Chapters A month has passed since Gallus and Twilight Sparkle took a visit to Griffonstone in hopes that they would be able to celebrate the Blue Moon Festival. However, that wasn’t the case as they were confronted by Grampa Gruff, Griffonstone’s infamous dictator. He made it absolutely clear that Gallus would never be invited back to Griffonstone after he agreed to enroll in the School of Friendship. Gruff feared that should Gallus return, he might corrupt Griffonstone with his newfound knowledge of friendship. However, he was not afraid to tell Gallus what he thought of friendship. As he was about to beat the living daylight out of Gallus, however, Twilight stepped in and said some...choice words to him. This, believe it or not, did scare him. After she and Gallus returned to Ponyville, Gallus couldn’t stop thinking about the experience. He feared that Grampa Gruff may come back for revenge. Because of his paranoia, Gallus secluded himself from his friends and even his grades and attendance have been slipping. This worried Twilight, who suggested that he made an appointment with Counselor Starlight. Gallus took this advice to heart, and after his last class of the day, he went to see Starlight.
“Hello, Gallus. Glad you could come.” Starlight greeted the griffon.
“Like I had a choice in the matter.” Gallus thought to himself as he took a seat.
“Headmare Twilight told me that you and her tried to celebrate the Blue Moon Festival in Griffonstone, is that correct?” Starlight asked.
“Yes.” Gallus answered.
“And it didn’t turn out as well as expected.” Starlight continued.
“Yeah.” Gallus responded.
“I see. Well, Headmare Twilight said that she was worried about you. You’ve been missing a lot of school lately, and your grades have been slipping because of that.” Starlight continued.
“Well, come to think of it, I haven’t been studying as much as I should. I haven’t exactly been hanging out with my friends as much either. But I have a good explanation.” Gallus confessed.
“Okay.” Starlight responded.
“Although I liked how Twilight stood up for me that night, I’m always afraid that Grampa Gruff would come back for revenge.” Gallus said.
“Gallus, do you hate your grandpa?” Starlight asked.
“That’s just his name. He isn’t my or anygriff’s real grandpa. Anyways, to answer your question, no. I don’t really hate him. I just want to know why he doesn’t like me. Y’know, it’s just not him that I’ve been getting my abuse from. It’s from the other griffons in Griffonstone. The food vendors would refuse to give me food, my parents threw me away before I was even born, griffons refused to even give me money for food, and Gilda just ignored my situation. Gabby was pretty much the only griffon I liked, but even then, we didn’t interact much because she was so scared to even be near me because Grampa Gruff thought she was too nice to me. According to him, everygriff was required to torment and abuse me. And I just don’t see why. I didn’t deserve any of this. Why does everygriff hate me?” Gallus explained as his voice got choked up as tears filled his eyes and rolled down his cheeks.
Starlight made her way to the crying griffon to give him a hug. “You’re right. You didn’t deserve this. You’re an intelligent, bright young man who cares deeply about his friends and his studies. But, I need to know. When did this abuse start?” Starlight asked.
“It started before I was even born. My parents were expecting a hatchling that they hoped would be like all of the other griffons: mean, greedy, and prejudiced towards creatures who believed in friendship. They later found out the egg looked unusual from the average griffon egg. That meant that the hatchling would be a complete disappointment to not only its family, but the entire griffon species as a whole. When they found that out, they realized that I didn’t matter and threw me inside a dumpster. When I was born, I didn’t know where I was. It was dark and smelly and no other griffons were present. At that point, I was scared and confused. A week later, the trashman went to empty the dumpster, and that was the first time I’ve ever seen light. As the trashman reached for a trash bag, I hopped on, clinging for dear life as I exited the dumpster, and that was when I made my escape. Then, I realized that I had to find my family. I’ve spent three weeks looking for griffons who looked like me, much to no avail. I became hopeless and depressed, and that was when I met Grampa Gruff. At first, I thought that he was part of my family as he took time to observe what I had to go through. I was hungry, filthy, and exhausted and I hoped that he would take me to his place to get me cleaned up and fed. However, he looked at my feathers and began yelling at me. I couldn’t understand it at the time, but it sounded really harsh. Then, he started beating me to a pulp until he thought I was dead.” Gallus responded.
