. . . . . . . .
Curtain Rise!

Act I: A Spark of Defiance

Scene i: Poison (Thanks For Nothing)

When Gallus left the building after the rather tumultuous Parent Teacher Conference with Trixie, he was still frowning. The only speck of hope he had at the moment was at the very least he wouldn't be seeing Grampa Gruff for a while.

"Hey, boy!"

Gallus' heart sank even further at the sound of the voice. It seemed as if Grampa Gruff hadn't left the school just yet.

As the old griffon approached the young griffon, he scowled and said, "I knew it was a mistake to send you to this filthy pony school. How dare that hag speak to me that way! Me! The proudest griffon in Griffonstone, and rightfully so! All of it's majesty, it's history, it's glory! I am the sole bearer of it's glory days! That's why I am the closest thing, and only thing, we have to a leader! And that worthless equine dare. . ."

As Gallus stared at the wicked old griffon, Grampa Gruff's voice began to grow fainter and fainter as thoughts began to rearrange themselves in his mind. It suddenly occurred to Gallus what exactly had happened a few moments ago. Trixie had actually stood up for him and told the old griffon off. This thought led to another realization for the young griffon. He had put up with Gruff's foul treatment of him for quite a while, but merely accepted it because he felt he had no choice. But right now, after everything he had seen and learned, he realized that weather he had a choice or not, Gruff was wrong. Dead wrong.

So, right now, after the stressful and depressing experience from earlier, combined with Gruff's angry, insulting rant against the Trixie, the school, his friends, and Equestria; Gallus was steadily heating up. So, it wasn't too long before something sparked within him.

"SHUT-UP!"

Grampa Gruff did shut up, but it was from utter shock at what the younger griffon had just shouted at him. Gruff was so shocked that both his good eye and bad eye moved to look at the blue griffon.

"What did you say to me?" Gruff said, barley holding back his boiling rage.

Gallus stood firmly before the older griffon, breathing heavily after his shout. Then he took a deep breath, and looked Gruff in the eye as he responded.

I never wanted to play make believe,
I tried to stay within reality.
And from a real young age,
I learned to cope with pain,
I never was the same.

I didn't want that very much from you,
I just wanted to matter to you.
I guess I asked too much,
Or wasn't worth enough,

Gallus suddenly poked Gruff in the chest with his talon.

But I kept faith because
You're supposed to love and protect me.

Gallus sighed and turned away.

Sorry that I didn't turn out the way
that you wanted, but I just wanted to be okay.

Gallus suddenly turned back to Gruff quickly and glared at him bitterly.

You're suppose to love and accept me!
Instead, I waited wasting so much time,
and with you I really had a lousy life
You're just like a nightmare from my past that somehow came to life.

Gallus hung his head and closed his eyes tightly, trying his best to hold back his tears.

I played my part, you crushed my heart,
believed it all would work out
without a shred of doubt.
But in your eyes, I couldn't fly, why
Wasn't I good enough?
Guess I just don't mean much,
Is it too late,
to quit this game?

Gallus flapped his wings and hovered a few feet into the air. A few tears dripped down his face as he flailed his arms as he shouted at Grampa Gruff.

Fill me with poison - make me numb!
You don't care if my heart stops!
Feed me your garbage, it won't work!
That's all you're really good for!

Thanks for nothing!
Thanks for nothing!

Thanks for nothing!
Thanks for nothing!

Thanks for nothing!
Thanks for nothing!

Thanks for nothing!
Thanks for nothing!

Gallus landed hard on the ground and panted heavily. He sat down on his haunches and covered his face with his talons.

"Are you done?" Grampa Gruff said irately, sounding more annoyed than angry.

Gallus uncovered his face and stared at Grampa Gruff in shock for a moment, then he gritted his teeth angrily before continuing.

Should I apologize for giving up?
Should I be sorry that I've had enough?
Of broken promises,
excessive harsh judgements,
and subtle rejections.

Gallus pointed an accusing claw at Grampa Gruff's bad eye.

Are you aware of what you've done to me?
Or are you so just blind that you can't see -
the scars that you've left here,
mutating into fear,
of creatures getting near.
Why didn't you love and accept me?

Gallus got up and walked off again, rolling his eyes in disbelief at the aging griffon.

Sorry that I didn't turn out the way
that you wanted,
I guess that's why you didn't stay.

Why couldn't you love and protect me?
Instead, I waited wasting so much time,
and with you I really had a lousy life
You're just like a nightmare from my past that somehow came to life.

Gallus paused and spoke bitterly with a fierce undertone.

You had a chance,
I took it back.
Even Trixie could see -
That you can't stop hurting me?
Wish I were strong,
enough to move. . . on,
But the ache grows and grows,
Even if you just don't know,
So ... you've got to go!

Gallus slowly turned his head to glare sideways at Grampa Gruff, his pupil shrinking to focus on the old griffon.

