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Post by The Storyteller on Sept 24, 2011 8:39:25 GMT -5
Previously on Lunar Eclipse... Gilda, the crass and uncouth gryphon from Rainbow Dash's past, has returned to Ponyville to challenge her old flying companion to a death defying race in the canyons of the Dragon Mountains! Guided by an unseen source, the gryphon has been promised retribution should she defeat the pegasus...but is there a malevolent premise to this mysterious entity's vow? Only time will tell. Dawn has now broken over the craggy horizon of the mountain scape; all that remains is for our challengers and their supporters to make their appearance... [ Special Rules ] - This thread is limited to the mane cast and Gilda. It is a precursor to the unfolding plot of the board. [ Prior Thread Reference ]
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Rainbow Dash
New Pony
I'd never leave Ponyville hangin'
Posts: 39
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Post by Rainbow Dash on Sept 28, 2011 13:24:34 GMT -5
So, dawn had broken already? Great. Sleep was hardly the term for what she'd been doing all night, and a slightly groggy Rainbow Dash made her way over to the Dragon Mountains. Blinking hard a few times, she tried to wake herself up as she leisurely glided over towards their meeting point. After all, she needed to save as much energy as possible for the actual race... and as she flew closer, it seemed like she was the only pony there. Well, 'least that would give her a few more minutes. The pegasus landed abruptly as her wings beat out of synch for a moment, azure hooves sending tiny dust clouds into motion. Ugh, why was nopony here? Dash had hoped that at least one of her friends would have turned up to cheer her on.
"They're probably just runnin' late." She muttered aloud, stretching her wings out properly. With or without them, Dash would have to do this race; a challenge was a challenge, and just because it was Gilda didn't mean she could go easy. In fact, the gryphon would probably be insulted if she tried, and there was no way Dash's own pride would let her do that. There was no time to prepare anymore - this was just the long, agonising wait before the storm.
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Post by Twilight Sparkle on Sept 29, 2011 10:52:27 GMT -5
Twilight walked to the Dragon Mountains where she was to meet Rainbow Dash, Gilda, and hopefully her other friends. She then saw Rainbow Dash there, getting ready for the race. "Hello Rainbow Dash! I got here as soon as I could. Are you ready for the race?"
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Post by Fluttershy on Oct 3, 2011 22:32:59 GMT -5
A single figure made its way up the steep cliffside. A large bird passed over the mountain, and when the shadow faded passed by, Fluttershy peeked out from behind the rock she had hid behind. "J-just a bird." she assured herself, knees shaking as she resumed her climb. She really, really didn't want to see Gilda again, ever. If it were up to her, she'd be at home, tucking in the animals.
But Rainbow Dash was her friend. Besides, Rainbow had been there for Fluttershy when she needed her, and she wanted to return the favor. So up, up, up she climbed, headed to where she was supposed to meet the others. When she made it over the last slope, she almost couldn't look, afraid she'd be alone with the ornery gryphon. To her relief, Rainbow Dash and Twilight Sparkle were there, and no sign of Gilda.
She smiled and trotted over to the two of them. "Hello Twilight...a-and hello, Rainbow." she said, bowing her head slightly as she addressed the other pegasus. "A-are you sure you're going to be okay...Gilda was your friend, after all..."
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Post by Spike on Oct 4, 2011 9:49:18 GMT -5
"Yeah Dash, you ready to kick some feathered flanks?" Spike asked as he came up quickly behind Twilight but after Fluttershy. He had a small pouch with him full of small little granules of gems. Looking to Twilight, he shrugged, "It's a competition right? Had to bring some poprocks... Want some?" he offered to her as he popped a little red stone into his maw to chomp on.
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Post by Gilda Gryphon on Oct 5, 2011 18:14:45 GMT -5
"Hope you brought enough for everybody, short stuff. "
Reclining on one of the numerous precipices inundating the dangerous crags around them lay Gilda, looking as vainglorious as ever. The gryphon was roosted on her backside, one hindquarter thrown over the other at the 'knee', leonine foot bobbing restlessly to an unheard beat. Her forelegs were tucked behind her feathery cranium in a fold, pillowing her head as she boasted a conniving smile at the group.
" Dash is certainly gonna need all those pretty jewels; can't think of any other way she'll be able to buy back her pride after I make her eat my dust." The mauve coloration around her eyes contracted as she squinted threateningly. " This all your friends, Dashypoo? Coulda sworn you had more of those dorks groveling at your hooves. "
From what it looked like, Gilda had been here for quite some time already, intent on seeing Dash squirm even at first light.
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Rainbow Dash
New Pony
I'd never leave Ponyville hangin'
Posts: 39
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Post by Rainbow Dash on Oct 6, 2011 9:37:56 GMT -5
A sharp twist sent her snout pointing upwards, eyes narrowing as she spied the leonine figure atop the precipice. Huh, she had bothered to show up, then. No getting out of this now. A surprisingly confident laugh left the pegasus considering the knot in her stomach, wings beating emphatically as the heat of the previous day's encounter flared up.
