Bittersweet Old Bird

by FlareGun45

Rating: everyone
Tags: Gabby, Slice of Life, Gallus, Drama, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Comedy, Other, Trixie
Length: 4633

Gallus' relationship with Grandpa Gruff has always been complicated, but Trixie helps Gallus see a different point of view of the situation.

Gallus' relationship with Grandpa Gruff (or Grampa Gruff as some spell his name) has always been complicated, but Counselor Trixie helps Gallus see a different point of view of the situation.

Follow the story narrated by Gallus as we see more into his backstory and his relationship with his guardian, Grandpa Gruff, and witness the very first counselling session of the new counselor for the School of Friendship: Trixie!

This story contains spoilers for S9E19: Dragon Dropped, and S9E20: A Horse Shoe-In!

Published 2019-09-15 03:50:01 UTC
Last updated 2019-09-15 03:50:01 UTC

What A Gruff

Life as a griffin was never easy, especially due to the fact I was raised by a bitter old bird who cared nothing about me. Hey, I didn't care about him in return. There was once a time I never cared about any creature until I met my friends, Sandbar, Yona, Smolder, Silverstream, and Ocellus, and as my days in the School of Friendship went on, I gained even more friends and a saw different perspective of life.

It all started the day that Headmare Twilight was transfer her seat of power to Counselor Starlight. Starlight was having some kinda "trial" of who should be her "Vice Headmare", hey I thought Spike was a good enough Vice Headmare, when she tested out the candidates for a Parent/Teacher Conference. Unfortunately, I don't have parents, so of course, the bitter old bird himself was the only one they could talk to: Grandpa Gruff. I could tell he didn't want to be there. When he showed up, he didn't even say hi to me. He just wanted to get it over with and leave as soon as possible.

Starlight brought him to the room where the conferences were taking place, where Trixie was the one talking to him. "Ah! Welcome! I am the Great Vice Headmare Trixie! You must be Gallus', errr... grandfather, I guess?" Trixie asked.

"Pffft... as if." Gruff said bitterly. "Can we get this over with so I can leave?"

"Of course!" Trixie said pleasingly. "The sooner I impress the new Headmare, the better." Trixie turned to Starlight and said, "Wink." Starlight just rolled her eyes and checked on the other conferences. Trixie turned back to us and said, "Please, have a seat, Mister, errr..."

"Grandpa Gruff." He said as he and myself took a seat beside Trixie. "Well, what is there to say about good ol Gallus here?"

"Well, I had him in a class earlier today and it was EXHAAAAAUSTING." Trixie explained. "We had to learn about 'history' today, which I really didn't care about. I mean what does history have to do with friendship anyway? Honestly. It feels like Twilight was just making up boring subjects just for the sake of it. For a Princess of Friendship, she is such a square. I'm not sure what Starlight sees in her. Buuuuut this isn't about me, or Twilight, or Starlight, this is about Gallus. Gallus is a fantastic student. He's even taught me a thing or two about napping."

Grandpa Gruff yawned and said, "Is that why you're putting me to sleep?"

"Um, excuse me?" Trixie asked feeling insulted.

"I don't know why I have to come to these things." Gruff complained.

"Well," Trixie started, "most parents or guardians WANT to be involved in our student's lives. Maybe we should find a different representative from Griffinstone to be Gallus' guardian."

"Oh, that'd be great." Gruff said sarcastically "If you find one, LET ME KNOW!" I felt so embarrassed between the fighting. Ocellus' parents were looking at us funny.

"I'm not sure what your problem is." Trixie said.

"MY problem?" Gruff asked. "Why is any of what Gallus does MY problem? Gallus can do whatever he wants, I don't care. He's the one who wanted to be at this school in the first place. One less griffin to feed."

"You're being very insensitive, Grandpa Gruff." Trixie said. "My mother treated me with alot of respect, saying I'm great and powerful, and would go places, be an inspiration for all, and I wouldn't be who I am today if it wasn't for her confidence in me! She's proud of me, and you should do the same with Gallus if he wants to be a complete success!"

"Gallus doesn't need to know I'm proud of him! And he certainly doesn't need me trekking all the way to Ponyville!" Gruff complained.

