The Lost Treasure of Griffinstone
Pony's Log Number 508: I can see now why making or keeping friendships with a Griffin is difficult, but that doesn't mean it's impossible...
One day at Sugarcube Corner, Pinkie was just singing happily to herself as Gummy just stood on the counter with his usual blank look on his face. He was just minding his own business when he got splat in the face with what appeared to be cake batter.
"La, la-la, la-la! La, la-la, la-la, la la-la la-la!" Pinkie sang as she wore a chief's hat on her head and her body was covered in bits of cake batter, "This is gonna be so great, Gummy! We have absolutely nothing to do today except bake!"
"I've been waiting for just the right time to finally try Granny Pie's super-special triple-chocolate, fifteen layer marjolaine recipe!" said Pinkie as she stood up and started stirring a smaller pot that was on top of the stove, "It's gonna be amazing!" Pinkie then stuck her face into Gummy's face before walking away. Gummy just stood in place and used his tongue to lick the cake batter off of his face.
"Let's see," said Pinkie as she stood before some bowls filled with various ingredients, "Nutty meringue, chocolate ganache, praline and nuts, cocoa-flavored buttercream..." Pinkie then sampled the buttercream. It was then a familiar chime was heard, but Pinkie thought it was the oven as she hopped over to it.
"An hour per layer," said Pinkie as she pulled out a baking sheet with a freshly made layer and set it on the counter and closed it, "that's fifteen hours of pure baking bliss!"
"Okay, Gummy, I think we're ready to start prepping the second layer," Pinkie told her little alligator friend. It was then the chime was heard again and Pinkie's cutie mark started glowing. Pinkie looked at her flank as she used her tail to wipe off some cake batter that was on it.
"Oh, my gosh!" said Pinkie, "My cutie mark!" Pinkie gasped dramatically as she looked at Gummy, "You know what this means?!"Pinkie then scooted over to her the spot where Gummy's ears were supposedly located.
"The map!" said Pinkie in a firm but hushed tone. Gummy just licked off some batter on Pinkie's face in reply. Pinkie then got down from the counter and rushed out the door, but then opened it again.
"Uh, Gummy?" Pinkie asked, "Could you take over a bit? Hopefully this'll be quick. I'll just measure the baking powder for you..." Pinkie gave a squee as she set the powder on the counter, "...and when the first layer cools, you can drizzle some of the ganache over it. And don't forget to beat the egg whites for the meringue!" Pinkie then zipped away and came back with the tip of her mane holding the mixer and put it into Gummy's mouth. Then her cutie mark chimed again and Pinkie knew she had to get going.
"I know you can do this, Gummy!" said Pinkie, "You're the best alligator baker I've ever met!" Pinkie then gave him a kiss, which made a heart float into the air and then bounced away and shut the door. Gummy just stood in place as the weight of the mixer made him tip forward. All he could do at the moment was blink.
(Main theme)
(Cue Mario Odyssey's "World map" music in the background)
Current Flower Sprites: 8
On a section of the cutie map was a image of a rather giant leafless tree with various houses on its branches. Pinkie's and Rainbow's cutie marks were circling around it while Mario's cutie mark just hovered above the location, his cutie mark flicking like a beacon marking the start of a new adventure. Twilight stood before the projection.
"This is so exciting," said Twilight, "The map is summoning you to Griffinstone, the very heart of the griffon kingdom! I don't know if either of you have read "Bygone Griffons of Greatness"," Twilight then brought the book over to herself with her magic as Pinkie just looked at the place excitedly while Rainbow just sat on her throne looking bored and agitated, "but griffons were known to be-"
"Rude, insensitive bullies?" Rainbow remarked rather bitterly, cutting Twilight off and interrupting the alicorn's train of thought.
"You mean Gilda?" Twilight asked, immediately knowing who Rainbow was referring to.
"Yeah, I mean Gilda!" Rainbow snapped, "When she came to Ponyville, she was a total jerk to all my friends, especially Pinkie Pie!" Rainbow pointed toward the pink pony, who was sitting on the seat of her throne on her back.
"She was a bit of a party pooper," said Pinkie.
"I believe your words were something along the lines of "mean, meanie, mean pants"," said Mario, "I would know since you got me to say that."
"Aw, that just means my personality has rubbed off on you, big brother," said Pinkie.
"Indeed it has," said Mario with chuckle. He could well remember a time where he thought being with Pinkie or acting like her would drive him insane, but now...he was so used to her quirky personality that he couldn't imagine his life without his best friend and baby sister. Plus, in his own mind, her randomness was starting to make sense to him...most of the time.
"So Gilda was a little too rude," Twilight replied, "You still get to go to Griffonstone, and according to this book, it has a rich, fascinating history!" Twilight then opened the book as Pinkie and Mario looked at the page with interest.
"In ancient times, griffons were known to be greedy as dragons," Twilight narrated as she showed the ponies a picture of several griffons hoarding various treasures, "always hoarding their bits and other treasures. But all that changed when King Grover found their mysterious golden Idol of Boreas." Twilight turned the page to show a shadow of King Grover as he held the idol above his head while the other griffins marveled at it.
"Legend says that the idol of Boreas was made from the dust of a gold sunset," Twilight continued as King Grover sat before the idol as the royal griffon stood guard around it, "blown across the mountains by the north winds. Possessing the Idol of Boreas filled the griffons' hearts with pride. It is said that that one great treasure is responsible for turning Griffinstone into the most majestic kingdom of all the land." Twilight turned the page again to show the kingdom filled with haughty griffons.
"Whoa..." said Mario in amazement.
"And why do you care so much about griffons anyway?" Rainbow asked as she zipped over and forced the book shut.
"It was actually Gilda's visit that made me curious," Twilight answered, "So I picked up "Bygone Griffons of Greatness" and I've been hooked ever since! And now..." Twilight sighed as she leaned against the table before the image, "Now you two and my husband get to see Griffinstone with your very own eyes."
"Huh? Just me, Mario, and Rainbow Dash?" Pinkie replied curiously.
"Hey, you can totally take my place if you want," said Rainbow as she curled into her throne with her back against everypony, "I still have half a nap to finish."
"Why don't you come with us?" Pinkie offered, "I mean, you are the Princess of Friendship. I mean, why should Mario get to go and not you?"
"No, no," Twilight replied as she used her magic to disable the map, "if the map wanted me to go to the coolest kingdom in all of Equestria and tour the palace and see the actual idol that unites an entire species, which would be super amazing, I'm sure it would've said so." Twilight didn't hide the fact she was disappointed.
"I'm surprised Mario isn't trying to protest about this," Pinkie pointed out.
"Well, just right after I put the last seven Flower Sprites into the map, Twilight and I received a message from the tree of Harmony...can't explain how so don't question it...but it told us that the map now had enough power to send smaller groups of ponies on friendship missions and to find more Flower Sprites. The map said that only those chosen ponies can embark on the mission and nopony else. Why you might ask? Because only the ponies chosen by the map are the ponies capable of solving that specific friendship problem."
