Chapters Author's Note
Hey everycreature!
So my version of G5 is turning out to be a bust... And to be honest, I don't think I will continue that since people aren't really interested much in it.
However...
I thought of an idea that hopefully people will take an interest in!
Now in The Last Problem, to me, I think Gallus has the most interesting future out of all the Young 6, being the royal guard captain in Canterlot, him being, as far as we know and correct me if I'm wrong, the first non-pony in the guard!
So I been thinking about what he had to go through and the struggles he experienced to get there and I think it's certainly worth a shot at writing a story about that!
So I guess enjoy!
What Now?
Today was a bright, summer day in the small town of Ponyville as today was a very special day... Today was graduation day at the School of Friendship as all the graduating students were all very much excited to finally having completed their school days and ready to move on with what life has in store for them next. Especially excited was a, what some would call, a weird group of friends, who were all of different races from across the land. Sandbar the pony, Silverstream the hippogriff, Ocellus the changeling, Smolder the dragon, Yona the yak and last, but not least Gallus the griffon, almost all of them very much happy as they waited patiently for the ceremony to begin, all of them dressed in their graduation outfits and hats.
"Can you guys believe you're graduating!?" Silverstream said loudly as she found it hard to contain her excitement.
"I know right, I been looking froward to this day for years." Ocellus added.
"Couldn't come any sooner too." Smolder expressed her relief at finally being out of school.
"Yeah I know, especially since Yona and I are engaged now." Sandbar commented as Yona, who was next to the pony, blushed as it was true, Sandbar having popped the question a little bit ago.
"Sandbar, not here..." Yona replied, embarrassed as she looked at Gallus. "Gallus are you alright, you don't look good."
(Author's note: Some of you may say that Yona's talking needs to be broken, but if you recall from Issue #61 from the FiM comic line, there was a Yak who lost his accent while spending a few years at a university, so I'm assuming the same can stay true for Yona.)
"No, I'm fine, happy..." Gallus clearly faking a smile. "See?" Gallus not fooling his friends as they all just looked at him and shook their heads, "No" at him.
"Gallus, what's wrong, out of all of us, you're the least excited for today." Sandbar taking note.
"Yeah, even I'm more excited than you." Smolder pointed out.
"It's just..." Gallus sighing as he tried his best not to shed a tear. "We're no longer students and staying at this school, we're all going to go back to our home lands and mine... Well isn't exactly very homely..."
All of Gallus' friends didn't know what to say, this behavior was a first for Gallus, they wanted to make him happy, anything that would brighten up the griffon's day, but before anyone could say something, the School of Friendship's vice head-stallion came to inform the graduating students it was time for the ceremony to begin, everything set and ready.
"Okay everycreature, it's time." The vice head-stallion, Sunburst happily told the students as he led them outside to the field next to the school which was now a temporary auditorium, the student's family and friends all seated on rows of chairs facing a stage where the students would all sit down as a podium was set up in front of the stage, the school's headmare, Starlight Glimmer, there ready to give a speech and give each student their diplomas for completing their education at the school and to wish them luck in their futures.
As the students all went single file, sitting down in their chairs, the audience all cheered for them, proud of them as they all wore smiles, directing their looks to the student they were related to. As Gallus was going to his seat, there was no one in the audience there for him... Grandpa Gruff was too busy and honestly he didn't feel like coming all the way to Ponyville for this. And the one griffon Gallus had a friend in back at Griffonstone was, well... The new ambassador for Griffonstone, so she was most likely too busy. Gallus tried to smile, but it was hard because none of the smiles in the audience were meant for him as he took his seat, hopeful no one could see his neutral expression, as Starlight began speaking.
"Welcome everycreature to graduation day for this year's graduating class at the School of Friendship, it has been great to teach these students you see behind me everything they will need to know to make our lands not only more safer, but more friendlier with each other and I'm sure all these students will do great things in the future that will benefit us all." Starlight began. "I am very proud of each of them and ready to let them go to do their own things, now let us begin with the diplomas."
With Starlight stepping away from the podium and going to Sunburst, who was also her husband, who was also holding onto the pile of diplomas, Starlight began calling out each student's names as she looked at each diploma. As each student came up, more cheers accompanied him or her as the student received a shake s Starlight gave the student the diploma, followed by a quick hug before Starlight moved on to the next student.
As Gallus watched, all of his friends went up before him, each of them truly happy and not faking it as they had wide smiles on their faces.
"Gallus." Starlight called out as Gallus took a deep breath before getting up, going over to his headmare as she gave him his diploma and shook his claw. "Good luck Gallus." Starlight spoke a little quieter as she shared the quick hug with him before letting go, needing to get to the next student and while the audience did clap, Gallus knew it was just because they needed to.
Gallus just quietly sat back down, holding onto his diploma, that rolled up piece of parchment that freed him from the school, only for him to tell him it was time to go home and think about the future in store for him, of which he didn't think there was one for him, at least in Griffonstone.
As the giving out of diplomas was done, Starlight did a closing speech before everyone headed to the party set up next to the temporary auditorium, enjoying some treats and chatting along themselves while saying how proud they were of their kid. Gallus stayed mostly in the back, alone with no one to talk to, it was lucky he had his friends, who came by one at a time, to make sure he was okay, to which Gallus lied about, of course not wanting his friends to be worried about him on such a day.