"Good! Because you're no longer WELCOME!" Trixie yelled.

"Ohhhh! Well, fine with me!" Gruff said as he immediately flew off.

"Trixie, what happened?!" Starlight asked worryingly.

"I'm not sure. But we'll have one less conference to worry about next semester." Trixie said. Starlight just facehoofed herself, and I was so embarrassed that I decided to run off. I ran to my dorm and slammed the door shut, and I hopped on bed and started to, errrr.... think. Yeah. I definitely wasn't crying. No, really, I wasn't crying! YOU were crying!

Little while after, I heard a knock on the door and heard Starlight call my name, "Gallus? Are you in there?"

"No." I yelled out stupidly.

"Then who said 'no'?" Starlight asked.

"Ugh." I groaned. "Go away!"

"Look, I know you really don't really want to talk about it..." Starlight started.

"You're right, I don't." I said.

"But I think I might have something to help you feel better." Starlight said. "Your next class is Laughter Class, right? Well, we're doing a field trip segment, and Octavia is taking her class to a special field trip. I think maybe going out might do some wonders for you."

I sighed and I got up from my bed and opened the door. "Sure, why not?"

"That's the spirit!" Starlight said.

As we started walking, I started to realize something. "Professor Starlight?" I asked.

"Yes, Gallus?" She asked.

"I hate Grandpa Gruff so much." I said.

"Yeah, I can see why." Starlight said. "HE'S your guardian?"

"I wish I had a guardian like Trixie." I said.

"Oh?" Starlight asked.

"Yeah. Despite all that happened... I appreciate Trixie standing up for me." I said.

"Is that so?" Starlight asked curiously.

"Yeah. No creature has ever stood up to him for me before." I admitted. "That old bird just drives me nuts! To be honest, whenever he's around, it makes me happy that I don't have a family."

"Yeah... I don't necessarily have the best relationship with my dad." Starlight admitted. "The closest I have to a family is the friends I made here. Twilight, Spike, Trixie... speaking of Spike, he too is the same way."

"Same with me and my friends." I said. "I just wish I didn't have to go back home for the holidays or during Summer break. For most, it goes by quickly, but for me, it's slow as a tortoise." Rainbow Dash coughed as she flew by and overheard us. I then continued, "If my relationship with Grandpa Gruff wasn't so bad, I wouldn't have to sabotage Hearth's Warming just to stay behind."

"Yeah, heh, true." Starlight chuckled. "Well, let's get you to Octavia's class. Hopefully someday we can settle your issues with Grandpa Gruff."

Grandpa Issues

The next day came and I was on my way to my next class with Smolder and Sandbar. Sandbar was telling us a boring story about some family picnic.

"So that's when we found out we didn't bring ANY mustard to the picnic." Sandbar said. "My mom was freaking out so much, having mustard withdrawals."

"Did she start a fight with anypony?" Smolder asked.

"Uhh, no, she just fell asleep right after." Sandbar said.

"Here, I'm going to pretend there was a fight and she got knocked out is which is why she went to sleep." Smolder said.

"I'm not sure if you can do that because that's not how it happened, Smolder." Sandbar said.

"Don't ruin my fantasy, Sandbar." Smolder said angrily. "No wonder you're the most boring one in our group."

"I thought that was Ocellus?" Sandbar asked.

"Gallus!" Starlight called out as she walked over to us.

"Hey Headmare Starlight." I said. "What's up?"

"I'm excusing you from History Class today." Starlight said.

"THANK YOU!" I yelled in relief.

"Uhh... ok then." Starlight said awkwardly. "That's too bad because this is Sunburst's first day, and he explains history much better than Twilight."

"Can we skip today's class too?" Smolder asked.

"Fortunately, no!" Starlight said happily.

"How is that 'fortunate' for us?" Smolder asked.

"Aw c'mon, Smolder, Sunburst might be great!" Sandbar said.

"Yawn." Smolder said as she and Sandbar walked off. "Maybe you should teach that class. You have all the qualities."

"Sooo what is this about, Headmare Starlight?" I asked.

