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Rainbow Unicorn: Griffon Grief

by Hopeful_Ink_Hoof

Chapter 4: Frightened Flowershy

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Twilight and Gilda took off as they left Sweet Apple Acres, flying above the road that headed for Ponyville. Twilight Comet took the lead as she knew where they were going. Neither of them really spoke as they went. Not that Twilight minded too much. She was kind of caught up in her own thoughts. So much so, she barely noticed the pair of ponies walking down the road.

A sudden rustling sound from behind her got Twilight's attention. Turning to look back, she saw the road was empty.

"Gilda?"

Reversing her flight, she made her way toward the closest tree. Dropping low, Twilight looked up into the branches. Sprawled out in them was Gilda, plucking leaves and twigs from her coat.

"Are you okay?" Twilight asked as she moved to grab a branch. "What happened?"

Gilda tensed at the sound of Twilight's voice, jumping slightly as she turned to look at her. One of her claws gripped at the branch beneath her, digging furrows into the bark, while the other resumed plucking at her feathers. Her wings flickered at her side as her tail gave a twitch.

"Fine," Gilda finally declared. "I'm just fine. Of course I am. Why wouldn't it be?"

"...You're in a tree..."

"Okay." Shifting in her spot, Gilda licked at her lips and out past the leaves. "So... maybe your little farmer friend hit me a couple times harder than I thought. Maybe -- maybe -- it left me a little wobbly. Add in the fact that I can't completely see and there was a slight cross-breeze, and maybe my flying was thrown off."

The statement made Twilight Comet narrow her eyes and look at Gilda for a long moment. The biggest thing that bothered her about the griffon's statement was that it was admitting weakness. The Gilda that Twilight had known always had to be the biggest and toughest creature around. On one hoof, this could be an actual sign that she had changed. On the other, it sounded like she was making an excuse. If that was the case, then what was Gilda hiding that she would be willing to claim dizziness and disorientation from the fight?

There was also the minor issue in that there had been no cross-breeze. At least as far as Twilight was able to tell.

A thought came to Twilight.

"Well, if you don't feel up to flying," she said slowly, "we can walk the rest of the way." It would be hard for a griffon like Gilda to move at the slower pace of walking.

From her spot in the tree, Gilda threw her head back and groaned out.

"Can't you, like, be my guide pegasus or something? Tie a rope around yourself and make sure I don't drift too far?"

"First, I'm not doing that," Twilight replied. "Second, if you really are suffering from dizziness and disorientation, then you shouldn't be flying at all. You might crash into something or even drop to the ground."

"Fiiiiiine," Gilda huffed out, rolling her eyes. "We'll walk." She started climbing down. "Just hope that this place your taking me isn't too far away."

"Walking's not going to kill you," Twilight retorted as she dropped from the tree. "Besides, aren't you supposed to be athletic or something? Shouldn't that mean that you are in enough shape for a hike?"

"I can walk just fine," Gilda declared as she landed. "It's just so slow and boring." She shifted. "And so is this whole place. It's all so... flat. Give me a clear open sky to fly through and lots of sheer cliffs to jump from any day. Preferably with lots of updrafts."

As they continued on, Twilight made a mental note to show Gilda Ghastly Gorge if there was time. There were some parts of it that were dangerous due to various creatures, but most of it was safe to explore and fly through. Also, while not a massively deep canyon, it was around three-hundred feet to the bottom (the average being at three-hundred twenty-six feet seven and one-half inches, with some as high as three hundred two feet three and one-quarter inches, and others and deep as three-hundred twenty-eight feet eleven and seven-eighths inches), which would allow for time to free-fall, or catching breezes and updrafts and just gliding around. Provided one kept track of their location both in relation to the walls and the nesting areas of certain creatures.

Before long, the two of them reached the path that split off from the main road and followed it to Flowershy's cottage. As they got closer, the sounds of birds singing began to fill the air. Squirrels, rabbits, and chipmunks could be seen scampering across the ground. The animals seemed to be enjoying the early morning as well.

