy I want for myself, one you helped me form.”
Aid saw his father’s eyes widen as he saw the titles of the newspaper articles, and continued to speak.

“When I was a young colt, before the scandal with Grandfather, you took me to soup kitchens, homeless shelters, and taught me the value of helping the common pony. The slogan of your business was ‘helping everypony, one bit at a time.’ Do you remember that?
I’ve been growing my own legacy, Father. It just hasn’t been written about in the Canterlot Times.”

Bit shook his head slowly, looking up at his son with a confusion that was beginning to counter the anger.
“You changed after that youth trip to the Gryphon Kingdoms; a cute-ceañera gift I’ve always regretted giving.” he muttered.

“I saw the world as it is, Father. I saw the poor, the destitute, and the neglected. I saw a world that needed help, not one that is gilded in gold and hiding behind parties and snobbery.” Aid countered, sides now shaking with barely contained sobs.

“I can’t thank you enough for that trip- one of the last things you did to support me.”
“I’ve never said anything against your actions in public!” Bit hissed, anger then fizzling as the stallion's eyes widened in shock, his son glaring back with a damp and tearful expression of sorrow.

“But you never said anything in support either, not to anyone, and certainly not to me.” Aid replied, head shaking slowly.
“Never a word of why I woke up screaming at night when I stayed here for a week last year. You never even asked why then didn’t visit for months afterwards. Not even a single question of why your son was in the hospital, and then therapy for months. Nothing.”

That’s it then.
Seeing his father’s shocked expression, Aid stood a bit taller, gesturing to the newspaper articles.
“Read those, Father. That is my legacy. Sometimes I feel cursed, forced into this path. It would have been nice to know my parents were supportive of it all, since I’ve had my own doubts. Yet all I have heard from you is disapproval and silence.”

“We just want what is best for you.” Chenille finally piped up, prompting Aid to shake his head.
“I wish I could believe that. I did, once…”

A chirping suddenly interrupted their meeting, prompting Aid to let out a sigh, tapping his left wrist with a telekinetic bump of magic. A hidden crystal bracelet appeared, having been hidden by a high-level concealment spell.
"Dispatch, this is really not a good time.” Aid spoke into the crystal communicator, heart nearly stopping as a kind yet stern voice spoke back.

“I understand, Aid Chaser, but this is urgent. Feel free to increase the volume on your communicator to give reason to any listening parties the necessity of the interruption.” Princess Celestia continued, prompting Aid to instantly broadcast the incoming message at a volume easily heard by his parents.

“Your highness?! I- sorry for that. I’m at your service.” Aid replied, sitting down in shock.
Odd; usually she goes through the emergency dispatch center…

“A first response team is already on location, but they have requested you specifically.” Celestia continued, even as Bit and Chenille stared in complete and utter shock as their son spoke with the leader of their nation.

“The Gryphon Empire is currently experiencing a freak blizzard in their northern provinces. Dispatch will give you the details, but I thought it best to inform you that this will be an international incident, and requires the utmost urgency. Transportation runes have been cleared for use by the Gryphon government. Good luck.”

The communicator blinked off, Aid immediately retrieving a piece of chalk from his saddlebag and sketching a large pattern on the floor.
“Dispatch here; Rerouting call from Team Leader Wind Shear.”
Wind Shear? Uh oh, this is worse than I thought.
“Aid? You there?” Wind’s voice was barely audible through the howling gale in the background.

“I’ve got eight gryphons and four ponies slowly freezing to death here! The two other unicorns I’ve got here can barely keep the wind from carrying every-creature away! I need you to get here and stabilize the victims, keep them warm and alive! Nopony else can multitask like you! Oh horsefeathers- PUSH THOSE CLOUDS AROUND! YES, THAT WAY! Aid, get here NOW! Temperature is well below zero, high winds, uneven footing. Oh crud, here comes another-“

His voice cut out, the cool and calm tone of a mare in the central dispatch center returning to the fore.
“Advise when we can begin teleportation, standing by.”

His horn lighting up- Aid triggered a simple spell, nodding as a bright orange vest emblazoned with two medical crosses dropped out of the magical storage portal in front of him. Embedded with numerous hoof-sized mana crystals, the emergency garment gave Aid a much-needed boost for such events. Similar to his wings and other vest, this piece contained the highest quality gems available- personally approved and funded gear from a certain Alicorn.

One of the few individuals to believe in what I can do, what I’m meantto do, despite one brief meeting.

Bit and Chenille continued to stare as their son’s horn lit up, yanking more orange bags from magical portals that flared into existence. Two large orange medical duffels thudded to the floor, and Aid quickly began to pull on a heated suit to cover most of his extremities.

Warming suits, emergency blankets, personal emergency pack, bandages, trauma kit, beacon… Aid checked off the list in his mind as the appropriate bags were levitated next to him.

“Y-you…the Princess.” Aid’s father stammered as his son continued to wrap himself in insulating clothing. A matching helmet now settled onto Aid’s head, encompassing his horn while bearing the royal seal of the Two Sisters on the sides. A half-mask of thick black cloth now hung from under Aid’s mouth, carrying with it an embedded communications crystal.

