The Heart of Pleasure
By Haunter Rayne
Ch 55 – A Rocky Adventure

- At the End of the Next Week -

All of the patrons quieted down now as a hoof tapped gently upon a microphone. It was about an hour passed sunset and word had gotten out around town about the new singer who frequented Ponyville’s one and only night club. “Testing, testing one two...” The stallion whispered as the lights were dim and the the seats were packed with ponies from wall to wall.

Then there was a rhythmic strumming from the guitarist in the band as the lights started to brighten. As the stage began to glow a lone stallion stood front and center tapping a hoof before the crowd. Then the patrons all cheered as his voice rang out to the jiving tune kicking up behind him.

https://youtu.be/m-a6ct8aalg

“Well, my baby and me went out late Saturday night!
I had my hair piled high and my baby just looked so right!
Well, pick you up at ten, gotta have you home at two,
Mama don't know what I catched off of you!
But that's all right cause we're looking as cool as can be...”

Loud whistles and catcalls erupted from the crowd as several ponies started to sway with the beat and even a few couples held upon one another bouncing to the rhythm together.

“Well, we found a little place that really didn't look half bad." Rayne pointed to the bartender upstairs yelling, "IT WAS THE HOT HOOF!" And the crowd cheered with a laugh.
"I had a whisky on the rocks,
And change of bits for the jukebox.
Well, I put the cold rock into that can,
But all they played was disco jam!
Come on, baby, baby, let's get out of here right away!”

Now several of the mares called out excitedly seeing the stallion detach the microphone from its stand and jump forward off the stage.

“We're gonna rock this town,
Rock it inside out!
We're gonna rock this town,
Make'em scream and shout.
Let's rock, rock, rock, band rock!
We're gonna rock till you pop!
We're gonna rock till you drop!
We're gonna rock this town!
Rock it inside out.”

Taking a moment to show off his dance moves the black stallion strutted upon the floor snaking his way back and forth between the tables as his hooves had him gliding through the room.

One thing he did notice though was that during all of his songs there was one table where the ponies there never paid him much attention. Lil Pete sat with his attention turned away from the show. He was quietly discussing something with another pony in front of a sizable helping of bits that were on the table. What Rayne also noticed was that this also caused him to be turning his back to that lovely piece of eye candy Rayne noticed with Lil Pete on several occasions now. With a skip of his hooves and a side across the dancefloor Rayne suddenly grabbed the mare by her hoof and spontaneously pulled her into a dance with him.

"HEY!" Lil Pete shouted angrily but Rayne paid him no mind as he danced away with his girl to the rocking sway of the music.

"Hi there, I'm Rayne. And what is your name little darling?" He asked before reaching overhead and giving the purple pegasus a twirl.

Rayne was amazed to see her smile for the first time ever and she said, "Elly... Elly Eveningstar."

"Ooh, I like that." Rayne cheered as they swung on the dance floor while Lil Pete ground his hoof into the table angrily. "You know, you should smile more often Elly. You have a beautiful smile, it would be a shame to see you waste it."

"Oh golly..." Elly said with a slight blush.

Eventually hopping back onto the stage Rayne pointed to one couple after another and then to the dance floor calling the patrons down to enjoy themselves as he sang. Rayne smiled seeing Elly get to enjoy herself for once as she danced with the other couples all swinging along.

“Well, we're having a ball just 'a bopping on the big dance floor.
Well, there's a real square cat, he looks a '974." He smirked to Lil' Pete.
"Well, he looked at me once, he looked at me twice!
Look at me again and there's gonna be fight!
We're gonna rock this town,
We're gonna rip this place apart!”

We're gonna rock this town!
Rock it inside out.
We're gonna rock this town!
Make'em scream and shout!
Let's rock, rock, rock, band rock!
We're gonna rock till you pop!
We're gonna rock till you drop!
We're gonna rock this town,
Rock this place apart!”

- Early that Next Morning -

Deep in the woods to the east of Dodge City there was a small house which sat alone without a road. Only a sparse stone path lead up to a two story cottage that was built with a straw roof and unpainted walls. Inside the sole inhabitant stared awkwardly to the two visitors in front of her as she pushed her glasses up her face and shouted, “Wait a minute… You want me to what?!”