"And did it say the map would tell us what the friendship problem is?" Rainbow asked rather rudely.
"What do you think?" Mario asked irritably, "But the Tree did say that while it could tell us directly, it feels that figuring things out ourselves helps to improve the friendship between the selected ponies as well as give them a better understanding the problem at hand."
"Ugh," Rainbow groaned.
"Hey, if you ever want to be in the Wonderbolts, Dashie," said Mario, "you gotta learn how to deal with these kinds of situations all the time. Besides, you're only hurting yourself if you decline and you're not being a good friend in helping my wife and I spread friendship across Equestria."
"Gee, way to strike my conscience!" Rainbow remarked, not wanting to admit now she felt a little guilty. Mario chuckled.
"The Tree knew what it was talking about by telling me to say that," said Mario.
"Well, whatever the problem is," said Twilight, still sounding disappointed, "You three can handle whatever the issue is just fine. I'll stay here and do important princessy things. I guess." Mario gave her a concerned look.
"Honey..." Mario asked.
"I'll be okay," said Twilight bravely as Mario gave her a kiss.
"I'll see if I can find you a souvenir and take some photos for you okay?" Mario offered as Twilight clapped excitedly, hugged him, and then left the throne room. Pinkie awed at the sight while Rainbow just rolled her eyes, once again inwardly denying that she felt jealous.
"Well, then come on, Dashie and Mario!" said Pinkie as she got into the blue Pegasus's face, "We're going to Griffonstone!" Rainbow just huffed.
"Fine..." the blue Pegasus reluctantly.
"That's the spirit!" said Pinkie as she got into Rainbow's face again and blew a party horn. Rainbow just leaned away in surprise before it was replaced with an indignant look. Mario just snickered at Rainbow's expense.
It wasn't long before the three ponies were sitting on a train on their way to Griffonstone. Mario and Rainbow were sharing a seat while Pinkie sat quietly on the seat opposite of them. Rainbow also appeared to be reading a magazine of some sort.
"Whatcha reading, Rainbow?" Pinkie asked as she noticed a pony pushing a cart loaded with treats. Rainbow sighed.
"Twilight literally wrote a book on what we need to do in Griffonstone," said Rainbow.
"You mean like a guide on how to figure out what problem we're supposed to fix?" Pinkie asked curiously as she started grabbing loads of treats from the cart.
"And then some," said Rainbow, "it's like Twilight herself in book form." Mario gave Rainbow a glare. Then the blue Pegasus fixed her mane so she looked like Twilight.
""Always carry plenty of bits"," said Rainbow as she mockingly mimicked the purple alicorn, ""The griffons are sure to help you as long as you share the wealth"." Rainbow rolled her eyes and fixed her mane back to normal. She then noticed Mario giving her an irritated glare.
"You know I hate it when you mock my wife," said Mario angrily.
"Well, she's such an egghead," said Rainbow.
"Jealous she uses her brain and you don't?" Mario retorted.
"Grrrr..." Rainbow growled as the two stared each other down. Then they were interrupted when they heard the clinking of lots of bits. They both turned their heads to see the cart pony roll away with a giant sack of bits. Then they noticed Pinkie with lots of treats in her fore-hooves and gave her glares. Pinkie just swallowed nervously.
"Uh, can I borrow some bits?" Pinkie asked in an innocent tone.
"No," said Mario bluntly.
"Ugh," Rainbow groaned as she face-hoofed herself. It wasn't much longer before their train pulled into a run-down station that was nearest to the Griffon kingdom. Each of them were wearing several pieces of gear on their backs as Pinkie surprised Rainbow by slapping another sack on her back.
"Upon arriving in Griffon Gorge," Twilight narrated in the background as the three ponies looked up to see the mountain peaks of the area Twilight was talking about, "be sure to pause and cast your eyes northerly, up the Hyperborean Mountains, taking in the breathtaking beauty of Griffonstone." The three ponies then headed on their way, each of them wearing a cossack hat on their heads.
"Once in Griffinstone proper," Twilight continued in the background as Rainbow stopped on a slope as she saw Pinkie and Mario both doing parkour to catch up to her, "go immediately to the palace and introduce yourself to the king." Rainbow just stared as the two ponies stood before her and grinned.
""Bygone Griffons of Greatness"," Twilight continued as the three ponies jumped over a chasm, "was written a long time ago, and it ends with the coronation of the fourteenth king of the griffons, King Guto. I have no idea who's in charge now. Tell the king you've been sent by the Princess of Friendship, that the Prince of Friendship is with you, and you're there to help with some sort of problem."
"If for some reason the king can't help," Twilight said as the three ponies continued what was becoming a long journey. Pinkie then pointed a fore-leg to the distance, which got Rainbow excited until she saw Griffonstone was still a long way off, "I'd try the Griffonstone library next. It's a little known secret that if you befriend a librarian, you can usually find out anything." Mario smirked to himself.
"And if my husband says anything about finding your special somepony in the library he's crazy!" Twilight shouted in the background. Mario just blinked before rolling his eyes and went to catch up with Pinkie and Rainbow. Pinkie was still in high spirits as she gave Rainbow a smile. The blue pegasus smiled back, but as soon as Pinkie looked away, Rainbow rolled her eyes and her face went sour immediately. Because of their gear, she couldn't just fly to their destination and was feeling weary and miserable.
"Plus, as a bonus," Twilight pressed on excitedly in the background, "There's a statue of King Grover outside!" Twilight giggled, "Photo op! And don't forget to sample some famous griffon scones. They're supposed to be the best." Just as Twilight finished speaking the three ponies finally reached the gate leading to the kingdom of Griffonstone.
"Aw, Twilight should've come along!" said Pinkie, "Then she could see first-hoof that Griffonstone is..." Pinkie's excitement turned into shock when they entered the town area. Mario was just as shocked as well. The houses and buildings were very run-down and many of them looked like they were about to fall apart or collapse. Some griffons were just sitting on the roof tops or walking about keeping to themselves.
"...a total dump!" Pinkie exclaimed loudly.
"Tell the whole village why don't you?" Mario remarked annoyingly.
"Okay!" said Pinkie as she cupped her fore-hooves to her mouth, "YOUR PLA-"
"Pinkie!" Mario snapped sternly and glared at her.
"Oh, right, heh, sarcasm," said Pinkie with a nervous chuckle and gave a squee as she smiled at him. Mario just rolled his eyes at her.
As the three ponies ventured about the town area, Mario noticed one griffon trying to land on a branch that had a house on it. But as soon as the griffon landed, the branch creaked and was about to break, making the griffon hover above it to prevent losing the house. The three ponies had also removed their hats.
"Ugh," Rainbow Dash groaned, "Maybe the map should've called Rarity instead of us."
"Nah, she lament for hours about how awful this place is and then anything she did would do probably be destroyed shortly after," Mario replied. It was then a griffon wearing a fez hat walked in front of them.