"They've got better things to do than chase you around all day. You wanna race or not?" She snapped, digging a hoof into the ground to stop herself from tackling her once friend. Just 'cause she didn't really want to fight Gilda didn't mean that she wouldn't stand her ground. To be honest, all the filly really wanted was to start the damn race and get it over with - get the butterflies out of her stomach, and end this stupid little escapade that the gryphon had started. Heck, even after their standoff at Pinkie's party, Dash totally would have forgiven her if she'd just stop harrassing her other friends. But since that clearly wasn't the case, the pegasus had no choice.
Or maybe the lack of sleep had just made her incredibly grumpy. Regardless, she was going to beat Gilda's stupid face into the stupid ground, and finish this in ten seconds flat. All she needed to do was win, then it would all be over. And for the Best Young Flier in Equestria, that would be E-A-S-Y!
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Post by Twilight Sparkle on Oct 6, 2011 14:08:57 GMT -5
Twilight smiled when she saw Fluttershy appear. She wasn't sure she would be interested in watching a race or making the treck into the mountains. She then gave a confused look at spike shen he offered her some gems. "Spike, you know ponies can't eat gems. They might hurt their teeth." Twilight then settled into watching Rainbow Dash. The pegasus seemed to be really anxious, like she wanted to get this race over and done. As much as Twilight wanted to help her friend, she knew that she had to run this race by herself. "Good luck Rainbow Dash! We'll be cheering you on!"
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Post by Fluttershy on Oct 8, 2011 12:08:21 GMT -5
Fluttershy squeaked softly and shrank back when Gilda made her presence known. Luckily, it seemed that the Gryphon only had one target in mind today: Rainbow Dash. Despite her nervousness, this thought sent a hot jolt through her. It reminded her of that time, all those years ago at flight camp. Rainbow had stood up for her then, and now she was about to put her skills on the line again. This time, Fluttershy was going to give her friend her full support.
"You can do it..." she offered quietly. Well, it was a start, Fluttershy was still a little afraid of what the Gryphon would do if she caught her ire. That wasn't going to stop her from supporting Rainbow Dash, though! She gave the other pegasus an encouraging smile, trying to communicate her thanks for what had happened earlier.
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Post by Gilda Gryphon on Oct 11, 2011 15:25:28 GMT -5
The gryphon flaunted a predatory smile. " I want nothing more, Flipflop."
In an agile roll, she righted herself onto all four appendages, exposing the full breadth of her wings with a single movement. A solitary flap, and she sent herself aerial, keeping said wingspan flared outward as she glided easily down to land before her once-friend. After landing with a light grunt, she splintered her amber gaze at Rainbow Dash, beak curling into a snarl that already bespoke victory, despite the race having not started yet.
Gilda's expression abruptly vanished a moment as she picked her head up, cocking an intangible ear to something only she appeared to hear. If one listened closely, they could quite possibly hear the barest sigh on the wind, a dash of the ethereal that gave those soft gales the slightest hint of sentience. The gryphon nodded her feathered head to no one in particular, then looked towards Dash pointedly.
" Guess I better tell you the stakes, huh? Well, " She cleared her throat with forced bravado, " Here's the deal, Dash : if you win, " Gilda released an indiscernible chuckle, sounding more like a grunt. " , I get lost, for good. I'll never bother you or your dweeby friends as long as we both shall live. However, if I win, " Her menacing gaze twinkled, a shadow of menace creeping over her smile. " You leave Ponyville, and come with me. No more pallin' around with these bozos, " She skewed her head towards the other ponies and Spike, briefly. " No more Winter Wrap Ups; Running of the Leaves, etcetera, blah blah and so forth. You get the idea. "
In a surprising display of sportsmanship, she lifted a paw and extended it, palm and talons open, for a firm shake. " Pretty risky wager, eh, Dashy ol' girl? Let's say we shake on it, make it...permanent. "
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Post by Rarity on Oct 13, 2011 16:40:40 GMT -5
Next to emerge from the path that winded around the mountain was a familiar white bodied pony, hair done up in it's usual wavy fashion, mirrored by the tail that she made sure never touched the ground. Dainty steps were taken, but it looked like it really took no effort for her to keep it up. Around her neck was a dark blue scarf, the wind nipped at this altitude and it was just the perfect time to show it off, and of course, not one to over look details, nestled on her forehead in front of her horn was the matching tiara of silver metal with gems as blue as the scarf encrusted in a pattern along it.
Rarity did her best to look so grand for this occasion. "Oh I'm so sorry I'm late, but I just had to look my best for Rainbow Dash. I had threatened my own well being in the past for her, after all."
