Chapters Gilda and Dash's Glorious Conquest
Gilda sat with a bored expression on her face. She'd maintained that expression for a solid ten minutes while she watched her friend Rainbow Dash pace back and forth across the cloud floor while the young mare tried to comprehend what she'd been told. She'd elected to lay on the couch during this process, and due to her size took up the whole thing.
"Okay, so how do-" Dash started but stopped when Gilda moaned loudly.
"If you ask me to explain it again I'm going to jump off the porch." Gilda threatened halfheartedly.
"G, that is so not cool especially after what you pulled last night." Dash reminded, stopping mid pace to give her friend a worried look.
Gilda ducked her head in apology. "I didn't mean it for real. Seriously though, I wish you'd stop asking me to repeat myself."
"Okay, deal." Dash went silent for a moment, "After you go over it one more time." Dash added quickly, raising her voice over the half growl half screech only a griffon could produce.
Gilda glared at Dash, to which she received a sheepish but expectant smile.
"Fine. One more time." Gilda finally relented. "Something up to a century ago, my family was the ruling clan of the griffon empire." Gilda paused and looked over at a very interested Dash.
"With me so far?" Gilda asked.
Dash nodded in response.
"Great. So the second largest clan who my father, the griffon king at the time, trusted greatly staged a coup. For reasons unknown to history, my mother knew it was coming and carried an unhatched cub to the border of Equestria and the Griffon Kingdoms."
"Wait, if she knew why didn't your mom warn your dad?"
"Unknown to history. Means, I don't know either. Just let me finish the story so we can move on, please."
"Right sorry." Her friend replied quietly.
"So the border guards probably would've discarded the egg were it not for how intimidated of my mother they were. Instead a single pegasus flew the egg and a letter accompanying it all the way to Canterlot while my mother drew the attention of a who flight of griffon usurpers back towards the heart of griffon territory. If they knew about the egg that'd made it into Equestria they didn't show it. I guess I got really lucky."
"So how did you manage to get into a Cloudsdale orphanage if you were brought to Canterlot?"
"Accident?" Gilda guessed with a shrug. "All I know is that I wasn't allowed to hatch for about a century thanks to some kind of magical stasis on my egg. I was apparently under the care of Celestia for a while."
"So is she the one that sent you the letter recently then?" Dash asked.
"Maybe, probably? I can't assume many others knew about this arrangement. Much as I want to know why the ruler of Equestria wants me to wage war on the griffon king I think I'll just stay in the dark on that one."
"Wait, why?" Dash asked, wings flapping in agitation. "Celestia has been all about peace for 1000 years and she wants you to go war by yourself, and you don't want to know why?"
"No. I want to know, but I can't exactly go to her throne room and straight up ask her.The letter wasn't signed. I'd bet she'd have to deny it because of all the guards that would be in on our conversation." Gilda explained.
Dash shook her head. "You're friends with one of the element bearers. I bet I could get you a private uh-" Dash paused in thought, "What's the word?"
"Audience?" Gilda tried.
"Audience!" Dash nodded eagerly at the plan forming in her head." I can just ask Twil-" She stopped dead. Her excitement vanishing.
“Twil? Twilight? The purple one right? I need to talk to her anyways.”
“Yeah, that isn’t going to happen though. She ‘s gone.” Dash said slowly.
"Oh wow, I'm sorry I didn't know." Gilda replied quietly. Unknown to Rainbow Dash, there was a growing look of disappointment on the griffon's face as she pondered the news. "How'd she die?"
"She's not dead!" Dash shouted, quickly covering her mouth and taking a deep breath. "Not dead, she left Equestria with a "new teacher," though. She promised to come back though, I know she will." Dash's voice wavered as she spoke. She couldn't bring her gaze up from the floor.
"Jeeze, filly." Gilda shifted from her spot on the couch, sitting up and opening her arms. When Dash didn't move right away Gilda took the initiative and scooped her troubled friend into a hug.
"Since when do you-" Dash started to say, before Gilda squeezed her just a little too tightly.
"I know I'm not usually the hugging type, can we not talk about it?" Gilda said, trying to maintain her air of standoffishness. "Just enjoy it while it's happening."
Dash said nothing and returned the hug. Their embrace lasted for longer than Gilda was comfortable with, and part way through it she felt Dash relax into her chest.
"Alright, you don't have to enjoy it that much." Gilda said at length, bringing her friend to arms length with little effort. Dash dangled in the air and spotted Gilda's slight blush of embarrassment.
Being held by aloft by the claws of a predator prompted the young mare to ask, "How do you do that thing with your claws?"
"Do what?"
"Not cut everything, they look seriously sharp and stuff."
"Oh." Gilda said, bring Dash nearly beak to snout, "Very carefully." Gilda whispered, with a pseudo-sinister tone.
When Gilda gave her nothing else Dash simply said, "Right."
They shared an awkward pause before Dash spoke up again, "So all this said you want me to come along on your ' quest' thing? Why me?"
"Honestly, you're the only friend I've ever really had. When I stormed off months ago, I didn't actually go find new friends, I was just alone."
"Oh wow G, that's-"
"Sad, I know. Remember when we used to get into fights back in Cloudsdale? Remember how you wouldn't back down even when I threw the first punch? How even after all that we'd make up and keep being friends? You've always been a good friend, and the only pony mare or otherwise brave or dumb enough to take on a predator almost twice your size."
"Of course we made up, we lived in the same house."
