Chapters Prologue: Gallus' Dark Past
Author's Note
Today's my birthday!
Prologue: Gallus' Dark Past
Gallus didn't remember much about the incident besides the way his paws pounded on the dirt, running from a family that were nothing but a blur in his head now. He remembered the voice of his father telling him to steal from the new baker. Gilda, he believed her name was.
Gallus refused, and he remembered his father's talon slapping him across the face. He fell face first into the dirt. In the chaos of his "family" screeching at each other, Gallus couldn't remember if his father wanted him to come back, or if he never wanted to see him again. Gallus wasn't concerned about that.
He remembered a dear childhood friend that lived on her own, a black and white griffon named Sheila. They hadn't spoken to each other in a few weeks, but Gallus was hoping to stay there. As he was flying, he saw Sheila's small hay hut. Gallus dropped from the sky and landed at her doorstep, knocking on the door.
He felt the silence of Griffonstone lingering over him, the fear of his "family" coming back was starting to take over when the door swung open.
"Gallus?" Sheila whispered, staring at him with her aquagreen eyes. "What are you doing here?"
"My family got into a huge fight, and I can't stay with them." Gallus sighed. "Can I stay here for the night?"
"Oh Gally, you can stay here for as long as you need." Sheila hugged Gallus before pulling away. "Come in."
Gallus flew inside and closed his friend's door, his heart soaring at the thought of never having to deal with them again. He landed on Sheila's couch, holding one of her pillows and taking deep breaths.
"Oh, you don't need to hold one of the pillows, silly!" Sheila giggled.
"S-Sorry, it just helps me when-"
Sheila climbed onto the couch, pushing the pillow out of Gallus' grip and onto the floor. Before Gallus could move his arms, Sheila sprawled on the couch and tucked her head into the space between his arms where the pillow used to be. She closed her eyes, listening to the quickened beat of Gallus' heart.
"Better?" Sheila asked.
"A little." Gallus replied, looking at the ceiling. "You could've just asked if you wanted to cuddle."
"And what fun would there be in that?" Sheila smirked. "The best kind of affections aren't asked for, they just happen. Like this!"
Sheila lurched forward and briefly pressed her beak against Gallus' in a fleeting kiss. Gallus felt something twist in his belly, a weird feeling of fear mixed with the heat that came with Sheila's body being pressed against his own.
Did he make the right decision? Of course he did, where else could he go?
Gallus gave into his instincts and pressed his beak against Sheila's, allowing his tongue to slip into her beak. Sheila placed both her talons on Gallus and kept his head in place, wiggling her tail in excitement. As the two griffons were having fun, the night slipped away and after they were done, they fell asleep.
It was the same routine for several weeks: Sheila would go to work, Gallus would leave the house to search for jobs, and the two would return home and have intimate moments together. For Gallus to ask for safety, and receive that and so much more? It was heaven for him.
One night, as he was resting on the couch, he heard a knock on the door. He flipped his body off the couch, and was about to walk towards the door when Sheila flew out of the kitchen. She beat him to the door, cracking it open.
Before the other griffon could speak, Sheila pushed herself outside and closed the door. Gallus walked to the door and attempted to push it open. No such luck, the door wouldn't budge.
"What the hell is going on?" Gallus felt the fear returning, seeping from his heart to his brain and his legs. Why was he trapped here? What was Sheila hiding? Why why why why-
Sheila walked back inside and closed the door behind her.
"Babe, are you okay?!" Sheila wrapped her arms around Gallus.
"Who was at the door?!" Gallus panicked.
"It was just the mail-griffon, he brought a package to the wrong address." Sheila reassured him. "It's okay, no griffon is coming to hurt you."
That wasn't it, Gallus had no fear towards the unknown griffon on the other side of the door.
"Why was the door locked?" Gallus asked. "Why couldn't I speak to him myself?"
"He was an ex of mine, I didn't want him to bother you." Sheila pulled away. "I'm sorry I didn't tell you."
"It's...it's fine. I trust you." Gallus lied, no longer hyperventilating.
He stepped closer to Sheila, pressing his beak against her's. He prodded his tongue at her beak, remembering the intimacy that always calmed him down and made him feel safe. Loved.
Sheila moved back.
"Not tonight, babe." Sheila ruffled Gallus' head feathers. "Get some sleep."
"Oh, okay." Gallus nodded, assuming his position on the couch. Sheila patted his head, flying away from the couch and into her room. Gallus felt a tiny flash of his anxiety, still thudding away in his chest. But he was fine now. After all, Sheila wasn't always going to be in the mood. It was fine.
Turns out, this period of "not being in the mood" was more than just a phase. Their routine had changed over time, where Sheila insisted that Gallus didn't need to look for jobs, Gallus would give in and stay home, and Sheila would come back from work. Gallus would stay up till late, receive a cuddle and kiss, and then go to bed, with the anxiety growing like constricting vines in his chest.
"There's nothing wrong." Gallus told himself, alone on the couch. "Sheila loves me, and I love her. She cares about me, that's all I need right?"
It eventually got to a point where Gallus didn't even want to leave Sheila's hut, the thought of it giving him an anxiety attack after another. He would barely eat the food Sheila prepared for him, and he no longer stayed up late. Instead, he went to bed in the early evening or even late afternoon.
One afternoon, as he was preparing to go to bed after eating only one muffin, he stopped and thought about the escalating anxiety. This had to stop, he couldn't live like this any longer.
He felt horrible, tears rolling down his face for the fourth time that day. Sheila had been nothing but good to him, so why did he feel this way?
Gallus spend the hours he had before Sheila arrived to clean her hut from top to bottom. It was the least he could do for her. Gallus could only hope that she'd be understanding as she's always been.
He heard the door close as he was dusting her table, and he dropped the duster and looked at her exhausted state.
"Oof, boss was being a real bitch today." Sheila grunted. "Honey, what's wrong? You look like you've seen a ghost."
"I just wanted to let you know, that I've been thinking about a lot of things." Gallus admitted. "I'm grateful for all that you've done for me, I'll always be. But, I don't think this is working out for me anymore."
"What isn't working?"
"Living here, with you." Gallus sighed. "I don't feel like I'm in a real relationship with you anymore, and if I stay here with you, I'll never grow as a griffon. I care about you Sheila, and I want to support you as your friend. I just need to spread my wings."
Sheila was frozen, her beak gaping open before she spoke.
"Is this cause I don't put out for you?" Sheila glared. "You really need to fuck me so I can keep you?"
"What? No! You don't own me!" Gallus gasped. "And it's not like that! I wanted to love you in every way possible, but you keep pushing me away! I don't want to live like this!"
"Live like what? Under a roof where you're fed and taken care of?" Sheila snapped. "And all I ask is for you to love me in return, and you can't even do that?"
"Not if it only goes one way! I want to be loved too." Gallus frowned.
"By who? No one is going to care about you like I do." Sheila said. "We go way back, Gallus. This is just a rough patch, we need each other."
"Is that why you didn't want me to get a job? Is that why you sent every visitor away from our home?" Gallus growled. "You wanted me to be dependent on you, didn't you? You never wanted me to grow up and leave!"
"Gallus, don't. I love you." Sheila begged, on the verge of tears.
"Your crying isn't going to work this time!" Gallus snapped. "I'm done being your prisoner, now I need you to move."
Gallus walked towards Sheila, who was standing in the way of the door.
"Sheila, please. You need to move, you can't keep me here." Gallus stated. "I don't want to push you."
"Y-You're not leaving, you'll have nothing without me." Sheila dug her talons into the carpet. "You touch me and I'll scream for help."
"They'll know that you were trapping me here." Gallus said. "And even if they don't, I'd rather be behind bars then here with you. Move."
"NO!" Sheila puffed her chest, glaring daggers into Gallus' eyes. "You need me!"
"Like hell I do!" Gallus began pushing Sheila with all his strength. "Let me go!"
"That griffon? It wasn't an ex by the way, it was your father. I sent him away."
"What?"
In that moment that Gallus was distracted, Sheila stepped back in front of Gallus and shoved her entire body mass against him, sending him crashing into the wall and breaking a hole in it. Gallus felt his world spinning when he heard something being dragged across the carpet. He tried to move, but his limbs wouldn't let him.
After several agonizing minutes, Gallus stood up and saw Sheila moving the table in front of the door. He looked at the window, and knew what he had to do.
He quietly spread his wings from his body and lunged at the window, shattering it into pieces. He ignored the blood rolling down his face, flying away from the hut.
"NO!" Sheila screamed. "H-HELP, AN INTRUDER BROKE MY WINDOW!"
Gallus groaned, flying as far from the scene as he could. He prayed that this whole thing would blow over, and he could live the life he wanted to. However, he wasn't going to look for another place to stay again. He couldn't afford another Sheila situation happening again.
Months later
After Gallus managed to explain his situation to the authorities the morning after the fight, they let him off with a warning.
"And I won't have to see her again?" Gallus asked.
"Nope, so long as you avoid talking to her. And we'll tell her to do the same. You should be good." the officer said.
Gallus blushed at the memory he had of hugging the officer and flying away. It was the last good memory he had. Now? He was homeless, never keeping a job for long. Either the managers would refuse to employ a homeless creature, or word about his incident with Sheila would reach to them. They'd tell Gallus that they didn't want a "troublemaker" or a "threat to females" as an employee.
Gallus felt like he was running out of luck, barely finding enough to eat each night. The only miracle was that he never saw Sheila again.
He was sleeping in an alleyway far away from her hut when he felt something prod his head.
"Up, you hobo bird!"
"Huh? Grampa Gruff?" Gallus opened his eyes. "Unless you're here to give me food, let me go back to sleep."
"I have something even better, how would you like to move to a room in Ponyville for free?"
Gallus woke up like a bucket of ice water was dumped onto him. He sat up and stared at Grampa Gruff like an owl.
"Are you serious?"
"Yep, I'm looking for a griffon to represent us at Twilight's new School of Friendship." Grandpa Gruff explained. "Become a student, and the free shelter and food in Ponyville is yours."
"Ponies?" Gallus stammered.
"Yeah, maybe you'll get along with them better. You've never been like us griffons." Grampa Gruff shrugged.
Maybe that's a good thing.
"Okay, I'll go."
"Good, one less bum in this alleyway." Grampa Gruff huffed. "Meet me at the train station tomorrow morning, we'll take the first train out to Ponyville."
Grampa Gruff flew out of the alleyway. As soon as he was out of sight, Gallus wiggled his rump and grinned like a puppy. For the first time in months, he felt life pulsing inside him from the tips of his toes to his cheeks.
Tomorrow, he would be in Ponyville.
It felt liberating.
Gallus had never met a pony in his life, but he had heard of two of them coming to Griffonstone. He even heard that they helped Gilda get her current job. If they preferred that instead of stealing, they must be good creatures.
Gallus could barely sleep through the excitement pulsing through him. Any life that Ponyville would provide him had to be better than this!
When the sun had barely revealed itself over the trees, Gallus got off the cement and took flight. He reached the train station in less than five minutes, grinning and waiting next to the train tracks.
He was early; of course he was early. If somebody offered you a magical ticket outside of your current living situation, would you take your time to decide?
Gallus felt the anxiety blend within his excitement, noticing Grampa Gruff's absence for the past five minutes. Perhaps the old bird was just taking his time with his cereal...
Or maybe he fell out of his chair, and broke something. What if he found a better student than Gallus? Some creature friendlier, or less anxious? What if he was stuck here, with Sheila?
"No no no no, breathe." Gallus took deep breaths. "She can't manipulate me anymore, I'm going to a much happier place."
"Yep, so ridiculously gay that these creatures shoot cotton candy rainbows out of their asses."
Gallus looked behind him, and saw Grampa Gruff landing on the wooden platform of the train station.
"What...are cotton candy rainbows?" Gallus asked.
"Rainbows made out of cotton candy, duh." Grampa Gruff rolled his eyes. "I guess I'm supposed to give you a brief rundown of what this Friendship baloney is going to be like. Do you know what friendship is?"
"I think so." Gallus thought of Sheila, a prickle of fear poking at him. "But I think what I experienced wasn't real friendship. She was very controlling. That's not real friendship, is it?"
"Hell no." Grampa Gruff replied. "It's the gayest shit I've ever seen, they make friendship bracelets, cookies, and sing under the rainbow. I...I think, I'm mostly recounting Gilda's experience last time she went there. I suppose she didn't like it all that much."
"Oh, why's that?" Gallus asked.
"Something about being harassed by multiple ponies at a party, to the point where she had to leave." Grampa Gruff shrugged. "She seems to be on good terms with some of them now, but she doesn't plan on going back there."
"Not to mention, that pink mare told me about the time a zebra came to Ponyville! Oh goodness, the ponies would bolt into their homes!" Grampa Gruff laughed. "But this Twilight seems determined to change all this, ever since she and her friends saved Canterlot. That's what she told me, anyways."
Gallus barely heard the last thing he said, his mind racing over the fifty possible ways that Ponyville would shun him on sight. What if Twilight was the only one trying to make a change, and all the other ponies wouldn't give a shit?
"Hey, don't look so bug-eyed, alright? Twilight and her friends are the most friendly little poofballs I've ever met in my life." Grampa Gruff rubbed Gallus' head feathers. "Maybe a little too friendly, but still. They saved Equestria multiple times and shit."
Before Gallus could ask Grampa Gruff to elaborate, he saw the train arriving. The door opened, allowing a few grumpy griffons to fly out into the baked-heat of Griffonstone. Gallus felt his heart beat at the thought of leaving the heat, the emptiness, and all the griffons behind him. Hopefully for good.
Grampa Gruff and Gallus flew onto the train and sat on seats far away from each other. Gallus' heart sank a little as Grampa Gruff laid down and turned his back to him. He still had so many questions about Twilight and her friends!
What are her friends like? Were they the ones that harassed Gilda? Ran away from the zebra? How would they react to me?
It didn't help that Gallus considered himself a good-hearted creature that fell into the trap of a manipulative friend. What if Twilight was exactly like him, trying to do the right thing, but being hindered by those closest to her?
No, that can't be right. She's saved Equestria alongside them!
Gallus felt his racing mind slowing down, blinking at the seat below him. Perhaps he should be well-rested for the new life ahead of him.
Just rest, trust Grampa Gruff and Twilight. Life is going to get better for you now that she's gone. Trust me.
The nap was great, but as Gallus realized upon waking up, there was no food offered to him on the train ride. It wasn't anything he wasn't used to, but the growling in his stomach left a sour taste.
"Gruff?"
"What?" Grampa Gruff asked, getting up from his nap.
"Do you know how the food is in Ponyville?"
"Sort of." Grampa Gruff replied. "The pink mare, Pinkie, was the one to teach Gilda how to make some decent food. If Gilda's baked goods are half as good as Ponyville's, then you're in luck. You're going to find out very soon."
"What do you mean?"
"We're here, you goof."
Gallus leapt off his seat and looked at the window above his seat, exposing himself to the bright and pastel colors of Ponyville. He walked out of the train and onto the train station platform, taking in the cool air.
In the distance, he saw two fillies kicking a ball around, squealing and laughing. Gallus felt an oncoming warmth flooding into his chest as he grinned. One filly caught the ball, looking at the griffin.
"Come play with us!" the filly giggled.
Gallus didn't hesitate, jumping off the train station platform and catching the ball that was kicked towards him. He jumped, using his back paw to kick the ball into the space between the two fillies. They both took off after the ball.
"What in the hay are you doing with my daughters?!"
It was a white mare with dark green eyes and a mane the color of dark roses, slightly taller than Gallus. Gallus sat on his haunches and gulped as the mare approached him.