Starlight sighed and said to herself, "I'm never gonna get used to that." She then said to me, "This is Trixie's first day as the new school counselor, so I'm giving her a bit of a practice session, and I thought, you'd be a great first candidate!"

"Why me?" I asked. "Why not ask November Rain to see her? He's ALWAYS depressed."

"Uhh, yeah... about that, Trixie and him have a bit of a history." Starlight said.

"What kind of history?" I asked.

"The history wheeeeeere I was focusing more on my job than my friend soooooo she keeps slamming the door on his face." Starlight said. "I really didn't think that through all the way when I made Trixie counselor. But anyhoo, what's done is done, and I thought you were the best fit as the first student for Trixie to counselize."

"Counselize?" I asked.

"Look, I'm giving you a free pass from class. Do you want it or not?" Starlight asked while losing her patience.

"Ugh... fine, I'll do it." I said.

So Starlight went with me to Trixie's office. We knocked on the door and she called out, "Just a second!" We waited a little while, so we knocked again. "JUST A SECOND!" She yelled. "The Great and Counselor Trixie needs to get mentally prepared!"

Starlight sighed and said, "I'm starting to question why I hired her." Starlight then teleported herself and me into the room where Trixie was admiring herself in the mirror.

She then threw the mirror towards the wall, it breaks, and she yelled, "Uh, take THAT you monster! That mirror was attacking me, but luckily, the Great and Powerful Trixie has vanquished it. Hey Starlight, can I borrow some school funds?"

"After you help Gallus here." Starlight said.

"What do I need help with?" I asked.

"Good question." Trixie agreed. "If you don't know why you're here, then begone! Trixie needs to get a new mirror." Trixie jumped out of her seat and was about to walk out, but Starlight stopped her.

"Trixie, I need to see you do your job." Starlight said.

"Uh, didn't I prove myself already to you yesterday?" Trixie asked.

"Now I need you to help a student." Starlight said. "Since you were the one that stood up for Gallus, I thought maybe you can offer some advice to him about his relationship with Grandpa Gruff."

"There's nothing to tell." I said.

"I agree. That old grump is bad news." Trixie said. "You want my advice, Gallus? Find a REAL parent."

"Sure." I said.

"Alright, problem solved. Can I go now?" Trixie asked.

"Alright, let's try this then." Starlight instructed. "If we want to get to the bottom of why Gallus' relationship with Grandpa Gruff is negative, then maybe we should talk about their past together."

"Wait, you want me to actually listen to a story?" Trixie asked.

"You want me to TELL a story?" I asked ironically.

"See? You two have alot in common!" Starlight said excitedly as she escorted Trixie to her seat. "Go on Trixie, bond with Gallus. You're his friend. Be there for him."

Trixie sighed. "Alright, only because I like you, Gallus. Tell me your, errr... past so I can go get my mirror."

"Well," I started, "I guess it all started when I was a young griffite. Everything was really challenging back in Griffinstone. Every griffin was to themselves, and the only social interactions I had with them was them demanding bits or they would beat me up. Mostly the latter happened because I barely had bits, unless I found some lying on the ground somewhere. Sometimes... I even had to rely on petty thievery. It wasn't any better at home either, because the only thing I got going with Grandpa Gruff was food and shelter, but he wasn't the best advice giver."

"Gallus, you're such a wimp." Gruff said. "No wonder bullies keep beating you up. You need to defend yourself more. I'm ashamed to have a griffin in this household that can't take care of his treasures."

"But that was probably the best advice he gave me." I continued. "Ever since I was working out, practicing the good fight."

"Know this, Gallus," Gruff said, "you can't rely on any griffin but yourself. That's something you'll never understand. You're too soft!"

"And so I did." I continued. "I was able to hold my own against the bullies, and it felt good! Before I knew it, I started taking from THEM. I thought maybe a little bit of karma was due for them. I thought maybe when I proved myself, maybe I would finally earn the respect of Grandpa Gruff."

"You think I care what you do in your free time, Gallus?" Gruff complained. "You're like every other griffin. SO WHAT?! Here!" He gave me some food and ordered, "Take this and get out of my sight!"

"I knew that whatever I did, I couldn't impress Grandpa Gruff." I continued. "Nothing was good enough for him."