"Eugh don't remind me."
"Just saying, it would've been really hard living together and not getting along." Dash pressed.
"Yeah it would've, I guess. Oh snap, you think mom and dad know about this?" Gilda sat upright reaching for and brandishing the letter that'd put her in her current situation.
"Uh wow, you haven't called them mom and dad in a long time."
"Yeah okay whatever. But if they know then I might not even need to talk to Celestia!"
"What do you have against talking to Princess Celestia?"
"Since your friend isn't here, how are we supposed to set up a private meeting?"
"We can still ask Spike to get her a letter." Dash shrugged.
"Spike?"
"The dragon that lives in the library."
"Ponyvile has a dragon?"
Dash grinned.
Gilda and Dash's Glorious Conquest
A short flight later found and several uncomfortable hellos later found Gilda and Rainbow Dash standing in front of a tree. Not just any tree as Gilda observed, but a half tree half house. A half tree half house that apparently contained a dragon with a direct connection to Princess Celestia. Dash had knocked some time ago and now they waited.
"So a dragon, huh?" Gilda said skeptically. Eyeing the seemingly too small tree.
"Yeah he's only sixteen or something, but he had a growth spurt recently. He's about your size these days. Just so we're clear, I'll definitely help you while you're in Ponyville. I need more time than part of a morning to decide if I'm going with you. I can't exactly leave suddenly without telling anyone; ponies would get worried."
"Okay, that makes sense I guess. Thanks anyways, no matter what you decide." Gilda said, followed by silence. "Wait, this is a library. Why are we waiting for someone to answer the door?"
"Oh yeah!" Dash said opening the door and walking inside. "It's been different since Twilight isn't the librarian though. Spike has been grumpy ever since and some ponies are kind of afraid to come in here. He's still as nice as he ever was, just moodier sometimes."
Gilda stepped into the library scanned it for a few moments then said, "Alright I give up where is he hiding?"
"Upstairs?" Dash guessed. "Yo Spike, you up there?" Dash shouted into the silent room.
A low groan and rumbling growl came from the top of a flight of stairs towards the far end of the room. After a few moments heavy foot steps came from the same direction. Gilda looked on in awe and confusion as a purple scaled creature with an emerald colored belly came down the stairs. Her confusion largely stemmed from a distinct lack of wings on what was supposedly a dragon. Before she could comment on this observation Spike spoke.
"Dash, you know shouting in the library is against the rules." Spike's voice though soft, carried a deep rumbling
that reminded Gilda of a rock slide.
"Yeah sorry. That isn't important right now though. Gilda is going on an epic quest and she really needs to talk to Princess Celestia."
"Come on Dash this is supposed to be a secret, and the first person you see aside from me you tell?"
"Well if I don't tell him, he won't know how important it is."
"Well yeah, but what if he doesn't help us anyways? Then someone else knows the secret and might tell anyone he feels like telling."
"Spike wouldn't do that, he's a cool guy."
"I'm standing right here, you two." Spike grumbled, the look on his face one of somebody who would rather be asleep.
"Right, sorry." Dash said, turning back to the dragon.
"So Spike, then?" Gilda asked, Spike nodded. "Cool, I would really appreciate it if you could send a letter to Celestia. Dash told me that's a thing you can do."
Spike fixed Gilda with a flat stare and asked, "Aren't you that bully that ruined your own welcoming party a while back? Aren't you the one that made Fluttershy cry too?"
"Oh, uh..." Gilda looked away awkwardly.
"Yeah she is, but Spike she's trying to do better. She almost died last night, too. I know you might not like her for the things she's done in the past, but she needs your help."
Spike eyed Gilda again, this time with a more appraising look.
"She isn't going to send a death threat to the Princess is she?"
"No, it's-" Dash started searching for the least odd way to phrase her sentence. "Just a thing. She wants to talk to Princess Celestia face to face."
"And you can't tell me because?"
"It's a matter of national security?" Dash tried.
"Really? Is that the best you can come up with?"
"Bearer of the element of loyalty you're talking to. National security is a thing I've done like five times in two years."
Spike sniffed ruefully, but had a genuine grin on his face. "Fair point, if you'll vouch for her I guess I can at least lend a hand. Just need me to send a letter, right? Where is it?"
"Oh yeah, can we borrow some ink and a quill? Oh and parchment, and some wax or a ribbon to seal it I guess." Gilda asked with an apologetic, light chuckle.
Spike rolled his eyes and padded off to retrieve writing supplies, leaving Gilda and Dash alone near the front of the library.
"Do you know any other unicorns in town? I need one who's good with magic." Gilda asked.
"My friend Rarity is pretty good at magicking a lot of little things, why?"
"I need an item enchanted."
"Twilight would've been the one to ask for that, Rarity's magic is more tuned towards tailoring and gemstones." Spike said, coming back into view with a small bundle.
"Usually both at once." He added as he offered the bag.
"That's perfect!" Gilda said, excitedly.
"It is?" Dash and Spike asked in unison. They both shared a quizzical look with each other. Then turned back to Gilda.
Gilda raised an eyebrow. "Y-yeah."
"How is that perfect?" They both asked at the same time. They immediately donned huge grins and did a hoof-fist bump.
"Okay weirdos. I happen to need a piece of clothing enchanted, I bet she can do it. She's had formal magic training right?"
"I don't know." Dash replied with a shrug.
"Yeah" Spike said.