Twilight and Rainbow Dash both stood side by side in the poorly managed hobble that the this mare lived in. In front of them stood a light golden pegasus wearing a purple overcoat that stretched down her back. Her dark gray mane was topped by a light gray bonnet hat and she looked out at them from behind her red rimmed glasses. “I know it may seem crazy but it is just as we said.” Twilight explained. “Back in my castle we have a magical map of all of Equestria. Sometimes the map will display the cutie mark of somepony who is needed to solve a friendship problem.”

Adjusting her glasses A.K. Yearling gave Twilight and Rainbow a skeptical look. “And you’re saying that is why THIS is happening to me?” She asked while pulling her overcoat back to show the illumination that was coming from her flank just as it was from Dash’s.

Doing a rather poor job of being helpful Rainbow Dash yelled out, “Aw come on Do! Aren’t you excited?! Magical maps, mystery and adventure, and time spent with your number one fan?”

Giving a bit of a smirk now the golden pegasus looked Dash in the eye and whispered out, “Hmm. Maaaybe. What if Daring Do were to admit that Rainbow Dash probably is my number one fan in all of Equestria? Would hearing that straight from my lips be enough to make you leave me alone?”

Suddenly the pupil’s in Dash’s eyes shrank to pinpoints as her jaw fell open in shock. “Oh no.” Twilight mumbled as she saw her friend’s wings suddenly point on end.

All of a sudden Rainbow Dash leapt into the air with excitement. She bolted straight out the door and then began flying around the front yard in circles while cheering louder and louder. “Whhhhooooooooo HOOOOOOOOO!!!!!! Daring- I mean, A.K. Yearling just OFFICIALLY SAID… I… AM… HER... NUMBER...ONE... FAN!!! YYYYEEEEEEAAAAAHHHH!!!!” The pegagus screamed before accidentally setting off a sonic rainboom right in the middle of the forest.

After Do and Twilight picked themselves up from where they had been knocked to the floor, Do scowled at finding that the only window she owned with actual glass in it had been broken by the explosion. “I’m sorry, we’ll pay for that.” Twilight grimaced uneasily.

“Yeah, don’t worry about it.” Do sighed as she bent down to sweep up the mess into a dust pan. “Okay so look. You guys are friends which is the only reason why I’m not already throwing you out. But if you promise that this won’t be more than a couple of days out of my already tight schedule then I’ll go with you just to make my cutie mark stop flashing.”

Both of the mares looked over as the illumination from her mark went out as soon as she had agreed to the mission. Twilight chuckled and just walked to the doorway to hold the door open for A.K. “Just come back to my castle and we’ll explain the whole thing there.”

- The Castle of Friendship at Noon -

All members of the main six were now gathered around the map table as Daring Do was still staring at the device in awe. She had been offered Spike’s seat next to Twilight as he was of course sitting with Rarity. Meanwhile Starlight Glimmer had just taken to standing nearby while she laid out the plan for everyone. “Okay so now you know the gist of how a Friendship Missions works. All we get is a location and who the map decides is best suited to handle the problem. The rest is all on you.”

Do didn’t look like she was quite sure of how she felt about the whole thing but Rainbow Dash just did an air punch to look confident before yelling out, “Don’t you worry! Now I’m not saying that Friendship Problems are necessarily easy. But I’m practically an expert on these things by now. Also, I’m starting to lose track of how many times the map keeps sending me to Griffonstone… like seriously. It never sends any other pony… ever.”

Rolling her eyes Twilight called out, “Easy there. Don’t get a big head Dash. Remember that our friend here isn’t as used to all of this. Let’s just take a second and make sure that she doesn’t have any questions first.”

Now everypony looked to the light golden pegasus who just sort of shrugged. “Eh, it’s not that any of this is really hard to understand. I suppose what I still don’t get is why me instead of another one of you? I’m no expert on friendship. I created the alias A.K. Yearling to live alone in the woods just to avoid other ponies. I don't know anything about problems in friendship. I’m just a treasure hunter.”

