Making their way back into Griffonstone, Gilda apologized, "I'm really sorry for the way I treated you all."

"Thanks, Gilda."
"Apology accepted."
"No harm done."

"So then... what're we gonna do with the... you-know-what?" Rainbow Dash asked while discreetly gesturing Gilda's wing, which concealed the recovered artifact.

"Well, I would suggest you come with us."

"What the flying-" Blueblood and the rest looked up to see Sir Godric coming down to them from above, accompanied by four Sky Knights.

Two of them continued on, carrying a large something wrapped up while the other two remained with their Captain, who spoke to one of them, “Make sure the Garrison's meeting room has the proper guest as well as refreshments."

“Yes, sir,” the Sky Knight nodded before flying off.

"Sir Godric? What's going on?" Rainbow Dash asked.

"There's been a murder, Rainbow Dash," Godric answered, the ponies and Gilda looking alarmed, especially when Godric explained, "It's the nature guide, the one that you hired I presume."

"Her?!" Rainbow Dash was flabbergasted, "She left me to die in the abyss becuase I couldn't pay her to rescue me!! She 's dead?!"

“This has 'Wotan under Gar's orders' written all over it,” Godric nodded with a disturbed look. "I believe they paid off the guide to leave you to die but then murdered her to have no witnesses. After Prince Blueblood and Miss Pie left the Garrison I sent Doran along shortly after to check on you in case you needed help.

"Doran however got waylaid by a public disturbance and had to calm things down, but he did notice one of Wotan's griffons from his gang slip away. By the time he arrived at the Abyss you were already leaving, but he noticed the guide's body and came to us."

“Well, we need to find some way to sort this mess out...” Blueblood began when they were interrupted by the returning Sky Knight.

“Everything's according to plan,” he said to his captain.

“Excellent,” smirked Godric before looking to the four. “Come along, friends. You too, Gilda.”

Following the Knight Captain, the four of them whispered among themselves.
"I'm miffed that guide abandoned me but... she didn't deserve to get killed over it!" Rainbow Dash sighed.
"I just can't beleive something so awful like this happened," added Pinkie Pie.
"Things are getting worse, and I hope whatever Godric's got planned it'll help Griffonstone," commented Gilda.
"Well, he does indeed have something in mind," Blueblood brought up, "and with the Idol recovered we might have a chance to really turn things around in Griffonstone. Not just through friendship but justice."

They followed Godric to the Sky Knight Garrison. Once inside the gates and the large metal doors were shut, Godric took them to the Garrison's meeting hall, which was towards the center of the garrison itself, where Godric held meetings with his Sky Knights and squires, as well as visiting individuals of interest. It was larger, more open, and grander in architectural design than the hall the ponies and Gilda had seen earlier, and the walls were covered with paintings and tapestries depicting griffon history and historical figures.

“I'm amazed here,” Blueblood commented. “Much nicer then the one out there.”

“The one out there is for show and to tolerate Gar whenever he abuses his authority to come and complain to the Sky Knights directly,” explained Godric. “Here, we have actual meetings where we can more safely discuss important matters without worry of Gar or his cronies overhearing sensitive information."

“Sounds like a real treat,” Blueblood sighed wistfully.

“It is indeed, my dear Prince, or should I say Duke Blueblood?" called out a familiar voice to the honorary prince.

“Who's there?” Dash demanded.

A chuckle was heard and a familiar figure stepped towards them from a shadowed doorway. It was a unicorn mare getting on in her age, evident by her faded yellow coat, much like paper yellowed by age, her mane was ink black, tied up in a high and well-done ponytail, her cutie-mark was a corked ink bottle and soft blue feather quill on a piece of parchment, and she wore a nice but humble necklace that complemented her bright gold eyes.

“Duchess Treaty Ink?” Blueblood knew that the duchess was in Griffonstone but hadn't been expecting to see her so quickly.

“Dispense with the 'Duchess' title,” Treaty Ink waved off the formality. “The Aristocracy is to be dissolved, and that's for the best. I've always believed the council needed true and progressive change, and hopefully I can help Godric to do the same here in Griffonstone."