Dash and Spike shared a look of disappointment, their grins faltering.
"Darn." They said in concert once they'd turned away from each other.
They both perked up immediately with their grins returning.
"No. You stop that now." Gilda said quickly.
"Spoilsport." They said in unison. This time they couldn't help but snicker.
"Oops." They said, the snickers upgrading to full on laughter.
Gilda face-palmed.
"Okay, okay I'm done." They continued, much to Gilda's dismay. The dim library was filled with raucous laughter.
"Alright, when you're done I'll be outside!" Gilda all but shouted, doing a quick heel turn and leaving.
Once Gilda had gone they're laughter began to die down.
"Were you doing that on purpose?" Dash questioned, in between much more tame series of giggles.
"No. You?" Spike asked, sighing contentedly.
"Nah."
They shared a moment of silence, before they both drew in breath to speak. They held their breath and looked at each other with a curious expression.
"Awesome-" They both said slowly, "-rific!" They both finished trying to desync with the other to no avail.
"Uh-oh." They both said with worry.
Before either could attempt to speak again, Spike put two of his large claws delicately around Dash's muzzle."
"I want you to level with me. What's going on with Gilda. You don't have to tell me everything, but you made it sound like her life was in danger."
"Before I answer that I need some advice." Dash said, with a sigh.
"Shoot."
"If Twilight suddenly came back and asked you to go with her wherever she went to would you go, no questions asked? Would you drop everything to go with her knowing that it might be dangerous?"
"Woah, wasn't expecting that. Is that what's up with Gilda?"
"Yeah. Pretty much. She showed up last night bleeding out in my living room."
"Really? She looked fine to me." Spike said.
"Didn't you see all those scars?"
"No, what scars?"
"The ones on her chest with the stitches?" Dash pressed, a strange mix of confusion and exasperation evident in her voice. "I know you notice that kind of stuff better than most."
"I believe you I guess, but I didn't see any scars on her, stitched or otherwise."
"In answer to your question though, Dash. Yeah I would. Both for old time's sake, and because I wouldn't have to worry about her as much if I was with her. If she said, 'Screw the library, let's go on a journey.' I wouldn't even question it at this point." When Spike had finished talking, he let out a weary sigh.
"Sorry big guy, I bet you're taking it the hardest out of all of us."
"Yeah, the second worst thing about all this is nobody visits anymore. Now that Twiight's gone you girls never come around."
"Oh jeeze, now I feel really bad. We haven't been avoiding you, you know that right?"
"It feels like it sometimes. Most dragons would be grateful for the peace and quiet, but I missed the noise you all brought around."
"Just because you're in charge of the library doesn't mean you can't go out you know. There's still a world outside."
"Twilight asked me to take care of the library and I will. With all the catastrophes that go on around here, I can't be too sure what might happen." There was a hint of desperate insistence in his voice.
"She wouldn't want you to live like this though, dude. Tell you what, after I help Gilda I'm going to get you out of this library for a few hours."
"I'm not so sure about that."
"I don't care how much bigger than me you are, I'll push drag or carry you out of here if I have to. Your choice big guy. If it comes to it I'll get Rarity to help too." She fixed him with a stare issuing a silent challenge. He matched it with one of his own.
Spike was, however, the first to break eye contact; he did so with a severely unhappy grumble. Dash grinned at her apparent victory.
"Deal?"
"A few hours? Three exactly?" Spike asked pointedly.
"Yeah sure, whatever. I give it ten minutes before you cheer up and want to stay out all night."
"Deal, then." Spike acquiesced after a moments silence and more grumbling.
They shook on the deal, and Gilda chose that exact moment to poke her head in.
Her eyes narrowed as she said, "You two better be agreeing not to do that anymore, or I'm leaving."
"Nah. I just convinced Spike that some time outside is a good thing. I'm going to be hanging out with him this evening."
"Alright, cool." Gilda said with a smirk, pushing the door open the rest of the way. She approached the two with a sealed scroll in her outstretched hand. "So how does this work, exactly? He isn't going to fly it to Celestia is he." She was obviously trying and failing to subtly point out his lack of wings.
Spike snorted derisively and took the letter from her, without dignifying her implied question. Without a word he tossed the the letter into the cold, dark fireplace. Before Gilda could protest he inhaled deeply and exhaled a large gout of green flame. Along with the eruption of flame came a powerful roar that caused both of the library's other guests to cover their ears. Spike stopped exhaling and the flames did not linger a moment longer. The fireplace was again empty, no trace of Gilda's letter.
"Dude what's your deal?!" Gilda shouted.
"I sent the letter like you asked, chill out."
"Wasn't that a bit much Spike?" Dash shouted, attempting to shake the ringing from her ears.
"You don't have to yell, Dash." Gilda said, with an amused smirk as she watched her friends antics.
"What?" Dash said at the same volume.
"Also, you did?" Gilda asked Spike, with a hint of incredulity.
"My fire can send things to Celestia. That was actually my minimum; found that out the hard way. Sent an entire shelf of books to her on accident."
"Heh, nice."
"It really wasn't. I got yelled at by Luna."
"What?" Dash asked, at a slightly lower volume.
"Little warning next time, I bet Dash likes her hearing."
"I didn't know I was loud too, nobody else has been around when I've done that since my growth spurt." Spike said casually. "She's totally had worse though."