Starlight was horrified by what she heard. “Oh my goodness! That’s horrible! I’m sorry, Gallus!”
Gallus let out a sigh and said “Thanks, Starlight, but no apology or sympathy will reverse the horrible actions inflicted on me. It’s been a part of me for my entire life. The bad memories have been on loop in my head for as long as I can remember. In my dreams, I still feel the pain inflicted on me by Grampa Gruff and the other griffons. The thought of graduation scares me. It’s a happy time for most, but I even dread the thought of having to leave this school. The fact that I’m forced to leave my safe haven to go back to Griffonstone scares me.”
“I understand, Gallus. Thank you for taking the time to talk to me about your problems. And remember, you’re not alone. Your friends, professors, and I are available if you need any assistance.” Starlight assured the griffon.
“Thanks for everything, Starlight. I don’t know what I’d do without you.” Gallus said.
“It’s nothing. I’m just doing my job. Have a hug.” Starlight replied as she hugged Gallus.
“Y’know, I’m not always the huggy type, but I really needed that. Thank you.” Gallus said gleefully.
“Anytime, Gallus. Have a wonderful rest of your day. And make sure you get your homework done!” Starlight replied.
“I will!” Gallus said as he exited Starlight’s office.
Author's Note
This was originally going to be its own story making this part of the trilogy that I have originally planned, but after some thinking, I decided that it would be better as a chapter in my next big project, which is this.
Once he left Starlight’s office, Gallus went back to his dorm room to work on his make-up work. However, as soon as he was getting ready to begin, he heard a knock at the door. He walked over to see who it was, and it was revealed to be Corn.
“Hi, Corn! What’s up?” Gallus greeted the blue unicorn.
“I’m fine. Listen, do you have time to talk?” Corn responded.
“Well, I do have homework that needs to be done.” Gallus responded.
“It’ll be quick. I’ll be in and out in no time.” Corn responded.
“Okay, but hurry up. I need to get back to my work.” Gallus said as Corn walked into his room.
The two sat on Gallus’ bed. “So, what’s on your mind, buddy?” Gallus asked.
“I heard about what happened with you and Twilight during winter break.” Corn replied.
“Oh, yeah. That. Listen, can we not bring this up?” Gallus replied.
“So, was that why we haven’t seen you in about a month?” Corn asked.
“So what if I’ve had one bad winter break? Is that why everyone’s getting on my back?” Gallus asked.
“Listen, Gallus. We’re worried! You can’t just let things get in your way. You gotta have the courage to fight them head-on!” Corn replied.
“Where are you going with this?” Gallus asked.
“I’m saying that you gotta give that mean ol’ Grampa Gruff piece of mind! Show him what you’re made of!” Corn responded.
“Y’know, I think you’re right, Corn. He’s abused me for long enough, and now it’s time I fight back! Thanks, Corn!” Gallus said gleefully.
“Anytime, Gallus! Say, would it be alright if I went with you to Griffonstone?” Corn asked.
“What?” Gallus replied.
“I wanna go with you to Griffonstone with you! I wanna help you!” Corn replied.
“First thing’s first, buddy! I gotta do my homework. Perhaps we can go on our adventure during spring break.” Gallus replied.
“But that’s two and a half months away! We don’t have that much time! You gotta defeat Grampa Gruff now!” Corn protested.
“Sorry, buddy. I can’t miss anymore school. I’m already falling behind in my classes.” Gallus replied.
“Gallus, what’s more important to you? The fate of Griffonstone or school?” Corn asked.