"They invited me to play, ma'am." Gallus frowned. "I, uh..."
"They're supposed to play with colts and fillies, not whatever kind of abomination you are! What even are you?" the mare's face was inches away from Gallus'.
"I think that's enough, Ivory Thorns."
Gallus looked behind him, and saw an elegant lavender pony with a horn and wings. She wasn't as tall as Ivory Thorns, but the earth pony shrunk back nonetheless.
"Princess T-Twilight, I don't know what this creature is! I was worried for my foals!" Ivory stammered.
"He's a griffon, so now you know." Twilight narrowed her eyes. "He's a student of mine, so you can trust him."
"But what if I don't want him around my foals?" Ivory protested.
"Cause he's not a pony?"
"Not necessarily, he's got such sharp talons and b-beak..."
"And we have such rough hooves, and powerful magic." Twilight retorted. "There'll be more creatures coming here to attend my school, and I expect you and everypony else to treat them with the utmost respect. Understood?"
"Y-Yes, Princess Twilight." Ivory looked at the ground. "Candy! Pebble! Playtime is over, come back here!"
"Yes Mommy!" they shouted in unison, tumbling towards their mother with the ball. Ivory kicked the ball in the direction of their house, and the family of three left.
"Sorry about that, they moved here recently, so they don't know about all the different creatures that come to Ponyville." Twilight grinned. "So you must be the representative of Griffons for my School of Friendship!"
"Yep, that's me." Gallus looked at the train, watching Grampa Gruff slowly walk off the train station platform.
"I'm so excited!" Twilight sat on her haunches, clapping her hooves. "You'll be learning about Honesty, Generosity, Loyalty, Laughter, Kindness, and Magic!"
"Did you say there were other creatures?" Gallus asked.
"Yup!" Twilight chirped. "Yaks, hippogriffs, changelings, dragons, and lots of ponies! It'll be sure to change your perspective!"
"See what I told ya, these ponies are gay." Grampa Gruff laughed, roughly placing a claw on Gallus' shoulder.
"I think you mean ta say happy, using gay in that context is a little old-fashioned, don't ya think?"
Gallus looked over Twilight's shoulder, spotting the speaker as an orange earth pony with a brown stetson hat.
"Ah yes, the biggest lesbian of them all. How's shagging your unicorn friend going?" Grampa Gruff mocked the orange mare.
"We talked about this, Grampa Gruff. None of your rude remarks will be tolerated around me, my friends, or my school." Twilight stomped her hoof.
"Fine, geez!" Grampa Gruff snapped. "I'll keep my mouth shut."
Gay? Lesbian? No one ever told Gallus what that even meant, he felt like he might've heard his birth father sneer the latter at a pair of griffons once. Gallus wanted to ask, but he felt embarrassed to do so in front of all these ponies.
"What's wrong, Gallus?" Twilight asked.
"Um, it's nothing. Just Grampa Gruff being an asshole, that's all." Gallus lied. Grampa Gruff glared at Gallus before looking away.
"My name's Applejack." the orange mare approached Gallus, sticking her hoof out. "Element of Honesty, dear friend of Twilight Sparkle here, nice to meet ya."
What is shagging, and how does Grampa Gruff know that Applejack is doing it with her unicorn friend?
"Oh, u-uh, nice to meet you too!" Gallus grabbed Applejack's hoof and shook it briefly. "Where are the other Elements?"
"Back at the School of Friendship, talking to the other creatures and their guardians. You're the last to arrive, new bird." Applejack grinned.
"Come with us, we're about to open the doors of the School of Friendship!" Twilight beamed. "Everypony, I mean, creature, is waiting!"
Gallus felt his heart pounding as he followed the two mares galloping towards the beautiful purple building surrounded by water from the waterfalls. Surrounding the door was dozens of ponies mixed in with several other creatures. Gallus' new life was within reach, awaiting adventures and discoveries that even the blue griffon could not fully comprehend.
It was about to begin.
The doors opened, and Gallus flew to the corner of the main room, standing behind one of the pillars. The amount of ponies in one room felt...intense.
Twilight made her confident stride to the center of the room, where she introduced herself as Headmare. She instructed the students to see the guidance counselor to sign in and receive their class schedules.
Gallus looked at the pink unicorn, and noticed the welcoming demeanor she held from the softness in her eyes, her smile, and the gentle wave of her hoof.
Bonk!
Gallus nearly fell as he felt some creature bump into him. He caught his footing just as he heard the creature talking to him.
"Whoa, sorry. I'm Sandbar, are you a student here too?"
Gallus turned to face the light green pony, with many different shades of green from the lightness in his eyes to the dark multiple shades of his mane. He looked like a beautiful garden in the form of a pony.
It was when he was taking in these details that he realized that he hadn't spoken a word. He was staring agape at the first pony student he met.
Shit, say something you dumb fuck!
âNo, I thought I'd just randomly stand here and see how many ponies would walk into me.â Gallus huffed, blowing his head feathers into place.
Sandbar simply looked at him, his smile not fading in the slightest at Gallusâ weird introduction. The silence, among the undeterred look that Sandbar gave him, was causing Gallus to blush. He opened his mouth to spea-
âGallus!â
There goes the smile, Sandbar frowned at the loud voice calling the griffonâs name. Not waiting for a response, Gallus walked past him and towards Grandpa Gruff.
âGrandpa Gruff, whatâre you doing here?â Rainbow Dash asked.
âCame all the way from Griffonstone to introduce...Gallus.â Grandpa Gruff said with a dramatic wave of his claw.
As he was speaking, Gallus recognized the blue rainbow-maned pegasus in front of him.
âRainbow Dash?â Gallus asked. âYouâre a teacher? Huh, Gilda told me about you, thought youâd be cooler.â
âWhat the buck?â Rainbow Dash growled. âWhat kind of smart-mouthed griffon did you bring to our school, Grandpa Gruff?â
âHehe.â Grandpa Gruff snickered. âHeâs your problem now, pony.â
Gallus smirked, reveling in their conversation. The griffons back at Griffonstone were used to his sarcastic comments, but ponies? They were innocent little poofballs, according to Grandpa Gruff. Messing with them could be a lot of fun.
Rainbow Dash gave Gallus a cross look before flying past him.
âWell, I best be taking my leave. Iâll be back for the Friends and Family mumbo jumbo that Twilight told me about to see your progress.â Grandpa Gruff patted Gallusâ shoulder. âSee ya.â
âUm, thanks by the way.â Gallus said, looking away. âFor everything.â
âDonât mention it, kid.â Grandpa Gruff said. He flew out the door, leaving Gallus by himself.
There were so many things going on at once: a big brown creature was stumbling into the pillars of the building, losing her footing, a skinny pony-like bug was running away from...another griffon? No, she had hooves at the ends of her legs instead of paws. Wha?
The pony-like bug that Gallus was unfamiliar with abruptly turned into another pony, hiding in the crowds. The griffon-like creature stopped and looked around the room, eventually landing her gaze on Gallus.
âWhoa!!â she shouted. âAre you another hippogriff?!â
Great griffons above, she was the shrillest creature Gallus had ever heard! Definitely not a griffon.
âUh, no.â Gallus muttered. âGriffon, I got paws instead of hooves. See?â
He sat on his haunches and extended his paws out for the hippogriff to see. She flew right above his legs and felt his paws with her talons.
Her face being inches away from his face and...other body parts, made heat spread throughout his body. Does this girl not know boundaries? She reminded him ofâŚ
Donât think about her right now. Todayâs your chance to start over.
âIâm Gallus, by the way.â Gallus broke the silence.
âSilverstream!â the hippogriff held out her other talon, shaking Gallusâ. âThanks for letting me feel your paws.â
Hopefully thatâs the only thing you feel from me.
âN-No problem.â Gallus got up. âIâm gonna go check in registration now.â
âOh my goodness, I almost forgot about that! Where is it again?â Silverstream asked. âNevermind that, Iâll just follow you!â
âCool.â Gallus said, looking at the pink unicorn again. The line in front of her was a long one, so long that Gallus considered meeting other creatures while the line dwindled.
âI, um, will probably wait actually.â Gallus decided. âLong lines are boring.â
âArenât they?!â Silverstream agreed. âLife is too short for boring lines, letâs go meet more students! Is...IS THAT A YAK?!â
Before Gallus could respond, Silverstream flew towards the big brown creature Gallus saw earlier. Which was a yak, Gallus realized.
Twilight resumed talking again, reminding students of the Friends and Family Day coming up. Gallus frowned. The ponies probably had family to invite, but what about him?
A scrawny yellow mare with a dark blue mane bumped into Gallus. Gallus turned around, recognizing her as the pony-like bug from earlier.
âHey you!â Gallus leaned closer. âHow do you transform like that?â
âI, um. Iâm a ch-changeling.â the mare stammered, reverting back to her original form. âMy name is Ocellus.â
âGallus.â the griffon replied.
âHey! I just realized, I didnât catch your name earlier.â
Sandbar approached the griffon and changeling, looking at the former with his signature calm smile.
âGallus.â he felt the heat returning to his face, again.
âOcellus.â the changeling managed a smile.
âNice to meet you, Iâm Sandbar.â Sandbar grinned.
âYona canât wait to make pony school better!â the yak shouted, tumbling into the conversation. She nearly knocked Sandbar over, grinning at Gallus and Ocellus.
âHey, at least youâre in your original form now.â
A tall, orange, and scaly creature approached Ocellus, smirking at her.
âI didnât get to introduce myself to you, Iâm Smolder.â the creature grinned. âDragons can really be intimidating, I donât blame ya for running off.â
âIâm uh, Gallus.â Gallus stated, noticing the predatory stare Smolder was giving Ocellus.
The intensifying look disappeared entirely as Smolder looked at the griffon, puzzled.
âOh, hey.â Smolder gave a slow wave of her claw, looking at the other creatures that were apparently staring at her.
âA little intimidating, isnât it?â Ocellus mocked her, giggling.
âOh shut up.â Smolder huffed, walking towards registration.
Gallus found it to be a weird way to meet all the other non-ponies of the School of Friendship, but at least he was on the road to making new friends. And if these friendships stayed strong, perhaps heâll stay here in Ponyville where he felt welcomed.
âThis school sucks ass!â
âHey now, these heroic mares worked hard to make this school happen.â Sandbar defended their teachers to Gallus.
The griffon and his pony friend were walking down the hallway leading to their dorm rooms, weeks after they had all met each other.
âMaybe, but Twilightâs ruining it with her dumb book!â Gallus hissed. âPinkie was about to put me in a canon and blast me out the window!â
âAnd then what? What if you sprained a wing, or broke a leg?â Sandbar stopped, glaring at Gallus.
âWhy do you care?!â Gallus squawked. âLet it happen to me then!â
âI...I need to go.â Sandbar sighed, turning his back to Gallus and towards his room.
Gallus exhaled sharply through the nostrils in his beak. Doesnât that dumb fuck know that he could just fly as soon as he was blasted out the window?
Itâs Twilightâs fault that I wanna launch myself out a window to begin with! How am I supposed to pass all my classes and keep my sanity? Itâs endless textbook pages and pop quizzes! If I fail, I might be sent back to... oh no.
No, Grandpa Gruff wouldnât. That old hag knew exactly how bad things were for him, and he wouldnât want to bring a homeless griffon back to Griffonstone anyway! Right?
Gallus needed to ensure that his citizenship in Ponyville was safe and secure, no matter what happened. He couldnât go to that alicorn he once trusted, the book and her obsession with it was derailing everything.
Sandbar wasnât the only one frustrated with him, they were all complaining and having spats with one another. This wasnât the place he thought it was.
But then he remembered the kind guidance counselor at registration. She was usually packed with erupting students most of the day, but it was about half an hour before sheâd leave to go home. He had to see if he could secure his safety.
Gallus flew the other direction, into the hallways until he saw the door of the unicornâs office, slightly cracked open. There was no line. Gallus breathed in, ebbing some of his anxiety into the air.
He knocked on the door.
Author's Note
Sorry for the animal descriptions and constant name intros, I tried to write them all meeting each other as naturally as possible. Not to mention, Gallus has never seen creatures like them before, hence the descriptions đ
I'm looking for pre-readers for my upcoming chapters; ones who are willing to give feedback! If you're interested, look at my blog post on my profile!
âCome in!â the voice shouted from the other side of the door.
Gallus pushed the door open and slowly stepped inside, watching the pink unicorn put away different documents in the drawers beneath her desk. On the left and right of the counselor was a shelf filled with stacks of papers. Complaints, registration documents, legal fees...Gallus assumed that the papers could be a bunch of things.
âHey, is now a bad time?â Gallus asked, internally kicking himself for the dumb question.
âNo, not at all,â the unicorn grinned. âCould you put the closed sign on the doorknob outside though? Youâll be my last student for the day.â
I came just in time.
Gallus flew outside the door, gently placing the sign on the doorknob, before going back into the guidance counselorâs office.
âI donât think I ever got your name,â Gallus admitted, landing on the seat in front of her desk and gently tucking his wings in.
âItâs Starlight Glimmer,â the unicorn extended her hoof. âAnd your name is Gallus, right?â
âRight, surprised you remembered that with all the other studentsâ names,â Gallus admitted.
âWell, youâre the only griffon student, so it was easy to remember,â Starlight smiled. âWhat can I help you with?â
âIâŚâ his vision wobbled as he stared at his talons sinking into the chairâs cushion. âThis school wasnât what I thought it was.â
âHmm .â Starlight responded. âSo Iâve been told.â
âAnd for these ponies, and most of the other creatures there, itâs not much of a loss,â Gallus admitted. âThe other non-ponies can go back where they came from, and itâll just be a blimp in their past.â
âWhat are you getting at?â Starlight asked.
âI canât go back to where I came from,â Gallus confessed. âGrandpa Gruff picked me off the streets cause my father hit me, and I stayed with this former friend of mine. And s-she t-t-took advantage-â
âHey, itâs okay,â Starlightâs voice softened as she nudged the box of tissues in his direction. âWell, not what happened to you, but everything is confidential here. Itâll stay between you and me.â
âShould it though?â Gallus blurted out. âCause what if this school gets shut down, or I fail? Every creature, including me, would be sent back to where they came from right?â
âThe school isnât going to be shut down, not when Twilight is following the rules at every step,â Starlight shrugged. âAnd itâs friendship! If your heartâs in it, youâre not going to fail at the School of Friendship.â
âThen why the textbooks?â Gallus asked. âIsnât friendship a lot more personal? Why arenât we doing group activities inside or outside the school?â
Starlight opened her mouth to speak, but no words would come out.
âF-Forget it, Iâm just saying that my family isnât here for me like I wish theyâd be,â Gallus sighed. âI need a failproof plan to fall back on if this all goes to shit, thatâs all Iâm saying. I canât go back to Griffonstone.â
âYâknow, Iâve heard this kind of thing has happened before,â Starlight admitted. âRecently, actually. Cranky and Matilda Donkey adopted a male kirin a few months ago. At the Kirin Grove, the females outnumber the males from nine to one. So when this kirin was growing up, the kirin ladies around him were a bit...forceful.â
âDid they hurt him?â Gallus asked.
âIn a way,â Starlight elaborated. âThey wouldnât hit him or scratch him, but theyâd flirt with him all the time. They would brush up against him during their heat cycles, but he told his mother that he didnât feel anything.â
âHis mother wouldnât have any of it, and she set him up to be married to three different kirin. Cause the male kirin have harems to even out the numbers,â Starlight explained. âAutumn Blaze was shocked, and took him to Ponyville on a train. On the train ride, he told Autumn that he was gay.â
âThis is really embarrassing, but no oneâs ever told me what that word meant,â Gallus frowned.
