The view from the stands was pretty amazing. But sitting in the Reporter's box gave him a huge field of view, especially since no pony wanted to get in front of the reporters and deny them a chance to see the athletes. Robert was actually taking notes, though not quite the same notes other reporters were taking. They were writing notes for exciting stories about various competitors and the competitions. Robert was busy writing notes down on wing aspects and ratios and certain mathematical calculations well above the heads of most of the reporters in the box. Which wasn't to say he was the smartest 'pony' in the box. Gossip Stone, a reporter for the Manehattan Tribune, and something of a legend, was sitting beside him and would every so often correct his math.

“Carry the one.” the charcoal grey Pegasus commented. Not taking his eyes off the competition. “Otherwise the whole thing is off.”

“Do you not have something else to do?” Robert asked, carrying the one.

“Many things, and I'm doing most of them.” the reporter said. “Watch this.” Robert glanced up, just as a griffon twisted around a competing Pegasus and stole victory in the aerial sprint. “Saw him angling for that at the start. Smooth move, but he nearly blew it cutting around that Wonderbolt.”

“Which one? There were three in the race.” Robert said, scanning the finish line.

“Rapidfire.” Gossip replied. “He nearly winged the poor guy, and sent them both into the stands. Good thing Rapidfire's still got his reflexes.”

“Pity.” Robert muttered. “He's still got to beat the finals, and I don't think he can do it.”

“No, but the move was smooth none the less.” Gossip chuckled. “What's the math say?”

“That he's boned.” Robert replied. “Also that he's incapable of flight beyond altitudes of eight thousand feet, which is probably why he's here instead of the high altitude relay.”

“Good.” Gossip said. “I hate covering the high altitude.”

“Oh?” Robert asked.

“I'm not exactly the most athletic of Pegasi, and flying up to the station always made me light headed even when I was younger.” Gossip shrugged.

“It's nearly ten thousand feet up in the air. Of course you're going to get light headed.” Robert shrugged. He wasn't sure if the journalist knew he was not actually an earth pony. At the same time, he wouldn't have bet against the possibility.

“Yeah, I guess. Two and four is eight when you multiply.” Gossip said. Robert skimmed his writing and corrected the mistake. “Plus it always makes my hooves itch when they dive to the finish line.”

“Tell me about it. I always expect to hear a splat.” Gossip looked at him for a moment, then laughed.

“Seen a few in my time. Always somewhere between a deep shame, and utter hilarity.” the Pegasus said after a moment. “Ah ha, here we go they're lining up for the finals.”

“Hmmm... pity Rainbow Dash had to run the Relay. She'd have flattened the competition.” Robert said, scanning the line up. Sure enough, across the stadium, she was on the edge of her seat. He smiled.

“Rainbow Dash? Didn't she win best young fliers a little while back?” Gossip asked. “Did a rainbow trick of some kind?”

“Sonic Rainboom.” Robert supplied. “She'd fill your ear with all kinds of information.”

“Ah. So, she's fast eh?” Gossip asked. “Rapidfire by a nose.” he predicted.

“Numbers agree, but Longwing's not been exerting himself.” Robert said. “She's more than just fast. She's got the ability to back up her boasting. I'm surprised the Wonderbolts haven't offered her a spot yet.”

“Isn't she scheduled to go up against them?” Gossip asked. “Aerial relay right?”

“Yeah.” Robert nodded. “Here we go.”

The griffons and Pegasi at the starting line spread wings and exploded upwards. Aerial Sprint wasn't the most terribly exciting race, not if you weren't aware of the difficulty. Straight up from the start was usually the hardest part, six hundred feet, over a cloud bank, then through two long straights, then down into the stadium and across the ground for nearly a quarter mile. Whoever crossed the finish first was the winner. There were ten Pegasi and two Griffons in the race, Longwing a dark blue griffon took an early second place, just behind Rapidfire and just ahead of the one who'd performed the twist to gain the win. The top three held position as they came around the first turn, then the performers disappeared out of the stadium.