Gallus started to grow irritated. “Corn, for the last time! I said not now! Stop pestering me about going to Griffonstone and let me do my homework! Besides, I gotta plan everything out first and that will take a while.”
“Fine, but don’t say I didn’t warn you!” Corn retorted as he walked out of the room.
Once Gallus finished all of his make up work, he thought about what Corn told him. Has he been using the school as a way to hide from his problems? Has he been hiding whilst Grampa Gruff was holding Griffonstone back while other nations thrived? What exactly has he been doing to solve his problems? Corn was right. Things had to change. Gallus went over to Corn and Peg’s dorm room and knocked on the door.
Corn answered the door. “Hi, Gallus! Hope you changed your mind about earlier.”
“Y’know, I’ve done a bit of thinking and I say it’s time to bring change to Griffonstone! Big structural change! Like Elizabeth Warren!” Gallus said gleefully.
“That’s what I’ve been trying to tell you! You can’t just watch from the sidelines while Grampa Gruff tears Griffonstone apart! It’s time to dream big and fight hard!” Corn replied.
Peg walked over to the boys, irritated by their loud rallying. “Could you keep it down, Corn? I’m trying to do my homework!”
“Oops! Sorry, Peg! Gallus and I are just so excited!” Corn replied.
Peg looked up at Gallus. “Oh, hi Gallus! It’s been a while since we’ve seen you. I hope everything’s going okay for you.”
“Things have been going great, Peg! Corn and I are gonna bring big structural change to Griffonstone!” Gallus replied.
Peg became confused by what Gallus had just said. “What?”
“That’s American for ‘We’re gonna make Griffonstone a better place!’” Corn filled her in.
“Okay, but how?” Peg asked, still confused.
“By getting rid of Grampa Gruff!” Gallus responded.
“Well, I don’t blame you! From what I’ve heard, Grampa Gruff has done nothing but good for Griffonstone! And I can’t believe that he treated you the way he did!” Peg replied.
“And he’s been holding Griffonstone back! Dividing griffons, banning friendship, possessing all seven deadly sins!” Gallus said.
“Wow, he sounds like a no-gooder! But, if you’re gonna get rid of him, who’s gonna rule over Griffonstone?” Peg asked.
“Griffonstone needs a ruler who believes in friendship, is willing to bring griffons together, and is ready to restore Griffonstone back to its original glory! Griffonstone needs...ME!” Gallus said excitedly.
“Makes sense. But what does Corn have to do with any of this?” Peg asked.
“I’m gonna help him! And maybe, I’ll be vice ruler!” Corn replied.
“How? You’re not a griffon.” Peg asked.
“Oh.” Corn replied. “Okay, maybe I won’t be vice ruler, but Gallus can’t defeat Grampa Gruff and restore Griffonstone by himself! Besides, he might get lonely.”
“Well, you do have a good point. And Griffonstone is in need of dire changes. How long will you two be gone?” Peg asked.
“Dunno. How long it takes, I guess?” Gallus replied.
“Well, okay then. Have fun! Make sure you write! I wanna know what’s going on!” Peg said as she said her goodbyes to the two.
Corn and Gallus met back in Gallus’ dorm room to make last-minute preparations for their journey.
“So, do we got a plan?” Corn asked.
“Heck yeah we got a plan!” Gallus responded. “Remember how King Grover used the crown to rule over Griffonstone?”
“I think so. Wasn’t that crown magical?” Corn asked.
“It sure was! And I’m gonna use it to take over Griffonstone and use the crown’s magic to finally bring Griffonstone back to its original glory.” Gallus said.
“Nice plan!” Corn replied. “But, how will you obtain the crown?”
“Easy! We ask Headmare Twilight!” Gallus responded.
“Do you really think she would let us get it?” Corn replied.
“It’s worth a shot. Come on!” Gallus said as the two went to Twilight’s office.
Gallus opened the door to Headmare Twilight’s office. He and Corn stepped inside.
“Hi, Headmare Twilight!” Corn greeted the purple alicorn.