Swallow your poison, just one gulp,
I want you to drink it all.
Have just a taste of what you serve,
this is how bad your words hurt.

Thanks for nothing!
Thanks for nothing!

Thanks for nothing!
Thanks for nothing!

Thanks for nothing!
Thanks for nothing!

Thanks for nothing!
Thanks for nothing!

Grampa Gruff rolled his good eye and said, "These ponies have made you so soft and sensitive-."

Gallus jumped over to Gruff and got up in his face.

I'm NOT too sensitive,
And I'm NOT incompetent.
You failed the job that you were meant to have in my life,

No, I'm NOT incompetent.
No, I'm NOT too sensitive.
And if you really cared then you'd just say you're sorry!
The saddest part is that I have to sing this lame song.

Gallus' rage shimmered down a bit, and he sighed and backed off a bit as he spoke sadly to his guardian.

I wish, that things had been different.
Now I can't just leave it all behind.
If I could heal the stuff you did,
Maybe we both could start again.
But now I can't, your heart is black,
And so then...
Can't let you in, this is the end.

Gallus placed a talon over his chest.

Fill me with poison - make me numb
You don't care if my heart stops
Feed me your garbage, it won't work
That's all you're really good for

Gallus then poked Gruff in his chest.

Swallow your poison, just one gulp,
I want you to drink it all.
Have just a taste of what you serve,
this is how bad your words hurt.

Thanks for nothing
Thanks for nothing

Thanks for nothing
Thanks for nothing

Thanks for nothing
Thanks for nothing

Thanks for nothing
Thanks for nothing

Scene ii: Take It Back

Grampa Gruff seemed relatively calm after Gallus' words. The old griffon let out a wheezing breath he had been holding, then he put on a fake looking smile as he addressed his young charge.

You say. . .
The worth of my care's not adequate for you today
You cry. . .
And you whine at me because of that pony who clearly was high

Gruff then placed a talon under Gallus' chin, much to the younger griffon's discomfort.

Why so sad?
Remember we made an arrangement when I let you stay
Now you're making me mad
Remember, despite our estrangement, I'm not bad

Gallus felt Gruff's talons gently scratch his chin as he old griffon's voice became tenser.

Take it back, soon you'll see
You'll remember you belong to me
Take it back, time will tell
You'll remember that I fed you well
Oceans rise, Griffonstone falls
We have seen each other through it all
And when push comes to shove
I will pull your ear until it bleeds to remind you of my 'love'

Grampa Gruff chuckled a bit, shaking his head in amusement as Gallus looked at him with utter loathing. Gruff eventually got over his laughing, and he continued as he leaned over towards Gallus, fixing his good eye on him.

You say my love is lacking and you can't go on. . .
You'll be the one complaining when I am gone. . .

Grampa Gruff then stomped down as hard as he could on Gallus' right talon. Gallus would've cried out in pain, but Gruff reached out and held Gallus' beak closed.

And no! Don't change the subject!
For you're my best dependent
My good submissive dependent
My loyal, weak dependent
Forever. . .
and ever. . .
and ever and ever and ever...

Grampa Gruff stepped off of Gallus' talon, and the blue griffon huffed and puffed as he lifted the aching talon. Grampa Gruff either didn't notice or didn't care as he continued to lecture Gallus.

Take it back, just no more
You don't really want to start a war
You are mine, you owe me praise
You are mine until my dying days
There is pain, when I'm mad
So don't throw away this thing we have
For when push comes to shove
I will pull you from this Friendship School to remind you of my 'love'

Grampa Gruff chuckled again, and when he saw the horrified look on Gallus' face that his threat had created, he laughed ever harder. Gallus only hung his head sadly as Grampa Gruff continued to laugh victoriously. The wicked, malice filled cackle echoed in Gallus' brain, and already he was forming an adequate apology to satisfy his guardian.

Curtain!

Author's Note

This Act's featured songs were:
"Poison (Thanks For Nothing)" by littlejayneycakes Link (This link is to the clean/censored version. I don't want to get in trouble!)
"You'll Be Back" from the musical Hamilton Link

On the Song List so far (and in no particular order):
~~Poison (Thanks for Nothing) by littlejayneycakes~~
~~You'll Be Back from~~ Hamilton
Holiday by Greenday
The Story of Tonight from Hamilton
The Story of Tonight (Reprise) from Hamilton
The Cell Block Tango from Chicago (Glee cover)
Cupcakes from Something Broke by tarbyrocks
Thank You Very Much from Scrooge- 1970
The World's Greatest Criminal Mind from The Great Mouse Detective
Stronger Than You- Sans Version by djsmell
Stronger Than You- Frisk Version by Starbeam
I Have a Plan from The Lion Guard
MAYBE Ten Duel Commandments from Hamilton
MAYBE The World Was Wide Enough from Hamilton

Please feel free to suggest any other songs that you believe could be used in this plot line I'm creating. Like before, I'll give credit to anyone who suggests a song! Thank you and please follow this story!