“Well Miss Do...” Fluttershy called out softly. “There are all kinds of different Friendship Problems. Just like there are all different kinds of friendships.” She said as she lifted a teacup while it was upside down. Suddenly tea began to pour from out of thin air and floated up against gravity into her cup. Then as she brought it to her lips and tilted it down to her mouth as opposed to up to her mouth, Discord materialized beside her and snickered playfully.

“Riiiiight.” Do said while looking to the pair strangely. “All kinds indeed.” She repeated while also looking curiously at a dragon and a pony sitting rather cuddly together. “And do your Friendship Missions always include an underlying secret agenda like you explained to me a moment ago?”

“Yeah... not really, no.” Rainbow Dash mumbled.

Twilight was the next to speak up taking more of an instructive tone as she explained, “I’m sorry to get you caught up in this but lately our missions have taken on more of a unique set of circumstances. Normally when we are sent off to solve a problem we find two ponies who are at odds with each other in some way and we talk to them to see how we can help them resolve their issues. However, there has been a certain stallion of late who seems to be causing Friendship Missions across Equestria.”

The others nodded as Do looked around to them and it was Starlight who spoke up next. “We haven’t quite figured out how or why yet but it is definitely something that we are investigating.”

Still sounding unsure Do asked, “And that is why you want me to keep a look out for a black unicorn while Dash and I are searching for a Friendship Problem in Griffonstone?”

“That’s right.” Starlight answered. “On a previous mission that Applejack went on the problem was only possible to happen because this particular stallion had been around to cause it. We are looking to see if something similar happens this time. We have… reason to suspect that this mission is just as related to the stallion as Applejack’s was.”

“Well alright. If you say so. You all are my friends so I trust that you know what you’re doing. I’ll keep an eye out but I’m sure a pony of any kind would tend to stand out while visiting a town full of Griffons. But as for the ‘Friendship Problem’ that I am supposed to help with, do you have any advice for where to start once Dash and I get there?”

Several ponies held their chins while they thought together but Pinkie was the first to yell out. “Oooh, well remember that Griffons just love gold! So maybe if you bring some extra bits you could bribe some of the locals for information. Who knows, maybe you might even find a treasure hunting griffon.” She suggested with a shrug.

“I guess that’s it then. You said before that time might be of the essence so I suppose we should get going.” Do suggested as she climbed out of the seat. “You ready to go, my number one fan?” She teased and watched as stars shimmered in Dash’s eyes.

“Heck yeah I am! I just gotta wrap up one thing first! You go wait outside and I’ll be right there behind you.” The light blue pegasus replied. Daring Do nodded before making her way towards the front castle doors. After she had left the room Rainbow turned back to the others and spoke as quickly as she can. “Alright so are we absolutely sure that Rayne is still in town? He hasn’t snuck off anywhere while none of us were looking?”

“Discord?” Twilight asked simply and the Draconequus rolled his eyes before reluctantly snapping his fingers. Instantly a little viewing bubble appeared showing a room within the Ponyville Day Spa. There a black stallion stood over the shoulder of yellow pegasus mare with a bright crimson mane. He rotated the wing joint under her shoulder and then pressed to crack the socket, much to the delight of his client.

“I’m sorry Strawberry Surprise, I know that last time I was much more talkative when you came in. But I’m just feeling a bit 'not all there' at the moment. So just for today I’m focusing more on my work than in socializing with everypony. But I promise that next time you visit I’ll be right back to my old self.” They heard Rayne say through the viewing bubble.

“For the record...” Discord began as he quickly snapped his claw and dispersed the image in front of them. “I find it to be in very poor taste to resort to spying on a friend when there are so many other methods that you could use to solve this conundrum of yours.”

“Listen, we are just trying to remain tactful about this.” Twilight explained but she knew that it was a weak justification for having asked his help in this manner. “Rayne will never find out and this is the least invasive way to see if he tries heading to Griffonstone while Dash and Daring Do are there.”

“Fine, fine, whatever. Have it your way. But this is as far as I'm going. Don’t expect this kind of help from me all the time. This is a mission for Dash and Miss Do to figure out on their own. I want no further involvement in this debacle than what I have already allowed myself to stoop to.”