As the day began to end, with the sun going down over the horizon, it was time for everyone to head on home, to relax from all the excitement, everycreature who didn't live in Ponyville at the train station, awaiting their trains for back home. As Gallus and his friends waited on the station platform, they were all saying their goodbyes to each other for now, especially Sandbar and Yona as they held onto each other's hooves and were exchanging kisses and nuzzles.
"You wouldn't forget to write to me while I'm home right?" Yona asked her boyfriend.
"Never, every day I'll send something." Sandbar promised as Silverstream and Ocellus went "Awww!" with their faces, while Smolder...
"Can you two at least save that mushy stuff for the letters please?" The dragon complained.
"Sorry..." Both Sandbar and Yona apologized at the same time.
"I can't wait to go home, but it's going to be so exciting to return to the school for the first day of our new jobs." Ocellus said happily as she was looking froward to her future job as an educator.
Yes, Gallus' friends all had their futures set already, having decided shortly before graduation, Ocellus, Smolder, and Silverstream all decided to take up teaching jobs at the School of Friendship, to which headmare Starlight was happy to accept them into the staff. Meanwhile Sandbar and Yona decided that, after their marriage, they would both help run their former teacher Rarity's shop in Ponyville. However before all that, they were eager to take a few weeks vacation, to relax and spend some time with their families back at home before continuing on with their lives.
Gallus was the only one left who didn't know what to do, he didn't even have a plan like his friends did...
As the trains arrived, Ocellus, Smolder, and Silverstream's trains came first, each of them saying their goodbyes for now before boarding the train with their families. As the train for Yakyakistan came, it was Yona's turn to leave as she felt it hard to leave her boyfriend for now.
"I'll see you soon Yona, love you." Sandbar offering one last kiss.
"I love you too Sandbar." Yona replied. "I'm going to miss you."
"Me too, but we'll see each other in a few weeks time." Sandbar reminded his girlfriend as Yona boarded the train last, which left only Gallus and Sandbar left, Sandbar waving at Yona from the station platform as Yona kept waving back, the two continuing to do so until they could no longer see each other.
"You're one lucky guy Sandbar." Gallus sighed. "I wish I was as lucky as you."
"Don't give up Gallus, I'm sure you'll find something to do, just keep your head up high." Sandbar urged his friend. "You know I talked to my family, we have an extra room at our house, you could stay with us if you want."
"Thanks Sandbar, but I'll be okay in Griffonstone, I don't want to burden you and your family." Gallus told his friend as the train for Griffonstone arrived, rolling into the station.
"All abroad, next stop Griffonstone!" The conductor called out.
"Well that's me, I'll see you later I guess." Gallus said to Gallus as Gallus got on the train, taking a seat as he sighed, not looking froward to going home as he kept asking himself one question in his head...
What now?
Author's Note
Hey everycreature!
So just the first chapter and already 17 likes and no dislikes... Just wow... Never expected such a simple story to blow up like that!
So yeah, thank you and I hope you continue to enjoy!
P.S. Even thought I really do like Gallus... Gabby is best griffon, FYI!
Home, Boring Home
As the train went on its way, bound for Griffonstone, going through tunnels and over mountain valleys, Gallus still thought about what he could possibly do in his home kingdom, well to call Griffonstone a kingdom was a nice way of saying it was a dump... As the train was close to reaching the Griffon's homeland, Gallus thought that maybe he should have accepted Sandbar's offer, maybe he would have been happier living in Ponyville, after all he stayed in the town for years while attending the School of Friendship. Everypony there was so nice to him and the town was much more pretty looking, plus he wouldn't have found his friends had him stayed in Griffonstone.
As the Griffonstone train station, which was really only a single structure, but was getting refurbished at least and a platform, came into view, Gallus saw a single griffon there, a very familiar face that he recognized and that made him smile, seeing at least one griffon who was waiting patiently for him. The train slowed down, coming to a stop at the station as the train car doors opened and Gallus got out, to be met by a hug from the one griffon waiting for him.
"Welcome home Gallus." The griffon told Gallus as he hugged back. "Congratulations on your graduation, it must have been really exciting."
"Well I guess it was..." Gallus trying to stay positive. "Thanks for coming here Gabby, you didn't have to I know you're more busy these days."
"So, I would have come to the graduation ceremony too, but being the ambassador for Griffonstone now has been really exhausting, but exciting, in fact I just came back a couple hours ago from a trip to Saddle Arabia, boy was it hot there." Gabby chuckled.
Ever since Gallus started attending the School of Friendship, Grandpa Gruff wanted constant updates on him and since Gabby was already the Griffon mail carrier, was assigned to bring the letters back and forth. And since than the two got to know each other and Gallus at least found one griffon as a friend. And even with Gabby being named the new ambassador for Griffonstone, she still stayed in touch with Gallus.
"Must be exciting... Getting to travel to new places and get away from here..." Gallus sighed, which Gabby took note of, thinking she was just making things depressing for him.