Unicorn magic tracked them in overhead displays for the duration, then they dropped to ground level and exploded back towards the stadium. Another Wonderbolt pulled up beside them, and collided with the griffon who'd pulled the twist. They went down in a tumble, both out of the running. As they neared the stadium, Longwing finally began exerting himself. He suddenly pulled ahead of Rapidfire, wings drawing huge gulps of air to shoot him forward. But Rapidfire was not quite licked. He rolled into the big griffons draft, pulled him self along and shot forward over his competitors head. Longwing twisted his wings, and grabbed still more air. It came down to a feather length. Longwing lost by half a feather length. Both he and Rapidfire collapsed to the ground just past the finish line and had to be carried off the field.

“Longwing sounds more like a pony name.” Gossip said. “Wonder why he's called that?”

“Because his name is actually Gwendoline.” said a Griffon reporter from the other side. “His parents were expecting a female and didn't get it. So he went with the pony practice of picking a use name and thus Longwing the Griffon.”

“You know an awful lot about it.” Gossip said.

“Gregarious.” the griffon offered a claw, which Gossip shook. “Aerie sports chronicle.”

“Ah, the griffon himself.” Gossip smiled suddenly, then nudged Robert. “This griffon, knows all there is to know about griffon athletes. If you have any doubts, ask him.”

“Who was that griffon that managed that slick spin and the less slick crash?” Robert asked. Gregarious laughed.

“That, was Prince Gyre.” Gregarious said, grinning like mad.

“The crown prince of the Griffon Empire?” Gossip asked, blinking.

“One and the same.” the griffon confirmed. “No one thought he could make it to the finals and he proved them all wrong.”

“Good thing they didn't bet on him to win.” Robert said, shaking his head.

“Bah, he wouldn't even let them. Lotta griffons won because he lost.” Gregarious chuckled. “Equestrian bookies are so easy.”

“Really, betting against your own royalty?” Gossip said. “Never catch us doing that.”

“Equestrian Royalty isn't the competition type.” Gregarious shrugged.

“And just what type are they?” Gossip asked, squinting.

“The type I'm not at all interested in ticking off thank you.” Gregarious shook his head. “One controls the sun, one the moon, and one beats gods in the head for fun. Though to be honest, I'm more afraid of Shining Armor than I am of the Crystal Empress.”

“Princess is a push over. It's the pretty pink one that'll stomp ya into the ground. Trust me.” Robert shook his head. Gregarious raised one eye tuft. “It's a long story.”

“Got it. Some other time then.” the griffon shrugged. “Speaking of, I'm going to go see if the prince and Longwing would be willing to give me interviews.” he stood and left the box.

“So, got lunch plans?” Gossip asked.

“As a matter of fact, I do not. If you know a good place to eat, I'll buy.”

“You're going to lose money on that deal you know.”

“I never doubted it.”

---

After the closing ceremony, Robert was glad to have been sitting on the opposite end of the field from where the cloud was headed. Indeed, even so he'd fought the urge to run. Gossip had been happy to have something to report on, even if they'd gotten wet because of it. Fortunately, the Pegasi had only taken a couple of minutes to clear the skies of other clouds that had sympathetically rained, and Celestia had raised the sun for a few minutes to dry the stadium. Luna had even amused the audience by making the moon do tricks around the sun.

The griffon embassy was a surprisingly subdued building, at least by Crystal Empire standards. It's surprisingly hard to do anything subtle when you're building in a material that reflects every bit of light. The Griffons had managed it though, by building all the angles so the light played into the courtyard and the bushes there, instead of flashing blindingly out into the ground. The roof was coated in a thin layer of soot, and even now a few workers were up there making sure that it remained covered. Twilight, Rainbow, and Robert flew into the courtyard, making soft landings on the crystal cobblestone. The others had all chosen to remain at the royal party being hosted at the Castle instead of the Griffon Ambassador's. The tremendously large buffet and lack of belligerent​ griffons were big indicators of why.

“Invitations please?” the door guard asked.

“Invitations? We weren't told we needed them.” Twilight said, on the very edge of a panic attack.

“Twilight. He's messing with you.” Rainbow said, patting her withers.

“Guarding the door is boring.” the griffon said, and shook his head. “Go on in Princess.”