"Excuse me, sir?" Pinkie asked and then got into his face when he tried to ignore her, "This is Griffonstone, right?" Pinkie then got into his face to get an answer, but the griffon grabbed her by the nose, set her aside, and stomped off importantly.
"Well, that wasn't very nice," said Pinkie as Mario and Rainbow walked up to her.
"Let me try," said Mario calmly as he headed over to the same griffon, "Excuse me, sir. I'm the Prince of Friendship and...hey! Hey! I'm talking to you! You just ignored royalty and an ambassador to your kingdom for pony's sake!" The griffon didn't care and kept walking. Mario was most offended.
"Birdbrain," Mario muttered as he rejoined the group.
"See?" said Rainbow, "These griffons are exactly like I'd thought they'd be."
"You're were right about them being rude," said Mario, "But nopony's tried bullying us...yet..."
"Maybe we should just find the palace so we can ask the king what is going on," said Pinkie.
"I wouldn't be surprised if the king lived in something besides a palace," Mario added.
"We don't have a king, losers," said a familiar degrading voice. Mario groaned and Rainbow glared as they saw a familiar looking griffon glaring at them.
"Well...we were bound to bump into her at some point," said Mario annoyingly.
"Hello, Gilda," said Rainbow bitterly and narrowed her eyes at the griffon.
"Dash," Gilda replied in the same tone and narrowed her eyes at the blue Pegasus.
"Pinkie!" the pink pony shouted as she stood on her hind legs. Mario just looked at Pinkie until she jabbed his side, coaxing him to intro. Mario rolled his eyes.
"Mario!" he shouted unenthusiastically as he stood on his hind legs next to Pinkie.
"What are you doing here?" Rainbow asked sternly. Mario just blinked and face-hoofed himself as Rainbow's rather stupid question.
"Uh, I'm a griffon?" Gilda retorted, "What's your excuse, dweebs?"
"Hey!" Pinkie snapped, "These "dweebs" are here to help Griffonstone!"
"And we'd appreciate it if you put the brakes on that bad attitude of yours," Mario added firmly, "Seriously, what's your problem with us anyway? If you think acting like this makes you cool, trust me, you're only making yourself look like a dodo bird." Gilda growled at Mario's remark before she remembered what Pinkie had said.
"Help it what?" Gilda demanded.
"Well...we're not really sure!" Pinkie replied, "But it involves a map and our cutie marks and a problem, and-"
"Bored now!" Gilda remarked as she tried to walk off.
"Well if you don't have a king," Pinkie continued, "Could you at least tell us where the Idol of Boreas is?" Gilda laughed.
"Ha-ha! Don't tell me you really believe in that thing," Gilda retorted.
"You better believe in it!" said an elderly griffon, wearing a fez hat and had what appeared to be a scarred right eye, close by who coughed and wheezed before they fell from their second floor to the ground floor. He then tumbled out of his front door.
"It was the best thing to ever happen to us griffons!" the elderly griffon continued to rant.
"Oh, great," said Gilda with a heavy eye roll, "Now you got Grampa Gruff started!"
"I'll tell you the whole tragic tale..." Grampa Gruff said with a laugh, glared at them with his scarred eye, and then extended his claw, "for a couple of bits." Rainbow and Mario immediately glared at Pinkie, who just smiled sheepishly before Rainbow sighed and handed the elderly griffon two bits. Grandpa Gruff smiled at the bits excitedly before biting onto one of the coins and tucking them under his fez hat.
"The first griffon king, King Grover, united our kind like we've never been unified before or since!" Grampa Gruff explained as Gilda mock mouthed and mimicked his gestures in the background, "And he did it all with that incredible Idol of Boreas." Grampa Gruff then caught sense of Gilda mocking him and turned around, but Gilda has stopped her mocking and just looked away innocently. Rainbow and Mario were unamused as Pinkie bit her lip to avoid breaking out in laughter.
"The idol brought pride to the heart of every griffon that saw it!" Grampa Gruff continued, "From one king to the next, Griffonstone had our golden idol. We were the envy of all other species." It was then Grampa Gruff began narrating his tale as a drawing of the Idol was seen with several guards standing in front of it along with King Grover.
"It held us together - gave us an identity - right up until the reign of King Guto," Grampa Gruff narrated until there was a clash of thunder in the drawing and a one eyed goat monster smashed through a window.
"That's when Arimaspi came to steal our griffon treasure!" Grampa Gruff continued as the goat easily defeated the king and his griffon guards, "King Guto tried to fight him off, but Arimaspi managed to get away with the idol!" Another drawing showed Arimaspi running off with the idol until King Guto and his guards managed to overtake him across a narrow bridge over a deep abyss. Lightning then struck the bridge. destroying the bridge and sending Arimaspi into the abyss, along with the idol.
"They say when our treasure fell into the Abysmal Abyss, our pride went with it," Grampa Gruff concluded as another drawing showed King Guto and his guards looking glum, followed by a return to the present to show the actual throne room was run down and in disrepair, "King Guto was the last king of Griffonstone, and we've all live miserably ever after. The end!"
"That was the saddest story ever!" said Pinkie as she started to cry. Mario, who had been using his magic to record the story, used a fore-leg to hold the pink pony close for comfort.
"Aw, well...Tough tailfeathers!" Grampa Gruff snapped as he got into Pinkie's face, "No refunds!"
"A simple gesture of comfort was all she was seeking," Mario muttered annoyingly.
"That'll cost ya extra!" Grampa Gruff yelled before flying off.
"No wonder Twilight's book ended with the coronation of King Guto," said Pinkie, "Who would want to record a history that sad?"
"It's not sad!" Gilda snapped as Grampa Gruff fell down as he tried to make his way out of a broken window, "Do we look sad to you?"
"Back off will ya!" Mario retorted, "Pinkie's just stating her opinion. Why are you getting so defensive? You said you didn't care less about what we think!"
"I don't!" Gilda said angrily.
"Then what's with the attitude?" Mario asked angrily, "If you don't care we're here, then just let us do our job and leave us alone! You're the one choosing to stick around us after all!" Rainbow couldn't help but smirk at seeing Mario stand up to her...ex-friend. Gilda growled with fury.
"Rooooooooooaaaaaaaaaaaaar!" Gilda screamed as she gave a loin's roar at him. Mario glared for a moment.
"ROOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAAAAAAR!" Mario screamed, mimicking Gilda's loin roar so loudly that Pinkie and Rainbow cringed and covered their ears. Gilda was literally blown away and sent crashing into a wall, leaving her dazed.
"Uh...I appreciate you standing up to Gilda and all, but warn us when you do that!" Rainbow snapped as she rubbed her aching ears.
"Sorry," said Mario plainly as he picked up his paper with his magic and rolled it up, "At least this story will make a good souvenir for Twilight." He tucked the newly made scroll into his magic saddle bag. Rainbow then pondered as she looked at the pedestal in the middle of the room.