"But nothing beats home right?" Gabby trying to get into the cheery mood. "Things have been improving a little lately, I'm sure you'll feel more at home here."
"I hope so..." Gallus thought in his head as the two friends exited the station and walked up and down the mountain pathways to Griffonstone and Gabby was right...
Things are a little better now at the home of the griffons, proper houses and other structures starting to appear as griffons weren't complete jerks to each other, like not flying into each other or helping the elderly cross the street. At least it wasn't the same home that Gallus left all those years back, owning to the new relations all the lands shared ever since Gallus' former headmare, now ruler of all Equestria, Princess Twilight Sparkle, took over. However it still didn't feel like "home" to Gallus, the important things that made Gallus feel at home in Ponyville was missing in Griffonstone.
"Well things are surely better now." Gallus commented as he looked around as a flying griffon almost crashed into him.
"Sorry." The griffon apologized before going the other way.
"Yeah, Grandpa Gruff has been better lately of accepting help from others, and being the ambassador means I get to help put together trading pacts and such." Gabby said as she the griffon she was talking about up ahead. "Grandpa Gruff, look who's back." Gabby called out as the elder griffon turned to see the two, the elder walking up to them.
"Well, welcome back home Gallus." Grandpa Gruff said as he then coughed a little. "I trust your graduation went well."
"Yes, it did." Gallus replied.
"Good, you'll be delighted to hear you have your own little house now, Gabby will show you it." Grandpa Gruff stated as he then returned to what he was doing.
"This way Gallus." Gabby told her friend as the two left Grandpa Gruff.
"Well, he changed... A little at least." Gallus stating.
"Yeah, what I can say, times are changing." Gabby smiled as she led Gallus to his new little house, all for him. "Here we go, home sweet home." Gabby opening the door, to reveal a not so elegant interior, but not a super poor one either, but to Gallus...
"Even my dorm room I shared with Sandbar looks better than this..." Gallus thought in his head.
"So, what do you think?" Gabby asked, wanting Gallus' opinion.
"It's fine, at least I no longer have to sleep outside anymore." Gallus tried to brighten up at this. "Listen Gabby, I'm a little tired from the trip here, do you mind if I get some rest alone for the rest of the day."
"Not all all, make yourself at home." Gabby said cheerfully before leaving to go return to her job, while Gallus entered his little house, closing the front door behind him.
"Okay Gallus, you can make this work, just got to make this place more homely." Gallus rubbing his claws together as he fixed up the place to make it look more presentable.
And for the rest of the day, Gallus made his new home look like a home, by the time the moon started to rise over the horizon, Gallus was all tired and sweating as he took a seat.
"Well, could be worse..." Gallus said to himself. "Man all those times cleaning up around the dorm room did me so good." Gallus remembered how he used to be lazy cleaning up after himself and Sandbar had to often push him to do so.
As Gallus sat, he felt his eyes start to go heavy as he yawned, his body telling him it was time for a goodnight's sleep.
"Well, better get some rest for tomorrow." Gallus told himself as he went to the little bedroom, which was even smaller than his old dorm room and well... His bed wasn't really a proper bed, more like a pile of straw, Gallus making himself as comfortable as he could as he slept for the night...
A couple days passed by and Gallus has been spending his time mostly fixing up his home or talking to Gabby while she was in Griffonstone, there wasn't really much for Gallus to do here. So it came as a surprise, as Gallus was putting away some brought food into a cabinet when he heard some knocking on his door, Gallus nearly bumping his head against the top of the cabinet as it came as a surprise.
"I wonder who that could be..." Gallus thought as he knew that Gabby was currently on a diplomatic visit to the Changeling Kingdom, having said her goodbyes yesterday and wasn't due back so soon.
Gallus walked to his front door and opened it to find two hippogriffs, one of which he recognized right away...
"Hey Gallus!" The hippogriff Gallus recognized said happily as she hugged the griffon.
"Silverstream..." Gallus blushed slightly as his friend hugged him. "What are you doing here?"
"To see you silly!" Silverstream replied as she let go of the hug, Gallus quickly putting away his blushing. "You remember my brother Terramar right?"
"Pleased to see you again Gallus." Terramar offering a claw for Gallus to shake.
"You too, I guess." Gallus said back as Silverstream was eager to see Gallu's new house.
"So can we go in and see the inside?" Silverstream asked.
"I don't know..." Gallus scratching his neck with his claw. "It's not exactly done yet..."
"Please..." Silverstream pleaded. "We came all this way..." Silverstream showing a face that Gallus couldn't say "No" to.
"Alright..." Gallus gave in as he stepped aside to let the two siblings in.
"Well, this is quite homely..." Terramar trying to be polite as Silverstream gave her brother a nudge with her wing.
"I'm sure when we visit again it will look better." Silverstream trying to stay positive for Gallus.
"You don't have to lie Silverstream, I know it's not exactly comforting." Gallus admitting as he took a seat.
Silverstream taking a seat next to her friend while Terramar left to give the two some privacy, at first the two friends didn't say anything, until Silverstream spoke up in concern for her griffon friend.