"Wow." Trixie said shockingly. "This just made me hate him even more."

"Welcome to the club." I said and sighed. "At least your parental figure loved you."

"Sure, my mom was always there for me," Trixie said, "but the thing is, it was JUST her."

"What do you mean?" I asked.

"Well..." Trixie sighed. "I never really knew my dad. He left before I was even born."

"Really?" Starlight asked shockingly. "You never told me this story."

"You never asked." Trixie said. Starlight got embarrassed. "Anyhoo, my mom said he was just some low-life, nopony special. Regardless of what my mom thinks...... I wish I.... gotten to know him."

"Wow, really?" I asked.

"Mhm." Trixie nodded. "The only thing about him that I got was my wagon who used to belong to him."

"Wait, WHAT?!" Starlight yelled. "That explains SO MUCH!"

"Yeah, feeling guilty that you sold my wagon?" Trixie glared at Starlight.

"YES!" Starlight yelled. "Oh my gosh, Trixie, I didn't even realize it! I am terribly sorry! Why didn't you say anything?!"

"It's... not something Trixie likes to talk about." Trixie admitted. "Gallus' story made me emotional. But no matter what, I'll always be grateful to my dad for being around when he did, even if he did leave us. I know not everypony is an abandoner, that's why I have you, Starlight." Trixie smiled at her.

Starlight smiled, got up from her seat and gave Trixie a hug. "Thank you, Trixie. I'm starting to remember why I gave you this job."

"Yeah, you're really cool, Trixie." I said. "I know my problem hasn't really been solved, but you made me feel so much better, at least knowing I have some creature who just... listens. It goes a long way in my book."

"Thank you, Gallus." Trixie said proudly. "Wow, being a counselor doesn't actually sound so bad. I never felt this good during my magic shows."

"I'm proud of you, Trixie!" Starlight said. "I knew you were counselor material!"

Just then there was another knock on the door.

Author's Note

Yes, I know Jack Pot is supposed to be Trixie's dad. But she doesn't know that! ;)

It Takes One to Know One

"THE GREAT AND POWERFUL COUNSELOR IS OCCUPIED!" Trixie yelled at whoever was knocking on the door.

"Ok!" A familiar voice said from the other side. "I'll just come back later for Gallus' update!"

"It's ok, Trixie. This is important." I said.

"Well there goes our bonding." Trixie complained. "For the record, if one of those mails is a tax refund, how about we go celebrate later, huh? Wink!" Trixie winked at me. Starlight and I both just looked at her awkwardly. Trixie then sighed and said, "Come in!"

The door opened, and in came Gabby and Spike. "Update time, Gallus!" Gabby said excitedly. "Grandpa Gruff wants to know how everything's going?"

"Great, as usual." I said with an annoyed tone. "He was JUST here yesterday. Why is he asking again? Can't he just leave me alone?"

"Sorry, Gallus, just doing my job." Gabby said.

"What's going on here?" Spike asked.

"Gallus is having a bit of-" Starlight was about to say, but got cut off by Trixie.

"Ah ah ah. This is a PRIVATE session. No outside ears allowed." Trixie said.

"It's alright, Trixie." I said. I then turned to Spike and explained, "I'm having a bit of issues with Grandpa Gruff, my guardian. He's a huge-"

"He's very annoying." Gabby interrupted.

"I know, I met him before." Spike said. "Whenever the leaders of the other races come, I look after them, and I know how Grandpa Gruff loves to stir trouble. You should see how Ember and Prince Rutherford react to the situation."

"I can only imagine." Starlight said.

"Well, regardless, he's my guardian and there's nothing I can do about it." I said. "I just wish I knew who my parents were so I can just punch them in their faces for abandoning me."

"Yeah... I know how that feels." Spike said upsettingly.

"What do you mean?" I asked.

"I never knew my parents either." Spike said. "They probably abandoned me too for all I know. But then Twilight and her family raised me as their own, and I couldn't be more grateful for the family I got. Twilight took me in when no creature else would, and I couldn't ask for anything more."

"Awwww." Gabby said sweetly. "That is the sweetest story I've ever heard!"