"Well perhaps..." Blueblood nodded to Gilda who got the idea and lifted her wing to hold out, to everyone's awe, the Idol of Boreas! "This might be a good place to start."

"The Idol of Boreas!"
"They've recovered it!"
"Is that good or bad?"
"Shush, birdbrains, let them work in peace!"

The knights and squires were in awe as Gilda held out the Idol to Blueblood, who levitated it over onto the meeting hall's table where he and Treaty Ink and Godric gave it a closer look.

"I never really expected to look upon the Idol in my lifetime..." Godric's expression was a reluctant admriation for a piece of his people's history that had brought about a proud and noble era only for it to suddenly disappear.

"With your permission, Sir Godric," Treaty Ink spoke respectfully, "Blueblood and I would examine it, perhaps determine what it is about this relic that inspired the age it influenced."

Godric gave the two unicorns a look and then nodded, Treaty Ink looking to Blueblood, "Shall we?"

"We shall," Blueblood lit up his horn, as did Treaty Ink and everyone watched as the two unicorns' magical auras enshrouded the Idol. They closed their eyes in focus as they cast their spells, probing and analyzing, looking for whatever it was that made the Idol so special. After a few long moments, the both of them opened their eyes, seeing confirmation in the other before Blueblood faced their waiting audience.

"Ponies, Griffons, I'm sorry to tell you this," Blueblood said firmly before he clarified as he pointed at the Idol, "but the Idol of Boreas is just an ordinary artifact."

"WHAT?!" "Are you kidding?!" "What're you saying?" "Please tell me you're joking!" "That can't be true..."

“I'm afraid it is, everyone," Treaty Ink said kindly but truthfully, "The Idol of Boreas? Just a solid piece of gold, worth about as much as you'd pay for an antique you could find at an auction."

"This confirms it then," Godric sighed with bittersweet realization, "The Idol was ultimately meaningless to griffons, a source of a misplaced pride that was easily forgotten the moment it was lost."

“Well that's just a real wizard move,” Gilda snorted, "And to think I almost risked my friends for that stupid thing!"

“Gilda?” The griffoness looked to see Treaty Ink was addressing her.

“Yeah, what?” Gilda huffed.

"You risked your own life to help your friends out of a dangerous situation," Treaty Ink pointed out, "and once all were safe and sound, what did you feel? How were you after you'd saved these three when you'd decided they mattered more than a relic belonging to your people's past?"

Gilda paused, her customary rants and insults tripping over themselves in her beak. She reconsidered Treaty's words and then said:

“I... I felt like... I felt good about my choice, what I'd done," Gilda considered as realization began to dawn on her, "something like... like...!"

“Pride?” Godric smiled as he began to understand what Treaty Ink was getting at.

“Yes...” whispered Gilda, a smile appearing on her own face as she looked and saw smiles coming from all around her.

“That. That is the kind of pride you should be striving for," Treaty Ink smiled softly as he went on, "that inner pride and self respect that all griffons should have and feel, not only about themselves but for each other and other creatures."

"She's right," Blueblood agreed, "Pride doesn't come from an object. It comes from one's own actions and deeds, the merits you show and live by and how it inspires others to follow an honored example."

"That's what I've been trying to say!"

Everyone looked to Pinkie Pie as she looked at Rainbow Dash and Blueblood, "The Map didn't send us here to find the lost Idol of Boreas. It sent us here to replace it with something better!"

"But... nothing's better than gold to the griffons around here," Gilda brought up.

"That's because you don't have friendship!" Pinkie pointed out while giving Gilda a quick hug, "If all the griffons of Griffonstone can learn to care about each other again, Griffonstone can be a greater kingdom than it ever was before! And you don't need some golden idol to do that; you just need each other."

"Whoa, Pinkie! That was... really sappy," Rainbow Dash responded.

"But what Pinkie Pie just said is true!" Doran spoke up, "I mean, Father! We've spent all our time trying to keep order and enforcing the law in Griffonstone but we never really made an effort to reach out to the citizens and show them a better way! We've been so focused on preserving order and justice and keeping Gar from assuming total power over Griffonstone we lost sight of what Griffonstone truly needs."