"Pinkie, Mario, I think I know why the map sent us here," said Rainbow, "We need to find the Idol of Boreas and bring glory and pride back to Griffonstone!" Gilda, who had recovered, laughed.
"Ha-ha. Here we go - typical pony hero complex," said Gilda.
"Finally something we agree on," Mario remarked with an eye roll.
"None of us care about that dumb old idol!" Gilda continued, "Don't you get it? We don't care about anything, and that's the way we like it!"
"Then why is everybody miserable?" Mario asked with a smirk, "and you're still acting like you care when you say you don't."
"Can it!" Gilda screamed angrily.
"I think Rainbow Dash is right!" said Pinkie as she appeared behind the griffon, "The map sent us here to fix a problem!"
"The only problem Griffonstone has is you!" Gilda shouted as she bucked Pinkie off her back. Mario caught the pink pony with his fore-legs and Gilda flew off. Pinkie and Mario just watched Gilda fly off and pondered as they exchanged looks with each other.
"Well, I don't care what she says," Rainbow said as she hovered into the air, "We're gonna find that treasure, make Griffonstone cool again, and get back to Ponyville! Come on!" Rainbow went to zoom away.
"Wait, Rainbow Dash!" Pinkie shouted.
"I don't think retrieving the Idol of Boreas is the reason we're supposed to be here," said Mario.
"I agree," said Pinkie.
"Then what do you suggest is the friendship problem?" Rainbow asked impatiently.
"Well, Gilda..." Mario tried to explain.
"What does she..." Rainbow then blinked when something to came to mind, "You can't be serious! You can't seriously think that Gilda and I not being friends is the problem!"
"Maybe not the main problem..." Mario replied.
"But part of it!" Pinkie added.
"Forget it!" Rainbow snapped, "I say the problem is finding the idol!"
"What about Twilight's advice?" Pinkie pointed out.
"What, taking a bunch of pictures?" Rainbow said sarcastically.
"She mentioned finding answers at the library," said Pinkie.
"If you really want to find the Idol of Boreas," said Mario, "We should do a little re-" Mario was then cut off as Twilight's pamphlet smacked Pinkie in the face and landed on the ground.
"Knock yourself out," said Rainbow, "But when you both get bored with Twilight's tour book, I'll be at the Abysmal Abyss finding the Idol of Boreas." Rainbow went to take off again, but was pulled back when she found Mario's using his magic holding her tail.
"Will you stop doing that?" Rainbow snapped.
"Uh...no!" Mario said indignantly, "You don't even know anything about the Abysmal Abyss! Maybe doing a little research before you go diving down there would be a smart idea!"
"Only for you eggheads," said Rainbow as she took off before Mario could grab her tail again. Mario growled as he watched the blue Pegasus disappear.
"If you get stuck down there I'm NOT saving you!" Mario yelled before turning around to see Pinkie just giving him a blunt look.
"What?" Mario said bitterly.
"You know how Rainbow is by now," Pinkie pointed out bluntly, "And you wouldn't leave her out there if she was in danger." Mario snorted.
"Point made," said Mario but added in a Cuban accent, "but seriously, one stubborn mule in my life is enough! Eye-ye-ye!" Mario crossed his fore-hooves in annoyance as Pinkie just giggled at the alicorn's pouting, but then pondered to himself.
"Whatcha thinkin', Pinks?" Mario asked.
"I think you might be on the right track," said Pinkie, "The fact the map would call Rainbow to Griffonstone and we immediately bump into Gilda has got to be more than a coincidence."
"Think maybe the map wants us to try repairing their friendship?" said Mario, "Gilda sure went out of her way to emphasize that she was irritated at seeing us."
"And yet she kept saying that she didn't care," said Pinkie, "when the way she was acting said otherwise...you know what I think?"
"What?" said Mario, curious since they seemed to be getting somewhere.
"Let's go check out that library and see if we can find the friendship problem there," said Pinkie, "Come on." Mario just watched Pinkie bounce away before rolling his eyes.
"I don't think we need to visit the library now that..." Mario then realized something, "actually, when it comes to Pinkie...experience has always taught me to trust her intuition, especially when it doesn't make sense to me. Wait up, Pinks!" Mario then zoomed after her.
Elsewhere, Rainbow had just arrived at the Griffonstone supply shop. She burst into the side doors where the storekeeper just looked bored and indignant.
"I'm here to find your missing idol and save Griffonstone!" Rainbow announced in her egotistical manner. Her only response was a long silence and one of the double doors falling off his hinges behind her.
"Uh, I'll need some rope, a grappling hook, and a guide to take me down to the Abysmal Abyss," Rainbow said to the shop keeper griffon.
"And I'll need some bits," said Storekeeper. Rainbow gave the griffon a blunt look.
No duh Caption Obvious Rainbow said to herself.
A little later, several griffons were just minding their own business as Gilda was pulling a wagon along the street. Pinkie wasted no time bouncing up to her while Mario just hovered behind the pink pony.
"Hey, Gilda!" said Pinkie in her cheerful manner, "Word on the street is that Griffonstone has an amazing library chock-full of answers!"
"Word on what street?" Gilda asked annoyingly.
"Figure of..." Mario was cut off when Pinkie raised a fore-hoof to his lips.
"Mario, I'll handle this," said Pinkie calmly before turning to the griffon, "Okay, maybe not this street, but on other streets, your library is the talk of the town."
"The library's right there," said Gilda as she pointed to a half fallen down building with book shelves and several books laying about on the ground, "so why don't you and your boyfriend go inside and leave me alone?!" Gilda didn't resist yelling at Pinkie before she stomped away with the cart rattling behind her. Mario just kept quiet but gave the griffon a glare.
"For the record, Mario's my big brother," said Pinkie, but was unheard. The two ponies then headed toward the ruins of what was supposed to be the library and looked around. They both took notice that many of the books were worn and some had pages missing from them. Pinkie gasped.
"Maybe it's good that Twilight didn't come..." said Pinkie.
"You can say that again," said Mario, "My wife would have a fit if she saw a library in this bad of a condition." Pinkie then looked up to see some griffon had tossed a book the statue of King Grover.
"It's sad what happened to your town, King, but Rainbow Dash can't be right," said Pinkie to the statue as she climbed up to the face and removed the book, "This can't all be because of a missing hunk of gold." Pinkie then moved to the statue's shoulders and pretended to make him talk by moving the stone beak.
"You are right, Pinkie!" The statue told her, "And you've got amazing hair!"
"Aw, King Grover, you old charmer!" said Pinkie, clearly flattered by the complement. Mario just looked a little stunned before a sly smile came on his face.
"Um, should I leave you and the statue alone, Pinkie?" he offered with a smirk on his face. Pinkie giggled to herself.