Seen from the balcony the room was surprisingly crowded. Dozens of Griffons, Pegasi, and even Crystal Ponies littered the floor, some dancing, some talking and a few of them fighting off in the corner. As they entered a Crystal Pony headbutted a griffon and sent it down for the count in the corner. While the pony threw up it's hooves in celebration, a couple of medics pulled her opponent out of the ring and a fresh one jumped in, lunging straight away, only to be met with back hooves to the beak and the fight resumed.

“That's barbaric.” Twilight said, shaking her head.

“Yeah, isn't it just?” Robert said.

“You sound excited.” Twilight accused.

“The Juvitar is a very old griffon custom. It's as much a friendly competition as blood sport. The prestige comes from lasting as long as you can before you get knocked out. The modern version allows for no talons, no claws, and no edged weapons. Killing is discouraged, but it happens on occasion, almost always unintentionally. And it's investigated every time. Most of the time though, it's no more than a simple accident.” Robert shrugged. “Besides, griffons are all hyper aggressive and putting them together with other griffons and not giving them an outlet is a recipe for gratuitous amounts of bloodshed.”

“Ponies live in harmony.” Twilight countered.

“Ponies are not predators by blood. You fight when trained to overcome your instincts or when backed into a corner. Griffons and even Tigers fight as naturally as we breathe.” the Crystal Pony finally went down under a hail of rapid blows from a very lithe griffon. Robert recognized Prince Gyre even from the distance. He held up three talons and was immediately rewarded by three competitors entering the ring. A griffon, another crystal pony and...

“Rainbow!” Twilight's voice didn't quite carry the distance. She took a half step forward, only to be blocked by the front leg of a gray feathered griffon, with a slowly graying pelt of fur.

“Not even a Princess is allowed to interfere with the Juvitar.” he said, not moving even as she pressed against his leg. Her hooves dug small furrows into the floor. “The custodians will not be pleased to see you damaging their floors either I do not think.”

“Who are you, and how did you do that?” Twilight said, backing off a half-step.

“You are not the only student in the world. And Earth Ponies are not the only ones who may learn to stand firm. Also I held onto the railing.” the griffon nodded his head to the railing around the balcony. “I am Ambassador Gris of the Zephyr Clan, of the House of the Nine Winds. It is a pleasure.” he held out his fore claw.

“Princess Twilight Sparkle. Call me Twilight.” she reached out with a hoof. Down in the arena, Gyre knocked out the Crystal pony and then the griffon in quick succession. Rainbow put him in a choke hold.

“Then you must call me Gris.” he shook her hoof and let it go. “So you are Celestia's student.”

“I am. Was anyway.” Twilight replied. Gyre beat his wings up and dropped himself and Rainbow on the floor. Tried at least, Rainbow's wings buzzed and rolled them over, so he cushioned her impact. “These were a graduation gift apparently.” Twilight flexed her wings.

“And have you brought my old friend here to the ways of peace, love and harmony?” Gris nodded at Robert.

“Knockout, Knockout, Knockout!” Robert chanted with the crowd.

“Not exactly.” Twilight answered, smiling. Gyre threw his head back and hit Rainbow in hers, causing her to lose her grip. He gasped for air, and rolled away just before she landed on him. Then it was her turn to roll as he tried for an elbow drop. She spun half way through and planted both back hooves into his side. They tumbled apart, and came up. “I've been teaching him magic, and he's been teaching me about tiger culture.”

“Ah. As fine a group of warriors as you will ever meet.” Gris said. “My time among them counts as some of the most glorious fighting I have ever done.”

“I don't know that fighting is ever glorious.” Rainbow lunged forward, and feinted left. Gyre dodged right, and was rewarded as Rainbow shot straight at him. He pulled up a fist to strike, but she realized her problem in time and jerked backwards with a sharp flap of her wings. He missed tumbled forward and caught her on the chin with his leg. She staggered back. “Seems like a bit of a terrible thing.”

“It is. Should be. Battle is not something to be undertaken lightly, and in particular, not without understanding the cost.” Rainbow danced back, ducked right, and lunged past Gyre, who spun, but not fast enough. Just as he completed his turn, Rainbow threw her weight back and stomped on his fore claw. He reared back in pain, and she hit him in the chest. He saw it though, and beat his wings back one half-beat. Her hooves just ruffled his feathers, and he beat forward, intent on grappling. “The young engage without thought or heed for the cost, and it is only when we become older that we learn the cost.”