âGay? Itâs like when a guy wants to love another guy in a sexual sense, similar to how guys like girls,â Starlight replied. âSame with a girl loving another girl, although they usually use the term âlesbianâ for that. It may not be like this in other lands, but the vast majority of ponies in Equestria arenât straight. Thereâs a whole spectrum out here, a rainbow of some sorts.â
âHere,â Starlight walked behind the shelf on her left and levitated a thick rainbow-colored book. âMost creatures only recognize those two terms, but thereâs dozens of different terms identified over the years. Some ponies, such as myself, choose not to meddle with the complicated labels used for the sexual spectrum.â
âWhyâs that?â Gallus asked.
âI think labels for sexuality are silly,â Starlight shrugged. âI love my marefriend, and thatâs it. There doesnât need to be a label for how I feel.â
Gallus barely heard her, taking in the lengthy paragraphs about one of the most popular potions in Equestria: the Futa Potion. With its contents, it can give a pony both the parts of a mare and a stallion. Then there was another paragraph about magically combining the eggs of two mares, and placing the embryo inside one of the two mares.
âHow do two guys have a kid?â Gallus asked. âDoes the stallion keep using the potion until they give birth or something?â
âI think so, thereâs a different subtype of Futa Potion for that,â Starlight answered.
âHow is this kirin doing now? Is he okay?â Gallus asked, lifting his head from the book.
âOh! Yes, heâs adjusting quite well with the Donkeys,â Starlight smiled. âAutumn wouldnât have realized that the kirinsâ behavior was abnormal had it not been for Applejack and Fluttershy. They taught her that while their traditions are valuable, consent is even more so.â
Even though Gallus didnât understand what the word consent quite meant, a more pressing question was in the back of his mind.
âSo what youâre saying is, I have to be âadoptedâ by Ponyville citizens to stay here?â Gallus asked. âWhat does that word even mean?â
âIt means when creatures officially take you in as part of their family,â Starlight said. âThis kirin is the son of Cranky and Matilda cause they made it so.â
Gallus felt bubbles of happiness from his head down to the tips of his toes. Any creature could be family! It didnât have to be the family from back in Griffonstone, butâŚ
âHow do I find somepony to adopt me?â Gallus asked.
âUmâŚâ Starlight frowned, puzzled. âWell, you donât need to worry about that at the moment. You have a dorm room here, where nopony will take it away from you.â
She doesn't know that.
"Thanks for telling me," Gallus managed to smile. "Just, if anything happens to the School or m-my grades, you know where to find me."
"Gallus," Starlight put the griffon's talon in her hooves. "Twilight won't let you go back to a place that'll hurt you. If anything dire happens, I'll tell her. Okay?"
"Okay," Gallus sighed a breath of relief. Twilight was not a pony he was fond of at the moment, but he wasn't planning on being picky. "I guess I'll turn in for the night then. Thank you, Starlight."
"No problem, come here if you need anything. No matter what it is," Starlight got up from her desk and hugged Gallus. "Okay?"
"Yeah, of course." Gallus returned the hug briefly, before flying out the door.
Starlight stepped behind her desk, gently levitating a picture from the shelf on her right. It was a picture of Cranky and Matilda, with their dark brown kirin son.
"AdoptionâŚ" Starlight whispered curiously to herself.
Author's Note
My headcanon for this story and most of my stories is that while 99% of Earth's population is heterosexual, 3/4th of Equestria is +LGBT in one way or another. There's too many possibilities when it comes to magic for ponies to limit themselves to the other sex, I think. New chapter this Thursday!
And another headcanon is that like Earth, Griffonstone and the Dragon Lands are 99% straight. Mostly due to the lack of magic.
Edit: Also, I realize that Sounds of Silence took place long after the S8 premiere, so also consider this to be an AU where the episode took place before the School of Friendship was shut down đ
âOkay, we need to find somewhere to hide before the night is over,â Gallus announced, staring at the lamp in their shared hotel room of two king-sized beds.
After Thorax mentioned the hotel room, Neighsay turned around and placed a magical lock on the school, shutting it down. After Twilight had ran into her castle in a tearful sprint, the guardians took the next train to their respective lands where the students would have to return. It was exactly what Gallus had feared.
âYona agree, donât want to leave new friends,â Yona lamented, sprawled on the creaking bed. As soon as she lowered her head onto the bed, the middle of the bed made a sharp snap, causing Yona to frown and look away from her friends.
âYeah, the dragonlands are no fun,â Smolder mumbled, glancing at Ocellus on the other bed. âBut where can we possibly go? All five of them will turn over boulders just to find us!â
âMaybe if we hide in a place they expect,â Gallus stated.
âWhat are you suggesting?â Sandbar asked.
âIf we were to...hide in a ponyâs home, they wouldnât find us there,â Gallus smiled, a lightbulb popping over his head. âMore specifically, a ponyâs room.â
âWhy their room?â Smolder asked. âI donât think weâd all fit.â
âWell, I donât know if this will work,â Gallus frowned. âBut I talked to Starlight Glimmer before today, and she said that sheâd tell Twilight about the situation weâre in. If it were to happen, of course.â
âYou expected this shit-storm to happen?â Smolder gawked. âThen why not tell us?â
âI canât say I expected it,â Gallus looked away. âI just didnât want to go back to Griffonstone, so I prepared myself for the worst-case scenario.â
âWell, I sure as hell didnât want to go back to Emberâs whiny ass,â Smolder pouted, tapping her foot. âBut I wasnât going to put up a fight about it. Whatâs so bad about Griffonstone that you had to tell the guidance counselor in advance?â
âIs that really what matters right now?â Sandbar stepped in between his friends. âGallus has an idea, and you keep interrupting him.â
Smolder opened her mouth, and after a second, closed it and glared at Sandbar. Gallus blinked at Sandbar briefly, exposing a hint of a smile before looking at Smolder again.
âI think we should go to Twilightâs castle,â Gallus stated.
âThatâs the shittiest idea Iâve ever heard,â Smolder snorted. âWeâll be caught within seconds.â
âNot really,â Sandbar stated. âIf Gallus is right, sheâll be expecting us when we get there. And last time I checked, Starlight lives in her castle. Even if Starlight didnât tell her, we can hide in her room.â
âBut then Twilight will know where we are,â Ocellus whimpered. âWhat if she turns on us?â
âSheâs the Princess of Friendship,â Gallus huffed. âShe wonât t-turn on us.â
Why should I trust her now?
âMaybe we shouldnât walk to the castle in the open,â Smolder suggested. âHow about we sneak our way to the door, and you knock on the door? Since youâre so confident in your featherbrained plan.â
âMaybe I will,â Gallus retorted. âWell, what are we waiting for? Letâs haul our asses out of here.â
Yona slipped off the broken bed, following the rest of her friends out of the hotel room. Ocellus gave a small smirk before transforming into Grandpa Gruff.
âYouâre a genius," Smolder grinned, rubbing her friendâs currently bald head. âThe rest of us should still hide near the castle, but at least Gallus can knock on the door undetected.â
And undetected they were. Yona hid behind several of the bushes next to the castle, with Smolder, Silverstream, and Sandbar hidden beneath her shaggy fur as an extra precaution. Gallus flew to the door with the fake Grandpa Gruff by his side, feeling his heart beat faster than his wings.
âGallus?â Twilight muttered, the castle door creaking open. âG-Grandpa Gruff? What are you two doing here? Itâs late.â
âGallus wanted to say goodbye to one of his racist pony friends,â Ocellus growled, tilting her bald head towards Twilight.
âHer name is Starlight,â Gallus glared at âGrandpa Gruff.â âHey Headmare Twilight, did Starlight bring up anything I told her?â
âNope! Everything is confidential,â Twilight grinned. âBut she doesnât live here in the castle anymore, she moved in with her marefriend a few weeks ago. But I can give you her address, and you two can go there.â
âThank you!â Gallus grinned. âThat means a lot to me.â
âNo worries,â Twilight levitated a piece of paper and a feathered quill, writing the address on the former. âBut donât be late to the train station!â
âDonât you think I know how to supervise one of my own kind?â Ocellus barked, stretching her wings. âCâmon Gallus, I ainât waiting all day for you.â
Princess Twilight rolled her eyes, shutting the door. Ocellus and Gallus ran to the bush, shaking Yona.
âGuys, guys! Starlight Glimmer has her own house now, and we got the address!â Gallus grinned, shoving the paper beneath Yonaâs fur. âUnfortunately, that means you three will have to travel underneath Yonaâs gut for a bit longer. Safety first, right?â
âSafety!â Smolder scoffed from under Yona. âThis bitch smell like a wet dog.â
âThatâs the spirit!â Gallus squawked. âCâmon! Weâre losing time!â
After another tedious journey, the Young Six finally reached the cute lavender house that Twilight redirected them to. Gallus told Yona to hide herself and the friends underneath her near the house. Ocellus transformed into Princess Twilight, before knocking on the door.
âHey, I...Princess Twilight? Gallus?â Starlight whispered. âYou got the letter I sent you! Iâm so relieved, I didnât know if you were able to help.â
Ocellus and Gallus briefly shared a puzzled glance.
âYes, of course,â Ocellus grinned. âI also brought Yona, she wanted help as well. Can we come in?â
âOf course!â Starlight grinned. âWhere is she?â
âLeaning against the house, sheâs got a bad stomach ache,â Gallus chuckled. âCâmon Yona, thereâs a bathroom in here.â
â...oh! Of course!â Yona stumbled forward, crawling into Starlightâs house without blowing her cover. Gallus flew inside, and Ocellus closed the door and locked it.
âStarlight, please donât tell anyone. But we...got a little desperate after hearing that weâd be going home," Gallus frowned.
âWhat do you-â before Starlight could finish her question, Ocellus transformed back into her original form. Yona lifted her legs, releasing Smolder, Silverstream, and Sandbar from her fur.
âDisgusting!â Smolder hissed, coughing up a yakball.
âWeâre sorry, but we had no choice,â Gallus frowned. âI thought you wouldâve gotten Twilight to help like you told me.â
âI did though, I left a letter on her door!â Starlight gasped. âIâm so sorry guys, she must be grieving from the loss of her school. Itâs not like her to ignore urgent letters, I swear.â
Gallus stopped flying midair, his paws gently landing on Starlightâs carpet as he took in everything. Twilight had read Starlightâs letter about him and Griffonstone, and she ignored it?
âI knew not to trust that bitch,â Gallus growled, sinking his talons into the carpet. âShe kept listening to a dumb rulebook over her friends. Her students.â
âI was hoping she would keep the six of you in her castle,â Starlight pondered. âBut plans have changed, and I wonât let those guardians of yours tear your friendships apart. I can keep all of you here for a few days, and hopefully Twilight will figure something out by then.â
Gallus rushed over, and hugged the pink unicorn. Sure, it was flea-brained of her to still rely on her former teacher for help, but Gallus figured that her help mattered more than anything else.
âIf you donât mind, weâre going to wash the yak stink off our bodies,â Sandbar said. âMe and Silverstream can share the bath; try not to waste too much water.â
âCould I bathe too?â Ocellus piped up.
âTotally, you can share the bath with me,â Smolder smirked. âNo homo, right?â
âN-No, none at all,â Ocellus grinned.
âYona would share bath with you, but Yona usually takes up entire in pony tub.â Yona frowned, looking at Gallus. âYona will sleep on the floor, not break anymore furniture.â
âDonât worry,â Starlight rested her hoof on Yonaâs shoulder. âI got a bunch of spare blankets in the closet for you to sleep on. And a few more for your friends.â
Yonaâs green eyes brightened as she stretched her leg around Starlightâs shoulder, hugging her. Gallus smiled as his closest friends walked into the bathroom to clean the scent off.
Starlight kicked open the two recliners, and opened the pullout bed underneath the center couch. Gallus called dibs on the pullout bed, stretching out his wings and curling up in the tiny white blanket provided.
âIâm really sorry about Twilight, sheâs been a wreck ever since Equestria went under fire all those months ago,â Starlight whispered.
âUnder fire?â Gallus asked.
âA figure of speech, obviously,â Starlight rolled her eyes. âIt was when the Storm Kingâs minions arrived in Canterlot and turned all the Princesses into stone. When they couldnât catch Twilight, they chased her and her friends throughout different lands. From Klugetown to Mount Aris, until Tempest caught her.â
âMount Aris, thatâs where Silverstream lives,â Gallus gasped.
âYes, it was a terrible time. But it inspired Twilight to reach out to creatures like you," Starlight smiled. âItâs because of the harrowing journey she went on that she created the School of Friendship.â
âYeah, and look what that did her,â Gallus scowled, looking at the ceiling.
âIâll admit, things didnât turn out the way any of us pictured it,â Starlight confessed. âBut think! If Twilight had never opened the school, you wouldnât be here. And Iâm going to make sure that means something. I promise you, Iâm not giving up on you.â
âNot even if all our guardians knock your door down?â Gallus looked at Starlight.
âNot even if they threaten to burn my house down,â Starlight puffed her chest. âI donât know about the rest of your friends, but Iâve thought of a way to keep you from going back to Griffonstone."
âReally?â Gallus whispered. âWhat is it?â
âWell, if Twilight had paid any decent attention to the letter, she wouldâve received a copy of this,â Starlight used her magic to levitate a piece of paper towards him.
Gallus leaned towards the paper in the darkness, his night vision granting him the visibility of the adoption form printed. As soon as he read the words, a cold splash of realization poured over him.
âYouâre adopting me?â Gallus asked.
âIâm trying to, yes,â Starlight grinned. âI donât suppose that your family will have a problem with me and my marefriend doing so, right?â
âOh, well...when I said they werenât here for me like I wanted them to, I meant that I havenât been in contact with them for months,â Gallus admitted. âI donât even think they consider me a part of their family anymore. My father hated that I wouldnât steal food for our family, said I wasnât a true griffon. So, even if they wouldnât like you doing so, thereâs nothing they can do about it now.â
âOh my goodness, Iâm so sorry,â Starlight frowned. âThatâs why you were so adamant about adoption, you donât even have them to come back to. Tell you what, when the papers are signed, you canâŚâ
Gallus blinked, holding onto the silence between him and his former guidance counselor. Was she going to say it?
Just as Starlight opened her mouth, several harsh knocks echoed on the other side of the door. Gallus squeaked as he jumped off the pullout bed and hid underneath it.
Starlight glanced at the bathroom door, making sure it was shut, before walking towards the front door and opening it.
âThe great and powerful marefriend is back!â Trixie shouted, only to be magically pulled inside the house. âStarry? Whatâs wrong?â
âWell Trixie, we have a lot to talk about.â Starlight admitted. âRemember the five creatures from outside Equestria, Twilightâs new students? Well, the EEA shut down the school, and theyâre hiding in our house till everything blows over.â
âWHA-â Starlight slapped her hoof over Trixieâs mouth. âAnd, I want to adopt one of them.â
Trixie pulled away from her marefriendâs hoof, raising an eyebrow at her.
âWe can talk about this later,â Starlight decided. âHeâs under the pullout bed. Gallus, itâs safe to come out.â
âCome out? This is the safest place to do that, believe me,â Trixie smirked, leaning against Starlight.
Gallus, oblivious to the joke, peaked his head out from underneath the pullout bed. It was a blue mare with a light blue mane, staring at the griffon.
âA griffon?â Trixie whispered. âAnd Iâm guessing youâre hiding an entire zoo in the bathroom, right?â
âYou could say that,â Starlight said. On cue, the bathroom door opened, and Yona stepped out. Her fur was soaking from top to bottom.