"Gallus, Sandbar told me about his offer to you to stay in Ponyville and I'm sure my family would also be willing to let you stay at Mt. Aris, you only need to come." Silverstream told her friend sympathetically, letting him know he had friends who would be willing to let him stay with them.
"I don't want to trouble you or any of our friends, I'll be fine here, trust me, Griffonstone is my homeland after all." Gallus trying very hard to sound alright, but Silverstream, of course, saw through the lies.
"Well, I guess I can't argue with you on that, but maybe you should start thinking about moving somewhere else." Silverstream suggested. "Yona already has plans to live with Sandbar in Ponyville when they get married and help run Ms. Rarity's shop there and Smolder, Ocellus, and I are also planning to move once we start our jobs at the school, just promise me you'll at least think about it."
Gallus knew Silverstream had a point, maybe it was time to start thinking about looking for jobs outside of Griffonstone that he would be good at, expand his opportunities and who knows who might find something that he would be good at and be happier.
"Okay, I promise Silverstream." Gallus promised as he knew it was time to do some traveling...
Author's Note
Hey everycreature!
I hope you all haven't been waiting too long for the next chapter and well so far 24 likes and still zero dislikes, so doing rather well so far, call me very impressed!
Also, I hope you all had a good Nightmare Night, full of spooks, along other things! (And praise thy Princess of the Night!)
One Fateful Day
It has been a week since Silverstream and her brother visited Gallus in Griffonstone, in his new home in the griffon kingdom and Gallus has since than left his home, but not before making sure to leave a note behind for Gabby to find, so she wouldn't be worried about where he was. Taking his friend's advice, Gallus visited the towns and cities across Equestria, seeing if there was anything he could do for his future, but after several days, it was starting to look like a losing hope...
Either everything was already occupied with enough employees or they simply had no use for a griffon, turning him away. Now Gallus could have asked his former teachers if they would be willing to give him something like the rest of his friends have, but he didn't feel all too comfortable with that, working with his teachers seemed odd to him. And it's not like he didn't want to work with his friends, but he didn't want to slow them down or anything like that.
So Gallus was simply left at a dead end as Gallus was currently in the large and busy city of Manehattan, a place one could expect to find a job, but well with a day and night already passed in the city Gallus found nothing as he was currently at a small cafe, which was close by the large park in the center of the city, looking through the newspaper.
"Come on Gallus, it can't be this difficult to find something, can it..." Gallus told himself as he looked through the job ads on the paper, which were things he already tried in the big city.
After looking through and without success, he put down the paper and finished his little breakfast and after paying for it, Gallus saw he didn't have much more bits than he started out with at the beginning of the trip. Pretty soon Gallus would only have enough for the trip back home and well he didn't think Grandpa Gruff would give him more, remembering Grandpa Gruff's attitude when he asked the elder for some bits for the trip. After exiting the cafe and taking a deep breath, Gallus looked to his right to see the large public park and decided it was best to do some thinking in there, where it was quieter and he could have a little more privacy.
Entering the park, Gallus saw many ponies enjoying the sunny day, happy as they walked, chatted, munched on snacks, fed the ducks by the pond, along other things. Taking a seat on an empty bench by a small pond, Gallus watched as a mother duck led her little chicks in a line, practicing their swimming, as Gallus watched, he saw one get left behind, not being able to catch up with the rest of his siblings. Eventually the mother noticed and came back for her duckling, pushing him along until he caught up with the rest of his siblings.
"Yeah, that's how I feel buddy..." Gallus sighing as he felt like the duckling that got left behind as he continued watching. "Maybe I should ask one of my teachers if they will offer me something, I could help at Professor Fluttershy's animal sanctuary or maybe at Professor Egghead's Wonderbolt Academy." Gallus putting a claw to his chin as he thought long an hard about it.
However a couple minutes later his thoughts were rudely interrupted by an elderly mare shouting out something close by...
"Help!" The old mare could only shout out. "He's got my purse!"
As Gallus turned to see where the shouting was coming from, he saw a kindly old mare with a cane looking at someone as Gallus followed her gaze to see a middle aged earth pony stallion, with a bowler hat gallop as fast as he could away, with the strap of a little purse roll his neck. The past Gallus would not have minded at all, but now...
"I might regret this..." Gallus said as he chased after the thief himself since no one else seems to have paid much attention or simply didn't have the courage to chase after the thief themselves.
As the thief rushed out of the park and onto the streets, dodging other ponies and rushing taxis, Gallus kept up with the thief, making sure to not lose sight of him as Gallus had the advantage of being able to fly and thus was not blocked by other objects in his way as much as the thief was. However the thief surely had some strong legs and had experience at making getaways before as he noticed Gallus coming after him, putting more muscle into his legs as he galloped even faster away.
"Can't let him get too far..." Gallus told himself as he flapped his wings harder to fly faster, careful to not fly into any buildings or the few pegasus ponies that were around.
Keeping his eyes on the ground as much as possible, Gallus saw the thief take a sudden turn into an alleyway, hopefully to lose Gallus for good, but Gallus stayed right on him, going lower to the ground as he flew into the alleyway. As Gallus turned into the alleyway, he didn't see the thief, most likely hiding behind one of the piles of trash and boxes that laid on the ground. Gallus landed down, bringing his claws back on the ground as he slowly walked through the alleyway, checking behind any hiding spots the thief could be.