“What did it cost you?” Twilight asked. Rainbow let Gyre close, and just as he spread his limbs to grab her, she ducked back into him, knocking him off his stride, then twisting around and swinging with a fore hoof. He grabbed her leg. He really shouldn't have done that.

“Me? It cost me some of my dearest friends. And my eye.” Gris turned, showing a healed patch where his left eye had been once, a long jagged scar running down his face. Dash felt the claw grip her arm, and she buzzed her wings, and spun. Gyre jerked off his feet, and found his face meeting the hard packed dirt floor of the arena, and so a moment later did the rest of him. He didn't lose his grip, on her leg or on consciousness. Rainbow stopped, and just as suddenly reversed her spin.

“How did that happen?” Twilight asked. “No pony's ever been able to tell me the story.”

“Not much story too it.” Gyre was drug up off the floor, and spun around again. This time he flared his wings open to stop himself from crashing. Rainbow continued to spin, moving around him now. He let go before she tore his limb from it's socket. She spun up, over his head, and lashed out with her hind legs. “I fought with the Darkeel Clan of tigers. They are mostly small, mean spirited little sots, but loyal to a fault. We hunted the northern ranges and encountered a herd of Jerloa. Not at all intelligent, but big, viscous beasts. They look not unlike buffalo, save that they have reptilian hides. We hunted the stragglers, always a good strategy anyway. But the last we took that day did not wish to go gentle into the goodnight. It fought us for more than an hour. I lost two whom I called blood brother, and the beast nearly stomped my head from my shoulders. He would have finished it but the others drove it away, and brought it down.”

“They couldn't save the eye?” Twilight asked. Gyre twisted, and was caught on the shoulder, but escaped the worst of the blow. He lashed out with his own hind legs, aiming to clip a wing but missed. Rainbow dropped low, and lunged.

“They tried. Packed it in ice and had to carry me back to the shaman. He tried. Bless his name, he did try, but nothing could be done. So I plucked it, and let him heal the wound.” Gris sighed. What happened next in the arena was something that happened rarely. Rainbow's lunge, and Gyre's counter did no have the room necessary to complete. A one-two clatter and clank as the combatants attempted to dodge, and attack at once ended with them hitting the posts that ringed the arena. It was no draw, because the Juvitar does not have even rules for such. Instead each was awarded a win, and the arena closed.

“You plucked out your own eye?” Twilight said, looking a little sickly.

“Ate it too. Best to return what is lost if you can.” she turned a little greener. Rainbow and Gyre were retrieved and administered to, and brought around with cold cloths. In the spirit of good-hearted rivalry and spirited competition, they bought one another drinks and promised a rematch some day in the future.

“Wow. Don't think I've ever seen a double knockout.” Robert chuckled. “Hello Ambassador.”

“How often do I have to tell you my name is Gris?” the ambassador shook his head.

“Until I get it right.” Robert grinned. “How have you been my friend?” he reached out a paw.

“I have been well.” Gris shook. “And you?”

“Doing well. Making friends and eating ponies wherever I go.” Robert replied. Twilight blinked, but Gris laughed.

“That's influencing Robert.”

“Yeah, that too.” Twilight shook her head, but Gris laughed harder. Rainbow returned with Gyre in tow. There were several jealous looking female griffons in the crowd, glaring at her. Those who'd been close enough to see the fight were glaring, but carefully in case she looked at them.

“Twilight!” Rainbow said, grinning. “This is Prince Gyre.”

“A pleasure Princess Twilight.” Gyre bowed low, and nearly fell down the stairs. Rainbow caught him. “Apologies. The world decided to jump out from beneath me.” he said, and closed his eyes for a moment.

“Is he okay?” Twilight asked.

“Mild concussion. They don't want him sleeping tonight. Don't think there'll be a shortage of volunteers to keep him up all night long.” Dash twitched her eyebrows. Twilight rolled her eyes. Rainbow chuckled. Gyre opened his eyes.

“That appears to be better.” he said, looking at Twilight.

“A pleasure to meet you as well Prince Gyre.” Twilight bowed low in the way Celestia had taught her to greet foreign dignitaries. “I trust you find the empire sufficiently to your liking?”

