Great shafts of sunlight swept over the city of Griffinstone. Emerging out of the huts, dozens of griffins ranging in a variety of colors, wing shapes, talon colors, beak sizes, and tail lengths. Most yawned and greeted each other.

The moon guard groaned at the sappy sight. Shada flew up to guide them back to their residence. Gilda walked out into light. She stretched out her brown wings.

Once the rest of the moon guard had retreated, the griffins stationed themselves around Griffinstone, picking up tools and began working on the building.

Every few hours or so Gilda would go around and offer scones and other delicacies, including fish caught in the local rivers, honey, and any small critters lurking around the perimeter of the capital.

The moon guard however fed on more raw food, mostly deer, rabbits, and a long time back during the fallen years of the griffins, ponies, but this was now strictly illegal. As it was two citizens of Ponyville, Rainbow Dash and Pinkie Pie who had introduced friendship to land. That though had happen two moons ago. And Gilda hadn't heard word from them since. But she knew since they were friends of the Princess of Friendship, Twilight Sparkle, an important figure in not just Equestrian politics but in neighboring countries and that Rainbow and Pinkie probably had a fair share of work to do.

But still she missed them. Her best griffin friend, Greda was leading a trading party to trade with Equestria, griffin books of knowledge for the much loved baking powder.

As the day drew in more and more work was completed. Cubs ran and flew around picking up trash, overturned regiments of the old cottages, and spilled gold and valuables that would be stored in the newly built Griffin vaults being constructed below the palace. Older Griffins were doing more difficult work, removing and replacing mud bricks and wood supports. But the repairs and clean up were nearly complete, in fact many felt as if today was the last work day.

At last, mere moments before sunset, the final piece of wooden support was placed and scrap of gold collected. The Griffins cheered, each one hugging each other, clapping, and words of celebration filled the air. Gilda felt immense waves of honor, happiness, and most importantly true griffin pride. Something that her kind hadn't felt since the days of the old kingdom.

"Great job every griffin! These past two moons have been difficult for Griffinstone and it's citizens. Both physically on the centuries of neglect put on our fair capital and emotionally as we fell into the ways of disharmony and were blinded by our greed, we became unhappy and we didn't even know it. But now with the nation of Equestria as our guide and Celestia as our witness we have rebuilt our kingdom!" Cried out Gilda.

It felt almost as if she hadn't said them. If someone had said to her three moons ago that in one moon time she would oversee the return of greatness to her home land she would have punched that person in the face. It seamed that with every friend she made, every day that pasted, a part of the jerk in her left and was replaced with a caring and peaceful new Gilda.

The crowd erupted in cheer and praise. Several griffins took flight. Those griffins cheered on even louder! However in the dark out skirts of the city, on the sides of the mountain, Shada and her army shook their heads and murmured in disagreement and disgust.

The Griffins, lead by Gilda flew up to the central tree, at the foot of the palace. Emerging out of the entrance doors were twenty traditionally armored Griffin royal guard. Then all at once every griffin spread our across the tree. Gilda at the top most branch, and with every one at the ready they all rustled their wings, gripped their talons to the bark, they all tilted their beaks to the darkening sky.

Shriek!

A true pure Griffin call was thrusted out into the night air. The mighty sound echoed out throughout the distant lands. All who heard it knew its meaning. The mighty Griffins had returned.

Meanwhile many miles away, looking out from the edge of a cliff, beheld the beautiful capital city of Canterlot, in the throne room of the castle. Four princess alicorns heard the shriek. The tallest, her coat white in color, mane a following pastel

rainbow trailed on the floor. A smile upon her face. Second in hight but equal in command over the nation a dark blue mare, breathing heavily had just returned from rising the moon looked along with her sister. The third one, pale pink fur covering her grinned down at her sister-in-law. The smallest alicorn, purple in color, her face was mingled with wonder and happiness. The white princess looked up at the dark blue sky. A tear rolled down her cheek. "They are restored." She spoke. "Yes but what does this mean for Equestria?" The blue one wondered. Worry filled her beautiful voice. "I am positive we can put away our waring past behind us and ally with the Griffin kingdom to insure a new era of peace. There is little to worry sister if get your head out of the darkness and see the light. You will find that it is just as unique as the night." The white princess insured.