"Where are you..." Gallus said quietly as he wondered if maybe the thief was not in fact here anymore and was long gone.
Coming up on two piles of trash next to each other on either side, he guessed the thief must be behind one of them and Gallus could't check both of them at once. Taking a chance, Gallus looked to his right to find the thief not there, he should however, looked to the left...
"Who are you and why are you following me griffon!" The thief shouted as he surprised Gallus from behind, knocking the griffon into the pile of trash.
Gallus, however, quickly recovered and did his own kick against the pony, knocking him against the pile of trash he came from, Gallus then appeared above him with a very angry expression, showing the pony one of his claws which was ready to pounce on him.
"My name is none of your concern, but I think you have something that belongs to somepony else." Gallus stated, the thief now very concerned at seeing the angry griffon who had him pinned down.
"You can't make me give it up!" The thief snapped back.
"Try me..." Gallus bringing his claw closer to the pony's face, the thief starting to sweat a little as he became scared.
"Alright, alright..." The thief gave up, grabbing onto the purse's strap with his teeth before taking it off from around his neck.
As Gallus let his guard down for a split second, the claw that was close to the pony's face, grabbed onto the purse's strap, as the thief used this moment to get away before Gallus could maybe harm him or bring him to the police, kicking off the griffon as Gallus fell down, but still managing to hold onto the old mare's purse as the thief made his getaway, disappearing as he reached the other end of the alleyway.
Gallus just let him go, he didn't succeed in stealing the purse anyway... The purse... Gallus realized he had a purse full of bits that he could use to replenish his own and continue his travels, he could get away himself and no one would know...
"No Gallus... Come on now, that's the old griffon in you talking..." Gallus reminding himself of his lessons in such topics like kindness, loyalty and honestly. "You're better than that..."
So while it was so tempting to just take the bits himself, with the purse around his own neck, Gallus flew back to the park, to look for the old mare which the purse belonged to. After some searching, Gallus found the old mare, having found a couple of police ponies who she was talking to, reporting her stolen purse. Gallus landed down behind the old mare, clearing his throat before speaking up.
"Excuse me miss, I believe I got your purse." Gallus said as the police ponies and old mare turned around to see Gallus holding out the purse for the old mare to take.
"My purse!" The old mare said happily as she took it from Gallus's open claws. "Oh thank you so much young man."
"It was nothing, happy to do it." Gallus replying modestly as he turned to leave, but the old mare stopped him.
"Wait..." The old mare called out to him as Gallus turned to see the old mare offering a few bits to him for his efforts. "Please accept my generosity for you in bringing back my purse."
"Oh no, I can't..." Gallus began, but the old mare cut him off.
"No, I insist, you must have gone into some trouble to take it back from that thief." The old mare refusing to cancel the offer and well as Gallus remembered from Professor Rarity's classes, you should never refuse a generous offer, plus Gallus could use some more bits.
"Well thank you miss, have a good day." Gallus said as the old mare gave him a smile before he once more left.
As Gallus walked away, he looked down at the few bits the old mare gave him, it was enough for one final train trip to another city before he really had just enough to return to Griffonstone. And well thinking about how he helped the old mare, returning her purse with all her bits inside, maybe he had a future in helping others by protecting them, as he thought about it he knew there was one pony who could maybe help him figure out what laid ahead in the future for him.
So going to the Manehattan train station, he approached the ticket seller, paying for the ticket with the bits the old mare gave him as the ticket seller asked him his destination.
"So where are you headed?" The ticket seller asked as he gave Gallus his train ticket.
"Canterlot." Gallus answered.
Between Teacher and Student
Author's Note
Hey everycreature!
Hope you're enjoying the story thus far!
Before we get to the next chapter, I got another idea for another story:
So Cadance and Shining Armor actually grew up in the Crystal Empire and were in charge in the first place and they still have Flurry, but Sombra comes and nearly beats the two. However once Sombra is gone, both Cadance and Shining Armor discover that Sombra in fact has a unicorn daughter... Despite having a bad feeling, the royal couple take in the little filly as their own and Flurry has a new sister.
As the two sisters grow up, Sombra's daughter starts to display some weird behavior, like growing weak from being close to the Crystal Heart and starting to have nightmares. Eventually once Sombra's daughter is old enough, the evil within her comes out and Sombra takes over her body and it's up to Flurry to break through to her adopted sister she grew up with and fight it, reminding her adopted sister of all the fun times they had together and assuring her they'll get through this together no matter what.
So let me know what you think down below and I'll see if I'll do it!
Between Teacher and Student
From the big city of Manehattan, Gallus took the overnight train to the high up Equestrian capital of Canterlot and as the morning sun rose up above the horizon, Gallus, who slept on his seat in the train car, woke up, yawning as he stretched himself and looked out the window. And looking out he could see the majestic capital on the mountain side, shining like a diamond from the morning sun, to Gallus it was a sure welcome sight from his own homeland. Gallus sighed as the train continued rolling along the tracks, climbing higher and higher as it went through tunnels and over bridges until it reached the train station, which was different from the Manehattan one, being more palace like while the Manehattan train station was, well more city like.