“It definitely holds it's charms.” he said, smiling. “It is not the empire I am used to, and yet it is still somewhat familiar.”

“I heard you participated in the games.” Twilight said, making small talk. She'd never been very good, but there was at least something to talk about.

“I did. Sadly I did not place in my chosen event.” he shrugged. “Though I am pleased to report that we still placed only second.”

“Which event did you compete in?” Rainbow asked.

“Aerial Sprint.” Gyre replied. “I crashed heading into the home stretch. I believe one of your Wonderbolts took the top spot.”

“Rapidfire.” Rainbow confirmed. “Beat out Longwing by a half a feather length. If the games had waited one more year, he'd probably have won, but Rapidfire's still got it.”

“He does indeed.” Gyre smiled. “Longwing is braver than I. I should not like to have raced Rapid fire in his prime.”

“Yeah, me either. I'd totally win, but it wouldn't be fair.” Rainbow smirked.

“Yeah, he cheats.” Robert nodded.

“Well duh.” Rainbow laughed. “He was a Long Patrol Master Scout.” Chuckles were shared by all but Twilight.

“A Long Patrol what?” she asked.

“The Long Patrol functions as both a long distance reconnaissance unit, as well as the go to unit for engaging the monsters that threaten the populace, but don't warrant either a full guard squad or the intervention of the Princesses or the Magi.” Rainbow replied. “No pony, but no pony is better at not being seen than Long Patrol Scouts. They go in first and scope out the danger for the rest of the group. They've gotta be good or they just end up casualties. Rapid fire was not only good, he was the best of the best. Lord Pyrrhicus awarded him the rank of Master Scout personally.”

“Shining's predecessor did that?” Twilight blinked. “I don't remember that.”

“It was before you became Celestia's student.” Raimbow shrugged. “I only know from reading the History of the Wonderbolts.”

“Rainbow reading? Be still my heart!” Twilight put a hoof to her chest.

“Ha ha.” Rainbow shook her head. “I was reading for the test, but I ran across the coolest fact about Daring Do.”

“Of course you did.” Twilight chuckled. “Which was?”

“She's an honorary wonderbolt!” Rainbow laughed. “She had to pretend to be one in the Secret of the False Flag. They were so honored they made her one. Very awesome.”

“Very.” Twilight agreed. She'd known that, in some back corner of her mind, though she couldn't remember having pushed it there, or when she'd learned it. Another part of her was jumping up and down because she needed to read the book again. Got to read the book again. “So, Prince Gyre, why were you competing?”
“I'm not exactly prime griffon material.” he started. There was a pause as a huge number of female griffons in the crowd disputed his claim. “So I decided to come and compete in the games and show what I could do. I guess I came up a little short.” there was more dissent, but this time it wasn't from the females.

“Do not be too hard on yourself.” Longwing landed on the balcony. “I train day in and day out, and still, I found myself racing against you. That is no mean feat.”

“Thank you. Still, I did lose.” Gyre shrugged. “But I did compete, so I should be happy.”

“You, like I, lost to the Wonderbolts. There is no shame in that.” Longwing held out a claw, closed into a fist. Gyre returned it. “So my prince, shall we have a rematch?”

“I don't know if I should, but...” Gyre considered it. “If my new friend here can join us?” he waved a wing to Rainbow Dash. Longwing looked at her for a moment, and smiled, bowing with one wing.

“Certainly such a lovely mare may join us.” Rainbow blushed. “Of course, if she is as fast as I have heard, we might have more competition than we did in the games.”

“Didn't you see her in the Aerial relay?” Twilight asked.

“I did indeed, and she was quick, but a team event is hardly a good judge of individual speed.” Longwing shrugged. “Let us go forth and see what the free wings say?”

“Rainbow?” Gilda's voice drifted up from the bottom of the stairs.

“Why don't you two go pick out a course? I have to talk to someone.” Rainbow turned and trotted down the stairs. The two griffons looked at Twilight.

“She's a... friend. It's too complicated to get into.” she shook her head. “Let's go pick out a course. One way or another, Rainbow will be ready to race.” she led the pair of griffons out the door, and the sound of wings taking flight could be heard.