Before anypony else could respond it was Fluttershy who placed a hoof on his side and said, “Oh thank you so very much for your assistance Discord. I can see your point and agree with you that there are probably a lot of other ways we could have gone about this. But your willingness to support us means a lot. It especially makes me happy to see how far you’ve come in standing up for your own personal beliefs in friendship.”

Now the Discord slithered down half collapsing to the floor. “So… so you’re saying that you’re proud of me?”

“Oh I am very proud of you! Absolutely so!” Fluttershy said without even hesitating.

Now a few of the ponies sitting around the table giggled at how Discord blushed like a nervous little school colt. That was when Spike looked up recognizing that same bashful look in Discord’s eyes as one that he had for Rarity on several occasions. “OHH!” Before he could speak a light gray hoof went right over his lips. Rarity leaned down to whisper a ‘shh’ in his ear as he tried to explain, “But wait! Discord… Fluttershy… That look I just saw in his eyes is-”

“Shh, not now dearest...” Then leaning extra close she whispered with the faintest of breaths, “Don’t spoil it for them dear. We can all see it. But they don’t know it yet. Just give them time.”

- Outside on the far end of the Everfree Forest -

Just at the stroke of noon two ponies emerged together from an underground tunnel just passed the eastern treeline to the Everfree Forest. “Wow Maud, you were right. This really did pass us by the whole forest.” Rayne said as he looked around at their surroundings now that they had reached sunlight again.

“Yes, this tunnel was very convenient.” Maud said in her usual tone. “If you look there you will see that we are right near Rambling Rock Ridge. And just that way to the south Dodge City is only an hour or two away. But if you follow the river right over there it will take you straight to Horseshoe Bay. That should put Griffonstone straight across the sea from you.”

“Thank you Maud. Learning my way around Ponyville has been hard enough. I probably would have been lost for days if you hadn’t helped guide the way for me.” Seeing her quickly lean in and rest her head over his shoulder the stallion was happy to give her a tender hug goodbye before they parted ways.

“Are you sure that I can’t come with you? I don’t like you doing dangerous things without having somepony there to help you.” She said softly and even in her deadpan tone the longing came through heavily in her voice.

“Don’t worry hun, I’ll be okay. You know that this is a journey I need to make quickly and if I run into any trouble then I’ll already have all the help that I could need.” He told her as he glanced to the ground and he saw a several obsidian eyes poke up to look back at him before disappearing again.

Finally letting go of their embrace Maud thought to herself and asked, “What about your work? You are supposed to be at the day spa today. We took this tunnel because you didn’t want anypony to see you leave but it could still arouse suspicion if you are missing from your job for a day.”

Rayne smiled and stroked her cheek tenderly. “Not to worry, I have that covered as well. I did show up for work today. In fact I left before you even woke up this morning and I should still be there right now.” He chuckled at the confused expression on her face. “I’ve been playing around lately with combining Starlight’s powers with what I got from the Mirror Pool. Remember before when I made a copy of myself?” He smiled as he saw Maud blush. “I’ve been practicing on how much of myself or which parts of myself I can split a copy off for.”

“Oh I see. That is fascinating Rayne.” She said with her tone as dull as always but the small curve to her smile showed her genuine interest.

“Yup. My work talents and a bit sarcastic evasion should be enough to get me through a work day while avoiding anypony from prying too much into my affairs. That is what I left behind while the rest of me is going off to Griffonstone.” He explained.

“I just wish you didn’t have to go.” Maud said as she displayed an aspect of clinginess to him for the first time. Rayne pulled her into another tight hug finding it touching how she was so concerned for him.

“Yeah but I gotta. You know that my next secondary target is hidden away over there. This is my last big goal. I got Tirek, the Mirror Pool and Starlight in the bag already. But after getting Sombra and the Storm King... my last target now lies across the sea. Also... I plan to pick up a little something for Dash as a surprise while I'm there. I really think that she’ll like it.”

“Yes but your plan is stupid.” Maud said bluntly and Rayne balked in surprise as he pulled back to look at her. He found it hard to not to laugh at her sudden forwardness but he didn’t argue because he knew that she was right. “Everything else you have done was so careful. You had been precise, thorough. You took the time to think it all out. But you aren’t doing that here. You’re betting everything on being able to time things just right. And even afterwards you’re relying on a power that’s new which you barely understand yet.”