"Well just because somepony breaks all four legs doesn't making breaking one leg later good." Dash shot back, having apparently recovered enough to be a part of the conversation. "Also what's the deal with your fire, it was never that intense before.
"Just comes with being bigger I guess." Spike shrugged, "Need me for anything else?"
"Well, the reply." Dash pointed out.
"I'll give it to you when you come by this evening, she probably has a lot of other-"
Spike paused mid sentence with a confused look. He reared back onto his hind legs and burped violently, letting out a significantly smaller gout of green fire than the first. This fire lingered, and coalesced into a ball. With a magical pop a scroll appeared and fell out of the air. The library was silent a long moment as the three simply stared at the scroll clearly sealed with a wax imprint of a sun.
"That was-" Gilda started, looking to Spike.
"Way quicker than I expected." Spike finished with a nod.
Another moment of silence.
"Uh G, you going to get that? It's for you, you know." Dash motioned towards the scroll on the ground.
"Yeah, right." Gilda said, seemingly coming out of some sort of trance.
The only sounds in the library for several moments were the sounds of Gilda walking, and the sounds of a scroll being unfurled.
"Oh, shit." Gilda said at length, the suddenness of her declaration was surprising to the others. A look of shock washing over her features.
"What's the deal, Gilda?"
"It says, 'Be prepared, I'm coming.'" Gilda said slowly.
"Oh shit, the Princess is coming here?" Dash asked, donning a similar look of shock to her griffon friend.
"What exactly did you send to her?" Spike asked nervously.
"I told her that I wasn't going to be her war puppet and that I wanted to meet with her so I could ask some questions. I signed it Gilda Stormtalon. I didn't think she'd get off her butt and actually come here right now." Gilda said, shrugging exageratedly. "I never figured Princesses ever did anything themselves."
"Oh jeeze, I bet you offended her. What if you just accused her of something she didn't do?" Spike started pacing, nervously. "What if she storms the library with a bunch of royal guardsponies?"
"No, if she didn't know what was up she would've said something else." Gilda said, with a bit of hope in her voice. The look on her face said she wasn't confident in her own words.
Three loud knocks at the front door halted their conversation.
"Spike, are you home?" Came a bubbly voice from the other side of the door. "Oh wait, it's a library. Duh, Pinkie!"
The three current occupants of a library let out a collective sigh of relief as the door swung open and a pink mare with a cotton candy textured mane came bounding into the library.
"Spi-" She began to shout before spotting the dragon in the main room. "Hi Spike, haven't seen you in a while."
"Hi Pinkie." Spike said with a mix of confusion and relief.
"Heh, Pinkie Pie you scared us." Dash said, "We were expecting someone else to show up."
"Ah, hope I didn't disappoint you." Pinkie's gaze turned to the third occupant of the room. "Oh you're that meany mean pants who didn't like the party I threw for you. Welcome back!"
"Wait, you aren't mad at me?" Gilda asked, clearly more than a little surprised.
"Why should I be? Since Dash is here too and she doesn't look angry at you you're obviously friends again and any friend of Dashie's is a friend of mine."
"Huh. That's pretty cool of you, actually. Thanks." Gilda extended a claw as a final peace offering.
Pinkie hopped over and instead of extending a hoof, pulled Gilda into a hug.
"Get. Off. Me." Gilda said, with a dangerous hiss.
"Oh, don't like hugs. Sorry." Pinkie said, quickly backing off.
Gilda caught a warning glare from Dash and quickly said, "It's cool, you didn't know. Please don't do it anymore, though?" The last part came out as more of a question as Gilda looked towards Dash for some measure of approval.
Dash shook her head, but had a half-grin of amusement. Gilda sighed in relief, finding that she was in the clear.
"Oh by the way, Princess Celestia is here." Pinkie announced off-handedly.
Three pairs of eyes snapped to the still open door. Three shouts of surprise went up when they noticed Celestia standing only a few feet behind Pinkie; well into the room. The alabaster alicorn stood as regal as ever a patient smile on her face. Instead of her normal regalia she wore a simply gold necklace with a amethyst set into it. Her normally ethereally mane hung limply around her neck, making her look much more like an average pony.
Gilda who was closest aside from Pinkie reacted the most to the sudden presence of the princess. In a flash Pinkie was sent tumbling behind Gilda as she the large griffon took up a defensive stance between Celestia and the pink mare. She was half way into a pouncing position before she caught herself.
"Oh, uh..." Gilda said, quickly trying to hide the fact that she'd almost attacked the princess.
"Princess Stormtalon." Celestia said with a curt bow.
Gilda replied with a scowl as a chorus of snickers sounded from behind her.
Author's Note
Let me know what you think in the comments below. If you like the story but are put off by something, let me know so I can fix it.
Gilda and Dash's Glorious Conquest
"Oh my gosh Gilda! I didn't know you were a princess!" Pinkie squealed, the first to break the silence that'd fallen over the group.
Dash and Spike could only attempt to conceal their laughter. They did so very poorly.
"So where's your horn then, huh?"
"Griffons," Gilda started, looking back at the pink ball of annoyance with confusion, "they don't grow horns ever. I don't think."
"Oh. So what do they do?"
"That's a lot of the reason Celestia is here. She has some explaining to do, and she knows it."
"Princess Celestia." Spike corrected, managing to supress his laughter finally.
"It's quite alright, Spike. She has every reason to be upset, and can express that however she wishes. Unfortunately I can't say I know the specifics of royal griffon physiology."