Godric found himself at a loss for words as he saw the truth in his son's, realizing, How could I have been so blind...?!

But before anyone else could say anything, a distant trumpet of horns sounded and could be heard not only by them but by everyone in Griffonstone.

“What's that?” Blueblood asked as they all looked out the window, hearing the trumpets.

“That fanfare signals Gar is about to make a public address," Godric explained, "But for what?"

"CAPTAIN!!"

Everyone looked to see a squire griffon hurry up to them, giving his captain and the knights and their visitors a respectful bow and salute before stating, "Sir! Apologies for interrupting your meeting. It's Lord Gar's public announcement! I heard that he's going to address the "deaths" of Miss Rainbow Dash and the griffoness guide!"

"Wha- But... I'm not dead!" Rainbow Dash flabbergasted, only for Pinkie Pie to cover her mouth, going 'shhhhhhh!!'

"Who knows may be listening...!" Pinkie said in a hush-hush voice while getting shifty-eyed

"Hold on..." Everyone turned to Treaty Ink who had a mischievous gleam in her eyes, “I believe we can use this to our advantage."

“How so?” Godric asked.

“Simple. Using a method that my family's done many times to single out a liar,” Treaty Ink continued. “Blueblood, as a noble and certified dignitary of Canterlot, can go, as a way to 'Pay respect to ease international tensions' and use that to make a statement. That one statement, of his choosing, will lead Gar to open his beak and it'll all come out.

"All we need do, is make sure his words are heard by every griffon in attendance!"

“Ooh, so an “Ah dammit, I've been rumbled” moment,” Doran realized with devious excitement.

“Exactly. Once it's out in the open, Gar will feel cornered and react violently,” Treaty Ink wrapped up, "and that's when Godric and Doran and the Sky Knights, swoop in to save the day and finally put Gar, along with his underlings, away for his corruption!"

“Well, whatever we're going to do, we'd better do it quickly," Godric brought up, "my brother won't wait long before addressing the public."

"Gather around, everyone," Treaty Ink bade them with a clever look in her eyes, "Here's the plan..."

They waited until the gathering was big enough for the plan to serve its purpose. Blueblood moved onto to the stage, as a representative for Equestria.

Here's hoping this works, Blueblood thought, barely able to stomach the complete and total pile of steaming horseapples Gar had spewed from his beak earlier about what a 'tragedy had taken place in their humble nation', how he 'hoped this would not damage the bond between pony and griffon' and other some such total garbage.

He'd seen it in those crow's feet ravaged eyes of Gar's, Blueblood knew the griffon lord didn't mean a word. But that will make putting you in your place all the sweeter...

Gar's tone and his mannerisms showed he didn't give two shiny bits (or Raptras) about the deaths. To him, this was just another way to spin a wild tale to his own favor. Blueblood cracked a sly smirk. He was going to make Gar spin alright...spin the truth and finally end this sad excuse of a circus.

“And now, I'd like to give the floor over to His Highness, Prince Blueblood, for his words on Rainbow Dash and for our beloved neighbor,” Gar said, turning to the prince.

“Thank you, Lord Gar,” Blueblood said courteously.

He took the stand set in front of a large tapestry of Griffonstone's coat of arms, receiving a sparse and unenthusiastic applause and took a deep breath. No sign of emotion was in Blueblood's eyes or even on his face. It was all part of the plan. Use the emotionless tactic to get Gar wound up, then Blueblood would sweet talk him and before he knew it, the truth was out in the open.

“I would like to start by saying that my friends have been grieving over the loss,” Blueblood started as stonefaced as King Grover's statue. “Dash was a loyal friend and her passing is a great loss. I can only imagine the reactions of her friends and family once we return home to Equestria...”

Blueblood could tell Gar had bought the lie, as the griffon lord stood to his side. He internally smirked and continued as a faint light slowly enshrouded the tapestry behind them.

“Dash was a great pony and a great friend, fiercely proud and loyal to those she cared for,” Blueblood continued. “She never faltered or gave in when things seemed impossible.”