“Hi, Corn! Hi, Gallus! What brings you two here?” Twilight greeted them back.
“I thought about what happened during winter break, and I thought things over for a bit. I feel like I’ve been using your school as an escape from everything currently happening in Griffonstone under Grampa Gruff’s rule. All I’ve been hearing about in current events class is how Grampa Gruff is ruining Griffonstone. And that’s really the only thing that we talk about besides Donald Trump and how he’s ruining his country! Something’s gotta change!” Gallus ranted.
“And we’ve been wondering if we can borrow King Grover’s crown for a little bit.” Corn added.
“Wait, what are you planning on using Grover’s crown for?” Twilight asked.
“Y’know how Grover used his crown to make Griffonstone thrive, which is something that Gruff and Trump fail to do? The magic of that crown will help unite Griffonstone in a time of serious need.” Gallus explained.
“So, can we have it?” Corn asked.
“You do have a very valid point, Gallus, but I don’t think it would be wise for me to give you two the crown. You don’t even know how it works.” Twilight replied.
“Can you show us?” Gallus asked.
“Okay. Follow me.” Twilight told the two as she led them into the basement.
The three walked over to a glass cube that encased the Crown of Grover, which was placed on top of a purple cushion.
“This is the Crown of Grover. They say it had magical abilities that enabled the wearer of the crown to acquire all of the crown’s magic. This crown was magic and was composed of the six Elements of Harmony, the elements can be seen on the crown. However, when Grampa Gruff became the ruler of Griffonstone, he destroyed the crown so he can bring his true vision to Griffonstone. With the crown destroyed, Griffonstone became divided and became weak while other nations thrived. Without the crown, it’s impossible to overthrow Grampa Gruff.” Twilight explained.
This worried Gallus and Corn. Without the crown, how will Griffonstone become united again?
“There’s got to be another way to bring the magic of friendship to Griffonstone! Does the crown in there still work?” Gallus asked worriedly.
“This isn’t real. It’s made of plastic.” Twilight replied. “I’m sorry, Gallus, but without the crown’s magic, there’s no way to fix Griffonstone.”
“A do-gooder never gives up! What if we take that crown and put magic inside of it?” Corn asked.
“It doesn’t work like that, Corn.” Twilight responded.
“Have you at least tried it?” Gallus asked.
“No.” Twilight answered.
“If you haven’t tried that method, then how would you know it doesn’t work?” Corn asked.
“Hmm, that just might be crazy enough to work. I’ll gather my friends and we’ll head to the Tree of Harmony with the crown.”
Twilight and her friends met Gallus and Corn at the Tree of Harmony where they were going to perform the ritual.
“Are you sure this will work, Twilight.” Rarity asked.
“I’m sure. Just get into position and let the tree do its work.” Twilight responded.
With all six element bearers in position, the tree lit up and lifted up the Mane Six. Suddenly, the rainbow lasers beamed at the plastic crown, causing it to absorb the tree’s magic.
“Wahoo! It worked!” Gallus exclaimed.
“Thanks, guys!” Corn said.
“No problem at all, boys. Good luck!” Twilight responded as the two left for Griffonstone.
Gallus and Corn arrived at the train station to catch the next train to Griffonstone. Gallus held onto the crown, looking at it, excited about using it to finally make Griffonstone a better place.
“Grampa Gruff’s not gonna know what’s coming to him!” Gallus said.
“Yeah! Wait until we see the look on his face when he sees you with the crown.” Corn replied.
Four hours later, the two arrived in Griffonstone, ready to confront Gruff and unseat him as ruler. Gallus saw Gabby as she was doing her rounds and walked up to her to say hello.
“Hi, Gabby!” Gallus greeted her with an excited grin.
“Hi, Gallus! You seem really happy today.” Gabby greeted back.
“I sure am, because today, I’ll be taking over as ruler of Griffonstone, with special help from the Crown of Grover.” Gallus said while holding up the crown.