"Oh, well." Gilda grumbled.
Dash couldn't take it any longer. "I can't believe I didn't realize. You're a princess!"
Gilda shot her friend a glare, but Dash would not be deterred.
"Shall I have Rarity make you a fancy dress, Princess?" Dash continued, affecting a more "fancy" accent.
"Seriously Dash, now is not the time."
"Yes, please Rainbow Dash. Save your teasing for another time." Celestia urged.
"Yeah, okay." Dash said, still wearing a huge goofy grin. Fortunately enough she managed to avoid snickering.
"So I'm sure you have questions, and I am more than happy to answer any and all of them. I also thank you for not storming into my throne room and making a scene." Celestia said, wearing a calm smile.
"Yeah no problem." Gida repied, folding her arms and sitting back on her haunches. In this position she was exactly at eye level with the large alicorn.
"So it was you that sent the letter about my heritage?"
"Correct." Celestia nodded.
"So I ended up in your care at the palace before I was even hatched. Why didn't I grow up in the palace then?"
"I assume you mean to ask why you wound up in an orphanage in Cloudsdale. There are a good number of reasons. The primary one being that had you grown up in the palace your survival woud have been known to the griffon king decades ago; visiting dignitaries would've spotted you. Assassins would've been sent after you for most of your life."
Gilda was silent for a while after the princess had finished speaking. At length she shrugged and said, "Fair enough, I guess. Though I see now how much faith you put in the royal guard, and it's troubling to say the least."
Celestia grimmaced at the jab to which Gilda smirked triumphantly.
"Wait so did my parents know they were adopting a princess?" Dash spoke up from her place on the couch; seemingly having just regained interest in the conversation.
Gilda shot her friend another threatening glance.
"That was an accident I swear." Dash defended immediately.
For their parts Pinkie and Spike seemed to be completely absorbed in the conversation of the two royals. They both jumped in surprise when Dash spoke.
"No, and it needed to remain that way." Celestia responed quickly. "Getting her into the orphanage in the first place took no small amount of secrecy on its own. Once she was there it was entirely up to chance whether or not she would ever be adopted."
"So you had to get me out of the palace, but you've obviously kept tabs on me this whole time. Otherwise your letter would've never reached me."
"Yes. It was a lot of effort to make sure you didn't know you were being watched. Now that this is all come out into the open I can tell the sky guard to stop looking out for large griffons fitting your description."
"Yeah great. So thanks for the help last night when I almost died." Gilda said pointedly. Fixing Celestia with an acusitory stare.
"Yeah." Dash spoke up again, "If you knew where she was and you knew assassins were coming after her why didn't you help her?"
"There were only a couple. I knew they would underestimate her ability, and that she would survive. I also have to keep my personal involvement to a minimum; otherwise any who manage to report back to the king would know I am aware of Gilda's existence. He would start to make demands that I apprehend and turn over her as a fugitivate." Celestia paused and let out a weary sigh, for the first time since she'd arrived her smile completely vanished. "Most of the reason I asked Gilda to start a rebellion, and I realize how selfish this will sound, is that I can't involve Equestria or its military quite yet. It must start with the citizens of the Griffon Kingdoms if this movement is to have any chance of success."
"I'd ask you to explain, but I think I get it." Gilda said, but before she could continue Pinkie suddenly spoke up.
"Oh so you're going on a quest to save a land ruled by an oppressive king? This is just like those stories with the brave knights and dragons and stuff!"
"There aren't going to be any dragons." Gilda retorted quickly, a shiver of dread going through her at the thought.
"There already is silly." Pinkie chirped, clapping Spike on the back.
"That doesn't count. I don't have to kill him."
"Somtimes the brave knight befriends a dragon and then they become partners in battle and stuff!"
"I don't think I'm going with her, Pinkie." Spike cut in.
"Huh, fair enough Pinks." Gilda said witha shrug, "But yeah, I think I've gotten all the help I'm going to out of this particular dragon."
"I wouldn't say that," Spike grumbled, "won't be leaving Ponyville though."
"At any rate. Griffons have not historically responded well to any kind of foreign incursion. Even relief efforts in the past have been met with hostility." Gilda finished her earlier thought. "Am I in the ballpark there?" She asked.
Celestia nodded.
"Great, so about the money you've been giving me then? If you can't take the risk of helping me directly what's up with that?"
"As far as anyone is concerned that money is coming from an anonymous third party. I'd apprecaite it if you stopped telling ponies that the message and the account number are related in any way. In truth I'll never actually know the total you spend on this effort until centuries from now." As Celestia spoke she wore a rueful smile. "I desperately wish the need for secrecy wasn't so important. I mean that Gilda."
"What makes you so sure that the first time I say the word rebellion in the Griffon Kindgdoms I won't immediately be shot full of arrows?"
"For one thing, you would be lucky to encounter a griffon still using a bow or crossbow." Celestia said with a grim face.
Before anyone could question what she meant Celestia resumed her soft smile.
Looking to the room's other occupants the elder alicorn continued, "Aside from that I have faith. Faith in those you meet on your journey. Faith in those that you personally can call friends. Lastly, and most importantly, I have faith in you Gilda Stormtalon. In spite of or because of the life you've lead unti now, you are wise beyond your years. I know you have the capability to do what is right at the right time, especially in the face of adversity."
"That was awesome! I love inspirational speeches!" Pinkie cheered as soon as Celestia had finished speaking.