"Well here goes nothing..." Gallus told himself as he got off the train and out of the train station into the city.
It wasn't like Gallus hasn't been to Canterlot before, the School of Friendship had a few trips to the capital to see the sights, and visit the museums, as well as the palace, however that was with the company of other students, this was the first time Gallus has visited Canterlot by himself with no one. So it was a little uncomfortable for him to be in such a prodigious place alone, but Gallus tried to stay as normal as possible as he walked down the streets towards the destination he sought for in the city... The royal palace.
Approaching the palace gates, of course there were guards posted outside to protect the perimeter and the ruler of all Equestria, who was inside and attending to whatever matters were at hoof. Coming closer, the guards noticed Gallus and as he was only a few feet away, they stopped him, crossing the entrance with their spears.
"Halt!" One of them demanded of the griffon.
"Who goes there?" The other asked.
"I'm just here to talk to the princess, nothing else." Gallus answered, not expecting to be stopped and his way inside blocked as he was a little annoyed.
"The princess is very busy right now, move along." The first guard replied.
Gallus was about to protest and force his way in, but than, looking past the guards he saw a very familiar dragon crossing the way from the inside.
"Spike!" Gallus called to the dragon. "Over here!"
Spike was currently looking at a list on a piece of parchment and at first was confused who was talking to him as he looked around until he saw the griffon by the palace entrance, the guards still not permitting him inside. Spike was very surprised as he walked to the gates.
"Gallus?" Spike questioned. "What are you doing here?"
"I came to speak with the princess, but these two wouldn't let me through." Gallus answered as Spike turned to the guards.
"It's okay, Twilight and I know him, let him through." Spike requested of the guards.
"But the princess doesn't have time." The second guard protested.
"Well, in that case I'm sure the princess wouldn't mind that I told her you two didn't let one of her former students talk to her..." Spike going a different angle as the guards quickly changed their tone, not wanting to endure the princess's disappointment with them.
"No, that wouldn't be necessary!" The first guard replied.
"You're good to go." The second one nervously smiled as the two guards raised up their spears and gave Gallus an open entrance. "Please don't tell the princess we stopped you." The guard politely asked as Gallus passed the guards.
"Thanks Spike, I would have been in some trouble if you didn't show up." Gallus thanking the dragon, who was taller now, certainly more mature looking than Gallus remembered during his school years.
"No problem, in fact I'm sure Twilight could use some distraction right now, she has been very busy and she'll be happy to see one of her students again." Spike assured the griffon as Spike led Gallus through the open corridors of the palace, plenty of activity going on with the palace's staff and the guards, a group of them on a routine march, their metal hoofshoes clanging against the ground as it attracted Gallus' attention.
As Gallus looked, he couldn't help but imagine himself wearing a guard's outfit, all regal looking and proud to serve and protect the princess, Gallus thought about how nice it would be to have such an important job, it would certainly give him a purpose.
"Gallus?" Spike snapping Gallus' attention as he brought back the griffon to real life. "You okay?"
"Huh?" Gallus asked as he shook his head a little before looking at Spike. "Oh yes, fine, sorry I guess I'm just a little tired from the trip here."
"Okay, well follow me." Spike replied as the two entered the main part of the palace, where the princess resided and worked.
Spike led the griffon down the hallways until the dragon stopped by a door and asked the griffon to wait while Spike went inside. As Spike closed the door behind him, Gallus put his ear against the door, hearing muffled voices, but could tell the voice of his former headmare at the School of Friendship as Spike told Twilight that Gallus wanted to see her and as Twilight excused herself Gallus quickly retracted his head against the door as he heard the hoofsteps of the princess come and open the door. Gallus prepared himself, a little nervous to see his former teacher again.
As Twilight opened the door, Gallus wasn't sure what to say, he could only bow as the ruler of all Equestria stood before him.
"Gallus, you don't have to bow to me." Twilight spoke lightly.
As Gallus lifted his head back up, he found that he could no longer look straight ahead to see his former teacher's face, needing to look upwards a little to see Twilight's face, even thought Gallus himself was older of course.
"Spike tells me you wish to talk to me?" Twilight asked.
"Yes, Head... I mean your majesty." Gallus nervously expressing. "In private if you don't mind."
"Of course not." Twilight smiled as she turned to Spike. "Spike, can you handle the city council until I get back?"
"You can count on me Twilight." Spike returned as he took Twilight's place in the meeting, closing the door as he left former teacher and student alone.
"Why don't we walk and talk?" Twilight suggested to her former student as the two began walking through the hallways side by side out onto the castle gardens. "It's nice to see you Gallus, all grownup, I heard you and your friends have recently graduated from the School of Friendship."
"Yes, it was a happy day." Gallus answered. "Well, for my friends, not me." Gallus said quietly under his breath.
"And I'm happy to see you're taking your lessons to heart." Twilight confusing the griffon a little.
"What do you mean?" Gallus asked.
"I saw this morning's paper, something about a blue feathered griffon returning an old mare's purse that was stolen from her in Manehattan..." Twilight stopping and turning her face to look at Gallus.
