The Element of Love

Season One

Chapter Five

Griffon The Brush-Off

This morning began like any other, with you waking up early and going to Sugarcube Corner for breakfast.

Though, yesterday evening Bubble had specifically asked you to go there, so that was another reason why you went there, other than the fact that you were a regular customer of the Café.

Thankfully, that also gave you a reason to deny Dusk's invitation to breakfast, and his idea of it was an extremely healthy one, even including bitter gourd and stuff like that…

However, you didn't mind spending time with Dusk.

"Are you sure you can't come?" he asks desperately.

"Sorry, but this time I have to meet Bubble… He looked really upset yesterday when I saw him… "

Dusk sighs. "I understand… But you're going to meet me straight after that."

"Okay." With that, you hurry to Sugarcube Corner and get yourself a seat, waiting for the pink earth pony.

Half an hour later, he arrives and sits opposite you. "Bubble, are you okay?"

He shakes his head. "I'll tell you, but first let's get something to eat."

…

…

Once the order is given, there's nothing to do but wait. You haven't an idea of what to say, and Bubble seems unwilling to break the silence.

He opens his mouth several times, as if wanting to say something, but closes it as soon as he opens it, much like a goldfish.

He only speaks once a waitress delivers the order, and even then, he takes a few sips of his strawberry milkshake, as if to steady himself.

You give him time, rather than demanding him to speak.

"So…" he begins slowly . "Rainbow Blitz had this childhood friend named Gilda, and she came the other day."

Another sip follows this statement.

"This Gilda… " you hesitantly say, unsure of whether he will continue or not. "What's she like?"

"She's a griffon, and forgive me for saying this… But she's a real b-word. "

Bubble rarely swore, both because he didn't want any angry mothers to come after him, and because he wasn't really the type to.

He only swore when he got really frustrated, and other than that, he would try to see the good in every situation.

He also never called anyone any offensive words. So hearing him describe Gilda like that is sort of a shock. She must be really bad…

"Really? " is the only word that escapes your mouth.

"Yes, really," says the party planner, shaking his head vigorously. "And before you say anything, it's not because she's spending every second with Blitz. I mean, even if I do want to hang out with him, she's his childhood friend, and since they haven't seen each other for a long time… the point is that I'm not jealous. "

He takes a few more sips, but these are much longer.

"How is Gilda a bi-"

"Shh! There are kids around!"

You roll your eyes. "Well then, how is Gilda a b-word?"

"I'll tell you everything...one second."

Bubble looks around the Café, before gulping the rest of his milkshake down and sighing.

"So?"

"Have a little patience, (Y/N)..." He stands up.

"Where are you going?"

"It might be safer at Dusk's house."

This time, you're the one to sigh. "Fine…"

A short walk across Ponyville has you two in front of the Golden Oaks Library, and Bubble knocks.

The door is opened almost immediately, Dusk says, "Come in." He locks it again. "To what do I owe the pleasure of your visit?"

"Have you met Blitz's childhood friend yet? A griffon named Gilda?" you ask.

His eyes darken. "Oh, don't remind me of her… While I haven't exactly met that griffon, I happened to be at the market while he was...talking to Butterscotch. Except I wouldn't really call it talking. It was more of-"

"That b-word bullied Butterscotch!" exclaims Bubble in rage. "I saw the whole thing! She stood behind him on purpose so that he would bump into her!"

Your eyes darken. If that...griffon actually did what you just heard, then - "Tell me everything… "

"I'm going to go teach that bi- I mean b-word a lesson! " you say in anger.

"Wait," says Bubble, holding onto your hoof.

" Let me go, Bubble! I need to teach her that she can't mess around with my friends! How...how dare she! "

"(Y/N). Rushing out without a plan is not a good thing," Dusk says, but he doesn't stop you.

"We'll try a peaceful solution first," Bubble explains.

"A peaceful solution?"

"Let's see if that stick that's stuck up her rear end will come out once she experiences a party thrown and designed by yours truly."

"And if that doesn't work?"

"If it doesn't work, then we can all teach her a lesson," says Dusk.

"Dusk and I will get things ready. In the meantime, can you get Butterscotch?"

"Consider it done."

" Butterscotch? It's me, (Y/N), " you say while knocking.

There's still no answer, which causes you to sigh. You had been knocking for the past half an hour, only to receive no reply.

Perhaps Butterscotch had gone somewhere…

Just as you're about to walk away, the door opens and a small, familiar white bunny peeks out.

"Hello Angel. Where's Butterscotch? Is he okay?"

Angel looks at you, comes out and checks the surroundings, and then tugs on you, signalling for you to enter, and you do so after a few seconds of looking between the bunny and the open door, which he shuts behind you, after which he runs to the living room.

You also go there to see that every animal within Butterscotch's cottage is standing around a sofa, upon which you suppose the pegasus is lying.

Once you have gotten closer, you see that yes, Butterscotch is lying there with his face in a pillow and his whole body shaking.

What that griffon did to him must have really scared him… If I could get my hooves on that...beast...she'll regret ever coming to this town, you think darkly.

"Butterscotch?" you ask gently, not to startle him but he gets startled anyways, sitting up and looking at you, though he still holds his pillow.

"(Y/N)?" he stutters. His voice is shaky and quieter than usual.

"It's okay, Butterscotch… Don't worry, I'll teach that griffon a lesson she'll never forget."

At the mention of the word griffon, he begins to tremble violently, and his eyes dart around, like that of a frightened rabbit.