“I help Ponies, Father. Ponies, gryphons, whoever needs it. You never bothered to listen when I tried to explain how, why, or by who’s authority.” Aid said, a bit of bitterness tinging his voice.

“That’s my job, what I have to do, even if I fail. What other choice do I have? Just ignore what I’m meant to do? Let innocent creatures suffer while I blissfully push it all aside?” he asked, looking at his parents for a moment. The unicorn’s eyes shone with regretful tears, aid then putting on some protective goggles.
“All I’ve wanted is some support for what I feel my duty is, Father, Mother. Support for when I fail, and joy for when I succeed.”

The stallion then shook his head, taking a few deep breaths.
What is done is done. Lives are at stake.
“Aid Chaser, Team One, ready for deployment. Activating emergency beacon now.” Aid called out, levitating the two heavy bags onto his sides. A small white crystal on the left shoulder of his vest began to strobe on and off- providing a visual and magical beacon for fellow responders.

“Confirmed, stand by for runic teleportation lock….initiating now.” Dispatch called out as the inscription began to glow white around the pony.
Twelve lives. Twelve creatures I can help save.
A familiar but always-odd buzz ran down his spine and centered on Aid’s cutie mark, cementing his determined thoughts.
This is my legacy, one that I’m proud of, even if others are not.

Bit and Chenille stared as their son stood proud, black and gold mane waving in an arcane wind. Gone was the quiet pony who had oft sat at their table and shaken his head at their suggestions and pointed recommendations. Instead, the stallion in front of them seemed to project confidence and assurance, the entire event seeming to be nothing out of the ordinary for him. Only now did they see the emblazoned words surrounding the medical crosses on his vest and saddlebags.
‘Equestrian Disaster Response Force’

And then he was gone, the only sign of Aid Chaser being the slight dulling of the marble floors from where the chalk outlines had superficially marked the stone.

It took a good minute for Bit Chaser to recover, slowly looking at the articles still scattered across the table. White Glove came back into the room, standing near the door as he always did.

A few of the articles held a picture of a familiar proud unicorn- helmet and signature vest visible even in black and white etching. Most however had a standard image of helmeted ponies helping other creatures out of various situations, Aid not able to be picked out from the others.

‘EDRF helps remote village after devastating floods- dozens saved.

‘Once thought of as a useless organization, the Disaster Response Force has once again proven their worth as the Kirin Government requested aid for a lost and likely injured foraging party, further cementing relations as they were successfully retrieved.’

‘Quick acting EDRF Unicorn saves lost tour group from underwater peril, keeping a water breathing spell active for three hours after the cave exploration became trapped by a flash flood.

‘EDRF team refuses interviews and public awards, a spokespony stating ‘We aren’t here to be displayed in public. Just let us save creatures without all the fuss.’

Bit then examined the royal certificate- his breath catching slightly.
‘This certificate grants the recipient, Aid Chaser, full authorization to use Priority-Level Flight Spell Eighty-Seven in case of extreme emergency. The writer further wishes to commend this pony for his unfailing desire to pursue a dream and methods to help other creatures, despite extreme opposition and the burden stemming from such.
-Princess Celestia.’

After his wife read the note, Bit could only stare at his son’s legacy, but a portion of it arrayed out in front of him. A final newspaper clipping caught his eye- this one dated early last year. As Bit Chaser read, the unicorn’s heart dropped, the disturbing tendrils of regret eating into his mind. The weight of a father who had failed his son began to crack his stubborn resolve, a disturbing unease churning in his heart.

‘EDRF team responds to stranded climbers- all saved except for one. One member of the EDRF was severely wounded.’

“White Glove?” Bit asked, voice shaking ever so slightly.
“Was- is my son right? About us? About me?”
The loyal butler didn’t respond at first, finally letting out a sigh.
“Sir, the fact that I must ask if the answer I give will impact my employment should be an answer enough. Were we not once close friends where I could give an answer freely?” the pony replied, no malice present in his tone, only regret.

“Please clear my schedule today and tomorrow, White Glove. If there’s any visiting creatures for upcoming meetings, set them up with a complimentary hotel suite if that avoids any fuss. Please feel free to take half the day off tomorrow as well, but…I may ask for your advice.” Bit Chaser relayed, looking over as his wife let out a sniffle, having read the same article he just did.
“Dear?”
She pointed to the aforementioned piece, a few tears in her eyes as the mare then gestured to the still-fading rune circle.

“We don’t know our son anymore, Bit. I’m afraid that has caused us to fail him in some way. I think it has caused us to...”
Bit couldn’t bring himself to agree, not with words at least. A slight nod was all the stubborn stallion could muster, shoulders sagging as realization continued to weigh heavily on his mind.
“Who are you, Son?”

Author's Note

The societal hammer drops, and we learn exactly what Aid Chaser does for a living (well, part of the time.)
I know there's a lot unanswered, but I assure you, those questions will be resolved in time!
(I had this chapter already written- so not sure when the next one will come out.)