"Oh right that..." Gallus not knowing what to feel. "Actually that's what I wanted to talk to you about, not that exactly... But... It's just I'm trying to figure out what my purpose is now that I graduated, I want to do something important like my friends have planned."
"Well, from what I read in the paper, it seems your purpose is to help protect others Gallus and you do a great job at it." Twilight pointed out. "I don't want to decide for you, but have you considered becoming a royal guard, I'm certain the guard could benefit from such a member like yourself, you would a good example for them."
"I have thought about it, it does seem like a good career choice for me, but every single guard here is a pony and I'm a griffon..." Gallus remembering what he saw while walking through the palace.
"So?" Twilight replied back. "Gallus, I opened the School of Friendship for everycreature and even thought the EEA was against it at first, I stuck to what my friends and I wanted and I don't think the royal guard, like education, should be limited to just ponies."
"You really think that?" Gallus asked.
"I do and you can be the first to break that barrier, you can make history Gallus." Twilight urged her former student. "But it's not up to me, your future is in your claws and no one else's, think about it and no matter what, I'll support whatever decision you make."
"Thank you head... I mean your majesty." Gallus thanked Twilight.
"You're welcome Gallus, now why don't you rest here for tonight, I'll have a room set up for you so you can rest and you can leave in the morning." Twilight replied as Twilight led the griffon back inside and to a guest room for Gallus to stay for the night.
As the room was cleaned and set up for the griffon to stay for the night, Gallus laid on his back on the bed, staring up at the ceiling, thinking about his conversation with his former teacher about his potential future here. Gallus thought about it into the night, putting a lot of thought into it as he didn't sleep for some time, and well by the time his eyes finally decided today was enough, Gallus knew what his future would look like...
Author's Note
Hey everycreature!
I'm finally back with this! Hope you all have been patient and looking froward to more! There's nothing really to say, so lets just get right to it!
Some Thinking To Do
With the morning sun coming through the window in Gallus' guest room, the bright rays of light shining through to Gallus' eyes, he just turned around so his face was away from the sunlight pouring in, needing some more rest as he didn't sleep fully during the night. It wasn't until knocking came on the door that Gallus remembered where he was as he shot out of bed, clearing his throat as he quickly yawned out before speaking.
"Yes, who is it?" Gallus asked politely, thinking it might be Twilight.
"Gallus, the Princess invites you to have breakfast with us, if you'll like too." The voice of Spike replied.
"Oh sure, that sounds great, I'll be there shortly." Gallus said back, part of him thinking he would rather much get back to Griffonstone, but than he thought it would be rude to refuse the princess' request and also she would probably ask him if he did some thinking.
After making sure his feathers were all neat and preened out so he wouldn't look like a mess, Gallus came out of his room and made for the dining room and as he walked there, he did feel his stomach start to rumble, so he was thankful he did decide to eat some breakfast with his former teacher, not that it would be weird or anything... As Gallus saw the dining room up ahead, there were of course a couple of guards at the door, but luckily they were told that Gallus would show up, so they didn't stop him as they kept their spears up, motionless as Gallus entered, Twilight and Spike already there waiting for him.
"Gallus, I'm glad you accepted my offer, can't travel on an empty stomach." Twilight smiled as she welcomed her former student in, nodding to a guard nearby as the guard came and pulled out the chair that was next to Twilight's right.
"Thank you." Gallus said to the guard as the griffon took his seat and began helping himself, but doing so slowly as not to be uncivilized, eating slowly and savoring the bites, instead of just digging in.
"Gallus, you don't have to be so polite in front of me." Twilight chuckled. "So, have you thought about our little conversation yesterday?" Twilight asked as she took a bite of one of her haycakes, cutting a small piece with fork and knife with her magic before taking a bite.
"Well, I have..." Gallus answering, making sure to shallow his current bite first before speaking. "I'm still a little undecided, but I think I'm more sure I would like to be a guard, to be honest, your majesty, Griffonstone... Is a little dull for me... I want something that would give me a better purpose, all of my friends have found jobs at the School of Friendship and Ms. Rarity's shop, but I don't think I would be cut out for either place there."
"I see..." Twilight thought. "Well Gallus when I was your teacher, you were always one to want better action, something to motivate you, I can see why you would like to become a guard, my brother had the same thing, dreamed of becoming a guard and ended becoming the captain." Twilight doing some thinking.
Gallus didn't know how to reply, so he just took some more bites of his breakfast, letting Twilight speak more.
"Well, since you're still undecided, that is fine, but if it's all the same and okay with you, I would very much like to inform the head of the training academy here in Canterlot that you have some interest in joining." Twilight suggesting.
"That would be very nice, your majesty." Gallus simply replied as he finished up eating his fill.
Once Gallus, along with Twilight and Spike had finished eating, Gallus went back to his room, making sure he had everything he brought with him in his saddle bags before he left, made sure the room was left in a clean state before heading on out as Twilight was there to see him leave.
As Gallus was at the palace gates, he said his goodbyes to his former teacher, for now at least.
"Well, thank you for your hospitality and kindness, your maj..." Gallus began, but Twilight cut him off.