Gar chuckled.

“Now, I'm sure that the griffoness who lost her life was also a fine example of Griffonstone's best,” Blueblood added kindly. “As I am sure Lord Gar is just as hurt as I am at the loss of a dear friend.”

“Dear friend?” Gar muttered to himself with cruel amusement, failing to notice his own words seemed oddly louder. “A pitiful greedy pawn paid off to make sure that technicolored tramp had an "accident", hehehehe. No different from all these other griffons here, nothing more than mangy and sorry excuses of their own species. Now, if they were more proactive like Wotan, silencing that greedy little guide forever than maybe... wait....”

Gar finally noticed how his words were coming out so loud that everyone could hear him, evident by the looks of shock, rage, and disgust glaring his way!

"What the- How- What's going on here?!" Gar flabbergasted and noticed a griffon in the crowd pointed behind him.

He looked and squawked in horror to see himself, magically displayed on the tapestry as though it were a screen and a camera was giving him a close-up, and he realized everybirdy had heard every word!

"How is this possible?!!?" Gar screeched, his words still being amplified, when he heard a lough cough and he turned to see someone step forward and throw off a hood to reveal, "Treaty Ink!!! I should've known!"

"You're done brother, cooked!"

Gar looked around and realized his brother Godric and the Sky Knights were here too, hidden amongst the crowd, who were backing away, sensing something was about to go down.

"We know all about your scheme on Rainbow Dash's life, Gar."

The griffon lord looked to see Blueblood giving him a condemning look with furrowed brows, "And it failed! Rainbow Dash is alive and well! So you can be certain that this crime will not get swept under your rug."

“WHY YOU LITTLE...!” Gar roared and lunged at Blueblood, only for a flash of color and a delayed clank of armor to fill the air as Godric pinned his brother down by the throat, standing over him as if Godric himself was ready to vanquish a great evil.

In the meantime, Wotan and the rest of Gar's minions were rounded up and placed in shackles by Godric's Sky Knights, Doran walking up to Wotan with a look of contempt. Wotan returned the look with one of indifference.
"Do with me what you will. I've broken out of prison before."

"Then you can be sure we'll be all the more careful in locking you up, Doran responded before pointing his talon. "Take them away!"

“And take this shameful example with you," Godric threw a vanquished Gar at their feet, and the former griffon lord was chained up alongside the rest of his thugs and led to the Garrison holding cells Gar threw a look back at the ponies, finally noticing Rainbow Dash and Pinkie Pie joining Blueblood on the stage, and swearing to himself, One day, ponies... One day!!!

Once the criminals were gone and out of sight, Blueblood, Treaty Ink, Rainbow Dash, Pinkie Pie, and even Gilda looked to Godric as the Duchess asked, "So what now, my friend? Are you going to leave leadership of Griffonstone to elder council?"

"I'm not sure that's a good idea," Doran commented, "those old fuddy-duddies can be just as greedy and ignorant as every other griffon has been for the last hundred years or so."

"That is true..." Godric was troubled, wondering what may become of this city when...

"Is that Sir Godrics?!" "It is! I remember him back at the Equestria Games." "He gave up winning his event to help a rival finish it after he'd hurt himself, what a sport!"

Everyone was noticing all the griffons who'd turned out for Gar's announcement were gathering around them, gazing up with admiration at Godric, to his hesitation, when Gilda smirked with an idea.
"It's time Griffonstone had a proper king again!" Gilda shouted out for everyone to hear, "I nominate Sir Godric!"

"What?!" Godric squawked at Gilda, but unfortunately her words had sparked something among the citizens.

"Godric as our new king?!" "I'd follow him anywhere!" "He's perfect! Honorable, just... he'll make a wonderful king!" "Hail King Godric!"

"HAIL KING GODRIC!!!" the crowd was calling out, deaf to Godric's attempts to dissuade them, "LONG LIVE THE KING!!!"

Godric was looking absolutely mortified, his feathers puffing out to make him look fluffy and larger while his beak hung in disbelief, when he felt someone place his talons on his shoulder and he turned to see his son, Doran, giving him an amused look.
“Dad, just go with it. If not you, then who?"