"Oh, Mario, stop it," Pinkie chuckled, "Come on!" Pinkie then jumped off the statue and Mario followed her. Neither of them noticed that as they ran off, the bottom of the statue's beak broke right off. Gilda was busy setting up her wagon when Pinkie and Mario arrived in front of it. They also noticed two griffons bump into each other, give each other glares, and stomped off without another word. This made Pinkie feel sad...for a moment.
"I know what Griffonstone needs!" Pinkie gasped.
"Fewer ponies?" Gilda proposed as she put some sort of clump of batter and twigs into the shelves.
"No, less attitude," Mario said with a smirk as Gilda just gave him the stink eye.
"A song!" Pinkie announced as she jumped into the air and got beside Gilda, "I've got a super song about smiling that sure to make even the most grumpy griffon grin!" Pinkie inhaled deeply to get ready to do one of her happy fast songs.
"Can't sing here!" said Gilda as she covered Pinkie's mouth and pointed at a "no singing" sign.
"I'm guessing some griffon was caterwauling late at night so loudly that made you guys decided that law?" Mario wondered aloud.
"You got it," said Gilda, "Except it was in the daytime."
"I see," said Mario plainly.
"But how do you break into uplifting musical numbers with no singing?" Pinkie asked.
"Yeah, that's Griffonstone's biggest problem," Gilda said with full sarcasm, "-lack of uplifting musical numbers."
"Don't Griffons at least enjoy their own kind of music?" Mario asked and then saw Gilda open her mouth.
"Just answer yes or no," Mario asked irritably.
"No!" Gilda snapped.
"Thank you," Mario replied with an eye roll.
"Well if I can't sing, how about a party?" Pinkie offered, "If there's one thing these griffons need, it's a good cheer! Where's the party store?" Gilda just glared at Pinkie and said nothing. Pinkie didn't need long to know what the answer to her question was.
"No party store?" said Pinkie, "Uh, how about cake? Nothing cheers folks up the folks like cake! Where's the bakery?"
"Ugh," Gilda groaned loudly after glaring at Pinkie again.
"Hey, you got those scones from somewhere didn't you?" Mario pointed out.
"I made them," Gilda said bluntly as Mario blinked.
"Didn't take you for a baker," Mario remarked.
"No singing, no party store, no bakery?!" Pinkie exclaimed before Gilda could reply to Mario's sarcasm. Then the pink pony grabbed Gilda and shook her, "What is this place?!"
"Pinkie, calm down," said Mario as he tried to pull her back from behind, "We'll think of..."
"You're welcome to leave AT ANY TIME!" Gilda yelled loudly, sending both Mario and Pinkie flying away and smashed into the side of a house wall, which left an indent from their impact. Pinkie was the first to unpeel herself from the wall and tumbled to the ground. Mario then floated out of the indention as flat as a pancake since he made the indention in the wall and Pinkie smashed into him.
(Lose a life fanfare)
"Momma mia..." Mario groaned as she floated next to Pinkie. Gilda snickered as Pinkie, instead of using a green and white mushroom, picked up the flattened Mario and waved him about to make him inflate back to normal. Mario just landed on his stomach once he was back into shape.
"Thanks..." Mario groaned.
"Well, that just takes the cake," said Pinkie as she paced about and Mario just watched, "Wait, no! It can't take the cake 'cause there is no cake! Or muffins! Or griffon scones!"
"Oh, we got griffon scones," said Gilda as she stood by her wagon, "That's my specialty."
"I'll buy one!" said Pinkie as she zipped up to the griffon. Gilda then held out the scone and Pinkie tried to take a bite out of it, but ended up chomping air as Gilda pulled it away.
"Bits first!" Gilda said rudely. Mario just rolled his eyes and went to get a bit for Pinkie, but then he saw Pinkie tug the front of her mane to make a bit appear and gave it to Gilda.
"I thought you said you were out of bits," Mario asked skeptically. Pinkie just gave a sheepish squee in reply when Gilda shoved the entire scone into Pinkie's mouth. Mario winced when he heard Pinkie literally crunching on the scone and making faces doing so.
"Well?" Gilda asked impatiently. Pinkie just kept crunching uncomfortably.
"What, you like it?" Gilda said again, "That's my Grampa Gruff's secret recipe." It was then as Pinkie was crunching that a tooth popped out of her mouth and she yelped.
"Ow! I think a broke a tooth!" Pinkie groaned. Gilda just started before becoming indignant.
"Well, whatever," said Gilda and she turned and started walking away toward her wagon, "No refunds. I don't even care anyway. I just want to sell enough of these so I can leave this lousy town." Pinkie then spat out the rest of the scone.
"I can help you with that!" said Pinkie as she gave the griffon a smile with jagged and broken teeth. Mario winced at the sight.
Thank Celestia I didn't try eating one of those things and for learning how to make that tooth restoration potion from Zecora, Mario thought to himself.
Meanwhile, Rainbow was standing at the edge of the Abysmal Abyss with the Storekeeper as her "hired" guide. Rainbow had a pith helmet with a light on it on her head.
"Uh, you think you could tighten the strap on my helmet?" Rainbow asked.
"Can you give me more bits?" Storekeeper replied. Rainbow just huffed in annoyance.
"Never mind, I got it," said Rainbow as she fixed the strap herself, "So how deep is this abyss?"
"How deep are your pockets?" the Storekeeper replied.
"Don't you griffons ever talk about anything but bits?" Rainbow snapped annoyingly.
"Gimme some bits and I'll answer," the Storekeeper answered.
"No wonder Gilda's such a delight," Rainbow remarked.
Regretting you ignored Mario and Pinkie's advice? a voice asked inside Rainbow's head, You might have had all the information you needed if you had gone to that library.
"Oh be quiet up there!" Rainbow bellowed angrily to herself.
Back in town, Mario had given Pinkie that potion that restore her damaged teeth. Then Pinkie and Mario guided Gilda over to an outdoor, and supposedly public, brick oven. Pinkie and Mario both sampled a new batch of griffon scones, which they had baked themselves.
"These scones are actually quite tasty," said Mario as he chewed his sample, "But...something feels off..."
"I agree," Pinkie said as she chewed her own sample, "Grampa Gruff's recipe is good, but it's missing one important ingredient."
"Don't tell me," said Gilda sarcastically, ""Friendship"?" Mario just gave her a indignant look.
"Uh, no," Pinkie replied, also giving Gilda a funny look, "Baking powder. Lucky for you, I never leave home without it!" Pinkie then pulled out a container of the powder from her mane. She then added the powder to a new set of scones and put them into the oven using a pair of oven mitts that she had also pulled out from the blue.
"Now just pop those into the oven," Pinkie told Gilda, "and you'll have griffon scones worth their weight in gold!" Pinkie couldn't help but gesture when she spoke, making one of her oven mitts to go flying into the griffon's face.
"You shouldn't have any problem attracting customers with these scones," Mario added, "any creature will pay plenty of bits for something as good as this."
"Assuming their throats don't burn up from the spices," Gilda remarked, well remembering the last time she tasted one of Pinkie's treats.