“Baby, baby look at me.” He said as she was actually pouting now. “Hey come on. I’m going to make it back. This is by far one of the least dangerous stunts I’ve tried to pull off.”

“Yeah but it’s the stupidest one.” She said pointedly.

“Maud… I won’t take any unnecessary risks. I promise you. You, have, my, word. Okay sweetie?” He stroked her mane and kissed her lips and eventually she nodded. "Come on now... who's the thermal escalation to my tectonic pressure? Huh? Who is it?"

Blushing and shoving him away playfully she said, "I am."

"That's right you are. I love seeing that smile on you Maud. It's richer than even the most cultured of soil." He said with an encouraging smirk.

"I love it when you talk dirty to me" She told him which then made the stallion blush.

"Only for you." He whispered sweetly.

“Okay, get out of here.” She told him. “The sooner you go, the sooner you can come back. I don’t want you getting stuck there after daylight runs out.” Realizing that she made a good point the stallion nodded before stealing one last kiss from her. Then after turning away he darted straight for the nearby river. Without a second thought the stallion leapt in and then began riding the current, twisting and weaving through the water unnaturally for a pony almost as if he were part Cragadile.

- Soaring Overhead -

“Aww, really?! Nothing?!” Rainbow Dash complained as she and Do flew beside each other over the Celestial Sea.

“Yup, that’s right. The treasure hunting business has been rather slow of late. There are always researchers trying to discover clues as to where more ancient relics of the past might be located. But there’s been a bit of a dry spell. No break-ins to any of the larger museums either. So, that means no new Daring Do books until another new adventure comes my way.”

“But, there just can’t be no more Daring Do books! There just can’t be! They are TOO good!” Dash exclaimed seemingly having forgotten what they were supposed to be focused on in the first place.

“Hey, I’m sorry Dash. But you never know. Maybe this little outing is just what I need to find some new inspiration. I’ve never written a story with Griffons in it before.” The pale golden pegasus was a little surprised when her friend suddenly pumped the air brakes and looked at her with excitement.

“Oh yeah?! Well that would be awesome! Like that one time when my friends and I helped you out before and you gave us all a cameo in that story?! That was so totally the best!”

“Heh, well we’ll have to see. But I’ve got to tell ya Dash. If this does become the beginning for my latest story, so far you’re filling yourself in to be the comedic relief and not the adventurous partner of mine.” She teased playfully. However just then Do looked down to the water in surprise as some small and black slithered it’s way beneath the surface right passed them. She thought she saw some kind of orange light, and then another, as whatever it was swam passed. “Hey did you see-”

“WHAT?! NO!” Dash screamed in fright suddenly gripping Do by the shoulders and looking mortified. “I’m sorry! I’ll chill out! Just PLEEEEASE don’t write me in as your comedic relief!”

“Heh, heh. Don’t worry Dash. I was just kidding. I wouldn’t do that to a friend.” Do reassured her and Dash wiped her brow in relief. “Alright now let’s get moving. I think that the fish are starting to swim faster than we are flying.”

- At Griffonstone Peak -

Daring Do marveled at the sight of the Griffon’s home town. “Dash! Why didn’t you tell me that this place was like this earlier? Now I don’t know why I haven’t ever come here before!”

“Huh? This old place?” Rainbow replied looking at the busted walkways and broken down homes that littered the mountain peak. Everywhere they looked were piles of dropped feathers that hadn’t been picked up and the avian creatures still walked by each other with disinterest just like Dash remembered them doing when she visited before. “There’s not really much here except-”

“Except for the ruins of a fallen civilization that could have who knows how many centuries of treasure that was abandoned and forgotten about!” Do exclaimed feeling a renewed excitement bubbling up within her. “Just look at it Dash! This hobble might not look like much to you, but I see a civilization that was once flourishing who at one point left everything they had behind! And left behind for somepony like me to fin- AHHH!”

“SCRRROOOOCCCCKK!!!!” Do had been fluttering about and yelling to herself so excitedly that she didn’t even notice as a larger Griffon stepped out of his house just beside where she had been flying passed. The great beast with gray and brown wings snapped it’s beak just beside her face and then screeched out menacingly.