"Yeah that was really cool." Rainbow Dash addded, much more subdued than her bubbly friend.
"It was a nice speech." Gilda agreed with a shrug. "I still kind of want to hit you after finding out that I've been living a lie because of you. I get why you did it, but as it turns out that doesn't make me feel any better."
"What?!" Came three voices in unison. Gilda ignored them. One of them the deep growl of a very unhappy dragon.
"Would hitting me actually make you feel better?" Celestia asked, arching an eyebrow.
"Yeah probably." Gilda said, with a smirk.
"I suppose I owe you that much after all I've put you through." Celestia said quietly, a hint of resignation in her voice. She went from standing to sitting, and turned her head slightly to the left. She did not close her eyes and instead stared at a far wall as she waited.
"Wait, what?" Gilda said, her smirk suddenly vanishing. "You're just going to let me hit you?"
Celestia nodded. "I'd like there to be as little animosity between us as possible. If this will help towards that goal I readily accept it."
"Princess Celestia you can't be serious." Spike protested.
"This is not up to you Spike." Celestia said simply as she continued to stare slightly to the left of her would be assailant.
Gilda's claws balled into a fist, but she heasitatd. She looked Princess Celestia over. Without her regalia she was essentially like any other pony. Bigger than most, but alive and capeable of feeling pain.
Gilda frowned and pulled back her arm to swing. Celestia didn't react. Gilda started her swing and stopped mid way. Celestia did not flinch.
"No this doesn't sit right with me. I can't hit you if you aren't going to defend yourself, it'd be really lame if I did." Gilda finally addmitted defeat, her shoulders slummped as she shook her head.
Celestia beamed a smile, "I was right to trust you. You have the spirit and sense of honor every griffion is born with. You also have the heart of an Equestrian pony; filled with compassion and caring. Please remember these things in your travels." Once she finished speaking Celestia bowed a deep bow, nearly prostrating herself before Gilda.
"Yeah. Thanks for confessing and stuff. I'll do what I can for the Griffon Kindoms, and Equestria; assuming I can even get this off the ground." Gilda said, offering a hand as a friendly gesture.
Celestia extended a hoof similarlly and said, "In the end that is all I can truly ask of you."
The shook, after which Celestia excused herself. The four other occupants of the library watched her leave, watched the door close by Celestia's magic, and remained silent for a few short moments after that.
"I had no idea." Spike muttered.
"Gilda that was so cool!" Dash gushed, "Seriously one of the most awesome things you've ever done!"
"Oh oh! Can I throw you a 'Going on an Epic Quest' party? Oh, and a re-welcoming party!" Pinkie shouted.
"You know we need to throw her another party too, right?" Dash asked. Seemingly coming to a sudden realization with a sly smile.
"Three parties in one?" Pinkie replied excitedly.
"Yeah we need to throw her a princess coronation party." Dash said with snicker already making a b-line for the closed door.
"Oh that is it missy!" Gilda shouted turning abruptly to chase after her retreating friend. "Get back here!" She shouted out an open door. She took a bounding leap out the door took off.
Their combined exit sent papers scattering everywhere as well as toppling a few stacks of books.
"Huh. Maybe things aren't too different around here." Spike said, with a roll of his eyes. As it started to pick up the mess he couldn't help but smile.
Several hours later found both Gilda and Dash with several more bruises than they had earlier; the both of them were in high spirits in spite of the scuffle they'd had. What started out as a simple chase became a violent game of tag that ran though and above the usually calm town.
In addition to this Pinkie's impromtu party was soon to begin, with invitations given to all the town's residents. It was announced as Gilda's Re-Welcoming to Ponyvile Party. It promised 80% more attendance of the guest of honor this time around. As well as 10-15% less angry shouting.
Once Pinkie had delivered their invitations, which Gilda and Dash both tried to convince the hyper mare was unnecessary, they'd both agreed to a truce and gone to retrieve Spike from the library. After a few minutes of grumbling Spike began to chat goodnaturedly with the both of them. In the half hour before the party it took only a few words of encouragement to convince the young dragon to extend his time out voluntarily.
The three walked in a pleasant silence on the way to Sugar Cube Corner, the venue for the night's party. Rainbow Dash did pick up on some discomfort coming from her friend Gilda and chose to address it before they arrived at the party.
"Hey, G. Is something up?" Dash asked, disrupting the quiet.
Gilda looked at her teal friend as though she'd entirely forgotten she was there. She looked away in thought a moment befor responding, "Yeah. It's not that I don't appreciate Pinkie giving me a seond chance and all, but is anyone actually going to show up to this? After my last visit why would anyone come to a party thrown for me?"
Spike responded to Gilda instead of Rainbow Dash. "After everything that's happened around here I doubt anyone even remembers your outburst."
"Yeah." Dash agreed. " Besides which everypony who can will show up. There isn't anything to do out here besides go to a Pinkie Pie party, anyways."
Gilda looked up and down the small town street, cast in the glow of the late afternoon. "You can say that again."
Sugar Cube Corner came into view as they turned down another street. "Hey at the very least, they get to watch you make a fool out of yourself on the daily."
"What? You mean my awesome stunts?" Dash retorted, puffing out her chest.
"I know what I said." Gilda jabbed. "They called you Rainbow Crash for a reason."
"Oh don't even go there, the fillies and colts at school called you way worse." Dash bit back.
Spike rolled his eyes and went in ahead of the bickering pair.