"Eh...Pinkie has a personal taste for making anything extra spicy," said Mario, "but that's only certain treats. These scones aren't one of them."
"I'll take your word for it I guess," Gilda said rather annoyingly. As the scones began to bake, the delicious smell rose into the air. Another female griffon was flying overhead when she caught whiff of the scones, but then crashed into another griffon flying above, making her fall in front of them with a thud.
"Oooooo," Mario winced, "Yeah...I can't tell you how many times I've seen that happen when the Pegasi ponies smell Pinkie's treats back home."
"Greta!" Gilda called out and tried helping the other female griffon up, but Greta rudely shoved her off and stomped away.
"Hmm..." Mario hummed as he pondered over what had happened.
"Aha! I saw that, Gilda!" said Pinkie in a teasing tone as she stood on her hind legs and her fore-hooves crossed, "You may act like a gruff, grumbling griffon, but inside you're gracious and great!"
"I...wouldn't go that far," Mario remarked.
"What are you talking about?" Gilda asked, pretending they hadn't seen her do that.
"You just helped your friend up when she got knocked down," said Pinkie.
"What, her?" Gilda retorted as the Greta just walked about, fuming to herself, "Greta's just some griffon I know. We don't have friends here!" Gilda then sighed.
"I did have a friend once," said Gilda, "but you saw how that turned out."
"You do know," Mario said gently, "that Rainbow never was trying to end your friendship. She just wanted you to stop being mean to her friends. Like she said, those pranks weren't meant for you and..." Pinkie then blinked definitively.
"Oh, my gosh," Pinkie exclaimed, "Mario, we gotta go find Rainbow Dash!"
"Hold on Pinks I'm...WAH!" Before Mario could reply, Pinkie had grabbed him and they were on their way toward the Abysmal Abyss. Gilda just watched the two ponies disappear.
"See ya," was all she could say.
Back at the abyss, Rainbow walked over to the edge as she heard the howling of a very strong wind below her.
"You sure we can't just fly down?" Rainbow asked as she tried to fly down, but the howling winds pushes her upward and made her fall into her back, "Whoa! Never mind, totally got my answer there." It wasn't much longer before the Storekeeper was holding the rope as Rainbow began to repel down the mountain.
"Just gotta find that golden idol and get out of this place," said Rainbow. Then there was trouble, the rope Rainbow was using to descend was very old. It only took a simple rubbing of the rope against a sharp rock before it snapped.
"AAAAAAAAAAAAAHH!" Rainbow screamed, "Whoooa!" Rainbow tried to control her fall by opening her wings, but the strong wind sent her slamming hard onto a platform below.
"Ow, ooh! My hoof!" said Rainbow as the land had injured one of her hind hooves and looked up to the Storekeeper, "Help! Throw me another rope!"
"Got any bits?" the Storekeeper asked. Rainbow sadly shook her head. The Storekeeper just shrugged and flew off, leaving Rainbow to fend for herself.
"Wait!" Rainbow shouted, "HEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEELP!" Sadly nopony heard. Rainbow grunted angrily.
"Can't I just be right instead of Mario for pony's sake!" Rainbow screamed before sighing in defeat. Once again, she had charged headfirst into trouble and was now alone.
"Help me, Mario," she whimpered as a small tear left her eye, "Please don't leave me here..." Rainbow soon recomposed herself and used a spare cloth she had to bandage her injured hoof. She then nervously tried to hover out of the Abyss, but the winds sent her spiraling out of control and she smacked the wall back first and slid back down to her platform. Rainbow then screamed in frustration.
"There you are!" said a familiar voice from up above Rainbow, "Forget about finding the idol! Mario and I figured out how to solve Griffonstone's real problem - scones!"
"Uh, I don't think that's the main problem but the scone are definitely leading us in the right direction," Mario corrected, "So how's your gung-ho adventure, Dashie?" Rainbow just glared up at Mario and said nothing.
"That bad huh?" said Mario simply, "Well, I warned you about charging down there. We'll get you out later. See ya!" Mario and Pinkie turned to leave.
"Pinkie Pie, Mario Star, you both get back here!" Rainbow shouted.
"Yeah?" Pinkie asked.
"You called?" Mario asked in a casual tone.
"Can one of you throw down a rope or something?" Rainbow shouted again.
"Lemme look!" Pinkie replied.
"Just hold on!" Mario added before they both stepped away from the cliff, Mario began searching through his saddle bag, "Let me see...hmm...no...no...no...ah! Here we go!"
"One rope coming up!" Pinkie called out. Rainbow held her fore-hooves in the air as the rope came down to her. Correction, the entire piece of rope came down to Rainbow. Pinkie hadn't bothered to hold the other end. Rainbow just grumbled and glared at the pink pony. Mario was glaring as well, tapping a fore-hoof irritably at her. Even he knew Pinkie was supposed to hold the other end of the rope.
"Heh...oops..." Pinkie said sheepishly at her mistake before looking down at Rainbow again, "We need help. Don't go anywhere! Come on, Mario!" The two ponies then headed back into town as Rainbow sighed to herself.
"Where does she think I'm gonna go?" Rainbow remarked annoyingly when suddenly part of her platform started to crumble. Rainbow squeaked in panic as she pressed herself against the wall.
"I hope I don't go anywhere!" Rainbow said nervously.
Back in town, Gilda had taken the finished scones out of the oven. She then took a bite of one and her eyes widened at how good it was. Before she could enjoy her scone, Pinkie and Mario both arrived.
"Rainbow Dash is stuck on a ledge in the Abysmal Abyss," Pinkie told Gilda, "and we need your help saving her!"
"Not my problem," said Gilda.
"Of course it's your problem!" Pinkie protested, "She's your friend!"
"Used to be," Gilda corrected.
"Because you decided to end it," Mario added. Gilda snorted.
"Can't you remember when she was?" Pinkie asked.
"Yeah," said Gilda quietly as she turned away from the group, "Of course."
Flashback
Many years ago in Cloudsdale, several little Pegasi colts and fillies were flying about the grounds of what was the Junior Speedster Flight Camp. A young Gilda had just arrived with her green duffle bag and was about to try flying when young Rainbow zoomed in front of her. Young Gilda was startled and lost her confidence to try flying. As young Rainbow flew about, three familiar bullies appeared to cause trouble.
"Doesn't that griffon know she's supposed to fly at the Junior Speedsters Flight Camp?" Young Hoops taunted. Young Gilda just looked sadly away when young Rainbow hovered over to her.
"Maybe she just doesn't want to make you look bad!" Young Rainbow shot back before turning to the young griffon, "Hey there, I'm Rainbow Dash! And you are...?"
"Uh...G-G-G-G-Gilda," said the griffon timidly.
"You sure about that?" said young Rainbow, but was only teasing, "Stick with me, Gilda, and those guys won't give you anymore gruff." Ironically, the three bullies were hovering right behind young Rainbow when she said that. She then offered young Gilda a fore-hoof, which the griffon took as they flew into the sky. Soon they started picking up speed and Gilda also found her confidence.