"This is Flowershy's shack," Twilight explained. "She takes care of animals, sometimes helps them get adopted by ponies, and even works as sort of an unofficial vet. Not as good as an actual doctor, I know, but she should have some stuff to help with your beak and eye."

As she spoke, a sound suddenly reached her ears, but she was not quite sure she could place it.

"Did you hear something?" Twilight asked as she turned to face Gilda.

Gilda gave a shake of her head. Something about her face seemed more off than before, but Twilight could not quite place what it was. Something about the cheeks, maybe? Well, whether that was the case or not, Flowershy would be able to help at least some.

As soon as Twilight Comet turned away, she heard what sounded like a gulp.

Did Gilda just... No. No, she couldn't have... could she?"

Turning back again, she looked at Gilda with a raised eyebrow.

"What?" Gilda asked, looking way too innocent.

Deciding not to pursue the matter, Twilight once again turned away the griffon and toward the hut. From behind her, she heard a barely audible burp, and in the corner of her eyes, catches sight of what a part of her thinks is a squirrel's tail (without the rest of the squirrel). Ignoring it, she continued up the path and to the front door. Once there, she knocked.

"Flowershy?" she called out. "You home?"

"Just a second, please," a soft voice called out, barely audible. Not long after, the top half of the door was pushed open as a bright yellow head looked out.

"Oh, good morning Twilight," Flowershy said. "What can I do for..." Her gaze froze as she caught sight of Gilda.

"Boo," Gilda said.

"GRIFFON!" Flowershy shouted before slamming the door shut again.

"Shy?" Twilight asked, tapping on the door again.

"GO AWAY!"

"Come on, Flowershy, she won't hurt you."

"I just want to gobble you up!" Gilda added.

"Gilda!"

"What? I'm joking."

"Yes!" Twilight huffed with a roll of her eyes. "Let's tell the obviously terrified pony that you want to eat them. That's going to go over so well."

In the lower half of the door to the hut was a small pet door. It pushed open as a small white rabbit stepped out, its pink nose twitching as it looked up at the two with beady black eyes.

"Great," Twilight grumbled. "Now we have to deal with Angel." With a sigh, she crouched down so that she was about eye level with the rabbit. She then put on her biggest, friendliest smile.

"Good morning, Angel. You're looking strong and handsome today."

Reaching out with a wing, Twilight stroked gently around the base of Angel Bunny's ears. As she did, the small rabbit relaxed a little, leaning into the rubbing.

"Oh, come on!" Gilda cried out. "You can't be serious!"

"Gilda," Twilight hissed between clenched teeth. "Stop."

"What? Why?" Gilda moved forward and leaned down, now eye to eye with Angel Bunny as well. "You expect me to believe this little cottonball is some sort of threat? Probably doesn't even understand a word we're saying." Her voice then turned excessively sweet as she smiled. "Do you, you little white leg hump--"

Angel Bunny pulled back one of his front paws and punched Gilda right in the eye, getting a loud squawk of surprise from the griffon. Turning around, Angel darted back into the house, leaving the miniature door open.

"OH NO!" Gilda roared out as she shoved her head through the opening. "You aren't getting away from me you little carrot muncher! When I get my claws on you, I'm going to mae....m...ma.... ma...

"MANTICORE!"

Pulling her head out of the hole, Gilda shot off in the direction of the road as fast as her wings could carry her.

Manticore? Twilight thought as she watched Gilda disappear. Did she say "manticore?" Moving back to the little door, she poked her head in enough to look around.

Sure enough, there, in the living room sat a manticore.

"That's a manticore alright," Twilight blurted out, staring wide eyed.

"Twilight," Flowershy said as she poked her head out from behind the creature, "you remember Manny from when we went into The Everfree Forest." She placed a hoof on his flank and patted it gently. "He wasn't feeling well and came to see me."

"...nice to see you again," Twilight said slowly. "Now if you'll excuse me, I need to go find where Gilda went."

Next Chapter: Branching Out Estimated time remaining: 36 Minutes
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