âGood grief,â Trixie rolled her eyes. âWhat have you gotten us into this time?â
Several days later
Twilight stared at her school, the sound of the waterfalls doing little to steady her rapid heartbeat. Behind her, Starlight Glimmer walked further down the pathway until Twilightâs ears perked up.
âOh, hey Starlight,â Twilight managed to say, not meeting the unicornâs eyes.
Starlight imagined that in some other circumstances, sheâd give a small laugh while telling Twilight what she did wrong. The two would hug, and Twilight would be back to her old self. But Starlight thought about the griffon at her home, anxiety threatening to take over his body at the thought of returning to Celestia knows what.
âYou read that letter,â Starlight began. âTwilight, do you know what kind of place he couldâve been sent back to? Do you know how they hurt him? For Celestiaâs sake, I canât even imagine what he must be going through. You were supposed to be his lifeline, Twilight Sparkle. And you turned him away.â
Starlight was about to continue when she saw a droplet fall from Twilightâs face and onto the ground. Soft sobs escaped the alicorn, and Starlight frowned as she felt a fraction of the Princessâ pain.
âYou gave up too easily, and somecreature couldâve paid the price for it,â Starlight explained. âNow, about that damn EEA bookâŚâ
Gallus wandered around Starlightâs home, glancing at the kitchen and the open bathroom door. He didnât see Starlight, Trixie, Sandbar, or any of his other friends.
âHello?â Gallus called out, a familiar feeling twisting inside his chest. As he tried to take another step forward, he felt his talons and paws glued to the floor. The feeling doubled, and he couldnât think his way out of his predicament. The door kicked open, and Gallus felt his blood running cold at the creature staring him down with her sharp green eyes.
âHello, Gallus,â Sheila grinned, stepping closer and closer. âThey already took your friends, and Twilight has those two unicorns. Grandpa Gruff got them to talk, and well, now Iâve found you!â
The griffon said those words in the tone of a filly that had found her friend in a game of hide-and-seek. Gallus felt his limbs shaking as Sheila stepped forward and pressed her talon against his cheek, pressing her beak against his.
âNow that I have you, you wonât be getting away so easily,â Sheila whispered, glancing down at the floor.
Gallus glanced down as well, seeing a leash and a collar near her paws. Feeling his mobility regained, Gallus lunged for the door. Sheila shrieked, jumping for his neck and sinking her talons in. Gallus screamed, kicking her off of him and reaching for the door-
âGALLUS!â
Gallusâ eyes snapped open, staring up at the green stallionâs face. Sandbarâs ears were flattened as he stared down with wide seagreen eyes. Gallus glanced around Sandbar, seeing the rest of their friends staring at him like they had seen a ghost.
âGallus okay?â Yona whispered.
âI...yeah, why?â Gallus felt his face heat up as he realized that Sandbarâs hooves were pressing against his body. Rolling away from the stallionâs touch, Gallus sat up on the pullout bed. Glancing in the direction of the kitchen, Gallus noticed Trixie watching him as she used her magic to heat up the stove.
âDude, you were screaming like the hellhounds were after you,â Smolder told him. âWhat were you even dreaming about?â
Gallus tried to remember the dream, his body freezing up as he remembered Sheila finding him and lunging for him. Pressing a talon against his beak, Gallus felt his body shaking.
âGuys, just clear out and give him a moment,â Sandbar insisted.
Ocellus turned away, and Smolder and Yona followed her. Silverstream stared at him, her body still for a few moments before turning away and following the others.
âDude, just breathe in and out,â Sandbar pressed his hoof against his shoulder. âInâŚâ
Gallus closed his eyes and inhaled a deep breath.
â...and out,â Sandbar finished, smiling at him.
Gallus gave a slow exhale, feeling some of the fear leaving with his breath. Repeating the motion several more times, Sandbar jumped off the pullout bed and was about to walk away when Gallus spoke up.
âHer name was Sheila,â Gallus said. Sandbar turned around, his smile gone.
âSheila?â Sandbar asked.
âShe allowed me a place to stay when my family got out of control,â Gallus explained. âShe jumped on me and kissed me that night, and I decided to be in a relationship with her. She then told me that I didnât need to look for a job, and then after some timeâŚâ
Gallus stopped meeting Sandbarâs eyes, glancing at the starry purple blanket that Sandbar had brought him two days ago.
â...she wouldnât have sex with me anymore,â Gallus admitted. âIt was like I was her p-prisoner, and when I broke up with herâŚâ
Gallus felt a tear land onto the blanket, and threw the blanket over his body, collapsing back onto the bed. After a few moments of silence, Sandbar climbed onto the bed.
âCan I hug you?â Sandbar asked.
âPlease,â Gallus groaned.
Sandbar wrapped his forelegs around the blanket-covered griffon, resting his head over Gallus.
âYouâre very brave for telling me this,â Sandbar whispered. âAnd you donât have to tell the others, or tell me anything else, until youâre ready. Okay?â
Sandbar jumped off of Gallus as he managed to get up and shake the blanket off himself. He stepped closer to Sandbar, before embracing the pony and resting his beak against Sandbarâs silky smooth mane.
âThank you,â Gallus tightened his embrace briefly, before pulling away. Right as he was about to jump off the bed, Sandbar pressed his hoof against his foreleg.
âAh-ah-ah,â Sandbar smirked. âDonât you go anywhere, I got just the trick to help you feel better.â
Before Gallus could protest that he was already feeling better, Sandbar jumped off the bed and trotted towards the kitchen, walking past Trixie and standing on his hindlegs, opening the cabinet. As Gallusâ eyes kept following Sandbarâs movements, he heard pawsteps approaching. Snapping his gaze to the source, Gallus looked into Silverstreamâs violet eyes.
âHey Gallus,â Silverstream whispered, her paws playing with her blue mane as she glanced up at him. âIf you need anyone to talk to, Iâm always here.â
âOh,â Gallus felt his heart skip a beat for a quick moment. âThank you, Silverstream.â
Gallus watched the hippogriffâs eyes light up, her grin catching the griffon off-guard. Feeling his face heat up, Gallus grinned back at her.
âH-Hey, if you donât mind me asking,â Gallus said. âWhere is Starlight?â
âOh! She told Trixie that she had a quick errand to run and-â
âGreat Celestia!â
Gallus and Silverstream glanced to where Trixie was glaring inside the open cabinet, the blue unicorn shutting the cabinet door, turning off the stove, and walking towards the door.
âIâll be right back, weâre all out of hay,â Trixie huffed. âShe couldâve told me that we were all out, I swear-â
The door slammed shut behind Trixie as she left, and Gallus and Silverstream snickered.
âOh whatever will we do without hay!â Gallus cackled.
âIâd catch a fish if we werenât hiding,â Silverstream commented, glancing at the green pony approaching. âHmm, Sandbarâs looking pretty tasty right about nowâŚâ
âI promise, Iâm not,â Sandbar chuckled, holding a cup of hot tea with his mouth. âIâm sure Iâd taste very dry. Here Gallus, chamomile tea just for you.â
Gallus took the cup of tea in his talons and leaned his beak towards the cup, taking in the apple undertones and the warmth radiating from the cup.
âCareful, it's really hot,â Sandbar warned him.
Gallus gave a small nod, softly blowing into the cup. After Silverstream walked away to join the others, Gallus slowly dipped his beak into the cup, tasting the sweetness right away. Tilting the cup closer to his beak, Gallus caught several gulps of the tea in his mouth, warm drips landing on his feathers and his legs.
âDamn, this is really good,â Gallus said as he pulled his beak out. âTea?â
âMy Dad tells me it's supposed to be crushed leaves in hot water,â Sandbar explained.
âMust be magical leaves,â Gallus grinned. âIâm feeling better already.â
âThat must be the Sandbar touch,â Sandbar winked, causing Gallusâ blush to return full-force. âHmm.â
âWhat is it?â Gallus asked as the stallion smiled in the bathroomâs direction. Turning back to look at him with that damn smile, Sandbar opened his mouth.
âYou never got to bathe since we got here,â Sandbar pointed out.
âYeah, I...uh,â Gallus glanced away as he brushed his cheek with his talon. The next words that came out of his mouth was an incoherent string of mumbles, causing Sandbar to step closer.
âWhat was that?â Sandbarâs ears perked up as he stepped closer.
âI donât know how,â Gallus admitted. âWe didnât do much beyond grooming our pelts in Griffonstone.â
âWell, perhaps I can help?â Sandbar asked.
Gallus finally met Sandbarâs eyes again, his beak open, but with no words coming out. Sandbar smirked and shrugged, sealing the griffonâs decision.
âI suppose it couldnât hurt,â Gallus whispered, drinking the rest of the cupâs contents before jumping off the bed. As Sandbar slowly walked over to the bathroom, both creatures flinched at the sound of the door knocking.
âTrixieâs back already?â Smolder shouted from the other side of the house.
Gallus lowered his body, crawling on all fours until he slowly stood on his hindlegs, pressing his talons against the door as he looked into the peephole. A familiar purple alicorn stood in front of the door.
Gallus jumped back onto the floor, staring at his friends as they stepped closer.
âItâs Twilight,â Gallus told them.
âFucking hell,â Smolder growled, stomping towards the door. âIf that bitch thinks she can take us away, sheâs got another thing comi-â
Ocellus grabbed Smolderâs tail firmly with her hooves.
âNo,â Ocellus whispered. âShe doesnât have to know weâre here.â
âSheâll rip the door open,â Gallus gulped. âWe have to answer.â
âSays who? Yona says we not open door,â Yona huffed.
âWhat is she going to do against the six of us?â Smolder growled. âOpen the door.â
âWas she the only one out there?â Sandbar asked.
âI donât know,â Gallus frowned. âI could only see her.â
âAlright, Iâll answer the door,â Sandbar decided. âThe rest of you can hide until I say itâs okay.â
Ocellus jumped for the bathroom door, opening it for the others. Smolder rolled her eyes, flying into the bathroom behind Ocellus. Yona and Silverstream dashed into the bathroom, Gallus following them and closing the door. Locking it, Gallus leaned his back against the door as he stared at the lights above him.
âThey mustâve made Starlight talk,â Gallus told them. âWhatâre they going to do to Sandbar? Or me? I canât go back, never.â
Digging his talons into his arms, Gallus stared at the ground and his shaking paws. Seeing a pair of light pink hooves land close to his talons, Gallus glanced up at the hippogriff holding her necklace towards him.
âHere,â Silverstream placed the necklace around the griffonâs neck. âI have n-no idea if this can turn you into a pony, but Twilight canât catch you this way.â
âWow,â Gallus glanced down at the necklace around him, staring back up at Silverstream. âThank you, Silverstream.â
Silverstream grinned, pulling Gallus into a tight hug for a few moments before pulling away.
âScrew it, Iâm done hiding,â Smolder decided. âIf any of you want to come with me, youâre more than welcome to.â
Smolder flew towards the door, opening it wide open. Ocellus jumped off the floor and followed her, Silverstream and then Yona following them shortly after. Gallus glanced down at the necklace, his lifeline from returning to Griffonstone. With this, he could possibly hide long enough for Starlight to finish the adoption papers for him. ButâŚ
Gallus glanced at the open door, making up his mind. Standing up on all fours, Gallus took off the necklace and placed it on the sink. Walking out of the room, Gallus moved past the others to glare at Twilight, who frowned and looked down at the ground. Then, he noticed the other Elements of Harmony and Starlight standing around her. Stepping to Gallusâ side, Sandbar turned to him.
âTwilight says that the school is reopening,â Sandbar explained. âShe...she wants us to return.â
âReturn?!â Gallus squawked. âIâm not going anywhere near that schoolâs dumb book-â
âI...got rid of the book, per Starlightâs advice,â Twilight met Gallusâ eyes once more. âI realized that the School of Friendship is in a category of its own, and the book doesnât belong there. And...Iâm so sorry for not responding to your letter, Gallus. Losing my school was one of the hardest trials that I had to deal with. But I think I know how to make it up to you.â
âReally?â Gallus scoffed. âHow?â
Twilight allowed a small smile, using her magic to place a sheet of paper in the griffonâs talons. Gallus recalled the form from several days ago, seeing Starlightâs signature, Trixieâs signatureâŚ
...and Twilight Sparkleâs signature on the adoption form.
âFor you to be properly adopted from Griffonstone, a Princess has to approve the form,â Twilight explained. âAnd after that is done, the adoption becomes official.â
The words sank in, and Gallus glanced at Sandbar, who hugged him. Gallus wrapped his forelegs around Sandbar, noticing the rest of their friends joining in for a group hug. Gallus thought no moment could beat the one where Grandpa Gruff took him away from Griffonstone, the one where he arrived in Ponyville, or even the one where he met the friends hugging him right now. But he was so wrong. Feeling emotional fireworks sparking inside his chest, Gallus smiled at each and every one of his friends, before turning around and staring at the pink unicorn walking closer to him. His mother.
Gallus lunged for Starlight, knocking her over and hugging her tight. Starlight returned the hug, placing her hooves on his back. Gallus chuckled, jumping off Starlight as she got up. All the fear seemed to fade away in the moments that his friends and his new mother surrounded him, and Gallus finally looked at Twilight once more.
âOkay,â Gallus nodded. âIâll return to the School of Friendship.â
âThen so will I,â Sandbar decided.
âYona will give pony school second chance,â Yona said.
âI canât wait to go back to the School of Friendship!â Silverstream squealed.
After a few silent moments, Gallus and his friends all looked at Smolder.
âEh, beats being back at home,â Smolder shrugged. âIâm in.â
âGreat!â Pinkie spoke up. âNow all your nations wonât go to war with us!â
Gallus and his friends froze, gawking at the pink pony. Sandbar glanced at Gallusâ expression, tilting his head.
âWait, whatâs happening?â Sandbar asked.
Blood dripped from Gallusâ face and into the night sky as he flew away from Sheilaâs house, several emotions contradicting each other inside of him. He flew past the hospital, having no bits with him to cover any bills. Maybe heâd find a cloth somewhere to stop the bleeding, but for now, he was covering as much distance between him and his former home as possible. A memory of him and Sheila chasing after each other down the streets, giggling and swiping at each other as other griffons scoffed and looked the other way, played in his head as he flew down to a back alley empty of any other griffons. Gallus felt renewed tears mixing in with the blood as both liquids dripped onto the cement.
He couldnât understand how the friend that had been his light throughout his hardships had soured and twisted into this creature beyond recognition. He leaned against the dumpster in the back alley, holding himself as he wept for the friend that used to hold him after his parents would yell at him, the friend that made him feel as though he was worth her time and gestures. What, he wondered, did he do or say that led their relationship to this point?
Why did she want to keep him there? Was...was that what he deserved?
Gallus heard a sound in the distance, and shrieked as he ducked and crawled underneath the dumpster. Silence returned to the back alley once more, but Gallus remained in his spot, laying there and closing his eyes. Tomorrow, he would attempt to clean himself up. Tomorrow, he promised himself, would be a new beginning this time.
And next time, he would think twice before letting another creature be the light in his life. He could do without that light.
Gallus walked with both his mothers by his side, occasionally glancing at his friends as they followed Twilight to the School of Friendship. His heart felt full, overflowing even, with the emotions that heâd held back for too long. Resting his wings over his mothers and allowing a small smile to appear on his beak, he witnessed Twilight step to the magical lock over the schoolâs entrance, before a voice called out behind them.
âTwilight!â
Gallus stopped, tucking his wings back to his sides, as he looked over his shoulder. His beak nearly hit the floor when he saw a pony that resembled a swan with a tri-colored mane that flowed on its own. Sporting a set of wings and horn like Twilight, the tall mare gently landed on the ground as she approached Twilight.
âI was so relieved to get your letter!â Celestia beamed down at Twilight.