Seems she had arrived a little late, taking a moment to see all her companions were already smiling and sending their blessing to their rainbow colored cohort, but she was able to catch Fluttershy's encouraging cry, and one to quickly catch on, added on of her own. "Oh I know you can do this, Rainbow Dash! Why your opponent is gray as dull! Show her what a full pallet can do! With grace and agility!" She finished her appraisal with an assuring smile, closing her eyes and letting her full lashes be seen.
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Rainbow Dash
New Pony
I'd never leave Ponyville hangin'
Posts: 39
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Post by Rainbow Dash on Oct 15, 2011 10:32:38 GMT -5
As Gilda made her oh so high and mighty descent, the pegasus' thoughts drifted to her friends. Fuchsia daggers never left the gryphon, but the voices told her everything she needed to know. That, and she'd already spotted Twilight and Fluttershy before the featherbrain had announced herself, even if she hadn't acknowledged them directly. Although she was trying to focus on the challenge at hoof, Rainbow Dash couldn't help but notice that those familiar earth ponies were missing from her entourage. Where were Pinkie and AJ? Anxiety tightened the knot in her stomach - had they stayed behind because they knew she couldn't do it?
... Nah, they wouldn't do that to her. Or at least, that's what she told herself. It was bad enough that Dash was letting Gilda get to her; she couldn't start doubting her friends now, else she'd lose all her bottle. Pre-flight nerves she could deal with. Tail twitching anxiously, the filly became inherently aware that the gryphon was speaking again. Ugh - a voice she would normally have bolted across skies to find was now dulling her ears like cotton wool. What was she going on about now...?
"... However, if I win, you leave Ponyville, and come with me."
"W-WHAT?!" She bellowed, caught off guard by the proposition. She'd expected Gilda to have something up her sleeve, but leaving Ponyville?! All her friends, too? The little town was her home now, her life even! She... she had responsibilities here, and who would defend Fluttershy, or tussle with AJ, or... or...
Gulping back her shock, it took Dash nigh two seconds to react, initially letting out a short, low growl. Despite her inner worries, she couldn't exactly back down now, and especially not just because Gilda was raising the stakes. She'd never live it down! The Best Young Flier in Equestria bested by a gryphon? Never! And it would be all the more spectacular once she crossed that finish line in first place. Yeah... she could totally do this. "Fine! But I hope you like my dust, 'cause you'll be eatin' it for a month! There's no way you can beat me when it comes to speed!"
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Post by Spike on Oct 17, 2011 11:15:58 GMT -5
Wow. Those stakes were pretty heavy! Then again, he really didn't expect anything less from a bully like Gilda... Maybe they shoulda just ignored her? But then again, that would mean Gilda would still be terrorizing the ponies of Ponville, not to mention baby dragons like himself! This was the best option at this point it seemed.
Assuming his position atop Twilight's back, as he was acustomed to, he continued to chew on those smaller rocks from his bag, "Eh, your loss! These are delicious!" he said before refocusing on the task at hand, noticing Rarity had shown up and Fluttershy had given her reassuring condolences. This was going to be fun! Though.... What if Rainbow Dash lost...?
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Post by Twilight Sparkle on Oct 18, 2011 9:02:18 GMT -5
Twilight's face changed from a look of excitement to one of worry after hearing the terms of the race, especially to what would happen to the loser. What if Rainbow Dash lost and was forced to leave Ponyville...forever? Twilight would lose one of her friends who stood by her side throughout everything that had been through, good and bad. She cheered for Rainbow at the best Young Flyers Competition, foght with her against Nightmare Moon and Discord, and had fun at parties with her.
No, she couldn't think about losing her. She had to be hopeful that Rainbow Dash would beat Gilda and allow her to stay. "I know you can do it," Twilight shouted, "You're the fastest pony I know, and I know how much you want to stay here and with your friends. Just stay calm and race like you've never raced before!"
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Post by Gilda Gryphon on Oct 23, 2011 19:42:54 GMT -5
Quite aggressively, Gilda wrapped her talons around Rainbow Dash's hoof, instilling a sharp, tenacious shake to solidify their deal. Once that was established, the lithe gryphon neatly turned away from her opponent, sauntering over towards a predestined spot near a multitude of blade-like rocks that protruded from the ground. " Enjoy the worthless praise while you can, Dashy, " The feathered beast muttered sardonically, " You're not gonna be hearin' it for long. "
" Hey, TWERP! " Gilda snapped at the infant dragon nearby, wheeling her gaze about to snag Spike in her sights violently. " Give us a countdown! " Her claws teased at the soil beneath her weight, creating dry rivulets in the wake of those twitching scythes. The sinewy muscle, able and taut beneath her pelt, tensed readily, her posture hunkering. She was ready. She had always been ready.
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