Daring Do tried to fly away but instantly the Griffon flapped his wings and gave chase, claws extended and beak open. “HIIYYAAA!!!” But that was when a light blue hoof flew in from the side and kicked the Griffon across the face. “HEY! BACK OFF! SHE IS MINE!” Dash yelled out. The golden pegasus looked over feeling a little surprised but she was smart enough to figure that this was probably just how Griffons operate and not that her friend wasn't meaning any sort of intimate connection between them.

Landing upon the ground now the feathered beast glared at Rainbow Dash before snapping his beat in agitation. “Oh yeah? Well she was making a ruckass outside my nest! We don’t like it when strangers show up and make a ruckass outside of our nests! We don’t like it when strangers show up at ALL!” He cawed out and then several over Griffions stuck they heads out only to throw a rock, a tin can, or a pile of their own feathers at him for shouting. Waiving it off he looked to Dash again now. “Hmm, and it seems that you are all alone. If you’re going to protect her then who is going to protect you?”

“JUST TRY IT!” Dash growled, raising a hoof defiantly and not showing that she was backing down even by an inch.

The silence between them was brief as eventually it was the avian who gave up the chase. “Ah, why bother? It’s too much effort if you’re going to fight back like that. Just don’t let it happen again.” He said before flapping his wings and returning to his home.”

Once they seemed to have a moment to catch their breath, Daring Do looked around a little more cautiously now at the other avians who were passing them on the street. “Wow Dash, you saved me. Thank you for that.”

Rainbow chuckled and rubbed the back of her neck as she sighed. “Uh, yeah. Don’t worry about it. Look, the first thing you gotta know about visiting Griffonstone is that you pretty much have to be polite and on your best manners at all times. While at the same time you can't expect any Griffon to be anything but rude to you in return. They can be dangerous but they are also pretty lazy and self centered. A Griffon won’t think twice about eating a pony if you piss one off so be careful. But if you ever do get in a confrontation with one then you just gotta stand your ground to make yourself seem like you aren’t worth the hassle.”

Do was nodding, knowing full well that it was important to take warnings about different cultures seriously. But that is when they both heard a different voice call out to them from down the street. “Awww, but what if we decide that you are worth the hassle?” Looking over the two pegasi saw a female Griffon staring directly at them. From the next down her feathers were a light brown while her head had white feathers which were tipped with a purple hue on the ends. Do watched but didn’t know what to do as the hen charged right at Dash and then pinned the pegasus down to the ground. “What if I think you’re very much worth the effort?”

Rainbow looked up as if she were frightened at first but then her fearful glare cracked into a smile as she started laughing uncontrollably. “Haha, hey there Gilda. It’s good to see you too.” Looking over to Do and not even bothering to try to get up Dash told her, “Hey, this is my friend Gilda. We sort of grew up together. So you don’t have to worry about anything dangerous from her. In fact, it seems more like she’d rather kiss me than eat me. What’s the matter Gilda? Why so close? You seem something on my face that you like?” Dash teased trying to gross her old friend out.

But Dash ended up being the one surprised as Gilda just grinned and leaned in even closer as she stayed above her friend on the floor. “Maybe I do. This might surprise you Dashie but I’m on my mating season right now. And maybe I don’t care if you’re another chick. I’m sure that you and I could still have-” She mumbled as she drew a claw down the feathers of Rainbow’s chest and didn’t even stop as her touch slid lower beyond her abdomen.

Realizing that Gilda was being serious as her claw dipped down between her legs Dash quickly shut her thighs together and scooted back away as quickly as she could. “WHOA, okay then so yeah but no. Let’s not cross that friendship line. It’s not that you aren’t great but I’d rather not risk ruining what we have together as friends.” She said nervously while raising up her hooves.

“Eh, if that’s how you want it. Don’t worry Dash, I’m not about to drag you away or anything.” She laughed. Then the two of them just bumped hoof and claw together. “So brings you and your friend here around these parts? And you can save the introductions. I don't care.” Gilda chuckled.

After dusting herself off Dash just brazenly said, “Anooother friendship mission.” She sighed and Gilda gave a scoff. “Remember how I helped you and Greta out before? I don’t suppose you could make things easy on us and tell us if any Griffons are having issues between each other like that?”