Spike blushed and said, "Well.... I could think of sweeter. Want me to tell them about the day we first met?"

"Ehhhhh I think we're good." Starlight stopped them thankfully, but while they were talking, I just realized something. Something that I should've realized a long time ago.

"You're.... you're right, Spike." I said.

"I am?" Spike asked.

"Yeah." I said. "I never thought of it before until you mentioned it. But.... if it wasn't for Grandpa Gruff, I wouldn't be here."

"Oh pffft! I hope you're not thinking of giving him undeserved credit!" Trixie complained.

"Look," I started, "Griffin culture is the worst. I never knew my family - they just... threw me away like I was some useless trash. If any other griffin saw a hatchling all alone, without parents, they'd just walk pass that baby. But Grandpa Gruff..... he took me in and raised me as his own, even though he didn't need to. Yeah, he's a jerk, yeah he was aggressive and neglectful, but.... he was there for me when no other griffin was. He gave me advice, he gave me a home and food, and most importantly, he approved of me coming here to the School of Friendship, where I met my friends."

"I guess that explains why he keeps asking me to give him updates about you." Gabby said.

"Yeah, why would he keep doing that if he didn't care?" Starlight asked. "That would make absolutely no sense."

"Now that I think about it, I had a similar situation." Gabby said. "Grandpa Gruff knew I was different. Too nice, too polite, too soft, he asked me to toughen up and to stop making friends, but I couldn't do that. I wanted to make the world a better place, I'm not an aggressive griffin." Spike patted her shoulder. "So he kept asking me to do mail deliveries outside of Griffinstone.

"Gabriella!" Gruff yelled. "For the last time, you're NOT going to make friends here! And you're NEVER going to get your cutie mark, BECAUSE YOU'RE NOT A PONY!"

"I can get my cutie mark, Grandpa Gruff! I just need to go to Equestria and find the source of where these cutie marks come from!" Gabby explained. "Gilda gave me this note to give to her friend, Rainbow Dash, if I could go, maybe i'll find the source!"

"Ugh!" Gruff groaned. "You know what? Maybe that's best. You can go as far away from here as possible, because lemme tell you something, girl, you don't belong here. You belong with those stinkin' ponies. Maybe that'll give you a better life."

"And so," Gabby continued narrating, "I ventured off to find the source of the cutie marks, I met the Cutie Mark Crusaders, and even though I tried to bring cutie mark values to Griffinstone, it didn't really work out that well. So Grandpa Gruff suggested that I just keep delivering mail to Ponyville; and now that Gallus is here, he makes me go here all the time."

"Sounds like he's making you come here just to get rid of you." Trixie said.

"Exactly!" Gabby said. "He wants a better life for me, which is why he gave me this mail job."

I was stumped. All this time I thought Grandpa Gruff was the bad guy, but it turns out that he is the best griffin ever, and I've been taking him for granted. I knew what I had to do.

"Uhh, Headmare Starlight?" I asked. "Is it okay if I return to Griffiinstone with Gabby for a little bit? There's something very important that I have to do."

"Of course, Gallus." Starlight approved.

"Gallus, if things go wrong with Grandpa Gruff, just let me know, I'll give him a few more words. Wink!" Trixie said as she winked at me again.

"Thank you, Counselor Trixie." I smiled at her. Trixie smiled at me back.

Author's Note

Yeah I ship Spabby, WHAT'S IT TO YA?! :P

Making Amends

Right after Gabby was finished with her mail rounds, I went with her back to Griffinstone. Gabby knew how nervous I was.

"You do know he's not going to be any happier even after you admit the truth to him, right?" Gabby asked.

"Yeah, I know." I said. "Grandpa Gruff is the oldest griffin in Griffinstone, and he's lived a whole life of grouchiness, so I expect alot of verbal abuse."

"Yeah," Gabby agreed. "but this is a very brave thing you're doing."

"Grandpa Gruff never wanted to tell me he was proud of me. He said it himself yesterday." I said. "But that was when he actually implied it. He really IS proud of me - he's just too bitter to admit it."

"Bitter on the outside and sweet on the inside." Gabby said.

"A bittersweet old bird." I said.