The purple mare blushed and glanced the other direction, and before Gallus could think twice of it, he was face-to-face with an old hag that he knew all too well.
âDonât expect any welcome party from me!â Grandpa Gruff growled, biting Gallusâ head feathers. âItâs time to get you away from these two-faced jerks and back home!â
âThis is his home now.â
Gallus felt magic surrounding his entire body as he was pulled out of Grandpa Gruffâs grip and levitated to Starlightâs side. Trixie stood in front of Gallus as she used her magic to shove a paper in Grandpa Gruffâs face. Gallus had a hunch regarding which paper it was, as Grandpa Gruff grabbed the paper and read it over, his already wide and buggy eyes widening even more as he continued reading.
âHow...he wasâŚâ Grandpa Gruff stammered before throwing the paper back at the unicorns. âHorseshit! You canât be telling me that youâre a pony now! Quit with these games and return to Griffonstone!â
âTechnically, none of us are going back home,â Ocellus pointed out. âSorry, Thorax.â
âHow do you suppose youâre going to get in?â Thorax asked, pointing his hoof in direction of the lock.
âWell, Twilight can when sheâs done flirting over there,â Starlight remarked, speaking the last few words louder as she glanced over at her former teacher.
Twilightâs ears perked up as she ceased speaking with Celestia, turning around and snapping the lock with the magic from her horn. Just as Gallus and the creatures around him started to cheer, a portal opened up, revealing Chancellor Neighsay.
âWho dared remove my seal?â Chancellor Neighsay growled.
Gallus wrapped his wings around his mothers once more as Twilight and Chancellor Neighsay went back and forth, the purple alicorn stating that her school would follow its own rules. The fact that she managed her argument without the other leaders declaring a national war astounded the griffon. Chancellor Neighsayâs face eventually twisted before he hissed one final statement about the destruction of Equestria, turning around and jumping back into the portal.
It had been two days since the reopening of the school, and Gallus had finally found himself in Pinkie Pieâs party cannon once more. With the party canon pointed towards the trees in the distance, Gallus kept all of his limbs close to his sides as he braced himself.
âGallusâŚâ Sandbar frowned, staring at the griffon from several feet away.
âTrust Pinkie Pie, she says that nobody has died from this,â Gallus reassured him.
âYet,â Pinkie whispered as she lit a match against the cannonâs rope.
Gallus felt his body being launched out of the cannon, another emotional high surging throughout his body as he felt himself spiraling out of control. His heart started racing inside his chest as he thought of Sandbarâs warnings. Just as he saw the trees closing in, he felt something catch him and carry him away from the trees. Glancing up at Silverstream, the hippogriff grinned at him.
âThank you,â Gallus whispered as she set him down, landing beside him.
She hugged the griffon, nuzzling his neck briefly before pulling away as their friends arrived on the scene.
âThank Celestia you caught him in time,â Sandbar panted. âGallus, youâre going to kill me one of these days. Stay safe, okay?â
Gallus stared at each and every one of his friends, their fur and scales shining brightly in the sunlight. They all looked back at him, either wide-eyed at his near injury or grinning in his presence. And he could feel something from the five of them that he hadnât felt in many months.
In that moment, he felt like he was worth it after all.
The Start of a Ponyville Tour
Author's Note
I'm finally back on this, with a new cover for the story and everything! My plan is to update this story once a week for the next several weeks at least. Thank you for reading, and please feel free to review!
The Start of a Ponyville Tour
âHey Gallus, I think your Mom is at the door.â
âWhich one?â Gallusâ eyes flickered open as he lifted his head from the pillows on the top bunk bed he was sleeping in, looking down as Sandbar stood beside the door to their dorm room.
When the School of Friendship reopened, Gallus ultimately decided to spend the weekdays in his dormroom and the weekends with both his mothers. Whenever asked on why he made the decision, Gallus simply told the creature asking that he liked having his independence, nothing to do with the stallion roommate that nearly lured him into sharing a bathtub, or constantly gave him that half-lidded stare. Certainly not.
As Gallusâ gaze drifted towards the windows of their room, glancing at the bright sunlight shining on the water fountain at the Schoolâs fountain square, Gallus remembered it was still Friday and the weekend wouldnât kick off for several more hours. Standing up, Gallus flew off the top bunk bed and walked to the door, feeling Sandbarâs pelt brushing against him. Gallusâ brain went back to when his mother had given him that book full of different terms, and processing the possibility that males could fall in love with each other. But Sandbar hasnât expressed which way he felt, whether it was for stallions, mares, or both. He just seemed to be the same smiling dork with everycreature he met, Gallus was 95% positive that it was just Sandbar being a bro as they put it in Ponyville.
So why couldn't he just accept that?
Gallus opened the door and Starlight Glimmer stood there with a gentle smile. Gallus felt himself getting warm, the fact that she was now his mother was still fresh, and something told him that he wouldn't get used to it anytime soon. It was the gift that gave everyday, and knowing that made him smile as he stepped forward and embraced his Mom.
"Mom," the word came from Gallus' mouth, not for the first time, but it still made his heart swell the same. "What brings you here? I wasn't expecting you for another few hours."
"Well, I realized with all that went on the past few weeks, you didn't even get a tour of Ponyville!" Starlight pointed out. "I was hoping to fix that right now and get an early start on our weekend."
"Oh?" Gallus looked at the area around Starlight. "And where is Trixie?"
"Off performing one of her magic shows," Starlight told him. "Though she did say she'd be meeting up with us at Sugarcube Corner later, if all that sounds good to you?"
"Absolutely!" Gallus chirped, feeling Sandbar's eyes staring at him. Wincing as he glanced over, he realized that Sandbar was actually smiling despite his roommate's early departure. âIs it cool that I head out early?â
âDude, itâs your family,â Sandbar snickered. âAnd sheâs got a point, I wouldâve done it myself a long time ago if it wasnât forâŚwellâŚa fun first few weeks of school, shall we say.â
âYeah, thank fuck thatâs over with,â Gallus chuckled, fist-bumping Sandbarâs offered hoof before turning back to look at his mother. âLead the way, Mom. Iâll see you later, Sandbar.â
âOf course, I have no doubt about that,â Sandbar winked, causing Gallusâ face to go redder. Rushing out the door and closing the door behind him with his tail, Gallus didnât speak a peep as he followed Starlight down the hallway and out of the building. It took Starlight glancing over at her wide-eyed son for a few seconds before the silence was finally broken.
âHow has everything been going?â Starlight asked Gallus. âIâm hoping you have a much higher grade in Kindness class now.â
âYes, Mom,â Gallus smiled while rolling his eyes. âIâve got a B plus in it now, and most of my classes too. Iâve finally got an A in one class.â
âThatâs awesome, which one is it?â Starlight asked.
âLoyalty, Rainbow Dash even pulled me aside to tell me,â Gallus admitted. âSaid she was really proud of me for doing better on my assignments.â
âAs she should be, that seems fitting of you too,â Starlight smirked. âShame weâre not showing you her place.â
âWhat do you mean?â Gallus asked.
âWell, weâre actually visiting another teacher of yours, a mare of the Apple family,â Starlight clarified. âTwilight told me that when she first visited Sweet Apple Acres, she had a whole group of ponies invite her to a potluck!â
âIs that what weâll be having?â Gallusâ beak dropped as he began salivating at the thought of eating endless apple cuisines. As he realized shortly after arriving in Ponyville, there was very little meat to eat due to most of the residents being vegetarian, except for the occasional fish. Gallus adapted just fine due to there being many other sources of protein, and even took a fancy to some of the dishes. However, he stopped salivating right away when Starlight chuckled and shook her head.
âNo silly, we wonât get a full feast,â Starlight told him. âAlthough when I asked Applejack if I could show you around, she did say she wanted to treat us to dinner. You havenât had dinner yet, have you?â
âNope!â Gallus grinned. âHey, I have an idea. We shouldnât keep them waiting too long, so how about I help?â
âWhat do you-â Starlight watched as Gallus leapt into the air and grabbed her sides with his talons, lifting her into the air with little effort needed. âOh wow, I didnât think you could carry me!â
âNeither did I!â Gallus laughed. âI was just going to play it off as a joke! But might as well fly us there, right?â
âIf youâre able to!â Starlight pointed a hoof in the direction of a red barn and a lot of apple trees in the far distance. âSweet Apple Acres is that way!â
âRight on it, madam,â Gallus flapped his wings with all his might, flying them over all the town buildings as they made it to Sweet Apple Acres within a matter of minutes. As they reached the hillside near the barn, Gallus released his mother onto the grass and flopped on his back, gasping for air.
âThat wasâŚharder than I thought itâd be,â Gallus wheezed.
âDonât worry, we can go inside the barn and get some water,â Starlight placed a hoof on his shoulder. âItâs just a quick walk, do you think you still need a minute?â
âN-No, I think Iâll manage,â Gallus took several deep breaths before hoisting himself back up onto all fours. âThank goodness, I need to cool off.â
Gallus followed Starlight to the red barn, walking near the apple trees as he heard a faint moaning sound nearby. Turning to face the trees, Gallus saw two ponies in the distance, the orange one kissing the white oneâs neck andâŚ
âŚwait, were those his teachers?
âWhatâre you-â Starlight began to ask as Gallus moved towards the two ponies, freezing up as he saw it was indeed Applejack kissing Rarityâs neck, the unicorn gasping and giggling as she smiled down at Applejack.
âCâmon Applejack! Theyâre going to be here anytime now!â Rarity tried to scold the farmpony, only for Applejack to pull back and smirk at her.
âSure we donât have time to make out sâmore?â Applejack suggested. âAh mean, the foodâs already ready and theyâre still not here, so why not?â
âUmâŚâ
As the sound came out of Gallusâ beak, Applejack and Rarity flinched and turned to look at Gallus with wide eyes and dropped jaws. After a minute of silence, Gallus spoke up.
âSo I take it this is what Grampa Gruff meant by shagging?â Gallus remarked, watching as the mares both scowled at him.
âOh Celestia, help me,â Starlight groaned, slapping her face with her own hoof.
As Gallus heard Starlight groaning behind him, sweat began forming on his forehead as he stared at the two mares. Was it something he said?
Rarity then sighed and turned to look at Applejack.
âThat mean olâ bird still makes those comments?â Rarity asked.
âEver since he caught us flirting, he hasnât let it go,â Applejack shook her head, before turning to look at Gallus. âWhen we invited him and the other leaders here to discuss bringing new students here, he walked to the cafeteria and saw us gettinâ all cuddly. Went on a tirade about how itâs an assault on biology and morals.â
âBiology?â Gallus tilted his head.
âParts of the body, like your eyes and your beak,â Applejack elaborated. âHere in Equestria, ponies can reproduce in many different ways because of magic. But in Griffonstone, yâall donât have magic. So only a dick in a vagina can create a baby over there.â
âLanguage!â Rarity gasped.
âAh know, but he gotta learn our differences somehow,â Applejack shrugged. âNow Gruff just shouts about how we poop rainbows and hold hooves all day, and have no real values or care in the world.â
âThat sounds like something heâd say,â Gallus frowned.
âAnd for the record, we were making out, not shagging,â Rarity rolled her eyes.
âSo what is-â
âAnyways!â Starlight spoke up over her son. âYou two already finished making dinner, you said?â
âSure did!â Applejackâs face brightened as she trotted past the three of them and towards the barn. âWe better hurry up before it gets cold!â
âSure didnât concern you earlier,â Rarity remarked, catching up to Applejack.
âHey, ah didnât see you complaining,â Applejack chuckled.
Gallus felt a little more at ease watching the two mares walking side by side, teasing and staring at each other with an energy that Gallus could feel from where he was walking behind them alongside his mother. He couldnât quite put his talon on it, but it felt like everything was right in the world just being in their presence. Gallus smiled as they finally reached the barn, Rarity opening the doors with her magic.
âAh donât miss opening those rusty doors, this gal here is useful,â Applejack smirked.
âOh, so you only asked me out just to be your door-opener?â Rarity gasped.
âWell, thereâs a few other benefits,â Applejack gave Rarity a half-lidded stare before rubbing her hoof against Rarityâs cheek briefly. âLove ya, sugarcube.â
âLove you too,â Rarity kissed Applejackâs muzzle right before the farmpony turned to enter the barn, with Starlight and Gallus following her. Rarity came in last and closed the doors, and the four walked into the kitchen to see a large red stallion and a smaller pink unicorn talking. Or more specifically, the unicorn talking while the stallion smiled and listened to her every word. Gallus noticed a nearly identical energy with the two, and wouldâve gotten lost in it if Applejack didnât slap him on the shoulder and snap him out of his trance.
âThis here is mah brother Big Macintosh and his marefriend, Sugar Belle!â Applejack introduced Gallus to the two. âTheyâve been dating for a good while now, and with Hearts and Hooves Day coming up, I hope to see what mah brother has planned for her.â
âEeyup!â Big Mac nodded, getting up and trotting over to Gallus, offering his enormous hoof that was bigger than the griffonâs head. Gallus chuckled, greeting the stallion and shaking his hoof for a second before turning to Rarity as she spoke.
âSurely I hope you have something planned for me, darling,â Rarity walked over to Applejack and held a hoof to her forehead as she gasped and pretended to fall over. âGoodness, I would just faint if my marefriend didnât do anything for me!â
âOh donât ya worry, mah princess,â Applejack wrapped her foreleg around Rarity and held her close. âAh didnât forget about that day, ah promise.â
âSo, what did you guys make?â Gallus looked at the three pies and green bowl on the counter.
âMe and Rarity made apple cheddar pie, and a fruit salad,â Applejack explained. âThe cows were awfully generous when ahâd stop by and asked for some of their dairy. Gave me several pints to make all kinds of dishes in the future.â
âCows?â Gallus asked.
âTheyâre much bigger creatures than us,â Applejack told him. âAnd theyâre spotted with sharp horns.â
âWoah, they sound pretty intimidating,â Gallus commented.
âWell, ah wouldnât judge them so quickly, we donât exactly run off because ya got talons, you know?â Applejack winked.
âOh! Yeah, thatâs a good point,â Gallus chuckled, rubbing one of his forelegs with said talon. âSorry, that wasnât very nice of me.â
âSâokay, weâve all had our moments,â Applejack nodded before gesturing her hoof to the food. âNow, ah wonât let us keep conversing on empty stomachs. Come, donât be shy with your servings. We got plenty to eat, ya hear?â
Gallusâ eyes widened as he stepped towards the sweet and savory aroma of the pies, his heart racing as Applejackâs words echoed in his head. He lunged for the pie closest to him, not bothering to remove a piece as he simply grabbed the warm pie pan with his talons and started eating the pie like his life depended on it.
âGallus!â Starlight gasped.
âItâs okay, sugarcube,â Applejack placed a hoof on her shoulder. âAh may not know much, but ah know what a ravenous appetite griffons and dragons have. I got three more pies sitting in the oven just in case.â
âWow, thatâs really thoughtful,â Starlight smiled. âThank you, Applejack.â
âHey, ever since that incident with Zecora, I bother to read a book every now and then,â Applejack explained. âIt helps that we have the biggest nerd in Equestria as our friend.â
âHeh, she is pretty dorky,â Starlight giggled. âBut yeah, Twilight has been a much bigger help than we couldâve ever hoped for.â
Gallus wouldâve scoffed if he wasnât beak-deep in the apple cheddar pie. And as he continued chomping down the pie, the conversation faded away as a memory in his mind far suppressed, brought its way back to the surfaceâŚ
Gallus, a young blue griffon chick, waited at the table within the walls of his rickety wooden house that wasnât all that different from a cabin. Even the table and chairs were made by his father, although not without their flaws. Nails stuck out in random places in the chairs, and Gallus found himself always feeling the seat with his talons before sitting in it. No need to get a sharp nail up his ass. His father mustâve gotten several sharp nails up his ass, Gallus thought, for what else would explain that constant grimace on his face?