"Gallus, please, I was more your teacher still during your visit, the least you can do is call me Headmare like you used to." Twilight chuckled. "And it was a pleasure having you over, I enjoyed getting to help guide you in the right direction hopefully, have a safe trip back."
"Well thank you again, Headmare." Gallus said as the guards by the entrance lifted up their spears and Gallus was out, making his way back to the train station for the trip back to Griffonstone, his travels at an end for now as he waited for the next train going to Griffonstone before boarding it.
As the train arrived at Griffonstone, Gabby was not there to greet him back like last time, not that Gallus told her when he would be arriving back, so that wasn't on her. As Gallus was the only passenger to get off when the train arrived at the rundown station at the bottom of the mountains, he walked up and down the mountains until he reached Griffonstone, his little homeland. Gallus came on in, at first no one greeting him back, that is until his one friend in Griffonstone noticed him.
"Gallus, you're back!" Gabby's cheerful voice cutting through as the female griffon came flying in, hugging onto the blue griffon.
"Hey Gabby, nice to see you." Gallus said back happily. "Sorry I didn't say goodbye to you face to face."
"That's okay, I read the letter you left behind." Gabby not getting upset. "So how was your trip?"
"Honestly, it was relaxing, just what I needed, cheered me up." Gallus reporting. "I would like to tell you all about it, but I'm kinda of a little tired from the trip back here, so do you mind if we save this for later?"
"Not at all, I don't have any diplomatic visits scheduled for the time being, so I have some time to relax as well." Gabby smiling.
"Thanks, well talk to you later." Gallus replied as he made his way back to his little house in Griffonstone, opening his door as he came inside and shut the door behind him, sighing as he put down his saddlebags by the door before heading off to his straw bed, laying down as he rested.
As Gallus rested, he thought a lot about his potential future, even imagining himself in his future position, all clear as he wore his armor on, standing tall and proud as he was besides Princess Twilight Sparkle, guarding her and making sure she was protected. Those kinds of thoughts put a smile to his face as the night eventually rolled in and Gallus slept, to wake up the next day all refreshed and ready to tackle what the day brought.
A couple of weeks passed as Gallus spent the time he got back offering to help Gabby while she did her relations work in Griffonstone, which she accepted and it gave Gallus something to do for the time being and maybe even prepare him for when he would have to meet other royal guests when he would be stationed at the palace in the future. After those weeks passed, Gallus was on a train to Ponyville for a special occasion.
Shortly before Gallus and his friends all graduated from the School of Friendship, they all agreed to meet once every time the moon became full, about a month, in Ponyville, where they all met each other of course, to catch up and just to see each other. At first Gallus hesitated to come, but he knew his friends would want him no matter what, so he had to go and plus seeing them did make him feel happy.
And well, one train trip and walk later, Gallus joined his friends who already arrived, at a small cafe in Ponyville, Sandbar, Yona, and Silverstream, who were sitting down at a table, noticing their griffon friend, waved him over.
"Hey Gallus, glad you could make it." Sandbar greeted his griffon friend with a smile.
"Yeah, now that just makes two of us left." Yona added.
"They would have arrived sooner, but Smolder and Ocellus told us they would have liked to travel on the same train." Silverstream addressed. "They don't want to admit it, but those two have a thing for each other." Silverstream making fun of her two friends who weren't present.
"Well, I'm glad to see those two are happy together, like you Sandbar, with Yona." Gallus smiled his best as he took an empty seat.
"Yeah, I'm happy I can see my most lovely girlfriend back here." Sandbar replying as Yona blushed as Sandbar gave his yak girlfriend a kiss on the cheek.
It wasn't long until the last two friends showed up, hurrying down the streets as they knew they were late.
"Sorry!" Ocellus called out as she panted, out of breath from rushing here. "We're here now."
"Yeah, it took longer than we thought." Smolder added.
"Are you sure?" Silverstream asked. "Or did you two share some alone time together?"
"No!" Smolder said a little too loudly while blushing, clearly that was a lie.
"It's okay Smolder, don't mind Silverstream." The changeling putting a hoof to relax her dragon friend.
"It's okay if you two have a relationship, we're all fine with it." Yona reassured her two friends.
"I agree, now how about we do some catching up." Sandbar moving on as the friends all caught each other up on what they have been doing since they graduated, but meanwhile...
Gallus was in his own world, hearing all the things his friends were talking about, it pushed him to make a decision right than and there, but he had no idea how his friends would react to what he would say, he was so in his own world, that he didn't hear Silverstream talking to him at first.
"Equestria to Gallus, you there?" Silverstream spoke for like the third time as Gallus finally paid attention, shaking his head a little.
"What?" Gallus asked, surprised as he looked from face to face of each of his friends.
"You okay Gallus, you been a little quiet since we started talking about what we been doing the past few weeks." Sandbar pointed out.
"Oh right, well I have something to tell you all, but I don't know how you'll respond..." Gallus revealing his fear.
"It's okay Gallus, we're your friends, we wouldn't laugh." Ocellus confirming as the other four all stayed quiet to listen to Gallus now.
"Okay, here it goes..." Gallus said in his head as he took a deep breath. "Guys, I want to be a royal guard."