"She's not here," you assure him. "If she was, I would've -"

"S-she's...so mean. I wonder how such a nice pony like Blitz could ever have been friends with her," says the pegasus slowly. "Yesterday, I was just taking the baby ducks out for a walk since they needed some fresh air, and I accidentally b-bumped into h-her… "

Tears form in his eyes at the memory, and you sit next to him, hugging him.

"I-it was just h-horrible… She began yelling at me, j-just because of such a small thing… "

"You know… Bubble told me that she stood behind you when you were walking so that you would bump into her. She had the whole thing planned out… "

Despite Butterscotch fearing that he would have another run-in with Gilda, you reassured him by saying that if she dared to do anything else, you'd break her beak.

However, he still decided to bring Harry the Bear with him for extra security, which you didn't mind, because if it made him feel safe, then it was fine.

Butterscotch goes into Sugarcube Corner where the party is being hosted, and you're about to enter it as well, but someone pushes you out of the way, and as you fall, you glare at the griffon who is laughing.

"Oh, sorry, I didn't see you there," she says sarcastically, beady eyes glinting as she watches your next move.

Standing up, you know exactly who she is, and you make sure there are no ponies around before making your horn glow as you cast a spell which levitates the sadist into the air.

There's an alleyway next to the sweet shop, and as it's rarely used, you throw the griffon down in rage.

"Dude, what the hell is your problem?! It was j-"

"Don't talk. I don't want to hear another word come out of your mouth. I know it wasn't an accident. You did it on purpose, just like what you did to Butterscotch. You know, he's really sensitive. What you did might not have affected someone else that much, but it's different with him. "

"Oh, that pathetic loser? It was his fault for-"

"For what? Being in your way? From what I was told, you were in his way. "

The griffon rolls her eyes and stands up, walking away, but you drag her back. "Just where do you think you're going, huh?"

"Away from you of course. I might get affected by your lameness if I stay for too long."

Not caring about the injury that would be done to the griffon, you slam her into the wall of the shop. "I understand that you're a sadist who thinks that bullying others and being arrogant is cool. You think that you're better than everyone. But you're actually the lamest person I've ever met. Putting up an act like that, pretending to be so high and mighty? It's pathetic. You're being like this because while Rainbow Blitz has become an Element of Harmony, is regarded as a national hero, and has earned the title of the only pony to have ever done a sonic rainboom, you haven't been able to accomplish as much, right?"

The griffon just stands up and turns away angrily, though you know that your words have reached her.

"So what, lame-o?! Why would I care about something as trivial as that, huh?!" She then chuckles. "You think you're so great, talking like that? Well, perhaps I should take you down a notch…"

Just as she's about to rush at you, Bubble appears out of nowhere and says, "Guys! Come in or you'll be late for the party!"

Bubble hops off and you follow him, but turn back and say, "There's something I've been meaning to ask you. It's a question that you, yourself, should know the answer to. What would Rainbow Blitz do if he saw your true side?"

With that, you walk into the shop with Bubble, ignoring the griffon's glare.

The party started just like any other, with ponies dancing to music that Vinyl played while chatting happily...until the door was slammed open, and none other than Gilda strutted in.

All the ponies present stopped what they were doing, and you feel a hoof on yours, only to see that Butterscotch is holding it, half hiding behind you.

Bubble stands next to him and chirps, "It'll be okay! Uncle Bubble's here to protect you!"

Butterscotch mutters something that sounds like, "...I'm a year older than you."

Bubble doesn't seem to hear him and hops off towards Gilda who asks, "What's this party for?"

"You seriously don't know?! It's a party thrown to celebrate you coming to Ponyville and reuniting with Blitz!" he replies enthusiastically.

"Well then, let's start this party," the griffon says, and is led to a cake which has just been unboxed.

Spike is about to cut it, but Gilda snatches the knife, saying, "Since it's my party, I should get to cut the cake."

It explodes once the knife goes through it, causing her to scowl while everyone laughs…

Gilda sets off one prank after another, and growls in frustration. "You just got me here to humiliate me, right?!"

"Humiliate you? No," explains Bubble . "We decided to use the nice approach on you and throw you a party so that you would stop being such a meanie and have a good time! "

"Then why am I the only one that got pranked?" she demands.

"It was just your luck. "

"Well, I'm leaving! I don't need your stupid lame pranks, or your lame-o town, or to see all of your lame faces! "

"So you think I'm lame?" asks a voice you know well, and Rainbow Blitz steps in from nowhere.

"What? Why would I call you lame?"

"You know, I was the one who set those pranks up. Every single one of them… And there's no need for your fake apologies, Gilda. I know the truth. You pretend to be nice to everyone when I'm around, but when I'm not? You just treat them like shit. You might be my childhood friend, but so is Butterscotch. "

"That lame -o? Ser-"

"I saw how you treated (Y/N). I heard every word that was exchanged between you two, " he continues coldly. "And to answer her question… If I had known that all this time, you were acting like this to my friends… Well, it's obvious, isn't it? Goodbye Gilda. Don't let me see your face ever again."

"What? Blitz, y-"

"I mean it."

The griffon's eyes betray her pain for a second before going back to their normal hateful gaze. " Fine! I don't need you anyways, Lame-O Blitz! "

With that outburst, she takes off and is gone.

"I hope that's the last we see of her," you say, sighing in relief.

"If she comes here again, I'll -"

"Let's forget about her," says Bubble , holding a few drinks, which he hands out. "For now, let's party!"

Author's Note

If this chapter seems rushed, it's because I was unwell and didn't have much ideas for how this would go, and I'm terrible at pacing anyways.

Writing this honestly feels like a chore... It's like a punishment for me not completing my other stories even after two years...

...A punishment that I deserve...

Comments would be appreciated...