On his right was his older sister, a much taller griffoness with white feathers and a golden yellow fur coat named Leilani, and on his left was his younger brother, a chick with dark blue feathers and light blue fur named Memphis. Memphis cooed in his make-shift high chair as he tried to touch the table with his talons, while Gallus kept an eye on the nails jutting out of the table.
âYou donât think that heâllâŚ?â Gallus spoke up.
âHeâs too far away from the nails,â Leilani told him, her expression stoic until she saw Gallusâ wide eyes. Her face softening, she patted Gallusâ head as she smiled. âDonât worry, heâll be fine.â
âIs he bitching about the chick again? I swear, heâs almost as bad as your guysâ mother.â
Leilani instantly moved her talon off her younger brotherâs head, sitting up straight as their father walked into the dining room where they were. Towering over the rest of them, the bulky dark blue griffon fixed his amber eyes on his three kids, a scowl twisted on his black beak. Feeling a tug in his heart as he saw his father, Coakley, come in alone, Gallus turned to his Dad.
âWhereâs Mom?â Gallus asked.
âSelling her damn jewelry as usual,â Coakley growled. âI donât get her, why doesnât she triple the price of those stupid rocks? Itâs not like those morons she loves talking to so much know the difference. BesidesâŚâ
Coakley walked away, leaving the three griffons to silently wait before he came back in, throwing two plump fishes onto the table before taking a seat. Leilani gasped, her tongue rolling out of her mouth as she stared at the fishes within reaching distance. As she reached for the fish closest to her, Coakley made a sharp sound, causing her to put her talon back at her side.
âYou should appreciate the parent who actually feeds you,â Coakley growled, slamming his clenched talon on the table as he glared at Gallus. âWhen has your Mom ever brought dinner home, who is the one that built this fucking house?!â
Gallus felt his blood run cold as he tightly gripped his tail in his talons, shaking as he answered him.
âY-You are, sir,â Gallus stammered.
âDonât stammer in my house,â Coakley sneered. âYouâre not a griffoness or a chick, youâre to speak clearly when talking to another griffon, understood?â
âYes sir,â Gallus managed to say.
âGood,â Coakley nodded. âNow, as irritating as your mother might be, I still need to save her some fish for when she gets back home. This whole fish is for me, and half of the second fish is for your mother.â
As Coakley explained, he pulled both fishes towards himself. Reaching over and slicing one of the fishes in half with his talons, he then tossed the remaining tail half towards his three children.
âWork it out amongst yourselves,â Coakley ordered, taking the fish and a half in his beak as he got out of his chair, leaving the room. âAnd Gallus?â
âYes?â
âYou want more than two bites of fish, actually be a griffon and not a squirming chicken,â Coakley scoffed. âGrow up.â
Hearing his pawsteps get quieter until there was silence, Leilani sighed as she got out of her chair. She then took the fish half and brought it to Memphis, the chick taking each piece of fish given to him until he eventually stopped. With a few bites left on the bones, Leilani brought it back to the table and sat back down in her chair, a frown evident on her beak as she stared at the fish.
âHeâs full,â Leilani gave a brief smile before it fell. âYou have it, Gallus. The last time you ate was-â
âNo, you need to eat,â Gallus pushed the few bites of fish towards her. âIâllâŚsneak out, and maybe Iâll catch something while heâs asleep-â
âGallus, what are you going to do if he catches you?â Leilaniâs green eyes widened. âYou know weâre not allowed to leave the house without his permission!â
âIâll take the bea-I mean consequences!â Gallus corrected himself as Leilani narrowed her eyes at him. âSeriously, sis, itâs fine. Itâll take two seconds to catch a pigeon or something. Eat.â
âOkayâŚâ Leilani brought the remaining fish close and proceeded to eat it as if any moment it might disappear. âT-Thank you, bro.â
âNo problem,â Gallus smiled.
Long after his siblingsâ went to bed, Gallus escaped his house and walked a distance away. Staring up at the full moon, and then the barren trees below it, Gallus looked for birds or a lake. With no hunting skills taught to him, even though he was sixteen years old now, Gallus could only go off instinct and night vision. Smelling a familiar sweet scent, Gallus rushed towards it and to a lake away from the huts. Spotting a bright yellow and white griffon that was smaller but looked almost exactly like Leilani, Gallus recognized her by the yellow markings around her blue eyes.
âMom?â Gallus gasped as he saw a full fish underneath her talons. âYouâre off work? Whatâre you doing here?â
âMy baby,â Solara smiled, summoning her son forward with a beckoning of her talon. The brightness in her expression was too rare for Gallus to ignore as he rushed forward and embraced his mother. âYes, I got off a bit ago. Your father will want to eat all his fish, so I went fishing before bed.â
âHe saved you half a fish yâknow,â Gallus pointed out, to which his mother laughed.
âHa! He always says that, but I come home to nothing,â Solara shook her head. âDid you eat?â
Gallus felt his blood boiling at the image of his father taking almost all of the fish to his room, processing his motherâs words as he gripped the grass underneath him with his talons. Before he could succumb to the emotions spiraling within him, he shook his head to his motherâs question.
âI gave the last half to Leilani,â Gallus huffed.
âWell, I certainly donât need to eat all of this fish,â Solara moved aside to make room for the both of them. âGo ahead, if we really need it, I can go catch another one.â
Gallus lunged for the fish and started tearing into it and gulping down as much as he could, barely hearing his motherâs soft laugh as she flew above the lake, diving for another fish near the surfaceâŚ
Gallus pulled back from the now empty pie tin, his eyes wide as he wiped crumbs off his beak. Ever since he left Sheila, the memories of his family had been pushed down to the darkest spaces of his mind, and now he was remembering the times he spent with them? Why? Sure, his mother and sister mightâve seemed sweet in that memory, but they didnât stop his father from hitting him.
Most likely, Gallus glared at the counter. Mom probably stayed with him, how many times did she defend him?
âGallus?â Starlight spoke up. âAre you okay?â
âY-Yeah,â Gallus moved away from the counter, turning around to look at his mother and the two Apple siblings at the table. âI just had a memory come back to me, one about my parents. Speaking of which, are your guysâ parents coming tonight, or is it just us?â
Applejack winced, staring at her untouched pie slice on the table. Big Macâs ears flattened as he looked away, and Rarity wrapped her forelegs around Applejack and nuzzled right under her ear.
âWas itâŚsomething I said?â Gallus approached Applejack. âIâm sorry, I seem to keep upsetting you two.â
âNo, thatâs not it,â Applejack sighed. âWhy donât yâall start eating? ThereâsâŚsomething ah want to show Gallus, if thatâs okay.â
âSure, I could go for a few minutes before eating another pie,â Gallus chuckled. Rarity removed herself from her lover as Applejack got out of her seat and made her way out the door with Gallus right behind her. Before leaving, Applejack glanced at the four ponies at the table.
âAnd if Apple Bloom gets home before ah do, just tell her ah took Gallus out to show him the tree,â Applejack explained. âWeâll be back soon.â
The tree?
Gallus remained quiet as he followed Applejack out the door, walking out to the many apple trees nearby. At first, that was all it appeared to be, but then as they continued, Gallus saw pear trees nearby. And after a few more steps, Gallus saw it: an enormous pair of trees intertwined with one another; one apple and one pear tree. The energy that came from the pair of trees alone was enough to capture Gallusâ soul in its warm embrace and never let go. Even though Gallus stopped walking and just stared at the tree, Applejack continued walking towards the tree until she sat right beside it and placed her hoof on the surface, shaking as tears rolled down her face.
âThis never gets any easier,â Applejack sighed. âItâs okay, Gallus, you can touch the tree.â
Gallus rushed forward, sitting beside Applejack and placing his talon on the tree as he stared at her teary eyes and trembling frown.
âMah parents were the greatest love story ever told,â Applejack explained. âMah Pa was an Apple and mah Ma was a Pear, and despite the feud between our families, they ended up together and had three foals. They even planted the seeds to this tree during their wedding. But shortly after Apple Bloom was born, they went through the Everfree Forest to deliver apples, and never came back.â
Gallus gasped, but didnât say another word as Applejack continued.
âAfter ponies went searching, they found p-parts of their bodies, they believed Timberwolves got them,â Applejack shakily inhaled as she continued. âGranny told them going that way was a stupid idea! And now weâve got no parents. Nothing but this here tree and a couple of photos to remember them by.â
âIâm really sorry,â Gallus placed his other talon on Applejackâs shoulder. âI promise I didnât know.â
âAh know you didnât,â Applejack looked up at Gallus, a tear falling from her chin. âYour Ma didnât tell me anything, but something hadta have happened for you to be legally adopted from Griffonstone. Did theyâŚ?â
âNo, theyâre not dead,â Gallus shook his head. âAt least, I donât think that they are.â
âYou donât gotta tell me anythinâ at all,â Applejack assured him.
âThis,â Gallus removed his talon from Applejackâs shoulder to wave it towards the tree. âIs so beautiful, and my parentsâ relationship was nothing like yours. They stayed together because my âfatherâ knocked up my âmother,â so to speak.â
Applejack winced as Gallus used quote symbols with his talons. Gallus glared at the grass below them and growled with a shake of his head.
âI wish I had your parents,â Gallus scoffed.
âAh wish I had them too,â Applejack wrapped her foreleg around Gallus, and Gallus slowly looked up at her.
âHey, Iâm sorry I made this about me,â Gallus apologized. âThank you for showing me this tree, again.â
âDonât worry about it, and no need ta apologize,â Applejack insisted, looking back at him. âAh wanted to pull you aside to ask ya about it properly, no need to talk about all your history in front of everypony.â
âThank you,â Gallus smiled as he stared at the sunsetâs orange and pink skies. âI think Iâm ready for that second pie now.â
âHey, ah hadnât even had one slice yet!â Applejack laughed, pulling away from their embrace and galloping towards the barn. âYa gotta beat me to it!â
âYouâre on!â Gallus shouted, getting up and leaping to the air, flying past Applejack and into the barn with ease. Rushing over to the one remaining pie on the counter, Gallus lunged and began wolfing it down.
âAh, no fair!â
âApplejack, dear, your slice is still at the table.â
âOh thank you, Rares. Let me just start the oven for the rest of the piesâŚâ
As the two mares conversed, Gallus paused mid-feasting and brought his second pie to the table, sitting next to Big Mac and Sugar Belle and sitting across from his mother who smiled at him.
âSo how was your talk?â Starlight asked.
âIt went really well,â Gallus nodded, the bright yellow pears and red apples of the tree still clear in his mind. âI liked learning about the Apple family, when are we gonna get pear pies next?â
âWhen Grand Pear gives us the dang recipe!â Granny Smith shouted as she came into the kitchen. The whole room rumbled with laughter, including Gallus, who felt everyponyâs energy combined into a colorful warm glow in his heart.
It was very lovely getting to meet the Apple family.
Author's Note
Thanks for reading this chapter featuring the Apple family! Applejack is my favorite of the Mane 6, and the Perfect Pear is my second favorite episode of the entire show! It was great writing about the Apples, and finally getting around to introducing Gallus' family in Griffonstone. Please vote and review if you can, and expect to see another chapter next Friday! đđ
Surprises at Sugarcube Corner
The rest of the time spent at Sweet Apple Acres went by smoothly, with Big Mac and Sugar Belle telling Gallus the story of how they met, and Applejack and Rarity following it up with their slow-burn from being frenemies at a sleepover to the lovebirds that Gallus saw today. As all but one pie was eaten during the course of dinner, Starlight got out of her chair and looked to her son.
âSo, are you ready to head out?â Starlight asked.
âSure am!â Gallus got out of his seat, turning to look at the Apple family, including Granny Smith who had joined in for the past few conversations. âThank you guys again, for having us over.â
âAbsolutely, ah wish more residents could stop here and try our food!â Applejack told him. âEr, one at a time though. Ah donât want a whole crowd of them cominâ in at once to eat our food.â
âSo I canât have my friends come over?â Gallus smirked at Applejack.
âIsnât one of them a yak?â Sugar Belle asked. âHow many pies do you think sheâll eat?â
âA lot more than me, Iâm sure,â Gallus snickered. âDonât worry, Applejack, Iâm kidding. I wonât invite all my friends over.â
âPhew,â Applejack wiped her forehead with a hoof, and as he followed Starlight to the door, he looked over his shoulder and smirked.
âIâll just invite Yona over,â Gallus chuckled.
âOh Celestia,â Gallus heard Applejack groan as he turned away and walked out the barn, Starlight waving goodbye at them and also thanking them for having the two over. The sunset had turned into a light blue night, with the moon just barely visible above the trees.
âHopefully I didnât keep Trixie waiting too long,â Starlight said to herself as the mother and son left Sweet Apple Acres and made their way to Sugarcube Corner. âThough knowing her, sheâll probably take her sweet precious time looking for fansâ wanting her signature.â
âWait, she looks for fans wanting her to sign something?â Gallus asked.
âYeah! I saw her doing that one time when I brought her coffee after her show,â Starlight snickered, rolling her eyes. âI keep telling her that sheâs gotta at least try to play it cool if she wants more ponies to come to her shows, but she insists its to âengage with your audience.ââ
âGuess I can see both sides,â Gallus replied. âPonies might be more likely to come back if they see the performer is really friendly.â
âThatâs one way of looking at it,â Starlight snorted, walking up to Sugarcube Corner and opening the door. âAnyways, itâs fine. I already know what to get-â
Starlight stopped talking as her and Gallus entered the establishment, watching as Trixie had her forelegs stretched out on the counter as she spoke to Pinkie Pie.
âWell,â Pinkie smiled at Trixie. âI suppose I can include your shows in a few of my birthday parties. Although I would have to ask the recipient ahead of time, considering how not every pony wants to watch your shows.â
âYeah, Trixie knows,â Trixie sighed. âYou donât have to remind Trixie.â
âTrixie?â Starlight huffed. âAre you bullying ponies into watching your shows again?â
Gallus felt a strange energy, not as warm, radiate from Starlight as she walked over to Trixie and scowled at her.
âThis is different!â Trixie protested. âPinkie would be getting something out of this too! Trixie was going to provide her services for free!â
âFor free?!â Starlightâs eye twitched. âIâm the only one of us that has a regular income, and youâre providing the service you get paidâŚfor free?â
âTrixie doesnât get why that is difficult to understand,â Trixie removed her forelegs from the counter to properly face Starlight, tilting her head. âItâs a long-term solution. Sure Trixie doesnât earn anything now, but ponies who wouldnât normally go see Trixieâs shows would see them for free and pay to see them again!â
âAnd nice to see you too,â Trixie scoffed, looking away from Starlight. âTrixie even bothers not to show up late this time, and this is how you act? Trixie even bought us dessert!â
âItâs true,â Pinkie spoke up. âI just had it in the back for when you guys got here.â
Starlight gave a sharp glare to Pinkie, and Pinkie shrugged before bouncing out the door leading to the kitchen, leaving Starlight and Trixie in the cold silence.
âTrixie, I-â
âSave it,â Trixie walked past Starlight, and as Gallus turned to look at the tables, his heart skipped a beat as he noticed the only table occupied with customers had a familiar orange dragon and green pony talking to each other. His gaze zeroed in on Sandbar as he smiled and nodded to whatever Smolder was going on about, the butterflies fluttering throughout his body as he felt the situationâs intensity melt away a little. He could get lost staring at the earth ponyâs expression, if it werenât for the fact that his mother was poking him on the shoulder.
