There was a myriad of things that she didn't understand in this life. Even more than she realized herself. But the one true thing that she did know, was that she managed to destroy the only good thing she had going for her.

Despite all the harsh words, all the misunderstandings, she knew that deep down, none of those words that Rainbow Dash had said she actually meant, and in her heart of hearts, she knew her words in return were just as empty. They may have been from a sharpened beak, but there was no intent to wound.

Now her friendship lie in tatters like so many broken prey at her talons. Optimisim began to creep in as she began to believe it was an easy fix. A few well placed apologies, and everything would be alright again. But she knew it would never be that simple. Like anything else, what takes years to build, takes only seconds to destroy.

The guilt left a nasty feeling in the pit of her stomach. She remembered it was the same kind of feeling she got when Dash got in trouble for something in flight camp for something she had organized. The same feeling she got when she saw Dash comforting that crying, yellow Pegasus. Could that one she made cry back in Ponyville be....

She shook her head. Retreating back to her new “home” as it were, she sat in the trees lost in thought. Here she was, in exile among the other monsters that the ponies feared. Outcast from her own homeland, homesick in Cloudsdale, and no longer desired in Ponyville, she had resigned to her fate in the darkness of the Everfree Forest. That is until that group of ponies had come along. She had decided to follow them, found the castle ruins she had flown over many times before, and heard an interesting story in the process.

She also remembered brief mentions about Rainbow Dash. Was she in trouble? Could this be her moment to make ammends? From the sounds of it, that dark unicorn was attempting to seek the same forgiveness. Rather the other ponies in the group were also seeking such approvals, she didn't know. But, it wouldn't hurt to see if they had an opening, as it were.

Anything to help the only friend she had.

Nodding to herself in finality, the mighty griffon gave a flap of her wings, and took off towards Ponyville once more. A new job had presented itself, and she was determined to see it through.

Elsewhere, the Doctor stared into the darkness outside, still mulling over what had gotten into that Trixie. They needed six ponies to make the Elements of Harmony work, and now they were down to five.

Before anymore thoughts could be made, the Doctor saw a circling shadow in the sky. Whatever it was, it was pretty good size. With a peircing hawk-like cry and a flourish, the tan pony stared in awe at the mighty griffon before him.

“Oh, BRILLIANT!” he exclaimed. “Look at you, eh? Very dashing! The whole mythological aspect going on there.”

“I'm as real as you are, dweeb.” Gilda snorted.

The Doctor paused for a moment in his observations. Great, another one. Why did he always attract the ones with the bad attitudes?

“Well, what brings you here, miss...”

“Gilda.” she replied, sternly. “I'm here to,” she began tracing a claw on the ground nervously. “I want to help....for a friend...”

The Doctor looked into her eagle eyes, and saw the hurt behind them. It was then he knew that she was nothing like Trixie. Her facade was just that, an act. Unlike Trixie, who genuinely believed her lies.

“Well, I don't know...we seem to be a pony only club.” he thought. Could the Elements of Harmony work on anyone? This was something he must explore further.

“Please...” the griffon whispered, her face showing that sounded a bit more pathetic than she wanted it too.

With no choice, the Doctor gave a solemn nod. He had to inform Luna of the change in plans. He turned to go back inside the shop, and glanced over his shoulder to see Gilda looking off, as if lost in thought. He cleared his throat to get her attention, and gave a nod to follow.

Walking inside the shop, which was oddly enough, spacious enough for even her, the other ponies looked in confusion and fear.

“Everyone, this is Gilda. Since Trixie seems to be a lost cause at the moment, I vote we recruit her.”

“I remember her.” Scratch sneered. “The way she acted at Pinkie's party was totally uncool.”

“I know.” Gilda replied. “And...I'm sorry...” her eyes widened at how easy that had come out. She was showing way more cracks in her armor than she wanted to, but had a feeling that tan pony could already see all of them anyway. It hurt her ego to be so pathetic, yet at the same time, it felt good. The feeling in her heart at wanting to help her friend, despite the harsh words. Dash had not only taught her the finer arts of getting in trouble, she also taught her the art of loyality. A lesson the griffon was now in remiss for fogetting so easily.

The white unicorn had heard the sorrow in the griffon's apology, and eased up. Octavia could only look on in awe, as she had never seen something like her outside of stories. Bubbly, on the other hand, shrank like a violet, trying to avert her wandering gaze.

“Well then, I guess it's settled! Looks like we're a new group now! Allons-y!”