"Whoa! You're awesome!" said Rainbow.
"You too, Rainbow Dash!" said young Gilda, laughing since she was enjoying herself.
"Well, Gilda, let's show these guys how it's done," said young Rainbow as she and young flew side by side. The three bullies were shocked as how well young Rainbow and young Gilda were flying. Before they knew it, they were ten-pined out of the way as the two new friends flew into them.
"Junior Speedsters are our lives," Young Gilda sang.
"Skybound soars and daring dives," Young Rainbow sang.
"Junior Speedsters, it's our quest to someday be the very best!" the two friends sand together.
End Flashback
Back in the present, Gilda found her eyes watering as she quickly wiped them away.
"I think I understand now," said Mario gently.
"About what?" Gilda remarked bitterly.
"Why you are so mean to us, why you've gone out of your way to give us nothing but attitude since we got here," said Mario, "you're not angry with us. You're angry at yourself!"
"You don't know anything, Mario!" Gilda snapped, "So bud out!"
"You don't think I wouldn't understand that you were only mean to us ponies because you thought we were trying to take away your friend?" Mario replied firmly. Gilda was left speechless.
"I don't know what you're talking about," said Gilda.
"Really?" said Mario, "You wanted Rainbow to yourself because you were afraid..."
"Stop it!" Gilda snapped.
"...afraid that we were going to take Rainbow away," Mario continued, "so you did everything you could to keep us away from her, especially Pinkie..."
"Stop it!" Gilda protested loudly, but her voice cracked.
"Then when you realized you couldn't scare us off, you made Rainbow choose," Mario said sternly, "A choice she told me she never wanted to make. And when she didn't "choose" to leave the party with you, you told her off instead of just being honest with her! All she wanted was for you to become friends with her friends, but you did everything you could to prevent that. In the end, you turned your back on Rainbow and flew off!"
"WILL YOU JUST SHUT YOUR TRAP!" Gilda screamed loudly as she panted heavily and then touched her cheek. She was stunned to feel moisture and found that she had started crying. She sniffled to try and stop her tears, but it was no good as she growled loudly.
"Now look what you did!" Gilda yelled as her tears streamed down her cheeks, "Why couldn't you just...just..."
"Because you don't look like the type of griffon who gives up on anything," said Mario.
"I've NEVER given up on anything!" Gilda croaked.
"Yes you have," said Mario, "You gave up your friendship with Rainbow. If her friendship didn't matter to you at all, you wouldn't be screaming and crying right now!"
"I'm not crying! I got something in my eyes!" Gilda protested.
"Gilda, here some tough love for ya," Mario said firmly, "You look weak denying all of this! So stop lying to yourself and just admit it! You're hurt that Rainbow isn't your friend anymore and you have nopony to blame but yourself!" Gilda roared in rage before she covered her face with her claws. She could feel her composure slipping by the second as she turned around to hide her crying, but even Pinkie could hear the faint sobs coming from Gilda's mouth.
"Just...just leave me alone," Gilda whimpered with her back against the two ponies.
"Gilda," said Mario slowly, "Do you want your friend back?" Gilda sniffled as she wiped her eyes.
"Does it really matter?" Gilda asked.
"I know it does," said Mario, "you can deny it all you want but nothing is more valuable than a lost friend." Gilda just said nothing and sniffled again.
"Gilda, let me give you some advice," said Mario.
"Like I have a choice," Gilda remarked.
"Yeah, well, this is what it means to care about someone," said Mario, "despite your bad attitude, I care enough not to leave you alone crying and feeling miserable."
"Whatever," said Gilda.
"Unless," said Mario simply. Gilda finally turned around, looking rather puzzled.
"Huh?" Gilda replied.
"Unless," said Mario, "Unless you make the effort to do something, nothing is ever going to change. Why sit around here when you can make amends with Rainbow and get your friend back? Is your pride really worth losing that forever?" Gilda was quiet for a moment before she snorted.
"Fine, I'll help her," said Gilda, "But that doesn't make me her friend." Gilda then stomped off as Mario and Pinkie smirked.
"Duly noted," said Pinkie before facing...those reading this story, "Except it does!"
"Break the fourth wall later!" said Mario as he grabbed Pinkie's fore-leg and pulled her away, "It's time to rescue Dashie!"
Back in the Abysmal Abyss, Rainbow was doing her best not to fall as her platform continued to slowly crumble apart until Rainbow was against the wall. The wind howled again as Rainbow grew more worried.
"Hang on, loser!" said a voice Rainbow easily recognized, "I'm coming!" Rainbow was surprised to see Gilda wearing a pith helmet as she started climbing down toward the blue Pegasus.
"What took you so long, doofus?!" Rainbow called, joking to try and lighten the mood. Then an updraft nearly blew Gilda away but she clawed the side of the cliff to secure herself. Suddenly, the last of Rainbow's small platform crumbled away.
"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!" Rainbow screamed as she started falling deeper into the abyss.
"Rainbow Dash! I'm coming for you!" said Pinkie as she grabbed the rope Gilda was secured to a rock and dived into the abyss.
"Pinkie, you dum-meeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!" Mario cried out as he grabbed Pinkie around her stomach to keep her from jumping, but he grabbed her too late and fell with her. By the time Gilda could figure out what Pinkie had gone, the rope pulled her off the cliff wall and they all went falling deeper into the abyss.
"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHH!" Rainbow screamed again as Pinkie power dived at the blue Pegasus, her lips flapping and tears watering as they fell. Mario's face was in the same condition as he held the pink pony.
"Gotcha!" Pinkie shouted as she grabbed Rainbow.
"Yeah but thanks to your bright, impulsive idea nopony's got us!" Mario shouted as he held onto Pinkie.
"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHH!" Pinkie, Rainbow, Mario, and Gilda screamed. Then Gilda landed on the edge of another platform as Pinkie held onto Rainbow.
"WAHHH!" Mario cried out as the recoil made him fall off Pinkie's back and he was forced to hold onto Pinkie's right fore-leg as he dangled over the abyss next to Rainbow.
"Hang on Mario!" Pinkie called out as Mario wrapped his fore-legs around her left to hold on as best as he could.
"Hold on, you three!" Gilda grunted as she tried to hold into the platform, "Huh?" Gilda then gasped when she noticed a giant skull. She recognized it from Grampa Gruff's story and turned to see something metallic glint on the a platform across from her.
"The Idol of Boreas!" Gilda exclaimed and grunted as she tried to reach it. She was nearly in reach when she heard Rainbow and Mario cry out.
"I'm slipping!" Rainbow said worriedly.
"I've got ya Dashie!" Mario called out as he grabbed her fore-leg so she was could hold onto Pinkie more securely, which wasn't easy since ponies didn't have claws. Gilda was still straining and trying to grab the idol, but then she lost her grip and the idol was now dangling over the edge of the platform opposite of her. She tried harder to grab the idol.