âGallus? Gallus?â
âOh, sorry, I just realized some of my friends are here,â Gallus pointed out, flicking his tail over in the direction of said friends.
âYouâre okay, I just wanted to say that Iâm really sorry you had to see that,â Starlight frowned, glancing in the direction where Trixie stormed off.
âEr, are you two breaking up?â Gallus turned to properly face his mother, scratching his neck with his talon as he frowned. âI justâŚI understand if youâre not happy, but I hope I donât lose-â
âWoah,â Starlight waved her hoof at him. âWeâre just having a disagreement, it happens all the time, even with couples.â
âB-But Applejack and Rarity seemed fine, Big Mac and Sugar Belle too!â Gallus pointed out. âI didnât see them acting this way with each other.â
âGallus, you think they never have problems? That they never got frustrated with one another?â Starlight narrowed her eyes at her son. âGallus, youâre barely an adult, and I donât even know if youâve been in a relationship beforeâŚâ
Gallus winced at the realization, he hadnât told her. But instead of saying anything, Gallus looked down and listened to what his mother was saying.
â...but relationships arenât always twisted and bad for you,â Starlight explained. âSometimes, theyâre just normal relationships with problems.â
We go way back, Gallus. This is just a rough patch, we need each other.
Gallus gasped and flinched as he heard the familiar chilling voice ringing in his head, seeing a black and white shadow laughing in the corner of his vision. Shaking his head and feeling tears coming to his eyes, Gallus turned away and walked towards his friends.
âHey Gallus!â Sandbarâs eyes lit up as he gestured at an empty spot beside him. âI thought that-oh boy.â
Sandbarâs smile dropped as he saw Gallusâ trembling beak and wide eyes, jumping out of his seat and rushing over to Gallus.
âOh Celestia, are you okay? What happened?â Sandbar asked.
âI just h-heard her voice,â Gallus shook his head. âI need to sit down.â
âPlease do,â Sandbar insisted, watching as the griffon walked past Smolder and took his seat in the other empty chair. As Smolder leaned forward and spoke to him, Sandbar turned around and looked at Starlight. âDid something happen at Sweet Apple Acres?â
âI donât think so,â Starlight told him. âMe and Trixie had a disagreement, and I was just trying to explain that those type of things just happen in relationships. And he justâŚacted as if he saw a ghost! I hope I didnât scare him off.â
âYou didnât,â Sandbar assured her. âI think Gallus is just getting over stuff that happened in Griffonstone, thatâs all. Iâll talk to him, okay?â
âThank you, I already need to talk to somepony after all,â Starlight sighed, her ears flattening for a moment before they perked back up. âAfter I get our desserts, of course.â
As Starlight turned around and walked back to the counter, Sandbar smiled as he walked back to his table and sat in the seat between Smolder and Gallus. Gallus was no longer shaking, his gaze transfixed on Sandbar as the green pony glanced at the both of them.
âDid you guys talk?â Sandbar asked.
âI was just seeing if I need to kick someoneâs ass,â Smolder growled, holding one fist with her other claw. âSounds like I just might, with what Gallus was hinting at. He says he remembered hearing someone he knew back at Griffonstone. HeâŚwouldnât get into the specifics.â
âOh Gallus,â Sandbar reached over and embraced Gallus tightly. âYou canât let her run you when sheâs gone now. I know itâs hard, considering what she did to youâŚâ
Gallus opened his eyes, and saw Smolder staring over his shoulder, with a sharp wide-eyed glare and crossed arms, as if Sheila was right behind him.
â...but youâre safe here now,â Sandbar patted Gallusâ shoulder briefly, then pulled away from the embrace and smiled at him. âNone of us would hurt you, I promise.â
âWho is this she?â Smolderâs eyes turned into slits as she looked at Gallus. âI swear to the Dragon Lord, if I find this evil bitch-â
âYou wonât do anything, Smolder.â
âWHAT?!â Smolder bellowed, slamming her fists on the table as she glared at Sandbar. âAre you kidding me? For all we know, she couldâve abused our friend, and you just want to sit there and do nothing?!â
âDoes it look like Iâm doing nothing? This isnât about her, she isnât even here,â Sandbar pointed out, placing a hoof on Gallusâ talon. âGallus is my main concern right now, not this griffon nobody.â
Gallus felt sparks inside his talon as he felt the warmth of Sandbarâs hoof pressing against it, the tension inside him melting away as he took a few seconds to stare at the contact before Smolderâs voice snapped him out of the trance.
âFine,â Smolder huffed. âBut if I ever meet her, sheâll be lucky if she even has wings to fly back to Griffonstone with.â
âHonestly?â Gallus spoke up, causing Smolder and Sandbar to cease their conversation and look at him. âI just want to enjoy myself and not think about it anymore.â
âOh!â Sandbarâs ears perked up as he removed his hoof from Gallusâ talon, leaving the griffon to miss the touch for only a moment before Sandbar spoke to him. âThereâs certainly a few events thatâll help you with that. For one, I was thinking of planning a party in our dormroom. Nothing too crowded, is that okay that we do it in our dormroom?â
âWell, am I invited?â Gallus asked.
âAre you invited?â Sandbar snickered. âGallus, it wouldn't be any fun without you. Of course Iâm inviting you!â
Gallus felt heat rushing to his cheeks at Sandbarâs words, and smiled wide and nodded his head as he felt the rush throughout his whole body.
âThen y-yeah, that sounds fun,â Gallus agreed. âAlthough, the only kind of parties I know about are the ones Pinkie throws. Will she be there?â
âGoodness no!â Smolder answered. âThisâll be the kind of party with drinks and games.â
âOh, you mean alcohol?â Gallus chuckled. âIâm eighteen, Smolder. Iâm too young to drink.â
âDude, eighteen is the minimum drinking age in Equestria,â Smolder pointed out. âYeah, I get that look. I was just as shocked when Sandbar explained it to me.â
âReally?â Gallusâ beak dropped at that statement. âBecause the minimum drinking age in Griffonstone is twenty-one.â
âThatâs nothing!â Smolder laughed. âIn the Dragon Lands, you have to wait at least several hundred years before you can drink!â
âWait a second,â Gallusâ eyes widened as he processed her words. âYou live that long?!â
âYeah!â Smolder snickered. âNo one told you? Many dragons live for thousands of years! Theyâll even take a fucking nap for several centuries, just so they donât have to wait to drink!â
âW-Wow,â Gallus stammered. âThatâs truly something, justâŚyouâre not going to accidentally just pass out on us for that long, are you?â
âOf course not!â Smolder replied. âIâm way too young to even be able to fall asleep for that long, and even if I could, Silverstream wouldnât let me hear the end of it. Sheâs always shaking me awake with the newest discovery. Remember when she found out about stairs?â
âOh right!â Gallus smiled. âBut I do get that in a way, Iâve been learning about a lot of stuff here in Equestria myself.â
âThereâs one more thing,â Sandbar added. âHeadmare Twilight posted sign ups for a play celebrating the âOnes-versaryâ of when Princess Celestia first raised the sun! I already auditioned and got the part of Starswirl the Bearded, and the rest of our friends signed up as well. That just leavesâŚwell, you two.â
âOh câmon!â Smolder protested, crossing her arms. âIâm not good at acting, Iâll look like a moron up there!â
âHave you ever tried acting?â Sandbar frowned.
âNo! Thatâs how Iâll know Iâll be terrible at it,â Smolder huffed, glaring in a separate direction from her friends.
âHey now, it could be fun,â Gallus assured Smolder. âEspecially since the rest of our friends already have roles in it, why not try something new with them?â
âThatâs the spirit,â Sandbarâs ears flickered as he smiled warmly at Gallus for a few seconds before turning to Smolder. âItâs not about being good at it, at least not for me. This is a shared experience with our friends! And besides, we get to spend more time with Princess Celestia herself~â
âWait,â Smolder gawked, turning to stare at Sandbar. âPrincess Celestia will be in the play?!â
âThatâs what Twilight told me!â Sandbar pressed a hoof to Smolderâs muzzle. âBut keep it a secret, could you? Twilight wants to wait till maybe a week or two before the play happens to give Ponyville the big reveal.â
âY-Yeah, and I guess Iâll sign up then,â Smolder blushed, staring off into the distance with a little drool hanging off her muzzle.
âEverything alright, Smolder? You look like me when Iâm offered a fish from the lake near Fluttershyâs cottage,â Gallus chuckled. âDid you not eat anything yet?â
âN-No!â Smolder stammered. âI ate a few mint brownies a while ago, Iâm just craving some gems right now. Thatâs all.â
âSo Sandbar,â Gallus addressed his pony friend, who looked back at him with a calm smile. âWhen will this party be, and when will the play happen?â
âThe play will be happening in two months, and I was hoping to have the party next Saturday, if that works with you?â Sandbar tilted his head, the silence stretching through each second until Gallus realized his question and nodded his head.
âThat works perfect for me,â Gallus agreed. âIâm gonna go check on my Moms and see how everything is going.â
âOf course,â Sandbar patted Gallusâ shoulder, and Gallus felt an energy full of fiery sparks coming from the stallionâs touch, leaving Gallus breathless. Nodding and getting out of his chair without another word, Gallus pushed the chair back in and walked over to the back where Starlight and Trixie had their chairs right next to each other, with Starlight holding Trixie in her embrace while Trixie looked up at her with bright purple eyes. As Gallus approached them, he felt a sweet and calming energy, very different from earlier, in the air just as his mothers took their eyes off each other and smiled at their son.
âHey Gallus, we saved a cupcake for you,â Starlight released one of her forelegs to point her hoof at the dark blue cupcake with star patterns on it. âWe waited for you to eat our desserts.â
âOh you didnât have to do that,â Gallus chuckled.
âTrixie knows,â Trixie smiled. âBut we had stuff to talk about, so it was no problem waiting for you.â
âOkay then!â Gallus pulled the chair across his parents open and sat in it, quickly scarfing down all of his cupcake before either mare could pick up their own cupcakes. âThat was so good! What flavor was it?â
âBlueberry cheesecake!â Gallus flinched as he heard Pinkieâs screech from the other side of the bakery. âGlad you liked it!â
âThat mare,â Starlight chuckled as she stopped embracing her marefriend, pulling her chocolate cupcake with pink frosting close to her. âIâm pretty sure if somepony in Canterlot complimented her treats, she would hear it.â
âDid your friends tell you about the play already?â Trixie asked. âTrixie wouldâve loved to participate in such an event, but your egghead-mare doesnât want âdangerousâ stunts in the play? Doesnât she want ponies to come?â
âWell maybe if âŚactually, I understand where youâre coming from,â Starlight placed her hoof on Trixieâs shoulder as the blue mare ate her white and blue cupcake. âYou want to make the play exciting for the audience, but I think Twilight is looking to have a more casual play. It is the School of Friendshipâs first play after all.â
âVery well then,â Trixie sighed. âHopefully Trixieâs talents will be desired another time.â
âBelieve meâŚâ Starlight stared at Trixie with a half-lidded gaze as she whispered something in Trixieâs ear. Trixieâs eyes widened as a deep red blush appeared on her cheeks. As Trixie stood still, her blush still evident on her face, Starlight smiled at her son.
âSo,â Starlight spoke up. âI heard Sandbar was going to play Starswirl the Bearded?â
âYeah, why?â Gallus tilted his head.
âOh nothing,â Starlight smirked. âI just know that Starswirl had a lover during the time Celestia raised the sun for the first time, and Twilight is looking for who will do his role during the play.â
Just like his mother Trixie in front of him, Gallus also went silent as a blush appeared on his face.
Within the house of Starlight Glimmer and Trixie was a former Guest room that was transformed into Gallusâ room only a few days after the two mares had officially adopted the young griffon. The walls were painted the exact same shade of blue as Gallus, with a queen sized bed generously donated by Princess Twilight herself. It was Saturday morning, not the day of the party, but exactly a week before. Gallus was sleeping soundly underneath his covers, gently kneading the mattress with his talons when the door swung open, revealing Starlight Glimmer as she used her magic to prod Gallus awake.
âH-Hwuh?â Gallusâ eyes flickered open for a brief moment before he threw the covers over his face. âJust ten more minutes, MomâŚâ
âI would love to give you ten more minutes, but you know how Twilight is,â Starlight explained, walking to her sonâs bed and removing the covers. Gallusâ eyes were tightly closed as he softly hissed at his mother. As he opened his eyes once more, he sighed as he was met with his Momâs unamused stare.
âAlright, Iâm getting up,â Gallus groaned, getting up and jumping off his bed. âIâm surprised Twilight was able to plan an audition for me on such short notice.â
âWell, we were already planning to have a tour of her castle,â Starlight smirked. âWorked out pretty well, donât you think?â
âIâll say,â Gallus chuckled, following his mother out the door and to the dining table where a box full of donuts was awaiting him. âWow, thanks Mom.â
âThank Pinkie, she was willing to give them half off because they were going to expire soon,â Starlight told him. âPick your favorite.â
âI will,â Gallus sat at the table and snatched up a glazed donut, eating the entire donut within three bites. âCan I have another?â
âSure, just save two of them for us,â Starlight smiled. âThanks for asking.â
âNo problem,â Gallus smiled, feeling his tail wagging briefly before he reached for a cream-filled donut and taking a big bite out of it. After swallowing it, he continued to talk to his mother. âI umâŚdonât know if I have enough experience to get the part.â
âGallus, itâs a school play, not Bridleway,â Starlight laughed. âYouâll get a part in the play, donât worry.â
âBut I donât know if Iâll get the part that Iâm hoping for,â Gallus frowned.
âWhat part would that be?â Starlight smirked. âDoes it have anything to do with what I said yesterday?â
Gallus set his half-eaten donut back down on the table, blushing as he stared at his motherâs expression.
âIâŚumâŚâ Gallus stared down at his donut, feeling his words get caught in his throat.
âDonât hurt yourself, Gallus,â Starlightâs smirk faded away as she approached the donut box. âYou donât have to say anything.â
âOh thank Celestia,â Gallus gasped, burying his face in his talons for a few seconds before looking up at his Mom. âYâknow Iâm just curious to try the role, right? Iâm not gay.â
Starlight tilted her head, narrowing her eyes at Gallus.
âIâm not!â
âOkay, okay,â Starlight raised her hoof at him. âYou donât need to get all snippy about it. Thereâs nothing wrong with being curious about Equestrian history.â
âDo you think Sandbar would be okay with kissing a dude?â Gallus asked.
Starlight gave the same deadpan expression she gave Gallus earlier.
âGallus, you do realize most of the ponies in Equestria are either gay or bi?â Starlight reminded him.
âI know!â Gallus threw his talons in the air. âThat doesnât mean that Iâm just going to assume!â
âItâs a pretty safe assumption, seeing as how he auditioned for the role of a gay stallion,â Starlight pointed out.
âDo youâŚâ Gallus gulped, imagining Sandbarâs smile twisting into a very unusual scowl upon seeing Gallus playing the role. âDo you think heâd be okay with kissing me?â
âI highly doubt heâs that afraid of your beak,â Starlight snickered. âCâmon now, quit stalling and eat your donut.â
Gallus sighed, picking up the rest of his donut and scarfing it down. Wiping the crumbs off his talons with his fur, Gallus got out from his chair and followed Starlight. Just as they were heading out the door, Starlight looked over her shoulder at her room door cracked open.
âIâm heading out, Trixie!â Starlight shouted.
âKay, goodâŚgood luck Gallus,â Gallus barely heard Trixieâs muttering before hearing a loud snore coming from inside the room.
