Chapter 11
Bad Boys

Gilda the griffon was once Rainbow Dash's best friend. That is until Gilda tried to get rid of Pinkie Pie because she thought Pinkie Pie was in her way. That turned out to be a terrible mistake on Gilda's part because it caused her friendship with Rainbow Dash to be torn into pieces. Gilda left Ponyville without saying sorry. Eventually, Gilda returned to Ponyville and apologized to Rainbow Dash and Pinkie Pie for her what she did. They forgive her. Since then, Gilda has been best friends with Rainbow Dash and Pinkie Pie. Even though it's been years Gilda has been to Ponyville, she decided it was time for another visit. This time with her son Gruff. It all began one afternoon in Ponyville. For the first time in years, Gilda came to visit Ponyville with her son Gruff. Rainbow Dash decided they should have a party at Apples Acres to welcome their arrival. Along with Rainbow Dash's family and her friends families, they went to Apples Acres to get things started. It didn't take long for Pinkie Pie, Party Bash, and Jester to get everything ready. Later on, at Apple Acres, Rainbow Dash and her friends were shown having a good time with Gilda, while Summer and her friends hanged out with Gruff. That turned out to be a tough challenge because Gruff didn't seem to want to do anything except for sitting under a tree. That's it. While the others eventually stopped trying to get Gruff to do anything, Jester refused to give up. Gruff wished he did because Jester was coming off as very annoying. Meanwhile, Gilda and Rainbow Dash were recollecting about the past. "We did some pretty crazy things when we were kids," Gilda said.

"You got that right," Rainbow Dash replied with a heartfelt smile.

"About what happened before...ya know...with Pinkie Pie. I'm really sorry for that Rainbow Dash," Gilda said sincerely, "If I hadn't acted like such a big jerk, our friendship wouldn't have been ruined. I'm just glad you and Pinkie Pie accepted my apology."

"I told you already Gilda...it's ok. As long as we're friends that's all that matters," Rainbow Dash replied. She then turned her attention to Gruff. "By the way...how's your family doing?"

"Fine," Gilda said. She let out a deep sigh. "I do admit though I've had a hard time dealing with Gruff. He just doesn't seem to be interested in anything. Back home, all Gruff does is he sits in his bedroom with the door locked. I don't know what to do with him. I thought by bringing him here would be a good change of scenery for him, but it doesn't appear to be doing much. I'm happy to see that pony over there is still trying to help cheer up Gruff."

"That's Jester for ya," Rainbow Dash replied, "Just like his mom, Jester refuses to give up trying to cheer someone up. If there's anyone I know that can help your son...it's him."

"I sure hope so," Gilda said as she sighed again. At the same time, Gruff was trying his best to ignore Jester. It was proving to be very difficult. It wasn't long before Gruff lost his patience due to Jester's onslaught of ridiculously annoying questions.

"For the last time...leave me alone," Gruff grunted angrily.

"Not until you play with me," Jester replied with a smile.

"Pass," Grunted muttered. He then paused for a moment as a mischievous grin appeared on his face. "Tell you what...I'll play with you, but only if I decide what we do."

"Really?!" Jester exclaimed happily, "Anything you want to do is fine with me friend!"

"Yeah...we ain't friends...yet," Gruff replied sternly, "Only if you prove to me you have what it takes to be my friend."

"So...we are we gonna do?" Jester asked curiously.

"Real fun," Gruff replied, "Way better than whatever you were going to come up with. You sure you can handle it?"

"You bet!" Jester exclaimed. Little did Jester know, Gruff's idea of fun was about to get him into serious trouble. The type of punished-for-a-week' trouble. You see, what Gruff though as fun was mischievous pranks. Not just simple harmless pranks, I mean leaning more towards cruel pranks. Like getting a random pony accidentally arrested for robbing a store. That was just one example of the types of pranks Gruff and Jester pulled on the residents of Ponyville. Even though Jester knew what he was doing was wrong, he was just having so much fun with Gruff. When Gruff finally acknowledged Jester as his friend, Jester was so happy that he didn't seem to care about the trouble they were causing. However, it wouldn't be long before Jester's friendship with Gruff would be tested when Gruff came up with the ultimate prank. Which turns out included Mayor Mare. Apparently, Gruff and Jester were planning on pranking Mayor Mare during her annual speech in the town square. They were going to cover her in glue and feathers and then fling her all the way into the muddy pig pen in Apple Acres using a secret hidden catapult under the stage. At first Jester was all-in for the prank, but when the time finally arrived, Jester started to get second thoughts. Later on, in the town square, they were getting the catapult put into place. That's when Jester started to state his concern to Gruff. "Hey Gruff. Isn't this kind of going too far?"

"Come on Jester...don't tell me you chickening out already?" Gruff asked in a disappointed tone.

"Well...um...I was thinking maybe we shouldn't do this," Jester replied, "It doesn't feel right."

"I guess you don't want to be my friend anymore," Gruff muttered.

"No! I do! I do!" Jester exclaimed. With that, Jester ignored the doubt he was feeling and helped Gruff get everything ready. Not long after, the prank was ready as Mayor Mare on stage speaking to the crowd of ponies. Meanwhile, Jester and Gruff were watching from behind a nearby house. Just then, Gruff pressed down a remote switch. It was the activator for the glue and feather from atop the stage, along with the catapult.

"In exactly one minute Mayor Mare is going to be swimming with pigs," Gruff chuckled. Fifteen minutes later, Jester's conscious finally got to him. As fast as he could, Jester flew to the stage and pushed Mayor Mare out of the way.

"What are you doing Jester?" Mayor Mare asked.

"I'm sorry Mayor Mare...I can't let this happen to you," Jester replied. Before she could respond, Gruff flew over to Jester.

"What's the deal dude?" Gruff asked angrily. As Gruff and Jester began to argue, they apparently forgot something very important. The prank. At that moment, Jester and Gruff were covered in glue. A second later, they were covered in feathers. Suddenly, Jester and Gruff were thrown into the air by the catapult from under them. The next thing they knew they were lying facedown in the pig pen in Apple Acres. When Apple Bloom walked by, she was confused as to why they were covered in glue and feathers. Jester and Gruff were so embarrassed they ran away before she could approach them. In the end, Jester confessed to everyone about how he and Gruff were the ones responsible for all the pranks they had pulled over the past couple of days. As expected, they were immediately punished by their parents. Applejack was the one who suggested Jester and Gruff work at Apple Acres for one week as their punishment. Neither Pinkie Pie, Party Bash, or Gilda was against the idea. Because there isn't anything better for punishment than good old-fashioned manual labor. As for Jester and Gruff, they still remained friends. Gilda was happy that something good came out of this. Eventually, Gilda and Gruff left Ponyville to return home. The next time they returned, Gruff decided to let Jester decided what they what do for fun. Gruff and Jester knew about the consequences if they got busted for troublemaking again.