“Heh, sorry Dash. But you’re a little late.” Gilda said and both of the pegasi looked to her in confusion now. “It’s pretty funny really. Last time you came here you couldn’t find a Griffon willing to let you help them. Now you come here and you aren’t going to find a Griffon who needs you to help them.”

“What do you mean?” The two pegasi both asked together.

Rolling her eyes Gilda waved a claw and said, “Come this way and I’ll show you.” A few minutes later Gilda had escorted them further through the dilapidated town. However as they proceeded on Dash noticed that some of the nesting homes actually looked nicer as if some effort had actually be put into fixing the place up. After another few blocks her jaw dropped as she saw a line of Griffons leading up to booth of some sorts with what looked like the Cutie Mark Crusader’s emblem upon it. “Welcome to Gabby’s Gathering, a.k.a. the Cutie Mark Crusader’s Griffon branch.”

“What in the heck?!” Dash exclaimed. “Why do the Cutie Mark Crusaders even have a Griffon branch? And how? I know that Scootaloo, Sweetie Belle, and Applebloom aren’t traveling here on their own. Rarity, Applejack and I would be pissed if they had been!”

Gilda laughed and raised her claws to calm her friend. “Oh no, it’s nothing of the sort. Don’t you remember a couple years ago when a young Griffon chick named Gabby visited your scrawny little town because she became OBSESSED with getting a pony mark?”

“A cutie mark.” Dash corrected her.

“Yeah whatever. Well this was the result of that. After your little friends told her that she could join their club or whatever it is, she came back here and has been spending the last couple of years trying to teach us Griffons all kinds of things that she learned. They even gave her a little pendant so that she could have her own cutie badge or whatever.”

“Cutie mark.” Dash and Do corrected her together.

“Yeah, yeah. Well anyways… She had a hard time of it in the beginning but Greta and I felt like we owed you one so we lent her some help when she first got started. Now she’s got a big operation going here. Whenever one of us gets so bored that we can’t stand it, we tell her and she can give us some work to do or teach us a game to play. When two Griffons get into an argument they can’t settle, Gabby shows us something else to do that is better than fighting. So as you can see… we don’t really need any pony’s help anymore to solve ‘friendship problems.’ For the longest time now, if we have an issue we can just go to Gabby.”

“Wow, that’s so totally awesome! You Griffons are totally getting this friendship thing down! I’m happy for you!” Dash exclaimed and gave Gilda a high five up in the air.

But it was at this point that Daring Do looked to Dash and said, “Yeah, that’s great for them. But now it means we’re stuck. How do we solve a Friendship Mission when no one needs our help?”

“Oh, you’re right...” Dash said with her excitement dropping rapidly as she now had no idea what to do.

Author's Notes:

Okay so again there is a lot to comment on here. First of all, you might remember Lil Pete from the first chapter with the Hot Hoof night club. He is the one in the fancy suit and jewelry who doesn't care for Rayne. Also the mare with him has finally been named as Elly Eveningstar. They are both OC's and this will be a mini arc going forward just to give Rayne's outings with Discord a little more flavor. Also I would like to point out that her stunning art piece was done by the real life Elly herself. ^_~

The song in the chapter was "Rock This Town" by the Stray Cats. Lyrics were changed to better fit my story. But all credit goes to them and their associates.

Now about Daring Do's house... No I don't know where it is but if you look at the map in the first chapter I'd say the woods east of Dodge City is a pretty good place for it. It's nearby the southern temples that she has explored in the show so I consider it a reasonable location.

Hmm, Rayne was feeling 'not all there' while he was working on Strawberry Surprise? Where was the rest of him then? Haha.

Rayne was talking dirty... to Maud... because dirt and soil and... yeah haha.

Yes it can be assumed that Rayne stole the magic from several deep sea creatures on his way to Griffonstone.

Alright and what does everybody think of Griffonstone? This is it's first appearance in my story. And you can definitely expect some interaction from Gabby in the next chapter. But what is Rayne doing here? What could Griffonstone have that he could possibly want? And why does Maud think this mission of his is so dangerous?