âSuch a deep sleeper,â Starlight giggled, her half-lidded stare on the room door lasting for two seconds before she faced the front door, trotting towards it and exiting the house with Gallus right behind her. âGot that energy in you, today?â
âYeah, I sure do,â Gallus flew over Starlight and grabbed her, holding her close as he took them above the houses and towards Twilightâs castle. After a good ten minutes of flying, Gallus landed in front of the huge glittery castle, gently dropping Starlight on the ground before rolling over flat on his back gasping and panting.
âI c-can have a few minutes before this audition, right?â Gallus wheezed.
âObviously!â Starlight used her magic to lift Gallus up and carry him towards the castle, with the blue griffon floating in her magical aura. Approaching the door and knocking on it, Starlight didnât have to wait long as Twilight opened the door less than a minute later, her eyes widening as she looked up at the floating Gallus.
âIs he alright?â Twilight asked. âYou didnât have to drag him here, did you?â
âOf course not!â Starlight waved her hoof. âGallus is eager to get this role in the play, trust me.â
Gallus glared down at his mother, before looking at Twilight and giving a loud sigh.
âHer wording is a bit exaggerated, but sheâs telling the truth,â Gallus assured his Headmare. âI just got really exhausted flying us here, b-but I can walk now! I just need some water.â
Starlight nodded, setting her son back on the ground and releasing him from her magical hold. Gallus smiled at her before turning to Twilight.
âSo, I donât need to do a lot of performances, do I?â Gallus tilted his head.
âOh no! Weâre just having you look over the lines and see if this is a role that youâre comfortable with,â Twilight explained. âAll the performing will be during rehearsals, unless your friends would like to practice on your own time of course. I mean, who could blame you? You will be performing right beside Princess Celestia, only one of the most powerful alicorns known to-â
âAhem.â
âRight! The audition!â Twilight jolted back into focus, grinning at Starlight before she ran into the castle. âSpike made some extra blueberry pancakes if you two are hungry.â
âAre you still hungry?â Starlight turned to Gallus, and Gallus quickly nodded before making a beeline to the kitchen. Grabbing an empty glass, Gallus filled it with water from the fridge and downed it several times until he was no longer dehydrated. Licking his beak, Gallus placed the glass in the sink before turning to the pancakes that remained. Marching over to them, Gallus pulled one to himself and ate it in three bites. Walking out of the kitchen, Gallus saw Twilight and Starlight talking to each other.
âSheâsâŚnever acted before?â Starlight asked slowly, staring at Twilightâs wide grin.
âI know! Isnât it exciting? She gets to have her debut role in a play celebrating her Ones-versary!â Twilight squealed, stomping her hooves in place. âAnd I get to be there to witness it take place! Oh my stars, and I get to be the director too!â
âTwilight!â Starlight shouted, stopping the alicorn in her excitement. âObviously it makes sense that the students donât have any acting experience, but if Celestiaâs acting sucks? Twilight, theyâll have that all over the papers.â
âIt wonât suck,â Twilight rolled her eyes. âHow could an alicorn be terrible at anything?â
âUm, Princess Luna wasnât exactly the best co-ruler over a thousand years ago,â Starlight pointed out. âIâd think you of all ponies would remember something like that.â
âAnd you didnât exactly handle my situation the best either,â Gallus interjected, walking within sight of the two mares. The both of them turned to him with wide eyes, and Twilight had her jaw dropped as she stared at Gallus.
âWhat? Itâs true,â Gallus shrugged. âBut you more than made up for it, so Iâm not bitter about it anymore. Maybe you could give us all acting lessons before the play?â
âPssh, you guys will be fine,â Twilight waved her hoof. âThatâs what the rehearsals are for! Trust me, Iâve got everything taken care of, even the transcript right here!â
Gallus thought that Twilight hadnât processed what he said to her at all, that is, until he saw her eye twitch briefly despite the grin she gave to him. Using her magic to place a paper packet in his talons, Gallus brought the paper closer as he read the lines. Since the play was centered around Princess Celestia, only her and the narrator had a lot of lines, leaving the Young Six with few to no lines. Although, there was a scene where Starswirl and his stallion kissed after celebrating Celestia successfully raising the sun for the first timeâŚ
âŚGallus reread the lines, and his eyes nearly bulged out of his head.
âEverything okay, Gallus?â Twilight asked.
âY-Yeah, I mean, I had a hunch that there was a kiss scene,â Gallus explained as his eyes never left the paper. âI just didnât know for sure.â
âStarlight mentioned that to you, right?â Twilight asked.
âYeah, she did,â Gallus nodded, giving Twilight back the transcript. âAnd Iâm umâŚcomfortable with it.â
âOh good!â Twilight smiled as she took the papers back. âDid you have any more questions about your role or the play?â
âN-No, Iâm all good,â Gallus felt sweat rolling down his face as he turned to his mother. âShall we get going? Before Trixie accidentally sets something on fire.â
âGood point,â Starlight agreed, stretching her hoof out towards Twilight. âWell, hereâs to hoping that this play doesnât crash and burn.â
âCâmon Starlight, have a little more faith in this,â Twilight pouted, reaching out and shaking Starlightâs hoof. âPlease?â
âHey, Iâm helping you out, arenât I?â Starlight tilted her head. âI suppose Iâll try.â
âThank you!â Twilight let go of Starlightâs hoof and waved the two goodbye as they approached the front doors. âSee you both on Monday!â
âThe play wonât be that bad, will it?â Gallus asked Starlight as they left the castle.
âAll depends on how good Celestiaâs acting is,â Starlight shrugged. âItâs all out of my hooves now.â
Gallus thought about how Celestia could flop at acting, which would most likely mean no play and no kiss with Sandbar. Gallus gulped, shaking the thought and walking with his mother back home.
Author's Note
Strangely enough, I always post a chapter on July 31st ever since I started this story. Except in 2021, of course. I'll be putting this story on hiatus again, focusing on contest entries, original stories, and potentially other stories currently on hiatus first. I'll keep y'all updated in my blogs, so stay tuned, and thank you to my lovely followers and everyone else reading this story!
It was Friends and Family Day. Not the best timing for an argument.
Smolder and Yona got into a heated argument about yaks being âbest at everything,â and Gallus certainly wasnât helping. He took the heat of the moment to turn to Sandbar.
âThis couldâve all been prevented if it werenât for you namby-pamby ponies!â Gallus snapped. âA fucking set of textbooks isnât going to solve everything!â
âDonât look at me!â Sandbar flinched. âI didnât invent these textbooks! Maybe the school isnât the problem, maybe itâs you and Smolder terrorizing everyone with your sharp attitude!â
âWhat the hell did you just say?!â Smolder turned around, slapping Yona with her tail. âI, FUCK!â
âYona is best at biting tails,â Yona smirked, still holding the dragonâs tail with her teeth. âThink twice before you insult yaks.â
âHey! Whatâs goinâ on here?â
âShit.â Yona spat out Smolderâs tail, hearing Applejackâs hoofsteps behind her. âI was just lifting my friendâs tail to keep it off the ground. Keep it from collecting dirt.â
âLike hell you were!â Smolder growled. âThis dumb cow-whore bit my tail!â
âYou dragons may love your vulgar swears, but we donât,â Applejack scowled. âCome to my office, now. Both you and Yona.â
Smolder kept hissing profanities when Ocellus whispered something to her. Smolder stopped talking, took a deep breath, and nudged Ocellus away.
âFine.â Smolder sighed. âLetâs go.â
âWhat are you guys still doing here?â Rainbow Dash flew over Gallus and Sandbar. âGo to your classes!â
âThank Celestia your loud mouth didnât get us in trouble.â Sandbar sighed as soon as their teachers left. âIâm sorry this school isnât what you want it to be. But Iâm trying to make the best of it, thatâs all I can do.â
âCanât you drop out?â Gallus asked.
âCanât you?â Sandbar retorted. âI know Griffonstone isnât the friendliest of places, but you donât have to be here if you donât want to. Right?â
âIâŚâ Gallus opened his mouth, struggling to find the words. âThereâs really bad griffons there. I wonât go back there if I can help it.â
âBad? How bad?â Sandbar said softly, looking at Gallus. âWha...what did they do to you?â
âItâs a shit-hole, thatâs all you need to know,â Gallus frowned. âAnd Grandpa Gruff is visiting today, so nopony can tell him about the dropping grades.â
âYou told me you had a B minus in most of your classes,â Sandbar smiled. âThatâs not too bad.â
âI also have a D minus in Kindness class; no surprise there,â Gallus huffed. âIâm a piece of shit anyway.â
âWhoa, hold up.â Sandbar stopped walking, standing in Gallusâ way. âDonât you ever call yourself that.â
âWhat? A piece of shit?â Gallus scoffed. âWhat does it matter if Iâm calling myself that? Iâm not insulting anybody else.â
âThen why would you say that about yourself?â Sandbar frowned. âItâs hurtful to you, and Iâm not okay with anybody hurting my friends. Not even yourself.â
âIâm your friend?â Gallus pointed at himself. âBut I thought you couldnât stand me.â
âI canât stand how weâve been talking to each other,â Sandbar admitted. âBut this is new terrain for all of us, especially you. Of course Iâm your friend, you canât scare me off that easily.â
Sandbar walked up to him and gently placed his hoof on Gallusâ shoulder.
âHeh, youâve never let me feel your feathers before,â Sandbar smirked his signature smile. âTheyâre soft.â
âThank you?â Gallus whispered. âWe should probably g-get to class.â
âOh, now you want to go to class,â Sandbar pulled away, rolling his eyes. âThatâs funny.â
Gallus felt his body heat up, and his wings tense, as Sandbarâs smile never wavered. The green pony turned his back to Gallus and walked to class like a model would walk down a catwalk. Rarity would be proud, Gallus noted.
It was Pinkieâs Laughter class that they went to. But the only funny thing about it was the lack of laughter in the classroom. Halfway into class period, Smolder and Yona returned, taking their seats.
âYona hate making up class assignments.â the yak grumbled.
âFuck class, Iâm ditching for the day,â Smolder hissed in Gallusâ ear. âWanna come?â
âI guess?â Gallus whispered back, before turning to Pinkie. âHey Pinkie Pie, can we take a break? Just to catch some air outside?â
âOh, sure!â Pinkie smiled, using her mouth to move the chalk on the blackboard. âDonât take too long!â
Smolder and Gallus got up, only to have Yona, Ocellus, Silverstream, and Sandbar discreetly follow them.
âAre we leaving? What about Friends and Family Day?â Sandbar asked as soon as they walked out.
âDonât worry,â Smolder smirked. âWe can come back for that.â
âHey Miss Pinkie? I think six of your students leftâŚâ
âOh, IâŚâ Pinkie turned around, only to see six empty desks. âShit on a cake, I better tell Twilight.â
âIâm sorry I called you a dumb cow-whore.â Smolder apologized, as the six friends were hanging out at the lake.
âIâm sorry I bit your tail,â Yona sighed. âYona is just scared that she wonât live up to pony expectations, she thought she was best at everything.â
âHey, donât cry.â Ocellus transformed into a yak, leaning against a shaking Yona. âNo creature is best at everything, thatâs not realistic.â
âTransform into a monkey.â Yona sniffled, smiling through her tears.
âOkay.â Ocellus smiled, transforming into a skinny brown-furred primate. She wiggled her long limbs, making loud noises.
âThat still gets me,â Gallus laughed, sitting between Sandbar and Silverstream. âIâm sorry Iâve been having a stick up my ass, you guys. This school is a little more than I expected.â
âI get it.â Smolder agreed. âWhen Ember told me that Iâd be sent here, I thought I was just going to snuggle ponies under the rainbow with color books and marshmallows. Gay shit like that.â
âYou wanna fuck another girl?â Gallus tilted his head, confused.
âW-Wha?! No!â Smolder blushed, looking away. âI meant gay as in happy!â
âThereâs another definition for gay?â Gallus whispered in Sandbarâs ear.
âYeah, but ponies donât usually use the old definition anymore,â Sandbar replied. âHappy being the old use for the word.â
âWell, you can still snuggle with a pony perhaps,â Ocellus smirked, transforming into a random light blue mare. âNevermind the gay part.â
âYeah, right. Totally not gay.â Smolder smiled as Ocellus rested her head on Smolderâs lap, enjoying the moment.
As Gallus was relaxed, staring at his gentle reflection in the lake, he felt two heads resting on his shoulder. Sandbar rested his head on his right shoulder, and Silverstream rested her head on his left. Gallus smiled, basking in what may be the last time they spend a wonderful moment like this.
âHey Ocellus?â Smolder asked, running her claws through Ocellusâ pastel blue mane. âWhatâs the biggest creature you can transform into?â
âUh...a bugbear maybe?â Ocellus suggested.
âHell yeah,â Smolder smirked. âShow us, ba...I mean Ocellus.â
Ocellus winked at her dragon friend, shapeshifting into a bugbear moments later. Gallus gasped, moving his occupied shoulder in the process.
âThatâs amazing!â Silverstream hugged Gallus in her excitement, pushing Sandbar off him in the process. Sandbar barely noticed, staring at the huge bugbear in awe.
âYou were right Ocellus, yaks aren't best at everything...â Yona admitted. âBut changelings are best at transforming!â
âThank you,â Ocellus blushed through her white bear fur. âBut I donât want ponies to see me like this, we should head back to class.â
âYeah, wouldnât want to get in more trouble than we already have.â Smolder admitted, watching Ocellus turn back into her changeling form.
âTwilight, why is there a disgusting yak, a dragon bitch, a radioactive changeling, a grape-looking hippogriff, and a balding griffon?â Neighsay asked, staring at the representatives of their respective Kingdoms standing outside the castle.
âOh, thatâs because they brought students here!â Twilight smiled. âTheyâre also here for Friends and Family Day. There they are!â
Twilight smiled as her special students arrived, late nonetheless. Gallus smiled back, flying ahead of the rest of his friends.
âItâs great to meet you, Mr. Neighsay,â Gallus greeted the unicorn. âIâm honored to be a student at Twilightâs School of Friendship.â
âYouâre a student?!â Neighsay gawked. âTwilight, you said you were opening this school to protect Equestria! To defend ponies from... dangerous creatures who don't have our best interests at heart!â
âDangerous?!â Thorax gasped. Ember snarled, and Grandpa Gruff scowled.
âWhat the buck are you talking about? This is a school to learn about friendship!â Twilight scoffed.
âAnd how do you know these creatures won't take what they have learned here and use it against us?â Neighsay asked.
âYou ponies havenât changed at all!â Grandpa Gruff snapped. âYour town is still a bunch of racist jerks! Câmon Gallus! Iâm not letting you spend a second longer with these bigots.â
Nonononononononononono. No!
âDonât worry, we can get you guys a night in one of the hotels. So the five of you can say goodbye to each other,â Thorax sympathized. âBut weâre clearly not welcome here.â
âIâll come with, unless you guys probably donât want me around,â Sandbarâs ears drooped. âAccording to Gruff, Iâm just a bigot like all the other ponies.â
âSandbar,â Gallus lifted his pony friendâs chin with his talon, looking him in the eyes. âDonât you ever call yourself that.â
Sandbarâs eyes lit up, and despite the heavy situation unfolding around them, he smiled.
Author's Note
Another little headcanon I use in this story is that while other creatures use the word "fuck," ponies prefer using the term "buck," as it's less vulgar. Ponies still curse on occasion, but other creatures prefer to curse frequently (especially griffons and dragons).
And yeah, I changed up the events of Friends and Family Day! In this retelling, Ocellus never crashes the school in bugbear form. I like to think that no matter how the students show up, Neighsay reacts the same way cause of his racist mindset. More chapters coming soon, thanks for reading! Reviews are very much appreciated