“Besides, I can't think of anybirdy better to look after Griffonstone," Blueblood added.
"Hear, hear!" Treaty Ink giggled at the stupefied look of the older griffon.
"This is so AWESOME!!" Rainbow Dash cheered.
"CORONATION PARTY!!!" Pinkie Pie's eyes lit up at the idea of throwing a coronation party for the very first time.

Godric sighed, knowing he was outnumbered, "This is going to take a lot of work..."

Treaty Ink decided she would remain in Griffonstone a while longer to help Godric get things settled. She was already looking for a metal forger to craft a crown for the new king. There would have to be a formal coronation, invites would be sent out to leaders or representatives of other nations to witness the crowning of a new griffon king, the lords of the other cities and towns of the Griffon Kingdom would have to come to swear fealty to the new king and an example would have to be made of those who refused.

And yet things still didn't quite feel right, as the ponies and Gilda walked back to her baking cart, Blueblood commented, "Does anyone else feel like there's still work to do here in Griffonstone?"

"Well, our cutie-marks haven't lit up, saying we're done," Rainbow Dash pointed out, "so maybe there is still something to do."

"But what? Griffonstone's free of that jerk Gar, we're getting a new king who will be better than all the others, and-" Gilda screeched a bit as Pinkie Pie foisted a tray of freshly baked scones into her talons.

"I think all that's left, Gilda," Pinkie pointed out the griffoness Gilda had helped earlier, Greta, "is for you to make a friend."

Gilda hesitated until Rainbow Dash and Blueblood gave her an encouraging push and they watched her approach Greta as Rainbow Dash said, "I dunno, Pinkie. You really think these griffons are up for this?"

"This may not be Ponyville, Rainbow Dash, but let's just wait and see," Blueblood suggested as they looked on as Gilda was offering a scone and Greta (obviously thinking she'd had to pay for it) shook her head.

But Gilda's smile and the way she held out the scone seemed to reach something in Greta, who cautiously accepted it and took a bite. Greta's face lit up subtly and she said something to Gilda that brightened her eyes. She said something to Greta while making a gesture that they could tell meant 'wait right here', and she hurried back to them.

"OK! So she was really weirded out until I gave her the scone. Then she tried it and said it tasted... good!" Gilda smiled, feeling great and as odd as it felt she liked this feeling as she added, "That's probably the nicest thing another griffon has said to me in a long-long time!"

Then the ponies felt their flanks vibrate and saw their cutie-marks were making bright glows and they knew for certain now their work was done.

"Whoa, Pinkie! I guess that really was the problem we were meant to solve," Rainbow Dash commented.

Baking Powder makes baked goods and friendships fluffy and delicious!

"Well, I say it's time for us to go home," Blueblood sighed, to Gilda's alarm!

"WHAT?! You want me to spread friendship here by myself?! How'm I supposed to do that, I haven't even made one single friend yet!"

"No you haven't," Rainbow deadpanned until she smiled and said, "You made three."

"Hugging! Hugging now!" Pinkie called with a teary grin.

"Six, if you count Godric, Doran, and Treaty Ink," Blueblood added only to be pulled into a group hug as Rainbow Dash said:

"Blue? Don't ruin the moment..."

"But... you'll come back and visit, right?" Gilda asked hopefully.

"Just try and stop us," Rainbow promised as Blueblood peeled Pinkie Pie off of Gilda's person.

As the ponies started their way out of town, Pinkie Pie looked back, smiling at the sight of Gilda sharing her scones with Greta in front of King Grover's statue. And noticing the twinkle in the statue's eye.

"See you later, you old charmer..."

"Uh, Pinkie? Who're you talking to?" Rainbow Dash asked, Blueblood giving Pinkie a perplexed look.

"Nopony! C'mon, let's get home so I can see how Gummi did with Granny Pie's marjolaine recipe," Pinkie hopped ahead, her friends following, the three of them failing to notice a pair of eyes watching them go.

No good deed goes unpunished