"That's because you were the only one I was even a little bit nice to. They never had a pair big enough to call me those names to my face though, that was you and you alone."
They smiled meaningfully at each other as they entered the brightly lit establishment, to the chours crowd cheering "Surprise!"
Gilda tensed for a moment apparently expecting to be attacked.
"Relax G, it's a room full of ponies." Dash said with a chuckle, having noticed her friends sudden discomfort.
"Heh, yeah. I was just uh-" Gilda grimaced, "surprised is all."
"That was the idea." Her friend replied with no small amount of snark.
"That's why I thought about not finishing that sentence."
"I'm super glad you were surprised even though you knew about the party!" Came Pinkie's happy cry from behind them. It managed to get both Gilda and Dash to jump.
Gilda wheeled around to face the pink mare and tell her off for scaring her, but found she was glaring at empty air.
"How-" Gilda began, before turning around abruptly due to a tap on her back.
Pinkie stood there offering her a plate of cake and a smile.
"How did you do that?" Gilda asked making no motion to accept the cake.
"What? Bake the cake? I can show you if you want." Pinkie said, apparently obivious to Gilda's disbelief.
"No, not the stupid cake. How did you get around me without me noticing? I didn't even hear you move."
"Not sure what you're talking about, I said I was happy that I managed to surprise you with a not-a-surprise party, party. Then I offered you cake." Pinkie replied, beaming one of her pattented smiles.
"Gilda, it isn't worth going into. Just take the cake." Dash suggested, grinning at her confused friend.
"Thanks, Pinks." Gilda said, taking the cake carefully. Pinkie nodded and walked away back into the party. Gilda watched her go until Pinkie was on the other side of the room. She glanced behind her once before turning to the addmittedly delicious looking three layer cake. Maybe a little more pink frosting on it than she'd normally prefer. It was free, though; and made for her besides. Those two facts made it easily one of the best pieces of cake she'd ever had, as she bit into it from directly off the plate.
"Earth ponies aren't big on forks at informal events, are they?" She anounced her observation to her friend.
"Nah." Dash confirmed, mimicking her friend.
Gilda scanned the rest of the crowd observing the multitude of colors.
"Haven't been in a crowd like this for a while." She stated. "Doesn't seem like much has changed, ponies still sort of avoid a griffon almost twice their size." As she finished speaking her gaze settled on a white unicorn with a royall purple mane and three diamonds for a cutie mark. The unicorn wouldn't have caught Gilda's attention if not for the scornful glare she was shooting at her.
"You just gotta go and introuduce yourself. Ponies around here warm up to strangers pretty quickly. Once they know you they'll hang out with you no problem."
"Hey that unicorn looks familiar, what's her name?" Gilda said, ignoring her friend's words.
"Huh?" Dash intoned, tracking Gilda's gaze. "You mean Rarity? She's one of my friends bearer of generosity and stuff. Why?"
"Oh that's the dressmaker Rarity? Dang, it looks like she's got beef with me." Gilda paused for another bite of deliscious cake. "Not sure why though, I don't think I really said anything to her the last time I was here."
"Beef? You think she's mad at you? I think the only one Rarity holds a grudge against is Prince Blue-" Dash paused when she noticed the singularly focused glare Rarity had directed at Gilda. "Oh wow, she's pissed at you. Maybe Pinkie didn't tell her what's up?"
"Hopefully. I need her to do some work for me. Maybe I should go clear the air before she gets any angrier."
"I'll come with, just in case."
"Are you worried about me? I can take her, no problem."
"Not what I meant. Don't fight my friends please." Dash said, mild concern in her voice. She didn't actually believe Gilda would after all the effort her griffion friend was putting forth to be nicer.
"I'll defend myself if I have to." Gilda said setting her cake aside and dropping to all fours.
"Geeze, G."
The pair began to make their way across the room. Rarity having noticed this, moved to apparently meet them half way. The white unicorn stomped angrily across the room; the other guests quickly gave way for the furious looking mare.
Gilda and Dash both paused at Rarity's reaction.
"Uh, Dash. She looks really really pissed. Not saying I'm going to swing first or annything, but-"
"Woah, okay!" Dash said, taking fllight to zip between Gilda and the approaching storm of a pony.
"Rarity, what's up? You look like you're about to kill someone."
Rarity stopped just short of Dash and snorted angrily, "You may notice that Fluttershy isn't here." She spoke loudly enough for other party goers to hear, but didn't take her gaze off Gilda.
"Fluttershy probably just didn't feel up to being social. Why are you giving Gilda a death glare?" Dash tried to get in Rarity's field of vision.
"That would make sense. I was at her cottage just a ittle while ago, after Pinkie told me that Fluttershy started to panic when she received an invitation. Would you like to know what I found out from Fluttershy when I visited her?"
Dash got the sense that regardless of her answer she was getting an explanation.
"What did you find out?" Dash asked.
By now the entire room had fallen silent in reverence of the drama that was playing out before them.
Pushing past Dash, Rarity threw up an accusing hoof. "This thug threatened to eat Fluttershy's animals, and now the poor dear has boarded up her home with all her animal friends inside. She refused to even open the door when I stopped by."
The room let out a collective gasp, as all eyes turned to the accused party.
Gilda felt the room turning hostie against her in a hurry.
"Gilda, did you do that?" Dash asked, her gaze faling on her friend.