“Woah, is that really the Crown of Grover? I thought it got destroyed when Grampa Gruff became ruler.” Gabby asked.
“It did, but thanks to the Tree of Harmony, we managed to create a brand new one, with the magic still intact.” Gallus replied.
Suddenly, a griffon saw the crown that Gallus was holding and went over to investigate. Then, another griffon followed suit. Eventually, every griffon in town went over to take a peek.
“Everygriff, I will use this crown to unseat Grampa Gruff and bring the magic of friendship to Griffonstone once again!” Gallus declared, causing cheers from the crowd.
The cheers were loud enough for Grampa Gruff to hear from his house. He went up to the crowd to see what’s going on.
“What’s all this ruckus going on here?” Grampa Gruff asked grumpily.
Then, he looked at the crown that Gallus was holding and became furious. He pushed everygriff out of his way so he can confront Gallus.
“Grampa Gruff, fancy seeing you here!” Gallus sarcastically greeted the elder griffon as he placed the crown on his head. “Get ready for your retirement!”
“I think not, boy! What are you doing with that crown? I thought I broke that thing!” Gruff retorted.
“No, you didn’t. Thanks to the Tree of Harmony, we were able to restore the crown!” Gallus replied.
“Two can play at that game! Surrender the crown or your life!” Grampa Gruff retorted as he pointed a gun at Gallus.
Knowing what was about to happen if he refused to surrender the crown, he took it off and passed it over to Corn, who put it on his head. With Grampa Gruff focusing his attention on Corn, Gallus swooped over and gave him a swift kick in the head. Gallus forcibly grabbed the gun from Grampa Gruff and pointed it at him.
“Any last words, you old fart?” Gallus asked in an angry tone of voice.
“You featherhead! Look at what you’ve done! You’ve ruined Griffonstone!” Grampa Gruff shouted.
“No! YOU ruined Griffonstone! I’m trying to make it better! You’ve encouraged griffons to be greedy and nasty, just like you! Griffonstone needs a ruler who can unite, not divide and believes in spreading the magic of friendship all around! We’re done with being stuck in the gutters! Say goodnight, Mr. Gruff!” Gallus retorted before pulling the trigger, killing the elder griffon.
Grampa Gruff’s death caused a massive amount of cheers from the crowd as Gallus put on the Crown of Grover.
“Now, my royal subjects! It is time to restore Griffonstone back to its original glory. With this crown, I now possess the six elements of harmony. With this strong magic, I will restore the magic of friendship in Griffonstone!” Gallus announced, causing even more cheers from the crowd.
As Gallus closed his eyes to let the crown do its magic, the six shards glowed, ejecting lasers into the sky. Suddenly, the lasers caused a sonic rainboom that delivered the magic of friendship into Griffonstone. Everything became less gloomy and more colorful.
“You did it, Gallus! Griffonstone is thriving once again!” Corn cheered.
“And that means my work here is done!” Gallus replied.
“WHAAAAAT? But you’ve just been crowned!” Corn replied.
“My true intention was to use the crown to restore friendship in Griffonstone, not actually be king! I can’t leave the school behind!” Gallus replied.
“That’s true. But, with Grampa Gruff gone, who will become ruler of Griffonstone?” Corn asked as Gallus walked over to Gabby to put the crown on her head.
“Gallus, what’s the meaning of this?” Gabby asked, confused by what Gallus has just done.
“Besides me, Gabby has been the only griffon who cared about improving relations in Griffonstone and is also a firm believer in the magic of friendship. Since I can’t perform the duties as ruler, I believe that Gabby can and can do it well!” Gallus said.
“Wow, Gallus! I’m speechless! Thank you for those kind words!” Gabby said as she hugged Gallus.
“Well, everygriff, looks like our job is done and we’ll be heading home now! Enjoy your future! It’s gonna be great!” Gallus announced as he and Corn made their way home.