So Gabby and I stopped landed in front of Grandpa Gruff's house, and I knocked on the door. Shortly thereafter, he opened the door and started choking. After the choking he asked, "What do you want now, boy? Another silly forum to sign?"

"No." I said. "I'm here for-"

"If you want me to apologize for what happened at the school, you wasted your time coming here! I AIN'T APOLOGIZING!" Gruff yelled.

"That's NOT what I'm here for!" I yelled.

"Well spit it out, boy! What do you want?" Gruff asked.

"I'm just here to say.... thank you, Grandpa Gruff." I smiled.

Just then, he slammed the door on my face.

"Well that went... better than I expected." Gabby chuckled in awkwardness.

"Grandpa Gruff, please listen!" I yelled out as I started walking around the house, looking for an open window. "I know the truth, and I've been pretty ungrateful for all that you've done for me. I never had a family, but you took me in when no other griffin would." When I looked through a window to see if I can see him, he closed the blinds. "You raised me as your own, you gave me food and shelter, and any other griffin would've just left me out here alone. I just want to let you know that! Please, Grandpa Gruff!" I sat down by the front door, waiting for a response, but I got nothing.

"It's okay, Gallus." Gabby comforted me.

"I know it is." I said. "I just... I just thought that maybe... you know... I could've helped him out of his shell. Maybe I could've seen the true side of him. I just..... I just want him to know that I'm grateful for him. He doesn't have to say it in return."

So I got up, and I was just about to fly away when suddenly, the door creaked open. "Get over here, boy." Gruff said from the crack. I slowly walked over back towards the door. "Get inside." He ordered me. He opened the door for us, and we both headed in. "Shut the door behind you." Gabby did that. We all then sat down, and Gruff gave us some tea.

"Why the change of heart?" I asked.

"Shut your mouth, boy." Gruff ordered me. "I'm only going to say this once. When I was your age, I had no griffin either. No guardian, no family. I had to rely on myself. It was survival of the fittest here in Griffinstone, and it's still that way today in case you were too clueless to notice. I found you out there as a hatchling, all alone. I had empathy for you, so I took you in despite not wanting to. SoI have a conscience, bit whoop! So I took you in and toughened you up to make life a little easier for you. Not that I was getting any reward for it. Are you going to pay me for all that I did for you, huh boy?"

"I know, and I'll always be grateful about it." I said. "But I just wish you were more compassionate, and showed more love and kindness towards me, like a parent would."

"Oooooh now you're saying what I did wasn't enough, huh?" Gruff complained. "Give me that sob story about you being 'grateful' to me, and yet you still criticize me! Nothing's too good for you, huh Gallus?"

Just then, I ran up to Gruff and gave him a hug. "Oh..." he said uncomfortably. "Alright, that's what you wanna do, huh? Alright.... alright, that's enough." I didn't want to overstay my welcome so I let go.

"I know you're proud of me, Grandpa Gruff." I said. "I know you want what's best for me. But you don't have to bitter like the rest of the griffins. Come with me back to Equestria! You don't need this. Come to Twilight's school, and you can finally be the very griffin you deserve to be. You don't have to hide your kindness. I'll make sure you're welcomed with open hooves, claws, wings, whatever. What do you say?" I held my claw out, hoping for him to take it.

Grandpa Gruff just slapped my claw away and said, "Get outta here. When you left for the School, I was happier than I ever been because I finally had a weight off my back. I don't want you here, Gallus, and when you get old enough, I want you to NEVER return. Don't ever come back to this dump, and don't ever see me again, you understand, boy? Go back to where you belong. Now get outta here! SCRAM! Both of you!"

I respected Grandpa Gruff's wishes. He just turned and faced his fireplace, with his back looking at me. Gabby and I walked out and closed the door behind us.

"I'm sorry, Gallus." Gabby said.

"I'm not." I said and smiled. "Grandpa Gruff loves me."

"But he said when you get older, he doesn't want you to come back." Gabby reminded me.

"I know." I nodded. "He said that because he knows I deserve better. WE deserve better. If only he can one day see that he deserves better too."

So Gabby returned to her home nearby, and I returned back home to Equestria, for the first time feeling more at peace than I ever been.