"I-" Gilda thought for a moment, "Yeah I did. It was after I stormmed out of the party the last time. I spotted her on my way out of town and lashed out at her." Gilda confessed slowly.
After a few moments of silence during which Dash was speechless and the tension in the room steadily rose, Gilda finally spoke again. "Look, I'm sorry."
"I don't need your apologies." Rarity snapped back.
"Not just to you." Gilda said quietly. The look of being ready for a fight dropping away and being replaced by a regretful downcast gaze. "I've been trying to do better recently, and I'm totally used to my past catching up with me. I was a class-A jerk the last time I came through here, and I'm trying to apologize to all of you. I came to your town and terrorized total strangers. Even if I didn't bully you directly, I'm sure you all felt it in some form or another, and I really truly am sorry about it."
Gilda paused mid speech and looked around the room. Rarity's gaze had hardly softened at all, but the rest of the room at least wasn't quite as against her as it had been a moment ago.
"I know Fluttershy isn't here to hear this, and I intend to apologize to her directly when I can. I'm trying to do better these days, and this is something that needs to be said. I am sorry. It's up to each of you to forgive me if you will, not that I expect or really deserve it." Gilda fell silent. For a long moment an oppresive silence ruled the room, strangely offset by the colorful decorations of the party.
"That's two speeches in one day!" Came Pinkirs exuberant voice from the crowd. Her proclamation was followed shortly after by canon fire. Brightly colored confetti and streamers rained down over the whole room.
A pink blur shot out of the crowd and wound up along side Rarity's side. Pinkie Pie threw a eg around her furioius friend and said, "Come on Rarity, she's super duper sorry. Besides doesn't everyone deserve a second chance?"
While Gilda tryed to wrap her head around the fact that she was the only one in the room at all phased by the sound of canon fire, Rarity went quiet. For the first time since the debacle began Rarity took her eyes off of Gilda and instead inspected each piece of colorful paper as she picked it off of herself. Rarity examined each piece as she held it in her magic, apparently searching for the one that had an answer she sought.
The room waited in a sort of reverent silence as Rarity finally removed the last piece of confetti from her mane. Her anger filled scowl was replaced by a deep frown as she spoke, "I suppose everyone is deserving of a second chance."
Pinkie smiled wide in triumph. Before the excitable mare could speak Rarity continued.
"Once Gilda has proven that she's changed, and once she's apologized to Fluttershy, I will accept her apology. Not before."
Pinkie's smile waned ever so slightly as her friend finished speaking and retreated to the farthest corner of the room away from Gilda.
The almost-a-fight being over the room slowly came back to life. The crowd went from a gathering watching an execution back to a proper party.
"Geeze, G. I can't believe you did that to Flutters." Dash finally said.
"Yeah I was in a really bad mood to be fair. I know it doesn't excuse what I did, but I've done way worse than threaten others for far less. Now I just have to figure out a way to apologize to her."
"That'll be pretty hard since she'd just as soon fight you as hear you out. Especially if she thinks you're after her animals from the get-go."
"That might work. Maybe if I just let her kick my ass she'll feel different about listening to my apology." Gilda said with a shrug. "It's worked for us in the past."
"Or," Pinkie suddenly cut in, "you could give her these lemonberry cupcakes. They're her favorite." She produced a butterfly decorated box containing a dozen cupcakes with yellow icing and a strawberry on each one.
"Alright, now I know you weren't holding that a second ago." Gilda started in, eyeing the box of colorful confections. She would've continued if she hadn't noticed Rainbow Dash slowy shaking her head.
"Uh... Thanks, Pinkie. I bet these will be helpful." Gilda said, taking both Dash's advice and the offered cupcakes.
"No thanks necessary. Anything for a friend." Pinkie chirped.
"Maybe if you give her cupcakes and let her beat you up, she'll forgive you." Dash quipped.
"That's not a bad plan, actually." Gilda addimitted, having apparently missed her friend's joking tone.
"Wait a minute. You just had Fluttershy's favorite cupcakes ready to go?" Gilda asked suddenly. She realzied fter the fact that Pinkie had disapeared quietly back into the crowd.
"That's just how Pinkie does things. She says she always has a counter-" Dash started, shaking her head while trying to think of the right word. "Coutern. Contiguou- Uh, what's the word?"
"Contingency plan?" Gilda suggested in a flat tone.
"Yeah that's the one."
"Were you going to say contiguous?" Gilda asked with a laugh.
"I spent a lot of time with an egghead. I've run into a lot of multi-syllabic words since I met her."
"Sweet Celestia, Dash! I bet you don't even know what a syllable is."
"So what if I didn't? Which I did. I used it right and everything."
"Whatever, egghead." Gilda dismissed mockingly. "I should probably take ccare of this Flutthershy thing sooner rather than later. I'm going to head out now."
"That's not a bad idea. You want me to come along?" Dash offered.
"Nah. If I take you with me and she does try to attack me. I don't want you taking my hits for me."
"Well, alright. Don't hurt her though. She's still the same Fluttershy we knew in Cloudsdale."
"I'll keep that in mind." Gilda said walking to the exit with cupcakes in hand. "Tell them not to wait up for me when the party starts winding down. Oh, and tell Pinkie I said thanks. For everything really."
"Will do, G." Dash said, waving her friend off.
As Gilda left she noticed a particular banner hanging above the door. It read "Welcome Back to Ponyville!" in big gold letters against a pink background.
"Hell of a welcome." She mused to herself as she stepped out into the late evening.