"AAAAAAAAAAAHHHH!" Pinkie, Rainbow, and Mario screamed despite the fact the two dangling ponies had secured their grip so Pinkie wouldn't drop them. Gilda then realized she had a choice. She could try for the idol and risk dropping the three ponies into the abyss. Or she could save them and lose the idol forever. The three ponies held each other for dear life and then Gilda used all her strength to pull them up to the platform. The three ponies and Gilda then saw the idol fall off the platform and deeper into the abyss.
"The idol!" Rainbow cried out.
"You're more important to me than some dumb chunk of gold," said Gilda as they shared a group hug...for about a second when their platform started crumbling.
"Hugging later, climbing now!" Pinkie shouted as she tied a rope around Rainbow's stomach. Mario then adjusted the rope so he was tied as well. And now that he was on a platform stable enough to do so. He pulled out a four set of suction cup shoes so he and Gilda could climb out as they pulled the two ponies up. They started climbing just in time as the platform they had been standing on broke away. Once they were out of the abyss, the group headed into town.
"I'm really sorry about how I treated you three," said Gilda.
"Thanks, Gilda," said Rainbow.
"Apology accepted," said Pinkie.
"All is forgiven," said Mario.
"And I'm just sorry we didn't get your idol back," said Rainbow, "Now we'll never be able to solve Griffonstone's problem. I should've listened to Mario and not rushed into the abyss..."
"That's what I was trying to tell you!" said Pinkie, "The map didn't send us here to find the lost Idol or Boreas. It sent us here to replace it with something better!"
"Nothing's better than gold to a griffon," said Gilda.
"Not entirely true," said Mario.
"Mario's right," said Pinkie as she gave Gilda a hug, "that's because you don't have friendship! If you can learn to care about each other again, Griffonstone could be a mightier kingdom than it ever was before! And you don't need some golden idol to do that. You just need each other." Pinkie stood on her hind legs to emphasize her point.
"Whoa, Pinkie," said Rainbow, "that was...really sappy."
"Eh, what can I say?" said Pinkie, "That's how Mario and I roll."
"That's true," said Mario with a chuckle, "it might be sappy, but a little love and friendship can make a big difference in a pony, or griffon's, life. Even Gilda can admit that knowing somepony cared about her feelings helped her realize that her friendship with you was important to her."
"I hate to admit it, but it's true," said Gilda, "Mario's pretty persistent. Ugh, I still can't believe he made me cry." Gilda then flinched. She hadn't meant to say that!
"You made Gilda cry?!" Rainbow exclaimed to Mario, "Geez, did you actually beat her up or something?"
"Not one bit," said Mario, "The truth was obvious. Gilda regretted losing you as her friend. Just like with you, I had to use a little tough love to get her to come to terms with her anger and open up. It also convinced her to help us save your sorry flank, ya dweeb."
"Oh very funny!" said Rainbow indignantly as Gilda chuckled. It was then Greta walked by in the foreground.
"Go on, Gilda!" said Pinkie, "Go make a friend!"
"Just remember to use the scones to start the conversation if you're not sure what to say," said Mario. Gilda just looked nervous before she took a timid step forward. Rainbow then handed her the sheet of scones and pushed her forward. The three ponies watched the two griffons interact with each other. They noticed Gilda start the conversation, Greta shook her head, and then Gilda offered the scone, which Greta accepted.
"I don't know, Pinkie and Mario," said Rainbow, "You really think these griffons are up for this? We aren't exactly in Ponyville, you know."
"Well, spreading friendship might be a bit awkward at first," said Mario, "but in time, they'll embrace it just like we ponies do. More or less..." Pinkie nodded with a smug smile on her face.
"Okay, so she was really weirded out until I gave her the scone," said Gilda, "Then she tried it and said it tasted good! That's the first nice thing anygriffon's ever said to me!"
"That's good," said Mario, "sometimes the road to making friends is doing small acts of kindness." Pinkie smiled in agreement. It was the three ponies heard a familiar chime and then turned to see that their cutie marks were glowing. Then...
Three Flower Sprites appeared and hovered above each other their heads. The three ponies smiled before they jumped up and grab them.
(Cue "You got a Flower Sprite" fanfare)
Each pony grabbed their Flower Sprite, twirled once on their hind legs, (Rainbow hovered in the air to do her twirl since her hind leg was still bandaged.), and they held their Flower Sprite above their head.
"AWW YEAH!" the three ponies cheered as the Flower Sprites then gathered into Mario.
"Whoa, Pinkie and Mario," said Rainbow, "I guess that really was the problem we needed to solve." It was then Pinkie appeared in a film reel style advertisement.
"Baking powder makes baked goods and friendship fluffy and delicious!" said Pinkie with a squee.
"Please use baking powder responsibly. Baking powder doesn't literally make your friends fluffy and delicious, even if you put baking powder on them," Mario said in under two seconds for the disclaimer in the background of the advertisement.
"Well, we'd better be heading home," said Rainbow.
"What?" Gilda exclaimed, "Y-Y-You want me to spread friendship here by myself?! How am I supposed to do that?! I haven't even made one single friend yet!"
"No, you haven't," said Rainbow before giving her a smile, "You've made three." Pinkie and Mario smiled.
"Hugging! Hugging now!" said Pinkie as she started to cry as they shared a group hug. A few seconds later, all but Pinkie had pulled away, which Gilda had to push the pink pony off.
"But you'll come back and visit, right?" Gilda asked, slightly worried.
"Just try and stop us!" said Rainbow, "and if you ever need to talk to somepony, send a letter to Mario here! He's a really good listener and he's won't make you feel bad if you need to say something personal or emotional."
"I've noticed," said Gilda, "I'll keep it mind." The three ponies headed off on their way back to the train station while Gilda headed off in the opposite direction. Pinkie then looked back at the old state of King Grover and saw one of the eyes sparkle.
"See ya later, you old charmer," Pinkie replied.
"Uh, Pinkie?" said Rainbow, "Who are you talking to?"
"Her new boy-mmph?!" Pinkie cut Mario off by shoving a scone into his mouth.
"Nopony!" Pinkie told the blue Pegasus as the three ponies passed through the main gate, "let's go home, and see how Gummy did with Granny Pie's marjolaine recipe!"
Back at Sugarcube Corner, Gummy hadn't moved an inch or made any progress on the cake. All he did was blink his eyes.
Like nopony saw that coming!
And that concludes another chapter and the first of many smaller friendship missions. Plus always felt that if they had spent more time having Gilda come to terms with her bad attitude, her change of heart wouldn't have felt so rushed.
Now the Flower Sprite count is 11. But from here on out, I'm going to be assuming after a certain point that there were other cutie map missions besides the ones in the episodes, so the number of Flower Sprites might be higher the next time I do another Friendship mission chapter.
Next time: The first of many famous episodes of season 5! The shows famous 100th episode special! All I can say is that I've got a few surprises in store for you!
Peace Pony Fans!